March 23 25, 2017 issue by Richmond Free Press

Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry remembered B3

New coach for VCU A8

Richmond Free Press

VOL. 26 NO. 12

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

www.richmondfreepress.com

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c e l e brat ing our 2 5 t h A nniv e r s ar y

MARCH 23-25, 2017

$8.3M RPS mystery Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Smelling the flowers Aliyah Martin, 7, stops to smell a fire lily inside the Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden last Saturday during the Date with Dad event sponsored by the nonprofit Girls for a Change. Please see more photos, B2.

By Holly Rodriguez

Calls mount for independent investigation of Russia’s ties to Trump administration Free Press wire reports

WASHINGTON President Trump is finding its easy to play golf, but harder to get his way as the nation’s chief executive. The health care plan he has embraced to replace Obamacare is in trouble with members of his own party. And he’s getting blowback even from GOP allies over his slash-andburn budget plan that proposes to dismantle everything from environmental protection to federal aid to college students and programs that aid the elderly. But his toughest problem has been trying

Meeting next month between School Board, City Council and Mayor’s Office to see what happens next An $8.3 million surplus in the Richmond Public Schools’ budget that was disclosed during a recent Richmond City Council meeting is nothing out of the ordinary, according to Richmond School Board Chair Dawn Page.

But the perception that the funds were hidden by top schools officials has spawned a meeting next month between the School Board, City Council and the Mayor’s Office. “I have been in discussions with Kristen Larsen on City Council and Thad Williamson from the Mayor’s Office to set

to find some way to deflect and undermine investigations into the ties between his campaign and his administration and Russia that are not going away and raise serious questions about his administration’s role with a hostile foreign government. His efforts to portray the probes as a partisan witch hunt have not gone over well in Congress. Still, he keeps trying to distract attention. Most notably, the president has issued bizarre tweets since March 4 claiming that his predecessor, President Obama, wiretapped his Please turn to A4

up a meeting with all our stakeholders,” said Jonathan Young, who represents the School Board’s 4th District. “My intent is to have a conversation about what happens next.” Mr. Young said he anticipates the meeting will be held in early April, with hopes that it will foster better transparency by schools officials. During a March 13 City Council meeting, RPS Superintendent Dana T. Bedden responded to a question from a council member and referred to the existence of $8.3 million in “unassigned funds” in the RPS budget — a line item unknown to the School Board members who all are new. The disclosure surprised and angered parents, teachers and public school advocates who have been battling for several years to get more money for the public schools. Many expressed their outrage Monday night during a public comment period at Please turn to A4

City tax bills expected to be higher for 2017-18 Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

VUU Lady Panthers victorious! Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Associated Press Images

FBI Director James Comey testifies Monday that his agency is investigating ties between Russia and members of the Trump administration. He also told the House Intelligence Committee that there is “no evidence” to support President Trump’s wiretapping claim against former President Obama.

Mr. Morrissey with the Virginia State Bar, the regulatory body for lawyers. The roots of this fight go back four years as Mr. Wilder sought to save the museum property, which the City of Fredericksburg was seeking to foreclose on and sell to collect unpaid real estate taxes. It is clear that Mr. Wilder talked to Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Goldman about representing the museum as he sought to forestall the foreclosure. While the sale ended up being delayed, the museum’s property ultimately came under new ownership.

Richmond residents should expect the city to send them bigger tax bills on vehicles and property this year — despite Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s claim that his proposed budget does not include a tax increase. A closer look at the budget plan shows that the mayor did not propose a hike in the tax rates the city charges on real estate or on cars, trucks and other personal property. However, he did not mention his plan would require vehicle and property owners to pay more money into the city’s coffers, in part because of a rise in the taxable value of real estate. And given the pleas that Richmond City Council is hearing from various city agencies seeking more money than the mayor proposed, there is little prospect for any rollback on the increase in the city’s tax charges. When it comes to real estate, the value of property rose an average of 3.3 percent from

Please turn to A4

If spirit can be shown in lights, then the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers can see the well wishes of Richmonders are with them in their NCAA Division II Final Four game Wednesday night against California Baptist University. The Lady Panthers won 86-81, advancing to the final on Friday, March 24. VUU senior Ashley Smith scored 28 points. Dominion Energy lighted up its office building at 7th and Cary streets Downtown on Tuesday night with a bright and highly visible message of support for the Lady Panthers. This view of the lights is from 7th and Canal streets.

Wilder in legal brawl with his former lawyers Goldman, Morrissey By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond residents now have a front row seat on a heavyweight legal fight between former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and former Delegate Joe Morrissey. The two are going head to head over the question of whether Mr. Wilder owes $130,290 in legal fees to Mr. Morrissey and his law partner, Paul Goldman, for their work in representing the virtually defunct U.S. National Slavery Museum that Mr. Wilder spent more than 10 years trying to develop in Fredericksburg.

Mr. Wilder

Mr. Goldman

Mr. Morrissey

The battle is spelled out in legal documents filed in Richmond Circuit Court and in a slow-moving complaint Mr. Wilder filed in September 2014 against

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond Free Press

A2 March 23-25, 2017

Local News

Unemployment rate in Va. drops to 4% By Jeremy M. Lazarus

People like Percy Bell appear to be having an easier time finding work as unemployment returns to levels of nine years ago and employers begin to strain to fill openings. Despite being homeless since his release from jail in November, the 48-year-old Richmond man just snagged a job as a full-time dishwasher at a Downtown restaurant that is paying him more than $9 an hour. “I didn’t have any problem finding a job,” Mr. Bell said. “I had one and got let go and found this one the next day. If this works out, maybe I’ll be able to pay rent and get off the street. That’s my biggest challenge — finding a place to live.” The latest state figures show why employers are now looking at candidates they might have turned away a few years ago. According to the Virginia Employment Commission, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate statewide dropped to 4 percent in January among people active in the labor market. That’s down slightly from December and a return to low levels of July 2008 when the Great Recession hit. In Richmond, the VEC reported slightly higher unemployment of 4.7 percent. That translates to 5,407 people seeking jobs out of the 114,149 people in the city’s labor force. While that unemployment level in Richmond essentially has remained unchanged during the past 12 months, it is a big improvement compared with the 10-year average of 6.8 percent unemployment, which meant that 8,000 people were struggling to find work — about 2,600 more than the current number. The relatively low levels of unemployment show up in the reductions in the cost of unemployment insurance that companies pay because fewer people are being laid off and filing for benefits. But it also means smaller pools of applicants for jobs. The potential problems some employers face in seeking to fill openings can be found in figures related to the VEC’s online Virginia Workforce Connection program that seeks to link potential employers with job seekers. The latest data indicated that nearly 13,000 job openings were posted in the Richmond area, but only 16,000 applicants were listed, meaning there is no apparent surplus of people vying for the positions. Growth continues to be seen in areas ranging from hotels to health care and finance to transportation. Competition for people to fill positions is expected to increase in the city based on recent announcements of companies moving in that are paying high salaries and seeking hundreds of new employees. That should impact people on the low end like Mr. Bell. Companies that for years could get by paying just the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour are finding that people have other options and might need higher pay to accept a position cleaning floors, making beds, serving as cashiers or handling other basic tasks in restaurants, stores and other outlets. Signs outside retailers advertising openings reflect the struggle some companies are facing. And it also means that companies desperate for people to fill slots might have to start looking at the pool of people with criminal records who are desperate for a chance to show what they can do as they seek to rebuild their lives.

New restaurant on Brookland Park Blvd. The closed Streetcar Café is about to replaced with a new restaurant at 10 E. Brookland Park Blvd. in North Side. The Luncheonette, an outlet based in Shockoe Bottom, has leased the 1,800-square-foot space from the nonprofit Nehemiah Community Development Corp., according to the online Richmond BizSense. The restaurant initially plans to offer pickup and delivery from the North Side location, although an opening date has not yet been set. On-site meals would be added later, according to owner Brad Barzoloski. That’s good news for city taxpayers who, under a city economic development program, provided about $120,000 several years ago to Nehemiah to renovate the building to help spark the renewal of the commercial strip centered on North Avenue and Brookland Park Boulevard. And its good news for the development corporation, led by Derek and Cybelle McDaniels, whose dreams of creating a development boom in the area have not gone quite as planned when they opened a coffee shop and bicycle repair outlet in the space in 2015. Nehemiah’s goal was to spark redevelopment of the commercial districts and to use profits from the coffee shop and bike repair to buy and fix up other buildings. That plan hit a snag after the couple closed the coffee shop last November, and the bike repair shop moved out. Still, that initial investment and promotion of the area appear to be paying off in new investments. A mobile phone outlet and a coffee roasting operation are among the latest arrivals, and others are reportedly eyeing retail prospects in the area. The growing interest was a significant attraction for Mr. Barzoloski. “A lot is happening in this area, and we feel our outlet is going to be a much needed addition,” he said. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

“Gumby” and “Mr. Potato Head” strike a pose in front of the Virginia Historical Society on North Boulevard Wednesday as they prepared to take part in a promotional video for the society’s “Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s” exhibition. Visitors can see popular toys from those decades, learn about their inventors and hear the memories of people who played with the games through the exhibit that runs through Labor Day. Olivia Lukanuski is inside the Gumby suit, while Jennifer Nesossis is the lively Mr. Potato Head.

Cindy Menz-Erb chosen for School Board 3rd District seat By Holly Rodriguez

Cindy Menz-Erb, a former nonprofit agency executive who moved to Richmond last year, was sworn in Tuesday as the new 3rd District representative on the Richmond School Board. She replaces Jeff Bourne, who stepped down after winning a special election in early February to the Virginia House of Delegates. Ms. Menz-Erb was chosen from a field of 12 candidates by a unanimous vote of the School Board after hours of deliberation in closed session that lasted after midnight Monday. Accompanied by her 4-year-old daughter, Charlie, Ms. Menz-Erb was given the oath of office by Edward F. Jewett, clerk of the Richmond Circuit Court on Tuesday morning in the School Board chambers at City Hall. She will serve on the board until a special election is held for the 3rd District seat in November. Ms. Menz-Erb earlier described herself as capable and ready to do the job. “I worked in a sector that is often underfunded and often had to do more with less,” she said. School Board member Jonathan Young, 4th District, said the deliberations were lengthy because the board wanted to choose the candidate with an understanding of challenges pertinent to an urban population such as RPS. “Cindy had that, and a track record of interfacing with philanthropists and access to national foundations,” Mr. Young said in a phone interview with the Richmond Free Press. “We want to partner with the private, corporate and nonprofit sectors in a big way to supplement our budget, but more importantly, to provide other kinds of resources from mentors and tutors to folks in the community who can advocate on our behalf.” Ms. Menz-Erb, he said, could help foster those relationships. Before moving to Richmond from Brooklyn, N.Y., Ms. Menz-Erb was executive director of LIFT-New York, leading regional operations for the national anti-poverty organization focused on helping families. Before joining LIFT full time in July 2013, she served as New York executive director of CFY, formerly Computers for Youth, a nonprofit that helps students, teachers and parents use digital learning to improve educational outcomes. With both organizations, she spearheaded fundraising and programming. She also has worked for the Center for Student Missions

Regina H. Boone

Lathaniel Kirts, one of 12 candidates for the Richmond School Board’s 3rd District seat, waits after midnight Monday with his wife, Marketa, to hear the School Board’s decision. As the board deliberated in closed session into the night, the couple were the only ones left at the meeting.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cindy Menz-Erb is sworn in Tuesday with help from her 4-year-old daughter, Charlie, as the 3rd District representative on the Richmond School Board.

that provides short-term service learning opportunities for students in the United States, and as an organizer for the Lifelong AIDS Alliance in Seattle. Ms. Menz-Erb has a bachelor’s in communications from Messiah College in Pennsylvania and a master’s in community development from North Park University in Chicago. When interviewed by the School Board during its March 13 session with the candidates, the Bridgeton, N.J., native said she is passionate about public education and plans to enroll Charlie in Holton Elementary’s pre-school program. She also has another younger daughter, Raina. Asked what the top priority for RPS should be, she responded, “Supporting the entire child. It is important that we level the playing field for RPS in all schools.” That may be difficult given the circumstances facing RPS, including chronic underfunding, aging facilities in desperate need of repair and the unique needs of public school students in the City of Richmond — 78 percent qualify for free and reduced lunch, 40 percent live below the poverty line and greater numbers of special needs children than other localities. Ms. Menz-Erb said she believes her management experience will prove valuable in helping the board navigate these challenges. She competed with 11 other candidates for the position, including current and retired RPS educators, small business owners and other professionals.

Regional registration for kindergarten April 20 Registration for youngsters in 150 public elementary schools around the Richmond region is Thursday, April 20. This marks the sixth year a regional registration day will be held for 13 school districts in and around Richmond. The event is coordinated by Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond in an effort to have parents get the needed paperwork together in time for registration.

Children who are 5 by Sept. 30 may start kindergarten in the fall, but they must be registered. The regional event covers public schools in Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights and in the counties of Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, New Kent, Powhatan, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Goochland and King William. Required documents for kindergarten registration include:

• Child’s official, certified birth certificate; • Two proofs of address; • Photo identification for parent or legal guardian; and • School Entrance Health Form. The health form may be turned in before the first day of school. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend registration even if they don’t have all the needed documents. In Richmond, more than 4,000

students were not registered on time last year, officials said. “Children start learning as soon as they are born,” said Monica Callahan, director of outreach and development for Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond. “Every day, there are teachable moments that parents can use to prepare their child to be ready for school.” Among the activities she recommended to help get children ready for kindergarten are to read and look at

books with children, stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up time, practice counting objects such as cereal or crayons, find and name the letters of the alphabet, have them play with children their own age and practice using scissors and crayons. For more information about kindergarten registration: www. SmartBeginningsRVA.org or call 211 for information on specific school districts.

Richmond Free Press

March 23-25, 2017

Labor, business and individuals across our region support the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. There’s a reason that businesses, organizations and individuals across our region have come together to form the EnergySure Coalition: to stand up for reliable energy. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) is designed to make our region energy sure by connecting us to an abundant supply of affordable, domestic, cleaner-burning natural gas. With the ACP, we will all benefit from cleaner air, lower energy costs and job creation.

• Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT) Foundation

• Focus Communications Consulting, LLC

• Iron Workers Local Union 79

• PPG Fiber Glass

• Virginia Manufacturers Association

• Four Oaks Bank

• Isle of Wight-Smithfield-Windsor

• Prince William Chamber of Commerce

• Virginia Natural Gas

• Providence Computers

• Virginia Oil & Gas Association

• J Casey Consulting

• Reinvent Hampton Roads

• Virginia Peninsula Chamber

• James River Air

• REO Distribution

• Johnston County Board

• Research Triangle Regional

• Alamac American Knits, LLC

• Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce

• Altresco

• Franklin Southampton Economic

• America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) • American Evaporation and Irrigation, LLC

Development, Inc. • Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce

of Commissioners

Partnership

of Commerce • Virginia Petroleum Council • Virginia Pork Council

• Appalachian Power

• Fredericksburg Regional Alliance

• Johnston County Community College

• Richmond Technology Council

• Virginia Port Authority

• Associated General Contractors

• Fredericksburg Regional Chamber

• Johnston County Economic

• RJ Smith Construction

• Virginia Poultry Federation

• Roanoke Rapids City Council

• Virginia State Building & Construction

of Virginia

of Commerce

Development Commission

• Astorg Ford Lincoln

• Froehling & Robertson, Inc.

• K&S Bank

• Atlantic Constructors, Inc.

• Frontier Environmental Services

• KM Biggs, Inc.

• Bartlett Controls

• Gastar Exploration

• Kordsa, Inc.

• Beach Money Enterprises

• GL Boso & Associates, Inc.

• Lake Norman Winery

• Greater Fayetteville Chamber

• Leadership North Carolina

• Rocky Mount Utility Board

• VIRTUoL Designs, LLC

• Greater Reston Chamber

• LiUNA Local 11

• Roslyn Farm Corporation

• Washington Gas

• LiUNA Local 980

• Roy G Hildreth & Son, Inc.

• Waste Management

• Loudoun County Chamber

• Rudy Hawkins Electrical

• West Virginia Business &

• Beaufort Economic Development Commission • Bend of the River Oil and Gas

of Commerce

• Blueline International, Inc.

