June 30 july 2, 2016 issue

Fourth of July A2, B3

Richmond Free Press © 2016 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOL. 25 NO. 27

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Friends remember Darryl “DJ” Burt II at his funeral Saturday. From left, they are Fred Johnson, Antwine Jenkins, Javád Whigfall and Alex Barr. The four men were at the nightclub when he was killed in the June 12 massacre at Pulse in Orlando, Fla.

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No jail

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Record maker excels on, off track A8

June 30-JULY 2, 2016

Friends, family offer final goodbyes to Orlando shooting victim U.S. Supreme Court overturns corruption

By Bonnie N. Davis

Darryl “DJ” Roman Burt II may have had premonitions about his impending death as he drove to meet four friends at an Orlando, Fla., nightclub to celebrate the master’s degree and certificate in business administration he had received just hours earlier in Jacksonville from Keller Graduate School of Management.

As the 29-year-old drove, he played the gospel song “Safe in His Arms” over and over.

He had a feeling, he told Alex Barr, a college friend who was making his way to Pulse nightclub from Savannah, Ga., to join the celebration. He seemingly knew that “his work here was coming to a close — that his work and labor were finally being fulfilled,” Mr. Barr said.

“He said, ‘I can’t shake this feeling,’ ” Mr. Barr told the 300 family members, friends and other mourners last Saturday at Mr. Burt’s funeral in Amelia County, where his family has ties.

Mr. Burt was among the 49 people killed June 12 at the nightclub during a gunman’s hourlong rampage, the nation’s worst mass murder in modern history. More than 50 people were wounded during the bloody nightmare before the shooter was killed by police.

As Mr. Barr spoke about the friend he’d met when they were freshmen honors students at Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C., he was flanked by Fred Johnson, Javád Whigfall and

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Former Gov. Bob McDonnell looks ahead after the U.S. Supreme Court wipes out his felony convictions.

convictions of former Gov. McDonnell

Free Press staff, wire reports

WASHINGTON Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell insisted that he never sold his office in exchange for the $177,000 in loans and gifts that a businessman seeking to promote a dietary product showered on him and his family.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with the former governor, who made history two years ago as the first person to hold the state’s chief executive post to be convicted on corruption charges.

In an 8-0 decision, the high court threw out his felony convictions, likely saving the governor from a two-year federal prison sentence and allowing politicians around the country to breathe easier.

The court agreed with the core of Mr. McDonnell’s defense, stating that the trial judge, U.S. District Court Senior Judge James R. Spencer, and prosecutors relied on an overly broad definition of the “official acts.”

Writing for the court, Chief Justice John Roberts found that instructions on the law

Related stories on A5 that Judge Spencer provided to Mr. McDonnell’s jury were so broad that any action a public official might take for a donor could be considered an “official action.”

The chief justice stated that the evidence, instead, showed Mr. McDonnell’s actions regarding the businessmen, Jonnie R. Williams, fit within the routine of government

officials. As governor, Mr. McDonnell introduced Mr. Williams to others and even held a party for him at the Executive Mansion to promote his dietary product, but did not do anything to push others to support the product.

In order to be a public action, the chief justice stated, there has to be some showing of a decision or action.

“Setting up a meeting, talking to another official or organizing an event (or agreeing to do so) — without more — does not fit that definition of official act,” the chief justice wrote.

“There is no doubt that this case is distasteful; it may be worse than that,” the chief justice continued. “But our Please turn to A4

Interim president named at VUU

Please turn to A4

Help in the wings for Evergreen, East End cemeteries

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A former senior vice president of Virginia Union University is returning to serve as interim president.

T h e V U U Board of Trustees on Tuesday tapped Dr. Joseph F. Johnson, Dr. Johnson 69, to take over from President Claude G. Perkins, who will start a yearlong paid sabbatical Friday,

Two historic, but neglected cemeteries where renowned African-Americans such as Maggie L. Walker and John Mitchell Jr. are buried may get a huge boost from the state.

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF), a state nonprofit set up 50 years ago to preserve open land in Virginia, is poised to set aside $400,000 for a future grant to protect and care for the Evergreen and East End cemeteries.

“This is wonderful,” said Marvin Harris, a real estate agent who has led the effort of the Maggie L. Walker High School Class of 1967 to remove vegetation and improve the cemeteries ahead of the class’s 50th reunion celebration.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press He said that he recently learned from VOF Executive Director Brett C. Glymph about the foundation’s interest in assisting with the restoration.

Pool supervisor Clarence Bey directs swimmers Wednesday as children and adults beat “I was blown away when I learned they might put up $400,000. the heat in the city’s Randolph Pool in the West End. The city’s outdoor pools opened That would go a long way to achieving success.”

June 18, just in time for the summer heat, and will be open seven days a week through The two privately owned burial grounds are located north of the Labor Day. Please turn to A4 city’s Oakwood Cemetery, between Nine Mile Road and East Richmond Road. Combined, the adjoining cemeteries cover 76 acres along the boundary

By Jeremy M. Lazarus After all, he presented his resulted from tax reductions followed by an economic between Richmond and Henrico final budget this year, and it recession,” according to information in the plan. “The County. The cemeteries date to Richmond has monster needs. will be the next mayor who will city has operated for almost a decade with no revenue 1891 and contain more than Most of its schools are decaying, its streets are be presenting the 2018 budget. growth” — and certainly insufficient funds to address 9,300 documented graves. falling apart, its parks and public buildings need Nor is it clear that the nine City numerous school and city needs.

They also are adjacent to two renovation — but it has maxed out its credit card and Council members will buy into the The plan the mayor unveiled would cover only about unused and equally neglected can’t afford to borrow any more money. plan — including new members $583 million of those needs, or just about one-third. city-owned cemeteries, OakAccording to Mayor Dwight C. Jones, there is who will fill at least three seats Called the “Triple-Action Investment Plan,” the wood Colored Cemetery and only one way to fix the problem: Raise taxes so the incumbents are leaving. proposal created by the city’s financial adviser, DavColored Paupers Cemetery, city can afford additional borrowing.

Council President Michelle enport & Co., provides a way for the city to boost its where African-Americans were It’s a reversal of the mantra Mayor Jones arrived Mosby, a candidate for mayor, borrowing — by linking to tax increases.

Mayor Jones once buried. in office with — that Richmond “cannot tax its way” said she welcomes the proposal, Under the plan if approved by City Council, the The VOF board is to meet to prosperity. but needs more information before taking a posi- city would raise its self-imposed debt ceiling from 10 Thursday, June 30, at Capital Under a plan unveiled Monday, the mayor called tion. percent of the budget to 12 percent — allowing the Square to vote on the nascent for creating the city’s first cigarette tax and boosting Still, the proposal makes clear the size of the city to borrow more than $580 million in additional proposal, which has the endorse- city taxes on real estate, cars and personal property, challenge that Richmond is facing. funds during the next 10 years. ment of Gov. Terry McAuliffe. admission tickets, car licenses and restaurant meals According to the plan, Richmond would need to That includes $234 million to improve school This would be the second in the next budget. borrow $1.5 billion in the next 10 years to bring its buildings and $350 million for city projects during time the state has stepped in With six months left before he leaves office, and buildings and infrastructure up to snuff. the 10 years. to support the preservation of with multiple candidates jockeying to replace him But that money is out of reach, according to School officials said that kind of money would an African-American burial and fill seats on Richmond City Council, it is unclear the plan.

Please turn to A4 whether his plan will go anywhere.

“Serious and even chronic budget challenges have Please turn to A4

Keeping watch

Mayor proposes tax hikes to fund improvements

Richmond Free Press

A2 June 30-July 2, 2016

Local News

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond The memorial statue honoring 28 Richmond police officers killed in the line of duty since 1869 is moved to a new home, as shown in this series of photographs. Left, Travis Moss tightens a strap to secure the 8-foot bronze statue and its granite base for the trip last Friday from Festival Park near the Richmond Coliseum in Downtown to Byrd Park. Above, a motorcycle officer escorts the truck carrying the statue down Grace Street en route to Byrd Park. Right, a heavy-duty forklift positions the statue on its new concrete base facing Blanton Avenue at Trafford Road.

Retired Richmond police officer Glenwood W. Burley, wearing a hard hat, began a campaign to relocate the statue in May 2015 to ensure it would be properly tended and more visible to the public. Sculptor Maria Kirby-Smith created the statue of an officer holding a child that was dedicated in 1987.

4th of July closings schedule Metro Richmond area City and county offices: Closed Monday, July 4.

City and state courts: Closed Monday, July 4.

DMV: Customer service centers closed Monday, July 4.

Public libraries: Closed Monday, July 4. Broad Rock Library also closed Sunday, July 3.

Parking: Meters will not be enforced Monday, July 4.

Trash: Richmond and Henrico collection and transfer stations and landfills will be closed Monday, July 4.

Richmond and Central Virginia Waste Management Authority pickups will be delayed one day.

GRTC: Buses will run on a Saturday schedule Monday, July 4.

Banks: Most are closed Monday, July 4.

ABC stores: Close at 6 p.m. Monday, July 4.

Shopping malls: Open.

State of Virginia State offices: Closed Monday, July 4.

Federal government Federal offices: Closed Monday, July 4.

Post offices: Closed Monday, July 4.

Gravely still in at state NAACP

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Jack Gravely is still the interim executive director of the 16,000-member Virginia State Conference of the NAACP. “I am not planning to resign this week,” Mr. Gravely said Monday, denying a Free Press report published in the June 2325 edition in which a source indicated Mr. Gravely was poised to depart.

As the only full-time staff member in the NAACP state office, Mr. Gravely, who also hosts a daily news talk show on WLEE 990 AM, said he could walk out at any point or be fired at any point.

So far, the state NAACP executive board has not asked Mr. Gravely to resign. His contract has expired, but he said he continues to be paid the same salary and be treated as if the contract is still in force.

In an interview at the NAACP North Side office, he acknowledged “that I have contemplated resigning.”

He said that that he and NAACP state President Linda Thomas of Ms. Thomas Mr. Gravely Caroline County, have different views on how much control the state board should exercise over his activities and how much he needs to communicate with the board. The disagreement essentially is over who is in charge.

Now in his second stint in the state organization’s top administrative post, Mr. Gravely said he believes the president and executive board should allow him to operate with a free hand rather than insisting on closely monitoring his activities.

“If you hire a director, the board should give the person marching orders and then leave him or her alone to carry them out. If he or she doesn’t do the job, then you fire that person,” he said. “Otherwise you let that person run the office.”

Mr. Gravely said the executive post is a “dynamic position” that must deal with new challenges and issues daily and weekly that require flexibility.

The disagreement on operations could be seen at the news conference Ms. Thomas held Monday to announce the state NAACP had filed a legal brief, with assistance from the Southern Coalition for Social Justice of Durham, N.C., supporting Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s restoration of voting rights for Virginia’s felons.

Ms. Thomas led the news conference outside of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia building where the state NAACP rents office space. Mr. Gravely, who arrived after the discussion began, did not join the event, but instead walked into the building.

He said later during the interview that he was notified of the news conference two days earlier, had no role in organizing it and had recommended that it be postponed as it would largely be ignored given the media attention and focus on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision throwing out the corruption convictions of former Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Ms. Thomas said she went ahead with the news conference because Monday was the day the legal brief was filed.

Attorney general urges court to uphold mass restoration of felons’ voting rights Virginia Attorney General the affected individuals.

Mark Herring is urging the Vir“Petitioners challenge only his ginia Supreme Court to reject method of restoring political rights, a Republican legal challenge not his power to restore them,” Mr. to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s use Herring noted. of executive power to restore The court also received briefs in voting and other political rights support of the governor’s position to more than 200,000 felons. from the Virginia State Conference This state’s highest court is of the NAACP; theAmerican Civil to hear arguments on the issue Liberties Union; the Fair ElecJuly 19. tions Legal Network; Bridging Mr. Herring In a filing Monday with the Gap in Virginia; Virginia’s the court, Mr. Herring submitted a mul- New Majority; Michael N. Herring and tipronged argument for dismissal of the GOP lawsuit.

First, Mr. Herring sought to show the governor has unfettered power under the Virginia Constitution to restore voting rights en masse, an authority that “may not be controlled or restricted by either the legislative branch or the judicial branch.”

By Jeremy M. Lazarus He wrote that authority has been in place since at least the 1870 Virginia ConstituThe City of Richmond wants to end its tion, even if every other governor has participation in a regional jail in Caroline ignored the authority and restored rights County — a move that could save Richmond on a case-by-case basis. taxpayers at least $1.2 million a year.

Second, the attorney general noted that Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones on the six plaintiffs, who include House Speaker Monday presented a paper asking City Council William J. Howell of Fredericksburg, Senate to approve the city’s withdrawal from the Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. of Peumansend Creek Regional Jail Authority.

Williamsburg and four voters, cannot show The council would need to pass a resoluthey personally have suffered the kind of tion prior to Sept. 1 so that the city could “concrete or particularized injury” required provide the required notice to withdraw to bring such a suit. A general grievance or effective July 1, 2017. disagreement with the governor’s action is On Tuesday, City Council’s Public not enough, Mr. Herring stated.

Safety Committee recommended approval, Third, the attorney general argued that according to committee Chair Reva M. the court’s own precedents would bar it Trammell, 8th District, and sent the request from issuing the kind of extraordinary to the full council for approval at the next orders that the petitioners are requesting meeting Monday, July 25. to roll back the governor’s actions and If approved, Richmond would join bar him from further restoring rights other Prince William County, Arlington and than on a case-by-case basis.

Alexandria in pulling out of the regional Fourth, the attorney general noted that, jail partnership that dates to 1992. as it has done past cases, the court must Richmond became a partner at a time presume the governor’s actions are valid when crime was rising and its own decayand should adopt a position that “upholds ing jail was severely overcrowded. the governor’s actions, not one that would Unable to find partners with neighboring invalidate them.” counties to build a regional jail, and with the And fifth, the attorney general stated city financially unable to build a new jail, that, if the court grants relief, it could allow then-City Manager Robert C. Bobb teamed the governor to use his authority to issue up with the city of Alexandria, and Arlingcase-by-case restoration of rights to all of ton, Caroline, Loudoun and Prince William

Shannon Taylor, the commonwealth’s attorneys in Richmond and Henrico County, respectively; and commonwealth’s attorneys from four other Virginia cities.

In addition, University of Virginia law professor A.E. Dick Howard, a recognized legal expert on the Virginia Constitution, and three other professors, backed the governor.

This is a major shift for Mr. Howard, who in a 1974 commentary on the 1971 Constitution, wrote that the governor could restore rights only on a case-by-case basis.

City moves to end regional jail arrangement counties to create the jail authority.

It took until 1999 for the $27 million, 336-bed facility to get built. The state paid half the cost, and the six partners shared in paying the rest.

Richmond paid for 100 beds at the facility, which meant the city picked up about $4 million of the construction cost and was obligated to pay about 30 percent of the annual operating costs, according to city and state documents.

Richmond couldn’t always fill the 100 beds it contracted for, but often leased its spaces to the other partners. In 2007, it leased all the beds and didn’t pay any operating costs, according to the city budget at the time.

But with the downturn in crime in recent years, leasing bed space has become harder.

Moreover, after Richmond built its new jail, Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. and other officials have been more interested in creating programs to divert people from being locked up than in using the cells in Caroline County.

Ms. Trammell said Sheriff Woody told the committee the beds in Caroline County no longer are needed.

Staying in the authority also would be more expensive now that the three other localities have decided to pull out. According to the agreement, Richmond would have to pay a larger share of the operating costs if it remains a member.

Highland Park dry cleaners to reopen under new ownership

with Mrs. Bellot earning a degree in psychology and Mr. Bellot in Good news for Lonnie McLaucriminal justice, she said. rin and up to 30 other people.

Their road into business began They will soon be able to get when they took their clothes to their clothes back from a closed a cleaners. dry cleaners in Highland Park.

“They did such a lousy job, As the Free Press described in we looked at each other and said, the June 9-11 edition, Mr. McLaurin ‘We can do this better,’ ” Mrs. has been trying to get his clothes Bellot said. since the business at 1311 E. She said they saved up and took Brookland Park Blvd. shut down over the dry cleaning business at in late April. He, like others, had Laburnum and Nine Mile Road been required to pay in advance about a year ago from the previfor the dry cleaning service. ous owner, whom she identified He’ll be able to get his clothes as Sheriess Dowtin.

Tuesday, July 5, when the dry Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press After turning the operation Mr. and Mrs. Bellot cleaners reopens under new ownaround and regaining the trust of ership — with a promise to return clothes to the former owner’s customers, she said she and her husband began talking with Mr. customers and to improve service going forward.

Dowtin and his brother, Emanuel Dowtin, the listed owner of the The new owners are Brittnii and Jean Bellot, who have a Highland Park space, about taking over that location, too. dry cleaning operation, Professional Touch, at 67 S. Laburnum The prospects grew after the Dowtins abruptly closed the Ave., in Henrico County.

Highland Park business in late April.

They recently agreed to take over the Highland Park space Mrs. Bellot said she and her husband “found a mess when and plan to rename it Professional Touch II Dry Cleaning. we walked in.”

