Richmond Free Press May 13-15, 2021 edition

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Remembering Coach Leroy ‘Bo’ Jones B3

VOTE A6, a8

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MAY 13-15, 2021

She’s No. 1

Richmond sheriff’s race STEM teacher Ashley Bland surprised as RPS Teacher of the Year heats up

By Ronald E. Carrington

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Friday was a festive day in Richmond’s West End with the sounds of the 1965 hit “Dancing in the Street” by Martha and the Vandellas playing as news crews began setting up in front of John B. Cary Elementary School.

Unbeknownst to a petite woman rounding the front of the school, Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Richmond

four schools were built.

Like Ms. Gibson, Mr. Young has advocated for a return to school control since 2017, happily joining a majority of School Board members who voted 5-4 to restore that tradition. He is now helping to lead the push to get the school administration to bring on several new employees, including a director of construction and a project manager, to keep the George Wythe project on track for completion in August 2024.

He said the uproar over the board’s decision has missed the point. He said the easiest part is to issue a request for an architectural firm.

Sheriff Antionette V. Irving wants voters to re-elect her to a second four-year term based on her track record operating the Richmond City Justice Center and handling other duties of the office.

However, her challenger in the June 8 Democratic primary, William J. Burnett, who once ran the jail’s day-to-day operations, alleges that the incumbent has wasted millions of dollars, has left the jail understaffed and created unsafe conditions for deputies and inmates.

Now it is up to city voters to decide whether the 56-yearold incumbent or her 53-yearold opponent will get the job that carries a salary Sheriff Irving of about $150,000 a year.

Early voting already is underway in the p a r t y ’s nominatMr. Burnett ing contest that will culminate in less than 30 days, with the winner virtually assured of victory in the Nov. 2 general election to take on the duties of the office on Jan. 1.

Those duties include handling a budget of more than $40 million a year, supervising hundreds of deputies, managing the jail, providing security in city courts, handling evictions and serving subpoenas and other documents in civil court cases.

Jail operations take up most of the budget and manpower assigned to the sheriff, so it is no surprise that Sheriff Irving and Mr. Burnett have put most of their emphasis on that aspect.

The sheriff has touted her success in steering the jail’s operation through the pandemic and in providing programs that help inmates overcome addiction and prepare to leave with tools that can keep them from

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Personality on B1 Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and School Board members Stephanie M. Rizzi and Jonathan M. Young were about to present her with the school district’s most coveted award — “Richmond Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year.”

Ashley S. Bland was caught by off guard as Mr. Kamras presented her with the Teacher of the Year plaque and Mayor Stoney handed her a dozen roses. School Board members and an admiring crowd apPlease turn to A4

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Ashley S. Bland is surprised last Friday with a plaque and roses presented by Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, right, and Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney. She thought she was attending a Teacher Appreciation Week event at John B. Cary Elementary School when she was surprised with the Teacher of the Year Award.

Broader vision called for in building new Wythe H.S.

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

How many new high school seats does Richmond need now and how many will it need in 20 years?

What will instruction look like two decades from now and will the design of the new George Wythe High School accommodate any changes?

Should other public services like a library or a health clinic be located at the new building?

These are among the more complex questions that 4th District School Board member Mr. Young Jonathan M. Young sees as unresolved amid the battle over who is to develop the new building — the Richmond School Board or City Hall.

In an interview with the Free Press, Mr. Young said this is the time to start answering such questions rather racing to build an expensive replacement for the decaying, 61-year-old structure that ultimately could lead to regrets down the road.

George Wythe High School

He said such questions are the reason he believes Richmond Public Schools needs to take charge of the development process, despite sharp criticism from Mayor Levar M. Stoney and some City Council members who believe construction of the new school would move more swiftly if the city controlled the process.

In mid-April, as City Hall prepared to issue a request for proposals for a firm to design a new, 2,000-seat George Wythe building, 3rd District School Board member Kenya Gibson proposed a resolution to restore construction control to the School Board, which had been the norm for 140 years in Richmond until the city insisted on taking control in 2010 when

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Free COVID-19 testing Free community testing for COVID-19 continues.

The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Thursday, May 13, 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Henrico Health Department, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave., Eastern Henrico.

Drive-thru testing.

• Thursday, May 20, 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Henrico Health Department, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave., Eastern Henrico.

Drive-thru testing.

Appointments are encouraged by calling the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by registering online at https://bit.ly/RHHDCOVID. Testing will be offered while test supplies last.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov/ coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine?

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Me and my shadow Daphne Lions, 6, mirrors dance techniques taught last Saturday by her instructor, Cynthia Thomas Rustin, owner and operator of World Fitness Dance Academy in Glen Allen. As part of COVID-19 safety protocol, dance students wear masks, have their temperatures taken, wash their hands and feet and stay socially distanced.

The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering walk-up COVID-19 vaccines to any vaccine-eligible person at a vaccination event. Appointments are not required, but individuals can schedule an appointment online at vax.rchd. com or by calling (804) 205-3501.

VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday authorized

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Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

David Carter, 49, an employee of the Richmond Department of Public Works, receives the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine May 5 during a walk-up vaccination clinic held at George Wythe High School by the Richmond and Henrico health districts. No appointments are needed for the health districts’ clinics. The school at 4314 Crutchfield St. in South Richmond will be among several sites offering inoculations during the coming days. The next vaccine clinics at George Wythe will be noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, and 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 19. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available, along with the twodose Pfizer vaccine.

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Richmond Free Press

May 13-15, 2021

Local News

Richmond Flying Squirrels to host job fair May 13 The Richmond Flying Squirrels are hosting a job fair from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.

The baseball operation is looking for part-time workers for ticket sales, grounds crew for the ballpark, daytime retail associates and food and beverage workers, including concession stand cashiers, line and fry cooks, dishwashers, food runners, stock crew and banquet servers and suite attendants.

“In order to serve the increased anticipated crowds as the summer goes on, we are in need of more part-time employees to help us make positive memories with our fan base,” said Todd “Parney” Parnell, Flying Squirrels CEO. “The Squirrels are a family and The Diamond is a unique, fun place to work. We hope that many folks will visit our job fair on Thursday and join the Squirrels family as we continue to help the community heal from the pandemic.”

Candidates are asked to enter the stadium through the main gates next to Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

Job seekers also may fill out a candidate information form at https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/ weqeen13adcpnlwrllxc.pdf and email it to staffing@squirrelsbaseball.com

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

New city appointments announced Mayor Levar M. Stoney has named four women and a man to fill key roles in the administration.

Among the appointees is Sherrill Hampton, a 25-year veteran of affordable housing and community development. She has been named director of the city Department of Housing and Community Development. She most recently worked on housing issues in Charlotte, N.C. Dianne Wilmore, community service manager at the Richmond Public Library’s North Avenue Branch, also will double as the city’s homeless liaison, the mayor stated.

The mayor made the appointments amid a heightened city focus on developing affordable housing and dealing with homelessness in the wake of the pandemic.

He also made permanent the appointments for two women who have been interim directors, Sheila D. White in the city Department of Finance and Mona Adkins-Easley in the city Department of Human Resources.

Ms. White, a certified public accountant who had been senior deputy director of finance, was named interim director of the department in February following the departure of John B. Wack to a post with Henrico County Public Schools.

Ms. Adkins-Easley was named interim HR director in 2019.

The mayor also promoted Jason P. May to interim director of the city Office of Budget & Strategic Planning following the departure of Dr. Jay Brown. Dr. Brown, who had been the city’s budget director for seven years, is going to Hanover County to serve as a deputy county administrator.

Mr. May has been deputy director of the office since 2019.

Street conditions improving with paving, pothole repair The condition of city streets is improving as more paving is done and the number of reported potholes has fallen sharply.

Meanwhile, the city’s 260 miles of alleys are on track to receive a facelift every two years and a significant expansion of work on sidewalks is to carve deeply into the nearly six-year backlog of requests for repairs and improvement.

Bobby Vincent, city director of Public Works, offered that positive assessment Monday in presenting to City Council the annual report on streets and sidewalks.

On streets, the city is still years away from having streets in good condition, but it is gaining on that goal, he told council.

When the current fiscal year ends June 30, Richmond will have invested about $20 million to resurface 302 lane miles, or 11.5 percent of the 2,626 lane miles in the city, Mr. Vincent reported.

He added that DPW also will have installed 800 wheelchair curb cuts and ramps to pedestrian crossings. He said resurfacing took place in 62 places across the nine council districts.

In the new fiscal year that begins July 1, his department will have $16.5 million to invest, he told the council. He said the department plans to resurface 230 more lane miles, or 8.7 percent of the city’s lane miles, and install another 600 curb cuts.

According to a chart he presented, the condition of the pavement on more than 50 percent of city streets remains in fair to poor condition. In fiscal 2018-19, only 35 percent of streets were rated in good or very condition. Two years later, after an investment of $20 million each year, his chart showed 47 percent of streets are rated good to very good.

If the level of investment continues, Mr. Vincent estimates that more than 50 percent of streets with pavement will be rated good to very good at the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year, and more than 80 percent of the pavement will be in good to fair condition by June 30, 2027.

He noted that Richmond’s street paving is benefiting from new funding from increased gas and sales taxes flowing through the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, along with funding from the state and from the city Department of Public Utilities, which pays to restore streets it digs up.

The increased paving has reduced potholes, Mr. Vincent said.

He reported that the department has had to fill 2,864 potholes so far in 2021, a reduction of 68 percent from the 8,956 potholes that needed to be filled during the first five months last year.

Mr. Vincent also reported that Richmond is on track to grade and improve about half the alley mileage by June 30.

He also reported that DPW plans is now hiring 30 people to expand the number of sidewalk crews from two to eight and is budgeted to invest $2.4 million in sidewalk work in 2021-22 fiscal year.

He said the multiple projects should cut responses to requests for improvements to existing sidewalks to less than two years.

— JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

These gates reflect City Hall’s new policy of shutting down traffic entry into Byrd Park on weekends. Adding to previous closures, the city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is barring vehicles at this entry from Arthur Ashe Boulevard onto Paddle Boat Lane.

Gates also bar traffic at South Robinson Street at Boat Lake Drive and at Lakeview Avenue at South Robinson Street. The weekend gate closings began May 1. The department’s notice states the gates will be closed until further notice, noting that parking is available at Grant and South Sheppard streets. In April 2020 amid the pandemic, the department began limiting weekend traffic into the popular West End park by blocking entry at Strollers Lane, Westover Road and Trafford Road. Those closures remain in effect.

City doesn’t own Confederate monument at South Richmond courthouse

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The City of Richmond has never owned the massive Confederate stone monument that sits outside the South Side courthouse named for Richmond’s first Black mayor, Henry L. Marsh III, and his brother, Harold M. Marsh Sr. Digging in city records, Michael Sarahan, a city resident who is pushing for removal of the marker that pays tribute to the Confederate Elliott Grays and Manchester Artillery, turned up the May 14, 1935, resolution of approval.

At the time, the city had a bicameral government comprised of a City Council and Board of Alderman.

The joint resolution of both bodies authorizes the Elliott Grays Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to install the marker on what then was called Washington Square at its “own cost and expense,” with the city to pay for the foundation.

Free Press staff, wire report

Monday, May 17.

That’s the deadline for Virginians to file their federal and state income taxes for the year 2020.

The Internal Revenue Service extended the deadline this year for individual federal tax returns from the typical April 15 deadline to May 17 because of the coronavirus pandemic, giving most Americans an extra month to file.

The state of Virginia then extended its typical May 1 deadline to match the May 17 IRS deadline.

State and federal officials are encouraging taxpayers to file electronically and request refunds via direct deposit. Virginia officials said it usually takes up to four weeks to process an electronically-filed return, and up to eight weeks to process a paper return. But because of COVID-19 protocols this year, it likely will take even longer for a paper return to move through the system, state officials said.

Individuals must file a tax return to claim any refund they are owed.

Through April 30, the IRS has received more than 121 million individual tax returns and processed more than 110 million. So far, the agency has sent out more than 81 million tax refunds to Americans with an average check of $2,865.

Here are a few items to know before filing 2020 taxes: • Stimulus payments: The two rounds of stimulus payments sent to millions of Americas are not taxable income. But people who did not get their payments, or received less than they were due, can get the proper amount by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 taxes.

As a reminder, the first round of payments was worth up to $1,200 per eligible

However, the resolution does not include any language stating the city would take possession, meaning the Confederate monument still belongs to the UDC chapter.

A former lawyer on the staff of the City Attorney’s office, Mr. Sarahan said that City Council likely would need to rescind the permission to display the monument at the courthouse and request that the UDC chapter remove it.

He said he is distributing copies of the resolution to council members and hopes one member will take action.

Jim Nolan, press secretary to Mayor Levar M. Stoney, confirmed that the marker is not registered in the city’s inventory of Confederate items.

He said that both state and city laws lay out a process for disposal of Confederate markers.

“I don’t see any reason why the administration and the council would not support such a course of action,” Mr. Nolan said

Tax time

adult and $500 per dependent. The second round was worth up to $600 for each eligible household member. Those who received a larger economic impact payment than they were due will not be penalized.

• Unemployment: The American Rescue Plan made some tax changes in this area. For the millions of Americans who lost jobs due to COVID-19, the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits is now exempt from federal taxes for those with income under $150,000. The exemption is $20,400 for a couple with the same income.

Parents also need to file a 2020 tax return to make sure that the IRS has accurate information for them to claim the enhanced child tax credit, which is scheduled to begin monthly payments in July.

• Home office: Working from home became the norm for many in 2020, but few will be able to claim their expenses for their new home office setup. That’s because the home-office deduction can only be taken by businesses or the self-employed. Employees can no longer claim any unreimbursed expenses following the last tax overhaul.

To properly claim a home office, it must be used “exclusively and regularly” as the principal place of business, said Lisa GreeneLewis, a CPA and tax expert at TurboTax. That means the table where kids do their homework, the family eats dinner and you do your work does not count.

Side note: It won’t affect your federal taxes but if you relocated to a different state during the pandemic, you may owe state taxes in more than one location.

• Tax credits: Congress put a temporary “lookback” provision in place for this tax season that could help many low and moderate income households.

The provision allows taxpayers to use either their 2019 or 2020 income when claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or

about the statue’s removal. “We have been clear that we are prepared to remove symbols of the Confederacy” from city property.

Separately, Monday night, City Council approved a procedure for disposing of the city-owned Confederate statues that were taken down last year. An administrationcouncil committee is to present recommendations for disposal, though no date for doing so has been set.

Joyce L. Davis, the council’s interim chief of staff, also notified the governing body that the city Commission of Architectural Review, which is an arm of the city Planning Commission, begins consideration of the fate of the statues’ pedestals on Tuesday, May 25.

A second arm of the Planning Commission, the Urban Design Committee, is to consider the pedestal question on Thursday, June 10, and the issue will be on the Planning Commission’s agenda on Monday, June 21, she said.

Child Tax Credit. The eligibility and size of these credits vary based on household size and income. In general, the less earned, the larger the credit.

However, rampant unemployment put some families at risk of missing out or getting a smaller credit as unemployment is not considered “earned income” in the eyes of the IRS. In response, lawmakers are allowing taxpayers to pick which year’s income would yield the greatest benefit.

• Gig work: If you jumped into gig work, like many did during 2020, be ready. A big shock may be facing you with the selfemployment tax rate, which for 2020 is 15.3 percent on the first $137,700 of net income to cover Social Security and Medicare tax.

This is not the same as income tax.

One way to help offset this strain is to make sure to claim all your expenses, said Ms. Greene-Lewis. This includes supplies, advertising or marketing startup costs, or any equipment or dedicated home office.

• Charity: One bright spot for the year is a new, temporary deduction for charitable donations.

Taxpayers can deduct up to $300 for cash donations given to charity even if they don’t itemize their deductions. The IRS estimates that about nine in 10 taxpayers now take the standard deduction instead of itemizing.

• Penalties and extensions: Taxpayers can accrue penalties and interest for failing to file a federal return and they owe the IRS money, or for failing to pay the entire amount due.

The deadline for payment is May 17 regardless of whether an individual files an extension.

To get a federal extension, you must submit form 4868 to the IRS. You then have until Oct. 15 to file.

RPS launches community conversations May 15 about school reopening

By Ronald E. Carrington

Richmond Public Schools is partnering with local businesses, churches and nonprofits to host community conversations to prepare families for city schools reopening for in-person learning.

The series of community meetings kicks off noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Ms. Girlee’s Kitchen, 4809 Parker St. in Fulton and at Sugar’s Crab Shack, 2224 Chamberlayne Ave. in North Side.

RPS staff will provide up-to-date information on school reopening, connect families to resources and listen

and provide answers to community questions and concerns.

Dates, times and locations for future community conversations: • Friday, May 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Big Herm’s Kitchen, 315 N. 2nd St. in Downtown.

• Friday, May 28, 3 to 5 p.m., Nomad Deli, 207 W. Brookland Park Blvd. in North Side.

Owners of all the participating restaurants are RPS graduates or have ties to city schools.

“My family has a long history in Richmond and I am a product of Richmond Public Schools,” said Neverett A. Eggleston III, owner of Sugar’s

Crab Shack.

“I graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Anything that I can do to help RPS and the families they serve, I am for it,” he said.

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, RPS students have had virtual instruction. Schools are to reopen in the fall for in-person learning.

“As RPS prepares for ReopenWithLove2.0, it is so important district representatives and support organizations are close to families we most aim to serve,” said Dr. Shadae Harris, chief engagement officer for RPS. “We are so fortunate to have amazing community partners who continue

to open up their doors, resources and hearts to our students and families to partner with us in this work.”

RPS also is engaging with families through community walks, home visits and mobile conversations that will continue throughout the summer. The walks will allow for conversations with families about what they need from RPS, officials said.

The walk schedule:

South Side 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 15, Woodland Crossing Leasing Office, 3465 Walmsley Blvd.

4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20, Southwood Apar tments, 4602 B Southwood Pkwy.

9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, Southwood Apar tments, 4602 B Southwood Pkwy.

West End 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, Randolph Community Center, 1415 Grayland Ave. North Side 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, Lincoln Mews Apartments, 4101 North Ave. East End 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St. 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 27, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St. Details: www.rvaschools.net/walks

Richmond Free Press

May 13-15, 2021 A3

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Richmond Free Press

A4 May 13-15, 2021

News

Ashley Bland surprised as RPS Teacher of the Year Continued from A1

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Ashley Bland pauses for a photo with John B. Cary’s Principal Michael Powell and the school mascot following the announcement.

Richmond sheriff’s race heats up Continued from A1

coming back.

“I believe we have done a really good job of ensuring the residents have been given the preparation and training they need to go home to be productive citizens,” Sheriff Irving said.

She rose to the rank of major during her 26 years of service with the Henrico County Sheriff’s Department and took over in Richmond after defeating former Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. in the 2017 Democratic primary election and knocking off two independents and a write-in candidate in the November 2017 general election.

Sheriff Irving said that through partnerships, the jail is connecting jail residents with housing and other services when they leave and helping them gain certification in various trades, including as forklift operators, painters and carpenters. She said the jail has 250 programs to improve the health and the education of inmates to help them avoid a return.

She also said that her office has been hit with fewer lawsuits since she took office.

Mr. Burnett, a former police officer who ran the jail during Sheriff Woody’s 12-year tenure, is promoting positive changes he wants to introduce if elected, such as creating a civilian oversight board and starting a Sheriff’s Department Athletic League to reach city youths before they get into trouble. He has spent much of his campaign expressing concern about jail operations to show Sheriff Irving is painting a false picture of jail conditions.

He insists that “the jail is out of control. I’m not just saying this because I am running for the office. I am saying it because it is true.”

He said there are at least 110 deputy vacancies, forcing the sheriff to use mandatory overtime to provide even minimal coverage at the jail. He said the overtime policy has not helped ease safety threats, citing an inmate assault May 6 that sent two deputies to the hospital for treatment.

Sheriff Irving rejects the allegations. She said the jail has continued to pass state inspections since she took office.

She acknowledged that there are staffing issues, but she said other jails are experiencing the same problems. She said she keeps losing people because the city Sheriff’s Office no longer can pay competitive wages. She said those who get a job in a neighboring jurisdiction immediately start making $6,000 to $8,000 more a year than she can offer. Mandatory overtime is one of the few tools she has to fill empty slots, she said.

“It’s not about the money. If it was about the money, me and a lot of people would have left years ago,” said a former jail supervisor, one of three former jail employees who have left since early April and who spoke with the Free Press on the condition of anonymity.

Instead of supervising 12 to 13 people on the night shift, the former supervisor felt fortunate to have seven respond to roll call and often had only five deputies to cover several floors and multiple pods or cellblocks.

“There are 29 pods in the building, and some nights up to 15 did not have a deputy on the floor. The inmates could do what they wanted to,” the former supervisor said. “In most cases, there was no one to respond if a fight broke out.”