• Greater Richmond Partnership

• Boone Homes

• Greater Smithfield-Selma Area

• Budget Electrical & Mechanical, LLC

Chamber of Commerce

of Commerce • Luck Companies

• Carolinas Gateway Partnership

• Gregory Poole Equipment Company

• Map Environmental, Inc.

• Carter Machinery

• Halifax County Board

• McJunkin Red Man Corporation

• Cascade Tissue Company • ChamberRVA • Chapman Organization, LLC • Chesapeake Bay Helicopters, Inc. • Civic Results, LLC

of Commissioners • Halifax County Economic Development Commission • Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce

• Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce • Robeson County Board of Commissioners

• Sampson County Board of Commissioners • Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting

• MJ Price Construction

• Schneider Electric

• Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber

• Security 101

of Commerce

Trades Council • Virginia’s Gateway Region • Virginia’s Growth Alliance • Virginia’s Region 2000 Partnership

Industry Council • West Virginia Chamber of Commerce • West Virginia Manufacturers Association • West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association

• SEPI Engineering and Construction

• West Virginia Petroleum Council

• Mountaineer Energy Forum

• Shale Energy Resources, LLC

• West Virginia Roundtable

• National Right of Way Land

• Skyware Global

• West Virginia Trucking Association

Services, LLC

• SLS Heating & Cooling

• White Swan BBQ

• CMH Consulting, LLC

• Hampton Roads Transportation, Inc.

• Columbia Gas of Virginia

• Hannah Engineering

• NCEast Alliance

• Smith Land Company

• Willbros Group, Inc.

• Contractors Association of

• Harlan Construction Co. Inc.

• Newport News Shipbuilding

• Smith Land Surveying, Inc.

• 1401 Southwind, LLC

• Harrison County Chamber of

• Nexsen Pruet

• Smithfield Foods

• 2C Land Company, LLC

• North Carolina Chamber

• Southeastern Halifax County Coalition

• North Carolina Energy Policy Council

• Southern Company Gas

• North Carolina Manufacturers Alliance

• Stephenson General Contractors

West Virginia • CSX, North Carolina • Dancar Mobile Home Park & Rentals • DC Malcolm, Inc.

Commerce • Harrison County Economic Development Corporation

• Denex Petroleum Corporation

• Hourigan Construction

• North Carolina Petroleum Council

• Stillwood Development Group, LP

• Development Strategies, LLC

• Houston Inspection Field Services

• North Carolina Pork Council

• TFC Recycling

• Dewberry

• Huntington Ingalls Industries

• North Carolina Railroad Company

• The Energy Forum

• Dibert Valve & Fitting

• Independent Oil and Gas Association

• North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

• The 10th Hole

• North Carolina’s Southeast

• Thomas Jefferson Institute

• Ditch Witch of Virginia

of West Virginia, Inc.

• Dominion

• Insulators Local Union 80

• North Carolina Technology Association

• Double J Drilling

• InterChange Group, Inc.

• Northampton County Board

• Draper Aden Associates

• International Brotherhood of

• Duke Energy • Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce • E&H Manufacturing • Eagle Manufacturing Company • EarthScapes • Eco-Management, LLC • Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance • Enspire Energy • Eplin’s Service Center • Faneuil • Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation • Fayetteville Public Works Commission • FH Gaskins Co., Inc. • First Cut Design & Fabrication • First Energy

Boilermakers Local Union 45 • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 26 • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 80 • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 553 • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 666 • International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 10 • International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 52 • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 77 • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 147 • Iron Workers Local Union 5

of Commissioners • Northampton County Chamber of Commerce • Northampton County Economic Development Commission • Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

for Public Policy • Tidewater Builders Association • Timmons Group • TOP General Building Contractors, Inc. • Top of Virginia Regional Chamber • Town of Four Oaks • Town of Selma • Trinity Manufacturing • UHP Projects, Inc.

• Northern Virginia Technology Council

• United Hospital Center

• Nucor

• Utilities Telecommunications &

• Oak Creek Industrial

Energy Coalition of WV

• O’Brien/Atkins Associates

• Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce

• PCS Phosphate Company

• Virginia Chamber of Commerce

• Petersburg Chamber of Commerce

• Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance

• Phillips Resources

• Virginia Economic Developers

• Piedmont Natural Gas

Association

• Pillar Energy

• Virginia Forest Products Association

• Pioneer Grille

• Virginia FREE

• PNC Industries, Inc.

• Virginia Hispanic Chamber

• Polymer Alliance Zone

of Commerce

dom.com/ACPipeline

EnergySure.com The Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC, is formed by subsidiaries of Dominion Resources, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and Southern Company Gas.

Richmond Free Press

A4 March 23-25, 2017

News

$8.3M RPS mystery Continued from A1

the School Board meeting, calling for greater transparency and for the School Board to hold Dr. Bedden accountable. “We have issues with our schools, with special education, facilities … we are in shambles,” said Roderyck Bullock. A flier circulated through the audience titled “What Can $8.3 million buy RPS’ children?” The flyer included pictures of Dr. Bedden and Assistant Superintendent Michelle Boyd, with the captions “Fraud, Waste, and Abuse,” and listed how many counselors, classroom teachers, bus drivers and aides could be hired with the millions sitting idly in the fund. It also included the hashtag #BOOTBEDDEN&BOYD. Dr. Bedden sat through the comments but didn’t respond. Dr. Bedden did not respond directly to the Free Press request for comment. However, RPS spokeswoman Kenita Bowers stated in an email Tuesday that the school system has had an unassigned fund balance dating back to 2011. It’s generated largely from savings from employee

turnover and unfilled positions. And, “It is imperative that RPS adopt Ms. Bowers said, it has ranged from a new model pertinent to commu$559,026 in 2012 to $8.3 million in nicating information, even when the current 2016-17 budget. communicating is awkward or unMs. Bowers also noted that RPS popular.” has reported the funds annually, as Ms. Page echoed that sentiment. required by law, within the CompreShe said had the board known hensive Annual Financial Report, or about the unassigned funds, it may CAFR. have sought less than the $21.2 milThe current report, dated June 30, lion increase in funding from the city 2016, is in draft format, making the it requested. Dr. Bedden $8.3 million an estimate, she said, Ms. Page has asked Dr. Bedden because it cannot be certified until the city’s to submit a plan for spending the money at the report is completed. board’s April 3 meeting. She said she would Even when the city’s report is completed, like to see the money used for laptop computCity Council’s approval is required for the ers for teachers and for security upgrades at funds to be used. the schools. Ms. Page said the money could be used for The board is starting discussions about one-time or emergency expenditures. creating a plan to avoid miscommunication “The unfortunate part is the fact that it was in the future. not revealed and the impetus for the revelation “We have to have a plan going forward so we was in a report to one of our most important won’t be in this position again,” Ms. Page said. partners, City Council, before the School Board “We need to make sure we maintain transparwas made aware of it,” Mr. Young said in a ency and accountability.” Free Press interview. Mayor Stoney’s office reported that he re-

mains committed to the $6.1 million increase in funding for RPS that is in his proposed 2017-18 budget. While he said he did not know about the $8.3 million, he said through his spokesperson that he remains committed to a collaborative relationship with all parties involved. “This is not a blame game,” said Jim Nolan, the mayor’s spokesperson. “This is about identifying our assets and making the most of the limited resources at our disposal to provide our children with the best possible education and opportunity to learn.” Support Our Schools, an RPS advocacy group comprised of parents and teachers, issued a statement supporting the claim by Dr. Bedden’s office that the information was not kept from the School Board or Mayor Stoney on purpose. The SOS statement read, in part: “We understand that there may be a learning curve for our newly elected officials, but we ask that we see transparency and collaboration between all parties …We would like all parties to come to the table and be part of the discourse that will move our school and our children forward.”

Wilder in legal brawl with his former lawyers Goldman, Morrissey Continued from A1

However, Mr. Wilder never signed any agreement to pay Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Goldman, even though they allege they sent him several letters seeking payment. Mr. Wilder insists in the documents that Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Goldman, who played a key role in at least two of his election victories, agreed to represent the museum without charge, or in legal jargon “pro bono.” Indeed, his complaint to the State Bar is based on his claim that Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Goldman agreed to work for free and then turned around and sought money for the work in violation of the rules lawyers must follow. Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Goldman are equally adamant that Mr. Wilder verbally agreed to pay their firm’s $400-an-hour charge and then stiffed them after they spent more than 325 hours on legal matters involving the museum, along with covering filing fees and other expenses, including travel, none of which was reimbursed. In a lawsuit the Morrissey & Goldman firm and the two partners have filed in Richmond Circuit Court but have yet to serve on Mr. Wilder, Mr. Goldman alleges that the firm got involved because Mr. Wilder called him for legal help on March 4, 2013. From there, the stories diverge sharply over what agreements were made to pay the legal fees. Mr. Goldman asserts in the suit that Mr. Wilder was

fully aware that the firm planned to charge for its services and that he promised to sign the engagement letter, but Mr. Wilder alleges that he made no such promise. What is most evident is the serious breach in the long relationship between Mr. Wilder and Mr. Goldman that dates back to 1985 when Mr. Goldman managed his historic and successful campaign to become Virginia’s first African-American lieutenant governor. Mr. Goldman also aided Mr. Wilder in his even more historic victory for governor in 1989, when he became the first African-American in the nation to be elected a U.S state’s chief executive. He later helped pave the way for Mr. Wilder’s election as Richmond mayor in 2004 by successfully pushing a change to the Richmond City Charter to make citywide elections for the position possible. As Mr. Goldman plunged into the museum’s legal issues, the dispute over legal fees began almost immediately, according the lawsuit filed in Richmond Circuit Court on Feb. 2 against the museum, Mr. Wilder and his ally, H. Louis Salomonsky, a Richmond developer who participated in meetings negotiating the fee, according to the partners. In a filing last week, Mr. Wilder, representing himself as attorney in the matter, asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit for good and award him legal fees. Even if everything that Mr. Goldman and Mr. Morrissey allege is true, he states in the filing that

their lawsuit has no basis. Mr. Wilder claims that the two men and their firm cannot collect because the three-year deadline to sue for unpaid legal fees has passed, based on their claim that the “agreement” on fees was reached on March 5, 2013. He also slams Mr. Goldman, an attorney who is not licensed to practiced in Virginia. Mr. Wilder states in his filing that an unlicensed lawyer “cannot assert a claim for breach of contract for unpaid legal fees. … It would be a violation of public policy for this honorable court to award legal fees to an individual who allegedly ‘earned’ them by practicing law without a license.” Mr. Wilder also argues the lawsuit’s claim that he defamed the two men in filing a State Bar complaint against them “is not actionable.” He said that complaining to the State Bar that they promised to represent the museum “pro bono” is not a defamatory statement. He also alleges that his complaint is “privileged” as it is part of an administrative proceeding. And finally, he notes that the statute of limitations for a filing a defamation claim is one year, which expired long ago. Meanwhile, Mr. Morrissey, who was disbarred years ago by the Virginia State Bar and had to fight to regain his law license, is facing a public disciplinary hearing on Mr. Wilder’s years-old allegation. However, no date has been set for a hearing, according to the State Bar’s website.

Calls mount for investigation of Russia’s ties to Trump administration Continued from A1

New York home, Trump Towers, although the former president issued a quick denial through a spokesman. Even GOP partisans in Congress have found President Trump’s claims unbelievable. Seemingly increasingly paranoid and refusing to retract his claim after failing to offer any proof, President Trump followed up with an even more bizarre accusation — that President Obama got British intelligence to do the job. The British government immediately called the allegation bogus. That’s why President Trump was so gratified Wednesday when the chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, which is undertaking its own investigation into collusion between members of the Trump administration and Russia, rushed to the White House to say there might have been some kind of surveillance of him and administration members by intelligence agencies, though not on the orders of President Obama. In an impromptu news conference Wednesday outside the White House, Rep. Devin G. Nunes, R-California, declared that members of President Trump’s transition team, possibly including the president himself, were under “inadvertent” surveillance following November’s presidential election. Democrats on the powerful committee responded by slamming Rep. Nunes, calling his actions an unprecedented effort to undermine the credibility and impartiality of his committee’s probe. The chairman’s statement came just two days after FBI Director James Comey dismissed President Trump’s wiretapping allegation against President Obama, joining others, including Rep. Nunes, who regard President Trump’s statements about the former president regarding wiretapping as false. Mr. Comey told the House Intelligence Committee Monday that the FBI had “looked carefully” at President Trump’s wiretapping claim and that both the bureau and the U.S. Department of Justice found “no information that supports those tweets.” Mr. Comey also confirmed that the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation of potential links between campaign associates of President Trump and Russia and the role they played in Russia’s efforts

to influence the 2016 election to benefit President Trump. The probe began in July and is continuing, he said. The Nunes disclosure also came on the heels of an Associated Press report that President Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was paid $10 million a year by a Russian President Trump billionaire beginning in 2006 to influence American policy to be supportive of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Rep. Nunes’ revelations about “inadvertent” surveillance raised questions about whether he was seeking to undermine his committee’s Russia probe or that of the FBI by making such claims public. Rep. Nunes said the information obtained from a source he would not identify was collected legally in November, December and January — from the Nov. 8 election to President Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. His concern, he said, is that the names of some Trump officials involved had been “unmasked,” or revealed, and widely disseminated within spy agencies, though later he acknowledged much of his claim was not accurate. Such collection can occur when a person inside the United States communicates with a foreign target of U.S. surveillance. In such cases, the identities of U.S. citizens are supposed to be shielded, but can be “unmasked” by intelligence officials under certain circumstances. President Trump said he felt “somewhat vindicated” after receiving the briefing from Rep. Nunes. In his remarks to reporters, Rep. Nunes, who worked on the Trump transition team, said, “I recently confirmed that on numerous occasions the intelligence community ... collected information about U.S. citizens involved in the Trump transition.” He said he was “very concerned” about whether U.S. intelligence agencies were spying on President Trump. “The intelligence reports clearly show that the president-elect and his team were, I guess, at least monitored. It looks to me like it was all legally collected, but it was essentially a lot of information on the

president-elect and his transition team and what they were doing,” Rep. Nunes said. The White House and President Trump’s allies immediately seized on Rep. Nunes’ statement as vindication of the president’s much-maligned claim that President Obama tapped his phones at Trump Towers. A political action committee Rep. Nunes associated with President Trump, the Great America PAC, sent out a mass fundraising email claiming President Trump’s wiretapping claims had proved accurate. Donald Trump Jr. also posted a message to Instagram crowing about Rep. Nunes’ comments. Rep. Adam Schiff, also of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, slammed Rep. Nunes for briefing the White House given the House panel’s own probe and not first talking about his information with committee members. “The chairman will need to decide whether he is the chairman of an independent investigation into conduct which includes allegations of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians or he is going to act as a surrogate of the White House, because he cannot do both,” Rep. Schiff said at a news conference. “I think (Rep. Nunes’) actions of today,” he said, “throw great doubt into the ability of both the chairman and the committee to conduct the investigation the way it ought to be conducted.” He joined U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona in calling for an independent investigation to rescue the probe and restore credibility with the public. Others already believe the committee’s probe has been compromised. “The House Intelligence Committee is charged with investigating Russia’s interference into our election and whether any U.S. persons were involved,” said Rep. Eric Swindell, another panel member also of California. “The chairman’s actions and closeness to a president whose campaign is under federal investigation have gravely damaged the investigation’s credibility.”

City tax bills expected to be higher for 2017-18 Continued from A1

2016 to 2017, according to interim City Assessor Melvin Bloomfield. So the owner of a house valued at $100,000 last year would be billed nearly $40 more if the house increased in value by that average of 3.3 percent. Based on the tax rate, the bill last year would have been $1,200. This year, based on the home’s increase in value, the bill would be $1,239.60, even with the tax rate staying unchanged at $1.20 per $100 of assessed value. Bills will vary because some sections of the city had far bigger jumps in value, while some saw no increase and a few areas declined in value, according to data from the city Assessor’s Office. On the vehicle front, owners also could end up paying a bit more. While the so-called car tax is partially offset by a state payment to every locality, the state payment is not stretching as far. Last year year, the state payment, about $16.7 million, covered 56 percent of city tax bills on vehicles. This year, Richmond is to get the same amount from the state, but that payment will cover only 53 percent of the bill, according to city Finance Director John Wack. That means car owners must pay a bigger share of the bill, although the impact will be softened a bit as vehicles depreciate or lose value each year as they age. The impact will be largest on people who bought new vehicles last year. The proposal to raise the owners’ share of the personal property tax bill from 54 percent to 57 percent is expected to clear City Council next week after winning unanimous support from the council’s Finance and Economic Development Committee. The city’s tax rate on the majority of vehicles is $3.70 per $100 of assessed value. However, it is $2.30 per $100 for trucks that weigh more than 10,000 pounds.

