Written by Jackie Holcombe, Mayor of Morrisville, North Carolina. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Balance Between Services and Cost

This year, as every year, the Town of Morrisville will consider how best to balance a desire for a well-maintained, safe community that offers reasonable quality of life amenities with taxpayer cost.  Over the next 5 months we will examine revenue and growth projections, review strategic priorities and receive departmental staff reports. We will hold workshops, virtual open houses and public hearings, all dedicated to our Fiscal Year 2013 budget.   And when that budget is adopted in June, if we have done our job and listened well, the balance between services and cost will reflect the desires of our community.

What Service Level Fits our Expectations?

For years, significant tax-base and population growth in Morrisville led to year-over-year increases in revenue.  Without much effort, people and businesses found their way to the Heart of the Triangle, drawn as they were to our desirable location and exceptional quality of life.  Over time we became less rural and more an innovative crossroads where cultural heritage meets the next generation, nurturing vibrant communities of diverse families and businesses, while preserving small-town values. But now the question begs:  how well do we want to maintain our community and what service level provision best fits our high expectations?

Austere Budgets

Our town staff has expertly executed austere budgets for multiple years running, increasing efficiency along the way.  As a result, our residential taxes and fees are among the lowest in Wake County.  Our full time staff has been pared to 150, a rate of only 7.5 employees per 1000 population.  (For comparison sake, the staffing rate in Cary is 8.5/1000 residents.)  We have delayed and deferred routine maintenance and capital projects, an approach that has left our fund balance – or savings account – rich, but our list of needs long.  Yes, we have consistently delivered high level, quality services. But we have not adequately responded to community requests for better roads, expanded parks and greenways, preservation of historic buildings and a vibrant town center.

Make Your Voice Heard

Morrisville is a community of engaged, informed residents with high expectations.  We can meet those expectations, demonstrate good stewardship of financial resources and still continue to be one of the best values in the Triangle.  But shared responsibility for Morrisville’s future through continued investment in infrastructure and quality of life amenities will be needed.  I look forward to the defining conversations to come.

Morrisville: 2013 Fiscal Budget
Submit your comments

Story from staff reports. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Morrisville, NC – The Morrisville Chamber of Commerce has named its 2012 Board of Directors. It’s a prestigious group.

2012 Morrisville Chamber Board of Directors

Chair
Roy Watson
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC

Treasurer
John McGeary
Capital Bank

Past Chair
Karen Ondrick
Lenovo

Executive Committee member and Business Advisory Council Chair
J. Drake Brinkley
Moore & Van Allen, PLLC

Executive Committee member
Michael Kearns
Jani-King of Raleigh/Durham

Executive Committee Member and Economic Development Committee Chair
Jeff Sheehan
Duke Realty Corporation

Fred Adams, Jr.
Fred Adams Paving Co.

Emily Aldrich Barbour
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

Anthony Blackmon
Atlantic Tire Co.

Hill Carrow
Sports & Properties, Inc.

Marty Clayton
Progress Energy

Kimberly Copney
Costco

Theresa deMatas
Rex Healthcare

Dan Dzamba
Morrisville Square

Robert Mouro
Merril Lynch

Terry Poythress
Poythress Homes, Inc.

Houck Reed
Tekelec

Ed White
White Ventures LLC

Ex officio
John Whitson
Town of Morrisville

Ex officio
Carlotta Ungaro
Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

Morrisville Chamber Events

The Morrisville Chamber Calendar lists several regular monthly events including Business Tool Box, K.N.O.W. luncheons (Knowledgeable Network of Women) and Coffee & Connections.

CaryCitizen is proud to be a 2012 member of the Morrisville Chamber.

Story and iPhone photos by Hal Goodtree.

Morrisville, NC – How many sandwiches are made and eaten everyday in Cary? Thousands, surely. But you’d have to eat a lot of sandwiches to find any as good as those from Peppers Market in Morrisville.

Peppers Market in Grace Park

The mood is bright, modern and cheerful at Peppers. Light floods in from windows on two sides, local artwork decorates the walls and a cozy patio seems to bring the outdoors into the restaurant.

The shop is located in Grace Park at the corner of Davis Drive and Morrisville-Carpenter Road. Grace Park has a neighborhood-y feel with residences above the stores and plenty of light and space.

The Food

There’s always something unusual about the sandwiches from Peppers – even the ham and cheese has something magical about it (ham piled high on a crispy flat bread with creamy goat cheese, tomatoes and whole grain mustard).

Other sandwich favorites include BBQ Bleu Chicken (grilled chicken breast with Sweet & Tangy Homemade BBQ sauce, baby spinach and a roasted garlic & blue cheese aioli), Pork Lion on a Ciabatta roll, or Citrus Salmon (grilled salmon steak lightly marinated in Peppers Sweet Citrus Sauce and topped with red onion, crisp lettuces and ripe tomatoes).