Mrs. Bellot said she and her husband have spent the past “There were clothes on racks, and there were clothes piled week or so improving the Highland Park store in preparation up in the back waiting to be cleaned,” she said. to begin operations.

“We’re going to make sure everyone gets their clothes. We want The couple met while students at Virginia Union University, people to have a good experience when they come here.”

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond Free Press

June 30-July 2, 2016

A3

News

Mr. Schwerner

Mr. Chaney

Mr. Goodman

Case closed on 1964 murder of 3 civil rights workers Associated Press

JACKSON, MISS. One day short of the 52nd anniversary of the disappearance of three civil rights workers’ during Mississippi’s “Freedom Summer,” state and federal prosecutors said that the investigation into the slayings is over.

The decision, announced June 20, “closes a chapter” in the state’s divisive civil rights history, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said.

“The evidence has been degraded by memory over time, and so there are no individuals that are living now that we can make a case on at this point,” Mr. Hood said.

He said, however, that if new information comes forward because of the announcement that the case is closed, prosecutors could reconsider and pursue a case.

The 1964 killings of James Earl Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner in Neshoba County, Miss., sparked national outrage and helped spur passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. They later became the subject of the movie “Mississippi Burning.”

Following the announcement, their relatives said the focus should not be only on the three men, but on all the people killed or hurt while seeking justice.

“The civil rights period was not about just those three young men,” said the Rev. Julia Chaney

Moss, Mr. Chaney’s sister and a New Jersey resident. “It was about all of the lives.”

The famous case is one of more than 125 unsolved cases from the civil rights era that the FBI re-examined after launching its “Cold Case Initiative” in 2006. Congress set aside millions of dollars in 2007 through the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act for such investigations. But most of those cases haven’t resulted in prosecution.

The 1964 slaying of the African-American owner of a shoe shop in Ferriday, La., has resulted in no prosecutions despite news articles linking a man from Rayville, La., to the crime. The Justice Department in 2011 closed an inquiry into the 1965 killing of a Pelahatchie, Miss., man who was shot by a constable, despite witnesses who question the officer’s version of events.

“While legal and factual impediments sometimes prevent us from bringing cases we wish that we could, the Civil Rights Division remains dedicated to pursuing racially motivated crimes wherever the facts allow,” Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said in a statement.

Rita Bender, Mr. Schwerner’s widow, said she hopes the decision will spark further reflection in Mississippi about the state’s legacy of prejudice. She said she believes state leaders haven’t learned the lesson of the slayings

because Mississippi is still flying a state flag with the Confederate battle emblem. Legislators recently passed a bill that Ms. Bender says enables discrimination against gay people, and she said the state does a poor job in providing services to African-American citizens.

“As a nation, we have to come to terms with our racist past and our continuing inability to move past it,” said Ms. Bender, a lawyer in Seattle.

Mr. Chaney, Mr. Goodman and Mr. Schwerner had worked to register African-American voters. They disappeared June 21, 1964, while investigating the burning of an African-American church. Their bodies were found weeks later in an earthen dam.

Mr. Hood says the U.S. Department of Justice recently released findings to his office that led to the decision to close the case. He presented to reporters a 48-page report by the FBI which outlines the federal investigation that ultimately led authorities to conclude the deaths were part of a Ku Klux Klan conspiracy authorized by Sam Bowers, a Mississippi Klan leader who lived in Laurel.

In 1967, eight people were convicted of federal civil rights violations related to the killings of the three workers. In 2005, Mr. Hood and the Neshoba County prosecutor won three manslaughter convictions against white supremacist Edgar Ray Killen, who remains in prison.

Mr. Hood said officials had considered possible cases against Jimmy Lee Townsend and James “Pete” Harris. Mr. Townsend, 69, declined comment when reached by telephone.

The Associated Press could not locate Mr. Harris.

All surviving suspects were presented to a grand jury in 2005, Mr. Hood said, with grand jurors indicting only Mr. Killen. He said not enough new evidence has been developed since then for him to believe anything could change.

“I think that everything has been done that could possibly be done,” Mr. Hood said.

Mr. Harris allegedly recruited members of the KKK in Meridian, Miss., to kill the three men and Mr. Townsend allegedly remained with a disabled car on the night that other Klansman went to carry out the slayings.

Mr. Harris was acquitted in the original prosecution of the case, according to the FBI report. Mr. Townsend was charged in preliminary charging documents but was never indicted, the report says.

“For these participants, the good Lord will have to deal with that,” Mr. Hood said.

In recent years, Mr. Hood said, authorities had tried to develop a case against one person for lying to an FBI agent. But he said a witness declined to sign a statement at the last minute.

He did not identify the person or the witness.

Richmond Free Press

A4 June 30-July 2, 2016

News

City’s 2015 audit may be completed this week Richmond City Hall, though months late, soon could be finished with an audit of its books for the 2015 fiscal year that ended a year ago.

Selena Cuffee-Glenn, the city’s chief administrative officer, and Lenora Reid, the city’s chief financial officer, were expecting to wrap up the audit process for 2015 on Thursday — the same day the city will close the books on the current

fiscal year, 2016.

“We’re just waiting to receive the auditor’s opinion,” said Ms. Cuffee-Glenn, who had pledged to Richmond City Council that she would try to complete the outstanding 2015 audit by this week.

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report traditionally has been completed within

Mayor proposes tax hikes Continued from A1

enable them to address “capacity needs,” which are becoming critical as the school-age population grows in South Side.

According to Assistant School Superintendent Tommy Kranz, that kind of money would ensure RPS could replace Greene Elementary School and Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School with new, larger buildings, which he considers a necessity to handle growth south of the James River.

Under the investment plan, council would need to adopt a strategic funding plan that would prioritize all city capital needs and determine the amount of new revenue required to cover costs and support the initial borrowing allowed by an expanded debt capacity.

The plan also recommends creating measurable ways to track spending so the public can easily learn how the money is being spent.

The linchpin to the whole plan would be tax increases that would determine how much additional money could be borrowed.

According to the plan, the menu of proposed tax increases would raise an extra estimated $27 million a year in the first two years if City Council approved them all in the next budget. That would increase to $40 million a year in 2020 and thereafter.

The menu includes imposing a 30-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes to raise an estimated $5 million a year.

The plan also would raise real estate taxes by 5 cents, from $1.20 per $100 of assessed value to $1.25 in 2018. That would raise an extra $9.5 million a year for the city. In 2020, the real estate tax would be increased another 5 cents, boosting tax collections by another $9.5 million a year.

The proposal also would boost the city’s motor vehicle tax from $30 to $33 a year, under the plan, to raise an additional $393,000. Separately, the admissions tax on tickets for entertainment events, now 7 percent, could be increased to 8 percent in 2018 to raise an extra $415,000 a year, and to 9 percent in 2020 to gain another $415,000 a year.

The tax on personal property such as cars and trucks, now $3.70 per $100 of assessed value, is proposed to jump to $4.07 per $100 in 2018 to raise an extra $3.2 million. Under the plan, it would rise again to $4.41 in 2020, raising an additional $3.2 million.

Finally, the menu of proposed tax increases would hike the city’s meals tax from 6 percent to 7.5 percent in 2018 to raise an additional $8.25 million a year.

On top of those increases, the plan recommends that the council steer 20 percent of annual revenue growth from real estate taxes to debt service. That would raise about $1.5 million a year to help pay back the new borrowing.

If all goes right, Richmond could pay for the new debt and create a $132 million capital reserve fund that Davenport & Co. stated would be needed to enhance the city’s fiscal position.

However, this is unlikely to be an easy sell in a city where one in four people lives in poverty.

Mayor Jones is undaunted, despite his lame duck status.

“This is a realistic approach that provides a 10-year program to move us forward,” he said. “This is a well thought out plan that will require discipline, but that will make us a better city in the long run.”

five months of the close of books. The city’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the next year.

The audit provides a close look at the city’s revenues, expenses, assets and other financial items.

This is the second consecutive year the audit has been completed late, although the 2015

audit will be finished much sooner than the 2014 fiscal year audit.

That audit didn’t get done until Oct. 6, 2015, and the struggle to complete it led the city’s longtime audit firm, Cherry Bekaert LLP of Wilmington, N.C., to quit. Another firm, Grant Thornton LLP of Chicago, handled the audit for the 2015 fiscal year.

No jail time for McDonnell Continued from A1

concern is not with tawdry tales of Ferraris, Rolexes and ball gowns. It is instead with the broader legal implications of the government’s boundless interpretation of the federal bribery statute.”

Mr. McDonnell, once a rising star of the Republican Party, expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” after Monday’s decision.

“From the outset, I strongly asserted my innocence before God and under the law,” he wrote in a statement. “I have not, and would not, betray the sacred trust the people of Virginia bestowed upon me during 22 years in elected office.”

“It is my hope that this matter will soon be over and that my family and I can begin to rebuild our lives,” Mr. McDonnell stated.

Republican colleagues in Virginia offered warm words for the former governor, as did Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who used the McDonnell case to promote ethics reforms for his office and at the General Assembly during his first two years.

In a statement to the Free Press, Gov. McAuliffe wrote, “Bob McDonnell and his family have remained in my thoughts and prayers throughout this episode. The governor made mistakes and has apologized, but the Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that his trial should not have resulted in a criminal conviction. It is my hope that today’s ruling is the beginning

of the end of this difficult process for our Commonwealth.”

The former governor is not yet fully cleared. The justices’ decision sends his case back to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which must decide whether a jury could have been able to convict Mr. McDonnell if they were given the correct legal definition for an “official action.”

Prosecutors could only seek a new trial if the 4th Circuit believes the jury could have convicted, but most legal experts regard that as a long shot.

During an interview Wednesday on WTOP radio in Washington, Gov. McAuliffe said he hoped Mr. McDonnell wouldn’t be retried on public corruption charges, noting the high court’s ruling makes a new trial unlikely.

“It’s time to move on,” he said. “This man has paid the price.”

In September 2014, a federal jury in Richmond found Mr. McDonnell guilty of 11 counts of corruption stemming from his acceptance of gifts and loans from Mr. Williams, then CEO of Star Scientific Inc., in exchange for promoting his dietary supplement.

The former governor’s wife, Maureen, who was convicted of eight counts of corruption, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, but is appealing. Both have remained free during appeals.

Monday’s ruling could well result in the dismissal of Mrs. McDonnell’s convictions,

now on hold at the 4th Circuit.

William A. Burck of the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP said the ruling means her conviction will be thrown out. As first lady, she was not a public official and her convictions were derived from those of her husband, he said.

The Justice Department has declined to comment on both cases.

Noah Bookbinder, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, found the ruling disappointing.

“Bribery has always been a difficult charge to prove, and the Supreme Court just made it more difficult,” Mr. Bookbinder said. “There are a few instances of what a lot of us see as corruption which will be more difficult to prove now.”

It’s not enough now to say that public officials set up meetings or expressed support for someone in order to level corruption charges against them, he said.

In his relationship with Mr. Williams, Mr. McDonnell accepted gifts such as golf outings, rides in the businessman’s Ferrari, a Rolex watch and $15,000 for the wedding reception for the McDonnells’ daughter.

The 2014 trial seemed at times like a soap opera, with Mr. McDonnell’s allegedly broken marriage front and center.

In the words of Mr. McDonnell’s attorney, Noel Francisco, the governor never did anything that benefited Mr. Williams.

VUU names interim president Continued from A1

July 1, before retiring.

Dr. Perkins has led the school since Jan. 21, 2009, and has been lauded for leading improvements to the school’s academic programs and physical plant.

“The blueprint for progress has been established over the past seven years under the leadership of Board Chairman Franklyn W. Richardson and President Perkins,” Dr. Joseph said in accepting the post.

That blueprint, he continued, “provides not only a clear path for staying the course, but a path for continuous improvement … (for) Virginia Union University. In that context, I pledge … that I shall plan the

work required, work the plan and lead with commitment and sincerity.”

Dr. Johnson, whose career in education spans four decades, served under Dr. Perkins as the school’s senior vice president from January 2011 to December 2012, during which he supervised Academic Affairs and other key divisions at the school.

Most recently, Dr. Johnson has owned and operated The Flanner Group, a consulting firm that works with universities to create strategies to remain sustainable.

A native of Wilmington, N.C., Dr. Johnson is a 1968 graduate of Fayetteville State University, where he later served as an education professor and for seven years

as dean of the School of Education.

He earned a master’s degree in science education at Virginia State University in 1973 and a doctorate in educational administration from Virginia Tech in 1981.

Dr. Johnson is familiar with Richmond. He earlier served as supervisor of operations for the regional Mathematics and Science Center in Henrico County and held a series of administrative posts with Richmond Public Schools during a 14-year period.

He also served as either associate or assistant superintendent of public schools in New Hanover and Durham counties in North Carolina and in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Final goodbyes to Orlando victim Continued from A1

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Virginia Outdoors Foundation is considering a $400,000 grant to improve historic Evergreen Cemetery in eastern Henrico County. In this view taken Tuesday evening, high grass obscures some of the tombstones in the open field section of the cemetery where people are still being buried.

Help for Evergreen, East End Continued from A1

ground. During his tenure, Gov. Bob McDonnell made a gift to the city of a state-owned property in Shockoe Bottom that some believed to be a former 18th-century slave burial ground, but which had long been used as a parking lot.

The Maggie Walker Class is among a host of individuals and groups that have been involved for years in efforts to clean up and restore Evergreen and East End cemeteries.

Among the thousand of burial sites are the graves of Mrs. Walker, the first African-American woman in the nation to establish and operate a bank, and Mr. Mitchell, the crusading editor of the Richmond Planet, who was a banker, businessman and outspoken city councilman.

Near them is the grave of the Rev. John Andrew Bowler, an educator who organized George Mason School and founded Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.

VOF’s involvement to preserve and protect Evergreen and East End is in its infancy, according to foundation spokesman Jason McGarvey.

If the board does agree, as expected, to set aside the money, “that is simply the first step and just ensures that funds will be available if this

moves forward,” Mr. McGarvey said. “There are still a lot of details to work out internally and with partners” before the funds could be awarded.

The goal, according to the paperwork sent to the VOF board, is to ensure “permanent protection for the properties and enable restoration efforts to continue with funds and certainty.”

Ahead, the foundation would seek to find a partner such as the city’s charity arm, the Enrichmond Foundation, which could untangle the title to the property and seek to take ownership of the two cemeteries.

The VOF would then seek to create a conservation easement for the property and to have the partner or partners create a plan for “the care and the use of the properties that respects the history and benefits the community.”

The project ultimately could encompass the two city-owned cemeteries.

The VOF effort would fit with its mission “to preserve the natural, scenic, historic, scientific, open-space and recreational areas of the Commonwealth.”

Since its founding in 1966, the foundation has secured conservation easements on 750,000 acres of land, often farmland that owners do not want to see developed.

Antwine Jenkins, the three other friends who joined them at the club.

Although Mr. Barr, also 29, made no direct references to the massacre during the service, he later spoke about it in detail during a Free Press telephone interview.

After celebrating his graduation with his parents, Darryl and Felica Burt, and his younger brother, Roger, Mr. Burt wanted to celebrate with his friends.

They decided to drive to Pulse, a popular gay nightclub.

“We got there late. We were pretty tired,” said Mr. Barr.

“DJ and Javad went to get drinks. I sat down. We floated and three of us went to the left side where R&B music was playing,” he said. “DJ was at the bar and turned to make sure everyone was OK.” A little while later, just after the bartender made the last call for alcohol, Mr. Barr said he heard shots.

“We thought maybe two people were having an argument. Then we knew someone was shooting on purpose. We immediately retreated from the room,” he said.

Mr. Barr, Mr. Whigfall and Mr. Jenkins headed for what they thought was an exit, but found a dead-end wall instead.

They then went into the men’s bathroom, ending up huddled in a stall for the disabled with about 15 people. Five had been shot and killed by the gunman.

Inside the stall, they started texting one another. Mr. Burt responded that he was still inside the club and the men later learned, via text, that Mr.

Johnson, who had been shot in his left arm and hip, was outside.

After a while, they noticed Mr. Burt was no longer responding to their texts.

The fear and panic was “beyond frightening,” Mr. Barr said. He recalled wondering if the shooting and ricochet of bullets would ever end.

Meanwhile, the gunman, later identified as Omar Mateen, 29, was just across the hall from the bathroom, Mr. Barr said, adding the shooter apparently thought that he had killed everyone in the bathroom stall.

“I was focused on keeping everyone calm and telling them not to whimper,” said Mr. Barr.

“He thought everybody was expired and just not making noise,” said Mr. Barr, Survival mode kicked in, he said. He and his friends quieted the wounded with prayers and assurance.

“I really believe it was God (who saved us.) What he (Mateen) did to those across from us, he didn’t do to us. I knew it probably was prayer because he was less than 20 feet away from us the entire time. It had to be a higher power,” said Mr. Barr, who earned a degree in philosophy and religion at Claflin.

The shooting, which started about 2 a.m., ended around 3 a.m., said Mr. Barr.

Law enforcement authorities blew a hole through the bathroom wall to get them out. But the survivors in the stall refused to move or leave until police proved their identity.

Mr. Barr said he didn’t learn of Mr. Burt’s death until the next day, when he saw DJ’s name

scroll across a television screen.

He said while he is scheduling counseling sessions through the City of Orlando and the FBI, he was in denial that Mr. Burt was gone until the funeral.