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March 23-25, 2017

News

Gorsuch sidesteps tough questions in Supreme Court confirmation hearings Free Press wire report

tailored to his needs. The court ruled in favor of another U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorautistic student who argued he was denied such said on Wednesday presidents must an adequate education. Democrats have obey court orders and expressed uncertainty called Judge Gorsuch’s earlier decision an about language in the U.S. Constitution example of how he rules against everyday barring government officials from takAmericans while favoring corporate ining payments from a foreign country as terests, an assertion the nominee and his Democrats grilled him on issues involving Republican supporters reject. President Trump. Judge Gorsuch said he was bound Judge Gorsuch, the conservative appeals by court precedent in the 2008 decision, court judge from Colorado nominated by adding it would be “heartbreaking” to sugPresident Trump on Jan. 31 to a lifetime job gest he would like ruling against disabled on the nation’s highest court, sparred with students. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats on Judge Gorsuch seems assured of winning the third day of his confirmation hearing. committee approval, moving his nomination While his confirmation process appeared to the full Senate. His challenge then would to be proceeding smoothly, Democrats be to gather enough Democratic votes to pressed him on matters swirling around avoid a prolonged floor fight. President Trump, even asking him about Judge Gorsuch sidestepped answering the standards for impeachment. whether he thought a series of contentious Judge Gorsuch’s expected Senate past cases had been decided correctly, confirmation would restore a conservaincluding those on abortion, gun rights, tive majority on the Supreme Court and political spending and religious rights. hand the Republican president his biggest “What worries me is you have been very achievement in office. much able to avoid any specificity, like no U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont cited one I have every seen before,” U.S. Sen. comments by Trump adviser Stephen Miller Dianne Feinstein of California, the panel’s after courts blocked the president’s executive Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press top Democrat, told Judge Gorsuch. action banning people from several Muslim- Judge Neil Gorsuch responds to questions Tuesday during his U.S. Supreme Court confirmation She asked Judge Gorsuch to explain a majority nations from entering the United hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was grilled for three days. document dating from his work in former States. On Feb. 12, Mr. Miller challenged President George W. Bush’s Justice Departthe authority of courts to rule on the issue, saying the president’s alleged violation of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which ment related to 2005 anti-torture restrictions. prevents American officials from accepting gifts or favors from power to enforce the ban should not be questioned. The document asked whether aggressive interrogation tech“I’m a judge now. I take that seriously. And you better believe foreign governments without congressional approval. niques used by the Bush administration had yielded valuable “The question is: What exactly does that mean?” Judge Gor- intelligence or stopped a terrorist incident, and Judge Gorsuch I expect judicial decrees to be obeyed,” Judge Gorsuch said. such said, noting there is ongoing litigation on the matter. “I had written “yes.” He said he was merely doing what he was “That’s the rule of law in this country.” The panel was set on Thursday to hear from outside wit- have to be very careful about expressing any views.” told by the administration. “My recollection of 12 years ago is President Trump has been sued by ethics lawyers, who say his that was the position that the clients were telling us,” he said. nesses opposing or supporting Judge Gorsuch. A committee vote is expected on Monday, April 3, before consideration by businesses have accepted payments from foreign governments Sen. Feinstein expressed concern about women’s rights and in violation of the Emoluments Clause. the full Senate. preserving legalized abortion, and asked Judge Gorsuch about On the basis for which an official can be impeached, Judge his views as an “originalist” seeing the Constitution’s meaning Republicans hold 52 seats in the 100-member Senate. The Senate has a 60-vote hurdle for confirmation of U.S. Supreme Gorsuch said historically the focus has been on “high crimes” as unaltered since its enactment despite centuries of societal Court justices, meaning Judge Gorsuch would need backing rather than “misdemeanors.” He said the number of criminal change. by eight Democrats. If Democrats stand together, Republicans misdemeanors on the books has increased substantially since “No one is looking to return us to horse-and-buggy days,” could change Senate rules to allow confirmation by a simple the Constitution was written in the 18th century. Judge Gorsuch said. A unanimous ruling on Wednesday by the U.S. Supreme Court majority vote. Regarding the Constitution’s promise of equal protection If confirmed, Judge Gorsuch would replace conservative justices who Judge Gorsuch would join, if confirmed, rejected under the law, Judge Gorsuch said it does not matter that some legal reasoning he used as an appellate judge in a 2008 ruling of the drafters of the language “were racists, because they were, Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016. Judge Gorsuch declined to say how he would approach an against an autistic child who sought a public education more or sexists, because they were.”

African delegates denied visas to Calif. trade conference Free Press wire report

An African trade summit held last week in California had no African delegates after the United States denied them visas to enter the country. Roughly 60 to 100 Africans delegates, including speakers and government ofﬁcials from Nigeria, Cameroon, Angola, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana, South Africa and more, had their requests for visas rejected, said summit organizer Mary Flowers. The African Global Economic and Development Summit is a three-day conference at the University of Southern California. Typically, delegations from across Africa attend to meet with U.S. business leaders in an effort to foster partnerships. But this year, every single African citizen who requested a visa was rejected, said Ms. Flowers, CEO of Global Green Development Group, which does economic development work in Africa. Some are now questioning whether the denials to attend the Los Angeles event are tied to President Trump’s anti-immigration policies. The president is pushing forward with a travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries despite ongoing legal challenges. The ban covers Somalia, Sudan and Libya in Africa, and citizens from those countries did not seek visas for the event, Ms. Flowers said. “This conference puts Americans in touch with real people so they can do real business. It’s designed to bring Africa to America’s doorstep for investments and trade,” said Ms. Flowers, who is working on a power plant project in Nigeria with a collaboration that resulted from a past trade summit. The summit went on as planned March 16 through 18, she said, though with a much smaller group. “I don’t know if it’s Trump or if it’s the fact that the embassies that have been discriminating for a long time see this as an opportunity, because of talk of the travel ban, to blatantly reject everyone,” Ms. Flowers said this week. “These trade links create jobs for both America and Africa. It’s unbelievable what’s going on.” A U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment, saying in a statement: “We cannot speculate on whether someone may or may not be eligible for a visa, nor on any possible limitations … Applications are refused if an applicant is found ineligible under the Immigration and Nationality Act or other provisions of U.S. law.” The visa denials may have jeopardized new

trade links and business partnerships between U.S. entrepreneurs and African nations, said Ms. Flowers, who also represents Southern California as a member of the District Export Council, a trade group affiliated with the U.S. Department of Commerce. “We can’t have the government telling us to go do business with Africa and then you slam the doors in their face,” she added, noting that President Trump has been in contact with Nigeria’s president. “We can’t survive as an internal country. We have to operate globally or we won’t be powerful.” The problems for the trade summit mark the latest example of restricted travel to the United States under President Trump, whose controversial immigration policies and rhetoric have impacted a wide range of industries and communities. Soccer players, musicians, doctors, tech workers, protesters and others from across the globe have been denied entry into the United States, which also has experienced a slump in tourism since President Trump’s inauguration. Ms. Flowers, who has been organizing the annual summit since 2013, said roughly 40 percent of Africans have been denied visas to attend the event in the past. “But this year it was 100 percent. Every delegation” from Africa, she said. “It was sad to see because these people were so disheartened.” As a result, the summit had only 50 to 75 participants total, instead of the 150 to 200 who usually attend, she said. “Financially, that’s a gaping hole — a whole bunch of people who would have contributed not just to the event and to USC, but to the city around.” She said many of the applicants who were rejected had registered for the event and paid initial visa fees, but then were denied after short interviews, even when they brought extensive documentation, such as bank statements and property records. Since the rejection, Ms. Flowers has been in contact with U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who represents Los Angeles. Rep. Bass also is the ranking member of the Africa subcommittee. “When restrictive policies and practices are followed by U.S. embassies when granting visas to Africans, it can hurt opportunities between U.S. and African business entities,” Rep. Bass said in a statement. “I encourage the State Department to make sure these policies are flexible enough to encourage the free flow of business ideas and opportunities.”

DEBT Dying with debt: Advice from experts Free Press wire reports

You’re probably going to die with some debt. A majority of people do. In fact, 73 percent ofAmericans had outstanding debt when they died, according to December 2016 data reported by Credit.com. Those consumers carried an average total balance of $61,554, including mortgage debt. Without home loans, the average balance was $12,875. Among the consumers who had debt when they died, about 68 percent had credit card balances. The next most common kind of debt was mortgage debt, 37 percent; followed by auto loans, 26 percent; personal loans, 12 percent; and student loans, 6 percent. The good news is that most debt is not passed on to your spouse and children when you die as it is in Virginia, which is not a community property state. In general, debt belongs to the deceased person or that person’s estate, said Darra L. Rayndon, an estate planning attorney. However, if your spouse or someone else co-signed, or was a co-applicant on a credit card or a loan, they will become responsible for any debt when you die. And they may not inherit anything because your estate

becomes liable for your debt, and creditors can seek to take any funds you leave behind to pay off what you owed. If you have enough assets to cover the debts, the creditors get paid and beneﬁciaries receive whatever remains, Ms. Rayndon said. If you don’t, she said, the creditors get paid some and the family gets nothing. Not all debt continues after death. For example, student loan debt is eligible for cancellation upon a borrower’s death if the government was the lender. However, banks and private student loan companies that made private student loans can seek to recover from the borrower’s estate. Things can get very messy for survivors when a house or other real estate is involved. If a home is your only asset and it is where your spouse or children also live, creditors can seek the sale of that asset to cover your outstanding debt. That means your surviving spouse or other relatives might have to sell the house to pay debts, including any outstanding mortgage balance or take on your debts in order to save the house. To save them hardship, life insurance can help cover debts, said Ms. Rayndon. As part of making plans for the inevitable, James M.

Matthews, a certified financial planner, recommends writing a will. “If you don’t write a will, your state of residence will write one for you should you pass away,” said Mr. Matthews. “Odds are the state laws and your wishes will differ.” Along with a will, he urges people who have assets to consider setting up a trust to provide ongoing management and assurance that children or others will end up with them. Even before you die, he counsels that there is a need for other documents. That includes two powers of attorney just in case you become disabled or mentally incapacitated before you die. One would allow a trusted party to make decisions on your health care needs and another would allow a trusted party to handle your financial affairs, he said. He also urges people to make a living will so physicians will follow your wishes on end-of-life decisions in case you are unable to communicate because of illness or an accident. Also, he believes you need to leave a written release under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act so loved ones or trusted parties can gain release of your medical records.

Richmond Free Press

Going fishing at Shields Lake in Byrd Park

Editorial Page

March 23-25, 2017

Hero or goat? Richmond schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden had an $8.3 million secret that popped out recently — that $8.3 million sits in an “unassigned fund balance” for Richmond Public Schools. It’s always nice to “find” money. But that’s clearly not the case here. People are angry about the revelation. That includes parents, teachers, past and present Richmond School Board members, former City Council members and people who care about Richmond’s underfunded public school system with its broken-down buildings, underpaid teachers and often-times lack of basic supplies and resources. We don’t blame them. We are angry, too. Apparently, Dr. Bedden and a few bean counters under him knew the money was there. But the superintendent never informed members of the Richmond School Board or Mayor Levar M. Stoney that the $8.3 million was there and available — not even during recent budget discussions and lengthy deliberations over school needs. We find his silence both puzzling and troubling. Dr. Bedden’s people claim a 150-page budget reconciliation document sent to the city Finance Department earlier this year included a line item showing the millions. But why would Dr. Bedden remain mute about it? We agree with School Board Chairwoman Dawn Page: “The situation erodes the public trust. Those dollars could have been already re-purposed for student needs. It’s unacceptable.” How much was in the fund last year when Richmond high school students marched on City Hall to call attention to the many problems students face daily in decrepit buildings that hamper their ability to learn? Why didn’t Dr. Bedden say anything about having a multimillion-dollar emergency fund last year when parents and teachers held rallies and spoke before City Council demanding more dollars for the school system’s critical needs? The absence of rallies, marches and sign waving during this budget cycle doesn’t mean the needs have disappeared. The situation our students and teachers face daily is still serious. Why wouldn’t Dr. Bedden put the “rainy day fund” money on the table as a possible help during these rainy days? We also question what else may be hidden in the shadows of the Richmond Public Schools’ budget that the School Board and the public don’t know about. We renew our call for transparency and accountability and for Dr. Bedden and his finance workers to come clean with the people of Richmond on how our tax dollars are being spent or stashed. We are pleased to learn that Ms. Page wants some of the $8.3 million to be spent to improve teachers’ salaries and for technology needs, while leaving some money in the fund for emergency situations that may arise. We also remind Dr. Bedden that he works for the Richmond School Board and the people of this city, not the other way around. We urge the nine members of the Richmond School Board, all of whom are new to the board this year, to stay on top of the situation and monitor the money closely. While Mayor Stoney, City Council and the public are sympathetic to the needs of RPS and are willing to go the extra mile now during tight economic times to find more money for the schools, that could change on a dime — particularly when taxpayers feel they have been misled about the school system’s financial picture.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Trump milking taxpayers President Trump doesn’t want to spend federal dollars on after-school programs, meals for poor people or heating assistance that helps keep folks alive. But he has no problem wasting more than $3 million a pop to spend weekends at his private Mar-aLago club in Florida. President Trump already has made four trips there since becoming president on Jan. 20, and on Friday, March 17, he headed there for the fifth time. Despite vowing during his campaign that he “would rarely leave the White House because there’s so much work to be done” and “would not be a president who took vacations” because “you don’t have time to take time off,” President Trump has visited Trump-branded properties each of the past six weekends. That streak hit seven when he landed at Mar-a-Lago last Friday. In fact, President Trump has spent time at Trump-branded property every weekend of his presidency other than the very first, when he created chaos throughout the country by signing a Muslim ban executive order that was later stayed by a federal court. Let’s run through them. Feb. 4-5: President Trump heads to Mar-a-Lago for the first time as president. There, he and Melania attend a “Vienna to Versailles” black tie Red Cross Ball that was closed to the media (Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was in attendance, however). President Trump’s inaugural appearance at Mar-a-Lago comes

just days after the Trump Organization announces the club’s initiation fees are doubling to $200,000 (taxes and $14,000 annual dues not included). Feb. 11-12: Trump travels to Mar-a-Lago for the second consecutive weekend. His guest is Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. On Saturday night, President Trump and Prime Minister Abe deal with a North Korea missile crisis in full view

Aaron Rupar of diners on one of the club’s terraces, with national security documents illuminated by aides’ cell phones. Feb. 18-19: The president heads to Mar-a-Lago yet again. While there, President Trump, who repeatedly criticized former President Obama for playing golf while president, enjoys his sixth golf outing during his first month in office. In a sign that he might feel a bit guilty, the White House is later forced to admit that officials initially misled reporters about the amount of golf President Trump played during his 18-hole excursion with pro golfer Rory McIlroy. The roughly $10 million President Trump already has spent on unnecessary travel approaches the $12 million former President Obama spent each year. Feb. 25-26: President Trump doesn’t travel to Florida, but he does stop by his swanky hotel in downtown Washington for dinner on Saturday night. The president’s outing to the Trump International Hotel is documented by Benny Johnson of IJR, a conservative media outlet founded by Republican operatives. Mr. Johnson, who writes a

fawning first-person account about dining next to President Trump’s table, says that he “received a tip from a well informed source that Trump would be dining at the BLT Steakhouse inside his Trump hotel at approximately 6 PM that evening.” Lo and behold, the tipster was correct. Also hanging out at the Trump International that night were Brexit leader Nigel Farage, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and President Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. March 4-5: President Trump heads to Mar-a-Lago. The Palm Beach Post publishes pictures of Attorney General Jeff Sessions mingling with members. Politico reports that in response to the negative publicity resulting from photos of President Trump and Prime Minister Abe dealing with the missile crisis in the dining area, President Trump’s “private club issued new rules prohibiting pictures or videos of the president when he’s on the premises so that the world can’t follow along on Twitter if it ever happens again.” Meanwhile, a helipad is under construction on site to make it easier for Marine One to land right outside the club. March 11-12: On Saturday, President Trump visits the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia in suburban Washington. It’s his ninth trip to a golf course in the seven weeks he has been president. President Trump’s repeated trips to Trump-branded properties aren’t just problematic because they embody how he’s profiting off the presidency and breaking campaign promises. They also represent President Trump’s selective austerity when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars.