The former supervisor decided to quit after watching two inmates drag a third person to the shower to revive him. “I realized someone could get killed on my watch, and I was going to get the blame even though there was nothing I could do about it.”

While published reports Sheriff Irving has submitted to the state indicate assaults are rare, Mr. Burnett and others have said the data does not reflect assaults that do not result in court charges.

The former supervisor said, and the two other former employees confirmed, that assaults on deputies have increased. “It’s happening almost weekly,” the former supervisor said. “Deputies have been spat on, had hot water thrown on them. They have had bleach thrown in their face. One had his nose broken,” the former supervisor said. “Deputies have been hit with sticks, punched and knocked down. When I started eight years ago, it happened hardly never.”

According to a deputy who had spent more than 12 years at the jail before quitting last month, “It is just too dangerous.

My job is to protect people. And with so few people, I couldn’t anymore. I felt helpless.”

A former lieutenant, who was supervising at least 30 deputies on a shift six years ago, said he regularly had only 10 deputies reporting for duty before he left in April.

“You can’t do this job with so few people,” he said. “It left the inmates in control. I just felt it was unsafe, and I didn’t want to be part of it.”

Mr. Burnett also claims that most of the programs Sheriff Irving publicly talks about are not functioning.

The sheriff provided a long list of jail programs to the Free Press. However neither she nor her staff responded to a followup request for information on the number of inmates enrolled in each and the success rate.

It also is unclear whether programs continued to operate during the pandemic.

plauded with appreciation as news cameras rolled.

The award was the highlight of Teacher Appreciation Week celebrated throughout RPS. “Ashley is an incredible teacher who works incredibly hard to make sure students of color are represented in the science, technology, engineering and math or STEM fields,” Mr. Kamras said, as he congratulated her. “She has been phenomenal during this virtual year, making sure teachers and students were successful.”

“It’s so unbelievable,” Ms. Bland responded, shocked and excited by the surprise. “This is the best year to represent my colleagues, RPS and our entire year of virtual learning.”

Ms. Bland, who has been teaching since 2015, is an instructional technology resource teacher working with students at three different

schools, John B. Cary Elementary, Mary Scott Preschool and Binford Middle School. In that role, her charge is to contribute to the knowledge and skills needed to create a culture where technology enhances engagement, instruction and learning in unique and powerful ways.

At Cary Elementary, Ms. Bland has partnerships with different organizations, including Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering, to ensure that students are exposed to STEM careers.

“There is also an eco campus so students will discover and realize the science and math around them,” Ms. Bland said. “It’s exposure to the big life in the world.”

Ms. Bland began her teaching career after completing the Richmond Teacher Residency program through Virginia Commonwealth University that prepares undergraduate students for careers in the classroom, as well as seasoned

professionals looking for a career change.

Ms. Bland’s first role in education was as a middle school math teacher.

“Ms. Bland is the type of role model the city wants for young people in the various STEM fields of science and technology,” Mayor Stoney said following the ceremony.

“It is my hope and belief that Ms. Bland has inspired some young person to go down that STEM path. At the end of the day, it is all about producing the best and the brightest in the city of Richmond. That is what she is doing in her career at RPS.” Ms. Bland said she wants the community to know that she works with many dynamic educators and scholars doing many dynamic things.

“Richmond Public Schools is a tremendous place,” she said. “I love being here.”

Free COVID-19 testing Continued from A1 the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 and up.

Upcoming Richmond and Henrico vaccine clinics: • Thursday, May 13: 9 to 11a.m., Trinity Baptist Church, 2811 Fendall Ave., Moderna; 2 to 3 p.m., Fairfield Resource Center, 2506 Phaup St., Moderna • Friday, May 14, 11a.m. to 3 p.m., Virginia Union University, 1359 W. Graham Road, Pfizer • Tuesday, May 18, noon to 5 p.m., George Wythe High School, 4314 Crutchfield St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson • Wednesday, May 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Richmond International Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Pfizer ; 9 a.m. to noon, Peter Paul Development Center ,1708 N. 22nd St., Moderna; 3 to 6 p.m., George Wythe High School, 4314 Crutchfield St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson • Thursday, May 20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Richmond International Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Pfizer • Friday, May 21, 11a.m. to 3 p.m., Virginia Union University, 1359 W. Graham Road, Pfizer

According to state health data, 3 million people have been fully vaccinated in Virginia as of Wednesday, or about 35.9 percent of the population, while 47.4 percent of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

State officials reported 668,147 cases of COVID-19 statewide on Wednesday, along with 29,038 hospitalizations and 10,934 deaths. Virginia’s seven-day positivity rate is 3.9 percent. Last week, it was 5.3 percent.

According to state data, African-Americans comprised 22.2 percent of cases statewide and 25 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 16.5 percent of cases and 6.4 percent of deaths.

Reported COVID-19 data as of Wednesay, May 13, 2021

Richmond Henrico County Chesterfield County Hanover County

Cases 16,948 25,283 27,700 8,033

Hospitalizations Deaths 798 259 1,057 606 965 428 283 155

Broader vision called for in building new George Wythe H.S. Continued from A1

He noted that Superintendent Jason Kamras’ staff could dust off requests issued in the late 1990s when the board built four new schools or borrow a copy of a similar request for proposals from the city or a neighboring jurisdiction and update it with information specific to George Wythe.

“We have an 11-member procurement staff, and I am sure they can handle issuing what amounts to a 14-page document,” he said.

But first, he said, the board needs to decide if George Wythe needs 2,000 seats as proposed and whose projected cost the city now believes would be around $140 million, or whether a 1,500-seat school would suffice.

“The proposal for a 2,000-seat George Wythe goes back to 2015 and the Option 5 school facilities plan, which included closing at least one of the North Side high schools that is underused,” he said.

He said Richmond has added 26,000 residents in the past 10 years but has yet to see any impact on middle school and high school numbers. At best, he said, middle and high school enrollment has been stagnant for years, leaving several thousand vacant seats in Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall and Armstrong high schools.

Even Richmond Community High School

occupies a space that has 450 more seats than it needs.

“We may not need a 2,000-seat high school at this point if the board is not inclined to close one of the underused high schools across the river,” Mr. Young said.

He said a 2,000-seat George Wythe would replace the current 1,500-seat school, meaning an additional 500 high school seats would be available in South Side where Huguenot High School already has been replaced with a new 1,400-seat high school.

Along with the projected increase at George Wythe, he noted South Side is on track to get a third high school, a 1,000-seat operation focused on career and technical education that is to open in a former tobacco factory in South Richmond that was donated to RPS by Altria in early 2017.

Mr. Young said unlike the current Richmond Technical Center in North Side at which students take one to two classes before returning to their home school, students will spend the day at the former tobacco building. That will mean 1,000 more seats will be vacated in current high schools, he said, particularly at the junior and senior grade levels.

Richmond could see robust or even explosive population growth during the next 20 years, according to a rough estimate

from Virginia Commonwealth University, but it also could see modest growth with little change in the birth rate or in high school numbers.

Mr. Young said the board also needs to consider trends in instruction that will impact teaching and the way students learn. He said progressive school districts are starting to build schools with flexible walls and other improvements the board needs to consider.

Meanwhile, he said the School Board and City Hall have not begun to discuss the question of locating services in the new building so that it could operate longer hours and be more community friendly.

For years, City Council has called for school buildings that can have multiple uses following the model that Flint, Mich., pioneered to transform their school buildings into community centers. But Richmond’s government has done little to realize that vision.

“This new George Wythe is an opportunity to make that happen,” Mr. Young said. “Instead of a school library, let’s have a new branch of the Richmond Public Library. And there are other city services that could be incorporated.

“Instead of rushing to replace one box with another box, let’s take a moment to think through what we really want from this building.”

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TO THE BRAVE

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WOMEN OF

EMS

While others run away from danger, you run toward it. You put your lives at risk, time and time again, to save our own. Every time we need you, you’re there. At VCU Health— Virginia’s only comprehensive Level I trauma center —we salute you. Thank you for all you do. We’re forever in your debt.

EMS Week: May 16- 22, 2021 To learn more about trauma care and prevention visit vcuhealth.org/trauma. © 2021 VCU Health. All rights reserved.

May 13-15, 2021 A5

Richmond Free Press

A6 May 13-15, 2021

5

Election

candidates seeking Democratic nomination for governor

By Reginald Stuart This year’s statewide political competition The state Republican Party, still licking its is in gear with a pack of candidates raising wounds from last year’s elections, held a state and spending millions of dollars during the convention May 8 during which participants pandemic to blend proven techniques with chose its candidates for Virginia’s top offices new ideas to win every eligible voter by and going into the November general election. on Election Day. As Democratic voters weigh their primary The Democratic contests, topped by a spirited options, here’s a snapshot of contenders in roster for governor, lieutenant governor and the contest for governor. All information used state attorney general, will be settled in a June for this story is based on public records and 8 Democratic Party primary election. campaign disclosures.

Ms. Carroll Foy

Delegate Carter

Lt. Gov. Fairfax

Mr. McAuliffe

Sen. McClellan

Jennifer Carroll Foy, 39, a native of Petersburg, has been making history since her childhood growing up on the poor side of Petersburg. Ms. Carroll Foy proudly touts she eats “no” for breakfast. She characterizes herself as a champion for the new generation of young progressive leaders giving voice to the “voiceless.”

Ms. Carroll Foy was raised by her grandmother, the late Mary Lee Carroll, a public health aide worker until a stroke left her a quadriplegic. At that juncture in life, Ms. Carroll Foy and her aunt scraped funds together to pay her grandmother’s mortgage and other bills.

Ms. Carroll Foy stayed focused.

In high school, she joined the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or JROTC. She saw a news report about the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996 opening the doors of the all-male, statesupported Virginia Military Institute to women. The high court’s decision helped Ms. Carroll Foy map out her vision of her desired future.

After graduating from Petersburg High School, Ms. Carroll Foy was among the first women accepted by VMI, where she earned her bachelor’s and met her future husband, classmate Jeffrey Foy, who, like her, ran track.

Ms. Carroll Foy went on to earn a master’s at Virginia State University followed by a law degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in California.

Her working life since school has been marked by achievement after achievement in the courtroom, public service and in the political world.

She upset a Republican to win election to the state House of Delegates in 2018 representing parts of Prince William and Stafford counties and worked for the successful expansion of Virginia’s Medicaid program, among other measures. Last December, having worked to help the homeless get relief during the pandemic, Ms. Carroll Foy announced she was stepping down from the legislature to focus on a run for governor.

By the end of March, she had raised $3.7 million for her campaign, including $2.3 million in cash on hand.

She has been endorsed by the mayor and vice mayor of Petersburg and several women’s rights and progressive movement organizations, including Emily’s List, the Latino rights group CASA and an emerging women’s voting group, Run Sister Run. Ms. Carroll Foy is one of two Black women seeking to win a contest that would make either the first female governor of Virginia.

Lee J. Carter, 33, an Elizabeth City, N.C., native who has represented Manassas and parts of Prince William County in the Virginia House of Delegates since January 2018, describes himself as a Democratic Socialist and “pro workers crusader.”

The Marine Corps veteran said he is “ideologically, politically and financially” an “outsider.”

His political roots are traced to a 2015 summer job on which he was hurt and a resulting encounter with the state workers’ compensation system that he described to a publication as “just horrible.” That scramble with the state over getting help prompted Delegate Carter to seek public office in which he could do more for people like him — ordinary workers down on their luck.

The “outsider” with no political connections and less campaign cash defeated GOP incumbent Jackson Miller.

Once in the legislature, Delegate Carter was appointed to several House committees—Finance, Militia, Police and Public Safety. After a rough start, Delegate Carter won approval for bills that bar prison and jail officers from strip searching minors, place a $50 cap on the amount people with diabetes must pay for their insulin as part of the state’s expanded Medicaid program and bar restaurant employers from classifying workers as ‘tipped” employees if they are not allowed to take tips.

Delegate Carter acknowledges that he is a long shot in this year’s Democratic gubernatorial contest. He describes the Democratic field as “four attorneys and me.”

Still, he’s in it to keep his issues on the discussion table, including fighting for universal health care and promptly reducing the prison population.

Delegate Carter has raised $888,843, according to election reports. He has not issued a roster of endorsements.

Justin E. Fairfax, 42, a Pittsburgh native whose family roots are traced to his enslaved ancestors in nowsprawling Fairfax County in Northern Virginia, is hoping his current post of lieutenant governor will catapult him to governor as it has for so many of his predecessors.

He is considered a political progressive, consistently supporting Democratic Gov. Northam. He has backed boosting the minimum wage to $15 an hour and advocated boosts in state spending on education.

Lt. Gov. Fairfax brings strong academic credentials — from a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a law degree from Columbia University —to his work and public service starting as an aide to Tipper Gore during the 2000 presidential campaign of her husband, then U.S. Sen. Al Gore Jr. Lt. Gov. Fairfax served as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee in 2005 and served for two years as a federal prosecutor in Alexandria, where he was deputy coordinator of the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force.

In his first bid for public office in 2013, Lt. Gov. Fairfax launched an energetic campaign for the Democratic nomination for Virginia attorney general. In a primary contest praised by observers for its style and humility, Lt. Gov. Fairfax lost by a narrow margin to Mark Herring, who is now ending his second term in that office.

Lt. Gov. Fairfax remained in politics, serving as co-chair of the 2014 re-election campaign of U.S. Sen. Mark Warner. Ready for the next challenge, he successfully joined Virginia’s emerging blue wave and won election in November 2017 as lieutenant governor on a ticket with Gov. Northam and Mr. Herring running for a second term as attorney general.

But Lt. Gov. Fairfax’s planned trajectory has not gone smoothly. In early 2018 as Gov. Northam was hit with blackface allegations that threatened to end his political career and the lieutenant governor ascending to governor, two women came forward with separate allegations that Lt. Gov. Fairfax has sexually assaulted them – one in 2000 while she and Lt. Gov. Fairfax were students at Duke University, and the other alleging she was assaulted in 2004 when they attended the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Lt. Gov. Fairfax, who was not married at the time, has insisted both encounters were consensual. Neither woman reported the alleged assaults to police at the time and no investigations have corroborated the women’s claims.

Lt. Gov. Fairfax asserts their claims were part of a “vicious and coordinated smear campaign” by friends of a potential political rival to keep him from becoming governor.

Still, Lt. Gov. Fairfax’s political polish and ascent appear to have been dampened by the allegations. His monetary pipeline and public support have scattered.

The Democratic gubernatorial contest he had hoped to competitively lead now has myriad contestants. He has raised less than $100,000 as of the end of March.

He nor his campaign have issued a strong list of election endorsements.

Terry McAuliffe, 64, is seeking to regain his role as Virginia’s governor, having served for four years from January 2014 to January 2018.

Because governors cannot succeed themselves in Virginia, Mr. McAuliffe, a household name in Virginia and in national politics since the days of President Jimmy Carter, surprised many by entering the Democratic gubernatorial race in December – others say “big footing” his way in—long after other candidates had put their hats in the ring.

A native of Syracuse, N.Y., who grew up in the Washington metro area, Mr. McAuliffe started in business at age 14 with his own driveway paving venture. He earned a bachelor’s from The Catholic University of Washington and a law degree from Georgetown University School of Law. Since a few years after law school, Mr. McAuliffe has steadily worked the front lines for Democrats statewide and for presidential candidates dating back to President Carter. The highlights of this work included former President Bill Clinton’s first bid for president.

He also was national chairman of former First Lady and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.

He was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 2001 after a hugely successful and final fundraising push for the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

Known for his high energy style and substance, Mr. McAuliffe championed direct mail and internet giving to give Democratic candidates a viability nationally and in Virginia.

As governor, Mr. McAuliffe championed restoration of voting rights for felons and began the campaign to expand Virginia’s Medicaid health program. His election appeal this year about “rebuilding a stronger, more equitable post-COVID Virginia” says he wants to “dramatically” increase teacher pay and help enhance road and highway infrastructure.

A father of five, Mr. McAuliffe has used his experience and favorability across the state to raise large sums in this gubernatorial primary contest — $9.7 million, including $8 million in cash on hand at the end of March.

He has already raised more campaign funds for a statewide campaign than all of his opponents combined.

Mr. McAuliffe has a large contingent of backers, including Gov. Ralph S. Northam, who broke with tradition and declared his support for Mr. McAuliffe ahead of the primary.

His list of supporters names several members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, including state Sen. Louise Lucas, president pro temp of the state Senate; House Majority Leader Charniele Herring; House Transportation Committee Chair Delegate Delores L. McQuinn of Richmond and House Appropriations Committee Chair Delegate Luke Torian of Prince William County. Other backers include Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney and Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander.

Jennifer L. McClellan, 48, who has represented Richmond in the state Senate since January 2017, points to a long list of progressive legislation she has helped lead through the General Assembly since first winning election to the House of Delegates in 2006.

That list includes bills and actions aimed at “dismantling the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow,” she proclaims, including championing legislation to abolish the state’s death penalty and expanding state support of funds for financial aid to undocumented immigrants.

Sen. McClellan is ready to keep the train moving forward, she said, energized by Democratic control of the General Assembly and the governor’s mansion for the first time in decades.

Sen. McClellan, a Petersburg native, grew up in a family led by education and civil rights advocates.

That piqued her interest in history, one that continues today. The fruit didn’t fall far from the tree. She graduated as valedictorian from Matoaca High School at age 17, earned a bachelor’s from the University of Richmond and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

In college, she got involved as a volunteer with an alliance against sexual and domestic violence after a fellow student was killed by an ex-boyfriend.

In law school, Sen. McClellan became active in the Young Democrats Club, stitching valuable life links upon which she continues to build. She went to work as a telecommunications lawyer for Verizon.

In the political arena, Sen. McClellan has been an advocate for tightening the state law regarding marriage of teenage mothers, strengthening and improving laws regarding student suspensions starting with pre-K through third grade and strengthening domestic violence laws. She has held a leadership position in the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

Sen. McClellan cites among her hallmark the passage during the most recent General Assembly session of 10 “comprehensive” bills impacting the political landscape of the state, including updated voting rights legislation and a domestic workers bill of rights.

Sen. McClellan reports raising $1.7 million for her campaign and had $444,000 in cash on hand as of the end of March.

Sen. McClellan has won endorsements from 75 leaders at all levels across the state, including 12 members of the Virginia General Assembly, five former state cabinet officers and 23 local officials. Among them are Viola O. Baskerville, former state secretary of administration; Javaid Siddiqi, former state secretary of education; and Henrico County Sheriff Alisa Gregory.

Richmond Free Press

Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond Reaches One of the Largest Minority Equity Investments in Virginia’s History

May 13-15, 2021 A7

Bruce Smith

Billy McMullen

The Cordish Companies’ proposed casino entertainment resort to include $180 million of Minority Equity Investment Richmond, Virginia – The Cordish Companies announced a historic achievement in providing opportunities for generational wealth building for Minority communities.

The Company, along with its 50% Minority partnership team led by prominent Virginia businessman and Pro Football Hall of Fame legend, Bruce Smith, shared it had achieved $180 million in direct Minority investment in the proposed $610 million Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond resort, and will be offering additional investment opportunities for small, Richmond-based minority companies and individuals to participate in the project. With a combined $360 million of equity investment in the project, Live! will carry half the debt of the competing proposal and ensure the financial viability and success of the development.

“Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond will provide a community fund of $200 million in the first 15 years alone to important causes like education and affordable housing. What gets me excited is that this fund is run by active community members.”

In addition to 50% Minority ownership in the project, Live! is committed to a minimum 40% Minority participation in the project’s construction and robust participation in the ongoing operational spend on goods and services.

The Company recently opened Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, remaining steadfast in completing the project during the pandemic, safely keeping thousands of construction members at work and achieving 51% minority participation during construction.

“Without a doubt, the Live! team is the right choice for us and for Richmond. Their commitment to seek out investors who live and work in Richmond was very important to us. Cordish believes in being a partner in any city they do work in and their commitment to minority investment, job creation and community engagement is unmatched.”

Langston Davis Jr., Davis Brothers Construction Company and Partner in Live! Casino & Hotel

Billy McMullen, former NFL athlete, Richmond resident and Partner in Live! Casino & Hotel

“My roots are in Jackson Ward, specifically Gilpin court. I went to school at Carver,” said Billy McMullen, Former NFL Athlete and partner in Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond. “My grandmother, my father and my family lived through the destruction of Jackson Ward by the building of Highway 95. They had no say and no solution for their own community, a generation of equity destroyed. A few years ago, when I heard that the City of Richmond voted to allow a casino, I thought it would be a great opportunity for the community to be able to come up with their own solutions to critical problems through a fund from a portion of the casino revenue. Fast forward, the Cordish team has done just that. Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond will provide a community fund of $200 million in the first 15 years alone to important causes like education and affordable housing. What gets me excited is that this fund is run by active community members. Who better to answer the needs of the community than the community itself? I’m all about individual and community empowerment and I know the community has its own answers. The Cordish Team shares my philosophy, and they are committed to supporting that in every way from philanthropy to job creation.”

