tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74574243405731013512024-03-13T01:44:01.537-04:00'Tis about Morrisville"The Heart of the Triangle"Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-49072613056076389762015-10-18T12:24:00.001-04:002015-10-18T12:24:47.398-04:00Involvement & Dedication - Why I Support Pete Martin for MorrisvilleTown Council<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Founding Member, Morrisville Community Fund</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Habitat for Humanity, Morrisville</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.votepetemartin.com/" target="_blank">Pete Martin</a> personifies the "<b>heart</b>" in the <i><b>Heart of the Triangle</b></i>. He serves on the board of the philanthropic Morrisville Community Fund, attends senior activities & town committee meetings, engages his neighbors on issues of importance, participates in faith-based outreach, volunteers his time with Habitat for Humanity and works daily to build lasting and meaningful relationships.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Gem - Indian Creek Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promoting our Town Center Vision<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church Street Park Groundbreaking<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"></table>
Pete's diplomatic cooperation with our <a href="http://03c72fa.netsolhost.com/WordPress/endorsements/" target="_blank">County Commissioners, School Board Members, Legislators and civic leaders</a> have brought grant funds and positive enhancements to our community. From the building of Town Hall Dr, the placement of Cedar Fork Elementary, accreditation of Police, Fire & Parks departments, Wake County partnership on both our Cedar Fork Community Center and Cedar Fork soccer fields, Church Street Park, Indian Creek Trail Park, water and sewer connections in our Shiloh Community, pedestrian safety improvements on Morrisville-Carpenter Rd, building of our state-of-the-art fire station, enhancements to elementary school crossings and historic preservation efforts, regional cooperation was key. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Station #1</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">But clearly, more active & cooperative partnering, especially in addressing traffic congestion on our many state owned roads – NC 54, Morrisville-Carpenter Rd, McCrimmon Pkwy, Church St and Morrisville Pkwy - is needed. Pete has the proven track record, the commitment, the <b>involvement</b> and the <b>dedication</b> necessary to address ever-worsening traffic congestion. </span></div>
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Pete Martin has, though years-long advocacy, action and hard work, earned the respect and admiration of our Morrisville community. He has earned your vote.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">November 3rd - Join Me</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKG6eT-UtXdAB0i1Yt1o0Vk2cvWyNYntcEfMqB7RmkBcy9l3xKWBkVKm1nCYUlita_oDc7earpXxxTqdWUJQ4U6LR2C_fprzWbwl5iEYBC43drbMgPgKEK6k4Y80L-7FtNWNFDNC1U8GZ/s1600/vote.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKG6eT-UtXdAB0i1Yt1o0Vk2cvWyNYntcEfMqB7RmkBcy9l3xKWBkVKm1nCYUlita_oDc7earpXxxTqdWUJQ4U6LR2C_fprzWbwl5iEYBC43drbMgPgKEK6k4Y80L-7FtNWNFDNC1U8GZ/s320/vote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pete Martin</span></b></h2>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-3006277285573819742015-03-01T18:13:00.003-05:002015-03-01T18:19:49.208-05:00$200 homeowner surcharge - say it ain't so<div>
<a href="http://www.carynews.com/2015/02/25/4583357/morrisville-continues-solid-waste.html" target="_blank">Trash talk</a>. It's the topic du jour in Morrisville. "Solid waste" as it's more formally known comes up in municipal discussions all the time. It does. But this year's discussion is...... different. Edgier. Less about policy and more about winners and losers. A bit about smoke and mirrors. </div>
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For years, maybe always, Morrisville has provided trash pick-up (er, solid waste services) to homeowners without sending a separate bill. Homeowners paid their property taxes to the town, the town paid the folks who went up and down streets emptying big cans into bigger trucks. But over the years, more homes were built and the <a href="http://www2.townofmorrisville.org/webAgendas/2015/20150210/SolidWaste_WorkSessionItem.pdf" target="_blank">costs went up</a>. What to do, what to do........</div>
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That's a tough one. But here's what NOT to do: assess each Morrisville <b>homeowner</b> a $200 annual surcharge, call it a trash collection fee and fund municipal improvements with the windfall. For those homeowners who live in the "average" home valued at $265k, the surcharge amounts to........</div>
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(wait for it, wait for it)</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">19% more than they currently pay in real estate taxes.</span></b></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">For residents who live in more modest homes, the % increase, of course, goes up. That's the nature of regressive taxation. And from where I sit, funding municipal services on the backs of those least able to afford it is no way to go about the business of municipal government. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;">According to the <a href="http://www.carynews.com/2015/02/25/4583357/morrisville-continues-solid-waste.html" target="_blank">Cary News</a>, Mayor Stohlman has said that by assessing the $200 homeowner fee, the town could keep the <span style="font-family: inherit;">tax rate the same while paying for voter-approved bonds, plus an extra 1 cent’s worth of revenue – about $380,000 – left over to put toward other projects.</span></span></span><br />
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The town would win in such a scenario, the mayor has said, by bringing in more money while keeping its property tax rate the same.
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Rate, schmate. <span style="font-family: inherit;">We've been down this road before. Yes we have. And it didn't end well. If I'm currently paying <b>$1033</b> for town services and that number jumps to <b>$1233</b> in 2016, that's a tax increase for me. Of <b>19%</b>.</span>
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Leaders we elect to provide for our communities have difficult jobs. They do. For the most part, local officials do the work they were elected to do with little appreciation and the equivalent of minimum wage in compensation. Most of them do what they do, quite frankly, because they want to serve their communities. They want to improve their communities, "improve" open to individual interpretation. (Ok, some enter public service with an ax to grind, a desire to punch other elected officials in their figurative noses. Publicly. But truly, they are in the minority.) And surely, truly, Morrisville's elected officials want only to make our community..... better. Better. Whatever that means. What it does not mean: requiring those who own homes fund better. That's worse.
