Jan 15 17, 2015 issue

Gov. McAuliffe’s state address

Marsh brothers, others to be honored A5

Richmond Free Press © 2015 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOL. 24 NO. 3

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Henrico Delegate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey joins in applauding visitors Wednesday to the General Assembly.

He is facing potential sanctions from his colleagues in the House as the result of his conviction last month of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

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JAnuary 15-17, 2015

Joe locks up win, gets cold shoulder Delegate Morrissey back in General Assembly

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Delegate Morrissey, left, distantly checks his work while, beside him, two new delegates, Joseph E. Preston of Petersburg and Kathleen Murphy of Loudoun County, enjoy their first day at the new session in the House of Delegates.

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Joseph D. “Fighting Joe” Morrissey is back in the General Assembly.

The embattled legislator received rock star treatment Wednesday from a gaggle of TV, radio and print reporters who followed his every move and hung on his words, but mostly got the icy shoulder from fellow lawmakers.

Fresh from winning re-election in a special election the night before, Delegate Morrissey was virtually ignored by the men and women he serves with after being sworn in at his legisla-

tive office about 11:25 a.m. and walking into the Capitol to take his seat in the House of Delegates for the opening of the new session at noon.

Only Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn walked over to speak with him during a recess.

The 57-year-old lawyer appeared to have braced himself for a different reception.

Responding to a question about how he would deal with any effort by the legislature to expel him, he said he expects “certain people to take certain actions, and I will respond then.”

However, instead of being greeted with verbal brickbats,

Legislative Black Caucus unveils 2015 priorities

By Joey Matthews

The Legislative Black Caucus unveiled its legislative agenda for the 2015 General Assembly session Wednesday at the State Capitol.

The 18-member caucus, led by chair Sen. Mamie E. Locke, D-Hampton, announced it would again seek expansion of the Medicaid health program, but acknowledged that’s a long shot given that Republicans, who killed it last year,

control the state Senate and House of Delegates.

“If I had to bet on it, I would bet Republicans will continue to resist common Please turn to A4

Councilwoman Robertson a quiet force

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

When the smoke cleared from the election of City Council’s new officers, it would have been no surprise if Ellen F. Robertson seemed disappointed not to be holding the president’s gavel instead of virtual newcomer Michelle R. Mosby.

After all, Ms. Robertson has served as council’s vice president for six years.

And while Ms. Mosby, 9th District, is in her first term, Ms. Robertson has served nearly 11 years as the 6th District representative and ranks as the longest-serving member on the city’s governing body.

However, Ms. Robertson said she is far too busy to be disappointed, and she has good reason to say that.

While she did not gain council’s top leadership post, she now ranks among the most influential members when it comes to significant council initiatives, particularly in the areas of schools, affordable housing and job creation.

Her fingerprints can be found on virtually every important council policy in recent years. That includes pushing her colleagues to create council’s own staff after the mayor’s post became a separate, citywide elective office in 2004.

In recent months, for example, she

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Ellen F. Robertson makes a point during a 2011 City Council meeting when she was vice president.

spearheaded a resolution with several colleagues that has put the council on record in support of a financing plan to provide schools with up to $30 million to pay for critical needs.

She also is serving as the council’s representative to a School Board committee that will soon report on where money needs to be spent to keep dozens of aging school buildings operational.

Ms. Robertson also co-chairs Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ initiative that is seeking to find ways to overcome the poverty that

grips one in four residents — putting her at the center of policy and program developments in this area.

As part of that work, she is advocating for the city’s purchase of the vacant Conrad Center — a former soup kitchen for the homeless and working poor near the new jail — to create a job training and community development center.

The effort, Ms. Robertson said, could result in programs that train people for work in hotels and restaurants. She also wants the space to house a program that trains people for jobs in landscaping that is now operated by a parks department volunteer, Charles Price.

On the affordable housing front, Ms. Robertson is continuing efforts she began more than three decades ago when she began a nonprofit to turn around the decaying Highland Park section of North Side, a nonprofit that ultimately renovated, upgraded or overhauled 300 homes.

As the founder and leader of the Highland Park Restoration and Preservation Program, she also helped usher in a change in policy that allows federal Community Development Block Grant funding to be used for down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, assistance now taken for granted in RichPlease turn to A4

Delegate Morrissey sat largely unnoticed in a corner seat next to the Speaker of the House’s dais, his only unexpected recognition coming from House Speaker William J. Howell, a Republican, who welcomed him and four other newcomers. Three of the new lawmakers were seated at desks in the same front row as Delegate Morrissey.

In his remarks to the members, Speaker Howell made no mention of the sex scandal surrounding Delegate Morrissey, or the fact that he is now spending his nights in the Henrico County Jail East stemming from his conviction from having an illicit relationship in 2013 with his then 17-year-old receptionist.

The teen, now 18, is pregnant.

Instead, the speaker called on House members to live up to the expectations of citizens to do their lawmaking with “honor, integrity and civility.”

Asked after the session about plans for sanctions against Delegate Morrissey, whom the speaker believes has disgraced the office, Speaker Howell said: “Stay tuned.”

Delegate David Toscano, leader of the 32 Democrats in the House, said, “We’re considering all of our options” with regard to the possibility that Delegate Morrissey could be censured, removed from committees or even expelled.

“It’s a mess and a distraction,” said a Richmond area delegate who did not want to be identified. “What do we do about him?”

Delegate Morrissey’s return, complete with an ankle monitor so authorities can track him, came after he beat two challengers to reclaim his seat.

Please turn to A4

McDonnell can appeal — but from behind bars

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell can appeal his conviction, but he will have to do so from behind bars, U.S. Judge James R. Spencer ruled this week.

Mr. McDonnell must report to federal prison Monday, Feb. 9.

He was sentenced Jan. 6 to two years in prison after being convicted in September on 11 federal corruption charges.

In a three-page order issued Tuesday, Judge Spencer rejected the ex-governor’s request to remain free on bond while he seeks to get his conviction overturned by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. McDonnell could ask the appeals court to overturn Judge Spencer’s bond decision, as well as appeal his conviction. As yet, he has not done so.

Judge Spencer wrote that none of the grounds on which Mr. McDonnell sought bail raised “a substantial question of law Please turn to A4

Living history

Petersburg man holds memories from Selma march

By Joey Matthews

As people across the nation flocked to the movies to watch “Selma,” 80-year-old Petersburg native Herbert V. Coulton Sr. already knew the story — because he was there.

“It was indescribable,” Mr. Coulton said. “They did anything they could to stop us. It’s hard to believe how rough things were.”

Mr. Coulton, who was the Virginia field director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at the time, went to the march in the Alabama city in 1965 to join the critical and growing effort to gain voting rights for African-Americans.

He described how white police officers on foot and horseback severely beat marchers with billy clubs and bullwhips, sprayed them with tear gas and knocked them to the ground with high-

powered water hoses.

“It was awful,” he told the Free Press from his home this week. “Some people were knocked unconscious and others were screaming and badly bleeding.”

German Shepherd dogs leashed by police chewed into the flesh of demonstrators, he said.

Refusing to succumb to the terror and intimidation tactics, the peaceful demonMr. Coulton strators, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., changed U.S. history forever when they completed the third and final march in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery.

The 54-mile civil rights march began March 21, 1965, with

about 3,000 peaceful marchers. But by the time they completed the five-day walk March 25 at the State Capitol in Montgomery, an estimated 25,000 demonstrators celebrated at a victory rally.

“There was a lot of pride in that moment,” Mr. Coulton recalled.

A little more than four months later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that prohibited racial discrimination in voting. His action was spurred in large part by the final triumphant march, which included two earlier unsuccessful attempts to march to Montgomery.

The importance of the iconic march is more pronounced today, with the federal Voting Rights Act under siege after the Please turn to A4

A2

Richmond Free Press

January 15-17, 2015

Local News

Center on Va.’s role in religious freedom opens Friday The constitutional right in the United States to freedom of religion, speech and the press all began with the Virginia General Assembly’s passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786.

The legislation is considered a precursor to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Slices of life and scenes The First Freedom Center in Richmond at 14th and Cary streets in Downtown was built to acknowledge the historical significance of this legislation and the development of religious liberty as an important principle in the United States.

The center will hold a grand opening and commemoration ceremony 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, followed by tours, a dedication and luncheon for donors and honored guests.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones will offer remarks.

The public is invited to tour the center beginning at 3 p.m.

The center is on the site where the Virginia legislature met in 1786 and passed the religious freedom statute. Friday’s opening coincides with National Religious Freedom Day. Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press Randy Wyckoff, executive director of the center, said the ZVRI (z18) Richmond Free Press exhibits will educate visitors on the importance of the statute, as The First Freedom Center at 14th and Cary streets in Downtown opens on National Religious Freedom Day. well as identify individuals, such as Thomas Jefferson, who helped draft and pass the legislation. The center’s exhibits also explore the impact of the legislation on contemporary America.

Details: www.firstfreedom.org or (804) 643-1786.

Cityscape

Martin Luther King Jr. holiday schedule

January 14 – January 20, 2015

This is the Richmond area schedule for the state holiday, Friday, Jan. 16, and the federal and state Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Monday, Jan. 19: Federal government Federal offices, courts: Closed Monday, Jan. 19.

Post offices: Closed Monday, Jan. 19.

Value Pack

Beef Porterhouse or T-Bone Steak

Virginia State offices, including DMV offices: Closed Friday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Jan. 19.

Richmond City offices, schools and libraries: Closed Monday, Jan. 19.

Courts: Closed Friday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Jan. 19.

Parking: Meters will not be enforced Monday, Jan. 19.

Trash: Richmond collections will be a day late after Monday, Jan. 19; recycling pickup unchanged.

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Henrico and Chesterfield counties County offices, libraries and courts: Closed Friday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Jan. 19.

Schools: Closed Monday, Jan. 19.

Trash: Collections will be a day late in Henrico County after Monday, Jan. 19.

Transportation GRTC: Operating on a Saturday schedule Monday, Jan. 19.

Business Banks: Closed Monday, Jan. 19.

Malls and most retail stores: Open.

Movie theaters, bowling alleys, etc.: Open.

ABC stores: Open.

Richmond Free Press office: Closed Monday, Jan. 19.

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Recycling changes come earlier than expected Richmond is about to go full speed on recycling.

Instead of waiting two years, all 61,500 occupied residences in the city will get a 95-gallon Supercan-style recycling container

by December, according to James A. Jackson, interim deputy chief administrative officer for operations.

In addition, collection of recyclables will shift this year from curbside to alley pickups in much of the city, he has advised City Council.

The goal: To divert more plastic, metals and paper from landfills into reuse for a variety of products, he said.

The best news, he said, is that program expansion will not add any additional cost for taxpayers.

He said $3.4 million needed to pay for new recycling Supercans is projected to be covered either by a grant or by revenue the city will receive from increasing its level of recycling.

The increase in recycling also is expected to cover a $700,000-ayear hike in the cost of collecting recyclables. Recycling now costs the city about $1.4 million a year; the expanded program is expected to cost $2.1 million a year.

Still, residents will continue to pay about $19.44 a month for trash service, $17.50 for refuse collection and $1.94 for recycling, Mr. Jackson said, as he pledged to council members to avoid a boost in appropriations and fees to cover the cost.

On Monday, the council cleared the way. On a 9-0 vote, the council approved the first phase — acceptance of a grant valued at $559,000 that will cover the cost of the first 6,000 recycling containers, as well as the cost of outreach and customer education.

Mr. Jackson said the first phase will allow the city to work out the kinks with the regional recycling agency, the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA), to ensure a smooth rollout across the city later this year.

Those first 6,000 recycling Supercans should be distributed

by February, he said.

Mr. Jackson said if all goes as expected, Richmond expects to increase its tonnage of recycled materials from about 7,000 tons a year to at least 10,400 tons a year — with the city receiving a rebate of $20 a ton for the material.

“That’s a very conservative increase,” he said. If residents are energized by it, he expects the amount of trash diverted to recycling should grow even more.

Currently, the city collects and sends about 88,000 tons of material to landfills and spends more than $11.4 million a year to do it. The more that gets recycled, the less the city needs to spend on trash operations.

Based on increasing recycling by about 3,400 tons a year, the city expects to cut its solid waste and landfill costs by at least $550,000 a year, Mr. Jackson said.

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Richmond Free Press

January 15-17, 2015

A3

Local News

Gov. pushes education, jobs, economic growth Free Press staff, wire reports

Helping underperforming schools regain their academic footing.

Providing additional funding for schools to enhance early childhood development.

And making sure students do not go to class hungry.

Those were three of the educational notes Gov. Terry McAuliffe underscored in his State of the Commonwealth speech to the General Assembly on Wednesday night.

He again called for Medicaid expansion, which likely will face a frosty, dead-on-arrival reception from the GOP-controlled legislature.

And the governor urged lawmakers to work with him on improving the state’s economy and strengthening ethics laws for public officials.

In the address, the Democratic governor outlined his goals for his second year in office and sounded a bipartisan note before the Republican-controlled legislature, which opened its session earlier in the day.

He thanked his wife, Dorothy, for taking the lead as first lady on education reform. That has included calls for a more

inclusive Standards of Learning testing system, help for students in disadvantaged communities to reach passing standards and improvements in early childhood education.

“Just as some students need a little extra encouragement, entire schools sometimes need additional support,” the governor said, in proposing that K-12 and higher education funding be exempt from further budget cuts.

Michaela L. White, Gov.’s office “I’ve included funding in my budget Gov. McAuliffe to help train principals in areas with underperforming schools so they can steer their teachers and students toward greater academic success.”

Gov. McAuliffe said he had formed the Commonwealth Council on Childhood Success and tasked them to take a 360-degree approach to increasing economic opportunity for Virginia’s children from their early years through adulthood.

“We are already making great progress,” the governor said.

He cited a $17.5 million federal grant last month to expand preschool programs for 1,600 at-risk 4-year-olds.

State NAACP hires new lobbyist

By Joey Matthews

The Virginia State Conference NAACP will have a fresh advocacy voice when the General Assembly convenes this week.

Richmond resident Rodney Thomas was hired earlier this month as a lobbyist for the state NAACP by the group’s executive committee, he told the Free Press on Monday.

“My main concern is to ensure that the NAACP gets the recognition for its services and history, and that all people of color get the services that they deserve and need,” Mr. Thomas said.

He said he is seeking input from the state’s roughly 130 NAACP branches, college chapters and youth councils through conference calls, emails and social media.

He listed top legislative issues to include increasing state procurement spending with minority-owned businesses, equipping police departments with dashboard and body cameras, expanding Medicaid and protecting voting rights.

Mr. Thomas would not disclose his salary.

Meanwhile, the state NAACP remains without an executive director nearly a year after its former executive director, King Salim Khalfani, was locked out of his office and later fired after 15 years of

service in the top position.

M r. K h a l f a n i found the doors to the state headquarters in Richmond locked Feb. 17, 2014, without explanation. He was officially dismissed by the NAACP’s executive commitMr. Thomas tee March 1.

State NAACP President Carmen D. Taylor did not respond to a Free Press query this week asking about the search for a new executive director.

Linda Thomas, the former state NAACP president who now is director of administration, told the Free Press, “Nothing yet,” in response to a similar question.

Ms. Taylor first informed the Free Press of the search for a new executive director and lobbyist in late September at an NAACP event in Henrico County.

Mr. Thomas, 62, has a long background in political engagement, with more than four decades in legislative experience, governmental fund development and business.

He has been a lobbyist for the Central Virginia Business and Construction As-

sociation for the past two years.

He said he spent “a good deal of time” last year working with Maurice Jones, Virginia’s secretary of commerce and trade, in the establishment of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s Executive Order No. 20, which calls for 42 percent of the spending in various executive branch contracts to go to minority- and women-owned businesses.

Mr. Thomas said he served nearly 20 years as a legislative assistant to several state senators in his native New York before he moved to Richmond in 1992.

He’s optimistic he can be successful lobbying the General Assembly, although Republicans control the Senate and House of Delegates.

“I’ll show them this is not a thing about Republicans or Democrats, but about individuals and what’s best for the Commonwealth of Virginia,” he said, emphasizing he will work to establish good relationships with all the legislators.

He also is the managing partner of Resources Building Tomorrow, a Richmondbased consulting firm.

Mr. Thomas said he has been a member of the Richmond Branch NAACP the past three years and currently serves on the executive committee.

He also is communications chairman for T:11” the Richmond Crusade for Voters.

Gov. McAuliffe said he had introduced budget language that will allow communities that have exceeded their pre-K budgets to receive leftover funds not used in other divisions so that they can offer more children “the great start to their education they deserve.”

He also said a key element of increasing student achievement is ensuring that every single child has access to quality nutrition.

Richmond Public Schools is fully enrolled in the new federal Community Eligibility Provision and offers free breakfast and lunch for all city students, one of the few school districts in Virginia to embrace the idea.

