October 5 7, 2017 issue by Richmond Free Press

e Deadlin to r e t is to reg

VOTE y, Mon da Oct. 16

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters will go to the polls to elect Virginia’s governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and members of the Virginia House of Delegates. In addition, Richmond voters will cast ballots for the city sheriff, treasurer, commonwealth’s attorney and 3rd District representative to the Richmond School Board.

City voters also will be asked to vote on an amendment to the City Charter regarding funding for renovating or repairing public school buildings. The deadline to register to vote in the election, or update an existing registration, is Monday, Oct. 16. Registration applications are available online

This weekend • Youth Bowl • VSU Trojans homecoming B2

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VOL. 26 NO. 40

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c e l e b rat ing o u r 2 5 t h A nniv e r s ar y

October 5-7, 2017

Tragedy in Vegas Sunday’s bloody mass shooting outside casino is the worst massacre in recent U.S. history Free Press staff, wire report

The mystery and motive behind mass killer Stephen Paddock — gambler, accountant, auditor and real estate investor — continues to baffle federal authorities and law enforcement officials in Las Vegas who were working on Wednesday to discover what drove the 64-year-old to commit the worst mass murder in modern U.S. history. Police body camera video released Tuesday night revealed the sheer chaos at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on Sunday, when a gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, killing 58 people and injuring more than 480 others. The video showed people screaming and scrambling as officers tried to figure out the location of the gunman Stephen Paddock and shuttle people to safety. According to those who knew him, Mr. Paddock showed no signs of mental illness, extreme political views or an unhealthy interest in guns prior to the massacre. However, Mr. Paddock was prescribed anti-anxiety medication during the summer and purchased 50 10-milligram tablets Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun/Reuters of diazepam, better known under its brand name Valium, on A body is covered with a sheet at an area set up by first responders in the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard after Sunday’s mass shooting across from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. June 21, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported, citing records from the Nevada Prescription Monitoring Program. According to media reports, Mr. Paddock liked to gamble, had homes in Southern California, Texas and Nevada, had plenty of money and held a succession of steady jobs as a mail carrier, accountant, auditor and apartment manager, according to media reports. son’s opinion last week — although not from In an era when social media By Jeremy M. Lazarus Mr. Jackson or his office, as City Council has invites full-throated expression Does Richmond City Council have the legal not authorized the opinion’s release. of even the most minor annoyauthority to remove or relocate the Confederate The stunning opinion has emerged as the ance, Mr. Paddock gave no hint statues from Monument Avenue? council is poised to consider a resolution from of whatever it was that drove No, according to City Attorney Allen L. 9th District Councilman Michael J. Jones him check into the hotel suite Jackson. calling for the General Assembly to with 23 high powered weapons The city’s chief legal adviser asserts grant Richmond authority to remove with scopes, smash out two that the city’s master plan and at least the statues. windows and unload on 22,000 one provision in the City Charter bar Mr. Jackson’s opinion is binding concertgoers at a country music the governing body from taking any on the nine-member governing body festival below. action regarding the statues, beyond until the state Supreme Court issues Several new details emerged preserving them. a contrary ruling in an appropriate Tuesday about Mr. Paddock and “Absent a change in the City Charter case. how he worked methodically to or the enactment (by the General AsReached Monday, Mr. Jones de- thwart law enforcement. As he Mr. Jackson sembly) of legislation that overrides clined to comment on Mr. Jackson’s fired round after round startall such charter provisions, it is my opinion opinion. ing at 10:08 p.m. and lasting that the City must preserve those structures However, Mr. Jones, who regards removal of for 11 minutes, video cameras as part of its master plan,” he wrote in a legal the statues as a moral issue, has not withdrawn he set up at the hotel door’s April Coleman/Richmond Free Press opinion provided to council members Sept. 18 his resolution in the wake of the opinion. Bonnie L. Davis shares a hug with her biological peephole and outside in the mother, Sheila Dean Richardson, during an interview in response to that question. last week at the Free Press. They reconnected five Please turn to A4 The Free Press obtained a copy of Mr. JackPlease turn to A4

City attorney: City Council has no authority to remove Confederate statues

decades after Ms. Davis was adopted shortly after her birth in Kentucky.

Mother, daughter reunited 50 years after adoption By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Bonnie L. Davis grew up in an adoptive family, but always longed to find her biological mother. But the Richmond middle school English teacher, church musician and creative writer, found it nearly impossible, despite spending years seeking records in Louisville, Ky., where she was born. All she could find out was that her mother Sheila Dean, was 15 when she put her new daughter up for adoption. She also found out that her name at birth was LaTonya Tandelet Dean. It was changed by her new parents in Kentucky who adopted her shortly after her birth. “It seemed impossible to find my mother,” said Ms. Davis, whose longing to meet her biological mother intensified following the death of her adoptive parents in recent years. “I could not find anyone who knew my mother in that area. You know, women change their names when they marry, and people move. So I had sort of given up.” Thanks to the miracle of DNA science, the two women have found each other after 50 years. They had an emotional and joyous reunion two weeks ago. And Ms. Davis, who is going through the court process to officially change her name to LaTonya Dean, accompanied her mother to a family reunion last Saturday in Maryland, where she met much of her extended family. “It was glorious,” said Ms. Davis, bubbling with hapPlease turn to A4

Fish farming in Fairfield Court?

Nonprofit founder floats idea to improve lives of East End residents By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Could fish farming be a way up for residents of public housing? Eric Samuelson believes it is a winning idea. And he’s hoping to find government officials who are willing to test it. “I get paid by private business to solve problems,” said Mr. Samuelson, a veteran management consultant. “I want to use my abilities to help solve the problems facing residents in public housing. And I think fish farming is one way to go.” Through the nonprofit Family Restoration Network he co-founded, he is courting state and city officials for support and grants for his big idea: To create a pilot tilapia fish farm and greenhouse in the heart of Fairfield Court in the East End as a first step toward improving lives and strengthening families. The 66-year-old Ashland resident proposes to put the 1,000-square-foot project in a portion of the field behind Fair-

field Court Elementary School that stretches to the Armstrong High School stadium. For him, the benefits are easy to tick off. “We would be creating fresh

food, providing marketable skills for residents, bringing a creative science program to benefit students, while offering hope and inspiration for this community,” Mr. Samuelson said.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Happy face Six-year-old Nia McKoy grins with pleasure as Ivy MacCurtin transforms her face Saturday at the 2017 Richmond Peace Festival at St. Joseph’s Villa in Henrico County. Please see B3 for additional photo coverage.

The venture, he said, would be a training ground for a host of jobs, ranging from irrigation technician and greenhouse worker to pool technician, plumber’s assistant and construction laborer. Cost: About $50,000 to create the 45-foot-by-25-foot greenhouse-fish farm that could produce 300 to 400 pounds of fish a month, he said. The fish could be provided cheaply to residents or sold wholesale to area grocery stores, he said. At least $30,000 and possibly more would be needed for operating costs, he added. Essentially, the fish farm would consist of a series of tanks where the fish would start as fingerlings, or babies, and move into other tanks as they grow and are harvested at about 1.5 pounds. The fish waste would be broken down by microbes and worms and the water would be recycled, irrigating lettuce planted in the greenhouse and Please turn to A4

Richmond Free Press

A2 October 5-7, 2017

Local News

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Cityscape

New city-backed developments involving millions of dolmachinery is preparing the site for two four-story buildings. lars are beginning to take shape in the East End. Left, heavy One building will provide space for Reynolds Community machinery churns the ground at 1611 N. 31st St., site of the College’s $11.5 million culinary institute, a dozen apartments, former Armstrong High School. The purpose: To prepare the site Slices of life and scenes a restaurant and offices. The second building is to include in Richmond for development of 175 new apartments and 81 single-family space for a modern grocery store and smaller retail shops and homes. It is the first step in replacing the Creighton Court public housing 42 apartments. Corporate leaders Steve and Kathy Merkel are spearheading community. A nonprofit, The Community Builders, is leading the project for the development that is expected to exceed $20 million. The revitalization of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Right, just six blocks the area also includes new apartments on Venable Street and other smaller west at Nine Mile Road, Fairmount Avenue and 25th Street, more heavy retail and residential developments across Church Hill.

Commission selects 10 for Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument on Brown’s Island • Nat Turner of Southampton County, leader of the largest, though ultimately Two leaders of slave rebellions and a unsuccessful slave revolt in 1831 in Union spy will be among the 10 people Southampton County; who will be featured on the planned • Mary Elizabeth Bowser of Richmond, Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom the Union spy working in the Confederate Monument to go up on Brown’s Island in White House who provided key informaDowntown. tion to the military; That’s the decision of the General As• Dred Scott of Southampton County, sembly’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial whose freedom lawsuit led to the infamous Commission, which is spearheading the U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1857 drive to create the new monument in 2019 denying the citizenship rights of Africanto mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival Americans. The decision helped bring on the of the first Africans in Virginia. Civil War that led to emancipation; and The commission, led by Richmond state • William Harvey Carney of Norfolk, Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan, started with who escaped from slavery to fight for the the names of nearly100 people nominated Union in the famed 54th Massachusetts regito appear on the statue. The commission ment and became the first African-American made the final selection two weeks ago. to receive the Medal of Honor for heroics The honorees, whose images and brief in the Battle of Fort Wagner, S.C. biographies are to adorn the monument, are The five post-1865 honorees are: to include five people who contributed to • Rosa Dixon Bowser of Richmond, the freedom movement prior to the 1865 educator and women’s activist who founded emancipation of slaves and five who have or co-founded local, state and national orcontributed since that time. ganizations for African-American teachers The first five are: and women; • Gabriel of Henrico County, the leader • John Mercer Langston of Louisa, of a large, but ultimately aborted slave an attorney who represented Virginia in rebellion in Richmond in 4cp 1800; Congress, served as the first president of Trim: 7.278”W x 10”H | Color: | Pub: Richmond Free Press By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care

Celebrating 50 years of service Richmond Delegate Betsy B. Carr, left, presents a General Assembly resolution congratulating the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care for 50 years of providing counseling to families, couples, children and individuals to “restore healing and hope.” Receiving the proclamation at a celebration Sept. 28 at the Virginia Historical Society are Frances Broaddus-Crutchfield, president of VIPCare’s board and contributing Free Press writer, and Dr. Douglas M. Thorpe, executive director of the Henrico County-based nonprofit. Sister Cora Marie Billings, a member of the VIPCare board, also was honored for her advocacy and work to promote counseling in the Richmond region. VIPCare was founded in 1967 by a multiracial, ecumenical group.

City denies owing overtime pay to former mayor’s security detail

Virginia State University and earlier as the first dean of Howard University’s law school, which he helped create; • John Mitchell Jr. of Richmond, a banker, city alderman and fiery editor of the Richmond Planet who fought lynching, segregation and the Ku Klux Klan and was the first African-American candidate for Virginia governor; • Lucy F. Simms of Harrisonburg, a pioneering educator who taught three generations of children in her hometown; and • The Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker, who led the anti-segregation movement in Petersburg as pastor of Gillfield Baptist Church, became a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and served as Dr. King’s chief of staff and SCLC executive director for four years. The images of the individuals are to be topped by a 12-foot bronze statue representing newly freed slaves. Sculptor Thomas Jay Warren of Oregon has been commissioned to create the monument, which is projected to cost about $800,000. The commission has said it has secured $500,000 in state funds and would seek private donations for the other $300,000.

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The city does not owe you a dime. That is City Hall’s response to a lawsuit that four members of former Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ executive protection detail have filed alleging they were denied overtime pay when they worked more than 40 hours a week. The legal tussle over pay is now underway in federal court in Richmond and pits Richmond Police Officers Charles Battle, Errol Fernandez, Anthony Franklin and Eric Godfrey against the city. Long a sore point with residents and City Council, the city Police Department’s Executive Protection Unit was born under former Mayor L. Douglas Wilder in 2005, continued in a reduced form under Mayor Jones and was eliminated just before Mayor Levar M. Stoney took office in January. In their suit filed Aug. 22, the officers claimed to work an average of 55 hours a week. They said they were paid overtime before 2015, but allege that Police Chief Alfred Durham imposed a no-overtime policy in May 2015 and barred them from submitting requests for the time worked beyond 40 hours a week as required by state and federal law. They claim the detail, which started with 11 officers protecting Mayor Wilder and was reduced after Mayor Jones took office in 2009, worked up to 16 hours a day, six days a week and sometimes on Sundays during Mayor Jones’ tenure. The officers’ suit seeks payment for the extra time, although it does not offer specifics of what is owed collectively or individually. However, in its response filed Sept. 25, the city claims the four officers are seeking money that is not due. “EPU members were paid overtime worked prior to May 2015” when only five officers were assigned to the protection detail, according to the response filed by Stephen Hall, deputy city attorney. “However, because the EPU was enlarged by the Richmond Police Department in May 2015, by information and belief, no overtime was required after that point,” Mr. Hall stated. In sum, “the city denies that plaintiffs are entitled” to any relief, Mr. Hall stated in one part of the response, and later stated that the officers were “compensated for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any particular work week.” While the officers say they are prepared to prove that they worked extra time, but could not include the extra time on their reports of hours worked, Mr. Hall states in the response that they submitted “their own time records” that were used to pay them “in good faith.” Overtime lawsuits have become far more common against local governments. In 2012, Richmond paid $7.2 million to settle its biggest overtime suit involving 600 police officers who claimed the city failed to pay overtime based on a state law that was more stringent than the federal wage law. The city initially argued that federal law pre-empted the state law, but settled after a federal judge ruled that was not the case. Social workers and firefighters in Richmond also sued and won overtime pay in suits involving fewer people. City officials, like those in many places where overtime issues have led to expensive court cases, have said they have become more vigilant in controlling overtime and to ensure proper payment when extra hours are worked in the wake of those suits.

TWO

CENTURIES

AGO

our fledgling democracy required citizens educated and inspired to think in bold new ways. This honorable and enduring calling compels us to ask more of ourselves, endlessly pursuing our founding purpose.