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-79336025987928148722013-10-12T18:16:00.000-04:002013-10-12T18:16:13.772-04:00"Dear North Carolina Mayoral Candidate"So starts the letter received this afternoon. No surprises. It's the season, after all, for campaign related mail.<br />
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But today's was not an ad for marketing materials or a survey for a local political action committee. It wasn't a postcard from one of the other 9 Morrisville candidates. Instead, it was from an organization in Fairfax, VA:<br />
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"As the 2013 Morrisville Mayoral Election approaches, the <a href="http://www.nrapvf.org/" target="_blank">National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund</a> is receiving requests for information regarding the Second Amendment and hunting positions of candidates running for office."<br />
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The Morrisville, NC Mayoral race has gotten the attention of the NRA's political action committee. Our population is 22,000. We have 12,000 registered voters. And a town ordinance prohibiting hunting or the discharging of a firearm within town limits. Last summer, the Town Council voted 6-1 to <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/29/2301641/morrisville-council-bans-guns.html">prohibit guns on our playgrounds</a>. As of October 1st and via State Law 2013-369, municipal authority to prohibit concealed guns on <a href="http://www2.townofmorrisville.org/webAgendas/2013/20131008/2013-092.pdf" style="font-weight: bold;">playgrounds</a><b> </b>was eliminated<b>. </b><br />
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<b>"If you choose not to return a questionnaire, you may be assigned a "?" rating, which can be interpreted by our membership as indifference, if not outright hostility, toward Second Amendment-related issues."</b><br />
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A candidate questionnaire that uses bullet holes to frame social media links...... one could interpret <b>that</b> as a bit hostile.<br />
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It is important to vote in <b>every </b>election. This year's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiGIgq3NmCfh5--I3coApAg">Morrisville Mayoral race</a> is no exception. <a href="http://www.wakegov.com/elections/voters/Pages/default.aspx">Vote November 5th.</a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-69853223355241488952013-09-13T07:26:00.002-04:002013-09-13T07:28:23.226-04:00Transportation & Transit: The "What" is Easy.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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it's the <b><i>HOW</i></b> that needs work. </div>
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We know we have congestion related safety and quality of life issues. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqi7I34WgtCsdBUKaXhPa6N-yIWeQxwK9rrcJJK8CKOs-fXSDkNXGmyy-OYag7MmwZ6ljge71unp-ZccM55CigTUAb3reCnH9wsxCdI2axG3OIW9YB0TdqLybN2MZb3Hegba5ZH5duK78V/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqi7I34WgtCsdBUKaXhPa6N-yIWeQxwK9rrcJJK8CKOs-fXSDkNXGmyy-OYag7MmwZ6ljge71unp-ZccM55CigTUAb3reCnH9wsxCdI2axG3OIW9YB0TdqLybN2MZb3Hegba5ZH5duK78V/s320/DSC_0355.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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Railroad crossings contribute to delays.</div>
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Lack of transit options likewise contribute to congestion.</div>
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We're working on the fixes. A number of projects have been recently completed, are in progress or are on the horizon:</div>
<ul>
<li>High visibility crosswalks have been installed on Town Hall Dr.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">School crossings have been made safer through combined grant and Town funding.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">We're working on a C<a href="http://www2.townofmorrisville.org/webAgendas/2013/20130226/TranspPresHwy54FeasStudy2013-030.pdf" target="_blank">orridor Study of NC54</a> in partnership with the Town of Cary, NCRR, NCDOT and CAMPO. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The Town has supported a county-wide transit <a href="http://www2.townofmorrisville.org/webAgendas/2012/20120424/2012-056.pdf" target="_blank">ballot referendum</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">We've increased local funding for road maintenance, budgeted matching funds for federally funded <a href="http://www.campo-nc.us/lapp.html" target="_blank">LAPP</a> projects through CAMPO and overwhelmingly approved bond funding for the <a href="http://nc-morrisville.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=640" target="_blank">NC54 bypass</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I'll be meeting with staff and representatives of the NCRR next week to discuss our mutually beneficial partnership. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Improvements to <a href="http://www.townofmorrisville.org/DocumentCenter/View/7208" target="_blank">Morrisville-Carpenter Rd and the grade separation at Morrisville Pkwy</a> will begin in early 2014. </li>
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<b><i>What then is left to do?</i></b></div>
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Plenty. Our 2009 <a href="http://www.ci.morrisville.nc.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/760" target="_blank">Transportation Plan</a> lists a number of unfunded, but sorely needed improvements. That's where you come in. The Town Council has approved creation of a <a href="http://nc-morrisville.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/7199" target="_blank">Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding</a> and we are looking for <a href="http://nc-morrisville.civicplus.com/forms.aspx?FID=233" target="_blank">qualified applicants</a> to help craft a long-term funding strategy. </div>
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It truly is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiGIgq3NmCfh5--I3coApAg?feature=watch" target="_blank">good to be Morrisville</a>. With attention to our transportation needs, with a long-term approach to funding those needs, we'll make it great.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuZxAL0f5zup_aowmXnP5Or3IyKKeF3YZ8_slDDytcyAouUOIBKn4h3w8oEkDL5O4cXe2hCTnpvOv-FZC-rcJocMa3UNsf9QXM5_XFZvWAm2dkGg_xsOhM-I42IAASoDK2wt9SMhjLspS/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuZxAL0f5zup_aowmXnP5Or3IyKKeF3YZ8_slDDytcyAouUOIBKn4h3w8oEkDL5O4cXe2hCTnpvOv-FZC-rcJocMa3UNsf9QXM5_XFZvWAm2dkGg_xsOhM-I42IAASoDK2wt9SMhjLspS/s320/DSC_0047.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-72190388191788588232013-08-31T08:36:00.000-04:002013-08-31T08:36:08.044-04:00Parks & Greenways - It's Good to be Morrisville<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xQgrbdsS7jA?feature=player_detailpage" width="440"></iframe><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-37874129314366216292013-08-27T21:08:00.000-04:002013-08-27T21:08:21.385-04:00Welcome Martha Wheelock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgYIfehkW_AH45Rx5nQFQW6HHdGrIZmULKmY_uNl9ZC-h_8hnv47xQBlziw71vCPJfxc89Akq46WxjDVcKaR2tCyV1t1knbcmkn-tcyBacvQqIRur9he1ebQf75q1aXAx2JyEIGDqadV4/s1600/Town+Seal+Council+Chambers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgYIfehkW_AH45Rx5nQFQW6HHdGrIZmULKmY_uNl9ZC-h_8hnv47xQBlziw71vCPJfxc89Akq46WxjDVcKaR2tCyV1t1knbcmkn-tcyBacvQqIRur9he1ebQf75q1aXAx2JyEIGDqadV4/s200/Town+Seal+Council+Chambers.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">August 27, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">MARTHA
WHEELOCK SELECTED AS MORRISVILLE’S NEW TOWN MANAGER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">MORRISVILLE, NC –</span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By unanimous consensus of the Town Council, Martha
Wheelock has been selected as the new Town Manager for the Town of Morrisville.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Martha
Wheelock, 52, is a native of Newport News/Hampton, Virginia and has served as
Assistant City Manager for the City of Winston-Salem since September 2006. In
this capacity, she oversaw numerous City operations including the coliseum
complex and public assembly facilities, marketing and communications, CityLink
(the city’s customer service information center), fleet services, information
systems, property maintenance, human resources, internal auditing, recreation
and parks. She also coordinated the implementation of capital projects, oversaw
special projects and events, and provided leadership for organization-wide
strategic planning, including performance measures to enhance effectiveness,
efficiency, and accountability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ms.
