“The buck stops here” Richmond
Renovations at John Marshall High School signal ongoing infrastructure needs
By Paula Phounsavath
“In
there’s over $40 million of
mediate needs,” Fox
“We need to do something right now and this is something that cannot wait past its life expectancy.”
The $40 million estimate comes from a 2024 spring and
summer building assessment of each facility. Necessary renovations include electrical repairs, door and window replacements and improved accessibility for students with special needs. However, existing projects
are already underway such as roof replacements, which cost around $10 million and more HVAC upgrades, which were funded through a $15.3 million
By George Copeland Jr.
Richmond General Registrar Keith Balmer resigned Wednesday following a report that cited 25 instances of abuse, fraud and waste by leadership and employees in the Richmond Office of Elections.
“The buck stops here, stops with me,” Balmer said Wednesday afternoon while announcing his decision at the Office of Elections. “The citizens of this city need a registrar who follows city guidelines.”
“That is where my office has fallen short, and I take full
responsibility for that.”
Balmer submitted his resignation earlier that day during a closed session of a Richmond Electoral Board meeting at City Hall that lasted more than three hours. The board unanimously accepted his decision once the session ended. The closed session saw board members and Balmer discuss a report released last week by the office of Richmond Inspector General James Osuna detailing multiple allegations of misconduct by Balmer and his staff.
Balmer will continue to serve as Registrar until Tuesday,
Shockoe Project continues to advance with new developments
By George Copeland Jr.
Richmond officials and ar-
chitects gathered Monday afternoon at Ancarrow’s Landing to celebrate and update the public on the latest developments in the multi-million-dollar Shockoe Project.
About a dozen people attended the event, located near the James River at the start of the Richmond Slave Trail. The cold weather was countered by a friendly atmosphere as speakers shared the latest on
By Charlotte Rene Woods
the project, which aims to recognize the history of enslaved and free Africans and create a destination highlighting Richmond’s complex role in American history.
“Today we celebrate growth, we celebrate progress, and we celebrate hope,” Mayor Levar M. Stoney said. “We are choosing to move forward by telling Shockoe’s complete story and honoring and memorializing
At least six incarcerated people have burned themselves at western Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison, the Virginia Department of Corrections confirmed Wednesday.
Lawmakers in Virginia’s Legislative Black Caucus say a dozen prisoners have harmed themselves since mid-September and want an investigation into inmates’ claims of poor living conditions and treatment in the high-security prison. Earlier this year prisoners there held hunger strikes to protest conditions.
“People who have been incarcerated
the lives of enslaved Africans.”
The event marked the first stop of Stoney’s 30-day “Richmond’s Faring Well Tour,” celebrating his administration’s accomplishments over eight years while recognizing the progress and importance of the project.
Stoney is the third Richmond mayor to help shepherd the Shockoe Project, which formal-
at Red Onion State Prison describe being regularly subjected to racial and physical abuse from correctional officers, medical neglect including the withholding of medicine, excessive stays in solitary confinement with one report of 600 consecutive days, inedible food having been covered in maggots and officers’ spit, and violent dog attacks,” according to the release from the Black Caucus. “These repeated and tragic self-immolation attempts, and accompanying hunger strikes reflect the psychological and physical toll that gruesome prison conditions can have on incarcerated individuals.”
ly launched in 2022 but traces back to 2006 with an archeological investigation of the site of the former Lumpkin’s Slave Jail, according to a timeline on the Project’s website.
The jail is expected to be one of many components of the completed project, alongside the creation or improvement of other sites such as the African Burial Ground, the National Slav-
A Wednesday statement from DOC director Chadwick Dotson confirmed that six people had burned themselves by “using improvised devices that were created by tampering with electrical outlets.”
He added that all six were treated for their injuries and returned to Red Onion where they have been referred to the mental health staff for treatment.
Christian Martinez, a spokesperson for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, said that the governor was aware of the situation. Dotson also had pointed words for
ery Museum, the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground and the Winfree Cottage. With the end of his term as mayor approaching and a campaign for lieutenant governor on the horizon, Stoney promised to “continue to advocate for this project, hopefully at the state level.”
“It was incredibly important to us and to those of the Shockoe Project to be part of this tour,”
Stoney said, “because much has happened over the course of the last eight years that needs to be remembered, celebrated and continued.”
For Burt Pinnock, principal architect at the design firm Baskervill, which is developing the project’s master plan, the event provided an opportunity to reveal new details. These include a life-size replica of a slave ship and a 12-foot bronze sculpture placed along
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
team’s
over Armstrong at the Armstrong Walker Football Classic Legacy
High School.
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Richmond Registrar Keith Balmer exits a closed-door session of the Richmond Electoral Board at City Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 4, where he submitted his resignation. The resignation followed a report that found Balmer and his deputy, Jerry Richardson, were involved in misuse of funds, overspending, nepotism and other misconduct.
Stoney
Pinnock
Virginia War Memorial to Host 83rd Annual Pearl Harbor Day
Free press staff report
Virginia War Memorial will host a solemn and reflective gathering to honor the lives lost during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The 83rd Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory - 20th Century, located at 621 South Belvidere St.
The ceremony will commemorate the lives of more than 2,400 Americans, including 41 Virginians, who perished on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack, which led the United States into World War II, is remembered for its shock and devastation.
Rear Admiral Michael T. Curran, who retired after more than 30 years of service in the U.S. Navy and Reserves, will deliver the keynote address. The event will also feature the tolling of the ship’s bell from the USS Virginia, along with the reading of each Virginian’s name lost that day.
“The name of each Virginian who perished on that fateful day will be read and remembered with the tolling of the ship’s bell from the guided missile cruiser USS Virginia (CGN-38),” said Vaughn F. Dize, president of the Navy League’s Richmond Council, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The bell is permanently displayed at the Virginia War Memorial.
“We are again pleased to continue the tradition of co-hosting the Navy League Richmond Council’s Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony here at the Virginia War Memorial,” said Clay Mountcastle, director of the Virginia War Memorial. “We look forward to having our fellow citizens and especially veterans join us in honoring and remembering the thousands of Americans, including many Virginians, who died during the surprise attack in 1941.”
The ceremony is free and will take place outdoors. Free parking is available. The Memorial will be open for visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the Pearl Harbor documentary and exhibits available for viewing. For more information, visit vawarmemorial.org.
Leadership Metro Richmond seeks new president
Free Press staff report
Leadership Metro Richmond has launched a search for its next President and CEO, seeking a dynamic leader to advance its mission of fostering leadership and community connection in the greater Richmond region.
The new President and CEO will succeed Myra Goodman Smith, who currently holds the position. The role includes leading strategic initiatives, resource development, and program operations while collaborating with nonprofit, government, and community stakeholders.
LMR is looking for a visionary leader who can inspire and drive transformative change to strengthen and connect the community. The President and CEO will serve as the organization’s public face and play a pivotal role in advancing its mission.
Applications are being accepted online at lmronline.org/ employment-opportunities through Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. Candidates can find detailed information about the position on the website.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, Nov. 30, COVID-19 accounted for .5% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with overall respiratory illness low but trending up from previous data. No deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported within that period at time of publication. COVID-19 wastewater levels for Richmond and Henrico County were below detection as of the most recent sample collection week on Sunday, Nov. 17. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
• Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2 to 4:30 p.m. - St. Luke’s Apartments, 117 Engleside Drive.
• Thursday, Nov. 28, 2 to 4:30 p.m. - Calvary United Methodist Church, 1637 Williamsburg Road.
• Friday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Southside Woman, Infants and Children Office, 509 E. Southside Plaza RHHD’s Resource Centers are providing free at-home tests for pickup at select locations:
• Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, call 804-371-0433.
• Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., call 804-786-4099.
• Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., call 804-786-1960.
• Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., call 804-230-7740.
• Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., call 804-786-0204.
• Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Road. Unit #B, call 804-230-2077.
• Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., call 804-786-0555. For Virginia Department of Health testing locations, visit vdh. virginia.gov. Additional testing site information can be found at vax.rchd.com. Want a COVID-19 vaccine?
Individuals interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can schedule an appointment with the Richmond and Henrico health districts by calling (804) 205-3501. Additionally, vaccines.gov provides a list of pharmacies and clinics offering the vaccine. You also can find locations by texting your ZIP code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offers a vaccine locator at vaccines.gov. Residents also can order four free at-home COVID test kits at covidtest.gov while supplies last.
The CDC recommends the new COVID-19 vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are approved for ages 6 months and up, while Novavax is for those age 12 and older.
These updated vaccines are now available at pharmacies and health care providers. Health officials encourage eligible individuals to get their boosters.
For those who received previous doses, the CDC advises waiting at least two months before getting the new vaccine. However, exceptions exist for people completing an initial vaccination series, immunocompromised individuals, those who recently had COVID-19 and individuals receiving an initial series of Novavax doses.
Compiled by George Copeland Jr.
Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
Department of Public Works on Nov.
of the city’s Vision Zero initiative, aim to improve roadway safety and
RPS bids farewell to outgoing School Board Members
By Paula Phounsavath
Richmond Public Schools
Board Chairwoman Dawn Page, 8th District, teared up as family, community members and former school board colleagues congratulated her for her service at Monday night’s school board meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, the board recognized Page, who is leaving her seat after serving on the board for over 12 years — the longest tenure of any school board member. She became the school board’s Chairwoman in July. During her time on the board, Page oversaw the construction of eight schools, helped achieve full accreditation and served as both chair and vice chair.
Incoming 8th District Board Member and paralegal, Emmett “Jay” Jafari, will take the seat in January, after defeating PH “Cruz” Sherman with 52.7% of the vote.
In recognition of Page’s service, red roses from family members and former school board colleagues were passed, a $300 check from Sherman for the 8th District schools was presented and Superintendent Jason Kamras presented her with a plaque.
