Richmond Free Press December 16-18, 2021 edition

Pharrell Williams dons cap for grads B2

Richmond Free Press © 2021 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOL. 30 NO. 51

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

www.richmondfreepress.com

Ready for the holidays

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Tameka DePriest, the Communities in Schools site coordinator at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, sorts through donated gift items that will be given to students and their families this holiday.

Communities in Schools coordinators bring together volunteer efforts to assist children, families during holiday season

Ronald E. Carrington/Richmond Free Press

Linda Shaw holds a package of her new graham crackerbased cookies, LindaGrams.

Richmonder’s baking passion turns into burgeoning family business during the holiday

By Ronald E. Carrington

Community in Schools is making Christmas merry for students and their families in schools in Richmond’s East End and Eastern Henrico County.

The CIS program is providing gifts, gift cards, clothing and

It’s holiday time — a time for family and friends and to give thanks for blessings of the past year.

Richmonder Linda Shaw is doing just that — giving thanks as she makes memories and money with her LindaGrams, a trademarked graham cracker-based cookie she created and now sells online and in pop-up events.

Mrs. Shaw fell in love with baking cookies at age 12. Since

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By Ronald E. Carrington

City Council delays transfer of money to RPS for new George Wythe

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

So much for quick approval.

By a vote of 8-1, City Council on Monday put off a decision to transfer $7.3 million to Richmond Public Schools for development of a replacement building for the aged George Wythe High School.

The funds currently are available in a city account that would allow RPS to proceed with hiring an architectural firm to design the new school building.

Only Councilwoman Kristen N. Larson,

4th District, a former School Board member, urged approval of the measure proposed

by Mayor Levar M. Stoney.

The transfer is expected to come up again at the next City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 10.

For the moment, the delay will not hinder the launch of the design work, according to RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras.

Mr. Kamras said his administration is still reviewing proposals submitted by nine design firms. He said a recommendation would not be sent to the School Board

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Top spellers Zainab Iqbal, center, a fifth-grader at Al Madina School in Midlothian, takes home the first place trophy from the Dec. 10 schoolwide spelling bee. The winning word was “semblance,” with Zainab clinching the school title after 19 rounds. With her are Asiyah Mustapha, left, an eighth-grader and second place winner, and Fatima Alobaidi, a seventh-grader who won third place.

The school was established in 1998 and is the only Islamic school in the Richmond area. It offers Montessori classes for pre-kindergarten students and a standard curriculum through 12th grade, including spelling, Quranic studies and Arabic. The spelling bee winner now goes on to compete against winners from other area private, parochial schools.

for approval until late January or early February.

For most of the City Council, the key holdup on the money remains their questions about the proposed capacity of Dr. Jones the new building.

A five-member majority of the School Board, which has retaken control of school construction, approved building a new school for 1,600 students, or about 200 more than the 61-year-old George Wythe building was constructed to serve.

Mayor Stoney, along with Mr. Kamras and the majority of City Council, believes that a new school to serve 2,000 students would be needed to prevent overcrowding when the new building is opened, which is now estimated by the School Board for fall 2024.

“It would be irresponsible” to open a building that was overcapacity on day one, Council Vice President Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, said Monday.

The School Board majority, led by board Vice Chairman Jonathan M. Young, 4th District, has noted that the new George Wythe is one of two new high schools targeted for South Side. The other is a career and technical high school that would absorb 1,000 students.

By building a smaller George Wythe than originally contemplated, money would be left over to invest in building a new elementary school in Church Hill to replace Woodville and Fairfield Court elementary schools.

At the City Council meeting, CouncilPlease turn to A4

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Meet this week’s Personality B3

DECEMBER 16-18, 2021

Richmond, VLBC stand to lose under redrawn district maps

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A major political shake-up.

That’s the expected result when the Virginia Supreme Court approves new boundaries for the state’s 100 House of Delegates districts, 40 state Senate districts and 11 congressional districts.

As many as 12 incumbents in the House and as many as 10 incumbents in the Senate could lose their seats under the redrawn maps the court is preparing to issue, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

VPAP noted that the proposed boundary lines for 23 House districts would include the homes of two or three current members and the proposed boundaries for nine Senate districts would include the residences of two or more current incumbents.

The sweeping changes were included in the redistricting plans Mr. Grofman Mr. Trende released Dec. 8 by the court’s two special experts, Democrat Bernard Grofman and Republican Sean Trende.

Richmond, too, would feel the impact of the map changes in the form of reduced influence in the General Assembly.

The city, now represented by eight House members and three Senate members, would be reduced to three House districts and two Senate districts under the proposed changes.

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus also could see its influence shrink as well. The caucus will go into the new General Assembly session in January with 17 House members and four senators.

Under the proposed redistricting plans, six caucus members in the House and at least one caucus member in the Senate could lose their seats, the VPAP analysis indicates.

Those at risk would include Henrico Delegate Lamont Bagby, the caucus chairman, and Sen. L. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, a senior caucus member and the first AfricanAmerican and woman to serve as president pro tempore of the Senate.

In the special experts’ redrawing of the congressional districts, the 7th District was completely redrawn, with current 7th District Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger Please turn to A4

The shake-up

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Here is how the Virginia Supreme Court’s new redistricting maps would shake out for Richmond and the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

In the city, three Democratic House members would be placed in a redrawn 78th House District that would cover the western half of the city: Jeffrey M. Bourne, 70th District; Betsy B. Carr, 69th District; and Dawn M. Adams, 68th District.

Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, 70th District, would be in a new 79th District that would be entirely in Richmond, stretching in a semicircle from the city’s southern border through Church Hill and Fulton and up to Washington Park in North Side.

The city’s delegation would include the winner of a new 77th House District, which would include a big chunk of South Side and part of Chesterfield County.

In the Senate map, Richmond is carved into two new districts, the 14th and 15th. The 14th covers most of the city and incorporates the 9th District, which is currently represented by Democratic Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan. The 15th District includes a portion of South Side but is mostly in Chesterfield County.

The 16th District that Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey represents would become the 13th Senate District. That new district would bypass Richmond in stretching from Sussex County to Henrico County and include Hopewell and Petersburg.

Richmond Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, 10th District, a Democrat, would lose her city precincts and be drawn into a new 12th District with Chesterfield Sen. Amanda Chase, a Republican who now represents the 11th District. That district would be wholly in the county and include Colonial Heights.

The VLBC faces the potential for major shrinkage, with six members of the House and one member of the Senate at risk.

For example, caucus chairman, Henrico Delegate Lamont Please turn to A4

Free COVID-19 testing, vaccines Free community testing for COVID-19 continues.

The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Tuesday, Dec. 21, 9 to 11 a.m., Second Baptist Church of South Richmond, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd.

• Wednesday, Dec. 22, 9 to 11 a.m., Eastern Henrico Recreation Center Ballroom, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave. Appointments are not necessary, but can be made by calling the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by registering online at https://bit.ly/RHHDCOVID.

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A2 December 16-18, 2021

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Lightning rod Alice Massie to step down from Monroe Park Conservancy

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A key figure in the management of Monroe Park who was the focus of much of the criticism of the park’s operation is stepping down.

Alice McGuire Massie, who has served as president of the Monroe Park Conservancy for more than a decade, confirmed that at the end of the year she will be leaving the board of the nonprofit that now has charge of the 170-year-old park.

“I notified the city in July that I would be retiring when my term expired,” said Ms. Massie, who was a key community advocate for years for the park.

The 7.5-acre park is located on Belvidere Street in front of the Altria Theater. The park also serves as a gateway to Virginia Commonwealth University’s academic campus.

Ms. Massie’s departure comes after she was charged with assault in connection with an altercation with two VCU students. But Ms. Massie indicated there was no relationship between her decision to step down and the criminal charge.

While some people are cheering her departure, she has been the most engaged of the 11 members of the board of the conservancy since Ms. Massie its formation in 2011. Though unpaid, Ms. Massie is listed as spending 30 hours a week on the park’s management compared to one hour a week for all other members, according to a conservancy report to the Internal Revenue Service.

At this point, her successor would be retired banker and lawyer John W. Bates III, who serves as vice president of the public-private operation whose membership includes representatives of VCU and of the city.

The conservancy officially began managing the park in September 2018 following a city-led renovation that took 22 months. More than $7 million was invested, part of which came from private donations.

One of the big challenges for the conservancy will be to raise money to support the park, which receives virtually no city taxpayer support. Based on its financial reports to the IRS, the conservancy devotes much of its money to repaying an outstanding loan. In the 2020-21 fiscal year, the conservancy spent less than less than $15,000 on park improvements.

Charles Todd Woodson, an Oregon Hill resident who served with Ms. Massie on a city advisory group on Monroe Park prior to the renovation, regards the departure of Ms. Massie as a plus, but noted in a Facebook post that “isn’t enough to gain (the conservancy) credibility or viability.”

Mr. Woodson has called for the city to retake control of Monroe Park that he believes the conservancy has poorly managed.

He has complained publicly and repeatedly via Facebook and in letters to elected and appointed city officials about the outcome of the renovation, including eroding and rutted pathways, the inoperable central fountain, the loss of public restrooms and most notably, the loss of a major portion of the park’s trees.

In posts on the Facebook site he created called “Fans of Monroe Park,” Mr. Woodson noted the removal of many of the trees that had been part of the park since 1904 as the result of the work of Richmond nurseryman C.N. Williams. Mr. Williams planted 362 trees comprised of 26 different species, Mr. Woodson stated.

During the renovation, only 76 trees survived, he noted. Since then, 89 new trees were planted, bringing the total to 165 in the park, he stated. “I call this a real environmental disaster.”

Mayor appoints first woman to lead city Department of Public Utilities For the first time, a woman is in charge of the Richmond Department of Public Utilities.

The new leader of the department is April N. Bingham, it has been announced.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney promoted Ms. Bingham to the top post after she had served 10 months as deputy director of DPU’s customer service division.

“I’m truly humbled to be selected and excited by the opportunity to further improve the customer experience and to enhance DPU’s overall service delivery and workMs. Bingham force,” stated Ms. Bingham, who joined the department in February.

The department provides water, sewage, natural gas and streetlight services to residents and businesses and also is in charge of reducing flooding and other impacts from storms.

Among the biggest challenges ahead for her: Finding an estimated $833 million to separate Richmond’s sewer system from the rainwater drainage system in one-third of the city where the two systems are combined and result in the release of untreated wastewater into the James River during storms.

The city faces a mandatory state deadline of 2035 to accomplish that goal.

In the announcement, Mayor Stoney said he had been impressed with the work Ms. Bingham has done to restructure customer service and develop effective partnerships since becoming the deputy director.

“Her leadership during this time and the 20 years of professional experience she brings to the city make her the right choice to lead this critical public infrastructure going forward,” the mayor stated.

Ms. Bingham reports to Robert Steidel, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer for operations.

Ms. Bingham will bring a different perspective in leading an agency whose past directors have largely held engineering degrees and experience. Her experience has been in administration and customer service.

Her starting salary as director: $182,866, according to the city, a record for the department and among the highest salaries among city executives. When her predecessor, Calvin D. Farr Jr., was tapped as utilities director in 2017, his starting pay was $150,000, then a department record.

Mr. Farr left Richmond in April to become the general manager and chief executive officer of the Prince William County Service Authority. Before the appointment, Alfred Scott was serving as interim director.

Mr. Scott previously has been deputy director for gas and streetlights under Mr. Farr.

He will remain a member of Ms. Bingham’s executive team as director of Richmond Gas Works, the name of DPU’s natural gas utility.

Ms. Bingham spent part of her career with the Washington, D.C., Water & Sewer Authority and, as deputy program manager, oversaw the authority’s $33 million program to upgrade meters. – JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Holiday lights are shining brightly across the Richmond area. One example is at the James Center, where tens of thousands of tiny white lights illuminate faux reindeer on the lawn of the office complex at 10th and Cary streets in Downtown. For 34 years, the complex hosted the Grand Illumination to turn on the lights, but that ended in 2019. For the third year, Mayor Levar M. Stoney officially turned on decorative lights during RVA Illuminates at Kanawha Plaza, which was held on Dec. 3.

RPS would need $44M to cover Gov. Northam’s proposed teacher pay hike

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

If Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s proposal to increase teacher and school staff pay by 10 percent over the next two years wins support from the General Assembly, Richmond taxpayers could feel the impact.

For Richmond teachers and staff to gain the full pay increase, City Hall would have to increase spending on public education by $22 million in each of the next two years, for a total of $44 million, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras has reported to City Council.

Mr. Kamras told the council’s Education and Human Services Committee on Dec. 9 that such an increase would pay Richmond’s share of the proposed pay boost that the state does not fully fund, plus provide for a yearly cost of living increase for RPS employees and cover the school system’s share of rising health insurance costs.

But that’s all that funding increase would pay for, he said. It would not cover any other improvements in programming or services, such as adding more social workers, nurses or mental health staff.

RPS currently reports serving 21,775 students, or nearly 1,400 fewer than were enrolled in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade in fall 2019 before the pandemic hit.

Mr. Kamras said Richmond and other school districts would have more insight

into the potential state contribution for school operations after Gov. Northam delivers his proposed 2022-2024 budget to the General Assembly’s money committees later this week.

Ahead of the announcement, the governor indicated he would propose $2.4 billion in new public school spending, including the pay hike.

That kind of potential increase, along with demands for higher pay for police officers, firefighters and other city staff, is the reason City Council did not reduce the tax rate on city real Mr. Kamras estate this year.

In the past few years, Richmond has raised its contribution to public education.

In the current 2021-22 fiscal year, City Council approved Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s allocation of $187.1 million in city taxes for school operations, or a record $8,592 per student, based on current enrollment.

If the mayor and council endorse the two-year, $44 million increase, the price tag for public school operations would rise to $221 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year, equivalent to $10,149 per student in local funding if enrollment remains at the current level.

Mr. Kamras provided the notification to

City Council as he updated the committee on school employee collective bargaining, which the Richmond School Board approved at its Dec. 6 meeting.

He said that, if employees approve, the result would be three employee unions bargaining with his administration next spring — one for teachers, one for support staff and one for administrators. He has been supportive of the creation of bargaining units, but said it is too soon to determine the impact on the budget.

On the enrollment front, Richmond, like a number of school divisions, has lost some students since the pandemic began, and more than 500 have not been located.

The pre-pandemic enrollment in fall 2019 was 23,154 students in pre-K through 12th grade, or 1,379 more than the current enrollment of 21,775 as of Dec. 6.

Part of the loss is due to an 83 percent increase in homeschooling, RPS data show.

Currently, 858 former RPS students are being educated at home, an increase of 389 from 2019.

Another portion is due to a 26 percent decline in enrollment in pre-K. As of Dec. 6, 1,223 children were in pre-K classes, or 439 fewer than the 1,662 children enrolled in 2019, according to RPS data.

