February 12 14, 2015 issue by Richmond Free Press

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Social justice advocate dies B4

VOL. 24 NO. 7

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FEBRuary 12-14, 2015

A home of her own

Agencies help homeless woman with new start By Joey Matthews

Joanne H. Murray greeted the visitor to her apartment with a warm smile. She sat on a small couch in the modest one-bedroom dwelling on the city’s North Side. Hearing her talk, you’d think she was living in a palatial home in a gated community. “This is my home, and I love it. I really enjoy being here,” she declared. “I’m comfortable here.” She had a good reason to express such gratitude. In the past few years, she has seen the ugly face of homelessness after she lost her home and nearly her hope. She fell on hard times, she said, from setbacks related to a divorce. Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press “One thing led to another and Joanne H. Murray is focusing on finding a full-time job now that she is no longer homeless. I found myself with nowhere to it was better than not having anywhere to stay at all.” live,” she said. “I thought, ‘How did this happen to me?’ ” Before falling on hard times, Ms. Murray, a native of Durham, At first, she said, she stayed with family and friends, but eventually moved into the CARITAS overnight shelter program N.C., said she worked as a customer service representative with the Richmond Department of Public Utilities from 1981 to 1987. “because I didn’t want to be a burden to anyone anymore.” She later worked temporary jobs through staffing agencies She endured some of her most painful moments, she said, when she was forced to stay in the city’s cold weather emergency and attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, where she graduated in 2000 with an associate degree in legal assistoverflow shelter from 2013 until this year. “I had been a home owner before and it was hard for me to ing/civil litigation. From 2007 through 2010, she said she was a broker with her make the adjustment to living in the shelter,” Ms. Murray, now own real estate company, JM Murray Realty in Richmond, and 62, told the Free Press recently. “I knew it was an upward battle to get out, and I started Please turn to A4 feeling hopeless,” she added. “But I was still thankful, because

Bucks to retire NBA great Bobby Dandridge’s number

‘10’ By Fred Jeter

Bob Dandridge’s No. 10 jersey soon will be hanging from the rafters at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. An alumnus of Richmond’s Maggie L. Walker High School and Norfolk State University, the lean 6-foot-6 forward, known as “The Greyhound,” was Jerome Reid/Richmond Free Press file photo instrumental in the Bucks’ only NBA championship in 1971 under Coach Larry Costello. Dandridge’s “10” is being retired Saturday, March 7, during halftime of the Bucks game against Washington. “I’ll know it’ll be cold (in Wisconsin), but I think the excitement will melt the snow,” Dandridge told the Free Press in a telephone interview Wednesday from his home in Norfolk following the team’s official announcement. “We had a young group and Coach Costello kept us disciplined and in control,” said Dandridge. The 1971 team posted a 66-16 regular season record and then breezed through the playoffs with a 12-2 record Please turn to A4

Culture clash

Residents spar over views on local policing By Cindy Huang

Richmond residents clashed Tuesday at a community forum on whether they believe the city has a policing problem. Several older residents viewed the Richmond Police Department as a benevolent force. They questioned whether a local discussion about police misconduct and brutality is necessary, even as young people have taken to the streets to protest discriminatory police practices across the country. “This is 2015,” said longtime Richmond resident Carrie Cox at the community gathering dubbed the “Peeps and Police Community Conversations,” held at the Richmond Police Training Academy. “We Deputy Chief have the best department in the world.” Durham Her sentiments were echoed by Torey Edmonds, who works at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Clark-Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development. She said police misconduct in Richmond is an issue of the past. She said that protesters are “putting on a shoe that just ain’t fitting right now.” She also asked why the community is talking about policing issues plaguing other cities, such as Ferguson, Mo., and New York City. But several younger people in the audience of about 150 said the event lacked the perspectives of those most vulnerable to police misconduct. Several who spoke emphasized that racial inequality still exists in the criminal justice system. “Stop being myopic,” said Montigue Magruder, who asBy Jeremy M. Lazarus serted that beliefs that policeDelegate Joseph D. “Joe” community relations are satisMorrissey hoped for a speedier factory are not representative trial. of the community. Now he must wait two He said inequality is less months to fight new grand visible, but still exists. jury indictments — includ“It’s just buried,” he said. ing a charge that he forged a The forum was organized by document that he presented as community members and the evidence in the case that landed Richmond Police Department. him in jail. It was held after hundreds In that case, he was convicted of local activists and students of allegedly having a sexual staged numerous marches, prorelationship with a 17-year-old tests and “die-ins” as a part of receptionist in his law office, the national Black Lives Matter although he and the teen con- movement to bring attention to

Morrissey trial set for April 28

Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Evandra Catherine asks Richmond Police Officer Jacob DeBoard one of many questions posed Tuesday by community members to department representatives about policing policies during a forum at the Richmond Police Training Academy.

Elkhardt’s closing signals harsh reality for mayor, City Council By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Elkhardt Middle School is a fresh reminder of the increasingly shabby and dilapidated condition of most of Richmond’s school buildings — a condition that the mayor’s office and City Council have yet to seriously address despite repeated reports and warnings in recent years. Set to be shut down this Thursday night, with students, teachers and staff moving 10 miles north across the James River into the vacant Clark Springs Elementary building, Elkhardt on South Side reflects the stark reality the city is facing — the need to provide big money to keep Richmond’s school buildings usable, a reality that no longer can be papered over with rosy talk about bike races, baseball stadiums and football training camps. The closure of Elkhardt, with all the upset and inconvenience it is visiting on families, comes just two weeks before the release of another school facilities report — the seventh in the past 12 years — that once again is expected to document

the magnitude of the problem and make the case for essential investments in the aging buildings that largely have been ignored in favor of developing a few new buildings most students cannot Dr. Bedden attend. And it comes just after the School Board sent Mayor Dwight C. Jones a detailed request for at least $30 million to pay for critical building needs in the fiscal year that will begin July 1. That money, if the mayor proposes in the budget and council approves, would go to replace failing heating and cooling systems in 43 buildings and leaky roofs on 15 buildings and end serious basement leaks and moisture problems in eight buildings. Some of the buildings need mitigation in all areas. And over the next four years, the board has notified the mayor that it would need at least $20 million additional for

similar work on the buildings that are not included in the first round. That’s just part of the bill that taxpayers face; equally important overhauls of aging plumbing, wiring, lighting, walls and windows are not part of the requests. Those items would need a whole new level of funding. While the Elkhardt crisis is being addressed, Richmond Schools Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden is keeping his fingers crossed that nothing else pops up at another building that would create another emergency. And it could easily happen given the state of the buildings. Some examples: J.L. Francis Elementary has only one old boiler to heat the building and that boiler could go; the Technical Center buildings’ heating and cooling equipment is in poor shape and any failure could hamper the center’s use; and the air handling equipment in George Wythe High, which barely works, would Please turn to A5

Richmond Free Press

February 12-14, 2015

Local News Stories by Jeremy M. Lazarus

Fundraising growing at VSU A $200,000 check shows Dr. Pamela V. Hammond is keeping her promise to rev up fundraising at Virginia State University. The university’s interim president received the contribution from the foundation of Thompson Hospitality Inc., which offers food service and catering at VSU’s Gateway Center. “The foundation (of Thompson Hospitality) started at VSU,” said Warren Thompson in presenting the check to Dr. Hammond Feb. 5. “We wanted to make a statement of support for education in Virginia. What better place than VSU?” said Mr. Thompson, chairman and president of the Northern Virginia-based company that bills itself as the largest AfricanAmerican-owned food services company in the nation. According to the university, Dr. Hammond has raised $350,000 since taking office Jan. 1, including the donation from Thompson Hospitality and gifts from such companies as Altria, Microsoft and GCA Services. The Dr. Hammond total is expected to grow next month when alumni present a donation on VSU’s Founders Day. Slices of life and scenes ZVRI (z18) Richmond Free Press Much of the new money apparently has gone to beef up the in Richmond university’s tuition assistance programs, helping to boost spring enrollment. In the latest report, VSU stated that 4,557 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled, pushing up the numbers on campus near the projected level of 4,626 students. While still below the spring 2014 enrollment, the new figure is well above the 4,000 students that once had been projected. This February 11 – February 17, 2015 level of enrollment, Dr. Hammond previously has said, means the university will not have to consider layoffs or furloughs in order to maintain a balanced budget. The school still has not released figures on the number of students living on campus or in apartments built by the university’s real estate foundation.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape

Men and machines are engaged in replacing the 7th Street bridge over Leigh Street in Downtown. Work began in December and is expected to continue until May at this site near the Richmond Coliseum. Then the project will shift to replacing a similar 5th Street bridge over Leigh Street. Drivers are learning that the project has resulted in the closure of the portion of 7th Street near the bridge.

Petersburg city attorney gets lesson in First Amendment Citizens no longer will be barred from addressing Petersburg City Council solely because they owe money to the city. City Attorney Brian Telfair notified the ACLU of Virginia that the prohibition would be lifted, the constitutional watchdog group announced Tuesday. Mr. Telfair issued the response after the Richmond-based group demanded an end to the practice that he previously had deemed legal. “This prohibition violates the First Amendment and must be rescinded immediately,” Rebecca K. Glenburg, legal director of the Virginia ACLU, wrote to Mr. Telfair in a letter issued Feb. 5. The issue involved the decision of Mayor Mr. Telfair W. Howard Myers — with Mr. Telfair’s legal support — to bar an activist and former candidate for city office, Linwood Christian, from speaking. Mr. Christian was banned from addressing the council during its Jan. 20 meeting’s public comment period because he owed the city $800 in campaign fines, Mr. Telfair has confirmed. Mr. Christian had signed up to speak, but his name was removed from the list of speakers. The council’s clerk removed his name at the direction of Mayor Myers, Mr. Telfair told other members of council. When council members inquired about the incident, Mr. Telfair advised them that, in his opinion, the mayor has the authority to bar people from speaking because of debts owed to the city. He also admonished Councilwoman Treska Wilson-Smith to cease sending him emails objecting to his interpretation of the law and the rules of council. Ms. Glenburg stated in her letter that neither the mayor nor anyone else in city government has the authority to limit the free speech of debtors and hinted that the ACLU would go to court if the mayor and Mr. Telfair did not back down. “Barring a speaker because he owes money to the city … is not reasonably related to any purpose” of the public comment period at a Petersburg council meeting, she wrote.

New report ranks area 11th among best for black-owned businesses The Richmond metropolitan area ranks 11th among the best places for black-owned businesses, according to a new report from the website Nerdwallet.com. The website put Richmond ahead of places such as Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Cleveland; Detroit; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Philadelphia. In all, Nerdwallet ranked 111 metropolitan areas with a population of 100,000 or more, based on nine factors. Those factors ranged from black-owned businesses success and the area’s unemployment rate to the average revenue of black-owned businesses and the percentage of black-owned businesses with paid employees. Columbus, Ga.; Montgomery, Ala.; metropolitan Atlanta; and Memphis, Tenn.; ranked ﬁrst, second, third and fourth, respectively, in the report. Based on U.S. Census data, the nation’s 2.1 million blackowned businesses generate $138 billion in revenue. According to the Census, the city of Richmond has more than 3,000 black-owned businesses. That’s about 20 percent of the 15,100 privately owned companies in the city; only about 1,800 reported having at least one employee. That is typical nationally, where at least 90 percent of all businesses are sole proprietorships that have no employees, except the owner.

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Richmond Free Press

February 12-14, 2015

Local News

Richmond jail diversion showing results By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond’s efforts to limit the jail population are taking hold. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, nearly 4,000 people were diverted from jail cells, according to a new report from the city Department of Justice Services. A n d between July 1 and Dec. 31, another 2,330 individuals have been diverted, the report Sheriff Woody states. The figures reflect the stepped-up efforts by the courts, prosecutors, police, government officials and community service providers to use less costly approaches to justice than jail. The impact on the population at the new Richmond Justice Center is evident. On Monday, Jan. 26, Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. reported holding 1,126 inmates, or 240 fewer than the 1,366 people who were being held in the old City Jail on the same day in 2014. The result, said a jail spokesman, is that some sections of cells, called pods, “are completely empty.” The new Richmond jail has a state rated capacity of 1,153 beds, including 108 medical, isolation and other specialty beds, though the jail could hold far more people given the sheriff’s ability to easily turn single beds into bunk beds. Diversion efforts began in 2012 and have continued to grow. The cost of the programs is modest compared with the cost of operating the jail. According to the city budget, Sheriff Woody spent about $30 million on jail operations in the 2014 fiscal year that ended June 30, with city taxpayers picking up about $17 million and the state providing most of the rest. The alternative programs cost about $1.7 million to operate, the city reported. There are seven separate diversion programs — ranging from those serving ordinary people to those serving the mentally ill and drug addicts. The largest diversion program allows people accused of nonviolent crimes to remain free without having to post an expensive bond. Crafted by Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring, city judges and Justice Services officials, the program serves individuals who are rated likely to show up for court and who are considered a low risk of being arrested on a new charge before their court hearing. During the 2014 fiscal year, 1,942 people were diverted from jail as a result of the program, according to the report. In the first six months of the 2015 fiscal year that began July 1, the program has allowed 1,149 people to stay out of jail pending their court appearances. The average cost per day per client in fiscal 2014: About $9.48 a day, according to the report. That’s far less than the $65 per day spent to keep someone behind bars in Richmond, state data show. Another big element of diversion involves supervised probation for individuals who are charged with a misdemeanor or a nonviolent felony and face a sentence of 12 months or less in jail. During fiscal year 2014, 1,405 people were put on probation instead of serving time in jail. In the first six months of fiscal year 2015, 705 people already have been placed on probation. The cost of probation also is far less than jailing a person. In fiscal 2014, the program cost $2.57 a day per client. Electronic monitoring is another part of the diversion effort. In 2014, 259 people were allowed to wear electronic ankle monitors rather than be kept behind bars. So far this fiscal year, 141 people have put on monitors, with the cost

running about $16 a day per person, the report stated. Other initiatives help divert the mentally ill who are charged with offenses. In 2014, 140 people deemed mentally ill were diverted from jail by being placed on supervised probation through a

special court or by being moved There also are diversion prointo programs operated by the grams aimed at helping people Richmond Behavioral Health caught using illegal substances Authority. to stay out of jail. 1335380_02 Since July 1, another 122 The program includes the people deemed mentally ill Drug Court that allows people have been diverted at a cost to rebuild their lives while of less than $31 a day per fighting their addiction. person. In addition, a new program

called the Day Reporting Center has been started. Since July 1, 159 people with prior criminal records have been assigned to the center since their latest arrest, mostly on drug charges. The center, based in the old Public Safety Building near City

Hall, provides intensive counseling help such people change their behavior and avoid further conflicts with the law. The cost of the program: About $44 a day per person, the report stated, or at least $20 less per day than the daily cost of housing an inmate.

