‘Mother of South Africa’ mourned
‘If I were mayor…’
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Richmond Free Press © 2018 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
VOL. 27 NO. 14
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
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APRIL 5-7, 2018
Remembering MLK People in Richmond and across the nation pause to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his death Free Press staff, wire reports
On the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed 50 years ago, tens of thousands of people gathered at small and large events in Richmond and other cities on Wednesday to mourn his death, celebrate his life and rekindle his struggle for economic and social justice. In Richmond, Virginia Union University hosted “MLK50: Moment of Remembrance” with the Office of Mayor Related story on A3, Levar M. Stoney to discuss “Where do Editorial A6 we go from here?” In Memphis, where Dr. King was gunned down at 6:01 p.m. April 4, 1968, people wrapped themselves in coats and hats in the unseasonably cool weather to rally with signs bearing the slogan of the striking sanitation workers Dr. King had gone to Memphis to support: “I AM A MAN.” Please turn to A4
Joe Morrissey disbarred for violating State Bar rules
Medicaid expansion to be key in state budget battle April 11 By Jeremy M. Lazarus
By Jeremy M. Lazarus
“Fighting Joe” has been hit with a knockout blow. For the second time in his career, Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey, a savvy attorney and former Richmond prosecutor who built a reputation as a courtroom battler, has lost his license to practice law. While dismissing 18 of the 21 charges Mr. Morrissey the regulatory Virginia State Bar brought against him, a three-judge panel hit the 60-year-old Mr. Morrissey with the harshest punishment possible — revocation of his law license. If the judges’ decision stands, Mr. Morrissey would have to close his law practice based in Highland Springs and could not represent clients in state courts. He could still teach, work behind the scenes and be involved with clients in administrative cases involving government agencies. He also could run for public office — and there is a rumor Please turn to A4
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
On parade Dr. Oshan Gadsden gives his daughter, Zuri, a heightened view of the festivities during Sunday’s Easter on Parade on Monument Avenue. The vantage point also allowed her brightly colored costume to be seen by crowds at the annual holiday event. Please see more photos, B3.
Why is it flying?
Please turn to A5
Armstrong High time capsule takes alumni, students back in history By Saraya Wintersmith
By Jeremy M. Lazarus
The Confederacy may have been defeated, but the flags of the rebels who fought to separate from the United States to keep black people in bondage still fly in city-owned cemeteries. The original national flag of the Confederacy, which also was the first battle
Related story A5 flag, can be found in Riverview Cemetery in the West End and Maury Cemetery in South Side, both owned and operated by the city. The flag has a white stripe between two red stripes and a circle of seven white stars on a blue field in the upper left corner. At both cemeteries, the Confederate banner flies from a tall pole that the United Daughters of the Confederacy set up. The Richmond-based UDC owns the section of each cemetery where the flags fly, which is why it is allowed, according to Thomas M. Byrnes of the Office of the Press Secretary to the Mayor. UDC officials did not respond to a
The high-stakes battle over Virginia’s next two-year budget resumes next Wednesday, April 11. On the line: Expansion of health care to 300,000 to 400,000 low-income Virginians, pay raises for state workers and teachers, and increased state support for education, mental health and workforce development. Gov. Northam G o v. R a l p h S . Northam called a special legislative session for next week for the General Assembly to resume work on the two-year spending plan after the House of Delegates and state Senate left Richmond on March 10 without approving a spending plan for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years. Both houses must agree on a budget before July 1 to avoid a government
shutdown. The big issue: Expansion of Medicaid to cover adults who have no health insurance and mostly rely on hospital emergency rooms for care. Gov. Northam is seeking to do what his predecessor, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, could not — secure approval to bring uninsured working adults in Virginia under the health insurance umbrella. So far, the votes have yet to Lt. Gov. Fairfax materialize, the same problem Mr. McAuliffe faced. The 40-member Senate, with a 2119 Republican majority, balked at the expansion on a party line vote, with all GOP members standing firm, leaving the governor two votes shy. At the same time, House Republicans,
Bonnie V. Winston/Richmond Free Press
The first national Confederate flag, spotted last week, flies in the city-owned Riverview Cemetery in Richmond’s West End.
Free Press request for information about the flags. It appears the flags on display have not stirred any protests. The flag, to which additional stars were added in 1861 as more states left the Union Please turn to A4
Armstrong High School’s storied past collided with its present last Saturday as a legion of several hundred Wildcats, mostly from the Armstrong High School Alumni Coalition, gathered to witness the opening of a 1952 time capsule. The time capsule — a bread box-sized, tarnished copper container — sat inside the foundation of the former Armstrong High School building on 31st Street in the East End until it was discovered recently when the building was demolished. The alumni coalition, established to preserve and promote the history and legacy of the historic school, thought the capsule had been placed in 1951, when the former building was constructed. But during a lively ceremony on Saturday at the current Armstrong building on Cool Lane, the box’s contents made it clear that the capsule Please turn to A4
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Former schools Superintendent Lucille M. Brown, seated center, an Armstrong High School alumna, describes for the audience the contents of the 1952 time capsule found during demolition of the former Armstrong building on 31st Street. Dr. Brown is flanked by Meg Hughes, left, of The Valentine museum and architectural historian Kimberly Chen who were handling the fragile items. Looking on are, from left, Armstrong Principal Willie Bell, School Board member Cheryl L. Burke and Dennis H. Harvey, chair of the Armstrong High School Alumni Coalition.
Richmond Free Press
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Local News
Near the finish line? This notice in the 1700 block of Colorado fixed completion date under the contract with Avenue in the West End signals that construc- Lane Construction Co. tion may soon be finished on GRTC’s new bus “The project team continues to push to get rapid-transit system called “Pulse.” the work completed as early as possible and will GRTC promised to overhaul regular bus routes announce a service launch date” when that is and bus stops when Pulse starts operations, and known, she stated, adding that Pulse service is the new signs posted around the area indicate projected to begin this summer following testing GRTC is preparing for the end and approval. of construction and the start of Next week, Pulse stations at service changes. 10 locations are scheduled to The completion of Pulse Slices of life and scenes get finishing touches, including would be good news for busiinstallation of cedar ceilings inin Richmond nesses that have lost customers side stations and pedestrian curb along the Pulse route because of the construc- cuts to make it easier for people in wheelchairs tion work and commuters weary of the traffic to reach the stations. disruption the $64 million project has created, No additional work is scheduled on stations particularly along Broad Street. at four locations for the week beginning Sunday, In a statement to the Free Press on Monday, April 8, according to GRTC. Those stations are GRTC spokeswoman Carrie Rose Pace stated that located on Broad Street at Willow Lawn Drive, “construction activities continue for the GRTC Staples Mill Road, Cleveland Street and the Pulse project,” noting that June 30 remains the Science Museum of Virginia.
Cityscape
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
City natural gas price going down Richmond residents who cook and heat with natural gas will get a price break on its cost next month because of a sharp jump in production. An abundance of natural gas has led to a slide in the market price, allowing the Richmond Department of Public Utilities to pay less. The department is passing on the savings to residential and business customers in the form of a 31 percent reduction in the purchased gas cost, or PGC, charge, one of the largest items on the city utility bill. “This is good news for our customers,” interim DPU Director Rosemary Green stated in announcing the reduction. “We are always heartened when market conditions allow us to lower rates and pass on the savings.” Essentially, the department is reversing the price increase it imposed in February and dropping the PGC charge closer to the 2015 level as a result of the falling price of natural gas. The reduction in the PGC is expected to translate into a savings of nearly $9 a month for the average residential customer. Currently, customers pay a PGC charge of 52.5 cents per 100 cubic feet of natural gas used. Next month, the charge will drop to 40 cents per 100 cubic feet of natural gas. (One hundred cubic feet equals 1 ccf, the unit of measurement seen on gas bills.) The PGC charge hit a low of 32.5 cents per 100 cubic feet in 2015, but bounced up to 45 cents per 100 cubic feet in November 2016. The increase in the PGC in February was the first since then. The department said at the time that the increase was needed because harsher winter conditions had led to increased demand and a higher price for natural gas. The department uses the PGC to recover its cost for buying natural gas. “By law,” Ms. Green stated, “DPU passes along the cost of natural gas that is purchased and delivered to customers dollar for dollar, without any markup.” — JEREMY M. LAZARUS
City Hall fends off ransomware attack By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Hours, enforcement increase for city meters
April Coleman/Richmond Free Press
Drivers can now park longer at Downtown street meters, but the city also plans to increase enforcement. The change, which became effective Monday, allows drivers a three-hour stay in a metered parking space in the Central Business District instead of the current two hours, the city Department of Public Works has announced. That change aims to give “patrons an opportunity to visit the numerous businesses in the commercial corridor,” Public Works spokeswoman Sharon North stated in announcing the change in a news release last week. Current rules require a driver to move a vehicle at least 500 feet after two hours; the change means the driver would have an extra 60 minutes before having to move. Ms. North stated that parking rules now are being enforced in some areas from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., instead from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. She stated that the extended parking enforcement initially is focusing on Broad Street between Belvidere and 4th streets. The new rules would require the department to post new signs to notify drivers of the changes,
particularly in areas where enforcement has been extended to 8 p.m. Additionally, as of July 1, people using metered spaces could face a 25 cent hike in the cost of parking each hour — a 20 percent increase — and could face a $25 fine for neglecting to pay. The $25 fine also would be a 25 percent hike, up $5 from the current $20 fine for exceeding parking time limits. The proposed increases in the cost of metered street parking and parking fines are part of Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s budget package sent to Richmond City Council. If approved, metered parking would increase from $1.25 per hour to $1.50 per hour, though still far cheaper than the cost of parking in decks or lots. It would be the first increase since July 1, 2016, when the cost of parking at meters rose from 75 cents an hour to $1.25 per hour. Mayor Stoney said that the $20 fine for failing to pay the meter fees or letting the time run out has been in place for some time. He said Richmond needs to increase the fine to bring it more in line with other cities, though he noted most big cities charge more. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS
Campaign kickoff
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to enthusiastic supporters Monday evening at the Maggie Walker Governor’s School as he launches his campaign for a second, six-year term in Washington. The Richmond rally was the first of 22 stops the incumbent Democrat scheduled in his bid for a November election victory. Sen. Kaine, 60, is a former Virginia governor and Richmond mayor who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012. Three archconservative Republican supporters of President Trump will face-off in a June 12 GOP primary for the opportunity to challenge Sen. Kaine in November. They are Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors; Delegate Nick Freitas of Culpeper; and E.W. Jackson of Chesapeake, a minister and attorney who failed in his 2013 bid for lieutenant governor.
The Richmond City Hall information technology staff has fended off the same kind of ransomware attack that crippled city computers in Atlanta for more than a week. “We have had two or three instances of ransomware in the past year,” Charles Todd, director of the city Department of Information Technology, said. “We never contacted the extortionists because our staff was able to contain and remove the malicious code and restore server-based files from backups.” Mr. Todd said the department now is working to educate city employees about the Mr. Todd potential problems to reduce future risks. “City employees recently completed a mandatory Information Technology Security Training Course,” he said. “All should be aware of the potential for social engineering attacks that can introduce malware such as ransomware into the city’s computers, and all should know they are our first line of defense,” he said. Mr. Todd said his staff is “charged with having the proper skills to identify, contain and remove malicious code. As By Jeremy M. Lazarus part of our operations, DIT routinely assesses our position Brothers Jeffrey Finn and John S. Finn Jr. are in that regard.” breathing new life into the oldest African-AmericanRichmond also benefits, owned real estate company in continuous operation he said, from a strong backup in Richmond. system that would enable the The Finns, both real estate veterans, just acquired computer system to quickly the 104-year-old Robinson-Harris & Co. and added recover. it as a subsidiary to their fast-growing real estate Atlanta had to shut down its company, United Real Estate Richmond. computer system, which required “We are excited to be in a position to grow the employees, including police, to Robinson-Harris branch for another generation,” John return to a paper system. Finn stated in an announcement. The problem began when Mr. Finn stated that the Robinson-Harris office ransomware was introduced, and four employees are being relocated from 1417 allowing cyber-criminals to take Brook Road to space in Hanover County. charge of the Atlanta municipal Max Williams, a United real estate agent who computer system and demand previously worked with Robinson-Harris, has been a payment to restore it to use. named operations manager for the new office that Mr. The system was down for more Finn said would focus on real estate management, than six days. Atlanta officials consulting and land development. reported that the system was A 40-year real estate veteran, Mr. Finn said he coming back on line as of long dreamed of buying Robinson-Harris. Monday. “When I began my real estate career, Robinson-
Ava Reaves
104-year-old city real estate firm sold Harris & Co. was real estate royalty. We hope to bring it to a new level of production and profitability,” while keeping it in African-American hands. The original company was founded in Jackson Ward by S.W. Robinson and S.W. Robinson Jr., the grandfather and father of Mr. Williams the late civil rights lawyer and federal appeals court Judge Spottswood W. Robinson III, who teamed with Oliver W. Hill Sr. and other Richmond lawyers to challenged government-enforced segregation. According to Mr. Finn, early clients of the company included legendary Richmond businesswoman Maggie L. Walker and famed actor and tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. The name changed to Robinson-Harris after J. Reginald Harris became president and remained the same through several ownership changes. The company was most recently in the hands of principal broker Terry Crawley, who is retiring as a result of the sale.
Mr. Crawley said he is delighted the company will have new life. “The team at United understands the historic significance of our company. I am certain that the name and the dedication to excellence will live on.” Mr. Finn, who previously opMr. Finn erated Dominion First Realty in Richmond for 20 years, converted it with his brother to a United Real Estate franchise in 2015, with its base in Chesterfield County. Starting with six agents, the company now has 135 affiliated agents and ranks as the fourth largest real estate firm in the Richmond area, Mr. Finn said. Mr. Finn said the company is planning to expand this year with new offices in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and is looking to add offices in Hampton and Newport News. Mr. Finn said the growth is because of the company’s policy of having agents pay a fixed fee to handle sales, while the agents keep all of the commission.
