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DIRECT FLIGHT TO INDIA RECAP AND DHARSHANA EXHIBIT IN MORRISVILLE | |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
September 27, 2022
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Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes.
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Morrisville ranked 5th Best Place to raise a family! | |
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Wishing our Jewish Brothers and Sisters a Happy Rosh Hashanah.
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Hurricane Ian is a Category 4 Storm and it on its way. Heavy rain is expected through the week and over the weekend. I will be providing Morrisville updates on Social Media tomorrow.
Reporting power outages
Customers who experience power outages should call Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting
systems for their respective utility:
- Duke Energy Carolinas: 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766)
- Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356
Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online at www.duke-energy.com/outages
or text OUT to 57801
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Next month, we will be addressing Cyber Security as October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. | |
RDU Airport Town Hall Recap | |
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I wanted to thank the Hindu Society of North Carolina, North Carolina Association of Indian Americans, and community leaders for working with me to host Michael Landguth and his team to discuss international flight service recruitment and the potential for direct flight service to India. I also want to thank Michael Landguth and his team for taking time to participate in this event, along with special guest Ryan Combs for being with us.
Nearly 200 people turned out for a town hall meeting in Morrisville to hear RDU’s CEO and an air service consultant explain how the airport goes about persuading airlines to establish flights to new destinations.
Most came with the hope that growing ties between North Carolina and India would be enough for an airline to begin flying between the two. India accounts for the second highest number of foreign-born residents of North Carolina, after Mexico, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The community’s growth has helped persuade Indian companies such as Infosys and Bharat Forge to locate in the Triangle.
Using data provided by airlines, RDU revealed that they how many people fly from the region and where they’re going. In 2019, at the pre-pandemic peak of air travel from the Triangle, about 75 people a day flew to India, said Howard Mann of the consulting firm Campbell-Hill Aviation Group. Some flew nonstop to London or Paris and made connections, while others went through places such as Washington or New York. Post-pandemic, that number has dropped to about 50 a day, Mann said.
Both Mann and Landguth said an interim step would be to improve connections between RDU and India through other airports. Only about a third of RDU’s India-bound passengers are able to make it on a single connecting flight, Mann said, while two thirds are making two connections. One strategy, then, might be to persuade airlines such as Emirates or Qatar to provide nonstops between RDU and their hubs in Dubai and Doha, where Triangle travelers could go on to India or other cities in Asia and the Middle East.
Read more at:
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article266184371.html#storylink=cpy
Key takeaways:
- Short term
- Work with the airlines and ask them to review their connecting times coming and going to India
- Medium Term
- Work to add another Europe hub providing additional competition to India
- Work to add connectivity to the middle east which would provide a gateway to India
- Long term (10 year +)
- Continue to monitor the demand to India in hopes we can secure non-stop service
CONNECT TO INDIA TASK FORCE
I am leading efforts with Michael Landguth to establish a Task Force which will meet with RDU Airport once a quarter so we can work with RDU on both the short term, medium term, and long term goals of our efforts.
Please stay tuned for the announcement of this Task Force, coming in the next few weeks.
Thanks again to all who came out and of course, we look forward to leveraging on the economic, political and cultural transformation our Indian Community is bringing to the Triangle Region, and to come together, stay together and work together to strengthen and grow our connections between North Carolina, and the worlds’ largest democracy, India.
Prepare the cabin for lift off. We are ready to begin this exciting quest and flight together!
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September 20 - Steve Rao on WPTF Talking Direct Flight To India.
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My recent Tech Wire Article on the meeting.
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North Carolina Communities in Action Day at White House | |
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Last week, I had the honor of participating in Communities in Action: Building a Better North Carolina at the White House, a new series that featured local elected officials and community leaders working on behalf of their communities to create opportunities and improve people’s everyday lives.
The half-day forum was be held in-person at the White House and highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments and impacts in communities across North Carolina. During the forum, we heard from and interacted with a number of Cabinet Officials, including Senior Advisor to President Biden, Keisha Lance Bottoms (former Atlanta Mayor), Secretary Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator, White House ARP Coordinator, Gene Spurling and our very own, EPA Administrator, Michael Regan.