CANDI SPRAGGINS WAS

THROWN FROM A ROLLING CAR. L U C K I LY, S H E L A N D E D AT V C U. One cold day in January, Candi’s life was turned upside down. While driving home, her car skidded, went down an embankment, and she was ejected from the vehicle. Candi’s injuries were so catastrophic, people could not imagine her surviving. At the VCU Level 1 Trauma Center, she was resuscitated and treated for life threatening injuries. Since that time, and through rehabilitation at VCU, she has moved from her bed to a wheelchair, and continues to work hard daily. Most would say it’s impossible to walk away from an accident like that. Candi is intent on proving them wrong. For more success stories, go to vcuhealth.org

{VCU} “Rolling Car”

Richmond Free Press

A4 February 12-14, 2015

News

City Council seeks regional efforts on new ballpark By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Mayor Dwight C. Jones keeps saying that he might one day return with a revamped proposal to build a new ballpark in Shockoe Bottom. However, his prospects of gaining the six City Council votes he would need to move such a proposal forward — particularly after his initial plan to build a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom went nowhere — are growing increasingly dim. That became evident Monday night when council voted unanimously to request the mayor “to seek regional participation from Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Henrico County in the city’s efforts to develop a minor league baseball stadium at a location within the Richmond region … .” In other words, the council is ready to work with regional partners to find a location acceptable to them — possibly outside the city. While Mayor Jones could ignore the request, members of council have indicated that he would need to report back on the views of surrounding jurisdictions before any other go-it-alone city proposal could be considered. The key problem for the mayor is that the patrons of the measure include Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, who once

was regarded as a supporter of the mayor’s original move-the-stadium proposal. She is skeptical that the mayor plans to bring back a stadium proposal. She also is convinced the city needs to do more to find common ground with the localities who helped the city build The Diamond, the aging stadium on North Boulevard where the Flying Squirrels now play. Two other members who helped block the original stadium plan, Jonathan T. Baliles, Mayor Jones 1st District, and Charles R. Samuels, 2nd District, also patroned the measure that drew not a hint of protest from purported stadium supporters on the council. In other business: • The council gave the mayor a boost by approving a plan to replace the vacant old Armstrong High School building in the 1600 block of North 31st Street with 300 new apartments and single-family homes. The development is to be the first step to transforming the Creighton Court public housing community into a mixed-income community. There is no date for the start of the development. Plans calls for Creighton Court’s current tenants to be relocated,

in part, to the 300 new apartments and homes. The city is supposed to be applying for a $30 million federal grant to jump-start the project. However, the School Board, which gave the city control of the property nine years ago, has yet to transfer the deed to the city. That could hamper the city in applying for the competitive grant. • Also, the council approved creating commemorative street signs to honor African-Americans who “have made extraordinary contributions” to the city. The first to be honored are the five people who formed the first majority-black City Council in 1977 and elected the city’s first black mayor, Henry L. Marsh III. In addition to Mr. Marsh, the other honorees are Willie J. Dell, Walter T. Kenney, the late Dr. Claudette Black McDaniel and Henry W. “Chuck” Richardson. The blocks where they formerly lived or now reside are to gain the honorary streets signs. The actual names of the streets will not be affected. The program allows others to be honored with such signs in years to come. • The council also gave a thumbs-up to the the creation of designated bike lines or “cycle tracks” on Franklin and Main streets between Belvidere and 9th streets. Cost: $300,000, with most of the cost being picked up with federal and state grants. The city must contribute $60,000 as its share.

A home of her own Continued from A1

later worked as an administrative assistant in the senior employment program at AARP. After the divorce, Ms. Murray said she continued to work temporary jobs, but never could save enough money to afford permanent housing. “Some places required you to make two-and-ahalf times what you paid each month for rent and I didn’t make that much,” she said. She said she began to feel trapped in homelessness after months of living in the city’s cramped overflow shelter, located for the second consecutive winter inside the Public Safety Building, 501 N. 9th St. in Downtown. She and most others in the shelter slept on thin mats on the hard floor. No food is provided and residents wishing to bathe must use bathroom sinks. Thomas Fitzpatrick, deputy director of the city’s Department of Social Services, said, “This is a shelter of last resort. It’s a safe, warm place to get people out of the cold.” Jay Brown, director of housing at Commonwealth Catholic Charities, the organization that refers people to the shelter and runs it, said the goal “is to move them quickly to housing or other support services.” Ms. Murray said she maintained her member-

ship at the YMCA so she would have somewhere to shower and change clothes after leaving the shelter at 6 a.m. each day. She said it was difficult to look for work because she had no reliable transportation and had to spend most of her time scurrying to bathe, change clothes and eat. Ms. Murray said her outlook began to brighten when she noticed Caitlin Newswanger, a case manager with HomeAgain housing services, assisting other people staying in the shelter. “It seemed like some of the people she was helping were getting permanent places to live, but I was afraid to talk to her,” Ms. Murray said. “I had been told ‘no’ so many times before.” Desperate, Ms. Murray took a leap of faith, sought Ms. Newswanger’s help and eventually moved into her apartment Jan. 23. HomeAgain paid the security deposit for Ms. Murray, who pays the rent with her Social Security check. CARITAS, a homeless services provider, gave her furniture, dishes and silverware. “A lot of agencies really came together as partners to make this possible,” said Sean Monroe, director of programs at HomeAgain. He said HomeAgain so far has screened more than 100 clients at the overflow shelter, moved 20 into permanent housing and developed hous-

Sandra Sellars/Rcihmond Free Press

Joanne H. Murray enjoys the one-bedroom apartment she moved into late last month on North Side with the help of several agencies.

ing plans for 25 others. Ms. Murray’s eyes lit up as she described the joy of having her own place again. “I now have a home to come to at the end of the day,” she said. “Getting the help from Caitlin has changed my life. I can get back to

work now. I want to start my own business. Now, I’m ready to jump back in with both feet.” Asked what she would say to others dealing with being homeless, she said, “The most important thing I have learned is not to give up. Never give up.”

Residents spar over views on local policing Continued from A1

racial inequality, especially in the criminal justice system. They also are protesting numerous killings of unarmed black men by white police officers around the nation. During the 90-minute meeting, which was moderated by local radio personality “Miss Community” Clovia Lawrence, community members raised the issues of police misconduct during arrests, recording police activity, filing complaints against the police and the cultural barriers between some police officers and community members.

Police officers, who were seated among the residents, responded that citizens can videotape police officers as long as they do not interfere with the officers’ work. Repeatedly, they said people may contact the department’s internal affairs office with any complaints or concerns about an officer’s behavior. Attalah Ali Shabazz, a VCU student and one of the forum’s organizers, said outside the meeting room that the differing opinions on the policing problems come from a difference in experience between older and younger generations. Racism is not as blatant as it was in the 1980s and 1990s, but “that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

Bucks to retire NBA great Bobby Dandridge’s number In his illustrious NBA career, Dandridge scored 15,530 points (18.5 average), against San Francisco, Los Angeles and grabbed 5,715 rebounds (6.8) and had Baltimore. 2,846 assists (3.4). “As a player, Bob embodied everything He also was regarded as a fierce defensive we want our organization to stand for — performer, often guarding the other team’s hard work, passion, toughness and, above top scorer. all, excellence,” said Milwaukee co-owner From that same Bucks 1971 squad, AbdulWes Edens. Jabbar, Robertson and Dandridge was a guard Jon McGlocklin fourth-round draft pick already have had their Milwaukee Bucks in 1969, the same year numbers retired. retired jerseys the Bucks selected “Must have been a UCLA’s towering The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks already pretty good team, to have retired the following jersey 7-foot-2 Lew Alcinhave four retired from numbers: dor as the first overall the same squad,” said No. 1 – Oscar Robertson selection. Alcindor Dandridge. No. 2 – Junior Bridgeman changed his name to Dandridge was a No. 4 – Sidney Moncrief Kareem Abdul-Jabbar four-time NBA AllNo. 14 – Jon McGlocklin following the 1971 Star (1973, 1975, 1976 No. 16 – Bob Lanier championship. and 1979) and firstNo. 32 – Brian Winters In 1970, Dandridge team All-Defensive No. 35 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made the NBA’s Allselection (1979.) Next in line: No. 10 – Bobby Dandridge Rookie team. Now residing in That set the stage Virginia, Dandridge is for the 1971 season. He averaged 18.4 a member of the Norfolk State University, points, eight rebounds and 3.5 assists to CIAA and Virginia Sports halls of fame. complement superstars Abdul-Jabbar and As a youngster, he played at Maggie L. Oscar Robertson. Walker High School under coach Stretch Gard“I learned so much from Oscar,” said ner and at NSU under Ernie Fears. Dandridge Dandridge. “Mostly I picked up on his work scored 1,664 points in 74 games for NSU, ethic. Oscar probably practiced harder than while averaging 32.3 points as a senior. he played.” “This honor is long overdue,” said Edens. Dandridge played in Milwaukee from “Now the entire organization is thrilled to 1969 to 1977. put Bob’s jersey in the rafters along with He returned to the Bucks one final season in the other legends.” 1981. As a Buck, he ranks first in the franchise Some felt the Bucks waited too long in in minutes played (27,034), third in games retiring Dandridge’s jersey. He disagrees. (618) and fourth in scoring (11,478). “This happened at the right time,” he said. The Richmond native also had five pro- “My family members are now old enough to ductive seasons with the Washington Bullets appreciate the significance of the honor. — now the Washington Wizards — helping “In fact, I’m more excited for my family the squad to the 1978 NBA title. and friends than for myself.” Continued from A1

Major questions rose and disagreement erupted on how residents and police should behave during an arrest. Evandra Catherine, who works at VCU, asked if cultural differences, such as her normal animated hand gestures, would be misunderstood by police as aggression during an arrest. A police officer responded that the time to complain about an unfair or mishandled arrest is not during the arrest, but rather with the department after the fact. Some community members stressed the importance of showing respect to the police, particularly during an arrest. They said individuals who are respectful and compliant would be

treated well by the police. But others argued that it’s unfair to put the onus of good behavior on the citizen instead of the police, particularly considering the police are trained and the citizens are not. Deputy Chief Alfred Durham, who will take over as Richmond’s police chief Friday, Feb. 20, emphasized the importance of honest community feedback during the meeting. He said afterward that he and community organizers will set up another meeting to continue the conversation. “We can’t change if we don’t know what we’re doing wrong — if we’re doing anything wrong at all,” he said.

Morrissey trial set for April 28 Continued from A1

tinue to deny anything happened between them at the time. The delegate pleaded not guilty to the four charges of forgery, perjury and conspiracy when he was arraigned Monday in Henrico Circuit Court. Judge Alfred D. Swersky, who has been appointed to hear the case, rejected Delegate Morrissey’s request to hold the trial within three weeks. Delegate Morrissey stated he wanted a fast trial “to erase the manifest harm and injustice created by these indictments.” Judge Swersky set the jury trial for April 28 for the legislator and his alleged co-conspirator, Deidre Warren, mother of the teen involved in the previous case. Judge Swersky did agree to allow the delegate to serve as co-counsel in his defense and set a Feb. 23 hearing on Delegate Morrissey’s motion to have unrelated case files and computers seized by police during a search of his law office on Jan. 12 returned to him. “In my office now, no legal work is being done except receiving phone calls,” Delegate Morrissey told the judge. He was convicted in December of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor. He now spends his nights at Henrico County Jail – East in New Kent County and attends daytime General Assembly meetings while on work release. His jail term ends in March. The new charges accuse Delegate Morrissey of creating a document that his attorneys presented in court and persuaded Ms. Warren to attest to its authenticity while under oath. The document purportedly shows that the teen’s father, Coleman Pride, had agreed to pay $50 a week into her college fund in 2006, a document that Mr. Pride denies ever signing. Delegate Morrissey’s attorneys claim the document is legitimate and was filed in a Chesterfield County court. The Free Press found the document in an exhibit filed in a Chesterfield Circuit Court civil lawsuit brought against Mr. Pride.

Other information indicates that Mr. Pride mailed an original of the document to Ms. Warren in 2007. The defense also is expected to present a handwriting expert to testify that Mr. Pride signed the document, despite his claims otherwise. Delegate Morrissey inMr. Morrissey troduced the document in his sentencing hearing to support his claim that the teen was at his home in late August 2013 consulting him about the agreement and her father’s alleged removal of an accumulated $28,000 from her college fund. Police went to Delegate Morrissey’s house in response to a complaint from Mr. Pride that Delegate Morrissey and his underage daughter were involved in an illegal relationship. The daughter, who is almost 19 and pregnant, claims her father made up the story to avoid responsibility for taking the money. Following Delegate Morrissey’s sentencing hearing, Mr. Pride’s claims that the support agreement was bogus led to the new charges. Police executed the search warrant the day before Delegate Morrissey won a special election to retain his legislative seat and the same day the indictments were issued. The four-term Democrat triggered the election when he resigned under pressure from colleagues after his conviction, then ran as an independent in the Jan. 13 special election that was called to fill the seat the day before the General Assembly convened. Despite initial talk, no effort has been made to censure Delegate Morrissey or to expel him from the House of Delegates, though House Speaker William J. Howell has refused to assign him to any legislative committees. A bill that freshman Petersburg Delegate Joseph E. Preston introduced that was aimed at banning Delegate Morrissey from the House floor while serving his sentence ended up being killed in the House Courts of Justice Committee.

Richmond Free Press

February 12-14, 2015 A5

Local News

Petersburg council to revisit jail closure plan By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Will the Petersburg City Jail close as Mayor W. Howard Myers has announced? Stay tuned. Mayor Myers is facing a Petersburg City Council revolt over his announcement last week that the jail closing is a done deal and that arrestees would be housed outside the city at Riverside Regional Jail beginning March 1. Ward 1 Councilwoman Treska Wilson-Smith, an opponent of the closing who supports building a new jail, is leading the revolt. She is pushing for the governing body to take a fresh look at the jail closing plan. In a vote that largely went unnoticed last week and has been downplayed by the mayor, Ms. Wilson-Smith secured majority support for her proposal to “revisit” the issue. The council voted 3-2 last week to hold a meeting with Petersburg Sheriff Vanessa Crawford and then consider whether to move ahead with the closing. The vote came just a day after Mayor Myers publicly

announced a jail closing plan, upsetting his council colleagues who never were notified of his intentions. Councilman David “Ray” Coleman, Ward 6, who previously opposed the closing, and a newly elected councilman, John. A. Hart Sr., Ward 7, joined Ms. Wilson-Smith in voting to reconsider the issue. Only Mayor Myers, who represents Ward 5, and the former mayor, Brian A. Moore, Ward 4, opposed the motion. Mayor Myers One council member abstained from voting — Samuel Parham, Ward 3, who defeated the chief advocate for closing the jail, Kenneth Pritchett, in November’s election. While the council has seven seats, one is vacant with the recent death of Vice Mayor Carl “Mike” Ross. “We have heard from the (jail closing) proponents, but the council has not heard the sheriff’s side at a public meeting,” Ms. Wilson-Smith said this week. “We need to do that before we go any further.” While Mayor Myers met privately with the sheriff last

Wednesday and claimed that was sufficient, Ms. Wilson-Smith said that meeting did not satisfy the proposal approved by the council. She said she has requested that the sheriff be invited to the council’s meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 17, to state her case for keeping the jail open. Ms. Wilson-Smith said she would seek another council vote on the closing proposiSheriff Crawford tion if Sheriff Crawford makes an effective argument for it to remain open. The council voted 4-3 to close the jail on Dec. 9, but did not notify the sheriff. Since then, Sheriff Crawford has told reporters that Petersburg would not save any money by closing the jail, and that keeping it open would prevent layoffs of more than 60 civilian and sworn personnel. She also has said the jail’s major problems could be cured by repairing the broken elevator and replacing the air conditioning system, items that the council funded in the city’s current budget.

