World 1 Memorial at Pershing Park is now open!  

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157803101541360/?t=32

Check out The Urgent Need to Help India in its Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic with Mukesh Aghi of United States Strategic Indian Partnership Forum– Episode 8 of “Chambers Talks"​, a Podcast Series Hosted by John Chambers, former CEO Cisco Sytems.  

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xNTA5ODYyLnJzcw/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC04NTczODA5?hl=en&ved=    

If you would like to help India, please visit pbs.org or nytimes.com for a list of vetted organizations accepting donations for medical and other greatly needed supplies. We cannot rest until the entire world gains control over the COVID-19 crisis.

All of us love the idea of superheroes, living among us, extraordinary individuals, who make us feel safe, secure, and who go out of their way to protect us every day.

However, as we kick off our first maskless, Summer Memorial Day weekend since 2020, it is important to remind our children, and ourselves that the greatest superheroes, or real Avengers, have existed in our nation from its inception, to the present day, our brave men and women of the Armed Forces.

American soldiers did not come from other worlds, or have special powers like or favorite characters in the Marvel universe but they have demonstrated the greatest courage, bravery, selflessness, and have sacrificed their own lives to preserve our freedom as Americans and to fight against oppression and for freedom all around the world.

On this Veterans Day, Let us remind our children, and ourselves that the greatest superheroes, or real Avengers, have existed in our nation from its inception, to the present day, our brave men and women of the Armed Forces.

From the Revolutionary War which gave us our independence, to every war our nation has fought all over the world, the American solider has been the example for each of us of the model citizen, whose very existence is an enduring reminder of not only the greatness of our nation but the great potential which exists in each of us to make the world a better, safer place.

A few years ago, I met one of these superheroes, the late Sargent Dale Beatty, U.S. National Guard, at the EDM4US Troops Golf Tournament.

On Nov 15 2004, on a mission in Afghanistan, his vehicle struck anti-tank mines that left him a double amputee below the knees. After a successful reintegration to his community in Statesville, NC, Beatty partnered with his long time army pal, John Gallina, also severely injured in the same explosion to form a nonprofit service for disabled veterans, Purple Heart Homes. Beatty and Gallina have been profiled on Time Magazine and CNN heroes for their unparalleled work ethic to give back, having built over 70 homes for disabled veterans.

Sargent Beatty’s story of service and giving back, is a living example of the great superhero potential within each of us, to change the world and make it a better place. He passed away a few years ago and he will be missed. 

As Americans, we often forget, amidst increasing division and the politics of hate and fear, that we are and can be a nation of superheroes. I see this great potential within our elected officials, the firefighters and first responders who keep us safe, the volunteers and community organizers, who raise money to cure cancer and disease and to help those less fortunate in our nation and around the world.

If each of us can strive to be extraordinary and recognize this potential, only then can we truly honor the great sacrifices our brave soldiers have made to preserve our freedom from our founding as a nation to the present day.

Only then, can we truly live out the creed of our founding fathers, to be a united nation under God Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all and honor the words of President Lincoln that a Government of the People, By the People, and For the People Shall Never Perish from the Earth.

May God Bless our Superhero Nation, the United States of America.

My Message to Provide Funding for a Veteran Memorial: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157804233156360/?t=47

As I prepare to attend a number of Memorial Day Events today, I have come to the realization, that the Town of Morrisville must work with our Veteran Memorial Committee to accelerate the project with our own seed funding. 

  

Although the Committee is working on raising funds on their own, seed Funding from the Town can enable the Town and Committee to showcase a more sophisticated design to prospective owners of the project.  

In addition, I cannot think of a better way for our Council and Town to show our commitment to the Veterans of our nation, than investing Town dollars to the Project.  

As we execute the 2021/2022 Budget, I will be looking for available dollars to make some type of investment in the Veteran Memorial! 

