Richmond Free Press November 21-23, 2019 Edition

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Richmond Free Press © 2019 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOL. 28 NO. 47

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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NOVEMBER 21-23, 2019

Pushback

Anticipation When it comes to fireworks, Richmond area residents will brave even the coldest temperatures to watch the skies light up. Last Saturday, that was the case as dozens of people flocked to The Diamond for a fireworks display set to the music of the hugely popular musical, “Hamilton.” Below, wrapped up for the fireworks spectacular are, from left, Janea Bradby and her mother, Gaye Bradby, and Simone Betton sitting in the warm lap of her mom, Sophia Cain-Betton. Tony Award winner Chris Jackson, who starred as George Washington in the original Broadway production of “Hamilton,” was on hand for the event. The show’s touring company opened Tuesday night in Richmond at the Altria Theater, where the musical will run through Sunday, Dec. 8.

Richmond native files complaint about Navy Hill District Corp. with Internal Revenue Service; City Council vote on project may come as late as March

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The battle over the proposed $1.5 billion Navy Hill District Corp. project in Downtown could rage for a few more months.

Amid fresh twists in the saga, hopes appear to be fading for a City Council vote in January on the plan Mayor Levar M. Stoney is backing to replace the vacant Richmond Coliseum and develop prime city-owned real estate near City Hall for a hotel, office buildings, more than 2,000 apartments and restaurants and retail outlets.

At this point, City Council is still engaged in hiring an independent consultant to review the project. Based on the procurement document, the consultant would have up to 90 days to review the project and provide a report to City Council offering an opinion on the project’s risks and benefits.

As of the Free Press deadline on Wednesday, the mandatory notice of the city’s intent to award a contract had not been posted on the city’s website, suggesting it could be December before a contract is signed.

If that happens, then City Council might not receive the consultant’s report until late February, ensuring that it would be sometime in March

before a vote could be taken.

The consultant would operate separately from the Navy Hill Development Advisory Commission that the council previously set up and which expects to issue its report by mid to late December to meet its 90-day deadline.

A delay might benefit advocates of the project.

Despite the energy and effort that has gone into selling the expensive plan, it does not appear that the mayor has the seven votes needed on City Council to approve the key element — the sale of city property to the group spearheading the project.

Based on their statements, two council members maintain firm opposition to the project — Kim B. Gray, 2nd District, and Reva M. Trammell, 8th District.

At a Tuesday meeting of the Richmond Crusade for Voters, incoming 5th District Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch indicated that she would

Sandra Sellars/Richmomd Free Press

Photos by Sandra Sellers/Richmond Free Press

Please turn to A4

School Board backs resolution to protect school funding in Coliseum financing plan

By Ronald E. Carrington

Richmond Coliseum

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The Richmond School Board approved a resolution Monday requesting that City Council allow them to opt out of the funding plan for the controversial Coliseum replacement and Downtown redevelopment proposal.

On a 7-2 vote, the board approved a resolution to protect school funding introduced by board member Kenya Gibson, 3rd District. The resolution states: “Richmond Public Schools seeks the authority to opt out of contributing its share of revenue to TIF (tax increment financing) district funds or other tax deals that fund city development projects.”

School Board Chairwoman Dawn C. Page, 8th District, and board member Linda B. Owen, 9th District, voted against the resolution.

The controversial $1.5 billion Downtown

proposal, backed by Mayor Levar M. Stoney, calls for creating an 80-block TIF district in Downtown, with any growth in real estate taxes within that area earmarked to pay off the cost of a new Coliseum over the course of 30 years.

Ms. Gibson Ms. Gibson has said she wants Richmond Public Schools to get its share of any new tax money first before tax dollars are set aside to pay for a new Coliseum.

In approving Ms. Gibson’s resolution, the board sent a clear signal that the Coliseum project is inherently flawed and that RPS needs to receive a share of any growth in taxes to fund the educational needs of RPS students.

In a Free Press interview this week, School

Board member Jonathan Young, 4th District, said he believes the TIF financing arrangement would have a detrimental impact on city schools because “$620 million will be diverted to pay for a new Coliseum.”

“With those same dolMr. Young lars,” he said, “RPS can hire 200 teachers for their entire career. Monday’s vote signals to the mayor that RPS has other priorities.”

Approving the resolution is just the first step in opting out of the TIF process. RPS Attorney Jonnell P. Lilly informed the board that the next step is to formally communicate to Richmond Please turn to A4

Housing advocates threaten to sue RRHA for keeping public housing units vacant

By George Copeland Jr.

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has been warned that it would face a federal lawsuit if it refuses to start leasing units that deliberately have been kept vacant in the Creighton Court public housing community.

A group called the Virginia Housing Justice Program that includes the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society issued the warning Monday during a meeting of the RRHA Board of Commissioners that was moved to Gilpin Court’s Calhoun Center to accommodate the public.

The VHJP also includes the Virginia Poverty Law Center, the Legal Aid Justice Center and several community advocates and organizers.

In a letter delivered to RRHA commissioners during the public comment period, the advocacy group cited the decision of Damon E. Duncan, RRHA’s chief executive officer, to keep Creighton Court apartments vacant in preparation for future redevelopment as a violation of federal housing regulations.

That decision, the letter noted, has reduced the number of available public housing

action to demolish or units and deprived dispose of a public low-income families housing developwho have applied to ment or a portion live in public housing the opportunity of a public housing development” withto do so. out HUD’s approval The letter also and must operate the stated that the U.S. property as normal Department of HousMr. Duncan until such time as ing and Urban Development, which owns the public a plan of development is aphousing and provides funding proved.

“If we are unable to mututo RRHA to manage it, bars ally resolve the issue within the Mr. Duncan’s action.

A key HUD regulation next few weeks,” the letter by states that local public housing housing advocates states, “one authorities “may not take any or more of the undersigned

organizations will likely take legal action to enjoin RRHA’s policy.”

The VHJP has requested a written response, and the board did not discuss the issue as part of its agenda.

The letter was matched with a public display of intent.

Along with representatives of the VHJP, about 40 people attended the commission meeting, with several addressing the issue during the public comment period.

Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmomd Free Press

Creighton Court

Complaint to national challenges Va. NAACP election

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Virginia State Conference NAACP is facing more turmoil following a tumultuous convention at which Robert N. Barnette Jr. of Hanover County was elected the new state president.

At least 32 members have filed a complaint alleging violations of established NAACP election procedures and calling on the national NAACP to investigate.

They want a new election to be held if the complaints are found to be credible.

The group, led by Julius D. Spain Sr., president of the Arlington Branch NAACP and a newly elected regional vice president of the Virginia NAACP, filed the complaint on Nov. 12 with Derrick Johnson, the NAACP’s national president and chief executive officer.

Members have 10 days to challenge the results of

Mr. Spain

the state election that was held on Nov. 2.

The Free Press obtained a copy of the complaint Monday.

In a letter accompanying the complaint, Mr. Spain noted the complaint “is forthright, clear, concise and lists serious allegations” of irregularities and violations of the NAACP constitution

and bylaws.

“If disenfranchisement of eligible voting (delegates) occurred, a new election is warranted,” Mr. Spain continued. He urged the national office to promptly begin a probe.

Reached for comment, Mr. Barnette said he was unaware that a group had filed a complaint. He noted that the elections were conducted by Gloria Sweet-

Love, a member of the national board, and NAACP regional director Jonathan McKinney, and not by the state NAACP. Mr. Johnson could not be reached for comment, but a staff member in the Baltimore headquarters, who declined to be named, said the policy of the Mr. Barnette NAACP is not to comment on such internal matters.

The complaint lists a series of concerns that focus mostly on the last-minute disqualification at the Virginia NAACP convention of 48 delegates and two candidates for president and one for vice president.

“There is no known or written requirement in the Please turn to A4

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Richmond Free Press

Local News

Dixon to become Crusade for Voters new president John I. Dixon III, former Petersburg police chief and a retired Richmond Police Department major, will become president of the Richmond Crusade for Voters on Jan. 1.

Mr. Dixon, who currently serves as the Crusade’s first vice president, will take over the top post and serve until the organization’s November 2020 election as a result of the resignation of Bernice Travers, the current president.

In a Nov. 16 email obtained by the Free Press, Ms. Travers stated she had submitted her resignation to the board and would step down effective Dec. 31. She is serving her second, two-year term as president.

Ms. Travers stated that when she won re-election in 2018, she agreed to serve until the end of 2019.

Mr. Dixon She noted she would leave a stronger Crusade. She stated that during her tenure, members “worked diligently to rebuild the visibility and image” of the oldest and largest African-American political group in Richmond.

She noted the 63-year-old organization has launched a website, upgraded its Facebook page, worked with the General Assembly to seek approval for early voting and taken part in the Put Schools First campaign.

She also noted that under her leadership, the Crusade held 10 community forums to enable city residents to hear from candidates for city and state offices and again had poll workers pass out sample ballots to voters to encourage support of Crusade-endorsed candidates.

Other accomplishments, she stated, have included gaining pro bono legal services from McGuireWoods, securing Internal Revenue Service-recognized nonprofit status, increasing membership and strengthening the group’s finances through fundraising.

— JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Anderson new City Council chief of staff Lawrence Rashad Anderson, a former urban research fellow at American University in Washington, is the Richmond City Council’s new chief of staff.

Mr. Anderson, 39, took over Monday from interim chief of staff Meghan Brown, it has been announced.

He replaces Lou Brown Ali, who had held the post for seven years until she resigned in December 2018.

His starting yearly salary is $142,500, according to council spokesman Steven Skinner. Including other benefits such as a Mr. Anderson $5,000 contribution in deferred payments for retirement, the approved compensation package for Mr. Anderson totals $175,930 annually, Mr. Skinner stated in an email to the Free Press.

As chief of staff, Mr. Anderson will oversee the staff that assists City Council in establishing the budget, creating local laws and developing government policy.

According to the announcement, Mr. Anderson most recently was engaged with AU’s School of Public Affairs and its Metropolitan Policy Center where he conducted research on factors leading to urban political unrest.

Mr. Anderson’s résumé also includes previous work with initiatives in New Orleans, Baltimore and Richmond.

The chief of staff is one of the city officials who report directly to City Council. Others include the city attorney, city auditor, city clerk, city property assessor and the inspector general.

— JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

With 154 apartment units in Jackson Ward high rise located at 1202 N. 1st St., began in in various stages of completion after 16 months 2016 when 77 households were moved into a of construction, residents in the Richmond Rerenovated school building in Highland Park. development and Housing Authority’s nearby Slices of life and scenes The final phase, redevelopment of the former in Richmond Fay Towers in Gilpin Court are being prepped Baker Elementary School into 51 apartments, to move in during the coming weeks. At least is still on hold. The Community Preservation 72 units in new $33 million complex bounded by 1st, 2nd, and Development Corp., which is undertaking the Fay Towers Jackson and Duval streets are earmarked for Fay Towers resi- replacement in partnership with the RRHA, began advertising dents. The remaining 82 units in the complex are to be rented for subcontractors for the Baker School project in September, to anyone interested. Replacement of Fay Towers, a 200-unit but has not moved forward.

Cityscape

Parents back rezoning plan for greatest diversity

By Ronald E. Carrington

Roughly 40 people voiced their overwhelming support for a Richmond Public Schools rezoning plan that would create more racial integration by pairing elementary schools that now have largely black or white student populations.

More than 200 people attended the public hearing held Monday night at Ginter Park Elementary School as part of the Richmond School Board meeting.

The speakers, largely parents of RPS students, used the opportunity to urge the board to support a rezoning option that would integrate the district’s schools.

The option, known as Plan X and one of four presented by the RPS Rezoning Action Committee, involves the most extensive pairing of elementary schools and would redraw district lines in the East End and South Side, particularly to help alleviate overcrowding in schools in South Richmond.

Under Plan X, Cary and Fox elementary schools would be paired, along with Carver and Mary Munford, while Ginter Park, Holton and Barack Obama would be joined.

Many of the speakers talked about their own experiences in school and their desires for their children to experience a rich and diverse education and exposure to diverse languages and culture reflecting the city’s diverse population.

They asked the board to act on the opportunity to create meaningful and long-lasting change in the city.

“Data shows that integration is the most effective way of narrowing the achievement gap, removing access barriers impeding children from lower socioeconomic situations from becoming successful,” said a member of the Rezoning Action Committee in supporting Plan X, noting it is the only proposal providing equity across the paired schools.

The School Board is scheduled to vote on a rezoning plan during its meeting at 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 2. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the plans during that meeting, to be held at E.S.H. Greene Elementary School, 1745 Catalina Drive, and at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at Bellevue Elementary School, 2301 E. Grace St. Selecting a rezoning plan is a top priority

as three new schools are under construction and are scheduled to open for the 2020-21 academic year.

At Monday night’s meeting, Jerome Legions Jr., president of the Carver Civic Association, was the lone voice asking for more money for city schools, especially for Carver Elementary School. He has led the community effort to try to turn Carver Elementary into a magnet school with a specialized curriculum and additional resources to try to improve academics at the school.

School Board member Kenya Gibson, 3rd District, said she was happy to hear the voices of parents who believe in the power of integration, but said she was dismayed at the absence of people of color speaking out at the public hearing.

“I remain concerned that we have been having these conversations about equity without the leadership of people of color leading the charge,” Ms. Gibson said at the meeting. “There are parents and students of color leading the charge for change. I want to know why was the lone student from Thomas Jefferson the only one speaking out tonight.

Why was she alone?”

State Board of Elections acts to protect election data

The three-member state Board of Elections imposed minimum standards on Monday to protect election data from being hacked.

The new standards require local election officials in Richmond and across the state to create secure passwords, install anti-virus protection and develop and train staff to respond when problems are found, accord-

ing to Christopher Piper, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections that the board oversees.

Mr. Piper noted that the department has worked with local registrars since July to create the first standards that are to be place for the 2020 presidential election.

Localities that fail to implement the minimum standards would be barred next

year from accessing the state’s election database.

“Virginia is already recognized as a national leader for our focus on and initiatives to maintain the integrity of our elections,” Mr. Piper stated. “These new security standards will bring more support to our current efforts.” — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

VSU board extends president’s contract to June 2024 Dr. Makola M. Abdullah, the president of Virginia State University, has received a three-year contract extension.

The VSU Board of Visitors announced Monday that Dr. Abdullah’s contract, which was set to expire in June 2021, has been extended to June 2024.

Huron F. Winstead, rector of the board, stated that the board is satisfied with Dr. Abdullah’s performance.

Dr. Abdullah has led the school since February 2016, and the board provided the extension in a bid to keep him in the school’s top post, Mr. Winstead stated.

During his tenure, VSU was re-accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges Dr. Abdullah and Schools and gained state funding approval to develop a $97 million academic building, Mr. Winsted noted.

He also noted that Dr. Abdullah has opened a welcome center to improve student recruitment and boosted services to the faculty with the opening of an enrichment academy.

VSU also increased research expenditures more than $25 million and also began issuing grants to faculty to increase university research, Mr. Winstead stated.

Dr. Abdullah issued a comment on the extension that included praise for the faculty, staff and administration for their support and commitment.

He added that VSU has adopted a five-year strategic plan, “Preeminence with Purpose,” to guide the school and put it in a position to “to cultivate numerous opportunities of excellence for our students.” — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Correction Dr. Dennis Parker is vice president of Caliber Virginia, a Henrico County-based trade group for Medicaid mental health and substance abuse service providers, and a partner in HOPE Inc., a Richmond area service provider.

His first name was incorrect in an article in the Nov. 14-16 edition.

The Free Press regrets the error.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Vigil of Remembrance and Hope Chesterfield Police Officer William Spencer lights a candle as area residents participate in Mothers Against Drunk Driving Virginia’s annual Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance and Hope on Monday night.