Impeachment?

Could the current allegations against the sitting president arising from contact with the Russians justify impeachment? The history of impeachment is short, usually used to remove judges. The history of impeachment of sitting presidents is shorter. In the history of the United States, only two presidents have been impeached. That is they had a charge referred to the U.S. Senate that could remove them from office. Those two are President Andrew Johnson and President Bill Clinton. Article II of the U.S. Constitution, Section 4, provides for removal from office for “ … Impeachment for, and conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.” United States-European Union sanctions, imposed on Russia in 2014 when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars in loss to the

Russian economy, particularly in businesses related to oil and banking. Secretary Clinton has always advocated reining in Russia’s expansionist efforts through those sanctions. If Russia helped Mrs. Clinton lose the November presidential election by coordinating with the Trump campaign the release of any unfavorable information about Mrs. Clinton or her campaign to influence public

David Baugh opinion to the benefit of Mr. Trump — as in the release of her infamous emails — that would be an unreported contribution of “in-kind services,” and a violation of federal law. If Russia’s favors were extended with an understanding, implicit or explicit, that sanctions would be lessened, that would be bribery, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 201. In July 2016, Donald Trump on camera asked Russia to hack Mrs. Clinton’s emails to find “the 30,000 emails that are missing.” WikiLeaks promised on Oct. 4, 2016, an “October surprise” release of emails. That was then

delayed. Instead, those emails were released later, on Oct. 30, 2016, just 10 days before the election. Mr. Trump won. Since that time, there have been numerous meetings of Trump advisers with Russian representatives: Paul Manafort, Carter Page, Roger Stone, Gen. Michael Flynn, Jeff Sessions, Jared Kushner and J.D. Gordon. Interestingly, none of these men can recollect whether economic sanctions against Russia were discussed. Is something interesting happening here? Yes, of course. Do we know what or why? No. That “no” means we need to find the truth of what happened or is happening. It should not be handled by the FBI or law enforcement. An independent commission, like the Watergate commission, should be established to investigate whether the United States of America has been invaded — conquered without a shot being fired — and we do not even realize it. The writer is a former federal prosecutor and longtime criminal defense attorney and legal expert.

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As Quartz reported Friday, March 17, after the weekend, President Trump already would have spent about $16.5 million on trips to Mar-a-Lago. For that amount, Meals on Wheels could feed 5,967 seniors for a year and after-school programs could feed 114,583 children for a year. On Thursday, March 16, Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, defended the draconian cuts included in the Trump administration’s proposed budget by arguing that the federal government can’t ask “a coal miner in West Virginia or a single mom in Detroit to pay for” programs like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But one wonders whether those struggling Americans would rather have public radio or dole out their share of the $3.3 million a self-proclaimed billionaire is spending each weekend to mingle with his ludicrously wealthy club members down in Florida. The writer is with ThinkProgress.org.

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Richmond Free Press

March 23-25, 2017

Letters to the Editor

Kudos on Free Press coverage A slew of changes Re “Nat Turner links black, white George Wythe High alumni,” March 2-4 edition: Thank you for including the Nat Turner article in your ﬁne newspaper and sharing the story of Nat Turner’s descendants and what happened back in 1831 on Virginia soil. My George Wythe High School Class of 1974 reunion committee, which sponsored the prayer breakfast, has been very dedicated for many years and we have a

very strong bond as we attended Richmond Public Schools and were students back when busing and forced integration took place some 43 years ago. We developed many strong friendships. I applaud the Richmond Free Press for coming to the prayer breakfast and sharing our story with your many readers. Your writer, Leah Hobbs, and photographer Sandra Sellars did a great job in their coverage and we were honored to have them with us.

needed in D.C.

The Nat Turner Bible that my family donated is now a centerpiece of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. We are very pleased that so many generations will be able to see Mr. Turner’s Bible now as it tells a story of ﬁghting for freedom. Thank you and keep up the great work.

To get more money in, we need new tax laws. First, we need a ﬂat tax on all income. Everyone, including all politicians who are earning a paycheck, should pay into Social Security and limit the deductions. Because most politicians are very rich, they should pay their own way for junkets and vacations for their families. Politicians also should pay for their medical costs and into a retirement plan. The president doesn’t need a large plane like Air Force One to travel. A small jet will do. Also, the salaries of most politicians should be cut. I also recommend that this should apply to all athletes. And stop putting up factories in foreign countries to help them rebuild their economies. Last but not least, President Trump reminds me of a used car salesman. He sure has given the American people a big “snow job.”

MARK M. PERSON Richmond

Exclusion ‘appalling but unsurprising’ Re “Sessions seeks to revive federal anti-crime program that targeted African-Americans,” March 16-18 edition: Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ failure, perhaps calculated, to invite the Richmond Free Press to his meeting in Richmond is appalling but unsurprising. A marquee member of a cabinet of doubtful qualiﬁcation and dubious ethical ﬁber, Mr. Sessions is transparently allergic even to the gentle ministrations of the corporate press, let alone independent arms of the fourth estate. Equally troubling is Mr. Sessions’ seizing on to what may be

a statistical anomaly in a time of historically low rates of crime to reinstate a regime of law enforcement of uncertain efﬁcacy but probable ethnic and racial bias. The GOP’s inability to distinguish correlation from causation in addressing crime and its playing to an increasingly out-oftouch base continue unabated. The Richmond Free Press must not be deterred in holding public ofﬁcials of Mr. Sessions’ ilk to accountable.

MARTY GOODMAN Henrico County

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DAVID ROUTT Richmond

What will happen to people under Trumpcare?

Re “Report forecasts millions would lose health insurance under Trumpcare,” March 16-18 edition: What will happen to the 24 million people who would lose their health insurance under Trumpcare? We all know in our hearts that this is wrong. Please reform the Affordable Care Act, but do not scrap it.

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Richmond Free Press

A8 March 23-25, 2017

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

VUU Lady Panthers win NCAA Division II quarterfinal game Perhaps it was an omen. At one end of the Ohio Dominican University gymnasium in Columbus, Ohio, the word “PANTHERS” was written in huge block letters. While host Ohio Dominican University’s mascot is the Panthers, the familiar word made the visiting Virginia Union University’s Lady Panthers feel like they were back in Richmond. Far from home, the Lady Panthers certainly looked comfortable in defeating Columbus State University of Georgia 78-73 in Tuesday’s quarterfinal game of the NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament. Alexis Johnson and Lady Walker both registered doubledoubles as VUU improved to 27-4. Johnson had 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Walker added 17 points and 10 boards. “We really played outstanding defense, especially in the second half,” said VUU Coach AnnMarie Gilbert. “Defense is our staple. That’s where we hang our hats.” Columbus State hit eight 3-pointers in the first half of the

game, but the Lady Panthers adjusted defensively and held their opponent to zero connections beyond the arc during the second half. Overall, VUU used a variety of defensive schemes to limit Columbus State to 37 percent (27-for-73) from the field. The victory advanced VUU to Wednesday night’s semifinal game, where the Lady Panthers beat California Baptist University 86-81.

NCAA coverage continues on B8 The tournament’s championship game is set for 7 p.m. Friday, March 24. Ohio is familiar territory for Coach Gilbert, who played and coached at Oberlin College, and VUU senior center Walker, who is from Cleveland. The Lady Panthers outscored Columbus State in the final quarter to end the Georgians’ 22-game winning streak. VUU qualified for the Elite Eight by winning the Atlantic

Region last week at California University of Pennsylvania, where the 6-foot-2 Walker was named Most Outstanding Player. In Ohio, the Lady Panthers are playing without All-CIAA guard Brittany Jackson, who was suspended from the team following the CIAA Tournament in Charlotte, N.C., for breaking team rules. Other standouts against Columbus State were Ashley Smith, who scored 14 points, Rejoice Spivey, who passed for 10 assists, Rachael Pecota, who had 10 points with a pair of 3-pointers, and freshman Kishona Sutton, who had seven points and two steals. VUU won the NCAA title in 1983 and was runner-up in 1984 under the late Coach Louis Hearn. A year ago in Coach Gilbert’s first season at VUU, the Lady Panthers advanced to the Elite Eight before being eliminated by Bentley University of Massachusetts in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Wade exits VCU; Rhoades returns Like cats, Virginia Commonwealth UniCoach Rhoades will have holes to fill. Deversity basketball has a knack of landing on parting seniors include All-Atlantic 10 guard its feet. JeQuan Lewis, intimidating shot blocker Mo The Rams have a proven track record of overAlie-Cox and defensive-minded, four-year coming awkward predicaments without breaking regulars Jordan Burgess and Doug Brooks. stride or losing winning momentum. With a coaching switch, there is always Earlier this week, Rams Coach Will Wade concern incoming recruits might have a change announced he was leaving for a more lucrative of heart. When Coach Smart announced he was job at Louisiana State University of the Southleaving VCU, all three of his recruits headed eastern Conference. His new, six-year contract elsewhere. at LSU reportedly is worth $12 million. It didn’t matter as Coach Wade plugged In two seasons at VCU, Coach Wade’s Rams the gaps with equally talented newcomers were 51-20 with two NCAA Tournament apand rolled on. pearances. His salary with the Rams was about According to ESPN, Coach Wade had lined $1.4 million per year. up the nation’s 21st best recruiting class of Former VCU assistant coach and current 2017. Coach Rhoades will have to “re-recruit” Rice University head coach Mike Rhoades will them or round up new talent himself, which replace Coach Wade. is doable. VCU has become an extremely atThis marks the fourth time since 2006 that tractive coaching job and a preferred landing VCU has lost a coach to a bigger-name school spot for much sought-after high school talent with more money. Each time, the Rams showed and transfer players. their resilience. Four Rams alumni are now in the NBA When Jeff Capel III left for the University — Sanders, Daniels, Graham and Weber. The of Oklahoma, Anthony Grant stepped right in Siegel Center is wallpapered in banners. Rams and guided the Rams to their most glorious fans, bleeding black and gold, seem determined Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press win ever — an NCAA Tournament upset of to travel to the ends of the earth to cheer for Duke University. their team. Commonwealth University’s new head basketball coach, Mike Rhoades, greets When Coach Grant left for the University of Virginia For many reasons, VCU basketball has befans and the media Wednesday during his official public introduction at the Siegel Alabama, Shaka Smart took over and, in short Center. Rhoades, who was an assistant coach at VCU under former Coach Shaka Smart, come dominant, and that isn’t likely to change. order, the Rams were in the 2011 NCAA Final is leaving the head coach role at Rice University to lead the Rams. Cats, they say, have nine lives. Rams, too. Four, whipping the likes of the University of Kansas and Florida State University en route to the NCAA The wins have kept coming in bunches, and so have the semifinals. fans by the thousands. VCU is working on a 99-game sellout Coach Smart took off for the University of Texas, only to streak at the always rocking Siegel Center. see Coach Wade keep up the Rams’ pace without missing a Dating to 1968 when Virginia some say under pressure; VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin in a prepared statebeat. The Rams were 25-11 and 26-9 with Coach Wade on the ment said, “We have a world-class practice facility, a sold-out Commonwealth University became head coach at Eastern was formed by the merger Kentucky University. sidelines, leaving VCU fans to ask, “Shaka who?” arena every night and a fan base than ranks with the best in of Richmond Professional Sonny Smith (1989-1999), This is no overnight success story. VCU has won at least all of college basketball. Institute and the Medical retired from coaching. 24 games each of the last 11 seasons. It has been to seven “VCU basketball is bigger than one person. We remain comCollege of Virginia, here is Mack McCarthy (1999straight NCAA Tournaments. Only three schools have longer mitted to ensuring VCU has a Top 25 program nationally.” a list of Rams basketball 2003), left under pressure streaks. Coach Rhoades, 44, served five years under Shaka Smart coaches, their years at VCU and initially retired; later During this run, there have been obstacles aplenty, all at VCU during a period when the Rams went 137-46 with and departure: became head coach at East of which turned out to be temporary at most. In addition to the 2011 trip to the NCAA Final Four. He was named head Carolina University in 2007. Benny Dees (1968-70), left withstanding the parade of coaches, consider this: coach at Rice on March 26, 2014. VCU to become assistant Jeff Capel III (2002-2006), In becoming a perennial powerhouse, VCU has overcome coach at Western Kentucky left to become head coach at Coach Rhoades’ Owls went 12-20 in each of his first two the loss of two NBA first-round draft choices — Eric Maynor University. University of Oklahoma. seasons in Houston before improving to 23-12 this season. in 2009 and Larry Sanders in 2010. Chuck Noe (1970-77), Anthony Grant (2006-2009), Prior to coming to VCU, Coach Rhoades posted a 197-76 The team has sustained success despite losing four star retired from coaching. left to become head coach at seniors — Jamie Sheen, Joey Rodriguez, Ed Nixon, Brandon record in 10 seasons at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland Dana Kirk (1977-79), left University of Alabama. with six Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles. Rozzell — from the 2011 Final Four entry, and losing brilliant to become head coach at Shaka Smart (2009-2015), As a player, Coach Rhoades led Lebanon Valley College 3-point shooters Troy Daniels in 2014 and Melvin Johnson Memphis State University. left to become head coach at in Pennsylvania to the NCAA Division III title in 1994 and in 2016. J.D. Barnett (1979-85), left the University of Texas. The Rams have continued to roll despite losing its greatest was named National Player of the Year. to become head coach at Will Wade (2015-2017), left Coach Wade was an assistant at VCU under Coach Smart defensive guard ever — Briante Weber in 2015 — and two University of Tulsa. to become head coach at more of the programs’ all-time scorers — Bradford Burgess before leaving to coach at the University of TennesseeMike Pollio (1985-89), left, Louisiana State University. Chattanooga. in 2012 and Treveon Graham in 2015.

VCU coaching history

VCU falls in first round of NCAA Tournament What goes up doesn’t necessarily have to come down — or so it seems with Virginia Commonwealth University hoops. The Rams are enjoying the rarified air above the crowd and show no inclination of descending. Despite its early exit from the NCAA Tournament with a 85-77 loss to St. Mary’s College of California on March 16 in Utah, VCU has established itself as a resilient, long-term winner. Consider: The Rams have been to seven straight NCAATournaments. Only three schools have longer streaks. VCU has reached seven straight conference tournament finals, counting the CAA and the Atlantic 10 Conference.

The Rams boast the nation’s 11th best winning percentage (.651) dating to 1971. The Rams also have won at least 24 games in each of the past 11 consecutive years under three coaches, Anthony Grant, Shaka Smart and Will Wade. In order of seasons since 2007, the consistent Rams have gone 28-7, 24-8, 24-10, 27-9, 28-12, 29-7, 27-9, 26-9, 26-10, 25-11 and, finally, 26-9 this go-round. Since 2007, the Rams have posted victories over seven ACC schools — Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, Boston College, Wake Forest, Florida State and Maryland (now in the Big 10). This year’s team loses five seniors: All-Atlantic

St. Mary’s College had all-white starting lineup and reserve St. Mary’s College of California, which ousted Virginia Commonwealth University from the NCAAs, stirred a bit of curiosity with its team’s makeup. The Roman Catholic school started five white players and all four reserve players were white. This is extremely unusual in the NCAA Division I, where about 58 percent of the players are African-American, according to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics at the University of Central Florida.

After defeating VCU, St. Mary’s lost its next game to No. 2 seed University of Arizona 6960. The last school to win an NCAA title with an all-white starting lineup was the University of California-Berkeley in 1959. Coincidentally, Cal’s Golden Bears beat another all-white team, West Virginia, led by Jerry West, in the 1959 finals. In 1960, Ohio State had just one AfricanAmerican starter, Mel Nowell, in defeating still all-white California in the finals.

