March 19 21, 2015 issue by Richmond Free Press

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MARCH 19-21, 2015

Bedden pushes back Mayor Jones’ call to close schools met with resistance By Cindy Huang

Superintendent Dana T. Bedden is politely rebuffing Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ call for closing more schools and squeezing students into the remaining buildings. Instead, Dr. Bedden and his staff are telling the School Board that the only way to close existing buildings is for the city to invest tens of millions of dollars more in new buildings that could accommodate larger numbers of students. Dr. Bedden’s administration also is rejecting the mayor’s proposal to build a new elementary school on North Side, saying the real need is on South Side Dr. Bedden where the population is growing and some elementary schools already are overcrowded. That viewpoint was aired Tuesday night at a School Board work session, clearly exposing the different perspectives on Richmond school system needs. Still, as Assistant Superintendent Tommy Kranz put it, “It begins the conversation.” In his address last Friday as he presented his proposed budget to City Council, Mayor Jones pointed to the School Board’s own data showing there are 9,300 empty seats in existing schools. He noted that underused schools mean the city is spending “too much on buildings and not enough on students,” and he made it clear he wants that to end. The mayor said the only way the city could increase funding for public education is if he, City Council and the School Board can “agree on a clear plan for reducing the 9,300 empty seats in our schools,” as well as an evidencebased approach for improving academic performance. The mayor also continued to push his proposal to develop a school to replace Overby-Sheppard Elementary in Highland Park despite opposition from the School Board, which wants the money used for higher priority needs.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Spoken Word artists Mysia Perry, left, a sophomore at Open High School, and Leslie Reyes, a sophomore at Huguenot High School.

Power in the word

Performing spoken word helps 15-year-old Leslie Reyes deal with the gruesome death she witnessed at age 9 of a 16-year-old friend. With a steady voice, Leslie tells a packed audience of more than 100 people that she watched her best friend die from gunshot wounds in El Salvador. She tells the room of mostly strangers about the “blood-covered gauze and stitched up holes on his shoulder and leg.” She describes in urban poetry the numbness of her own flesh.

Spoken word helps young people share their thoughts, feelings and angst

“I never believed I’d see a piece of my life lying on one of the hospital beds, waiting his life away …” The Huguenot High School sophomore is one of many Richmond teenagers who uses spoken word to share the pain and frustration of life. The freestyle, emotive poetry or prose, performed nightly at venues across the city, allows young people to inject their perspectives Please turn to A4

By Cindy Huang

Please turn to A4

School Board gives green light to charter school By Joey Matthews

Can Richmond Public Schools afford a pricey new charter school when it already claims to need tens of millions of dollars in additional spending to renovate, maintain and equip its 44 existing schools? Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden doesn’t think so. His leadership team recommended against approving the Metropolitan Preparatory Academy because the charter school’s supporters have not found a building to house it. Nor have they raised substantial funds to pay for a facility. The proposed new charter school would require up to $7 million a year in public support at full capacity — or at least $10,000 per student. At least six members of the

School Board disagreed with the Bedden team, evidenced by the 6-2 vote Monday to allow the Richmond Urban Collective to open the charter school for the 2016-17 school year if it meets four conditions. The conditional approval came only a week after Mayor Dwight C. Jones submitted his proposed budget to City Council that included no additional funds for Richmond Public Schools. Dr. Bedden had requested about $26 million in additional spending for fiscal year 2015-16. The board’s conditional approval is a big victory for backers of the tuition-free charter school for boys in grades six through12, with a focus on helping disadvantaged AfricanAmerican youths. “We are grateful that the

board approached this with great, creative problem solving,” said Tunya Bingham, a corporate tax expert who has worked pro bono for the past three years spearheading the charter school effort. “The next step is to get busy with the tasks that they have put before us,” she told the Free Press after the charter school vote. The board gave charter school organizers until Aug. 3 to find a building, produce plans and prove financing is in place for special education students and English language learners, as well as for transportation. They also have until Oct. 1 to present to the School Board a lease or purchase agreement for a building, and until March 1, 2016, to prove enrollment within 10 percent of capacity.

Richmond move may force Morrissey to lose House seat By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Henrico Delegate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey might have to give up his current seat in the General Assembly. A provision of the Virginia Constitution would force Delegate Morrissey to resign from the House of Delegates if he proceeds, as anticipated, to challenge freshman Petersburg Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance in the 16th Senate District. It would be a startling outcome after the fight he waged to remain a delegate. He gained pariah status in the legislature because of his criminal conviction for contributing to the delinquency of

a minor. The conviction left him serving in the last General Assembly session on work release from a Henrico jail. Still, Delegate Morrissey won a special election in January to keep his seat and then watched legislators, who loudly had called on him to resign, give up their efforts to expel or censure him. Delegate Morrissey has yet to announce his Senate bid or to file the required paperwork ahead of the deadline next Thursday, March 26, to run in the Democratic primary in June. So far, only Sen. Dance and another delegate, Joseph E. Please turn to A4

The charter approval could be revoked if the school supporters can’t meet any of those conditions. Voting to conditionally approve the charter school were board Chairman Donald Coleman, 7th District; Vice Chair Kristen N. Larson, 4th District; Glen H. Sturtevant, 1st District; Mamie Taylor, 5th District; Derik Jones, 8th District; and Tichi Pinkney Eppes, 9th District. Kimberly B. “Kim” Gray, 2nd District, and Jeffrey M.

Bourne, 3rd District, voted against it. Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District, abstained, expressing frustration with the way the motion was presented. Ms. Pinkney-Eppes told the Free Press this week she always has supported the charter school. She said she opposed providing $1 million in the 2016 fiscal year budget without a facility. The money later was stripped from the plan in an effort led by Mr. Bourne.

“I am glad that in the end the charter was conditionally approved with definitive benchmarks that must be met,” she told the Free Press. Mr. Bourne said he opposed the charter because having no facility is “a big hurdle to get over.” He added, “I thought some of their financial models and fiscal realities that the charter school and we face made it not a prudent decision.”

Public safety on front burner in mayor’s budget plan By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Mayor Dwight C. Jones is proposing to pour millions of dollars into wage increases for city employees, most notably police officers and firefighters. He also wants to equip the police with body cameras and modernize the 911 emergency communications sysMayor tem at a cost of more $50 million. On the poverty front, he is proposing to invest $975,000 to create more affordable housing and $425,000 to launch a new program to help struggling people repair or replace broken plumbing and avoid having their utilities cut off. However, Mayor Jones left public education advocates disappointed by offering only limited support for the school system’s plans to improve academic performance and only partial support to help meet huge school maintenance needs. Those are among the highlights of Mayor Jones’ proposed $2.8 billion, two-year budget

plan presented last Friday to City Council — a plan he balanced with a 1.5 percent across-the-board spending cut for all city departments. Council will have the final say in shaping the budget, and must complete its work before May 31. The mayor’s plan calls for the city to spend $689 million on schools, police, trash collection, street pavJones ing, social services and other operations in the 2016 fiscal year that begins July 1. That’s about $3,220 for each of the estimated 214,000 men, women and children in the city. It’s also about the same level of spending as the current year. For the second year of his plan, fiscal year 2017, Mayor Jones calls for spending $700 million, or about $3,270 per person. One big takeaway from the budget plan is that the city has yet to see any dramatic spurt in Please turn to A4

Richmond Free Press

A2 March 19-21, 2015

Local News

Candidates lining up for June 9 primary Three candidates have jumped into the race to replace Delegate Joseph E. Preston in the 63rd House District now that he is running for the state Senate. The Rev. Larry D. Brown Sr. of Dinwiddie County, Petersburg School Board member Atiba Muse and Petersburg businesswoman Gerry Rawlinson all have announced bids. All three plan to compete for the Democratic nomination in the June 9 party primary in the district that also includes parts of Hopewell and Prince George County. This will be the second attempt for Rev. Brown, pastor of Gravel Run Baptist Church and a bail bondsman. He lost to Delegate Preston in a firehouse primary in December for the Democratic nomination for the House of Delegates seat. Delegate Preston went on to win a January special election for the 63rd House District seat, succeeding Rosalyn R. Dance, who was elected to the state Senate. He now is challenging Sen. Dance for that 16th Senate District seat in the June Democratic primary. Ms. Rawlinson is making her first bid for a House seat. She ran a distant fourth against Sen. Dance last August for the Democratic nomination for Senate. Mr. Muse initially announced for the House seat last year, but ultimately dropped out of the firehouse primary that Delegate Preston won. Separately, Tara Adams has become the first declared candidate for the Fairfield seat on the Henrico County School Board. Ms. Adams is a founder of Advocates for Equity in Schools and an active community volunteer. The Rev. Roscoe D. Cooper III, pastor of Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, is said to be considering a run for the School Board seat, but he has yet to declare his candidacy. A former PTA president, Ms. Adams is vying for the seat that incumbent Lamont Bagby is giving up to run for the 74th House of Delegates seat now held by Delegate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Report potholes for repair Richmond is in a rush to fill its potholes now that the weather is warming. During the next several weeks, the city plans to deal with 300 repair requests that have been received and new ones that are coming in. Mayor Dwight C. Jones stated that “extra crews are being strategically deployed throughout the city to address the increased number of potholes.” “I encourage all residents and motorists to assist us by continuing to report all potholes,” he stated. The city is receiving about 20 pothole repair requests per day. Since Jan. 1, the mayor stated nearly 500 pothole repairs have been made. Potholes can be reported 24 hours a day online at www. RichmondGov.com or at www.seeclickfix.com/Richmond. They also may be reported by calling 311 or (804) 646-7000 during business hours.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Enjoying her moment Judge Joi Jeter Taylor beams happily after being sworn in to the Richmond Circuit Court. Family, friends, judicial colleagues, members of the legal community and area elected officials were on hand March 12 for her investiture ceremony at the John Marshall Courts Building in Downtown. Judge Taylor actually joined the court Dec. 1 after serving nearly 17 years as a Richmond General District Court judge. The General Assembly elected her in late September to succeed Richmond Circuit Court Judge Margaret P. Spencer, who retired from the bench last summer. A Howard University Law School graduate, Judge Taylor served 15 years as an assistant attorney general before she went on the bench in 1998.

Richmond Magistrates’ Office moves to Justice Center The Richmond Magistrates’ Office has moved. The office is now at the Richmond City Justice Center, 1701 Fairfield Way, Chief Magistrate Gary Wooldridge announced Monday. The office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he stated. Magistrates review complaints of criminal conduct brought to the office by law enforcement officers and the general public. Duties include issuing arrest warrants, search warrants, summonses, bonds, subpoenas and certain civil warrants. Magistrates also conduct bail hearings in instances in which an individual is arrested on a warrant charging him or her with a criminal offense. Prior to the move on March 6, the Magistrates’ Office was inside Richmond Police Headquarters at 200 W. Grace St. Further information: Mr. Wooldridge at gwooldridge@courts. state.va.us or (804) 646-6691. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Clarification The late Robert H. Cooley III apparently was the first AfricanAmerican judge in Petersburg. However, he served as a substitute judge on the General District Court after being appointed by the Circuit Court judges. Mr. Cooley, who died in 1998, was never elected to the bench by the General Assembly. Judge James E. Hume, who served on the Petersburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court from 1991 to 2009, was the first African-American to be elected to the Petersburg bench by the General Assembly.

Paulette Singleton/Richmond Free Press

Contractor and developer Gerald Burr, left, City Council President Michelle Mosby. The prepares to ceremoniously break ground on development by Canterbury Enterprises LLC the Townhomes at Warwick Place, his comof 40 affordable rental units is going up at pany’s new $6.7 million townhouse apartment Slices of life and scenes 6220 Old Warwick Road, across the street project in South Richmond. Joining Mr. Burr from the grounds of a former church that the in Richmond last Thursday are, from left, Graham Driver of city plans to transform into a recreation center the Virginia Community Development Corp.; Gena Burr, Mr. and park. Each unit will have three bedrooms and an average Burr’s wife and president of GTT Enterprises Inc.; Monique of 1,450 square feet. Ten units will be accessible for persons Johnson of Virginia Community Capital Bank; Ron Johnson with disabilities. The townhouse development is expected to with the City of Richmond; Mayor Dwight C. Jones; and be completed by December.

Cityscape

Richmond Free Press

March 19-21, 2015

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Richmond Free Press

A4 March 19-21, 2015

News

Petersburg jail closing April 1 By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Petersburg City Jail will be closing April 1. A final attempt by City Council foes to reverse the decision failed on a 4-3 vote Tuesday night. Mayor W. Howard Myers, who has championed the closure, prevailed in voting down the latest attempt to stop the closure. He was joined by former Mayor Brian A. Moore, Vice Mayor Samuel Parham and

new Councilman Darrin L. Hill. Councilman David Ray Coleman, joined by council members John A. Hart Sr. and Treska Wilson-Smith, sought to keep the jail open and avoid the layoff of dozens of deputies and civilian staff expected with the closure. Sheriff Vanessa R. Crawford, who now has a staff of about 90, said she could lose 60 or more employees. Mayor Myers said the jail closure “is in the best interests of our citizens.” Pe-

tersburg is under a court order to renovate the jail and would avoid spending $10 million to $12 million to do that work by using Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County. Since March 1, all new arrestees in Petersburg have been taken to Riverside Regional Jail. Beginning April 1, current inmates will be transferred to the regional jail. The old jail then would be used only as a temporary lockup for those going to and from court.

