January 22 24, 2015 issue

Remembering Coach Frank Threatts

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Richmond Free Press

VOL. 24 NO. 4

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Personality: Simeon Booker

JAnuary 22-24, 2015

Obama rallies U.S. President pushes to strengthen middle class

Morrissey busted on new charges

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

new scent of wrongdoing that surrounds him is giving ammunition to The situation has gone from bad his legislative colleagues in the House to worse for scandal-tarred Delegate of Delegates who want to expel him Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey. as unfit to serve.

The first legislator Republican House to spend his days in the Speaker William J. General Assembly and Howell and Demohis nights in a jail cell cratic Minority Leader was just hit with four David Toscano both new felony charges. said later Wednesday Those charges esthat they are still consentially allege he was sidering the options for involved in filing a dealing with Delegate phony court document Morrissey. in the case that led him “This is truly a to be put behind bars painful and embarin the first place. rassing chapter” in the Delegate Morrishistory of the House, sey is to be arraigned Speaker Howell of Monday, Feb. 9, the Stafford County, statsame day former Gov. ed in a release. “The Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press Bob McDonnell is to House will evaluate Delegate Morrissey begin his two-year the new indictments as federal prison term on his corruption it pertains to disciplinary action. … conviction.

We are considering all options.”

While the delegate calls the new The new charges result from secret charges “absolutely false” and claims they will be debunked in court, this Please turn to A4

Free Press staff, wire reports

judge of the Chesapeake General District Court, and Alfred O. Masters Jr., a General District Court judge in Newport News, who is near the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The five “did not have sufficient support from their delegation,” said Republican Delegate Manoli Loupassi, who chaired the joint House-Senate panel that certified Ms. McClenney the judges who were elected.

Judge Jamison, who joined the bench in 1991 and is longest serving traffic judge in Virginia, was

WASHINGTON “America, for all that we’ve endured; for all the grit and hard work required to come back; for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this: The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong.”

That was President Obama’s passionate rallying cry in his State of the Union address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress to support his progressive agenda to lift more Americans from poverty and to strengthen the middle class.

With public polls showing more Americans rallying behind him, President Obama asked: “Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort?”

He called on Congress to make community college free for most students, enhance tax credits for education and childcare.

The president asked for aggressive action to fight climate change and said he would not back down on changes to the nation’s immigration system that would open doors of opportunities to millions of undocumented immigrants.

The president said his progressive plan would be financed largely from $320 billion in tax increases over the next decade on higher-income earners as

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AdMedia/Splash News/Newscom

President Obama passionately delivers the State of the Union address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.

General Assembly ousts Jamison, welcomes McClenney

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Birdie Hairston Jamison has just a bit more than 10 months to preside over the Richmond Traffic Court.

On Dec.1, when her current term ends, she will have to take off her robe, pack up her office and return to being an ordinary citizen after 24 years on the bench of the Richmond General District Court.

Despite a stream of letters and petitions backing her, the General Assembly erased her name from the list of sitting judges to continue in office, meaning the 57-year-old jurist did not get a new six-year term.

Instead, with quick votes and no debate, the House and Senate elected her replacement — Jacqueline S. McClenney, a 43-year-old veteran lawyer and current chairwoman of Venture Richmond, the public-private

Downtown booster group.

“I’m humbled,” said Ms. McClenney, who has served as a substitute judge.

Judge Jamison was one of five sitting judges — three women and two men — the legislature unceremoniously removed Tuesday.

Others who failed to win reelection are Karen J. Burrell, the Judge Jamison chief judge in Norfolk Circuit Court, and Pamela E. Hutchens, a General District Court judge in Virginia Beach. Both of their terms end April 1.

The two men are Judge David L. Williams, chief

Church receives national urban farm status

Feeding the hungry in the East End

Hammond moving quickly to shore up VSU

By Joey Matthews

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Nearly 100 community members walked by tables loaded with baskets full of collard greens, kale, lettuce, turnip greens, purple sweet potatoes, carrots, radishes, leeks and other fresh produce.

They sought affordable local vegetables and fruits at the launch of the first farmer’s market last Thursday in the dining hall at 31st Street Baptist Church.

The good news: “We nearly sold out,” said Dr. Morris Henderson of his East End church, which has earned the historic designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the nation’s first urban farm.

There was an added bonus: SNAP recipients shopping at the farmer’s market could select an Ms. Rowe additional dollar’s worth of vegetables or fruits for every $1 purchase, thanks to a $10,000 matching donation from Bon Secours Richmond Health System.

It is the latest initiative by the trailblazing church at 823 N. 31st St. to fight hunger in a disadvantaged area of the city known as a food desert, or community where affordable and nutritious food is difficult to obtain.

A cadre of public officials gathered last Thursday to laud the innovative, collaborative venture to provide affordable nutritious food to needy residents, including Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe; Audrey Rowe, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services administrator; City Council member Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District; Bon Secours Virginia Health System CEO Peter J. Bernard; Virginia State University Dean of Agriculture Jewel Hairston; and Tricycle

sit on a 0.85-acre lot behind the church.

Next to them is a hoop house — a series of large hoops covered with a layer of heavy greenhouse plastic. Heated by the sun and cooled by the wind, the structure provides a year-round space where vegetables and fruits can be grown.

It was built two weeks ago with the help of a USDA grant, and is scheduled for a spring unveiling, Dr. Henderson said.

Nearby is a botanical garden to grow flowers to provide to sick or shut-in church members and to spruce up the church.

And a spring groundbreaking is planned in the same area for a meditation garden to be lined with fruits and vegetables where, according to Dr. Henderson, people can go “for tranquility

Dr. Pamela V. Hammond radiates energy and optimism in her new role as interim president of Virginia State University.

“Every day there is something new to celebrate” she tells anyone who will listen.

But just three weeks into her new job, VSU’s first female chief executive appears to be facing more challenges than celebrations — including an increased erosion in enrollment at the historically black public university that dates to 1882.

Already she has issued a freeze on hiring and spending. And she is weighing staff furloughs and other steps to avoid layoffs. She also is reviewing all academic programs to determine if there are areas that need to be eliminated.

Dr. Hammond “If you’re in a hole, you’ve got to stop digging,” Dr. Hammond told reporters. “If you don’t have any money, you’ve got to stop spending.”

Her main goals: “To achieve financial solvency, stabilize the enrollment and restore the (university) brand,” she stated.

Hired away from Hampton University to take over from former President Keith T. Miller, the 62-year-old veteran of academe took over Jan.1 at the university that is facing more financial stress than she could have anticipated.

According to the latest figures, VSU expects to have about 4,200 students on campus when final enrollment numbers are in this week— a 16 percent slide from the fall enrollment of 5,025 students. It’s also at least 400 students below

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Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

31st Street Baptist Church Dr. Morris Henderson, right, stands Tuesday with deacon and urban gardener Lee Marshall inside the hoop house behind the church.

Gardens director Sally Schwitters.

While there, some of the officials donned aprons and helped serve a lunch of spaghetti, corn, bread, iced tea and dessert to some of the more than 100 people who turned out for the church’s daily lunch feeding program in the dining hall.

Tricycle Gardens, a Richmond-based nonprofit organization whose mission as stated on its website is to “grow healthy food, healthy communities and a healthy local food system,” is managing the farm project at 31st Street Baptist, providing two farm managers and other expertise.

Local farmers will bring their produce to sell at the farmer’s market from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Thursday.

Meanwhile, the church will continue to grow produce at 24 cultivated, raised garden beds that

Richmond Free Press

A2 January 22-24, 2015

Local News

Plans call for using smartphones to boost health in city

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Smartphones could change the delivery of health information in Richmond — particularly to low-income residents.

Mobile phones are now seen as a key to helping people set up and get reminders about appointments with doctors, navigate the health care system and learn about preventive care options now available through the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare.

The city plans to work with foundations, area hospitals and a national nonprofit organization, Coding for America (CoA), to develop the new mobile phone approach to health education.

City Council is poised to approve Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ request to provide a $75,000 contribution to the $200,000 initiative.

The city money would come from an unsuccessful Richmond Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press Rides program that was set up in 2012 to provide fare subsidies for qualifying GRTC riders. GRTC is folding the program after Heavy equipment prepares the ground for the Institute of Contemporary Art, a new addibeing unable to raise money to add to the initial $500,000 the tion to the Virginia Commonwealth University campus. The $35 million, 43,000-square-foot city provided. building is underway on the southwest corner of Belvidere and Broad streets, a major city While the transit company is returning $252,449 to the city crossroads. When complete in a year or so, the building designed by New York architect from the program, $177,499 is to be given back to the bus Slices of life and scenes Stephen Holl will serve as a showcase for exhibitions and performances. Envisioned for 15 company to cover costs of developing the bus transfer plaza on ZVRI (z18) Richmond Free Press years, the new building was announced in 2011. Work began in June. The project is being in Richmond 9th Street and to replace bus stop signs. built with donations from private sources, including university and art enthusiasts.

The council OK, expected next week, would allow the $75,000 to go to the San Francisco-based CoA to develop the computer codes needed. CoA was founded to help governments use technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

To get started, representatives of CoA would meet with health care providers and community residents January 21 – January 27, 2015 to learn what is needed and then begin developing the software codes. The project is expected to take up to a year to yield benefits, according to organizers.

Among other things, the project would address “the issue of how we are using technology to reach citizens,” said Dr. Danny T. Avula, a certified pediatrician and deputy director of the Richmond City Health District.

Dr. Avula The aim of this project: To provide Value Pack texting, mobile applications and possibly new websites to Country Style Pork ribs reduce the impact of poverty on health and to widen access Without MVP Card $2.99 LB to beneficial services, said Dr. Avula, a leader in pushing the information project.

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If it works out, the new mobile apps would be another way to help people change behaviors and to improve their health prospects, Dr. Avula said.

Dr. Avula credits Andreas Addison of the chief administrative officer’s staff with developing the information that moved the coding project to the city’s front burner.

He said Mr. Addison is responsible for a survey that found that at least two-thirds of the people who receive government 3 Lb. Bag 3 Lb. Bag 9-12 Oz. - Select Varieties aid through city Social Services have smartphones.

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Twenty-three states this year already have or will raise the minimum wage above the federally mandated wage of $7.25 an hour.

Virginia does not appear likely to jump on that bandwagon, particularly with the House and Senate under control of Republican opponents.

In a blow to low-wage workers, the first attempt to move the issue forward quickly died in a Virginia General Assembly committee.

By an 11-3 vote, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee killed a bill to raise the state-mandated minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by July 1, 2017, after businesses representatives raised opposition to the labor-supported measure.

That prompted Democratic Sen. Linda T. “Toddy” Puller of Fairfax to pull from consideration her bill that would have raised the minimum wage to $8 an hour on July 1, but also would have increased the minimum for tip-earning workers such as waiters and waitresses from $2.13 an hour to $4 an hour.

But the issue is still alive in bills. That includes proposed legislation from Arlington Democratic Sen. Barbara A. Favola that would allow local governments to hold a local referendum on raising the minimum wage. Under her proposal, if local voters approved, the minimum wage would rise to $10.10 an hour over three years.

Also still alive is a separate bill from Alexandria Democratic Delegate K. Rob Krupicka that proposes putting the question to voters on whether to raise the minimum wage incrementally to $8.50 an hour by Jan. 1, 2018.

Minimum wage advocates were not the only ones to take a hit on the holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legislation to reduce the 300 percent interest rate on payday and title loans to 36 percent also was killed in the Senate committee.

Meanwhile, any hopes of raising the level of theft that qualifies as a felony were dashed again in a House Courts of Justice subcommittee.

Freshman Norfolk Democratic Delegate Joseph C. Lindsey pushed a bill that would raise the minimum amount for a felony from $200 to $500, but again ran into opposition from representatives of retail merchants who urged the committee to maintain the status quo.

After hearing testimony, the subcommittee voted 9-3 to reject Delegate Lindsey’s bill, the latest defeat for a proposal that was first introduced 15 years ago. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

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Richmond Free Press

A4 January 22-24, 2015

Local News

Burrs named to Venture Richmond post

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

For the past four years, Stacy L. Burrs has led efforts to transform the historic Leigh Street Armory in Jackson Ward into the new home of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

With construction work now in full swing on the $13 million development, Mr. Burrs resigned Wednesday as the museum’s president and CEO to become deputy director of Venture Richmond, the public-private Downtown booster group.

Mr. Burrs will fill the vacancy left by James Watkins’ retirement last year, Jacqueline S. McClenney, Venture Richmond board chair, and Jack Berry, Venture Richmond executive director, stated in announcing the appointment.

As deputy director, Mr. Burrs will lead Venture Richmond’s

efforts to assist the city in creating a Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site in Shockoe Bottom, Mr. Berry stated.

Mr. Burrs also will be responsible for managing Venture Richmond’s riverfront responsibilities, including the management of the canal walk, Brown’s Island and the Tredegar Green amphitheater, Mr. Berry stated.

In addition, Mr. Burrs will oversee the Mr. Burrs operation of Historic Riverfront Canal Cruises, manage the Downtown Service District and be in charge of Venture Richmond’s education and economic participation initiatives.

Mr. Burrs took over as chief executive of the museum in

2013, after serving eight years as the museum board chair. He worked to gain the armory property for the city, develop the redesign of the museum and to raise money.

He will continue to serve on the museum’s board. Meanwhile, the museum’s longest serving employee, Mary C. Lauderdale, has been named operations manager to fill in during the search for Mr. Burrs’ replacement.

Mr. Burrs brings extensive experience to Venture Richmond.

He is a former director of both Richmond’s and the state’s minority business development operations. He also has owned and operated his own supplier diversity consulting firm, Capacity Development LLC. He also is former director of administration for the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation and led the minority business inclusion effort for what is now the CenterStage Foundation.

Morrissey busted on new charges President Hammond Continued from A1

indictments handed down last week by the Henrico grand jury, but unsealed Wednesday against Delegate Morrissey and Deidre L.Warren, mother of the former receptionist at his law office, and tie directly back to the original case.

The original case stemmed from charges he allegedly had a sexual relationship with the 17-year-old receptionist, Myrna Pride, when she worked for him. The relationship led to his conviction on the misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Both Delegate Morrissey and Ms. Pride, who is now 18 and pregnant, continue to deny anything happened between them at the time.

He was charged with several felonies, but ended up entering an Alford plea to the misdemeanor charge, a plea that allowed him to state he was not guilty, but acknowledge the prosecution had sufficient evidence to convict him.

The new indictments allege that he and Ms. Pride’s mother conspired, forged and submitted the phony document to the court as part of the plea deal that led to his six-month sentence to jail. He is on work release and is expected to serve only three months based on the practice of cutting jail time in half.

Judge Alfred D. Swersky, a retired judge the state Supreme Court assigned to hear the new case, kept Delegate Morrissey’s work release agreement intact, rejecting a request from special prosecutor William Neely of Spotsylvania County to revoke it.

The allegedly forged document that Mr. Neely used to gain the new indictments relates to a child support agreement purportedly created in 2006 between Ms. Warren and Ms. Pride’s father, Coleman Pride, and which bears their purported signatures. The document was not filed in court with a three-page custody agreement the parents accepted at the same time nine years ago and is not notarized.

The document provides that Mr. Pride is to pay $50 a week into a bank account he would set up with his daughter, then 10 years old, with the payments to continue

until she turned 18. She said she planned to use the money to pay for college.