“Mrs. Page was on the other end of the line when I was offered this position,” said Kamras during the meeting, who was appointed in 2018. “Your leadership has been truly something to behold and we’ve been forever grateful to you.”
The meeting was of the year and the final with the incumbent Board Members.
RPS also recognized the
outgoing school board members, 1st District Board Member Elizabeth Doerr, 2nd District Board Member Mariah White, 3rd District Board Member and incoming City Council Member Kenya Gibson and 4th District Board Member Garrett Sawyer.
The remaining board members will continue to serve another 4-year term, 5th District Board Member Stephanie Rizzi, 6th District Board Member Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 7th District Board Member Cheryl Burke and 9th District Board Member Shovonda Dixon-Fernandez.
White, who has served on the board since 2021, expressed her gratitude for her colleagues. She will be replaced by incoming 2nd District Board Member, Katie Ricard. White has witnessed RPS accomplishments including helping to maintain William Fox Elementary School’s accreditation status and supporting the renaming of Richmond Alternative School to Richmond Success Academy.
She recently announced she would run again for the 2nd District in 2028.
“Serving on this board has been one of the great honors of my life,” White said. “This was just a little setback, no defeat. This is my third time running for school board, so be ready to see me again in four years.”
Gibson, who served on the board for almost 7 years, is
elected to the 3rd District Richmond City Council seat next year in July. She also expressed her gratitude for her colleagues, despite their differences.
“Although, obviously we don’t always agree, I truly have learned from each of you,” Gibson said. “I don’t need to say goodbye because I know I’m going to hear from you as we move forward.”
Page’s last speech also shared advice for the remaining board members and the incoming members.
“But even though my time has come to an end … I will always fight for our children, no matter who they are, where they come from or what they look like,” she said as she held back tears. “Remember, the decisions that you make have a long-lasting impact on school division – whether it’s positive or negative – let policy be your guiding principle.” The incoming school board members will be sworn in on Jan. 6. In addition to the farewells, RPS Chief Engagement Officer Danielle Greene-Bell and her team provided an update on chronic absenteeism in the district. They reported a 5% decrease in chronic absenteeism from the previous year, with a current rate of 19.3%. Paige highlighted strategies, such as engaging families and implementing attendance interventions, as key factors in reducing absences. The district’s goal is to lower absenteeism to below 15% within five years. Board members discussed how to enhance parent-teacher engagement,with Greene-Bell noting the challenges of financial barriers to participation in parent-led organizations.
City Council approves funding for small business program, foundation for returning citizens
By George Copeland Jr.
Richmond’s small businesses and a re-entry service for the formerly incarcerated were the focus of a special City Council meeting Monday afternoon, where members approved funding for a new grant program and the Help Me Help You Foundation.
The small business grant program was approved through a cooperative agreement between the City of Richmond and its Economic Development Authority. The EDA will issue grants and loans for businesses approved by the Office of Minority Business Development for working capital, equipment, staffing, cash flow improvements and other needs.
These details were shared during the meeting by OMBD Director Pat Foster, who said about $500,000 will be used for grants as part of the program, with an additional $1 million for small loans, using money previously allocated from the city’s general funds.
Businesses will be limited to $100,000 in funds, though Foster expects the average grant will be between $10,000 to $50,000. Information on the application process is still being finalized.
While the discussion and unanimous vote for the grant program was relatively smooth, the HMHY ordinance was much more contentious. The ordinance accepts and transfers $125,000 in state general funds from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice to the Department of Justice Services’ new “Help Me Help You Special Fund.”
The Special Fund will support HMHY in its operations helping citizens returning from incarceration rebuild their lives through a variety of programs, including transitional housing, education, recidivism reduction and job placement services.
This will be the second year the city has helped fund
HMHY, according to its founder, executive director and former city councilmember Michelle Mosby, and is meant to address a previous reduction in funding.
The ordinance had previously been forwarded and recommended for approval during a Finance & Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting Thursday, Nov. 21.
“That is what this $125,000 is - to make us whole,” Mosby said, joined in the council chambers by HMHY volunteers and those who have benefited from the service in voicing support of the ordinance. “These people have to be hired and they have to be paid to stay at our housing.”
There was criticism of the ordinance, however, from within City Council and community members in attendance.
Bridgette Whitaker of Blessing Warriors RVA spoke against
its adoption during the public comment period, questioning the group’s selection, the funding process and lack of public input.
Councilmember Reva M. Trammell also raised questions about what she saw as a lack of information provided to City Council prior to the ordinance and a need for transparency. Other council members commended HMHY’s work.
“We’re getting all this information today, instead of having it a week ago or two weeks ago,” Trammell said. The back and forth between Trammell and Mosby over the group and its operations became heated, eventually leading City Council President Kristen Nye to call the vote on the ordinance in an effort to end the discussion.
The ordinance passed with seven council members approving and Trammell abstaining. Councilmembers will return for their last City Council meeting of the year on Monday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Construction crews repaved Leigh Street from Myers Street to North Allen Avenue, just behind the Science Museum, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. The work was expected to be completed in time for the Christmas Parade, which begins at the Science Museum, providing an alternate travel route while Broad Street is closed.
The repaving precedes plans to reorganize bike lanes as part of two new quick-build bike lane projects announced by the
14. These projects, part
access.
Mosby
Photo courtesy Richmond Public Schools
Outgoing 8th District School Board Member and Chairwoman, Dawn Page, (right) with Richmond Public School Superintendent Jason Kamras (left) hears gratitude from family members and former School Board colleagues for her 12 years of service.
Kaine, Spanberger join efforts to address drug shortages
By Charlotte Renee Woods
Southside Virginia resident Wendy Oliver’s body might be frail amid her struggle with Lupus — an autoimmune disease that has rendered her disabled — but her spirit is strong as she and her husband navigate accessing her pain medication amid national drug shortages.
“This [disease] is something I have to deal with, but I don’t need to deal with the uncertainty on whether I’m going to be able to acquire my medications,” she said. “That’s a stress that nobody should have to go through.”
With Lupus, a person’s immune system attacks healthy organs and tissues. In Oliver’s case, it has targeted her bones the most. She had to give up a veterinarian technician career and her husband has had to be her main caregiver in recent decades. Oliver sustains her quality of life through a few 4 milligram doses of hydromorphone per day. The drug, commonly marketed as Diluadid, is a type of opioid that at a low dose, plays a key role in managing her pain.
But it’s been increasingly difficult for her to obtain in the past six months. Based near Farmville, the couple has had to place calls and make drives within hours of their home to get her medication.
Stress can also trigger flare ups with her disease, worsening its symptoms. Between the efforts to get medication lately and concerns about potentially igniting withdrawal symptoms should she miss doses, she’s “terrified.”
Frustrated, she reached out to U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, as well as various federal agencies to relay her concerns.
Kaine, along with U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, RArkansas, might be able to help Oliver and others with new legislation they are both proposing.
They introduced the Protecting Our Essential Medicines Act on Tuesday to help address shortages in the drug supply chain.
It would work by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain a list of the country of origin of certain critical drugs marketed in the United States. The agency would work through a task force with other federal agencies to identify drugs for which a shortage could affect people with chronic conditions, as well as those which might be critical for epidemics or pandemics.
The federal agencies that would be directed
into a task force are “the ones you would expect,” Kaine said, like HHS, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security are also included, even though they are “not the ones you would necessarily see” participating in such an effort, he said.
“[Sen. Cotton] and I are seeing this as more than just a public health thing,” Kaine said.
Kaine said that approach stems from some lessons learned amid the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, where China, as the country of origin, had to prioritize its people over whatever drug or equipment contracts it had abroad. Likewise, when he was previously the governor of Virginia, he recalled how there was a moment of concern about having enough of a drug that alleviates influenza symptoms at a time when the bird flu was looming.
The new bill also builds on a recent related bipartisan and bicameral bill that included U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince William. The End Drug Shortages Act aims to improve communications between hospitals, manufacturers and pharmacies.
Kaine used an environmental analogy to further explain that measure.
“We often put river monitoring gauges on rivers and the farther upstream you put them, the sooner you know when there might be a flood downstream,” he said. “It’s really about information sharing early on, so that we can predict when there may be spikes in demand that would require more production.”
On a Virginia-specific note, he believes that pharmaceutical companies clustered in Richmond and Petersburg may have important roles to play in U.S. manufacturing of medicines.
But the new bill he introduced with Cotton hopes to address the challenges through an international lens, with a keen focus on national security and public health.
“If we get the whole federal family around the table to do these listings of drugs — where they come from, which of these drugs would be really deleterious to public health if there were shortages — that can give us information that might lead us to make certain decisions about production,” Kaine said.
This story originally appeared on Virginia Mercury.com.
December leads as peak month for U.S. home fires
Free Press staff report
The holiday season’s decorations, festive meals, and traditions bring joy, but also heightened fire risks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), December consistently sees a spike in home fires, with Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranking as the second- and third-leading days for home cooking fires in 2022.
“Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires year-round,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “When people are busy and trying to do many things at once, distractions become more likely,
leading to a spike in cooking fires during the holidays.”
Holiday decorations and candles also significantly increase fire risks in December. NFPA data shows that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 835 home structure fires annually between 2018 and 2022 that started with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. While candles were the cause of one-third of decoration fires year-round, the percentage climbed to 46% in December.
Though less frequent, Christmas tree fires are particularly dangerous. Each year, an average of 155 home Christmas tree fires resulted in four civilian deaths, seven injuries and $15 million in property damage.
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment were involved in more than 40% of these incidents.
The rise in lithium-ion battery use also poses fire risks during the holidays, as many gift electronics rely on these batteries. NFPA advises consumers to purchase certified devices, avoid overcharging and properly recycle batteries. Damaged batteries should be discontinued.
“The commonality between the vast majority of all these fires is that they’re largely preventable,” Carli said. “By understanding potential risks and taking simple precautions, people can significantly reduce the likelihood of holiday fires.”
