Urban Views Weekly June 14, 2017

June 14, 2017

Scholar of the Week - Maya Flores

20 Below Normal %

Season

45 Above

%

Normal

35 Near

%

Normal

11-17

Named Storms

5-9

Hurricanes

2-4

Major Hurricanes Season Probability

2017

Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

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Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

Planned Confusion Solutions Part two of a two-part series

Planned confusion can take you down.

It’s like a fog. It envelopes everything, but you can’t pin it down. Nothing is moving forward, but everyone says “I’m on board.”

If you don’t intervene you may find yourself – and your organization – strangled by exasperation and inertia. Here are five suggestions to keep you from a frightful future.

responsibility. “Work with the fund development committee of the board to identify, cultivate and solicit major donors” is more reasonable. Add a date that answers the question “by when.”

End meeting confusion. Develop standards for how meetings will be conducted, including who will lead each meeting. If you are chairing an upcoming meeting, schedule premeeting discussions with each person who will be attending. Share the proposed agenda and discuss agenda items in order to surface disagreements or alternative solutions so that you won’t be surprised in the larger meeting. Talk through disagreements and alternatives, and use the information gained to find a “third way.” When meeting participants will be presenting information or reports, speak with each beforehand to ensure they are prepared.

Momentum is easily killed by participants who report, “we didn’t have time to complete the project.”

“Make sure that you, your staff, board members and volunteers know and understand the mission...”

Commitment.

Everyone may say they are committed, but the question is this: committed to what?

Make sure that you, your staff, board members and volunteers know and understand the mission, goals and vision of the organization. Most importantly, find out if everyone is bought into these. Take the time to have challenging conversations re: mission, vision and goals. When people are silent, it doesn’t mean they agree.

But, silence without commitment can equal lack of follow through, absence at meetings and subtle sabotage.

Roles and responsibilities. Everybody should understand their role and responsibilities. For example, “raise $100,000 by Friday” is not a reasonable

Stay with the

continues to page 11

Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com

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Scholar of the Week

Maya Flores

of Richmond Community High School GPA: 3.9 College of Interest: Hollins University Major Community Service: St. Marks Soup Kitchen Strong Interests: International relations and history Favorite Activities: Working and volunteering

By Janeal Downs

One day, Maya Flores’ history teacher asked her students to fill out the many good things she heard about the school. She described the an application for a scholarship. With the scholarship, students could school, which is in the mountains, as a beautiful campus. win an all-paid trip to France and they only had to write a 500 words While she is still in high school, Maya works to maintain a 3.9 GPA. essay. Like the rest of her class, Maya filled out the application. She Participating in extracurricular activities is her favorite thing to didn’t find out for some time, but later, Maya’s teacher informed her do. She is a member of her school’s newspaper staff, works in the that she won. In March 2016, Maya was awarded the Bruhn-Morris writing center and started her school’s drama club. As the president Foundation, Normandy Academy Scholarship. The trip occurred that of the drama club, Maya was able to build leadership skills and following summer. After meeting with the other scholarship winners help establish club rules and traditions. in New Orleans, the students had the While at Richmond Community, Maya opportunity to visit the city’s National learned how to work hard, study, be selfWWII Museum, travel to Paris and then disciplined and productive. These are traveled to Normandy to see where the qualities she hopes to take with her to D-Day invasions occurred. “We saw the college.

Outside of school, Maya works coolest stuff. I met this woman, she was at a Café and volunteers at St. Marks 16 during World War II and she was part Soup Kitchen.

“There’s so many food of the French resistance.” Maya described deserts in Richmond and it just astounds how the woman’s story and bravery as a ™ k me every day when I’m at work and I e e W spy, was one of the many inspiring parts of the have to throw food away, and then I go of her trip. to Soup Kitchen and there’s people who Maya has always had an interest in can’t eat,” Maya said. “So working at history, and her trip to France reinforced Soup Kitchen has just made me really her passion. As high school comes to a close, she is preparing to aware of hunger.” attend Hollins University to study either international studies One of Maya’s biggest inspirations in life is her father. When he was or political science. “I think that we all need to be as politically younger than she is now, Maya’s dad immigrated to the United States aware as possible, especially right now,” Maya said. “I was talking from Mexico.

“He worked his way up from dishwasher to manager at to a professor at Hollins where I’m going this fall, and he said that a restaurant and he’s been the manager of the restaurant for 20 years,” international studies is a good fit for somebody who really just likes Maya said.

