January 5 7, 2017 issue by Richmond Free Press

Power of faith

New city leaders A3, A4 B5 0

Richmond Free Press

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VOL. 26 NO. 1

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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JANUARY 5-7, 2017

Health care cutback? Bon Secours to close Richmond Community Hospital’s ICU, sources say By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Is Bon Secours planning to close the small intensive care unit later this month at its 104-bed Richmond Community Hospital facility in the East End? While Bon Secours officials deny the five-bed unit is being shut down, the Free Press has been told the eight nurses who have staffed the ICU around the clock — about 10 percent of the hospital’s 81 registered nurses — were notified last month that their services in the unit would no longer be needed after Jan. 22. Rumors have been flying for months that Bon Secours planned to shut down the unit for critically sick and severely ill patients who need specialty care and close monitoring. In response to a Free Press query, Mark Gordon, chief executive officer of Bon Secours Richmond East, reiterated Wednesday as he had in early December that

Richmond Community Hospital, located at 1500 N. 28th St., has been part of the Richmond community since 1902. It is now an arm of the Bon Secours Health System.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

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Richmond starts new year with new mayor By Jeremy M. Lazarus

New Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney launched his four-year term by officiating at the marriage of a gay couple at a nightclub ceremony just after midnight on New Year’s Day, when he officially took office. A day later on Monday, he was greeting students at three Richmond schools with School Board Chairman Jeff Bourne and taking part with volunteers in painting the Neighborhood Resource Center in the Fulton area. By Tuesday, the 35-year-old chief executive was busy at City Hall learning his way around the operations and visiting the receptions for new City Council and School Board members. “There is no secret formula to this, no secret recipe, but to work hard every single day and pour my time, my

Related stories on A3, A4 energy and my life into this work,” Mayor Stoney said last Saturday after taking the oath of office at a City Hall ceremony that included about 90 people. Among them were dozens of the new mayor’s family members, as well as his mentor, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his wife, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, six members of City Council, five members of the School Board and several top officials on his staff, including Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn. The Rev. Tyrone Nelson, chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond and a Stoney supporter, presided and delivered the opening and closing prayers. The essentially private ceremony was mostly about family. Mayor Stoney’s sister, Nhandi Stoney, held his Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Levar Stoney, 35, raises his right hand and takes the oath of office as Richmond’s new mayor during a ceremony before about 90 family members, friends and officials at City Hall. His sister, Nhandi Stoney, holds the Bible that belonged to Mayor Stoney’s late grandmother, Mary Stoney, as Richmond General District Court Judge David M. Hicks administers the oath. Looking on are Mayor Stoney’s uncles, Harold Louis Stoney, left, and Anthony Ezekiel Stoney.

McEachin sworn in By Lauren Northington

U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County was sworn in as a member of the 115th Congress on Tuesday at a ceremony at the U.S.

Capitol in Washington. “I am humbled and honored to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of Virginians in the 4th Congressional District,” said Rep. McEachin in a statement Tuesday.

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Party like it’s 2017! Children from around Metro Richmond throw confetti and whoop it up at their own “Noon Year’s Eve Bash” last Saturday at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. The New Year’s Eve celebration, held 12 hours before most adult celebrations, included a grand parade, led by the museum mascot, Seymour the Dinosaur, and a toast with juice boxes. “Anna” and “Elsa,” characters from the highly popular 2013 Disney film “Frozen,” joined the youngsters in ushering in 2017 and learning about New Year’s celebrations and customs from around the world.

The district, which was re-drawn by a federal court in 2016, includes all of Richmond, Petersburg, Charles City, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Emporia, Greensville, Hopewell, Prince George, Southampton, Surry and Sussex, as well as parts of Chesterfield, Henrico, Chesapeake and Suffolk. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, swore in Rep. McEachin. Rep. McEachin is the second African-American to represent Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives since the late 1890s. He joins Rep. Robert C. Scott, the 3rd District Democrat who previously represented Richmond in Congress. The progressive Virginia legislator and partner at the Richmond area law firm McEachin and Gee told the Free Press on Wednesday he is looking to focus his long-term priorities on education reform, increasing the time between deployments for active-duty military and increasing rural broadband internet service within the 4th District. However, issues like capitalizing on federal tax credits to repair and rebuild crumbling schools, decreasing federal oversight of student testing and reducing the suspension Please turn to A4

Petersburg City Council chooses new leader By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Courtesy of Jamitress Bowden

Congressman A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County takes the oath of office Tuesday as House Speaker Paul D. Ryan holds a Bible during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. He is the second African-American to represent Virginia in Congress since the late 1890s.

W. Howard Myers is out and Samuel Parham is in as the mayor of Petersburg. Foiled in his effort to gain a second term, 5th Ward Councilman Myers nominated Mr. Parham to be Petersburg City Council’s presiding officer at a time when the city continues to face severe financial challenges. Mayor Parham, who represents Ward 3, promised a more transparent government. He secured four votes on the seven-member council to win the post. Mayor Parham In addition to his own vote, he received the votes of Mr. Myers; Darrin Hill, Ward 2; and new council member Charles Cuthbert, Ward 4. Separately, John A. Hart Sr., Ward 7, who voted against Mr. Parham, was elected vice mayor. Mr. Parham had held that post under Mr. Myers. The two other council members, Treska Wilson-Smith, Ward 1, and newcomer Annette Smith-Lee, Ward 6, also voted against Please turn to A4

A2 January 5-7, 2017

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Postal workers receive back pay By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Dozens of current and former Richmond mail carriers have received extra payments during the holidays from the U.S. Postal Service, the service has confirmed. The payments are the latest fallout from a scandal at the Main Post Office on Brook Road that involved supervisors altering carrier time cards — without the carriers’ knowledge — to reduce overtime. The Free Press reported on the scandal just before Thanksgiving. In response to a Free Press query, USPS spokesman Tom Ouelette stated Wednesday that the payments stem from a settlement “the Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers reached in December.” “As a result of the settlement, some letter carriers at the Saunders, Bellevue and North Side stations Ms. Greene (who work out of the Main Post Office) were entitled to receive additional compensation for time worked,” Mr. Ouelette said. The money ranged from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, sources told the Free Press. The USPS Office of Inspector General began a probe of the altered time cards after receiving a grievance from letter carrier Shekeera Greene and four other carriers. The probe led to the dismissal of veteran Richmond Postmaster Howard G. O’Connor and five lower level managers. A substantial number of the carriers who received the overtime pay deliver mail on one or more residential routes that can require more than eight hours to complete.

Showalter finds money for Jan.10 special election Richmond Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter is backing off her concern that her office would not have enough money to cover the expense of the special election for the 9th District state Senate seat to be held next Tuesday, Jan. 10. Two weeks ago, Ms. Showalter indicated she would need the city to provide extra funds to handle the cost of the election contest between Richmond Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan, a Democrat, and rap artist and Libertarian Party member Corey E. Fauconier. The two are vying for the Senate seat vacated by 4th District Congressman A. Donald McEachin. In a statement to the Free Press on Dec. 28, Ms. Showalter stated that she found the estimated $75,000 she said her office needs for the special election when she went through her budget to prepare a forecast for the first six months of 2017 for city budget officials. Ms. Showalter “I realized we had cost savings from voting equipment purchases that could be diverted to cover the special election,” she stated. “I also will have to give up some software that would be very nice but is not essential.” However, she noted that if Delegate McClellan wins, as anticipated, “I will have absolutely no (money) to absorb the costs of a second special election” to fill her seat in the House of Delegates. Ms. Showalter indicated she would have to seek at least $75,000 in additional funds to handle the cost of a second special election. Former School Board Chairman Jeff M. Bourne already has indicated that he plans to run for Delegate McClellan’s seat. Lisa Speller-Davis, who is chairing Mayor Levar Stoney’s inaugural committee, also has expressed interest. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

City offers holiday tree disposal Christmas is over. But what to do with the holiday tree? Good news: Richmond once again is offering several ways to safely get rid of live Christmas trees. First, the city will be hosting a new edition of “Bring One for the Chipper” to recycle trees into mulch. This year’s event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at 1710 Robin Hood Road, just east of the intersection with North Boulevard and across the street from the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, according to the city Department of Public Works. Along with trees, the department noted, Richmond residents also can bring up to five boxes of documents to be shredded. They also can drop off without charge broken or outdated electronic equipment, such as computer monitors, printers, radios and microwaves. Televisions also will be accepted, but for a fee of $10 to $20, depending on the TV’s size. Christmas trees also can be dropped off through Friday, Jan. 6, at the city’s two solid waste transfer stations, 3800 E. Richmond Road in the East End or 3520 N. Hopkins Road in South Side, the department stated. Finally, the department will send a bulk truck to pick up trees left on the curb in front of residents’ homes through Friday, Jan. 20. This service is free, but requires a resident to notify DPW that a tree needs to be picked up. That notice can be provided by calling 311 or 646-7000 and speaking with a customer service agent at the city’s Call Center. The department notes that a tree left by a Supercan is unlikely to be picked up with the trash because a separate truck is used to collect trees, branches and other such items. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

This 17-foot-tall metal ring in South Side provides a unique frame for the Downtown skyline. The ring is one of eight that comprise “The Path Untraveled,” art that highlights the south end of the recently opened T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge. Denver sculptor Joshua Wiener created the pieces that stand along the path to the pedestrian and cycling bridge that spans the James River and connects to Brown’s Island beside the north shore. Mr. Wiener received $200,000 from the Richmond Public Art Commission for the riverfront art.

Gov. McAuliffe announces criminal justice reform By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Gov. Terry McAuliffe is proposing changes in state laws that could help reduce the number of people who end up becoming unemployed or who are sent to prison. He went to CARITAS Works, a nonprofit workforce development program in South Side on Tuesday to unveil his criminal justice reforms — all of which are expected to face tough sledding in the Republican-dominated General Assembly that will convene next week. One proposal would end the state practice of suspending driver’s licenses for people who cannot pay outstanding court fees and fines. A second would raise the threshold for charging a person with a felony for larceny from $200 to $500. The governor also announced legislation that would make it easier for anyone convicted of a felony to petition for a writ of actual innocence based on new DNA evidence. “Throughout my administration, I have worked with Virginia’s public safety officials, the legislature and the courts to

assure that we have a criminal justice system that is fair and seeks true justice,” Gov. McAuliffe said. “The changes we are proposing today seek to hold offenders responsible for their crimes in a way that maintains opportunities for rehabilitation and future productivity,” he said. Brian Moran, state secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, also endorsed the governor’s proposals as “common sense reforms.” The drivers’ license proposal would have the biggest impact and comes amid a federal lawsuit the Legal Aid Justice Center has filed challenging the constitutionality of the state’s process for stripping people of their driving privileges. About 850,000 people — or nearly one in every six adults in the state — are barred from driving because of a suspended license, the governor noted. He said he would submit two bills to reduce the practice of taking drivers’ licenses that are essential for people to get to work, forcing many to court arrest and conviction for driving while their license is suspended.

“Taking their license prevents them from being employed and ultimately from paying overdue court costs and fines,” he said. Taking aim at Virginia’s $200 larceny threshold set in 1980, the governor called it “outdated” and noted that the threshold is “currently the lowest in the country.” He said keeping the threshold artificially low “creates employment, housing and other difficulties that come with a felony conviction.” Although raising the threshold for a felony has been rejected in past legislative sessions, the governor said that raising the threshold to $500 would bring Virginia in line with other states that make thefts of lower amounts a misdemeanor that can keep a convicted person in jail for up to a year. The governor said that his third proposal would eliminate arbitrary barriers that bar certain defendants from petitioning a court seeking their innocence based on new or untested DNA evidence. He said the legislation would reduce the chances of keeping wrongly convicted people in prison when evidence that exonerates them turns up after trial.

Richmond Free Press

January 5-7, 2017

Local News

Mayor’s inaugural events By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Mayor Levar Stoney is planning to keep his public inaugural events simple — no lavish dinners and no fancy balls. For him, it will be a couple of meals and receptions — then back to work. The main events will take place Saturday, Jan. 14, and will be open to all without charge, according to his inaugural committee. At noon, the new mayor will be in the City Council chambers at Richmond City Hall in Downtown to again take the oath of ofﬁce and deliver his inaugural address — essentially laying out his vision and plans as he ceremoniously dons the mantle of Richmond’s chief

executive. He ofﬁcially took ofﬁce Jan. 1. Then, Mayor Stoney plans to spend nearly three hours shaking hands with all comers at a community celebration a block from City Hall at The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St. That event is scheduled to run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the museum that

spotlights Richmond area history. Ahead of these democratic-style events, Mayor Stoney also will dine and shake hands with the wellheeled. According to the inaugural committee, the ticketed events will take place Friday, Jan. 13. The ﬁrst will be a $150-per-person luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. at The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin St., according to the schedule. That will be followed by a $100-per-person reception from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St. To purchase tickets, go to https://levarstoney.ngpvanhost.com/inauguration or contact Lisa.Speller. Davis@gmail.com. Mr. Stoney also is sched-

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Left, newly installed Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney smiles for a photo with his friend and mentor, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe after last Saturday’s swearing-in ceremony at City Hall. Above, family members embrace in a prayer circle with Levar Stoney moments before he takes the oath of office as Richmond’s mayor. On Saturday, Dec. 31, the 35-year-old became the youngest mayor in the city’s history.

uled to attend an invitation-only prayer breakfast with area clergy from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the

Hilton Richmond Downtown at 5th and Broad streets before he heads to the City Hall ceremony.

