Kaepernick receives international award B8
Richmond Free Press
VOL. 27 NO. 17
© 2018 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
www.richmondfreepress.com
ee Fr
Fr ee
After 72 years, Elvin Cosby gets his way A2
APRIL 26-28, 2018
Pulse driving businesses down Transit construction has hurt Downtown establishments By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Richmond City Councilwoman Kim B. Gray has been getting an earful from restaurants and businesses along Broad Street that have seen customer numbers fall and revenues shrink during the 20-month construction of Pulse, GRTC’s new bus rapid transit system Now she’s hoping the city will provide them some help with City Council’s unanimous approval of a resolution she sponsored. Approved Monday night, the resolution calls
on Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration to use about $280,000 set aside for Pulse operations to provide support for those businesses. “It could go to small grants or marketing or other projects that could benefit the businesses that have born the brunt of this construction,” Ms. Gray said. She said she had hoped the entire $770,000 City Council set aside in the current fiscal year to support Pulse operations be redirected because Please turn to A4
Richard Waller Jr. is hoping the family jewelry business can recover now that construction of the new bus rapid transit system is nearly done. Founded in 1900, Waller & Co. Jewelers is about the only jewelry store still operating in Downtown. Right, view of the new, virtually complete Pulse station at Adams and Broad streets, about two blocks west of Waller & Co. Jewelers. Service is expected to begin July 1, GRTC has indicated. Photos by James Haskins/Richmond Free Press
City eliminates $240,000 admissions tax debt of Richmond Jazz Festival By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration has quietly eliminated the estimated $240,000 in admissions taxes that the popular Richmond Jazz Festival owed the city, three highly placed sources have told the Free Press. The elimination of the tax debt, which includes unpaid admissions taxes, penalties and interest that have built up over six years, came amid City Hall efforts to step up collections of delinquent taxes and a year after former
City Auditor Umesh Dalal spotlighted the summer festival’s operator, Johnson Inc., as one of six companies and individuals from which the city had failed to collect admissions taxes. According to the sources, Lenora G. Reid, the Mr. Johnson city’s chief financial officer, and John B. Wack, the city’s director of finance, made the decision in early October that the
Richmond Jazz Festival was not subject to admissions taxes and did not owe the city admissions tax from the 2017 festival or for festivals dating back to 2012. One of the whistleblowers who spoke with the Free Press described it as unfair Ms. Reid that the city is going after companies that fail to pay $500 in admissions tax while creating an exemption for the large jazz festival, a tourist magnet that yearly draws thousands of people from across the country. The decision to exempt the festival, the sources said, followed a series of meetings between top city officials, including Selena Cuffee-Glenn, chief administrative officer, and Kenneth S. Johnson, founder, president and chief executive officer of Johnson Inc., the Richmond-based marketing, advertising and public relations company that in 2010 launched the festival that it stages every August on the lawn at Maymont,
Tree problems go unanswered by city Editor’s note: Just before the Free Press Wednesday deadline, Spencer Turner sent a text message to a Free Press reporter stating: “Thanks for help. They are cutting tree down Friday. The power of a free press.” As of deadline, the Free Press had not been able to confirm Mr. Turner’s statement with city officials. By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Spencer Turner shudders every time he looks at the big sycamore tree that the city planted decades ago on its right-of-way in front of his home in the 100 block of West Lancaster Road in North Side. Mr. Turner knows the tree is dying. Some of its big limbs already have toppled into his yard, Please turn to A4
Please turn to A4
80¢ cigarette tax goes up in smoke at City Council By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Marching for gun control
Christopher Smith
Between 300 to 500 students and others march from Brown’s Island on the James River in Downtown to Capitol Square last Friday in the latest rally supporting gun control. The rally and march were part of the National School Walkout staged in communities around the nation on the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Colorado. In that mass murder, 12 students and a teacher were killed and more than 20 others were wounded by two students who opened fire with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and sawed off shotguns. The march and rally continued the recent push for gun control initiated by Florida students following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day in which 17 people were gunned down by a former student. In addition to student speakers, Gov. Ralph S. Northam and Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax spoke at the State Capitol.
Richmond smokers will not have to pay an extra 80 cents for a pack of cigarette. After hearing from more than 50 speakers and nearly an hour of debate, Richmond City Council, with a 6-3 vote, killed a proposal to impose a city tax on cigarettes that Councilman Parker C. Agelasto, 5th District, had spearheaded. Council President Chris A. Hilbert, 3rd District, and Kristen N. Larson, 4th District, were the only members to join Mr. Agelasto in supporting the tax measure that was projected to raise an extra $5 million a year for school maintenance — small by the size of the needs, Please turn to A4
William & Mary board apologizes for role in slavery By Amelia Heymann Virginia Gazette
The College of William & Mary formally apologized for its role in slavery and Jim Crow at its Board of Visitors meeting last Friday.
The board adopted a resolution of apology for the university’s history in exploiting slave labor and racial discrimination, while saluting the hard work of all those involved in the Lemon Project. The resolution also extends the Lemon Project.
William & Mary President W. Taylor Reveley III read the resolution to the board at the meeting. “The board profoundly regrets these activities, apologizes for them, expresses its deep appreciation for the contributions made by the
African-American members of its community to the vitality of William and Mary then, now and for all time coming, and commits to continue our efforts to remedy the Please turn to B8
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Ivy climbs the trunk of this dying sycamore that Spencer Turner wants the city to remove from in front of his home in the 100 block of West Lancaster Road in North Side.
Richmond Free Press
A2 April 26-28, 2018
Local News
Deadline May 11 to apply for lead water line replacement grants Richmond homeowners could receive a $2,500 grant to replace lead water lines from the city’s meter into their homes, the city Department of Public Utilities has announced. The deadline for 2018 applications is Friday, May 11, according to the department, which administers the residential lead service line replacement program. To qualify, interested residents must submit their application to DPU along with a separate agreement form showing a contract with a licensed plumber to accomplish the work by June 30. The program is aimed at helping people with homes that were built before 1986, the year lead lines were banned, to replace the lines bringing water to hot water tanks and faucets. Homeowners must cover any costs above $2,500, DPU stated. DPU previously has offered grants to reimburse people who had the work done in 2017, but the city has not yet indicated whether the reimbursement program will continue. Information: (804) 646-8600 or www.richmondgov.com and go to the Department of Public Utilities’ page.
Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
Call it the latest fashion for trees. This designer skirt now decorating a tree at Maymont in the West End is the product of a sophomore draping class at Virginia Commonwealth University. This is one of the trees students in the class outfitted in completing their final project. Along with creating a new look, the students were required to use materials that could withstand sun, rain, wind and other weather conditions.
Henrico schools hosts Family Learning series summit April 28 Henrico County Public Schools is hosting a Family Learning Series Summit, featuring workshops and activities on topics such as parenting, literacy, diversity, study skills, mental health and exceptional education. The summit is free and will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road. Comedian Micah “Bam-Bamm” White will be the keynote speaker at 9:15 a.m., after which attendees may participate in breakout sessions. The summit is designed to engage and empower parents and guardians through information and to build partnerships with families and “equip them with a toolbox of resources to help them help their children,” said Pam Bell, director of HCPS’ Department of Family and Community Engagement. A continental breakfast will be provided at 8:30 a.m. Food trucks also will be onsite for purchases. Activities will be conducted for children ages 4 and older, and door prizes and information tables will be featured. Registration can be done onsite or online at http://tiny.cc/ fls/, where participants can see the various breakout sessions. Transportation also is available for riders ages 4 and older by request on the registration form.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Herring’s new policy seeks to eliminate cash bond system
Mr. Herring’s decision would mean more involvement by those accused of Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney crimes with the Richmond Department of Michael N. Herring is stepping up his Justice Services, which currently conducts efforts to eliminate the cash bond system risk assessments of defendants for judges that forces people to stay in jail while to use in determining whether they pose awaiting trial because they cannot afford a risk for committing additional offenses to put up the money or property for bail or if released. to pay the fee of a bail bonding company The Department of Justice Services also willing to do it. provides pre-trial services for defendants In his latest move, Mr. Herreleased with conditions. As part ring confirmed Tuesday that of that work, the department he has directed the deputy and advises on its website that it assistant prosecutors who handle maintains close contact with most of the cases to stop recomindividuals and also refers people mending that people post cash to treatment, education or support or property to ensure their return services when a court makes that for further court proceedings a condition of release. after being released. Under the new policy, those Mr. Herring “The new policy is to aswho violate the conditions could sess risk to the community have their release revoked by the and recommend hold or release, with ap- court and be returned to jail to await trial. propriate conditions,” he stated Tuesday, First elected in 2005 and re-elected in meaning defendants would not have to November to his fourth term, Mr. Herring put up money. for some years has been experimenting Mr. Herring said his office plans to with ways to make it easier for people monitor the results to make sure the policy who have not been convicted to remain does not result in more people failing to free prior to trial. return for court hearings. That “would lead He began looking at change after varito recommending that more (people) be ous studies during the past decade found held,” he stated. that defendants released on their own How many people would be affected recognizance were no more likely to miss is uncertain, but “I definitely expect more future court appearances or re-offend than people to be released, bearing in mind that those released on cash bonds. the judges have the final call,” he said. Mr. Herring, who started with a small And some judges prefer cash bail. program around 2010, made it more of Mr. Herring’s new policy is more in line a priority in 2014 after the city’s new with the federal justice system where many jail, the Richmond Justice Center, was defendants are released with conditions completed. or on their promise to return for further Then-Mayor Dwight C. Jones had reproceedings. jected a recommendation for a 2,000-bed By Jeremy M. Lazarus
jail, opting instead for a smaller, less expensive jail with about 1,132 total beds. A task force the mayor set up earlier began looking for ways to divert inmates from the new jail. Programs to divert mental health prisoners, people awaiting trial and low-level offenders were created and have proven relatively successful in keeping the daily population well below the average of 1,700 people who were daily sandwiched into the old jail. Accompanying that effort, Mr. Herring, began a new policy of recommending increased release of accused people who previously would have been required to post bonds of $10,000 or less if an assessment showed they would not be a threat to the community. Along with seeking to make money less of a factor, the new policy was seen as helping reduce the number of people stuck in jail while awaiting trial, he said at the time. The courts don’t collect data on bonds, so Mr. Herring and other officials had no way to determine how well the program worked or how many people were released rather than placed on bond and how their rate of appearances in court compared with the appearance rate for those placed on a cash bond. However, there also is no evidence showing the policy of increasing release without a bond requirement created problems for the courts or police. “I never thought the $10,000 threshold was a validated measure of risk,” Mr. Herring said. “It was a step toward the binary system” in which people are either released or held depending on the assessment of their risk to the community.
City doesn’t publicize exemption from trash fees for elderly, disabled renters By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Courtesy of Henrico County
Dedication to dedicated worker Elvin R. Cosby, 90, the longest-serving Henrico County employee, breaks into applause when he is surprised Monday with the county naming of a street in his honor. The new street, Elvin Cosby Way, is located within the Henrico County Government Center off Parham Road and connects Prince Henry and Dison Powers drives. Mr. Cosby, who still serves as a maintenance supervisor for the Henrico Department of Public Works, was first hired by the county 72 years ago on April 23, 1946. In 2015, the county established the Elvin R. Cosby Award to recognize longtime employees for outstanding contributions and service. Next month, Mr. Cosby is to be recognized with the Judith M. Mueller Local Government Service Award from the American Public Works Association for his continuous service to the county.
Correction The names inscribed on the fountain of “Mantle,” the new monument in Capitol Square honoring Virginia’s Native American tribes, are those of rivers, reflecting the river culture of the tribes. An article and photo caption published in the April 19-21 edition of the Free Press incorrectly identified the fountain’s inscription as names of tribes. The Free Press regrets the error.
City Hall is quietly blocking elderly and disabled renters from receiving free trash and recycling services, the Free Press has learned — a benefit the city has offered for nearly 14 years and which currently is worth $23.79 a month or $285.48 a year. The city, however, has failed to publicize the benefit or create an application allowing qualifying low-income renters to apply for an exemption from the monthly fees, $20.80 for trash collection and $2.99 for recycling. Richmond City Council also has not required city Finance Director John Wack to create the application. City Council members did not respond this week to a Free Press query asking if they notify constituents about the benefit. The elderly and disabled tenants can qualify to not pay the fees if utility services are in their name and they have an individual water meter serving their residence, the City Code states. Individuals also must have annual household incomes of $50,000 or less and a net worth of $200,000 or less and would qualify for tax relief if they owned the property rather than renting it. The benefit has been available since at least 2004, according to the City Code,
which states that individuals are allowed The Department of Finance does not to apply to the director of finance for relief mention on its website that elderly and from the trash and recycling fees at any disabled homeowners who qualify for tax point during the year. relief would not have to pay fees for trash It does not apply to renters who live in and recycling. an apartment house or complex whose ownThe city also does not provide data on ers receive the bill for trash and recycling. how many people are exempt. Renters also would not qualify if The Department of Public they do not have a single meter Utilities, which includes the serving their unit. cost of trash and recycling on People who are awarded the the monthly bills it issues for exemption would file a new services such as water, gas and application by March 15 of sewerage, told the Free Press each year. that it relies on the Department In a brief interview last of Finance to provide a list of week, Mr. Wack told the Free people exempt from the refuse Mr. Wack Press he was unaware of the and recycling fees. benefit and requested that the newspaper DPU spokeswoman Angela Fountain send him questions via email. He has not stated that the Finance Department provides responded to the queries that were sent the Utilities Department with a computeron April 20. ized list that is used to eliminate the fees The Free Press learned about the for qualifying homeowners. benefit for renters while researching the She stated that the department goes case of Mark L. Spick, a homeowner who back to the Finance Department to inquire qualifies for real estate tax relief and is to if a resident like Mr. Spick complains be automatically exempt from trash and about being improperly billed for trash recycling fees, but who has continued to and recycling. be billed for them. After the Free Press story appeared, Mr. The newspaper reported on Mr. Spick’s Spick said he called DPU to complain and situation in the April 19-21 edition amid was told that DPU would check to see if concern that others who qualify for property he is paying for the trash and recycling tax relief are not getting free recycling and services. trash services.
Richmond Free Press
April 26-28, 2018
A3
You’re leaving here with a whole lot of awesome. It starts with the fastest Internet, giving you all the speed you need and the best in-home WiFi experience. And when you get Internet, you can get up to five lines of Xfinity Mobile included – easily saving you money over the competition. Also, get the best in entertainment and even take your shows on-the-go with the X1 DVR included free for a year. Simple. Easy. Awesome.
AMAZING NEW PACKAGE
Get started with TV | Internet | Voice
79
$
99
a month
More speed. Better entertainment. Bigger value.
X1 DVR Service FREE for 1 year
FOR 2 YEARS with a 2-year agreement Equipment, taxes and fees extra, and subject to change. See below for details.
This sale ends May 6th Go to xfinity.com, call 1-800-xfinity, or visit your local Xfinity Store today.
Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New residential customers only. Limited to the Standard Triple Play with Limited Basic TV, Kids & Family, Entertainment, Sports & News, Performance Pro 150 Mbps Internet and Voice Unlimited services. Early termination fee applies if all Xfinity services (other than Xfinity Mobile) are cancelled during the agreement term. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees, including regulatory recovery fees, Broadcast TV Fee (up to $8.00/mo.), Regional Sports Fee (up to $6.75/mo.), and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after agreement term. After term agreement, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular rates apply. Comcast’s service charge for X1 DVR service (including HD Technology Fee) is $19.95 more/mo. (subject to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. TV: Limited Basic service subscription required to receive other levels of service. Internet: Fastest Internet claim based on Xfinity’s fastest available download speed. Best Internet service provider claim based on download speeds measured by over 111 million tests taken by consumers at Speedtest.net. Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. Voice: If there is a power outage or network issue, calling, including calls to 911 may be unavailable. Mobile: New Xfinity Internet customers limited to up to two lines pending activation of Internet service. Savings claim compares regular monthly charges for Comcast’s data options and weighted average prices of Verizon, AT&T®, T-Mobile® and Sprint® as of 12/17/17. Taxes/fees included with T-Mobile. Savings does not take into account Xfinity Mobile taxes/fees. Actual savings vary. NPA214184-0001 DIV18-2-AA-$79VA-A3
125959_NPA214184-0001_Q218 ACQ April Sale N_A3_11x21.indd 1
4/6/18 5:14 PM
Richmond Free Press
A4 April 26-28, 2018
News
Pulse driving businesses down Continued from A1
Pulse is not expected to start service until July 1. But she said she has been told about $390,000 has been spent. “If the city will get moving on this, it would show businesses that their struggles have not gone unnoticed and that their efforts to continue operations is appreciated,” she said. The council action came as GRTC prepared to begin a threemonth test of Pulse after confirming construction is about complete. The Free Press reported earlier this month that construction was almost finished despite a denial from GRTC. Officials with the transportation company acknowledged last week that the Free Press report was accurate. Last weekend, construction barrels that have disrupted traffic on Broad Street were removed. However, the testing has yet to begin. Ms. Gray said that businesses can only hope that the future will be brighter.
“It wouldn’t have been so bad if the work had been completed last August when GRTC said it would. But it’s dragged on well past that,” she said. “GRTC never told us or anyone else this project would take much longer until it was forced to. It still can’t get it right. The last we heard, the project was supposed to be done April 1 so testing could begin,” she said. The impact of construction has been real. “I’ve seen the books,” Ms. Gray said, and “they verify what I’ve been told. On average, revenues are down 20 percent, and that’s a big hit. A lot of businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, and some have closed.” That includes Ann’s Soul Food, 216 E. Broad St., which shut down after Pulse construction cut off sidewalk access to the 30-year-old business. Richard Waller Jr., the third-generation owner and operator of Waller & Co. Jewelers at 19 E. Broad St., also is hoping better days are ahead now that construction is almost done.
The jewelry business is much tougher in the internet era, and Waller & Co. is believed to be the only jewelry store left in Downtown. Mr. Waller said his company has felt the change and now relies heavily on jewelry repairs. His store has seen a sharp drop-off in walk-in trade, he said, and he blames the nearly two years of Pulse construction for keeping customers away. He said during the construction, GRTC moved its buses off the stretch of Broad Street that includes his store, which meant a longer walk for some customers, who then stopped coming. “We’re hoping to see some recovery once the buses start running again in this area,” Mr. Waller said. “We’ve been here for more than 100 years, and a new generation is taking over. I’m hoping we’ll be here 100 years from now. We’ve gone through hard times before, but this definitely has been a rough period,” he said. “Maybe things will be getting back to normal now that the streets are no longer being blocked.”
