Holiday events to light up Downtown this weekend
Richmond Free Press
VOL. 24 NO. 49
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DECEMBER 3-5, 2015
Playing the ‘Trump’ card Richmond pastor of church in bankruptcy endorses billionaire despite controversial remarks By Joey Matthews
Stephen A. Parson Sr., the embattled senior pastor at the Richmond Christian Center who is on leave as his South Side church tries to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, was among a contingent of 100 African-American ministers who met Monday with Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump at Trump Plaza in New York City. Pastor Parson, a longtime Republican, is endorsing Mr. Trump. He also told the Free Press he is leading a group of African-American and Latino ministers who are supporting Mr. Trump’s candidacy. He said that his work with the Virginia Black and Latino Leaders Coalition is being done on a voluntary basis and that he is not being paid to lead the group. The Free Press contacted the Trump campaign to confirm that, but received no reply by press time on Wednesday. “As a billionaire businessman, (Mr. Trump) knows how to create wealth, and he can help bring much-needed jobs to African-Americans who are struggling for economic security in the inner city,” Pastor Parson said of his backing of
Two faces of Ben
Mr. Trump during a phone interview Monday after the New York meeting concluded. Pastor Parson appeared Tuesday morning in an interview with Roland Martin, host of TV One’s “NewsOne Now,” where he struggled to identify specific policies that Mr. Trump had provided at the meeting that would bring more jobs to African-Americans, address educational inequities or improve relations with police in the light of the continued killings of AfricanAmericans by white police officers. Pastor Parson and Richmond Christian Center, the church he founded in 1983, have undergone financial troubles tied to the church’s bankruptcy that began in 2013. Earlier this year, Pastor Parson was forced off the board of trustees and required to cede control of the church’s checkbook as a courtappointed trustee sought to help the church survive. His pay as pastor was cut off, and the court-appointed trustee also sued him in trying to recover funds the trustee alleged that Pastor Parson misspent. However, church members have indicated that Pastor Parson would be invited to take over Please turn to A4
Lucas Jackson/REUTERS
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump is joined by a small group of pastors, including embattled Richmond Christian Center Senior Pastor Stephen A. Parson Sr., left, and Omarosa Manigault, a former contestant on Mr. Trump’s reality TV show “The Apprentice,” following Monday’s meeting at Trump Plaza in New York City.
Coffee shop business grinds to a halt By Jeremy M. Lazarus
The Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Ayauna King-Baker loved Ben Carson’s “Gifted Hands” memoir so much that she made her daughter, Shaliya, read it. So when Dr. Carson showed up in town to sign copies of his new book, Mrs. King-Baker dragged the giggly 13-year-old along to the bookstore so they could both meet him. To Mrs. King-Baker, Dr. Carson’s “up-by-your bootstraps” life story makes him a genuine celebrity worth emulating in the African-American community. But she’s also a Pompano Beach, Fla., Democrat watching Dr. Carson’s performance in the Republican presidential polls. For Mrs. King-Baker and many other African-Americans, the vast majority of whom are Democrats, there are two Carsons: One is a genius doctor and Please turn to A4
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
A combination coffee and bike shop was supposed to be a first step in breathing fresh life into a neighborhood business strip in North Side. But four months after the ceremonial, highprofile ribbon-cutting, only the nonprofit bike shop remains in operation at 10 E. Brookland Park Blvd. — and just a few days a week. Streetcar Café, the coffee shop and main element of this experiment in neighborhood revitalization, closed Saturday — raising concern about the $120,000 Richmond taxpayers contributed to the development group that renovated the building. “It’s disappointing,” said Derek McDaniels, president of the nonprofit Nehemiah Community Development Corp. that he and his wife, Cybelle, founded to uplift the Barton Heights retail area that sprawls for blocks along and around the intersection of North Avenue and Brookland Park Boulevard. Mr. McDaniels said Nehemiah would be looking for new operators. “This cannot fail,” he said. The Brookland Park Boulevard corridor is an
Kirsa and Sean Crippen stand outside the Streetcar Café Saturday as they prepare to close up their coffee shop for good. Location: 10 E. Brookland Park Blvd. in North Side.
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Police chief out amid protests of teen’s murder in Chicago Free Press wire reports
CHICAGO Chicago’s police chief was ousted on Tuesday following days of unrest over video footage showing the police shooting of a black teenager and the subsequent filing of
murder charges against a white police officer in the young man’s death. The white officer, Jason Van Dyke, was charged Nov. 24 with first-degree murder in the killing of Laquan McDonald, 17, who was shot 16 times. The video
of the killing was released on the day the former officer was charged. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced during a news conference Tuesday that he had asked Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy to
to Virginia Commonwealth University to seek a degree in information systems. Meanwhile, Mr. Phillips, 23, got his feet wet in helping to manage the $8 million project that included renovation of the unique Mr. Young 120-year-old building and installation of a big addition. A former electrical engineering student, he said he now wants to make a career in project management as a result of the mentoring he received from project manager Rick Pilgrim.
resign. The mayor also said he was creating a new police accountability task force. The mayor said he asked new First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante to serve as acting superintendent during a “thorough” search for a permanent replacement. The mayor, a Democrat and the former chief of staff to President Obama, said he was responsible for what happened in the case, the same as the police superintendent. “I’m responsible. I don’t shirk that responsibility,” Mayor Emanuel said. He added that the creation of the task force was meant to rebuild trust in the police department of one of the country’s largest cities. Mayor Emanuel, Superintendent McCarthy and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez have faced criticism for taking 13 months to release the video of the October 2014 fatal shooting and to charge
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Black History Museum project becomes a career changer By Jeremy M. Lazarus
For Rickey Young and Teimon Phillips, the new Black History Museum and Cultural Center in Richmond’s Jackson Ward will always be a special place. Mr. Phillips Both men got their first experience in the construction field in working to transform the long vacant but historic Leigh Street Armory into the museum’s new home. Mr. Young, 25, was involved in wiring the building as an apprentice electrician. “I had never done this before, but I enjoy a challenge,” he said. The work has encouraged him to return
James Haskins/Richmond Free Press
Fun on ice Brimming with excitement, Jessica Henderson, 14, reaches back to help Jordyn Henderson, 12, stay on her feet as the two skate at the city’s outdoor rink in the 600 block of East Broad Street in Downtown. They joined dozens of other skaters at last Friday’s opening ceremony for RVA On Ice, which debuted its sixth season with music, games, activities and prizes. American Idol finalist Rayvon Owen of Henrico County and the Richmond Boys Choir performed at the kickoff event that was hosted by Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones. The rink will be open for skating through Sunday, Jan. 3.
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December 3-5, 2015
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A state NAACP officer has been convicted of driving while intoxicated. LaSalle J. McCoy Jr., who serves as state NAACP secretary and president of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP, was found guilty in Chesterfield County District Court at a hearing two days before Thanksgiving. A first-time offender, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail with all but five days suspended. Mr. McCoy said he was credited with time served and did not have to spend Thanksgiving in jail. His sentence also included a $250 fine and he was ordered to pay $232 in court costs. He also is required to participate in meetings of the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program and faces restrictions on his driving. Mr. McCoy was arrested Aug. 12 and since has resisted pressure to resign from his NAACP posts. Mr. McCoy, who had been appointed state secretary to fill a vacancy, won election to the post Oct. 31 during the state NAACP convention in Richmond. He said Tuesday that he has no intention of resigning and will continue with his work for the civil rights group. “Individuals have problems, all of us do,” he said. “You deal with them and move on.” — JEREMY M. LAZARUS
December 2 – December 8, 2015
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NAACP official convicted of drunk driving
barrels a year and could grow to 500,000 barrels a year. Up to 100 people could be employed there. Separately, the city is beginning to make plans for creating an $8 million restaurant and beer garden for Stone Brewery at the now vacant Intermediate Terminal on the riverfront. The company also would repay the city for that investment. As yet, there has been no indication on when construction of that restaurant and entertainment development might begin. Initially, work on that portion of the project was expected to begin at least two years after the brewery opening.
The big Stone Brewery beer production center is heading toward completion in the East End. Location: Williamsburg Avenue and Stony Run Road. The California-based company selected Richmond for its East Coast brewery last October. To help get the plant up and running quickly, the city has borrowed $23 million to build the factory, which the company is to repay in monthly installments over 25 years. The company is directly investing $51 million in the equipment, land and other costs. Brewing is expected to begin early next year, possibly in January. Production could top 120,000
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The U.S. Office of Civil Rights has opened an investigation into whether Chesterfield County Public Schools retaliated against special needs advocate Kandise Lucas for her work on behalf of students with disabilities. An arm of the U.S. Department of Education, an official with the OCR notified Ms. Lucas in a letter dated Nov. 21 that it has assigned an attorney and investigator to look into her complaint that the school system had her arrested to prevent her from serving as an advocate. The letter did not state how long the probe would take, but noted the investigation does not mean that “a determination” has been made. Chesterfield Public Schools has not responded to a request for comment about the OCR investigation. Ms. Lucas’ complaint stems from her arrest for trespassing at Meadowbridge High School on April 29 while attending a meeting with school officials and a parent involving an autistic student’s Individual Education Progress (IEP) plan. The student has been home-schooled since February, and his parent and Ms. Lucas have alleged that the high school has violated his IEP plan and provided him with improperly trained staff. Ms. Lucas is appealing her conviction in Chesterfield County General District Court two weeks ago on the trespassing charge. Her appeal in Chesterfield Circuit Court is based on her claim that her participation was protected activity under state and federal law and that she attended the meeting at the invitation of the parent. In addition, the OCR also is investigating whether the school system retaliated against Ms. Lucas after a secretary at Falling Creek Middle School took out a warrant Nov. 12 charging Ms. Lucas with trespassing at that school. Ms. Lucas has said she was 10 miles away at another program at the time of the alleged violation. Ms. Lucas also has requested that OCR investigate whether school officials retaliated against her by seeking to have her held in contempt of court for talking with the director of special education Sept. 15 at a public meeting. According to the OCR letter, the office enforces a federal law that bars discrimination and retaliation against students with disabilities or their advocates by an entity that receives federal funds. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
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Feds to investigate advocate’s complaint against Chesterfield school system
Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
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A new location is to be announced Thursday for Richmond’s memorial statue to city police officers killed in the line of duty. The location: The intersection of Blanton Avenue and Trafford Road, according to Glenwood Burley, the retired police officer leading the relocation effort. The new site is in a quiet section of Byrd Park, located two blocks north of The Carillon and next door to a covered city reservoir, he said. The site would position the statue as a symbol of a “protector of our children,” Mr. Burley said. Mr. Burley and a committee he leads originally selected a site in front of The Carillon, the tall bell tower in Byrd Park that is a World War I memorial. However, Mr. Burley changed his mind after the Carillon Civic Association raised objections that were supported by the statue’s sculptor, Maria Kirby-Smith. She told Mr. Burley the police memorial statue would look like “a peanut on a billiard table” if it were placed in front of the towering Carillon. The statue, which depicts a police officer carrying a child, currently is on 7th Street near the Richmond Coliseum. It was placed there on May 16, 1987, during National Police Week. It pays tribute to city officers and includes a plaque with the names of the 28 policemen killed in the line of duty between 1869 and 2003. Mr. Burley found the statue neglected earlier this year and has been campaigning for it to be moved to a better site. He said he now will seek approval from Richmond City Council for the relocation to the new site. Mr. Burley said private companies have volunteered to assist in moving the statue and creating a new base for it to stand on, including W.O. Grubb Crane Rental and the KBS Construction Co. Volunteer groups, he said, also plan to assist with landscaping, including Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. “I have started to form a team” to participate in the various aspects of the relocation, he said, which is likely to be done without cost to the city. His goal: To have the move accomplished by May 15, which is designated as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. “I expect to be standing there during our wreath-laying ceremony,” he said. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS
Cityscape
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New Byrd Park site proposed for Richmond police memorial
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Mayor saves tree at planned Walker monument site By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Yes, Richmond, that iconic Downtown tree is going to survive. That’s the word from Mayor Dwight C. Jones. He disclosed Wednesday that he is committed to saving the green-leafed live oak tree that dominates the triangular site earmarked for a proposed statue of renowned Richmonder Maggie L. Walker, the first African-American woman in the nation to establish and operate a bank. Mayor Jones has signed an online petition calling on the city to avoid destroying the tree to make way for the statue of Mrs. Walker at the intersection of Brook Road and Broad and Adams streets. The mayor’s decision is likely to end tension with tree supporters who were promising to fight City Hall, including Jackson Ward resident Mariah Robinson, who started a petition drive to save a tree she considers “irreplaceable.” On Monday, Dec. 7, the Richmond Planning Commission is to consider recommending closing Brook Road between Adams Mayor Jones and Broad to provide space for a proposed pedestrian plaza to be part of the Walker monument. The mayor is so happy that the statue site is being embraced he sees no need to fight over the tree. “I consider it a victory that there is such overwhelming support for the chosen location for the Maggie Walker monument,” Mayor Jones wrote in a statement to the Free Press. “I gladly join in the effort to preserve the special oak tree that is present at the site” and to make sure it is incorporated into the monument site. Mayor Jones said he has discussed the tree issue with Antonio Tobias “Toby” Mendez, the sculptor who received a $300,000 commission from the city to design the Maggie Walker statue. The conceptual design is still in the preliminary stage. “I’m confident that (Mr. Tobias) and our public arts coordinator can develop options to achieve the goal of appropriately honoring Maggie Walker while preserving the rare tree,” the mayor stated. In his view, the inclusion of the live oak will only add to the “specialness of the site, further symbolizing the strength of (Mrs. Walker’s) legacy in the same way oak trees symbolize strength, courage and power,” he wrote. There are indications that some of the tree’s branches may need pruning to make room for the statue. Mayor Jones is not surprised about the outpouring of support for the tree. “I know the importance of trees to Richmond.” He said, though, the concern shows that the city has found “a sensible and prominent location for the Maggie Walker monument,” near the national historic site where she lived and the soon-to-open Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, both of which are located on Leigh Street in Jackson Ward. City Council has endorsed the triangle site for a Walker statue twice since 1999. Mrs. Walker began the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903 as the leader of a fraternal insurance and burial society known as the Independent Order of St. Luke. The bank later became Consolidated Bank & Trust Co. and is now a division of Premier Bank. Even amid the growth of segregation, Mrs. Walker promoted entrepreneurial solutions to advance African-American prosperity in Richmond, including launching a department store and a newspaper. A Richmond school has long been named for her.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
This leafy oak tree growing on a triangle plot Downtown at Broad Street, Adams Street and Brook Road is the subject of a petition drive by people who don’t want it to be cut down for the monument honoring renowned Richmond businesswoman Maggie L. Walker.