Live! is projected to maximize jobs, tax revenue and community benefits to the City of Richmond, including 8,000 jobs, 5,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs with the highest employee compensation packages of the remaining proposals. Live!’s average wages and benefits package is over $60,000 per year and no employee will earn less than a $15 per hour minimum wage. The workforce development initiatives include partnerships with the Hispanic African American Alliance, Virginia Union University and area community colleges to ensure significant educational and workforce development opportunities for City residents facing unemployment or chronic underemployment.

Visit www.RichmondLive.com for more information.

“I have known and worked with The Cordish Companies for many years and nobody has a better track record of building and operating the highest-quality urban mixeduse and gaming resort properties in the country. In fact, Cordish has developed three of the highest grossing casino entertainment resorts in the country.

Our partnership group, including my friends Emmitt Smith, Jamal Mashburn, Richmond resident Billy McMullen, the Davis Family and others are all committed to not only making a significant financial investment in the City, but just importantly, investing our time and philanthropic efforts in lifting our communities in Richmond to new heights. We are also excited about providing additional investment opportunities for small, Richmond-based Minority companies and individuals to participate in the project on the exact same terms we and Cordish are investing.”

Bruce Smith, Pro Football Hall of Famer and partner in Live! Casino & Hotel

A8 May 13-15, 2021

Election

Richmond Free Press

Crusade for Voters announces Democratic primary endorsements Free Press staff report

Mr. Youngkin

Ms. Sears

Delegate Miyares

GOP chooses statewide ticket for November Associated Press

FALLS CHURCH Glenn Youngkin, a political newcomer who campaigned as a conservative, Christian outsider, bested a field of seven candidates to emerge as Virginia Republicans’ nominee for governor, in a year when the GOP hopes to end a 12-year losing streak in statewide races.

Mr. Youngkin defeated a hard-right contender in state Sen. Amanda Chase, who closely aligned herself with former President Trump, as well as an establishment candidate, former House Speaker Kirk Cox, who had more than 30 years of experience in government as well as the endorsements of former Govs. George Allen and Bob McDonnell.

While Mr. Youngkin did not embrace former President Trump to the same extent as Sen. Chase, he spoke favorably of the former president during the campaign. He also made “election integrity” a top issue in his campaign, allowing him to appeal to Trump voters who still believe the 2020 election was stolen from him without having to invoke the former president’s name directly.

Republicans also chose former Delegate Winsome Sears as their candidate for lieutenant governor and Delegate Jason Miyares of Virginia Beach as their candidate for attorney general.

Twenty years ago, Ms. Sears became the first Black Republican woman elected to the Virginia General Assembly when she served a single term in the House of Delegates in 2001 representing a Hampton Roads district. An immigrant from Jamaica, Marine Corps veteran and small business owner, Ms. Sears now resides in the Winchester area.

In her campaign, she highlighted her more recent work as national chairperson for Black Americans to Re-Elect President Trump.

Ms. Sears beat five other candidates, including two — former Delegate Tim Hugo from Fairfax County and Virginia Beach Delegate Glenn Davis — who were far more active in recent GOP politics.

Delegate Miyares, an attorney in private practice, won against three other candidates: Leslie Haley, a law firm partner and elected official in Chesterfield County; Chuck Smith, a former U.S. Navy JAG commander; and Jack White, a minister, Army veteran and former clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr. More than 30,000 GOP delegates cast ballots last Saturday at what the state Republican Party called an “unassembled convention” to choose their nominees for November’s contest. Delegates used “rankedchoice voting,” in which they ranked the candidates from first choice to last on the ballots they submitted.

After winning the nomination in the sixth and final round of counting on Monday night, Mr. Youngkin passed the 50 percent threshold to win the nomination. He later received the endorsement of former President Trump.

Mr. Youngkin, a former CEO of The Carlyle Group investment firm, is making his first run for public office. He lent his campaign more than $5 million and spent more than any other candidate through March 31, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project. He campaigned as a “conservative Christian outsider” and highlighted his business experience.

“I am prepared to lead, excited to serve and profoundly humbled by the trust the people have placed in me,” Mr. Youngkin said on Twitter. “Virginians have made it clear that they are ready for a political outsider with proven business experience to bring real change in Richmond.”

In a statement late Monday, the Virginia Republican Party celebrated Mr. Youngkin’s nomination, calling him a “homegrown Virginian” who had “nothing handed to him.”

“From his life experiences, Glenn has developed the skills and character to lead Virginia

with humility and courage,” party officials said. “He has the know-how to get Virginia moving again and rebuild it into the best place to live, work, and raise a family in America.”

GOP Chairman Rich Anderson said Mr. Youngkin ran a “flawless campaign,” adding that he looked forward to throwing “the full force of the Republican Party of Virginia behind him in the coming months.”

The state Democratic Party painted a different picture, calling Mr. Youngkin a “pro-Trump extremist.”

“Throughout this campaign, Youngkin has advanced Trump’s dangerous election conspiracy theories, opposed critical COVID-19 relief for working families and small businesses, and threatened to gut Virginians’ health care,” Virginia Democratic Party Chairwoman Susan Swecker said in a statement.

Democrats will choose their nominee in a state-run primary June 8. Early voting in that primary already has begun. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe is the front-runner in a field of five candidates.

Virginia bars incumbent governors from seeking reelection, so Democratic Gov. Ralph S. Northam is barred from seeking a second term this year.

Virginia is the only state with an open-seat gubernatorial contest this year; the race is being closely scrutinized as an early signal of each party’s political strength heading into the 2022 congressional elections.

Republicans have not won a statewide race in Virginia since 2009. But Republicans have some hope of ending their drought this year. Since 1973, only once has the party controlling the White House gone on to win the governor’s race in Virginia the next year.

The GOP convention was open to Virginia voters who pre-registered as delegates.

People who had voted in past Democratic primaries were allowed to participate if they renounced their earlier Democratic votes and promised to support the Republican nominees in November.

The Richmond Crusade for Voters plans to urge city voters to support incumbent Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin and incumbent Richmond Sheriff Antionette V. Irving in the June 8 Democratic primary.

The Crusade on Tuesday voted to endorse the two sitting constitutional officers who are both

battling challengers in seeking new terms.

In addition, the Crusade voted to back challenger Richard Walker in his primary bid to unseat incumbent Delegate Jeffrey M. Bourne in the 71st House District, which includes most of the city’s North Side.

The city’s oldest and largest African-American political group, however, did not endorse in any other primary contests, including the statewide race for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Dems in governor’s race face off in 2nd debate

Associated Press

The Democratic candidates for Virginia governor sparred over policing and economic development in their second debate on May 6, an event that showcased the diverse styles and perspectives of the field that voters will winnow next month.

In one of the debate’s sharpest exchanges, Delegate Lee Carter, a self-described socialist, attacked the massive incentives the state offered to lure Amazon’s second headquarters to Northern Virginia.

“The other four candidates on this stage all supported the Amazon deal, which gave $1.8 billion of your money in cash, tax breaks and infrastructure upgrades to a corporation owned by the wealthiest man who has ever lived,” said Delegate Carter, a Marine veteran first elected to the state House in 2017. “I am the only candidate on this stage who will stop that corporate welfare, stop those handouts and put you in charge.”

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, widely considered the Democratic frontrunner, shot back, saying he wrote the Amazon bid and was proud of it. He touted that the site is expected to accommodate 25,000 jobs that Amazon has said will pay an average of $150,000 a year.

“We’re lifting up families. ...

That’s what the governor is supposed to do,” he said.

Mr. McAuliffe, who was in the governor’s mansion from 2014 to 2018, is a well-connected longtime party insider and fundraiser. Like all Virginia governors, he was barred from seeking a consecutive term

and contemplated, but ultimately decided against, a run for president in 2020.

He has been leading in public polling, has a commanding fundraising advantage and has an unmatched number of endorsements, including that of Gov. Ralph S. Northam and many of the state’s most powerful Black lawmakers.

In his closing statement, Mr. McAuliffe turned his eye toward the general election, pitching himself as the best candidate to beat the Republican nominee.

“They’re trying to bring their Trump politics here to Virginia. We can’t allow it. We’ve got to stop that,” Mr. McAuliffe said.

Jennifer Carroll Foy, a former state delegate and public defender who has cast herself as Mr. McAuliffe’s most serious challenger, went after the former governor assertively.

She accused Mr. McAuliffe of choosing “inaction” on police reform during his time in office and criticized him over remarks he made in 2015 about standing with law enforcement during a fight over legislation related to police surveillance technology.

“I want a system that’s fair to everybody.Accountability, transparency,” Mr. McAuliffe responded.

Four of the five candidates plainly said they support ending qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that often protects police from liability. Mr. McAuliffe gave a less straightforward answer, but his campaign recently told the Virginia Mercury he supports ending it.

State Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan, an attorney and veteran legislator

with the most experience in state government of all the candidates, routinely used her polished answers to highlight her legislative accomplishments. On a question about cleaning up and mitigating the health risks from abandoned mines, she stood out as the only candidate to offer a specific, policy-focused answer.

Either Sen. McClellan or Ms. Carroll Foy would be the nation’s first Black woman governor if elected.

Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax touted the accomplishments of the Northam administration and his work presiding over the state Senate, including his tie-breaking vote to expand Medicaid. He called his education platform, which advocates rebuilding every public school at least 40 years old, the most “transformational” in the state’s history.

Lt. Gov. Fairfax has been accused by two women of sexual assault, which he strenuously denies. While he addressed the allegations directly in the first debate, he did not during last week’s debate.

The candidates showed broad agreement on several topics, including the need to close gaps in access to broadband, expand passenger rail and end child hunger. All the candidates said they would oppose legislation limiting athletic team access for transgender students.

The hourlong debate, the second of four planned before the June 8 primary, was held at a hotel in Bristol in Southwest Virginia. The next will be Thursday, May 20.

Virginia and New Jersey are the only states holding gubernatorial elections this year, and only Virginia has an open seat.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENT TO THE STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION ON THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FEE TO BE PAID

BY RETAIL CUSTOMERS OF VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR THE PERCENTAGE OF INCOME PAYMENT PROGRAM CASE NO. PUR-2020-00109 During its 2020 Session, the Virginia General Assembly enacted what has become known as the Virginia Clean Economy Act (“VCEA”). As pertinent here, the VCEA required the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) to determine the universal service fees to be collected from customers of Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) and Appalachian Power Company (“APCo”) to fund the Percentage of Income Payment Program, or PIPP, established by statute. PIPP funds would be allocated to retail customers of Dominion and APCo to reduce the energy burden of utility customers participating in certain public assistance programs. The VCEA further required that the universal service fees “shall not be collected from customers . . . until such time as the PIPP is established.”

On December 23, 2020, the Commission issued an Order in this docket determining a universal service fee for Dominion of $0.001125 per kilowatt-hour (“kWh”) to recover DSSUR[LPDWHO\ PLOOLRQ DQQXDOO\ 7KLV XQLYHUVDO VHUYLFH IHH ZDV DSSURYHG ³ZLWK QR H൵HFWLYH GDWH DW WKLV WLPH ´ 7KH &RPPLVVLRQ DOVR RUGHUHG WKDW ³>X@SRQ HQDFWPHQW RI OHJLVODWLRQ VHWWLQJ IRUWK IXUWKHU GHWDLOV RQ WKH 3,33 DQG VXEVHTXHQW GLUHFWLRQ E\ WKLV &RPPLVVLRQ 'RPLQLRQ VKDOO ¿OH IRU UHYLHZ DQG UHYLVLRQ LI QHFHVVDU\ RI WKH 3,33 IHH SULRU WR collection of the fee from customers.”

On March 24, 2021, the Governor of Virginia signed what has become Chapter 308 of the 2021 Virginia Acts of Assembly. This law establishes the PIPP Fund on the books of the &RPSWUROOHU &KDSWHU DOVR PRGL¿HV WKH GH¿QLWLRQ RI ³3,33 HOLJLEOH XWLOLW\ FXVWRPHU´ VHWV FDSV RQ WKH DQQXDO FRVW RI 3,33 UHODWHG SURJUDPV LQFOXGLQJ DGPLQLVWUDWLYH FRVWV DW PLOOLRQ IRU 'RPLQLRQ DQG PLOOLRQ IRU $3&R UHTXLUHV WKH &RPPLVVLRQ WR LQLWLDWH SURFHHGLQJV WR SURYLGH IRU DQ DQQXDO WUXH XS RI WKH XQLYHUVDO VHUYLFH IHH ZLWKLQ GD\V RI FRPPHQFHPHQW RI WKH 3,33 DQG UHTXLUHV WKH &RPPLVVLRQ WR SURPXOJDWH ³DQ\ UXOHV QHFHVVDU\ WR HQVXUH´ IXQGV FROOHFWHG IURP 'RPLQLRQ¶V DQG $3&R¶V XQLYHUVDO VHUYLFH IHHV DUH directed to the PIPP Fund and that the utilities receive adequate compensation from the PIPP Fund for all reasonable PIPP costs, including bill credits for PIPP-eligible customers. )LQDOO\ &KDSWHU UHTXLUHV WKH &RPPLVVLRQ WR LVVXH DQ RUGHU ³DV VRRQ DV SUDFWLFDEOH´ IROORZLQJ WKH -XO\ H൵HFWLYH GDWH RI &KDSWHU WR EHJLQ WKH FROOHFWLRQ RI WKH universal service fee from customers.

The Commission entered an Order on Additional Proceedings that, among other things, reopens and remands this case to a Hearing Examiner for additional procedures concerning WKH 3,33 DQG DVVRFLDWHG XQLYHUVDO VHUYLFH IHH LQFOXGLQJ FRQVLGHUDWLRQ RI VSHFL¿F TXHVWLRQV DSSHQGHG WR WKH 2UGHU ³$SSHQGL[´ $PRQJ RWKHU WKLQJV WKHVH TXHVWLRQV DUH GHVLJQHG WR KHOS WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GLVFHUQ ZKHWKHU &KDSWHU ¶V PRGL¿FDWLRQ WR WKH GH¿QLWLRQ RI ³3,33 HOLJLEOH XWLOLW\ FXVWRPHU´ UHTXLUHV D FKDQJH WR WKH XQLYHUVDO VHUYLFH IHH ZKHQ WKH XQLYHUVDO VHUYLFH IHH VKRXOG VWDUW EHLQJ FROOHFWHG DQG ZKDW FRVWV WKH LQLWLDO IHH FROOHFWLRQV VKRXOG EH GHVLJQHG WR UHFRYHU TAKE NOTICE: At the previously approved rate of $0.001125 per kWh to recover approximately $93 million annually in universal service fees from Dominion customers, a residential customer using 1,000 kWh of electricity per month would experience a monthly bill increase of approximately $1.13. The amount of the fee, as well as the timing of its implementation, are matters under review in this proceeding. The universal fee ultimately approved by the Commission in this docket may be higher or lower than the previously set fee subject to a statutory cap. Under Chapter 308, the cap on the annual cost of PIPP-related programs, including administrative costs, is $100 million for Dominion.

7KH 2UGHU RQ $GGLWLRQDO 3URFHHGLQJV GLUHFWV 'RPLQLRQ WR PDNH D VXSSOHPHQWDO ¿OLQJ RQ RU EHIRUH 0D\ UHVSRQGLQJ WR WKH $SSHQGL[ DQG DOVR DOORZV LQWHUHVWHG SHUVRQV DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR ¿OH FRPPHQWV WR UHTXHVW D KHDULQJ RU ERWK RQ RU EHIRUH 0D\ The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the declarations of emergency issued at both the state and federal levels. All pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter shall be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20150, Copies and format RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH DQG 3URFHGXUH 9$& et seq ³5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH´ &RQ¿GHQWLDO DQG ([WUDRUGLQDULO\ 6HQVLWLYH ,QIRUPDWLRQ shall not be submitted electronically and should comply with 5 VAC 5-20-170, &RQ¿GHQWLDO LQIRUPDWLRQ, of the Rules of Practice. For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, DQ\ SHUVRQ VHHNLQJ WR KDQG GHOLYHU DQG SK\VLFDOO\ ¿OH RU VXEPLW DQ\ SOHDGLQJ RU RWKHU GRFXPHQW VKDOO FRQWDFW WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V &OHUN¶V 2൶FH 'RFXPHQW &RQWURO &HQWHU DW

371-9838 to arrange the delivery.

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2Q RU EHIRUH 0D\ DQ\ LQWHUHVWHG SHUVRQ RU HQWLW\ PD\ ¿OH ZLWK WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK WKH 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH D UHTXHVW WKDW WKH &RPPLVVLRQ FRQYHQH D KHDULQJ RQ WKH $SSHQGL[ DQG RQ 'RPLQLRQ¶V VXSSOHPHQWDO ¿OLQJ $OO UHTXHVWV IRU KHDULQJ PXVW LQFOXGH WKH HPDLO DGGUHVV RI WKH ¿OHU RU LWV FRXQVHO DORQJ ZLWK L D SUHFLVH VWDWHPHQW RI WKH ¿OLQJ SDUW\¶V LQWHUHVW LQ WKH SURFHHGLQJ LL D VWDWHPHQW RI WKH VSHFL¿F DFWLRQ VRXJKW WR WKH H[WHQW WKHQ NQRZQ LLL D VWDWHPHQW RI WKH OHJDO EDVLV IRU VXFK DFWLRQ and (iv) a precise statement why the issues raised in the request for hearing cannot be addressed adequately without a hearing. Filers are urged to make their requests electronically via VFF YLUJLQLD JRY FON H¿OLQJ, though requests for hearing also may be sent to the Clerk of the Commission at the physical address listed above. All requests for hearing, however VXEPLWWHG VKDOO EH VHUYHG VLPXOWDQHRXVO\ RQ &RPPLVVLRQ 6WD൵ RQ FRXQVHO IRU 'RPLQLRQ /LVD 5 &UDEWUHH (VTXLUH 0F*XLUH:RRGV //3 *DWHZD\ 3OD]D (DVW &DQDO 6WUHHW Richmond, Virginia 23219, lcrabtree@mcguirewoods.com DQG RQ DOO UHVSRQGHQWV LQ WKLV FDVH ,I D VX൶FLHQW UHTXHVW IRU KHDULQJ LV QRW UHFHLYHG WKH &RPPLVVLRQ PD\ FRQVLGHU WKH PDWWHU DQG HQWHU DQ RUGHU EDVHG XSRQ WKH SDSHUV ¿OHG KHUHLQ $OO GRFXPHQWV ¿OHG LQ WKLV FDVH VKDOO UHIHU WR &DVH 1R 385 $Q\ GRFXPHQWV ¿OHG LQ SDSHU IRUP ZLWK WKH 2൶FH RI WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LQ WKLV GRFNHW PD\ XVH ERWK VLGHV RI WKH SDSHU ,Q DOO RWKHU UHVSHFWV DOO ¿OLQJV VKDOO FRPSO\ IXOO\ ZLWK WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV RI 9$& Copies and format RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH 7KH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH DQG FRSLHV RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 2UGHU (VWDEOLVKLQJ 3URFHHGLQJ 2UGHU RQ $GGLWLRQDO 3URFHHGLQJV LQFOXGLQJ WKH $SSHQGL[ DQG RWKHU GRFXPHQWV ¿OHG LQ &DVH 1R 385 PD\ EH IRXQG RQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V ZHEVLWH scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information 'RPLQLRQ¶V VXSSOHPHQWDO ¿OLQJ DOVR PD\ EH YLHZHG DW WKLV ZHEVLWH DIWHU LW LV ¿OHG VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

Local News

Richmond Free Press Paid Political Advertisement

City Council works on plan for distributing American Rescue Plan funds

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond City Council is taking its first swing at divvying up the massive infusion of nearly $155 million that is to flow into city coffers from the federal American Rescue Plan.

While the council still has a long way to go, the first items that have gained consensus include: • A $7.1 million boost to the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to push total funding for the 2021-22 fiscal year to $10 million for the first time; • $1 million for homeless services and $500,000 to boost eviction diversion; • $4.7 million, if permitted, to pay for new utilities, streets and alleys for Creighton Court following demolition of a large share of the 504 units to make way for the long-awaited development of new homes and apartments; and • $500,000 to pay for a rewrite of the city’s zoning laws to conform to the city’s new master plan and to pay for automated cameras that would send tickets to speeders in school zones.

Along with these items, City Council also plans to use a chunk of the money to speed up improvements to city parks and recreation centers. Among other projects, the council hopes to steer $15 million in ARP funds to the Southside Regional Park and Community Center, which is slated for a redo, but which might not be funded until 2026 if only city money is available.

The council already is expecting add-ons to its ARP funds.

