My family came to America with a dream—that hard work, education, and community engagement could build a better life. As a child immigrant who came to this country legally with my family, I grew up in neighboring Durham County during the era of racial segregation, attended NC State University in Raleigh, and have called Morrisville home for 17 years. I’ve lived the American Dream here in the Heart of the Research Triangle Park, and I’m running for Town Council to ensure that dream remains accessible to the next generation of Morrisville families.
Why I’m Running
Morrisville stands at a crossroads. We have an opportunity to build on our strengths—our diversity, our innovation economy, our strategic location—while addressing the challenges that keep too many families from thriving here. But opportunity requires fresh thinking and new leadership.
Today, five of our seven Town Council members have served for more than a decade. Our remaining two council members have served over six years. While experience matters, so does fresh perspective. After 12 years on the council, my opponent in District 4 has established her record. During her tenure, property taxes have increased three times since 2021, including a 17% increase in 2025—making Morrisville less affordable even as she advocates for affordable housing. She has acknowledged that her own children cannot afford to live in the community she represents.
The question before voters is straightforward: What new solutions will another term bring that the past 12 years have not delivered?
My Vision: Infrastructure That Works for Working Families
With two engineering degrees from NC State University and Virginia Tech, I understand how infrastructure investment directly impacts your quality of life—your commute time, your property values, your access to opportunity. I will bring an engineer’s precision and a resident’s perspective to Town Council decisions.
My priorities include:
Completing critical transportation projects: The Aviation Boulevard extension has languished while our community has grown. I will work with NCDOT engineers and CAMPO planners to secure state and federal funding, ensuring this project moves from planning to pavement. Reducing traffic congestion isn’t just about convenience—it’s about giving families more time together and businesses better access to customers.
Making smart infrastructure investments: In 2019, our Town Council spent a year relitigating the Crabtree Creek Elevated Bridge project—a $10 million proposal that had been rejected in 2009 and was ultimately voted down again 4-3 after our senior planners confirmed it couldn’t feasibly be built within 25 years. That year of debate cost us momentum on projects that could have been completed. I will focus our resources on infrastructure projects that are both necessary and achievable, protecting our drinking water supply while advancing our transportation needs.
Partnering effectively with technical experts: When experienced Professional Engineers serving on our Planning and Zoning Board offered guidance in 2019, their expertise was set aside. I will ensure that volunteer professionals and town staff with transportation, logistics, and planning experience have a meaningful voice in our decision-making process. Good governance means listening to experts, not replacing them.
Keeping Morrisville affordable: Property taxes have increased significantly in recent years, putting pressure on homeowners and renters alike. I will scrutinize every budget line to ensure we’re investing in infrastructure that enhances property values and quality of life while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Growing our commercial tax base—not just our residential tax burden—must be a priority.
An Engineer’s Approach to Public Service
Engineers are trained to ask the right questions, analyze trade-offs, and build solutions that work. That’s the approach I’ll bring to Town Council:
- Demanding rigorous analysis before committing taxpayer dollars to major projects
- Partnering with regional transportation authorities to leverage state and federal funding
- Supporting our town staff with the resources and leadership they need to retain talented professionals
- Prioritizing projects based on community impact, technical feasibility, and fiscal responsibility
Moving Morrisville Forward Together
For 17 years, I’ve watched Morrisville transform into one of the most dynamic communities in the Research Triangle. We’ve welcomed families from around the world, built thriving businesses, and created a community that celebrates our diversity as our strength.
But our continued success isn’t guaranteed. It requires leaders who will ask tough questions, demand accountability, and ensure that every infrastructure dollar serves our community’s long-term interests. It requires fresh voices who understand both the technical complexity of municipal planning and the daily realities of working families.
As the daughter of immigrants who came to America legally and worked hard to provide opportunities for their children, I believe deeply in the promise of public service. I’m ready to bring my engineering expertise, my commitment to our community, and my fresh perspective to the Town Council.
Time for Change
On November 4, 2025, you have a choice: continue with the status quo or move Morrisville forward with new leadership that combines technical expertise with fiscal responsibility.
I’m asking for your vote to be that new voice on the Morrisville Town Council. Together, we can build the infrastructure our growing community needs while keeping Morrisville affordable for working families.
Vote Patty Cheng for Town Council District 4 on November 4, 2025.