“I just think it’s so impressive because I couldn’t come to a all of the humanities and you can pick a focus that you really enjoy.” different country by myself where I don’t know the language.” Along Some of the options she is looking forward to choosing from include with always working hard, Maya’s father always encouraged her to policy making, politics, history and international business. Along with their international studies major, Maya chose Hollins University go to college. Now that her high school years are coming to a close, over other schools because of the financial package they offered, and Maya will do just that to pursue her dreams.

Scholar0

FOR A WORLD WITHOUT

CANCER. CANCER Another discovery. Another positive outcome. Another life saved. That’s how we are moving toward a future without cancer. It takes dedication, perseverance, tenacity. But we won’t stop. We are taking on cancer one cell at a time. And we’re getting there. Together. Masseycancercenter.org

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Urban Views Weekly | June 14, 2017

5/12/17 1:31 PM

3

ViewPoints

By Dr. T

Remembering Fathers Every Day “No matter what happens, you can always come home.” –My Dad The older I get, the more appreciative I am for my father’s ever present words of wisdom, comfort and yes, even correction. He was always thoughtful and measured in his response even under extremely serious circumstances or conditions. He knew when to lean in hard and when to pull back like a great artist making a masterpiece. He was always very, very intentional in the lessons he taught us, and strategic in the methods he used to teach them.

Like every other child on earth, I can say with total candor that we did not always see eye to eye.

In fact, at times we vehemently disagreed and on occasion could not find our way to a compromise.

But the patience and persistence with which my Dad approached Fatherhood was Zen like in its balance and almost like a ninja warrior in its stealth.

He always said being our father was both his most difficult job and greatest blessing. He (along with my Mother) raised six children in some very tumultuous times in our nation’s history. And yet, as children we never truly knew how much unrest surrounded us. We didn’t fully recognize how formidable the barriers were before us in a nation where Black people were fighting for basic civil rights and dignity, for full citizenship with all the rights and privileges therein.

take risks and make mistakes that would teach us life’s lessons because if we fell short, there was Daddy, always supporting us. Daddy would always say “No sense in making mistakes if you don’t learn something from them.” He passed on to each one of us a legacy of fearlessness and the ability to rise to the occasion and deal with the obstacles as opportunities. He taught us about respect, integrity and perseverance, responsibility and resiliency – all the while, we never ever saw him panic. Although he told us later on in life that there were so many times all he had was faith and a prayer. We never knew he was struggling because he made the struggle so “cool.”

Every time I am in the presence of my Dad, even now as he has grown considerably older, less agile, and sleeps more often than he is awake, I am so grateful for the father that he was and still is to us, and the example he has provided to so many others who have watched him throughout the years. My father has always demonstrated his love for us over the years by what he DID, everyday, consistently for a lifetime. His words of wisdom, of comfort and correction will help guide me throughout the rest of my life. The most impactful words he ever spoke to me were, “No matter what happens, you can always come home.” This singular statement gave me the freedom to leap into my future without fear of failure. There are no guarantees for success in fatherhood just like in life there will be both success and failure. What is a certainty, however, Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. is that the love and wisdom of a Great Dad need to be celebrated every day not just once a year. This week Founder and Artistic Director on Father’s Day don’t forget to recognize both the The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor fathers and the men in your life who have given you Virginia Commonwealth University words of wisdom, comfort and correction. There’s a DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org blessing in just that! #HappyFathersDay

“He taught us about respect, integrity and perseverance, responsibility and resiliency...”

My siblings and I were blessed to have a childhood that allowed my brother, sisters and me to just be children and fully enjoy our childhood in an atmosphere where we could imagine our wildest dreams, set goals for ourselves, be encouraged through our disappointments and cheered on in our greatest accomplishments. We knew we could achieve because Daddy told us we could. We could

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The Deal

Safely Cut the Cost of Elective Medical Expenses Whether it’s a matter of comfort, appearance or safety, there are many medical procedures that you may want or need, but your health insurance won’t cover.

your benefits before assuming something isn’t covered.

Infertility treatment is one of these gray areas, as some states require health insurance plans to provide coverage while others do not.

Laser eye surgery may fall into the want category for most people and it can be a hefty investment with each eye costing several thousand dollars. For those wanting to start a family, infertility treatments, which can cost over $10,000, may be closer to a need. Yet most states don’t require health insurance to cover treatments.