Richmond registrar resigns after misconduct report
Dec. 6. Among the allegations substantiated by the report was a high amount of wasteful spending, with the office cited with almost $500,000 for purchases of high-quality furniture and art for the elections office, paying employees’ college tuition, a private security team and other items.
Balmer acknowledged that some aspects of the report were accurate while challenging others. He characterized the issues cited in the report as the result of a lack of understanding of city policies and “administrative sloppiness.”
While Balmer noted his 11 years of experience with elections before taking on the job, he pointed to a lack of training as a key factor behind the issues with city policy, and said he relied on Richardson to assist him in office operations and decisions.
“I didn’t have that experience,” Balmer said. “I always was in the belief that we were doing things correctly because that was the guidance I received.”
Balmer was selected as General Registrar in 2021, succeeding
Virginia mail service improves; second Trump push to privatize USPS ‘unlikely’
By Brodie Greene VCU Capital News Service
U.S. Postal Service operations have continued to improve, but a bipartisan coalition of state leaders say more work is needed to get the service to a level Virginians deserve.
Virginia was ranked at the bottom for on-time mail delivery in October 2023, at the start of the federal government’s fiscal year. Just over 66% of mail was delivered on time, compared to a national average of 87.2%, according to a Postal Service tracker.
Key reforms have pushed the state up in rankings. The state remained in the bottom 10 at the end of the fiscal year in September, with just over 81% of mail delivered on time.
As of Nov. 8, over 86% of the state’s mail is delivered on time.
The Delivering for America plan was introduced in 2021 to make the Postal Service financially stable and competitive with private mail delivery services. One part of the plan was the launch of a new processing network, with 60 regional processing and distribution centers around the U.S.
The first one was rolled out in Sandston in 2023 and a spate of issues began.
A bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers, who represent urban and rural areas, contacted Postmaster General Louis DeJoy last year to share widespread constituent reports of limited delivery.
Earlier this year, the coalition toured the Sandston center after an audit pointed to significant problems at the location.
There were issues during the transition to the regional processing network, according to U.S. House Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, who toured the center located in her district.
Atlanta was also one of the first cities to implement the plan, according to McClellan. Georgia is ranked the worst in the nation for on-time deliveries, with 35% of mail delivered late. Much of the mail in Virginia goes through Atlanta, according to McClellan.
“Once it’s fully implemented the way it was intended, I do think [it] would lead to improved delivery times and improved efficiency of the mail everywhere,” McClellan said. “It’s just that transition in Richmond and Atlanta were horrible.”
The Postal Service was not transparent with customers or Congress through the transition, which caused further issues, according to McClellan. Congress has the ability to hold the Postal Service accountable for poor service because it controls the budget for the service.
“We have told them they need to do a much better job of being transparent with these changes,” McClellan said.
State lawmakers will continue to hold the Postal Service accountable until reliable mail service is restored for all Virginians, according to U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st.
The work of the bipartisan coalition to support Virginia constituents has been a “silver lining” in the experience, according to Wittman. He sent one of the first letters to DeJoy, worked with the coalition to demand answers, toured the Sandston facility and continues to receive updates from the Postal Service.
“While any improvement in on-time mail delivery is welcome progress, there’s much more work to be done to attain the level of reliable mail service that Virginians deserve,” Wittman stated. “For over a year now, the mail service provided to Virginians and businesses across the Commonwealth has been inexcusable, and the lack of transparency and communication by the Postal Service has been one of the most frustrating roadblocks I have faced since coming to Congress.”
Second Trump Push for Privatization ‘Unlikely’
Some members of the congressional delegation feel confident there would be pushback if returning President-elect Donald Trump tried again to privatize the service.
Trump called for the privatization of the Postal Service in his first term. A year after his inauguration, Trump created a task force to evaluate the service’s operations and finances, according to his archived presidential website. Trump stated it was on an “unsustainable financial path” and wanted it restructured to prevent a taxpayer-funded bailout.
The Postal Service had net losses that totaled $69 billion in a 10-year period, according to the task force. Some suggestions of the task force were to deliver mail less frequently and increase service charges.
McClellan does not expect the incoming administration to attempt to privatize the service. Congress would have to approve the privatization, she said.
Although many people have access to private mail services, those who rely on the Postal Service “heavily rely on it,” according to McClellan.
“So whether it’s disabled people, whether it’s older people, people in rural areas -- they will be hurt the most by efforts to privatize,” McClellan said.
Privatization would mean significant benefits and pay changes to the 600,000 people employed by the Postal Service.
A strong Postal Service is a bipartisan issue, McClellan said.
“I think there are a lot of people on both sides of the aisle that would oppose efforts to privatize,” McClellan said.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has also worked to improve the state’s on-time mail delivery and minimize disruptions.
Kaine does not think efforts to privatize are likely under the second Trump administration.
“I am not currently expecting the administration to push that kind of proposal,” Kaine said.
Kirk Showalter in the role. Showalter’s exit from the Office of Elections followed controversy, complaints and a lawsuit over her handling of the 2020 general election, with the Electoral Board voting to remove her from a position she held for 25 years.
The hours leading up to Balmer’s resignation took several odd turns, with board members opting to meet in the Department of Public Works conference room on the 7th floor instead of their typical location in the elections office.
Security removed press and members of the public from the seventh floor when the meeting’s closed session began, moving them to the first floor. They were allowed back to the seventh-floor lobby after about an hour, following objections from reporters.
According to board members, Balmer’s choice to resign was one they suggested during the meeting’s closed session. Other details of his resignation such as severance pay are still being determined.
“The citizens of Richmond deserve to have an elections office that’s run efficiently,” Electoral Board Chair Starlet Stevens said. “It does have some good employees and I have faith in them, and we will find a replacement.”
The board will discuss the next steps to replace Balmer in future meetings. While its oversight of the registrar is limited, members said they will offer suggestions with a major focus on budgetary responsibility.
In addition to publishing his formal resignation, Balmer also intends to release a rebuttal to the report, believing that there are “some inaccuracies and inconsistencies” that should be corrected.
“This is not likely the last time you’ll hear of Keith Balmer,” he said. “I look forward to seeing what the future holds for me, and I’m excited to find that out.”
Renovations at John Marshall High School signal ongoing infrastructure needs
HVAC federal grant in August.
“While I’m very excited to have these reports for us to really make a plan and a path forward, it’s also a stark reality that we face in terms of funding for our school, what we’re able to do and not do as a school division,” Fox said.
The courtyard wall began construction in May and was completed in October and cost nearly $3 million. The new wall features horizontal-ribbed metal panels that replaced the original brickwork. Fixed-pane windows replaced the casement windows commonly found in RPS schools.
“We feel like the work that we have done over the summer, this wall renovation that had to be done is us showing [students] that we believe in who they are and their future,” said Monica Murray, principal of John Marshall High School. “It was a lot of work and team effort, and our students are to be commended because they had to really sacrifice some parts of the building while the work was being done.”
In addition to the courtyard wall, there was an extensive renovation of the courtyard’s corridor. Its interior walls needed to be temporarily removed to accommodate large equipment for the courtyard’s wall brick removal. However, Fox said that the corridor’s windows will still need to be replaced with newer windows, which will require additional funding.
“It’s going to be really fun for me to dive into the work,” Fox said with a touch of sarcasm. “So, that’s what we’re looking at and how to prioritize where things could just have a renovation or where it’s more feasible for us just to build a new building.”
Shockoe Project continues to advance with new developments
Continued from A1
the James River to mark the site where enslaved people arrived.
The ship will include amphitheater seating and a granite stone memorial, while the sculpture will be built by New Yorkbased artist Tanda Francis. These additions represent the latest insight into how the Shockoe Project will tackle the history of Richmond’s part in the slave trade.
“I’m incredibly proud to be able to work alongside all these people who have been at this for decades, for generations, to bring all of this story to life,” Pinnock said.
For House Delegate Delores McQuinn, a long-time advocate for the Shockoe Project at the state level, the project was a testament to perseverance and commitment. She highlighted the nearly 25 years of efforts to keep the project moving forward through the terms of multiple mayors, city managers and city councils.
This perseverance was necessary, she said, to memorialize those “who were often trapped in a system without a voice or without freedom to speak for themselves,” and provide a way for generations to understand the past.
“It’s not just history-telling, but it’s also about reconciliation,” McQuinn said. “How do we move beyond history to reconciling and making certain we are walking together?”
Stoney and McQuinn called on Mayor-elect Danny Avula to continue the city’s support of the Shockoe Project. The local community was also encouraged by speakers to join the project and contribute to its progress.
The Shockoe Project is still under development, with its master plan featuring a timeline of proposals and designs over more
than a decade and a completion goal set for 2037 to coincide with Richmond’s 300th birthday. One of the project’s developments, the Shockoe Institute, is set to be completed next year.
Dept. of Corrections confirm inmates burned themselves: lawmakers want investigation
groups making allegations against Red Onion.
“The recent round of stories about Red Onion are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to try to score cheap political points by advocacy groups who pursue prison abolition and policies that would make Virginians less safe,” he said.
Alison Chaffin, who has a loved one in Red Onion, said that she was frustrated by Dotson’s response.
“(VBLC) asked him to investigate, and then this is his response,” she said. “He
says ‘It’s not self-immolating.” But they burned themselves — I thought that was the definition.” Meanwhile, lawmakers in Virginia’s Black Caucus stressed their commitment to legislation, pointing to a bill to regulate the number of days an incarcerated person can spend in solitary confinement. The bill passed the legislature this year before being vetoed by Youngkin.
“The reality that these individuals felt
there was no other avenue to have their claims taken seriously, investigated, and remedied is a grave indictment of the Commonwealth of Virginia and reminds us of the urgent need for comprehensive prison reform,” the VBLC statement said. Rather than labeling it solitary confinement, Virginia has what it calls “restorative housing. This is defined as “special purpose bed assignments operated under maximum security regulations and procedures and utilized for the personal protection or custodial management of an incarcerated person.”