Power in the word Continued from A1

on critical social and political issues into local and national discussions. Leslie, a self-diagnosed spoken word addict, said it’s a relief to be able to share her haunting memories. Spoken word’s appeal is its accessibility. It requires only a pen and paper — and the courage to get on stage to share your thoughts in word. Jer’mon Walker, a senior at Hanover County’s Patrick Henry High School, delivered a scorching critique of race relations in America during a recent performance. “A young black lawyer from Mobile, Alabama, shouldn’t have to re-teach the Constitution to a society who wrote it,” he spat into the microphone, talking about a Civil Rights-era activist who was jailed for his fight for equal justice. The audience grunted in agreement. His voice was measured and powerful. Eva Chenoweth, an Open High School student, defended feminism through her spoken word. “Feminism is not telling women to stop being irrational over what could happen, because catcalls are just compliments…” And 15-year-old Mysia Perry, also an Open High student, performed a letter to America that spelled out her fears of growing up in a country plagued with racial inequality. “I don’t want to have my own baby boy, watch him love and learn, make memories and enjoy him. America, I don’t want to have my own boy — fall in love with his smile or his laugh — just to have him taken from me, wrongfully, and justice never be reached. America, please!” Young people like 17-year-old Jer’mon have found their voice and a strong sense of identity through spoken word. “It’s really like taking my heart and shoving it in the ears of the audience,” Jer’mon told the Free Press. “Our generation is lacking in expressing their intimate feelings about the problems

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

with the nation nowadays.” Jer’mon said he’s drawn to the style and freedom of spoken word, where there is no standard for chorus, beat or rhyme. For Leslie, it’s the pauses — or the moments between the words — that give the genre its power. It is even more gripping than music. “In some songs, while you’re in that pause, people are listening to the music in the background. But when you’re in a pause in spoken word, all they hear is silence and their own thoughts,” Leslie said. Opportunities to connect with others through spoken word are plentiful around Richmond. Several area restaurants and cafes host weekly, open mic night events. Slam Richmond is a Saturday poetry competition at artspace, a gallery for visual and performing arts in South Richmond’s Manchester district, that sends local winners to represent Richmond at the National Poetry Slam and Brave New Voices, a youth competition. Tuesday Verses, an open mic night for music and poetry at Addis Ethiopian restaurant in Shockoe Bottom, was selected as one of the eight most authentic Virginia musical experiences by the blog Virginia is for Lovers. Leslie was swept into the genre after viewing a video clip online of spoken word artist Neil Hilborn performing a piece called “OCD.” It has more than 9 million views on YouTube.

“I fell in love with it,” Leslie said. “I breathed, ate and slept spoken word. I never thought I had that ability to express in such a powerful way.” Spoken word artist Carlton West Jr., 39, of Norfolk, known by his stage name “godchild,” has made a living performing spoken word. “It’s getting more exposure in different circles. People are starting to see the significance in spoken word,” Mr. West said. A coach for young spoken word artists, Mr. West said young people and their work are strong, gutsy and honest. “I remember I used to hide for years behind metaphors. But they’re straight out saying what’s on their mind. It’s so personal. They just put themselves out there the minute they’re on stage,” Mr. West said. For many performers, opening their hearts on stage is a way to release pent up emotions. “It’s a sense of relief I guess,” Mysia said offstage. Her recent performance about the black American experience brought the audience to its feet. “I believe that Harriet Tubman will be disappointed to see us swiftly sliding back down those rails of the Underground Railroad.” Link to Leslie Reyes’ spoken word http://youtu.be/7-qJ2CjE-9E Link to Mysia Perry’s spoken word http://youtu.be/OZhoNyBspkA

Bedden pushes back Continued from A1

He proposed $18 million for that stalled project, which he regards as a key element of a city-supported urban renewal effort in the Dove Street corridor. At the work session, Mr. Kranz told the School Board that replacing existing schools with new large buildings that are cheaper to operate would be the most sensible approach, though it would end Richmond’s longstanding support for smaller neighborhood schools. For example, he indicated that building a new $60 million, 1,500-seat middle school on South Side would allow both Thompson Middle and now-closed Elkhardt Middle schools to be consolidated in a larger space that could save $1 million a year on operating costs. He said that would be more prudent than spending $50 million or so to renovate the two buildings. Even with renovations, the buildings would have higher operating costs and could not be expanded to accommodate a projected spurt in student numbers in the next five years. Until a new middle school building can be opened, he and Dr. Bedden are recommending that students from Elkhardt, who are now crammed into Clark Springs Elementary School, attend Thompson beginning next fall. Thompson now enrolls 493 students and has space for about 1,000 students. On the elementary school front, Mr. Kranz said the need is most critical south of the James River. He said eight of the 12 schools on South Side are already at capacity or running over, including the two newest schools, Broad Rock and Oak Grove. The most serious problem is at Broad Rock, he said. “It’s going to explode,” Mr. Kranz said. Broad Rock was designed for 650 students, but now enrolls 827. Mr. Kranz said the ideal capacity is 85 percent to 90 percent. E.S.H. Greene, Miles Jones and Westover Hills elementary schools are among other schools that also are overcrowded. Mr. Kranz said some moves can be made to reduce the problems, including moving some students from Broad Rock to Oak Grove and some students from Oak Grove to Blackwell, which enrolls 411 students, but could accommodate 730. However, he estimated that at least 11 — and perhaps as many as 22 — portable classrooms would be needed at five South Side schools within two years because of the growth. In order to really address the problem, he said the city must plan to build two larger elementary schools for at least $30 million apiece. If the new schools were large enough, that would allow between four and six aging South Side schools to be closed, he said. That would change the longstanding policy in Richmond of providing smaller, neighborhood schools. Board members believe the data on school growth gives them no choice but to focus on South Side needs, rather than going along with a new North Side school. “Our hand is forced to do something both short term and long term. We’ve got a growing student population in South Richmond. Pressure is going to burst in five years, and we’ve got to do something now,” School Board member Jeffrey M. Bourne, 3rd District, said after the presentation. The mayor’s press secretary, Tammy Hawley, said Wednesday that Mayor Jones is aware of the crowding issue at South Side schools but “that does not erase the fact” that about one-third of the city’s schools have too few students. Jeremy M. Lazarus contributed to this story.

Public safety on front burner of budget plan Continued from A1

revenues flowing into its coffers despite all the bold talk about Richmond’s growing population and bustling appearance. The mayor’s spending plan indicates the city will have about the same level of revenue to spend in FY2016 and only about 1.5 percent more in FY2017. The mayor did not propose any increase in taxes, but he noted that he is proposing increases in utility bills, primarily to help pay for replacing outdated underground pipes. For the average residential consumer, the increase is expected to be about $5.95 a month. Also, he left out of his budget address any mention of the project that dominated the conversation last year — development of a new minor league baseball park in Shockoe Bottom and redevelopment of city property on the Boulevard. Mayor Jones’ biggest initiative is clearly on the pay front. During the next two years, he proposes to invest $7.3 million to boost starting pay for new police officers and firefighters by $5,500. Starting pay would rise from $36,500 to $41,000 in the first year and to $42,000 in 2017. He also proposed to spend additional money to provide salary increases for veteran officers, including a step increase and extra pay for career development in 2017. The pay hikes are aimed at reducing turnover among public safety personnel who are being lured away by higher salaries in other communities. “Public safety remains a priority,” the mayor told the council. “It’s time to show our police officers and firefighters

that we value their work.” In addition, his plan calls for spending about $2 million in 2016 to provide a 2 percent pay raise — the first in years — for the nearly 4,000 other city employees, with a similar amount proposed for 2017. Employees of constitutional offices, including sheriff’s deputies, also would benefit, he said. In addition, he proposed to pour additional millions into shoring up the city’s pension plan and to pick up for the third year the increase in health insurance costs for employees, saving them $1.1 million.

On the public education front, the mayor talked up education as a priority, saying, “I strongly believe that a good education is the best tool to help people rise from poverty.” Still, he declined to boost city funding for Richmond Public Schools’ operations. He did propose to dip into the city’s reserves to provide a one-time, $10 million contribution, but made it contingent upon agreement being reached between his office, City Council and the School Board on ways to reduce the 9,300 vacant seats in city schools, as well as an

evidence-driven approach to academic improvement. Still, that is nowhere near the $26 million increase the School Board requested for FY2016 to implement Superintendent Dana T. Bedden’s plan for improving academics. Meanwhile, the mayor gave more attention to School Board cries for more money for maintenance. The board requested $30 million to deal immediately with worn-out heating and cooling systems and leaky roofs and basements, plus $5 million to cover the cost of improving technology

and leasing new buses. The mayor proposed only $13.1 million for maintenance, or nearly $2 million less that the city’s chief financial officer, Norman Butts, had indicated was needed last month. It’s more than the $5 million the mayor proposed for the current year, but well below the School Board’s asserted need. As the Free Press earlier reported, the mayor optimistically embraced the idea that the school system could gain $20 million for maintenance through a program called performance management.

Essentially, such a program would allow for the school system to hire a company to overhaul buildings, with the company being paid over 15 years from savings on electricity, gas and other energy sources. Assistant Superintendent Tommy Kranz said it would likely take six months or more to develop a performance plan. Major energy savings per building would require replacement of windows, internal lighting, electrical wiring and other renovations. “We’ll have to see how it works out,” he said.

Move may force Morrissey to lose House seat Continued from A1

Preston of Petersburg, have announced as candidates in the primary. Still, Delegate Morrissey has given obvious signals of his interest in the Senate race. That includes showing support for the candidacy of the Rev. Leonidas B. “Lee” Young II, who formally announced this week that he would run for Delegate Morrissey’s seat in the 74th House District. Another signal of Delegate Morrissey’s intent is his recent move to an apartment in Shockoe Bottom in Richmond. He also has posted a “For Rent” sign in the front yard of the Glen Allen home that has been his district residence in recent years. That move to Shockoe Bottom, which he disclosed to the Free Press on Monday, enabled him to establish residence in the Senate district. State law requires candidates to be qualified to vote for the office they are seeking, and that includes living in the district. The problem Delegate Morrissey faces is that his new home is outside the 74th House District. No part of the House district is overlapped by the Senate district, which stretches from the city’s East End to Petersburg and Hopewell and includes parts of

several counties. Article IV Section 4 of the Virginia Constitution states: “A senator or delegate who moves his residence from the district for which he is elected shall thereby vacate his office.” It is not clear yet that Delegate Morrissey has completed all the changes that would make him a resident of the Senate district. For example, he is still registered to vote in the precinct where his Henrico house is located. However, it is not yet known whether he has notified the U.S. Postal Service of an address change or if he has secured a driver’s license with the Richmond address. He would say only that “I’m taking care of everything I have to” to establish residency in Richmond, and his status will be clearer by next week. If he is then officially a city resident, any plans he had for staying a delegate until his term ends in December would be over. He also could be barred from participating in the General Assembly session in mid-April to consider the governor’s vetoes and proposed alterations to legislation. Meanwhile, Rev. Young, founder and pastor of New Kingdom Christian Ministries, officially jumped into the House race Tuesday at a press conference at Delegate Morrissey’s law office

Pride delivers baby boy Myrna Pride, the young woman at the heart of a sex scandal involving Henrico Delegate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey, is a new mother. Delegate Morrissey was on hand at an Atlanta hospital when Ms. Pride gave birth at 10:46 a.m. March 14 to a boy weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. “She’s thrilled beyond words… so am I,” Delegate Morrissey texted Monday to the Free Press as he prepared to fly back to Richmond. Reached at the hospital, Ms. Pride, who now lives in Georgia, confirmed the birth and Delegate Morrissey’s presence. However, neither would comment when asked about the baby’s paternity and name. Last week, Delegate Morrissey was

in Highland Springs. Rev. Young said Delegate Morrissey, who was at court and did not attend the announcement, encouraged him to get into the race. A former Richmond mayor who spent time in federal prison, Rev. Young said he hopes voters will give him another chance to prove what he can do. He is able to run because his rights have been restored. He said he would champion auto-

released after three months in jail from his conviction of contributing to the delinquency of Ms. Pride, who, at 17, worked briefly as a receptionist in his law office in the summer of 2013 when a sexual relationship allegedly began. He was convicted after entering an Alford plea in which he maintained his innocence, but acknowledged the prosecution had enough evidence to support the charge. Ms. Pride turns 19 on Friday, March 20. At this time, Delegate Morrissey and Ms. Pride’s mother, Deidre Warren, are facing felony charges of forgery and perjury related to a child support document. They are scheduled for trial April 28 in Henrico Circuit Court.

matic restoration of voting and civil rights for those who have served time and paid their debt to society. He said he also would advocate for raising the minimum wage and expanding Medicaid to provide more people with health insurance under Obamacare. He plans to run in the Democratic primary. Henrico School Board member Lamont Bagby is the only other announced candidate.

Richmond Free Press

March 19-21, 2015

#3 of 11

ONLY ONE THING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN RELIABILITY.