Wheelock joined the City of Winston-Salem in 1999 as finance director of the
coliseum/convention center. In 2004, she was promoted to deputy finance
officer. In that role, she was responsible for the city’s revenue, internal
audit, and purchasing divisions. Before joining the city, she worked as
business manager for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. She
holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Christopher Newport College in
Virginia and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a
graduate of PELA and Municipal Administration programs offered by the UNC
School of Government. She is a member of the ICMA where she serves on the Task
Force for Women in the Profession and the NCCCMA and the NCCCMA Program Committee. She serves on various community boards,
including Cancer Services and Family Services, and is an active volunteer with
Special Olympics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Martha
is the proud mother of Kelly Marcolini, who works at Duke University in Sports
Marketing. Martha has six brothers and
sisters, three of whom live in the Raleigh/Cary area. In her free time, Martha enjoys running and
other aerobic exercise, and cooking. Her
two passions </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are music and NFL football, especially
the Pittsburgh Steelers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I am honored and excited to serve the
Town of Morrisville, a progressive, diverse community that values both its past
and future. I pledge to work with all
town employees and with passion and commitment to meeting the needs of Town
Council and the citizens of Morrisville,” said Wheelock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The offer is conditional, pendin</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">g the successful completion of the
pre-employment process and ap</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">proval of
the contract by Town Council. Her
anticipated start date is September 23.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7457424340573101351" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-76339491926177551202013-08-20T05:13:00.002-04:002013-08-20T06:30:13.894-04:00Preserving Our Past - It's Good to be Morrisville<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the third year running, Morrisville has been honored with an Anthemion Award from <a href="http://capitalareapreservation.com/th_gallery/morrisville-christian/" target="_blank">Capital Area Preservation</a>: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>"Anthemion Awards recognize outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in historic preservation in Wake County. The name “Anthemion” was inspired by a classical design element seen on many Wake County buildings."</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">When we preserve our past to protect our future...... it's good to be Morrisville.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Vlw-cah8oc?feature=player_embedded" width="440"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-32660073225265493592013-08-11T11:59:00.001-04:002013-08-11T12:10:57.767-04:00It's Good to be Morrisville.....<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Let's make it GREAT!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmL_D20WCMUthfSWH-_De-wO_ktN_mE7fecVTqL_Osqv9Zetxbg5m2mO1fNNiERadT0mmYEFX4IC69E10rmNzFESlk9fL4554vyUP_PO7KlT1FDqx8BhBVT6RQVZ4KcHFHOKxId5vsg29/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-35591178826137310752013-07-21T06:37:00.000-04:002013-07-21T06:37:19.527-04:00The State of Morrisville 2013<div align="left">
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<strong>It's good to be Morrisville. Let's make it great!</strong></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-25625257821279499522013-07-10T13:30:00.001-04:002013-07-10T13:30:55.713-04:00It's good to be Morrisville...... let's make it GREAT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mayor Jackie Holcombe Announces Re-Election Campaign</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_HM8T4keXPZ040vr7njo4l-pIE6b1UbFOTkinzgZQrtAsIladRQenOPL5-Z_nfDWcIRwMvW8effeAm7f0BIeltXG48KS1YLsbqmD9wKVvzw0li35FKvmcTIDlI7h8czqJBP-B9LtIxVZ/s1600/MorrisvilleMarker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_HM8T4keXPZ040vr7njo4l-pIE6b1UbFOTkinzgZQrtAsIladRQenOPL5-Z_nfDWcIRwMvW8effeAm7f0BIeltXG48KS1YLsbqmD9wKVvzw0li35FKvmcTIDlI7h8czqJBP-B9LtIxVZ/s200/MorrisvilleMarker.jpg" width="200" /></a>MORRISVILLE, NC (July 10, 2013) – <a href="http://www.townofmorrisville.org/index.aspx?nid=490" target="_blank">Morrisville Mayor Jackie Holcombe</a>, a strong, effective leader on issues important to residents and local
businesses, today announced her campaign for re-election. A 24 year resident of the Triangle, she has
been a consistent and at times outspoken advocate for public safety,
improvements to Morrisville’s transportation network and fiscally responsible
budgeting. During her first term in
office, Mayor Holcombe has maintained a high public profile, overseeing a
number of positive changes to include:
the Town’s AAA bond rating upgrade, advances in historic preservation,
creation of an award winning Town Center Plan, national accreditation of both
Police and Fire departments and execution of the Parks and Recreation bonds
approved by voters in 2004. “Whether
advocating for common sense gun safety measures or working to promote an
inclusive sense of community, Mayor Holcombe has demonstrated leadership we
have come to expect in a full-time public servant,” offered Breckenridge
resident Melody Kruse. “I am confident
that she will continue to represent our interests.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcXiay_1mg0a067wBq_zA0g3WApc-NRvt40NkcmFem-qOy_PTlkJW2jvZ2ak3DRPMIV1ghfra7T2_rQ_c-zhjYPo_CWvk7-qk83yzb_H_zUWqTfUit2l2CaqXKHKg3do5ynSqTtbnF9kh/s1600/MSV+Seal+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcXiay_1mg0a067wBq_zA0g3WApc-NRvt40NkcmFem-qOy_PTlkJW2jvZ2ak3DRPMIV1ghfra7T2_rQ_c-zhjYPo_CWvk7-qk83yzb_H_zUWqTfUit2l2CaqXKHKg3do5ynSqTtbnF9kh/s200/MSV+Seal+2.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Addressing head-on the challenges of the past 4 years, Mayor
Holcombe’s attention to sound public policy, transparent government, community
outreach and exemplary customer service helped maintain a strong, welcoming
Town image during the Great Recession.
Serving as President of the Wake County Mayors Association in 2012, she
further strengthened relationships between the Town of Morrisville and its 11
neighboring municipalities. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Mayor Jackie Holcombe is one tough cookie,” offered
Ridgemont resident Bob Butler. “In spite of Town Council challenges, she has
been steadfast in making Morrisville a town that we citizens can be proud
of. She represents the people of
Morrisville, even those who disagree with her, with a leadership style that
combines empathy with all views with a strong idea of what the majority of the
people of Morrisville want for their quality of life in our town.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Mayor has concentrated her first term on those issues
important to residents and the business community….. long-range transportation
funding plan, a sustainable fiscal philosophy, maintaining the public’s safety,
a welcoming sense of community, park expansion and creation of the highly
anticipated town center. “I have
thoroughly enjoyed serving the Town of Morrisville and take pride in our
diverse community’s progress these past 4 years,” Mayor Holcombe
commented. “During my first term, we
have moved forward on a number of long-term initiatives. I am committed to continuing that forward
momentum with a full campaign that begins today.” </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlGxRbUMN5YSp2yqhm3vJFwUobetzDbaOG6x0hXjAGvJmjwrMjLdmsfIO2I4xCVUBjaYIh166blfGEBLX4-9zytOGsNBtw4CYRUNnhyhMSAobMzdv6DKg5d-Ujz4fgtfA6zRkjWCCu-LM/s1600/jackie_mayor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlGxRbUMN5YSp2yqhm3vJFwUobetzDbaOG6x0hXjAGvJmjwrMjLdmsfIO2I4xCVUBjaYIh166blfGEBLX4-9zytOGsNBtw4CYRUNnhyhMSAobMzdv6DKg5d-Ujz4fgtfA6zRkjWCCu-LM/s200/jackie_mayor.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mayor Holcombe was recently featured in 919Magazine and is a
former recipient of the Triangle Access Award from the Alliance of Disability
Advocates. She currently serves as a
member of the Morrisville-Cary joint issues committee, is the Town’s CAMPO
representative, was a founding member of the Morrisville Community Fund and
spearheaded creation of a local Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation
Funding. Recently, and after years of
delay, Mayor Holcombe was proud to execute the sale of bonds approved in 2004
for construction of the RTP cricket complex.
She looks forward to strengthening the Heart of the Triangle’s newly
created interfaith coalition and expanding the work being done on historic preservation. The former owner of BuckwheatHull.com, she
takes pride in the continued success of the small business, now a part of
Morrisville’s non-profit <a href="http://lifeexperiences.org/businesses/buckwheat-hull/" target="_blank">Life Experiences, Inc</a>.