10 JeQuan Lewis, A-10 All-Defensive ace Mo Alie-Cox, Jordan Burgess, Dave Brooks and Torey Burston. Still, no decline in play is expected next season. In fact, the consensus among Rams fans is that the 2017-18 squad actually may be more talented, albeit younger. Returning guards Jonathan Williams, Samir Doughty and Malik Crowfield, wing DeRiante Jenkins and rebounding terror Justin Tillman (third-team All A-10) will provide a nucleus. Also expected back as a graduate is 6-foot-9 Egyptian Ahmed Hamdy-Mohamed, who peaked toward the end of this season. Then there’s an incoming recruiting class ranked 21st by ESPN, and 6-foot-6 Issac Vann, who sat out this season after leading Maine in scoring in 2015-16. Also looming is the possible addition of a graduate transfer from another school. All said, VCU has built one of the nation’s top programs — along with Gonzaga, Butler, Xavier and Wichita State — among schools unaffiliated with Power 5 conferences. With so much achieved, the Rams are enjoying the view from the top. Wahoos/Longhorns on the menu: The University of Virginia is coming to the Siegel Center on Nov. 17 and the University of Texas, led by Coach Smart, also is expected, with details to come. Aloha: The Rams will play three games in the high-powered Maui Invitational Nov. 20 through 22, in Hawaii. Other entries are Marquette, Michigan, Notre Dame, Wichita, California, LSU and host Chaminade. Pairings have not been disclosed for the ESPN televised event.

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

Rams senior Mo Alie-Cox tries to block the shot of St. Mary’s College forward Dane Pineau as Virginia Commonwealth University suffers an 85-77 defeat in the NCAA Tournament’s first round March 16 in Salt Lake City.

March 23-25, 2017 B1

Section

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

DiamonDs • Watches JeWelry • repairs 19 East Broad strEEt richmond, Va 23219 (804) 648-1044

Personality: Janet M. Moses and Pocket

www.wallErjEwElry.com

Spotlight on volunteer duo for SPCA’s Paws for Health When she enters a room, her excitement and eagerness to entertain others overwhelms the space and the people in it. Usually dressed to impress, she greets longtime friends and strangers the same way — with a contagious enthusiasm for connection. Her personality is much larger than her 7-pound frame. Her joy in making friends easily attracts strangers. Her name is Pocket and she and her human parent, Janet M. Moses, visit local hospitals, nursing homes and retirement communities in Metro Richmond as volunteers with the Richmond SPCA’s Paws for Health pet visitation program. The duo visits with patients individually and in groups, where the 5-year-old Chihuahua-terrier mix does tricks and allows people to pet her and fawn over her outfits designed by Ms. Moses. “People like her kisses and tricks,” Ms. Moses says, noting there are about 40 tricks in Pocket’s repertoire, including rolling over, playing dead, picking up her toys and putting them away and riding a skateboard. “Most people like her to say her prayers,” Ms. Moses says. She’s also teaching Pocket to knock over bowling pins and to play the piano. Studies of programs like Paws for Health have been shown to help patients by lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, decreasing feelings of isolation and depression, encouraging communication, reducing boredom and loneliness and much more. Ms. Moses, who has been participating in the SPCA’s program for four years, sees the happiness Pocket brings to people. Pocket’s bubbly personality and tail wagging can get people out of their shells if only for a few minutes. “I like to see the spark in people’s eyes when they see Pocket,” Ms. Moses says. “I enjoy hearing their stories and laughter.” Ms. Moses recounted how, during a regular visit to an assisted living facility, she and Pocket encountered a new patient who had Alzheimer’s disease. As the patient petted Pocket, he talked with Ms. Moses about dogs he had owned during the course of his life, getting into specific details about their names and breeds. The staff later told Ms. Moses that Pocket’s visit elicited the most they’d heard the man speak since he entered the facility. In a different instance,

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To learn more about Paws for Health and your pet volunteering, contact Gail Bird Necklace at the Richmond SPCA via email at gbirdnecklace@ richmondspca.org or call (804) 521-1332.

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much she has had to eat. What Pocket means to my family and me: She truly is my road dawg. She is my fur baby and she makes me want to be the person that deserves all the love she gives. When Pocket knows she is making someone happy she: Gives the wettest, sloppiest puppy kisses and her tail wags so fast I think she may take flight. Best advice given to me: Treat everyone the way you want to be treated. a 4-year-old special needs child whose communication consisted of only 10 words added the word “dog” to his vocabulary after an interactive visit with Pocket. “I view volunteering with Paws for Health as a ministry,” Ms. Moses says. “Every visit we make, there are lots of smiles.” Pocket has always had a special, engaging personality that can make any challenges a little easier. “She’s always like this,” Ms. Moses says. “I saw this in her (when she was a puppy) and I thought, ‘I’ve got to share her.’ ” Ms. Moses and Pocket both went through training before being accepted as volunteers with Paws for Health. Ms. Moses says she was required to shadow an existing team without Pocket to see how the pet visitation process works. Next, she and Pocket did a visit where they were shadowed by a Paws for Health observer. Ms. Moses and Pocket then were evaluated and found to be a good fit for the program. The volunteering duo often travel together, Ms. Moses says, adding she’s never lonely with her fur baby at her side. “Pocket filled a void when my children moved away,” Ms. Moses says, speaking of her two adult sons who now live in New York and South Korea. “The value of her companionship is immeasurable. As cliché as it may sound, Pocket rescued me from loneliness. I am never lonely with Pocket around. “My sons are a little jealous,” she continues, “but I remind them that Pocket never talks back. I can tell her anything and she will not repeat it.” Meet this week’s Personality and invaluable volunteers, Janet M. Moses, and Pocket: Date and place of birth: March 14 in Fort Worth, Texas. Current home: Henrico County. Alma mater: Saint Leo

University, B.A. in business administration. Family: Husband, George Moses, and two sons, Nahshon, who is a career Army serviceman stationed in South Korea, married with four children, and Kay’Vion Sire, a music artist/engineer living in New York City. Type of pets involved in Paws for Health: Dogs of all breeds and sizes who are capable of passing the Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog evaluations. When and why you and Pocket became volunteers for Paws for Health: She has always been a people magnet. Pocket’s vet said Pocket would be a great therapy dog and told me about the Richmond SPCA Paws for Health. I researched therapy dogs and I knew I had to share my fur baby with others. I was already training Pocket in basic obedience, but now I had a goal — to train her as a therapy dog. Does Pocket ever let you know she is not up to her job on a particular day? There have been times when a visit has lasted more than an hour and Pocket becomes less cooperative. Her tail wags less, her ears are back and she will not do any tricks. I know her limitations and I will end the visit. Pocket’s favorite snack: Cheese. When I am teaching Pocket a new trick and we are not making much progress, I get out the cheese and that seems to open her learning faculties. Pocket’s favorite toy: Anything that squeaks. She will hold a toy in her mouth and squeak it for what seems like hours. Pocket’s favorite outfit: Pocket likes any outfit that doesn’t make her butt look big. Song Pocket likes to sing/ dance to: Pocket’s musical taste is eclectic. She likes everything — jazz, rock and roll, R&B, country, gospel and easy listening. It really depends on her mood and how

Nobody knows that I: Wrote a children’s book about Pocket that I hope to one day publish. Person who influenced me the most: My mother was my first teacher and my greatest influence. I learned from her successes as well as her mistakes. Book that influenced me the most: I have a favorite poem that continues to influence me, “The Dash” by Linda Ellis, which speaks about the dash that separates our date of birth from our date of death. The dash represents our lives and how we lived. What I’m reading now: “Daily Self-Discipline: Everyday Habits and Exercises to Build SelfDiscipline and Achieve Your Goals” by Martin Meadows.

MARCH 2017 CONGRATS TO OUR NEW SORORS Gamma Delta Chapter, Richmond, VA Karen Nash, Joy Rush, Crystal Benjamin and Merle Brunson were inducted into the Business Women’s organization on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. They were honored at a luncheon at Defense Supply Center Richmond, VA on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Family and friends joined the membership to celebrate this occasion.

Woman of the Year: Yolanda Haskett April 2, 2017 WREJ 990 Rejoice Radio: Interviewing President Kim Henderson April 21, 2017 Volunteer Initiative with Dress for Success April 22, 2017

Business and Professional Women: Furthering the Dream of Economic Independence www.iota-gammadeltarva.org

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B2 March 23-25, 2016

Happenings

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Special day with Dad Last Saturday was a special day as scores of fathers and daughters from across Richmond dressed up and enjoyed the food, music, ﬂowers, scavenger hunt and other activities at the 10th Annual Date with Dad. Called “A Wonder-Filled Dance at the Garden,” the event at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Henrico capped off a week of events sponsored by Girls for a Change to strengthen the bonds between fathers and their school-age daughters.

VCU students’ work to be showcased at The Anderson Want to see the kind of art that Virginia Commonwealth University students are producing? Student works will be showcased beginning this week at the school’s gallery, The Anderson, 907½ W. Franklin St. The ﬁrst exhibition, a show of undergraduate work, will open with a reception 5 p.m. Friday, March 24, and continue through Sunday, April 9. That will be followed by two exhibitions of the works of graduate students. The ﬁrst will open with a reception on Friday, April 14, and continue through Sunday, April 23. The second will open with a reception Friday, April 28, and continue through Sunday, May 7. The shows and receptions are open to the public without charge and will feature works ranging from crafts and interior design to painting, photography and sculpture. The Anderson is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Details: (804) 828-2725 or www.arts.vcu.edu/exhibitions.

Author to speak April 1 on ‘Liberation of Forgiveness’

Tim Reid holds 2nd Annual Spring Fashion Showcase fundraiser April 2 By Holly Rodriguez

Actor and film producer-director Tim Reid is best known for his role as Venus Flytrap on the 1970s television sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” and for his Petersburg-based film production company, New Millennium Studios, that he sold a few years ago. On Sunday, April 2, Tim Reid Productions will present the 2nd Annual Legacy Media Institute Spring Fashion Showcase from 3 to 7 p.m. at the institute’s headquarters, 2804 Decatur St., Building 29, in Richmond’s Manchester District. The show will feature 24 models wearing Tim Reid original fashions from nine designers, including Mr. Reid’s wife, actress Daphne Maxwell Reid, who debuted her line at last year’s inaugural show. Other featured designers and collections include the Fanny House Collection, Alan Furs, The Vann Company, F.N.O. Thomas Ruffin, Urban Masala, Bernard L. Moore Jr., Michael Carter, Mikasa La’Charles and Alpahdi Privé. International model and fashion designer

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Salome will host the fashion show for the second year. Also featured will be a meet and greet with the designers and an art gallery showcase. The fashion show is a fundraiser for Legacy Media Institute, a nonprofit organization that Mr. Reid describes as a “content incubator that follows a Silicon Valley model.” Its purpose is to bring together film and television professionals, actors and men and women pursuing a career in the entertainment media to produce documentaries and films. “We are working with talented filmmakers from around the world — Nigeria, Cuba, Trinidad, England and others,” Mr. Reid said. In discussing how to Salome fund the projects, Mr. Reid said the idea for a fashion show evolved. “After the success of last year, we decided to do it again,” he said. “Entertainment is a major element of redefining a locality’s culture and I think Richmond has a real opportunity here. It is already changing.” Tickets are $20; VIP tickets are $40. For details and tickets, www.trpfashionshow. com or (804) 232-4300.

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Riley Keene Temple, a Washington telecommunications attorney and author of “Aunt Ester’s Children Redeemed,” will talk about the “Liberation of Forgiveness” and sign copies of his book during a discussion 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Hanes Ave. Aunt Ester is a character created by the noted late playwright August Wilson in his series of 10 plays that explore the African-American experience through every decade of the 20th century. Mr. Temple’s book, with the subtitle, “Journeys to Freedom in August Wilson’s Ten Plays of Twentieth-Century Black America,” explores how Mr. Wilson uses language to express the characters’ experiences and journey to become strengthened by, instead of destroyed by, the pain of their past. The 2016 ﬁlm adaptation of Mr. Wilson’s play, “Fences,” starred Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Mr. Temple, who serves on the board of the National Archives Foundation and the Trust for the National Endowment for the Humanities, holds a master’s in theological studies from Virginia Theological Seminary. He has written frequently on theology and the creative arts. For more information, contact St. Philip’s Episcopal Church at (804) 321-1266.

Above, proud father Daryl Fraser, center, escorts his daughters, Kayla Jones, 18, left, and 7-year-old Nadia Fraser by the fountain at the gardens. Below left, father-daughter couples practice their salsa steps on the dance ﬂoor in the Massey Conference Center Auditorium at the garden’s Kelly Education Center. Below, Freddie Royal takes a moment to peruse the activity schedule as he sits with his daughters, from left, Kyra, Amirah and Jada.

Richmond Free Press

March 23-25, 2017

Happenings

Chuck Berry, rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, dies Reuters

Chuck Berry, who duck-walked his way into the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll pioneers as one of its most influential guitarists and lyricists, creating raucous anthems that defined the genre’s sound and heartbeat, died Saturday, March 18, at his Missouri home. He was 90. Police in St. Charles County outside St. Louis said they were called to Mr. Berry’s home by a caretaker and found him unresponsive. Efforts to revive him failed. He was pronounced dead at 1:26 p.m. Considered one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n’ roll, Charles Edward Anderson Berry was present at its infancy in the 1950s and emerged as its first star guitarist and songwriter. He electrified audiences around the world and was emulated by white performers who came to dominate American popular music. Mr. Berry’s hits such as “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “Maybellene” and “Memphis” melded elements of blues, rockabilly and jazz into some of the most timeless pop songs of the 20th century. Both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, as well as the Beach Boys and scores of other acts, including Elvis Presley, covered Mr. Berry’s songs. When Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones inducted Mr. Berry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, he said, “It’s very difficult for me to talk about Chuck Berry because I’ve lifted every lick he ever played. This is the gentleman who started it all.” Mr. Berry’s death came five months after he announced plans to release his first album of new music in 38 years — a collection of mostly original material recorded and produced by Mr. Berry, titled “Chuck,” and dedicated to his wife of 68 years, Themetta “Toddy” Berry. “My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes,” Mr. Berry wrote in a statement for the occasion, coinciding with his 90th birthday. Born Oct. 18, 1926, Mr. Berry was the third of six children whose father was a contractor and church deacon and

whose mother was a schoolteacher. They lived in a relatively another man he had never met, Russ Fratto, were listed as prosperous African-American section of St. Louis known as co-writers, depriving him of some royalty payments. But Mr. the Ville. Berry dismissed it at the time as part of the “payola” system In the first of his brushes with the law, he was sent to a that determined which records got radio play in the 1950s. He reformatory as a teenager for armed robbery. After his release later regained all the rights to his compositions. at age 21, he worked in an auto plant and as a photographer Mr. Berry’s only No. 1 hit was “My Ding-a-Ling,” a novelty and trained to be a hairdresser. song that seemed to be a juvenile sex reference. Mr. Berry came along at a time when much of the United As he became a star, Mr. Berry irked some in St. Louis States remained raby acquiring property cially segregated, but in a previously white it was hard for young area and opening audiences of any color his own nightclub, to resist a performer where another legal who delivered such scrape nearly ended a powerful beat with his career. so much energy and At a show in Texas showmanship. in 1959, Mr. Berry Mr. Berry said he met a 14-year-old performed his sigNative American girl nature bent-knee, and hired her to work head-bobbing “duck at the St. Louis club. walk” across more She later was fired than 4,000 concert and then arrested on stages. He said he a prostitution charge, created the move to which led to Mr. Bercover up a near slip ry being convicted for File photo/Reuters and fall on stage and violating the Mann Chuck Berry, right, performs his highly popular tune “Johnny B. it stuck. Act, transporting a Some critics sug- Goode” with Bruce Springsteen to open The Concert for the Rock & woman across state Roll Hall of Fame in September 1995 at Cleveland Stadium. gested it was his forlines for immoral mer pianist, Johnnie Johnson, who composed the tunes while purposes. He was sent to prison in 1962 for a year-and-a-half Mr. Berry only penned the lyrics. Mr. Johnson sued Mr. Berry and wrote several songs while incarcerated, including “No in 2000 for song royalties, saying they were equal collaborators Particular Place to Go.” on many of the hits, but the case was dismissed on grounds that Mr. Berry had more trouble in 1979 when he was convicted the statute of limitations had expired. of tax evasion, serving four months in prison, and in the 1990s, Mr. Berry first made his mark, playing with Mr. Johnson at when a number of women accused him of videotaping them in black clubs in the St. Louis area at the musically ripe age of 27. the bathrooms of his restaurant-club in Wentzville, Mo. He started filling in with Mr. Johnson’s group, known as Sir While the hits did not keep coming for Mr. Berry, the tributes John’s Trio, in 1953, with the group evolving into the Chuck never stopped, and he continued playing a monthly show at a Berry Trio. St. Louis nightclub into his late 80s. He received a Grammy At the suggestion of blues legend Muddy Waters, Mr. Berry Award for lifetime achievement in 1984 and his 1986 inducauditioned for Chess Records, the white-owned Chicago label tion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame made him part of that put out scores of blues hits. The result was the rockabilly the inaugural class. tune “Ida Red,” which became a hit after it was retitled “MayIllustrating his influence, a recording of “Johnny B. Goode” bellene” and discovered by white audiences. was included in a collection of music sent into space aboard When the record came out, Mr. Berry said he was stunned the unmanned 1977 Voyager I probe to provide outerspace a to see that pioneering rock ‘n’ roll disc jockey Alan Freed and taste of Earth culture.

