August 2013
THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Shots Fired in Thomas Rolfe Court
Volume 208, Issue 42
Monthly Reminders:
Early afternoon on July 3, 2013, reports of gunfire at Thomas Rolfe Court were called into the Hopewell Police Department. Chief John Keohane said the reason behind the gunfire is unknown and is urging those involved to come forward. Keohane said in the hours following the shooting a variety of reports were beginning to get called into the police department as to the reasons behind what was described as “a person wildly shooting a weapon.” Some of the possibilities of the shooting could stem from an issue regarding drugs or what Keohane said could have been someone being “disrespected.” The police department has also been getting many reports on a possible suspect, with some saying the shooter left the scene and others saying the shooter went into one of the apartments. “We have our suspicions,” Keohane said of the identity of the shooter. “But we do not have our final confirmations.” Though no one was injured from the shooting, Keohane remains concerned that the gunfire occurred in the first place, especially at 12:15 on a Wednesday afternoon. “When you fire a weapon the bullet travels a long distance before it even hits a target,” Keohane said. “It could have hit a child or another human being especially when you are firing a gun recklessly.” When police responded to the scene, Keohane reported there were around 80 people at the scene. Even with that many people present, no one has come forward with the name of a potential suspect. “Why has no one come forward?” Keohane asked. “No one should want that in their neighborhood.” Keohane said he, along with the department, is focused on cleaning up the “thug mentality” that exists in the city. The mentality, he said, which causes someone to pick up a weapon and begin to fire a weapon recklessly and wildly. Keohane said four to six rounds were fired. Though the cause of the gunfire is still unknown at this time, there will be increased patrols at the housing complex. Continued on page 5.
Neighborhood Watch/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place— August 6 2013 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court— August 14, 2013 1:00 pm Piper Square—August 21, 2013 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe—August 22, 2013 1:00 pm Langston Park—August 29, 2013 1:00 pm
Thomas Rolfe Good News Club, 1st & 3rd Saturday in the Community Center. My Sister’s Circle Women’s Group every third Friday at 1:00 pm in the Hopewell library. Laos Outreach Karate Program every Tuesday and Thursday Rental payments are due on the 1st of each month and must be paid at SunTrust Bank by 5:00 p.m. Any payment received after 5:00 p.m. is considered next day and a late fee will be assessed.
Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure
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HRHA Employee Spotlight
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Management Policy
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Job Fair
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Upcoming Community Events
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Management Corner
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Employment Opportunities
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Workforce Orientation and Registration
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HRHA Grievance Procedure HRHA has a Grievance Procedure that seeks to assure just and unbiased treatment of all residents and to provide procedures which are not unduly time consuming or complicated. The Authority will take required actions to ensure all grievants with special needs are accommodated to provide access to this Grievance Procedure. Should it become necessary for you to file a grievance, present your grievance personally, either orally or in writing, to the Authority’s Central Management Office or the Management Office where you reside within seven days, after the occurrence giving rise to the grievance. The oral or written presentation should state:
1. That the complaint is being pursued in accordance with the Grievance Procedure. 2. The actual basis of the grievance. The action of relief. A copy of the Grievance Procedure can be found at the Community’s Management Office and at the Authority’s Central Management Office. If you are not satisfied with the resolution of your complaint, you may contact your HRHA Chairmen of the Board of Commissioners at 804-720-2581.
HRHA Employee Spotlight
We would like to say farewell to Kevin Leary who is retiring this month. Kevin has been a part of the HRHA Finance Department since 2004 and we wish him well in his retirement. Kevin graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree and spent five years as a Navy carrier pilot and two years as a Pan Am pilot. He also has an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering. Prior to joining HRHA he worked as a controller and corporate treasurer for heavy duty electrical equipment manufacturers and international sales companies for 23 years. He has been married to his wife, Brenda, for many years and has 2 daughters and 4.5 grand children. In his spare time he enjoys playing guitar, reading, and spoiling his grandkids. 2
Management Policy HRHA does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in the admission or access to housing or employment in its federally assisted programs and activities. Mrs. Madelyn Madison -Hyde has been designated to coordinate compliance with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) regulations implementing (Section 504 CFR Part 8, dated June 2, 1988) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. You may contact her at: P.O. Box 1361 Hopewell, VA 23860
Job Fair Progressive Adult Rehabilitation Center, Inc., (PARC) will be hosting a “Ready to Hire Job and Community Resource Fair,” to be held on Thursday, August 8th. PARC will have over 40 employers with openings for non-degree and degree holding individuals. When attending this Job Fair be sure to bring your application information, resume', and remember to dress for success. This event will be held at Good Shepherd Baptist Church located at 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA 23805.