Elkhardt’s closing signals harsh reality for mayor, council Continued from A1

create serious problems if it goes down So far, Mayor Jones has been mum publicly about any plans he might have for providing big dollars for existing schools ahead of the release of the facilities report, now set for Monday, Feb. 23, at a joint meeting of the council and School Board. He did not acknowledge what appears to an 800-pound elephant in his upbeat State of the City address in late January nor in the February email issue of “Building the Best Richmond,” in which he touts the “resurgence” of the city under his leadership. His real commitment will be spelled out when he delivers his new budget proposal to the council in early March and spells out how much he wants to provide to the school system. At the same time, council has tried to prepare by passing a resolution calling on the mayor to set aside $2 million a year to be used to cover the cost of borrowing $30 million for school building needs — even though that may fall far short of the actual funding requirements. In a 2013 report, consulting engineers hired by the School Board went through every building, detailed every problem and estimated that an $80 million infusion would keep the

buildings usable. The decision to send students to Clark In the case of Elkhardt, the School Board Springs as a replacement space was worked had made the middle school a top priority to out between the school administration and be replaced based on its age and condition, Elkhardt’s leadership team, which wanted to in a report on building needs in 2007. That keep the school together. recommendation was pushed to the sidelines Not everyone is happy about the decision when Mayor Jones and the council decided to cram more than 500 middle school students to replace Martin Luther King Jr. Middle and adults into a building that was designed School. for a maximum of 550 smaller children ages The current problem with Elkhardt is the 5 to 12. result of leaky steam pipes that enabled healthMr. Kranz acknowledged that “it will be a threatening mold to thrive and spread, forcing tight fit” to put so many larger people into a the School Board and Dr. Bedden to shutter building with 26 classrooms — at least six fewer the building to protect children and adults from than Elkhardt — but he said that Elkhardt’s ofpotential lung damage. ficials believe they can make it work. At this point, the School Board’s proposed Tichi L. Pinkney Eppes, the 9th District capital budget calls for spending more than $3.5 School Board member whose district includes million on Elkhardt to replace the boilers, pipes Elkhardt, is urging parents to “bear with us and roof and to seal a leaky basement. Thomas E. through this inconvenience.” Kranz, the assistant superintendent who oversees Her hope is that everyone will be able to buildings and operations, has since indicated return to a revamped Elkhardt next fall. She more work may need to be done, including said she will advocate to make that happen removal of floor tiles made with asbestos. That unless the community gains a commitment for could hike the cost, he indicated. development of a new middle school that would This will be the second time Clark Springs replace both Elkhardt and Thompson. has become a temporary home for another In a letter she sent Wednesday to Dr. Bedschool. Last spring, Fairfield Court Elementary den, she also urged the superintendent to test had to be packed up and moved there to allow other old school buildings for mold to make for emergency roof repairs. T:11”sure there will not be another Elkhardt and

to enlist city health district and volunteer health care professionals to perform checkups on all Elkhardt students, teachers and staff to ensure the mold has not created health problems. She also recommended to Dr. Bedden that he and his staff make themselves more available to families during this kind of emergency. She called on him to improve communications with parents, many of whom have felt left out of the decision to close Elkhardt and move the operation to Clark Springs. Parents, she said, are now concerned about whether Clark Springs will be ready for the students and whether transportation will be handled well. She also urged Dr. Bedden to offer transfer options that would allow students to fill vacancies at other middle schools as an alternative to going to Clark Springs and to provide tutoring and extra programs “to make sure this middle-of the-year emergency does not affect the learning or performance” of Elkhardt students on upcoming state Standards of Learning tests. Ms. Pinkney Eppes also urged Dr. Bedden to address the “considerable concern and uncertainty regarding the future of Elkhardt” and ensure the community has some input before decisions are made about renovation or replacement of the building.

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Richmond Free Press

Colorful tree stump in South Side

Editorial Page

February 12-14, 2015

Christians are no exception It has been exasperating to read and listen to the attacks against President Obama for the comments he made during last week’s National Prayer Breakfast. In case you missed the speech, or the resulting dust-up, here are the comments that drew the ire of his critics: “And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ. In our home country, slavery and Jim Crow all too often was justified in the name of Christ.” President Obama made these remarks within the context of asking how people of faith can reconcile the existence of atrocities committed in the name of religion. The president did not want his audience to overlook the fact that throughout history, all major religious groups — including Christians — have engaged in atrocities in the name of religion. This is evidenced by his following comment: “So this is not unique to one group or one religion. There is a tendency in us, a sinful tendency that can pervert and distort our faith.” The virulent and clamorous outcry from the conservative right denouncing President Obama’s remarks are grounded in the belief that Christians — and by extension, the West — have not used religion in this way, while Islam has. Or, if Christians did, it was so long ago that it no longer counts. Lest they think that Muslims acting under the aegis of the Islamic State or ISIL or Boko Haram have a monopoly on violence committed in the name of religion, President Obama’s critics must be reminded of the “Christian” foundations of the Ku Klux Klan and of the terroristic atrocities its members have perpetrated in modern times. A report released Tuesday by the Equal Justice Initiative asserts that 3,959 African-Americans were brutally — and often publicly — killed in 12 Southern states between 1877 and 1950. The human toll is at least 700 more lynchings than previously recorded. Many of the victims’ lives were taken for demanding basic human rights or for refusing to submit to unfair treatment, according to the report. We can add to the list of modern Christian terrorists the names of Adolph Hitler, who twisted religion as well as logic in justifying the annihilation of more than 11 million people, including 6 million Jews; and Anders Behring Breivik, who in July 2011 was arrested and charged with terrorism in Norway. He set off a car bomb around government buildings in Oslo that killed eight people, then followed up with a mass shooting at a youth camp on Utoya Island that killed 69, most of them teenagers. Identifying himself as a “Christian crusader,” he detailed in writing his beliefs that immigrants were undermining Norway’s traditional Christian values. And we should not forget the continuing wave of bombings and slayings of doctors, nurses, receptionists and security guards at women’s health clinics across the country by “Christian” fundamentalists so hellbent against abortion that they violate their own claims regarding the sanctity of life. President Obama said: “No God condones terror. No grievance justifies the taking of innocent lives, or the oppression of those who are weaker or fewer in number. And so, as people of faith, we are summoned to push back against those who try to distort our religion — any religion — for their own nihilistic ends.” So bray at the moon as much as they wish, President Obama’s critics must wake up and remove the logs from their own eyes. Christianity is no exception when it comes to crimes against humanity. Instead of fighting the president, they need to battle those — even those within their own religion — who seek to use religious beliefs to harm and terrorize others.

Enhancing all lives We applaud the Richmond Police Department brass and Chief-to-be Alfred Durham for initiating and carrying out a confab with more than 150 people in response to the #BlackLivesMatter protests across the city. We also applaud the scores of Richmond area young people who are actively committed to ensuring social justice is given more than lip service by public servants — accountable to the people — who hold elected and appointed offices. The discussion held Tuesday night at the Richmond Police Training Academy on North Side underscores the divergent points of views held by the populace, many of which reflect generational fault lines as well as divisions based on experience and cultural expectations when it comes to law enforcement. We hope the meeting was just a start, allowing the new chief and young and old community members to hear one another. Next comes the real dialogue, where issues and suggested solutions can be hashed out — all leading to further improved police-community relations. We acknowledge that few Ferguson-like incidents have taken place in the city, thanks to many factors, including the police and the people. Yet, we believe the city, and the lives of its residents and visitors, would be enhanced by implementing many of the changes being advocated nationally. We endorse five points: 1 – Body cameras for all police officers to record interactions with people. 2 – Anti-bias training for all officers by outside professionals — and not simply by department brass who have taken a short course themselves. 3 – Continuous training on more effective/less confrontational handling of police-citizen situations, particularly those involving minorities, immigrants, the mentally ill and disabled people. 4 – Creating an independent citizen review panel to handle complaints lodged against officers for excessive force, brutality and other inappropriate actions. 5 – Requiring independent special prosecutors to handle any cases of police use of deadly force. Let the conversations continue, but with action. We don’t need a Michael Brown, Eric Garner or Akai Gurley situation to arise in Richmond before we act.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Each generation offers something Whether it is in an inner-city neighborhood across America, the Caribbean, in Europe or in a sprawling mass of people in an African or Brazilian urban area, millions of black youths throughout the world are crying out for a better quality of life. They should always have a better life than their parents. I always try to keep my eyes and ears open to see and hear what our youths are saying and doing. The axiom that the future is in the hands of the young is certainly true today. I admire and support young people who stand up and speak out for freedom and equal justice. I have been impressed by the new generation of young activists, freedom fighters and community mobilizers who are emerging from Ferguson, Mo., to New York City, Rio, Soweto, Cape Town, Kingston, Havana, Luanda and Lagos to Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in the Congo. During the past several years,

we have witnessed black youths in the United States and throughout the Pan-African world rise to challenge the lingering vestiges of racial oppression, neo-colonialism and economic inequity. There is a hunger and thirst for new

Benjamin Chavis movements for social, political and economic change by a generation of youths who appear to be ready to move forward. Unfortunately, there are many young activists and leaders who are not receiving the kind of encouragement that they deserve and need to be successful. That’s especially true in the case of those of us who have learned the contours and dynamics of power, institution building and what it means to sustain an effective movement for change. We need to show our youths more love, concern and support, even when we have a different opinion about how they should approach a particular task. We cannot afford a generation gap at the leadership level. We cannot afford a cultural gap on the issues revolving around the

poetry, music and art forms of our young artists who have always evolved out of the crucibles of our long struggle for freedom, justice and equality. Wisdom must be transmitted from one generation to the other. But more than anything else, our young today need to be encouraged to withstand harsh contradictions of a society and world that still attempts to deny our humanity. Yet, I know from first hand experience that it is difficult, if not impossible, to give to others what you do not have in your own mind, pocket or spirit. In order to encourage our young lions to become strong freedom fighters, we have to be encouraged ourselves. If our spirit is broken, how are we going to inspire someone else? W.E.B. DuBois, John Oliver Killens, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, Zora Neale Hurston, Angela Davis, Sonia Sanchez, Nelson Mandela and many other of our freedom-fighting writers and scholars all were once encouraged by elders who pointed the way forward in the global struggle for freedom and empowerment. Now more than ever, our youths need the encouragement and guidance

Real realities of poverty The racial differential in the poverty rate is staggering. About 12 percent of the people in the United States, one in eight people are poor. Depending on race and ethnicity, however, poverty is experienced differently. Fewer than one in 10 white people are poor; more than one in four AfricanAmericans and Latinos are poor. Differences in occupation, income, employment and education are considered the main reasons for poverty, with current and past discrimination playing a role in educational, employment and occupational attainment. We see the discrimination when we consider that African-American women with a doctoral degree have median earnings of about $1,000 a week, compared to about $1,200 a week for black men and white women, and $1,600 a week for white men. White men earn 60 percent more than African-American women, and a third more than black men and white women. It would not take much to recite the differences by race, or education, unemployment, earnings and occupation. The recurrent question in reviewing the data is: What are we going to do? It makes no sense to just recite the data and then wring our hands as if nothing can be done. The three steps in social change are organization (especially protest), which leads to legislation (with pressure) and litigation (when legislation is not implemented).

Often laws preventing discrimination have been passed but not adhered to, forcing litigation to get offenders to do the right thing. Of course, it takes more than a minute. It takes people who are committed for the long run. “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward

Julianne Malveaux justice,” Dr. Martin Luther King said in 1964. Carter Godwin Woodson understood the long arc when he founded the Journal of Negro History and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. The organization and the journal have changed their names to reflect the nomenclature of these times, and they are now called The Journal of African American History and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Both the organization and the journal have now existed for 100 years, which is perhaps why ASALH chose “A Century of Black Lives, History and Culture” as its 2015 theme. This year, their focus is on the long arc of African-American life in our nation and asserts that “this transformation is the result of effort, not chance.” Dr. Woodson made many choices that led to his education and to the creativity and brilliance that motivated him to uplift Black History through Negro History Week, now Black History Month. Dr. Woodson was the son of former slaves, and a family that was large and poor. He worked as a miner in West Virginia, and attended school just a few months a year. At 20, he started high school and, by 28, he had earned his

bachelor’s degree. He was only the second African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard (W.E.B DuBois was the first in 1895). He was a member of the Howard University faculty and was later a dean. He wrote, “If you can control a man’s thinking, you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think, you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one.” In other words, poverty can be the reality of living, but it doesn’t have to be a state of mind. Many are trapped in poverty because that may be all they know, and because protest, legislation and litigation have not provided a passage out of poverty. No one provided a passage out of poverty for Dr. Woodson. He worked as a miner to earn a living, and he transcended his status as a miner to make a life of embracing his people and our history. He wrote about the ways that our thinking could oppress us as much as living conditions can. He is a role model and example for African-Americans today because, motivated by a desire to be educated, he fought his way out of poverty. There is a difference between thinking you can live like Dr. Woodson, and thinking that you can’t. Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based Washington, D.C.

The Free Press welcomes letters

The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you. We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.

of the elders who are sober with informative and inspiring wisdom of the past and present. That is true at home and abroad. For example, there are 78 million people, whose average age is 16, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Millions of these young Congolese should be educated about the legacy and spirit of Patrice Lumumba. The majority of Africans across the continent are young, gifted and talented. This is no time for us to engage in hopelessness in Africa, nor in America. The miseries of the past do not have to be our future. We must learn from the past. Our future should not be determined by what others do to us, but by what we will do for ourselves, and in particular what we will do to help our youths excel, triumph and push for a better quality of life. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

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Richmond Free Press

February 12-14, 2015

Letters to the Editor

‘All movements are connected’

As we celebrate Black History Month, we have the opportunity to reflect on our culture, our history, our triumphs and all the mountains we still have yet to climb. From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we have learned that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” In Richmond, several organizations and individuals are carrying the torch toward an equal and just society. We realize that all movements are connected as they all are symptoms of deeply

engrained societal issues such as racism, classism, sexism and corporatism. Although efforts to achieve access to public transportation, to promote healthy fresh foods and to preserve and protect our cultural history and heritage may not seem to have a lot in common, they are united in the same roots. We acknowledge that, for example, working on achieving justice for the LGBTQ community and supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan are both vital and

neither can be ignored. As a result of last month’s Virginia People’s Assembly, an annual gathering of people from across Virginia who are engaged in a broad range of struggles, several locally based groups are forming an alliance to build power while working together to recognize a common vision of health, prosperity and justice in Richmond. These groups include Virginia Organizing, RePHRAME (Richmond Public Housing

Residents Against Mass Evictions), Black Action Now, Richmond Transit Riders Union, the Richmond IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), Justice RVA, Southerners On New Ground (SONG) and Virginia Chapter Sierra Club. KENDYL CRAWFORD Virginia Chapter Sierra Club MONTIGUE MAGRUDER Richmond Transit Riders Union

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For the third time in four years, the Virginia Senate has voted to ratify the long overdue Equal Rights Amendment. If ratified by the House of Delegates, Virginia would become the 36th out of the 38 states needed to ratify this important economic and civil rights constitutional amendment for women. Despite efforts in the House of Delegates to stall or kill the bill, bringing the measure to the floor of the House for a vote is fully legal and viable, and is in fact an example of one of the few constitutional obligations a state legislature has. Ninety-seven percent of Americans believe the U.S. Constitution should include an equal rights amendment for women, while 72 percent think it already is in the Constitution. What the House of Delegates is being asked to do is advance our country closer to what most Americans think exists. EILEEN DAVIS Richmond The writer is co-founder of Women-Matter.org Law Ofﬁce of

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Interstate 64 Bridge Replacement over Nine Mile Road Henrico County Public Information Meeting Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 5–7 p.m. Sandston Public Library 23 East Williamsburg Road Sandston, VA 23150 Come see and hear about plans replace the eastbound and westbound bridges on Interstate 64 over Nine Mile Road/Route 33. Construction is anticipated to begin in winter 2015. Minimal interstate traffic will be impacted as two lanes will remain open in both directions. Nine Mile Road may be detoured during some overnight hours. Give your written comments at the meeting or submit them no later than February 27, 2015 to Winston Phillips., project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or Winston.Phillips@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 have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above 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 February 17, this meeting will be held February 24 at the same time and location above. State Project: 0064-043-746,C501, B603, B604 Federal Project: BR-064-3(487), BR-064-3(487), BR-064-3(487)

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General Assembly A message from Senator Donald McEachin

The very essence of our democracy is the participation of its citizens. Voting is what keeps our democracy strong and protects us against extremes and even dictatorship. All of us, as strong believers in our form of representative government, should do everything we can to encourage voting. Unfortunately, over the past few years, the Republicans have taken the opposite approach. They have installed hurdles for participations such as voter ID. This year, they have a bill that would require those who vote absentee by mail to produce a copy of a picture ID to receive an absentee ballot. This seems directly aimed at discouraging voting. Many of the very persons who vote absentee are those who do not have a photo ID. The elderly and the infirm who don’t have drivers’ licenses and may find leaving the house difficult are those who frequently apply for an absentee ballot for that very reason. A driver’s license is the most common form of photo ID for most Virginians. But, these are registered voters who don’t have drivers’ licenses. Ostensibly, they can go to DMV to obtain a special photo card that serves as a valid ID for voting and other purposes. But, the very act of going to DMV is difficult for many of them. As elderly citizens, the onerous process at local DMVs can be more than they can readily handle. All of us have sat through those lines, waited for our number to be called and wished we didn’t have to be there. Imagine how much more difficult that is if you are older, frail and infirm or suffer from some physical disability. This requirement places undue additional burden on the very folks who are supposed to be helped by the availability of mail in absentee ballots. Supposedly the goal of photo ID at the polls is to prevent voter fraud. Putting aside for the moment that incidents of voter fraud are truly extremely rare, this new requirement does not abate this problem whatsoever. Sending in a picture of an ID does not offer any security. The individuals at the registrar’s office who process the ballot have no way of knowing if that is actually a picture of the individual who is applying. This bill will create the ironic circumstance where an individual may go through a difficult and cumbersome process to obtain an ID to send it with his or her ballot and, yet, the employee processing the ballot has absolutely no way to assess anything about the validity or legitimacy of the photo ID. In this circumstance, no way exists to compare the photo ID with the individual who is actually voting. In other words, this is just another obstacle, for no good reason, being created by Republicans to hinder participation in our democracy. Voting is a right and we should be doing more to increase participation and make it easier. Polls need to be open longer. We need no excuse absentee voting where any Virginian who is a registered voter can request an absentee ballot, without a ridiculous photo ID requirement, and mail it in at their convenience within a predetermined window of time. My Democratic colleagues and I continue to introduce bills to alleviate the situation only to be confronted by legislation on the other side that makes voting even more limited and more restricted. Please know I will continue to fight for a stronger democracy that offers citizens the opportunity to succeed. If you have any thoughts on this or any other issue, please don’t hesitate to contact me at district09@senate.virginia.gov or 698.7509. Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the General Assembly.