The document was a key to Mr. Morrissey’s claim that Ms. Pride was at his home consulting him about the agreement and her father’s alleged removal of the accumulated $28,000 from the account in late August 2013. That’s when Henrico Police first came to Delegate Morrissey’s house to inquire about the girl’s presence. The officers were responding to a complaint from the father that Mr. Morrissey and his then 17-year-old daughter were involved in an illegal relationship.

After the plea hearing in December at which Delegate Morrissey was sentenced, Mr. Pride told authorities that he had never signed the agreement and that his signature was forged.

That triggered the investigation, including a search of Delegate Morrissey’s law office and the seizure of computers on Jan. 12, the day before a special election that he won.

Delegate Morrissey described the new charges as an unwarranted, “meanspirited” attack by Mr. Neely that would be exposed. He told reporters he would “prevail” and indicated his defense lawyers would produce the original of the disputed document to show it had been signed eight years ago when he had no relationship with the family.

Delegate Morrissey returned to the House of Delegates after winning a threeway race for his seat in the Jan. 13 special election. He set up the election by resigning his seat in the wake of his conviction, effective the day of the election, and then successfully won it back by running as an independent.

He has been mum on whether he would run this year for a full two-year term when all 100 members of the House are up for re-election.

He has hardly received a hero’s welcome. Instead, as the only independent member of the House, Delegate Morrissey has been left isolated as a man without a party. He is unable to participate in the House Democratic Caucus of which he once was a passionate member.

He also has been stripped of his seniority,

making him the most junior member. He is assigned to a seat in the corner of a front row for the most junior members.

In addition, Speaker Howell has refused to assign Delegate Morrissey to any of the House committees where most of the legislative work is done.

Delegate Morrissey previously served on the Education and Science and Technology committees. He can testify as a patron or co-patron of legislation before a committee panel, but otherwise cannot participate.

He also can vote on measures that come before the full House, but few expect to hear him speak on the House floor. He would be hard-pressed to win recognition to address the House from Speaker Howell, who disdains him and regards his conviction as a disgrace.

Before Delegate Morrissey went to the floor for the opening of the General Assembly last week, he told reporters that he would still have plenty of work. He said that “90 percent of what we do as legislators involves constituent services,” and he said he would have more than enough to occupy his time.

While many in the House still do not talk with him, he did receive a warmer reception than first portrayed.

In response to last week’s Free Press article on his return to the legislature, Delegate Morrissey noted that “several delegates came over to just share a kind word, including, but not limited to: Patrick Hope, Lionell Spruill Sr., Joe Preston (a seatmate and friend of 20 years), Eileen Filler-Corn and Delores McQuinn.”

Delegate Morrissey said several other legislators stopped by his new office on the seventh floor of the General Assembly Building and offered their congratulations, urged him to hang in there or offered similar sentiments.

The Free Press had reported that only Delegate McQuinn, D-Richmond, had come over to speak with him. Delegate Hope, D-Arlington, Delegate Preston, D-Petersburg, and Delegate Spruill, DChesapeake, later confirmed Delegate Morrissey’s comment.

Delegate Filler-Corn, D-Springfield, did not respond to a request for comment.

moving quickly to shore up VSU Continued from A1

the projected level of 4,628, according to figures provided to the university’s board of visitors last Thursday.

That means the once fast-growing institution will have its smallest student body in at least 10 years — a 2,000 student decline from the peak enrollment of 6,200 in 2012. The decline also will shrink VSU’s budget by another $2 million to $3 million.

That’s on top of the $18 million in reduced revenue VSU dealt with in the fall and that led to Dr. Miller’s resignation.

The university now expects to finish the year with $162 million in revenue from all sources, or about $20 million less than anticipated when the board approved its $182.3 million budget last June.

Asked if VSU’s enrollment has hit the low point so it can begin to rebound, Dr. Hammond was frank: “I don’t know, but I hope so.”

And just as Dr. Hammond rolled out her plan for changing the university’s outlook and boosting recruitment, the board of visitors appeared to undercut her.

The board did so by announcing it would immediately begin a national search for a new president, without any assurance she would be the choice and before giving her a chance to prove herself.

Harry E. Black, VSU’s rector, defended the board’s decision to move forward in finding a new chief executive, stating that the board has a duty “to ensure that a permanent president is recruited and appointed.”

In an email to the Free Press, Mr. Black, who also serves as Cincinnati’s city manager as well as co-chair of VSU’s presidential search committee, insisted that the search “should in no way suggest that the board lacks confidence in Dr. Hammond,” who will be a candidate.

He stated the board has “great expectations of her” and believes the faculty and staff would “respect and appreciate her … even more in knowing that she will be leading, while also competing to get the job on a permanent basis.”

Mr. Black dismissed concerns about the cost of a search — estimated at $273,000, including hiring a search firm and other expenses. He said the cost is in line with that spent on such searches, even at a time when the cash-strapped institution might have to reduce staff and is seeking a $3 million infusion of tuition aid funds from the General Assembly.

Dr. Hammond did not comment on the board’s decision.

Instead, she introduced a multifaceted approach to getting VSU back on track that she titled “Strategies for Success.”

On the financial front, she said the spending freezes would provide her with some breathing room as she contemplates methods to balance the budget.

Dr. Hammond said she is determined to do all she can to avoid having “any impact on academics,” which she called the “reason we are here.”

Continued from A1 record when she appeared before the joint suspect because of the anonymous nature Still, all academic programs will be reviewed to identify panel in mid-December. She noted that of the survey. To some, Judge Jamison programs that might be reduced or eliminated without hamperperhaps the most prominent. Certainly she had never been subject to an official seemed to be targeted because she was a ing the university’s mission. she was a familiar face to untold tens of complaint and repeatedly had been found decisive, knowledgeable African-American She said she would seek to avoid layoffs, preferring to “downthousands of drivers, police officers and qualified by judges who had reviewed her woman. size” through attrition, or by not replacing staff and faculty who others who had appeared before her over work in court.

The results of the survey do seem at leave or retire. the years.

Two police officers from Virginia Com- odds with the tribute she received in 2010 However, she said the hiring freeze would not keep her from The Free Press first reported in December monwealth University who have been regu- from Virginia Lawyers Weekly when the seeking to replace the outgoing chief financial officer, David J. that Judge Jamison faced an uphill battle lars in her court were among the array of publication named her as one of that Meadows, and hiring a new police chief to fill a vacancy left to secure re-election. people who wrote glowing reviews of her year’s 50 most influential women in the by retirement.

Democrats in the House and Senate work as a judge and urged her retention. legal profession.

She also plans to step up fundraising in a bid to reduce indicated Judge Jamison would be out if That was not enough to overcome Still, she previously had problems in dependence on student payments of tuition and fees. She said she did not win over Republicans, who Judge Jamison’s scores on a new survey of securing re-election. Legislative sources one area of focus would be on increasing contributions for command majorities in both house. judicial performance overseen by the state said efforts had been made to remove Judge scholarships to assist students who need help to cover the full “We didn’t have the votes to save her,” Supreme Court, and which the joint panel Jamison in 2009, but she won re-election to cost of attending VSU. said Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan, vice relied on heavily in making its decision her current term with strong support from In the past year, the university was able to keep 400 students chair of the House Democratic Caucus. She on which judges to reappoint. a few key Republicans and Democrats in enrolled who lacked a few hundred dollars by providing tuition said she is pleased Judge Jamison’s seat Judge Jamison was among 20 judges for the Richmond delegation. assistance from a special fund. But she said more donations are will be filled by another African-American whom the 22-point survey was used. Her Separately, the legislature elected a needed to increase the help that can be offered. woman. “I think that’s important,” Delegate results were based on surveys completed new Supreme Court justice and three new She also wants to do more to engage the faculty and staff McClellan said. and returned by 133 lawyers. members of the Court of Appeals, adding in fundraising and in seeking grants. To bolster that effort, she She apparently was involved in finding Overall, she received below average little to those courts’ diversity. All four are said she also would hire a full-time grant writer — despite the Judge Jamison’s replacement as Delegate results on a number of categories, ranging white. Currently, there are two African- freeze — in a bid to bring in more money.

McClellan joined Delegate Loupassi in from her overall performance to her knowl- American justices among the six sitting She said VSU must focus on this effort, noting that the introducing Ms. McClenney to the joint edge of and faithfulness to the law, latitude members of the state’s highest court and university, like other HBCUs, has been hit hard by changes in panel on Monday, which included her allowed to lawyers to present their cases, just one African-American among the nine federal policies that have made it tougher for low-income parents name on the list of judges that both houses respect shown to court participants, dignity sitting judges on the intermediate appeals to get loans to help their children. approved the next day. court. None of the sitting justices or court and courtesy, patience and lack of bias.

“Many of our students are the first in their families to go Judge Jamison stoutly defended her Her supporters regarded the results as of appeals members are Asian or Latino. to college, and we need to do all we can to make it possible,” she said.

Her plans to stabilize enrollment also will include expanding VSU’s recruitment statewide and targeting Continued from A1 the nation, where the latest data from 2012 show: assistance from the USDA, ranging from crop pro- specific out-of-state markets • One in seven Americans — or more than 49 duction and soil conservation to how to enlist other where interest in the univermillion people — live in households struggling with community members in the healthy food initiative. amidst the chaos and confusion of life.” sity is high. She also wants to Dr. Henderson, who has served as pastor at the push to diversify the student “I teased the pastor that he now is the Rev. Dr. Pas- hunger; • 15.7 million children face food insecurity, with church since 2007, said the church is committed to population and expand online tor Farmer Morris Henderson,” said Ms. Rowe in an interview at the Free Press office following the event. from 5 percent to 6 percent of those children facing nutrition outreach in the community. “We’re here offerings. for the long haul,” he said. “We want to offer our Church members have generously donated funds dire hunger.

She also wants the univerMs. Rowe said the problem exists disproportionately community a holistic approach to living by using the sity to improve relations with to help make the farm project possible, Dr. Henderin African-American communities, largely because of a green gospel. Turn out the lights when you’re not alumni and be more consistent son said.

“This is a model for us,” Ms. Rowe said. “We’re lack of jobs, transportation and access to stores selling using them. Turn the water off when you’re brushing in its public relations mesgoing to talk to our other regions, talk to other churches healthy, affordable food. She said hunger also is rising your teeth. We want to try and conserve and protect sage. She also plans to build that may be interested in becoming a farm, having in rural communities and among senior citizens, largely Mother Nature.” a relationship with students, He said he’s ready to “take this show on the road faculty and staff by holda garden they operate. This is a whole new area for because seniors and rural dwellers do not seek public assistance for fear of being stigmatized. to show other churches how we did it. us to explore.” ing meetings with them and Ms. Rowe said the farm designation enables 31st “To whom much is given, much is required,” the keeping up communications She sees the growth of urban farms as a powerful tool in the fight against hunger in the inner-city and in Street Baptist Church to apply for grants for technical pastor stated, citing a biblical message. with them.

General Assembly welcomes McClenney

Church receives urban farm status

Richmond Free Press

January 22-24, 2015 A5

News

Supreme Court weighs in on Fair Housing Act Reuters

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared torn as it weighed a major civil rights case that could narrow the scope of discrimination claims made under the landmark Fair Housing Act. Based on the one-hour oral argument, it is not clear if there is a conservative majority on the nine-justice court that will cut back on what kind of conduct can lead to housing discrimination litigation.

Most significantly, the reliably conservative Justice Antonin Scalia made some remarks supportive of the argument made by President Obama’s administration and civil rights groups in defense of the broad interpretation of the law.

The court is considering whether the 1968 law allows racial and other bias claims based on seemingly neutral practices that may have a discriminatory effect. These are known as “disparate impact” claims. There is no dispute over the law’s prohibition on openly discriminatory acts in the sale and rental of housing.

The case concerns whether Texas violated the Fair Housing Act by disproportionately awarding low-income housing tax credits to developers who own properties in poor, minority-dominated neighborhoods.

Two court conservatives, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, seemed inclined to narrow the law’s scope.

But Justice Scalia said that although the 1968 law did not specifically refer to disparate impact

claims, Congress appeared to acknowledge the existence of such claims when it amended the law in 1988.

“Why doesn’t that kill your case?” Justice Scalia asked Scott Keller, the lawyer for Texas arguing the claims should not be allowed.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, who often casts the deciding vote in close cases, said little during the argument.

In one exchange with U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, who argued for a broad interpretation of the law, Justice Kennedy seemed to support Texas’ argument. He said it “seems very odd to me” that a local government agency could be liable for development decisions in a wide range of contexts.

The court’s liberal justices defended the ex-

isting interpretation of the law, which has been backed by lower courts but never endorsed by the high court.

Justice Stephen Breyer told Mr. Keller that decades of law are “universally against you.”

The case is closely watched by lenders and insurance companies.

Civil rights groups had sought to keep the issue away from the conservative-leaning high court. In the past three years, two other cases that raised the same issue were taken up by the high court but settled before the justices could issue a ruling.

A decision is due by the end of June.

The case is Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 13-1371.

President’s college proposals could damage HBCUs

By George E. Curry

Is President Obama trying to kill historically black colleges and universities?

If he’s not, he will have a hard time convincing HBCU presidents, trustees and alumni.

Surprisingly, President Obama has become their worst nightmare.

Neither the president, the first lady, the secretary of education nor any of the president’s closest advisers attended an HBCU and, consequently, all are tone deaf in recognizing that what is broadly viewed as sound policy could inadvertently harm our nation’s HBCUs. That’s the case with President Obama’s proposal that the federal government pick up the tab for a worthy student’s first two years of community college.

Without a doubt, a move toward free, universal higher education is an excellent decision.

But if the president had consulted the major organizations representing HBCUs, he would have heard suggestions on how to tweak his proposal so that it would not needlessly harm HBCUs, which it easily could do.

The amended Higher Education Act of 1965 defines an HBCU as “any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited or is making reasonable progress toward accreditation.”

HBCUs enroll only 3 percent of college students, but are responsible for nearly 20 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded to African-Americans. In some fields, the figures are significantly higher.

President Obama noted, “America thrived in the 20th century in large part because we had the most educated workforce in the world. But

Obama rallies U.S. Continued from A1

well as a fee on large financial institutions.

“We have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth,” the president told an audience that included an estimated 30 million people.

“Tonight, after a breakthrough year for America, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999,” he declared. “Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis.

More of our kids are graduating than ever before; more of our people are insured than ever before; we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we’ve been in almost 30 years.”

President Obama also highlighted some potential areas of collaboration with Republicans.

He called on Congress to approve a business tax overhaul, grant authority to strike international trade deals, and approve a major initiative to repair crumbling roads and bridges.

He vowed to continue a foreign policy that combines “military power with strong diplomacy,” and he called on Congress to lift the trade embargo on Cuba and pass legislation authorizing the fight against the Islamic State.

He touted foreign policy successes that included the end of the combat mission in Afghanistan and that only 15,000 troops remain in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Will we approach the world fearful and reactive, dragged into costly conflicts that strain

our military and set back our standing?” he asked. “Or will we lead wisely, using all elements of our power to defeat new threats and protect our planet?”

Even as he offered proposals such as higher taxes on the wealthy, which are likely to be rejected by the Republicancontrolled Congress, President Obama drew attention to income inequality that has persisted despite an improving economy.