Virginia Arts Festival to feature Autism Awareness 3K Walk Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis Noted operatic soprano News, Williamsburg, Virginia Kathleen Battle, a ﬁve-time Beach and Portsmouth. Grammy Award winner, will be Highlights include perforfeatured in “Kathleen Battle: mances by Wynton Marsalis Underground Railroad” as part with the Jazz at Lincoln of the Virginia Arts Festival. Center Orchestra on May 5 at Ms. Battle’s performance Chrysler Hall in Norfolk; the will be 5 p.m. Sunday, March Yosvany Terry Quintet with 26, at the L. Douglas Wilder Afro-Cuban music, April 20; Performing Arts Center on jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin the Norfolk State University Salvant and pianist Aaron campus, 700 Park Ave. in Diehl, April 9; Urban Bush Norfolk. Women in a world premiere The concert will combine of “Hair and Other Stories,” traditional spirituals with the April 22; Lula Washington Kathleen Battle writings of abolitionists Harriet Dance Theatre, May 19; Wynton Marsalis Tubman and Frederick DougR&B trio King, April 14; a lass and civil rights leaders, including Dr. by phone at (757) 282-2822. cappella group Chanticleer, May 3 and Ms. Battle’s appearance kicks off more 4; Mariachi Los Camperos, May 2; the Martin Luther King Jr. The Norfolk State University Choir, than 40 performances for the 2017 Virginia Australian company Pants Down Circus, under the direction of Dr. Carl Haywood, Arts Festival, a regional festival of music April 8; and 13-year-old jazz phenom and dance that will run through May and Joey Alexander, May 27. will accompany Ms. Battle. The program was presented at the include two world premieres, more than a Discounts are available for three- or Metropolitan Opera House in November dozen regional debuts and performers and four-performance packages. ensembles from around the United States to a sold out crowd. A full schedule of performances and Tickets range from $35 to $75 and may and the world. The performances will be ticket details: www.vafest.org or call (757) be purchased online at www.vafest.org or held at venues around Norfolk, Newport 282-2819.

Maymont Farm to reopen with celebration Sunday Maymont Farm will reopen Sunday, March 26, after being closed for 10 months to undergo a $3 million facelift. The reopening celebration, scheduled for noon to 4 p.m., is free and open to the public at the park, 1700 Hampton St. Guests can feed the farm animals, watch the goats during training, see Percy the donkey and meet Nutzy, the mascot for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, and Seymour the Friendly Dinosaur from the Children’s Museum of

Richmond. Juggler Jonathan Austin also will perform and people can ride a trackless train. The farm renovations included updates to the barn, making the animals more visible to visitors and easier for people to pet the animals. New classrooms also were added, and a newly designed natural play area is to be added. Maymont Farm’s petting zoo also has new additions — two retired racehorses and ﬁve

and Festival April 2

A local foundation dedicated to helping families dealing with autism and other special needs is joining forces with the Richmond Police Department to host the “Light It Up Blue” Autism Awareness 3K Walk and Festival on Sunday, April 2. The event, sponsored by the JP JumPers Foundation, will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. The walk will begin at the headquarters of the Richmond Police Department, 200 W. Grace St., and end at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., where a free festival will take place. Music, a bounce house, face painting, a mini car show and food trucks will highlight the festival, which is to bring community awareness to autism. In the past, the foundation’s annual awareness event has involved people wearing blue and taking a group photo in front of the museum, which is lighted with blue lights for autism awareness. Pam Mines of Chesterﬁeld who started the foundation and named it after her son, J.P., who has autism, has enlarged the event to include the walk and festival and involve the men and women in blue of Richmond Police. At dusk, the outside of the museum again will be bathed in blue light for a group “Light It Up Blue” photo. Participants are asked to dress in blue for the photo. Ms. Mines calls the event a celebration of those who are affected by autism. Registration to walk is $20. Details and registration for the walk: www.JPJumPersFoundation. org

Racial healing retreat set for April 7 & 8

Maymont photo

blackface sheep. Originally constructed in the 1960s, the farm has evolved through the years to feature a

petting zoo and a child-friendly glimpse into farm life. Details: www.maymont.org or (804) 358-7166.

“Healing Racism: Facing Fear/Facing Freedom” is the theme for Coming to the Table Richmond’s Mid-Atlantic retreat April 7 and 8 at Richmond Hill, 2209 E. Grace St. The retreat will include sessions on implicit bias, envisioning what racial healing in the community would look like, releasing personal fears and increasing freedom. Participants also will go on a Richmond history walking tour and attend a special presentation of “Love Locked Down: The Theater Project,” a play examining how society has been impacted by incarceration and remedies for restorative justice. The retreat costs $100, which includes food, overnight lodging and the sessions. To attend without overnight lodging, the cost is $50. The registration deadline is Thursday, March 31. Information and registration: Email Martha@livingintheand. com or call (804) 334-6608. Coming to the Table RVA is dedicated to providing leadership and resources for community healing from the legacy of racism and the history of slavery in the United States.

Richmond Free Press

B4 March 23-25, 2017

Obituary/Faith News/Directory

Longtime educator, consultant Virgie M. Binford dies at 92 Virgie Mattic Binford built a reputation as an education dynamo. Though small in stature, Dr. Binford loomed large in her commitment to learning and to the children and parents she encountered. Those who knew her described her as a gusher of optimism who believed in people and their ability to learn and succeed in life. Dr. Binford, who earned doctorates in education and ministry, made early childhood education her niche. For more than 60 years as a teacher, consultant and author, she helped children learn the basics and trained teachers and parents to assist with an upbeat energy few could match. With a big, warm smile and positive approach to life, Dr. Binford was admired for viewing problems as challenges to be overcome. Dr. Binford is being remembered following her death Sunday, March 19, 2017, at her Henrico County residence following a battle with cancer. She was 92. Final tributes will be paid to Dr. Binford at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Road in Henrico. The service will be preceded by a family hour at 10 a.m. The family will hold a wake from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 27, at McClenny & Watkins Funeral Service, 2700 North Ave. in Richmond. During her 38-year career with Richmond Public Schools, Dr. Binford spent more than 16 years as a kindergarten teacher before being promoted to lead the preschool Head Start program. Her ﬁnal administrative role was director of Follow Through, a federally supported program to assist Head Start children as they advanced through third grade and to teach their parents to participate in their education. “She believed every child could learn, and she believed that parents could be their best teachers,” said Shirley Seay, a retired Richmond educator who worked on the Follow Through staff with Dr. Binford. “It was a great program, and under Dr. Binford’s leadership had a signiﬁcant impact on parents and children,” Ms. Seay said. “Quite a few parents were inspired to complete high school as a result of this program.” A native of Tralake, Miss., Dr. Binford moved to Virginia

Dr. Binford

with her ﬁrst husband, who was in the Army at Fort Lee. Later divorced, she stayed after earning her undergraduate degree at Virginia State University in 1950 and securing a teaching job in Richmond at A.V. Norrell Elementary School

in North Side. She went on to earn a master’s degree from VSU and a doctorate in education administration and supervision from Virginia Tech. She also earned a doctorate in ministry from the New Hope Bible Crusade College and Seminary in Baltimore. A true believer in lifelong learning, she undertook postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia and at schools in Africa, Asia and Europe. Retiring from RPS around 1988, Dr. Binford became an early childhood education consultant and taught early childhood education courses at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. She also spent several years as an early childhood education consultant in the Virgin Islands, said her daughter, Josephine R. Redd of Detroit, also a former educator. Dr. Binford self-published eight books on learning and faith. RPS and the city honored her commitment to education by naming the school at the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center for her. “She was a wonderful, caring person who always spoke from the heart,” Ms. Redd said. Dr. Binford maintained a busy schedule until a few weeks before her death, Ms. Redd said. She took part in multiple exercise and dance classes and attended meetings of organizations of which she was a member. Among others, she belonged to the National Association of University Women and two educational honor societies, Phi Delta Kappa and Pi Lambda Theta. She also was a member of the Treble Clef Book Club, Toastmasters International, the Delver Women’s Club and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Dr. Binford was an active member of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico and All Souls Presbyterian Church in Richmond. She served as an elder at All Souls, which honored her in 2013 with its Excellence in Ministry Award, citing “her leadership skills, her intellectual accomplishment and her commitment to justice and to the common good.” In addition to her daughter, survivors include three sisters, Francis M. Douglas, Jean M. Neal and Vivian Mattic, all of Detroit; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Standing together In the wake of a rash of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries and community centers across the nation, more than 200 people attend a unity rally Sunday at Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery in Henrico County as a show of solidarity. Speakers from several faith traditions participated in “Standing Together: Remember and Respond.” The event at the cemetery, located within Forest Lawn Cemetery, was designed to support those who have been targeted by recent events and to stand in unity against divisive and bigoted actions and rhetoric. Top, people line up to place stones on a monument to those who died in the Holocaust and whose remains were never found. Right, Ahmed Faried leaves stones on the site. At left, families and individuals listen as speakers promote religious freedom, diversity and inclusive communities. Sponsors included Bonay Kodesh, Congregation Beth Ahabah, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond, Islamic Center of Virginia, Richmond Hill, Richmond Peace Education Center, Temple Beth-El, Weinstein Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.

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

2017 Theme: The Year of Elevation (First Peter 5:6)



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

Wednesdays

Sunday, March 26, 2017

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

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

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

1:30 p.m. Bible Study

6:30 p.m. Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. ... Sunday School Adult Bible Study10:00 a.m... Morning Worship

Holy Communion

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

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All!

Come worship with us! Sunday, March 26, 2017 10:45 AM Divine Worship Holy Communion Christ Kids And Christ Teens Worship Every Sunday

Nursery During Church School and Worship Twitter sixthbaptistrva

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

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

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Purchase Tickets at MMBC on Sundays or through our members. Weekly W Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon & 7:00 P.M. 2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor

Wilson & Associates’

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Sixth Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Yvonne , Pastor

U Women’ss Women

   Mosby Memorial Baptist Church

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“The The Sto ”

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

Noon Day Bible Study

10:30A.M.

Join us for good music, laughter, spoken word and adult family st style fellowship.

Sharon Baptist Church

Tuesdays

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

Mar. 26, 2017

Good G ood d Med Med d

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.

Sundays

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Lenten Season Monthly Obituary Column • February 2017 Mosby joins with the larger Christian Community in Thank you to the following bereaved families for allowing serve celebrating the Lenten season us as atotime ofyou reflection, during the month of February 2017. are still in our prayersJoin andusthoughts. fastingYou & prayerful consecration. on the journey View full obituaries online at www.wilsonafs.com and follow along with our Lenten Calendar at www.mmbcrva.org

Thelma H. McQuay Evelyn L. Harris Margaret Mayo Ernest Franklin “Doonie” Jones, Sr. Jerel Williams Edith E. Bradley

David Churchwell Jefferson Davis Lewis III Edward P. Cotman Sr. Fannie M. Lewis Sandra “Sam” Brown Walter Coy Winston Jr. Roger Lee Hines

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Eve Church School 8:45Upcoming a.m. Day ~ March Worship ServiceCollege 10 a.m.

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 An afternoon of music, laughter, spoke

e ercies iisr  a.m. Natasia J. Cullins “The Story” Easter Play ~ A ul ile Su :0 p.m. Charles H. “Chuck” Winn Purchase Tickets at MMBC on Sundays o Kevonte Miller ie oore Sree o Althea Lewis  Gertrude Henley Rev. Price L. Davis, Pastor Antonio L.Dr. Williams Ellen M. Bolling

Spread the Word

5008 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, VA 23223 • 804-222-1720, Fax 804-222-1745 Remembering those we love ... Remembering those we serve.

Richmond Free Press

Upcoming Events

Black History Celebration call 644-0496

February 26, 2017 During Morning Worship… We will have Black History moments, a presentation from our Creative Arts Ministry and end the day with a shared meal.

Richmond Free Press

March 23-25, 2017

Faith News/Directory

Parson attempts legal maneuver to retake Richmond Christian Center

son said after leaving court. He already has filed a separate request for a hearing before Judge Keith L. Phillips, the federal judge presiding over the bankruptcy case. No hearing date has been set. Pastor Parson insisted he would enter the church this Sunday with his supporters. He alleges that he was wrongly forced out of the pulpit. However in court, Christopher L. Perkins, the attorney who represents Mr. Matson, told Judge Markow that RCC is now “a different church” from the one Pastor Parson began, with the documents Pastor Parson is relying on no longer valid. According to the RCC’s reorganization plan that Mr. Matson prepared and that Judge Phillips confirmed with the support of creditors in January 2016, the RCC has been incorporated and the bylaws of the church altered to give the trustees full authority to hire and fire the pastor, control the property and handle the finances. The reorganization plan also includes a statement that “Pastor Parson may not be involved” with the RCC. Outside the court, Mr. Perkins also reminded Pastor Parson that Mr. Matson had secured a judgment of $100,000 against him on behalf of RCC to recover church funds he spent when he was in charge that was found to be inappropriate. Mr. Perkins told Pastor Parson that he would have “to stroke a check” to pay off that judgment to have any chance to take control.

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Sunday, April 2, 2017 Service 12 Noon Prayer & Praise before Worship

Dr. & Mrs. Joe Ellison, Jr. Founder & Senior Pastor

2300 Fairmont Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23223 804.937.1356 Like us on Facebook

Community Wide Prayer Service & Bible Study Tuesday Service 6:30 pm

“Lord, give us the people no one else wants”

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” 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

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

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

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

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“The People’s Church”

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 • Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcofﬁce1@yahoo.com • web: www.richmondebenezer.com 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. 6:45 p.m. Wed. 4:30 p.m. Wed. 6:00 p.m. Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

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

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

Worship Opportunities

fied Pastor Parson that his “sabbatical” was over, that he was officially terminated as pastor and that he was generally barred from entering the church property. Ms. Hickman separately has taken out a restraining order barring Pastor Parson from being on the property when she is present. Pastor Parson responded with a letter firing the trustees as he began his legal actions. On Monday, Pastor Parson’s first attempt was rebuffed in Richmond Circuit Court when

Broad Rock Baptist Church

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

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Pastor Stephen A. Parson Sr. leaves Richmond Circuit Court on Monday after losing his bid in to regain the pulpit of the Richmond Christian Center. He vows to continue his fight be reinstated as the leader of the church he founded.

Morning Worshi Church School Morning Worship

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

Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays): Church School Morning Worship

8:30 A.M. 10 A.M.

Thursdays:

Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults)

Youth Emphasis Sunday

Sunday, March 26, 2017 Emphasis during 11 a.m. service

YOUTH E MPHASI S

The “Youth Take Over” will display our youth leadership and “Speak Out!” skills while serving as worship participants during service.