Born in Henrico County, Mr. Burt grew up in Kentucky and Indiana. At the time of his death, he was working as a financial aid officer at Keiser University in Florida and doing volunteer work in the community with the Jacksonville Jaycees.

Mr. Burt’s mother recalled that doctors thought she had a tumor but later determined that she was pregnant with her son.

At that point, she said that she knew he was special.

“There are so many things about you I am going to miss,” she wrote in the funeral program. “Your smile, genuine and full of joy. Our conversations, because we talked about everything … there were no limits. Your realness … not everyone could deal with (our) truth, but at the end of the day, it was real.”

Numerous tributes were shared during the funeral by friends, family and former colleagues. Jamel Covington, who once worked with Mr. Burt at a McDonalds restaurant in Jacksonville, Fla., said that it took her 29 hours to get to the funeral from Haleiwa, Hawaii, where she now works.

“I loved DJ like a brother,” said Ms. Covington. “He touched many lives.”

Darryl Burt, Mr. Burt’s father, encouraged parents to “cherish, treasure and enjoy every moment with your children — the good and the bad — because the next moment is not guaranteed.”

Richmond Free Press

June 30-July 2, 2016

A5

News

City faces $1M bill from storm damage

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Rosie Lee Woods, like dozens of city residents, has a reminder of the powerful storm that roared through the city June 16, knocking out power, felling trees and creating havoc.

She can look out at the remains of the giant oak that stood in front of her North Side home, one of hundreds of city-owned trees toppled by the storm. Fortunately, her home didn’t suffer a scratch as the tree fell parallel to the street.

After the storm, city workers came to the 3500 block of Hazelhurst Avenue and removed the massive branches that blocked the street, she said.

However, the tree’s 20-foot trunk and huge root ball still fill the grassy strip between the curb and sidewalk in front of her home as well as a neighbor’s home.

The retired nurse can only hope that city workers soon will return to remove the rest of the tree and repair the portion of the sidewalk and steps of her walkway that were destroyed when the tree toppled over.

“I really need my walkway. I have arthritis and have to use a cane. I can walk on the grass to get around the tree, but it is not easy,” she said.

She hasn’t yet been told when that might happen. Richmond is still cleaning up from the storm. In the days after the event, city officials, along with the power company, restored normalcy in the wake of the worst damage since Hurricane Ernesto in 2006.

The costs from the storm put additional strains on the city budget, which already was running a deficit, in part, because of a winter storm that cost the city an unexpected $1.9 million.

This week, Richmond City Council voted 6-3 to approve an

Cleanup is still underway after the June 16 storm. Here a city worker uses heavy machinery to pick up a mass of fallen limbs on Claremont Avenue.

More than 900 city trees were toppled during the event, and some were weakened enough to fall days later.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

administration plan to dip into savings to protect the city from a deficit.

The plan is expected to cover the expenses from the storm.

Preliminary cost estimates presented to the council last week put the storm’s damage to public property and cleanup expenses around $1 million, though that cost could easily go higher when all the bills are tallied.

That does not include the estimated $770,000 in damage that Richmond Public Schools estimated was done to 10 schools, nor

Meter fees go up July 5 Downtown Motorists will pay an extra 50 cents an hour to park at a street meter in Downtown beginning Tuesday, July 5, it has been announced.

Free Press wire reports

The price will go from 75 cents an hour to $1.25 an hour, under a change Richmond City Council approved in passing a new budget in May.

The increase, recommended by Mayor Dwight C. Jones, is designed to increase revenue to balance the budget.

— JEREMY M. LAZARUS

the damage to private property.

Both the city and RPS carry insurance policies that kick in to cover damage above $100,000 to buildings, according to officials.

However, the trees, sidewalks and traffic lights that were damaged or destroyed are not expected to be covered by insurance. For example, the city estimates it likely would need to spend $500,000 or more to replace the 900 city trees felled by the storm.

The city also estimates it could cost $300,000 to repair the damaged sidewalks.

Damage to streetlights and traffic signs and signals also has been estimated around $175,000.

That doesn’t count the overtime for the city workers and contractors who cleared 156 streets of fallen trees during the first weekend after the storm.

Already, workers have trucked away 1,000 tons of storm debris, the city reports. However, as Ms. Woods’ situation indicates, the city is far from done with the recovery.

Former congressional delegate Walter Fauntroy arrested

Civil rights leader and former congressional delegate Walter Fauntroy was released from a Virginia jail Tuesday following his arrest Monday at Dulles International Airport on a 5-year-old charge of writing a bad check in Maryland, authorities said.

Mr. Fauntroy, 83, had been living abroad for the past four years, and relatives and friends had expressed concerns about his health. He told The Washington Post in a telephone interview last week that he was coming home and that he believed the bad check issue was resolved.

Mr. Fauntroy was arrested Monday morning when he stepped off his Emirates Airline flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on charges of fraud and failure to appear in court, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

He was arraigned Tuesday and Congress. The city’s delegate can vote is scheduled for a hearing in Prince in committees but not on the House George’s County, Md., on charges floor. He stepped down to run for mayor of writing a $55,000 bad check for a in 1990, but lost that election.

2009 ball he organized for President Attorney Arthur Reynolds, who Obama’s first inauguration. is representing Mr. Fauntroy, has After being arraigned, he left the said previously that Mr. Fauntroy jail and greeted his wife, Dorothy, for had paid back some, but not all, of the first time since he left the United the $55,000.

States in 2012.

Mr. Fauntroy left for the UAE in A retired Baptist minister, Mr. early 2012, after a bench warrant was Mr. Fauntroy Fauntroy helped plan the 1963 March issued for him in Prince George’s on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., County, to answer charges in the case. a close friend. He served for 20 years as the Mr. Fauntroy told The Post in the interview District of Columbia’s first elected delegate to last week, his first since moving abroad, that

New Virginia laws begin July 1 Free Press wire report A host of new laws will go into effect in Virginia on Friday, July 1, including laws regulating concealed weapons, fantasy gaming, new age minimums for marriage and smoking in cars. Here are some of them: Education High school graduation requirements have been rerewritten for the 2018-19 school year.

Additionally, Senate Bill 211 requires at least 20 minutes of physical activity a day on average for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Guns Virginians will be allowed to carry concealed guns in nearly all other states. Virginia also will recognize permits from those states where agreements are in existence. Additionally, state police will be present at every gun show in Virginia to perform voluntary background checks.

Tolls Interactions between private highway toll companies and Virginia drivers is changing.

House Bill 1069 increases the time period before those private companies can increase violation fees and it decreases civil penalties on unpaid toll bills.

Health Hospitals will be required to disclose in advance the amount charged for any elective procedure, test or service to be performed.

Higher Education The law prohibits a public or private institution of higher education from requiring a student to disclose the username or password to any of the student’s personal social media accounts.

Smoking Any person who smokes in a vehicle, moving or not, with a child under age 8 is subject to a traffic ticket and civil penalty of $100.

Fantasy gaming Virginia becomes the first state with a legal framework for daily fantasy sports groups offering cash rewards for winnings. The legislation requires fantasy sports websites that charge money must now register with the state and pay a licensing fee.

Marriage A new law puts in new age minimums for marriage. While 18-year-olds can marry on their own, anyone 16 or 17 must have a judge sign off on the marriage after considering whether the union is in a minor’s best interest at that time.

he had been homeless for brief stretches during his stay in the UAE and that he most recently had been living in an apartment occupied by a South Sudanese couple and their son.

He said he was working on green energy projects.

In addition to the bad check charge, a bank filed in 2014 to foreclose on his house, citing outstanding payments. The Post said Mr. Fauntroy and his wife sought bankruptcy protection in 2014, but the case was dismissed when he failed to get credit counseling.

The newspaper said Mr. Fauntroy said the criminal charge against him and his mounting debts were part of a conspiracy to undermine his reputation.

His longtime personal attorney, Johnny Barnes, told The Post that Mr. Fauntroy was “disappointed” by the arrest but that overall, he seemed “much improved and in good spirits.”

High court strikes down Texas abortion clinic law, sending message to abortion foes Free Press staff, wire reports

WASHINGTON In a dramatic ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a Texas law requiring abortion clinics to be built to surgery center standards, handing victory to those who argued the law would have shuttered all but a handful of clinics in the state.

The high court’s 5-3 decision is seen as the most significant on abortion in two decades and could serve to deter other states from passing or maintaining so-called “clinic shutdown” laws.

The ruling is expected to be felt in Virginia where Republican-imposed state health regulations require abortion clinics to spend heavily to meet the standards of free-standing surgical clinics, regulations that are now under review.

Foes have argued the Virginia regulations

were approved only to shut down abortion clinics rather than improve medical care, and the court’s ruling could allow Virginia Board of Health appointees of Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to toss the regulations as contrary to the court’s decision.

In joining with the liberal justices, Justice Anthony Kennedy, the high court’s perennial swing vote, showed the court has a majority that is ready to uphold abortion rights regardless of the presidential election and the filling of the empty seat on the bench left by the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia.

Justice Stephen Breyer wrote the majority opinion, which found the Texas law an unconstitutional burden on women who seek abortions. He noted Texas officials could not show that women’s health was improved, and that, he wrote, was the key to determining whether the law passed muster.

“There was no significant health-related

problem that the new law helped to cure,” Justice Breyer wrote in the decision striking down the law that also required doctors working at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a hospital.

Anti-abortion activists since the Roe v.

Wade decision in the early 1970s legalized the procedure have worked to pass a slew of laws across the country restricting abortions or making them more difficult to obtain, such as the Texas law.

The new ruling sent a message to states that might pass such laws and lower courts that would uphold them that they have a high hurdle to prove they’re constitutional.

Steve Vladeck, a professor of law at American University’s Washington College of Law, said the court’s ruling “has called into question everything from categorical bans on abortions to so-called ‘fetal heartbeat’ restrictions and perhaps plenty of other laws in between.”

Decision removes guns from domestic abusers convicted of misdemeanors Free Press staff, wire reports

WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court expanded protection for victims of domestic violence Monday by ruling that every misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence triggers the loss of gun ownership rights.

The justices, in a 6-2 ruling issued amid fierce debate about reducing firearms violence in America, rejected arguments that a federal gun ownership prohibition should apply only to knowing or intentional conduct, but not to impulsive or reckless conduct.

In dispute was a federal law passed two decades ago barring people convicted of a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” from owning a firearm.

Writing for the court, Justice Elena Kagan said the law was enacted “to close a dangerous loophole” because many perpetrators of domestic violence are charged with misdemeanors rather than felonies.

Justice Kagan stated that Congress passed the law to target domestic abusers convicted under run-of-the-mill misdemeanor assault and battery laws, and that “reckless assaults” are

covered as well.

The issues of gun rights and gun control have been high in the national debate since 49 people were killed by a gunman June 12 at an Orlando, Fla., gay nightclub in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Justice Kagan Following the massacre, gun control legislation was defeated in the U.S. Senate. In the House of Representatives, Democrats staged a historic sit-in on the floor last week demanding action after House Speaker Paul Ryan refused to allow a vote on similar gun control legislation. The sit-in was called off after the House adjourned for the Fourth of July holiday. But some Democrats are threatening to resume the sit-in when the House returns to work next week.

The debate has been equally hot in Virginia, where the Republican-dominated legislature has been easing restrictions on gun ownership. State law currently does not bar people convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse

from owning guns.

However, on Friday, July 1, a new law that Gov. Terry McAuliffe brokered with the General Assembly goes into effect that will require individuals hit with a protective order by a victim of domestic abuse to give up their guns. Those who do not comply could be charged with a felony.

This week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision stemmed from a Maine case involving two men who, separately, pleaded guilty to domestic assault and then years later were charged with illegally possessing firearms. Both men had argued that they should not be subject to the gun prohibition because their prior convictions were based on impulsive conduct.

In his dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas criticized the majority ruling for trampling on gun rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment.

“This decision leaves the right to keep and bear arms up to the discretion of federal, state and local prosecutors,” Justice Thomas wrote, noting there is “no other fundamental constitutional right that a person could lose forever by a single conviction for an infraction punishable only by a fine.”

Richmond Free Press

Vibrant sunflowers Downtown

Editorial Page

A6

June 30-July 2, 2016

Let freedom ring As we slide toward the July 4th holiday on Monday, we will be bombarded this weekend with messages of patriotism.

From the presidential candidates to mattress firms, many people will seek to wrap themselves in the flag as they offer pitches about liberty, freedom and the values espoused by the Founding Fathers.

Before the capitalists and propagandists hijack the holiday, we urge our readers to pause during the next few days and think about the deeper meaning of freedom, particularly in our community, because as writer James Baldwin says, some of our white cousins in America “are trapped in a history they don’t understand.”

When the Declaration of Independence, which we celebrate this weekend, promised liberty for all men in 1776, it didn’t include a large chunk of the population, namely African-Americans or women.

By the time the Revolutionary War was fought and won, and George Washington had been president for a year, more than 750,000 African-Americans were counted in the nation’s first census in 1790, 92 percent of whom were enslaved.

As we fast forward through the Civil War, Reconstruction and Jim Crow, go past the Civil Rights Movement and land on the Black Lives Matter movement of today, the images of certain people flash — Crispus Attucks, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., L. Douglas Wilder, Barack Obama.

But we remind our readers that the fight for freedom is — and always has been — a collective effort. And all of those held up in history as leaders were carried on the shoulders of thousands of others whose names and stories in the fight for freedom may remain unknown. The dream doesn’t die with the dreamer.

Angela Y. Davis points out in her recent collection of essays, “Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine and the Foundations of a Movement,” the insidious dangers and promotion of individualism that seek to rob or rewrite a group’s history and derail its progress.

“Even as Nelson Mandela always insisted that his accomplishments were collective, always also achieved by the men and women who were his comrades, the media attempted to sanctify him as a heroic individual. A similar process has attempted to disassociate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from the vast numbers of women and men who constituted the very heart of the mid-20th century U.S. freedom movement. It is essential to resist the depiction of history as the work of heroic individuals in order for people today to recognize their potential agency as a part of an ever-expanding community of struggle,” she writes.

A reader so adroitly points this out in this week’s Letters to the Editor on A7. He says the courage of the known and unknown scores of men and women who picketed the stores in Downtown Richmond must be remembered in order to understand the success of the student effort to desegregate all-white lunch counters.

Even today, our freedom is not an individual fight, but a collective one. Our success will depend not on the actions of a single individual or a handful of people, but the collective efforts of the group.

What role will you play in the fight for freedom?

The struggle continues.

“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

— Nelson Mandela “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.”

— Martin Luther King Jr. “One faces down fears today so that those of tomorrow might be engaged.”

— Alice Walker

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Anniversary of Loving case Dear Sir: I am writing to you concerning a problem we have.

5 yrs. ago my husband and I were married here in the District.

We then returned to Va. to live.

My husband is White, I am part negro, and part indian.

At the time we did not know there was a law in Va. against mixed marriages.

Therefore we were jailed and tried in a little town of Bowling Green.

We were to leave the state to make our home.

The problem is we are not allowed to visit our families.

The judge said that if we enter the state in the next [25] yrs., that we will have to spend 1 yr. in jail.

We know we can’t live there, but we would like to go back once and awhile to visit our families and friends.

We have 3 children and cannot afford an attorney.

We wrote to the Attorney General, he suggested that we get in touch with you for advice.

Please help us if you can. Hope to hear from you real soon.

Yours truly, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Loving — Letter by Mrs. Mildred Loving, June 1963 In 1963, young wife and mother Mildred Loving decided

to write a letter to U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy about a “problem” her family was facing.

Four years later, Mrs. Loving and her husband, Richard, made history when their struggle to have their marriage recognized in their native Virginia led to the landmark 1967 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Loving v. Virginia,

Marian Wright Edelman overturning the remaining laws in Virginia and other states that banned interracial marriage.

They first met in the early 1950s, when she was 11 and he was 17, in Central Point, Va., the small community where they both grew up. They became young sweethearts, and in 1958, when Mildred became pregnant, they decided to get married. They drove to Washington for their marriage license, and Mrs. Loving later said she initially thought they were doing that because less paperwork was required there.

But Richard already understood something she didn’t: Getting a marriage license as a mixed-race couple would have been illegal and impossible in Virginia.

Mr. Loving may not have known how the state would treat legal interracial marriages that had been performed elsewhere, but five weeks after their wedding, the newlyweds received a very literal rude awakening.

Acting on a “tip,” sheriff’s deputies surrounded their bed with flashlights at 2 in the morning demanding to know why they

were there together. Their reply that they were husband and wife made no difference. The Lovings were arrested, and Mr. Loving was held in jail overnight while the pregnant Mrs. Loving was forced to stay for several days.

Both were charged with cohabitation and violating Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act. Under a plea bargain, in order to avoid a year-long jail sentence, they were forced to leave the state and were prohibited from returning together for 25 years.

Five years later, inspired by the March on Washington and the wave of new civil rights laws, Mrs. Loving decided to write to Attorney General Kennedy to ask if any of the new legislation would allow them to return to Virginia, even just to visit. He responded and suggested the Lovings contact the ACLU, where, over the next few years, dedicated lawyers helped take it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled 9-0 that Virginia’s law and all others like it were unconstitutional, and that the freedom to marry was “a basic civil right.”