The event, held at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Robins Visitors Center because of the rain, is to remember and honor those who have lost their lives to drunk drivers. In 2018 in Virginia, 278 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes and more than 4,400 people were injured, according to MADD. Fatalities were up 12 percent over 2017, according to the organization’s data. Victims’ names were read as candles were lighted Monday night. The organization hopes the event will bring healing to families and motivation to curb impaired driving.

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November 21-23, 2019

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Local News

Delegate McQuinn

Delegate Ward

Delegate Torian

Delegate Tyler

Richmond delegates expected to have greater clout in upcoming General Assembly

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

At least four Richmond area delegates to the Virginia General Assembly are poised to gain increased clout when the new Democratic majority takes control of both the House of Delegates and the state Senate when the 2020 legislative session opens in January.

Among those expected to have increased stature is Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, who has represented the city’s East End for 10 years.

Delegate McQuinn, D-70th, is on track to become chair of the powerful House Transportation Committee that focuses on public transit, highway and other issues related to cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

As the No. 2 ranking Democrat on the committee, Delegate McQuinn is projected to gain the leadership spot now that the ranking Democrat, Delegate Jeion Ward of Hampton, has opted to become chair of the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

Meanwhile, Delegates Jeffrey M. Bourne, D-71st, Betsy M. Carr, D-69th, and Lamont Bagby, D-74th, appear to have strong prospects

to chair powerful subcommittees, based on their seniority on such committees as Appropriations, Courts of Justice, Education, General Laws and Rules.

Separately, the 52 Democrats who will rule the state Senate elected four members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus to fill leadership posts on Wednesday.

Along with promoting current Senate Minority Leader Richard “Dick” Saslaw of Fairfax to majority leader, the Democratic caucus also retained Sen. Mamie E. Locke of Hampton as caucus chair and designated Sen. L. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth to be president pro tempore of the Senate. Sen. Lucas also was named to chair the Senate Education and Health Committee.

Sens. Locke and Lucas are members of the VLBC. Meanwhile, Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan of Richmond, another VLBC member, was elected secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus, another boost for the Richmond area. Sen. Lionell Spruill Sr. of Chesapeake, another VLBC member, was named a Democratic whip, as was Sen. Barbara Favola of Arlington.

At City Hall, officials are gleeful about the prospect of having well-positioned friends interested in urban issues and able to play significant roles in crafting beneficial legislation.

“I think we will do very well in the next session,” one highly placed official told the Free Press.

Democrats already are signaling change is coming with the pre-filing of legislation that regularly went into the wastebasket when Republicans were in charge, but now has real potential to become law.

Among the initial filings are bills that would make it easier to vote absentee, require universal background checks before gun purchases, protect LGBTQ community members against housing discrimination and ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

“Finally, these bills will get the consideration they deserved in the House, and we can take the first steps to improving voting rights, preventing gun violence and recognizing all Virginians as equal regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation,” said Alexandria Delegate Charniele Herring, incoming House majority leader.

A wave of other bills is on the way, according to Democrats. Expected among them is legislation to raise the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour, to decriminalize marijuana, to expand early childhood education and to tackle criminal justice reform.

All of that legislation will flow to the House’s 14 standing committees and their subcommittees, which can either kill the bills or move the legislation along for an eventual floor vote.

So far, Speaker-designate Eileen Filler-Corn of Fairfax County has announced the appointment of four committee chairs — all of whom are the ranking Democrats on previously Republicancontrolled committees.

Along with Delegate Ward, the appointees include Prince William County Delegate Luke Torian, who will chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee; Greensville County Delegate Roslyn Tyler, who will chair the House Education Committee; and Northern Virginia Delegate Vivian Watts, who will chair the House Finance Committee.

Delegates Ward, Torian and Tyler also are members of the VLBC.

Pushback on Navy Hill District Corp. project Continued from A1

likely be a “no” vote on the project. Before and after winning the Nov. 5 election to replace Councilman Parker C. Agelasto on Dec. 1, Ms. Lynch said she found at least 60 percent of the district’s residents do not support the project.

Others on council who have indicated concern or skepticism about the plan include Council Vice President Chris A. Hilbert, 3rd District, and Kristen N. Larson, 4th District.

Likely supporters of the Coliseum and Downtown development project include City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District; Andreas D. Addison, 1st District; and Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, who have either issued endorsements or taken supportive positions. Councilman Michael J. Jones, 9th District, has not committed himself publicly.

The prospects for approval were not aided this week with the well-publicized filing of a complaint to the Internal Revenue Service challenging the nonprofit status of Navy Hill District Corp., which has spearheaded the proposal for the past two years.

The complaint was filed by Richmond native Jeff Thomas, an author who lives in Washington and alleges that NHDC has violated IRS rules barring nonprofits from lobbying elected officials.

Accompanying the complaint was the disclosure that Dominion Energy and a Richmond-headquartered bank have played a bigger role than previously known in NHDC. The bank, now known as Atlantic Union Bank, and Dominion Energy provide the funding to enable NHDC to push the project aimed at remaking the area between 5th, 10th, Marshall and Leigh streets and two other city-owned blocks south of Broad Street.

Atlantic Union contributed $2 million and Dominion contributed $1.5 million to support the work of the nonprofit Navy Hill District Corp., which is led by Dominion’s top executive, Thomas F. “Tom” Farrell II, according to the fiscal 2017-18 report on revenue and expenditures that NHDC filed with the IRS and made public this week after being hit with demands for the disclosure by Mr. Thomas.

Mayor Stoney apparently was unaware of the contribution by Dominion Energy. During a community session on Navy Hill the city held Monday night at the Hickory Hill Community Center,

Complaint to national challenges Va. NAACP election Continued from A1

national NAACP Constitution and Bylaws … that a candidate MUST be a delegate of the convention to run for office,” the complaint notes. “This seemingly ‘new’ requirement was imposed without any prior written notice and appears to have disqualified several worthy candidates along with causing a great deal of confusion and concern.”

The complaint also alleges that delegates who were properly registered on the first day of the convention and participated in a business meeting were disqualified on the convention’s second day when elections were held.

In addition, according to the complaint, those delegates who qualified to vote had no idea of who would be on the ballot until the voting began because the candidates’ paperwork was not reviewed until just before the election, unlike past elections when paperwork was reviewed and a ballot prepared prior to the convention.

The complaint also alleges that the ballot was so poorly prepared it included nominees for positions that did not exist and listed as the sole candidate for vice president the name of a candidate who had withdrawn from the contest instead of the name of the only person who had qualified to run for the office.

In addition, the complaint alleges that Ms. Sweet-Love interrupted candidates’ remarks to delegates to make disparaging remarks about some and supportive remarks in other cases in an effort to affect the election’s outcome.

The complaint concludes that the concerns “described an unfair process, election irregularities and bias in the officials conducting the election,” most notably Ms. Sweet-Love.

The complaint calls on Mr. Johnson and the national board to hold a new election that would follow normal procedures and from which Ms. Sweet-Love would be barred from having any role.

Mayor Stoney told a questioner that Dominion Energy was not directly participating in financing the development.

Jeff Kelley, a spokesman for Navy Hill, and C. Ryan Frazer, a Dominion spokesman, stated separately that the contribution was an advance payment on “future marketing opportunities” involving the project, such as naming rights.

Mr. Farrell Mr. Ryan stated the contribution came from shareholder funds, not customer payments, and fits with Dominion’s efforts to work “closely with localities in our service areas to promote economic development and growth.”

The bank is a booster for the project. A report published last year stated that Atlantic Union Bank pledged to provide $1 million to support the affordable housing component of the NHDC development.

Mr. Thomas filed the IRS complaint on Monday. In it, he stated that “the preponderance of all publicly available evidence indicates that not merely the substantial part, but the sole purpose and function of (NHDC) is to lobby, specifically for the passage of a bond issue and related legislation through the Richmond City Council. “(NHDC) provides no charitable or religious services whatsoever,” the complaint continues. “Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that (NHDC) is not operating for charitable purposes.”

IRS rules allow nonprofits to advocate, but generally bar them from urging elected officials to vote for or against legislation or to urge its members and others to contact legislators to urge them to vote a particular way.

Nonprofits also are barred from benefiting insiders in the project, and the complaint alleges that NHDC has crossed into

improper territory by creating a for-profit arm, Capital City Partners LLC, to secure private investors and carry out the proposed development.

“Having a for-profit entity with private investors expecting a return on their investment spearheading a putatively nonprofit development/lobbying entity is a clear conflict of interest, if not worse,” the Ms. Mosby complaint states.

On behalf of NHDC, Mr. Kelley responded that the “IRS complaint contains false and misleading information, and we are confident that it will be dismissed.”

“The NHDC’s activities are consistent with the applicable laws and regulations governing charities that limit the advocacy and lobbying efforts of such entities,” Mr. Kelley continued. “The complaint and stories mislead Richmonders into believing that we cannot advocate for the Navy Hill project. That is untrue.

“This complaint is another attempt to keep the status quo in place and to discredit philanthropic attempts by the NH Foundation and others to make a difference in the lives of Richmonders,” Mr. Kelley concluded.

According to the financial report to the IRS, Navy Hill was established for the sole purpose of “revitalization and economic redevelopment of approximately 10 city blocks in Downtown Richmond … consisting of approximately 21 acres of publiclyowned property.”

Only the federal agency can determine whether NHDC has remained within the bounds set by the IRS. However, Help Me Help You, a nonprofit founded by former City Council President Michelle Mosby and a contractor for Navy Hill, paid people $25 each to hold up signs urging support of the Navy Hill development at the Nov. 12 council meeting, according to published reports.

School Board backs resolution to protect school funding Continued from A1

City Council the School Board’s vote to opt out. Ms. Lilly said the council then would have to pass an ordinance allowing RPS to opt out, and RPS would continue to receive its same share of city tax dollars currently allocated.

In the 2019-20 city budget, RPS is to receive about $175 million in city tax funding, or nearly 61 percent of the $289 million Richmond projects to collect in real estate taxes based on current residential and business property assessments.

According to Monday’s presentation by Benjamin F. Teresa, an assistant professor of urban and regional studies and planning at Virginia Commonwealth University, RPS could lose a percentage of $4 million in city tax money each year, as well as $3.8 million in state funding annually. Dr. Teresa said RPS could lose $97.3 million in state funding over the life of the Coliseum project.

“To take the most valuable Downtown blocks, earning millions in revenue, and divert any increase in revenue to pay for a brand new Coliseum is inappropriate,” Mr. Young told the Free Press.

“This also threatens future RPS general fund increases.”

Housing advocates threaten to sue RRHA for keeping public housing units vacant Continued from A1

Speakers included Richmond For All member Kristin Reed; former state NAACP Executive Director King Salim Khalfani; Bernice E. Travers, president of the Richmond Crusade for Voters; and others from across the city and beyond sharing their concern for those seeking public housing.

“Home is the foundation for life,” said the Rev. Mary Anne Glover, interim general minister of the Virginia Council of Churches. “Give everyone a solid foundation for having a good start. Do what’s right.”

The meeting was the first the Board of Commissioners has held since Mr. Duncan halted the eviction of tenants who have fallen behind on rent and utility payments following a public backlash against the increasing number of tenants RRHA was taking to court. Mr. Duncan announced earlier this month that all evictions would

be suspended through December.

Board Chair Veronica G. Blount acknowledged the speakers’ concerns about the Creighton Court vacancies and welcomed any suggestions on improving public housing. However, she challenged the idea that RRHA is operating out of step with HUD guidelines. She pointed to the work that Mr. Duncan and the staff are doing to “keep our assessments at a place where we can still expect HUD to support us and what we do.”

“If we weren’t doing what we were supposed to do,” Ms. Blount said, “trust and believe, HUD would not be giving us money to do what we are currently doing.”

She also pointed out that none of the speakers at the meeting were residents of Creighton Court.

Randolph resident Cora Hayes, who lives in RRHA housing, said Creighton Court residents may not have been present because of a meeting held earlier in the

day by the Richmond Tenants Organization. She said the tenants organization is setting up meetings to discuss “clinics that would address some of the problems over in Creighton.”

The VHJP members are to discuss housing solutions with RRHA officials and staff at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, in a follow-up to an initial meeting on Nov. 11.

The group has requested that the meeting be moved to an earlier date because Dec. 9 leaves them only three weeks “to work together to change RRHA’s practices and procedures” before the end of the eviction freeze.

The board approved the sale of the former Eastlawn Shopping Center at 1810 Creighton Road to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, which plans to transform the site to provide after-school and community programs.

RRHA purchased the mostly vacant retail site for $1 million in 2017, with support from Richmond City Council.

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135159_NPA228427-0001 Everyday ad_V2_RichmondFP_11x21.indd 1

10/7/19 2:21 PM

Richmond Free Press

A6 November 21-23, 2019

News

No knee now

Kaepernick saga continues with surprise public workout

By Paul Newberry Associated Press

RIVERDALE, Ga. Colin Kaepernick’s saga took another surreal turn last Saturday — a last-minute audible to nix an NFL-arranged workout and a quick dash 60 miles to the other side of Metro Atlanta, where the exiled quarterback staged his own impromptu passing display on a high school field in dwindling light as hundreds of fans cheered him on from behind a chain-link fence.

Mr. Kaepernick threw passes for about 40 minutes at Charles Drew High School and spent nearly that long signing autographs for a crowd that steadily grew as word spread that a quarterback who led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl and sparked a wave of protests and divisive debate by kneeling during the national anthem was in the neighborhood.

Mr. Kaepernick declared again that he’s ready to play in the NFL — if someone will just give him a chance.

“I’ve been ready for three years,” he said. “I’ve been denied for three years. We all know why. I came out here today and showed it in front of everybody. We have nothing to hide. We’re waiting for the 32 owners, the 32 teams, (Commissioner) Roger Goodell, all of them to stop running, stop running from the truth, stop running from the people.”

In a move no one saw coming, the league that Mr. Kaepernick claims blackballed him called Nov. 12 with a take-it-or-leave-it offer to hold an extraordinary workout at the Atlanta Falcons’ training complex in the sprawling suburbs north of the city.

All 32 teams were invited. Former NFL head coaches Hue Jackson and Joe Philbin were set to run the drills. The league said 25 teams were sending scouts and representatives, many of whom had already arrived at the Falcons’ indoor training facility in Flowery Branch when word came that Mr. Kaepernick wasn’t going to take part.

Instead, Mr. Kaepernick decided to hold a workout open to the media— unlike the session at the Falcons’ facility— at a high school stadium just south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, 60 miles away.

With barely more than an hour to spare, the media that had been herded into a gated-off area in the parking lot and told that was as close as they would get to Mr. Kaepernick’s workout hustled to their vehicles to set off for a high school most had never heard of.

But only eight of the original 25 team representatives followed along to the new location, including Philadelphia Eagles vice president of football operations Andrew Berry. It appeared the New York Jets, Kansas City and Washington also had scouts in attendance.

They stood along the sideline, jotting into their notepads as Mr. Kaepernick tossed passes to four free-agent receivers.

“Our biggest thing with everything today was to make sure we had transparency in what went on,” Mr. Kaepernick said.

“We weren’t getting that elsewhere, so we came out here.”

Mr. Kaepernick has clearly kept himself in good shape during his near three-year layoff. His passes had plenty of zip on them, though he was a bit off target with a few of his deep throws. It was not the sort of session that would likely sway a team one way or the other.

That didn’t appear to be the point.

Mr. Kaepernick has insisted all along that everyone knows he

Todd Kirkland/Associated Press

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick participates in a workout for NFL scouts and the media last Saturday at a high school field in Riverdale, Ga.

is good enough to play in the NFL. He claims this is all about his decision to kneel as a way of protesting police brutality and racial injustice, which led to a contentious national debate that stretched all the way to the White House. President Trump called on NFL owners to fire any player who failed to stand during the national anthem.