AG starts initiative to boost diversity in police departments Attorney General Mark R. Herring is seeking to ment and to identify data and strategies to overcome help police departments across Virginia recruit more them. minority applicants and build police departments. Danville Chief of Police Philip Broadfoot and The goal of the initiative: To reflect the cultural and Martinsville Police Chief Sean Dunn said the initiaracial makeup of the communities they serve. tive would help them do a better job of recruiting a Mr. Herring said the initiative would begin in diverse pool of officer candidates. Danville and Martinsville with the aim of creating Danville’s population is 49 percent African -Amerimodel programs that other law enforcement agencies can. Currently, 19 of the police department’s 128 officers could use. are African-American, or 15 percent. That total includes He said that his office is putting up $50,000 to help Attorney General nine African-American supervisors out of 44. Herring finance the effort. Martinsville has a 45 percent African-American As part of the initiative, he will assign staff to work with population. However, there are only four African-American ofDanville and Martinsville officials to identify barriers to recruit- ficers out of 51, or 8 percent, including one supervisor.
Petersburg learns on free speech lesson By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Linwood Christian and others in Petersburg no longer will be barred from addressing the Petersburg City Council because they owe taxes, fines or fees to the city. The city and Mayor W. Howard Myers have agreed to a settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia to end any denial of free speech based on debts owed the city. Under the agreement reached Nov. 23, the city will pay $3,000 to the ACLU of Virginia to cover legal fees in representing Mr. Christian, a community activist. The ACLU brought the suit on Mr. Christian’s behalf after the mayor and a council majority barred Mr. Christian from speaking on an issue at a public meeting on Jan. 20 because he owed the city money. Mayor Myers and the city also issued the following public statement as part of Mayor Myers the settlement: “The City and the Mayor support the First Amendment and the right of the citizens and business owners of Petersburg to participate in the public information period of City Council meetings in accordance with the Rules of Council. “The City and the Mayor acknowledge the concerns Mr. Christian has raised about being denied the opportunity to speak during the public information period of a City Council meeting held on January 20, 2015. “We are glad that Mr. Christian has been able to speak at a number of subsequent public information periods, and we will continue to ensure that Mr. Christian and all other eligible members of the Petersburg community are permitted to exercise their First Amendment Rights.” Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia, said she was pleased with the settlement and hopes that “the City of Petersburg has learned a lesson about respecting the rights of its citizens to participate in public forums.”
SCLC chapter hosts legislative forum
The Richmond Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is hosting a forum to discuss legislative issues prior to the start of the General Assembly in January. The forum will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike, in the East End. “We will have presenters and a dialogue among those attending,” said the Rev. Rodney Hunter, president of the Richmond SCLC chapter and pastor at Wesley Memorial. Henrico Sen. A. Donald McEachin, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, is scheduled to be among the speakers, Rev. Hunter said. Lunch also will be provided at the event that is free and open to the public, he said. For more information: (804) 644-5830.
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Playing the ‘Trump’ card overrepresented the number of white people killed by black people, among other errors. the pulpit if the church can emerge from He also said after the incident involving bankruptcy, which is still questionable. the “Black Lives Matter” demonstrator, During his interview with Mr. Martin, “Maybe he should have been roughed up Pastor Parson said Mr. Trump has written because it was absolutely disgusting what books about “why we want you rich.” he was doing.” “He’s going to encourage the black “His insensitivity toward the minority American, especially, to entrepreneurship,” communities is really a big concern of he told Mr. Martin. mine,” Bishop Pullings said. Bishop Orrin Pullings of United Nations Longtime Republican Joe Ellison, Church International in South Richmond, pastor of the newly formed City Park who identified himself as a Democrat, also Church in Henrico County, and Bishop Leon Benjamin of New Life Harvest Church on South Side also said they were invited to the meeting. Rev. Ellison said he chose not to attend because of “conflicting reports about the purpose of the meeting.” Bishop Benjamin declined to say why he did not attend the meeting. In the controversial buildup to the Monday meeting, Mr. Trump first claimed that 100 black ministers and evangelical leaders would endorse his candidacy after the meeting. That raised the hackles of some of the invitees, who said they planned to attend the meeting to challenge Mr. Trump on his racially incendiary statements. Mr. Trump then backtracked and said the meeting was designed as a forum for him to answer the questions and concerns of the African-American Richard Drew/Associated Press pastors. Pastor Stephen A. Parson Sr. of the Richmond In a letter published Christian Center points to Donald Trump’s book, “Why by Ebony magazine, We Want You to be Rich: Two Men, One Message,” more than 100 black co-authored with Robert Kiyosaki, as he talks to members of the media Monday in New York before the religious leaders wrote that “Trump’s racially meeting of about 100 African-American ministers with inaccurate, insensitive the GOP candidate. and incendiary rhetoric attended the New York meeting, but told should give those charged with the care the Free Press Tuesday he is not backing of the spirits and souls of black people Mr. Trump. great pause.” Bishop Pullings said he left the meetThey also expressed concern that ing unsatisfied with Mr. Trump’s tepid Monday’s gathering would “give Trump responses as to why he has used inflam- the appearance of legitimacy among those matory rhetoric against African-Americans, who follow your leadership and respect women, immigrants, handicapped people your position as clergy.” and others during his campaign. He also During the meeting, Bishop Pullings said wanted an account from Mr. Trump as he and about 30 ministers sat at a conferto why some of his campaign supporters ence table with Mr. Trump, surrounded by roughed up a Black Lives Matter demon- dozens of other pastors. strator while removing him from a recent He said some of the ministers were upset rally in Birmingham, Ala. that Mr. Trump has made racially charged Mr. Trump kicked off his campaign with remarks during the campaign and mocked a speech in which he said some Mexican a disabled New York Times reporter at a immigrants are rapists and criminals, and rally last week. recently drew criticism for retweeting an “We asked him why he wouldn’t apoloimage of inaccurate statistics that vastly gize for any of the remarks he has made Continued from A1
and if he planned to issue any apologies,” Bishop Pullings said. He said before Mr. Trump could speak, Omarosa Manigault, who became an ordained minister in 2012 after she gained fame as a contestant on “The Apprentice,” Mr. Trump’s reality TV show, “stepped in” and said, “He doesn’t need to say anything, he’s leading in the polls.” Bishop Pullings said he can’t understand why Mr. Trump “feels like he needs to be demeaning” to people. “As a president, he would need to have more sensitivity on how to deal with common people,” he said. “I’m going to speak with Hillary Clinton now,” he said. Bishop Pullings said he doesn’t believe Mr. Trump changed the minds of any pastors at the meeting who are “sitting on the fence” politically. Pastor Parson downplayed the bevy of controversies Mr. Trump has stirred up since running for the Republican presidential nomination. “All the stuff they’re jumping on is to help start a controversy to bring him down,” he said. He said he has spoken with several black pastors who said they would like to publicly endorse Mr. Trump, but are afraid of the backlash they would receive from their colleagues and congregation members. “Most of them have the Democratic Party mindset,” Pastor Parson claimed. “If you’re black, you have to support the Democrats. If you come out for Donald Trump, you get attacked. “Some just aren’t ready for that type of attack,” he continued. “They can’t get their members upset because most churches are dependent on their members giving them money.” In an interview after the meeting, Mr. Trump, joined by Pastor Parson, Ms. Manigault and a handful of other ministers, described “great love in the room” and a wide-ranging, two-hour discussion of black unemployment, increased training for police officers and the deficiencies of urban education. “They liked me, and I like them,” Mr. Trump said. He added, “I’ve had many endorsements today,” without providing any specifics. Cleveland-based Pastor Darrell Scott, who spoke on behalf of the group, described the meeting as “very constructive.” “We’ve had meaningful dialogue with Donald Trump,” he said, adding many of the pastors planned to return to their homes and pray while they deliberate on whether to endorse him. Before Monday’s meeting, the Rev. Corletta J. Vaughn of Detroit saw her name on a flier touting her endorsement and that of the 100 ministers invited to the meeting. She said she was shocked. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Rev. Vaughn, senior pastor at the Holy Spirit Cathedral of Faith, said she remembered thinking when she saw the document. “That would kill me. My constituency would murder me. There is no way in the world I can do that.”
Chicago police chief out Continued from A1
Mr. Van Dyke. On Tuesday afternoon, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said she wrote to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking the Justice Department to conduct a civil rights investigation into the Police Department’s “use of force, including deadly force; the adequacy of its review and investigation of officers’ use of force and investigation of allegations of misconduct; its provision of training, equipment and supervision of officers to allow them to do their job safely and effectively; and whether there exists a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing.” Mr. Van Dyke and other officers were responding to a report of a teen with a knife who had been breaking into cars on the night Laquan was shot. In the video, the officer is seen exiting his car on Oct. 20, 2014, with his gun drawn and approaching the teen who was armed with a knife and reportedly under the influence of PCP. The video shows Laquan walking away from police as Mr. Van Dyke moves closer before repeatedly shooting the youth. Mr. Van Dyke’s first shot spins Laquan around and he collapses in the middle of the road. Although authorities have said at least eight officers were on the scene at the time, only Mr. Van Dyke opened fire. Another officer stopped him from reloading his gun, according to reports. Meanwhile, a Chicago Burger King manager who accuses police of erasing surveillance video in the incident said Saturday he testified before a federal grand jury investigating the shooting. Jay Darshane told the Chicago Tribune that the FBI also took the video recorder containing all of the fast food restaurant’s surveillance images. He said that when the officers left, almost two hours later, there was an 86-minute gap in the recording, including the time sur-
rounding the shooting. Both the police chief and the Cook County state’s attorney deny the Burger King video was altered. The Burger King is yards from where Laquan fell when the first few bullets from Mr. Van Dyke struck him. It took minutes for police to demand the restaurant’s passwordprotected video, Mr. Darshane said. High-profile killings of black men at the hands of mainly white law enCharles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press forcement officials in U.S. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, left, and Police cities have prompted dem- Superintendent Garry McCarthy appear at a news onstrations in the last two conference Nov. 24 to announce the first degree murder years, stoking a national charge against police officer Jason Van Dyke in the 2014 debate on race relations shooting death of Laquan McDonald, 17. Mayor Emanuel on Tuesday asked Mr. McCarthy to resign. and police tactics. through the streets and disrupted shopping Mr. Van Dyke, 37, was released from jail on Monday after posting in Chicago’s ritziest retail district. Despite a cold, drizzling rain, hundreds a $1.5 million bond. As a condition of his release set by the of demonstrators turned out to join the judge, Mr. Van Dyke had to surrender his protest on the day that marks the tradifirearm owner ID card and all firearms to tional beginning of the holiday shopping season along Michigan Avenue’s Maglaw enforcement. During a protest on Monday, Cornell nificent Mile. Activists chanting, “16 shots! 16 shots!” William Brooks, president of the national NAACP, was among several people ar- stopped traffic for blocks for up to an hour. rested during the peaceful demonstration, Police officers along the sidewalk formed a barrier of sorts between the protesters the organization said. On Tuesday, Mr. Brooks accused the and stores and helped shoppers get through city of “generational police misconduct the doors. Among the marchers was 73-year-old and police brutality” and called for more Frank Chapman of Chicago, who said the than a change in leadership. “The question before us now is, ‘Will we disturbing video confirms what activists have a police department that is accountable, have said for years about Chicago police that has transparency and operates with brutality. “That needs to end. Too many have integrity and treats the citizens of Chicago with respect and dignity and understands already died,” said Mr. Chapman, whose profoundly that black lives matter, all lives organization, the Chicago Alliance Against matter. And certainly the life of a 17-year- Racism and Political Oppression, is pushing for an elected, civilian police accountold young man?’” he told CNN. On Black Friday, demonstrators marched ability council.
Ben Carson Facebook
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson speaks with a Syrian refugee last Saturday at a refugee camp in Amman, Jordan, where his campaign said he went to better understand the plight of people fleeing the war-torn country.
Two faces of Ben Continued from A1
inspirational speaker and writer who talks of limitless horizons; the other is a White House candidate who pushes conservative politics and wishes to “de-emphasize race.” How they reconcile the two may help determine whether Republicans can dent the solid support Democrats have enjoyed in the black community for decades. President Obama won 95 percent of the black vote in 2008 and 93 percent in 2012. Dr. Carson wasn’t immune to the excitement of seeing the United States elect its first black president. “I don’t think there were any black people in the country that weren’t thrilled that that happened — including me,” Dr. Carson told The Associated Press in a recent interview when asked about President Obama’s first victory. “Everyone had hope this would be something different. It was nice having that hope for a little while.” Dr. Carson has since become an aggressive critic of the president. Dr. Carson rose to prominence in the Tea Party movement after repudiating the president’s health care law in front of President Obama during the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast. Today, Dr. Carson charges that the president’s performance has actually set black candidates back. “I don’t think he’s made my path any easier,” Dr. Carson said. “So many people said there’d never be another black president for 100 years after this.” Dr. Carson has not gone out of his way to court black voters this year. He insists he won’t change his message to attract specific audiences, although his campaign tried a rap-filled ad in early November. He already has one convert — Mrs. King-Baker. She says she plans to change her registration to vote for the doctor in the Florida primary. “He has the momentum, he has the conversation, he’s very serious, he’s speaking to the people, and I just think he would be a very good president,” she said. None of this will matter unless Dr. Carson survives the primaries, where he had been leading in early preference polls. Black votes aren’t a major factor in GOP primaries. Only about 16 percent of African-American voters affiliated with the Republican Party in 2012. But they will be a factor in the November general election. African-American voters are one of the few growing segments of the voting public. The percentage of black voters eclipsed the percentage of white voters for the first time in 2012, when 66 percent of blacks voted, compared with 64 percent of non-Hispanics whites and about 48 percent of Hispanics and Asians. Carole Bell, a professor of communication studies at Northeastern University, estimates that Dr. Carson could attract as much as 25 percent of the African-American vote if he’s the GOP candidate. “That would be a tremendous accomplishment for the GOP at this stage,” she said. Dr. Carson is better known by African-American voters than other black Republicans who ran for president, such as businessman Herman Cain, who achieved passing prominence in the 2012 race, and former Ambassador Alan Keyes before him. Dr. Carson was a celebrated figure before he entered politics because of his work as a neurosurgeon. He led a team that successfully separated conjoined twins, which led to movie appearances, best-selling books, a television biography and a motivational speaking career that crossed racial lines. “Black people were proud that Dr. Carson had become a famous surgeon and had accomplished what no one else ever had in separating the twins,” said Fredrick Harris, director of the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University. That’s part of his appeal, said Rebecca Britt, 43, a registered Democrat who also went to see Dr. Carson in Fort Lauderdale and buy his most recent book. “He’s one of the heroes in our community, with what he’s been able to accomplish in the medical field,” she said. But can that translate into many black votes? Dr. Carson has said he would not support a Muslim for president, a position his campaign says helped him raise money and attract conservative support. He has been critical of the Black Lives Matter movement, which drew its name from protests that followed the death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. The retired neurosurgeon told the AP that Americans should take the focus off of race during a recent trip to Mr. Brown’s hometown. Dr. Carson may draw support from conservative AfricanAmericans and those already in the GOP, but it’s unlikely that he would make major inroads in the Democratic Party’s dominance among black voters in a general election, said D’Andra Orey, a political science professor at Jackson State University in Mississippi. Given the GOP’s fraught history with African-Americans, it could be “nearly impossible for blacks to support a Republican who espouses what they deem to be racially conservative rhetoric,” Ms. Orey said. “Put short, it’s an uphill battle for any Republican who seeks out the black vote.” Ms. Bell, the Northeastern professor, said Dr. Carson’s celebrity may have helped him at the beginning of his candidacy, but that shine may have worn off. “He had tremendous positives before he started speaking as a potential candidate,” Ms. Bell said. “But the more he speaks, the more there are opportunities to sort of really show there’s a gulf between him and a lot of African-Americans.”