The Lovings paved the way for thousands of other couples.

Thanks to God’s work and the Lovings’ love, my husband, Peter, and I were the very first interracial couple to be married in Virginia after the U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Mrs. Loving never remarried and lived quietly at her home in rural Caroline County until she

Dialogue, criticism must go both ways Because I’m not a regular viewer of “Grey’s Anatomy,” I didn’t know who actor Jesse Williams was until his eloquent rants about the state of race in America popped up in viral internet videos.

Now he has hit the big time.

He has been widely hailed and covered for his “courage” and “speaking truth to power” in an eloquent speech he delivered after accepting the Humanitarian Award at the BET Awards on Sunday night.

It’s a stirring speech, a bracing indication of Mr. Williams’ theatrical talents, multimedia commentaries and community activism.

It also was a heartwarming speech. The Chicago-born Mr. Williams began with thanks to his parents, as cameras turned to his white mother and black father — stirring symbols of a new era of racial harmony.

He also paused to salute “black women in particular who have spent their lifetimes dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves. We can and will do better for you.”

Big applause for that, deservedly so.

But from there I found his speech to be both energizing

and troubling. High energy with inadequate direction to it is always troubling.

Mr. Williams has credited his biracial background with enabling him to witness America’s racial tribulations from both sides. Great. Unfortunately, only one side was expressed in his

Clarence Page speech. Guess which one?

“Now, what we’ve been doing is looking at the data and we know that police somehow manage to de-escalate, disarm and not kill white people every day,” he said sarcastically, touching off big whoops with the crowd.

That’s a worthwhile point to make. I’ve made it myself after high-profile police killings and will do it again, if necessary.

But as an African-American who has listened to more speeches than you can shake a police baton at, I know that it does not take much courage to tell a mostly black audience that their biggest problem is white racism.

That’s about as challenging as telling a Donald Trump rally that their biggest problem is undocumented immigrants.

Real courage would have led Mr. Williams to say a few words to his showbiz audience and colleagues about the cultural decay and ethnic apartheid that America’s entertainment industry has promoted.

We need to talk about police brutality, job discrimination and shrinking educational opportunities. But we also need to talk about black folks killing each other, belittling the value of education and promoting the N-word in hip-hop media.

Yeah, I said it. I know that too many white conservatives have used black-on-black crime as an excuse to ignore such problems as police misconduct, even when the abuses are caught on video.

I hear it all the time.

I also hear cynical conservatives attack BET, which stands for Black Entertainment Television, as self-segregation. “Why isn’t there a White Entertainment Television?” goes the sarcastic right wing cliché.

There is, folks. It’s called ABC, NBC, CBS, etc., etc.

Failure to see that obvious reality explains why our nation’s racial divide persists despite our hardwon victories.

Mr. Williams did hold black entertainers accountable at one point, berating those who pray for lucrative product endorsements to “get paid for brands on our bodies.”

But to go further with black self-criticism might well have exposed Mr. Williams to the criticism that some black intellectuals like to make about President Obama whenever he strikes a similar balance in his speeches to black audiences. Folks, dialogue has to go both ways.

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.

passed away in 2008. But a year before her death, the widow sent another groundbreaking letter.

This time, it was a public statement submitted just before the Massachusetts Legislature’s historic vote reaffirming marriage equality, and read aloud at a 40th anniversary celebration of the Loving v. Virginia decision: “When my late husband, Richard, and I got married in Washington, DC in 1958, it wasn’t to make a political statement or start a fight. We were in love, and we wanted to be married … My generation was bitterly divided over something that should have been so clear and right. The majority believed that what the judge said, that it was God’s plan to keep people apart, and that government should discriminate against people in love. But I have lived long enough now to see big changes.

The older generation’s fears and prejudices have given way, and today’s young people realize that if someone loves someone they have a right to marry.”

The writer is president of the Children’s Defense Fund.

George Curry Media

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Letters to the Editor

Equal pay a must

NOVEMBER 13-15, 2014

New boss at VSU Dr. Hammond

Hampton provost to take reins

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Coach Michele Drayton enjoys being back with her players and assistant coach Wade Ellegood in the Albert H. Hill Middle School gymnasium Tuesday.

Heartwarming return for Albert Hill coach

By Joey Matthews

Coach Michele Drayton walked into the Albert H. Hill Middle School gym for the first time since suffering a stroke last month.

The players on her girls’ basketball team excitedly ran over, showering her with hugs.

Surrounding her, they applauded and yelled, “Let’s win this one for Coach Drayton!”

Putting their hands together in a team huddle, they yelled, “Do it for Coach Drayton! One! Two! Three!”

It was a heartwarming homecoming for the longtime Albert Hill hoops coach, who returned to the team Nov. 4. She suffered a stroke Oct. 2 at her North Side home.

“I felt loved and appreciated,” Coach Drayton told the Free Press Wednesday.

“It was a special feeling for me to be back and get such a welcome.

“It was like coming home,” she added.

Parents of the players, along with her Albert Hill colleagues, walked over and welcomed her back with more hugs and well wishes.

Although still weak from the stroke, Coach Drayton sat on the gymnasium bench and watched as her assistant, Wade Ellegood, coached Albert Hill to a win over Elkhardt in the Richmond Public Schools middle school playoff opener.

“I felt like taking over, but he did a good job,” a happy Coach Drayton said afterward of her anxiety of having to watch,

instead of coach.

Albert Hill lost its next game to the team from Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School last Thursday in the playoff semifinals.

But the Albert Hill players and Coach Drayton have much to be proud of. The team completed an 11-1 season, which included a 10-0 regular season.

Under Coach Drayton, Albert Hill has recorded four consecutive unbeaten regular seasons and won the middle school league championship in 2011, finishing 13-0.

Coach Drayton, 46, said she knew something was seriously amiss just prior to suffering the stroke. She had been experiencing a series of headaches and felt

FR ee

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Pamela V. Hammond is on track to become the first woman to lead Virginia State University in the school’s 132-year history, the Free Press has learned.

School sources said Dr. Hammond, the current provost or chief academic officer at Hampton University, has emerged as the board of visitors’ choice to become interim president to replace Dr. Keith T. Miller, who submitted his resignation Oct. 31.

The sources said Dr. Hammond is scheduled to meet with the board this Thursday, Nov. 13 — the date the board set for choosing an interim leader for the university in Ettrick.

If all goes well, the board is expected to vote approval and introduce her as the choice for interim chief executive during the session, the sources said.

The sources said Dr. Hammond is expected to serve while the board conducts a national search for the school’s 14th president. She would be regarded as a potential candidate, sources said, depending on her work as interim.

Her start date could not be learned, but it could be soon after Jan. 1.

Dr. Miller is to officially leave the post Dec. 31.

A former nurse educator, Dr. Hammond will take over a public university grappling with major budget troubles as a result of an enrollment drop of more than 1,000 students. The problems led to cuts in student services and could force faculty and staff layoffs.

She will arrive as VSU experiments with a new schedule Please turn to A4

Quarterback sacked by DUI charge

By Fred Jeter

where he, too, resides.

There is no evidence that Mr. Myers pushed the sale of the property in the 500 block of Fleet Street to Mr. Phipps.

Petersburg council records also support Mr. Myers’ assertion that “I had no involvement” in the vote approving the sale.

Mr. Myers is listed as abstaining from the otherwise unanimous vote of support for the recommendation from City Manager William Johnson III to sell the Fleet Street property to Mr. Phipps without any strings attached.

But even if there was no connection to Mr. Myers, this sale exemplifies the shortcomings of the program whose goal is to rev up development and job creation in a city that

Virginia State University is heading into its biggest game of the season minus a key component — quarterback Tarian Ayres.

Mr. Ayres, a 20-year-old sophomore from Dillwyn, has been suspended from playing in the CIAA championship game Saturday against Winston-Salem State University, school officials announced.

The school-mandated suspension stems from Mr. Ayres’ arrest Sunday, Nov. 9, on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, underage possession of alcohol and speeding.

He was arrested 2:05 a.m. Sunday about 25 miles southeast of Ettrick in Waverly, where he was stopped on U.S. 460.

Mr. Ayres was clocked driving 52 mph in a 35 mph zone, and was spotted crossing the highway’s double solid line near Main Street.

Waverly Police Officer C.M. Washington said he determined Mr. Ayres was intoxicated after administering sobriety checks, including a breathalyzer test.

There were two passengers in Mr. Ayres’ car at the time of the arrest. He is scheduled to appear Nov. 18 in Sussex County General District Court.

Please turn to A4

Please turn to A4

Please turn to A3

Petersburg man lost dream, but made $45,000 profit Montague D. Phipps had big dreams three years ago when he bought a derelict duplex from the City of Petersburg for the rock-bottom price of $5,000.

But when his dreams fell apart, he still came out ahead.

He recently sold the still-ramshackle building for $50,000 — a far different outcome than he and the Petersburg government envisioned when Mr. Phipps was approved to buy the property in 2011.

His case is attracting attention in part because he was able to flip the property for a profit and because of his ties to Petersburg City Councilman W. Howard Myers, who defeated a challenger Nov. 4 to win a second term as the Ward 5 representative.

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dfre www.richmon

mayor’s dream

M. Lazarus

By Jeremy t C. Jones Will Mayor Dwighfirst pitch out the be throwing oe Bottom at a new Shock m two years baseball stadiu from now? a City CounNot likely, if the stadium t cil revolt agains succeeds. rs, led by Jonat Five membe , the 1st Distric than T. Baliles and potential e representativ candidate, un“Marty” al Above, Martin killed while 2016 mayor revolt.

Cobb, 8, was beloved dertook the his by removing defending They did so budget $12.6 sister during 12-year-old lt on her the proposed assau from ered l a sexua was consid ay on South new million that last Thursd creating a grieving essential to Side; right, minor league rt each home for the children comfo ay evening’s Press Squirrels in chmond Free other at Saturd to honor Richmond Flyingof Downtown Sandra Sellars/Ri vigil area community the low-lying was born and Marty. where the city e infamous as that later becam market north slave the largest s. of New Orlean aves through Sending shockw began the five City Hall, the the stadium last l revolt against the nine counci Thursday as craft the rs worked to spending , the ation that membe next capital budget ction. providing inform arrest. for constru is a hero,” in the quick plan for city m money was “Little Marty il member resulted nity really came at a The stadiu underground commu ring Counc “The little recove City for redo stated vived and is ell, who spoke r to seek justice earmarked to control. Without special affinity local hospital.

Reva M. Tramm represents the togethe the hero,” he said. for flood head Marty had a piping meet severe pasand to the ews any type, Marty’s sister the money, the work Marty died from reported. at the vigil where the grieving Marty, for keys of

By Joey Matth Police said building t later to be regulations for be done. the attacker trauma, police d the attacker 8th Distric tor added. first reported lives. that has capreporte recanted federal could not Martin “Marand In a tragic event heart, Marty Neighbors head with family was there when his sister a white male, but later 16-year- in a flood plain Eight-year-old 12-year-old s “He site near 17th as Marty in the his most,” she added and identified a black, attacker. The stadium tured the nation’ remembered struck is defined ty” Cobb and needed him the fondly query. as the a brick. special bond.

East Broad streets evening, about to a Free Press his old neighbor sister had a by all accounts now is beingeous hero. the teenager being in the flood plain.

Last Saturday rs, friends, in response and in They were She told police best as a courag l media are her if membe ’s beautiful smile was joined as siblings, Mr. Baliles remove the Local and nationa story of 200 familyand other community “Marty his sister will always be had threatened to hurt inseparable to ending for n ors tes. be love heart-r ed him. neighb decisio the playma always the ay will telling rly gather she told on friends and and reallocate reported the never apart,” how Marty died last Thursd to members sombe with us. Marty never, such as It has been is Marie se $12.6 million “They were ant Life to honor in our hearts, and he will needs, y trying ore L. Abund city bravel Theod the other on outside t’s name it to school said the Rev. at Abundant afterno d sister from the endearing child withspirit ever be forgotten.” ive suspec ements for aging He has a history pastor protect his belove il Presiplayed Willis, execut t Washington. or that includes improv Hughey, the indomitable s they Christ, Counc as r in by frame, Charle God gs, of the small a sexual predato ls, 2nd smile.

Citizens Agains of violent behavi in the Mosby buildin Life Church tracks behind warm, loving loved ones director of the Charles R. Samue t, 3rd church. near railroad block and that has helped 2010 attack on a dent the family’s ride bikes and family’s home in the 200 Prior to the vigil, a sign in Crime group more than 20 a t; Chris A. Hilber g community h They would Court housin for side around the boy Distric the two staunc n Road. assembled together, play “Martin: lead vigils city, said the turnout 3-year-old boy. He hit with a District; and big wheelers their of Brando r-old boy was arParker C. Ages yard that read: children in and years in the of the head A 16-yea stadium foes, t, and Reva M. community. charged Marty’ and in the back by side with lived, fought reflects a caring a crisis of this neighborhood fine rested Saturday andr and the A real hero lasto, 5th DistricDistrict. r.

South Side d the child s murde mother ’s “Even though ell, 8th the hamme sur- died here.”

Th attack require s, this shows told with Marty’ brag about their and a Trammfour members who wantsister, who but nature happen cooking, he 100 staples boy The city, the money attack on his receive only to down-home his head. The ry, ed to keep the stadium il Vice strength of not nity,” Mr. Willis metal plate in the Free Press. included: Councson, 6th to years in recove of the commu place four in comes spent has trouble nt Ellen F. Robert his family. said. “When we will respond according to killer of Marty Presidet; Kathy C. Graziano, 4th ted on his behalf.

Bruce any community, Boone advoca The alleged in Distric Cynthia I. Newbille, Raymond H. former Verizon executive the in a positive fashion.” appearance , t; s lle R. re from Marty’s mother made his first le and Domes- Distric He replaced staff, wire report t, and Miche d under pressu after Mr. He described Calif.

Free Press n, who resigne 2007 as “very, very, Richmond Juveni on Monday 7th Distric SAN JOSE, , 9th District. of Gordo P board of directors in g Mr. Gordon Sharain Spruill, and tic Relations Court K. Mosby move is the first clear well as hurt g down as head NAAC showin Judge Ashley The after steppin of the very upset as his zation, a campaign over those her mind around in front of Just months rights organi s is Boone led the mayor and ate interests trying to wrap ed her son.” largest civil evidence that supporters Tunner. declined the nation’s P President Benjamin Jealou al favored corpor happen of business have this imdiwhy politic P. e legion Authorities Drew, who credited with former NAAC an East Coast to A4 Major Steve It’s a NAAC Jealous was widely the to identify the suspect becaus career from s, donor base Please turn e capitalist.

Mr. Services with finance changing his rt ventur P’s Suppo Coast help rects ment, West will to A4 g the NAAC activist to a Please turn Police Depart switch he hopes of grow- provin ts h. tely drop out Richmond orhood residen further his goal for black and outreac he will never comple neighb praised He said ing opportunities s in the to A4 Latino Please turn people and economy. booming tech mission has “My life’s s wire report g the playing Free Press been levelin gaps in LES field and closingsuccess,” LOS ANGE and opportunity tar Chris Brown said. “I’m 41, s, R&B supers good news.

Mr. Jealou trying a diffinally got some s judge has excited about ch.” s , A Los Angele ferent approa and selfMr. Jealou Tappahannockd native said that the rn California be joining entrebe release could Northe The Va., native ter geek will Klein week from jail confessed compull Kapor and Freada Kapor backs as early as this agree to terms that Mitche can ent firm preneurs if attorneys . e capital investm ps committed to at their ventur for his release as the pop technology start-u . information The news comes al cases e social impact crimin and techmaking a positiv star deals with studies culture Stanford West and who , Coast or at Fred Turner on the East associate profess a person nology as an it’s “fascinating that Coast. into County SupeUniversity, said experience would move Los Angeles in and James Brandl of his caliber rior Court Judge ed Mr. Brown question going this space.” had earlier indicat Press e there’s a deep chmond Free anywhere from Mr. Turner said how to accomplish positiv Sandra Sellars/Ri could be facing to more than a about s on in the U.S. a few month en. approach it jail. in they social change year Valley, ch the lively for him, Mr. Saturday at h, and “In the Silicon Washington, they approatwo Unfortunately dance move are y. In in Englis A4 r a flashy ning” to trepreneuriall Mr. Turner said. “These delive turn s happe King Please , art and food. and Ana Inesname translates to “what’ it politically,” modes.” culture, music s Monte Jones remain American very different said he and his family will to the Latin Ballet members in Downtown. The event’ ase of Latin spring showc Festival commute Mr. Jealous ning at this and Canal streets. ¿Qué Pasa? , Md., but he’ll plenty happe 14th in Silver Spring once a month. top there was The Canal Walk near about on: the NAACP’s West Coast was named to Editor/Publisher Locati Mr. Jealous after Free Press post in 2008

By David P. Baugh Is gay the new black? Have ans supplanted gays and lesbioppressed AmeriAfrican-Americans as the most can minority?