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News

Bloody mass shooting in Las Vegas Continued from A1

hall kept an eye out for police storming the room, according to Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo. “It was preplanned, extensively, and I’m pretty sure that he evaluated everything that he did in his actions, which is troublesome,” Sheriff Lombardo said. Mr. Paddock shot through his hotel door, hitting a security guard in the leg before police got into to the room to find him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Mr. Paddock had no criminal history. And despite repeated claims by the Islamic State to the contrary, he also had no ties to international terror groups, authorities said. Police said the gunman had 23 firearms in his hotel and an additional 19 at his home in Mesquite, Nev., about a hour northeast of Las Vegas. Authorities determined that more than 30 of the firearms were acquired in the past 12 months, an official said. Neighbors describe him as surly, unfriendly and standoffish. Mr. Paddock was the son of a bank robber who was once on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and who authorities described at the time as a “psychopath.” But Mr. Paddock’s brother said their father was not involved in their lives when they were children. “He was always normal,” said Donald Judy, a former neighbor of Mr. Paddock’s in Mesquite, as he struggled to reconcile the friendly conversations about real estate and family and the carnage in Las Vegas. Patrons and a bartender at Peggy Sue’s 50s Style Diner in Mesquite said Mr. Paddock and his girlfriend, Marilou Danley, would come in almost every week and have a few drinks and she would sing karaoke. Ms. Danley, who lived with him, was born in the Philippines and is a citizen of Australia. She had been in Asia for at least two weeks before the shootings, her family denying

Deadline to register to vote: Monday, Oct.16 Continued from A1

and at the state Department of Motor Vehicles offices, public libraries, all post offices and other government offices and in local voter registrars’ offices. Applications must be postmarked by the Oct. 16 deadline. Voters also may request an absentee ballot through the mail through Tuesday, Oct. 31. However, voters may apply and vote absentee in person at the Richmond Voter Registrar’s Office in City Hall, 900 E. Broad St. by 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. The office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 4, for absentee voting. People with an ID issued by the state DMV may go online to register to vote, update their registration information and apply for an absentee ballot at www.elections.virginia.gov. Voters must have an acceptable photo ID in order to cast a ballot. Free photo IDs are available at all local registrars’ offices. For information, including who is running for election, verification of voter registration, polling places and the types of photo IDs that are acceptable, go to www.elections. virginia.gov. Information also is available at www.VOTE411.org, a website created by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters.

she had any knowledge of his plans. Authorities said he transferred $100,000 to a bank in the Philippines days before the shooting. Described by the police as a “person of interest” in the case, Ms. Danley was met by law enforcement officials after she arrived at Los Angeles International Airport from the Philippines late Tuesday night. She was being questioned Wednesday by federal authorities. Investigators are hoping Ms. Danley may hold the key to unraveling the mystery of what drove Mr. Paddock to carry out the massacre.

Victims of the tragedy are being remembered in vigils across the nation, including one planned for 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, in Richmond. United Communities Against Crime is holding a candlelight prayer vigil outside the John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th St. in memory of the Las Vegas victims and the people affected by recent hurricanes, according to organizer Charles D. Willis. Participants are asked to bring candles. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Las Vegas on Wednesday, visiting the hospital bedsides

of the wounded and the base of police operations. He offered prayers and condolences for those who were killed and hurt, and praise and congratulations to first responders and doctors who rushed to save lives. He also met with police officers, emergency dispatchers and others who had responded to the mass shooting Sunday night, telling them, “You showed the world and the world is watching, and you showed what professionalism is all about.” The president, however, waved off questions about the availability of firearms — the shooter had a veritable

arsenal of weapons — saying this is not the time to discuss the possibility of further gun restrictions. Back in Washington, Republicans made clear on Wednesday they have no intention of taking up gun control measures, such as tightening restrictions on semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines, in the shooting’s aftermath. However, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, is launching another push to combat gun violence, this time targeting accessories that make it possible to convert a semiautomatic gun to fire

rounds rapidly like an automatic weapon. She said her bill, which had 26 Democratic co-sponsors as of Wednesday morning, would ban the sale, transfer, importation, manufacture or possession of bump fire stocks — also known simply as “bump stocks” — as well as trigger cranks and other accessories that accelerate a semiautomatic rifle’s rate of fire. The longtime gun control advocate also revealed Wednesday that her daughter planned to attend the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, but didn’t go.

City Council has no authority to remove statues Continued from A1

The first hearing on his resolution to remove the statues is still scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 17, at City Council’s Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee meeting. The resolution is on the agenda, although it is questionable whether the committee, led by Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, will take it up in the wake of Mr. Jackson’s opinion. Mr. Jones previously has said that his resolution “would be dead in the water” if it failed to win the required five council votes for passage or if the General Assembly later refused to give Richmond leeway to get rid of the statues. Mr. Jackson’s opinion provides a rationale for council members to put off action. A majority of the members appear reluctant to tackle the issue or to deal with the wrath of statue proponents and opponents, who are equally passionate. Most appear to want to wait for the recommendations of the Monument Avenue Commission, a group established by Mayor Levar M. Stoney, before taking any action. The commission is moving slowly, with its next meeting set for Nov. 16. Mr. Jackson threw his legal cold water on the divisive and heated statue issue at a time when various groups are making plans for marches and rallies to protest against the Confederate statues or to show support for them. That includes a march 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, by a coalition of groups to urge the removal of the Confederate figures and to protest the city’s alleged failure to preserve and protect the Shockoe Bottom area where slave jails and auction blocks once stood. The march is to begin at the statue of Confederate

Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue, move to City Hall and culminate in Shockoe Bottom with a ceremony to mark the 217th anniversary of the execution of Richmond slave rebellion leader Gabriel in 1800. Meanwhile, L. Douglas Wilder, the former Richmond mayor and governor, has joined the debate. One of the best-known political figures in Richmond, the 86-year-old Richmond native told a C-SPAN interviewer last week that Richmond should focus more on using tax dollars for public education than on removing statues. “It’s more important to improve the quality of education,” he said during a Sept. 28 cable TV interview in response to a question about the statues. He called for “spending more wisely on the kind of things we need to do now rather than on this talk of destroying and taking down.” Virginia’s current Gov. Terry McAuliffe made a similar point a few weeks ago on the “Ask the Governor” radio program. He said given limited dollars, improving schools buildings should have a higher local priority than eliminating Confederate statues, even though he supports removal. In his four-page opinion, Mr. Jackson stated that City Council faces formidable legal barriers that would need to be removed before they could consider whether to get rid of the statues. Among other things, Mr. Jackson cited “restrictions contained in the City Charter” that the General Assembly would need to remove before the council could act on the statues. That includes overhauling a charter requirement imposed on the Planning Commission to “preserve historical landmarks,” a status that Mr. Jackson wrote “self-evidently” applies to the statues on Monument Avenue. He also wrote that it is legally fuzzy whether the

statues in Richmond are protected under a 1998 state law passed to prevent removal of such statues. He warned that the city likely would face expensive litigation if the council were to vote to take down the statues before the state Supreme Court determines whether the 20-year-old preservation law applies retroactively to statues placed in cities. Attorney General Mark R. Herring recently issued an opinion that the law was not retroactive and did not protect Confederate statues like those in Richmond and other Virginia cities that were put in place decades before the 1998 law was enacted. In similar laws passed and amended since 1904, the language only barred counties from removing statues, Mr. Herring stated. Mr. Jackson wrote that Mr. Herring’s opinion was not sturdy enough to rely on. He proved prescient. On Wednesday, a Charlottesville Circuit Court judge rejected Mr. Herring’s reasoning and ruled that the law protecting war memorials applies to statues placed in cities earlier than 1998. The decision stems from a lawsuit filed over the Charlottesville City Council’s decision to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee from a public park in the city. “Logic and common sense,” Judge Richard Moore stated, prevented him from adopting the argument that a Confederate statue was unprotected before the 1998 law was enacted because it was in a city rather than a county. The lawsuit seeks to block the Charlottesville council’s action. Judge Moore’s ruling allows the case to proceed in his court. However, Mr. Jackson noted that any decision in the case is likely to be appealed to the state’s highest court for a definitive decision.

Nonprofit founder floats idea to improve lives of East End residents Continued from A1

returned as filtered water to the fish. A typical greenhouse structure would enclose the area to allow for year-round operation, Mr. Samuelson said. If it proves as successful in changing lives and creating fresh food as Mr. Samuelson expects, larger aquaponic projects could be developed that could be financially self-sustaining, he said. Similar projects are in operation elsewhere, with extensive research backing the idea, he said. In this area, Virginia State University’s Extension Service has done significant work on fish farming. And last year, Randolph-Macon College biology students created a small version of the fish farm-greenhouse to determine for the Family Restoration Network the best combination of fish and plants for the venture. So far, Mr. Samuelson’s vision remains just a drawing board exercise; his nonprofit lacks the money to proceed. He has taken the idea to regional jail and state prison officials as a training program for inmates, but has only

Jeremy Lazarus/Richmond Free Press

Eric Samuelson, left, shares with Cleon Ware details of the fish farmgreenhouse he wants to develop in this field next to Fairfield Court Elementary School in the East End. He sees the farm as providing job training for adults and improved science education for children in the public housing community near Armstrong High School. That school’s football stadium can be seen in the background.

received minimal interest. While the city school system and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which operates Fairfield Court, have expressed interest, no funding has been advanced. Mr. Samuelson said he learned plenty about the problems of low-income fami-

lies in recent years when he worked with the Family and Fatherhood Initiative at the Richmond City Jail. He said he learned from male inmates about the emotional and financial problems they face in trying to connect with their children and the barriers they encounter in seeking to support

themselves after their release. He said he found that too many lack skills and education and need training after release, while their criminal records do not make them the first choice of employers. They also are under pressure to pay child support and pay off debts that keep them from getting a driver’s license, he said. Meanwhile, many struggle to overcome their own shame at not being self-sufficient and hostility when trying to reconnect with children, he said. Mr. Samuelson said the Family Restoration Network tries to create programs that can provide solutions, such as mediation to enable the mother and father to work together for the benefit of children and discussion groups where the men can talk out their problems. Cleon Ware, a former inmate who now serves as the organization’s activities director, said he’s impressed with Mr. Samuelson’s sincerity in trying to address the challenges. “He’s become like a father to me,” Mr. Ware said. “He’s not trying to take advantage. He just wants to help people improve their lives.”

Mother, daughter reunited 50 years after adoption Continued from A1

piness. “I know other people are searching for their families, and I want to tell them, ‘Never give up,’” she said. Ms. Davis took advantage of an offer from a company that offers DNA testing at a low cost. Most people do it to find out about their ancestry. “I saw an ad on TV, and thought maybe, just maybe, there could be a chance. So I ordered the kit, put in my saliva when it came and sent it back.” A month later, she got an email from the company, which told her about her heritage, confirmed her birth name and provided her a list of people to whom she might be related. One of those people, Andre Dean, monitors emails from the testing company. He responded to a notice of Ms. Davis’ search and sent an email that was included in the company’s report to Ms. Davis asking if she might be a long-lost cousin. It turns out Ms. Davis’ birth family had been searching for her, too. Within days, she was in contact with another rela-

tive, Michael Wade, who gave her contact information for her mother in Columbia, S.C. “I didn’t know if she wanted to see me,” Ms. Davis said. “I called and left a message to let her know who I was and that it was alright if she didn’t call back.” Ms. Davis said she had just finished playing the keyboard at the Sept. 24 service at Thirty-first Street Baptist Church in Richmond and noticed she had gotten a call. When she dialed, a woman answered, and Ms. Davis heard her mother’s voice for the first time. “My knees got so weak I couldn’t stand up,” she said. “My mind was in a whirl. I could barely speak.” But she collected herself enough to tell her mother that she was on the way. Within two hours, Ms. Davis and her fiancé were on the road to South Carolina, and six hours later, she had a teary, emotional hug with her mother and met her brother, Courtney. “I had never stopped thinking about her. I always wanted to find her,” her mother, Sheila Dean Richardson said last week after traveling to Richmond to spend time with her daughter before the reunion.

Now 66 and retired from a career working with juvenile delinquents, Ms. Richardson said she was a young teen living with her grandmother in a small town near Louisville when she got pregnant. At the time, she said she was considered a disgrace for having a baby out of wedlock. Her grandmother sent to her to Louisville to live in a home for unwed mothers until she gave birth, along with firm instructions to put her baby up for adoption. “I did,” Ms. Richardson said, adding that she got pregnant again deliberately a year later so that she could get away from her grandmother. She ended up marrying the father, whom she later divorced as part of her own journey. Ms. Richardson said she never forgot her first child, but she said she, too, found the official secrecy surrounding the adoption too difficult to overcome. Both women are grateful that their recent health issues didn’t prevent their reunion. Ms. Richardson has overcome cancer, while Ms. Davis has rebounded from a stroke. “God is good,” said Ms. Davis. “It took divine intervention for all this to come together.”

Richmond Free Press

October 5-7, 2017

Local News

10 vying for School Board appointment By Saraya Wintersmith

Candidates seeking appointment to the Richmond School Board’s 7th District seat pointed to a multitude of issues during public interviews Monday night. During the four-hour process before the board’s eight members, many of the candidates cited community engagement and student achievement when asked by the board to identify a “top priority” within Richmond Public Schools. Résumés and interest statements obtained by the Richmond Free Press through a Freedom of Information Act request show the pool of 10 applicants has an array of educational, professional and leadership experience. The School Board is scheduled to appoint someone to the seat at its next meeting on Monday, Oct. 16, with the appointee to be sworn in on Tuesday, Oct. 17. “I see the top priority as representing the constituents — the students, the parents of the 7th District — and being a voice for them when we’re picking a superintendent for our school district,” Ms. Burton said retired RPS educator Sharon C. Burton. “My role, then, is to listen to the constituents to see what it is that they are looking for.” Ms. Burton now works as a teacher and site coordinator at Peter Paul Development Center in the East End. She said her work there with colleagues in the millennial age group equips her with new, intergenerational insight. Pointing to experiences with RPS students in his Real Deal Life Skills training program, Garry Callis Sr. named his top priority as “teach time.” He explained the concept as “maintaining control of our classrooms” so teachers can teach “and Mr. Callis kids who are there to learn can actually receive the quality education” RPS teachers can deliver. Lifelong resident and former Richmond Crusade for Voters President Roderyck Bullock identified bolstering RPS exceptional education as a top priority.