Richmond Free Press
April 5-7, 2018
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Remembering MLK
Fifty years after the death
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, the world honors his legacy and leadership in civil rights activism to bring freedom, equality and justice to all people. Dr. King believed in the inherent worth of all people and sought through nonviolence to fight against racism, poverty and militarism, all barriers to living in what he called the “Beloved Community.” The “Beloved Community,” he detailed, is a place where all people can share in the bounty of the Earth. On the anniversary of his death, the Richmond Free Press asked five area thought leaders: Have we achieved Dr. King’s “Beloved Community”?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Rev. Phoebe A. Roaf, rector, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church As we remember the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, have the goals he so powerfully articulated been accomplished? One of the concepts developed by Dr. King is the “Beloved Community,” Rev. a future when all needs will be fulfilled as humanity shares Earth’s resources. In the Beloved Community, poverty, bigotry and war are eradicated. Dr. King was convinced that the Beloved Community could be achieved. He devoted himself to promulgating this vision of God’s kingdom here on Earth. Others, inspired by his vision, have pursued Dr. King’s legacy to the present time. Yet, considering the state of affairs in the city of Richmond, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States, we have fallen woefully short of the Beloved Community that Dr. King imagined. In Metro Richmond, men and women stand on street corners holding handmade signs requesting assistance. Public schoolteachers labor in poorly maintained buildings. The nightly news includes stories of violent confrontations between loved ones as well as total strangers. Mass shootings have become commonplace
events. Income inequality continues to widen in the United States. These conditions indicate the Beloved Community has not been achieved. Fifty years after Dr. King’s death, his vision remains a dream. However, why are we surprised at this fact? My faith teaches that the Beloved Community cannot be fully Roaf experienced this side of the grave. All of our needs will be fulfilled when our souls are reunited with God. I face the future with a sense of hope because I do not carry the burden of perfecting society alone. Many others share the load. For example, the March for Our Lives events on March 24 demonstrate that today’s youths are just as committed to the Beloved Community as their counterparts who spearheaded the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s. Dr. King dedicated his life to making our country a better place. What is asked of each of us is to do the best we can, as imperfect as our efforts may be. At the end of Dr. King’s life, I envision the Lord telling him, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). The question is not whether we have accomplished the Beloved Community. Rather, the question is when you and I reach the end of our lives, will God say the same to us?
Dr. Oliver W. “Duke” Hill Jr., professor of experimental psychology, Virginia State University Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of the “Beloved Community” referred to a society based on justice, equal opportunity and love of one’s fellow human beings. Has Dr. King’s vision been achieved? The answer is obvious, given the testimony of police Dr. Hill shootings, theTrump election, Charlottesville, the growing prison-industrial complex. The list could go on and on. However, Dr. King was an optimist, and I, too, think there is reason for optimism, despite the long, regressive list of counterexamples above. The scenes of torch-wielding neo-Nazis from Charlottesville and the mayhem they fomented reminded many of the violence and atrocities perpetrated by white supremacists in the 1950s and led many to conclude that we are now living in an even more hyper-racialized time. But having lived through those times, I can unequivocally say that we are not back there by a long shot. My father was a civil rights lawyer, and we got threatening phone calls every night. Whenever my father was out at night, my mother would wait for him on the back porch with a gun in her lap (even though I don’t think she knew which end was which). A cross was burned on our yard in Richmond, and I don’t even think it made the local news. It took recruiting from all over the United States and Canada to assemble 200 white supremacists in Charlottesville, and their marginalized status was highlighted by the resistance in that community and the outrage expressed all over the country and around the world — with the exception of the leader of the free world! In the 1950s, it was the non-white supremacists who were on the margins, and the white supremacists were the ordinary citizens — the police, the judges, the teachers. Black people shot by the police, or those who just “disappeared,” received little or no notice from the mainstream media. I don’t know of many African-Americans who thought we had gotten to a post-racial society, even though many white liberals were stunned at the overt racism evoked by the Trump campaign (America still racist? Who knew?!). The Charlottesville Nazis and their ilk are scary, and the Trump zeitgeist has allowed them to crawl out of their holes. However, looking back over the long span of my life, I do have to acknowledge that things have changed for the better. The white supremacists are now on the margins. The racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia emerging since the last presidential election has been countered by a new sense of activism that is rising up. I’m sure Dr. King would be heartened by the youth leadership exemplified by the Black Lives Matter, #Never Again and #MeToo movements that are transforming our country. The spectacle of the Trump presidency also is driving record voter registration numbers and motivating scores of women and people of color to run for public office. In quantum physics, there is a phenomenon known as a phase transition in which an incoherent system shifts instantaneously into a coherent state. This phase shift occurs when a small but critical mass of particles start to exhibit coherence, and then it suddenly spreads to the whole system. As we observe the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, I would like to think of our society as being on the cusp of a phase transition and that the Beloved Community is not as far away as it might appear. The writer is the son of the late Oliver W. Hill Sr., the noted Richmond civil rights attorney whose work helped end the doctrine of “separate but equal” in U.S. public education, bring equal pay to African-American teachers in Virginia and further voting rights among other landmark legal gains.
Dr. M. Imad Damaj, professor, — an increasing gap between hopes Department of Pharmacology and and realities of many millions of Toxicology, VCU School of Medicine Americans; mass incarceration; a For many, the vision of a “Beloved seemingly unending stream of police Community” as envisioned by Dr. shootings; and an alarming increase Martin Luther King Jr., died when in poverty. he was assassinated in 1968. In a time of rising nationalism, I was a 7-year-old living in Beibigotry and hate, the vision of the rut, Lebanon, at that time. In 1985, I Beloved Community can feel as imDr. Damaj departed my country of birth, leaving possible as ever. But for me and for behind a terrible civil war for a hope for a better many people, that vision still guides the work future and career. that we do and the hope that we carry. In 1991, I landed in Richmond after my I came from a part of the world where people graduate studies in Paris. Richmond gave me allowed themselves to be divided by hate toward and my family so much and I am so grateful one another’s religion, tribe or class. I came to and indebted to that community. Having vaguely the United States 27 years ago with many myths, heard of Dr. King and other giants of the Civil misconceptions and lies about race, class, peace Rights Movement like Malcolm X at my arrival, and much more. I quickly realized that I am enjoying the fruits If we wish to free ourselves from these toxic of the civil rights struggle. A movement that beliefs that afflict our hearts and souls, we need was essentially a struggle for the establishment to shine the light on our brokenness and transform of basic human rights for African-Americans ourselves to help build a community that reflects changed America’s racist immigration laws our ever-increasing wholeness and dignity. and resulted in the Immigration Act of 1965 For those who say that we have to “give it that lifted many of the race-based immigration time,” I remind you of the words of Dr. King restrictions that allowed me and many others in his last sermon: “Human progress never to settle here. rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes While tremendous progress has been made through the tireless efforts and persistent work since the 1960s toward establishing our Be- of dedicated individuals who are willing to be loved Community, a lot of challenges remain co-workers with God.”
Dr. John V. Moeser, emeritus professor of urban studies and planning at Virginia Commonwealth University and a retired senior fellow of the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Richmond If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were alive today and lived in Richmond, what would he say about this place? Dr. Moeser One thing for sure, he wouldn’t call it a “Beloved Community.” Far from it. And yet, precisely because of Richmond’s uniquely troubled past, I can hear him challenge us to do things that no other city has done. What place could better illustrate redemption and where all of God’s people live together than Richmond? What better place than this place, once the capital of the Confederacy, the center of the interstate slave trade, a place of unimaginable suffering that continued long after the Civil War and deep into the 20th century when black neighborhoods were destroyed by highways and urban redevelopment and where the human spirit was crushed because of unfulfilled promises to undo what was done? But, what if? What would Richmond look like if the people of Richmond mustered the vision, the courage, the will and the involvement to create a Beloved Community? What would it look like? I think it would be a place where citizens are willing to plunge the depths of their history openly and honestly, learn from it, and use it to bring together people who, for too long, have been estranged from each other to become friends and neighbors. A Beloved Richmond would be a place where the slave district, in its entirety, would be forever preserved as a sacred space and designed to induce reverence. A Beloved Richmond would erect a permanent cover over that segment of Interstate 95 that divided Jackson Ward. It would be landscaped with grass and flowers and support statuary that would memorialize the people who made this place more than a black neighborhood, but rather a separate city. A Beloved Community would be comprised of mixed-income neighborhoods where children of all races and backgrounds live together and attend safe schools together. It would be a city of economic promise where workers are paid living wages and encouraged to create their own businesses. It would be a place where ZIP code no longer determines one’s future, where 20year differences in life expectancy between East Richmond and West Richmond no longer exist. If Richmond were to speak honestly about its tragic history — not evade it or reinterpret it — and if we opened up about our own personal histories, we would discover that all of us have been scarred one way or another. Had it not been for the intervention of family, friends, even strangers whose love was unconditional, most of us — white and black alike — would be lost today. Just as we must forever remember the injustices experienced by African-Americans, we must forever celebrate their heroic endurance, their relentless resistance and their peaceful pursuit of civil rights. What could have been a bloodbath turned into a nonviolent crusade comprised largely of young people whose wounds — and their deaths — never gave way to retribution. They embodied the very essence of Dr. King’s Beloved Community. Richmond, more so than any city in the nation, has an opportunity to use history constructively to become a place of hospitality, a place that welcomes the stranger, a place for all of God’s people, where residents of Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover and Richmond alike call home. We could make concrete what Dr. King envisioned. It is only when Richmond becomes a good city that it becomes a great city.
Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan, chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission in Virginia Where are we in achieving Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a “Beloved Community?” Where do we go from here? As chair of the Virginia General Assembly’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Sen. McClellan Commission, I’ve been exploring those questions as moderator of a series of community conversations in the dozen Virginia jurisdictions that Dr. King visited in the 1950s and 1960s. As described by the King Center in Atlanta, in the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. Love and trust will triumph over fear and hatred. To gauge where we are today, it’s helpful to look at the 1968 Kerner Commission Report, issued just more than a month before Dr. King’s death. Examining cultural and institutional racism in the United States, the report concluded with a stark warning: “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white — separate and unequal.” Dr. King called the report a “physician’s warning of approaching death, with a prescription for life.” Indeed, the report echoed the framework Dr. King laid bare in his 1967 book, “Where Do We Go From Here?” But nobody listened. The backlash to the report and the civil rights gains made by African-Americans in the 1950s and 1960s was immediate, culminating in the racially exploitative “Southern Strategy” that elected President Richard Nixon. This backlash was reminiscent of the Jim Crow laws enacted at the turn of the 20th century that struck at the socioeconomic gains former slaves made during Reconstruction. Today, we see another backlash to the gains made by AfricanAmericans during the past 50 years, culminating in the election of President Donald Trump and the re-emergence of explicit white supremacy, as seen at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville last summer. Since 1968, we have seen more African-Americans elected or appointed to office, including the first African-American president. We’ve seen an increase in African-American leadership in the private sector as well, from Hollywood to the CSuite. Today, more African-Americans have college educations and have seen significant improvement in wages, income and wealth since 1968. And yet, African-Americans still lag behind white people in each of these categories and face similar disparities in health — particularly life expectancy and infant mortality — homeownership, incarceration and even school discipline. We still have a long way to go to achieve the Beloved Community. But more than lingering racism and prejudice, the ignorance and indifference to the fact that emancipation and civil rights laws did not magically erase the 400-year impact of slavery and Jim Crow on society as a whole remains an impediment to progress. Only a complete and unvarnished look at American history can provide that understanding. And if we follow the path to the Beloved Community written in both Dr. King’s book, “Where Do We Go From Here?” and the Kerner Commission Report, we can finally fulfill the promises of American democracy for all Americans.
Richmond Free Press
A4 April 5-7, 2018
News
Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Continued from A1
They gathered outside the offices of the union that represents the sanitation workers and other government workers, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local Union 1733, on Memphis’ famed Beale Street. On Wednesday, the crowd was composed mostly of workers, but also included civil rights activists, pastors and union workers from Atlanta to Los Angeles who came to remember Dr. King’s efforts to improve conditions for the trash collectors. “If it weren’t for Dr. King, we’d still be on strike,” said Elmore Nickleberry. At 86, Mr. Nickleberry is the city’s longestserving employee who still drives a truck for the sanitation department. He was among the 1,300 Memphis sanitation workers who went on strike in February 1968 after two garbage collectors, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were crushed to death by a truck’s malfunctioning compactor. Frustrated by years of shoddy treatment, the African-American workers demanded better pay and benefits and safer working conditions. Mr. Nickleberry said the city finally allowed the workers to unionize and raised their pay two weeks after Dr. King’s assassination, reflecting the impact of his death. Cleophus Smith, 75, a sanitation worker for 50 years, said it was important to pay tribute to Dr. King. Mr. Smith took part in a mile and a half walk in honor of his hero, scoffing at those who urged him to ride a shuttle bus.