Several Africa the recent opinio n-Americans have asked me ns granting the right to gays and lesbianif marry will have s African-Ame rican civil rights.any impact upon On Oct. 6, 2014, Virginia granted gays and

hero 8-year-old

ar-old sister fending 12-ye slain while de ‘Marty’ Cobb

in Ben Jealous

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Is gay the new blac k?

lesbians the right to wrenched from marry. abused, as Africa their homelands, raped Ironic ally, Commentary and the majority Being black ns.

Virginia which, it was do is not a choice in 1967, had vote in the issue,not get a being gay. , and neither racial marria its ban on interregardis ge less of their Our Constitution about interra said that every overturned. Loving v. discomfort rights cial Virgin was intended of anyone to marry who citizen has the basic human ia Is gay the newrelationships. to protect the they might choose right black? No one right given to to pursue the realization can say with . The state and honesty that gays, like them by birth. of any blacks, If a person is Gays, though born with the oppressed, wereare not oppressed. right from their never enslav ed, Please turn to A6

Richmond F ree Press

VOL. 23 NO. 41

RICHMOND,

© 2014 Paradig

VIRGINIA

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James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

This is a view of the decaying property Montoya D. Phipps bought from the City of Petersburg for $5,000 and recently sold for $50,000. Location: 530-32 Fleet St., just across the Appomattox River from Virginia State University.

Mr. Phipps, an adjunct design instructor at Virginia State University, also makes his home and operates his interior design

business out of an apartment he leases from Mr. Myers. The apartment is in a five-unit building that Mr. Myers owns and

in Richmond

OCTOBER 9-11, 2014

Virginia n for all loveorw s

new position

Chris gets better news

reserved.

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Jubila to courthous nt couples head e for marria ge licenses

By Joey Matth ews Shamika Fauntl eroy accom Tappahannock panied her to the VCU Medical Center father Tuesday mornin “My father g from their looked at me , first,” Ms. Fauntl hometown of when we got where he was to underg o She and her eroy told the Free Press. there and told me to go surgery. take care of Marshall Courtslongtime partner, Kristea my business around 10 a.m. Building in Richmond’sThompson, then drove the short distanc Downtown, The two Tappah e where they bought a marriato the John annock African-Ame ge license rican couple residents became the first and 12th a marriage license from the Richmoverall to purchase Clerk’s Office ond Circuit after the U.S. Court the way for same-sex marria Supreme Court cleared other states ges in Virgin Monday. ia and four They told the Free Press they as they can plan to wed make the as soon arrangements Shamika Fauntl The partner . /A6 eroy, left, obtaining and Kriste with family s of 10 years already had a marriage Sandra Sellars/Ri and friends license Tuesd a Thompson are planni chmond Free at a home off celebrated their union “We already Press ay at the John ng a weddi at a Sept.

Rivers had that bond, ng cerem Marshall Courts said. but we wanted ide Drive on South Side. 6 commitment service Building in ony after to take care Downtown.

On Monday, of it legally as well,” Ms. ginia when it the Supreme Court effectiv Fauntleroy refused to take up a 4th U.S. ely allowed same-sex marria Circuit Court ge to procee of Appeals ruling same-sex marria d in Virge that overturned Gay and lesbianban. the

By Jeremy couples hurried M. Lazarus shortly after to Virginia the news. and Joey Matth courthouses Edward F. Jewett ews , clerk of the Virgin ia joined his office anticip Richm the tidal wave of histori references on ated the change and, in ond Circuit Court, said c change this Augus marriage license week, with than husban s to refer insteadt, changed gender the d and Court openin U.S. Supreme to spouses rather Ms. Fauntleroy,wife. g the door same-sex marria 28, for said manager at a ge in the comHardee’s restaurshe was on her job as monwealth. an news that the marriage ban ant in Warsaw when she assistant The nation’ had been lifted. heard the “I was like at its openin s highest court mile-wide smile.this,” she said, gleefully g raising her arms “We had waited refused to takesession Monday She called with a so long up a ruling the 4th U.S. Circuit by “but they had the Essex County Circuit for this moment.” peals that overtu Court of Apus,” she said. no idea what had happen Court about a license, ed and could same-sex marriarned Virginia’s not help That’s when ge ban.

By leaving intact buy a license she and Ms. Thompson formulated plan Virginia’s in Richmond. lower court ruling “This B — to brings striking down a ban on gay legally say I’m me the happiness I always marriage, as going to share wanted, to be well said, sitting my able life with her,” to outside the John Please turn Nicole Pries, wife. to A6 Marshall buildin Ms. Fauntleroy Downtown left, and Lindsey Oliver g with her future “It’s a blessin courthouse Sandra Sellars/Ri Monday. They kiss after an improm chmond Free Parker Oil Co. g,” Ms. Thompson, Press ptu ceremony became the 30, outside the first samechanging in in Tappahannock, added. an employee at June sex couple each and every “This shows to wed in Richm things are way.” ond.

Please turn to A6

By Jeremy M. Lazarus Two years ago, Virginia’s lone the Republican-c black congre Assembly was ssaccused of creatin ontrolled General man, Rep. Robert districts that packed C. “Bobby” The 2nd and Democratic-le g new congressional Scott. the 3rd House 4th districts Rep. Scott, Republican District, reducin aning black voters into are represented a Democ Reps. Scott voters on congre g by Rigell and J. respectively. ssional electio the influence of black represented the distric rat, has Randy Forbes This week, ns in adjacen t for 22 years. The district , But the upcom t districts. critics’ compla a divided federal court includes parts of Richmond, Free Press uled for Tuesda ing congressional electio panel ints in finding upheld wire report Newpo illegally overlo s current district y, Nov. 4, will go forwar ns schedaded into the that black voters were Hampton and Norfol rt News, lines. d with the district represe k and countie the The first person DALLAS Along with s of Henrico nted by diagnosed and Prince George, and with Ebola in majority, Judge writing the opinion for all of Petersb the United States the panel’s died Allyson K. urg and Portsmouth Circui Wednesday Duncan of the t Court of and the countie morning in 4th U.S. hospital Charles City s of a allowing the Appeals also issued a here. and Surry. separate order Novem Rep. Scott ber In a 2-1 decisio The scheduled under elections to “proceed as Dunca case of Thomas Eric n, the panel map in violati she barred futurethe existing redistricting n, a Liberian deemed the on of curren plan,” who electio the came t Protection Clause U.S. Consti but to the United ns until a new tution’s Equal plan is adopted.

States on Sept. redistricting 20, redraw the bounda and ordered the state put health She and U.S. legislature to the federal court ries of the district by authorities on joined her opinio District Judge Liam O’ panel will redraw April 1. If not, Tuesday’s decisio for the curren n, deemed it too late Grady, who alert for the the lines. to t do round anything deadly effect and require n is expected to The third membe of elections. virus have a ripple redrawing r of the adjacent 2nd spreading and 4th House the boundaries of the Robert E. Payne, found panel, U.S. District Judge others to rebalan outsid no reason to redistricting districts and plan. ce populations. overturn the West e of possibly Africa.

About 48 Please turn people who to A4 had direct or Mr. Dunca n indirect contac can since his t with Mr. Dunarrival were being monitored, but any symptoms none have shown as of Wednesday evening, accord

By Jeremy ing to health officials.

M. Lazarus Dr. Keith T. on a Richm Mr. Duncan’s ond radio talk tions that he Miller is pushing back agains show.

“We’re going expanded efforts case has led to has been secreti to work throug

by U.S. authori ship skills to ve and lacks t percep- have today Paulette Singleton/ ties to comba h the challen t the spread of Richmond ges we at financial woes.overcome Virginia State the leader- a stronge and come out of this a Free Press Ebola its source bigger University’s r university,” Dr. Miller told , a better and and raised in West Africa — Facing studen of “The Jack Leoné Bruns the audience Gravely Show.” questions about wick parties alumn i concer t protests, faculty grumb character Spong In addition, effectiveness Saturd the ling and Dr. Miller has of eBob Square ay with balloon troubles, Dr. ns about the univer annual 2nd announ and hospital airport screening Pants at sity’s money separate meetings for Miller is taking Street Festiva prepare lines of commu students and ced he will hold Thousands l in Jackso the 26th more inform fresh steps Mr. Duncan, dness. of people turned faculty to provid n Ward. nication and ation on the school to open day festiva him 42, becam to e to the out to enjoy quell efforts resign. steps the univer ill ’s fiscal outloo l. Please turn to force k and on visitafter arriving in Dallas e sity is taking to B2 for more the twoLast week, now lists as to to overcome family. He went photos. he appeared a $19 million what president of it Health to Texas shortfall in revenu He is slated VSU’s Studen with Hyisheem Calier, Presby to hold the e. t Government town hall-sty on Sept. 25, terian Hospital Association, le sessions but sent home with initially was Please turn antibiotics. His to A4 Please turn to A4

Area min isters weigh in on gay marria ge

Court ruling moves Va. historic cha to nge

Federal jud ges order re drawing

VSU presiden

of Scott’s dis trict

t sets town

Miller fightin g to

First Ebola patient dies in Dallas

hall meeting

s

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Young foodie

Adilrah Johnson, 8, enjoys fresh-cut fries held by her mother, Shoshana. Mother and daughter tasted their way through Sunday’s GRAZE on Grace, a foodie’s delight. The first-time event featured nearly 30 restaurants and specialty food providers celebrating local and seasonal cuisine — from oysters on the half shell to banana tacos.

Location: East Grace Street, between North 4th and North 7th streets.

Also Chapter 13 “Debt Adjustment” STOPS FORECLOSURES, GARNISHMENTS AND HARASSING PHONE CALLS

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Free Press staff, wire reports

President Obama has set yet another precedent with his choice to succeed U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Loretta Lynch, a 55-yearold Greensboro, N.C., native and Harvard educated lawyer, would be the nation’s first African-American female attorney general if confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

As the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York since 2010, Ms. Lynch has worked on numerous high-profile cases involving Ms. Lynch police brutality, bank fraud and money laundering.

Sources close to the Obama administration said they expected Ms. Lynch would generate little controversy, making for a smooth Senate confirmation process.

The Senate twice previously has confirmed her nomination to federal prosecutor jobs, most recently in 2010.

But senior Senate Democrats and White House aides said Ms. Lynch’s confirmation likely would be delayed until the new session of Congress starts in January. Her nomination then will rest in the hands of Republicans, who will control the upper chamber as a result of the Nov. 4 elections.

Known for her low-key personality, Ms. Lynch has stirred little controversy during two tenures as U.S. attorney. She served in the position under President Bill Clinton from 1999 to 2001, before leaving for private practice. President Obama appointed her to the post once again in 2010.

A Republican-majority Senate confirmed her 1999 appointment, while a Democraticmajority Senate confirmed her in 2010.

Mr. Holder is the only attorney general to serve under President Obama, holding the job since 2009. He is the first African-American to hold the

Keep paying on your house and car as long as you owe what they are worth.

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

“Get A Fresh Start”

Dr. McCreary mourned

Richmond Free Press

Lynch confirmation delayed until 2015?

Get rid of debts that you can’t pay.

As we honor, with a well-deserved commemorative marker, the brave Virginia Union University men and women students who broke down Virginia’s Jim Crow policy of segregated lunch counters, let’s not forget the courageous men and women who picketed with the NAACP on the sidewalks, as well as the Presbyterian theology students from Union Theological Seminary who also joined in the cause.

This was — and took — a united, diverse effort.

MICHAEL L. HAMLAR Roanoke

‘Texas Tornado’ goes and goes B8

VOL. 23 NO. 46

Many people helped make change possible

the gender pay gap because it creates a critical deficiency within our economy. It is not fair, and it is not a good business practice.

However, if we work on solutions, together we can ensure that the New Virginia Economy is a reality and that Virginia is effectively positioned for the future.

How do we move in the right direction?

We can start with an assessment of pay.

Then, let’s define clear pay structures; provide more pay transparency in the workplace; and conduct periodic pay reviews. These small steps will help us target where pay gaps exist. We then can begin partnering with employers to establish action plans to close the gaps.

We cannot allow this to be a future issue in Virginia. It must be addressed today. The sooner we can close the gap, the sooner we will see the realization of the New Virginia Economy that attracts and sustains an effective, diverse workforce.

FR ee

I love Virginia. And I love envisioning the New Virginia Economy that enables Virginians to have equitable opportunities for a quality education, quality health care, quality jobs and equal pay for equal work.

According to the U.S. Labor Bureau, women make up nearly half of the workforce. They are significantly contributing to our workplaces and our economy, yet collectively they are not earning equitable salaries.

In 2014, U.S. women working full-time jobs earned only 79 percent of what men made in the same positions. African-American women earned 64 cents and Latina women earned 56 cents for every dollar earned by Caucasian men in the same positions.

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 requires that men and women in the workplace be given equal pay for equal work. And the Virginia Equal Pay Act “prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on sex when paying for work that requires equal skill, effort and responsibility and that is performed under similar working conditions.”

In Virginia, we must proactively address

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Richmond Free Press

A8 June 30-July 2, 2016

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Bucks draft 2 with Va. ties The Milwaukee Bucks have a history of drafting players with Virginia ties, and the team has done it again.

At last week’s NBA draft in Brooklyn, N.Y., the Bucks’ firstround pick, Thon Maker, and second-round selection, Malcolm Brogdon, both have state connections.

Maker, a 7-foot-1 native of South Sudan, is the NBA’s first straight-from-high school pick in 11 years.

Following the 2005 draft, the NBA imposed a ruling that prospects must be at least age 19 and one year removed from high school for draft eligibility.

The well-traveled Maker played his sophomore and junior seasons at Carlisle School in Martinsville, leading the team to the Virginia Independent Schools Division II title in tournament play at Virginia State University.

He also played for Carlisle in a showcase event at Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond.

His age listed as 19, Maker played the past two seasons at Orangeburg Prep/Athlete Institute in Canada. He qualified for the draft because he had credits for high school graduation in 2015, thus turning this past season into a post-graduate year at same school.

Although officially listed as a “pro grad,” Maker played the same high schedule this year as in 2014-15.

Brogdon, a 6-foot-6 native of Norcross, Ga., was a consensus All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year last winter as a graduate student at the University of Virginia.

Red-shirted his second season as a Wahoo, Brogdon now is working toward his master’s degree at U.Va’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

To the surprise of many because of his lack of experience, Maker was the 10th player chosen overall in the draft.

Drafted 36th overall, the 23-year-old Brogdon was Milwaukee’s second-round pick.

Brogdon, who has earned a college degree, stands in contrast with the recent trend of star collegiate players who leave their college studies to play professionally without finishing their college eligibility.

Four of this year’s first eight NBA draft selections were college “one and done” freshmen. Eight of first 29 picks were freshmen.

Milwaukee’s area draft history can be traced to 1969, when Richmonder Bobby Dandridge was the Bucks’ fourth-round pick after starring at Maggie Walker High School and Norfolk State University.

That was same year the Bucks selected UCLA’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the No. 1 draft pick overall. Dandridge became a ringleader on the Bucks’ 1971 NBA championship team.

In 2010, Milwaukee made Virginia Commonwealth University’s Larry Sanders the overall 15th selection. Sanders flashed tremendous promise, averaging 10 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in 2013.

Sanders stuck with the Bucks until 2015 before leaving the league for personal reasons.

Other Milwaukee draftees include Bob McCurdy (University of Richmond) and Oliver Purnell (Old Dominion University) in 1975 and Virginia Union University’s Keith Valentine in 1980.

Valentine, who played for Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, was the first VUU player drafted to the NBA under former VUU Coach Dave Robbins.

Because of many uncertainties, including questions about his age, Maker was clearly the most head-turning pick of this year’s draft. On most mock drafts, he was targeted as a late first-round and possibly second-round pick.

But the Bucks aren’t afraid to roll the dice.

Milwaukee hopes Maker will develop like 2013 first-round pick Giannis Antetokounmpo, who came to the NBA with no

Sam Caravana/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel/Associated Press

Newly drafted NBA players Malcolm Brogdon and Thon Maker hold up their Milwaukee Bucks jerseys at an introductory news conference last Friday at the Bucks’ training facility in St. Francis, Wis.

college experience at age 19 from Athens, Greece.

The 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo, of Nigerian descent, had played on Greece’s second tier of pro ball before joining the Bucks. A relative unknown in 2013, he has developed into a star. At age 21, he averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 2015-16.

If Maker can progress in like fashion, the Bucks might break the chains of mediocrity in the Central Division of the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

Father, sons in MJBL headed to Inner City Classic As the public information officer for the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Lt. Christopher W. Armstrong reports information to the news media.

As coach of a Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL) squad headed for the Chicago area, he hopes to make some news.

Armstrong will be coaching a 19-and-under Richmond squad July 18-23 at the MJBL Inner City Classic and Black World Series in Matteson, Ill., south of Chicago.

This won’t be his first out-of-town trip with a bat and glove. Armstrong was an impressionable teen outfielder in 1991, when he played on a team representing Richmond in the inaugural Inner City Classic in Columbia, S.C. “We got beat every single game, but it was a great experience,” he recalled.

The “experience” continues. Armstrong has been involved with the MJBL long enough now to turn Richmond’s program into an inspiring second-generation story.

His list of talented U-19 players includes his son, outfielder Josiah Armstrong, a recent graduate of The Steward School in Henrico County.

Josiah is headed to Virginia Tech, where he hopes to make the Hokies’ Atlantic Coast Conference baseball squad as a walk-on.