“My budget plan includes funding to help schools expand their breakfast programs so that every Virginia student can start his or her day ready to learn,” the governor said, stating that only 89 schools are currently enrolled across the state.

The governor sought to find common ground on economic issues and focused much of his remarks on his goal of creating a “new Virginia economy” less dependent on federal government spending.

“When I talk about building a new Virginia economy, that is what I mean — establishing the economic infrastructure it will take to outcompete 49 other states and 200 nations around the globe,” he said.

A sluggish economy has blown a big hole in the state budget, almost all of it attributable to federal cutbacks, Gov. McAuliffe said. Automatic federal budget cuts reduced military contracts in Virginia by $9.8 billion between 2011 and 2013, he said, noting that additional cuts threaten 154,000 jobs in Virginia — 4 percent of the state’s workforce.

Virginia must compensate by diversifying its economy, Gov. McAuliffe said. He urged lawmakers to support a bipartisan workforce development initiative that he said would streamline and improve state workforce training programs and put more emphasis on apprenticeships and training in critical areas where companies now strain to find workers. He also highlighted efforts the state is making to help veterans find work.

Gov. McAuliffe, who previously served as the head of the Democratic National Committee and operated for many years as a well-connected Washington insider, also took a victory lap for his economic development efforts.

Since he took office in January 2014, Virginia has closed 267 deals resulting in $5.6 billion in capital investment, the governor said, the most in the first year of any administration. The governor also touted his record promoting Virginia agricultural products abroad.

In the wake of the conviction and sentencing of former Gov. Bob McDonnell last week in the gifts for access scandal, Gov. McAuliffe also called for strengthening the state’s ethics laws to help give businesses confidence in the state’s elected officials.

He urged adoption of a $100 cap on all gifts received by public officials and creation of an independent ethics review commission with investigative and enforcement powers.

The governor also proposed prohibiting campaign fundraising during all legislative sessions, not just regular sessions. Under current law, lawmakers can raise money during special sessions.

He also proposed to prohibit members of state boards and commissions from voting on matters that benefit them, family members or business partners, clarifying and expanding existing conflict of interest laws.

The weapons of a movement.

T:10.5”

The power of peaceful protest. Fifty years after the Selma to Montgomery March, we still remember the leadership of the man who marched his way into history.

Comcast celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by honoring those who continue to march in his shoes.

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Richmond Free Press

A4 January 15-17, 2015

News

Legislative Black Caucus unveils 2015 priorities Continued from A1

sense efforts to provide health insurance coverage to up to 400,000 Virginians,” Henrico Sen. A. Donald McEachin said when asked by a Free Press reporter if expansion efforts would be successful during the 45-day legislative session.

Also atop the caucus wish list: Restrict gun purchases to one a month; automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for nonviolent exoffenders; support for the use of body cameras by police officers; an increase in the minimum wage; and more funding for teacher pay raises, workforce development and early childhood development.

The caucus also vowed to oppose GOP efforts to suppress voters in communities of color and restrict a woman’s access to safe abortions.

Sen. Locke said the intent of the group’s agenda is to “be the voice of the underrepresented, mostly in urban areas.”

“And, we’ll be aggressive in pushing through this agenda,” she said.

Seven other caucus members attended the news conference on a frigid, ice-laced day after attending a bipartisan prayer breakfast themed with helping the poor and feeding the hungry.

Sen. Locke tersely called Republicans who would oppose caucus-backed legislation “hypocrites” for thwarting measures designed to aid the poor, cut crime and grow jobs.

Separately, Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Tuesday the launch of the Governor’s Access Plan, or GAP, that will provide medical and behavioral health services for 20,000 individu-

Ava Reaves

Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus attending Wednesday’s news conference are, from left, Delegate Matthew James of Portsmouth, Sen. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County, Delegate Mamye BaCote of Newport News, Delegate Roslyn Tyler of Jarrett, Sen. Mamie Locke (caucus chair) of Hampton, Sen. Rosalyn Dance of Petersburg, Delegate Lionel Spruill of Chesapeake, Delegate Jeion Ward of Hampton and Sen. Kenneth Alexander of Norfolk.

als who have a serious mental illness and are uninsured.

The governor said GAP is the first step in the initiative he unveiled in September known

as “A Healthy Virginia.” He has touted Healthy Virginia as a 10-step plan to expand health care services to more than 200,000 Virginians until the legislature expands Medicaid.

Joe locks up win, gets cold shoulder Continued from A1

Even a pre-election police raid on his law office could not halt his supporters from turning out on a rainy, chilly day and carrying him to a 597-vote victory over his closest competitor in the special election in the 74th House District. The district, which has a majority-black population, includes part of Richmond and Henrico County and all of Charles City County.

Delegate Morrissey has represented the district as a Democrat since 2007. This time, however, he ran as an independent and, because of his conviction, was largely limited to campaigning by telephone from his law office.

Nonetheless, he swept all three localities, with voters rebuffing the Democratic Party leadership that had backed a little-known former state labor leader and Charles City farmer, Kevin J. Sullivan, as their candidate.

Delegate Morrissey triggered the special election by resigning his office after his conviction on a misdemeanor of contributing to the delinquency, a conviction that did not bar him from serving in the legislature.

He began serving a 90-day sentence last month after entering an Alford plea denying any wrongdoing but acknowledging the prosecution had enough evidence to convict him. He still maintains his innocence, as does the teenager who insists there was no sexual relationship with him at the time.

His resignation from the House became effective on the same day he won the special election. He learned about his win from a TV news reporter seeking an interview after he arrived back at the Henrico County Jail-East in New Kent County around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

In a race that drew 6,720 voters — or about 13 percent of the 53,000 registered in the district — Delegate Morrissey finished with 2,840 votes, or 42 percent of those cast. He beat Mr. Sullivan, who received 2,243 votes, or 33 percent. The third candidate, Republican Matt D. Walton, a teacher, received 1,622 votes, or 24 percent, a surprisingly strong showing in the heavily Democratic district.

Mr. Walton even won Delegate Morrissey’s precinct, Yellow Tavern, where the legislator ran third.

“The voters have spoken,” Delegate Morrissey said at his legislative office in Capitol Square. “Who would have imagined” that someone who had so many aligned against him would come out on top, he said.

Delegate Morrissey said he hopes he will be allowed to serve out his current term that ends in December. He would have to run again in November to stay in the legislature, but he declined to say whether he would do so. “I have many interests, and serving in the General Assembly is just one of them,” he noted.

Some of those who opposed his re-election now think that the outcome should bring to a close talk of expulsion.

“The will of the people is sovereign,” said Henrico Sen. A. Donald McEachin, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. “The voters are our bosses. They made their decision. Let me make it clear: This is a matter for the House. However, given the result, I think he should be allowed to fully participate.”

Delegate Morrissey has been punished to an extent. While he is back in office, he lost the seven years of seniority he had

built up on committees. His front-bench seat reflects that he is once again considered a freshman.

He also has lost his entrée into the House Democratic Caucus.

He did not seek to return and caucus members, who strenuously had urged him to resign, did not invite him back.

“Based on what I have heard, I do not believe he would be

welcome,” said Richmond Delegate Jennifer McClellan, caucus vice chair.

The last time the House expelled a member was in 1876.

Delegate Morrissey remains unfazed. He said after the session that he remains confident and believes “things will turn out exactly as they are supposed to be.”

Councilwoman Robertson a quiet force Continued from A1

mond and cities across the country.

Today, Ms. Robertson chairs the council’s new oversight board for the city’s affordable housing trust fund, which she was a leader in creating.

That oversight board is working with the Jones administration on plans to invest up to $1.7 million this year to support private developments of home and apartments that would be less expensive for people to buy or rent.

In the past year, Ms. Robertson also won commitments from a majority of the council to budget up to $1 million a year for the trust fund to increase its investments in affordable housing.

She also was involved with the administration in writing the guidelines for trust fund investment and helped steer council passage of those guidelines.

Among other things, those guidelines will require that developments seeking an infusion from the trust fund will provide some units for households with incomes below $22,000 a year — or 30 percent or less of the regional median income of $72,900 a year.

All of this is on top of her involvement in ushering in the redevelopment of the Dove Court area and in aiding the administration’s plans to overhaul two East End public housing communities within and next door to her district.

Behind the scenes, Ms. Robertson also chairs a public-private group that is engaged with the Jones administration in developing a strategy to create jobs and economic growth in the city.

Council members Kathy C. Graziano, 4th District, and Parker A. Agelasto, 5th District, are among the members who also are engaged in the effort to boost the city’s ability to compete to attract

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Councilwoman Robertson, right, takes part in a big occasion for the 6th District she has represented for nearly 11 years — the opening of the new Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. She joins Mayor Dwight C. Jones, School Board member Shonda Harris-Muhammed and students for the celebratory ribbon-cutting in January 2014.

new businesses, stimulate new companies and retain existing firms.

Meanwhile, Ms. Robertson’s knowledge of the budget has made her highly successful in gaining funding for her district, including a $21 million appropriation to replace Overby-Sheppard Elementary School, though she has yet to win School Board support for the project.

If all that is not enough, Ms. Robertson is now lobbying her colleagues and the administration on legislation to create Downtown’s first tourism zone, aimed at offering incentives for the development of visitor-friendly businesses.

On Monday, she won council approval of an ordinance that will require the administration to review the compensation of city employees every two years and make it a goal to ensure city employees are paid at a rate comparable to pay offered by other localities in the metropolitan area.

She also joined three other members

of the council, Jonathan T. Baliles, 1st District, Charles R. Samuels, 2nd District, and Mr. Agelasto, in winning passage of legislation that will require the city to publish its register of payments on the government website, Richmondgov. com — a move to raise city government transparency.

Meanwhile, Ms. Robertson expects to push for budget funding to support a nonprofit that is seeking to create affordable housing in a blighted area near Mosby Court.

Her influence could well grow. Just added to her multiple policy hats is her appointment as chairwoman of council’s Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee, the key committee with oversight of affordable housing as well as public transit.

So stay tuned. She may not wear the president’s hat, but Ms. Robertson is definitely helping to steer people-helping policy discussions.

Petersburg man holds memories from Selma march Continued from A1

U.S. Supreme Court in June 2013 struck down key provisions in the act that determined which states must get federal permission before changes are made in their voting laws. Virginia, a former slave-holding state, was among nine Southern states covered by the highly controversial ruling.

Reflecting on how the Selma movement has helped open opportunities to African-Americans, Mr. Coulton noted, “Progress has been made, but there’s still a long ways to go.”

“We have to learn how to treat each other better — from our schools to our churches to our communities,” he added.

Mr. Coulton, who is recovering at home after a hospital visit, said he plans to see the movie when he is able.

“I’m glad that it is coming out,” he said. “It should have come out before now.”

Mr. Coulton talked about the Selma march, his association with Dr. King and his time in the Civil Rights Movement in his 2010 self-published book, “In the Shadow of Giants.”

He recalls going to Atlanta in 1962 to be interviewed by Dr. King, the SCLC’s first president, for the field director position in Virginia.

“Man, I was nervous,” he wrote in the book. “Here I am, a poor boy from Blandford, about to have a private conversation and an interview with a living legend, the Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Jr.” Mr. Coulton took the job and helped lead efforts to mobilize people to register to vote in Virginia and throughout the South.

His work continued even after Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis in April 1968. He endured police beatings, faced threats from the Ku Klux Klan and was thrown in jail.

Demonstrators mobilized, at Dr. King’s behest, for the Selma marches as part of a major voting rights campaign. Mr. Coulton said he and about 25 other Virginia activists rode a bus to Alabama to take part.

Demonstrators were further fueled in their efforts because Alabama state troopers had attacked participants during a Feb. 18 march in Marion, Ala., shooting 26-year-old Jimmie Lee Jackson in the stomach while he was trying to protect his mother from an officer’s billy club blows. Mr. Jackson died eight days later,

galvanizing the movement.

On what is now called “Bloody Sunday,” March 7, 1965, some 600 civil rights marchers headed east out of Selma on U.S. 80. They got only as far as the Edmund Pettus Bridge, six blocks away, before violence erupted.

Led by current Georgia Congressman John Lewis, then the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and the late Hosea Williams, a SCLC organizer, the marchers proceeded toward armed state troopers waiting across the bridge.

After an eerie silence, troopers wearing gas masks furiously advanced on the marchers, beating them with billy clubs and releasing tear gas. Mr. Lewis was among those knocked unconscious as other marchers retreated back to Selma.

Two days later, on March 9, Dr. King led a “symbolic” march to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. He knelt in prayer, then turned around and led the demonstrators back to Selma.

Civil rights leaders then sought court protection for a third, full-scale march from Selma to Montgomery.

Segregationist Alabama Gov. George Wallace refused to protect the marchers, but President Johnson committed to do so.

Protected by 2,000 Army soldiers, 1,900 members of the Alabama National Guard under federal command and many FBI agents and federal marshals, the marchers set out from Selma.

Hopewell native Curtis W. Harris, a 90-year-old retired minister and former president of the Virginia SCLC and national SCLC vice president, also was on the march and, according to accounts, selflessly served as a human shield to Dr. King, who led the march.

“We didn’t know how things would turn out,” Mr. Coulton recalled. “Dr. King knew people wanted to kill him, but he went anyway. Many of the people we faced along the way were pretty violent. We faced many threats. In many ways, you really didn’t know who your friends were.”

The marchers averaged about 12 miles a day. They slept in fields along the way, arriving in Montgomery on March 24 and finally at the Alabama State Capitol the following day.

Along the way, Mr. Coulton recalled, “As we got to talking to some of the white people, they weren’t as bad as they acted many times. Many of them were really just fearful.”

He said many other white supporters also joined the march.

Looking back now on the trailblazing march, Mr. Coulton said Selma was an important part of American history, and because of it, “this country is better today than it was then.”

“There is an even better day coming,” he predicted. “I know it is.”

McDonnell can appeal — but from behind bars Continued from A1

or fact likely to result in reversal” of the conviction, a reduced sentence or elimination of the prison term.

That includes Mr. McDonnell’s argument that the government was wrong to claim that he, as governor, committed five actions that qualified as “official acts” to justify the corruption charges.

Judge Spencer found that “the government provided substantial evidence for the jury to conclude” that Mr. McDonnell “attempted to use his gubernatorial office

to influence governmental decisions in favor of Star Scientific,” the company owned by key prosecution witness Jonnie Williams.

Federal prosecutors said Mr. Williams, the founder and former CEO of Star Scientific, showered Mr. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, with gifts and money in exchange for access to and influence with state officials to promote his company’s dietary supplement.

Judge Spencer also found little merit in the two other appeal issues that Mr. McDonnell raised: That the judge had

not done enough to ensure an impartial jury given the extensive pretrial publicity, and that the judge had failed to find a new trial was warranted because the jury had engaged in “premature … deliberations.”

In his order, Judge Spencer stated that he had managed pretrial publicity sufficiently and that jury members had been adequately questioned about potential bias.

He also wrote there was insufficient evidence to find the jury had begun deliberations before officially receiving the case.

Richmond Free Press

January 15-17, 2015

A5

Local News

Henry L. Marsh III

Harold M. Marsh Sr.

Claudette Black McDaniel

Willie J. Dell

Walter T. Kenney

Henry W. Richardson

Council to honor Marsh brothers, others Renaming courthouse and posting special street signs

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Manchester Courthouse on South Side is about to be renamed for the city’s first AfricanAmerican mayor, Henry L. Marsh III, and his late brother, Harold M. Marsh Sr. Mayor Dwight C. Jones is teaming up with City Council to pay this tribute to the Marsh brothers, who loomed large in political and legal circles for decades.

The courthouse renaming is part of the mayor’s new effort to spotlight African-Americans who have made “extraordinary contributions” to the city.

As part of that effort, the mayor and seven members of council are planning to authorize creation of honorary streets signs to salute the five people who, in 1977, constituted the first African-American majority on City Council — Mayor Marsh; Willie J. Dell; Walter T. Kenney, who later became mayor; the late Claudette Black McDaniel; and Henry W. “Chuck” Richardson.

The honorary street signs would bear their names and be posted on the blocks where they live or lived at the time.

The new majority took over after seven years of litigation led by an ordinary citizen, Curtis Holt, over a white council majority’s efforts to keep African-Americans from taking control of City Hall.

“This is one of those things we have been intending to do to honor people who have changed the history of the city,” Mayor Jones said Tuesday night in speaking about the plans to celebrate the history-making majority.

He came up with the idea and said that, as mayor, “the first group I thought of were these individuals who changed the city’s direction.”

He called it appropriate that his plan is taking wing as the nation is learning about the fight for voting rights through the release of the movie

“Selma.” The 50th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act is this year.

“A lot of things have changed since we have been able to elect representatives of our choice,” said Mayor Jones, a former School Board and General Assembly member and senior pastor of First Baptist Church of South Richmond.

He said this is just the first year for a program he hopes — and expects — will continue. “Going forward, this program could honor other categories or other individuals,” he said.