Fifth District Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch, who was among those pushing to use ARP money for homeless services, said the $1 million expected would be on top of the separate $11 million that Greater Richmond Continuum of Care is to receive to help improve homeless services in the Richmond area.

Richmond’s total of $154.89 million in federal funding is the result of successful lobbying on the part of the state’s two Democratic U.S. senators and its seven Democratic members of the House of Representatives. They argued that Richmond and the state’s other independent cities should

be able to dip into the ARP funds for cities as well as for counties. Virtually all other cities in the nation are part of a county.

The city would have received only $110 million if it were treated solely as a city. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced Tuesday that the Treasury Department had accepted their argument in detailing the amounts counties and cities would receive.

The total for Richmond is about the same as for Norfolk, and more than double the allocations for neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield counties, which the two senators listed as receiving $64 million and $68 million, respectively, from ARP. Reports to City Council have suggested that half the money would become available this month, with the rest available next year.

None of the money, nor the separate $120 million or so that Richmond Public Schools is to receive, has yet to be recognized in the new 2021-22 budget that City Council is poised to pass.

The council introduced its amended version of the budget package, including a $772 million general fund budget, but put off the vote until Monday, May 24, to meet public notice requirements.

The budget plan includes raises for city employees, as well as for police and firefighters, and the first pay supplements for public defenders who represent most people in the city charged with crimes.

Aside from a few other tweaks, the council’s final amended budget remains largely unchanged from the proposal Mayor Levar M. Stoney submitted in March.

The council approved ahead of a May 15 deadline contributing $187.1 million in operating funds for Richmond Public Schools for fiscal 2021-22, an increase of $5.5 million from the current adopted budget, according to the city’s budget office.

However, the council also supported Mayor Levar M. Stoney in pulling back $4.6 million in maintenance money from RPS, making it harder for the school system to replace leaky roofs and faulty heating and cooling systems.

$2.1M federal grant to help acquire new riverfront parkland Free Press staff report

City Hall and a regional conservancy group are on track to receive a $2.1 million grant to support the expansion of park space along the James River.

The Capital Region Land Conservancy and the city jointly announced Tuesday the pending award that will be used to acquire the 5.2-acre property at 3011 and 3021 Dock Street to create a green-space link between Great Shiplock Park and Intermediate Terminal.

The funding is to come from the U.S. Land and Water Conservation Fund that is controlled by the National Park Service.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation recommended the Richmond project as one of three grantees it is supporting this year.

Former City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto, executive director of the CRLC, cut the deal to buy the property that was announced last month.

He said the purchase is to be completed Aug. 1.

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He said the final paperwork is being prepared for the state agency’s submission to the National Park Service. He said the grant would be formally

May 13-15, 2021 A9

awarded once his organization records a protective conservation easement for the property and the city takes title to the land.

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Vote by June 8th

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR A 2021 TRIENNIAL REVIEW OF ITS BASE RATES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS PURSUANT TO § 56-585.1 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA CASE NO. PUR-2021-00058 • Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion”) has filed its 2021 triennial review of its base rates, terms and conditions pursuant to § 56-585.1 of the Code of Virginia.

• While Dominion does not request an overall increase or decrease in revenues, it does propose a revenue neutral reallocation of revenues between the distribution and generation function of base rates. According to Dominion, the requested revenue reallocation would decrease the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by $0.18. Retail choice customers, as well as customers taking service under Dominion’s market-based rate schedules, would receive an increase in base distribution revenues but would not receive a decrease in base generation charges.

• Due to the ongoing public health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on September 14, 2021, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony.

• An evidentiary hearing will be held on September 20, 2021, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order.

• Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.

On March 31, 2021, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed an application (“Application”) with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”), pursuant to § 56-585.1 A of the Code of Virginia (“Code”) and the Commission’s Rules Governing Utility Rate Applications and Annual Informational Filings of Investor-Owned Electric Utilities, for a triennial review of the Company’s rates, terms and conditions for the provision of generation, distribution and transmission services.

According to the Company, its Application presents three principal issues for the Commission’s determination: (i) review of the Company’s cost of service and earnings during the four successive 12-month periods ending December 31, 2020 (“Triennial Review Period”) and a finding of whether there are any past earnings available for reinvestment or customer bill credits; (ii) a determination of whether rates for generation and distribution services should remain stable for the upcoming triennial review period or change, taking into account earnings test results, the Company’s level of investment in qualifying projects, the statutory prohibition on a rate increase in this case under Code § 56-585.1 A 8 (“Subsection A 8”), and the present functional alignment of these rates; and (iii) a determination of the Company’s prospective fair rate of return on common equity (“ROE”) in accordance with Code § 56-585.1 A 2.

Earnings Review Dominion states that, for the combined Triennial Review Period, the Company earned a 10.85% ROE on its generation and distribution operations on a Virginia jurisdictional basis, relative to the allowed ROE of 9.2% approved by the Commission in Case No. PUR-2019-00050.

The Company calculates $26 million of revenues available for customer credit reinvestment offsets (“CCROs”) or customer bill credits after consideration of certain outstanding customer balances required to be forgiven pursuant to recent legislative enactments. The Application states that Dominion elects, pursuant to Subsection A 8, to reinvest those revenues in the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind demonstration project (“CVOW”). The Company states this will result in $26 million of the CVOW investment being recovered and written off the Company’s accounting books with no further customer contribution to these amounts going forward. In the event the Commission reaches a different determination as to the earnings test results and calculates a higher level of available earnings, the Company states that it elects to apply offsetting investments in CVOW equal to such available earnings, and then to the extent necessary, to apply offsetting investments in the customer information platform and in advanced metering infrastructure (“AMI”) equal to such remaining available earnings, up to the Company’s total eligible Virginia jurisdictional CCRO investments of $309 million.

Based on its financial results, Dominion states that its base rates will remain stable until at least the end of the next triennial review in 2024 because the law precludes an increase and the Company’s aggregate approved CCRO investments over the Triennial Review Period exceed earnings available for sharing from that period.

ROE The Company requests the Commission approve a 10.80% authorized ROE to be applied prospectively to its generation and distribution services. Dominion asserts that its current cost of equity falls within a range of 10.50% to 11.50%, and the requested 10.8% falls below the midpoint of the range. The Application states that the requested ROE also falls within the lower boundaries of the Company’s calculation of the prescribed statutory peer group range of 10.33% to 11.83%.

The Company asserts that it forecasts capital investment exceeding $28 billion over the next five years, $23 billion of which will be used to support investment such as customer growth, solar build out,

storage deployment, nuclear subsequent license renewal, and the first utility scale off-shore wind project built in federal waters. Further, the Company states that its need and ability to undertake these substantial investments is directly related to the determination of an adequate and reasonable ROE in this case. Longer term, the Company states it anticipates investments related to compliance with the Virginia Clean Economy Act alone may approach $40 billion over the next 15 years.

Revenue Apportionment and Rate Design Although the Company does not propose an increase or decrease to overall revenues, the Company proposes to re-balance the rates of return between the generation and distribution functions by a revenue neutral transfer of $330 million between those functions. Dominion states this transfer is needed to mitigate cost shifting between bundled service customers and retail choice customers. According to the Company, presently, base distribution rates are not sufficient to recover distribution costs, meaning that retail choice customers are not paying rates that result in revenues sufficient to recover the distribution costs incurred to serve them. The Company further states that revenue changes are allocated to the customer classes with the goal of moving each class closer to parity. While revenue neutral to the Company, this transfer may not be neutral to all customers on their bills, and could result in: (i) an increase, (ii) a decrease, or (iii) no change to the customer’s bills. Based on the Company’s analysis, its re-balancing proposal and revenue apportionment proposal would result in an $0.18 reduction in the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month. If approved, retail choice customers, as well as customers taking service under the Company’s market-based rate schedules (“market-based rate customers”), will receive an increase in base distribution revenue allocation, but will not receive a decrease in base generation charges, as retail choice customers do not take generation service from the Company and the market-based rate customers take service at market-based rates for generation service.

The Company proposes that the revised tariffs become effective for usage on and after the first day of the month that is no more than 60 days after the date of the Commission’s Final Order in the proceeding but no earlier than January 1, 2022.

AMI As part of this proceeding, the Company states it is requesting a Commission determination that its investments in AMI from 2017 to 2020, including 310,000 smart meters and associated infrastructure, are reasonable and prudent. In connection with AMI, the Company is also proposing a change to its tariff regarding the smart meter opt-out policy and associated fees. Currently, residential customer accounts in good standing may opt-out of smart meter installation upon request and at no expense. The Company’s new policy would continue to permit accounts in good standing to opt-out, but would impose a onetime initial fee of $52.24, and an ongoing monthly fee of $36.19, which the Company states are intended to recover the incremental costs of a customer opting-out of smart meter installation. Customers that have opted-out of a smart meter in the past would not be subject to the one-time initial fee of $52.24, but would be required to either opt-in to a smart meter at no charge or become subject to the ongoing monthly fee of $36.19. Customers receiving electric service on any time-varying or demand rate and customers who generate electricity are ineligible to opt-out of smart meter installation because detailed energy usage data is required to bill these customers.

Other Tariff Changes The Company proposes to update the basic customer charge in Residential Rate Schedule 1 from $6.58 to $8.53. In addition, the Company proposes changes to its existing tariffs that include the following: (i) withdraw Rate Schedule CS – Curtailable Service, Rate Schedule SG – Standby Generator, and Rider J – Interruptible Electric Water Heating Service Residential Customers; (ii) add clarifying language to certain tariffs to recognize the applicability of demand-based rates in distribution-related riders; (iii) modify the language in existing tariffs to address the applicability of non-bypassable charges; (iv) modify restrictive tariff language from Rate Schedule 24 – Outdoor Lighting Service Solid State Outdoor Lighting; (v) change the term of contract for Rider EDR – Economic Development Rate; (vi) modify certain language in Rate Schedule 10 – Large General Service; (vii) modify the determination of distribution demand tariff language in certain rate schedules; (viii) include standby charges in Rate Schedule 1S applicable to eligible residential customers with installed capacity of more than 15 kilowatts; (ix) modify Rider REC – Renewable Energy Certificate Purchase Program to reflect updated renewable energy certificate sources and pricing; and (x) update Rider D – Tax Effect Recovery to reflect the proposed changes in this proceeding. The Company is also proposing changes to the process whereby contract minimums are established for customer billing purposes and revisions to the Company’s Commission-approved Line Extension Plan.

The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of all the proposals contained in the Company’s Application. Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Application and supporting documents in full for details about these and other proposals.

TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Application and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Application and supporting documents.

The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Application. On September 14, 2021, at 10 a.m., the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses, with no public witness present in the Commission’s courtroom. On or before September 10, 2021, 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.

On September 20, 2021, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means, the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence offered by the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff on the Company’s Application. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order.

The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the declarations of emergency issued at both the state and federal levels. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”). Confidential and Extraordinarily Sensitive Information shall not be submitted electronically and should comply with 5 VAC 5-20-170, Confidential information, of the Rules of Practice. For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, any person seeking to hand deliver and physically file or submit any pleading or other document shall contact the Clerk’s Office Document Control Center at (804) 371-9838 to arrange the delivery.

Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission has directed that service on parties and the Commission’s Staff in this matter shall be accomplished by electronic means. Please refer to the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing for further instructions concerning Confidential or Extraordinarily Sensitive Information.

An electronic copy of the public version of the Company’s Application may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com.

On or before September 14, 2021, any interested person may file comments on the Application by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00058.

On or before June 23, 2021, 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. 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 5 VAC 520-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s 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 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00058.

On or before July 30, 2021, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling and serve on the Commission Staff, the Company, and all other respondents, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed two pages. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00058.

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 Application 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.

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY d/b/a DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA

Richmond Free Press

Giant peonies in the Museum District

Editorial Page

A10

May 13-15, 2021

Let’s get it right Richmonders have railed in recent years against the deplorable conditions in the city’s aged and decrepit school buildings where city public school students are expected to learn despite conditions that hinder education rather than foster it.

After railing, Richmonders rallied and supported the 2018 meals tax hike and other concerted efforts promoted by Richmond Public Schools and City Hall to spur the effort to replace the worst of the old buildings.

When schools reopen this fall for in-person learning after an 18-month hiatus because of COVID-19, we will be happy to see students enter three new buildings that have been completed since the shutdown began in March 2020.

Still, understandably, the pressure is on to continue the progress replacing worn out, outdated structures. George Wythe High School in South Side was part of the 2018 school replacement plan as city voters and taxpayers were promised. But money ran short of projections to replace four school buildings and RPS ended up with only three new schools – River City Middle School and Cardinal and Henry L. Marsh III elementary schools.

Now the renewed focus on replacing George Wythe has become a senseless power struggle of sorts between the city administration and the Richmond School Board over who will be in charge of new construction.

We urge city and schools officials to hit pause, step back and evaluate the bigger picture. With nearly $150 million in taxpayer money already appropriated and at stake for this project, we need to ask the right questions before anyone throws out a request for proposals or bids on the project.

The central question is this: What do we need in a new George Wythe building that will help our students meet the demands of the future?

School Board member Jonathan M. Young astutely wants the School Board, the RPS administration, city officials and other stakeholders to envision what’s needed before shovels hit the dirt.

Several important factors need to be considered, including Richmond’s current and projected school-age population; current and future academic and technology needs of students; the need for vocational education to be provided onsite rather than at a center elsewhere; and community needs, such as a school-based community library, day care and after-school space and programming.

We believe a short pause is reasonable to get this project right.

When George Wythe High School opened nearly 61 years ago in September 1960, it was the first city high school in South Side since 1910. At the time, it opened to 1,400 excited students in grades 8 through 12, but it had no air conditioning or facilities for the disabled.

While we can’t plan a building to meet every future contingency, we must do our utmost to plan a learning and growing environment that will meet the academic and other needs of our students and the community in the coming years.

Given Richmond’s history, it may be another 61 years before any major modifications can be made to a new George Wythe High School we build today. Let’s work to get it right now — for the benefit of our students.

A danger still Just because Donald Trump no longer occupies the Oval Office doesn’t mean he’s not a threat to America.

He is.

He may be out of sight and off Twitter and Facebook, but he is still top of mind for Republicans who shamelessly line up to kiss his hem, thinking some of his cult-like power will rub off on them.

It will not.

What they really are afraid of is the shifting demographics of America and the growing political power of Black and brown people that gave Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris a victory in November and booted their demigod out of office and back to a sham lifestyle at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Without any real platform or substance, the former president and his followers are eager to hold on to a base of supporters energized by the false notion of white supremacy in order to maintain power.

And they are willing to destroy our democracy to do it.

We are witnessing this dangerous precedent with the attack on voting rights in at least 43 states. Already, measures to make it harder for people to vote have been passed recently by legislatures in Georgia, Florida and Arizona and signed into law by Republican governors in those states.

Texas is set to follow suit, with its state House and Senate working out minor differences in bills approved by both chambers that would block people from accessing the polls.

We thought our lives and the country had calmed down with former President Trump out of office. But like Hydra, this monster has sprung back with many heads, all working to return him to the White House in 2024 or to put his minions back in control of the Congress and state legislatures.

On Wednesday, they even turned on one of their own – Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming – whom they booted from her leadership role as House GOP conference chair because she voted to impeach the former president in January after he incited the insurrection and riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

While we don’t agree with most of her political positions, Rep. Cheney publicly has rejected the former president’s false claims that he actually won the November 2020 election and would still be in office if it weren’t for election fraud perpetrated by the Democrats.

No neophyte to politics, Rep. Cheney criticized former President Trump for mounting the insurrection in which hundreds of his treasonous backers mobbed and vandalized the U.S. Capitol with the stated goal of blocking Congress from certifying the Electoral College votes and declaring President Biden the winner of the election. Five people died in the attack, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, and more than 100 people were injured in the rioting.

Despite her ouster on Wednesday, Rep. Cheney continues to stand up and publicly say that President Biden won the election fair and square and that she will not sit back and remain silent while the Republican Party is led down a path that “abandons the rule of law and joins the former president’s crusade to undermine our democracy.”

“We cannot both embrace the big lie and embrace the Constitution,” she said.

From his base in Florida, the former president continues to hack away at pillars of our democracy by threatening the very core – voting. Already, he has put his mark on Virginia with an endorsement of GOP gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin, who ran for the Republican nomination as a Trumper. He sees himself as cut from the same cloth as former President Trump, touting himself as a conservative, Christian businessman and “outsider” with no previous political experience.

Should Republicans win the Virginia governor’s office and legislature in November, there is no telling how far they will carry us back.

If progress is to be made and democracy to be shored up, we must do our part and vote – no matter the impediments.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

False GOP mantra

“America is not a racist country.”

This is quickly becoming a Republican mantra.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, used it in his rebuttal to President Biden’s recent address to the Congress. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the Republican weather vane also from South Carolina, echoed him, as did Republicans across the country. Sen. Scott went on to accuse Democrats of dividing the country by using race as a “political weapon.”

This is an old, threadbare rhetorical trick. Racism is not the problem, they say; those protesting discrimination are the problem. Racist rhetoric and actions like those of Donald Trump aren’t dividing us, they say; those protesting the hatred are doing the dividing.

The upside-down, insideout duplicity can be traced back through the history of the republic. Even when the South seceded from the Union to protect slavery, its leaders argued that it was President Lincoln who caused the sedition because he wouldn’t guarantee the spread of slavery into the new states coming into the Union.

This dog whistle, race-bait politics may be old, but it still has force, so politicians deploy it regularly. So it is worth taking

the question of whether America is a racist country seriously.

A racist nation-state is a country that enforces racism as a matter of law. Apartheid South Africa was universally condemned as a racist country because apartheid was the law of the land until Nelson Mandela, the African National Congress

Jesse L. Jackson Sr. and allies forced the change in laws and policy.

By that standard, the United States began as a racist country. For 246 years, slavery was the law of the land. The U.S. Constitution counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of the apportionment.

In the 1857 Dred Scott decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that African-Americans were not and could not ever be citizens of the United States, that Blak people were “regarded as beings of an inferior order and … had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.”

The Civil War brought an end to slavery and a “second founding” of the Union with the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. Yet by 1896, the former slave owners in the South had taken back power — propelled by the terrorist campaigns of the Ku Klux Klan and others — and made segregation — legalized apartheid — the law of the land.

America was once more a self-declared racist country. It wasn’t until 1954 that the U.S.

Supreme Court in Brown v.

Board of Education ruled segregation unconstitutional. It took the Civil Rights Movement to transform the laws — winning the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act and extending equal rights under the law to all.

At that point, America was no longer an apartheid country by law, but it was still a country that had to address the legacy of racism.

Change — reform of the laws and institutions — doesn’t come easily. Those with privilege generally don’t see the shackles burdening those without. If overt racism is increasingly frowned upon, racist attitudes and assumptions — measuring people by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character — die-hard. Dog-whistle politics — stoking of racial fears subtlety or brutally — are still a common currency.

For decades, Southern Democrats, barons protecting the white privilege in the South, blocked reform. Once President Lyndon B. Johnson joined with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to lead the Civil Rights revolution, Republicans took advantage by becoming the party of white sanctuary across the South. Now that, too, has become institutionalized, as Republicans in states across the country press reforms designed to suppress the vote of minorities and gerrymander districts to isolate the minority vote.

And not surprisingly, they cynically accuse Democrats and the Civil Rights Movements of

Survival My focus has been the achievement of social and economic justice for those who’ve been historically or systematically disadvantaged by the imposition of impediments to their progress — typically, women and people of color.

The imperative of eliminating the internal and external threats to our personal and collective security has always loomed large as a personal objective and is exemplified by the incessant and growing list of those murdered by agents of “law enforcement.”

I’m moved to action by the anguish of children who are victimized by a never-ending cycle of hunger or those who receive an education that’s inadequate to provide future incomes that will sustain them or any children they will attempt to parent.

The dedicated and principled effort necessary to even begin to confront the myriad problems impacting our communities requires single-minded focus. For generations, the volume of problems that our communities have had to face have been challenging for some and overwhelmingly difficult for most. I sometimes compare our socioeconomic difficulties to an adult reality game

of “dodge ball.” Like that ball that nearly knocks your head off, the strife and trouble common to our communities seemingly comes out of nowhere with the goal of knocking you out of the game — literally.

Rather than really resolving issues, many of us are caught in situational survival. We move from one crisis to another only catching the periodic “break”

Dr. E. Faye Williams or respite giving us enough energy to survive through the next struggle. Having so little time for reflective thought, many of us are caught in the loop of tackling the next most critical threat to us. It’s no wonder that many people of color are without a real sense of urgency about the growing threat to our ecology.

As one who previously only focused on the more recognized, recurring and active threats against my community, I wasn’t first among those on the ecology bandwagon. Encouraged by the philosophy of indigenous people, I accepted that, “Only when the last tree has died, and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.”