Richmond Free Press
December 3-5, 2015 A5
Local News
Dance, Warner to speak at fall commencements Free Press staff report
State Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance of Petersburg and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner will be the featured speakers at fall commencements at area universities. Sen. Dance will speak at the ceremony at her alma mater, Virginia State University; Sen. Warner will speak at Virginia Commonwealth University’s commencement ceremony. A member of the VSU Class of 1986, Sen. Dance also will be awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters during the campus ceremony, it has been announced. Time: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Location: Daniel Gymnasium on the Ettrick campus. VSU expects to award degrees to 400 undergraduate and graduate students who have completed their course requirements, according to a school statement. Along with Sen. Dance, the school’s outgoing interim president, Pamela V. Hammond, also is to be presented with an honorary doctor of science degree. Dr. Hammond is to leave office at the end of January after 13 months of guiding the school. Sen. Dance, 67, is being recognized for her long career in public service according to the school, including previous service as a member of the House of Delegates and as Petersburg’s mayor for 12 years. During her tenure as mayor, she is credited with helping to secure the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and to create
the Southside Regional Medical Center. She later represented the area in the House of Delegates and, in November, she was elected to her first full term as the representative for the 16th Senate District, which stretches from Richmond’s East End to the Petersburg area. Among other things, she helped VSU secure $950,000 in increased student aid during the 2015 General Assembly session. She also earned a master’s degree in Sen. Dance public administration from VCU. At VCU’s fall commencement, three people will receive special awards at the ceremony. Time: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 Location: VCU’s Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. William L. “Bill” Murray and Jean Hovey will receive the Edward A. Wayne Medal that honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided exemplary service to the university. Dr. Sheldon M. Retchin, a health policy expert who led the effort to build VCU’s new Children’s Pavilion, will receive the Presidential Medallion for his outstanding contributions to the university community. Dr. Murray is the managing director of public policy for Dominion, and served as legislative director for former Gov. Tim
Kaine and as deputy director of policy for Sen. Warner when he was governor. Ms. Hovey, a consultant, conducts evaluation and policy research and analysis. She also volunteers as a mental health advocate. Dr. Retchin served as senior vice president for health sciences at VCU and CEO of VCU Health System from 2003 until early this year, when he left to become executive vice president of health sciences Sen. Wamer at Ohio State University and CEO of its Wexner Medical Center. Sen. Warner, 60, was elected in November 2014 to a second term representing Virginians in the U.S. Senate, where he serves on the finance, banking, budget and intelligence committees. A native of Indianapolis who grew up in Illinois and Connecticut, Sen. Warner earned an undergraduate degree from George Washington University and a law degree from Harvard University. The millionaire businessman managed L. Douglas Wilder’s successful campaign for governor in 1989 and was chair of the Virginia Democratic Party in the early 1990s before launching his own successful campaign for governor. He served as Virginia’s 69th governor from 2002 to 2006 and was chair of the National Governors Association in 2004-05.
Black History Museum project becomes a career changer Continued from A1
He’s now studying for an associate degree in construction management at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. The two Richmonders are among 18 people who received an opportunity for on-the-job training on the museum project, an unusual practice, but one made integral to increase African-American participation in the museum construction project. Most visitors will have little idea about the contributions that black-owned companies and their workers made after the museum opens in early January. But this project is winning plaudits as a model for inclusion and diversity, both for workers and for small, struggling companies that also participated. Among the elements that make this project stand apart is the role of black-owned businesses. At least 14 black-owned companies performed 70 percent of the work, according to Mike Hopkins, whose Emerge Construction Group was among them. Emerge, a Richmond company, served as the general contractor. Mr. Hopkins teamed with J&G Consulting to make the federal Section 3 requirements important to the work, helping to bring to the job inexperienced workers like Mr. Young and Mr. Phillips and small Section 3 companies like Dave’s Demo, Rambo’s Drywall and Perky Plus Construction to the job. Though long ignored or given lip service, Section 3 is a potentially powerful federal effort to promote economic development in poor neighborhoods. Part of the 1968 law that created the U.S. Department of Housing, the section requires governments and private owners that receive its funding for development to provide jobs and job training for low-income residents and contracting opportunities for companies that are located in poor neighborhoods or run by such residents. Grace Washington-Young of J&G Consulting said that along with the 18 people who received on-the-job training, another 19 people who qualified for Section 3 status also were employed by Emerge Construction Group or
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
As project manager, Rick Pilgrim has been involved in keeping the work on schedule while integrating small black businesses and trainees into the development of the new home of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center on Leigh Street in Jackson Ward.
its subcontractors. Dave’s Demo, for example, hired four such workers, she said. Some of the companies that did well on the museum project have gone on to win contracts on a separate project: The $11 million renovation of a former Highland Park school building into 77 apartments, Ms. Washington-Young noted. Stacy L. Burrs, former chairman and chief executive officer of the museum, supported having a Section 3 component. He was a key player in gaining the armory for the museum and raising the money for renovation. He also is a past director of state and city programs that promote minority business inclusion. “I have spent my career in this area, and I’m proud of what has been accomplished,” said Mr. Burrs, now deputy director of the Downtown booster group Venture Richmond. Mr. Young was working at a McDonald’s restaurant and helping at a bonding agency his mother, Wanda Young, owns and operates. He said he happened to stop by the museum construction site to inquire about work opportunities after getting a tip from someone
working there. Initially, he was employed on the site as a laborer, but after eight weeks, he said he got
a chance to do more when he was assigned to apprentice with B&M Electric. He said the work was interesting and gave him insights into development and the people who do the work that will help him in his career. Mr. Phillips said the opportunity to work on this project opened a new world to him. He had planned to become an electrical engineer when he started at West Virginia State University, but he said working with Mr. Pilgrim has helped him clarify his career goals. A construction veteran with years of experience on projects of all sizes, Mr. Pilgrim said he is proud of the opportunities this development has created. But he said it wasn’t easy. A few of the small businesses invited to participate were unable to secure the financing needed or were not set up properly and had to drop out, he said. He also noted that using inexperienced people under Section 3 proved challenging. “I was having to work with Teimon while trying to get my own work done,” Mr. Pilgrim said. “He had a hundred questions a day, so there was a lot of teaching going on.” Still, Mr. Pilgrim said that he feels that the training process proved to be worth it. “I hope others will do something similar on their projects.”
“I fought for my country. Now I'm bringing the fight to my HIV.” - Reggie
Coffee shop business grinds to a halt Continued from A1
area that has struggled. Barber and beauty shops remain plentiful, but other types of businesses have scrambled to attract customers. Even before Nehemiah came in, there had been success stories, including a bakery and a deli. And there has been substantial investment from Family Dollar and Dollar General. Still, Mr. McDaniels said 30 percent of the storefronts are vacant, which is why he viewed the coffee-bike shop as a catalyst for change. The closure of the current coffee shop came after Nehemiah terminated the month-to-month lease under which Sean and Kirsa Crippen were operating the shop that they had begun with so much promise. Before closing, the Crippens said that Nehemiah never allowed their fledgling café to become profitable. “It takes time,” Mr. Crippen said. “It doesn’t happen overnight.” He also said the deal that Nehemiah was trying to get them to sign would have required them to pay 70 percent of their revenue each month. Rent also would have doubled from $600 to $1,200 per month. “Our business grew every month,” Mr. Crippen said, “and we were covering our operating costs. But we still had a ways to go to become profitable.” The Crippens are now looking at other potential locations that offer better terms. Mr. McDaniels said that the Crippens could have turned profitable if they had been more aggressive in marketing and stayed opened longer hours. Most days, the shop was open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Still, the closure has not aided Nehemiah’s reputation as a business incubator whose work
would reap business development rewards. A property developer and adviser, Mr. McDaniels sold a vision to the city that the nonprofit could start successful small businesses at one site and then use part of the profits to renovate other vacant buildings and fill them with additional businesses. Mr. McDaniels said Nehemiah’s renovation of 10 E. Brookland Park Blvd. already had begun to stimulate interest in other vacant buildings. City Council members Chris A. Hilbert and Ellen F. Robertson, whose districts split the area and who both have been eager to see this area thrive, bought into the vision and worked with the city administration to secure $120,000 in grants to support Nehemiah. With another $30,000 in donations added to the city’s contribution, the McDaniels led Nehemiah in buying and renovating the vacant building and then seeking partners to carry out the vision. They found their bike partner, Rob Gassie, a veteran bike builder and expert in repairs, to run the nonprofit Streetcar Cyclery. After another potential partner dropped out, they found the Crippens, who ultimately used $45,000 from their savings and high-interest borrowing to equip the café side of the building. “We wanted to create a shop that provided a friendly, neighborly atmosphere,” Mr. Crippen said. It seemed like a winner when Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Mr. Hilbert and Ms. Robertson joined a host of residents and other city officials to celebrate the grand opening on July 13. But the failure of the McDaniels and Crippens to see eye-to-eye on the purpose of the business created a loser. The space filled with tables, racks and equipment now is dark.
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Richmond Free Press
Pansy bloom on North Side
Editorial Page
A6
December 3-5, 2015
Drop a dime on a cop The City of Chicago, situated on the windswept shores of Lake Michigan, is part of Cook County, Ill. Many of the locals call it “Crook County” because of its long and notorious history of corruption. A report last year by the University of Illinois, Chicago campus, listed about 150 county politicians and employees who had been convicted in recent years for wrongdoing. Add to the list Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, who was fired this week, just days after an incriminating dashcam video was released showing the street slaughter of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by one of Chicago’s finest. The now former police officer, Jason Van Dyke, has been charged with murder. On Tuesday, he was released after posting a $1.5 million bond. Laquan was shot and killed in October 2014. At least seven other officers were on the scene, according to reports. Anyone who has seen the video of the horrendous crime should be outraged by the lies told by authorities for more than a year in covering up the criminal actions of Mr. Van Dyke. Furthering the coverup, 86 minutes of video has mysteriously disappeared from a surveillance camera at a Burger King near the scene where Laquan was gunned down. The fast food restaurant’s manager says that police came into the store that night and tampered with the cameras. So who are the real crooks in Crook County? Why did it take a year for the Cook County prosecutor, Anita Alvarez, to release the dashcam video to the public and file charges against Mr. Van Dyke? Why did it take Mayor Rahm Emanuel a year to dump the police superintendent and to create a task force on police accountability? Was the mayor the chief architect of paying Laquan’s family $5 million before a lawsuit was even filed? Was that supposed to be hush money? A lot stinks in Crook County. And we hope that more heads roll before it’s all over, including that of the mayor. For years, police have elicited the help of the community in combating crime. People who witness crimes or criminal activity are asked to “drop a dime,” meaning they should call in and report the suspected criminals. We believe that “drop a dime” should apply to cops as well. If police across the nation don’t want to be tarnished in the public’s perception by the actions of the rogues and criminals in uniform who have held open season on AfricanAmerican men, women and children in America, then they need to step forward and report their fellow officers. “Good” cops should drop a dime on bad cops — like Mr. Van Dyke in Chicago, Timothy Loehmann in Cleveland (victim: Tamir Rice); Daniel Pantaleo in Staten Island, N.Y. (victim: Eric Garner); Ray Tensing in Cincinnati (victim: Sam Dubose); Eric Casebolt in McKinney, Texas, (victim: Dajerria Becton); and Alicia White, Caesar Goodson Jr., Brian Rice, Edward Nero, Garrett Miller and William Porter in Baltimore (victim: Freddy Gray). As of Nov. 16, 1,000 people have been killed by police this year in the United States, according to records collected by The Guardian newspaper. From January to June, 135 AfricanAmericans were killed by police. Of those, 32 percent were unarmed, the publication reported. During that same period, 234 white people were killed by police, with 15 percent unarmed. Nothing changes in any community without pressure. Rosa Parks taught us that when her arrest in Montgomery, Ala., launched a yearlong bus boycott that led to equal seating on public buses. That was 60 years ago Tuesday. Today, we are certain the continued public protests have drawn unwanted publicity to Chicago as the latest example of police abuse against African-Americans. Demonstrations on Black Friday that blocked entrances to the high-end shops along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile also may have an economic impact on businesses, bending the city’s latest actions toward justice. The Free Press renews its call, initially made on these pages six months ago, for the national NAACP or any watchdog group to create and maintain a national database of police officers who are disciplined, fired, resigned, criminally charged or sued for excessive use of force and aberrant behavior. As we said then, such a database would put police agencies and the public on notice so that bad cops cannot leave their jobs, move elsewhere and wreak the same havoc on another unsuspecting community. They should be barred from ever getting another job with a police department or security agency. We call on cops in every community — from Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield to Chicago — to drop a dime on the bad cops. We’d see a drop in these atrocious crimes.