Richmond Free Press

A8 February 12-14, 2015

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

VUU’s Jones is burning up the track, aiming for Olympics school. In years to come, law breakers will need to be in tiptop The school has produced former NBA All-Star Eddie shape if they try to flee on foot from C’evon Jones. Jones and 13 NFL football players, including current Arizona Pronounced “Say-Von,” C’evon is a junior criminal cornerback Patrick Peterson, and Clinton “C.J.” Jones, who justice major and aspiring policewoman at Virginia Union is C’evon’s older brother. University. C.J. Jones still holds the school’s 400-meter record of She’s also among the fastest women in America. 47.1 and starred as a wide receiver at the University of Jones’goals include winning a NCAA sprint title, competing Iowa before playing in the NFL with Denver, Seattle, New in the 2016 Olympics and fighting crime in her hometown England and Cleveland. of Pompano Beach, Fla. Another Ely graduate is the late Esther Rolle, famous “I come from an area where there is a lot of violence,” for playing Florida Evans in the television shows “Maude” she said. “I’d like to go back home and be a positive influand “Good Times.” ence … cleaning up the streets.” “Actually, Esther Rolle grew up in a house right around She’s a young lady who can definitely lay down the law the corner from where I lived,” said C’evon. on the running track. C’evon and C.J. Jones are cousins of San Francisco 49ers’ Currently, Jones ranks third in the NCAA Division II, receiver Anquan Boldin from Pahokee, Fla. clocking a blistering 7.49 seconds for 60 meters indoors. The tightly muscled 5-foot-3 Jones concentrates on 60 Last winter, she finished fourth at the NCAA Indoor meters indoors and then 100 meters and the 4-x-100 relay Championships. during the spring. When the starting gun fires, you’d think she was powered As a freshman, she ran a leg on VUU’s 400-meter relay by rocket fuel. team that took third at nationals. That foursome featured “C’evon has one of the fastest starts I’ve ever seen,” said four women from Florida. VUU Coach Wilbert Johnson. “She’s always in first coming Along with Jones, the 2013 relay runners were S’Kaylah out of the blocks.” Woods, Cam’ree Jackson and G’Ana Robinson. Jones is undefeated this season with 60-meter victories in Bold-letter meets on the horizon are the CIAA Championlarge invitational meets at Christopher Newport and George ships Feb. 15-16 at Winston-Salem and the Nationals March Mason universities and the University of Maryland. 13-15 in Birmingham. At the University of Maryland, she outlegged women Jones has an opening on the top step on the podium. from 14 different schools, including many at Division I The CIAA and NCAA champ a year ago was senior institutions. Danielle Williams, a Jamaican native who competed One of 15 VUU track and field athletes from the for J.C. Smith University. state of Florida, Jones was third in the State AAA 100 James Haskins/Richmond Free Press Jones’ 7.49 clocking this winter ranks behind only New meters as a senior at Blanche Ely High in Pompano Haven’s Ada Udaya and Nikia Squire of Queens, N.C. Beach. Virginia Union University track star C’evon Jones of Pompano Beach, “I need to get a little stronger, to be better at the finish,” That is the same high school alma mater of the Pan- Fla., ranks third in the NCAA Division II for 60 meters indoors. said Jones. “I’ve got the natural ability. Now I’m working thers’ sixth-year coach Johnson and former VUU track star “Also I have an aggressive style of recruiting. I’m not afraid on technique and strength.” G’Ana Robinson. If all goes as planned, she’ll race for a spot in the 2016 Sum“I think it helped (in recruiting) that I was old friends with her to go after the very best.” Blanche Ely High, named after an African-American educa- mer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. After that, it’ll be time to start track coach at Ely (Anthony Jordan) and that we have so many tor and social activist, originally was a segregated, all-black running down crooks in South Florida. athletes from Florida,” said Johnson.

Former L.C. Bird football star is college team catalyst When Nassau County, N.Y., Community College needed big yardage this past football season, they gave the ball to Yahkee Johnson. “Yahkee was our catalyst. That’s who we went to in crunch time,” said Nassau Coach Joe Osovet. “He’s not only a dynamic performer, but also a great person.” Johnson was a ringleader this past fall in Nassau’s undefeated football season. The former Chesterfield County L.C. Bird High All-State performer rushed for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns in leading the Garden City, N.Y., school to a 10-0 record. Johnson was first-team AllNortheast Conference and honorable mention Junior College All-America. Nassau went 9-0 in the regular Yahkee Johnson season, then defeated Scottsdale, Ariz., 34-27, in the Valley of Sun Bowl Dec. 6 in Scottsdale. Osovet says Johnson will transfer to a four-year program after he completes summer school. His suitors include James Madison, Hampton, Maine, Delaware, West Virginia, Southern Miss and Virginia Union University, according to Osovet. Johnson’s younger brother, Robert Johnson Jr., is currently a freshman guard on the Indiana University basketball team. Robert Johnson started 23 of the first 24 games for the Hoosiers and is the squad’s top 3-point shooter, hitting 34 of 80 for 43 percent. Another younger brother, Malik Johnson, is playing basketball at Blue Ridge School in Saint George, Va. The Johnson brothers’ father, Robert Johnson Sr., is a former standout basketball player at George Wythe High and Virginia Union University.

JeQuan Lewis brings it for VCU in Weber’s absence

When the credits roll for Virginia Commonwealth University basketball, JeQuan Lewis is no longer among the supporting cast. The Tennessean with the distinctive fade haircut has popped up as a leading man for coach Shaka Smart’s short-handed but still Atlantic 10-leading Rams. Since Briante Weber’s career-ending knee injury Jan. 31, Lewis has done a dandy Weber impersonation. With opportunity knocking loudly, the 6-foot-1 sophomore had 13 points, four assists and two steals in the Rams’ 72-60 win at George Mason University Feb. 4. From rural Dickson, Tenn., Lewis came back with 14 points, six assists and four steals in an agonizing 73-71 last-instant loss at St. Bonaventure Feb. 7. The setback in western New York dropped the Rams to 18-5 overall and 8-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, tied with the University of Rhode Island. VCU began the week strong — at No. 9 in the RPI rankings. The Rams were minus Weber and leading scorer/rebounder Treveon Graham at St. Bonaventure. Suffering with a high ankle sprain, Graham’s status was uncertain for the Feb. 11 home game with LaSalle University. On Saturday, VCU travels to George Washington University for a 2 p.m. tipoff

on ESPN2. Answering to “J.Q.,” Lewis is just the second front-line Ram ever from the adjacent state of Tennessee. VCU’s only other Tennessean was Willie Taylor (2001-2003) from the Nashville area. By comparison, VCU has had seven players from Russia since the early 1990s. Lewis caught coach Smart’s sharp eye for talent at the Tennessee Tournament of Champions when JeQuan he poured in a state-record 50 points against Grandview. His haircut — with blonde tint on top — talent and jersey number make him hard to miss. Lewis wears No. 1, the same jersey number worn by Richmonder Bo Jones, who netted 1,334 points in just three seasons. VCU was down to 10 scholarship players at St. Bonaventure. Earlier this year, 6-foot-9 Antravious Simmons transferred to Florida Gulf Coast University. With Weber no longer in the mix, Lewis is an active team leader in assists (52) and

steals (28) while averaging 6.3 points. While Lewis matched Weber’s usual statistics at St. Bonaventure, the overall effect of “havoc” was lacking. VCU forced St. Bonaventure into just nine turnovers. On season, the Rams create an average of 17-plus takeaways. It was the Rams’ first true road loss of the season after seven victories on opponents’ home floors. The ankle injury has Lewis stalled Graham’s pursuit of VCU’s all-time scoring mark. The 6-foot-6 senior has 1,689 points, trailing only Jabo Wilkins (1,716), Kendrick Warren (1,858) and Eric Maynor (1,953). Starting with George Washington University on Saturday, the Rams have seven regular season games left prior to the Atlantic 10 tournament in Brooklyn March 11 through 15. Graham averages 16.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and remains a favorite for A-10 Player of the Year. Weber, soon to undergo surgery, gave VCU a second All-Atlantic 10 candidate.

VUU Panthers win game ahead of CIAA tourney They’re toes are wiggling. After losing 10 games in succession in December and January, Virginia Union University’s basketball Panthers are showing evidence of recovery. First-year coach Tony Sheals’ squad defeated Winston-Salem State University 80-70 on Feb. 4 at VUU’s Barco-Stevens Hall. It was the Panthers’ third win in four outings following the lengthy tailspin. Emerging as a late season hero is D’Andre Bullard, a 6-foot-4 senior who averaged 18 points in the last four games, hitting 29 of 46 shots from the field for 63 percent. Bullard is from the Orlando, Fla., area,

but there is nothing Mickey Mouse about his game. The transfer from Florida A&M University had 27 points in VUU’s win over Elizabeth City State University, 20 points in the loss to Chowan University, nine points the win over Lincoln University and 17 points in the victory over Winston-Salem State University. The Floridian averages 11.2 points per game, giving VUU three, double-digit scorers along with Ray Anderson (14.5) and Avery Jirmnson (12.4). Also freshman Robert Valentine from Armstrong High School is a strong candidate for the CIAA All-Rookie team. Valentine averages

CIAA Standings Northern Division

Division CIAA Overall

Virginia State University Bowie State University Chowan University Lincoln University (Pa.) Virginia Union University Elizabeth City State

6-0 5-1 3-3 2-4 2-4 0-6

10-2 16-5 10-2 18-6 6-6 12-10 7-5 13-9 3-9 7-15 2-10 9-16

* Games through Feb. 8

eight points and three rebounds, and leads VUU with 28 3-pointers. VUU was to play Bowie State University

Feb. 11 at Barco-Stevens Hall. The Panthers travel to Lincoln University on Feb. 14 and have just one remaining home game, Feb. 18, against Elizabeth City State University. The 70th CIAA tournament will be Feb. 2328 in Charlotte, N.C. The annual event began in 1945 in Washington. Teams in the CIAA’s Southern Division have dominated the tournament in recent years. VUU was the last champion from the Northern Division in 2006. The Panthers’ fortunes have sagged of late in the tournament. VUU has dropped its first game in Charlotte each of the last five years.

Atlanta Hawks score with 3 Virginia standouts If you’re searching for reasons to get pumped up about the soaring Atlanta Hawks, here are three: • Assistant Coach Kenny Atkinson, a former University of Richmond star. • Guard-forward Kent Bazemore, an ex-Old Dominion University standout. • Forward Mike Scott, a former University of Virginia Wahoo. With these links to the state and area, the Hawks have been the NBA’s surprise franchise this winter, posting a 42-9 record that featured a 19-game winning streak through Feb. 7. The Hawks were 17-0 in January and atop the Eastern Conference Southeast Division by 11 games over Washington starting this week. Atkinson, 47, was a UR point guard from 1986 to 1990 under Coach Dick Tarrant. In 1987-88, he was a ringleader on the Spiders’ squad that upset Indiana and Georgia Tech to reach the NCAA

Sweet 16. top defensive He is UR’s player. ninth all-time In 2012, scorer with 1,549 he helped the points, and third Monarchs dein career assists feat Virginia with 464. Commonwealth Atkinson University in played profesthe sold-out final sionally in Italy, of the Colonial France, Germa- Coach Atkinson Kent Bazemore Athletic AssoMike Scott ny, Spain and The ciation tournaNetherlands before serving as the New York ment at the Richmond Coliseum. Knicks’ assistant coach in 2008. He has spent Undrafted, Bazemore played with Golden State the past three seasons with the Hawks. and the LosAngeles Lakers before joining the Hawks Bazemore is a 6-foot-5 southpaw who scored in September following offseason foot surgery. 1,416 points and made 250 steals for ODU Coming off the bench, Bazemore averages from 2008 to 2012. As a junior in 2011, he four points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 13.8 won the Lefty Driesell Award as the nation’s minutes. Just as importantly, he supplies plenty

of defensive energy. His brother, WyKevin Bazemore, currently plays at Winston-Salem State University, where he is a strong All-CIAA candidate as a senior. Scott is a 6-foot-8, 237-pound bruiser who earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors at U.Va. in 2012. He was the 43rd player taken overall in the 2012 NBA draft by the Hawks. In his third season with Atlanta, the Chesapeake native averages 7.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in about 15 minutes per game. Atlanta will be represented at the Feb. 15 NBA All-Star game by Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague. Atlanta ranks with pro sports’ longest suffering franchises. The Hawks won their lone NBA title in 1958, when the team was in St. Louis. The Hawks haven’t reached the NBA finals since moving to Atlanta in 1968.

Section B

ove tories L S Richmond Free Press

February 12-14, 2015 B1

The Free Press proudly presents its annual Valentine’s Day feature. It shares the Love Stories of four Richmond area couples. Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Breakfast together is still a real treat Sonya Clark and Darryl V. Harper

Sonya is fond of saying, “We had our divorce before we were married.” She and I met 30 years ago when we were students at Amherst College. And, in addition to the intriguing proposition that I was a freshman while she was a sophomore, we endured in our early years the typical drama of young couples — you know, the stuff of which epic literature, operas and reality television series are made. Fortunately, we found each other again, a bit older and a bit wiser. Married By the time we were married — 10 years after we had first met — our friends had so fused together, we could not manage bride or groom sides at our wedding. We just put everyone in the middle and flanked them as we processed to the altar. years It is not a simple matter for an artist and a musician to find jobs in the same place. We spent the first 12 years of our marriage — and the few years leading up to it — across long distances: Detroit and Philadelphia; Philadelphia and Kansas City; Baltimore and Madison, Wis.; Madison and Boston. Our move to Richmond not even 10 years ago marks the first time we have lived and worked in the same place. So even something as simple as having breakfast with my wife is still a real treat for me. For an anniversary some years ago, I gave Sonya a sonnet by Gwendolyn Brooks called “The Egg Boiler.” The first line of the poem reads, “Being you, you cut your poetry from wood.” I am continually inspired to walk through life with a woman who cuts her poetry from wood. Sonya is chair of the Department of Craft/Material Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts. Darryl is chair of the Department of Music at VCU’s School of the Arts.

Finding true love on a summer night Lucille and Harold Green

We met in August 1948 at a 10-cent grounded for weeks as a result. Married dance. It was the best grounding I ever had to endure. I went to the dance with a girlfriend who If it weren’t for that night, I may have never was hoping to find her true love. I deceived my found my true love. parents into thinking I would be visiting my We dated for four years. In June 1952, we got years girlfriend for a few hours. married. It was Friday the 13th to be exact. My That summer night, she didn’t find her true grandmother always told me that the number 13 love, but I did. was a good omen as it was her birthday. As I arrived at the dance, a handsome young man And it certainly has proven to be true. My husband introduced himself. With confidence, he said that I has shown me a wonderful life. We have three children, could dance with no one but him. seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. If I close my eyes, I can still see us dancing the My husband was a world-class athlete and this allowed Jitterbug so many years ago. I remember us sharing us to travel the world for many years. I have been to every several slow dances as well. Everywhere I went in the corner of the globe and visited more than 50 countries. dance hall, he was several steps behind. I couldn’t get I love my husband with all my heart and would not rid of him. Yet I was intrigued by his persistence. trade him for a thing in this world. We have a date night At the conclusion of the dance, he insisted that he every week as he is still quite the romantic. accompany my girlfriend and me home on the city Lucille is a retired educational evaluator for the bus. He escorted me to the doorstep of my home, where state Department of Corrections. Harold is a retired my father was spying from a bedroom window. I was science teacher for Richmond Public Schools.