He noted there are plenty of streets, bridges and public buildings that could be named or renamed.

The mayor is pleased that the city is honoring this first group. He believes too many people are forgetting the contributions the honorees made. He cited as one example an influential public-private group that has helped to rebuild Downtown in recent decades.

While many “know Venture Richmond, they may not know its forerunner, Richmond Renaissance, and the contribution that Henry Marsh made in reaching across to Main Street to have some working relations with the white business community. What has resulted is evident, but there many who don’t know how it came about,” he said.

“I really think we have not paid enough attention” to history makers in Richmond, he said, calling it “important to recognize” these now elderly city heroes “while they are able to know they are appreciated.”

The courthouse renaming and the street sign project are described in resolutions that the mayor and most of council jointly introduced Monday. The resolutions are expected to pass with overwhelming support at the council’s next meeting Monday, Jan. 26, ahead of Black History Month in February.

The Marshes will have their names put on

Thornton, Nelson to lead Henrico Board of Supervisors

the courthouse to honor their “extraordinary work and dedication to seeking justice and equality for all,” according to information in the resolution.

Mayor Marsh not only changed city politics, but also was part of the history-making, through the now-closed Richmond legal firm Hill, Tucker & Marsh. The firm was on the front lines of civil rights efforts in the city, state and nation, and included legal greats, the late Oliver W. Hill Sr. and the late Samuel W. Tucker.

Mr. Marsh, himself, took part in more than 50 cases to enforce Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case outlawing separate and unequal public education that impacted African-American schoolchildren. He was lead counsel in Quarles v. Philip Morris, a 1968 case that established that private companies could be sanctioned for discriminating in pay and promotions for African-Americans and other minorities. He also helped win the Gravely v.

Dalton case in 1981 that created single-member districts in the General Assembly and created greater access for African-Americans to win legislative seats.

As mayor, he led efforts to revitalize Downtown, shake up the management at City Hall and open up city employment opportunities to African-Americans.

He served 25 years on City Council and then served nearly 23 years in the state Senate, where he rose to become the first African-American chair of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.

He resigned last summer to take a seat on the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

His brother, Harold Marsh, was a highly respected member of Hill, Tucker & Marsh. He was well known for his work as an educator, his contributions to community betterment and his service as a substitute judge in Richmond and Chesterfield County.

Mr. Marsh was shot to death in 1997 as he

New police chief

Mayor wants to ‘keep this good thing going’

By Joey Matthews

By Joey Matthews

The Henrico Board of Supervisors made history Tuesday night when it elected two African-Americans to the county’s top elective leadership posts.

The five-member board selected Frank J. Thornton as its chairman and the Rev. Tyrone E. Nelson as vice chairman.

It’s the first time since 1934, when Henrico County adopted the countymanager form of government, that two African-Americans have led the board of supervisors.

It’s also likely the first time two representatives from the predominately black eastern end of the county have served in leadership positions on the five-member council at the same time.

Mr. Thornton represents the Fairfield District; Rev. Nelson, the Varina District. Roughly 30 percent of Henrico’s population is African-American.

“It was not long ago that persons who look like me were not able to vote in the United States,” Rev. Nelson said in a statement. “I do not take this lightly — that I am able to serve in this leadership capacity in this great county.”

Mr. Thornton, a language professor at Virginia Union University and the first

Mr. Thornton

Rev. Nelson

African-American elected to the board of supervisors in 1996, has previously served as board chair in 2011, 2005 and 2000.

This is the first time Rev. Nelson, pastor at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond’s Jackson Ward, has held a board leadership role since he was elected in 2011.

Mr. Thornton said he looked forward to running the board of supervisors the “Henrico Way.” “The Henrico Way is our way of serving our citizens in which they are receiving optimal and positive results in government service,” he said in a statement. “It is my hope and our challenge that we take the Henrico Way to an even higher level during the upcoming year.”

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sought to help a client evict a tenant who was failing to pay rent. The upset tenant killed him as he drove home from court.

The street signs will not change the actual address, but will be posted on the blocks where the individual council members lived.

• Mayor Marsh, who served on the council from 1966 to 1991, is to have his street sign posted in the 3200 block of Q Street in Church Hill. He mostly represented the city’s 7th District on council.

• Ms. Dell, who was the first African-American woman to serve on the council, is to have her sign posted in the 2900 block of Hawthorne Avenue on North Side. First appointed in 1973, she served until 1982. She mostly represented the 3rd District.

• Mr. Kenney, who served on the council from 1977 to 1994 and also served as mayor from 1990 to 1994, is to have his street sign posted in the 1700 block of Bryan Street in the East End. He represented the 6th District.

• Dr. McDaniel, who died in 2010, is to have her street sign posted in the 100 block of East 15th Street on South Side. She served on City Council from 1977 until 1990, representing the 8th District. A youthful activist who participated in the 1960s sit-ins to desegregate Richmond restaurants, she was the first African-American woman to serve as vice mayor.

• Mr. Richardson, who served on the council from 1977 to 1995, when he was forced to resign after his arrest on a drug charge, is to have his street sign posted in the 800 block of Blanton Avenue in the near West End. He represented the 5th District and is credited with creating a Richmond holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spearheading the first effort to require the city to use black contractors, ushering in a property tax abatement program for the elderly and disabled and leading the effort to place the Arthur Ashe statue on Monument Avenue.

Should Richmond’s next police chief reflect the city’s majority African-American population?

Should he or she come from within the department’s ranks?

Should the new chief be a proponent of new policy, including having Richmond Police officers wear body cameras to help prevent police brutality amid the recent wave of police shootings of unarmed black men nationwide?

Mayor Dwight C. Jones likely will consider those questions and others in naming the city’s next chief.

He indicated he likely will tap the new chief from within the department’s ranks later this month.

The current chief, Ray J. Tarasovic, announced last Friday he is retiring after a two-year stint as head of the 737-officer department.

The chief’s retirement was reported first in the Free Press, in an article published in the Jan. 8-10 edition.

“There’s a lot of selfishness in this decision to leave,” Chief Tarasovic, 66, said at a news conference Jan. 9. “I want to begin the next part of my life. I want to be a better husband, a better father and a better grandfather.

“These two years have been the most gratifying and rewarding of my career,” he added.

Chief Tarasovic, a veteran of 32 years in law enforcement, came out of retirement when Mayor Jones summoned him after essentially firing Chief Bryan T. Norwood in February 2013 amid the Chris Brown community service scandal.

Chief Tarasovic first joined Richmond Police in 2005, serving as assistant chief to then-Chief Rodney D. Monroe.

He and Chief Monroe drew wide praise for instituting community policing policies credited in reducing violent crimes.

In 2008, he followed Chief Monroe

to Charlotte, N.C., but later retired in Richmond before returning to lead RPD at the request of Mayor Jones.

“This is the secret announcement Chief Tarasovic nobody knows about,” the mayor said to start the news conference, referencing the flood of media that followed the Free Press in reporting the chief’s retirement decision.

“Chief Tarasovic and I have been in discussion for some months now about his plans,” Mayor Jones said, flanked by Chief Tarasovic and acting Chief Administrative Officer Christopher L. Beschler at the Richmond Police Training Academy on North Side. “When Ray joined the City of Richmond in February of 2013, he allowed me to draw him out of what was a fifth retirement when he agreed to serve the citizens of Richmond again.

“It was clear at the onset that he was here to fill a gap in leadership in our police department and that he was willing to do so for as long as necessary during my tenure.”

Chief Tarasovic said his last day on the force would be Feb. 20.

“We are not looking to change courses, but are looking to make sure that we continue the kind of progress that we have,” said the mayor, citing a drop in the most violent crimes during Chief Tarasovic’s tenure. “And those persons are on the team. So that’s what we are looking to do — keep this good thing going.”

The three most likely candidates in-house to replace Chief Tarasovic are one of three deputy chiefs — Eric English, in operations; John Buturla, in support services; or Alfred Durham, in administrative services.

Maj. Steve Drew, who is in charge of support services, also is considered

a potential candidate.

Choosing in-house would be a deviation from more than two decades of chief selections in Richmond. Since 1989, every new chief has come from outside the department.

Richmond largely has stayed free of public accusations of police brutality during Chief Tarasovic’s tenure.

However, in July 2012, two white Richmond police officers were fired by then-Chief Bryan T. Norwood after they were overheard making violent threats against President Obama during his campaign appearance at Virginia Commonwealth University two months earlier.

Chief Tarasovic was credited for enlisting his command staff last month in “fair and impartial training,” in a partnership with Henrico County police to allay any racial biases they might have. He said he wants that training to continue department-wide.

He said he sought the training prior to the killing of Michael Brown Jr. in Ferguson, Mo., in August.

The chief also has endorsed the use of body cameras for Richmond officers, but stressed that would hinge on gaining the funding — a minimum of about $800 each — to buy the cameras, maintain them and store recorded information.

The mayor also sounded open to using them. “If the next move is to body cameras, I’d be open to that,” he said, without providing any details.

While only three of Ferguson’s 53 police officers in the Missouri department at the time of Mr. Brown’s killing by former officer Darren Wilson were African-American in a town that is 67 percent African-American, data supplied last Friday by Richmond Police show more than 31 percent of Richmond’s police force, or 232 officers, are African-American in the city with a slightly more than 50 percent African-American population, while 62 percent, or 459, are Caucasian.

Overall, minorities make up nearly 38 percent of the force.

Richmond Free Press

Ornamental grass in South Side

Editorial Page

A6

January 15-17, 2015

Boot him The headlines and laughter across the nation say it all: “Jailbird wins re-election.”

Yes, they are talking about Delegate Joseph D. Morrissey, the jailed Henrico lawyer who resigned from his seat in the Virginia House of Delegates following a sex scandal and conviction involving his teenage receptionist and then won it back in Tuesday’s special election.

A Washington Post columnist called him “a human train wreck,” the headline screaming, “Joe Morrissey: An embarrassment that Virginia voters support — and deserve.”

Frankly, it is embarrassing.

And awkward.

And perplexing.

And disturbing.

What does his election say about the voters in the 74th House District, with a majority-black population that includes parts of Richmond and Henrico and all of Charles City County?

And what does it say about Delegate Morrissey, himself, a man with a litany of legal and ethical troubles dating to the early 1990s, whose moral compass is so scrambled that he would hang onto a legislative seat even if he wears an ankle bracelet and has to report back to the Henrico County Jail-East in New Kent County by 7:30 each night.

The first bipartisan action of the 2015 General Assembly should be to get rid of Delegate Morrissey.

The legislative process is called expulsion and it’s allowed in this instance under the Virginia Constitution. It would be the first time since 1876 that a member of the House of Delegates would be expelled, but the time to do it again is now.

Just minutes after the final vote tallies were released Tuesday night proclaiming Delegate Morrissey the victor, House Speaker William J. Howell, a Republican, and House Minority Leader David Toscano, a Democrat, issued statements saying, essentially, that they want him out.

Delegate Toscano: Joe Morrissey, who ran as an independent in the special election, “is not a member of the Democratic Party, nor is he a member of the House Democratic Caucus.

His conviction and actions over the past two months were reprehensible, and we will be exploring every avenue in regard to his status as a member of the House of Delegates.”

Speaker Howell: Joe Morrissey’s election “does not change the fact that his actions fall grievously short of the standards of a public servant in the House of Delegates. ...Working with [Delegate Toscano] and other members of the House, we will begin the process of assessing these options in order to determine the appropriate path forward.”

While Delegate Morrissey is the new pariah in the House, he — along with at least one member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus — stood on the claim that “the voters have spoken.”

Yes, Delegate Morrissey was returned to office. But look closely.

Fewer than 3,000 of the district’s 53,000 registered voters returned him to office. He won with 42 percent of the votes cast.

But another 57 percent of those who cast ballots rejected him. Yes, 3,865 voters did not want to return Delegate Morrissey to office. But their support for someone else was split between Democrat Kevin Sullivan, a farmer and former union leader from Charles City, and Republican Matt Walton, a Henrico County teacher.

Mr. Walton even beat Delegate Morrissey in his home precinct, Yellow Tavern, where Delegate Morrissey came in third.

Those facts and numbers portray — and underscore — a very different picture of the district, despite the election’s outcome.

If Delegate Morrissey isn’t going to do the right thing — and he has proven that he won’t — the House needs to help him by booting him out.

The big lie Every schoolchild in Virginia is taught that our General Assembly is the “oldest continuous law-making body in the New World.”

Indeed, that proud boast is featured on the legislature’s own website — accompanied by the claim that the legislature continues a heritage that began in 1619 when the original House of Burgesses went into operation in what was then the colony of Virginia.

Alas, this story is a falsehood, one of many that our children are taught about the history of this state. The reality is that this story is simply a prime example of the Confederate mentality that still permeates this state.

The truth is that the fable masks the reality of Reconstruction — the period after the Union won the Civil War and ended slavery in this state and elsewhere.

The reality is that the General Assembly was disbanded in 1867 by order of the U.S. Congress and the bayonets of the U.S. Army.

Fed up with Southern resistance to African-American freedom, the Congress dissolved white supremacist governments in Virginia and nine other former Confederate states and put them under the control of the military.

Virginia was Military District 1, under the command of Brigadier Gen. John M. Schofield.

Carrying out his orders, Gen. Schofield organized elections for delegates to write a new state constitution that would recognize the abolition of slavery and provide for full citizenship and equal protection under law for African-Americans as well as white people.

Congress demanded new state constitutions with equal protection clauses and voting rights for African-American men as the minimum condition to re-admit the former rebel states to the Union.

As a Library of Virginia photographic exhibit showed a few years ago, the military-organized election of constitutional delegates in 1867 is the first in which African-Americans cast ballots in Virginia.

And in 2013, the Virginia legislature and governor honored the 24 African-Americans who were elected and helped write that new constitution in 1868. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, an arm of the General Assembly, even put up a plaque in the State Capitol to remember those delegates.

It took until 1869 for Virginia to vote and approve the constitution that ensured African-American men the right to vote and established the state’s first public school system.

The constitution was written by Republicans and derided by Democrats as the “Negro constitution” for its expansion of suffrage to all 21-year-old male citizens.

And only then — in 1869 — was a new legislature elected.

The bottom line: The Virginia legislature has been in continuous operation for just 146 years.

Let’s not allow such important history to ever again be buried under a big lie.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

New CBC chair pledges to fight If you were the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), beginning your tenure when the first AfricanAmerican president of the United States was completing his last two years in office, what would your plan be?

If you were chair at a time when Republicans held a record number of House seats – the most since 1928 – and conditions for black Americans were getting worse, what would your plan be?

If that first AfricanAmerican president on his way out the door wasn’t all that excited about black agenda items and rarely connects with members of Congress, what would be the plan?

These are the questions that the new CBC chairman, Congressman G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, has to confront over the next two years.

Presidential politics already have begun to take the stage

at the start of 2015.

Rep. Butterfield got off to an aggressive start Jan. 6 with his first speech as CBC chairman.

“America is not working for many African-Americans and we, as the Congressional Black Caucus, have an obligation to fight harder and smarter in the next Congress to help repair the

Lauren V. Burke damage,” he said.

The speech included a devastating rundown of current statistics on where AfricanAmericans now stand.

“We are fighting generations of indifference on the part of those in power. The statistics tell the story,” Rep. Butterfield said. Then he told the audience at the Capitol: Twenty-five percent of black households live below the poverty line, compared to 8 percent of white households.

One out of three black children lives in poverty.

African-Americans are twice as likely as whites to be unemployed.

African-Americans earn $13,000 less per year than their white counterparts.

The unemployment rate for African-Americans consistently has been twice as high as for whites over the past 50 years.

For every $100 in wealth of a white household, the black household only has $6 in wealth.

“What is this if it’s not an emergency?”Rep. Butterfield concluded.

The CBC has a block of 42 voting Democrats in the House, the most in history. But of the 48 African-Americans who will serve in the 114th Congress over the next two years, 45 of them will be serving in the minority Democratic Party.

Though there is talk of being more aggressive, legislative wins will require loads of backdoor negotiation. It also will require President Obama to be more aggressive in his negotiations with the GOP before legislation is brought to Congress for consideration.

Unfortunately for Democrats, tough negotiation is not something President Obama is

known for.

At the CBC swearing-in ceremony Rep. Butterfield said, “The CBC was formed in 1971 because its founders understood that black lives matter. Black boys matter. Black girls matter. The black family matters.

The black church matters.

Black America in its totality matters.

“In 2015, we are still fighting generations of discrimination.

We are fighting generations of indifference on the part of those in power.”

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver said of the new chairman: “He is methodical and does not tend to act impetuously. Whether we planned it or not, he’s the right one for the season.”

Lauren Victoria Burke is a freelance writer covering African-American members of Congress.

