January 29 31, 2015 issue by Richmond Free Press

Chance cut short?

Russell Wilson A8

VOL. 24 NO. 5

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JAnuary 29-31, 2015

#BlackLivesMatter

It’s not your parents’ revolution By Cindy Huang

Black lives matter to Evandra Catherine. And that means more than fixing a broken criminal justice system. “Black Lives Matter doesn’t only focus on police brutality. Black lives also matter in systematic things like housing, education, looking for jobs, wages,” said Ms. Catherine, referring to the Black Lives Matter movement, a grassroots network of organizations and community leaders working to improve the lives of black people on all fronts. Today’s social justice movement — an unpredictable eruption of highly visible Please turn to A4

VSU spring enrollment brings optimism By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Enrollment at Virginia State University has dropped less than initially projected — good news for the school and a relief to Dr. Pamela V. Hammond, the interim president. The latest figures indicate nearly 4,500 students are enrolled and validated as meeting their financial obligations. That’s about 130 students fewer than projected for the spring semester in the university’s budget. Earlier this month, Dr. Hammond and VSU’s board of visitors were advised that fewer than 4,250 students might be enrolled this semester. Dr. Hammond told the Free Press last week the higher enrollment means she will not have to consider additional personnel actions to balance the budget. After taking office Jan. 1, she ordered a freeze on hiring and other spending to stabilize finances and those freezes are still in place. She said the freezes should keep spending in line with revenue through the rest of the fiscal year. But the improved enroll-

Patrick Record/The Ann Arbor News/Associated Press

University of Michigan student William Royster stands with the “#Black Lives Matter” message taped over his mouth as he is surrounded by students at the Ann Arbor, Mich., university staging a recent “die-in” protesting the killing of unarmed black men by white police officers.

Documents surface in Morrissey case By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Information has begun to surface that appears to bolster Delegate Joseph D. Morrissey’s claim that the new felony charges against him “are absolutely false.” Take the court document that the Henrico County grand jury has charged the scandal-tainted legislator with forging — the key element of the four counts

on which he is to be arraigned Monday, Feb. 9. The Free Press has discovered that the allegedly forged document is actually part of a five-page exhibit in a lawsuit that was filed in Chesterfield County Circuit Court six months before the delegate is alleged to have illegally created it and had his lawyers present it to a Henrico court. The Free Press also has

learned that Coleman D. Pride, the man whose assertions to authorities that his signature on the document was bogus led to the charges against Delegate Morrissey, actually mailed the original document on May 18, 2007 — more than seven years earlier — to the mother of his two daughters. The original document was shown by sources to the Free Press. This new information seems

U.S. surgeon general checks health, pulse of Richmond

Please turn to A5

By Cindy Huang

The surgeon general of the United States learned Tuesday that affording health care is as much of a struggle as maintaining good health for some Richmond residents. Dr. Vivek Murthy, who at 37 is one of the youngest surgeon generals in the nation’s history and the first of IndianAmerican descent, met with community leaders, health care workers and residents in Richmond at The Daily Planet, a health center on West Grace Street that serves the homeless and low-income people and families. On this segment of his Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Dr. Vivek Murthy

to undermine the C.A. Kelly, whose indictments against investigation led to Delegate Morristhe new charges, sey and the woman, said only that he Deidre L. Warren, was “interested” in that he is accused the new information, of conspiring with to but did not comment create the document further. and falsely testify Ms. Warren could about it. not be reached for Delegate Morriscomment. Delegate sey and his attorneys All of the new Morrissey declined to comment charges stem from the on the latest information. Sherri Dec. 12 sentencing hearing in A. Thaxton, the attorney who which Delegate Morrissey was filed the Chesterfield County convicted of the misdemeanor of lawsuit, also declined to com- contributing to the delinquency ment. of a minor after allegedly havSo did William F. Neely, the ing a sexual relationship with a special prosecutor who presented 17-year-old receptionist in his the evidence against Delegate law office. The teen, Myrna Morrissey to the grand jury. Henrico Police Detective Please turn to A4

Please turn to A4

McDonnell skirts jail with appeal By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Former Gov. Bob McDonnell will remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction on corruption charges. In a win for the one-time Republican star, he will not have to report to prison in two weeks to start his two-year sentence. That’s the result of Monday’s order from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The order approved the request from Mr. McDonnell’s legal team for him to remain free while his jury conviction is challenged. The two-page order also took a slap at U.S. Judge James R. Spencer, who presided

over the McDonnell trial. Unlike Judge Spencer, the appellate court found the McDonnell appeal would raise a “substantial question of law” that could result in a new trial or an outright reversal of Mr. McDonnell his conviction. Judge Spencer found just the opposite when he earlier rejected Mr. McDonnell’s request to remain free during the appeal as a delay tactic.

Despite his conviction, the former governor maintains he did not sell his office in exchange for expensive gifts and loans from corporate executive Jonnie Williams, who was seeking the governor’s help to pump up interest in his dietary supplement business. Mr. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were found guilty in September of accepting $177,000 in gifts and loans from Mr. Williams. One of the key questions the defense raised throughout was whether the former governor did anything that could be called Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Let it snow Joshua Washington, 8, plays in what appears to be snow at the Children’s Museum of Richmond on Broad Street. The flakes actually were dispersed by a snow machine during the museum’s recent Snow Days Festival. The fun-filled event included an appearance by the Virginia Repertory Theatre’s “Snow Bear,” the Richmond Symphony Instrumental Petting Zoo and winter-themed art projects and other activities.

Richmond Free Press

January 29-31, 2015

Local News

VCU to drop SAT requirement Virginia Commonwealth University is joining a growing national trend and no longer will require applicants to submit Scholastic Aptitude Test scores. The change will apply to applicants with a high school GPA of 3.3 or higher. VCU President Michael Rao delivered the news in his State of the University address Tuesday to students, faculty and staff in the University Student Commons. “We are not denying a transformative education to students who we know would flourish here just because they don’t have a certain SAT score,” Dr. Rao stated in a news release, touting the new university policy. “So beginning this fall, your ability to succeed at VCU will no longer depend on your ability to pass a test that’s fundamentally flawed.” Dr. Rao, who has been leading VCU since 2009, pointed to research, including that done internally at VCU, that shows the SAT has racial and socioeconomic biases. He stressed that VCU is not lowering quality standards for students who are admitted. Instead, the university is emphasizing GPA over SAT scores because grade point averages have proven to be a better determinant of how well a student will do ZVRI (z18) Richmond Freeand Press scenes in college, he said. Dr. Rao Slices of life The SAT still will be required for some programs, such as engineering, and for some of the university’s endowed scholarships, Dr. Rao added. The new policy at VCU follows a national trend among colleges and universities relying on the GPA as a better predictor January 28 - February 03, 2015 of student success. About 800 universities around the country, including four in Virginia, already have dropped the requirement. Those Virginia schools are Old Dominion University, George Mason University, Christopher Newport University and Virginia Wesleyan College. VCU, which enrolls more than 31,000 students, is the first of the three research universities in Virginia to do so. Wake Forest University, in North Carolina, is one of the most selective schools, which has adopted this policy. Others to scrap SATs as an admissions requirement in 2014 were Temple University in Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr (Pa.) College and Wesleyan University in Macon, Ga. A study released in early 2014 and co-written by William Hiss, a former admissions dean at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, found no significant difference in college grades or graduation rates between applicants who did and didn’t submit SAT scores when applying for college admission. Value Pack Boneless Chicken Breast The study examined 33 colleges over three years. It found that Without MVP Card $2.79 LB students who did not submit standardized test scores were more likely to be first-generation college students, minority students, LB women, students with learning disabilities and recipients of Pell Grants, which are reserved for low-income students. More schools are comfortable that dropping the requirement improves diversity without undermining academic quality. The SAT is being redesigned for 2016, making a now-mandatory essay optional. Schools say going “test optional” also will benefit low-income and minority students who can’t afford test prep courses or to retake exams. — JOEY MATTHEWS

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape in Richmond

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Renegade Democrat Phillip P. Puckett ﬁnally has received his reward for putting Republicans in control of the state Senate — his daughter has gained a judgeship. Martha P. Ketron, an attorney and substitute judge, was appointed to the bench last week by the General Assembly. She will become a full-time judge on the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in the 29th Circuit in Southwest Virginia, effective Feb. 1. The circuit includes Russell County. Democrats in the General Assembly quietly joined Republicans in overwhelmingly approving Ms. Ketron — a far different scenario from the uproar last summer when former Sen. Puckett resigned. At the time, the Russell County politician said he did so to help his daughter secure a seat on the bench. The General Ms. Ketron Assembly had rejected Ms. Ketron’s bid in 2014 based on a Senate policy that bars judgeships to close relatives of serving members. Mr. Puckett’s resignation last summer came at a time when Democrats were clinging to control of the upper chamber of the General Assembly. His departure gave Republicans a 20-19 majority in the Senate during a time of contentious budget negotiations over the expansion of the state’s Medicaid program, which Republicans were thwarting. His resignation drew heated ﬁre from his former Democratic colleagues, who were backing expansion of the health insurance program. A Republican later won his seat in a special election, ensuring a 21-19 GOP majority. His resignation also triggered a federal investigation into allegations he was induced to step down from the Senate by an offer of a plum job with the Republican-controlled state Tobacco Commission and his daughter getting a judgeship. Federal authorities ultimately found no wrongdoing and dropped the case. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Judging by the immaculate look of the street, sidewalk and lawns, and the nearly full trash can, community members are heeding the smiley face sign at 30th and Q streets in Church Hill urging, “Let’s Keep Q street clean!” It’s a modest reminder that small, community actions can beautify a neighborhood.

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Richmond Free Press

January 29-31, 2015

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Richmond Free Press

A4 January 29-31, 2015

News

It’s not your parents’ revolution Continued from A1

demonstrations and “die-ins” of crowds of young people around Richmond’s Downtown and Fan District — is more decentralized and inclusive than the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led political struggles for equal rights, said Ms. Catherine, a 32-year-old Petersburg resident and participant in the latest wave of actions. “It’s not a central movement. It’s a movement that touches everyone,” said Ms. Catherine, director of community engagement for Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of African-American Studies. “Each organization plays their role and makes this movement greater. You don’t have one person standing in the front, like Martin Luther King, saying, ‘This is what needs to happen.’ ” People from around the country first mobilized around the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter in 2013 after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the killing of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, said Opal Tometi, a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement and executive director of Black Alliance for Just Immigration. “What Black Lives Matter was was a quick and succinct way of saying enough is enough. We’re not going to tolerate it anymore,” said Ms. Tometi, a New York City resident. The rallying cry was heard again, both online and on the streets, after a white police officer, Darren Wilson, shot and killed unarmed 18-yearold Michael Brown, an African-American, in Ferguson, Mo. In both cases, Mr. Zimmerman and Mr. Wilson argued that they acted in self-defense. When a grand jury decided not to indict Mr. Wilson in late November, many people took to social media to express their outrage. They used Twitter, Facebook and other popular social media

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Hundreds of demonstrators rally on the steps of the John Marshall Courthouse in Downtown Richmond in late November after a grand jury in Ferguson, Mo., failed to indict white police officer Darren Wilson in the August slaying of unarmed teenager Michael Brown Jr.

sites to raise awareness and build a network of activists and action. For Ms. Catherine, that’s the biggest difference between her parents’ generation of activists and her generation of activists. Information travels a lot faster with social media, picking up the momentum necessary to start a movement, she said. “Without social media, it would not have received that level of attention,” Ms. Catherine noted. In cities across the nation, the Black Lives Matter movement has organized strategic and disruptive protests, such as “Black Brunch,” where protesters file into popular restaurants and interrupt diners by reading out the names of people who have been killed by police across the country. In Richmond, the Black Lives Matter movement

is visible both online and on city streets. After the Missouri grand jury declined to indict Mr. Wilson in Mr. Brown’s death, hundreds of protesters gathered at the John Marshall Courts Building in Richmond’s Downtown and marched to the State Capitol and back. Anyone who wanted to speak could. Then, after a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict New York police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the chokehold-death of unarmed Eric Garner, Richmond protesters participated in a national “die-in” last December. Dozens of people laid out in the middle of Broad Street, while local police calmly watched, following the crowd and stopping traffic. Ms. Catherine explained that a “die-in” forces the public to pay attention to the issues by disrupting traffic.

Earlier this month, local activists marched on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and, after speaking during the public comment period, shut down a Richmond City Council meeting with singing, chanting and demands to improve the quality of life for black people in Richmond. Activist Jamil Jasey, 35, of Richmond marched with about 70 people on Jan. 19 to send a message to city police: Stop racial profiling. According to a 2013 Pew Research Center survey, seven in 10 black respondents said African-Americans are treated less fairly than white people in dealing with the police. But the movement is not just about the criminal justice system. Mr. Jasey said the movement is an inclusive and all-encompassing push for equality and human rights. “It’s not just a matter of police brutality. It’s a matter of fixing the community,” said Mr. Jasey, who works at a Richmond restaurant. Ms. Tometi said the movement is stronger when many voices are heard. “Our movement is decentralized, but it’s organized. We see the benefit in having a movement that is leader-full and not reliant on the talents of one.” Travis L. Williams, a 32-year-old Richmond resident and activist, said awareness of these problems breaks the illusion that America is a post-racial society. But the movement is still struggling to communicate its goals to the public, he believes. “It remains to be seen what the actual product of the movement will be,” Mr. Williams said. While the Black Lives Matter movement is still in its infancy, said Ms. Catherine, it’s a continuation of the long-waged civil rights struggle for equality. “My parents are now too old to be involved,” she said. “But they are passing the torch and giving us the opportunity to continue the movement.”

Documents surface in Morrissey case Continued from A1

Pride, is the daughter of Ms. Warren and Mr. Pride. Delegate Morrissey was convicted after entering an Alford plea in which he maintained his innocence, but acknowledged the prosecution had enough evidence to convict him.

As a result of Delegate Morrissey’s plea in that case, he has become the first legislator to serve from jail. He was sentenced to six months, which was reduced to 90 days for good behavior, and is free during the day on work release from Henrico Jail – East in New Kent County. He wears an ankle monitor.