That still leaves the 551 students who are no longer enrolled, but whose whereabouts have not been determined, RPS officials have indicated.

GRTC to reduce service on some bus routes beginning Dec. 19

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

GRTC will play the Grinch just before Christmas and cut service as it struggles with a shortfall of about 50 full- and part-time drivers and shortages in the maintenance staff of mechanics and body shop personnel.

The changes to be effective Sunday, Dec. 19, will result in longer waits for the Pulse and slower and reduced service on 12 regular bus routes.

However, GRTC also is launching a pilot program to provide free on-demand service, such as Uber, for riders who need transportation on weekdays in the early morning and late at night to get to and from work or meet other needs.

GRTC announced Wednesday this ondemand service would allow riders to seek one no-charge ride per day between 5 and 6 a.m. or from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. from one bus stop to a destination bus stop.

The company said riders can access the service by downloading Uber’s mobile app on their cell phone or by calling (804) 358-4782 at least 30 minutes before the ride would be needed. All passengers using this service would need to be masked, GRTC noted.

Though aimed at benefiting riders, GRTC’s decision to test on-demand service is not going over well with the company’s union personnel.

Maurice Carter, president and business

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Shopping in the ‘Village’ Forest Hill Park was turned into a marketplace last Saturday for the second of four Holiday Villages put on by the Richmond Night Market in partnership with the city Office of Economic Development and Brok Productions. The holiday markets feature local artisans and craftpersons selling their various goods, art and food. And there is music to enhance the spirit and flavor. “We want people to shop and buy local,” said Adrienne Cole Johnson, co-founder of Richmond Night Market. Here, shopper Amirah Eckles talks with Ladonna Bolden of BJAX Candle Co. during the event. The final two Holiday Villages will be held this weekend, from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19, at the 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom.

agent for Local 1220 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said his driver members are feeling betrayed by the company for choosing this approach, which he sees as a potential contract violation.

Among the affected routes will be Pulse, the east-west rapid-transit line that has become the backbone of the transit system.

On weekdays, Pulse service from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. would go from a scheduled 10minute service per stop to 15-minute service, the current standard for weekends and for weekday service between 7 to 11:30 p.m. on weeknights. Service from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. would remain at 30 minutes.

The other announced service changes, which essentially represent a reduction of about one bus per route, are as follows: Chamberlayne Route 1A will end service at midnight rather than 1 a.m.; Fulton Routes 4A and 4B will move from 30minute to hourly service; and Cary, Main and Whitcomb Court Route 5 will slow to 30-minute service from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next day.

GRTC stated that no changes are contemplated for 19 other routes, nor will there be any additional changes for express routes that were shifted to reduced service in September.

The company recently reported that it currently has 249 full-time drivers and 22 part-time drivers, with nine operators in training.

GRTC spokeswoman Carrie Rose Pace stated the company needs around 300 fulltime drivers and 30 part-time drivers to avoid cutbacks.

She noted that the company began experiencing a shortfall of 10 to 20 drivers in 2019 as the company sought to meet requests for expanded service. The pandemic that began in 2020 has made the shortages worse, she stated.

Ms. Pace said the service reductions might prove to be temporary as some of the challenges to recruiting people have eased.

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Richmond Free Press

A4 December 16-18, 2021

News

Communities in Schools bring together volunteer efforts to assist children, families Continued from A1

other resources to families of students at Richmond’s Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and Henrico’s Fairfield Middle School.

Help also will come in the way of support for academic assistance, counseling and health care.

CIS site coordinators Tameka DePriest, a 10-year veteran at MLK, and Jennifer Collins, a 15-year veteran who just completed her first year at Fairfield, expressed appreciation for the donations from individuals, corporations, nonprofits, churches, city and county foundations and programs, as well as volunteers who sponsored children.

Forty students from the Richmond school were scheduled to receive coats, hats, gloves and other presents, Ms. DePriest said, while about 25 Henrico students and their families were to receive gift cards, according to Ms. Collins.

“However, this is not to say the number of students in need will not rise by the time RPS’ Christmas break begins on Friday, Dec. 17,” Ms. DePriest said.

A lot of families have been hit hard during the last 20

months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some parents either unemployed or working reduced hours. She said some families have experienced the loss of loved ones as well as other unexpected stressful events, such as house fires. All of these events affect children and families as they try to make it through the holidays.

“Parents say they are appreciative for help and support.

They really want to do all that they can for their children during the holiday season,” Ms. DePriest said.

Support from CIS ensures that when students return to school in the new year with new gear, they are comfortable and not concerned about being bullied by their peers, Ms. DePriest said.

Before joining the Fairfield Middle School staff, Ms. Collins spent 15-years as CIS coordinator in RPS followed by a stint at L. Douglas Wilder Middle School in Henrico. She said in addition to receiving gift cards, Fairfield students and their families were assisted in signing up for the Salvation Army’s

Angel Tree and the Henrico Christmas Mother programs for other gifts. She said many families are unaware of those holiday resources.

As with Richmond families, many Henrico families also have experienced traumatic events during the past months, Ms. Collins said, including the death of the family’s breadwinner. All of these events, and more, affect how students perform in school and handle relationships with their peers, teachers and other adults at school.

“Many Fairfield parents need other assistance – grief counselling and economic support, referrals to other agencies – for the entire family,” Ms. Collins said. “We walk Fairfield parents through the process of finding resources they may need year round.”

Back at MLK, parents of the students selected for participation in the holiday program also engage in activities to help others. For example, one year, parents attending a holiday gift party used construction paper and colorful markers to create

holiday greeting cards that were given to nursing home residents.

Ms. DePriest and Ms. Collins said they believe it is important for people to give back in any way they can.

“It is not about how much you can do to support children and families at this time of the year, but what you can do to support families all year,” Ms. DePriest says. “When you become a part of what CIS is doing for students, it helps to make the whole effort is a success.”

Richmonder’s baking passion turns into burgeoning family business Continued from A1

then, she has been making treats for family events and to give as gifts to friends.

With the push of her adult children, Mrs. Shaw decided to put her LindaGrams on the market. In May, she sold them at the RVA Black Farmers Market and discovered her tasty treats were a hit with the public.

Her effort is now a family affair, with the LindaGrams team consisting of her husband, Lionel, and three children, Raymond, 41; David, 35; and

Free COVID-19 vaccines Continued from A1

Testing will be offered while test supplies last.

COVID-19 testing also is available at various drug stores, clinics and urgent care centers throughout the area for people with and without health insurance. Several offer tests with no out-of-pocket costs.

A list of area COVID-19 testing sites is online at https:// www.vdh.virginia.gov/richmond-city/richmond-and-henricoarea-covid-19-testing-sites/ The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID-19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov/ coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot?

The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering free walk-up COVID-19 vaccines at the following locations: • Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Community Vaccination Center, Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

• Thursday, Dec. 16, 1 to 4:30 p.m. – Richmond Health Department Cary Street Clinic, 400 E. Cary St., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson; 4 to 7 p.m. – Blackwell Elementary School, 300 E. 15th St. in South Side, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

• Friday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to noon – Henrico West Health Department Clinic, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

• Saturday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m. to noon – Christmas at Creighton, 2101 Creighton Road, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

• Tuesday, Dec. 21, 3 to 6 p.m. – Second Baptist Church of South Richmond, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

Children ages 5 to 17 may only receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Vaccinations and booster shots are available for all eligible of any age on a walk-in basis. No appointment is needed.

However, people may schedule an appointment online at vaccinate.virginia.gov or vax.rchd.com, or by calling (804) 205-3501 or (877) VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682).

VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

The Chesterfield County Health District is offering vaccines and booster shots at the following location: • Community Vaccination Center, Rockwood Shopping Center (in the former Big Lots store), 10161 Hull Street Road, Midlothian. The center is open 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged by going to www.vaccines.gov or call (877) VAX-IN-VA. Those who are getting a booster shot should bring their vaccine card to confirm date and type of vaccine received.

Virginia and the nation hit grim milestones in the COVID19 fight this week, with Virginia marking 1 million recorded cases of coronavirus since the pandemic’s outbreak in 2020, and the United States marking 800,000 deaths from COVID-19.

The Virginia Department of Health reported on Wednesday 3,135 new positive cases of COVID-19 around the state during a 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative total to 1,006,245 cases statewide.

The daily case count represents another peak in daily case numbers in the state as the delta variant continues to spread along with the new omicron variant of the coronavirus.

There have been a total of 40,119 hospitalizations and 15,025 deaths. The state’s seven-day positivity rate was 8.7 percent. Last week, the positivity rate was 7.7 percent.

On Wednesday, state health officials reported that 66.6 percent of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, while 75.7 percent of the people have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

State data also shows that roughly 1.6 million people in Virginia have received booster shots or third doses of the vaccine.

Among those ages 5 to 11 in Virginia, 196,066 children have received their first shots, accounting for 27.1 percent of the eligible age group in the state, while 121,646 children are fully vaccinated. As of Wednesday, less than 67,000 cases, 446 hospitalizations and six deaths have been recorded among children.

State data also show that African-Americans comprised 21.9 percent of cases statewide and 24.3 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 13.4 percent of cases and 5.7 percent of deaths.

Reported COVID-19 data as of Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 + Cases Hospitalizations Deaths

Richmond 25,897 975 378 Henrico County 37,457 1,279 740 Chesterfield County 43,085 1,247 587 Hanover County 13,111 387 202

Maya, 28. Each has a specific task and helps in the collective effort to get the product to market. Raymond and Maya are responsible for marketing, branding, package design and social media, while David, a chef, supervises baking and tasting. Mr. Shaw is the utility player, doing a bit of everything.

For Mrs. Shaw, who retired as a human resources administrator four years ago, the growing family business keeps her connected to her children and her blessings, particularly after the nearly two-year isolation of the pandemic.

“The cookie business has grown over the last few months and is more that I anticipated,” Mrs. Shaw said. She said she is surprised by the swath of people interested in her LindaGrams.

She said the process of starting her own business has been invigorating.

“This has been a great opportunity since this is some-

thing I have been passionate about and enjoy doing,” Mrs. Shaw said.

She has reached out to business organizations and other professionals for direction and insight and applied for business grants as well as paying food competitions to help build her company’s future.

“I am experimenting with

vegan recipes, using pretzels instead of nuts for people with nut allergies, as well as LindaGrams cheesecake,” Mrs. Shaw said.

She is working to get LindaGrams on the shelves in local shops and on the dessert menu at area restaurants. Her business has picked up, too, as the holidays approach.

She said the last few months have been a wonderful experience for her and her family.

“As we sit together to bake, package or pack up to go to an event, everybody as a piece of the LindaGrams pie. That has been wonderful,” she said.

“This venture is very exciting. Everyone’s support has inspired me.”

Courtesy of LindaGrams

The LindaGrams production team is a family affair, with founder Linda Shaw, center, and Shaw family, from left, husband Lionel Shaw; and children, Raymond, David and Maya Shaw.

Richmond, VLBC stand to lose under redrawn district maps Continued from A1

of Henrico, a Democrat, being thrown into the new 1st District, which is now represented by Republican Congressman Rob Wittman.

The new map also moves Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith, 9th District, into a revamped 6th District that Republican Congressman Ben Cline represents.

However, Congressman Griffith could still run in the 9th District, as those serving in the U.S. House of Representatives do not have to live in the district they represent.

However, House and Senate members in the Virginia General Assembly must live in the district they represent.

The redistricting plans have drawn cheers from some advocates who sought to remove control over redistricting from the majority party in the legislature.

The state Supreme Court is expected to approve the maps with little change by Sunday, Dec. 19, after two public hearings. The court’s order would be final, without any ability of the governor or the legislature to alter or abolish what is put into place.

The new maps for congressional districts would be effective for the 2022 elections.

The state Senate maps would go into effect for the 2023 election.

But there is still a question regarding the House maps. Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring has battled to keep the current districts in place through the next election in 2023.

However, former Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Paul Goldman is suing in a bid to force House of Delegates elections in 2022, citing a state constitutional requirement and a 1981 federal decision that enforced the provision. If Mr. Goldman wins his federal court case, new elections would be held next year in the new districts.

The court’s involvement is the latest twist in the saga of redistricting in Virginia, a process that is constitutionally required every 10 years following the U.S. Census.

The state’s highest court got the job after a commission, created by a new state law aimed at ending Democratic or Republican control of the process, became deadlocked. The commission was evenly split between eight Democrats and eight Republicans.

OneVirginia 2021, which led the lobbying for creation of a bipartisan commission, applauded the results.

“At a glance, (the redrawn districts) look fair as part of a partisan balance,” said Liz White, executive director of the nonprofit election reform group.

According to the special experts, their key goal was to create districts that pulled together communities of interest, or voters from related cities, towns and counties.

“We carefully drew districts that met

constitutional and statutory population requirements,” Mr. Grofman and Mr. Trende stated in a memo released with the maps. “In doing so, we minimized county and city splits, while respecting natural boundaries and communities of interest to the extent possible.”

The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, well regarded as a neutral rating source for redistricting, gave the three maps the special experts created high marks for partisan fairness, but far lower ratings for competitiveness and compactness.

The project awarded the House map an “A” for partisan balance, a “B” for competitiveness and “C” for compactness. The Senate map received a “B” for partisan fairness, a “C” for compactness and an “F” for competitiveness.

The proposed congressional map received an “A” for partisan fairness, but “C” grades for compactness and competitiveness.

The shake-up Continued from A1

Bagby, 74th District, a Democrat, would be drawn into a new 80th District with Democratic Delegate Schuyler Van Valkenberg, 72nd District.

Also at risk in the Richmond area is Delegate Bourne.

In Prince William County, incoming caucus member Briana Sewell, who just won her first election, would be moved into a new 25th House District. So will veteran caucus member Delegate Luke Torian, the outgoing chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

In Hampton Roads, Delegate-elect Nadarius Clark, 26, will become the youngest member ever of the House in January after winning his first election. But in the new map, he would be moved into a new

88th House District with current caucus member Don Scott.

Also in Hampton Roads, caucus members Del. Jeion Ward and Del. Cliff Hayes would be moved into districts with incumbent Republican delegates.

In the Senate, the caucus could lose one of its four senators. The proposed map puts caucus members Sen. L. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth and Sen. Lionell Spruill of Chesapeake into the new 18th Senate District Democrats also are at risk of losing senior leaders, most notably the current majority leader, Sen. Richard Saslaw, 81, who has served 41 years, and Sen. Janet Howell, 77, a 30-year Senate veteran.

The proposed maps would put each into a Northern Virginia district with another incumbent Democrat.