Richmond Free Press 422 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 Telephone (804) 644-0496 FAX (804) 643-7519 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 27709 Richmond, VA 23261 ______________

Beware the man with no morals

As he labored for social, civil and economic justice, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was extremely concerned about the educational inequities that were a function of segregation, and about the purpose and quality of education. As early as 1947, as a Morehouse College student, he wrote an article, “The Purpose of Education,” for the Maroon Tiger, the college newspaper.

His article is as relevant today as it was then.

To d a y, much of the focus of education is on passing standardized tests. And while educational measurement is important, Dr. King suggests that these measures are insufficient. In his article, he pondered the meaning and purpose of education. He wrote: “Education must enable a (person) to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.”

Dr. King was critical of the results of specific aspects of education when he wrote, “education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking. To think incisively and to think for one’s self is very difficult. We are prone to let our mental life become invaded by legions of half-truths, prejudices, and

propaganda. A great majority of the so-called educated people does not think logically and scientifically. Even the press, the classroom, the platform and the pulpit, in many instances, do not give us objective and unbiased truths.”

True in 1947, but even more so today with three-minute commentary passing for news, and some classrooms the site of propaganda delivery. Some Southerners still believe that the South won the Civil War. They fly confederate flags to

Julianne Malveaux honor it, and teach this falsity in their classrooms.

From that perspective, young Dr. King was quite critical of segregationist, their intelligence and their prejudice: “The late Eugene Talmadge, in my opinion, possessed one of the better minds in Georgia, or even America. Moreover, he wore the Phi Beta Kappa key.

By all measuring rods, Mr. Talmadge could think critically and intensively, yet he contends that I am an inferior being. Are these the types of men we call educated?”

Dr. King said that intelligence is not enough. He said, “Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education.”

We must develop and support young people who are educated in the King tradition – young people with character and

discernment. We cannot do this work without a consciousness of people who are committed to breaking down educational barriers, closing the achievement gap, improving the quality of schools and access to education.

But while other countries are increasing their commitment to education, the United States is cutting back.

Said Dr. King, “The most dangerous criminal may be the man (person) gifted with reason, but no morals.” How moral is it to consign millions to low wages, refusing even to increase the minimum wage? How moral is it to cut food stamps and jobs programs in the name of economic growth, although many are still suffering? The art and science of politics is about compromise, but how do we compromise with people’s lives and well-being?

There ought to be a floor under which no citizen is allowed to fall. Wages, health, career, education and access to housing should not be bargained over, but automatically given.

Too many of our legislators are educated, but lack morals.

It is shameful to watch them celebrate the shredding of the safety net.

Let’s celebrate the King holiday with a commitment to close the achievement gap and to improve the quality of education in our nation.

Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington.

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Richmond Free Press

January 15-17, 2015

A7

Letters to the Editor

Actors recreate a protest scene from 1965 for the movie “Selma.”

Like in yesteryear, fight voter disenfranchisement Yesterday I saw the movie “Selma” and witnessed a lot of similarities between that era and issues affecting our community now.

The biggest takeaway was the fight for voting rights and how the state government systematically disenfranchised the AfricanAmerican population with suppressive tactics such as poll taxes, literacy tests, police brutality, violence and firehouse primaries in which party bosses made the selection of a candidate without any input from the voters.

Oprah Winfrey portrayed a woman named Annie Lee Cooper, who made many attempts to register to vote but was continually denied. In one scene, the voter registrar gave Ms. Cooper several literacy tests. But even when Ms. Cooper answers the questions correctly, the registrar found new ways to discourage her and finally denies her.

In Virginia during the 1950s and up to the late 1960s, the Electoral College was controlled and manipulated by a small

few — the Byrd Machine — to systematically deny, suppress and disenfranchise African-American voters. Sen. Harry Byrd, the Democratic Party boss, used these racist tactics in Virginia until a courageous lawyer named Henry Howell fought against the poll tax in the case Shepheard v. Moore. He won the case in November 1966 when the court held poll taxes in Virginia to be unconstitutional.

Fast forward to December 2014 when my beloved Democratic Party was faced with a dilemma of a sitting elected official, a Democrat, who had been arrested for crimes against a minor.

In haste, our party chose to create a firehouse primary to replace the embattled elected official but, in that process, thousands of registered voters who were eligible to vote were denied, suppressed and disenfranchised. Instead, the party bosses chose 100 Democrats who had paid $25 to be eligible to vote in the primary.

And of the 100 chosen, only 40 qualified to even vote.

So in essence, 40 people chose the Democratic nominee to

Religious Freedom Day offers opportunity for reflection Jan. 16 is National Religious Freedom Day and thus a great time to ponder what some of our most famous framers and founders were thinking about the vital importance of establishing and maintaining religious freedom in this great country we call America.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

— John Adams “... Take the Bible out of our schools and there would be an explosion in crime.” — Benjamin Rush Public Hearing on Community Development Needs Henrico County, Virginia The County of Henrico is preparing its Five Year Consolidated Plan to guide the use of federal CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds.

Henrico County will conduct three public hearings to hear from citizens their opinions concerning community development needs and past program performance: • Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, 9:30AM. Eastern Henrico Rec. Center • Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, 6:30 PM. Tuckahoe Area Library • Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, 6:30 PM. Belmont Recreation Center For more information visit www.henrico.us/revit or call 501-7640.

The power to control diabetes is in your hands.

Thanks to Free Press staffers

“God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.” — Daniel Webster “Education is useless without the Bible.” — Noah Webster These great people, and many others just like them, fought and died for our religious freedom. Please don’t take it for granted.

God bless America!

Re “Celebrating with angels,” Dec. 31-Jan. 3 edition: I would like to thank an awesome and wonderful Free Press staff for the article about me. Writer Joey Matthews, who is very cool and laid back, did very well. He covered every aspect of my story and more.

Since then, five people have walked up to me and asked me to help them with their HIV diagnosis.

Thanks from the top, middle and bottom of my heart.

DAWNA LEE Mechanicsville

THERESA D. COSBY Richmond

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Lots of people with diabetes test their own blood sugar regularly. This helps them know if the things they do to control diabetes are working. Then, they can make changes in their diet or activity plan if needed. At your next visit, ask your doctor if testing your own blood sugar should be part of your treatment plan. To learn more about diabetes care, call 1-800-438-5383. Control Your Diabetes. For Life.

govern the thousands without any democratic process to include those thousands of registered voters.

Even as a possible candidate, I was disenfranchised by party rules that were unknown until 1 p.m. Dec. 21, and I had less than 24 hours to get signatures, proper papers and $1,500 to run.

We are in a post Jim Crow era. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed and we have our first African-American president on his second term in office. And the “party of the people” — the Democratic Party — has become just as disdaining of people as the Byrd Machine Democrats.

So as Dr. Martin Luther King did, I am making a call to action: Speak truth to power, organize, mobilize, register to vote and get off the sidelines and VOTE. Too many of our forefathers died for us to have this basic right. We also have the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to leverage against suppression and disenfranchisement.

I CAN VOTE * I WILL VOTE * I VOTED

DAVID M. LAMBERT Henrico County

Mail to: P.O. Box 4595, Richmond, VA 23220 422 E. Franklin St., Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23219 (Franklin & 5th Sts.) 119 N. Sycamore St., 1st Flr., Petersburg, VA 23803 (Sycamore off Washington St.) We are a federally designated Debt Relief Agency under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and we help people file for bankruptcy.

Web Address: McCollumatLaw.com E-mail: rudy@mccollumatlaw.com

Richmond Free Press

A8 January 15-17, 2015

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

New VSU football coach has Trojan roots

Byron Douglas Thweatt says becoming the head football coach at Virginia State University is “like coming home.”

Thweatt, who was formally announced as the Trojans’ coach Jan. 8, grew up practically in the shadows of the Rogers Stadium goal posts.

“My mother is a VSU grad. My grandmother is, too, along with a host of cousins, uncles and aunts,” he explained.

His father also attended VSU for two years but did not graduate.

“He left after two years to go to work — when I came along,” he explains.

In Ettrick, Thweatt succeeds Latrell Scott, who was 19-5 in two seasons before resigning in December to become Norfolk State University’s coach.

Always a Trojans’ fan, Thweatt now will be the Trojans’ main man on the sidelines, succeeding his close friend and former coaching boss, Scott, under whom he served as an assistant in 2010 at the VSU photo University of Richmond.

Scott invited Thweatt to join his VSU New Virginia State University football coach Byron Thweatt is flanked from left by VSU interim President Pamela V. Hammond; Athletic Director Peggy staff in 2013, but Thweatt declined.

“But as soon as I saw coach Scott was Davis; his wife, Mieya; and their three daughters, 2-year-old Bralynn (being held), 7-year-old Brianna and 4-year-old Bryce. going to Norfolk, I applied for the job — another hotbed for talent — are entitled Europe for Berlin, Germany. here,” said Thweatt.

After one season as a graduate assistant to in-state tuition at VSU. “I’ve groomed myself for this for eight Coach Scott leaves his buddy with a coach at U.Va. in 2006, Thweatt joined years. It’s finally arrived.”

VSU Athletic Director Peggy Davis said the coaching staff at the University of challenging act to follow.

The Trojans were 15-0 under Scott in Thweatt impressed the search committee Richmond. He has been an assistant coach members with more than just his football at UR for the last eight seasons under CIAA play. VSU won the CIAA confercoaches Dave Clawson, Mike London, ence title this past fall and then tacked knowledge.

“Byron is part of VSU,” said Ms. Da- Scott, Wayne Lineburg and, most recently, on the program’s first NCAA Division II playoff win. vis, noting his family connection with the Danny Rocco.

“The foundation is set,” said Thweatt.

In 2009, UR won the FCS national university. “We chose Byron because of his title. In 2008, the Spiders were national “Now I’m planning to continue — full character and his leadership skills.”

The eldest son of Janet and Fred Thweatt, semifinalists. UR made the FCS playoffs steam ahead.”

He inherits a returning roster featurwho still reside in southern Chesterfield, in four of Thweatt’s eight campaigns.

This past season, the Spiders made it to ing quarterback Tarian Ayres (2,132 was born March 21, 1977, at Petersburg the second round of the FCS playoffs with aerial yards), tailback Kavon Bellamy (18 General Hospital.

As a youngster, Thweatt attended VSU Thweatt serving as linebackers coach and touchdowns), receiver Jaivon Smallwood (59 catches, seven touchdowns) and twofootball games, just minutes from his home, director of high school relations.

“I did a lot of recruiting while also time, All-CIAA center Ronnie Ransome and even had his hair cut at the University helping organize the youth camps and clin- (from Thweatt’s alma mater, Matoaca Barber Shop on campus.

He would enjoy gridiron fame at Matoaca ics,” Thweatt explained. “Because of that, High School).

On the subject of recruiting, Thweatt High School, where he was an All-State I know many of the high school coaches Group AA running back/linebacker and around Richmond, in Tidewater, Northern says, “In Division II, you have to wait and among the state’s most recruited athletes. Virginia, all over the state and also in D.C. see who the Division I schools sign — then As a four-year regular at the University I think I’ve made a name for myself (as a you go for the best of the rest.”

Like Scott, Thweatt says he also will of Virginia from 1997 to 2000, he was a recruiter). I’ve left a good footprint.”

Students from the District of Columbia be on the lookout for Division I transfers. team captain, All-ACC linebacker and leadQuarterback Justin Thorpe ing tackler as a junior and senior and tailback Jordan Anderson under coach George Welsh.

Standings transferred from James Madison In Charlottesville, he started Northern Division University to VSU in 2013 and 47 straight games, a Cavaliers

Division Conference Overall provided a huge lift in Scott’s record for linebackers, with 387 Virginia State University 1-0 3-2 9-5 first season. career tackles.

Bowie State University 0-0 4-1 12-5 Thweatt will have no input on Pro ball beckoned for the Lincoln University (Pa.) 0-0 4-1 12-5 scheduling until 2017. The 2015 muscular 6-foot-tall, 230-pound Chowan University 0-0 3-2 9-5 and 2016 slates are set.

Thweatt. In 2001, Thweatt Elizabeth City State 0-0 2-3 9-5 In 2017, VSU and Norfolk played five games with the NFL Virginia Union University 0-1 0-5 4-11 State University will renew the Tennessee Titans. He also spent Labor Day Classic as a season time on Tampa Bay’s practice Through games as of Jan. 11 opener for both teams. squad and competed in NFL

Grant and the Buckeyes win national championship

Curtis Grant and his Ohio State University teammates won the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship.

A senior linebacker from Henrico County’s Hermitage High School, Grant had six tackles as OSU defeated the University of Oregon, 42-20, Monday night before 85,689 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex. The historic game drew an approximate 34 million viewers on ESPN, with an 18.2 overnight household rating.

Both figures are all-time highs in cable TV history.

Curtis OSU finishes 14-1 in the first year of a bona fide NCAA major-college playoff. The fourth-seeded Buckeyes defeated Alabama in the semifinals in New Orleans.

Grant, the Buckeyes’ defensive captain, helped OSU limit the Oregon offense to less than half its norm. Oregon averaged

45 points per game previously.

Another semi-local connection involves brilliant OSU quarterback Cardale Jones.

From Cleveland, Jones played the 2011 football season at Fork Union Military Academy, about 54 miles west of Richmond.

Virginia Tech was the only team to defeat OSU this season. The Buckeyes will open the 2015 football season Sept. 9 at Virginia Tech.

Grant has little time to celebrate.

He will suit up Jan. 17 for the East-West Shrine Grant Game in St. Petersburg, Fla. (4 p.m., NFL Network) in front of a host of NFL scouts.

He is the son of Gloria Grant of Glen Allen and the late Curtis R. Grant, a star defensive end for Virginia Union University football teams in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Ashle Freeman: VUU’s all-time top scorer Ashle Freeman has risen to the very top on Virginia Union University’s alltime women’s basketball scoring list.

The senior guard from Henrico High School had 22 points Jan. 12 against St. Augustine’s to pass Marqueeta Randolph as the Panthers’ career leader.

Freeman has 1,569 points. Randolph netted 1,564 points between 1993 and 1997.

Last week, Freeman passed Barvenia Ashle Freeman Wooten-Collier, the current VUU coach, to move from third to second on the scoring chart.

Wooten-Collier had 1,534 points and was a standout on VUU’s 1983 NCAA Division II championship squad.

Freeman, who played for Jean Adkins at Henrico High School, also is VUU’s career leader in another category with more than 300 steals.

Freedom Classic VUU needs tonic to beat VSU Sunday

Virginia Union University basketball is ailing.

The Panthers can only hope a dose of the Freedom Classic Festival will provide some get-well tonic.

This season’s jittery edition of VUU hoops will face Virginia State University at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, in the 19th Annual Freedom Classic Festival at the Richmond Coliseum.

The festival honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.

VUU lost its ninth consecutive game Monday night, 72-66 to host St. Augustine’s, falling to 4-12. It marks the program’s longest losing streaks in decades — and perhaps ever.

Consider: Last year’s 16 losses were the most in school history. This season’s squad is quickly approaching that dubious distinction.

Under first-year coach Tony Sheals, the Panthers haven’t tasted victory since a Dec. 2 home win over Barber-Scotia College.

Two VUU wins — against Barber-Scotia and Virginia University of Lynchburg on Nov. 25 — were against schools aligned with the U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association — a step down from the CIAA’s NCAA Division II affiliation.

There are story lines aplenty heading into Sunday’s annual tussle for at least temporary area bragging rights.

Flipping the script: VUU won 15 of the first 16 Freedom Classics, dating to 1996. But VSU has won the last two, in 2013 under coach Darryl Jacobs and last year under coach Lonnie Blow.

VUU had defeated VSU 23 straight times prior to the Trojans’ victory in the 2013 Freedom Classic.

VSU defeated Virginia Union earlier this season in the Big Apple Classic in Brooklyn, and now has won three of the last four over its nearby neighbor.

Traveling man: VSU point guard Xavier Parham is playing for his third school. The former All-Capital District star at Henrico County’s Highland Springs High School played previously at Christopher Newport University and Lynchburg.

Since becoming eligible to play for VSU for the second semester, Parham has averaged 4.2 points while passing for 14 assists in five games.

No sophomore jinx: VUU’s Ray Anderson, the CIAA Freshman of the Year in 2014, continues to pace the Panthers with a 13.5 scoring average. The 6-foot-3 wing from Wilmington, Del., has scored more than 20 points on five occasions.

Be my Valentine: From nearby Armstrong High School in Richmond, 6-foot-2 freshman Robert Valentine continues to sparkle for VUU. The newcomer averages 8.7 points and is hitting 37 percent of 3-pointers in 21 minutes per game.

Climbing the charts: VSU’s Lamar Kearse is second in CIAA scoring (17.2) and tied for first in 3-point percentage (26-52, 50 percent).

The Trojans’ 6-foot-10 center Alphonso Leary is second in the CIAA with his overall 67.4 field-goal percentage (60 for 89) and 6-foot-8 Tyrese Little is fourth in rebounding (7.9 per game).