Surgeon general checks health of city Continued from A1

cross-country listening tour, Dr. Murthy heard firsthand about the health challenges many Richmond area residents face on a daily basis. Chesterfield resident Joyce Pollard shared with Dr. Murthy that she lived without health insurance for about a decade, despite being diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Ms. Pollard, who recently signed up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act, has a full-time job taking care of her 32-year-old autistic son. At one point, she told the surgeon general, she was taking care of multiple family members, but she could not go to a doctor for her own health. “I got tired of people sending me bills that I couldn’t afford to pay,” Ms. Pollard said. Through the help of staff members at The Daily Planet in signing up for health insurance under the ACA, Ms. Pollard now receives a tax credit that significantly reduces the price of her monthly insurance payment. Dr. Murthy said African-Americans and other ethnic minorities experience illness and mortality at a higher rate than those of the general population. “We’re facing some significant disparities in care,” Dr. Murthy said. In Richmond, with a population that is 50 percent African-American, it’s up to community leaders, including pastors of area churches, to engage the community in health initiatives, Dr. Murthy said. “When, for example, you have AfricanAmerican pastors and religious leaders reaching out to the African-American community where they already have a bond of trust, that means a lot,” he said. After touring The Daily Planet’s health center, Dr. Murthy told reporters that his priorities as U.S. surgeon general are to curb the rates of obesity and chronic disease, two major public health issues plaguing Richmond residents. “This is where we’re losing the most in terms of lives and dollars in our country,” Dr. Murthy said. Richmond is among the most obese U.S. communities, with a 28.8 percent obesity rate, according a Gallup report that analyzed health data from 2012 to 2013. Dr. Murthy said he is encouraged to see various Richmond community initiatives, such as an urban gardening initiative, which provides fruits and vegetables to encourage healthy eating, and the Richmond Family & Fatherhood Initiative, which aims to increase the number of two-parent homes and to foster healthy families. “I’m very encouraged by the passion that people have here in Richmond for improving health in the community. They’re doing a lot with very little resources, which is a challenge of our time,” Dr. Murthy said.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the nation’s surgeon general, talks with Joyce Pollard of Chesterfield at The Daily Planet in Richmond, where staff helped her sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Homeless count slated for Thursday By Joey Matthews Homeless advocates will fan out in the greater Richmond region Thursday, Jan. 29. The purpose: To gauge the number of homeless people in the area and to better understand their plight in an effort to better address the problem. The count is part of the twice-ayear Point-in-Time Count conducted by Homeward, the Richmond region’s planning and coordinating agency for homeless services, along with partners in Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties. “It’s part of a national effort to really understand homelessness,” Kelly King Horne, executive director of Homeward, told the Free Press on Wednesday. “It ties into how we really know what’s happening and how to make sure there are fewer (homeless) people next year.” More than 60 community volunteers and 25 shelters are participating, said Kimberly Lammi, a spokesperson for Homeward. The count began Wednesday night at local shelters, with adults filling out surveys related to homelessness. Early Thursday morning, seven teams

of Homeward staff, police officers and social workers are slated to search for unsheltered individuals living in encampments, under bridges, in cars and other places. Later in the day, surveys are to be conducted at five area lunch programs, with the main site at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace St. There, clients will be offered health screenings, haircuts, clothing and other services. Two more surveys will be conducted in the evening. Preliminary findings will be released in February, with updates on the number of homeless veterans, single adults and families. In last January’s survey, a total of 738 adults and 108 children were counted, Ms. Lammi said. Through the count, communities become eligible for competitive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care was notified this week that it will receive $4.4 million in funding for 26 programs serving at least 265 homeless individuals and 161 households with children.

Both he and the now pregnant Ms. Pride, who will be 19 in March, continue to insist they did not have an illicit affair when she was underage. They allege that her father was involved in creating what they call fiction. The document at issue in the latest charges was submitted to the Henrico court during Delegate Morrissey’s sentencing hearing. According to an affidavit Detective Kelly submitted in seeking a search warrant for Delegate Morrissey’s law office, no copy of the allegedly bogus document could be found in the Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court where it was said to have been filed. Detective Kelly stated that Delegate Morrissey’s defense team submitted the papers as a court document during Delegate Morrissey’s sentencing hearing to back up Ms. Warren’s testimony. She testified about the three-sentence document that spelled out the child support agreement she reached with Mr. Pride. The signed document states his agreement “to deposit $50 per week, per child” in savings accounts for his daughters, Myrna Pride and Christina Pride, of which he was granted joint legal custody. Detective Kelly’s affidavit notes that Ms. Thaxton faxed the document that was introduced in court at the sentencing hearing. Detective Kelly apparently did not look in the Chesterfield Circuit Court file where the child support agreement document is included. The Free Press obtained copies of the Chesterfield Circuit Court suit that Ms. Thaxton had filed on behalf of Ms. Warren seeking $14,000 in unpaid child support from Mr. Pride. The suit includes a copy of the child support agreement dated Aug. 29, 2006. The lawsuit was filed in Chesterfield Circuit Court on June 3, 2014, well before Delegate Morrissey’s sentencing hearing. Along with forgery, the grand jury indicted Delegate Morrissey for perjury, asserting he knew the child support agreement document was not valid; of conspiring with Ms. Warren to forge the document; and for inducing Ms. Warren to commit perjury in regard to the support agreement. The grand jury also charged Ms. Warren with perjury for testifying to the authenticity of the support agreement she knew was false; with assisting in the forgery of the support agreement; and with conspiring with Delegate Morrissey to forge the agreement.

McDonnell skirts jail with appeal Continued from A1

an “official act” in exchange for the largesse. That issue is the main element in supporting briefs from six former Virginia attorneys general, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and two Harvard Law professors, Charles J. Ogletree Jr. and former federal Judge Nancy Gertner. Essentially, the intervenors argue that Judge Spencer pushed an overbroad interpretation of federal law in instructing the jury and instead should have found the government failed to prove that Mr. McDonnell or his wife, Maureen, had done anything official to further Mr. Williams’ business. The former attorneys general wrote that none of the favors done by the McDonnells for Mr. Williams, including a party at the Executive Mansion, could be considered an “official act” and “are persuaded that federal law does not criminalize the alleged acts” on which the convictions are based. “Whatever criticism might be made” of the former governor giving access to Mr. Williams, the attorneys general wrote that his actions fit with “long-established practices” that should “not become grounds for federal prosecution.” The former attorneys general include Democrats Andrew P. Miller, Stephen D. Rosenthal, Mary Sue Terry and Anthony F. Troy and Republicans J. Marshall Coleman and Mark L. Earley. The appeals court ordered the case to move quickly. Both sides must submit their written arguments on specific dates in March and April, with oral arguments scheduled for May 12 in Richmond. Those arguments will be heard by a three-judge panel, which could include the judges who granted bond to the former governor.

Richmond Free Press

January 29-31, 2015 A5

Local News From buses to intercoms

Richmond schools seek money to fulfill needs By Joey Matthews

Lucille M. Brown Middle School is facing a serious communications problem. The South Side school has not had a working intercom system since December. In the meantime, the school, led by Principal Jonathan Morris, has instituted measures for schoolwide communications should an emergency arise, equipping administrators and school security with megaphones, twoway radios and other means to interact with one another. The Richmond School Board approved a $72,000 appropriation at its Jan. 19 meeting to install a new intercom system, but replacement work has not begun. In other developments, 10 new buses acquired by Richmond Public Schools in a lease-to-own agreement signed last summer “have been wrecked,” Thomas Kranz, assistant superintendent of support services, told the board. “Some were our fault; some were not our fault,” he later told the Free Press. Mr. Kranz said one bus did not make it out of the bus parking lot before it was wrecked. That drew laughter from some audience members attending the board meeting. Mr. Kranz said the wrecked buses have been repaired and are back on the road. He said three more of the lease-to-own buses are in use for RPS, bringing the total to 63 now on the road. He said he expects the remaining 15 to arrive soon after they pass two rounds of inspections. The announcement of the broken intercom

system and bus crashes came on the same night Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden presented his “Estimate of Needs” financial wish list to the School Board. It was designed to fuel the academic improvement plan he introduced a week earlier. Dr. Bedden In a dramatic move, he has proposed that the city increase its contribution to public education by an unprecedented 22 percent to fuel a turnaround in learning — an increase that would amount to $30 million in fiscal year 2016, which begins July 1. Should that increase be approved, the city’s contribution for public education would increase from a projected $136 million to $166 million in the upcoming fiscal year. That would raise the city’s investment in Richmond’s 23,000-plus students from about $6,100 per pupil by about $1,350 to $7,450 per pupil. Mayor Dwight C. Jones, who is expected to present his proposed two-year budget March 6, already has indicated to the board that he does not believe the city can afford to provide an extra $30 million for public education. The $30 million would equal the money the city spends to operate the public libraries and its public parks and recreation centers, provide a 9-1-1 call center and support the city’s health district. Still, should Dr. Bedden get his way, he would be able to undertake what he told the board was an “aggressive and bold plan” to

improve student learning. His proposal calls for spending the lion’s share of new funds on personnel, including hiring 125 new people to beef up instruction and to pay teachers for working an additional nine days to improve professional development, a cornerstone of Dr. Bedden’s efforts to expand academic achievement. The proposed new additions to the teaching corps would include 17 elementary teachers to begin reducing class sizes in kindergarten through third grade and 11 employees to serve the growing Latino student population. He also wants to hire 13 additional reading and math specialists to boost learning in those key areas and secure eight more exceptional education teachers to serve mentally challenged students. New hires also would go to staff the revamped Binford Middle School, which the School Board proposes to transform into a combination middle school where students would receive instruction in fine arts and additional help through specialty reading and math programs designed to better prepare them for the rigors of college. He also wants to use some of the money to pay for a 1.7 percent cost-of-living pay increase for teachers and other employees. The personnel actions would cost $16 million, Dr. Bedden said. Another $12 million would be poured into upgrading technology, improving maintenance and meeting other school system needs. Ralph Westbay, the assistant superintendent for financial services, separately outlined Dr. Bedden’s request to the city for $35 million to

replace heating and cooling systems and take care of other critical needs in aging buildings. That new money would be separate from the request for the $30 million boost in the city’s contribution to operations. Jeffrey M. Bourne, 3rd District, called the superintendent’s operational spending plan a realistic proposal to upgrade the district’s schools “to where we want to be.” Other board members, including Kimberly B. “Kim” Gray, 2nd District, and Glen Sturtevant, 1st District, voiced support for the plan, but stressed approved funds must be spent wisely to enable the city to justify the additional spending to taxpayers. Dr. Bedden said his proposal is designed to start the conversation between the board, City Council and Mayor Jones on how much the city would provide to better educate the district’s students, including about 1,700 children in pre-K classes that are financed separately. The superintendent told the Free Press that he hopes the mayor and council will approve his budget plan, but realizes that in the end, the school system might not get what he believes it needs. The board scheduled a public hearing on the budget for Monday, Feb. 2, at City Hall at its regular meeting, and also has work sessions scheduled for Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 to discuss the budget. Dr. Bedden said the upcoming talks would allow the board and his leadership team to determine “what do we want to keep and what do we want to jettison” before the board approves and sends a budget proposal to the city.

NSU’s problems detailed by accrediting agency By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Norfolk State University has failed to show that seven of its programs have adequate fulltime faculty “to ensure the quality and integrity of those programs,” according to its accrediting agency. NSU also has failed to document its financial soundness with a required audited statement and management letter, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ (SACS) Commission on Colleges noted. And the university has not shown that it is engaging faculty in the development of policies related to academics and governance, SACS found. Those are among the reasons why NSU was placed on probation in December, the last step before loss of accreditation. In all, NSU is in violation of 14 accreditation standards involving its governance, finances, faculty and effectiveness.

Those standards and the violations are spelled out in a letter dated Jan. 20 that SACS President Belle Wheelan sent to Eddie N. Moore Jr., NSU’s interim president and CEO. The Free Press obtained a copy Tuesday. NSU must make corPresident Moore rections, Dr. Wheelan stated, to avoid the prospect of further sanctions in December, when the SACS board will meet again to review NSU. The university must provide a report on its progress by Sept. 8, in advance of a separate visit from a special SACS review committee. The committee will make recommendations to the SACS board. The board could vote to lift NSU’s probation, extend it for a year or revoke accreditation at the pre-Christmas session.

Robertson gains seat on national committee Ellen F. Robertson, who already wears multiple hats on City Council, has just added a new one. The 6th District councilwoman was just named to a one-year term on the National League of Cities’ Community and Economic Development Steering Committee. Ms. Robertson will join representatives of other cities in developing the NLC’s positions on issues involving Ms. Robertson housing, land use, growth, recreation, parks, historic preservation, job development and international competitiveness. The councilwoman already chairs various Richmond commissions and task forces on affordable housing, economic strategy and anti-poverty initiatives. She also heads the council’s Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee.

On the faculty front, Mr. Moore was advised in the letter that NSU had not provided “adequate information or supporting documents” to demonstrate that the seven programs have enough faculty, in addition to an online degree program for a bachelor’s in sociology. SACS noted it also had received allegations from faculty members that “revisions had been made to post-tenure review without appropriate faculty input” and changes were made to faculty contracts since 2011 “without faculty engagement.” On the financial front, SACS has been left to guess about NSU’s soundness, according to the letter. NSU “did not provide … audited financial statements or a management letter” for the fiscal year 2014 that ended June 30, and could not “accurately establish that the institution has a sound financial base and demonstrated financial stability,” the letter states.

NSU also failed to provide its most recent audit of its financial aid awards or provide evidence that it has corrected problems previously identified by the U.S. Department of Education. The school also has yet to provide SACS with “verifiable information” that appropriate controls are in place to manage the buildings, equipment and other physical resources, the letter noted. NSU also has not shown that it is conducting an adequate assessment of its programs, the student outcomes and how it is using the results for improvement, the letter stated. The letter also pointed out the bylaws of the university’s board of visitors improperly open the door to control by a minority of board members, also a violation of standards. In addition, NSU’s board hired the university’s executive vice president, raising concern that the governing body is getting directly involved in administrative matters.

