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EGACY Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.
WEDNESDAYS • April 28, 2021
INSIDE & ONLINE New marijuana law doesn’t mean release - 2 What would you do for the ‘least of these’ - 3 Va. Air Quality: State of The Air Report - ON
Richmond & Hampton Roads
Ben Chavis, NNPA CEO
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Virginia public transit grapples with reduced ridership, zero fare KATHARINE DEROSA
CNS — Virginia public transit systems from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads are looking for a path forward after losing riders and revenue during the pandemic. Some transit systems have been harder hit than others. “We are serving a market of essential workers that can’t stay home; they have to use our service,” said Greater Richmond Transit Co. CEO Julie Timm during a recent presentation. Gov. Ralph Northam issued a state of emergency in March of last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move prompted limits on public and private gatherings, telework policies and mandates to wear masks in public, although some restrictions have eased. GRTC faced a “potentially catastrophic budget deficit” since eliminating fares last March in response to the pandemic and reductions in public funding starting in July of this year, according to the organization’s annual report. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation emergency funding covered the deficit, according to the report. The transit system lost about 20 percent of riders when comparing March to November 2019 with
the same 9-month period in 2020. Overall, fiscal year-to-date ridership on local-fixed routes decreased the least (-16 percent), compared to the bus-rapid transit line (-49 percent) and express routes (-84 percent), according to GRTC data. Local-fixed routes had a 7 percent increase from March 2020 to March 2021. GRTC eliminated fares in March 2020 to avoid “close interactions at bus fareboxes,” Timm said in a statement at the time. CARES Act funding made the move possible. GRTC will offer free rides until the end of June. GRTC will need an additional $5.3 million when federal funding
ceases to continue operating with zero fare, Timm said. Zero fare can be supported through the third round of federal stimulus money and Department of Rail and Public Transportation funding, advertising revenue and other funding sources, Timm said. “This is the conversation and it’s a hard conversation,” Timm said. “To fare or not to fare?” GRTC serves a majority Black and majority female riders, according to the 2020 annual report. Commuters account for over half the trips taken on GRTC buses and almost threequarters of commuter trips are five or more days per week. Nearly 80
percent of riders have a household income of less than $50,000 per year. GRTC spends about $1.7 million to collect fares annually, according to Timm. Eliminating fares is more optimal than collecting fares, Timm said in March. She believes in zero fare operation because the bus rates act as a regressive tax, which takes a large percentage of income from low-income earners. Free fares could lead to overcrowding on buses, opponents argue. However, Timm said that’s not a good reason to abolish the initiative. “If we have a demand for more transit, I don’t think the answer is to put fares out to reduce the ridership,” Timm said. “I think the answer is to find additional funding sources and commitment to increase service to meet that demand.” GRTC will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the zero fare model, according to Timm. “We’ll have a lot of conversations post-COVID about how we consider transit, how we invest in transit and how that investment in transit lifts up our entire region, not just our riders but all of our economy for a stronger marketplace,” Timm said. GRTC added another bus route as the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March. Route 111 runs in
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The LEGACY
2 • April 28, 2021
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF RICHMOND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Will hold an electronic Public Hearing due to the state of emergency that exists as a result of the spread of COVID-19 pursuant to and in compliance with Ordinance 2020-232 on May 5, 2021, to consider the following under Chapter 30 of the Zoning Code: BEGINNING AT 1:00 P.M. BZA 21-2021: An application of Twenty Three Hundred LLC for a building permit to construct an accessory structure to an existing nonconforming multi-family building at 2218 EAST GRACE STREET. BZA 22-2021: An application of Site Works, Inc for a building permit to construct an addition and convert an existing print shop into a single-family detached dwelling at 2 NORTH BRUNSWICK STREET.
Va. legalized it, but those in prison on marijuana charges will stay there 105 1/2 E. Clay St. (office) Richmond, VA 23219 804-644-1550 (office) - 1-800-782-8062 (fax) ads@legacynewspaper.com
BZA 23-2021: An application of Jennifer Nedeff for a building permit to construct an accessory structure to an existing single-family detached dwelling at 8075 ARLINGTON DRIVE. BZA 24-2021: An application of Stanley B. and Jessica A. Czajkowski for a building permit to demolish an existing first floor covered open porch and construct a two-story addition to a single-family detached dwelling at 511 ST CHRISTOPHERS ROAD.
