Richmond Free Press March 10-12, 2022 edition

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VOL. 31 NO. 11

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Meet this week’s Personality B1

MARCH 10-12, 2022

Good riddance

68 law enforcement officers have been decertified in Virginia since a new state law took effect last March expanding the grounds for which they can be disqualified to work as police, sheriff’s deputies or jail officers. More than 2 dozen were decertified for lying, mostly during internal affairs investigations.

By Denise Lavoie The Associated Press

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

In this file photo, Richmond Police release tear gas on demonstrators at the Lee Monument on Monument Avenue on June 1, 2020, during the third day of local protests against police brutality and racial injustice following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police on May 28, 2020. The crowd that included families with children was tear-gassed about 20 minutes ahead of that day’s 8 p.m. curfew. Then-Police Chief William Smith, who apologized along with Mayor Levar M. Stoney the next day, later resigned and promised to discipline the officers. Six people later filed a lawsuit, which was settled by the City of Richmond in February. The terms were not disclosed.

Two years ago, the only reasons police officers could be decertified in Virginia were if they tested positive for drugs, were convicted of certain crimes or failed to complete required training.

That changed when a wave of police reforms passed in Virginia after the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, including laws that expanded the grounds for decertification and tightened rules requiring law enforcement agencies to share personnel files to prevent officers who commit misconduct from getting jobs with other police departments.

Since the new law went into effect on March 1, 2021, 68 police officers, jail officers and deputy sheriffs have been decertified for a range of misconduct and criminal offenses, including shoplifting, driving under the influence, sexual harassment and possession and Please turn to A4

Mayor’s $836M proposed budget includes major pay hikes for public safety workers

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Soaring property values and a continuing boom in new development in Richmond have given City Hall the money to propose major pay increases for police officers, firefighters and other city employees.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney included the pay hikes as a key element of the record $836 million general fund spending plan for the 2022-23 fiscal year that he presented to City Council last Friday. The budget proposal is a $51 million

include any tax increases, although increase over the current $785 milthe rising values of houses, land and lion budget for the 2021-22 fiscal buildings has meant that property ownyear that ends June 30. ers are paying higher taxes despite the The mayor’s proposal would rate staying fixed at $1.20 per $100 of amount to an expenditure of $3,688 assessed value. for each of the estimated 226,623 The spending plan includes some men, women and children in the increases, including proposed hikes in city, up $225 per person from the utility rates that will boost the average current budget.

Mayor Stoney customer’s collective cost of water, Buoyed by prospects of continued growth in the coming years, Mayor Stoney sewer, natural gas and stormwater abatement proudly touted the fact that the budget does not by $100 a year and a $1 a month boost in the

cost of trash collection that will increase the price tag $12 a year.

City Council, which will have the final say, already is cranking up its review process of the full spending package that tops $2 billion for the first time when all funds, such as public utilities, grants, capital spending and internal services, are included.

Mayor Stoney said the budget plan he presented “reflects the priorities of the city,” Please turn to A4

Displaced Fox Elementary students to resume in-person classes temporarily at First Baptist Church on Monument Avenue

By Ronald E. Carrington

Students from William Fox Elementary School will have classes at First Baptist Church on Monument Avenue and Arthur Ashe Boulevard starting Monday, March 21.

The Richmond School Board voted unanimously Monday night to support the temporary move of classes to the church so that students displaced by the devastating fire last month at Fox can resume in-person learning.

“I am happy to move forward unilaterally within my purview, granted by the board, to move students to a non-RPS property,” Superintendent Jason Kamras said.

Fox Elementary’s 350 students have been using computers for virtual learning since the

Feb. 11 blaze at the Hanover Avenue school building. The roof and the second floor collapsed in the fire.

Mr. Kamras said during a presentation at Monday night’s meeting that a survey of Fox families showed overwhelming support for moving into a brick-and-mortar location as soon as possible. However, Fox teachers and staff were nearly evenly split about whether to remain virtual until renovations are ready at nearby Clark Springs Elementary for students to move there, Mr. Kamras stated.

The School Board during a meeting on Feb. 22 authorized Mr. Kamras to spend $500,000 to replace the roof on Clark Springs Elementary, Please turn to A4

Rendering courtesy of Richmond Public Library

This rendering shows plans for the $70 million facelift of Richmond Public Library’s Main Library in Downtown, facing Franklin Street. A new modern addition with a parking deck would be added to the 1st Street side of the building.

Richmond Public Library books plans for $70M renovation Downtown

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Girl power play Deserea Goodwyn, 15, left, shows her 4-year-old niece, Eva Crawley, the art of climbing on playground equipment recently at Abner Clay Park in Jackson Ward.

The two were at the park with Kira Crawley, Eva’s mom and Deserea’s sister.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

A $70 million facelift is being proposed for the Richmond Public Library’s Main Library in Downtown.

First unveiled at a March 1 community meeting, the plans on the drawing board call for replacing the west side of the building with a modern addition that would include a parking deck with 70 spaces.

Though still preliminary and at least several years away, the goal is to create a space that would make the Main Library a more visible landmark, eliminate physical barriers inside and outside, improve the use of interior space and also reduce carbon emissions through the

addition of solar roof panels to generate a significant share of electricity.

Scott Firestine, director of the Richmond Public Library, said library officials are still

gathering feedback, but expect by the fall to submit to the city a finished plan to replace wellknown areas of the library, such 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: • Thursday, March 10, 8 to 10 a.m. – Arthur Ashe Center parking lot, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – RHHD Hillside Resource Center parking lot, 1615 Glenfield Ave.; 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – RHHD Southwood Resource Center parking lot, 1754 Clarkson Road.

• Friday, March 11, 4 to 6 p.m. – Southwood Pool House, Southwood Parkway and Clarkson Road.

All events will provide walk-up testing, though appointments

Please turn to A4

A2 March 10-12, 2022

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Mask requirement on public transportation slated to end March 18

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

GRTC passengers could go maskless beginning Saturday, March 19.

So could airline and train passengers and others taking public transit.

Unless President Biden or the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extend the COVID-19 mask provision, the requirement for people flying or using public transportation to wear a face mask will end Friday, March 18.

As a precaution, bus drivers, airline pilots and stewardesses and train conductors may maintain their masks if the mandate for passengers to wear masks ends.

“I will be encouraging our members to continue to wear masks if those boarding our buses no longer have to,” said Maurice L. Carter, president and business agent for Local 1220 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents GRTC drivers and other employees.

“We know that COVID-19 will still be with us once the mask requirement ends. But our drivers and others in jobs that come in contact with the public should be alright if they continue to wear masks to protect themselves,” Mr. Carter said.

RRHA announces customer service upgrades The landlord for Richmond’s public housing is promising a more customer-focused approach in dealing with its tenants.

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority unveiled new steps March 1 to improve communications.

Along with a centralized call center that opened in September 2020 to take all calls, RRHA is planning to start texting residents who provide cell phone numbers with updates, appointment reminders and announcements.

RRHA also plans to set up a workstation kiosk for tenant use in each of the property management offices in senior communities and in the six largest public housing communities, Creighton Court, Fairfield Court, Gilpin Court, Hillside Court, Mosby Court and Whitcomb Court. Users will be able to apply for housing, request services and complete annual re-certifications at the kiosks, RRHA stated.

The authority also stated it soon would enable residents to file requests for work on their apartments through a mobile system.

The goal, the authority stated, is to automate and streamline the process for receiving requests that are now handled manually.

According to RRHA, the new system would enable maintenance staff to be more efficient and reduce the response time in addressing a complaint.

Volunteers to help RRHA families late with rent to file for state relief

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Next week, scores of volunteers will be going door to door in public housing communities seeking to help 1,700 families avoid eviction because their rent is past due.

Representatives of private and public organizations will participate in the effort to be launched Tuesday, March 15, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has announced.

The goal of the project to assist families in filing applications for rent relief through a state program.

The volunteers are to include representatives from the city’s Office of Community Wealth Building, area churches, the Center for Families in Transition, Saving Our Youth Virginia and A Better Day Than Yesterday, RRHA stated.

Participants also are to include individuals and staff from the offices of City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District, and of 3rd District Councilwoman Ann Frances-Lambert.

Volunteers from RRHA’s staff also will undertake similar efforts on Saturday, March 12, and Saturday, March 19, the authority stated.

A final push to get the families signed up for rent relief, RRHA stated, is set for Saturday, March 26, during a community event hosted by 6th District Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson at the Annie Giles Community Resource Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way in Shockoe Valley.

RRHA already has helped a major share of its residents apply for rent relief through the state program and collected more than $4 million in back rent.

The authority has stated that it would postpone any actions involving a renter who has filed for relief until the state program reaches a decision on whether to provide rental assistance.

RRHA officials have said that it is exploring every option available in a bid to avoid taking court action against families in arrears.

Federal regulations, though, require RRHA to either collect past due rent or seek court orders to remove families who do not pay.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

City Hall is bathed in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, a nightly display of solidarity with the beleaguered Eastern European nation that is struggling to repel the destructive invasion of the Russian army. The invasion began Feb. 24, the day after Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to again be a vassal state of Moscow, as it was when the Soviet Union was in existence. The invasion is the largest since World War II. Still, the bi-color flag continues to fly as Ukraine resists. The flag has been the symbol of Ukraine since the 12th century when it was part of the Kingdom of GaliciaVolhynia. Banned during Soviet rule after World War I, the flag was restored after Ukraine regained its independence in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Dr. Dietra Trent to lead White House HBCU initiative

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

President Biden has tapped a Virginia education veteran to work with and advocate for historically Black colleges and universities in the halls of government.

On the last day of Black History Month, former state Secretary of Education Dietra Y. Trent began her new role as executive director of the White House’s HBCU office.

The official name of the operation Dr. Trent leads is a tongue-twister: the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

As of 2020, there were 101 HBCUs that enrolled nearly 280,000 students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to serve the Biden/Harris administration in this capacity,” Dr. Trent stated in a text to the Free Press as she began her first day.

Describing herself as a proud graduate of Hampton University, one of Virginia’s five private and public HBCUs, “I have spent many years working to advance the mission and elevate the status of these great institutions,” she stated.

A native of Halifax County, Dr. Trent stated that HBCUs “have a proud legacy.”

Noting that HBCUs were founded when other institutions refused to accept Black

students, she stated they have “fostered academic excellence and created pathways to opportunity. I look forward to spending the next few years advancing and promoting” HBCUs. Dr. Trent Dr. Trent served two stints totaling six years as deputy secretary of education. She was elevated to state secretary of education in 2016 by then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe after Anne Holton stepped down to assist her husband, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, in his campaign for vice president.

As the top education official in Virginia, Dr. Trent fought, among other efforts, to spare HBCUs from budget cuts and pushed for state funding to boost their ability to offer need-based financial aid and create student success centers on their campuses to boost retention and graduation rates.

As state secretary, she worked to advance Gov. McAuliffe’s agenda to end the Black-white achievement gap and strengthen student educational pathways to opportunities in technology and other growth areas.

Sen. Kaine applauded the appointment of Dr. Trent. Recalling her work as a deputy secretary of education while he was governor, he stated, “I know she will work just as hard for students across the nation

as she has for students in Virginia.”

Dr. Trent most recently served as chief of staff to Ms. Holton during her tenure as interim president of George Mason University. Dr. Trent also served as George Mason’s interim vice president for compliance, diversity and ethics.

She went to George Mason after serving as senior director for equity research and training at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Dr. Trent, who earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from VCU, also served in the administration of former Gov. Mark R. Warner, first as director of constituent services and then as director of the Council on Human Rights.

After serving as deputy secretary of education during Gov. Kaine’s administration, she served as deputy state director for now-U.S. Sen. Warner and is credited with helping to reinvigorate and secure financing and a partnership for the Minority Political Leadership Institute in the Wilder School.

During her career, she also has served briefly as a special assistant to the provost at Radford University and as interim director of international education at that school.

Dr. Trent began her career in education 25 years ago as VCU’s director of federal relations, spending the bulk of her time in Washington lobbying for the medical school and hospital.

Investigation continues into Richmond Police shooting of Henrico man in East End

By George Copeland Jr.

Two Richmond Police officers have been put on temporary administrative leave after shooting and killing a white man Sunday night in the East End. The officers, identified as Shannon McGarva and Richard Redford, responded to a call in the 1200 block of Garber Street in Fulton Hill about an armed man on the front porch of a person’s home.

When officers arrived about 10:43 p.m., they saw a man with a gun and commanded him to drop his firearm, according to details provided by Chief Gerald M. Smith during a news conference Monday.

Chief Smith said the man became aggressive and pointed the gun at the officers.

At that point, he said, the officers shot the man, who was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

A win for education. $11 billion to Virginia’s K-12 public schools since 1999.

The man was identified Tuesday by police as Lester Carlton Epps, 58, of Henrico.

“We have no idea right now exactly what his actions were, but we do know that his aggression went up upon the officers’ arrival,” Chief Smith said at the news conference.

He also said that Mr. Epps’ gun was loaded, but that it isn’t clear if the weapon possibly misfired or never actually discharged during the confrontation.

The officers’ body camera footage of the shooting has not been released.

The officers were placed on 48-hour administrative leave, the chief said, as police investigate the shooting, including reviewing video from the officers’ body cameras, canvassing the neighborhood, talking with witnesses and those involved in the incident and looking into Mr. Epps’ history.

After the officers’ 48-hour leave has ended, Chief Smith said the department would “re-evaluate” whether they should return to work in some capacity or have the leave extended.

Officer Redford has been with the Richmond Police Department for 11 years, while Officer McGarva has served five years with the department.

Chief Smith said Mr. Epps had no connection to or relationship with the residents of the home on Garber Street.

He also offered no explanation for why the two officers opted to use their firearms instead of nonlethal methods to de-escalate the situation or subdue Mr. Epps.

Once the police department’s investigation is complete, the information will be turned over to the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review, according to Chief Smith.

Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2022 A3

Local News

Creation of police oversight panel among 3 critical items City Council to consider

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond City Council is heading to decision time on three significant items on its agenda—creation of a civilian review board to oversee police discipline, collective bargaining for employees and redistricting.

Joyce Davis, council’s interim chief of staff, notified members of the governing body this week that a draft proposal on the civilian review board would be presented for introduction at the council meeting on Monday, March 14.

While details have not been disclosed, the proposal would head to the council’s Government Operations Committee headed

by Councilwoman Kristen Nye, 4th District, for a full review at the committee’s meeting 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 23.

City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille indicated that if the proposal clears the committee, the full council could vote on the measure at its Monday, March 28, meeting.

Creation of a civilian review panel to handle complaints against the police has been on City Council’s agenda since the protests over police actions erupted in late May 2020 following the Minneapolis Police murder of George Floyd.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney has voiced public support for creation of such a police oversight panel as have a majority of the council.

Police Chief Gerald M. Smith, too, has backed the concept, but has indicated that the details of the board’s authority remain

key to whether he and the department would be on board at a time when the department is struggling to fill more than 100 vacancies.

Two proposals have been under study.

One favored by the activist Richmond Transparency and Accountability Project would create the most powerful panel of its type in the state with subpoena power, independent investigators and an ability to hear and decide all civilian complaints Dr. Newbille against police officers.

A second proposal would grant the review board significant authority but make it more of a place for civilians to appeal decisions of the Richmond Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division that currently investigates complaints against officers.

Dr. William Pelfrey Jr., a Virginia Commonwealth University professor specializing in criminal justice issues, authored the plan at the behest of the mayor.

On collective bargaining for city employees, the council is proceeding with caution. The governing body halted immediate action Monday, choosing to wait 45 days to receive a report laying out the details of a collective bargaining proposal from the administration and to begin consideration at the Monday, May 2, Organizational Development Committee, a committee of all nine members.

Several council members, including Councilwoman Nye, are

Virginia’s HBCUs received more than $141M collectively from ARP

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Big bucks.

That’s what Virginia’s five historically Black colleges and universities have received from the federal American Rescue Plan.

More than $141 million was collectively provided to the five schools through the pandemic relief bill that President Biden proposed and Congress passed in 2021 after he took office, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Virginia’s two public HBCUs received the most, with $52.2 million going to Norfolk State University and $39.4 million going to Virginia State University.

The private HBCUs also received major support, the U.S. Department of Education stated

in a release issued Monday.

Hampton University received $31.2 million; Virginia Union University received $11.8 million; and the Virginia University of Lynchburg received $6.3 million.

The Department of Education stated that at least half the money had to be used to benefit students, including helping them stay in school and stabilize the costs of gaining a degree.

The money also has been used to retain faculty and staff, the agency stated.

The HBCU distribution was part of the $948 million received

by Virginia’s colleges and universities, including the state’s community colleges, from the ARP pool of $39.6 billion for higher education. The Virginia share is in addition to the $897 million that previously was

distributed to Virginia’s higher education facilities from earlier coronavirus relief legislation, according to the department.

Community colleges in Virginia received $297 million from ARP, the federal agency stated. Reynolds Community College in Richmond received $17.1 million, and John Tyler Community College in Chesterfield County received $15 million, the agency reported.

Virginia Commonwealth University received $57 million, the department stated.

