My Weekly Update: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157838786316360/?t=20

Biden signs Legislation making Juneteenth 12th Federal Holiday. Fort Worth native, Opal Lee, who devoted more than 30 years to fight for the Federal Holiday stands by his side as he signs bill!  

Town of Apex makes history with first Black American and female Town Manager, Katy Crosby.

We wish everyone a very Happy Father’s Day.   

We pray for any families, who have lost a father or loved one from Covid 19, any illness, or military/first responder service.  

As we begin to enjoy the fun of summer, let us take a moment to tell our Fathers we are grateful for all they do for us.  

A special thanks to my Dad for always being there for our family, and also my late Father in Law, who was like a second dad to me. 

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157838820626360/?t=20

My play of the week is to have the Town take the steps for establishing a more formal Black History Museum to celebrate the Shiloh Community story and the other inspiring leaders of our Town, including Dr. James Dunston, Reverend Ed Cole, Luther Green and other famous figures.   

In addition, we can have tours and Civil War Re Enactments (like in the past) and develop a way for the Town to also generate revenue from our Tourism program, which will bring in folks to visit us from around the state.  Lectures can also be provided.  

Although we have a display at Town Hall, my play would be to have this Museum in the Town Center, an anchor and destination where we can celebrate our rich history and diversity of our community.

Saturday, June 19, 10am - 2pm, Cedar Fork Community Center

https://abc11.com/nc-juneteenth-celebration-durham/10793474/   

Friday 3 pm – 9pm  

This event will also celebrate racial and economic equity and a major announcement is expected at this event.  4000 homes and over 500 businesses in the Hayti corridor were destroyed when Highway 147 was constructed.   

Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee or Freedom Day marks a day in 1865 when enslaved Texans learned they’d be free—two months after Robert E. Lee surrendered and ended the Civil War and two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Initially a uniquely Texan observance, Juneteenth has now been recognized in some form in every corner of the country.

Lessons about Juneteenth need to recognize the challenges those who fight injustice have always faced, but they shouldn’t be marked only by the tragedy of enslavement. Our nation, particularly our youth, can find empowerment in the jubilant celebrations of culture, activism and the humanity of all people.  

More importantly, it is important for all of us to ask ourselves a fundamental question:  

July 4th celebrations of independence went on for 89 years before the United States abolished slavery.  In many ways, Juneteenth is our second Independence Day, when the famous words of our Declaration of Independence, “All men are created equal.” Became true for all of us. 

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass acknowledged July 4th Independence Day as “inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony” during his July 5, 1852 speech in Rochester, New York. 

Although the truth had been hidden from them—and they continued to face threats of continued oppression, violence and death—a year after they learned of their freedom, formerly enslaved people resiliently rallied around that date and made the celebration an annual ritual. Early Juneteenth observances included a search for lost family members and an opportunity to uplift each other as they continues to move through hostile environments. 

Early celebrations involved readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, religious ceremonies, singing, games and enjoying foods that enslaved people ate. Today, it doesn’t look that much different. People retell histories, have family reunions, eat foods reminiscent of early Juneteenth celebrations such as barbeque, attend religious services or choir performances and have elaborate displays such as fancy dress and parades.

That’s why Juneteenth is more than an observance of freedom. It’s also a time to share the experiences of those who fought—literally and figuratively—to seek true freedom for future generations. It is important that we do not forget this.

A common mistake among those who teach the history of American slavery is to center the U.S. government’s role in granting freedom while also placing the onus to navigate through a racist society solely on the formerly enslaved.

Perhaps many center Lincoln in this history because we tend to think of the Emancipation Proclamation, instead of the 13th Amendment, as ending slavery. 

But it’s important for students to know that enslaved people didn’t willfully accept enslavement or wait for others to free them. They resisted often and consistently. While rare, violent rebellions did occur. Some people successfully escaped enslavement. And everyday acts of resistance, such as breaking tools or pretending to be ill were other ways enslaved people asserted their humanity. 

While it certainly encouraged enslaved people to liberate themselves (letting them know they wouldn’t be re-enslaved if they escaped behind Union lines), the Emancipation Proclamation didn’t end U.S. slavery because it didn't apply to Union states. January 31, 1865 marks the day the 13th Amendment—which officially abolished slavery in the United States—was passed in Congress. Students need to know that there were people enslaved in Delaware until December 6, 1865, the day the 13th Amendment was finally ratified. 

Juneteenth offers an opportunity to talk to students about this complex history. When you do, you can also talk about the progress and opposing forces that continue to threaten all of these milestones, even though they’re protected by the Constitution of the United States. 