This story originally appeared at VirginiaMercury.com.
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Richmond Registrar Keith Balmer hugs a staff member at the Richmond Elections office after resigning during a closed-door session of the Richmond Electoral Board.
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
During the Shockoe Project Celebration at Ancarrow’s Landing, plans were unveiled for a 12-foot bronze sculpture to commemorate the arrival point of enslaved people on the banks of the James River. Battery-powered candles symbolized the sculpture’s future placement.
Dotson
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
The reconstructed courtyard wall at John Marshall High School features new metal siding and windows, part of a project to address asbestos and other structural issues.
Clothing company elevates style with a personal touch
By Arrman Kyaw
What’s one more thing that can make television personality
Stephen A. Smith raise his voice in praise? Apparently the work of local custom tailoring service Andre’ Julius.
“That suit is pretty fly. I can’t front,” Smith told 2008 Super Bowl champion and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, who was sporting an outfit from the service’s owner and designer, Andre’ McLaughlin.
At Andre’ Julius—which opened in 2022—McLaughlin aims to provide each client with a personalized experience during the garment design process. This approach applies to a range of items, from standard suits and tuxedos to denim jeans and leather jackets, he notes.
Given the intimate nature of the process, McLaughlin operates on an appointment-only basis. Clients can book sessions at one of the brand’s two showrooms in Richmond and Williamsburg, arrange consultations online or request a meeting at a location of their choice.
“I think it’s important that they can reach me personally,” McLaughlin said. “This experience is an investment. You come in here. You have this living room atmosphere. I want them to feel like they’re at home and that they can sit back, relax and have a glass.”
During appointments, McLaughlin engages clients in discussions about their lifestyle, profession and the intended purpose of their outfits. He then guides them through an extensive selection of globally-sourced fabrics and allows them to choose specific details such as buttons, lapels, linings and pockets. For more unique requests, McLaughlin offers “specialty designs,” which involve creating custom mock-ups.
Approximately 30 body measurements per client later, the designs are sent to production. McLaughlin uses “custom tailoring factories” to accommodate increasing volume to have the garments ready in the next four to eight weeks, he said. But he’s done expedited commissions as well, with turnarounds as short as 2 to 3 days. It’s a process he says he’s honed in a short amount of time.
LEGAL NOTICE
“I taught myself everything within 6 months to a year how to source fabrics, what the fabrics mean, the quality of the fabrics, how to alter garments, how to put things together regarding suiting, as far as a good look,” McLaughlin said. “It wasn’t something I dreamed of all my life. It was just something that happened … that I kind of pushed out the door in a fast manner.”
Logan Marlar, a senior sales director for a software sales company, spoke about McLaughlin’s ability to “build something around the person” while still nudging them out of their comfort zones. Marlar has bought multiple pieces from the store, including a custom tuxedo and multiple sport coats.
“A lot of these people have their set materials, their set patterns, and their set designs, and they stick to it,” Marlar said. “He [showed me] hundreds of different patterns, hundreds of different materials, hundreds of different colors. And I was just able to have the confidence from the first conversation to say, ‘I will be in a better place if I let him take the wheel than if I try and figure this out.’”
The Randolph-Macon College alum leads all “front-of-house” work: designing, measurements and in-house alterations, he said. His clientele spans both men and women – 200 and counting.
Ryan Clark is another such client. Now a brand ambassador for Andre’ Julius, he said that McLaughlin brought creativity, authenticity and confidence to the table as he styled, designed and made Clark’s outfits.
“Pretty much everything I do, every event, Andre’ has been a part of that, styling me and also really building many of my outfits from scratch,” Clark said. “He’s just done a really good job of elevating my style for TV.”
Base pricing for your everyday suit starts at $800. Most people don’t go past $3,000, regardless of the design in question. According to McLaughlin, every client who buys a custom suit or tuxedo also gets a complimentary photoshoot. Yet for him, the business is about more than just suit prices.
“I just want to be one of the best designers to ever do it, especially being a Black-owned, Christian-based company,” McLaughlin said. “I want to be the best to ever do it.”
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE DESIGNATED RIDER SNA UNDER § 56-585.1 A 6 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA CASE NO. PUR-2024-00154
• Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to revise its rate adjustment clause, designated Rider SNA.
• In this case, Dominion has asked the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) to approve Rider SNA for the rate year beginning September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026 (“Rate Year”).
• Dominion requests a revenue requirement of $206,960,101, which would increase the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity by $2.19 per month.
• A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on April 22, 2025, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony.
• A hearing on the Petition shall be convened at 10 a.m. on April 22, 2025, or at the conclusion of the public witness hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, to receive the testimony and evidence of the Company, any respondents, and the Staff.
• Further information about this case is available on the Commission’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information
On October 1, 2024, Dominion filed a petition (“Petition”) with the Commission for revision of a rate adjustment clause, Rider SNA, for costs associated with its Surry Units 1 and 2 (“Surry Units”), and North Anna Units 1 and 2 (“North Anna Units”). Specifically, Dominion seeks revision of its Rider SNA for costs of the preparation of the applications for Subsequent License Renewal (“SLR”) to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operating licenses for the Surry and North Anna Units (the “SLR Component”), and the projects reasonably appropriate to upgrade or replace systems and equipment deemed to be necessary to operate these facilities safely and reliably in the extended period of operation (the “Capital Upgrade Component”) (collectively, the SLR Component and the Capital Upgrade Component comprise the “Program”). The Company seeks: (i) revision of Rider SNA for the Rate Year and (ii) approval of cost recovery through Rider SNA for Phase II of the Program, which includes calendar years 2025-2027, totaling approximately $1.7 billion.
The Petition explains that in Case No. PUR-2021-00229, the Commission approved Phase I of the Program (calendar years 2022 through 2024), consisting of the Company’s subsequent license renewal applications and 33 Capital Upgrade Component projects. The total estimated costs for Phase I are approximately $1.2 billion. The Company files the instant Petition to seek approval to recover the costs for Phase II.
In its Petition, Dominion states that Phase I of the Program is proceeding on time and on budget, and that the Company received license renewals for the Surry Units on May 4, 2021, and received renewals for the North Anna Units on August 28, 2024. The Company states that in this proceeding, it is seeking to recover costs for North Anna incurred after February 28, 2022, which were deferred pursuant to the Commission’s 2021 Rider SNA Final Order in Case No. PUR-2021-00229. The Company asserts it has continued to implement the Capital Upgrade Component projects consistent with the scheduled station outages and outage events at both stations, and that it has successfully performed work on four projects at Surry and six projects at North Anna during the scheduled outages.
Dominion states that the Company is not proposing any new Capital Upgrade Component projects for Phase II and plans to systematically complete work on the 34 previously-approved Capital Upgrade Component projects over the remaining life of the Program.
The Company states that despite Dominion’s mitigation efforts, factors outside of its control, including commodity and labor prices, have increased the costs of the Program to $5.45 billion, a rise from the original estimates of $3.9 billion. Despite the increased costs, Dominion asserts that the Program is greatly needed to keep the Surry and North Anna Units operating safely and reliably through 80 years of life under the license renewals. The Surry and North Anna Units, Dominion states, supply approximately one third of customers’ energy needs and 90% of the Company’s carbon-free generation output that helps ensure system reliability in the transition to more renewable energy under the Virginia Clean Economy Act. According to the Company, it conducted an updated net present value analysis in light of the increased costs. Dominion found that the Program will provide $10.5 billion in customer value compared to alternatives to meet customers’ needs.
Dominion states that consistent with the Final Order in Case No. PUR-2021-00058, the Company is utilizing the approved rate of return on common equity (“ROE”) of 9.35% for the period after the date of the 2021 Triennial Final Order (Case No. PUR-2021-00058) through February 27, 2024. For the period beginning February 28, 2024, Dominion used a 9.7% ROE, which is the Company’s authorized ROE as set in Case No. PUR-2023-00101. The three components of the revenue requirement for Rider SNA are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor, the Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”) Cost Recovery Factor, and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. According to the Petition, the Projected Cost Recovery Factor includes financing costs for rate base as well as projected operating costs for the Program projects during the Rate Year. The AFUDC Cost Recovery Factor represents the amortization of the unrecovered AFUDC accrued from March 1, 2022, through August 31, 2022. According to the Petition, the additional AFUDC is the remainder of financing costs on North Anna Units 1 and 2 deferred from recovery in Case No. PUR2021-00229. The Company states that actual revenues during the test year are compared to actual costs incurred during the test year, and any difference in these amounts becomes the Actual Cost True-Up Factor recovered from, or credited to, customers. The Company asserts that the Actual Cost True-Up Factor will recover from, or credit to, customers any under-/over-recovery of costs from the most recently completed calendar year
The Company asserts that it used an updated revenue lag based on calendar year 2023 data in its cash working capital calculations, and requests that any issues related to revenue lag be litigated in the Company’s currently pending Rider GEN proceeding, Case No. PUR-2024-00097. The Company further asserts that it is projecting rate base, depreciation expense, and certain other costs into the rate year, which is a shift from the methodology previously approved by the Commission in Case No. PUR-2015-00059.
The total revenue requirement requested for recovery for the Rate Year through Rider SNA is $206,960,101. The Company asserts that it has allocated costs to the Virginia jurisdiction and customer classes using its 2023 Production Demand Allocation Factor, consistent with the way production plant costs for the Surry and North Anna facilities are allocated in the cost of service.
If the proposed Rider SNA is approved as requested, it would incrementally increase a residential customer’s monthly bill, based on 1,000 kilowatt hours of usage per month, by $2.19 compared to the current Rider SNA.
Interested persons are encouraged to review the Petition and supporting documents for the details of the Company’s proposal.
TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Petition and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents.
The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on Dominion’s Petition. On April 22, 2025, at 10 a.m., the Hearing Examiner appointed to this case will hold the telephonic portion of the hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before April 15, 2025, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission: (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc. virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting
Beginning at 10 a.m. on April 22, 2025, the Hearing Examiner will telephone sequentially each person who has signed up to testify as provided above.
Beginning at 10 a.m. on April 22, 2025, or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, the Hearing Examiner will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Petition from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff.
To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and has required electronic service on parties to this proceeding.
An electronic copy of the public version of the Company’s Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company: Joseph K. Reid, III, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or jreid@mcguirewoods.com. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies of the public version of the Petition and other documents filed in this case from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information
On or before April 15, 2025, any interested person may file comments on the Petition by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia. gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file comments electronically may file such comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2024-00154.
On or before January 10, 2025, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation at scc.virginia.gov/ clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by Rule 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2024-00154.
On or before February 21, 2025, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with its filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2024-00154.
Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.
The public version of the Company’s Petition and other documents filed in this case, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Andre’ McLaughlin, owner and designer of Andre’ Julius, stands in his Richmond showroom, where he provides custom suits and tuxedos through personalized, appointment-only sessions.
Richmond Free Press
December 5-7, 2024
Pardon the noise
When it was announced on Sunday that, despite his promises not to, Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, there was some outrage from the right. Some of them said he was a “liar” and were “shocked” by the president’s decision to pardon his son for relatively minor charges related to tax crimes and putting false information on an application for a gun.
I wonder where these loud voices were when Trump pardoned people charged with more serious offenses and those who worked in his administration that could’ve held him accountable for his actions while in office. We should hope they retain their distaste for lying and continue to speak out against it, after the next administration takes office. Pardons are selective, but accountability shouldn’t be.
Biden’s bold decision also upset some Democrats, who were surprised by the president’s about-face on the pardoning. We get that. Democrats project an image of a political party that has a respect for rules and tradition and Biden’s decision may not be in line with that image. However, in this case, being bold and prioritizing action over tradition got the job done.
Ranking progress
Recently, Chesterfield County officials witnessed the swearing in of the county’s first African American police chief, Lt. Colonel Frank Carpenter. For longtime observers of the county’s politics, this news would’ve seemed like science fiction a few decades ago. But here we are.
The selection of Carpenter reflects the evolving image of Chesterfield County. Along with its growing population, the county has become increasingly diverse. African American residents now make up 23.63% of the community, while Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.86%, illustrating a shift toward greater multicultural representation.
Of course, there is still work to be done in terms of equity and fairness in Chesterfield. We look to the county officials recent decision to stymie Bensley Agrihood project as evidence that pockets of “old Chesterfield” still exist and will attempt to defer progress.
The chief recently said that he’s been treated with “support,” from county officials and we hope that relationship continues to strengthen. Being the first African American to lead a department comes with burdens and challenges compounded by the weight of representation. It’s not listed in the job description, but we know it’s part of the role.
As he settles into the job, we also hope the new chief is willing to reconsider the department’s transparency and accountability efforts. Currently, Chesterfield has strict policies on releasing body-cam footage and has fought to keep names of their employees hidden. This is not the way. People need to know who is supposed to be protecting them and how they’re doing their job. If Chesterfield wants change, it should start with new policies.
The Department of Education under attack
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) recently introduced legislation to abolish the U.S. Department of Education in a not-surprising move since it was part of Project 2025. It also aligns directly with President-elect Donald Trump’s repeated pledge to dismantle the federal agency. During the campaign, Trump called for the agency’s elimination, arguing it’s an “abuse of your taxpayer dollars” that allows schools to “indoctrinateAmerica’s youth.”
Since its inception, efforts to abolish the department date back to the Reagan administration in 1981. Those early efforts were found not to be an easy endeavor and never materialized. Many of the suggestions in Project 2025 concerning the Department of Education came from a memo written by then-President Ronald Reagan’s education secretary just one year after it became a Cabinet-level agency under the Carter administration.
Despite confusion on the agency’s role—it doesn’t set policy on what schools can or can’t teach—a major function of the department deals with higher education. It issues student loans and oversees the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA), which helps students with “exceptional financial needs.” Under the proposed legislation, key programs and funding streams would be moved to other federal agencies.
“Do people know anything about the Department of Educa-
David W. Marshall
tion?” Maybe not. But have they ever heard of the Pell Grant? Probably so,” said former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, who served under former President George W. Bush. If the Department of Education is eliminated, the Treasury Department would oversee student loans for millions of college students and graduates.
“It’s going to be very costly and very complicated, and it’s not clear that even people who favor this are going to think benefits
justify the cost and aggravation,” said Michael Feuer, dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development and a professor of education policy at George Washington University.
This illustrates the importance of voter education, awareness, and engagement before and after elections.
The funding is distributed to districts with larger populations of children from low-income families. The bill fails to mention smaller department funding streams such as Title II, which funds teacher training and recruitment initiatives, and Title III, which funds services for English learners. The bill would send block grants to the states that they could use for “any purpose” related to early childhood, elementary, or secondary education. Under the measure, the allocation would be driven by the number of students enrolled in each state’s public, private, and home schools without consideration of other factors, such as how many children live in poverty or have different specific needs. “They’re trying to set it up that way so states can funnel some of that money to private
Democrats have work to do to reclaim the mantle of change
“Democrats are like the Yankees,” said one of the most memorable tweets to come across on X after Election Day. “Spent hundreds of millions of dollars to lose the big series and no one got fired or was held accountable.”
Too sad.
But that’s poli tics.The disap pointment be hind that tweet was widely shared, but no one with any experience in politics truly believes that no one will be held accountable.
decades.
But, first, comes a reckoning.
The day after the election, as the Washington Post reported, the Dems were “awash in angstridden second-guessing.”
It’s common after a national election to see partisans on the losing side join other operatives and media experts in autopsies of the defeat, pointing fingers or coming up with an abundance of excuses.
This time it’s the Democrats sifting through the wreckage of defeat to determine if Election Day was a circumstantial setback or the unfolding of a long-term disaster.
That fear was only encouraged by the realization that the party was in for a repeat of the stunning disappointment Democrats suffered in their loss to Trump in 2016.
This time, Trump actually outperformed his 2020 margins across the map, winning the popular vote as well as the electoral vote, despite his well-documented negatives, including 34 felony convictions.
History also tells us that the parties have shown impressive resilience in their ability to come back from disaster in recent
Ah, yes, political junkies in the chattering classes produced ample scenarios to pinpoint where they went wrong.
What if Harris had picked, say, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate? Could that have helped her margins in the “blue wall” states? If Biden had stayed in the race, could he have retained the strong coalition that carried him to victory in 2020?
But the bigger question is, how could the party have so lost touch with the voters that they underestimated the numbers of voters who still wanted to vote for Trump’s mixed message?
The question reminds me of a fundamental principle of political campaigns and voter behavior that I first heard Democratic consultant James Carville express: “Every election is a contest between ‘change’ and ‘more of the same.’ “
“Change” was the magic word that inspired and propelled the relatively unknown Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s long-shot campaign to victory in 2008, when the war-weary and economically shaken voters looked for change after eight years under Republican George W. Bush’s presidency. A similar desire for change worked in Joe Biden’s favor against Trump in 2020.
Unfortunately for Harris,
she was too closely tied to the Biden administration to credibly promote herself as a change agent. Nor did she have enough time to come up with more of a platform of her own.
Things could have worked out better for her and other Democratic candidates if they had followed the advice offered by John Judis and Ruy Teixeira.
Judis is a journalist from the left who has studied and written about American democracy for decades. Teixeira is a nonresident senior fellow at Washington’s conservative American Enterprise Institute (AEI).
Their latest book, “Where Have All the Democrats Gone?
The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes,” offers a wake-up call for Democrats and others who they believe have lost sight of the people in America’s political center who both parties are trying to woo. Or should be.
Both parties are afflicted these days with new challenges, even as they try to figure out changes in the electorate that resulted from old challenges.
For example, the turnout of so many young, disenchanted and underemployed white males in this campaign year came as a surprise, particularly to Democrats, who were expecting the party’s support of abortion rights to carry them closer to victory than it finally did.
That, too, offers an important political lesson. Timing is everything, it is often said. But issues matter, too.
Where have all the Democrats gone? Maybe the party’s leaders need to go find out.
The writer is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune.
schools, to home schools,” said Nathan Favero, a professor of public administration and policy at American University.
With alternate goals in mind, how does any dismantling of the Department of Education impact families and students within the Black community, considering the number of Black students who depend on Pell Grants? How does it impact low-income families regardless of race? While Republican lawmakers may be in favor of using taxpayer dollars for private and home school, what about their MAGA constituents living in red states that are considered the least-educated states in the nation?
In reality, can the full elimination of the agency be implemented?
The writer, a columnist for the Trice Edney News Wire, is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Clarence Page
Privacy and pressure in the new world of tipping
Have you ever hesitated at the register, uncomfortable as an employee watched you choose a tip? It’s not just you.
The rise of digital tipping systems – from point-of-sale devices held by employees to countertop screens that clearly display your selection – is changing the dynamics of tipping, often in ways that make customers feel scrutinized.
As marketing professors who study digital tipping, we wanted to find out how customers respond to this sort of “tip surveillance.” So we conducted a field study analyzing 36,000 transactions and did four controlled experiments with more than 1,100 participants.
We compared tipping setups with less privacy, such as when firms use handheld payment systems, when employees are facing customers and when apps immediately show tips to employees – with setups
with more privacy, such as countertop payment systems, employees who face away from customers, and apps that disclose tips only after the service.
Our results were clear: High levels of surveillance are bad for business. Customers who felt watched while tipping were less likely to make a return visit or recommend a business. While privacy often made customers feel more generous and in control of their decisions, feeling scrutinized led to resentment and reduced loyalty.