School Board selects new officers, sets timetable

Council in November and were sworn in to their new positions The nine members of the Richon Tuesday evening. mond School Board were sworn “I am unashamed to tell you, in Tuesday, with newly installed those were two of the hardest Mayor Levar Stoney addressing working members we had on the the members. School Board,” said outgoing “My favorite part of the oath, School Board vice chair Donald the same oath I gave just days Coleman, 7th District. ago, is ‘… according to the best “They have full knowledge of of my ability, so help me God,’” what we need up here. And that’s Mayor Stoney said. going to be exciting because the And for the nearly 24,000 reality is that I don’t think any of schoolchildren attending Richus have really honestly faced the Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press mond Public Schools, the abilities Richmond’s new School Board members pose at City Hall after their swearing-in on Tuesday. They are, from left, fact that there really is only one of the new School Board best be Elizabeth “Liz” Doerr, 1st District; J. Scott Barlow, 2nd District; Jeff Bourne, 3rd District; Jonathan Young, 4th pot of money,” he continued. superhuman. Last February, a multimillionDistrict; Vice Chairman Dr. Patrick Sapini, 5th District; Chairwoman Dawn Page, 8th District; Felicia Cosby, 6th Elizabeth “Liz” Doerr, 1st District; Nadine Marsh-Carter, 7th District; and Linda Owen, 9th District. dollar budget shortfall threatened District; J. Scott Barlow, 2nd to close several schools and District; Jonathan M. Young, 4th District; Dr. Patrick M. Sapini, “We’ve divided the entire budget into every single line item deny decades-overdue maintenance projects. Hundreds of RPS 5th District; Felicia D. Cosby, 6th District; Nadine Marsh-Carter, to look at and scrub through and make sure that we identify all students, parents, teachers and supporters took to the streets 7th District; Dawn C. Page, 8th District; and Linda B. Owen, opportunities to share resources, and to make sure that all of our in protest. 9th District, are the eight newcomers on the board. Several School Board members have expressed hope that budget line items are tied to priorities we want to see for RPS,” Jeff M. Bourne, who won re-election on Nov. 8, is the board’s Ms. Doerr told the Free Press on Tuesday night. Ms. Gray and Ms. Larson, in their new positions, can help only incumbent. Dr. Bedden’s $303 million budget plan is $22.7 million more direct more money to the city schools. During Tuesday’s initial meeting, he stepped down as board — an 8.1 percent increase — than the current operating budget. RPS has a student population that is 70 percent Africanchairman, perhaps scaling back his responsibilities in preparation That includes $9.6 million to make good on unfunded programs American, with 92 percent of the city’s students considered ecofor a bid for the Virginia House of Delegates. from fiscal years 2016 and 2017, $4.9 million for a 4.1 percent nomically disadvantaged by the Virginia Board of Education. Mr. Bourne, a deputy attorney general, has said he may seek salary increase for teachers and $4.4 million for retirement, life In other action, the School Board approved a cooperative the 71st District House seat should Delegate Jennifer McClellan and health insurance benefits. resolution with City Council that will allow the board to hold win a special election Tuesday, Jan. 10, for the state Senate. Former School Board members Kimberly Gray, 2nd District, meetings in the City Council chamber instead of its current With the new School Board facing significant budget challenges and Kristen Larson, 4th District, were elected to Richmond City meeting room that holds only about 60 people. Trim: 7.278” x 10” | Bleed 7.403” x 10.125” | Color: 4cp | Pub: Richmond Free Press | Insertion: January 2017 in 2017, including money for teacher salaries and retention and infrastructure needs to fix the city’s crumbling school buildings, the board chose Ms. Page, a corrections department workforce specialist who served on the School Board from 2010 to 2012, as its new chair. The vote was unanimous. The board also selected Dr. Sapini, a podiatrist, as vice Here we reach further. Confident chairman. Although the School Board was scheduled to jump into a in our ability to stretch beyond review of the superintendent’s 2017-2018 estimate of needs by RPS Chief Financial Officer T. David Myers, most of the twolimits, we fearlessly explore new hour meeting was used to review the timetable for submitting By Lauren Northington

directions and pursue creativity that defies convention.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

School Board member Nadine Marsh-Carter, 7th District, takes the oath of office Tuesday from Richmond Circuit Court Clerk Edward Jewett as her father, Henry L. Marsh III, a noted civil rights attorney and former Richmond mayor and state senator, holds the Bible. Her husband, David Carter, looks on with a smile.

a budget to Mayor Stoney and the Richmond City Council for approval. “The sooner we get something to the City, the more realistic we can be about what our starting points are,” said Superintendent Dana T. Bedden, who moderated the discussion around how much time will be needed for the new board to dissect his $303 million budget request and prepare a budget package for approval. The board will conduct a three-hour, budget work session next Monday, Jan. 9, in preparation for a public hearing on the budget Tuesday, Jan. 17. An online community survey about RPS is open for public feedback until Jan. 17 at www.rvaschools.net. The board is slated to approve a budget and submit it to the mayor by Jan. 23. Given the level of discussion and seeming confusion around the timeline, School Board members asked for more time before deciding on a budget timeline. In response, board members now must submit their questions and requests for more information on Dr. Bedden’s budget proposal by noon on Thursday, Jan. 5. “There’s a large portion of the budget in the superintendent’s statement of needs that is already committed or promised,” said Ms. Doerr. At 31, she and Mr. Barlow, 28, are the two youngest members of the board. One of those commitments is teacher salary decompression, a long-term strategy to increase pay for teachers and to attract more teachers by offering competitive salaries, something that both Ms. Doerr and Mr. Barlow campaigned for during their bid for election to the School Board in November. “I think it will be up to us to make some tough decisions,” said Ms. Doerr.

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Richmond Free Press

A4 January 5-7, 2017

News

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Richmond City Council’s new president, Chris A. Hilbert, 3rd District, confers with council’s new vice president, Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District, during Tuesday’s meeting.

New City Council president challenges colleagues to address poverty, racism By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Chris A. Hilbert challenged his Richmond City Council colleagues to do more to tackle poverty and racism in Richmond after he was elected the new council president on Tuesday. Council member Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District, was elected the new vice president. Mr. Hilbert, who represents the city’s 3rd District, spoke after the council members — including four new people — were sworn in, voted for officers and approved committee assignments, which included a surprising snub to one veteran, 5th District Councilman Parker C. Agelasto. In accepting the council’s top leadership post, Mr. Hilbert sought to lay out priorities that he believes the council should be concerned with during the next four years. He urged council members to “honestly address the problem of the disparity of wealth and opportunity for the 1 in 4 residents of Richmond that live in poverty.” Mr. Hilbert, who has represented the 3rd District for 12 years, also called on his colleagues to enable the city “to truly face the uglier parts of our history and the racism that started this disparity and recognize and admit these issues are apparent to this very day.” Just as importantly, he said that council

must do more to deal with the spike in crime, to improve service delivery and to address, along with new Mayor Levar Stoney and the School Board, the shortcomings of the city’s public schools. “The choice is ours,” he said. “The question before us is whether we will use our liberty to create justice. “I say, ‘Yes, we will,’ ” he continued. “And I challenge every man and every woman in our city to take up this worthy cause. For when we do this, we can state with one voice that we all believe in a place called Richmond.” In parceling out committee assignments, he handed Ms. Newbille the chairmanship of the key money committee, Finance and Economic Development, and replaced Mr. Agelasto as vice chair with new 9th District Councilman Michael J. Jones. In a statement, Mr. Agelasto suggested the decision to strip him of the leadership post and leave him as the only veteran without a chairmanship represented punishment for his efforts in the previous four years “to bring greater transparency to council operations and greater accountability over how taxpayer monies are spent.” Mr. Agelasto indicated that his efforts were “not greeted with open arms by some on the council who are wedded to past actions that too

Richmond starts new year with new mayor

often led to spending abuses and fixation on shiny projects at the expense of funding for schools, public safety and basic city services.” He said Mr. Hilbert’s decision “is, therefore, not surprising; it is disappointing, nonetheless.” Mr. Hilbert said later that Mr. Agelasto was far from the only member of council who sought to ride herd on city spending. He said committee assignments were made after discussions with current and new council members, and that he did his best to accommodate requests, including expanding the Finance Committee to five members, including Mr. Agelasto and new members Kimberly B. Gray, 2nd District, and Kristen N. Larson, 4th District. A review of the list shows Mr. Hilbert gave new members a big share of the plum committee posts. Instead of Mr. Agelasto, Mr. Hilbert installed Mr. Jones as chair of the Education and Human Services Committee and put another newcomer, Andreas D. Addison, 1st District, in charge of Governmental Operations, the council’s oversight committee for internal operations. Mr.Agelasto also will be a member of Mr. Addison’s committee. Along with Finance, Ms. Gray also will be vice chair of Governmental Operations and also serve on the Education Committee and the Audit Committee. Ms. Larson also will be vice chair of the Education Committee and a member

of the Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee. Mr. Addison also will serve on the Public Safety Committee. Mr. Hilbert retained two veterans as committee chairs. Reva M. Trammell, 8th District, will continue to lead the Public Safety Committee, while Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, will continue to chair Land Use, Housing and Transportation. However, Ms. Robertson, who challenged Mr. Hilbert for the presidency, was swept off Finance to make room for Ms. Gray, Mr. Jones and Ms. Larson. This will be the first time in at least eight years that Ms. Robertson will not serve on Finance, a committee she once chaired. Ms. Robertson, who was once on the outside like Mr. Agelasto, noted that she will keep her positions as chair of the Affordable Housing Trust Oversight Board and of the Maggie L. Walker anti-poverty initiative. She said she will continue to represent City Council on the Planning Commission and an advisory commission on alternatives to incarceration. Mr. Agelasto said later that he will still represent council on several regional bodies, including Richmond Region Tourism, the area’s visitation promotion group of which he is vice chair. He is to become chairman later this year when the officers rotate.

McEachin sworn in as new Virginia congressman Continued from A1

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rate of African-American students in public schools, rank high on his to-do list, he said. grandmother’s worn, but thick family Bible and two uncles, “Although we’ve got a number of priorities, one of the most Harold Louis Stoney and Anthony Ezekiel Stoney, stood beside important things we want to focus on is education, and supporting him as he took the oath. local improvement in educational infrastructure at the federal Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press During his remarks, Mayor Stoney paid tribute to the two level,” the 55-year-old lawmaker said. people who he said were the biggest influences in his life — The Bible used by Mayor Levar Stoney belonged to his Rep. McEachin represented Richmond and Henrico in the his late father, Luther Stoney, and his late grandmother, Mary grandmother, Mary Stoney, who died in 2013. House of Delegates from 1996 to 2002 and from 2006 to 2008, Stoney. He credited them as the “people in my life who pushed the oath of office. when he launched a successful bid for the state Senate. He me to take the oath of office.” A former Richmond commonwealth’s attorney, Judge Hicks served in the Senate until January, and was chairman of the He said they taught him the value of working hard, studying served as senior policy adviser and a key right hand to Mayor Senate Democratic Caucus. hard and keeping his word, along with other key values that Jones before going on the bench in 2015. He has been a proponent of state Medicaid expansion and have helped him succeed. He acknowledged, however, that Judge Hicks will administer the oath of office to Mayor Stoney strengthening Obamacare, both issues that have been directly they probably did not anticipate that “I would get to this point again at a public ceremony at noon Saturday, Jan. 14, when the challenged by Republicans and will become lynchpin issues in in my journey.” mayor will deliver his inaugural address. the new Trump administration. He said the Dec. 31 ceremony was apropos as it came on the “I am humbled by this opportunity to lead this city and grateful Rep. McEachin said he plans on “playing a lot of defense” five-year anniversary of his father’s death. His grandmother died for many, many children who look like me, who have similar in the GOP-majority House of Representatives. in 2013, just a few months after he became Virginia’s secretary circumstances I have, who may never get this opportunity,” “American people aren’t going to stand for repealing of the commonwealth in Gov. McAuliffe’s administration. Mayor Stoney told his listeners, in recalling the tough times he Obamacare without replacing it. I don’t think the ReThe 80th and youngest mayor since Richmond became a city faced as a child. publicans know what to do,” he said about the program 234 years ago, Mayor Stoney gave a somewhat surprising tip “It is our job to ensure they will have an opportunity to rise under which more than 20 million Americans have health of the hat to his predecessor, Dr. Dwight C. Jones, by inviting to that occasion,” he continued. “And I know, God willing, that insurance. Richmond District Court Judge David M. Hicks to administer you all will help me ensure that they get this opportunity.” Like several other freshman members of Congress, Rep. McEachin wants to be appointed to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, one of the oldest and most sought after committee appointments, Continued from A1 around the city. However, she stated Firefighters also are forced to use that may now be less because of recent he said. that evidence has turned up showing faulty or outdated breathing equipment payments to regional entities, including The Armed Services and Mr. Parham. that state financial experts encouraged because the city has yet to cover the those that provide the city with waste- Natural Resources committees The election of Mr. Parham was op- them to bring in the Bobb Group, which cost for modern replacement equipment water treatment and trash collection. are his more realistic choices posed by members of a reform group is headed by a former Richmond city that was repossessed for nonpayment Mr. Tyrrell and the Bobb Group have as a freshman, he said, both called Clean Sweep Petersburg , or CSP, manager. of federal grant funds provided to said they plan to meet later this month committees that he’s extremely that is threatening to go to court later As the council and its new officers begin Petersburg. with the private and public entities that excited about. this month to seek the recall of Mayor a new four-year term, there are brightening Other trucks and equipment in the are owed money to begin developing Congressman McEachin is Parham, Mr. Myers and Petersburg signs, including a recent $6.5 million loan city also have been parked because repayment plans. looking forward to representing Treasurer Kevin Brown. secured for the city by the Bobb Group of the city’s inability to make repairs. Meanwhile, the Bobb Group, whose the demographically diverse The “election of Mr. Parham shows to help improve cash flow. Some equipment has stayed on the road contract will expire in March, has started district and making those iscouncil members do not get it. Not Other signs include work now only because dedicated employees have advertising for a permanent city man- sues of his constituents known, only are (the members) out of touch underway to restore the tower on the made needed repairs. ager and finance director for the City he said. with what is going on in the city, they historic Hustings Courthouse, which The city also has parked at least two of Petersburg. “What it calls for is to have have elected a mayor, who like his could enable the building to reopen of its ambulances that need repairs, Still, the group is likely to provide the intellectual curiosity to meet predecessor, Mr. Myers, has actively later this year. leaving residents heavily reliant on more insight into what more the city people where they are, and rejected citizen involvement,” Barbara However, a host of challenges remain emergency services provided by the must do to get back on its feet when represent those issues properly Rudolph, a founder of CSP, wrote in a unaddressed. nonprofit Southside Virginia Emergency Mr. Tyrell presents City Council with to Congress.” Facebook post. For example, the Fire Department Crew. the budget plan for the fiscal year that His leadership skills already Ms. Rudolph noted the council did continues to use borrowed or old equipIn addition, the Bobb Group is will begin July 1. have paid off. nothing to oversee “the corrupt city ment at three stations. Three major fire still struggling to get the city’s debt That presentation is expected to be Last month, House Minority administration until the financial crisis trucks are out of commission because the refinanced in order to pay overdue made before the Bobb Group leaves, Whip Steny H. Hoyer named blew up last summer in a big way.” city cannot afford repairs. In some cases, bills that have built up over the past although it is possible that the council Rep. McEachin a regional whip, She also stated that Mayor Parham 30-year-old trucks that were supposed five years. could decide to keep the group on for responsible for rallying the and Mr. Myers have sought to take credit to be used only in a dire emergency The city’s unpaid debt could amount an additional period in seeking to regain Democratic lawmakers from for hiring the Robert Bobb Group, the are now being used on the front line, to as much as $20 million, interim City financial stability. Virginia, Maryland, Delaware consulting firm now helping to turn according to the department. Manager Tom Tyrrell has said, though and New Jersey.