Also, Armstrong’s younger son, Jujuan Armstrong, a rising junior at The Steward School, will be playing for Richmond’s U-16 team at the classic under Coach Adrian Lightner.

Armstrong’s squad will feature youngsters from all across the Richmond area. Among the expected standouts are Tyriq Branch of Henrico High School and Chris Hayden from L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield County.

Branch and Hayden also were selected to participate in a youth camp sponsored by Major League Baseball earlier this month in Cincinnati.

The U-19 age division enables MJBL to recruit some players already in college. Armstrong’s U-19 roster includes Sam Irwin, a former pitcher/catcher at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond who is a rising sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University.

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Christopher W. Armstrong, center, who played baseball on the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League’s first Inner City Classic team in 1991, is coaching the team of his son, Josiah, right, that will be playing at this year’s classic in Chicago. His son, Jujuan, also will play at the classic on the team for younger players.

“We really have no boundaries, except for age, in putting our teams together,” said Armstrong.

“What we’ve got, in a sense, is all-star teams from the inner city and surrounding counties.”

The MJBL is designed to provide an affordable

opportunity for youngsters who might otherwise never set foot on a baseball diamond.

“We’re here to encourage kids — mostly minorities — to play baseball,” said Armstrong.

“Youngsters need role models. You’re not likely

to play a game if you never see anyone who looks like yourself playing.”

Baseball is a difficult — and often expensive — game to play, particularly without parental support. For starters, a high-end bat nowadays can run up to $400. Then, to get ahead, there are prohibitive costs associated with camps, clinics and travel.

“I didn’t have much of a relationship with my father,” said Armstrong. “But that motivated me — motivated me not to continue the cycle.”

In addition to their MJBL teams, Chris and Tychia Armstrong’s sons also have played for various other teams, including the ChamberlayneLaburnum Athletic Association of the Babe Ruth League.

Josiah has attended baseball camps at the University of North Carolina, Clemson University and Virginia Wesleyan College, and suited up for Perfect Game, an exposure travel squad.

Some young men with MJBL will go on to play in college, and a tiny percentage will compete professionally. Richmond’s MJBL alumni list includes Jackie Bradley Jr., now with the Boston Red Sox. Unlike the more popular urban youth sports of football and basketball, baseball can develop into a lifetime activity, as Armstrong has experienced. At 41, he’s still swinging for the fences with two softball teams — the Richmond Fire squad at the Glen Allen Complex and the New York to Virginia outfit at Henderson Complex in North Richmond.

The MJBL has started a fundraising drive to help cover the Richmond teams’ travel expenses to the classic at www.gofundme.com/2aqrc6s Last summer, Armstrong’s MJBL Richmonders finished third in their division at the Inner City Classic in Orlando.

Spearheading Richmond’s U-14 team in late July will be Michael Berry, another longtime MJBL volunteer, who, in addition to coaching and organizing, drives the team van.

In fact, it was Berry, who coached Richmond’s first Inner City Classic team in 1991 that included a young Chris Armstrong.

Britton Wilson shines on, off track

Britton Wilson, 15, who won the New Balance High School Nationals freshman division in the 400-meter competition, also holds the Godwin High School record for three events.

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Britton Wilson draws applause in more ways than one.

The 15-year-old sparkles with her fast feet on the running track and with her crystal clear singing voice on stage.

As a freshman at Henrico County’s Mills Godwin High School, Wilson was an instant track and field sensation under Eagles sprint Coach Gene Scott.

“They don’t come along like Britton very often,” said Coach Scott, who also coaches Wilson for the Central Virginia Track & Field Club.

“She’s very unique … especially in regard to work ethic,” he said.

In her first year of high school, Wilson won the state 5A indoors 300 meters and was second in the 400 meters at the state outdoors meet.

The crowning touch of her brilliant ninthgrade campaign was winning the 400 meters in the freshman division of the New Balance High School Nationals on June 11 at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, where she ran for her club team.

“What you notice about Britton is that she hates to lose,” said club Coach Anthony Callicut. “You might beat her once, but you’re not likely to beat her twice.”

Running away from a high-caliber field, Wilson covered the one-lap sprint in Greensboro in a jaw-dropping Godwin High School record 54.3 seconds.

Already, she holds the Godwin High

School standards for the 200 meters (24.8) outdoors, and for the 300 meters (39.9) and 500 meters (1:17.8) indoors, and she’s just warming up.

On top of that, she is an accomplished long jumper, having leapt 17 feet, 3 inches.

Off the track, she excels in Godwin’s Eagles Combination co-ed singing group and also with the all-girls Acapella, and she also made the All-County Chorus.

She was selected for a solo — “Lean on Me”— during a performance by the Eagles Combination.

Music and sports run in the Wilson family.

Britton sang with her parents Vince and LeYuani Wilson last winter during the West End Assembly of God’s presentation of Glorious Christmas Nights.

A native of Sumter, S.C., Vince Wilson came to Richmond in the late-1980s to play basketball for Virginia Commonwealth University Coach Mike Pollio. He was a starting guard on the Rams’ 1988 team, starring Chris Cheeks and Phil Stinnie, that reached the NIT quarterfinals before losing at Connecticut.

LeYuani Saunders Wilson was a track sprinter at Henrico County’s Douglas Freeman High School and later a cheerleader at James Madison University.

Britton’s older sister, Jantsen, runs track at JMU and her twin brother, Braeden, plays basketball and volleyball and runs track for

Godwin High.

Despite her father’s basketball reputation, Britton was never attracted to the round ball sport.

“I went to (basketball) camp once, and it just wasn’t for me,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

Instead, as a youngster, she learned tumbling while taking gymnastics at Richmond Olympiad and Above the Bar Gymnastics Academy, and showed off her back handspring with cheering squads at FAME Allstars and with Holman Middle School in Henrico.

The nimble athlete gave up gymnastics in eighth grade to focus on track.

“I really didn’t see any future in it,” she said of gymnastics. “But I still enjoy jumping on a trampoline. And if I see an open field, I’m likely to go tumbling across it.”

Wilson’s coming-out party in track was as an eighth-grader when she turned heads with a 56.4 time in the 400 meters in a meet in Durham, N.C. Asked about goals, Wilson said she aspires to challenge the National prep record (51.68) set this year by Sydney McLaughlin of Union Catholic High School in New Jersey.

“That’s the kind of person (Britton) compares herself to,” said Coach Scott.

“But aside from that, I’m most impressed with her as an all-round person. Off the track, you’d never know she even ran. She’s a very humble young lady.”

June 30-July 2, 2016 B1

Richmond Free Press

Section

Happenings

B

Personality: Virginia ‘Ginger’ Workman Stanley Spotlight on Virginia Press Association’s retiring executive director For 32 years, Ginger Stanley has been an advocate for Virginia’s newspapers, so much so that her name is practically synonymous with the Virginia Press Association. That’s the organization that promotes the common interests of its member newspapers.

As executive director of the VPA since 1988, Mrs. Stanley has seen its membership undergo enormous change that includes declining numbers often brought on by digital competition.

Yet, Mrs. Stanley, who will retire from the VPA this week, firmly believes the 135-year-old organization will remain a constant force for an industry that is a vital link to communities throughout Virginia.

“The recorded record still matters and readers will support that as long as newspapers stay true to the core mission,” said Mrs. Stanley. “Yes, information is everywhere, but newspapers today continue to fill a necessary role in our day-to-day activities.”

Mrs. Stanley also is proud of the diversity shown in the state’s newspapers, and encourages journalism schools to place more emphasis on the importance of a diverse workforce in today’s newsrooms.

Last month, the Virginia Press Association Board of Directors announced that Betsy Edwards of Louisa will succeed Mrs. Stanley as executive director. Ms. Edwards was most recently director of communications for ChildFund International.

In addition to working for the ideals of a free press in a democratic society, the VPA connects members through business services and lobbying state lawmakers about issues surrounding public access to government records. VPA also offers professional development, training and recognition.

VPA’s annual news awards contest routinely attracts some 5,000 entries.

Mrs. Stanley’s path to the VPA, which is headquartered in Henrico County, began in neighboring Hanover County, where she worked for the Herald-Progress. She worked for the Ashland-based newspaper for 11 years in advertising, promotions and news. While there, she became a volunteer for the VPA. The rest, as they say, is “herstory.”

Proud that she has met the many goals and objectives that she outlined when hired to lead the VPA, Mrs. Stanley now intends to relax and do all of the things that she was unable to do while working full time and raising a family.

“I am retiring because, after 45 years, it is time for me to enjoy my family, travel and do all the things that I have wanted to do but never had time to do,” she says.

Meet this week’s Personality, a real newsmaker, Virginia “Ginger” Workman Stanley: Date and place of birth: Nov. 24 in Richmond.

Current residence: Montpelier.

Alma mater: Virginia Tech, 1966-69.

Family: Husband, Calvin Stanley, owner, Stanley Construction Co. in Ashland; son, Andy Stanley; daughter, Mary Sue McKenna; and five grandchildren.

Purpose of Virginia Press Association: The Virginia Press Association was founded in 1881, when a group of Virginia

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newspaper publishers asked the General Assembly to authorize the establishment of an association that would look out for the best interests of the Virginia newspaper industry.

Annual budget: $4 million to $5 million.

Number of staff: Seven.

Number of VPA members: 220.

Number of online publications: Six online publications.

Number of each compared to when you began: 190 members and none online.

Impact of internet on newspapers and circulation: Internet has both helped and hurt the industry. More information is available all day on newspaper websites but more competition for advertising dollars brings challenges.

Impact of mobile phones on newspapers and circulation: Mobile phones are a great tool for news gathering as well as news dissemination.

Inclusion of African-American-owned publications now: African-American newspapers have been an important part of the VPA as long as I can remember. Fewer are members today than in the past due, in part, to fewer still in publication.

Diversity in newsrooms for women, African-Americans and other minorities: Diversity in newsrooms is better today than when I started in the business in 1972. Much progress was made in the 1990s and most of that has carried over for women.

How newspapers can remain relevant in the digital age: By using every forum available to get the news and advertising out to as many readers as possible.

Delivery of news by mobile phone, internet, tablets, e-blasts and, of course, hard copy, will assure an educated society well into the future.

Likelihood that paper publications in Virginia could disappear: I believe paper publications in Virginia will remain for a long time. Weekly newspapers tell the local community history and get to the heart of life from birth to death.

Is journalism still respected: I am saddened by the lack of respect some media outlets receive but understand when news is reported wrong

or sensationalized, the criticism is warranted.

It is not as important to get it first as it is to get it right.

Biggest changes I have seen in organization and in its members: There have been many changes over the past 32 years. VPA has been blessed with ample funds, building two headquarters that serve as training centers for the members. Today, the building is shared with a tenant and day rentals are frequent in the conference center.

These help with the “bottom line” and allow the VPA staff to remain in a good environment. The biggest change I see is the lack of time our members have to spend on VPA committees or to come for training. The board of directors is challenged to make the best policy decisions going forward to assure a vibrate future.

Biggest success: My biggest professional success has been to lobby the Virginia General Assembly year after year to keep the public’s right to know how government works open and accessible to all citizens.

As the chief lobbyist for the newspaper industry in Virginia, my primary role was to advocate for a fair and balanced Freedom of Information Act and to keep public notices in newspapers where citizens can read and react to upcoming government meetings or plans. Every year it has become more difficult to convince legislators that newspapers are the best way to inform citizens and keeping these notices in print ensures that our role as watchdogs is preserved.

How I start the day: By reading my daily newspaper during breakfast. My husband and I share the sections in a very definite order and love discussing the issues.

How I unwind: After dinner, watching the evening news, playing Jeopardy with my husband and reading for fun.

I place top value on: Family, faith, friends and a strong work ethic are my values and that will not change after retirement.

Best late-night snack: Frozen sweet cherries.

Prized possession: My faith.

Three words that best describe me: Caring, organized and patient, until my limit is reached.

No one knows that: My first job was doing live commercials with my mother for Mazola Corn Oil on “Meet the Press.”

Persons who influenced me the most: My mother, my high school teacher, Ivy Cross, and Lois Watkins, my first boss.

The best thing my parents ever taught me was: My parents always told me I could do anything that I wanted to do. I just had to want it bad enough to make it happen.

If I had more time, I would: With my newfound time, I plan to do more with my grandkids,

exercise more and take time to enjoy the everyday events that may have passed me by while I was so focused on my career.

Book that influenced me the most: “The 10X Rule” by Grant Cardone. It’s a great book to inspire creative thinking.

What I’m reading now: “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah.

What’s next: My next chapter involves working with my daughter in her business, JuicePlus, taking trips with my husband and working on dozens of projects at our home. Life is Good and I am Blessed.

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Richmond Free Press

B2 June 30-July 2, 2016

Happenings Petersburg’s Jesse Vaughan wins 28th Emmy Award

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Jesse Vaughan displays the extensive collection of Emmys he has won through the years for various projects. His latest, won last Saturday, is for a documentary film on food deserts for Virginia State University, where he is director of the Advance Creative Services Group.

Jesse Vaughan, the award-winning television and film director and producer, has done it again — this time nabbing a regional Emmy Award for his look at food deserts.

Mr. Vaughan, director of the Advance Creative Services Group at Virginia State University, received the award in the Public/Current/Community Affairs Program/Special category for “Living In A Food Desert, Part 1,” a documentary prepared for VSU’s College of Agriculture released in 2015.

Food deserts are areas, usually impoverished, devoid of grocery stores that sell fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods. The film looks at how people who live in food deserts throughout Virginia access fresh food, Mr. Vaughan said.

This is Mr. Vaughan’s 28th Emmy; he has been nominated for 44. Among his wins are two national Emmys for his work on the “NBC Sports Barcelona Olympics” and “The World Track and Field Games” in Tokyo.

He shares the newest award with the documentary’s producer/videographer, Cedric Owens.

The award was presented last Saturday in Baltimore during the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ National Capital Chesapeake Bay competition.

Despite this being Mr. Vaughan’s 14th Emmy win since 2012, he said he is “always surprised to win in what is a very competitive process.”

Mr. Vaughan grew up in Richmond and briefly worked as a news director for WTVR-CBS before joining NBC, and later directing the sketch comedy series “In Living Color,” music documentaries for MTV Networks and the 2002 sports romantic comedy, “Juwanna Mann.”

His latest feature film, “The Last Punch,” about Muhammad Ali’s last fight in 1981 in Nassau, Bahamas, is expected to be widely released later this year.

BET Awards honors Prince, Muhammad Ali death of Prince on April 21.

Artists such as the The Roots, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Maxwell, Stevie Wonder and more gave a multifaceted reflection on the late artist’s musical gifts.

Highlights included Bilal’s falsetto singing and his rolling on the floor performance, Jennifer Hudson’s emotional rendition of “Purple Rain” with Mr. Wonder and Janelle Monae’s rocking medley and Prince-inspired outfits.

But BET ended on a high note when drummer Sheila E., Prince’s longtime friend, collaborator and onetime fiancée, took the stage to close out the show. She wailed on the drums in between singing a medley of songs featuring a full band, with a horn

Associated Press

The BET Awards delivered an exciting night of tributes for Prince and Muhammad Ali between calls for action over gun violence, civil rights and presidential politics. These are the top moments from Sunday’s awards show held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

After BET dissed the Billboard Music Awards for their Prince tribute in May, the cable network lived up to that challenge by honoring Prince with tributes throughout the show.

The first of many performances was introduced by comedian Dave Chapelle, who said “that literally our hearts were broken” over the

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section and dancers that got the crowd moving.

There was no subtlety to the political messages during this year’s award show, with multiple references to the upcoming presidential election – none of them in favor of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

There was a very direct warning from Taraji P. Henson, who won the best actress award.

“For those who think, you know, ‘He’s really not going to win’ – think again,” Ms. Henson said during her acceptance speech. “We really need to pull together and turn this country around.”

Earlier, co-host Tracee Ellis Ross urged people to vote and added, “Welcome to the White House, Hillary Clinton.”

Finally BET Chairman and CEO Debra Lee championed the recent Democratic sit-in on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives over gun control legislation and called for a stand against gun violence during upcoming local and national elections.

After a long night of political points, actor and activist Jesse Williams delivered the night’s most powerful statement after receiving a humanitarian award honoring his work for equal rights.

Mr. Williams demanded an end to police violence against AfricanAmericans, mentioning the names of several victims. He received a standing ovation.

“We know that police somehow manage to deSamuel L. Jackson proudly escalate, disshows off his BET Lifetime arm and not kill Achievement Award. white people every day,” Mr. Williams said. “So what’s going to happen is we are going to have equal rights and justice in our own country, or we will restructure their function and ours. “ But he also called out commercialization of black culture, armchair critics and “conditional freedom.”

Even Samuel L. Jackson, who received a lifetime achievement award, applauded Mr. Williams later, saying it was like hearing from a 1960s activist.

When Beyoncé’s dancers paraded down the BET Awards red carpet prior to the show, the rumors of an unannounced performance solidified.

A barefoot Beyoncé in a fringed black outfit opened the awards show with her song “Free-

Photos by Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Sheila E. performs a medley of songs in her tribute to the late music icon Prince during the awards show.

dom” in ankle deep water with dancers splashing around beside her, in a preview of her popular Formation World Tour.