Considering the lasting impact that these and other procedures can have on your life, you may not want to seek out the least expensive option. However, that doesn’t mean you should forgo attempts to save altogether. From tax-advantaged accounts to comparison shopping doctors, there are many approaches to safely cutting costs.

• See if you could get a tax break. Although tax breaks don’t lower a medical procedure’s price, tax deductions can decrease your taxable income and by using a taxadvantaged account you may be able to pay for some medical procedures with income-tax-free money.

• Take a medical expense tax deduction. If you itemize your tax deductions, you can get a deduction for your qualified medical expenses that exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income. Laser eye surgery and some fertility enhancement treatments may qualify. However, cosmetic surgery doesn’t unless it’s related to a congenital abnormality, disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from trauma or an accident.

• Use an employer-sponsored flexible spending account (FSA). Some employers offer FSAs as an employee benefit.

You can make tax-deductible contributions to the account each year and withdraw the money tax-free to pay for qualified medical expenses, including health insurance deductibles and copayments. However, this approach

Compare costs from different providers. Varying medical costs sometimes make headlines when patients find out that a $3,000 medical procedure at a hospital could cost several hundred at a nearby clinic. If it’s not an emergency, there are websites that you can use to comparison shop nearby medical centers and get estimated prices.

could require planning as you may forfeit remaining FSA money at the end of each year.

• Enroll in health insurance with a health savings account (HSA). An HSA account is similar to an FSA in that you can contribute pre-tax money and withdraw funds to pay for eligible medical expenses tax-free. HSAs don’t have the use-it-or-lose-it requirement, but to qualify for an HSA account, you need to enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and can’t be eligible for Medicare.

• Ask your health insurance company about discounts.

Even when a health insurance provider doesn’t cover a procedure, members may still be able to save money by going through their insurance.

For example, health insurance generally won’t cover the cost of laser eye surgery, but your provider may offer a 5 to 15 percent discount if you get the surgery at partner eye care centers.

Health insurance requirements can also vary from one state to another, and you should double-check

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By Nathaniel Sillin

Some people also look for savings in other countries.

Medical tourism is a growing industry, and millions of people travel outside their home countries seeking lower costs, higher-quality services, treatments that aren’t available at home, a relaxing environment to recover in or a combination of several of these factors. While the U.S. is a destination for some medical tourists, Canada, Southeast Asia, Latin America and parts of Europe are also popular.

Bottom line: Although you may not be able to convince your health insurance company to cover what it considers an elective procedure, you can turn to other methods to save money. As with other large expenses, you can take a dual big- and little-picture approach by looking for tax breaks that lower your effective cost and savings opportunities that can reduce a procedure’s price.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs.

To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter. com/PracticalMoney This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered health, legal, tax or financial advice. It’s always a good idea to consult a legal, tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to you and about your individual financial situation.

Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce

www.CVAACC.org Urban Views Weekly | June 14, 2017

5

Before, During & For the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, forecasters predict a 45 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 35 percent chance of a near-normal season, and only a 20 percent chance of a belownormal season.

“An above normal season, near normal season or below normal seasons, are not just defined by the total number of hurricanes, but rather if any hurricane hits our community.” says City of Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. “It only takes one, so being prepared just makes sense: Get a kit, make a plan, stay informed.”

BEFORE...

Have a hurricane disaster plan: Locate local shelters. Map the route to a nearby shelter; this will cut down on the travel time. Make sure you know how to get there before an evacuation order is issued.

If you are not ordered to evacuate, find shelter in your home. The safest place during a hurricane is an interior room without windows. Get your home and yard ready for a hurricane. Install hurricane shutters; remove dead and diseased trees and branches; identify items in the yard that should be brought inside; clean rain gutters, outside stairwells, window wells, drain lines, and downspouts.

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Urban Views Weekly | June 14, 2017

Have a family discussion about what you will do, where you will go and how you will communicate with each other when a storm threatens. It is important to listen to local authorities as a storm approaches. Getting ready now will leave you better prepared and will make all the difference.

DURING...

If a hurricane watch has been issued for your area, conditions are favorable for and could produce a hurricane. Listen to the news and the weather updates and make sure you leave if an official evacuation is ordered.

Cover your windows with hurricane shutters or plywood. Taping windows offers little or no protection against the winds. If a hurricane warning has been issued, a violent storm, possibly a hurricane, is expected within 24 hours.

• Remain inside, away from windows and doors.