Jackie Holcombe attended the University of Florida, College of
Engineering and is married with two adult daughters. Mayor
Holcombe will deliver her annual <a href="http://business.morrisvillechamber.org/events/details/state-of-morrisville-1177" target="_blank">State of the Town</a> address on July 18<sup>th</sup>
at the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce. </span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-528625903725191932013-06-13T14:08:00.001-04:002013-06-13T14:08:17.352-04:00Morrisville's Bond Rating Now AAA/Aa1<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
To our professional staff, advisory committee members, volunteers, taxpayers and policy setters past and present go the credit. As a team, we have worked hard and though difficult times to carefully and deliberately manage our financial health. I know our community shares my pride in this <strong><em>Heart of the Triangle</em></strong> accomplishment. It's good to be Morrisville.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQspmPO-t3BsKIgPY7CRmLiObI2eWBqc51v99QvV458AuGviOtiFAG9cMpgNWLDYG9HHRytG02TwrOQg6_WmFofWHaqsndEo1L8QKr9tTC-uYRni9NHLgBW1iUTJuKoZXK-Fc2UCZjqzD_/s1600/Morrisville+Seal+Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQspmPO-t3BsKIgPY7CRmLiObI2eWBqc51v99QvV458AuGviOtiFAG9cMpgNWLDYG9HHRytG02TwrOQg6_WmFofWHaqsndEo1L8QKr9tTC-uYRni9NHLgBW1iUTJuKoZXK-Fc2UCZjqzD_/s200/Morrisville+Seal+Color.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
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June 13, 2013<br />
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<strong>MORRISVILLE’S BOND RATINGS INCREASE TO AAA AND Aa1</strong><br />
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MORRISVILLE, NC – Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services raised its rating on Morrisville’s general obligation (GO) debt one level to AAA. Morrisville was previously rated AA+. Moody’s upgraded Morrisville’s GO rating one level to Aa1, from Aa2. Both agencies report a stable outlook.</div>
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Standard & Poor’s shows the town’s assets as:<br />
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• Good access to the Research Triangle Park and existence within the strong, expanding regional economy of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan statistical area (MSA);<br />
• High wealth and income;<br />
• Strong finances; and<br />
• Low debt.<br />
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Moody’s lists the town’s strengths as:<br />
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• Sizeable and growing tax base with above average wealth levels;<br />
• Low debt burden despite rapid population growth; and<br />
• Healthy reserve levels protected by strong policies.<br />
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“We are proud to be the smallest municipality in North Carolina to have a AAA bond rating,” said Julia Ketchum, Senior Director of Business Management for the Town of Morrisville.<br />
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Contact: <br />
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Julia Ketchum, Senior Director of Business Management – 919.463.6175<br />
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Stephanie Smith, Public Information Officer – 919.463.6207 <br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-1549608568789488422013-05-27T08:28:00.000-04:002013-05-27T08:45:48.372-04:00FY14 Budget - Investing in Morrisville's Present & FutureMorrisville's hard-working staff has rolled out their recommendation for the <a href="http://www.townofmorrisville.org/index.aspx?NID=592" target="_blank">FY14 budget</a>. Based on the Council's direction to focus on:<br />
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<strong>Transit and Transportation</strong></div>
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<strong>Creating a Sense of Place</strong></div>
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<strong>Maintaining a Small Town Environment and</strong></div>
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<strong>Maintaining a Quality Staff</strong></div>
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this financial plan is a good one. Compared with the FY13 budget, it's a hefty 8% increase. Better, though, much better, than the budget change between FY12 and FY13. Last year at this time we were talking about an increase of 11% and I voted no on our current year's budget. This time around, I'm much more optimistic for good reason: we'll have something to show for our investments.<br />
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Highlights include funding to begin the NC54 bypass supported by voters in 2012, forward progress on the long-awaited Town Center, construction of the RTP Park* at Church St and McCrimmon Pkwy, road maintenance, road maintenance, road maintenance and a property tax increase to .39 per $100 of property valuation. </div>
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What's missing: local funds to leverage monies available for transportation improvements through <a href="http://www.campo-nc.us/LAPP/FY13%20Applicant/Resource_Materials/LAPP_QUICKGUIDE.pdf" target="_blank">LAPP</a>, or <strong>L</strong>ocally <strong>A</strong>dministered <strong>P</strong>rojects <strong>P</strong>rogram. Budgeting $120k in the coming year would allow us to submit a project of up to $600k for consideration in the coming year. Cost sharing is the only approach that will allow Morrisville to fix the needed transportation improvements that ail us and I'll continue to advocate making this happen. I would also like to see us accelerate the 2012 Parks/Rec bond funded projects, currently slated for FY16. We shall see....</div>
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Agree? Disagree? Either way, let us know. Options are:</div>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Attend the public hearing on <a href="http://www.townofmorrisville.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1711" target="_blank">May 28th</a> </li>
<li>Visit our <a href="http://www.townofmorrisville.org/index.aspx?NID=350">online budget portal</a> and submit comments <a href="http://nc-morrisville.civicplus.com/forms.aspx?FID=67" target="_blank">here</a> or</li>
<li>Contact our Budget Manager at 919.463.6174 to schedule time for individual discussion</li>
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Gotta love #3. It's good to be Morrisville.<br />
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*While it is true a rose by any other name and all that, I know we can do better than "<em><strong>RTP Park</strong></em>" for this lasting community legacy. Have ideas? Submit via comment below. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-54264597617062558292013-04-14T12:12:00.001-04:002013-04-14T12:12:12.603-04:00The Debate Continues<object data="http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v2/flash/video/vp-wral.swf?v=20130225a" height="324" id="_27586147" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="576"><param name="movie" value="http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v2/flash/video/vp-wral.swf?v=20130225a" /><param name="movie" value="http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v2/flash/video/vp-wral.swf?v=20130225a" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="index" value="-1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="flashvars" value="config={'url':'http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/video/12338307/?version=fpconfig','plugins':{}}" /></object><br />
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Responding to the 90% of NC residents who support background checks for all gun purchases we hear: </div>
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"<em>It just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense</em>." </div>
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Maybe this will help: </div>
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When the system works properly, background checks keep guns out <span class="text_exposed_show">of the hands of those who should not have them. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has <strong>blocked more than two million illegal transactions</strong> over the past two decades. </span></div>
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Makes perfect sense to me. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-55862974934085262722013-04-11T15:56:00.001-04:002013-04-11T16:13:25.634-04:00Your Town, Your Vote, Your Elected Representation<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the perks of being Mayor is this: I have more opportunities than I probably deserve to talk to people. Lots of people. About all manner of things. I am also privileged in that people talk to me. To the best of my ability, I listen. Regardless of the issue, regardless of my opinion, I listen. I listen to comments on traffic and inadequate parking, the joys of volunteering, historic preservation and praise for our professional staff. It is a privilege to hear from our community. And when the message conveyed is a fixable problem, I want to fix it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyACnAX512P3taiT351s-g2m9B2ev-1DNWLx-UUdpQYYjJ4eTAf_g3UYpDDZyrqv-hXOpmovIShjZ0-NRnZIszNk171HQQ8FUIevZ6CfPj826OVbSXp4mZo20MjI-DbdQpM1t6dqKcwrM/s1600/listen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyACnAX512P3taiT351s-g2m9B2ev-1DNWLx-UUdpQYYjJ4eTAf_g3UYpDDZyrqv-hXOpmovIShjZ0-NRnZIszNk171HQQ8FUIevZ6CfPj826OVbSXp4mZo20MjI-DbdQpM1t6dqKcwrM/s200/listen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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This week's problem: <strong>voter confusion</strong> and Morrisville's resident district requirement. The process is confusing, the district maps more so.<br />
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Here's why:<br />
<ol>
<li>Two representatives are elected <strong><em>At-Large</em></strong>.</li>
<li>Our mayor is elected <strong><em>At-Large</em></strong>. So far so good.</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