Attendees enjoyed sharing with the White House the impact the Biden-Harris Administration has had in our community and on the issues that matter most to North Carolinians. We encourage attendees to be prepared to share real-life examples and personal stories of local impact in the day’s sessions.
For me the highlights of the day was hearing from Mayors, Community Leaders and others from across our state on how they are investing their share of ARP Dollars to make a difference in their communities. It was also an honor to meet Second Gentleman of the United States, Doug Emhoff.
I was able to share how the Town of Morrisville is investing our ARP dollars, focusing on our Small Business Recovery Program, and also investments we are making in Smart Cities and was able to share my perspectives with DC press and other new stations.
In my next newsletter, I will be sharing more insights from this event and am also working on some stories for the press on this event. I will also be sharing more insight
A special thanks to the White House staff for hosting this event and I look forward to continuing to work with North Carolina leaders to put our ARP Dollars to work to grow jobs, and opportunities for all North Carolinians.
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My Voter Registration Message:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/636532341171564
In North Carolina, you have until Oct. 14th to register to Vote! Early Voting begins on Oct 20 and you can register and vote at the same time! Please visit North Carolina State Board of Elections or Wake County Board of Elections for early voting and poll site information. (https://www.ncsbe.gov/ and https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-elections)
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Darshana Exhibition will On Display at Town Hall Lobby this week! | |
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“Darshana: A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization,” an exhibition that presents a colorful overview of Hindu concepts and practices, will be on display in the on display in the Town Hall Lobby, 100 Town Hall Drive, Sept. 27-30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours will be available for the exhibition during the Town Council Meeting on Sept. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The exhibition offers an opportunity to learn about one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The Darshana exhibition features a variety of topics, ranging from yoga and divinity to mathematics and administration, demonstrating how Hindu knowledge has manifested in all aspects of human endeavor.
The exhibition, "Darshana: A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization,” presents a colorful overview of Hindu concepts and practices, offering an opportunity to learn about one of the oldest civilizations in the world that has a continuing global presence today. The Darshana exhibition, which will be on display in the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce (accessible from Town Hall Drive), features a variety of topics, ranging from yoga and divinity to mathematics and administration, demonstrating how Hindu knowledge has manifested in all aspects of human endeavor.
Compiled by a group of Hindu-Americans, the aim of the exhibition is to clear misconceptions, introduce some key terms, and inspire further research into the rich Hindu culture that has found its home in the United States and globally.
Compiled by a group of Hindu-Americans, the aim of the exhibition is to clear misconceptions, introduce some key terms, and inspire further research into the rich Hindu culture that has found its home in the United States and globally.
Learn more about the exhibition at https://hindudarshana.com/
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Please join us for a free event that will celebrate the Legacy of India Night. It will take place this Sunday, October 2nd from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the City of Raleigh Museum.
In the 1970s, India Night was organized at North Carolina State University and became one of the first opportunities for South Asians to celebrate their heritage and share it with the larger community. Join the City of Raleigh Museum as we celebrate and explore the history of India Night and its lasting legacy in the community.
Hear from early India night organizers about how this groundbreaking event came to be and how Indian and other Southeast Asians cultures continue to celebrate at NCSU and in the community today.
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The event will feature music, dance, art, and speakers that continue the celebration of Indian culture in the Triangle. This will feature:
- Master of Ceremonies: State Senator Jay Chaudhuri
- Speakers: Saroj Sharma (Founder of the Hindu Society of NC), Rafiq Bandukwala (Founder of India Night), NC State South Asian Student Association (EKTAA)
- Artists: Leela Dance School and Saudamini Madra
Please RSVP by Thursday, September 29th by 6 PM at: https://indianight.eventbrite.com for catering purposes.
We hope to see you there. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at chaudhurileeya@gmail.com and (919) 985-1774.
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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! | |
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Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.
Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week”, but it was later extended to a month in 1988. Since then, HHM has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. They also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
This year’s theme is Building Prosperous and Healthy Communities. Building upon the theme will different weeks of action focusing on how the Administration has been supporting the Latino community:
- September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Day
- Week of September 19th: Jobs and the Economy
- Week of September 26th: Climate
- Week of October 3rd: Education and Investing in HSIs
- Week of October 10th: Mental Health and Wellness
- October 15: Last Day of Hispanic Heritage Month
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Very Important Town of Morrisville Updates | |
In Person Voter Registration is Oct 14:
North Carolina offers online voter registration to existing customers of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. You can register by mail to vote in North Carolina by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Registration deadlines
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Thanks for coming to at the International Festival at Town Hall Drive on Saturday, Sept. 24th! | |
Hum Sub Youth Achievement Award |
The Hum Sub Youth Achievement Award recognizes youth who have attained outstanding achievements in various fields such as Volunteering, Community Service, Leadership, Research, Academics, Extra-curricular activities such as sports, music and arts, etc. This award is based on Lord Buddha’s parting message to his disciples “Aapo Deepo Bhava” which means “Be a light unto yourself.”
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY
11:59pm ET September 11th, 2022
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Suicide Prevention Line to 988 |
On Saturday, July 16, the U.S. will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.
Starting tomorrow, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting https://988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline
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Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Wonderful Interview on Radio Nyra with Leslie Haney from Town of Morrisville on International Festival!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/980128513381807/?t=15
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Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!
https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79
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On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!
https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch
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WPTF Steve O'Bryan show on the Dream Act and DACA!
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Get with the Program with Gary Jones!
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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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.
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Google Play Store Scan code Link | |
This Week in Morrisville: September 26th - 30th | |
Cedar Fork Community Center Hiring Before and After-School Counselors
The Cedar Fork Community Center is looking for counselors for its before and after-school programming. Before-school counselors work Monday through Friday from 6:50 to 9 a.m. and make $13 per hour. After-school counselors work Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and make $11 per hour. After-school counselors must also be available to work on school early release days. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/morrisvillenc.
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Morrisville Senior Center to Start Closing on Saturdays
Beginning Saturday, Sept. 3, the Morrisville Senior Center will be closed on Saturdays except for special events or scheduled program hours.
Please contact the Senior Center at 919-463-7140 or seniorcenter@townofmorrisville.org if you have any questions.
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Darshana Exhibition to be on Display at Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall Lobby
“Darshana: A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization” is an exhibition that presents a colorful overview of Hindu concepts and practices, offering an opportunity to learn about one of the oldest civilizations in the world with continuing global presence today. The exhibition features a variety of topics, ranging from yoga and divinity to mathematics and administration, demonstrating how Hindu knowledge has manifested in all aspects of human endeavor.
The exhibition, which is created to raise awareness on Hindu thinking, contributions, and common practices, will be on display in the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce during the Morrisville International Festival on Sept. 24, from 2 to 6 p.m. It will also be on display in the Town Hall Lobby, 100 Town Hall Drive, Sept. 27-30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours will be available for the exhibition during the Town Council Meeting on Sept. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m.
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Puttin around Town to be at Morrisville Community Park in September
The Puttin Around Town program puts a temporary disc golf basket in a different Morrisville park each month to encourage area park users to get out and enjoy the Town’s green spaces while participating in healthy activity. The basket will be in Morrisville Community Park through Sept. 30.
In October, the basket will be in Northwest Park.
In November, it will be at Cedar Fork Community Center.
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English Vinglish to Play at Movies in the Park September 30
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources will be hosting a Movies in the Park at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway. on Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. The movie will be English Vinglish. The showing is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for the lawn, as well as dinner or snacks. Trader Joe’s will be on site sampling snacks and beverages.
