Richmond Free Press October 31-November 2, 2019 Edition

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OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 2, 2019

Navy Hill ship sinking?

Scrutiny of Coliseum replacement plan reveals major gaps

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The grand plan Mayor Levar M. Stoney is pushing to replace the Richmond Coliseum with $1.5 billion in new Downtown development does not appear to include enough affordable housing to meet a City Council requirement.

The plan also would require a major shift of $316 million in taxpayer dollars to pay off the borrowing for a key element of the plan — a proposed 17,500-seat replacement for the vacant and closed Coliseum.

Meanwhile, the financial projections underpinning the city’s plan to borrow the money to pay for the new arena appear to have become shakier, while projections of the jobs that would be created appear to be inflated and also apply to the entire Richmond region, not just to the city.

These are among a series of bombshell concerns that have hit the Navy Hill Development Corp. proposal that Mayor Stoney touts as a key way to rejuvenate a government-dominated section of Downtown while increasing housing choices and employment opportunities for city residents.

When it comes to affordable housing, the plan that Mayor Stoney submitted to the council does not meet the new policy that City Council approved earlier this year regarding residential developments.

That policy requires a developer to include a minimum of 15 percent of affordable housing in any project that involves the use of city property — as the Navy Hill project would.

The proposal that Mayor Stoney submitted on behalf of the

Navy Hill District Corp. calls for nearly 2,300 new apartments, offices and other elements to be developed primarily on cityowned land located between City Hall and the Coliseum and on two blocks south of Broad Street.

Of those units, only 280 are proposed to be affordable, according to Navy Hill officials, meaning they would be targeted to people making 80 percent or less of the Metro Richmond median household income of $83,200. The median is the income point

at which half of households are above and half are below.

According to government figures, 80 percent of the median would range from $46,600 a year or less for an individual, to $66,550 or less for a family of four.

At a briefing on Oct. 14, City Council members expressed dissatisfaction with the Navy Hill District Corp.’s plan to work Please turn to A4

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Damon E. Duncan, president and chief executive officer of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, greets Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn in the Creighton Court Community Center as tenants of the public housing community meet Monday to discuss the recent evictions.

Eviction attempt highlights disconnect between RRHA and residents

By George Copeland Jr.

Steve Helber/Associated Press

Newly sworn in Gov. Gerald L. Baliles, right, shares the podium with Virginia’s new lieutenant governor, L. Douglas Wilder, and new attorney general, Mary Sue Terry, following their swearing in on Jan. 11, 1986, at the State Capitol.

Former Gov. Baliles dies of cancer at 79 Free Press wire report

Former Virginia Gov. Gerald L. Baliles, a Democrat known as the “transportation governor” and for his work to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and increase foreign trade, died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. He was 79.

Gov. Ralph S. Northam issued a statement saying Mr. Baliles died Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family in Charlottesville. He had been battling cancer.

“Gov. Baliles fought for rural Virginians, promoted civil discourse and was the epitome of a true public servant,” Gov. Northam said, adding that the state flags will fly at half-staff for the next 30 days in the late former governor’s honor.

Gov. Baliles, who served from 1986 to 1990, ran on a successful Democratic ticket that was hailed as diverse in its day with its inclusion of an African-American and a woman. L. Douglas Wilder was elected with him as lieutenant governor and Mary Sue Terry was elected as Virginia attorney general.

The eviction of Creighton Court residents has been halted by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, according to housing officials who addressed the matter during a community meeting Monday evening in the Creighton Court Community Center.

“What I want to do is set the record straight. Those 24 residents will be taken care of,” said Creighton Court Tenant

Council President and veteran RRHA Commissioner Marilyn B. Olds, speaking to an audience of more than 100 people who packed the room.

Those residents will be going into Richmond’s new Eviction Diversion program, according to Ms. Olds.

This marks the latest development for residents facing eviction for the public housing community.

Last week, RRHA went to Richmond General District Court seeking permission

Instead of leading a protest, the Virginia State Conference NAACP will be the target of demonstrations at its state convention this weekend because of the organization’s ties to Dominion Energy.

In a highly unusual action against the civil rights organization, a two-part demonstration is Mr. Barnette to be held against the state NAACP on Thursday, Oct. 31, condemning the group for what organizer Richard W. Walker and other critics see as a cozy relationship with the energy giant.

The focus of the outrage: The state NAACP’s announcement of Dominion as the sponsor of the 84th annual state convention and the co-host of a pre-convention reception and panel discussion

Please turn to A4

Henrico commonwealth’s attorney’s race hit with allegation of special treatment

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The case of John J. Trak, who has been convicted of two felony drug possession charges and two other felonies since 2011, is roiling the election contest for Henrico County commonwealth’s attorney as the Nov. 5 election approaches.

The Democratic incumbent, Shannon Taylor, who is seeking her third term as commonwealth’s attorney, is battling the perception that she gave special treatment to Mr.

Trak, who donated a total of $1,500 to her campaign earlier this year while her office was prosecuting him on two new felony drug possession charges stemming from his arrest in August 2018.

While Ms. Taylor confirmed the donations to the Free Press and stated that her campaign returned Mr. Trak’s money after she became aware of the conflict, the role of Ms. Taylor’s office in the Trak case has gained attention ahead of the election after a special prosecu-

Battle over Dominion Energy’s sponsorship leads to demonstrations at state NAACP events

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

to evict up to 52 households that were behind on their rent. Before the hearing, RRHA dismissed unlawful detainer suits against 17 residents who had paid up, leaving 35 residents subject to removal, including up to nine families who owed less than $100.

The court filings, which also led to the disclosure that RRHA had stopped leasing apartments in Creighton Court, prompted a

on 400 years of African-American history.

Dominion Energy is under fire for its plan to build a potentially polluting natural gas compressor in the Buckingham County community of Union Hill that was founded by emancipated African-Americans after the Civil War. The state NAACP is being criticized for accepting $50,000 from Dominion to Ms. Sweet-Love support the convention. That amount is double the $25,000 Dominion has donated for the convention in previous years.

The demonstrations are scheduled to take place at noon Thursday Please turn to A4

tor declined to go forward and dropped the charges in Henrico General District Court.

Ms. Taylor’s Republican challenger, C. (for Catherine) Owen Inge Conway, a former prosecutor in the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s

Office and a defense attorney for seven years, alleges that Mr. Trak was treated differently than others with felony drug convictions who are re-arrested for possession of illegal drugs.

Please turn to A4

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5 Poll hours: Open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. in Richmond and around the state.

At stake: Seats in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, as well as many local races, including the Richmond City Council 5th District seat, races for the board of supervisors and sheriff in Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties and the School Board in Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

Alert: Bring a driver’s license or other acceptable form of photo ID to the voting precinct. Otherwise you’ll have to cast a provisional ballot that may not count. A list of acceptable forms of ID: www.elections.virginia. gov/registration/photo-ids-required-to-vote/ Free ride to the polls: GRTC will provide free rides to the polls within the city of Richmond on its buses, Pulse and CARE vans all day on Tuesday, Election Day. Details: (804) 358-4782 or Carrie Rose Pace, (804) 474-9354 or carrie.rosepace@grtc.com. The Central Virginia Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute also will provide free rides to the polls. Voters should call (804) 228-1744 by Monday, Nov. 4, to schedule a ride.

Problem at the poll? Contact the Election Protection Hotline at (866) OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or www.866OurVote.org. The hotline is administered by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and is part of a national, nonpartisan election protection coalition that includes the ACLU and the NAACP. Further information: Contact the voter registrar in your locality or the state Department of Elections. You can check your voter status and voting precinct at www.elections.virginia.gov or call your local voter registrar’s office. Here are the numbers: Richmond: (804) 646-5950 Henrico: (804) 501-4347 Chesterfield: (804) 748-1471 Hanover: (804) 537-6080 Petersburg: (804) 733-8071 Your vote is your voice. Use it.