Other universities gaining large one-time grants from ARP include the state’s largest university, Liberty University, $65.9 million; George Mason University, $64 million; Virginia Tech, $49.6 million; and Old Dominion University, $48.2 million.

pushing to get legislation and funding approved in time for a union for city employees to be in place for the July 1 start of the 2022-23 fiscal year.

That union option already is available to Richmond Public Schools employees. Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras announced Monday that a vote to certify the Richmond Education Association as the employee union would be held over two days in April at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.

The vote, Mr. Kamras said, would be held from 4 to 8 p.m.

Friday, April 15, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16, for licensed personnel, instructional aides, school nutrition staff, custodians and safety employees.

On Monday, the council also introduced the final version of a redistricting plan to change the boundaries of City Council and School Board districts based on population changes from the 2020 Census. Now open for public comment, the proposal is scheduled to be voted on Monday, April 25.

The major changes include having the 3rd District gain population by picking up a big chunk of the northern part of the 2nd District west of Brook Road and a portion of Barton Heights from the 6th District.

The 6th District also would retreat east to 2nd Street in Downtown, enabling the 2nd and 5th Districts to move east to split Monroe Ward south of Broad Street, with Main Street becoming the boundary separating the two districts.

There are no changes to district lines in South Side.

Bill to allow marijuana resentencing killed

by GOP lawmakers Free Press wire report

could begin in 2024.

Last week, a Republican-led subcommitA Republican-led panel of House of Delegates tee blocked a bill that would have allowed members on Monday blocked a bill that would limited retail sales to begin later this year. On have allowed people incarcerated or on probation a 5-3 party-line vote, the subcommittee voted to for marijuana-related crimes to ask a court for continue to 2023 the measure that had cleared a modified sentence. the Democrat-controlled Senate earlier this A bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Scott month, effectively defeating it.

Surovell of Fairfax County was shot down by Sen. Surovell told the committee that many 12 Republicans in the House Apof the people now serving prison terms propriations Committee in a straight for marijuana crimes would likely not party-line vote, with 10 Democrats have received those sentences today, supporting it. There was little discuswith possession of small amounts now sion on the bill, with the exception of legal in Virginia as the state moves committee Vice Chairman Republican toward opening a retail market.

Delegate Terry Austin of Alleghany “A lot of people were counting on County saying he would vote to kill it,” he said of the bill. it because its total costs and impact After the vote, Sen. Surovell said Sen. Surovell were unclear. he believes Republicans defeated The bill would have allowed about 596 people the bill so they could use it as leverage to get now incarcerated for marijuana-related felonies something from Democrats when the larger bill to apply for resentencing by the court that sen- on retail sales is debated again next year. tenced them. Another 78 people who had their “The Republican caucus is kind of in a pretzel sentences on other crimes enhanced because of on this whole issue, on marijuana,” he said. a previous marijuana conviction would have “This (bill) has absolutely nothing to do been allowed to apply to the Virginia Parole with retail sales, so it’s really disappointing to Board for resentencing. me that 600 people’s lives are in the balance, The defeat of the bill comes almost a year 600 people’s freedom is in the balance, and after the legislature — then fully controlled we are going to use that as a bargaining chip,”

by Democrats — voted to legalize adult he said. possession of recreational marijuana and to Sen. Surovell said he plans to reintroduce establish a legal market so that retail sales the legislation next year.

Youngkin rolls back diversity, inclusion efforts in education, calling them ‘divisive concepts’ Free Press wire report

Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s administration has rescinded a series of policies, memos and other resources related to diversity, equity and inclusion that it characterized as “discriminatory and divisive concepts” in the state’s public education system.

In an interim report released late last month, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow outlined the initial findings of a search for such “divisive concepts,” including critical race theory, that Gov. Youngkin tasked her with as one of his first acts after being sworn in as governor.

The report did not identify any instance of the teaching of critical race theory in the classroom.

But it pointed to a range of state Department of Education online materials, memos, a webinar and a math pilot program as examples it had identified and was rescinding or evaluating.

Gov. Youngkin, who took office in midJanuary, campaigned heavily on education issues and specifically on a promise to rid Virginia’s schools of critical race theory, or CRT, which centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.

The governor called Ms. Balow’s report “the first step in improving Virginia’s education system, restoring high academic expectations, equipping our future generation to be career or college ready, and providing equal opportunities for all Virginia students.”

Democrats have long argued that CRT is not taught in K-12 schools and that the term has been weaponized by Republicans who object more broadly to other diversity or curriculum reform initiatives.

The pushback to the report was immediate. Virginia, the House minority leader, said the In a scathing statement, the Virginia Legis- governor was “embracing a bizarre far-right lative Black Caucus called the report another agenda” and engaging in “race-based witch attempt by the Youngkin administration “to hunts designed to intimidate educators and further revise, rewrite and erase history.” censor our history.”

“The centuries-long legacy of slavery and Elicia Brand, a Loudoun County mother and Jim Crow did not magically disappear with a co-founder of the Army of Parents activist group, magic wand when Jim Crow legally ended,” welcomed the report, which she said shows stated Sen. Jennifer McClellan of Richmond, that Gov. Youngkin is keeping his promises to vice chair of the VLBC. parents like her who are concerned “We must educate all Virginians about CRT. about the good, the bad and the ugly In a letter at the start of the report, in our history and the intentional effort Ms. Balow wrote that it contained just to undo the inequities caused by the a “sampling of critical race theorylegacy of slavery and Jim Crow. Gov. based materials.”

Youngkin’s attempts are dangerous “However, the concepts have because they unravel our efforts to become widespread in the Virginia redress inequity in education while at Department of Education and in Gov. Youngkin the same time making it more difficult Virginia school divisions and we will to teach that history and its impacts,” she said. need to proactively review policies, practices, “Covering our eyes to the reality of history will and pedagogies around the state to uphold the only serve to worsen education and inequities Civil Rights Act and comport with Executive in Virginia.”

Order One,” she said.

The state NAACP said Ms. Balow, in efOne of the priorities Ms. Balow’s report fect, has declared war on teaching accurate said had been rescinded or would be evaluated American history. was a state Department of Education initia“Virginia has a long, torrid history as it pertains tive called EdEquityVA. A description on the to educating Black children,” said Robert N. department’s website described the initiative Barnette Jr., president of the Virginia State Con- as the “combined efforts to advance education ference NAACP. “Black slaves in Virginia were equity, eliminate achievement gaps and increase prohibited by law and practice from learning to opportunity, and decrease disproportionality in read or write. Even when Virginia established a student outcomes.” free public education system, educating Black Ms. Balow wrote that numerous resources within children was a complete afterthought.

EdEquityVA “employ the concept that current dis“It is apparent that the governor has no real crimination is needed to address past discrimination. interest in teaching our shared history,” Mr. (Treating people differently based on skin color to Barnette said. “You cannot characterize truth remedy old/previous discrimination.)” as divisive and be open to teaching history acAnother initiative highlighted in the report curately.” was the Virginia Math Pathways Initiative, Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn of Northern which Gov. Youngkin had already rescinded

by executive order.

That program sought to modernize how math is taught. Critics linked it to critical race theory, though, because early versions of the initiative included some discussion of eliminating options for grade schoolers and middle schoolers to take highly advanced math. Reformers have been critical of accelerated math pathways in part because they believe children don’t thoroughly master the material if they move at too fast a pace, and because they believe it creates inequities as students of color have historically had less opportunity to participate.

Ms. Brand, the Loudoun County activist, said she was particularly pleased to see the Math Pathways Initiative scrapped. She said it’s false progress for a program to purport to eliminate an achievement gap by simply holding back high-achieving students.

“That’s discrimination,” she said. “What they should be doing is lifting up all students.”

The 19-page report was overdue. Gov. Youngkin’s executive order asked for it 30 days after Jan. 15.

The Associated Press filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the document and was told initially by an Education Department official that it was “still currently being developed.” The report was dated the next day.

Under Gov. Youngkin’s executive order, another report is due in about two months identifying any “necessary executive and legislative actions needed to end use of all inherently divisive concepts in public education.”

The Democrat-controlled state Senate has not looked favorably upon much of Gov. Youngkin’s education agenda during the ongoing legislative session, and among the measures the chamber has killed was one aimed at banning critical race theory.

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Richmond Free Press

News

Good riddance: 68 law enforcement officers decertified Continued from A1

receipt of child pornography, according to a list provided by the state Department of Criminal Justice Services.

Police officers aren’t licensed in Virginia; they are certified.

If they are decertified, they are disqualified from working in law enforcement in the state.

The most frequent reason for decertification over the past year was one added in the new law: Lying. From March 1, 2021, to March 1, 2022, more than two dozen officers were decertified for lying, most during internal affairs investigations. The list does not include any details on what the officers lied about.

In September, four officers from the Chesapeake Police Department were decertified for lying during internal affairs investigations. Police Chief Kelvin Wright declined to disclose any specifics, citing confidentiality laws that protect personnel records.

“We do not want someone who is untruthful to remain in our ranks,” Chief Wright said.

“The expectations are that police officers are telling the truth,” he said. “If we want to build trust, we have to be truthful.”

Four officers from the Chesterfield County Police Department were decertified in December, including Officer Brandon Hyde, who was convicted of exchanging nude or partially nude photos with a 17-year-old girl. Officer Hyde’s attorney, John Click, declined to comment.

Richmond Police Officer Richard Chinappi III was decertified in January after being charged with animal cruelty. Officer Chinappi pleaded no contest to felony animal cruelty charges in the fatal shooting of his fiancée’s dog. He pleaded guilty to making a false report to Powhatan County law enforcement authorities when he said he accidentally killed the dog while trying to stop a bear attack at the home he shared with his fiancée.

Officer Chinappi’s lawyer, Mark Bong, did not return a call seeking comment. Officer Chinappi is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, March 11.

Four officers from various law enforcement agencies across the state were decertified for assault and battery on a family or household member.

Before the law was expanded, a total of 83 officers had been decertified between 1999 and March 2021.

Dana G. Schrad, executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, said police chiefs generally supported the expansion of the law but want to ensure that officers are aware of what behaviors might lead to decertification and that the

Free COVID-19 vaccines Continued from A1

can still be set by calling (804) 205-3501 or going to www. rchd.com Call the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information on testing sites, or go online at vax.rchd.com.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID19 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, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Community Vaccination Center, Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

• Thursday, March 10, 4 to 7 p.m. – Northside YMCA, 4207 Old Brook Rd. and Chickahominy YMCA, 5401 Whiteside Rd., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

• Friday, March 11, 9 a.m. to noon – Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St.; 2 to 4 p.m. – Fulton Neighborhood Resource Center, 1519 Williamsburg Road, Pfizer and Moderna.

• Monday, March 14, 4 to 7 p.m. – Skipwith Elementary School, 2401 Skipwith Road, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

• Wednesday, March 16, 9 to 11 a.m. – Gilpin Resource Center, 436 Calhoun St. Suite 105; 1 to 3 p.m. – Creighton Resource Center, 2101 Creighton Road, Pfizer and Moderna.

Children aged 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, but those interested can still do so for some events. 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.

Those who are getting a booster shot should bring their vaccine card to confirm the date and type of vaccine received.

On Monday, deaths from COVID-19 surpassed 6 million worldwide. Officials said, however, that number is likely an undercount of the actual number of deaths that have occurred during the pandemic.

Families and individuals can order additional free at-home COVID-19 test kits through the federal distribution at www. covidtests.gov. Test kits also can be ordered by calling (800) 232-0233 or TTY (888) 720-7489 from 8 a.m. to midnight.

A total of 1,015 new cases of COVID-19 were reported statewide Wednesday for the 24-hour period, contributing to an overall state total of 1,650,281 cases of coronavirus since the pandemic’s outbreak. As of Wednesday, there have been 448,178 hospitalizations and 19,130 deaths statewide. The state’s seven-day positivity rate dropped to 5.5 percent on Wednesday. Last week, the positivity rate was 8 percent.

On Wednesday, state health officials reported that 72.2 percent of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, while 81 percent of the people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. State data also showed that more than 2.8 million people in Virginia have received booster shots or third doses of the vaccine.

Among those ages 5 to 11 in Virginia, 300,983 children have received their first shots, accounting for 41.5 percent of the eligible age group in the state, while 253,464 children, or 35 percent, are fully vaccinated and 413 have received a booster shot or third dose. As of Wednesday, 140,000 cases, 790 hospitalizations and 11 deaths have been recorded among children.

State data also show that African-Americans comprised 22.3 percent of cases statewide and 23.3 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 12.1 percent of cases and 5.2 percent of deaths.

Reported COVID-19 data as of Wednesday, March 9, 2022 Cases Hospitalizations Deaths Richmond 43,886 1,042 473 Henrico County 63,308 1,361 863 Chesterfield County 71,111 1,339 733 Hanover County 21,478 455 266

process is fair. The new law also calls for the development of statewide professional standards of conduct for all law enforcement officers, which have not yet been completed.

Ms. Schrad said the number of officers decertified since the new law went into effect is not surprising.

“It’s not that we’re seeing a ton more bad behavior; it’s just that we’ve really raised the bar on our expectations of officers and we’re holding them to a much higher standard,” Ms. Schrad said.

Under the old law, if an officer resigned in the middle of an internal affairs or complaint investigation, the police chief or sheriff wasn’t compelled by law to report the officer to the state Department of Criminal Justice Services for decertification, especially if the subject of the investigation wasn’t grounds for decertification. Critics said this allowed an officer who was under investigation to find a job with another law enforcement

agency.

The new law requires the chief of police, sheriff or law enforcement agency administrator to notify the Criminal Justice Services Board within 48 hours of any employee who resigns or is fired in advance of being found guilty of an offense that would make them subject to decertification.

The reforms also require any law enforcement agency hiring new officers to request their personnel files from former employers, including any disciplinary actions or lawsuits filed against them. Critics said the old law did not make the sharing of records mandatory or timely, which allowed some bad officers to get jobs at other police departments.

“This made decertification easier and quicker, before they would have that chance to make that hop to another jurisdiction,” said Delegate Marcus Simon of Fairfax County, the lead sponsor of the House bill in 2020.

Richmond Public Library books plans for $70M renovation Downtown Continued from A1

as the Gellman Room, a community space best known for small concerts.

Essentially, he said the historic portion of the library that dates to 1928 is the target for redevelopment, with the 1972 expansion that fills the east side of the building at 101 E. Franklin St. remaining.

The addition would have a rooftop terrace that would be open to the public, with the planned solar panels being placed on the roof of the existing building.

According to Mr. Firestine, the new development would allow the library to improve public access to books and other media in its collection and enable it to be more than just a large, publicly available

book depository.

Ever since their inception, libraries have sought to have the biggest and best collection of books, but the computer and internet revolutions have ushered in major changes. To remain relevant, libraries are focusing more on offering services that the public wants and needs. That includes beefing up interlibrary loan services and providing better navigation to essential materials, Mr. Firestine said.

He said the makeover would allow better shelving of the collection, increase the number of multipurpose rooms and simplify the public’s ability to move through the building by eliminating unneeded staircases.

The Main Library’s book collection

already has dropped from 800,000 volumes to 500,000 volumes in the past 15 years, while the number of computers available to the public has increased.

The New York-based architecture firm Steinberg Hart and Richmond-based Kei Architects are handling the design.

According to Mr. Firestine, the library would seek to be included in the city’s capital budget plan in the coming years to secure a big chunk of the money. He said the library also would be applying to foundations and corporations for support and would undertake a major fundraising campaign to seek private gifts.

Raising the money will take time, but the hope of the library is to have the work underway within three to five years, he said.

Displaced Fox Elementary students to resume in-person classes Continued from A1

repair plumbing and take other actions to prepare that building as a home for Fox students until the fire-ravaged building can be replaced.

According to Mr. Kamras’ presentation, Clark Springs should be ready for occupancy by April 19, and the Fox students and teachers can move there at that time.

Mr. Kamras said a new survey of Fox families, teachers and staff in April will allow them to determine whether they remain at the church for the remainder of the academic year or move to Clark Springs in April.

“Relocating to (First Baptist Church) makes all the sense in the world,” School Board member Jonathan M. Young, 4th District, stated in a memo before Monday’s meeting.

Mr. Kamras’ proposal indicated that First Baptist would not charge any rent during the time Fox classes are held there. However, the church is requesting $5,000 to cover expenses, in addition to any increases in utility costs.

School officials called it a “very reasonable request.”

The breakdown is $500 per month for April, May and June to help reset the classrooms on Fridays for the church’s weekMr. Kamras end religious school; a $1,650 one-time management fee for a building supervisor to coordinate the support between Fox and First Baptist for 13 weeks; a $1,700 one-time charge for additional toilet paper, paper towels, soap and trash bags; and $150 for a First Baptist lawyer to review the agreement and liability paperwork.

Fox teachers and staff will be able to visit the church space and set up their classrooms during the weeks of March 7 and March 14, with setup completed by Friday, March 18, for the start of classes on Monday, March 21, according to the RPS administration’s schedule.

Mr. Kamras and School Board Chairwoman Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th

District, noted that the classroom setups at the church would be a light version of what’s done in a normal RPS classroom.

