Richmond Free Press May 26-28, 2022 issue

‘Virtual Elegance, Grace Redefined’ B4

Richmond Free Press

VOL. 31 NO. 22

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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Meet this week’s Personality B2

MAY 26-28, 2022

Governor: Texas gunman said he was going to ‘shoot up school’

By Acacia Coronado and Jim Vertuno The Associated Press

Dario Lopez-Mills/Associated Press

The archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, comforts families outside the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday.

UVALDE, Texas The gunman who massacred 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas warned in online messages sent minutes before the attack that he had shot his grandmother and was going to shoot up a school, the governor said Wednesday.

Salvador Ramos, 18, used an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle in the bloodshed Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which ended when police stormed a classroom and killed him. He legally bought the rifle and a second one like it last week, just after his birthday on May 16, authorities said.

“Evil swept across Uvalde yesterday. Anyone who shoots his grandmother in the face has to have evil in his heart,” Gov. Greg Abbott said.

“But it is far more evil for someone to gun down little kids.”

Investigators shed no light on the motive for the attack, which also left at least 17 people wounded. The governor said the gunman, a resident of the small town about 85 miles west of San Antonio, had no known criminal or mental health history.

But about a half-hour before the mass shooting, the gunman sent the first of three messages online, Gov. Abbott said. He wrote that he was going to shoot his grandmother, then that he had shot the woman. In the last note, sent about 15 minutes before he reached Robb Elementary, he said he was going to shoot up an elementary school, according to Gov. Abbott. Investigators said the shooter did not specify which school.

The dead included Eliahna Garcia, an outgoing 10-year-old who loved to sing, dance and play basketball; a fellow fourth-grader, Xavier Javier Lopez, who had been eagerly awaiting a summer of swimming; and a teacher, Eva Mireles, with 17 years of experience whose husband is Please turn to A4

School Board questions its role in Ashe Center’s site plans

By Jeremy Lazarus

Another battle appears to be looming between City Hall and the School Board.

This time the issue involves the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, which occupies a key four-acre parcel at the intersection of Arthur Ashe Boulevard and Robin Hood Road in North Side.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration wants to remove the aging 30-year-old Mayor Stoney building named for the tennis great as it is now part of the 67-acre largely city-owned Diamond District that is being pitched for redevelopment.

The Stoney administration has winnowed 15-teams down to three finalists and will soon recommend a winner of the potential $300 million to $500 million project that aims to create the

equivalent of a small village of apartments, retail shops and offices anchored by a new baseball stadium that would replace The Diamond, which sits next to the Arthur Ashe Center.

The city holds the deed to the facility, but it was built as a basketball hub and convocation center for Richmond Public Schools, which has maintained control of the management and operations since the building opened in 1982.

At this point, the building remains in use, though Mr. Sledge a key portion of the air conditioning system no longer works.

Still, as the city moves forward, the School Board could become a sticking point, with members wanting the school system to get paid for giving up a building that the Stoney adminPlease turn to A4

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

All the world’s a stage!

Youngsters from the local U.S. Bangladesh Social Organization perform a traditional dance during the 24th Annual Asian American Festival at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, hosted by the Asian American Society of Central Virginia last Saturday. In addition to traditional dances, the celebration included food, cultural activities and vendors.

Mrs. Obama

She’s coming!

Michelle Obama to discuss free speech at the Richmond Forum

By Donald J. Adams

Former First Lady Michelle Obama will make a long-awaited appearance at the Richmond Forum on June 7.

Initially scheduled for March 2020, Mrs. Obama’s sold-out appearance was delayed due to postponement related to COVID-19. She will speak at the Altria Theater and the program will be simulcast to the Dominion Energy Center.

“We know that Richmond was so disappointed when we were unable to present former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2020, and we are so excited to have been able to reschedule the event,” said Heather Crislip, Richmond Forum’s executive director.

Mrs. Obama’s conversation will be part of the Richmond Forum’s Speech Debate Initiative, which brings speakers and debates to Richmond area public high schools and middle schools.

The initiative helps provide Please turn to A4

Julianne Tripp

Rolling on the river Festival-goers paddle around in the canal at Tredegar Street during Dominion Energy Riverrock’s “Try A Kayak” activity last Saturday. Please see more photos on B4.

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

The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Thursday, May 26, 4 to 7 p.m. — Broad Rock Sports Complex, 4899 Old Warwick Road Call the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information on testing sites, or go online at vax.rchd.com.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID-

Please turn to A4

A2 May 26-28, 2022

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Additional upgrades are taking place in Byrd Park’s Reservoir, which was built in 1897 and has served residents of Richmond and surrounding counties since then. The reservoir operates as two finished water tanks.

Upgrades and maintenance have occurred over the years to ensure peak operating capacity.

Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities is making improvements to the distribution system’s reliability and to increase the operational flexibility of facilities associated with the reservoir. This tank rehabilitation project will be completed in two phases.

Regina H. Boone/ Richmond Free Press

Memorial Day 2022 holiday closings In observance of Memorial Day, Monday May 30, please note the following: Public schools: Closed Federal and state government offices: Closed City and county offices and public libraries: Closed Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico courts: Closed CVWMA trash pickup and recycling: No collection on Monday; collections resume Tuesday, May 31, but will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week until Saturday, June 4.

U.S. Postal Service: No deliveries Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers: Closed Banks and financial institutions: Closed ABC stores: Stores will be open until 6 p.m. Monday.

Malls, major retailers and movie theaters: Varies.

Inquire at specific locations.

GRTC: Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule, with no Express services. GRTC customer service is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., while all CARE reservations on the holiday are canceled.

Free Press offices: Closed

VUU, VSU join public schools to retain Black and Latino male teachers

By Ronald E. Carrington

Richmond Public Schools’ RVA Men Teach program has partnered with Virginia Union and Virginia State universities to create a Teacher Residency program for male minority teachers.

Rodney A. Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, is RPS’ senior policy adviser and director for Teacher Pathways/ RVA Men Teach, a new program designed to recruit and retain African-American and Latino men as teachers, specifically for public schools in Richmond and Petersburg.

Mr. Robinson, a 20-year teaching vet-

eran, told the Free Press that the program is funded by the Virginia Department of Education for one year.

“The program is a result of a combination of addressing a part of RPS’ 2018 Strategic Plan, ‘Dreams4RPS’ to increase the number of male and minority teacher in the district,” Mr. Robinson said. During his national tenure as Teacher of the Year, Mr. Robinson focused on recruiting more minority teachers into urban classrooms.

The goal of “RVA Men Teach” is to improve students’ academic, social, and professional outcomes by recruiting male minority educators, providing an

opportunity to earn a master’s degree in elementary education and special education at VUU or VSU. According to “RVA Men Teach,” male educators of color currently represent 2 percent of the teacher workforce.

Men interested in the program must have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in experience in the field of education. Candidates also must commit to teach for three in Richmond or Petersburg after earning their degrees.

The application deadline is June 1. To apply visit https://www.vsu.edu/admissions/apply/graduate-apply/index.php

New stable for police horses

By Jeremy Lazarus

Richmond’s four police horses, Aslan, Samson, Scooter and Toby, are finally getting a new home.

A new stable is headed for 601 N. 39th St., a 45-acre city property located between Franklin MilitaryAcademy and Gillies Creek, according to an ordinance introduced Monday night at the City Council meeting.

Expected to pass at the June 27 City Council meeting, the ordinance authorizes Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration to accept a gift of around $3.9 million from the Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad to pay for the new horse stable.

The new stable would replace a long-condemned metal stable the police horses now occupy on Brook Road, just a stone’s throw from Gilpin Court. The building remains in use even though it had been deemed unfit for such use since 2002.

As the Free Press reported last year, an anonymous donor stepped

forward to fund the new stable. The ordinance indicates the gift is passing through the Friends to the city.

The city had set aside $1.5 million in 2018 to replace the current stable but dropped the idea after bids came in more than $1 million over budget.

The city still has about $1.4 million to spend but may not have to use it given the size of the gift.

The selected site is a former landfill that also sits in the flood plain. The cost ballooned because of the extensive site work that would be needed to make the property usable.

The new stable is projected to be located closer to 39th Street to reduce the amount of work. Past plans called for the new horse barn to cover 3.5 acres of the property, include 12 horse stalls that would serve city horses and potentially those from other area agencies that might add horses.

Richmond’s Mounted Squad was launched in the 1890s and ranks among the oldest such police units in the country.

City swimming pools open in time for holiday City council greenlights coliseum’s replacement For the second year, Richmond will open four of its public

outdoor pools for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday – kicking off summer swimming just like private pools in the suburbs.

City pools will open at noon Saturday, May 28, at these locations: Blackwell in South Side, Fairmount in Church Hill, Hotchkiss in North Side and Randolph in the near West End. The pools will be open until 6 p.m. Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 29, and from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, May 30, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has announced.

The four pools also will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, and Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12, the department stated.

Richmond’s seven outdoor pools will all open Saturday, June 18, for the summer after classes end for Richmond Public Schools, adding Battery Park in North Side, Powhatan in Fulton and Woodville in the East End to the mix.

The pools will generally operate from 1 to 5 p.m. seven days a week through Labor Day. The department is recruiting lifeguards in a bid to offer longer hours.

Children and youths also can participate in competitive swimming through the Richmond Riptides Swim Team. The team practices from 4 to 7 p.m. daily at the Swansboro Indoor Pool.

By Jeremy Lazarus

The vacant and closed Richmond Coliseum is headed for redevelopment.

City Council on Monday agreed to hand the building over the Economic Development Authority to begin the process of replacing the 51-year-old building with apartments, offices or other new projects.

The decision came as the council also agreed to hold a special meeting Tuesday, May 31, to extend from Monday, June 6, to Friday, Aug. 5, the deadline to pay personal property tax bills on vehicles.

Under the approved Coliseum plan, the EDA is to seek a developer willing to demolish the building, restore the streets the Coliseum took out and develop a new

project.

EDA was granted two years to find and award the project located between 5th and 7th streets near City Hall. The goal is to have development underway within three years.

The decision comes after the council’s previous approval of a long-range plan of development for city property near the Coliseum. Among other things, the plan calls for moving the John Marshall Courts Building and City Hall to new locations The Coliseum project follows an agreement authorizing a private developer to replace the old Public Safety Building on 9th Street.

That project, expected to start this year, is to include office and research space for Virginia Commonwealth University

Scooter and Officer Amanda Acuff

and replacement hotels for the Ronald McDonald House and Doorways, which house families of hospital patients.

The council also gave the green light to the administration’s plan to create the Richmond Behavioral Health Foundation to support development of a trauma and healing response network for families who have lost loved ones to violence. The foundation would initially have $366,000 to fund programs that the Richmond City Health District would coordinate.

The council also approved an administration proposal to beef up the city’s community gardening program, including authorizing the hiring of a community garden coordinator, allowing community gardens in city parks and enabling participating gardeners to sell their produce.

Local health clinic pauses services The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts have stopped clinical operations at the Southwood Resource Center due to maintenance issues, bringing a temporary halt to health screenings, exams and other medical services that have been provided to the public there since 2018. The center is located at 1754 Clarkson Road.

RHHD officials said patients with scheduled appointments at the site are being contacted to reschedule for other dates and locations until RHHD and Southwood management resolve problems at the site. Information about when the center will reopen has not been released.

“This is an emerging and evolving situation,” said Margo Webb, director of community programs, in a statement. “Our clinical and community teams remain dedicated to serving the health needs of Southwood residents and are exploring options to prevent a gap in services.”

The Southwood pool house will remain open and active for services and scheduled appointments, including COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and other outreach efforts.

File photo

ATM access returns to Highland Park Bank of America has reopened its automated teller machine at its former Highland Park bank building, 1307 E. Brookland Park Blvd., it has been announced. The ATM offers access 24 hours a day.

Richmond Free Press

May 26-28, 2022 A3

Richmond Free Press

A4 May 26-28, 2022

News

Governor: Texas gunman said he was going to ‘shoot up school’ Continued from A1

an officer with the school district’s police department.

“You can just tell by their angelic smiles that they were loved,” Uvalde Schools Superintendent Hal Harrell said, fighting back tears as he recalled the children and teachers killed.

“That they loved coming to school, that they were just precious individuals.”