A2 October 31-November 2, 2019

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Free rides to polls on Election Day

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

GRTC once again will provide free bus, Pulse and CARE van rides on Election Day within the city limits, it has been announced.

Additionally, the A. Philip Randolph Institute’s Central Virginia Chapter is offering free rides to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Voters who need a ride are asked to call the institute’s local organizers at (804) 228-1744 by Monday, Nov. 4, to schedule a ride.

The no-charge GRTC rides for Richmond residents will be offered all day Tuesday, Nov. 5, and not just during the 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. period when the polls are open, company spokeswoman Carrie Rose Pace told the Free Press.

The goal is to encourage city residents to cast a ballot, according to Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who launched the free-rides initiative last year in partnership with GRTC, which picked up the $23,000 cost and will do so again this year.

“Democracy is not a spectator sport,” Mayor Stoney stated Tuesday in announcing the initiative’s renewal. “This measure removes the lack of transportation as an obstacle to civic participation.”

Julie Timm, GRTC’s new chief executive officer, noted, “GRTC connects with nearly every single polling location in the city, with more than 400 bus stops within a short walk.”

Mayor Stoney also announced that the city is recognizing Election Day as a holiday, and that city employees would have a paid holiday Tuesday to allow them “to vote and care for their families.”

However, the portion of City Hall that will be open on Tuesday will be the first-floor Richmond Voter Registrar’s Office, he said, the center for election operations and for receipt of mailed absentee ballots.

That is not sitting well with some members of City Council.

Among them is Councilwoman Kim B. Gray, 2nd District, who expressed disappointment that the mayor used his authority to add a paid holiday without consulting City Council.

“This has budget implications and impacts our operations,” Ms. Gray said. “Given that it is taking up to six months for the city to issue building and other permits, how far behind the Department of Public Works is on some projects and how much work needs to be accomplished, it doesn’t seem logical to shut down the government.

“I could understand starting two hours late or using flex time to allow employees to vote, but I don’t understand closing the entire day,” she said.

Details on GRTC’s free ride initiative: Ms. Pace, (804) 4749354 or carrie.rosepace@grtc.com.

City Council approves 1% pension hike for retirees starting Jan. 1

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

As anticipated, Richmond City Council unanimously approved a 1 percent pension increase for retired city employees, beginning Jan. 1, during a special meeting on Monday.

It is the first hike in retirement pay in 11 years.

The vote was foreshadowed after council met in committee earlier this month to consider how to spend a $17.2 million surplus from the 2018-19 fiscal year that ended June 30 and agreed to accept the recommendation of Mayor Levar M. Stoney to set aside $6.2 million for the pension increase.

The special meeting was held to allow City Council to meet a Nov. 1 deadline to act on uses for the surplus.

Of the $11 million remaining, about $5.5 million is to go into an untouchable savings account, as required by a 2017 council policy. The policy also enables the council to use the rest of the money to fund citywide and district improvement projects.

The mayor’s request to use $200,000 to support an international violin competition that will be coming to Richmond next year was rejected.

While pensioners were happy to get any increase, several speakers at the meeting urged regular annual increases as the state has provided to the Virginia Retirement System.

Retired police officer Glenwood Burley told council members that retirees feel “we have been neglected, disrespected and forgotten.” He also urged the council to go beyond a minimal 1 percent increase.

City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille acknowledged the increase is tiny and promised that the vote would be the “start of a conversation” among council members on pension improvements.

However, cost-of-living increases for retirees have never ranked as a high priority during budget deliberations when debate has centered mostly around finding sufficient funds for public school operations and public safety improvements.

Correction Anna Gage is Girl Action Team Coordinator with Girls for a Change, the organization working with Richmond Public Schools to launch mentorship programs for girls at city middle schools and high schools.

Her last name was incorrect in an article and photo caption published in the Oct. 24-26 edition.

The Free Press regrets the error.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Carytown was filled with the living dead of the Year.” last Saturday as scores of ghoulishly costumed Photos were taken because, once in character, people participated in the 15th Annual Richmond the zombies were asked to refrain from taking Zombie Walk.

Slices of life and scenes photos during the walk.

The event, which draws even more spectaThe creatively costumed group then went to in Richmond tors than participants, benefits the American the starting point at the Byrd Theatre where they Cancer Society. slithered, lurched, crawled and limped along the sidewalk in full Participating zombies gathered at a staging area at Boat zombie splendor up Cary Street to Nansemond Street, where they Lake in Byrd Park, where donations for the cancer society were turned and paraded the five blocks back to the Byrd Theatre. collected and prizes were awarded in categories including the Already, plans are being cooked up for next year’s pre“Most Disgusting,” “Best Couple,” “Best Group” and “Zombie Halloween event.

Cityscape

Wilder says VCU panel cleared him in probe; VCU spokesman says that’s ‘premature’

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

that “revealed policy violations.”

“There is no consistent process by L. Douglas Wilder has maintained for which the university investigates and makes months that a former Virginia Common- findings with respect to grievances,” Mr. wealth University student made up a story Wilder said. that he made sexual advances toward her However, VCU spokesman Mike Porter and propositioned her to be his mistress called Mr. Wilder’s statement that the panel nearly three years ago. exonerated him “premature.”

The 88-year-old former governor and Mr. Porter stated that the panel’s report former Richmond mayor now is asserting would be forwarded to the VCU provost, that an internal university appeals panel has Dr. Gail Hackett, or her designee “to afcleared him of any wrongdoing firm or reject” the recommendaafter a six-hour hearing earlier tion regarding Mr. Wilder. He in October. would not discuss the report’s According to Mr. Wilder, contents. the panel rejected an initial That continues VCU’s pracinvestigative finding that he had tice in such cases. The university “nonconsensual sexual contact” has not issued any statement with the then 20-year-old student on the case that Ms. Black, Sydney Black, who has since now 22, set off in December left VCU. Mr. Wilder 2018 — nearly two years after That unwanted contact was the alleged kiss — by filing a a kiss that Ms. Black alleged Mr. Wilder complaint with VCU against Mr. Wilder, planted on her during a visit to his Rich- a distinguished professor in the School mond condominium on her 20th birthday of Government and Public Affairs that in February 2017. She also claimed he bears his name. put his hand on her thigh in making a In a published report, Jason V. Wolpass at her. frey, Ms. Black’s attorney, was quoted as Mr. Wilder denied touching Ms. Black describing his client as “very upset, very inappropriately or kissing or trying to kiss disappointed” with the panel’s recomher in a 15-page rebuttal of the initial mendation. At the time of the events, she finding of fault on his part. was a work-study student at the school, He issued the rebuttal in mid-July to though she did not work for Mr. Wilder, force the appeal to the VCU panel, arguing who has an office there. the finding of unwanted sexual contact was Mr. Wolfrey also was quoted as saying unsupported by evidence and undermined that Mr. Wilder did not dispute and the

by Ms. Black’s lack of credibility on other panel accepted as fact that Mr. Wilder, allegations. who is divorced, and Ms. Black went to He disclosed the three-member ap- dinner on Feb. 16, 2017, her birthday, that peals panel’s finding at an Oct. 24 news he bought her one or more vodka martinis conference. and that she also went to his condo.

“I am pleased that the panel members According to Mr. Wilder, the panel essenconfirmed what I have stated from the very tially rejected her claim that he put his hand beginning of this investigation,” said Mr. on her thigh and kissed her at his condo.

Wilder, who followed up with statements In July, Jody Shipper, an external incritical of the process VCU has followed vestigator hired by VCU found it “more in the probe, claiming that it often was probable than not” that Mr. Wilder kissed carried out “in the dark” and in a manner the co-ed during that visit.