“The verdict is clear,” President Obama said. “Middle class economics works. Expanding opportunity works. And these policies will continue to work, as long as politics don’t get in the way.”

Hillary Clinton, considered the frontrunner from the Democratic Party to run to replace President Obama, posted on Twitter after the speech: “@ BarackObama #SOTU pointed way to an economy that works for all. Now we need to step up & deliver for the middle class.

#FairShot #FairShare.”

In response, Republicans vowed to mostly stonewall and oppose the president’s wish list.

In the official Republican response, Sen. Joni Ernst, the freshman from Iowa, said, “Americans have been hurting, but when we demanded solutions, too often Washington responded with the same stale mindset that led to failed policies like Obamacare.”

other nations have matched or exceeded the secret to our success.”

The U.S. can’t afford to lose the valuable contributions of HBCUs. Which compete directly with community colleges.

Both enroll students who may need some additional tutoring or training before they are fully college ready.

More importantly, students who enroll in community colleges and HBCUs are in dire need of financial assistance. If you make the first two years free to community college students – and not to HBCU students – you don’t have to be a rocket or social scientist to see that HBCUs will come out the losers.

And the bleeding won’t stop there. If and when community college students decide to continue their education, they may be more inclined to transfer to a state-supported public university, where costs are cheaper than those of a private HBCU. Public HBCUs also could suffer. If an African-American student attends a community college in Alabama, for example, he or she may be more prone to enroll in the University of Alabama or Auburn than if they had initially enrolled in Alabama A&M University or Alabama State.

And given the costs, those students might totally bypass Tuskegee University, Talladega College or Stillman College, all private institutions.

Such private HBCUs as Spelman and Morehouse probably could sustain a drop in enrollment brought on by the president’s policy.

But without any adjustments, it could be the death knell for many others, including Miles College, Tougaloo, Paine and my alma mater, Knoxville College, which already has a foot in the grave.

With Republicans now in control of the House

and Senate, it would have been far wiser for President Obama to huddle with them. Former Republican presidents have been strong supporters of HBCUs over the years.

That would have provided a proposal that both sides could support. Going it alone, especially in this environment, virtually guarantees that the America’s College Promise program will go nowhere.

What should be done? As one educator told me, it would have been better if President Obama had said the federal government would pick up the first two years at a two- or four-year college.

That would be better for most HBCUs. This is an opportunity for the new Republican majority. Accustomed to saying “no” to everything when the party was out of power, Republicans now have a chance to say “yes” to education, which would be a good thing.

And if Republicans took this opening and corrected the blunders in the president’s proposed college policy, it would help the GOP in reaching out the way the party claims it wants to.

Meanwhile, this new community college proposal comes on the heels of the administration dropping the ball on Parent PLUS student loans, which caused some HBCUs to lose as much as 20 percent of their student bodies, and a proposed federal rating system that also is expected to disadvantage HCBUs. Maybe, it’s time for the president to remember there is a White House Conference on HBCUs that he ought to consult with before he announces such policies.

Maybe, it’s time for him to remember that HBCUs exist.

The writer is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service.

Selma exhibit at Newseum in Washington, D.C.

By Holly M. Rodriguez

A new exhibit at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., explores the 50-year anniversary of major events in the Civil Rights Movement.

“1965: Civil Rights at 50” examines the events and coverage of that year, culminating in President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The exhibit explores the protest march that year from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., also known as “Bloody Sunday” because of a violent

confrontation between peaceful protesters and the police when the civil rights activists attempted to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Newspaper coverage of the confrontation from The Dallas Morning News, Life magazine and Time magazine are on display. Images from the book “March: Book One,” a first-hand account of the struggle for civil rights written by Georgia Congressman John Lewis, also are on display.

The exhibit is part of a series examining the relationship between the news media and

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the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and is a companion to the exhibit “Make Some Noise: Students and the Civil Rights Movement.” Open since 2013, “Make Some Noise” features a portion of the F.W. Woolworth lunch counter where four African-American students in Greensboro, N.C., started the peaceful, sit-in protest movement, and the door of the jail where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held when he wrote “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”

“1965: Civil Rights at 50” is on display through Feb. 4, 2016.

Richmond Free Press

Signs of winter in Fulton

Editorial Page

A6

January 22-24, 2015

Presidential Proclamation MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., FEDERAL HOLIDAY, 2015 ______________

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION A champion for justice, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., helped awaken our Nation’s long-slumbering conscience and inspired a generation. Through a cacophony of division and hatred, his voice rang out, challenging America to make freedom a reality for all of God’s children and prophesying a day when the discord of our Union would be transformed into a symphony of brotherhood. His clarion call echoed the promise of our founding — that each of us are created equal — and every day he worked to give meaning to this timeless creed.

Today, we pause to pay tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. King, and we reflect on the lessons he taught us. Dr. King understood that equality requires more than the absence of oppression; it requires the presence of economic opportunity. He recognized that “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” In a world full of poverty, he called for empathy; in the face of brutality, he placed his faith in non-violence. His teachings remind us we have a duty to fight against poverty, even if we are wealthy; to care about the child in the decrepit school long after our own children have found success; and to show compassion toward the immigrant family, knowing that we were strangers once, too. Dr. King transformed the concepts of justice, liberty, and equality, and as he led marches and protests and raised his voice, he changed the course of history.

From Dr. King’s courage, we draw strength and the resolve to continue climbing toward the promised land.

Our Nation has made undeniable progress since his time, but securing these gains requires constant vigilance, not complacency. We have more to do to bring Dr. King’s dream within reach of all our daughters and sons. We must stand together for good jobs, fair wages, safe neighborhoods, and quality education. With one voice, we must ensure the scales of justice work equally for all — considering not only how justice is applied, but also how it is perceived and experienced. As Dr. King told us, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and this remains our great unfinished business.

Through struggle and discipline, persistence and faith, patriots and prophetic leaders like Dr. King have driven our country inexorably forward. In every chapter of our great story, giants of history and unheralded foot soldiers for justice have fought to bridge the gap between our founding ideals and the realities of the time. We will never forget all who endured and sacrificed, or those who gave their lives, so that our children might live in a freer, fairer, and more just society.

In sermons and speeches, Dr. King’s voice rang out with a call for us to work toward a better tomorrow. As we honor his legacy, Americans across the country will join one another for a day of service, picking up the baton handed to us by past generations and carrying forward their efforts. As one people, we will show when ordinary citizens come together to participate in the democracy we love, justice will not be denied.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 19, 2015, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service projects in honor of Dr. King and to visit www.MLKDay.gov to find Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across our country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Economic boycotts are justice tools that work This one is different.

We didn’t see George Zimmerman kill Trayvon Martin or Darren Wilson murder Michael Brown. Having only the perpetrators’ accounts to go by, we were left mercilessly at the hands of Lady Justice.

But the whole world saw a gang of New York’s police force literally choke the life from Eric Garner. And again, Lady Justice turned a blind eye to the truth and declared that, despite the viral social media phenomenon that graphically proved the murderous intent of those modern-day “paddy rollers,” Eric Garner’s death deserved no finding of fault.

Is there really any wonder why black Americans are beyond frustrated? When you combine scant employment opportunities, ineffective public education, sparse health care options and cap it off with legally sanctioned murder, what should America really expect?

As we move from the everfestering sense of outrage to the

critical work necessary to determine what’s next, let’s consider, what are the real options?

Without question we’ll have to learn to more effectively exercise our political strength.

But political solutions generally require long-term negotia-

Ron Busby Sr. tions — and lots of patience.

But nobody is feeling patient right now.

Social activism and civil unrest clearly have a role to play in drawing attention and highlighting injustices like the deaths of black men at the hands of police. Fickle media, though, have a strange way of turning even the righteous indignation of black America into a referendum on who’s guilty of the worst behavior — killer cops or angry black folk. So that leaves us with impacting the economy as our one sure-fire strategy.

The yearlong Montgomery Bus Boycott — from 1955 to 1956 — proved beyond all doubt that black folk withholding their financial support could cripple even Jim Crow. The devastation heaped on Montgomery’s economy even made the U.S.

Supreme Court cave in!

There is no question that America today needs the trillion dollars black Americans pump so willingly into the economy.

What would happen if those dollars went missing?

One thing is certain, blackowned businesses would appreciate the opportunity to supply the goods and services we — literally — spend our last dimes on. And this is no fairy tale, make-believe scenario.

This may just be the defining moment in reasserting our right to be — not just heard — but truly listened to.

The lessons learned more than a half-century ago about organized action are just as valid today. Did those poor folk in Montgomery suffer while having to walk instead of riding the bus?

Absolutely! But they suffered because they knew their cause was right and just.

The question, then, is whether we’ve learned enough over the last 60 years to know how to suffer for a short term in order to build a better future for others?

Could we stand not having that Starbucks in the morning? Could we live without that weekend shopping spree? Could we have a festive holiday without Crown

The folks at the ‘back of the line’ I wasn’t surprised that Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” was nearly completely snubbed for the Oscar nominations last week, as were several “white” films and white actors and directors. I never thought that, after last year’s breakthrough for “12 Years a Slave,” the Oscar voting academy was going to make another powerful drama that put black Americans at the center of American history the focus of this year’s Oscar ceremonies.

Yes, some of the Oscar voters may have used the controversy over Ms. DuVernay’s portrait of President Lyndon B. Johnson as fig leaf protection to vote against it. That’s more despicable than the snub itself in my book.

Although Ms. DuVernay’s depiction of President Johnson is wrong, I never expect any film about a historical moment or person to be completely accurate — precisely because every film, no matter how deeply fact-based, is a fictional interpretation of the real story.

“Selma” still stands out as superior story-telling. It poignantly recounts one of the great moments — a triumph, laced through and through with tragedy — of 20th century American history. The film especially recalled for me one of the questions I obsessed over growing up in Boston in the 1960s. That was: Who were the folks at the back of the line?

I was fortunate in growing up in Boston, where the AfricanAmerican and the liberal white communities had very active ties to the Southern Movement.

In the early 1960s, my brother and I joined an Episcopal churchbased “freedom choir.” Later, we attended the Baptist church

Lee A. Daniels where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a co-junior pastor while in theology school at Boston University.

I was “wired” into the movement in a way few Northern teenagers were. But I didn’t kid myself. I knew I was many steps removed from the danger faced daily by the real civil rights activists and the black Southern teens who involved themselves in the movement there. That was why, as much as I was inspired by the movement’s local and national leaders, whose names appeared in the news dispatches from the civil rights fronts, I always wondered about those who were there but out of the media spotlight.

Nothing dramatized my obsession with that question more than the movement’s stand at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In the film, and in the real-life television films of that moment, we see the marchers as they stand, facing the storm troopers of the state. We know they know they were facing men who had no compunction about killing black people and their white allies, be they men, women or children.

When I saw the television news reports of “Bloody Sunday” that long-ago night in March 1965, it made everything plain: Not just the movement’s commitment to nonviolence even in the face of imminent danger. It also made plain what those in “the line” at Selma and elsewhere on the civil rights trail had done and were doing. They were protecting me — transform-

ing the blows meant for me into a force that would expand the boundaries of opportunity for me all my life.

Thankfully, I also was able to realize it wasn’t only all about me. I understood the movement’s other meanings, too — That intellectual keenness and “smarts” weren’t limited to the formally educated and the socially prominent. That rough-hewn speech could be just as powerful, if not more so, than polished oratory.

That the ability to inspire and lead people existed in and was exercised by all sorts of people, and that participation in communal affairs and collaboration with others was vitally important if the community and individuals within it were to advance.

I’m glad for the controversy about “Selma.” It may provide another reason for some viewers of all ages to read some of the considerable number of significant nonfiction books that provide a more complete factual account of the movement in Selma and across the South and North, and of America in the 1950s and 1960s.

That will not only give them a fuller understanding of the racist fury the freedom struggle in the South faced. It also will make even clearer the values that fortified the civil rights activists in the struggle, and why those values proved more powerful than the willingness of the region’s racist power structure and its henchmen to do evil.

Embedded in that understanding is another powerful lesson that’s always worth reaffirming.

It’s not only the leaders. It’s those at the back of the line, too, who make movements for social justice work.

Lee A. Daniels is a longtime journalist based in New York City.

The Free Press welcomes letters

The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you. We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred.

Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@ richmondfreepress.com.

Royal and CIROC? Do we really need that Benz, Lexus or Rover?

Is the latest 4G smartphone really that crucial?

Are we really serious about letting America know that #BlackLivesMatter, or is that just a catchy slogan that makes you feel better — right along with #HandsUp and #ICantBreathe?

The U.S. Black Chambers Inc. is absolutely certain that economic impact is the one tool at our disposal that works every time. It requires organization. It requires commitment. It requires more than lip service. We recognize that there is no “magic wand.”

We know that going to jail and burning our own communities is attention grabbing, but these are only reactions. Our nationwide distress calls for action.

Although it’s kind of dated, dust off your copy of “Day of Absence” by Douglas Turner Ward. What if, just what if, nobody showed up for work tomorrow?

When they call to check on you to see why you’re not at work, tell them, “I can’t breathe ...”

Ron Busby Sr. is president and CEO of U.S. Black Chambers Inc.

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Richmond Free Press

January 22-24, 2015

A7

Letters to the Editor

King holiday is a good time for reflection The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday is a wonderful time to stop and reflect on the leadership that has guided us to a moment full of diversity.

Might I suggest a few reflections?

• What if 50 years ago our parents and relatives had opted out of the movement? How would we engage with one another today?

• What if 40 years ago our parents and relatives declined to attend the community-wide meetings? How would we celebrate

this weekend?

• How different would our community be if Virginia Union University or Virginia State University did not exist to provide opportunities in higher education for our community?

To commemorate Dr. King’s legacy, and that of our beloved Richmond, I would encourage each of you to actively engage.

Be a participant in our dynamic reflection of our community’s heritage.

We have so much to be thankful for. There are lessons we

Protect Dr. King’s fair housing legacy Just a week after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, Congress passed the Fair Housing Act with broad bipartisan support.

The law has helped the country make great strides by combating policies that discriminate against families, the poor, African-Americans, Latinos, other communities of color and people with disabilities.

It also has been instrumental in eliminating policies like racially exclusive zoning rules, subsidies for segregated communities and redlining, all of which perpetuated racial segregation, stripped individual African-Americans of their right to choose where to live, and relegated entire communities to ghettos of inferior opportunity.

While the Fair Housing Act has been successful, it still has more work to do because the legacy of these discriminatory policies persists in many areas.

Yet in the same week that we celebrate Dr. King’s life, the U.S. Supreme Court threatens to upend a key provision of the act, and with it a crucial tool for eradicating residential segregation. Arguments in the case, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive

Communities Project, were heard by the high court Wednesday, Jan. 21.

At stake is a legal protection that ensures banks, landlords and others use policies that apply fairly to everyone. The protection also prevents mortgage lenders, for example, from adopting policies that seem neutral in theory, but unfairly exclude or segregate particular communities in practice.

The outcome in this case will determine whether the act can continue to be used, as it has for decades, as a tool to replace discriminatory policies with ones that roll back the tide of residential segregation.