City Council delays transfer of money to RPS for new George Wythe Continued from A1

man Michael J. Jones, 9th District, led the charge for delaying turning over the funds to the School Board. However, during his impassioned speech arguing for a larger school, he provided evidence buttressing the idea that a 2,000-student school would be oversized. He told his council colleagues that only 981 students are currently enrolled at George Wythe, which has a 1,400-student capacity. That confirms information School Board member Stephanie M. Rizzi, 5th District, provided in a statement of support

for building a smaller school.

And despite claims from 8th District Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell of growth of families in South Side, schoolage population projections tell a different story.

As of July 2020, Richmond’s population of children ages 5 to 19 totaled 29,219, according to the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center, which issues the annual projections.

Even though the city’s total population jumped more than 12 percent between 2010 and 2020, the Weldon Cooper projection

represents a drop of 5,600 school-age children from 2008 and nearly 2,000 fewer school-age children than the center projected in 2012.

In other business, council approved a plan to allow neighborhood civic groups in areas that have to pay for parking decals to receive a share of the money to get rid of graffiti and undertake litter cleanups.

The council also gave the greenlight to allowing Commonwealth Catholic Charities to develop 55 affordable apartments on the former site of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School in Highland Park.

Richmond Free Press

December 16-18, 2021 A5

Every square foot of our new 615,000 square-foot building was built just for you.

This December, we opened our Adult Outpatient Pavilion, located at the corner of North 10th and East Leigh streets.

Enjoy comfort and convenience We spent years listening to and learning from our community to build a home for the best care – and patient experience – in the region.

• Family-centered, friendly, accessible care • Easy access from major interstates • More than 1,000 patient parking spaces

Speak with trusted health care providers Health care the way it should be.

Home to new technologies – and the region’s best doctors. From sprains and strains to help managing complex medical conditions: • Cancer • Maternity • Orthopedic and other specialty services

Lab, x-ray and advanced imaging on-site

Service Spotlight 1 of every 365 African Americans has sickle cell disease. Our new outpatient pavilion will mean greater comfort and convenience for area patients managing complex medical conditions, like sickle cell disease. This means better care.

And better quality of life.

We’re making health care the way it should be.

To learn more, visit vcuhealth.org/aop

© 2021 VCU Health. All rights reserved.

Sources: VCU Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A6 December 16-18, 2021

Richmond Free Press

Photo Feature

The work is meticulous, with each granite block carefully removed from the pedestal starting at the top.

Each piece is secured by ropes and hoisted by crane to the ground.

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Painstaking work For 131 years, the monument to Robert E. Lee stood on Monument Avenue before the 21-foot bronze statue honoring the Confederate slave owner who fought against the United States was removed Sept. 8 from the state-owned property under the order of Gov. Ralph S. Northam.

Now the painstaking work is underway of removing the 40-foot granite pedestal upon which the statue stood. It has 550 pieces, and the crew of workers is using a crane and heavy straps to take them down one at a time. The whole assemblage is going into state storage and the land turned over to the City of Richmond.

A smiley face peeks out from behind the intricate scaffolding. The graffiti, which was painted on the base during weeks of social justice protests after the May 2020 police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, was ranked by the New York Times magazine as one of the most influential pieces of American protest art since World War II.

Once on the ground, the block is unloaded onto a wooden pallet, the straps removed. It is then tagged and brushed off before being moved to the bed of a truck to be hauled to storage.

“It is going right at pace right now. You can’t rush it,” said one worker at the site last week. “Take your time, get them off, get them tagged …”

The work is scheduled to be finished in January.

Richmond Free Press

December 16-18, 2021 A7

Local News

Gov. Northam calls for elimination of state tax on groceries Free Press staff, wire report

Virginians would pay a smaller tax on groceries and receive an income tax rebate of up to $500 under outgoing Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s budget proposal rolled out on Tuesday.

Gov. Northam, a Democrat, is asking the legislature to do away with the state’s 1.5 percent tax on groceries.

His proposal does not eliminate a 1 percent add-on tax by localities.

Virginia is one of only 14 states that taxes groceries.

Gov. Northam announced his proposal at The Market @ 25th, a community-driven grocery store in Richmond’s East End. He first proposed eliminating the grocery tax when he ran for governor in 2017, but it was not a central theme of his campaign.

He said his proposed tax cuts would benefit workers whose jobs in restaurants, child care, factories and other places did not allow them to work from home during the pandemic.

Gov.-elect Youngkin, who is scheduled to take office on Jan. 15, campaigned heavily on the issue, making it part of his “Day One game plan.”

The incoming governor argued that the tax is regressive, hitting low-income people the hardest, and he had urged Gov. Northam to include tax cuts in his outgoing 2022-24 budget.

“Gov. Northam’s budget proposal is a step in the right direction but does not

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Gov. Ralph S. Northam pauses Tuesday in the produce section at The Market @ 25th in the East End before stepping up to a podium to announce several tax cuts in his proposed 2022-24 budget, including elimination of the state tax on groceries. He was joined at the news conference by State Finance Secretary Joe Flores and state Sens. Joe Morrissey and Ghazala Hashmi.

entirely fulfill Virginians’ mandate,” said Macaulay Porter, a Youngkin transition aide. “We appreciate the Northam administration laying the foundation for these elements of the Day One game plan so that Gov.-elect Youngkin can hit the ground running on Jan. 15 to begin executing on his key campaign promises and finish the job.”

House Speaker-designee Todd Gilbert, a Republican from Shenandoah County, had a more blunt assessment of Go. Northam’s tax proposals.

“Now we know what it takes to get Virginia Democrats to propose cutting taxes — losing to a Republican,” Delegate Gilbert said in a statement.

Delegate Lamont Bagby of Henrico, chairman of the Virginia Legislative

Black Caucus, cheered the governor’s tax cut proposal as “the right way to help working people and provide equity in our tax policy.”

State Secretary of Finance Joe Flores said 1 percent of the revenue from the state’s 1.5 percent share of the tax goes to school districts, while the other 0.5 percent is earmarked for transportation projects. Mr. Flores said Gov. Northam’s proposed budget makes up the revenue that will be lost by school districts.

“They will receive the same amount of funding that they are currently receiving from the state,” he said.

Mr. Flores said the revenue that would go to transportation projects is not made up for in the governor’s budget proposal, but the state will receive additional federal transportation money under the infrastructure bill passed by Congress last month.

Gov. Northam, who is scheduled to present his budget proposal to the legislature’s money committees on Thursday, also is proposing that the state give one-time “economic growth” tax rebates of $250 for individuals and $500 for married couples; make up to 15 percent of the federal earned income-tax credit refundable for eligible families; and end the accelerated sales tax payments for retailers.

Gov. Northam said Virginia’s strong economic position allows the state to reduce taxes and to pay for other provisions in his budget pro-

posal, including raising salaries by 10 percent for teachers; pay hikes for police and other public safety officers; setting aside $24.7 million to address gun safety through a new Center for Firearm Violence Intervention; and putting $277 in building and operating funds for Virginia State and Norfolk State universities, the state’s two public historically Black colleges and universities. He also proposed setting aside $20 million in each of the next two years to increase affordability at both schools.

Additionally, he proposed a $20 million opportunity fund to provide scholarships at Virginia Union and Hampton universities, which are private HBCUs, and increasing the state’s Tuition Assistance Grants that provide money for students attending private colleges and universities to $5,000, from the current $4,000.

Gov.-elect Youngkin and Republicans in the General Assembly may seek to go further than Gov. Northam.

In addition to eliminating the grocery tax, Gov.-elect Youngkin pledged during the campaign to suspend the most recent gas tax hike for a year; offer a one-time tax rebate of $300 for individuals and $600 for joint filers; cut income taxes by doubling the standard deduction; cut taxes on veterans’ retirement income; and implement a requirement that voters approve increases on local property taxes.

Khalfani returns to Richmond in advocacy role

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The former executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP is the newest member of the lobbying team of the Richmondbased Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, a coalition of 750 faith groups that advocates for economic, racial and social justice.

King Salim Khalfani, 62, who has spent four decades speaking out for civil and human rights in Virginia, has been tapped to be the center’s organizer on issues related to criminal justice reform, according to Kim Bobo, executive director of the interfaith policy group.

Abolition of solitary confinement in Virginia prisons will be one of the key issues Mr. Khalfani will be focusing on in the upcoming session, Ms. Bobo said. He already is pulling

together religious leaders for a news with them at the legislature.” conference in January to highlight Mr. Khalfani replaces the Rev. the issue at the start of the General Jamar Boyd II, who left to become Assembly. senior manager for organizational “VICPP is thrilled to have someimpact for the Chicago-based Samuel one with the wisdom, experience Dewitt Proctor Conference Inc. that and stature that Mr. Khalfani brings seeks to organize the faith community to the team. He will help guide our nationally to collaborate with civic, criminal justice reform work by corporate and philanthropic leaders Mr. Khalfani deepening our community connecon social justice issues. tion,” Ms. Bobo said.

“The struggle has been my life,” said Mr. Mr. Khalfani expressed excitement about Khalfani, a Cleveland, Ohio, native, who is his new role. perhaps best known across the state for the 16 “I have worked with VICPP much of the years he served as the outspoken leader and last two decades at the General Assembly on chief lobbyist for the Virginia State Conference legislative issues, so I’m aware of the organiza-B:11"of the NAACP. tion’s legislative victories and was attracted toT:11" He most recently served as policy and that. I look forward to achieving more victories advocacy director for Nexus Services Inc.

of Harrisonburg and operated a consulting firm to assist people seeking clemency and pardons.

A 1983 history and political science graduate of Virginia Union University, Mr. Khalfani began his career with the Richmond Peace Education Center and was among the early staff advocates for Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

Mr. Khalfani joined the state NAACP in 1990 as director of branch and field activities and moved up to executive director in 1998.

Since leaving that post, he has been a Virginia Education Association UniServe director in Portsmouth and Hampton Roads and he founded and led Americans Resisting Minority and Ethnic Discrimination with Nexus Services.

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Richmond Free Press

A8 December 16-18, 2021

Local News

Families of homicide victims urged to ‘keep the faith’ during the sadness of the season

By George Copeland Jr.

It has been more than a decade since Rose Davis lost her son to gun violence, but she still feels the impact.

While the absence of her son, Timothy E. Williams, continues to hurt, she found joy in watching his children grow up and hopes they have long and fruitful lives.

Ms. Davis shared her journey in sorrow and faith on Dec. 9 with others who have lost family members to homicide during the Richmond Coalition Against Violence’s 31st Annual Holiday Memorial program.

“It has been a long 16 years, but I still can say I’ve been blessed,” Ms. Davis said. “I know it’s hard. It’s a journey we did not ask for. Just take one second at a time.”

Ms. Davis was one of many survivors speaking at the memorial, which was held virtually again like last year because of the pandemic.

The coalition was founded by Linda S. Jordan following her

son’s murder in 1990.

This year’s memorial comes at a time of heightened gun violence in Richmond, resulting in deaths and injuries impacting scores of families. An estimated 50 to 60 people were a part of the virtual event.

“People are beginning to be more active because we are bringing awareness of what happens to the surviving family members,” said Gilbert Wilkerson, the coalition’s president.

“Our new website lets people know we are there for them. They see an organization they can identify with and get healing and support in the grieving process.”

In previous years, the memorial featured guest speakers. But organizers decided the families should speak this year about the loved ones they lost. More than 50 people signed up to share their story. And while not all of them were able to speak, the two-hour event allowed people to connect — area residents, recent transplants and people who live entire continents away — on common threads like the after effects of the death on their lives

to frustration with not obtaining any justice for the loss.

“He was a loving, kind person,” Faye Moton said about her grandson, Michael Gregory, who was killed in October. “And he was loved by all. We miss him dearly,” she said.

Those who spoke stressed the importance of events like the memorial to ease the grieving and to allow them to find kindred spirits in a time of sadness.

“This is a pretty serious time to remember our lost ones,” said Eva Haff, a child psychologist who joined in from Indonesia.

As in previous years, the names of those lost to violence will be added in the form of a red ribbon to “The River of Tears” sculpture that stands in the lobby of Richmond’s City Hall in Downtown.

The coalition is working to obtain nonprofit status, while it helps to implement crime prevention programs in the city, Mr. Wilkerson said.

“We all share the same pain,” Ms. Jordan said. “Keep the faith, keep the hope.”

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Remembering loved ones Families and friends honor the memory of loved ones lost to homicide during Henrico County’s annual Candlelight and Ribbon Tying Ceremony held Dec. 7 outside the Henrico County Government Center off Parham Road. People placed heart-shaped ornaments bearing the names of their loved ones on a fir tree. A memory board with photos also was set up, while music was provided by the Henrico Police “Acoustic Blue” Band. The memorial event was sponsored by the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Assistance

Officials urge caution during the holidays with omicron variant

By George Copeland Jr.

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Former Washington Football Team linebacker Ravin Caldwell signs footballs for a fan give-away during a COVID-19 vaccination event last Saturday at the Bon Secours Training Center on Leigh Street in Richmond.

Protect the ones you love,

get your flu shot today.

@vaccinatevirginia

Virginia health officials are urging caution and for people to protect themselves as omicron, a new variant of the coronavirus, rapidly spreads throughout the United States.

Omicron was first reported in South Africa but later discovered to have emerged earlier in Europe. It already has been found in more than 20 states, including Virginia, which reported its first case Dec. 10 in Northern Virginia.

State health officials are monitoring new cases and said the emergence was an inevitable part of dealing with COVID-19.

“We knew it was only a matter of time before we would record our first omicron infection in the Commonwealth,” Dr. M. Norman Oliver, the state health commissioner, said in a statement issued last week. “This drives home the challenge the COVID-19 virus presents to the world as the virus changes and mutates over time.”

Initial research has shown that omicron carries symptoms similar to those of other variants of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath and muscle aches. A unique difference is that, for some infected with the omicron variant, there is no loss of taste or smell.

Health experts have said symptoms from omicron appear to be fairly mild so far. While those infected may face a less severe health impact, the mildness of symptoms may lead to people spreading it unintentionally, bolstering its transmissibility.

Health officials stressed the importance of following current COVID-19 guidelines and safety protocols, including getting the coronavirus vaccine and booster shots when eligible, wearing masks and social distancing around others.

“It’s really important to emphasize that those tools that we have to prevent transmission are still the best tools that we can use to fight against this variant and any other variants that come down the pipeline,” said Dr. Melissa Viray,

deputy director of the Richmond and Henrico health districts. “If you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet, or you haven’t gotten your booster yet, now is a great time to do it.”

While children ages 5 and older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have expanded eligibility for Pfizer booster shots to teens ages 16 and 17. Area health districts already have started offering the boosters to that age group.

The Richmond and Henrico health districts announced that their vaccination hubs will be closed for the holidays from Friday, Dec. 24,

through Sunday, Jan. 2. The community vaccination center at Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center on Arthur Ashe Boulevard will be closed, as well, from Thursday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 27. The Ashe Center site will reopen for vaccinations from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 28 and 29, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30.