Mr. Wilder denied it happened and argued in his rebuttal that Ms. Black’s claim was not credible because, he noted, Ms. Black told her mother only that he “tried” to put his hand on her leg and told a roommate only that he “tried” to kiss her, both inconsistent with the version of events she provided to the university.

Ms. Shipper, however, rejected three other allegations that Ms. Black brought — gender discrimination, sexual exploitation and retaliation — in finding contradictions or a lack of credible evidence to support them.

That includes Ms. Black’s claim that Mr. Wilder gave her a note at work the day after the alleged kiss, telling her to keep silent about his advances, as records showed she did not work that day.

Also, her claim that Mr. Wilder took her to lunch a few months after she rebuffed him to notify her that the funding for her work-study job would not be continued fell apart, according to Ms. Shipper. Mr. Wilder, in his rebuttal, noted no evidence was produced that the lunch ever took place, and he noted that he had nothing to do with the funding for her job. He also denied he ever spoke to her about it.

Ms. Shipper also found evidence that Ms. Black sought an invitation to Mr. Wilder’s home in Charles City County a few weeks after the alleged kiss, contrary to her statement that Mr. Wilder invited her.

While the events took place in early 2017, Ms. Black went public after filing a Jan. 3, 2019, report of a misdemeanor assault with the Richmond Police Department, though she did not seek a warrant.

Ms. Black later said that VCU had requested she file the police report as it began its investigation as required under Title IX of a 1972 federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program.

In June, the university renewed Mr. Wilder’s $150,000-a-year contract while the probe was still underway.

Honoring Dorothy I. Height It took seven months, but a second state history marker was unveiled Sunday honoring civil rights icon the late Dorothy I. Height, a Richmond native.

The marker, located outside the Hull Street Branch of the Richmond Public Library at 1400 Hull St. in South Side, honors Dr. Height’s service with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She served as the sorority’s 10th national president from 1947 to 1956, and was active with the sorority throughout her life, developing leadership training programs and ecumenical education programs.

The event also included the dedication of books about Dr. Height and other African-American history-makers for the library, according to the sorority’s Richmond Alumnae Chapter, which paid for the new marker and hosted the ceremony.

Removing the blue tarp to unveil the marker is Jeffrey Randolph, Dr. Height’s nephew, while members of the sorority look on, including Richmond Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Alumnae Chapter president Connie L. Cuffee, at left of the marker. Richmond City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille, far left, and City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, second from left, join in.

The marker was to be put up in March when a state marker was unveiled detailing Dr. Height’s extraordinary role in championing the rights of AfricanAmerican women as a social worker and leader for 40 years of the National Council of Negro Women.

Dr. Heights also is acknowledged as one of the top figures, along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., during the 1950s and 1960s Civil Rights Movement for equal rights for African-Americans.

Often described as the “godmother of civil rights,” Dr. Height led the fight to improve education and employment prospects for African-American women and to involve them in the political process.

Dr. Height died in April 2010 at age 98.

Richmond Free Press

October 31-November 2, 2019

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Richmond Free Press

A4 October 31-November 2, 2019

News

Henrico commonwealth’s attorney’s race hit with allegation Continued from A1

She considers the handling of the Trak case an “unethical and improper” action on the part of her opponent.

Ms. Taylor rejected that characterization and insisted that “nobody receives special treatment in my office” in an Oct. 23 email to the Free Press.

Ms. Taylor stated she wasn’t aware that Mr. Trak, who had made three separate donations to her campaign in February, May and June, was the same person her office was prosecuting until just days before he was slated for a hearing in Henrico General District Court on July 23. An assistant commonwealth’s attorney handled the case.

Mr. Trak had been to court three times since his August 2018 arrest, court records show, but the case was continued each time as Mr. Trak went through recovery.

Ms. Taylor became aware of the connection when Mr. Trak, then with the McShin Foundation’s recovery program, was invited to the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office a few days prior to the hearing to talk about the program to the attorneys and other staff and was recognized by the assistant commonwealth’s attorney handling his case, the Free Press has been told by multiple sources.

In a follow-up email on Monday, Ms. Taylor indicated that she does not run donors’ names through a database to determine if they might be facing charges and is unaware of any commonwealth’s attorney candidate who does.

“Our system here in Virginia is built on transparency,” Ms. Taylor stated. “Voters can look at the contributions and then my actions or that of any candidate and draw their own conclusions.”

But Ms. Conway takes issue with that view.

“As a politician, Ms. Taylor needs to know from whom she is accepting money and if her donors have charges pending in her office,” Ms. Conway stated. “The public needs to know the county’s elected prosecutor is not taking money from people seeking breaks on their charges.”

Ms. Conway continued that if Ms. Taylor “actually did not know that Mr. Trak, with whom she had a friendly relationship and invited into her office, was a defendant, then why did she not know? It is her job to know.”

In her first email to the Free Press, Ms. Taylor stated, “My staff of attorneys, when handling cases involving routine policy, do not run every case by me. (That would be impossible with 34 attorneys and the caseload.)”

Ms. Taylor continued, “When I realized I had received contributions from a person with an active case in my office, I returned the contributions.”

Ms. Taylor’s September campaign finance report shows the campaign returned $1,250 to Mr. Trak on July 29, six days after the court hearing. And in her email to the Free Press, Ms. Taylor stated that a final $250 refund to Mr. Trak was issued on Oct. 23 after she became aware the initial amount returned didn’t total $1,500.

Ms. Taylor also stated that prior to the hearing, she “asked that a special prosecutor be appointed, and the judge appointed Mr. (Robert) Cerullo,” chief deputy commonwealth’s attorney for Powhatan County.

According to a court document dated July 19, the case was turned over that day to Powhatan Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Cox. He assigned it to Mr. Cerullo on Monday, July 22, according Mr. Cerullo.

Mr. Cerullo told the Free Press he went to court on July 23 and informed the court that, based on his review, he would not proceed against Mr. Trak and was allowed to have the two charges of possession of a controlled substance be nol prossed, or not prosecuted.

A former Chesterfield County police officer and narcotics detective, Mr. Cerullo said the judge informed him that Mr. Trak had donated to Ms. Taylor’s campaign, but he said he did not consider the information relevant.

In a Free Press interview and in emails, Mr. Cerullo stated that he found a note in Mr. Trak’s file stating that Ms. Taylor’s office was considering reducing the felony charges to misdemeanors if Mr. Trak did well in rehab, but stated that there was no formal agreement. Mr. Cerullo said he received evidence from Mr. Trak’s lawyer that Mr. Trak had done far better than expected in rehab.

“When I reviewed the case, it was my opinion that Mr. Trak had gone above and beyond what was expected of him, and I saw no point in convicting him of a misdemeanor. I thought, and still do, that his efforts deserved the case to be not prosecuted,” Mr. Cerullo stated.

He stated that he was the sole decision-maker as to the disposition of the two charges, and that no one from the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office influenced him or played a role.

Ms. Taylor stated in her Oct. 23 email that the note Mr. Cerullo found in the file “is not unusual at all.” She stated that “it is a policy in my office … that we attempt to avoid a felony conviction on their record in an effort to encourage sobriety.”

She said that she can produce files of other defendants, with names removed, who were “struggling with addiction who have been offered misdemeanors to seek and receive treatment.”

Ms. Conway and several other attorneys, who spoke with the Free Press on the condition that their names would not be published, said that has not happened for their clients, who have similar records to Mr. Trak — past felony convictions and new charges.

Based on her experience as a former prosecutor and as a

defense attorney, Ms. Conway said the leniency afforded to Mr. Trak is “almost unprecedented for someone who was previously in court” and convicted on various felony charges.