“I would like to see a whole audit in the exceptional ed department,” he said, “to see where we could do some fixes.” He also added that, if appointed, he would pass up the position’s $10,000 annual compensation. Mr. Bullock “That’s one thing that I bring to the table. I’m not asking for any money. I would do (the job) for free.” “I think the top priority is student achievement,” said Cheryl L. Burke, who retired after serving as principal of Chimborazo Elementary School for nearly 20 years. “We have had the opportunity in the past — and we can do it again — of having a great curriculum in place to support the central administration as they put in place what’s necessary for our children.” Ms. Burke Attorney Charles Nance described the school district’s aging infrastructure as a “moral crisis” that must be confronted. “I know that things are strapped, but we have to look outside the usual sources and really approach in appropriate ways the legislature, private donors and others and just get the urgent things done.” A former Richmond School Board member who ran for mayor in 2004, Mr. Nance assured the board he would only serve for the interim term, and has no intention to stand for election to the seat once the appointment expires next year. The 7th District seat was left vacant when Nadine Marsh-Carter stepped down Mr. Nance Sept. 5 in the wake of her husband’s death in July. The board opted to put off a special election until November 2018, and fill the position in the meantime with an interim appointment. The 7th District includes Church Hill, East End and Fulton. Of the seven schools within the 7th District, only Franklin Military Academy and Fairfield Court Elementary are fully accredited. Bellevue Elementary is partially accredited with a warning

because of slowly improving SOL pass rates. Candidate Harrison L. Hayes said he found those numbers particularly troubling. “Our schools are failing,” said Mr. Hayes, director of Virginia CommonMr. Hayes wealth University’s TRIO Educational Opportunity Center. He admitted with a chuckle that he didn’t think he’d return to Richmond after graduating from Richmond Community High School in 2009 and leaving for college in Washington. He suggested using more technology and social media platforms to increase engagement among younger parents. “I’m not talking about posting something on Facebook,” he said, “but using things like Snapchat and Instagram — things these parents are actually using so that they can see how their child is learning.” Immigration attorney Bryce L. Robertson greeted Mr. Robertson board members in Spanish and offered communication, transparency and inclusiveness as top priorities. He strongly suggested enhancing English as a Second Language education and producing bilingual materials. “In my work, I’ve come across a number of families and parents who don’t understand what’s going on with their students, the materials coming from the schools and are unaware of the decisionmaking processes simply because they don’t speak English,” he said. “Part of our role should be to ensure that everyone is part of the Mr. May conversation.” Tim May, managing partner at Total Solutions Travel, said parental engagement is a top priority. “I think what separated a lot of student experiences in a lot of programming was actual parent and community engagement,” he said, recalling his time as an RPS student. Mr.

May said he would work to make sure constituents are informed of the school district’s existing programs. Federal Defense Department auditor Corrisse L. Jordan said she has been away from Richmond for Ms. Jordan the last two decades, but said she’s eager to reacquaint herself through service. She said as a student who began in Richmond Public Schools, but finished elsewhere, she was able to see the difference “in some of the resources and tools I had available” while a student. She said her main priority would be ensuring RPS students have opportunities and resources to become competitive members of a global workforce. VCU student and grants administrator Kai Banks also said parental engagement is a top priority. “If Richmond had more of a streamlined process where parents could get involved, and felt heard, but also understood what was going on, there would be more support,” she said. “I think there are a lot of really great organizations, as well as parents within Richmond Public Schools, that could be assets.” Following interviews, Ms. Banks several area residents spoke in support of the various candidates. During the 45 minutes of public comment, one man implored the board to view the 7th District appointment solely as an interim position. “On Oct. 17, a little over 20 percent of this board will be appointed not elected,” he said, making reference to the board’s appointment in March of Cindy Menz-Erb to the 3rd District seat. She replaced Jeff Bourne, who was elected to the House of Delegates. Ms. Menz-Erb is running with four other candidates in a special election for the seat on Nov. 7. “If people can be appointed to a board, ride the incumbency advantage, and then ride to higher unopposed office, that’s concerning for the democratic process,” the man told the board.

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October 5-7, 2017

Stop the violence Blacksburg, Va. Newtown, Conn. Aurora, Colo. Charleston, S.C. San Bernardino, Calif. Orlando, Fla. Add to this list Las Vegas, which now has the infamous distinction of being the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. When the gunfire stopped Sunday night at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival across the street from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, 59 people were dead and 489 others were wounded. A 64-year-old terrorist from nearby Mesquite, Nev., had turned his hotel suite on the 32nd floor of the resort in America’s playground into a den of destruction, smashing out two windows in the resort tower and spraying the crowd of 22,000 country music fans below with a hail of bullets from an arsenal of 23 weapons he had stashed in the room. Stephen Paddock, an oddball millionaire with no criminal record and known to frequent the Las Vegas casinos, had another 19 firearms and explosive materials at his home in Mesquite and more weapons in a second home in Reno, Nev., police said. At least 12 of the semiautomatic weapons found in the hotel, police said, had been outfitted with devices to turn them into continuous-fire assault weapons capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute. When police stormed the room, which Mr. Paddock had rigged inside and out with cameras, they found him dead from what they said was a self-inflicted gunshot. We believe the nation, too, is dying of a self-inflicted political paralysis that prevents us from dealing head-on with these gun tragedies of mass proportion. How many more people must die before Congress breaks free from the National Rifle Association’s chokehold and acts to protect the people of the United States? As a nation, we are horrified each time a gunman walks into a classroom, a movie theater, a church, an office building, a nightclub, a mall or restaurant and opens fire. After Sunday, people will be worried about attending concerts or sporting events or political rallies in large crowds, worried whether sniper fire will come from the rooftops or windows of skyscrapers or office towers nearby. But as former President Obama said in late 2015 after consoling grieving families in the country’s 11th mass shooting since he took office in 2009, thoughts and prayers are not enough. Action is needed — and it’s way overdue. According to GunViolenceArchive.org, at least 585 people have been killed and 2,156 injured in mass shooting incidents since the June 12, 2016, massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. In that deadly event, which was the worst before Las Vegas, 49 people were killed and 58 were wounded by a gunman who opened fire on the dance floor. We call on voters to contact our congressional representatives and our elected representatives in the Virginia General Assembly to ban all military-style assault weapons for civilian use. Outside of military use and for law enforcement, such weapons have no legitimate purpose. They are not needed for hunting target shooting or to have a good time. They are simply killing machines. We also call on lawmakers in Washington and Virginia to enact universal background checks for all gun purchases, including private sales regardless of whether the sale takes place at a gun show. We also call for a limit on gun purchases — who needs a storehouse of weapons? We call for enhanced federal record keeping. Currently, the law limits federal firearms officials’ ability to share gun-trace data with law enforcement. We also demand that Congress remove its ban on government-funded research on gun violence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health have been barred from collecting data on gun violence as a public health crisis because of a conservative Congress financed by the gun lobby. In the days since the Las Vegas shooting, we’ve heard the similar refrain of many GOP lawmakers: Our attention is on the dead and wounded. It’s too early to talk about legislative solutions. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the massacre was being politicized. “The investigation’s not even been completed,” he said. “It’s premature to be discussing legislative solutions, if there are any.” When is a good time? From the past record, it seems like never. Federal authorities report that gun sales surge in the United States after each horrific mass shooting episode. It’s up to rational people to push Congress and our state legislature to enact the laws we need. An easy start would be to ban the kits used to turn semiautomatic weapons into automatic ones. Another would be to demand the GOP withdraw a measure deregulating the sale of gun silencers. The U.S. Constitution gives everyone the right to bear arms, but it’s not a blanket right, something off-base conservatives fail to understand. It ends when the weapons are used by individuals like Mr. Paddock and groups like neo-Confederates, Ku Klux Klan, white supremacists and drug runners to terrorize our communities and kill us. Gun violence is killing our nation, be it at a huge concert venue in Las Vegas or within the public housing communities in Richmond. And until we get real and get moving, we will continue to witness the bloodshed and wring our hands over how to stop it.

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Flag drenched in blood I am not sure why the national anthem and the so-called American flag are part of our nation’s sports pageantry. Before 2009, while the national anthem was played, sports gladiators were not required to suit up, stand up and put their hands to their hearts. And why should they? The song is an insult to people of color. When I hear “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” I think “the land of the thief and the home of the slave.” The National Football League, paid by the U.S. Department of Defense, has received money for a fake cultural hegemony — for the notion that we are all on the same page. How could we be on the same page? How could the men who have been hauled out of their cars, pushed down to their knees and forced to justify the reasons they are driving high-end cars be on the same page with the men

who “own” them, who may or may not support them, may or may not kneel with them, have fealty with their masters? Colin Kaepernick took to the knee, not because he disparaged the flag, but because he disparaged the many ways that African-American people were being diminished by police

Julianne Malveaux brutality. Call the names — the men and the women who have been unjustifiably killed. Call the names — and the many ways black lives must matter. Call the names — of the structural racism that cuts like a knife or kills like a bullet. Call the names. There are those who have a story to tell about so-called disrespect to the “American flag.” But the flag is drenched in blood. Black men went to fight in World War I and came back to this country and were lynched because they refused to cede the sidewalk to white people. What flag did they serve under and why should we celebrate it? And why do disingenuous

fools, including Mr. 45, chide NFL owners with strangely coded language, suggesting a lack of loyalty? Where is the loyalty to the black men and women who supported a country that would not support them? The paradox of loyalty is that African-American people love a country that does not love us. We pledge allegiance to the flag, drenched in blood, because we want something better. Colin Kaepernick took a stand and many of his colleagues support him because they cannot embrace a flag that supports the unjustified killing of African-American men. Colin Kaepernick sacrificed his career to make a point, and he has been focused and fierce about his principles. Colin Kaepernick, by kneeling, encouraged all of us to stand up for our rights. Colin Kaepernick is a hero! This protest is more, though, than Colin Kaepernick. This protest is about police brutality. This is a protest about the fake-Jake way some would bond us together, linking arms and elbows, trying to make a point. There is no point beyond

the fact that young black men who play football, baseball and basketball see their brothers and cousins on their knees, legs and arms splayed, in the face of oppressive police forces. They freely kneel because others knelt when they were required to because they were not free. We can fly this flag all we want. We can sing songs about “the star spangled banner.” But the flag we fly in the name of sports is a flag that is drenched in blood. Players weren’t required to stand at attention until 2009 when the Department of Defense paid money to make it happen. I’d rather my tax dollars be spent in different ways. I’d rather someone wash the blood out of the flag. The writer is an author and economist.

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Hugh Hefner’s ‘playboy’ legacy Hugh Hefner’s death on Sept. 27 at age 91 brought to mind a special piece of history that we have in our house: A Braille edition of Playboy magazine. Yes, when subscribers to the Braille version of Playboy say, “I only read it for the articles,” you know they’re not lying. With all the visual appeal of a brown paper bag, the Braille Playboy is one of dozens of popular magazines reproduced for the blind at taxpayers’ expense by the Library of Congress since the 1970s — although it is the only one that is gender-specific enough to be described on the library’s website as offering “fiction, interviews and articles with a male perspective.” Unfortunately, the regular Playboy magazine’s reputation among social conservatives as a creation of Satan led to what the Washington Post called the “Braille Budget Battle of 1985.” After heated debate, Senate budget hawks forced the library to stop funding the publication. Blind Playboy readers sued and won. A U.S. District Court judge ruled that depriving the visually impaired of “Party Jokes,” “Ribald Classics” and “Playboy Forum,” among the magazine’s famous features, was a violation of their First Amendment rights. My wife, Lisa, then a staffer in the magazine’s public relations department, brought the Braille Playboy home after it no

longer was needed as evidence. I am proud to have it, not only as a footnote to America’s history of constitutional freedoms but also

Clarence Page as a symbol of the conflicts that still boil around Mr. Hefner’s legacy as a successful publisher, CEO, TV show host and agent of social change. Mr. Hefner fought similar battles against censors ever since his first issue came out in 1953 with a still-rising star named Marilyn Monroe on its cover and as its first nude centerfold. As easy as it is today to write off Playboy and Hugh Marston Hefner as relics of a less enlightened, misogynist past, I have long admired his legacy as a private sector CEO on the cutting edge of social change. He famously launched comedian Dick Gregory’s career by hiring him as a one-night replacement at Chicago’s Playboy Club in 1961, a breakthrough at a time when black standup comics were still confined to black audiences. The magazine also published such important black authors as James Baldwin and Alex Haley — and such famous black interview subjects as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The magazine also occasionally published such important female writers as Margaret Atwood, author of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Mr. Hefner pushed similarly progressive lines for such other rising issues as gay rights and the war against AIDS. But despite

such gestures as a fundraiser for the Equal Rights Amendment in Chicago’s Playboy Mansion, the magazine’s relations with the rising feminist movement always have been fraught. Feminist Susan Brownmiller drew the line during a debate with Mr. Hefner on Dick Cavett’s TV talk show. In a reference to the skimpy costumes worn by Playboy Club “bunnies,” she said he would have more credibility when “you’re willing to come out here with a cottontail attached to YOUR rear end.” Yet the irony of the great Braille debate is that it came at a time when Mr. Hefner’s global empire was in decline. By the end of the 1970s, social change and competition with other media led to layoffs, the closing of the Playboy Clubs, the grounding of the Playboy jetliner and Mr. Hefner’s move with the company’s corporate headquarters to Los Angeles. In a breathtaking move of desperation, Mr. Hefner even tried publishing Playboys without nude women, a clear sign of an identity crisis for the iconic publication. In its heyday, Playboy struck a winning balance between literature and porn. It offered a visionary lifestyle—“What kind of man reads Playboy?” said its promotional ads—that, by Hefner’s own admission, appealed to the teenaged boy inside every man. The irony of Hugh Hefner’s legacy, after years of trying to reconcile Playboy with the rising independence of women, may be that it appears to be largely flummoxed by the changing attitudes of men.