• During power outages try to avoid carrying a lit candle.

Use flashlights instead.

Don’t use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space. Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern.

The flame may ignite the fumes.

• Do not be fooled by the calm when the eye of the hurricane is above your area; the worst of the storm is probably yet to come.

• Be prepared for tornadoes caused by hurricanes; remain inside and at the center of your home or in a closet or basement.

AFTER...

Continue to listen to the news and weather updates. Often when the storm is over, damage still exists from floods, downed power lines and electrically charged water.

Stay out of buildings that have been damaged or flooded and obey detour and warning signs when driving. Never enter a flooded or barricaded roadway (even with a large vehicle); vehicles can be swept away by only two feet of water.

& After the Storm

By J. Chevonte’ Alexander

to evacuate with your pets and verify that there will be shelters in your area that take people and their pets.

• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to find out if they accept pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size and species. Inquire if a “no pet” policy would be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy, and call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.

Along with preparing your home for natural disasters, it is also important to think about disasters that start within the home, like fires. When electricity goes out during natural disasters, people often need to use temporary cooking and lighting devices in emergency situations.

Be sure to:

If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. Below are a list of things to consider while preparing yourself for hurricane season. Do not forget our furry family members!

• Make sure that cats and dogs are wearing collars and identification tags that are up to date. You’ll increase your chances of being reunited with pets who get lost by having them microchipped; make sure the microchip registration is in your name. But remember: The average citizen who finds your pet won’t be able to scan for a chip, but they will probably be able to read a basic tag!

• Never assume that you will be allowed to bring your pet to an emergency shelter.

Before a disaster hits, call your local office of emergency management to see if you will be allowed

• Exercise caution when using candles and alternate or portable methods for cooking, such as camping stoves. Restrict their use to well ventilated areas.

Here are kitchen fire safety tips – • Remain in the kitchen while cooking • Keep all combustible material away from the stove while cooking • Keep the handle of the pan or pot to the inside of the stove – should you experience a stove fire do not remove the pan from stove – turn the stove off – take a lid or cookie sheet slide it slowly across the pan and allow the pan/pot to cool • Keeping an oven mitt or pot holder nearby can reduce the chance of a burn injury • The best way to suppress an oven fire is to cut the power to the oven and keep the door closed Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

• Keep combustible materials (especially paper and cardboard boxes) away from open flames, space heaters and other electrical devices.

• Keep electrical circuits from overloading by limiting the number of electrical devices plugged into outlets.

• When staying in hotels and motels make sure the smoke detector is working.

Cooking fires is the leading cause of fires in the City of Richmond – the hazards associated with these fires have resulted in more deaths and injury as the results of preparing food left unattended. People should be more aware of how to handle these kitchen hazards. Even though Fire and Emergency Services do what they can to combat the growing trend in our community, they have seen little results; therefore, they are making every effort possible to educate our school age children, private, public, commercial and industry.

We encourage those who are faced with this hazard to call 911 and make every attempt to notify others.

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7

SAVOR

Family Features Courtesy Armour

A Standout Graduation Menu If you’re like many families, this time of year is filled with celebrations including everything from graduations to weddings, and they all have one thing in common: food, food and more food.

Whether you’re organizing a party of your own or taking a dish for a potluck, these ideas are perfect for creating a standout dish that fellow revelers will truly enjoy: Make a DIY delight. Guests of all ages enjoy creating custom treats, and it’s easy to set up a DIY station for all kinds of snacks. Grab a handful of coordinating containers for all the ingredients and supply serving-size bags then let your imagination soar with a candy medley, trail mix or even a popcorn bar.

Go ahead, take a shortcut. This busy season, you get a pass on making everything from scratch, and options like Armour Original Meatballs are terrific for entertaining because the work is already done for you. With a few simple additions, you’ll have a delish dish to share in no time. Barbecue Glazed Meatballs make for a simple and easy recipe. If you’re looking for something fun and creative, try these Barbecue Meatball Bites.

Get clever and sweet. Every party needs dessert and if you’re honoring “one smart cookie” of a grad, why not sweeten things up with a table filled with cookies of every flavor. The sentiment will earn almost as much appreciation as all those guests who get their taste buds tickled.