Henrico court records show Mr. Trak had felony convictions for possession of heroin in 2011 and possession of cocaine in 2012. He also pleaded guilty to a felony charge of entering a home for larceny in 2012 and obtaining a credited card by larceny in 2011.

In 2017, he was charged with a felony drug possession charge, which was not prosecuted. He was sentenced to a year in the county jail on a second charge related to misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records.

Ms. Conway said she is dismayed that a “white campaign contributor who could afford a costly rehab program” was given an opportunity that she said is not offered to African-Americans and poor clients she represents who are facing felony drug possession charges in Henrico. Instead, she said the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office lowers the boom on them.

On Tuesday, Ms. Conway was in Henrico Circuit Court handling the case of an African-American man charged with illegal possession of oxycodone pain medication and he had previous felony convictions in 1989 and 1995, she said.

“I asked for any disposition other than a new felony conviction, and the assistant commonwealth’s attorney laughed at me,” Ms. Conway stated.

In an Oct. 24 email, Ms. Conway cited another example. “I had a client today who will have been in jail for six months

Scrutiny of Navy Hill Coliseum plan Continued from A1

with the nonprofit Better Housing Coalition to develop at least 200 additional affordable housing units in other sections of Downtown, including Jackson Ward.

Based on the discussion, most of the council members indicated they would reject that approach and would want additional affordable units to be included in the Navy Hill-developed apartments. To meet the new policy, Navy Hill would need to boost its total of affordable units to nearly 350 to meet the policy.

That issue surfaced just a few days before another bombshell dropped at the Oct. 19 meeting of City Council’s Navy Hill Development Advisory Commission.

Commission Vice Chairman John Gerner, using published figures from Navy Hill and its financial advisers, told members that $316 million in real estate taxes would be shifted over 30 years to a special fund to be used to repay the estimated $311 million to be borrowed to build a new Coliseum.

Including interest, the cost of repaying the debt on the new Coliseum could run between $480 million and $600 million, depending on how quickly or slowly the payments are made.

Mr. Gerner told the commission he employed the same framework that he would use in assessing projects by government and private clients of his consulting business.

He is the first to quantify the size of the investment the city would need to make to support the project. That does not include the cost of additional police, firefighters and other employees that would be required

if the development takes place.

Under the plan introduced by Mayor Stoney, the city would continue to receive the same amount of real estate tax from an 80-block area of Downtown that currently goes into the city’s general fund, but any new income from real estate taxes generated by growth in valuations of the property would be shifted to a fund to pay off the Coliseum debt.

Mr. Gerner’s analysis also confirmed that the city government would not see any financial return during the first five years of the project and might have to wait up to 20 years to see any real return, assuming the development lives up to projections.

Meanwhile, at the Oct. 14 briefing, the city’s financial adviser, Davenport & Co., told the council members that the financial projections for repaying the debt on the new Coliseum could be upended if Dominion Energy does not build a second office tower near the Downtown riverfront.

The company has completed one tower on Canal Street and vacated its former Virginia headquarters next door, One James River Plaza, which is to be razed. However, Dominion Energy has not committed to building the second tower.

The energy company, led by Thomas F. Farrell II, has said that any decision would not be influenced by the Navy Hill project that Mr. Farrell also is spearheading.

According to Councilman Parker C. Agelasto, 5th District, council members were told that in order to sell the bonds to build a new arena, investors would need assurances and financial projections showing the city would maintain 1.5 times the

outside the state NAACP headquarters on West Graham Road, across from Virginia Union University, while the state NAACP’s executive board is meeting, and again at 5:30 p.m. at the convention hotel in Short Pump when the history program and panel discussion is scheduled.

As an internal revolt continued to brew ahead of the convention, Robert N. Barnette Jr., state NAACP president, issued a statement Monday rejecting the call from Mr. Walker and his allies to cancel the history program and to remove Dominion Energy as the history program’s co-sponsor and convention sponsor.

“Dominion Energy’s title sponsorship of the 84th Annual Virginia State Conference Convention is a continuation of corporate support that began in 1986 and had continued over the years,” Mr. Barnette noted.

He insisted that Dominion’s contribution would not impact the state NAACP’s policies.

“Whenever the state NAACP accepts donations from company partners, we do so with the understanding that our civil

annual repayment amount in the special fund and that may not be possible if the second tower is not built.

The minutes of the council meeting show that representatives of Navy Hill and its development arm sought to downplay the problem, noting that interest rates, and thus the cost of repayment, could go down as a result of the Federal Reserve cutting the interest rate. They also cited the likelihood that other developments could be built in the 80-block area that could reduce the reliance on Dominion’s second tower.

Still, Mr. Agelasto said he found it unsettling that the Navy Hill development is dependent on whether Dominion adds a second building.

And there are questions about the project proponents’ continuing assurances that the city government and Richmond taxpayers would face no future risk.

Justin Griffin, a small business attorney who has emerged as a key opposition leader to the Navy Hill development, reported that at 4th District Councilwoman Kristen N. Larson’s monthly meeting, representatives of Navy Hill backed away from the no risk claim, saying that no one had ever promised that the project would be risk-free.

Mr. Griffin also published on Facebook a new analysis of Virginia Commonwealth University’s projection that the Navy Hill development would generate 12,500 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.

He noted that the VCU figures are projected estimates of the number of jobs that the giant development would create across the Richmond region, and not just within the city.

Eviction attempt highlights disconnect Continued from A1

public outcry and backlash.

In response, Damon Duncan, RRHA’s president and chief executive officer, met with a small coalition of clergy and political leaders to register their concern about mass evictions.

Despite the uproar, RRHA is regularly in court seeking eviction of residents who have fallen behind on payment.

“I want to see the proof as to what they are going to be doing to make sure (those families) aren’t evicted,” said Bernice E. Travers, Richmond Crusade for Voters president, as she stood outside the RRHA headquarters on Chamberlayne Parkway.

Accompanying her to the meeting with Mr. Duncan was

King Salim Khalfani, former executive director of the Virginia State Conference NAACP. Three ministers also participated, Dr. Emanuel Harris, president of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity; the Rev. Rodney Hunter, pastor of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and president of the Richmond Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and the Rev. Marcus Martin, pastor of Newbridge Baptist Church in Henrico County.

Yvette Ross, who was born and raised in Creighton Court and returned five years ago to live in the public housing community, said Wednesday that her conversation with other residents

Battle over Dominion Energy’s sponsorship Continued from A1

before his case comes up in Henrico General District Court,” she wrote. “I asked the assistant commonwealth’s attorney if he completes the jail’s RISE drug treatment program if she would consider reducing his felony possession charge to a misdemeanor, and she said, ‘No.’ ” Ms. Conway added that it is highly unusual for Mr. Trak’s case or anyone charged with felony drug possession to be handled entirely in general district court. She said state law only allows circuit courts to continue or dismiss felony drug possession cases for first-time offenders to allow those charged to do community service and receive treatment.

Circuit courts also are authorized under state law to divert people charged with their first felony drug possession to a special drug court to get help and ultimately avoid a felony record if they succeed in that program.

“That is not the situation in the Trak case,” Ms. Conway stated, given that he has previous felony convictions and so, she said, would not have been eligible for a diversion program. Mr. Cerullo confirmed that Mr. Trak, due to his prior record, would not have qualified for diversion or dismissal if his case went to circuit court.

Ms. Taylor stated, “Each case is individual. Our goal and our policy is to help those struggling with addiction and to get them on the road to recovery.

“There has never been a change in policy in regards to what assistant commonwealth’s attorneys seek,” Ms. Taylor stated.

“We continue to reduce felonies to misdemeanors and/or dismiss cases if conditions are met.”

rights stance will not be undermined by any financial contributions.”

