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Veterans Day Edition
From the Campaign Office of Steve Rao
November 11, 2021
Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes. 
Alerts:  

Town of Morrisville Administrative Offices Closed on Veterans Day. 
 
Check out Triangle Veteran Day events at https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article255479336.html.
Important Updates:
  • Nov 13 is SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY!:  Join me in supporting Small Businesses this Saturday on Small Business Saturday!   I will be dropping by to visit some small businesses in Morrisville! 
  • Please email at sr@steverao.com me if you want me to drop by!

  • More than 24,000 children in NC have received first dose of Covid 19 Vaccine!   


  • Join us at 10 am at Indian Creek Trailhead for Town of Morrisville Veterans Day Event
  • Join us at 1:10 pm at https://www.facebook.com/SteveRaoNC/ for my Veteran Day Virtual Town Hall with special guests from NC Vet Biz, and other Veterans.  

  • Remember to download the Steve Rao App to get instant Notifications from me on your mobile device! (See Below)
Celebrating Our Veterans
My Veterans Day Message on POD TV::
Forget the Avengers, or any Marvel Comics our movies for now.   

From the Revolutionary War to the present day, our nation has been graced to have superheroes, live among us, our dedicated Veterans.  These brave and courageous soldiers represent the finest American Citizens and we want them to know how grateful we are for their selfless service to our country.  

In an increasingly dark and polarizing world, these Veterans light up our world every day, reminding us of the extraordinary potential within each of us to do great things. Our freedom, our way of life here and around the world, would not exist without their continued sacrifice.   

I ask that we not only thank a Veteran on Veterans Day but we come together, as local communities, to thank Veterans as often as we can.   As I begin my new term, I do intend to lead efforts to have the Town fund the Veterans Memorial Design and to also host more Veteran events over the course of the year, particularly events to help in job recruitment efforts, etc.  

Finally, on this Veterans’ Day, we pray for the family of General Colin Powell, whose selfless sacrifices to our nation as a soldier, General, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff will never be forgotten. 
 
In this newsletter, I wanted to highlight a few Veteran organizations you can support: 
TOWN OF MORRISVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL
The Morrisville Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. was chartered as a non-profit corporation by the State of North Carolina on March 2, 2016. Its mission is to raise funds for the construction of a memorial that will recognize and commemorate veterans of the United States armed forces for their service to the nation and its citizens.

The purpose of the memorial is to serve as a site for reverent reflection on the service and sacrifices made by veterans.

The Town provided land next to the Indian Creek Greenway on which the memorial will be built. This centrally-located site has high visibility, easy accessibility, clean restrooms, and free parking. 

I am working with the Council to invest more Town of Morrisville funding for the design of the Park.  We need as much support as we can to make this Memorial a reality so we can honor our Veterans and also celebrate other evens.  

For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/morrisvilleveteranspark/
NC Vet Biz
NC VetBiz assists veterans, veteran professionals, and veteran business owners. As a member–operated association of veteran professionals and business owners, our intent is to develop and strengthen a veterans’ business network in North Carolina.
The Association is the voice in North Carolina for businesses owned by veterans and service–disabled veterans. By leveraging our collective, we are able to address business issues affecting our membership and work to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for the business community and North Carolina. Strengthening veteran owned businesses enables them to contribute to North Carolina’s economic vibrancy and empowers them to hire other veterans.
The North Carolina Veteran's Business Association, doing business as NC VetBiz, is a 501 (c)(3) association headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Thanks to Kyle Winder, Annette Stevenson and all of colleagues on the Board for their hard work and commitment.  


I am proud to serve on the Board of NC Vet Biz Association.  
North Carolina 4 Military Education (NC4ME)
Between 2015 and 2018, 78,000 service members will transition out of the military through NC’s DoD installations, adding strength to the 778,000 veterans already living in North Carolina. North Carolina’s businesses strive to support these veterans and service members by leveraging their skills to fill critical talent requirements, but often lack the resources needed to identify and hire qualified military candidates.

North Carolina for Military Employment (NC4ME) is a comprehensive public-private partnership designed to make NC the number one state for military employment. Established by the Governor in 2015, NC4ME leverages existing workforce development resources and technology to implement an employer-centric strategy.  NC$ME Educates NC’s business leaders on the value of hiring a military workforce, shows small businesses and human resource professionals how to hire military personnel, and Connects military talent to open jobs, education, and training opportunities in North Carolina.

Please join us as we help NC businesses to better utilize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our veterans and service members. Together we will make North Carolina the #1 state for military employment.

Thanks to Kimberly Williams, Executive Director, Secretary Larry Hall, and all of the companies, whose hard work makes this organization thrive in North Carolina.  

Please visit www.nc4me.org
Enable America
Enable America’s objective is to increase employment among people with disabilities in the United States. To accomplish this goal, we are taking a two-pronged approach that reaches out to all members of the disability community and the business community.