Amid calls around the U.S. for tighter restrictions on firearms, the Republican governor repeatedly talked about mental health struggles among Texas young people and argued that tougher gun laws in Chicago, New York and California are ineffective.

Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who is running against Gov. Abbott for governor, interrupted Wednesday’s news conference, calling the tragedy “predictable.” Pointing his finger at the governor, he said: “This is on you until you choose to do something different.

This will continue to happen.” Mr. O’Rourke was escorted out as some in the room yelled at him, with Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin calling him a “sick son of a bitch.”

Texas has some of the most gun-friendly laws in the nation and has been the site of some of the deadliest shootings in the U.S. over the past five years.

“I just don’t know how people can sell that type of a gun to a kid 18 years old,” Siria Arizmendi, the aunt of victim Eliahna Garcia, said angrily through tears. “What is he going to use it for but for that purpose?”

Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety told CNN that all of those killed were in the same fourthgrade classroom.

The killer “barricaded himself by locking the door and just started shooting children and teachers that were inside that classroom,” Lt. Olivarez said. “It just shows you the complete evil of the shooter.”

Police and others responding to the attack also went around breaking windows at the school to enable students and teachers to escape. Officers eventually broke into the classroom and killed the gunman in one last exchange of gunfire, authorities said.

The attack in the predominantly Latino town was the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., in December 2012.

The tragedy was the latest in a seemingly unending string of mass killings at churches, schools, stores and other sites in the U.S. Just 10 days earlier, 10 Black people were shot to death in a racist rampage at a Buffalo, N.Y., supermarket.

In a somber address to the nation hours after the attack in Texas, President Biden pleaded for Americans to “stand up to the gun lobby” and enact tougher restrictions, saying: “When in God’s name are we going to do what has to be done?”

But the prospects for any reform of the nation’s gun regulations appeared dim. Repeated attempts over the years to expand background checks and enact other curbs have run into Republican opposition in Congress.

The shooting came days before the National Rifle Association annual convention was set to begin in Houston, with the Texas governor and both of the state’s Republican U.S. senators scheduled to speak.

On social media in the days and hours before the massacre, the shooter appeared to drop hints that something was going to happen.

On the day he bought his second weapon last week, an Instagram account that investigators say apparently belonged to him carried a photo of two AR-15-style rifles. That post tagged another Instagram user, one with more than 10,000 followers, asking her to share the picture.

“I barely know you and u tag me in a picture with some guns,” replied the Instagram user, who has since removed her profile. “It’s just scary.”

On the morning of the attack, the account linked to the gunman replied: “I’m about to.”

Instagram confirmed to The Associated Press that it is working with law enforcement to review the account but declined to answer questions about the postings.

Investigators also are looking at an account on TikTok, possibly belonging to the shooter, with a profile that reads: “Kids be scared IRL,” which stands for “in real life.”

Investigators do not yet know why the gunman targeted the school, said Steve McCraw, director of the Department of Public Safety.

“We don’t see a motive or catalyst right now,” he said.

Officers found one of the rifles in the gunman’s truck, the other in the school, according to the briefing given to lawmakers.

He was wearing a tactical vest, but it had no hardened bodyarmor plates inside, lawmakers were told. He also dropped a backpack containing several magazines full of ammunition near the school entrance.

One of the guns was purchased at a federally licensed dealer in the Uvalde area on May 17, according to state Sen. John Whitmire, who was briefed by investigators. He bought 375 rounds of ammunition the next day, then purchased the second rifle last Friday.

Michelle Obama to discuss free speech at the Richmond Forum Continued from A1

Free COVID-19 vaccines Continued from A1

19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov/ coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot?

The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering free walk-up COVID-19 vaccines at the following locations: • Friday, May 27, 10 a.m. to noon – Bacon Retirement Community, 815 N 35th St., Pfizer for those ages 12 & up and Moderna; 2 to 4 p.m. - Bowler Retirement Community, 608 N. 26th St., Pfizer for those ages 12 & up and Moderna.

Children ages 5 to 17 may only receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Vaccinations and booster shots are available for all eligible on a walk-in basis. People still may schedule an appointment online at vaccinate.virginia.gov or vax.rchd.com, or by calling (804) 205-3501 or (877) VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682).

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

Those who are getting a booster shot should bring their vaccine card to confirm the date and type of vaccine received.

RHHD also offers at-home vaccinations by calling (804) 205-3501 to schedule appointments.

New COVID-19 cases in Virginia rose by 25 percent last week, according to the Virginia Department of Health, while data from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association showed a 24 percent increase in hospitalizations statewide within the same period.

Pfizer is now recommending three small doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of five, and announced Monday plans to submit preliminary data to federal health groups later this week.

Data so far for this method showed an 80 percent effectiveness in protecting those between six months and five years old from the Omicron variant, though company researchers also say larger trials are needed to test how well the doses prevent severe disease in the age group.

The Food and Drug Administration is already at work reviewing data on the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine in protecting very young children, with doses for the age group potentially approved and authorized in the summer.

A total of 3,488 new cases of COVID-19 were reported statewide Wednesday for the 24-hour period, contributing to an overall state total of 1,770,620 cases in Virginia since the pandemic’s outbreak. As of Wednesday, there have been 450,973 hospitalizations and 20,358 deaths statewide.

The state’s seven-day positivity rate rose to 17.2 percent on Wednesday. Last week, the positivity rate was 14.8 percent.

On Wednesday, state health officials reported that 73.6 percent of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, while 82.2 percent have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

State data also showed that over three million people in Virginia have received booster shots or third doses of the vaccine.

Among those ages 5 to 11 in Virginia, 318,300 have received their first shots, accounting for 43.9 percent of the age group in the state, while 271,762 children, or 37.5 percent, are fully vaccinated and 3,429 children have received a third vaccine dose or booster. As of Wednesday, fewer than 147,770 cases, 882 hospitalizations and ten deaths have been recorded among children in the state.

State data also shows that African-Americans comprised 22 percent of cases statewide and 23.2 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 11.7 percent of cases and 5.1 percent of deaths.

Reported COVID-19 data as of Wednesday, May 25, 2022 Cases Hospitalizations Deaths 47,240 1,102 514 Richmond Henrico County 69,228 1,476 935 Chesterfield County 77,267 1,446 761 Hanover County 22,822 674 286

On Tuesday morning, the gunman shot and wounded his grandmother at her home, then left. Neighbors called police when she staggered outside and they saw she had been shot in the face, Department of Public Safety spokesperson Travis Considine said.

He then crashed his truck through a railing on the school grounds, and an Uvalde school district officer exchanged fire with him and was wounded, Mr. Considine said. He went inside and traded more gunfire with two arriving Uvalde police officers, who were still outside, Mr. Considine said. Those officers were also wounded.

Dillon Silva, whose nephew was in a classroom, said students were watching the Disney movie “Moana” when they heard several loud pops and a bullet shattered a window. Moments later, their teacher saw the attacker stride past the door.

“Oh, my God, he has a gun!” the teacher shouted twice, according to Mr. Silva. “The teacher didn’t even have time to lock the door,” he said.

On Wednesday morning, volunteers were seen arriving at the town civic center with Bibles and therapy dogs. Three children and an adult remained at a San Antonio hospital, where two of them — a 66-year-old woman and 10-year-old girl — were listed in serious condition.

Uvalde is about 75 miles from the Mexican border. Robb Elementary, which has nearly 600 students in second, third and fourth grades, is a single-story brick structure in a mostly residential neighborhood of modest homes.

The close-knit community, built around a shaded central square, includes many Hispanic families who have lived there for generations. It sits amid fields of cabbage, onions, carrots and other vegetables. But many of the steadiest jobs are supplied by companies that produce construction materials.

The attack came as Robb Elementary was counting down to the last days of the school year with a series of themed days.

Tuesday was “Footloose and Fancy,” with students wearing nice outfits.

Eugene Garcia, Dario Lopez-Mills and Elliot Spagat in Uvalde, Jake Bleiberg in Dallas, Ben Fox, Michael Balsamo, Amanda Seitz and Eric Tucker in Washington, Paul J. Weber in Austin, Juan Lozano in Houston, Gene Johnson in Seattle and Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.

“life-changing experiences to youths, builds their ability to engage in critical thinking and their confidence,” said Ms. Crislip.

“We think that speech and debate programs for our youths are an investment in their success, and in our community.”

Mrs. Obama, a South Chicago native, has long been in the spotlight for her numerous contributions as the only AfricanAmerican first lady in the history of the United States. Serving as an integral part of the presidency of her husband, former

President Obama, she led multiple initiatives, most notably her “Let’s Move!” campaign, which sought to end childhood obesity within one generation.

Earning a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, in addition to a JD degree from Harvard Law School, Mrs. Obama has shined in countless areas of law and public service, including serving as the vice president of community and external affairs for the University of Chicago. Her memoir, “Becoming”, became a New York Times’ No.1 best-selling book for multiple weeks.

As Richmonders garner excitement for the June 7 date, The Richmond Forum says it is committed to keeping the event as safe as possible. The program will require masking, photo identification, and full proof of vaccination, including a booster shot. A printed and signed health form will be required.

Ticket holders will be notified of all updates by email, according to the Richmond Forum, which adds that anyone seeking to purchase tickets may sign up on its mailing list at https://richmondforum. org/email/

April Coleman/Richmond Free Press

School Board questions its role in Ashe Center’s site plans Continued from A1

istration has no plans to replace.

Leonard Sledge, Richmond’s development director, has ignored that wrinkle.

He has repeatedly told City Council that the city can do what it pleases with the building without reference to RPS, and no mention of the school system’s operational control of the Ashe Center has been included in any of the official city documents that were issued in seeking development teams.

The Stoney administration also has not mentioned any potential compensation to RPS in its plans for demolition, clearing and inclusion of the property in the Diamond District.

That does not sit well with the School Board. No one on the board has voiced any interest in standing in the way of the Diamond District redevelopment, but members also want to hear that that the city agrees that RPS is an interested party.

That view is based on both state law and a city ordinance that vests control

of school property with the local School Board until that body votes to cede it back to the governing body’s control. And that appears to be the case under state law, no matter which entity holds the deed.

School board attorney, Jonnell P. Lilly of the Harrell and Chambliss law firm, told the board that she notified the city of the pending issue back in December, but has yet to receive a response.

Ms. Lilly said she will soon meet with City Attorney Haskell C. Brown III to learn whether the city believes that the board needs to “surplus” the building and issue a quitclaim deed to turn it back to the city.

That process has been followed in the past when the School Board gave up the use of a building and returned it the city, including the recent case of the former home of the REAL School.

Ms. Lilly said that if the School Board must vote, that would trigger a city ordinance that would require any proceeds from future sale of the property by the city to its chosen development team to be turned over to Richmond Public Schools.

And at current valuations of other parcels that have transferred on private land nearby the Diamond District, there are thoughts that RPS should reap $4 million to $8 million from the disposal of the Ashe Center site.

Ms. Lilly said the board would be able to determine its next step once she has that answer from Mr. Brown.

Jonathan Young, 4th District, who has chaired the board’s Vacant Property Committee, told his colleagues that there is a wealth of evidence to support the school system’s contention that it controls the building.

He noted that officials with the Richmond-Henrico Health District came to RPS for permission to use the building as a vaccination center, and that the city has sought RPS’s permission to use the building for an emergency shelter.

He and other members are concerned that the city might try to ignore that reality.

How the situation gets resolved is still up in the air.

“It’s going to be very, very interesting,” Mr. Young said.

Richmond Free Press

May 26-28, 2022 A5

African Americans are nearly twice as likely to have a stroke as other ethnic groups.

Every 40 seconds, someone in America suffers from a stroke — and that someone is far more likely to be African American. That same group is also more likely to die from that first stroke.

If you or a loved one is showing symptoms of a stroke, call 911 right away.

Stroke A stroke occurs when blood to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts.

Types of strokes: • Ischemic: Blockage in blood flow to the brain; nearly 90% of all strokes are ischemic • Hemorrhagic: Caused by bleeding in the brain

Health factors that cause stroke • • • •

High blood pressure High cholesterol Obesity Diabetes

BALANCE

Reduce your risk Stop smoking Limit alcohol intake Maintain a healthy diet Be active Maintain a healthy blood pressure and lower yourcholesterol • Control your diabetes • • • • •

EYES

FACE

ARMS

Warning signs • You have sudden weakness or loss of balance or can’t walk • You suddenly can’t see out of one or both of your eyes • You get sudden face and/or arm weakness or numbness • You suddenly can’t speak, or you can’t understand others

If you have one or more of these symptoms, call 911

We care about the health and safety of our communities.