Petersburg City Council chooses new leader

Richmond Free Press

January 5-7, 2017 A5

News

National NAACP head arrested in sit-in over AG nomination Free Press wire reports

Several African-American civil rights activists staged a sit-in at the Alabama office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions on Tuesday. Six civil rights leaders were arrested, including Cornell W. Brooks, president and CEO of the national NAACP, and Stephen Green, national director of the youth division of the NAACP, according to a post on the Twitter page of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. The group was protesting Sen. Sessions’ nomination by President-elect Donald Trump as the nation’s next attorney general, criticizing his record on voting rights and race relations. Members of the NAACP vowed to occupy Sen. Sessions’ Mobile, Ala., office until the conservative Republican lawmaker either withdrew as a candidate or they were arrested. Also among those arrested was Bernard Simelton, president of the NAACP’s Alabama state conference, according to local news outlet AL.com. The six protesters were charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing, according to CNN. Sen. Sessions, 70, has a history of controversial positions on race, immigration and criminal justice reform.

The NAACP also held demonstrations at Sen. Sessions’ other offices in Alabama. “Sen. Sessions has callously ignored the reality of voter suppression but zealously prosecuted innocent civil rights leaders on trumped-up charges of voter fraud,” Mr. Brooks stated in a news release. “As an opponent of the vote, he can’t be trusted to be the chief law enforcement officer for voting rights.” Mr. Brooks posted a photo on Twitter of protesters in suits occupying the senator’s office in Mobile. A spokeswoman for Sen. Sessions called the NAACP’s criticisms “false portrayals ... that have been thoroughly rebuked and discredited.” “Jeff Sessions has dedicated his career to upholding the rule of law, ensuring public safety and prosecuting government corruption,” spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. “Many African-American leaders who’ve known him for decades attest to this and have welcomed his nomination to be the next attorney general.” After his election in November, Mr. Trump nominated Sen. Sessions to lead the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI. His history could see scrutiny during a confirmation process before his fellow senators.

Courtesy of Twitter

Four of the six NAACP members who were arrested late Tuesday take a selfie during their sit-in at the Mobile, Ala., office of Sen. Jeff Sessions. Pictured second from left is national NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks.

Sen. Sessions was a federal prosecutor in 1986 when he became only the second nominee in 50 years to be denied confirmation as a federal judge. This came after allegations that he made racist remarks, including testimony that he had called an AfricanAmerican prosecutor “boy,” an allegation he has denied. Sen. Sessions denied he was a racist and said at those hearings that groups such as the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union could be considered “un-American.” He also acknowledged that he had called the Voting Rights Act of 1965 a “piece of intrusive legislation.”

Republicans make repealing Obamacare ‘first order of business’ Reuters

WASHINGTON President Obama exhorted fellow Democrats on Wednesday to preserve his legacy-defining health care law as Republicans moved ahead with their long-desired bid to scrap it in what Vice President-elect Mike Pence called the “first order of business” of the incoming Donald Trump administration. The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate brushed aside unified opposition by Democrats and voted to open debate on a resolution setting in motion the Republican drive to repeal the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which has helped upwards of 20 million previously uninsured Americans obtain health insurance. As early as 2018, the millions of people who gained insurance under the law could see their coverage in jeopardy — especially if Congress fails to find a replacement to the law beforehand. President Obama, who hands over the presidency to Mr. Trump on Friday, Jan. 20, made a rare trip to Capitol Hill to urge Democratic lawmakers to protect the measure, which informally is known as Obamacare and is considered his signature domestic policy accomplishment. Republicans, who will control the White House as well as both chambers of Congress when Mr. Trump takes office, stepped up their rhetorical attack on the law, which they have labeled a government overreach. Democrats in turn accused them of trying to rip apart the nation’s health care system with no firm plan to replace it. “The Republican plan to cut health care wouldn’t ‘make America great again,’” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters, invoking the Trump campaign slogan. “It would make America sick again and lead

to chaos instead of affordable care.” Since the law was enacted, Republicans in Congress have voted more than 50 times to try to repeal all or part of it and conservatives have filed suits to try to invalidate it. Republicans, who have fought nearly all of President Obama’s major legislative initiatives during his eight years in office, have said Obamacare has brought excessive government intrusion into the healthcare market and contend it is harming job growth by adding burdens on businesses. President Obama “encouraged us to fight,” Maryland Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings told reporters after meeting with the president. President Obama told reporters his message was, “Look out for the American people.” Mr. Pence, the outgoing Indiana governor and a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, met Republican lawmakers to plot the path forward on scuttling the law. Afterward, they stepped up their rhetorical attack on Obamacare with House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin saying the law ruined the American health care system. “The first order of business is to keep our promise to repeal Obamacare and replace it with the kind of health care reform that will lower the cost of health insurance without growing the size of government,” Mr. Pence said at a news conference. Mr. Pence said Mr. Trump will work in concert with congressional leaders for a “smooth transition to a market-based health care reform system” through legislative and executive action. During two news conferences, Mr. Pence, Speaker Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky offered few details on what a Republican-backed replacement for Obamacare would look like.

Speaker Ryan said lawmakers will take action that does not “pull the rug out from anybody” and that Republicans “have a plan” and “plenty of ideas.” Democrats are trying to depict Republicans as risking breaking the entire health care system — including for those who currently get their insurance through an employer and not under provisions created by the ACA. Republicans are “pulling the string that’s going to unravel the whole (healthcare) system,” Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow said. Mr. Trump wrote earlier on Twitter that Republicans “must be careful in that the Dems own the failed ObamaCare disaster, with its poor coverage and massive premium increases.” “Don’t let the Schumer clowns out of this web,” Mr. Trump added. Paid Politial Advertisement

Sen. Schumer of New York said Democrats would not take any blame: “They want to repeal it and then try to hang it on us. Not going to happen. It’s their responsibility, plain and simple.” The Republicans risk causing turmoil in the health insurance market and generating a political backlash if their policies fail. Mr. Pence said repealing Obamacare must be done in a way that does not inflict hardship on the economy or on Americans who obtained insurance through the law. “The architecture of the replacement of Obamacare will come together, as it should, through the legislative process in the weeks and months ahead,” Mr. Pence said. House Republicans last year offered a proposal that would, among other things, provide refundable tax credits to help people afford their medical insurance premiums. Paid Politial Advertisement

JENNIFER DEMOCRAT FOR STATE SENATE

Bon Secours to close ICU? Continued from A1

the ICU is not being closed. “Bon Secours is committed to offering the best care possible, including in the ICU, which remains open and operational. We have no intention of closing the ICU. “We do however, as standard operating procedure, periodically assess current models of patient care in the ICU and throughout the hospital,” he stated. “Change is frequent in health care settings and is always aimed at what is best for the patient.” The two veteran African-American physicians under contract with Bon Scours to provide coverage for the ICU, pulmonologists Dr. George A. Teekah and Dr. Lornel G. Tompkins, have not responded to calls and emails for comment. However, sources in the Old Dominion Medical Society told the Free Press that the two doctors have been notified that Bon Secours is closing the ICU and has no plans to renew their contracts when they expire in May. If the unit is shut down, it would reduce acute care services at the hospital, which admitted about 2,700 patients last year, according to data from Virginia Health Information. And it comes as Bon Secours considers developing an $8.5 million medical office building near the hospital at 1500 N. 28th St. Whether there is sufficient demand from physicians for Bon Secours to proceed is unclear. Sources told the Free Press that Bon Secours had hoped to attract the African-American physicians who once occupied the now demolished Belvidere Medical Center in Jackson Ward, but all have since relocated to other space or retired. Bon Secours would have to pay the city $2.5 million over 10 years if it does not proceed with the office development. That’s one of the provisions in the deal the nonprofit, Catholic health care group inked with the city in 2013 to gain naming rights and medical office space in the Washington professional football team’s

training camp on West Leigh Street. Bon Secours already has sought to alter part of the performance agreement. Last month, it announced it was dropping plans to renovate the former Westhampton School in the West End into a home for its nursing school because the cost had doubled over initial estimates. Bon Secours now is proposing to tear down the old school building and construct medical office space there, although there are suggestions that neither the community nor Richmond City Council will support that idea. The closure of the ICU at Richmond Community Hospital is not regarded as a sign that Bon Secours plans to close the hospital, which provides it with important benefits. Because the hospital is located in a federally designated underserved area, Bon Secours is able to gain lower costs for pharmaceuticals for all of its area hospitals. Bon Secours also gains improved reimbursement from government health insurance plans like Medicare for providing chemotherapy and other drug infusion services at Richmond Community and the rest of its hospitals in the Richmond area, insiders note. Richmond Community Hospital has a proud history. It dates to 1902, when pioneering physician Sarah Garland Jones founded it. She later teamed with other African-American doctors in 1907 to expand services and counter the segregated, second class treatment that Richmond’s white-directed hospitals offered African-American patients. In the late 1970s, the hospital moved from its longtime home in North Side to its current space in Church Hill. Bon Secours acquired it in 1995 and has since expanded its services. Among other things, the hospital devotes at least 40 beds for treatment of patients with acute mental illness. It also offers emergency care, chemotherapy, dialysis, hospice care and pain management along with surgery and other traditional care for area residents.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017 Polls are open 6 am - 7 pm

JenniferMcClellan.com @JennMcClellanVA /DelJenniferMcClellan Paid for and authorized by Friends for Jennifer McClellan.

Richmond Free Press

Canada geese at Fountain Lake in Byrd Park

Editorial Page

January 5-7, 2017

Get ready to rumble For many, the new year began rather gloomily with the reminder that, in just a few short days, the nation will have a new president, who slid into office without the backing of a majority of American voters and with the help of the Russian government, if you believe U.S. intelligence sources. While there will be no “do-over” for the U.S. presidential election, we must come to terms with the fact that Republican Donald J. Trump — a man with no previous political experience who would rather spend his time pontificating in bursts of early morning tweets than to learn what’s really going on in daily intelligence briefings — is about to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Mr. Trump may be asleep, but it’s time for the rest of us to wake up and get moving. If there’s anything our long and storied — and valiant — experience in this nation has taught us, it is: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Already, we see the fights ahead, starting with the people Mr. Trump has selected for his cabinet. Most are paradoxical, to be kind, and clear and present dangers, to be real. He has nominated Betsy DeVos, an anti-public education person, to be U.S. secretary of education; Andrew Puzder, a restaurant executive who has opposed efforts to raise the minimum wage for workers, as labor secretary; Congressman Tom Price of Georgia, who opposed Obamacare at every turn and sought to privatize Medicare, as head of health and human services; and Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who for years has been hostile to federal voting rights and civil rights legislation, as the nation’s attorney general, charged with enforcing such laws. We also know of Mr. Trump’s pledge to repeal Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, under which more than 20 million people who previously didn’t have health insurance have been able to obtain coverage. On Tuesday, the new Congress was sworn in. And the first act of the House Republicans was to try to eliminate an independent ethics panel, leaving a House committee in charge of overseeing any possible ethics violations among their own members. The change was scrapped after an outburst from angry constituents and, ironically, an even angrier outburst via Twitter from President-elect Trump who questioned why such a move was a priority. On Tuesday night, national NAACP President Cornell W. Brooks and five others were arrested during a sit-in at Sen. Sessions’ office in Mobile, Ala., where they protested his nomination as attorney general. The fights have only begun. We urge all Virginians and all Americans who stand for justice, health care equity, public education, a living wage, civil rights, and equality for all to make their voices heard when Mr. Trump’s nominees come up for confirmation hearings and a vote in the U.S. Senate. We also urge you to flood your congressional representatives with phone calls, emails and snail mail to keep health care available and affordable for Americans. We will be watching to see what actions Virginia’s representatives in Washington take to block efforts to dismantle Obamacare and to oppose President-elect Trump’s nominees who would roll back progress in civil rights, workers’ rights and education. We expect Sen. Tim Kaine, the defeated Democratic vice presidential candidate, to take a leading role in stopping the Republicans from demolishing the gains of the last eight years. And we expect Sen. Mark Warner, also a Democrat, to do all he can to ensure that American progress is not halted by those whom Mr. Trump would put into his cabinet. President Obama will give his farewell address to the nation on Tuesday, Jan. 10. While he will be leaving office Friday, Jan. 20, we will still be here. Let’s get ready to rumble.