Barbecue Glazed Meatballs

Barbecue Meatball Bites

Prep: 20 min. Total time: 20 min. Servings: 16

Prep: 10 min. Total time: 25 min. Servings: 12

1 - 1 1/2 cups grape jelly

Nonstick cooking spray

1

cup barbecue sauce

1

bag (14 ounces) meatballs

1

can (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent dough

1/3

cup barbecue sauce, divided

1 1/2

cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

12

meatballs

chopped dill pickles

crispy fried onions

In large saucepan, combine jelly and barbecue sauce. Cook and stir over medium heat until jelly melts.

Add meatballs and heat over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, or until meatballs are hot and glazed, stirring occasionally.

Serve in slow cooker set on low, if desired.

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90+ degrees is a Draw to the City’s James River

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat 12 muffin tin cups with nonstick cooking spray. Roll out dough and cut into 12 squares; press into bottom and up sides of each muffin cup.

Spoon 1 teaspoon barbecue sauce into bottom of each cup and top each with about 1 tablespoon cheese. Place meatballs on top of cheese. Spoon another 1/2 teaspoon barbecue sauce over meatballs and sprinkle with more cheese.

Top with desired amount of dill pickles and fried onions.

Bake 13-17 minutes until dough is browned and meatballs are hot. Let stand 10 minutes before removing from muffin tins to serve.

Urban Views Weekly | June 14, 2017

Photos: Ervin Clarke

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Ujima Legacy Fund Empowers Youth through Collective Giving $40,000 in grants awarded to Higher Achievement and Mega Mentors

Now in its fifth year, the Ujima Legacy Fund has harnessed the generosity of its 40 members to award two grants of $20,000 each to Higher Achievement and Mega Mentors.

Created with the goal to increase the philanthropic impact of African American men in the Greater Richmond region, the Ujima Legacy Fund focuses its grant program on organizations working to empower youth through education-related programs. Cumulative grant making now totals $168,000 to 8 area nonprofits.

Higher Achievement closes the opportunity gap for underserved students through intensive after-school and summer programs that provide expanded learning, mentorship and opportunity. Scholars begin as rising 5th and 6th graders and remain in the program through 8th grade. Support from the Ujima Legacy Fund will allow

Higher Achievement to grow in response to increased demand and high retention by scaling programming at the newest of their four sites – Binford and Wilder Middle Schools. It means that next school year more than 300 scholars will realize gains equivalent to an extra 48 days of learning in math and an extra 30 days in reading; and most importantly, they will be on track for college with the character, confidence and skills to succeed.

Mega Mentors was created in 2009 when, then superintendent, Dr. Marcus Newsome asked African American community leaders to be role models for students in Chesterfield County. While intentional about working with African American students, the volunteer-run program is designed to improve academic performance, increase graduation rates and reduce

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disciplinary issues for all middle and high school students who are underserved or disenfranchised. This year, 150 volunteer mentors work with 500 middle and high school students in 7 schools. Grant funding will support a parttime coordinator to help grow the program to serve more schools and students, provide greater consistency and build stronger partnerships and collaborations.

“Higher Achievement and Mega Mentors represent exactly what the Ujima Legacy Fund is about – building a community of support that believes in and invests in the potential of our young people,” said Immanuel Sutherland, leadership team member of Ujima Legacy Fund. “Even as we seek to enrich the lives of others through collective giving, we are equally enriched by the opportunity to learn about and contribute to the good work they are doing.”

Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce

Southern Kitchen

1726 East Main Street | Richmond, VA 23223 Free for Members | Non-Members $10.00 RSVP online at www.CVAACC.org Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce Email: Info@CVAACC.org • Phone: 804-823-7745 Join the chamber by going online to www.CVAACC.org Urban Views Weekly | June 14, 2017

9

How to Guide

Family Features

How to Build a Home Have you ever fantasized about building your own home? How about building something customized just for you and your family? This is a great time to bring that fantasy to reality. In many parts of the country, home prices are very affordable. Labor and construction costs have stabilized, and interest rates are near historic lows.

Construction financing usually consists of more than one loan. One loan will pay for the construction itself -- often releasing money to the builder in stages as processes are finished -- and then converting it to a permanent mortgage once the home is completed.

Do some comparison shopping at banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers for the best financing solution.

You can also ask your builder for recommendations.

He will likely have some options because his livelihood depends on his clients securing financing for construction loans. Your builder may even help you avoid pitfalls.

If you decide to take the bold step of building your own home, here are a few things to keep in mind.

CUSTOM OR NOT Your first step is determining which kind of builder you want: custom or production.

Both builders have advantages and disadvantages.