When it comes to meeting our ever-growing energy needs, nothing is more important to Dominion than safety. We’re proud of our track record—we have 100 years of experience and more than 7,800 miles of natural gas pipeline in eight states. And we work hard to ensure that more than 5 million Dominion customers have the reliable energy they need to get through their busy lives, while keeping them comfortable at home. We’re also committed to providing customers energy consistently and affordably—while meeting or exceeding the most stringent safety standards in the world. Studies—and history—prove that pipelines are among the very safest ways to transport this essential commodity. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which regulates interstate pipelines, natural gas lines are not only “one of the safest” methods, but they are also “one of the … most cost-effective means to transport the extraordinary volumes of natural gas … that fuel our economy.” In Virginia alone, there are already 2.5 times more miles of natural gas pipelines than interstate highways. However, there is an urgent need to bring more natural gas to Virginia and North Carolina to generate electricity, heat homes and run businesses. We have a commitment to serve our customers’ increasing use safely and reliably. And the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a large-scale public utility project specifically designed to meet this need. Today’s gas pipelines must meet strict safety standards. They are subject to ongoing inspections and require clear public information and education on their construction and use. In fact, safety considerations begin long before a pipeline ever goes into service. Inspectors ensure the new pipes are built to meet the highest of standards. When individual sections of pipe are welded together, each weld is X-rayed to make sure it is sound. And before the new line is operational, specialists thoroughly pressure-test the pipes with water. All this before the gas even begins to flow. Once in operation, our pipelines are monitored 24/7 from our gas control center. Strict regulations govern regular maintenance and inspection procedures, ranging from regularly “walking” and “flying” the line to inspecting the pipeline from the inside with electronic sensing equipment. Government-mandated operator qualification standards ensure proper training for employees with critical safety functions. And companies are required to conduct ongoing community awareness programs about their pipelines. We are also required to coordinate with local emergency response agencies regularly. These are just some measures that will make the new interstate pipeline one of the safest ever built and operated. Clearly, it’s also important for us to keep the lines of dialogue open with you as plans for the new pipeline take shape. We encourage you to stay informed of the latest developments by visiting dom.com/acpipeline, emailing us at acpipeline@dom.com or calling us toll-free at 844-215-1819.

Dominion provides affordable, reliable power to more than 5 million retail energy customers in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Increasing the role of natural gas as an energy source is as important to the economy as it is to the environment— creating more jobs, keeping energy prices reasonable and helping make our air cleaner.

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Richmond Free Press

Pansies growing in the West End

Editorial Page

March 19-21, 2015

Bedden trouble? Dr. Dana T. Bedden, Richmond’s public schools superintendent, is probably out of here. No, it’s not because he was a runner-up and not the winner of the Boston public school system’s top job. It’s because of the latest actions by possibly the two biggest burrs under his saddle — Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the Richmond School Board. Last Friday, Mayor Jones announced a $2.8 billion budget plan for the city for the next two years. His plan includes little more for the city’s public school system than it currently receives — roughly $136 million annually for operations. Dr. Bedden and the School Board had requested nearly $25 million more. Ouch! That’s a big gap and a bigger blow to Dr. Bedden and the plans he recently articulated for turning around the city’s ailing — some say failing — schools. There’s a saying that you can tell a person’s priorities by where they put their money. In this case, what does it say to Dr. Bedden — and to the citizens of Richmond — that a beer garden and a bike race take fiscal priority over the needs of the 24,000 students enrolled in Richmond Public Schools? To further confound the situation, the School Board voted Monday night to approve a new public charter school to possibly open in 2016. Dr. Bedden recommended against it — and we say rightly so. Our major concerns: Where will a new charter school be housed and where will the money come from to run it? With current school buildings crumbling and the city’s financial support just short of receding, why would the School Board make such an awkward, fiscally short-sighted and possibly damaging move? The School Board is simply creating more of the chaos that would compel Dr. Bedden to entertain an offer from just about anyplace right now. On the budget side, we understand that the city’s projected revenue for the next two fiscal years — 2016 and 2017 — that begin July 1 isn’t expected to swell like the James River after a summer storm. And we note that Mayor Jones, to his credit, has proposed $31.4 million go to the school system for capital improvements. However, the lion’s share —$18 million — would go toward building a new elementary school in a city-supported development in the former Dove Court public housing community. Dr. Bedden and the School Board would rather use the money for more critical needs, including a new middle or elementary school in South Richmond, where the schoolage population is exploding. A showdown is looming. The situation for Dr. Bedden also will become crucial over Mayor Jones’ call to close underused school buildings. Why pour money into buildings that are operating woefully under capacity? The school system possibly could save millions by shifting students to the under-populated schools. However, with roofs leaking, heating and air conditioning systems not working and health-threatening mold forcing the 500 students at Elkhardt Middle School to be displaced recently to the previously closed Clark Springs Elementary School, the Richmond school system has serious problems requiring immediate attention and money. For the future of our students, for the future of the city, for the future of our leadership, we call on Mayor Jones and Dr. Bedden to re-examine what they’re doing and what they are proposing. A big fight will produce little but noise, while ignoring the critical and paramount need — to boost educational quality for our students. If a dialogue doesn’t begin, and soon, Richmond may find itself interviewing candidates for a new schools superintendent.

True winners Congratulations to the city’s and region’s scholar-athletes and their coaches who already have made February-intoMarch Madness a basketball season to remember! Their hours of practice and discipline on the court have translated into victories in state and conference championships that have thrilled basketball fans across Virginia and beyond. The list of champions is impressive: • Virginia State University’s Lady Trojans won the CIAA crown Feb. 28 in Charlotte, N.C. • Richmond’s George Wythe High School Bulldogs and the Henrico High School Warriors clinched the 3A and 5A state championships, respectively. • The Lady Justices from Richmond’s John Marshall High School won conference and 3A regional titles. • Virginia Commonwealth University’s exciting Rams took the Atlantic 10 crown. • And the underdog Hampton University Pirates upset a favorite to win the MEAC Tournament and defeated a higher-seeded foe in first-round competition in the NCAA tournament. Like most, we will be glued to the TV this week cheering the Rams and the Pirates as they continue in fierce competition in the NCAA tournament. The games have been exciting and filled with genuine sportsmanship — hallmarks of excellent coaching and lessons that should take each of the athletes far in their lives off the court. Congratulations! You are true winners!

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Lynch confirmation needed now On Nov. 8, 2014, President Obama nominated an outstanding prosecutor from the Eastern District of New York to be our nation’s next attorney general. It now has been more than four months since Loretta Ly n c h w a s nominated to lead the U.S. Department of Justice — a period longer than any attorney general nominee in the last three decades. On Feb. 28, 2015, her nomination was approved by a bipartisan majority of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Yet Senate Republicans continue to stand in the way of a full Senate vote to confirm her to this critical post. When I think about what an important role our attorney general plays, I immediately flash back to my time as mayor of the City of Richmond when our city had one of the highest homicide rates in the country.

It became very clear that in order to tackle a major public safety challenge like ours, you needed strong relationships between the community and local law enforcement and a strong Department of Justice. As mayor, my office and the

Sen. Tim Kaine City Council relied heavily on our partnerships with the Justice Department — from the U.S. attorney from the Eastern District of Virginia, all the way up to Attorney General Janet Reno. If there is ever a time to avoid needless uncertainty around the top government official charged with handling the fragile relationship between local communities and law enforcement agencies, it’s now. In 2013, an unarmed man named John Geer was shot by police in the doorway of his Fairfax County home. Last August, Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old, was shot during a confrontation with an officer in

Ferguson, Mo. A month prior, Eric Garner died as a result of a police chokehold in New York when he was confronted over the selling of untaxed cigarettes. There have been similar incidents in Cleveland and Madison, Wis., that have raised serious concerns. It’s not limited to one part of the country. It’s not limited to North, South, East or West. There also have been horrible crimes committed against members of the law enforcement community — two New York City police officers shot point blank while they sat in their patrol car, and two other officers shot just last week in Ferguson. These incidents in cities across the country demonstrate a significant level of tension between the police and communities they serve, often minority communities or communities of color. These tensions do not have to exist. They can be solved. But to do so, it’s critical that we confirm President Obama’s nominee for attorney general.

Level the education playing field I am saddened and frustrated every time I hear about the academic achievement gulf that exists between black students and their white classmates in our nation’s public schools. I am saddened because I know that, without a quality education, the future for these children is bleak. I am frustrated because if we don’t do something now, we will continue to fail these children in a way that will cause irreparable harm to them, their families — both current and future — our communities and the world. That’s why 100 Black Men of America Inc., The 100, is issuing a clarion call to all Americans who share our concern about the fate of our children and communities to raise their voices with ours to bring attention to one of the most critical civil rights issues of our time — education equity. The reason is as clear cut as it is troubling. Far too many low-income and black youths are languishing in failing schools. This places them at a severe disadvantage in achieving their full potential, becoming leaders in their communities and competing in a global economy. No child’s future should be determined by his or her color, economic status or ZIP code. To The 100’s network of more than 100 chapters around the world, this is appalling and unacceptable! We need organizations and caring adults to join us in a collective effort for systemic and sustainable education reform. The 100’s 50-year history of mentoring African-American youths has given us a unique perspective on what is and isn’t working in many of the nation’s public schools through the experiences of the young people we serve.

Although the high school dropout rate is improving, it still is not where it should be. It is also disturbing that, of those African-American youths who

Brian L. Pauling successfully graduate from high school, far too many are woefully unprepared for freshman-level college coursework. As a result, they are required to complete remedial classes as a prerequisite for acceptance into post-secondary institutions. Some find themselves so far behind that it seems impossible to catch up. Not only does this situation shatter their self-esteem, it also suffocates their desire to even try. Rather than face the humiliation of trying to catch up to their peers, some simply give up and drop out. While there is no silver bullet or quick fix to these problems, we believe the journey toward solutions begins with creating high-performing schools — schools, for example, that promote high student expectations and achievement, insist on teacher accountability through regular evaluations and encourage innovation among principals and other school leaders. The 100 has been a longtime supporter of traditional public schools, where most of the youths we serve attend. While each of our chapters is deeply rooted and involved in their communities, true education reform requires a collective effort from like-minded organizations and individuals. To that end, during The 100’s Education Summit last October in Washington, D.C., members from across the country met with leaders from several nonprofit, education and civil rights organizations to explore ways to collaborate, mobilize and advocate for action that leads to positive, tangible and

lasting change. During our discussions, areas of agreement included advocating for public school education options for parents and their children. Our youths should not be doomed to 13 years — between kindergarten and senior year — of academic failure. We will remain committed to supporting those public schools that are high performers and able to demonstrate exceptional and measurable academic outcomes for our children — or those that are executing a plan to successfully reach that goal. When traditional public schools fail to perform at high levels, our organization supports educational alternatives, including successful nonprofit charter schools. We also need to encourage nonprofit public charters and traditional public schools to collaborate and share best practices that have proven to be successful in educating lowincome and black children. No matter which type of schools parents and guardians ultimately decide are best for their children, all public schools — particularly those in AfricanAmerican and economically disadvantaged communities — must be high-performing, evidence-based institutions of learning, where children are prepared to advance successfully to the next grade level, graduate from high school and progress seamlessly into college and career. The time is now — before another child’s future is lost— to raise our collective voices in advocacy and take action so that high-performing public schools in our communities become the norm rather than the exception. While this task may seem daunting, our children’s futures, quality of life and, in some cases, their very lives are at stake. Brian L. Pauling is national president of 100 Black Men of America Inc.

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.

Loretta Lynch understands the significance of the attorney general’s role in these situations. She has testified that one of her key priorities would be to work to strengthen the bonds between law enforcement personnel and the communities they serve. Ms. Lynch is a no-nonsense, hard-working prosecutor, known for her demeanor, intelligence and ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders. And I am absolutely confident that she will approach these issues with the same focus, fairness and expertise that she has displayed throughout her career. Justice delayed is justice denied. The refusal to confirm a leader to head the most important law enforcement agency in the United States is a delay of justice that, for many, seems to be a denial of justice. We can rectify that concern in communities across this country if we act with dispatch to confirm a person who is eminently qualified to hold the nation’s highest law enforcement position. Sen. Tim Kaine represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

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Richmond Free Press

March 19-21, 2015

Letters to the Editor T:11.5"

‘Why I don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day’ lot of black people. The riots were intended to express anger at the draft in the ongoing Civil War, but turned into a race riot with black people the target of the violence. That’s why I don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. To me, it’s a slap in our

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Stand up to the GOP

The Republicans keep wanting to get something done. The question is do they want to get something done to positively or negatively affect the average American? The Republicans want to loosen banking regulations. The Republicans want a few white males to be able to commit legal bank robbery while they want a lot of black males to go to prison for stealing a lot less. More black prisoners equates to fewer black voters. Remember the savings and loan scandal during the Reagan presidency? Ronald Reagan deregulated the savings and loan administration to allow legal bank robbery to occur. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case was getting something done. Republicans such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner helped to engineer that overthrow of our fair and democratic means of electing people to office. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and A.L.E.C. want to get more done of this ilk such as “stand your ground” and restrictive voter I.D. laws in more states. We, the American people, need to stand up to these trigger-happy Republicans before more of our rights get shot down.

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Richmond Free Press

A8 March 19-21, 2015

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Rams win Atlantic 10; head to NCAA West The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams regained their rhythm in New York, winning four games in four days for their first Atlantic 10 Tournament title. Now the Rams must hope their “reward,” a cross-country trip to the NCAA, won’t throw them out of sync again. VCU, 26-9, is seeded seventh. They play Big 10 Conference member Ohio State University on Thursday, March 19, in the NCAA West Region game in Portland, Ore. Ohio State, 23-10, is the 10th seed. Tipoff will be about 4:45 p.m. The game will be played at Moda Center, formerly the Rose Garden, which is home to the NBA Portland Trail Blazers. Last Sunday’s Atlantic 10 title game at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center marked the fifth consecutive season VCU has played in a title conference game. Following a knee injury to defensive titan Briante Weber on Feb. 25, the Rams had dropped five of nine games heading to the Big Apple. At Barclays, they found their second wind.