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Richmond Free Press

October 5-7, 2017

Commentary/Letters to the Editor

Supporting educational choice for our children Trice Edney News Wire/EducationPost.org

We are two black men separated by 42 years in age. But we are bound by our collective rage about what is happening to our people. We are focused on education where there is more than enough to be angry about. Every day, countless numbers of our children do not receive the quality education they must have in order to have even a modicum of a chance to live a decent life in today’s world. Yet when some of us raise our voices and pursue more options for our children, we are accused of supporting “privatization” or doing the bidding of rich “hedge fund” owners or supporting “segregation.” But we will not be deterred. As long as educational atrocities keep happening to our children, we will seek whatever options there are to help families navigate existing education systems and create new ones that will enable their children to engage in the practice of freedom. We support any type of school, educational environment or policy initiative that meets the needs and interests of our children. In the same vein, we will oppose any policies or learning environments that are hurting our children — whether they are traditional public schools, charter schools or private schools. As we write this, only 17 percent of black students are considered college and career ready. According to the National Association of Educational Progress, black fourth-graders

represent the largest percentage of students below basic at 49 percent and the lowest percentage proficient at 18 percent. The story gets worse for eighth-graders. More than half — 53 percent — of black eighth-graders nationally are below basic in math. The consequence isn’t merely poor test scores for our people. It is about what it represents. When we have drastic low achievement, our risk of dying grows. We have both buried students and friends that couldn’t read. When the link between low achievement and poor schooling has a straight line to the death and destruction of our people, and we can see it clear as day, we will never stop fighting. We make this pledge as Mr. Fuller free black men who will not be pigeonholed or intimidated by rhetoric from our opponents and, most assuredly, we won’t be silenced by their tactic of guilt by association. We say this because those of us who support parent choice are accused of being in bed with Donald Trump. The two of us have been absolutely clear in our opposition to President Trump. Our people were fighting for parent choice long before President Trump was born. We will not yield on our righteous support for parent choice because this idea is supported by him or his administration. We believe there are ways to reach the goals of increasing the power

Arthur Ashe deserves better from his hometown Long before the Confederate statues controversy began in Virginia and nationally elsewhere, I felt that Monument Avenue was never the right location in the city for the statue of our Maggie L. Walker High School classmate, Arthur Ashe Jr. While we can assert the reasons why that decision was made, those of us who think differently know that his image being on Monument Avenue has no contextual relevance to its citizens based on the military and political statuary that dominate that street. If his statue being on Monument Avenue was meant to change Richmond’s mindset and open doors to others being considered in the future, then, based on today’s interest, it has done its job. But like the statue of Maggie Lena Walker at the gateway to our beloved Jackson Ward community, Arthur Ashe Jr.’s statue needs to be located where he should have been placed as a nationally renowned humanitarian and sports icon. We are very committed to having the City of Richmond move the Arthur Ashe Jr. statue to the location where the Christopher Columbus statue stands on the Boulevard. This is adjacent to the Byrd Park tennis courts. As many people in the Richmond community know, Mr. Ashe was never permitted to play at those tennis courts as a youth. However, in later years after achieving success both nationally and internationally, he magnanimously helped bring professional tennis to our city at that location. In addition to moving his statue to the Boulevard, we

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would like the entire street to be named “Arthur Ashe Jr., Boulevard,” from his relocated statue by the tennis courts at one end, to the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center at Robin Hood Road, to the intersection of Hermitage Road, Westwood Avenue and Brookland Parkway. The point is, Arthur Ashe Jr. was a tireless civil rights advocate, an activist and a humanitarian who happened to be one of the greatest tennis players of his era. He is recognized all over the world. But in his hometown where he was raised and later buried, has never been given the adulation and respect he deserves. Recently Richmond’s Battery Park tennis courts were given some local press because of a mural painting in the tunnel there honoring Mr. Ashe. But to my knowledge, he never played there.

We solicit your support in achieving this goal. Like Mrs. Walker, Mr. Ashe deserves our recognition, support and diligence in getting our politicians to move this forward. Richmond’s past hasn’t been very accommodating to its African-American citizens, but I’m beginning to see a positive change in our city’s attitude and environment. Many of our historical artifacts have slipped away under the guise of economic development. It’s up to us to be proactive when we see, hear and learn that our heritage is being impacted. As long as we have a voice, we need to take the best position, support the right decision and follow through in achieving the most desired result that fulfills our mutual goal. J. MAURICE HOPKINS Richmond

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of our people in the educational realm without walking through the fiery gate of the wrong side of history that is Donald Trump. More than ever, like-minded black folks have to pull together and move as a force in our never-ending struggle to free our children from the so-called “one best system.” In order for that to happen, it is going to take a multigenerational approach, which at various times in our history, has been difficult for us to do as a people. In the battle to change education for our commu-

Commentary nity, too often the elders have not provided space and guidance for the genMr. Cole erations behind them. There have been times when younger people searching for guidance have had doors slammed in their face. On the other hand, elders have sometimes been told their ideas and concerns are no longer of value. The gulf between generations has not served us well in any sphere of struggle and that certainly applies to today’s battles in the education space. Those of us who choose to raise our voices for our children must find a way to mesh the wisdom of our elders with the energy and the new

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insights of our younger warriors. We must learn how to fight for our cause by forming an alliance of necessity with people whose world view we may not share while not giving up our soul. The veracity of the evil created by President Trump and his followers has created new challenges to the political philosophy of no “permanent friends and no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.” But we will find a way together. The pathway for that to happen must be built on mutual respect that provides the foundation for us to develop new strategies and tactics in our battle to ensure that our poorest families have multiple options for their children. The challenges presented to us by the current poisonous political environment can be our collective moment — our blessing. There’s enough energy, strategy, passion and pain to truly galvanize us across generations to change the reality that parent choice is widespread unless you are poor. This is our battle and we will not desist nor allow it to be hijacked by President Trump or anyone else. Howard Fuller is a civil rights activist, education reform advocate and academic. He was a co-founder of the Malcolm X Liberation University in 1969. Charles Cole III is an educator, writer and speaker who focuses on the advancement of young black males. He is the founder of Energy Convertors.

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NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE (Ref: VA Code § 58.1-3321) The City of Richmond proposes to increase property tax levies: Assessment Increase: Total 2018 assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 3.54%. Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $1.17 per $100 of assessed value. This rate is known as the “lowered tax rate.” Effective Rate Increase: The City of Richmond proposes to adopt the following tax rate: Tax Rate Difference from “Lowered tax rate” $1.20/$100 $0.030 per $100, or 2.5% This difference from the “Lowered tax rate” is known as the “effective tax rate increase.” Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total budget of the city of Richmond will exceed last year’s by -3.67%. A public hearing on the increase will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at 900 E. Broad Street.

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VUU’s Jewiston Dawkins sprints into the spotlight Another game, another star is born. Jewiston Dawkins is the latest member of the Virginia Union University football team to sprint into the spotlight. While quiet during VUU’s first four games, the native Floridian cranked it up in the Panthers’ 28-7 victory last Saturday in Raleigh, N.C., against St. Augustine’s University. Dawkins had four receptions for 136 yards and his first two VUU touchdowns against St. Augustine’s. He’s looking for more Saturday, Oct. 7, in the “Cat Jewiston Fight” at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. The Panthers are 3-2 overall — 2-0 in the CIAA — and will be a prohibitive favorite against the Lincoln Lions. The Lions are 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the CIAA, while being outscored 282-66, including 48-0 this past week at Winston-Salem State University.

VUU seems to have a bottomless well of receivers, transfers and Floridians. Dawkins qualifies on all accounts. The fleet 6-foot-1 junior wideout hails from Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. That’s the same alma mater of VUU Head Coach Mark James. Dawkins is a long-distance transfer to VUU from the College of Sequoias in California. In its Sept. 23 victory over Fayetteville State University, VUU introduced another Floridian, Dawkins Gustavious Dames, from Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School. Dames had seven catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns in his first major showing. Then he handed the torch to Dawkins in Raleigh. The list of Floridians goes on.

VSU looking for another victory Saturday against Elizabeth City State Virginia State University’s highstepping marching band is known as the Trojan Explosion. But fans don’t have to wait until halftime to enjoy the fireworks. VSU’s football team is highly explosive, too. Under second-year Coach Reggie Barlow, the Men of Troy continue to run roughshod over their CIAA opponents. The Trojans head to Elizabeth City State University on Saturday, Oct. 7, with a 4-0 overall record — 2-0 in the CIAA — and an eight-game winning streak over two years. Following a 56-18 rout of Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C., the Trojans are averaging 37 points and 451 total yards per game. The beatdowns are a continuation from a season ago when VSU averaged 53 points per game during the final four contests. Having won 10 of its past 11 contests, VSU’s last loss was Oct. 15, 2016, at Bowie State University by a score of 38-37. A rematch with Bowie State’s formidable Bulldogs is set for Saturday, Oct. 14, on what figures to be a festive homecoming weekend in Ettrick. The VSU-Bowie State game will carry both CIAA divisional championship and NCAA Division II playoff ramifications. In blitzing Livingstone College, quarterback Niko Johnson came off the bench to backup Cordelral Cook, hitting 12 of 16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson is a former Hermitage High School star who did not play football the past two seasons. Cook, as much a threat running as throwing, passed for 82 yards and rushed for 40 more. Cook is seventh in CIAA rushing with 71 yards per game. VSU’s Trenton Cannon, the CIAA rushing leader with 132 yards per game, ran for 82 yards with a 38-yard touchdown against Livingstone. The versatile back added an 85-yard touchdown kickoff return to the rout. Cannon, who transferred to VSU from Shepherd University in West Virginia, is an alumnus of Bethel High School in Hampton, alma mater of NBA great Allen Iverson and Howard University football

Courtesy VSU Athletic Department

Virginia State University wide receiver Christian Harden snags the ball over the efforts of Livingstone College’s Darrel Mathis during last Saturday’s game in North Carolina.

Coach Mike London. An unexpected hero in the Livingstone game was graduate student Zachary Parker, who caught 50-yard touchdown passes from both Cook and Johnson. From South Lakes High School in Reston, Parker had five receptions for 118 yards in his best day wearing orange and blue. Parker also returned two punts for 29 yards. Overall, VSU is second in CIAA

Back to Carolina Saturday, Oct. 7 Virginia State University plays at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. Kickoff: 1 p.m.

scoring and total offense to Bowie State University. Baltimore native and Tuskegee University transfer Vincent Parker led the defense with six tackles. Deandre Henderson, a freshman from State 5A champion Highland Springs High School, made his first college interceptions. The trip this Saturday to Elizabeth City State University will be the Trojans’ third venture into North Carolina this season. VSU started its “Tobacco Road” experience with a 44-6 win Sept. 9 at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. The Trojans need to keep their Carolina roadmaps handy. Still to go is a trek to Chowan University in Murfreesboro on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Former cadet helps Clemson rout VaTech Quarterbacks are at their best when they have ample time to spot their receivers and deliver the football in comfort. Clelin Ferrell tries to make sure that doesn’t happen. From Benedictine College Prep, Ferrell plays an aggressive brand of defensive end for defending national champion Clemson University. Wearing jersey No. 99, Ferrell’s relentless pressure on Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson was a top Clelin reason why Clemson left Blacksburg last Saturday with a 31-17 victory and a No. 2 national ranking behind the University of Alabama. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound redshirt sophomore was credited with two tackles but, more importantly, five quarterback pressures — meaning his harassment led to incomplete or intercepted

passes. Ferrell’s incessant treks into Tech’s offensive backfield made life miserable for Jackson and anyone trying to block him. Ferrell led Clemson in quarterback pressures last season with 24 and is the Tigers’ leader again this season with 17 during Clemson’s 5-0 start. This is Ferrell’s third season at Clemson, making him NFL draft eligible in the spring of 2018. Ferrell He is one of three former Richmond area players on Clemson’s roster, joining defensive back K’Von Wallace from Highland Springs High School and running back Sylvester Mayers from Benedictine. Wallace plays regularly in the Clemson secondary. Mayers is a freshman who has yet to play.

The top returning pass targets are Chazton McKenzie of Cat fight Lauderhill, Fla., and preseason Saturday, Oct. 7 All-CIAA Lavatiae Kelly of Miami. Virginia Union University McKenzie and Kelly have 34 Panthers take on the catches between them this seaLincoln University Lions in son, mostly from Washington Chester County, Pa. native and quarterback Darius Kickoff: 5 p.m. Taylor, a transfer from Monroe College in New York. In all, there are 22 Floridians on Coach James’ roster. Most stem from contacts Coach James established during his South Florida coaching stints at Dillard High School from 2003 to 2005 and Boyd Anderson High from 2005 to 2011. Another unexpected attention grabber from the Sunshine State has been quicksilver freshman ball carrier Rodney McKay from state champion Pahokee High School in Pahokee, Fla. The 160-pound McKay zigged and zagged for 55 yards at St. Augustine’s and has 231 rushing yards for the season, with an average of 5.3 yards per carry. Defensively, Sterling Hammond continues to sparkle. Rugged and instinctive, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound sophomore defensive back from Essex High School in Tappahannock made seven tackles at St. Augustine’s while adding his CIAA best fourth interception. Hammond now has picked off at least one pass in three straight games. Clearly, VUU is in the soft portion of its schedule. Following this Saturday’s game against Lincoln, the Panthers return to Hovey Field to face Chowan University on Saturday, Oct. 14. Then on Saturday, Oct. 21, comes what likely amounts to a divisional elimination game at defending CIAA Northern Division champion Bowie State University. The 12-school CIAA would seem to be a league of “haves” and “have nots,” with the “nots” outnumbering the “haves.” The short list of “haves” includes Bowie State and VirginCIAA Northern Division ia State univer Division Overall sity in the North Bowie State University 2-0 5-0 Division, and Virginia State University 2-0 5-0 Winston-Salem Virginia Union University* 2-0 3-2 State University Chowan University 2-0 2-3 in the Southern Elizabeth City State Univ. 1-1 3-2 Division, with Lincoln University 0-2 0-5 VUU sitting *VUU’s loss Sept.16 to Winston-Salem somewhere in State did not count as a CIAA game. between — at least for now.

makes changes for 2018 basketball tourney Some changes are in order for the 2018 CIAA Basketball Tournament slated for Feb. 27 through March 3 in Charlotte, N.C. The format has been tweaked to eliminate the possibility — however remote — of a team being required to play five consecutive days Tuesday through Saturday. Preliminary rounds involving fifth- and sixth-seed teams still will begin on Tuesday, but there will be a built in “rest day,” according to CIAAAssistant Commissioner for Strategic Communication Bri Funte. The most a team could play now is four games over five days. The other major change for 2018 involves the venues in downtown Charlotte. A total of six men’s games, up from the previous four, now will be played at the smaller, 8,600-seat capacity Bojangles Coliseum on Tuesday and Wednesday. There also will be six women’s games Tuesday and Wednesday at Bojangles Coliseum. All games Thursday through Saturday will remain at the Spectrum Center — 19,077-seat capacity — formerly known as Time Warner Cable Arena and home of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. Typically, Tuesday and Wednesday games do not draw large crowds. The CIAA tournament began in 1946 in Washington. Through the decades, it has evolved into a mid-winter homecoming for all the current and former schools in the historically black athletic conference. The event has been in Charlotte since 2006. The CIAA’s offices also have relocated to Charlotte from Hampton. It won’t be long until college basketball hits the floor for the new season. CIAA Media Day is Thursday, Oct. 5, in Charlotte, with all 24 men’s and women’s coaches expected to offer their views on the upcoming season.