Walks along the waterfront Earlyne and Heywood Thompson

My husband and I met when we were students at After the wedding, we left Williamsburg on the train Married Hampton Institute, now University. I was a freshman and went to Washington, D.C., for a honeymoon. and he was a sophomore. We met at the on-campus Grill We made our home in Richmond. We have one restaurant one Sunday evening after a Vesper service. daughter, Reneé. The grill would open at 8 p.m., and most of the stuWe both worked more than 30 years before retiring years dents would go there to eat and socialize. Most of the in 2000. people were hungry because Sunday dinner had been I think the secret to our marriage success is that we earlier in the day. love and respect each other. We give each other space to have I was sitting there when he came over and asked if the seat our own interests. He’s a jazz musician. I like the arts. And we in front of me was taken. I said, “No it’s not.” I had seen him both attend Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Richmond. sitting at the same table as me before. We also take interest in each other’s hobbies. At first, I didn’t We started talking and he asked me if he could walk me to care for fishing, but now I love to fish. He is known as “Capt. my dorm. He was such a nice guy, so I said, “OK.” Woody” and has a charter fishing business on the Rappahannock The next day, we had dinner together at the student dining hall. River and I go with him sometimes on fishing trips. From then on, we met most every evening for dinner. We also like to go on trips, ride trains and take cruises. We would date around the campus, taking walks on the waterfront We’ve enjoyed our marriage. It also helps to have a good many times. We both loved the waterfront. It was really beautiful. dose of humor. He introduced me to his mother on a visit and I introduced This summer, our 50th anniversary, we don’t plan to renew him to my mother. Our parents were both warm and loving. our vows because the old ones are still working fine. We dated for the next two and a half years until he graduEarlyne is a retired art teacher with Richmond Public Schools. ated. Then we were married on June 5, 1965, at Saint Bede’s Heywood, aka “Capt. Woody,” is retired from the Virginia Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Employment Commission.

Follow your heart

Lisa Edwards-Burrs and Stacy L. Burrs I was the 28-year-old executive director of the Lisa responded, “Aren’t you dating (so and Married Virginia United Negro College Fund, scouting so, our mutual friend?)” locations in Richmond for the annual Lou Rawls I said, “As far as I’m concerned, there is no other Parade of Stars Telethon. woman in the world. Please have lunch with me!” Having been in Richmond only a couple of I was no longer able to feign disinterest. years years, I asked a friend for help identifying sites. Lisa said yes, and we did, indeed, have lunch She suggested we look at the relatively new soon thereafter. Over lunch, I learned that she was a Marriott Hotel and its expansive ballroom. young divorcee with a joyful young son. He and I became As we approached the general manager’s office, I quick buddies and quite inseparable. noticed a young woman stationed outside his door. I Less than three years later, Lisa Carole became Lisa was stunned by her beauty and charm, but did what any Edwards-Burrs. We are now the proud parents of three wonself-respecting man would do — I played it off. derful, successful children — Guy, Naima and Morgan. Our mutual friend introduced us and we exchanged We’re both blessed to have in-laws we love dearly pleasantries, but my brain was abuzz. Our eyes met and careers that allow us to contribute to a city I’ve several times during the polite conversation, and it was come to love. clear — at least to me — that a connection had been I can’t imagine what life would be like had Lisa made. I was under the spell of Lisa Carole Edwards! said, “No.” I do not remember the tour of the property or the terms As for advice I might give to young people, it’s of the deal I struck with management. I was simply going simple: Follow your heart! through the motions until I could get back to my office Lisa, a celebrated soprano, is an assistant professor of and manufacture a reason to call this intriguing person. voice at Longwood University. Stacy is deputy director of I called, formally introducing myself, and saying, Venture Richmond and on the board of the Black History “You absolutely have to have lunch with me.” Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

B2 February 12-14, 2015

Richmond Free Press

Happenings NAACP Image Award has Richmond connection Free Press staff, wire reports

interest in health care careers. In his book, Dr. Sullivan credits Hundreds ofAfrican-American Dr. Royal, longtime chairman students are becoming doctors, of Meharry Medical College in nurses, dentists and medical reNashville, Tenn., with submitting searchers, thanks to university allihis name to President Bush to help ances Dr. Louis W. Sullivan created Dr. Sullivan secure the cabinet in Richmond and elsewhere. appointment. That is just one of the achieveThe creation of the alliance ments of the pioneering 81-yeargrew out of a private commission old physician, educator and health Dr. Sullivan led that spotlighted advocate whose autobiography, the decline of African-Americans “Breaking Ground: My Life in in the health care workforce. Dr. Sullivan Medicine,” was just named the He was able to secure partners in winner of the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Virginia to create the alliance, a university consortia nonfiction. to reverse the trend. The V-NA includes four of the Other big winners at the civil rights organiza- state’s historically black colleges and universities, tion’s 46th annual awards ceremony were the medical schools in Virginia and Nebraska and other movie, “Selma,” and the new ABC television schools that participate in the effort. sitcom “black-ish.” Since then, the V-NA has Oprah Winfrey, who was become part of the Northern a “Selma” producer and apVirginia-based Sullivan peared in it, accepted the troAlliance to Transform the phy for outstanding motion Health Professions, which picture at the ceremony last has worked to develop simiFriday in Los Angeles. lar university consortia in “This is more than a Alabama, Florida, Maryland movie,” Ms. Winfrey said. and Ohio, and is looking to Dr. Royal Mr. Green “It’s important that we all do so in other states. know who we are so we know where we’re In other awards, “How to Get Away with going, and claiming the glory.” Murder” was named best drama series, with The movie also captured best actor honors for star Viola Davis named best actress in a drama. David Oyelowo, who played Dr. Martin Luther “Criminal Minds” star Shemar Moore was named King Jr. in the film depicting events surrounding best actor in a drama series. the 1965 Alabama voting rights marches. Taraji P. Henson, star of the new Fox televiAnthony Anderson, who won the award for sion hit “Empire,” was a double winner. She was best comedy series actor for his role in the sit- named best actress in a movie for “No Good com “black-ish,” hosted the awards ceremony. Deed” and entertainer of the year. The sitcom also captured a best actress trophy Spike Lee received the NAACP President’s for Tracee Ellis Ross. Award, which recognizes those who have comDr. Sullivan’s book chronicles his rise in the bined career success and public service. In his Jim Crow South to become a physician, the found- speech, the filmmaker addressed the obstacles ing dean and later president of the Morehouse facing black people. School of Medicine in Atlanta and the U.S. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the first secretary of health and human resources in the African-American to hold that office, accepted cabinet of President George H.W. Bush. the NAACP Chairman’s Award honoring disAlong with recounting his career, Dr. Sullivan tinguished public service. also mentions his ties to Richmond, including his He said he was honored to carry on the U.S. relationship with Dr. Frank S. Royal, a Richmond Justice Department’s legacy that included ensurfamily physician and influential Republican, and ing “the most sacred of American rights — the the start of the Virginia-Nebraska Alliance (V- right to vote.” Mr. Holder, who is leaving the NA) in Richmond, under the direction of Terone job after six years, called on the nation to “reject B. Green, to help increase African-American the forces of hate and division.”

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

VMFA salutes Black History Month Maggie Ingram, left, known as the “Gospel Queen of Richmond,” and the Ingramettes deliver a powerful performance to an appreciative audience last Friday at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The event was designed to showcase AfricanAmerican artists in honor of Black History Month, according to museum officials. Ms. Ingram is celebrating her 65th year as a gospel singer. Several other performances are scheduled at the museum this month. Feb. 12: Butcher Brown, a soul fusion band. Feb. 19: Billy Williams’ jazz quartet. Feb. 26: Hotel X, a jazz band with funky African grooves. A workshop on AfricanAmerican poets, painters and singers also is scheduled Feb. 19. More information on the events: (804) 340-1405 or go to www.vmfa.museum.

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Richmond Free Press

February 12-14, 2015

Happenings

Family Dentistry

Personality: Maj. Daniel T. Fox III

John W. Jones, D.D.S Audra Y. Jones, D.D.S.

Spotlight on vocal instructor of â&#x20AC;&#x153;FM Stereoâ&#x20AC;? at Franklin Military Academy Maj. Daniel TrĂŠ Fox III seeks to open musical doors to students as others did for him when he was a student in Richmond Public Schools. The 33-year-old vocal instructor at Franklin Military Academy in Church Hill sees the power of music as a bridge to uplift and mold young men and women. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one reason Maj. Fox says he expanded the musical horizons at Franklin by forming â&#x20AC;&#x153;FM Stereo,â&#x20AC;? an a cappella student group, in November 2013. At first he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if the students would warm to the group, which harmonizes without instrumental accompaniment to the sounds of members snapping their fingers and clapping their hands while sometime soulfully swaying. He said one student, DeShawn Payne, first expressed an interest and others followed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The rest is the present,â&#x20AC;? Maj. Fox notes of the group, which now is comprised of more than a dozen students. He said the group works hard to cultivate a unique sound, integrating melodies, harmonies and counter-melodies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These sounds together make something beautiful,â&#x20AC;? Maj. Fox says. FM Stereo performs an entertaining array of songs, from jazz and gospel to pop, country and soul. Their repertoire includes the snappy rendition of Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happyâ&#x20AC;? and R. Kellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Believe I Can Fly,â&#x20AC;? both of which they performed to hearty applause at the Richmond NAACP Freedom Fund Gala Dinner and Awards Program last fall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I tell the students that in order to be well-rounded, we have to do it all,â&#x20AC;? Maj. Fox says. The group performs around the area, with its next engagements slated for Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond Brotherhood/Sisterhood Youth Awards and Dinner at River Road Church, Baptist, 8000 River Road in Henrico County; and with the Norfolk State University Concert Choir at Franklin Military Academy, 701 N. 37th St, at 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13. Maj. Fox says he became a vocal instructor because of the powerful examples set by two of his teachers at George Wythe High School on South Side â&#x20AC;&#x201D; choir teacher Joyce Woolridge and band instructor David Corey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to help students find their place in this ever changing society just as these two amazing teachers did for me,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were more than teachers to me. They were and are a part of my family. Their ongoing encouragement continues to make it possible for me to

work hard and further enhance my skills in order to be a better teacher for my students,â&#x20AC;? he adds. Maj. Fox believes his mission is â&#x20AC;&#x153;to inspire students.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every child is capable of learning,â&#x20AC;? he says. He helps students envision things beyond the communities in which they live. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I take the world around them and relate it to music, which guides students to a place where the lessons become an exchange of ideas,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe I help them to see that life is more than what they see in their own neighborhood.â&#x20AC;? Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a look at this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Personality, Maj. Daniel TrĂŠ Fox III: Birthplace and year: Richmond in 1982. Alma maters: I am a product of the Richmond Public Schools System. I graduated from George Wythe, School of Performing Arts. I am also a 2005 graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, with bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees in music technology and marketing. Occupation: Vocal instructor for grades six through 12 at Franklin Military Academy. I instruct FM Stereo and four additional ensembles at Franklin. How long Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been a teacher: I started teaching four years ago in Richmond Public Schools. Foremost reward of teaching: The moment I realize a student â&#x20AC;&#x153;getsâ&#x20AC;? a concept Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m teaching, and he or she lights up. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an amazing feeling for me and the student. At that very moment this happens, you know the student wants more. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I love! Why a cappella: Actually, it was season two of NBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Sing-Offâ&#x20AC;? that inspired me to start an a cappella group. I wanted my own version of Howard Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Afro Blue. I think a cappella is the truest form of vocal musicianship.

The group is unique because: We make music using vocals only. These students work hard to cultivate a sound that is unique. They understand how music works utilizing elements such as melodies, harmonies and counter-melodies. I tell them you are the music. Music is life. What students do to prepare: Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse. They also have to make sure they stay abreast of all their schoolwork in order to remain in the group. Education is paramount, and I teach them balance. Frequency of rehearsals: Every week, sometimes every day after school. It depends on what we have to accomplish. We even rehearse during the summer. I would like to say thank you to Sgt. Thornton and the men of Club 533 for allowing us to use their facility for rehearsals. Barbershop style is: A great style of a cappella music, usually having vocalists sing close harmony around a lead singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s melody note. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little different from what we do, which is more like a â&#x20AC;&#x153;vocal band.â&#x20AC;? What I envision for FM Stereo: Greatness! I want to prepare my students for life, not just the next step. Music can be a gateway that creates productive individuals. I want this group to grasp onto opportunities that they would not otherwise have if it werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t for music. FM Stereoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 1 project today: Our major project right now is to raise funds so that our students can compete in the International Competition of High School A Cappella. I know FM Stereo has the ability to do well, but it takes a community of willing and supportive people to make that happen. How I feel before a big performance: Confident and focused on the task at hand. I have faith in my students â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all of them! They work very hard, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about â&#x20AC;&#x201D; working together to accomplish an awesome goal. How I prepare the group for it: We work on rhythms, mouth positioning, breathing and, most of all, stage decorum. I tell my students often, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The minute you hit the door, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showtime!â&#x20AC;? Music is important in education because: Music exercises your brain like nothing else. Scientific evidence shows that playing a musical instrument sharpens the connections in both hemispheres of the brain. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple. Music makes your brain more efficient. It helps with critical thinking and learning concepts that students may implement in any subject. Nobody knows: I enjoy hiking

and camping. How I unwind: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a photographer. I enjoy capturing images for great pictures. While at home, I listen to music or play the piano. I love watching movies. Best late-night snack: Soft chocolate chip cookies. Three words that best describe me: Creative, fun-loving and spontaneous. The best thing my parents ever taught me: Do it right the first time. In fact, do it so well the people will seek you out to do it. Book that influenced me the most: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Alchemistâ&#x20AC;? by Paulo Coelho. I love it. It changed how I saw the world around me. What Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m reading now: The paperwork Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m grading every night. LOL! My next goal: Finish Richmond Public Schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first recording and production studio at Franklin Military Academy. We have received donations from many companies and individuals, but the best part is that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re almost there! My hope is that we can obtain the missing components in order to have it fully operational by March 2015, which will commemorate Music in Our Schools Month.

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Richmond Free Press

B4 February 12-14, 2015

Obituaries/Faith Directory

Donald G. Hatcher, 75, social justice advocate Donald G. Hatcher would step to the podium to address the mayor, members of Richmond City Council, the School Board or officials at other city meetings and one could sense the representatives’ trepidation. They knew, more often than not, that Mr. Hatcher, the quickwitted, sharp-tongued social activist, was about to give them an earful. Whether it was expressing outrage over the lack of access for ordinary citizens to public officials, public policies with discriminatory effects or the neglect of homeless people or African-American veterans, Mr. Hatcher did not mince words. “There’s something wrong with this city,” was his trademark line, as documented in a Free Press Personality feature on Mr. Hatcher in the Oct. 2-4, 1997, edition. On occasion, Mr. Hatcher was rebuked by City Council. He was evicted from time to time and once was arrested and charged with trespassing at a City Council meeting. He earned the respect of many of those with whom he faced off, including Kathy C. Graziano, a former council president and current 4th District representative. “He was a watchdog on the city and City Council and was a regular at all the meetings,” she said. “ He was always very sincere and I felt he was pretty respectful, even though he would be disagreeing with you.” “He did not hold back what he had to say to anybody,” his daughter, Norita Hatcher, said. “He was blunt and told

it like it was. “He got tired of being treated the way this country treats black people, and he said somebody had to step up and fight to help people get treated better. He would say, ‘If you don’t fight, who will?’ ’’ For more than 25 years, Mr. Hatcher took the people’s fight to City Hall, the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center and other venues to seek social justice. “There are a lot of people who are afraid to stand up and speak up for themselves for fear of repercussion,” his daughter said. “My father was not one of them.” Mr. Hatcher is being remembered following his death Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, in Richmond. He was 75. His life will be celebrated at a funeral 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home, 2011 Grayland Ave., in the West End. A wake will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at the funeral home. Mr. Hatcher was born Dec. 26, 1939, at St. Philip’s, which was an all-black hospital in Richmond’s segregated medical system. He served two years in the Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1959. Mr. Hatcher and his wife, Gwendolyn Harris Hatcher, were married April 13, 1962, and raised their daughters, Norita Hatcher, Valerie D. Hatcher, Rondalynn Hatcher-Ali and Suzette HatcherDavis; son, Gordon R. Hatcher; and Mr. Hatcher’s stepson, Byron

Jerome Reid/Richmond Free Press file photo

Donald Hatcher at City Hall.