Associated Press
Rosa Parks arrives at the Montgomery, Ala., courthouse with supporters to be arraigned following her arrest Dec. 1, 1955, for refusing to move to the black section in the rear of a city bus. African-Americans then began a boycott of the bus company that lasted for more than a year.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
A ‘kill-and-cover-up’ police culture? When public officials refuse to release a video that shows alleged misconduct by a police officer, you should only expect the worst. That’s particularly true in Chicago, where one “bad apple” too often has signaled a bushel of coverups and other problems underneath. Such are the suspicions that haunt the city’s stalling for more than a year to release a dashcam video that shows former Officer Jason Van Dyke firing 16 shots into the body of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, an AfricanAmerican. Mayor Rahm Emanuel denounced the behavior as a case of one allegedly bad apple. Yet the video and various actions taken before and after the shooting point to systemic and institutional problems that extend far beyond one allegedly trigger-happy cop. Why, for example, did the city sit on the dashcam video for more than a year before a judge ordered its release on open-records grounds? Mayor Emanuel and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez have said the time was needed to conduct proper
investigations. But compare that to the Cincinnati case last summer in which black driver Samuel DuBose was fatally shot on camera by University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing during a routine traffic stop. The video, which contradicted
Clarence Page Mr. Tensing’s account of being dragged by Mr. DuBose’s vehicle, was released and Mr. Tensing was charged with murder and fired from the department in less than two weeks. The Chicago video similarly refutes a police union spokesman’s allegation of Mr. McDonald lunging at police with a knife on the night of Oct. 20, 2014. Instead it shows the teen, reportedly with PCP in his system, holding a small knife but moving away from police when Mr. Van Dyke opens fire — and inexplicably keeps firing at Mr. McDonald’s flinching body on the ground. Only Mr. Van Dyke fires his weapon and none of the estimated seven police officers on the scene moves to help Mr. McDonald. Mr. Van Dyke has been charged with first degree murder. Then there’s the question of what happened to video from a security camera at a nearby
Burger King. A district manager for the restaurant chain has said police visited shortly after the shooting and were given access to the surveillance equipment. The next day, he has said, a portion of the video was missing. Witnesses to the shooting told Jamie Kalven, an independent journalist and human rights activist whose nonprofit called the Invisible Institute filed a FOIA request to have the dashcam video released, that police tried to shoo witnesses away from the scene after the shooting instead of collecting names and other information. And why, many wonder, did the mayor persuade the City Council to authorize a $5 million settlement for Mr. McDonald’s family, which had not filed a lawsuit. Mayor Emanuel claimed a desire to avoid jeopardizing the case. But Chicagoans with long memories — like me — wonder whether the cash is reparations or a form of hush money. The city fought to conceal the video, even after the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune and a freelance journalist all filed FOIA requests for its release. To Mr. Kalven, the most important issue here is not just the shooting but how governmental institutions — from the police to the mayor’s office — responded to it, he says. “And at every level,” he told
Tips from rags to riches life Omar Periu is truly a rags to riches story. He came to America at age 7 with his parents who were escaping Fidel Castro's regime. They came with nothing but the clothes on their backs. He has built an amazing business that h a s g e n e rated millions of dollars and also has been inspiring corporations and individuals for more than 20 years. He specializes in sales, negotiations and wealth building. Mr. Periu grew up poor, but was always excited about the possibilities for his future. He initially struggled in deadend jobs but kept thinking and dreaming about success and wealth. At 21, he was working as a personal trainer in Los Angeles. He was training famous people but was only making $127 a month. But he was developing great relationships. He met a businessman who needed a personal trainer and Mr. Periu helped him get in shape. The businessman liked his ambition and work ethic and, in turn, taught Mr. Periu business principles. They became business partners and started buying a health club business. They bought health clubs that had not been profitable and turned them into profitable
enterprises. Ten years later, Mr. Periu and his partner had 28 health clubs and sold them for more than $20 million. Mr. Periu was now a millionaire. Today, Mr. Periu shares his story, life and business lessons on main stages around the world.
Willie Jolley He is presently on the national Get Motivated Tour with Les Brown, Paula White, Clarice Fluitt and me. During my interview with him, Mr. Periu shared how he went from broke to millionaire and how you can do the same. • Execute — You must have a purpose and you must have passion. Get real. Get rich. • Create recurring income money that is made while you sleep. • Build equity. Once you get money take risks with it. They must be calculated risks, not stupid risks. • Leverage — Use other people’s contacts, money and influence. • Focus on the results. • Prioritize, analyze, delegate and actualize the game plan. • Never mistake activity for results. • There is no big secret, miraculous or difficult formula to understand. Implementing specific action is what is needed.
• Seek BLISS — Budget, Learn, Invest, Save, Spend. • Believe you can have your best year ever ... over and over again. • Think relationships — you must grow your relationships and your influence by helping others and being a win/win thinker. • Have daily food for thought — 20-30 minutes a day of positive motivation. • Be excited about selling — it is critical to grow your wealth. • To become a master salesperson you need to: • Prepare. • Get the money. • Every day write 10 things you will do tomorrow. • Talk to 10 more people tomorrow. • Know your customers needs and wants. • Be a PPS — A Professional Problem Solver! • Remember when you come up with solutions, people will give you their money. • Show solutions and expose your unique selling proposition. • Close them — Ask for the sale. • Enjoy making money — it goes with everything. The writer is the host of a motivational show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and the opening speaker on the national “Get Motivated” business seminar tour.
The Free Press welcomes letters Jim Young/REUTERS
Demonstrators link arms in solidarity on Black Friday along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile shopping district to protest the 2014 police killing of teenager Laquan McDonald and the city’s handling of the case.
The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you. We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.
me in a telephone interview, “we can see they responded by circling the wagons and creating a narrative that they knew was completely false.” Mr. Kalven’s institute worked seven years to open up police files and establish an online database of misconduct complaints against police officers — 97 percent of which resulted in absolutely no disciplinary action. Among other issues, Chicago and other cities will have to determine, like the rest of us, how to adjust to the new video age, an age that exposes so much to public view that used to be swept under various rugs. The McDonald video reveals the flip side of the so-called “Ferguson effect,” a widely alleged tendency by some police to hesitate before responding to crime scenes for fear of getting caught in a career-ending cellphone video. If fear of video can prevent atrocities like that revealed in the McDonald case, that’s not a bad thing.
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Richmond Free Press
December 3-5, 2015
A7
Letters to the Editor
Problems with welcoming others with ‘open arms’ Re: Editorial “Let us express our gratitude by welcoming others,” President Obama’s 2015 Thanksgiving Proclamation, Nov. 25-28 edition: I read President Obama’s poignant message. We are a country that is about 98 percent immigrant. I believe all children should be taken care of. Some of the details that are missing: Each immigrant, whether they are refugees or illegal or legal immigrants, has to be fed, clothed and housed. They all have to have running water and electricity. The refugees all have to have “resettlement” money per person, per month. Where is that money going to come from? Will it be more than what some senior citizens are receiving? How long will this money last? Will it last three years or 23 years?
‘Tough times for many’ in early U.S. history
How will they be fed? Food stamps, of course. Some starving senior citizens don’t even qualify for that. What type of tax breaks will they be given if they start a business? And how many years will that last? Are these the same refugees who chant “death to America?” How will the police deal with Sharia law? Will female circumcision be classified as an assault? The problem with welcoming different cultures with open arms is that we don’t know the details. I just want to know the details, please. TRACYE JAMES Richmond
Urge legislative support of Virginia Coastal Protection Act The Clean Power Plan issued this summer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides considerable flexibility to Virginia and other states to decide how to cut carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants to help reduce global warming. Depending on the approach taken, more or less carbon pollution will result. If Virginia is to maximize carbon reduction, bold steps are needed to be included in the state’s plan. However, big polluters like Dominion and Appalachian Power are pushing for a weaker state plan. They hope to convince General Assembly members that new power plants should be omitted from the plan and that natural gas is a better option than renewable energy like wind and solar, even though there are projections that within decades fast-growing solar could eclipse natural gas and
oil as the dominant source of energy. In January, when the General Assembly convenes to consider Virginia’s plan to meet EPA requirements, the debate is likely to heat up fast. Legislation already has been introduced intending to block action on the Clean Power Plan. There is a better way. Momentum has grown behind a win-win solution for our state: To join the existing, nine-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which includes states from Maine to Maryland. This program has proven to lower emissions while creating jobs, saving consumers money and hastening the switch to clean energy. By requiring Virginia’s dirtiest power plants to pay for excess emissions, the RGGI program could provide $200 million to our state annually to reinvest in clean energy solutions. These funds would
enable our state to raise roadways to keep them usable as sea levels rise, to restore wetlands to fight flooding along our coast, to allow homeowners and businesses to install solar equipment, to retrofit buildings to save energy and to train workers for new clean energy jobs. The Virginia Coastal Protection Act, a bipartisan bill that would enable Virginia to join RGGI, was introduced in the 2015 General Assembly session but was not adopted. Now is the time for all those who want our state to be on the forefront of reducing emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases to email or write a letter urging Gov. Terry McAuliffe to support, and your delegate and state senator to pass, the Virginia Coastal Protection Act. An outpouring of such letters and emails would show there is broad support for our state to join the RGGI and to put a higher priority on renewable energy.
GLEN BESA Richmond The writer is the director of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Feeling endangered by police If black cops were killing white men and boys at the rate white cops are continuing to kill black men, boys and Americans of color in general in these United States, there would be a mighty roar emanating from the belly of this country. Yet, there is ominous silence. It is beginning to seem as if too many white uniformed policemen with high school diplomas have bought into the Trump-type* rhetoric — namely a carryover of the tired code term having to do with “taking back America” heard over and over again in one form or another since Lincoln. They seriously think they are “doing the right thing” when they wantonly kill us.
As a male of color, it has become crystal clear to me that there are white men in police uniforms throughout this country whose personal sentiments about race and what constitutes a mortal danger to this country — and to them as the “first line of defense” — seemingly override any and all fears of being surveilled. Do I feel endangered? Yes! *A host of prominent names could be substituted for “Trump,” both recent and from the not too distant past.
As a new resident of Virginia coming from the North, I am amazed at how the “PC” revisionists are defaming 200 years of history and tradition with bands of the Confederate flag. Their total lack of knowledge and perspective is incredible. As far as perspective, black slavery was terrible but these were tough times for many. How about the tens of thousands of Chinese who were brought in to the West to work the mines and on the railroads? They died by the thousands in these mines and were forced to live in camps, which were hellholes of disease. How about the Irish who were forced from their families in Ireland because of starvation from British landlords. Forced to live in tenements in the United States, they and their children worked the Northern factories, sweatshops and tunnels and died of industrial accidents, tuberculosis and pneumonia. Seems like Virginia history has left out the hundreds of thousands of Confederate soldiers, both white and black, who were fighting for their states and didn’t want to be subjugated to the bankers and industrialists of the North. Yes, Virginia was a rebellious state through the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. But Virginians also were a proud and independent people who bowed to no one. LEN FROUSTET Chesterfield County
Main Street (Route 5) Bridge Replacement over Railroad City of Richmond Citizen Information Meeting Thursday, December 10, 2015, 5–7 p.m. Chimborazo Elementary School 3000 E. Marshall Street Richmond, VA 23223 Come see and hear about plans to replace the Main St. (Rt. 5) bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad. The road will be closed and a detour will be in place during construction. Give your written comments at the meeting or submit them no later than December 20, 2015 to Joe Fecek, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or Joe.Fecek@VDOT.Virginia.gov. 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 more information in regards to your civil rights on this project or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager at the telephone number listed above. * In the event of inclement weather on December 10, this meeting will be held December 17 at the same time and location above. State Project: 0005-127-957,P101, B630, C501, R201
CHARLES RITZBERG Richmond
Public Information Meetings Planned
Passenger Rail Improvement Alternatives Presented Please join the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) for public information meetings to learn about passenger rail improvement alternatives for intercity passenger rail service between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. During this meeting, the project team will present the most feasible and reasonable improvement alternatives, potential station locations, and track and safety improvements.
Mark your calendar and bring a friend. We want to hear from you. Open house from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a presentation given at 6:00 p.m. each evening.
Fredericksburg
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Dorothy Hart Community Center 408 Canal Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Transit info: www.ridefred.com
Springfield
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Hilton Springfield 6550 Loisdale Road Springfield, VA 22150 Transit info: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector www.wmata.com
Richmond
Thursday, December 10, 2015 VA Department of Motor Vehicles 2300 W. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23269 Transit info: www.ridegrtc.com
Can’t make a meeting? We still want to hear from you. Send your comments by Friday, January 8, 2016. • Participate in our online meeting from December 7, 2015 to January 8, 2016, at www.DC2RVArail.com/online-meeting. • Review materials online and send your comments electronically. • Leave comments on the toll-free project hotline: 888-832-0900 or TDD 711. • Mail comments to: Emily Stock, Manager of Rail Planning, DC2RVA Project Office, 801 East Main Street, Suite 1000, Richmond, VA 23219. DRPT strives to provide reasonable accommodations and services for persons who require assistance to participate. Meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. For special assistance, call the Title VI compliance officer, 804-786-4440 or TDD 711 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date. En Espanol: Si usted necesita servicios de traducción a participar, por favor manda un email: espanol@DC2RVArail.com. También puede llamar a la línea directa del proyecto a dejar comentarios: 888-832-0900.
A8
Richmond Free Press
December 3-5, 2015
Sports
Stories by Fred Jeter
‘Battle of I-95 South’
VUU Panthers versus VSU Trojans at Ashe Center on Sunday Tavon Mealy has become the prince of the paint at Virginia Union University. Despite being vertically challenged at a more guard-like 6-foot-3, the undersized big man has a knack for ruling the painted boards in the shadow of the backboard. “Tavon is usually going against someone at least 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7. But he finds a way to score, and he’s a tremendous rebounder,” said Coach Jay Butler, the Panthers’ firstyear coach. “He’s a potential double-double every night.” From Richmond’s Armstrong High School and later Richard Bland College in Petersburg, Mealy began this week as a towering figure in CIAA statistics. He was tied for second in total rebounds (8.2 per game), first in offensive boards (3.8 offensive rebounds per game), first in field goal accuracy (0.724, 42 for 58) and sixth in scoring (16.0 points per game). “Because he’s just 6-3, we considered playing him on the wing. But he turned out to be our best post player,” said Coach Butler. “Tavon is so strong and has great footwork.” The Panthers, who started the week 3-3, hope for continued production from Mealy on Sunday, Dec. 6, when VUU faces Virginia State University (4-2) in the “Battle of I-95 South” at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center on the Boulevard. As usual, Mealy will be giving away inches.
Virginia Union University vs. Virginia State University in basketball at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Arthur Ashe Athletic Center, 3001 N. Boulevard.