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Residents Invited to Provide Feedback on Town Center Project October 4 & 6
Three Town Center public input sessions have been scheduled for October, including two in-person sessions at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive, and one virtual session. The public input sessions will provide an opportunity for residents to give feedback on Town Green amenities, public art, and potential for a welcome area at the Healthy Food Hub. RSVP for the following sessions:
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2-3 pm.: https://www.addevent.com/event/Uv14858190
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 6-7 p.m. (held in conjunction with National Night Out): https://www.addevent.com/event/En14858192
A virtual session will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. https://www.addevent.com/event/FE14858185
Check out renderings, project details and more at bit.ly/MSVTownCenter
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Morrisville Police Department to Host National Night Out October 4
This year the Town of Morrisville Police Department will celebrate National Night Out on Oct. 4, from 6-9 p.m., at the Western Wake Farmers' Market, 280 Town Hall Drive. Residents can meet with members of the Morrisville Police Department, view safety displays, get information about Town services, and enjoy fun games and inflatables. Food trucks will also be on hand to sell food and drinks.
National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations, and send the message that your neighborhood is a safe place to live.
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Fall Bulk Item Pick-Up Week to be October 3-7
The Town’s 2022 fall bulk item pick-up will take place the week of Oct. 3-7. During this week, residents receiving residential curbside solid waste services from GFL may leave a total of five acceptable bulk items curbside on their regular trash or 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. Registration is not required for this special collection. Please visit the Public Works Department Page for additional information on acceptable and unacceptable items.
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Morrisville Fire Safety Day October 8
Joins the Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department for Fire Safety Day Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the parking lot of the Target at 3001 Market Center Drive. The event is being held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, which is usually held the first week in October. Participants can learn about fire safety and enjoy a variety of fun activities, including the chance to look inside emergency vehicles like a fire truck, police car, ambulance, and helicopter. Sparky the Fire Dog will meet with participants, and there will be games, food, and door prizes. Learn more about this free event here.
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Morrisville Businesses Invited to Participate in Trick or Treat the Trail Event
The Town of Morrisville has six open tables for this year’s Trick or Treat the Trail, a family friendly event for children to walk the Hatcher Creek Greenway and collect Halloween candy and treats. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business – and your creative side – to the Morrisville community.
There is no charge for businesses to participate, and the six slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Requirements:
- You must bring your own table or tent
- You must bring minimum of 2,000 pieces of candy to hand out to children
- You must be creative and decorate your table for Halloween
Businesses will be assigned a volunteer to help set up, pass out candy and materials, and break down your area. Interested? Email lgough@townofmorrisville.org for more information.
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Certification Training Available for Community Emergency Response Team | |
Get CERTified, Morrisville! Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Certification is two steps:
- Online Training: Now through Oct. 15 (12 hours of classes at your own pace and at your convenience)
- In-Person, Hands-on Skills Training: Oct. 22-23
Learn more and register here.
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Town Survey Invites Feedback on ADA Accessibility to Programs and Services
The Town of Morrisville is committed to ensuring equal access to all of its facilities, services, programs, and events and to ensuring compliance with the policies of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Town is currently in the process of conducting a self-evaluation for ADA compliance and is preparing a transition plan to address any areas of need and become fully compliant. The goal of the transition plan is the make Town services and facilities more comfortable, welcoming, and accessible to everyone.
To help develop the transition plan, the Town has created a survey seeking feedback about accessibility to Town programs, services, and facilities, such as participating in recreational programs, attending a public meeting, or obtaining a permit. All responses to the survey are subject to becoming public record. Please click here to take the survey. It will be available until Sept. 30.