L. Harris. Mrs. Hatcher died in 1990. Mr. Hatcher worked hard to provide for his family. He was a house painter, carpenter, roofer and did demolition work. “He could fix anything,” his daughter said. In his spare time, he loved to “collect anything,” Ms. Hatcher said, including coins and old money. In addition to his lobbying efforts at City Hall, he hosted a cable TV show called “The Agitator,” she added. Mr. Hatcher is survived by his daughters, son, stepson and a host of other relatives and friends.

Hampton University photographer Reuben V. Burrell captures special moments at the university. From left, Rosa Parks was hostess at the Holly Tree Inn on campus; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. signs autographs for students; and jazz legend Miles Davis performing at the Hampton Jazz Festival. Photographs by Reuben V. Burrell, Collection of Hampton University Museum

Reuben V. Burrell, 95, Hampton University photographer Reuben V. Burrell captured the history and essence of Hampton University during more than 65 years of service as the university’s staff photographer. He was affectionately known as “One-Shot Burrell” for skills developed during the 1940s wartime when film, flashbulbs and photographic resources were hard to get. “He could take a really good shot on the first take,” recalled Juliette Harris, former editor of the International Review of African American Art at Hampton University who worked with Mr. Burrell and knew him for more than five decades. “Many of his shots captured the essence of a moment through his lens,” she said. Mr. Burrell not only was considered Hampton’s photographer, but its historian. In 2012, the Hampton University Museum published “One Shot, A Selection of Photography” by Mr. Burrell. Flipping through the pages of history, one can find opera star Marian Anderson descending the steps of HU’s Ogden Hall; civil rights icon Rosa Parks working as a hostess at the university’s Holly Tree Inn; and singer Ray Charles caught in mid-sway at the 1969 Hampton Jazz Festival. He covered graduations starting in 1949 and photographed countless weddings, university and sports events, as well as campus happenings. Mr. Burrell is being remembered following his death Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. He would have celebrated his 96th birthday on Feb. 27. His life was celebrated Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at a funeral at the Hampton University Memorial Church.

He entered Hampton Institute (now University) in 1938 and earned a trade school diploma in 1941. After service in the Navy, where he was trained in aviation medalsmithing, Mr. Burrell returned to the university, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts in 1947. He earned a master’s degree in the same field from New York University in 1949. Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey called Mr. Burrell “a true Hampton University legend.” “He captured the Hampton University spirit through his lens for more than 65 years. His photographs and his stories were an inspiration. “Although Mr. Burrell didn’t have any children of his own, he was a mentor, father and grandfather figure to many generations of

“Working For You In This Difficult Hour” Mr. Burrell

Photography was his lifelong passion, and he documented 73 years of growth and development of Hampton Institute into today’s bustling Hampton University. He worked every day at the university up until the day before his death. Even after officially retiring, he worked in the University Museum chronicling his collection of negatives. Mr. Burrell was born Feb. 27, 1919, in Washington, D.C.

Services for

NINA CHRISTIAN FRANKLIN Newport News, Va.

Nina Christian Franklin, 88, died Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at her home. She was born in Charles City County and had made her home in Newport News since 1957. Mrs. Franklin was a 1948 graduate of Hampton Institute and taught school in Christiansburg, VA. She went on to work with her husband at The Franklin Restaurant in West Point before moving to Newport News. She first worked at Crown Savings Bank and joined her husband at their restaurant, the Plaza Drive-In, until its closing in 1979. She retired from the U.S. Census where she worked in Newport News and New Orleans. She was a lifetime member of Elam Baptist Church. Mrs. Franklin was very civic-minded. She was an active member of the NNPS PTA serving as Treasurer. She was a member of the Democratic Party, the Newport News Human Rights Commission and Newport News Planning Commission. Mrs. Franklin was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, H.M. “Julian” Franklin; her daughter, Denise Elaine Franklin and her son-in-law, David L. Epps. The youngest of 11 children, she was the last surviving sibling. She is survived by her devoted daughters,

Hamptonians. He will be missed,” President Harvey added. Ms. Harris described Mr. Burrell as “very quiet and self contained. He did not have a sense of self importance or ego,” she said. “That made him more illuminous and memorable.” She said he hated digital cameras and preferred processing negatives in dark rooms because he loved “seeing the images slowly become visible in the solution.” In the final few years of his life, Mr. Burrell and volunteers pored through thousands of negatives that he had stored through the years. The resulting prints revealed a vast array of previously unseen photographs. Today, about 20,000 pieces of his work are being preserved and archived at the HU Museum through a grant.

Shauna Franklin Epps of Newport News and Nadra Franklin and her husband, Kevin Smith of Washington, DC; her grandson, Eric Washington Epps, III of Newport News and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be conducted at 4:00pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Weymouth Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service until 6:00pm. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Elam Baptist Church Cemetery in Charles City County. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of The Virginia Peninsula. Arrangments by Weymouth Funeral Home.

k Joseph Jenkins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. 2011-2049 Grayland Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220 (804) 358-9177

Joseph Jenkins, Jr., Founder (Dec. 19, 1938 - Dec. 9, 2006) Joseph Jenkins, III. • Jason K. Jenkins • Maxine T. Jenkins

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Brian V. Wilson Owner

Thank you to the following bereaved families for allowing us to serve you during the month of January 2015. You are still in our prayers and thoughts. View full obituaries online at www.wilsonafs.com James F. Pridgeon Brenda B. Atkins Joan P. Andrews Lloyd Williams Junius Cherry Naomi M. Graham Anthony E. Braxton Nathaniel D. Pollard Gertrude M. Vehouc William W. Borgstedt Naomi E. Edwards Janie R. Woodley

David F. Huerta Beverly A. Jenkins Antoine D. Dabney Raymond Wilson Harriet D. Cosby Sherrie R. Hicks Eloise S. Williams Darren M. Casey Lottie E. Turner Eugene Jones Tiffany L. Martin Andre L. Tuppince

Delbert W. Turner, Sr. Lilia A. Mendizabal Emmanuel C. Eddings, Sr. Theodosia Jackson Oscar D. Stewart John C. Carter, Jr. Clarence E. Anderson Charles E. Anderson Margaret C. Wade Savon E. Parham Zephaniah L. Moore Susan J. Dennis

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Richmond Free Press

February 12-14, 2015

Faith News/Directory

Richmond Unitarian church starts pledge to end racism By Cindy Huang

The Birmingham Pledge to end racism is painted on the wall of the city’s police headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. “I will discourage racial prejudice by others at every opportunity …” the pledge on the wall reads. A painting of four white and black boys with their arms around each other accompanies the pledge, which first circulated around Birmingham about two decades ago. That striking image stayed with Henrico County resident Annette Marquis years after she visited the historic city. “It was very powerful to see it so visibly displayed,” Ms. Marquis said. Ms. Marquis, 59, is bringing those ideals to Richmond by working with the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond to circulate a Richmond web version of the pledge, which has more than 300 signatures at last count. Unitarian church members circulated the pledge among their congregation and now are reaching out to other churches and the greater Richmond community for their support and signatures. People who sign the online pledge launched in Richmond this year on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commit to “strive daily to eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions,” as well as to “treat all people with dignity and respect.” They also commit to “working with others to transform the Greater Richmond region into a place that treats people of all races, ethnicities and cultures with justice, equity and compassion.” Pledge takers are committing to improve the lives of Richmond residents by fighting racism in themselves and in the community, said Ms. Marquis.

“Our end goal is to have more active involvement, specifically of the faith community in the region, to come together and address inequality,” Ms. Marquis said. The church is hosting monthly classes on “living the pledge” to help people keep it, Ms. Marquis said. Ms. Marquis hopes the pledge will start a conversation about race at a time when she sees civil rights eroding, from the weakening of the Voting Rights Act to the recent visible displays of police brutality against black Americans. Racial tensions in the country have heightened after two incidences where a grand jury declined to indict a white police officer for the killing of a black man, according to a Gallup poll that tracks opinions on race relations in the United States. In December, 13 percent of respondents said racism was the most important problem in the country, a drastic uptick from the 1 percent who responded similarly to the question in early November. Awareness campaigns about racial oppression are powerful, said community organizer Rebecca Keel, 22. But it’s not enough. “I think words are powerful. I really do,” said Ms. Keel, a Richmond resident who works to fight racial inequality but was not aware of the pledge. “Don’t let it just be words that leave your mouth but don’t have action behind them. Tell someone of your affirmation.” But sometimes the stereotypes and prejudices are perpetuated thoughtlessly. Ms. Keel said some people repeat hurtful jokes or stories they hear in popular media that perpetuate stereotypes and prejudice. “It comes down to thinking before you speak,” Ms. Keel said. Jonathon Zur, president and CEO of Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, said that he reminds himself to be in-

clusive of all groups of people when talking about social issues. “If I’m not being intentionally inclusive, then I’m running the likelihood of being unintentionally exclusive,” Mr. Zur said, adding he plans to sign the pledge. Mr. Zur, 33, said while the pledge reminds the community that racism is a problem, it does not solve or identify those problems. He encouraged Richmond area residents to attend school board meetings or to ride along with police officers to understand what racial inequality looks like in their community. As a Richmond resident, Mr. Zur said he sees the concentration of poverty as one of the systematic ways that racism damages the quality of life for some people. Ms. Keel also emphasized the importance of identifying specific racial problems. She said people must identify what or who is oppressive, discriminatory and racist in order to fight it. “We’re really emphasizing naming the oppressor,” Ms. Keel said, adding the oppressor might look like a social services worker who fails to empower those in need or a political system that fails to incorporate marginalized voices. Many Richmond residents who experience racism regularly do not need a pledge to remind them of the problem, said Mr. Zur. But those who do not experience it also might not think about it. “For those individuals, the reminder is an important step because it’s forcing them to think about something and hopefully compel them to action,” Mr. Zur said. And it takes a village to uphold a pledge. “We’re committing to holding each other committed to this,” Ms. Marquis said, adding that she’ll ask her fellow pledge takers, “What are you doing? What have you done? Why aren’t you doing anything?”

Richmond Outreach Center sheds properties By Joey Matthews

according to city records. It’s the latest property to be put on the sales block by the church at 5501 Midlothian Turnpike, which in its heyday as a megachurch claimed to serve more than 11,000 people weekly through more than 150 ministries. However, the church has seen a marked decline in attendance since Pastor G was indicted in the fall of 2013 and charged with sexually assaulting two sisters under age 14 in Tarrant County, Texas, in the mid-1990s. In August 2014, the city purchased the ROC’s 17.7-acre former worship center at 6255 Old Warwick Road for $1.7 million. The property is to be transformed into a park and community center. The ROC also last year sold the lavish parsonage off River Road worth more than $500,000 that Pastor G and his family

The Richmond Outreach Center continues to try and shed high-priced properties in the wake of the sex scandal involving its former senior pastor, Geronimo “Pastor G” Aguilar. The South Side church has had its former School of Urban Ministry at 3000 Chamberlayne Ave. on North Side for sale since October. The church is asking $1.3 million for the 33,000-square-foot building and 2.17acre property, according to a listing by CBRE Richmond, which sells commercial real estate. The church bought the property from the Eastern Star Home in 2006 for $850,000. The building and property currently are assessed at just more than $2 million,

lived in until they were forced to leave the residence in December 2013. Pastor G is scheduled to go to trial June 15 in Texas. He faces decades behind bars if found guilty on the charges. He steadfastly has maintained his innocence. Meanwhile, the Richmond Outreach Center continues its search for a full-time senior pastor. Several area pastors have led services at the church in the meantime. The ROC terminated its first pick to succeed Pastor G, the Rev. Joe Donahue, after only two months. He was named as the ROC’s new senior pastor in March 2014 and then let go two months later with no public explanation. He now serves as the senior pastor at First Baptist Lavaca Church in Lavaca, Ariz. He has led that church since October.

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

Ugandan children’s choir to give free concert The internationally acclaimed Watoto Children’s Choir of Uganda is scheduled to perform at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County, it has been announced. The free concert will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the church at 4247 Creighton Road, according to Dr. Lance D. Watson, pastor of St. Paul’s. The children will present vibrant African songs, dance and stories. The concert is part of a three-month tour through-

out the United States titled, “Beautiful Africa: A New Generation.” The choir has traveled internationally since 1994 as ambassadors for the millions of children in Africa orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS, war and poverty. Since its inception, the children’s choir has traveled to destinations in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe and Japan. Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of

Grayland Baptist ChurCh

The Church Where “Everybody is Somebody and Jesus is Lord.”

one or both parents. They live in Watoto children’s villages where they receive the care and nurturing they need to grow up as

and

17th

AnnuAl ConferenCe

at Tabernacle Baptist Church

Theme: “In His Presence” Friday, February 13, 2015 Dr. Phillip M. Baldwin Bethlehem Baptist Church, Simpsonville, SC

Choir: Olive Branch Baptist Church Mass Choir

Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Founder Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

Sunday 8 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service

Friday, February 20, 2015 Dr. Anthony M. Chandler, Sr.

Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, Richmond, VA

Wednesday Services

Choir: Cedar Street Baptist Church of God Mass Choir

Senior Citizens Noonday Bible Study Every Wed. 12noon-1pm

Friday, February 27, 2015 Dr. Sedgwick V. Easley

Come Worship with Us and Receive a Spiritual Blessing!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Union Baptist Church, Hempstead, NY

Choir: Trinity Baptist Church Mass Choir, Richmond

Sermon by Rev. Gina Whitaker Cannon

7:30PM Prayer and Praise and Mini-Concert • 8PM Worship Service

Join us as we celebrate “Love” with a Valentine’s Day Dinner Saturday, February 14, 2015 • 5:00 p.m.

We’ve Come This Far by Faith 125th Pre-Anniversary Revival

Call the church for tickets Sponsored by the Intermediate Ushers Minstry

Tabernacle Baptist Church

418 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA 23803 (804) 733 6541 ~ Email: TBCPTG@yahoo.com Website: www.tbcptg.org Dr. Robert A. Diggs, Sr., Pastor

Services:

8:30 a.m. Church School and New Members Class 9:45 a.m. Praise & Worship • 10:00 a.m. Divine Worship Wednesdays - 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service & Bible Study

WMission Purpose

omen with

Faithful Fridays

2301 Third Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222 • Phone: (804) 329-7313 • Fax: (804) 329-6420 www.graylandbaptistchurch.org • Rev. Dr. Clifton Whitaker Jr., Senior Pastor

Music by the Mass Choir

1701 Turner Road, Richmond, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 fax (804)276-5272 www.ndec.net

productive members of their country, according to a news release touting the event. Details on the concert: www. myspbc.org or (804) 643-4000.

Rev. Dr. Clifton Whitaker Jr.

1501 Decatur Street, Richmond, Va. 23224 Phone (804) 233-7679 • Fax (804) 233-7683 www.fbctoday.org

Hull Street Location Sundays 8:00 AM Early Hour of Praise 11:00 AM Morning Worship

Tune in on sunday morning to wTvr - channel 6 - 8:30 a.m. sunday Tv Broadcast wTvZ 9 a.m. Norfolk/Tidewater Thursday & Friday radio Broadcast wrEJ 1540 am radio - 8:15 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.