To learn more, visit vcuhealth.org.

© 2022 VCU Health. All rights reserved. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office Minority Health; Virginia Department of Health.

SPEECH

TIME

Richmond Free Press

A6 May 26-28, 2022

Local News

Jackson Ward residents question plans for their community

By George Copeland Jr.

Improved infrastructure, redeveloped housing and better health care are some of the goals city planners are crafting for Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward.

Known as The Jackson Ward Community Plan, the project’s goals include replacing some public housing with mixed-income housing, constructing new community and recreation facilities and better streetscapes, sidewalks and lighting.

During a community meeting two weeks ago at Jackson Ward’s Hippodrome Theater, city and housing officials said the plan will be a two-year, multi-stage process of outreach, engagement and workshops.

“One of the great opportunities we have as a community is to align the efforts so that everyone in Jackson Ward knows what these plans are,” said Maritza Pechin, Richmond’s deputy director of equitable development. “Then, where there’s conflict between some of the planning efforts, we can find alignment and synergy.”

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority received a $450,000 Choice Neighborhood grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to jumpstart planning.

RRHA is coordinating redevelopment efforts with the Richmond City Health District, Storefront for Community Design and other organizations.

In its current form, the goals of the Jackson Ward Community Plan Ms. Pechin are focused on three core objectives: renovating the neighborhood itself, addressing the needs of residents and redeveloping distressed area housing.

Some of the two dozen residents who attended the meeting asked how they can invest in the redevelopment, help preserve the area’s historic elements, and how redevelopment will address long-term issues such as redlining, something that residents have dealt with for decades.

“We have to make sure that we are being intentional about the decisions we’re making about this community,” said Valeria Burton, a 15-year resident of Jackson Ward. “The offer that’s on the table, how is that going to effectively help embody the community that has always been here? Is it going to look like we were never a part of it?

Part of the answer to Ms. Burton’s question

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is provided in the grant’s language, which requires that consistent meetings with residents, conducting community surveys and hiring a coordinator to keep Gilpin Court residents informed must occur in order for officials to receive Mr. Flowers a second HUD grant that would help implement any substantial changes in Jackson Ward. If officials and developers meet these requirements, millions in funding could be available for redevelopment in 2024.

“We will probably start working on an implementation toward the grant toward the end of the planning process so that we can hopefully be successful,” Ms. Pechin said. “We can’t get that big implementation grant money without having a plan first.”

The Community Plan is just one part of several revitalization projects planned for Jackson Ward. RRHA and the city of Richmond have already matched the funds from HUD’s planning grant with their own funds, as part of efforts to reconnect Jackson Ward and Gilpin Court after the creation of Intersection 95, which separated

the northern and southern parts of the community decades ago.

Officials stressed that, while The Community Plan is a work in progress, some small-scale improvements may be on the way. For example, $200,000 from the planning grant has been set aside for community murals, facades, playground repairs and other area improvements.

Other Jackson Ward residents, for their part, looked to more large-scale changes to the neighborhood and Gilpin Court that go beyond redevelopment as a solution for the problems they face. Gary Flowers, a fourth-generation Jackson Ward resident, sees a need for institutional investment for people already living in the area.

He believes that public policy initiatives and private financial backing are ways to address “old wounds” inflicted over decades by laws that have harmed Jackson Ward residents.

“I’d invest in the people who are there, not remove them, and invest in people yet to be there,” Mr. Flowers said.

The next meeting for Gilpin Court residents is June 14 at 6 p.m. in the Fay Towers Community Room, 1202 N. 1st St., followed by a community meeting on June 16 at 6 p.m. at Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St.

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Richmond Free Press

May 26-28, 2022 A7

Local News

New names recommended for Fort Lee, Fort A.P. Hill and Fort Pickett Army bases

By Jeremy Lazarus

Fort Lee

Fort A.P. Hill

Fort Pickett

The names of slavery-defending Confederate military leaders who fought to destroy the U.S. government could finally start disappearing from military installations.

The U.S. Naming Commission that Congress created last year took the first step Tuesday in recommending new names for nine Army bases, including three in Virginia that bear the names of white-supremacist rebel generals, Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Lee and Fort Pickett.

Fort A.P. Hill’s new name will honor pioneering female surgeon, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, who provided life-saving care to soldiers during the Civil War while battling discrimination due to her sex and later was awarded the Medal of Honor for her service after being denied a pension because she was a woman.

Fort Lee in Prince George County will be renamed for two Black officers, retired Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg, regarded as an Army superstar in logistics, and the late Lt. Col. Charity Adams, the first Black female Army commander who led the World War II unit that distributed mail to and from seven million American soldiers in Europe.

Fort Pickett in Nottoway County, headquarters of the Virginia National Guard, is to be renamed for Tech Sgt. Van T. Barfoot, who won the Medal of Honor during World War II for single-handedly destroying three German machine gun nests and capturing 17 enemy soldiers, routing three German tanks and saving the lives of two wounded members of his unit in action in Italy.

“Our commission sought to find names that would be inspirational to the soldiers and civilians who serve on our Army posts and to the communities who support them,” stated retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard, the commission’s chair, in announcing the recommendations.

U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-4th, who advocated to have Fort Lee, a supply and logistics training center, renamed for Gen. Gregg, praised the commission for including him and Lt. Col. Adams in its recommendation, calling it “a historic moment.”

“For far too long, the heroism of Black servicemembers has been inadequately recognized or celebrated,” Rep. McEachin stated. “Today’s announcement honors Lt. Gen. Gregg and Lt. Col. Adams’ lives of service and sacrifice and pays homage to the incredible dedication men and women of color have shown serving our nation” since the Revolutionary War. The commission will send the recommendations to Congress and the Defense Department, which has until Jan. 1, 2024, to implement the recommendations.

The recommendations also call for renaming: Fort Rucker in Alabama for legendary Army pilot Michael J. Novosel Sr.; Fort Benning in Georgia for legendary Vietnam War Lt. Gen. Harold G. “Hal” Moore Jr. and his wife, Julia Moore; Fort Gordon also in Georgia for World War II Army Gen. and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower; and Fort Bragg in North Carolina as Fort Liberty.

Also, Fort Polk in Louisiana for Black Army Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in World War I; and Fort Hood in Texas for the first Hispanic four-star general, Richard E. Cavazos.

The commission received 34,000 recommendations and assembled a list of 87 finalists from which the final recommendations were made.

This is just an initial step for the commission, which has identified 754 Confederatenamed streets, fields, barracks, fire stations and other installations on Defense Department property.

Fort Pickett, named for Confederate Gen. George Pickett of the failed charge at Gettysburg, alone has at least 30 separate streets, barracks and other installations named for other Confederates that the commission could seek to replace.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington, chair of the House Armed Services Committee described the new names for the nine bases as “excellent choices to honor and celebrate the strength, diversity and values of the service members and their families who are a cornerstone of our democracy.”

Richmond Free Press

Lilies on South Side

Editorial Page

A8

May 26-28, 2022

How do we end the carnage?

Barely had we absorbed the anger, shock and sorrow that gripped us following the Tops Friendly Markets store massacre in Buffalo, N.Y., before we heard the horrifying news that another mass shooting had occurred in Uvalde, Texas.

This time 19 of the 21 victims were schoolchildren at Robb Elementary School who were watching a movie, perhaps as a treat from their teacher just days before the school year’s end.

Two teachers also were killed, along with gunman Salvador Ramos, 18, who’d shot his own grandmother in the face before heading to his next hunting ground at the school. It’s been reported that he used an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle on Tuesday at the school. By the time the bloodshed ended, the gunman also was dead, killed by police in the classroom full of fourth-grade students.

In Buffalo the 10 victims gunned down by a white supremacist were mostly elderly Black people minding their business while grocery shopping on a Saturday afternoon.

The Buffalo gunman, Payton S. Gendron, was arrested and charged with first degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court in Buffalo on June 9 for an arraignment on his indictment.

Each time such senseless, heinous acts occur— whether in Columbine, Parkland, Sandy Hook, Charleston, Blacksburg, Orlando or Las Vegas— the same questions arise. How could this happen?

Why did this happen? What are we going to do about it? What can we do about it?

Numerous studies have shown that America’s gun problem is the main culprit. Tens of millions of Americans own guns, and about four in 10 Americans live in households with guns, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey.

Yet, efforts to change our gun-toting society fall on deaf ears among politicians who refuse to enact stronger gun laws. Many point to the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, which left 27 dead as proof. Most of the dead were children. No matter. A compromise bill to expand background checks in 2013 failed due to a Senate filibuster and lackluster support from Congress.

Others point to the ongoing vestiges of bigotry and racism against people of color as a reason for the killings. We’ve seen the latter to be true in Charleston and Buffalo, where the slain victims were Black, and in a Texas Walmart two years ago when 23 people were killed by a gunman who declared in an online post intentions to “stop the Hispanic invasion of Texas.”

This week the Robb Elementary students killed were predominantly Latino.

Increasingly, the specter of mental health and a failing mental health system tends to bear blame for much of the madness. The Buffalo shooters’ mental health issues, rather than his stated disdain of Black people, were offered as reasons for his dispicable acts.

Given the evidence produced by authorities regarding the gunman’s true motivation, that’s a debate where the obvious needs no further discussion.

The response to the Uvalde and Buffalo massacres has been visceral and real. President Joe Biden, Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, NBA Warriors Coach Steve Kerr, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and others’ anguished and angry voices once more have risen, decrying the violence but, in reality, offering few words that provide true solace to the families left to bury their children, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

So, what are we going to do about it?

President Biden posed similar questions hours after the Robb Elementary School killings.

“Why are we willing to live with this carnage?

Why do we keep letting this happen?” the president said at the White House on Tuesday evening.

“It’s time to turn this pain into action. For every parent, for every citizen in this country, we have to make it clear to every elected official in this country: It’s time to act.”

Voters everywhere will have that chance to act come November and during future election cycles because, in reality, it may be years before the blood shed by our children and elders seeps into the souls of those who can end the “carnage” of which the president speaks.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Echoes of Minneapolis, Charleston I was shocked! I was appalled! I was infuriated by the callous attack on innocent Black people at the Tops Friendly Markets store on May 14 in Buffalo, N.Y. Without having to be told, when I heard the racial breakdown of the victims, I knew that it was a racially motivated hate crime.

It was the same feeling I had after preliminary reports came from the shooting at the Mother Emmanuel Church on June 17, 2015, in Charleston, S.C. It was the same rage I experienced over and over again as I watched the video replays of Derrick Chauvin murdering George Floyd on Memorial Day two years ago in Minneapolis.

There are no words capable of describing the anger and emotion that erupts from me.

It is that innate ability to understand the nature of and react to a racist attack before, during and after the fact.

It is the gnawing discomfort of wondering when, where and who the next attack will

consume.

These are all too frequently experienced emotions brought on by an all-too frequent recurrence of racially motivated violence.

We are repeatedly forced to experience the wanton waste of the human capital, wisdom, and experiences accumulated over the years of the lives of the victims.

Dr. E. Faye Williams The events at the Buffalo grocery store are a manifestation of the arrogance of racism.

It is the arrogance of believing yourself to be a superior being.

It is the arrogance of believing your life and your sensibilities to be of greater importance than those of the life/lives you steal.

It is the arrogance of believing that you have the right to take something which you cannot give—life! It is the height of arrogance believing that God has endowed you with the authority to take one life—or 10.

It is the arrogance of the slave master, the slave catcher, or the overseer who determines his/her victims to be a lower form of life worthy of being

extinguished at a whim. Sadly, these murders are the immediate and physical manifestation of a reality that consumes us both subtly and overtly.

The same fear that informs that manner of cowardly, overtly racist hatred fuels the systemic and institutional discrimination which impedes social progress and access to an improved quality of life and life outcomes.

The racist arrogance that energized the physical attacks at the Tops store is the same arrogance that promotes measures that erode the political strength of our communities. Subtly or otherwise, our votes are called irregular or illegitimate, and we fall victim to a variety of efforts to make us invisible or disappear completely. We saw this in the Republican/Trump efforts to invalidate the “urban” votes in the Metro Philadelphia area and Atlanta/Fulton County in order to “flip” the 2020 Presidential Election results.