City eliminates $240,000 admissions tax debt of Richmond Jazz Festival Continued from A1
a large park in the city’s West End run by a nonprofit foundation. According to the sources, the decision was made as lower-level officials in the Finance Department had begun collection efforts against the company. Documents provided to the Free Press show that Johnson Inc. was billed about $36,000 a year for the city admissions tax based on the company’s report that it collected about $518,000 from ticket sales. The city imposes a 7 percent admissions tax. Mr. Johnson could not be reached, but a representative of Johnson Inc., told the Free Press that the firm would not comment based on the advice of the firm’s attorney. The only comment from City Hall came from Mr. Wack, who sent an email Tuesday stating that “it appears you have inaccurate information.” By state law, city officials are barred from disclosing information about individual or corporate taxpayers. However, the Free Press sources have been in a position either to learn about Ms. Reid’s and Mr. Wack’s decisions regarding the festival or to learn that the balances on the Johnson Inc.
account were updated to reflect a zero balance. The changes also affected the amounts the company was subject to in annual business taxes in order to obtain a business license. The Free Press also was told that Mr. Wack had a letter sent to Johnson Inc. confirming that the company’s admissions tax debt was being eliminated because of ambiguity in city and state laws governing collection of the tax. In response to Mr. Dalal’s 2016 report about the city’s failure to collect admissions taxes, Mr. Johnson made two claims at the time, according to the Free Press and other media reports: That city officials previously told him the festival was exempt from the admissions tax and that the festival was exempt because it was held on the grounds of Maymont, a nonprofit exempt from the tax. At the time, the Finance Department rejected both claims, partly for lack of evidence, but mainly because of a 2009 opinion from then-Virginia Attorney General William C. “Bill” Mims. The attorney general’s opinion was in response to a state legislator inquiring about a situation in Northern Virginia. The opinion stated that Fairfax County could collect admissions tax on non-university events held at George Mason University’s Patriot Center. The opinion stated that
Tree problems go unanswered by city Continued from A1
and he can see large, decaying upper branches ready to fall. “One day, a big storm will come along, rip this tree right out of the ground and land it on my house,” said Mr. Turner, a Lyft driver who has lived at the home for eight years. In a bid to forestall damage, Mr. Turner said he repeatedly has called the Urban Forestry Division of the city Department of Public Works during the past two years. He also asked his City Council representative, Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, to intervene. So far, nothing has happened, Mr. Turner said. The Free Press sent a query Monday to Bobby Vincent, the city director of Public Works who oversees the Urban Forestry Division, and to Ms. Robertson, but did not receive a response. In the wake of the Free Press query Mr. Turner said that he did get a call from Ms. Robertson’s legislative aide, Kiya Stokes, who promised to look into the situation. Mr. Turner is increasingly frustrated after watching a city-hired tree company trim neighbors’ trees but do nothing to the dying sycamore. He’s also annoyed after seeing two large, healthy trees removed from the front of a home that was renovated a few doors west, with replacement saplings being planted in their place. The city each year lists the trees it plans to cut down by address. Eighty-six were on the list posted in December, but Mr. Turner’s tree was not on it. “They keep bypassing me and I can’t find out why,” he said. The city does not post information on the total number of trees that need to be removed. However, the relatively small number of trees that are to be taken down in front of homes appears to mirror the sharp decline in the city’s new tree plantings. Instead of planting more than 2,000 new trees each year, the norm between 2009 and 2015, the city in 2016 and 2017 planted an average of 200 saplings. An interactive map the Urban Forestry Division posted online is supposed to allow residents to find information on the condition of city-owned trees in front of their homes, according to the website. The information is based on a survey of each street’s trees that the city undertook from 2013 to 2015. However, the map only identifies tree locations and contains no information about their condition, the Free Press found in trying the map. The division has a form that allows homeowners to apply to take down a city tree at their own expense. But Mr. Turner said he can’t afford to remove the tree himself and feels it’s the city’s responsibility. Mr. Turner is not alone in worrying about tree damage. Marie M. Hart attended the Richmond City Council meeting Monday night to renew her concerns during the public comment period about two city trees that she said are damaging the sewer line leading to her home in the 3000 block of Kelrae Drive in South Side. She has complained about the trees for several years, but has yet to get any city support for removing them. Her City Council representative, Reva M. Trammell, 8th District, has reported the problem, but acknowledged there has been no change. Ms. Hart said she had a plumber check the sewer line, and he reported that the tree roots are the problem, she told the council on Monday night. Recently, waste in the sewer line backed up into her home because of blockages created by the tree roots, she said. She said people in the Urban Forestry Division dismissed the explanation when she sought help, but she said the plumber who reopened the line reconfirmed that roots from the trees are the problem.
Crowd at Richmond Jazz Festival
the only events not subject to the tax were those sponsored by the state-supported, tax-exempt university or entities of the university. According to the sources, the Finance Department relied on the opinion to seek payment of the admissions tax from the Richmond Jazz Festival because it rents the space from Maymont and, thus, would not share any exemption from the tax that Maymont might have as a nonprofit. The sources said that Ms. Reid and Mr. Wack reversed that view and decided that the jazz festival could claim the exemption that Maymont would receive if it directly sponsored the festival. Maymont is listed as a community partner on the festival’s website and in its ads. According to the sources, Ms. Reid consulted City Attorney Allen L. Jackson. Attorney-client privilege would bar Mr. Jackson from disclosing
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
the advice he provided on the subject. However, during an October meeting where Ms. Reid decided the festival should be exempt from the admissions tax, the sources said she rejected the city attorney’s advice that the festival should be subject to taxation. Mr. Wack was not present at the meeting, but the sources said his letter showed he accepted Ms. Reid’s interpretation. The city has fought in the past with Johnson Inc. over taxes. The company also ran into trouble with the Finance Department over admissions taxes during the period Johnson Inc. staged the “Fridays at Sunset” concerts at the city-owned Kanawha Plaza in Downtown. In 2009, the sources said, the Finance Department, then led by Barbara Reese, was able to collect past due admissions taxes from the company.
80¢ a pack cigarette tax goes up in smoke at City Council capital city and across the state. Mr. Agelasto said Richmond doesn’t but huge compared with the alternative. need another commission. He said a 2016 The vote means Richmond remains the task force, as well as updated and recent only large city in the state that does not reports from financial consultant Davenport impose a cigarette tax. & Co., identified the cigarette tax as one Mr. Agelasto said that without the tax, of the few options available to the city as there would be no additional money to deal a source of funds for schools. with Richmond Public Schools’ repair and “What more information do we need? maintenance needs that keep growing. The time has come for action, not more The city School Board requested $31 studies,” he said. million for the 2018-2019 fiscal year to Mr. Hilbert, too, was critical of waiting begin to deal with more than 3,200 re- for a comprehensive plan. “In other words, quests for repairs and improvements that if we can’t do everything, we should do Superintendent Jason Kamras has sitting nothing,” he chided his colleagues. on his desk and that he told the council “Every journey starts with the first step,” he can do nothing about. he said, in describing the cigarette As it now stands, Mr. Agetax as a first step toward a larger lasto said, the school system can plan for city schools. expect to receive only the $1.5 Dr. Newbille was not immillion that Mayor Levar M. pressed. She said she could not Stoney has proposed for repairing vote for the cigarette tax because roofs, maintaining old boilers, it would raise too little money and fixing failing air conditioners was just another effort that falls and a host of other problems far short of the RPS needs. Mr. Agelasto in the 2018-19 fiscal year that The recent passage of a 1.5 starts July 1 and just $3.5 million in the percent increase in the city’s meals tax that 2019-20 fiscal year. is designed to raise $150 million to build Mr. Agelasto said the council has so far four new schools “gives us an opportunity” failed in its efforts to carve out extra funds to take the time to find ways to do more, from the shrunken capital budget to boost Dr. Newbille told her colleagues. spending on maintenance for the more than “What we need is a comprehensive plan,” 30 school buildings that need serious help she said, in which a cigarette tax might be one as it prepares a new two-year budget for piece of a total proposal to enable Richmond the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years. to pour an additional $600 million into school But he could not sway other council construction and provide the $30 million a members to support the tax, all of whom year needed for maintenance. faced a sea of people at Monday night’s Dr. Newbille said a comprehensive plan meeting. Some speakers said they feared could include increases in property taxes a tax could destroy their small businesses and other fees, along with contributions that sell cigarettes, and others said they from corporations and foundations. feared council would not produce additional Richmond operates 44 schools. Since money to help public schools. 1998, the school system has closed 17 Two veteran council members who old buildings and added eight new buildvoted against the tax proposal, Council ings. Four additional new buildings are Vice President Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th scheduled for completion in the next District, and Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, five years with the funds generated by vowed to create a commission to come up the meals tax increase. But that leaves at with a comprehensive plan to provide full least 32 other buildings that need major funding to modernize Richmond’s decaying overhauls or replacement because of their schools and to meet the school system’s age and condition. full maintenance needs. Ms. Robertson, who opposed the cigaEach offered that promise as Mayor rette tax because the funds would not be Stoney prepares to deal with a new voter- dedicated to fighting addiction, said she passed, General Assembly-approved City would join in the effort to put a compreCharter requirement effective July 1. The hensive plan in place. charter change, which was signed into law However, despite the promise, neither recently by the governor, requires the mayor Dr. Newbille nor Ms. Robertson has adto come up with a plan to modernize all vanced any major amendments to push more city schools or explain why he cannot. funds to schools for repairs or educational They also issued the promise as a newly instruction during the council’s current created General Assembly subcommittee review of the budget. begins to study ways the state could help Nor has any council member supported address school facilities problems in the cutting the mayor’s proposed spending plan Continued from A1
to generate new funding for schools. A 1 percent reduction in the budget plan would generate about $7 million a year, or a bit more than Mr. Agelasto’s proposed cigarette tax. Council members Kim B. Gray, 2nd District, and Reva M. Trammell, 8th District, expressed concern that the tax could lead tobacco giant Philip Morris to take its cigarette manufacturing operation, its 3,600 employees and the $17 million a year it pays the city in taxes to another locality like Henrico or Chesterfield counties that cannot tax cigarettes. Ms. Gray also agreed with convenience store owners that the cigarette tax could drive away customers, who would simply cross into the counties to buy cigarettes without tax. Several store owners told the council that passage of the tax was likely to mean a 20 percent to 40 percent drop in sales of gas, candy and other items that cigarette buyers also purchase. Some also said passage would lead to employee layoffs and possible store closures. Meanwhile, teachers like Jessica Shim, who teaches math and science, pleaded with the council to pass the bill. She said her students are personally affected by the lack of funding because they are crammed into a tiny space where there is not enough room even for a teacher’s desk. A Binford Middle School science teacher recounted the day when only half the school had heat and only half the school had working internet. She called it a constant struggle to ensure students receive the instruction they need to advance. In the wake of the vote, Mr. Kamras expressed disappointment that the tax failed. He said only a few hundred thousand dollars is left in the RPS maintenance budget, which must be saved for dire emergencies. In response to statements from Dr. Newbille and Ms. Robertson that the school system still has $13 million to $14 million in unspent maintenance dollars, he said that “everyone is double-counting the money.” He said that amount is what remains from $19 million the council provided at least two years ago as a down payment on construction of several new schools. Some of the money has been used to add more trailers to overcrowded schools on South Side, such as Broad Rock Elementary, but the remaining dollars, he said, are being saved to pay for design and other up-front costs for the four new schools that are to be built with the meals tax dollars. The dollars that were projected to come from the cigarette tax “might be a drop in the bucket,” he told the council “but it’s a badly needed drop.”
Richmond Free Press
April 26-28, 2018
A5
News
Memorial to nation’s lynching victims opens Free Press wire report
MONTGOMERY, Ala. Elmore Bolling defied the odds against black men and built several successful businesses during the harsh era of Jim Crow segregation in the South. He had more money than a lot of white people, which his descendants believe was all it took to get him lynched in 1947. He was shot to death by a white neighbor, according to news accounts at the time, and the shooter was never prosecuted. But Mr. Bolling’s name is now listed among thousands on a new memorial for victims of hate-inspired lynchings that terrorized generations of African-Americans. Daughter Josephine Bolling McCall is anxious to see the monument, located about 20 miles from where her father was killed in rural Lowndes County. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, opening Thursday, April 26, is a project of the nonprofit Equal Justice Initiative, a legal advocacy group in Montgomery. The organization says the combined museum and memorial will be the nation’s first site to document racial inequality inAmerica from slavery through Jim Crow to the issues of today. “In the American South, we don’t talk about slavery. We don’t have monuments and memorials that confront the legacy of lynching. We haven’t really confronted the difficulties of segregation. And because of that, I think we are still burdened by that history,” said Bryan Stevenson, executive director of the Equal
“Most people in this country can’t name a single AfricanAmerican who was lynched between 1877 and 1950 even though thousands of AfricanAmericans were subjected to this violence.” Justice Initiative. The site includes a memorial to the victims of 4,400 “terror lynchings” of AfricanAmericans in 800 U.S. counties from 1877 through 1950. All but about 300 were in the South, and prosecutions were rare in any of the cases. Mr. Stevenson said they emphasized the lynching era because he believes it’s an aspect of the nation’s racial history that’s discussed the least. “Most people in this country can’t name a single AfricanAmerican who was lynched between 1877 and 1950 even though thousands of African-Americans were subjected to this violence,” Mr. Stevenson said. The organization said a common theme ran through the slayings, which it differentiates from extrajudicial killings in places that simply lacked courts: A desire to impose fear on minorities and maintain strict white control. Some lynchings drew huge crowds and were even photographed, yet authorities routinely ruled they were committed by “persons unknown.” Mrs. McCall, 75, said her father’s killing still hangs over her family. The memorial could help heal individual families and the nation by acknowledging the painful legacy of racial murders, she said. “It’s important that the people to whom the injustices have been given are actually being recognized and at least some measure — some measure — of relief is sought through discussion,” Mrs. McCall said. Combined, the memorial and an accompanying museum a few miles away at the Equal Justice Initiative headquarters tell a story spanning slavery, racial segregation, violence and today’s era of swollen prison populations. With nearly 7 mil-
“In the American South, we don’t talk about slavery. We don’t have monuments and memorials that confront the legacy of lynching. We haven’t really confronted the difficulties of segregation. And because of that, I think we are still burdened by that history.”
Brynn Anderson/Associated Press
Mr. Stevenson
lion people behind bars or on parole or probation nationwide — a disproportionate number of them minorities — the NAACP says black people are incarcerated at a rate five times that of white people. E.M. Beck, who studied lynching for 30 years and has written books on the subject, said the memorial might actually understate the scope of lynching even though it lists thousands of victims. “I think it’s an underestimate because the number and amount of violence in early Reconstruction in the 1870s will probably never be known. There was just an incredible amount of violence taking place during that period of time,” said Dr. Beck, sociology professor emeritus at the University of Georgia. The memorial’s design evokes the image of a racist hanging, featuring scores of dark metal columns suspended in the air from above. The rectangular structures, some of which lie flat on the ground and resemble graves, include the names of counties where lynchings occurred, plus dates and the names of the victims. The goal is for individual counties to claim the columns on the ground and erect their own memorials. Not all lynchings were by hanging. The Equal Justice Initiative says it scoured old newspapers, archives and court documents to find the stories of victims who were gunned down, drowned, beaten and burned alive. The monument is a memorial to all of them, with room for names to be added as additional victims are identified. The monument’s opening on April 26 will be marked by a two-day summit focusing on racial and social justice, to be followed by a concert on Friday, April 27, featuring top acts, including Common, Usher, the Dave Matthews Band and The Roots. Mrs. McCall plans to view the memorial with her five living siblings. She said they suffered more than she did, since she was only 5 when their father was slain. A newspaper account from the time said the 39-year-old Mr. Bolling, who owned a store and trucking company and farmed, was shot seven times on a road near his store by a white man, Clarke Luckie, who claimed Mr. Bolling had insulted his wife during a phone call. Mrs. McCall, who researched the slaying extensively for a book about her father, said it’s more likely that Mr. Luckie, a stockyard employee, resented her father, who had thousands of dollars in the bank, three tractor trailer rigs and employed about 40 people. “He was jealous and he filled him with bullets,” she said. Mr. Luckie was arrested, but a grand jury issued no indictment and no one was ever prosecuted. Mrs. McCall believes the white people who controlled the county at the time
Statues depict chained people at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala., the new memorial scheduled to open April 26 to honor thousands of people killed in lynchings in the United States. Below, Josephine Bolling McCall stands with a photo of her father, Elmore Bolling, a successful businessman who was lynched in 1947 when Mrs. McCall was only 5.
purposely covered for the killer, who died decades ago. One of Alabama’s oldest black congregations, Old Ship A.M.E. Zion Church, sits across the street from the memorial. Its pastor plans to offer prayer and conversation to help visitors who are shaken by the experience of visiting the site. Church members have mixed feelings about the memorial, the Rev. Kathy Thomas McFadden said. They want to acknowledge and honor the past, she said, but some are wondering how they’ll personally react to visiting the memorial the first time. “It’s something that needs to be talked about, that people need to explore. But it’s also something that has the potential to shake people to the core,” PUR191-1718 RICHMOND she said.
FREE PRESS FEBRUARY | 7.278”W X 10”H | CMYK Jay Reeves/Associated Press
INTERSTELL AR DUST
has made it impossible to see
into the distant reaches of our galaxy —— until now. By asking engineers and astronomers around the globe to work together, UVA is pioneering a new way to illuminate the darkest reaches of space and to advance our understanding of the universe.
UNAFRAID TO
VIRGINIA.EDU /GALAXY
pur191-1718_feb_richm_fp_ad_galaxy_M.indd 1
1/31/18 11:50 AM
Richmond Free Press
Irises in the West End
Editorial Page
A6
April 26-28, 2018
Step up We are greatly disappointed by Richmond City Council’s failure Monday night to approve a tax on cigarettes. The 80 cents per pack tax, proposed by Councilman Parker C. Agelasto, would have generated $5 million annually that would have been dedicated to the repair and maintenance of Richmond’s aged and dilapidated public school buildings. Several teachers spoke at Monday’s council meeting about the horrid conditions they and their students face each day that distract from the central mission of learning. One teacher talked about rodent droppings she finds each morning on students’ work, along with roaches that scurry in the classrooms. Others talked about pieces of the ceiling falling and students wearing their coats in class because the heat’s not working. Another teacher talked about trying to provide an online science experiment for her class, but because of the lack of internet connection, she was going to have to move them to another part of the building. Because that part of the building had no heat, she said she rigged an Ethernet connection to conduct the experiment in her warm classroom. Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson said she wouldn’t want to attend a school with such deplorable conditions, or send her children there. But she and five other council members rejected the proposal for the city to tax cigarettes. Her rationale: With the poor and people of color likely to be disproportionately affected by such a tax, the proceeds of such a tax should be used to mitigate health and addiction problems from smoking. Other council members, including Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille, stated they want to see a comprehensive plan to fund school construction and maintenance needs, not piecemeal suggestions, such as the cigarette tax. We urged support for the cigarette tax in recent weeks, believing that it, like the recent meals tax hike the City Council approved for schools, would be another step toward achieving the desired goal of fixing the long-standing problems with school facilities. If the city administration and City Council don’t take small steps, how can the goal of $600 million to bring our schools up to snuff ever be reached? We applaud Councilman Agelasto for his bold proposal and Council President Chris A. Hilbert and Councilwoman Kristen Larson for supporting it. Roughly 90 other cities and towns in Virginia are benefiting from revenue provided through a local cigarette tax. But Richmond, again, failed to levy such a tax even for such a critically important reason. As Councilman Agelasto so rightly noted, the city has given millions of dollars in incentives to host a Washington NFL training camp in Richmond, to have Stone Brewery develop a beer plant and bistro in Fulton, the plans for which are now changing, and for other projects. Yet we are skimping on what’s so important for our children and their education. The time for meetings, confabs, conferences, committees and task forces is over. We already have an Education Compact made up of City Council, School Board, parents, teachers, administrators and community members who are supposed to meet monthly to come up with recommendations to improve RPS, including long-term funding strategies to meet the operating and capital needs of schools and other programs supporting children. City Council, the School Board and the people of Richmond know what they have to do if Richmond Public Schools is to survive and our children can thrive. We must remove the physical obstacles to learning that our horrible buildings and the unhealthy and unsafe conditions create. We must properly fund new schools and provide the needed maintenance for current buildings. Again, we call on Mayor Levar M. Stoney, the city administration and the City Council to find more money in the proposed two-year budget to fund school maintenance and to put any shards of savings toward this primary goal. We also call on schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and members of the Richmond School Board to scour their proposed budget for savings that can be shifted to improving school buildings. This problem will continue to plague the city — and detract from our children’s education and their futures and the future of Richmond — until we all stop the hand wringing and lip service and step up to the plate and craft some real solutions.