If we can’t live without the threat of natural disaster or a poisoned environment, what does it matter how long or

our age of using race to divide America. What’s increasingly clear, however, is that this politics of racial division harms working and poor Americans of all races.

Race-bait politics is designed to divide working people to limit their power. Donald Trump is a perfect example, enlisting largely white working people in part by racial appeals and then passing tax cuts for the rich and deregulation for the CEOs once in office.

Great leaders like Dr. King, W.E.B. DuBois, Cesar Chavez and the Black Lives Matter organizers all understood this.

They have organized across lines of race to build alliances to bring about reforms that will benefit working and poor people generally. That is our task today.

And we can’t let dog whistle race-bait politics continue to divide us.

The writer is founder and president of the national Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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under what circumstances we live? That guidance from the original caretakers of this land led to the realization that a requirement for the “true” social activist is to maintain a 360-degree awareness of things necessary to guarantee the long-term, positive quality of life.

Any observer with common sense should understand that the appointment of former U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland as U.S. secretary of the interior — the first Native American so appointed — the U.S. rejoining the Paris Climate Accords, and the emphasis placed on the development/refinement of renewable energy sources by President Biden should give a clue as to a growing economic opportunity.

The movement toward renewable energy should encourage those looking for high-growth employment opportunities. Increasingly, training or ground-up experience is available in solar or wind energy. Those with scientific, technical or mechanical skills can potentially write their own ticket to success.

I’m impressed with a company working to do just that.

See www.mimsmotorsusa.com and see what they’re doing.

Chief Flying Hawk once said, “Nobody can be in good health if he does not have …fresh air, sunshine and good water.”

The writer is president of the National Congress of Black Women.

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May 13-15, 2021 A11

Commentary

Another piece of mental health puzzle Racism and discrimination pervade the lived experience of Black people in this country.

In turn, these experiences impact emotional and mental well-being and add another layer of complexity for Black people who already experience mental health challenges.

Mental health stigma adds still another.

Just as education and storytelling can create cultural literacy and help untangle thelived experience of racism, an opportunity exists in Richmond for education and storytelling to develop mental health literacy and untangle the lived experience of stigma.

“Mental Health: Mind Matters,” which is on display at the Science Museum of Virginia through Aug. 29, is the largest investment into an exhibition about mental health in the United States.Visitors to the exhibit are greeted by a wall of digital photographs of real people who have mental illness.

Consistent with the demographic reality of mental illness, this wall looks like America.

Photos alight into short videos of individuals introducing themselves and declaring that Paid Political Advertisement

they have mental illness or love someone who does, that mental health concerns are real and treatable, and that hope and help exists.

The creation of Mind Matters is also an exciting moment within Richmond, as it is the first majority-Black city where the exhibit has been displayed. This is important given Richmond’s legacy as the original home of the first mental hospital in the United States dedicated to serving Black people and the seminal work of former Virginia Commonwealth University professor Dr. King Davis exploring historical themes in Black mental health.

(Howard’s Grove Hospital, a former Confederate facility located in Richmond, was designated in 1869 as a mental health hospital for African-Americans.

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Its name was changed to Central Lunatic Asylum in June 1870 as a state institution, and later was moved to a farm in Dinwiddie

Olivia Fenty County that became Central State Hospital.)

Mind Matters can contribute to existing conversations about the Black experience and mental health by providing a space to discuss and examine the

Paul M. Piwko implications of mental health stigma and to consider ways to address it as a community and individually.

Although racism and mental health intersect in many ways, there is still insufficient information or resources to tackle

either together or individually.

More often than not, Black people face mental health concerns and discriminatory experiences without quality care.Research suggests that racism is often self-reported as a significant source of stress and anxiety for many.

However, Black people still face disparities and a lack of quality mental health resources resulting from various social inequalities. According to the American Psychological Association, as of 2019, only 3 percent of licensed psychologists are Black. So Black clients often are unable to receive culturally competent care that can effectively address the impact of racism on their mental health.

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The Department of Public Works (DPW) invites the public to learn about bike lane projects under consideration as part of DPW’s paving and resurfacing program for summer 2021 through spring 2022. The projects support the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan by using our Better Streets multimodal approach to improve safety for all roadway users. The six corridors under consideration are: Brookland Parkway Colorado Avenue Grove Avenue

Call Rudy McCollum at (804)218-3614 24-7. Talk to an attorney for free

and get legal restrictions, fees, costs and payment terms.

Rudolph C. McCollum, Jr., Esq. McCollum At Law, P.C.

Mail to: P.O. Box 4595, Richmond, VA 23220 422 E. Franklin St., Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23219 (Franklin & 5th Sts.) We are a federally designated Debt Relief Agency under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and we help people file for bankruptcy.

Web Address: McCollumatLaw.com E-mail: rudy@mccollumatlaw.com

Visit Vaccinate.Virginia.gov or learn more by calling 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682).

Marshall Street Walmsley Road Warwick Road

Join us online from May 16 – 30 to review the conceptual designs, share your thoughts, and submit questions. Your feedback is encouraged and will help us refine the proposed projects before moving forward with the detailed design.

For more information or if you need assistance with alternative means to review and comment, please call 646-0346 or email Emily.Dalphy@richmondgov.com SURVEY: https://www.rva.gov/public-works/pedestrianbicycling-and-trails

Your best friend is only a vaccine away.

It’s time to roll up our sleeves, Virginia.

Structural solutions for racism and systematic reforms of mental health care are slow but in the works by community leaders every day. It is a fight that we can all play a role in even within our own homes.

So, while we work toward a better future, how will you prioritize your peace of mind and that of those you love?

Olivia Fenty is founder of The Chocolate Project, an organization that highlights the experiences of young Black women and raises selfesteem.

Paul M. Piwko teaches at Assumption University and is co-developer of the National Museum of Mental Health Project where Ms. Fenty is an intern.

RICHMOND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

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With this in mind, Mind Matters creates a non-judgmental and welcoming space to discuss the experiences Black people encounter with mental health.

The interplay between structural racism and mental health is undeniable in 2021, given the disproportionate negative impacts of COVID-19 upon communities of color, instances of police brutality and the frequency of bigotry disguised as political rhetoric in today’s media.

The exhibit demonstrates that sharing lived experiences creates understanding, which generates honest conversations.

This is a vital part of the discussion this country needs to have one person, one family and one community at a time.

Richmond Free Press

A12 May 13-15, 2021

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

VSU considering move to Virginia State University, a member of the CIAA since 1920, may be considering a move to the MEAC. That possibility was reported May 10 by HBCU Sports, a sports information site based in Texas.

The online news service also reported Kentucky State University, also an HBCU and currently a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, or SIAC, may be headed to the MEAC as well.

The MEAC plays NCAA Division I basketball and NCAA FCS football. The CIAA and SIAC are NCAA Division II across the board.

The MEAC is looking for new members after losing Savannah State University to the SIAC, Hampton and North Carolina A&T State universities to the Big South and Florida A&M and

Bethune-Cookman universities to the SWAC. Savannah State and Hampton already have moved, while the others are in the process of changing conferences.

Current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference are Coppin State, Morgan State, Delaware State, Howard, MarylandEastern Shore, Norfolk State, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State.

According to HBCU Sports, both Kentucky State and Virginia State are “conducting a feasibility study to determine the pros and cons of jumping to Division I.” During much of the 20th century, Virginia had five CIAA schools—Virginia Union, Virginia State, Hampton, Norfolk State and St. Paul’s College.

If VSU leaves the CIAA, the state would be down to one,

Virginia Union University, VSU’s top rival.

The CIAA stretches from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania to Claflin University in South Carolina. The majority of the member schools are in North Carolina.

While costs are higher, there are some financial advantages to becoming a Division I institution. MEAC and SWAC schools often receive sizable “guarantee money” playing non-conference road games.

The Celebration Bowl is an annual event matching the SWAC and MEAC football champs in Atlanta with a television deal providing about $1 million to each conference.

Also there is the lure of receiving a slice of the NCAA Division I basketball tournament revenue.

The process of becoming a full-fledged member of Division

Ramos a marquee attraction for Richmond Flying Squirrels If The Diamond was a movie theater instead of a ballpark, Heliot (pronounced “Elliott”) Ramos would be the likely marquee attraction.

Rather than a leading man, the 21-year-old Puerto Rico native is the swift, powerful leadoff hitter and centerfielder for the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

He’s also the highest drafted Squirrel, the highest rated by Major League Baseball and perhaps the one with the most upward mobility in the San Francisco Giants chain.

As a 17-year-old, Ramos began his pro career as San Francisco’s first round draft choice (18th overall) out of Leadership Christian Academy in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

The sports-specific school has produced 15 U.S. baseball pros since 2015. That includes shortstop Dilan Rosario, now in the Giants’ lower farm system.

Already in his fifth pro season (2020 was wiped out by pandemic), Ramos is a shining light throughout the Giants’ multi-tiered farm system. MLB. com rates him as the third top

Coming soon The Richmond Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond on Tuesday, May 18, to begin a six-game series with the Bowie Baysox of Maryland, the AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

The series concludes Sunday, May 23, with a 1:05 p.m. matinee. Single game tickets are available at (804) 3593866.

Heliot Ramos

prospect in the San Francisco organization, behind only shortstop Marco Luciano and catcher Joey Bart.

Luciano started this season at Class A San Jose and is a possible future Flying Squirrel. Bart, a Flying Squirrel in 2019, is at AAA Sacramento and presumably the Giants’ catcher of the future.

It is reasonable to project

Ramos as the Giants’ center fielder of the future.

Wearing jersey No. 14, the muscled, 6-foot ultra-prospect has made a bold statement atop manager José Alguacil’s lineup card.

While the “H” in Ramos’ name may be silent, his bat is loud. In the opening five games, Ramos was 8-for-18 (.444), while leading the Fly-

Former Richmonder Todd taking talents to NBA draft Former Richmonder Isaiah Todd is among those hoping to hear his name called in this year’s NBA Draft.

The 75th annual event is scheduled July 29 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and will be preceded by the NBA Scouting Combine June 21 through 27.

The 6-foot-10, 210-pound Todd has begun showing up on 2021 online Mock Drafts. He is predicted to go 36th overall by NBA Draft Room and 52nd by NBA Draft.net.

A total of 60 players are selected in the two-round talent hunt. Others can sign as free agents.

Originally from Baltimore, Todd moved to Richmond with his mother, Marlene Venable, when he was in the eighth grade. After one season at Henderson Middle School, Todd joined Coach Ty White’s John Marshall High School varsity team and played two seasons for the Justices.

In 2018, Todd was named 3A State Player of the Year while helping John Marshall High to the state title with a championship game win over Western Albemarle at the Siegel Center.

Todd later transferred to Trinity Academy and then to Word of God Christian, both in Raleigh, N.C., for his final two years of high school.

A five-star recruit, he first committed to Coach Juwon Howard and the University of Michigan before opting for a pro contract with the NBA G-League Ignite, based in Walnut Creek, Calif.

ing Squirrels in runs (eight), hits (eight), runs batted in (5), home runs (2) and slugging percentage (.889).

Squirrels fans may be wise not to park their vehicles too close behind the outfield fence, which has been moved in slightly from previous seasons.

The “Caribbean Crusher” has parking lot range in his

right-handed swing. His drives have left the yard and vanished into the night in victories over the Hartford Yard Goats in games two and three of the first series.

Talent aside, Ramos is not a finished product. He also leads the team in strikeouts with five.

In fact, he has fanned an alarming 307 times (compared to 88 walks) as a Giants farmhand.

Based on spring training play with the parent Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz., Ramos won the organization’s Barney Nugent Award as “Top Newcomer” to big league camp.

Ramos is a famous name around his hometown of Maunabo on Puerto Rico’s southeast coastline.

His older brother, Hector, 31, plays forward for Puerto Rico’s

National Soccer Team.

Another sibling, Henry, was a fifth round draftee of the Boston Red Sox in 2010 and has played outfield in several big league systems, including the Giants.

San Francisco scouts are no strangers to the island. The Giants have celebrated three World Series titles with Puerto Ricans patrolling centerfield.

Andres Torres roamed center on the Giants’ 2010 World Series championship team and Angel Pagan manned that spot on the 2012 and 2014 World Series kingpins.

Could Ramos be next in line?

If the Giants had a marquee at Oracle Park on The Bay, Ramos might be billed as the “Coming attraction.”

Javonte Harding and the Aggies are tearing up the track Javonte Harding has proven to be the fastest man in the MEAC. Now he’ll try and match strides with the swiftest collegians from all over the United States.

The freshman from Prince George High School was named Most Outstanding Runner after helping North Carolina A&T State University to the MEAC track and field title May 9 at Irwin Belk Track in Greensboro, N.C. Harding, listed at 5-foot11, 170 pounds, won the 100 meters in 10.21 seconds, the 200 in 20.21 and carried the baton on legs of the Aggies’ victorious 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.

North Carolina A&T won its fourth straight MEAC men’s title in what will be its final season in the conference. The historically Black land grant college is moving to the Big South Conference in July, where it will join former MEAC member Hampton University.

This track season is just heating up.

Next up for Aggies track is the NCAA East Preliminary

May 26 through 29 in Jacksonville, Fla. Then comes the big one, the nationally Javonte Harding televised NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship June 9 through 12 in Eugene, Ore. Harding, 2020 Gatorade Virginia Track and Field Athlete of the Year, now ranks in the NCAA Top 10 in the 200 meters and in the Top 20 in the 100 meters. He’ll be a threat to reach the finals in both distances in Oregon.

He and his North Carolina A&T teammates figure to make plenty of noise in Eugene in numerous events, especially the 4x400 relay.

Competing at the Texas Relays on March 27 in Austin, North Carolina A&T covered the mile relay in a dazzling 3:00.23, the fastest clocking in the world to date this year.

The quartet of Trevor Stewart, Randolph Ross, Elijah Young and Daniel Stokes had

won the NCAA Indoor title in that event two weeks earlier at Nationals in Fayetteville, Ark. In Greensboro, Ross, who is from Garner High School in Raleigh, N.C., won the open 400 meters in a blistering 44.60, among the fastest clockings in the world in 2021.

Harding raced as a substitute in that featured event on his home oval in Greensboro. The Aggies prevailed with ease at 3:06.97, four seconds faster than runner-up Coppin State University.

In the 4x100, Harding anchored a 39.37 championship, with Norfolk State second in 40.14.

At Prince George High, Harding was a multiple state 5A champion in the sprints, with bests of 6.3 for 55 meters, 10.39 for 100 and 21.33 for 200.

He is the son of Roxanne and Wayne Harding. Speed runs in the family. Wayne Harding starred as a football defensive back and track standout at Virginia State University. Javonte’s older brother, Jajuan, won numerous sprint titles at Prince George High and preceded Javonte as a track athlete at North Carolina A&T.

Efton Reid signs with LSU

Isaiah Todd

In 15 games for the Ignite, Todd averaged 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds while hitting 36.2 percent on 3-pointers and 82 percent at the foul line.

Todd will turn 20 on

Oct. 17.

His G-League teammates included Jalen Green, a likely lottery pick in this year’s draft.

Like Todd, Green passed on college to get a head start on his pro career.

Efton Reid

When Coach Will Wade left as Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball coach four years ago, he never severed his Richmond recruiting contacts.

On May 9, highly touted 7-foot, 240-pound Efton Reid signed to play for Coach Wade’s current team, the Louisiana State University Tigers.

Reid played his first three high school seasons at Steward School in Western Henrico County before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year.

Reid is ranked by ESPN as the nation’s 18th top player overall for 2021, and fourth best as a power forward.

“Efton will make an immediate impact for us at both ends of the floor,” Coach Wade said. “He has tremendous touch and footwork and an expanding perimeter game.”

Among the schools considered finalists for the five-star prospect were the University of Virginia and Florida State University.

May 13-15, 2021 B1

Richmond Free Press

Section

Happenings

B

Personality: Ashley S. Bland Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year Ashley S. Bland has received a coveted award that could set off a journey to additional state and national education awards.

The 30-year-old Ms. Bland was named Richmond Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year.

The surprise was overwhelming, Ms. Bland says, yet she relishes the future possibilities.

“My goal is to achieve and go as far as I can, as I set my goal on Virginia Teacher of the Year first,” she says. “National Teacher of the Year is always in the back of my mind.”

Ms. Bland is an instructional technology resource teacher with bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering and physics from Virginia Commonwealth University. Either of her undergraduate degrees could have landed her in lucrative positions in the private sector.

But Ms. Bland fell in love with education and has been teaching since 2015.

“Teaching is really my passion. Working with children is my passion,” said Ms. Bland, who works with preschoolers and elementary and middle school students at three city schools.

As she watches students progress from kindergarten to middle school, Ms. Bland says, “They offer me a lot of mindful perspective on what I can expect on each level so I can better serve them. I may know what issues they may be experiencing as we work toward the end goals.”

Ms. Bland doesn’t think corporate experiences would be as fulfilling as working with youngsters in a school district comprised largely of students of color.

“In education, I’m showing students that they can master technology,” she says.

Ms. Bland and her twin sister, Kendra Jackson, a Howard University graduate, are first-generation college graduates. They have inspired their 27-year-old brother, Christopher Jackson, who works for a car company, to consider exploring his options at a community college.

“I never thought I would go to college and pursue the things I did,” Ms. Bland says.

But her life changed, she says, when she met Donovan Tucker through the Richmond Teacher Residency program at VCU. Mr. Tucker had a similar background and career path before switching careers to education, she says.

In the teacher residency program, she worked and learned beside Mr. Tucker and other experts as she earned a master’s degree.

“Mr. Tucker loves education, especially math, and was

able to teach me his ways to educate students. I took a lot of his strengths and married it to my teaching style,” she says.

The greatest lesson he taught was building community where students and families feel connected to RPS, Ms. Bland says. “He also did not hesitate about reaching out to parents or driving by their homes.”

Working at the now-closed Elkhardt Middle School, which had a large population of Spanish-speaking students, “he learned their customs and language and believed ‘by any means necessary’ to be an effective educator,” Ms. Bland recalls.

“I love that type of attitude because you never have an excuse for why you can’t get something done.” She said he taught her how to engage students with unconventional methods using instruction technology.

Ms. Bland’s message to Richmond students and their families is a clear understanding of the challenges of the last 12 months.

“This has been a time like no other,” she says. “It has taught educators to continue to have parents as partners. It does require a village to further success in education for all of our children. The district must continue our momentum.”

Meet awarding-winning teacher and this week’s Personality, Ashley S. Bland: Latest accomplishment: 2021 Richmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

Date and place of birth: April 5 in Westmoreland County.

Where I live now: Glen Allen.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering and physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, December 2013; master’s of education in curriculum and instruction, VCU, May 2016.

Family: Husband, Alonza, and daughter, Aloni, 4.

Occupation: Instructional technology resource teacher with RPS. I serve three schools, John B. Cary Elementary School, Mary Scott Preschool and Binford Middle School.

How long I’ve been a teacher: Since 2015. I served as a teacher resident first through a program known as the Richmond Teacher Residency, or RTR. The experience of working alongside a teaching expert, Donovan Tucker, really cultivated my experience particularly in working in an urban setting. I have not looked back since!

First teaching job: Thomas Jefferson High School as a long-term sub. I fell in love with it and went back to school to get my master’s degree.

Reaction to top teacher award: I’m proud to represent my district. We are unique in many ways, including having a virtual school year.

How I got the news: I was actually surprised. I was told to come to John B. Cary to take pictures at a Teacher Appreciation Week event to share on social media. Little did I know I would be receiving the award. My administrators got me good!

Why I became a teacher: To inspire, particularly girls of color. My first role in education was as a middle school math teacher. I want my students to know they can achieve anything and everything they put their minds to.

My teaching philosophy: Every child comes to a lesson with some experience. As a teacher, it is my duty to make connections between their experience and the learning target for the day.

Challenges of virtual teaching: Some of the challenges

to virtual teaching overlap with the challenges to teaching in person.

You can’t control the uncontrollable, although students look a bit different in a virtual setting.

It’s also challenging not being able to put your eyes on students and just check in. I miss that connect.

Three strategies I use to help students achieve their goals during the pandemic: Building community, even online.

Students crave structure, especially during this uncertain time. Allowing students to set goals and then reflect on and monitor their progress.

Providing real-time feedback.

Likely long-term changes as a result of the pandemic: The beauty of the pandemic is the exposure. We have preschoolers using Chromebooks and engaging in class. I hope teachers still leverage the benefits of technology after this.

Technology now means: Access! I can talk to a person from across the world with the click of a button.

What’s needed going forward: Education has taken a shift this year. Moving forward we need to continue to think about how to foster and strengthen the relationship between school and home.

Plans for the next academic year: I plan to continue serving my schools with love! Since we will be a true 1:1 district (one device for every student), I’m sure my days will look a little different. That’s the exciting part about teaching — no day is ever the same.