This is a unique time when the nation’s eyes have been refocused on the racial dynamics that undergird our society. Let us seize the moment and celebrate the vision and endeavors of Dr. King — and hope that the U.S. Supreme Court will do the same by allowing his work to continue through the Fair Housing Act. SHERRILYN IFILL New York City The writer is president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Add Leroy Sledge to list of local NFLers Re “Lanier, Wilwas not listed. That son among favorite is Leroy Sledge, NFLers with local who played for start,” Jan. 8-10 ediMaggie L. Walker tion: High School. Leroy I truly enjoyed the Sledge and Corey article and seeing all Smith are cousins the great talent that and have family ties got their start right in the Newtowne here in Richmond. community behind Mr. Sledge Being a Maggie L. Maggie L. Walker Walker Class of 1971 graduate, High School.

I was happily reminded that Leroy Sledge was a member Anthony Leonard was listed as of the Class of 1965 and played one who went on to the NFL, under Coach Cannonball Cooand that a family member, Corey Smith who attended John Marshall High School, also went Chapter 7 Bankruptcy on to play for Tampa Bay and Get rid of debts that you can’t pay. the Detroit Lions.

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per, wearing the “00” jersey. As Mr. Cooper said, “Leroy Sledge was an All-Metro selection and one of the best backs in Maggie Walker history.”

Leroy went to Bakersfield Junior College prior to signing with the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League from 1967 to 1969. He also played for the Edmonton Eskimos in 1970, before signing with the Houston Oilers in the NFL in 1971.

He had an auspicious start with the Oilers! Leroy was always a crowd pleaser everywhere he went, especially here in the Richmond area. I, along with everyone in the Richmond metro area, would have loved to see his name listed with the other greats.

Thanks to the Free Press for all the timely articles that seem to keep our Richmond family bonded and remembering all the talented role models that had a start right here in Richmond.

MICHAEL D. GRAY Richmond

have learned, paths we have traveled and, as our elders would say, still many more roads to walk. Let’s continue to build on our legacy, creating an even more dynamic and inclusive community.

KEN JOHNSON Richmond The writer is president and CEO of Johnson Inc., a marketing and communications firm.

Attention GRtC CustomeRs!

seRviCe ChAnGes effeCtive JAnuARy 25, 2015 •

Route 6 Broad St – service extended until 2am (MondaySaturday)

•

Route 18 Henrico Gov’t Shuttle – small schedule updates (Monday-Friday)

•

Route 24 Crestwood/Westbrook – small schedule updates (Monday-Friday)

•

Route 37 Chamberlayne – service extended until 2am (MondaySaturday)

•

Routes 62-63 Hull St/Midlothian – service will be split into different Route names/numbers as follows:

Old ROute

New ROute

Replaces ROute cOde

62 Hull Street

60 Hull St/ Chippenham Mall 62 Hull St/ Southwood 68 Broad Rock/ Walmsley

62 CM/CS/CW 62 HS/HW 62 BD

63 Midlothian

61 Midlothian/ Crutchfield 63 Midlothian/ Chippenham Square

63 CWB 63 CSQ

The overall level of service on these routes will remain very close to the previous schedules, even though they are getting new names and numbers. They will serve the same destinations and routing as the old routes. The main reason for the new names is to make it easier for customers to see which bus goes where on the street and in the public timetables. Routes 60-62-68 will be on one public timetable/schedule, and Route 61-63 will be on another public timetable/schedule.

•

Routes 70-71 Forest Hill/Stony Pt and Forest Hill/Jahnke (Spring Rock Green) – will extend routing on Saturdays. Route 70 will operate to Stony Point Shopping Center following the current Monday-Friday routing (on Sundays, it will turn around at Thompson/Huguenot schools). Route 71 will operate to Spring Rock Green and the Stonebridge shopping center following the current Monday-Friday routing, but it will not operate through the Glenway/Wainwright route on Saturdays. On Sundays Route 71 will turn around at Chippenham Hospital as it currently does.

•

Routes 72-73 Ruffin Rd/Ampthill – schedule updates (all days)

•

Route 74 Oak Grove – schedule updates (Saturday-Sunday)

•

Route 101 Southside Plaza/Belt Blvd Connector – service extended to 8pm (Monday-Friday)

New public timetables/schedules with an Effective Date of January 25th, 2015, are available on our website, at ridegrtc.com. Printed copies will be available at local distribution centers on or before Friday, January 23rd, 2015.

Please send any questions or comments on the above changes to: Email: planningcomment@ridegrtc.com Phone: (804) 358-3871 Write: GRTC Transit System, 301 E. Belt Blvd, Richmond, VA 23224 For the latest information, please check our News & Updates section or download our free Official GRTC Transit On The Go Mobile App. For further assistance, contact our Customer Service Center at (804) 358-GRTC (4782).

TransiT sysTem

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR APPROVAL OF MODIFICATIONS TO ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RATE, RIDER EDR CASE NO. PUE-2014-00119 On November 26, 2014, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Virginia Power (“Dominion Virginia Power” or “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) an application seeking approval of modifications to its Economic Development Rate, designated Rider EDR (“Application”).

Dominion Virginia Power’s Rider EDR, which the Commission first approved in Case No. PUE-1996-00296, is designed to promote economic development in the Company’s Virginia service territory by providing certain reductions in billing demands to qualifying commercial and industrial retail customers. In Case No. PUE-2013-00027, the Company sought and obtained approval of certain modifications to Rider EDR to allow new customers to enroll in the Rider, which had become fully subscribed.

In its Application, Dominion Virginia Power seeks approval to make the following modifications to Rider EDR: (1) prospectively eliminate the cap on the maximum amount of load per customer and instead allow the participating customer load to be mutually agreed to by the customer and the Company; (2) prospectively raise the cap on total incremental load participation from 250 megawatts (“MW”) to 500 MW; (3) add a discount for base energy as part of the potential discounts; (4) continue to offer customers alternative approaches to the discount percentage rate structure including both the flat discount option and declining discount option approved in Case No. PUE-2013-00027, which would now apply to both the proposed base demand and base energy discounts; and (5) decrease the number of employees per kilowatt requirement to qualify for the discount from .07 to .03.

Dominion Virginia Power claims that these modifications are in the public interest because they would further promote economic development in the Commonwealth by allowing the Company to prospectively engage large, energy-intensive industries that are evaluating locating in the Commonwealth. The Company further claims that the modifications in its proposal do not change the fundamental characteristics of Rider EDR. The Commission issued an Order for Notice and Comment that, among other things, directed the Company to provide notice to the public and provided interested persons an opportunity to comment and/or request a hearing on the Company’s Application.

Interested persons may obtain a copy of the Application and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Comment, at no charge, by requesting it in writing from the Company’s counsel, Lisa S. Booth, Esquire, Dominion Resources Services, Inc., 120 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Copies of the Application and documents filed in this case also are available for interested persons to review in the Commission’s Document Control Center, located on the first floor of the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

As provided by 5 VAC 5-20-80 C, Public witnesses, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”), any person desiring to file written comments shall file, on or before February 27, 2015, such comments with Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218. Any person desiring to submit comments electronically may do so, on or before February 27, 2015, by following the instructions available at the Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. Compact discs or any other form of electronic storage medium may not be filed with the comments. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUE-2014-00119.

On or before February 27, 2015, interested persons may request that the Commission convene a hearing on the Company’s Application by filing a request for hearing with the Clerk of the Commission at the address set forth above. Requests for hearing must refer to Case No. PUE-2014-00119 and include: (i) a precise statement of the filing party’s interest in the proceeding; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; (iii) a statement of the legal basis for such action; and (iv) a precise statement why a hearing should be conducted in this matter.

On or before February 27, 2015, any interested person may participate as a respondent in this proceeding by filing a notice of participation in accordance with 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Rules of Practice. If not filed electronically, an original and fifteen (15) copies of the notice of participation shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address set forth above. Any interested person also shall serve a copy of the notice of participation simultaneously upon counsel to the Company at the address set forth above. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Rules of Practice, any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUE-2014-00119.

The Commission’s Rules of Practice may be viewed at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. A printed copy of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and an official copy of the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding may be obtained from Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118.

Richmond Free Press

A8 January 22-24, 2015

Sports

Wilson scores amazing win for Seahawks Free Press staff and wire reports

The Super Bowl has an unwanted reputation for being a bust rather than an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but this year’s NFL championship game between the two most dominant regular season teams has the makings of an instant classic.

After punching their Super Bowl tickets with contrasting wins in their respective conference championships Sunday, the New England Patriots and defending champion Seattle Seahawks have set up a rare Super Bowl clash of No. 1 seeds.

The tantalizing matchup, scheduled for Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz., will mark just the 11th time that a pair of No. 1 seeds will decide the Super Bowl since the National Football League implemented a conference seeding system in 1975.

Even oddsmakers in Las Vegas, where more than $100 million will be bet on the Super Bowl, are unsure who to back as many odds for the championship game are a “pick ’em,” meaning there is currently no spread for either team to cover.

And while the massive hype that precedes each Super Bowl has often set a worldwide audience up for disappointment as far

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson celebrates his team’s 28-22 win Sunday over the Green Bay Packers, clinching a berth in the Feb. 1 Super Bowl XLIX game in Glendale, Ariz., against the New England Patriots.

as the actual games have played out, Seattle and New England look headed for a must-see showdown.

In the end, either the Patriots add to an amazing run of success that includes three Super Bowl titles in a four-year span ending

in 2005, or the Seahawks repeat as champions to become the closest thing the NFL has seen to a dynasty in years.

Seattle snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in their improbable win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship to become the first defending champion to reach the Super Bowl in 10 years.

Dynamic Seattle quarterback and former Richmonder Russell Wilson, 26, struggled at the helm of an ineffective offense until the final minutes of Sunday’s game but is now one win away from becoming the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win two Super Bowls. Wilson was all-district, all-region and all-state in football at Collegiate School.

“I mean three minutes left in the game, four interceptions the guys just kept believing in me,” said Wilson. “We started off a little slow but our defense kept hanging in there and making plays for us. I just kept believing.”

New England, playing in the penultimate round of the NFL playoffs for a fourth straight year, routed the Indianapolis Colts in what was the second most lopsided victory in an AFC championship.

Spearheading the Patriots offense is future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. For Brady, a win in Glendale would put him alongside Terry Bradshaw and boyhood idol Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks with four Super Bowl titles.

Those storylines alone should be enough to keep many fans glued to a game that is by far the most-watched U.S. sporting and television event and one that averaged a record 112.2 million viewers last year.

But having the top teams from the regular season decide the NFL’s championship in a one-game showdown is no guarantee of a stellar spectacle as one only needs to look to Seattle’s 43-8 rout of the Denver Broncos in last year’s Super Bowl.

Cheerleaders turn it on at the Freedom Classic. Left, Virginia State University’s Woo Woos pump it up for the Trojans, while, right, Virginia Union University’s Rah Rahs celebrate the Panthers in their turn on the Richmond Coliseum floor.

Kearse helps VSU to 64-45 victory in Freedom Classic His accuracy has surpassed expectations.

Kearse hit a mediocre 29 percent from the 3-point range as a junior while averaging 11 points.

He attributes his dramatically higher percentage to switching from point guard to wing guard, and practice, practice, practice.

“Before the season, I’d shoot hundreds of balls a day. I mean hundreds,” he said.

“In fact, I shot so much that I developed tendonitis in my right shoulder. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it doesn’t.”

Victories are always a salve for sore shoulders — or sore anything.

Kearse hails from a winning background. He was part of three straight New York State Class A championships at Jamesville-DeWitt High in Syracuse.

One of his former prep teammates, DaJuan Coleman, now plays for Syracuse University. Also his uncle, Lazarus Sims, played at Syracuse University.

With freshman Tyler Peterson handling the point guard assignment, Kearse has become extremely efficient with his overall shot selection.

He’s hitting 51 percent overall from the floor and has taken just 174 shots.

By contrast, the CIAA’s leading scorer, Knox, had launched 264 shots (for 41 percent) starting this week.

While Kearse was a top perimeter player on the floor against VUU, Trojans senior Tyrece Little was the most notable post performer.

The 6-foot-8 Little had 10 points, 10 rebounds and was an intimidating factor defensively. He is averaging close to double digits (10.1 points, 8 rebounds) for the season.

Little made the play of the night at

By Fred Jeter

It is fitting Lamar Kearse wears blue and orange jersey No. 3 for the Virginia State University’s Trojans.

After all, he’s the CIAA’s top 3-point marksman.

The 6-feet-tall senior from Syracuse connected on four of six 3-pointers and led all scorers with 16 as VSU routed Virginia Union University 64-45 in the 19th Freedom Classic at the Richmond Coliseum on Sunday.

It marked the third straight year VSU has won the Freedom Classic after losing 15 of the first 16 classics.

Leaving Kearse open is a costly mistake.

“Number 3 (Kearse) made some unbelievable shots,” said VUU Coach Tony Sheals.

Entering this week, Kearse was 36 for 67 beyond the 20-foot, 9-inch arc for a glistening 54 percent. That’s the equivalent of 79 percent on two-pointers.

Averaging 17.4 points, Kearse ranks a tight second in the CIAA scoring race behind Bowie State University’s Cam Knox (17.7).

VSU’s victory before a crowd of about 4,000 fans pumps its record to 11-5 overall and 5-2 in the CIAA. With its 10th straight loss, Virginia Union slumps to 4-13 overall and 0-7 in the CIAA. Photos by James Haskins/Richmond Free Press Kearse, a transfer student, was already on campus when Lonnie Blow arrived as Avery Jirmnson unleashes a shot for the coaching successor to Darryl Jacobs Virginia Union University, but he and the rest in the spring of 2013. He sat out the of the Panthers could not halt Virginia State 2012-13 season after two seasons as a University from trouncing them by 19 points regular at Division I New Jersey Institute in this annual contest and keeping them winless in CIAA conference play. of Technology in Newark.

His game has taken off as a senior.

He has emerged as not only an All-CIAA candidate but as a CIAA the Richmond Coliseum.

In late going with VSU in firm control, Little woke up the crowd Player of the Year candidate as well.

Scott moving coaches from VSU to NSU

By Fred Jeter

Coach Latrell Scott’s assistant football coaches at Norfolk State University will resemble his former staff at Virginia State University.

Moving with Scott from Ettrick to Norfolk will be defensive coordinator Jerry Holmes and strength and conditioning coach Chris Neff.

Also, Mike Faragalli will serve as NSU’s offensive coordinator. Faragalli was with Scott at VSU in 2013 but coached this past season at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.

Scott also announced Paul Macklin, NSU running backs coach for the last five years, will be retained on the Spartans’ staff.

At NSU, Scott replaces head football coach Pete Adrian, who retired after 10 seasons.

In two seasons at Virginia State University, Scott posted a 19-5 record that included two CIAA Northern Division titles and a CIAA overall championship this past season.

Under Scott, VSU qualified for its first ever NCAA postseason playoff this past season. The Trojans defeated Long Island University-Post in the opening round before losing to Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.

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with an oh-my-gosh dunk in which it appeared his right hand rose halfway up the backboard.

From Greenville, N.C., the lithe, long-limbed Little was a threeyear starter and second-team All-South Atlantic Conference player at Catawba (N.C.) College. Last season, he averaged 15 points and nine rebounds while blocking 69 shots for Catawba.

Coincidentally, Catawba College is the alma mater of former VUU coach Dave Robbins, who was in attendance at the Freedom Classic.