“It may not look like Fox,” Mr. Kamras told the board. “What is most important is the student -teacher human relationship.

That is what we will offer on March 21 going forward.”

School Board member Mariah L. White, whose 2nd District includes Fox Elementary, told the board that the staff at First Baptist were angels.

“They have helped our Fox children,” she said. “I want the church to have all of the logistical support they need.”

School Board member Cheryl L. Burke,7th District, a retired Richmond Public Schools principal who began her education career at Clark Springs, said she has visited the Clark Springs building on Dance Street several times and awaits the time when students will get settled there.

“Clark Springs is a beautiful structure— ideal for elementary setting in each pod,” she told the board. “I can already see the beauty that was in Fox transferred into Clark Springs.”

Mayor’s $836M proposed budget includes major pay hikes for public safety workers Continued from A1

including “the value of investing in the city employees who serve us.”

Under the mayor’s plan, more than $30 million is to be poured into pay increases, with more than $20 million going to public safety employees.

As repeated council resolutions had urged, police officers and firefighters would be the biggest winners in this budget plan, which is fueled in large part by a projected 13 percent increase in real estate tax collections along with smaller increases in sales tax collections, based on expectations of a continuing rebound from the pandemic.

Currently, Richmond police officers and firefighters are among the lowest paid in the area, with starting pay for a recruit at around $43,000.

Under the administration’s proposed 27-step pay plan, starting pay for recruits would jump to more than $49,000 a year, rising to more than $51,000 after they graduate from the academy and become patrol officers or new firefighters.

According to the mayor’s budget, $20 million to be poured into the police and fire departments would cover the cost of the pay raises, which could average $15,000 a year for the sworn personnel.

Overall, the mayor noted that more than 80 percent of police and firefighters would receive a 15 percent pay bump, with 95 percent gaining an increase of 10 percent in a bid to enable city pay to catch up with that of surrounding jurisdictions.

“Our first responder plan not only makes RPD and RFD salaries highly competitive in the region, but puts them among the highest in the Commonwealth,” the mayor told the council in his budget address. “I am committed to our city staying competitive and keeping pace with first responder pay.”

Police Officer Brendan Leavy, president

of the Richmond Coalition of Police that represents more than 300 members of the city police force, called the proposal “a good step in the right direction.”

“We asked for a new pay plan, we got a new pay plan. We asked for it to be fully funded and implemented July 1, and it will be as long as it passes City Council,” said Officer Leavy, who served on the city’s internal pay plan committee. Still, he added, “the pay plan is not perfect, and the city administration has acknowledged that, too.

So we will continue working on it.”

The mayor’s plan also provides a 5 percent pay hike for all city employees— the largest in years—although the cost was not specified. In February, after certifying additional income from real estate tax collections in the current budget year, the administration spent $8.9 million providing $3,000 pandemic bonuses to city personnel in February. A review of the books indicates the 5 percent pay hike will cost more than $12 million.

The spending plan also would boost the minimum pay for the lowest paid city workers to $17 an hour, a $5 an hour increase from current levels. At $17 an hour, that would be the highest minimum wage for City Hall workers ever.

The budget plan also includes a $15 million increase to Richmond Public Schools, largely to cover the cost of a 5 percent pay hike for teachers and other staff. If council approves it, the city’s contribution to public education would jump to a record $200 million for operations.

However, the mayor continued the city’s long-standing practice of providing only a fraction of the spending that RPS has identified as needed to maintain current buildings. His separate capital budget proposal would provide only $2.5 million for that purpose, or $6.5 million less than RPS requested.

The mayor’s spending plan also would

double spending on an eviction diversion program from around $360,000 to $727,000 and provide small increases in funding for mental health services and GRTC. In addition, the mayor proposes to add $1.5 million to enable the city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to maintain robust after-school programs, with that money aimed to replace previous support from Richmond Public Schools.

The capital plan would provide funding for demolishing the vacant Richmond Coliseum as a first step to redeveloping the surrounding land and also provide $10 million to begin planning for replacing City Hall and the John Marshall Courts Building and for creating a new public safety campus for the police and fire departments. All three projects are still distant prospects.

The mayor also included $28 million in his capital plan for the long-awaited development of a slavery memorial in Shockoe Bottom, a major center in the trade of human beings before the Civil War. He told the council that initial funding would go to planning and design, with hopes the first phase could be bid later in 2022.

The mayor also called for investing $15 million to maintain city buildings, or about half the amount previously recommended; spending $10 million to buy fire trucks, police cars and trash trucks; and spending $17 million on street paving.

But despite the huge boost in revenue, some are bemoaning what is not in the budget. For example, the mayor did not include a cost-of-living increase for the city’s retirees.

And no money was included in the proposal to restore $1 million that was cut from the Richmond Ambulance Authority subsidy in the current year. Ambulance authority officials have warned that the reduced subsidy is diminishing its ability to respond to emergency calls.

Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2022 A5

News

Efforts advance for state, federal funding for historic Black cemeteries

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The General Assembly, with bipartisan support, is preparing to beef up its efforts to financially support volunteers and organizations seeking to restore long-neglected Black cemeteries and to support efforts to preserve Black historical sites.

Since 2020, the legislature has provided $100,000 a year to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to provide grants to aid those tending graves in Black cemeteries opened before 1900.

That includes nearly $35,000 a year that has gone to the care of two historic Richmond area Black cemeteries, East End and Evergreen cemeteries that date to the 1890s. The grants amount to $5 a grave.

During the next two years, the legislature plans to provide a total of $300,000 to DHR for that purpose. The extra money reflects the approval of Richmond state Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan’s bill to allow payments to cemeteries that were created between 1900 and 1948.

That would open the door to more grant applications.

The growth in this funding has been accompanied by the elimination of state support for the care of Confederate cemeteries and graves, which ended June 30, 2021.

In addition, the General Assembly also is planning to provide DHR $5 million a year through

June 30, 2024, to support preservation of historic sites linked to Black, indigenous and people of color.

Richmond state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi spearheaded the legislation to create a new DHR fund for that purpose.

Sen. Hashmi said she pushed the bill after discovering the state had extended such aid to sites for anyone but such groups.

The federal government could soon join in helping to preserve and protect historic Black cemeteries.

Fourth District Congressman A. Donald McEachin, who represents the Richmond area, is part of a bipartisan coalition seeking to win passage of the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act. The new bill, much reduced from a similar bill that died in 2020, would provide $3 million a year to the National Park Service to provide grants for maintenance of such cemeteries.

Congressman McEachin introduced the bill last week, which he said would assist in calling attention to burial grounds that can provide “greater understanding of our history.”

He announced the introduction of his bill during a news conference last Saturday at the University of Richmond and the site of a burial ground for an unknown number of enslaved people working on plantations in the area. The university acquired the property in 1910.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Congressman A. Donald McEachin, sponsor of a bipartisan bill to provide $3 million in federal funding for historic Black cemeteries, views the burial site for an unknown number of enslaved people located near Westhampton Lake on what is now the campus of the University of Richmond. The land, acquired by the university in 1910, had been part of a plantation.

Settlement details expected in death of South Side man involving police, ambulance personnel

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A settlement is being worked out in the $25 million federal civil lawsuit alleging that two Richmond Police officers and two Richmond Ambulance Authority emergency medical personnel fatally smothered city resident Joshua L. Lawhon three years ago.

Notice of the settlement has been posted, with final details still being negotiated in the wrongful death case filed by Mr. Lawhon’s mother, Angela Lawhon of Chester. The settlement would need the approval, as well, of the U.S. District Court in Richmond, where the case is being heard.

The announcement of the settlement, though, came just two months after a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court

of Appeals ruled that none of those involved in the deadly smothering were immune from legal action.

The case has drawn little public attention — and no criminal charges — despite its eerie similarity to the widely publicized police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020. Derek Chauvin, the police officer who fatally smothered Mr. Floyd by kneeling on his neck, was later convicted of murder.

Mr. Lawhon, 32, who was not charged with any crime, had a couch pillow held over his face for more than 5 minutes as he resisted the officers’ efforts to transport him from his South Side home to a psychiatric facility at the request of his now deceased girlfriend, Shaunna N. Tunstall, who had called authorities.

According to the suit, the officers handcuffed Mr. Lawhon and then put him on the floor and held the pillow over his face with

Russell Wilson headed to Denver in trade The Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.

Former Richmonder Russell Wilson is headed to Denver.

Six years and a day after Peyton Manning retired, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton agreed to send a massive haul of players and draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback, two people familiar with the negotiations confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The people spoke on condition of ano- Russell nymity because the blockbuster trade, which is pending Wilson passing a physical, can’t become official until the start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 16.

The teams cannot comment on the deal until then, but the Broncos cleverly tweeted a clip of Tom Hanks’character in “Cast Away” drawing a face on the volleyball he named “Wilson.”

About an hour later, the Seahawks tweeted another clip from that movie in which Hanks’ scraggly, skinny character loses the volleyball at sea and hollers, “Wilson, where are you? Wilson! Wilson!”

Denver was seen as the front-runner for Aaron Rodgers before the two-time reigning MVP agreed Tuesday to stay in Green Bay, presumably as the highest-paid player in NFL history. Not long afterward, Paton landed a Super Bowl-winning quarterback anyway, and one who’s five years younger than the 38-year-old Packers star.

The NFL Network reported the Seahawks agreed to send Wilson and a fourth-round pick to Denver in exchange for two first-round picks, two secondround picks, and a fifth-rounder, along with quarterback Drew Lock, defensive end Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant, the Broncos’ first-round draft pick in 2019.

Since Manning retired a month after winning Super Bowl 50, the Broncos have churned through 10 starting quarterbacks, including a different starter in each of the last five season openers: Trevor Siemian, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Lock and Teddy Bridgewater, who beat out Lock last summer.

The Broncos haven’t been back to the playoffs since Manning retired, but they appear to have a playoff-worthy roster.

New coach Nathaniel Hackett, Rodgers’ former offensive coordinator, is building an offense around dynamic wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and running back Javonte Williams.

And now he has the quarterback to make it all work, one who can stack up with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Wilson Derek Carr in the tough AFC West.

Jeudy tweeted a frowning emoji upon word of Rodgers staying put, then he tweeted a smiling emoji when word broke that Wilson was headed to Denver.

The Seahawks had made it clear they weren’t interested in moving Wilson unless a transformational offer came along.

Seattle’s offseason had mostly been focused on adjustments on defense with coaching and scheme changes, and the belief that with Wilson still at quarterback the Seahawks would remain contenders in the stacked NFC West.

Last week at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said that general manager John Schneider was receiving calls about Wilson’s availability but the Seahawks weren’t shopping him.

The trade, though, was the culmination of more than a year’s worth of buildup. Wilson first expressed his discontent with the franchise last offseason after Seattle won the division but lost in the first round of the playoffs.

The acrimony got to the point that his agent publicly expressed the teams Wilson would be willing to accept a trade to, but the quarterback and the Seahawks moved forward together for one more season.

This was always the offseason that seemed to make the most sense for a potential move with Wilson, however.

He has two years remaining on his current contract and a salary cap hit of $37 million for the 2022 season.

Wilson, who graduated from Collegiate School in Richmond,

was a third-round pick in 2012 out of the University of Wisconsin. He won the starting job as a rookie after Seattle had signed Matt Flynn in free agency. The decision to go with Wilson was one of the smartest ever made

by Coach Carroll.

Wilson started 149 regularseason games and 16 playoff games before suffering a fractured middle finger on his right hand and missing four games last season, when he went 6-8. Seattle finished 7-10, the only losing season in Wilson’s tenure.

He struggled upon his return but finished strong, showing it was more of an injury-marred stretch than an indication he was in any sort of decline.

Wilson helped Seattle to its only Super Bowl title with a 43-8 thumping of Manning and the Broncos in Super Bowl 48, then lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots in the Super Bowl a year later. Overall, he’s 9-7 in the playoffs.

Lock is 8-13 with 25 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions over three seasons in Denver.

Unless the Seahawks package their newly acquired picks and try to land, say, Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans should he clear up his legal issues, it appears a larger rebuild may be in play for Seattle.

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help from the two Richmond Ambulance Authority employees who also had been called to the scene.

According to the suit, Mr. Lawhon, who went limp, was rushed from his home in the 3600 block of Stockton Street in South Side to a hospital, where he was determined to be brain dead.

The named defendants in the lawsuit include former Richmond Police Officer John Edwards and still active Master Police Officer LaShaun Turner. Also named are now former RAA emergency medical technician Alexander Mayes and a second EMT, Christopher Tenley, who is still with RAA. Michael N. Herring, then Richmond’s commonwealth attorney, declined to prosecute those involved, and the city’s current chief prosecutor, Colette W. McEachin, has not reopened the case to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

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Richmond Free Press

Roots in Forest Hill Park

Editorial Page

A6

March 10-12, 2022

The price of liberty The price of liberty is high.

We, as Black people, know this from centuries of experience, being brought as captives to this nation in 1619. And the cost of freedom hasn’t gotten any less expensive in recent decades, as the Ukrainian people unfortunately are learning.

We remember the hefty price paid by freedom fighters such as John Lewis and many other courageous ordinary people as they marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., on March 7, 1965, seeking the voting rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Their march was halted when they were brutally attacked and beaten by police with billy clubs and tear gas who tried to thwart their efforts. But the crowd of marchers only came back larger and stronger in subsequent days as, led by a young Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., they made the 54-mile trek from Selma to Montgomery, the state’s capital, in support of voting rights. More than 25,000 people were with them that day when they arrived in Montgomery.

That first horrific march 57 years ago, which became known as “Bloody Sunday,” marked a turning point in this nation’s history and spurred the passage of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin is learning that brutal force is no match for what is right. Mr. Putin and leaders in many nations, including the United States, thought the Russian army would easily roll over the Ukrainian people in this appalling invasion.

But Ukraine’s people and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy — freedom fighters all — aren’t giving up. While more than 2 million people — mostly women, children and seniors — have fled in the last two weeks, hundreds of thousands of others have remained, taking measures to protect their freedom and that of their country. Estimates are that 25 percent of the fighters are women.

We call on the right-minded nations, people and companies of the world to continue their support of the people of Ukraine through humanitarian and other aid and to keep ratcheting up the pressure against Mr. Putin and Russia to end this senseless war.

We support the myriad economic and other sanctions that have been levied against Mr. Putin and Russia by more than 30 nations thus far, including the United States. On Tuesday, President Biden signed an executive order banning the import of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas and coal to the United States. The United Kingdom followed suit with its own Russian oil ban by the end of 2022.

While it is not an immediate ban, as we would like to see, it is a big step, given the U.K.’s and most of Europe’s dependence on Russia-produced oil. Some experts estimate that as much as 13 percent of the U.K.’s oil imports come from Russia. And, according to Eurostat, 30 percent of the European Union’s petroleum imports and 39 percent of the total gas imports came from Russia in 2017.

The European Commission announced plans this week to cut gas imports from Russia by two-thirds this year.

Throughout the United States, including in Metro Richmond, gasoline prices are jumping each day to a new record high. But we believe it is a small price to pay if it will help end Russian aggression and help the Ukrainian people secure their freedom.

We believe the Ukraine situation is a cover for selfish profiteers and price gougers whose sole interest is to make a buck off people during this global crisis. We call on Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin and Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares to provide the leadership and steps necessary to stop this in the Commonwealth.

During his tenure, former Attorney General Mark R. Herring proved it could be done. Among his last acts in office in late 2021 was to hold gas stations in the Richmond area and Waynesboro accountable for violating the state’s anti-price gouging and consumer protection laws in May 2021 during the temporary pandemic shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline that supplies motor fuels and other petroleum-based products to a large portion of the East Coast.

We hope that Gov. Youngkin and Mr. Miyares will step up to the plate.

This crisis also directly signals the need for the United States and nations around the world to break free from the dependence on fossil fuels and continue to innovate and push the development of solar and wind power and other alternative energy sources.

The world is being held hostage right now by a madman in Russia who has the global community afraid to step in 100 percent to help Ukraine lest he unleash a nuclear bomb, move to take over Poland, Moldova or other nations and/or start World War III. These are scary times, even more scary for the people of Ukraine. Our actions in the coming days will show just how much we are willing to pay for freedom.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

The humanity of Black Ukrainians Most of us are riveted to the television, radio or internet to learn more about what is happening in Ukraine. On one hand, it is a world away; but on the other hand, it is right next door because it affects us.

Not only is there the devastating loss of human life, but there are also the ways that we in the United States are affected

by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s putrid boldness. We are feeling it in our pocketbooks as we watch gasoline prices rise.

We also feel it in our hearts as we watch people leave, juggling their bundles of belongings, not knowing if they will ever see home again.

Black people who live in Ukraine have been mostly ignored when these human interest stories are broadcast. If it were not for journalists Roland Martin and David A. Love, we would not know much about how Black Ukrainians are being treated.

Mr. Martin was the first to speak of it, highlighting how Black folk in Ukraine were being turned away from buses and trains leaving the country.

Mr. Love has written about the ways the majority media has highlighted human suffering, ignoring Black suffering as if we are not human.