We are subjected to being summarily purged from voter rolls. We find ourselves subjected to inordinate waiting times in voter lines with draconian restrictions against giving or receiving comfort or relief while we wait. New

Black businesses matter When was the last time that you read a national news story in the so-called mainstream media about a successful Black business in America that has achieved unprecedented excellence and profit in today’s marketplace? I know it has been a long time.

On the other hand, when was the last time that you read or heard in the media about allegations of corruption, financial failure and excessive greed by the owners of some Black businesses?

In my opinion it, has been an all too frequent and reoccurring false narrative that continues to be cast in the media to undermine and devalue Black business leaders across the nation.

Late last year, I called attention to a barrage of unfair attacks being leveled in the media against CORE Services Group, a Black-run nonprofit that has for years provided food, shelter, and other services to New York’s growing homeless population. I was particularly offended that the attacks appeared to be waged through anonymous leaks by city bureaucrats in the previous mayoral administration who seemed bent on destroying the nonprofit organization and its founder, Jack Brown, a successful Black businessman.

Now, seven months later, the case has moved to court, where CORE has begun to fight back – and where city officials cannot hide behind a veil of anonymity. In a series of legal filings, CORE has presented evidence that appears to rebut the allegations by NYC’s Department

of Homeless Services (DHS) against CORE and its leaders, while raising questions about the city’s motives under the previous mayor, Bill de Blasio, according to published reports.

Central to the city’s case, for example, are claims that CORE officials concocted a scheme to enrich themselves by hiring several for-profit companies that

Benjamin Chavis Jr. CORE itself owned to provide food, security, and maintenance at CORE-run shelters. An outside observer without the benefit of all the facts might be tempted to conclude that CORE was engaged in some kind of self-dealing.

But upon further examination, this hardly seems to be the case.

Far from it, in fact.

As CORE has reportedly noted in court documents and elsewhere, the for-profit companies—wholly owned subsidiaries of the non-profit—are part of a model of integrated services that CORE established to run its shelters efficiently—and without the uncertainty its leaders say they regularly faced from outside vendors that all too often provided inferior services.

More than that, according to documents filed with the court, CORE told DHS about the formation of the for-profit companies even before the companies began providing services at CORE’s DHS-funded shelters. In other words, CORE operated the for-profit companies for years with the city’s knowledge and consent.

But none of this explains why city officials have targeted CORE for this kind of attack, particularly after years of consistently providing support to

the city’s neediest residents, a disproportionate number of whom are Black and Latino.

Yet to hear CORE tell it, city officials began raising questions about the organization under the previous mayor, Bill de Blasio, only after CORE officials began demanding that the city pay a backlog of unpaid bills that totaled $35 million.

“The sequence of events says it all: de Blasio used CORE to deflect from his own failures addressing homelessness in New York City,” Wendy Weingart, CORE‘s vice president and general counsel, told the news outlet Inside Sources. “The failure to pay nonprofits that continued to operate during the worst of the pandemic is indefensible. Simply put, the de Blasio administration took advantage of CORE through administrative delays and did not pay CORE for several programs it operated at the behest of the city for over a year.”

What Jack Brown, as a Black business leader, was facing and continues to face in New York is not isolated to that one city. The challenges that Black businesses are facing is a national concern from the east coast to the west coast, and from the north to the south. There appears to be a systematic attempt throughout the country to undervalue the strategic importance of supporting Black businesses. This is apparent at the municipal, county, state, and regional levels in nearly every state. The eventual fate of businessmen like Jack Brown will be the future fate of our advance and progress in America.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

The Free Press welcomes letters The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you.

We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.

laws that expand partisan access to polling places foretell increased voter harassment and intimidation.

The “Polling Place Police” created by Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Trump-wannabe, suggest a goon squad created to reduce “voting irregularities” in Florida’s communities of color.

If not physical, these insidious attempts to negate our presence are “murderous”nonetheless.

The loss of the 10 Black men and women in Buffalo cannot be diminished. They were significant to all who knew and loved them, and they will be dearly missed. They also are significant to those of us who respect their lives and what they represent to our communities.

Our fight to save our lives is never-ending and must be vigorous and successful.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is a minister, a UN Peace Ambassador and president of the Dick Gregory Society.

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Richmond Free Press

May 26-28, 2022 A9

Letters to the Editor

Former governor’s behavior ‘baffles and confuses Black people’ In quoting the advice offered to me as a new member of the Richmond City Council in 1978, L. Douglas Wilder said to me, “There are no black issues, only issues that disproportionately affect Black people.”

I have no axe to grind with Mr. Wilder, who went on to become the first Black governor of Virginia, nor his colleague, Jim Burke at Virginia Commonwealth University. However, the issue regarding Critical Race Theory transcends a personal insult and rises to a point where AfricanAmericans are disproportionately affected by hate crimes. Those crimes are a direct result of citizens who are woefully uninformed about this country’s history and the unfair portrayal of Black people in that context.

Mr. Wilder is correct in pointing out the institutional racism in almost every bureau, department, and educational institution, whether public or private, in America. Still, the outing of such cases should be predicated upon when it benefits the community at large and not for personal retribution and revenge.

Mr. Burke expressed an opinion with which many African-Americans agree. It baffles and confuses Black people to witness a former Black governor of the state, aid and abet the functionaries of racism.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s first executive order was to restrict any preachments or references to Critical Race Theory. This was a political abomination. The recent incident in Buffalo, N.Y., where a misguided white supremacist gunned down 10 Black unarmed innocent citizens, was due to his rage, resentments and bigoted attitude. All of which are steeped in the false narrative and misinformation of our history. Had this young man been more adequately

educated about Black people and the truth, he would have had no grounds to commit this heinous hate crime of violence. Unfortunately, we see the same crimes in California, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, and many other states.

Gov. Youngkin’s actions, realized or not, contribute to this dearth of knowledge and the continued polarization of the races.

I agree with the former governor pursuant to the presence of institutional racism. However, unless his association with Gov. Youngkin encourages him to reconsider his executive order, then his relationship with Gov. Youngkin is only self-serving and abides no good will to anyone but himself. As African-American constituents, we continue to rely upon Doug Wilder’s leadership in whatever capacity it may be. However, we would hope that his advice to Gov. Youngkin would be an asset not a liability, inimical to the interest of African-Americans.

I am not adequately informed regarding the former governor’s charges against the university or Mr. Burke, but the issue of Critical Race Theory should transcend any personal disputes between two individuals.

I would hope that Gov. Wilder’s influence on Gov. Youngkin would be utilized to encourage legislative measures that move us forward and not “Carry us back to ole Virginny.” We await with bated breath to observe his formidable influence on Gov. Youngkin.

Chuck Richardson Richmond The writer is a former member of Richmond City Council.

Richmonders should help police stop violence It seems that people are becoming numb to all of these killings in Richmond. Holding vigils for the deceased is nice, but that will not bring back the victims.

Saying these killings have to stop over and over again sounds good, but that has not solved the situation.

I would personally like to know how do we plan to tackle this epidemic? I know we have received grants to hopefully help curb this problem. But more needs to be done.

The community needs to be more engaged in telling the police what they see and what they know. I understand many times bystanders are afraid to say what they saw in fear of being

targeted by the criminals.

Thank goodness everyone does not feel this way.

If your family member was caught up in a violent crime, you would hope someone would tell the police what they saw.

The next time you observe or witness a violent crime just think of it in that manner. The police cannot do it alone. We also must be the eyes and ears in the community.

With the weather getting warmer, hopefully Richmond’s chief of police will employ more officers on foot patrol in the hot spot areas. Perhaps this will curtail some of the violent crimes.

With warmer weather, more people will be outside and this

will give the criminals more of an opportunity to engage in violent or criminal acts. We, the citizens, must be vigilant at all times, whether it is day or night, so that we can help curtail some of the violence coming our way.

Many violent acts are occurring in broad daylight, so never get too relaxed when walking around. Yes, we must all work together to make our communities a safer place. Yes, we must be the eyes and ears of the communiuty.

Ernest Parker Jr. Richmond The writer retired from criminal justice services after more than 30 years of service.

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF RICHMOND 2022-2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN In accordance with HUD citizen participation requirements, a 30-day public comment period for the proposed 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan (City Fiscal Year 2023, HUD Program Year 2022) will begin on May 23, 2022, and will expire on June 24, 2022. By this notice, the City of Richmond announces the availability of the 20222023 Annual Action Plan of the 2021-2025 Five-Year Consolidated Plan is ready for public review and comment.

Notice is also hereby given that the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 6:00 pm at 1500 E. Main Street, 1st ÀRRU RI 0DLQ 6WUHHW 6WDWLRQ Citizens and interested persons are invited to give their views regarding the use of CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA funds for the proposed Annual Action Plan. The City will arrange for reasonable accommodations for QRQ (QJOLVK VSHDNLQJ SHUVRQV RU WKRVH SHUVRQV ZLWK YLVXDO KHDULQJ RU PRELOLW\ LPSDLUPHQWV ZKHQ QRWL¿HG ZLWKLQ seven (7) business days prior to the public meeting. Submit requests and or comments in writing to Daniel Mouer, Housing and Community Development Administrator, Housing and Community Development, 1500 E. Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219-3571, or by e-mail to Daniel.mouer@rva.gov. Comments may also be submitted by voicemail at (804) 646-7025.

Citizens and interested persons are invited to give their comments regarding the use of CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA funds for the proposed Annual Action Plan. The City will arrange for reasonable accommodations for non(QJOLVK VSHDNLQJ SHUVRQV RU WKRVH SHUVRQV ZLWK YLVXDO KHDULQJ RU PRELOLW\ LPSDLUPHQWV ZKHQ QRWL¿HG ZLWKLQ VHYHQ (7) business dayswill priorhold to thea ending the public period.

All comments be received HCD by City Council publicofhearing oncomment the City’s proposed 2022-23must Annual Actionby Plan 5:00 pm on June 24, 2022. Submit comments in writing to Daniel Mouer, Housing and Community Development budget for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Administrator, Housing and Community Development, 1500 E. Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219-3571, (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS or by e-mail to Daniel.mouer@rva.gov. Comments may also be submitted by voicemail at (804) 646-7025.

(HOPWA) programs. The HOPWA funds are allocated to the City to manage for the Richmond-

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by VA. teleconference/videoconference onTeams, the City’s 2022-23 AnnualInterested Action Plancitizens budget for the Community Development Grantoption, (CDBG), orproposed in writing via email. who wish to take advantageBlock of either HOME Partnership (HOME), EmergencyJune Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons must Investment do so before 10:00 a.m., on Monday, 27, 2022, by calling the Office of the City Clerk with AIDS (HOPWA) The HOPWA allocated to the City to to manage for the Richmond-Petersburg at (804) 646-7955programs. and selecting optionfunds 3 orare sending comments CityClerksOffice@rva.gov.

MSA. This meeting will be open to in-person participation. To maximize compliance with the public health guidance All written comments received prior to the deadline will be provided to all members of the aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, the public will have the option to provide their comments by Council before the beginning of the meeting and will be included in the record of the meeting. teleconference/videoconference via Microsoft Teams, or in writing via email. Interested citizens who wish to take DGYDQWDJH RI HLWKHU RSWLRQ PXVW GR VR EHIRUH D P RQ 0RQGD\ -XQH E\ FDOOLQJ WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH TheClerk Plan serves as aandcomprehensive guide addressing Richmond’s community City at (804) 646-7955 selecting option 3planning or sending comments to &LW\&OHUNV2I¿FH#UYD JRY. All written development needs.will These needstoemphasize to bethe provided comments receivedand priorhousing to the deadline be provided all members the of theservices Council before beginningtoof the the citizens City ofin the Richmond regarding meeting andof willthe be included record of the meeting. the availability of decent affordable housing, providing a suitable living environment, assisting and the prevention of homelessness, assisting

The Plan serves as a comprehensive planning guide addressing Richmond’s community development and housing the special needsemphasize community, and thetoexpansion particularly for lowneeds.

These needs the services be providedof to economic the citizensopportunities, of the City of Richmond regarding the and moderate-income persons. availability of decent affordable housing, providing a suitable living environment, assisting and the prevention of homelessness, assisting the special needs community, and the expansion of economic opportunities, particularly The below are federal for low-funds and moderate-income persons.entitlement dollars allocated to the City through the U. S.