Production builders are the most popular. Many people believe that production builders are affordable and fast.

These builders have several floor plans they use and some level of interior and exterior customization. When using them, you may be limited in the location of your home, how much the floor plan can be customized and the kind of quality you can expect.

can build on their own land and decide every single aspect of the construction process.

THE BEST BUILDER When selecting a builder, the most important factor is a good, proven reputation. High-quality builders are known for reliability and craftsmanship. They have likely worked in construction for years. Drive by some of the homes they’ve built and, if possible, talk to their owners to get an idea about what you can expect. Check for flaws in the buildings such as cracked walls, leaks and gaps in the work.

With a custom builder, your limit is only your imagination and budget. While a custom home can cost more than a production or “tract” home, buyers prefer it because they

FINANCING Depending on your situation, you may need to secure construction financing in order to build your home.

When you find an outstanding builder and line up a good financing plan, then you can watch your dream home become a reality.

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Urban Views Weekly | June 14, 2017

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PUBLIC NOTICE

FUNdraising from page 2

agenda. Officially distribute a meeting agenda prior to each meeting. Where possible, include suggested timeframes for specific items. Start each meeting by communicating expected outcomes; end with agreed upon next steps and due dates with a person responsible for each. Don’t let any one person dominate the meeting; solicit engagement by those who don’t actively participate. Quickly identify and, where possible, resolve issues as they come up. Stay with the defined agenda – keep the focus on the purpose of the meeting. At the end of each meeting use an evaluation form to learn what’s working and what’s not. Be open to criticism and change.

Create a culture of clarity, accountability and transparency. Do what you say. Say what you mean. Don’t obfuscate. Hold yourself accountable, and encourage

others to hold you – and themselves – accountable. Establish meeting norms, and create expectations related to timelines, participation and being prepared. Develop meeting norms and processes that are a fit for your organization’s culture and that will engage and energize meeting participants.

Consider using a consultant to help.

You and your organization deserve the best. Put steps in place to prevent “planned confusion.”

Read part one: planned confusion.

Copyright 2017 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of four books on fundraising available on Amazon. com. For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll A 23-year-old white man reportedly punched and spit on an African American man and woman and can be heard on tape screaming, “Shut up slave!

Do not talk to me.” He then went on to compare the man to livestock and suggested that he should be tagged with a bar code with his Social Security number.

What’s Your Take? Have you ever been the victim of racial slurs by an individual of another race? If so, we would like to hear your story. Go to TanyaFree.com or leave your story on our hotline (844) 321-1010 Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

The Tri-Cities Area Metropolitan Planning FY 2018 Unified Transportation Planning Work Program is ready for review; written comments on the Transportation Improvement Program should be addressed to Crater Planning District Commission, P.O. Box 1808, Petersburg, Virginia 23805 or by email at dhyder@ craterpdc.org and should be received within the review period ending June 25, 2017.

PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135; 49 U.S.C 5303 and 5304, the Tri-Cities Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) hereby provides area citizens an opportunity to review and comment on the Transportation Improvement Program.

This transportation plan has been developed by local and State agencies represented on the Tri-Cities Area MPO. A copy of this draft document has been made available for public viewing during regular visiting hours at public libraries in the Tri-Cities Area during a 30 day public review period beginning May 28, 2017 and ending June 25, 2017.

One public meeting will be scheduled to receive comments on this draft plan on June 22, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m (During the MPO Policy Committee Meeting) at the Petersburg Multi-Modal Station located 100 W. Washington Street in

Petersburg, VA. Persons in need of special accommodations to participate in these public meetings are requested to forward this information either by contacting the Crater Planning District Commission at 804-861-1666 or by email using the address listed below one week prior to the meeting date.

Persons with a hearing impairment may contact the Virginia Relay Center at 1-800-828-1120 to forward information to the Crater Planning District Commission and Tri-Cities Area MPO. A copy of this draft plan and other information related to the Tri-Cities Area MPO has been made available in electronic format located http:// craterpdc.org/transportation/mpo. htm The Crater Planning District Commission and the Tri-Cities Area MPO assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, handicap, sex, age or income status, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent nondiscrimination laws, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of , or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity. Written comments on Transportation Improvement Program should be addressed Crater Planning District Commission, P.O. Box 1808, Petersburg, Virginia 23805 and or sent email dhyder@craterpdc.org and received within the review period ending June 25, 2017.

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Urban Views Weekly | June 14, 2017

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