Changing loyalties: During the past two seasons, Ken Pankey and Te’Quan Alers suited up for VUU. Now they’re coming off the bench for VSU. Pankey is averaging 11.3 minutes and 3.4 points; Alers averages 11.4 minutes, 3.8 points, 2.3 boards per game.

This isn’t first time an athlete has played for both VUU and VSU. Luqman Jaaber started his college career at VSU before earning AllAmerica honors at VUU. Lighting it up: Just in case one of the Panthers or Trojans gets super hot Sunday, here are the schools’ all-time, single-game record holders for points in a game: Trey Mines (2008) and Darrell Stith (1983) share VSU’s standard of 45.

Michael Davis still holds the VUU one-game mark of 62, set in 1968 against Hampton University. Davis became the first-round draft choice of the NBA Baltimore Bullets — now the Washington Wizards — in 1969.

Colts’ Greg Toler got start at St. Paul’s College

By NFL standards, Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback Greg Toler may be the all-time diamond in the rough.

Toler was stocking shelves at J.C. Penney’s near Washington, D.C., and playing sandlot ball when, on a hot tip, St. Paul’s College coach Willard Bailey came calling.

Bailey liked what he saw, offered Toler a scholarship, and the spark was lit for an inspiring against-all-odds story.

Toler went on to become the only St. Paul’s player ever selected in the NFL draft when Arizona plucked him in the fourth round in 2009.

The 6-foot-tall, 190-pounder was with the Arizona Cardinals three years before moving to the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent.

Wearing No. 28, the 30-year-old Toler has become a mainstay in a secondary that consistently foiled Denver’s Peyton Manning in the AFC semifinals last Sunday.

The Colts won 24-13 and will play at New England on Sunday (6:40 p.m., CBS) for the right to advance to the Feb. 1 Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.

“I’m so proud of that boy,” said Bailey, who watched the game on television. “I couldn’t be happier if he was my own son. In fact, I consider

him my son — one of many sons.”

Toler had six tackles against the Denver Broncos and ran stride-forstride, blanketing Manning’s receivers all game.

“Greg played great,” said Bailey.

“It’s all come together for him. He keeps getting better and better.”

For the season, Toler has 63 tackles and two interceptions. He has eight career interceptions, three of which he Greg has returned for touchdowns.

Toler played at Northwest High School in Hyattsville, Md., but initially was not planning to go to college. He was working at Penney’s and playing for the D.C. Explosion minor league team when Bailey’s phone rang in Lawrenceville.

“A man who had alerted us before to a prospect in D.C. called to say we ought to take a look at Greg,” Bailey recalled.

“I’ve always taken these recommendations seriously, especially when someone was telling me about him, above other schools with higher profiles.”

At St. Paul’s, Toler became a two-time AllCIAA pick.

Still, his NFL career may not have taken off

if it weren’t for an assist from the University of Richmond.

UR allowed Toler to work out with the Spiders on “Pro Day,” when NFL scouts came to the university to analyze talent. St. Paul’s had no such Pro Day. “UR let Greg participate, and he wound up being the best prospect that day,” said Bailey.

While Toler’s story may be considToler ered strange but true, Bailey suggests there are other Greg Tolers out there — yet undiscovered.

“Greg’s success is symbolic of all the talent walking the streets in cities, towns and down country roads,” said Bailey. “That’s why you listen to your contacts and take a look for yourself.”

Now retired and residing in Richmond, Bailey won 238 games and seven CIAA titles in coaching stops at Virginia Union, Norfolk State, St. Paul’s and Virginia University of Lynchburg. *** Alfonza “Pep” Hamilton, a 40-year-old graduate of Howard University, is one of the rising stars among NFL assistant coaches.

Currently, he is the offensive coordinator for

the Indianapolis Colts, where he calls plays for All-Pro quarterback Andrew Luck.

His work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Hamilton was interviewed recently for the Oakland Raiders head coach job.

The Raiders’ other announced candidates are Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Oakland must interview at least one minority candidate under the NFL’s Rooney Rule.

Hamilton, who is from Charlotte, N.C., attended Howard University in Washington, where he played quarterback and was named ScholarAthlete of Year in 1995 and 1996.

Hamilton has made previous NFL coaching stops with the New York Jets, San Francisco and Chicago. From 2010 to 2012, he was offensive coordinator for Stanford University when Luck was quarterback there.

Currently, there are four NFL coaches who are African-American — Jim Caldwell with the Detroit Lions, Marvin Lewis with the Cincinnati Bengals, Lovie Smith with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mike Tomlin with the Pittsburgh Steelers. By contrast, about 70 percent of NFL players are black.

The first African-American coach in the modern era was Art Shell with Oakland in 1989.

January 15-17, 2015 B1

Section

B

Richmond Free Press

C.L. Belle’s

Happenings

E Z Car Rental 3101 W. Broad Street

Personality: Reginald D. Ford Spotlight on new head of Richmond Crusade for Voters Reginald D. (for Darnell) Ford revs himself up for the day by going on a 10-mile run after waking at 5 a.m.

“It is the best medicine on the market,” he says. “It relieves stress, the pressures of life and you can lose weight, too.”

He has run 26.2-mile marathons, with his next goal to run a 50-mile race.

The Richmond Crusade for Voters hopes Mr. Ford brings that same energy and passion as the organization’s new president.

He was installed in December, taking over for former president Lamar E. Dixon. Mr. Ford will serve a two-year term.

He moved into the position from his post as fundraising chair and a member of the organization’s research committee.

The Richmond Crusade for Voters was created in 1956 to educate and mobilize AfricanAmerican voters in order to back candidates supportive of overall community progress and the African-American community.

Mr. Ford, 46, joined the Crusade in 2013. “I was looking to increase my local political awareness,” he recalls.

Mr. Ford says he will seek to increase Crusade membership and increase member participation in Crusade activities.

He also vows to hold elected officials accountable to the citizenry and to help register more voters.

He says his top priority as Crusade president is to “consistently bring political education to the community.”

He plans to do so through civic engagement, creating a coalition and by providing elected officials a platform from which they can speak and be questioned by citizens.

Mr. Ford calls the biggest challenge facing the Crusade recruiting and retaining new and younger members and connecting them with veteran members.

“The lifeblood of any organization is the relationship between the newcomers and veterans, with each bringing their own unique nutrient to help grow the organization,” he says.

Mr. Ford plans to hit the ground running as the Crusade monitors the General Assembly, which opens its new session this week.

Mr. Ford said he hopes the Crusade can move the ball forward to increase representation in the General Assembly on issues important to the AfricanAmerican community.

He recalls when, as a child, politicians would visit his church “only during election season, and I knew they did not know anything about my experience and they certainly did not represent me.”

Ironically, Mr. Ford says, “Several years ago, I attended a few days of the General Assembly session, and what I saw in those halls brought back those feelings I had as a child — no representation.”

A close-up of this week’s Personality, Reginald D. Ford: Birth date and place: Feb. 11 in Galveston, Texas.

Current place of residence: In Richmond’s 6th District Downtown.

Education: I’m certified in Personal Banking on Leadership and will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree.

New Year’s resolution: I don’t make New Year’s resolutions.

A change or a stance can occur anytime, not just Jan. 1.

How long have you been in the Crusade? LaMar Dixon, the immediate past president, asked me to join the team. I had visited the Crusade off and on for several years. I joined in 2013.

How I plan to meet the biggest challenge facing the Crusade: I have a fantastic team in Vice President Corey Nicholson, 2nd Vice President

Amelia Lightner, Recording Secretary Corey Fauconier, Corresponding Secretary Rodney Thomas, Treasurer Eula Bazile, Sergeant at Arms Rufus Fleming, Chaplain Cassandra Shaw, Parliamentarian Lisa Nicholson, Historian Willie Williams, and the Immediate Past President LaMar Dixon.

We have a lawyer, accountant, organizer and the list goes on, all equipped with political and civic acumen. I am proud to be part of such a great team.

The body of the Crusade is instrumental in helping us grow and bringing relevancy to the community.

Crusade then versus now: Civil rights was the focus then and still is the focus now. There are other ways to disenfranchise voters other than a poll tax. For example, unnecessary voter ID laws or having an election where only 100 voters are allowed to vote. We have to be politically astute and respond with action.

How the Crusade plans to increase membership: We must build strong relationships with the community. We will be visible, informative and relevant.

Greatest myth about voting: My vote doesn’t count.

The establishment already has hand-picked who they want.

The greatest myth of all is that local elections are not as relevant as the national election. We need to realize that a lot of blood, sweat and tears contributed to our right to vote in all elections, not just the

national elections.

Impact of economics on politics in Richmond: The impact of economics on politics is our responsibility. We elect politicians to make decisions on our behalf. This is why the Crusade, along with other organizations, are needed. We have to put in office the best candidate who addresses our needs. The research committee of the Crusade, chaired by Bernice Travers, is committed to vetting candidates. The Crusade will praise when necessary and hold accountable when necessary for actions that are not conducive to the uplifting of black people.

Black Richmond’s economic clout: The economics for black people in general, not just in Richmond, is that of riches but not wealth. The city is more than 50 percent black and the ownership of businesses in the city should be reflective of that.

Black people have money, (but) we have to learn how to reinvest our money back into our community to have wealth.

How economic clout can be used to uplift the black community: Pride, when you have something you can call your own or you can see the fruits of your labor. It does something to the soul of a person. It is as simple as the African proverb “Each one teach one.”

Definition of a leader: There are three essential qualities of a great leader. First, being socially and professionally communicative.

Second, set expectations and roll up your sleeves, too. Third, be able to make decisions not based on emotions.

What makes me tick: Toastmasters. I think Toastmasters is the best thing that happened to me. I credit it for a lot of my accomplishments. I enjoy giving speeches and presentations.

Nobody knows that I: Meditate, do yoga and run marathons.

Biggest chance I ever took: Throwing my name in the hat to become president of the Crusade.

The best thing my parents ever taught me was: First, be impeccable in whatever you do.

Second, do something because

Hampton University and The Richmond Chapter, National Hampton Alumni Association, Inc.

On-Site Admissions and Information Session

Saturday, January 24 • 10:00 a.m.

St. Peter Baptist Church 2040 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA

Items Needed for the On-Site Admissions Include: • The signed and completed Application form for Admission • A copy of your social security card, $35.00 (non-refundable) application fee (Money Order or Cashier’s Check ONLY).

• Standardized Test scores if requested.

• OFFICIAL high school transcript.

• One letter of recommendation from your high school guidance counselor or a high school teacher.

• Essay (approximately 250-500 words) on one of the following topics: “Describe a personal, moral, or ethical dilemma and how it impacted your life” Or “How Should Today’s Youth Combat Negative Moral Issues?”

For More Information or to RSVP contact: Mr. Bob Smith at (804) 266-4771 or email richmondhualumni@hotmail.com Please RSVP No Later Than Monday, January 19, 2015

you want to, not because someone else wants you to.

Best late-night snack: Peanut butter and jelly on toasted wheat bread.

Person who influenced me the most: My mother. She taught me and my three sisters how to persevere and to stand on our morals.

The book that influenced me the most: “Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” by Frederick Douglass and “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet A. Jacobs.

The book I’m reading now: “The Spook Who Sat by the Door” by Sam Greenlee is my favorite book, so much so I’m reading it again.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is: Take self out of the equation. If you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want in return.

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Living The Dream, Inc. 2015 Events (formerly Community Learning Week)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Worship Celebration 20th Anniversary Celebration of Faith Community Thursday, January 15, 2015 - 7:00 P.M. Faith Community Baptist Church, 1903 Cool Lane Guest Preacher: Dr. Gina Stewart of Memphis, TN Pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church

Community Leaders Breakfast

Friday, January 16, 2015 - 7:30 A.M. Claude Perkins Living and Learning Center (Campus of Virginia Union University) Speaker: Attorney George K. Martin Ticket info.: Ms. Lisa Wynn (804) 342-3938

Mass Meeting

Monday, January 19, 2015 10:00 A.M. at Cedar Street Baptist Church, 2301 Cedar Street

Guest Speaker: Rev. Peter Wherry, Pastor Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C. Guest Soloists: Mrs. Brenda Chavis & Rev. Carolyn Clark

Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship Celebration

Monday, January 19, 2015 - 1:00 P.M. Sharon Baptist Church, 22 E. Leigh St. Guest Speaker: Rev. Angelo Chatmon, Pastor Pilgrim Journey Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

Youth Educoncerts

Friday, February 6, 2015 - 7:00 P.M. Richmond Public Library, 101 E. Franklin Street Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 2:00 P.M. Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Rd., Highland Springs, VA 23075 For further information contact the Richmond Peace Education Center 232-1002 or rypp@rpec.org. Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. King featuring talented youth performers.

For further information, contact: Rev. Ricardo L. Brown, Executive Director, Living the Dream, Inc. (804) 355-1044 or (804) 355-1166

Richmond Free Press

B2 January 15-17, 2015

Happenings

Ms. West

Ms. Anderson

Ms. King

Ms. LeRosen

Ms. Nelson

Ms. Davis

Ms. Langer

Ms. Glazer

West, Anderson among YWCA’s 2015 Outstanding Women Marilyn H. West has broken through cultural, geographic and gender barriers in her 23 years of management consulting.

Judy C. Anderson has advocated for fair housing opportunities and the recognition of civil rights victories during her 40 years of service to the community.

The two are among eight women selected as the YWCA of Richmond’s 2015 Outstanding Women Awards honorees.

The 35th annual commemorative event is designed to “honor female leaders who empower the community,” YWCA officials stated in a news release.

The event is scheduled for Friday, April 24, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd St. in Downtown.

Ms. West is being honored for her business accomplishments.

In 1991, she founded M.H. West & Co. Inc., a planning and consulting company with specialization in management, education and planning services.

In her spare time, Ms. West mentors others and leads the board of the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia and serves on the Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation Board and the advisory board of the Metropolitan Business League.

Ms. Anderson is being recognized for volunteerism.

She led the Capitol Square Civil Rights Memorial Foundation, which erected the monument that now stands near Virginia’s Capitol, and has supported social justice and equal rights through her efforts with Housing Opportunities Made Equal, the Virginia

Public Access Project and the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

Ms. Anderson’s other volunteer activities include working with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, the Richmond Arts Council, Richmond Community Hospital, the League of Women Voters and the YWCA. The other honorees: Arts: Ana Ines King, artistic director of the Latin Ballet of Virginia.

She has dedicated herself to preserving and sharing Hispanic culture through dance education and performance. She also has worked to increase accessibility to the arts for low-income families and to empower young women from diverse backgrounds by instilling poise and confidence and an appreciation for other cultures.

Education: Genene D. LeRosen, executive vice president of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

She led a collaboration with Henrico County Public Schools on a concurrent enrollment program that allows students to complete an associate’s degree while in high school. Other regional public school districts plan to implement the Advance College Academy program.

Health and Science: Dr. Melissa Byrne Nelson, a pediatrician with Pediatric Associates of Richmond.

She is a board member of PACKids, the organization working to create a free-standing, independent children’s hospital. She is the former chairwoman of pediatrics at St. Mary’s Hospital

and currently serves on the alumni board of directors at Virginia Tech and the Medical College of Virginia.

Human Relations and Faith in Action: Susan Brown Davis, senior vice president of community leadership initiatives at The Community Foundation.

She provided critical early leadership for the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence. The partnership and its components, which include Nonprofit Learning Point and HandsOn Greater Richmond, provide hundreds of training and service opportunities each year for nonprofit professionals and volunteers.

Law and Government: Mary E. Langer, Richmond deputy commonwealth’s attorney.

She has been lead prosecutor for most of the serious child physical and sexual abuse cases in the city. She was named the 2013 Woman of Achievement by the Metropolitan Richmond Women’s Bar Association. She serves on the Virginia Bar Association Commission on the Needs of Children.

Nonprofit Management: Kathy Glazer, president of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

She is a champion for advancing school readiness and early learning initiatives through public and private partnerships on the state and local levels. She is on the advisory board of the Literacy Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University and on the executive council of Bridging RVA. Tickets for the awards luncheon: www.ywcarichmond.org/ owatix.

Former NAACP head honored King Salim Khalfani, former executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, was awarded the 2014 Community Warrior Award from the Richmond Kwanzaa Kollective.

Mr. Khalfani, 55, was honored at the organization’s annual African Heritage Celebration on Dec. 28 for his record of service to the community that spans Mr. Khalfani more than 30 years.

Mr. Khalfani is owner and senior consultant of Commonwealth Consultation, LLC, where he advocates for individuals facing challenges related to clemency, pardons, procurement, lobbying and employment. He also hosts a radio show.

In its 10th year, the Richmond Kwanzaa Kollective is comprised of individuals and organizations that work together to organize an annual celebration of Kwanzaa.

This year’s event included performances by groups such as Ezibu Muntu African Drum and Dance Company and Taaluma Youth Performance Company, a marketplace and children’s activities.