Peppers also offeres soups, salads, smoothies and vegetarian fare. See the menu.

Everything we’ve had at Peppers has proven wholesome, well-prepared and delicious. The restaurant also serves breakfast.

Service

The attention to detail one experiences in the restaurant and the food is mirrored in the service.

Service is quick, unobtrusive and efficient from order-taking to food delivery. The staff cranks it up and visibly hustles during lunch hour.

Peppers isn’t a franchise – the owner walks around and makes sure everything is good and everyone is happy. When was the last time you saw the CEO of McDonald’s walking around to find out if your Big Mac was okay? Think about that when you’re deciding where to spend you lunch money.

For uniqueness, quality, cheery atmosphere and good service, CaryCitizen is please to recommend Peppers Market as one of our favorite local places.

Cary, NC- Park West Shopping Center opened at the corner of Chapel Hill Rd and NW Cary Parkway on Oct 9 with anchor tenant Target. What’s open now, two months later?

The answer, not much, yet. The adjacent big box stores have opened. Those include:

• TJ Maxx
• Dress Barn
• Ross Dress For Less (in 2012)
• Buy Baby Buy
• PetSmart
• Omega Sports
• Rack Room Shoes
• Lynn’s Hallmark

In the “Village” shop areas surrounding the anchors several stores have their signage up, but are still “coming soon”. The following are open or soon to be:

• Mattress Firm (open)
• Massage Envy
• Game Stop
• Omaha Steaks (open)
• YoLo Yogurt
• Penn Station- East Coast Subs
• Zoe’s Kitchen
• Jay Andrew’s Aveda Salon (open)
• Ruckus Pizza

Other tenants that have been announced are: GNC, Sprint, Travinia Italian Kitchen, Platinum Nails, Qdoba, Triangle Family Eye Care, Deluxe Cleaners, Fantastic Sam’s, McAlisters, Hibachi Blue, Platinum Nails, RBC Bank.

Here is a link to the current Park West Village website created by Casto Development. There is a site plan available as well as aerial views of the shopping center.

For more openings, stay tuned…

Morrisville, NC – From balancing the budget to the Defense of Marriage Act, it has been a tumultuous year for the North Carolina Legislature. On November 16, you can ask NC House Speaker Thom Tillis all about it at a Town Hall type meeting in Morrisville.

Fire Station #1

The Legislative Town Hall event is at the new Morrisville Fire Station #1.

The new fire station is 13,000 square feet with three bays and accommodations for EMS. The old station just down the road was built in 1955.

About Thom Tillis

Thom Tillis represents House District 98 in the northern part of Mecklenburg county including Huntersville, Davidson and parts of Lake Norman. He was elected to office in 2006 and became Speaker this year.

Event Details

Legislative Town Hall Meeting
With NC Speaker of the House Thom Tillis
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 – 5:00 pm

New Morrisville Fire Station #1
200 Town Hall Drive
Morrisville, NC

Story from staff reports. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Morrisville, NC – Voting is over and done with in Cary, but many other municipalities adhere to the “first Tuesday in November” rule. Here’s a reminder and some information about Morrisville’s Election this coming Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

4 of 6 Seats Up for Grabs

The election on Tuesday will decide four of the six Council Members for Morrisville, including District 1, District 3 and 2 At-Large seats.

Where to Vote

The Town has helpfully provided a Morrisville Polling Place Map. You can also look up your info on WakeCo.Gov/Elections.

Info on Candidates

The Morrisville Chamber has produced a non-partisan guide for voters. You can see video of the debates and read more about each of the candidates.

Morrisville: 2011 Candidates

Your Vote Counts

“Your vote counts.” That’s a phrase you don’t hear uttered with any seriousness in many countries of the world.

Municipal elections in the U.S. have low voter turnout. In Morrisville, the election will be decided by only a handful of votes for some races.

Support American democracy and set a good example for the next generation of citizens. Vote in Morrisville this Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Story by Matt Young. Photo by Downing Street.

Morrisville, NC – Morrisville Community Garden on Church Street in Morrisville is going to be hosting its first cook-off, with a seasonal theme.

If your cooking inspiration arrives with the cooler weather this contest may be for you!

Anyone from Anywhere Can Enter, But Only Local Food Can be Used

Key to the event is that every entry must feature a locally sourced seasonal ingredient. This contest is open to everyone of all ages and addresses -you need NOT be a Morrisville resident to participate!

You must submit a completed entry form and pay the $5 per recipe entry fee by October 17 ($7.50 at the door).

The event will be held Saturday, October 22, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. Recipes need to arrive by 11:00am on October 22. Awards presented at noon.