My Hometown Heroes Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157803863301360/?t=28

A very special thanks to Rev. Dennis McClain and his wife Linda, former Goodwill Board Members, for their generous $25,000 Indian Covid contribution to the Triangle Area Hindu Temples Disaster Relief Fund at the Hindu Society of North Carolina.  I was honored to attend with Dr. Pavan Yerramsetty, TAHTS Chair, Mayor Cawley, Council Member Anne Robotti, and other community leaders.  We also heard from Kiran Krishna, Regional Director of Sewa International.

Congratulations to Fire Chief Scott Criddle for receiving the Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy. This four-year program provides a broad perspective on various facets of fire and emergency medical services administration.  We are so proud of his leadership of our amazing Fire Department.

The U.S. is heading into its second pandemic summer, but the mood is brightening.

For this Memorial Day weekend, parades and barbecues — canceled last year as the country was nearing 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus — are back on.

More than half of all adults in the U.S. have now been fully vaccinated. About 23,000 new infections are being reported daily, the lowest number in nearly a year. Travel is back, and so is congestion (which is making some traffic reporters very happy). If you’re on the road this weekend, pack patience and sunblock. 

While the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. has slowed, the nation is getting closer to President Biden’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of adults by July 4. The biggest gains in recent weeks have been made in vaccinating children who are 12 to 15 years old.  

Watch Event at https://www.facebook.com/10157726428586360/videos/10157804498081360/?t=24

I was honored to attend the Town of Cary Veteran Memorial.  Thanks to Council Member Jack Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith.  

Inspiring words were given by the Keynote Speaker, Captain Maulin Shah, Retired, US Army, who now serves on the Board of the USO and also works at Blue Cross Blue Shield.  I was very proud to see an Indian American, in this case the son of immigrants, serve our nation in the armed forces.  He looks forward to meeting my mother in law, Retired US Airforce Colonel, Ranjan Parekh.   

Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157804938291360

Orange County unveils its Veteran Memorial today with an Opening Ceremony.

Memorial Balloon Festival at First Fruits Farm in Louisburg stretched from Friday, May 28th, to Monday, May 31st, and honored fallen military members while also providing for a fun summer kickoff. It included live music, hot air balloon rides, nightly fireworks shows, Bandit Flight Team, an all-veteran group parachute team, U.S. Veterans Corps Paragliders, carnival rides, a war history museum, static military displays and tons more.

Thanks to the volunteers and organizers, who put this wonderful celebration together!

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For Small Business Resources for Veterans, please visit https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/veteran-owned-businesses.

Veteran, Woman Owned, and socially/economically disadvantaged businesses are being given Priority for Restaurant Revitalization Grants pursuant to changes made to Program under American Rescue Plan.  https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund

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 has generously 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.

Please consider helping the Memorial Foundation with a contribution.  The goal 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.

All contributions, bequests, devises, transfers, and gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible.

For Veteran Service locations and hours , please visit https://www.waketech.edu/student-services/veterans-affairs

Wake Tech offers more than 200 associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in science, applied science, the arts, and general education, as well as university transfer for entry into a four-year college or university.

Wake Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

Wake Tech is approved as a degree-granting institution for veterans and eligible dependents seeking educational or vocational training under Title 38, United States Code. Wake Tech maintains membership in the Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) which provides:

Veterans, active duty service members, and their dependents who wish to attend Wake Tech can use the following VA Benefits: Chap 30: Montgomery GI Bill, Chapter 31: Voc. Rehab and Employment, Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance (DEA), Chapter 1606: Select Reserve GI Bill, Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program.

For millions of Americans with disabilities, gainful employment remains out of reach. Enable America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing employment among the 56 million Americans with disabilities including wounded warriors and disabled veterans.

Their goal is to work with all members of the community – including disabled individuals, service providers, government agencies, advocacy groups, existing organizations and employers – to eliminate barriers to employment and bridge the gap between disabled job seekers and the employers who want to hire them.

NC VetBiz was formed to assist 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.  I am honored to serve on the Board of this organization and look forward to guiding 

​

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.

https://nc4me.org/about-us/

Every year 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 that:

Please join NC4ME 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.  I look forward to hosting NC4ME events in Morrisville this fall and during 2022.