“I am thinking of the legacy Dr. King left for us to carry on,” Mr. Smith said as he scanned a sea of union banners. “We’re determined to carry it on.” In Indianapolis, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, a key student leader in the Civil Rights Movement, recalled being in that city when the late U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy announced Dr. King’s death during a presidential campaign rally. “I cried. I lost a friend. I lost a great brother. I lost my leader,” Rep. Lewis told a crowd at Indianapolis’ Landmark for Peace Memorial in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. “If it hadn’t been for Martin Luther King Jr., I don’t know what would have happened to our nation.” Others assembled in Atlanta, where Dr. King’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice A. King, moderated an awards ceremony in her father’s honor. Rev. King, the youngest of Dr. King and Coretta Scott King’s four children, was only 5 when her father was killed. Early Wednesday morning, she sent out a personal message on Twitter: “Such an honor to have had you as a father and to still have you as a teacher. I greatly admire your courage and strength to love, and I learn from you daily. In the words of Maya Angelou, I ‘can be and be better because you existed.’ Thank you. Miss you.” In Washington, thousands joined a silent march that started at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Some marchers placed their hands on the 30-foot memorial’s base and looked up at Dr. King. Participants traveled from as far as Oklahoma to attend, some wearing green “Act to
End Racism” shirts and singing spirituals as they walked. Flowers and a signed note were left at the base of the statue, which looks across the waters of the tidal basin to the memorial of Thomas Jefferson, the slave-owning third U.S. president. Addressed to Dr. King, a handwritten note stated: “Your message of non-violence still resonates with many and your message of Human Rights for all people is still being heard today. Rest in Peace!” One marcher, Ron Meredith, a 38-year-old African-American who works as a financial analyst in the city, said, “I feel an immense amount of pride and love for the man. It makes me cry when I think what they took from us. His sacrifice was Christ-like.” If Dr. King were alive today, added Mr. Meredith, “he’d be kneeling with Kaepernick,” a reference to the football player who started the take-a-knee action during the playing of the national anthem to protest racial injustice. Faith leaders from various denominations spoke at the Washington rally on the National Mall. “Joining my Christian sisters to take a pledge to work against racism and to make America a place where everyone is respected and is given the equal opportunity!” Rajwant Singh, a speaker at the rally, said in a tweet. President Trump, in a video posted on Twitter, also recognized Dr. King’s legacy. “We rededicate ourselves to a glorious future where every American, from every walk of life, can live free from fear, liberated from hatred, and uplifted by boundless love for their fellow
citizens,” the president said in the video. “I ask every citizen to join me in remembering this great American hero and to carry on his legacy of justice, equality and freedom.” The biggest events were in Memphis. A wreath-laying ceremony was held on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, which is now part of the National Civil Rights Museum. Dr. King was shot as he stood on the hotel balcony. At 6:01 p.m. — the exact moment when Dr. King was shot — a bronze church bell perched on a scaffold above the motel tolled 39 times — one for each year of Dr. King’s life. Much like when the news of Dr. King’s death spread around the world 50 years ago, bells rang out Wednesday at 6:03 p.m. in downtown Memphis, at 6:05 p.m. in Washington, at 6:07 p.m. in Vatican City. On Tuesday evening, thousands packed the pews of Mason Temple in Memphis where Dr. King delivered his last speech from the pulpit the night before he was killed. “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life — longevity has its place,” Dr. King said that night. “But I’m not concerned about that now… I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” Former Ambassador Andrew Young, a civil rights leader and former Atlanta mayor who was on the balcony with Dr. King when the fatal shot rang out, spoke of Dr. King’s enduring legacy. “Africans say, ‘You ain’t dead ‘til the people stop calling your name,’ ” Mr. Young said. “That bullet only released his spirit and it released his spirit all over the world.”
Armstrong High time capsule takes alumni, students back in history Continued from A1
had been placed in 1952. Excitement grew as a student from the Wildcats band struck a drum roll. The crowd broke into cheers as John Dorman, a 1966 alumnus, strode down the auditorium aisle, capsule in hand, toward the stage decked out in bursts of blue and orange, the school’s colors. On stage, 89 year-old Armstrong alumna, retired educator and former Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Lucille M. Brown joyfully reminisced about the institution’s former teachers and students. She also told the crowd she recalled a time during segregation when Armstrong graduates were denied entry into all-white state colleges because of their race, and yet they prevailed in their various fields. “They had not heard of Armstrong High School,” she declared with pride. After her remarks, a gloved preservationist from The Valentine museum fished objects from the time capsule as Dr. Brown reviewed each and related stories. Inside the metal container was a three-page history of Armstrong High School detailing its connection to some of the first schools for Negro children in Richmond in 1865 that were financed, in part, by the Freedman’s Bureau and constructed by the donated labor of African-American mechanics and laborers. “This is precious — and valuable,” Dr. Brown exclaimed while peering at the document. In 1909, the school was moved to First and Leigh streets and named in honor of the founder of Hampton Institute, Union Gen. Samuel C. Armstrong. The school relocated again in 1923 and again in 1951 before merging with the former Kennedy High School on Cool Lane in 2004, but continuing to use the Armstrong name, mascot and colors. For decades as Virginia maintained a system of racially segregated schools, Armstrong was one of only two high schools in Richmond dedicated to the education of African-American students. The other school, Maggie L. Walker High School, was Armstrong’s biggest rival in sports. Several copies of the student newspaper, “Spirit of Armstrong,” were folded in the time capsule, including a December 1947 edition detailing the Armstrong-Walker football game. “This victory meant a state football championship,” according to a Feb. 22, 1952, note penned by then-Principal George Peterson Jr. Other items stashed in the capsule included a copy of the Book of Psalms and a book of biographies of presidents and secretaries of the National Negro Insurance Association from
Why is it flying? Continued from A1
to join the rebellion, continued to represent the Confederacy until at least 1863. However, a new battle flag, the one with the diagonal cross that has become a symbol of white supremacy, was adopted at the end of 1861. Confederate flags also fly in the city’s Oakwood Cemetery that contains the graves of 17,000 rebel soldiers. The Sons of Confederate Veterans maintains the 7.5-acre portion of the East End cemetery that contains those graves. The flags that fly include the last national flag of the Confederacy, dubbed the “Blood-Stained Banner” because of its vertical red strip on a white field. The SCV also places smaller replicas of the best-known Confederate battle flag by each headstone.
The last national flag of the Confederacy, dubbed the “Blood-Stained Banner,” files in a portion of the city’s Oakwood Cemetery that is maintained by the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
1921 to 1949. Davantae Ballou, 18, a member of the The box also contained copies of the Armstrong Class of 2018, called the event Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper, inspiring. He said it’s important for people including one dated March 1, 1952. It to remember the school’s history. contained an article describing closing “It makes me proud to be an Africanarguments in the historic Prince Edward American in a school that started out for County school desegregation case inspired African-Americans,” he said. by 16-year-old student Barbara Johns. Dennis H. Harvey, Class of 1966 and The state, represented at the time by chair of the alumni coalition, concluded Attorney General J. Lindsay Almond Jr., the program with a tearful address that argued that racial segregation was an issue he said he hopes to share with younger of states’ rights, while Richmond attorneys Armstrong alumni and students. Oliver W. Hill Sr. and Spottswood W. “Never did I think I would be this age Robinson III argued Virginia’s segregated when I was in your seats,” the 70-yearpublic education laws were unconstituold said, explaining that some students, tional. upon seeing his picture in an Armstrong The case eventually would be included history exhibit, said he looked like “a civil with four others in the landmark 1954 U.S. rights person.” Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board “It really brought it home to me,” he said. “We are beneficiaries and participants of Education outlawing segregation in Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press in the Civil Rights Movement. 1951 was public education nationwide as separate Postage stamps, newspaper clippings, the year that Barbara Johns, in Farmville, but unequal. led all of her students out of their school After the time capsule opening, the a yearbook and a list of the school’s principals dating back to 1876 (in a walkout) because of the dilapidated event turned into a reunion as alumni and are among the items found in the conditions. Armstrong, our school, was students celebrated with blue and orange Armstrong High School time capsule. built in 1951,” he continued, referencing cupcakes and a fountain of orange soda. “We are a family. We have always been a family,” said Ingrid the efforts of student Linda Brown of Topeka, Kan., whose famCrump, Class of 1963, after the capsule’s opening. “I almost feel ily brought the landmark school desegregation case. Ms. Brown sorry for the kids coming up now because they don’t have the died on March 25 at age 75. He also talked about the deaths of type of comradery with their peers once they get old,” she said, 14-year-old Emmett Till, who was lynched in 1955 in Mississippi, crediting part of the tight bond among Armstrong and Maggie and the death 50 years ago of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “I want to remind you all that we were our ancestors’ wildest Walker High School graduates to segregated schools. “We’ve followed each other from elementary through high dreams,” he said. “And you are your ancestors’ wildest dreams, school, through college. And at 71, it’s magnificent,” she said. for sure.”
Joe Morrissey disbarred for violating State Bar rules Continued from A1
he might do so again. Mr. Morrissey and his legal team, however, are promising what many consider a long-shot appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court. Mr. Morrissey did not respond to a Free Press request for comment. The decision, which was not unexpected, came March 30 from a three-judge panel that spent a week hearing testimony at the John Marshall Courts Building. The panel, led by Chief Judge Paul W. Cella of the 11th Judicial Circuit, made the revocation effective June 15 to give Mr. Morrissey time to inform his clients and wrap up any legal cases. The panel, which also included senior Judges Jonathan C. Thacher of Fairfax and Louis R. Lerner, deliberated for an hour after testimony and arguments concluded, but offered little public explanation for choosing disbarment over a license suspension or a reprimand. Revocation was what attorneys for the State Bar had sought after spending nearly three years investigating and preparing the case. For them, the ruling represented vindication. Nearly six years ago, a divided state Supreme Court voted 4-3 to reinstate Mr. Morrissey’s law license over the objections of the State Bar. Mr. Morrissey had been disbarred in 2003 for violating legal codes of conduct and the State Bar argued in 2012 that he had not changed. Members of Mr. Morrissey’s legal team, including state Sen. William M. Stanley Jr.,
requested a 30-day suspension based on dismissal of the bulk of the charges. Sen. Stanley said afterward that Mr. Morrissey’s legal team would request the Supreme Court delay imposition of the panel’s decision while the appeal is under consideration. However, the state’s highest court appears to be reluctant to put a hold on revocation during an appeal, a review of past cases indicates. The crux of the case against Mr. Morrissey involves his 2013 relationship with Myrna Pride, then a 17-year-old receptionist working in Mr. Morrissey’s law office. The two allegedly had a sexual relationship soon after she started working at the firm that was reported to police. He was convicted in Henrico Circuit Court in December 2014 of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor. He served a three-month jail term while serving as a member of the General Assembly. At the time, Mr. Morrissey and Ms. Pride denied they’d had a sexual relationship. They have since wed and have three children. The State Bar alleged Mr. Morrissey lied to the court and engaged in a cover-up in violation of legal ethics, but the three-judge panel threw out those charges as unproven. However, it found “clear and convincing evidence” that Mr. Morrissey, through his criminal conviction, had violated a state bar rule for “committing a criminal or deliberately wrongful act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness to practice law.” The panel also threw out charges related to Mr. Morrissey’s representation of the
once planned National Slavery Museum and former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder after Mr. Wilder did not show up at the hearing to testify. The State Bar had brought a series of complaints against Mr. Morrissey based on allegations filed by Mr. Wilder. While Mr. Wilder was subpoenaed by Mr. Morrissey’s attorneys to appear at the hearing, he did not respond. The State Bar’s attorneys did not call him to testify. Mr. Wilder came to the hearing a day late, on Friday, asking to be heard. He claimed he had not been properly served with the subpoena. But the panel of judges declined to reopen the case and sent him away. The issues could be revisited if a civil lawsuit Mr. Morrissey refiled seeking payment from Mr. Wilder for legal services to the museum ever goes to trial. At the bar hearing, Mr. Morrissey also was convicted of violating two State Bar rules related to having a young attorney appear at a hearing in his stead at a perfunctory hearing at which a prosecutor followed through on dropping charges against a client, who was immediately released. The attorney had passed the bar and received her license, but had not taken a required oath of office when she filled in for Mr. Morrissey, who had a case in another court. The State Bar said he failed to ensure the young attorney, an associate in his office, had taken the oath before appearing in court and also wrongly assisted her in practicing law before she fulfilled all the requirements.
Richmond Free Press
April 5-7, 2018 A5
Local News
Confederate statues must come down, commission told
By Saraya Wintersmith
At a raw and emotional meeting last week with members of the Monument Avenue Commission, several speakers told commission members there is no middle ground — the Confederate statues cannot remain on Monument Avenue if the city wants to evolve beyond its racist past. “People took up arms against the United States of America with the aim of killing the Union and separating into another country,” said Richmond native Gary Flowers, a former national field director with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and current host of a local radio talk show. He argued that the Confederate figures will be “a global embarrassment” as Virginia prepares for next year’s commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans in 1619. “I think we should sell the statues to the (United) Daughters of the Confederacy, the sons of the Confederacy, the nieces of the Confederacy and the cousins of the Confederacy,” Mr. Flowers said to laughter. “Let them set up a tourism park on their dime.” “Those statues stand for men who fought to make sure that young women continued to be raped,” said former Richmond City Councilman H.W. “Chuck” Richardson. “Those men up there now that we praise … fought for white supremacy and believed in those activities.” He said the commission members have a “moral obligation” that usurps any hidden political aspirations they might hold to recommend the statues be removed. “To allow those symbols to remain is to allow good people who know better to be a part of the big lie,” said former Richmond City Councilman Martin E. “Marty” Jewell. The meeting, held March 29 at Fifth Baptist Church on West Cary Street, was hosted by the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project, a group that has advocated for Confederate monument removal for more than a decade. The group has worked for the preservation of the African Burial Ground on the edge of Shockoe Bottom. About 30 people attended. It was the fourth in a series of small, community group meetings attended by Monument Avenue Commission members. Previous community meetings were held by the Richmond Peace Education Center, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond to gauge public sentiment about what do to with the city’s public statues dedicated to Confederates. Initially, Mayor Levar M. Stoney established the commission to determine the best way to add “context” to the statues. He later added removal as an option following the violent and deadly rally by neo-Nazis and white supremacists in Charlottesville last August in support of maintaining that city’s Confederate statues in public parks. State law bars alteration or removal of war monuments, but because of a pending lawsuit in Charlottesville, it is unclear whether the Confederate statues on Richmond’s Monument Avenue would fall into that protected category. If they do, Richmond City Council would need to request General Assembly permission to remove them, a measure the council rejected on a 6-2 vote in December. Several council members said at the time that they were awaiting the Monument Avenue Commission’s recommendation. Two City Council members, Kim Gray of the 2nd District and Andreas D. Addison of the 1st District, also serve on the commission. Speakers at last week’s meeting raised concerns about the
inherently political nature of the commission and whether the public engagement process is all for naught. “It’s like a political merry-go-round,” said Lynetta Thompson, a former chair of the RichDr. Kimball mond Branch NAACP, Mr. Richardson pointing to the City Council and General Assembly. in terms of what is possible “This is what aggravates the down the road.” Arthur Burton, founder and process because it’s like the director of the Kinfolk Comintent is not sincere.” Commission co-chair Greg munity Empowerment Center, Kimball acknowledged that told the commission that his political considerations could ancestors were slaves at the impact the fate of the statues “Longfield and Hard Time even after the commission plantations owned by the Burton completes its work and makes family in Eastern Henrico.” He its recommendation, which is said he still maintains the land his family received through a expected sometime in May. But he urged people to not land grant in 1896. “I want you guys to undergive up on “the political process
sign that’s real big,” said Elizabeth “Beth” Marschak, a board member of Diversity Richmond, who recalled being scolded as a youth for trying to drink from a “coloreds only” water fountain in Mr. Burton Ms. Marschak Downtown. “I don’t think we stand that there are African- would argue that whites only American people who are both signs should’ve stayed up deeply connected to the Civil because they’re history. They War and its heritage,” he said. needed to come down and “As much as those statues 100 maybe go to a museum so years ago defined what this city people would know what had is, the reality is those statues no happened,” she said. longer represent this city, and “But as long as they would we need to start the conversation have been posted in their about what statues are going to original sites, people would still represent this city for the next give them credence. And that is 100 years or 200 years.” what is wrong with the statues The Confederate statues on Monument Avenue.” “essentially are a ‘whites only’ She asked the commission
members not to base their recommendation on what is financially or legally possible. “Legal things can be changed, and if (the statues) are really the valuable things people think they are, somebody will pay to put them somewhere else.” In addition to Dr. Kimball, director of education and outreach at the Library of Virginia, other commission members attending the meeting were co-chair Christy Coleman, CEO of the American Civil War Museum; University of Richmond professor Lauranett Lee; Coleen Butler Rodriguez, a Monument Avenue resident and home renovator; and advisory member Sarah S. Driggs of the Richmond Public Art Commission.