For more information or to donate, please visit https://www.enableamerica.org/.  
WAKE TECH MILITARY AND RESOURCE CENTER
The Wake Tech Military and Veterans Resource Center was created to engage student veterans and their dependents in a safe zone environment where they can interact in a unique academic and social environment, along with having the availability of veteran services for assistance and support to ensure their success at Wake Tech Community College and future endeavors. We are proud to serve our veterans and are thankful for their many sacrifices.

The Steve Rao App is Here:
Download the Steve Rao App!   

Steverao app can be downloaded at Apple App store by searching for "Steverao" app in Apple store and Google Play store.

Other Way to download the app is by below scan for Apple store scan code and Google Play store link.

Below are two links to download app from Apple App store and Google Playstore.
Apple Appstore link.
Google Play Store Scan code Link
This Week in Morrisville: Nov 8 - 14
Upcoming Meetings
Morrisville Administrative Offices Closed on Veterans Day
The Town of Morrisville’s administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Police, fire, and rescue services will remain available. For life-threatening or in-progress emergencies, call 911. Trash and recycling pickup service for residents on Thursday, Nov. 11, will occur as scheduled.
Morrisville Carpenter Road Project
Morrisville Carpenter Road will be closed form 9 am to 4 pm from Nov. 17th- Nov. 19th.  Please visit www.townofmorrisville.org for more details for the Detour.  

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 10 - ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE 

Starting Wednesday, November 17, and going through Friday, November 19, Town Hall Drive will be closed to regular traffic between the Carolina Street roundabout and the Morrisville Carpenter Road intersection from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of the grading work connected to the Morrisville Carpenter Road improvements project. Town Hall Drive will be re-opened to regular traffic each day after 4 p.m. Traffic detours and detour signs will be in place. Drivers should expect delays on Morrisville Carpenter Road November 15-19.

Traffic detours are listed as follows:

  • Southbound traffic on Town Hall Drive headed westbound on Morrisville Carpenter Road will take the detour left on Jeremiah Street, right on Church Street, and right on Morrisville Carpenter Road. Click here for the detour map.
  • Southbound traffic on Town Hall Drive headed to eastbound Morrisville Carpenter Road will take the detour left on Jeremiah Street, left on Church Street, right on McCrimmon Parkway, right on NC-54 (Chapel Hill Road), and left on Aviation Pkwy. Click here for the detour map
  • Westbound traffic on Morrisville Carpenter Road headed northbound on Town Hall Drive will make a right at Church Street, left on Jeremiah Street, and right on Town Hall Drive. Click here for the detour map
  • Eastbound traffic on Morrisville Carpenter Road headed northbound on Town Hall Drive will make left on NC-54 (Chapel Hill Road), left on McCrimmon Parkway, and a left on Town Hall Drive. Note: Eastbound traffic on Morrisville Carpenter Road will not be able to make a left at Church Street. Church Street at the Morrisville Carpenter Road intersection will be right in or right out only during this time. Click here for the detour map

During the road closure, people will be able to access Town offices from the Carolina Street roundabout. Residents using the Indian Creek Trailhead park and greenway should access it from the roundabout side. Drivers should expect delays due to construction activity.

Morrisville emergency vehicles will have access to Morrisville Carpenter Road and Town Hall Drive at all times.
For Morrisville Carpenter Road Project updates Visit https://bit.ly/mcrcp1
Fall Festival Nov. 13
Saturday, Nov. 13, the Western Wake Farmers Market (WWFM) is hosting a fall festival during the regular farmers’ market between 8 a.m. and noon. There will be a Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary, a reading for kids by Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley, a scavenger hunt, an acorn guess game, and live music by Brad Croushorn. For updates on the WWFM, click here.
Join Puttin Around Town!
Puttin around Town has launched! Residents and area park users can practice throwing discs for their mid-range game or putting through one temporary basket in placement at various parks on a rotating basis. The Puttin Around Town basket will be located at Cedar Fork Community Park November 1 through November 15. We are exploring practical uses of our temporary baskets and our open spaces to provide park visitors an opportunity to get outside. For details and future dates, click here
Morrisville Smart Shuttle Service is Now Operating!
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town using the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone.

Watch this short video on how to use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle App by clicking here!

The service runs seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additional details on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle visit TownofMorrisville.org/SmartShuttle
Wake Bus Plan Update Survey
An update to the Wake Bus Plan is underway. A kick-off meeting for the Wake Bus Plan working group was held on September 9, 2021. Phase I community engagement has begun and will focus on transit access gaps. An online survey is currently open and available through November 8. To take the survey click here.
Next Week in Morrisville Update
Starting in October, the Town is moving to a new email service provider used to send Next Week in Morrisville. Depending upon your email’s client settings and security filters, you may have to add the new email client to your safe senders list. The new client will also allow you to update your communications preferences and individual profile. Next Week in Morrisville is sent from information@townofmorrisville.org. If you have any issues receiving the e-newsletter in October, contact the Town’s public information officer by email.
Shop Local at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market
The Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) offers healthy and fresh food, goods, and live music from small and local businesses from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday!

Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local!
THANK YOU FOR PASSING THE BONDS
On Tuesday, November 2, Morrisville voters approved all three of the general obligation (G.O.) bond categories on the ballot — Morrisville Public Safety Improvement Bonds; Parks and Recreation Improvement Bonds; and Streets, Sidewalks, and Connectivity Bonds!

  • Seventy percent (2,076 votes) of voters supported the Public Safety Improvements Bonds
  • Sixty-seven percent (2,000 votes) voted in favor of the Parks, Recreation & Amenities Improvements Bonds
  • Seventy-four percent (2,208 votes) supported the Streets, Sidewalks, and Connectivity Improvements Bonds

The Town appreciates your support of these bonds on the ballot and is looking forward to keeping you informed on the progress of the projects within these bond categories and the benefits they will provide the community over the next five years and into Morrisville’s future!

HOMETOWN HEROES:
Morrisville Police Officers
Congratulations to Morrisville Police Officers Lori Strickland, Madison Cook and Beth Wyatt for receiving a Life Saving Award for their heroic efforts in September.  

On September 21, 2021 these officers responded to a gentleman in crisis. Once arrived they found the victim with severe self-inflicted wounds which were life threatening. All three officers immediately began life saving efforts resulting in saving this gentleman’s life. 

We are all very proud of these officers.  
Around The Region
Town of Morrisville Diwali Celebration 
It was an honor to attend the Town of Morrisville first Diwali Celebration at Cedar Fork Community Center last Thursday.  A special thanks to Randy Little, Parks and Recreation Director, Jashi Abhirajan from Triangle Hindu Temples, and Parks and Rec Committee, and all of the community leaders, who pulled together to make this special event happen!  We will build on this event for next year.
BAPS and HSNC Diwali Events 
Nice to be back in person at BAPS and HSNC Diwali Annakut Celebrations!
Fall Green Day Nov. 6
The Town of Morrisville’s Green Day recycling event will took place on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Church Street Park. The event was a one-stop destination for recycling or proper handling of hazardous materials..
The Morrisville Stormwater Division is offered rain barrels for purchase and delivery. 

In addition, the Morrisville Police Department had a medication take-back, where residents can drop off unused prescription medication for appropriate legal disposal. There will also be a litter sweep at Morrisville Community Park coordinated by the Morrisville Stewardship Program.
Smart Splash and Schools Village Grand Opening! 
Congratulations to Arvind Mahajan, and his family/team for the Opening of the Splash Swim School and Stores at Schools Village.  We were delighted to meet Special Guest, Cary Resident Claire Donahue, 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming at the London Olympics.
Celebrating Secretary of State Elaine Marshall’s Birthday.  
Great to celebrate Elaine Marshall’s birthday at her fundraiser reception!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 11th at 11am - Town of Cary Veterans Day Event 
Town of Cary Veterans Day Event is at 11 am at the Town of Cary Veterans Freedom Park with Special Guest, United States Congresswoman Deborah Ross.
Black Issues Forum on Friday at 7 pm and on Sunday at 4 pm
Join us on Black Issues Forum on Friday at 7 pm and on Sunday at 4 pm to talk about the Leandro Case, Biden Infrastructure Deal, and Armaud Arbery Case. 
Radio / TV
Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.   

99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! 
POD TV
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.

OFFICIAL International Broadcast Media
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.
My Weekly Update:
NC Covid Dashboard:

Vaccinations: 11,692,513 Total Doses Administered.

72% in NC Partially Vaccinated / 68% Fully Vaccinated. 
  • For latest Covid 19 information, please dial 2-1-1 or 888- 892-1162.  
  • Get Updates by texting COVIDNC at 898211.    
  • For unemployment insurance, please visit NC Dept of Employment Security at https://des.nc.gov/.    
  • Apply for Wake Forward program at https://covid19.wakegov.com/wakeforward/

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

For Covid 19 Testing Sites in Wake County visit http://www.wakegov.com/covidvaxandtest/Pages/default.aspx 

North Carolina sees its highest daily COVID-19 case count in six days.

The daily case count Wednesday came in at 2,156; a week ago the daily cases were 1,777, and two weeks ago the cases were 2,160.

The daily percent positive rate was 5 percent. That's down from 5.9 percent yesterday, but up from 4.5 percent a week ago.

Hospitalizations remained largely steady, but another 35 people died from the virus.

CASES:
2,156 Newly reported Cases  
+ N.C. = 1,497,677 Cases (Deaths = 18,371)    
+ 5.0 % Positive Rate 
+ 1,095  Hospitalized.

+ Wake County = 133,000 Cases (Deaths = 905)

+ US = 46.7 million cases / 758,000 deaths 
+ India = 34.4 million cases / 462,000 Deaths.  
+ Worldwide = 251 million cases / 5.06 million deaths 
Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville. 

For more information or to schedule a time to speak with Council Member Rao, please email SRao@TownofMorrisville.org and copy Town Clerk Eric Smith, esmith@townofmorrisville.org, 463-6150.
Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
Learn more at: SteveRao.com