American history has often been reduced to a simple story of continuous progress. In this context, the Emancipation Proclamation represents an important turning point—the country coming to its senses and setting the course for concrete steps toward true equality.

But it’s important for students to know that the announcement—and the celebration afterward—was short-lived and riddled with setbacks, including violence. For example, some enslavers intentionally waited until the harvest before they announced that the enslaved were freed. 

And some people taking advantage of their freedom were met with terror or even death. Newly freed people didn’t have protection until September 1865 with the creation of the Freedmen’s Bureau, and even those efforts were often thwarted during Reconstruction.  

But we know that “racism takes the shape of whatever will hold it.” Barriers to freedom weren’t predestined, but they do confirm that there has always been a force to maintain racial hierarchy by pushing back against change. 

In other words, with each attempt to bring justice and equality to all people, there is often a quick and fierce response. With each victory, there is yet another dueling force to conquer. The announcement of emancipation was no exception, and Juneteenth is a perfect opening to invite students to think about the “story of America” they often hear.

The irony hasn’t been lost on African Americans, who saw that true freedom included navigating society with social, political and economic power. Yet other Americans—those with and without power—fought actively to deny them those rights. For years this paradox dampened the enthusiasm to celebrate, and Juneteenth was not observed for several decades between WWII and the end of the civil rights movement.

The holiday wasn’t revived until the end of Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s campaign, which fell short of its ambitions after King was assassinated. Campaign organizers and protesters made their way to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where, for more than a month, they visited federal offices to demand economic justice.  

The campaign came to an end by late June, but not before recognizing June 19 as Solidarity Day.

Join the Town of Morrisville as we celebrate the emancipation and the achievements of Morrisville's African-American community through speakers, proclamations, food, fun activities, music, vendors, and entertainment at Cedar Fork Community Center at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 19.

Visit http://bit.ly/MorrisvilleJuneteenth for more Juneteenth details.

Advance Community Health will conduct a COVID-19 vaccination clinic (Moderna) during the event. To learn more and pre-register for the vaccine, visit https://www.advancechc.org/vaccine/. Walk-ups are welcome.

The Town of Morrisville welcomes participation from the Morrisville small business community at our July 3 Family Fun Fest! 

This past year, I had the honor of serving on the North Carolina League of Municipalities Racial Equity Task Force. By leading with our collective values, the NCLM recognizes we must, first and foremost, understand our own history and role in supporting systemic racism and inequities to move forward in a real and robust way. In order to have future-forward, viable and thriving economies, cities and towns must center racial equity in policymaking to potentially overcome the intergenerational disparities that exists in local communities. ​ 

I look forward to continuing on serving on the Task Force and look forward to working with my colleagues to establish anti-racist policies for the Town of Morrisville.  

On Friday evening, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that due to a recent court case, they were forced to suspend payments to Restaurant Revitalization Fund (R.R.F.) grant recipients who qualified under the “Priority” designation of the Restaurant Act.

 

 The “Priority” designation is self certification for small businesses owned by women, veterans, or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. If you received an email before May 26th from the SBA stating that your application was approved, then currently this change does not affect your grant and payment. 

 

However, if you are a priority applicant that HAS NOT received an email stating that your application was approved, or you are a priority applicant that submitted your application on or after May 28th, the SBA will not be dispersing funds to your business until all non-priority applicants have been processed . SBA has announced that 2,965 approved applicants from the priority group awaiting the transfer of a R.R.F. grant fund will no longer be receiving those funds until further notice. 

It is advised that you reach out to SBA at 844-279-8898 for further guidance and other potential resources. 

The Town of Morrisville welcomes participation from the Morrisville small business community at our July 3 Family Fun Fest! 

The event will run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with spots available for small businesses to present themselves to the community through demonstrations, samples, or the giveaway of marketing materials. All participating businesses are encouraged to have at least one interactive activity all ages can enjoy. Space and participation will be limited. Submit your interest on the form linked below by Friday, June 25 and a Town representative will contact you. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z7PNZBY 

For current event details on Morrisville’s July 3 Family Fun Fest, visit www.townofmorrisville.org/july3. 

If you have questions, email Ben McQueary at bmcqueary@townofmorrisville.org

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157828690776360/?t=21

Our Council approved a $42,200,000 Annual Operating Budget & Capital Investment Program for Fiscal Year 2022 at our June 8 Town Council Meeting. The tax rate remains at $.36. The FY2022 budget relaunches Morrisville’s pre-COVID efforts to fulfill existing commitments and essential investments, and allows the Town to keep pace with the dynamic growing service needs while responsibly safeguarding the Town's financial condition.  Now that the Budget is behind us, we can focus our efforts on the Bond Referendum, which will be a focus on my next newsletter!