San Jose Gun Spree represents another senseless gun tragedy in the United States.  https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/28/us/san-jose-shooting-friday/index.html

Bi-Partisan Commission on Capital Insurrection Dead on Arrival https://www.vox.com/2021/5/29/22459614/commission-bipartisan-january-6-democrats-select-committee

Numbers dropped last week to 406,000, a new pandemic low and more evidence that the job market is strengthening as the virus wanes and economy further reopens. Thursday's report from the Labor Department showed that applications declined 38,000 from 444,000 a week earlier. The number of weekly applications for jobless aid - a rough measure of the pace of layoffs - has fallen by more than half since January.

The decline in applications reflects a swift rebound in economic growth. The government separately estimated Thursday that the economy expanded at a strong annual pace of 6.4% in the first three months of this year, unchanged from its initial estimate. More Americans are venturing out to shop, travel, dine out and congregate at entertainment venues. All that renewed spending has led companies to seek new workers, which helps explain why a record number of jobs is now being advertised.

Weekly Update: hhttps://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157803101541360/?t=32

All Town Meetings are in person and social distancing guidelines are followed.  No masks are required if you Vaccinated and Town Operations are in compliance with Governor Cooper Executive Order 216.

June 1 - 6:30 p.m. Morrisville Public Education Advisory Committee

June 2 - 6:30 p.m. Morrisville Environment & Stormwater Committee

Morrisville Carpenter Road Project: Update for the week of May 24. 

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.

The Morrisville Police Department is accepting applications for its 2021 Citizens Police Academy, being held August 25 through October 13. The academy helps residents and employees of Morrisville better understand how the police work in their community. The course is one night a week for eight weeks. Participants must be 21 years old and must live or work in Morrisville. A background check will be required. There is no cost to participate. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, June 30. To learn more and to apply, click here.

If you have questions call Sergeant Jason Miller at (919) 363-1650 or email MorrisvilleCPA@townofmorrisville.org.

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!


Morrisville’s next White Goods Collection is Thursday, June 10, and includes washing machines, dryers, freezers, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, window air conditioners, and water heaters. Note that microwaves are not included. White goods collection requires registration. Complete the form linked here or call (919) 463-7070 to confirm your collection by Monday, June 7. 


Morrisville’s spring bulk item pick-up is scheduled for Monday, June 7 through Friday, June 11. Residents receiving residential curbside solid waste services may leave a total of five acceptable bulk items curbside on their regular trash/recycling curbside pick-up day. All bulk items presented for pick-up must be curbside and ready for pick-up no later than 7 a.m. For acceptable and unacceptable items and additional details visit http://bit.ly/msvbulkitems.

In Gov. Roy Cooper's latest Executive Order 216 issued Friday, all existing claimants of unemployment benefits will be required to fulfill work-search requirements beginning June 6. All existing claimants will be required to register with a jobseeker account on NCWorks.gov during the next several weeks.

The order also directs the state's Department of Commerce to explore opportunities in line with federal law and using certain federal funds to establish a reemployment incentive program for those without jobs who can find and maintain employment.

With employers struggling to fill positions as post-pandemic restrictions end, North Carolina state senators advanced a proposal Wednesday giving $1,500 bonuses to unemployment benefit recipients who return to work this summer.

The Senate Commerce Committee gave bipartisan support to the measure, which would offer bonuses, but only if federal labor officials allow the state to use money coming from Washington that's made unemployment benefits more generous during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also would place additional requirements upon current beneficiaries to respond to job interview requests, or they could ultimately see benefits cut off.

More than 20 states plan to begin blocking the $300-a-week federal payment for the unemployed starting in June. Interest in North Carolina doing the same has been muted, but GOP U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis urged Cooper on Wednesday to end the expanded benefits immediately and focus on incentives to return people to the workforce.

The North Carolina House unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday that aims to spend $750 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to install high-speed internet in rural and remote areas lacking it.

The legislation would set aside $350 million in discretionary American Rescue Plan funds earmarked for North Carolina to expand a relatively new state broadband installation matching funds program with internet providers and electric cooperatives.