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BZA 25-2021: An application of Rosalyn C. Braxton for a building permit to construct a new singlefamily detached dwelling at 1712 4th AVENUE.
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BZA 26-2021: An application of Percussion and Construction LLC for a lot split and building permit to construct a new single-family detached dwelling at 1718 NORTH 29th STREET. BZA 27-2021: An application of K C Enterprises of VA LLC for a lot split and building permits to construct two new single-family detached dwellings at 3015 GARLAND AVENUE. BZA 28-2021: An application of KDZ REALTY LLC for a lot split and building permit to construct a new single-family detached dwelling at 5308 PARKER STREET. BZA 29-2021: An application of Ronald Nixon for a building permit to convert two (2) existing first floor commercial spaces into two (2) dwelling units at 1322 & 1324 WEST MAIN STREET. BZA 30-2021: An application of Danielle Antonacci for a lot split and building permit to construct a new single-family detached dwelling at 508 ARNOLD AVENUE. The case plans and agenda will be made available on the City’s legislative website not later than April 14, 2021: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx The public may listen to the Microsoft Teams electronic meeting and offer comment by calling 804-316-9457 and when prompted entering code 741 815 968#. For video access by computer, smart phone or tablet visit https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Select the Board of Zoning Appeals drop-down and 2021 drop-down, click meeting details for May 5, 2021 meeting and then click video access. In the event you have difficulty accessing a public hearing you may contact Mr. William Davidson at 804-396-5350 or by email at William.Davidson@richmondgov.com for assistance. In accordance with Ordinance No. 2020-232, please be advised that an inability to access one of the enumerated public hearing through video means shall not be considered a prerequisite for participating in the subject public hearing. In order to ensure your participation it will be necessary for you to call in at 1 PM and stay on the line until such time as your case is called. Please be advised that the Board of Zoning Appeals Rules of Procedure provides that in the case of an application for a variance or a special exception, the applicant, proponents or persons aggrieved under §15.2-2314 of the Code of Virginia, in that order shall be permitted a total of six (6) minutes each to present their case. For this reason the Board respectfully requests that you be as brief as possible in your comments when your case is called by the Chairman to allow other individuals the opportunity to participate. For the purposes of the record it is also requested that before addressing the Board you identify yourself and spell your name. The public may offer comments in advance of the scheduled electronic meeting by directing them to the email address listed below and the subject comments will be made available to the Board Members prior to the electronic meeting. Roy W. Benbow, Secretary Phone: (804) 240-2124 Fax: (804) 646-5789 E-mail: Roy.Benbow@richmondgov.com
1 Issue(s) - April 28 - $316.80 Includes Internet placement Please review the proof, make any needed changes and return by fax or e-mail. If your response is not received by deadline, your ad may not be inserted. Ok X_________________________________________ Gov. Ralph Northam signed legislation legalizing marijuana in Ok with changes X _____________________________ Virginia at a ceremony on Wednesday. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) were unable to reach an agreement onisresentencing REMINDER: Deadline Fridays @ 5 p.m.due to the complexity of the issue combined VM - Marijuana will be legal to with last-minute nature of the possess and grow in Virginia on amendments that sped legalization July 1, but people serving jail and to this summer. prison sentences related to the Some, including Lucas, also drug will remain behind bars under doubted Democrats would have been legislation passed by the General able to muster the votes to pass the Assembly earlier this month. measure this year. The party holds Lawmakers had considered a with a 10-seat majority in the including a provision that would House but just a 21-19 advantage in have granted resentencing hearings the Senate. to people incarcerated on certain Virginia’s legalization bill marijuana charges, but the followed a long and winding path language didn’t make it in the final through the General Assembly, bill — an outcome some lawmakers nearly failing in the final days and advocates are calling a of the legislative session amid disappointment. disagreement between the House “That was urgent to me, because and Senate. The compromise the now we’re going to be in a situation two chambers finally passed was where you’ve got people still sitting widely panned for delaying the end in jail for the very thing that we’ve of prohibition until 2024, when already legalized,” said Sen. Louise retail sales would begin. Lucas, D-Portsmouth, who coNortham responded by sending the sponsored the legislation. “It makes legislation back to lawmakers with no sense to me.” amendments that sped legalization Democrats who worked on the of simple possession to this summer legislation, which lawmakers celebrated with a recent ceremonial (continued on page 6) bill signing, said last week they NED OLIVER
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4 • April 28, 2021
Op/Ed & Letters African American clergy leaders and other community leaders on March 9, 2021 sent an urgent letter of concern to The Honorable Vincent C. Gray, DC Ward 7 City Councilmember and former Mayor of Washington, D.C. I consider Vincent Gray a friend that I have admired over the past years. The ministers expressed their strong objection to an effort that Councilmember Gray is leading to terminate the contract of the service provider currently running the short-term housing program at The Horizon in Ward 7. As the letter points out, that program has been delivering