Confronting racism There was a time not too long ago when businesses in Richmond and across the South would call the police to arrest black people who sat down at lunch counters because they wanted to order. So we found a sad irony in the April 12 arrest of two black men in Philadelphia because they sat down at a Starbucks and didn’t order anything. The CEO of Starbucks, Kevin R. Johnson, expertly went into damage control mode, apologizing first to the two men who were detained for nine hours and then removing the manager that called the police. However, it is not clear whether she was fired or simply transferred to another store. Mr. Johnson also announced that 8,000 Starbucks shops across the country would be closed for a few hours on May 29 for “unconscious bias training” for the company’s 175,000 employees. He also said the company would make such training materials available to the other 6,000 stores owned by franchisees in airports and grocery stores around the country. While the company is to be commended for its swift action, we bristle that Starbucks officials and others are trying to pass off the incident as an unfortunate result of “unconscious bias” that a corporate training can fix. Wrong. What took place at Starbucks was not “unconscious bias.” It was out and out ugly racist behavior that happens to people of color daily in America, from sea to shining sea. It is an act of overt, conscious racism when a store manager decides to pick up a phone and call police on black people who are doing in Starbucks what everybody everywhere does in Starbucks — meet friends or business associates or clients, read the newspaper or use the free internet to do some work on a laptop, without needing to make a purchase. It’s conscious racism — not unconscious bias — when a York, Pa., golf club owner picks up the phone and calls police on two black women golfers who also are club members because he said the women were playing too slowly and needed to leave the course. The police, thank goodness, left without charging anyone. It’s conscious racism — not unconscious bias — when a black person goes into a store and is ignored by sales clerks who then gush over the white shopper who walks in after them, or conversely, the black person is followed around the store by a sales clerk or store security when white shoppers are free to browse without accompaniment. It’s conscious racism — not unconscious bias — when black men and black women earn only 72 percent and 62.5 percent, respectively, of what white men earn. It’s conscious racism — not unconscious bias — when a 32-year-old black man is Tasered, wrestled to the ground, beat in the head and put in a chokehold by police in Asheville, N.C. His crime: He allegedly was jaywalking on a deserted street late one summer night in 2017. It’s conscious racism — not unconscious bias — when police have pulled out their weapons and killed 75 unarmed black men and four unarmed black women in America since 2015, many of whom were holding nothing more than a cell phone or nothing at all. As people of color, we don’t need to be social psychologists to know when we see, hear or experience racism. To lay it to “unconscious bias” is an easy way out for companies and individuals when we know there’s nothing unconscious or excusable about racist actions. What the Starbucks incident and video showed to white people in the café and around the world is just a smidgen of the racist behavior people of color must deal with each and every day. While Philadelphia held no surprises for us, it showed that serious, targeted and continuing efforts are needed to deal with the issue head on. Training, while helpful, doesn’t eliminate the underlying thought that propels white people to act in such despicable and racist ways. But firing someone who engages in such behavior can nip it in the bud — and send a message from the top down and throughout a company that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Economic justice and fair housing “The housing problem is particularly acute in the minority ghettos. Nearly two-thirds of all non-white families living in the central cities today live in neighborhoods marked with substandard housing and general urban blight. Two major factors are responsible. First: Many ghetto residents simply cannot pay the rent necessary to support decent housing. In Detroit, for example, over 40 percent of the non-white occupied units in 1960 required rent of over 35 percent of the tenants’ income. Second: Discrimination prevents access to many non-slum areas, particularly the suburbs, where good housing exists. In addition, by creating a ‘back pressure’ in the racial ghettos, it makes it possible for landlords to break up apartments for denser occupancy, and keeps prices and rents of deteriorated ghetto housing higher than they would be in a truly free market.” – Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (the Kerner
Commission), 1968 Former Vice President Walter Mondale, who co-sponsored the Fair Housing Act along with U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke, the first popularly elected African-American in the U.S. Senate, was interviewed recently on the occasion of the Fair Housing Act’s 50th anniversary. “There’s been a struggle to get the Fair Housing Act recognized as real law and enforce it at the state and local level,”
Marc H. Morial Mr. Mondale said. “I would say we haven’t done very well at it. I think it has made significant progress possible in America, but we’re not there yet.” According to Mr. Mondale, a significant problem with enforcement of the Fair Housing Act was proving intent. He was encouraged by a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found only impact, and not intent, was necessary to prove discrimination. But, he said, he had little faith that the current administration would aggressively enforce the law. Indeed, just last month, the
National Urban League and other civil rights groups reacted with horror to a decision by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson to strike the words “inclusive” and “free from discrimination” from HUD’s mission statement. Around the same time, news broke that the head of the department’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Division had ordered a hold on the fair housing investigations given the highest priority by Secretary Carson’s predecessor. In late 2016, HUD opened an investigation into a report that Facebook allowed advertisers to exclude African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American users from seeing their ads. One of Secretary Carson’s first actions upon taking office was to kill the investigation. Secretary Carson also tried to cancel a program created under former President Obama that would make it easier for housing voucher recipients to move to more stable neighborhoods. A federal court blocked the move. Fair housing has been a top priority of the Urban League movement since our founding more than a century ago. Among
Problems with protecting consumers The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is supposed to “protect” consumers from fraud and predatory lending. But since 45 has ruled the roost, he has empowered exploiters to extract too much money from consumers. And he has exposed himself to implicit bribes, which is why the Consumer Financial Services Association of America was meeting at the Trump National Doral Golf Club April 17 to April 19. The payday lenders, who describe themselves as the “small dollar credit industry,” offer loans at an annualized interest rate as high as 600 percent and have been lobbying to loosen regulations against their industry. As they met in Florida, they focused on the fact that the Florida legislature had planned to allow them to lend more, at higher interest rates, in the interest of exploiting more poor people, mostly black and brown folks. I went to Orlando and Miami as the guest of the National Faith and Credit Roundtable, a group of religious leaders who are disturbed about the many ways payday lenders are able to exploit poor people. The stories they tell are harrowing — about a woman who borrowed $500 to fix her car so that she could go to medical appointments, and then found herself paying more than $6,000, or 12 times the amount she borrowed, over two years and still needing intervention to stop her enormous payments. I went to hear ministers use the Bible to talk about the many ways that usury is seen as an abject sin. I wanted to bear witness
to the work “woke” pastors are doing to forward the agenda of social and economic justice. If this were only about Florida, it might not merit my attention. But Florida is Missouri, is New Mexico, is Nevada, is California, is Wisconsin, is Michigan. Each of these states have very loose regulations for
Julianne Malveaux payday lenders, which means that folks are charging as much as 600 percent for these “small dollar” loans. The challenge is that desperate people go “small dollar’ but offer their car, their next paycheck, or even their home, as collateral. If the payday lender can go into your bank account to pay, all your other bills stand in the back of the line. How to close the gap? Take out another payday loan, and another and another. Your small $500 loan grows exponentially. And nobody is looking out for you. So the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offered a rule to curb payday lenders. And now, with the 45-inspired leadership, CFPB is considering rescinding the consumer-protective rule. This isn’t the only way that the CFPB has been curtailed from protecting consumers. In 2013, the CFPB issued guidance about the legal risks of dealer markups and the ways that discrimination pushed African-American and Hispanic folks into higher interest rate loans than their white counterparts. Toyota, Honda, Ally Financial and others were sued because borrowers of color paid much higher interest rates than their white counterparts. Now, there is a move to repeal the 2013 rule, just like the move to repeal the predatory lending rule. It will take the U.S. Senate
to repeal the consumer protecting rules, but the sentiment is not to protect consumers. In state after state, there is a sentiment to make it easier for payday lenders to exploit. And in state after state, there are those who would make it easier for the CFPB to relax rules against discrimination in lending. These payday lenders are tricksters. They call themselves the “Consumer Financial Services Association,” wording amazingly close to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They push themselves out as an industry association that manages “best practices” in “small dollar lending.” They engage in the most pernicious form of lobbying, even purchasing the support of “civil rights leaders” who argue that people have “the right’ to enter into financial enslavement. And their high-rolling golf games at a Trump resort is a wink and a nod to the many ways this administration is ripping off poor people. The new leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been pressured to relax payday lending rules. Several states have bowed to the pressure to support the payday lenders that exploit low-income, mostly black and brown communities. This flies in the face of the notion that the poor should be protected from extreme usury, but it is perfectly consistent with the focus of this corrupt administration. So who will take care of consumers who face discriminatory interest rates, predatory lending and more? Perhaps voters will throng to the polls in November to elect a Congress dedicated to providing protection for consumers. The writer is an economist and author.
The Free Press welcomes letters The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you. We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.
the seven objectives outlined in the founding documents of the Committee on Urban Conditions Among Negroes — later renamed the National Urban League — was a focus on housing conditions, employment opportunities and business development. It’s impossible to extricate economic justice and fair housing. According to a Harvard University study, moving from a high-poverty neighborhood to a low-poverty neighborhood raised incomes, improved college attendance and reduced teen pregnancy. ZIP code can predict life expectancy better than genetic code. That’s why the nation must prioritize fair housing. Fifty years after the passage of Fair Housing Act, it’s clear that we are not. The writer is president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League.
Richmond Free Press 422 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 Telephone (804) 644-0496 FAX (804) 643-7519 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 27709 Richmond, VA 23261 ______________
Founder Raymond H. Boone President – Publisher Jean P. Boone
jeanboone@richmondfreepress.com
Managing Editor Bonnie V. Winston bonniewinston@richmondfreepress.com
Vice President – New Business Development Raymond H. Boone Jr.
jrboone@richmondfreepress.com
Vice President – News Enhancement Jeremy M. Lazarus
jeremylazarus@richmondfreepress.com
Vice President – Production April A. Coleman
aprilcoleman@richmondfreepress.com
Staff Writers Fred Jeter, Frances Crutchfield Hazel Trice Edney Photographers Sandra Sellars
sandrasellars@richmondfreepress.com
Regina H. Boone
reginaboone@richmondfreepress.com
James Haskins, Rudolph Powell and Clinton A. Strane ______________
Vice President – Administration Tracey L. Oliver traceyoliver@richmondfreepress.com
Advertising Traffic Coordinator Cynthia Downing advertising@richmondfreepress.com classifieds@richmondfreepress.com
Advertising Fax: (804) 643-5436 National Advertising Representative EPMG ______________
Distribution Reed Marshall LLC ______________
Richmond Free Press is published weekly by Paradigm Communications, Inc. Copies of the Richmond Free Press (one copy per person) are free of charge at outlets in the Richmond area. Back copies are available at the Free Press office at $3 per copy. Bulk orders can be made prior to any upcoming edition at special rates.
A Publication of
PARADIGM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
422 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 Telephone (804) 644-0496
Follow the Free Press on @FreePressRVA @RichmondFreePressUSA
Richmond Free Press
April 26-28, 2018
Letters to the Editor
Medicaid expansion is ‘designed to plunder from taxpayers’ Re Letter to the Editor, “Medicaid expansion is a moral imperative,� Free Press April 19-21 edition: Delegate Lamont Bagby’s letter to the editor drew upon a misunderstanding of the term moral. The expansion of Medicaid, in fact Medicaid itself, is not a “moral imperative.� It is a legal action designed to plunder from taxpayers a portion of the rewards they received for their labor and redistribute it to others. If the transfer of funds to help others, i.e., charitable giving, were done voluntarily, then it would be a moral action by people who, of their own accord, feel compassion for and a desire to help their fellow citizens. To think, however, that the government plundering citizens’ wealth to redistribute the collected assets to citizens in need is moral is absurd. Using that logic, why not just have the government tax income at 100 percent and redistribute it “fairly� and we would be a truly “moral’ society? I am not questioning the need and the willingness to address others’ misfortune. But it should be done through the voluntary efforts of the people and organizations who can truly feel a moral obligation to help others, and not
the government who, in fact, cannot be moral or immoral and has no money of it own, least of all to be charitable with. WILLIAM RYAN Midlothian
‘The choice is ours’
I believe God is the spirit of love and compassion. The devil is the spirit of evil, with no compassion. I believe God wants all of us to love people  more than money. The devil wants the opposite. When we obey God, we become godly. When we obey the devil, we become ungodly. The choice is ours to make. MORTON C. MILES JR. Williamsburg
Indian Oak Road (Route 618) Bridge Replacement Nottoway County
Richmond Free Press
B4 April 5-7, 2018
Obituary/Faith News/Directory
‘Mother of South Africa’ dies at 81 Reuters
SOWETO, South Africa Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who emerged as a combative anti-apartheid campaigner during her former husband Nelson Mandela’s decades in jail but whose reputation was later tarnished by allegations of violence, died on Monday, April 2, 2018, at the age of 81. Ms. Madikizela-Mandela died peacefully, surrounded by her family, following a long illness that kept her in and out of the hospital since the start of the year, family spokesman Victor Dlamini said in a statement. The cause of death or nature of her illness was not disclosed. “Winnie Mandela leaves a huge legacy and, as we say in African culture, a gigantic tree has fallen,� South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said after visiting Ms. Madikizela-Mandela’s house in Soweto, where he was surrounded by singing mourners. “She has been one of the strongest women in our struggle, who suffered immensely under the apartheid regime, who was imprisoned, who was banished, who was treated very badly,� he said. An official memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 11, and a national funeral on Saturday, April 14, President Ramaphosa said. Earlier, he declared that South Africans had lost “a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a comrade, a leader and an icon.� A crowd of around 200 people congregated outside Ms.
Madikizela-Mandela’s Soweto home soon after her death was announced, singing and dancing. Ministers and national figures paid tribute, including retired South African cleric and anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who said, “Her courageous defiance was deeply inspirational to me and to generations of activists.� U.N. Secretary-General AnWinnie Madikizela-Mandela tonio Guterres was among those who offered his condolences from abroad, according to U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric. “The secretary-general is saddened by the passing of Ms. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, a leading figure at the forefront of the fight against apartheid in South Africa. She was a strong and fearless voice in the struggle for equal rights and will be remembered as a symbol of resistance,� he said. Born on Sept. 26, 1936, in Bizana, Eastern Cape province, Ms. Madikizela-Mandela became politicized at an early age in her job as a hospital social worker. As a 22-year-old, she caught the eye of Mr. Mandela at a Soweto bus stop in 1957, starting a whirlwind romance that led
Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing
to their marriage a year later. After Mr. Mandela was jailed for life in 1964 for sabotage and plotting to overthrow the government, Ms. MadikizelaMandela campaigned tirelessly for his release and emerged as a prominent anti-apartheid figure in her own right, undergoing detention, banishment and arrest. She gave a raised, clenched-fist salute of black power as she walked hand-in-hand with Mr. Mandela out of Victor Verster prison, near Cape Town, on Feb. 11, 1990. For husband and wife, it was a crowning moment that led four years later to the end of centuries of white domination when Mr. Mandela became South Africa’s first black president. But their marriage began to fall apart in the years after his release. The couple divorced in 1996, nearly four decades after they were married. They had two children together. Mr. Mandela, who remarried in 1998, died in December 2013. The end of apartheid also marked the start of a string of legal and political troubles for Ms. Madikizela-Mandela. As evidence emerged in the dying years of apartheid of the brutality of her Soweto enforcers, the “Mandela United Football Club,� her soubriquet switched from “Mother� of the nation to “Mugger.� Blamed for the killing of activist Stompie Seipei, who was found near her Soweto home with his throat cut, she was convicted in 1991 of kidnapping and assaulting the 14-year-old because he was suspected of being an informer. Her six-year jail term was reduced on appeal to a fine.
Find out about the proposed bridge replacement over Deep Creek in Nottoway County. The project will replace the 56-year-old structure on Indian Oak Road (Route 618). The bridge will be closed during construction and a detour will be provided. Review the project information and National Environmental Policy Act documentation Drive in Colonial Heights, 23834-9002 804-524-6000, 1-800-367-7623,TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions.
Mixed feelings about Winnie Mandela Catholic diocese apologizes for display of figure hanging in tree Free Press staff report
promote racial justice and reconciliation with black faith communities?� one person posted. “It appears that the community has much to learn.� According to a television news report, the Catholic diocese, led by Bishop Barry C. Knestout, issued a statement of explanation and apology, noting that the display will never be used again: “Earlier today, a community Passion play took place on the grounds of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Henrico, Va.,� the diocese statement read. “Part of that play featured an image of Judas’ betrayal and suicide which showed a figure hanging in a tree. “Although the Passion play is meant to be a devotional event during Holy Week intended to reflect the events surrounding the Passion, death and
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond apologized last Friday for the “insensitive� hanging of a homemade mannequin in a tree outside Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Henrico County. According to church officials, the mannequin, dressed in white with a dark face, arms and legs and a white head scarf, was used in the Easter Passion play at the church on Woodman Road. The figure was supposed to represent Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus and later committed suicide by hanging. But the figure drew the concern of passers-by and reports by local news media. A few comments also were posted on the church’s Facebook page. “What will the parish be doing to
Resurrection of Christ, the image of a mannequin hanging from a tree is insensitive. We regret any offense this may have caused. Meetings are scheduled with the members of the community responsible for coordinating the event to share these concerns and so these same members might better understand why this display was inappropriate and will not be used again in the future. Holy Week is a season intended to highlight the saving mystery of Christ’s Passion, death and Resurrection. At this time of year, the Church prays for all those suffering from persecution, discrimination and injustice. May the grace of this Holy Week transform hearts and minds to know God and to know his love.�
Riverview
Baptist Church
ď€ ď€‚ď€‚ď€ƒď€„ď€…ď€†ď€‡ď€ƒď€„ď€„ď€‡ď€… ď€ ď€ˆď€‰ď€‰ď€ˆď€‚ď€Šď€‹ď€ƒď€Œď€…
If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Winston Phillips, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or by email to Winston.Phillips@VDOT.Virginia.gov on or prior to May 10, 2018. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted.
ď€?ď€‹ď€Žď€‡ď€ˆď€‰ď€‡ď€…ď€?ď€?ď€‘ď€ƒď€’ď€?ď€
2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus
1408 W. eih Sree ď€œ ď€?ichmoď€&#x;ď€ ď€Ąa. 0 804 5840
SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.
ď€?ď€‘ď€„ď€‰ď€œď€‹ď€Œď€‰
ď€“ď€ƒď€”ď€…ď€•ď€–ď€‚ď€Šď€—ď€‹ď€…ď€˜ď€”ď€…ď€˜ď€‹ď€™ď€ƒď€„ď€Šď€’ď€„ď€šď€…ď€›ď€‹ď€‰ď€‡ď€‚ď€ƒ
ď€†ď€‘ď€Šď€œď€‹ď€Œď€‰
Church School Worship Service
8:45 a.m. 10 a.m.
ile Suď€&#x;
1 p.m.
ď€žď€„ď€œď€Šď€„ď€‰ď€œď€‹ď€Œď€‰
e ď€ercies ď€iisr  a.m. fĂ‘Ăœxtw Ă {x home, jĂ‰Ăœw found at or near her not to mention the
Re “ ‘Mother of South Africa’ dies at 81,� an obituary on Winnie Madikizela- harem of young men that she had. Nevertheless, she has her place in history. There are Mandela, Free Press April 5-7 edition: I have mixed feelings about Winnie Man- probably a lot of South Africans who have Servingher Richmondparticipation since 1887 dela. I remember her advocating a “death their freedom because of necklace� — a rubber tire filled with gasoline in the “struggle.� Sunday WedneSday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 12:00 p.m. Bible Study Goodbye, Mrs. Mandela! and aSixth match struck — for her perceived en10:00 a.m. Worship Service 7:00 p.m. Bible Study Baptist Church St. Peter Baptist Church Pastoral search - DeaDline aPril 14, 2018 emies. I remember the criminal charges that info at www.tmcbc.org Worship Opportunities were brought against her. I also remember TRACYE JAMES Zone Sunday the young man Youth whose murdered body was Chesterfield County Sunday, April 8, 2018 We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! Come join us!