In order, fifth-seed VCU defeated Fordham University, University of Richmond, Davidson College and University of Dayton, with senior Treveon Graham earning Most Valuable Player honors and bruising center Mo AlieCox making All-Tournament. The Rams now fly 2,868 miles to Oregon, for their NCAA date with Ohio State. VCU’s Ratings Percentage Index (power rank) is 15th of 350. Ohio State’s rating is 41. The winner of the VCU-OSU game likely will play University of Arizona, the West Region’s No. 2 seed, on Saturday, March 21, also in Portland. Top-seed Wisconsin and No. 4 North Carolina also are in the West bracket. Should the Rams win twice in Oregon, they would play in the West’s Sweet 16 bracket March 26-28 at the Los Angeles Staples Center, home of the NBA Lakers and Clippers. The NCAA Final Four will be played in Indianapolis, April 4-6. This is the second straight year the NCAA has shipped the Rams to the West Coast. Last year in San Diego,

Mary Altaffer/Associated Press

Virginia Commonwealth University basketball star Briante Weber, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in January, cuts down the net as the Rams celebrate their Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament title after Sunday’s 71-65 win over University of Dayton in New York. Winning the title gives the Rams an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

VCU lost in overtime to Stephen F. Austin State University. Sub plot: Graham netted 69 points in Brooklyn, stretching his career total to 1,872. The senior nudged past Kendrick Warren (1,858) into second place for top career scorer, behind all-time VCU record holder Eric Maynor (1,929). Realistically, Graham needs at least three NCAA games to have a shot at Maynor’s record. Big 10, big trouble: VCU has been eliminated from the NCAAs three times by Big 10 foes — in 1980 by Iowa, in 2012 by Indiana and in 2013 by Michigan. On the plus side, the Rams defeated Purdue en route to the 2011 Final Four. VCU is “3CU”: The 3-ball was the Rams’ best friend in Brooklyn. VCU connected on 39 3-pointers at the

Barclays Center, with Melvin Johnson (14 hits), Graham (nine) and JeQuan Lewis and Doug Brooks (five each) being the stars in distance shooting. For the season, the Rams have buried 273 3-pointers. Freshmen phenoms: Ohio State is led by D’Angelo Russell, a 6-foot-5 freshman who made the All-Big 10, averaging 20 points and six rebounds. Russell, who wears jersey No. 0, is forecast as a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. VCU’s first-year answer is Terry Larrier, who has expanded his role. The 6-foot-7 forward had 36 points in New York, his hometown, and was a stunning 18 for 19 at the foul line. Larrier, who logged 105 minutes at Barclays, has taken floor time from Jordan Burgess, who started most of the season. Road advantage: Of Ohio State’s

23 victories, 18 came on the Buckeyes’ home floor in friendly Columbus. On the other hand, VCU has proven to be a road warrior, going 8-4 in true away games and 6-1 on neutral courts. Bragging rights: VCU and Duke University are the nation’s only schools with at least 26 wins each of the last two seasons. VCU is the first state school with five straight NCAA appearances. Shaka sweepstakes: Few coaches have been schmoozed by other schools as much as the Rams’ sixth-year Coach Shaka Smart. In the past, he has turned down offers from North Carolina State, Illinois, UCLA and Marquette to stay at VCU. Who will be this year’s suitor? The Alabama job is open after former Rams Coach Anthony Grant, Coach Smart’s predecessor at VCU, was given the pink slip.

Hampton takes on No.1 Kentucky in NCAA Hampton University is in position to make basketball history. After triumphantly clinching the MEAC title and winning its first-round game in the NCAA Tournament, the Pirates will play undefeated and No. 1 overall seed University of Kentucky on Thursday, March 19, in Louisville, Ky. Hampton is the 68th and last seed overall in the NCAA tournament. CBS will televise the game about 9:40 p.m. Thursday, March 19. “Hey, we’re a billion-to-1 shot … but I’d rather be a billionto-1 shot than to have no shot at all,” HU Coach Ed “Buck” Joyner Jr. told truTV after defeating Manhattan College 74-64 in a First Four game Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio. “Because when you’re a billion-to-one, that at least means you’re there,” he said. The Pirates are “there” due to a heroic March run after a so-so season. Now 17-17, HU becomes the 16th seed in the Midwest Region. Kentucky, 34-0, is seeded No. 1 and primed to become the most dominant team in college annals. In NCAA tournament history, never has a 16th seed defeated a No. 1 seed. HU has traveled a serpentine journey to its date with mighty Kentucky. Seeded No. 6 in the MEAC tournament last week at the Norfolk Scope, the Pirates defeated Morgan State University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Norfolk State and Delaware State universities to claim the conference’s automatic NCAA berth. Guard Deron Powers, a 5-foot-11 junior and sparkplug from Williamsburg, earned Most Valuable Player honors as HU won four games in six days in Norfolk. Complicating an already difficult situation, HU likely will play Kentucky without two of its best players. Pirate Dwight Meikle, the squad’s top scorer, rebounder and shot blocker, rolled an ankle in Hampton’s win over Morgan State in Norfolk. He didn’t play during the remainder of the MEAC tournament, and didn’t dress for the NCAA game against Manhattan. Making it worse, Quinton Chievous suffered an ankle injury

CIAA teams out of NCAA Both CIAA champions were one and done in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region tournament. The Virginia State University women’s basketball team lost 86-75 to top-seeded host California University of Pennsylvania on March 13, while the Livingstone College men’s basketball team was routed 127-89 by host West Liberty University in Wheeling, W.Va., on March 14. Sloppy ball handling plagued the VSU Trojans, who committed 28 turnovers. VSU finishes 20-10 under Coach James Hill. Tiffanie Adair had 25 points and Jessica Lyons had 18 points for the Trojans, who won the CIAA Tournament in Charlotte, N.C. Livingstone College, finishing 19-11, must have left its defense back home in Salisbury, N.C. The Blue Bears surrendered the most points in an NCAA game since the University of Bridgeport scored 132 points in 1989. No. 1 seed West Liberty hit 70 percent from the floor and 15 of 27 3-pointers for 56 percent. It marks the third straight year Livingstone College has lost in the NCAA first round.

Jason Hirschfeld/Associated Press

Hampton University’s men’s basketball team, shown above after winning Saturday’s MEAC Tournament in Norfolk, will suit up Thursday night against No. 1 Kentucky in NCAA Tournament play in Louisville.

late in the win over Manhattan. It’s questionable whether he’ll be able to play in the game against Kentucky. Chievous, a 6-foot-6 transfer from Tennessee, had 15 points and 13 rebounds before his injury. Against Manhattan, HU’s Reginald Johnson added 15 points; Brian Darden, 13 points; and Powers offered eight points and seven assists. HU has a track record of NCAA upset magic. In 2001, the 15th seeded Pirates stunned No. 2 Iowa State University in Boise, Idaho. MEAC regular season champ North Carolina Central University, a surprise semifinal loser to Delaware State University in the Norfolk tournament, was a 75-71 loser to host Miami, Fla., in the first round of the NIT tournament on March 11. The Eagles finished 25-8. In Richmond, Ky., on March 11, Norfolk State University was defeated 81-75 at Eastern Kentucky in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). It marked the fourth straight season the NSU Spartans have advanced past MEAC to postseason play.

Wildcats stats for March Madness The University of Kentucky, now 34-0, is positioned to become just the eighth basketball squad to win the NCAA title with nary a blemish on the ledger. Here is some Wildcats trivia you might use to impress friends during March Madness. Decades of dominance: With eight NCAA titles, Kentucky trails only UCLA, with an all-time record of 11 titles. Kentucky won the crown in 1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998 and 2012. Kentucky started the season with the most wins (2,165) and the highest winning percentage (.763) in NCAA annals. Also, the Wildcats’ 53 NCAA trips and overall 116 tournament wins are tops nationally. Show me the money: Coach John Calipari signed an eight-year deal worth $34.65 million on March 31, 2009. Balancing act: Sophomore guard Aaron Harrison leads the team with a modest 11.3 scoring average. The Wildcats have nine players averaging more than 5.5 points and 10 averaging at least 11.4 minutes. Kentucky could win the NCAA title with no losses, and also no first-team All-American. Block party: Kentucky rejected 234 shots through 34 games, while holding opponents to 35 percent shooting. The “swat” team features 7-footers Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson, 6-foot-11 Carl-Anthony Towns, 6-foot-10 Trey Lyles and 6-foot-9 Marcus Lee. Medical report: Cauley-Stein, a sophomore from Kansas, has the trait for sickle cell anemia, an inherited blood disorder that affects stamina. It is different from the full-blown serious sickle cell disease. Nail biters: Wins don’t always come easy. Kentucky needed two overtimes to defeat Texas A&M and another overtime to nip Mississippi. It survived LSU, 71-69. On March 3, the Wildcats rallied from nine down in the second half to beat Georgia. Removing the color barrier: The Kentucky Wildcats had all-white teams until Coach Adolph Rupp signed 7-foot-1 Thomas Payne in 1969. Payne sat out in 1969-70 then played the 1970-71 season in Lexington before joining the NBA Atlanta Hawks. The first 10 scorers on this year’s team are AfricanAmerican. No. 1 gun: While Kentucky has produced many NBA

The Zero Gang These are the only teams to go undefeated — no losses — en route to the NCAA Division I championship. Listed are their records and consensus All-Americans: 1956: San Francisco, 29-0, Bill Russell 1957: North Carolina, 32-0, Lennie Rosenbluth 1964: UCLA, 30-0, Walt Hazzard 1967: UCLA, 30-0, Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul Jabbar) 1972: UCLA, 30-0, Bill Walton, Henry Bibby 1973: UCLA, 30-0, Bill Walton, Keith Wilkes 1976: Indiana, 32-0, Scott May, Kent Benson

first-round draft choices, it has had just two players tabbed No. 1 overall — John Wall, drafted by Washington in 2010, and Anthony Davis, drafted by New Orleans in 2012. Long distance: The Wildcats hail from 11 states, with just three from Kentucky — Derek Willis (1.6 points a game), Dominique Hawkins (1.4) and Todd Lanter (0.5). Packing them in: Average attendance for 19 dates this season at Rupp Arena was 23,572. Kentucky led NCAA attendance from 2006 to 2013, before finishing second to Syracuse in 2014. The student section is known as eRUPPtion Zone. Pipeline: For next season, Kentucky has a commitment from Skal Labissiere, the highly sought 6-foot-11 native Haitian living in Memphis, Tenn. Also, Coach Calipari is much involved with 7-foot Thon Maker, now playing at Orangeville Prep in Ontario, Canada. Maker recently has classified from the Class of 2016 to the Class of 2015. He may spend one year in college or perhaps play professionally overseas before entering the NBA. Forgotten season: Kentucky went 25-0 during the regular season in 1954, but declined a NCAA bid because three players were ruled ineligible for postseason play. Richmond connection: Tubby Smith, VCU assistant coach from 1979 to 1985, was the Wildcats’ coach from 1997 to 2007, succeeding Rick Pitino. As Kentucky’s first and still only African-American head coach, Smith won the NCAA crown in his first season, 199798, going 35-4.

March 19-21, 2015 B1

Section

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

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Spotlight on the Bulldogs’ inspiring championship leader daughter, Cher Asia, 4. Reaction to Bulldogs winning the championship: Overwhelmed with joy. I’m also relieved that we won the first state title at George Wythe. That was a lot of pressure because it was our second try. Did you expect to win: We expect to win every time we play. The key to winning the title: Playing our style of game. How much time I spend coaching: During the season most of my time until I go to sleep. Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center. And here’s the best part: There is plenty of bounce left in his step. Let’s meet this week’s Personality, Coach Willard Coker: Date and place of birth: April 28 in Winston-Salem, N.C. Why I’m a coach: I love teaching the game that I love. Number of years coaching: 29. Coaches should: Lead by example and prepare their team the best they can to give them every chance to win a game. Family: Wife, Jackie; adult children, Winee, Aliyia, Devon and Clara; and grand-

Who influenced me to become a coach: Dave Robbins. Role of sports in developing young people to become good citizens: Sport teaches players to respect others, also how to be disciplined and not to quit on yourself or your teammates. Advice to youngsters interested in a coaching career: Follow your dream and don’t cheat the game. Always start with teaching the basic fundamentals. Biggest chance I’ve ever taken: Playing my best player with three fouls in the first half. How I face the day: Trying to be positive and accomplishing everything that I need to do.

Nobody knows that I: Always wanted to be a lead singer in a band. Best late-night snack: Olives, cheese, chicken Vienna sausages and crackers. The person(s) that influenced me the most: In everyday life, my parents and Dave Robbins. In basketball, John Wooden, Dean Smith, John Thompson and, most of all, Dave Robbins.