CIAA basketball standings CIAA North Division Virginia State University 2-0 Bowie State University 1-0 Chowan University 1-0 Lincoln University (Pa.) 0-1 Elizabeth City State University 0-1 Virginia Union University 0-2

CIAA Overall 5-1 11-5 6-0 14-5 4-3 10-6 5-2 11-6 2-5 9-11 0-7 4-13 *Standings as of Jan. 19

VUU looking for a miracle Virginia Union University basketball coach Tony Sheals says he is looking for “one shining moment” to reverse his squad’s downward spiral.

His Panthers may be down, but they’re not out, Sheals insists.

“What we’re not doing is giving up,” he said after 64-45 loss to Virginia State University in the 19th Annual Freedom Classic at the Richmond Coliseum.

It was VUU’s 10th straight loss, dropping the team to 4-13 overall and 0-7 in the CIAA in Sheals’ first season.

“The kids are battling. They’re playing hard. They’re doing what I ask them to do,” he said.

VUU dug in defensively at its end, but had few answers for VSU’s changing zone and man-to-man defenses.

The Panthers went nearly 10 minutes during the first half without scoring and finished 15 for 49, or 31 percent, from the field.

VUU led 15-9 with 10:08 to go in the first half. Before the Panthers scored again (at 0:30), VSU led 27-15.

D’Andre Bullard paced VUU scoring with a modest nine points. It’s highly unusual when a leading scorer doesn’t reach double digits.

Sheals says despite the losing streak, his goals haven’t changed.

“We can still win the CIAA North. We can still win the tournament,” he said.

“All we need is one shining moment, in one game, to turn it all around.”

VUU has nine games to play, counting the Jan. 21 date at Bowie State University, prior to the CIAA tournament Feb. 23 through 28 in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers’ next Barco-Stevens Hall home date is 4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 24, when they take on Lincoln University. — FRED JETER

January 22-24, 2015 B1

Section

Richmond Free Press

Happenings B Personality: Simeon Saunders Booker Jr.

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Spotlight on award-winning journalist whose work was pivotal to civil rights

Trailblazing journalist Simeon S. Booker Jr. recalls the many death threats and acts of intimidation he endured covering pivotal events during the Civil Rights Movement as a journalist for Jet and Ebony magazines.

“It was harrowing,” says Mr. Booker, now 96.

“It was a very difficult experience,” he adds. “But it just encouraged me to continue to battle segregation to improve the quality of life for my people in the South.”

For his vast contributions in advancing the nation and the cause for civil rights, Mr. Booker was honored with the Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime of Service Award at last week’s Community Leaders Breakfast at Virginia Union University during the annual King commemoration.

Mr. Booker is a VUU graduate of the Class of 1942.

During his iconic, award-winning career that spanned more than five decades, Mr. Booker covered events that changed this nation, such as the heroic steps of nine African-American students — known in history as the “Little Rock Nine” — to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957, and the Selma to Montgomery, Ala., march for voting rights in 1965, now documented in the movie “Selma.”

But he gained the most acclaim for his fearless reporting on the 1955 murder of 14-yearold Emmett Till in Money, Miss., and the subsequent trial.

Mr. Booker recounts the trial, in which two white men were accused of killing the youth, as if it were yesterday.

Mr. Booker recalls how he befriended Emmett Till’s mother, Mamie Till, as he covered the story of her son’s murder. His body was dumped into the Tallahatchie River after being weighted down with a 70-pound cotton gin fan tied to his neck with barbed wire.

Mr. Booker’s riveting stories and accompanying photographs in Jet captured the world’s attention and showed the racist terror campaigns waged on behalf of Jim Crow.

He reported how Mrs. Till insisted her son have an opencasket funeral in his native Chicago, showing his bloated, mutilated body “to let the world see what they did to my son.”

Mr. Booker says he and a few other African-American reporters covering the trial were assigned to a small table — along with members of Emmett Till’s family — at the back of the courtroom. By contrast, about 100 white reporters documented the historic event sitting near the front of the courtroom.

He recollects how enraged Tallahatchie County Sheriff C.H. Strider stormed up to the African-American press table a few days into the trial.

“He said, ‘Has anyone seen that nigger reporter Simeon Booker?’ ’’ Mr. Booker recalls.

“Before anyone could bat an eye, Jimmy Hicks (a reporter with the Amsterdam News in New York)

said to Sheriff Strider, ‘He left yesterday.’

“Sheriff Strider said, ‘You tell him if I ever see him again, I’m going to separate his neck from his head.’ ’’ He recalls the “circus-like” atmosphere surrounding the trial and speaks of jurors, courtroom spectators and even the presiding judge, Curtis Swango, drinking soft drinks during the proceedings, and some even popping beers.

“It was a rough time,” Mr. Booker recounts.

The accused killers — Roy Bryant and J. W. Milam — were found not guilty by an all-white, all-male jury of 12. The two men later admitted to the crime.

Mr. Booker’s reporting of the trial electrified the world.

He is credited with helping focus the eyes of the world on the Civil Rights Movement and forever changing history.

Mr. Booker was named Jet’s Washington bureau chief shortly after the end of the trial and served in that capacity until 2007, when he retired at age 88.

Mr. Booker today lives in Washington with his wife of 41 years, Carol.

Now wheelchair-bound, the legendary journalist still weaves history through his writing.

In 2013, he released the latest of his three books, “Shocking the Conscience,” which tells of his more than half century on the front lines of civil rights and national politics.

Mr. Booker has written the foreward for an autobiography, “Alone Atop the Hill,” by Alice Dunnigan, scheduled for release later this month. She was the first black female journalist in the White House Press Corps, the U.S. Supreme Court and the House and Senate galleries.

Here’s a look at this week’s Personality, Simeon S. Booker:

Birthplace and date: August 1918 in Baltimore, then moved to Youngstown, Ohio, at age 6.

Family: Wife, Carol, and son, Theodore.

Community involvement: Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. What did it mean to receive

the award from Virginia Union: It was a great honor for me as an alumnus of the school that they would recognize me.

What other awards have you won for your distinguished work: I was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists’ Hall of Fame in 2013. In 1982, I became the first AfricanAmerican journalist to win the National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award, and I also won the Newspaper Guild Award and a Wilkie Award.

When did your journalism journey start: I had a poem published by the Youngstown Vindicator when I was in the fourth grade and submitted sports stories while I was in high school and college.

Where was your first big newspaper job: I worked at the Baltimore Afro-American and the Cleveland Call and Post during the 1940s. I was bureau chief at the Washington Post from 1951 to 1953.

How long did you work for Jet and Ebony: From 1953 to 2007, when I retired.

How did you and your wife meet: We were covering the American Negro Leadership Conference on Africa in Washington in the late 1960s. She was a reporter for the Voice of America. I was working with Jet and Ebony. We were married in 1973.

How many copies of Jet sold following the verdict in the Emmett Till trial: I don’t know, but the first run sold out, so they ordered another run and that sold out. Then they had a third run.

Who were some of the black journalists that you knew during the Civil Rights Movement: Jimmy Hicks, L. Alex Wilson and Moses Newson with the Memphis Tri-State Defender (later Chicago Defender).

Who influenced you the most: Carl Murphy, former publisher of the Afro-American, and my uncle, James H.N. Waring Jr. They were classmates at Harvard University. They would take me to Harvard-Yale boat races. They encouraged me to become a journalist.

How many presidential administrations did you cover: Ten. Which president was most committed to the advancement of civil rights: Even though Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965, I always felt the spirit of his predecessor, John F. Kennedy, was the turning point.

Is the Black Press relevant today: It always will be, even when it’s not on the front line sometimes. It’s in a position to come to the rescue if necessary.

What is the responsibility of

the press today, particularly the Black Press: I think the biggest role we have is a high percentage of our people are uneducated and unemployed and we’ve got to rescue as many of them as we can.

How do you start your day: With a breakfast of Honey Nut Cheerios.

What is your favorite late-night snack: Yogurt.

How do you unwind: I like to play dominoes, poker and Solitaire, read the newspaper (Washington Post) and watch TV. How would you describe yourself: I’m relaxed, always

positive, friendly and nonjudgmental.

What is your legacy: I’m the son of a Baptist minister who always tried to report the truth and advance the cause of my people.

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expresses appreciation and thanks to the citizens of Richmond for all help and support extended throughout the year.

We sincerely wish you love, peace and happiness throughout 2015.

Happy

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Richmond Free Press

B2 January 22-24, 2015

Happenings

Brig. Gen. Baxter

Mr. Branch

Dr. Brown

Sgt. Carney

Mr. Carey

Mr. Lloyd

Mr. Mourning

Dr. Wilson

2015 Strong Men and Women honorees

The 2015 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History honorees include trailblazers and achievers in the Armed Forces, education, music, sports and science.

The annual program, sponsored by Dominion Resources and the Library of Virginia, celebrates the outstanding achievements of African-American men and women who have persevered to become leaders in their communities and the world, often breaking new ground along the way.

Four of this year’s eight honorees held positions and received recognition that AfricanAmericans never held before.

They will be honored at a 7 p.m. event on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at a downtown hotel.

The honorees: • Retired Brig. Gen. Sheila R. Baxter of Franklin, the first African-American female brigadier general in the Army Medical Service Corps.

• James “Plunky” Branch of Richmond, performer, songwriter, music and film producer.

• Dr. Beth Anne Brown of Roanoke, astrophysicist.

• Sgt. William Harvey Carney of Norfolk, the first African-American Medal of Honor recipient for his service in the Civil War. • Lott Carey of Charles City County, prominent American missionary to Africa.

• Earl Francis Lloyd of Alexandria, first African-American player in the National Basketball Association.

• Alonzo Harding “Zo” Mourning Jr. of Chesapeake, retired professional basketball player and philanthropist.

• Dr. Jamelle Smith Wilson of Hanover County, the first female and African-American superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools.

An essay contest for high school students is held as part of the program. Each of the four

Paulette Singleton/Richmond Free Press

Drumline winners at the Freedom Classic The Steel Stix of Warren County display their talent in the drumline competition at the Freedom Classic. The prize: A big check presented by Ronald McDonald and the first place trophy. The team took the top spot in competition with other drumlines at the 19th annual event Sunday at the Richmond Coliseum.

winners receives an iPad Air and $1,000 for their schools.

The student essay contest winners for 2015 include: • Paige Lambert of Hanover High School, Hanover County,

• Vanessa Adkins of Charles City High School, Charles City County, • Angela Gyane of Senior High School, Prince William County and • Eric Xu of Western Albemarle High School, Albemarle County.

‘Selma’ snubbed in Oscars Free Press wire reports

The civil rights movie “Selma” may not have gotten a lot of Oscar love, but President Obama gave it a lot of attention last Friday.

The president brought in Oprah Winfrey, Common, David Oyelowo, Tim Roth and other cast members for a screening of the film in the White House family theater.

Another featured guest was Georgia Democratic Rep. John Lewis, who was beaten by Alabama state troopers at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., when he and other civil rights activists were marching to the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery in March 1965.

Some movie critics were surprised that “Selma” netted only two Oscar nominations — for best picture and best song.

The nomination was bittersweet for Common, a first-time Oscar nominee for his and John Legend’s song, “Glory,” from the movie. The movie was snubbed in the best actor category for David Oyelowo, who portrayed Dr. King in the film. It also failed to score what would have been a historic first best director nomination for an African-American woman, Ava DuVernay.

Twitter users reacted angrily after the nominations were announced Jan. 15, launching the trending #OscarsSoWhite. Within minutes, it became the social network’s top U.S. trending topic.

Both Mr. Oyelowo and Ms. DuVernay were nominated for Golden Globe awards, but did not win. However, the slate of nominees for the 87th Academy Awards was a reminder of the glacial pace of change in Hollywood’s film industry, despite the seeming progress for

African-American actors and filmmakers last year stemming from the best picture winner, “12 Years a Slave.”

All 20 actors nominated in the four acting categories this year are white and no women are nominated for either best director or screenwriter.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has roughly 6,000 members who are selected for the quality of their work and recommendations by existing members. Academy branches, such as for actors and directors, nominate for their categories, and everyone can nominate best picture contenders.

“The Academy is about 90 percent white and 70 percent male, and we’re seeing the sad result of that in voting,” said Tom O’Neil, founder of awards tracker Gold Derby, referring to figures from a 2012 Los Angeles Times study on Academy voters.

Race and gender are not considered, although behind the scenes, members say there are debates at branch level about how to make membership more diverse.

Some historians had said “Selma” misrepresented President Lyndon B. Johnson’s stand on voting rights. But critics were quick to point out that “Selma” was only the latest historical picture to draw scrutiny over its accuracy.

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who herself made history as the first African-American female president of the organization, drew attention to the two nominations the movie received.

“I am extremely happy to note that ‘Selma’ is up for best picture, which means the talent that it took to bring ‘Selma’to the screen was recognized, and I think that’s important,” she said.

The Oscar ceremony will be televised Feb. 22 from Los Angeles.

Virginia Union University PANELISTS

y r a C s r e e l e v i b n ration Con n A h t 0 5 t 1 i nues e h T EMANCIPATION: THE FIRST 50 YEARS January 27, 2015 ~ 11:00 a.m.

VUU Living and Learning Center

Dr. Gregg Kimball Library of Virginia

Dr. Lauranett Lee

Virginia Historical Society

Dr. Cassandra NewbyAlexander

Dr. Raymond Hylton Virginia Union University

Norfolk State University

Moderator: Dr. Ed Ayers

President and Professor of History, University of Richmond

The history of Virginia Union and the history of Richmond have always been deeply intertwined. This program will explore Richmond between the moment of emancipation through the half century that followed, hard years for African Americans in which Virginia Union played a central role in building leadership and community.

VUU TRAILBLAZERS PANEL

VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR SPRING CONCERT

February 17, 2015 ~ 11:00 a.m.

Wilder Library Lecture Hall

Join history-making Virginia Union alumni as they share their stories. Panel members include international educator Dr. Elizabeth Bouey-Yates, Pennsylvania legislator James Roebuck, former American Red Cross executive Steve Bullock and many others.

April 9, 2015 ~ 7:00 p.m.

VUU Coburn Hall

VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY 150TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

THE ART OF THORNTON DIAL, SR: TRANSLATOR OF IDEAS

April 24, 2015

Richmond Marriott Hotel

February 17, 2015 ~ 5:30 p.m – 7:30 p.m.

VUU Museum Art Galleries, Wilder Library

A celebration of the permanent collection of art by the renowned African American folk artist.

WHEN THE SPIRIT EMPOWERS: POWER, PRACTICE, AND PROMISE

School of Theology Annual Church Leadership Conference March 14, 2015 ~ 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. John E. Guns

VUU REDEDICATION CEREMONY April 9, 2015

Buses will leave the VUU campus, 1500 North Lombardy Street, Richmond, at 8:30 a.m. for a three-part ceremony. First, a short program honoring the university’s Founding Fathers at 9:00 a.m. at the site of the old Lumpkin’s Jail in Shockoe Bottom. Second, the group will then move to Ebenezer Baptist Church on Leigh Street. Third, a Rededication march to Coburn Hall on VUU’s main campus.

UNVEILING OF 150TH ANNIVERSARY MONUMENT BY SCULPTOR ED DWIGHT April 29, 2015

BACCALAUREATE

May 8, 2015 ~ 6:00 p.m.