The FY2022 budget relaunches Morrisville’s pre-COVID efforts to fulfill existing commitments and essential investments, and allows the Town to keep pace with the dynamic growing service needs while responsibly safeguarding the Town's financial condition.

Fiscal Year 2022 will be transformative, with brisk activity in several core programmatic areas in addition to new forward-thinking interests and initiatives,” said Town Manager Martha Paige. “We are at the launching pad for moving our town and many capital projects forward.”

The budget includes anticipated distributions to Morrisville from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), recently approved at the federal level to lessen pandemic related revenue losses and allow for support of some expenditures.

These operating and capital initiatives represent a significant commitment to Relaunch Morrisville and continue to move the community forward with expanded programs and innovative services.

The Vehicle Decal Fee remains at $30 per vehicle per year, and the Stormwater Fee remains unchanged at $25 per ERU. The budget includes some moderate user fee adjustments to reflect additional costs to provide services, as well as utilization of general fund balance appropriations for one-time expenses.

The budget process included outreach to the public and a public hearing on May 25. The annual Budget Portal was open from May 4 through May 25 to collect feedback. Council reviewed all feedback as part of the budget process.

Visit https://www.townofmorrisville.org/government/departments-services/finance/budget/-fsiteid-1 for details about the FY2022 budget.

Congratulations to the Wake County Commissioners, who passed a budget that takes another major step toward ensuring that all our residents are healthy, prosperous, well-educated, and safe.  I was able to attend my first County Commission meeting in person in 14 months!

The FY2022 Recommended Budget proposes raising the fire tax from 9.10 cents to 10.27 cents per $100 of property value for households in the unincorporated areas of the county and the Town of Wendell. These communities don’t receive municipal fire services and, therefore, pay a tax for fire response.

Increasing the fire tax will not only ensure a continued prompt response in rural communities during emergencies, but it will also help us retain great firefighters and provide them with equipment that works well and keeps them safe.

Biden says that US will retaliate with Cyber Attacks. Is Cyber War on the way? The conversation was cordial, and they agreed to return ambassadors to each other’s capitals, but they made little progress in disputes over cyberattacks and other issues. Afterward, Putin described Biden as a “very balanced, professional man.” Biden said of Putin: “I think the last thing he wants now is a Cold War. 

Senator Joe Manchin said he supported several key pieces of a voting-rights bill, including a ban on partisan gerrymandering.

The Justice Department made it easier for migrants fleeing violence to seek asylum in the U.S., ending a Trump-era policy.

Education Department said that Title IX anti-discrimination protection applies to transgender students.

Federal Court of Appeals strike down North Carolina Abortion Restrictions. (20 week ban in unconstitutional)   

North Carolina Senate Republicans pushed a trio of election measures through their chamber on Wednesday, including one that would prohibit counting mail-in absentee ballots that aren’t received by local officials by Election Day.

But unlike other GOP-led legislatures in battleground states that have passed voting restrictions this year, North Carolina has a Democratic governor who could veto the measures, leaving Republicans powerless to override Gov. Roy Cooper if Democrats continue to stay united in opposition. The measures passed the Senate on a party-line vote and now go to the House, where Republicans also have been weighing absentee changes.

Current law allows ballot envelopes postmarked by the day of the election to count if received within a three-day grace period. Although that idea was backed unanimously in separate legislation a dozen years ago by the legislature, Republicans now say the wait for ballots to trickle in delays the finality of results, and moving up the deadline will help lead to earlier outcomes the public wants.

About 30 states already don’t accept absentee ballots that are received after Election Day. The GOP proposal was amended Wednesday to set the deadline for 7:30 p.m. of the day of the general or primary election — when voting precincts close — rather than 5 p.m., as previously proposed. But the bill still passed on the same party-line vote.

Senate Republicans also approved by similar margins a measure that would bar election boards and county commissioners from accepting private money to run elections, and a bill to allow potential voters to file registration forms online at the State Board of Elections.

 

Republicans want to bar private donations to run elections because they say the money can leave the perception of partisan influence. But critics say the donations can make up for underfunding by government. The state and nearly all counties received over $4.6 million combined last year to buy voting pens, send mailers and pay election workers bonuses.