The other 4 elected officials are <span style="font-family: inherit;">chosen under authority of NCGS 160A- 101(6)c</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">,:</span> “The city shall be divided into single-member electoral districts; council members shall be apportioned to the districts so that each member <span style="font-family: inherit;">represents</span> the same number of persons as nearly as possible, except for members apportioned to the city at large; and candidates shall reside in and represent the districts according to the apportionment plan adopted, but all candidates shall be nominated and elected by all the qualified voters of the city”. </div>
</li>
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Wait. What? Is it any wonder that Morrisville is the <strong>only </strong>municipality in county that takes election cues from <span style="font-family: inherit;">NCGS 160A- 101(6)c? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a better way:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>All candidates shall be nominated and elected by all the qualified voters.</strong> </div>
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Aka <strong><em>At-Large.</em></strong> Simple. Clear. Decreases voter confusion. It makes sense that an overwhelming majority - 9 of 12 Wake County Towns - elect their policy makers via this method.<br />
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Using the authority of NCGS 160A- 101(6)c was a good idea when our historic Shiloh Community became a part of Morrisville. Single-member districts at that time assured representation from our Shiloh community. The districts also assured representation would not be clustered in any single area. Alas, that's no longer possible. It's not even possible to draw sensible districts. Instead, and in order to meet the requirements of post-census redistricting, we came up with: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxIiaGZvnuvbhfEvXQOh6-9JINouyMdkRcjNme7dAFhq_hh8lTAFNlI7gxvGq_FBGFVPubunFFGx56i8cYnjQkEg6ISej_MdZFexa9JkoPSA244AfF7as-5kTfhvK2mh8B8iyNDTEKsln/s1600/DistrictMap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxIiaGZvnuvbhfEvXQOh6-9JINouyMdkRcjNme7dAFhq_hh8lTAFNlI7gxvGq_FBGFVPubunFFGx56i8cYnjQkEg6ISej_MdZFexa9JkoPSA244AfF7as-5kTfhvK2mh8B8iyNDTEKsln/s320/DistrictMap.JPG" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
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On April 23rd, the Morrisville Town Council will hold a public hearing on changing our electoral process for the better. The meeting begins promptly at 6:30 PM. Overflow parking, if needed, is available across Town Hall Dr at the Indian Creek park. Can't make the meeting? We still want to hear from you. Email your elected officials at <a href="mailto:TownCouncil@TownofMorrisville.org">TownCouncil@TownofMorrisville.org</a> . </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-18993194741978888322013-03-16T06:38:00.001-04:002013-03-16T06:38:53.460-04:00Town Manager - Update<br />
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<br />
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
<br />
<br />
March 15, 2013<br />
<br />
<br />
MORRISVILLE MAKING PROGRESS IN NEW TOWN MANAGER SELECTION<br />
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<br />
MORRISVILLE, NC – Morrisville’s Town Council has been hard at work narrowing down the field to select the next Town Manager. Starting with an applicant pool of 111, individuals have been evaluated using a multi-method screening process including surveys, phone interviews, essays, and management skill assessments. The evaluation process was designed by Developmental Associates based on feedback from Council, staff and the community.<br />
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Council carefully vetted applicants and decided to invite five semi-finalists to Morrisville to participate in a management assessment skill process. Evaluators included Managers and Subject Matter Experts from Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Wake Forest, Zebulon, Carrboro, Durham, Clayton, Southern Pines, Wake County, Orange County, and RDU Airport. Council will be reviewing results and determining which attendant(s) to invite for final interviews. A decision is anticipated by the end of April.<br />
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“We are happy with the process and pleased with the assistance we have received from Developmental Associates. I am confident that we have well qualified candidates from which to select our next Town Manager,” said Mayor Jackie Holcombe.<br />
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###<br />
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Contact: <br />
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Lauri Shedlick, Human Resources Director – 919.463.6149<br />
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Stephanie Smith, Public Information Officer – 919.463.6207 <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-63399714246824609192013-03-07T10:42:00.001-05:002013-03-07T10:42:44.778-05:00Morrisville Welcomes Electric Car Charging Stations!<div style="text-align: center;">
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With sincere thanks to Progress Energy, exciting changes in Morrisville! </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-79496105194250945662013-01-10T06:34:00.001-05:002013-01-10T06:34:12.676-05:00Part 2 - Q&AWe're having, finally, a conversation. In <a href="http://www.carynews.com/2013/01/08/69330/morrisville-mayor-asks-retailer.html" target="_blank">Morrisville</a>, <a href="http://www.artonissues.com/2013/01/the-link-between-widespread-gun-ownership-and-gun-violence-in-america/" target="_blank">across NC</a>, in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/09/us/vermont-assault-rifle-ban-resolution/index.html" target="_blank">Vermont</a>, and <a href="http://americansforresponsiblesolutions.org/" target="_blank">DC</a>, in <a href="http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_902e0af0-5954-11e2-a40b-001a4bcf887a.html" target="_blank">FL</a>, we're having a conversation. Not surprisingly it's an emotionally charged discussion. Fine. That's fine. Debate, argue, accuse, insult, donate money, threaten and then.... these emotionally charged conversations will lead to the changes needed to lessen gun violence. On to the Q&A.<br />
<br />
Q: Who do you think you are, telling a legal retailer what they can or cannot sell?<br />
A: I'm a mom, a wife, a friend, a neighbor, an elected official. That's who I am. I have no authority to regulate the sale or purchase of legal items. I have every right to ask for voluntary measures that will make my community safer. <br />
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<br />
Q: Have you read the 2nd Amendment?<br />
A: <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/01/07/168834462/the-2nd-amendment-27-words-endless-interpretations">Yes.</a><span id="goog_162673851"></span><span id="goog_162673852"></span> <em>"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."</em><br />
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<br />
Q: The real problem is the liberal media, video games and movies. Did you write letters to stores that sell newspapers and video games?<br />
A: No. But the topic is of interest and I am happy to discuss whether or not video games and movies contribute to gun violence. To begin the discussion, the 1st Amendment reads thusly: <em>"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." </em><br />
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Q: Are you stupid?<br />
A: Does it matter?<br />
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Q: Why don't you do something about mental health?<br />
A: I sadly agree that we, the collective we, are not adequately addressing the needs of children and adults with mental health issues. Yet another overdue conversation we are now tackling. Our NC Legislature will soon be in session. I encourage our elected leaders to better fund mental health services.<br />
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<br />
Q: Are you aware that you can purchase a firearm in North Carolina without any gun safety training?<br />
A: I am now. And that needs to change. For those so inclined, you can <a href="http://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx" target="_blank">contact your representatives</a> to ask that they sponsor a bill to require gun safety training. <br />
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<br />
Q: Did you know that more murders are committed using hammers than guns? Where's your letter to Home Depot (or Lowes from my friends to the west) demanding they stop selling hammers?<br />
A: Gotta love <a href="http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/baseballbats.asp" target="_blank">Snopes</a>. <br />
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Q: I will do everything in my power to see that you are not re-elected.<br />
A: That's not a question, so here's one: aren’t we fortunate, truly fortunate, to live in a country where this is an option?<br />
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<br />
Q: Are you allowed to use your office letterhead to write to law-abiding retailers?<br />
A: Yes. And if it matters, I paid for the stamp. I always pay for the stamps I use to mail correspondence, regardless of the topic. I also pay for my paper, ink, printer, computer, cell phone and internet connection.<br />
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Q: Stay out of our lives. We don’t tell you what to do and what not to do.<br />
A: Actually, I think you just did. Again, not a question, but interesting. And you are not the only one to make suggestions about what I should (ahem) “do.”<br />
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Q: I ask, are you from the South? This is the land of God and guns.<br />
A: Yes, sweetie, I am from the south. That was a determination made by my parents and not one for which I can take credit. Thanks Mom and Dad.<br />
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Q: Why do you and other <insert expletive="expletive" here="here"> like you not stick to facts? This is just more knee jerk and emotion.</insert><br />