VSU’s low-post operators include 6-foot-8 Elijah Moore (12 points, six rebounds per game) and 6-foot-9 Joe Bradshaw (7.5 Tavon Mealy points, 6.2 boards). The muscular, 220-pound Mealy, who relies more on strength than leaping ability, has a track record of success, both individually and teamwise. Under Coach Darryl Watts at Armstrong High, Mealy averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds as a senior, helping the Wildcats to a 24-4 record. After Armstrong, he played two seasons at Richard Bland, helping the Statesmen to a National Junior College Division II title and a 32-4 record last winter. As a sophomore at Bland, Mealy averaged 17.2 points and 8.3 boards, hitting 65 percent from the floor. Later, he earned East MVP honors at the Junior College All-Star game in Las Vegas. “We didn’t pay a lot of attention to his height when we were recruiting him,” said Coach Butler. “We knew he was a player.”
Mealy becomes VUU’s second Armstrong High recruit, joining sophomore guard Robert Valentine, who is averaging 8.2 Walter Williams points. Junior guard Ray Anderson leads VUU in scoring at 19.5 points per game. Getting plenty of backcourt minutes is 5-foot9 freshman Ke’Andre Gibson from basketball rich Dunbar High School of Baltimore. Gibson is averaging 5.3 assists. Dunbar has produced seven NBA players: Muggsy Bogues, Sam Cassell, Reggie Lewis, Reggie Williams, Skip Wise, Keith Booth and Terry Dozier. VSU coach Lonnie Blow Jr. has unveiled two talented newcomers, both named Williams. Kevin Williams, a transfer guard from Louisburg College in North Carolina., averages 12 points per game, while Walter Williams, a freshman from Henrico High School, averages 11 points per game and 4.5 rebounds while nailing 13 of 31 three-pointers (42 percent). The 6-foot-4 Walter Williams helped Henrico
High win the State 5A title last year. In the playoff game against powerful L.C. Bird High School of Chesterfield, Williams had 37 points, 14 rebounds and four steals. The Ashe Center, which opened in 1982 with seating for 6,000, is a familiar venue for longtime VUU fans. The Panthers played many home games there during the 1980s and 1990s with such NBA-bound players as Charles Oakley, A.J. English, Terry Davis, Jamie Waller and Ben Wallace, and 1994 National Player of the Year Derrick Johnson. “I don’t ever recall us losing a game there,” said Coach Butler, a teammate of Wallace’s in the mid-1990s. The VUU-VSU rivalry, formerly the “Battle of U.S. Route 1,” dates to 1923, decades before I-95 was laid. Over the decades, the teams have played at such off-campus facilities as Blues Armory, Richmond Arena, Richmond Coliseum, Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center, plus various sites at the CIAA tournament. Sunday’s game originally was set for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., home of the NBA Nets. It was to be part of the Big Apple Classic, but a scheduling conflict resulted in the game moving to the Ashe Center in Richmond. The Panthers and the Trojans will meet again Jan. 17 as the main event of the Freedom Classic at the Richmond Coliseum.
VUU’s Joe Taylor to be inducted into MEAC Hall of Fame Virginia Union University Athletic Director Joe Taylor soon will add another feather to his cap. The highly successful former football coach will be inducted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame on March 10. The ceremony will be held in Norfolk at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel. Hall of Fame inductees also will be honored at the MEAC basketball tournament at the Norfolk Scope. Taylor posted an overall coaching record of 23396-4 over 30 seasons in stints at Howard, Virginia Union, Hampton and Florida A&M universities. Howard, Hampton and Florida A&M are MEAC members. At Hampton University, Taylor’s Pirates were 136-48-1 from 1995 to 2007. That included four
Joe Taylor
Black National Championships, five MEAC titles and seven NCAA bids. He was 36-20 from 2008 to 2012 at FAMU. Taylor has the third most career wins among all HBCU coaches, trailing only Eddie Robinson and John Merritt. Others being inducted into the 2016 MEAC Hall of Fame are Hampton University basketball star LaShondra Dixon-Gordon, South Carolina State University football great Bobby Moore, Howard University track standout David Oliver and Bethune-Cookman University administrator Lynn Thompson. *** North Carolina A&T University’s football team has punched its ticket to the inaugural Celebration Bowl
on Dec. 19 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Aggies will play the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference that will be decided Saturday, Dec. 5, between Grambling State and Alcorn State universities. North Carolina A&T, Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina Central universities finished in a three-way tie for the MEAC title, with 7-1 records. The Aggies earned the bowl invitation by virtue of a higher rating in Jeff Sagarin Computer Ratings. No MEAC or SWAC teams are competing in this year’s NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. MEAC forfeited its automatic bid to participate in the NCAA playoffs so its teams would be available to participate in the first Celebration Bowl which will be televised live on ABC.
Dave Roberts first black manager for L.A. Dodgers In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American player in Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was a rousing success in every way. Last week, the Dodgers, who moved to Los Angeles in 1958, turned to David Ray Roberts to become the franchise’s first African-American manager. Dodgers fans are hopeful the new skipper can lead them to a Shangri-La they haven’t visited since 1988 — the World Series — despite having baseball’s highest payroll. In succeeding Don Mattingly, Roberts, 43, becomes baseball’s second active African-American manager and only the 14th all time. He joins Dusty Baker, who recently was named manager of the Washington Nationals. The first African-American manager was Frank Robinson (no relation to Jackie), hired by Cleveland in 1975. After the firing of Lloyd McClendon on Oct. 9 by Seattle, there were no black managers in baseball for first time since 1987. That changed with the Nationals hiring Baker on Nov. 3 to replace Matt Williams. Baker got the job after Bud Black, who is white, rejected the offer. Roberts was born in Okinawa, Japan, the son of a Marine father, Waymon Roberts, who is African-American, and a Japanese mother, Eiko Roberts. He grew up in San Diego and starred in baseball at UCLA, coincidentally the same university Jackie Robinson attended decades earlier. Roberts is the all-time leader in stolen bases at UCLA. In 10 big league seasons, the left-handed Roberts hit .266 with 243 stolen bases. He was dynamic defensively in centerfield and is credited with among the greatest catches in Los Angeles history. In 2002, Roberts reached over a fence in Houston, 435 feet from home plate, to rob the Astros’ Lance Berkman of a home run. With Boston, he is noted for a stolen base in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, enabling
the Red Sox to defeat the Yankees. It is simply known as “The steal.” In 2010, Roberts was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but is in remission. The past two seasons, Roberts was the bench coach in San Diego. The Dodgers have a track record of diversity that goes beyond the historic signing of Robinson. Here are some examples: • In 1947, Dan Bankhead became Dave Roberts the first African-American major league pitcher; in 1950, Joe Black was the first African-American to pitch in the World Series. • In 1956, Don “Newk” Newcombe became the first pitcher of any race to win the MVP and Cy Young Award in the same year. • In 1951, outfielder Sandy Amoros was among the first black Cubans to make the majors. (Cleveland’s Minnie Minoso was the first in 1949.) • There have been just three Jewish World Series MVPs, all Dodgers: Larry Sherry in 1959 and Sandy Koufax twice, in 1963 and 1965. • The current first base coach, Davey Lopes, in 1972, became the first player of Cape Verdean descent to reach the majors. Born in Providence, R.I., Lopes stole 557 bases in 16 big league seasons. • The Dodgers were the first to play a South Korean, Chan Ho Park (1994), and a Taiwanese, Chi-Feng Chen (2002). • In 1995, hurler Hideo Nomo became the first Japanese Rookie of the Year. • In 1981, pitcher Fernando Valenzuela became the first Mexican to win the Cy Young Award. • Sue Falsone, in 2011, became baseball’s first female head trainer. • While big league attendance tends to be overwhelmingly
African-American managers in Major League Baseball Here is a list of African-Americans to manage in the big leagues on more than an interim basis. The managers are listed with the name of the team or teams managed in order of the number of wins and losses: Dusty Baker: Giants, Cubs, Reds, 1,671 wins, 1,504 losses Frank Robinson: Indians, Expos, 1,065 and 1,176 Cito Gaston: Blue Jays, 894 and 837 Jerry Manuel: White Sox, Mets, 704 and 684 Ron Washington: Rangers, 664 and 611 Don Baylor: Rockies, Cubs, 627 and 689 Lloyd McClendon: Pirates, Mariners, 499 and 607 Hal McRae: Royals, Devil Rays, 399 and 473 Willie Randolph: Mets, 302 and 253 Cecil Cooper: Astros, 171 and 170 Davey Lopes: Brewers, 144 and 195 Bo Porter: Astros, 110 and 190 Larry Doby: White Sox, 37 and 50 Source: Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports
Caucasian, Scarborough Research has reported 42 percent of the Dodgers crowd is Latino. • Farhan Zaidi of Pakistani descent is major league baseball’s lone Muslim general manager. • Basketball icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a partner with Guggenheim Baseball Management that owns the Dodgers. He is among the few African-Americans in an ownership capacity. • On Los Angeles’ current 40-man roster, there are players from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, South Korea, Dominican Republic and Curacao, in addition to the United States.
December 3-5, 2015 B1
Section
B
Richmond Free Press
Happenings
Personality: James A. McCain Spotlight on Richmond Firefighter of the Year James A. McCain says being a firefighter with the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services is a dream come true. “I wanted to become a physical therapist when I graduated from Hampton University in 2003,” he recalls. “But I had a dream one day that I was a firefighter. It was so vivid and so real,” he adds. “I took that as a calling that I was supposed to become a firefighter.” After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology, Mr. McCain worked in physical therapy for a few years at a Richmond fitness club. Then in 2007, he was accepted into Richmond’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ Fire Training Academy. The rest, as they say, is history. Now in his eighth year with the department, Mr. McCain recently was honored as Richmond Firefighter of the Year. The award was presented in October at a ceremony at Richmond CenterStage in Downtown. He is a certified CPR instructor, a peer fitness instructor and a field training instructor for the department that has 376 firefighters. He was nominated for the award by Lt. William B. Bullock of Engine Company 11, located at 1235 N. 28th St. in Church Hill. In his nominating letter, Lt. Bullock describes Mr. McCain as “very dependable and a valued asset” to the Church Hill firefighting team. “He is an energized and dedicated employee and is well respected by his peers and other members of our organization,” Lt. Bullock wrote. “Firefighter McCain demonstrates exemplary service to our city and its citizens, and his attitude and hard work should not go unnoticed.” Mr. McCain says he was surprised when he learned he had won the award. He says he received a plaque for winning the honor that he displays at his Goochland County home and a ribbon to wear on his dress uniform. Mr. McCain recalls the gamut of experiences he has had on the job in Richmond. “You hear the old saying about the fireman rescuing a cat out of a tree, and, yes, my rookie year, I did help get a cat out of a tree,” he says,
at different events we attend.” Let’s meet this week’s fired up Personality, Richmond Firefighter of the Year James A. McCain: Date and place of birth: July 7 in Richmond. Family: Wife, Brandi; sons, Bryce, 9, and Aiden, 7; and one daughter, Riley, 6. What I do on my job: Respond to the needs of our citizens by providing fire suppression and emergency medical care and also educating the community on fire safety.
laughing. “I climbed a ladder and we got the cat out of the tree.” He then describes a harrowing experience this summer when he and other firefighters fought a blaze in Church Hill in mid-August. “We entered a two-story duplex and the whole downstairs was engulfed in fire,” Mr. McCain recalls. “I was on the (water hose) nozzle. “We extinguished the fire on the first floor,” he continues, “then went upstairs, where there was a fire in a bedroom. We put that out as well.” He says that it was “very hot under the personal protective equipment” as he and other firefighters fought the blaze. Mr. McCain said they were able to keep the fire from spreading to an adjacent home in the same building. He estimates he has fought about 10 major blazes during his career. “You’re nervous,” he says, describing what it feels like during a big firefight. “You just want to go in and perform to the best of your ability. You revert to the training that you’ve received all through the years and extinguish the fire in a quick and safe manner.” Regardless of the dangers he faces while performing his job, Mr. McCain says he’s thrilled that he’s now living his dream as a firefighter. “I love my job,” he says. “It’s the best job ever. I love being able to help people, help the community, teach people about fire safety and help kids
My average firefighting workload is: About six calls a day. What makes me good at it: My dedication and drive to help others. Foremost reward of firefighting: Being able to help others in their time of need and educating the community on fire safety. What it requires to become a good firefighter: Dedication to duty, commitment to training and continuous sacrifice for the safety of the community. I look back and laugh when: I think that I used to be a lifeguard for the Richmond YMCA Downtown several years ago. A fire captain told me I should try out for the Richmond Fire Department. I said, “You’re crazy. I would never run into a burning building.” Types of fires most prevalent during the winter: Car accidents, trashcan fires and a lot of food left unattended on stoves. Cold weather also can bring fires because of the home heaters, candles that people have lit and faulty electrical systems. How the public sees firefighters: As the crazy people who run into burning buildings … LOL. Most unforgettable experience as a firefighter: The day I graduated from the fire academy and became a sworn firefighter. Advice to youngsters interested in a firefighting career: Stay in school and never give up on your dream.
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Opportunities for women: The Richmond Fire Department is a very diverse department and we welcome everybody. We are no longer firemen; we are firefighters. Best late-night snack: Chocolate milk. Favorite recreational activity: Working out. When I look in the mirror, I see: A person who is proud of where he is in his life and proud of his accomplishments. What people think when they first meet me: I am a hard worker and always willing to help others succeed. The one thing that I can’t stand: An unorganized spice rack. The person who influenced me the most: My parents, until I had kids. My next goal: To become an officer in the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
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B2 December 3-5, 2015
Richmond Free Press
Happenings
60 years after Rosa Parks’ arrest launched modern civil rights era, ‘our work isn’t finished’ Free Press wire reports
MONTGOMERY, ALA. While Rosa Parks became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated Alabama bus, the 60th anniversary of her arrest also highlighted lesser-known pioneers of the bus boycott she sparked. Mrs. Parks made history by taking a stand alongside other desegregation pioneers like Claudette Colvin, a black teenager arrested nine months earlier in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, said Fred D. Gray, a lawyer who represented both women. “If there had not been a Claudette Colvin, who did what she did, a lot of other events would not have occurred,” Mr. Gray said. “It was a matter of each one building upon each other, and the rest is history.” The Montgomery bus boycott, launched in protest of Mrs. Parks’ arrest on Dec. 1, 1955, modeled the nonviolent protests that defined the era and brought to prominence Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bus tours, lectures and youth-oriented summits this week commemorated the boycott’s 60th anniversary. The two-day event was organized by the National Bar Association, the largest Mrs. Parks organization of African-American attorneys, and Tuskegee History Center to mark the occasion, which was headlined by an address on Tuesday by Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton from the pulpit of the historic Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Mrs. Clinton praised Mrs. Parks for the iconic role she played in the boycott. “It’s always struck me how, depending on the way you look at it, Rosa Parks either did something tremendous or something rather humble,” Mrs. Clinton said, pointing out how often history is made with an ordinary act “by seemingly ordinary people doing something extraordinary.” “Our work isn’t finished,” Mrs. Clinton added. “There are still injustices perpetrated every day across our country, sometimes in spite of the law, sometimes, unfortunately, in keeping with it. “It took the courage of so many, and among the most courageous were the lawyers who took on the challenges in the courts and in the streets,” Mrs. Clinton said of civil rights leaders who were also attorneys, noting that she is herself a “recovering lawyer.” “They knew that segregation was a distortion of justice, not an expression of it. They also knew that sometimes lawmakers get it wrong and when that happens, it’s up to lawyers and judges to make it right.” Turning to today’s issues, Mrs. Clinton called for criminal justice reforms and an end to “mass incarceration,” especially of African-Americans. “There is something profoundly wrong when African-American men are still far more likely to be stopped and searched by police,
ists are advanced in age. Recognizing Mrs. Parks’ central legacy, officials unveiled a historical marker dedicated to her. It replaces a dual-sided sign that she had shared with country music star Hank Williams. Other events explored the significance of lawyers in the Civil Rights Movement and the legacy of activist E.D. Nixon as an “unsung hero” of the boycott.