The online voter registration bill also describes the legislature’s intent to help voters obtain photo identification. A 2018 law implementing a voter ID mandate was opposed by most legislative Democrats and remains blocked in litigation.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced a new executive order that will be in effect until July 30.

Some pandemic restrictions have been lifted but the State of Emergency remains in place.

Cooper announced on Friday that the following measures will also remain for now:

Gov. Roy Cooper announced a cash drawing for people who get or have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine.

As part of a program called Your Shot at $1 million, Cooper said a $1 million cash prize will be given to four people every two weeks over eight weeks.

Four $125,000 college scholarships will also be given out for teenagers.

The first drawing will be on June 23 and they will occur every other week until the last one on August 4. The drawings will take place every other Wednesday.

Legislation that includes more than $2 billion in tax reductions over the next two years and the phaseout of North Carolina's corporate income tax by 2028 received bipartisan approval again in the Senate on Thursday.

The Republican-authored measure, which also would send up to $1 billion in federal COVID-19 recovery aid to hundreds of thousands businesses and nonprofits, already received the Senate's initial OK on Wednesday. Seven Democrats joined all Republicans present in voting 34-13 for the bill on Thursday.

The bill now heads to the House, where action isn't expected. Rather, the Senate will insert the package in its state government budget plan later this month and negotiate it with the House after that chamber approves a competing tax and spending proposal.

The Senate plan would reduce the individual income tax rate of 5.25% to 4.99% next year, and increase the amount of income not subject to taxes for all filers by increasing the standard and per-child deductions. The corporate rate - currently the lowest among those states that have such a tax at 2.5% - would start falling in 2024.

North Carolina senators approved a bill on Thursday to bar women from getting abortions on the basis of race, sex or a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

With the Senate's party-line vote, the prohibition Republicans are seeking now heads to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who is likely to veto it, having rejected previous anti-abortion restrictions.

Abortion rights groups say the GOP-led bill, which was universally opposed by Senate Democrats and supported by only six Democratic House lawmakers, would prevent women from having open conversations with their doctors and deny their constitutional right to an abortion.

Abortions on the basis of sex selection are already prohibited in North Carolina. House Bill 453, approved in the Senate by a vote of 27-20, would expand and strengthen the existing law by requiring physicians to report, with a signed confirmation, that an abortion was not desired due to sex, race or the likelihood of being born with Down syndrome.

Republican proponents say prenatal tests that confirm the presence of Down syndrome can sometimes be inaccurate, prompting women who wouldn't otherwise do so to terminate their pregnancy. Sen. Joyce Krawiec, a Forsyth County Republican, said the measure prevents discrimination and “modern-day eugenics."

The conservative North Carolina Values Coalition supports the bill.

Cooper can veto the bill or sign it. The measure will become law if he declines to act within 10 days of receiving it, but even then, it's certain to be challenged in court.

Weekly Update: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157838786316360/?t=20

Please advise that all meetings are in person.  Social Distancing Guidelines are in place.  No more temperature checks at MAFC and if vaccinated, no masks required.

June 22  Town Council Meeting at 6 pm. 

Livestream at www.townofmorrisville.org and submit public comments by 3pm at publiccomments@townofmorrisville.org.  In Person Comments allowed.  

Historic Christian Church.  

Morrisville Carpenter Road Improvements

For current project details visit: https://bit.ly/mcrcp1

Sign up for Cedar Fork Summer Camp.

The Town of Morrisville is accepting applications for citizen advisory committees through Friday, July 2. While applications for all advisory committees will be accepted during this period, the following committees have vacancies or expiring terms that may be filled during this appointment process:

To submit your application, visit https://bit.ly/msvadvisorycommittee.

During their June 8 meeting, the Morrisville Town Council recognized June as LGTBQ+ Pride Month in support of the celebration of diverse communities and treating each other with respect and dignity.

Join the Town of Morrisville as we celebrate the emancipation and the achievements of Morrisville's African-American community through speakers, proclamations, food, fun activities, music, vendors, and entertainment at Cedar Fork Community Center at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 19. Visit http://bit.ly/MorrisvilleJuneteenth for details!

On Saturday, June 19, the Morrisville Fire and Rescue Department will hold a Bicycle Rodeo to teach children proper bike helmet and bike riding safety. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Morrisville’s Fire Station No. 1 located at 200 Town Hall Drive. Free bike helmets will be made available while supplies last. If you have questions call (919) 463-6931 or visit http://www.townofmorrisville.org/fire.