It will close for the New Year’s holiday on Friday, Dec. 31, and reopen from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3.

For details on the walk-up vaccination centers or to schedule an appointment, go to vax.rchd. com or call (804) 205-3501.

Several former NFL players met and signed autographs for Richmond area fans last Saturday during an event to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 held at the Bon Secours Training Center. Attending the event are, from left, Kyle Richardson, former punter for the Baltimore Ravens and NFL Alumni lead ambassador; Ravin Caldwell, former Washington Football Team linebacker and two-time Super Bowl champion; Radford native Gary Clark, former Washington wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion; Riddick Parker, Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle; Richmond native Ken Oxendine, a former Thomas Dale High School standout and Atlanta Falcons running back and vice president of the NFL Alumni Richmond chapter; and Richmond native Dion Foxx, a former Meadowbrook High School standout, former linebacker for Washington, the Miami Dolphins and the Green Bay Packers and president of the NFL Alumni Richmond chapter. The event was sponsored by NFL Alumni Health, in partnership with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Richmond and Henrico health districts and Bon Secours.

Richmond Free Press

December 16-18, 2021 A9

Make Sure Your Immune System Is Buttoned Up for Winter

! y a d o t r e t s o o 9b 1 D I V O C r u o y et g o t n a l p a e k Ma The COVID-19 booster is a vital step for staying safe against the virus — especially as activities move indoors for the winter months and COVID variants spread.

• If you received the Johnson &

Johnson vaccine and are 18+, you’re eligible for a booster 2 months after your primary dose.

• If you received the Moderna

vaccine and are 18+, you’re eligible for a booster 6 months after your second dose.

• If you received the Pfizer vaccine and are 16+, you’re eligible for a booster 6 months after your second dose.

You can find free COVID-19 boosters — or first, second, and additional primary doses — at a community vaccination center near you.

Your Local Community Vaccination Centers Arthur Ashe Junior Athletic Center 3001 N Arthur Ashe Blvd Richmond, VA 23230 Rockwood Shopping Center 10161 Hull Street Midlothian, VA 23112

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Richmond Free Press

Ornamental cabbage patch in the West End

Editorial Page

A10

December 16-18, 2021

December surprise We were slightly surprised — and a little amused — by some of the budget proposals put forth so far by outgoing Gov. Ralph S. Northam.

His proposed 2022-24 biennial state budget is his swan song. He leaves office Jan. 15, and won’t be around to see how the new Republican governor, Glenn A. Youngkin, and a new Republican-controlled House of Delegates will carve up his plan.

So, in his waning days in office, Gov. Northam took a page from the GOP campaign play book and proposed several tax cuts, including a onetime state tax rebate of $250 for individuals and $500 for married couples, and elimination of the state’s 1.5 percent tax on groceries. He also proposed boosting state support for HBCUs, including $277 million to publicly supported Virginia State and Norfolk State universities and $20 million for student scholarships at privately run Virginia Union and Hampton universities.

We have one question: What took so long?

But as the old people say, “Better late than never.”

Virginia’s state-supported HBCUs have been inadequately funded for decades, even during the Wilder administration. But during the recent gubernatorial campaign, former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder pounded on Democrats to provide more financial help to HBCUs. Gov. Northam’s budget proposal for Virginia State and Norfolk State provides millions for building and operating costs, as well as student tuition support.

His plan also would increase from $4,000 to $5,000 Tuition Assistance Grants for Virginia students attending eligible private colleges or universities.

VUU and Hampton are among the schools on the eligible list.

We expect Gov.-elect Youngkin will go along with these budget proposals, or try to best them. After all, he campaigned on cutting the state’s grocery tax and boosting state dollars to HBCUs, and during his first months in office, he’ll want to prove to the electorate that he can deliver.

We believe these funding initiatives will be good for our students, our HBCUs and for Virginians.

But we will be watching to see what Gov.-elect Youngkin and the Republicans decide to cut from funding in order to achieve these and other GOPtargeted goals.

Republicans of the past

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

As I write, the nation is preparing to lay to rest former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, one of the “old breed” of Republican politicians. Although there was much about his politics with which I could and did disagree, I still find him preferable to the crop that’s littering the halls of Congress these days. He proudly stated that he voted for former President Trump twice, but he boldly voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Act when it demonstrated the courage of his conviction.

Like many of his Republican contemporaries ­— Nelson Rockefeller, Everett Dirksen, Jack Kemp, Charles Percy — Mr. Dole held strong political beliefs, but never declared his political opponents to be his mortal enemies, as is done now. The “old timers” of both parties often spoke of contentious debates on the floors of Congress followed by a night of fellowship and drinking without regard for political affiliation.

Mr. Dole’s death signals the final hurrah of an era where the good of the nation was paramount in the minds of politicians. Instead, we now have partisan

political rancor and wrangling that translates into a “death match” at each meeting. One can only question whether our nation and democracy can endure through a future foreshadowing protracted and interminable physical, psychological and political warfare.

I will not sugarcoat recent events by suggesting that I see

Dr. E. Faye Williams two-party hostility. I place the blame for the current political acrimony squarely in the laps of Republicans, several specific Republican officeholders, a diabolical Senate minority leader and a cowardly House minority leader, as well as a disgraced grifter who has used latent racial animus and appealed to the fear of white people by suggesting a racial Armageddon.

From the infantile to the insane, the conduct of this “new” Republican Party is unbelievable. I have not yet heard a member of “The Republican Base” admit to the violence that occurred at the nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6. Even participants in the event try to spin it to make it appear as though their actions were those of peaceful protestors. In the face of actual footage of the violence, there remains a

sizable portion, if not a majority, of the base that denies the violence.

Former Vice President Mike Pence and his family were whisked away to safety under the chants of “Hang Mike Pence!” Even members of Congress who were witnessed cowering in the nooks and crannies of Capitol architecture or under the protection of the Capitol Police now resort to historical revisionism to declare that the assemblage was harmless.

Accused child molester/ trafficker Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and verbal bomb-thrower Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia go on a speaking tour to disparage their Democratic colleagues and threaten their own leadership. Without a job to do in Congress, Rep. Greene performs like the monster she is — threatening the physical and emotional well-being of Democrats and posting their personal contact information on social media.

Meanwhile, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, the guntoting, high school dropout, lies with reckless abandon and attempts to evade gun-detection screenings in the U.S. Capitol, leaving other concerned members feeling threatened for their personal safety.

Although six of Rep. Paul

COVID-19 Reparations movement rising and the holidays As we move into the holiday season, we urge all of our readers to not get carried away by the eggnog and the festive spirit. Rather, we hope everyone will remain vigilant against COVID-19 — to protect yourselves and your loved ones.

It is easy to get gloomy with the news this week that the United States hit another grim milestone in the seeming never-ending battle against the coronavirus. More than 800,000 Americans have now died from the virus.

The United States currently has the highest recorded national death toll of any other country, exceeding Brazil, with more than 616,000 deaths, and India, which has more than 475,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

American officials are always eager to crow about being No. 1, but this is a statistic in which being on top does not equate with excellence.

To put the death toll in perspective, the United States has lost twice as many people to COVID19 than we lost during World War II. The 800,000 total deaths exceed the separate populations of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Boston, Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C. The most recent 100,000 deaths came in just 11 weeks, officials said, which is a quicker pace than at any other point during the pandemic with the exception of last winter’s surge.

The numbers are one thing. The reality of 800,000 people gone is another. It means that so many families will be going through their first or second holiday season this year without a cherished loved one. There will be an empty place at the holiday dinner table and heavy hearts.

“To heal, we must remember,” President Biden said this week in addressing the U.S. death toll.

“We must also act.”

We join him in urging those who haven’t been vaccinated to do so. Anyone age 5 and older now can get protected against COVID-19 with a scientifically proven vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And booster shots also are available for anyone age 16 and older.

Getting vaccinated is a way to honor those 800,000 people we have lost. It also will help ensure you and your loved ones will be around to celebrate the next important holidays. After all, it’s not what’s under the Christmas tree, but who’s around it.

The late Congressman John Conyers Jr., who represented Detroit in Congress from 1965 until 2017, introduced HR 40 — The Commission to Student and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act— every congressional session from 1989. He worked to get co-sponsors for the legislation for nearly 30 years, but not even the entire Congressional Black Caucus would co-sponsor. Upon his retirement from Congress, he passed the baton to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who introduced it in the current session of Congress.

Thanks to her efforts and those of reparations organizations, including the National African American Reparations Commission, or NAARC, and the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, or N’COBRA, the number of cosponsors approaches 200 members of Congress. With 218, the legislation could pass the U.S. House of Representatives.

Full disclosure. I serve as a NAARC commissioner, as does Kamm Howard, the co-chair of N’COBRA. With a U.S. Senate dominated by conservative Democrats and obstructionist Republicans, when HR 40 passes in Congress, it is unlikely to pass in the Senate. However, it is essential to acknowledge the enormous progress the reparations movement has experienced since Rep. Conyers first introduced

HR 40.

At the time, if you mentioned reparations in some circles, including those dominated by African-Americans, you’d be rewarded with an eye roll and a “reality” check. Movements don’t happen overnight, though, and the reparations movement is rising, thanks to the tireless work

Julianne Malveaux of committed activists who have persistently raised the issue.

Robin Rue Simmons, a former alderman in Evanston, Ill., shepherded reparations legislation in that city and helped design a program that will use money from legal cannabis sales to fund reparations. The program emerges from documentation of the ways local legislation widened the wealth gap between 1919 and 1969 and explicitly targets Evanston residents and their descendants for the initial round of reparations.

Within the next several weeks, 16 families will get $25,000 checks to put a down payment on a home, reduce a mortgage balance or do repairs that increase the value of their homes. While these modest payments do very little to reduce the wealth gap, they improve the wealth position of these families. Evanston has taken a small but revolutionary step in the right direction.

Ms. Simmons chose not to run for re-election, although she would have probably faced only token opposition if she had. Instead, she has been working full time on the issue of local reparations, founding First Repair, an organization focused on helping state and local governments

shape reparations initiatives. In early December, First Repair co-convened a symposium, along with NAARC, with state and local reparations leaders. Sixty people from 25 cities, including Boston; Asheville, N.C.; Houston; Denver; Los Angeles; and San Francisco, gathered to discuss their efforts to implement local reparations. Activist and actor Danny Glover spoke at a town hall meeting that included a telephone address by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The fact that so many cities and states are considering reparations initiatives and appointing reparations commissions is invigorating and encouraging. As Ms. Simmons said, change happens from the bottom up and not the top down. The more cities and states that have reparations conversations, the more awareness those at the top will have that this is an issue that is not going away. Our nation is culpable for the exploitation of enslaved people and their descendants. We have gotten little more than a tepid apology. Our country must do more.

Meanwhile, I’m lifting Ms. Simmons, a 45-year-old leader, activist and tireless reparations advocate. She has dedicated her life to the reparations movement, using the Evanston experience as a blueprint for other municipalities considering reparations.

Thanks to folks like Ms. Simmons, who also a NAARC commissioner, Ms. Howard, Dr. Ron Daniels, Rep. Lee, Mr. Glover and so many others, the reparations movement is rising.

The writer is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State University, Los Angeles.

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.

Gosar’s nine siblings endorsed his opponent, Rep. Gosar was re-elected to Congress from Arizona in 2020. He also was stripped of his committee assignments and censured in November for creating an anime video of him beheading a likeness of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and wounding a likeness of President Biden.

One has to ask, “Where is the Republican leadership?” “Where is the expected self-regulation?” The Republican leadership obviously has abrogated their leadership roles to advance their personal interests. The antics of the Republican Crazy Caucus have earned them “crickets” from their leadership and suggest even more bizarre antics in the future.

Oh, for the “responsible” Republican leaders of a time gone by!

The writer is national president of the National Congress of Black Women.

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Richmond Free Press

December 16-18, 2021 A11

Letters to the Editor

The people deserve the right to decide the fate of the Lee monument pedestal Re “On the way out: Gov. Ralph S. Northam orders removal of 40-foot granite pedestal that held Confederate Robert E. Lee’s statue on Monument Avenue, and for the land to be turned over to the city,” Dec. 9-11 edition: It was right for Gov. Ralph S. Northam to cede the stateowned property where the Lee statue once stood to the City of Richmond, especially considering the danger that the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Glenn A. Youngkin might take steps to undo the dramatic progress made at that site.

But there is no reason on Earth that Gov. Northam couldn’t have ceded the Lee pedestal also and so allow the community an opportunity to weigh in on its future.

Just as the Lee statue represented the re-establishment of white-supremacist rule following the overturn of Reconstruction, the magnificently tagged pedestal represented the victory

of the 2020 anti-racist upsurge that forced a racial reckoning over a broad range of issues, including Richmond’s Confederatehonoring statues.

And yes, maintaining the graffiti-covered pedestal would require the city to provide protection against those who might physically attack it, just as for 130 years protection was provided for the Lee monument.

While running for governor in 2017, candidate Northam pledged to remove the Lee statue. Once in office, he did nothing for years.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney began by telling his Monument Avenue Commission that it couldn’t even consider recommending taking down the Confederate statues on Monument Avenue.

No, it wasn’t the politicians who brought down the statues.

It was the mass, protracted, anti-racist upsurge of 2020.

Gov. Northam didn’t have the right to decide the fate of the

Waiting for Harriet Tubman to appear on U.S. currency When are we supposed to get the Harriet Tubman $20 bill that we were promised by the Democrats a few years ago?

Former President Andrew Jackson needs to come off the front of the bill. He was a racist slave owner and he horribly mistreated Native Americans in the Trail of Tears.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew announced in 2016 that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. That was under the administration of former President Obama.

The Trump administration slowed down the process, calling the change “pure political correctness.”

Now a lady in U.S. Sen. Mark Warner’s office told me that this is to happen in 2032.

The Democrats appear to be long on promises and short on delivery.

NAOMI GAYLE SAUNDERS Richmond Editor’s note: The Biden administration said in January that it was trying to “speed up” efforts to make the change, but it may not happen until 2030 at the earliest because of the federal Treasury Department’s redesign process that includes required security and anti-counterfeiting measures, according to officials.

Lee pedestal. Neither did Mayor Stoney. Only the community has the right to determine the future of the Lee pedestal, the other Confederate pedestals and the future of Monument Avenue.

It has earned that right through real struggle and real sacrifice.

And no matter what the politicians do, the struggle for racial justice will continue and will ultimately be successful.

Gov. Northam should take courage from that mass determination and halt the removal of the pedestal.

PHIL WILAYTO Richmond The writer is a co-founder of the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, which has been opposing the Confederate statues on Monument Avenue since Jan. 19, 2007, the 200th birthday of Robert E. Lee.