I am not surprised at this global anti-Blackness as it is the same in Ukraine as it is in the United Kingdom or parts of

Julianne Malveaux Latin America. Global predatory capitalism has made it acceptable for people to discriminate, even in times of war and crisis. Even without war and crisis, Ukraine has an ugly history of racism.

From Twitter, Ukraine’s Deputy Chief Prosecutor David Sakvarelidze said, “It’s very emotional for me because I see European people with blue eyes and blonde hair being killed.”

What about the folks with brown eyes, brown skin and brown hair?

Their plight is less impactful, at least for him. Mr. Sakvarelidze, your racism is showing.

But he’s not the only one.

Others have commented on the middle class status of the fleeing white Ukrainians as if the Black folks fleeing, many who are students, don’t have enough status to be treated compassionately.

Of course, the Ukrainian

government has issued a statement denying any racism. What else can they say?

The United States can play a role in ensuring that Black folks fleeing Ukraine are fairly treated.

If we are sending humanitarian aid, we should condition it to fairness in the distribution of aid. Or, if we are sending people to the border to administer aid, we could ensure that our envoys are race-sensitive. If Black folks can’t get on buses or trains, perhaps we could offer buses and trains for them. In the face of blatant racism, we must create race-specific remedies so that no population in Ukraine or anywhere else feels a disproportionate amount of pain.

Other media outlets have jumped on the bandwagon since Mr. Martin and Mr. Love have called this racism out. However, I’ve yet to see an in-depth profile of an African family trying to leave. In contrast, I’ve seen several white Ukrainians doing things like getting married in uniform, feeding neighbors or being taken in by Polish people or others.

Where are the stories about the African students abandoning their studies or African families being fractured? This is not just about Ukrainian racism. It is also about white journalistic myopia

Same old ‘ridiculousness’ You can tell a lot about the strength of President Biden’s U.S. Supreme Court nominee by the weakness and shallowness of the political backlash against her.

When President Biden announced on the campaign trail that he intended to nominate the first Black woman justice for the nation’s highest court, everyone knew that conservatives would still control the U.S. Supreme Court regardless of whom President Biden picked.

Of the nine justices on the high court, six were appointed by a Republican president and three, including the retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, were appointed by Democrats.

And when President Biden named Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to replace Justice Breyer, for whom she formerly served as a law clerk, there was little question that the double graduate of Harvard University and former editor of the Harvard Law Review was, at the very least, qualified.

Yet, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, took out his shovel that day and proceeded to dig up what sounded like dirt.

“I understand Judge Jackson was the favored choice of far left, dark money groups that have spent years attacking the legitimacy and structure of the Court itself,” he said in a

statement.

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, argued in his own statement, “Even before this nominee was named, the right wing donors who packed

Clarence Page the Court under President Trump sought to disparage Justice Breyer’s replacement, alleging the same dark money scheme that they, themselves, hatched and executed.”

But even before Judge Jackson’s nomination was announced, a storm was brewing, aimed particularly at President Biden’s bold promise on the campaign trail to name the high court’s first Black woman justice.

President Biden’s political sin was to violate a traditional bit of Washington etiquette in matters of race and gender: Pretend as though you haven’t made up your mind, even though you already have.

President Reagan, an iconic figure in Republican lore, similarly promised to name the first woman to the high court, who turned out to be Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. It was about time then, too. Yet, President Biden’s similar promise to name a Black woman was called “offensive” and “an insult to Black women,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said in a podcast.

Why? “”Black women are, what, 6 percent of the U.S. population?”

Sen. Cruz asked rhetorically.

President Biden “is saying to 94 percent of Americans, ‘I don’t give a damn about you. You are

ineligible.’ ” Gee, I had no idea that the number of eligible Americans for the U.S. Supreme Court was so high. Sen. Cruz appears to subscribe to the zero-sum game that paints even a modest advance for racial or gender diversity as a loss for white people, particularly white men. Americans, at our best, are supposed to be more optimistic than that.

Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, told The New York Times, “The idea that race and gender should be the No. 1 and No. 2 criteria is not as it should be.”

But she also acknowledged that “there are many qualified Black women for this post and given that Democrats, regrettably, have had some success in trying to paint Republicans as anti-Black, it may make it more difficult to reject a Black jurist.”

Not much more difficult, judging by the right wing rhetoric that already has been raised.

I think Judge Jackson will do well in her hearings if she keeps the “thick skin” she described to a Black student group at the University of Chicago in 2020.

“As a professional of color,” she said, “there will inevitably be times when you will feel singled out, challenged, questioned, undervalued and misinterpreted, and you will very much want to call out or cancel people who say and do discriminatory things.

“But doing so takes time and effort,” she continued. “And if we are going to get to where we belong ... we can’t keep stopping and fretting over random ridiculousness!”

Right on. Even when the ridiculousness comes from our nation’s highest officeholders.

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.

that refuses to acknowledge Black humanity.

My heart breaks for Ukraine.

I’ve become a great fan of Ukraine’s bodacious and defiant President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

My heart also breaks for my African brothers and sisters in Ukraine attempting to survive bombs and bombast while also struggling with racism that treats them so very differently from other human beings.

I implore President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to consider the way Black folk are being treated in Ukraine and tie some of the aid we offer to anti-racist efforts. I want more humanitarian stories about Black folk in Ukraine.

Sojourner Truth’s resonant statement was “Ain’t I a woman?” In Ukraine, Black folks might ask, “Ain’t I a human?”

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

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Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2022 A7

Letters to the Editor

The power of the people — and alumni When my beloved alma mater Grambling State University hired a white assistant coach, Art Briles, as offensive coordinator of the football program, there was a loud uproar. The reason was not because Mr. Briles is white, but he had a lot of baggage that followed him after leaving Baylor University.

He was fired from Baylor in 2016 for his mishandling of sexual assault allegations against his football players. No college football program had hired him after that incident.

Many people were surprised when the new head coach at Grambling State, former NFL Coach Hue Jackson, hired Art Briles to be on his coaching staff.

Many people made their voices heard that they did not think this was the right choice.

Some notables, such as Doug Williams, spoke out against the hiring, saying he could no longer support the football team with this hiring.

For those who do not know, Doug Williams is one of Grambling’s favorite sons who went on to have a prominent football career in the NFL. He also came back to Grambling as head coach for two separate stints.

Stephen A. Smith, a notable sports commentator who graduated from an HBCU, blasted Art Briles’ hiring on his show. Many other celebrities, alumni and people in general expressed their displeasure with this hire.

This backlash appears to have been too much for the university as well as for Mr. Briles. After four days on the job, Mr. Briles announced that he was resigning. We do not know if university officials told him that he could either resign gracefully or be forced out of the position.

This shows you that when many people speak up in unison, changes can be made for the better, in this case, for GSU. Go Tigers!

ERNEST PARKER JR. Richmond Grambling State University Alumnus, 1976

Collective bargaining will transform lives The city of Richmond is at a crossroads. We are experiencing growth and transformation, yet not everyone gets a chance to share in the fruits of our success.

For the past four years, I’ve been proud to call this city home, but I believe we need to take important steps to ensure our city is just, equitable and a place where — no matter what you look like, what neighborhood you come from or where you went to school — everyone has a chance to succeed on their own terms.

One way to set us on the right path is by giving City of Richmond workers a voice on the job to improve their workplaces and the services they provide.

Through collective bargaining, city workers can negotiate over things like wages, benefits, scheduling and workplace safety. This will make all the difference and will allow us to attract and retain essential workers that keep our city running. I only wish that this change happened sooner.

Recently, the Commonwealth Institute reported that 3 out of 4 City of Richmond employees cannot afford an adequate standard of living for their families on their current salaries. I’m tired of watching families — especially families of color — accept a sad reality that a living wage is only a dream, that they should be thankful for the scraps while being pushed out of their communities by the unrelenting march of gentrification. This harms the fabric of our historic neighborhoods.

The city’s non-Hispanic Black population fell by 11.5 percent from 2010 to 2020. That is concerning to me and a trend that must be reversed.

By earning a fair wage and experiencing stable employment through public services, communities of color will be able to remain in our vibrant city for years to come.

And that’s why the coming months are so important.

The Richmond City Council has the chance to pass

an ordinance that will empower all city workers to control their own destinies and work in partnership with leaders to improve how our city runs.

As a member of the task force assembled to create a civilian police review board and recently elected chair of the Richmond City Democratic Committee, I know the importance of having a say in how decisions are made. By pushing for community investment, fostering civic engagement, racial and economic equality and protecting voting rights, Richmond can be the city we all know it can be. But we cannot leave out unions and workers’ rights as part of the puzzle that will make us whole.

When city workers are allowed to form their union with SEIU Virginia 512 and negotiate a union contract, I know our city will be in a better place.

JEWEL GATLING Richmond

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION’S REGULATIONS GOVERNING NET ENERGY METERING CASE NO. PUR-2021-00251 The Regulations Governing Net Energy Metering, 20 VAC 5-315-10 et seq. (“Net Energy Metering Rules”), adopted by the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) pursuant to § 56-594 of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), establish the requirements for participation by an eligible customer-generator in net energy metering in the Commonwealth. The Net Energy Metering Rules include conditions for interconnection and metering, billing, and contract requirements between net metering customers, electric distribution companies, and energy service providers. &KDSWHU RI WKH $FWV RI $VVHPEO\ 6SHFLDO 6HVVLRQ , ³&KDSWHU ´ DPHQGHG WKH GH¿QLWLRQ RI ³>V@PDOO DJULFXOWXUDO JHQHUDWRU´ LQ &RGH § 56-594.2 as follows (with changes noted in italics): “Small agricultural generator” means a customer that: ...

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Richmond Free Press

A8 March 10-12, 2022

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

John Marshall Justices poised to win another state basketball crown Most high school basketball teams feel fortunate to have one or two stars. Richmond’s John Marshall High School features a galaxy.

The always-illuminated North Siders and their talent will be shining on Saturday, March 12, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center when the Justices face Radford High School for the state Class 2 championship at 1 p.m.

John Marshall High, with a 21-4 record, advanced to the final with a 92-53 victory in the semifinal contest Monday night over Greensville High School of Emporia. The game was played at Huguenot High School in Richmond.

The Justices seem to take turns dazzling their loyal fan base and thwarting the opposition. As usual, there were standouts aplenty against the scrappy but outmanned Greensville team.

Steven Stinson, a 6-foot-5 junior who transferred to John Marshall from Trinity Episcopal School, had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and quicksilver guards Reggie Robertson and Damon Thompson added 14 points each.

Robertson, a senior in his fourth season on the John Marshall varsity, and sophomore Thompson force a whirlwind tempo with their relentless full-floor pressure defense and running a fast break that has no brakes.

Always entertaining Dennis Parker Jr., a 6-foot-6 junior with a national reputation among recruiters, also scored 14 points. Among those viewThe grand finale John Marshall Justices play the Radford Bobcats for the state Class 2 boys basketball championship.

Game: 1 p.m.

Saturday, March 12, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center.

ing Monday’s game was VCU Coach Mike Rhoades.

Radford, 19-4 with eight straight wins, reached the title game with a 47-44 doubleovertime win against James River High School of Buchanan in Salem. The Radford Bobcats, who rely heavily on 3-point shooting, are led by 6-foot senior guard Nathan Wesley.

Coach Ty White’s Justices

have won eight straight games and 18 of their last 19 matchups.

Few have been close.

The Justices have been totally dominant in the postseason. John Marshall breezed to the regional title by defeating Bruton High School of Williamsburg 75-26, Thomas Jefferson High School 78-44 and Greensville High 85-41.

The Justices then trounced East Rockingham High School of Elkton 91-57 in the state quarterfinals and then Greensville High, again, in the semifinals. u For about 100 years, John Marshall competed in the top enrollment level in Virginia, 1A and then AAA. But as the school’s student count has dwindled, John Marshall has fallen to the second lowest of six state sports classifications, Class 2. There are now fewer than 500 students in the building on a given day. u Greensville is coached by former Virginia Union standout Antwan Walton, who was the Elite Eight MVP of the Panthers’ 2005 NCAA Division II championship team.

Walton’s son, 6-foot-5 junior

Lady Justices lose to Luray in state semifinals John Marshall High School’s girls basketball team came up short in its quest for a state Class 2 title.

Coach Virgil Burton’s Lady Justices lost to Luray High School 64-56 on Monday in the state semifinals at the Shenandoah Valley school.

Junior Jaedyn Cook had 11 points and MiAngel Harris scored 10 points for John Marshall, which finished 17-7. The team will lose only two seniors from this season’s roster.

Luray, 26-2, won the 2021 state title and was state runner-up in 2020.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

John Marshall High School’s Reggie Robertson, No. 5, leaps to make the basket during Monday night’s semifinal game against Greensville High School. Robertson, a senior, scored 14 points during the game played at Huguenot High School, helping the Justices to their 92-53 victory and advancement to the state championship game on Saturday, March 12, at the Siegel Center.

Xzavion, had 25 points for the Eagles. u On Saturday, the Justices will be looking for their third state title since 2014, all at the Siegel Center.

John Marshall won the state 3A title in 2014 over George Wythe High School, with Jeremy Sheppard earning State Player of the Year honors.

In 2018, John Marshall trounced Western Albemarle High School for the Class 3 crown, with Isaiah Todd be-

VCU looking for A-10 Tournament victory and slot in NCAA Vi rg i n i a Commonwealth University didn’t have Bones Hyland this season, but the Rams have Vince Williams & Co., and that was plenty.

A 6-foot-6 senior from Toledo, Ohio, Williams has been the backbone of a “Bones-less” Rams outfit that will play this weekend in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. While Hyland was an electrifying performer, the team’s win-loss record hasn’t suffered in his absence.

The Rams, 21-8 overall and 14-4 in the A-10, will be the second seed when the team opens the tournament with a quarterfinal matchup at 8:30 p.m. Friday, March11, likely against the University of Richmond. The Spiders faced a play-in game on Wednesday.

The Rams defeated UR twice during the regular season.

The A-10 semifinals are Saturday, March 12, and the championship game Sunday, March 13, with the winner advancing automatically to the NCAA Big Dance. A second or third place A-10 club also could go to the NCAA as an at-large entry.

Some background: The Rams were 19-7 overall and 10-4 in the A-10 a year ago, with Hyland earning Player of the Year honors and going to the NBA as the

Joe Bryant Jr.

Denver Nuggets’ first round draft pick.

Hyland left VCU with three seasons of eligibility remaining.

The Rams lost the 2021 regular season title and tournament Vince Williams crowns to St. Bonaventure University. VCU was selected to the NCAA field but was unable to play due to a positive COVID-19 test.

This season, Davidson College is the regular season champ and top seed. The Rams split with the Wildcats this season.

The only other losses were at St. Bonaventure, at home against the University of Dayton and at St. Louis University in the finale.

Williams, despite some nagging injuries, has been the catalyst for Coach Mike Rhoades’ squad. Flexing his muscles all over the floor, Williams averages 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds.

The left-hander is hitting 38 percent from behind the arc and 80 percent at the foul line, while also contributing 83 assists, 43 steals and 30 blocked shots.

He belongs in the conversation for A-10 Player of the Year and will surely play professionally in the future.

After missing the first seven games with an injury, VCU point guard Ace Baldwin has been a spark plug. The sophomore

Kris Bankston

Jalen Hawkins

from Baltimore averages 11.1 points while leading the team in assists with 116 and in steals with 60.

Jayden Nunn, a 6-foot-4 freshman from Flint, Mich., averages 8.3 points Ace Baldwin and is a candidate for the All-Rookie Team.

Defensively, VCU has been stingy, holding opponents to 60.8 points per game, 39 percent shooting overall and 27 percent from 3-point range.

Despite a season-ending loss at St. Louis University and snapping an eight-game winning streak, the Rams have shined away from home. VCU is 9-2 in true road games and also defeated Syracuse University on a neutral floor.

That bodes well for this weekend. VCU has easily the best traveling fan base in the A-10. Washington, D.C., is practically a home game for a “Rowdy Rams” cheering section willing to go anywhere.

The VCU Rams might be dubbed USA Rams. The roster includes players from New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Oregon, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri and South Carolina.

The lone Virginian on the team is walk-on guard Arnold Henderson VI from Richmond’s St. Christopher’s School.

Tyrese Jenkins

NSU goes into MEAC Tournament as No. 1 seed Norfolk State University had the best record, the top seed and the hometown advantage heading into this week’s MEAC Tournament at Norfolk Scope Arena.

The Spartans opened MEAC play Wednesday night with a quarterfinal matchup against Delaware State University.

If victorious, NSU would advance to the semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday, March 11.

The championship game will be at 1 p.m.

Saturday, March 12, and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

NSU senior Joe Bryant Jr., from Norfolk’s Lake Taylor High School, was named MEAC Most Outstanding Player and Spartans Coach Robert Jones was

selected as Coach of the Year.

The 6-foot-2 Bryant averaged 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and ranks third nationally in free throw percentage (112-122, 918). He also has 90 assists, 40 steals and 49 3-pointers.

Kris Bankston, a 6-foot-9 senior from Little Rock, Ark., earned second team All-MEAC honors on the strength of his 11.2 scoring and 6.9 rebounding averages.