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Sustainability Program Shares Positive Developments for Solar Energy | The Town of Morrisville is committed to sustainable development and practices, and the Sustainability program is pleased to share the news that homeowners may soon have more options for installing their own solar panels. Last month, the N.C. State Supreme Court ruled in favor of homeowners involved in a dispute with their Homeowners’ Association about their ability to install solar panels on their roofs. The ruling may open the way for other homeowners to install their own solar panels. Additionally, Duke Energy is expected to offer another round of solar rebates in January 2023. Check here for updates. | |
Virtual Information about Solar Energy Opportunities set for September 28 | Representatives from Solarize the Triangle will host a virtual information session for homeowners to learn how they can take advantage of its group-buying program to save on solar energy. The session will take place on Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Representatives will provide an overview of the group-purchasing model, provide information about the benefits of solar energy and batteries, and explain how to enroll for a free assessment. Click here to register for the session. | |
Morrisville Joins Solarize the Triangle, Making Discounts on Solar Power Available for Residents | The Town of Morrisville has joined 10 other local communities in the Solarize the Triangle partnership, which will make discounts available on solar energy installations through a group buying program and the use of a federal tax credit. The more local residents and businesses that participate in the program, the greater the savings will be. Visit solarizemorrisville.org to learn more about the program or to sign up for a free energy evaluation. | |
Morrisville Carpenter Road Project |
Traffic to Shift for Phase III of Morrisville Carpenter Road Project
Work on the Morrisville Carpenter Road (MCR) expansion is continuing. Starting on Sept. 9, the traffic pattern will shift for Phase III of the work. Traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed MCR lanes between NC 54 and Old Savannah Drive. The following streets will become permanent right-in, right-out only: Bergman Drive, Kudrow Lane, Misty Groves Circle, Morrisville Square Way, Church Street, and Page Street. The MCR entrance to Town Hall and First Baptist Church will also become right-in, right-out only permanently.
For more information on the Morrisville Carpenter Road Improvements Project, and for regular updates, please visit the project page.
Project update for the week of Sept. 5:
- The contractor will not be working on Monday, Sept. 5, due to the Labor Day holiday.
- The contractor will be paving and striping closed sections of Morrisville Carpenter Road (from Church Street to the Thornebury entrance) and Town Hall Drive (from Morrisville Carpenter Road to the Indian Creek trailhead entrance) on Tuesday, Sept. 6. There should be no lane closures.
- From Wednesday, Sept. 7 to Friday, Sept. 9, the contractor will be paving and striping Morrisville Carpenter Road and Town Hall Drive in preparation to switch traffic to the Phase 3 traffic pattern on Friday, Sept. 9.
- Drivers should be prepared for flagging operations starting at 9 a.m. from Sept. 7-9. On these days, flagging operations may extend beyond 4 p.m. in order to let the contractor complete the work.
- Significant traffic backups can be expected on Morrisville Carpenter Road and on Town Hall Drive from Sept. 7-9. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes (Morrisville Parkway or McCrimmon Parkway; from Davis Drive to NC-54) on these three days.
- Walkers and cyclists are reminded to stay out of the blockaded area and to remain on appropriate paths. This is an active construction zone and is not safe for walkers or cyclists.
Phase III work on the Morrisville Carpenter Road Improvements Project has started, and traffic will be shifted. Drivers are advised that:
- Paving and pavement-marking work in preparation for the traffic shift will take place Sept. 7-9. The traffic shift is expected to take effect Friday, Sept. 9.
- From Sept. 7-9, the contractor will start the lane closure work at 9 a.m. There is a chance that the lane closures may go beyond 4 p.m. as needed, in order to get the work completed for that day.
- Drivers can expect significant traffic backups on Morrisville Carpenter Road over these three days. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes where possible, such as Morrisville Parkway or McCrimmon Parkway, between Davis Drive and Chapel Hill Road.
- The work may be pushed to a future date if there is significant rain on these days. The contractor currently has a rain date of Sept. 12 for the work.
- The Town of Morrisville will provide daily updates of this work from Sept. 7-9.
- Message boards on Morrisville Carpenter Road at Davis Drive, Morrisville Carpenter Road at Page Street, and Church Street at Jeremiah Street will also be updated on these days.
The Town of Morrisville and the Morrisville Police Department advise pedestrians not to walk on either side of Morrisville Carpenter Road between Town Hall Drive and Misty Groves Circle. This section of the road is an active construction zone area and does not have a sidewalk and is not safe for pedestrians. Please observe the posted sidewalk closed signs.