10:45 AM - Morning Service
Message by:
Rev. Pierce Williams
Fifth Street Baptist Church
4:00 PM - Male Chorus Anniversary Three Honored Guests Along With Special Music By: SBC Male Chorus
Spend The Afternoon With Us!
400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220
Twitter sixthbaptistrva
Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor
(near Byrd Park)
(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org
Facebook sixthbaptistrva
Spring Revival 2018 April 9th thru April 12
Christian Village of Central VA, A Non-Denominational Theme: Renew Us O Lord Housing Facility
Prayer & Praise Service – 7:30 pm Revival Worship – 8:00 pm Monday: Rev. Warne Dawkins, Pastor
LJP Christian Tabernacle UHC Richmond, Virginia
500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 643-3825 • www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor
edneSdayS
hurSdayS Equal Housing Opportunity 8:30 a.m. ....Sunday School 6:00 p.m. ..... Prayer Service 1:30 p.m. a.m. ...Morning Worship 6:30 p.m. ..... Bible Study We are not10:00currently accepting applications.Bible Study
Managed by Community Management Corporation
Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858
“The People’s Church�
216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 • Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcoffice1@yahoo.com • web: www.richmondebenezer.com
YOU CAN STILL FILE Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study
11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m. Mon. 6:30 p.m. Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wed. 6:45 p.m. Wed. 4:30 p.m. Wed. 6:00 p.m. Thurs., 11:45 a.m.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Get rid of debts that you can’t pay.
“Get A î ś Fresh Startâ€?î ś Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. James E. Leary, Interim Pastor
Keep paying on your house and car as long as you owe what they are worth. Also Chapter 13 “Debt Adjustment� STOPS FORECLOSURES, GARNISHMENTS AND HARASSING PHONE CALLS
OTHER LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED: Divorce, Separation, Custody, Support, Home Buy or Sell
Start with as little as $100
Call Rudy McCollum at (804)218-3614 24-7. Talk to an attorney for free
and get legal restrictions, fees, costs and payment terms.
Rudolph C. McCollum, Jr., Esq. McCollum At Law, P.C.
Mail to: P.O. Box 4595, Richmond, VA 23220 422 E. Franklin St., Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23219 (Franklin & 5th Sts.) We are a federally designated Debt Relief Agency under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and we help people file for bankruptcy.
Web Address: McCollumatLaw.com E-mail: rudy@mccollumatlaw.com
î ś
State Project: 0618-067-709, P101, R201, M501, B622 Federal Project: BROS-067-4(024) UPC: 101238
Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults)
2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net
Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org
Thursday: Bishop Fred L. Bridy
Jerusalem Baptist Church Norfolk, Virginia
Mission Statement: People of God developing Disciples for Jesus Christ through Preaching and Teaching of God’s Holy Word reaching the people of the Church and the Community.
undayS
3200 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223• (804) 226-1176
Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays): Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10 A.M.
“MAKE IT HAPPEN�
Union Baptist 1 bedroom apartments for ChUrCh 62 and older conveniently located in Mechanicsville with handicap accessible units available. Rental assistance “The Church Withavailable. A Welcome� Sharon Baptist Church Call: 804-730-5625 Office hours: 8:30-4:30 VA Relay: 800-828-1120 S W T rEv. roBErt C. davis, Pastor
VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above.
8 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11 A.M.
Wednesday: Rev. Wendell Johnson, Pastor
Greater Brook Road Baptist Church Richmond, Virginia
1813 EvErEtt strEEt riChmond, va 23224 (804) 231-5884
Miss Don'tDon't Miss One Word One Word Don’t Miss One Word
Sundays: Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship
Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m. Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m. 4th Sunday UniďŹ ed Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m. Bible Study: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. Sermons Available at BRBCONLINE.org
Shiloh Baptist Church Waynesboro, Virginia
Tuesday: Rev. Grace Tolliver, Pastor
– Ezekiel 11:19-20
:0 p.m.
ie ď€oore Sree o
ď€&#x;ď€ ď€‚ď€‘ď€ƒď€…ď€Ąď€‚ď€˘ď€„ď€…ď€Łď€Šď€…ď€¤ď€‚ď€œď€Ľď€‰ď€…ď€Śď€ˆď€Šď€§ď€œď€‚ď€˘ď€¨ď€…
Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor
Theme for 2018-2020: Mobilizing For Ministry Refreshing The Old and Emerging The New
A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone
ď€&#x;ul ile Suď€&#x;
To advertise your church events in the Richmond Free Press call 804-644-0496
Pastor Kevin Cook
New Deliverance Evangelistic Church
1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net
Annual WWMP 20th Conference
Good Shepherd Baptist Church
Thursday through Saturday,
1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402
Theme: “In His Presence: Recapturing the Moments— Praising God for 20 Years!�
April 12-14, 2018
Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You�
Tuesday Sunday 10:30 AM Bible Study 9:30 AM Church School 6:30 PM Church-wide Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship Service 6:30 PM Men's Bible Study (Each 2nd and 4th) (Holy Communion Thursday each 2nd Sunday) Wednesday (Following 2nd Sunday) 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting
11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation
Scripture: Isaiah 25:1
Conference Site:
New Deliverance Evangelistic Church
Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady
Sunday
Mount Olive â– Baptist Church Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor
2018 Theme: The Year of Transition (Romans 8:28-29)
î ą
8775 Mount Olive Avenue Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 262-9614 Phone (804) 262-2397 Fax www.mobcva.org
â–
Sundays
â–
8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225
Thursday Night
â–
End the inconvenience of empty newspaper boxes, fighting the weather and hunting down back copies. Also, support the Free Press. We’re always working for you.
ExplosioN!
Evangelist and National Recording Artist
JEkalyN Carr
End the inconvenience volunteer of empty newspaper boxes, fighting subscription the weather and hunting down back copies. For your convenience, the Richmond Free Press offers you the Also, support the Free Press. We’re always working forin you. opportunity to receive the Richmond Free Press the mail. 8:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship
Tuesdays
Noon Day Bible Study
Wednesdays
6:30 p.m. Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m. Bible Study
Wednesday Services
Noonday Bible Study 12noon-1:00 p.m. Sanctuary - All Are Welcome! Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7 p.m. Prayer
Saturday
8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer • Corporate prayer count: • Noonday bible study count: • Night bible study count:
WWMP 20th Annual Conference You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS� online! Also, for your convenience, we now offer “full online giving.� Visit www.ndec.net.
Thursday, April 12, 7:30PM Doors open at 6:30PM
For Conference Information, Registration and to purchase concert Tickets please visit: www.ndec.net Tune in on sunday morning to wTvr - channel 6 - 8:30 a.m.
Thursday & Friday radio Broadcast wrEJ 1540 am radio - 8:15 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.
THE NEw DElivEraNcE E N N cHrisTiaN acaDEmy (NDca) R O Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 4th Grade O W L ! Our NDCA curriculum also consists L of a Before and After program. Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old.
For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Just take a minute and fill out the coupon below:
volunteer subscription subscribe $99.00 for a 12-month subscription (First class mail) $50.00 for a 12-month subscription (Third class mail) Check or money order enclosed. Bill my:
For your convenience, For your convenience, the Richmond Free Press offers you the Cardholder's name (please print) the Richmond Free Press opportunity to offers receive the Richmond Free increditthe mail. Cardholder's signaturePress (required for card purchase) you the opportunity to receive Name ______________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ the Richmond FreeJust Press take a minute and fill out the coupon below: City ____________________________ State _________ Zip _________ in the mail. Send to: Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, Richmond, VA 23261 Card number (please record all digits)
Expiration date
$99.00 for a 12-month subscription (First class mail) $50.00 for a 12-month subscription (Third class mail) Check or money order enclosed. Bill my: Card number (please record all digits) Cardholder's name (please print)
Expiration date
A7
Richmond Free Press
A8 April 26-28, 2018
Sports Stories by Fred Jeter
Retired Army major earns salute on the golf links Retired Army officer Duncan Hardcastle has become the golfing star with the stripes. The 51-year-old Midlothian resident also draws attention for being a rare African-American at some of the boldletter golfing events in the area and around the state. “When I began playing at military installations, there were lots of black golfers — plenty of them,” recalled Hardcastle, who retired with the rank of major. “But as you move away from that, into the better clubs, the bigger tournaments, you see less and less. Sometimes it’s down to two, even one.” Originally from Mebane, N.C., near Burlington, Hardcastle wasn’t introduced to golf until he was nearly 30 and stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C. “I was apart from my family at the time and looking for something to do after work,” he said. “I started playing golf with my buddies. And I was bit by the bug.” It’s a “bug” for which he seeks no remedy. Last August, Hardcastle made history of sorts by becoming the first AfricanAmerican to advance to the finals of the Virginia State Golf Association Senior Amateur Championships. The tournament dates back to 1948. The 6-foot, 180-pound Hardcastle, with plenty of power off the tee and precision with all clubs, eventually lost in the title match to Rich Buckner at Keswick Golf Club in Charlottesville. Also last August, Hardcastle claimed both the Open and Senior crowns at his home course, Magnolia Green Golf Club, in the western Chesterfield community of Moseley.
James Haskins/Richmond Free Press
Retired Army Maj. Duncan Hardcastle of Midlothian advanced to the finals of the Virginia State Golf Association Senior Amateur Championships last summer.
In pulling off the double titles at Magnolia Green, Hardcastle became the first African-American to win either crown at the club that opened in 2010. “Duncan has about the smoothest swing around,” said Magnolia assistant pro Josh Feister. “And I doubt there’s a single club member here who doesn’t know him. He’s out on the (driving) range all the time.” Hardcastle, who gives credit to his wife, Stephanie, for her unconditional support, said “networking” was a factor when he took the plunge into golfing. “That’s what officers do — networking,” he explained. “They play tennis, golf and go to the officers’ club.” Hardcastle’s intro into golf closely coincided with Tigers Woods’ unprecedented stardom. Woods joined the PGA tour in 1996 and won his first Masters Tournament in 1997. That was about same time Hardcastle was taking his first swings at the military base course in Fayetteville. “I noticed that on Sundays, I started watching golf on TV instead of football and baseball,” Hardcastle said. He grew up playing baseball, basketball and football in rural North Carolina and later at Eastern Alamance High School in Mebane. “Golf wasn’t even on my radar,” he recalled. An inseparable friend growing up was Eric English, who starred in basketball at nearby Orange High School in Hillsborough, N.C. In fact, Hardcastle lived with the Englishes for a spell following fire damage to his family’s mobile home. The two men remain close today, often partnering as high school basketball referees. Following high school, English signed to play basketball at the University of
VSU on the lookout for its next great running back Auditions for the marquee role of the next Trenton Cannon are now underway at Virginia State University. Realistically, the All-American tailback will be nearly impossible to replace. Finding a replacement might be compared to trying to find a fill-in for the Statue of Liberty. Still, a handful of quality applicants were in action for VSU’s Orange & Blue Spring Game on April 14 at Rogers Stadium. When Coach Reggie Barlow’s Trojans open Sept. 1 at Norfolk State University, it’s anyone’s guess now who might be getting the majority of handoffs from returning quarterback Cordelral Cook. First some history: In leading VSU to a 10-1 record, the CIAA title and a NCAA Division II playoff berth last season, Cannon rambled for a school record 1,638 yards while scoring 22 touchdowns via run, reception and kick return. “Trenton was the real deal, and we’ve had three different NFL teams come by to see him,” said third-year Coach Reggie Barlow. “You don’t really replace a Trenton,” he said. “You bring in as many guys as you can and you coach them up.” Alphabetically, here is a sampling of running backs-in-waiting in Ettrick: Stephen Mines (5-foot-10, 198 pounds, senior): Hails from one of the state’s premier high school programs, L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield County. As a Skyhawks senior, he was named AllState 5A, leading the Skyhawks to the state crown. He has played mostly on the special teams at VSU. Aaron Monts (5-foot-11, 225 pounds, sophomore): In backup duty last season, he rushed for 54 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. He hails from Richmond Christian Academy in Chesterfield County, where he rushed for 1,600 yards as a senior. Daz Palmer (5-foot-10, 180 pounds, sophomore): After transferring to VSU from Virginia Military Institute, he was named VSU Newcomer of Spring. He ran
Stephen Mines
Aaron Monts
for 491 yards and three touchdowns as a VMI freshman in 2016. At Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk in 2015, he ran for 2,179 yards and 35 touchdowns. Demetrius Strickland (5-foot-8, 187 pounds, sophomore): He is the latest in a long line of standout ball carriers from powerhouse Hampton High. Strickland had a brilliant senior year at Hampton High and was named co-MVP at the state All-Star game. As long as Cook remains the Trojans’ quarterback, the team will have at least one strong runner. The Atlanta native who transferred to VSU from Alabama State University ran for 729 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. A dual threat, Cook passed for 1,590 yards and another 11 touchdowns in the fall 2017 season. Behind Cook are Jarvis Brooks, a transfer from Texas Lutheran, and Merlys Manuel, an incoming freshman from Richmond’s Huguenot High School. VSU is coming off the best season in its program’s history. Trojans fans want to know if it is realistic to maintain such a high level of dominance. “Can we keep it going? I’m from Montgomery, Alabama — just down the road from the school (University of Alabama) that sets the standard for excellence,” Coach Barlow said. “I’ll admit I’m a closet Alabama fan. “Our goal is to put out a great product, every day, every month, every year. We keep our standards high.” With Hampton University leaving MEAC this year, there is a vacancy in
Daz Palmer
Jeremy Ballard
Joey Rodriguez
Ballard, Rodriguez leaving VCU
Demetrius Strickland
that FCS Conference. Coach Barlow was asked if VSU might want to apply for MEAC membership. “It makes sense,” he said of what would be a move up the NCAA ladder. But, he added, “I’m not the one making the decision which way we go.” VSU has evolved as a CIAA heavyweight. The Trojans are 44-11 over the past four seasons, including 19-3 under Coach Barlow’s past two campaigns.
Richmond and became a Spiders standout in the late 1980s. Meanwhile, Hardcastle signed up with Uncle Sam and began a globetrotting military career, with calls to installations throughout the United States and as far away as Heidelberg, Germany, and Izmir, Turkey. After four years as an enlistee, Hardcastle enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University on a ROTC scholarship and returned to the Army as an officer — a 2nd lieutenant. It was about that time that golf invaded his life. There were some awkward beginnings for sure for the golfing rookie. “My friend who got me started also got me my first clubs,” Hardcastle said. “Only problem was, the clubs were right-handed and I’m left-handed.” He played opposite-handed for the better part of a year before upgrading his gear. Soon after, he began competing on a higher level, even contending for tournament trophies. “I never won, but lots of top 10s, top 5s — even got second once,” he recalled. “In 2006, I was second in a Myrtle Beach Winter Championship with some 200 guys in it.” Hardcastle retired from active duty in 2011 out of Fort Lee in Prince George County. But even now, he doesn’t have unlimited free time for honing his swing. Hardcastle works as an operations research analyst for the Defense Logistics Agency in Richmond. Most champion-caliber golfers take up the sport at a very early age, tagging along with their dads. Hardcastle followed an entirely different game plan quite successfully, and for that the retired officer deserves a salute.
Jeremy Ballard, having served two stints as Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball assistant coach, is leaving Richmond to become head coach at Florida International University in Miami. Ballard was the lone African-American on head Coach Mike Rhoades’ VCU staff this past season. Departing VCU with Ballard is Joey Rodriguez, the former Rams guard and star of VCU’s 2011 Final Four run. Rodriguez served as VCU Director of Basketball Operations. A native of South Florida, he will become an assistant coach at FIU. Ballard was Coach Rhoades’ top assistant this past season. Previously, he coached at VCU under former Coach Shaka Smart from 2012 to 2015. At FIU, Ballard replaces Anthony Evans, former head coach at Norfolk State University. The FIU Panthers were 14-18 this past season in Conference USA.
VSU opens football season in Norfolk at Labor Day classic
Virginia State University hopes to start its 2018 football season the same way it opened the 2017 season — by defeating Norfolk State University in the Labor Day Classic. VSU begins its third season under Coach Reggie Barlow on Saturday, Sept. 1, against NSU in the The 2018-19 football schedule
annual Labor Day Classic at Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The Trojans defeated the Spartans 14-10 last season and never looked back. From there, VSU went on to win the CIAA championship, post a 10-1 overall record, a 7-0 conference mark and gain an NCAA
Sept. 1 – at NSU, 6 p.m. Sept. 8 – at Robert Morris University, TBA Sept. 15 – at St. Augustine’s University, 1 p.m. Sept. 22 – at Johnson C. Smith University, 6 p.m. Sept. 29 – Shaw University, 2 p.m. Oct. 6 – Elizabeth City State University, 2 p.m. Oct. 13 – at Bowie State University, TBA Oct. 20 – Lincoln University, 2 p.m., Homecoming Oct. 27 – Chowan University, 2 p.m. Nov. 3 – at Virginia Union University, 1 p.m. The CIAA title game is scheduled for Nov. 10 in Salem.
Division II playoff bid. VSU fans will have to wait nearly a month after the season opener to see the Men of Troy play on home turf at Rogers Stadium on the Ettrick campus. The Trojans first four games — against NSU, Robert Morris University near Pittsburgh, St. Augustine’s University and Johnson C. Smith University — are all away. The home opener will be Sept. 29 against Shaw University. Homecoming is set for Oct. 20 against Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. Norfolk State of MEAC and Robert Morris of the Northeast Conference compete in the Football Championship Subdivision, one peg above the NCAA Division II.
Hal Greer, Philadelphia 76ers all-time scorer, dies at 81 Hal Greer, the Philadelphia 76ers’ all-time scorer and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has died. Mr. Greer died Saturday, April 14, 2018, at age 81 following a brief illness at his home in Arizona. A native of Huntington, W.Va., Mr. Greer became the first African-American to play for Marshall University, his hometown school. Following an outstanding career at Marshall, the 6-foot-2 guard went on to play 15 NBA seasons with the Syracuse Nationals from 1958 to 1963, and the Philadelphia 76ers from 1964 to 1973. Syracuse moved its franchise to Philadelphia in 1964. Mr. Greer scored 21,586 career points (19.2
average) and made 10 NBA All-Star teams. He was a key man on the 76ers’ 1967 team that included Wilt Chamberlain and posted a 68-13 record, the best in league history at the time. Mr. Greer, who played in 1,122 NBA games, was famous for his unique style of foul shooting. He took a jump shot for foul shots, saying he was practicing his jump shot when he was shooting free throws, and practicing his free throws while shooting field goals. It worked for him. His career free throw percentage was 80.1. The 76ers honored Mr. Greer at their April 16 playoff game and will wear black arm bands with Mr. Greer’s jersey number — No. 15 — throughout the playoffs.