THE NEw DElivEraNcE cHrisTiaN acaDEmy (NDca)

Saturday

Our NDCA curriculum also consists of a Before and After program.

8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online! Also, for your convenience, we now offer “full online giving.” Visit www.ndec.net.

ENROLL NOW!!! Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 3rd Grade

Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old. For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

14 West Duval Street, Richmond, Va. 23220 Phone: 804.648.7511 Web: www.smzbc.org

Rev. Tyrone E. Nelson, Pastor Rev. Derik E. Jones Pastor

Iron Bridge Road Location Sundays 9:15 AM Hour of Empowerment Meadowbrook High School, 4901 Cogbill Road

Sundays 9:30AM on CW13

FEB 18 2015

Worship

For more information visit www.ndec.net

Bible Study Count: noonday Wednesday night 7 p.m. Prayer Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

First Baptist Church of South Richmond Dr. Dwight C. Jones Senior Pastor

April 17-18, 2015

12:00PM and 7:00PM Hull Street

Founder’s Day celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. John Jasper Sunday, February 15, 2015 10:45 a.m. Guest Preacher:

Rev. Dr. Marvin McMickle President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity school

Jasper Trailblazer Honorees:

Angela Patton, Camp DIVA George Martin, UVA Margaret Spencer, Retired Judge James Spencer, Judge

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Meet us at The Mount!

Richmond Free Press

B6 February 12-14, 2015

Faith News/Directory

Church headed by controversial pastor burns Associated Press

and racketeering charges. He was convicted after an investigation TAMPA, Fla. revealed Dr. Lyons used his leaderTampa firefighters battled a blaze ship role as president of the National at a church led by controversial pasBaptist Convention and pastor of tor Dr. Henry J. Lyons, former head Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Church of the 7.5 million-member National in St. Petersburg, Fla., to steal an Baptist Convention. estimated $4 million to buy luxury Officials said the Feb. 2 fire broke homes, jewelry and to support his out at the New Salem Missionary mistresses. Baptist Church. The cause of the fire Dr. Lyons’ fall came after his Dr. Lyons is under investigation. wife, Deborah, set fire to a $700,000 New Salem faced foreclosure in 2011 and waterfront home he co-owned with another filed for bankruptcy the next year. Organized woman. They have since divorced. in 1906, the church was built in 1950. In 2009, Dr. Lyons ran again for president Dr. Lyons was freed from prison in 2003 of the national organization of black Baptist after serving nearly five years on grand theft churches, but was defeated.

Moore Street First Baptist Church Midlothian Missionary

Baptist Church

Sunday

Pastor

Church School 9:45AM Worship 11:00AM

Tuesday

Bible Study 12 Noon

Black History Month

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Chris Urso/Associated Press

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402

Early Service 8:00 A.M. Church School 9:30 A.M. Morning Worship 11:00 A.M.

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

St. Peter Baptist Church

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

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

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To advertise your church events in the Richmond Free Press call 644-0496

SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.

Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays) Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10 A.M. Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults) 2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

7:00PM Prayer & Praise 8:15PM

Van Transportation Available, Call 804-794-5583

Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study

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11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m. Mon. 6:30 p.m. Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wed. 7:45 p.m. Wed. 4:30 p.m. Wed. 6:00 p.m. Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

Sharon Baptist Church

22 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23219 • 643-3825 thesharonbaptistchurch.com • Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Sunday, February 15, 2015 8:00 a.m. Morning Worship • 9:30 a.m. Church School 11:15 a.m. Morning Worship Wednesday, February 18, 2015 ASH WEDNESDAY 12 Noon Day Service Speaker: Rev. Dr. Proctor Beard, Springfield Baptist Church Soloist: Brother Jeffrey Goode, Tuell Sisters and Sister Edna Rodwell

Life in the

ine Fellowship

Sunday Service 11AM Wednesday Prayer/Bible Study 7PM

Herbert Pollard, Sr., Pastor & Gainell Pollard, Co-Pastor Manchester Middle School (Auditorium) 7401 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23235 •804-780-7862

Sixth Baptist Church Theme for 2015: Becoming a Five-Star Church of Excellence

It’s A Family Affair

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13

Sunday, February 15, 2015 AFricAn AmericAn HeritAge DAy 11 a.m. Worship Service Message By: Pastor “Hang On” Psalm 121 3:00 p.m. Celebration of Our Heritage Fellowship

Dr. Levy M. Armwood, Pastor  Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 community ASH WeDneSDAy WorSHip 7 p.m. At Riverview Baptist Church Speaker: rev. michael moore, Pastor Mount Vernon Baptist Church

Join The Family Sixth Baptist Church: A Church for the Entire Family

2300 Cool Lane, Richmond, Virginia 23223 804-795-5784 (Armstrong High School Auditorium)

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. Reverend Dr. Lester D. Frye Pastor and Founder

To empower people of God spiritually, mentally and emotionally for successful living.

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor 400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 359-1691 or 359-3498

Mount Olive Baptist Church

Come Join Us!

Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor

2015 Theme: The Year of Moving Forward

… and Listen to our Radio Broadcast Sundays at 10:15 a.m. on WCLM 1450 AM

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8775 Mount Olive Avenue Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 262-9614 Phone (804) 262-2397 Fax www.mobcva.org

Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people. - Matthew 4:23

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

everence e with elevanc R ing Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin m o ❖ C SUNDAYS Church School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. ❖

WEDNESDAYS Bible Study 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

“BEING PART OF A SOLUTION FOR CHANGE: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT” WHEN

February 26, 2015 6:30 – 8:30 PM WHERE

Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church - 614 N. Third St. Reuben J. Boyd, Jr., Pastor

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MONDAY-FRIDAY Nutrition Center and Clothes Closet 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office www.31sbc.org

Rev. Pernell J. Johnson, Pastor

“The Church With A Welcome”

1858

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 • Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 • Email: ebcofﬁce1@comcast.net • web: ebcrichmond.org

8 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 11 A.M.

Wednesday Youth & Adult Bible Study

Ebenezer Baptist Church “The People’s Church”

Worship Opportunities Sundays: Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

Riverview fÑÜxtw à{x

Baptist Church

Service Times

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

Dr. Alonza Lawrence

The shell of the burned out New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa, Fla., remains standing after being heavily damaged by an early morning fire Feb. 2. The church, led by Dr. Henry J. Lyons, has faced recent financial difficulty.

13800 Westfield Dr., Midlothian,VA 23113 804-794-5583 • www.fbcm1846.com

In the wake of the Tamir Rice shooting, the Eric Gardner choking death and the execution of two NYPD officers, there has come a need to raise awareness and discuss solutions between the public and its law enforcement. The Social Action Committee of Third St. Bethel A.M.E. Church will host a FORUM on February 26th. at 6:30 p.m.

WWW.THIRDSTREETBETHEL.ORG 804.643.8157

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. Bible Study

SCHEDULED PANELISTS TO DISCUSS: - Effective Police Community Relations - Use of Police Cameras - Police Training - Importance of Outreach Efforts in Ensuring Effective Neighborhood Policing & Community Health

FORUM PANELISTS: Richmond Police Dept. Richmond Sheriff Dept. Police Training Academy

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: - Bring Your Questions - Share Your Comments - Be a Part of the Solution

FREE PARKING IS AVAILABLE

Richmond Free Press

February 12-14, 2015

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, February 23, 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. 2014-205 As Amended To amend and reordain City Code § 26-2, concerning the authority of the Chief Administrative Officer to lease real estate and the terms and conditions of such leases, for the purpose of authorizing the Chief Administrative Officer to lease city-owned real estate for periods of less than one year without a determination by the City Council that such real estate is not devoted to and not immediately needed for public use. Ordinance No. 2014-254 As Amended To amend Ord. No. 2014237-210, adopted November 10, 2014, which authorized the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Stone Brewery Cooperation Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of Authority facilities that will house the operations of KoochenVagner’s Brewing Co., doing business as Stone Brewing Co., for the purpose of adding certain restrictions for the use of revenues derived from the Development. Ordinance No. 2015-23 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 75-309-302, adopted Dec. 15, 1975, as most recently amended by Ord. No. 2013-214-207, adopted Nov. 25, 2013, pertaining to the “Stony Point Community Unit Plan,” for the purposes of (i) amending the 2013 Development Plan and the 2013 Development Summary, and (ii) amending the Development Standards and Conditions, as they pertain to Map Section A-1 of the Northern Portion of the Plan to allow for the further subdivision of Lot 3 within Map Section A-1. The subject property is located at 3327 Stony Point Road and 9300 Evansway Lane, and is a component of the approved Stony Point Community Unit Plan. The underlying zoning of the subject property is R-2 (Single-Family Residential). The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Single Family (Low Density) land use. Primary uses in this category are singlefamily detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre. The proposed amendment to the ordinance would allow a residential density of approximately 1.4 units per acre on the subject property. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-24 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the City to administer the Cannon Creek Trail Connector – Phase IV project consisting of a ten-footwide asphalt trail, shared rights-of-way, sidewalks, and other improvements running from the intersection of Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Valley Road along Valley Road to its intersection with Hospital Street and along Hospital Street from its intersection with Valley Road to its intersection with Oliver Hill Way. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-25 To amend and reordain City Code § 98-157, concerning the partial exemption of rehabilitated structures from real estate taxation, for the purpose of revising the City’s rehabilitation tax credit program by removing the requirements that an applicant submit a letter issued by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources confirming compliance with such designation and confirmation of compliance from the Department of Planning and Development Review. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-26 To name an alley in the block bounded by South 14 th Street, Exchange Alley, South 13th Street, and East Cary Street as Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

“First Freedom Center Alley.” (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-27 To amend and reordain City Code § 98-261, concerning partial tax exemption in redevelopment and conservation areas and rehabilitation districts, for the purpose of removing the sunset provision. (COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, February 19, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-28 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $600,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 General Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to a new line item in the NonDepartmental agency by $600,000 for the purpose of providing a grant or loan to either The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Inc., or its designee, which funds the recipient may then grant or loan to an affiliated entity, to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Leigh Street Armory, located at 122 West Leigh Street. (COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, February 19, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-29 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a First Amendment to Lease of Property between the City of Richmond and Lehigh Cement Company LLC for the purpose of extending the term of the lease and increasing the amount of the rent. (COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, February 19, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-32 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute an Agreement to Relocate Wastewater Facilities between the City of Richmond and USP Echo Harbour LLC for the purpose of facilitating the relocation of existing City wastewater utility facilities and providing for the granting to the City of a public right-of-way recreational use easement to be used as a segment of the Virginia Capital Trail. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-33 To rename the building located at 900 East Broad Street and known as “City Hall” as “L. Douglas Wilder City Hall.” (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-34 To direct the sale of surplus real estate located at 3101 Wharf Street to the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for nominal consideration, upon certain terms and conditions 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

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF RICHMOND CITY In the matter of the adoption of child to be known as India Monet Turner Robinson (Child’s Adopted Name) by Cedric Anton Robinson, and Olivia Turner Robinson (Petitioner’s Name(s)) Respondent’s name: Ronald Anthony Patterson (Natural Parent) Case No. 14-39 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to adopt a minor child. And, it appearing by affidavit filed according to law that diligence has been used by the plaintiff to determine in what city or county the defendant is located without success, it is therefore ORDERED that the defendant appear on or before the 18th day of March, 2015, before this Court and do what is necessary to protect his interests. An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk

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CANDICE SOLES HILL, Plaintiff v. BRADLEY GLENN HILL, Defendant. Case No.: CL14-2086 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground that the parties have lived separate and apart without cohabitation and without interruption for more than one year. It appearing from the affidavit that the defendant, Bradley Glenn Hill, cannot be found and that diligence has been used without effect to ascdertain his location, it is ORDERED that the defendant appear before this Court by March 27, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., and do what is necessary to protect his interest herein. A Copy, Teste: YVONNE G. SMITH, Clerk I ask for this: Suzette L. Hutchens, VSB #22589 HUTCHENS & HUTCHENS, P.C. 2201 Libbie Avenue Richmond, VA 23239 (804) 282-1212 Fax: (804) 288-6222

without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 9th day of March, 2015 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

730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HENRICO DARRIN L. SIMON, Plaintiff v. MARGUERITE Z. SIMON, Defendant. Case No.: CL14-1643 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to grant Darrin L. Simon, the Plaintiff, a divorce from Marguerite Z. Simon, the Defendant, on the ground that the parties have lived separate and apart, continuously, and without any further cohabitation or interruption, since September 27, 2010, a period in excess of one year; WHEREFORE, An Affidavit having been filed that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Marguerite Z. Simon, it is ORDERED that Marguerite Z. Simon, appear before this Court on March 23, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., to protect her interests herein. A Copy, Teste: YVONNE G. SMITH, Clerk We ask for this: Rick A. Friedman, II, Esquire (VSB #46870) Kimberly L. Fitzgerals, Esquire (VSB #74883) Friedman Law Firm, P.C. 9620 Iron Bridge Road, Suite 101 Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 717-1969 (telephone) (804) 748-4161 (telecopier) rfriedman@friedmanlawva.com kfitzgerald@friendmanlawva.com Counsel for the Plaintiff VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DIONA SHEFFIELD, Plaintiff v. EQUINE SHEFFIELD, Defendant. Case No.: CL14001083-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 9th day of March, 2015 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 CHESTERFIELD TINA LYNN SHEETS, Petitioner, v. MICHAEL BRADLEY SHEETS, Respondent. Case No.: CL12-3670 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the Bond of Matrimony from the Respondent on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation or interruption for a period of more than one year, and with the Petitioner’s intent to terminate the marriage. It appearing from the Affidavit that due diligence has been used by and on behalf of the Petitioner to ascertain in what county or city the Respondent is without effect. It is ORDERED that the Respondent appear before this Court on or before the 23rd day of February, 2015 to protect his interests. An Extract, Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk I ask for this: Fred A. Dixon, Esquire 4906 Fitzhugh Avenue, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23230 Telephone: (804) 358-0372 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JOHN SAUNDERS, Plaintiff v. ANDREA SAUNDERS, Defendant. Case No.: CL14002905-00 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 13th day of February, 2015 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

CUSTODY virgiNia: iN thE Richmond JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Commonwealth of Virginia, in re JANELLE SIMONE RUSTERUCCI OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Lisa Rusterucci-Hickman (Mother) and Deshawn Hardaway (Father), of Janelle Simone Rusterucci, child, DOB 4/22/2013 “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: vistation; adoption consent; determination of religious affliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendants Lisa RusterucciHickman and Deshawn Hardaway, appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/ her interest on or before March 12, 2015 at 9:40 a.m. Sarah M. Denham, Esq.

virgiNia: iN thE Richmond JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Shenika Lesha Blackman OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Walter Prescott Jones (Father), of Shenika Lesha Blackman, child, DOB 9/21/98 “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: vistation; adoption consent; determination of religious affliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that Walter Prescott Jones, appear at the above-named Court and protect his interest on or before March 24, 2015 at 9:20 a.m. Kate D. O’Leary, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

PROPERTY TRUSTEE’S SALE OF LOT 9, SECTION “D” ANDERSON MILL SUBDIVISION HANOVER COUNTY, VIRGINIA In execution of a deed of trust from JULIAN D. GREEN and CARMEN N. GREEN, dated September 25, 2008, and recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court for the County of Hanover, in Deed Book 2926, Page 3343, default having been made in the terms of the debt thereon secured and being required to do so by noteholder, the undersigned substitute trustee with full power to act, after giving fourteen days due notice to the owner of the real estate of the date, time, place and terms of sale, will offer for sale at public auction at the Circuit Court for the County of Hanover, Virginia on March 3, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. the parcel of real estate with improvements thereon known as Tax Map No. 7870-80-2638, Hanover County, Virginia, and more particularly described in the aforesaid deed of trust, to which reference is hereby made. Sale shall be made subject to all easements, agreements, restrictive covenants, and liens superior to the deed of trust being foreclosed upon as the same may lawfully affect the real estate. Property is sold “AS IS”. TERMS OF SALE: All cash at settlement. A deposit of Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($5,000.00) in cash or certified check payable to Bruce P. Ganey, Trustee, shall be required at time of sale from all bidders except the holder of the Note secured by the Deed of Trust. The balance shall be paid at settlement. The Trustee reserves the right to: (a) waive the deposit requirement; (b) approve the creditworthiness of any bidder and final purchaser; (c) withdraw the Property from sale at any time prior to the termination of the bidding; (d) keep the bidding open for any length of time; and (e) to reject any and all bids. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Bruce P. Ganey, Attorney At Law 10985 Richardson Road Ashland, Virginia 23005 (804) 516-8020