“We’re ready to go anywhere,” said Mr. Kaepernick, who at age 32 should be in the prime of his career. “Ready to talk to any team, interview with any team at any time. I’ve been ready, I’m staying ready, I will continue to be ready.”

Mr. Kaepernick did not take questions from at least 50 media members who scrambled to get to Riverdale to cover his workout.

The quarterback’s representatives announced the change less than an hour before the start of the originally scheduled workout, saying the NFL refused their request that journalists be allowed to watch and videotape the session in Flowery Branch.

When he finally got on the field, Mr. Kaepernick threw passes to receivers Bruce Ellington, Brice Butler, Jordan Veasy and Ari Werts.

Former 49ers teammate Eric Reid, who joined Mr. Kaepernick in his kneeling protest and a collusion lawsuit against the league, watched the session from a bench on the sideline.

Mr. Reid, who is now a safety for the Carolina Panthers, left the workout about halfway through to get back to Charlotte, N.C. His team, in an interesting twist, will host a game against the Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 8.

“I think there could be a positive outcome,” Mr. Veasy said.

“At the end of the day, any progress is good progress.”

But Jeff Nalley, Mr. Kaepernick’s agent, didn’t sound as hopeful.

His client hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2016 season.

“If teams want to see him, they will ask to work him out,” he said. “No team asked for this workout.”

Mr. Nalley said he feared all along that there was “an ulterior motive” behind the NFL’s offer to stage an unprecedented, combine-style workout for one player, especially because Mr. Kaepernick was given only two hours to accept or reject it. The league turned down his requests to move the workout to a later date or to hold it on a Tuesday, when more coaches and general managers likely would be able to attend because that is an off day for most teams.

In a statement, the NFL said it was “disappointed that Colin did not appear for his workout.” The league referenced recent negotiations with Mr. Kaepernick’s representatives over the workout and cited issues that included media availability and a liability waiver.

“Colin’s decision has no effect on his status in the league.

He remains an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any club,” the NFL said.

The league in February settled a collusion grievance filed by Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid.

Mr. Nalley acknowledged that he had already made arrangements for a different site if talks with the league broke down.

“You’ve always got to have a backup plan,” he said.

Mr. Kaepernick’s representatives said the NFL “demanded” as a precondition for this workout that he sign an “unusual liability waiver.” Mr. Kaepernick also wanted his own film crew to attend and videotape the session, which the NFL rejected.

Mr. Kaepernick worked out under the lights as the sun set behind the trees at one end of the high school stadium, an American flag flapping in a gentle breeze.

At the other end of the field, Mr. Kaepernick was cheered on by a fan contingent that kept growing throughout the session. A police unit arrived to control the crowd. A barbecue truck set up in the parking lot to provide an impromptu dinner option.

When he was done, Mr. Kaepernick worked the entire length of the fence, signing hats, shirts and any other item that was tossed over the fence for his autograph.

One of the fans held up a sign.

“I’m With Kap.” AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

No injunction granted in black-owned health companies’ federal lawsuit

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A federal judge has refused to block several health insurance companies from firing 33 small, mostly African-American-owned companies that provide mental health and substance abuse counseling services to Medicaid patients.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge Claude M. Hilton on Nov. 15 rejected a request from the smaller companies primarily based in the Richmond area for a temporary restraining order that would stop Aetna, Anthem and four other insurance companies from dismissing them as providers until the merits of the case could be heard, according to Dr. Dennis Parker, vice president of Caliber Virginia, an area trade group for the service providers.

Dr. Parker, a partner in HOPE Inc., one of the small businesses that filed the lawsuit, said he left the federal courthouse in Alexandria “disappointed.”

Knicole C. Emanuel, lead attorney for the Caliber Virginia companies, confirmed Dr. Parker’s account.

Along with Aetna and Anthem, the insurance companies battling the service providers’ lawsuit include Magellan Complete Care, United Health and Virginia Premier, the insurance arm of VCU Health. A sixth company, Optima Health, originally was named in the suit, but previously was dismissed as a defendant, according to Ms. Emanuel.

The state hired the insurance companies to provide managed care for Medicaid patients.

Dr. Parker said the insurance companies’ deci-

sion to eliminate providers began in the face of Medicaid expansion in Virginia. The expansion has increased the demand for service, he said, but not the number of service providers.

Data indicate that between one in four and one in five people on Medicaid qualify for services to deal with addiction, mental illness or behavioral problems, Dr. Parker said, which is similar to the general public.

He noted that the number of professionals qualified to provide such services falls well short of the number needed given that 300,000 more Virginians have health insurance now with Medicaid expansion in 2018.

The action of insurance companies to sever ties with smaller companies that offer such services means that Medicaid patients are hav-

ing a harder time finding a qualified provider whose services their insurance company will cover, Dr. Parker said.

However, he said Judge Hilton found that the smaller companies had signed contracts that allowed insurers to cut them off from providing services. Dr. Parker said the judge also accepted evidence from the insurance companies indicating that their business practices were not creating harm to people with Medicaid coverage.

Dr. Parker said HOPE Inc. felt the sting of losing contracts with some insurers, but made up much of the loss by gaining new contracts with other insurers.

He said the judge has set a new hearing for mid-December to consider the insurance companies’ request to dismiss the lawsuit.

Justices could return Allen’s cable TV race bias suit to lower court Free Press wire report

WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to overturn a lower court ruling in favor of an African-American media mogul and comedian who’s suing cable giant Comcast for racial discrimination.

The justices appeared to be in broad agreement Nov. 13 that an appeals court applied the wrong legal standard in allowing business owner Byron Allen’s $20 billion suit against Comcast to go forward.

Mr. Allen has a separate $10 billion lawsuit against Charter Communications.

Mr. Allen alleged the cable companies refuse to carry his television

channels because he’s African-American. The companies responded his programming isn’t very good.

The issue at the court is whether Mr. Allen needs to show in his complaint that race was among the factors in Comcast’s decision not to offer him a contract or whether it was the decisive factor.

Alarmed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention, civil rights groups have warned that the nation’s highest court could make it much harder to prove race discrimination in contracting under a civil rights law that dates to 1866.

A ruling for Comcast probably would not be the final word. Several justices indicated they think the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco should take another look.

A three-judge appellate panel allowed the Comcast suit to go forward after a federal district court judge dismissed it three times.

Mr. Allen’s Los Angeles-based Entertainment Studios has 10 television networks, including Cars.tv, Comedy.tv, Pets.tv, Recipe.tv and JusticeCentral.tv. Last year, he bought The Weather Channel. He also has a movie distribution company.

But Comcast and Charter Communications, the nation’s two largest cable providers, have passed on carrying Mr. Allen’s channels. The nowmerged AT&T and DirecTV carry the channels after Mr. Allen sued them and they settled.

A decision is expected by late June.

Lawrence Hurley/Reuters

Media mogul Byron Allen is surrounded by supporters after leaving the U.S. Supreme Court, where arguments were heard Nov. 13 in his lawsuit against Comcast.

Richmond Free Press

November 21-23, 2019

African Americans are twice as likely to be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Among the top 10 causes of death for Americans, Alzheimer’s disease is the only one that can’t be prevented, cured or slowed. But there are ways to reduce your risk of developing the disease. If you’re worried about Alzheimer’s—either for yourself or for a loved one—the VCU Health Neuroscience, Orthopaedic and Wellness Center has specialists to talk with.

Diagnose it early:

Spot it early:

?

5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Every 65 seconds, someone develops the disease.

Early warning signs include: • Challenges in planning • Difficulty completing routine tasks • Confusion with time or place • Decreased/poor judgment • Changes in mood/personality

? ?

The older you get, the more you’re at risk. The number of people with Alzheimer’s doubles every five years beyond age 65.

The benefits of early and accurate diagnosis: • Potential lower costs for treating dementia • More accurate results in clinical trials

Reduce the risk early:

There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, but you can reduce your risk of contracting it: • Stay physically and mentally active • Keep yourself socially involved • Reduce your fat and cholesterol intake • Don’t use tobacco • Treat high blood pressure • Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night

To schedule an appointment with VCU Health, call 800-762-6161. © 2019 VCU Health. All rights reserved. Sources: Alzheimer’s Association; Centers for Disease Control; UsAgainstAlzheimer’s; VCU Health Neuroscience, Orthopaedic and Wellness Center.

A7

Richmond Free Press

Foliage in Byrd Park

Editorial Page

A8

November 21-23, 2019

If they build it ...

When it comes to the costly Coliseum replacement and Downtown redevelopment plan, the Navy Hill District Corp. believes in the adage made famous by the 1989 drama-fantasy movie, “Field of Dreams.”

That adage: “If you build it, they will come.”

They want the public to believe that if they pump $1.5 billion into a 10-block area of Downtown to put up a new Coliseum, a new hotel, office buildings and residences, then thousands of people will come to a bevy of concerts and shows and spend big bucks on food, drink and rent thus causing thousands of jobs to spring forth from the project. But that’s all based on rosy projections that other prognosticators say are overblown.

Now, it seems the Navy Hill people also believe “If you pay them, they will come.”

We’re talking about last week’s Richmond City Council meeting for which people were paid $25 each to attend and hold up signs showing their support for the Navy Hill project.

A Navy Hill District Corp. spokesman wanted to call it a “reimbursement” for child care or transit costs given to the people by one of the corporation’s community partners, the Help Me Help You Foundation founded by former Richmond City Council President Michelle Mosby.

With the Downtown project being led by a man with deep pockets, Thomas F. “Tom” Farrell II, CEO of Dominion Energy, we are shocked that the incentive to show up at the meeting was only $25.

Sadly, it shows how deep poverty and depression is within Richmond’s African-American community that $25 can get people to show up and hold signs at a City Council meeting.

It also raises serious questions about the integrity of those who would pass out money or “incentives” in our community to get the outcome they want.

And it casts doubts about the conviction of those who did turn up in support of the project. Would the same people show up and hold signs opposing the project if they were paid $25?

What about $35 or $50?

This is a travesty. With this latest scheme, our community once again winds up as losers. And on the grand scale, nobody is being helped by this project — not the City of Richmond, not the people of Richmond, not Richmond Public Schools or the city’s critical police, fire, social services or infrastructure needs.

For the next 30 years, any new revenue from an 80-block area around the Downtown development will go to pay for the new Coliseum, leaving the taxpayers, including those attending last week’s City Council meeting, stuck with the bill for the rising costs of city services during that period. Only Mr. Farrell and friends are benefiting from this project and the charade being perpetrated to pull it off.

We need to wake up, wise up and stand up for what truly will help our community.

Rep. McEachin: À votre santé

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Let localities lead

When the Dillon Rule, a law limiting local autonomy, was created in 1868, the opinion was state governments would know how to govern better than localities.

As a leader of local government, it is baffling this argument still holds weight in 2019. Local leaders do the grueling groundwork in their communities every day.

They, not the state, are better informed about their residents’ needs and should therefore have more authority to create positive change.

Richmond faces wicked challenges. I have met folks living on the margins. I have seen deteriorating school buildings, roads plagued by potholes, communities threatened by gun violence and families impacted by an inadequate housing supply.

But when I try to address these systemic issues, whether through direct intervention or diversifying local revenue streams to provide new funding, my hands

are tied.

Now, for the first time in decades, Democrats have secured a united government in the Commonwealth. With this new legislative power comes the responsibility to provide localities the authority to address the needs of historically marginalized communities. There are a number of

Mayor Levar M. Stoney actions they can take that would be immediately impactful.

The state currently preempts localities from regulating firearms in city buildings and spaces including parks. Earlier this year, the Richmond community lost 9-year-old Markiya Dickson after she was tragically shot while playing in a park. Localities know the evidence-based solutions to prevent gun violence.

Granting local governments the decision-making power to keep guns out of public spaces should be a core component of common sense gun regulations passed by the General Assembly during the upcoming session.

As the Commonwealth grows, the burden of meeting the need

for affordable housing falls on localities. Richmond needs 10,000 affordable units over the next 10 years to meet current and future needs. Affordable housing is a central component of a locality’s ability to grow while ensuring current residents are not displaced. Localities need the authority to implement inclusionary zoning, which would create specific affordability targets in local land use codes and ensure new residential developments are inclusive.

Moreover, localities should be able to implement welcoming policies for all. Currently, localities lack the legal standing to fully protect the rights of some of their most vulnerable residents or to take important steps that reflect their diversity and values. To solve that problem, the General Assembly should grant authority to allow localities to determine the future of Confederate monuments, either through contextualization or permanent removal. And Richmond City Council should join me in support of Councilman Michael Jones’ resolution requesting this authority. The state also should codify non-discrimination laws

Why Trump hearings are important

History continues this week GOP lawmakers that they were broken that promise. He has, in on Capitol Hill as impeachment being squeezed out of a fact- fact, made more than 13,000 false inquiry hearings into President finding process that they also or misleading claims — from the We send up positive thoughts for the good health of Congress- Trump continue. claimed lacked transparency. mundane, such as the size of his man A. Donald McEachin, who has been sidetracked lately while Millions of Americans who The witnesses’ initial testimo- inauguration day crowd, to the undergoing surgeries in his battle with health issues. have not had the time or a de- nies were delivered in a secure, insane, like the one about former While we respect his privacy, we applaud that he shared some sire to read the more than 2,000 confidential setting to prevent President Obama initiating the details about his latest medical challenges with the public in a pages of testimony from the them from comparing notes and policy of separating children recent media interview. We believe that all elected officials, in confidential briefings released to preserve the integrity of their from their families at the border. the name of transparency and responsibility to their constituHe has even lied about me. by the House depositions. ents, should provide that type of information to the people they The president has little to no Now the public has an opporIntelligence respect for the rule of law nor Committee represent. any for those who do. Indeed, a r e f i n a l l y Rep. Frederica S. Wilson Rep. McEachin has had an exemplary career representing he believes he is above the law, getting to see people in Metro Richmond, starting in the Virginia General which to our nation’s detriment, what the fuss Assembly in 1996. He has honorably represented Virginia’s 4th has been all tunity to hear from them directly his Republican allies reinforce Congressional District — a large and varied collection of localiand make their own decisions daily. about. ties from Richmond and Petersburg to Greensville, Sussex and Former national security adviSo, what is about their credibility.

Surry counties and on to Chesapeake in Hampton Roads — since Republicans have for weeks sor John Bolton has likened the it all about, 2017. He has worked to address not only the needs of the highly why the initial complained about the process, pact President Trump tried to populated urban areas he represents, but also the concerns of the closed-door depositions and why but have had little to say about make with President Zelensky rural and farming communities within the district. the actual substance of the inquiry to a “drug deal,” and it has been Already this year, he has introduced federal legislation to should you care? deeply dismaying to witness because of unassailable facts.

President Trump is being make health insurance more affordable for roughly 6 million • Fact one: President Trump Republican lawmakers figuraaccused of urging Ukraine young adults under the age of 30 who currently are uninsured.

President Volodymyr Zelensky asked a foreign government to dig tively contort themselves in an He also sponsored a voter protection measure, now folded into in a telephone conversation to up dirt on the Bidens, who are effort to sell it to the American the larger SHIELD Act, that prohibits efforts to willfully spread investigate alleged corruption by American citizens, in exchange public. Clearly, they all stepped misinformation about the timing, polling locations, general voter former Vice President Joe Biden for money that Congress had ap- away for popcorn during that eligibility requirements or procedures of federal elections for the and his son, Hunter, and to also propriated for Ukraine to defend infamous scene in the movie purpose of manipulating or influencing the electoral process. look into debunked conspiracy itself against Russia.