Bankston has hit an amazing 125 of 172 shots from the floor, or .727.

Earning third-team All-MEAC honors was Jalen Hawkins, a 6-foot-2 senior from the Bronx, N.Y. Tyrese Jenkins, a 6-foot-6 junior from

Varina High School, has come on strong with 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Jenkins has hit 30 3-pointers.

As regular season champion, NSU automatically qualifies for the NIT should it slip up during the tournament at the Scope. The tournament champion goes to the NCAAs. NSU won the regular season and tournament titles a year ago and advanced to the NCAA’s First Four in Dayton, Ohio.

The Spartans were 11-0 this season at their Joseph G. Echols Hall arena on campus. The Norfolk Scope is a mere 1.2 miles from NSU.

ing name State Player of the Year.

The Justices won the 2A title in 2020 over Gate City High School, with Jason Nelson the State Player of the Year.

The Justices likely would have won another state title in 2021, but Richmond Public Schools opted out of the season because of COVID-19.

John Marshall and Maggie L. Walker, combined at the time as

Marshall-Walker High School, won state AAA crowns in 1982 and 1983 with Ronnie Wade, Willie Jennings, Bubba Johnson and John Stevens among the headliners.

Long before school integration, and when the school was located Downtown at 8th and Marshall streets, John Marshall also won state 1A championships in 1920, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1948 and 1954.

VUU Panthers left out of NCAA Division II regionals Virginia Union University’s outstanding basketball season is over too soon.

The Panthers are all dressed up with no place to go after failing to make the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional at Indiana University in Pennsylvania.

The eight-team field was announced Sunday night and will include CIAA Tournament champion Fayetteville State University.

The Broncos, seeded eighth, will play host to top seed Indiana University on Saturday, March 12. The semifinals are Sunday, March 13, with the title game on Tuesday, March 15.

VUU finished 23-7 under Coach Jay Butler and were the CIAA Northern Division champs.

The Panthers defeated Bowie State and Winston-Salem State universities at the CIAA Tournament in Baltimore before losing 65-62 to Fayetteville State in the final. It was a costly setback.

The Panthers proved they could play with the best. On Dec. 19, VUU took Nova Southeastern University into overtime in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before falling 92-88. Nova Southeastern is now undefeated and ranked No. 1 nationally.

VUU should have a strong lineup returning next season, with All-CIAA Robert Osborne the headliner. The Panthers will lose their other All-CIAA selection, Jordan Peebles, who played this past season as a graduate student.

3 other area teams playing for state high school crowns The Virginia High School League’s state basketball finals this week will have a strong local flavor at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center.

In addition to John Marshall High School representing Richmond in the Class 2 finals, three other local teams will be vying for first place in their respective classifications.

On Thursday, March 10, Varina High School will face Loudoun County High School at 2:30 p.m. for the Class 4 crown. Varina is led by 6-foot-8 Alphonzo “Fats” Billups, a VCU signee.

Also on Thursday, Petersburg High School will take on Cave Spring High School from the Roanoke area for the Class 3 championship.

At 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, Highland Springs High School will meet Maury High School of Norfolk for the Class 5 title.

Tickets are $10 and available online at the VHSL.org website.

Spectators are required to wear face masks.

Flying Squirrels hosting seasonal job fair The Richmond Flying Squirrels are hosting three job fairs at The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.

They will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 10; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 26; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2.

The Flying Squirrels will be hiring part-time, game-day positions for concessions, cashiers, food runners, bartenders, line cooks, prep cooks, banquet servers, dishwashers, fry cooks, vendors, warehouse runners, ticketing and grounds crew.

March 10-12, 2022 B1

Richmond Free Press

Section

B

Happenings Personality: Dr. Audra Yuki-Wright Jones

Spotlight on board president of the Virginia Dental Association Foundation Dr. Audra Yuki-Wright Jones is helping put a bright smile on the faces of Virginians.

As president of the board of directors of the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, Dr. Jones is leading efforts to offer free dental programs to low-income, underserved and uninsured children and adults across the Commonwealth.

She wants to re-establish their continuity of the foundation’s service after the upheaval of the pandemic.

“COVID-19 severely impacted the VDAF’s ability to fulfill its mission but it did not change the number of people who need assistance,” Dr. Jones says. “My No. 1 goal is to navigate the challenges posed in a COVID-19 world and find innovative ways to provide services at our prepandemic level.”

More than 6,500 people were helped annually by the programs offered through the foundation, the charitable and outreach arm of the Virginia Dental Association. The foundation was started 26 years ago to help people without financial resources or dental insurance access comprehensive dental care and preventive services.

The foundation does this through three key programs – the Mission of Mercy program that operates free mobile dental clinics across Virginia; the Donated Dental Services program that helps eligible seniors and adults with disabilities; and the Give Kids a Smile program that provides free oral health care to children.

Through the Mission of Mercy program alone, more than 69,000 patients have received care valued at more than $48.3 million since the program’s launch in 2000, Dr. Jones says. Thousands of volunteers — dentists and others — have helped make all

three programs successful and a model for other states.

As president of the foundation’s board, Dr. Jones wants to increase public awareness about the programs.

“I also want to inspire opportunities for involvement and serving patients throughout the Commonwealth,” she says.

Dr. Jones credits her fatherin-law, Dr. John W. Jones, with opening her to dentistry as a possible career. She shadowed him during her senior year in college.

“I loved seeing the relationships he had with his patients and the difference he made by treating their needs and boosting their self-confidence,” she says.

She earned her degree in dentistry from Howard University College of Dentistry and is a general dentist. She volunteered with the VDAF’s Mission of Mercy program in 2012 after moving to Virginia and helped with the creation of free mobile dental clinics for the community. She formally joined the VDAF board of directors in 2014 and was elected to the board’s top position in January for a two-year term.

“I am passionate about dentistry’s ability to improve people’s health and self-esteem,” Dr. Jones says. “It’s important to me to give back to the community.”

Meet a passionate leader in making dental care accessible to the people and this week’s Personality, Dr. Audra YukiWright Jones: No. 1 volunteer position: President of the Board of Directors, Virginia Dental Association Foundation.

Occupation: General dentist.

Date and place of birth: July 7 in Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Where I live now: Mechan-

icsville.

Education: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria; James Madison University; and Howard University College of Dentistry.

Family: Husband, Vaughan Jones, and two boys, Casey, 15, and Liam, 12.

Virginia Dental Association Foundation is: A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the charitable and outreach arm of the Virginia Dental Association. We garner the resources of dental professionals and the community at large to offer programs that serve more than 6,500 people annually. The VDAF’s mission is accomplished by three nationally recognized programs: Mission of Mercy, Donated Dental Services and Give Kids a Smile.

VDAF mission: To provide access to dental care to underserved Virginians.

When and why VDAF was founded: The VDAF was

founded in 1996 because thousands of people across Virginia experience chronic pain resulting from oral disease simply because they lack basic resources such as dental insurance or personal finances to access comprehensive dental care and preventive services.

Who VDAF serves: The VDAF serves low-income, underserved and uninsured Virginians, including children and those who are elderly or disabled. All services are provided free of charge.

Why I accepted the position: I am passionate about dentistry’s ability to improve people’s health and self-esteem.

No. 1 goal as board president: To navigate the challenges posed in a COVID-19 world and find innovative ways to provide services at our pre-pandemic level.

Strategy for achieving goal: The VDAF will continue to work with existing partners in planning future projects and programs. We are seeking new partners, obtaining grants and acquiring sponsorships. We also are reaching out to communities to assess their needs and how we can be of assistance.

Why dentistry is vital care: Dentistry maintains the quality of your smile as well as your overall well-being. It is important to physical and mental health.

Mission of Mercy is: Launched in 2000 by Dr. Terry Dickenson, retired executive director of the Virginia Dental Association, the MOM program operates multiple free mobile dental clinics annually across Virginia.

Since its inception, more than 69,000 patients have received care valued at more than $48.3

million. Thirty-one other states have now implemented projects based on the model first created in Virginia, and the Virginia Health Care Foundation has included the Mission of Mercy program in its “Models that Made It” series, producing a detailed guidebook as a reference for other communities seeking to host a project.

Donated Dental Services is: Donated Dental Services was started in 1997 and provides comprehensive dental care to eligible seniors and adults with disabilities. More than 600 volunteer dentists, as well as specialists and laboratories, tend to the essential and comprehensive dental care needs of some of Virginia’s most vulnerable groups — individuals who are disabled, elderly or medically-compromised and unable to afford services or access public aid.

Give Kids a Smile is: Give Kids a Smile is an initiative proposed by the American Dental Association. It is a National Children’s Dental Access Day designed to raise awareness and provide free oral health care to as many children as possible. Efforts range from community outreach and education programs in schools to donated full-mouth restorations for children requiring extensive care. In 2021, 1,013 children in Virginia benefited from free dental services through the program.

How local dentists can pitch in: There are many ways! Dentists can volunteer to be a DDS dentist, participate in Mission of Mercy and Give Kids a Smile or make a financial contribution to the VDAF. Tips for patients fearful of seeing a dentist: If you’re nervous about dental visits, there are things that can put you at ease.

Schedule a consult to meet with

FROM HAMPTON ROADS TO HENRICO & BEY ND. Watch Thursdays at 8 p.m. vpm.org/focalpoint

the dentist. You and the dentist can discuss potential treatment plans and ways the dentist can allay your fear and anxiety.

Tips for students interested in dentistry: I’d advise any student interested in dentistry to start by reaching out to their dentist and asking for shadowing opportunities. Next, contact prospective dental schools to learn which college classes are prerequisites for admission.

Finally, volunteer with dental projects like Mission of Mercy or Give Kids a Smile.

A perfect day for me is: Spending time with my family hiking in a new environment.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Fight. I love combat sports. I’m a 2nd-degree black belt. I train at a kickboxing gym or karate dojang five days a week.

Quote that inspires me: “Happiness is developed through appreciation of what you have.”

Friends describe me as: Loyal and adventurous.

At the top of my “to-do” list: My bucket list travel adventure is an eight-day Alaskan hike from Kenai to Denali.

Best late-night snack: Popcorn.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: Always believe in myself.

Person who influenced me the most: My father is my greatest influence and role model. He is a war veteran. He maintains a calm confident demeaner though any storm. He’s my biggest supporter.

Book that influenced me the most: “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle.

What I’m reading now: “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry”

by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Next goal: Navigate painlessly — or as close to it as possible — my sons’ teenage years!

Richmond Free Press

B2 March 10-12, 2022

Happenings

Black female WWII unit to be recognized with Congressional Gold Medal Free Press wire report

BOSTON The only all-female, Black unit to serve in Europe during World War II will be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal.

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps, known in short as the Six Triple Eight, will finally be recognized following a long-running campaign to honor the unit tasked with sorting and routing mail for millions of American service members and civilians during World War II. Only a half-dozen of the more than 850 women in the unit are still alive.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on the last day of Black History Month to award the top honor to the unit, while the Senate passed the legislation last year.

“It’s overwhelming,” Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, who is 101 and lives in Arizona, said when told of the vote. “It’s something I never even thought about it. I don’t know if I can stand this.”

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was credited with solving a growing mail crisis during its stint in England and, upon their return to the United States, serving as a role model to generations of Black women who joined the military.

But for decades, the exploits of the 855 members never got wider recognition. But that has changed, starting several years ago.

A monument was put in place in 2018 at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to honor them, and the 6888th was given the Meritorious Unit Commendation

Matt York/Associated Press, File

World War II veteran Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, a member of the World War II 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, poses June 10, 2021, at her home in Tempe, Ariz. The battalion that made history as the only allfemale, Black unit to serve in Europe during WWII is set to be honored

by Congress with the Congressional Gold Medal.

in 2019. A documentary, “The Six Triple Eight,” was made about them.

There now is talk of a movie.

Retired Army Col. Edna Cummings was among those advocating for the 6888th.

“The Six Triple Eight was a trailblazing group of heroes who were the only all-Black, Women Army Corps Battalion to serve overseas during World War II,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who sponsored the bill after being contacted by the daughter of 6888th member Anna Mae Robertson.

“Facing both racism and sexism in a war zone, these women sorted

millions of pieces of mail, closing massive mail backlogs and ensuring service members received letters from their loved ones,” Rep. Moore said.

“A Congressional Gold Medal is only fitting for these veterans who received little recognition for their service after returning home.”

The U.S. House of Representatives also voted on Feb. 28 to the rename the Central Park Post Office in Buffalo, N.Y., as the “Indiana Hunt-Martin Post Office Building” after veteran Indiana Hunt-Martin, a member of the 6888th. Mrs. Hunt-Martin died in 2020 at the age of 98.

“Throughout her life and military service, Indiana Hunt-Martin experi-

‘In Love with Orchids and Gardens’ Orchid lovers have a field day at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, where a variety of orchids were both on sale and on view last weekend at the annual Orchid Show and Sale. Many people attended the free lectures from expert growers at the show, presented by the Virginia Orchid Society and sponsored by the botanical garden in Lakeside. This year’s theme: “In Love with Orchids and Gardens.” The north wing of the Conservatory also was filled with orchids, including varieties such as phalaenopsis, the white ones seen here, and cymbidium orchids, the yellow ones, commonly used for Easter corsages.

enced racism and sexism firsthand, but no amount of discrimination prevented her from serving her country,” New York Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins, who sponsored the post office bill and also was a co-sponsor of the Congressional Gold Medal bill, said in a statement. “Her courage and bravery paved the way for future generations of African-American women serving in the military.”

The 6888th was sent overseas in 1945, a time when there was growing pressure from African-American organizations to include Black women in what was called the Women’s Army Corps, the WACs, and allow them to join their white counterparts overseas.

The unit dodged German U-boats on their way to England and scrambled to escape a German rocket once they reached a Glasgow port. They were deployed to unheated, rat-infested airplane hangars in Birmingham, England, and given a daunting mission: Process the millions of pieces of undelivered mail for troops, government workers and Red Cross workers. The mountains of mail had piled up and troops were grumbling about lost letters and delayed care packages. Thus their motto: “No Mail, Low Morale.”

They cleared out a backlog of about 17 million pieces of mail in three months—half the time projected. The battalion would go on to serve in France before returning home. And like so many Black units during World War II, their exploits never got the attention afforded their white counterparts.

Despite their achievements, the unit endured questions and criticism from those who didn’t support Black women

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for

Beautillion 2022

6th Annual Richmond Black Restaurant Experience runs through March 13 The 6th Annual Richmond Black Restaurant Experience kicked off last weekend with Mobile Soul Sunday at Monroe Park, featuring more than 20 Black-owned food trucks and carts serving a variety of tasty fare.

The weeklong celebration of food and culture runs through Sunday, March 13, with live music, comedy, a paint-and-sip, karaoke, poetry open mic night and hip-hop bingo at restaurants around the city.

More than 40 Black-owned restaurants are participating this year in the event that supports the Richmond group’s Black culinary industry and tourism scene.

The event was started in 2017 by Shemicia Bowen, Kelli Lemon and Amy Wentz to showcase the talent and variety of Richmond’s Blackowned restaurants and to raise awareness of these sometimes hidden gems.

Since its start, the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience has funneled more than $3

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in the military. Housing, mess halls and recreation facilities were segregated by race and gender, forcing them to set up all their own operations.

The unit commander, Maj. Charity Adams, also was criticized by a general who threatened to give her command to a white officer. She reportedly responded, “Over my dead body, sir.”

Many of the women had plenty of success after getting out of the military.

Elizabeth Barker Johnson was the first female to attend Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina on the GI Bill. She took part in the school’s graduation ceremony at the age of 99 — 70 years after getting her degree. Mrs. Hunt-Martin worked for the New York State Department of Labor for 41 years.

Maj. McClendon joined the Air Force after the military was integrated and retired in 1971. She was the first female to command an all-male squadron with the Strategic Air Command. Another unit member, the late Doris Moore, became the first Black social worker in New Hampshire, her family said.

“This is a long-overdue honor and recognition for the women of the Six Triple Eight, including New Hampshire’s own Doris Moore,” New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas said in a statement. “Doris and her sisters in arms were trailblazers and patriots who answered the call to service. It’s even more remarkable that their sacrifice and service in defense of freedom came at a time when many of the very freedoms they fought for were not yet available to them.”

9

. Beautillion — 201

OC Foundation Inc The 25th Annual PR

PROC Foundation, Inc. is currently accepting applications for its 2022 Beautillion.

All male high school sophomores and juniors are welcome to submit an application. The “Beaux” will participate in community service projects, social etiquette classes and leadership development workshops. The culmination of the Beautillion Season will be a formal presentation of the young men at an elegant black-tie affair in November. In addition to cultural and educational activities, participants will have an opportunity to earn scholarships and prizes. A virtual information Session will take place on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 3pm. (Registration link below) This Information Session will provide the necessary information to help you make your decision on participation. A mandatory virtual Orientation Session will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 3pm.

To obtain registration link for Orientation or an application, contact Mrs. Tanya Allsbrooks at logistics@procfoundation.org, 804-399-9823. The deadline to submit an application is March 27, 2022.

