June Updates from Apex: Pride, Public Safety, and Community Events

A roundup of recent and upcoming events in Apex, including Pride support efforts, the launch of the downtown Social District, a recap of the recent Town Hall meeting, a correction on a political event

Hey everyone! Now that the budget is approved, we have a short runway until the beginning of summer. I want to update you on a few things going on around town. But first, snap poll! Of the people reading this newsletter:

Show Support for Project Rainbow Nation

Key Takeaway: The Community is rallying around Project Rainbow Nation, including next Wednesday 7am at the Community Park

Last Wednesday (and the Wednesday before) a local LGBTQ+ workout group had their pride flags vandalized at the Apex Community Park during a morning walk around the lake. I went out last Wednesday to support them after hearing about the previous incident, and I witnessed the most recent vandalism. The individual involved has been arrested. I plan on joining them at their next event as well. If you’d like to join us to show your support for the LGBTQ Community (and support for everyone who just wants to enjoy our parks in peace) we’ll be at Apex Community Park at 7am on Wednesday the 11th, by the shelters (end of the Laura Duncan entrance).

Next Tuesday the 10th at our Town Council meeting the Mayor & Council will be reading our annual Pride Proclamation, and Apex Pride Fest is next Saturday the 14th.

The Local Spot Begins

Key Takeaway: The Apex Social District, aka the Local Spot, begins today at 11am

TODAY! The Local Spot, our downtown Social District, begins today at 11am. Check out the link for a list of participating businesses and their level of participation. Look for stickers near the door to see if outside drinks are welcome inside.

The Mayor and Council will be at an “info booth” this morning at the Farmer’s Market to answer any questions.

Town Hall Meeting Success

Key Takeaway: Town Hall Meeting last Monday was well attended, and the next one is penciled in for around September

Our Town Hall meeting on Monday, June 2 was a success. We had around 30 attendees, and we discussed a variety of topics. A quick summary:

1. What are we doing to protect the character of the town? (General discussion ensues about private property rights, the Town’s long range planning, etc)

2. Can or should we limit truck traffic on the Peakway? (No)

3. Concerns about the Local Spot (Discussion ensues about history of social districts and previous discussions in Apex, APDs involvement/planning)

4. Olive Chapel & Kelly intersection is dangerous (Will talk to APD about enforcement)

5. Concerns about Church on Old US1 Plans impacting neighbors (Discussed in more detail after meeting)

6. Concerns about structure on Center (It actually was just demo’ed)

7. Tunstall House Status (Bids opening soon)

8. Internet Question RE: Parking lot (On Track for Sept/Oct opening)

9. Cyber Security Incident Update (clarified current network was rebuilt and entirely new, old network no longer exists - and other info generally found here)

We plan on having another event something in the fall, and continuing with quarterly Town Halls as demand requires.

Ed Gray and Shane Reese Kickoff Correction

Key Takeaway: I got the day of the week wrong in my last email, their kickoff is actually tomorrow Sunday the 8th

In my last email I gave the correct date but incorrect day of the week for Ed and Shane’s kickoff featuring Minority Leader Sydney Batch. I said “Saturday the 8th” - the 8th is a Sunday, and the event is indeed tomorrow, Sunday the 8th. My apologies.

You can register here, or just show up at the Halle at 2pm on SUNDAY the 8th.

New EMS Station Opens

Wake County had a ribbon cutting for their newest EMS Station, located on Apex BBQ Road adjacent to Apex Fire Station 5, attended by Council and Apex resident Commissioner Cheryl Stallings. This will be a great asset to the community, reducing response times and keeping us all safer. They also have a public EV charger in the parking lot!

Cybersecurity Incident Update

Key Takeaway: Our old network was shutdown, and an entirely new network was built clean under the advice and supervision of the NC Joint Cybersecurity Task Force

Apex’s Cybersecurity Incident Information page has seen a significant update. The biggest piece of information (as we said at the Town Hall) is to clarify that, in effect, when the Cybersecurity Incident occurred last July we rebuilt the entire network from scratch, with no overlap from the previous network. Every single machine, from various utility and billing servers down to each laptop used by employees was completely wiped clean and rebuilt before being connected to the new network.

This is just the protocol from, my understanding. That’s why we get the experts in. It was this scorched earth rebuilding process, not the cybersecurity incident itself, that caused the majority of the disruption.

This was done under the supervision and at the direction of the North Carolina Joint Cybersecurity Task Force, which includes partners like the NC National Guard, the FBI, NC Emergency Management, etc. Both we and the Task Force are confident that the new network is clean and was built in compliance with best practices, and we have adopted additional best practices as directed by the Cybersecurity Task Force.

That’s all for now. If you’re still here, check out the agenda for next Tuesday’s Town Council meeting - should be a short one.

-terry