To top everything off, Kendrick Lamar emerged out of the floor and danced with Beyoncé while the stage glowed red behind them.

Unfortunately, Beyoncé was not on hand to accept her awards later during the show, as her mother explained that she had to immediately jump on a plane to London for her tour.

The BET Awards also paid tribute to another cultural icon – the late boxing champion Muhammad Ali – with a heartfelt speech by his daughter, Laila Ali. Known as the “Greatest of All Time,” Mr. Ali had a huge influence on hip-hop artists either through his pre-fight speeches or through his personal struggles and spiritual convictions. He died on June 3 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

His daughter, also a retired boxer, got choked up as she stood in front of a photo of her father holding her as an infant.

She closed her speech with a simple, but important request, saying, “If he was here today, he would ask you to pray not just for our family, but for all of mankind.”

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Richmond Free Press

June 30-July 2, 2016

B3

Happenings Celebration lineup for Fourth of July fireworks in Metro Richmond Fireworks will explode over Richmond on Monday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day, the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

Locations include: Dogwood Dell and the Carillon in Byrd Park: The program begins 5:30 p.m. with the group Bak ’N Da Day singing soul and doo-wop tunes. The Richmond Concert Band will perform patriotic music, with Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” as a finale, followed by 30 minutes of fireworks. Free parking and shuttle service from nearby City Stadium at Douglasdale Road and Maplewood Avenue. (804) 646-1437 or Dell hotline

at (804) 646-DELL. The Diamond: Fireworks follow the baseball game between the Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Reading Fightin Phils at the baseball stadium on North Boulevard. The game typically is a sellout, but the sky show is visible outside the stadium. www. squirrelsbaseball.com, (804) 359-3866.

Chesterfield County Fourth of July: Entertainment and children’s activities launch at 5 p.m. at the county fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, with fireworks after dark. 748-1992.

Other July 4th activities: St. John’s Church, 2401 E. Broad St. — Re-enactment of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty” speech at 11 a.m. and

1:45 p.m.; free, but guaranteed seats $5. www.historicstjohnschurch.org, (804) 648-5015.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave. — Free admission to gardens and children’s activities 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.lewisginter.org, (804) 262-9887.

Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road — Free “Red, White and Lights” in Henrico County starting at 4:30 p.m. Events include 6 p.m. reading of the Declaration of Independence, colonial dance performances, fife and drum music, followed by a performance by the Richmond Symphony and laser light show. henrico.us/rec/places/meadow-farm, (804) 652-1455.

‘Richmond 34’ student sit-in commemorated with state marker

By Bonnie N. Davis

Elizabeth Johnson Rice was among 34 Virginia Union University students who were arrested after they staged a sit-in at Thalhimers department store in 1960 for its refusal to serve AfricanAmericans in its restaurants.

Mrs. Rice again was center stage this week at the site of the former Downtown store for a more celebratory reason: The unveiling of a Virginia historical marker commemorating the students’ heroic actions 56 years ago.

As the lead organizer of Tuesday’s dedication program, the retired educator is elated by the marker.

“Just the fact we’re being remembered feels good,” Mrs. Rice, 75, said.

“This historical marker will be there when we’re all gone.”

The marker, erected by the state Department of Historic Resources, is on East Broad Street between 7th and 8th streets, where Thalhimers once stood. The store closed in 1992 and was demolished in 2004.

This is the third marker erected in Richmond to commemorate the sit-in and the second to be placed on the site of the former department store, which is now a parking lot as well as a portion of the Dominion Arts Center complex at 7th and Grace streets.

The VUU students’ protest and sit-in on Feb. 22, 1960, was inspired by the historic Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in in Greensboro, N.C. launched Feb. 1, 1960, by four students from North Carolina A&T State University. Their sit-in fueled similar student protests throughout the South

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Several of the ‘Richmond 34’ stand by the historic marker dedicated Tuesday in Downtown on the site of their sit-in at the old Thalhimers department store in early 1960 to protest the store’s whites-only dining policy. They are, from left, Wendell T. Foster Jr., Raymond B. Randolph Jr., Elizabeth Johnson Rice and her brother, Ford T. Johnson Jr. They are joined by Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt, whose great-great-greatgrandfather ran the department store at the time.

challenging segregation.

Like many stores in the South, Thalhimers allowed African-Americans to shop at the store, but would not allow them to try on clothing or to return unsatisfactory items. The store also did not serve African-Americans at its lunch counter or in its full-service restaurant.

The local NAACP raised money

to help bail the students out of jail.

Contributions to the bond fund also came from the late Dr. Allix B. James, then VUU’s vice president, who put up his house as collateral.

The 34 students were convicted, but the convictions were thrown out in June 1963, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down segregated restaurants and lunch counters as a violation of the U.S.

First Lady promotes girls education in Africa Associated Press

KAKATA, Liberia First Lady Michelle Obama visited a leadership camp for girls Monday in Liberia to launch her latest visit to Africa, urging the teens in one of the world’s poorest countries to keep fighting to stay in school.

With her own teenage daughters joining her, Mrs. Obama told the girls she was “just so thrilled to be here with you.”

“I’m here to shine a big bright light on you,” she said.

Education for girls is the central theme of the first lady’s trip, which also includes stops in Morocco and Spain. She was welcomed on her arrival in Liberia with a red carpet and traditional dancers.

In connection with Mrs. Obama’s visit, USAID announced up to $27 million in funding for Liberia programming for Let Girls Learn, an initiative launched by President and Mrs. Obama last year.

The first lady is traveling with her mother and daughters Malia, 18, who recently graduated from high school, and Sasha, 15.

Liberia was battered by civil wars between 1989 and 2003.

Ebola swept the country in 2014, killing more than 4,800 people. Schools were closed for months.

The country was founded as part of an effort to resettle freed American slaves and has deep ties to the United States.

The country’s oldest vocational high school, located in Kakata, is named for famed educator and orator Booker T. Washington.

The school suspended midterm exams scheduled to start Monday “to allow the students to give Mrs. Obama a rousing welcome to appreciate what the United States has done for us,”

Constitution’s equal protection clause under the 14th Amendment.

Dr. Raymond Hylton, a VUU professor and historian, said the state marker recognition was overdue.

“Many have overlooked or forgotten the significance of the students’ action,” he said. “Their action led to the breakdown in legalized segregation in Richmond’s business sector

and helped establish a campaign for human dignity.”

Mrs. Rice and Dr. Hylton were surrounded during the ceremony by several of the Richmond 34. They were joined by Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt, the great-great-great-granddaughter of the store’s founder, and James Hare, an architectural historian and director of the Division of Survey and Register for the Department of Historic Resources.

“The struggle is never over,” said Mrs. Smartt, who has written a book, “Finding Thalhimers,” about her family’s history. “This story was very complicated.”

She recalled her grandfather, William Thalhimer Jr., telling her that he initially refused to desegregate the restaurants because he was at risk of losing the family’s 100-year-old business.

“But (over time), he made the right decision,” she said.

Mr. Hare said that the marker shows how people can make history by taking a stand and doing what they believe is right.

“We hope to do more to commemorate civil rights history in Virginia,” he said.

Two stone markers were set up in Richmond during a week of festivities in 2010 to mark the 50th anniversary of the sit-in.

One of the markers, put in place on Feb. 18, 2010, is on the VUU campus in front of Martin E. Gray Hall. The second was placed on 6th Street, between Broad and Grace streets, on Feb. 22, 2010. Those markers are still in place.

28th Annual

Miss Unity Pageant sponsored by

SISTERS UNITED OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Thierry Gouegnon/Reuters

First Lady Michelle Obama speaks Monday to students at a Peace Corps training facility in Kakata, Liberia.

principal Harris Tarnue said.

“She will be a real inspiration to the young girls around here,” he said.

Mrs. Obama’s previous visits to Africa as first lady included Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, Senegal and Tanzania.

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Sisters United of Richmond, Virginia sponsored its 28th Annual “Miss Unity” pageant recently at Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, 2705 Hartman Street, Richmond, Virginia. Five young ladies participated for the title this year. The pageant is culminated with the formal presentation of the young ladies and their escorts to the public.

Sisters United of Richmond, Virginia is a non-profit organization, community service organization dedicated to the principles of serving, sharing and caring about and assisting those who are less fortunate. The pageant is designed to foster self-esteem, positive citizenship “Miss Unity 2016” and achievement, leadership, responsibility, intellectual and Diamond LaRon Wells social maturity, and opportunities for worthy involvement in the community. With the support of the community, through ads and patrons, the contestants raised over $12,000 this year.

Mrs. Mary T. Kemp and Ms. Vivian A. Minor served as pageant co-chairpersons. The president of the organization for 2015-2017 is Mrs. Helen T. Day. The winner of the title for “Miss Unity 2016” is Miss Diamond LaRon Wells, Hermitage High School, daughter of Mr. Derrick and Mrs. Rondra A. Wells, escorted by Mr. Anthony E. Taylor, Varina High School, son of Mr. Charles and Mrs. Bridget H. Taylor; First Runner-up, Miss Jalah Michelle Mack, Glen Allen High School, daughter of Mr. William, III and Mrs. Monica Mack, escorted

by Mr. Roscoe D. Cooper IV, Glen Allen High School, son of Reverend Dr. Roscoe D. III and Mrs. Christy G. Cooper; Second Runnerup and Miss Radiance (chosen among the contestants), Miss J’Mari Nashay Jordan, Varina High School, daughter of Mr. Shawn and Mrs. Zynator H. Mason, escorted by Mr. Ramonte G. Taylor, Richard Bland College, son of Ms. Ronise Ewing and Mr. Hermonte Taylor; Third Runner-up, Miss Destiny RayShon Lynch, Elizabeth David Middle School, daughter of Reverend Malcoln and Mrs. Jaime T. Lynch, escorted by Mr. Gabriel H. DeShazo-Jackson, Manchester Middle School, son of Reverend James O. and Mrs. Kathy D. Jackson; and Fourth Runner-up, Miss Jordyn Mariah Walker, Godwin High School, daughter of Mr. Robert E. and Mrs. Mary V. Walker, escorted by Mr. Xavier M. Gaines, Henrico High School, son of Mr. Adolphus N. Jr. and Mrs. Allison C. Gaines.

The pageant was blessed with the assistance of Ms. Michele “Mikki” D. Spencer, mistress of ceremony; Mr. Rodney Williams, choreographer; Mr. Lloyd “Doc” Christian, musician; and Ms. Johnise Dupree, photographer.

After her win, Mr. Keenan Winston, Highland Springs High School, serenaded Miss Unity with the song “You Are So Beautiful.” Ms. Keola Jones of the City Dance Theatre, directed by Mr. Williams, also performed.

Sisters United will also be awarding three $1,000.00 scholarships and a $250.00 scholarship this year, respectively. The recipients: Diamond L. Wells, Hermitage High School, Miss Unity 2016, will be attending James Madison University; Jasmine Alece James, Lee Davis High School, daughter of Mr. Cory and Mrs. Alicia Mickleberry, will be attending Old Dominion University; Ryan Danielle Williams, daughter of Mrs. Bridget Alford, will be attending J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; and Shanni E. Merritte, daughter of Mrs. Sarah A. Simms and Mr. Stanley Merritte, currently attending Liberty University.

Congratulations!!!

Richmond Free Press

B4 June 30-July 2, 2016

Faith News/Directory

First African-American named head of largest Presbyterian denomination Associated Press

Dr. Nelson

PORTLAND, Ore. The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States has elected its first AfricanAmerican top executive.

Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II won an overwhelming majority of votes last Friday during the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Portland, Ore. Dr. Nelson succeeds the Rev. Gradye Parsons, who served two terms in the position and declined to seek re-election.

Dr. Nelson previously directed the church’s public policy office in Washington. A third gen-

eration graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, Dr. Nelson also earned a master’s of divinity in 1985 from Johnson C. Smith Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. He received a doctorate from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2002.

He and his wife have one daughter.

Like other denominations, the Louisville, Ky.-based Presbyterian church has been shrinking. It now has 1.6 million members who are overwhelmingly white.

Dr. Nelson urged Presbyterians to look beyond preserving the church toward reaching out more broadly and diversifying their membership.

Presbyterians, Southern Baptists vote to end racism and racist symbols Religion News Service

display of the Confederate battle flag as a sign of solidarity of the whole Body of Christ, including our African-American brothers The nation’s second largest Presbyterian denomination has and sisters,” stated the resolution adopted June 14 at the Southern passed legislation repenting for “past failures to love brothers Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in St. Louis. and sisters from minority cultures” and committing its members Former Southern Baptist President James Merritt, who said he to work toward racial reconciliation. was the great-great-grandson of two Confederate Army members, The “overture,” or legislation, was approved overwhelmingly helped draft that language, which included striking a paragraph Thursday, June 23, at the national meeting of the Presbyterian that linked the flag to Southern heritage.

Church in America. The issue had been deferred from the previRussell Moore, the denomination’s chief ethicist, welcomed ous year’s meeting, where there was a lengthy debate on similar the resolution. legislation.

“The Southern Baptist The vote by the PCA Convention made history came in the same month today and made history in that Southern Baptists atthe right way,” said Mr. tending their annual meetMoore, president of the ing adopted a resolution SBC’s Ethics and Religious repudiating the use of the Liberty Commission. “This Confederate flag. denomination was founded “The 44th General by people who wrongly Assembly of the Presbydefended the sin of human terian Church in America slavery. Today, the nation’s does recognize, confess, largest Protestant denomicondemn and repent of nation voted to repudiate corporate and historical the Confederate battle flag sins, including those comand it’s time and well past mitted during the Civil time.”

Rights era, and continuing Some of the Southern racial sins of ourselves and Baptists at the meeting were our fathers such as the upset with the resolution, segregation of worshipand Paul Pressler, a retired Brian Snyder/Reuters ers by race; the exclusion judge from Texas and an arof persons from Church A Confederate battle flag flies at the grave of L.S. Axson, a Confederate chitect of the conservative membership on the basis soldier buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, S.C. resurgence in the denominaof race,” reads the PCA legislation. tion more than 30 years ago, complained that he was not allowed The PCA also acknowledged teaching that the Bible permits to speak. Officials said time ran out before he could. racial segregation and discourages interracial marriage, and the The 2016 resolution language is a sharp contrast from the denomination confessed to defense of and participation in white denomination’s support of the Confederacy that was cited in supremacist organizations. an 1863 resolution, in the midst of the Civil War: “(W)e have Richard Doster, editor of the PCA’s byFaith magazine and a no thought of ever yielding, but will render a hearty support to spokesman for the General Assembly, said 43 of the 63 proposed the Confederate Government in all constitutional measures to pieces of legislation for the meeting, which took place June 20 secure our independence.” through 24 in Mobile, Ala., related to race relations and confesMr. Merritt said the new resolution was not about political sions of sin about segregation. correctness but more about a proper Christian witness.

“It is highly unusual,” he said. “This is the first time something “This flag is a stumbling block to many African-American souls like that has happened, especially on that topic.” to our witness,” he said. “And I rise to say that all the Confederate Delegates also passed, by a vote of 814-87, legislation calling for flags in the world are not worth one soul of any race.” the appointment of a multiethnic study committee to develop concrete steps toward racial reconciliation that can be taken by leaders of churches and presbyteries, or regional groups of churches.

The PCA, whose membership is about 80 percent white, has about 370,000 members.

Earlier in June, the Southern Baptist Convention, which was born in 1845 in a split over its support for slavery, passed a resolution calling for Christians to quit using the Confederate flag.

“We call our brothers and sisters in Christ to discontinue the

 

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Elder Maricia S. Hayes, Pastor

Church School Worship Service

WELCOME TO “THE UPPER ROOM” Morning Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.

(1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays) Sanctuary Prayer: 9:45 am 3RD SATURDAY EVENING Worship Service: 5:00 pm Ministering Encouragement and Hope WEDNESDAY “HOUR OF POWER” Bible Study: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 2ND & 4TH SATURDAY MORNING Prayer Meeting: 8 am – 9 am

8:45 a.m.

10 a.m.

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

Sunday, July 03, 2016 Summer HourS

8:30 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Morning Worship

No 8 a.m.

Service

Morning Worship and Holy Communion *Wednesday and Thursday Bible Study closed for the summer

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

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

Summer Worship Schedule

through Sunday, September 11, 2016

Sunday School and New Members Class 8:30 AM Worship Service

(One Powerful Service)

10:00 AM

Riverview

Baptist Church

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

Sunday School – 9:45 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Vacation Bible School June-27-July 1, 2016 - 6:00 PM VBS Closing Program Sunday July 3,2015 - 9:15 AM Fourth of July Celebration 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Restoration of Rights Information

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Mother Emanuel’s pastor in Charleston reassigned Religion News Service

After an unusually short time on the job, church officials have reassigned the pastor of the Charleston, S.C., church where a gunman killed nine people during Bible study a year ago.

The Rev. Betty Deas Clark took the pulpit of the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, better known as Mother Emanuel, in January, seven months after the June 17 massacre.

The nine victims included the church’s pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who also was a South Carolina state senator.

Rev. Clark has declined to provide any details about the reason for her reassignment.