April 26-28, 2018 B1
Section
B
Richmond Free Press
Happenings
Personality: Adolph White
DiamonDs • Watches JeWelry • repairs
Spotlight on volunteer caretaker for purple martin nesting at Bryan Park
Every spring, there is a great migration that one Bryan Park volunteer anticipates and anxiously looks forward to. Adolph White is Bryan Park’s top caretaker for the purple martin nesting site. The birds, with a wing span of up to 12 inches, are the largest members of the swallow family. According to the Purple Martin Conservation Association, these birds spend their non-breeding season in Brazil and then, starting in January, migrate through Central America and Mexico to the United States, island hop across the Caribbean, or follow Central America then cross the Gulf of Mexico to Louisiana, Florida and up the Eastern Seaboard as far as Canada, to nest. Typically, they arrive in Richmond by March 15. But with the weather being so cold this year, they arrived later, Mr. White says. Mr. White’s interest in purple martins started with an accidental meeting nine years ago in Shockoe Bottom with Jimmy Fitzgerald, a friend from Providence Forge. Annually, thousands of purple martins migrate to Richmond and roost Downtown in Shockoe Bottom. They roost and fly in such large numbers, he explains, because that helps to evade predators like hawks and owls. “Mr. Fitzgerald would sit — he didn’t like standing — on the corner of Main Street between 13th and 17th streets and watch the purple martins in the trees,” Mr. White recalls. “Purple martins always flocked in large numbers there. “I asked him what he was doing and he told me he had raised $900 and was planning to build bird houses for purple martins at Bryan Park and he couldn’t manage it,” Mr. White says, “so I took over.” Mr. White was invited to Mr. Fitzgerald’s home, where he had a colony of purple martins roosting in his backyard. “He had about 160 birds in his yard,” Mr. White recalls. Purple martins, he explains, are glossy aerial acrobats with forked tails. They are the only species of bird entirely dependent on humans for housing, he says. “When they start to fledge, or bring up their babies until they can fly, there is a lot of chit-chatting and flying around. It gets pretty noisy.” He began to study the birds and how hawks and other predatory birds operate. The greatest time of peril for purple martins is when they are roosting in their man-made birdhouses. The sharp-shinned hawk, red tail hawk and Cooper’s hawk have long toes and talons adapted to catch and eat other birds. The Cooper’s hawk has the ability to hover when catching their prey. “Hawks, like fighter pilots, want to make a clean attack,” Mr. White says. “However, they don’t want to see all of the confusion that purple martins can cause when they fly together. “The hawk dives from a high altitude at speeds of 50 to 60 miles per hour, looking for a lone bird and wants to get in and grab the bird and get out by quickly turning skyward before hitting the ground.” Since getting involved nearly a decade ago, Mr. White has designed and built three birdhouses that sit on 20 foot poles located just a few feet from the lake in Bryan Park. Each birdhouse has two floors and two entrances on each floor. To prevent hawk attacks, each house is surrounded entirely with wire caging. The wire allows the purple martins to get in to roost on the birdhouse perches, but is extended far enough from the birdhouses to keep hawks and other predators from reaching in and grabbing a bird.
Bryan Park is not alone. There’s a growing national awareness and effort to assist purple martins, Mr. White notes. The Purple Martin Conservation Association, a nonprofit organization based in Erie, Pa., and founded in 1987, has seen an upswing in participation on its online forums since its website was introduced in 2003. More than 3,000 people have posted questions and comments on 15,000 topics related to attracting and caring for purple martins, according to the website. Other organizations have emerged in recent years, including the Purple Martin Society of North America and the Purple Martin Preservation Alliance. Countless blogs and YouTube videos also are devoted to purple martins. Observing nature was routine for Mr. White, when he was growing up in Surry County and living and helping out on his family’s peanut farm. There wasn’t a whole lot to do, he says. He would walk through the woods observing and being a part of nature. “You would be surprised how much you will see if you really paid attention to nature,” Mr. White says. “Observing and taking care of these birds helps me to continue to realize how peaceful nature really is.” Meet this week’s Personality and purple martin advocate, Adolph White: No. 1 volunteer position: Caretaker of the Bryan Park nesting site for purple martins. Date and place of birth: Feb. 14 in Surry County. Current residence: Richmond. Alma maters: L.B. Jackson High School in Surry County and bachelor’s degree, Virginia Union University. Family: Two fine children, Demetria Johnson and Adolph White Jr. Occupation: Retired teacher. I taught French and English in Richmond County for two years and English to eighth-graders for 29 years in Richmond Public Schools. Purple martins are: The largest member of the swallow family. They are insect eaters. They leave Brazil in the Amazon and fly about 6,000 miles north. They come to North America to raise their young during Brazil’s rainy season so their eggs will
not rot and their nest will not disintegrate. They had to come to North America, which is an ideal place for them to raise their young.
martins and making sure I have enough money to spend to do other projects.
Purple martin nests are made of: A purple martin nest is usually low profile in nature and, depending on the area, will start out with pine straw (dried pine needles) or wheat straw (the stalks of harvested wheat) or whatever is available for that region. Many will even contain small sticks.
The person who influenced me the most: When I was a child, I talked to my Sunday School superintendent, Mr. Mason, about books I read. He helped me get into Virginia Union University.
Purple martins’ diet: They only eat flying insects. These birds are very agile and do a 180-degree turn to grab an insect. When and why I became interested in the birds: When I lived in Surry County, I was basically a nature person. I always walked through the woods in spring and looked at the bird nests. I paid attention to different bird sounds and I learned a lot about birds. When I came to Richmond, I discovered purple martins roosted Downtown in Shockoe Bottom, about 3,000. They gather in this large number because it helps to evade predators like hawks. I met Jimmy Fitzgerald who had a colony and he told me he was planning to put up a house at Bryan Park and he couldn’t manage it, so I took over. My role in encouraging them: I have built bird houses near the lake in Bryan Park. The lake is a source for food because of the high concentration of insects in and near the water. Why I enjoy them: They are interesting birds and very colorful, with different shades of purple. What needs to be done to better protect them: People can hang purple martin gourds in their yards. The gourds are more of an ideal living situation than homes. However, simply because gourds lack a porch does not mean that they provide complete predator protection. What others can do to help: They can study the birds and come out to Bryan Park to observe them in their habitat. How to get young people excited about purple martins: In the summer, children from Richmond’s Holton Elementary School come out and I show them the birds. They draw pictures of the birds and I show them the gourds. How I start the day: I get up in the morning and think of the question I had in my head the night before. Then I grab my computer to research an answer. A perfect day for me is: Every day is perfect. Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Dating another birder. Best late-night snack: Banana. How I unwind: I do special types of exercises that keep me fit. The top of my “to do” list is: Mostly working with the purple
You Are Kindly Invited To The
Kick-Off Banquet In Honor of
The Vivian Conway Mason
Scholarship
Sunday, April 29, 2018 5:00 pm Speaker: Dr. Medina Pullings United Nations Church Pastor Royal Manchester Event Center
Ms. Mason Donation: $45
214 Cowardin Avenue, Richmond,VA 23224 For More Details Please Contact: Eugene Mason (804) 437-3302
19 East Broad strEEt richmond, Va 23219 (804) 648-1044 www.wallErjEwElry.com
The best thing my parents ever taught me: How to save money.
The book that influenced me the most: “The Enzyme Factor” by Hiromi Shinya. What I’m reading now: “The Human Nature of Birds” by Theodore Barber. My next goal: To keep things going just the way they are.
After 40 years at 1805 Monument Avenue ...
We Are Moving Dr. John “Casey” Jones and Dr. Audra Jones are moving their dental offices from Monument Avenue to the Retreat Medical and Dental Building at 110 N. Robinson Street, Suite 201 (the corner of Grove Avenue and Robinson Street)
Our new and modern dental offices will be open
Monday, May 7, 2018
We welcome new patients!
Call 804-353-3009 for appointments and information
Declaration Declaration Declaration Declaration Declaration Declaration Declaration Declaration APRIL 21 - SEPTEMBER 9 VISIT ICAVCU.ORG FOR TIMED TICKETS #DECLARATION #ICAVCU
Richmond Free Press_ICA DECLARATION Ad_4.915x10.5_Feb 2018.indd 1
4/17/18 2:20 PM
Richmond Free Press
B2 April 26-28, 2018
Happenings
UniverSoul Circus celebrates 25th anniversary in Richmond through May 6
The UniverSoul Circus returned to Richmond this week in celebration of its 25th anniversary. The circus under a single-ring big top opened Wednesday, April 25, and will run through Sunday, May 6, at Richmond Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Ave. The circus features performers from around the globe, including African teeterboarders from Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea and South Africa; dancers from Trinidad and Tobago; high-wire walkers from Colombia, Mexico and Gabon; and motorbikers, clowns and a ring master from the United States. Performers also hail from China, Cuba and Peru. The acts also feature music that spans the genres of pop, R&B, Latin, hip-hop, jazz and gospel.
This is the 25th anniversary of the circus founded by Cedric Walker, who serves as its chief executive officer. Mr. Walker was inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame in Sarasota, Fla., in January for his contributions to circus arts and culture. “This has been an amazing journey and a fantastic ride,” Mr. Walker stated. “Generations have witnessed our growth and have evolved with us. “We want our fans to know they will always be a part of the UniverSoul Circus family. Consider us a community-minded, family-oriented, spiritually uplifting entertainment revival for families across America.” Details and tickets: www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000.
City to host international violin competition in 2020 Richmond will host the 2020 “Olympics of the Violin” — the International Menuhin Competition, it has been announced. The news is definitely a feather in the cap for Richmond, which beat out London and Melbourne, Australia, for the right to host the competition. The top 44 young classical music violinists under age 22 are expected to come to Richmond for 11 days of performances at venues around the city. The competition is judged by world-renowned musicians who also perform in recitals and other concerts during the festival, which is scheduled to run from May 14 through May 24, 2020. The event is expected to attract more than 2,000 people. Mayor Levar M. Stoney led a delegation to Geneva, Switzerland, where the 2018 competi-
was Austin, Texas, impressed with the group. tion was held, and in 2014. The board member urged learned Sunday that To help win, the Dr. Crutcher to find a way for Richmond had been Richmond Sympho- Richmond to compete. chosen. ny agreed to partner Dr. Crutcher secured support “We are thrilled with the Detroit- from the Richmond Symphony, to be hosting the Inbased Sphinx Vir- Virginia Commonwealth Uniternational Menuhin tuosi ensemble of versity, Commonwealth Public Competition and African-American Broadcasting as well as the City honored to join the Dr. Crutcher and Latino musicians of Richmond for the bid. company of such Along with the mayor, repdistinguished international to accompany the performers. Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, resentatives of those organizadestinations as Geneva in welcoming the most talented young president of the University of tions, as well as UR’s first lady, musicians in the world to our Richmond and a noted cellist, Dr. Betty Neal Crutcher, were city,” Mayor Stoney stated after is credited with enabling the city part of the delegation. to compete for the event. A year The competition is named the city’s selection. “Richmond is a thriving and ago, Dr. Crutcher hosted a mem- for the late Yehudi Menuhin, diverse city that is home to a ber of the Menuhin board who an internationally renowned number of internationally rec- also attended a Richmond Sym- American violinist and conducognized artistic, educational and phony concert and came away tor who died in 1999. cultural attractions,” the mayor continued. “Our vibrant and Joyner Fine Properties dedicated arts community looks Welcomes forward to welcoming these artists and their families.” Radcliffe Chambers Richmond will be just the second North American city Realtor®, MBA to host the event. The first
Sabrina Squire to retire in May A familiar face is leaving the Richmond airwaves. Sabrina Squire announced Monday, April 23, that she will retire as a news anchor for NBC affiliate WWBT Channel 12 on May 23. She will give up her microphone and walk away after the 6 p.m. newscast. “I am retiring after 40 phenomenal years in broadcasting here in my hometown,” she told the audience in announcing her decision. Ms. Squire has been a WWBT news anchor since 1984, the first African-American female to anchor weekday primetime news in the Ms. Squire Richmond area. Ms. Squire joined the station in 1981 and rose rapidly from intern status to full- time reporter, first in Chesterfield and then at City Hall, before gaining the anchor position opposite Gene Cox, who retired several years ago. She began her career in radio. “I started as a receptionist, then became the first female announcer for WEZS-FM, followed by a stint as a reporter for WSSV and as the voice of news for Magic 99,” she said. “I will leave here in one month feeling extremely blessed, my heart filled with love and gratitude,” she said. “I am immensely grateful to all of you who’ve embraced me over these four decades and so many milestones. You showered me with congratulations and handcrafted baby gifts for the births of my two children (you were even in the hospital with me for my youngest). “You comforted me and my family with heartfelt condolences after the death of my father. Thousands of you sent get-well wishes, cards and flowers following my recent hospitalization. “Thank you for welcoming me into your homes, your workplaces, schools, churches and civic events. “I’ve loved celebrating with you, listening to you, sharing your concerns, ideas, hopes, heartbreaks and successes.”
My plasma donations put money in my pocket today. Save up for the things you want while saving lives. You’ll get paid every time you donate plasma, and you’ll feel good knowing your donations are helping others.
New donor? Make up to $250* in as little as 15 days.
3830 Hull Street, Richmond
octapharmaplasma.com
Must be 18-64 years of age and in good health. • Have a valid ID, proof of Social Security number, & current residence postmarked within 30 days. • *Total for first five donations. Earn money fast when you donate 2x per week. Promotions & fees may vary by location.
2727 Enterprise Parkway Richmond, VA 23294 804.980.5782 cell radcliffe.chambers@joynerfp.com
������������� �����������
C.L. Belle’s
10
E Z Car Rental 3101 W. Broad Street (804) 358-3406
Spring Special
Cars Starting at
29
SmallMediumLarge
$
95 a day
FREE Pickup in Richmond Area
NO CREDIT CARD NEEDED
www.ezcarrentalsrva.com
Photos by Christopher Smith
ICA grand opening Virginia Commonwealth University students and community members join in the grand opening Saturday of the new Institute for Contemporary Art at Belvidere and Broad streets.The new 40,000-square-foot center includes a reflecting pool where visitors lounged and enjoyed music during the opening community block party. Above, Sonja Holt, left, and Dawn Howard peruse a display in the exhibition “Storm in the Time of Shelter” by artist Paul Rucker. The ICA is free and open to the public.
Richmond Free Press
April 26-28, 2018 B3
Happenings
Richmond native returns as star of film, helping others at Richmond International Film Festival By Samantha Willis
The Richmond of Tamika Lamison’s youth has evolved into a thriving artistic hub. Ms. Lamison, an actor and director who now lives and works in Los Angeles, grew up in South Side in the 1980s. “When I come home, I certainly see a huge effort to completely infuse a great deal of artistic life into Richmond,” Ms. Lamison told the Free Press in a telephone interview last week. On outings with her parents who still live in Richmond, “I noticed in the past few years that the city seemed to really start catering to the artists who were already there and trying to bring more artists in.” Ms. Lamison returns home this weekend as a guest of the Richmond International Film Festival, where two of her films will be screened on Saturday, April 28. Charles Chessler Photography One, a scary short called “The Black Tamika Lamison, who grew up in Richmond’s Ghiandola,” is a dark thriller about a South Side, is an actor young man’s quest to save his true love and filmmaker in Los as a zombie apocalypse rages through a Angeles. world ravaged by disease, violence and evil. It stars Johnny Depp, Laura Dern, J.K.Simmons, David Lynch and Richmond native Chad L. Coleman. It was the brainchild of 16-year-oldAnthony Conti of Walpole, Mass., who wrote and acted in the film before his death in early 2017. Ms. Lamison’s Make a Film Foundation, which she started 10 years ago, granted Anthony’s greatest life’s wish — to create his own movie — before he died from terminal adrenal cortical cancer. His film, shot over a span of a few short months, represents the mission of the Make a Film Foundation, Ms. Lamison said. The nonprofit foundation helps young people who are terminally or seriously ill “realize their dreams of creating films,” Ms. Lamison said. “We work with a lot of talented professionals, in front of and behind the camera, to make it happen for these kids.” Ms. Lamison and the MAFF team were inspired by Anthony’s voracious desire to live. “Even when (Anthony’s) body was betraying him and slowly shutting down, he knew what was happening, but he was fighting it to the best of his ability,” she said. “He wanted to live. Our understanding was that if he could make this film, if we helped him do that, he would be alive on screen forever, living his dream. “Once we all understood that, the magic happened.” The film festival also will feature Ms. Lamison’s “Last Life,” a feature-length production that stars Ms. Lamison, Kobe Reverditto and Michael Phillip Edwards, who wrote and directed the film. “We wanted to do a love story that had African-American heroes and protagonists,” Ms. Lamison explained. “We wanted to delve into some things that African-Americans haven’t been frequently shown dealing with on screen. “In this particular feature, two lovers discover that they’ve lived many lifetimes together. They have doppelgänger spirits that visit
Jenna Hagel/Good Luck Road Photography
“The Black Ghiandola,” made by Tamika Lamison’s nonprofit Make a Film Foundation, brings together a stellar cast for the film by 16-year-old Anthony Conti, center with hat. They are, standing from left, Richard Chamberlain, Laura Dern, David Lynch, Anthony, Johnny Depp and director Catherine Hardwicke. Bottom, from left, are casting director and producer Adele Jones and Ms. Lamison, founder and executive director of the foundation and a producer of the film.
and tell them that this is their last In that same vein of expandlife and they have some things to ing narratives through film and Festival details put in order before the end.” video, Ms. Lamison serves Richmond native Tamika Lamison, a filmmaker and actor The film addresses issues of as the program manager of the in Los Angeles, will appear at the Richmond International race, bigotry and other types Commercial Directors Diversity Film Festival on Saturday, April 28. Her films, “Last Life” of “isms,” Ms. Lamison said. Program, which was created by and “The Black Ghiandola” will be screened from 1:30 to It recently won the best film the Directors Guild of America 3:30 p.m. at the Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., during the award at the Houston Black Film and the Association of Indepen“Make a Film Foundation Spotlight.” Festival. dent Commercial Producers to Ms. Lamison and actor Chad L. Coleman, also a Richmond As a black female filmmaker, bolster underrepresented voices, native, will participate in a post-film discussion. Ms. Lamison recognizes that it is narrative and communities in Tickets start at $10. Guests are encouraged to make a donation to Ms. Lamison’s “extremely important” to share commercial advertisements. nonprofit Make a Film Foundation, with up to $2,500 matched her experiences and viewpoints, “Ads are seen all the time, by film festival sponsor Tito’s Vodka. and those of her community, on and representation makes a huge Details and ticket info: www.rvafilmfestival.com. screen. difference in how society views “Studios are realizing that a itself,” Ms. Lamison said. black filmmaker can show a perspective that hasn’t been shown Passion, purpose and persistence must center a filmmaker’s amon screen in a major way before. Look at ‘Black Panther’ and how bition, said Ms. Lamison, a graduate of American University and amazing that movie is. They could have gone the traditional route the New York Film Academy. She has won numerous awards and and had a non-person of color direct that movie, but it would not fellowships for her films and television writing. have been the same at all,” she said. “If this is your passion, you’re going to keep doing it until you “A black director or filmmaker can infuse their work with a per- can’t do it any more,” she said. “It’s not about the result; it’s about spective, a view and understanding that others just don’t have.” the journey.”
You enjoy a
home c�ked meal With an on-site chef, we prepare you 3 meals a day included in your base rent.
You belong at Holiday.
Learn Why 866.912.6818
YouBelongAtHoliday.com
Dogwood Terrace 10300 THREE CHOPT RD RICHMOND, VA 23233
The Virginian 300 TWINRIDGE LANE RICHMOND, VA 23235 ©2018 HARVEST MANAGEMENT SUB LLC, HOLIDAY AL MANAGEMENT SUB LLC, HOLIDAY AL NIC MANAGEMENT LLC.