Kudos for collective bargaining efforts and approval Re “REA wins victory giving city teachers, staff collective bargaining authority” and “Trammell to introduce collective bargaining ordinance at next City Council meeting,” Free Press Dec. 9-11 edition: Congratulations to Richmond teachers and staff for their efforts to get collective bargaining rights. And thanks to the Richmond School Board that voted to make it happen.

The teachers and staff now will be more in control of their destiny and fate, and we hope it will allow Richmond Public Schools to retain more teachers.

Morale should also be boosted and that also will filter down to our children.

City Councilwoman Reva Trammell introduced a collective bargaining ordinance at the City Council meeting Monday night. Approving this ordinance should do wonders

for city employees. This, too, will give them some leverage on how they are treated, along with pay issues.

Being a city employee for more than 30 years before retiring, I would have loved to have been a part of this.

Now City Council, the ball is in your hands. Hopefully, you will do the right and fair thing for city employees and pass the measure. Approval would give employees ownership and boost morale on these jobs, along with productivity.

The City of Richmond has a great workforce and we want to keep it that way. With employees having input on a lot of issues, I guarantee you it will.

So to all, I say let’s go ahead and get this done for the betterment of all.

ERNEST PARKER JR. Richmond

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Each Child Needs …

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A decision was made that altered the family makeup and derailed many from the road to a successful life. An article in the newspaper reported that a sixteen year old boy accidentally killed himself while handling a gun in WKH DSDUWPHQW RI D ¿IWHHQ \HDU ROG JLUO 6KH UDQ QH[W GRRU WR KHU PRWKHU¶V apartment to call for help. This was before everyone had a telephone. There was also a baby in the apartment. The circumstances of this tragedy should have set off an alarm that we were headed in the wrong direction. This preventable tragedy was a direct result of the decision made to provide KRXVLQJ DQG RWKHU ¿QDQFLDO EHQH¿WV WR PLQRUV ZKR KDYH D EDE\ 6RPHRQH should have realized how appealing the opportunity for this kind of freedom would be to some young people. A child completely in charge of a household ZLWK ¿QDQFHV« ZKDW FRXOG JR ZURQJ""" The life long tradition and responsibility of family to help a minor raise a child provided protection and a chance for both to achieve success. This established safety net and link in the chain of life for a pregnant minor and the child was then lost or just abandoned. Where then was the parental care and direction QHHGHG WR FRPH IURP" :KDW NLQG RI TXDOLW\ RI OLIH ZRXOG WKHVH FKLOGUHQ EH SURYLGHG" 1R RQH VHHPHG WR QRWLFH WKH LQFUHDVLQJ QXPEHU RI QRQ DGXOW KRXVHKROGV RU WKH PXOWLSOH FKLOGUHQ EHLQJ ERUQ 6RFLHW\ WXUQHG D EOLQG H\H to reality. Financial support continues to be increased and usually does not require or encourage anyone to achieve anything. Real parents put the well EHLQJ RI WKHLU FKLOGUHQ ¿UVW 3HRSOH ZKR MXVW KDYH FKLOGUHQ SXW WKHPVHOYHV ¿UVW DQG WUHDW WKH FKLOGUHQ OLNH DQ LQFRQYHQLHQFH 6FKRRO DWWHQGDQFH LV GRZQ WKH GHVLUH WR DFKLHYH LV RIWHQ ORZ EDG EHKDYLRU disrespect and bullying have increased greatly. Violence is surging everywhere. $ OLIH KDV WR EH YDOXHG RYHU WKH WKLHI RI D SHUVRQ¶V SRVVHVVLRQV D GLVSXWH or a grudge. For every decision made there is a consequence. We are now experiencing some of the consequences of the decision made. Doing this season of demands, why not demand a better home life for the children.

Each Child Needs… (return to top of page) Charleta F. Shorts Richmond

Richmond Free Press

A12 December 16-18, 2021

Stories by Fred Jeter

Steph Curry breaks NBA record for 3-pointers Master marksman Stephen Curry is taking dead aim on an all-time NBA record.

The 33-year-old Golden State Warriors guard started this week with 2,967 3-pointers, just six short of career leader Ray Allen.

On Tuesday night, Curry broke Allen’s record, finishing the game against the New York Knicks with 2,977 3-pointers in 789 games.

Allen and Curry have clearly been the best at connecting from beyond 23 feet, nine inches since the “three-ball” was adopted by the NBA prior to the 1979-80 season.

More than 400 shots behind Allen and Curry, in third place, is Reggie Miller with 2,560.

Not only have Allen, who retired from the NBA in 2014, and Curry swished the most “triples,” they also boast among the highest percentages.

Curry has made 43.2 percent of his career attempts from the distance. Allen swished an even 40 percent.

Coincidentally, Warriors Coach Steve Kerr holds the mark for highest percentage, 45.4, but his career total of 726 is far down the list.

Among the current career Top 10 3-pointers, only Kyle Korver (42.9 percent) has reached the 40 threshold.

Boston Celtics great Larry Bird, a three-time winner of the NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest, made 649 3-pointers while hitting 38 percent between 1979 and 1992.

Playing for Boston, Chris Ford made the first 3-pointer in NBA history on Oct. 12, 1979. That game also served as Bird’s debut with the Celtics.

The defunct American Basketball League and American Bas-

NBA’s king of the “Threes” Here is a list of the NBA’s career Top 10 most proficient 3-point scorers through games of Dec. 14.

#3-ptrs Games Percent •Steph Curry 2,977 789 43.2 Ray Allen 2,973 1,300 40.0 Reggie Miller 2,560 1,389 39.5 •James Harden 2,509 903 36.3 Kyle Korver 2,450 1,232 42.9 Vince Carter 2,290 1,541 37.1 Jason Terry 2,282 1,410 38.0 Jamal Crawford 2,221 1,327 34.8 Paul Pierce 2,143 1,343 36.8 •Damian Lilliard 2,106 702 37.3 •Active NBA player

Reference: Land of Basketball.com (totals are for regular season games only)

Stephen Curry

ketball Association had experimented with bonus shots earlier.

Louie Dampier, playing for the Kentucky Colonels, was the ABA all-time “triple” shooter with 794 3-pointers between 1967 and 1976. Dampier finished his career with the San Antonio Spurs, prior to the NBA adopting the shot.

Curry, a native of Charlotte, N.C., and graduate of Davidson College, shows little sign of losing his touch. Helping Golden State to a 21-5 record as of Dec. 12, the 6-foot-3 Curry has averaged 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists, while hitting

Tony Elliott is new head football coach at U.Va. Tony Elliott helped lead Clemson University to the highest peak of college football’s mountaintop.

Now University of Virginia fans are hopeful he can guide the Cavaliers on the same exhilarating journey.

Coach Elliott, 42, has been hired as the 40th head football coach at U.Va., following a brilliant 11-year stint as a top Clemson assistant.

Coach Elliott will succeed Coach Bronco Mendenhall, who is stepping down following the Cavaliers’ Dec. 29 Fenway Bowl appearance in Boston. Coach Mendenhall was 36-38 overall in Charlottesville, including 22-27 in ACC games. The Cavaliers are 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the conference this season.

Coach Elliott served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Clemson this past season under head Coach Dabo

Swinney.

During Coach Elliott’s coaching tenure at Clemson, the Tigers won six ACC titles, went to four College Football Playoffs and captured national crowns in 2016 and 2018.

In 2017, Coach Elliott won the Frank Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. While at Clemson, he helped develop two of the premier offensive players in ACC history—quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back/receiver Travis Etienne.

Before joining Coach Swinney’s staff, Coach Elliott was an assistant at South Carolina State and Furman universities.

Coach Elliott becomes U.Va.’s second Black coach. Coach Michael London was head coach from 2010 to 2015, posting an overall record of 27-46 and ACC mark of 14-34. Coach London is now at the College of William & Mary.

Tony Elliott

Coach Elliott joins Syracuse University Coach Dino Babers as the only Black head coaches in the ACC. U.Va. has come a long way in terms of diversity since the first Black players, Harrison Davis, Kent Merritt, John Rainey and Stanley Land, enrolled in 1970.

Counting walk-ons, there are about 70 players of color on the current football roster. That includes freshman Jay Woolfolk from Benedictine, the likely U.Va. quarterback of the future.

41.3 percent from beyond the arc and a stunning 93.4 percent at the foul line.

The long-distance shooting touch runs in the Curry family.

Father Dell Curry made 1,245 NBA 3-pointers while hitting 40.2 percent.

Steph’s brother, Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry, has 338 career 3-pointers in 338 games, connecting at a resounding 44 percent clip.

VUU’s Raemaad Wright impresses with rebounding average Virginia Union University’s Raemaad Wright has become the “Chairman of the Boards” in CIAA basketball.

The Panthers were 6-2 entering this week with Wright’s powerful rebounding among the leading reasons for the impressive start.

Through games of Dec. 11, Wright was averaging a CIAA-best 9.1 rebounds per contest.

Raemaad Wright He has had four double-digit rebound outings with a high of 13 against West Virginia State on Nov. 22.

The 6-foot-7, 225-pound junior from King’s Fork High School in Suffolk also averages 8.6 points and leads the Panthers with nine blocked shots.

Graduate student Jordan Peebles paces VUU in scoring at 10.1 points, followed by Keleaf Tate (10.0 points), Demarius Pitts (8.9 points) and Wright.

The Panthers will play host to CIAA rival Winston-Salem State University at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at Barco-Stevens Hall, then head for Florida.

Coach Jay Butler’s squad then will play at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 18, and at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, Dec. 19.

Following winter break, VUU will return to Barco-Stevens Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 5, to face Bluefield State College.

Celebration Bowl to be televised Dec. 18

804 Coaches for Change Community Classic set for Dec. 22-23 If lots of basketball is on anyone’s holiday wish list, they won’t be disappointed.

The inaugural 804 Coaches for Change Community Classic is set for Dec. 22-23 at Henrico High School, 302 Azalea Ave., with a total of eight games.

The court action will be preceded on Tuesday, Dec. 21, with a dinner and speeches from a panel of current and former coaches and players. Former NBA standout Reggie Williams is on the panel of speakers. The dinner, to be held at St. Christopher’s, is for teams only.

Jackson State and South Carolina State universities will be playing Saturday, Dec. 18, for what is considered the Black College Football National Championship.

The occasion is the sixth Celebration Bowl, sponsored by Cricket Wireless, and the location for the matchup is the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

ABC will televise the event starting at noon, with former NFL star Robert Griffin III as part of the announcing team.

Vs.

Jackson State, 11-1, won the SWAC Championship, while South Carolina State, 6-5, won the MEAC title.

There was no Celebration Bowl last year because of the pandemic. MEAC champion North Carolina A&T State University won

Tiger Woods and son Charlie to team up for PNC Championship

The Dec. 22 lineup features girls’ teams: 1:30 p.m. - Varina vs. Huguenot 3:30 p.m. - Steward vs. Henrico 5:30 p.m. - Trinity Episcopal vs. Midlothian 7:30 p.m. - Virginia Academy vs. St. Gertrude The Dec. 23 lineup features boys’ teams: 1:30 p.m. - Midlothian vs. Henrico 3:30 p.m. - Huguenot vs. Armstrong 5:30 p.m. - St. Christopher’s vs. Steward 7:30 p.m. - Varina vs. Collegiate

Tickets are $5 per game; $15 for a day pass; and $25 for a two-day pass.

the bowl in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The game matches the champions of the two NCAA Division I FCS conferences.

The SWAC has 12 football playing members, while the MEAC has dwindled to six. In recent years Hampton University, North Carolina A&T, Savannah State, Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M have left the MEAC for other conferences.

Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M are now in the SWAC.

Tiger Woods playing gold with his son, Charlie.

Tiger Woods is on golf’s comeback trail, and he’s not traveling alone.

The 45-year-old Woods and his 12-year-old son, Charlie, will be teammates this weekend for the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando Dec. 18 and 19.

The father-son event will be televised by NBC and the Golf Channel.

This will be Woods’ first competition since suffering serious leg injuries last February in a California car wreck.

Prior to the accident, Tiger and Charlie played in the PNC last year, finishing seventh, five strokes off the lead.

Woods’ longtime caddy, Joe LaCava, and his son, Joe Jr., will be carrying the bags for the Woodses.

Charlie Woods and his sister, Sam, live with their mother, Elin Nordegren, in Florida, not far from their dad’s home in Jupiter, Fla. There is Richmond history in the PNC. In 2015, area native Lanny Wadkins and his son, Tucker, won the same event.

Richmond Free Press

December 16-18, 2021 B1

Hundreds of Students.

Millions in Scholarships.

The inaugural class of Educational Equity Scholarship recipients is on the path to success. Because our communities are only as strong as our next generation, we’re investing in hundreds of young scholars across the states we serve—committing

millions of scholarship dollars to help students in minority and underserved communities realize their potential.

Students can learn more and apply at DominionEnergy.com/EquityScholarships.

Actions Speak Louder

Richmond Free Press

B2 December 16-18, 2021

Happenings Pharrell to NSU grads: ‘You have the ability to create the city, life that you deserve’ Free Press wire, staff report

NORFOLK Grammy Award-winning musician Pharrell Williams told the newest graduates of Norfolk State University on Saturday to act like “the emerging majority” and help develop the area’s businesses and culture.

Mr. Williams, 48, gave the fall commencement speech at NSU’s Joseph G. Echols Hall, not far from where the producer and rapper grew up in adjoining Virginia Beach.

“I didn’t attend Norfolk State, but I was always present,” Mr. Williams said. “I am honored to have made this part of my work, my story. And still today, I can’t wait to see how far you amazing, impressive graduates of Norfolk State ... how far you’ll go.”

Mr. Williams was awarded an honorary doctorate from the university and also was named an honorary member of NSU’s Spartan Legion Marching Band, which brought him to tears.

NSU President Javaune Adams-Gaston presented Mr. Williams with a framed NSU band uniform.

Before the presentation, Mr. Williams said he remembered the band as a child and wondered why the band at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach where he attended lacked the same “cadence” as NSU’s band.

“I wanted to be able to make people feel the way Norfolk State’s band made me feel,” he said.

Mr. Williams, a songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur, talked about the history of Willis Augustus Hodges, a Black man who was born free in 1815 in Princess Anne County, now Virginia Beach. As a 14-year-old, Mr. Hodges was accused of forging free papers for enslaved people and fled to Canada before he could be jailed. He later settled in New York in 1836, co-founding a weekly anti-slavery newspaper, The Ram’s Horn, and writing an autobiography.

After the Civil War, Mr. Hodges returned to Virginia, opened a school and served as a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1867-68. According to Encyclopedia Virginia, he supported civil rights for Black people, a ban on former Confederates from voting and holding office and access to free public schools without racial segregation and other reforms.