A: I always consider factual information. I read statistics and point of view pieces and talk to people. I listen to the opinions of others. Sometimes their opinions are fact based, BTW, sometimes not. I also speak and act based on, yes, emotion. I have never known a mom who did not. I am not sure it is even possible.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-72172888207988414052013-01-03T12:11:00.001-05:002013-01-03T12:21:50.996-05:00An Open Letter to Gander Mountain CEO David Pratt<br />
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<br />
January 3, 2013 David Pratt, CEO <br />
Gander Mountain<br />
180 East Fifth St Suite 1300<br />
St. Paul, MN 55101<br />
Dear Mr Pratt,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a small town mayor, it is with mixed emotions that I greet 2013. I have hope that the coming year will bring health, prosperity and opportunity to my Morrisville community, my state of North Carolina and to our country at large. It is with sadness that I acknowledge that unless we begin to make meaningful changes, the gun violence of years past will continue in 2013 and beyond.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
When the Morrisville, NC Gander Mountain was announced in March 2012, I allowed my name to be attached to a press release that read in part:</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">"This is great news for the citizens of Morrisville and our entire Triangle area," said Morrisville mayor Jackie Holcombe. "Gander Mountain has a highly-regarded reputation and will be a perfect fit for our community’s diverse retail mix. I’m pleased to welcome this quality company to Morrisville and to the Triangle and our community looks look forward to continuing to serve their business needs in the future."</span></em></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I now question that decision. The availability of semi-automatic Military-style rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines at the Morrisville Gander Mountain has not been great news for our citizens. As a recent email to me noted: “I wept when I opened today’s <u><a href="http://newsobserver.com/" target="_blank">News and Observer</a></u> and saw the Gander Mountain ad for semi-automatic rifles.” Further, the phrase “highly-regarded reputation” is not one I have heard associated with Gander Mountain’s sale of Military-style rifles.</div>
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At the memorial service for victims of the Newtown, CT tragedy, our President said:</div>
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<em>“If there is even one step we can take to save another child or another parent or another town from the grief that has visited Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek and Newtown and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that – then surely we have an obligation to try.”</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I believe it is indeed our obligation to try and the reason for my letter to you today. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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The issue of gun violence is a complex one and will require a multi-faceted solution. I ask that Gander Mountain do their part toward that solution by discontinuing sales of semi-automatic rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines.</div>
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I appreciate your consideration and am available to meet with your local representatives to further discuss opportunities to address the alarming loss of life from semi-automatic rifles.</div>
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Respectfully Yours,<br />
<br />
<br />
Jackie Holcombe, Mayor, Town of Morrisville<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-68659587125706383952012-12-19T06:32:00.003-05:002012-12-19T11:12:01.502-05:00December 19, 2012: Vigil for Newtown, Connecticut <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>TOWN OF MORRISVILLE HOLDS SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6Qm89JEArdl4MR2hlEPAcYDHtvJqAY47uc5oZMTX0RXtczYGcg3M_SBQDbS8hKVL0eeIBpIjKcKbcRzEvkiDeZNFOsreaCI9gd2VZPj4tfrUX59UFAbeHNSzQHWIQbmtgR1Glwrv02x6/s1600/candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6Qm89JEArdl4MR2hlEPAcYDHtvJqAY47uc5oZMTX0RXtczYGcg3M_SBQDbS8hKVL0eeIBpIjKcKbcRzEvkiDeZNFOsreaCI9gd2VZPj4tfrUX59UFAbeHNSzQHWIQbmtgR1Glwrv02x6/s1600/candle.jpg" /></a></div>
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In the wake of the tragic shooting in <a href="http://www.evergram.com/post-message/our-broken-hearts-2542/?utm_campaign=subdmn" target="_blank">Newtown, Connecticut</a>, the Town of Morrisville will hold a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, December 19th. Please join us at Morrisville Town Hall (100 Town Hall Drive) at 7:00 pm as we remember those that lost their lives, grieve with families who lost loved ones and appreciate those who dedicate their lives to the education of children. </div>
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Overflow parking will be available at the Morrisville Municipal Services Building, 260 Town Hall Dr.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-33028772890866903002012-11-01T09:05:00.000-04:002012-11-01T09:05:35.539-04:00To Everything There is a Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKhIXvrWjX1WVI54IBkuzOu3z9W3k4q7sMfojA0o5Prn3osseaXidfh0pA2Z_wJvpjKoHrOtycihU9rhnSh4O5uiqPxRYdmwCY0DVWzrSAyhO20f9_ptovqm8W2GPf0cI9BNFQJ3s3WNf/s1600/4+seasons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKhIXvrWjX1WVI54IBkuzOu3z9W3k4q7sMfojA0o5Prn3osseaXidfh0pA2Z_wJvpjKoHrOtycihU9rhnSh4O5uiqPxRYdmwCY0DVWzrSAyhO20f9_ptovqm8W2GPf0cI9BNFQJ3s3WNf/s320/4+seasons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To all who have asked..... this is my season to work. It is the season to begin the search for Morrisville's next town manager. This is the season to offer information and advocate for passage of our Morrisville bond referenda. It is the season to work to improve Morrisville's traffic congestion issues and bring transit options to the Heart of the Triangle. It is ALWAYS the season to work on transportation and transit issues. This is the season of ribbon cuttings and business open houses and the continuing work to form a cohesive Town Council. It is the season of working toward a more inclusive community. This is the season of historic preservation and long range financial planning. It's the season for recognizing our Veterans and for giving thanks.</div>
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For me.... this is not the season to campaign for reelection. Not now. That season is yet to come. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcXiay_1mg0a067wBq_zA0g3WApc-NRvt40NkcmFem-qOy_PTlkJW2jvZ2ak3DRPMIV1ghfra7T2_rQ_c-zhjYPo_CWvk7-qk83yzb_H_zUWqTfUit2l2CaqXKHKg3do5ynSqTtbnF9kh/s1600/MSV+Seal+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcXiay_1mg0a067wBq_zA0g3WApc-NRvt40NkcmFem-qOy_PTlkJW2jvZ2ak3DRPMIV1ghfra7T2_rQ_c-zhjYPo_CWvk7-qk83yzb_H_zUWqTfUit2l2CaqXKHKg3do5ynSqTtbnF9kh/s320/MSV+Seal+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-27846624831965848592012-10-27T06:35:00.000-04:002012-10-27T06:35:00.701-04:00Past, Present, New Beginnings: Town Manager to Retire<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1GZcnFWkiOqgiJsPKuhikCRycL5huMD_jW5P54Ra0h7AzkjI43CHXJSMFrMkUoWxmv_KtIauD52XOUTlAHxe_xPJr66MqXdYovQtwSLjPmtwWHLttDbNECg7On486JblfeoT4Z9Aok20/s1600/Gateway+Sign3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1GZcnFWkiOqgiJsPKuhikCRycL5huMD_jW5P54Ra0h7AzkjI43CHXJSMFrMkUoWxmv_KtIauD52XOUTlAHxe_xPJr66MqXdYovQtwSLjPmtwWHLttDbNECg7On486JblfeoT4Z9Aok20/s200/Gateway+Sign3.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</div>
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<strong>MORRISVILLE TOWN MANAGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT</strong></div>
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MORRISVILLE, NC – John Whitson, Morrisville’s Town Manager has announced his intention to retire from North Carolina’s local government system after serving over 20 years. He has been the Town Manager in Morrisville for over nine years and in Lewisville for 11 years. His last day as Morrisville’s Town Manager will be December 14. “The experience has been rewarding,” said Mr. Whitson, adding that he has made lasting friendships along the way.</div>
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Mr. Whitson was hired in 1992 as Lewisville’s first manager shortly after Lewisville was incorporated. In Lewisville he led the development of the town’s first comprehensive plan; development and implementation of land use planning and administration; development of a downtown plan; implementation of the early stages of the downtown plan including the design and construction of a town square green and improvement of the town’s main roadway through downtown from two lanes to three lanes with sidewalks, curb and gutter, and decorative streetlamps; and he organized and coordinated the extension of the Forsyth County/Winston-Salem public sewer to downtown. He also planned and conducted a major annexation expanding the town from eight square miles to ten square miles and completing annexation agreements with both Clemmons and Winston-Salem.</div>
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In Morrisville Mr. Whitson will likely be most remembered for gaining approval to merge Morrisville’s water and sewer systems with Cary. Now, seven years following the merger, Morrisville utility customers are paying lower utility rates resulting in about 15 to 20 percent savings over the previous year. He has been responsible for the modernization of the town’s automation systems and management procedures especially the procedures involving public access to pending actions of the Town Council. He might also be remembered for gaining approval for a special census in 2004 which ultimately garnered Morrisville an additional $6.5 million in state/county shared revenues. Many elected officials and staff will remember Mr. Whitson for his pursuit of ideas requiring special authority from the North Carolina General Assembly such as collecting stormwater fees via the property tax bill and the authority to establish a Municipal Service District to convert private streets to public streets.</div>