He stated that the NAACP will remain on the front lines fighting for environmental justice.

“The state NAACP is proud to be part of the Green New Deal Virginia and that our Environmental Justice Committee has created a plan to include a sharp focus on eliminating poverty in the state through the promotion of green jobs, the maintenance of clean air and water and the promotion of local-scale agriculture,” he stated.

The state NAACP also remains among organizations supporting a federal lawsuit challenging Dominion Energy’s plan to put the compressor in Union Hill. On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond heard arguments in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the state Air Pollution Control Board’s issuance of a permit to Dominion.

Such statements have not deterred Mr. Walker and those who have an unfavorable view of Dominion’s involvement with the state NAACP. The initial demonstration represents a last-ditch effort to get the state NAACP to

reverse course and either cancel the program or remove Dominion as co-sponsor, said Mr. Walker, a member of the eighth generation of his family to own land in the Union Hill community.

The evening demonstration, he said, is aimed at raising awareness of what the NAACP is doing.

“Activists and local landowners have fought against the Dominion Atlantic Coast pipeline for years. Allowing Dominion to appear as a co-sponsor is shameful, counterproductive and damaging to the NAACP’s credibility and purported commitment to environmental justice and civil rights,” he said.

As word of the demonstrations began to spread through social media, Gloria J. Sweet-Love of Tennessee, whom the national NAACP has assigned to administer the Virginia State Conference NAACP, sought to keep NAACP members from taking part.

In a letter issued Oct. 21 to branches and executive board members, Ms. Sweet-Love reminded that the NAACP bylaws require that members have “prior approval from the NAACP to protest/demonstrate against or boycott any NAACP event or individual.”

indicates a deep distrust of and exhaustion with RRHA. That lack of faith, she said, extends beyond Creighton Court, pointing to the example of Takiyah Brathwaite, a Hillside Court resident. On Monday, a Richmond TV station reported on the trouble Ms. Brathwaite has faced after a leaking pipe flooded her kitchen.

Ms. Brathwaite reported the problem, but ultimately had to shut off the water herself. She was told she would have to pay $50 to get an emergency response from RRHA to cut off the water.

Ms. Ross said residents’ biggest problem is the lack of understandable communication.

She said RRHA met with residents during the summer to let them know that part of their rent would go to pay off past due electric bills dating back to 2016, while part of fall rent payments would go to pay off electrical charges for air conditioning during the summer.

Ms. Ross said it was not explained in understandable language that the use of rent money to pay off past due electric charges meant that tenants would get beind in their rent if they did not pay more, which is just what happened and led to evictions, she said.

Advocates, including community organizer Omari AlQadaffi, were the first to raise the alarm over the large number of RRHA court filings against Creighton Court residents.

The campaign of Nicholas Da Silva, a candidate for the 5th District City Council seat, has promised to pay the rent debts of the nine families who each owed less than $100 and were facing eviction.

“These are our people.

We’re going to make sure

that they have homes,” Ms. Travers said.

Mr. Al-Qadaffi, who spoke with residents after Monday’s meeting, said, “People felt like they didn’t get a chance to voice any of their concerns, that it was an intimidating space where they didn’t feel empowered to even speak.”

Ms. Olds urged residents to take greater financial reponsibility, rather than using their money for sneakers or cell phone bills, or overwhelming local assistance with lastsecond pleas for help.

She reminded that 105 people from from Creighton Court soon are to move into apartments being completed on the former site of Armstrong High School on North 31st Street.

“The rules are going to change,” Ms. Olds said. “You need to learn that now to have an opportunity to get yourselves together.”

Describing resident’s dependency on city government “handouts” as “like a junkie” after being cut off and forced to go “cold turkey,” Ms. Olds was withering in her assessment of Creighton Courts’ resilience: “Some things you have to do for yourselves. Come on now!”

Steve Fischbach, litigation director for the Virginia Poverty Law Center, who was at the meeting when Ms. Olds made her remarks, called it a shocking display of “disrespect and victim-blaming” that he had never seen in his decades of work as a legal aid lawyer.

“I was really taken aback by her tone towards tenants in the audience who had come there to try to get information,” Mr. Fischbach said. “She was chastising them for failing to pay their rent, without even knowing what the circumstances may have been behind that.”

Richmond Free Press

October 31-November 2, 2019

Every year, nearly two million children get concussions.

And only a fraction of those children report them. Concussions are dangerous and hard to detect, but we’re here to help you spot the symptoms and address them.

What are concussions?

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that results in a temporary disruption in the way the brain normally functions. While a concussion is considered a mild form of brain injury, the effects can be serious and warrant appropriate medical attention.

Signs Look for these concussion signs: • • • • • • • • •

Statistics vary in the sports with the greatest number of concussions in elementary through high school students.

While commonly considered in football, they also occur in soccer, wrestling and other sports, with girls reporting symptoms more frequently.

If your child displays one or more of these signs, seek medical attention.

The danger of undiagnosed concussions: Do not ignore concussion symptoms or try to “tough it out.” Trying to do too much too fast can make symptoms worse and prolong recovery.

If a concussion goes untreated, it can lead to continued or worsening systoms: • • • • • •

Appears dazed or stunned Forgets instructions Moves clumsily Headaches Has frequent mood swings Loss of interest in hobbies Trouble falling or staying asleep Excessive drowsiness Can’t remember anything just prior to or after impact

Dizziness Nausea and vomiting Headaches Memory or concentration issues Behavioral changes Sensitivity to light and noise

Preventative care and concussion rehab: Most children will recover from a concussion in about 4 weeks.

If your child has sustained a concussion, they should be immediately removed from activity (both mental and physical) until they are seen and cleared by a physician trained in concussion care. Continuing activity with a concussion can lead to further and more serious injury, in addition to worsening current symptoms.

To protect your child from concussions, make sure they’re wearing proper protective gear and following sport rules and safety precautions.

If you think your child has a concussion, please contact Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU at 804-628-4878. © 2019 VCU Health. All rights reserved.

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Richmond Free Press

A6 October 31-November 2, 2019

Local News

THIS

ASWAD conference to bring hundreds of scholars to area next week

Nearly 1,000 people from 30 different countries are expected in Williamsburg next week for the 10th Biennial Conference of the Association for the Study of the Worldwide Diaspora, or ASWAD. The conference, from Nov. 5 through 9, is being hosted in remembrance of the first enslaved Africans who landed at Point Comfort in Hampton 400 years ago in 1619.

The theme: “Remembrance, Renaissance, Revolution: The Meaning of Freedom in the African World Over Time and Space.”

Scholars from around the globe will present papers at the conference Mr. Reid on a wide range of topics dealing with Africa and the disapora during 400 years. ASWAD’s members have produced pivotal interdisciplinary scholarship that emphasizes black people’s humanity from African antiquity to Afro-futurism and advances the understanding of global black history and culture.

I n t e rnationally renowned scholars Dr. Claud r e n a Harold of the University of Mr. Coates Virginia and Dr. Shani Roper, museum curator at the University of the West Indies, Mona, will be among the keynote speakers at the conference.

Best-selling author Ta-Nehisi Coates also will speak at the conference on Friday, Nov. 8, at the Williamsburg Lodge, while noted actor and filmmaker Tim Reid of Richmond will host ASWA D ’ s inaugural African Diaspora Film FesDr. Vinson tival on Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Williamsburg Lodge.

A choreopoem, “Dance of the Orcas,” written by Omiyemi Artisia Green, associate professor of theatre and Africana studies at the College of William & Mary; choreographed

by Ann Mazzocca Bellecci; and featuring music arranged and performed by Alagbara, will be presented.

Conference participants also will go on excursions to Port Comfort in Hampton, where the first Africans arrived in 1619, and to African-American historic sites in Richmond.