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Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2022 B3

Obituary/Faith News Editor’s note: The following prayer by Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund, is reprinted from her weekly “Child Watch” column with permission of the Washingtonbased nonprofit organization.

A Prayer to the God of All Children

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Praying for Ukraine Richmonders pray for peace and the people of Ukraine at a vigil held March 3 at Monroe Park by the Virginia Commonwealth University campus. The vigil was organized by the Rev. Joe Ellison Jr., the chaplain for Virginia Union University’s athletic teams, who spoke during the candlelight event. Various pastors and community members attended the vigil in support, including representatives from the offices of Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin and Mayor Levar M. Stoney.

O God of the children of Ukraine Of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala Of Syria, Nigeria, Liberia, Sudan and South Africa Of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Israel, Iran and Iraq Of Libya, Yemen, Nepal and Kashmir Of the Congo, Charleston and Cleveland, of Darfur and Detroit Of all refugee children without a country to welcome them, at sea in flimsy boats, struggling across steaming deserts to find safety, or caged in holding pens as they seek asylum, Help us to love and respect and protect and welcome them all.

O God of Black and Brown and White children and those all mixed together Of children who are rich and poor and in between Of children who speak Spanish and English and Swahili and Mandarin and Arabic and languages and dialects our ears cannot discern, Help us to love and respect and protect and welcome them all.

O God of the child prodigy and child prostitute, of the child of rapture and the child of rape, Of runaway and thrown away and sexually trafficked children who struggle every day without a parent or place or friend or future, Of LGBTQ children struggling to be who they are and children roaming across nations in search of a place called home, Help us to love and respect and protect and welcome them all.

O God of children who can walk and talk and hear and see and sing and dance and jump and play and of children who wish they could but can’t Of children who are loved and unloved, wanted and unwanted, Help us to love and respect and protect and welcome them all.

O God of incarcerated, beggar, beaten, abused, neglected, and homeless children Of AIDS, drug, violence, and hunger ravaged children, Of children who are emotionally and physically and mentally fragile, and of children who rebel and ridicule, torment and taunt, Help us to love and respect and protect and welcome them all.

O God of children of destiny and of despair without hope for the future, ravaged by wars of adults Of disfigured, diseased, and dying children, Of children without hope and of children with hope to spare and to share, Help us to love and respect and protect and welcome them all as we affirm the sacredness of every child in our own country and all across our shared world.

Pope Francis uses Ash Wednesday to advocate for peace in Ukraine; sends top Vatican officials to advocate for war’s refugees Religion News Service

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis used Ash Wednesday to praise practical and spiritual efforts to promote peace, encouraging people to dedicate prayers and fasting to ending the conflict in Ukraine as the church season of Lent begins.

The pontiff also thanked countries that are welcoming migrants from the war-torn country.

“Let’s keep the memory of this people in our hearts,” the pope said.

Ash Wednesday, the opening of Lent, was commemorated March 2 at the Vatican in a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine.

“For us Catholics, Ash Wednesday is already a day of prayer and fasting,” said Cardinal Kurt Koch, who heads the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Public prayer may also “appeal to the conscience of all those who have power over war and peace,” he added.

Addressing Polish Catholics during his general audience on Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis praised them for being the first “to support Ukraine, opening your borders and your hearts and the doors to your homes to Ukrainians fleeing war. You are generously offering them all that is necessary to live with dignity despite the dramatic moment.

“I am deeply grateful and bless you from the heart!” he added.

Pope Francis is deploying two of his most trusted Vatican officials, both cardinals, to go to Ukraine to seek an end to the conflict and to advocate for immigrants and refugees and foster relations with local churches.

In what the Vatican called “an extraordinary gesture,” Cardinal Konrad Krajewski and Cardinal Michael Czerny will go to the war zone.

Cardinal Czerny is the ad interim prefect of the Vatican Department for Promoting Integral Human Development. Cardinal Krajewski holds the title of papal almoner, officially charged with performing acts of mercy on behalf of

the pope.

“The Holy See has put itself at the service of achieving peace in Ukraine,” the Vatican said in a statement issued on Monday, adding that the two cardinals “are directed to Ukraine and depending on the situation they intend to reach the country in the coming days.”

Cardinal Czerny was scheduled go to Hungary on Tuesday to assist migrants entering the country from neighboring Ukraine, while Cardinal Krajewski will go to Poland, where he will focus on helping migrants and volunteers at the border until he can find safe passage into Ukraine itself.

According to the Vatican statement, Cardinal Czerny will “raise concern that African and Asian residents in Ukraine, also suffering fear and displacement, be allowed to seek refuge without discrimination.”

Recent media reports showed that some African and South Asian citizens seeking to flee Ukraine were met with hostility by Ukrainian officers at the border and were not allowed to board the trains, which gave priority to white refugees.

Pope Francis has advocated on behalf of immigrants and refugees since the beginning of his pontificate, which has seen millions seek shelter from strife in the Middle East. As 1.5 million people have fled the war in Ukraine, Europe faces a new migratory wave.

The pope’s message to Poland was read to the audience by a Ukrainian Franciscan friar whose family lives near Kyiv. “His parents are right now in underground bunkers to protect themselves from bombs,” the pope said, “and he’s here performing his duty with us.”

Pope Francis said that by accompanying the friar, “we accompany all the people suffering from the bombings” and show support for the many elderly people hidden in bunkers.

The conflict has complicated Pope Francis’ pursuit of ecumenical relations with the Eastern Orthodox Christian hierarchy after

Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, places ashes on the forehead of a parishioner during Ash Wednesday Mass last week at Saint Matthew the Apostle Cathedral in Washington. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.

meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in Havana in 2016. The Vatican had hoped for a second encounter this spring, but the war has exacerbated the estrangement of the Moscow Orthodox Church and its satellite church in Ukraine from a newly recognized patriarchate based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Catholics make up less than 10 percent of Ukrainian Christians, but the local church loyal to Rome has relentlessly pushed for dialogue, while also promising to stand up against the Russian aggressor. Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who heads the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, urged believers last week to join Pope Francis in prayer and fasting on the seventh day of war.

Actor-comedian Johnny Brown dies at 84 Actor and comedian Johnny Brown, who was perhaps best known for his role as apartment building superintendent Nathan Bookman on the television sitcom “Good Times,” died Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Los Angeles, his longtime home.

He was 84.

“Our family is devastated. Devastated.

Devastated. Beyond heartbroken. Barely able to breathe,” his daughter, Sharon Catherine Brown, wrote on Instagram in announcing his death late last week. “We respectfully ask for privacy at this time because we need a minute to process the unthinkable.”

A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Mr. Brown was multi-talented, getting his start as a singer in the late 1950s. He toured with saxophonist Sam “The Man” Taylor and released several singles, including “Walkin’ Talkin’, Kissin’ Doll” in 1961 on Columbia Records.

He also appeared in two Broadway

shows in the 1960s, “Golden Boy” with Sammy Davis Jr. and “Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights,” directed by Sidney Poitier and starring Lou Gossett Jr. and Cicely Mr. Brown Tyson.

He made guest appearances on TV shows such as “Julia,” “The Leslie Uggams Show” and “Love, American Style,” before becoming a series regular on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” in the 1970s. His role on the popular comedy show landed him the recurring role on “Good Times” as Mr. Bookman, the mean, do-little superintendent who was chided for his round girth.

The sitcom was set in a Chicago housing project and starred Esther Rolle, John

Amos and Jimmie Walker as members of the hard-working Evans family.

Mr. Brown joined the cast during the show’s second season in 1975 and continued in that role until the series ended in 1979.

He later made appearances on shows, including “The Wayans Brothers,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “The Jamie Foxx Show,” “Sister, Sister,” “Touched by an Angel” and “Kenan & Kel.” Mr. Brown also had notable roles in the films “The Wiz” in 1978 and “Hanky Panky” in 1982. He later played the lead in “The Gospel Truth,” a musical comedy that toured the nation in the late 1980s and featured music by William Stevenson, a former Motown songwriter and record producer.

Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of 61 years, June Russell; his daughter, Sharon Brown, and son, John Brown Jr.; a younger brother, Elijah Brown; and two grandchildren.

“These past few days we said that only when we will be united, cohesive, we will become strong and we will be able to resist this war,” the archbishop said. “The power of a people is in unity.

“Joining in prayer means transmitting life to one another. It means sharing one’s own vital force with our neighbor, and thus become stronger with that vital force that we receive from those with whom we join in prayer,” Archbishop Shevchuk said in his daily message from Kyiv.

Fasting also takes on a unifying dimension, the archbishop said. “Today’s fasting is so important to cast away that which divides us—the devil, the spirit of war and the spirit of death,” he said.

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B4 March 10-12, 2022

Faith News/Directory

Holding on to their faith: Strengthening Black families living with dementia

R

Today, she’s working on a person receives a dementia faith-based research projects diagnosis and as their disease that are funded by the Na- progresses. Dr. Epps wanted tional Institutes of Health, the a way to “offer a meaningful Alzheimer’s Association and religious activity” and to keep other federal and private orga- those living with dementia connizations. They keep the nurse nected to a faith community, educator in the community and even if it was online. connected to Black families, Each of the online services who, like her, have familiar is about 10 minutes long, has and deep roots in the Black church. Central to that work are ways that African-Americans living with dementia and their caregivers can draw on their own faith practices, spirituality and religious beliefs to cope with an incurable disease that impacts them twice as much as other groups.

Mr. and Mrs. Reid “I want to show how important religion and faith-based a central theme, offers live traditions are in the lives of music and old, familiar hymns, Black families living with de- a sermon and, on selected mentia,” said Dr. Epps of her Sundays, communion may be research and work she calls “her celebrated — all features that ministry.” The literature,” she have made worship convenient said, “supports the significance and enjoyable for 56-year-old of religiosity as a protective Kim Reid who was diagnosed factor to promote well-being with early-onset Alzheimer’s at for Black families facing de- age 50. She and her husband mentia.” and care partner, Robert Reid, But lesser-known, she said, enrolled in the study around is research on “the worship the time their Georgia church experiences” of those Black ceased operating because of the families, something that she pandemic and organizational intends to expand. changes.

It matters, Dr. Epps said, While they miss the felwhen a person’s identity is lowship of in-person services, linked to their religion or place Mr. Reid said they are drawing of worship. Over time, dementia on what Dr. Epps called their robs a person of not only their “religiosity” to cope.

“The beautiful thing about memory but U their identity.

ANNIVE CH RCH’aS faith That’s why “having tra-RSA the Word is that it is in us. We dition and belonging to a faith are able to pull on it for stability community” can be restorative and serve as an anchor for Union Baptist Church people with dementia, Dr. Epps 44th Pastoralth explains. She is designing and Celebr�tes Anniversary testing the impact of in-person Z ò͘ ZÊ Ùã ͘ ò®Ý and online dementia-friendly &ĂĐĞŬ ĞůĞďƌĂƟŽŶ͊ worship services.

Sunday, 13, 2022 Join usMarch On Facebook at Before the COVID-19 outh ^Khd,Z/ ,DKE break shuttered many churches, Morning Worship - 11 a.m. dŚĞŵĞ͗ Speaker: Dr. Epps often accompanied “Honoring Our Pastor,Jr. Rev. Robert L. Dortch the families and caregivers in A Laborer For The Lord” dŚĞŵĞ͗ ĞůĞďƌĂƟŶŐ KƵƌ her research study to Sunday 1 Timothy 5:17 100th Anniversary morning church services at Colors: Red, White Blue— Remembering Ourand Past dementia-friendly churches.

Sunday, July 26, 2020 ŶƟĐŝƉĂƟŶŐ KƵƌ &ƵƚƵƌĞ Like most researchers who Morning Worship 11:00 Scripture: Joshua- 4: 6-8a.m.

KIV worked in the field, she was Speaker:2:9 NIV 1 Corinthians soon forced to pivot when the Rev. Robert L. Dortch, Jr. Colors: silver, pandemic started. Working white & with faith leaders, Dr. Epps purple Join us on Face book and her team developed pilot Ubcsouthrichmond online worship services for those unable to physically attend church.

Union Baptist Church Church attendance often 1813 Everett Street slumps, and so does participaRichmond, Virginia 23224 tion in church activities, after 804-231-5884

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Golden observed in her 2017 Washington Post magazine When Dr. Fayron Epps was story about African-Americans growing up in New Orleans, and Alzheimer’s. worship services weren’t limIn the piece, Ms. Golden ited to Sundays. notes, “Rarely were people “I attended church every aware of the stunning prognosis day of the week, with my for African-Americans. And grandmother. That’s just how how could they be? No major it was,” Dr. Epps said. public health campaign has ralInside those familiar four lied interest and action.” walls is where Dr. The presence of Epps recognized stigma and shame the power of the also pose challenges Black church. For to increasing awarethe community, it ness and action, Dr. was a trusted source Epps added. of information, she Thinking back, said. To the faithDr. Epps said, there ful, it was a haven, were conversations Dr. Epps and in hard times, a around her family’s resource that members relied on kitchen table about what ailed for spiritual, emotional, social Black bodies—things like “hyand material support. And for pertension, diabetes, cancer and the sick, it was the place they even HIV/AIDS. But the topic sought for healing. of dementia went unspoken,” Today, as an award-win- Dr. Epps said. ning nurse-scientist at Emory Then, like now, she added, University’s Nell Hodgson stigma and shame — experiWoodruff School of Nursing in enced by those with dementia Atlanta, Dr. Epps is tapping into and their families — are responone of the African-American sible for much of the silence that community’s cornerstones — Ms. Golden referenced. the church to help improve the “We (African-Americans) quality of life of Black families are such a hush-hush commuimpacted by dementia. nity,” said Dr. Epps, who since Dr. Epps was a doctoral stu- 2017, has focused on breaking dent conducting a review of the that silence. She is conducting literature on dementia when she faith-based research and educafirst realized that older African- tion and spreading dementia and Americans are twice as likely brain health awareness in the as non-Hispanic white people African-American community. to develop Alzheimer’s, a type Together with a team of staff of brain disease and a common and students, those efforts are form of dementia. housed under the umbrella Faith “I was shocked. I just Village Research Lab, “because couldn’t believe it,” recalled it takes a village.”

Dr. Epps, who specializes in As a young girl, Dr. Epps gerontology, the study of aging. said, “I saw a village model “I had to do something,” said of care and support” in action.

Dr. Epps, who, at the time, was Across generations, households like the rest of her family and and distances, “there were community “who were raised people caring for each other.” and taught that Alzheimer’s” Many of them were like her aunt was a disease that only white who counted it a “joy,” not a people developed. Armed with “burden” to rise before the sun the science and data, Dr. Epps and travel far to bathe and care said she was determined to first for her infirmed grandmother. “I educate herself and then help did the same when I took care her family and those in her of my paternal grandmother,” community in New Orleans Dr. Epps recalled. “It was no to understand the truth about problem. It was a joy.” dementia’s disparate toll on Caregivers, those living African-American families. with dementia, educators and Although African-Ameri- faith and community leaders cans represent more than 20 are among those who make up percent of the 5.8 million Dr. Epps’ advisory board — Americans who have the dis- and village — that keeps her ease, the statistics alone have informed “about what those in not been enough to stoke wide- the community need” on their spread awareness, author Marita journey with dementia.

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By B. Denise Hawkins

100 Anniversary

Reverend Robert C. Davis, Pastor

Riverview

Moore Street Missionary

Baptist Church

Baptist Church

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

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

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

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”

and comfort during everything thing we are going through,” Mr. Reid said.

Dr. Epps’ Faith Village team went in search of Black churches and faith leaders who could collaborate on creating “culturally relevant programs to support AfricanAmericans living with dementia and their caregivers.

They sought “trailblazers and churches that were ready to break the silence and commit to creating dementiafriendly and inclusive environments.”

It proved to be a tall order.

“What I found working in the Black community were faith leaders who were unable to respond to the needs of families” living with dementia and those caring for them because they didn’t know how and didn’t understand the disease, Dr. Epps said.

In a quick primer with those pastors, she said she describes dementia as “a big umbrella term for over 70 types of dementia, with vascular dementia being the one that AfricanAmericans develop the most.”

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s. It is caused by obstructions in blood flow to the brain.

But what may be the most impactful point in the conversation is when Dr. Epps reminds faith leaders that those living

with dementia and the people caring for them are among the members sitting in their pews.

So, instead of a conversation here and a church lecture there, Dr. Epps created the Alter program. Its purpose is to educate and prepare Black faith communities that want to create welcoming and supportive places of worship for “anyone, regardless of their cognitive abilities,” according to a description on the program’s website.

For now, Black, urban and Christian describe the 14 Georgia churches enrolled in Alter, but an excited Dr. Epps said interest is growing from churches across the country.

Alter provides churches that participate with a financial stipend.

Promoting dementia awareness and brain health among African-Americans is work that Dr. Epps often calls “her purpose.”

“It is my hope and prayer that Black families will speak up and feel more comfortable seeking support from the church and vice versa — the church will feel more equipped and comfortable supporting families living with dementia.”

This article was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from The Gerontological Society of America, The Journalists Network on Generations and the John A. Hartford Foundation.