Department ofare Housing Urban Development (HUD) implement and community The funds below federal & entitlement dollars allocated to the to City through thethe U. housing S. Department of Housing priorities andto activities thecommunity Five-Year Consolidated Plan,and which are &development Urban Development (HUD) implementidentified the housinginand development priorities activities consistent with the City’s Focus Area Priorities.

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CDBG Projects Housing & Neighborhood Preservation

Provider

Project Description

For your convenience, you may pay online at www.rva.gov or you may pay via telephone at 1-866-890-5269. A convenience fee may be charged for use of these payment options. You may also pay in person at City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street Room 102 M-F 8-5, or at our 6RXWKVLGH 2I¿FH at 4100 Hull Street M-F 8 – 5, or our East District Initiative at 701 N. 25th Street (drop off only). You may also deposit your payment in our drop boxes which are at each location.

City of Richmond Individual Personal Property, Business Personal Property and Machinery & Tools Taxes are due June 5, 2022.

Payment(s) for Individual Personal Property, Business Personal Property, and Machinery & Tools Taxes are due on June 5, 2022. Payment(s) must be received and/or postmarked on or before June 6th. Payments postmarked or received after June 6th will be assessed a 10% late penalty and will accrue interest charges at a rate of 10% per annum. Please mail your notice and payment in the envelope provided with your bill. Failure to receive a billing notice will not relieve the penalty and interest added if your payment is not made on time. If you require a billing notice please call 646-7000 or visit us online at www.rva.gov For your convenience, you may pay online at www.rva.gov or pay via telephone at 1-866-890-5269. A convenience fee may be charged for use of these payment options. You may also pay in person at City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street Room 102 M-F 8-5; at our 6RXWKVLGH RI¿FH, 4100 Hull Street M-F 8 – 5; or at our (DVW 'LVWULFW RI¿FH at 701 N. 25th Street, M-F 8-5.

You may also deposit your check payment in the payment drop box at each location.

$8,826,296

AMOUNT

Habitat

Homeowner Repair

$ 150,000

BHC

Multifamily Development

$ 402,200

Citywide Critical Home Repair

PH

Citywide Owner Occupied Home Repair Keystone Program City-wide DPA Pathways to Independence - DPA

PH H.O.M.E. SCDHC Rebuilding Together Finance SCDHC

Homeowner Repair Homeowner Repair Homeowner Assistance Homeowner Assistance Homeowner Repair

$ 320,000 $ 100,000 $ 50,000

Loan Repayment Single Family Development

$ 490,340

$ 259,281 $ 981,126 $ 385,000

$3,137,947

Economic Development Metropolitan Business League Program

MBL

Sub-Total - Economic Dev.

Economic Development

$ 146,401

$ 146,401

Planning & Administration Block Grant & Finance Administration Historic Review

HCD PDR

Administration Administration

Sub-Total - Planning & Admin.

$ 740,000 $ 45,000

$ 785,000

Public Services Cyber Security Workforce

OCWB

Housing Code Enforcement Counseling

RDSS HOME

Housing Information and Counseling Increasing Access to Care: Mobile Medical Outreach Pride Place Residential Support for Homeless Families

DPHS VHBG RBHA

Sub-Total - Public Services TOTAL CDBG BUDGET

Job Training Housing Counseling & Assistance

$

95,000

$

90,000

Housing Counseling Health Services

$ 200,000 $ 80,222

Emergency Shelter Homeless Services

$ 50,000 $ 130,000

$ 645,222 $4,714,570

HOME Projects

Provider

Project Description

AMOUNT

CAMEO Street

BHC

Multifamily Development

$

Community Empowerment Program - DPA

H.O.M.E.

Homeowner Assistance

$ 170,000

347,800

Creighton

TCB

Multifamily Development

$

Increasing Affordable Housing

Habitat

Single Family Construction

$

255,000

HOME Program Administration

HCD

Administration

$

160,000

The Hollands

SCDHC

Single Family Construction

$

385,000

Townhomes at Liberty Place

Liberty

Multifamily Development

$

400,000

TOTAL HOME BUDGET

Important Tax Notice

$1,794,492

Exterior Homes Repairs

Sub-Total - Housing & Neigh Pres.

Second half Real Estate and Special Assessment District Taxes are due on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Payment(s) must be received and/or postmarked on or before June 14, 2022. Payments postmarked or received after the June 14th due date will be assessed a 10% late penalty and will accrue interest charges at a rate of 10% per annum. Please mail your notice and payment in the envelope provided with your bill. Failure to receive a billing notice will not prevent the imposition of late charges if your payment is not made on time. If you require a billing notice please contact our 311 Customer Care Center.

$399,434

CAMEO Street

RT RVA Critical Home Repair Program

City of Richmond Real Estate Tax Payments Are Due By Tuesday, June 14, 2022

$4,714,570

$1,917,880

The following projects been recommended forHOME, CDBG,ESG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA The following projects have have been recommended for CDBG, and HOPWA allocations to undertake allocations to undertake the following activities to neighborhoods preserve and and revitalize City’seconomic the following activities to preserve and revitalize the City’s further the the City’s growth under the 2022-23 Annualthe Action Plan: neighborhoods and further City’s economic growth under the 2022-23 Annual Action Plan:

Section 108 2012 Loan Repayment The Hollands

IMPORTANT TAX NOTICE

$4,714,570

200,000

$1,917,800

Emergency Solutions Grant Hillard Housing/Building Neighbors ESG Program & Finance Administration Shelter & Case Management Homeward Community Information System Rapid Re-housing Rapid Re-housing & Emergency Shelter TOTAL ESG BUDGET

Provider

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

Provider

Project Description

HOPWA CIS HOPWA Greater Richmond

Homeward

$

HOPWA Program & Finance Admin Stratford House HOPWA FY23 Surplus TOTAL HOPWA BUDGET

HCD

Data Management Short/Long Term Financial Assistance Administration

$

Residential Facility HOPWA activities

$ 395,245 $ 197,793 $ 1,794,492

Housing Assistance Program

HFF

HCD CARITAS Homeward

Project Description

AMOUNT

Homeless Services

$

71,736

Administration Homeless Services

$

22,000

$ $

55,000 8,500

$

65,000

YWCA

Data Collection Homeless Services

HomeAgain

Homeless Services

$ 177,198

$ 399,434 Serenity

CCC

VSH HCD

Short Term Financial Assistance

AMOUNT $ 154,000 20,000

$ 974,454 53,000

Copies of the proposed 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan are available for public review online on the HCD’s website Copies the proposed 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan are available for public review on located at of https://www.rva.gov/housing-and-community-development/public-documents.

Copies of theonline plan will HCD’s located at locations: https://www.rva.gov/housing-and-community-development/publicbethe available at website the following library Main Library - 101 E. Franklin Street, North Avenue Branch – 2901 North Avenue, East End Branch – 1200 N. 25th Street, Hull Street Branch – 1400 Hull Street and Westover Hills Branch – 1408 Westover Hills Boulevard. Citizens can also request a hard copy or electronic copy via e-mail or US Mail. To request a copy, contact Daniel Mouer at Daniel.mouer@rva.gov or by mail at the City Department of Housing & Community Development, 1500 E Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond VA 23219-3571. The City of Richmond does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in the admission of, access to, or treatment in its federally assisted programs or activities. Virginia Relay Center - TDD Users - 1-800-828-1120.

Richmond Free Press

A10 May 26-28, 2022

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Bobby Dandridge

Gerald Henderson

Paul Pressey

A salute to Richmond’s notable basketball stars Robert L. “Bobby” Dandridge, aka “Greyhound,” “Bismarck,” and “Pick,” was born in Richmond on Nov. 15, 1947. He became a headliner at Maggie L. Walker High (Stretch Gardner) and Norfolk State (Ernie Fears), and was drafted in the fourth round by Milwaukee in 1969.

In 1971, in his second NBA season, Dandridge helped the upstart Bucks shut out Baltimore, 4-0, in the finals.

Teammates included a young Kareem AbdulJabbar and veteran Oscar Robertson.

Dandridge added a second title in 1978 with Washington. The Bullets defeated the Seattle Supersonics in the Finals, 4-3. Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld were the headliners, along with Dandridge, who scored 15,530 points in his career.

Dandridge was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

June 11 has been designated Bobby Dandridge Day in Richmond, with ceremonies

to take place at the now Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. Coordinating the Bobby Dandridge Remembrance Committee is former Walker AD Howard Hopkins. More details are forthcoming. Dandridge also is a “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” 2022 honoree, a program sponsored by Dominion Energy and The Library of Virginia. u In addition to Dandridge, other Richmond Public Schools athletes have left a lasting impression on the NBA Finals.

Gerald Henderson (Huguenot High) and Paul Pressey (George Wythe) combined for six championship rings, turning RVA into “Bling City.”

Henderson won three as a player, Dandridge two as a player and Pressey, following a brilliant playing career, one as an assistant coach.

While there are no 804 area code players involved in the current chase for basketball’s highest team honor, let’s turn back the clock

Virginia State University’s new football coach sports impressive record Well-traveled Henry Frazier III has been given the head coaching whistle at Virginia State University.

The 54-year-old Washington, D.C. native will succeed Reggie Barlow, who left VSU after six seasons (34-16 record) for a position in the XFL. Coach Frazier has been around. He’s had previous coaching stops at Bowie State (two stints), Prairie View A&M, North Carolina Central, and the University of Maryland.

At Big 10 Conference Maryland, he served as director of leadership and character development.

Coach Frazier was the standout quarterback at Bowie State before graduating and pursuing a career in coaching.

The incoming coach’s work is cut out for him in Ettrick. While Barlow’s overall record was excellent, the past two seasons have been difficult.

VSU opted out of the 2020 season due to the global pandemic and struggled through a 3-6 campaign this last season with a rotating group of quarterbacks.

The Trojans will open the 2022 season on Sept.

3 at NCAA Division II powerhouse Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C.

Head college coaching record Bowie State (1999-2003) 26-24 Prairie View A&M (2004-2010) 43-30 North Carolina Central (2011-2012) 8-14 Overall record: 77-68

Coach Henry Frazier III

Former VSU, Hermitage High athlete heads to Commanders

Will Adams

Will Adams has his cleated foot in the NFL door.

The former Virginia State University safety has signed a multi-year undrafted free agent contract with the Washington Commanders.

Adams’ stock rose following standout performances at the HBCU Combine in Mobile, Ala., and HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans.

The former Hermitage High athlete will be part of the Commanders’ 90man preseason roster for the mandatory minicamp June 14-16 in Northern Virginia.

Washington’s roster will be cut to 53 at the end of summer training camp, with an additional 16 players kept on the practice squad.

on the scoreboard and review the past. u Jerome McKinley “Gerald” Henderson was born in Richmond on Jan. 16, 1966. He starred at Huguenot High School (Coach John Bunsavage) and VCU (Chuck Noe, Dana Kirk) before reaching the NBA as third round draft pick by San Antonio in 1980.

In 1981, Henderson came off the bench to help Boston defeat Houston, 4-2, in the Finals.

In 1984, he had a more prominent role, helping the Celtics top the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3. Henderson’s last-gasp steal of a James Worthy pass led to a Boston win in Game 2.

His Celtics’ teammates included Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale and Dennis Johnson.

In 1990, Henderson played a more limited role in Detroit’s 4-1 triumph over Portland. u Paul Matthew Pressey, aka “Point Forward,”

was born in Richmond on Dec. 24, 1958.

Coached by Bob Booker at Wythe and Nolan Richardson at Tulsa, he was a first round draftee

by Milwaukee in 1982.

Pressey never reached the NBA Finals, but he did play in 16 playoff series and 75 games during his illustrious career with the Bucks and San Antonio.

He was head coach Gregg Popovich’s righthand man on the sidelines in 1999 when the Spurs topped the New York Knicks, 4-1, in the finals. Leading roles were played by Tim Duncan and David Robinson. u The Henderson and Pressey NBA legacies continued. Gerald’s son, Gerald Jr., went on to play in five playoff series (15 games) with Charlotte and Portland between 2009 and 2017.

Pressey’s son, Phil, played in the NBA from 2013 to 2016, and took part in the 2015 playoffs for Boston.