The move, on June 21, comes during 12 days of events organized by Mother Emanuel, with help from the city of Charleston, surrounding the June 17 massacre. She will Rev. Clark pastor Bethel AME church in Georgetown, S.C., and Bethel’s pastor, the Rev. Eric Manning, is expected to come to Emanuel, The Post and Courier newspaper reported.

Typically, AME pastors spend several years with a church before a reassignment. In the time between Rev. Pinckney’s death and Rev. Clark’s appointment to Mother Emanuel, the Rev. Norvel Goff, who is the presiding elder of the AME district that includes Emanuel, served as pastor.

Rev. Goff, some familiar with the church said, struggled to balance the needs of parishioners with the demands of a church thrust into the international spotlight.

Rev. Clark also seemed to have difficulty steering the church back toward normalcy.

Charleston and Mother Emanuel spent 12 days this month mourning and remembering the victims of last year’s killing spree with vigils, community suppers and other commemorations.

Authorities said Dylann Roof, a 22-year-old white man with a history of racist views, sat through Bible study and pulled a gun at the end of the hour, killing most of the 12 people who had gathered that evening.

His federal trial is scheduled to begin in November. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

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To advertise your church: Worship Service Gospel Concert Vacation Bible School Homecoming Revival call 804-644-0496 Richmond Free Press We care you and Richmond.

Theabout People’s Paper.

St. Peter Baptist Church A progressive suburban church is seeking grant writers and a video media technician. Interested persons please forward resumes to spbcoffice@verizon.net. Salaries are negotiable.

Fourth Baptist Church is seeking a musician for R. L. Taylor Choir Applicant must be a Christian, able to read written music and play all types of Christian music. Applicants must have a command of the keyboard and organ and work well with people. Please submit your resume by June 30th to: Church Personal Committee, 2800 P Street, Richmond, VA 23223

Richmond Free Press

June 30-July 2, 2016

B5

Faith News/Directory

Jehovah’s Witnesses return to Richmond “Loyalty to Jehovah God.” That’s the theme for a series of conventions being held by the Jehovah’s Witnesses continuing during the next few weekends at the Richmond Coliseum in Downtown.

The three-day conventions, which began last weekend, are expected to draw a total of more than 30,000 members of the faith from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia by the final convention at the end of July.

The conventions are free and open to the public. They will be held: • Friday, July 1, through Sunday, July 3; • Friday, July 8, through Sunday, July 10, in Spanish; • Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 24; and • Friday, July 29, through Sunday, July 31.

Donovan W. Greer, media services coordinator of the conventions, said the annual series has been held in Richmond for about 15 years.

“The Richmond convention people, the Coliseum management and hotels and restaurants have worked with us so well,” he said, noting the welcome members have received by the city.

Each of the conventions will feature music, videos, a drama and talks by more than 50 individuals, including several from the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ world headquarters in New York.

Among the featured speakers this weekend are Wesley Gregory, program overseer, on “Keep Waiting Eagerly with Endurance,” at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, July 2, and Mark Washington of Marshall Heights in the District of Columbia, on “When Will Loyal Love Triumph Over Hatred?” at 12:20 p.m.

Sunday, July 3.

The conventions also will include baptisms in a pool inside the Coliseum. Thirty-three people were baptized last Saturday during the convention, Mr. Greer said.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses has about 8 million members

Baptism candidates affirm their responsibilities to the faith prior to their baptism at a Jehovah’s Witnesses Convention in July 2014 at the Richmond Coliseum.

worldwide — 1.6 million in the United States — and is one of the fastest-growing Christian denominations. Eight new congregations are added each week across the globe, Mr. Greer said, with each congregation averaging about 100 members.

For more information, go to www.jw.org.

Clement Britt/File photo

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

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

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

Sixth Baptist Church Theme for 2016: Becoming a Five-Star Church of Excellence With Mission, Growth, Prayer, Purpose, Vision We Are Growing In The Kingdom As We Grow The Kingdom

Sunday, July 3, 2016

with Word, Worship and Witness

10:45 AM Divine Worship Message by: Pastor Bibbs Scripture: Philippians Chapter 4 “Come And Be Blessed”

Now Registering For Summer

Camp All Summer Vacation Bible School July 11 thru 15, 2016 9:00 AM - 12 noon Call The Church To Register Twitter sixthbaptistrva

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

Facebook sixthbaptistrva

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220 (near Byrd Park) (804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

“Journeying Forward on a Strong Foundation” Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

New funeral chapel in North Side The new chapel for Scott’s Funeral & Cremation Services is taking shape in the 100 block of East Brookland Park Boulevard.

To be completed later this year, the chapel is expected to seat at least 350 people for funerals and memorial services. It will provide more room than the current space across the street, according to Richard A. Lambert Sr., owner of the 106-year-old funeral home. Construction has taken longer than expected because of initial problems installing the foundation.

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

Mosby Memorial Baptist Church

“A Caring Community Committed to Listening, Loving, Learning and Leaning While Launching into our Future.”

Upcoming Events Vacation Bible School July 11-15, 2016

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

Online Registration Link: http://bit.ly/mmbcvbs2016

Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: On Summer Break During July.

“The People’s Church”

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

St. Peter Baptist Church Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Worship Opportunities During the month of July, all Sunday Worship Services will be held at 10 a.m. only. Church School will be held at 8:30 a.m.

Bible Study will be in recess starting 7/7 through 9/29 for summer break.

SUMMER JAZZ VESPERS 3

Sunday, July 10, 2016 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

VBS 2016

This is a free event.

“SPBC – THE NET”

“A Touch of Jazz, A Taste of Heaven” Gospel Jazz At Its Finest

Monday, through Friday, July 11th July 15th 5:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

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

SUNDAY JULY 10, 2016

REVIVAL

JULY 12 - JULY 15, 2016

MORNING SERVICE 10:00 a.m.

Praise & Worship 7 p.m.; Service 7:30 p.m.

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook St. Paul’s Baptist Church Richmond, VA

Rev. Dr. Sedgwick V. Easley Union Baptist Church Hempstead, NY

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church C

o

ance with Re ev

everence

ing Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin

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

❖

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 Rev. Dr. Price L. Davis, Pastor 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

www.pjbcrichmond.org

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

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

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

HOMECOMING CELEBRATION

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

Classes for All Ages!!!

6:00 P.M. Nightly

1858

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

Joinus for morning worshipon Communion Sunday.

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

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

July 3, 2016

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

Psalm 26:8

Sunday 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 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.

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

Richmond Free Press

B6 June 30-July 2, 2016

Sports Plus

JM’s Carter-Sheppard signs with East Carolina

By Fred Jeter

Jeremy Carter-Sheppard of Richmond’s John Marshall High School is headed to East Carolina University to play basketball on scholarship for the Pirates of the American Athletic Conference.

Carter-Sheppard originally signed with Central Florida University, also in the AAC, but changed his mind following a coaching change at the Orlando school.

Instrumental in recruiting Carter-Sheppard to ECU was former Richmonder Michael Perry, now in his eighth season as a Pirates assistant coach.

The ECU head coach is former University of North Carolina standout Jeff Lebo.

Perry played on the 1975 State Group AAA championship team at Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School and went on to score 2,145 points at the University

of Richmond. Perry is UR’s second all-time scorer behind Johnny Newman.

A 6-foot guard, Carter-Sheppard was named Virginia Player of the Year in 2014 as a sophomore after helping the Justices to the state 3A title.

John Marshall High lost to eventual state champion I.C. Norcom High School of Portsmouth last winter in the state 3A semifinals at the Siegel Center in Richmond.

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2016-186 To close, to public use and travel, a portion of an alley bounded by Nine Mile Road, North 31st Street, V Street and North 30th Street, consisting of 542± square feet, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2016-187 To close, to public use and travel, an alley bounded

by T Street, North 27th Street, O Street, and North 26 th Street, consisting of 2,040± square feet, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2016-188 To close, to public travel, portions of public rights-of-way known as Fulton Street and Old Williamsburg Avenue between Goddin Street and Williamsburg Avenue, consisting of 27,176± square feet, upon certain terms and conditions, in connection with the development of Fulton Memorial Park.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

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

Jean V. Capel City Clerk

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2016-191 To authorize the special use of the property known as 701 East Cary Street for the purpose of allowing a building to exceed the applicable height restrictions, upon certain terms and conditions. The proposal is for an office building and does not include any residential uses. The property is located in the B-4 Central Business zoning district, which does not restrict residential densities. The Downtown Master Plan designates this area as an Urban Core Area, for which there are no residential density ranges established.

Ordinance No. 2016-192 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2723 East Cary Street for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling with up to 15 dwelling units and accessory parking, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is zoned M-2 Heavy Industrial, which does not permit residential uses.

The proposed special use would authorize a residential density of 50 units per acre. The Downtown Master Plan designates the property as part of the Urban Center Area, for which there are no established residential density ranges.

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Ordinance No. 2016-193 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 5702 and 5706 Grove Avenue for the purpose of allowing the construction of buildings with features that do not meet all requirements of the applicable underlying zoning regulations, upon certain terms and conditions. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Community Commercial land use for the subject property. Primary uses in this category “include office, retail, personal service and other commercial and service uses, intended to provide the shopping and service needs of residents of a number of nearby neighborhoods or a section of the City” (p. 134).

No residential densities are specified for this land use category.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

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

Jean V. Capel City Clerk City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2016-171 To amend Ord. No. 2014121-201, adopted Nov. 10, 2014, which authorized the special use of the property known as 1650 Overbrook Road for the purpose of authorizing multifamily dwellings with up to 205 dwelling units, to permit up to 117 multifamily dwelling units and other site amenities, upon certain terms and conditions. For the Near West Planning District, The Master Plan states that “There are a number of vacant industrial and commercial properties within the District, many of which are within or adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Creative reuse strategies for these buildings or sites are needed” (p. 229).

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

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

Jean V. Capel City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ASHLEY JIMENEZ, Plaintiff v.

ABRAHAM JIMENEZMANUEL, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001718-00 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 8th day of August, 2016 at 9:00 a.m., Courtroom 2 and protect his interests.

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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 JASON NICELY, SR., Plaintiff v.

AGNES SMALL-NICELY, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001059-00 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 8th day of August, 2016 at 9:00 a.m., Courtroom 2 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 SARAH M. O’ROURKE, Plaintiff v.

THOMAS J. O’ROURKE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16-1180 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is for the petitioner to obtain a divorce from defendant.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, Thomas J. O’Rourke, whose last known address was 308 North Snead Street, Ashland, Virginia 23005, and whose whereabouts are now unknown, appear here on or before the 8th day of August, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. Courtroom 2 to protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Susan Gerber Counsel for Plaintiff 206 DeSota Drive Richmond, Virginia 23229 (804) 741-3438 Fax: (804) 754-7298 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JESSIE WILSON, Plaintiff v.

GILVIA WILSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001624-00 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 26th day of July, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

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

ALAN PAZ-CONDE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001690-00 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 8th day of August, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.

Courtroom 2 and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 Continued on next column

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8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JEANNETTE PILLSBURY, Plaintiff v.

ELWIN PILLSBURY, JR., Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001623-00 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 26th day of July, 2016 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 CORNELIUS WILLIAMS, Plaintiff v.

JERRI WILLIAMS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001432-00 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 15th day of July, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.

Courtroom 2 and protect her interests.

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

CUSTODY virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the COUNty of HENRICO Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Baby girl taylor, Juvenile Tammy Mills v.

Unknown Birth Father OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Pursuant to Va Code § 16.1-277.01, Tammy Mills is requesting that the Court terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown Birth Father, whose identify and whereabouts are unknown, and transfer custody of infant, Baby Girl Taylor, d/o/b 10/16/15 to Tammy Mills.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown Birth Father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before 8/24/2016, at 10:00 AM, Court Room #4. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re CHEYENNE LANE, Juvenile Case No. JJ092167-03-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown, (Father), of CHEYENNE LANE, child, DOB 02/24/2016, “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 Unknown (Father), appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before 10/31/2016, at 2:00 PM, Court Room #4.

Diane Abato, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 Continued on next column

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PROPERTY

and have not filed a response to this action; that said owners, LORETTA BURRELL, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of LORETTA BURRELL and HORACE BURRELL a/k/a HORACE BURRELL, JR., who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of HORACE BURRELL a/k/a HORACE BURRELL, JR., have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, JAMES A. BURRELL, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, BERNADETTE BURRELL a/k/a BERNADETTE J. BURRELL, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of THOMASINE ETHERIDGE BURRELL a/k/a THOMASINE C. BURRELL, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that LAVERNE SAULS, ROBERT T. BURRELL, MICHAEL A. BURRELL, SHEILA L. BURRELL, DEBORAH B. HERBERT, KEVIN L. BURRELL, LORETTA BURRELL, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of LORETTA BURRELL, HORACE BURRELL a/k/a HORACE BURRELL, JR., who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of HORACE BURRELL a/k/a HORACE BURRELL, JR., JAMES A. BURRELL, BERNADETTE BURRELL a/k/a BERNADETTE J. BURRELL, Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of THOMASINE ETHERIDGE BURRELL a/k/a THOMASINE C. BURRELL, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JULY 22, 2016, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER Estate of Charles Lewis Carter, Sr. by Charlotte Braxton, Alice Hicks and Ida Mae Hill Co-executors of the Estate, Petitioners v.

Platinum Financial Services, Inc., Defendant.

Case No.: CL16001678-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to have a judgment released where the judgment creditor can not be found.

It appearing from an affidavit that due diligence has been used on behalf of Petitioners to ascertain in what county or city the Defendant is, without effect, it is Ordered that Defendant appear before this Court on August 8th, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. Courtroom 2 and do what is necessary to protect it’s interest herein.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Donald M. White, Esquire 130 Thompson Street Ashland, Virginia 23005 (804) 798-1661 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

Case No.: CL15-4187-1 LAVERNE SAULS, et al., Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3313 5TH Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, TaxMap/GPIN# N0051186/007, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Laverne Sauls, Robert T. Burrell, Michael A. Burrell, Shelia L. Burrell, Deborah B. Herbert, Kevin L. Burrell, James A. Burrell and Bernadette Burrell.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, LAVERNE SAULS, ROBERT T. BURRELL, MICHAEL A. BURRELL, SHEILA L. BURRELL, DEBORAH B. HERBERT, KEVIN L. BURRELL, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their her last known address, have not been personally located Continued on next column

“Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy As to Students”

Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: Sports Turf Repair, Replacement and Maintenance Services To view a copy of RFP # FM062816 go to Procurement Services Site: http://www.procurement. virginia.edu/main/ publicpostings/RFP.html, or email: pur-rfp@virginia.edu

Plumber – Posting # 00004323 Facility Services For application and full job description, access www.richmond.k12.va.us.

Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, tuberculosis screening and drug/alcohol testing as a condition of employment. EOE.

Weekend anchor/reporter WWBT seeks motivated and dynamic weekend anchor/reporter to join Richmond’s #1 news team.

Successful candidate must be a proven leader who is motivated, and passionate about storytelling.

Ideal candidate must be an effective communicator who excels in anchoring and reporting. The ability to cultivate sources and produce enterprise stories a must. Candidate must possess strong live reporting skills and be driven by breaking news.

Successful candidate must also be proficient on all digital platforms and meet mandated social media goals outlined by management. Apply on-line at https://careers-raycommedia.icims.com.

EOE M/F/D/V Drug Screen required.

AssistAnt RegionAl ContRolleR WWBT/ NBC12 in Richmond, VA seeks Assistant Regional Controller to handle accounting and finance duties for two Raycom Media television stations. Duties include budgeting, forecasting, month end closing with related financial reporting and recons, daily general ledger activity, and other related functions. Must possess strong communication skills, work well with all departments and be skilled using server based accounting system and Microsoft office. Minimum 3-5 years accounting experience and accounting degree required. CPA preferred. Drug screen, background and credit check required. Qualified candidates only apply online at https://careers-raycommedia.icims.com.

EOE M/F/D/V

MASTER CONTROL OPERATOR WWBT in Richmond, VA seeks part time Master Control Operator responsible for operation of all systems within a multi station master control.

Duties include, but are not limited to, operation of station broadcast automation systems, editing onair playlists, setup and record satellite and other electronic delivery feeds, ingest and prepare video content onto servers, live on-air switching and quality control of all programming and transmission systems. Must have ability to understand and adhere to basic FCC rules including EAS systems and logs.

Must work well in a high pressure, fast paced, live news environment and possess superior level computer skills in Windows 7 and applications. Good communication/people skills required. 2 years of previous master control experience desired. Apply on line at https://careers-raycommedia.icims.com.

No phone calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V.

DRIVERS: No-Touch!

Get Home, Get Paid!

Excellent Pay Per/Wk! + Monthly Bonuses!

Strong Benefits Package.

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888-406-9046

TransiT sysTem

TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR Closes: July 6, 2016

GRTC seeks a results oriented professional who excels in working in a fast paced environment.

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

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

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

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following position: Communications Officer 87M00000028 Emergency Communications Apply by 7/31/16 Council Liaison-5th District 02M00000019 City Council Apply by 07/17/2016 Trades Supervisor II – Stormwater Utility 35M00000311 Department of Public Utilities Apply by 7/17/16 ****************** 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 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 newsrichmondfreepress.com or mail to: Richmond Free Press, P. O. Box 27709, Richmond, VA 23261 No phone calls.