VSU spring enrollment brings optimism Continued from A1

ment still represents a decline from the fall semester when 5,030 students were enrolled. That was a 700-student drop from the fall of 2013. This spring’s enrollment is down 600 students from the 5,173 students who enrolled for the 2014 spring semester. VSU has yet to indicate how many enrolled students are staying in the apartments and dorms that it owns and operates. Dr. Hammond said she’s proud of the hard work that went into increasing the number of students who enrolled this spring.

She mentioned how two faculty members came up with $700 to help one student cover tuition. “We have many of the poorest students in the state,” she said, noting many are hardPresident pressed to cover the Hammond full cost. Many times, she said, their families are strapped and cannot help. She said she will be stepping up efforts to involve alumni and other university supporters to come up with additional

funds to help students who already have borrowed their limit. Even with the hiring freeze, she said she would bring a grant writer and a director of alumni affairs on board to help generate more funds from outside tuition. Currently, only about 12 percent of the alumni give, she said. While that’s better than many schools, “that gives us an opportunity. We need to do a better job of keeping in touch with our graduates.” She said along with contributions, she would be pressing alumni to be more engaged in recruiting students. She said alumni need to be out telling their story and encouraging young people to consider VSU.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Making their voices heard Nearly 100 demonstrators marched Sunday from the State Capitol to the Lumpkin’s Jail site in Shockoe Bottom near Main Street Station to advocate for social justice. They called for state lawmakers at the General Assembly to craft and pass bills mandating that police officers wear body cameras in jurisdictions with 50 or more officers; for independent boards to review instances of police misconduct; and to ban the check box for felons on job applications. The march was co-organized by the Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Richmond, the Richmond Branch NAACP and the Young Black Professionals Network of Charlottesville. The groups convened again Tuesday at the General Assembly to seek support from legislators. They also plan to hold empowerment sessions to further their efforts for social justice.

Richmond Free Press

Rocks along the James River

Editorial Page

January 29-31, 2015

Scales unbalanced On Jan. 19, the Virginia General Assembly scrubbed from the state judiciary the name of Judge Birdie Hairston Jamison, who was up for reappointment to the Richmond General District Court. Judge Jamison, 57, is chief judge of the city’s busy traffic court, having served on the bench for more than 23 years. She is the longest serving traffic court judge in the state. She has been a mentor to young lawyers and received accolades in the past. In 2010, the Virginia Lawyers Weekly, a respected publication, named her to its list of 50 influential women in the legal profession. All of this makes it so much more difficult to understand why Judge Jamison was not reappointed by state lawmakers. What adds insult to injury is that their decision to toss her — made on the hallowed King holiday — was based on something other than the content of her character. Members of the Senate and House Courts of Justice committees justified their action by stating that Judge Jamison scored poorly on a survey of judges overseen by the state Supreme Court. The survey was completed anonymously by 133 lawyers who claim to have practiced before her in the previous 12 months. Based on the survey results, she was rated below average in several categories, including her overall performance, her knowledge and faithfulness to the law, latitude allowed to lawyers to present their cases, respect shown to court participants, dignity and courtesy, patience and lack of bias. Many people who have appeared in her court have taken issue with the scores. In signed letters and petitions delivered to lawmakers and in testimony before the Senate and House joint committees, they said the scores in no way reflect Judge Jamison’s even judicial temperament, consistency, fairness and adherence to the law — all of which are hallmarks of her court. Others have said privately that the low marks are retribution because Judge Jamison refused to kowtow to special interests or the legal crowd that expects her to bend the rules for well-heeled, West End clients with DUIs who believe they are above the law. Through this process of using anonymous surveys and performance scores, the Virginia Supreme Court has turned the process of evaluating judges for re-election into little more than a popularity contest akin to prom queen or class president. But this goes deeper and is more serious. We understand well the biases that occur in a male-dominated sector such as the law, and the attendant hubris born of jealousy and insecurity of those who may practice before her. We also note with great interest the number of women — and people of color — who have been removed from the bench in Virginia in recent years. Judge Jamison is one of five sitting judges ousted by state lawmakers in January. Three of them are women. The surveys — to which no critic has pinned his or her name — are simply tools behind which cowards with a vendetta can cover themselves, and their tracks, in seeking to remove fairminded people from the bench. Judge Jamison noted during a hearing before lawmakers that she never has been the subject of an official complaint before the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission, which investigates complaints of misconduct against all state court judges. Since her appointment in 1991, she also repeatedly has been found qualified by judges who have reviewed her work in court. There was no way for Judge Jamison to defend herself before the panel of lawmakers against baseless claims. When Judge Jamison clears out her chambers and exits the court on Dec. 1, when her term ends, she can walk out with her head held high. We hope she will join the efforts of others to revamp a system of judicial re-election that is deeply flawed.

VCU and the SATs We applaud the move this week by Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao to eliminate SAT scores as a criteria for admission. In a major policy change announced Tuesday, Dr. Rao said applicants with a GPA of 3.3 or higher no longer will be required to submit scores from the test that he called “fundamentally flawed.” While SATs still will be required for entry into some programs, such as engineering, and for some endowed scholarships, he said the tests no longer will be used to deny “a transformative education to students who we know would flourish here just because they don’t have a certain SAT score.” We have long held that the SAT has been not only a source of angst for young African-American students looking to head to college. It also has been a major barrier to many realizing their potential by denying them entry into certain institutions. Studies dating to the 1960s have shown that racial and cultural biases are built into the questions and routinely trip up AfricanAmerican students. For example, a question on a recent test asked which analogy best matched the relationships: “Runner:Marathon” A) envoy:embassy B) martyr:massacre C) oarsman:regatta D) referee:tournament E) horse:stable The SAT’s correct answer is C. The SAT is not a test that measures aptitude, an array of experts have long held. Nor is it an accurate predictor of academic success in college. It simply reflects the experiences of those who take the test or those who were coached well in high-priced SAT prep courses that are unaffordable and inaccessible to students from lower-income families. Is it any wonder that African-American students have scored lowest on the tests for more than 20 years, behind Hispanic, Asian and white students? Those who score highest on the test are students from privileged backgrounds — mostly white students, according to the experts. Eliminating the SAT does not mean that VCU — and more than 800 other colleges and universities in the United States — simply open their doors to anybody who can afford tuition. It means that more emphasis will be placed on grades, recommendations and the other categories scrutinized for entry. Dr. Rao gets a “B+” for starting down the right path. He’ll get an “A” if he goes further in his efforts to eliminate this testing barrier to education.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

White savior not required The fierce and aligned — if not coordinated — campaign to smear the motion picture “Selma” by suggesting it inaccurately portrays the role of President Lyndon B. Johnson in the fight for AfricanAmericans’ civil rights is par for the course. Critics of the movie that focuses on the campaign for voting rights waged in Selma, Ala., suggest that President Johnson was a champion for civil rights and is principally responsible for securing voting rights for AfricanAmericans. At best, that point of view is a misunderstanding, and, at worst, it is a deliberate attempt to create a false narrative to diminish the principal and central role of black people in advocating for their own freedom. It is ironic and sad that the first full-length, theater-released movie chronicling the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is being trashed in an attempt to exalt a white president. The criticism of “Selma” betrays the truth and common sense. President Johnson was a Southerner, a Texas politician firmly entrenched as a Dixiecrat. His selection as John F. Kennedy’s vice presidential running mate was a political calculation to secure Southern votes and resulted in an uneasy

alliance between the Texan and the young Bostonian. The tragic assassination of JFK thrust President Johnson into the Oval Office and placed upon the Texan the

Walter L. Fields late president’s agenda. President Johnson was no civil rights champion. He was a pragmatic politician who was smart enough to read the moment and self-absorbed enough to recognize history would judge his legacy based upon a historical movement for African-Americans’ rights. Common sense makes plain that in the turbulent 1960s, no occupant of the White House, the seat of world power and white domination, saw their role as a liberator of the descendants of enslaved Africans. The rights of black people were not central to the maintenance of power for this president, though it became a necessary consideration for the preservation of order. What also challenges the Johnson-as-savior narrative is the truth. As president, he walked gingerly in taking on Southern governors who were using their powers to oppress AfricanAmericans and deny them their constitutional rights. He reluctantly used his power to protect black people, who were being subjected to violence. President Johnson “negotiated” civil rights, and used his considerable skill as a legislator to win in the

margins. And even while proving successful in moving civil rights legislation, President Johnson co-existed with FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, who was leading a campaign to suppress and eliminate black leadership. President Johnson should be credited for a few things. He courageously appointed two African-Americans to positions of authority in the federal hierarchy, historical appointments that were impactful in their significance. Former NAACP legal counsel Thurgood Marshall was named to the U.S. Supreme Court and the brilliant economist Robert Weaver was the first black person to serve on a presidential cabinet when President Johnson made him secretary of the newly created Department of Housing and Urban Development. While I admire LBJ’s tenacity, the campaign to canonize him as a civil rights saint is far-fetched. The simple question is, “If King, Roy Wilkins, Clarence Mitchell Jr., SNCC and others had not existed, would President Johnson have proactively advanced a civil rights agenda?” The truthful answer is no. He felt the pull of a powerful social movement and understood that change — even if not desired or convenient — was upon the nation and inevitable during his presidency. It was the leadership of African-Americans that created the space for President Johnson to exercise presidential authority in the face of Southern opposition.

The real Obama re-emerges President Barack Obama knocked it out of the park during the State of the Union address. He was strong, progressive, firm and relaxed. He was almost cocky as he offered a few jokes, smugly announced that he would have no more elections, and just generally exuded confidence. Instead of the kumbaya thing, he laid out his priorities to a Republican Congress that likely will block much of what he proposed, especially when it comes to raising taxes on the wealthy to support his free community college program. President Obama “threw down” in the hourlong speech that frequently was punctuated by applause. Republicans frequently withheld applause, but his confidence suggested that whether they offered applause or withheld it was of no concern to him. Michelle Obama wasn’t playing either. While she has usually worn her trademark sleeveless dresses with pearls, her two-piece tweed suit was all about business. It reminded us that she is a lawyer in addition to being a stylish first lady. Hopefully, the business attire signals that she will take care of business in the next two years. Her “Get Fit” initiative is much needed, and her partnership with Jill Biden to focus on military families is consistent with the president’s in providing jobs and other assistance for veterans. In these last two years, per-

haps the first lady can spread her wings and focus on the work and family issues she lived and that so many women juggle. I hope for too much, I think, when I suggest that she deal with the gender pay gap, but that also is an issue that would benefit from her attention. While President Obama highlighted efforts to benefit the middle class, he mentioned poverty just once. There were 45.3 million

Julianne Malveaux people who lived in poverty in 2013, the last year for which data is available. The rates are 9.7 percent for white people, 12.3 percent for Asian-Americans, 25.3 percent for Hispanics and 27.2 percent for African-Americans. In mentioning poverty without mentioning that some experience poverty differently than others, the president failed to put a tiny pin in his own celebration. I wouldn’t expect him to mention race explicitly, but he could have said, “And while poverty rates are falling, one in four families in some communities still experience poverty.” Similarly, President Obama justifiably touted falling unemployment, which dropped from 6.7 percent a year ago to 5.6 percent in December. The decrease has been across the board and includes African-Americans and Hispanics. However, 700,000 fewer people are in the labor market than a year ago, indicating that more people are entering the labor market in response to its perceived strength. Without indicating race, the president could have talked about the high unemployment

rates among some groups. Of course, presidents traditionally offer a laundry list of issues, with few getting more than a couple of sentences worth of attention. Still, because the economic success story is one that President Obama correctly touted, it would have been appropriate for him to mention the unevenness of recovery. The Affordable Care Act is a successful part of the Obama legacy, with nearly 7 million more people enrolling in the program and some of the 2014 glitches eliminated. It would have been appropriate to mention it specifically and in depth. Some might consider that waving a red flag in the faces of bullish Republicans, but in some ways, the speech was a red flag anyway. When I listened to the State of the Union address, I thought, “This is the Obama I voted for — twice; the Obama who was a rising star in 2004, whose rousing speech at the Boston Democratic Convention propelled him to national attention.” This Obama seemed presidential, not conciliatory. He stood by the executive orders he issued in 2014, and stated that he will use his veto pen if Congress attempts to overturn his effort. As he did in Boston, President Obama ended on a unifying note, a line that he has used often: “We are more than red states and blue states. We are the United States of America.” He was motivated when he said, “let’s start the work right now.” Bravo, Mr. President. Welcome back! Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author based in Washington.

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.