Medicaid expansion to be key in budget battle Continued from A1
who hold a bare majority of 51 seats in the 100-member House of Delegates, dropped their opposition and mostly embraced the governor’s proposed expansion that would bring in nearly $2 billion a year in federal funding. The failure to pass a budget has made it harder for local governments, universities and other state operations to wrap up their budgets, given the uncertainty about state spending levels for education and other local programs. Ahead of the special session, Gov. Northam essentially sent the same two-year, $115 billion budget his predecessor had introduced in hopes that the measure, including Medicare expansion, could finally pass. However, the blockade against expansion could continue unless two GOP senators shift to support Medicaid expansion. So far, only one Republican senator has hinted at support for expansion. Based on the state Constitution and past legal opinions, Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax, a Democrat who supports Medicaid expansion, does not appear to have authority to break a 20-20 tie on the budget.
The House approval of Medicaid expansion essentially freed up $370 million of state funds that are currently spent on mental health and medical care for impoverished Virginians. The expansion of Medicaid would pick up those services. The House budget proposes Sen. Norment moving that money to beef up other programs. The Senate refused to go along and presented its own balanced budget proposal that ensured the $370 million would not be available. House Speaker Kirk Cox, a Republican from Colonial Heights, is uncertain that a deal will be worked out in one day. In a statement, he indicated that the April 11 session might be “the start, not the end, of this process,” given that new projections of state revenue might not be available for another month. State Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne has told the Senate Finance Committee that Virginia would not have a clear picture of the impact of federal tax reform on state revenues until sometime next
WAIT ‘TIL YOU SEE WHERE THE TRAIN STATION TAKES RICHMOND The revitalization of Main Street Station isn’t just changing a building. It’s changing a city. It’s creating an urban, multimodal transportation hub, serving Amtrak, Megabus, GRTC and the Pulse, bikeshare and a connector to the Virginia Capital Trail. It’s bringing visitors a grand welcome to the core of our region, and a launch pad for experiencing everything this amazing city has to offer. Yes, Richmond, our moment is about to arrive at the train station. All aboard.
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING MainStreetStationRichmond.com
month. Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. “Tommy” Norment Jr., R-James City County, has said that devising a budget without that updated revenue forecast would be difficult. He said a forecast is needed “to ensure a fiscally responsible budget with Speaker Cox sustainable revenues.” Gov. Northam, though, is charging ahead in hopes a deal can be struck quickly. “Virginians have waited long enough for a balanced budget that expands health care access and invests in economic opportunity through education, workforce training, mental health and addiction services, and better pay for public servants,” he stated ahead of the session. “My team and I are ready to work with the General Assembly money committees to get Virginia families, local governments, institutions of higher education and many others the certainty and resources they deserve by passing a budget that expands health coverage.”
Richmond Free Press
Signs of spring in the West End
Editorial Page
A6
April 5-7, 2018
The lessons Memories of the life and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are flooding back this week as the national media and groups across the nation remember the young Baptist minister who died 50 years ago on April 4, 1968. Before the 39-year-old Dr. King was gunned down by an assassin’s bullet in Memphis, Tenn., he inspired a nation by his nonviolent movement for change and his thoughtful, yet simple eloquence calling for the basic rights of freedom, dignity and equality for African-Americans and oppressed people everywhere. He asked that all people be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin, that people not stand by idly in the face of injustice, but work toward eliminating poverty, racism and war using the power of love to conquer hatred in the world. Today, 50 years after his death, we are at a tipping point in this nation and in this city and state. We Dr. King are confronted by serious challenges that raise questions about the type of world we want to create and that force us to examine our own humanity. How do we forthrightly and adequately respond to the gun violence in our schools, communities and workplaces that is killing our children and traumatizing others who live in fear? How do we improve our crumbling schools and effectively support our teachers so that our young people receive an education that will enable them to thrive and meet the challenges of tomorrow? How do we handle the Confederate statues along Monument Avenue that honor people who shed blood to break away from the United States so they could keep black people in human bondage and misery? How do we help the working poor, the families working two or more low-paying jobs to make ends meet as they try to stay healthy because, without health insurance, an illness would spell disaster? Do we put money into expanding Medicaid for 400,000 Virginians or do we build a wall to keep people on their side of the U.S. border? Do we raise the minimum wage or do we keep giving tax breaks and advantages to the wealthy? How do we help aging parents, grandparents and friends who sometimes have to choose between paying the mortgage or paying for heat and food? As Dr. King reminds us, all life is interrelated. All people, he said, “are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Today, we are the beneficiaries of the struggles of Dr. King and the thousands of unnamed people who joined him in the fight for civil rights. And while progress has been made during the last 50 years, we must act to ensure the gains are not eroded and advancement continues. We cannot wait for another hero, savior or martyr like Dr. King. He has left us a roadmap with his prolific writings and his actions. Today, let us think about Dr. King, his life and his lessons. And let us think about our own lives, the lessons we have learned and what we will impart to our children and grandchildren through our actions that will shape the future.
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Dr. King’s words “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” �
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” �
“When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” �
“The richer we have become materially, the poorer we have become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.” �
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” �
“The rich nations must use their vast resources of wealth to develop the underdeveloped, school the unschooled and feed the unfed … No individual or nation can be great if it does not have a concern for ‘the least of these.’ ”
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
More work to do 50 years later The 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination comes amid a fierce struggle for the soul of America. We will celebrate the progress that has been made since Dr. King was taken from us in 1968, and decry the agenda that is still unfinished. But we cannot ignore the systematic effort — from the highest offices of government — to roll back his legacy, to make America more separate and unequal, to reverse the progress of the last years. From the White House and across the cabinets of the federal government, civil rights are being systematically undermined. President Trump has set the tone personally, slandering immigrants and seeking to ban Muslims, while noting there were “very fine people” among the neo-Nazi marchers in Charlottesville. He pardoned former Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio, allowing him to avoid accountability for racially profiling Latinos. He terminated the Obama program that protected the DACA children, and sabotaged every
bipartisan effort to protect these children who know no other country than the United States. He called for NFL players protesting against discrimination to be fired, while slurring “s–hole countries” in Africa. In different departments, President Trump’s appointees have moved relentlessly to roll back enforcement of civil rights, with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions leading the way.
Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Department of Justice lawyers reversed their position on voting rights cases, like that in Texas, essentially opening the door for voter suppression. Mr. Sessions forced a review of Obama-era consent decrees with police departments, even as President Trump praised brutal police tactics. He drastically limited the use of court-enforced consent decrees themselves, eviscerating the primary instrument of civil rights enforcement. Mr. Sessions also has declared that civil rights laws protecting against workplace discrimination do not apply to transgender workers. President Trump’s education secretary, billionaire Betsy DeVos, disemboweled the department’s Office for Civil
Rights and pushed to move public funds to support voucher programs for private schools, while calling for deep cuts in the staff and budget of the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Ben Carson, his secretary of housing and urban development, has gutted enforcement of civil rights and fair housing laws at the very moment the department must disburse billions in disaster recovery Community Block Grants that could help reverse past wrongs. Dr. Carson even pushed to strike the words “inclusive” and “free from discrimination” from HUD’s mission statement. The president has slashed taxes on the wealthy and corporations while targeting basic programs for the vulnerable — from food stamps to Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid — for deep cuts. He sought to repeal Obamacare, which would have deprived millions of health care. This is a direct and sustained assault on Dr. King’s legacy. Dr. King fought for integration against discrimination. He marched for equal opportunity against entrenched inequality. He championed nonviolence against violence. He campaigned for voting rights, knowing that democracy offered the best chance for change. He called for an end to the war in Vietnam,
Gun control debate ignores black lives Students from across the country walked out of class on March 14 at 10 a.m. to protest gun violence and demand new legislation. The students left classes for 17 minutes to commemorate the 17 lives lost in the Parkland, Fla., high school shooting. Some even left for 18 minutes to acknowledge a young black girl who was killed in an accidental shooting in Birmingham, Ala. There are other gun deaths that were not included in this social action — young black males and homicide. In fact, the American gun debate rarely takes into account the number of black youths who are murdered every day. Deaths of black men in the inner cities don’t make the headlines. The country doesn’t come to a dead halt, wailing at the murder of innocents, demanding an end to gun violence. The National Rifle Association won’t appear on TV to suggest putting armed guards in inner city schools. There is no public outcry. The astonishing number of black men killing other black men is a true gun crisis across our country. Two of every five deaths for young black
men are caused by homicide. That’s twice the rate of death for Hispanic males and 15 times the rate of white male homicides. One report notes that gun violence is not only the second leading cause of death for
Glenn Ellis American children, behind car accidents, but the leading cause of death for African-American children. Suicides by gunfire, on the other hand, made up the majority of gun deaths among white youths, accounting for an average of 644 every year. Black children and teens are twice as likely to be killed by guns as by cars, the report notes, while white children and teens are nearly three times more likely to die in car accidents than from gun violence. Black teenage males are especially at risk. As of 2010, 45 percent of child gun deaths in the United States and 46 percent of gun injuries were among black children and teens, although black kids made up only 15 percent of all children and teens in the country. In their “Protect Children, Not Guns” report, the Children’s Defense Fund highlighted national and state data on gun violence and how it affects children and teens in America. According to the report, the
children and teens killed by guns in 2008 and 2009 would fill more than 229 classroom of 25 students each. Americans are 10 times more likely to be killed by guns than people in other developed countries, a new study published in The American Journal of Medicine found. Even though it has half the population of the other 22 nations combined, the United States accounted for 82 percent of all gun deaths. There are no two ways about it: The United States is just a violent country, obsessed with guns. Indeed, the endemic firearm violence in this country represents a substantial, long-term cumulative health burden. If present trends continue, Americans can expect to lose 336,778 lives to guns between 2011 and 2020, according to calculations. No gun law is going to change anything at this point. We make it about the guns and we’re not worried about our kids. People should be focusing on why gun violence exists and trying to prevent it from occurring. By failing to talk about the majority of gun murder victims — young, black men — politicians and advocates are missing the chance to save lives. The sad truth that is there is no political will in the country to address inner city violence.