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When people get slapped down, they have two basic options. They can accept their sad fate, throw a pity party, curse at the world and stay on their backsides. Or they can bounce back. George Wythe High School Coach Willard J. Coker is a bouncer. After spending most of his adult life coaching basketball at his alma mater, Virginia Union University, Coach Coker was fired as head coach in 2011 after a three-year, 55-25 record. He had spent the previous 23 years serving as an assistant coach at VUU to Coach Dave Robbins. Their relationship is a long one. As a student, Coach Coker played under Coach Robbins on VUU’s first NCAA Division II national championship team in 1980. He was a VUU Panthers assistant coach for the 1992 and 2005 NCAA title seasons. The 2011-12 season following his dismissal was the first season he hadn’t been personally involved with hoops since kindergarten, and it cut to the quick. “I was miserable,” he said of the year away. “Some things people are just born to do.” Meanwhile, a “help wanted” ad was posted seeking a head basketball coach at George Wythe High School in South Richmond. Coach Robbins talked Coach Coker into applying. It helped, too, that Coach Robbins “made a call,” according to Coach Coker, to the Wythe principal to voice his support. Wythe had a downtrodden program when Coach Coker took over in 2012-13. The Bulldogs were 25-107 in the previous seven seasons. Under Coach Coker, Wythe improved to 8-14 the first year and then went 24-5 in year two, advancing to the State 3A final before losing to Richmond’s John Marshall High School. This year, Coach Coker took care of any unfinished business. His Bulldogs won the State 3A crown on March 11, finishing 26-6 and trouncing previously unbeaten Spotswood High School of Rockingham County during the final at Virginia

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Richmond Free Press

B2 March 19-21, 2015

Happenings Activists coalition seeks dialogue

The Rev. Kevin Chandler, vice president of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, speaks from the podium about a new coalition’s plans to seek dialogue with local law enforcement authorities. The coalition of community activists and civil rights advocates wants to encourage area police departments and elected officials to implement proactive measures to prevent incidents of police brutality. They also are seeking an end to disparate treatment of communities of color by the criminal justice system. The coalition was formed in response to the U.S. Justice Department’s report released last week that found institutional racial bias within the Ferguson, Mo., police department. Location: Thirty-first Street Baptist Church in Richmond’s East End.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

‘Do Something’ awards presented this weekend

Saluting the city’s newest police officers

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Newly sworn Richmond Police Officer Timberly Bolden, left, is pinned by his proud mother, Detral Bolden, as his grandmother, Elnora Timberlake, looks on. At right, Officer Jevel Leon kisses his 6-year-old daughter, Kaylee, as his wife, Marta, watches. The men were among 28 new

graduates of the Richmond Police Department’s 110th Basic Recruit Class. The ceremony was held Tuesday in the Cheek Theater at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Police Chief Alfred Durham and Mayor Dwight C. Jones were on hand to salute the new officers.

The GRTC Bus Rapid Transit Project team will present a status update, ongoing activities and long-range timeline for the Project at public meetings, conducted on an informal basis. Members of the public are encouraged to share their feedback and discuss their concerns with Project team members.

Monday, April 6, 2015 at 6 – 8 pm University of Richmond Downtown 626 E. Broad Street, Suite 100 Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 6 – 8 pm Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 2300 West Broad Street The informal public meetings are identical. An informal session will occur at 6 – 6:30 pm, with an opening welcome from GRTC Chief Executive Officer David Green at 6:30 pm, followed by a Project team presentation at 6:40 - 7:10 pm, and concluding with open Q&A until 8 pm. Anyone unable to attend one of these meetings may submit comments to Stephen McNally, Director, Engineering and Construction GRTC Transit System 301 East Belt Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23224 804-358-3871 e-mail: brt@ridegrtc.com If you require an American Sign Language interpreter, please contact Carrie Rose Pace at least 3 days prior to the meeting you wish to attend. Carrie Rose Pace, Public Relations Manager GRTC Transit System 301 East Belt Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23224 804-358-3871 EXT. 354, e-mail: crosepace@ridegrtc.com GRTC Transit System’s CARE and CARE Plus services provide curb-to-curb Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services to citizens of the Richmond Region. CARE and CARE Plus provide public transportation access to individuals with disabilities who may not be reasonably able to use GRTC fixed route bus service. To schedule a reservation, you may contact us by phone, voicemail, email, or fax: Phone: (804) 782-CARE (2273). Call Center Open 7 days a week, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Voicemail: Call (804) 782-CARE (2273) then, when prompted, press “3” to leave a voicemail. Be sure to provide the customer’s first & last name and a callback phone number along with the reservation request. A CARE representative will call back to confirm. Email: grtc.cvan@mvtransit.com. A CARE representative will confirm via email once the reservation is processed. Fax: (804) 474-9993. A CARE representative will confirm via return fax or phone call once the reservation is processed.

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Wanted: Community involvement in creating a new development plan for Shockoe Bottom. An activist group is seeking public input now that Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ plan for a new baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom appears to be going nowhere. The mayor ’s combo baseballdevelopment plan has been on hold for 10 months after failing to win City Council support. The Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, which battled the mayor’s plan as an effort to erase the history of slavery in Richmond, announced it would hold several brainstorming sessions in the next few days to solicit public suggestions for the historical and commercial development of Shockoe Bottom, an epicenter of the slave trade before the Civil War. “These suggestions will be consolidated into a proposal to be voted on at a future citywide session and presented to City Council,” according to Ana Edwards, chair of the Defenders’ Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project. The project aims to protect African-American history

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sites, particularly ers’ co-founder Phil those in Shockoe Wilayto said the Bottom. sessions are being The upcoming held in advance of sessions: the commemora• Friday, March tion of Richmond’s 20, 6:30 p.m., Wesley liberation from ConMemorial United federate rule in early Methodist Church, April. 1720 Mechanicsville The National Turnpike in the East Trust for Historic Ms. Edwards End. Preservation, which • Saturday, March 21, 3:30 also opposed the ballpark, p.m., Dream Academy high praised the Defenders for holdschool, 2 E. Brookland Park ing the meetings. Boulevard in North Side. “Community engagement • Friday, March 27, 6:30 is necessary for the successful p.m., taZa Coffee ’n Creme, preservation of Shockoe Bot5047 Forest Hill Ave. in South tom, a nationally significant Side. historic, archaeological and Ms. Edwards and Defend- cultural site,” Rob Nieweg of

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Stacy Hawkins Adams, author and motivational speaker; Dr. Judith Bennett, former executive director of The Resource Center of Virginia Union University; Hosea Brower, teacher; the Rev. Benjamin Campbell, founding pastor of Richmond Hill retreat center; Dorothy Crenshaw, Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club; and Maya Criss, teenage entrepreneur and founder of BaNue T-shirt recycling. Also, Robert Evans, founder and publisher of Key Awareness newspaper; the Rev. David Frazier, pastor of Mount Sinai Baptist Church; Dedra Hampton, Reynolds Community College professor; Dr. Joann Henry, founder and director of Dream Academy adult high school; and Butch Johnson, founder and director of the Northside Outreach Center. Also, Clovia Lawrence, radio talk show host; Melanie Mitchell, representative for Virginia Blood Services; John Murden, founder and publisher of Church Hill People’s News; Ray Neblett, basketball camp operator; and Tommy P of the Faith 4 A Cure effort against sickle cell anemia. Also, Jordan Pearson, teenage playwright and contributor to Friends Helping Friends; Martha Rollins, founder and former director of Boaz & Ruth; Mark Smith, Midas of Richmond owner and philanthropist; the Rev. Victor Torres, founding pastor of New Life Outreach International; and Marcy Williams, founder and CEO of Kollege and Kareer 4 Youths LLC. Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and Virginia Blood Services also are to be honored. Further details: Mr. Johnson, (804) 625-6676, or www.thedosomethingmovement.com.

Local input sought on Shockoe Bottom

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Twenty-one people will be honored this weekend for their impact on the Richmond community. The honorees will be presented with the first “Do Something” awards from two nonprofits, The Disciples Journey and The Dream Makers Academy. The goal of the awards is “to create an awareness of organizations and people who are making a difference and to move others to take action,” said Ervin Johnson, founder and director of the two organizations. The awards will be presented 5 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at a ceremony at the Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road in Highland Springs. Tickets are $20 to $30. The honorees:

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the trust wrote in a statement of support. “As our local allies are keenly aware, the baseball stadium project was planned behind closed doors and then launched without meaningful input from the community. The Defenders’ set of brainstorming meetings is a positive step forward.” The Defenders earlier had called for City Council to create a park in the area to honor and memorialize the enslaved people who were bought and sold in the area. Information: Ms. Edwards, (804) 517-4049 or ourrosewood@gmail.com; or Mr. Wilayto, (804) 247-3731 or philwilayto@gmail.com.

Richmond Free Press

March 19-21, 2015

Happenings

VUU’s Ruth C. Harris celebrated among 2015 Virginia Women in History Dr. Ruth Coles Harris was the first African-American woman in Virginia to be certified as a public accountant. The great-granddaughter of slaves, she passed the two-day CPA examination in 1962, when fewer than 100 African-Americans across the nation were CPAs. Dr. Harris also taught in the Commerce Department at Virginia Union University for nearly 48 years and was the first director of the Sydney Lewis School of Business. She is among eight women being recognized at the 2015 Virginia Women in History program from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St. in Downtown. The program is free and open to the public. Other women being honored: • Poet, civil rights activist and Virginia Tech professor Nikki

Giovanni. She has won the Langston Hughes Award and seven NAACP Image Awards for her thought-provoking poetry that addresses social issues. She is the first recipient of the Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award given by the Southern Poverty Law Center. • Vivian W. Pinn of Lynchburg was the only woman and only African-American in her medical school class at the University of Virginia when she entered in 1963. Later, she became chair of the Department of Pathology at the Howard University College of Medicine in 1982. She was the first African-American woman to hold such a position in the United States. In 1991, she became the first full-time director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health. • The late Rebekah Dulaney Peterkin of Richmond founded

Broadway returns to Richmond this fall By Sandra Sellars

The Grand Ballroom of Richmond’s Altria Theater was turned into a mini musical last week with a preview of the 2015-16 “Broadway in Richmond” season. About 100 subscribers to the series and media representatives were treated to lively performances by talented cast members from three of the five upcoming shows that will run from November through May at the Altria Theater. The performances had the audience dancing in their seats. The preview party started with a stunning rendition of “Circle of Life,” the signature song from “Disney’s The Lion King,” sung by actress Tshidi Manye. Dressed in a Broadway in Richmond red party dress and her The 2015-16 season features hair in braided twists, five shows at the Altria Theater: she moved the audience Disney’s NEWSIES with her cover of the Nov. 3-8, 2015 award-winning song by Ragtime Elton John. Nov. 27-28, 2015 Ry a n S h a w a n d Motown the Musical Syndee Winters from Jan. 5-10, 2016 “Motown the Musical,” Joseph and the Amazing got the audience pumpTechnicolor Dreamcoat ing with their versions of Feb. 26-27, 2016 “Dancing in the Street” Disney’s The Lion King by Martha and the VanApril 19-May 8, 2016 dellas, “You’re All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and Stevie Wonder’s “Sign, Sealed, Delivered.” Mr. Shaw, dressed in a black tuxedo, plays Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops’ Levi Stubbs and one of Gladys Knight’s Pips in

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Characters Mustafa, played by Dionne Randolph, and Young Simba, played by Zavion J. Hill, share a moment in the 2012 production of “Disney’s The Lion King” in Richmond. The musical will return for the 2015-16 season of “Broadway in Richmond” at the Altria Theater.

the show. Syndee Winters, who joined the cast in 2013, shimmied across the stage in a sparkling mini dress. The duo blew the audience away. The preview ended with a performance by Adam Kaplan, a cast member from “Disney’s NEWSIES.” The Broadway production received Tony awards in 2012 for Best Score and Best Choreography. It will open the “Broadway in Richmond” season Nov. 3. Information: www.broadwayinrichmond.com

March 21– June 21

•

Sheltering Arms Hospital in Richmond in 1889. It remained the state’s only independent hospital to provide free medical and surgical care until 1981, when it changed its focus to rehabilitative services. • Karenne Wood of Fluvanna County is a member of the Monacan tribe. She is completing a doctoral degree in anthropology, for which she began an effort to document and revive the Monacan language. She has Image courtesy of Special Collections and University Archives, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University served on the Monacan tribal council and served as tribal Dr. Harris historian. • The late Dorothy Shoemaker McDiarmid represented parts of Fairfax County in the House of Delegates from 1960 to 1962, from 1964 to 1970 and from 1972 to 1989. She championed the rights of women and children through legislation. From 1986 until she retired, she chaired the House Appropriations Committee, the first woman to preside over the committee that produces the state’s budget. • The late Elizabeth Bray Allen Smith Stith of Isle of Wight County used her own funds to establish a free school for poor children in Smithfield in 1753. • The late Nancy Melvina “Vinnie” Campbell represented Carroll County in the House of Delegates in 1928. She was one of four women serving in the legislative body at the time. Reservations: (804) 692-3999. Details: www.lva.virginia.gov/news/calendar.asp or call (804) 692-3592. Separately, the Library of Virginia is hosting a symposium, “To Be Sold: The American Slave Trade from Virginia to New Orleans,” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in the library’s lecture hall. The event will be hosted at joint locations in Richmond and New Orleans. Five speakers in Richmond will discuss “Virginia and the American Slave Trade” from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. They are Maurie D. McInnis, Charles B. Dew, Alexandra Finley, Calvin Schermerhorn and Phillip Troutman. Five speakers at the Historic New Orleans Collection museum will then focus on “New Orleans and the American Slave Trade” from 2 to 5 p.m. They are Walter Johnson, Edward Baptist, Stephanie Jones-Rogers, Larry Powell and Adam Rothman. The event is sold out, but will be streamed online at www. lva.virginia.gov/news/calendar.asp or www.virginiamemory.com/ exhibitions/to-be-sold/symposium

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3/11/15 5:03 PM

Richmond Free Press

B4 March 19-21, 2015

Obituaries/Faith Directory

Former VCU basketball star Lamont ‘Monty’ Knight, 54 Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School and Virginia Commonwealth University basketball fans remember Lamont C. “Monty” Knight as the silky smooth guard who lit up the scoreboard with his high-hanging jump shot. He also could light up a room with his warm smile. Mr. Knight was an All-Metro player under Coach Dave Robbins at Thomas Jefferson High. During his four seasons at VCU, the Rams had an admirable 79-33 win-loss record with two NCAA Tournament appearances, including its first ever NCAA Tournament berth in the 1979-80 season. “He was an outstanding player,” said Coach Robbins. Mr. Knight is being remembered following his death Sunday, March 15, 2015. He was 54. He died the same day VCU won the Atlantic

10 Basketball Tournament to He gave of himself for the earn an automatic berth in the team. He said that helped him 2015 NCAA Tournament. to become tougher as a guard “This evening VCU won once he got to VCU.” a championship and lost a Mr. Knight was a transchampion,” his friend, Brian formative cog in the VCU Dyer, posted on Facebook. program that set the founAnother former Rams dation for today’s Shaka basketball great, Pastor Calvin Smart-coached Rams who Duncan of Faith and Famare a top 25 fixture and peily Church in Chesterfield rennial NCAA Tournament County, will lead a memorial participant. service for Mr. Knight at noon He ranks 10th on the Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Rams’ all-time scoring list, the church, 7900 Walmsley scoring 1,549 points from Blvd. 1978 through 1982 and averThe family will receive aging 13 points per game. Mr. Knight friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mr. Knight was an assistant Friday, March 20, 2015, at the church. coach under Coach Robbins after he graduated “Monty had been a guard for us until his from VCU. senior year,” Coach Robbins recalled. “He was “He was a go-getter and very innovative,” 6-foot-3 and I asked him to play center that year. Coach Robbins said.