In 1870, Mr. Hodges was elected to the Princess Anne County Board of Supervisors and was the first African-American lighthouse keeper at the Cape Henry Lighthouse.

Randy Singleton

Award-winning musician and Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams is overcome with emotion last Saturday as he is made an honorary member of the Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band and presented with a framed band uniform by NSU President Javaune Adams-Gaston. He also was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university.

“Like many of you here today, he was an activist,” Mr. Williams told the graduates. “Did you know that? He was 14-years-old, chased by an angry mob to Canada and, guess what? He still came back.

“So yes, there is something in the water and it has been there for a long time,” he said.

Such stories have power, he said. “The city of Norfolk will thrive because it recognizes how important it is to acknowledge past and local heroes. Norfolk will not be the city that limits its peoples’ own potential, but instead, it will feed it. Five years from now, it will be a very different Norfolk.”

Mr. Williams’ talk focused on Norfolk and not his hometown of Virginia Beach, with which he has had a frayed relationship in recent months.

In October, he criticized Virginia Beach for its response to the death of his 25-year-old cousin, Donovan Lynch, who was shot

and killed by a police officer March 26 at the city’s oceanfront.

Two weeks ago, it was announced that a grand jury determined the officer was justified in the fatal shooting.

Mr. Williams wrote city officials in October saying he won’t bring his highly successful “Something in the Water” music festival back to the city’s oceanfront, partly because of how the city handled the investigation. The festival reportedly brought a $24.1 million economic boost to the city when it was held in 2019.

He told listeners to do their part by spending money at local businesses that care, and by changing outdated language, like the word “minorities.”

“We are the emerging majority,” he said. “Don’t wait until Election Day. Vote with your wallets today, tomorrow and the next day.

“You have the ability to create the city that you deserve, the life that you deserve,” he said.

Miss America to VCU graduates: ‘You are stronger, you are wiser … as a result of the challenges you have faced’

By George Copeland Jr.

Miss America Camille Schrier, a School of Pharmacy student, addresses the graduates last Saturday at Virginia Commonwealth University’s fall commencement. It was the first in-person commencement since the start of the pandemic in early 2020.

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The sound of trumpets, horns and drums filled Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center last Saturday morning as the university held its fall 2021 commencement ceremony.

The two-hour ceremony was the first held in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and honored May and December graduates from 2020 and 2021. With roughly 3,000 total graduates in the summer and fall 2021 semesters alone, the event brought together not just a large assortment of students, but also parents, friends and families to celebrate the occasion.

Graduates were lauded by speakers for their perseverance and flexibility to weather the many changes that came with learning during the pandemic.

“You showed the world your unmatched resilience and tenacity, as well as your advocacy, courage and care for each other,” VCU President Michael Rao told graduates.

“You are modeling what it means to be caring, compassionate and loving people.”

Dr. Rao was joined by faculty from across VCU’s many schools, who all celebrated the work of the students and the families that supported them during this time. But it was commencement speaker Camille Schrier, a VCU School of Pharmacy student and Miss America 2019, who touched on the student perspective.

Like other VCU students, Ms. Schrier has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus. She was crowned Miss America in December 2019, only to continue serving in the role when COVID-19 canceled the next year’s competition.

Serving as both Miss America and a student during the pandemic spurred a “natural evolution” in her goals, Ms. Schrier told graduates.

“You are stronger, you are wiser, you are more innovative and exceptionally adaptable as a result of the challenges you have faced,” she said. “And our world needs Rams like you now more than ever.”

Explore the Arlington neighborhood that’s been called “The World in a Zip Code”

Columbia Pike THROUGH THE LENS OF COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

Through January 8, 2022 800 East Broad Street | Richmond, Virginia 23219 www.lva.virginia.gov | 804.692.3500

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Above, Haben Yosef, left, hugs her friend and classmate Tracy Demiss during last Saturday’s commencement ceremony at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center. The two are both from Arlington and interdisciplinary studies majors. Many graduates decorated their mortar boards with messages to family and about the future.

Richmond Free Press

December 16-18, 2021 B3

Happenings Personality: The Rev. John Brian Sawyer Spotlight on co-founder and board chairman of Bridging RVA The Rev. John Brian Sawyer has lived a life driven by his passions.

In the midst of a corporate career, inspiration drove him to a role with the church and led him to the seminary to become an ordained pastor.

That same passion led him to co-found in 2014 Bridging RVA, a nonprofit organization that connects people, groups and causes to work together for the good of the community.

Now, in this time of COVID19 and great need, Rev. Sawyer and Bridging RVA have responded through its “Rapid Response Initiatives” as well as its ongoing and annual initiatives.

During the start of the pandemic when schools shut down, Bridging RVA learned from Communities in Schools of Chesterfield and Richmond that many area families didn’t have access or transportation to food pantries. Bridging RVA launched a rapid response initiative called Drop-KnockLeave.

“Volunteers gathered every Saturday, loaded their vehicles with bags filled with food, cleaning supplies and hygiene products, received a detailed delivery route and made deliveries to the doorsteps of families without access to food pantries,” Rev. Sawyer says.

The volunteers left the bags of food on the family’s doorstep, knocked and left, all in line with health and safety protocols.

“We initially thought this initiative would last six to eight weeks,” he says. “However 60-plus weeks later, we had made 7,026 deliveries. Along the way, we picked up requests for food assistance from area hospitals sending people home to quarantine, from Resources

for Independent Living, the Better Housing Coalition and others.”

The program was put on pause once things began reopening, Rev. Sawyer says, but Bridging RVA has continued to help families dealing with food insecurity on an “as needed, rapid response basis.”

“COVID-19 disrupted and changed the world as we knew it, but our desire to spread hope, peace, joy and love throughout our city has remained unchanged,” Rev. Sawyer says.

“We had to learn the value of the ‘pivot’ and find creative ways to do life and live out our mission during COVID-19.”

Rev. Sawyer sees major value in being an active part of solutions to community needs.

His faith underlines for him the importance of not standing by in the face of others’ struggles, especially if one has the means to help.

“Let’s not think for a second there’s a shortage of food in our city,” Rev. Sawyer says, adding that he views the area’s food insecurity problem as due to a lack of proper food distribution.

“If you have a pantry full of food, don’t ask God to magically deliver a bag of groceries to a hungry person. Don’t sit by idly while people are hungry around you. Be a part of the solution!”

Currently, Bridging RVA is preparing for its annual Christmas Day Dinner, which, like last year, will be switched from an in-person dinner to preparing and delivering dinner to several thousand people. Last year, more than 250 volunteers delivered more than 2,000 meals to people on that special day.

Meet an advocate and bridge for the common good and this week’s Personality, the Rev.

John Brian Sawyer: No. 1 volunteer position: Cofounder and board chairman of Bridging RVA. Occupation: Pastor, Bon Air Baptist Church’s James River Campus in Midlothian.

Date and place of birth: Feb. 6 in Lynchburg.

Where I live now: Midlothian.

Education: Bachelor’s in business administration, Averett University, and master’s in ministry leadership, Portland Seminary at George Fox University in Oregon.

Family: Wife: Lee Ann; and children, Justin, married to Amy and lives in Kansas, and Katie, engaged to Matt; and grandchildren, Joel, Lily and William.

Bridging RVA’s mission: Connecting individuals, groups and causes to advance common good in our community.

Bridging RVA is: Fortunate to have so many wonderful and

selfless donors and volunteers.

We strive to meet people where they’re at and provide meaningful experiences where the lives of both the volunteer (giver) and recipient (need) are impacted in a significant way.

No. 1 goal of Bridging RVA: Creating opportunities for individuals and disparate groups of people to discover common ground while addressing matters pertaining to the common good of our community.

Strategy for achieving goal: Ideation labs, rapid response initiatives and annual initiatives.

Racial equity and Bridging RVA: We realize needs vary within any community and are often directly related to racial and socioeconomic status. Our mission involves promoting and advancing matters pertaining to the common good of our community, which includes working towards racial equity. We aim to meet and engage people where they are and serve them justly, depending on their need or circumstance. Connecting people to resources that are necessary to thrive is at the core of our efforts. While assessing or meeting these needs, we strongly encourage all of our volunteers to turn away from judgment and toward wonder.

Who benefits from Bridging RVA: From our donors and volunteers to those being served, everyone benefits.

How to contact Bridging RVA if in need of assistance: Most of our needs come in through local schools, community groups and communities of faith. There are many needs in our community and vetting these needs adds a level of complexity to the process. So, we rely heavily and depend upon vetted referrals

from schools, social workers, health care professionals, counselors and faith leaders.

When Bridging RVA wished it could have done more: Six young children attended our Christmas Day Dinner four years ago. As they sat around a table filled with food, desserts and sodas, it became apparent these children weren’t related to each other or the adults who brought them. These children had no families and were being chaperoned by workers from a home where they lived. It was hard to imagine children waking up alone on any morning, let alone Christmas morning.

After dinner, all of the children would get in the line for an opportunity to see Santa and pick out a nice gift. As these six children looked in amazement at all of the toys, games, etc., they weren’t drawn to the latest gadgets and tech toys. They were opting for practical gifts.

One of the children, a young boy between 5- and 7-years old, walked past all the popular toys and picked out a big snuggly stuffed animal. As he stood there with his eyes closed holding the stuffed animal against his cheek, it ripped the hearts out of the volunteers who were standing nearby. It is hard to imagine a child without a family, especially on Christmas morning, and we all wanted to do more.

Knowing there was little we could do at the moment, we did have enough pull with Santa to work out a special second visit and extra toys for these children.

How to get involved: Visit BridgingRVA.org and sign up for specific initiatives and to receive updates on volunteer opportunities and news.

A perfect day for me: A snow

Mending Walls: The Documentary Thirty artists create a groundbreaking public art project about empathy and racial justice in the documentary “Mending Walls,” presented on public television by VPM. Courtesy of Katrina Ta�art-Hecksher

CONNECTED TO WHAT SPARKS CONVERSATION. CONNECTED TO WHAT MATTERS. As Virginia’s home for public media, we bring you relevant news and local storytelling to foster a greater understanding of our state, our neighbors and our world.

VPM.org

day.

What I am learning about myself during the pandemic: The gift of slowing down and embracing the fact that we, as humans, are limited. As a friend of mine often says, “Living a life without limits inflicts damage to our souls.” Simply put, we are called human beings, not human doings, for a reason.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Based on the past couple weeks, I’d have to go with decorating the outside of our home for Christmas.

Quotes that I am inspired by are: “We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Learning how to live in the greatest peace, partnership and brotherhood with all men and women, of whatever description, is a moving and fascinating adventure.” — Bill Wilson Friends describe me as: Thoughtful, genuine, personable and intuitive.

Best late-night snack: Ray’s Italian Ice and Dairy Queen.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: “Never give up on people.” Not only was this taught, it also was modeled both inside and outside the home.

Book that influenced me the most: “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Unleash a Revolution in Your Life in Christ” by Peter Scazzero.

What I’m reading now: “Incarnate: The Body of Christ in an Age of Disengagement” by Michael Frost.

Next goal: Raise enough funds and volunteers to cover the cost of our Christmas Day Dinner and ongoing rapid responses by year’s end.

Richmond Free Press

B4 December 16-18, 2021

Faith News/Directory

Woodland Restoration Foundation hopes descendants will help with continuing cemetery upkeep, plans

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

launched through the leadership of fiery Black newspaper editor, banker and civil rights advocate John Mitchell Jr. and is best known as the final resting place of Richmond-born tennis great and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr. Mr. Shuck said the gravestone search has to be done be-

Call him the headstone hunter.

For the past 14 years, Richmond area resident John Shuck has spent much of his spare time hunting grave markers in historic private Black cemeteries, including Woodland Cemetery in East Highland Park, and East End and Evergreen cemeteries, located in the East End. Mr. Shuck is known for leading cadres of volunteers in removing tangles of weeds, ivy and other vegetation that has long obscured the cemeteries.

But he has a special passion for finding and recording grave markers.

Since 2007, he estimates he Jeremy M. Lazarus/Richmond Free Press has documented John Shuck, left, watches the work of 11,000 graves in Mormon missionaries Kelton Stacey, center, those three cem- and Daniel Conlin as they carefully unearth eteries, plus doz- the headstone of Callie L. Edwards, wife of ens more in other William Edwards’Sr. whose grave is adjacent. neglected Black Mr. Edwards’ headstone was above ground, while that of Mrs. Edwards was covered by cemeteries in the a three-inch layer of grass and dirt.

Richmond area, such as the Sons and Daughters cause so much information has of Ham near the University of been lost. An estimated 30,000 Richmond. burials have taken place in the A retired banker, the 74-year- cemetery since it first opened, old carries a long metal probe but only about 11,000 records to gently push into the earth survive, Mr. Shuck said. around gravesites to find stone A major share of the records markers hidden by grass, dirt contains information that is not and leaves. helpful in locating graves, he Once the gravestones are dug said. Many of the graves also out and put in place above ground, are unmarked, he said.

Mr. Shuck photographs each Before and after burial, find, marks the GPS, or global virtually all the graves had a positioning system, coordinates temporary marker made of tin and posts the results on the or aluminum. The majority of online site Find A Grave, which those temporary markers were has become a crucial repository never replaced with stone markof such information since the ers, he said. Through the years, website’s creation in 1995. the metal markers disintegrated, Mr. Shuck now is focusing were chewed up by mowers or most of his hunting in Woodland were lost, he said.

Cemetery, which has undergone Undaunted, he continues to significant improvement thanks probe for buried headstones. to legions of volunteers and sup- On a recent Saturday, he had portive businesses after a private help from four Mormon misfoundation acquired it in August sionaries who pitched in to dig 2020 during the pandemic. up headstones at locations Mr. Woodland Cemetery dates Shuck had marked, wash off to 1917. The cemetery was the dirt and set the markers in

place again.

His probing work has been made a little easier as the result of volunteers clearing out smaller trees that have filled 10 acres, or about one-third of the property where an estimated 12,000 people are buried.

Mr. Shuck’s efforts, which have documented about 4,000 gravesites at Woodland Cemetery in the more than a decade since he started his initiative, are among the improvements made at the cemetery since the Woodland Restoration Foundation, founded and headed by real estate broker Marvin Harris, purchased the burial ground and took charge 16 months ago.

The grounds now look cemetery-like after volunteers cleared away tall grass. The exterior of the original chapel that doubled as an office has been improved and whitewashed.

Mr. Harris credits donations from Henrico County, Dominion Energy and the Ashe family with enabling the foundation to end the neglect and the energy of volunteers with beginning the transformation.

He also praised a local concrete firm, Liquid Inc., with replacing concrete elements at the front gates and on a central fountain that volunteers dug up.

“That’s the real story,” Mr. Harris said. “Our foundation has been blessed. Without the help and support that has come in, nothing would have happened.