Jennifer McClellan for the 9th District Senate seat We hope voters in the state’s 9th Senate District, which includes parts of Richmond, Henrico, Hanover and Charles City County, will go to the polls Tuesday, Jan. 10, and cast their ballots for Delegate Jennifer McClellan. The 44-year-old Democrat is favored in the special election to fill the state Senate seat vacated by A. Donald McEachin’s November election to Congress. Delegate McClellan, a Petersburg native and attorney with Verizon, is running against independent candidate Corey Fauconier, a Queens, N.Y., native Delegate who has been active locally with the McClellan Richmond Crusade for Voters and the Libertarian Party. While we applaud Mr. Fauconier’s political involvement in the community, we believe Delegate McClellan’s long-held views and political accomplishments are more aligned with our vision for the state’s direction. She has built a strong record since 2006 in the House of Delegates of working to protect women’s reproductive health rights, fighting for tougher gun laws, expanding educational opportunities, increasing the minimum wage and strengthening conflict of interest laws. By contrast, Mr. Fauconier, who has run the campaigns of Libertarian Party candidates, has never held elective office and favors charter schools and unfettered gun ownership. Delegate McClellan has the temperament, energy and commitment to serve her constituents well and understands the nuances of the General Assembly that will help her be successful in a Senate chamber where Republicans hold a razor-thin majority. We believe Delegate McClellan is the best choice for the 9th Senate District and for the future of Virginia.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Loss of Obamacare will hurt black community Racism historically has had a significant, negative impact on the health care of AfricanAmericans and other people of color in the United States. The Affordable Care Act, or ACA or Obamacare, is truly the first time that AfricanAmericans collectively have had significant access to health care. It is noteworthy that America’s first African-American president is chiefly responsible for this access. Improved access to care, Medicaid expansion, preventive medicine and lifting of barriers for pre-existing conditions are all aspects of the ACA that have been of great benefit. But there is a thick air of uncertainty on the horizon. It is unclear how quickly, or when, President-elect Trump’s vow to repeal and replace Obamacare will play out. But make no mistake, just like the adage, “When white folks catch a cold, black folks get pneumonia,” a repeal of the ACA would disproportionately hurt AfricanAmericans. Republicans in Congress have

made public their plan to repeal most of the ACA without replacing it, doubling the number of uninsured people — from roughly 29 million to 59 million — and leaving the nation with an even higher uninsured rate than before the ACA. Let me point out a few ways that African-Americans

Glenn Ellis specifically have benefited from the ACA. Under the ACA, insurance companies are banned from denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition. The passage of the ACA in March 2010 also provided new opportunities for expanding health care access and prevention and treatment services for many people with, or at risk for, HIV. Safety net hospitals play a critical role in the nation’s health care system by serving lowincome, uninsured and medically and socially vulnerable patients regardless of their ability to pay. Also, in agreeing to lower payments, hospitals in the 31 states that expanded Medicaid under the law have made up that revenue in part through the expansion.

These places are critical to the health of African-American communities and in the nation’s poorest neighborhoods. They have been among the loudest voices against repeal of the health law, as they could lose billions of dollars if the 20 million people lose the insurance they gained under the law. This could bring about widespread layoffs, cuts in outpatient care and services for the mentally ill and even hospital closings. Under the ACA, these hospitals have received subsidies, or credits, to provide care based on a patient’s income levels. Should this change, community hospitals may have more difficulty weathering the storm of an increase in the number of uninsured. Admittedly, there are some real problems with the ACA, not the least being steady increases in premiums (midrange plans increased 22 percent nationally in 2016, with the average premium set to rise 25 percent in 2017); nearly 70 percent of all ACA plan provider networks are narrower than promised; and the high deductibles and co-pays. Perhaps the most universal complaint is the “individual mandate” that requires everyone in the United States to have insurance or face a financial penalty. Republicans are dead set on

We owe Obama big thanks

The final days of the Obama presidency are upon us. His popularity is rising with the economy, and with the increasingly stark contrasts to his successor. It is worth being clear about the legacy he leaves. President Obama came to office facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The global financial system teetered on collapse; the auto industry faced bankruptcy; the economy was shedding 400,000 jobs a day. He also inherited the catastrophe President George W. Bush had created with the debacle in Iraq and government misrule dramatized by the shame of Katrina and New Orleans. Now, eight years later, the economy nears full employment, with more than 15 million jobs created and private sector jobs growth at a record 81 consecutive months and counting. Wages are beginning to rise after long years of stagnation or worse. The auto industry has enjoyed some of its most prosperous years. This isn’t an accident. President Obama helped rescue the economy by passing the largest stimulus in history, the most ambitious financial reform since the 1930s and daring and direct intervention to save the auto industry. Economic growth helped lower the annual budget deficit to less than half the level

he inherited. President Obama also passed the largest health care reforms in six decades, providing health insurance for 20 million Americans. His reforms saved those with pre-existing conditions, provided the young with protection under their parents’programs and, although most Americans don’t realize it, slowed the rise of

Jesse L. Jackson Sr. health care costs dramatically. Abroad, President Obama struggled against great opposition to reduce America’s exposure in the wars without end in the Middle East. His nuclear agreement with Iran not only dismantled its nuclear weapons capable facilities, it also provided the most comprehensive and aggressive verification mechanisms in the history of arms control. In opening relations with Cuba, he helped reduce America’s isolation in our own hemisphere and made the historic turn from a policy of embargo that had failed for five decades. His most historic contribution was to understand the clear and present danger of catastrophic climate change. The agreement with China and subsequent Paris Accord cemented a global consensus on the need for bolder action on global warming. On his watch, America began to reduce its reliance on coal and its greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama won a majority of the votes in both his election and re-election,

something neither his predecessor nor successor achieved. He governed with grace and dignity, despite grotesque and too often racist provocations. His family provided a model for all Americans, with First Lady Michelle Obama winning hearts across the country. He and his administration were remarkably free of scandal. His administration demonstrated once more that competence could be valued in Washington. He did all of this while facing unprecedented, unrelenting partisan obstruction, with the Republican leader of the Senate opposing him at every turn, intent on making him a one-term president. So it is worth marking what President-elect Trump will inherit as we head into what is already a rocky and tempestuous presidency. Unemployment under 5 percent. Eighty-one months of jobs growth and counting. Average wages rising at 2.4 percent over the last year. Growth at 3.5 percent over the last full quarter. Inflation at 2 percent. 20 million more Americans with health insurance. America one of the global leaders in the green industrial revolution. A president respected at home and abroad, known for his thoughtfulness and his great eloquence. Let us hope that Presidentelect Trump can build on that legacy and not lead us into a far deeper hole. The writer is founder and president of the national Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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.

repealing the ACA. Congress likely will pass significant modifications, which then will be signed by incoming President Trump. The plans they have proposed so far would leave millions of people without insurance and make it harder for sicker, older Americans to access coverage. No version of a Republican plan would keep the Medicaid expansion as the ACA has it. Mr. Trump’s presidency absolutely puts the future of the Affordable Care Act in jeopardy. A full repeal is unlikely, but major changes through the budget reconciliation process, which cannot be filibustered, are nearly certain. Let me be clear: While changes are needed in the ACA, the idea of dismantling it remains a troubling prospect for AfricanAmericans. The writer is a health advocacy communications specialist and author who lectures nationally and internationally on health-related topics.

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Richmond Free Press

January 5-7, 2017

Letter to the Editor

Recipe for public education success

Interstate 95 Exit 78 (Hermitage Road) Deceleration Lane Extension City of Richmond

Education is still the key to success. In Richmond, it is not up to school personnel, the School Board or the City Council to solve all of these problems. All of us are responsible. All of the community is responsible. And with the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extremely high poverty rate, it will take a â&#x20AC;&#x153;village.â&#x20AC;? The suggestions below may have been pored over by the experts. However, it is up to all of us to make them a reality.

Subject Content 1. Focus on reading, writing, math and science. 2. Teachers should be educated in the content area that they teach, particularly in reading, writing, math and science. You should not have an English teacher teaching math. 3. Tutors must be provided, particularly in reading, writing, math and science. 4. More professional development is needed for teachers with a focus on reading, writing, math and science. For example, there is someone in this nation who teaches algebra 1 better than anyone else. We need to ďŹ nd that person and model that individual. He/she may be in our school district. A genius teacher is someone who can simplify the complicated. 5. Feeder schools must be connected. Elementary schools must be connected to the middle schools; the middle schools must be connected to the high schools. Student Motivation 1. Starting in middle school, every student should be taken on a college tour. 2. Encourage college students through a homecoming program to return to their high schools to encourage college attendance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I can do it, then you can do it.â&#x20AC;? 3. Students must see the light at the end of the tunnel. Students should not be tracked out of college. However, for students who are not going to a four-year college, other opportunities must be provided. There are tremendous opportunities at community colleges and in technical and vocational education and careers. 4. No motivation is greater than having a parent who is invested in his/her childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education. Outside Factors 1. Students cannot concentrate if they are hungry. Healthy snacks should be in the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hallways as students change classes. 2. You cannot learn if you are not in school. If needed, school ofďŹ cials must make home visits, to encourage and enforce attendence. 3. School social workers, nurses and psychologists must be proactive. Many students have home problems that substantially impact their school performance. Most schools do not have enough of these professionals. 4. We must teach character education. We must ďŹ t it into our curriculum. Too many of our students are in the criminal justice system.

Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing Section 4(f) De Minimis Public Notice

Find out about the proposed plans to extend the deceleration lane on Interstate 95 leading up to Hermitage Road (Exit 78). A SMART SCALE project, the extended deceleration lane will allow vehicles to exit the interstate with minimal effect on the through traffic stream and will improve safety operations. Review the project information and National Environmental Policy Act Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in Colonial Heights, 804-524-6000, 1-800-367-7623, TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions. If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to David A. Steele, P.E., project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 on or prior to January 11, 2017. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted. Pursuant to 23 CFR 774, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) intends to make a Section 4(f) de minimis finding related to the proposed temporary easement of approximately 0.09 acre from Little John Park. This proposed easement is located entirely between the existing noise wall and Interstate 95. During construction, the remainder of Little John Park inside of the noise wall will remain open for public use. Information relating to this finding is available by contacting David A. Steele at the previously stated address. Public comment is invited related to this Section 4(f) de minimis finding. Comments must be received in writing to David A. Steele by January 11, 2017. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above. State Project: 0095-127-858, P101, R201, C501 Federal Project: OC-095-1(340), OC-095-1(344), OC-095-1(347) UPC: 107796

TONNIE VILLINES Henrico County

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER U, NEW UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES, FOR THE RATE YEAR COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 CASE NO. PUE-2016-00136 â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

1.7 million kids plus 130 years plus 1,000s of volunteers equals endless possibilities

be part of the equation The Fresh Air Fund sends thousands of city children to visit volunteer host families in the Northeast every summer, and the families enjoy the experience as much as the children who visit them. We need you to be part of the equation. Become a host family today.

1.800.367.0003

www.freshair.org

Please contact: Tony Richard at 301.883.8834

A copy of our annual financial report may be obtained from The Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017(212.897.8900). Information filed may also be obtained from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Registration does not imply endorsement. ÂŽ2007 The Fresh Air Fund. Photographs by James Levine.

Dominion Virginia Power (â&#x20AC;&#x153;DVPâ&#x20AC;?) has applied for approval to revise its Rider U, by which DVP recovers the costs of its Strategic Underground Program. DVP requests a total of $30.981 million for its 2017 Rider U. According to DVP, this amount would increase the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by $0.32, for a total Rider U bill impact of $0.82 per month. The Commission will hear the case on June 6, 2017, at 10 a.m. Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

On December 1, 2016, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Virginia Power (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dominion Virginia Powerâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;Companyâ&#x20AC;?), pursuant to Â§ 56-585.1 A 6 of the Code of Virginia, the Rules Governing Utility Rate Applications and Annual Informational Filings of the State Corporation Commission (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Commissionâ&#x20AC;?), and the directive contained in Ordering Paragraph (4) of the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s August 22, 2016 Final Order in Case No. PUE 2015-00114 (â&#x20AC;&#x153;2016 Orderâ&#x20AC;?), filed with the Commission an application (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Applicationâ&#x20AC;?) for approval of a revision to its rate adjustment clause (â&#x20AC;&#x153;RACâ&#x20AC;?) designated Rider U. The Company requests (i) an annual update for cost recovery associated with phase one (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Phase Oneâ&#x20AC;?) of the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Strategic Underground Program (â&#x20AC;&#x153;SUPâ&#x20AC;?) and (ii) Commission approval to recover costs associated with phase two (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Phase Twoâ&#x20AC;?) of the SUP through Rider U. Dominion Virginia Power states that the SUP focuses on targeted underground conversions of distribution tap lines because a large percentage of outage events on the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overhead distribution system occur at damage locations on tap lines and facilities. The Company states that the Commission first approved Rider U through an Order in Case No. PUE-2015-00114, which authorized the Company to recover costs associated with Phase One of the SUP, subject to certain limitations. According to the Application, in Phase One, the Company completed approximately 412 miles of underground conversions of overhead distribution tap lines and associated facilities, at a capital cost of $138.5 million, compared to the projected 400 miles at a capital cost of $140 million. The actual cost per mile for Phase One was $336,263. The Company states that Phase Two of the SUP is designed to convert an additional 244 miles of overhead tap lines to underground at a capital investment of approximately $110 million and an average cost per mile of $450,000. The Company is requesting to recover the costs of Phase Two through Rider U for only those projects that will be completed prior to September 1, 2017. The Company seeks approval of revised Rider U with an associated revenue requirement in the amount of $30.981 million for the rate year commencing September 1, 2017 through August 31, 2018 (â&#x20AC;&#x153;2017 Rate Yearâ&#x20AC;?), which comprises a total requested revenue requirement for Phase One of $10.532 million and a total requested revenue requirement for Phase Two of $20.449 million. Dominion Virginia Power is requesting the use of a return on common equity of 10.5% to calculate the proposed revenue requirement for the 2017 Rate Year. If the proposed Rider U for the 2017 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rate schedule and usage. Interested persons are encouraged to review the Application and supporting documents for the details of these and other proposals. TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Application and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Application and supporting documents. The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on June 6, 2017, at 10 a.m., in the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, to receive testimony from members of the public and evidence related to the Application from the Company, any respondents, and the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Staff. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness at this hearing should appear fifteen (15) minutes prior to the starting time of the hearing and contact the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bailiff. The public version of the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Application, as well as the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Order for Notice and Hearing, are available for public inspection during regular business hours at each of the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business offices in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Copies also may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Jennifer D. Daglio, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. If acceptable to the requesting party, the Company may provide the documents by electronic means. Copies of the public version of the Application and documents filed in this case also are available for interested persons to review in the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Document Control Center, located on the first floor of the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. On or before May 30, 2017, any interested person wishing to comment on the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Application shall file written comments on the Application with Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. Any interested person desiring to file comments electronically may do so on or before May 30, 2017, by following the instructions on the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/ case. Compact disks or any other form of electronic storage medium may not be filed with the comments. All such comments shall refer to Case No. PUE-201600136. On or before March 7, 2017, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation. If not filed electronically, an original and fifteen (15) copies of the notice of participation shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address above. A copy of the notice of participation as a respondent also must be sent to counsel for the Company at the address set forth above. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rules of Practice and Procedure (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rules of Practiceâ&#x20AC;?), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUE-2016-00136. For additional information about participation as a respondent, any person or entity should obtain a copy of the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Order for Notice and Hearing. On or before April 11, 2017, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, and serve on the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. If not filed electronically, an original and fifteen (15) copies of such testimony and exhibits shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address above. Respondents also shall comply with the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rules of Practice, including: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service; 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format; and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUE-2016-00136. The Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rules of Practice may be viewed at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. A printed copy of the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rules of Practice and an official copy of the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding may be obtained from the Clerk of the Commission at the address set forth above. VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY d/b/a DOMINION VIRGINIA POWER