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realizing that the bombs being dropped on Vietnam were landing in the poor neighborhoods of four cities. At the end of his life, he was organizing a broad coalition of poor people, across lines of race, religion and region, to march on Washington to demand basic economic rights. Dr. King taught us that “change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” He knew the progress that the Civil Rights Movement was making would generate a fierce reaction. He called on us to “re-dedicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful struggle for a new world.” We have work to do. The writer is the founder and national president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
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COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA
PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019
The County Manager’s recommended budget synopsis is prepared and published solely for the purposes of fiscal planning and public information. Budgeted items do not represent commitments or obligations of the Board of Supervisors to appropriate funds for those items. The budget consists of estimates and requests submitted to the County Manager and his recommendations concerning those requests. Funds cannot be allocated or distributed until they are appropriated by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing for the purposes of public information and fiscal planning regarding the proposed budget. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., in the Board Room at the Henrico Government Center, Hungary Spring and East Parham Roads, Henrico County, Virginia. The public hearing is also for the purpose of allowing the public to question and comment on the proposed operating and capital budgets. All citizens have the right to attend and share their views on the proposed budgets within such reasonable time limits as shall be determined by the Board of Supervisors. OPERATING BUDGET ESTIMATED RESOURCES: $1,252,748,449(*) Charges for Services General Property Taxes $ 461,625,000 Meals Tax Revenue Other Local Tax Revenue 150,760,000 Total Estimated Revenue Licenses, Permits, Fees 5,899,647 Use of Money & Property 8,619,199 State Agencies 401,505,417 Fund Balances/Reserves/Adj. Federal Agencies 62,434,517 Interdepartmental Billings Miscellaneous Revenue 12,455,380 Transfers to Capital Projects Recovered Costs 142,887,823 TOTAL ESTIMATED RESOURCES (Operating Budget)
$ 162,296,987 9,000,000 $ 1,417,483,970 5,312,678 (108,483,399) (61,564,800) $ 1,252,748,449
(*) - Includes anticipated revenue to be used to fund car tax relief for qualifying vehicles. Relief is estimated for qualifying vehicles valued at $1,000 or less to be at 100%, for qualifying vehicles valued at $1,001 to $20,000 to be at 52%, and for qualifying vehicles valued at $20,001 or more to be at 52% on the first $20,000 of value only. ESTIMATED REQUIREMENTS GENERAL FUND: $871,859,018 $ 1,100,085 Fire and EMS 19,552,483 Finance 40,846,900 General Services 2,580,551 Internal Audit 698,083 Information Technology 5,037,655 Agriculture/Home Extension 305,313 Recreation & Parks 6,286 Public Health 201,025 Public Works 23,072 Real Property 2,294,732 Economic Development 1,608,371 Tax Relief Programs 1,883,328 Cooperative Projects 1,879,300 Other Non-Departmental 2,509,297 Sandston Recreation Center 4,526,502 Building Inspections 1,845,758 Planning 67,872,502 Permit Centers 6,650,048 Community Revitalization 1,589,290 Education
Board of Supervisors Public Library Sheriff Circuit Court Clerk Circuit Court Services Commonwealth’s Attorney General District Court Magistrate Juv./Dom. Rel. Court Services Probation Juvenile Detention Home Electoral Board County Manager Public Relations and Media Services County Attorney Human Resources Employee Benefits Police Operations Police Communications/Radio Shop Animal Protection
$ 61,518,326 14,104,509 14,820,549 455,337 15,158,222 433,866 19,564,149 2,287,051 52,701,159 599,906 17,499,201 8,697,550 2,812,523 1,196,648 14,000 4,650,667 4,522,435 931,027 1,739,317 485,141,995
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND: $171,906,724 School Cafeteria $ Grant Programs - Education Grant Programs – General Gov’t Community Corrections Program Social Services Social Services/CSA Capital Region Workforce Partnership VJCCCA/USDA Victim Witness Special Drug Prosecutor W & S Operations
25,596,753 48,147,181 50,000 2,040,556 21,224,302 12,862,834 4,390,918 967,089 1,064,711 170,279
Police Public Works Mental Health Solid Waste Operations Street Lighting, S.D.#2 Street Lighting, S.D.#3 Street Lighting, S.D.#3.1 Street Lighting, S.D.#12 Street Lighting, S.D.#23
$
WATER & SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND: $92,417,856 $ 65,015,829 W & S Debt Service
GOLF COURSE ENTERPRISE FUND: $1,126,738 Belmont Park Golf Course Operations Central Auto.Maint./Motor Pool Risk Management
INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS: $150,669,184 $ 21,816,491 Technology Replacement 9,715,327 Healthcare DEBT SERVICE FUND: $63,468,451 $ 24,574,700 Education
General
1,591,595 897,000 39,188,284 13,632,122 23,300 31,200 3,800 22,100 2,700
$
27,402,027
$
1,126,738
$
2,878,100 116,259,266
$
38,893,751
JAMES RIVER JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER AGENCY FUND: $5,333,877 JRJDC Operations $ 5,233,877 JRJDC Facility Maintenance $ FIDUCIARY FUNDS: $4,450,000 $ 2,750,000 Line of Duty 600,000
Other Post Employment Benefits Long-Term Disability
$
TOTAL ESTIMATED REQUIREMENTS (Operating Budget) Less Interdepartmental Billings TOTAL ESTIMATED REQUIREMENTS (Operating Budget)
100,000 1,100,000
$ 1,361,231,848 (108,483,399) $ 1,252,748,449
CAPITAL BUDGET ESTIMATED RESOURCES: $176,964,800 General Fund Revenues $ 22,303,710 G. O. Bonds - Education General Fund – Ed. Meals Tax 9,000,000 G. O. Bonds - General General Fund – Tourism Reserve 9,251,000 Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds General Fund – Stormwater Dedication 2,348,000Water & Sewer Fees Designated Capital Reserve 17,662,090 Motor Vehicle License Revenue
$
15,000,000 38,000,000 20,300,000 42,100,000 1,000,000
Public Library Sheriff Police Fire General Services
$
1,650,000 21,851,000 11,300,000 29,500,000 62,400,000
ESTIMATED REQUIREMENTS CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND: $176,964,800 $
24,000,000 3,000,000 3,213,800 5,000,000 15,050,000
Information Technology Recreation & Parks Public Works Education Water & Sewer Projects
Richmond Free Press
April 5-7, 2018
Letters to the Editor
Young people able to understand what leaders don’t
Re “ ‘Our ballots will stop bullets:’ Thousands take to streets in Richmond, D.C. and across the nation to demand gun control and school safety,” Free Press March 29-31 edition: Enough cannot be said about the young people who participated in the “March for Our Lives” on March 24. Not only in Washington, but all over the world, these young leaders want politicians and members of the National Rifle Association to hear their message regarding the need for real gun control. They spoke with conviction, intelligence, purpose and determination to let the world know that they will not be silent and that gun control must be addressed now. It is amazing and staggering that these youths are able to understand what leaders of the nation aren’t able to understand or don’t want to admit that they do. These youths see and understand how many leaders have allowed money and their political party to be valued over lives. They realize that one sure way to bring some sensible actions from those non-doers is to vote them out of office. It is sad that our beautiful, young, strong high school students, and some much younger in elementary school, have to be the ones to march on the capital of the United States of America to get the attention of those politicians who are failing to represent those who elected them. It is also sad to have a president who does not have the intelligence to think logically, or the courage to even stay in Washington to see, hear and learn from these soon-to-be voters.
He was not even smart enough to do what he does best: Fake and pretend that he could at least watch a protest on the grounds and in the capital of the United States of America. The March for Our Lives youths have the right idea, the right plan and the right way of thinking to approach a situation they are faced with daily and they have come to an understanding, when maybe some of their parents may not have. They have learned through experiences and have grown in wisdom, which seems to have brought them to believe that, if you don’t stand up for something, you will fall for anything. Congratulations, dear young people. I pray that demonstrating through peaceful and organized marching and through the forceful messages you delivered will open the hearts and minds of the politicians who have sat quietly by and done nothing. Continue to speak up for the gun control changes that you are asking for and that the most sensible people know is needed. If you are already of voting age, or when you become of voting age, register and always exercise your right to vote. It is extremely important to elect people with integrity, who are smart, truthful and intellectually capable of serving honorably in the office to which they are elected. Change can be brought through the power of the ballot. Be a good citizen and stand up for what is right. RUBY H. WALDEN Suffolk
Trauma-informed care focus of FACTS in Va.
On March 11, Oprah Winfrey presented a story on “60 Minutes” on “Childhood Trauma’s Long-Term Effect,” uncovering how trauma affects a child’s brain and can lead to physical, mental and social health problems throughout a child’s life. The special also highlighted traumainformed efforts. Before the “60 Minutes” episode was televised, Ms. Winfrey spoke at length on “CBS This Morning” about what she learned about the impact of trauma. She said, “This story is so important to me and … to our culture that if I could dance on the tabletops right now to get people to pay attention to it, I would. It has definitively changed the way I see people in the world and now the way I will be operating my school … and going forward, any philanthropic efforts that I’m engaged in.” She went on to say, “A lot of people working in the philanthropic world, trying to help
disenfranchised people … are working on the wrong thing. …Unless you fix the trauma, you’re working on the wrong thing.” The Family & Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia is an established, state philanthropic entity that has been focused on promoting trauma-informed practices for several years. We are the only organization in Virginia, and one of few nationally, that addresses trauma-informed care across the lifespan. Additionally, our administrative costs are provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services, so all donations go to programs and services. We encourage everyone interested in learning more about our work and this national movement to learn more at www.fact.virginia.gov. NICOLE POULIN Richmond The writer is executive director of FACT, or Family & Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia.
A copy of the proposed operating and capital budgets is available for public inspection in each of the County’s branch libraries, the Municipal Library in the Government Center, and the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County of Henrico.
COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The County of Henrico proposes to increase property tax levies. 1. Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new constructions or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 4.67 percent. 2. Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $0.83 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.” 3. Effective Rate Increase: The County of Henrico proposes to adopt a tax rate of $0.87 per $100 of assessed value. This is the same tax rate as was in effect in 2017. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.04 per $100, or 4.8 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase.” Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage. 4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total operating budget of the County of Henrico will exceed last year’s by 3.6 percent. Calendar Year
Real Estate
Personal Property
2017 Levy 2018 Proposed Levy
$0.87 $0.87
$3.50 $3.50
Computer Equipment and Peripherals Used in a Calendar Year Data Center 2017 Levy $0.40 2018 Proposed Levy $0.40
Disabled Veterans’ Vehicles $0.01 $0.01
Aircraft
Machinery & Tools
Fire & Rescue Vols.’ Vehicles
$0.50 $0.50
$0.30 $0.30
$1.00 $1.00
Machinery & Tools for Semiconductor Manufacturers $0.30 $0.30
Motor Vehicles Specially Equipped to Provide Transportation for Physically Handicapped Individuals $0.01 $0.01
The Board of Supervisors will also fix a levy on all classes of property in Sanitary Districts #2, #3, #3.1, #12, and #23 for street lights: Real Estate Sanitary Sanitary Sanitary Sanitary Sanitary Calendar Year District #2 District #3 District #3.1 District #12 District #23 2017 Levy $0.003 $0.010 $0.031 $0.010 $0.010 2018 Proposed Levy $0.003 $0.010 $0.031 $0.010 $0.010
Calendar Year 2017 Levy 2018 Proposed Levy
Sanitary District #2 $0.001 $0.001
Personal Property(*) Sanitary Sanitary District #3 District #3.1 $0.001 $0.001 $0.001 $0.001
Sanitary District #12 $0.001 $0.001
Sanitary District #23 $0.001 $0.001
*Applies to all classes of personal property including aircraft, fire & rescue volunteers’ vehicles, disabled veterans’ vehicles, motor vehicles specially equipped to provide transportation for physically handicapped individuals, computer equipment and peripherals used in a data center, machinery & tools, and machinery & tools for semiconductor manufacturers. All levies are per $100 of assessed valuation at fair market value. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rates and levies for calendar year 2018 on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the Board Room at the Government Center, Hungary Spring and East Parham Roads, Henrico County, Virginia. The Board of Supervisors shall permit persons desiring to be heard an opportunity to present oral testimony within such reasonable time limits as shall be determined by the Board. Following the public hearing, but also on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, during the 7:00 p.m. meeting, the Board of Supervisors may fix an appropriate tax levy for real estate, personal property, aircraft, qualifying fire & rescue volunteers’ vehicles, disabled veterans’ vehicles, motor vehicles specially equipped to provide transportation for physically handicapped individuals, computer equipment and peripherals used in a data center, machinery & tools, and machinery & tools for semiconductor manufacturers for calendar year 2018. The Board of Supervisors is not obligated to adopt the proposed tax rates but may increase or decrease them as it deems necessary, provided that before any rate may be increased, the proposed increase shall be advertised and the public given an opportunity to appear before and be heard by the Board on the proposed increase. The Board may adjourn to subsequently meet and fix tax levies no later than June 30, 2018. A copy of the proposed budget is available at https://henrico.us/budget/proposed-budgets/ Given under my hand this 19th day of March, 2018. Barry R. Lawrence, Clerk Henrico County Board of Supervisors
A7
North Courthouse Road (Route 155) Shoulder Widening New Kent County Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing
Find out about the proposed shoulder widening on North Courthouse Road (Route 155) in New Kent County. The project will widen the shoulders on the northbound and southbound sides between Old Forge Road and New Kent Highway (Route 249). This work will require intermittent lane closures until completion. Review the project information and National Environmental Policy Act documentation mond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest 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. 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 David Steele, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or by email to DavidA.Steele@VDOT.Virginia.gov on or prior to April 20, 2018. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted. 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. State Project: 0155-063-565, P101, R201, M501 Federal Project: RSTP-5A27(043) UPC: 92652
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Richmond Free Press
A8 April 5-7, 2018
Sports Stories by Fred Jeter
Villanova wins crown
Notre Dame guard Arike Ogunbowale celebrates Sunday with a cut from the net after her buzzerbeater shot clinched the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. The Fighting Irish beat Mississippi State University 61-58.
Villanova University has climbed to the top step of college basketball’s highest staircase. And the Wildcats made it the old-fashioned way — minus any “one and done” elite, NBAbound freshmen players. The suburban Philadelphia school claimed its second NCAA title in three years on Monday night with a commanding 79-62 victory over the University of Michigan in the championship game
six tournament games by an average of 18 points. The closest it had to a “scare” was its 71-59 victory over Texas Tech in the Elite Eight. The Wildcats’ top gun during the championship game wasn’t even a starter. Coming off the bench, red-haired Donte DiVencenzo — called “Big Ragu” — won the Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. The red-shirt sophomore
Tony Dejak/Associated Press
Notre Dame wins women’s championship with last-second shot Arike Ogunbowale has a hard name to pronounce and apparently a hard jump shot to defend. She also is pressure-proof it seems. Ogunbowale won the hearts of the University of Notre Dame women’s basketball fans twice — first on Good Friday, March 30, then again on Easter Sunday, April 1. The 5-foot-8 junior from Milwaukee hit a last-second, 18-foot shot to give the Fighting Irish a 91-89 overtime win over the University of Connecticut in the NCAA semifinals on March 30 in Columbus, Ohio. Lightning struck a second time Sunday as Ogunbowale scored on a long heave at the buzzer to give Notre Dame a 61-58 triumph over Mississippi State University for the championship. “It’s Easter and all the Catholics were praying for us,” said Notre Dame Coach Muffet
McGraw, who wore floral shoes in honor of the holiday. Notre Dame finished the season 35-3, with Ogunbowale earning the Most Outstanding Player trophy. Coincidentally, Notre Dame’s last NCAA title in 2001 — a 68-66 victory over Purdue University — also came on Easter Sunday. Mississippi State, finishing 37-2, was led by 6-foot-7 sophomore Teaira McGowan with 18 points and 17 rebounds. In Notre Dame’s semifinal win over Connecticut, UConn Coach Geno Auriemma utilized only seven players during the 45-minute game that went into overtime. Freshman Megan Walker, who was the national High School Player of the Year last season at Monacan High School in Chesterfield County, did not play in the game.