Advice to aspiring teachers: Teaching is such a personal

profession. The work we do in education cannot be done in silos. It truly takes a village.

Get to know your students and their families. Get to know your colleagues. It pays dividends!

Role of parents in the learning process: Parents are definitely educational partners. I believe this year has been pivotal and the start to reimagining the connect between school and home.

Biggest challenge facing students: Perhaps not knowing how to ask for help. The virtual space makes this a bit more challenging. However, there are so many resources available. Please don’t suffer in silence. Reach out to a trusted adult.

How this challenge impacts schoolwork: Students ultimately crave safe spaces. You need that before any learning can occur.

A good teacher is: Critically reflective. Every lesson will not be stellar or go as planned, but taking the time to reflect is essential. Teachers are lifetime learners. We are constantly seeking ways to improve.

A good student is: Honest.

Students can advocate for themselves if they are honest about what their needs are.

How I start the day: I like to start the day on a positive note. RPS has incorporated the idea of a “community circle” every morning that incorporates mindfulness. Even when I don’t have the chance to hop in a session with a teacher, I definitely take the time to check in with myself.

Three words that best describe me: Fun, dedicated and resourceful.

Best late-night snack: I try to avoid eating late, but I will definitely sneak a Snickers

from time to time!

How I unwind: Cooking. I like trying new recipes or recreating my favorites.

What I have learned about myself during the pandemic: The importance of work-life balance. Having to work from home has been a challenge.

However, working all day doesn’t make you a better worker. I can accomplish a lot in one day and still spend quality time with my loved ones.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Sing.

Quote that I am most inspired by: “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” — Shirley Chisholm.

At the top of my “to-do” list: To travel again!

Best thing my parents ever taught me: To be true to self.

If I don’t “fit the mold,” I can create my own.

Person who influenced me the most: My maternal grandmother. She has a heart of gold.

She would give the shirt off her back and expect nothing in return. That selflessness has played over to how I see myself as an educator. Richmond has given me so much. I hope to give back what I have received.

Book that influenced me the most: “Minority Leader: How to Lead from the Outside and Make Real Change” by Stacey Abrams.

What I’m reading now: I’m so inspired by the work of Amanda Gorman. Teachers received a hard copy of her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week at Binford Middle School. It’s a short poem but so powerful.

Next goal: Virginia Teacher of the Year, here I come!

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Richmond Free Press

B2 May 13-15, 2021

Happenings

Speakers virtually inspire VUU graduates

By George Copeland Jr.

It was a momentous day for thousands of students last Saturday as Virginia Union University recognized its spring 2021 graduates with a virtual commencement ceremony.

The ceremony was the third virtual commencement held by VUU since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Virginia last year. As the university seeks to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff, the ceremony was made up of multiple segments hosted and filmed across several locations, all broadcast to audiences across the internet.

Speakers celebrated the resilience of VUU students who learned and staff who worked through three semesters altered greatly by COVID-19.

Their hard work in the face of massive change was a major theme in the commencement speeches, prayers and celebrations.

“We recognize that this season of the pandemic has been a tremendous challenge for us,” said Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chairman of the VUU Board of Trustees. “We have demonstrated in your class that Virginia Union spirit.”

Those congratulations ran the gamut.

“We’re excited about what you have accomplished,” said Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, president and chief executive officer of VUU, noting that students and professors made great strides “through a global pandemic and a continued fight for justice.”

A similar message was shared by actor, pro-

ducer and philanthropist Anthony Anderson, who served as the official commencement speaker.

While his jokes didn’t translate well to the format as he spoke from a location completely separate from other speakers, his call for graduates to use the skills and experience gained at VUU to better their world spoke to the hope and potential of the Class of 2021.

“Go be business people. Go be doctors and nurses. Go be comics and actors. Go be teachers,” Mr. Anderson said. “But be citizens, too, Class of 2021. You can be great, just make sure you do some good, too. We need it. We need you.”

Mr. Anderson was one of five honorary degree recipients during the ceremony. Others were Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn of Richmond, a VUU alumna; Delegate Luke E. Torian of Prince William County, a VUU alumnus who serves as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; Eva Teig Hardy, a former executive vice president at Dominion and former state secretary of health and human services under the late Gov. Gerald L. Baliles; and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Dr. David R. Hedgley Jr., a 1958 graduate of VUU and pioneering computer scientist and mathematician, also was recognized for his work leading to the development of 3D graphics.

Senior Jalynn Hodges of Hampton was honored as class valedictorian. She served as a student member of the VUU Board of Trustees, spoke on Capitol Hill in advocating

Courtesy of Virginia Union University

Actor-comedian Anthony Anderson urges Virginia Union University graduates to use their skills and experience gained at the Richmond institution to better their world.

for more federal funding for historically black colleges and universities and, in addition to her studies, works in a lab testing and analyzing COVID-19 specimens. She wants to go to medical school.

Biology major Michela Marissa Mondesir, who has lettered in tennis for four years at VUU under Coach Guy Walton, was honored as salutatorian. The native of St. Lucia ended her

VUU career with a 4.03 GPA and will attend the Oregon Health & Science University, where she will continue her research in neuroscience.

“You are Virginia Union University and you deserve to hold your head high, your shoulders square, your back straight and walk into your future with the nobility of all that represents our great legacy,” Dr. Lucas told the graduates.

“We are proud of you.”

Noted educator putting mark on history

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Public historian and researcher Elvatrice Belsches, left, and Dr. Sylvia D. Statton unveil the newly redone historical marker about educator Virginia E. Randolph during a ceremony May 6 outside the museum dedicated to Ms. Randolph’s life and teachings in Henrico County.

Born in 1870, Ms. Randolph was a trailblazing teacher who combined academic instruction with vocational and industrial skills. Her innovative teaching methods became a model for African-American education throughout the South and in countries abroad.

The museum is on the campus of the Academy at Virginia Randolph, 2200 Mountain Road, which was named for Ms. Randolph in 1915. Dr. Statton, a former college educator, went to the Henrico County school and is a member of the Virginia Randolph Foundation Board.

Walkers stop in Richmond to raise awareness of human trafficking

By Lyndon German

As Drea d’Nur approached the grounds of the former Lumpkin’s Jail, one of the largest slave holding areas in United States history in Shockoe Bottom known as the “Devil’s Half-Acre,” she was moved to sing a song of freedom to a group of activists gathered there.

Ms. d’Nur, a musical artist, is a part of The FreeTHEM Walk, a group of about a dozen human rights activists walking nearly 1,000 miles from Lynchburg to Buffalo, N.Y., to raise awareness about human trafficking, a crime the United Nations characterizes as modern-day slavery.

The group left Lynchburg on May 3 and made one of its first stops on May 7 in Richmond at the White House of the Confederacy in Downtown and the Lumpkin’s Jail site, where thousands of enslaved people were held before being bought and sold from the 1830s through the Civil War. The visit was both powerful and emotional, with group members tying the freedom quest of their ancestors with their current effort to help end human trafficking and the misery that has ensnared more than 40 million people in forced labor and sexual exploitation, according to the U.N.’s International Labour Organization.

Since December 2007, more than 63,380 cases of human trafficking have been reported in the United States, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In Virginia, 189 cases have been reported so far this year.

Kelly Diane Galloway, organizer of The FreeTHEM

Walk, is founder and president of RAMP Global Missions, a Christian-based organization focused on helping exploited people. She said in addition to raising awareness about human trafficking, the walk also aims to raise money for Project Mona’s House in Lynchburg to support survivors of human trafficking and sexual abuse with housing, counseling and other services.

“I believe one of the personal responsibilities of our legislators and public officials is to educate themselves about what human trafficking looks

Lyndon German

Drea d’Nur sings a song of freedom as The FreeTHEM Walk reaches Lumpkin’s Jail site, known as the “Devil’s Half-Acre,” in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom.

like and, from there, we can start to address the systematic issues that happen in Black and brown communities,” Ms. Galloway said.

The walkers have met with local activists along the route that will take them to New York with planned stops at historic sites along the Underground Railroad.

In Richmond, civil rights advocate Tavorise K. Marks joined Ms. Galloway and the walkers to talk about the journey and the goals of the walk.

Mr. Marks talked about how modern-day slavery affects

communities like Richmond with large Black and brown populations.

“Data and statistics across this country suggest the areas that are heavily targeted by human traffickers are Black and brown communities,” Mr. Marks said. “I think what makes this movement different from any other is that it’s really shining a light on an issue that has been overlooked for years.”

As The FreeTHEM Walk continues, Ms. Galloway said she hopes people are moved by their efforts. The group aims

We stand

Richmond Free Press The People’s Paper

for Equality Justice Opportunity Freedom and we fearlessly fight for Equality Justice Opportunity Freedom

to reach Buffalo, N.Y., and the nearby home of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who led groups of enslaved people to freedom, by Juneteenth, the June 19 holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States.

Although Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, Ms. Galloway said there are still people around the world who are not free because of human trafficking. She said The FreeTHEM Walk will continue to advocate on their behalf because “none of us are free until we’re all free.”

Richmond Free Press

May 13-15, 2021 B3

Faith News

Mourning mother and child Hundreds of mourners gather to pay their final respects at a funeral last Saturday for Sharnez Hill, 30, and her 3-month-old daughter, Neziah Hill. The mother and child were shot and killed in a tragic incident April 27 at the Belt Atlantic Apartments in South Side. Three others were wounded, including 11- and 15-year-old girls and a 29-yearold woman. Richmond Police have arrested and charged five men, ages 18 to 23, who authorities said were shooting at each other across an apartment complex courtyard. The slain mother and daughter shared the casket, which was carried by pallbearers to a horse-drawn funeral carriage outside United Nations Church on Cowardin Avenue. The carriage led a procession to Oakwood Cemetery, where Ms. Hill and her infant were buried.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Coach Leroy ‘Bo’ Jones, who helped shape the careers of many student athletes, dies at 72

By Fred Jeter

Leroy “Bo” Jones, a former standout athlete and coach, died Monday, May 10, 2021, at his South Richmond home surrounded by loved ones.

Mr. Jones was 72.

His son, Bo Jones Jr., said Mr. Jones had been in failing health.

Mr. Jones grew up in Oregon Hill and became a star running back at Maggie L. Walker High School, where he played for Coach Fred “Cannonball” Cooper, and at Virginia State University under Dr. Walter Lovett. He was a key component of numerous standout teams as a Green Dragon and VSU Trojan.

Between high school and college, Mr. Jones served in the U.S. Army in Germany, where he competed in football and basketball for his military installation.

His coaching career of more than 40 years was mostly at the combined Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe High School, where he was an assistant, and Huguenot High School, where he served as head coach.

Mr. Jones also coached briefly at Benedictine.

The long list of college-bound athletes he helped guide included his son, Bo Jr., Huguenot’s all-time scorer; Isaiah Morris, who played in the NBA; Pete Woolfolk; Vernon Hamilton; Raymond Neblett; Ted “Fats” Berry; Sean Miller; David Terrell,

who later played in the NFL; Ricky Stokes; and Mark Robinson.

Away from the gymnasium, Mr. Jones was very involved with Second Baptist Church in South Richmond, the Richmond Food Pantry and various outreach activities.

Among those he came in contact with was Richmond educator Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year.

“Bo Jones was a giant in the RVA community,” Mr. Robinson said. “His input and legacy will live on with his players and students. He always found time to meet with young teachers like myself, offering advice, plenty of laughs and encouraging words.”

Mr. Jones was a longtime member of his church choir, despite suffering from a slight speech impediment.

Sometimes it is a person’s imperfections that become their most lovable qualities. That was certainly the case with Mr. Jones.

“Dad really couldn’t sing, but you couldn’t tell him that,” his son said. “He just loved being in the choir.”

After church on Sundays, Mr. Jones was always in front of the television set cheering on his beloved Washington Football Team. His affinity for the team led to many good-natured debates with other family members and friends who leaned more toward the archrival Dallas Cowboys.

Mr. Jones survived a horrific injury as a child to excel in life. At age 12, he was shot in the stomach during an altercation in Oregon Hill.

“He wasn’t supposed to make it and he was in the hospital seven to eight months,” his son said. “He was left with a long scar from mid-stomach to his lower chest.”

Some of Mr. Jones’ best friends in coaching were his rivals, Robert Booker at George Wythe High School and Jay Johnson at Thomas Jefferson High School.

During the combined Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe era, Mr. Booker was head coach with Mr. Jones and Mr. Johnson as aides.

Following the breakup of the combined schools in 1986, Mr. Booker was coach at Wythe, Mr. Johnson at Thomas Jefferson and Mr. Jones at Huguenot.

“I remember them coming to the house at night, smoking cigars and talking basketball,” his son recalled. “They’d be in there for hours.”

Mr. Jones also was close to Coach George Lancaster, who preceded him at Huguenot before moving to Highland Springs High School in Henrico County.

In addition to his son, Bo Jr., Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Cynthia; son, Ryan; and daughter, Kacina Clark.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

Mr. Jones

Kyrie Irving’s recent conversion puts spotlight on athletes observing Ramadan Religion News Service

NBA star Kyrie Irving’s recent conversion to Islam has brought new attention to the relationship between Muslim athletes and Ramadan, the holiest month on the Islamic calendar, when Muslims abstain from food and drink during the day.

“All praise is due to God, Allah, for this … for me, in terms of my faith and what I believe in, being part of the Muslim community, being committed to Islam,” the Brooklyn Nets guard said at an NBA news conference late last month.

Mr. Irving said he is also “committed to all races and cultures, religions” and that having an understanding and respect for them is what he wants “as a foundation.”

The statement was the first time the Australian-born Irving mentioned his conversion to Islam.

Mr. Irving, 29, won world championships with the U.S. National Basketball Team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2014 FIBA Championship in Spain.

The seven-time NBA All-Star said Ramadan offers a different kind of challenge.

“I am taking part in Ramadan with a lot of my Muslim brothers and sisters,” he said in the same news conference. “It’s been an adjustment … being committed to my service to God, Allah, and then continuing on with whatever I’m guided with.

“I’m just happy to be part of my community and doing the right things. So fasting is definitely part of it,” he added.

Mr. Irving has largely played with rare form during the month, earning him the nickname “Ramadan Kyrie” from fans on social media.

Adam Hunger/AP Photo

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving reacts after his team defeated the Boston Celtics March 11 in New York.

He isn’t the only Muslim NBA player observing fast this Ramadan, which ends this year the evening of Thursday, May 13. Others include Enes Kanter and Jusuf Nurkic of the Portland Trail Blazers, Tacko Fall and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics and Hamidou Diallo of the Detroit Pistons.

Ramadan is tied to the Islamic lunar calendar and is likely to fall during every NBA season between now and 2036.

Historically, other Muslims in the NBA have fasted during Ramadan, such as former Los Angeles Laker star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and former Houston Rockets player Hakeem Olajuwon.

Mr. Olajuwon, a native of Nigeria, went on to become the first foreign-born player to win the league’s MVP award

and famously led his team to an NBA finals victory while fasting during Ramadan.

Other NBA players have converted to Islam after leaving the game, notably former NBA player Stephen Jackson, who converted earlier this year.

Muslims are exempt from fasting under certain situations.

Among them are children, people with health conditions, the elderly, pregnant or nursing women and those dealing with hardships of travel. Indeed, the reality of life as a modern athlete has allowed some to argue that it is a situation akin to traveling in which fasting is not required and can be resumed at a later date.

“Performance of repeated anaerobic exercise is impaired, but aerobic power and muscular strength show little change during Ramadan,” wrote Dr. Roy

Shephard, a Canadian doctor, in a 2013 academic study of the impact of Ramadan on athletes. “Ratings of fatigue are increased, and vigilance and reaction times are impaired, particularly during the afternoon. Medical issues during Ramadan are few.”

For those in combat sports, where schedules are more fluid, athletes can cope with Ramadan in different ways.

“I took the route of mostly training at night,” said undefeated boxer Hasim Rahman Jr., who currently is training for his 11th professional fight, scheduled for later this month in Mexico.

“After I open my fast, I digest for an hour before training into the night. Today I trained during the day, and that is something I do on occasion. To me, this proves even more that boxing is a mental test as much as anything else,” Mr. Rahman told Religion News Service.

Mr. Rahman is the son of former heavyweight champion and Baltimore standout Hasim Rahman. The younger Rahman said boxers usually don’t eat while training but drink water regularly during sparring, often taking sips from a water bottle between rounds. He said that although water is beneficial and recommended, a focused athlete can still train without it.

Another Muslim boxer, Julian Williams, won multiple super welterweight world titles for a fight that took place during Ramadan in 2019. Mr. Williams wished viewers of the broadcast “Ramadan Mubarak” during his post-fight interview — perhaps a first for American sports television.

Religious authorities in Muslim-majority countries usually cite the hardships of travel when ruling that athletes

participating in the Olympics, international soccer or other sporting events can abstain from fasting during Ramadan.

One notable exception is Iran, where in 2010 soccer star Ali Karimi was fired by his team for failure to observe the Ramadan fast.

Ramadan also is an issue for amateur Muslim athletes, who are perhaps not traveling to a different city, much less a different country for their events.

In California’s Santa Clarita Valley, a group of five Muslim couples who form the amateur softball team the Better Halves

have continued to play in their coed league during Ramadan.

The team is very much a family affair and has included players as young as 18 and as old as 70.

League officials have tried to schedule games close to sunset to accommodate the needs of the team.

“The lack of energy is balanced out by the pure concentration you have. You go in knowing you will try to save energy, and in the end, we usually play better and still have energy left,” said team captain Arif Harisolia. “During Ramadan, you are a lot more focused on all aspects of life.”

David Zalubowski/AP Photo

In this Jan. 28, 2000, file photo, Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon dunks the ball over Denver Nuggets center Popeye Jones during a game in Denver.

Richmond Free Press

B4 May 13-15, 2021

Obituaries/Faith Directory Bessie E. Hundley, salon owner, travel agent and day care operator, dies at 99 I wanted to own my in North Side. Prior own business.” to the service, Scott’s Before she opened Funeral Home will her first salon, though, host a viewing 10 Mrs. Hundley spent a.m. to 7 p.m. Thurs17 years learning the day, May 13, at 115 business while she E. Brookland Park raised her children.

Blvd.

After graduating Her daughter, from high school, she Bernice E. Travers, saw an opportunity a business consultant Mrs. Hundley in cosmetology. She and real estate investor, never forgot her mother’s learned how to style hair from response to the question of why a cousin who graduated from a Philadelphia school, then rode she became an entrepreneur.

“I was attending ‘old’ Arm- the bus to customers’ homes strong High School,” Ms. to do their hair, Ms. Travers Travers recalled her mother said.

She later joined the staff at saying, “and each day after school, I went to work at St. Arnello’s Beauty Shop on Clay Philip’s Hospital earning $16.10 Street in Jackson Ward and then a month. I bought a reversible relocated to David Lea’s shop raincoat, and it took me 12 on Hopkins Road in South Side, months to get it out of layaway. Ms. Travers said.

To make extra money and It was at this early age I knew

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Frustrated by low wages, Bessie Mercell Eddleton Hundley went into business for herself.

For nearly 60 years, Mrs. Hundley owned and operated a series of successful hair salons in the Richmond area, most notably the Golden Comb Salon in Henrico County. The Richmond native also owned and operated a day care for eight years and a travel business for 36 years.

Mrs. Hundley, who closed all of her businesses in 2016 as her health began to fail, died Wednesday, May 5, 2021. She was 99.

Family and friends will celebrate Mrs. Hundley’s life with a graveside service 11 a.m. Friday, May 14, at Oakwood Cemetery

build a customer base, Mrs. Hundley also styled hair at her home on nights and weekends while also taking courses at the Smith-Madden Business School to prepare herself for entrepreneurship.

By the time she was 35, she felt ready. In 1957, she opened her first salon, Bessie’s House of Beauty, in the 800 block of North 31st Street in Church Hill, her daughter said.

Twelve years later, she sold that business and relocated her salon to a building she purchased at 3084 Meadowbridge Road in the city’s North Side.

In 1989, at age 68, she retired as a stylist and rented the building to another cosmetologist. She then opened the Golden Comb Salon in the Oak Hill Plaza Shopping Center on Mechanicsville Turnpike

Aretha Ann Washington, who provided a mother’s love to dozens of children, dies at 74

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

ing center following a battle with illness.

She was 74.

Family and friends celebrated her life Friday, April 30, at Wilson & Associates Funeral Home in Henrico County.

Mrs. Washington Mrs. Washington found her mission when she had to take over and raise her brother and three sisters while still a teenager, said her daughter-inlaw, Hope Tyson. She moved on to raising “grandkids, cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, even neighbors’ children,” Mrs. Tyson said.

Mrs. Washington made sure everyone

Aretha Ann Washington’s home always overflowed with children.