“Scarface” when Tony Montana Other parts of the SHIELD Act are aimed at preventing foreign theories that Ukraine interfered • Fact two: President Trump was advised to “never get high influence in our future elections, including closing loopholes that with the 2016 presidential elec- admitted on national television on your own supply.” The trope allow foreign governments and foreign nationals to contribute tion, both for President Trump’s that he and President Zelensky is not exclusive to drug dealing to campaigns in the United States. and Republicans on Capitol Hill own political benefit. To gain had discussed the Bidens.

The SHIELD Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives leverage against President Zel• Fact three: During a have clearly entered an alternate in late October and is now under consideration by a Senate ensky, President Trump for a White House briefing, President reality. committee.

Donald Trump is set to betime withheld a $391 million Trump’s acting chief of staff, Also this year, he reintroduced an important environmental aid package to push the foreign Mick Mulvaney, acknowledged come the third president in our on national television that the nation’s history to be impeached protection measure, the Defend Our Coast Act, that would pro- leader to do his bidding.

This gross abuse of power, aid had been withheld in part by the House of Representahibit the U.S. Department of the Interior from issuing leases for the exploration, development or production of oil or gas off the which put at risk Ukrainian lives until Ukraine investigated the tives. It may not immediately and our own national security, theory that Ukraine, not Russia, push him out of office, but it mid-Atlantic coast.

His office announced that in the three years that Rep. McEachin was first brought to light by hacked the Democratic Party hopefully will yank him and his has represented the district, his staff has helped recover more a whistleblower whose initial emails in 2016. “And that is allies back into the real world than $1.2 million owed to constituents from federal agencies allegations have since been absolutely appropriate,” Mr. where no one is above the law and drive home a lesson at the such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of corroborated by an unimpeach- Mulvaney said.

Don’t believe the hype from polls that there’s a price to pay able group of high-level U.S. Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service.

We believe that’s something to celebrate, particularly for those State Department officials who Mr. Mulvaney and others. It is for those who believe that they have devoted their careers to not only not appropriate; it’s are. A blue wave in 2020 could whose money was tied up by the federal bureaucracy. make the one in 2018 seem more Important issues that can impact our democracy are now public service and American extortion.

Like every member of Con- like a ripple. before Congress. The impeachment inquiry hearings about democracy. More important, The writer, a Democrat from they have first-hand knowledge gress, President Trump has taken President Trump and his use of foreign aid as a bargaining chip an oath to preserve, protect and Florida, has been a member of of the shakedown. to get dirt on his political opponents are central to our country’s This next phase comes after defend the U.S. Constitution. Yet the U.S. House of Representatives future and direction. weeks of false accusations by since day one in office, he has since 2011.

We are confident that Rep. McEachin, an insightful attorney and leader in both the Congressional Black Caucus and the House Democratic Caucus, is tuned in to the hearings as he recuperates and regains his strength for a full-time return to his The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you. congressional duties after the Thanksgiving break.

We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, Rep. McEachin’s logic and leadership skills are in high typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone demand, particularly now, and we offer good wishes that his number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, solid, intelligent and potent voice will be a part of this important P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 national dialogue and decision very soon. or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.

The Free Press welcomes letters

to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination on the basis on sexual orientation or gender identification, and protect LGBTQ youths from unnecessary harm by prohibiting the use of harmful conversion therapy in the Commonwealth.

Last, but certainly not least, localities across Virginia are limited in their local taxing authority. In order to address our complex challenges and alleviate the burden on taxpayers, localities need the authority to decide if they want to diversify their revenue streams.

After decades, state lawmakers have the opportunity to lift the unnecessary burden placed on local governments by expanding local authority to improve the lives of all Virginians. Now, it is their responsibility to make it happen. Now is the time to let localities lead.

The writer is mayor of the City of Richmond.

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Richmond Free Press

November 21-23, 2019

A9

Letters to the Editor

Trump: A ‘self-serving con man’ Donald Trump is a horrible president. He has spent three years demeaning the fundamental values and institutions of our democracy. He has scuttled thousands of federal regulations protecting peoples’ health and safety. He has done his best to destroy and eliminate Obamacare’s coverage of 20 million Americans. Worst of all, he demonstrates every day the hurt and the harm of bullying and of bigotry toward those who are not white or male or rich.

President Trump has been the beneficiary of economic growth, which has steadily increased since the economic recovery measures initiated by former President Obama in 2009.

The recent federal tax cut of which President Trump is so proud has mainly benefited his billionaire buddies. Those same billionaire buddies have supplied him a huge financial war chest for the 2020 campaign.

We can expect to see it everywhere. News media are all about free speech and we will see many ads. We also will see new

Democrats have ‘a lot of work to do’ We, Democrats, now have control of the General Assembly and the Governor’s Office. We have a lot to repair.  At the top of my list would be early voting. Virginians need to be able to vote at least a month before the election and on the weekends. Any laws or policies that have a chilling effect on voting should be eliminated.   Second on my list is criminal justice reform. The system needs to be reviewed from top to bottom. For many offenses, particularly nonviolent offenses, citizens should not be penalized their entire life after they have served their time and/or paid their fine.

For example, at the very least, the first misdemeanor should be expunged from a person’s record after they have satisfied whatever penalty is given.

And I mean not just dismissed, but expunged — cleaned from the record. Our expungement laws are out of the 1800s. It hurts individuals so much when seeking employment when a state has non-progressive expungement laws. Remember, in Virginia, people at one time promoted for-profit prisons. How insane is that?

political groups serving as Trump spokespeople.

People will find sincere reasons to forgive this coarse, incurious man, so uninformed and unfit for the office he holds.

Some will ignore his vulgarity and his frequent incoherence.

Some will profit.

Most will see President Trump as the self-serving con man he is.

BEN RAGSDALE Richmond

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Yes, we have control, but we have a lot of work to do. A good start would be with voting and criminal justice reform.

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Housing assistance programs available, contact: Theodore T. Brown &5$ /RDQ 2É?FHU NMLS #: 1389574

HENRICO COUNTY TAXPAYERS THE 2019 SECOND INSTALLMENT PERSONAL PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE TAX PAYMENT DUE DATE IS DECEMBER 5, 2019 The Cashier’s Of�ice of the Department of Finance, County of Henrico, Virginia, located in the Administration Building at the Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road and at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, Virginia will be open daily Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. to receive payments for the 2019 Personal Property and Real Estate Tax Bills. • Bills are available online at https://ipn.paymentus.com/cp/hnro using your account number and billing zip code. Paperless billing is also an option at this website. • Use the envelope provided with the bill for check payments. Payments must be postmarked on or before December 5, 2019. • Payments may be made by credit card, debit card and e-check by logging on to henrico.us/�inance/payments or by telephone at 1.855.748.6015. A nominal fee is charged for this service. • Cash payments can be made at any 7-ELEVEN nationwide. Obtain a PayCode at henrico.us/paynearme. A nominal fee is charged for this service. • Citizens making payments through a bill pay service should allow suf�icient business days for their payment to reach the County’s bank account on or before December 5, 2019. • Deposit boxes are located at the entrance of both Government Centers for use twenty-four hours a day. • Cash, checks, debit cards and credit cards (for a nominal fee) are accepted for payments at the Eastern and Western Cashier’s of�ices.

Tax bills have been mailed and payments must be received on or before Thursday, December 5, 2019 to avoid a late payment penalty of 10% of the tax due.

In accordance with the Personal Property Tax Relief Act, personal use vehicles eligible for tax relief have been identi�ied as quali�ied on the bill, and the speci�ic dollar amount of tax relief provided is shown.

804.338.6265

WEURZQ#IXOWRQPRUWJDJHFRPSDQ\ FRP fultonmortgagecompany.com

For assistance please email TaxHelp@henrico.us or call 804.501.4729.

General tax information can be found on the Department of Finance web site at henrico.us/�inance/payments DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA

Fulton Bank Fulton Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval.

,EGAL .OTICE NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER US-2, SCOTT, WHITEHOUSE, AND WOODLAND SOLAR POWER STATIONS CASE NO. PUR-2019-00159 •Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominionâ€?) has applied to update its Rider US-2 by which it recovers the costs of three solar power stations. •Dominion requests $10,209,992 for its 2020 Rider US-2. According to Dominion, this amount would decrease a typical residential customer’s bill using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by $0.08. •A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hear the case on March 17, 2020. •Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

2Q 2FWREHU 9LUJLQLD (OHFWULF DQG 3RZHU &RPSDQ\ G E D 'RPLQLRQ (QHUJ\ 9LUJLQLD Âł'RPLQLRQ´ RU Âł&RPSDQ\´ SXUVXDQW WR † $ RI WKH &RGH RI 9LUJLQLD ÂżOHG with the State Corporation Commission (“Commissionâ€?) an annual update with respect to the Company’s rate adjustment clause, Rider US-2 (“Applicationâ€?). Through its Application, the Company seeks to recover costs associated with (i) the Scott Solar Facility, a 17 megawatt (“MWâ€?) (nominal alternating current (“ACâ€?)) facility located in Powhatan County; (ii) Whitehouse Solar Facility, a 20 MW AC facility located in Louisa County; and (iii) Woodland Solar Facility, a 19 MW AC facility located in Isle of Wight County (collectively, “US-2 Solar Projectsâ€? or “Projectsâ€?).

In Case No. PUE-2015-00104, the Commission approved construction of the US-2 Solar Projects. In conjunction therewith, the Commission also approved a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider US-2, which allowed Dominion to recover costs associated with the development of the Projects, including projected construction work in progress and any associated allowance for funds used during construction.

In this proceeding, Dominion has asked the Commission to approve Rider US-2 for the rate year beginning September 1, 2020, and ending August 31, 2021 (“2020 Rate Year�). The two key components of the proposed total revenue requirement for the 2020 Rate Year are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company is requesting a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $10,016,213 and an Actual Cost True-Up Factor revenue requirement of $193,779. Thus, the Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $10,209,992 for service rendered during the 2020 Rate Year.

For purposes of calculating the Projected Cost Recovery Factor in this case, Dominion proposes a rate of return on common equity (“ROE�) of 10.75%, which is consistent with the Company’s testimony in PUR-2019-00050 that is pending before the Commission. For purposes of calculating the Actual Cost True Up Factor, the Company utilized an ROE of 9.2%, which it states is supported by the Commission’s Final Order in Case No. PUR-2017-00038.

If the proposed Rider US-2 for the 2020 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its proposed Rider US-2 on September 1, 2020, would decrease the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.08.

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Interested persons are encouraged to review the Application and supporting documents for the details of these and other proposals.

7$.( 127,&( WKDW WKH &RPPLVVLRQ PD\ DSSRUWLRQ UHYHQXHV DPRQJ FXVWRPHU FODVVHV DQG RU GHVLJQ UDWHV LQ D PDQQHU GL྾HULQJ IURP WKDW VKRZQ LQ WKH $SSOLFDWLRQ DQG VXSSRUWLQJ GRFXPHQWV DQG WKXV PD\ DGRSW UDWHV WKDW GL྾HU IURP WKRVH DSSHDULQJ LQ WKH &RPSDQ\œV $SSOLFDWLRQ DQG VXSSRUWLQJ GRFXPHQWV 7KH &RPPLVVLRQ HQWHUHG DQ 2UGHU IRU 1RWLFH DQG +HDULQJ WKDW DPRQJ RWKHU WKLQJV VFKHGXOHG D SXEOLF KHDULQJ RQ 0DUFK DW D P LQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQœV VHFRQG ÀRRU courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, to receive testimony from members of the public and evidence related to the Application IURP WKH &RPSDQ\ DQ\ UHVSRQGHQWV DQG WKH &RPPLVVLRQœV 6WD྾ $Q\ SHUVRQ GHVLULQJ WR WHVWLI\ DV D SXEOLF ZLWQHVV DW WKLV KHDULQJ VKRXOG DSSHDU ¿IWHHQ PLQXWHV SULRU WR WKH VWDUWLQJ WLPH RI WKH KHDULQJ DQG FRQWDFW WKH &RPPLVVLRQœV %DLOL྾ The public version of the Company’s Application, as well as the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, are available for public inspection during regular business hours at HDFK RI WKH &RPSDQ\œV EXVLQHVV RྜFHV LQ WKH &RPPRQZHDOWK RI 9LUJLQLD &RSLHV DOVR PD\ EH REWDLQHG E\ VXEPLWWLQJ D ZULWWHQ UHTXHVW WR FRXQVHO IRU WKH &RPSDQ\ 3DXO ( 3IH྾HU Esquire, Dominion Energy Services, Inc., Law Department, RS-2, 120 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. If acceptable to the requesting party, the Company may provide the documents by electronic means. &RSLHV RI WKH SXEOLF YHUVLRQ RI WKH $SSOLFDWLRQ DQG RWKHU GRFXPHQWV ¿OHG LQ WKLV FDVH DOVR DUH DYDLODEOH IRU LQWHUHVWHG SHUVRQV WR UHYLHZ LQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQœV 'RFXPHQW &RQWURO &HQWHU ORFDWHG RQ WKH ¿UVW ÀRRU RI WKH 7\OHU %XLOGLQJ (DVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW 5LFKPRQG 9LUJLQLD EHWZHHQ WKH KRXUV RI D P DQG S P 0RQGD\ WKURXJK )ULGD\ H[FOXGLQJ KROLGD\V ,QWHUHVWHG SHUVRQV DOVR PD\ GRZQORDG XQRྜFLDO FRSLHV IURP WKH &RPPLVVLRQœV ZHEVLWH http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

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

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

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

End the inconvenience of empty newspaper boxes, ďŹ ghting the weather and hunting down back copies.

Also, support the Free Press. We’re always working for you.

2Q RU EHIRUH 'HFHPEHU DQ\ SHUVRQ RU HQWLW\ ZLVKLQJ WR SDUWLFLSDWH DV D UHVSRQGHQW LQ WKLV SURFHHGLQJ PD\ GR VR E\ ¿OLQJ D QRWLFH RI SDUWLFLSDWLRQ ,I QRW ¿OHG HOHFWURQLFDOO\ DQ RULJLQDO DQG ¿IWHHQ FRSLHV RI WKH QRWLFH RI SDUWLFLSDWLRQ VKDOO EH VXEPLWWHG WR WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ DW WKH DGGUHVV DERYH $ FRS\ RI WKH QRWLFH RI SDUWLFLSDWLRQ DV a respondent also must be sent to counsel for the Company at the address set forth above. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH DQG 3URFHGXUH ³5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH´ DQ\ QRWLFH RI SDUWLFLSDWLRQ VKDOO VHW IRUWK L D SUHFLVH VWDWHPHQW RI WKH LQWHUHVW RI WKH UHVSRQGHQW LL D VWDWHPHQW RI WKH VSHFL¿F action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis N for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by Rule 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel RI WKH 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH $OO ¿OLQJV VKDOO UHIHU WR &DVH 1R 385 2Q RU EHIRUH )HEUXDU\ HDFK UHVSRQGHQW PD\ ¿OH ZLWK WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ DQG VHUYH RQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQœV 6WD྾ WKH &RPSDQ\ DQG DOO RWKHU UHVSRQGHQWV DQ\ WHVWLPRQ\ DQG H[KLELWV E\ ZKLFK WKH UHVSRQGHQW H[SHFWV WR HVWDEOLVK LWV FDVH DQG HDFK ZLWQHVVœV WHVWLPRQ\ VKDOO LQFOXGH D VXPPDU\ QRW WR H[FHHG RQH SDJH ,I QRW ¿OHG HOHFWURQLFDOO\ DQ RULJLQDO DQG ¿IWHHQ FRSLHV RI VXFK WHVWLPRQ\ DQG H[KLELWV VKDOO EH VXEPLWWHG WR WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ DW WKH DGGUHVV DERYH ,Q DOO ¿OLQJV UHVSRQGHQWV VKDOO FRPSO\ ZLWK the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits $OO ¿OLQJV VKDOO UHIHU WR &DVH 1R 385 2019-00159.