Eric Gay/Associated Press
Villanova University’s Jalen Brunson, center, holds the championship trophy with teammates after beating the University of Michigan 79-62 on Monday to win the NCAA men’s title.
played at the Alamodome in San Antonio. It was much the same in the semifinals as Villanova drubbed the University of Kansas 95-79 with a Final Four record 18 3-pointers. Minus any quick-fix freshmen superstars, Villanova relied on a veteran cast in winning its
Capel named head coach at Pittsburgh Jeff Capel III, a coach familiar to Richmonders, is the latest addition to a relatively small fraternity — African-American head coaches at NCAA Division I basketball programs. Coach Capel, who coached the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams to a 79-41 record from 2002 to 2006, has been named the new coach at the University of Pittsburgh, replacing Kevin Stallings. The 43-year-old Capel inherits a rebuilding project. The Pittsburgh Panthers were winless this past season in ACC play and there have been mass player defections. While African-American players have become the majority on the court, the percentage of African-American coaches working the sidelines lags behind. Of the 68 schools earning a place in the 2018 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, only 16 had African-American head coaches. Two were from historically black Coach Capel colleges and universities — Mike Davis at Texas Southern and LeVelle Moton at North Carolina Central University. Of the Sweet 16 qualifiers, only Florida State University had an African-American coach — Leonard Hamilton. Coach Capel, who grew up in Fayetteville, N.C., as the son of Coach Jeff Capel II, has taken teams from both VCU and the University of Oklahoma to the NCAAs. Coach Capel’s Rams went to the NCAA in 2004, losing by one point to Wake Forest University. In Oklahoma, Coach Capel’s Sooners, led by Blake Griffin, advanced to the 2009 Elite Eight. For the last seven years, Coach Capel has served as a top assistant to head Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University, Coach Capel’s alma mater. At Duke, Coach Capel served as a tireless recruiter. His signees include NBA bound Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr. and Grayson Allen, all from this year’s 29-8 team that lost to the University of Kansas in the Elite Eight. Other Capel signees now active in the NBA are Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow, Jayson Tatum, Jahill Okafor and Mason and Marshall Plumlee. Now Coach Capel graduates from top recruiter to top man. His résumé suggests success. Coach Capel was only 26 when hired by VCU as Mack McCarthy’s assistant in 2001. He was promoted to head coach at VCU in the 2002-03 season, making him the youngest head coach at the time in NCAA Division I men’s basketball.
Coach Tubby Smith returns to N.C. to coach at his alma mater
Coach Smith
Tubby Smith has coached five schools to the NCAA Basketball Tournament. He’s hoping High Point University, his alma mater, becomes the sixth. The 66-year-old Coach Smith has taken over the coaching reins at the Big South Conference affiliate. He knows his way around the North Carolina campus. Coach Smith earned AllConference honors playing for High Point
from 1969 to 1973. His first NCAA Division I job was serving as an assistant to Coach J.D. Barnett at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1979 to 1986. Coach Smith has since guided Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota and Texas Tech to NCAA berths. His overall record of 597-302 includes nine Sweet 16 berths and a national title at the University of Kentucky in 1998. Coach Smith inherits a High Point program that was 14-16 last year in the final season under Coach Scott Cherry.
Sideline head count Only 16 of 68 coaches in this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament were African-American. Here’s a list: Leonard Hamilton, Florida State; Ron Hunter, Georgia State; Shaka Smart, Texas; LeVelle Moton, North Carolina Central; Mike Jones, Radford; Nate Davis, Bucknell; Avery Johnson, Alabama; Mike Anderson, Arkansas; Dedrique Taylor, Cal State-Fullerton; Earl Grant, Charleston; Cuonzo Martin, Missouri; Travis DeCuire, Montana; Kevin Keatts, North Carolina State; Ed Cooley, Providence; Lavell Jordan, Butler; and Mike Davis, Texas Southern. Nate Davis is a former coach at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland. High-profile African-American coaches not making the tournament include former NBA stars Danny Manning at Wake Forest and Patrick Ewing at Georgetown.
from Wilmington, Del., hit 10 of 15 shots from the field, including five of seven behind the arc, for 31 points — a Final Four record for a non-starter. DiVencenzo joins former UCLA centers Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only men to score at least 30 points while shooting 66 percent in a Final Four game. Clearly, Coach Jay Wright has established Villanova as one of the nation’s premier basketball programs despite no reliance on “one and dones” — meaning freshmen competing one college season before bolting to the NBA. “We recruit kids that just want to be in college,” Coach Wright told the media. “We want them to enjoy the college experience rather than saying ‘I want to get out as soon as I can.’ ” Among this year’s NCAA “one and dones” are the University of Oklahoma’s Trae Young, the University of Texas’ Mo Bamba, the University of Arizona’s Deandre Ayton and Duke University’s Marvin Bagley and Wendell Carter.
Talented as they are, all watched the NCAA Final Four from home. Perennial national powers Duke, Kansas, UCLA and the University of Kentucky are among those most active on the “one and done” market. Duke prevailed in 2015 with three “one and dones” — Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow. Villanova is no flash in the pan. The Wildcats won the 2016 title 77-74 over the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Kris Jenkins’ last-second shot. The Wildcats have won 136 games over the last four years, claiming two NCAA crowns and three Big East titles. Coach Wright becomes just the third active coach with more than two NCAA championships. Others are Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski with five titles and Coach Roy Williams with three titles from Kansas and UNC combined. Only 14 coaches in NCAA history have multiple titles, led by UCLA’s Coach John Wooden with 10. Villanova figures to lose two underclassmen to the NBA. Juniors Jalen Brunson and Mikel Bridges are expected to submit their names for this June’s draft. Villanova also stands out among NCAA hoops champs for an absence of big-time football on campus. Since 1957, the lone basketball champions without top-tier football are University of Loyola-Chicago in 1963, Marquette University in 1977, Georgetown University in 1984 and Villanova in 1985, 2016 and 2018. La Salle University, in 1954, is the only other Philadelphia area school to win the NCAA championship since the tournament began in 1939. This year’s NCAA tournament will be remembered for its upsets and underdogs. No. 16 seed University of Maryland-Baltimore County stunned the University of Virginia, which was ranked No. 1, in the first round. No. 13 University of Buffalo whacked No. 4 University of Arizona. And 11th seed Loyola danced all the way to the Final Four. This was the year anyone could beat anyone, unless that “anyone” was Villanova.
Hill helps Maggie Walker Governor’s School sprint into the record books Taylor Hill’s stunning success the 4x100 and sprint medley in track and field has surprised record-setting relays. many people, including Hill She was third at the state herself. competition in the 55-meters durThe Church Hill resident set ing the winter despite recovering the bar of expectations quite low from a lower back injury. when initially signing up for the “Taylor’s body betrayed her, sport at the Maggie L. Walker but she remained a leader of the Governor’s School. team,” said Maggie Walker sprint “I’d never been athletic. I Coach Ryan Webb. “That’s a real just wanted to do something testament to her character, how that would look good on college she hung in there even when she applications,” she said. “That couldn’t run her best.” was about it.” At the state outdoor championLittle did the daughter of ship a year ago, Hill was third in Alvin and Melissa Hill suspect the 100 meters, sixth in the 200 then she’d become the sprinting meters and carried the baton on centerpiece of one of Virginia’s a fourth place 4x100 relay. all-time powerhouses. Now fully recovered and feelHill, a senior, has left her spike ing like her old fleet self, she eyes marks all over the Maggie Walker a fast finish, both individually record book as well as that of the and as team, in the homestretch Virginia High School League. of her career. Coach Jim Holdren’s Green None of this was supposed Dragons are closing in on a histo happen, however. toric four-year blitz of the girls’ “I tried a few sports like golf VHSL championships. and tennis and never did much,” Maggie Walker has won four she recalled of her younger straight state 2A cross-country years. “I didn’t play soccer or titles. That goes with four state inbasketball because I was too door crowns in a row — including uncoordinated. My hand-eye one last month — and three conjust wasn’t there.” secutive state outdoor triumphs. Also, there was nothing to James Haskins/Richmond Free Press The school will try to add a fourth suggest athletic stardom in her Taylor Hill June 1 and 2 in Elkton. family tree. No other school has ever “four-peated” — meaning four “It has kind of shocked me — friends of the family, too,” straight state championships in the three foot-racing sports. she said. “I can tell by their reactions, like ‘You run track? ReHill has run indoor and outdoor, but not cross-country. ally?’ Then I try and tell them I’m quite good at it.” “It’s really crazy,” said Hill, who came to Maggie Walker She’s nowhere near retiring her running shoes and shorts. from the International Baccalaureate Program at Lucille Brown She has been accepted at Virginia Commonwealth, her Middle School in South Richmond. parents’ alma mater, James Madison, Penn State, Ohio State “If we do it (“four-feat”), we’ll be the first. As a freshman, and Abilene Christian universities. I had no idea of the program’s reputation. I just wanted to Hill is hopeful of earning scholarship aid. If that doesn’t marun,” she said. terialize, she’ll continue track as a walk-on, if necessary. A team captain, Hill holds the Dragons’ record for the That’s the way it is sometimes. When a young athlete finally 55-meters — 7.46 seconds — and has carried the baton on discovers a sport they love, it’s hard letting go of it.
April 5-7, 2018 B1
Section
B
Richmond Free Press
Happenings
Personality: Jalia L. Hardy Spotlight on state winner of VML’s ‘If I Were Mayor’ essay contest If Jalia Hardy were mayor of Richmond, she would focus on the city’s economy as well as youths and educational programs. She would listen to ideas and suggestions from citizens and create a nonprofit organization that would give care packages of food and toiletries to the homeless. She also would start an annual “Kindness Week,” a time when “people just give compliments and help each other, even if they don’t know the person they are helping,” she explains. These are just a few of the ideas Jalia submitted to the Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest. The annual contest challenges seventh-graders across the state to describe what they would do if they were mayor of their hometown. Judged on originality, persuasiveness, understanding of municipal services and proper use of composition and written expression, the essays are part of VML’s effort to teach students how local government works and how they can become involved in making their communities better. Jalia, a 13-year-old at Binford Middle School in Richmond, won the top prize. Not only was her essay chosen as the best in the region, her work also was chosen the best in the state out of more than 1,000 entries. “Her concern for her community came through in her essay with her focus on youth empowerment, education and care for the homeless,” one judge wrote, according to the VML. “I was also impressed with her expression to listen to others and her reference to helping ‘our city.’ ” Jalia wrote, “Being mayor is a big responsibility that comes with many challenges and obstacles. It requires cooperation from all its citizens, including youth. Everyone can leave a mark on the world.” As the winner, Jalia received a plaque, a $250 prize and her photo on the cover of the March edition of VML’s Virginia Town & City magazine. “I was so excited and shocked” about winning, Jalia says. Her English teacher, Jonathan Walker, who urged her to enter the contest, called her into his classroom and asked her to get her family on the phone. When she couldn’t reach her mom, Lisa Hardy, who works at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School, she called her grandmother, Dorothy Rice. Her grandmother’s first reaction? “Did she do something wrong? She’s never been called to the office,” Jalia recalls. “Mr. Walker said it was good news, and then told us that I had won. We were so, so excited and screaming.” Her family posted it on Facebook. Winning a contest and being a leader in school is not new to Jalia. Previously, she won first place and $100 in an essay contest on fire safety. And she participates in numerous extracurricular activities, including the Future Young Leaders program of the Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. At Binford, she is a member of the school dance company and serves as house captain for Pride Rock, which she explains is like a student council but without the election process. She also has participated in the Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion program since fourth grade and currently is one of the Minds in Motion Ambassadors who perform at schools and throughout the community. “I think becoming a leader happened when I was really young,” Jalia says. “I don’t like copying people and everyone was doing the same thing. I have always gone in a different direction and people naturally follow me. I tend to be a trendsetter.” Her grandmother confirmed
her observation. “Jalia is so independent, regardless of the project,” Mrs. Rice says. “She is very determined to do it her way.” As any leader would, Jalia looked up information before writing her winning essay to make sure her facts were correct about what a mayor does. She says she didn’t want to write an essay and have people say, “That’s not what a mayor does.” Her research included “what is an economy and what it does,” she says, along with “housing and different neighborhoods in Richmond” and needs of homeless people. Two days after learning she won the essay contest, she happened to see Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney. “I saw him at Regency Mall. I was on the second floor with my sister and my friend and he was on the first floor,” she recalls. “I looked over the balcony and said hello. And he asked how we were.” While she didn’t have the opportunity to tell him how she would run the city, she says it’s important as a leader “to listen to other people’s ideas because I don’t want everyone to think that I am taking over. I ask other people questions because I know that I can be very aggressive sometimes. I like to ask questions so everyone will agree on one thing.” Her message to young leaders like herself? “Stay focused and know your goals. Don’t get distracted by little things that happen. If you are having a bad day, just try to keep your head up and be kind.” Meet Virginia’s young leader in training and this week’s Personality, Jalia Lucille Hardy: Latest honor: 2018 statewide winner of the Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest. Grade level and school: Seventh grade at Binford Middle School. Extracurricular activities: Minds in Motion Ambassadors, Binford Dance Company, Future Young Leaders program of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Upsilon Omega Chapter, Binford Choir and choreographer for the Overby-Sheppard Honey Beez. Family: Mother, Lisa Hardy; siblings, Antione Lynch Jr. and Tierra Rice (on my Mom’s side) and Janae Hardy, Jacori Hardy and Jachelle Hardy (on my Dad’s side). Birthday: March 1.