VCU reaches Welcome scholarship home allowance

After much traffic coming and going, there is finally a “no vacancy” sign on the VCU basketball roster.

Coach Mike Rhoades’ Rams now have 13 scholarship players, the maximum allowed in NCAA Division I. Sideline note (and certainly nothing new to basketball stalwarts): Money for scholarships comes from various sources, starting with student activity fees.

In VCU’s case, it helps having nearly 30,000 students.

Then there are boosters and revenue earned through TV contracts, ticket sales and NCAA playoff payouts.

Here’s how the new roster happened: Seniors lost: All-Atlantic 10 Vince Williams, KeShawn Curry (11.0 points per game) and Levi Stockard (4.7 ppg).

Transfers lost: Hason Ward (to Iowa State), Jimmy Nichols (Coastal Carolina), Mikeal Brown-Jones (UNCGreensboro), Marcus Tsohonis (Long Beach State) Incoming freshmen: 6-foot-7 Alphonzo Billups (from Varina High), 6-foot-10 Christian Fermin, 6-foot-8 Toibu Lawal Incoming transfers: 6-foot-4 Zeb Jackson and 6-foot-9 Brandon Johns from Michigan; 6-foot-6 David Shriver from Hartford, Conn.

Returning players from 2021-2022: 6-foot Ace Baldwin, 6-foot-4 Jayden Nunn, 6-foot-5 Josh Banks, 6-foot-6 Nick Kern, 6-foot-9 Jalen DeRoach Returning from 2021-22 injury list: 6-foot-7 Jamir Watkins, 6-foot-4 Jarren McAllister Also on the roster is senior walk-on Arnold Henderson VI out of St. Christopher’s School.

Shriver, known for his three-point shooting range, becomes just the third white player to sign a VCU scholarship offer since the Rams moved into the Siegel Center in 1999.

Others were Russian Kirill Pishchalnikov (2007 to 2010) and Floridian Sean Mobley (2017 to 2019).

Lawal becomes the Rams’ third British player, following Martin Henlan (1986 to 1990) and Nick George (2002 to 2006). The 6-foot-8 Lawal is a native of London who played this past season at Lee Academy in Maine.

The Rams are coming off a 22-10 season that ended with a loss at Wake Forest in the second round of the NIT. Looking at the upcoming schedule, VCU has signed a two-year contract with Temple University, as reported by College Hoops Today. The Rams will travel to Philadelphia this coming season, with the Owls coming to Richmond in the 2023-2024 season.

Following a 12-game road trip, the Squirrels returned to the Diamond this week for a six-game series against the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies affiliate). Remaining games:

Thursday, May 26 - 6:35 p.m.

Friday, May 27 - 6:35 p.m.

Saturday, May 28 - 6:05 p.m.

(Fireworks) Sunday, May 29 - 1:35 p.m.

(Bucket Hat Giveaway) u Armani Smith enjoys playing in Richmond, but the outfielder left his heart in San Francisco.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-hander grew up in Walnut Creek, Calif., just a long fly ball from the San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park.

Smith was a passionate Giants fan as a youngster, with Barry Bonds being his favorite player.

He attended many games, including one World Series contest.

As fate would have it, Smith was selected by his hometown Giants Armani Smith in the seventh round of the 2019 amateur draft following a stellar career at UC-Santa Barbara.

En route to Richmond, Smith has moved up the minor league ladder from the Giants’ rookie league in Arizona, to Salem-Keizer, Ore., to San Jose and to Eugene, Ore., before a promotion to theAA Eastern League Squirrels on May 15.

If successful in Richmond, he may earn a promotion to the AAA Sacramento River Cats and, perhaps eventually, to the parent Giants.

He’s off to a promising start here.

After collecting his first AA hit May 17 at Altoona, Smith added three hits May 18 and two more May 20 versus Altoona.

The more hits he accumulates in Richmond, the closer he’ll be to a trip back to the Bay Area.

VSU wins inaugural baseball tournament

Virginia State University followed a rocky flight of a baseball season with a smooth landing.

Coach Merrill Morgan’s Trojans recently won the inaugural New South Atlantic Conference tournament by capturing a hard-to-believe four games in one day.

VSU went 18-28 during the regular season. Due to lack of participating schools, there was no CIAA tournament this spring, opening the door for a new baseball-only conference.

Here’s what happened May 10-11 in Elizabeth City, N.C. May 10: VSU defeats Thomas Nelson Community College of Hampton, 5-4.

May 11, 10 a.m.: VSU loses to Appren-

tice School of Newport News, 18-6.

May 11, 1 p.m.: Trojans trounce host Mid-Atlantic Christian University of Elizabeth City, N.C. 20-2.

May 11, 4 p.m.: Trojans defeat Apprentice, 6-1.

May 11, 7 p.m.: VSU closes the deal with a 9-6 win over Apprentice.

With victory came the spoils.

VSU’s first team All South Atlantic picks were shortstop Tahraun Hammond (from Tappahannock), pitcher Cole Spain (Prince George), and outfielder Ricky Jones (Hopewell).

Second team Trojans were pitcher Nick Woolfolk (Thomas Jefferson/Richmond) and catcher Dawsyn Hock (Hopewell).

VSU President Makola M. Abdullah, in white jersey, helped the university’s baseball team celebrate winning the New South Atlantic Conference tournament May 10-11 in Elizabeth City, N.C.

Richmond Free Press

Reliability rests on his shoulders.

There’s a source of energy in Virginia as reliable as any in the world: Our employees. It’s their hard work – braving storms, maintaining solar and wind farms, servicing power lines, and building a smarter and more secure power grid – that brings you the dependable electricity you’ve come to expect.

Our employees’ dedication to every community they serve is at the heart of everything we do.

May 26-28, 2022 B1

Richmond Free Press

B2 May 26-28, 2022

Happenings

Personality: The Rev. Shay W. Auerbach Sacred Heart Center’s board president says the pandemic has been especially hard for Latino communities From the doors of the church to the streets of Richmond and beyond, the Rev. Shay W. Auerbach has been a tireless advocate for the city’s Latino community for more than a decade.

As pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and board president of the Sacred Heart Center, Rev. Auerbach was on the ground floor in responding to changing demographics that led the church to increase aid for South Richmond residents and other areas of the city.

In Rev. Auerbach’s view, his time with Sacred Heart has paid major dividends for the community and, as part of the wider organization, his own personal goals.

“I had a dream when I came here,” Rev. Auerbach says. “It used to be that at 6 p.m. the lights went off and everyone went home. I wanted to see our building used daily and into the evening so that people could acquire the tools and skills to flourish in their communities.”

Today, he says his dream has been realized.

“We’ve done that and built up a whole organization and infrastructure that sustains that work. We’ve supported the community and built community along the way. I just try not to get in the way.”

Originally from Hawaii, Rev. Auerbach began preaching at Sacred Heart in 2007, where most of the congregation are native Spanish speakers. He joined the Sacred Heart Center’s board in 2008.

The church is the pastor’s latest port of call for a lifelong career working with Mexican and Central American immigrants as part of various

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Richmond Free Press

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healthy financial footing,” he says, adding that work is ongoing to rebuild the community that has long identified with the parish.

In response to issues brought on by the pandemic, Rev. Auerbach and others at Sacred Heart have supported those in need, with daily services running as early as 7:30 a.m. and ending as late as 10 p.m.

The Center has fed more than 55,000 people through its food bank, about 4,000 have been vaccinated at their location, and more than $1 million in financial assistance has been provided to families since the pandemic started.

Rev. Auerbach believes that the past two years have provided the church and center new resources and skills that will help offset future challenges similar to those brought on by the pandemic.

“We try to be agile, so that

Happenin

Education: Punahou School (high school); bachelor ’s and master ’s, Georgetown University; master’s degrees from Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, Calif.

Family: Mother, sister and extended family live in Honolulu.

Sacred Heart Center is: A nonprofit community center affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.

Mission: We connect Latino families with tools to thrive and flourish.

When and why founded: The center was founded in 1990 to serve families in the Bainbridge and Blackwell neighborhoods.

Where Sacred Heart Center is located: 1400 Perry St., Richmond.

Sacred Heart Center primarily serves: Latino families in the Richmond area.

How Richmond’s changing

Services Sacred Heart Center provides: Adult education, youth programming and a community hub that leverages our relationship with the Latino community with individuals and organizations that can and desire to assist the Latino community.

Number one goal or project as board president: To help the board create a culture at Sacred Heart Center where all participants recognize our shared humanity and are engaged in developing their talents and placing them at the service of others.

Strategy for achieving goals: Listening, reflection, dialogue.

Sacred Heart Center’s biggest challenge: Sustainability — ensuring staffing, maintaining facilities, and securing resources to continue our mission.

Sacred Heart Center partners with: Several local nonprofits, churches and other faith-based organizations, along with consulates of various Latin American countries.

Ways to become involved with Sacred Heart Center: Come and see us. Schedule a

A perfect day for me is: One in which I feel I made a meaningful difference in the life of someone else.

What I am learning about myself during the pandemic: Making time to spend with myself.

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

A quote that inspires me: “I do not at all understand the mystery of grace — only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.” — Anne Lamott My friends describe me as: Having a good sense of humor and creative.

The top of my “to-do” list is: Straighten out my office.

Best late-night snack: A bowl of ramen or tacos al pastor.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Respect others and learn from them.

The person who influenced me the most: My parents.

Book that influenced me the most: “Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.”

by Richard J. Foster.

What I’m reading now: “The Naked Don’t Fear the Water: An Underground Journey with Afghan Refugees,” by Matthieu Aikins Next goal: Some time to travel the Silk Road.

Richmond Free Press June 18-20, 2009 B3

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Inspiring Father-S

on Breakfast

Terrance Gray Sr. embrace sons, special June 6 Darius, 7, and Terrance Father-Son Breakfast Jr., 11, at School sponsored at by the school PTA Henderson Model Middle and Club 533.

Henderson Assistant Huggins underscores Principal Ronald Awakening Project: program theme: “An Grooming Boys Manhood.” for

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In Honor Of Our

Father Mr. Reginald Arthur Beverly

Happy Father’s Day

Birthdate: January

God bless and heal you, Dad.

Love, Helen, Janet, Carroll Jr. Gregory, Bernard, Grandchildren & Family

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In Loving Memory

of Thomas Alexander Shaw, Sr. June 10, 1912 - September

A devoted Husband, Father

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Love Always,

Wife: Gladys Aycox Shaw, Children: Thomas A. Shaw, Jr. & Shellawease S. Snead Granddaughter: Gladys Alexis Shaw The Shaw & Snead Families

IN MEMORY OF OUR FATHER AND GRANDFATHER

LLOYD THOMAS WARREN 1923 - 2004

“We love and miss you, but we you are in God’s Hands” know From Your Children,

Lloyd Warren, William

Warren, Eleanor Myers and Gloria Evans

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Clarence Ballar d “Happy Father’s Day” means than have a happy day. more Within those words lie lots of things we never get to It means we love you say. first of all, Then thanks for all It means you mean a you do. lot And that we honor to us, But most of all, I guess you. it means that we are thinking Your happiness on this,of... with pleasure and withyour day, love.

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Ernest Lee Moore, Jr. On

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Where I live now: Richmond.

may God forever

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Date and place of birth: Dec.16 in Honolulu.

Upcoming events: RVA Latino Festival, June 24-25 at our site.

Everyday is Father’s Day to Dad.

*Publication Dates prior to Father’s Day

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Occupation: Pastor of Sacred Heart Church.

How Richmond government and nonprofits can improve services to Latino individuals and families: Listen to the Latino community. Partner with organizations that work with the Latino community, for example, churches, schools, and community organizations, especially those with Latino leadership.

tour, volunteer, find other ways to participate and support our mission.

ADVERTISING RATES

m June 2 m June 9 m June 16*

Contact Cynthia Downing by phone or fax (804) 644-0496 (804) 643-5436 or email advertising@richmondfreepress.com

Volunteer position: Board president, Sacred Heart Center.

demographics have impacted Sacred Heart Center and its mission: In 2011 Sacred Heart Center’s mission shifted to address a growing and underserved community in Southside and wider Richmond area.

Father’s Day

Thursday Publication Dates: m May 12 m May 19 m May 26

when something happens, we can really adapt,” Rev. Auerbach says. “That means we have to pay really close attention to the community.”