If we do not speak forcefully against the misappropriation of history, we will witness a similar false accounting about our present circumstances decades from now. The campaign to make LBJ the epicenter of the civil rights struggle is like making the Warren Court the heroes of school desegregation and not the plaintiffs in Brown v. Board of Education. It is the worst characteristic of white liberalism and perhaps the reason why it has taken until 2015, nearly 47 years after Dr. King’s death, for a major motion picture to center on the Nobel Prize winner and human rights icon. We are not in need of white saviors. We could use some willing white partners who recognize and acknowledge the brilliance of black leadership and understand that their empathy and emotional investment in our plight can never approximate the struggle, sacrifice and commitment of black people to our own liberation. Walter L. Fields is executive editor of NorthStarNews.com

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Richmond Free Press

January 29-31, 2015

Letters to the Editor

Someday we’ll get to the point where we are all Americans

Re “A new moniker?” Dec. 24-27 edition: The writer suggests that it would be more accurate to say American Africans rather than African-Americans. I couldn’t disagree more. First, he is comparing Africa, a continent, to Italy, a country. His comparison should have been African-Americans to European Americans. Unfortunately, having been stripped of their identity during slave auctions, many African-Americans do not know from which country in Africa their ancestors came. Secondly, we are all Americans, which is a noun. The adjective “African” or “Italian” simply modifies or further describes an American of a particular descent. To say “American Africans”

would suggest that African-Americans who are born in this country are really Africans. African-Americans are not Africans, but Americans of African ancestry or lineage. His suggestion would better describe “Americans” seeking African citizenship. The entire construction breaks down when we compare ethnicity or ancestry with country of birth. Therefore, we have persons of European ancestry, born in Africa, but immigrating to the United States, calling themselves “African-Americans.” Other aspects of this are black people born in the Caribbean Islands and black Hispanics. Some of us prefer the term “black” rather than AfricanAmerican. But how black must one be to qualify? We have

Wake up and change the world “Wake Up Everybody” was a song by R&B group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1975. It could be the theme song for today’s AfricanAmericans. The lyrics, written by Gene McFadden and John Whitehead, who also pinned and performed

“Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” are so poignant that I won’t fully repeat them here. Like my grandson says, “Google them, Papa.” YouTube has several renditions. My point is that some 40 years later, the song remains relevant. The song’s refrain,

“The world won’t get no better if we just let it be,” causes me to think of Ferguson, Mo., Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner, and how we have allowed the justice system to run amok, with Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream festering for more than 50 years and black males becoming

State legislature oblivious to plight of working poor On Jan. 19, while the rest of the nation was giving recognition to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Virginia Senate’s Commerce and Labor Committee voted down one of several measures that would have increased the state’s minimum wage. The committee voted 11-3, along party lines, to shelve the bill indefinitely, which in effect killed its chance of passage this session. The fact that the committee’s 11 Republicans opposed the bill introduced by Sen. David W. Marsden, D-Fairfax, is indeed a sad commentary. The bill would have raised the state’s minimum wage to $8 per hour on July 1, $9 per hour on July 1, 2016, and $10.10 per hour in 2017. The committee’s three Democrats voted in favor of the measure. While several other states have been more concerned with the needs of the general population and the gnawing shame that so many of their residents live at or below poverty, Virginia’s General Assembly seems to be oblivious to such a problem among its citizens. While we must strive for a viable economy here in Virginia, the State Conference of the NAACP must also recognize and demand the need for a living wage here in Virginia. The sad part about this is that any effort in the House of Delegates seems to be pre-ordained to be “passed over” if we, the voters of Virginia, are to accept the statement of Matthew Moran, spokesman for House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, indicating that a minimum wage increase would find no support in the House. Such a comment already has denied the Virginia State Conference NAACP,

and any other Virginia-based organization, the opportunity to be fairly heard before the General Assembly on such an important civil, economic and human rights issue. Moreover, if Mr. Moran’s statement on behalf of Speaker Howell is true, then why not just give the voters a list of those things for which we will find Speaker Howell’s support so that neither the Virginia State Conference NAACP, nor any other community-oriented organization, will waste his time with frivolous things such as putting a roof over our heads, feeding our families or putting clothing on our backs. We could save the Commonwealth money by quickly ending the 2015 General Assembly session and eliminating the “dog and pony show” of something actually being done by our “public servants.” After reviewing the additional party line votes of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, one questions whether the General Assembly is the legislative home of public servants for the Commonwealth as a whole or the bidding agents of special business interests here in Virginia. The Virginia State Conference NAACP is striving for the betterment of ALL people of Virginia, especially people of color. Shouldn’t the General Assembly also be striving for the same betterment of ALL people of Virginia? CARMEN TAYLOR Hampton The writer is president of the Virginia State Conference NAACP.

targets of racial repression. This is happening on our watch, and it appears as if things won’t change anytime soon. The song sends messages to everyone in the community — from politicians to drug users — on what they need to do to change the community. Yet we still struggle with poor performing schools, dying communities, black-on-black crime and others controlling our economies. We haven’t gotten the message. The change that President Obama pledged, in many ways, has not happened. I wonder who will pick up the mantle and lead us to Dr. King’s “Promised Land.” Are we satisfied to wait another 50 years? Do we think that one day our oppressors will just realize the errors of their ways? I don’t think so. Wake up, everybody. “You got to change the world — you and me.” PREDDY RAY Richmond PAID ADVERTISEMENT

mulattos passing as white, and white people who don’t know that they have black blood. Hopefully, someday we will get to the point where we simply call all citizens of this country “Americans.” This would obviate the need to call American Indians “Native Americans.” After all, it is generally accepted that we all come from a common ancestry. So far, the only “Americans” who apparently see no need to further identify themselves are “Americans” of English heritage. BEN HAWKINS Richmond

Sign up for affordable health care by Feb. 15 Too many in our city lack health insurance. However, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affords us the opportunity to do something about it. Residents can now take advantage of an open enrollment period for health care plans available under the ACA. A main impediment that prevents many from obtaining insurance is cost. Over the years, the cost of premiums has risen at a higher rate than wages and the price of other goods and services. Those who lack private coverage have found it harder to get an affordable plan that covers comprehensive medical services. The ACA makes it easier for individuals and families to access these policies. The law provides subsidies that did not exist before for those purchasing insurance, offsetting monthly premiums. Just as important, people can easily compare plans at GetCoveredAmerica.org, and select the policy that best fits their financial situation and health needs. The ACA cuts down on the cost and confusion of buying insurance. It also helps our residents obtain essential medicine and treatments without the fear of going into deep debt. In addition, the law provides protections against insurance companies refusing to sell a policy due to a pre-existing condition. The current ACA enrollment deadline is Feb. 15. View plans at www.Get CoveredAmerica.org and enroll now.

CYNTHIA I. NEWBILLE Richmond The writer represents the city’s 7th District on Richmond City Council.

5 VIRGINIA 201

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General Assembly A message from Senator Donald McEachin

Virtually all parents have similar goals for their children. Rich or poor, black, white or brown, no matter the country of origin, we all want our children to have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, find happiness and be contributing members of society. The primary component for this is the opportunity to receive a good quality education. Here in Virginia, we are very fortunate to have a strong public university system and, as legislators, we strive to provide resources for Virginia residents attending a state school so the burden will be less onerous. We should provide an instate tuition opportunity for immigrant youth who are legally present here in our Commonwealth. They are students from hard-working families who have played by the rules. They are eligible for Social Security numbers, to obtain driver’s licenses and they have performed academically in a Virginia high school to gain admission to one of our public universities. Their families pay taxes back into the system. They have temporary Protected Status from the government and, therefore, should be allowed the privilege of in-state tuition. When we provide this opportunity, we are not offering a hand out or favoring these students over USA born children. These adolescents have to apply and be accepted just as any other Virginia student does. They have to demonstrate proof of residency to be eligible for in state tuition like any other Virginian. They pay tuition and fees, just as other Virginia university students do. By offering instate tuition, the opportunity is simply provided; they have to surmount the tests and tasks. The twenty first century will bring numerous challenges and we need our children to be educated to meet those challenges. We count on this next generation to create the ideas and inventions of the future, to be able to solve the complex problems the future will bring and to have the skills to fill 21st century jobs. Our immigrant children need to be a strong part of this future, helping to lift our economy and our communities. They need to be able to be productive, contributing citizens doing their fair share to make our country successful. Instead of relying on the safety net, these students must be able to contribute and pay their share of the tax burden. All of us will benefit. Concerns raised about costs for this program are simply inaccurate. Over 150,000 Virginia college students at our public universities receive in state tuition whereas, at this time, only 81 immigrant students meet the criteria. Even if those numbers grow over the next decade, a tenfold increase will still be fewer than one thousand students. Surely the benefit of offering these children an education outweighs the small costs. I was very proud of my Democratic colleagues in the State Senate last week when we stood together and defeated a mean-spirited bill to take instate tuition away from these youth. We recognized, as did our Attorney-General when he ruled that they should receive the tuition benefit, that these students are Virginians and we want them to be educated, contributing Virginians in the future. Over the next few weeks, we Democrats in the General Assembly will be working to improve our public education for all our children, to expand health care and to ensure that all Virginians ae treated with justice and fairness. Serving as your senator is one of the greatest honors of my life. Please feel free to contact me with your opinions on any issue or any way in which I can be helpful. I can be reached at district09@senate.virginia.gov or 698.7509.

Richmond Free Press

A8 January 29-31, 2015

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Richmond’s Russell Wilson heads to Super Bowl The Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson is listed at 5-foot-11, quite short by NFL quarterback standards. But Richmond’s link to Sunday’s Super Bowl may be up to 6-foot now, maybe even 6-foot-1, if you don’t press the measuring stick too hard atop his noggin. Since Oct. 26, the former Collegiate School Class of 2007 whiz has not visited a barber or gripped a razor. And while his curly mane and whiskers have continued to grow, so have the Seahawks’ winning ways. The defending Super Bowl champs have won eight straight games and 11 of the last 12 games since Oct. 26 as they head into Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots. The Seahawks had suffered rare back-to-back losses to Dallas and St. Louis prior to his decision to allow his tresses to flow free. Like the biblical Samson, Wilson says there is history suggesting he gains super powers from longer locks. Wilson let his hair grow in the weeks leading up to last year’s Super Bowl, when the Seahawks defeated Denver. So call this Hair-do II. “Yeah, it’s the same as last year. It’s out,” Wilson told the Seattle Times. “I had the same thing going on last year.” It’s an old trend-superstition that started during Wilson’s junior year at Collegiate — the season the Cougars won the first of consecutive state titles with Wilson at quarterback. “It’s one of those things. I did it with my Dad and I did it last year, so why not go with it,” he said. • As millions of football fans huddle around TV sets for perhaps the year’s premier sporting event, here are some Russell Wilson Fun Facts to impress fellow partygoers with. Elite fraternity: With a win Sunday, Wilson will become one of only 12 quarterbacks with more than one Super Bowl win. Others are Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana with four each, Tom Brady and Troy Aikman with three, and Roger Staubach, John Elway, Bob Griese, Ben Roethlisberger, Bart Starr, Jim Plunkett and Eli Manning with two apiece. Wilson would become the first quarterback to win two Super Bowls in his first three seasons. Blown scouting report? Was he overlooked because of his height? The overall 75th draft pick in 2012, Wilson was just the sixth quarterback selected. Earlier picks were Andrew Luck (first by the Colts), Robert Griffin III (second by Washington), Ryan Tannehill (eighth by the Dolphins), Brandon Weeden (22nd by the Browns) and Brock Osweiler (57th by Denver). Show me the money: As a rookie, Wilson agreed to a fouryear contract for $2.996 million with a $619,472 signing bonus. His salary this year was $662,434. By comparison, Denver’s Peyton Manning is making about $15 million per year and the Patriots’ Brady is in the midst of a five-year deal worth $57 million. Under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Wilson becomes eligible to renegotiate for the 2015 season. Wilson’s agent, James “Bus” Cook, served in the same capacity for former quarterbacks Brett Favre and Steve McNair, and current quarterback Cam Newton. Athletic genes: Wilson’s grandfather, Dr. Harrison B. Wilson Jr.

Super Bowl facts Date: Sunday, Feb. 1. Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. At stake: National Football League Championship for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Participants: New England Patriots (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC). This is the eighth Super Bowl for the Patriots (3-4) and third for Seattle (1-1). State football players in the game: Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson of Richmond and Seahawk strong safety Kam Chancellor of Norfolk; New England long snapper Danny Aiken of Roanoke. Game site: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. Seating capacity: 71,228. Network coverage: By NBC to more than 200 stations throughout the United States, including NBC12 in the Richmond area; pregame coverage begins 1 p.m. and will include President Obama being interviewed by “TODAY” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie shortly before kickoff. Expected TV audience for the game: Nearly 185 million people. Cost of a 30-second TV advertisement: $4.5 million.

Radio coverage: Westwood One Radio to 600 stations within the United States, including ESPN 950 and SPORTS FM 100.5, with pre-game coverage starting at 2 p.m. The Armed Forces Television also will provide broadcast to 175 countries throughout the world. Who’s singing at the game: Idina Manzel will sing the national anthem, John Legend performs “America the Beautiful” and Katy Perry will be the halftime entertainer. Players’ uniforms: Seattle will be the home team and has its choice of wearing a color or white jersey. Officials: There will be seven officials and five alternates appointed by the Commissioner’s office. Trophy: The winning team receives permanent possession of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a sterling silver trophy created by Tiffany & Company and valued at $25,000. It is presented annually to the winner of the Super Bowl. The trophy was named after the late coach Vince Lombardi of the two-time Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers before the 1971 Super Bowl.

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Richmond’s Russell Wilson vows not to see a barber or shave, adhering to the same superstitious practice he followed last year before he led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl title.

of Norfolk, played baseball, basketball and football and ran track at Kentucky State University and was basketball coach at Jackson State University from 1951 to 1960, posting a 340-72 record. Dr. Wilson later became president of Norfolk State University from 1975 to 1997. Wilson’s father, Harrison B. Wilson III, died in 2010 of complications from diabetes. He was a top receiver at Dartmouth College and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1980. Wilson’s brother, Harrison “Harry” Wilson IV, was a leading receiver at the University of Richmond in 2004 with 56 catches. Wilson’s basketball-playing sister, Anna Wilson, a Collegiate junior, already has committed to Stanford University. From Williams to Wilson: The only other African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl was Washington’s Doug Williams in Super Bowl XXII. Batter up: Wilson also played basketball and baseball at Collegiate, and continued baseball at North Carolina State University for three seasons. He became the Colorado Rockies’ fourth-round draft pick in 2010.

A second baseman, he played for the Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco, Wash., in 2010, and for the Asheville, N.C., Tourists in 2011. After the 2011 season, he informed the Rockies he was retiring from baseball to play in the NFL. Heisman watch: After transferring from North Carolina State University, Wilson made the most of his one season at the University of Wisconsin. He led the Badgers to the league title, defeating Michigan State 42-39 in the first Big 10 championship game. Wisconsin lost to Oregon, 45-38, in the Rose Bowl, despite 296 passing yards and three touchdowns from Wilson. He was ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. Hands-some player: While Wilson’s lack of height was a concern among NFL “experts,” he was “long” in another area — hand size. At the NFL Combine, Wilson’s hands were measured at 10¼ inches. That was longer than all five quarterbacks drafted ahead of him, including 6-foot-5 Luck, whose hands measure 10 inches. In comparing Wilson’s hands to other quarterbacks, NFL Scouting Combine states that Griffin’s are 9.5 inches; the 49ers Colin Kaepernick’s, 9.13 inches; the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, 9.38 inches; and the Cowboys’ Tony Romo, 8.86 inches.

HBCU athletes with Super Bowl past

Former Green Bay running back and Super Bowl star Elijah Pitts attended HBCU Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark.