Interestingly, research shows that people enjoy being watched when they donate to charity. So why does tipping feel different? Perhaps because tipping isn’t entirely voluntary – it’s often seen as an expectation. When customers feel pressured, they lose the sense of control that makes tipping a positive experience.
Enter the world of payment oversight. While digital tipping can be convenient, it can also contribute to “tipflation” – the feeling that tipping expectations have gotten out of hand. If companies want to make sure customers keep coming back, our research indicates they would do well to give customers privacy to tip.
One issue might be that some employees think watching customers closely encourages them to tip generously. We didn’t find a straightforward relationship, however, between tipping privacy and tip amounts. While privacy empowers customers to tip less if they choose, we found it also often encourages them to feel more generous. These
effects mean that customers tip similar amounts whether they have privacy or not.
For companies, striking the right balance between giving customers control and fostering generosity is crucial. A business that trains its employees to give customers privacy to tip – and makes sure to pay those employees fairly, so they don’t need to pressure customers in the first place – will likely develop a better reputation and a more loyal customer base.
Tipping can be a feel-good experience, enhancing feelings of generosity and social status. It can also be a source of anxiety. For better or worse, digital technology is changing the way we tip. Today, people tip more money, for more services and in more places than ever before.
As businesses, customers and even politicians debate how to best integrate digital tipping into our world, our
Louis Gossett, Jr. championed justice beyond Hollywood
research shows the importance of thinking holistically. In our view, the focus shouldn’t just be on boosting tipping revenue for employees but also on creating a positive experience for customers. More broadly, customers, workers, businesses and society may want to consider how to create a system of tipping that protects workers’
It was my last year as national president of the NAACP, at the end of 2013 Image Awards. I was with my dear friend Louis Gossett, Jr., the actor and activist who won an Oscar for his role in the film “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
we have lost. Louis Gossett, Jr. is one of those giants. He died this past March.
Lou said to me, “You know, Ben, I’ve been in this racial justice movement my whole life, but you know, sometimes, brother, I feel like we’re fighting over who’s in first class. What we should be doing is looking out the window, because the plane has fallen like 20,000 feet in the last two minutes.” He saw I was a little confused. So he continued, “The planet is dying. It doesn’t matter who’s in first class on a dead planet.”
Lou’s words have stuck with me for over a decade. It was Lou’s voice echoing in my ear that inspired me to get back into the environmental movement and take my current job as the head of the Sierra Club. December is the customary month of remembrance. A time of year we take stock; a mo
Lou never shied away from using his platform to fight for people and the planet. Remem-
bering his passion for justice and the path he forged can be a guiding light. His example, like that of scores of other Black leaders we lost in 2024, has a special resonance for America’s Black men and boys. But, it is an example that should inspire anyone who sees a situation that their own moral calling tells them needs to change.
As a child, Lou loved superheroes. When he did not see anyone who looked like him playing his favorite superhero, Superman, he decided to become one – both on and off the screen. The character he portrayed in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley, was a soldier highly decorated for his patriotism. Offscreen, Lou was a true patriot himself.
Lou often spoke of the need to focus on the “bigger picture.”
He pictured concentric circles as he thought about how people
community, country, as well as the world. He founded the Eracism Foundation to promote cultural diversity, historical enrichment, anti-violence initiatives for young adults, teens and pre-teens through “Shamba Centers” throughout the country.
Lou contributed one of the autobiographical essays in my book “Reach: 40 Black Men Speak on Living, Leading, and Succeeding.” In it, he wrote about meeting Nelson Mandela when the South African leader was released from prison after 27 years. Lou said Mandela’s message was simple: “There is no time to focus on revenge, which is a ‘self-inflicting disease,’ the only thing we have time to focus on is “uplifting ourselves and one another for the bigger picture, which is the salvation of the planet.”
Lou spoke of the values passed on to him and his cousins by their grandmother: “collective responsibility; empathy; being ready, willing and able to help another person when he or she is down.” Those are values to live by. I can relate. My own grandmother’s wisdom continues to guide me. Her sage advice continues to be one of my mantras in life: “Pessimists are right more often, but optimists win more often. As for me, I’ll take winning.”
Of course, in addition to Lou, we lost many Black men this year whose lives and work inspired millions. Icons of stage and screen like James Earl Jones and John Amos, historymaking sports legends such as Willie Mays and titans of the Civil Rights Movement like Rev. James Lawson, whom Dr. King called “the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.” We lost Quincy Jones, who not only left an indelible mark on the music industry but was a champion for civil and human rights. And many others. Imitation has always been the first step for those seeking to achieve great things. Children pick up sticks to reenact the battles of warrior heroes. Toddlers preach to congregations, or sing to crowds, of teddy bears and puppets. Babies step into
their parents shoes and try to walk. But we cannot imitate –or draw inspiration from – that which we have never seen, heard, or read about. I hope people continue to learn about my friend Louis Gossett, Jr. and the other giants we lost because the examples they set are surely ones to be imitated.
Lou’s hope was that younger generations grow up to remember that bigger picture of which he spoke. That “instead of talking about the salvation of the Irish or the Jew or the Black, they talk about the salvation of mankind and the planet. I think we can ask for and expect nothing less.”
Hear, hear.
The writer is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Request for Qualifications
Contract ID #: C00120863DB134
I-64 Hampton Road Express Lanes (HREL) Segment 1B Design-Build Project
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking Statements of Qualifications for the I-64 Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Segment 1B DesignBuild Project from qualified and experienced respondents with design and construction experience of highway facilities. This project is located in the City of Norfolk, VA.
The scope includes repurposing the lanes of EB and WB I-64 from 0.558 miles East of Tidewater Drive to 0.977 miles East of I-264 in the WB direction and 1.79 miles West of I-264 in the EB direction. The 3 existing EB and WB general purpose lanes and shoulders will be converted into 1 high occupancy or toll (HOT) managed part time shoulder lane, and 3 general purpose (GP) lanes in each direction. The proposed improvements include rehabilitation and widening of the existing shoulders in each direction, widening of 9 bridges, and the replacement of the EB and WB Chesapeake Boulevard bridges. The work includes all work required for project management, design and construction of the project.
Questions/clarifications regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Bryan W. Stevenson, P.E., DBIA (Bryan.Stevenson@vdot.virginia.gov). Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found at Bid Express (bidexpress.com).
(n) quality assurance and quality control; (o) Intelligent Transpor tation Systems; (p)railroad; (q) construction engineering and inspection; and (r) overall Project management.
The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.
Q uestions/clarifications regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Joseph A. Clarke, PE DBIA (joseph.clarke@vdot.virginia.gov)
Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found on Bid Express (bidexpress.com)
The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non -discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.
Ben Jealous
Harden joins Curry as the only NBA players to reach 3,000 3-pointers
Beth Harris The Associated Press
James Harden has joined Golden State’s Stephen Curry as the only NBA players to reach 3,000 career 3-pointers. Harden hit the milestone in the first half of the Los Angeles Clippers’ 126-122 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. He hit three 3s in the first half and three more in the second half while leading the Clippers with 39 points.
“Another one of those accomplishments that you never take for granted,” Harden said. “The amount of work that I’ve put in — countless days and nights where I put the work in — a lot of people don’t see it but the results happen, so I’m just thankful.” Harden just missed a triple-double, with nine rebounds and 11 assists.
The achievement finished off a standout week for the 35-yearold guard. Harden scored 43 points — his most as a Clipper — in a road win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, his 100th career game of 40 or more. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as the only players to do so.
“He had that first quarter against Washington where he reminded people, ‘Hey, I can still go out here and drop 40 on you real quick,’” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
The Clippers are 13-9 without superstar Kawhi Leonard, who
has yet to play this season while managing ongoing inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
Harden has been tasked with carrying a greater offensive load in Leonard’s absence as well as Paul George leaving as a free agent in the offseason. He has responded and at times, like against the Wizards, his efforts have recalled his prolific scoring years with the Houston Rockets.
Malone noted that Harden has matured and responded to what’s been asked of him as a point guard.
“He makes almost every key decision for their offense,” the coach said. ”He can beat you with his playmaking as well, and that shows you the talent, that shows you the quality of his game, where he’s not solely the scorer.”
Harden is also mentoring the team’s younger players, a role he describes as “very, very comfortable” for him.
“It’s easy for me just because I’ve been in this situation for a lot of my NBA career. Just helping guys as much as I can to where it makes the game a lot easier for them,” he said. “It’s really fun.”
Norman Powell said he and the other Clippers love to play with Harden because they know he’ll get them the ball.
“It’s difficult to see from afar,” Powell said, “but on the floor knowing when to attack, knowing when to get his shot off, when to get the guys open, the pass that he makes. He knows how to get guys open and to get the most out of the team.”
UR’s Grant named finalist for Buck Buchanan Award
Grant
Free Press staff report
University of Richmond
defensive end Jeremiah Grant has been named among the nation’s top defensive players as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this season, the award is presented yearly to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
Grant earns the honor after a standout final season where he’s recorded 45 tackles (31 solos), 16.5 tackles for loss (108 yards), a nation-leading 12.5 sacks (98 sack yards), a pair of forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six quarterback
hurries and two pass breakups. Grant, who ranks fifth all-time at Richmond with 20.5 career sacks, needs just one 1.5 more to tie and 2.0 to break Richmond’s all-time single-season sack record.
The award is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious “Buck” Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen and Arthur Moats.
All 13 FCS conferences are represented by a finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.
In addition, Spiders safety Matthew Traynor was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, while Head Coach Russ Huesman found his name among Eddie Robinson Award finalists.
River City Sportsplex
the local sports scene. More than 90 local groups used the facility last year, accounting for 63% of its activity. Best of all? These groups didn’t pay a dime, thanks to the revenue brought in by weekend events.