Current residence: Richmond. Reaction to winning the regional title: I was so happy and very excited that I won throughout the whole region. When Mr. Walker called me into his classroom, I knew he was going to tell me something important because it was at the end of the day. But I did not know it was going to be as important and exciting as this. I was so excited and shocked because out of all the kids across the whole state who entered, I won! Family’s reaction: They were so proud of me. My Mom said, “What-tt-t … that’s my girl!” And they all posted it on Facebook and called everyone. What this honor means to me: Getting this award shows me that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to. I am very proud of myself. Why other students should participate: Other students should enter the contest because, even if you don’t win, it is a good opportunity. And since the writing prompt is not very specific, you can go crazy and write how you, the city and the world should be. How I plan to use the award: I am going to put some of the money in my savings account, but I am also going to get things that I want like food, candy, clothes, shoes, etc. View of current Richmond mayor: I feel like the current mayor is doing a very good job and takes his job very seriously. View of current U.S. president: I feel like our current president has a lot of pent up anger and is not making very good decisions for our country. What I want to be when I grow up: I want to work in TV production. I would like to be a director or have my own channel or show. My interest in running for office: I think that I have very good ideas about ways to improve the community. I would like to become a General Assembly page next school year. Role of education in my life: I’ve made straight A’s ever since kindergarten and I am trying to keep my streak going. So I do my best and ask a lot of questions. Importance of going to school: School teaches you a lot — life lessons and actual in-class learning lessons. It prepares you for the real world. How students should perceive school: As a safe, fun, learning environment. What motivates me to study: My grades. If I want to keep them up, then it is important that I study for tests, quizzes, etc. A good teacher is: A teacher who is supportive, listens and makes class interactive and fun. Favorite subject: Math, because I can always prove whether or not I’m right or wrong. Perfect day: Waking up from a very good sleep then eating some food, watching Netflix and YouTube and spending time with family and friends. Best late-night snack: Chocolate ice cream pie. Three words that best describe
me: Outgoing, competitive, brave. The person who influenced me the most: My mother, Lisa Hardy, and my grandmother, Dorothy Rice. What I would like to change in the world: The way people see others. Perception basically affects everything. What I would like to change in my community: I want the youths to have more impact in the community. My outlook for the future: I’m planning on having many more accomplishments and doing great things. Kindergarten taught me: To interact with new and different people and to be kind to people because it pays off. The book that influenced me the most: “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. What I’m reading now: “Lost in the Red Hills of Mars” by Jackie Hunter. My next goal: I would like to start other activities like volleyball, track and cheering.
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Richmond Free Press
B2 April 5-7, 2018
Happenings
Coretta Scott King wanted secrets about her husband’s death exposed By Barbara A. Reynolds
Efforts must be increased to break down the wall of secrecy surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights leader was gunned down on April 4, 1968, as he stepped onto the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. That was one of the lasting wishes of his wife, Coretta Scott King. It was underscored by the findings of a rarely discussed Dec. 9, 1999, jury trial in Memphis which concluded that Dr. King was the victim of assassination by a Dr. Reynolds conspiracy involving the Memphis Police Department, as well as local, state and federal government agencies, movement insiders and the Mafia. Mrs. King died on Jan. 31, 2006. The secrecy shrouding the death of Dr. King is still alive. As the nation commemorates the death of the martyred leader, there should be a renewed effort to bare submerged information that could finally set the record straight about the role of U.S. governmental agencies in a plan to eliminate Dr. King, who had emerged as one of the most successful African-American leaders of the 21st century. In a civil suit filed by Mrs. King in Memphis, a jury of six white people and six AfricanAmericans affirmed the trial’s evidence that identified someone else — and not James Earl Ray — as Dr. King’s shooter and agreed that Mr. Ray had been set up to take the blame. “The trial only proved what our family had maintained all along,” Mrs. King told me for her memoir “Coretta: My Life, My Love, My Legacy.” The civil trial went on for four weeks. The 2,735-page transcript contains the sworn testimony and depositions of more than 70 law enforcement agents, reporters, civil rights leaders and witnesses, some of whose statements contrasted starkly with official reports. Of particular interest was Loyd Jowers, owner of Jim’s Grill, located beneath the rooming house where the shots were supposedly fired. Mr. Jow-
ers said that he had been given $100,000 by a man with Mafia connections to help provide a cover for the shooting. Mr. Jowers said he took the rifle from a man named Raul, moments after Dr. King was shot and hid it under his counter until it was picked up the next morning by the shooter, a Memphis police officer. More than 2,000 reporters covered the O.J. Simpson trial, but the mainstream media virtually ignored the sworn testimony of law enforcement
Commentary agents and others who provided important insight into the assassination of Dr. King. The testimony included: • Ed Redditt, a Memphis detective, and fireman Floyd Newsum, the only two AfricanAmericans assigned to provide security for Dr. King. They were re-assigned on April 3, the day before the assassination. Mr. Redditt said he was guarded by a man, who identified himself as a Secret Service agent, which raised questions of why an agent would be concerned with a lowly Memphis police detective when his job usually is to focus on the president. • Judge Joe Brown, an experienced Memphis court official as well as a seasoned hunter. Judge Brown told the jury he believed the rifle that prosecutors used to implicate Mr. Ray was not the rifle used to kill Dr. King. “That weapon literally could not have hit the broad side of a barn,” he said. • Don Wilson, an FBI agent working in the Atlanta Bureau. He said that in searching Mr. Ray’s car several days after the assassination, he found pieces of a handwritten note with the name “Raul” on it, the same name of the man who had handed Mr. Jowers the rifle for safe-keeping after the assassination. Mr. Wilson, who is presently retired, also told me how the agents laughed and joked about the murder of Dr. King. The assassination of Dr. King raises serious question about FBI involvement. After Dr. King questioned the FBI’s sincerity in investigating the murder of civil rights activists, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover in a November 1965 press conference shot back with a war of words, condemning Dr. King as “the most notorious liar in the country,” as well as a communist.
‘Get Lit’ program to feature local authors April 7 More than a dozen local authors, playwrights, poets and spoken word artists will be the special guests this weekend at “Get Lit,” a program sponsored by the Richmond Public Library’s Black Male Emergent Readers Literacy Program. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Main Library, 101 E. Franklin St. in
Downtown. Paul Manning, the City of Richmond’s chief service officer and author of “X-Men and the Book of Revelation,” will be the keynote speaker. Other featured guests include Kennedy O’Neal, Jamil Jasey, Elliot Eddie, Christopher Allen, Raymond Goode, Vincent Ellis White, Nina Fitzhugh-Wells, Cordell Farley,
Zetas host elder care symposium April 14 The Alpha Phi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is hosting a free Elder Care Symposium 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 8175 Grove Road in Mechanicsville. Topics to be covered at the free event include care and concern for aging parents, caregiver resources, legal pitfalls, tough love decisions, estate planning and wills. Specialists from the Alzheimer’s Association, CareMore, AARP, Anthem and the Lee Law Office will make presentations or participate in panel discussions. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Donations and wigs will be accepted for the sorority’s partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Wigs for Awareness program. Wigs must be new and styled. Details: Edith Mason, the chapter’s Elder Care Committee chair, (804) 350-2667 or (804) 550-1949.
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A.E. Bartlett, David H.C. Carter, Clarence McGill, Chris O’Neal, Dr. Ravi Perry, L. Roi Boyd III and Alfred Powell Jr. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors. The BMER program is an initiative of librarians from the Richmond Public Library to address reading inequities affecting area students. BMER kits containing materials with people of color as protagonists and activities to motivate young people to read are available for teachers and others to borrow for schools, youth groups and book clubs. Breakfast for the event is being donated by Pumpkin’s Kitchen Café, while the library is providing a light lunch for participants. Registration is required at http://rvalibrary.org. Details: Meldon D. JenkinsJones, (804) 646-6500.
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Dr. King quickly became a target of the FBI’s COINTELPRO, an acronym for Counter Intelligence Program, that had the stated mission to surveil, infiltrate, discredit and disrupt domestic groups that the FBI deemed subversive. This was the same high-profile FBI program that led to the dismantling and murder of several members of the Black Panthers. One well-reported incident of COINTELPRO was a suicide letter and an audio tape the FBI secretly sent to the home of Dr. King on Nov. 3, 1964, shortly before he was to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. It accused him of committing indecent sexual acts and suggested that the only way Dr. King could save himself from national disgrace was to commit suicide. Mrs. King played the tape and said she heard people telling dirty jokes, but there was no reference to her husband. A 1977 court order resulted in the King papers being sealed for 50 years. And despite several inquiries from various groups, the King files reportedly numbering about 700,000 pages are not scheduled to be opened until 2027. The sealing only increases fears that many pertinent records will be destroyed before that date, leaving many questions unanswered. Old fears are being rekindled as several reports
suggest that the FBI’s COINTELPRO is being reincarnated to monitor, surveil and contain socalled “black identity extremists.” This information using that label was obtained by Foreign Policy Magazine from an unofficial FBI report. The document, according to the magazine, warns that “black identity extremists” pose a growing threat to law enforcement and that police attacks on African-Americans could spur “premeditated, retaliatory lethal violence” against the police. The August 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., was the catalyst for widespread violence, the FBI report states, concluding that continued “alleged” police abuses have fueled more violence. While the report didn’t specifically mention Black Lives Matter, it is difficult not to connect the dots. There are several Black Lives Matter activists who report being put under surveillance, which sounds like the tactics of CONINTELPRO created to neutralize the activities of black activists. Mrs. King called for all files to be opened to finally lay out all the “facts pertinent to the truth of who killed my beloved Martin.” So far, her wish has been denied. And like in so many denials, history could well be on the way to being repeated.
Upcoming Free Health Seminars We’ll be offering the following free health seminars at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Kelly Education Center, located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue. Registration is recommended. Free parking available. Tuesday, April 10 | 5:30 p.m.
Advance Care Planning: It’s Time Wednesday, April 18 | 5:30 p.m.
Understanding Sarcoidosis Register online at vcuhealth.org/events or call (804) 628-0041 for more information.
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April 5-7, 2018 B3
Happenings
Holiday flair in the city Easter weekend in Richmond was filled with sunshine and fun. People of all ages flocked to two staple favorite events celebrating the holiday — the Dominion Family Easter at Maymont last Saturday and Sunday’s Easter on Parade on Monument Avenue. Children enjoyed decorating eggs and bonnets, competing in games and visiting with the Easter Bunny at
the event on the rolling grounds of Maymont. Thousands enjoyed seeing and being seen as they strolled along Monument Avenue wearing their Easter finery, bonnets and costumes. The street was closed to traffic between Davis and Allen avenues, turning the tree-lined boulevard into a venue for music and entertainment for people and pets alike.
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Easter on Parade Top left, Christopher Hudert walks on stilts high above the crowds strolling along Monument Avenue, and Darryl Burrell’s outfit, right, is topped by a handmade crown of fresh flowers. Audrey Ross, 4, pauses with her mother, Tarah Weston, middle left, to watch one of the performances at Easter on Parade.
Family Easter at Maymont Right, Elijah Easley, 8, and his 3-year-old brother, Touri, get ready for a big hug from the Easter Bunny at Family Easter at Maymont. Below, Ariyanna Bates, 5, inspects the craftsmanship on the egg she decorated. Kennedy Wilson, center, tackles the egg-on-thespoon “hoptacle” course designed especially for younger children. Somewhere along the way, the egg disappeared. Bryan Jones proudly wears the Easter bonnet his daughters, Bryanna, 9, and Camilla, 6, tied to his head with a colorful bow.
A couple of well-dressed pooches, left, take a break in their Easter bonnets and matching sunglasses and bunny ears. The annual event also features a pet bonnet showcase. The Ephesus Pathfinder Drumline, above, strikes up a beat that gets spectators grooving as the group parades and plays down the avenue.
Richmond Free Press
B4 April 5-7, 2018
Obituary/Faith News/Directory
‘Mother of South Africa’ dies at 81 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 Antonio Guterres was among those Winnie Madikizela-Mandela 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
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
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Theme for 2018-2020: Mobilizing For Ministry Refreshing The Old and Emerging The New
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“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
1408 W. eih Sree ichmo a. 0 804 5840
Church School Worship Service
8:45 a.m. 10 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.
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1 p.m.
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To advertise your church events in the Richmond Free Press call 804-644-0496
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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
Pastoral search - DeaDline aPril 14, 2018 info at www.tmcbc.org
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
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”
500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222
WedneSdayS
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
Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults)
“MAKE IT HAPPEN”
Jerusalem Baptist Church Norfolk, Virginia
Baptist Church
Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays): Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10 A.M.
Thursday: Bishop Fred L. Bridy
Greater Brook Road Baptist Church Richmond, Virginia
Riverview
8 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11 A.M.
Wednesday: Rev. Wendell Johnson, Pastor
Tuesday: Rev. Grace Tolliver, Pastor
“The Church With A Welcome”
8:30 a.m. ....Sunday School 10:00 a.m. ...Morning Worship
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 Unified 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
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.
SundayS
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.”
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.
Reuters
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 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 • 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.
1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225
Thursday Night
ExplosioN!
Evangelist and National Recording Artist
JEkalyN Carr 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.
E N R Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 4th Grade O L Our NDCA curriculum also consists L THE NEw DElivEraNcE cHrisTiaN acaDEmy (NDca)
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
N O W !