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We are a federally designated Debt Relief Agency under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and we help people file for bankruptcy.

$OO GRFXPHQWV ¿OHG ZLWK WKH 2ྜFH RI WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LQ WKLV GRFNHW PD\ XVH ERWK VLGHV RI WKH SDSHU ,Q DOO RWKHU UHVSHFWV DOO ¿OLQJV VKDOO FRPSO\ IXOO\ ZLWK WKH UHTXLUHments of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.

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The Commission’s Rules of Practice may be viewed at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case $ SULQWHG FRS\ RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQœV 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH DQG DQ RྜFLDO FRS\ RI WKH &RPPLVsion’s Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding may be obtained from the Clerk of the Commission at the address above.

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Richmond Free Press

A10 November 21-23, 2019

Sports

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Stories by Fred Jeter

Ethiopian runners win Richmond Marathon

The Richmond Marathon is an annual gathering for thousands of local and state runners, plus a group of elite runners.

Again, elite runners from an African nation were the winners last Saturday.

Ethiopians Ashenafi Birhana and Ayantu Dakebo Hailemariyan won the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, in the 42nd annual running of the popular footrace that begins and ends in Downtown.

A total of about 19,000 people competed overall in the event’s three races — the 26.2-mile full marathon, the 13.1-mile half marathon and the 8K of 4.97 miles.

In the main event, Birhana, 31, who now lives in Washington, won the marathon with a time of two hours, 19 minutes, 43 seconds in last Saturday’s cloudy and wintry conditions, with temperatures in the high 30s and winds at 10 to 15 mph. By contrast on Saturday, the high was 72 Nov. 16 in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

Birhana’s chilly run was off the Richmond Marathon record of 2:13:45 set by Kenyan Kennedy Kemei in 2011.

Hailemariyan, 23, won the ladies’ field in 2:36.19. Russian Irina Suvorova set the women’s

Photos by James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Above, Ashenafi Birhana, a native of Ethiopia who now lives in Washington, crosses the finish line last Saturday to win the 42nd Annual Richmond Marathon with a time of 2:19:23. The first place winner in the women’s division also is from Ethiopia. She is Ayantu Dakebo Hailemariyan, 23, crossing the finish line, left, at 2:36:19.

standard of 2:31:25 in 2000.

Both Marathon champions were awarded $2,500 first place checks.

Since 1999, male runners from Kenya and Ethiopia have won the Richmond Marathon all but twice. And women from Africa have broken the victory tape in the women’s division

nine of the last 10 years.

The first African winner was in 1979, when Kenyan Hillary Tuwei, a student at the University of Richmond, outran the field.

Taking second in this year’s men’s race was former Virginia Tech student Daniel Jaskowak in 2:20:54. Four other East African

runners placed in the Top 10.

Ethiopian Bizuwork Getahun Kaysaye was second among women at 2:36:30.

African runners fared well in the other races as well.

Ethiopian Julius Kogo won the men’s half marathon in 1:04:45, and Kenyan Lawrence Kipkoech prevailed in the men’s

8K in 23:24.

The women’s half-marathon victor was Fairfax resident Bethany Sachtleben in 1:12:34.

The 8K female winner was Ethiopian Gotytom Gebreslase in 25:49.

Richmonders Harrison Toney (2:26:25) and Leah

Schubel (2:58:50) were winners of the Richmond Region division of the marathon.

Toney is a former standout runner at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke and Roanoke College.

Registration is underway for the 43rd Richmond Marathon set for Nov. 14, 2020.

Joe Taylor to be inducted into Black College Football Hall of Fame

Joe Taylor may need to add another shelf to his already bulging trophy case.

Taylor, vice president for intercollegiate athletics and community wellness at Virginia Union University, has been named to the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Taylor and five others selected for the Hall of Fame will be honored at the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 21 in Atlanta before the official induction ceremony on Feb. 22 at the Black College Hall of

VSU knocked out of bid for NCAA football playoffs You win some. You lose some. And sometimes you just scratch your head.

Virginia State University hoped it had made the field for the NCAA Division II Region 2 football playoffs. But Coach Reggie Barlow’s Trojans never saw Miles College coming.

When the seven-school regional playoff field was announced Sunday evening by the NCAA Selection Committee, Miles College, an HBCU in Fairfield, Ala., was in and VSU was out.

Miles College, seeded seventh, will play at No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Hickory, N.C. The Trojans now will pack their gear for the winter.

VSU entered the weekend 8-2 overall — but 8-1 against Division II opponents — and ranked seventh.

Miles College, finishing 9-2 with a win over Albany State University, an HBCU in Georgia, in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship game, had not previously appeared in the Top 10.

The SIAC champion has no automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

A little known rule called “earned access” may have sealed VSU’s fate.

The rule enables a conference champion — in this case, Miles College — to make the playoffs as the seventh seed if it rises to No. 9 in the polls.

Miles rose to No. 9 with its win over Albany State.

VSU had been seventh for several weeks.

The Trojans won eight of its last nine outings, including a thrilling 2724 overtime victory over then ninth-ranked Virginia Union University in the season’s final game.

The CIAA wasn’t totally shut out of the NCAA playoffs, however. Bowie State University, which defeated Fayetteville State University 23-7 last Saturday for the CIAA championship title, is seeded No. 3 in the region and will play host to No. 6 Carson-Newman University of Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 23. This is Bowie State’s second consecutive CIAA football title.

VSU has been to the NCAA playoffs twice, in 2014 under former Coach Latrell Scott and 2017 under Coach Barlow.

Fame, also in Atlanta.

Taylor, a Washington, D.C., native, posted a 23297-4 career coaching record at Howard University, VUU, Hampton University and Florida A&M University. He won four black college football national championships in 1995, 2004, 2005 and 2006 while he was at Hampton; six MEAC titles (1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2010) and four CIAA titles (1986, 1992, 1993 and 1994).

His achievements haven’t gone unrecognized.

He is a member of the Virginia Union University, Hampton University, CIAA, MEAC and College Football halls of fame.

The five others to be inducted with Taylor in the Class of 2020 Black College Hall of Fame are Earl “Air” Harvey (North Carolina Central University), James Hunter (Grambling State University), Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M University), Erik Williams (Central State University of Ohio) and MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas.

Sports brawls: Dangerous, sometimes forgiven but not forgotten Swinging a football helmet at someone’s head is a terrible thing.

Swinging a baseball bat at an opponent’s noggin is far more hazardous.

The sports world has been abuzz about the NFL “Footbrawl” on Nov. 14 in which the Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett lost control of his senses.

The Browns defender, in an endof-game rage, ripped the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. Even worse, he slammed Rudolph on top of his head with the helmet.

No one was seriously hurt, but Garrett has been suspended indefinitely and lesser penalties have been doled out to others caught up in the fracas.

Frightful as it was, it was child’s play compared to what unfolded in a baseball game on Aug. 22, 1965, at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.

In one of the ugliest sports scenes ever, angry San Francisco Giant Juan Marichal swung his bat at Los Angeles Dodgers catcher John Roseboro, splitting the top of his head. The injury required 14 stitches.

A bench-clearing brawl broke out.

Another Giant, on-deck hitter Tito Fuentes, held his bat in a cocked position, but never swung it.

Umpire Shag Crawford tackled

Marichal, who continued kicking, with the ump suffering cuts in the process.

Others suffered minor injuries.

If not for Giants superstar Willie Mays, the brawl might have been much worse. In the role of peacemaker, Mays ushered Roseboro, a personal friend, to safety and helped calm the situation.

Later in the game, Mays slugged a two-run homer run off Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax, leading to a 4-3 Giants victory.

By today’s standards, the penalties for that fight were light. Marichal was fined $1,750 and suspended for eight days.

Roseboro sued Marichal for $110,000 and was granted $7,500.

That Sunday afternoon game had been a pressure cooker prior to Marichal’s bizarre decision to strike Roseboro in the head — an action never seen before or since on a big league diamond.

In a battle of future hall of famers, both pitchers — Marichal and Koufax — had thrown pitches perilously close to hitters, seemingly on purpose.

Batting in the bottom of the third, Marichal felt catcher Roseboro intentionally had returned a throw to Koufax near his cheek.

Speaking later, Roseboro admitted the close call was “no accident.”

Marichal confronted Roseboro, who removed his mask. After the men exchanged expletives, Marichal began swinging his bat like a club.

Contributing to the incident, perhaps, were disturbing activities away from the stadium. A bloody civil war was raging in Marichal’s homeland of the Dominican Republic.

In South Central Los Angeles near Roseboro’s home, the infamous Watts riots were taking place. Flames were visible at Dodgers Stadium.

Regarding the recent football violence, it remains to be seen if Garrett and Rudolph will ever make up. But there is a happy ending, of sorts, to the Marichal-Roseboro feud.

In 1975, Marichal was traded to the Dodgers. Years later, Marichal and Roseboro played together in a Dodgers’ Oldtimers game. Roseboro let it be known he carried no grudge.

In 2002, Roseboro, one of baseball’s first African-American catchers, was laid to rest in Los Angeles at age 69.

Against all odds, Marichal, his one-time adversary, served as a pallbearer and offered an inspiring tribute.

All was forgiven, it seemed. That doesn’t mean it will be forgotten.

Richmond Free Press

November 21-23, 2019

Actions

Speak

Louder Words have value, especially when they’re used to make a promise.

But the most important thing about a promise is the action you take afterward.

At Dominion Energy, we believe in taking action – to deliver on our promise to help people, communities and the environment.

Solar Since 2015, we’ve increased our solar panels in Virginia to over 2.9 million.

We now own the 4th largest utility solar portfolio in America.

Wind We’re developing the largest offshore wind project in the U.S., which will produce enough energy to power 650,000 homes by 2026.

Community We promised to help out neighbors in need with our EnergyShare® program, assisting individuals and their families with bill payment and energy saving upgrades. As of today, the program has helped more than 850,000 people.

Lower Prices And to help residential customers, we’ve kept our prices 9%* below the national average.

Turning promises into reality is what defines us.

That’s why we’re proud to invest in what we believe in, and what’s important to you.

*Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of 9/24/2019

B1

Richmond Free Press

B2 November 21-23, 2019

Happenings Fashion’s LaQuan Smith embraces the champagne lifestyle

Author: British Museum world’s largest receiver of stolen goods

the family to Delaware, a place that held no allure. It was then that he was diagnosed with bone cancer, a truly “humbling NEW YORK experience,” he said.

LaQuan Smith is all about the champagne lifestyle — bubbly, Mr. Smith recovered and continued to pursue his fashion luxurious and, especially when it comes to the women’s clothes dreams, desperate to return to New York, but he was rejected he creates, sexy. by both the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Parsons The designer made his New York Fashion Week debut at 21 School of Design. with a sleek and sassy collection he dubbed “Water Goddess.”

“I was just kind of devastated and at a loss. I didn’t really Ten years later, his rise seems meteoric in fashion years, from know how to get my head up off the ground,” he said. sneaking into industry events and handing out wildly colored That’s when he was offered an internship at BlackBook, and textured leggings he sewed in his Jamaica, Queens, base- the art and culture magazine, working for then-fashion director ment to outfitting Beyoncé, Serena Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Sulcer. She was in demand for industry parties and Kim Kardashian and Rihanna. events, and Mr. Smith made use of those At 31, some see the self-trained contacts, showing up uninvited at times Mr. Smith as a pioneer in pushing the dressed in his own designs. He took to fashion culture forward, but it was far handing out his leggings to whoever from easy. He said in a recent interview would take them. that he owes his success to his singular In 2010, the effort paid off when he passion — fashion — and staying true spotted Lady Gaga in a pair as he flipped to himself by trusting his gut. through a tabloid while with his mom at “It’s just by doing what I love, just a supermarket. doing things that speak and represent “My mom was, like, ‘Yeah, that’s me,” said Mr. Smith, dressed in a killer nice,’ ” he said. “I don’t think she rered-and-blue plaid jacket, turtleneck, ally got it.” ripped black denim jeans and pristine The same year, Mr. Smith showed white kicks. “I always like to start with for the first time at fashion week and a level of authenticity.”

American Vogue’s former editor-at-large, That authenticity was in play Oct. Andre Leon Talley, chatted him up.

15 when Moet & Chandon named Mr. Also, Rihanna wore his gold chain-mail Smith one of its “Nectar of the Culture” bodysuit in her “Rude Boy” video and ambassadors, along with other trailblazers later shouted him out on Instagram for in music, art and more, in celebration of his “money green,” barely there net dress Moet Nectar Imperial Rose. It’s the latest she styled over a bikini in Brazil. in a long line of collaborations as Mr. “I was 21 years old and I had such Smith continues to build his namesake an incredible amount of support from brand, sticking close to home to produce industry insiders, and then a couple years his clothes in Queens. after that, it sort of was like a crash and “New York used to be the primary burn, where reality started to hit me,” source of garment construction, and that’s Mr. Smith said. “I had no business insomething that I wish we could sort of frastructure. I had no money. It was just go back to,” Mr. Smith said. “Manufacpopularity. ... It took time for me to be Mr. Smith turing in Queens is just something that able to focus on, really hone in on, runorganically happened.” ning a solid business.”

Some of Mr. Smith’s lows struck early in life, after his It took time and the help of business partner Jacqueline grandmother taught him to sew when he was 13. After putting Cooper, who remains by his side. on a fashion show at his middle school, he was thrilled to atAs a designer who is African-American, Mr. Smith is a rarity tend the High School of Art and Design, only to say goodbye in fashion. Diversity and inclusion in the industry is a persistent to bustling New York in the 11th grade when his mother moved problem, he said.

“I always tend to feel, I don’t know, maybe pigeonholed sometimes,” Mr. Smith said. “I like to be introduced as a designer, not an African-American designer. It doesn’t mean that I’m ashamed of who I am. It’s just that, when it comes down to my profession, why is skin color introduced first?”

As a company, he’s a man of action, making broad use of “Voices from Richmond’s Hidden Epidemic,” a docudrama Latina, black, Asian and curvy models to walk his runways. based on the oral histories of people living with HIV/AIDS, will His custom business remains robust and he brings the same be presented at noon Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Richmond Triangle inclusive zeal to the range of bodies that belong to his private clients.

Players’ Robert B. Moss Theatre, 1300 Altamont Ave. “My goal is, if you want to feel sexy, if you want to look A community discussion led by Health Brigade’s Heather fabulous, if you want to be the center of attention, that’s LaQuan Turbyne-Pollard will follow the presentation.

Smith,” he said. “That is something I want to continue to emThe event is free and open to the public. brace.”

Details: www.healthbrigade.org or (804) 358-6343.

By TriceEdneyWire.com/ Global Information Network

By Leanne Italie Associated Press

AIDS docudrama to be presented Nov. 24

An outspoken human rights lawyer is calling for European and U.S. institutions to return treasures taken from subjugated peoples by “conquerors or colonial masters.”

In a new book by Geoffrey Robertson, the British Museum is accused of exhibiting “pilfered cultural property” and urged to “wash its hands of blood and return Elgin’s loot.”

“The trustees of the British Museum have become the world’s largest receivers of stolen property, and the great majority of their loot is not even on public display,” Mr. Robertson charges.

His views appear in the book, “Who Owns History? Elgin’s Loot and the Case for Returning Plundered Treasure.”

Along with a distinguished career as a trial lawyer, human rights advocate and United Nations judge, Mr. Robertson has appeared in many celebrated trials, defending Salman Rushdie and Julian Assange, prosecuting Hastings Banda and representing Human Rights Watch in the proceedings against Gen.Augusto Pinochet, former president of Chile.