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Mr. Whitson’s retirement will be short-lived. He has accepted the position of City Manager in Texarkana, Texas. The move will permit him and his wife, Lillian, to be closer to their daughter, Jessica, who lives and works in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Texarkana is also where Major Whitson served as the Military Comptroller of Red River Army Depot for three years and is only 120 miles from his hometown of Soper, Oklahoma. Mr. Whitson has worked for the public for 44 years which includes his 24 years of military service retiring in 1992 as an Aviation Branch Lieutenant Colonel. He was also a Master Army Aviator accumulating more than 4,000 hours of flight time, serving in both Korea and Saudi Arabia.</div>
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Town Council will be holding a Special Meeting on Tuesday, <strong>October 30</strong> at <strong>6:00 pm</strong> to discuss appointing an Interim Town Manager and the process for appointing a permanent Town Manager. It will be held at the <strong>Historic Christian Church of Morrisville</strong>, located at 222 Church Street. Overflow parking is available at the far end of the First Baptist Church parking lot across the street.</div>
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Contact:<br />
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John Whitson, Town Manager – 919.463.6150<br />
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Stephanie Smith, Public Information Officer – 919.463.6207<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-67677966922481170432012-10-06T07:27:00.001-04:002012-10-06T07:38:46.157-04:00Vote YES November 6th!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF3Gf6-KQbAC2E2faryaDhHaRBvKBtnbryDtanPJ9go5d6oF9dQOxTYdatxOmA-wnIr_hTkmvRxVPRi6tuc_3M6f8uCrdPN_4SZojC1eB1nc92Vs5h_h8qXj1lcF12HN1sBIqZNCg770n/s1600/MorrisvilleCommPark-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF3Gf6-KQbAC2E2faryaDhHaRBvKBtnbryDtanPJ9go5d6oF9dQOxTYdatxOmA-wnIr_hTkmvRxVPRi6tuc_3M6f8uCrdPN_4SZojC1eB1nc92Vs5h_h8qXj1lcF12HN1sBIqZNCg770n/s320/MorrisvilleCommPark-sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2012 Bond Referendum Q&A</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Q: Why is the town putting bond referendums on the November ballot?</strong><br />
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A: There are several ways to finance the construction of major capital projects. Bond financing is often the most economical means of borrowing money for local governments and a vote of the public is required. This method of financing is used to fund capital projects that are above and beyond the scope of the annual operating budget. Since Morrisville, like most Towns, has few reserve funds set aside for major capital projects, issuing bonds is an option for financing those major projects.</div>
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<strong>Q: Why are the projects important to Morrisville?</strong></div>
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A: With input from the community, the Town Council and staff have formed a Capital Improvements Project list. This list has been refined over time and prioritized based on rankings from community-wide surveys. Traffic improvements and Parks consistently rank very high on the list of capital projects identified by our citizens. With that in mind, Council unanimously approved placing bond funding of the NC54 Bypass project, Morrisville Aquatic and Fitness Center (MAFC) renovation and Morrisville Community Park Phase 3 on the November ballot. The parks and recreation projects will provide much needed investments in our leisure and healthy-living facilities, allowing us to meet increased demand for such amenities. The NC54 bypass will improve traffic safety and mobility on Chapel Hill Rd while providing motorists and emergency responders options for connectivity to Aviation Parkway and Airport Blvd.</div>
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<strong>Q: What will happen if the bonds don't pass?</strong></div>
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A: If the bond referenda do not pass in November, the projects will remain high priorities for the Town. They will not move ahead, however, until an alternative funding source is identified.</div>
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<strong>Q: Who can vote for/against the bonds and how can they vote?</strong></div>
A: Morrisville residents registered to vote will have the opportunity to cast ballots on each of the two bond questions when they vote in November’s election. Those eligible residents not yet registered can do so until October 12 by visitng the <a href="http://www.wakegov.com/elections" target="_blank">Board of Elections</a> website. Early voting begins <a href="http://www.wakegov.com/elections/info/early/Pages/date.aspx" target="_blank">October 18</a>, and Election Day is November 6. In addition, any registered voter may vote <a href="http://msweb03.co.wake.nc.us/bordelec/downloads/3election/absenteerequestinstructions.pdf" target="_blank">absentee via mail</a> by requesting a ballot in writing. <br />
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<strong>Q: If the bonds pass, how will it affect property tax payers?</strong><br />
A: Council and staff anticipate that a tax increase of up to four cents may be necessary if both bonds pass. This would equate to an increase of $10 per month on a home valued at $300,000.<br />
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<strong>Q: Are there any common misconceptions about the bonds referendum? If so, what are they?</strong> <br />
A: Residents may believe that a bond vote is a vote to approve a particular project. Rather, a yes vote for a bond referendum is a vote to approve a funding mechanism. While the timing and the cost of the projects may change, the NC54 bypass, MAFC renovation and Morrisville Community Park Phase 3 are considered high priorities by Council. If General Obligation bonds are not used as a financing tool, the Council will have to find alternative ways to fund those projects.<br />
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<strong>Q: Has the town been successful is using bonds in the past? If so, how?</strong></div>
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A: Yes! Morrisville residents have approved General Obligation Bond referendums in 1991 and 2004. However, this particular Bond Referendum is unique in that this is the first time a tax increase will be incurred if the bonds pass. </div>
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Morrisville’s first successful bond votes were held in <strong>1991 </strong>with the authorization of $9.7M:</div>
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<li>Public Bldg/Town Hall $1.6M </li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Parks & Recreation $1.3M </li>
<li>Streets Repairs $900k</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sanitary Sewer $3.2M</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Water Improvements $2.7M</li>
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In <strong>2004</strong> the $13.7M bond referendums were approved for: </div>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Public Safety Facilities $5.7M</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Parks & Recreation $4M</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Street Improvements $4M</li>
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<strong>Q: Include any other information voters should know.</strong> </div>
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A: Further details regarding the 2012 Bond Referendum can be found at <a href="http://www.townofmorrisville.org/bond" target="_blank">online</a> and a public information session will be held at Morrisville Town Hall on Tuesday October 9th from 5:30 – 6:30 PM. You can also call the Morrisville Public Information Officer at 919.463.6207 with any specific questions.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">4 Cents for BIG Improvements</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Vote YES November 6th</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWX1o033sN_yC-CA5SYJhcgYhSIH7XYXqCnxZ1ZxYP7ddTsUfH4F0mZxfB644Eohr5tlZaMBd2_RBKoLHztI0NsSkN7g-iQoRE8pGHz6BOUNOrjfEJI-3beUa55oP_qr2kRX_NwzwIiSk/s1600/MSV+Seal+small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWX1o033sN_yC-CA5SYJhcgYhSIH7XYXqCnxZ1ZxYP7ddTsUfH4F0mZxfB644Eohr5tlZaMBd2_RBKoLHztI0NsSkN7g-iQoRE8pGHz6BOUNOrjfEJI-3beUa55oP_qr2kRX_NwzwIiSk/s320/MSV+Seal+small.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-66555988502975637962012-09-27T15:16:00.001-04:002012-09-27T15:26:13.014-04:00Whistle While You Work<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>We dig up diamonds by the score</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">A thousand rubies, sometimes more</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">But we don't know what we dig 'em for</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">We dig, dig, dig-a-dig, dig</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Such is the song of the 7 who labor as part of the Disney/Grimm tale. They dig. And dig. And dig. They work incredibly hard those 7. And lyrics aside...... of course they know why they keep digging. Even when hitting layers of rock, it's work worth doing. For me. Er, them. They. It's work that uncovers hidden gems. Like:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B_SIDjXjZTaYh0SUpiynikiVUNHcTcN0hblpogegKVhIa08ZbY-Il5FwbgXYiUmqTJypZwkGOupq1MWJWTLBc1s57xCtmHTpYFBbX32HuOqdn8P3D6U0fDBJw4z43F3R14XdSOR8FjNg/s1600/Habitat+Dedication_739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B_SIDjXjZTaYh0SUpiynikiVUNHcTcN0hblpogegKVhIa08ZbY-Il5FwbgXYiUmqTJypZwkGOupq1MWJWTLBc1s57xCtmHTpYFBbX32HuOqdn8P3D6U0fDBJw4z43F3R14XdSOR8FjNg/s200/Habitat+Dedication_739.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Zk9nyhvM0qLQ3yok_omeNjgAcU0LjSWCeIqcA92ERgc8siDnx0GM2Lyt2Uf8cTS5VH4KFqnnebn66aRHf31pgFEIAE_C31C9743jFZMzFLCtKFPU4klI6eAKSoeQ9SJfvq4xH_iduV8k/s1600/Habitat+Dedication_754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Zk9nyhvM0qLQ3yok_omeNjgAcU0LjSWCeIqcA92ERgc8siDnx0GM2Lyt2Uf8cTS5VH4KFqnnebn66aRHf31pgFEIAE_C31C9743jFZMzFLCtKFPU4klI6eAKSoeQ9SJfvq4xH_iduV8k/s200/Habitat+Dedication_754.JPG" width="200" /></a> <br />