Reception before Assembly begins

Ava Reaves

Hampton U. grad stars in one-woman show

Ms. McCoy

Actress Morgan Avery McCoy is scheduled to present her one-woman show, “Evolution of a Black Girl: From the Slave House to the White House,” 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road, in Highland Springs.

The Hampton University graduate will portray 12 trailblazing women whose lives spanned from the 1400s in Africa to present day in the White House.

History makers such as First Lady Michelle Obama, Rosa Parks, Maggie L. Walker, Harriet Tub-

Bonds Hairst yles

60

Holyfield and Rahsaan Wigfall.

There will be competition in U-12, U-15 and U-19 age divisions.

In addition, the Bobby Bonds Memorial Symposium and a Negro League exhibit will be offered free to the public Sat., Jan. 17, at Alee Temple in Savannah.

The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League, in its 49th season, was started in Richmond, where it is headquartered.

This summer, Orlando, Fla., will host the MJBL National Championships (Inner City Classic and Black World Series) July 26 through Aug. 2.

Richmond has hosted the event the past two years.

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man, Madam C.J. Walker and Coretta Scott King are showcased.

Ms. McCoy will host a question-and-answer period with the audience after the show and also share a portion of her dream-catcher workshop in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tickets for the show, sponsored by the Henrico Department of Recreation and Parks, cost $10.

Further information: (804) 328-4491 or go to www. evolutionofablackgirl.com.

Icon Diana Ross to perform in Charlottesville

City teams headed to MJBL East-West All-Star game Young inner-city baseball players from across the United States will be converging on Savannah, Ga., this weekend.

Savannah is hosting the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League’s 7th Annual East vs.

West All-Star Game Jan. 17 and 18 on various diamonds throughout the city.

Squads are expected from such cities as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.

Richmond Metro will be sending three teams, to be coached by Mike Berry, Vance

Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus enjoy a moment with Gov. Terry McAuliffe at the caucus’ reception Monday night at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The governor is flanked, from left, by Hampton Sen. Mamie Locke, chair of the 18-member caucus; Hampton Delegate Jeion Ward; and Newport News Delegate Mamye BaCote. The event was held two days before the start of the 2015 General Assembly session.

Spring Fling?

Richmond

804.745.9080

Matt Sayles/Invision/Associated Press

Iconic songstress Diana Ross is bringing decades of hits to Charlottesville.

The 70-year-old Detroit native is scheduled to perform 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Paramount Theater.

The award-winning vocalist, who has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, first became famous as lead singer of The Supremes in the 1960s, racking up 12 No. 1 singles. Among them: “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.”

Her successful solo career added another six chart-topping hits, including “Love Hangover,” “Touch Me in the Morning” and “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To).” In 1981, she became the first female artist to land six singles at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

As an actress, Ms. Ross starred in “Lady Sings the Blues,” “Mahogany” and “The Wiz,” and she won a Tony Award for “An Evening with Diana Ross” on Broadway.

Tickets for her performance are priced from $49.50 to $151.

Details: (434) 979-1333 or go to www.theparamount.net.

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Richmond Free Press

January 15-17, 2015

B3

Faith News/Directory

MLK holiday observances and programs around Richmond It’s that time of the year again for Richmond actor Tony Cosby.

His phone is ringing off the hook as churches, schools, theaters and civic associations seek to have him re-enact Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

Churches and organizations in the Richmond area are holding commemorations to honor the history-changing life and work of Dr. King.

Mr. Cosby, 59, has won acclaim during the past 34 years for his dramatic recitation of Dr. King’s speech that was given from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington. The speech was a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Among the half dozen or so re-enactment dates Mr. Cosby has during the next week alone, he is scheduled to deliver the speech at Highland Springs United Methodist Church on Monday, Jan. 19, the national holiday to commemorate Dr. King’s life and legacy.

The free event is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the church, 22 N. Holly Ave. in Henrico County, which is led by the Rev. Doug Crockett.

“I’ve been doing this so many years that I decided to go back this year and I have learned every syllable and every word again because I don’t want to read it,” Mr. Cosby told the Free Press. “I want to be there, looking straight at the public and looking at their eyes.”

Mr. Cosby also will deliver other powerful speeches of Dr. King in performances titled “Drum Major for Justice” and “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.”

The program also will include artwork from area schoolchildren dedicated to Dr. King, as well as music and refreshments.

Details on the service: (804) 737-1503.

Other Richmond area events on tap to celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy include: From Living the Dream Inc.:

Faith Community Baptist Church’s 20th Anniversary Celebration: Dr. King’s birthday, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. Location: 1903 Cool Lane in the East End. Dr. Gina Stewart, pastor at Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., will speak.

The Community Mr. Cosby Leaders Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the campus of Virginia Union University. Featured speaker: George Keith Martin, managing partner of the Richmond office of McGuireWoods law firm and rector of the University of Virginia. Tickets: Lisa Wynn, (804) 342-3938.

Citywide Mass Meeting: 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Cedar Street Baptist Church, 2301 Cedar St. in Church Hill. The Rev. Peter Wherry, pastor of Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., is the scheduled guest speaker at the meeting, which is free and open to the public. Information: Rev. Ricardo Brown, (804) 355-1044.

Worship Celebration: 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Sharon Baptist Church, 22 E. Leigh St., in Jackson Ward. The Rev. Angelo Chatmon, pastor of Pilgrim Journey Baptist Church in Henrico County, is the scheduled speaker.

Generation Dream 2015: A concert presented by the Richmond Peace Education Center featuring young musicians, dancers and spoken-word artists.

There are two scheduled performances: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. in Downtown, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at

Mission Statement: People of God developing Disciples for Jesus Christ through Preaching and Teaching of God’s Holy Word reaching the people of the Church and the Community.

“The Church With A Welcome”

Sharon Baptist Church

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

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Monday, January 19, 2015 1:00 p.m.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 8:00 a.m. ..... Morning Worship Celebration Service 9:30 a.m. ...... Church School 11:15 a.m. ..Morning Worship Worship Leader: Minister Cavell Phillips Speaker: Rev. Angelo Chatman

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Henrico Theater, 305 E. Nine Mile Road in Highland Springs. Both performances are free and open to the public. Information: Paul Fleisher, (804) 232-1002 or email rypp@rpec.org.

The 29th annual Henrico County commemoration: 11:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 19, in the Henrico High School gymnasium, 302 Azalea Ave. Speaker: Richmonder Gary L. Flowers, a former vice president and national field director for the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago. He is founder and president of Gary Flowers and Associates, a consulting firm based in Richmond and Washington. Information: Lucy Wells at (804) 740-7536 and Helen Harris at (804) 262-1138.

HandsOn Greater Richmond is hosting Martin Luther King Jr. Service Day and enlisting volunteers to perform community service projects Monday, Jan. 19. Information: (804) 330-7027 or sign up at www.handsonrva.org/ MLKDay. Boaz & Ruth is hosting a program featuring Dr. Brian K. Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary, 6 p.m.

Mr. Martin Monday, Jan. 19, at Fifth Street Baptist Church, 2800 3rd Ave. on North Side. Dinner will be served at the event, which is free and open to the public. Information: (804) 329-4900.

The Ndugu Business Leadership Academy is partnering with the Black Male Achievement Mentoring Initiative to present Black Male Achievement MLK Mentoring Day 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Emanuel Worship Center, 3455 Broad Rock Blvd. on South Side. NBLA founders Kerwyn Phillip and Sean

Grayland Baptist ChurCh

Tuesday Sunday 10:30 AM Bible Study 9:30 AM Church School 6:30 PM Church-wide Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship Service 6:30 PM Men's Bible Study (Each 2nd and 4th) (Holy Communion Thursday each 2nd Sunday) Wednesday (Following 2nd Sunday) 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

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

Come Worship with Us and Receive a Spiritual Blessing!

Sunday, January 18, 2015 We Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sermon by Rev. Gina Whitaker Cannon Music by the Male Chorus

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor 400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Facebook Fax (804) 359-3798 sixthbaptistrva www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

Twitter sixthbaptistrva

Sunday, January 18, 2015 Recognition of VUU, VSU, VCU and University of Richmond Students, fraternities, sororities, civic and religious organizations for their continuous contributions in the Richmond Metro area.

Theme: Beyond the Dream: Standing Together

RIVERVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH 2604 Idlewood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220

Church School 9:45 a.m.

Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett. Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr., Pastor Emeritus

Sunday, January 18, 2015 Worship Service at 10:00 am Preached Word delivered by:

Dr. Roscoe Cooper, Jr.

Ministry of Music by The Senior Choir, The S. H. Thompson Memorial Choir & Special Guest Soloist: Mr. Lawrence Cooper, Esquire

Rev. Dr. Clifton Whitaker Jr.

2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

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

Sunday, January 18, 2015 Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Sunday Church School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

LiVing the DREAM in 2015

Panel Discussion Monday, January 19, 2015 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.



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

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

Come Join Us! Reverend Dr. Lester D. Frye Pastor and Founder

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

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

- Matthew 4:23

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

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

th 19 NDEC Founders &

Church Anniversary

St. JameS’S epiSCopal CHUrCH 1205 West Franklin St., richmond, Va.

January 18, 2015

Invite you to our Annual

Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Legacy of Service”

Dr. & Mrs. Walton

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

MEMBERS OF THE DISCIPLESHIP and FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY

“UNITY SUNDAY/ COLLEGE DAY

Years of Pastoral Service

1858

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

Sixth Baptist Church: A Church for the Entire Family

30

“The People’s Church”

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

Join The Family

Rev. Dr. Kirkland R. Walton for Come and Join us in Worship as we Honor & Celebrate

Metropolitan African American Baptist Church

Ebenezer Baptist Church

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

New Year Sermon Series: Hope for Hard cases Message 2: The Case of the Empty Barrel 1 Kings 17:8-16 Church School: (New Time) 9:00 a.m.

Worship Preparation: 10:30 a.m.

Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Message by Pastor Bibbs Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Special presentation of speeches delivered by youth

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Services:

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

Sixth Baptist Church It’s A Family Affair

St. Peter Baptist Church

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

1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You”

Young are organizing the free event. Information: Kerwyn Phillip (706) 372-1605, Sean Young (804) 539-5647 or go to www.eventbrite. com/e/nbla-black-maleachievement-mlk-mentoring-day-tickets-15102944313.

The MLK Gospel Evensong Service will Mr. Flowers feature the concert choir of Norfolk State University, led by Dr. Carl W. Haywood, and the joint choirs of Richmond’s St. James’ Episcopal Church under Dr. Mark Whitmire Jr. 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at the church, 1205 W. Franklin St. in The Fan. The event is free and open to the public. Information: Russell Lawson, (804) 355-1779 or go to www.doers.org.

Branch’s Baptist Church is hosting a multichurch service to honor Dr. King 4 to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 18. Pastor Calvin Duncan of Faith and Family Church in Chesterfield County will deliver the keynote message at the church at 3400 Broad Rock Blvd. on South Side. Information: (804) 276-5000.

The third annual State of Black America Address for Central Virginia: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 17, at 31st Street Baptist Church, 823 N. 31st St. in the East End. The event is sponsored by the African-American Lecture Series Committee. Information: (888) 440-5397 or email VALectures@gmail.com.

The 25th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Drill Meet is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, 3001 N. Boulevard. The event, featuring Junior ROTC cadets in drill competition, is free and open to the public.

9:00 a.m. &

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

Sunday 8 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service

Wednesday Services Senior Citizens Noonday Bible Study Every Wed. 12noon-1pm Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

7:00 p.m. Prayer 7:30 p.m. Mid-Week Revival/ Bible Study Count

Saturday

8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online!

Also, for your convenience, we now offer “full online giving.”

Visit www.ndec.net.

January 25, 2014 9:00 a.m.

Theme:

“The Good Hand of Our God Has Been Upon Us”

Martin Luther King Jr.

– Nehemiah 2:8, 18 Tune in on Sunday Morning to WTVR - Channel 6 - 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, January 18 5:00 PM

Sunday TV Broadcast WTVZ 9 a.m. Norfolk/Tidewater Thursday & Friday Radio Broadcast WREJ 1540 AM Radio - 8:15 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.

THE NEW DELIVERANCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (NDCA)

A service in celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

ENROLL NOW!!!

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

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

Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old.

For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Featuring the

Concert Choir of Norfolk State University Dr. Carl W. Haywood, Director For more information, please call (804) 355-1779, ext 323

Richmond Free Press

B4 January 15-17, 2015

Obituaries/Faith Directory

Andraé Crouch, gospel legend Free Press wire reports

LOS ANGELES Memorial services will begin next week for Andraé Crouch, the legendary, seven-time Grammy Award-winning gospel composer, singer and choir director whose music remains a staple in many church hymnals.

Mr. Crouch, 72, Thursday, died Jan. 8, 2015, after being admitted to the hospital following a heart attack. He had been sick for many years.

New Christ Memorial Church, the suburban Los Angeles church where Mr. Crouch served as co-senior pastor with his twin sister, Sandra Crouch, posted on its website details of a “Celebration of Andraé Crouch’s Life” that will take place over two days at West Angeles Church of God in Christ on Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles.

A public viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, followed by a tribute celebration at 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, a four-hour celebration of life will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mr. Crouch’s musical career spanned more than a half-century. Born in San Francisco, Mr. Crouch wrote his first gospel song at age 14.

He wrote dozens of songs, Mr. Crouch worked with including such well-known many other stars, from Diana compositions as “My TribRoss to Ringo Starr, and his ute (To God Be the Glory),” gospel albums sometimes “Soon and Very Soon” and featured performers from “The Blood Will Never Lose other musical genres. His Its Power.”

18th solo album, “The Debuting in 1960, Mr. Journey,” released in 2011, Crouch helped pioneer the featured Chaka Khan, Shelia burgeoning “Jesus Music” E., Take 6, Kim Burrell and movement from the late Marvin Winans.

1960s and 1970s that started Elvis Presley performed the spread of contemporary his song, “I’ve Got ConfiChristian music. dence,” for a 1972 gospel “Even to this day, this album, and Paul Simon regeneration doesn’t have corded “Jesus Is the Answer” any idea that some of the for a 1974 live album. songs they sing every Mr. Crouch was one of Sunday in church are songs only a handful of gospel Andrae Crouch wrote,” performers to have a star Lamond Goodloe/BET/Associated Press said Bill Carpenter, author on the Hollywood Walk Andraé Crouch of “Uncloudy Days: The of Fame.

Gospel Music Encyclopedia.”

His choir, The Disciples, sang background Though best known for his decades of pio- for Madonna’s song, “Like a Prayer.” He also neering work in the contemporary gospel music helped Michael Jackson arrange the King of industry, Mr. Crouch also contributed to secular Pop’s 1987 hit song, “Man in the Mirror.” music projects.

He worked with Quincy Jones in arranging

music for the 1985 film “The Color Purple” — which earned him an Academy Award nomination — and on Disney’s “The Lion King” in 1994.

His success came despite a lifelong struggle with dyslexia. To create, he would make drawings that allowed him to grasp the concept.

For the Jackson song, he drew a mirror with an image in it.

“I memorized everything through sight, the shape of the word,” Mr. Crouch told TheAssociated Press in 2011. “Some things that I write, you’ll see a page with cartoon pictures or a drawing of a car — like a Ford — or a flag. I still do it on an occasion when a word is strange to me.

“So when I finish a song, I thank God for bringing me through,” he continued.

Mr. Crouch had health issues in recent years, including diabetes and cancer. Last month, he was hospitalized for pneumonia and congestive heart failure and had to cancel a tour.

President Obama mourned Mr. Crouch’s death, issuing a statement calling Mr. Crouch a “leading pioneer of contemporary gospel music.”

“We are grateful that his music and spirit will continue to live on for years to come and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans during this time.”

2 Tuskegee Airmen, both 91, die on same day in Los Angeles Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Two members of the Tuskegee Airmen — the famed all-black squadron that flew in World War II — died on the same day. The men, lifelong friends who enlisted together, were 91.

Clarence E. Huntley Jr. and Joseph Shambrey died Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in their Los Angeles homes, relatives said.

Mr. Huntley and Mr. Shambrey enlisted in 1942. They were shipped overseas to Italy in 1944 with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the Army Air Force’s 332nd Fighter Group. As mechanics, they kept the combat planes flying.

Mr. Huntley serviced P-39, P-47 and P-51 aircraft, and as crew chief was responsible for the plane of the squadron commander, Capt.

Andrew D. Turner, said Mr. Huntley’s nephew, Craig Huntly of Inglewood, Calif.

“The life of his pilot was in his hands, and he took that very seriously,” his nephew said.

His concern led Mr. Turner to nickname him “Mother,” Mr. Huntly Mr. Huntley said.

In addition to facing danger, the Tuskegee Airmen faced racism.

Mr. Shambrey’s son, Tim Shambrey of Altadena, Calif., said his father recalled getting off a train in Alabama where a hospitality station was

welcoming returning white troops with handshakes and free coffee.