Mr. Knight later became a pastor and founded an outreach program in Richmond known as Athletes for Jesus that he ran for 14 years. Mr. Knight also was an assistant coach at VCU before he founded Athletes for Jesus. In 2004, Mr. Knight was sentenced to serve 11 years in prison after he and three other men were convicted of fraud for running a Ponzi scheme. When he went to prison, Mr. Knight helped other inmates study, read and write, Coach Robbins said. He was released in November 2009 and most recently was living in Northern Virginia. “Monty was a good, good person,” Coach Robbins added. “He made a mistake and he paid for it, but he also helped a lot of people along the way as well.” Mr. Knight is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth and Vicky; one son, Gabriel; and a sister, Debra Berliner.

Rovenia Vaughan, former president of Virginia NAACP Rovenia Vaughan was a trailblazing member of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP. In 1999, she was the first woman to be elected president of the state’s largest civil rights organization. The state branch was started in the 1930s. “Once the ballots were counted, I felt the delegates had spoken and my past service to the organization was the reason I was elected,” she said when featured as the Free Press Personality in the Nov. 11-13, 1999, edition. Ms. Vaughan loved the NAACP and served in numerous other capacities for her home branch in Powhatan County, as well as on the state and national levels.

Ms. Vaughan

‘The Gong Show’ dancer succumbs Free Press wire report

Eugene Patton, the stagehand who earned fame as “Gene Gene The Dancing Machine” on NBC’s quirky television talent program “The Gong Show,” has died, his family announced. He died Monday, March 9, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif., after suffering from diabetes, his family said. He was 82. The show, hosted by creator and producer Chuck Barris, featured acts by amateurs who auditioned for three celebrity judges. The judges would bang a gong onstage to send the bad acts packing. The show aired from 1976 to 1978. At spontaneous moments in the show, Count Basie’s upbeat “Jumpin’ at the Woodside” would blast out and Mr. Barris, Mr. Patton the host, would bellow out “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine,” setting the stage for Mr. Patton. Mr. Patton, usually wearing a green windbreaker, painter’s hat and bell bottom pants, would dance his way on stage, show off his moves and ignore a volley of items thrown his way, ranging from clothing to rubber fish. His dance would prompt everyone on the set — from Mr. Barris, the show’s B-list celebrity judges and the audience — to join in. Mr. Patton appeared in “The Gong Show Movie” in 2000, and briefly in “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” a 2002 movie about Mr. Barris directed by George Clooney. A native of Berkeley, Calif., Mr. Patton was a former janitor at John Muir High School in Pasadena. In 1969, he became the first African-American member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 33. “You are a legend in our eyes,” the stage technicians union wrote on its Facebook page. Mr. Patton later had to have both legs amputated because of diabetes. Survivors include four children, a sister, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

FirstM iBaptist Church dlothian

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

Service Times Sunday

Church School 9:45AM Worship 11:00AM

Tuesday

Bible Study 12 Noon

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

Van Transportation Available, Call 804-794-5583

She was a national board member, Powhatan branch president and, most recently, treasurer of the state branch. “We have benefited from the labor of persons that have served in the past,” she said of why she served in the NAACP. “My service can be a return on their investments to this organization.” Ms. Vaughan is being remembered following her death March 11, 2015. Her life was celebrated at a funeral Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at Powhatan Community Church. Ms. Vaughan was born and raised in Powhatan. She

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

“The Church With A Welcome”

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

SUNDAYS WEDNESDAYS THURSDAYS 8:00 a.m. .... Morning Worship 12:00 p.m. .... Noon Day Service 1:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. .... Church School 6:00 p.m. ..... Prayer Service Bible Study 11:15 a.m. ...Morning Worship 6:30 p.m. ..... Bible Study

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”

1858

“The People’s Church”

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



Sundays: Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

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

Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays) Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10 A.M. Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults)

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.

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

2015 Theme: The Year of Moving Forward



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

Sundays

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

Tuesdays

Noon Day Bible Study

Wednesdays

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

Baptist Church

2003 Lamb Avenue Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622 Sunday, March 22, 2015 11:15 a.m. Annual Women’s Day Guest Speaker: Evangelist Arlene Copeland Mt. Olive Baptist Church Petersburg, VA

Rev. Pernell J. Johnson, Pastor

4:00 p.m. Lott Carey Rally Day Speaker: Dr. David Goatley

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

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

Worship Opportunities

Triumphant

Music by: Mt. Tabor Mass Choir

Pastor and Founder

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

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

Executive Director of Lott Carey

Reverend Dr. Lester D. Frye

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

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

St. Peter Baptist Church

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

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

attended Powhatan schools and earned a certificate in secretarial science from Smith-Madden Business College in Richmond. She also took paralegal studies at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. In addition to her volunteer dedication to the NAACP, Ms. Vaughan served in various charitable and faithbased organizations and was employed by the Powhatan Department of Social Services. She was a devoted member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Powhatan. Survivors include her brother, Junious Johnson, and a host of other family members and friends.

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

e with Reverence elevanc R ing Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin m o v C SunDayS

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

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

Come Join Us!

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

Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people. - Matthew 4:23

Now open each second Sunday immediately following the morning worship service. 823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office www.31sbc.org

Richmond Free Press

March 19-21, 2015

Faith News/Directory Moved by the spirit

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

‘Living Legends Concert’ brings together decades of gospel talent Maggie Ingram wore an angelic smile, her hands tightly clasped prayer-style as she sang. She was performing with Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes, the gospel group she founded more than six decades ago. This was the “Living Legends Concert,” and the engaged audience of about 200 people at Thirty-first Street Baptist Church was most appreciative. Ms. Ingram’s high-energy gospel group was joined at the concert by performers with more than four decades each of gospel performance experience — the A. Alexander Singers, and Larry Bland, with his new group, Larry Bland and Promise. The legends concert was held to mark the East End church’s centennial celebration. The 84-year-old Ms. Ingram, known as the “Gospel Queen of Richmond,” has lost much of her short-term memory to Alzheimer’s disease. But she still can recall and sing most of the songs she has performed with the group during the last 60 years, said her daughter, the Rev. Almeta Ingram-Miller. “The music’s still in her heart. The music’s still in her mind,” said Rev. Ingram-Miller, who also performs with the group. “Every day she gets up with a beautiful smile on her face and says, ‘I love you,’ it just shows how good God really is.” Ms. Ingram began singing gospel music

as a child as she picked cotton with her parents on Mulholland’s Plantation in Coffee County, Ga. She formed Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes when she moved to Miami as a young adult with her family. The group has been wowing audiences ever since. Ms. Ingram moved to Richmond in August 1961, where she raised her five children in the East End. Today, the singing group includes three generations of Ingrams — the Rev. IngramMiller; Cheryl Beaver, Ms. Ingram’s granddaughter; Valerie Stewart, her goddaughter; and Ms. Ingram’s son, Lucious Ingram, who works as the group’s musical arranger. All the songs are written by Ms. Ingram and the Rev. Ingram-Miller. They performed songs at Thirty-first Street such as “Standing on the Promises of God,” “The Family Prayer” and “Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King.” “Singing for the Lord has kept our family close all these years,” the Rev. Ingram-Miller said. “We’re going to keep on singing. This is our legacy.” Andrew Alexander, manager and keyboardist of the A. Alexander Singers, opened the concert with the group he founded in 1970 from singers at St. John Baptist Church in the Washington Park community on North Side. Today, the group is comprised of Minister Shirley Green; the Rev. Arlene

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

WMission Purpose

omen with

Winbush, pastor at First Baptist Church of Washington Park; Dr. Janet Copeland; the Rev. Annesto Younger; Gwen Baines; Constance Alexander; and Palma Pettis, all from Richmond. They stirringly performed such classics as “I’m Looking For A Miracle” and “Lord, Do It.” “Our job is to edify people with the spirit of God,” said Dr. Copeland, who joined the group as an original member at age 15. “It’s a joy being a part of this group. The struggles and obstacles we’ve had as group, God has brought us through every one of them. It seems like the more we do for Him, the more he elevates us.” As he has done for more than 40 years as the personable keyboard leader of Larry Bland and the Volunteer Choir, Mr. Bland revved up the audience at the legends concert. Performing with him was his new quartet — Russell Bennett, George Epps, Curtis Turner and Bernard Christmas. Their powerful, soul-stirring songs included “I Still Have a Praise Inside of Me,” “Let Your Light Shine Through Me” and “The Lord Surely Has Been Good to Me.” “The most rewarding thing for me when presenting is to have a real and spiritual connection with the audience while encouraging goodwill and love,” said Mr. Bland, 61, who has been singing gospel music since age 7. “I have had quite a ride,” he said.

and

17th

AnnuAl ConferenCe

Theme: “In His Presence” Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Founder Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

Scripture: Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

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

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

Saturday

8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online! Also, for your convenience, we now offer “full online giving.” Visit www.ndec.net.

April 17-18, 2015 For more information visit Register Now @ www.ndec.net

Holy Week Services April 1, 2015 Wednesday - 7:30pm April 2, 2015 Maundy Thursday 7:30pm April 3, 2015 Good Friday Service 7:30pm April 5, 2015 Ressurection Sunday SonRise Service - 6:00am Breakfast - 8:00am Worship Service - 10:00am

Transformation Expo at Coliseum

Renowned preacher, author, filmmaker and entrepreneur Bishop T.D. Jakes is coming to Richmond this weekend. The 57-year-old pastor at the 30,000-member The Potter’s House church in Dallas is scheduled to speak at the annual 2015 Transformation Expo 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Richmond Coliseum in Downtown. Doors open at 11 a.m. for the expo, which is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Organizer Radio One describes it as “a day of empowerment, education and entertainment.” Nearly a dozen gospel artists also are scheduled to perform, including national recording artists Charles Jenkins, Beverly Crawford, Brian Courtney Wilson, Earnest Pugh, Andrea McClurkin-Mellini, Damon Little and Israel Houghton. Others taking the stage will be Sisterly Grace Dance Ministries, Nyasia, Resound and God’s Image. Praise 104.7 FM radio personality Sheilah Belle will emcee the event. Bishop Jakes has been dubbed “America’s Best Preacher” by Time magazine and was on Ebony magazine’s Power 100 list of the world’s most inspiring African-Americans. The South Charleston, W.Va., native founded The Potter’s House in 1996. Since then, it has grown into one of the nation’s largest megachurches. Bishop Jakes has written several best selling books, including “Woman, Thou Art Loosed.” He also has made several films, including “Jumping the Broom,” “Black Nativity” and “Winnie Mandela.” Tickets are required for anyone age 2 and older. Tickets are priced from $45 to $100.

Riverview

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

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

Moore Street Missionary

Baptist Church

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

Dr. Alonza Lawrence Pastor

Sunday

March 22, 2015

Holy Communion

and Unity Day Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.

Tickets are available at the Richmond Coliseum, online at Ticketmaster.com, area Ticket-

master outlets or PraiseRichmond.com and can be charged by phone at (800) 745-3000.

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

It’s A Family Affair

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

Sunday, March 22, 2015 Worship: 11:00 a.m. Fifth Sunday of Lent Message by Pastor “Another Bridge to Cross” Isaiah 40:30-31 Save The Date: Good Friday Seven Last Expressions - 7:00 p.m.

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

Facebook sixthbaptistrva

Wednesdays - 7:00 p.m. March 4th thru April 1st BiBle ACAdeMy CourSe The Last 24 Hour of Jesus Christ on Earth Teacher: rev. Joe young, Minister of Educations Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor 400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

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

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

� � Honoring the

rd PASTORAL

of and Saturday, March 21, 2015 6:00 P.M. Virginia Union University,

Pastor C. Whitaker, Jr.