October 5-7, 2017 B1

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Spotlight on coordinator of Catena L. Parker Foundation annual walk Tonya L. Childs is a softspoken woman with a big heart. She understands the emotional roller coaster families go through when a child is missing. She now dedicates her time and talents as a volunteer to help the Catena L. Parker Foundation, a support group for families of missing children. Ms. Childs is coordinator of the foundation’s 21st Annual Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, Oct. 14. The event is designed to raise awareness of the growing number of missing children and to let the public know that a local organization stands ready to help families during a time that can take its toll emotionally and ﬁnancially. Since Jan. 1, more than 238 children have gone missing in Virginia, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “Having outside resources is comforting,” Ms. Childs says. When her 3-year-old nephew, Tyreek Davis, went missing in 2004, D. McCoy Parker, who started the Catena L. Parker Foundation, reached out to Ms. Childs. “It was different,” Ms. Childs said. “He told me that he understood and he did because of what happened to his daughter. That’s why he started the foundation.” Catena Parker was a 17-year-old honor student at Richmond Community High School. She was taking college courses at Virginia Commonwealth University when she was abducted on her way home on Sept. 18, 1990. Her remains were found behind the Science Museum of Virginia on Jan. 6, 1991. To date, her abductor has not been caught. The foundation was started by the Parker family shortly afterward, on Jan. 23, 1991. Ms. Childs is still grateful for the assistance she received following the disappearance of her nephew. “It was nice to be able to talk to someone who has gone through the range of emotions people have when a child is missing — the anger, the sadness,” Ms. Childs says. “Mr. Parker and the rest of the members (of the foundation) understood the emotional stress I was going through.” Two years later, it was discovered that her nephew had been murdered by her sister’s boyfriend, she says. The foundation continued to help Ms. Childs through the grieving process. She attended the foundation’s monthly meetings and then decided to take an active role with the foundation. “I wanted to give to others what was given to me,” Ms. Childs says. In addition to coordinating the annual walk, Ms.

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Childs also organizes the foundation’s monthly support meetings for families held 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Science Museum of Virginia. The museum, she says, donates the meeting space. The foundation helps raise public awareness of child safety. It offers child identiﬁcation cards to families to record vital information about their child, along with a photo, that can be readily available in case of an emergency. The foundation also provides assistance searching for a missing child and helping families with ﬁnancial and emotional needs. “For families of missing children, it’s important that they are aware there is a place they can go for support,” Ms. Childs says. Meet this week’s Personality and advocate for missing children, Tonya L. Childs: Occupation: Sales support manager, Bank of America Merchant Services. Date of birth: July 20. Current residence: Henrico County. Education: Business-travel degree. Family: Two daughters, Salinda Childs, 24, and Lynelle Childs, 22, and one grandson, Jayden Alston-Childs, 6. No. 1 volunteer position: Coordinator, Catena L. Parker Foundation Annual Walk-AThon. Mission of Catena L. Parker Foundation: To provide support and be an emotional outlet for families of missing children. Some reasons children go missing: Runaways, abductions and acts of violence are reasons some children go missing. Why the foundation’s annual walk-a-thon is important: To raise awareness about a place that provides support to families that have missing children. It also brings awareness to the

increasing number of children that go missing every year. Who is invited to participate: Everyone in the community. Other foundation sponsored projects: Child identification fact cards on loved ones, National Night Out events and Missing Persons Day Rally. How I start the day: I start the day by making sure Jayden gets to school then I go to work. After work, my time is spent with homework and other activities. I relax by: Watching TV or reading a good book. A perfect day for me is: Having a clear calendar with nothing scheduled and I’m able to shop or enjoy pampering time. Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I’m a huge sports fan and the one sport that people are surprised I enjoy is NASCAR. Best late-night snack: Peanut M&Ms. A quote that I am inspired by is: “You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that writes the story that you were meant to tell. And the world needs your story because the world needs your voice.” – Kerry Washington. The best thing my parents taught me: Hard work pays off and to keep aiming high to achieve goals. The person who influenced me the most: My 85-year-old grandmother, Mary Childs, has always worked hard, loves her family and continues to be well respected. She continues to give me life lessons — most importantly to share your talents and time with others. Book that influenced me the most: “Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves. What I’m reading now: “Trust” by Iyanla Vanzant. If I had more time, I would: Travel to other countries. My next goal: To connect with other foundations and nonprofit organizations as I believe there is strength in numbers and we can all continue to learn from one another.

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B2 October 5-7, 2017

Happenings

500-plus students expected at VUU for Lucille M. Brown Community Youth Bowl By Ronald E. Carrington

Dr. Lucille Brown’s lifetime dedicated to children and education has been the driving force behind bringing hundreds of students each year to Virginia Union University for a pep talk and activities about the importance of education and attending college. This year is no different. The 16th Annual Lucille M. Brown Community Youth Bowl is slated for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the campus at 1500 N. Lombardy St. The event, sponsored by VUU’s Ofﬁce of Student Engagement and Community Services and the Athletic Department, is designed is to get students from elementary school age to high school thinking about college by exposing them to a day of academic, athletic and cultural experiences on the campus in conjunction with the Fall Football Classic. Students can enter art and essay contests and win prizes, which will be awarded during halftime at VUU’s game against Chowan University at Hovey Field. “In 2000, personnel from Virginia Union University felt that they wanted to do something that would impact the lives of elementary, middle and high school students,” Dr. Brown told the Free Press during an interview this week.

“The university didn’t want to wait until college to make a contribution to the Richmond Metro area,” said Dr. Brown, a VUU alumna of the Class of 1950 and a member of the university’s Board of Trustees. The idea for a youth bowl was generated by the Athletic Department, which said it should be named in honor of Dr. Brown and her 41 years in education. Dr. Brown began her teaching career in Fairfax, before joining the faculty at Armstrong High School. Dr. Brown She become Armstrong’s principal in 1974 before moving into Richmond Public Schools administration. She became Richmond’s schools superintendent in 1991. She retired in mid-1995. “Naming the bowl after me was indeed an honor and a very humbling experience,” she said. “I am just delighted to be a part of that.” Between 500 to 700 students from area school systems and as far away as Fredericksburg are expected to attend the free event, which includes lunch catered by Thompson Hospitality, special T-shirts for participants and tickets to the afternoon football game. The program starts with morning sessions where VUU faculty, representatives from student organizations and ath-

letes talk with students about staying in school, keeping their grades up and how a bright future is waiting for them if they do their best. “The critical thing is to let students know that, right now, their only job is their education. And by doing their best from pre-K through 12, the future is really unlimited for them,” Dr. Brown said. During the morning sessions, elementary students compete in an art contest designing and making posters, while middle and high school students compete in an essay contest. The topic is announced at the event, with the students completing the essays onsite. The contest measures pre-teens, and teens’ knowledge and ability to focus on the theme and construct an essay, from the introductory paragraph to the conclusion. Dr. Joy Davis, chair of the Department of Teacher Education, and a cadre of faculty and honor students will judge the art and essay contests. Trophies and prizes that include gift cards will be awarded during the game’s halftime. Dr. Brown said her steps are guided by a higher power “in serving the community, students and parents. The Youth Bowl is His best work.” For additional information and registration for the Youth Bowl, go to www.vuu.edu, and click on Upcoming Events, or contact Felicia Jackson, fvjackson@vuu.edu or (804) 342-1484, or Claudia Wall, cewall@vuu.edu or (804) 257-5789.

29th Annual 2nd Street Festival this weekend in Jackson Ward

Richmond’s favorite fall Jackson Ward festival is back this weekend. The 29th Annual 2nd Street Festival, featuring live music and performers on four stages, opens 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, and again 1 p.m. Sunday Oct. 8. Streets will be closed between Broad and Jackson streets and between 1st and 3rd streets for the street festival celebrating Jackson Ward’s rich culture and history. Thousands of people are expected at the free event to enjoy music by dozens of musicians, food and wares from vendors, children’s activities and local art. Music lovers will have a ﬁeld day. This year’s festival lineup on Saturday features Carlton Waterford Blues Band, Johnny Lee Long Band, pianist Lucy Kilpatrick, Debo Dabney Trio and Visions Band, Curv Appeal and Rodney The Soul Singer, and the Morgan Burrs Quartet. Also performing will be EVOLUTION, U.S. Army TRADOC Brass Band

Resound, bassist Mike Hawkins, SPARC, Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company, Carlos Viera “The Line Dance Prince,” City Dance Theatre and Sisterly Dance & Modeling. Sunday’s acts include the Inyan Gospel Choir of Henrico High School, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church Music and Movement Ministries and the Virginia State University Alumni Spoken Word. Also performing will be the VCU Black Awakening Choir, Carlton Blunt, The Blakey-tet, Funky Fingers and WORSHIP. Artists whose work will be featured during the festival include, David Marion with Liberated Flow, creator of this year’s festival poster; Kelvin Henderson of Fruit of the Spirit, Abdul Badi, P. Muzi Branch and the Black American Artist Alliance of Richmond, and Reshada Pullen-Jireh. The festival is produced by Venture Richmond. Details: www.venturerichmond.com or (804) 788-6466.

VSU Trojans to celebrate homecoming ‘Flash Back’ A gospel extravaganza, a hip-hop concert, a jazz event and appearances by singer TSoul, and comedian Mike Epps are among the highlights of Virginia State University’s 2017 homecoming celebration that kicks off this weekend on the Ettrick campus. This year’s theme: “Flash Back.” The week’s worth of events gets underway with the Gospel Extravaganza 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at Daniel Gymnasium, featuring Dr. Ricky Dillard, Chester Burke Jr. and Company, Chiquita Cross and the VSU Gospel Chorale. Student talent will be featured in the Student Government Association Talent Show at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at Anderson Turner Auditorium. The Kings & Queens Ball honoring the homecoming court will be held 6 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Daniel Gymnasium. A“Claim the Yard” model and

dance competition is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at Daniel Gymnasium. Events on Friday, Oct. 13, include a Presidential Scholarship Golf Tournament at 9 a.m. at Dogwood Mike Trace Golf Course in Petersburg, a pep rally at 1 p.m. at Rogers Stadium, an alumni football game at 4 p.m. on the back lawn of Foster Hall. Additionally, Jazz on the Hill, featuring jazz keyboardist Marcus Johnson, will be 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, on the front lawn of Virginia Hall. Nationally known stand-up comedian, actor, writer and rapper Mike Epps, will headline a homecoming comedy show at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, with special guests Bruce Bruce of Atlanta, a former host of BET’s ComicView, and actress come-

dian Sommore who appeared in the ﬁlms “Friday After Next” and “Soul Plane.” On Saturday, Oct. 14, singer TSoul, a VSU alumnus and contestant earlier this year on the popuEpps lar TV show “The Voice” will be the grand marshal of the homecoming parade at 9 a.m. in Petersburg’s downtown. Then at 2 p.m., the Virginia State Trojans will take on the Bowie State University Bulldogs at Rogers Stadium. At 8 p.m., artists 21 Savage, Playboy Carti, Lil Bibby, Rico Nasty and Young Crazy will perform at a hip-hop concert at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center. Details, including information about ticket prices and where they can be purchased, are available at www.vsu.edu/homecoming/ or by calling (804) 524-3085.

Virginia Union University presents A n n U A l

rown B . M e l l i c Lu unity m m o C Th , 2017 4 1 r e b o t c O Saturdistarayt,ion begins at 9:00g &a.mLe.arning Center in g

Perkins Liv The Claude

Youth Bowl

ic, Academ o t e r u es s ve Expo ural Experienc i e c e R uth & Cult Area Yo Athletic “Free Game Tickets,

Students d Are Invite r e t n E To The l Essay Youth Bow Art and Poster Contest

eceive Winners R Card t if Trophy & G

Free Tee Shirts & Free Lunch” For All K-12 Students Attending the Morning Sessions

VUU vs. Chowan Kick Off 1:00 p.m. Hovey Field

Youth Groups Are Encouraged to Attend!!

To Register Go To:www.vuu.edu (Upcoming Events) or call Athletics at (804) 342-1484

Join us in October for Admissions Information Sessions & Tours.

startnow.st.catherines.org

She takes it all in and emerges as the smart, world-savvy, and courageous woman that you dream she can be.

804.281.7140 | 6001 Grove Ave., Richmond, VA 23226

Richmond Free Press

October 5-7, 2017 B3

Faith News/Directory

St. Paul’s Episcopal hosts luncheon series Downtown St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Downtown is hosting a series of speakers on issues ranging from race, politics and mental health and addiction during its Friday luncheon series, “Eyes on Richmond.” The theme for the fall series: “Reclaiming the Prophetic Voice of Justice.” A question-and-answer discussion session will be held after each speaker’s remarks. The sessions will be held 12:30 to 1:30

p.m. on Fridays through Nov. 10 in Scott Hall at the church, 815 E. Grace St. Cost: $10, which includes lunch and a beverage from area restaurants. Reservations must be made by the Wednesday before the event. Upcoming topics and speakers: Oct. 6, “Here, There and Everywhere,” Ross Catrow, community advocate-organizer, RVA Rapid Transit.