In the book, he scores the British Museum for allowing an unofficial “stolen goods tour,” which he said “stops at the Elgin marbles, Hoa Hakananai’a, the Benin bronzes and other pilfered cultural property.” The three items he mentioned are wanted by Greece, Easter Island and Nigeria, respectively.

“That these rebel itineraries are allowed is a tribute to the tolerance of this great institution, which would be even greater if it washed its hands of the blood and returned Elgin’s loot,” he wrote.

He accused the museum of telling “a string of carefully constructed lies and half- truths” about how the marbles “were ‘saved’ or ‘salvaged’ or ‘rescued’ by Lord Elgin, who came into possession of them lawfully.”

He criticized “encyclopedic museums” that “lock up the precious legacy of other lands, stolen from their people by wars of aggression, theft and duplicity.”

“This is a time for humility,” he observed, “something the British, still yearning for the era when they ruled the world, do not do very well. Before it releases any of its share of other people’s cultural heritage, the British Museum could mount an exhibition — ‘The Spoils of Empire.’ ” Advocating the return of cultural property based on human rights law principles, Mr. Robertson observes that French President Emmanuel Macron has “galvanized the debate” by declaring that “African cultural heritage can no longer remain a prisoner of European museums.”

“Politicians may make more or less sincere apologies for the crimes of their former empires, but the only way now available to redress them is to return the spoils of the rape of Egypt and China and the destruction of African and Asian and South American societies,” he stated in his book.

“We cannot right historical wrongs – but we can no longer, without shame, profit from them.”

Don’t let ‘holiday heart syndrome’ ruin your holidays From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, emergency room visits and hospital admissions for acute illnesses tend to spike. While the holidays are a joyous time when friends and family gather to celebrate the season, there can be significant health dangers lurking.

No one has holiday plans of being in the hospital recovering from a near-fatal heart attack or grieving the sudden death of a loved one from a heart attack.

However, according to statistics, this is the time of year when it is most likely to happen.

The evidence to support this phenomenon is so strong that the medical community has termed it “holiday heart syndrome,” or HHS. Yes, the holidays are the time of year that we look forward to the joy and happiness associated with family gatherings, celebrations, alcohol, food, parties and the like. But holidays also are filled with stress, anxiety and overindulging.

The overindulging, particularly of alcohol, along with other factors, are what is thought to be responsible for holiday heart syndrome.

The term holiday heart syndrome was coined back in the 1990s when it was found there is a clear association between excessive alcohol drinking and rapid or irregular beating of the heart, or cardiac arrhythmia. A

side h t r No

rapid abnormal heart rhythm in the upper heart chambers is associated with the symptoms of HHS: palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, stroke and heart failure.

I n t e restingly, there are no exact reasons for this to happen in binge drinkers. Some experts think it can be due to the fact that alcohol is a toxin. Others speculate that heavy alcohol consumption will raise the levels of fatty acids, causing surges in the electrical currents in the heart and creating a big increase in how sodium moves through the heart. We all know how too much sodium is a no-no when it comes to heart health and high blood pressure.

Even though it is usually seen in healthy non-drinkers who binge, it is especially noted in alcoholics after binge drinking.

But I’d like to point out that there are quite a few things that many of us fall prey to during the holiday season that could make us as vulnerable to HHS as the “binge drinker.”

Along with drinking, the drastic changes in our diets and eating patterns is another concern. With the deluge of

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heavy, rich, fat-laden foods everywhere we go, we find ourselves eating way too much — mostly of the wrong things.

The spike in sodium, sugar and fats can be a key reason for the increase in heart attacks during the season.

Glenn Ellis Often, many people are at even greater risk for a heart attack because they think they only have heartburn from overeating, and delay, or forgo, a trip to the emergency room. This decision could prove fatal. No one wants to ruin the holiday gathering with a trip to the hospital, and by the time they realize that it is an emergency, far too much damage to the heart tissue and muscle could have already taken place. Again, this is of special interest for those who are dealing with previously diagnosed heart failure or heart disease.

Many studies have shown that winter is really the death season. This was discovered after an examination of deaths throughout the year, and winter had an exceptionally high number of deaths. Cold weather can promote blood clotting, leading to increases in heart attacks.

Winter also has shorter days and longer nights. The reduction of daylight affects the levels of hormones in the body and thereby affect the heart.

Then, there are some additional reasons to be concerned about heart attacks and the holiday season. Levels of both total and bad, or HDL, cholesterol peak in the summer around July, with the resulting risk factors that cause the blood to thicken rising in the winter.

As we all know, colds and flu tend to happen more often, and pose an extra threat to people who already have some form of heart disease or heart failure.

Stress also is typically higher during the holiday season for a variety of reasons. As stress levels rise continuously during the holidays, it can trigger chest pain and heart attacks.

The hustle and bustle of the holidays also causes many people to forget to take their prescription medication. One or two missed days may not be a big deal, but to totally neglect medications throughout the holidays certainly are not in a person’s best interest. At those festive dinners with family and friends, after saying grace, ask if everyone has taken their DIAMONDS • WATCHES JEWELRY • REPAIRS 19 EAST BROAD STREET RICHMOND, VA 23219 (804) 648-1044

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medication.

Finally, don’t forget to exercise. Keep up your normal regimen. It can be fun if you can use it as another way to connect with family and friends. Invite them to walk, jog, do yoga or whatever it is that you do.

And don’t forget to make time to simply relax between activities and events. Try to set aside 10 minutes of quiet time each day. Simple meditation and breathing exercises can help lower blood pressure, heart rate and decrease the day’s stress.

Enjoy your holidays. Eat, drink, and be merry, but don’t invite the unwelcome guest — heart attacks.

The writer is a research bioethics fellow at Harvard Medical School.

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Richmond Free Press

November 21-23, 2019 B3

Happenings

Personality: Melvin ‘Mel’ Tull Spotlight on board chair of Children’s Home Society of Virginia November is National Adoption Month, and the Children’s Home Society of Virginia is highlighting the best of their work with profiles of successful adoptive families in the Richmond area in hopes of encouraging the public to provide a loving home for Virginia’s youths in foster care.

CHSVA has connected more than 700 youths and families across Virginia during the past year under the direction of leaders like Melvin “Mel” Tull, its board chairman.

“Adoption is an amazing gift,” Mr. Tull says. “It is not only a gift for the child who is striving to overcome difficult circumstances, but it is a gift for the family who takes that child into their home to give them the love and attachment that will allow them to heal.”

Established on Jan. 30, 1900, by founders concerned about the abandonment of children and the state of orphanages at the time, CHSVA is focused on building “strong permanent families and lifelong relationships for Virginia’s at-risk children and youths,” according to Mr. Tull. This includes matching youths in foster care with adoptive families and training and supporting those families for the responsibility.

CHSVA also assists those who have aged out of the foster care system before being adopted with housing and support.

The Henrico County resident who will celebrate his birthday on Friday, Nov. 22, splits his time between work duties as general counsel and senior vice president of Bankers Insurance, family responsibilities and his volunteer position with CHSVA. Mr. Tull believes that “attorneys and other professionals have a duty to devote a portion of their time and expertise to serving less fortunate underserved communities in our society.”

“Serving on the board of CHSVA gives me an opportunity to use my experience advising businesses and boards of directors to improve the lives of children in foster care and young adults that age out of

foster care,” Mr. Tull says.

Mr. Tull has focused his twoyear tenure as board chair on helping staff find “long-term, sustainable sources of income” for CHSVA programs, solidifying the 75 percent of the agency’s $1.6 million budget that isn’t covered by partnerships with the Department of Social Services or fees for services.

Mr. Tull also wants to make “diversity, inclusion, equity and sustainability” a continuing priority in the development of the board of directors.

A key part of both initiatives is engagement, Mr. Tull says, connecting with community partners with similar values and goals and getting board members involved in the groundwork done by CHSVA staff to give them a better perspective on the work being done. All of this contributes to the positive influence their efforts have for youths in need of a home and a loving family.

Meet this week’s Personality and adoption advocate, Melvin “Mel” Tull: No. 1 volunteer position: Chair, Children’s Home Society of Virginia’s board of directors.

Occupation: Senior vice president for strategic business development and general counsel for Bankers Insurance, LLC, an independent insurance agency.

Date and place of birth: Nov. 22 in Baltimore.

Current residence: Short Pump in Henrico County.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s in accounting, Virginia Tech, 1991; and law degree, University of Virginia, 1997.

Family: Wife, Dr. Annemarie Tull, and children, Lauren, 20; Michael, 16, and Kathryn, 14.

CHSVA’s mission: To build strong permanent families and lifelong relationships for Virginia’s at-risk children and youths.

How CHSVA accomplishes its mission: By matching children and youths in the foster care system with adoptive families,

Project is our program for youths who have aged out of the foster care system without being adopted.

TPP serves young adults ages 18 to 25.

training those families and then supporting those families for as long as they need it. We also provide housing and full wraparound supports to youths who have aged out of the foster care system to enable them to become independent adults.

Agency’s No. 1 challenge: Sustainable funding for all of our programs.

My No. 1 CHSVA project: To continue to strengthen and engage our board with the goals of diversity, inclusion, equity and sustainability being paramount.

Strategy for achieving it: We want to engage a diverse group of community partners whose values and goals align with ours. We also want to give our board members opportunities to become involved in the work we do at CHSVA so they can see first-hand the tremendous work that our staff does every day.

Number of children served by CHSVA: CHSVA served more than 700 children, youths and families during the past year.

Age groups of children: Most of the children served

by CHSVA are 10 years old and older. CHSVA focuses on the adoption of older youths, sibling groups and special needs children from the foster care system. The Possibilities

InLight 2019 Above, a youngster is intrigued by her shadow on an art installation at Chimborazo Park last Friday and Saturday as part of 1708 Gallery’s InLight 2019, an annual exhibition of light-based art and performances. About 20 pieces were at the free, two-day, outdoor exhibit in Church Hill focused on the social and geographic history of the park, which served as one of the largest Confederate military hospitals during the Civil War and afterward a community for formerly enslaved people. The installation the youngster enjoyed is “Pieces of Us” by Allicette Torres. Angelou Ezeilo of Atlanta has fun, above right, with another installation that made it seem as if her silhouette is walking through a field of poppies. Right, the installation “A Garden of Illuminated History” by Detroit-based artist Carrie Morris, a Midlothian native, illuminates figures of late activist Lillie Estes and Raymond H. Boone Sr., the late founder and publisher of the Richmond Free Press.

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

child who is in their care. Sometimes this is because the child’s parental rights have not been terminated and there is a goal of re-unification with the biological family. Once parental rights Reasons children are have been terminated, CHSVA in foster care: Children goes to work to find families are placed in foster care who have a goal of adoption and for a number of reasons. who are a good fit for the child.

Most often it is the result Once the child is placed, there of abuse or neglect by the is a requirement that the child biological parents. Sadly, be in the placement for at least an increasingly common six months before the adoption reason is opioid abuse by can be finalized. That is what is the parents. Many of the meant by foster-to-adopt. children in the foster care Relationship children have system have experienced with biological family once childhood trauma. To ad- placed with adoptive famidress this, our programs lies: It can vary greatly. While are all trauma-informed in some cases a relationship with and we work with adop- some of the biological family tive parents to help them is appropriate and even encourlearn how to effectively aged, in some cases, where there parent children who have expe- may have been severe abuse rienced abuse and neglect. or neglect, such a relationship Advice for families consider- may be counterproductive. As ing adoption: Learn everything part of our Post Adoption you can and have an open mind. Club respite program, many There are numerous resources times siblings who have been on our website, chsva.org. In adopted in different families addition, periodically we hold will come together on those information sessions for folks days to reconnect and have interested in adopting. Finally, some fun together. when you decide to adopt, make The Possibilities Project is: sure you take advantage of the An award-winning program training offered on parenting designed to encourage indechildren who have been in pendence for young adults who foster care and make sure that have aged out of the foster care training is trauma-informed. system. Sadly, Virginia is 49th Please contact us to set up an out of 50 states for the rate at individual orientation. which youths age-out. Of youth Myths about adopting teens who age out, nearly 50 percent in foster care: A couple of will be homeless or incarcerated myths are that it is expensive within two years and 70 percent and that you have to be in a of the young women become traditional, two-parent relation- pregnant. Our program, which ship to adopt. Adoption of a is a collaborative effort with teen out of foster care is not the Better Housing Coalition, expensive and, in fact, assis- seeks to disrupt cycles of despair tance is offered to help offset by providing housing and full the cost of a youth’s care in wraparound supports such as addition to a tax credit and col- financial literacy training, life lege tuition support. We have skills training, educational and same-sex couples and single job assistance, mental health parents adopt every year. The counseling and permanent only requirement is that you mentoring relationships. We provide a stable and loving have graduated several young home that is a good match for adults from our program who the young person. are now independent and on Difference between a foster their own, one of whom will parent and foster-to-adopt graduate from Virginia State parent: A foster parent may University this fall. not have the plan to adopt the How I start the day: I like

to exercise first thing in the morning. I find it energizing and empowering.

A perfect day for me is: A day where I get a lot done, cross a lot of things off my “to-do” list, which then allows me to relax in the evening with a sense of accomplishment.

If I had more time, I would: Spend more time running, biking, hiking and participating in other outdoor activities and spend more time reading for pleasure.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Hiking vacations. In recent years, my family spent time hiking in Alaska, the Grand Canyon, Peru’s Machu Picchu and Iceland.

A quote I am inspired by: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” ― Seneca.

How I unwind: Any form of exercise — swimming, biking, running, hiking, strength training, etc.

The person who influenced me the most: Nadine MarshCarter, president and chief executive officer of CHSVA, has been an inspiration to me in the 10 years I have served on the board. Nadine is a rare individual who is at home in a board room full of corporate and community leaders and can also tell touching stories to a room full of potential donors about the challenges foster kids face with such compassion, empathy and sincerity that tears well up in their eyes and they reach for their wallets.

Book that influenced me the most: “A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing,” by Burton G. Malkiel.

What I’m reading now: “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America,” by Beth Macy.

My next goal: Find new ways to provide leadership and advice to successful, high-performing organizations like CHSVA.

Richmond Free Press

B4 November 21-23, 2019

Faith News/Directory

Church grapples with aftermath of latest school shooting Religion News Service

LOS ANGELES Soon after a 16-year-old shot and killed two of his classmates and wounded three others at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Nov. 14, Grace Baptist Church Senior Pastor David W. Hegg and members of his church opened their doors to the community.

Faculty and students came to the church — just a few miles from the school — where grief counselors were on hand. Police officers questioned witnesses at the church about what they saw during the shooting.

Mourners also gathered at Grace Baptist for a night of prayer just hours after the shooting

Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

Mirna Herrera kneels with her daughters Liliana, 15, and Alexandra, 16, at the Central Park memorial last Friday for the Saugus High School victims in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Investigators said they have yet to find a diary, manifesto or note that would explain why Nathaniel Tenosuke Berhow killed two students outside his Southern California high school on his 16th birthday.

Senior Pastor David Hegg at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, Calif.

struck the Santa Clarita community.

“Everything happened really fast. We wanted to do something,” Rev. Hegg told Religion News Service.

The shooting left 15-year-old Gracie Anne Muehlberger and 14-year-old Dominic Blackwell dead, as well as 16-year-old Nathaniel Tennosuke Berhow, the shooter, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

All were students at Saugus High School in

Santa Clarita, a suburb about 30 miles north of Los Angeles. The school is about 3 miles from Grace Baptist. Classes at Saugus High will resume after Thanksgiving.

Authorities don’t know what led to the deadly shooting. They said Nathaniel Berhow had not displayed signs of violence. He didn’t appear to be linked to any ideology or terrorist group.