Marvin Gentry/REUTERS
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is greeted by attorney Fred D. Gray, who was Rosa Parks’ lawyer 60 years ago after her arrest Dec. 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a white person. Mrs. Parks’ actions sparked a yearlong bus boycott and launched the modern Civil Rights Movement. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Gray spoke Tuesday at a commemoration at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery.
charged with crimes and sentenced to longer prison terms for doing the same things as a white man,” Mrs. Clinton said. In a statement issued Tuesday praising Mrs. Parks’ heroic stand against injustice, President Obama said, “Rosa Parks held no elective office. She was not born into power or wealth. Yet 60 years ago today, Rosa Parks changed America. Refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus was the simplest of gestures, but her grace, dignity and refusal to tolerate injustice helped spark a Civil Rights Movement that spread across America. “Just a few day after Rosa Parks’ arrest in Montgomery, a little-known, 26-year-old pastor named Martin Luther King Jr. stood by her side, along with thousands of her fellow citizens,” the president continued. “Together, they began a boycott. Three hundred and eighty five days later, the Montgomery buses were desegregated, and the entire foundation of Jim Crow began to crumble. “Like so many giants of her age, Rosa Parks is no longer with us,” President Obama added. “But her lifetime of activism — and her singular moment of courage — continue to inspire us today. Rosa Parks reminds us that there is always something we can do. It is always within our power to make America better. Because Rosa Parks kept her seat, thousands of ordinary commuters walked instead of rode. Because they walked, countless other quiet heroes marched. Because they marched, our union is more perfect. Today, we remember their heroism. Most of all, we recommit ourselves to continuing their march.” Dr. King’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, gave the benediction at the program where Mrs. Clinton spoke. Mrs. Parks died in 2005 at age 92 and many other key activ-
Free video tells story of Rosa Parks from oral histories By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Want to learn about Rosa Parks and how she sparked the modern Civil Rights Movement by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person? A surprising group issued a new video Tuesday about Mrs. Parks’ story, “Ride to Justice,” in marking the 60th anniversary of her arrest on Dec. 1, 2015. That surprising group: The federal court system. The courts added the video to the educational resources on civil rights that are available without charge to schools and the public on the website www.uscourts.gov. “Ride to Justice,” according to a court spokesman, recounts the arrest of Mrs. Parks in Montgomery, Ala., the boycott by black riders and the federal court decision that struck down segregation on city buses. The video is based on interviews with Mrs. Parks’ attorney, Fred D. Gray, and U.S. District Judge Myron H. Thompson, who discusses the bus decision handed down by his predecessor, Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. As Mr. Gray notes in the video, Mrs. Parks was not the first woman arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white patron. But after her arrest brought on the yearlong boycott, Mr. Gray recalls how he enlisted four women previously arrested to file a class action lawsuit. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which affirmed a year later in Browder v. Gayle that racial segregation of patrons on local buses is unconstitutional, upholding Judge Johnson’s initial ruling. The high court had banned segregation on buses crossing state lines in a 1946 case involving a Virginia woman, Irene Morgan. She was arrested in Middlesex County for refusing to give up her seat on a Greyhound bus on a trip to her hometown, Baltimore, and was vindicated when the Supreme Court found that the state had no authority to create segregated seating on interstate buses. Along with the new video, the court system also is offering a re-enactment of the landmark lawsuit Brown v. Board of Education, which banned race-based separation of students in public schools, and a profile of late Justice Thurgood Marshall, who led the legal team that won the Brown case.
Martin honored with Raven Award
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Be a lifesaver Representatives of three Virginia Union University organizations display plaques awarded to their groups Nov. 21 for having the highest number of registrants for the “Be The Match Registry.” That’s a national bone marrow databank designed to connect possible donors to people in need of a marrow transplant to fight diseases such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia and blood cancers. From left, the students are Paige McGilvery and Jahnae McCoy of Destiny’s Daughters (second place), Miss Virginia Union Khadijah Harvin of The University Choir (third place) and Deondrai McKithen of the VUU Student Government Association (first place). The drive was organized by the James River Valley Chapter of The Links Inc. The Links chapter will host its second annual community bone marrow drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Chesterfield Towne Center, 11500 Midlothian Turnpike. The public is invited to participate.
Santa with Soul visits Dec. 5 at Black History Museum Santa with Soul is making his annual visit to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Jackson Ward to ask wide-eyed children their holiday wishes and to spread good cheer. The jolly, bearded North Pole resident is scheduled to visit the museum’s annual holiday open house from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Location: 00 E. Clay St. Children can have free photographs taken with Santa at the event sponsored by the Historic Jackson Ward Association. People also can make tree ornaments and other decorations to take home. Holiday music and refreshments also be a part of the festivities. Admission to the open house is free to the public. The Clay Street museum building is open only for special events while the castle-shaped Leigh Street Armory, located in the 100 block of West Leigh Street, is undergoing an $8 million transformation to be the new home of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center. The new building is expected to be complete in January. Details on the open house: (804) 780-9093.
George Keith Martin has gained director of the Office of Research praise for his accomplishments as the on Women’s Health at the National first African-American rector at the Institutes of Health. University of Virginia, the managing Mr. Martin and Dr. Pinn were partner at the Richmond office of honored by the Raven Society in a McGuireWoods law firm in Downtown Nov. 19 ceremony at the university’s and his longtime community involveSpecial Collections Library. They ment and service on numerous boards were recognized “for their lifetime and commissions. achievements and service to the uniNow, Mr. Martin, a Hanover versity,” according to a release from County resident, is being honored the Raven Society. Mr. Martin by the University of Virginia’s oldest The two will be saluted again at honor society for his achievements in education, the annual Raven Banquet black-tie dinner and business and the community. celebration scheduled for April 28 at Alumni He is one of two recipients of the prestigious Hall in Charlottesville. Raven Award for the 2015-16 academic year Mr. Martin, a 1975 graduate of the university, from the Raven Society at the state-supported was appointed to the university’s 17-member university in Charlottesville. Board of Visitors in 2011. He served as rector Started in 1904, the Raven Society is named from July 2013 until June 30. He was the first for the poem written by the late Edgar Allan African-American elected to the post in the Poe, a former U.Va. student and Richmond university’s 195-year history. resident. Under his leadership, the university boosted The other awardee is Dr. Vivian W. Pinn, hiring of African-Americans to key positions, who earned her medical degree in 1967 from including the general counsel for the university the U.Va. School of Medicine, where she was and the CEO at the medical center. During Mr. the only woman and only African-American Martin’s two-year term as rector, more Africanstudent in her class. A native of Halifax, Dr. Americans were appointed to the university’s Pinn grew up in Lynchburg. Prior to her re- 27 related foundations than under all of the tirement in 2011, she was the first full-time previous rectors combined.
Wishing you the gifts of the season... Peace, Joy, Hope — MOHAN ROMANI Owner
SHOWROOM • Comfort Inn-Midtown Lobby, 3200 W. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230 Tel.: (804) 359-5441 • Fax: (804) 330-5417 www.hongkongcustomtailors.net
Richmond Free Press
December 3-5, 2015
B3
Happenings
Holiday events to light up Downtown Richmond is getting into the holiday season with a host of events to bring cheer to families and individuals, including a holiday parade, Christmas tree lightings and an open house at the Executive Mansion. The festivities begin Thursday, Dec. 3, when Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Virginia’s First Family participate in the state’s official tree lighting ceremony from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on the South Portico of the State Capitol. Then from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the public can greet Gov. McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe at an open house at the Executive Mansion. Choral music will be provided by the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School. Cookies and hot cider will be served. Then on Friday, Dec. 4, hundreds of people are expected to fill the streets around the James Center in Downtown for the 31st Annual Grand Illumination. Music, caroling and other entertainment will fill Cary Street between 9th and 12th streets starting at 5 p.m. Revelers will join in a countdown to the annual lighting of the city’s Great Tree & Reindeer and the flick of a switch by the city’s businesses to set Downtown aglow at 6 p.m. Then on Saturday, Dec. 5, the fun will continue with the 32nd Annual Dominion Christmas Parade.
Hometown American Idol finalist Rayvon Owen will serve as the grand marshal of the parade that will start at 10:15 a.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., and continue east on Broad Street to its conclusion at 7th Street in Downtown. About 98 units are expected for the parade, including members of the Harlem Globetrotters, the Richmond Public Schools All-City Marching Band, Clowns of America International, the Virginia Union University Ambassadors of Sound Marching Band, the Red Crooked Sky American Indian Dance Troupe and of course, Santa Claus. The Grand Illumination schedule at the James Center follows: 5 p.m.: SPARC, the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community, will lead Christmas caroling. 5:45 p.m.: The Virginia Commonwealth University pep band, “The Peppas,” will perform on the main stage leading up to the illumination. From 6 to 7 p.m.: Entertainment will be provided at various stages by Big Ray and the Kool Kats, Virginia Repertory Theatre’s cast of “Gypsy,” the Richmond Boys Choir, the American Youth Harp Ensemble, characters from “The Nutcracker,” Snow Bear, the VCU Trombone Choir, the Coventry Handbells from
Holiday dance production Dec. 6 at the Altria Theater
The Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is presenting “Home for the Holidays — The Night Before” at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. The production is a dance adaptation of the Christmas poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” It is open to the public without charge. The show will feature participants enrolled in the department’s dance classes, as well as the City Dance Theatre. For more information: (804) 646-3677 or www.richmondgov. com/parks.
James Haskins/Richmond Free Press
Holiday activities, such as ice skating at the RVA On Ice rink in Downtown, are enjoyed by Richmonders, visitors and people throughout the area. The holiday spirit and fun continue Thursday, Dec. 3, with the state’s official tree lighting ceremony and Executive Mansion open house, the Grand Illumination at the James Center on Friday, Dec. 4, and the Dominion Christmas Parade along Broad Street on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Bon Air Baptist Church, singer Patsy Butler, the Virginia Piedmont & Central HO Model Railroad Club and Big Bang Boom! Kathy Dupree of WRIC TV8 will serve as the ceremony’s Snow Queen. Greater Richmond SCAN, Stop Child Abuse Now, will be collecting toys for 200 Richmond area children. Unwrapped gifts and toys for
How to get a letter from Santa
Do you want to provide a child with a letter from Santa Claus? Here’s how the U.S. Postal Service will help you get it done, complete with a North Pole postmark. First, have the child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole. Later, when you’re alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response signed by Santa. Then, put that response into an envelope addressed to the
child. Put the return address of Santa, North Pole, and put a first class stamp on that envelope. Finally, place the envelope with the response into a larger envelope with appropriate postage and send that to North Pole Postmark Postmaster, 4141 Postmark Drive, Anchorage, AK 99530-9998. The deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 15, to get a letter from Santa to Anchorage so it can be postmarked and returned in time for Christmas, Friday, Dec. 25.
Thanksgiving feast
Carlera Camp, 2, prepares to dig into her plate loaded with turkey and all the fixings on Thanksgiving Day at the 10th Annual Community Thanksgiving Feast at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Downtown. Below, volunteer Alexis Harris carries a tray full of dinners to serve diners who enjoyed a free hot meal provided by Richmond area businesses and prepared and served by volunteers. Vicki L. Neilson, executive director of The Giving Heart nonprofit that spearheads the event, said 2,400 people were served at the community gathering, while 863 people volunteered to cook, greet, seat and serve guests. Among the food served: 276 turkeys, 55 hams, 50 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts and 360 cans of cranberry sauce. Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Carlos Barria/REUTERS
Honoring a pioneer President Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Katherine G. Johnson of Newport News on Nov. 24 during an event in the East Room of the White House. The 97-year-old was one of the few women and African-Americans who worked for NASA when she started as a pool mathematician at the space agency’s Langley Research Center in Hampton in 1953. Her mathematic computations have influenced every major space program from America’s first manned space flight in 1961 to today’s Space Shuttle program. Mrs. Johnson was one of 17 individuals honored last week by President Obama, some posthumously, with the nation’s highest civilian award.
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children and youths up to age 17 may be put in the collection sleigh in the James Center lobby until Dec. 11. For more information on the Grand Illumination: www.thejamescenter.com or (804) 344-3232. For more information on the Dominion Christmas Parade: www.richmondparade.org or (804) 788-6479.
Richmond Free Press
B4 December 3-5, 2015
Faith News/Directory
Religion News Services
KAMPALA, Uganda Pope Francis wrapped up his six-day trip to Africa in the war-torn Central Africa Republic on Monday by warning that religious conflicts are spawning civil war, terrorism and suffering throughout the continent. “Together we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, especially violence perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself,” the pope said in Bangui, the capital. “Together, we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself. God is peace, ‘salaam,’ ” the pope said, using the Arabic word for peace. Under heavy security, the pope celebrated a Mass at a stadium in Bangui and visited the Koudoukou mosque in a violence-riddled neighborhood where Bangui’s Muslims have been unable to leave for months because armed Christian militia fighters have surrounded it. Pope Francis spoke about the violence between Christians and Muslims that erupted when rebels ousted the Central African Republic’s president three years ago — and continues to divide the country. Around 6,000 have died in the fighting, and thousands have been displaced. Despite the security risks, the pope traveled in an open-air vehicle and received an exuberant welcome. “I want to thank him because he has preached peace,” said Nasra Yamashia, a mother of five who lives in the St. Joseph Mukasa refugee camp outside Bangui. AMuslim, Ms. Yamashia lost her husband to Christian so-called Anti-balaka fighters who emerged after Islamic forces ousted the Central African Republic’s president. “We have lived in fear for many years, and I hope his visit will bring a lasting peace to our people. The fighters should also value the life of people and stop killings,” she said. Pope Francis’ remarks dovetailed with themes he sounded at the outset of his trip in Kenya last week. “Tribalism. It can destroy. It can mean having your hands hidden behind your back and having a stone in each hand to throw to others,” the pope told a group of Catholic youths in Nairobi on Friday. “Kenya is a young and vibrant nation. Cohesion, integration, and tolerance toward other people must be a primary goal.” Love, he preached, was the antidote to the hatreds that tribalism and sectarianism can unleash. “You can ask yourself: Is this the path to destruction or is it an opportunity to overcome this challenge for me, my family and as a member of this country,” asked Pope Francis. “We don’t live in heaven, we live on Earth and Earth is full of difficulties. You have the capacity to choose which path you want to follow, the path of opportunity or of division.”