“What Will You Do unto the Least of These?” DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS, JR. NNPA- If it were not for the Black Church in America, our long struggle for freedom, justice, equality, equity, and empowerment would not have made the progress that has been accomplished over the past 500 to 400 years. I speak in the tradition of my Presbyterian great-great grandfather, The Rev. John Chavis (1763-1838) in North Carolina and The Reverend Nat Turner (1800-1831) in Virginia. Depending on when you define the beginning of the international Transatlantic Slave Trade will give you a deeper insight on why the religious, political, and historical perspectives of people of African descent still matter in the United States and across the African Diaspora in 2021. The LEGACY NEWSPAPER Vol. 7 No. 17 Mailing Address P.O. Box 12474 Richmond, VA 23241 Office Address 105 1/2 E. Clay St. Richmond, VA 23219 Call: 804-644-1550 Online www.legacynewspaper.com
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in his theological genius, courage, and prophetic utterances, challenged all of us when he clearly stated, “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Black church leaders uphold the tradition of speaking truth to power. It is, therefore, a reaffirmation of my faith in the oneness of God and the oneness of humanity that I must join to publicly support my African American clergy leaders in Washington, DC and across the nation who dare to remind even some of our own local African American elected officials that we all should stand for helping those among us who are less fortunate, poor, homeless, malnourished, imprisoned, returning-from-prison, and destitute. To that end, a group of distinguished The LEGACY welcomes all signed letters and all respectful opinions. Letter writers and columnists opinions are their own and endorsements of their views by The LEGACY should be inferred. The LEGACY assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Annual Subscription Rates Virginia - $50 Other states - $75 Outside U.S.- $100 The Virginia Legacy © 2020
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an essential service to families in desperation and facing homelessness. And the social service provider that the city entrusted to provide this essential service, CORE DC, has been lauded by city officials as a dedicated and ideal partner. It is therefore troubling that anyone would want to end this, particularly since the program is a bedrock of stability for those most in need, as well as a transformative centerpiece of Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s effective fight against poverty in the nation’s capital city. The ministers argue that
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P.T. Hoffsteader, Esq.
April 28, 2021 • 5
(from page 4) Councilmember Gray’s effort has nothing to do with the exemplary services CORE DC continues to provide. Instead, the ministers say this is all driven by Councilmember Gray’s opposition to a completely unrelated project involving the federal government’s plan to contract CORE DC to provide critically needed reentry services for men returning home from periods of incarceration in federal prison. We hope that is not, in fact, what’s unfolding, particularly at a time when a pandemic has exacerbated the desperation of individuals who are on the economic margins of society, but the ministers are nevertheless adamant in their plea.
“The effort to dismantle this program is troubling enough on its own,” the ministers write. “But it is even worse in light of the fact that you have openly – and at times inexplicably – taken a hostile stance against CORE DC regarding the organization’s plans to open another facility in Ward 7, a residential reentry center for returning citizens.” I am hopeful and prayerful that Councilmember Gray will respond affirmatively and will heed the requests of church and community leaders to support CORE DC and The Horizon residential facilities in Ward 7 to continue to offer critical needed services to DC’s homeless and those returning citizens from prisons and jails. There will always be political
differences among elected officials. Yet, differences of opinion about public policies among elected officials should never rise to the occasion to permit a turning of backs on the poor and the homeless. In other words, those who are privileged to make decisions that will impact the quality of life of others should always be concerned about the least of those among us. All of the major metropolitan areas in the United States are facing the challenges of homelessness and poverty. While we live in the richest nation in the world, we cannot afford to lose sight of our mutual civic and moral responsibilities to be our “brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.” The following biblical scripture reference should apply to all urban
public policymakers: “What you do unto the least of these, you do also unto me.” That is why I use the term “prophetic politics” as the act of political decision-making as a reaffirmation and practice of one’s faith and commitment to serve all of humankind fairly and justly. The Black Press of America grew out of the Black Church 194 years ago with the publication of Freedom’s Journal in New York City in 1827 by John Russwurm and The Reverend Samuel Cornish. We knew back then as we know today that we must continue “to plead our own cause” to demand freedom and equality. This also means that we are obligated to plead with each other to treat one another fairly and equitably as well.