Oct. 13, “Justice at the Ballot Box,” Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, executive director of the Virginia ACLU. Oct. 20, “Proclaiming Justice from Pulpit to Community,” the Rev. Tyrone Nelson, pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church and a member of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors. Oct. 27, “Mental Health & Addiction: Highlighting Injustices to Our Youth,”

Anne Moss Rogers, president, Beacon Tree Foundation. Nov. 3, “Unmasking Race and Reality in RVA,” Samantha Willis, arts and entertainment editor, Richmond Magazine. Nov. 10, “Changing the Guard, Changing the Future?” Jeff Schapiro, political columnist, Richmond Times-Dispatch. Information and reservations: (804) 643-3589 or www.stpaulsrva.org/EOR.

Celebrating peace and diversity Right, children are enthralled as members of the Latin Ballet of Virginia dance at the 14th Annual Richmond Peace Festival last Saturday at St. Joseph’s Villa. A creation of the faith community, the event celebrates peace, diversity and community and includes an interfaith service. The ballet was among an array of entertainers, ranging from rappers to African and Chinese dancers and spoken word artists. The festival also offered henna ink tattoos, left, along with a variety of arts and crafts in seeking to carry out its mission of creating an “atmosphere of fun, fellowship and love.” First held in 2004, the festival is a cooperative effort of Bon Air United Methodist Church and the Islamic Center of Virginia. Founding sponsors include the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond, the Richmond Peace Education Center, the Midlothian Friends, the Mormon Church the Richmond Mennonite Fellowship, the Spiritual Mind Center and the Asian-American Business Assistance Center.

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Church members dispute alleged support for Dr. Henderson By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Dr. Morris G. Henderson has yet to win congregational support to remain as pastor of Thirty-first Baptist Church, according to six members. The members called the Free Press in response to an article in last week’s edition in which Dr. Henderson said that the congregation adopted the recommendation of the church’s joint board of deacons and trustees at a special meeting on Sept. 25. “We did not vote. We were not allowed to vote,” said Joan Hopkins, who said she has been a member of the church since 1960 and was at the September meeting. Barbara Price, another longtime church member who said she also was in attendance, said separately that members did not vote on the question of accepting Dr. Henderson’s letter rescinding his retirement. Dr. Henderson Details of the meeting were relayed similarly by four other callers. Dr. Henderson could not be reached for comment. Ahead of a special congregational meeting Sept. 25, the church’s joint board of deacons and trustees voted 17-7, with four abstentions, to allow Dr. Henderson to rescind his decision to retire, which he announced in May, the Free Press has been told.

But when the issue was brought to the Sept. 25 congregational meeting, the members said a church official objected to allowing the members to vote. The special meeting then was adjourned by the moderator, the Rev. Earl L. Bledsoe, retired pastor of nearby Great Hope Baptist Church. The callers said they hoped the issue of Dr. Henderson’s tenure would come up at the annual meeting of the congregation that is usually held in December.

SuNday, OCtObEr 15, 2017 at 11 a.M.

Theme: “Pastor and People: Excited About Worship”

OCtObEr 16 – 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.M. Guest Evangelist: Rev. Dr. Rodney Waller First African Baptist Church 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

2017

MEN ACKNOWLEDGING CHRIST (MAC)

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ENROLL NOW!!! Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 4th Grade Our NDCA curriculum also consists of a Before and After program. Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old. For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church

14 W. Duval Street, Richmond, VA 23220 804.648.7511 | Pastor Tyrone Nelson Email: webmaster@smzbc.org Website: www.smzbc.org

 ile Su

1 p.m.

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

The Dr. AnDrew M. Mosley, Jr. enrichMenT cenTer AnD KiTchen

f emory o C aRtER M n I n o Dedicati te E. M axInE a the l

Blackish:

An Honest Conversation about the African-American Family Our 9th Annual Holistic Hurt, Wholistic Healing Conference will focus on issues impacting the African American family.

o this t d e it v in e r a u o Y 2017 , 5 1 3 1 R e b O OCt FREE Conference Let’s Get the Conversation Started Friday, October 13 • 6 P.M. Panel discussion & workshops Saturday, October 14 • 9 A.M.

Sunday, October 8, 2017 - 3:00 P.M. Guest speaker: reverend Dr. James harrison, executive Minister ABcoTs Area 2

Baptist Church

Jeremiah 32:27 KJV

Wednesday Services

Quioccasin Baptist Church invites you to the Renaming of the Fellowship Hall to

Quioccasin

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me!”

Sunday

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

NIGHtLy rEVIVaL

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

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

Riverview Baptist Church HOMECOMING 2017

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

9011 Quioccasin Road, Richmond, Virginia 23229 804 741-2313 (office), 804 741-1501 (fax) QBC@quioccasin.org (email) • www.quoccasin.org Dr. Earl L. Bledsoe, Interim Pastor

Sunday, October 15 10:45 A.M. Worship Speaker: Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook St. Paul’s Baptist Church Richmond, VA

For more information or to register, call 804-648-7511 or go to the website. Register at: www.holistichurt-wholistichealing.org We ask that you please register so we can be sure we have adequate food and materials for all attendees.

Richmond Free Press

B4 October 5-7, 2017

Faith News/Directory

Cake dispute turns into highly visible First Amendment religious football Religion News Service

side make? Will this be another landmark decision? And when is a cake not just a decadent dessert, but an expression of deeply held religious beliefs? The facts In 2012, David Mullins and Charlie Craig, a Denver gay couple, wanted a wedding cake from Masterpiece Cakeshop. Owner and baker Jack Phillips refused, saying to do so would violate his deeply held Christian beliefs. The couple filed discrimination charges against Mr. Phillips and won before the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and in the state courts. What will the baker

Sometimes a wedding cake is just delicious. And sometimes it is a First Amendment football. In the U.S. Supreme Court’s term that began Monday, the nation’s highest court will hear Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, a.k.a. “The Cake Case.” It stems from 2012 when two gay men visited a Lakewood, Colo., bakery in search of a wedding cake. The owner-baker, who is Christian, turned them away. The case has been in court ever since. What argument will each

argue? Mr. Phillips’ lawyers have argued that two of his First Amendment rights — freedom of religion and freedom of expression — were violated. They lost. Pundits predict Mr. Phillips’ attorneys will emphasize the freedom of expression angle before the U.S. Supreme Court. They say this is because the expression argument — Mr. Phillips considers himself an artist who expresses himself through baked goods — is stronger than the religion argument. To win under the religion argument, Mr. Phillips’ lawyers would have to prove that

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

United in prayer A coalition of groups welcomed the homeless and others last Saturday to a communitywide faith event, Cookouts for Christ, on Willis Road in South Side. The free event, which featured food and music, also offered testimony by ministry leaders of how Christ turned their lives around from drugs, hopelessness and despair. Joining in prayer at the cookout are, from left, Beth Hextall; Sondra Stephens; Marvin Williams, associate pastor with Grace Alive Ministries; and Jamie Lombardo. The event was sponsored by Christina Perera Ministries in partnership with Harvest Renewal, Dwelling Place and A Place of Miracles Café.

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”

6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

3200 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23223 (804) 226-1176

Serving Richmond since 1887



WedneSday 12:00 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Bible Study

All ARe Welcome

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All!

Come worship with us! Sunday, October 8, 2017

Youth Zone SundaY 10:45 AM Worship Service

Speaker: Rev. Kaiya Jennings Director of Baptist General Convention Youth and Young Adults Christ Kids And Christ Teens Worship Every Sunday Nursery During Church School and Worship Twitter sixthbaptistrva Facebook sixthbaptistrva

ecom Hom2017 ing

Sunday, October 8 Theme:

“Saints, Proclaim What God Has Done For You” (Fall Colors)

Sunday School – 9:30 AM Morning Worship – 11 AM Guest Speaker: Rev. Ricardo Haynes Pilgrim Journey Baptist Church

Music by: The Mass Choir

The Combined Ushers Serving Dinner After Morning Worship Pearl S. Glover Fellowship Hall

Union Baptist ChUrCh 1813 EvErEtt strEEt riChmond, va 23224 (804) 231-5884 rEv. roBErt C. davis, pastor

500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 643-3825 • www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

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

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

ThurSdayS

400 South Addison Street, Richmond, Va. 23220 (near Byrd Park)

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

Youth Revival October 9-11, 2017 7:00 PM – Nightly

“Keep It Moving!” Isaiah 43:18-19

Monday, October 9th Rev. F. Wayne Henley, Pastor Cedar Grove Baptist Church Providence Forge, VA Tuesday, October 10th Rev. Christopher L. Moore, Pastor New Kingdom Christian Ministries, Richmond, VA Wednesday, October 11th Rev. Michael LW. Moore, Pastor Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Richmond, VA Dinner Following Service

Photo by Shutterstock

a law professor at Georgia State University wrote on SCOTUSblog. “Whether Phillips’ wedding cakes are communicative enough to warrant similar protection, or whether Colorado’s interest in fighting discrimination against gays and lesbians is compelling enough to override that protection, are difficult questions, but they relate exclusively to free speech, not religion.” The couple have precedents on their side, too. They highlight one 50-year-old case where a South Carolina restaurant argued it could turn away African-American customers because its owner had a religious objection to mixing races. The owner claimed its barbecue sauce was a form of artistic expression. He lost. Former U.S. Solicitor General Gregory Garre commended Mr. Phillips’ lawyers for “an effective job of converting a gay marriage case into a test of free speech.” “But on the other side,” he told NPR, “is a very exceptionally compelling narrative of our history as a society, the public accommodations law,

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

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

Triumphant

Baptist Church

2003 Lamb Avenue Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

Church School - 9:30 a.m. Worship Service - 11:15 a.m.

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

2017 Theme: The Year of Elevation

Communion - 1st Sunday

(First Peter 5:6)



1858

“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. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus  Rev. Dr. James E. Leary, Interim Pastor

St. Peter Baptist Church

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Worship Opportunities Sundays: Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

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

Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays): Church School 8:30 A.M. Morning Worship 10 A.M. Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults) 2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

Sundays

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

Tuesdays

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

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

sort of the crown jewels of the Supreme Court’s civil rights decisions.” What to watch for? All eyes should be on Justice Anthony Kennedy. At 81, Justice Kennedy is the longest serving, second oldest justice on the court and is a conservative — except when he’s not. Justice Kennedy has sided with the court’s more liberal justices on several landmark cases, as he did in Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision that made same-sex marriage the law of the land. But he also sided with the conservative judges in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, a ruling that the Christian-owned chain of craft stores could deny contraception coverage in its employee health care package. Several of Justice Kennedy’s law clerks have speculated that he will soon retire and may be mindful of his legacy. “This is a case where we are likely to have a court of one: Justice Kennedy,” Mr. Garre said. The Supreme Court likely will hear oral arguments in The Cake Case in December and issue a decision by June.

Broad Rock Baptist Church

1:30 p.m. Bible Study

Prayer Services: Wednesday (1st & 3rd ) 7 a.m. Every Wednesday 8 p.m.

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

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

“The Church With A Welcome”

Bible Study: Tuesday - 9 a.m. Wednesday - 7 p.m.

Sixth Baptist Church A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

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.

Sharon Baptist Church

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)

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws are not religiously neutral — that they “burden” people of one particular faith. But the courts, in the past, have upheld those laws as neutral. So the freedom of expression angle may be stronger. Mr. Phillips’ lawyers may argue his cakes are a form of art and art is a form of speech, so the law cannot compel him to make a speech — or a cake — supporting gay marriage. David Cortman, one of Mr. Phillips’s lawyers, told The New York Times, “Every American should be free to choose which art they will create and which art they won’t create without fear of being unjustly punished by the government.” What will the couple argue? The couple’s lawyers don’t buy the cake-is-speech thing. They say Mr. Phillips is discriminating against them the way some businesses would discriminate against black people and other minorities, refusing to serve them or sell to them. Who is going to win? Some legal scholars say Mr. Phillips can take hope from the Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which established that corporations have free speech rights. There is long legal precedent that prohibits the government from compelling speech. “It seems clear that a prolife baker could not be forced by the state to provide a cake for a Planned Parenthood office party with the inscription ‘Pro-Choice,’ ” Eric Segall,

Noon Day Bible Study

Wednesdays

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

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church C

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

HOMECOMING SERVICE Sunday, October 8, 2017 10:30 a.m. REVIVAL SERVICE

Monday, Oct. 9th thru Thursday, Oct. 12th 7:00 p.m. Nightly Guest Speaker:

Rev. Kimberly Ridley, Pastor The Light Community Church Theme:

“Pray, Renew and Revive” 823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office www.31sbc.org

Richmond Free Press

October 5-7, 2017 B5

Legal Notices Virginia: In the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, John Marshall Courts Building IN RE: PETITION OF REFERENDUM TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND REGARDING THE DUTY OF THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL ON SCHOOL MODERNIZATION PLAN Case No. CL17-2041 EXTRACT OF AN ORDER It is, therefore, ADJUDGED, ORDERED, and DECREED that at the general election to be held on November 7, 2017, a Tuesday that is at least sixty days following the entry of this order; the election officials of the City of Richmond shall open the polls and take the sense of the qualified voters of the City of Richmond on the following question to be printed on the ballot: PROPOSITION A Shall the Charter of the City of Richmond be amended as follows: Section 6.15 -Fulfilling the Promise of Equal Educational Opportunities. (a) Preamble “Education is the great equalizer” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wisely taught us. In their historic Brown v. Board of Education decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court said “education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments.” They concluded the opportunity for an education “is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.” The Justices further indicated the “physical condition of the school plant” could deny this fundamental right. In 1970, Virginians by public referendum adopted a new state constitution to ensure equality of educational opportunity. Yet national and Virginia studies show the average public school facility has been allowed to age into obsolescence. Thus while Richmond’s facilities are collectively more obsolete, our situation is not unique. Respected experts have long warned that students spending their public school lifetimes in such facilities suffer significant and permanent educational detriment. Dr. King famously observed a right delayed is a right denied. We, the people, have therefore chosen to lead. We believe our success can set a needed example for the nation. (b) Duty of the Mayor Not later than six months after this section becomes law, the Mayor shall formally present to the City Council a fully-funded plan to modernize the city’s K-12 educational infrastructure consistent with national standards or inform City Council such a plan is not feasible. In fulfilling the duties herein, the Mayor shall consult with the School Board, City Council, consider cost savings available in state or federal law and further provide an opportunity for public participation. (c) No New or Increased Taxes The fully-funded plan required in subsection (b) cannot be based on the passage of new or increased taxes for that purpose. (d) Duty of the School Board Nothing herein shall alter powers previously given to the School Board. (e) Duty of the City Council Once the Mayor has complied with subsection (b), the City Council shall have 90 days to take such action as it deems appropriate. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, 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, October 16, 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, November 13, 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. 2017-193 To rezone the properties known as 904 Oliver Hill Way, 908 Oliver Hill Way, and 1020 Oliver Hill Way from the M-1 Light Industrial District and the M-2 Heavy Industrial District to the B-5 Central Business District. The Downtown Plan includes the southern portion of the property in the Urban Center Character Area, which calls for higher density, mixed‑use development, typically arContinued on next column