Richmond Free Press
B4 April 26-28, 2018
Faith News/Directory
Historian doesn’t want Civil War soldier’s story lost By Kathleen A. Schultz Sauk Valley Media
DIXON, Ill. It’s such a small, unremarkable headstone for such a remarkable life. In an age when the average male life expectancy barely topped 40, 56-year-old Peter Williams enlisted with the 29th Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry, to fight for the Union in the Civil War. Pvt. Williams engaged in nearly a dozen battles before his capture by rebel forces five months later. He was held captive in five Confederate prisons, including the notorious Andersonville in Georgia, but was free to witness the Third Battle of Petersburg on April 2, 1865. He was discharged from service in November 1865, seven months after Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, which, apparently, Mr. Williams also was on hand to see. Thanks to Dixon, Ill., historian Pat Gorman, Mr. Williams and his rich story are not lost to history. While researching the list of Dixon Post 299 Grand Army of the Republic members buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Mr. Gorman “came across a small, very unassuming grave,” near the hill where the largest known potter’s field area is located. On the rectangular gray stone is inscribed simply “Peter Williams 1808-1908.” “I looked at the dates and was amazed that Peter was 100 years of age and died in 1908, something not real common nowadays but almost unheard of then,” Mr. Gorman said in an email to Sauk Valley Media. “Curiosity got the best of me, as it usually does, and I began to look into Peter, not just to replace his missing GAR star, but to find out who he was.” (Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Ill., the GAR was a Republicanleaning fraternal organization and advocacy group whose members served in the Union Army, Navy, Marines and the customs enforcement agency, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. It supported voting rights for black veterans, helped make Memorial Day a national holiday and lobbied Congress to establish regular veterans’ pensions, among other things.) Mr. Gorman found, among other things, Mr. Williams’ obituary, which ran in the Dixon Evening Telegraph on May 27, 1908. An excerpt from it outlines his service: “Peter Williams, colored, enlisted from Chicago, February 5 1864, mustered into the U.S. service at Quincy, Ill. April 24, 1864 as a private of Company C, 29th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, under First Lieutenant John Aiken and Col. John Bross, to serve three years. “He fought in the battles of the Wilderness, Nye River, Spottshanne, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Welden, Prebio Farm, Hatchens Run, Bermuda Hundred, Ft. Fischer, N.C., the fall of Petersburg,
Yvonne Staples of Staple Singers fame dies at 80 Free Press wire report
Alex T. Paschal/Sauk Valley Media via Associated Press
A simple headstone and a flag in a GAR star placed by historian Pat Gorman marks the grave of Peter Williams, a member of the 29th Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry, who was at Appomattox when Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered in April 1865, bringing an end to the Civil War.
Appomattox, and Lee’s surrender. “He was captured by the rebels near Richmond, Va., July 29, 1864, and confined in the prisons at Petersburg, Andersonville, Danville, Richmond and Cumberland. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 6, 1865.” That Mr. Williams survived the war — and the scramble from prison camp to prison camp, as the Confederates tried to outrun the advancing Union Army — is miracle enough, especially considering that very few black soldiers were left alive to be taken prisoner, and those left alive often were forced into hard labor. In fact, the Confederate Congress passed a resolution declaring that captured black soldiers “be put to death or be otherwise punished” rather than be held as prisoners of war, and later adopted another resolution providing that all captured “negroes or mulattoes,” slave or free, be tried for inciting insurrection and face the death penalty. That Mr. Williams went on to survive four decades more is extraordinary. “His life during the war must have been as close to hell as any soldier could have known,” Mr. Gorman wrote. “Peter, in my opinion was a hero!” The 1860 Census counts 7,600 African-Americans in Illinois. Mr. Williams was one of more than 1,800 to enlist during the Civil War, which ran from 1861 to 1865 — although black men were not allowed to enlist until President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. The 29th U.S. Colored Infantry, the regiment with the largest number of African-Americans from Illinois, began enrolling men at Quincy in November 1863. Its most noteworthy action was at the Battle of the Crater near Petersburg on July 30, 1864, the day after Mr. Williams was taken prisoner. A few other things about Mr. Williams’ later life can be gleaned from the scant records that Mr. Gorman found.
His wife, Elizabeth Williams, known as Lizzie, was born in Charleston, S.C., on Dec. 26, 1833, and moved north to Sterling, Ill., in April 1865, the month the war ended. She was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Sterling when she and Peter married in 1871, when she was about 38 and he was 63. They lived for 10 years in Harmon, Ill., before moving to Dixon, Ill., in 1881. They counted Dixon city founder Father John Dixon as a close neighbor in the 1990 Census. Mr. Williams died eight years later. “To every small boy of North Dixon, Uncle Peter and his sway-backed sorrel mare and rickety spring wagon were a sort of landmark, an accustomed sight which was daily watched for,” his obituary reads. “His venerable appearance, gray haired, bowed and feeble, and with all his genial good nature won for him a warm place in the hearts of all who knew him and he was respected by white and colored alike.”
Stewart Mayes
March 15, 1956 - December 16, 2017
CWU (Church Women United) Invites You To Join Us For Our
May Friendship Day Celebration
1408 W. eih Sree ichmo a. 0 804 5840
Church School Worship Service
Friday, May 4, 2018
8:45 a.m. 10 a.m.
Second Baptist Church 1400 Idlewood Ave. 12 Noon Theme:
ile Su
e ercies iisr a.m. ul ile Su :0 p.m.
Sixth Baptist Church Theme for 2018-2020: Mobilizing For Ministry Refreshing The Old and Emerging The New
We Embrace Diversity — Love For All!
A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone
Come Worship With Us! Sunday, April 29, 2018 10:45 AM - Worship Service Message by: Pastor Bibbs Message #4 - Post Resurrection Life Lessons - Various Scriptures
New Church School Classes From Nursery – College Student Also Women’s & Men’s Classes
Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor
Facebook sixthbaptistrva
400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220
(near Byrd Park)
(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org
St. Peter Baptist Church
Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor
Worship Opportunities 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org
Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m. Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m. 4th Sunday Unified Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m. Bible Study: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. Sermons Available at BRBCONLINE.org
“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook
POC-804-564-0641
Luncheon donation $15 Call (804) 232-7653 to RSVP
Twitter sixthbaptistrva
Broad Rock Baptist Church
Charnwood Forest
4325 Crutchfield Street, Richmond, Va. 23225
Guest Presenter: elder Audrey B. Burton of St. Giles Presbyterian Church
ie oore Sree o
Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You”
11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation
Saturday April 28, 2018 3pm - 6pm
Scripture taken from Colossians 1:17
1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402
Tuesday Sunday 10:30 AM Bible Study 9:30 AM Church School 6:30 PM Church-wide Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship Service 6:30 PM Men's Bible Study (Each 2nd and 4th) (Holy Communion Thursday each 2nd Sunday) Wednesday (Following 2nd Sunday)
Memorial Service For Stewart Mayes
“Reaching for Wholeness”
1 p.m.
Good Shepherd Baptist Church
6:30 PM Prayer Meeting
The Williamses had seven children, only four of whom were alive at the time of Lizzie’s death on Dec. 9, 1914: Henry, Charlotte, Solomon and Rebecca. Lizzie had lived in Dixon until Sept. 5, 1914, when she fell ill and was taken to Providence Hospital in Chicago, where one of her daughters lived. She was brought back to Dixon to be buried next to Peter. Their son, Solomon, served with the 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, stationed at San Louis in Cuba during the SpanishAmerican War of 1898. He rose to the rank of sergeant before his honorable discharge. The historical society has created a file for the Williams family, and Mr. Gorman is eager to fatten it with any information he can find about what happened to the children and their descendants. He also would like to get a headstone for Lizzie’s grave, which is unmarked.
CHICAGO Yvonne Staples, whose voice and business acumen powered the success of the Staple Singers, her family’s hit-making gospel group that topped the charts in the early 1970s with the song “I’ll Take You There,” has died. She was 80. Ms. Staples died Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at home in Chicago, according to Chicago funeral home Leak and Sons. She performed with her sisters Mavis and Cleotha Staples and their father, Pops, on hits such as “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There,” their first No. 1 hit. The family was also active in civil rights and performed at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Ms. Staples wasn’t as interested in singing as the rest of her family but stepped in when her brother, Pervis, left for military service, according Ms. Staples to family friend Bill Carpenter, author of “Uncloudy Day: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia.” Ms. Staples also helped her father with business tasks, Mr. Carpenter said. “She was very no nonsense but at the same time had a heart of gold,” Mr. Carpenter said. “But when it came to business, she was very strict. If this is what the contract said, this is what you better do.” Ms. Staples was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with her family in 1999. The group also received a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys in 2005. Still, Ms. Staples wasn’t interested in the limelight, Mr. Carpenter said. “She didn’t want to talk about her own singing,” he said. “She said ‘Mavis is the star. Mavis is the voice.’ She never cared about attention for herself.” Ms. Staples was Mavis Staples’ road manager until recent years, Mr. Carpenter said. The family’s music career had its roots with Pops Staples, a manual laborer who strummed a $10 guitar while teaching his children gospel songs to keep them entertained in the evenings. They sang in church one Sunday morning in 1948, and three encores and a heavy church offering basket convinced Pops that music was in the family’s future — and the Staple Singers was born. Two decades later, the group became an unlikely hit maker for the Stax label. The Staple Singers had a string of Top 40 hits with Stax in the late 1960s, earning them the nickname “God’s greatest hitmakers.” The family also became active in the Civil Rights Movement after hearing Dr. King deliver a sermon while they were on tour in Montgomery, Ala., in 1962. They went on to perform at events at Dr. King’s request. It was during that period that the family began recording protest songs, such as “Freedom Highway,” as well as gospel.
Sundays: Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship
8 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11 A.M.
Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays): Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10 A.M. Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults) 2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net
Antioch Baptist Church “Redeeming God’s People for Gods Purpose”
1384 New Market Road, Richmond, Virginia 23231 | 804-222-8835
SERVICES
SUNDAY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:00 A.M. CHILDREN’S CHURCH & BUS MINISTRY AVAILABLE SUNDAY SCHOOL (FOR ALL AGES) – 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY MID-DAY BIBLE STUDY – 12 NOON WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY – 7:00 P.M. A MISSION BASED CHURCH FAMILY EXCITING MINISTRIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS & SENIOR ADULTS BIBLE REVELATION TEACHING DIVERSE MUSIC MINISTRY LOVING, CARING ENVIRONMENT
DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR
Richmond Free Press
April 26-28, 2018
B5
Faith News/Directory
Free Press wire report
WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court has so far had little to say about Donald Trump’s time as president, even as the nation has moved from one Trump controversy to another. That’s about to change. The justices’ first deep dive into a Trump administration policy comes in a dispute over the third and latest version of the administration’s ban on travel from some countries with majority Muslim populations. Opponents of the policy and some lower courts have labeled it a “Muslim ban,” harking back to President Trump’s campaign call to keep Muslims from entering the country. The high-stakes arguments at the high court were heard Wednesday, April 25, and could offer some indication about how a court that runs on respect for traditions and precedent will deal with a president who regularly breaks with convention. Apart from the campaign statements, President Trump’s tweets about the travel ban and last fall’s retweets of inflammatory videos that stoked anti-Islam sentiment all could factor in the court’s discussion of the travel ban’s legality. “The court could get to the right outcome without getting into the question of his tweets. But I think the president set it up so that it’s virtually impossible to ignore him when he’s shouting from the rooftops about what his purpose was in the three versions of the ban,” said Cecillia Wang, the American Civil Liberties Union’s deputy legal director. Solicitor General Noel Francisco, who will argue the administration’s case, said in a court filing that the ban is well within the president’s authority and is not based on prejudice against Islam. In a sign of heightened public interest, the court is taking the rare step of making an audio recording of the proceedings available just hours after the arguments end. One key issue will be how the court evaluates administration actions. Neil Eggleston, former President Barack Obama’s last White House counsel, suggested in an online forum last week that President Trump does not merit the same
measure of latitude that courts usually give presidents, especially in the areas of national security and immigration. “The court will have to wrestle with how much to defer to a President who has created this record of chaos and animus,” Mr. Eggleston and co-author Amanda Elbogen wrote on justsecurity.org. Josh Blackman, a professor at the South Texas College of Law in Houston, cautioned that the court would be breaking new ground if it were to treat Trump differently from other presidents. The policy under review at the court applies to travelers from five countries with overwhelmingly Muslim populations — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. It also affects two non-Muslim countries: blocking travelers from North Korea and some Venezuelan government officials and their families. A sixth majority Muslim country, Chad, was removed from the list earlier this month after improving “its identity-management and information sharing practices,” President Trump said in a proclamation. Mr. Francisco said the Chad decision shows that the restrictions are premised only on national security concerns. He also said the State Department has cleared more than 430 visa applicants from the affected countries for waivers that would allow them to enter the United States. But the challengers argue that the administration cannot ask the court to ignore all that has happened. President Trump’s first travel ban was issued just a week after he took office in January 2017, and was aimed at seven countries. It triggered chaos and protests across the United States, including at Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia, as travelers were stopped from boarding international flights and detained at airports for hours. President Trump tweaked the order after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco refused to reinstate the ban. The next version, announced in March 2017, dropped Iraq from the list of covered countries and made it clear the 90day ban covering Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen didn’t apply to those travelers who already had visas. It also eliminated language that would give
priority to religious minorities. Critics said the changes didn’t erase the ban’s legal problems. The 9th Circuit and the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond agreed with the ban’s opponents. The 4th Circuit said the ban “drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination.” The 9th Circuit ruled that President Trump violated immigration law. The third version is indefinite, unlike the other two, and the administration said it is the product of a thorough review of how other countries screen their own citizens and share information with the United States. It fared no better than its predecessors in the lower courts, but the U.S. Supreme Court said in an unsigned order in December that it could take full effect while the legal dispute continues. The justices said nothing about the substance of the policy, either in December or in earlier actions involving the ban. Now, though, they are confronted with the administration’s view that President Trump has broad discretion to impose limits on immigration and that the courts don’t even have a role to play. The U.S. Justice Department has said throughout the course of the legal fight that the lawsuits challenging the policy should be dismissed without ever reaching the challengers’ claims. The administration says foreigners have no right to enter the United States and no right to challenge their exclusion in American courts. Supporting briefs for the ban’s challengers dwarf filings on the administration’s side. Retired high-ranking military officers, former Republican officeholders, Catholic bishops, Amazon, Facebook and 113 other companies, the children of JapaneseAmericans who were held in internment camps during World War II and more than a dozen mainly Democratic-led states are among those calling on the court to strike down the Trump policy. The administration’s supporters include roughly the same number of Republicanled states, as well as conservative groups and Jay Sekulow, one of President Trump’s personal lawyers. A decision in Trump v. Hawaii, 17-965, is expected by late June.
Serving Richmond since 1887 3200 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223• (804) 226-1176
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship Service
WedneSday 12:00 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Bible Study
U.S. Supreme Court hears Muslim travel ban arguments
Pastoral search - DeaDline MaY 7, 2018 info at www.tmcbc.org
Triumphant
Baptist Church 2003 Lamb Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222
Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622
MISSIONARY SUNDAY April 29, 2018
11:15 am - Worship Service Speaker: Dr. Cavell Phillips Music by: Triumphant Mass Choir
4:00 pm - Lott Carey Rally Day Speaker: Dr. David E. Goatley Executive Secretary - Treasurer
Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention Music by: E.L. Fleming Gospel Chorus Come out and join us in our Celebration.
P ILGRIM J OURNEY B APTIST C HURCH R EV. ANGELO V. C HATMON, P ASTOR 7204 Bethlehem Road • Henrico, VA 23228 • (804) 672-9319 WEEKLY SERVICES
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATING 19 YEARS
“Visioneering on the Journey” Habukkuk 2:2-3 Sunday, May 6, 2018: 10:00 a.m. Guest Speaker: Rev. Ronald Briggs, Minister of Missions Bethesda Baptist Church, Colonial Heights, VA
WOMEN’S DAY
“Celebrating Women Builders” - Proverbs 14:1 Sunday, May 20, 2018: 10:00 a.m. Guest Speaker: Rev. Cora Harvey Armstrong First Mount Olive Baptist Church Newtown, King & Queen County, VA http://www.facebook.com/PilgrimJourney
Sunday: Church School: 8:45 a.m. Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. Children’s Church: 10:00 a.m. (2nd, 3rd, 5th Sundays) Monday: Men’s Bible Study/Ministry (3rd & 4th Mondays) Wednesday: General Bible Study 7:15 p.m. Thursday: Women’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m. www.pjbcrichmond.org
New Deliverance Evangelistic Church
1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net
Riverview
Baptist Church 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus
SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.
Sharon Baptist Church 500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825 Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor
sunday, april 29, 2018 8:30 a.m. ....Sunday School 10:00 a.m. ...Morning Worship Mission Sunday
Remember... At New Deliverance, You Are Home! See you there and bring a friend.
fÑÜxtw à{x jÉÜw
“The Church With A Welcome”
Thursdays
Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. ..... Prayer Service 6:30 p.m. ..... Bible Study
1:30 p.m. Bible Study
To advertise your church events in the Richmond Free Press call 644-0496
Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrew 12:14 (KJV)
Sunday
Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858
“The People’s Church”
216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 • Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcoffice1@yahoo.com • web: www.richmondebenezer.com Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study
11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m. Mon. 6:30 p.m. Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wed. 6:45 p.m. Wed. 4:30 p.m. Wed. 6:00 p.m. Thurs., 11:45 a.m.
Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. James E. Leary, Interim Pastor
Mount Olive Baptist Church Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor
2018 Theme: The Year of Transition (Romans 8:28-29)
8775 Mount Olive Avenue Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 262-9614 Phone (804) 262-2397 Fax www.mobcva.org
Sundays
8:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship
Tuesdays
Noon Day Bible Study
Wednesdays
6:30 p.m. Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m. Bible Study
8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday Services Noonday Bible Study 12noon-1:00 p.m. Sanctuary - All Are Welcome! Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7 p.m. Prayer
Saturday 8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer
You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online! Also, for your convenience, we now offer “full online giving.” Visit www.ndec.net.
Tune in on sunday morning to wTvr - channel 6 - 8:30 a.m. THE NEw DElivEraNcE cHrisTiaN acaDEmy (NDca)
ENROLL NOW!!! Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 4th Grade Our NDCA curriculum also consists of a Before and After program. Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old. For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Richmond Free Press
B6 April 26-28, 2018
Legal Notices City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2018-044 As Amended To amend ch. 2, art. V of the City Code by adding therein a new div. 18 (§§ 2-1167—2-1172) and to amend ch. 17, art. I of the City Code by adding therein new §§ 171—17-3 for the purpose of establishing a Human Rights Commission and prohibiting certain discriminatory practices. Ordinance No. 2018-127 To amend ch. 2, art. VII, div. 4.1 of the City Code by adding therein a new § 2-1366.10, concerning requirements for reports made to the City Council, for the purpose of requiring that datasets used to prepare reports made to the City Council and its standing committees be published to the open data portal. (COMMITTEE: Governmental Operations, Thursday, April 26, 2018, 4:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2018-128 To amend Ord. No. 2017036, adopted May 15, 2017, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by changing the uses and allocation of the Council District Funds for the First District pursuant to Va. Code § 15.22503 for the purpose of providing for the rental of office space used by the Council Member in the representation of the First District. (COMMITTEE: Governmental Operations, Thursday, April 26, 2018, 4:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2018-129 To amend Ord. No. 2018-029, adopted Feb. 26, 2018, which authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $2,710,314.00 from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Lead Hazard Control, created a new special fund for the Department of Economic and Community Development in the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Special Fund Budget entitled “Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program,” and appropriated the increase to the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Economic and Community Development’s new LeadBased Paint Hazard Control Program special fund by $2,710,314.00 to support the City’s leadbased paint hazard control efforts and make grants to the Richmond City Health District and to ElderHomes Corporation, doing business as Project: Homes, in furtherance of these efforts, for the purpose of specifying that grant funds will also be used to support the City’s “Healthy Homes Supplement” efforts and revising the Richmond City Health District’s grant amount to $385,932.08 and ElderHomes C o r p o r a t i o n ’ s grant amount to $2,221,993.45. Ordinance No. 2018-130 To amend Ord. No. 2017036, adopted May 15, 2017, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by transferring $50,000.00 from Department of Economic and Community Development’s Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization program, and to amend Ord. No. 2017-037, adopted May 15, 2017, which adopted the 2017-2018 Special Fund Budgets and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by appropriating the transferred $50,000.00 to the Department of Economic and Community Development’s LeadBased Paint Hazard Control Program special fund the sum of $50,000.00, all for the purpose of providing matching funds for the City’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant.