Willie Mae Lawson March 12, 1913

In Loving Memory on Your Birthday The memories of your faith, love and kindness are treasured, THEME: and how much we miss you African canAmericans never be measured.

and The Vote!

Love,

February 22, 2020 Your children and all who love you 11:00 am — 1:00 pm

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

“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).”

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

Worship With Us This Week!

+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

2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org

#

“Your Home In God’s Kingdom”

Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor

“The Church With A Welcome”

Sharon Baptist Church

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

500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825 Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Sundays Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.

Back Inside

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7M\XL &ETXMWX 'LYVGL 8LIQI 1SFMPM^MRK *SV 1MRMWXV] 6IJVIWLMRK 8LI 3PH ERH )QIVKMRK 8LI 2I[ A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! Come worship with us!

Back Inside Sundays Join us for 10:00 AM Worship Service Live on Facebook @sixthbaptistrva Live on Youtube @sixthbaptistrva Or by visiting our website www.sixthbaptistchurch.org 400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

(near Byrd Park)

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Facebook Fax (804) 359-3798 sixthbaptistrva www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

g ratin eleb

151 years of Christian Ser

vice

Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858

±4HE 0EOPLE´S #HURCH²

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 • Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcoffice1@yahoo.com • web: www.richmondebenezer.com

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

(Jeremiah 29:11, NRSV) Please visit our website Ebenezer Baptist Church Richmond, VA for updates http://www.richmondebenezer.com Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus Dr.Rev.

Dr. Adam L. Bond, Pastor

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

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Richmond Free Press

March 10-12, 2022 B5

Legal Notices City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, April 11, 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. 2022-055 To adopt the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023, and to appropriate the estimated revenues for such fiscal year for the objects and purposes stated in such budget.

Ordinance No. 2022-056 To adopt the Special Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Special Revenue funds for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2022-057 To accept a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for the fiscal year beginning Jul. 1, 2022, and for the four fiscal years thereafter; to adopt a Capital Budget for the fiscal year beginning Jul. 1, 2022; and to determine the means of financing the same.

Ordinance No. 2022-058 To appropriate and to provide funds for financing the school budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023.

Ordinance No. 2022-059 To adopt the Debt Service Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023, and to appropriate the estimated expenditures from the Debt Service Fund for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2022-060 To adopt the Internal Service Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Internal Service funds for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2022-061 To adopt the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ Richmond Cemeteries Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Richmond Cemeteries for the said fiscal year for the operation and management of the facilities.

Ordinance No. 2022-062 To adopt the Department of Public Works’ Parking Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 20222023, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Department of Public Works’ Parking Enterprise Fund for the said fiscal year for the operation and management of parking facilities.

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year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Wastewater Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Wastewater Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Wastewater Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2022-068 To adopt the Stormwater Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Stormwater Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Stormwater Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the stormwater utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2022-069 To amend the schedule of classifications and assigned ranges incorporated into section I of the Pay Plan for the purpose of revising the wording of certain classification titles, changing the pay ranges of certain classification titles, and providing for a 5.0 percent adjustment of general pay ranges; to amend section II(C) of the Pay Plan for the purpose of providing for a 5.0 percent increase for eligible employees; to amend the following sections of the Pay Plan: III(B) (11), providing for salary supplements for the Office of the Commonwealth’s A t t o r n e y, I I I ( B ) ( 1 2 ) , providing for salary supplements for the Office of the Sheriff, III(B)(25)(e), suspending the education incentive for sworn fire and police employees, III(B)(33), to increase the limit of the extraordinary performance bonus, III(B) (36), to increase the hourly minimum rate for City employees from $13.00 to $17.00, III(B) (40), to provide for the full implementation of the step-based pay plan for sworn fire and police employees, of the Pay Plan, and III(B)(41), to remove broadband or career development programs from exclusions to performance adjustments for classified employees; and to repeal section III(B)(4) of the Pay Plan, concerning a career development program.

Ordinance No. 2022-070 To amend City Code §§ 7-119, concerning where columbaria are located and fees, and 7-143, concerning cremation benches and fees, to revise certain fees.

Ordinance No. 2022-071 To amend City Code §§ 28-191, 28-192, 28194, 28-195, 28-196, 28-198, 28-199, 28-200, 28-201, 28-202, 28-203, and 28-204, concerning gas service, for the purpose of changing the measurement of natural gas from quantities per thousand cubic feet to quantities per hundred cubic feet, and to amend City Code §§ 28-191(2) and 28-191(3) (concerning fees for residential gas service), 28-192(2) (concerning fees for residential gas peaking service), 28193(2) (concerning fees for general gas service), 28-193(3) (concerning fees for small commercial gas sales), 28-194(2) (concerning fees for large volume gas service), 28-195(f) and 28-196(f) (concerning fees for transportation service), 28-198(2) and 28-198(3) (concerning fees for municipal gas service), 28-199(c), 28-199(d), and 28-199(g)(2), (concerning flexibly priced interruptible gas service), 28-200(2), 28-200(3) and 28-200(4) (concerning unmetered gaslight service), 28201(c) (concerning gas air conditioning service), 28-202(c) (concerning fees for large volume gas sales service), 28203(c) (concerning fees for large volume, high load factor, gas sales service), and 28-204(b) and 28204(c) (concerning fees for natural gas vehicle gas service) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July 2022, to establish revised charges for such services.

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28-651 (concerning fees for commercial wastewater service), 28652 (concerning fees for disposal of industrial sewage and wastewater), 28-653 (concerning fees for disposal of state and federal sewage and wastewater), and 28654 (concerning fees for disposal of municipal sewage and wastewater) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2022, to establish revised charges for the wastewater utility’s services.

Ordinance No. 2022-074 To amend City Code §§ 28326 (concerning fees for residential water service), 28-327 (concerning fees for commercial water service), 28-328 (concerning fees for industrial water service), 28-329 (concerning fees for municipal water service), 28-330 (concerning fees for state and federal water service), 28-458 (concerning fees for water for fire protection) and 28-549 (concerning fees for water use during conservation periods) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2022, to establish revised charges for such services.

Ordinance No. 2022-075 To amend City Code § 12-92, concerning fees for police offense reports, to establish a revised fee for such reports.

Ordinance No. 2022-076 To amend City Code § 2342, concerning charges for transferring solid waste and recycling by the City and exemptions, to establish revised charges for such services.

Ordinance No. 2022-077 To amend City Code § 8-279, concerning fees for use of public parks, to revise the user fees.

Ordinance No. 2022-078 To amend City Code §§ 12-119, concerning rates and discounts for parking facilities operated by the City, and 27-245, concerning installation of meters, charges, and manner of parking, to revise the fees for parking meters and certain parking facilities.

Ordinance No. 2022-079 To amend ch. 2, art.

IV of the City Code by adding therein a new div. 24, consisting of §§ 2-760—2-762, concerning the Office of Strategic Communications and Civic Engagement, and to amend City Code §§ 2-757, concerning the creation, composition, and purpose of the Office of Sustainability, 2-759, concerning the appointment and powers of the manager of such o ff i c e , a n d 2 2 - 3 1 7 , concerning additional retirement allowances for certain City officials.

Ordinance No. 2022-067 To adopt the Wastewater Utility Budget for the fiscal

Ordinance No. 2022-073 To a m e n d t h e f e e s set forth in sections 28-650 (concerning fees for residential wastewater service),

Ordinance No. 2022-080 To a u t h o r i z e t h e issuance of public utility revenue bonds of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $65,115,842 to finance the cost of capital improvement projects of the gas, water and wastewater utilities and public utilities buildings and facilities for the following purposes and uses: enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the gas plant and transmission lines; enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the waterworks plant and transmission lines; enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the wastewater plant and intercepting lines; construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, and improvement of sanitary and storm water sewers, pumping stations, drains and culverts; construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of public utility buildings and facilities therefor, including but not limited to the stores division; and acquisition of real property and real property rights (including without limitation easements and rightsof-way) therefor as appropriate; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative O ff i c e r, f o r a n d o n behalf of the City, to sell such bonds for such capital improvement projects; to provide for the form, details and payment of such bonds; to approve the form of supplemental indenture of trust; to authorize the issuance of notes of the City in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds; and to authorize the issuance of taxable bonds, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such public utility

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Ordinance No. 2022-063 To adopt the Electric Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Electric Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Electric Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Electric Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2022-064 To adopt the Gas Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Gas Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Gas Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Gas Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2022-065 To adopt the Department of Public Utilities’ Stores Internal Service Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Department of Public Utilities’ Stores Internal Service Funds for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2022-066 To adopt the Water Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2022, and ending Jun. 30, 2023; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Water Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Water Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Water Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2022-072 To amend the fees set forth in the City Code fo r sect ions 28-9 23 (concerning fees for residential stormwater service) and 28-924 (concerning fees for developed residential properties stormwater service) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2022, to establish revised charges for the stormwater utility’s services.

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revenue bonds.

Ordinance No. 2022-081 To cancel all authorized but unissued bonds authorized by the City of Richmond in Fiscal Ye a r 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 , t o authorize the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $60,000,000 to finance the cost of school projects and general capital improvement projects of the City for the following purposes and uses: construction, reconstruction, improvements and equipment for public schools; construction, reconstruction, improvement and equipment for various infrastructure needs, including traffic control facilities, streets, sidewalks and other public ways, bridges, storm sewers, drains and culverts, and refuse disposal facilities; participation in redevelopment, conservation and community development programs, including the construction, reconstruction, improvement and equipment for targeted public facilities included in these programs; construction, reconstruction, improvements and equipment for public institutional, operational, cultural, educational and entertainment buildings and facilities, including but not limited to the theaters, parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, libraries and museums; acquisition of real property therefor as appropriate; and the making of appropriations to the City’s Economic Development Authority (“EDA”) to be used by the EDA to finance capital expenditures or to make loans or grants to finance capital expenditures for the purposes of promoting economic development; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell such bonds for such capital improvement projects, to provide for the form, details and payment of such bonds; to authorize the issuance of notes of the City in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds; and to authorize the issuance of taxable bonds, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such general obligation public improvement bonds.

Ordinance No. 2022-082 To cancel all authorized but unissued bonds authorized by the City of Richmond in Fiscal Ye a r 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5 , t o authorize the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $27,775,000 to finance the cost of capital improvement projects of the stormwater utility of the City for the following purposes and uses: replacement of and upgrades to the stormwater facilities, including but not limited to, construction, reconstruction, improvements, r e h a b i l i t a t i o n and upgrades of stormwater sewers and associated facilities; new and replacement infrastructure of the storm sewer system, drainage structures, catch basins, ditches, storm sewer pipes, culverts, green infrastructure; acquisition of real property therefor as appropriate; and equipment for various infrastructure needs; and authorizes the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell such bonds for such capital improvement projects, to provide for the form, details and payment of such bonds and to authorize the issuance of notes of the City in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds, and to authorize the issuance of taxable bonds, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such general obligation public improvement bonds.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the April 11, 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, March 21, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, March 28, 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. 2022-036 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 80-260-81-41, adopted Mar. 9, 1981, as previously amended

by Ord. Nos. 81-152-138, adopted August 24, 1981, 84-110-83, adopted May 29, 1984, 89-318-295, adopted Nov. 13, 1989, 2006-26-52, adopted Feb. 27, 2006, 2006-260-263, adopted Oct. 23, 2006, 2012-163-164, adopted Oct. 8, 2012, and 2017169, adopted Oct. 9, 2017, concerning the Beaufont Oaks Community Unit Plan, to amend the use of the parcel known as 400 Hioaks Road to allow for an expansion of the multifamily development known as “Beaufont Towers” located on the parcel known as 7015 West Carnation Street and also known as 350 Hioaks Road.

Ordinance No. 2022-048 To close, to public use and travel, an alley in the block bounded

by Bellemeade Road, Columbia Street, Afton Avenue, and Lynhaven Avenue, consisting of 11,145± square feet, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2022-049 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 2021-017, adopted Feb. 22, 2021, which authorized the special use of the properties known as 2525 Belt Boulevard, 2613 Belt Boulevard, and 2701 Belt Boulevard for the purpose of up to 36 single-family attached dwellings, to instead authorize up to 34 singlefamily attached dwellings and three two-family dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use category for the subject property as Industrial and Residential. Primary Uses for Industrial: Retail/ office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural, and open space.

Secondary Uses for Industrial: Institutional and government. Primary Uses for Residential: Single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space.

Secondary Uses for Residential: 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 11 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2022-050 To authorize the special use of the property known as 5 North Colonial Avenue for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling containing up to three dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use category for the subject property as Neighborhood MixedUse. Primary Use s : Single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multifamily buildings, and open space. Secondary Uses: Large multifamily buildings, retail/ office/personal service, institutional, cultural, and government. The proposed density is approximately 36 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2022-051 To authorize the special use of the property known as 417 Libbie Avenue for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling containing up to 26 dwelling units and offstreet parking, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use category for the subject property as Neighborhood MixedUse. Primary Use s : Single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multifamily buildings, and open space. Secondary Uses: Large multifamily buildings, retail/ office/personal service, institutional, cultural, and government. The proposed density is approximately 48 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2022-052 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 2021-018, adopted Feb. 22, 2021, which authorized the special use of the properties known as 5300 Continued on next column

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Rear Hull Street Road, 5311 Warwick Road, 5315 Warwick Road, and 5323 Warwick Road for the purpose of up to 65 single-family attached dwellings, to instead authorize up to 73 singlefamily attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use category for the subject property as Residential. Primary Uses: Single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multi-family buildings, and open space 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 10 units per acre.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the March 28, 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 TAINEKA RICHARDSON, Plaintiff v.

CORNELL RICHARDSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22000639-00 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 28th day of April, 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 KIMBERLY RODRIGUEZ, Plaintiff v.

MANUEL ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ TOLOZA, Defendant.

Case No.: CL20001543-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, appear here on or before the 29th day of April, 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 ANGELA BLACK-JONES, Plaintiff v.

DAMIEN BROWN, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22000551-00 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 20th day of April, 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 Continued on next column

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND MARIA-DORA MACHADO DE GONZALEZ, Plaintiff, v.

PEDRO RENE GONZALEZ REQUENO, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21-2988/6 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, Pedro Rene Gonzalez Requeno, is not a resident of the State of Virginia and that his last known address is unknown, it is therefore ORDERED that Defendant, PEDRO RENE GONZALEZ REQUENO, appear before this Court on or before the 22nd day of April 2022, and do what is necessary to protect his interests in this suit.

A Copy Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk I ask for this: Jesse Baez, Esq. (VSB #85986) Brooks & Baez 9100 Arboretum Pkwy., Suite 190 Richmond, VA 23236 T: (804) 570-7473 F: (804) 548-4215 Counsel for Plaintiff

Unknown father & TRACEY LEE FORD File No. J-100127-03-04-05 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Michael James Strasburg, Jr. (Father) Unknown Father (Father), Tracey Lee Ford (Mother) of Aiden James Ford, child DOB 08/2/2021 “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: Visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support and that: It is ORDERED that the defendant Michael James Strasburg, Jr. (Father) Unknown Father (Father), Tracey Lee Ford (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 5/3/2022, at 2:40 PM, Courtroom #2 MCG.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BLONNIE LEE, Plaintiff v.

BISMARK SEREBOUR, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22000131-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 12th day of April, 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 VSB# 27724 Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ERIN SPENCER, Plaintiff v.

AUSTIN SPENCER, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22000376-00 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 4th day of April, 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

CUSTODY VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re JEREMIAH MINNICK RDSS v.

UNKNOWN FATHER MICHAEL MINNICK Case No. JJ098657-08-00 Case No. JJ098657-06-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of the Unknown Father & Michael Minnick (Father) of Jeremiah Minnick, child DOB 02/22/2020, child.

“TPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown Father & Michael Minnick (Father) to appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before 04/29/2022, at 9:30 A.M., Courtroom #1.

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

TRUSTEES OF THE TEMPLE OF JUDAH OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4340 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 921 North 20th Street, Tax Map Number E000-0420/020, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Trustees of the Temple of Judah of Richmond, Virginia.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, TRUSTEES OF THE TEMPLE OF JUDAH OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that VERNON WHITE, JR, ANNETTE HILL, MILDRED GRAY, and MARY MARGUERITE FOSTER, TRUSTEES of the Temple of Judah of Richmond, Virginia, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, that ROBERT B. BROWN, upon information and belief deceased, and IRWIN A. HELLER, upon information and belief deceased, TRUSTEES of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 02-28341 on September 10, 2002, or their successor/s 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 TRUSTEES OF THE TEMPLE OF JUDAH OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, VERNON WHITE, JR, ANNETTE HILL, MILDRED GRAY, MARY MARGUERITE FOSTER, TRUSTEES of the Temple of Judah of Richmond, Virginia, ROBERT B. BROWN, upon information and belief deceased, and IRWIN A. HELLER, upon information and belief deceased, TRUSTEES of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 02-28341 on September 10, 2002, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 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 JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re AIDEN JAMES FORD RDSS v.