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ranged on a fine‑grained street network, with wide sidewalks, regular tree planting, and minimal setbacks. The Master Plan recommends Industrial uses for the northern portion of the site. Primary uses for this category include a wide variety of manufacturing, processing, research and development, warehousing, distribution, office‑ware‑ house and service uses. Office, retail and other uses that complement industrial areas are often secondary support uses.

the defendant on the ground that the parties have lived separate and apart without cohabitation and without interruption for more than one year. It appearing from affidavit that the defendant, Gary A. Wright, cannot be found and that diligence has been used without effect to ascertain his location, it is ORDERED that the defendant appear before this Court by 15th day of November, 2017 and do what is necessary to protect his interests herein. A Copy, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk Suzette L. Hutchens Hutchens & Hutchens, P.C. 2201 Libbie Avenue Richmond, VA 23230 (804) 282-1212

v. GLENDA SMITH, Defendant. Case No.: CL17002324-00 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 3rd day of November, 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

Ordinance No. 2017-194 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3138 Grayland Avenue for the purpose of two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Single Family Residential at low densities. Primary uses for this category are single-family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre. The proposed density of the project would be approximately 17 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2017-195 To authorize the special use of the property known as 15 East Brookland Park Boulevard for the purpose of permitting a café with accessory roasting, wholesale, and distribution of coffee products, upon certain terms and conditions. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Community Commercial land uses which 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. 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, October 9, 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. 2017-169 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 80-260-81-41, adopted Mar. 9, 1981, as previously amended by Ord. Nos. 81-152-138, adopted August 24, 1981, 84-110-83, adopted May 29, 1984, 89-318-295, adopted Nov. 13, 1989, 2006-26-52, adopted Feb. 27, 2006, 2006-260-263, adopted Oct. 23, 2006, and 2012-163-164, adopted Oct. 8, 2012, concerning the Beaufont Oaks Community Unit Plan, to amend the permitted uses to include a church use. The subject property is located at 6900 West Carnation Street and is a component of the approved Beaufont Oaks Community Unit Plan. The underlying zoning of the subject property is R-3 (Single-Family Residential) district. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for General Office Use. Primary uses in this category are professional, business and administrative offices and medical and dental clinics. 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 OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND DEBORAH M. TRIBBEY, Plaintiff v. GARY A. WRIGHT, Defendant. Case No.: CL17-4170-3 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MICHAEL RHYNE, Plaintiff v. SUSAN RHYNE, Defendant. Case No.: CL17002067-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 16th day of November, 2017 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER HUGO MORENO PUERTA, Plaintiff v. ALICIA PORTILLA PEREZ, Defendant. Case No.: CL17002429-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 16th day of November, 2017 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ASMAA BENZINOU, Plaintiff v. ZAKARIA CHAKROUN, Defendant. Case No.: CL17002430-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 16th day of November, 2017 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ANTHONY FORD, Plaintiff v. SHERIL FORD, Defendant. Case No.: CL17001067-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 16th day of November, 2017 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JAMES HILL, JR., Plaintiff v. SHANTORIA HILL, Defendant. Case No.: CL17002325-00 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 3rd day of November, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER PAULINE MARTIN, Plaintiff v. CARSON MARTIN, III, Defendant. Case No.: CL17001131-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 27th day of October, 2017 and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BRYANT WILLIAMS, SR., Plaintiff v. CATHY WILLIAMS, Defendant. Case No.: CL17001194-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 27th day of October, 2017 and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BOBBY SMITH., Plaintiff

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER STEPHEN GULLINS, Plaintiff v. MARGARETHA GULLINS, Defendant. Case No.: CL17001515-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 27th day of October, 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

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Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER RAYMOND MCCAULEY, III, Plaintiff v. LISA MCCAULEY, Defendant. Case No.: CL17002199-00 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 27th day of October, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LESLIE SPINNER, Plaintiff v. JAMARRA BROWN, Defendant. Case No.: CL15003189-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 27th day of October, 2017 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 city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re NEHEMIAH MAYES, Juvenile File No. J-86203-20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown, Jermaine Johnson, Destin Kimbrough, Deoatae Duckworth, Dontae Sanders (Father ’s) of Nehemiah Mayes, child, DOB 11/11/2010, “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 defendants Unknown, Jermaine Johnson, Destin Kimbrough, Deoatae Duckworth, Dontae Sanders (Father’s) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before December 5, 2017, at 10:40 AM, CourtRoom #2. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Jhony W Ramirez cruz, Mirna elizabeth ramirez cruz v. wilfredo lazo trejo Case No. JJ092677-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: (1) Determine custody of Jhony Wilfredo Ramirez Cruz (DOB: 7/21/01), whose mother is Mirna Elizabeth Ramizez Cruz, and whose father is Wilfredo Lazo Trejo (whereabouts unknown), pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3. (2) To make factual findings that would permit Jhony Wilfredo Ramirez Cruz to apply for special immigrant juvenile status with the United States. It is ORDERED that the defendant Wilfredo Lazo Trejo appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before November 15, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re FELIx J Parada castro reina de la paz romero v. jose simon parado vasquez & esther castro romero Case No. JJ092678-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: (1) Determine custody of Felix J Parada Castro (DOB: 7/5/01), whose mother is Esther Castro Romero, and whose father is Jose Simon Parada Vasquez, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1Continued on next column

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241A3. (2) To make factual findings that would permit Felix J. Parada Castro to apply for special immigrant juvenile status with the United States. It is ORDERED that the defendant Jose Simon Parada Vasquez appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before November 15, 2017 at 11:00 A.M.

collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Grace M. D. Meredith Estate. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, GRACE M. D. MEREDITH a/k/a GRACE MADELINE DAVIS MEREDITH, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF GRACE M. D. MEREDITH a/k/a GRACE MADELINE DAVIS MEREDITH, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF CHARLES DAVIS a/k/a CHAS. DAVIS, DECEASED, prior owner in chain-of-title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that JUNIUS W. MEREDITH a/k/a JUNIUS WELFORD MEREDITH, SR., Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF JUNIUS W. MEREDITH a/k/a JUNIUS WELFORD MEREDITH, SR., JACQULINE M. JONES a/k/a JACQUELINE MEREDITH JONES, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR S U C C E SS O R S IN INTEREST OF JACQULINE M. JONES a/k/a JACQUELINE MEREDITH JONES, CHARLES MEREDITH a/k/a CHARLES EDWARD MEREDITH, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF CHARLES MEREDITH a/k/a CHARLES E D WA R D M E R E D I T H , GENEVA D. MEREDITH, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF GENEVA D. MEREDITH, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that JUNIUS WELFORD MEREDITH, JR., SHIRLEY E. DICKERSON, JULIA MEREDITH a/k/a JULIA RENA MEREDITH, WAYNE MEREDITH a/k/a WAYNE E D WA R D M E R E D I T H , MARVIN MEREDITH a/k/a MARVIN EDWARD MEREDITH a/k/a MARVIN TYRONE MEREDITH, MARLON L. MEREDITH a/k/a MARLON LYNDEL MEREDITH, CASEY E. MEREDITH a/k/a CASEY E D WA R D M E R E D I T H , DARRELL L. HAWKINS a/k/a DARRELL LAMONT HAWKINS, 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 address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that MOZELL BERNICE CHENNAULT a/k/a MOZELLE BERNICE CHENNAULT, who upon information and belief died on April 2, 2013, FAYE CARTER a/k/a FAYE ANN CARTER, who upon information and belief died on September 1, 2014, SHELIA KUMAR a/k/a SHELIA M. KUMAR, who upon information and belief died on November 7, 2015, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that VANESSA MEREDITH ANDREWS a/k/a VANESS MADELINE ANDREWS, RONALD MEREDITH, RICARDO JONES a/k/a RICARDO LEE JONES, REGINALD M I T C H E L L , R AY T WA N MITCHELL, MARION MEREDITH, ROBERT L. RUTLEDGE, SR., who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that CLARENCE MEREDITH a/k/a CLARENCE MORGAN MEREDITH, who may have an ownership interest in said property, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that NEWPORT MANOR LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, A Voluntarily Cancelled Virginia Limited Partnership, 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 ALVIN R. POLLARD, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, 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 have not filed a response to this action; that CREDIT CAR AMERICA, INC., A Purged Virginia Corporation, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property; that RAB PERFORMANCE RECOVERIES LLC, A Foreign Limited Liability Company not Registered to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to CAPITAL ONE, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not filed a response to this action; has not been located 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 GRACE M. D. MEREDITH a/k/a GRACE MADELINE DAVIS MEREDITH, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF GRACE M. D. MEREDITH a/k/a GRACE MADELINE DAVIS MEREDITH, ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF CHARLES DAVIS a/k/a CHAS. DAVIS, DECEASED, JUNIUS W. MEREDITH a/k/a JUNIUS WELFORD MEREDITH, SR., Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF JUNIUS W. MEREDITH a/k/a JUNIUS WELFORD MEREDITH, SR., JACQULINE M. JONES a/k/a JACQUELINE MEREDITH JONES, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR S U C C E SS O R S IN INTEREST OF JACQULINE M. JONES a/k/a JACQUELINE MEREDITH JONES, CHARLES MEREDITH a/k/a CHARLES EDWARD MEREDITH, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF CHARLES MEREDITH a/k/a CHARLES E D WA R D M E R E D I T H , GENEVA D. MEREDITH, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES O R S U C C E SS O R S I N INTEREST OF GENEVA D. MEREDITH, JUNIUS WELFORD MEREDITH, JR., SHIRLEY E. DICKERSON, JULIA MEREDITH a/k/a JULIA RENA MEREDITH, WAY N E M E R E D I T H a/k/a WAYNE EDWARD MEREDITH, MARVIN MEREDITH a/k/a MARVIN E D WA R D M E R E D I T H a/k/a MARVIN TYRONE MEREDITH, MARLON L. MEREDITH a/k/a MARLON LYNDEL MEREDITH, CASEY E. MEREDITH a/k/a CASEY E D WA R D M E R E D I T H , DARRELL L. HAWKINS a/k/a DARRELL LAMONT H AW K I N S , M O Z E L L BERNICE CHENNAULT a/k/a MOZELLE BERNICE CHENNAULT, who upon information and belief died on April 2, 2013, FAYE CARTER a/k/a FAYE ANN CARTER, who upon information and belief died on September 1, 2014, SHELIA KUMAR a/k/a SHELIA M. KUMAR, who upon information and belief died on November 7, 2015, VANESSA MEREDITH ANDREWS a/k/a VANESS MADELINE ANDREWS, RONALD MEREDITH, RICARDO JONES a/k/a RICARDO LEE JONES, REGINALD MITCHELL, R AY T WA N M I T C H E L L , MARION MEREDITH, ROBERT L. RUTLEDGE, SR., CLARENCE MEREDITH a/k/a CLARENCE MORGAN MEREDITH, NEWPORT MANOR LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, A Voluntarily Cancelled Virginia Limited Partnership, ALVIN R. POLLARD, CREDIT CAR AMERICA, INC., A Purged Vi r g i n i a C o r p o r a t i o n , RAB PERFORMANCE RECOVERIES LLC, A Foreign Limited Liability Company not Registered to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Successor by Assignment to CAPITAL ONE, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 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 JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Asley m dieguezjurado, lilia angelines jurado espina v. carlos faustino dieguez posada Case No. JJ092082-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Asley Maritza Elizabeth Dieguez-Jurado (DOB: 2/28/01), whose mother is Lilia Angelines Jurado Espina and whose father is Carlos Faustino Dieguez Posada, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3. Father’s last known address was in Jutiapa, Dept of Jutiapa, Guatemala. It is ORDERED that the defendant Carlos Faustino Dieguez Posada appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before November 06, 2017 at 12:00 P.M. virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of the City of Richmond Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Evelyn rose grau, Children’s Home Society of Virginia v. Legal Father, John Grau and UNKNOWN BIRTH FATHER File No. J-094672-01-00 AMENDED OrDEr Of puBLicatiON The object of this suit is to: Pursuant to VA Code § 16.1-277.01, Children’s Home Society of Virginia is requesting that the Court terminate the residual parental rights of the legal birth father, John Grau, whose whereabouts are unknown, and of any unknown birth father whose identity and whereabouts are unknown, and transfer custody of the infant, Evelyn Rose Grau, d/o/b 05/28/2017 to the Children’s Home Society of Virginia with the right to place the infant for adoption. It is ORDERED that the Legal father and any Unknown Birth Father, appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before 11/16/2017, at 9:20 AM, Court Room #4

PROPERTY VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. GREGORY BLOUIN, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL17-4377 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1807 North 21st Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0001080/017, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Gregory Blouin. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, GREGORY BLOUIN, has not been located 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 GREGORY BLOUIN, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 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. GRACE M. D. MEREDITH a/k/a GRACE MADELINE DAVIS MEREDITH, Who May Be Deceased, and THE HEIRS, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF GRACE M. D. MEREDITH a/k/a GRACE MADELINE DAVIS MEREDITH, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL12-3834 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2307 Carrington Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000470/004, to sale in order to Continued on next column

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JOHN H. THOMAS, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL17-4376 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2511 Whitcomb Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E012-0224/016, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, John H. Thomas and Catherine D. Thomas. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, JOHN H. THOMAS and CATHERINE D. THOMAS, have not been 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 JOHN H. THOMAS, CATHERINE D. THOMAS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 2017 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Continued on next page

Richmond Free Press

B6 October 5-7, 2017

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous page

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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

interest in said property, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been 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 IRENE E. WINFREE aka IRENE WINFREE CARR, who according to information and belief died on January 25, 1982, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, GWENDY C. SMITH, who according to information and belief, died on August 30, 2007, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 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

& ESCROW, INC., A Purged Virginia Entity, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Credit Line Deed of Trust, with respect to said property, recorded April 22, 1988, at Deed Book 162, page 2240, or its successor/s in title, whose names are unknown, have not been located and have not field 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 TERENCE A. JONES, TERI M. JONES, COLCHESTER HUNT TITLE & ESCROW, INC., A Purged Virginia Entity, Trustee of a certain Note secured by a Credit Line Deed of Trust, with respect to said property, recorded April 22, 1988, at Deed Book 162, page 2240, or its successor/s in title, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 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 said property, recorded October 28, 2005 at Instrument Number 05-37734, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that James Michael Golden, Registered Agent for GOLDEN’S CHIMNEY LINING, INC., which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, 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; 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 2327 GROVE AVENUE, LLC, a defunct Virginia entity, JOHN C. BRAYLEY, who according to information and belief died on March 5, 2015, who may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust with respect to said property, recorded October 28, 2005 at Instrument Number 05-37734, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, James Michael Golden, Registered Agent for GOLDEN’S CHIMNEY LINING, INC., and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 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

COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION ITB#17-1492-8CLE – Hechler Village Trunk Sewer Replacement Project - This Work consists of providing approx. 2,400 linear feet of 8-inch, 16-inch, and 24-inch diameter sanitary sewer, replacement of sewer service laterals and abandonment of existing sewer. Due 3:00 pm, October 24, 2017. Additional information available at http:// henrico.us/purchasing/.