Meet a religious and social advocate for Richmond’s Latino community, the Rev. Shay W. Auerbach:

congregations and organizations. With more than 20 years of experience as a priest, Rev. Auerbach brings experience and knowledge to every issue he tackles.

As board director for the Sacred Heart Center, Rev. Auerbach’s duties include convening meetings and helping lead the board’s mission. Like many nonprofits, the board works to ensure the center’s fiscal sustainability and sound governance. He sees the group as a successful, integral part in the center’s overall work.

“I think the board is doing well,” Rev. Auerbach says. “We are a diverse group working hard to support our executive director to make sure she has what she needs — resources, guidance and a sounding board as she oversees Sacred Heart Center.”

With the emergence of COVID-19, Sacred Heart’s church and center were again forced to adapt, as Latinos have shouldered a particular burden during this time, he says. The impact of the pandemic included deaths and illness among parishioners. Like many area churches, Sacred Heart also held virtual services.

COVID-19 also left some community members disconnected from family living outside the country who died from the virus. Others were unable to receive federal aid due to their mixed-immigration status. The work necessary to ensure Sacred Heart’s stability as a result of these changes has been tough and continues to this day, says Rev. Auerbach.

“It was a really tough time for parish finances, but then the parishioners rallied and really helped us get back on a

Deadline:

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Father’s Day

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your mother, Sallie; wife, Kathleen; sisters, Delores, Myrtle and Phyllis

In Memory of Our Father

)T´S BEEN YEARS AND WE STILL LOVE AND MISS YOU

Missing your laughter,

Now through August 28, see insect sculptures made of forest materials— only at Lewis Ginter BUGtanical Garden!

Get tickets now at lewisginter.org.

Music was his life . . . family, friends, around the piano ...

Making his way musically through timeless experiences, and appearances. This was my Dad. Full of wisdom, motivating with his brand of philosophy, A caring dad, granddad, father-in-law, uncle and family man, Playing tenderly on the baby grand.

Play on Dad! Lovingly,

Shirley J. Logan, Daughter; Son-in-law, Lawrence; Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Augustus (Gus) J

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Richmond Free Press

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May 26-28, 2022 B3

Richmond Free Press

B4 May 26-28, 2022

Happenings

Photos by JT

Festival of feats Dominion Energy Riverrock’s outdoor sports and music festival greeted fans May 20 through 22. From Brown’s Island to 5th Street Hillside, there was plenty of fun, including James River trail runs, kayaking fishing and more. Even pets such as Josie, top left, joined the festivities by diving for a frisbee during Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs competition on Saturday. Above, Davis Hermes performs on a slackline for Riverrock attendees on Sunday afternoon. He is a member of the Trickline Collective, a group of slackliner professionals who travel the world to deliver slackline entertainment. Milik Moe, left, from Queens, New York competes in the Boulder Bash Climbing competition on Saturday.

2 artistic directors join Virginia Repertory Theatre Free Press staff report

Todd D. Norris and Rick Hammerly will join Desirée Roots, a Richmond-based jazz singer and actress, as artistic directors for the Virginia Repertory Theatre. The team will lead all artistic aspects of Central Virginia’s flagship professional theatre.

“In addition to the selection of our theatrical programming, Virginia Rep’s artistic leadership will now include a focus on community engagement and the development of our next generation of theatre artists and audiences,” William H. Carter, chairman-elect of the board and its selection committee.

Ms. Roots was named artistic director of community in November 2021 and works on programs that connect youths with community health and wellness programs, as well as the theatre’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access programming.

Mr. Norris, artistic director of education, and Mr. Hammerly, artistic director of programming, will assist the company Ms. Roots in “returning to its roots”. The company’s mission in 1975, as Theatre IV, was “to seek national caliber

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

12 debut at Cotillion “Virtual Elegance and Grace Redefined” was the theme of this year’s Wives of Beaux-Twenty Debutante Alumnae Association’s 44th Debutante Cotillion on May 21. The cotillion’s 12 debutantes were presented before family, friends and past debutantes at Virginia State University’s Daniel Gymnasium. President Patricia A. Jones, left, and Vice President Veida Evans, await the start of the cotillion.

The 2022 Debutantes Kennedy TaLeah Bland Dinwiddie High School Daughter of Mr. Wilbert Bland Jr. and Mrs. Tametria Bland Attends Olive Branch Baptist Church, Dinwiddie Escort: Clarence Claiborne Malajah Patrice Bolling Dinwiddie High School Daughter of Ms. Stephanie Spencer Member of Zion Apostolic Church, Petersburg Escort: Niles Winfield Paris Jae Bowles Clover Hill High School Daughter of Ms. Joi Bowles Member of Gillfield Baptist Church, Petersburg Escort: Cornelius Hannah Kristen Renee Davis Thomas Dale High School Daughter of Mr. William Rippey Jr. and Mrs. Rasheena Rippey Member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Prince George Escort: Isaiah Swilley Serinati Christine Flowers Matoaca High School and John Tyler Community College Daughter of Mr. Stith Flowers Jr. and Mrs. Stefani Dawson-Flowers Attends Bible Covenant Believers In Christ Deliverance Ministry, South Chesterfield Escort: Za’Quan Wallace Aniyah Tinae Hamlin Matoaca High School Daughter of Ms. Aleysheia Rollins Member of Community Independent Methodist Church, Chesterfield Escort: Jayden Pierre

Tamyah Monique Jones Lloyd C. Bird High School Daughter of Ms. Tamara Jones Member of Second Baptist Church, Richmond Escort: Keshawn Booker Camille McKenzie Martin Lloyd C. Bird High School Daughter of Ms. Monyette L.F. Martin and Mr. Brandon M. Martin Member of First Baptist Church, South Richmond, Chesterfield Escort: Jalen Phillips Jamoni Lynette Mason Matoaca High School Daughter of Mr. Garrett Mason and Mrs. Vanessa Mason Member of Union Grove Baptist Church, South Chesterfield Escort: Noah Satterwhite Taliyah LeShay Steele Appomattox Regional Governor’s School Daughter of Mr. Roger Steele and Mrs. Swansae Steele Member of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg Escort: Jordan Jones Janya Cherie Tate Thomas Dale High School Daughter of Mr. Tracie Tate and Mrs. Coretta Tate Member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Petersburg Escort: Brian Francis, Jr. Korlandria Amira Young Meadowbrook High School Daughter of Mr. Keith Young, Sr. and Mrs. Mautricia Conley Young Member of Shiloh Baptist Church, South Chesterfield Escort: Xavier Hill

excellence equally in four areas: the arts, education, children’s health and community leadership.”

“We’re extremely pleased with our selection and the dedicated work of our commitMr. Norris Mr. Hammerly tee,” Mr. Carter said.”

Mr. Norris is an American theatre director, educator, writer and actor. He served as president of the International Museum Theatre Alliance and continues to act as an adviser. He comes to Virginia Rep from the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, where he was named associate vice president of Interpretation and Family Programs in 2018 to oversee cooperation between the Museum Theatre and Interpretation department and the Public Events and Family Programs department. He previously served as a director at the world’s largest children’s museum from 2013 to 2018. While there, he was responsible for fiscal management, artistic direction for its professional children’s theatre seasons, coordinating holistic approaches to gallery performances in collaboration with exhibit design staff, and overseeing quality for hundreds of daily programs.

Mr. Hammerly has worked as an award-winning, Washington, D.C.-based actor, director, filmmaker and arts manager for more than three decades. He received a 2018 Helen Hayes Award for his direction of “Lela & Co.,” and a 2020 Helen Hayes Award nomination for his direction of “Agnes of God,” both for Factory 449. In 2015-16, he was selected to participate in The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s inaugural Directors’ Studio program. His debut film, “signage,” which he wrote, directed and produced, has screened in over 60 film festivals worldwide, and received six film festival awards and was subsequently licensed

by MTV’s LOGO Channel.

Mr. Hammerly is a founder and the current producing artistic director of Factory 449, a professional, theatre company created in 2009. Factory 449 is the recipient of multiple Helen Hayes Awards.

Memorial Day service at Fort Harrison National Cemetery The Richmond National Battlefield Park, in cooperation with the National Cemetery Administration, will host a Memorial Day program and wreath-laying ceremony 12 p.m. Monday, May 30, at the Fort Harrison National Cemetery, 8620 Varina Road. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s keynote speaker is Greg Mertz, a retired National Park Service historian and author of the book “Attack at Daylight and Whip Them: The Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862.” Mr. Mertz serves on the boards of the Rappahannock Valley Civil War Roundtable, Brandy Station Foundation, and Friends of Wilderness Battlefield. Following his talk, a wreath will be laid at the grave of Pvt. George A. Buchanan, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Fort Harrison.

For more information, please contact the Richmond National Battlefield Park at (804) 226-5023, or visit www.nps.gov/ rich or www.Facebook.com/RichmondNPS.

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B5 May 26-28, 2022

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

B6 May 26-28, 2022

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

Richmond Free Press

May 26-28, 2022 B5

Obituaries/Faith News/Directory

Buffalo supermarket victim Kat Massey, 72, laid to rest

By Carolyn Thompson Associated Press

Robert Kirkham/The Buffalo News via Associated Press

This photo dated Oct. 24, 2011, shows Katherine Massey walking near the corner of Elmwood and Tupper in Buffalo, N.Y. Ms. Massey was one of the victims killed in the grocery store shooting in Buffalo on May 14.

BUFFALO, N.Y. In the late 1980s, Katherine “Kat” Massey was tired of the perpetually overgrown lot on state property on her street, so she sent a letter on “Cherry Street Block Club” letterhead to the governor, which led to it being cleaned up.

Ms. Massey was the only one who knew that the letterhead — and the block club — were her own creations and that she was the only “club” member.

It was the kind of stop-at-nothing advocacy Ms. Massey, 72, was always known for, those who knew her said at her funeral Monday as mourning continued for victims of the racist attack on a Buffalo supermarket.

“She was the mayor in every neighborhood that she lived in,” said U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, one of several elected officials who joined family, friends and former co-workers inside Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church for a celebration of her life.

Ms. Massey was among the 10 Black

people killed May 14 when a white gunman in body armor targeted shoppers and workers at a Tops Friendly Market in a predominantly Black neighborhood of Buffalo. Three others were injured in the attack, which federal authorities are investigating as a hate crime.

The alleged gunman, 18-year-old Payton Gendron, of Conklin, has been charged with murder and is being held without bail.

Just before the start of a funeral service filled with laughter and tears, family members approached Ms. Massey’s open casket, pulling their facemasks aside and bending down to kiss her goodbye.

In reflections published in the funeral program, Ms. Massey wrote she considered herself “a single parent with 35,000 adopted children attending Buffalo’s public schools” and recounted renting a broccoli costume, which she accessorized with leopard gloves and sunglasses, to perform a rap song she wrote at one school’s health assembly.

Ms. Massey worked for 40 years at the health insurance company Blue

Cross Blue Shield, retiring in 2011. She wrote to her family in January 2020 that she felt like her death was near.

Two people had told her she looked like her mother, she said, just as her sister Patti and brother Robert Jr. had before they died.

“I take that as a sign my time here is ending,” she wrote.

“I told Patti don’t let me be a wimp when it’s my time and I believe she will do so,” she wrote. “And don’t none of you be wimps either!!”

Last May, Ms. Massey, who wrote for the Buffalo Challenger and Buffalo Criterion newspapers, wrote a letter to The Buffalo News, addressing “escalating gun violence in Buffalo and many major U.S. cities” and calling for “extensive” federal action and legislation.

“Current pursued remedies mainly inspired by mass killings — namely, universal background checks and banning assault weapons — essentially exclude the sources of our city’s gun problems,” the letter read. “Illegal handguns, via out of state gun trafficking, are the primary culprits.”

Plurax’s COO Two years after George Floyd’s murder, racial trauma permeates Black Americans Denise Fields has died

By Kat Stafford Associated Press

Black Men Heal co-founder Zakia Williams was deeply moved as she watched a young Black man become emotional while speaking about the mental health toll the past few years have taken on him.

“He said, ‘I just want to play basketball without fear of getting shot, I just want to live.

I just want to be,’” Ms. Williams recalled the young man saying at a virtual group therapy session, Kings Corner, that her Philadelphia-based group holds weekly for Black men across the U.S. and internationally.

“A lot of our men report being overwhelmed, tired and feeling like they’re being attacked. They see themselves in George Floyd. Each one of them says, ‘That could have been me.’”