Rev. Hegg said he feels for all the victims, including the shooter’s mother. The teen’s father died in 2017 of a heart attack.

Grace Baptist members collected money for the victims during services during the weekend.

The money will be distributed to the families of

those victims, including the shooter’s mother.

Thousands of dollars already have been raised for the Blackwell and Muehlberger families through GoFundMe. A GoFundMe page also has been set up for Nathaniel Berhow’s mother. To Rev. Hegg, she also needs help as some in the community may not rally around her in the same way. It’s the job of the church to be there for her, he said.

Additionally, Nathaniel Berhow participated in a summer Bible school program at Grace Baptist when he was an elementary school student, the pastor said.

“That’s why we exist as a church — to bring

the love of Christ to people who are hurting and we don’t want to leave the mom out,” Rev. Hegg added.

After the shooting, clergy across the region also responded with public statements and acts of kindness.

Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez called on local Catholics to pray for the victims, families and first responders. Real Life Church in Valencia invited students for pizza last Saturday and offered their open space to play or pray. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles directed the faithful to liturgical resources urging cities and states to pass legislation that could reduce the number of people killed and wounded by gunfire.

To Rev. Hegg, advocating for gun control soon after a deadly shooting is “too simplistic.”

He said he’s not a gun advocate but feels it politicizes the tragedy.

And yet, he has had to respond to a mass shooting in the region more than once as a pastor. Before the most recent attack, there was the November 2018 shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, Calif., that left 12 people dead and the San Bernardino, Calif., shooting in December 2015 that killed 14 people.

Rev. Hegg fears people no longer value the notion of “love your neighbor” because they may be too immersed with their own selves.

He wondered if Nathaniel Berhow thought of how his actions would affect his mother, his classmates and the rest of the community.

Grace Baptist was expecting a large turnout for its youth ministry this week after crowds of students attended the night of prayer after the shooting.

“Some of those students we think will come back,” Rev. Hegg said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jimmy Carter still drawing devotees to church Free Press wire report

PLAINS, Ga. The pilgrims arrive early and from all over, gathering hours before daybreak in an old pecan grove that surrounds a country church. They come, they say, for a dose of simple decency and devotion wrapped up in a Bible lesson.

The teacher is the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter.

Nearly four decades after he left office and despite a body that’s failing after 95 years — he reportedly was up and walking a day after undergoing surgery Nov. 13 to relieve pressure on his brain from bleeding linked to recent falls — the nation’s oldestever ex-president still teaches Sunday school roughly twice a month at Maranatha Baptist Church in his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia.

His message is unfailingly about Jesus, not himself.

The church has only 30 or so members, but as many as 450 people attend any week Mr. Carter teaches. About 200 people fill the sanctuary, with pale-green walls and stained glass windows, and others gather in side rooms where the lesson is shown on TVs. It’s nearly impossible to separate even an ex-president from politics, and some come because they’re Democrats who recall voting for Mr. Carter when he was elected in 1976.

Almost uniformly, they’re dis-

Barky’s

mayed by the tone of President Donald Trump and his Republican administration.

But President Trump has only been in office since 2017 and Mr. Carter has been drawing crowds for years. Those who attended Mr. Carter’s most recent lesson on Nov. 3 said they just wanted to be in the presence of someone who seems kind, humble and godly despite having been a world leader.

“He’s a role model and an inspiration for both of us, both in public service and in faith,” said visitor Doug Kluth. He and his wife, Ramona, drove 2,400 miles round trip from their home in Columbus, Neb., to see Mr. Carter in person.

John and Sarah Dyer packed their four daughters, ages 2 through 12, into their Honda Pilot for the 1,700-mile round trip to Plains from suburban Chicago.

“To see a man who was once on top of the world choose to spend his twilight years lifting the world higher was inspirational to my family and I,” Mr. Dyer wrote to the church’s pastor in a letter shared with The Associated Press.

Mr. Carter faced mockery for his Southern Baptist faith in 1976 when he said in a Playboy magazine interview that he was guilty of adultery in his heart because he lusted after women. The soul-baring sentiment paralleled Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, but it came across as odd and

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narrow-minded to many.

These days, with a twicedivorced president who curses in public and once said he’d never asked God for forgiveness, Mr. Carter’s approach to life — with his wife of 73 years, Rosalynn, by his side — seems especially appealing to fans.

They say they admire Mr. Carter’s work to eradicate disease and monitor elections worldwide; the time he has spent helping build homes as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity; and his advocacy for food programs and rural health care in his home county.

Many were touched by photos of a bruised-but-smiling Mr. Carter performing volunteer work after he fell and hit his head in October.

So they flock to Plains any week Maranatha Baptist posts on its website or Facebook page that Mr. Carter plans to teach.

As recently as last year, Mr. Carter would stand during his 45-minute lesson, but he now uses an electric lift chair at the front of the sanctuary as a concession to age. He breaks into that familiar smile when he raises the seat so he can see the crowd over a wooden lectern.

A cross made by Mr. Carter, a longtime woodworker, adorns the choir loft. He also made the wooden offering plates, which bear his initials on the bottom.

Mr. Carter’s lesson this day was on his belief in life after death. He ended the same way

he always does, by challenging class members to do one nice thing for somebody over the next month.

“That’s what I think would make America a better country. It would make you a better person, right? And a better Christian,” Mr. Carter said. “Well, that’s the essence of my Sunday school lesson. Not anything fancy to it. Just some personal things to think about.”

Visitors that day included people from multiple U.S. states plus Venezuela and Ecuador.

Rarely a week goes by without someone from overseas in the crowd, said the Rev. Tony Lowden, Mr. Carter’s pastor.

The church was formed in 1977 from a split when another church refused to accept African-Americans as members. Rev. Lowden was hired in March as Maranatha’s first African-American pastor. On any given Sunday, Rev. Lowden said, the congregation is a “mix of everything.”

“It’s a melting pot of people who are looking for faith and looking for something that they can believe in,” Rev. Lowden said. After a cancer diagnosis in 2015 and three falls this year, it’s unclear how much longer Mr. Carter can continue to teach, but Rev. Lowden said he’s welcome as long as he’s able.

The crowd on the first Sunday in November included Chet Mulholland, an evangelical Christian from Wisconsin, and Joey and Sabrina Fretwell,

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

John Amis/Associated Press, File

Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school on Nov. 3 at Maranatha Baptist Church, in Plains, Ga. Nearly four decades after he left office and despite a body that’s failing after 95 years, the nation’s oldest-ever ex-president still teaches Sunday school roughly twice monthly at the church.

faithful churchgoers from conservative Mississippi in the heart of the Deep South. The couple’s daughter attended a Trump rally in Tupelo, Miss., just two days before they drove to Plains to see Mr. Carter.

Sabrina Fretwell, 46, doesn’t really remember Mr. Carter’s presidency, but she recalls hours spent listening to her grandpar-

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net

Thanksgiving Day

Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m.

Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m.

4th Sunday Unified Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Sermons Available at BRBCONLINE.org

Service

Thursday, November 28, 2019 9:00 A.M.

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

Upcoming Events & Happenings

Sunday Morning Worship November 24, 2019 10:30 A.M.

MMBC Creative Arts Ministry Presents

That Christmas

Dessert Theater Saturday, December 21, 2019@ 4:00P.M.

Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor

Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

SUNDAY 8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service

WEDNESDAY SERVICES

2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M.

24th Founders’ and Church Anniversary Friday, January 24, 2020 7:30 P.M. Sunday, January 26, 2020 9:00 A.M

Tune in on Sunday Morning to WTVR - Channel 6 - 8:30 a.m.

Noonday Bible Study 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m. (Bible Study)

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (NDCA)

SATURDAY

Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 5th Grade

8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 P.M.

ents talk about Mr. Carter when she was a girl.

“I remember that warm feeling of sitting and listening to their conversations, and not being old enough to grab what they were talking about but knowing it was still important to them and knowing they admired the things he was doing,” she said.

You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS” online!

Also, for your convenience, we now offer “full online giving.”

Visit www.ndec.net.

ENROLL NOW!!!

Our NDCA curriculum also consists of a Before and After program.

Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old.

For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

:30 - 11

kfast Men

Richmond Free Press

November 21-23, 2019

B5

Faith News/Directory

Rev. Barber wins highest N.C. honor Free Press wire report

RALEIGH, N.C. The Rev. William J. Barber II, a social justice activist and co-leader of the national Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, has been awarded the state of North Carolina’s highest honor.

Rev. Barber and five others were presented the North Carolina Award

by Gov. Roy Cooper during a ceremony last Saturday at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Rev. Barber, who has led the “Moral Mondays� protests in Raleigh since early 2013, serves on Rev. Barber the national board of the NAACP, and stepped down as president of the state NAACP to start the Poor People’s Campaign in 2017 to address racism, poverty, war, ecology and a host of other issues.

He also has served as pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church, part of the Disciples of Christ denomination, in Goldsboro, N.C., since 1993.

In 2018, he was awarded a MacArthur “genius grant� for building a broad coalition to confront racial and economic inequality.

Other honorees were Larry Wheeler, longtime director of the North Carolina Museum of Art; Senior U.S. District Judge Earl Britt; author Philip Gerard; Deborah Proctor, one of the founders of radio station WCPE ; and HIV researcher Dr. Catherine Wilfert.

The North Carolina Legislature created the award in 1961.

2IVERVIEW

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2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus

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"APTIST #HURCH

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SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.

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To advertise your church events in the Richmond Free Press call 644-0496

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Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 s Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You�

Tuesday Sunday 10:30 AM Bible Study 9:30 AM Church School 6:30 PM Church-wide Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship Service 6:30 PM Men's Bible Study (Each 2nd and 4th) (Holy Communion Thursday each 2nd Sunday) Wednesday (Following 2nd Sunday) 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

Harvest

- Christian Education Sunday Sunday, November 24, 2019

Discipleship: The Journey of A Lifetime 9:30 am - Sunday School Promotion Sunday 11:00 am – Morning Worship Preacher: Rev. Sheila Hicks

VERETT TREET RICHMOND, VA 23224

(804) 231-5884

REV. ROBERT C. DAVIS, PASTOR

‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ to use church land for affordable housing Alejandra Molina Religion News Service

its fellowship hall, Dr. Doolittle said they sought to include affordable housing as part of that project. The church proposed building a number of affordable apartments on part of its current parking lot.

Church leaders thought the affordable housing component could also speed up the approval process for the project. Instead, they encountered more roadblocks, including parking restrictions and costly environmental impact reports.

In San Diego, city code makes it a requirement for churches to have a certain number of parking spaces based on the number of people the sanctuary can hold.

The renovation of the church’s fellowship hall is underway, but the housing element is on hold for now. However, that could soon change.

On Nov. 6, a subcommittee of the San Diego City Council approved an item that would make it easier for faith communities to get the green light to build housing on their parking lots. Under this plan, excess parking spaces could be used as a location for housing. The City Council will consider the item at a future meeting.

Clairemont Lutheran Church plans to jumpstart its housing efforts next year, hoping to put between 16 and 21 apartments on its parking lot.

To housing advocate Tom Theisen, the city’s move is a step in the right direction.

Mr. Theisen, a retired attorney and former chair of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, is part of the San Diego YIGBY working group that helps activate under-utilized faith community properties suitable for residential units. He said the YIGBY group shows how an abundance of church land across the county can help address the region’s housing shortage. Mr. Theisen said that in the past, individual churches were going to the government proposing small projects of 15 to 20 units. “It’s hard to create any change when you’re talking about individual small

Faith congregations across California are responding to the state’s housing crisis by sharing their parking lots with people living in their cars, providing mobile showers for the homeless and joining their neighbors in calling for rent control in their communities.

But another form of housing advocacy has been taking place among spaces of faith. A number of churches are exploring ways to build affordable housing on their own land. It’s what pastors and other leaders are referring to as YIGBY, or “Yes in God’s Backyard.�

The acronym is a play off of the term NIMBY, short for “Not in My Backyard,� a term often used to describe community pushback against affordable housing or other similar projects. “Jesus very clearly tells us to keep our eyes open to those who are in need,� said Dr. Jonathan Doolittle, pastor of Clairemont Lutheran Church in San Diego.

California is home to the 10 leastaffordable major markets in the nation and is near the top in cost-burdened households — second among homeowners and fourth among renters, according to a January 2019 report from the Public Policy Institute of California. The median home price in California is $549,000. The median rent price is $2,800.

About four years ago, Clairemont Lutheran Church members decided they needed to do something about the housing crisis affecting their community. The church was part of an interfaith shelter network in which congregations open their spaces for a certain length of time to house families in crisis. During this time, churches host families for two weeks while they get back on their feet. The families rotate to other churches in the network, but once that cycle runs out, they may have nowhere else to seek shelter, Dr. Doolittle said.

As the church made plans to redevelop

St. Peter Baptist Church Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Worship Opportunities

Pastor, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Chesterfield, VA

UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 1813 E S

Image courtesy of Resources for Community Development

An artistic rendering shows the future St. Paul’s Commons in Northern California. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek would like to open its affordable housing complex in December or January. It’s called St. Paul’s Commons, and will be a mixed-use development with community spaces operated by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. It will include 45 affordable apartments.

Upcoming Event:

Thanksgiving Dinner

at Union Baptist Church Thursday, November 28, 2019 12noon – 3:00 PM Please Join Us At 11:30 am for Thanksgiving Reflections

During the month of November, all Sunday Worship Services will be held at 10 a.m. Church School will be held at 8:30 a.m.

Thursdays: Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Bible Study 7 P.M. (Children/Youth/Adults)

Youth Emphasis Sunday, November 24th at 10 a.m.

Join us as we celebrate Youth Emphasis and let the “Youth Take Over.�

The “Youth Take Over� will display our youth leadership and “Speak Out!� skills while serving as worship participants during service.

“The Church With A Welcome�

3HARON "APTIST #HURCH

Music rendered by The Sunbeam Choir, The Praise Fellowship Youth Choir, & The Agape Singers.

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

-OUNTAIN 2OAD s 'LEN !LLEN 6IRGINIA /FlCE s &AX s WWW STPETERBAPTIST NET

Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019

8:30 a.m. ....Sunday School | 10:00 a.m. ...Morning Worship 3:00 p.m.

Ordination Service Rev. John H. Lewis, Jr. Speaker: Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles

C

Sixth Baptist Church Theme for 2018-2020: Mobilizing For Ministry Refreshing The Old and Emerging The New We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

bin om

Come Worship With Us!

in g

ance with Reverence Relev Dr. Alvin Campbell, Interim Pastor â?–

104th Church Anniversary

Sunday, November 24, 2019 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Theme: “Blessed Be The Tie That Binds�

Guest Preacher: Reverend Marcus D. Martin, Pastor

11:00 AM Worship Celebration Message by: Pastor Bibbs 2nd Division of Psalms God Among Us Come Sunday For More‌..

New Bridge Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

Twitter sixthbaptistrva Facebook sixthbaptistrva

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

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

(near Byrd Park)

(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org drbibbs@sixthbaptistchurch.org

It’s All About Celebrating Jesus!

Guest Speaker:

If you want to celebrate the Lord info us to share your gift

Reverend Nicole Guns

VUU Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology

projects,� he said.

The YIGBY group emerged, he said, when San Diego County tax collector Dan McAllister identified about 1,100 faith community properties on more than 2,000 acres of land. Mr. Theisen said a substantial portion of that land is available for housing. “If we look at this from the perspective of how do we help the churches help the needy in their community and look at it countywide, we’re talking hundreds of potential housing units, possibly thousands,� he said.

He estimated construction costs could be “primarily, if not exclusively� paid through income generated from the housing. “The idea is to start building housing and start putting people in houses,� Mr. Theisen said.