Richmond Free Press

January 5-7, 2017

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Former Virginia Commonwealth University Rams and NBA standouts Rolando Lamb, center left, and Calvin Duncan, center right, work with youngsters on dribbling skills during last week’s basketball camp in Midlothian. James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Former VCU-NBA stars reunite to put on basketball camp As young adults, Rolando Lamb and Calvin Duncan earned basketball fame at Virginia Commonwealth University largely for all the points they scored. Nowadays, with both in their 50s, they’re more about pointers than points. After combining for 2,760 points in four memorable seasons for the Rams from 1980 through 1985, they’ve reunited, pushing basketball and the Bible, but not necessarily in that order. “We’re about developing character, maximizing God-given potential and having lifelong success,” said Lamb. “And we also love basketball,” Duncan added. Lamb and Duncan — “goes together like Starsky and Hutch,” quipped Duncan —conducted a youth basketball camp last week at American Family Fitness-Swift Creek in Midlothian. They have plans for more clinics, with a heavy emphasis on life skills, around town. Duncan, known as “Pastor D,” serves as pastor of Faith & Family Church in Chesterﬁeld County. Lamb, with the title “America’s character coach,” has joined Duncan’s church staff as a counselor and outreach minister. Most recently, Lamb was living in Atlanta where he was hoops coach at Grace Bible College & Seminary. He also was serving as a motivational speaker, with such clients as the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and the University of Kentucky Wildcats, and

running youth camps. He is founder and CEO of A-Game Elite Training Session, personal development and mentoring for athletes. The focus: Athletics, academics and attitude. Lamb points to his son, Jeremy, a member of NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, as “a walking billboard of how our program works.” He’s as proud of Jeremy’s off-court conduct as his brilliance with a ball in hand. Lamb moved his family to Chesterfield this past fall. “I came back to the area first to be closer to my mother (in Portsmouth) who is up in years,” said Lamb. “The other reason was to partner back up with my old friend.” Duncan said the two never lost contact. “We’re joined at the hip and at the heart,” Duncan said. The tandem: Under VCU Coach J.D. Barnett, the Rams were 90-31 with Lamb, who was from Portsmouth’s Cradock High School, and Duncan, who was from Linden, N.J., forming the backcourt. They reached the NCAA playoffs three times, advancing to the second round on each occasion. “VCU may have had better players than us,” conceded Duncan. “But as a tandem, we’re No. 1, hands down.” To emphasize his point, Duncan locked his fingers together. Both were NBA draftees and are members of the VCU Athletic

VUU transfer player Jimmy Paige IV looking to add to Panthers’ stats “I met Mr. Johnson playing AAU ball, and he had a whole During the challenging process of transferring schools, athletes are on the lookout for a soft landing spot and a lot to do with me coming here” to VUU, Paige said. Also showcased on that 2013 Boo Williams juggernaut friendly, familiar face. team was 7-foot Thon Maker, now a rookie with the NBA’s Jimmy Paige IV found both at Virginia Union University. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound forward has been an early-season Milwaukee Bucks. Paige is no stranger to pulling up stakes. catalyst for the Panthers, averaging 10 points, five rebounds Born in Ohio, he grew up in Northern Virginia and atand leading the team with 18 three-pointers. tended Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn and “Jimmy’s a blue-collar kid who can score, shoot private Middleburg Academy in Loudoun County the three, mix it up,” said VUU Coach Jay Butler. before enrolling at Cape Henry Collegiate in Vir“We’re looking for even bigger things from him ginia Beach. as we reach conference play.” At Middleburg, a notable teammate was Mo Paige —who wears jersey No. 4 “because I’m Alie-Cox, now a starting center at Virginia Comthe Fourth,” he says — arrived at VUU after two monwealth University. seasons at Siena College in New York, a school in Paige’s athletic ability comes as no surprise. the NCAA Division I Metro Atlantic Conference. His father scored 1,141 career points at Bethany The son of James H. Paige III and Robyn Price College in West Virginia and is member of that decided to move on when his playing time decreased school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1982, the older as a sophomore during the 2015-16 season. Relocating at a Division II school such as VUU Jimmy Paige IV Paige was the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Year, leading Bethany College to made sense because he would have immediate eligibility. Also, the Panthers’ rich tradition — three NCAA the league crown. The younger Paige is a quick athlete with a smooth shootDivision II titles and 24 NCAA tourney berths — remains a drawing card. A lateral transfer, Division I to Division I, would ing stroke, but he’s also willing to do “the dirty work,” as he calls it. In fact, he earned the nickname “Junkyard Dog” for have required a sit-out period of one season. VUU moved to the top of Paige’s list because of his re- his penchant for scrapping and clawing for every rebound lationship with Robert Johnson, Coach Butler’s second-year and loose ball. The newcomer’s all-around skills are being rewarded. He’s assistant coach. “We had connections,” said Coach Butler of the recruit- fourth on the VUU team in minutes played (23.9 minutes per night) behind seniors Ray Anderson and Tavon Mealy and ing process. Prior to his senior year at Cape Henry Collegiate School junior Kory Cooley. Paige has plenty of pizzazz on the floor. But away from the in Virginia Beach, Paige played for the Boo Williams U-18 travel outfit. His teammates included Coach Johnson’s talented action, he is easygoing, soft-spoken and a serious student. It stands to reason he’s majoring in accounting. Considering son, Robert Johnson Jr., now a starting guard at Indiana everything, his decision to transfer to VUU all added up. University but then a rising senior at Benedictine Prep.

Howard University bows to VCU

Visiting Howard University limped into the Siegel Center on Tuesday, Dec. 27, to play the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams. It didn’t go well for the Howard basketball team that was minus three starters, including star James “J-Byrd” Daniel III, the 2016 MEAC Player of the Year. The Washington team was routed 85-51 before a sold out crowd of 7,637 fans at the Siegel Center. Injury-ravaged Howard has since fallen to 3-11 under Coach Kevin Nickelberry following a Friday, Jan. 30, loss at Harvard University 67-46. Daniel, a senior guard from Hampton, led the NCAA Division I last year with a 27.1 scoring norm. He has been sidelined all season with an ankle injury. Also missing in the game against VCU were starters James Miller and Damon Collins. Miller was averaging 16.1 points before suffering a broken hand in Howard’s seventh game.

Point guard Collins injured a foot on Dec. 22 during the warm-up before Howard’s 65-46 loss at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. “We can’t cry about the situation,” CJ Williams Coach Nickelberry told the media. “We had to stand together as one and fight through the adversity.” Collins did return in the game against Harvard University, but Daniel and Miller remained sidelined. A shining light for the Bison has been freshman Charles “CJ” Williams from Millwood School in Chesterfield County. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound Williams scored 20 points against VCU and averages 13.9 points per game. Twice he has been the MEAC Rookie of the Week. He also has had five straight double-digit outings before settling for eight at Harvard

University. The Bison hopes for a better health forecast by the time it begins MEAC play on Wednesday, Jan. 4, in Washington against Florida A&M University. It wasn’t like VCU rubbed it in against the Bison. All 11 uniformed Rams played, with 10 scoring. The Rams played the final 14 minutes with three freshmen on the floor. Also, starting center Mo Alie-Cox played only 9 minutes, and backup center Ahmed Hamdy did not suit up for the game per the coach’s decision. VCU has been playing HBCUs since 1968, but this marked the Rams first contest with Howard. During the 1968-69 season, VCU defeated West Virginia State University, lost to Maryland State College (now University of Maryland at Eastern Shore) and split a pair of games with Virginia Union University. VCU was among the first majority white Southern schools to schedule games with HBCUs.

Hall of Fame. Duncan’s No. 5 jersey was retired. The shot: Lamb’s most heroic moment was his buzzer-beating game winner (70-69) against Northeastern University at the 1984 NCAA Tournament at The Meadowlands in New Jersey. It wasn’t by design. “Calvin was supposed to get the ball,” Lamb recalled. “He’s from New Jersey. We were in New Jersey, but ...” With Duncan covered, Michael Brown flipped the ball to Lamb near the top of the key, where he swished a heavily contested jumper. Pandemonium ensued. It is arguably the most dramatic shot in VCU lore because of its “do or die” nature. The Northeastern University team was coached by Jim Calhoun at the time. As fate would have it, years later, Coach Calhoun was recruiting Jeremy Lamb, then a coveted high school star in Norcross, Ga., to play at the University of Connecticut. “Coach Calhoun called me and said, ‘You owe me one.’ We had a good laugh,” Lamb said. In 2011, Jeremy Lamb helped Connecticut win the NCAA title at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. It was the same Final Four that VCU reached. Had the Rams defeated Butler University in the semifinals, the team would have faced Coach Calhoun’s Huskies — with Jeremy Lamb — in the finals. “You can’t make this stuff up,” said Lamb, shaking his head at the coincidence of it all. Connecticut went on to defeat Butler 53-41 for the title, with the younger Lamb playing a key role. “I got another text from Coach Calhoun after that,” said Lamb. “He said, ‘Now we’re even.’ ”

Battle of the big men

VCU to take on UMass Saturday Driving to the basket could be hazardous to your health — and certainly to your shooting percentage — when Virginia Commonwealth University hosts the University of Massachusetts on Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Siegel Center. Visiting Massachusetts (10-4 overall, 0-1 in the Atlantic 10 Conference) and host VCU (11-3, 1-0) boast two of the most powerful, intimidating figures in all of college basketball. The Rams’ center is 6-foot-7, 260-pound senior Mo AlieCox, aka “Mo-nan the Barbarian.” UMass will counter with 6-foot-11, 320-pound sophomore Rashaan Holloway, who seems more “mountain man” than “Minuteman.” Rashaan Holloway Moe Alie-Cox All that’s missing from this heavyweight Rams matinee matchup is famed ring Saturday, Jan. 7: announcer Michael “Let’s Virginia Commonwealth get ready to rumble” BufUniversity hosts the University of fer providing intros and Massachusetts Minutemen at the “Enter at your own risk” Siegel Center. signs guarding the painted Tipoff: 1 p.m. area under the hoops. Game to be broadcast on the Alie-Cox, from NorthNBC Sports Network. ern Virginia, averages 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and leads the A-10 in blocked shots with 2.4 per game. Holloway, from Elmer, N.J., averages 10.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, but has trouble staying on the court because of foul trouble. Holloway’s .631 shooting accuracy ranks second in the A-10. Joining Holloway in the UMass frontcourt is 6-foot-9, 220-pound Brison Gresham. Alie-Cox, who has drawn scouting interest more from the NFL than the NBA, will finish his collegiate career as one of the Rams’ all-time defensive enforcers. His 33 blocks are more than the rest of the team (61 total) combined. The fifth-year senior has 217 career blocks, the second most in Rams basketball annals. Only Ren Watson, with 391 blocks from 1975 through 1979, has more. This season, Alie-Cox has eclipsed Larry Sanders (187), Kendrick Warren (193) and L.F. Likcholitov (207) on VCU’s all-time rejections list. Alie-Cox enjoyed one of his finest games Friday, Dec. 30, in VCU’s 73-64 win at George Mason University The bruising Ram tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots, three assists and two steals as VCU broke the Patriots’ nine-game winning streak. JeQuan Lewis paced VCU at George Mason with 26 points, five steals and three assists. It marked the 11th time in Lewis’ career that he has scored at least 20 points.