“Over 90 local cosponsored groups utilized River City Sportsplex,” said Neil Luther, director of Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation. “Moreover, each of these groups did not have to pay a dime to use the facility due to the impact that events, many of which our local residents play in, have on the weekends.”
Free Press staff report
Virginia Union University’s record-setting football season continued with a decisive 44-12 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday in the NCAA Division II Playoffs second round. Jada Byers led the Panthers with 185 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Curtis Allen added 132 yards and two scores. The game marked the first time since 2021 that two VUU players rushed for more than 100 yards in a single contest.
With the win at Moretz Stadium, the Panthers (10-3) earned their first-ever trip to the NCAA Playoff Quarterfinals. They will face Valdosta State on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. in Valdosta, Ga.
“I said back in August that this was a team that could compete for the National Championship,” VUU head coach Alvin Parker said. “Now we’re one of eight teams still playing.
We’re blessed to have a group that stayed the course, remained locked in and played some great football.”
Quarterback RJ Rosales contributed to the offensive onslaught, completing 10 of 17 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score. Reginald Vick Jr. hauled in three passes for 122 yards, including a touchdown. On defense, Jalen Mayo led with nine tackles.
The Panthers took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter on an Allen rushing touchdown. Although Lenoir-Rhyne (10-3) briefly responded with a 47-yard touchdown catch by Adonis McDaniel, VUU blocked the extra point and dominated the rest of the game. By halftime, the Panthers had extended their lead to 20-6 and controlled the pace until the final whistle.
Lenoir-Rhyne’s season came to a close despite a strong effort from wide receiver George Futch, who recorded four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown.
This victory marks a milestone for VUU football, as the team advances deeper into the playoffs than ever before.
Free Press staff report
The River City Sportsplex just got bigger and better. Last week, the complex unveiled four additional lighted turf fields, pushing its total to an impressive 16 fields. Already a national hotspot for tournaments, the expansion cements River City Sportsplex’s status as a premier destination for athletes and sports fans alike.
“This will be a huge asset for the residents of Chesterfield, as well as incoming tournaments,” said Clover Hill District Supervisor Jessica Schneider. “It is just another way that we can
showcase Chesterfield as a great place to live, work and play.”
The four new fields are part of a $540 million bond referendum package approved in November 2022, and this is just the beginning. By 2025, the Sportsplex will also boast expanded parking, a splash pad and universal playground, picnic areas, a 5k trail, and upgraded restrooms and shade structures.
When Chesterfield County bought the facility in 2016 for $5.5 million, it inherited a functional 12-field complex. Since then, the Sportsplex has become a game-changer for
Sports tourism is a major player in Chesterfield’s economy, bringing in $79 million last year. River City Sportsplex was the MVP, hosting 31 events that accounted for 71% of the county’s sports tourism revenue.
“Sports tourism may grab the headlines and provide an unprecedented impact on our local community, but more importantly, it provides a home-field advantage for our residents,” said J.C. Poma, Chesterfield’s director of Sports, Visitation and Entertainment.
“With 35 events planned at River City Sportsplex in 2025 combined with the four-field expansion, we are excited about the impact that the facility will have on our local leagues and residents.”
Free
UFC icons Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and Kamaru Usman are set to host “APFC 15: Virginia Fight Night III,” an evening of mixed martial arts at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Sunday, Dec. 8. Doors open at 2 p.m., with fights scheduled from 2:30 to 9 p.m., delivering non-stop action for fans of all ages.
The event, presented by Anthony Pettis Fighting Championship, features over 20 bouts, highlighting Virginia’s top MMA talent and some of the country’s most promising fighters. The action begins with amateur and professional preliminary fights at 3:15 p.m. The main card, airing live on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m., includes a 185-pound championship bout between Thomas Lane and Roland Dunlap, alongside marquee matchups featuring Jake Lemacks, Alex Gordy, and Elvin Romero.
VIP ticket holders can enjoy an exclusive meet-and-greet with Usman, who will also make a special in-cage appearance during the main card. Tickets start at $49.99, with premium seating options available for an enhanced experience. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Press staff report
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden looks toward the scoreboard after making a three-point
Jessica Schneider, Clover Hill District Supervisor, addresses the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the four new lighted turf fields at River City Sportsplex. photo courtesy Chesterfield County
Usman Pettus
Coach Parker
Mahki Grey of the Maggie L. Walker Dragons gets his medallion after the 12-0 win over Armstrong in the 4th Annual Armstrong Walker Classic Football game at Armstrong High School on Nov. 30.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Personality: Eric D. Morris
Spotlight on the Board of Directors Co-Chair of Side by Side
Over the past 40 years, societal changes have brought greater acceptance and expanded legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. Despite these advancements, members of the community continue to encounter significant challenges and discrimination.
Eric Morris grew up in Spotsylvania County during the 1980s. Back then, it was a rural farming community rather than the far-reaching Washington, D.C. suburb it is today. His life wasn’t sheltered, but his parents didn’t expose him to the things many teenagers today take for granted. Being gay just wasn’t something he considered.
“I didn’t go to my first movie until I was 16,” he said. “I dated girls because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do. But when you get older, you develop your own identity.”
Morris explained his coming out as a process. He says it was like a weight lifted from his shoulders.
“I didn’t know what gay was,” Morris said. “I just felt different. It wasn’t on TV. It wasn’t out in public, but things became clearer as I got older.”
Morris believes transgender youth face the greatest challenges today in finding the support they need to navigate the current social and political climate. A 2024 report by The Trevor Project, a nonprofit offering crisis and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth, highlights the struggles and victimization experienced by LGBTQ+ young people, particularly those who are transgender or nonbinary.
According to the report, almost half of transgender and nonbinary youth (46%) seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Young people of color considered at-
tempting suicide at higher rates than their white peers. However, only 50% of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it.
A record number of antiLGBTQ+ policies have been implemented over the last year, according to the report, creating a negative impact on the health of LGBTQ+ youth. The survey found that nearly half (45%) of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they or their family have considered moving to a different state due to antiLGBTQ+ politics and laws.
“Youth are very sensitive, especially the transgender youth,” Morris said. “We want to ensure their rights are protected and they have everything they need to live in society in peace.”
Meet the full-time real estate agent and investor helping LGBTQ+ youth, and this week’s Personality, Eric D. Morris: Date and place of birth: May 29 in Spotsylvania.
Where I live now: Henrico.
Explain Side by Side: Side by Side is a 33-year-old LGBTQ+ youth nonprofit organization. We provide services to folks across the state, including training and education and school program support, but we have a center that supports queer youth in the Greater Richmond area. .
Mission: Creating supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong and flourish.
When and why founded: Side by Side was founded in 1991 under the name Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth (ROSMY) amid the need to support lesbian and gay youth in Richmond. It was later rebranded to focus its
efforts on support for genderexpansive youth.
Founders: A group of concerned people who recognized the need for support and resources for LGBTQ+ youth in the area.
Location: Scott’s Addition.
Explain the use of personal pronouns and why it matters: Personal pronouns are a way to express gender and identity. It matters because we pride ourselves in celebrating the varied and diverse identities of our youth and, in solidarity, commit to using pronouns as a gateway to inclusion and acceptance. It releases some of the burden on our youth, particularly any trans or nonbinary individual, from having to explain themselves.
LGBTQ+ means: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (or questioning), with the plus sign representing other sexual orientations and gender identities that are not explicitly
included in the initialism. Side by Side is vital because: LGBTQ+ youth need support and resources, mental health and well-being, advocacy and empowerment, and education and awareness. In today’s political climate, where there are ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, we provide these essential resources for LGBTQ+ youth, helping them navigate the challenges they face and empowering them to thrive.
How I got involved with Side by Side: The executive director invited me. When elected co-chair: When elected co-chair, I was both excited and nervous because I lacked nonprofit experience.
My co-chair: La Verne BurrusJohnson, and we share the responsibility of leading the board and working with the executive director to reimagine Side by Side’s strategic plan and vision.
Why Side by Side is meaningful to me: Because it’s an organization that provides the services and support that were not available or even heard of when I was growing up. It is exciting and humbling to be in a position to help protect and shape the future of our LGBTQ+ youth.
Main goal and strategy as a co-chair: To lead and support the organization in creating a safe, affirming and empowering environment for LGBTQ+ youth. My strategy includes building strong partnerships with other organizations, community groups and allies to amplify the impact of Side by
Side’s work and create a network of support for LGBTQ+ youth.
Biggest challenge: Side by Side’s biggest challenge may be the ongoing need to navigate and address systemic barriers and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ youth, including advocacy for inclusive policies in schools and communities. We need to combat stigma and prejudice and ensure that LGBTQ+ youth have access to supportive resources and services.
Side by Side programming: Support groups, counseling services, youth leadership development, educational workshops, community engagement, advocacy and policy change, and crisis intervention.
No. 1 joy I have witnessed with Side by Side: One thing that stands out is reading a letter written by one of our youth expressing appreciation for how much the organization has meant to her.
How to get involved with Side by Side: Donate! The uncertainty of the current climate makes your dollars more important than ever, and guarantees that we can continue to staff our programs and provide the life-saving services our LGBTQ+ youth continue to need. Contact our director of development and community engagement or the director of outreach to volunteer because your time is just as valuable.
How friends, allies and those who need the support of Side by Side can connect: Register online at our website, sidebysideva.org. Follow us on Instagram atsidebysidevirginia and on facebook.com/sidebysideva.
Upcoming events: Glitter Glam Jam, a 21+ event, sup-
ports our mission. Participants create a team that will get a fundraising link to share with their networks to raise funds through Jan. 25, when we will hit the dance floor in full glitter and celebrate all that hard work and recognize teams for helping us out with food, fun and entertainment.