S.C. church to donate $1.5M to massacre survivors, victims’ families The Associated Press
Giuseppe Cacace/Pool/REUTERS
Pope Francis waves to cheering throngs of people who greeted and photographed his arrival from Kenya last Saturday at the Kololo airstrip in Kampala, Uganda. The pontiff spent two days in Uganda before continuing on to the Central African Republic.
He also called for governments to distribute wealth in a socially responsible manner that curbs, rather than exacerbates, divisions between people. “I encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society,” he said, speaking in the elegant surroundings of the State House, the Kenyan president’s official residence. Kenyans embraced the pope’s message. “I’m encouraged and inspired,” said Erick Otieno, who stood along a route where the pope passed. “He addressed issues affecting this country, and we hope
Stefano Rellandini/REUTERS
Children in the Central African Republic await the visit Monday of Pope Francis at a stadium in the capital, Bangui, where the pope led a Mass for thousands of people.
our leaders will follow his advice because he’s a man of God.” Risper Anyango, 40, a mother of three who sells roasted maize in Nairobi’s sprawling Kangemi slum, where the pope toured on his final day in Kenya, was awestruck by the pontiff’s presence. “I have lived here in poverty for more than 20 years,” said Ms. Anyango. “The Kenya government is not willing to help the poor because of rampant corruption. I pray that our leaders hear the message of the pope.” They noted, however, that President Obama brought a similar message to Kenya when he came to the country earlier this year. “The problem with our leaders is that they don’t hear such messages,” said Kangemi resident Teddy Mbuvi, who works as a driver. “When Obama came, he spoke about corruption but nobody listened.” He hoped Kenyan leaders would heed the words of the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. “We know you are corrupt — you employ people from your communities,” said Mr. Mbuvi, referring to Kenyan leaders doling out patronage jobs to their ethnic groups and political allies. “But please just reduce the rate of evil you commit after listening to the pope’s message.” In Uganda, the second African country he visited, the pope toured a shrine on Saturday that memorializes the 19th century Christian martyrs who were burned alive for their faith.
Great Hope Baptist Church
to the Pew Research Center, with both Islam and Christianity expected to have more than twice as many adherents in the region by 2050 as they did in 2010. Some said the visit also was a boost to the region. “The pope’s visit was significant to Africa, especially to our leaders and the church,” said Zacharia Wanakacha Samita, a professor at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. “It’s time we need to come together and reflect on the things that affect us Africans,” he added. “We have just realized that we have the capacity to deal with our own issues like corruption, terrorism and tribalism. Religion has power to unite Africans … What our leaders can do to honor the pope’s visit is to deal with these issues.” Still, some said they expected more from the pontiff’s visit. Hundreds of Ugandans signed a petition asking for Pope Francis to allow priests to marry. They also wanted the pope to be more critical of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been criticized as seeking to rule the country like a dictator rather than an elected head of state. “He gave us the message of hope and addressed the plight of the poor people,” said Rejina Naruvega, an activist based in Kampala. “But we expected Pope Francis to address the issue of celibacy and human rights for once. We wanted him to allow priests to go ahead and marry and also advise the president to stop torture and killings of political rivals.”
FirstM iBaptist Church dlothian Rev. Melvin F. Shearin, II
Saturday, December 5, 2015 - 1:00pm
Sunday
Church School 9:45AM Worship 11:00AM
Tuesday
Bible Study 12 Noon 7:00PM Prayer & Praise 8:15PM
2003 Lamb Avenue Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622 Church School - 9:30 a.m. Worship Service - 11:15 a.m. Bible Study: Tuesday - 9 a.m. Wednesday - 7 p.m. Prayer Services: Wednesday (1st & 3rd ) 7 a.m. Every Wednesday 8 p.m. Communion - 1st Sunday
Mount Olive Baptist Church Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor
2015 Theme: The Year of Moving Forward
8775 Mount Olive Avenue Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 262-9614 Phone (804) 262-2397 Fax www.mobcva.org
Rev. Pernell J. Johnson, Pastor
Sundays
8:00 a.m. Early Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
Tuesdays
Noon Day Bible Study
Wednesdays
6:30 p.m. Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study
Wilson & Associates’ Celebration of Life Center 5008 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, VA 23223 www.wilsonafs.com
S
Baptist Church
F U N E R A L S E RV I C E , I N C .
Wednesday Youth & Adult Bible Study
Van Transportation Available, Call 804-794-5583
Triumphant
Wilson & Associates’ &
Great Hope Baptist Church Family cordially invites you to the Pastoral Installation Service of Rev. Melvin F. Shearin, II
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church keeps on its website this pictorial honor in remembrance of the pastor and eight church members slain by a white supremacist June 17 in the South Carolina church during a Bible study.
13800 Westfield Dr., Midlothian,VA 23113 804-794-5583 • www.fbcm1846.com
Service Times
2101 Venable Street • 648-8041 • Fax 644-1824 GHBC@verizon.net
"Growing Together"
The martyrs were fearless in bringing Christ to others, even at the cost of their own lives, said Pope Francis. “My visit to your country is first to commemorate the canonization of Uganda’s martyrs,” he told thousands who joined him at the shrine. “The Christian community in Uganda grew strong through the martyrs.” Catholics in Uganda now comprise around 40 percent of the population. The pope’s trip, his first to Africa as pontiff, underscores the importance of the continent to the Church. Africa has the fastest-growing population of Catholics — and Muslims — in the world, according
CHARLESTON, S.C. The South Carolina church where the pastor and eight parishioners were shot and killed in a racially motivated attack earlier this year is sharing about half of the money donated to it with survivors of the attack and the families of those killed. Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., will donate about $1.5 million of the $3.4 million given in the wake of the June 17 massacre to Charleston’s Hope Fund, an organization that collected money for the families of those killed and the five survivors inside the church, according to a news release. That group has raised nearly $3 million on its own. Even though nearly all the $3.4 million was donated specifically to the church, members felt it was important to share with those who suffered the most, said the Rev. Norvel Goff Sr., interim pastor of Emanuel A.M.E. “The church, in its benevolence, has Rev. Goff made what we feel is a tremendous gift out of honor to the victims’ families and the survivors, too. We continue the healing process, but this marks a passage in that healing,” Rev. Goff said in the statement. Emanuel A.M.E. will use its share of the donations for building improvements, a permanent memorial to the victims, scholarships and community outreach projects. But the church said it won’t be able to donate half to Charleston’s Hope Fund until the resolution of a lawsuit by the husband of one of the victims demanding the church account for how the donations have been managed. Arthur Hurd, whose wife, Cynthia, was one of the nine killed, sued after asking the church for information for months and getting nothing, his lawyer Mullins McLeod Jr. told The Post and Courier newspaper of Charleston. “Sometimes being a good parishioner means asking hard, tough questions to those in authority,” Mr. McLeod said. Dylann Roof spent an hour in Bible study at Emanuel A.M.E. church on June 17 before firing dozens of shots at the pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was a member of the state Senate, and church members, police said. He told the survivors at the historically black church he was killing them because he hated African-Americans, authorities have said. Mr. Roof is awaiting trial next summer in state court on nine counts of murder, for which he can get the death penalty if convicted. He also is charged with hate crimes in federal court, where prosecutors are deciding if he should face the death penalty in that court as well.
&
Pope Francis spreads message of love, peace in Africa
Remembrance Service Saturday, December 19, 2015 6:00 p.m.
Please RSVP to this invitation by calling our office at (804) 222-1720 to help us prepare for this memorable occasion. This event is free to the public. Keepsake ornaments and items will be available for order. A LIGHT RECEPTION WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THE SERVICE.
Remembering is an act of resurrection, each repetition a vital layer of mourning, in memory of those we are sure to meet again. — NANCY COBB
Richmond Free Press
December 3-5, 2015
B5
Faith News/Directory Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You” Tuesday Sunday 10:30 AM Bible Study 9:30 AM Church School 6:30 PM Church-wide Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship Service 6:30 PM Men's Bible Study (Each 2nd and 4th) (Holy Communion Thursday each 2nd Sunday) Wednesday (Following 2nd Sunday) 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting
11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation
Sixth Baptist Church
E
Theme for 2015: Becoming a Five-Star Church of Excellence We Are Growing In The Kingdom As We Grow The Kingdom with Word, Worship and Witness
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13
Second Sunday of Advent SUNDAY, December 6, 2015 10:40 AM Worship and Praise 11:00 AM Divine Worship
Message by: Pastor Bibbs “What A Name!” Isaiah 9:6 – Matthew 1:21
Save The Date 92nd Church Anniversary Sunday, December 21, 2015 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Joey Matthews/Richmond Free Press
Sprucing up for the season It’s that time of the year again as churches, synagogues, schools, businesses and others in the community spread holiday cheer and promote a giving spirit by putting up festive decorations, organizing community programs and donating their time and gifts to help others. In that spirit, Mary G. Gleaton, senior pastor at Faith Covenant Christian Fellowship Church, second from left, is joined by youths from the church in putting up decorations Nov. 27 outside the church at 1400 Spotsylvania St. in the East End.
Broad Rock Baptist Church
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.
5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org
Sharon Baptist Church
22 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23219 • 643-3825 thesharonbaptistchurch.com Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 No 8 a.m. Service | 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
Morning Worship & Holy Communion
WEDNESDAYS 6:00 p.m. ..... Prayer Service 6:30 p.m. ..... Bible Study
THURSDAYS 1:30 p.m. Bible Study
Worship Opportunities Sundays:
Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship
8 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11 A.M.
Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays) Church School Morning Worship
8:30 A.M. 10 A.M.
Thursdays:
Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M.
Facebook sixthbaptistrva
(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org
(near Byrd Park)
1858
“The People’s Church”
216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 • Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 • Email: ebcoffice1@comcast.net • web: ebcrichmond.org
Sunday, December 13, 2015 Worship Service Church School
11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Christmas Concert 5 p.m.
“MAKE IT HAPPEN”
Pastor Kevin Cook
Dr. Levy M. Armwood, Pastor Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus
New Deliverance Evangelistic Church
1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net
20 th NDEC Founders’
(Children/Youth/Adults)
World AIDS Day
Recognition Sunday
& Church Anniversary!
Sunday, December 6, 2015 Emphasis during both services 2nd Sunday of Advent 2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net
400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220
Ebenezer Baptist Church
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. Radio Ministry: Sunday: 9:30 a.m. {1540 AM}
St. Peter Baptist Church Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor
Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor
Twitter sixthbaptistrva
Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Founder Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady
Sunday 8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday Services Senior Citizens
. Theme: , “Building Monuments for Present and Future Generations” “What Mean These Stones” Scripture: Joshua 4:21 - 24
Noonday Bible Study 12noon-1:00 p.m. Sanctuary - All Are Welcome! Bible Study Count: noonday Wednesday night 7 p.m. Prayer
Sunday, January 17 & 24, 2016 9:00 AM - NDEC
Saturday
Saturday, January 23, 2016
8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer
Banquet
You can now view Sunday Morning Service The Omni Richmond Hotel “AS IT HAPPENS” online! 100 S. 12th St., Richmond, VA 23219 Also, for your convenience, For more information we now offer and to purchase your banquet tickets go to: www.ndec.net “full online giving.” Visit www.ndec.net.
Thirty-first Street Baptist Church C
o
everence e with e evanc R g in Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin ❖
SUNDAYS Church School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. ❖
WEDNESDAYS Bible Study 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Riverview
Baptist Church 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus
SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.
Zion Baptist Church 2006 Decatur Street Richmond, VA 23224
�
Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor Sunday Service 10 a.m. Church School 8:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m. Transportation Services 232-2867 “Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospel”
❖
MONDAY-FRIDAY Nutrition Center and Clothes Closet 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
A Soulful Celebration: A Gift to the Community December 13, 2015 - 6:00PM Dr. Allix B. James Chapel of Coburn Hall Virginia Union University 1500 N. Lombardy Street, Richmond, VA
823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office www.31sbc.org
(A freewill offering will be received)
Christmas Eve Worship Service “A Christmas to Believe In” December 24, 2015 - 7:00PM Hull Street Location 1501 Decatur Street, Richmond, VA
New Years Eve Worship Service December 31, 2015 -10:15PM
Meadowbrook High School 4901 Cogbill Road, North Chesterfield, VA
Moore Street Missionary
Baptist Church
1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403
Dr. Alonza Lawrence Pastor
Sundays
Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.
Tuesdays
Bible Study 12 noon
Wednesdays
New Mercies Ministry 6:00 A.M. Youth Bible Study 6:00 P.M. Adult Bible Study 6:30 P.M.
fÑÜxtw à{xjÉÜw To advertise your church: Worship Service Gospel Concert Vacation Bible School Homecoming Revival
call 804-644-0496 Richmond Free Press
We care about you and Richmond.