MICHAEL JAMES STRASBURG, JR.,

Notice Judicial Sale of Real Property Owner/s of the below listed properties are hereby given notice that thirty (30) days from the date of this notice, proceedings will be commenced under the authority of Section 58.13965 et seq. of the Code of Virginia to sell the following parcels located in the City of Richmond, Virginia for payment of delinquent taxes: 12 East 20th Street S0000294031 16 East 20th Street S0000294029 1513 North 26th Street E0000713030 2205 North 26th Street E0120291003 1509 North 29th Street E0000792025 1125 North 32nd Street E0000803033 515 North 33rd Street E0000883021 1323 North 35th Street E0001544007 1308 North 36th Street E0001544033 1310 North 36th Street E0001544032 1801 Albany Avenue S0000233010 3026 Atlantic Avenue C0091033014 108 East Blake Lane S0002003005 2907 Brook Road N0000859015 3100 Carolina Avenue N0001156008

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Richmond Free Press

B6 March 10-12, 2022

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous page

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2015 Carlisle Avenue E0110206019 1813 Claiborne Street W0000840021 714 West Clay Street N0000307026 3257 Cliff Avenue N0001453034 2002 Conrad Street E0120250007 2800 Fendall Avenue N0000777012 3308 Gloucester Road N0001225012 619 West Graham Road N0000533006 216 Green Acres Avenue C0060488010 400 Green Acres Avenue C0060488024 3218 Griffin Avenue N0001243026 2125 Idlewood Avenue W0000937005 2412 Ingram Avenue S0000865005 5506 Jahnke Road C0050618032 101 Mardick Road S0043278068 3416 Meadow Bridge Road N0001461006 4100 Meridian Avenue S0090185020 3806 Midlothian Turnpike S0042914004 2106 Miller Avenue N0000446007 1503 Nelson Street E0100106026 2614 The Plaza N0000638002 2601 Q Street E0000475001 2835 Richmond Henrico Turnpike N0000904041 1406 Rogers Street E0000768016 2907 Seminary Avenue N0000864018 1505 Texas Avenue W0000704009 3201 Tuxedo Boulevard E0003314011 3203 Tuxedo Boulevard E0003314012 The owner/s of any property listed may redeem it at any time before the date of the sale by paying all accumulated taxes, penalties, interest and cost thereon, including the pro rata costs of publication hereunder.

Gregory A. Lukanuski, Deputy City Attorney Office of the City Attorney for the City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Room 400 Richmond, Virginia (804) 646-7949

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

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 DOYEN PROPERTIES, 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 MAY 19, 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

is to appoint a Special Commissioner to convey the Property identified in Exhibit A herein to Friends of Sons and Daughters of Ham, Inc., upon its agreement that it will restore and then maintain the cemetery located thereon in perpetuity. The successors in interest to the trustees of Sons and Daughters of Ham, Inc. are unknown to the petitioner.

It is ordered that the fact of such petition be advertised, and notice is now given that on May 27, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. in the Henrico County Circuit Court, 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 232730775, the Court will hear evidence on this matter from any interested individual.

I ask for this: Hugh T. Antrim, VSB # 14721 ThompsonMcMullan, P.C. 100 Shockoe Slip Richmond VA 23219 (804) 649-7545 (804) 649-0654 facsimile

Ann Strong, et. al.

CL21-3356 816 Faye Street C0050760018 City of Richmond v. Kelson Creek, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4105 1528 Floyd Avenue W0000608035 City of Richmond v. Steven C. Davis, et. al.

CL21-2364 2111 Ford Avenue E0000598022 City of Richmond v. Neal Kennedy, et. al.

CL18-351 316 German School Road C0050963034 City of Richmond v. Know Him For Yourself Ministries, et. al.

CL20-5070 320 German School Road C0050963032 City of Richmond v. Know Him For Yourself Ministries, et. al.

CL20-5071 104 West Graham Road N0000539027 City of Richmond v.

Elizabeth Bernice Randolph, et. al.

CL21-4217 2917 Grayland Avenue W0001279006 City of Richmond v. Russell Robinson, et. al.

CL21-1013 1712 Greenville Avenue W0000785016 City of Richmond v. Lillie Virginia Green, et. al.

CL20-3002 505 North Hamilton Street Unit L W0001704161 City of Richmond v. Peas & Queues, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4219 2606 Hawthorne Avenue N0000635007 City of Richmond v. Emma W. Stafford, et. al.

CL20-4114 3408 Hazelhurst Avenue N0001351008 City of Richmond v. Terry K. Cousins, et. al.

CL21-2621 1649 Hopkins Road C0090199022 City of Richmond v. Charles Weir, et. al.

CL21-3346 1818 Hull Street S0000241002 City of Richmond v. Brunson Contractors, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4302 2212 Hull Street S0000570007 City of Richmond v. MWW, LLC, et. al.

CL21-2642 2214 Hull Street S0000570006 City of Richmond v. MWW, LLC, et. al.

CL21-2643 3406 Hull Street S0002453005 City of Richmond v. J Fam Entertainment, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4303 5607 Jarvis Road C0060760018 City of Richmond v. Kelson Creek, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4106 1830 Keswick Avenue S0071032003 City of Richmond v.

Clementina Cruz Quintero, et. al.

CL21-3340 450 East Ladies Mile Road N0001664014 City of Richmond v.

Hybernia Hocker Wood, et. al.

CL21-2985 2312 East Marshall Street E0000296017 City of Richmond v. Robert L. Acuff, III, et. al.

CL21-2100 3503 Meadow Bridge Road N0001561024 City of Richmond v.

Thurston W. Norman, et. al.

CL21-4323 2912 Midlothian Turnpike S0001226004 City of Richmond v. Kelson Creek, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4107 2307 Mimosa Street S0071229057 City of Richmond v. Up 2307 Mimosa, LLC, et. al.

CL21-3348 700 Northside Avenue N0001154026 City of Richmond v. Shanae A. George, et. al.

CL20-2367 1212 Oakwood Avenue E0000962016 City of Richmond v. Orchid, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4304 2037 Orlando Road C0090372061 City of Richmond v. John Womble, et. al.

CL20-67 2006 Parkwood Avenue W0000896019 City of Richmond v. David O. Green, et. al.

CL21-3906 4200 Richmond Highway S0090221006 City of Richmond v. Malea, LLC, et. al.

CL21-3628 3425 Sherbrook Road

C0020156002 City of Richmond v. Carolyn Jones, et. al.

CL21-4441 3 South Shields Avenue W0000942039 City of Richmond v. Robert Alan Jones, et. al.

CL21-4433 2712 Southgate Street S0090500007 City of Richmond v. Henry Willis, et, al.

CL21-4861 1710 Spotsylvania Street E0120333009 City of Richmond v. James Henry Roots, III, et, al.

CL20-1651 1413 Vinton Street E0100197007 City of Richmond v. Roy F. Humphrey CL18-6178 419 Mitchell Street N0000222003 City of Richmond v.

Christian Charities, Inc. CL22-122 TERMS OF SALE: All sales are subject to confirmation by the Richmond Circuit Court. The purchase price will include the winning bid plus 10% of the winning bid.

High bidders will pay at the time of the auction a deposit of at least 20% of the purchase price, or $5,000.00, whichever is greater. If the purchase price is under $5,000.00, high bidders will pay in full at the time of the auction. High bidders will pay the balance of the purchase price to the Special Commissioner, and deed recordation costs, by a date and in a form as stated in a settlement instruction letter. Time is of the essence.

If a high bidder defaults by not making these payments in full, on time, and in the required form, the Special Commissioner will retain the deposit, and may seek other remedies to include the cost of resale or any resulting deficiency. Settlement shall occur when the Richmond Circuit Court enters an Order of Confirmation. Conveyance shall be either by a special commissioner’s deed or a special warranty deed. Real estate taxes will be adjusted as of the date of entry for the Order of Confirmation.

Properties are sold “as is” without any representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, subject to the rights of any person in possession, and to all easements, liens, covenants, defects, encumbrances, adverse claims, conditions and restrictions, whether filed or inchoate, to include any information a survey or inspection of a property may disclose. It is assumed that bidders will make a visual exterior inspection of a property within the limits of the law, determine the suitability of a property for their purposes, and otherwise perform due diligence prior to the auction.

T h e S p e c i a l Commissioner’s acceptance of a bid shall not limit any powers vested in the City of Richmond. Additional terms may be announced at the time of sale. Individuals owing delinquent taxes to the City of Richmond, and defendants in pending delinquent tax cases, are not qualified to bid at this auction. Bidders must certify by affidavit that they do not own, directly or indirectly, any real estate with outstanding notices of violation for building, zoning or other local ordinances.

Questions may be directed to Gregory A. Lukanuski at greg.lukanuski@ rva.gov or (804) 646-7949, or to Christie Hamlin at christie. hamlin@rva.gov or (804) 6466940.

Gregory A. Lukanuski Deputy City Attorney Special Commissioner 900 East Broad Street, Room 400 Richmond, Virginia 23219

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

CORNELL GASKINS, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-5381 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1320 Stockton Street, Tax Map Number S000-0147/021, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Cornell Gaskins.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CORNELL GASKINS, 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 CORNELL GASKINS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 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.

CORNELL GASKINS, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-5382 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3601 Stockton Street, Tax Map Number S000-2761/014, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Cornell Gaskins.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CORNELL GASKINS, 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 CORNELL GASKINS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 2022 and do what Continued on next column

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

BINITA L. MATTHEWS, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-5087 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1230 Moore Street, Tax Map Number N000-0577/064, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Binita L. Matthews.

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

IT IS ORDERED that BINITA L. MATTHEWS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 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.

REGINAL GOODWYN, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-4770 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3711 Meridian Avenue, Tax Map Number S008-0885/042, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Reginal Goodwyn.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, REGINAL GOODWYN who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that MERCHANT’S ACCEPTANCE, INC, an entity not appearing in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that REGINAL GOODWYN, M E R C H A N T ’ S ACCEPTANCE, INC, an entity not appearing in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 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.

DOYEN PROPERTIES, LLC, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-137 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2408 Melbourne Street, Tax Map Number E012-0251/007, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Doyen Properties, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, DOYEN PROPERTIES, 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 Continued on next column

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

ELECTRA PROPERTIES, LLC, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-5069 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2401 Clearfield Street, Tax Map Number C008-0615/042, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Electra Properties, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, ELECTRA PROPERTIES, 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 ELECTRA PROPERTIES, 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 MAY 19, 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 HENRICO COUNTY FRIENDS OF SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF HAM, INC., Plaintiff, V. PERSONS UNKNOWN WHO MAY BE SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST TO THE TRUSTEES OF SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF HAM, INC., Defendants.

Case no.: CL21-6403-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SPECIAL COMMISSIONER’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Pursuant to the terms of Orders of Sale entered in the Richmond Circuit Court, the undersigned Special Commissioner will offer the following real estate for sale at public auction at Motleys Asset Disposition Group, 3600 Deepwater Terminal Road, Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 2:00 pm, or as soon thereafter as may be effected. The sale is subject to the terms and conditions below and any other terms and conditions which may be announced on the day of auction. Announcements made on the day of the auction take precedence over any prior written or verbal terms of sale.

2304 4th Avenue N0000610007 City of Richmond v. Asset Properties, LLC, et. al.

CL21-3054 1426 North 19th Street E0000771012 City of Richmond v. Oliver C. Lawrence, et. al.

CL16-3806 1200 North 21st Street E0000556018 City of Richmond v. Willie Davis, et. al.

CL21-5067 1207 North 25th Street Rear E0000561035 City of Richmond v. Lewis C. Dockery, Jr., et. al.

CL19-1027 1801 North 25th Street E0001084001 City of Richmond v. Xavier Keeton, et. al.

CL21-3147 236 East 36th Street S0042766012 City of Richmond v. James R. Gause, et. al.

CL21-4457 2401 Alexander Avenue S0080815058 City of Richmond v. Equity Trust Company, Custodian, et. al.

CL21-3341 2403 Alexander Avenue S0080815057 City of Richmond v. Equity Trust Company, Custodian, et. al.

CL21-3342 1816 Bainbridge Street S0000242001 City of Richmond v. Brunson Contractors, LLC, et. al.

CL21-3819 2520 Belt Boulevard Rear C0090480026 City of Richmond v. Edward Bittner, et. al.

CL21-3121 3100 Bradwill Road C0040575010 City of Richmond v. Milton G. Townsend, Jr., et.al.

CL21-4117 2119 Broad Rock Boulevard C0090420014 City of Richmond v. Sheryl Taylor Simmons, et. al.

CL21-2363 3601 Carolina Avenue N0001270010 City of Richmond v. Willie C. West, III, et.al.

CL20-3992 2005 Chamberlayne Parkway N0000532009 City of Richmond v.

Dominion Staffing, Inc., et. al.

CL21-2667 2916 Cherokee Road C0040660038 City of Richmond v. Ernest E. Davis, et. al.

CL21-2199 5029 Clarence Street S0060343005 City of Richmond v. Kelson Creek, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4075 1604 Columbia Street S0071377003 City of Richmond v. Stella Clark, et. al.

CL20-3075 2306 Creighton Road E0120294004 City of Richmond v. Lynn Vanesia Brooks, et. al.

CL21-3055 4025 Crutchfield Street S0002917030 City of Richmond v. Edwin Maurice Beane, et. al.

CL21-3611 3422 Delaware Avenue N0001265003 City of Richmond v. Gregory Mario McKoy, et. al.

CL21-2644 1307 Enfield Avenue S0071177017 City of Richmond v. A & H Investment Properties, et. al.

CL21-3667 1311 Enfield Avenue S0071177019 City of Richmond v. Helen K. Alvis, et. al.

CL21-2197 1812 Fairfax Avenue S0000546004 City of Richmond v. Orchid, LLC, et. al.

CL21-4215 3121 Falcon Road C0011092002 City of Richmond v. Kay

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

AUDREY E. DUVALL, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL22-136 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3108 4th Avenue, Tax Map Number N000-0997/001, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Audrey E. Duvall and Ellen M. Duvall.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, AUDREY E. DUVALL, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and ELLEN M. DUVALL, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that AUDREY E. DUVALL, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, ELLEN M. DUVALL, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MAY 19, 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

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BID COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID ITB #22-2299-2JL ALYCIA AVENUE SEWER REHABILITATION Due: March 30, 2022 at 2:00 PM For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/ finance/divisions/purchasing/ solicitations/

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: Structured Cabling System Services RFP-UVA-00060-FM032022 - https://bids.sciquest.com/ apps/Router/PublicEvent?

CustomerOrg=UVa or email: pur-rfp@eservices.virginia.edu

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

[24]7.ai, Inc. seeks Software Engineer in Richmond, VA to dvlp wrld-class speech & voice apps. Reqs Bach in Comp & Info Sci, S/W Engg, or rel field & 2 yr exp. For details & how to apply: Bit.ly/F22PN, ref. F22PN.

SIEMENS MOBILITY INC

is seeking SWAM & DBE Certified Engineers and Computer Programmers to partner with us on an upcoming project in Richmond Virginia.

Deadline to submit your quote is March 15, 2022.

For more information reach out to: siemens@completecontractconsulting. com or call us at 561-404-7365.”

Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church (Chesterfield, Va.)

Keyboardist/ Psalmist

www.ourcfbc.org

One Sunday a month for CFBC worship services (9am - 10:15am) and some Wednesdays at 7:00pm.

Able to play, sing, lead, and teach traditional and contemporary Gospel as well as traditional hymns.

Email resumes to admin@ourcfbc.org for details.

Director 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. Some Media IT experience preferred but not required. 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 lieu 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.

Director of Children and Youth Salary Commensurate with Experience Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen is seeking a part-time Director of Children and Youth to oversee the children and youth ministry.

Must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills. Preferred candidate must exhibit Christian character and lifestyle which includes regular disciplines such as Bible reading, prayer, and participation in church life.

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 lieu 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) 262-2397 For more information please call (804) 262-9614 ext. 227 A Criminal History Background Check is required.

TRANSIT SYSTEM TRANSIT SYSTEM

GRTC CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPORARY TRANSFER CENTER IMPROVEMENTS INVITATION FOR BID

GRTC Transit System is seeking bids for the Construction of Temporary Transfer Center Improvements. Interested firms may download a copy of IFB #208-22-03 from GRTC’s website www.ridegrtc.com (menu options: About Us, then Procurement) or obtain a copy by calling Antionette Haynes at (804) 358-3871 Ext 375. Bids are due prior to 3:00 pm on April 4,2022. All inquiries pertaining to the request or any questions in reference to the solicitation documents should be directed to: Earl Atkinson Procurement Specialist (804) 358-3871, extension 701 Supplier diversity program – “providing equal opportunities for small businesses”

TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISORS (2) Full Time Exempt

Closes: Open Until Filled GRTC seeks a results oriented professional who excels in working in a fast-paced environment.

This position is responsible for supervising and monitoring the activities of the bus operators on a daily basis. The ideal candidate will possess integrity, excellent problem solving skills, proven decision-making skills and excellent communication skills. High School diploma required, with a Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Previous experience in the transit industry highly desirable. Must be able to pass a background check, pre-employment drug test and DOT physical. A CDL Class B or higher with a Passenger endorsement is required. Those interested in the position may apply online at www.ridegrtc.com.

GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.