Associated Press

Athletes from historically black colleges don’t figure to make much noise in this year’s Super Bowl, but that wasn’t the case in the event’s early years. In fact, the NFL in general and early Super Bowls in particular may have served to educate the public — black and white — about HBCU football. Without NFL exposure, many football fans may never have paid attention to such HBCUs as Grambling State University, Florida A&M University, Southern University and Jackson State University, among others. A shining light in Super Bowl I in 1967, when Green Bay took on Kansas City, was Green Bay running back Elijah Pitts from obscure Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark. Pitts scored two touchdowns in Green Bay’s victory as a fill-in for injured Paul Hornung, the 1956 Heisman Trophy winner out of Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a polar extreme of Philander Smith in terms of public recognition. Other Kansas City starters in the inaugural Super Bowl were Frank Pitts (Southern in Louisiana), Otis Taylor (Prairie View in Texas), Buck Buchanan (Grambling in Louisiana) and Willie Mitchell (Tennessee State University). A key Packers defender — and future Hall of Famer — was Willie Davis out of Grambling. Super Bowl II, which was Green Bay against Oakland, featured Hewritt Dixon (Florida A&M), Ike Lassiter (St. Augustine’s in North Carolina) and Willie Brown (Grambling.) In New York’s upset of Baltimore in Super Bowl III, starting Jets included Winston Hill (Texas Southern),

Emerson Boozer and Johnny Sample (Maryland Eastern Shore) and Verlon Biggs (Jackson State). In Kansas City’s win over Minnesota in Super Bowl IV, the Chiefs’ headliners included Willie Lanier (Morgan State University in Maryland), Jim Marsalis (Tennessee State), Jim Kearney (Prairie View), Robert Holmes (Southern) and Buchanan. When the Colts prevailed in Super Bowl V against Dallas in 1971, a starting offensive lineman for Baltimore was Cornelius Johnson, out of Virginia Union University, and defensive back Charlie Stukes (Maryland Eastern Shore). That same day, Cowboys starters included Rayfield Wright (Fort Valley in Georgia), Bob Hayes (Florida A&M), Jethro Pugh (Elizabeth City State in North Carolina) and Pettis Norman (Johnson C. Smith in North Carolina). And that’s not all. Super Bowl’s I and II pregame and halftime show was provided by Grambling State University’s marching band. Florida A&M’s Marching 100 was the halftime show in Super Bowl III. Rosters for this year’s combatants are thin on HBCU talent. Seattle’s backup quarterback Tavaris Jackson (Alabama State University) and reserve receiver Ricardo Lockette (Fort Valley State) are the only Seahawks. The Patriots’ lone HBCU alumnus is back-up receiver Brian Tyms (Florida A&M). As larger, majority-white colleges have opened their doors to African-American student-athletes, the impact of HBCU athletes on the NFL has nearly disappeared.

VCU Rams take on UR Spiders Saturday at Siegel Center Virginia Commonwealth University lost the first five basketball games it ever played against the University of Richmond. Since then, color the series black and gold. The VCU Rams have dominated. VCU will have a 45-26 series lead — and all the momentum — when the UR Spiders invade the Siegel Center in Midtown on Saturday for a 2 p.m. tipoff on ESPN2. Under sixth-year coach Shaka Smart, VCU is in the midst of perhaps its finest season in a long line of outstanding seasons. With its 72-48 dismantling of George Washington University on Tuesday night, the Rams are 17-3 overall, 7-0 in the Atlantic 10 with 12 straight victories and ranked No. 14 nationally by the Associated Press. Even more impressive is the Rams’ No. 4 ranking out of 352 teams in the Ratings Percentage Index and No. 2 rating in strength of schedule behind Kansas.

Only Kansas, Kentucky and Virginia are ranked above the Rams in the all-important RPI, which determines postseason NCAA seeding. The Rams feature Atlantic 10 Player of the Year favorite Treveon Graham, a 6-foot-6 senior forward averaging 17.3 points and 6.9 rebounds. Graham’s top competition for Player of the Year could come from teammate Briante Weber, a senior guard from Chesapeake. Weber is averaging 8.1 points while leading the Atlantic 10 and nation in steals (3.9 average) and ranking second in the conference in assists (4.6) and assists to turnovers ratio (plus 2.6). As usual, coach Smart’s “Havoc” defense is taking a toll on the opposition. The Rams rank third in the nation in forcing turnovers (17.6) and making steals (10.4). UR started the week 10-9 overall and 3-3 in the conference. The Spiders’ All-Atlantic 10 candidate is 5-foot-8 senior guard Kendall Anthony, averag-

ing 15.9 points. The Rams were 3-0 against the Spiders a year ago and eliminated UR from the Atlantic 10 tournament in Brooklyn. Since moving home games from the Richmond Coliseum to the Siegel Center in 2001, VCU is 9-1 against the Spiders, with nine straight victories on home hardwood. Coach Smart is 6-2 against Richmond since taking over in 2009. In his 10th season as UR coach, Chris Mooney is 2-10 against the Rams, including 0-6 at the Siegel Center. The Rams have never been hotter. During the current winning streak, VCU has held the lead 88.2 percent of minutes played. VCU’s best season previously is generally considered 2010-11, when it advanced to the NCAA Final Four. However, the Rams struggled at times that season, finishing 28-12. Some longtime Rams fans consider 1985 the

best season, when Coach J.D. Barnett led the team to the 26-6 mark. The Rams then claimed the No. 2 seed in the West Region at Albuquerque. The season ended with a second-round loss to Alabama. Another best season candidate was 2006-07, under Coach Anthony Grant, when the Rams went 28-7 and stunned Duke in the NCAA’s first round in Buffalo. The true graybeards among VCU faithful point to the 1969-70 recruiting season as a pivotal season in the Rams’ upward mobility, when Coach Benny Dees signed three future NBA draftees — Jesse Dark, Bernard Harris and Greg McDougald. That recruiting class set the tone for decades to come. The Rams are expecting a 61st straight sellout for the Richmond game Saturday. That marks the nation’s fifth longest sellout streak. VCU has won 29 of the last 30 games at home, with the only blemish a loss to the University of Virginia earlier this season.

January 29-31, 2015 B1

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Richmond Free Press

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Personality: Todd B. Waldo Spotlight on president of Robinson Theater Community Arts Center Todd B. Waldo recalls eagerly watching the restoration of the Robinson Theater at 29th and Q streets in Church Hill in 2008. “I live two blocks from there,” he says. “I still remember the first time I walked by and saw the marquee lights turned on. I was proud of the work. And seeing ‘Robinson’ shining brightly at the front of the building gave me hope.” The newly renovated facility reopened in February 2009 as the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center under the leadership of Executive Director Betsy Hart. Mr. Waldo says he had moved into the East End community a few years earlier, lured by the charm, diversity and volunteer spirit of the close-knit neighborhood. “As I started attending events and classes at the theater, I saw the value it was adding to my neighbors’ lives,” says Mr. Waldo, 39. Mr. Waldo, who is the enterprise engineering manager at Royall & Co. marketing firm in Henrico County, says he was eager to contribute “my time, talent and expertise” to assist the Robinson Theater’s growing imprint on the community. That’s why he volunteers as the president of its eight-member board. Today, the center provides classes for more than 100 community members from age 3 and up. It also is used for community meetings, weddings, church services, nonprofit fundraisers, birthday and retirement parties, shows, plays, concerts and more. It also includes the Richmond Urban Dance studio that takes “the essence of urban dance, brings it into the studio and nurtures it through highly qualified instructors to create new platforms to showcase this raw art form of dance,” Mr. Waldo says. The 78-year-old Robinson Theater was named for Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a native of Richmond who wowed audiences on Broadway and beyond with his remarkable tap dance skills, dazzling smile and kindhearted ways. Today, the Robinson Theater stands as a beacon of hope in the East End community that Mr. Waldo calls “a mix of success and suffering.” “While many things have improved, there are still disparities and daily challenges, some specific to the African-American community in North Church Hill. The Robinson Theater provides a safe and trusted place with

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Richmond Free Press

B2 January 29-31, 2015

Happenings

Aduba, Davis win SAG Awards

Holton to guest direct VCU jazz benefit concert

Free Press wire reports

LOS ANGELES Diversity took a front-row seat at Sunday’s 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony. African-American actors Uzo Aduba and Viola Davis won top honors before their peers in Los Angeles. Ms. Aduba exuberantly hoisted two awards for her riveting performance as a mentally unstable inmate in the Netflix smash hit, “Orange is the New Black.” She earned acclaim for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series and for Ensemble in a Comedy Series. “I love you guys so desperately, so much,” Ms. Aduba told her fellow cast members as she accepted her first SAG award from her first nomination. “This is not done without you at all.” Equally thrilled was Ms. Davis, who won Best Actress in a Drama Series as a fearsome criminal defense attorney and law professor in “How to Get Away with Murder” on ABC-TV. She thanked the producers of the legal drama “for thinking that a sexualized, messy, mysterious woman could be a 49-year-old, dark-skinned African-American woman who looks like me.” “Birdman,” a satirical film about acting in the unforgiving world of show business, won top honors from Hollywood’s actors in an important show of support for its march toward the best picture Oscar. The actors from “Birdman” won the best ensemble cast in a motion picture after the film from Mexican director Alejandro G. Inarritu prevailed at the Producers Guild awards. While the SAG award for the best ensemble cast does not always translate to a best picture win at the Academy Awards, it does indicate that actors, the largest voting

Uzo Aduba

Vince Bucci/Invision/Associated Press

Viola Davis

bloc for the Oscars, favor it over another strong contender, the coming-of-age tale “Boyhood.” “Birdman” could cement its front-runner status for the Feb. 22 Academy Awards if it takes the top Directors Guild Award Feb. 7. The individual acting Oscars appear to be sewn up after the SAG awards, which went to the four artists who won Golden Globes two weeks ago — Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, Patricia Arquette and J.K. Simmons. SAG members prized lead performances

Mike Blake/Reuters

by two actors portraying extreme illness. Ms. Moore won best actress for her role as a woman with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in “Still Alice,” while Mr. Redmayne took best actor for his portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking, disabled by motor neuron disease, in “The Theory of Everything.” “Boyhood,” from director Richard Linklater, was believed to be a favorite for the Oscar best picture just days ago as support at the Academy swelled for his tenacious project — filming a boy’s life over 12 years with the same actors and with little backing from Hollywood. Ms. Arquette won the best supporting actress trophy for her role as the loving single mother, her first SAG in six nominations. “This little movie is not about the most exceptional person on earth ... this movie is about human beings and bringing real life on to the screen,” she said backstage. Mr. Simmons, an actor with a long résumé in television and film, was honored for his portrayal as the intense music teacher of a young jazz drummer in the independent film, “Whiplash.” Kevin Spacey won best actor in a drama series for his conniving congressman Frank Underwood in the political thriller “House of Cards.” “Downton Abbey,” the British period series that airs on PBS, won best drama series cast. The Screen Actors Guild gave its lifetime achievement award to Debbie Reynolds, the wholesome star of musicals such as “Singin’ in the Rain” and a staple of film and television for 66 years.

Did Miss Jamaica’s hair cut short her chance? Free Press wire reports

MIAMI Halle Berry won an Academy Award for her dramatic role in the 2002 movie “Monster’s Ball” with a beautiful, short hairstyle. So why, an astonished audience at Sunday’s Miss Universe Pageant protested, didn’t their overwhelming favorite win? Their favorite: Short-haired beauty Miss Jamaica, 22-year-old Kaci Fennell. Ms. Fennell stood out with her short, spiky haircut and feisty personality. When she was announced as fourth runner-up, a loud chorus of boos erupted from the audience. Instead, the crown went to relative pageant newcomer, Miss Colombia Paulina Vega, who, like many of the contestants, had long flowing locks. She beat out first runner-up, Miss USA Nia Sanchez and contestants from more than 80 other countries. Michael Fennell said his granddaughter was the victim of “unwritten factors” and that the judges should have stated if Miss Universe needed to have long hair. He said, “If short hair is a problem, why didn’t they say so in the contest?” “I don’t have long tresses like everyone else,” said Ms. Fennell, who wore a long, red beaded evening gown. “I’m just representing myself, and that’s what beauty pageants are all about. You don’t have to look a certain way ... and I feel like I represent that.” Meanwhile, Ms. Vega, a 22-year-old business administration student from Barranquilla, Colombia, said she would wear the crown with “pride and excitement” as she heard the news that fans in Colombia had taken to the streets to celebrate. Although she was far from home, Ms. Vega said she still felt the support from local Latinos. “It felt like home. I felt like I was in Colombia with my people. I felt that support in every moment of the pageant,” she said, wearing a sparkling silver gown with vertical stripes at a news conference after the competition. Real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump, who owns the pageant, said many predicted Ms. Vega would take the crown a few weeks ago when contestants first arrived in Miami for the festivities.

State Secretary of Education Anne Holton will serve as guest director at a Virginia Commonwealth University jazz event to raise money for legal services for low-income communities, the school has announced. Ms. Holton is to guest direct the VCU Jazz Orchestra I at the inaugural Jazz 4 Justice concert Friday, Jan. 30, according to a university news release. The Jazz Orchestra II, Africa Combo and vocal ensemble “What’s the Ti?” also will perform, with VCU faculty members Antonio Garcia, Bryan Hooten and Rebecca Tyree directing. The concert begins at 8 p.m. in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. An informal jam session with audience members is to follow. Audience members Ms. Holton wishing to participate should bring their smaller instruments. VCU will provide house rhythm section instruments. A 7 p.m. reception is to precede the concert. The Greater Richmond Bar Foundation is presenting the event to support local pro bono legal assistance to those in need and to provide scholarships for VCU jazz students. “Justice for all is a never-ending quest, and pro bono legal work is a critical part of that journey,” Mr. Garcia stated. Tickets are $30 for the general public and $15 for VCU students, and are available at www.showclix.com/event/3898593. For more information or to contribute, email aroussy@grbf. org or go to www.grbf.org. Jazz 4 Justice began in 2001 through a partnership with the Fairfax Law Foundation and George Mason University’s Jazz Ensemble. Other localities are now organizing their own concerts to benefit their communities.