During the Richmond tour, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will host performances

by William & Mary dance professor Leah Glenn of the Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, with guest artists Chloe Abel, Janine Beckles and Christopher Page Sanders.

“The ASWAD 2019 conference tells our stories of suffering and sorrow forged in the crucible of slavery, racial capitalism, colonialism and white supremacy, but especially our revolutionary ideals of full freedom by any means necessary to make this world anew, said Dr. Robert Trent Vinson, the 2019 ASWAD conference leader and the Frances L. and Edwin L. Cummings Professor of History and Africana Studies

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at William & Mary.

“In this pivotal moment, as the current occupant of the White House merely exemplifies borderless misogynistic,

xenophobic, and religiously intolerant white supremacy, ASWAD 2019 will tell our stories of revolutionary black radical traditions that have

defined the past, present and future meanings of freedom in the African World.”

The conference is sponsored in part by William & Mary and is a

She’s confident, curious and poised for extraordinary growth.

For this girl, a girl-centered education is making a world of difference.

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signature event of 2019American Evolution, the umbrella group of Virginia’s 400th anniversary commemoration events.

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Richmond Free Press

October 31-November 2, 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

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Richmond Free Press Editorial Page

October 31-November 2, 2019

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Pumpkins in North Side

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Free Press endorsements for 2019 Virginia elections Tuesday, Nov. 5, is Election Day. Across the state, Virginians will go to the polls to elect members of the General Assembly. All 140 seats in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates are up for election.

Additionally, important local contests will be decided on Election Day. In the city of Richmond, that includes the 5th District Richmond City Council representative, the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney and clerk of Richmond Circuit Court.

In Henrico and Chesterfield counties, voters also will select a sheriff and members of the board of supervisors and school board.

The upcoming legislative contests will be critical in Virginia because Republicans hold a slim two-vote majority in both the Senate and the House of Delegates. At current count, Republicans hold a 20-19 edge over Democrats in the Senate, and a 51-48 edge in the House, with one vacancy in each chamber.

The election could very well change the balance of power in the Virginia Legislature and help the commonwealth forge a more progressive path with laws that will better benefit the people, including common sense gun laws, raising the minimum wage and ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment.

We saw what a shift toward more progressive policies would mean in Virginia following the November 2017 election, when Democrats picked up 15 seats in the House, resulting in the current count. Republicans were forced to back Medicaid expansion, which Democrats had unsuccessfully sought for several years. Because of that change, about 300,000 previously uninsured Virginians now have health care coverage.

In Richmond, a new 5th District City Council member has the potential to determine whether millions of dollars in taxpayer money will be tied up for the next 30 years in a Coliseum replacement and Downtown redevelopment plan, or whether public schools and other vital services will take priority.

“Every election is determined by the people who show up,” political analyst Larry J. Sabato of the University of Virginia has said.

The Richmond Free Press believes that our vote is our power. And we hope that Richmond area voters will turn out to the polls in strong numbers on Nov. 5 to continue the wave of progress in Virginia and to keep the focus on public schools and other critical priorities in our city.

After careful consideration, we endorse the following candidates: Richmond City Council 5th District We are invigorated by interest shown in the 5th District City Council race, which has drawn seven interesting and viable candidates seeking to serve the remainder of Councilman Parker C. Agelasto’s term through December 2020.

We endorse Stephanie Lynch in the contest.

While Ms. Lynch is a political newcomer, we believe she has the energy, skill and commitment to make a difference not only in the 5th District, but for the city as a whole.

A social worker by training, Ms. Lynch has experience working with people with great needs and understanding the critical role of government and government funding in serving and making a difference in the lives of people.

As director of strategy, development and government affairs at an agency that provides an array of services to those with mental health and developmental disabilities, she also understands budgets, competing priorities, quality service delivery, coalition building and the importance of transparency, all of which are key to serving successfully on City Council.

She is committed to expanding funding for Richmond Public Schools to address equity issues such as a new George Wythe High School and programs to give students options and skill sets for success after graduation; helping to ensure that public housing residents and “legacy” homeowners in Richmond neighborhoods aren’t displaced; and expanding public transit service so that Richmond residents can get to jobs in the counties.

Ms. Lynch also noted that should a vote on the Coliseum replacement project be taken today, she would vote against it because of the long-term indebtedness it would bring to city taxpayers and because a public survey she has taken shows a majority of those she would represent on City Council are opposed to it.

She also believes the Confederate monuments in Richmond are not “beacons and symbols we want” for our city, and should be removed.

While the term of the next 5th District council representative would be only 13 months, we believe Ms. Lynch has the ability to make a positive impact during that short time. We also hope that she would add to her advisory team Henry W. “Chuck” Richardson, whose institutional knowledge and intrepid style would be an asset in moving the city forward.

Virginia Senate We endorse veteran lawmaker Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan, a Democrat from Richmond, for re-election in the 9th Senate District. She has done a solid job in representing her constituents since 2017 and, before that, during her tenure in the House of Delegates, beginning in 2006. She has been stalwart in her support for voting rights, for equal rights for the LGBTQ community, for women’s rights to make their own decisions about their reproductive health and to increase funding for public education and higher education.

Her service on various legislative commissions, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, the Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument and the Virginia Conflicts of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council have produced tangible, but often unnoticed results. She is vice chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and has contributed much to advance initiatives and legislation important to our community.

In the 10th Senate District, we endorse Democrat Ghazala F. Hashmi. Dr. Hashmi is a long-time educator who understands the myriad of issues facing public education, both secondary education and our state’s public colleges and universities. She can lend her voice to workable solutions on those issues, including fighting for more funding. She also backs stronger gun safety laws, including universal background checks for all gun purchases and limiting the number of firearms purchases in a month. Her opponent, GOP incumbent Sen. Glen H. Sturtevant Jr., has voted against those measures. He also

received a 0 percent rating by NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia on women’s reproductive health issues. We would like to see a more progressive person representing the district. Dr. Hashmi is our choice.

In the 12th Senate District, we urge voters to cast their ballots for Democrat Debra H. Rodman of Henrico, who has stepped down from the House of Delegates to take on incumbent GOP Sen. Siobhan S. Dunnavant. In the House since 2017, Ms. Rodman has backed many of the issues we feel are critical for progress in Virginia, including Medicaid expansion. She was chief sponsor of bills to expand voting rights, to raise the sub-minimum wage for tipped employees like servers and busboys to more than the current $2.13 an hour and expand mental health instruction to all grade levels that offer health classes. She also has been a strong supporter of women’s reproductive health rights and LGBTQ rights. Her election would help turn the Senate blue, and her voice and vote would help make a difference for the people in her district and across the commonwealth.

In the 16th Senate District, we support Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey, a Democrat, over independent candidate Waylin K. Ross for this open seat that was held by Sen. Rosalyn Dance of Petersburg. Mr. Morrissey defeated Sen. Dance in the June Democratic primary. While we don’t agree with Mr. Morrissey’s personal choices, he stands up for his constituents, who show they value him despite his numerous past legal and professional ethics troubles.

House of Delegates Area races for the House of Delegates don’t hold a lot of interest or urgency, with many of the candidates uncontested. Still, we urge voters to go to the polls on Tuesday and support the following candidates: We endorse Democrat Sheila C. Bynum-Coleman, a Democrat, in the 66th House District. She is taking on the powerful House speaker, Republican M. Kirkland “Kirk” Cox of Colonial Heights. When we first met Ms. Bynum-Coleman in 2015 during her initial bid for office, we believed she would be a breath of fresh air, bringing new ideas and energy to the House. That is still the case. And we hope that she can garner the votes to defeat Speaker Cox, who has been a roadblock to state progress long enough.