6 • April 28, 2021
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(from page 1) Chesterfield from John Tyler Community College to the Food Lion off Chippenham Parkway. The route surpassed ridership expectations despite being launched during the pandemic, according to the annual report. GRTC also will receive additional funding from the newly established Central Virginia Transit Authority. The entity will provide dedicated transportation funding for Richmond and eight other localities. The authority will draw money from a regional sales and use tax, as well as a gasoline and diesel fuel tax. GRTC is projected to receive $20 million in funds from the authority in fiscal year 2021. The next fiscal year it receives $28 million and funding will reach $30 million by fiscal year 2026. These funds cannot be used to assist in zero fare operation, Timm said. Almost 350,000 riders boarded the
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority buses per day on average in 2019, which includes passengers in Northern Virginia. That number dipped to 91,000 average daily boardings in 2020, according to Metro statistics. Metro’s $4.7 billion budget will maintain service at 80-85 percent of pre-pandemic levels, according to a Metro press release. Federal relief funds totaling almost $723 million filled Metro’s funding gap due to low ridership. “The impact of the pandemic on ridership and revenue forced us to consider drastic cuts that would have been necessary absent federal relief funding,” stated Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “Thankfully, the American Rescue Plan Act has provided a lifeline for Metro to serve customers and support the region’s economic recovery.” Hampton Roads Transit buses served 10.7 million people in 2019 and 6.2
million people in 2020. The decline has carried into 2021. Almost 1.6 million passengers took HRT transit buses in January and February 2020 and just over 815,000 have in 2021, resulting in a nearly 50 percent decrease. HRT spokesperson Tom Holden said he can’t explain why HRT bus services saw a higher drop off than GRTC buses. “We had a substantial decline in boardings in all our modes of Julie Timm transportation just as every transit agency in the U.S. did,” Holden said. HRT operated with a zero fare system from April 10 to July 1, 2020. Ridership had a slight uptick from April to October, aside from an August dip. Fares for all HRT transit services were budgeted for 14.2 percent of HRT’s revenue for Fiscal Year 2020. “We are hopeful that with vaccinations becoming more widespread, the overall economy will begin to recover, and we’ll see rates increase,” Holden said.
(from page 2) and will allow people to grow up to four marijuana plants per household. And while sales remain illegal until the regulated marketplace opens in 2024, his amendments significantly relaxed some criminal penalties surrounding the drug. People caught with more than the permitted ounce of marijuana but less than a pound will face a $25 civil infraction, an amount that under current law is subject to felony penalties. People caught growing large numbers of plants will also face significantly lighter penalties, which range from a $25 fine to a misdemeanor, with felony penalties kicking in only for people caught growing 50 or more plants. It’s unclear how many people are currently imprisoned on marijuana charges who would have faced lesser penalties under the new law, but data compiled by the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission suggests the number is not insignificant. Over a two-year period ending July 1, 2020, just over 1,000 people were charged with distribution of more than a half ounce and less than five pounds of marijuana — a charge that is often brought based on possession of large amounts of marijuana, which will soon be subject only to minor penalties. Of those 1,000 charges, half were sentenced to jail, serving a median sentence of three months. Another 17.5 percent were sentenced to prison, serving a median sentence of 1.7 years. During the same time period, 40 people were charged with growing large amounts of marijuana. Half were given sixmonth jail sentences, but 7.5 percent were sentenced to a median of 10 years in prison. Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Farifax, and Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, both made a last-minute push to include resentencing provisions in the bill when it became clear Northam planned to hand down amendments moving legalization up to this summer. But at that point, they said it was too late. Read the conclusion at legacynewspaper.com
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