First Lady Dolores W. Whitaker

� � Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center

Speaker: Dr. John W. Kinney

J o i n

u s

f o r

t h e

Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church Beaverdam, Virginia Dean of The School of Theology, VUU

SPRING REVIVAL

good friday service Featuring the combined ministries of

The Light Community Church and Anointed New Life Baptist Church

ANNIVERSARY and RETIREMENT

Sunday, March 22, 2015 10:00 A.M. Worship Service Guest Preacher: Dr. Michael T. Scott, Sr. Pastor, Galilee Baptist Church Kalamazoo, Michigan

Monday, March 23, 2015 ~ Wednesday, March 25, 2015 7:00 P.M. Nightly ~ Evangelist: Rev. Dr. Michael T. Scott, Sr. ~ Guest Choirs Nightly ~

Friday, april 3, 2015 ~ 7:00 pm at The Light Community Church 601 Azalea Ave, Richmond, VA 23227

Music, MoveMent, Meditation MoMents and More are in store. Pastor Kimberly Ridley

The Light Community Church

Pastor Diane Mosby

Anointed New Life Baptist Church

Let’s go back to the cross together!

Funerals & Cremations

Over time, some things change. But, our tradition of providing service of the highest caliber has remained the same for over 100 years while serving Richmond and surrounding areas with dignity and excellence. 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., Richmond, Virginia 23222 Toll-Free: 1-888-603-3862 | Phone: 804-321-9095 Fax: 804-321-1033 | www.scottsfuneralhome.com

Richard A. Lambert, Sr., President/CEO

Richmond Free Press

B6 March 19-21, 2015

Legal Notices City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2015-50 To amend City Code § 2-454, concerning traffic control, for the purpose of requiring a traffic calming study and the reporting of the results of such a study to an appropriate City Council standing committee prior to the installation of any bicycle lane. (Committee: Public Safety, Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Jean V. Capel City Clerk City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2015-51 To amend Ord. No. 2014188-173, adopted Oct. 13, 2014, which closed to public use and travel a portion of right-of-way known as Lewis Street, located between its intersection with Williamsburg Road and its intersection with a CSX Transportation, Inc. right-of-way and consisting of 24,300± square feet and a portion of right-of-way known as 37th Street, located between its intersection with Lewis Street and its intersection with Nicholson Street and consisting of 5,985± square feet, for the purpose of modifying certain terms and conditions upon which the portion of right-of-way was closed. 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

Notice Public Notice Notice is hereby given that Abraham Youth & Family Services LLC, of 1419 West Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220, has applied for authority to operate as a Common Carrier over Irregular Routes Passenger service in the geographic area consisting of the City of Richmond, Virginia and the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico, Virginia. Any person who wishes to support or oppose the application but does not wish to be a party to the matter must send a written statement to: DMV, MCS-CMU, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269-0001. The statement must be signed and contain the applicant’s name and DMV case number (MC1400330SC). Any person who wishes to protest the application and be a party to the matter must contact DMV at (804) 3670503 to receive information on filing a protest. The deadline for filing letters of support, opposition or protest is April 3, 2015.

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER NICHOLAS PRIMEAU, Plaintiff v. SARAH PRIMEAU, Defendant. Case No.: CL14001829-00 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 Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 8th day of May, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

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 6th day of May, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

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

here on or before the 22nd day of April, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

JADIUS WINFREE OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Lakeisha Suntrese Banks (Mother) and Unknown Father (Father) of Jadius Winfree, child, DOB 8/29/2007, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: vistation; adoption consent; determination of religious affliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendant Lakeisha Suntrese Banks and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before May 13, 2015 at 9:20 a.m. Shunda T. Giles, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

April 27, 2007, with respect to said property, recorded April 27, 2007, in Instrument Number 07-14270, or its heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, ALAN KATZ, LYNN KATZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE SCHWARTZ, GREG WOOLWINE, HOPE WOOLWINE, RICHARD D. KRIDER,SHERRIE BECKER, PATRICK BECKER, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the JAY SCHWARTZ TRUST U/A 11/6/1992, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the EDWARD J. BECKER MARITAL TRUST, THEODORE SELLMAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of THEODORE SELLMAN, DAVID F. KATZ, SHELLY A. KATZ, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 10, 2015, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq.

City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JESSIE HUTCHINSON, JR., Plaintiff v. CAROLYN HUTCHINSON, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000612-00 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 6th day of May, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JANET MEJIA LAMOTHE, Plaintiff v. ROBERTO MEJIA LAMOTHE, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000569-00 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 6th day of May, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MONTERRY FISHER, Plaintiff v. HANJIN KIM, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000592-00 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 6th day of May, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JAMES HICKS, Plaintiff v. MISTY HICKS, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000615-00 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 6th day of May, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KIMBERLY CHILDS, Plaintiff v. RODNEY BURGESS, Defendant. Case No.: CL14001617-00 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 6th day of May, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LAWRENCE FITZGERALD, JR., Plaintiff v. RACHAEL BRUNSON, Defendant. Case No.: CL14-2496 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 6th day of May, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO STEFFANIE ANN MARQUEZ, Plaintiff v. TIM OLIVER MARQUEZ, Defendant. Case No.: CL13-866 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from TIM OLIVER MARQUEZ on the grounds that the Parties have lived separate and apart continuously and without cohabitation or interruption for a period in excess of one year. A n a ff i d a v i t h a v i n g been filed that TIM OLIVER MARQUEZ, defendant, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that due diligence has been used by or on behalf of STEFFANIE ANN MARQUEZ, plaintiff, to ascertain in what county or city the defendant is without effect; UPON CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, this order of publication is granted and the Defendant, TIM OLIVER MARQUEZ is hereby ORDERED to appear before this Court on the 4th day of May, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: YVONNE G. SMITH, Clerk The undersigned respectfully requests this: Jacqueline W. Sharman, Esquire (VSB#: 71569) bowen ten cardani pC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 3957 Westerre Parkway, Suite 105, Richmond, Virginia 23230 (804) 755-7599

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MARIETTA CROSS, Plaintiff v. JAMES CROSS, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000365-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER STEPHANIE COOKE, Plaintiff v. MARKO CEKIC, Defendant. Case No.: CL14002861-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 22nd day of April, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER NATOSHA MIDKIFF, Plaintiff v. KYLE MIDKIFF, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000496-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 22nd day of April, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER EMMA GREGORY, Plaintiff v. OSCAR GREGORY, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000494-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 22nd day of April, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER HELEN VALENTINE, Plaintiff v. JAMES HOUSE, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000487-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 22nd day of April, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ARIENA LARA, Plaintiff v. JOSE HERNANDEZ, SR., Defendant. Case No.: CL15000490-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 22nd day of April, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER STEVE GREEN, Plaintiff v. GINA GREEN, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000442-00 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 Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHARLENE PITTMAN, Plaintiff v. RUFUS PITTMAN, Defendant. Case No.: CL14001573-00 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 wherebabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 3rd day of April, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHARLES WRIGHT, Plaintiff v. JAMIE WRIGHT, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000367-00 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 wherebabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 8th day of April, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

virgiNia: iN thE Richmond JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ALLISON CHAZIR COLLINS OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Andrea Shawn Collins (Mother) and Unknown Father (Father) of Allison Chazir Collins, child, DOB 7/21/2014, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: vistation; adoption consent; determination of religious affliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendant Andrea Shawn Collins and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before June 17, 2015 at 9:20 a.m. Shunda T. Giles, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

PROPERTY

virgiNia: iN thE Richmond JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Commonwealth of Virginia, in re

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. Case No.: CL14-3740-1 CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, et al., Defendants. ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as “205 Minor Street”, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map/GPIN# N000-0375/003, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C., An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that CAPITAL FUNDING AND CONSULTING, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, which may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment and Security Agreement dated April 27, 2007, with respect to said property, recorded April 27, 2007, in Instrument Number 07-14270, or its heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that ALAN KATZ, LYNN KATZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Agent for BERNICE SCHWARTZ, GREG WOOLWINE, HOPE WOOLWINE, RICHARD D. KRIDER, SHERRIE BECKER, PATRICK BECKER, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the JAY SCHWARTZ TRUST U/A 11/6/1992, JAY S. SCHWARTZ, As Trustee for the EDWARD J. BECKER MARITAL TRUST, who may be creditors with an interest in said property, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that THEODORE SELLMAN, Who May Be Deceased, and the Heirs, Devisees, Assignees or Successors in Interest of THEODORE SELLMAN, who may be creditor/s with an interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this matter; that DAVID F. KATZ and SHELLY A. KATZ, who may be creditors with an interest in said property, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to this matter; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that CLAYTON INVESTMENT GROUP, L. L. C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, CAPITAL FUNDING AND CONSULTING, L.L.C., A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, which may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust, Assignment and Security Agreement dated

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO CHINAE FRANCINE FIERROS, Plaintiff v. JOSE MANUEL FIERROS, Defendant. Case No.: CL15-174 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this action is to obtain a Divorce. It appearing by affidavit that the Defendant is Jose Manuel Fierros; that the Defendant’s address is unknown, the Defendant’s present whereabouts are unknown, the last known location of the Defendant was in Henrico County, Virginia; that diligence has been used by or on behalf of the Plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the Defendant resides in is without effect, it is ORDERED that the Defendant, Jose Manuel Fierros appear before this Court on or before April 13, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., and protect his interests herein. A Copy, Teste: YVONNE G. SMITH, Clerk I ask for this: Susan A. Kessler, Esq. (VSB#: 21783) Law Office of Susan A. Kessler 311 South Boulevard, Third Floor Richmond, VA 23220 suekessler@sueesq.com (804) 622-0313 (804) 622-0319 (fax) VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CAROLINA AYALA REYES, Plaintiff v. JESUS FARIAS, Defendant. Case No.: CL15000156-00 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 25th day of March, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

CUSTODY

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BIDS COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION ITB # 15-9752-3CE Tu c k a h o e E l e m e n t a r y School Renovation 4th/5th Grade Wing - Due 3:00 pm, April 9, 2015. Additional information available at: http:// henrico.us/purchasing/. COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION IT B # 1 5 - 9 7 2 3 - 1 CE – D a r t m o u t h Av e n u e & Horsepen Road Area (Phase 2) Water Rehabilitation - This project consists of providing approx. 7000 feet of water main to replace existing water mains, and providing associated water services and meter boxes. Due 3:00 pm, April 16, 2015. Additional information available at: http:// henrico.us/purchasing/.

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: RFP#W150019034 – External Auditing Service Due Date: April 2, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www. RichmondGov.com), or at 11th Floor of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone (804) 646-5716 or faxed (804) 646-5989. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process. For reference purposes, documents may be examined at the above location.

TransiT sysTem

GRTC TRANSIT SYSTEM REAL ESTATE LEGAL SERVICES REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS GRTC Transit System invites all interested parties to submit qualifications for supplying legal services to assist GRTC in real property transactions. Interested firms may download the Request for Qualifications # 133-15-02 from GRTC’s website www.ridegrtc.com (menu options: About Us, then Procurement) or obtain a copy by calling Allan Cox at the number below.

Responses are due no later than 11:00 am on April 2, 2015. All inquiries pertaining to the request or any questions in reference to the solicitation document should be directed to:

Allan Cox Purchasing Manager (804) 358-3871 x 371 acox@ridegrtc.com Supplier diversity program –

“providing equal opportunities for small businesses.”

TransiT sysTem

GRTC TRANSIT SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION MANAGER at RISK REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS GRTC Transit System invites all interested parties to submit proposals for providing construction manager at risk services. Interested firms may download a copy of RFP # 132-15-01 from GRTC’s website www.ridegrtc.com (menu options: About Us, then Procurement) or obtain a copy by calling Tonya Thompson at (804) 358-3871 ext 372. Electronic copies of project reports are available by written request in email. A mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held on April 1, 2015 at 10:00 am. Responses are due no later than 11:00 am on May 15, 2015. All inquiries pertaining to the request or any questions in reference to the solicitation documents should be directed to: Tonya Thompson Director of Procurement (804) 358-3871, extension 372

supplier diversity program – “providing equal opportunities for small businesses”

Richmond Ambulance Authority Notice of Request for Proposal Vehicle Technology Solution Solicitation Number: 15-03 The Richmond Ambulance Authority, a high performance EMS system located in Richmond, Virginia, announces its intent to bid for the provision of a Vehicle Technology Solution.The successful bidder will provide a plan and cost proposal for providing the Vehicle Technology Solution to the Authority. All bids must be received at Authority offices no later than 3pm, EDT on April 23, 2015. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Vehicle Technology Solution 15-03 by contacting: Tiffany Ford Compliance Director Richmond Ambulance Authority 2400 Hermitage Road Richmond, Virginia, 23220 804-254-1185 tford@raaems.org

Richmond Free Press

March 19-21, 2015

Employment Opportunities Music Director

Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia is seeking a full-time Music Director. Degree in music from an accredited college or university preferred and minimum of 2-3 years of music director experience. Position is opened until filled. Previous applicants do not need to reapply. For more information, please visit www.mobcva.org. Criminal History Background Check required.

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Auditor (Multiple Positions) Office of the City Auditor 09M00000011 Apply by: 3/29/2015 Family Services Worker – Adult Services 27M00000967 Social Services Apply by: 3/29/2015 ****************** For an exciting career with the City of Richmond, visit our website for additional information and apply today! www.richmondgov.com EOE M/F/D/V

Seeking driver for medical transport company. Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a good driving record and able to pass background and drug screenings. Candidate will work flexible hours including nights and weekends. Call (804) 216-2070. Retired military welcome.

TransiT sysTem

ENGINEERING INSTRUCTOR/ PROGRAM HEAD

Assistant to Minister of Music and Business Administrator

(Position #FO005)

The positions of Assistant to Minister of Music and Business Administrator are available to qualified applicants at the First Baptist Church of South Richmond, 1501 Decatur Street, Richmond, Virginia 23224. Applicants must be Christian. For detailed job requirements and descriptions visit www.fbctoday.org. Resumes are being received by email only at cgreen@fbctoday.org. No “walk-ins” or telephone inquiries.