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Our new neighbors in MSV with the dedication of our community's first <a href="http://www.habitatwake.org/gallery/" target="_blank">Habitat for Humanity</a> homes</div>
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Historic preservation: times many, thanks to many:</div>
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Creation of Preservation Morrisville </div>
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Funds appropriated to begin Pugh House restoration</div>
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Historic Christian Church on track to become our 2nd <a href="http://www.carynews.com/2012/09/22/64422/old-morrisville-church-could-become.html" target="_blank">historic landmark</a></div>
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Another <a href="http://www.cappresinc.org/anthemion.php" target="_blank">Anthemion Award</a>, our 3rd consecutive award</div>
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Luther Green honored with preservation of <a href="http://www.carynews.com/2012/02/21/53153/shiloh-tobacco-barns-threatened.html" target="_blank">Shiloh history</a></div>
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Investment in MSV: an opportunity to vote <a href="http://www.townofmorrisville.org/index.aspx?NID=640" target="_blank">YES</a>! on bond financed projects</div>
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Interest in our <a href="http://www.ci.morrisville.nc.us/index.aspx?nid=222" target="_blank">Town Center</a>, with marketing underway to re-purpose retro Fire Station #1</div>
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Steady progress on transportation improvements:</div>
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Signal in progress, Morrisville-Carpenter Rd/Town Hall Dr</div>
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Safety enhancements at school crossings, also in progress</div>
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Design in progress, Morrisville-Carpenter Rd @ Progress Energy</div>
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Design in progress, Morrisville Pkwy RR bridge</div>
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NC54 and More study</div>
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<a href="http://www.waketech.edu/about-wake-tech/locations/rtp-campus" target="_blank">Wake Tech</a> - master plan - done, building yet to come</div>
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<em><strong>It's good to be MSV.</strong></em> </div>
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Or is it? Now eight months into our work together, the current Morrisville Town Council continues the transition from campaigning to governing. That transition has not been seamless and responsibility falls squarely on my shoulders. I continue to look for opportunities to improve the outcome and last week's facilitated work session was a step in the right direction. Not the final step, but a solid first one. </div>
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The diamonds and rubies yet to unearth aren't going to surface without hard work. Let's continue to dig. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-53840780999182349382012-09-04T15:29:00.000-04:002012-09-04T15:42:46.507-04:00Investing in Morrisville - Vote YES November 6th<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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For the first time in 8 years, Morrisville will have an opportunity to approve <a href="http://nc-morrisville.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=640" target="_blank">bond funded</a> investments in our community on November 6th. Not to exceed $20M, the investments proposed are:</div>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Construction of the NC54 bypass from McCrimmon Pkwy to Evans Rd and</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Improvements to our parks and recreation facilities <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock><v:shape id="_x0000_s1028" style="height: 414.9pt; margin-left: 64.5pt; margin-top: 60.75pt; position: absolute; width: 330.1pt; z-index: 251664384;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Jackie\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png"></v:imagedata></v:shape>to include expansion of our Morrisville Aquatic and Fitness Center and addition of amenities to Morrisville Community Park</li>
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Our Mayor Pro Tem Liz Johnson presented an excellent <a href="http://nc-morrisville.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/5211" target="_blank">primer</a> on bond funding earlier this year, well worth a read. The audio can be accessed by visiting the Mayor Pro Tem's town <a href="http://nc-morrisville.civicplus.com/index.aspx?nid=426" target="_blank">webpage</a> and clicking the link under <strong>Town Hall Meeting</strong>. For those with questions on our specific projects, click <a href="http://nc-morrisville.civicplus.com/forms.aspx?FID=211" target="_blank">here</a> to contact the Town of Morrisville staff. </div>
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This is an exciting opportunity for our community, one that will fund improvements to projects important to our residents. The cost will depend on timing of design and construction, but is expected to add no more than $97.20 per year in taxes to the median priced Morrisville home . I hope you will join me in supporting these investments in Morrisville's present and future. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Shall the order adopted on July 24, 2012, authorizing not exceeding <strong>$5,700,000 PARKS AND RECREATIONAL BONDS</strong> of the Town of Morrisville, North Carolina, for the purpose of providing funds, together with any other available funds, for improving and expanding the existing park and recreational facilities of the Town and acquiring and constructing new park and recreational facilities of the Town, inside and outside its corporate limits, including, without limitation, the acquisition of any land, rights of way and equipment, and the authorization of the levy of taxes in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on said bonds, be approved?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">YES [ ]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">NO [ ]</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shall the order adopted on July 24, 2012, authorizing not exceeding <strong>$14,300,000 STREET IMPROVEMENT BONDS</strong> of the Town of Morrisville, North Carolina, for the purpose of providing funds, together with any other available funds, for constructing, reconstructing, widening and improving streets and related sidewalk, streetscape and utility improvements for the Town, inside and outside its corporate limits, including, without limitation, the acquisition of any necessary land, rights of way and equipment, and the authorization of the levy of taxes in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on said bonds, be approved?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">YES [ ]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">NO [ ] </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com0Morrisville, NC, USA35.823483 -78.825562135.771984 -78.9045261 35.874982 -78.7465981tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457424340573101351.post-13341027084924177692012-07-29T16:18:00.004-04:002012-07-29T16:31:57.662-04:00The door to safety swings on the hinges of common sense.On July 29th, The Cary News published Aliana Ramos' article entitled <a href="http://www.carynews.com/2012/07/28/62025/morrisville-hears-both-sides-of.html" target="_blank">Morrisville hears both sides of gun debate.</a> <br />
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Also on July 29th, email began arriving in my inbox from members of a group who believe they should be allowed to carry concealed handguns in the following Town of Morrisville parks and facilities:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gMP3YHbJbqmjC8vwv0O-V8V-UhrxogkI0PQqky8uQqlF3jequkMbiWycrZkdqcnzk6Zd18YFnxOuftEy0fmzoxuWGrnsI8Em6YP7TVdiHzb-vshmkrKThehcLX7ioaOMMHtLs7Wncp_Z/s1600/MorrisvilleCommPark-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 125px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 213px;"><img border="0" height="121" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gMP3YHbJbqmjC8vwv0O-V8V-UhrxogkI0PQqky8uQqlF3jequkMbiWycrZkdqcnzk6Zd18YFnxOuftEy0fmzoxuWGrnsI8Em6YP7TVdiHzb-vshmkrKThehcLX7ioaOMMHtLs7Wncp_Z/s200/MorrisvilleCommPark-sign.jpg" width="200" /></a>Morrisville Community Park</div>
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<li>Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center</li>
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Shiloh Park</div>
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Cedar Fork Community Center</div>
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<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Crabtree Creek Nature Park</div>
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<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Indian Creek Greenway Trailhead </div>
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I do not agree. Guns do not belong on playgrounds or athletic fields. <br />
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I do agree with the group's contention that <a href="http://www2.townofmorrisville.org/webAgendas/2012/20120724/2012-033.pdf" target="_blank">restrictions</a> being considered will not deter all gun violence. We are a civilized community, a civilized state, a civilized nation. What is needed are restrictions on gun and ammunition sales that mirror that civility. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml#NC" target="_blank">Mayors Against Illegal Guns</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img src="http://c.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=4803382&java=0&security=fee8be9f&invisible=1" alt="." border="0" height="1" width="1" /></div>Jackie Holcombehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07366660697477538423noreply@blogger.com1