Upcoming Community Events National Night Out
Summer Feeding Programs
HRHA has registered to participate in the 2013 National Night event with over 15,000 other communities nationwide. This event is open to all HRHA residents and we hope you will join us for food, music and fun as we participate in America’s night out against crime.
Who: Youth ages 17 and under
Who: All HRHA residents
Cost: Free of charge
When: August 6, 2013 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
**Lunch is also available daily at Dupont Elementary School from 11:00 to 1:00.**
Where: HRHA Administrative Office 350 E. Poythress Street
When: July 1—August 30, 2013 Times: 1:00 to 1:30 (snack) 5:00 to 7:00 (dinner) Location: Hopewell Community Center
Cost: Free of charge 3
Management Corner During the July 2013 REAC Inspection, HRHA management noticed many units with considerable housekeeping issues. Residents with housekeeping issues may face upcoming referrals to work with the Resident Services department to correct the problem. It is the responsibility of all HRHA residents to keep the interior of their dwelling, landings, front and backyards connected thereto in a neat, clean and safe condition. Residents are to dispose of all garbage, rubbish and other waste in a sanitary and safe manner in containers approved or provided by HRHA. HRHA holds a high standard of providing clean and safe living conditions to our residents. These standards are clearly outlined in the revised HRHA leases that were effective as of July 2013. We expect all HRHA residents to abide by the standards that are explained in your lease. HRHA is the largest housing provider to low-income citizens of our communities can be an example of what neighborhoods in Hopewell should represent.
Employment Opportunities Amazon is now accepting applications for Fulfillment Associates in their Chester and Dinwiddie locations. New hires will be permanent full-time employees working a 40 hour per week shift. Shifts are on a four day work week with 10 hours per day required. Occasional overtime is mandatory, but not often. The facility is a large concrete warehouse and lots of walking is required. If you receive an offer for employment, you will be performing a specific task as a sorter, packer or shipping. You must be able to lift 50 pounds to be considered for employment. Amazon is able to offer employment to persons with a criminal history that is at least 10 years old. You may still complete an application if you have a felony or misdemeanor that is less than 10 years old. Applications must be completed online at www.amazonfulfillmentcareers.com. Pier 1 in Colonial Heights is hiring Store Managers and Sales Associates. Various shifts are available. Applications must be completed online at www.pier1.com. If you need assistance completing online applications or searching for employment please contact your Resident Services staff for an appointment.
Workforce Orientation and Registration The Moving Forward Agency will be making two hour presentations in each HRHA community during the month of August to give an overview of their workforce training programs. The non-profit has many programs available, such as nurse aide, phlebotomy, pharmacy tech, customer service and much more. The organization helps provide job training to an average of 300 persons per year. Supportive services will be included for all HRHA residents who meet the program registration requirements. Check your community bulletin boards for more information. 4
Public Housing Staff Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Madelyn Madison-Hyde, Public Housing Director – (804) 458-5160
P.O. Box 1361 350 E. Poythress Street Hopewell, VA 23860
Lillian Millán, Administrative Assistant to the Public Housing Director – (804) 458-5160
Phone (804) 458-5160 Fax (804) 458-3364
Tina Raatz, Housing Manager – (804) 452-1880 ext. 3 Thomas Rolfe Court/Extension & Davisville/Bland Court
Website www.hopewellrha.org
Julie Derr, Assistant Housing Manager – (804) 452-1880 ext. 2 Thomas Rolfe Court/Extension & Davisville/Bland Court
Like our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/ Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Greg Pe’ay, Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 3 Piper Square, Kippax Place & Langston Park Lafonia Thornton, Assistant Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 2 Piper Square, Kippax Place & Langston Park Kathryn Thompson, Resident Services Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 4 Terence Barber, Resident Services Specialist – (804) 452-1880 ext. 4 Emergency After Hours – (804) 640-9337
“We need to spend extra resources there in case there is any beef or retaliation factors,” Keohane said. “We truly need citizens to take a stand against this. We have got to get this out of the neighborhood.” He also noted that the police department is also going to heavily enforce the no trespassing rule at the complex, in which an individual who does not reside at Thomas Rolfe is not allowed to stay at the apartments. After the shooting occurred, a car fled the scene at a high rate of speed, but Keohane said it was unrelated to the shooting. - Taken from The Hopewell News, July 6, 2013 edition.
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