Along with three children of her own, Mrs. Washington cheerfully took in the children of relatives, neighbors, godchildren and anyone else who asked, said her son, Irvin E. Tyson III. At any given time, there would be up to 10 children living with her, he said, some officially in foster care and others whom kin left with her.

Through the years, she served as a surrogate mother to at least 30 other children, Mr. Tyson said.

“She was a wonderful, caring person who loved everyone,” he said.

The big-hearted Richmond woman died Friday, April 16, 2021, at an area senior liv-

understood they had to get along, her son said.

“She didn’t have to yell,” he said. “She just gave you a look, and that was enough.”

Mr. Tyson said he and his siblings got used to having other children in the house and pitched in to help.

Her husband, Irvin Tyson Jr., who predeceased her, also supported her in bringing children into their home before his death.

Mrs. Washington worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in the dietary section and also enjoyed fishing, dancing and playing cards, Mrs. Tyson said.

In addition to her son, survivors include two other children, Lavornia D. Tyson and Rodney O. Tyson; and three sisters, Doris Washington, Gladys Washington and Rosalie Washington.

“The Church With A Welcome”

in Henrico County where she rented chairs and managed the operation.

Starting out, Ms. Travers said her mother recruited stylists who were laid off after Thalhimer’s Department Store closed its Westmoreland Avenue store.

She said her mother ran the Golden Comb for 27 years.

“The Golden Comb was her signature business,” Ms. Travers said, “and became well known because of its stylists, professional management and customer service.”

As the face of the shop, she dressed well, Ms. Travers said. “Everything must match or complement.”

She also set strict policies for her shop, her daughter said: “No food, no drinks, no profanity and no socializing” by people just dropping in to chat.

Her mother also required customers to make appointments.

The shop always had a strong flow of customers who could expect to leave well-coiffed, Ms. Travers said.

Mrs. Hundley also had two other businesses, her daughter said.

From 1972 to 1980, Ms. Hundley also ran Toddlers

Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church

1408 W. Leigh Street · Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 358—6403

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

All church ac�vi�es are canceled un�l further no�ce.

Follow us on Facebook for “A Word from Moore Street’s Pastor” and weekly Zoom worship info.

Drive-thru giving will be available the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. (Bowe Street side) You also may give through Givelify.

Sharon Baptist Church 500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825

Be safe. Be blessed.

Creative Day Care Center on First Avenue in Highland Park with an enrollment of more than 50 children.

After closing that operation, she started Leisure Tours Travel Agency at 108 W. Brookland Park Blvd., which she operated for 36 years from the storefront and later from her home, Ms. Travers said.

To relax, Mrs. Hundley read, traveled and played cards with the Triangle Pinochle Club, The Pinochle Pals and the Double Deckers Club, Ms. Travers said.

Mrs. Hundley also was an active member of Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, where she served on the Usher Board and was a member of the Finance Committee and the Trustee Board for 20 years.

In 2009, Mrs. Hundley switched her membership to First Baptist Church of South Richmond and was active in its Joy Ministry until her health began failing.

In addition to her daughter, survivors include her son, Linwood Eddleton Sr., a grandson, three great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

2IVERVIEW

"APTIST #HURCH Sunday School – 9:45 AM Sunday Services – 11:00 AM Via Conference Call (515) 606-5187 Pin 572890# Also Visit Us On Facebook Sunday Service – 11:00 AM 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Family and Friends Day See you

Morning Worship 10:00 AM Drive-In Service in our Parking Lot

there!

Triumphant

Baptist Church 2003 Lamb Avenue Richmond, VA 23222 Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622 “Due to the Corona Virus all services at Triumphant Baptist Church are suspended until further notice.”

Join us on Sundays at 12 noon via Conference Call: 1(503)300-6860 Code:273149#

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216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 • Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcoffice1@yahoo.com • web: www.richmondebenezer.com

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! Come worship with us!

Sunday Service will not be held in our sanctuary.

Join us for 11:00 AM Worship by going to our website www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

Twitter sixthbaptistrva

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

Ebenezer Baptist Church

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

(near Byrd Park)

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

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

(Jeremiah 29:11, NRSV) Please visit our website Ebenezer Baptist Church Richmond, VA for updates http://www.richmondebenezer.com Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Dr. Adam L. Bond, Pastor

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

“Working For You In This Difficult Hour”

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e with Reverence elevanc R g in Rev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell, Senior Pastor bin ❖ om Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic All regular activities have been suspended until further notice.

Please join us on

Joseph Jenkins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. 2011-2049 Grayland Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220 (804) 358-9177

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Joseph Jenkins, Jr., Founder (Dec. 19, 1938 - Dec. 9, 2006) Joseph Jenkins, III. • Jason K. Jenkins • Maxine T. Jenkins

Facebook or YouTube

10:30 a.m. Sundays 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays-Bible Study

823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223 s Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You”

Due to the COVID-19 Corona Virus All regular activities have been suspended until further notice.

Visit https://youtu.be/qqzhnIEQyQc for inspirational messages from Pastor Smith

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

“Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic, Services Are Cancelled, until further notice; but, please join us, by visiting BRBCOnline.org or YouTube (Broad Rock Baptist Church).”

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

Richmond Free Press

May 13-15, 2021 B5

Legal Notices City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2021-040 As Amended To adopt the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2021, and ending Jun. 30, 2022, and to appropriate the estimated revenues for such fiscal year for the objects and purposes stated in such budget.

Ordinance No. 2021-041 As Amended To adopt the Special Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2021, and ending Jun. 30, 2022, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Special Revenue funds for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2021-045 As Amended To adopt the Internal Service Fund Budgets for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2021, and ending Jun. 30, 2022, and to appropriate the estimated receipts of the Internal Service funds for the said fiscal year.

Ordinance No. 2021-054 As Amended To amend the schedule of classifications and assigned ranges incorporated into section I of the Pay Plan for the purpose of revising the wording of certain classification titles [and] , changing the pay ranges of certain classification titles, and providing for a 3.25% adjustment of general pay ranges; to amend section II of the Pay Plan by adding therein a new subsection (C) for the purpose of providing for a 3.25% increase for eligible employees and implementing the recommendations of a study completed in 2018 that found significant compression in the lower end of the pay ranges and pay bands for non-sworn employees and recommended pay increases to move those employees toward the midpoint of their pay ranges or pay bands; and to amend sections III(B) (11), providing for salary supplements for the Office of the Commonwealth’s A t t o r n e y, I I I ( B ) ( 1 2 ) , providing for salary supplements for the Office of the Sheriff, III(B)(25)(e), suspending the education incentive for sworn fire and police employees, III(B)(36), to increase the hourly living wage for City employees from $12.07 to $13.00, and III(B)(40), to provide for the full implementation of the step-based pay plan for sworn fire and police employees, of the Pay Plan.

Ordinance No. 2021-084 As Amended To authorize the special use of the property known as 520 North 25th Street for the purpose of a restaurant and beverage service establishment, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2021-095 As Amended To amend and reordain ch.

2, art. I of the City Code by adding therein a new section 2-6, concerning the prohibition of the sale or [distribution] display of symbols of hate by the City, for the purpose of ensuring that the City does not promote the distribution or display of symbols of hate or oppression.

Ordinance No. 2021-117 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a City of Richmond Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and the James River Association to provide funding for the implementation of green infrastructure practices to increase stormwater detention at certain libraries of the City known as the West End Branch, the North Avenue Branch, and the Broad Rock Branch. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 12:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2021-118 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Greening Richmond Public Libraries Project, West End Branch, North Avenue Branch, and Broad Rock Branch Right-of-Entry Agreement between the City of Richmond and the James River Association for the purpose of implementing green infrastructure practices to increase stormwater detention at certain libraries of the City known as the West End Branch, the North Avenue Branch, and the Broad Rock Branch. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, Continued on next column

Continued on next column

12:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2021-119 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Pole Attachment Agreement between the City of Richmond as licensor and VA SkyWire LLC as licensee for the purpose of allowing the attachment and maintenance of communication cables, fibers, attachments, equipment, and other related facilities on certain City-owned utility poles. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 12:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2021-120 To approve the Work Plan and Budget for the fiscal year ending Jun. 30, 2022, for the provision of services in the Downtown Richmond Special Service and Assessment Districts. (COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, May 20, 2021, 1:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2021-121 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Richmond, Virginia and the Public Defender for the City of Richmond, Virginia for the purpose of providing funds to supplement the salaries of employees in the Public Defender’s Office for the City of Richmond.

Ordinance No. 2021-122 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept grant funds in the amount of $100,000.00 from the Vi r g i n i a D e p a r t m e n t of Conservation and Recreation, and to appropriate the funds received to the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ Pump House Park special fund by $100,000.00 for the purpose of funding the planning, engineering, and construction of trail access improvements in Pump House Park to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ordinance No. 2021-123 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources; to amend the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Economic Development called the Maymont Below Stairs Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund; and to appropriate the grant funds received to the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the new Department of Economic Development’s Maymont Below Stairs Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund by $1,000,000.00 for the purpose of providing a grant of such funds to the Maymont Foundation for the Maymont Below Stairs historic preservation project.

Ordinance No. 2021-124 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources; to amend the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Economic Development called the VUU Center for African American History and Culture Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund; and to appropriate the grant funds received to the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the new Department of Economic Development’s VUU Center for African American History and Culture Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund by $1,000,000.00 for the purpose of providing a grant of such funds to Virginia Union University for the Virginia Union University Center for African American History and Culture Project.

Ordinance No. 2021-125 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $500,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources; to amend the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Economic Development called the Valentine Museum/JXN Project Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund; and to appropriate the grant funds received to the Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the new Department of Economic Development’s Valentine Museum/JXN Project Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund by $500,000.00 for the purpose of providing a grant of such funds to the Valentine Museum Foundation, Inc. for the JXN Project celebrating the 150th anniversary of Jackson Ward.

Ordinance No. 2021-126 To amend Ord. No. 2020051, adopted May 11, 2020, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvements Projects for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, and determined a means of financing the same, by (i) establishing a new project for the Department of Social Services in the City Facilities category called the “DSS Marshall Plaza” project and by (ii) transferring $3,607,410.44 from the Reserve Fund for Permanent Public I m p r o v e m e n t s and appropriating $3,607,410.44 of transferred funds to the Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 for the new DSS Marshall Plaza project in the City Facilities category for the purpose of renovating the Marshall Plaza Building located at 900 East Marshall Street for use by the Department of Social Services.

Ordinance No. 2021-127 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Seventh Amendment to the Agreement for the Provision of Services in the Downtown Richmond Special Service and Assessment Districts between the City of Richmond and Ve n t u r e R i c h m o n d , Inc., for the purpose of extending the term of the agreement to June 30, 2026. (COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, May 20, 2021, 1:00 p.m.)

This meeting will be held through electronic communication means pursuant to and in compliance with Ordinance No. 2020-093, adopted April 9, 2020, as most recently amended by Ordinance No. 2020-232, adopted December 14, 2020. This meeting will be open to participation through electronic communication means by the public and closed to in-person participation by the public. Less than a quorum of Richmond City Council will assemble in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, and most Council members and other staff will participate by teleconference/ videoconference via Microsoft Teams.

Video of the meeting will be streamed live online at the following web address: https:// r i c h m o n d v a . l e g i s t a r. com/Calendar.aspx. To watch the meeting’s live stream at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, “In Progress” in the farthest right hand column entitled, “Video”.

The agenda for the Richmond City Council meeting is accessible through the City’s legislative website at the following web address: https://richmondva. legistar.com/Calendar. aspx. To view the agenda at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, “Agenda” associated with the May 24, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting listed in the calendar.

Interested citizens who wish to speak at the Richmond City Council meeting will be given an opportunity to do so by following the “Formal Meeting Citizen Participation Instructions” attached to the May 24, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments in writing to CityClerksOffice@ richmondgov.com in lieu of calling in. The person responsible for receiving comments in writing is Candice D. Reid, City Clerk. All comments received prior to 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021, will be provided to Council members prior to the meeting and will be included in the record of the meeting.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https://www.rva.gov/ office-city-clerk.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce Virginia: IN THE HANOVER CIRCUIT COURT Commonwealth of Virginia, in re BRIAN LAMONT GREEN v SALA EL Case No.: CL20004183-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Divorce.

It is ordered that Sala El appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 21, 2021 at 9:00 AM. VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MAURICE SMITH, Plaintiff v.

CASSANDRA SMITH, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001061-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 1st day of July, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MAURICE BLAND, Plaintiff v.

AKILAH AR-RAHEEM, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001642-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 23rd day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KIMBERLY JEFFERSON, Plaintiff v.

PURCELL JEFFERSON, III, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001573-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 17th day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER GEORGE MINNICKS, Plaintiff LETITIA MINNICKS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001626-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 17th day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LADINA NORFLEET, Plaintiff v.

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FREZELL BROWN, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001672-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 17th day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHARLENE HARRIS, Plaintiff v.

BEN HARRIS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001481-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 2nd day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BOBBIE SALAS, Plaintiff v.

VINCENT SALAS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001406-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 1st day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER IVI MOLIN, Plaintiff v.

BAYRON GARCIA VASQUEZ, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001515-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 10th day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHADWICK FOWLER, Plaintiff v.

KRISTIN FOWLER, Defendant.

Case No.: CL20003601-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 10th day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown appear here on or before the 1st day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

S0002921010 5214 Germain Road C0080339020 2101 Harwood Street S0071081025 2210 Harwood Street S0071179002 1649 Hopkins Road C0090199022 3406 Hull Street S0002453005 324 Hunt Avenue N0001553022 1112 Irby Drive C0050585031 1830 Keswick Avenue S0071032003 5543 Linwood Avenue C0080213002 1432 Mechanicsville Turnpike E0000667002 1538 Mechanicsville Turnpike E0000672034 1540 Mechanicsville Turnpike E0000672036 3325 Mcguire Drive C0090172012 2708 Midlothian Turnpike S0001002006 2307 Mimosa Street S0071229057 320 Oak Glen Street C0070128007 1212 Oakwood Avenue E0000962016 2709 Rettig Road C0040552001 2706 Willamar Street S0090420015 810 Woodstock Road C0060662004 105 Yancey Street N0000329004 The owners may redeem this real estate before the date of a sale by paying all accumulated taxes, penalties, interest and costs.

Gregory A. Lukanuski, Deputy City Attorney Office of the City Attorney for the City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Room 400 Richmond, Virginia (804) 646-7949

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JULIKZA ESTEVEZ, Plaintiff v.

GODFREY PARKINSON, JR., Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001594-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 17th day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DEMOND SCOTT, Plaintiff v.

TAMIKA WATKINS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001663-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 21st day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND LISA YVONNE (JENKINS) STEWART, Plaintiff v.

HAROLD RICARDO STEWART, Defendant Case No.: CL21-1403-7 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Obtain a divorce a vinculo matrimonii or from the Bonds of Matrimony.

It appearing from an affidavit that diligence has been used without effect, by or on the behalf of the plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city defendant is and the last known address of the Defendant is as follows: L.K/A. 51 Henry St. Roosevelt, NY 11575.

It is ORDERED that Harold Ricardo Stewart appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 7, 2021.

An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JOHN ASHLOCK, Plaintiff v.

LINDA ASHLOCK, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001482-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 2nd day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BRITTANY RILEY, Plaintiff v.

MICHAEL RILEY, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001375-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown appear here on or before the 1st day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 Virginia: HENRICO COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228 CARLETHA BOWMAN v.

EDWARD BOWMAN, Case No.: CL20-5058 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to divorce.

It is ORDERED that EDWARD BOWMAN appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 7th, 2021.

Entered April 5, 2021 An Extract Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk

Custody VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ISAIAH ANTHONY GILCHRIST RDSS v.

SAMUEL BLY, Unknown father, & andrea renee gilchrist File No. J-98407-8, 9, 10 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Samuel Bly, (Father), Unknown (Father), & Andrea Renee Gilchrist (Mother), of Isaiah Anthony Gilchrist, child DOB: 7/27/2011.

“RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with Parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: Visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support and that:

It is ORDERED that the defendants Samuel Bly, (Father), Unknown Father (Father), Andrea Renee Gilchrist (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 7/20/2021, at 9:40 AM, Courtroom #2.

PROPERTY

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

ROBERT DEWEY WADE, JR, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL20-2286 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1334 Darbytown Road, a parcel overlapping a jurisdictional boundary, assigned Richmond Tax Map Number E010-0049/029, and Henrico Tax Map Number 803-712-8123, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Robert Dewey Wade, Jr, William Wade and Lester Wade.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, ROBERT DEWEY WADE, JR, has not filed a response to this action; that said owners, WILLIAM WADE and LESTER WADE, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that ROBERT DEWEY WADE, JR, WILLIAM WADE, LESTER WADE, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 2021 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MARQUITA ARCHIE, Plaintiff v.

LAVERNE ADAMS II, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21001376-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that

Notice Judicial Sale of Real Estate Notice is hereby given that at least thirty days from the date of this notice the City of Richmond will commence judicial proceedings under the authority of Virginia Code Section 58.1-3965 et seq. to sell the following real estate for payment of delinquent taxes: 2304 4th Avenue N0000610007 1610 North 35th Street E0001542022 18 West Baker Street N0000107028 2516 Bells Road S0090064012 701 Belt Boulevard C0060158002 2520 Rear Belt Boulevard C0090480026 5030 Brookbury Boulevard C0081063008 2400 Buford Avenue S0090265011 3305 Castlewood Road S0080772037 2403 Coles Street S0090065023 2505 Coles Street S0090104029 4519 Cooks Road C0060611022 2502 Courtland Street S0090224010 3422 Danbury Road S0080747027 525 Deter Road C0050889026 824 Dixon Drive C0060460001 1338 Drewry Street S0071134017 2210 Edwards Avenue S0000459005 1307 Enfield Avenue S0071177017 1812 Fairfax Avenue S0000546004 3121 Falcon Road C0011092002 701 Faye Street C0050830016 4008 Forest Hill Avenue

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

ROBERT L. RAMSEY, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL20-2257 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 4315 Short Street, Tax Map Number C009-1006/018, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Robert L. Ramsey and Elizabeth B. Ramsey.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, ROBERT L. RAMSEY and ELIZABETH B. RAMSEY, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/ or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that RO B ER T L . RAM S E Y, ELIZABETH B. RAMSEY, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 2021 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond,

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Richmond Free Press

B6 May 13-15, 2021

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous page

Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

DANIEL T. BOHANNON, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL19-4156 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2100 Richmond Street, Tax Map Number E000-0764/001, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Daniel T. Bohannon, Tina Elizabeth Freedman, Lynette Louise Morris and Barbara Mae O’Cock.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, DANIEL T. B O H A N N O N , T I N A ELIZABETH FREEDMAN, LYNETTE LOUISE MORRIS, and BARBARA MAE O’COCK, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that DANIEL T. BOHANNON, TINA ELIZABETH FREEDMAN, LYNETTE LOUISE MORRIS, BARBARA MAE O’COCK, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 2021 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

SHAKUNTALA I. PATEL, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL20-499 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the properties briefly described as 3601½ Richmond Highway, Tax Map Number S008-0884/052, 3603 Richmond Highway, Tax Map Number S0080884/051, 3605 Richmond Highway, Tax Map Number S008-0884/050, and 3607 Richmond Highway, Tax Map Number S008-0884/048, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Shakuntala I. Patel, Babubhai H. Patel, Ila B. Patel and Ashish A. Patel.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, SHAKUNTALA I. PATEL and ILA B. PATEL have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, BABUBHAI H. PATEL, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, ASHISH A. PATEL, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that SHAKUNTALA I. PATEL, ILA B. PATEL, BABUBHAI H. PATEL, ASHISH A. PATEL, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 2021 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

BRUCE ROUNTREE, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL19-6075 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2911 Hull Street, Tax Map Number S000-1343/014, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Bruce Rountree and Annie L. Rountree.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, BRUCE ROUNTREE, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; Continued on next column

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that said owner, ANNIE L. ROUNTREE, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that BRUCE ROUNTREE, ANNIE L. ROUNTREE, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 2021 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

City of Richmond v. Owen H. Coleman, Jr., et. al.

CL20-3017 1432 Minefee Street S0071284002 City of Richmond v. Glenda P. Williams Tunstall, et. al.

CL20-3288 201 Minor Street 201 N0000375001 City of Richmond v.

Jacqueline Lewis Lucas, et. al.

CL19-4155 1600 Monteiro Street N0000290012 City of Richmond v. Thomas Jasper Johnson, et. al.

CL20-1933 2306 North Avenue N0000488005 City of Richmond v. Sandra M. Jones, et. al.

CL20-3787 3202 North Avenue N0001132010 City of Richmond v. Dana E. Payne, et. al.

CL20-3979 2410 Old Dominion Street S0000567007 City of Richmond v. Martha Gaines, et. al.

CL20-2945 2110 Orlando Drive C0090420046 City of Richmond v. Kenneth W. Taylor, et. al.