January 5-7, 2017 B1

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Dr. Clinton V. Turner, former Virginia secretary of agriculture and consumer services and former associate vice president for agriculture and extension at Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture, has been inducted into the George Washington Carver Public Service Hall of Fame. He is the first Virginian and the first VSU alumnus to be inducted. The recognition came during the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference awards ceremony Dec. 6 in Tuskegee, Ala. The honor, Dr. Turner says, highlights the importance of agriculture as a career. With about one-third of professionals in the field approaching retirement age and the trend toward everyday Americans wanting to grow their own food, agriculture is a very important and relevant career field, Dr. Turner says. “At a time when people are looking for jobs, agriculture is a career where they can find one,” he said. The native of Spout Spring in Appomattox County was nominated by two colleagues at VSU. “They had asked me before, but the Hall of Fame is made up of a lot of researchers and college presidents who are renowned.” Initially, Dr. Turner felt his contributions to the field may not be on par with past inductees. But he finally agreed to be nominated, “and, well, the committee has spoken,” he said with a chuckle. “We are proud and grateful that Dr. Turner’s strong ties and dedication to VSU and the 1890 land grant mission over his lifetime have been recognized by an organization as revered as PAWC,” said Dr. M. Ray McKinnie, dean of VSU’s College of Agriculture. Dr. Turner received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education from VSU before earning his doctorate in education from Virginia Tech. He began his career as a extension specialist, and in 1980, became the first African-American to be named a district director of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. He became VSU’s administrator of cooperative extension

in 1984 and was promoted to associate vice president for agriculture and extension in 1988. In 1991, Dr. Turner was appointed Virginia’s commissioner of agriculture and consumer services by then-Gov. L. Douglas Wilder. He became the first African-American in the nation to hold such a cabinet level position in agriculture. Throughout his career, Dr. Turner worked with community groups and organizations in fulfilling the mission of the extension service. He has served as chairperson for many state and national policy-making committees and has received awards and recognition for his service to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Although retired, Dr. Turner still believes in the future of agriculture and the need for young people to study in the field. The recognition he received is a testament to his work and commitment. It is given only to individuals whose work mirrors the philosophy of renowned scholar and teacher George Washington Carver and who have made significant accomplishments in the areas of teaching, research and outreach improving the quality of life for those served by land grant universities such as VSU. “To receive an award that carries the name of such a distinguished man as George Washington Carver, who dedicated his life to the welfare of the people, is more than humbling,” he says. Meet this week’s Personality and agriculture guru, Dr. Clinton V. Turner:

Living The D

I worked hard at VSU and throughout Virginia agriculture. However, I didn’t think that my work was worthy of such an honor. It is very humbling. Virginia Cooperative Extension is: The two land-grant universities, Virginia State and Virginia Tech, working together to enable people to improve their lives through a scientificbased educational process. This is done through the use of extension agents in counties and cities throughout the state. This effort reaches approximately 2 million people per year. sons, Michael B. Turner, field engineer for NCR, Appomattox/Lynchburg region, and Clinton V. Turner Jr., principal, Walker-Jones Education Campus in Washington, D.C.; daughter-in-law, Dr. Kara Miles Turner, vice president, Morgan State University; and two grandchildren, Kayla and Karrington. Latest honor: Inductee into the George Washington Carver Public Service Hall of Fame. First reaction to learning I was selected: I knew that

The 1890 land-grant universities are: The historical black colleges and universities, including Virginia State, that were given land-grant status by the second Morrill Act that passed Congress in 1890. Young people need to consider the agriculture field because: Nearly one-third of the professional agriculture workers are at retirement age. Therefore, many high-paying, senior-level positions will become available. First position at Virginia

State University: Extension specialist in housing and structures. My duties included working with county extension agents and citizens throughout the state teaching classes in home repair and remodeling and serving on housing policy boards and study commissions. Also, taught new home-buyers classes in local counties.

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B2 January 5-7, 2016

Happenings

2017 Freedom Classic Festival starts next week

The 2017 Freedom Classic Festival, which celebrates the annual I-95 sports matchup between Virginia State and Virginia Union universities, will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a weekend full of family friendly activities. The festival culminates with the hotly contested basketball game between VSU and VUU men’s teams 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St.

From Monday, Jan. 9, through Wednesday, Jan 11, volunteers will visit Elkhardt-Thompson Middle, Huguenot High and Fisher Elementary schools for daylong mentorship in science, technology, engineering, math, entrepreneurship and design. Professionals in the Richmond area with experience in STEM-ED

who are interested in volunteering can e-mail jroberts@johnsonmarketing.com. At 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, MEGA Mentors is sponsoring an art sale and silent auction at the Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd St. Renowned sculptor Woodrow Nash will have art on display and for sale at the event, which also

will feature music by CHKN GRESE. A full afternoon of events and activities will take place beginning 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Richmond Coliseum. One highlight will be the drumline competition at 5 p.m., followed by the basketball game at 7 p.m. Tickets for the game are $20 and may be purchased by going to www.freedomclassicfestival.com, or by calling VSU at (804) 524-5030 or VUU at (804) 342-3887.

Beyoncé leads nominations for NAACP Image Awards The 48th Annual NAACP Image Awards recently announced its class of nominees. Singer and pop icon Beyoncé led the field of performers with seven nominations, followed by her sister, Solange Knowles, whose 2016 album “A Seat at the Table” was widely acclaimed, with five nominations. Additionally, rappers Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar both received four nominations. The NAACP Image Awards celebrate the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. The awards show will be broadcast live 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, on the TV One cable network. A 90-minute pre-show will air from the red carpet at 7:30 p.m. Donald Glover, considered a renaissance man in both music and television and who currently stars in and created the hit FX show “Atlanta,” received three nominations. Also receiving three nominations is actor and producer Nate Parker, whose 1999 rape charges marred the critical reception

of his 2016 film “Birth of a Nation.” ABC and HBO lead the nominations in the television categories with 23 nominations and 14 nominations, respectively. In the recording category, Columbia Records leads with 16 nominations, followed by RCA Records with 10 nominations and Atlantic Records with four nominations. Walt Disney Studios leads with nine nominations in the motion picture categories, followed by Focus Features with seven nominations. A24 and Fox Searchlight Pictures both received six nominations. “The Image Awards is the premier showcase for art and advocacy reflecting the depth and diversity of the AfricanAmerican experience. It is an American prism through which we see a breadth of culture and color reflected in film, television, music and literature in ways that reveal our shared humanity,” said Roslyn M. Brock, chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “At a moment when America is so divided, the Image Awards represents an hour that brings us together,” said Cornell W. Brooks, president and CEO of the national NAACP.

Beyoncé

Super Bowl 51 Gospel Celebration Trice Edney News Wire

Janet Jackson and husband Wissam Al Mana

It’s a boy for 50-year-old Janet Jackson Free Press wire report

LOS ANGELES Pop singer Janet Jackson has had her first child at the age of 50, Billboard magazine reported Tuesday, citing the pop singer’s publicist. “Janet Jackson and husband, Wissam Al Mana, are thrilled to welcome their new son, Eissa Al Mana, into the world,” the publicist was quoted as saying. “Janet had a stress-free healthy delivery and is resting comfortably.” Ms. Jackson postponed her “Unbreakable” world tour last April, telling fans she andAl Mana were planning their family. The sister of the late superstar Michael Jackson has had a high-powered pop career of her own, with seven albums that went to No. 1 in the charts and five Grammys. Among her top, No. 1 hits are “All for You,” “Again” and “Doesn’t Really Matter.” She has been married to billionaire Qatari businessman Al Mana since 2012. It is her third marriage. Ms. Jackson plans to resume her tour. No dates have been set yet.

The NFL Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, the only multicultural event sanctioned by the National Football League, will kick off Super Bowl 51 on Feb. 3 with its 18th annual star-studded concert at Lakewood Church in Houston.  The annual event joins key NFL players, top gospel, contemporary Christian and mainstream Grammy Award-winning artists and special guests on one stage to bring audiences an evening of uplifting music and inspirational messages. The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration was launched in Miami in 1999 during Super Bowl XXXIII weekend.   “We founded this event to bring even more inspiration and celebration to one of the biggest events of the year — the Super

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Bowl,” said Melanie Few-Harrison, creator and executive producer of the event. “Each year we aim to touch lives in a meaningful way and make the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration bigger than the last with artists and special guests. We look forward to kicking off Super Bowl 51 in Houston and making our mark as the best, most uplifting event we’ve had.” One highlight of the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is the Players Choir, which features current and former NFL players. The choir made its debut at the 2008 show with more than 40 members.  This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first African-American players to enter the professional football league, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode. Both were hired by the Los Angeles Rams in 1946 when the city informed the Rams that it

could not lease their newly built home stadium to a segregated team. The law required that because public funds were used to build the new facility, the Rams had to have at least one AfricanAmerican player on its roster. On the recommendation of the stadium commission, the Rams subsequently signed the two former students from the UCLA Bruins football team — Mr. Washington in March 1946, and Mr. Strode two months later. Coincidently, Mr. Washington and Mr. Strode were not the only Bruins to break the color barrier in professional sports. Another member of the team’s backfield, Jackie Robinson, became the first AfricanAmerican to play with a professional baseball team when he signed a year later with the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1947.

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Photos by Rudolph Powell

Elegance in Black and White

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The Richmond Chapter of Continental Societies Inc. hosted its “Elegance in Black and White” gala on Dec. 30 at a Downtown hotel. The annual holiday event attracts the “Who’s Who” in Metro Richmond. Among those enjoying the 2016 gala are, from left, Congressman Robert C. Scott, the Richmond chapter’s 2nd Vice President Beverly B. Davis, and chapter President Nkechi George-Winkler. The service organization, founded nationally in 1956, was begun in Richmond in 1976 with a mission of aiding the socioeconomic and cultural welfare of children and youths.

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Richmond Free Press

January 5-7, 2017

Happenings New state highway markers to honor 4 Upset that African-American students had to walk miles to their segregated schools in Hanover County, Lucian Hunter took action. In 1934, he bought a bus to transport the students at a time when many Virginia school systems used taxpayer dollars to provide transportation only to white children. Largely forgotten until now, Mr. Hunter is one of four African-Americans who will be recognized on newly approved state historical highway markers. In addition to a marker honoring Mr. Hunter, the new markers to go up this year will call attention to a heroic Buffalo Soldier, an educator who touched the lives of thousands of students and helped incorporate Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a daring Tuskegee Airman. The marker to the late Mr. Hunter is planned for placement on U.S. 1 in Ashland, just north of its intersection with state Route 54, according to the state Department of Historic Resources. The department recently authorized the new series of markers that will dot the state. According to the marker sponsored by family members, Mr. Hunter bought the first bus for African-American students with help from the Chickahominy Baptist Association to which area African-American churches belonged. The marker notes that Mr. Hunter’s sons, Clarence, Earl and Chester Hunter, drove the bus that initially carried students to and from the Hanover County Training School. A year later, Mr. Hunter and others successfully lobbied the Hanover County School Board to provide financial support for the bus service, which eventually was expanded to served other segregated schools for African-American students. The county’s Cpl. Greaves schools remained segregated until 1969. Another marker will recall the bravery of U.S. Army Cpl. Clinton Greaves, a Buffalo Soldier who won the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of comrades during combat with Apache Indians on Jan. 24, 1877, in New Mexico. (Indians coined the term “Buffalo Soldiers” to describe African-Americans in the military because of their tight curly hair.) While a U.S. Army base in South Korea is named for him, Cpl. Greaves previously has garnered little attention in his Virginia birthplace, Madison County, until now. The Madison American Legion Post No. 157 is sponsoring the marker to Cpl. Greaves, who was born into an enslaved family and went on to serve with distinction with the segregated 9th Cavalry, according to the marker. His big moment, the marker states, came when he was part of a small detachment sent to persuade 50 Apaches to return to a reservation. The cavalry group was surrounded instead. Cpl. Greaves is credited, the marker states, with engaging in handto-hand combat to create a gap in the Apaches’ line that allowed him and his comrades to get away. Two years later, President Rutherford. B. Hayes awarded Cpl. Greaves the Medal of Honor for his “extraordinary heroism,” leading to the Army generations later naming the base in his honor and dedicating a statue to him on the property. The marker honoring him is to be placed on Main Street in Madison. Also being remembered with a marker is the late Nellie Pratt Russell, who taught English for 50 years at now defunct St. Paul’s College, which was founded by her father-in-law, Episcopal priest James Solomon Russell. Alpha Kappa Alpha is sponsoring the marker to celebrate Mrs. Russell’s role in education and in the sorority. According to the marker, she is one of the six Howard University students who incorporated the sorority in 1913, five years after its founding as the first African-American Greek letter organization for women. The marker is to be placed in Brunswick County. Meanwhile another marker has been approved for the town of Orange in Orange County to remember Capt. Andrew Maples Jr., a Tuskegee Airman who grew up in Orange and lost his life protecting American bombers during World War II. According to the marker sponsored by a relative, Doris Maples Walker, his red-tail fighter plane went down in the Adriatic Sea during a combat mission over Italy on June 26, 1944. While officially listed as missing in action, he was promoted to captain and awarded the Air Medal. He was officially declared dead by the Army in 1945 and posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. Other markers approved by the Department of Historic Resources include one for Charlottesville’s 50-year-old Dogwood Vietnam Memorial, believed to be the nation’s first public memorial to soldiers who died in the war in Southeast Asia. A project of the Charlottesville Dogwood Festival Inc., the memorial was conceived in late 1965 after news arrived of the first casualty of the Vietnam War from the Albemarle County area. It opened in 1966. Then, the memorial consisted of a plaza, a memorial plaque and a flagpole. Known as “the hill that heals,” the marker states that the memorial was renovated and expanded two years ago.

It’s official: Serena scores love with Reddit co-founder Free Press wire report

Stephan d’Antel

Serena Williams, 35, and her new fiancé, Alexis Ohanian, 33, co-founder of the social media company Reddit, board a helicopter in Auckland, New Zealand, for the ASB Classic tennis tournament. Ms. Williams won her first match Tuesday against French player Pauline Parmentier. It was Ms. Williams’ first match since the U.S. Open in late summer.