A
Richmond Free Press
B6 December 3-5, 2015
Sports Plus
Local favorites hitting NBA boards this season By Fred Jeter
Richmond’s legion of NBA fans will again have local favorites to follow on both sides of the country this season. Former Virginia Commonwealth University marksman Troy Daniels, who holds the Atlantic 10 record for the most three-pointers in a season, is beginning his fourth NBA season and his second with the Charlotte Hornets. Meanwhile, former Hanover High School/Benedictine/University of North Carolina standout Ed Davis will commence his fifth NBA season overall and first season with the Portland Trail Blazers. A 6-foot-4 shooting guard who grew up in Roanoke, Daniels played previously with Houston and Memphis and has a career 57 three-pointers (39 percent) from bonus range. Daniels averaged seven points a year ago as the Hornets’ reserve. Davis, the 6-foot-10 son of former Virginia Union University star and NBA center Terry Davis, is a former first round (13th overall) draft pick of Toronto out of North Carolina. Davis played parts of three seasons in Toronto and Memphis and last year in Los Angeles before becoming a free agent in Portland. He is averaging seven points and seven rebounds
gins his second season in Milwaukee after playing previously for Indiana, the New York Knicks and several pro Player College Pro Team 2015-16 Salary squads overseas. Kyle O’Quinn Norfolk State N.Y. Knicks $3.75 million Unfortunately, several local faJoe Harris U.Va. Cleveland Cavs $845,059 vorites are not making the pros this season. Justin Anderson U.Va. Dallas Mavs $1.45 million Former VCU stars Treveon GraKent Bazemore ODU Atlanta Hawks $1.45 million ham (second all-time scorer) and Mike Scott U.Va. Atlanta Hawks $3.33 million Briante Weber (career steals leader) *Erick Green Virginia Tech Denver Nuggets $845,059 were both waived by NBA clubs. Troy Daniels VCU Charlotte Hornets $947,276 Graham was among the final cuts Ed Davis North Carolina Portland Trail $6.98 million for the Utah Jazz and has been as(Hanover High, Benedictine) Blazers signed to the Idaho Stampede of the Chris Copeland Colorado Milwaukee Bucks $1.15 million (Hermitage High) NBA Developmental League. Weber is playing in the D-League * Assigned Nov. 21 to Developmental League Reno Bighorns for Sioux Falls, S.D., (a Heat affiliate) after 16 games this season. Also from U.Va., other active NBA while another former VCU standout, Also changing cities is former players are Joe Harris, who is in his Juvonte Reddic, is with the D-League Norfolk State University center Kyle second season with Cleveland, and Canton Charge (an affiliate of the O’Quinn, still famous for leading the Mike Scott, who is starting his fourth Cleveland Cavaliers). Spartans to a stunning NCAA 2012 year with Atlanta. The Rams’ NBA alumni are Jesse upset over No. 2 seed Missouri. Kent Bazemore, winner of the Dark (1975), Bernard Harris (1975), O’Quinn will be suiting up for his Lefty Driesell Award as the nation’s top Gerald Henderson (1980-92), Ed hometown New York Knicks following defender at Old Dominion University, Sherod (1983), Eric Maynor (2010-14) three seasons in Orlando. The 6-foot- begins his fourth NBA season overall and Larry Sanders (2011-15). 10 O’Quinn averaged 5.8 points/3.5 and second with Atlanta. Bazemore University of Richmond Class of rebounds a year ago. was previously with Golden State and 2015 standout Kendall Anthony (the An NBA newcomer is Justin the L.A. Lakers. Spiders’ No. 4 all-time scorer) passed Anderson, who left the University of Erick Green begins his second on the NBA tryout altogether and is Virginia with one season of eligibility season in Denver after leading the playing professionally in Turkey. remaining to enter the draft. NCAA in scoring (25.0) as a Virginia The last UR Spider to play in the The 6-foot-6 forward who grew up Tech senior in 2013. Green played in NBA was Justin Harper (Meadowin Montross was a 21st overall draft Italy before joining the Nuggets. brook High School alumnus) with pick by Dallas following his junior Chris Copeland, from Hermitage Orlando in 2012. year at U.Va. High School by way of Colorado, beMarcus Thornton, the 45th overall
Players who opened the season
draft pick by Boston, has signed with the Australian League Sydney Kings. Thornton is The College of William & Mary’s all-time scorer with 2,178 points. Darion Atkins, another of U.Va.’s stars last winter, was waived during the preseason by the New York Knicks and assigned to the D-League Westchester Knicks in New York. Reggie Williams, out of Prince George High School and Virginia Military Institute, was waived by San Antonio during the summer. Williams led the NCAA in scoring as a junior and senior at VMI. Williams debuted in the NBA in 2010 with Golden State. He also played with Charlotte, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Richmond fans have at least two sons of famous players to pull for. Gerald Henderson Jr., son of former Huguenot High School, VCU and NBA guard Gerald Henderson Sr., is beginning his first season in Portland following six seasons in Charlotte. Henderson Jr. was a first round draft pick out of Duke University. Jeremy Lamb, son of former VCU star Rolando Lamb, has begun his first season in Charlotte after three seasons in Oklahoma City. Lamb was an ace guard on Connecticut’s 2011 NCAA championship squad.
Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities 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, December 14, 2015 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. 2015-161 As Amended To amend and reordain City Code § 42-11, concerning the form of the budget submitted to the Council, for the purpose of requiring that certain per capita calculations and information be included in the budget. Ordinance No. 2015-230 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $25,000.00 from the National Association of County and City Health Officials and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Social Services by $25,000.00 for the purpose of reducing disparities in breastfeeding in the city through peer and professional support. Ordinance No. 2015-232 To amend and reordain City Code § 2-302, concerning the functions of the Department of Economic and Community Development, and to amend ch. 2 of the City Code by adding therein a new art. VIII, concerning the City’s development process, consisting of div. 1 (§§ 2-1401—2-1402), concerning general matters, div. 2 (§§ 2-1411—21415), concerning the planning process, div. 3 (§§ 2-1421—2-1426), concerning redevelopment and development projects, and div. 4 (§§ 2-1431—2-1435), concerning economic development projects, for the purpose of establishing a framework for planning, development, review, and approval of projects that involve contributions by the City. Ordinance No. 2015-233 To amend and reordain City Code §§ 98-263, concerning the eligibility of residential real property in redevelopment and conservation areas and rehabilitation districts for partial tax exemption, 98-264, concerning the application requirements for such partial tax exemption, and 98-265, concerning the amount of such exemption and the basis for taxes during construction, for the purposes of adjusting applicable threshold requirements to qualify for such exemption, adding maximum rent limits for certain dwelling units, authorizing an additional exemption period for certain structures and requiring that property owners file annual renewal applications with the City Assessor.
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from the Duffield Family Foundation, doing business as Maddie’s Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Office of Animal Care and Control by $42,000.00 for the purpose of providing medical care and treatment for homeless animals in the city of Richmond. Ordinance No. 2015-235 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Lease between the City of Richmond, as lessee, and A N T Corporation, as lessor, for the purpose of leasing a portion of the property known as 1630 Chamberlayne Avenue for use by the Office of Animal Care and Control to erect a fenced-in area to exercise shelter dogs. Ordinance No. 2015-236 To amend Ord. No. 201573-84, adopted May 15, 2015, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 General Fund Budget, for the purpose of further specifying and clarifying the intent of certain line items within the NonDepartmental Agency. Ordinance No. 2015-237 To amend Ord. No. 201573-84, adopted May 15, 2015, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by transferring and re-appropriating funds in the amount of $2,150,000 from the NonDepartmental agency to various agencies for the purpose of funding pay adjustments. Ordinance No. 2015-238 To amend Ord. No. 201557-83, adopted May 15, 2015, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Special Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by creating therein a new Office of Community Wealth Building agency and transferring (i) the Center for Workforce Innovation Program special fund, with an appropriated amount of $229,000, from the Department of Economic and Community Development agency to the new Office of Community Wealth Building agency and (ii) $300,000 appropriated by Ord. No. 2015-141-151, adopted Jul. 27, 2015, from the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services agency to the new Office of Community Wealth Building agency, for the purpose of providing for the use of these grant funds by the Office of Community Wealth Building.
Ordinance No. 2015-234 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept grant funds in the amount of $42,000.00
Ordinance No. 2015-239 To amend Ord. No. 201573-84, adopted May 15, 2015, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by creating therein a new Office of Community Wealth Building agency, transferring funds in the total amount of $1,317,436 from various agencies, and re-appropriating these transferred funds in the total amount of $1,317,436 to the new Office of Community Wealth Building agency for the purpose of providing funds for the operation
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of the Office of Community Wealth Building. Ordinance No. 2015-240 To amend ch. 2, art. IV of the City Code by adding therein a new div. 24, consisting of §§ 2-826—2829, concerning the Office of Community Wealth Building; to amend City Code § 2-302, concerning the functions of the Department of Economic and Community Development; and to amend City Code § 2-921, concerning the composition of the Maggie L. Walker Initiative Citizens Advisory Board, all for the purpose of establishing an Office of Community Wealth Building to implement a comprehensive poverty reduction initiative for the City. Ordinance No. 2015-241 To amend and reordain City Code § 78-341, concerning an additional retirement allowance for certain city officials, for the purpose of adding the Director of the Office of Community Wealth Building to the senior executive group for retirement system purposes. Ordinance No. 2015-242 To amend the pay plan adopted by Ord. No. 93117-159 on May 24, 1993, to include a new classification of Director, Office of Community Wealth Building in the unclassified executive service. Ordinance No. 2015-243 To accept a quitclaim deed from the School Board conveying 2717 Alexander Avenue to the City and to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to act on behalf of the City in executing such deed. Ordinance No. 2015-244 To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of City-owned real estate located at 1722 Arlington Road to McKinnon and Harris, Inc., for $1,750,000 for the purpose of stimulating private investment, job creation and economic development in the area. Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Jean V. Capel City Clerk
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by or on behalf of the Plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the Defendant is without effect, it is ORDERED that the Defendant appear before this Court on or before 11th day of January, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interest herein. An Extract, Teste: YVONNE G. SMITH, Clerk Linda Y. Lambert, Esq. Leonard W. Lambert & Assoc. 321 North 23rd Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-3325 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER WANDA BRAXTON, Plaintiff v. DOUGLAS SEWARD, Defendant. Case No.: CL15002660-00 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 14th day of January, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure 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 TYRONE SIATTU, Plaintiff v. ANNETTE SIATUU, Defendant. Case No.: CL15002632-00 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 14th day of January, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO THEODORE SEWARD, Plaintiff v. ROSALIND SEWARD, Defendant. Case No.: CL15-1463 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from Rosalind Seward on the ground that the parties have lived separate and apart for a period exceeding one year. It appearing by affidavit that Defendant’s last known address is 500 Bowitch Place, Richmond, Virginia 23223, the Defendant’s present whereabouts are unknown, and diligence has been used
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER AMY TRUMAN, Plaintiff v. GARRY TRUMAN, JR., Defendant. Case No.: CL15002662-00 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 14th day of January, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this:
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Divorce
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Dorothy M. Eure 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 LEIDY LOPEZ DUBON, Plaintiff v. JUSTIN MOORE, Defendant. Case No.: CL15002661-00 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 14th day of January, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667
CUSTODY virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Jalin monte eubanks, aka jaylin eubanks, Juvenile Case No. JJ083447-10 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown, (Father), of Jalin Monte Eubanks, aka Jaylin Eubanks, child, DOB 11/27/2008, “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 responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown (Father), appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before January 27, 2016 at 10:00 A.M., Court Room #5. Diane Abato, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Isabella Grace andrews, Juvenile Case No. JJ084453-03-00, -04-00,-05-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the parental rights of Jose Garcia, the identified birth father of Isabella Grace Andrews (DOB: 5/22/14), whose mother is Sara Deborah Andrews; and any other possible birth father of Isabella Grace Andrews, whose identity and whereabouts are unknown; and, to allow an adoption of Isabella Grace Andrews, by parental consent, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 63.2-1233. It is ORDERED that the defendant Jose Garcia appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before January Continued on next column
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20, 2016 at 12:00 P.M. Christopher M. Malone, Esq. Thompson McMullan, PC 100 Shockoe Slip, Richmond, Virginia 23219
City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Elisa JoLYN GONZALES, Juvenile Case No. JJ056949-14, 15 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Immer Gonzales, (Father), of Elisa Jolyn Gonzales, child, DOB 05/03/2013, “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 responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendant Immer Gonzales(Father), appear at
the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before March 03, 2016 at 10:20 A.M., Court Room #5. Diane Abato, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493
virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re DEONTAY LAMARK WENDEL COTTMAN, Juvenile Case No. JJ011895-06, 07, 08 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of John Cliffton Smith, (Father), and Unknown, (Father), of Deontay Lamark Wendel Cottman, child, DOB 4/15/2003, “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 responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendant John Cliffton Smith, (Father), and Unknown (Father), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before January 4, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Milton Josue ramirez sandra maribel ramirez v. esteban ovidio del valle Case No. JJ087910-01-00, 02-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: (1) Determine custody of Milton Josue Ramirez (DOB: 11/25/98), whose mother is Sandra Maribel Ramirez, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3 (2) To make factual findings that will permit Milton Josue Ramirez to apply for special immigrant juvenile status with the United States citizenship and immigration services pursuant to section 101 (A) (27)(J) of the immigration and nationality act, 8 USC section 1101(A)(27)(J), 8 C.F.R. Section 204.11 It is ORDERED that the defendant Esteban Ovidio Del Valle appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before 01/20/2016, 9:00 AM. Eileen P. Blessinger, Esq. Blessinger Legal, PLLC 7389 Lee Hwy, Ste 320 Falls Church, VA 22042 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the
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BIDS COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION ITB # 15-1088-11CE – Pine View, Westmont, and Westwood Manor Phase 1 Water System Improvements - This project consists of providing approx. 3,610 lf of water main; replacement of water services and providing manholes, approx. 790 lf sewer mains and laterals. Due 3:00 pm, January 12, 2016. Additional information available at: http:// henrico.us/purchasing/.
Employment Opportunities
New Deliverance Christian Academy Position available for Nursery Assistant. Experience required. CPR/ First Aid certification preferred. Please send resumes to mc4ndca@gmail.com Wanted Church Director/Pianist Established church is seeking an individual to direct and play piano for a Mass choir. Requires the ability to play hymns, traditional and contemporary gospel music. Sight-reading is a plus however not required. Contact E. Stanley at (804) 627-3349
Wanted Church Director/Pianist Established church is seeking an individual to direct and play for a Young Adult and Youth choirs. Requires the ability to play traditional and contemporary gospel music. Sight-reading is a plus however not required. Contact E. Stanley at (804) 627-3349
The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following position: Library Director 03M00000114 Richmond Public Library Continuous Vehicle Service Technician 29M00001076 Department of Public Works Apply by 12/13/2015 Welder 29M00001134 Department of Public Works Apply by 12/13/2015 ****************** For an exciting career with the City of Richmond, visit our website for additional information and apply today! www.richmondgov.com EOE M/F/D/V
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DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
DMAS is charged with ensuring proper MEDICAID services to qualified recipients. The Agency seeks qualified candidates for the following positions:
Special Populations Assistant - #W0590 Web Development Engineer - #W0533 Sr. Managed Care Info Analyst - #00837 Regulatory Coordinator - 01004 Managed Care Nurse Coordinator - #00171 Please visit our website at www.dmas.virginia.gov or Monster.com for more information. An online application is required. Faxed, e-mailed, or paper applications will not be accepted. Visit http://jobs.virginia.gov for application details. EEO/AA/ADA