“When he and his buddies came off, dressed in their uniforms, of course they didn’t get any congratulations” and were asked to pay for their coffee, Mr. Shambrey said.

And they did.

Mr. Shambrey “The thing about those men is that they were very proud” and decided not to make a fuss, Mr. Shambrey said. “They were already used to so much discrimination.”

In later life, Mr. Shambrey didn’t talk much

Mother of Bishop Glenn succumbs at 77 New Deliverance Evangelistic Church Bishop Gerald O. Glenn credits his mother, Joan P. Andrews, for providing the guidance he needed as a young man to follow his call to ministry.

“We loved to play church when I was growing up,” said Bishop Glenn, the pastor at 1,500-member New Deliverance on South Side.

“I would always end up as the preacher, and I would preach to one of my cousins and the other cousin would sing. My mother always encouraged me and told me I would make a good preacher.”

Bishop Glenn said his mother gave birth to him in rural Kingsville, Texas, as a 16-year-old single mother.

“At that time, for a young black woman to have a child out of wedlock in the segregated South was considered disgraceful,” he recalled.

Living with his grandparents, Bishop Glenn said his mother worked two jobs — as a beautician and, in the same room,

FirstM iBaptist Church dlothian

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

Service Times Sunday

Church School 9:45AM Worship 11:00AM

Tuesday

Bible Study 12 Noon

Wednesday Youth & Adult Bible Study 7:00PM Prayer & Praise 8:15PM

Van Transportation Available, Call 804-794-5583

Mount Olive Baptist Church Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor

2015 Theme: The Year of Moving Forward

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

cooking and serving hamburgers — to make ends meet.

“She overcame a lot of hurdles to make a life for me,” he said.

She eventually married and relocated to Petersburg with her husband of 40 years, Navy man Edward Andrews in 1967, and the couple eventually relocated to Portsmouth when he was stationed in Norfolk.

Mrs. Andrews is being remembered folMrs. Andrews lowing her death Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Portsmouth. She was 77.

Bishop Glenn eulogized his mother at her funeral Jan. 9 at New First Baptist Church (Taylorsville) in Portsmouth.

Mrs. Andrews was born Nov. 10, 1937, one of 10 children, in Bishop Texas, a stone’s throw from Kingsville. She overcame an impoverished childhood through a deep faith and strong will, Bishop Glenn said.

She was the first female trustee at New First Baptist Church, where she remained a member for more than 40 years.

“I was at her bedside when she died,” Bishop Glenn said.

“She died during the Dallas Cowboys first playoff game. Being from Texas, she was a big Cowboys fan. I said in my eulogy she went to heaven and told Jesus, ‘Please help the Cowboys,’ and he did as they won the game (24-20 over Detroit).”

Mrs. Andrews is survived by her son, five grandchildren and a host of other relatives.

� �

Rev. Pernell J. Johnson, Pastor

Sundays

8:00 a.m.

Early Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship

Tuesdays

Noon Day Bible Study

Wednesdays

6:30 p.m.

Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study

about his war service, but he held barbecues that sometimes drew 150 people, including a lot of his old Army buddies, his son said.

Mr. Huntley also didn’t talk much with his family about the war, said his daughter, Shelia McGee of Los Angeles.

He told them: “I was doing what I was supposed to do, and that was to serve my country,” she said.

Mr. Shambrey was a National Guard combat engineer during the Korean War and later spent his career with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, his son said.

Mr. Huntley was a skycap for more than 60 years at airports in Burbank and Los Angeles, his daughter said.

Mourners mark 5th anniversary of Haiti earthquake Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Haiti is marking the fifth anniversary of a devastating earthquake with an early morning church service and a gathering of dignitaries at a mass grave.

Jan. 12 is an official Day of National Remembrance in the impoverished country. Hundreds of Haitians started the day in their best clothes at a new Catholic church in downtown Port-au-Prince.

The church replaced the cathedral left in ruins by the earthquake that leveled much of the capital and surrounding area on Jan. 12, 2010.

People who attended the Mass said they are still grieving over their losses from a quake the Haitian government said killed more than 300,000 people and left more than 1 million homeless.

President Michel Martelly presided at a memorial last Monday at a mass grave north of Port-au-Prince.

Memorial service set for Kent A.P. Smith

A memorial service for Kent A.P. Smith will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Dr. Allix B. James Chapel of Coburn Hall at Virginia Union University.

A reception will follow the service in the Thomas H. Henderson Center on campus.

Mr. Smith, 52, was a former gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Parole Board and served as acting director of the state Department of Minority Business Enterprise.

He died Tuesday, Jan. 6,

2015, in Atlanta.

An article in the Oct. 30Nov. 1, 2014, edition of the Free Press featured Mr. Smith’s wedding to Karla Booker in the healing garden at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center, where Mr. Smith was undergoing treatment for lung cancer and a brain tumor.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Smith is survived by his father, Richmond ophthalmologist Dr. Lindley T. Smith, and five brothers.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions be sent to the American Lung Association.

Moore Street Missionary

Baptist Church

Funerals & Cremations

Over time, some things change.

But, our tradition of providing service of the highest caliber has remained the same for over 100 years while serving Richmond and surrounding areas with dignity and excellence.

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Richard A. Lambert, Sr., President/CEO

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

Dr. Alonza Lawrence Pastor

Sundays

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Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 at 9:30 A.M. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program Speaker: Dr. Cavell Phillips

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. ❖

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MONDAY-FRIDAY Nutrition Center and Clothes Closet 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

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

Richmond Free Press

January 15-17, 2015

B5

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2015-1 To establish a program under which certain street blocks in the city shall be designated with the name of a city resident whom the Council has determined to have made extraordinary contributions to African-American history in the city of Richmond.

(Committee: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-2 To rename the Manchester Courthouse, located at 920 Hull Street, as the “Henry L. Marsh, III, and Harold M. Marsh, Sr., Manchester Courthouse.”

(Committee: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-3 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the Franklin Street and Main Street Cycle Track project. (Committee: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-4 To authorize the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce to encroach upon the public right-ofway by affixing decorative art sculptures to Cityowned bicycle racks at various locations throughout the city, upon certain the terms and conditions.

(Committee: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-6 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $240,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation; to transfer $60,000 in matching funds from the Fiscal Year 20142015 Capital Budget, Bike Sharrows / Lanes project in the Transportation category; to amend the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Capital Budget by establishing a new project in the Transportation category called the Franklin Street and Main Street Cycle Track project; and to appropriate the total amount of $300,000 to the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Capital Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the new Franklin Street and Main Street Cycle Track project by $300,000 for the purpose of designing and constructing cycle tracks on Franklin Street and Main Street between Belvidere Street and 9th Street.

Ordinance No. 2015-7 To amend and reordain ch. 98, art. III, div. 2 of the City Code by adding therein new §§ 98-131.2 and 98-131.3 for the purpose of exempting from real estate taxation certain dwellings of the surviving spouses of members of the armed forces killed in action. (Committee: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, January 22, 2015, 2:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-8 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $252,449 from the Greater Richmond Transit Co.; to appropriate $75,000 to the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, a new line item in the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 General Fund Budget, Non-Departmental agency, for the purpose of making a grant to the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation to fund a “Social Coding to Improve Healthcare Access” project; and to appropriate $177,449 to the Fiscal Year 20142015 General Fund Budget, Non-Departmental agency, GRTC Transit Corp line item, to provide an additional subsidy to the Greater Richmond Transit Co. to fund the construction of a temporary transfer plaza and a system-wide bus stop sign replacement project.

(Committee: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, January 22, 2015, 2:00 p.m., Council Chamber)

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the Richmond Area High Blood Pressure Center, a new line item in the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 General Fund Budget, Non-Departmental agency, for the purpose of providing a grant to the Richmond Area High Blood Pressure Center to continue care for individuals who have or are at risk of developing hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes; and to appropriate $16,704 of this increase to the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 General Fund Budget, Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services. (Committee: Education and Human Services, Wednesday, January 21, 2015, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-10 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Project Agreement for Use of Commonwealth Transportation Funds – Fiscal Year 2015 between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the purpose of receiving a grant of $600,000 to fund Phase 3 improvements to Main Street Station.

(Committee: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, January 22, 2015, 2:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-11 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Federal Transit Administration for the purpose of receiving federal funding of $2,400,000 to fund Phase 3 improvements to Main Street Station.

(Committee: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, January 22, 2015, 2:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-12 To consent to the assignment by Warwick Townhomes, LLC of its right, title, and interest in a Performance Agreement dated November 20, 2014, between the City of Richmond, Virginia, the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond, and Warwick Townhomes, LLC to New Warwick Townhomes, LLC. (Committee: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, January 22, 2015, 2:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-13 To amend the pay plan adopted by Ord. No. 93117-159 on May 24, 1993, to move the classifications of Council Liaison, Court Assistant, Secretary to Judges of the Circuit Court from various general pay ranges to various general pay bands within the unclassified service and to create the new classifications of Parks Naturalist and Chief of Security and Safety within the classified service. (Committee: Governmental Operations, Thursday, January 22, 2015, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-14 To amend the pay plan adopted by Ord. No. 93117-159 on May 24, 1993, to change the pay scale for the classifications of Council Budget Analyst, Council Fiscal Analyst, and Council Policy Analyst from general pay range 19 to general pay band 6. (Committee: Governmental Operations, Thursday, January 22, 2015, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jean V. Capel City Clerk City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances:

Ordinance No. 2015-9 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $79,204 from the Richmond City Health District; to appropriate $62,500 of this increase to

Ordinance No. 2014-191 As Amended To amend Ord. No. 96-1734, adopted Mar. 11, 1996, which authorized the special use of the properties known as 510-520 West Broad Street, 517-519 West Marshall Street and 304 North Henry Street as a building for retail purposes with an accessory drive-up window and parking, to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption, in accordance with

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a Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Wine and Beer Off-Premises license, at the existing retail drugstore, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2014-258 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $50,000 from the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Justice Services by $50,000 for the purpose of providing detention reentry placement and services to juvenile offenders committed to the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. (Committee: Public Safety, Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2014-259 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice for the purpose of providing detention reentry placement and services to juvenile offenders committed to the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.

(Committee: Public Safety, Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2015-5 To authorize a Preliminary Community Unit Plan permitting the development of a residential community of up to 300 dwelling units on approximately 21.76 acres of land located at 1501 North 31st Street and 1611 North 31st Street, upon certain terms and conditions.

(Committee: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jean V. Capel City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JOHN SAUNDERS, Plaintiff v.

ANDREA SAUNDERS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL14002905-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 13th day of February, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

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

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to grant Ahmad Shnana, the Plaintiff, a divorce from Treacy Flambert, the Defendant, on the ground that Defendant willfully deserted the Plaintiff, and he is requesting an award of attorneys’ fees and costs.

WHEREFORE, an affidavit having been filed that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Treacy Flambert, it is hereby ORDERED that Treacy Flambert appear before this Court on January 26, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. to protect her interests herein.

A Copy, Teste: YVONNE G. SMITH, Clerk I ask for this: Rick A. Friedman, II, Esquire (VSB #46870) Lindsay G. Dugan, Esquire (VSB #76507) Friedman Law Firm, P.C. 9620 Iron Bridge Road, Suite 101 Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 717-1969 (telephone) (804) 748-4161 (telecopier) Counsel for the Plaintiff

hearing on the petition will be held at the Court, located at 620 State Street, 5th Floor, Schenectady, New York on February 13, 2015 at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, at which time and place all persons having any interest therein will be heard.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that your failure to appear may constitute a denial of your interest in the child, which may result, without further notice to you, in the adoption or other disposition of the custody of the child.

JENNIFER M. BARNES, ESQ. DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY SCHENECTADY CO. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE 106 ERIE BLVD. SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK 12305 PHONE: (518) 388-4275

that ALFREDA ROBINSON a/k/a ALFREDA JUANITA ROBINSON a/k/a ALFREDA J. LANGLEY, WILLIE SPELLER a/k/a WILLIE G. SPELLER a/k/a WILLIE C. SPELLER, ANNIE HARVEY a/k/a ANNIE CRAWFORD HARVEY, ROBIN EDWARDS a/k/a ROBIN LAVERNE EDWARDS p/k/a ROBIN LAVERNE BRACEY, LOLITA BRACEY a/k/a LOLITA FONTAINE BRACEY, ANTONIO TAYLOR a/k/a ANTONIO DEWAYNE TAYLOR, LASHEBA TAYLOR a/k/a LASHEBA LANAY TAYLOR, and MARY RANDOLPH, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been personally locate and have not filed a response to this action; that BETTY BRACEY a/k/a BETTY C. BRACEY, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of BETTY BRACEY a/k/a BETTY C. BRACE, REGINALD BRACEY, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of REGINALD BRACEY, and WALTER DEWAYNE BRACEY, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of WALTER DEWAYNE BRACEY, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been locate and have not filed a response to this action; that SHAQUANA ROBERTS, who may have an ownership 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 WILLIE TAYLOR, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of WILLIE TAYLOR, ESTELLE B. TAYLOR, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of ESTELLE B. TAYLOR, ALMEITA T. CRAWFORD p/k/a ALMINTA S. TAYLOR, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of ALMEITA T. CRAWFORD p/k/a ALMINTA S. TAYLOR, ALFREDA ROBINSON a/k/a ALFREDA JUANITA ROBINSON a/k/a ALFREDA J. LANGLEY, WILLIE SPELLER a/k/a WILLIE G. SPELLER a/k/a WILLIE C. SPELLER, ANNIE HARVEY a/k/a ANNIE CRAWFORD HARVEY, ROBIN EDWARDS a/k/a ROBIN LAVERNE EDWARDS p/k/a ROBIN LAVERNE BRACEY, LOLITA BRACEY a/k/a LOLITA FONTAINE BRACEY, ANTONIO TAYLOR a/k/a ANTONIO DEWAYNE TAYLOR, LASHEBA TAYLOR a/k/a LASHEBA LANAY TAYLOR, MARY RANDOLPH, BETTY BRACEY a/k/a BETTY C. BRACEY, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of BETTY BRACEY a/k/a BETTY C. BRACE, REGINALD BRACEY, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of REGINALD BRACEY, WALTER DEWAYNE BRACEY, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of WALTER DEWAYNE BRACEY, SHAQUANA ROBERTS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 1, 2015, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 1, 2015, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

Date: March 3, 2015 Time: 9:30 a.m.

Place: Richland County Probate Court, 1701 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201 Purpose of hearing: Petition for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative filed by Palmer Freeman on behalf of S.C. Department of Health and Human Services, as creditor of the Estate of Maggie Alleyne.

A True Copy Attest: Amy W. McCulloch, Probate Judge Palmer Freeman Attorney for Petitioner P.O. Box 8024 Columbia, SC 29202 Telephone: (803) 799-9400 Fax: (803) 376-5084

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER VANESSA THOMAS, Plaintiff v.

REGINALD THOMAS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL14000494-00 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 13th day of February, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

ANN REID, Defendant.

Case No.: CL14002846-00 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 February, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

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

JENNIFER HALL, Defendant.

Case No.: CL1400147-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 4th day of February, 2015 and protect her interests.

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

Virginia: In the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the County of Chesterfield Kathryn Riley and Adrienne Riley, Petitioners v.

Codi Goodson and Terrell F. (putative father) and Gaylen (last name unknown) (putative father) parties unknown (putative fathers), Respondents.

In Re: Cerenity Bonner, born October 14, 2013 Case No. JJ083806-01-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this action is for the petitioners, Kathryn Riley and Adrienne Riley, to obtain physical andlegal custody of the minor child, Cerenity Bonner, and to obtain an Order granting supervised visitation to Codi Goodson.

The biological mother, Codi Goodson, testified under oath in this Court on December 15, 2014, that there were additional possible biological fathers of the minor child: Terrell F. and Gaylen (last name unknown).

The biological mother further testified that the address of Terrell F. is unknown, other than that she believes he may live in the east end of Henrico, Virginia and that the address of Gaylen (last name unknown) is unknown, other than the she believes he lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

As the respondents/putative fathers’ present whereabouts are unknown and not reasonably ascertainable and further as there are unknown parties who may have an interest in this action, it is ORDERED that Terrell F., Gaylen (last name unknown) and parties unknown appear on or before this Court on the 2nd day of March, 2015, at 2 p.m., and do what is necessary to protect their interests herein.

I ASK FOR THIS: Mary-Leslie Duty, Esquire VSB#28719 The Law Office of MaryLeslie Duty 5913 Harbour Park Drive Midlothian, VA 23112 Phone: (804) 595-3083 Fax: (804) 595-3084 Order of Publication Commonwealth of Virginia Chesterfield Circuit Court 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832 Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Name change of Zara Farooqui Case No. CL14-2981

The object of this suit is to: Change name of minor It is ORDERED that Mohammed Farooqui, appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before January 26, 2015.

An Extract Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Michael A. Perdue 9011 Arboretum Pkwy, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23236 (804) 330-9220

PROPERTY

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HENRICO AHMAD SHNANA, Plaintiff v.