Patricia Southall Smith to speak at Delta Founders Day luncheon Central Virginia and HampRed and white will be ton Roads, said Yolanda B. on display as members of Taylor, spokeswoman for the Delta Sigma Theta SororRichmond chapter. ity pour into Downtown The main event: A lunthis weekend to mark the cheon on Saturday, Jan. 7. 104th year of the group’s The featured speaker: Patricia founding. Southall Smith, businessNearly 1,400 members woman, former Miss Virginia are expected to take part USA and wife of now retired in Founders Day activities NFL great Emmitt Smith. at the Greater Richmond Mrs. Smith Mrs. Smith is the founder Convention Center, it has and CEO of the nonprofit Treasure You been announced. The Richmond Alumnae Chapter is that supports women’s financial, eduhosting the program for sorority members cational, emotional and spiritual needs representing more than 30 chapters in and co-founder of the Pat and Emmitt

Photos by Ava Reaves

Celebrating Kwanzaa At right, Imani Bell, left, and Casey Jones lead the procession for the 2016 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival last Friday at the Altria Theater. Scores of people attended the annual festival produced by Janine Y. Bell of the Elegba Folklore Society. Highlights included music and dance, lectures, panels and workshops focusing on the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

The world’s No. 2 tennis player is tying the knot. Tennis star Serena Williams announced her engagement to Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of the social media company Reddit, on Dec. 29. “Down on 1 knee. He said four words. And/r/isaidyes,” the 35-year-old tennis legend posted on Reddit. “I came home. A little late. Someone had a bag packed for me. And a carriage awaited. Destination: Rome ... back to where our stars first collided.” Mr. Ohanian, the 33-yearold, New York-born social media mogul, confirmed the news on his Facebook page, writing, “She said yes.” He accompanied the 22-time grand slam singles champion to Auckland, New Zealand, for the ASB Classic that started on Tuesday. Ms. Williams, who is often regarded as the greatest tennis player of all time, holds the most major titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles combined among any active players, male or female. She is the top seed for the tournament, generally considered a warm-up event for the Australian Open grand slam later in January. “It’s fun to go to new places,” she told reporters after her plane landed in New Zealand. It’s her first trip to the country. Wearing denim shorts under a long coat, she also sported her engagement ring, which caught the eye of reporters and photographers as she arrived with her fiancé and older sister, Venus, for the competition. Venus also is competing in Auckland, an event she won in 2015. She said she is delighted to hear about her sister’s engagement. Serena said it was unlikely the duo, who have won 14 grand slam doubles titles together, would team up to play in New Zealand. “Probably not. I wish. We will see,” Serena said.

This year’s theme: “Celebrating Our Magnificence.” The celebration marked the 50th anniversary of the sevenday holiday started by scholar Dr. Maulana Karenga. Above, Artist S. Ross Browne works with children on art projects, while Travis Johnson above left, of Bahashem Products is among the vendors in the festival’s marketplace.

Smith Charities. In addition, Ms. Taylor said the Deltas will make a donation to a nonprofit, Change the World RVA, which she said was set up to support high school and college students in the Richmond area who are homeless or experiencing instability with housing. The luncheon also will include music by the Ayinde Williams Quartet and the Richmond Alumnae “Delta Pearls,” Ms. Taylor said. One of the Greek letter organizations started more than a century ago at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta was organized by 22 students at the Washington university in January 1913.

Richmond Free Press

B4 January 5-7, 2017

Obituary/Faith News/Directory

Emancipation Proclamation Day Service Left, Dr. Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, the oldest and largest African-American church in Northern Virginia, delivers the “Emancipation Message” to a crowd of approximately 400 people at Richmond’s Fifth Baptist Church for Monday’s Emancipation Proclamation Day Service. The yearly event, sponsored by the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity, is a part of a Richmond tra-

dition celebrating the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation that freed enslaved persons in the Confederate states, including those in Virginia. Richmond was once a major marketplace for the buying and selling of enslaved persons. Below left, the speakers and the music moved many in the audience. Below right, The Rev. Delores McQuinn, right, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, sings with the choir during the service.

Photos by Clement Britt

Owner of Crump’s Auto Service dies Generations of Virginia Union University students turned to kindly service station owner William McKinley Crump for affordable help to keep their cars on the road. So did plenty of other North Side residents, who for 47 years counted on Mr. Crump to inspect and service their cars at his shop, Crump’s Auto Service, at 202 Ladies Mile Road. “He was a very sweet person with an infectious smile,” said his daughter, Judy C. Brown, a retired Richmond school librarian. “Everyone knew him and liked him,” said a former customer Rosa Jiggetts. “He was a neighborhood institution. Everyone in this area had to pass his shop, and he always had cheery word for everyone.” Mr. Crump closed his business five years ago, but

continued to open every day for people to drop by and spend time sharing memories. The mechanic and business owner died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at his daughter’s Chesterfield County home, where he lived in recent years. He was 94. “He wasn’t ill,” Mrs. Brown said. “He sat down, told my husband to give the cat some Mr. Crump treats and just died.” Final tributes were paid to Mr. Crump on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Second Baptist Church in the West End, where he had been a longtime member and active with the Usher Board. The pastor, Dr. James H. Harris, officiated.

New year starts with blessings of cars By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The new year rolled in with a special transportation blessing for three Richmond area women. Kambria Cook, Vivian Jefferson and Beverly Tyler each received free cars on New Year’s Eve from Village of Faith Ministries, which has sanctuaries in Henrico and Chesterfield counties. They are the latest beneficiaries of the vehicle giveaway program begun nine years ago by the church led by Pastor Michael J. Jones.

Pastor Jones, who officially took his seat on Richmond City Council this week representing the city’s 9th District, said the church began its Cars IV Christ Ministry in a bid to change conditions for people in need, particularly for single mothers. “We wanted to bless people,” said the pastor, who said the once-a-year giveaway is not restricted to a certain group. “You don’t have to be a member of the church or even a Christian,” he said. “This program is open to anyone regardless of race or faith. You

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

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

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

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

Sunday

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrew 12:14 (KJV) www.ndec.net

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

Wednesday Services Noonday Bible Study 12noon-1:00 p.m. Attendance Sanctuary - All Are Welcome! Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Attendance -

Saturday 8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online! Also, for your convenience.

Tune in on Sunday Morning to WTVR - Channel 6 - 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

just have to be a person in need who could benefit from better transportation.” He said the church accepts applications throughout the year for the giveaway during the Watch Night Service on Dec. 31. He said the only requirements are that applicants be employed and able to pay the cost of insurance and registration. If there are more applicants than cars, the church then makes the decision on the winners. This year, the three women were the only applicants. His favorite story is the year in which one of the vehicles went to a musician who played at Village of Faith. “He was actually living out of his car because he was homeless, and he needed help when his car broke down. He was overjoyed when he was a recipient,” he said. Pastor Jones said all of the vehicles are used. Some are donations from members and others in the community who support the ministry. “If they are in good shape, we make whatever minor repairs are needed. Otherwise, we sell them and use the money in the ministry,” he said. The church also works with several used car dealers to obtain vehicles, he said.

Born in Cartersville in 1922, Mr. Crump “loved working on cars,” said his daughter, who admired her father for learning his trade even though he did not finish high school. Mrs. Brown said he gained the knowledge and experience he needed working at a variety of service stations as a mechanic before opening his own gas station and car repair shop in 1963. “Through the years, he inspected and worked on thousands of cars,” Mrs. Brown said. Mr. Crump also was a Mason. Burial was in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Cartersville. In addition to his daughter, survivors include his son, Jimmy L. Jones, five grandchildren, eight greatgrandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

  

1408 W. eih Sree  ichmo a. 0 804 5840



 Church School Worship Service

 ile Su

e ercies iisr  a.m. ul ile Su :0 p.m. ie oore Sree o 

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Rev. Dr. Kirkland R. Walton for

Riverview

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

Come and Join us in Worship as we Honor & Celebrate

Dr. & Mrs. Walton

Years of Pastoral Service Sunday, January 15, 2017

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

Worship Service at 10:00 am Preached Word delivered by:

Rev. Earl Pendleton

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017 Sunday School – 9:45 AM Worship Service – 11:00 AM

Mount Zion First African Baptist Church

Ministry of Music by The Senior Choir, The S. H. Thompson Memorial Choir & Special Guest Saxophonist: Mr. James “Plunky” Branch

A Prelude To Black History Month

Saturday, January 14, 2017

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

Jan. 8, 2017 10:30 A.M.

9:30 AM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 Unity Sunday Service – 11:00 AM

Join Us for Morning Worship!

Zion Baptist Church

Kpcoming Events

Cookies With Christ

2006 Decatur Street Richmond, VA 23224

We invite you to join our Youth in decorating cookies to send to our troops. We will explore the meaning of this Christmas Season.

Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor

January 6, 2017 @ 6:00 P.M.

Carry the joy of the Season with you into 2017! Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. =ible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon & 7:00 P.M. 2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor

Sunday Service 10 a.m. Church School 8:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m. Transportation Services (804) 859-1985 “Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospel”

Mount Olive Church TriumphantMosby Memorial Baptist Baptist A Caring Community Committed to Listening,Church Loving, Baptist Church

2003 Lamb Avenue Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622 Church School - 9:30 a.m. Worship Service - 11:15 a.m. Bible Study: Tuesday - 9 a.m. Wednesday - 7 p.m. Prayer Services: Wednesday (1st & 3rd ) 7 a.m. Every Wednesday 8 p.m. Communion - 1st Sunday

1 p.m.



St. Peter Baptist Church

8:45 a.m. 10 a.m.

Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor Learning and Leaning While Launching into our Future

2016 Theme: The Year of Restoration



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

Sundays

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

Tuesdays

Noon Day Third Sunday of Advent Bible Study

Wednesdays

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

Kpcoming Events

109 Church Anniversary th

Saved by Grace, Goodness and Greatness

Rev. Dr. Price L. Davis, Pastor Sunday, October 9, 2016 @ 2:30 P.M.

Dhis Week Christian Education Sunday

Richmond Free Press

January 5-7, 2017

Faith News/Directory

But she became ill and was hospitalized in Richmond in early September when it was discovered that she had contracted MRSA, a drugresistant version of staphylococcus infection. She also had an infection at the site of the port. That infection, she said, entered her bloodstream. She spent a week in the hospital, she said, and then was back on the radio while she took twice-a-day treatments for the infections. With help from her sister, Rita Belle, a nurse, she would take her first two-hour treatment around 5:30 a.m. so she could shower and get to the station before 10 a.m. to do her show. She repeated the process around 6 p.m. The treatments took nearly a month before she was pronounced free of infection and able to restart the painful chemotherapy. Along with losing her hair, the whole ordeal led to a loss of more than 70 pounds. “I couldn’t eat” despite taking anti-nausea drugs, she said. “They just didn’t help.” Even keeping down soup was an ordeal. She said she finished her last course of chemotherapy in November and enjoyed her first real meal at Christmas dinner at the home of her brother, Charles Belle III, named for her father, a longtime missionary and one of Richmond’s first African-American firefighters. “I had a little dressing, some chicken with gravy and string beans,” she said. “It was so amazing.” Her recovery is ongoing. “Sometimes I have rough mornings. I am still adjusting to eating food. My stomach is not what it was,” she said. However, she said her ordeal has strengthened her faith, her enthusiasm for her work and her role in gospel music. She has a broader view of the world thanks to her late father who took her on missionary trips for Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle to Russia, Israel, Cypress, Norway, Denmark and other countries. Ms. Belle got her start in Richmond radio as a newscaster with WRVA, but on the side, she began producing the area’s first gospel newspaper, Gospel Times, about 20 years ago. A few years ago, she went digital by converting the newspaper to the Belle Report, which she sends out at no charge to subscribers who provide an email. For her, being on air and writing and celebrating gospel represents “what God is doing in my life. I am honored to have this responsibility, this assignment, to be an example for others.”

Richmond gospel queen Sheilah Belle is “pressing forward” through the health challenges that have dogged her for six months. Ms. Belle is still doing her popular daily gospel show on Praise 104.7 FM and preparing for the summer gospel festival she stages annually. She also is keeping people up to date on gospel happenings and personalities through her nationally recognized online Belle Report. And she is doing all that as she continues to recover from breast cancer and life-threatening infections that struck during her treatment. “Coming here to do the show has been important, a great incentive,” she said during a telephone interview last week as she took a break during her five-hour program that runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. She said she does not mention her health problems on the air. “People have enough problems. They don’t want to hear about mine,” she said. “They tune in to be uplifted.” Ms. Belle said that with the devoted help of family members and caring doctors, most of her problems are behind her. She said she has been told that she has beaten the infections and that the chemotherapy apparently has killed the cancer. She said she benefited from regular physical checkups that detected the cancer early. Ahead is surgery to remove the portion of her left breast where the cancer was found and reconstruction of the area, she said. That should happen in the next two months. Now, she is speaking out about cancer. Last month, she teamed with contemporary gospel artist and musician Jekalyn Carr to host a program on cancer at St. Paul’s Baptist Church. Nearly 1,000 people turned out for the program that featured music and the testimony of eight cancer survivors. Ms. Belle said the program helped her and others understand “what others have been going through.” Ms. Belle began her battle with the disease in July when a routine test disclosed a small malignancy. Initially she sought chemotherapy treatment at the University of Virginia to avoid local knowledge about her health issue. She was fitted with a port on her arm for infusion of cancer-killing drugs.

Broad Rock Baptist Church

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.

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

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

Sunday, January 8, 2017 8:30 a.m. ... Sunday School 10:00 a.m... Morning Worship

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

6:00 p.m. ..... Prayer Service 6:30 p.m. ..... Bible Study

1:30 p.m. Bible Study

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

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

SERVICES

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:00 A.M. CHILDREN’S CHURCH & BUS MINISTRY AVAILABLE SUNDAY SCHOOL (FOR ALL AGES) – 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY MID-DAY BIBLE STUDY – 12 NOON WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY – 7:00 P.M.