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: Lacross Equipment To view a copy of RFP # FF020615 go to Procurement Services Site: http://www.procurement. virginia.edu/main/public postings/RFP.html, or email:

Public Notice APPLICATION FOR NEW FREEDOM/5317 PROGRAM Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging serving Virginia Planning District 15 intends to submit an application to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) for the FY 2016 New Freedom/5317 Program. The intent of the application is to request funds for the Ride Connection Program to provide Mobility Management and Transportation Services for older adults and persons with disabilities. For further information, please contact: Mr. Patrick Hickey, Manager, Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging 24 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219 804-343-3052 phickey@youraaa.org

Employment Opportunities

Career Opportunity

Director of Clinical Services (Licensed Clinical Psychologist) Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services, a 55-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility and accredited private school for adolescent boys and girls ages 12 to 21 located in Jarratt, VA seeks a Virginia Licensed Clinical Psychologist to assume the role of Director of Clinical Services. Clients receiving in-patient services reside on the main campus in cottage/ dormitory style units. The Director of Clinical Services is responsible for managing and directing all operational aspects of JFBHS’ clinical program including the admissions process, individualized treatment planning, discharge planning, program development and evaluation; quality improvement initiatives; licensing, Medicaid, and accreditation compliance; staff development; and staffing and financial management while focusing on the delivery of progressive high quality care. This position is directly involved in the delivery of patient treatment on the 135 acre Walnut Grove Campus. In addition, the Director of Clinical Services has an opportunity to provide individualized psychotherapy, group and family therapy, and psychological assessments. The Director of Clinical Services must possess the ability to work both at the strategic and tactical levels; strong management and administrative skills including human capital, process, project and financial management required. A working knowledge of trauma informed treatment modalities, DBHDS regulations, Medicaid regulations, and COA accreditation standards required. Qualified candidates will possess 5 years clinical and management experience in an in-patient adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility or similar organization. Competitive compensation and benefits. Post offer criminal background and drug screening required. JFBHS is an equal opportunity employer and drug free work place. Position Open until filled. Submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: cthompson@ jacksonfeild.org.

Assistant Director Career & Industry Advising Position Number: FA2040

Division of Student Affairs - VCU Career Services Deadline: March 25, 2015 Hire Date: May 2015 Description: VCU Career Services has been undergoing an exciting transformation to become the epicenter of career services for a growing and diverse campus of over 32,000 students in a dynamic urban setting. We are seeking an individual that will bring energy, innovation, passion and a strategic approach to career development and services. Provide career advising services to undergraduate and graduate students as well as limited alumni populations in designated departments, schools and industries/professions. Services include both one-on-one advising with students/alumni and program development and delivery in collaboration with faculty, staff, community organizations and employers, and students. Strategically engage partners across campus to provide these services as well as educate students on the career development process and opportunities that exist (internships, experiential opportunities, jobs, graduate school). Qualifications: Required: Master's degree with emphasis on counseling, student affairs, higher education or related field; 2-5 years experience in higher education, recruitment, or related field (can include graduate school graduate assistantship); Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU; Experience advising students on career-related topics; Outcomes assessment and evaluation strategies; Ability to embrace and drive change and to organize and effectively manage multiple priorities, programs, and projects; Demonstrated experience leading teams and developing positive relationships, partnerships, and alliances; Ability to collaborate cross-functionally in the office environment and to interface with employers, students, alumni, faculty, and university administrators; Exceptional communication (written, oral, presentation). Demonstrated proficiency designing and delivering presentations. Preferred: Ability to assess and report student-learning outcomes; Project management experience; Ability to use social media and database systems, (e.g. Experience, Symplicity). Work to include some evenings and weekends. Salary range: $40,000 - $45,000. Application Process: Applications must be received by March 25, 2015 to be considered for review. Applicants must include a cover letter and resume. Email applications to rvhall@vcu.edu. For additional information about VCU, visit our website at www.vcu.edu. ■ the Fantastic natural lighting For additional information or questions about VCU Career Services or this position, email Joe Testani, Director, VCU Career Services at jatestani@vcu.edu.

Prime Office Space Available for Lease

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER TERESA TATE, Plaintiff v. JOHN TATE, Defendant. Case No.: CL13003478-00 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 9th day of March, 2015 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 OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER NATHAN MOORE, Plaintiff v. PRINCESS MOORE, Defendant. Case No.: CL14001411-00 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

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in the Historic Imperial Building

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FFF3X@Virginia.edu

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: A Multi-Media Rights plan for the University’s Department of Athletics To view a copy of RFP # SH020915 go to Procurement Services Site: http://www.procurement. virginia.edu/main/public postings/RFP.html, or email:

Downtown

pur-rfp@virginia.edu

■ Impressive granite and

VCU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Lobby Women, minorities and persons with disabilitiesmetal are encouraged to apply.

Richmond, Virginia

973 – 1,575 sq. ft

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■ Within walking distance to great restaurants and two post offices

in the Historic Imperial Building Downtown Richmond, Virginia

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B8 February 12-14, 2015

Richmond Free Press

Sports Plus Stories by Fred Jeter

Sophomore Taya Robinson drawing collegiate interest Now there are two good reasons to visit Huguenot High School — to eyeball the sparkling new school and to observe the Falcons’ sophomore basketball star. Few glow brighter with a basketball in her hands than Taya Robinson, a 5-foot-10 tower of talent who has drawn nationwide recruiting attention. According to ProspectsNation. com, a recruiting service, Taya is the ninth-rated player in the United States overall and ranked No. 4 nationally among wings (guard-forward combo) in the Class of 2017. “I get a couple phone calls every day and lots of emails,” said Huguenot coach Bo Jones Jr. “They ask about academics and social skills before they even get into the basketball. “Of course with Taya, they like everything they hear.” They appreciate the skills they see on the court, too. On the day this interview was conducted, Hernando Planells, Duke University’s assistant coach, dropped by the Forest Hill Avenue high school just for a peek. In accordance with NCAA regulations, college coaches are not permitted to initiate contact with sophomores. According to Jones, Tennessee, Auburn, Penn State, James Madison, Central Florida and Virginia Commonwealth University representatives have attended Falcons’ games or practices this winter. “Many of the smaller schools back off once they hear who’s recruiting her,” said Jones. Taya, who is nicknamed “DJ Bubble James Haskins/Richmond Free Press Gum,” resides with her parents, Eleanor and Mark Robinson, in South Huguenot High School star sophomore guard Taya Robinson slices through three Monacan defenders en route to the basket in a recent game. Richmond. The Robinsons and Joneses have School when Jones’ father, Bo Jones All-CIAA defensive back at Virginia Sr., was head coach and Jones was State University. He later was head an athletic history. football coach at Armstrong High Mark Robinson played football just a ball boy. Mr. Robinson went on become an School, where he currently teaches and basketball at Huguenot High

algebra. Taya recalls cheering for her dad’s Armstrong Wildcats’ football teams. “The first sport I ever wanted to play was football,” Taya said with a friendly giggle. “I wanted to be the quarterback. “It wasn’t until my father told me that wasn’t going to happen that I got into basketball.” Taya actually attends Richmond Community High School on North Side and commutes to Huguenot via school bus each afternoon. Because Community High has no athletics, students are allowed to compete for their “neighborhood school,” which is how Taya made the Huguenot team. An excellent student, her classes includes Advance Placement Chemistry, 11th grade English, World History II, Pre-Calculus, Art and Driver’s Ed. But no license is required for the kind of “driving” Taya does on the hard court. “Taya likes to drive — right or left. She’s at her best taking it to the basket. That’s her game,” Jones said. As an eighth-grader at Lucille Brown Middle School, Taya averaged 28 points for Huguenot’s junior varsity. Last season as a varsity freshman, her 28-point average included a 41-point explosion in a state semifinal victory at Lafayette High School in Williamsburg. Ninth grade accolades included Conference 26 and Region 3A East Player of the Year and first-team 3A All-State. There has been no tapping of the brakes. She’s averaging about 34 points, five rebounds and four assists per game as a sophomore and skipped past her career 1,000-point plateau late last month. Taya’s supporting cast at Huguenot

includes her cousin, Nikiara Jackson, the team’s second leading scorer a year ago. She also is a distant relative of former John Marshall High School and Wake Forest University great Travis McKie. Wearing No. 23 and her hair in long braids, Taya is on pace to break Huguenot’s point record of 1,975 set by Daeisha Brown, Class of 2013, who is now at Longwood University. The state scoring record for girls is 3,290, held by La’Keshia Frett, Class of 1993 at Phoebus High School in Hampton. Locally, the all-time scorer is Henrico High School’s Chantel Adkins, with 2,320 points. Taya’s hoops roots can be traced to the Manchester YMCA, where she played mostly against boys. From the YMCA, she moved on to a youth program at St. Paul’s Baptist Church. “What I remember most about that was getting a dunk,” she said, noting it was on an eight-foot bucket. Now on a full 10-foot hoop, she’s about a half-inch shy of touching the rim. She has sparkled on every level. Taya spurred the Lucille Brown Panthers to a city middle school title in the fall of her eighth grade year. Off campus, she plays for the Boo Williams Elite travel squad, a powerladen outfit including Monacan High School’s Megan Walker, the nation’s top-ranked 10th-grader. A 3A school in terms of enrollment, Huguenot High School competes against mostly Division 4, 5 and 6 schools during the season before entering the 3A playoffs. “All season, we play some of the best big schools in Virginia,” said Jones, referring to Cosby, L.C. Bird, Monacan and Midlothian High schools. “We’re battle tested.”

UNC’s Dean Smith was leader on, off court Dean Smith won 879 basketball games and two NCAA championships in 36 coaching seasons at the University of North Carolina. He also left behind a deep footprint as a political activist. Mr. Smith died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at age 83. President Obama added his tribute to Mr. Smith, saying: “… More importantly (than his wonloss record), Coach Smith showed us something that I’ve seen again and again on the court — that basketball can tell us a lot more about who you are than a jump shot alone ever could.” In 2008, Mr. Smith endorsed then-U.S. Sen. Obama’s candidacy for president. President Obama in 2012 presented Mr. Smith with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian

award, citing his “courage to help change our country.” Mr. Smith was best known for promoting desegregation in a Southern state. In 1964, Mr. Smith joined a local white pastor and African-American theology student to integrate The Pines, a Chapel Hill restaurant. He integrated the UNC basketball team in 1965 by signing Charlie Scott, the school’s first African-American scholarship athlete. Only the University of Maryland integrated sooner among Atlantic Coast Conference schools. In 1965, Mr. Smith helped Howard Lee, an African-American graduate of UNC, purchase a home in an all-white neighborhood. Mr. Smith was adamantly opposed to the war in Vietnam. In retirement, he spoke out against the war in Iraq and the death

penalty, and in support of gay rights. As UNC coach, he periodically held practice sessions in North Carolina prisons. Mr. Smith became a spokesman for Devout Democrats. As a youngster growing up in Emporia, Kan., he learned about racial tolerance from his father, Alfred Smith, the local high school hoops coach. In 1934, Alfred Smith made Paul Terry the first African-American to compete for a majority-white school in Kansas. In Chapel Hill, the Dean E. Smith Center, widely referred to as the “Dean Dome,” opened in 1986 on the UNC campus and is home of his beloved Tar Heels. It doesn’t matter whether you rooted for or against his Tar Heels. Dean Smith will be respectfully remembered for the mark he left on the court, and off it, no matter what color jersey you prefer.

Ellen Ozier/Reuters

Legendary University of North Carolina head coach Dean Smith, who died over the weekend, gets an affectionate embrace from his former star player, Michael Jordan, at a ceremony to honor the Tar Heels’ 1982 national championship team in Chapel Hill in February 2007.

Employment Opportunities Assistant to Minister of Music and Business Administrator The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Appraiser III 08M00000085 Assessor’s Office Continuous Appraiser IV 08M00000038 Assessor’s Office 2/22/2015

The positions of Assistant to Minister of Music and Business Administrator are available to qualified applicants at the First Baptist Church of South Richmond, 1501 Decatur Street, Richmond, Virginia 23224. Applicants must be Christian. For detailed job requirements and descriptions visit www.fbctoday.org. Resumes are being received by email only at cgreen@fbctoday.org. No “walk-ins” or telephone inquiries.

Rising Mount Zion Daycare is now hiring for our Preschool and After School programs. Must have experience working in a daycare and/ or degree in early childhood education or related field. Please fax resume to 804-643-1020 Attention: C. Sayles

Jerusalem Baptist Church

994 Three Chopt Road, Manakin-Sabot, VA, an African American church is seeking to hire an organist/pianist, a drummer and a base guitar player for 4th Sundays. Deadline February 27, 2015. Contact Wendy S. Hobbs, (804) 381-2722 or send resumé to whobbs1117@comcast.net.

Benefit Programs Specialist 27M00000258 Social Services Continuous Equipment Operator II 30M00000193 Parks and Recreation Apply by: 2/22/2015 Human Resources Division Chief, Benefits 12M00000059 Human Resources Continuous Library Assistant II - part-time, Broad Rock 03M00000177 Library Apply by: 2/22/2015

AS400 Systems Administrator Posting # 00003222 Information Communication and Technology Service (ICTS) For application and full job description, access www.richmond.k12.va.us. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, tuberculosis screening and drug/alcohol testing as a condition of employment. EOE.

RepoRteR NBC12, Richmond’s No. 1 TV news station seeks reporter with proven track record investigating and reporting stories. Live remote reporting experience is critical. Two years minimum professional experience preferred. Strong social media skills required. Apply on line and attach resume and links to your work at: http://careers-raycommedia. icims.com. Drug Screen and MVR check required. EOE M/F/D/V.

Library Assistant II, Ginter Park 03M00000004 Library Apply by: 2/22/2015 Library Assistant II - part-time, North Avenue 0300000056 Library Apply by: 2/22/2015 Systems Operations Administrator 42M00000468 Fire and Emergency Services Continuous ****************** 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

Digital Content Manager Richmond’s #1 news organization is looking for a Digital Content Manager. The successful candidate will take the #2 spot in the digital department working closely with the Digital Content Director to develop, implement and measure web/social media strategies. Must be hard working self-starter who is aggressive in breaking news situations, has an eye for accuracy and detail and can engage an audience on social media. Must be proficient in web publishing CMS, Photoshop, non-linear editing software, Twitter and Facebook. Apply on line at https://careers-raycommedia.icims.com. Drug Screen required. EOE M/F/D/V

Digital Content ProDuCer/ MMJ Richmond’s #1 news operation seeks a Digital Content Producer/MMJ to create editorial content for NBC12’s new media operations. Responsibilities include producing station content on all digital platforms, aggregating content and producing original material unique to digital platforms, updating text, image, video and live content. The ideal candidate will have a college degree and professional digital and social media content experience. Apply on line at https://careers-raycommedia. icims.com. Drug Screen required. EOE M/F/D/V

Photojournalist NBC12, Richmond’s No. 1 news operation seeks Photojournalist with 3 years experience and proven initiative in news gathering. Qualified applicants only apply on-line and attach links to your work at: https://careers-raycommedia.icims.com. Drug/ MVR Screening required. EOE M/F/D/V The Richmond Free Press is seeking a reliable and creative person for a parttime graphics position. Enthusiastic individual must be proficient in Macintosh Creative Suite Design software (Indesign and Photoshop) to produce accurate, high quality camera-ready advertisements and news page layouts for print production. Duties will include weekly website maintenance. Meticulous attention to details. Ability to be flexible and work under deadline cooperatively in a team environment is essential. Submit resumé and samples of work to address below. Human Resources Richmond Free Press P.O. Box 27709 Richmond, Virginia 23261 No phone calls please

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