Incumbent Delegates Betsy B. Carr, Delores L. McQuinn and Lamont Bagby, in the 69th, 70th and 74th districts, respectively. They are running unopposed, but still deserve an affirmative vote on Tuesday to reinforce that we expect them to push progressive legislation in the upcoming General Assembly, including gun safety laws and increased state funding for public schools. For the same reason, we also endorse Democratic Delegate Jeffrey M. Bourne, 71st District, who has a perfunctory challenger in Libertarian candidate Peter J. Wells.

As chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Del. Bagby did an admirable job earlier this year under the national spotlight focused on Virginia’s political scandals. He and caucus members walked a delicate tightrope with integrity.

Local elections City of Richmond Commonwealth’s attorney We support Colette W. McEachin, who is running unopposed. Ms. McEachin has more than 20 years of experience in the office and was named by former Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring to take over the job as top prosecutor when he stepped down on July 1. She knows the ropes, knows what the city needs and we believe she will do the job with fairness and integrity.

Clerk of circuit court We support Edward F. Jewett, who is running unopposed. He has done a solid job as clerk of the court for many years and strives to serve not only the members of the legal community who depend on the office, but the citizens who may not be as familiar with the court’s workings and proceedings.

Henrico County Board of Supervisors We endorse the re-election of board Chairman Tyrone E. Nelson of the Varina District and board member Frank J. Thornton of the Fairfield District. Serving on the board together for many years now, Rev. Nelson and Mr. Thornton have worked to alleviate the inequity in funding, facilities and services that was impeding the strength and vitality of Eastern Henrico. Because of their efforts, we are now seeing positive changes in Eastern Henrico, including new library and recreation facilities, more retail growth and expanding job opportunities.

We also are seeing more attention paid to the needs of

public schools in that area of the county, including plans for a new Highland Springs High School. We believe re-electing the dynamic duo will help continue this path of progress so needed in Eastern Henrico.

Sheriff We endorse Col. Alisa A. Gregory. She has many years of experience in the office, rising through the ranks to become undersheriff to Sheriff Mike Wade, who is retiring. Col. Gregory would be able to continue the progress and momentum built under Sheriff Wade, who endorsed her in this three-way contest. That speaks volumes because Sheriff Wade, a loyal Republican, stepped outside of party boundaries to endorse Col. Gregory, a Democrat. That shows the confidence he has in her skills and abilities to keep the Henrico Sheriff’s Office moving forward. We believe she will build on the innovative and solution-oriented programs Sheriff Wade has instituted in the county, including the RISE and ORBIT programs to help offenders kick addictions and become ready for successful re-entry into the community.

School Board We endorse the Rev. Roscoe D. Cooper III for reelection in the Fairfield District. He has helped bring attention to and moves toward equity for schools in Eastern Henrico. We believe that having another person of color on the Henrico School Board will double those efforts, and we are pleased to see that four African-American women have stepped up as candidates in the Varina District. We support Joyce L. Davis for the seat. While the decision was difficult, we believe that Ms. Davis’ background and experience as a former teacher, policy

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analyst and adviser, owner of a tutoring services company and work as a juvenile probation officer give her a clear understanding of the horrible school-to-prison pipeline that has drowned many children of color in the area. With that knowledge, she can help bring ideas to reform and break the cycle. She has been active within Henrico County Public Schools and has served on the strategic plan subcommittee, which gives her a leg up on understanding the process and what is needed to affect change. Because of the range of needs of youths in the Varina District, we believe the district needs a strong advocate who can be effective when it comes to programs, policies and funding. We think Ms. Davis will do a solid job in this critical role to help students and their families.

Commonwealth’s attorney We endorse incumbent Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon L. Taylor for re-election. We believe she has run the office fairly and with transparency, supporting several criminal justice reforms including emphasizing treatment and not jail for nonviolent offenders with drug addictions. We are skeptical about the broad allegations of unfairness raised by her Republican challenger C. Owen Inge Conway about special treatment for certain offenders, and point out that Ms. Taylor returned the contribution to her campaign that was made by a defendant with an active case in Henrico once she discovered it. Ms. Taylor also has been working with school and community groups to turn off the school-to-prison pipeline and supports gun safety legislation, including universal background checks for all gun purchases that will help reduce gun violence.

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Richmond Free Press

Letter to the Editor

FREE RIDES TO VOTE

Crusade’s candidate for 5th The Richmond Crusade for Voters is proud of its heritage rich with the tradition of supporting candidates whose primary interest is eliminating injustices, creation of equality and providing a voice for the downtrodden, disabled and disaffected citizens in our community.

We do not take our responsibilities lightly and take careful consideration in our evaluation process, interviewing each candidate and making a close assessment of their qualifications as well as their concerns.

When evaluating candidates for the 5th District City Council seat, we considered experience the most important criteria for a number of reasons. This candidate in this special election should become an asset to the City Council, capable of making a contribution to the myriad of issues currently confronting the city.

That being said, the candidate elected should be knowledgeable about budgets, finance, bonds, planning, development, ordinances, special use permits and legal issues.

This is not a time to put a person in office for on-the-job training in matters that will affect the city and its residents.

The issues are regarding

our deteriorating schools, the all-important Downtown development project costing $1.5 billion and the increasing culture of nepotism and cronyism that appears to be infecting our administrative ranks at its highest level. Riverfront developments, burial ground issues, gentrification, the pending razing of public housing developments without plans for affordable housing for the low-income residents — all must be considered when selecting the next 5th District council representative because that person will not just serve the 5th District, but will make decisions affecting all voters in the city of Richmond.

A number of candidates have no experience in government administration, policy making or leadership. The next individual who occupies this council seat should be able to hit the ground running, be an independent voice for the people of the 5th District, understanding how to best serve their needs with no allegiances or attachments to any individuals or groups beyond the citizens of the 5th District.

It is clear to us that after careful consideration the Research Committee of the Crusade for Voters, hav-

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October 31-November 2, 2019

ing conducted individual interviews, public forums and background evaluations, that former City Councilman Chuck Richardson stands head and shoulders above the lot of contenders. His previous nine consecutive terms on council offers him the experience necessary to grasp the complexities of the machinations in city government and the proposed Downtown development project to prevent the city from making mistakes that other candidates have yet to recognize.

We received his list of past achievements and they represent a demonstrated record of solid performance and a conscientious councilman capable of attending to his district’s problems as well as citywide issues. Mr. Richardson’s previous abilities to navigate the city around difficult funding dilemmas, such as the parking decks in Carytown and the redesign of the Convention Center, is clear evidence of his ability to think outside the box and get things done.

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The School Board of the City of Richmond has scheduled a meeting to receive public comment on the naming of the new Middle School on Hull Street. The hearing will convene on Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 pm. at Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School, 7825 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23225.

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For information regarding the Public Hearings, please contact Dr. Shadae Harris, Chief Engagement Officer, at 780-7845.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the Clerk of the School Board no later than three (3) business days prior to the meeting at (804) 780-7716. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency by calling the Americans with Disabilities Act Office TTY Relay Center at 711.

Angela C. Wilson Clerk

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A10 October 31-November 2, 2019

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Stories by Fred Jeter

CIAA hopes fading for VUU and VSU Northern Division standings

Anthony Hylton

Virginia Union University’s Charles Hall heads down the field in last Saturday’s game against the Bowie State Bulldogs. Despite the Panthers’ ultimate loss, Hall had a good day, catching three passes for 99 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown catch.

Salem Stadium, site of the CIAA Championship game on Nov. 16 in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, is looking much farther away now for Virginia Union and Virginia State universities.

The window of opportunity has just about closed for both CIAA members following last Saturday’s gridiron results.

After getting mauled at Bowie State University 52-17, VUU’s chances of capturing a CIAA Northern Division title and heading to Salem all but vanished.