For Morrisville Carpenter Road Project updates Visit https://bit.ly/mcrcp1
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Blasting Permit Issued for Cary Location across from Towerview Court | The Cary Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a blasting permit for the locations neighboring the Town of Morrisville across from 280 Towerview Ct. Blasting began on Aug. 10 and will continue for approximately 60 days. For questions, please contact the Town of Morrisville’s Fire Administration Office at (919) 463-6219. | |
Morrisville Community Park Phase III Construction Updates | |
The Morrisville Community Park Phase III construction is taking shape.
The construction crew will be completing installation of stone for the trails next week, with plans to pour asphalt after that. Additionally, work will continue on installing the concrete approaches for the bridges and boardwalk, and the crew will work on installing the stone for the picnic shelter pad prior to the shelter equipment arriving. Work will also finish on polishing the tennis court retaining wall prior to the stone base installation for the tennis court surfacing.
Click here to read more on MCP Phase III.
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Now Hiring: Join the Public Works Team
The Town of Morrisville Public Works Department has three exciting career opportunities open now. Join one of the only three North Carolina municipalities with an American Public Works Association (APWA) accredited Public Works Department. We are looking for individuals to serve in our Streets Maintenance, Athletics Maintenance, and Parks & Grounds Maintenance Divisions. For more information click on the following links:
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Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center | |
Beginning the week of April 11, the MAFC program pool will be unavailable for public use on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open rec swim and water aerobics participants will be accommodated in lanes 5 and 6 of the lap pool. Additionally, the Friday morning water aerobics class has been cancelled.
Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT)
- Aquatics Specialist (30 hours/week)
Both positions provide benefits. Learn more and apply here.
The Town is offering financial incentives for part-time lifeguards who can work during the day in the off-season. Experienced swim instructors, as well as, day and early evening desk staff are needed. Learn more and apply here.
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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
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MAFC Smart Shuttle Node Now Available |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle node at the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center is now open and available for rides.
With the new MAFC node, the service will connect residents with 15 locations in Morrisville. An additional node is located at the Regional Transit Center near RTP. A Morrisville Smart Shuttle rider can arrange their pick-up and drop-off from their computer or smartphone. Learn more and download the app here.
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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. (summer hours) every Saturday.
Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local!
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Time With Congress on the Hill
Spent some time with Congresswoman Ross and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on the Hill. Great to be recognized by her at Rules Committee!
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Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Caught up with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on the Hill!
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RDU Airport Town Hall
Michael Landguth and team visits Morrisville for Town Hall meeting.
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White House Visit
Inspired by my White House Visit to Communities Day in Action!
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Met Second Gentleman of the US, Doug Emhoff at White House! | |
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Asheville
Enjoyed Asheville with the Birthday Girl!
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
This week I continued by Small Business Listening Tour with visits to a few Small Businesses. Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
Royal Cheesecake Factory: |
Royal Cheesecake Factory:
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GLOBAL AND NATIONAL UPDATES: | |
THE LATEST NEWS AND WEEK AHEAD | |
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Politics
Congressional leaders last night released a stopgap funding proposal intended to avert a government shutdown and provide $12 billion more in aid to Ukraine.
Senator Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Democrat, defended the filibuster at an event with Mitch McConnell, the G.O.P. Senate leader.
Jury selection begins today in the trial of members of the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia, who were charged with seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
An independent analysis found that President Biden’s student-debt relief plan could cost about $400 billion, or roughly 2 percent of the country’s annual economic output.
Ron DeSantis’s migrant flights to Martha’s Vineyard were the latest salvo in his rivalry with Greg Abbott of Texas, another Republican governor who may run for president.
International
Cuba will allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt children.
The Kremlin’s military draft to reinforce the assault on Ukraine has been rife with problems.
At least 15 people were killed and 24 others wounded in a school shooting in the Russian city of Izhevsk.
Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden, who leaked highly classified N.S.A. documents and fled the U.S. in 2013.
“You can’t control me”: Iranian women protesting the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody are burning their head scarves.