Paintings by local artists on view beginning Feb. 6 It’s called “Congruent Images.” The exhibit of paintings by veteran Richmond area artists P. Muzi Branch and William “Blue” Johnson will be presented by the Elegba Folklore Society at its cultural center, 101 E. Broad St. in Downtown. The exhibit tells the stories of African Diaspora heritage through its subjects — people as individuals, playmates, colleagues and families as portrayed in an expressive moment of life. The exhibit will open Friday, Feb. 6, with a public reception from 5 to 9 p.m. as a part of First Fridays ArtWalk. The paintings will be on view through April 30. Mr. Branch serves as director of cultural programs at Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems. He holds a master’s in fine arts from VCU and his work has been widely exhibited throughout the United States. He also is a bassist with the Plunky and Oneness Afro-funk band. Mr. Johnson is an art educator whose iconic profiles are seen on canvasses, paper and apparel. Details on the exhibit: (804) 644-3900.

‘Isn’t She Lovely’ art to open at Pine Camp Photographs, paintings, quilts, sculptures, masks and other works of art will focus on themes of African-American female beauty. They will be showcased at the “Isn’t She Lovely” art exhibition, hosted by the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. The exhibit, featuring the works of more than 20 AfricanAmerican artists from Richmond, Baltimore and Washington, will open Friday, Feb. 13, with a public reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road on North Side. The Spotlight Gallery exhibit will be displayed through March 13. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Details on the exhibit: Shaunn Casselle, (804) 646-6722.

Rosenwald schools focus of new exhibit Rhona Wise/EPA/Newscom

Short-haired beauty Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell, left, and long-tressed Miss Colombia Paulina Vega compete during the swimsuit competition at Sunday’s Miss Universe Pageant in Miami.

“From the minute she walked in the building, people said, ‘She’s a star,’ ” Mr. Trump said. Ms. Vega’s win keeps the crown and title with Latinas. The last reigning Miss Universe, Gabriela Isler, was from Venezuela. Beauty pageants are big business in Latin America, where girls are groomed for the contests from a young age and where Ms. Vega said women find “a lot of pride” in representing their country. Pageants and performance run in Ms. Vega’s family. Her grandmother, Elvira Castillo, was Miss Atlántico 1953 (Colombia) and her grandfather is legendary tenor Gastón Vega. But the contests leading up to Miss

Universe were a first for Ms. Vega, who is one of eight children. She also said they would be her last, as she is eager to return to her business studies, saying: “It gives me independence. I want to have my own company.” After Ms. Sanchez, the 24-year-old Miss USA from Las Vegas, Nev., the second runner-up was Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha. Ms. Fennell and Miss Netherlands Yasmin Verheijen rounded out the top five from the field of 88 contestants. As Miss Universe, Ms. Vega will receive an undisclosed salary, a luxury apartment in New York, a wardrobe, beauty products and a one-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy.

“African-American Schools during the Segregated Era” is now on view at historic Trinity Church in Chesterfield County. Open to the public, the exhibit focuses on six of the 10 schools that were built in the county with the support of the Rosenwald Fund, according to the organizer, the nonprofit Chesterfield County Historical Society. The exhibit includes oral histories of former students, as well as photos and artifacts loaned by their families, former teachers and staff at the schools, the society states in the exhibit announcement. The schools include Beulah, County Training, Kingsland, Midlothian, Piney Branch and Union. The Chesterfield schools are among 5,000 Rosenwald schools developed in 15 Southern states. The fund worked in collaboration with educator Booker T. Washington. Families in each area raised money for construction and localities like Chesterfield also contributed. The exhibit will run through February at the church, 1011 Iron Bridge Road. The church is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and also houses the society’s offices and library. Information: (804) 796-7121 or www.chesterfieldhistory.com

Richmond Free Press

January 29-31, 2015

Faith News/Directory

On the cusp of Black History Month, area ministers reflect on community issues By Joey Matthews

Like many others, the Rev. Emory Berry of Fourth Baptist Church in the East End is on a reflective journey as the nation commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and nears the start of Black History Month. The self-examination comes amid an ongoing “national conversation” on searing social issues such as law enforcement’s fractured relationship with African-Americans, a widening economic gap and disparities in jobs and educational opportunities in communities of color. The Free Press asked Rev. Berry and other Richmond area faith leaders to discuss important issues facing the black community and suggest what long-ignored parts of African-American history are important for the next generation to learn. “I checked out ‘12 Years a Slave’ from the library and watched it last week,” Rev. Berry said. “It made me rethink some things. Many people continue to think of enslaved people as only standing in the fields picking cotton. One of the men (portrayed) was an engineer. Another was an accomplished violin player. Another was a great pastry chef. Others were great artisans and craftsmen. These were people who had high IQs and accomplishments to the highest degree. “Slavery might be mentioned now, but what does that really mean in terms of how African-Americans were a significant part of building this country economically?” he asked. “So much of what we see and celebrate today was built by the free labor of enslaved black people.” Rev. Berry called “institutionalized injustice” the biggest issue facing African-Americans — from the criminalization of black communities to low-wage jobs. He said Dr. King’s commemoration, growing “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations and the release of the movie “Selma” have brought a renewed sense of “black pride” and the need for “more of us to go back to sacrificing to affect change.” Minister and state Sen. A. Donald McEachin, who earned a master’s of divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in 2008, called poverty the transcendent issue of the day. “When a person cannot be sure he or she can get sufficient food

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

2015 Theme: The Year of Moving Forward

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

or pay for shelter, he or she cannot possibly focus on doing a good job at work or school,” he said. “Poverty affects everything, depriving a person of dignity and self-esteem. “We need to ensure that every person can earn a living wage, take care of himself or herself, support his or her family, get an education and obtain a good paying job,” he added. “We need to remove poverty as an obstacle to these basic goals.” Rev. McEachin, who serves Henrico County in the General Assembly, said, “A little known aspect of AfricanDr. King American history is that AfricanAmerican legislators served in both the government of the Commonwealth and in the federal government in the 19th century. “But these gains were taken from us and our progress was halted. We need to be ever vigilant to ensure this never happens again. Moreover, this can teach us to stand up not only for ourselves but for other minorities and, standing together, ensure all of us continue to make the necessary and deserved progress.” The Rev. F. Todd Gray, pastor of Fifth Street Baptist Church on North Side, said single-parent homes are a major problem. “I know this because of what we do with a community development center,” he said. He called education the second big issue. Rev. Gray called those issues the “two most prominent indicators for continued poverty.” “That’s why we have a private commitment for the cultivation of young minds. We have just partnered with Richmond Public Schools to provide Head Start in our church. We’ve always been committed to educating our young and helping to foster families.” Gospel radio personality Sheilah Belle, “The Belle” of Praise 104.7 FM, has called attention to issues of police brutality on her afternoon show. “It’s pretty obvious after looking at the murder and aftermath of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and even the New York police officers that African-Americans believe it is necessary to remind the world that Black Lives Matter!”

Sundays

8:00 a.m. Early Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship

7204 Bethlehem Road • Henrico, VA 23228 • (804) 672-9319

Tuesdays

Weekly Services:

Noon Day Bible Study

Wednesdays

6:30 p.m. Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m. Bible Study

P ILGRIM J OURNEY B APTIST C HURCH R EV. ANGELO V. C HATMON, P ASTOR

Sunday:

Church School: 8:45 a.m.; Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. Children’s Church: 10:00 a.m. (2nd, 3rd, 5th )

Wednesday:

Prayer & Praise 6:30 p.m.; Bible Study 7:15 p.m. (Men’s Bible Study -3rd Wednesday)

Thursday:

Women’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

http://ustream.tv/channel/pjbc-tv

She said African-Americans feel disrespected “on so many levels” — from the hate Republicans have shown to President Obama and police brutality to economic and educational disparities. Ms. Belle emphasized that the next generation must not forget trailblazers such as Dr. King and Sojourner Truth, an abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, and others who “endured for equal justice, the right to vote and the right to attend higher learning institutions.” The Rev. Tyrone Nelson, pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Jackson Ward and new vice chair of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, called the biggest challenge facing the African-American community “widening the base of resources financially. We need to raise the minimum wage, continue to push for jobs with higher wages and diversify the type of jobs offered in the community. Accumulating wealth and reducing the needless consuming of depreciating assets should be a focus as well.” The Rev. J. Elisha Burke, director of health and wellness at the Baptist General Convention and interim minister at Westwood Baptist Church in the West End, noted that students should learn African-American history, which he said has not been taught “to any appreciable degree” in schools. “What most (students) have been exposed to is an overview from writers detached from the community and reality who have no interest in exposing the truth about the Middle Passage, slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, segregation, mass incarceration, etc,” he said. He added: “It important for this generation to know that the condition of existence of African-Americans has been largely based on building immense wealth and maintaining it by relegating millions to cheap labor status and its attendant poverty and social ills. “The current and future generations need to know that the same mental acuity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial drive and faith that allowed for so many accomplishments in spite of a denial of freedoms, citizenship, civil rights, etc. is a part of their past, current and future. Based on our history, the current and future challenges have set the stage for many positive contributions for the good of all.”

St. Peter Baptist Church

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Worship Opportunities Sundays: Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

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. 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

www.pjbcrichmond.org

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

It’s A Family Affair

Sunday, February 8, 2015 VUU DAY AND FRIENDSHIP MINISTRY ANNIVERSARY New Year Sermon Series: HOPE FOR HARD CASES Message 4: The Case of the Heart Broken Mother Genesis 21:9-21 Church School: (New Time) 9:00 a.m. Worship Preparation: 10:30 a.m. Worship: 11 a.m. Message by Pastor Bibbs 4:00 p.m. E.L. Fleming Gospel Chorus M.C. Dr. Johnny Branch

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

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

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

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

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

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

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

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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

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

Missionary

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

Dr. Alonza Lawrence Pastor

Sunday, February 1, 2015

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

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

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

for

Wednesday Services

Pasto ral

Moore Street Baptist Church

Remember... At New Deliverance, You Are Home! See you there and bring a friend.

Annivers ary Celebration

REV. DR. VERNON J. HURTE 2000 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23223

Friday, February 6, 2015 7:00p.m. - Kickoff Concert featuring

The Sensational Gospel Tones of Williamsburg The Fox Sisters of Glenn Allen

Sunday, February 8, 2015

11:00a.m. – Morning Service Speaker: Rev. Alvin Armstead

1st Union Baptist Church, Dill Road

3:30p.m. – Afternoon Service Speaker: Rev. Robert Whitehead New Zion, Williamsburg

Visit our website: www.newlightbaptistchurch.org Facebook: “New Light Baptist Church-Richmond, VA”

For more information, call the church at (804) 788-9027 or email us at info@newlightbaptistchurch.org

Sunday

Senior Citizens Noonday Bible Study Every Wed. 12noon-1pm Bible Study Count: noonday Wednesday night 7 p.m. Prayer Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

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.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrew 12:14 (KJV) Tune in on Sunday Morning to WTVR - Channel 6 - 8:30 a.m. Sunday TV Broadcast WTVZ 9 a.m. Norfolk/Tidewater Thursday & Friday Radio Broadcast WREJ 1540 AM Radio - 8:15 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.

THE NEW DELIVERANCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (NDCA)

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

Richmond Free Press

B4 January 29-31, 2015

Obituaries/Faith Directory

Petersburg vice mayor Carl ‘Mike’ Ross, 63 Carl “Mike” Ross loved serving others. It was in his DNA. For two decades, he dedicated his life to public service in Petersburg. He was on the Petersburg City Council for the past 11 years and had been appointed the city’s vice mayor in early January. Before that, he was on the Petersburg School Board from 1995 to 2001. He served as board chair from 1998 to 2001. “He loved service and he absolutely loved serving the city of Petersburg,” his daughter, Carlynn M. Ross, said. “My first memory of him was being at different activities with him serving others. That was a constant in my father’s life.” Mr. Ross also was a member of nearly 20 civic organizations and boards, his daughter said. In his professional capacity, he worked full time as an education services specialist/test control officer at Fort Lee. Mr. Ross is being remembered for his devotion to moving the city forward after his death Friday, Jan. 23, 2015. He was 63.

He died unexpectedly after collapsing in a parking lot at Fort Lee. The cause of his death is still unknown. His funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Petersburg. News of his death reverberated throughout the area. “His passing marks the end of someone who was an integral part of the city of Petersburg,” close friend and Petersburg Mayor W. Mr. Ross Howard Myers said in a statement. “His kind spirit will be sorely missed. “I will miss the camaraderie he and I shared sitting next to each other during City Council sessions,” he added.