VUU Coburn Hall

Keynote Speaker: Dr. James Perkins, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention

COMMENCEMENT

May 9, 2015 ~ 10:00 a.m.

Hovey Field

Richmond Free Press

January 22-24, 2015

B3

Happenings

Call to action issued at Community Leaders Breakfast

By Joey Matthews

“It’s not time for us to be silent!” Gov. Terry McAuliffe thundered. “It’s time to fire it up!”

With smiling Baptist minister and Mayor Dwight C. Jones seated nearby at the 37th Annual Community Leaders Breakfast to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Gov. McAuliffe sounded every bit the mission-driven evangelist as he called for the community to rally around his agenda for more jobs, a commitment to early childhood education and full restoration of rights for nonviolent ex-offenders.

“I promise before I leave office to do more than 20,000 restoration of rights,” he declared to heavy applause. “That would be three times more than any other (Virginia) governor.”

The governor, who sounded a similar theme in his State of the Commonwealth speech two days earlier, made his well-received remarks before about 500 people last Friday at the Dr. Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the campus of Virginia Union University, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Gov. McAuliffe called Dr. King “a true and authentic American hero.”

He said there is “unfinished business” to achieve the dream of racial equality and social justice Dr. King sought.

“Are we satisfied that African-American men and women have a higher unemployment rate than their white counterparts?” the governor asked.

“Are we satisfied that 400,000 Virginians are without access to quality health care that’s already paid for?” he added, continuing his push for Medicaid expansion.

Mayor Jones, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of South Richmond and chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia who has formed a strong alliance with Gov. McAuliffe, saluted the governor’s enthusiastic presentation.

“I know he’s a Catholic, but he has a lot of Baptist preacher in him,” Mayor Jones said as the audience laughed.

The mayor seconded the governor’s call to action. “My hope is our humanity will be awakened and we will be moved toward helping the underrepresented and the least of these,” he said.

Paulette Singleton/Richmond Free Press

Mr. Martin

He noted his administration’s efforts to fight poverty, including the formation of the Office of Community Wealth Building last summer, and pointed to recent initiatives to honor Richmond African-American history makers by naming Richmond streets and a South Side courthouse after several who were instrumental in the city’s progress.

Mayor Jones, a Virginia Union alumnus, called the historically black university “a jewel to be treasured by the community.”

George Keith Martin, managing partner of McGuireWoods law firm’s Richmond office and rector of the University of Virginia board of visitors, delivered the keynote address.

He said Dr. King “laid down his life” in pursuit of his dream that all men would not be judged by the color of their skin, but

by the content of their character.

Mr. Martin eloquently echoed the call to serve others through “acts of love” to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

“I believe it is the solution to the problems in our communities,” Mr. Martin said. “It is the solution to the seemingly intractable problems around the globe.”

Mr. Martin weaved stories of transcendent Richmond figures who have selflessly helped others, such as the late tennis great and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr.; the late Richmond postal worker and philanthropist Thomas Cannon; longtime VUU professor Ruth Coles Harris, who is now retired, the first African-American woman in Virginia to be certified as a public accountant; and retired executive Bob Argabright, now a Richmond Public Schools volunteer.

“What could it be but love?” Mr. Martin asked, of their service.

VUU President Claude G. Perkins noted that the importance of the annual gathering to honor Dr. King is “to talk about commitment, tolerance and respect and deliberations to make this world a better place” for all.

Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chair of the Virginia Union University board of trustees, presented the Martin Luther King Lifetime of Service Award to VUU alumnus Simeon Booker of the Class of 1942, a trailblazing journalist for more than five decades.

Known as the “dean” of black journalists, Mr. Booker, now 96, has won numerous awards for his coverage of the Civil Rights Movement for Jet and Ebony magazines. He also was the first African-American reporter for the Washington Post.

His coverage of the 1955 murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi and the subsequent trial is one of the most noted pieces of journalism from the era.

Mr. Booker said he gained his motivation to write from a desire “to stand against the segregation of my people.”

“We’ve come a long way,” but “still have a long way to go,” he added.

The Rev. Benjamin P. Campbell, director of Richmond Hill, called for social justice in his opening prayer, including a regional expansion of public bus services so that Richmonders may have greater access to jobs and other services in surrounding counties.

“Let the world see that our warfare is over, that the capital of the Confederacy has become the capital of reconciliation; that the home of racial division has become the proud home of a free, courageous and integrated people,” Rev. Campbell intoned.

The breakfast attracts a “who’s who” of elected officials, business leaders, human rights activists and other community members.

Among those at this year’s event: Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott of Newport News, whose 3rd District includes parts of Richmond and surrounding areas; Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam; state Sens. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County and Rosalyn Dance of Petersburg; state Delegates Jennifer L. McClellan and Delores L. McQuinn of Richmond; Judge Roger L. Gregory of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals; Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden; Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr.; seven of nine City Council members, including new President Michelle R. Mosby, 9th District; Henrico County Manager John A. Vithoulkas; and Frank J. Thornton, newly elected chair of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors.

Health Insurance Open House Free event and open to the public.

Confused about health insurance?

Need help enrolling in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan?

Get answers to your insurance questions and enroll in the lowest cost health insurance plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace in the Richmond area.

Saturday, January 24, 2015 ■ 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center 2401 West Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23220 You can also register to win 2015 Washington Redskins Training Camp VIP tickets (enrollment not required to win).

Coventry Health Care of Virginia, Inc. and Bon Secours will be on site to help you enroll in a health insurance plan.

Can’t make it to the event? It’s still easy to enroll.

Call us at 1-877-839-7076 Visit www.CoventryOneVA.com or www.healthcare.gov

FREE

flu shot and hea s screeni lth ngs

Coventry Health Care of Virginia, Inc. and Bon Secours. Working together to bring you simple and affordable health care in the Richmond area at the lowest cost.

Register for a chance to win 2015 Washington Redskins Training camp VIP tickets. A drawing for 4 tickets will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. You do not need to be present or enroll in a health insurance plan to register or win.

Open enrollment ends February 15, 2015.

Coverage is subject to limitations and exclusions set forth in Coventry Health Care of Virginia, Inc., benefit plans. All plans are underwritten by Coventry Health Care of Virginia, Inc., a Virginia HMO.

Richmond Free Press

B4 January 22-24, 2015

Faith News/Obituary/Directory

Varsity athlete achieves Eagle Scout Barry Griffin Jr., a senior at Richmond Community High School, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

It is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.

Fewer than 10 percent of all scouts in the nation have reached that rank in recent years.

He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Barry Griffin Sr. A member of Troop 1893 sponsored by St. Edward Confessor Catholic Church, Barry reached the top level on Nov. 17, 2014, by earning 21 merit badges in 13 different subject areas.

He also had to complete a special project, which was making identification cards for the children of Leave it to Beaver Child Care on German School Road in Richmond. The cards included each child’s photo, fingerprints, height and weight.

Barry is active in school clubs and athletics and in community organizations. He participates on the varsity football and track teams and serves as captain of the varsity baseball team at Huguenot High School. Richmond Community does not have an athletics program. He also is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and Jack and Jill of America Inc. After graduating from high school, he plans to attend North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C.

New bankruptcy trustee to decide RCC’s fate

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Pastor Stephen A. Parson Sr. is still leading Sunday services at the Richmond Christian Center on South Side and will be able to do so at least through the month of February.

But the church’s future beyond that is now a question mark for Pastor Parson, founder of RCC, and his members.

At this point, all they can do is wait to find out whether they can hold on to the sanctuary in the 200 block of Cowardin Avenue that has been the church’s home for at least 25 years.

The fate of the church’s property is now in the hands of a newly named trustee, Bruce H. Matson of the LeClairRyan law firm of Richmond, who is taking time to decide how to proceed.

Mr. Matson is now in charge because RCC Pastor Parson is in bankruptcy. The church filed for bankruptcy in November 2013 to forestall its prime lender, Missouribased Foundation Capital Resources (FCR), from foreclosing on RCC property for default on a past loan.

There have been plenty of twists and turns in this long-running case. But last month, Mr. Matson was appointed to manage the RCC property after the U.S. Bankruptcy Court authorized the U.S. Trustee’s Office to take control. The Trustee’s Office named Mr. Matson.

He informed U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Keith L. Phillips last week that he is still reviewing two options: “The pending offer for (RCC’s property) and the financing options that (Pastor) Parson had proposed,” according to RCC’s attorney, Kevin Funk of DurretteCrump of Richmond. Mr. Matson said he needed 30 days to consider the options, Mr. Funk said.

Judge Phillips set a hearing for Feb. 25, when Mr. Matson will present his recommendation.

The judge earlier had allowed an auction of the property that was won by fast-growing Mountain of Blessings Christian Center. That church has bid $2.1 million for RCC’s land and buildings, where it plans to open a satellite operation to its main church in Henrico County.

Plans for the sale of RCC’s property were moving forward until a few weeks ago when Pastor Parson was able to find a still undisclosed private investor ready to lend the church $2.5 million, enough apparently to pay off FCR and other debts, including the auction company’s fee.

Mr. Matson could decide to accept Mountain of Blessings’ bid and tell the judge he wants to proceed with the sale or he could ask Judge Phillips to allow RCC to borrow the $2.5 million, pay off its debts and emerge from bankruptcy.

Pastor Parson founded RCC 32 years ago in his home and later moved it to the Cowardin location — a former auto dealer’s showroom. The church offered varied programs, including an employment service, a community development and housing program and a gym that was open to the community.

The South Side Community Development and Housing Corp. is one of the few survivors and continues as an independent, nonprofit in assisting home buyers and homeowners.

Herman L. Carter, 80, retired principal

By Joey Matthews

Herman Leonard Carter used a firm, but loving hand to guide students for more than three decades as a Richmond area educator.

“He always had a passion for helping kids better themselves and giving them opportunities, helping them stretch their minds,” recalled his daughter, Sheryl Carter-Thompson.

“He also was pretty authoritarian and a strong disciplinarian,” she added.

Mr. Carter played center for Virginia Union University’s football team in the 1950s before graduating and becoming a teacher in Richmond and Petersburg public schools. He was later a principal at Kennedy High and John Marshall High schools, before retiring in the early 1990s.

He reveled in having his former students recognize and greet him in the community, his daughter said.

Mr. Carter is being fondly remembered following his death January 14, 2015, in a Chesterfield County hospital. He was 80.

His life was celebrated Monday at a funeral at Fifth Baptist Church in the West End. His family eulogized Mr. Carter using a saying by Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle: “The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.”

M r. Carter was born June 11, 1934, in New Kent County, one of three siblings.

His family later moved to Richmond, where Mr. Carter attended Virginia Union University and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He Mr. Carter later earned a master’s degree in organic chemistry and an advanced certificate from The College of William & Mary.

He met his future wife, Ersalyn Juanita Mimms, while they were students at Virginia Union.

They were married 54 years and raised five girls: Ms. Carter-Thompson; Sheron Carter-Gunter; Frances Carter-Tuck; Shelly Carter Reddick; and Christie-Jo Carter Adams.

Mr. Carter began his career as a teacher at Blackwell Junior High School in Richmond, went to Peabody Junior High in Petersburg, then moved back to Richmond to teach at Armstrong High School. He became an assistant principal, then principal, at Kennedy, then moved to John Marshall, where he retired.

When he wasn’t at school, Mr. Carter

Methodists offer college scholarships to students at Michael Brown’s school Associated Press

WELLSTON, Mo. Students at a Missouri high school will be offered scholarships to three historically black colleges in honor of Michael Brown, who graduated from the high school just days before he was fatally shot by a Ferguson police officer.

The 11 scholarships, announced Monday at Normandy High School, will cover four years’ tuition at three schools operated by black Methodist denominations, which wanted to do something to show students that the religious community was concerned about their futures, said the Rev. Jamal Bryant of Baltimore.

The 18-year-old Brown was unarmed when he was shot and killed Aug. 9 by a police officer, prompting protests that have spread across the country to denounce police treatment of black people.

Moore Street Missionary

Baptist Church

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

Dr. Alonza Lawrence Pastor

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Holy Communion

Rev. Bryant said church leaders meeting in North Carolina last month lamented that the religious community has not been deeply involved in the movement, The St. Louis PostDispatch reported.

“This is a young people’s movement,” Rev. Bryant said.

“We figured the best way to help support that was to educate them.”

Michael Brown’s parents were sitting with church leaders when the scholarships were

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

It’s A Family Affair

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

New Year Sermon Series: Hope for Hard cases Message 3: The Case of a Man Called Legion Mark 5:1-20 Church School: (New Time) 9:00 a.m.

Worship Preparation: 10:30 a.m.

Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Message by Pastor Bibbs

Join The Family

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

Sixth Baptist Church: A Church for the Entire Family Twitter sixthbaptistrva

3:30 p.m. Combined Ushers Anniversary Message by rev. Tyrone Brandon, Pastor Little Zion Baptist Church, Dinwiddie, VA

announced. Their foundation, Michael Brown Chosen for Change, is working with the denominations to award scholarships to Miles College in Birmingham, Ala.; Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga.; and Texas College in Tyler, Texas. The denominations offering the scholarships are African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal.

“The way we deal with this

FirstM iBaptist Church dlothian

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

anniversary 169 th ChurCh Connecting the Past and the Present to Prepare for the Future

Sunday, FebRuaRy 1, 2015 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Service Guest Minister: dr. Cavell Phillips

Special Anniversary Program and Lunch 12:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Van Transportation Available, Call 804-794-5583

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

2015 Theme: The Year of Moving Forward



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

and Unity Day Church School 8:45 A.M. Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.

To advertise your church: Worship Service Gospel Concert Vacation Bible School Homecoming Revival call 804-644-0496

Rev. Pernell J. Johnson, Pastor

situation is we breathe life into you,” said George T. French, president of Miles College.

“We believe in you, Normandy High School seniors.”

Students were told the scholarships would target those who want to go to college but wouldn’t have the chance, rather than only top students.

Ahniya Gilmore said she’ll apply. “Some people don’t get the opportunity for scholarships,” she said. “It tells us that we can make it.”

Riverview

Baptist Church 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus

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

Sundays

8:00 a.m.

Early Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship

Zion Baptist Church 2006 Decatur Street Richmond, VA 23224

�

Tuesdays

Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor

Wednesdays

Church School 8:45 a.m.

Noon Day Bible Study 6:30 p.m.

Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study

Sunday Service 10 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m.

Transportation Services 232-2867 “Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospel”

Word

Spread the Sixth Baptist Church

enjoyed taking his family and friends in the family’s camper to locales ranging from Niagara Falls to Disney World to King’s Dominion, Ms. Carter-Thompson said. “We would head out every weekend,” she said.

In his lasting commitment to his alma mater, he also served as president of the annual Gold Bowl football game between Virginia Union and Virginia State universities. He belonged to the Panther 100 Alumni Association and was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

He belonged to Club 533 and the Thebans and was involved in the Cherry Gardens Civic Association near the South Side home he bought in 1970.

He also was on the board of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, the Science Museum of Virginia and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority.

He was a faithful member of the Fifth Baptist Church choir, known as Voices United in Christ, and was recognized in 2012 as a 50-year member of the church.

Ms. Carter-Thompson said her father’s legacy would be “that he inspired so many of his students in his lifetime and motivated so many people to do their best.”