Dishes must be entered by category (starter, entree, dessert) and level of experience (amateur, professional, youth).

Seems like a great opportunity to get new recipe ideas just in time for the holidays, meet new friends, and enjoy some beautiful fall weather in Morrisville!

“If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in the autumn.” – Irish Proverb

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Community News on CaryCitizen is sponsored in part by Sip a Wine Store.

Story by Hal Goodtree. Photos courtesy of Muddy Dog. 

Morrisville, NC – Thanks to longtime reader Jackie Holcombe for pointing out that Muddy Dog Coffee in Morrisville was just named one of the top 17 small roasters in the U.S by CNN/Money.

Muddy Dog

Muddy Dog is part of a new movement in coffee – microroasting. That means small batches (27 pounds or less) for quick, local consumption.

Microroasting fits in with the buy-local movement. The emphasis is on freshness and supporting growth of the local economy.

Right now, four companies dominate the U.S. coffee market. But micro-roasters like Muddy Dog are adding 1-3% more to the U.S. total roasting capacity every year.

From Seattle to Morrisville, NC, small roasters are raising a real challenge to the established order in the coffee business.

Raise a Cup

Muddy Dog sells wholesale and retail from their website. The CNN/Money story is bound to be good for business.

So raise a cup of the exquisite bean to Muddy Dog, a small business that’s brewing up big things right here in our neighborhood.

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Business news on CaryCitizen is sponsored in part by Fiat of Cary.

Story by Matt Young. Photos by Hal Goodtree.

Morrisville, NC -  Carlotta Ungaro started her position as President of the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce in May of this year. We had a chance to speak to her this week.

A Visit to Morrisville

“I was looking for a change having served as president of the Beaufort (SC) Regional Chamber of Commerce for five years,” Caroltta said. “My husband and I had scheduled a vacation in Blowing Rock celebrating my birthday when I got a call about this position. We timed the interview with the trip.”

“When we headed into Morrisville in late February, it was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, people were out everywhere, shopping and riding bikes. The whole scene seemed like a message that this was the place to be,” Carlotta said.

Business Acumen

We were impressed with Ungaro’s knowledge of business and her substantial resume.

At the Beaufort, S.C. Chamber, Ungaro focused on retaining members, maintaining the three military bases, and working closely with all levels of government to build a more pro-business climate in Beaufort County. There she introduced new small business programs, education workforce programs and revamped governmental affairs activities. While she was there, the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce won the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives top award for communications projects for 2010 for the Operation F35-Beaufort campaign.

Morrisville offers a different opportunity, she told us.  Her goals include increasing Chamber of Commerce membership (currently at approximately 350 members), to improve communications channels, to provide great programs and to work more closely with Chamber partners.

“When all is said and done, my goal is to keep Morrisville  business-friendly and to get the word out,” Ungaro said.

In 1993, Carlotta began working in economic development as the economic development research director for the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce. Shortly after,  she moved to Tulsa, Okla. where she served as editor and sales manager for Power Delivery, a trade magazine for the electric utility industry. In 1998, she relocated to Georgia as the regional economic development representative for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Two years later she was appointed the vice president of governmental affairs for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Ungaro grew up in Ellaville, Ga. She graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus in 1986 and in 2003, received her MBA from Georgia State University.

Good Luck Carlotta!

“Morrisville is an amazingly diverse, vibrant, and well-educated community. We offer great ‘walkability’ and a growing small business community. At the same time, the town – despite its size - hosts large, international companies as well. And Morrisville already does a lot of things right. I’m lucky to have such a great community to promote.”

Story and photo by Hal Goodtree.

Morrisville, NC – Our neighbors in Morrisville broke into the national news this week (in a good way) – they made Money’s Top 25 Where’s It’s Affordable to Live list.

Affordability

Money’s affordability list is a subset of their larger Top 100 Places to Live.

Affordability in the Money survey is largely driven by two factors: average home price and median income.

According to Money, the average price of a home in Morrisville is $214,500 while median family income is $133,343.

Morrisville ranked #7 nationally in the Money survey.

Other Factors in Morrisville’s Favor

Money also noted Morrisville’s proximity to high paying jobs in the region as well as its diverse population.

Rest of the Best

The Affordability list focuses on small towns. Here’s the Top Ten:

1. Hunters Creek, FL
2. Lake Jackson, TX
3. Wesley Chapel, FL
4. Johnston, IA
5. Papillion, NE
6. Crete, IL
7. Morrisville, NC
8. Cedar Rapids, IA
9. Franklin, IN
10. Deer Park, TX

In North Carolina, Statesville was the only other town featured in the Top 25.

The Morrisville We Know

It’s great to hear a prestigious national magazine singing the praises of Morrisville. But the editors of Money just discovered something we’ve known all along: Morrisville is a great place to live.