A native of Annapolis, Md., Mr. Ross graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia State University in 1974 and earned a master’s in education from VSU in 1976. He was active at Greater Faith AME Zion Church in Petersburg, where he served as a trustee, sang in the J.R. Bailey Memorial Choir and occasionally drove the church van. Mr. Ross also was a member of the Petersburg Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and was president of the East Walnut Hill Neighborhood Association. In his spare time, Mr. Ross was antique car enthusiast and often volunteered. He also enjoyed watching college and professional football, basketball and baseball and listening to jazz and gospel music. Survivors include his daughter; five sisters, Debra, Cindy, Linda, Clara and Sandra; six brothers, Charles, Grafton Jr., Charles Stanley, Kim, Jeff and Mark; nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Gloria Cephas Venter, 79, retired teacher Whether she was teaching a classroom of students or spending time with her four grandchildren, Gloria Cephas Venter loved to dote on youngsters. “What really stood out was Mom’s dedication to young minds,” said her daughter, Julie V. Edmonds. “Mom had a way of making every child feel important and worthy. She really made a difference in a lot of lives.” Mrs. Venter taught in Richmond Public Schools for more than 35 years, the majority at Chimborazo Elementary School in the East End, where she retired in 1991. “Her former students still come up to me and talk about what a great teacher she was and how she helped them,” Ms. Edmonds said. Her passion for children kicked into even higher gear when she became “Grandma” to Ms. Edmonds’ twins, Chad and Ty, and to Taylor and Haley, the children of her other daughter, Lisa V. Sammons. “My sister and I joke about it, but she definitely was beyond a typical grandmother,” said Ms. Edmonds. “The things that we could never, ever think about getting away with, those (grand) kids could get away with everything. They

were her heart.” Mrs. Venter is being remembered following her death Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Richmond. She was 79. A visitation is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Scott’s FuMrs. Venter neral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., on North Side. Her funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Scott’s Funeral Home. Mrs. Venter was born Nov. 25, 1935, in the Navy Hill neighborhood in Downtown. Her late parents, B. Addison “Sonny” Cephas, a realtor and Richmond City Council member, and mother, Marjorie S. Cephas, demanded educational excellence. Mrs. Venter’s sister, Marilynn Rozier, taught for 35 years at East End Middle School in Church Hill. Mrs. Venter met her future husband, Leonard, when they were students at Virginia Union University. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary

education and the two were married in 1958. They bought a home in Battery Park on North Side, where they raised their two daughters. “Before my sister and I were born, my Mom did arts and crafts with young children through Richmond Recreation and Parks,” Ms. Edmonds said. “She couldn’t get enough of helping children.” Mrs. Venter got her teaching start at Albert V. Norrell Elementary School on North Side. She moved to Reid Elementary School on South Side, before settling in at Chimborazo. She passed along her love of education to her daughters. “My mother had such high expectations for us,” Ms. Edmonds said. “Because of her love for us, we always tried to do our best. She always made us feel like we could achieve anything.” Mrs. Venter was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Richmond chapter of The Girl Friends. She also belonged to Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jackson Ward. She is survived by her husband and daughters, grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

James L. Hawkins, 95, retired educator

James L. Hawkins had a treasured saying he loved to pass along to his students during more than two decades as an educator. “Use your mind, but use your hands as well,” his son, Darryl Hawkins, recalled of his father’s adherence to a strong work ethic in and outside of the classroom. Mr. Hawkins, who taught in Richmond Public Schools from 1966 through 1988, drew the saying from the philosophies of iconic trailblazers Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois and self-determination books they authored, his son said. Mr. Hawkins “liked working with kids,” his son added. “He loved teaching them and training them.” He also was a Boy Scout troop leader at his church, All Souls Presbyterian Church, on North Side. Mr. Hawkins was “gregarious and fun loving,” his son said. “He loved to be around other people and socialize.” Mr. Hawkins is being remembered following his death Wednesday, Jan. 21,

2015. He was 95. The family will hold a visitation from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at W.S. Watkins & Son Funeral Home, 2700 North Ave. on North Side. His funeral will be noon Saturday, Mr. Hawkins Jan. 31, 2015, at W.S. Watkins & Son Community Chapel, 2701 Garland Ave. Mr. Hawkins was born Feb. 9, 1919, in Carteret County, N.C. He met his future wife, Thelma Pittman, when they were children and he visited his uncle, who lived next door to her family. Mr. Hawkins attended North Carolina A&T University and later Fayetteville State University, where he graduated in 1946. He married after graduating, then attended the Lincoln (Mo.) University School of Law, where he earned a law

degree in 1948. He and his wife moved to Richmond in 1966 to take teaching jobs in Richmond Public Schools. They bought a home in North Side and raised their four children — Quentin, James, Betty and Darryl. Mr. Hawkins taught at the old Booker T. Washington High School in Jackson Ward, then moved to the nearby Richmond Technical Center, where he taught for many years. He later moved to East End Middle School, where he taught until his retirement. In his spare time, Mr. Hawkins loved to fish, cook, undertake building projects and attend activities of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, of which he was a lifelong member. He also was an elder at All Souls Presbyterian Church. “He threw himself into everything he did,” his son said. Mr. Hawkins is survived by his children; one sister, Margaret Thomas; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Evelyn S. Fraser succumbs at 97

Evelyn Swann Fraser was known for her kind, loving, generous spirit and her devotion to her family and friends. When her sister, Lillian, fell ill at an early age, she cared for her until her death at age 38. When her husband, Ivan, a Richmond dentist, succumbed at age 54 in 1970, Mrs. Fraser was lovingly by his side. “I think she was rewarded for all the good things she did in taking care of family members and others,” her daughter, Jackie Fraser, said. “She lived a good and long life.” She is being remembered following her death Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, in Richmond. She was 97.

FirstM iBaptist Church dlothian

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A visitation is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, at Scott’s Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., on North Side. Her life will be celebrated at a funeral noon Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at Scott’s Mrs. Fraser Funeral Home. Mrs. Fraser was born Dec. 22, 1917, in Richmond. She graduated from Armstrong High School and attended Virginia Union University, where she met her future husband.

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

ChurCh anniversary 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 12:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Rev. Pernell J. Johnson, Pastor

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

Sharon Baptist Church WEDNESDAYS Prayer Service 6:00 p.m. Bible Study 6:30p.m.

THURSDAYS Bible Study 1:30 p.m.

ine Fellowship

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

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

Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858

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

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

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

Faithful Fridays

at Tabernacle Baptist Church

Ebenezer Baptist Church, Beaverdam, VA Dean of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University

Choir: Bethany Baptist Association Mass Choir

Friday, February 13, 2015 Dr. Phillip M. Baldwin Bethlehem Baptist Church, Simpsonville, SC

Choir: Olive Branch Baptist Church Mass Choir

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

Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, Richmond, VA

Choir: Cedar Street Baptist Church of God Mass Choir

Friday, February 27, 2015 Dr. Sedgwick V. Easley Union Baptist Church, Hempstead, NY

Choir: Trinity Baptist Church Mass Choir, Richmond 7:30PM Prayer and Praise and Mini-Concert • 8PM Worship Service

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

Essie LaDean Miller, a former commissioner of the Richmond Redevelopment Ms. MIller and Housing Authority, sought to make life better for residents of Fairfield Court and other public housing communities. Ms. Miller was an outspoken voice for residents until her death Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. She was 63. A 30-year Fairfield Court resident, she took part in initiatives to improve health care, fight hunger, promote businesses, develop programs for youths and involve residents in public safety. Among other things, she was a co-founder of a Church Hill health center that increased residents’ access to low-cost medical services and helped create volunteer anti-crime patrols for residents in Fairfield and other communities. She was involved in bringing programs of the Central Virginia Food Bank to the East End, including the Kids Cafés. She also helped develop a family resource program and to organize the first Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops in Fairfield Court. She served three terms as president of the Fairfield Court Tenants Council, which represents tenants, and was actively involved with the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society and the Legal Aid Justice Center in developing ideas and strategies for helping public housing residents. In 1999, Ms. Miller became the first public housing resident to secure a City Council appointment to serve on the RRHA governing board of commissioners. She served five years and was often a thorn to RRHA management for her efforts to intervene on behalf of tenants facing eviction or having problems with RRHA staff. Ms. Miller also took part in starting other community service projects, including serving the homeless in Monroe Park and organizing volunteer efforts to maintain recreation programs in Fairfield Court. Born into a family of six children, Ms. Miller was a graduate of Maggie L. Walker High School and Virginia Union University. A former C&P Telephone Co. employee, she operated the state’s Information and Referral Service from 1991 to 1994 during the administration of then-Gov. L. Douglas Wilder. She was a member of the Richmond Outreach Center on South Side. Family and friends celebrated her life Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at Worship and Praise Church on North Side. Survivors include two daughters, Tiesha D. Miller and Tina D. Miller; three brothers, Anthony L. Miller, Ricardo N. Miller and Wayne W. Miller; a sister, Michelle D. Miller; and two grandchildren.

Friday, February 6, 2015 Dr. John W. Kinney

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

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

Sunday, February 1, 2015 No 8:00 a.m. Service 9:30 a.m. ...... Church School 11:15 a.m. ..Morning Worship Holy Communion

Life in the

Sunday Service 11AM Wednesday Prayer/Bible Study 7PM

Special Anniversary Program and Lunch Van Transportation Available, Call 804-794-5583

They were married in 1942 and raised two daughters, Ms. Fraser and Carol F. Boone. “She was very caring and had a strong sense of family,” Mrs. Boone said. “She enjoyed her friends and entertaining them. Our friends became her friends.” She was a secretary at the former Elba and Randolph elementary schools in Richmond for many years. Mrs. Fraser also was a charter member of the Richmond Chapter of Jack and Jill of America and belonged to The Girl Friends. She is survived by her daughters, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Essie L. Miller, 63, RRHA commissioner

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

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

Tabernacle Baptist Church

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

Richmond Free Press

January 29-31, 2015

Legal Notices Continued from previous column

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2014-191 As Amended To amend Ord. No. 96-1734, adopted Mar. 11, 1996, which authorized the special use of the properties known as 510-520 West Broad Street, 517-519 West Marshall Street and 304 North Henry Street as a building for retail purposes with an accessory drive-up window and parking, to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption, in accordance with a Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Wine and Beer Off-Premises license, at the existing retail drugstore, upon certain terms and conditions. Ordinance No. 2014-258 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $50,000 from the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Justice Services by $50,000 for the purpose of providing detention reentry placement and services to juvenile offenders committed to the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. Ordinance No. 2014-259 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice for the purpose of providing detention reentry placement and services to juvenile offenders committed to the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. Ordinance No. 2015-5 To authorize a Preliminary Community Unit Plan permitting the development of a residential community of up to 300 dwelling units on approximately 21.76 acres of land located at 1501 North 31st Street and 1611 North 31st Street, upon certain terms and conditions. Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Jean V. Capel City Clerk

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, February 23, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2015-15 To conditionally rezone the property known as 2102 East Main Street from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the B-5C Central Business District (Conditional), upon certain proffered conditions. The subject property is zoned M-1 Light Industrial District, which does not permit the proposed single-family residence on the second floor. A rezoning to B-5 is required to permit the proposed residential use. The Richmond Downtown Plan designates this property as Urban Center Area. Neither the Downtown Plan or the B-5 zoning district establish residential density ranges. Ordinance No. 2015-16 To amend Ord. No. 89356-90-14, adopted Jan. 8, 1990, which authorized the special use of the property known as 1125 West Clay Street for the purposes of converting the existing building into 47 single-room occupancy units plus a resident manager’s unit, to permit an additional 33 dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The applicant is proposing to amend Ord. No. 89-356-90-14, which authorized fortyseven (47) single-room occupancy units. The proposed amendment includes renovation of the existing forty-seven (47) dwelling units and construction of an additional thirty-three (33) dwelling units for a total of eighty (80) dwelling units and one (1) resident manager’s unit. The property is zoned M-1 Light Industrial, which does not permit dwelling uses. The Master Plan designates this property as Multi-Family (medium-density), which establishes a density range of up to 20 units per acre. The proposal would be a density of 135 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2015-17 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 1617 Grove Avenue and 120 North Lombardy Street for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling and parking area, upon certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 94-239-223, adopted Oct. 24, 1994. The property owner that operated both multifamily dwellings under the current Special Use Permit has requested it to be repealed so that the two multifamily dwellings can be held under separate ownership and operated under the authorization of separate special use permits. 1617 Grove Avenue consists of 0.2 acres of land improved with a 7-unit multifamily dwelling, a density of 35 units per acre. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Singlefamily (Medium Density) land uses for the property. The Master Plan defines the primary uses for this category as single-family and two-family detached and attached dwellings at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2015-18 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 1621 Grove Avenue and 1617 Rear Grove Avenue for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling and parking area, upon certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 94-239-223, adopted Oct. 24, 1994. The property owner that operated both multifamily dwellings under the current Special Use Permit has requested it to be repealed so that the two multifamily dwellings can be held under separate ownership and operated under the authorization of separate special use permits. 1621 Grove Avenue consists of 0.42 acres of land improved with a 21-unit multifamily dwelling, a density of 50 units per acre. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Singlefamily (Medium Density) land uses for the property. The Master Plan defines the primary uses for this category as single-family and two-family detached and attached dwellings at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2015-19 To authorize the special use of the property known as 26 North Morris Continued on next column

Street for the purpose of authorizing a restaurant with outdoor dining, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is currently zoned Urban Business and is in the Main Street/Uptown parking overlay district (PO-3), which permits outdoor dining as long as it is not within 100 feet of any property in an R (Residential) zoning district. The proposed outdoor dining is adjacent to Sydney Park, which is zoned R-6 (Single-Family Attached Residential). The Master Plan recommends “Community Commercial” uses for the subject property. The Plan defines the primary use for this land use designation as office, retail, personal service and other commercial and services uses, intended to provide the shopping and service needs of residents of a number of nearby neighborhoods or a section of the City. There are no established residential density ranges for the subject property. Ordinance No. 2015-20 To amend Ord. No. 201120-32, adopted Mar. 14, 2011, as amended by Ord. No. 2013-75-57, adopted Apr. 22, 2013, which authorized the special use of the property known as 310 North 33rd Street for the purpose of the conversion of an existing building to a multifamily dwelling with up to 50 units and principal commercial uses permitted on corner lots in the R-63 Multifamily Urban Residential District on the property, to authorize outdoor dining, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is located in the R-63 Multi-Family Urban Residential zoning district, which permits outdoor dining uses. However, the R-63 District requires no outdoor dining area be within 100 feet of any property in an R district. The proposed dining area is approximately 65 feet from the R-8 District. The Master Plan recommends “Mixed Use Residential” uses for the property. There are no residential density ranges established by the Master Plan and no additional density proposed in the special use permit. Ordinance No. 2015-21 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3500 Kensington Avenue for the purpose of multifamily dwellings containing up to 50 dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 86-32-38, adopted Feb. 24, 1986, Ord. No. 91-361-331, adopted Nov. 25, 1991, and Ord. No. 92-41-47, adopted Mar. 9, 1992. Currently, the subject property is zoned in the R-48 Multifamily Residential district, which allows multifamily use but does not allow the proposed residential density of approximately 38 dwelling units per acre. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Singlefamily (Medium Density) land uses for the property. The Master Plan defines the primary uses for this category as single-family and two-family detached and attached dwellings at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2015-22 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3729 East Broad Rock Road for the purpose of authorizing motor fuel sales, upon certain terms and conditions. The subject property is located in the B-2 Community Business District, which permits motor fuel sales. However, the B-2 District requires no fuel sales be located on a property designated as a transitional site, which is defined as a lot or portion thereof located in a B district and situated within 50 feet and fronting on the same block as property in an R district. The adjacent property is zoned R-48 Multi-family Residential District. The Master Plan recommends Neighborhood Commercial uses for the subject property. Neighborhood commercial uses as shown on the Land Use Plan map should be limited to those uses that provide goods and services generally used by the immediate surrounding neighborhood and are not intended to draw from a broader marker. There are no established residential density ranges established by the proposal or the Master Plan. Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Jean V. Capel City Clerk