In addition to his daughters, he is survived by his sister, Jean Alma Alexander; his brother, Gilbert L. Carter; nine grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Richmond Free Press

Richmond Free Press

January 22-24, 2015

B5

Faith News/Directory

‘Keep working, marching, advocating,’ pastor tells Citywide Mass Meeting audience

By Joey Matthews

their way.

“If enough oppressed people finally realize Soul-stirring songs, dramatic presentations that the movement toward freedom does not and moving messages filled Cedar Street Baptist depend on any human agency, they could kill Church of God on Monday. a hundred prophets and we would still go free.

The occasion: The annual Citywide Mass This was (Dr.) King’s message.”

Meeting to commemorate the life and legacy He said God is most concerned with helping of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “the poor and oppressed,” as Dr. King sought Dr. Peter M. Wherry, pastor of Mayfield to do.

Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte, proThe audience also was moved with the claimed to an audience of about 300 people inspirational music of Cedar Street’s Associat Cedar Street Baptist Church of God that ate Minister Arthur Roots and his rendition African-Americans of “Stand”; the Rev. one day will realize Carolyn Clark with Dr. King’s dream of “Bless This House” freedom for all. and “Lord Don’t Move “No bullet can stop the Mountain”; and it,” he said. “No hatred Brenda Chavis with “If can block it. No moveI Can Help Somebody” ment can stall it. No and “The Impossible politics can undo it.”

Dream,” crafted to He followed with honor Dr. King. a clarion call for acGreg Hill, a 49-yeartion, drawing the auold manager at a Chesdience to its feet in terfield County grocery applause. store, said he attends “We have to keep the ceremony every on working! We have year to “get recharged, to keep on marching! to stay focused on We have to keep on keeping the dream fighting! We have to alive.” keep on going to jail!

Mr. Hill cited two We have to keep on areas of improvement advocating! We have that would help the Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press to keep on giving! We community to achieve have to keep on hop- Dr. Peter D. Wherry urges audience Dr. King’s dream of a members at Monday’s Citywide Mass ing!” he proclaimed. just society: Education Meeting to persevere despite obstacles.

Dr. Wherry, an should be attainable for alumnus of Virginia Union University and everyone and police officers should be better currently an adjunct professor in Baptist history educated on “how to deal with people of color there, drew his message from the Old Testament in urban communities.” book of Isaiah 49:1-8, in which the prophet “Black lives do matter,” he added.

Isaiah forecast how Israel would be scattered Corey Fauconier, a 44-year-old musician and by its enemies, protected by God and eventually community volunteer, said he brought his two restored to its greatness. teenage stepsons, Elijah and Elliott Martin, to In the mold of Isaiah, Dr. Wherry said, Dr. the event “so the next generation will be able to King was met “with hatred and despising.” pick up where our generation leaves off.”

“It seems ironic that the very people in need “Our elders fought for our rights,” he of a prophet are usually the ones to reject the added. “It is our job to teach our children prophet and his message,” he said. about the struggle. It is very important to be Dr. Wherry encouraged audience members involved.” to persevere no matter what obstacles are in Timothy James, an eighth-grader at Lucille 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”

Triumphant 2003 Lamb Avenue Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622

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

WEDNESDAYS Prayer Service 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study 6:30p.m.

Brown Middle School, ably served as the master of ceremonies at the gathering.

Living the Dream Inc., led by the Rev. Ricardo L. Brown, co-pastor at Fifth Baptist Church in

Baptist Church

Sharon Baptist Church Sunday, Janary 25, 2015 8:00 a.m. ..... Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. ...... Church School 11:15 a.m. ..Morning Worship

Above, the Rev. Carolyn Clark dramatically presents a soul-stirring song at the Citywide Mass Meeting at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God. Below, members of the Theta Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Virginia Commonwealth University volunteered to usher at the annual event commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

THURSDAYS Bible Study 1:30 p.m.

Bible Study: Tuesday - 9 a.m.

Wednesday - 7 p.m.

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

Communion - 1st Sunday

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)

Sundays: Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults) 2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

January 25, 2014

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

9:00 a.m.

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.

Theme:

“The Good Hand of Our God Has Been Upon Us” – Nehemiah 2:8, 18

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

Tune in on sunday morning to wTvr - channel 6 - 8:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

sunday Tv Broadcast wTvZ 9 a.m. Norfolk/Tidewater Thursday & Friday radio Broadcast wrEJ 1540 am radio 8:15 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.

THE NEw DElivEraNcE cHrisTiaN acaDEmy (NDca)

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

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

Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays) Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10 A.M.

Church Anniversary

Wednesday Services

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

Worship Opportunities

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

th 19 NDEC Founders &

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

11:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m.

Mon. 6:30 p.m.

Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Wed. 7:45 p.m.

Wed. 4:30 p.m.

Wed. 6:00 p.m.

Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

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

Sunday

“The People’s Church”

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

St. Peter Baptist Church

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

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

1858



Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You”

6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

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

Church School - 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service - 11:15 a.m.

Prayer Services: Wednesday (1st & 3rd ) 7 a.m.

Every Wednesday 8 p.m.

the West End, organized the event.

A worship celebration to honor Dr. King followed later Monday at Sharon Baptist Church in Jackson Ward.

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

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. ❖

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

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

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

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

B6 January 22-24, 2015

Richmond Free Press

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous column

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

Case No.: CL13-3684-1 CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as “261 formerly known as 307 East Ladies Mile Road”, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map/GPIN# N000-1553/006, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C.,

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that LENORA R. GREENBERG a/k/a LENORA GREENGERG, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of LENORA R. GREENBERG a/k/a LENORA GREENGERG, who may be the holder/s of a $25,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated September 12, 2003, with respect to said property, recorded September 15, 2003, in Instrument No. 03035668, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that HAROLD H. GOTTSCHALL a/k/a HAL GOTTSCHALL, As to part of a $18,000.00 Interest and LINDA GOTTSCHALL, As to part of a $18,000.00 Interest, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, who may be the holders of $18,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated September 12, 2003, with respect to said property, recorded September 15, 2003, in Instrument No. 03-035668, have not filed a response to this action, or their heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that RONALD W. ADOLF, As to $8,500.00 Interest, who may be the holder of $8,500.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated September 12, 2003, with respect to said property, recorded September 15, 2003, in Instrument No. 03-035668, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that ALLEN FAMILY PARTNERSHIP, As to $30,000.00 Interest, which may be the holder of $30,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated January 20, 2006, with respect to said property, recorded January 24, 2006, in Instrument No. 06-02561, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, or its successor/s in interest; that ROBERT GOLDEN, As to $11,500.00 Interest, who be the holder of $11,500.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated January 20, 2006, with respect to said property, recorded January 24, 2006, in Instrument No. 06-02561, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that ABNER SALKIN, As to $10,000.00 Interest, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, who may be the holder of $10,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated January 20, 2006, has not filed a response to this action, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE S C H WA R T Z , G R E G W O O LW I N E , H O P E WOOLWINE, RICHARD D . K RI D E R , S H E R RIE BECKER, PATRICK BECKER, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the JAY SCHWARTZ TRUST U/A 11/6/1992, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the EDWARD J. BECKER MARITAL TRUST, who may be creditors with an interest in said property, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that THEODORE SELLMAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of THEODORE SELLMAN, who may be creditor/s with an interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this matter; that DAVID F. KATZ and SHELLY A. KATZ, who may be

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF CHESTERFIELD TINA LYNN SHEETS, Petitioner, v.

MICHAEL BRADLEY SHEETS, Respondent.

Case No.: CL12-3670 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the Bond of Matrimony from the Respondent on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation or interruption for a period of more than one year, and with the Petitioner’s intent to terminate the marriage. It appearing from the Affidavit that due diligence has been used by and on behalf of the Petitioner to ascertain in what county or city the Respondent is without effect.

It is ORDERED that the Respondent appear before this Court on or before the

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creditors with an interest in said property, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to this matter; 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 CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, LENORA R. GREENBERG a/k/a LENORA GREENGERG, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of LENORA R. GREENBERG a/k/a LENORA GREENGERG, who may be the holder/s of a $25,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated September 12, 2003, recorded September 15, 2003, in Instrument No. 03-035668; HAROLD H. GOTTSCHALL a/k/a HAL GOTTSCHALL, As to part of a $18,000.00 Interest and LINDA GOTTSCHALL, As to part of a $18,000.00 Interest, who may be the holders of $18,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated September 12, 2003, recorded September 15, 2003, in Instrument No. 03-035668, or their heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that RONALD W. ADOLF, As to $8,500.00 Interest, who may be the holder of $8,500.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated September 12, 2003, with respect to said property, recorded September 15, 2003, in Instrument No. 03-035668, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that ALLEN FAMILY PARTNERSHIP, As to $30,000.00 Interest, which may be the holder of $30,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated January 20, 2006, with respect to said property, recorded January 24, 2006, in Instrument No. 06-02561, or its successor/s in interest; that ROBERT GOLDEN, As to $11,500.00 Interest, who be the holder of $11,500.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated January 20, 2006, recorded January 24, 2006, in Instrument No. 06-02561, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that ABNER SALKIN, As to $10,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder of $10,000.00 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of dated January 20, 2006, recorded January 24, 2006, in Instrument No. 06-02561, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE S C H WA R T Z , G R E G W O O LW I N E , H O P E WOOLWINE, RICHARD D . K RI D E R , S H E R RIE BECKER, PATRICK BECKER, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the JAY SCHWARTZ TRUST U/A 11/6/1992, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the EDWARD J. BECKER MARITAL TRUST, THEODORE SELLMAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of THEODORE SELLMAN, DAVID F. KATZ, SHELLY A. KATZ, 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

Divorce

Continued from previous column

Continued from previous column

Continued from previous column

Continued from previous column

23rd day of February, 2015 to protect his interests.

An Extract, Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk I ask for this: Fred A. Dixon, Esquire 4906 Fitzhugh Avenue, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23230 Telephone: (804) 358-0372

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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 Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BRET Hall, Plaintiff v.

JENNIFER HALL, Defendant.

Case No.: CL14001847-00 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

ADOPTION VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF RICHMOND CITY In the matter of the adoption of child to be known as India Monet Turner Robinson (Child’s Adopted Name)

by Cedric Anton Robinson, and Olivia Turner Robinson (Petitioner’s Name(s)) Respondent’s name: Ronald Anthony Patterson (Natural Parent) Case No. 14-39 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to adopt a minor child.

And, it appearing by affidavit filed according to law that diligence has been used by the plaintiff to determine in what city or county the defendant is located without success, it is therefore ORDERED that the defendant appear on or before the 18th day of March, 2015, before this Court and do what is necessary to protect his interests.

An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk 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 Continued on next column

PROPERTY 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; 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. Continued on next column

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 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 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 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

TransiT sysTem

Public Relations ManageR $50,000 - $70,000 Closes: January 29, 2015

GRTC is seeking an energetic and innovative Marketing/PR person. The successful candidate will manage all components of public relations and external corporate communication activities to include during periods of crisis, and acts as official spokesperson for the company. He/she will ensure the brand message is consistent, timely, and relevant. The job description, position requirements and application are available at www.ridegrtc.com.

GRTC Transit System is an equal opportunity employer.

TransiT sysTem

Body Shop Mechanic $17.88 per hour After 120 days: $18.94 per hour Open Until Filled

GRTC Transit System seeks skilled candidates, at least 21 years of age, who have vehicle body repair aptitude and a strong work ethic.

High school diploma required. Works hours are Monday-Friday, 5:30AM-2:00PM. Qualified candidates must obtain a valid CDL Learner’s permit Class B with a P Endorsement and pass a background check and drug test prior to employment. GRTC offers excellent pay and outstanding benefits. Those interested can view a comprehensive job description and apply online at www.ridegrtc.com.

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

TransiT sysTem

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE RideFinders Salary Range: $35,000-40,000 Closes: January 29, 2015

RideFinders, a division of GRTC, seeks an energetic candidate to market and sell smart transportation choices to citizens and businesses and developing partnerships with the business community. This is a full-time position that offers career growth. The qualified candidate will possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or other business related field and have 2+ years in sales/marketing. Interested candidates should apply at www.ridegrtc.com.

GRTC Transit System is an equal opportunity employer.

TransiT sysTem

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP SPECIALIST RideFinders Division Salary: $13.50-$19.00 per hour Closes: January 29, 2015

GRTC Transit System is currently seeking qualified candidates for a part-time Customer Service Specialist position in our RideFinders division. This position will perform administrative duties for the RideFinders office, as well provide customer service to walk-in, website and phone clients. The position will also oversee the sale of merchandise and maintain the retail store appearance. 1-3 years of experience in an administrative role preferred. A High School education required. Must be proficient in the use of a PC and Microsoft Office. For a more complete job description and the ability to apply online, please visit www.ridegrtc.com.

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

TransiT sysTem

RepaiR Shop Mechanic $17.88 per hour After 120 days: $18.94 per hour Open Until Filled

GRTC Transit System seeks skilled candidates at least 21 years of age with automotive mechanic experience and a strong work ethic.

Diesel experience is preferred. High school diploma or equivalency certification required.

Successful candidate must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule, to include nights and weekends. Qualified candidates must be able to obtain a valid CDL Learner’s permit Class B with a P Endorsement prior to employment. Candidates must have a good driving record with a point balance of five (5) and must be able to pass a background check along with a pre-employment drug test and a DOT physical. GRTC offers excellent pay and outstanding benefits. Those interested can view a comprehensive job description and apply online at www.ridegrtc.com. No paper applications will be accepted.

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

BIDS COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID IFB # 14-9666-10JK Intersection Safety Improvement Project

This Work consists of construction of safety improvements to six County of Henrico roadway intersections. Improvements consist of traffic signal modifications, pedestrian crossing improvements, addition of sidewalk, curb & gutter, storm drainage and pavements. Due 2:30 pm, February 12, 2015.

Additional information available at: http://www.henrico. us/departments/purchasing/ bids-and-proposals/

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press call 644-0496

Richmond Free Press

January 22-24, 2015

B7

Employment Opportunities Full-Time Custodian Position

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Human Resources Consultant, Employee Relations/Recruitment 12M00000066 Human Resources Apply by: 2/01/2015 Maintenance Technician II, Warehouse & Inventory Control (Waste-Water) 35M00000189 Public Utilities Apply by: 2/01/2015 Property Maintenance Inspector I (Multiple Openings) 05M00000030 Planning and Development Review Apply by: 2/01/2015 ****************** 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

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

Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond is seeking applicants for a full time custodian.

Vote

Minimum Qualifications: Minimum three years of related experience and must have acceptable criminal backgrounds. This position will be responsible for a full range of cleaning/janitorial work, painting, grounds keeping, and other light maintenance duties.

with your

Hours: 40 hours per week

dolla

How to Apply: Applicants interested in applying for this position are asked to download an application from www.ourtbc.org or pick up an application from the church office located at the K. D. Turner Building at Trinity Baptist Church. All applications can be submitted to the Executive Minister by February 9, 2015 at the following address:

We can make a dif

That is, if we vote daily with our dol

We urge our readers to think in eco and to use the advertising columns Press as a guide when making purc voting.

Trinity Baptist Church 2811 Fendall Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23222

Corporations and governmental ent advertising in the columns of the Fr sending the message that they appr patronage and respect us as custom Let nobody fool you.