Biden wants to support Iran’s protesters more aggressively than Barack Obama did in 2009. Will it work?
Other Big Stories
Hurricane Ian made landfall in Cuba early this morning with winds of about 125 miles per hour. Preparations for the storm have begun in Florida.
Stocks fell again yesterday, with investors fearing a recession. The S&P 500 has fallen 11 percent in the past two weeks.
Sleeping in cars. Taking out loans. Working several jobs. The Los Angeles Times explains how University of California students cope with a housing shortage.
NASA successfully crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid. The 14,000-mile-per-hour collision was a test of a technique to protect Earth.
More trans teenagers are having breast removal surgery, despite opposition from state leaders.
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Wake County Schools Looking to Change Start Times
The Wake County Public School System is taking another step exploring later high school start times and end times and earlier elementary school start times and end times.
The district will host town halls and focus groups later this fall and will soon send out a survey soliciting feedback. No changes would be made until the 2024-25 school year, at the earliest.
The switch is grounded in research on natural sleep rhythms and potential academic implications. But the likely wide-reaching impact has kept the school system from moving quickly toward making a change.
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NC Delegation Divided on Electoral Reform Act
The House on Wednesday passed a set of electoral reforms aimed at shoring up ambiguities and archaic language in the presidential certification process, some of which former President Donald Trump and his allies tried to exploit in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The Presidential Election Reform Act was introduced by Reps. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., both of whom sit on the Democratic-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Their legislation passed in the House 229-203, with nine Republicans voting with all Democrats in favor. Most of the nine had also voted for Trump's impeachment in the wake of the Capitol attack.
The 38-page bill would make a number of changes to the law that governs how Electoral College votes are submitted by states and then counted by Congress, known as the Electoral Count Act. Notably, the legislation would make it more difficult for members of Congress to muck up the certification process with objections that aren't based on legitimate concerns, and would clarify that the vice president's role in counting electoral votes is strictly ministerial.
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NC DELEGATION VOTES ON ELECTORAL COLLEGE REFORM ACT
- Alma Adams Yes
- Dan Bishop No
- Ted Budd No
- GK Butterfield Yes
- Madison Cawthorn No
- Virginia Foxx No
- Richard Hudson No
- Kathy Manning Yes
- Patrick McHenry No
- Greg Murphy No
- David Price Yes
- Deborah Ross Yes
- David Rouzer No
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FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER SAYS NC SUPREME COURT CASE ALARMING
Last week at a Democratic Party fundraiser, Eric Holder stated that a North Carolina lawsuit at the US Supreme Court could undermine democracy as we know it by allowing state legislators to override popular opinion in elections for Congress and possibly even the Presidency.
The Supreme Court on has agreed to hear a case that could dramatically change how federal elections are conducted. At issue is a legal theory that would give state legislatures unfettered authority to set the rules for federal elections, free of supervision by state courts and state constitutions.
The theory, known as the "independent state legislature theory," stems from the election clause in Article I of the Constitution. It says, "The times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof."
Proponents of the theory argue that that clause gives state legislatures power to regulate federal elections uninhibited by state courts or state constitutions. If a majority of the Supreme Court agrees, that would hamstring state courts, removing judicial oversight of state elections.
"Taken to its extreme, the independent state legislature doctrine could be an earthquake in American election law and fundamentally alter the balance of power within states and provide a pathway to subvert election results," says professor Richard Hasen, an expert on election law from the University of California, Irvine.
The theory comes to the court in a case from North Carolina where the state supreme court threw out the state legislature's drawing of new congressional district lines. The court found that the reapportionment was such an extreme partisan gerrymander that it violated the state constitution. And in reaching its decision, the court noted that the state constitution and the state legislature itself had authorized judicial review of congressional redistricting plans.
The Republican speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives and other GOP legislators appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, contending that only the legislature could alter redistricting plans, not the state supreme court.
The independent state legislature theory was first invoked by three conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices in the celebrated Bush v. Gore case that handed the 2000 election victory to George W. Bush. In that case, the three cited it to support the selection of a Republican slate of presidential electors.