CL20-2094 2130 Orlando Drive C0090420048 City of Richmond v. Kenneth W. Taylor, et. al.

CL20-2093 3402 P Street E0000964025 City of Richmond v. The LMT Land Trust, et. al.

CL20-1681 2605 Phaup Street E0120291011 City of Richmond v. Carolyn Laverne Brown, et. al.

CL20-3014 1537 Rogers Street E0000930043 City of Richmond v. James B. Harris, et, al.

CL20-2618 1910 Rose Avenue N0000370003 City of Richmond v. Naomi A. Hall, et, al.

CL20-2278 417 Smith Street N0000241035 City of Richmond v. Gloria Constello Sibley, et. al.

CL20-2253 3505 Stockton Street S0002601011 City of Richmond v. Flora M. Warrick, et, al.

CL20-2250 2723 Tate Street E0120426015 City of Richmond v. Junius W. Meredith, Sr., et. al.

CL20-2414 5101 Walmsley Boulevard C0080857032 City of Richmond v. Althea V. Henry, et. al.

CL20-2372 209 Winber Drive S0042908014 City of Richmond v. Lillian Chavis, et. al.

CL20-3310 2721 Woodrow Avenue N0000707024 City of Richmond v. Bernard D. Ogburn, et. al.

CL20-2968 2801 Y Street E0120427014 City of Richmond v. Parties Unknown, et. al.

CL20-2948 2310 Yorktown Avenue S0080453006 City of Richmond v. Wilbert H. Patron, Jr., et. al.

CL20-2946 TERMS OF SALE: All sales are subject to confirmation by the Richmond Circuit Court. The purchase price will include the winning bid plus 10% of the winning bid.

High bidders will pay at the time of the auction a deposit of at least 20% of the purchase price, or $5,000.00, whichever is greater. If the purchase price is under $5,000.00, high bidders will pay in full at the time of the auction. High bidders will pay the balance of the purchase price to the Special Commissioner, and deed recordation costs, by a date and in a form as stated in a settlement instruction letter. Time is of the essence.

If a high bidder defaults by not making these payments in full, on time, and in the required form, the Special Commissioner will retain the deposit, and may seek other remedies to include the cost of resale or any resulting deficiency. Settlement shall occur when the Richmond Circuit Court enters an Order of Confirmation. Conveyance shall be either by a special commissioner’s deed or a special warranty deed. Real estate taxes will be adjusted as of the date of entry for the Order of Confirmation.

Properties are sold “as is” without any representations or warranties, either expressed

or implied, subject to the rights of any person in possession, and to all easements, liens, covenants, defects, encumbrances, adverse claims, conditions and restrictions, whether filed or inchoate, to include any information a survey or inspection of a property may disclose. It is assumed that bidders will make a visual exterior inspection of a property within the limits of the law, determine the suitability of a property for their purposes, and otherwise perform due diligence prior to the auction.

T h e S p e c i a l Commissioner’s acceptance of a bid shall not limit any powers vested in the City of Richmond. Additional terms may be announced at the time of sale. Individuals owing delinquent taxes to the City of Richmond, and defendants in pending delinquent tax cases, are not qualified to bid at this auction. Bidders must certify by affidavit that they do not own, directly or indirectly, any real estate with outstanding notices of violation for building, zoning or other local ordinances.

Questions may be directed to Gregory A. Lukanuski at greg.lukanuski @richmondgov.com (804) 646-7949, or to Christie Hamlin at christie.hamlin@ richmondgov.com (804) 6466940.

Gregory A. Lukanuski Deputy City Attorney Special Commissioner 900 East Broad Street, Room 400 Richmond, Virginia 23219

should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.

Chesterfield County, Virginia 23832.

of the cemetery cannot be avoided due to the mixed use development of the surrounding area which would make access to the existing abandoned cemetery more difficult and the existing cemetery site would continue to deteriorate and become unrecognizable. Pursuant to the requirements of Virginia Code § 10.1-2305, the applicant intends to apply for a burial permit through the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) to allow the archaeological excavation and relocation of the aforementioned cemetery.

A copy of the Application may be requested from DHA. The exhumed human remains and funeral objects will be excavated by Bliley’s Funeral Home, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23230, and will be respectfully reburied at 15491 Village Square Parkway, Chesterfield County, Virginia 23832, about 255 feet from the now existing cemetery, unless otherwise requested by interested parties. The excavation and reinterment will occur on the same day.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SPECIAL COMMISSIONER’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Pursuant to the terms of Orders of Sale entered in the Richmond Circuit Court, the undersigned Special Commissioner will offer the following real estate for sale at public auction at Motleys Asset Disposition Group, 3600 Deepwater Terminal Road, Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm, or as soon thereafter as may be effected. The sale is subject to the terms and conditions below and any other terms and conditions which may be announced on the day of auction. Announcements made on the day of the auction take precedence over any prior written or verbal terms of sale.

915 East 15th Street S0000393007 City of Richmond v. Charles Jefferson, Jr., et. al.

CL20-3076 118 East 18th Street S0000236024 City of Richmond v.

Matthew Perkins, Jr. et. al.

CL20-2610 5 East 19th Street S0000294013 City of Richmond v. 4J Properties, LLC, et. al.

CL20-3989 110 East 21st Street S0000353035 City of Richmond v. Delia Wiley, et. al.

CL20-3306 1621 North 22nd Street E0000859023 City of Richmond v.

Elizabeth Dortch, et. al.

CL20-5072 1308 North 26th Street E0000620012 City of Richmond v. John H. Taylor, Jr., et. al.

CL20-3991 1005 North 27th Street E0000476035 City of Richmond v.

Jonathan Bullock, et. al.

CL20-138 207 East 37th Street S0042766020 City of Richmond v. William G. Davis, et. al.

CL20-3307 3311 Barton Avenue N0001357017 City of Richmond v. Brenda M. Dunlap, et. al.

CL20-2083 2502 Berwyn Street S0080381014 City of Richmond v. Edna P. Queen, et. al.

CL20-2967 2504 Berwyn Street S0080381013 City of Richmond v. Edna P. Queen, et.al.

CL20-3036 5401 Blue Ridge Avenue

E0100230001 City of Richmond v. Evelyn Smith, et. al.

CL20-2634 2821 Burfoot Street S0001123028 City of Richmond v. BG Property Soluctions, LLC, et.al.

CL20-4116 5701 Campbell Avenue E0100227028 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 5705 Campbell Avenue E0100227035 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 5709 Campbell Avenue E0100227036 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 5713 Campbell Avenue E0100227037 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 5717 Campbell Avenue E0100227020 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 1403 Stiff Street E0100227031 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 1405 Stiff Street E0100227032 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 1407 Stiff Street E0100227033 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 1409 Stiff Street E0100227034 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 1411 Stiff Street E0100227019 City of Richmond v.

Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2091 5715 Campbell Avenue E0100227030 City of Richmond v. Sallie C. Day, et. al.

CL20-609 1401 Stiff Street E0100227029 City of Richmond v. Sallie C. Day, et. al.

CL20-609 4400 Castlewood Road S0090301017 City of Richmond v.

Elizabeth C. Edwards, et. al.

CL20-2619 1604 Columbia Street S0071377003 City of Richmond v. Stella Clark, et. al.

CL20-3075 3213 Delaware Avenue N0001158023 City of Richmond v. Elijah W. Jones, Jr., et. al.

CL20-2663 3214 Dill Avenue N0001078006 City of Richmond v.

Josephine W. Lewis, et. al.

CL20-3077 1809 Fairfax Avenue S0000456017 City of Richmond v. Each One Counts etc., LLC, et. al.

CL20-4356 3518 Florida Avenue N0001371002 City of Richmond v. Tessie M. Robinson, et. al.

CL20-2964 3423 Frank Road S0080854029 City of Richmond v. Richard Woolridge, et. al.

CL20-484 2803 West Grace Street Rear W0001291061 City of Richmond v. Red Hill Investments, LC, et. al.

CL20-3857 3613 Greenbay Road C0090637026 City of Richmond v. Elmer Reid Van Cleave, et. al.

CL20-3336 2610 Hopkins Road C0090528064 City of Richmond v.

Omicron Group, LLC, et. al.

CL20-2104 2101 Ingram Avenue S0000763011 City of Richmond v. George S. A. Friday, et. al.

CL20-2106 1601 Lamb Avenue N0000290014 City of Richmond v. Thomas J. Johnson, et. al.

CL20-1934 2400 Lamberts Avenue S0080815031 City of Richmond v. Jafar F. Abdul Rahman, et. al.

CL20-2661 3011 Laurelbrook Drive C0090176009 City of Richmond v.

Denease Kidd Burke, et. al.

CL20-2666 507 Lincoln Avenue N0180455004 City of Richmond v. Irene J. Lundy, et. al.

CL20-2972 2317 M Street E0000293004 City of Richmond v. William McKinley Perry, et. al.

CL20-2621 4001 McKay Avenue Rear C0090424022 City of Richmond v. T. C. Houliares, et. al.

CL20-2163 1706 South Meadow Street W0000875013 City of Richmond v.

Antoinette L. Bland, et. al.

CL20-2370 3609 Midlothian Turnpike S0002466031 City of Richmond v. Henry T. Carter, et. al.

CL20-5338 3405 Mike Road S0080820025 City of Richmond v. Sharon Jones, et. al.

CL20-2373 505 Milton Street N0001365026

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

RICHMOND RENOVATIONS INC, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL21-1119 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1823 Harwood Street, Tax Map Number S007-1082/013, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Richmond Renovations Inc.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, RICHMOND RENOVATIONS INC, an entity listed as terminated in the records o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/ or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that RICHMOND RENOVATIONS INC, an entity listed as terminated in the records o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 2021 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

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Virginia: In the Circuit Court of the County of Henrico SAMUEL FLOYD MAYS, Jr., Trustee JOYCE DRUDGE MAYS, Trustee (Plaintiffs) Estate of W.S. Forbes, deceased CATHERINE FORBES Heir of the Estate of W.S. Forbes THOMAS A. FATULA Heir of the Estate of W.S.Forbes Unknown Heirs of W.S. Forbes and parties Unknown (Defendants) Case No. CL-21-1423 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the above-styled suit is for the Plaintiffs to obtain interest in alleys bordering parcels free of encumbrances by adverse possession as they purchased these parcels, some with appurtenances on the alley ways adjacent to Lots 16-27, Block B Battle Park in Sandston, Henrico County, Virginia, and they and their predecessors in interest have cordoned off with fencing and continuously maintained such alley ways as their own for a period of over 18 years.

And, it appearing by affidavit filed according to law that the Plaintiffs have exercised due diligence in attempting to contact Catherine Forbes and Thomas A. Fatula, heirs of the Estate of W.S. Forbes, deceased, the only believed known heir, to no avail, it is therefore ORDERED that the said Catherine Forbes and Thomas A. Fatula, heirs of the Estate of W.S. Forbes, deceased, do appear on or before the 7th day of June, 2021, in the Clerk’s Office of this Court and do what is necessary to protect their interest.

A Copy Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk I Ask For This: Diane Christensen VSB #47568 Christensen Law, Inc. P.O. Box 775 Sandston, Virginia 23150 (804) 326-2154 (804) 326-2158 facsimile

NOTICE The Brew Crew LLC Trading as: Brewers Cafe 1012 Hull Street Rd Richmond, VA 23224-4072 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer on Premises/ Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections Continued on next column

Guapollon LLC Trading as: Guapollon LLC 7235 Hull Street Rd North Chesterfield, VA 23235-5803 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.

IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR THE STATE OF TENNESSEE CHANCERY DIVISION AT CLINTON, TENNESSEE Kimberly Sue Walker Dotson Whereabouts Unknown Last Known Address: Unknown Charles Allen Walker, Jr. Petitioner Case No. 20CH2609 Vs. Kimberly Sue Walker Dotson Defendants NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

It appears from the pleadings filed in this cause that Kimberly Sue Walker Dotson whereabouts are unknown. In compliance with the provisions of T.C.A. 21-1-204 and the Order of Publication of this court entered April 9, 2021, service of process will be made by publication.

SHE IS THEREFORE, HEREBY REQUIRED TO APPEAR ON OR BEFORE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER T H E L A S T D AT E O F PUBLICATION before the Clerk and Master of Chancery Court, located at 100 N. Main Street, Suite 308, Clinton, Tennessee and make defense to the complaint filed against HER in said court by Charles Allen Walker, Jr, Petitioner, or otherwise said complaint will be taken for confessed, and a Judgment by Default entered.

Defendant is required to file responsive pleadings with the court and Plaintiff’s Attorney, H. Daniel Forrester, III, 224 N. Main St., Clinton, TN 37716.

This April 12, 2021.

Harold P. Cousins Jr. Clerk and Master By: Blake Williams Deputy Clerk PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO RELOCATE INTERMENTS WITHIN THE MOUNT ETNA BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1. APPLICANT: COSBY VILLAGE, LLC, A VIRGINIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY 15871 CITY VIEW DRIVE, STE. 100 MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA 23113 2. PROPOSED WORK FOR RELOCATION: The Applicant proposes to excavate all human remains from an abandoned cemetery of about 6,322.5 square feet of what was the MOUNT ETNA BAPTIST CHURCH C E M E T E RY l o c a t e d i n Chesterfield County, Virginia.

The only remains of the church are several foundation pilings.

The current site is unattended and difficult to locate and has lack of parking. The remains will be disinterred and relocated at a new site about 255 feet from the current location on a parcel of land containing 10,640 square feet. The Applicant is developing the subject property and surrounding area as a planned development and will provide in the new location a dignified area for the new cemetery which will be maintained by the Applicant and/or successor, which will provide easy access to and from the reinterred remains and will allow adequate parking for heirs and visitors to the new cemetery site. The current cemetery location is located at 15901 Cosby Road, Chesterfield County, Virginia 23832. The new site location is Parcel # 713671840700000, 15451 Village Square Parkway, Continued on next column

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: RFP No. 210012910 Natural Gas Leakage Survey Pre-Proposal Conference Call Meeting: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. For all information pertaining to this RFP conference call, please logon to the Richmond website (www.RichmondGov.com).

Due Date: Thursday, June 3, 2021/Time: 3:00 P.M.

NOTE: Offerors choosing to submit proposals through hand-delivery should allow extra time for delivery of proposals. Due to COVID-19, hand-delivered proposals will be accepted only during the hours of 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday at the 9 th Street entrance to City Hall at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23221. Offerors choosing to hand-deliver proposals must call Daniel Mullery at 804-646-5820 when arriving at City Hall, and Daniel Mullery will meet the offeror at the 9 th Street entrance of City Hall to collect the submittal. Proposals will not be accepted after the Due Date and Time listed above.

Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.

RichmondGov.com), or faxed (804) 646-5989. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

The current cemetery contains nine (9) headstone markers with the following inscriptions: #1. “Grover M. Turner” (b. December 1, 1888, d.

December 17,1975), #2.

“Martha L. Owens” (b. July 7, 1905, d. May 16, 1996), #3.

“Jemima Cheatham Owens” (d. June 8, 1961), #4. “Rev. George Lee Owens” (d.

February 27, 1960), #5.

“Mary D. Owens”, (b. March 15, 1920, d. January 5, 1981), #6. “Samuel Owens”, (b. September 8, 1914, d.

October 17, 1995), #7. “Sylvia R. Turner”, (b. June 5, 1888, d. April 9, 1924), #8. “Helen T. Mason”, (b. June 5, 1905, d. December 13, 1937), #9.

“John T. Jones”, (b. January 15, 1920, d. May 8, 1981).

The current cemetery contains an unknown number of unmarked graves within the cemetery. Documentary research indicates the cemetery contains or could contain the following; Lizzie R. Archer, Elsie Briggs, Arthur Cheatham, Alex Cheatham, Catherine Cheatham, Eliza K. Cheatham, Elwood Cheatham, Frances Cheatham, James Cheatham, Linwood Cheatham, Minnie S. Cheatham, Sarah Cheatham, Susie Cheatham, Dolly Caroline Page Cousins, Mathew Cousins, Kate C. Early, Amelia Haskins, Calvin Haskins, Corah Haskins, Creed Haskins, Hattie Haskins, Florence Haskins, Richard Haskins, Richard Haskins, Jr., Sarah E . H a s k i n s , S i d n e y F. Haskins, Luther Henderson, James Henderson, Howard Henderson, Irene Henderson, Constance Delores Howell, Mamie Hudson, Emma R. Jefferson, Robert H. Jefferson, William H. Jefferson, Beulah Jones, Dara Jones, David Jones, Essex Jones, Jemima Jones, Jerald Jones, Lizzie M. Jones, Samuel Jones, William Jones, Virginia Jones, Ruth Lee, Emma Ross, Emily C. Ross, George Ross, Junie Ross, Lizzie Stokes, Amanda Sturdevant, Cornelius Sturdevant, Eliza Sturdevant, Patrick Wooldridge, Rebecca Wooldridge.

Cosby Village, LLC, has determined that disturbance Continued on next column

Public Notice

3. COMMENT PERIOD: Comments on the project should be made in writing and addressed to the following: Bruce P. Ganey, Esquire 11159 Air Park Road, Suite 1, Ashland, Virginia 23005 Telephone: (804) 550-2106 Facsimile: (804) 550-1015 Cell Phone: (804) 516-8020 Email: tc@hanoverlaw.net and Joanna Wilson Green Virginia Department of Historic Resources 2801 Kensington Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23221 Email: burialpermits@dhr. virginia.gov

Written comment should be received by the close of business on May 20, 2021.

A public Hearing may be requested by any Respondent to this Notice.

4. CONTACT INFOMATION: If you have any questions about this project, please contact: Bruce P. Ganey, Esquire 11159 Air Park Road, Suite 1, Ashland, Virginia 23005 Telephone: (804) 550-2106 Facsimile: (804) 550-1015 Cell Phone: (804) 516-8020 Email: tc@hanoverlaw.net

CONTACT: Lucinda Shannon 434-979-0654 Ishannon@tjpdc.org

Hearings will be held at the: · MPO Policy Board Meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

The Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO will host a public hearings on: $GRSWLQJ WKH )< 8QL¿HG 3ODQQLQJ Work Program (UPWP) These planning documents outline future Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO activities. More information can be found at (http://campo.tjpdc.org).

The hearings will be held online and phone, visit http://campo.tjpdc.org for connection instructions.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Comments may also be submitted via telephone, email or letter to the MPO: POB 1505, Charlottesville, VA 22902; phone (434) 979-7310; email: info@tjpdc.org.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Software Developer VII (Glen Allen, VA and client sites) Design and develop custom software applications. Perform full development lifecycle from gathering requirements to implementation. Master’s Degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology RU UHODWHG ¿HOG UHTXLUHG 0XVW EH SUR¿FLHQW LQ & :3) :HE6HUYLFHV +70/ -DYD6FULSW DQG 64/ 6HUYHU 0DLO UHVXPH WR 7H[SORUHUV ,QF $WWQ +5 +XJKHV &LU )ORZHU 0RXQG 7;

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond.

To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com.

EOE M/F/D/V IT; Glen Allen, VA: Senior Programmer Analyst: Glen Allen, VA. Deploy, plan, dsgn, code, install & admin end-to-end analytics solutions on QlikeView, QlikSense, NPrinting, PowerBI, AWS & Azure. Engage in Req Analysis, Planning & Migration. Utilize AGILE & Waterfall methodologies to devel & impl applications.

Facilitate Data Security & Analytics incl Big Data & Cloud techs. Engage in complete Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) & create ETL queries. Involve in Disaster Recovery Solution & participate in Data warehousing. Devel mappings, reports, & dashboards. Req Bachelor’s or Equivt (will accept any combination of edu & exp determined equivt to a bachelor’s degree) in Comp Sci or Info Tech w/ 2 yrs exp in the job offered. Senior Software Engineer: Analyze, dsgn, devel, test, & implClient/Server, Web based applications using Java EE, JQuery, JSP, JSF, XML, HTML, CSS, AJAX, Struts, Spring, Hibernate, Eclipse & SOAP in Unix, Linux, & Windows NT environ. Perf req gathering, analysis & estimation. Devel Integrated Management System (IMS) framework to visualize data. Devel centralized platform, eSMART BICM to generate repts. Utilize Java Web svsc to automate SOAP API. Engage in Unit Testing, Systems Integration Testing, UAT, Code Migration & Implementation.

Utilize Oracle, MS-SQL & PostrgeSQL to design & maintain database. Req Bachelor’s or Frgn Equivt in Computer Science or Information Technology or euivt w/ 2 yrs exp in the job offered RU UHODWHG ¿HOG $OO MREV UHT WUDYHO RU UHOR WR YDU unanticipated client sites in the U.S. Mail res to Global Sumi Technologies Inc., Attn: HR, 11549 Nuckols Rd, Ste B, Glen Allen, VA - 23059