The Town of Morrisville’s Family Fun Festival will be held on July 3, from 4 to 9 p.m. The plan is to hold this year’s July 3 event on Town Hall Drive. With COVID-19 restrictions being lessened recently, Town staff is creating a more extensive family-oriented event than in previous years. Ideas being planned include live entertainment, food trucks, family-friendly games, prize giveaways, small business representation and an opportunity to display Town projects. A laser light show will be conducted to conclude the evening. 

Come out to the Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., for healthy and fresh food, goods, and live music from small and local businesses! Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to learn about the WWFM, to see a complete list of local vendors, for special event dates, and to learn more about how you can support your community by shopping local. Sign up for the weekly WWFM newsletter sent out on Friday mornings! Email debbie@wwfm.ag to subscribe!

To Secure an appointment, please visit https://myspot.nc.gov/, https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine/

Find a County Vaccination site at https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/where-can-I-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-in-my-county/19466004/

Find a Wake County Testing Site: https://covid19.wakegov.com/testing/

Wake County: Wake County Public Health Vaccine Hotline 919-250-1515.  It is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit website at https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine!

Durham County: 919-635-8150 or email at DCoCOVIDvaccines@dconc.gov. 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162.

Make your Appointment here:  https://www.dcopublichealth.org/services/communicable-diseases/coronavirus-disease-2019/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-appointments

Duke Raleigh Hospital at (919) 620- 5167.

Process is to Call or visit website, join the waiting list, receive notification, and get your Vaccination Appointment!

To set up an Appointment with any County Department, please visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/findyourspot

Walgreens will offer Covid 19 Vaccine in 300 Stores (31,200 doses) in North Carolina starting on Feb 12 as a distributor under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and is planning to distribute 1 million doses of the Moderna Vaccine.  For more information, sign up at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19.

The Chatham County Public Health Department announced that COVID-19 vaccination clinics that occurred regularly through May in Pittsboro, Siler City and Goldston would continue throughout the month of June. Even more Chatham residents have the opportunity to receive their vaccine at these locations:

Appointments are no longer required to get a free shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in Wake County. All vaccination locations will allow walk-ins and drive-ins.

Appointments are still encouraged, but no longer necessary.

The locations accepting walk-ins include Wake County Public Health Center, Wake County Northern Regional Center, Wake County Human Services Center at Departure and Green Road Park.

Find Days and Times at https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine/.

Join us as we celebrate the emancipation and the achievements of Morrisville's African-American community through speakers, proclamations, food, fun activities, music, vendors, entertainment and more.

Saturday, June 19

10am - 2pm

Cedar Fork Community Center

Tru Access is inviting you to our very first Rap Session Double Header! June’s rap session finds us with a culmination of two significant events that we hold near and dear….Juneteenth and Fathers Day.  We will discuss both special days and what they mean to all of us!

Register at us02web.zoom.us

June 19th Virtual National Fatherhood Conference https://www.ncfatherhood.com/

Uplifting Fathers to Create and Maintain Healthy Families and Communities.

TiE Carolinas is the host for 2021 competition, showcasing youth teams from all around the world. Your experience, expertise and knowledge will be valuable to provide feedback to the future business leaders of the world. We deeply appreciate your time for this program.  TIE will be hosting 25 teams from all over the world.

June 18 (Friday): 10 am - 2 pm ET. This is the first round of presentations.

June 18 (Friday): 5 pm - 7 pm ET. This is virtual Maker's fare.

June 19 (Saturday): 9 am - 1 pm ET. This is the final round of presentation

TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) is a Global Program empowering future generations of entrepreneurs by teaching high school students the rewards and challenges of starting the entrepreneurial journey. TYE is an entrepreneurship academy, where student teams utilize modern skills and tools to build on a concept using customer feedback, iteration, and lightweight business models. TYE is designed to teach high school students entrepreneurship and leadership skills.

TYE (TiE Young entrepreneurs) is a TiE Global initiative dedicated to chapters integrating classroom sessions; mentoring and a Startup competition aimed at High School students. Teams compete at the regional level and winners of regionals have the opportunity to compete at TYE Global finals for cash prizes and recognition.

TiE Carolinas is the local chapter of TiE. TiE Carolinas has been supporting young entrepreneurs since the inception of TYE. TiE Carolinas runs several other programs focused on women and minority entrepreneurs. The angels program funds startups around the country.

Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio Nyra for another update on local issues.

99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!

Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.

Public Open Dialogue TV is a worldwide multilingual, multi-demographic network focused on inspiring, educating and entertaining the global community. We provide unique programming in areas not covered by traditional media, and provide a platform for the audience to engage with those shows. Formerly IBMTV.