Our family of more than 130,000 Fre holds tremendous economic clout. E so great that it determines whether m in the Richmond area make a profit.

As customers and taxpayers, we sho our dollars — but only for those busin government jurisdictions that respec play from the board room to the che service counters.

English Instructor

They also should respect and apprec hard-earned dollars — just as they d other media.

(Position #FO085) 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:

MCH Technology Specialist - #W0433 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

(J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master’s degree in English or Composition/Rhetoric; Master’s degree with eighteen (18) graduate semester hours in English or Composition/Rhetoric. Pre-employment security screening is required.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time ninemonth teaching faculty-ranked appointment.

Salary range: $41,263-$64,000. Additional information is available at the College's website: www.reynolds.edu.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Application reviews will begin MARCH 19, 2015, and will be accepted until the position is filled.

AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Vote daily with your dollars to make

Economic power is essential to freed

Richmond Free

The People's Newspa

Vote

with your

dollars We can make a difference.

That is, if we vote daily with our dollars.

We urge our readers to think in economic terms and to use the advertising columns of the Free Press as a guide when making purchases and/or voting.

Corporations and governmental entities that place advertising in the columns of the Free Press are sending the message that they appreciate our patronage and respect us as customers.

AssociAte PArAlegAl Virginia Housing Development Authority seeks a talented and responsible person to immediately fill the position of Associate Paralegal in the Legal Division.

Assigned duties will include assisting with bond transactions, procurement issues, multi-family loan closings and special projects. The desired person will have the ability to learn quickly, the ability to work effectively with more than one lawyer on a variety of complex tasks, and the skills and education to understand and carry out assigned duties, make sound decisions, and communicate clearly. Associate Paralegals must represent the Legal Division well by using professionalism and at all times maintain the highest ethical standards. A bachelor’s degree from a duly accredited college or university or the equivalent combination of education and job experience is required. This is an entry-level full-time position with a benefits package.

Interested persons must submit a resume and cover letter stating salary requirements before February 7, 2015 at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE Hiring range - $37,946 – 49,328 Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment

Let nobody fool you.

Chief Operating OffiCer exeCutive administrative assistant finanCe manager hOusing speCialist

Exciting Career Opportunities!

Join RRHA and make a positive difference in revitalizing communities and lives.

Excellent benefits for full-time employees.

Please visit the RRHA website www.rrha. com for complete details and to complete an on-line application. Drug Screen, background and DMV check required.

EOE/D/V/F/M

Our family of more than 130,000 Free Press readers holds tremendous economic clout. Economic clout so great that it determines whether most companies in the Richmond area make a profit.

As customers and taxpayers, we should vote with our dollars — but only for those businesses and government jurisdictions that respect rules of fair play from the board room to the checkout and service counters.

They also should respect and appreciate us and our hard-earned dollars — just as they do the readers of other media.

Vote daily with your dollars to make a difference.

Economic power is essential to freedom.

Richmond Free Press The People's Newspaper

Richmond Free Press

B8 January 22-24, 2015

Local News Stories by Fred Jeter

Hopewell Blue Devils keep rolling like the river where the next banner — representing their work — Hopewell is home of blue collars and Blue Devils. will be hung.

The working class city is noted for its smokestacks It seems only right the Blue Devils play in a facility and its basketball, in either order you prefer. called Bill Littlepage Gymnasium.

Traveling through Hopewell, you can’t help but Gold ‘n’ glory: Wearing blue and gold, Hopewell notice the skyline of chimneys of Honeywell, Ashland struck hard-court gold in 1972, winning the state Group and Evonik Goldschmidt chemical plants and RockAAA title.

Tenn paper mill, factories providing much of local Littlepage’s troops were second in Virginia in 1986 employment. and 1996 and were a final four entry in 1968.

Another aspect of life in Hopewell is the decadesHopewell versus Petersburg, another basketball long and ongoing basketball success of the Hopewell juggernaut, is rated among the fiercest rivalries in High School Blue Devils.

Virginia.

In fact, Hopewell High has been so good so long, Hopewell High School’s 1972 champions were led it’s now dubbed “Hoopwell.” by two All-State picks, center Willie McCray and guard The Blue Devils, under the direction of second-year Leon Winfield. Other starters were Ed Gholson, Allen coach Robbie St. John, started 16-0 and are threatening Brooks and Jerry Alexander. to seize Conference 26 control away from Richmond Some of the Central Region’s all-time top players juggernauts John Marshall and George Wythe High include former Blue Devils Mike Whitley, Michael schools.

James, Michael Brown, Rip Morse, Butch Wheeler, John Marshall, last year’s state Division 3 champ, Greg Daniels, Monsanto Pope, Derek Thompkins, James and George Wythe, Division 3 runner-up, won’t face Pelham, Vance Johnson, Terrell Jones, Pedro Berrios the Blue Devils this winter until the conference tournaand Willie McCray’s brothers, Greg and Milton … you ment — at Hopewell. can go on and on.

More the merrier: There is no superhero among the A little history: Until the late 1960s, Hopewell present cast; it’s a bunch of Robins with no particular was basically the white high school while Carter G. Batman.

Woodson served the black youths. Carter G. Woodson Seniors Daniel Saunders, Darrell Taylor and Branis now the middle school. don Young, with juniors Deonte Jones and Johnnie Woodson also featured some state championship Harrison, make up St. John’s lineup, along with junior teams in the Virginia Interscholastic Association unguard Antoine Ford and 6-foot-6 sophomore Owen der Coach Pro Hayes. Among the standouts was the Aprahamian as the top subs. late Harry Bradley, who later served as Littlepage’s The 6-foot-1 Saunders averages 16.6 points per assistant coach. game and is closing in on 1,000 career points. Taylor, Among the first black athletes to play for Hopewell at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds is the main man in the High School was Bernard Epps, son of the Woodson middle. principal by same name. Epps was a guard on the 1968 St. John isn’t afraid to go to a bench that supplies Blue Devils team that went to the state semifinals. about 15 points per outing.

Hopewell today: Located at the confluence of The Blue Devils are playing one man down. The the James and Appomattox rivers roughly 21 miles team lost its returning point guard, Isaiah Fernandez, southeast of Richmond, Hopewell has some 23,000 to a season-ending injury. residents, of which about 44 percent are AfricanTurning the “Page”: Between 1963 and 2007, reAmerican. vered coach Bill Littlepage won 755 games, becoming Despite much unionized industry, economic news second in Virginia High School League history to Paul supplied by the 2010 U.S. Census shows Hopewell to Hatcher, with 897 wins at Robert E. Lee High School James Haskins/Richmond Free Press in Staunton.

Senior Daniel Saunders, Hopewell High’s top scorer, leaps for two more points be a city of modest means — $19,148 per capita and $37,789 median household incomes.

Littlepage is a member of the State Athletic Hall in leading the Blue Devils to a 61-55 victory over visiting Prince George High last Friday. This was Hopewell’s third win over Prince George this season and About 61 percent of Hopewell High School students of Fame. receive free or reduced price lunches.

Littlepage’s successor, William Simon, coached six extended the Blue Devils’ winning streak to 16.

Meanwhile, life in Hopewell keeps rolling along like the seasons, going 77-51 prior to the arrival of St. John, a A Liberty University graduate, St. John has placed more former Monacan High School baseball star. emphasis on offseason strength and conditioning, while paying rivers beside it.

The smokestacks continue to smoke, and the basketball team St. John coached most recently at rural William Campbell homage to the history book.

High School, near Lynchburg, before coming to Hopewell High St. John has asked his players to study the multitude of continues to win, with little reason to expect either to change School last season. championship banners on the gym walls and try and imagine anytime soon.

Longtime John Marshall coach Frank Threatts Jr., 78, dies Though he stood just 5-foot-5, Frank Threatts Jr. cast a powerful shadow over area high school basketball for the better part of a half century.

Mr. Threatts, who accumulated 559 coaching victories between 1962 and 2010, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, at age 78 following a period of declining health.

A graduate of Richmond’s Maggie L. Walker High School and Norfolk State University, Mr. Threatts began his high school coaching career at St. Emma Military Academy in Powhatan, a military academy for African-American men that is now closed.

Competing in the Virginia Catholic League, Mr. Threatts’ teams were 114-107 from 1962 to 1970.

From rural St. Emma, Mr. Threatts went to John Marshall High School in 1970-71, where he was the North Side school’s first African-American coach. He succeeded Bill Chambers, who resigned at John Marshall to become an assistant coach under Chuck Noe at Virginia Commonwealth University.

At the same time, Mr. Chambers’ assistant, Warren Carter, left John Marshall to become head coach at Douglas Freeman High School in Henrico County.

Had Mr. Chambers and/or Mr. Carter remained at John Marshall High, the course of history may have been dramatically altered regarding Mr. Threatts’ coaching career.

Mr. Threatts had three separate successful stints directing the Justices.

He was 105-91 between 1970 and 1979, 240-109 from 1986 to 2000, and 100-35 from 2005 to 2010.

When the Richmond school system consolidated John Marshall and Maggie Walker High schools, Mr. Threatts served as lead assistant coach under Pierce Callaham for the Marshall-Walker Cavaliers from 1981 to 1985. The team won state Group AAA titles in 1982 and 1983.

The closest Mr. Threatts came to winning a state title as head coach was in 1993, when the Justices lost 77-71 in the finals to Hampton’s Bethel High School team, which was led

by Allen Iverson.

Mr. Threatts’ John Marshall squads reached the state semifinals on four occasions.

Mr. Threatts was a creative game planner, in terms of Xs and Os, and a strict disciplinarian.

Warren Peebles, a standout guard from 1985 to 1989, tells this story: “Coach wouldn’t tolerate much foolishness. My senior year, one of our best players missed a practice. Everyone was asking Coach Threatts to let him play the next night in the district

tournament. But coach sat him out, we lost and that was the end of the season.”

Mr. Peebles, who later starred at Virginia Union University, added this: “He was a players coach, and he will surely be missed.”

Among those coaching against Mr. Threatts in 1970s was Dave Robbins at Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School.

“Frank was an excellent coach who always had his teams well prepared,” said Mr. Robbins.

In 1975, Robbins’ Vikings won the state title, but not before getting beat by John Marshall in the district finals.

Another rival coach was George Lancaster, first at Richmond’s Huguenot High School and more recently at Highland Springs High School in Henrico County.

“Frank was a true student of the game,” said Mr. Lancaster.

“He was a great theorist.”

Among Mr. Threatts’ assistant coaches toward the end of his career was Derrick Johnson.

“I learned so much from Coach Threatts in my three years with him,” said Mr. Johnson. “His practices were intense, structured, so well organized. He had a chain or order and you didn’t mess with that.”

Mr. Threatts was involved with some of the area’s premier Coaching 500 Club Here’s how Frank Threatts Jr.’s coaching record compares with some of the area’s other legendary high school basketball coaches.

Listed with the coach’s name are school/schools where coached, seasons on the sidelines and victory totals.

Warren Rutledge, Benedictine, 1957-2000, 949 victories Bill Littlepage, Marriott, C.T. Smith, Hopewell, 1958-2007, 755 George Lancaster, Huguenot, Highland Springs, 1976-present, 687 (as of Jan. 11) William Lawson Jr., Carver-Chester, Matoaca, Petersburg, 1963-99, 626 Frank Threatts Jr., St. Emma, John Marshall, 1962-2010, 559 Stretch Gardner, Maggie Walker, 1940-69, 536 Max E. Robinson, Armstrong, 1940-72, 528 Eddie Goss, Floyd, Gill, Colonial Heights, Thomas Dale, 1970-present 557 (as of Jan. 11)

talents.

Jerome Bell, Joe Barnes, Edmund Sherod, Tim Lewis, Milton Bell, Ronnie Wade, Mr. Peebles, Reggie Jones, Willie Jennings, Chandar Bingham, Vosean Smyre, Jason Williford, Michael Strayhorn, Lamar Taylor and Kytwan Heath were among his All-Metro stalwarts.

His most recent sensation was three-time All-Metro Travis McKie, who went on to stardom at Wake Forest University.

Mr. Threatts never played basketball above the youth rec league level. He learned the sport as manager under coaches Stretch Gardner at Maggie L. Walker High and John Turpin at Norfolk State University.

He taught history many years at John Marshall, and served as a security guard toward the end of his career in education.

His life will be celebrated in a funeral 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Ave., Glen Allen.

He will be buried in Riverview Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by a son, Brentwood Threatts.

Survivors include his daughter, Ursula Anderson; son, Frank Threatts III; five grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Others Larry Parpart, Hermitage, Douglas Freeman, 1970-present, 484 (as of Jan. 11) Petey Jacobs, St. Christopher’s, Collegiate, 1939-71, 447 Bob Booker, George Wythe, Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe, 19701999, 438 Guy Davis, Henrico, Maggie Walker Governor’s School, 19682010, 365 Glen Rudacille, New Kent, Henry Clay, Patrick-Henry Ashland, Varina, 1954-91, 359 Tom Davies, Midway, Thomas Dale, 1960-88, 308 Carl Peal, Peabody, Petersburg, 1955-74, 297 Bob Kilbourne, Appalachia, Petersburg, 1942-70, 278 Pierce Callaham, Maggie Walker, Marshall-Walker, 1969-86, 267 Bo Jones, Huguenot, 1986-present, 257 (as of Jan. 11) Pro Hayes, Carter G. Woodson, Petersburg, 1953-76, 211 * Sources: Virginia High School League and Lynn Burke of the Daily Press in Newport News.

Richmond Elite game to be broadcast Saturday Here’s your chance to watch Richmond Elite professional basketball.

The Richmond Elite will face the New Jersey Express on Saturday, Jan. 24, in American Basketball Association action in Paterson, N.J. The 8 p.m. game will be televised live on ESPN3.

Coached by Mike Sailes and Carlos Lewis, the Richmond Elite started its fourth season with a 6-3 mark in the ABA Mid-Atlantic Division.

Veteran standouts include Calvin Lee (from Matoaca High School and Towson University), Daz Starkes (Highland Springs High School

and Western Kentucky University), Ant Salley (Chesterfield Community High School and Western Kentucky University), Anthony Ervin (Manchester High School and Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania) and Ben Jessee (Cosby High School and Hampden-Sydney College).

A squad newcomer is 30-year-old guard Jonathan Hargett, a former All-Metro player from Highland Springs High School who was the leading scorer at West Virginia University as a freshman in 2001-2002.

He was ruled ineligible after that season for

receiving improper benefits.

Hargett is on the comeback trail after serving five years at Indian River Correctional Center in Chesapeake on drug charges. He was released in January 2013.

Like many Richmond Elite athletes, Hargett is auditioning for a higher paying gig with an overseas club.

Richmond Elite players receive “between $50 and $150 per game,” according to Jason Patterson, who serves as an assistant to his mother, Richmond Elite owner Joyce Patterson.

Team statistics are posted on Eurobasket. com, to provide worldwide exposure and upward mobility.

Earlier this season, Darien Brothers (Benedictine and University of Richmond) played several games with Richmond Elite before a signing deal with a Spanish club. Nine Richmond Elite players have landed pro jobs overseas in the franchise’s four years, Patterson says.

The Richmond Elite’s next home game at Big Ben’s Home Court is 6 p.m. Feb. 7 against the Atlanta Aliens.