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

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.

Zion Baptist Church 2006 Decatur Street Richmond, VA 23224

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

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

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

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church C

ance with Re ev

everence

ing Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin

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

❖

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

Sundays:

Judge T. J. Markow declined to consider Pastor Parson’s plea for a temporary injunction to enable him to re-enter the church and resume his leadership. Pastor Parson’s plea was based on 1984 court documents showing he was named the “permanent pastor” and “permanent chair” of the trustee board. Judge Markow ended the hearing after noting that the church is still in federal bankruptcy court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over the case, and that he has “no authority” to address the issues raised by Pastor Parson, who acted as his own attorney. “This is not over,” Pastor Par-

All are welcome!

Worshipping at the Historical Tenth Street Baptist Church

City Park Church

Fresh from campaigning for President Trump, Pastor Stephen A. Parson Sr. has launched a campaign to retake control of the Richmond Christian Center in South Side. The minister has ﬁled legal actions and enlisted Chuck Smith, a Republican candidate for Virginia attorney general, to represent his supporters. He also has vowed to lead members into the Cowardin Avenue church’s service on Sunday, March 26, to resume the pulpit. It’s the latest twist in the saga of Pastor Parson and the church he founded in his living room in the early 1980s. He built the church into a congregation of several thousand, but after the membership declined to a few hundred, he ultimately led the church into bankruptcy to prevent the RCC’s lender from foreclosing and selling the property. In early 2015, he gave up the pulpit, stating he was going on “sabbatical” after a courtappointed bankruptcy trustee, Bruce H. Matson, required the church to take control of RCC’s ﬁnances from Pastor Parson under a reorganization plan to keep the church alive and prevent the property’s sale. Now, Pastor Parson is seeking to oust the three volunteer trustees, Rhonda Hickman, Calvin Yarbrough and Raymond Partridge, who have been in charge since he left. Last week, the trustees noti-

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

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

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

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

Saturday 8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

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

en h Annual Wom se t 9 urpo ission & P

M ith

Conference

THEME:

Friday, April 21, 2017 and Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 9:00AM

In His Presence “Living For His Glory”

SCRIPTURE: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being. (Acts 17:28a NIV)

Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, 2017 - 9 AM

For more information and to Register go to: www.ndec.net or call 1-844-699-4054 Doubletree Hotel Reservations: 1-800-222-8733 or 804-379-3800 {Reference New Deliverance Evangelistic Church}

Tune in on Sunday Morning to WTVR - Channel 6 - 8:30 a.m.

Richmond Free Press

B6 March 23-25, 2017

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 10, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2017-029 As Amended To authorize the special use of a portion of the properties known as 1 South Plum Street, 3 South Plum Street, and 5 South Plum Street for the purpose of a parking area, upon certain terms and conditions. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Community Commercial land use for the subject property. Primary uses in this category include office, retail, personal service and other commercial and service uses, intended to provide the shopping and service needs of residents of a number of nearby neighborhoods or a section of the City. Ordinance No. 2017-030 To erect all-way stop signs at the intersection o f Av o n d a l e Av e n u e and Teakwood Avenue. (COMMITTEE: Public Safety, Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 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 3, 2017 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 10, 2017 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. 2017-072 To amend and reordain City Code § 30-930.5 to establish the Mason’s Hall Old and Historic District at 1807 East Franklin Street to be known as the Mason’s Hall Old and Historic District. Ordinance No. 2017-073 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1117 West Franklin Street for the purpose of an expansion of an existing institutional use, upon certain terms and conditions. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends SingleFamily (Medium Density) land use for the subject property. Primary uses in this category include single-family and twofamily dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. These areas also include residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semipublic uses. 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; the Main City Library located at 101 East Franklin Street; 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 Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances:

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and to appropriate the estimated revenues for such fiscal year for the objects and purposes stated in the said budget.

make appropriations from the Water Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Water Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

certain fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 28650 (concerning fees for residential wastewater service), 28-651 (concerning fees for commercial wastewater service), 28-652 (concerning fees for industrial wastewater service), 28-653 (concerning fees for state and federal wastewater service), 28-654 (concerning fees for municipal wastewater service) and 28-799 (concerning fees for discharge of hauled materials into designated septage receiving stations by contractors) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2017, to establish revised charges for such services.

of public utility buildings and facilities therefor, including but not limited to the stores division; and acquisition of real property and real property rights (including without limitation easements and rights-of-way) therefor as appropriate; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell such bonds for such capital improvement projects; to provide for the form, details and payment of such bonds; to approve the form of supplemental indenture of trust; to authorize the issuance of notes of the City in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds; and to authorize the issuance of taxable bonds, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such public utility revenue bonds.

Ordinance No. 2017-037 To adopt the Special Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Special Revenue funds for the said fiscal year. Ordinance No. 2017-038 To accept a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for the fiscal year beginning Jul. 1, 2017, and for the four fiscal years thereafter; to adopt a Capital Budget for the fiscal year beginning Jul. 1, 2017; and to determine the means of financing the same. Ordinance No. 2017-039 To appropriate and to provide funds for financing the school budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018. Ordinance No. 2017-040 To adopt the Debt Service Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018, and to appropriate the estimated expenditures from the Debt Service Fund for the said fiscal year. Ordinance No. 2017-041 To adopt the Internal Service Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Internal Service funds for the said fiscal year. Ordinance No. 2017-042 To adopt the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ Richmond Cemeteries Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Richmond Cemeteries for the said fiscal year for the operation and management of the facilities. Ordinance No. 2017-043 To adopt the Department of Public Works’ Parking Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 20172018; and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Department of Public Works’ Parking Enterprise Fund for the said fiscal year for the operation and management of parking facilities. Ordinance No. 2017-044 To adopt the Electric Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Electric Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Electric Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Electric Utility and for the purchase of vehicles. Ordinance No. 2017-045 To adopt the Gas Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Gas Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Gas Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Gas Utility and for the purchase of vehicles. Ordinance No. 2017-046 To adopt the Department of Public Utilities’ Stores Internal Service Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Department of Public Utilities’ Stores Internal Service Funds for the said fiscal year. Ordinance No. 2017-047 To adopt the Stormwater Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Stormwater Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Stormwater Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the stormwater utility and for the purchase of vehicles. Ordinance No. 2017-048 To adopt the Wastewater Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Wastewater Utility for the said fiscal year; and to make appropriations from the Wastewater Utility Renewal Fund or Operating Fund for renewing, rebuilding or extending the plant and distribution system of the Wastewater Utility and for the purchase of vehicles.

Ordinance No. 2017-036 To adopt the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018;

Ordinance No. 2017-049 To adopt the Water Utility Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2017, and ending Jun. 30, 2018; to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Water Utility for the said fiscal year; and to

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Ordinance No. 2017-050 To amend and reordain section 3 of Article III of Ord. No. 93-117-159, adopted May 24, 1993, to suspend the Career Development Program for certain Police and Fire officers for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Ordinance No. 2017-051 To amend section 12A of Article III of Ord. No. 93-117-159, adopted May 24, 1993, concerning salary supplements for the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, to provide the Commonwealth Attorney with a salary supplement of $46,768 and a contribution to the Virginia Retirement System on his behalf of $9,713 and to provide the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office with $774,895 for salary supplements and $184,956 for a contribution to the Virginia Retirement System for members of the office for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Ordinance No. 2017-052 To amend section 12B of Article III of Ord. No. 93-117-159, adopted May 24, 1993, concerning salary supplements for the Sheriff’s Office, to provide the Sheriff with a salary supplement of $23,069 and the Sheriff’s Office with $4,440,009 for salary supplements for members of the office for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Ordinance No. 2017-053 To amend and reordain section 25 of Article III of Ordinance No. 93117-159, adopted May 24, 1993, to suspend the Educational Incentive Program for certain Police and Fire Officers for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Ordinance No. 2017-054 To amend section 43 (Step-Based Pay System for Sworn Fire Fighters and Police Officers) of Article III of the pay plan adopted by Ord. No. 93117-159 on May 24, 1993, for the purpose of providing for a step advancement for certain sworn fire and police personnel. Ordinance No. 2017-055 To amend and reordain the fee set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for section 4-248 (concerning the fee for disposition of a dead companion animal) of the City Code to modify the fee for such service. Ordinance No. 2017-056 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 7-6(a) and (c) (concerning cemetery fees) and 7-92 (concerning fees for care of burial spaces and lots) to increase the charges for internments, disinternments, reinternments, and entombments. Ordinance No. 2017-057 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 8-277 (concerning fees for the use of the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater and Carillon in Byrd Park), 8-278 (concerning fees for the use of City-owned equipment), 8-279 (concerning fees for use of public parks), and 8-284(b) and (c) (concerning meeting fees) of the City Code. Ordinance No. 2017-058 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for section 23-42 (concerning fees for solid waste) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2017, to establish revised charges for such services. Ordinance No. 2017-059 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 28-191(2) and 28-191(3) (concerning fees for residential gas service), 28-192(2) (concerning fees for residential gas peaking service), 28193(2) (concerning fees for general gas service), 28-195(f) and 28-196(f) (concerning fees for transportation service), 28198(2) (concerning fees for municipal gas service), 28-202(c) (concerning fees for large volume gas sales service), and 28-203(c) (concerning fees for large volume, high load factor, gas sales service) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July 2017, to establish revised charges for such services. Ordinance No. 2017-060 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 28-923 (concerning fees for residential stormwater service) and 28924 (concerning fees for developed nonresidential and multifamily residential properties stormwater service) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2017, to establish revised charges for such services. Ordinance No. 2017-061 To amend and reordain Continued on next column

Ordinance No. 2017-062 To amend and reordain the fees set forth in Appendix A of the City Code for sections 28-326 (concerning fees for residential water service), 28-327 (concerning fees for commercial water service), 28328 (concerning fees for industrial water service), 28-329 (concerning fees for municipal water service), 28-330 (concerning fees for state and federal water service), 28-458 (concerning fees for water for fire protection) and 28-549 (concerning fees for water use during conservation periods) of the City Code, effective as of the date of rendering bills for Cycle I in July, 2017, to establish revised charges for such services. Ordinance No. 2017-063 To amend City Code §§ 26-21—26-23 and 2626—26-29, concerning the City’s tax amnesty program, for the purpose of providing for a 2017 tax amnesty period. Ordinance No. 2017-064 To authorize the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $37,850,000 to finance the cost of school projects and general capital improvement projects of the City for the following purposes and uses: construction, reconstruction, improvements and equipment for public schools; construction, reconstruction, improvement and equipment for various infrastructure needs, including traffic control facilities, streets, sidewalks and other public ways, bridges, storm sewers, drains and culverts, and refuse disposal facilities; participation in redevelopment, conservation and community development programs, including the construction, reconstruction, improvement and equipment for targeted public facilities included in these programs; construction, reconstruction, improvements and equipment for public institutional, operational, cultural, educational and entertainment buildings and facilities, including but not limited to the theaters, parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, libraries and museums; acquisition of real property therefor as appropriate; and the making of appropriations to the City’s Economic Development Authority (“EDA”) to be used by the EDA to finance capital expenditures or to make loans or grants to finance capital expenditures for the purposes of promoting economic development; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell such bonds for such capital improvement projects, to provide for the form, details and payment of such bonds; to authorize the issuance of notes of the City in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds; and to authorize the issuance of taxable bonds, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such general obligation public improvement bonds. Ordinance No. 2017-065 To authorize the issuance of public utility revenue bonds of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $63,200,000 to finance the cost of capital improvement projects of the gas, water and wastewater utilities and public utilities buildings and facilities for the following purposes and uses: enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the gas plant and transmission lines; enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the waterworks plant and transmission lines; enlargement, extension, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping of the wastewater plant and intercepting lines; construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, and improvement of sanitary and storm water sewers, pumping stations, drains and culverts; construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, improvement and equipping Continued on next column

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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 April, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

( F ather ) & Ta s h i a Nicole Allen (MOTHER) of JOHNETTE ALLEN child, DOB 06/19/2001, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendant Dwayne Anthony Holloway (Father) & Tashia Nicole Allen (Mother) to appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before May 10, 2017 at 2:00 PM, Courtroom #5. Diane Abato, Esq. 900 E. Broad St., 4th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. D AV I S , D E B R A D . S C O T T, W h o M a y B e Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, RECHARDE GOODWYN, JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, DEIDRE E. DAVIS, RUSSELL B. DAVIS, RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, 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 AJA RIDDICK, Plaintiff v. KENELM RIDDICK, Defendant. Case No.: CL17000425-00 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 11th day of April, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

Property

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER OTELIA THROWERMEADOWS, Plaintiff v. RUSSELL MEADOWS, Defendant. Case No.: CL17000573-00 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 April, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRginia: IN THE Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ANTONIO LUKE Case No. J-778958-06-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Leticia Babette Luke (MOTHER) of ANTONIO LUKE child, DOB 11/23/2003, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendant Leticia Babette Luke (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 5/9/2017 at 2:00 PM Courtroom #2

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DUSTIN TYSON, Plaintiff v. TIANNA WILLIAMS, Defendant. Case No.: CL17000586-00 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

VIRginia: IN THE Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re johnette allen Case No. J-82401-08-09 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Dwayne Anthony Holloway

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. Case No.: CL16-4991 RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, A Virginia Corporation, et al., Defendants. ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1709 North 24th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E000-0944/005, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY. An Affidavit having been filed that SCINDEY MORRIS, Registered Agent for RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, and DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RECHARDE GOODWYN and JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, and DEIDRE E. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known addresses, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that RUSSELL B. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has not filed a response to this action; that RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that SCINDEY MORRIS, Registered Agent for RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES

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Ordinance No. 2017-066 To authorize the issuance of general obligation equipment notes of the City of Richmond in the maximum principal amount of $2,300,000 to finance the cost of equipment for the following purposes and uses: acquisition of computer, radio, office, solid waste collection, office furniture and miscellaneous equipment and vehicles for the various departments, bureaus and agencies of the City, and equipment for City schools; and to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell equipment notes to finance the acquisition of such equipment, and to authorize the issuance of taxable notes, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such general obligation equipment notes. Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Jean V. Capel City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER STEPHANIE THOMAS, Plaintiff v. GREGORY THOMAS, Defendant. Case No.: CL17000574-00 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 April, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER HEATHER WATSON, Plaintiff v. JOHN WATSON, Defendant. Case No.: CL17000427-00 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 11th day of April, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

CUSTODY VIRginia: IN THE Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the County of chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re carter warner westbay Brian keith branch, tracy l. branch v. Unknown father Case No. JJ090846-01-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Determine custody o f C arter Warner Westbay (DOB: 5/4/16), whose mother is Christina Ann Moore and whose father is unknown, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3. Father’s whereabouts are unknown. It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown Father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before 5/5/2017 at 9:00 AM

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. SHARON K. BRADLEY, et al. Defendants. Case No.: CL16-1616 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as East Brookland Park Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number N000-0980/025, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, SHARON K. BRADLEY and CAROLYN J. BRADLEY. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, SHARON K. BRADLEY, ELAINE BRADLEY HANSOM and CAROLYN J. BRADLEY, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that SHARON K. BRADLEY, ELAINE BRADLEY HANSOM, CAROLYN J. BRADLEY, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, A Virginia Corporation, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL16-4990 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2000 North 29th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0120401/017, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY. An Affidavit having been filed that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, and DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RECHARDE GOODWYN and JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, and DEIDRE E. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to Continued on next page

Richmond Free Press

March 23-25, 2017 B7

Legal Notices Continued from previous column

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their last known addresses, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that RUSSELL B. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has not filed a response to this action; that RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, RECHARDE GOODWYN, JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, DEIDRE E. DAVIS, RUSSELL B. DAVIS, RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, 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

not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, RECHARDE GOODWYN, JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, DEIDRE E. DAVIS, RUSSELL B. DAVIS, RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, 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