Following Positions needed for Assisted Living Facility. 1 Full-Time Position For CNA or PCA 1 PRN Position For CNA or PCA Please bring copy of current TB report when applying. All references will be checked. Good Pay — Good Days Off. Call for appointment (804) 222-5133

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide: Cremation Services To view a copy of RFP # TC092717 go to Procurement Services Site: http://www.procurement. virginia.edu/main/ publicpostings/RFP.html, or email pur-rfp@virginia.edu

The Richmond Free Press is seeking a reliable and creative person for a parttime graphics position. Enthusiastic individual must be proficient in Indesign and Photoshop to produce advertisements and news page layouts for print. Submit resumé and samples of work to address: Human Resources, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, Richmond, Virginia 23261.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. CLARA DICKERSON aka CLARA BURTON, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL17-4271 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 6421 C Glyndon Lane, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C004-0945/020, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, CLARA DICKERSON aka CLARA BURTON. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CLARA DICKERSON aka CLARA BURTON, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that JOHN BURTON and CHARLES E. JEFFERSON, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been 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 CLARA DICKERSON aka CLARA BURTON, JOHN BURTON, CHARLES E. JEFFERSON, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 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. CLARA DICKERSON aka CLARA BURTON, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL17-4272 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 6421 B Glyndon Lane, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number C004-0945/018, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, CLARA DICKERSON aka CLARA BURTON. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CLARA DICKERSON aka CLARA BURTON, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that JOHN BURTON and CHARLES E. JEFFERSON, who may have an ownership interest in said property, have not been 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 CLARA DICKERSON aka CLARA BURTON, JOHN BURTON, CHARLES E. JEFFERSON, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 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. DANE TYLER, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL17-3701 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1307 Minefee, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S007-1134/056, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, DANE TYLER. An Affidavit having been filed that MCCLELLAN J. BAGBY, Registered Agent for MOTIV8S, INCORPORATED, an entity which may have an ownership interest in said property, 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 MCCLELLAN J. BAGBY, who may have an ownership interest in said property, 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 ROBERT B. MCENTEE, JR., Trustee for GMAC MORTGAGE, LLC, Successor by Merger to GMAC MORTGAGE C O R P O R AT I O N D B A DITECH.COM, an entity which may be the holder of a Deed of Trust recorded October 14, 2011, at Instrument Number 11-21248, 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; 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 MCCLELLAN J. BAGBY, Registered Agent for MOTIV8S, INCORPORATED, MCCLELLAN J. BAGBY, ROBERT B. MCENTEE, JR., Trustee for GMAC MORTGAGE, LLC, Successor by Merger to GMAC MORTGAGE C O R P O R AT I O N D B A DITECH.COM, an entity which may be the holder of a Deed of Trust recorded October 14, 2011, at Instrument Number 11-21248, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before NOVEMBER 24, 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. IRENE E. WINFREE aka IRENE WINFREE CARR, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL17-3870 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1210 North 35th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0001273/037, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, IRENE E. WINFREE. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, IRENE E. WINFREE aka IRENE WINFREE CARR, who according to information and belief died on January 25, 1982, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in title, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that GWENDY C. SMITH, who according to information and belief, died on August 30, 2007, who may have an ownership

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. TERENCE A. JONES, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL17-3695 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2300 Hildreth Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0120331/010, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, TERENCE A. JONES and TERI M. JONES. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, TERENCE A. JONES and TERI M. JONES, who has 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 COLCHESTER HUNT TITLE

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. 2327 GROVE AVENUE, LLC, et al., Defendants. Case No.: CL17-3384 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2327 Grove Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number W000-1039/001, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, 2327 GROVE AVENUE, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, 2327 GROVE AVENUE, LLC, a defunct Virginia entity, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that JOHN C. BRAYLEY, who according to information and belief died on March 5, 2015, who may be the holder of a certain Note secured by a Deed of Trust with respect Continued on next column

BID COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide professional engineering services for “Horsepen Branch Trunk Sewer (Broad St. to Route 33)” Pursuant to RFP #171512-9JCK is due by 2:30 p.m., October 20, 2017. The Request for Proposal is available at: h t t p : / / w w w. h e n r i c o . u s / departments/purchasing/ bids-and-proposals/

NOTICE OF INVITATION TO BID Sealed, lump-sum bids are invited for: Construction of new homes at 1307, 1311, 1313, 1317 and 1321 N 27th St. in the Church Hill neighborhood. Section 3 businesses and/or businesses that employ Section 3 residents are encouraged to respond. Contact Phil Cunningham, Richmond Affordable Housing, an affiliate of Better Housing Coalition, at (804) 644-0546 x 135 to obtain Bidding Documents and Specifications. Intent to Bid forms must be delivered by Friday 10/13. Announcement Closing Date: October 31, 2017 New Light Baptist church is prayerfully seeking a full-time Pastor who exemplifies the character described in I Timothy 3:1-7. Minimum Qualification for this position: Master’s degree in theological study from an accredited school; Licensure as a Baptist Minister and must be ordained in accordance with the Baptist Faith; must have clear understanding of the Baptist Doctrine and Articles of Faith. Submission Requirements: Resume, Cover letter Three references ( of whom can provide written recommendations if requested) Submit candidate package by mail to: NLBC Pastoral Search Committee 2000 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223 See church website for further details. www.newlightbaptistchurch.org

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City of Richmond, Virginia PUBLIC NotICe

Proposed City Charter Amendments Pursuant to section 15.2-202 of the Code of Virginia, notice is hereby given to all interested persons that the City Council of the City of Richmond will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 9, 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 resolution: Resolution No. 2017-R073 To request the Richmond delegation to the General Assembly of Virginia to introduce and support the enactment of legislation to amend section 5.05, concerning the duties of the Mayor, and section 5.05.1, concerning the duties of the Chief Administrative Officer, for the purpose of providing that the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Officer, and their designees no longer have a right to attend closed meetings of the City Council. Patrons – Mrs. Larson and Ms. Gray Approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND: That, in accordance with section 15.2-202 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the Richmond delegation to the General Assembly of Virginia is hereby requested to introduce and support the enactment of legislation to amend the Charter of the City of Richmond as set forth in the document entitled “Requests of the City of Richmond for City Charter Amendments during the 2018 Session of the General Assembly of Virginia,” a copy of which is attached to and made a part of this resolution.

Requests of the City of RiChmond foR City ChaRteR amendments duRing the 2018 session of the geneRal assembly of ViRginia Amended Sections: Sec. 5.05. General duties; mayor. It shall be the duty of the mayor to: (a) Attend, or appoint a designee empowered to answer questions and make recommendations on behalf of the mayor to attend, all open meetings of the council with the right to speak but not to vote; [the mayor or his designee shall have the right to attend a closed meeting pursuant to § 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia unless the council determines that the subject matter of the closed meeting includes the office of the mayor and that inclusion of the mayor or his designee shall be detrimental to the purpose of the council’s deliberations;] (b) Keep the council advised of the financial condition and the future needs of the city and of all matters pertaining to its proper administration, and make such recommendations as may seem to the mayor desirable; (c) Oversee preparation of and submit the annual budget to the council as provided in Chapter 6 of this charter; (d) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter or which may be required of the chief executive officer of a city by the general laws of the Commonwealth, or by ordinances adopted by the council, provided that the mayor shall have the power to veto any city ordinance by written notice of veto delivered to the city clerk within 14 calendar days of council’s actions, subject to override thereafter by the council with a vote of six or more of the currently filled seats on council at any regular or special meeting held within 14 calendar days of the clerk’s receipt of the notice of veto; however, the appointment of members of a redevelopment and housing authority in the city shall be made by the council; and

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond. To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com. EOE M/F/D/V

AFTON CHEMICAL CORPORATION/ Customer Technical Services (CTS) Specialist – Engine Oils: Afton seeks CTS Specialist – Engine Oils to provide expert technical support to LATAM Sales & Marketing teams & to resolve customer issues/ requests related to Afton’s engine oil additives. Requires B.S. in Chemical Engg & 2 yrs’ exp as Chemical Engineer or Product Quality Engineer w/ 2 yrs’ concurrent exp w/ engine oil additives, ZDDP & drafting/revising tech docs related to engine oil production, incl. lab/chemical reactions & manufacturing processes. Position in Richmond, VA. Qualified applicants send cvr ltr, CV & slry reqs to Shawn Boone, HR, Afton Chemical Corporation, 500 Spring St, Richmond, VA 23219. Principal Flavorist (Altria Client Services LLC - Richmond, VA): Prep & eval new & reformd flav. & casings on existing & new tobacco prod. Engage MKTG, Consumer Rsrch, Blend Creation & othr Prod Dev’t groups in the id, dir & the transl of consumer insights & pref into new prod ideas. Serve as proj. mgr & prov. tech. exprt on cross-func proj for new prod. & new proc creation. Build capability for future Flav. Creation talent through training & mentor less exp’d Flavorists. Req.: BA or fgn equivalent in Chem. Food Sci., or rel field +5 yrs of exp as a Tobacco Flavorist or closely rel, incl 5 yrs exp in each of the following: creative flav. design, tob & tob flav., flav chemistry, & flav process tech; strat plan & proj mgmt; Flav Compounding, Chem., flav interacts & reacts; flav ingr, flav app equip & tech; tob & casings & their proper app. Exp must also include 3 yrs using Flavor Creation softw such as SAP or Optiva; & 3 yrs exp using Flavor Base. This position req. smoking &/ or use of smokeless tob products to assess the sensory characteristics of cig, cigars & moist smokeless tob. Each Altria company is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or other protected class. Send resumes to: http://www.altria.com/Careers, Req. #17563BR

Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia is seeking a self-motivated part-time drummer. Candidate must be passionate and dedicated to our music ministry. Preferably, someone to play for all worship services and support our choirs for outside engagements, while fulfilling the vision and mission of the church. Candidate must demonstrate the skill set necessary to play the drums/percussions and a variety of music. Applications may be picked up from the church and mailed to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, Attn: Billie C. Winzor, Personnel Ministry Chairperson, 8775 Mt. Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. Interested candidates may e-mail resume to: mstyles@mobcva.org or faxed to (804) 262-2397. Please direct all questions to Ms. Billie C. Winzor at (804) 262-9614. A Criminal History Background Check Is Required. Position is opened until filled.

Director of Administration General Administration Supervisor II/Coordinator II - 19222 Position #0032-- Pay Band 5 Hiring Range: Up to $68,000 Closes: October 13, 2017@ 5 p.m.

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is recruiting for a Director of Administration. This multifaceted position serves as the primary point of responsibility for administrative and logistical matters, personnel management, budget development, contracts/procurement, and overall continuity of operations for the agency. View full job description and application requirements at http://virginiajobs.peopleadmin. com/postings/89758 or our website www. vaboard.org Minorities and people with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service are encouraged to apply. EEO//TTY. Reasonable Accommodations upon Request.

Sales Assistant WUPV CW Richmond seeks detail oriented, technology savvy Sales Assistant capable of producing creative high impact sales presentations, managing multiple projects simultaneously, inputting orders, and being an overall part of the selling process. Position requires someone who understands hard work and is comfortable in a fluid and fast paced environment. Successful candidate must possess a positive attitude and be experienced with Microsoft Office. For the right person, this opportunity can be a stepping stone to future opportunities in our organization. Competitive salary, full benefits. MVR check and Drug Screen required. Send resume with cover letter and salary requirements to: CW Richmond, 5710 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225 Attn: Mr. Bo Jackson or email bjackson@ cwrichmond.tv. EOE M/F/D/V.

(e) Issue such regulations as may be necessary in order to implement the mayor’s duties and powers. Sec. 5.05.1. General duties; chief administrative officer. It shall be the duty of the chief administrative officer, acting under the general direction of the mayor, to: (a) Prepare the annual budget for submission to the council by the mayor; (b) Prepare in suitable form for publication and submit to the council a concise report of the financial transactions and administrative activities of the city government during the fiscal year ending on the preceding thirtieth day of June and cause to be printed such number of copies thereof as the council shall direct; (c) Present adequate financial and activity reports as requested by the council; (d) Fulfill the city’s responsibilities for maintaining cemeteries as provided for in § 2.05(d) of the charter and § 15.2-1121 of the Code of Virginia; (e) Attend, or be represented at, all open meetings of the council in order to answer questions and make recommendations on behalf of the mayor, provided that prior to any such meetings, council has given the mayor at least 72 hours of advance notice of the matters on which it seeks information or a recommendation; and (f) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter, by city ordinance, or required of him in accordance therewith by the mayor other than the duties conferred on the mayor by this charter. Interested persons are requested to be present, and an opportunity to be heard will be afforded them. Copies of the full text of this resolution are available on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov.com; at 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

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