Continued from previous column
City must fulfill in order to construct an E911 selfsupport communications tower at 1201 North 38th Street. (COMMITTEE: Governmental Operations, Thursday, April 26, 2018, 4:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Candice D. Reid City Clerk
Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER VANESSA GARCIA-BROWN, Plaintiff v. KENNETH BROWN, Defendant. Case No.: CL18001438-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 11th day of June, 2018 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 Virginia: In the City of Richmond CIRCUIT COURT KIMBA DANIEL, Plaintiff, v. RAQUEL DANIEL, Defendant. Case Nos.: CL17-2888-2 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bonds of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of separation over one year. It appearing from an affidavit that dilgence was used by or on behalf of the plaintiff, without effect, to ascertain the location of the defendant, Raquel Daniel, and that she cannot be found, it is ordered that the defendant appear before this Court before June 27, 2018, and do what is necessary to protect her interest herein. A Copy, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk I ask for this: Benjamin S. Tyree (VSB #: 82745) COMMONWEALTH DIVORCE PLLC 41 Welford Lane Newport News, VA 23606 Telephone: (540) 570-6814 Counsel for Plaintiff Virginia: In the Circuit Court FOR the City of Richmond KODY ROBERT COLLINS, Plaintiff, v. HANNAH L. BRIGHT, Defendant. Case Nos.: CL17-5687-4 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is for the Plaintiff, Kody Robert Collins, by counsel, to obtain a divorce from Hannah L. Bright. It appearing by affidavit that the Defendant’s last known address is no longer valid and the Defendant’s present whereabouts are unknown, the Plaintiff knows that Defendant does not reside at her residence last known to him; that Plaintiff has not known Defendant’s whereabouts for over a year; that Plaintiff’s counsel attempted to locate Defendant via a paid public records search software, which did not yield results for this Defendant. It is therefore ORDERED that the Defendant appear before this Court on or before May 17, 2018 and protect her interests herein. A Copy, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk I ASK FOR THIS: Erik D. Baines, Esquire (VSB # 83618) BARNES & DIEHL, P.C. Boulders VI – Suite A 7401 Beaufont Springs Drive Richmond, VA 23225 (804) 796-1000 (telephone) (804) 796-1730 (facsimile) ebaines@barnesfamilylaw.com Counsel for Plaintiff
Ordinance No. 2018-131 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Communications Commission, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and the City of Richmond for the purpose of setting forth conditions pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act that the
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KAREN WEDDING, Plaintiff v. RICHARD WEDDING, JR., Defendant. Case No.: CL17002831-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation
Continued on next column
Continued on next column
Continued from previous column
Continued from previous column
Continued from previous column
Continued from previous column
Continued from previous column
Continued from previous column
and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 29th day of May, 2018 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER In the matter of the adoption of a child to be known as Lucas Bernardes O’Brien by Paul Bradley O’Brien CA18000005 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is for entry of a Final Decree of a minor child to be known as, Lucas Bernardes O’Brien by his step-parent, Paul Bradley O’Brien, and to enter such orders as necessary and appropriate during the course of this suit. An affidavit having been filed that the whereabouts and/or residence of the putative birth father has been unknown to the petitioners since on or before December 31, 2011, it is ORDERED that the putative birth father, Luiz do Prado Sousa appear before this Court on the 21st day of May 2018, at 9:00AM and protect his interests. A Copy Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, Clerk Eileen McNeil Newkirk, Esq. (VSB # 40187) The McNeil Law Group 2315 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23223 Telephone (804) 648-5580 Facsimile (804) 648-5583
in re Lonnie Moody, Jr., Juvenile File No.: J-093872-11 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) Unknown (Father) of Lonnie Moody, Jr., child DOB 01/29/2017. “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsiblity for support. It is ordered that the defendant Unknown (Father) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 05/17/2018, at 2:00 PM, COURTROOM #3.
Plaintiff, v. FLORENCE I. LUNDY, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-325 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 452 East Ladies Mile Road, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number N000-1664/013, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, against Florence I. Lundy and Grace D. Williams. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, F LOREN CE I . L U N D Y, who has been served by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, GRACE D. WILLIAMS, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to her last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that F LOREN CE I . L U N D Y, GRACE D. WILLIAMS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
page 1021 on December 1, 1982, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that CORA D. FARMER, upon information and belief deceased, who may have an ownership interest in the property per a deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 750 page 1957 on April 19, 1979, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, that BARRY T. FARMER, upon information and belief deceased, who may have an ownership interest in the property per a deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 750 page 1957 on April 19, 1979, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, EUGENE V. FARMER, upon information and belief deceased, who may have an ownership interest in the property per a deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 804 page 1021 on December 1, 1982, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MARK GRAY, SR., Plaintiff v. TOMICKA GRAY, Defendant. Case No.: CL18001276-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 29th day of May, 2018 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DEWIGHT WONGUS, Plaintiff v. SADE MANNING, Defendant. Case No.: CL18000517-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 21st day of May, 2018 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Esquire VSB# 27724 Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO IN RE: The Step-Parent Adoption of Bradon Maddox Edwards to be known as Bradon Maddox Davenport a Minor, by Nathan and Jennifer Davenport Case No.: CA16-7 ORDER OF PUBLICATION After review of the Affidavit and Petition for Order of Publication filed by counsel for Petitioners, Nathan and Jennifer Davenport, which object of such Affidavit and Petition is to effectuate an adoption and terminate the legal father’s parental rights, and pursuant to Virginia Code § 8.01-316, the Court finds that there exists sufficient grounds for causing service of process by publication. Therefore, it is ORDERED that the legal father, Steven Edwards, appear at the above-named Court to protect his interests at 9:30am on June 8, 2018. Should the legal father not appear or otherwise make known his position, then he is hereby notified that any and all of his parental rights will be terminated. A Copy Teste: HEIDI S. BARSHINGER, Clerk We ask for this: Colleen Marea Quinn, Esq. (VSB # 29282) Locke & Quinn 4928 West Broad Street P.O. Box 11708 Richmond, VA 23230 Telephone: (804) 285-6253 Fax: (804) 545-9400 Email: quinn@lockequinn.com Counsel for Petitioners
ORDER Virginia: In the Circuit Court OF the City of Richmond IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY ALYCE BOWERS, DECEASED SHOW CAUSE ORDER It appearing that a report of the accounts of Paul G. Izzo, Executor of the estate of Mary Alyce Bowers, deceased, and the debts and demands against such estate has been filed with the Clerk’s Office, and that six months have elapsed since qualification, on motion of the personal representative, it is ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the estate, show cause, if any they can, at 11:00 AM on the 25th day of May, 2018, before this Court at its courtroom against the payment and delivery of the estate to the persons thereunto entitled, without refunding bonds; An Extract: Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk I ASK FOR THIS: Thompson McMullan, P.C. 100 Shockoe Slip, 3rd Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-698-6222
PROPERTY
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER Commonwealth of Virginia, In re: Steven Martin Getz, Jr., Case No. CL18001000-00 and Sawyer Graham Thomas Getz, Case No. CL18001002-00, The object of this suit is to change the last name of Steven Getz, Jr. and Sawyer Getz to Adams. It is ORDERED that Steven M. Getz, Sr. appear at the above-named Court and protect his Interests on or before June 25, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., Court Room 2.
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. BARBARA ANN KENNEDY, et al. Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5589 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 20 West Clopton Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S0000792/009, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Barbara Ann Kennedy, Willie Mae Kennedy Lee, Harold S. Kennedy, Gloria Jean Kennedy Mason and David Elmo Kennedy. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, BARBARA ANN KENNEDY, WILLIE MAE KENNEDY LEE, and DAVID ELMO KENNEDY, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, HAROLD S. KENNEDY, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, GLORIA JEAN KENNEDY MASON, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to her last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that WILLIAM H. KENNEDY, prior deceased owner, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that SYLVIA KENNEDY, prior deceased owner, upon information and belief pre-deceased William H. Kennedy, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that BARBARA ANN KENNEDY, WILLIE MAE KENNEDY L EE , D A VI D E L MO KENNEDY, HAROLD S. K E N N E D Y, G L ORI A JEAN KENNEDY MASON, WILLIAM H. KENNEDY, prior deceased owner, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors, SYLVIA KENNEDY, prior deceased owner, upon information and belief pre-deceased William H. Kennedy, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
Custody
Virginia: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia,
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND,
Continued on next column
Continued on next column
Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER THEODORE JAMES, Plaintiff v. DEBORAH JAMES, Defendant. Case No.: CL18001097-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 21st day of May, 2018 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DONIQUA SYRKES, Plaintiff v. KEITH SYRKES, Defendant. Case No.: CL18001162-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 21st day of May, 2018 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER In the matter of the adoption of a child known as Jordan Raymond Ransome by Ernest Edmund Johnston and Jennifer Marie Rodill Johnston Defendant. Case No.: CA17000025 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this abovestyled suit is to waive the consent of Joshua Raymont Ransome, birth father and Caitlin Raine Walton Ransome, birth mother of Jordan Raymond Ransome, to the adoption of Jordan Raymond Ransome by Ernest Edmund Johnston and Jennifer Marie Rodill Johnston and approve an Interlocutory Order of Adoption. And it appearing by affidavit filed herein that the whereabouts of Joshua Raymont Ransome and Caitlin Raine Walton Ransome are unknown, and that due diligence to locate Joshua Raymont Ransome and Caitlin Raine Walton Ransome has been used, without effect, it is therefore ORDERED that Joshua Raymont Ransome and Caitlin Raine Walton Ransome appear on or before May 30, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hanover Circuit Court and do what is necessary to protect their interest. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Susan H. Brewer VSB# 15889 2224 Park Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220-2715 Telephone: (804) 359-0897 SusanBrewer97@gmail.com
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. FLORENCE I. LUNDY, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-324 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 454 East Ladies Mile Road, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number N000-1664/012, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Florence I. Lundy and Grace D. Williams. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, F LOREN CE I . L U N D Y, who has been served by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that FLORENCE I. LUNDY, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JAMES S. BALL, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-1470 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1201½ North 31st Street,, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E000-0721/019, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner(s) of record, [ownrec1]. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, JAMES S. BALL, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and ELSIE MAE C. BALL, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that JAMES S. BALL, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, ELSIE MAE C. BALL, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. FRESH START PROPERTY SOLUTIONS, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-987 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 609 Overbrook Road, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number N000-0592/009, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Fresh Start Property Solutions, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that CORA D. FARMER, upon information and belief deceased, who may have an ownership interest in the property per a deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 750 page 1957 on April 19, 1979, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that BARRY T. FARMER, upon information and belief deceased, who may have an ownership interest in the property per a deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 750 page 1957 on April 19, 1979, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that EUGENE V. FARMER, upon information and belief deceased, who may have an ownership interest in the property per a deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 804
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. EVA BERNSTEIN, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-1519 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1204 North 19th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000552/013, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Eva Bernstein. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, EVA BERNSTEIN, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that EVA BERNSTEIN, upon
Continued on next column
Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. H L INVESTMENT CORPORATION, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-1437 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1401 North 29th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000717/018, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, H L INVESTMENT CORPORATION. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, H L INVESTMENT CORPORATION, an entity purged from the records o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/ or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” I T I S OR D ERE D that H L INVESTMENT CORPORATION, an entity purged from the records o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. WILLIE LEE BRAXTON, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-1471 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1411 North 30th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000718/011, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Willie Lee Braxton and Minerva Jones Braxton. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, WILLIE LEE BRAXTON, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, MINERVA JONES BRAXTON, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that WILLIE LEE BRAXTON, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, MINERVA JONES BRAXTON, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. R. B. CHAFFIN, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-188 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1709 Claiborne Street Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number W0000646/009, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, R. B. CHAFFIN, Trustee for John H. Chaffin. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, JOHN H. CHAFFIN, who died on June 30, 1951 per his will filed in the records of the Continued on next page
Richmond Free Press
April 26-28, 2018 B7
Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous page
Continued from previous column
Richmond Circuit Court at Will Book 12 page 294, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that R. B. CHAFFIN, upon information and belief deceased, Trustee for John H. Chaffin, as evidenced by a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 192-C page 101 on February 12, 1907, or his successor/s in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that SARAH CHAFFIN BROOKS, JOHN H. CHAFFIN, JR, and WILLIAM W. CHAFFIN, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that JOHN H. CHAFFIN, who died on June 30, 1951 per his will filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Will Book 12 page 294, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, R. B. CHAFFIN, upon information and belief deceased, Trustee for John H. Chaffin, as evidenced by a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 192-C page 101 on February 12, 1907, or his successor/s in title, SARAH CHAFFIN BROOKS, JOHN H. CHAFFIN, JR, WILLIAM W. CHAFFIN, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
CORPORATION, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 399 page 545 on May 30, 1972, SOUTH HILL INTERNAL MEDICINE, E . Wa r r e n M a t t h e w s , Registered Agent, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JOHN MELVIN WALKER, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-253 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1900 Maury Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S0000290/009, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, John Melvin Walker and Berta Mae Walker. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, JOHN MELVIN WALKER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and BERTA MAE WALKER, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that JAMES WALKER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and VINCENT WALKER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that DAVID WALKER, who may have an ownership interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that COMPREHENSIVE FORECLOSURE SERVICES CORPORATION, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 399 page 545 on May 30, 1972, has not filed a response to this action; that SOUTH HILL INTERNAL MEDICINE, E . Wa r r e n M a t t h e w s , Registered Agent, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that JOHN MELVIN WALKER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, BERTA MAE WALKER, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, JAMES WALKER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, VINCENT WALKER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, D AV I D WALKER, COMPREHENSIVE FORECLOSURE SERVICES Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. BELIEVE & RECEIVE MINISTRIES, INC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5825 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2610 Hull Street aka 2608, 2612 and 2614 Hull Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S0000787/004, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Believe & Receive Ministries, Inc. aka Believe & Receive Ministry, Inc . An Affidavit having been filed that THOMAS R. WRENN, owner of the property per a deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 599 Page 1245 on November 16, 1983, described as “Parcel II” a portion of which was omitted from the deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 05-5223 on February 17, 2005, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that NORMAN SEAY, Beneficiary of Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 09-24625 on November 4, 2009, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/ or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that THOMAS R. WRENN, owner of the property per a deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 599 Page 1245 on November 16, 1983, described as “Parcel II” a portion of which was omitted from the deed filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 05-5223 on February 17, 2005, NORMAN SEAY, Beneficiary of Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 09-24625 on November 4, 2009, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. NANNIE BELLE PARHAM, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-1269 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2919 S Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E000-0565/001, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner(s) of record, [ownrec1]. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, NANNIE BELLE PARHAM, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that NANNIE BELLE PARHAM, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. Continued on next column
Continued from previous column
City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. S. L. SNELLINGS, et al. Defendants. Case No. : CL18-1270 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3612 Stockton Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0060058/008, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, S. L. Snellings. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, S. L. SNELLINGS, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that S. L. SNELLINGS, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
Continued from previous column
Continued from previous column
Continued from previous column
Continued from previous column
ERVIN G. BELL, who upon information and belief is deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and GRACIE D. BELL, who upon information and belief is deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that BRENDA B. TRIBETT, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action; that EVERETT M. FIELDS, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that ERVIN G. BELL, who upon information and belief is deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, GRACIE D. BELL, who upon information and belief is deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, BRENDA B. TRIBETT, EVERETT M. FIELDS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
R. Joyner, Jr., et al. CL17-4890 2403 Everett Street S0000565013 City of Richmond v. TriHuskies, LLC, et al. CL18-468 2304 Fairfax Avenue S0000550004 City of Richmond v. TriHuskies, LLC, et al. CL18-469 2214 Ford Avenue E0000756003 City of Richmond v. Irma Wines, et al. CL17-2423 606 Freeman Road W0001586006 City of Richmond v. Marvin C. Durham, et al. CL17-5141 4100 Grantlake Road C0080829050 City of Richmond v. Richmond Christian Charities, Inc., et al. CL18-184 2717 Girffin Avenue N0000697020 City of Richmond v. Michael Kilday, et al. CL17-5059 2100 Halifax Avenue S0000763010 City of Richmond v. Titus W. Jones, et al. CL17-5143 5400 Hansdale Road C0080736002 City of Richmond v. Hiram C. Smith, et al. CL18-299 1501 Hull Street S0000197014 City of Richmond v. Northern Virginia Investments, LLC, et al. CL17-4866 2322 Hull Street S0000681008 City of Richmond v. Anthony V. Archer, et al. CL17-5469 2852 Hull Street S0001222007 City of Richmond v. Hiram C. Smith, et al. CL17-5575 3937 Hull Street Road C0060158005 City of Richmond v. J. Conrad Smith, et al. CL17-5836 2001 Ingram Avenue S0000762011 City of Richmond v. Miranda Squire, et al. CL17-4076 2003 Ingram Avenue S0000762012 City of Richmond v. Miranda Squire, et al. CL17-4077 4005 Jefferson Davis Highway S0090144003 City of Richmond v. Mizan Khan, et al. CL17-4994 3716 Lawson Street S0002905004 City of Richmond v. Lucas Byrd, et al. CL17-5441 2 West Leigh Street N0000104027 City of Richmond v. Clarine B. Taylor, et al. CL18-465 115 Lipscomb Street S0000151012 City of Richmond v. TriState Huskies, LLC, et al. CL18-470 2312 Lumkin Avenue S0080525010 City of Richmond v. Newstart Properties, LLC, et al. CL17-4762 1406 Lynhaven Avenue S0071229015 City of Richmond v. Stanley W. Jones, et al. CL17-4117 1603 Magnolia Street N0000661002 City of Richmond v. Ann M. Morris, et al. CL17-4763 2417 Marion Mashore Street S0000566023 City of Richmond v. Lottie Miller, et al. CL17-6033 1415 Mechanicsville Turnpike E0000768027 City of Richmond v. Robert H. Smallenberg, et al. CL17-5033 1429 Mechanicsville Turnpike E0000768034 City of Richmond v. Calvin Booker, et al. CL17-5827 1317 Minefee Street S0071134051 City of Richmond v. Communications, Inc., et al. CL17-4807 1337 Minefee Street S0071134035 City of Richmond v. Communications, Inc., et al. CL17-5851 207 Minor Street N0000375004 City of Richmond v. Indiana T. Hill CL17-4764 1611 National Street E0002912008 City of Richmond v. Donavan L. Marrow, et al. CL17-5826 2615 North Avenue N0000642015 City of Richmond v. W. S. Watkins, Jr., et al. CL17-5150 2505 Oakland Avenue S0071376010 City of Richmond v. John G. Dunn, Jr., et al. CL17-6120 1316 Overlook Street S0071180023 City of Richmond v. William E. Fisher Jr., et al. CL17-5619 974 Pink Street E0000425010 City of Richmond v. RJR Ventures, LLC, et al. CL17-4215 3101 Porter Street S0001357003 City of Richmond v. Mark D. Militana, et al. CL17-4786 2510 Q Street E0000519018 City of Richmond v. Wildcat Investments, LLC, et al. CL17-5884 1431 Rogers Street E0000771023 City of Richmond v. Sam M. Fleming, et al. CL17-5914 2708 Selden Street