In the North Carolina case, the Republican-dominated state legislature is invoking it to draw maps favorable to the GOP.
In its most extreme form, the independent state legislature theory was invoked — unsuccessfully — by Trump advocates in an effort to sidestep the legitimate outcome of the 2020 election. In Arizona, for instance, some Trump supporters used the theory in calling for the decertification of the state's electors. Among those seeking decertification was Virginia Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas.
Thomas is one of four conservatives on the current court who have indicated their support for the independent state legislature theory. The others are Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh worked on the legal team supporting then-Texas Gov. Bush in the aftermath of the 2000 election. Bush v. Gore, a decision often referred to as a ticket "for this train only," was never cited in any subsequent Supreme Court decision. Until 2020, when Kavanaugh, by then a Supreme Court justice, cited it in a Wisconsin election case dealing with rules for absentee ballots at the height of the pandemic.
In a previous iteration of the North Carolina case last March, Kavanaugh said the court should at some point "carefully consider" the independent state legislature issue, "as it is almost almost certain to keep arising" until it is definitely resolved. Justices Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch took things a step further, declaring, "there must be some limit on the authority of state courts to countermand actions taken by state legislatures when they are prescribing rules for the conduct of federal elections."
Just where the court will end up on this issue is not yet clear. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court's five most conservative justices in 2019, said one of the checks on partisan gerrymandering is that state courts can continue to oversee congressional redistricting plans.
In another relevant case, the court in 2015 upheld the right of Arizona voters to try to make the redistricting process less partisan by creating an independent redistricting commission to draw congressional district lines.
"The animating principle of our constitution is that the people themselves are the originating source of all the powers of government," wrote Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the majority. "Nothing in [the election clause] instructs, nor has this court ever held" that in the name of regulating "the time place and manner of elections" a legislature may enact laws "in defiance of provisions of the state's constitution."
That idea is supported by new scholarship that suggests that the public understanding of the term "legislature" at the founding was not what it is today. At the founding, the accepted meaning of the word "legislature" was a body created and constrained by state constitutions, according to an article to be published in The Supreme Court Review. The authors are Vikram Amar, dean of the University of Illinois law school, and his brother, Yale law professor Akhil Amar.
You can be sure that theirs will not be the last word.
This case, Moore v. Harper, will likely be argued this fall after the midterm elections
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Please watch for the Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV! Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 4 pm!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the Show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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PBS NC
- Fridays at 7 p.m. (premiere)
- Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Thursdays at 1:30 a.m.
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NC Channel
- Fridays at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 1:30 a.m.
- Sundays at 6 p.m.
- Mondays at 12 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
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Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview | |
Join me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Wonderful Interview on Radio Nyra with Leslie Haney from Town of Morrisville on International Festival!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/980128513381807/?t=15
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TAHTS HEALTHFAIR
Registration for TAHTS HEALTHFAIR is Sept 1.
Fair is Oct. 22 at HSNC from 9 am to 1 pm!
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Oct 2 Walk for Hope for Kiran
Oct 2 Walk for Hope for Kiran at Crabtree Lake at 9 am!
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Oct 2 Gandhi Jayanti Celebration
Oct 2 Gandhi Jayanti Celebration at Marbles Museum 11 am.
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Oct. 8th, 10 am- 2 pm - Fire Safety Day
Oct. 8th Fire Safety Day 10 am- 2 pm
Target Parking Lot in Park West.
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Oct 8th - Diwali
Oct 8th Hum Sub Diwali!
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Oct 12th Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy Fundraising reception
Oct 12th Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy Fundraising reception with Congressional Candidate Wiley Nickel 5:30 – 7:30 pm Cambria Suites Morrisville. RSVP to sr@steverao.com.
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Oct 13 NC Vet Biz Annual Golf Tournament
NC Vet Biz Annual Golf Tournament 2022 Oct 13, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM EDT at Heritage Golf Course, 1250 Heritage Club Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA
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Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.
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99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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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.
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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