And much of it has come from people and companies who have no family connections

with the cemetery. It has been amazing.”

He said as money is raised, the foundation envisions installing a small museum in the chapel to highlight contributors to the Richmond area who are buried on the grounds, including doctors, lawyers, ministers and other professionals.

Other things on the foundation’s to-do list include repaving

Moore Street Missionary

Riverview

Baptist Church

Baptist Church

1408 W. Leigh Street · Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 358—6403

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

All church ac�vi�es are canceled un�l further no�ce.

Follow us on Facebook for “A Word from Moore Street’s Pastor” and weekly Zoom worship info.

Drive-thru giving will be available the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. (Bowe Street side) You also may give through Givelify.

Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Services – 11:00 AM Via Conference Call (202) 926-1127 Pin 572890# In person Sunday Service also on FACEBOOK and YouTube 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org

#

Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor

the cemetery’s roads that are now mostly dirt and building an education center next door to the chapel to provide programs and classes for students and the community.

Mr. Harris said the foundation has hopes of receiving grants to support its work.

He said the foundation also is encouraging those with loved ones in the cemetery to begin

making small, but consistent monthly contributions to help pay for the upkeep and future improvements.

“When this cemetery opened,” he said, “there was no requirement to pay for perpetual care as one of the burial expenses.

We need families to join us so the foundation can build on the progress that has already been made.”

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223 s Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You”

+PJO VT BU ". FBDI TU BOE SE 4VOEBZ GPS JO QFSTPO XPSTIJQ TFSWJDF <RX PD\ FRQWLQXH WR OLYH VWUHDP RQ <RX7XEH *RRG 6KHSKHUG %DSWLVW &KXUFK 59$

https://youtu.be/qqzhnIEQyQc for inspirational messages from Pastor Smith

Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org

“The Church With A Welcome”

“Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic, Services Are Cancelled, until further notice; but, please join us, by visiting BRBCOnline.org or YouTube (Broad Rock Baptist Church).”

Sharon Baptist Church

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

Be safe. Be blessed.

500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825

Pastor Kevin Cook

Worship With Us This Week!

Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Sunday, December 19, 2021 9:00 AM Church School 10:00 AM Morning Worship Combined Ushers Anniversary

Back Inside!

Theme: “Working For The Lord By Serving His People” Speaker: Rev. John Franklin

2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

Triumphant

Baptist Church 2003 Lamb Avenue Richmond, VA 23222 Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622

C

e with Reverence elevanc R ing Rev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell, Senior Pastor bin m ❖ o

The doors of the church are open for worship!

No registration required.

Join us in person or online on Facebook or YouTube

10:30 a.m. Sundays

“Due to the Corona Virus all services at Triumphant Baptist Church are suspended until further notice.”

Join us on Sundays at 12 noon via Conference Call: 1(503)300-6860 Code:273149#

823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office

Antioch Baptist Church “Redeeming God’s People for Gods Purpose”

1384 New Market Road, Richmond, Virginia 23231 | 804-222-8835

SERVICES

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:00 A.M. CHILDREN’S CHURCH & BUS MINISTRY AVAILABLE SUNDAY SCHOOL (FOR ALL AGES) – 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY MID-DAY BIBLE STUDY – 12 NOON WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY – 7:00 P.M. A MISSION BASED CHURCH FAMILY EXCITING MINISTRIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS & SENIOR ADULTS BIBLE REVELATION TEACHING DIVERSE MUSIC MINISTRY LOVING, CARING ENVIRONMENT

DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR

C

Richmond Free Press

December 16-18, 2021 B5

Legal Notices Continued from previous column

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press

call

644-0496

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, January 10, 2022 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. 2021-333 To install (i) at least four speed tables along Whitehead Road from its intersection with Elkhardt Road to its intersection with Warwick Road; (ii) at least three speed tables along Winter Road from its intersection with McDowell Road to its intersection with Sanborn Drive and along Kaki Drive from its intersection with Sanborn Drive to its intersection with Warwick Road; (iii) at least two speed tables along Clarkson Road from its intersection with Catalina Drive to its intersection with Clarkson Court; (iv) at least three speed tables along Hey Road between its intersection with Hull Street and its intersection with Pocosham Drive; (v) at least three speed tables along Bryce Lane from its intersection with Broad Rock Boulevard to its intersection with Powell Road; and (vi) at least two speed tables along Covington Road from its intersection with Media Road to its intersection with Rockland Road. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, December 21, 3:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2021-354 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and 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 to provide funding for the milling, resurfacing, and construction of Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades for Arthur Ashe Boulevard from its intersection with Grant Street to its intersection with Idlewood Avenue.

(COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, December 21, 3:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2021-355 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and 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 to provide funding for the milling, resurfacing, and construction of Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades for Richmond Highway from its intersection with Hopkins Road to its intersection with Atwell Drive. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, December 21, 3:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2021-356 To amend City Code §§ 28-72, concerning the duty of building owners to make City water and sewer service connections and the duty of owner or tenant to apply for water service, 28-388, concerning duties of owners and tenants for water service connections, and 28710, concerning duties of owners and tenants for wastewater service connections, for the purpose of clarifying the methods for calculating and estimating non-City water volume for billing purposes. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, December 21, 3:00 p.m.)

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the January 10, 2022 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, January 10, 2022 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. 2021-357 To close, to public travel, an unimproved portion of Hanover Avenue in the block bounded by Three Chopt Road and the City’s corporate boundary with Henrico County, consisting of 6,219± square feet, and to designate and incorporate such portion of Hanover Avenue into Bandy Field Park.

Ordinance No. 2021-358 To vacate, pursuant to Va. Code §15.2-2272(2), that part of the Staffordshire Section-5 subdivision plat that reserved 3021 Falcon Road for recreation, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates these parcels as Residential.

Primary Uses: Singlefamily houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Secondary Uses: Duplexes and small multifamily buildings (typically 3-10 units), institutional, and cultural. Secondary uses may be found along major streets. This ordinance was initially presented at the October 4, 2021, City Planning Commission meeting.

The applicant has withdrawn the previous request and is seeking approval with a newly written ordinance.

Ordinance No. 2021-359 To amend and reordain Or d . No . 2 0 1 0 - 1 0 0 83, adopted May 10, 2010, which authorized the special use of the property known as 200214 East Leigh Street for the purpose of a multifamily residential use with up to eight (8) dwelling units in an existing carriage house building with the commercial use requirement waived and to authorize the construction of a mixed-use building containing commercial uses and up to sixtythree (63) dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in the B-2 Community Business D i s t r i c t . T h e C i t y ’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Neighborhood Mixed-Use. Primary Uses: Single-family homes, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units) and open space. Secondary Uses: Large multi-family buildings (10+ units), r e t a i l / o ff i c e / p e r s o n a l service, institutional, cultural and government.

The proposed density is approximately 95 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2021-360 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3300 Broad Rock Boulevard for the purpose of a farmer’s market, upon certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 99-370-00-9, adopted on January 10, 2000, and Ord. No. 99-50-55, adopted on March 8, 1999.

The property is situated in the B-2 Community Business District. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Community Mixed-Use. Primary Uses: Retail/ office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural, and open space.

Secondary Uses: Single family houses, institutional and government.

Ordinance No. 2021-361 To authorize the special use of the property known as 4300 Commerce Road for the purpose of an off-premises sign, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in the M-2 Heavy Industrial District.

The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Industrial. Primary Uses: Industrial and open space.

Secondary Uses: Retail/ office/personal service.

Ordinance No. 2021-362 To authorize the special use of the property known as 4508 Grove Avenue for the purpose of up to seven (7) single-family attached dwelling units with off-street parking and common area, upon certain terms and conditions. The properties are situated in an R-53 Multifamily Residential D i s t r i c t . T h e C i t y ’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject Continued on next column

property as Residential.

Primary Uses: Singlefamily houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Secondary Uses: Duplexes and small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units), institutional, and cultural.

Secondary uses may be found along major streets.

The proposed density is approximately 31 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2021-363 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1626 North 27th Street for the purpose of allowing a single-family detached dwelling. The property is situated in the R-5 SingleFamily Residential District.

The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Neighborhood MixedUse. Primary Uses: Single-family homes, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units) and open space. Secondary Uses: Large multi-family buildings (10+ units), retail/ office/personal service, institutional, cultural and government.

Ordinance No. 2021-364 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2511 Porter Street for the purpose of allowing a two-family detached dwelling. The property is situated in the R-6 Single-Family Attached Residential District. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Residential. Primary Uses include: Singlefamily houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Secondary Uses: Duplexes and small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units), institutional, and cultural.

Secondary uses may be found along major streets.

The proposed density is approximately 22 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2021-365 To authorize the special use of the property known as 8 Rear South Plum Street for the purpose of a multi-family building, containing up to four dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The properties are situated in an UB-PO3 Urban Business Parking Overlay District. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Community Mixed Use. Primary Uses: Retail/office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary Uses: Single family houses, institutional, and government. The density of the proposed development is approximately 52 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2021-366 To authorize the special use of the property known as 313 West 26th Street for the purpose of allowing a two family detached dwelling. The property is situated in the R-6 Single-Family Attached Residential District. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Residential. Primary Uses include: Singlefamily houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Secondary Uses: Duplexes and small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units), institutional, and cultural.

Secondary uses may be found along major streets.

The proposed density is approximately 19 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2021-367 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1000 Westover Hills Boulevard for the purpose of a residential use with up to six dormitory style units with shared sanitation facilities accessory to a church, upon certain terms and conditions.

The property is situated in the R-5 Single-Family Residential District. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Residential. Primary Uses include: Singlefamily houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Secondary Uses: Duplexes and small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units), institutional, and cultural.

Secondary uses may be found along major streets.

The proposed density is approximately 2 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2021-368 To rezone the property known as 6422 Forest Hill Avenue from the R-2 Single-Family Residential District to the R-4 SingleFamily Residential D i s t r i c t . T h e C i t y ’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates these parcels as Residential.

Primary Uses: Singlefamily houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Secondary Uses: Duplexes and small multi-family buildings Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

(typically 3-10 units), institutional, and cultural.

Secondary uses may be found along major streets.

The minimum lot size in the R-4 District is 7,500 square feet, whereas the minimum lot size in the R-2 District is 15,000 square feet.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the January 10, 2022 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KURT WEHRMANN, Plaintiff v.

VICTORIA WEHRMANN, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001788-00 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 31st day of January, 2022 and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHRISTINA DENIS, Plaintiff v.

JONATHAN LAHR, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21003902-00 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 31st day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND STACEY LEE ROSA, Plaintiff v.

VINCENT ROSA, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21-4646-5 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Came this day the Plaintiff, upon her Complaint for divorce filed in the abovestyled case and her Affidavit for Order of Publication for service of the Complaint on the Defendant. The object of this suit is to put the Defendant on notice of the Plaintiff’s Complaint for divorce in the above-styled case.

It appearing from Plaintiff’s Affidavit that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of the Defendant and that the Defendant’s whereabouts are unknown, it is ORDERED that the Defendant is required to appear before this Court on or before the 21st day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, to protect his interests.

An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO TANIESHA LATONA, Plaintiff, v.

ADEBAYO LATONA, Defendant.

Case No. CL20002375-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of the abovestyled suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the Defendant on the grounds that the parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without any interruption, for a period of more than one year.

It appearing by affidavit filed according to law that the Defendant, Adebayo Continued on next column

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Latona, is not a resident of the State of Virginia and that his last known address is in the country of Nigeria, it is therefore ORDERED that Defendant, ADEBAYO LATONA, appear before this Court on or before the 3rd day of January 2022, and do what is necessary to protect his interests in this suit.

An Extract Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO DIANE K. LOWRY, Plaintiff v.

LEROY J. JACKSON, III, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19-5813 AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this action is for Plaintiff, Diane K. Lowry, to obtain a divorce from the bonds of matrimony from Defendant, Leroy J. Jackson, III, on the ground of having lived separate and apart, without cohabitation and without interruption, for a period in excess of one year, and it appearing from an Affidavit for Order of Publication that diligence was used by or on behalf of Plaintiff, without effect, to ascertain the location of Defendant and that he cannot be found, it is therefore

ORDERED that Defendant appear before this Court on the 10th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and do what is necessary to protect his interest herein.

An Extrat Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHELBY NOEL, Plaintiff v.

RONIQUE MOORE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21003812-00 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 18th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER D’JUANA FORD-THEUS, Plaintiff v.

RASUEL THEUS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001887-00 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 12th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Esquire Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER AVRAHAM LUCHTENBERG, Plaintiff v.

SARAH LUCHTENBERG, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21003769-00 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 12th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

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Defendant.

Case No.: CL21003719-00 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 12th day of January, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER HARRY HOLMES, Plaintiff v.

EUNICE HOLMES, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21003000-00 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 10th day of January, 2022 and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

Property VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

ROBERT ALAN JONES, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4433 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3 South Shields Avenue, Tax Map Number W000-0942/039, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner/s of record, Robert Alan Jones, aka Robert Alan Maestas.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, ROBERT ALAN JONES aka ROBERT ALAN MAESTAS, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that ROBERT ALAN JONES aka ROBERT ALAN MAESTAS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ANNYA PHILLIPS, Plaintiff v.