My morning outlook: I start the day with two cups of coffee. Otherwise, the rest of the day will suck! I go through my email to clear the junk and identify those things that need a response or an action. I review the goals, tasks and calendar events I set for the day the evening before, updating anything that crossed my brain overnight. And then, I get to work on everything that needs to get done.
The three words that best describe me: Truthful, kindhearted, listener.
Best late-night snack: Butter Pecan ice-cream.
Top three on my musical playlist: “Flower,” by Miley Cyrus, “Not Like Us,” by Kendrick Lamar and “Wind Beneath My Wings,” by Bette Midler.
Most Inspirational quote: “You are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream,” by C.S. Lewis. The best thing my parents taught me: Respect!
Most inspirational book: “The Millionaire Real Estate Agent,” by Gary Keller.
Next goal: For Side by Side, I want to return some of the core services we had to pause while engaged in an organizational reset. Within the next 6–8 months we aim to restore our clinical mental health services, and within the next year we plan to bring back our housing support services.
Photo Courtesy of Monica Pedynkowski
Annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade returns
Richmond’s annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade returns Dec. 7, celebrating its 41st year with the theme “Christmas Wishes.” The parade will step off at 10:15 a.m. in front of the Science Museum of Virginia and will feature marching bands, floats, dancers and other festive attractions.
Charlie Swanson, a Richmond native and Olympic swimmer, will serve as the grand marshal for this year’s parade. Swanson represented Team USA Swimming at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, earning a gold medal in the 4 x 100-meter mixed medley relay and a silver medal in the 4 x 100 medley relay. Since his days swimming at St. Christopher’s School, Swanson has become a standout in the swimming world. At the University of Michigan, he built an impressive record, including a gold medal at
the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
“Growing up in Richmond, the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade has always been a cherished tradition,” Swanson said. “I am thrilled to be part of this year’s festivities and to share in the joy and magic of the season with my hometown.”
“We are incredibly honored to have Charlie Swanson as our grand marshal this year,” Parade Director Tara Daudani said. “We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with him leading the way.”
This year’s parade will include favorites such as the VCU Peppas, VA Clown Alley #3, and slingshot cars, horses and dogs. Legendary Santa will also make an appearance, adding to the holiday cheer.
The Christmas Parade will air on WTVR at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and rebroadcast on Christmas Day. For more information, visit richmondparade.org.
“Up the Ridge” screening to highlight Red Onion prison issues
Free Press staff report
The Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality will host a public meeting on Saturday, Dec. 7, to examine issues at Red Onion State Prison, a supermax facility in Virginia. The event, titled “Crisis at Red Onion Supermax: How You Can Help!” will take place at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Richmond’s East End.
The program begins at 2 p.m. with a screening of “Up the Ridge,” a documentary by volunteer DJs Nick Szuberla and Amelia Kirby. Filmed in 1999 after the pair received hundreds of letters from inmates transferred to Wallens Ridge State Prison, Red Onion’s sister facility, the documentary explores the human rights violations and racial tensions described by prisoners.
The meeting will continue at 3 p.m. with remarks from several speakers. Rev. Rodney Hunter, pastor of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, will address the impact of prisons on local communities. Natasha White, director of community engagement for Interfaith Action for Human Rights, will share her experiences of spending four years in solitary confinement in New York. Hassan Shabazz, co-founder of the Prisoners Rights Clinic, will discuss his 23.5 years in Virginia prisons including a year in solitary confinement at Red Onion. Phil Wilayto, editor of “The Virginia Defender” and co-founder of the Virginia Prison Justice Network, will report on the current crisis at Red Onion.
A recording of the meeting will be available the next day on the Facebook page of “The Virginia Defender.”
Founded in 2002, the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality is an allvolunteer organization dedicated to advancing education and social justice according to its website. For more information, visit virginiadefender.org.
Timothy Jones, a former inmate at Wallens Ridge State Prison, is featured in the documentary “Up the Ridge,” which explores the harsh realities of life within the facility.
VUU Gospel Choir performs on BET’s ‘HBCU Honors’
Free Press staff report
Virginia Union University’s Gospel Choir performed with Grammy-winning artist Fantasia and hip-hop legend MC Lyte at the HBCU Honors, a celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The performance, led by VUU Gospel Choir Director Joel T. Lester, and airing on BET on Dec. 1, marked a milestone for the choir.
“It’s a huge honor to be chosen, especially considering the many amazing choirs within
the HBCU community. This selection is a testament to the greatness of VUU,” Lester said.
He noted that the opportunity arose after a dedicated alumnus submitted a recommendation and school President Hakim J. Lucas shared the news.
“Dr. Lucas received an email detailing our interest in participating; he forwarded it to me, and the rest is history,” Lester said.
The choir performed a tribute to Yolanda Adams by Fantasia featuring the song“The Battle is the Lord’s.” They also backed
additional selections by MC Lyte and Hezekiah Walker added to the powerful musical lineup which closed the show.
“This performance will broaden the students’ perspectives on greatness and ignite a hope that nothing is impossible. It also showcases the prowess of Virginia Union University,” Lester said.
Lester said he envisions a bright future for the choir, including national recognition through recordings and more collaborations with mainstream artists.
Free Press staff reports
Caroline Martin Photography
Cheerful dancers dressed as elves spread holiday cheer during last year’s Dominion Energy Christmas Parade. This year’s parade, set for Dec. 7, will feature festive floats, marching bands and the theme “Christmas Wishes.”
TaNia Stewart/Ndemay Photos, Courtesy of HBCU Honors via FrontPage Firm
Virginia Union University’s Gospel Choir performs alongside Fantasia, MC Lyte and others during the finale of BET’s “HBCU Honors,” celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Courtesy of Appalshop
T.D. Jakes speaks to church via video week after health emergency
By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service
Bishop T.D. Jakes returned briefly via video to address his Dallas megachurch a week after experiencing a stillundisclosed medical incident that led to surgery.
“Many of you don’t realize that you’re looking at a miracle,” he said in a live video message that was greeted with cheers from the congregation on Sunday (Dec. 1). “I faced a life-threatening calamity, was rushed to the ICU unit. I had emergency surgery. Survived this surgery.”
Jakes, 67, an evangelist, author and business executive, suffered what his church initially called “a slight health incident” during the Nov. 24 worship service at The Potter’s House. At that time, about a dozen people rushed to his side after he lowered his microphone and was shaking in his seat.
In the seven-minute video he said he would be following doctor’s orders to rest.
“I told you last Sunday that I’d see you this Sunday, and so here I am,” he said, even while acknowledging that he wasn’t in the physical condition to do what he typically might do on a Sunday morning.
“Physically, I can’t praise him like I want to, but somebody that’s got the strength and the dexterity and the nimbleness, just give him the glory for me and lift him up and give him a shout of praise and enthusiasm.”
Jakes, whose remarks were also posted on his Instagram page, said he was not in pain and is in good spirits.
Bishop T.D. Jakes appears to The Potter’s House congregation via video, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (Video screen grab)
“I didn’t want you to be worried about me,” he told his
congregation, expressing thanks for their prayers and support. “I’m trying to be obedient to what the doctor said do, in terms of just taking a few weeks to just heal and recover and relax and just reflect.”
He did not describe his specific diagnosis or type of surgery but noted that he had recently undergone “a complete
physical and I was fine.”
“Sometimes those of us who are busy taking care of other people neglect ourselves,” he said. “The truth of the matter is, sometimes things happen and they are beyond our control, and sometimes things happen and they’re spiritual warfare. I haven’t deduced the finality of all of that.”
But lawyers for Jakes filed a defamation lawsuit the day after the medical incident, saying another minister, Duane Youngblood of Pennsylvania, had falsely accused him of attempted sexual assault. The suit linked the accusations to Jakes’ health.
“Youngblood’s intentional and malicious lies have taken a substantial emotional and physical toll on Bishop Jakes,” reads the suit. “On November 24—the day before he filed this action—Bishop Jakes suffered a medical crisis on stage in the middle of his Sunday service in front of his entire church.”
Jakes’ Sunday video remarks followed a video posted on his church’s social media on Wednesday along with a statement about the medical episode that he said was not a stroke but “could’ve been fatal if it weren’t for God’s intervention.”
The minister patted his chest and choked up slightly as he expressed his gratitude first to the medical staff surrounding him and then to others. “I’m grateful to ya’ll, all the people who prayed, all the people who texted, all the people who had prayer vigils, all the people who were concerned and sent love and sent notes,” he said in the earlier video.
On Sunday, he also spoke of his gratitude for life.
“One of the reasons I was so emotional was I felt the sun hit my face at the same time that a person down the hallway was being taken to the morgue,” he said. “I need you to help me to praise God that we’re not planning a funeral.”
Second Baptist Church to feature David Esleck in Advent concert series
Free Press staff report
Second Baptist Church invites the community to Advent concert series featuring the works of David Esleck, a renowned composer celebrated for his contributions to jazz and classical music. The performances will showcase a mix of sacred and secular seasonal favorites in various styles including traditional big band, Dixieland, rock and R&B. Esleck, a composer with degrees from Tennessee Technological University, the University of Virginia and the Catholic University of America, has studied under esteemed musicians such as Robert Jager, Aaron Copland, Walter Ross and Judith Shatin. His compositions have been performed by jazz bands, children’s choirs, orchestras and soloists and were featured in the PBS documentary “Tuba U,” highlighting the career of music educator Winston Morris. The concert series will take place at Second Baptist
with general admission and table seating options available. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Rise Richmond, an organization committed to providing educational opportunities for students in Richmond’s East End. Rise Richmond has been supporting students’ growth since 2003, through academic, vocational and spiritual development.
Ginny O. Photography
Local musicians perform during a recent “A Jazz Christmas” concert at Second Baptist Church, where people gathered to enjoy a mix of sacred and seasonal music.
Bishop T.D. Jakes appears to The Potter’s House congregation via video, Sunday, Dec. 1.