Richmond Free Press
B5 April 5-7, 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, April 9, 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 ordinance: Ordinance No. 2018-112 To amend and reordain City Code § 9-58, which assigns polling places in the city, to relocate and establish a new polling place for Precinct 413. Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances, including descriptions and maps of proposed boundary and polling place changes, are available for inspection 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 City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL Public Notice Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, April 16, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, April 23, 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. 2018-113 To rezone the property known as 1 East Cary Street from the B-3 General Business District to the B-5 Central Business District. The City of Richmond’s Pulse Corridor Plan designates the future land use category for this property as Downtown MixedUse, which features high-density development with office buildings, apartments, and a mix of complementary uses, including regional destinations. Ordinance No. 2018-114 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 1303 and 1305 North 29th Street for the purpose of no more than two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. The current zoning for the property is R-6, Single-Family Attached Residential. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the property for SingleFamily Medium Density land uses which includes single-family and twofamily dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. The proposed special use permit would authorize a density of approximately 9 units per acre. 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; the Main City Library located at 101 East Franklin Street; 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
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Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 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 FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KEONDRA FIELDS, Plaintiff v. LAMONT FIELDS, Defendant. Case No.: CL18000909-00 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 30th day of April, 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 Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHANNON BATSON, Plaintiff v. KENNETH BATSON, Defendant. Case No.: CL18000908-00 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 30th day of April, 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 Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667
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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 30th day of April, 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 Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER FELICIA ALLEN, Plaintiff v. LONNIE ALLEN, Defendant. Case No.: CL18000796-00 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, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 30th day of April, 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 Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHERITA LEWIS, Plaintiff v. JARRELL MILLER, Defendant. Case No.: CL18000872-00 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 30th day of April, 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 Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SONYA GREEN, Plaintiff v. DON GREEN, Defendant. Case No.: CL17000901-00 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, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 30th day of April, 2018 at 9:00 AM and protect his 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 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.
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER TAWANDA GRAHAM, Plaintiff v. ANTHONY GRAHAM, Defendant. Case No.: CL18000925-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from
Virginia: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, 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
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Custody
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PM, COURTROOM #3. Virginia: In the County of henrico Shannon Kirsch and Gregory Kirsch, Petitioners, v. John T. Dugan, Respondent Case No.: CA17-40 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to Terminate the parental rights of John T. Dugan and declare Gregory Kirsch to be the legal father of Ella Mason Dugan and McCrae Jacob Dugan. It is ordered that John T. Dugan appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before Monday, May 6, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. A Copy Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk Ryan F. Furgurson Wlliam B. Cave & Associates, LLC 2800 Buford Road, Suite 102 Richmond, Virginia 23235 (804) 327-9222
PROPERTY VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5650 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3100 Delano Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090564/036, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 08-12680 on May 9, 2008, 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, 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 ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 0812680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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
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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. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5649 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3108 Delano Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090564/034, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 08-12680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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, 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 ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 0812680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5648 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3112 Delano Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090564/033, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 08-12680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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, 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 ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 0812680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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 OFPlaintiff, v. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5800 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3104 Delano Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090564/035, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 08-12680 on May 9, 2008, 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, 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 ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 0812680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5647 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3116 Delano
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Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090564/032, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 08-12680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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, 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 ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 0812680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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
2013, 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, 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 ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 0812680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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
Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0100138/029, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Emerald Land Development, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that MICHAEL J. WILLIAMS, Trustee for a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 15-6833 on April 24, 2015, 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 WILLIAM CANADA, beneficiary of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 15-6833 on April 24, 2015, 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; 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 that MICHAEL J. WILLIAMS, Trustee for a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 156833 on April 24, 2015, that MICHAEL J. WILLIAMS, Trustee for a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 15-6833 on April 24, 2015, 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. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5646 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3120 Delano Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090564/031, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 08-12680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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, 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 ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 0812680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, 2013, 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. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5645 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3124 Delano Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090564/010, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that ANDREW G. FERGUSON, Trustee of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 08-12680 on May 9, 2008 AND Trustee of a of a deed of trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number Instrument Number 13-24918 on November 5, Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5696 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3207 Lanewood Drive, 3213 Lanewood Drive, 3219 Lanewood Drive, 3225 Lanewood Drive, 3231 Lanewood Drive, 3237 Lanewood Drive, and 3243 Lanewood Drive, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C009-0698/019, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed 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 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. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5697 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3213 Bashford Lane, 3219 Bashford Lane, 3225 Bashford Lane, 3237 Bashford Lane, 3231 Bashford Lane, 3243 Bashford Lane, 3249 Bashford Lane, 3210 Lanewood Drive, 3212 Lanewood Drive, 3218 Lanewood Drive, 3224 Lanewood Drive, 3230 Lanewood Drive, 3236 Lanewood Drive and 3242 Lanewood Drive, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C009-0697/008, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed 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 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. EMERALD LAND DEVELOPMENT, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5651 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 5313 Salem Street aka 5317 Salem Continued on next column
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL17-5698 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3200 Bashford Lane aka 3206 Bashford Lane, 3212 Bashford Lane, 3218 Bashford Lane, 3224 Bashford Lane, 3230 Bashford Lane, 3236 Bashford Lane, 3242 Bashford Lane, 3248 Bashford Lane and 3256 Bashford Lane, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C009-0671/010, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Big Green Mountain, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed 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 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. EVELYN H. PERKINS, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-1084 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1412 Rogers Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000768/013, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Evelyn H. Perkins. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, EVELYN H. P ERKINS, 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 ETHEL KNIGHT MANNING, SANGUE KNIGHT GILES, EDITH KNIGHT CRUMP, MARY KNIGHT MICKINS, LELIA KNIGHT LEWIS, JOYCE KNIGHT RANDOLPH, and IRIS ANTIONETTE KNIGHT MORAN, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that ALVIN E. KNIGHT, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, who may Continued on next page
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April 5-7, 2018 B6
Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous page
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 EVELYN H. PERKINS, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, ETHEL KNIGHT MANNING, SANGUE KNIGHT GILES, EDITH KNIGHT CRUMP, MARY KNIGHT MICKINS, LELIA KNIGHT LEWIS, JOYCE KNIGHT RANDOLPH, IRIS ANTIONETTE KNIGHT MORAN, ALVIN E. KNIGHT, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before April 29, 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. GEORGE SMITH, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-984 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3844 Terminal Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090505/008, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, George Smith. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, GEORGE SMITH, who upon information and belief is deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that ANDREW D. SMITH, ANDREW S. SMITH, MARION D. SMITH, DENIS TUCKER, and MONNIE TUCKER, 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 GEORGE SMITH, who upon information and belief is deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, ANDREW D. SMITH, ANDREW S. SMITH, MARION D. SMITH, DENIS TUCKER, MONNIE TUCKER, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before April 29, 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. MARY THOMAS HARRIS, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-1129 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 6341 Daytona Drive, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0070553/032, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Mary Thomas Harris. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, MARY THOMAS HARRIS, 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 , MARY THOMAS HARRIS, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before April 29, 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
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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. LINILTON REALTY COMPANY, LLC, et al. Defendants. Case No.: CL18-353 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3016 Groveland Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number N0000985/004, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Linilton Realty Company, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that FA I T H LINTON, Registered Agent for LINILTON REALTY COMPANY, LLC, owner of record of said property, 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 FAITH LINTON, Registered Agent for LINILTON REALTY COMPANY, LLC, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before April 29, 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. LILLIE M. BULLOCK, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-1131 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3318 N Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E000-0880/008, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Lillie M. Bullock. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, LILLIE M. BULLOCK, 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 TUFFY AUTO SERVICE CENTERS, which 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 LILLIE M. BULLOCK, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, TUFFY AUTO SERVICE CENTERS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 29, 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. AARON M. WALLACE, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-432 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1115 North 27th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000521/031, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Aaron M. Wallace, Aaron B. Whitmore, Kenneth C. Alaedu and Chijioke Ude. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, AARON M. WALLACE, 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, AARON B. WHITMORE, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that Continued on next column
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said owners, KENNETH C. ALAEDU and CHIJIOKE UDE, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known addresses, have not been personally 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 AARON M. WALLACE, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, AARON B. WHITMORE, KENNETH C. ALAEDU, CHIJIOKE UDE, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before April 29, 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
TUCKER, and MONNIE TUCKER, 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 G E O R G E S M I T H , upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, ANDREW D. SMITH, ANDREW S. SMITH, MARION D. SMITH, DENIS TUCKER, MONNIE T U C K E R , and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before April 29, 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. GLADYS E. POLLARD, et al, Defendants. Case No.: 18-606 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2402 Carrington Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000517/013, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Gladys E. Pollard. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, GLADYS E. POLLARD, 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 GLADYS E. POLLARD and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before April 29, 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
CURRENCY
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. GEORGE SMITH, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL18-0985 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2511 Hopkins Road, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C0090505/010, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, George Smith. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, GEORGE SMITH, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that ANDREW D. SMITH, ANDREW S. SMITH, MARION D. SMITH, DENIS
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA Plaintiff, v. CASE NO. CL10F-1712-3 $626.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY, AND REGINALD FIELDS; CASE NO. CL10F-2004-3 $165.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY, AND SYLVESTER LACY; CASE NO. CL10F-2012-3 $291.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY, AND ABDUL-YASEEN MUHAMMAD; Defendants. ORDER The object of the above captioned suits is to forfeit to the Commonwealth the described property or currency pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-386 et. seq. (which includes former Section 18.2249) (Michie 1999). It appearing by affidavit filed according to law that due diligence has been used by or on behalf of the Commonwealth to ascertain the whereabouts of the Defendants and effect service of process, without success, it is therefore ORDERED that the Defendants do appear on or before May 1, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, John Marshall Courts Building, 400 North Ninth Street, and do what is necessary to protect his or her interests. I ask for this: J. Andrew Johnson Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP# 154593-JWC The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is requesting proposals from firms to provide Armed and Unarmed Security Guard Services. All proposals must be received by 10:30 A.M. on May 1, 2018 at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Central Office Mail Center – Loading Dock Entrance, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219, Attn: Jacque Comuzzi, Procurement Officer II. For a copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP 154593-JWC), go to the website: www.eva.virginia. gov (solicitations & awards) and reference the solicitation number. A mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held at 1 P.M., April 19, 2018, at Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Old Highway Building, 1221 East Broad Street, Front Auditorium, First Floor, Richmond, VA 23219. The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement. For questions or additional information email: Jacquelyn.Comuzzi@vdot.virginia.gov
ENGINEERING CONSULTING The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking expressions of interest from consulting Engineering firms and/or Surveying firms who wish to be considered to provide professional engineering services and/or surveying services to establish baseline conditions and monitor deformation of structures (bridges, buildings, tunnels, islands, utilities, walls, but not limited to) throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia as requested by the Department. Monitoring of structures (new and existing) can remain in place for extended periods and will include pre-construction, construction and post construction as requested by the Department. The duration will be at the discretion of the Department. The Department anticipates awarding one limited services on-call contract as a result of this request for proposal. The proposed two-year limited services term contract with two (2) optional one-year renewable terms will have a maximum value of $3,000,000.00 per term. Responses must be received by 2:00 p.m. on April 19, 2018. A copy of the Request For Proposal (RFP) may be obtained at http://www. virginiadot.org/business/rfps.asp. For additional information, contact Ms. Tracy Wood at 804-7869691 (TDD 711). VDOT assures compliance with Title VI requirements of nondiscrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.
Data Engineer: Job located in Richmond, VA: Participate in detailed technical design, development and implementation of applications using existing and emerging technology platforms. Provide input into architectural design decisions, develop code and ensure applications are available to customers. Requires: Master’s Degree in Computer Sci, Eng or related plus two years of experience. Send resumes to: Snagajob.com, Inc. Attn: Jessica Bennett, 4851 Lake Brook Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
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COORDINATOR FOR NURSING PROGRAMS Position: #FA286
(J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master’s Degree in Nursing and an unrestricted Registered Nurse’s license are required. The selected candidate must be able to successfully pass the college’s pre-employment security screening. TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time, twelvemonth professional faculty ranked appointment. Salary range: $62,270–$126,288. Approximate maximum hiring salary: $100,000. Salary commensurate with the education and experience of the applicant. Review of applications will begin MAY 18, 2018, position to be filled for Fall 2018. Additional information is available at the College’s website: www.reynolds.edu. AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans/ AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/ Other National Service Alumni
NURSING INSTRUCTOR Medical Surgical Position: #FO073
(J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master’s degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited college or university. An unrestricted Registered Nurse’s license. Minimum of two (2) years of direct client care nursing experience or its equivalent within the past five (5) years or two (2) years of full-time teaching in nursing education or its equivalent (30 credits is equal to 1 year). The selected candidate must be able to successfully pass the college’s pre-employment security screening. TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time, ninemonth teaching faculty-ranked appointment. Salary commensurate with the education and experience of the applicant. Salary range: $32,832-$108,508. Approximate maximum hiring salary: $65,000. Review of applications will begin MAY 18, 2018. Additional information is available at the College’s website: www.reynolds.edu. AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans/ AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/ Other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.
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
TransiT sysTem
Accounts PAyAble sPeciAlist Non - Exempt Full Time
To advertise in the
Richmond Free Press call 644-0496
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Closes: April 9, 2018 GRTC Transit System in Richmond, Virginia seeks a skilled candidate to perform all accounts payable functions for GRTC in accordance with established accounting principles, policies and objectives. The Accounts Payable Clerk will be responsible for processing incoming accounts payable to include the receipt, distribution, research, processing, and payment of all GRTC Transit System, Ridefinders’, and Richmond Rides payables. Among its other duties, the position will interface with a procurement system for closing PO’s and assist in processing payroll related transactions. A high school education is required with an Associate’s in Accounting, Finance or related field required. Experience in accounts payable or payroll processing highly desired. The successful candidate will be proficient in Windows, Excel, and Word. For a more detailed job description and the ability to apply online, please visit www. ridegrtc.com. A pre-employment drug screening and county civil search will be required. GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.
immediately aVailable Downtown Richmond first floor office suite Call Now
5th and Franklin StreetS 422 east Franklin Street richmond, Virginia 23219
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