WILLIAM PHILLIPS,

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

WILLIE DAVIS, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-5067 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1200 North 21st Street, Tax Map Number E000-0556/018, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Willie Davis and Mary P. Moore.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, WILLIE DAVIS, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and MARY P. MOORE, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not

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been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that W I L L IE D AVI S , u p o n information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, MARY P. MOORE, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

Number W000-0453/015, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Rearden Galt, LLC.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, REARDEN GALT, LLC, an entity listed as inactive in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that REARDEN GALT, LLC, an entity listed as inactive in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

JAMES R. GAUSE, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4457 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 236 East 36th Street, Tax Map Number S004-2766/012, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, James R. Gause.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, JAMES R. GAUSE, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has/have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that JAMES R. GAUSE, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

AVA R. ARMSTRONG, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4585 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3311 Edgewood Avenue, Tax Map Number N016-0156/003, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner/s of record, Ava R. Armstrong and William Stuart Robinson.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, AVA R. ARMSTRONG, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to her last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that WILLIAM STUART ROBINSON, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that AVA R. ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM STUART ROBINSON, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 20, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

REARDEN GALT, LLC, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-5313 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 106 North Harrison Street, Tax Map Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

SARAH S. POARCH, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-3818 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 4400 North Avenue, Tax Map Number N000-2047/008, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Sarah S. Poarch, Cynthia L. Smith, Candace Nicole Richardson, Gregory Lyle Smith, Jason Seward Smith and Aaron Christopher Smith.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, SARAH S. POARCH, CYNTHIA L . S M I T H , C A N D A CE NICOLE RICHARDSON, GREGORY LYLE SMITH, JASON SEWARD SMITH, and AARON CHRISTOPHER SMITH, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that S A R A H S . P O A RC H , CYNTHIA L. SMITH, C A N D A CE N ICO L E RICHARDSON, GREGORY LY L E S M I T H , J A S O N SEWARD SMITH, AARON CHRISTOPHER SMITH, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

SARAH S. POARCH, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-3817 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 4330 North Avenue, Tax Map Number N000-2047/009, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Sarah S. Poarch, Cynthia L. Smith, Candace Nicole Richardson, Gregory Lyle Smith, Jason Seward Smith and Aaron Christopher Smith.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, SARAH S. POARCH, CYNTHIA L . S M I T H , C A N D A CE NICOLE RICHARDSON, GREGORY LYLE SMITH, JASON SEWARD SMITH, and AARON CHRISTOPHER SMITH, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that S A R A H S . P O A RC H , CYNTHIA L. SMITH, C A N D A CE N ICO L E Continued on next page

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RICHARDSON, GREGORY LY L E S M I T H , J A S O N SEWARD SMITH, AARON CHRISTOPHER SMITH, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that MARISOL CAMACHO, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

WAUCHULA T. (HODGE) REED, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4216 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1811 Fenton Street, Tax Map Number E011-0124/018, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Wauchula T. (Hodge) Reed and Isiah T. Hodge, Sr.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, WAUCHULA T. (HODGE) REED, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to her last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, ISIAH T. HODGE, SR, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that WAUCHULA T. (HODGE) REED, ISIAH T. HODGE, SR, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2306 Concord Avenue, Tax Map Number S008-0453/014, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Donald E. Mitchell.

An Affidavit having been filed that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 11, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

SARAH S. POARCH, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-3816 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3821 Rear Hawthorne Avenue, Tax Map Number N0002047/010, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Sarah S. Poarch, Cynthia L. Smith, Candace Nicole Richardson, Gregory Lyle Smith, Jason Seward Smith and Aaron Christopher Smith.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, SARAH S. POARCH, CYNTHIA L. SMITH, CANDACE NICOLE RICHARDSON, GREGORY LYLE SMITH, JASON SEWARD SMITH, and AARON CHRISTOPHER SMITH, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that SARAH S. POARCH, CYNTHIA L. SMITH, CANDACE NICOLE RICHARDSON, GREGORY LY L E S M I T H , J A S O N SEWARD SMITH, AARON CHRISTOPHER SMITH, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

GILLMAN P. GARY, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4333 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1312 Wentbridge Road, Tax Map Number N000-1113/019, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Gillman P. Gary.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, GILLMAN P. GARY, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that GILLMAN P. GARY, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

MARISOL CAMACHO, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4324 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1419 Minefee Street, Tax Map Number S007-1234/014, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Marisol Camacho.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, MARISOL CAMACHO, who is not a Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

RONALD W. MYATT, SR., et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4331 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3321 Mike Road, Tax Map Number S008-0745/030, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Ronald W. Myatt, Sr. and JoAnn Myatt.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, RONALD W. MYATT, SR, and JOANN MYATT, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed responses to this action, that FIRST JERSEY SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION an entity not listed in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, on an Assignment of Mortgage filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 190 page 1279 on 11 January 1989 regarding a deed of trust filed at Deed Book 600 page 295 on 5 December 1983, has not been located and has filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that RONALD W. MYATT, SR, JOANN MYATT, FIRST JERSEY SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION an entity not listed in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, on an Assignment of Mortgage filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 190 page 1279 on 11 January 1989 regarding a deed of trust filed at Deed Book 600 page 295 on 5 December 1983, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

THY THU NGUYEN, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4744 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 14 South Lombardy Street, Tax Map Number W000-0658/020, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Thy Thu Nguyen.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, THY THU NGUYEN, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that THY THU NGUYEN, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

JOSEPH H. JONES, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4516 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1117 Eggleston Street, Tax Map Number W000-0590/039, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Joseph H. Jones, Richard I. Jones, Charles Leroy Jones, John Henry Morton, Sr, John Henry Morton, Jr, Phyllis A. M. Washington, Michael Wayne Morton, Lawrence Hardy Morton, Patrice M. Johnson and Allan Dandridge Morton.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, JOSEPH H. JONES, RICHARD I. JONES, CHARLIE LEROY JONES, JOHN HENRY MORTON, SR, JOHN HENRY MORTON, JR, PHYLLIS A . M . WA S H I N G T O N , MICHAEL WAYNE MORTON, L AW R E N C E H A R D Y MORTON, PATRICE M. JOHNSON, and ALLAN DANDRIDGE MORTON, are to be proceed against by Order of Publication pursuant to Section 8.01-316(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia; that said creditor, MONARCH CAPITAL CORPORATION, an entity not listed in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/ or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that JOSEPH H. JONES, RICHARD I. JONES, CHARLIE LEROY JONES, JOHN HENRY MORTON, SR, JOHN HENRY MORTON, JR, PHYLLIS A . M . WA S H I N G T O N , MICHAEL WAY N E M O R TO N , L AW R E N C E HARDY MORTON, PATRICE M . JOH N S ON , A LLA N DANDRIDGE MORTON, M O N A R C H C A P I TA L CORPORATION, an entity not listed in the records o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 10, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

DONALD E. MITCHELL, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4432 ORDER OF PUBLICATION Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO STEPHANIE JONES, Plaintiff, v.

SHALENA VAZQUEZ; VIRGINIA CREDIT UNION INC.; TRANSPORT CONTRACTORS, L.L.C; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF POSIE BERKLEY; ALEXANDER ELLETT, JR., and if deceased, Heirs at-law of Alexander Ellett, Jr.; The Unknown heirs, descendants, devisees, assigns, and/ or successors in title to Daisy Janette Ellett, Florence Ellett Sellars, Posie Berkley, Alexander Ellett, Jr., and Shalena Vazquez, if any there be, the consorts of any of the said unknown heirs who are married, the lien creditors of the said unknown heirs, if any, and other persons who may have an interest in the subject matter of this suit, whose names are unknown and are included in the general description of “UNKNOWN HEIRS and PARTIES UNKNOWN” SERVE: By Order of Publication, Defendants.

Case No.: 21-5859 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to claim title to a certain parcel of land situated in the County of Henrico, Virginia, being previously owned by Daisy Janette Ellett, more particularly described as follows:

Parcel B which contains 1.691 acres, situated south of Battlefield Park Road and west of Route No. 5, Varina District, Henrico County, Virginia.

The unknown heirs, descendants, devisees, assigns, and/or successors in title to Daisy Janette Ellett, Florence Ellett Sellars, Posie Berkley, and Alexander Ellett, Jr., if deceased have or might have an interest in the property by deed, by inheritance, or by duly recorded liens.

Shalena Vazquez may have or might have an interest in the property by virtue of deed from Donald Tyler to Shalena Vazquez of Transport Contractors, LLC, a Virginia corporation…, dated August 15, 2021 and recorded on August 16, 2012, in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Henrico County, Virginia in Deed Book 5026, page 941.

Affidavit having been made and filed that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the identities and/or locations of certain parties to be served, and that there are or might be persons whose names are unknown, interested in the subject matter of this suit;

It is ORDERED that the unknown heirs, descendants, devisees, assigns, and/or successors in title to Daisy Janette Ellett; Florence Ellett Sellars; Posie Berkley; and Alexander Ellett, Jr., if living and if not living, their heirs at-law; Shalena Vazquez, and other unknown heirs or parties who have an interest in the subject matter of this suit, who are proceeded against as Unknown Heirs and Parties Unknown, appear before Court on or before January 3, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to protect their interests, if any, in this suit.

An Extract Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk I ask for this: Curtis D. Gordon, Esq., V.S.B. #25325 Lynn M. Tucker, Esq., V.S.B. #25384 Jason Shaber, Esq., V.S.B. Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

#96186 DANKOS, GORDON & TUCKER, P.C. 1360 East Parham Road, Suite 200 Richmond, VA 23228 Telephone: (804) 262-8000 Facsimile: (804) 262-8088 Email: cgordon@ dankosgordon.com Email: ltucker@ dankosgordon.com Email: jshaber@ dankosgordon.com Counsel for Plaintiff

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that R & T TRANSPORTATION SERVICES LLC, 302 Turner Road Suite J, North Chesterfield, VA 23225 / PO Box 8838 Richmond VA 23225, has filed an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing passenger transportation as a common carrier over irregular routes, providing service in the Cities of Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Richmond, Virginia and the Counties of Powhatan, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Prince George, New Kent, Virginia and Statewide throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia for passenger transportation as a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Carrier, as defined in the Code of Virginia Section 46.2-2000.

Any person who desires to protest the application and be a party to the matter must submit a signed and dated written request setting forth (1) a precise statement of the party’s interest and how the party could be aggrieved if the application was granted; (2) a full and clear statement of the facts that the person is prepared to provide by competent evidence; (3) a statement of the specific relief sought; (4) the name of the applicant and case number assigned to the application; and (5) a certification that a copy of the protest was sent to the applicant. The case number assigned to this application is MC2100460ST.

Written protests must be mailed to DMV Motor Carrier Services, Attn: Operating Authority, P. O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269-0001 and must be postmarked on or before DECEMBER 30, 2021.

Any protest filed with competent evidence will be carefully considered by DMV. However, DMV will have full discretion as to whether a hearing is warranted based on the merits of the protest filed.

Executive Director Opening Do you believe everyone deserves healthy food?

Are you good at building relationships?

Are you ready to lead a nonprofit organization?

Shalom Farms is an interconnected community of farmers, educators, program partners, and volunteers — all working toward a healthier community where everyone has equitable access to nourishing food and meaningful opportunities to grow, choose, cook, and enjoy fresh produce. The leadership and staff of Shalom Farms are a talented and passionate group of individuals committed to creating a more just and equitable food system and improving racial equity within Richmond as well as within the organization itself.

For more information, please go to ShalomFarms.org/jobs

DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES Chesterfield County, Virginia (Richmond-Metro Area), a recognized leader and award-winning local government, is seeking an innovative, customer-focused, and a collaborative leader who will lead the operations of the Department of General Services. The Department of General Services employs 203 full-time employees, approximately 30 part-time employees and manages a budget of over $38.7 million to operate the various programs. The Director of General Services reports directly to the Deputy County Administrator for Community Operations.

To review the recruitment profile and application instructions, visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/chesterfieldco and review the Special Recruitment header.

The application deadline date is January 10, 2022 at 5 p.m. Interested applicants should submit a confidential resume with cover letter and must include salary requirements to: Mary Martin Selby, Director of Human Resources Chesterfield County Human Resources P.O. Box 40 Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 748-1551 Electronic responses are required and should be directed to ExecutiveSearch@chesterfield.gov An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity

Community Engagement Manager

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond.

To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com.

EOE M/F/D/V

Part-Time Church Drummer

Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia is adding a Community Engagement Manager to the team. The position is the front line in recruitment and engagement of new and returning girls and adults. Responsible for support of volunteers, develops and executes recruitment plan using data. Candidate brings marketing, goal orientation, community cultivation and a willingness to work flexible hours. Experience in sales, marketing or a membership-based organization is a plus. See the employment section at www.comgirlscouts.org.

Email cover letter, application, and resume to hr@comgirlscouts.org by January 7, 2022.

Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia is seeking a self-motivated parttime drummer to play the drum-set in various worship services of the church.

This position will remain opened until filled.

Applicants may pick up an application from the church office or submit a resume in lieu of an application to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. The e-mail address is mstyles@mobcva.org, and the fax number is (804) 262-2397. For more information, please call (804)-262-9614 ext. 227 A Criminal History Background Check is required.

Quioccasin Baptist Church seeks an administrative church secretary to oversee the operation of the church office and assist the Pastor and staff with a variety of administrative duties. As the church secretary, these responsibilities include general office operations, pastoral support, managing schedules, generating programs for services, bookkeeping, membership, financial records, and information databases. Routine administrative duties include: greeting visitors and directing them to the appropriate members; answering telephones and responding to inquiries via phone or email; booking meetings, setting up conference calls and taking messages; performing administrative tasks, including filing and photocopying; drafting emails, memos and letters. Based on the needs of the congregation and the Pastor, there may be other duties assigned. Work hours may ranch between 25-32 hours per week (occasional hybrid options). The salary range is $15,000 to $25,000 per year.

Interested individuals should email a copy of their resume to Quioccasin Baptist Church at qbc@quioccasin.org or mail it to Quioccasin Baptist Church, c/o Church Secretarial Search Committee, 9011 Quioccasin Road, Henrico, VA 23229.

Phone: 804-741-2313, Option 3.

Resumes are due by December 24, 2021.

PUBLIC NOTICE APPLICATION FOR FTA 5310 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 (VDRPT) for Section 5310funds for FY 2023 (the period 10/1/22-9/30/23). The intent of the application is to request funds for the Ride Connection Program at Senior Connections to provide Mobility Management and Transportation Services for older adults and persons with disabilities, and to continue operation of the Human Services Transportation Coordination Entity as designed by PlanRVA (formerly Richmond Regional Planning District Commission).

The total projected cost of the project is approximately $305,590: $234,290 for operating costs (as funds al low, 50% federal, 40% state, and 10% local) and $71,300 for mobility management (as funds allow SO% federal, 16% state and 4% local). Senior Connections invites interested human services providers in Planning District 15 to comment on this continuing service by sending written notice by Feb. 1, 2022 to Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation–Public Transportation Division, 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond VA 23219and Senior Connections, The Capital Area on Aging, 24 East Cary Street, Richmond VA 23219.

Minister Of Music Salary Commensurate with Experience Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen is seeking a full-time Music Director to oversee the music ministry of the church. Ability to read music is required.

Candidate must play piano, organ, and keyboard. Candidate must play hymns, anthems, and gospel (contemporary and traditional). Must possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

Preferred candidate will have a degree in music from an accredited college or university. Minimum of 2-3 years of music director experience required.

This position will be opened until filled.

Previous applicants do not need to reapply.

Applicants may pick up an application from the church office or submit a resume in lie of an application to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mount Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. The e-mail address is mstyles@mobcva.org, and the fax is (804) 262-9614 ext. 227 For more information please call (804) 262-9614 A Criminal History Background Check is required.

Part-Time Financial Secretary 20 hours per week Salary Commensurate with Experience Preferred candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance or related field or have similar experiences. Candidate must possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of bookkeeping, financial records management, and Microsoft Office Suites. Minimum of 2-3 years of financial secretary experience required.

Applicants may pick up an application from the church office or submit a resume in lieu of an application to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. The e-mail address is mstyles@mobcva.org, and the fax number is (804) 262-2397. For more information, please call (804)-262-9614 ext. 227 A Criminal History Background Check is required.

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