Wednesday, May 25, marks the second anniversary of Mr. Floyd’s killing by a Minneapolis police officer, which sparked a global protest movement and calls for a racial reckoning to address structural racism that has created long-standing inequities impacting generations of Black Americans.

Mr. Floyd’s slaying, along with a series of killings of other Black Americans, has wrought a heavy toll on the emotional and mental health of Black communities burdened by centuries of oppressive systems and racist practices.

Mental health experts say the racism that causes the trauma is embedded in the country’s fabric and can be directly linked to the mental duress many experience today.

“Black mental health has always been a topic of concern,” said Dr. Christine Crawford, associate medical director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

“Continuously seeing these images of Black people being killed … can elicit trauma-like symptoms in Black people and others who feel somehow connected to what is going on,” she said. This “impact of vicarious

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File No time to heal

A protester carries a sign in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles on June 1, 2020, during demonstrations after the killing of George Floyd, which sparked calls for a racial reckoning to address structural racism that has created long-standing inequities impacting generations of Black Americans.

racism certainly has contributed to worsening mental health states, specifically within the Black community.”

A collective sense of trauma resurfaced again on May 14 when 10 Black people were killed by a white supremacist in body armor targeting shoppers and workers at the Tops Friendly Market in a predominantly Black neighborhood of Buffalo. For many, the grief feels endless.

“In Buffalo, we see people that look like our family and we’re forced to grapple with that,” said Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, a civil rights organization. “It is a set of circumstances that Black people and other communities that have been targeted, attacked and exploited, have to constantly face.”

“It is the simultaneous work of having to take care of yourself, dealing with the trauma, and then thinking about how to engage in the path forward and that is work that we’ve had to do for generations,” he said.

“And it’s work that is stressful and tiring.”

While Black Americans experience similar rates of mental illness as other Americans in general, disparities persist, according to a 2021 American Psychological Association study. Black Americans often receive poorer quality of care

Riverview Baptist Church Sunday, May 29, 2022 Sunday School - 9:30 A.M. Morning Services - 11 A.M.

Sermon by: The Honorable

Rev. Jacqueline S. McClenney

Via Conference Call (202) 926-1127 Pin 572890# In Person Sunday Service also on FACEBOOK and YouTube 2604 Idlewood Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 • www.riverviewbaptistch.org

“The Church With A Welcome”

Sharon Baptist Church 500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825 Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Sundays Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.

Back Inside

and lack access to culturally appropriate care.

Just one in three Black Americans who need mental health help receives it and Black adults living below the poverty line are more than twice as likely to report serious psychological distress as U.S. adults who enjoy greater financial security, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health.

While the disparities exist across the board for Black Americans, the APA study noted that Black men in particular have not received the help they need. Just 26.4 percent of Black and Hispanic men between 18 and 44 years old who experienced daily feelings of anxiety or depression were likely to have used mental health services, compared with 45.4 percent of white men with the same feelings.

Black Men Heal was launched in 2018 as a solution to the nation’s “broken, inequitable mental health care system” that has historically failed to center the needs of Black Americans and other people of color, group leaders say. Its main program matches

therapists of color with men, who are given eight free individual therapy sessions. More than 1,100 therapy sessions have been provided since the group started and 50 therapists have been recruited. Nearly 80percent of the men continue their mental health care beyond the free sessions.

“If one man can heal himself, he has the possibility of healing his household, which then has the possibility of healing our community,” said Ms. Williams, the group’s chief operating officer.

After the Buffalo shooting, some Black Americans have expressed outrage and fear, saying they should be able to go about their daily lives without feeling they could be threatened or killed. The grocery store where the attack happened was a gathering place, especially for older community residents.

Black organizations have been working to get resources to the Buffalo shooting victims’ families, including access to mental health care. Phylicia Brown, executive director of Black Love Resists in the Rust, said the member-led, abolitionist organization has been collecting donations to provide a year of mental health service access to residents impacted by the shooting.

Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church

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

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

Denise I. Fields of Williamsburg, and formerly of Richmond and Norfolk, died Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Ms. Fields was the chief operating officer of Plurax LLC, a construction, facilities management and logistics services provider to federal and local governments with headquarters in Pensacola, Fla. and offices in Norfolk. Memorial services will be announced at a later date, according to an announcement on the Scott’s Funeral Home website.

Ms. Fields

7M\XL &ETXMWX 'LYVGL 8LIQI 1SFMPM^MRK *SV 1MRMWXV] 6IJVIWLMRK 8LI 3PH ERH )QIVKMRK 8LI 2I[ A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

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

Back Inside Sundays Join us for 10:00 AM Worship Service Live on Facebook @sixthbaptistrva Live on Youtube @sixthbaptistrva Or by visiting our website www.sixthbaptistchurch.org 400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

(near Byrd Park)

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

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

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

“Your Home In God’s Kingdom”

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”

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Worship With Us This Week!

Morning Worship On Site & Virtual May 29, 2022 @ 10:00 A.M.

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

This Sunday we are excited to celebrate our 7th year as Pastor & People! God continues to bless our union and we invite you to come and celebrate with us.

Special Days on The Horizon ~May 29, 2022 (10:00 A.M.)- 7th Pastoral Anniversary ~June 5, 2022 (3:00 P.M.)- Diaconate Ordination Service Additional Opportunities to Engage with Us: *Faith Formation/ Church School (Sat. @ 9:00 AM) Zoom Meeting ID: 952 9164 9805 /Passcode: 2901 *Bible Study (Wed. @ 7:00 PM) Zoom Meeting ID: 854 8862 2296 *Give Via: http://mmbcrva.org/give Or through Givelify 2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor *Faith Formation/ Church School (Sat. @ 9:00 AM) Zoom Meeting ID: 952 9164 9805 /Passcode: 2901 *Bible Study (Wed. @ 7:00 PM) Zoom Meeting ID: 983 8639 0975/ Password: 012563

Richmond Free Press

B6 May 26-28, 2022

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous column

without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown appear here on or before the 8th day of July, 2022 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

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Richmond Free Press call 644-0496 Follow the Free Press on

@FreePressRVA @RichmondFreePressUSA

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, June 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2022-145 To rezone the property known as 600 Decatur Street from the B-7 MixedUse Business District to the B-4 Central Business D i s t r i c t . T h e C i t y ’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use category for the subject property as Destination MixedUse. Primary Uses: Retail/office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary Uses: Institutional and government.

Ordinance No. 2022-146 To rezone the property known as 1200 Dinwiddie Avenue from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the B-7 Mixed-Use Business D i s t r i c t . T h e C i t y ’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use category for the subject property as Industrial Mixed-Use. Retail/office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary Uses: Institutional and government.

Ordinance No. 2022-147 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2516 East Leigh Street for the purpose of (i) an age-restricted multifamily dwelling containing up to 62 dwelling units and an accessory parking area and (ii) up to nine singlefamily attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use category for the subject property as Community MixedUse. Primary Uses: Retail/office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary Uses: Single family houses, institutional, and government. The proposed density is approximately 57 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2022-148 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3216 3rd Avenue for the purpose of four single-family detached dwellings, with off-street parking, upon certain terms and conditions.

The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use category for the subject property as Residential.

Primary Uses: Singlefamily houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Secondary Uses: Duplexes and small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units), institutional, and cultural.

The proposed density is approximately 18 units per acre.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the June 13, 2022 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. 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-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2022-150 To amend Ord. No. 2021040, adopted May 24, 2021, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by changing the uses and allocation of the Council District Funds for the Fifth District pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2-2503 for the use of the Council Member in the representation of the Fifth District.

Ordinance No. 2022-151 To amend Ord. No. 2021040, adopted May 24, 2021, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by changing the uses and allocation of the Council District Funds for the Seventh District pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2-2503 for the use of the Council Member in the representation of the Seventh District.

Ordinance No. 2022-152 To amend Ord. No. 2021040, adopted May 24, 2021, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by changing the uses and allocation of the Council District Funds for the Eighth District pursuant to Va. Code § 15.22503 for the use of the Council Member in the representation of the Eighth District.

Ordinance No. 2022-154 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Urban Baby Beginnings for the purpose of providing relief services to WIC eligible families experiencing financial difficulty relating to the shortage of infant formula.

Ordinance No. 2022-156 To extend the due date for tangible personal property and machinery and tools taxes from Jun. 6, 2022, to Aug. 5, 2022, for the tax year commencing Jan. 1, 2022.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the May 31, 2022 Richmond City Council Special meeting agenda. 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-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MUHAMMAD JUNAID, Plaintiff v.

JASMINE DOUGLAS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22000706-00 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 Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DAVINA ELLIS, Plaintiff v.

WARRENT ELLIS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22001399-00 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 July, 2022 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 CESAR MEJIA, Plaintiff v.

GIRLES AVILA MATEO, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22001398-00 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 July, 2022 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 FRANCISA BAKER, Plaintiff v.

JOSHUA SALLIE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22001397-00 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 July, 2022 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 TAVONYA WHITING-ELLIS, Plaintiff v.

ROBERT ELLIS, IV, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22-1034 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown appear here on or before the 27th day of June, 2022 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 Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

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

TERRELL EVANS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22000373-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown appear here on or before the 27th day of June, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

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

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: IFB No. 220012365: Belvidere Street Gateway Phase IV Signal, Crosswalk and Sidewalk Improvements, UPC No. 111161 Bid Due Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022/Time: 2:00 P.M.

Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.RVA.GOV).

The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

REQUESTS FOR RESUME & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation is seeking Resumes from Class A EarthCraft Certified Contractors experienced in New Construction and “Heavy Rehabilitation” Construction of “gutted Single-family houses, Engineers, Architects, Development Consultants and Multi-Family Development. All must have a minimum of three (3) years experience in their field of expertise.

These positions or opportunities are for federally funded Construction projects; contractors and sub contractors will be required to participate in Section 3 hiring requirements and Davis Bacon Wage reporting. Those not interested in participation in federally funded programs need not apply.

These are “Section 3 Covered Positions all HUD Recipients and ROB Businesses (Resident Owned Businesses) are encouraged to apply.”

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER NELSON ROQUE, JR., Plaintiff v.

ADRIANA LOPEZ PORTILLO, Defendant.

Case No.: CL22001268-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown appear here on or before the 27th day of June, 2022 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

Data Analysis Manager – Capital One Services, LLC in Richmond, VA; Mult pos avail: Manage quant & qualt analysis & dvlpmnt of complex data structures to generate bus insights & spprt strategy.

To apply, visit https://capitalone.wd1.my workdayjobs.com/Capital_One and search “Data Analysis Manager” or “R142627”.

Senior Software Engineer – Capital One Services, LLC in Richmond, VA; Mult pos avail: Resp for overall tech design, dvlpmnt, PRGL¿FDWLRQ LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI FRPS DSSV XVLQJ H[LVWLQJ HPHUJLQJ WHFK SODWIRUPV 7R DSSO\ YLVLW KWWSV FDSLWDORQH ZG P\ZRUNGD\MREV FRP &DSLWDOB2QH DQG VHDUFK ³6HQLRU 6RIWZDUH (QJLQHHU´ RU ³5 ´

Email all resumes to jobs.procurement@scdhc.com There is no Closing date for Resume or inquiries Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer For additional information contact: Jim Chambers, Director of Housing Development Programs SCDHC, 1624 Hull Street Richmond, Virginia 23224

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond.

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO HUDA MOHAMMED ALI, Plaintiff v.

HAMID JAMAL HAMID, Defendant.

Case No.: CL21-7642 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony on the ground of that the parties have lived separate without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period of more than one (1) year.

It appearing by affidavit filed according to law that diligence has been used by or on behalf of the plaintiff to ascertain in what county or corporation the defendant is, without effect, and that his last known adress is 9016 Patterson Avenue, #10, Henrico, VA 23229, located in the County of Henrico, Virginia, it is therefore ORDERED, that the said defendant, Hamid Jamal Hamid, appear before this Court on or before June 20th 2022, and do what is necessary to protect his interests in this suit.

A Copy, Teste: HEIDI BARSHINGER, Clerk I ask for this: Richard M. Bing (VSB #18457) RICHARD M. BING, P.C. 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300 Richmond, Virginia 23225 Telephone (804) 272-7900 Facsimile (804) 747-1921 rbing@binglawoffice.com

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