E0120292009 City of Richmond v. Robert L. Snow, et al. CL17-3127 1807 T Street E0000612003 City of Richmond v. Arthur R. King Jr., et al. CL17-4255 4100 Terminal Avenue C0090449030 City of Richmond v. Grace B. Walker CL17-5620 4100 Rear Terminal Avenue C0090449038 City of Richmond v. A.L. Hendrick, et al. CL17-6054 5328 Troy Road C0080377018 City of Richmond v. Barbara A. Custalow, et al. CL17-5151 2318 Venable Street E0000425019 City of Richmond v. Vernon Woody, et al. CL17-4173 2405 Whitcomb Street E0120224066 City of Richmond v. Vernon Woody, et al. CL17-4637 2100 Wood Street E0001056020 City of Richmond v. Vernon Woody, et al. CL17-6005 TERMS OF SALE: All sales are subject to confirmation by the Richmond Circuit Court. A buyer’s premium of 10% of the successful bid will be added to equal the total purchase price. The highest bidder shall deposit 20% of the total purchase price, or $2500.00, whichever is greater, at the time of the auction. Bids which are less than $2500.00 shall be paid in full at the time of the auction. The highest bidder shall deposit the balance of the purchase price with the Special Commissioner by a date and in a form as identified by the Special Commissioner in a settlement instruction letter. Deed recordation costs will be the responsibility of the highest bidder and shall also be deposited with the Special Commissioner by a date and in a form as identified by the Special Commissioner in a settlement instruction letter. Time is of the essence. The Special Commissioner may require a defaulting highest bidder to forfeit the deposit, and seek other legal or equitable rights, including costs of resale and any deficiency resulting from resale. Settlement shall occur at the time of the confirmation by the Richmond Circuit Court. Conveyance will be made by either a special commissioner’s deed or a special warranty deed, with adjustment of real estate taxes made as of the date of the confirmation by court. Properties are sold “as is” without any representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, subject to the rights of any person in possession, and to all easements, liens, covenants, defects, encumbrances, adverse claims, conditions and restrictions, whether filed or inchoate, to include any information a survey or inspection of a property may disclose. It is assumed that bidders will make a visual exterior inspection of a property within the limits of the law, determine the suitability of a property for their purposes, and otherwise perform due diligence prior to the auction. Any costs incurred to inspect a property are at the expense of the bidder. The acceptance of a bid by the Special Commissioner shall not be construed as limiting any powers vested in the City of Richmond. Additional terms may be announced at the time of sale. Please be advised that in order to qualify as a bidder at this auction, you may not owe delinquent taxes to the City of Richmond and you may not be a defendant in any pending delinquent tax matter. All bidders shall be required to certify by affidavit that they do not own, either directly or indirectly, any real estate with outstanding notices of code violations under local environmental, zoning and building code law. Questions concerning the properties or the tax sale process may be directed to the Special Commissioner by email at greg.lukanuski@ richmondgov.com or by phone at (804) 646-7949, or to Christie Hamlin by email at Christie.hamlin@ richmondgov.com or by phone at (804) 646-6940. Gregory A. Lukanuski Senior Assistant City Attorney Special Commissioner 900 East Broad Street, Room 400 Richmond, VA 23219
BID
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. ERVIN G. BELL, et al, Defendants Case No.: CL17-5621 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3816 Terminal Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090505/004, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Ervin G. Bell and Gracie D. Bell. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners,
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SPECIAL COMMISSIONER’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Pursuant to the terms of Orders of Sale entered in the Richmond Circuit Court, the undersigned Special Commissioner will offer for sale at public auction the following real estate at Motleys Asset Disposition Group, 3600 Deepwater Terminal Road, Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday May 16, 2018 at 3:00pm, or as soon thereafter as may be effected. The sale is subject to the terms and conditions below and any terms and conditions which may be announced on the day of auction. Announcements made on the day of the auction take precedence over any prior written or verbal terms of sale. 2612 3rd Avenue N0000716001 City of Richmond v. Virginia M. Hickman, et al. CL17-4638 3301 4th Avenue N00051184001 City of Richmond v. Franklin James Pollard, Sr. et al. CL17-3725 1313 North 22nd Street E0000616021 City of Richmond v. TriState Huskies, LLC, et al. CL18-466 1824 North 28th Street E0120426002 City of Richmond v. TriState Huskies, LLC, et al. CL18-467 509 North 28th Street E0000528025 City of Richmond v. Joseph Bagby, et al. CL17-5573 312 North 32nd Street E0000731011 City of Richmond v. Retro, LLC, et al. CL17-5258 607 North 37th Street E0001415008 City of Richmond v. Mary A. Brooks, et al. CL17-5142 4418 Arnwood Road C0090972034 City of Richmond v. Jack W. Biggins, et al. CL17-6053 701A Belt Boulevard C0060158003 City of Richmond v. J. Conrad Smith, et al. CL17-5605 2023 Boston Avenue S0000348021 City of Richmond v. Joseph Walker, et al. CL17-3981 300 East Brookland Park Boulevard N0000978012 City of Richmond v. Junius Ross, et al. CL17-5285 2310 Burton Street E0000427022 City of Richmond v. Fernando Jenkins, et al. CL17-3984 716 Cheatwood Avenue N0180453021 City of Richmond v. Mary Nelson Johnson, et al. CL17-4814 1913 Chelsea Street E0000832007 City of Richmond v. Alma Jeffers Wright, et al. CL17-5060 6321 Daytona Drive C0070553036 City of Richmond v. Maud J. Shepperson, et al. CL18-110 3409 Deerwood Road S0080781051 City of Richmond v. MIttie Geneoria Goff, et al. CL17-5576 2003 Dinwiddie Avenue S0000346014 City of Richmond v. Angeline Taylor, et al. CL17-5016 1511 Drewry Street S0071332021 City of Richmond v. Willie
Continued on next column
Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. ERVIN G. BELL, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5622 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3812 Terminal Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090505/002, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Ervin G. Bell and Gracie D. Bell. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, ERVIN G. BELL, who upon information and belief is deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and GRACIE D. BELL, who upon information and belief is deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that BRENDA B. TRIBETT, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action; that EVERETT M. FIELDS, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that ERVIN G. BELL, who upon information and belief is deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, GRACIE D. BELL, who upon information and belief is deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, B R E N D A B . T R I B E T T, EVERETT M. FIELDS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 24, 2018 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940
Continued on next column
COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION ITB # 18-1655-4CLE – Partial Roof Recovery and Gutter Installation Project at Deep Run High School. This project consists of roof recovery of one section of modified bitumen membrane roofing. Due 3:00 pm, May 15, 2018. Additional information available at: https://henrico.us/finance/ divisions/purchasing/.
Assisted Living Facility has the following positions open. PCA or CNA to work, PRN, Medication Aide and experience Housekeeper. Provide a current TB report when applying. All references will be checked. Good pay – Goody days off. Previous applicants need not apply. Call for appointment (804) 222-5133.
Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond. To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com. EOE M/F/D/V
Radiation Oncologist in Richmond, VA & other VCU Health System sites in VA. Diagnose & treat cancer using radiation techniques & treatments. Order treatments, tests & consult w/specialty physicians & primary care physicians were appropriate. Mail resume to D. Slayden, VCU Health System Authority, 701 East Franklin Street, 9th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.
SExton (part-time) Ebenezer Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia is seeking a part-time Sexton. Janitorial experience preferred. Applicants can pick up an application from the church office or submit a resumé to: Ebenezer Baptist Church 216 W. Leigh Street Richmond, Virginia 23220 Attention: Personnel A Criminal Background Check Is Required.
TransiT sysTem
Senior iS Project Manager Full time Exempt Salary $70,000 - $90,000 Closes: May 2, 2018
GRTC Transit System in Richmond, Virginia seeks a highly qualified candidate with strong technical skills and project management expertise to ensure successful implementation of various IT Transportation projects. This position will work under direction of the IT Director, manage implementation of Information System (IS) projects of large size, including application maintenance, support and process improvement projects to accomplish the goals and objectives of several key projects simultaneously. Knowledge of IT architecture, infrastructure and networking is necessary. A bachelor’s degree in Information Systems is highly preferred, with 5 years’ experience in various areas of information systems. Experience in the Transit Industry preferred. 3 years in successful project management utilizing project management tools, systems development lifecycles and methodology. PMP certification preferred. Excellent communication and problem- solving skills required. Candidates may apply online at www.ridegrtc.com. A pre-employment drug screening will be required. GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.
To advertise in the
Richmond Free Press call 644-0496
Continued on next column
The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: IFB M180021668 – Bank Street Pedestrian and Bike Improvements (UPC 107532) Due Date: May 17, 2018 at 2:30 P.M. Receipt Location: 900 East Broad Street, Room 1104, 11th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219 Opening Date: May 18, 2018 at 2:30 P.M. Pre-bid Date: April 24, 2018 at 2:30 P.M. Pre-bid Location: City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Room 1104, 11th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219 Information or copies of the above solicitation is available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.RichmondGov. com), or at 11th Floor of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone (804) 646-5716 or faxed (804) 646-5989. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process. For reference purposes, documents may be examined at the above location.
B8
Richmond Free Press
April 26-28, 2018
Sports Plus/News
Colin Kaepernick recognized with Amnesty International award Free Press wire report
AMSTERDAM Amnesty International presented former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick its Ambassador of Conscience Award last Saturday for his kneeling protest of racial injustice that launched a sports movement and cost him his job. Former San Francisco 49ers teammate Eric Reid was there for Mr. Kaepernick’s award presentation during a ceremony in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Kaepernick described police killings of African-Americans and Latinos in the United States as lawful lynchings. “Racialized oppression and dehumanization is woven into the very fabric of our nation, the effects of which can be seen in the lawful lynching of black and brown people by the police and the mass incarceration of black and brown lives in the prison industrial complex,” Mr. Kaepernick said. Mr. Kaepernick first took a knee during the pre-game playing of the American national anthem when he was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 to protest police brutality. “How can you stand for the national anthem of a nation that preaches and propagates ‘freedom and justice for all’ that is so unjust to so many of the people living there?” he said at the ceremony. Other players joined his protest in the 2016 season, drawing the ire of President Trump, who called for team owners to fire such players. In response to the player demonstrations, the NFL agreed to commit $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes.
Mr. Kaepernick wasn’t signed for the 2017 season following his release in San Francisco. Mr. Reid, a safety who is now a free agent, continued Mr. Kaepernick’s protests by kneeling during the anthem last season. Mr. Reid has said he will take a different approach in 2018. Mr. Kaepernick paid tribute to his friend for his own role in the protest movement. “Eric introducing me for this prestigious award brings me great joy,” Mr. Kaepernick said. “But I am also pained by the fact that his taking a knee, and demonstrating courage to protect the rights of black and brown people in America, has also led to his ostracization from the NFL when he is widely recognized as one of the best competitors in the game and in the prime of his career.’” Amnesty International presents the award each year to a person or organization “dedicated to fighting injustice and using their talents to inspire others.” Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty called Mr. Kaepernick “an athlete who is now widely recognized for his activism because of his refusal to ignore or accept racial discrimination.” Previous recipients of the award include antiapartheid champion and South African President Nelson Mandela and Malalaá Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who campaigned for girls’ right to education even after surviving being shot by Taliban militants. “In truth, this is an award that I share with all of the countless people throughout the world combating the human rights violations of police officers and their uses of oppressive and excessive force,” Mr. Kaepernick said.
Peter Dejong/Associated Press
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, left, receives the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award from Salil Shetty, the organization’s secretary general, during a ceremony last Saturday in Amsterdam.
Williams sisters join Billie Jean King in equal pay push Free Press wire report
A day before playing in the 2005 final at the All England Club, Venus Williams addressed a meeting of the Grand Slam Board, urging Wimbledon and the French Open to offer equal pay to male and female players. “I said: ‘All of our hearts beat the same. When your eyes are closed, you really can’t tell, next to you, who’s a man and who’s a woman.’ And (I asked them) to think about their daughters and their wives and sisters. How would they like them to be treated?” Venus recalled. “Sometimes, we lose track of, and don’t even realize, our own bias and our own prejudice. And we have to confront ourselves.” The following afternoon, she won one of her seven major singles championships. About 1½ years later, Wimbledon announced it would, indeed, offer the same prize money to men and women in all rounds of the tournament, and the French Open soon followed suit, eliminating the pay gap at the four majors. Now, Venus and her sister, Serena, are adding their names and voices to the push for equal pay across all types of jobs that the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative is championing. The two current tennis stars are joining the advisory board of the group founded by the former player. The announcement made April 10 was timed to coincide with Equal Pay Day, which approximates how far into a new year a woman must work to earn what a man made by the previous Dec. 31. “Venus, in particular, helped us get equal prize money in the majors. She was amazing. She really got Wimbledon to make the big step,” Ms. King said in a telephone interview. “Venus
pion Andy Roddick, former NBA player Jason Collins, singer Elton John and CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. It was a pretty easy sell for Ms. King to add the Williams sisters, owners of a combined 30 Grand Slam singles titles, along with another 14 they’ve won together in doubles. “We always put our hands up for Billie. We love her. She has a tremendous history, not just in women’s tennis, but in leading rights for people, in Stephen Chernin/Associated Press file photo general, no matter who they Tennis stars Venus Williams, left, and her sister, Serena, flank former tennis champion were,” Venus said. “Billie could Billie Jean King in this March 2009 photo at Madison Square Garden in New York. be at the point in her life now The Williams sisters are joining the advisory board of the Billie Jean King Leadership where she could say, ‘Hey, I’m Initiative to push for equal pay for women in all jobs. going to sit back and enjoy my has always had the courage to step up. And Serena’s the same life.’ But she’s still working hard for others. And that’s a prime way. They step up. I mean, Serena is not afraid to say whatever example for every single person. Your work on this earth never ends, as long as there is inequality.” is on her mind.” Ms. King, for her part, looks at the Williams sisters as among Ms. King added, “They’ve been through a lot themselves, so they totally understand what’s going on. The two of them have those who can carry on the work she started decades ago. “I am in my 70s, so I am looking to younger people to take transcended sports. The BJKLI is not about sports. It’s about every industry — to try to get equal pay for equal work, and that up the mill as I phase out over time,” Ms. King said. “I’ve got energy right now, so we’re teeing everything up so we’re in means across the board, from CEOs down to entry level.” Ms. King’s Leadership Initiative was formed in 2014, and great shape for the legacy of the BJKLI, because I want it to other advisory board members include 2003 U.S. Open cham- have a life after I’m out of here.”
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
William & Mary board apologizes for role in slavery Continued from A1
SITE DIRECTOR, VCU/VCUHS Health Education and Wellness Center Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for the inaugural Site Director of the Health Education and Wellness Center (Center) which will be located on Nine Mile Road and 25th Street in Richmond, Virginia. This position is a duel assignment between VCU’s Center for Urban Communities and VCUHS’s Division of Health Impact. Position: The Site Director will provide operational support to the inaugural Health Education and Wellness Center (Center) adjacent to the new grocery store which will be located in the east end of Richmond, Virginia. In order to deepen and accelerate VCU and VCU Health System’s work in promoting health equity and addressing the social determinants of health, this position will work collaboratively to help lead the planning, launch and operation of the Center. The Site Director will provide operational support and oversight for the ongoing design, implementation, coordination and assessment of academic, medical and related services to be provided at the Center. The Site Director will also provide leadership in evaluation and communicating the long-term impact of the Center in the Community. As an anchor tenant, the Site Director will work collaboratively with the grocery store operator, and other key vendors to identify and pursue shared goals and objectives. The Site Director will also serve as the key point of contact to foster relationships with key stakeholders in the East End, including but not limited to community leaders, residents, businesses, non-profit and philanthropic partners, and public officials, to facilitate collaborative partnerships and align services with community needs and assets. Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a minimum of three to five years of increasingly responsible operational and administrative experience related to management of a non-profit or health care organization or within an academic institution, including knowledge of activity based wellness programs based on research, data and evidence based results. This position requires experience working effectively with diverse community partners, faculty, staff and students within a complex university or community-based organization. A relevant Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required as well as a record of strong interpersonal, relationship development and community engagement. The ability to think creatively and strategically to identify opportunities and maximize resources as well as plan, coordinate and execute programs and events is necessary. The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge of and/or experience working in the East End of the City of Richmond. Salary range: $60,000 - $80,000 Application Process: Interested individuals should apply at www.vcujobs.com. Please submit any questions concerning this search, in confidence, to Laurie Carter, Associate Director for the Center for Urban Communities at ljcarter@vcu.edu. Materials will be reviewed starting May 1, 2018 and this position will remain open until filled. Materials received by May 1, 2018 will receive priority review. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action University, providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Have a Story Idea? Write
Richmond Free Press news@richmondfreepress.com
Follow social media. Follow us theonFree Press on @FreePressRVA @RichmondFreePressUSA
lingering effects of past injustices,” the resolution stated. Board member Warren W. Buck III, who was among the first African-American graduate students to earn a degree from the statesupported school in Williamsburg, appeared to hold back tears as he commented on the resolution. “It warms my heart and my soul,” Dr. Buck said. “It is a journey. It’s not over but this sends a signal to everyone in not only the country but the world that we are serious about this.” (Dr. Buck, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University in 1968, earned a master’s in Mr. Reveley 1970 and a Ph.D. in 1976 in theoretical physics from William & Mary. During that time, he was vocal in his protests of the university band playing “Dixie” at home football games and helped found the Black Student Organization at the college. Dr. Buck went on to teach physics at Hampton University among other institutions and is a professor and chancellor emeritus of the University of Washington at Bothell.) Todd A. Stottlemyer, rector of the university, said, “Actions are even more important and there’s more to do.” (Founded in 1693, William & Mary is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the nation behind Harvard University.) Elijah Levine, president of the Student Assembly, said at first he was taken aback by the frankness of the board’s statement on how the institution had benefited from slavery. Mr. Levine said the statement was important for him to hear
as an African-American student. “I felt hopeful, at least if we can begin a conversation like this on a board level. It will lead to calling white supremacy what it is and the effect it has,” he said. “To me, that’s the only way we’re going to break any ground on inclusivity … While it’s certainly a meaningful step to put this down on paper, it needs to be backed up with action.” In 2005 when Terry Meyers, a professor emeritus of English, was researching a campus building, he came across Fanny and Adam, two children who had been enslaved by the college. As a result, in 2007 the Student Assembly passed a resolution asking the college to conduct research on its history of slavery, to make those findings public and to erect a Dr. Buck memorial to the enslaved. This was the start of the Lemon Project, which is named for one of the enslaved whose name was listed only as “Lemon.” Since then, the project has taken multiple steps to address and correct the college’s legacy of racism and discrimination. Some of these include classes and recurring events such as the “Porch Talk.” Porch talks are public events that range from discussions on how to navigate conversations and issues about race to drum circles that celebrate African-American culture. The college also is planning to create a memorial to honor those who were enslaved by the university. Other colleges that have apologized for their roles in slavery include the University of Virginia and Georgetown University. The Richmond Free Press contributed to this article.