In Northern California, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek would like to open its affordable housing complex in December or January. It’s called St. Paul’s Commons and will be a mixed-use development, with community spaces operated by the church. It’s also where the nonprofit Trinity Center will have a space to serve homeless people. The project will include 45 affordable apartments.

The church leased its land to Berkeleybased developer Resources for Community Development, which used a property management company to perform background checks, call references and conduct interviews for applicants seeking to rent the apartments.

The development is taking over a single-family home where Trinity Center provided services to the homeless.

The Rev. Krista Fregoso said they were assisting people who were homeless and later thought, “What if we became a part of the solution, too?�

To Rev. Fregoso, “This is just one part of how we live out our faith. We hope to be a model for other faith communities who might see their property in a different way.�

Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858

¹4HE 0EOPLE´S #HURCH²

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 • Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcofďŹ ce1@yahoo.com • web: www.richmondebenezer.com Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study

11:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m.

Mon. 6:30 p.m.

Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Wed. 6:45 p.m.

Wed. 4:30 p.m.

Wed. 6:00 p.m.

Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Dr. James E. Leary, Interim Pastor

Antioch Baptist Church “Redeeming God’s People for Gods Purpose�

1384 New Market Road, Richmond, Virginia 23231 | 804-222-8835

SERVICES

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:00 A.M. CHILDREN’S CHURCH & BUS MINISTRY AVAILABLE SUNDAY SCHOOL (FOR ALL AGES) – 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY MID-DAY BIBLE STUDY – 12 NOON WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY – 7:00 P.M. A MISSION BASED CHURCH FAMILY EXCITING MINISTRIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS & SENIOR ADULTS BIBLE REVELATION TEACHING DIVERSE MUSIC MINISTRY LOVING, CARING ENVIRONMENT

DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR

Richmond Free Press

B6 November 21-23, 2019

Sports Plus

NBA players netting big bucks

By Fred Jeter

There are buckets of money to be made playing professional basketball, if you’re very, very good at it.

Steph Curry, while currently rehabilitating from a broken hand, is the prime example.

Lightly recruited in high school, the veteran guard with the Golden State Warriors is the world’s top paid player with a 2019-20 salary of $40,231,758 — an NBA record.

Not too far behind are the Houston Rockets’ James Harden ($38,199,000), the Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant ($38,199,000), the Washington Wizards’ John Wall ($38,199,000) and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James ($37,436,858).

Curry signed a five-year deal with the Warriors for $201 million in 2017.

Even the lowest paid NBA athletes are rich by “normal person� standards. The minimum rookie deal is for $898,310.

Fifth-year NBA veterans have a

$1,882,867 minimum.

The minimum salary for a full team, usually 15 players, is $98,226,000, with a soft salary cap of $109.14 million, with exceptions.

Virginia can make a partial claim to Curry. Born in Charlotte, N.C., he is the son of former Fort Defiance High School and Virginia Tech star Del Curry, and brother of former Liberty University and Duke guard Seth Curry.

Former Virginia Commonwealth University Coach Jeff Capel III was among the few offering Curry a full scholarship coming out of Charlotte Christian School. He eventually signed with Davidson College.

Local athletes are among those benefiting from the NBA’s lucrative salary scale.

Former Hanover High School/Benedictine College Preparatory standout Ed Davis is making $4,767,000 this season with the Utah Jazz. Davis currently is sidelined with a leg injury.

Former VCU players Troy Daniels and

Treveon Graham should be able to pay their bills. Daniels’ salary with the L.A. Lakers is $1,620,564. Graham is making $1,645,357 with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Three rookies out of NCAA champion University of Virginia should have fat wallets. De’Andre Hunter’s NBA salary is $2,068,360 with the Atlanta Hawks.

Ty Jerome’s salary with the Phoenix Suns is $2,193,480.

Kyle Guy signed a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings-Stockton Kings NBA G League for $79,568, although that is expected to be prorated to the NBA minimum $898,310.

Former Petersburg High School star Frank Mason is making $1,378,242 with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Salaries have been on an uptick for many years. During the 1999-2000 season, L.A. Laker Shaquille O’Neal had the top salary of $27,142,000.

The Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird became the first player with at least a $5 million salary in 1991-92, earning $7,070,000.

Here are the highest salaried players on each NBA team for 2019-20 Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker, $32.7 million Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Durant, $38.1 million New York Knicks: Julius Randle, $18 million Philadelphia 76ers: Al Horford, $28 million Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry, $34.9 million Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry, $40.2 million Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, $32.7 million Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James, $37.4 million Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, $27.2 million Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, $24.1 million Chicago Bulls: Otto Porter, $27.2 million Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevin Love, $28.9 million Detroit Pistons: Blake Griffin, $34.4 million Indiana Pacers: Victor Oladipo, $21 million Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, $25.8 million Dallas Mavericks: Kristaps Porzingis, $27.2 million Houston Rockets: James Harden, $38.1 million New Orleans Pelicans: Jrue Holiday, $26.2 million San Antonio Spurs: DeMar DeRozan, $27.7 million Memphis Grizzlies: Jonas Valanciunas, $16 million Atlanta Hawks: Chandler Parsons, $25.1 million Charlotte Hornets: Nicolas Batum, $25.5 million Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler, $32.7 million Orlando Magic: Nikola Vucevic, $28 million Washington Wizards: John Wall, $38.1 million Denver Nuggets: Paul Millsap, $30.3 million Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, $27.2 million Oklahoma City Thunder: Danilo Gallinari, $22.6 million Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, $29.8 million Utah Jazz: Mike Conley, $32.5 million

Dunkin’ for $

Source: NBA.com

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous column

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, December 2, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hear ing on Monday, December 9, 2019 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. 2019-321 To rezone the properties known as 710 Perr y Street; 715 Porter Street; and 201, 209, and 213 West Commerce Road from the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District to the B-4 Central Business Distr ict. The subject property falls within a Downtown Urban Center Area of the Manchester District, as established by the Richmond Downtown Plan. Such areas are characterized by higher d e n s i t y, m i xe d u s e development, typically arranged on a fine grained street network, with wide sidewalks, regular tree planting, and minimal setbacks.

Ordinance No. 2019-322 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1013 North 33rd Street for the purpose of two twofamily attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. The Property is located in the R‑6 Single‑Family Attached Distr ict. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Single-Family (Medium Density) land uses. Primary uses are single-family and twofamily dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. The proposed development would have a density of approximately 27 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2019-323 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 1213 and 1215 North 32nd Street for the purpose of two single-family attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

The City of Richmond’s current Master Plan designates the subject property for Single‑Family Medium Density land use which includes, â€œâ€Ś single family and two family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semi‑public usesâ€? (p.133). The density of the proposed dwellings would be approximately 23 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2019-324 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1703 Maury Street for the purpose of a twofamily detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is located in the R‑7 Single‑ and Two‑Family Urban District. The City of Richmond’s current Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Single‑Family Residential at Medium densities.

Primary uses for this category â€œâ€Śare single family and two family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre.â€? The density of the proposed development would be approximately 20 units per acre.

Continued on next column

Ordinance No. 2019-325 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1803 North 28th Street for the purpose of a church, day nursery, office, adult day care, and educational uses within an existing building, upon certain terms and conditions.

The property is situated in an R-5 Single-Family Residential District. The City of Richmond’s current Master Plan designates the subject property for Single‑Family Medium Density (SF‑MD). Primary uses are single family and two family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semi‑public uses.

Ordinance No. 2019-326 To authorize the special use of the proper ty known as 2110 P Street for the purpose of a multi-family dwelling containing no more than four dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is currently located in the R‑63 Urban Residential Distr ict. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Mixed‑Use Residential land use for the property. “Primary uses include single‑, two‑, and multi‑family d w e l l i n g s, l i ve / w o r k units and neighborhood serving commercial uses developed in a traditional urban form. No residential density is specified for this land use designation.

The density of the parcel if developed as proposed would be approximately 44 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2019-327 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 2608 Buford Avenue, 2618 Buford Avenue, and 2727 Buford Avenue and 4201 Tyrone Street, 4207 Tyrone Street, and 4208 Tyrone Street for the purpose of the storage of inoperable vehicles outside of an enclosed building, upon certain terms and conditions.The properties are situated in a M-1 Light Industrial District. The Master Plan recommends single‑family (low density) residential land use for the parcels north of Buford Avenue and industrial land use for the parcels south of Buford Avenue.

Ordinance No. 2019-328 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1900 Chamberlayne Parkway for the purpose of office, group home, s h e l t e r, a n d s o c i a l service delivery uses, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is located in the M‑1 Light Industrial District.

The City of Richmond’s VUU/Chamber layne Neighborhood Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Community Commercial.

Primary uses include office, retail, personal service and other commercial and service uses, intended to provide the shopping and service needs of residents of a number of nearby neighborhoods or a section of the City.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com 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 CINTY OF RICHMOND GEORGE RANDOLPH WALLER, Plaintiff v.

FRANCES LORRAINE WALLER, Address Unknown Defendant.

Case No.: CL19-5631-7 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to have the Court award the plaintiff, George Randolph Waller, a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant, Frances Lorraine Waller.

It appearing that Frances Lorraine Waller cannot be found and that diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the whrereabouts of the party to be served, it is ORDERED that Frances Lorraine Waller appear before this Court on or before the 7th day of January, 2020 in the Clerk’s Office of this Court and do what is necessary to protect her interests.

An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk I ask for this: Andrew B.C. Wood Law Office of Wood & Wood, PC 1801 Libbie Avenue, Suite 102 P.O. Box 8265 Richmond, VA 23226 (804) 285-7447 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MELISSA SHIFFMAN, Plaintiff v.

JOSEPH SHIFFMAN, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19003298-00 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 t h e d e fe n d a n t , w h o s e whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 7th day January, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., CR#1 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 HENRICO ROBIN CARYLE DEROCHE, Plaintiff v.

MICHAEL J. DEROCHE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL1900-5599-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit, brought by Robin Caryle Deroche, is a complaint for divorce. It appearing from an affidavit that the Defendant, Michael J. Deroche, cannot be found, and that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of the Defendant; it is hereby ORDERED that the Defendant appear before this Court on or before December 16, 2019, to protect her interest herein; An Extract Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk Tameka W. Robinson Cravens & Noll, P.C. 4551 Cox Road, Suite 120 Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 264-4529

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maldonado, santos rodrigo maldonado mejia v. amilcar Leonides mejia Amaya & maria delsy maldonado Mejia Case No. JJ097187-01-00

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Crids Leonides Mejia Maldonado (DOB: 11/14/08), whose mother is Maria Delsy Maldonado Mejia, and whose father is Amilcar Leonides Mejia Amaya, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1241A3. Petitioner is aunt, Santos Rodrigo Maldonado Mejia. Mother’s and Father’s whereabouts are unknown.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Amilcar Leonides Mejia Amaya and Maria Delsy Maldonado Mejia appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 427 South Pine Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number W0000120/027 to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, E. Kelley Lane, II.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, E. KELLEY LANE, II, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.�

IT IS ORDERED that E. KELLEY LANE, II, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 10, 2020 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and CHRISTIE S. SAMPLE, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.�

IT IS ORDERED that ROBERT C. SAMPLE, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, CHRISTIE S. SAMPLE, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 10, 2020 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

BID

abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.

Famous Brown Legendary Soul Food Inc Trading as: Famous Brown Legendary Soul Food 5156 Nine Mile Road Richmond, Virginia 23223 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Beer & Wine/Mixed Beverage on Premise license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Queen Faith, owner NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.

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VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF CHESTERFIELD Commonwealth of Virginia, In re: SILONNEN VALENTINA MOLINA ORTIZ, CLAUDIA ELENA ORTIZ CHEVEZ v.

JOSE MANUEL MOLINA Case No. JJ097689-01-00

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Silonnen Valentina Molina Ortiz (DOB: 9/7/04), whose mother is Claudia Elena Ortiz Chevez, and whose father is Jose Manuel Molina, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1241A3. Father’s whereabouts are unknown.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Jose Manuel Molina appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 8, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Property VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

MARY ANN GREEN, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL19-3778 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2213 Park Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number W0001004/008, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner/s of record, Mary Ann Green.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, MARY ANN GREEN, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.�

IT IS ORDERED that MARY ANN GREEN, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 10, 2020 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF CHESTERFIELD Commonwealth of Virginia, In re: Crids Leonides mejia

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

E. KELLEY LANE, II, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL19-4893 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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CUSTODY

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

E. KELLEY LANE, II, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL19-4894 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 429 South Pine Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number W0000120/026 to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, E. Kelley Lane, II.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, E. KELLEY LANE, II, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.�

IT IS ORDERED that E. KELLEY LANE, II, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JANUARY 10, 2020 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v.

ROBERT C. SAMPLE, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL19-4297 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2100½ Redd Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000665/040, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Robert C. Sample and Christie S. Sample.

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COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID

ITB #19-1947-11EAR WATER TREATMENT FACILITY COURTYARD IMPROVEMENTS Due:Â December 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/finance/ divisions/purchasing/ solicitations/

LICENSES

Irie Ting Jamaican Grill LLC Trading as: Irie Ting Jamaican Grill 100 E. Cary St. Richmond, Virginia 23219-3735 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer on Premises/ Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Patricia Chatrie, owner NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press call 644-0496.

Follow the Free Press on @FreePressRVA @RichmondFreePressUSA

COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC-PRIVATE EDUCATION FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ACT OF 2002 (PPEA) Henrico County Police Division – New Police South Station

The County of Henrico, Virginia (the “Countyâ€?) is seeking solicited proposals, in accordance with the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (Va. Code § 56-575 et seq.), and the Henrico County Guidelines – Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (Revised 10/17) (the “County Guidelinesâ€?) from qualiďż˝ied and experienced offerors to provide design and construction services for a new Police South Station.

Detailed information concerning this Request for Proposal is available and can be obtained by visiting: https://henrico.us/�inance/divisions/purchasing/ solicitations.

A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. located at the Purchasing Of�ice, 8600 Staples Mill Road, Henrico, VA. The deadline for proposal responses is January 7, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. Proposals shall be submitted at the following locations: In Person or Special Courier County of Henrico Department of Finance Purchasing Division 8600 Staples Mill Road Henrico, VA 23228

OR

U.S. Postal Service County of Henrico Department of Finance Purchasing Division P.O. Box 90775 Henrico, VA 23273

Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the Request for Proposal and the County Guidelines, located at https://henrico.us/assets/AdoptedPPEA1010-17.pdf. Offerors shall submit an original hard copy proposal (so marked), nine additional hard copies, and submit one complete and one redacted electronic copy of the proposal in a “.pdf� format on a USB/Flash Drive storage device.

Questions concerning this Request for Proposal should be addressed to: Oscar Knott, CPP, CPPO, VCO, Assistant Division Director Department of Finance – Purchasing Division P.O. Box 90775 Henrico, VA 23273 Telephone: (804)501-5649 Email: kno008@henrico.us

VACANT PULPIT

Springfield Baptist Church Glen Allen, VA

Seeking a Bivocational Pastor

If interested please submit a resume to: Pastor Search Committee P.O. Box 2177 Glen Allen VA 23058-2177 Deadline: December 31, 2019

AVAILABLE Downtown Richmond first floor office suite

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

To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com.

EOE M/F/D/V

5th and Franklin Streets 422 East Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

804.358.5543 Bedros Bandazian

Associate Broker, Chairman

Raffi Bandazian

Principal Broker, GRI

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Freelance Writers: Richmond Free Press has immediate opportunities for freelance writers.

Newspaper experience is a requirement. To be considered, please send 5 samples of your writing, along with a cover letter to news@richmond freepress.com or mail to: Richmond Free Press, P. O. Box 27709, Richmond, VA 23261. No phone calls.