DRIVERS

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press call 644-0496

Home Weekends $1,000 minimum pay per week! Dedicated with CDL-A & 2 yrs experience. Sandston, VA location. DM Bowman

(J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master's degree in Engineering; or Master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in Engineering. Pre-employment security screening is required. TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time ninemonth teaching faculty-ranked appointment. Salary range: $41,263–$62,307. Approximate maximum hiring salary: $50,677. Additional information is available at the College's website: www.reynolds.edu. APPLICATION PROCESS: Review of applications will begin MAY 14, 2015, and will be accepted until the position is filled.

ECONOMIC RESEARCH ANALYST Richmond

The Research Department of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) seeks an Economic Research Analyst to perform research and analysis for VEDP’s marketing efforts. This work supports VEDP’s goals of helping companies to create jobs and make capital investments in Virginia.

GRTC is seeking candidates who possess excellent customer service skills for available positions in our Customer Service Call Center. The qualified candidates will be at least 21 years of age, have a high school education, 1 year of call center experience and the ability to work in a high call volume environment. Candidates should apply online at www.ridegrtc.com. Only online applications are accepted. GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.

800-609-0033

Assistant Professor F37880

Mortgage Servicing Bankruptcy Officer VHDA, Virginia’s Housing Finance Agency, is looking for a Bankruptcy Officer to oversee all bankruptcy activities for its single family mortgage portfolio. The primary function will be to ensure all aspects of bankruptcy processing are within the Insurer/Guarantor/State/Federal and internal guidelines to prevent or reduce VHDA’s exposure to monetary penalties and non-compliance. This position reports directly to the Supervisor of Foreclosure/Bankruptcy/Claims. The successful candidate will possess extensive knowledge/experience in all aspects of federal bankruptcy regulations. The candidate will have a strong investigative work ethic while working towards procuring accurate resolutions. Business acumen and strong customer service skills are also required. Qualifications: • AA degree or equivalent work experience

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking candidates for a 9-month teaching/research faculty position for the ASPiRE Program for the Division of Community Engagement. For a detailed job description and the application process please visit: www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/facjobs. The position is found in the section under Community Engagement. Applications must be received by April 11, 2015. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

• Multiple years of direct mortgage servicing experience with specific focus in the area of Bankruptcy

All candidates must apply through our website www.yesvirginia.org/ About_Us/Employment.aspx. A cover letter and resume also are required as one document. Application deadline: March 27, 2015.

• Demonstrated willingness to adapt to consistent changes in the mortgage servicing industry with specific regard to federal/state/local bankruptcy laws and regulations

All applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or against otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities. It is VEDP’s intent that its employment and personnel policies and practices conform to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applicants requiring more information or requiring assistance may contact VEDP Human Resources at 1-804545-5634 or vedphr@yesvirginia.org. TDD 1-800-828-1120

• Experience with the LPS MSP mortgage servicing system is highly preferred

EOE/M/F/V/D

Part-Time $13.02 per hour (Increases to $13.52 after successful completion of the probationary period) Closes: March 20, 2015

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

Custodian/Floor Tech We are ready to hire a few qualified good employees to fill custodial positions in the area. The Custodian and Floor Tech are responsible for safely maintaining internal facility conditions in accordance with company standards and procedures. If you have a minimum of 12 months of related experience and have the following essential skills, we encourage you to apply today. Essential Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, employee handbook and scope of work. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. If you can fulfill the above requirements and would like to apply for a position, please call The Kleane Kare Team, Inc. at 804-521-4132 and press the “1” key or go to www.kleanekare.com and click on Employment Opportunities to fill out an application.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

• Ability to work within a strong team environment VHDA offers an excellent working environment, generous benefit plans and market competitive compensation. If you meet the above stated criteria, please submit your resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only before March 28, 2015 at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE Hiring Range:

$37,946 – $49,328

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment

The Richmond Free Press is seeking a reliable and creative person for a part-time graphics position. Enthusiastic individual must be proficient in Macintosh Creative Suite Design software (Indesign and Photoshop) to produce accurate, high quality camera-ready advertisements and news page layouts for print production. Duties will include weekly website maintenance. Meticulous attention to details. Ability to be flexible and work under deadline cooperatively in a team environment is essential. Submit resumé and samples of work to address: Human Resources, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, Richmond, Virginia 23261 No phone calls please

Richmond Free Press

B8 March 19-21, 2015

Sports Plus Stories by Fred Jeter

Bulldogs’ first state crown in school history

George Wythe wins championship Maliek White wore George Wythe High School basketball jersey No. 1 and Brandon Holley wore No. 2. Together, they formed a knockout combination that lifted the South Richmond team to its first state championship in the school’s 55-year history. Walloping everyone in sight and leaving a trail of tears, White and Holley were almost otherworldly on March 11 at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center, site of the Virginia High School League 3A Final Four. The two Bulldogs may have been the best combo since Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock of Star Trek legend, guiding the starship Enterprise to new places.

Personality: Coach Coker, B1 In George Wythe’s lopsided wins over Northside High School of Roanoke in the semifinals, 78-67, and Spotswood High School of Rockingham County in the final, 80-60, White and Holley combined for 103 points by themselves. White, a 6-foot-2 junior who ranks among the top college prospects in Virginia, had 25 points against Northside and 36 points in the finale against previously unbeaten Spotswood. Holley, a 6-foot-2 senior leaning toward attending Delaware State University, poured in 22 points against Northside and 20 points against Spotswood. In two games, he nailed eight 3-pointers. Both are bona fide first-team All-State candidates. Third-year Coach Willard Coker’s Bulldogs muscled through the postseason like a heavyweight in a middleweight division. The Bulldogs even took on a menacing Darth Vader image in the final, coming out in black jerseys and shorts. Of the team’s nine victories in conference, regional and state play, only its 78-72 conference win over Hopewell High School was by less than 14 points. And in a regional rematch with Hopewell, the Bulldogs rolled 95-47. White and Holley didn’t do it alone. Senior lead ball-handler Maurice Coleman dished out a whopping 19 assists in the two games at the Siegel Center and snared 20 rebounds. Senior Eric Crews, who had 10 rebounds against Northside, offered a bruising presence on the low post, especially defensively. Wythe’s other non-senior starter, along with White, was 6-foot7½ Richard Sanders, who became eligible in late February. Adding Sanders to the already potent lineup was like taking on rocket fuel for the home stretch. The long-limbed Sanders had 22 points and 24 rebounds at VCU, while blocking six shots. The Bulldogs’ bench also drew raves. In semifinals, junior Kareem Horton buried four three-balls. Against Spotswood, junior Malik Nelson had seven points, three rebounds. Jerimiah Huff, a 6-foot-7 junior, was limited at VCU due to a turf toe injury. Another promising big man, 6-foot-6 Kabir Shabazz-Allah, will graduate to varsity next season. Wythe finished with a misleading 26-6 record. Two losses were forfeits due to a scheduling snafu. Other L’s were to private schools Blue Ridge Prep, Atlantic Shores and Bishop Sullivan, who have older players.

Photos by James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

The George Wythe High School boys basketball team and coaches strike a winning pose following the team’s 80-60 win over Spotswood High of Rockingham County in the 3A state championship game at the Siegel Center. Jubilant fans cheer on the team’s efforts.

Among public schools, only 5A L.C. Bird defeated Wythe by one 1 skinny point, 78-77. Since the inception of the Virginia High School League’s new classification system in 2014, Conference 26 has had two state champs, John Marshall in 2014, now Wythe. Each figures to contend for the 3A title next year. JM, eliminated by Wythe in the conference semis, features two of state’s elite

talents, rising senior marksman Jeremy Sheppard and junior-tobe, 6-foot-6 Greg Jones. Clearly the balance of power in statewide 3A hoops is centered in Richmond. It was White/Holley’s turn this year to provide the 1-2 power punch. The rest of Virginia had better get used to it. There’s plenty more where that came from.

Warriors capture second state crown

Photos by James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Henrico High School junior Monte Buckingham flies high to the basket in the Warriors’ 78-64 win over Norfolk’s Norview High School in the 5A state championship game at the Siegel Center. Team members and coaches, right, celebrate and hold up two fingers, signaling their second state title in the past three years.

Henrico High School has steered into basketball’s fast lane and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Coach Vance Harmon’s heavyon-the-pedal Warriors sped to their second state title in three years March 14, blitzing Norview High School of Norfolk, 78-64, for the Virginia High School League’s 5A crown. Henrico High has reached three straight state finals and boasts arguably the commonwealth’s top college prospect in junior Monte Buckingham. With the one-sided win over Norview, Henrico finished the season 28-1. In the final held at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center, the pressing, quick-striking Warriors were led by dunking dynamo senior Walter Williams, with 24 points and, as usual, by the brilliant Buckingham, with 20 points. Junior guard Gus Rowland, a transfer from Cosby High School in Chesterfield County, added 13 points. It was all Warriors from the getgo. Henrico High led 25-12 after one quarter and 39-20 at halftime. Averaging 84 points per game, the Warriors have lost this season only to Colonial Forge High School of Stafford, 68-67, on Dec. 29. There were only a handful of games in which Henrico High won by less than double digits. A key hurdle en route to the crown was outlasting Chesterfield’s L.C. Bird High School, 111-99, in overtime in

the regional semifinal. In rolling past Freedom High School of Woodbridge 96-70 in the state semifinals, Buckingham compiled one of the best lines of statistics in state tournament history. The all-round stalwart had 24 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and seven steals in just 23 minutes of floor time. “I really don’t think of myself as playing any one particular position,” said Buckingham. “I just do whatever it takes to win.” Asked about recruiting, Buckingham listed VCU, University of Rich-

mond and East Carolina University as three suitors near the top of his list. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder with the signature white head band has 1,400 career points in three seasons and should pass Ken Foster next season as the Warriors’ all-time scorer. Foster, from the Henrico High Class of 1967, scored 1,687 points. Also ahead of Buckingham is Ricky Adams, Class of 1978, who had 1,551 points. The Warriors are oozing with momentum. In fact, Coach Harmon turned down

at least one college head coaching position during the offseason to stay at Henrico High. The return of Buckingham, Rowland and other promising underclassmen offers Henrico High a bona fide run at another state title next year. The Warriors are arguably the hottest program in Virginia. The Azalea Avenue school is 108-13 over four years. Henrico won the State Group AAA title in 2013 and lost in the 5A final last year. Among schools in the top enrollment classifications, the Warriors are the first to reach three straight finals since Newport News High School in 1957, 1958 and 1959. No school went to three straight finals in Group AAA from 1971 to 2013. Top enrollment schools were called 1A from 1915 to 1970. Newport News High also was the last team in top classifications to win three straight state titles. Newport News closed as a high school in 1971 and is now used for Navy barracks. The Warriors drew an assist earlier this season from Virginia Randolph Career and Technical Education Center in Glen Allen. While Henrico High’s gym was unplayable due to a power outage, the Warriors practiced at Virginia Randolph, which served during segregation as Henrico County’s school for African-American students until the late 1960s.

Controversial call shoots down victory for Lady Justices in semifinals Seven was indeed a lucky number this winter for John Marshall High School girls’ basketball, and a most unlucky number for the Justices’ foes. Quality trumped quantity for the school on Richmond’s North Side. With a bare bones roster of seven, the Justices came within a referee’s controversial call of reaching the State 3A final. “We were seven strong,” said Coach Travis Richardson, Class of 1998. “Our motto was ‘Seven deep, no sleep.’ “We were determined not to rest until we achieved our goals.” John Marshall High won the Conference 26 title in late February and the Region 3A East title on March 7 with these seven: • Seniors Jasmine Carter and Ze’Nya Butler • Juniors Naterria Luster, Dajouniek Wingfield and Mallsheena Banks

• Sophomore Deija Joyner and • Freshman Nadine Pope. Coach Richardson shrugged off his thin roster, saying “most schools have a first rotation of seven ... and the rest are just for show.” The seven members racked up individual awards and statistics aplenty. Butler and Luster were first-team All-Conference, with Banks second team. Luster was All-Region first team and Butler second team. Butler averaged 18 points and three assists. Luster averaged 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Long-limbed 6-foot-2 Carter averaged 10 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Wingfield averaged 10 points, four assists and two steals. The Justices’ season ended in exasperating fashion March 10 in the

state semifinals at the Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. Leading 50-49 in the final seconds, John Marshall was charged with a shooting foul — during a frantic battle for a rebound — that sent a member of competing team Broadway High School of Rockingham County to the foul line for two shots with two seconds on the clock. She made both shots to give the Harrisonburg area school the 51-50 victory. “I don’t have a problem with the foul, but I don’t think it should have been a shooting foul,” Coach Richardson said. Because Broadway High was not in the bonus, no foul shots would have been awarded if it were a common foul. Broadway High simply would have taken the ball out of bounds with scant time to operate. The next night, Broadway lost in

Courtesy of John Marshall High School

John Marshall High School’s Lady Justices are jubilant over clinching the region’s 3A East title in early March. But they lost a heartbreaker in the final seconds of the state semifinals to Rockingham County’s Broadway High School.

overtime to Turner Ashby High School of Bridgewater in the 3A final that John Marshall High so longed to be part of.

“It was a big-time heartbreaker,” said Coach Richardson of the gutwrenching final game.