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SUNDAYS Church School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. ❖

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

MONDAY-FRIDAY Nutrition Center and Clothes Closet 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. 823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office www.31sbc.org

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

Pastor Kevin Cook

1858

“The People’s Church”

Theme for 2016-2020: Mobilizing For Ministry Refreshing The Old and Emerging The New

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All!

Youth Sunday January 8, 2017 Christ Kids And Christ Teens Worship Every Sunday Nursery During Church School and Worship

Rev. Dr. Yvonne , Pastor

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Sixth Baptist Church

DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR

everence e with e evanc R ing Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin

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

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

10:45 AM Divine Worship

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church o

Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m. Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m. 4th Sunday Uniﬁed Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m. Bible Study: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. Sermons Available at BRBCONLINE.org

A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

A MISSION BASED CHURCH FAMILY EXCITING MINISTRIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS & SENIOR ADULTS BIBLE REVELATION TEACHING DIVERSE MUSIC MINISTRY LOVING, CARING ENVIRONMENT

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Radio veteran Sheilah Belle enjoys being in the studio where she serves up gospel daily on Praise 104.7 FM. Still recovering, she refuses to allow cancer or illness to keep her off the air.

Twitter sixthbaptistrva

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

Facebook sixthbaptistrva

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

(near Byrd Park)

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 • Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 • Email: ebcofﬁce1@yahoo.com • web: richmondebenezer.com 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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8:00 a.m. & 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

Richmond Free Press

B6 January 5-7, 2017

Sports Plus

Richmond connections at Indiana University By Fred Jeter

If Indiana University is to make a run at the Big Ten and/or the NCAA title, Richmond-born Hoosiers will have a say in it. Indiana’s second leading scorer is junior guard Robert Johnson Jr., son of Virginia Union University Assistant Coach Robert Johnson Sr. The younger Johnson is averaging 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists and leads the team from the 3-point range (32-69, 46 percent). Johnson played locally for L.C. Bird High School and Benedictine College Prep. Coming off the bench is freshman guard Curtis “Cujo” Jones, averaging 5.5 points and 14.1 minutes per game. Born in Richmond, Jones played for SportsQuest and Highland Springs High School before finishing at Huntington Prep in West Virginia. The university in Bloomington, Ind., started the week with a 10-3 record that included take-notice victories over the University of Kansas and the University of North Carolina.

Indiana players from Richmond, Curtis ‘Cujo’ Jones (11) and, left, Robert Johnson Jr.

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SANDRA SUMLER, Plaintiff v. JOHN SUMLER, Defendant. Case No.: CL16003467-00 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 22nd day of February, 2017 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 CYNTHIA JONES, Plaintiff v. ELI JONES, III, Defendant. Case No.: CL16002940-00 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, 2017 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

Continued from previous column

appear here on or before the 3rd day of February, 2017 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

the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsbility for support It is ORDERED that the defendant Richard Thomas Holmes, Sr. (Father), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before March 16, 2017, at 2:00 PM, Court Room #3.

virgiNia: iN thE CIRCUIT cOurt FOR THE COUNTY OF Chesterfield ROSE P. OGLE, and DAVID WAYNE OGLE, Petitioners, v. wesley w. huddleston, Respondent. Case No. CA16-83 In re: Austin J. Huddleston (DOB 05/21/1999) OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to obtain an adoption of Austin J. Huddleston. WHEREFORE, an affidavit having been filed by the Petitioners that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Wesley W. Huddleston, it is ORDERED that Wesley W. Huddleston appear before this Court on the 24th of February, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to protect his interests herein. An Extract Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Mary Ashby Brown, Esquire (VSB #74718) Friedman Law Firm, P.C. 9401 Courthouse Road, Suite A Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 717-1969 (telephone) (804) 748-4161 (telecopier) mabrown@friedmanlawva.com Counsel for the Petitioners

and whose Father is John Daniel Oden,pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1241A3. John Daniel Oden’s whereabouts are unknown. It is ORDERED that the defendant John Daniel Oden appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before March 13, 2017 at 11:00 A.M.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental right (“RPR”) of Jamaal Bailey (Father), of Jalin Monte Eubanks, child, DOB 11/27/2008, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation: adoption consent: determination of religious affiliation: and responsibility for support It is ORDERED that the defendant Jamaal Bailey (Father), appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interest on or before 02/08/2017, at 2:00 PM, Court Room #5

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KEVITA CLAYBORNE, Plaintiff v. TROY CLAYBORNE, SR., Defendant. Case No.: CL16001084-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 24th day of January, 2017 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

CUSTODY virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the COUNty of NEW KENT Commonwealth of Virginia, in re SIANNA KAY PINN, Juvenile Kenneth R. Gumbs, Carolyn Gumbs v. Daniel Reid Pinn Case No. JJ006429-03-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine legal and physical custody of a child known as Sianna Kay Pinn, born June 10, 2011, to Katherine Lindsey Gumbs and Daniel Reid Pinn. It is ORDERED that the defendant Daniel Reid Pinn appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before March 27, 2017, at 9:00 A.M.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER TONY JOHNSON, Plaintiff v. LISA JOHNSON, Defendant. Case No.: CL16003420-00 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, 2017 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 JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re A’Lijah Holmes, Juvenile Case No. JJ089216-12 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Richard Thomas Holmes, Sr., (Father), of A’lijah Holmes, child, DOB 7/30/2012, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsbility for support It is ORDERED that the defendant Richard Thomas Holmes, Sr. (Father), appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before March 16, 2017, at 2:00 PM, Court Room #3.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DONA RICHARDSON, Plaintiff v. MARK KOLMORGAN, Defendant. Case No.: CL16003373-00 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, Continued on next column

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ZULMA ROXANA claros cabrera, ZULMA JEANNETTE CABRERA ORTEGA v. JORGE ALBERTO CLAROS CARCAMO Case No. JJ090395-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Zulma Roxana Claros Cabrera (DOB: 3/19/03),whose mother is Zulma Jeannette Cabrera Ortega, and whose father is Jorge Alberto Claros Carcamo,pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3. Make factual findings that will permit Zulma Roxana Claros Cabrera to petition the United States citizenship and immigration services for special immigrant juvenile status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. Section 1101(A)(27)(J) and 8 C.F.R. Section 204.11. It is ORDERED that the defendant Jorge Alberto Claros Carcamo appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before March 22, 2017 at 12:00 P.M. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re OBANDO SAMAYOA, JACKELINE MARIELA YESSICA C SAMAYOA ORREGO v. ERICK OTTONIEL OBANO Case No. JJ090394-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Jackeline Mariela Obando Samayoa (DOB: 3/10/12),whose mother is Yessica Carlota Samayoa Orrego, and whose father is Erick Ottoniel Obando,pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3. Make factual findings that will permit Jackeline Mariela Obando Samayoa to petition the United States citizenship and immigration services for special immigrant juvenile status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. Section 1101(A)(27)(J) and 8 C.F.R. Section 204.11. It is ORDERED that the defendant Erick Ottoniel Obando appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before March 22, 2017 at 11:00 A.M.

virgiNia: iN thE CIRCUIT cOurt FOR THE COUNTY OF Chesterfield ROSE P. OGLE, and DAVID WAYNE OGLE, Petitioners, v. wesley w. huddleston, Respondent. Case No. CA16-82 In re: Hunter W. Huddleston (DOB 01/14/2002) OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Obtain an adoption of Hunter W. Huddleston. WHEREFORE, an affidavit having been filed by the Petitioners that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Wesley W. Huddleston, it is ORDERED that Wesley W. Huddleston appear before this Court on the 24th of February, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to protect his interests herein. An Extract Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Mary Ashby Brown, Esquire (VSB #74718) Friedman Law Firm, P.C. 9401 Courthouse Road, Suite A Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 717-1969 (telephone) (804) 748-4161 (telecopier) mabrown@friedmanlawva.com Counsel for the Petitioners virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of New Kent Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Atara savannah abistado drez Robert Bryan Strimple and Karen Ann Strimple v. Unknown Birth Father Case No. JJ OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody and visitation of a child known as Atara Savannah Abistado Drez, born June 1, 2016, to Ana Kathreena Drez, the birth mother, who has stated the identity of the birth father is unknown. The birth mother has placed the child in the custody of the petitioners. It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown birth father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before February 27, 2017 at 9:00 A.M.

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re RICHARD THOMAS holmes, jr., Juvenile Case No. JJ089215-12 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Richard Thomas Holmes, Sr., (Father), of Richard Thomas Holmes, Jr., child, DOB 12/25/2009, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of

virgiNia: iN thE CIRCUIT cOurt FOR THE COUNTY OF Chesterfield Charles J. Huddleston, ROSE P. OGLE, and DAVID WAYNE OGLE, Petitioners, v. wesley w. huddleston, Respondent. Case No. CA16-84 In re: Charles J. Huddleston (DOB 06/25/1997) OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to obtain an adoption of Charles J. Huddleston. WHEREFORE, an affidavit having been filed by the Petitioners that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Wesley W. Huddleston, it is ORDERED that Wesley W. Huddleston appear before this Court on the 24th of February, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to protect his interests herein. An Extract Teste: WENDY S. HUGHES, Clerk Mary Ashby Brown, Esquire (VSB #74718) Friedman Law Firm, P.C. 9401 Courthouse Road, Suite A Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 717-1969 (telephone) (804) 748-4161 (telecopier) mabrown@friedmanlawva.com Counsel for the Petitioners

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re CIERRA ANN ODEN RINEHART EDWARD ROBBEN (STEPFATHER) v. JOHN DANIEL ODEN Case No. JJ046772-05-00,06-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Cierra Ann Oden, (DOB: 1/25/2002),whose mother is Suzanne Lee Robben,

Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re JALIN MONTE EUBANKS, Juvenile Case No. JJ083447-16 Continued on next page

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – RFP#153852-DF The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is requesting proposals from firms to provide Meteorology Services for VDOT Central Office Safety, Security & Emergency Management. All proposals must be received by 10:30 AM, January 23, 2017, at the Virginia Department of Transportation; Central Office Mail Center-Loading Dock Entrance; 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. An Optional Pre-proposal Conference will be held at 10:00 AM on January 11, 2017. For a copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP # 153852-DF), go to the website: www.eva. virginia.gov. VDOT assures compliance with Title VI Requirements of non-discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement. For questions or additional information email: diane. fair@vdot.virginia.gov

CREATIVE SERVICES: TELEVISION/RADIO COMMERCIALS RideFinders invites all interested parties to submit proposals for providing creative services. Interested firms may download a copy of the RFP from RideFinders’ website www.ridefinders. com (menu options: About Us, then Request for Proposals) or obtain a copy by emailing Cherika Ruffin at cruffin@ridefinders.com. No Pre-Proposal meeting will be held for this procurement. Responses are due no later than 11:00 a.m. on January 30, 2017. All inquiries pertaining to the request or any questions in reference to the solicitation documents should be directed in writing to: Cherika Ruffin, Program Manager, at cruffin@ridefinders.com.

2 PCA’S or 2 CNAS’ needed for 12 hour shift at Assisted Living Facility. Need 1 PCA or CNA to work as a relief person on 12-hour shift and 1 activity person. Please bring a current TB report when applying. All references will be checked.  Good pay  Good days off Call for appointment (804) 222-5133.

Freelance Writers: The Richmond Free Press has immediate opportunities for freelance writers. Newspaper experience is a requirement. To be considered, please send 5 samples of your writing, along with a cover letter to news@richmond freepress.com or mail to: Richmond Free Press, P. O. Box 27709, Richmond, VA 23261 No phone calls.

Part-time Job Opening

REQUEST FOR BIDS For Certain Easements Upon, Over, Under and Across Maymont Park at 800 Swan Lake Drive In the City of Richmond The City of Richmond is seeking bids for certain easements upon, over, under and across certain property located in Maymont Park at 800 Swan Lake Drive for the construction, maintenance, and operation of electrical power transmission and distribution lines and associated appurtenances in accordance with a certain Right of Way Agreement, for a duration of 40 years, subject to certain responsibilities to be imposed by the Right of Way Agreement and subject further to all retained rights of the City of Richmond. All bids for the easements hereby offered to be granted shall be submitted in writing to the City Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2017. Bids will be presented to the presiding officer of the Council of the City of Richmond on Monday, January 9, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in open session and shall then be presented by the presiding officer to the Council and be dealt with and acted upon in the mode prescribed by law. The City of Richmond expressly reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The successful bidder shall reimburse the City for all costs incurred in connection with the advertisement of this ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2101 of the Code of Virginia and shall post the bond required by the ordinance. A copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the City Clerk’s office, and the full text of the ordinance and the Right of Way Agreement to be executed is available at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail. aspx?ID=2907677&GUID=ABBC041E-A86A-4C55-8F082B870DC0A34C&Options=ID|Text|&Search=2016-306 Please address any questions or bids to: Jean V. Capel, City Clerk City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 646-7955

Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia has the following part-time job opening:

Staff Pianist/Hammond Organist/ Auxiliary Accompanist

Please visit the church’s website at www.mobcva.org to view the complete job announcement for this position. This position will be open until �illed. A Criminal History Background Check and/or credit history check are required.

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following position: Account Specialist II – Bureau of Disbursement 25M00000135 Department of Finance Apply by 01/15/17 Accountant III – General Ledger & Financial Reporting 25M00000083 Department of Finance Apply by 01/15/2017 Deputy Director I 85M00000015 Mayor’s Office Open Until Filled Human Resources Consultant – Training and Development 12M00000012 Department of Human Resources Apply by 01/15/2017 Pipeline Technician II, Gas & Water 35M00000488 Department of Public Utilities Apply by 01/22/2017 Senior Policy Advisor 21M00000037 CAO Open Until Filled Systems Developer – Primary Developer 20M00000027 Department of Information Technology Apply by 01/15/2017 Systems Engineer – IT Security Engineer 20M00000026 Department of Information Technology Apply by 01/15/2017

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Richmond Free Press call

644-0496

****************** 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