CACV of COLORADO, LLC, A Colorado Limited Liability Company Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that JAMES P. HURD, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of JAMES P. HURD, MARTHA DUNN a/k/a MARTHA LENORA DUNN, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of MARTHA DUNN a/k/a MARTHA LENORA DUNN, BEN F. DUN, JR., who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of BEN F. DUN, JR., ALBERT F. DUNN, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of ALBERT F. DUNN, MARY BROWN, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of MARY BROWN, DELORES H. JONES, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of DELORES H. JONES, GWENDOLYN YOUNG a/k/a GWENDOLYN D. YOUNG, KHADIJA HAKIN p/k/a BERTHA M. HINTON, WINIFRED OTEY p/k/a WINFRED L. DUNN, EQUITY ONE CONSUMER LOAN CO a/k/a EQUITY ONE CONSUMER LOAN COMPANY, INC., A Purged Corporation, CACV of COLORADO a/k/a CACV of COLORADO, LLC, A Colorado Limited Liability Company Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, 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

to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, RECHARDE GOODWYN, JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, DEIDRE E. DAVIS, RUSSELL B. DAVIS, RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, 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

IT IS ORDERED that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, RECHARDE GOODWYN, JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, DEIDRE E. DAVIS, RUSSELL B. DAVIS, RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, 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

May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, RECHARDE GOODWYN, JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, DEIDRE E. DAVIS, RUSSELL B. DAVIS, RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, 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

Corporation, Substitute Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust dated June 20, 2006, with respect to said property, recorded June 22, 2006, in Instrument Number 06-20975, or its successor/s in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that ROBERT G. WATTS, JR., Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Credit Line Deed of Trust dated February 21, 2001, with respect to said property, recorded March 2, 2001 in Instrument Number 01-5058, or his successor/s in title have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that M. ANDREW MCLEAN a/k/a MARK ANDREW MCLEAN, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Credit Line Deed of Trust dated February 21, 2001, with respect to said property, recorded March 2, 2001 in Instrument Number 01-5058, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, or his successor/s in title; that ROSTORMEL FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC., A Delaware Limited Liability Company for which the Authority to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia has been Cancelled, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property has not files a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that CHURCH HILL PROPERTIES, LC, A Cancelled Virginia Limited L i a b i l i t y C o m p a n y, WALTER A. HOOKER, P.C., A Terminated Virginia Corporation, Substitute Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust dated June 20, 2006, with respect to said property, recorded June 22, 2006, in Instrument Number 06-20975, or its successor/s in title, ROBERT G. WATTS, JR., Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Credit Line Deed of Trust dated February 21, 2001, with respect to said property, recorded March 2, 2001 in Instrument Number 015058, or his successor/s in title, M. ANDREW MCLEAN a/k/a MARK ANDREW MCLEAN, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Credit Line Deed of Trust dated February 21, 2001, with respect to said property, recorded March 2, 2001 in Instrument Number 015058, or his successor/s in title, ROSTORMEL FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC., A Delaware Limited Liability Company for which the Authority to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia has been Cancelled, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before

APRIL 20, 2017, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JAMES P. HURD, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF JAMES P. HURD, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL16-4839 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 112 South Colonial Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number W000-1281/009, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, James P. Hurd, who may be deceased. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, JAMES P. HURD, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of JAMES P. HURD, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that MARTHA DUNN a/k/a MARTHA LENORA DUNN, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of MARTHA DUNN a/k/a MARTHA LENORA DUNN, BEN F. DUN, JR., who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of BEN F. DUN, JR., ALBERT F. DUNN, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of ALBERT F. DUNN, MARY BROWN, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of MARY BROWN, DELORES H. JONES, who may be deceased and the heirs, devisees, assignees or successor/s in interest of DELORES H. JONES, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that GWENDOLYN YOUNG a/k/a GWENDOLYN D. YOUNG, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to her last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that KHADIJA HAKIN p/k/a BERTHA M. HINTON, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action; that WINIFRED OTEY p/k/a WINFRED L. DUNN, who may have an ownership interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that EQUITY ONE CONSUMER LOAN CO a/k/a EQUITY ONE CONSUMER LOAN COMPANY, INC., A Purged Corporation, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that CACV of COLORADO a/k/a

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, A Virginia Corporation, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL16-4986 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1806 Sussex Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000755/023, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY. An Affidavit having been filed that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, and DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RECHARDE GOODWYN and JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, and DEIDRE E. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known addresses, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that RUSSELL B. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has not filed a response to this action; that RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, A Virginia Corporation, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL16-4988 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2112 North 29th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0120374/002, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY. An Affidavit having been filed that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, and DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RECHARDE GOODWYN and JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, and DEIDRE E. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known addresses, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that RUSSELL B. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has not filed a response to this action; that RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, A Virginia Corporation, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL16-4987 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2807 Newbourne Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0120374/001, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC., a/k/a RICHMOND INVESTMENT COMPANY. An Affidavit having been filed that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF RICHARD T. DAVIS, and DEBRA D. SCOTT, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF DEBRA D. SCOTT, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RECHARDE GOODWYN and JABRIEL MICKENS a/k/a JABRIEL NICKENS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that RICHARD FEGGINS, ASHLEY FEGGINS, RODNEY A. DAVIS, REYNARD I. DAVIS, and DEIDRE E. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known addresses, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that RUSSELL B. DAVIS, who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has not filed a response to this action; that RONALD J. SCOTT, JR., who may have an ownership interest in said property, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that LVNV FUNDING LLC, A Delaware Limited Liability Company, Not Authorized to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to STERLING JEWELERS, INC., which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that Any unknown heirs, devisees, assignees, or successors of RAYMOND DAVIS, SR., REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF REGINA D. STRINGER a/k/a ALEEN STRINGER, RICHARD T. DAVIS, Who Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. TIMOTHY HARRISON, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL16-1894-4 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1510 North 24th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Ta x M a p / G P I N # E 0 0 0 0780/006,, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, TIMOTHY HARRISON and WILLIE EARL BRADLEY. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, TIMOTHY HARRISON, who has been served by posting at his DMV legal presence address, and by mailing a copy of the complaint to that address and to the one Mr. Harrison has given as his address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, WILLIE EARL BRADLEY, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that CREDIT CAR AMERICA INC., A Purged Corporation, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that CITIBANK, N.A., a Foreign Corporation for which the Authority to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia has been Revoked, Successor by Merger to CITIBANK SOUTH DAKOTA, NA., which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; that THOMAS ROBINSON, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been locate and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that TIMOTHY HARRISON, WILLIE EARL BRADLEY, CREDIT CAR AMERICA INC., A Purged Corporation, CITIBANK, N.A., a Foreign Corporation for which the Authority to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia has been Revoked, Successor by Merger to CITIBANK SOUTH DAKOTA, NA, THOMAS ROBINSON and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before APRIL 20, 2017, and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. CHURCH HILL PROPERTIES, LC, A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL16-914 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3104 3rd Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number N000-0991/011 to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, CHURCH HILL PROPERTIES, LC. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CHURCH HILL PROPERTIES, LC, A Cancelled Virginia Limited Liability Company, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that WALTER A. HOOKER, P.C., A Terminated Virginia Continued on next column

Continued on next column

BIDS COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION ITB # 17-1343-3CE – Bathroom Improvements – Dumbarton, Fair Oaks & Longan Elementary Schools and Hermitage High School - This project consists of Renovations, Finish & Fixture Upgrades and ADA Accessibility alterations to the bathrooms Due 3:00 pm, April 12, 2017. Additional information available at: http:// henrico.us/purchasing/.

License The BrewCrew LLC Trading as: Brewers Cafe 101 W 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23224 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia D e p artment of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for a Mixed Beverage on premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Anthony Brewer Jr, Managing Member NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200. Juno Restaurant Group II LLC Trading as: The Stables Wine & Beer on Premises & Mixed Beverage 201 N. Belmont Ave. Richmond, Virginia 23221-2811 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia D e p artment of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for a Wine & Beer On Premises & Mixed Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Steven J. Gooch, Member NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: Clemons Library Brick Work To view a copy of RFP # HH032117 go to Procurement Services Site:http://www.procurement. virginia.edu/main/ publicpostings/RFP.html, or email pur-rfp@virginia.edu

Richmond Ambulance Authority Notice of Request for Proposal Workers Compensation Insurance Solicitation Number: 17-01

The Richmond Ambulance Authority, a high performance EMS system located in Richmond, Virginia, announces its intent to bid for the provision of workers compensation insurance.The successful bidder will provide a plan and cost proposal for providing workers compensation coverage to the Authority. All proposals must be received at Authority offices no later than 3pm, ET on April 28, 2017. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Workers Compensation Insurance 17-01 by contacting: Kaila M. Bradley Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Richmond Ambulance Authority 2400 Hermitage Road Richmond, Virginia, 23220 804-254-1185 kbradley@raaems.org

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Richmond Free Press

B8 March 23-25, 2017

Sports Plus Stories by Fred Jeter

MEAC winners bow out of NCAAs early MEAC, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, plays basketball on the NCAA’s highest level, Division I, for at least two reasons: • The opportunity for a head-spinning upset; • And, more realistically, for financial gain. Each game played in an NCAA tournament is worth about $1.5 million to the school’s conference. Revenue is distributed over six years, which turns out to be an installment of about $250,000 paid to the conference each year. MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas said all of the conference’s schools receive a portion of the NCAA money, with the school participating in the tournament getting a larger share. This year’s MEAC representative to the NCAA Tournament was MEAC Tournament champion North Carolina Central University. However, Coach LeVelle Moton’s Eagles lost 67-63 to the University of California-Davis in a First Four match on Wednesday, March 15,

in Dayton, Ohio. In 2016, MEAC champ Hampton University defeated Manhattan College in a First Four game before losing to the University of Kentucky in the NCAA’s ﬁrst round. That meant MEAC got double the $1.5 million per-game prize, for playing two games before national TV cameras. Since earning an automatic NCAA Division I bid in 1981, MEAC schools have advanced in the main draw only three times, each time as a No. 15 seed against a No. 2 seed. In 1997, MEAC’s Coppin State University of Baltimore upset the University of South Carolina. Hampton University knocked off Iowa State University in 2001. And in 2012, Norfolk State University, as a 21.5-point underdog, shocked the University of Missouri. “You never know what might happen,” Commissioner Thomas told the Free Press. “People play the lottery even though they know the odds are stacked against them. But someone always

wins the lottery, don’t they?” Never were the odds longer than a year ago when Hampton played the University of Kentucky in Louisville. Hampton’s annual basketball budget at the time was listed at $907,328; the University of Kentucky’s, about $23.6 million. To help generate revenue, MEAC schools play most non-conference games on the road in November and December for cash guarantees. While this pays some bills, it’s punishing to a team’s win-loss record. MEAC was 41-118 outside the league this season. Commissioner Thomas said the historically African-American league is always on the lookout for expansion, but that football participation would be mandatory. Asked speciﬁcally about Virginia State University, Commissioner Thomas declined comment but left the door open for discussion. The MEAC also sends its women’s champion to the NCAA Tournament each year, but

there is no revenue distributed, Commissioner Thomas said. This year’s MEAC women’s champ, the Hampton University Lady Pirates, lost 94-31 in the NCAA ﬁrst round to Duke University on Saturday, March 18, in Durham, N.C. The women’s tournament allows higher seeds to play at home in the early rounds. MEAC was formed in 1970 with the intent of becoming one of two HBCU Division I conferences, along with the Southwestern Athletic Conference, or SWAC. Many MEAC schools were members of the NCAA Division II CIAA before formation of MEAC. In 1974, Morgan State University, led by Marvin “The Human Eraser” Webster, won the Division II national title. On the Division I level, such an outcome seems remote, if not impossible. But as Commissioner Thomas is quick to say, “You never know.”

Chesterfield’s Devin Robinson is standout on Florida NCAA team

If you missed seeing Chesterﬁeld County native Devin Robinson playing basketball as a youngster, here’s your chance to observe the more grown up version. Just tune in to TBS at 9:59 p.m. Friday, March 24. The long-limbed 6-foot-8 junior wing is a major reason why the University of Florida (26-8) has advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 to face the University of Wisconsin at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Robinson drew national headlines last weekend in the Gators’ rousing East Region wins over East Tennessee University (80-65) and the University of Virginia (65-39) in Orlando. “Devin runs like a deer and gets his jump shot off so quickly,” University of Florida Coach Mike White told the media at the Amway Center. “He’s a very talented guy. He can be a force

at both ends of the ﬂoor.” Wearing jersey No. 1, Robinson was brilliant in the NCAA region opener against East Tennessee. Scoring in a variety of entertaining ways, the lithe, 200-pounder posted 24 points, hitting two of three 3-pointers, hammering two dunks and adding seven rebounds in the victory. In the Gators’ beat-down of U.Va., Robinson buried two more 3-pointers, scored 14 points, snared 11 rebounds and thwarted U.Va. with his defensive quickness and tenacity. On the season, Robinson averages 12 points and seven rebounds while hitting .479 from the ﬁeld, .394 from behind the arc and .717 at the foul stripe. Some background is in order, particularly because Robinson wasn’t around Chesterfield courts long enough to establish a reputation. After playing as an eighthgrader at Manchester Middle

School, he enrolled Christchurch win a at Manchester High state title and was before transferring to named the Virginia private Christchurch Independent Schools School in Eastern Player of the Year. Virginia. During that period, At Manchester he also performed for High, he was a junior the Squires Richmond starter and among the AAU squad, drawing Lancers’leading scor- Devin Robinson additional attention. ers under Coach Chad Long. “Devin improved so fast,” “Devin was a good kid recalled Tony Squire. “In a but a little goofy,” recalled matter of a few months as a Manchester Activities Director junior, he went from being a Roger Cassem. “He got in some kid with no (college) offers trouble for some little things, and no ranking to offers from but nothing serious.” all over the country.” Robinson reclassified at He chose Florida — and Gators Christchurch, repeating the 11th Coach Billy Donovan — after grade, where he grew several turning down offers from the likes inches and stirred a nationwide of Connecticut, Indiana, Notre recruiting tug of war. Dame and Oklahoma State. “In Devin’s case, it was probDonovan then left Florida ably a good thing to get away,” after Robinson’s freshman year added Cassem. “It allowed him to to become coach of the NBA mature more physically and emo- Oklahoma City team. It was a tionally. We wish him well.” source of disappointment for Robinson h e l p e d Robinson.

“I came to Florida to play for Coach Donovan,” Robinson said in Orlando. He said his motto is “inside out,” meaning he likes to establish himself in the paint before launching from a distance. He believes in no speed limits. “I’m at my best when we’re playing fast in transition,” he said in Orlando. Robinson, the son of Kim and Darryl Robinson, made the All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team in 2015, but his sophomore season was a downer from a team standpoint. The SEC squad failed to reach the NCAAs and settled for an NIT bid. Robinson considered applying for the NBA draft last spring, but did not, largely because of a foot injury. “It was actually when I was unable to play that I became more focused on my game,” he

said. “I started working more on my form and became a better 3-point shooter.” Robinson said he hasn’t decided whether he will return to Gainesville for his senior year. It’s not too late to apply for the NBA draft. “Not thinking about that (NBA) at all,” he said in Orlando. “I’m just concentrating on trying to win more games for Florida and my teammates.” Meanwhile, the NBA scouts are doing their homework. “I’ve had calls from three or four NBA teams already,” said Squire. “They’re trying to get all the information they can … I had one say Devin would go somewhere in the 30s (overall) but that was before this past weekend.” A victory Friday would advance the Gators to the NCAA Elite 8 on Sunday against the winner of the Baylor-South Carolina game.

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The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Mechanic 29M00001034 Department of Public Works Apply by 04/02/17 Construction Inspection III – Gas & Water Construction 35M00000358 Department of Public Utilities Apply by 04/02/17 Construction Inspector II – Traffic Engineering Division 29M00000738 Department of Public Works Apply by 04/02/17 Director of Public Works 29M00000609 Department of Public Works Apply by 04/02/17 Event Production Worker 20Temp02071 Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Apply by 04/02/17 Planner III – Land Use 05M00000111 Department of Planning, Development and Review Apply by 04/02/17

needed for 12 hour shift at Assisted Living Facility. Also need 1 PCA or CNA to work as a relief person on 12-hour shift. Please bring a current TB report when applying. All references will be checked.  Good pay  Good days off Need licensed medication aide for 12-hours shifts. Call for appointment (804) 222-5133.

The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring Field Representatives in the Richmond metro area. If you are customer focused, self-motivated and have excellent communication skills, please call 1-800-563-6499 for more information and to be scheduled for a testing near you. The Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

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

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