The bill also expresses the intent to use $400 million in the funds from Congress on a new program that gives counties the ability to put out bids for broadband expansion in underserved areas. Federal aid going to counties also would pay for those projects.

The measure, which now goes to the Senate, meets goals of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in his proposal last week to spend $1.2 billion of America Rescue Plan money on improving internet access.

But his plan spends half of that money on things like subsidizing service costs, purchasing computer equipment for households lacking it and offering "digital literacy" training.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is offering $25 Summer Cash Cards at select vaccine sites.

From May 26 through June 8, select vaccine sites will offer Summer Cash Cards in Mecklenburg, Guilford, Rowan and Rockingham counties.

Anyone 18 and older who gets their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination - or drives someone to their vaccination - will receive a $25 cash card after vaccination at a participating location while supplies last, NCDHHS said in a news release.

The $25 Summer Cash card pilot is part of the state's campaign to get more people vaccinated. State Employees' Credit Union is providing the cash cards and waiving the card production fees.

More than 50% of North Carolina adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the state health department.

Leaders of North Carolina's largest school district met Tuesday and approved the $567 million proposal for the next school year's budget.

Wake County Commissioners voted to give the district $539 million last year. That was $28 million shy of what Superintendent Cathy Moore asked for last year.

This year, she's once again asking for $567 million. She says the extra money would allow the district to hire more counselors and psychologists--something she says is more important than ever because of pandemic-related stress on students.

Wake County Commissioners will now have to approve this Budget Request.

Following the close of the comment period on May 18, all comments will be posted and publicly available via wakegov.com. The Board of Commissioners welcomes the public to submit comment

Wake County Manager David Ellis presented his Fiscal Year 2022 Recommended Budget to the Wake County Board of Commissioners on May 3. The $1.56 billion proposal includes significant investments in public health and safety, housing, education and quality of life to help the county meet its growing service demands and achieve outcomes identified by the board.

During his presentation, Manager Ellis also praised county employees for their hard work over the past year in response to COVID-19 and proposed making investments to strengthen the organization, which he described as being “too lean for too long.”

Manager Ellis’ budget proposal does not include a property tax increase for the county’s General Fund. It would keep the property tax rate at 60 cents per every $100 of property value.

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.

The public comment period will remain open until May 18 at 5 p.m. At that time, the county will provide a summary of all feedback received to the board. On May 24 at 9 a.m., the commissioners will discuss the public comments and identify any changes to the recommended budget.

The board will consider adopting the budget during the 5 p.m. board meeting on June 7.

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157765599036360/?t=18

The United States is delivering supplies worth more than $100 million in the coming days to provide urgent relief to our partners in India. In addition, U.S. state governments, private companies, non-government organizations, and thousands of Americans from across the country have mobilized to deliver vital oxygen, related equipment, and essential supplies for Indian hospitals to support frontline health care workers and the people of India most affected during the current outbreak. U.S. Government assistance flights will start arriving in India on Thursday, April 29 and will continue into next week.

Just as India sent assistance to the United States when our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need.

The United States and India have closely worked together to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. COVID-19 assistance has reached more than 9.7 million Indians across more than 20 states and union territories, providing life-saving treatments, disseminating public health messages to local communities; strengthening case-finding and surveillance; and mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms to bolster emergency preparedness:

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.

A new vaccine clinic is opening in Wake County. It's located at the Eastern regional Center in Zebulon on Dogwood Drive near Highway 96 and Arendell Avenue. Anyone 12 and older can get a vaccine at that new clinic between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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/.

Watch the Program: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157794860226360/?t=21

Watch Event at https://www.facebook.com/10157726428586360/videos/10157804498081360/?t=24

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 

Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit , Carolinas, Houston, Oregon, Seattle, SoCal, San Diego, Philadelphia, Vancouver, Washington DC

 

Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hubli, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Kerala, Kolkata, Lucknow, Rajasthan, Melbourne, Sydney

 

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 Mirchi 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.