TREACY FLAMBERT, Defendant.

Case No.: CL14-2396 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is

FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY In the Matter of the Adoption of A Child whose First Name is JORDAN File No. 22471 Docket No. AS-01114-13 NOTICE OF PROPOSED ADOPTION To: AARON HAMMIE 626 YORKSHIRE DRIVE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a petition requesting an order approving and allowing the adoption of an adoptive child whose first name is JORDAN, who is alleged to be your Son, and whose full name and date and place of birth is set forth in a Schedule annexed to the petition for adoption herein, together with an agreement to adopt and consents to the adoption pursuant to the Domestic Relations Law, has been filed with the Family Court of the State of New York, Schenectady County. A

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

Case No.: CL14-4022-1 WILLIE TAYLOR, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF WILLIE TAYLOR, et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as “807 North 24th Street”, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map/GPIN# E0000379/024, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Willie Taylor, who may be deceased, Estelle B. Taylor, who may be deceased and Alminta S. Taylor, who may be deceased.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, WILLIE TAYLOR, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of WILLIE TAYLOR, ESTELLE B. TAYLOR, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of ESTELLE B. TAYLOR, and ALMEITA T. CRAWFORD p/k/a ALMINTA S. TAYLOR, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of ALMEITA T. CRAWFORD p/k/a ALMINTA S. TAYLOR, have not been located and/or has not filed a response to this action;

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER WESTINE VAUTERS, Plaintiff v.

JOHN VAUTERS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL14002849 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 25th day of February, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

ADOPTION

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

Case No.: CL13-3760-1 GREGORY JONES, et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as “1227 North 36th Street”, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map/GPIN# E000-1410/013, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Gregory Jones.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, GREGORY JONES, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that LEONTA LEWIS, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, 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 GREGORY JONES, LEONTA LEWIS, and Parties Continued on next column

State of South Carolina County of Richland In the matter of: Maggie T. Alleyne S.C. Department of Health and Human Services, as creditor of the estate of Maggie T. Alleyne, Petitioner, vs.

Julie Ann Whitaker, Thomas Bright, Darrell Bright, Alvin Bright and Mark Bright, Respondents.

In the court of probate Case No. 2014-ES40-00396 To Darrell Bright, Respondent: Summons

You are hereby Summoned and required to answer the Petition herein, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to this Petition upon the subscriber, at the address shown below, within (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer the Petition, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.

NOTICE OF HEARING Continued on next column

BIDS COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION ITB # 15-9697-1CE – Springfield Road Landfill Closure

This project consists of the construction of a final cover on the Henrico County landfill and all other work as required by the contract. Due 2:00 pm, February 11, 2015.

Additional information available at: http://www.henrico. us/purchasing/.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: Provision of (“PMT”) Materials To view a copy of RFP # KF010915 go to Procurement Services Site: http://www.procurement. virginia.edu/main/public postings/RFP.html, or email

Kristin Floyd- kaf4b@virginia.edu

TransiT sysTem

Notice of Public Meeting On September 13, 2014, Anthony Foxx, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, awarded a $24.9M TIGER grant to GRTC Transit System to develop the GRTC Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, which will serve a 7.6 mile route from Rocketts Landing to Willow Lawn. Overall cost of the GRTC BRT Project will be supported with matching funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Richmond and Henrico County. Phase I engineering and design activities are underway with on-the-street operation scheduled to start in October 2017.

The GRTC BRT Project team will present a status update, startup activities and long range timeline for the Project at public meetings. The meetings will be conducted on an informal basis, with members of the public able to discuss their concerns with Project team members.

Mark your calendar. The same program will be presented at two separate dates and locations.

The informal meetings are identical and will be held from 6 – 8 pm, with a presentation at 7 pm. Plan to attend the one convenient for your schedule.

Monday, January 26, 2015 Main Street Station 1500 East Main Street Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 2300 West Broad Street If you are unable to attend one of these meetings, please submit your comments to: Stephen McNally Director, Engineering and Construction GRTC Transit System 301 East Belt Boulevard Richmond, VA 23224 804-358-3871 e-mail: brt@ridegrtc.com

Request foR LetteRs of InteRest and Statements of Qualifications The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, invites highly qualified firms to submit Letters of Interest and Statements of Qualifications along with background information on Form DGS-30-168 (obtain adapted version from http://www.fm.virginia.edu/ fpc/ContractAdmin/ConstructionAdvertise.htm) for construction services related to the:

McCormick Road Utilities Tunnel RFP # 14-105 The University seeks to retain a Construction Manager to join our team during the design phase to provide constructability review, scheduling, cost estimating, and early bid package assistance and to provide full construction services for the University in accordance with the provisions of the University of Virginia Higher Education Capital Outlay Manual.

The contract will be awarded on a Construction Management at Risk with Design Phase Services.

The project consists of construction of approximately 1000’ of utility tunnel along McCormick Road between Engineers Way and Hancock Drive, and will include the installation of 1000’ of MTHW piping, chilled water lines, and the relocation of an existing water line and 4” gas line.

Construction is anticipated to begin May 2015 and must be complete August 1, 2015. Adjacent facilities will remain open throughout construction.

For submittal information and requirements, a copy of the full text of this request and additional project information visit the University’s Facilities Planning and Construction, Office of Contract Administration webpage: http://www.fm.virginia. edu/fpc/ContractAdmin/ConstructionAdmin.htm Questions may be directed to George Cullen at gec2n@virginia.edu, by fax at (434) 982-5108, or by phone at (434) 982-4620.

The Rector and Visitors of The University of Virginia By: George Cullen, VCCO, CPCM, VCO, CPPB, C.P.M., CPSM Contract Administrator for Construction

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press call 644-0496

Richmond Free Press

B6 January 15-17, 2015

Sports Plus

Wythe junior Maliek White is spark plug for Bulldogs

By Fred Jeter

Maliek White’s goals are twofold — returning Richmond’s George Wythe High School to past glory and adding his own name to the school’s glowing list of career standouts.

On both counts, he’s way ahead of schedule.

A year ago as a sophomore, White rallied the Bulldogs to Virginia Division 3 finals while earning All-Conference, All-Region and All-State honors individually.

And he’s just warming his engines.

“Maliek’s such a tough match-up for anyone. He’s so quick and can attack the rim with anyone, ” said George Wythe coach Willard Coker.

Already the bouncy 6-foot-2, 170-pound junior guard has NCAA Division I scholarship offers from California State UniversityBakersfield, Hofstra University in New York, Fairfield University in Connecticut, and Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

Coker’s office and cell phones are heating up, too.

“The more he plays, the more his stock rises,” says Coker. “Iowa inquired just the other day.”

The son of Dennis Brewster and Tameka Washington, White is that rare athlete who hopped into varsity competition as a mere freshman.

In fact, the arrivals of White, the spark plug, and Coker, the coach, coincided on South Side.

The program was in dire need of repair.

Between the 2005 and 2012 seasons, the longtime juggernaut Bulldogs lost their way, stumbling to a combined 25-107 win-loss record.

Bulldogs honor roll George Wythe High School in Richmond has produced many shining stars in basketball.

Former All-Metro aces include Len Creech, Marvin Lively (two-time), Jack Epps, Paul Pressey, Cecil Pittman, Robert Johnson, Luqman Jaaber, Jesse Pellot-Rosa, Anthony Greene, Chris Greene and Tyree Evans (three-time).

Jaaber, Pellot-Rosa and Evans were Metro Players of the Year.

Also, Peter Woolfolk, Alvin Lee and Greg Williams were All-Metro with the Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe complex.

Last winter, Maliek White was secondteam All-Metro as a sophomore.

Momentum began to switch in 2012-13 when White, then a freshman starter, helped the squad to the 8-14 mark in Coker’s inaugural campaign at “The Doghouse.”

That momentum took on rocket fuel a year ago as George Wythe posted a 24-5 worksheet that didn’t end until a loss to crosstown rival John Marshall High School in the state finals at Virginia Commonwealth University.

With his signature dreadlocks flapping, White averaged 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals as a sophomore.

The 16-year-old 11th-grader, who won’t turn 17 until June, has posted similar numbers this season as George Wythe opened 7-3 against a challenging schedule.

White had 26 points in the game against Midlothian High School, 23 points against Monacan High School and a dunk to remember in an early season loss to Blue Ridge School, featuring 6-foot-11Mamadi Diakite.

“Maliek took it right to him (Diakite) and dunked the heck out of it,” said Coker, his eyes sparkling at the memory.

Known to friends as “Freaky,” White speaks of team first before addressing individual questions.

In fact, he’s as modest and respectful off the court as he is dynamic on it.

“I’m always trying to get the team involved, make them more confident with their shots,” he said. “I want to be thought of as a great teammate and a playmaker … and scrappy.”

You can add “loyalty” to the list.

In fact, the word “Loyalty” is tattooed on his left forearm.

That noble trait was tested a year ago when White was approached by two private schools inviting him to transfer.

Politely, he declined.

“I’m a Bulldog,” said White. “What we’re trying to do here is put George Wythe back on the map.”

The Bulldogs rely on basically a fourguard lineup with White, Malik Nelson, Brandon Holley and Maurice Coleman wreaking havoc on the perimeter and 6-foot5 Eric Crews manning the low post.

There’s help on the way — tall help.

Junior Jeremiah Huff and sophomore Richard Sanders, both 6-foot-6, become eligible at the end of January.

White, who lives just off Jefferson-Davis Highway, grew up playing at Bellemeade Community Center.

He made George Wythe’s JV team as an eighth-grader, then skedaddled right into the varsity first five as a freshman.

From then on, the Bulldogs’ fortunes have lit up like a pyrotechnic show on the Fourth of July. And the party is just warming up.

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Maliek White goes up to score against James River High School. His talent on the court is attracting scholarship offers from colleges across the nation.

Employment Opportunities Part Time Radio Producer

Special Events Manager (#00011) Reynolds Community College is seeking applicants for the position of Public Relations and Marketing Specialist III, Pay Band 4.

Duties: Serves as lead on the planning, coordination, and execution of high profile events that raise the visibility of the Reynolds Community College brand, support the mission of the college and the strategic plan, generate community awareness and philanthropy, and involve media and community presence. These events include visits from dignitaries, elected and appointed officials, regional business leaders and organizations and donors. The position coordinates and implements logistics of high profile and ceremonial college-wide events for the Office of the President and the Division of Institutional Advancement including both the offices of Development and Communications. The Special Events Manager serves as the main contact for outside groups seeking to utilize the facilities and resources offered by the college; and reports jointly to the President and the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted through, January 23, 2015.

For additional information regarding qualifications, or to apply, please visit the college’s website: www.reynolds.edu.

AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Davidson Media Group, Richmond is looking for a Part Time Radio Producer. Ability to speak Spanish will be helpful. Send resume to sparedes@davidsonmediagroup.com. Davidson Media Group, Richmond is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Richmond Free Press is seeking a reliable and creative person for a parttime graphics position.

Enthusiastic individual must be proficient in Macintosh Creative Suite Design software (Indesign and Photoshop) to produce accurate, high quality camera-ready advertisements and news page layouts for print production. Duties will include weekly website maintenance. Meticulous attention to details.

Ability to be flexible and work under deadline cooperatively in a team environment is essential.

Submit resumé and samples of work to address below.

Human Resources Richmond Free Press P.O. Box 27709 Richmond, Virginia 23261 No phone calls please

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

DMAS is charged with ensuring proper MEDICAID services to qualified recipients.

The Agency seeks qualified candidates for the following positions:

Special Projects Program Manager - #00078 Please visit our website at www.dmas.virginia.gov or Monster.com for more information.

An online application is required. Faxed, e-mailed, or paper applications will not be accepted. Visit http://jobs.virginia.gov for application details.

EEO/AA/ADA

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press

call 644-0496

Senior Accountant – Finance Operations – Posting # 00003195 Department of Finance For application and full job description, access www.richmond.k12.va.us.

Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, tuberculosis screening and drug/alcohol testing as a condition of employment. EOE.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SERVICES Chesterfield County and the City of Colonial Heights seek an experienced, knowledgeable, and collaborative leader to lead, plan, direct and oversee the Department of Community Corrections Services. The mission of the department is to enhance public safety by providing alternatives to incarceration, effective supervision, treatment options and victim services to reduce recidivism and improve quality of life in the County of Chesterfield and the City of Colonial Heights.

Under the leadership of the Director, the Community Corrections Services department is responsible for the following program and service areas: Local Probation, Pretrial Services, Center for Risk Reduction, Dual Treatment Track, and a Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center. Also, the department provides offender supervision for the Chesterfield County Adult Drug Court.

Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) is Virginia’s self-supporting state housing finance authority. Our mission is to help Virginians obtain quality, affordable housing. The Audit and Risk team is seeking an experienced, IT Auditing professional to join us. This team member will support our Audit activities via the design and execution of IT audits utilizing a risk-based audit approach.

Successful candidates will have a proven track record in: 1) performing ongoing system risk assessments, 2) performing examinations of systems to assess data integrity & governance, access and application controls, and compliance with policies and procedures resulting in recommendations that strengthen system controls, and 3) actively evaluating data security and global IT practices, procedures and controls.

Bachelor’s degree/equivalent in AIS, MIS, or Computer Science preferred. A CISA Certification is required along with 3-5 years of IT audit experience. Experience in Active Directory environments, ASPs, Lawson, and/or Black Knight a plus.

Successful candidate will have a proven understanding of IT risks, processes, and controls, including application controls. Must be able to demonstrate an ability to develop a risk-based audit plan and test approach. Must possess strong analytical skills and the ability to develop themes and identify important issues.

Should have knowledge and understanding of scripts to pull operating system and database configurations in addition to performing new systems development audits. Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to develop solid working relationships with others. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook required.

VHDA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Interested persons must submit a resume and cover letter, stating salary requirements, online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An eoe Hiring Range - $66,366 – 86,273 Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

School of Social Work The School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is currently recruiting for a Senior Director of Development. This full-time twelve-month, professional (non-tenure earning) faculty appointment reports directly to the Dean, with shared reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. The Senior Director of Development supports the mission and strategic initiatives of the School of Social Work as the lead development officer for all school philanthropic activities, goals and programming.

Responsible for leading its fundraising program, primarily through the coordination and implementation of major gift and leadership annual fund strategies, as well as the oversight of alumni and constituent engagement programs.

For additional information and to apply for this position, please visit https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/40591.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.

Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, law enforcement or related field (master’s degree preferred) and a minimum of ten years progressively responsible experience in community corrections services (local government experience a plus) including a minimum of five years in a supervisory/leadership capacity, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

To view the complete position advertisement and to obtain application instructions, please visit careers.chesterfield.gov.

Deadline: February 6, 2015 at 5 p.m.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Richmond

Senior iT AudiTor

Senior Director of Development

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) is seeking an Administrative Assistant to provide administrative, technical and programmatic support to the Human Resources Division.

This position will be responsible for maintaining personnel files; responding to employee requests and questions; assisting with the recruitment process; assisting with event planning; and procuring supplies and processing invoices.

The Administrative Assistant must have administrative support experience including drafting, proofing and editing correspondence, scheduling, and meeting planning logistics. The successful applicant will have significant experience using multiple software packages including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint; exceptional grammar and proofreading skills; and strong organizational skills.

The Administrative Assistant must be able to prioritize work and effectively manage multiple projects; communicate effectively verbally and in writing with all levels of employees and the public, including CEO’s and public officials; work independently as well as collaboratively within a multi-discipline team environment; work well under pressure in meeting deadlines; exhibit sound judgment in making decisions; and maintain confidentiality on sensitive matters.

Post-secondary education in business administration or related fields is preferred. Salary minimum, $32,600.

All candidates must apply through our website http://www. yesvirginia.org/AboutUs/Employment. Application deadline: January 23, 2015.

VEDP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or against otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities.

It is VEDP’s intent that its employment and personnel policies and practices conform to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action.

Applicants requiring more information or requiring assistance may contact VEDP Human Resources at 1-804-545-5632 or vedphr@ yesvirginia.org. TDD 1-800-828-1120.

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Auditor (Multiple Positions) 09M00000011 Auditor Apply by: 2/8/2015 Chief of Police 41M00000857 Police Department Apply by: 1/18/2015 Contract Specialist (Multiple Positions) 84M00000023 Procurement Apply by: 2/1/2015 Deputy Director II – Compensation 12M00000036 Human Resources Apply by: Continuous Maintenance Tech II, Wastewater 35M00000205 Public Utilities Apply by: 2/8/2015 Planner II 05M00000039 Planning and Development Apply by: 1/25/2015 Retirement Specialist, Actuary Analyst 18M00000008 Retirement Apply by: 1/25/2015 Social Enterprise Specialist 36M00000024 Economic and Community Development Apply by: 1/25/2015 ****************** For an exciting career with the City of Richmond, visit our website for additional information and apply today! www.richmondgov.com EOE M/F/D/V