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. KRIDER, SHERRIE 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 Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

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. KRIDER, SHERRIE 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 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 Continued on next 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

erucci, child, DOB 4/22/2013 “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: vistation; adoption consent; determination of religious affliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendants Lisa RusterucciHickman and Deshawn Hardaway, appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/ her interest on or before March 12, 2015 at 9:40 a.m. Sarah M. Denham, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. Case No.: CL14-3686-1 TOWER BUILDING PROPERTIES, 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 “3013 Q Street,” TaxMap/GPIN# E000-0628/005, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, TOWER BUILDING PROPERTIES, L. L. C. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, TOWER BUILDING PROPERTIES, L. L. C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that JOEL FINE, As to part of a $20,000.00 Interest and LAURA FINE, As to part of a $20,000.00 Interest, who may be the holders of a $20,000.000 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 6, 2004, with respect to said property, recorded February 9, 2004, in Instrument No. 04-004039, the aforesaid Deed of Trust was assumed by Tower Building Properties, L.L.C., a Virginia limited liability company, by deed of Assumption dated March 29, 2006 and recorded March 30, 2006, in instrument No. 06-10250, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to this action, or their heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that ISAAC I. SILVER, As to a $20,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder of a $20,000.000 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 6, 2004, with respect to said property, recorded February 9, 2004, in Instrument No. 04-004039, the aforesaid Deed of Trust was assumed by Tower Building Properties, L.L.C., a Virginia limited liability company, by deed of Assumption dated March 29, 2006 and recorded March 30, 2006, in instrument No. 06-10250, assignment of Deed of Trust to Isaac I . Silver as to $20,000.00 Interest in the above deed of trust recorded March 21, 2008 in Instrument No. 08-07612, whose last know post-office address is 10905 Dominion Fairways lane, Glen Allen, Virginia 23056, has not been personally located and has not filed a response in this matter, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that DAVID SEFCHOK and GERALYN SEFCHOK, who may be the holders of certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated March 29, 2006, with respect to said property, recorded March 30, 2006, in Instrument No. 06-10251, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to this action, or their heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that SHERRIE BECKER, PATRICK BECKER, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the JAY SCHWARTZ TRUST U/A 11/6/1992, and RICHARD D. KRIDER, 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 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 TOWER BUILDING PROPERTIES, L. L. C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, JOEL FINE, As to part of a $20,000.00 Interest and LAURA FINE, As to part of a $20,000.00 Interest, who may be the holders of a $20,000.000 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 6, 2004, with respect to said property, recorded February 9, 2004, in Instrument No. 04-004039, the aforesaid Deed of Trust was assumed by Tower Building Properties, L.L.C., a Virginia limited liability company, by deed of Assumption dated March 29, 2006 and recorded March 30, 2006, in instrument No. 06-10250, or their heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, ISAAC I. SILVER, As to a $20,000.00 Interest, who may be the holder of a $20,000.000 Interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated February 6, 2004, with respect to said property, recorded February 9, 2004, in Instrument No. 04-004039, the aforesaid Deed of Trust was assumed by Tower Building Properties, L.L.C., a Virginia limited liability company, by deed of Assumption dated March 29, 2006 and recorded March 30, 2006, in instrument No. 06-10250, assignment of Deed of Trust to Isaac I . Silver as to $20,000.00 Interest in the above deed of trust recorded March 21, 2008 in Instrument No. 08-07612, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, DAVID SEFCHOK and GERALYN SEFCHOK, who may be the holders of certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated March 29, 2006,

Continued on next column

Continued on next page

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 HANOVER EZEKIAL ROBINSON, Plaintiff v. ANN REID, Defendant. Case No.: CL14002846-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 4th day of February, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BRET Hall, Plaintiff v. JENNIFER HALL, Defendant. Case No.: 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

CUSTODY virgiNia: iN thE Richmond JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Commonwealth of Virginia, in re JANELLE SIMONE RUSTERUCCI OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Lisa Rusterucci-Hickman (Mother) and Deshawn Hardaway (Father), of Janelle Simone RustContinued on next column

virgiNia: iN thE Richmond JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Shenika Lesha Blackman OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Walter Prescott Jones (Father), of Shenika Lesha Blackman, child, DOB 9/21/98 “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: vistation; adoption consent; determination of religious affliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that Walter Prescott Jones, appear at the above-named Court and protect his interest on or before March 24, 2015 at 9:20 a.m. Kate D. O’Leary, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 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

PROPERTY

Richmond Free Press

B6 January 29-31, 2015

Sports Plus

Baseball pioneer Ernie Banks dies at 83 Free Press wire reports

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, the pioneering and famously affable slugger hailed by the team as “the greatest Cub in franchise history,” died Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at age 83, the club announced. A shortstop and first baseman renowned as “Mr. Cub” and “Mr. Sunshine,” Mr. Banks joined the team as its first black player in 1953. That was six years after Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier on the Brooklyn Dodgers. Mr. Banks remained with the Cubs for 19 seasons until his retirement in 1971, hitting 512 career home runs and 1,636 runs batted in. Mr. Banks later became the first African-American to manage a major league team when, while serving as a Cubs coach in May of 1973, he filled in for ejected manager Whitey Lockman during a game. Mr. Banks died Friday evening in Chicago after suffering a heart attack according to an attorney for his family, Mark Bogen. Besides his athletic gifts on the baseball diamond, Mr. Banks was famed for an irrepressibly upbeat demeanor that never seemed to fade during his tenure with the perennially hapless Cubs. His signature catchphrase, “Let’s play two,” adorns his statue at Wrigley Field. The Cubs and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans to move the statue to Chicago’s Daley Plaza for a public memorial

Paulette Singleton/Richmond Free Press

President Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to baseball Hall of Fame player Ernie Banks at a White House ceremony in November of 2013.

to celebrate Mr. Banks’ life Wednesday. The statue is to remain in the plaza through Saturday. “We are bringing Ernie’s statue to Daley Plaza to honor not just one of the best ballplayers of all time, but a great man who made our city proud from the day we first met him in 1953,” Mayor Emanuel said in a statement. A memorial service for Mr. Banks is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Mr. Banks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Obama in 2013. “He was one of the greatest players of all time,” Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “He was a pioneer in the major leagues. And more importantly, he was the warmest and most sincere person I’ve ever known.” Inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1977, Mr. Banks also became the first player from the Cubs’ roster to have his number — 14 — retired in 1982. He also was a 14-time All-Star and was named the National League’s most valuable player in 1958 and 1959. He also was voted onto the league’s All-Century Team and was honored on the field at the 1999 All-Star Game at Boston’s Fenway Park. “We’ve got the setting: Sunshine, fresh air. We’ve got the team behind us. So, let’s play two,” Mr. Banks said with a smile during his Hall of Fame induction speech.

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous page

with respect to said property, recorded March 30, 2006, in Instrument No. 06-10251, or their heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, SHERRIE BECKER, PATRICK BECKER, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the JAY SCHWARTZ TRUST U/A 11/6/1992, RICHARD D. KRIDER, 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 10, 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

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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, CAPITAL FUNDING AND CONSULTING, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, which may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment and Security Agreement dated August 22, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded August 26, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-23139, or its heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, TOM CLARK, As Manager, who may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment and Security Agreement dated August 22, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded August 26, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-23139, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, ALAN KATZ, LYNN KATZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE SCHWARTZ, GREG WOOLWINE, HOPE WOOLWINE, RICHARD D. KRIDER, TIMOTHY M. KEILTY, SR., As Registered Agent for TRACE CAPITAL, LLC., SHERRIE 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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. Case No.: CL14-3685-1 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 “1405 Mechanicsville Turnpike”, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map/GPIN# E000-0768/022, 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 CAPITAL FUNDING AND CONSULTING, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, which may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment and Security Agreement dated August 22, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded August 26, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-23139, or its heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that TOM CLARK, As Manager, who may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment and Security Agreement dated August 22, 2008, with respect to said property, recorded August 26, 2008, in Instrument Number 08-23139, has not been personally and has not filed a response to this action, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that ALAN KATZ, LYNN KATZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE SCHWARTZ, GREG WOOLWINE, HOPE WOOLWINE, RICHARD D. KRIDER, TIMOTHY M. KEILTY, SR., As Registered Agent for TRACE CAPITAL, LLC., SHERRIE 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 creditors with an interest in said property, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. Case No.: CL14-2775-1 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 “1320 North 22nd Street”, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map/GPIN# E000-0615/002, 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 ABNER SALKIN, As to $7,250.00 Interest, who may be the holder of a $7,250.00 interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated June 30, 2005, with respect to said property, recorded July 1, 2005, in Instrument Number 05-021594, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that BEVERLY SALKIN, As to $7,250.00 Interest, who may be the holder of a $7,250.00 interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated June 30, 2005, with respect to said

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property, recorded July 1, 2005, in Instrument Number 05-021594, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title; that ALAN KATZ, LYNN KATZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE SCHWARTZ, RICHARD D. KRIDER, 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; t hat 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 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, ABNER SALKIN, As to $7,250.00 Interest, who may be the holder of a $7,250.00 interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated June 30, 2005, with respect to said property, recorded July 1, 2005, in Instrument Number 05-021594, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, BEVERLY SALKIN, As to $7,250.00 Interest, who may be the holder of a $7,250.00 interest in a certain Note secured by a Balloon Deed of Trust dated June 30, 2005, with respect to said property, recorded July 1, 2005, in Instrument Number 05-021594, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, ALAN KATZ, LYNN KATZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE SCHWARTZ, RICHARD D. KRIDER, 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 10, 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

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

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 Continued on next column

BIDS COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID IFB# 15-9716-1JK Kitchen HVAC Renovations Donahoe, Glen Allen, Holladay Elementary Schools & Tucker High School Due 2:30 pm, February 18, 2015. Additional information available at: http://www. henrico.us/departments/ purchasing/bids-andproposals/ Sales of Unclaimed, Forfeited, and Surplus Property are posted on Govdeals.com or sold the first consecutive Tuesday (Residents and Taxpayers of Henrico County – ID required) and Wednesday (General Public) of each month at Henrico Surplus Property Warehouse 1510 E. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228, 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information visit our website at http://www. co.henrico.va.us/genserv/ purchasing/surplus-sales/ or call 501-5697

Start the New Year off in a new home.

Zero Down Payment 24/7 free recorded message. 1-877-222-8264 ext. 37 The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: RFP WF140020313-R – Public Art Master Plan Due Date: February 9, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.RichmondGov.com), or at 11th Floor of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone (804) 646-5716 or faxed (804) 646-5989. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process. For reference purposes, documents may be examined at the above location.

Full-Time Custodian Position Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond is seeking applicants for a full time custodian. 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. Hours: 40 hours per week 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: Trinity Baptist Church 2811 Fendall Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23222

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to 24 CFR 903.17, that the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) will hold a public hearing on the Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan for FY 2016. The hearing will be conducted on Thursday, March 19, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the Virginia Housing Center, 4224 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060. The proposed PHA Plan and information relevant to the hearing is available for review by the public at the offices of the Virginia Housing Development Authority, 601 S. Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA 23220 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Written comments may be submitted at the public hearing or mailed to the attention of: HCVP Policy Specialist, Virginia Housing Development Authority, P.O. Box 4545, Richmond, VA 23220. Written comments not presented at the public hearing must be received by Wednesday, March 18, 2015. VHDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability.

ASSISTANT DEAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (Position #FA312)

(J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master’s degree in Business or related field from an accredited institution. Completion of the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest and pre-employment security screening required. TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time twelvemonth administrative faculty-ranked appointment. Salary commensurate with the education and experience of the applicant. Salary range: $64,660–$129,672. Approximate maximum hiring salary: $82,400. Additional information is available at the College's website: www.reynolds.edu. APPLICATION PROCESS: Application reviews will begin MARCH 12, 2015 and continue until the position is filled. AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans are encouraged to apply.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press

call 644-0496

Boone Contracting LLC, a small electrical contracting company is looking for a journeyman electrician for residential work. Must have own tools, reliable transportation and Drivers License. If interested, send resume to email address: contractorboone@yahoo.com or fax to: 804-755-7529.

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Administrative Project Analyst, Parking 29M00001202 Public Works Apply by: 2/08/2015 Customer Service Representative III, Parking (Multiple Openings) 29M00001204 Public Works Apply by: 2/08/2015

Mortgage Banking - Multifamily AssistAnt Director, Low incoMe Housing tAx creDit ProgrAMs VHDA, Virginia’s housing finance agency, is looking for a dynamic, diversified leader to work closely with the Director of Low Income Housing Tax Credit Programs, including program development, operations management, directing, and assisting with the management of all activities related to the tax credit program line of business. The individual will be directly involved in short and longterm strategic planning for the organization, while at the same time, establishing and maintaining partnerships with customers, key groups and organizations that enable VHDA to provide affordable rental housing opportunities for lowincome Virginians. Organizational skills, decision-making, judgment and relationship management are paramount to success in this role. Ability to perform analytics and track eBusiness trends as it relates to VHDA’s tax credit program is a must. Must be able to promote the adoption and implementation of automated processes. Will work with Marketing, Public Policy and Finance groups to develop and promote the tax credit program. Broad experience within the tax credit and multifamily mortgage industry, including the regulatory environment, required. BA/BS in real estate, finance, business administration or related area, or equivalent professional/technical certification highly preferred. Must have demonstrated skills in management/leadership, innovative problem solving, facilitation, and negotiations. Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills required along with proficiency in Microsoft Excel. We offer a competitive salary with a generous benefits package. Interested parties should submit a resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE Background, credit, and driving record checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Family Services Worker, Adoptions 27M00000508 Social Services Apply by: 2/08/2015 Materials Technician, Operations Support 35M00000321 Public Utilities Apply by: 2/15/2015 Trades Supervisor I 29M00001029 Public Works Apply by: 2/08/2015 Utilities Electrician, Operations Management 35M00000912 Public Utilities Apply by: 2/15/2015 Utilities Instrument & Control Technician II, Water Utilities 35M00000788 Public Utilities Apply by: 2/15/2015 ****************** 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