Meanwhile, despite a 33-5 victory at hapless Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, the VSU Trojans also all but fell out of the chase for the crown.

VSU was relying on a Panthers victory against Bowie State to possibly force a three-way tie at the top for the division title.

For either VUU or VSU to surpass the Bowie State Bulldogs, the Bulldogs — now with a head-to-head tie-breakers advantage — would have to close with highly unlikely losses against Lincoln and Chowan University.

Still, there is much on line for VUU Coach Alvin Parker’s Panthers and VSU Coach Reggie Barlow’s Trojans.

Both squads have the chance to finish strong and feel good about their seasons.

VUU will entertain Elizabeth City State University this Saturday, Nov. 2, at Hovey Field, while VSU travels to Chowan University.

Then on Saturday, Nov. 9, VUU will travel to VSU and Rogers Stadium in Ettrick for what amounts to the “8-2 Bowl.”

Each squad could finish a flashy 8-2 with a pair of closing victories.

VUU’s five-game winning streak was snapped at Bowie State

CIAA Overall

Bowie State University

5-0

8-0

Virginia Union University

4-1

6-2

Virginia State University

4-1

6-2

Elizabeth City State University 2-4

2-6

Chowan University

1-4

2-6

Lincoln University

0-5

0-8

largely because the Panthers were unable to contain the Bulldogs’ quarterback, Ja’rome Johnson.

Johnson, a D.C. native, passed for 395 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Panthers quarterback Khalid Morris was picked off three times.

The Panthers’ Tabyus Taylor ran for 79 yards and Charles Hall caught passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. A sophomore from New Jersey, Hall has enjoyed a dazzling season, certainly worthy of CIAA and perhaps national honors.

Hall now has 28 catches, good for 754 yards and 10 touchdowns.

His mostly long-distance receptions have averaged 27 yards.

Both of VUU’s losses have come to opponents ranked in the NCAA Division II — No. 7 ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University and No. 15 Bowie State, based on the most recent poll.

Also VUU owns a noteworthy victory over FCS Hampton University.

The Panthers have a chance to put back-to-back 8-2 seasons together with two more wins.

VSU has won six of its last seven games, with the lone loss to Bowie State. The Trojans’ other setback was in its opener against FCS Norfolk State University.

Resting starter Cordelral Cook, the Trojans played at Lincoln with quarterback Jordan Davis, a freshman from Hylton High School in Woodbridge.

Zion Johnson, also from Hylton High, led a vicious VSU defense that sacked Lincoln’s quarterback on 15 occasions.

Johnson had six tackles.

A very slight chance remains that VUU or VSU could be

Bill Rudlick

Lincoln University’s Deontae Brockington makes some headway before being taken down by the Virginia State University defense in last Saturday’s game at the school in Pennsylvania. VSU defeated Lincoln 33-5.

named to the six-team NCAA Super Region 2 playoffs starting Nov. 23. But Panthers’ and Trojans’ fans shouldn’t get their hopes up. VUU was ranked ninth in Region 2 and VSU was not listed at all in the most recent poll.

With the season winding down, it is evident there is a threetier pecking order in the CIAA Northern Division. Lincoln, Chowan and Elizabeth City State occupy the lower tier; VUU and VSU represent the contending tier; and Bowie State stands alone at the top.

VS.

Saturday, Nov. 2 Virginia Union University plays Elizabeth City State University at home, Hovey Field. Kickoff: 1 p.m., Senior Day. Game to be broadcast on WNTW, 92.7 FM. Virginia State University plays Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C. Kickoff: 1 p.m. Game to be broadcast on WVST, 91.3 FM.

VS.

27 people and 2 teams inducted into RPS Athletic Hall of Fame

The Richmond Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame, founded in 2015, continues to grow.

The Hall of Fame was started to recognize graduates, administrators, coaches, staff and volunteers who have made a significant impact on RPS athletics and contributions to their field and/or the community.

A total of 27 RPS alumni and two teams were the latest inductees during a ceremony last Saturday at a Richmond hotel.

Inductees also will be honored later this school year at oncampus basketball games.

“It is an honor to celebrate the rich legacy of RPS athletics,” said Stefanie Ramsey, RPS’ coordinator of health and physical education and athletics. “Each of these outstanding athletes represent the best in RPS and in their own lives and communities.”

RPS Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Armstrong High School Adolph Powell – basketball, football, track; Sallie Elam – tennis; Denise Winn – basketball; Alexander Coles III – basketball, track; Richmond Sheriff Antionette V. Irving – basketball; 1964 boys basketball team, VIA champions and national runner-up George Wythe High School Alvester Wayne Tucker – football, basketball, track; Charles Cooke – football, track; Sylvia Bragg, basketball; Terry Gordon Allen – hockey, basketball, tennis Huguenot High School Stuart Holt – wrestling; Kevin Cousins – track; April Robinson – basketball; Coach Cindy Cain – basketball and hockey coach

John Marshall High School Larry Watts – football, basketball, baseball; Raymond Dark – baseball; Arrington Jones – football, basketball, baseball; Fletcher Johnson – basketball; Edwin “Ted” Filer – football; Robert Pate – football Maggie L. Walker High School Cheryl Elder – basketball; Coach John Collins – football, wrestling and track coach; Will Roberts – baseball; 1965-66 championship football team Thomas Jefferson High School Otis Fulton – basketball; Frank Sanyour – football; Laurita Harris Portee – track; Delbert Montague – football, basketball; Sandra “Sandee” Smith, track.

NFL Hall of Famer Willie Brown dies at 78 Willie Brown, a headline performer for two of professional football’s iconic dynasties, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, at age 78 in Tracy, Calif.

The brilliant defensive cornerback was a main cog in the Oakland Raiders’ long-standing AFL and NFL success in the 1960s and 1970s.

And before that, he was a marquee performer for HBCU powerhouse Grambling State University in Louisiana under Coach Eddie Robinson.

Mr. Brown was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1984, his first year of eligibility. He was a native of Yazoo City, Miss., where he graduated from segregated N.D. Taylor High School.

Though udrafted coming out of Grambling, he finished his NFL career with 54 interceptions and was considered a master of the bump-and-run coverage. He returned his interceptions for a total of 472 yards.

In 1964, he picked off four passes in a single game against the New York Jets.

He was named to four NFL Pro Bowls and, before that, to five AFL All-Star teams, prior to the AFL-NFL merger.

He served as defensive captain 10 of his 12 seasons with the Raiders.

Mr. Brown played during a golden era of football at Grambling. He is one of four former Tigers to play under Coach Raobinson to make the NFL Hall of Fame during the same general timeframe. Others were defensive linemen Buck Buchanan and Willie Davis and receiver Charlie Joiner.

Mr. Brown is perhaps best remembered for his Super Bowl interception and return against the Minnesota Vikings in January 1977.

After picking off a pass from Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton, Mr. Brown raced 75-yards for a decisive touchdown in the Raiders’ 32-14 victory.

While Mr. Brown was with Oakland, the Raiders won six NFL West titles in seven years.

He also was part of two Raiders’ Super Bowl titles as an assistant coach. He later was head coach in 1991 at California State University Long Beach and at Jordan High School in Los Angeles in 1994.

Mr. Brown was selected to the AFL All-Time Team and as one of the “NFL’s 100 Greatest Players” by Sporting News.

October 31-November 2, 2019 B1

Richmond Free Press

Section

B

✩✮ Special Election Section ✮✩

140 seats Stakes high for Tuesday’s General Assembly races

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The future direction of Virginia will be on the line when voters in Richmond and across the state go to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 5, to elect a new legislature.

Along with local races, including one for the 5th District City Council seat in Richmond, ordinary citizens will vote to fill 140 General Assembly seats — 100 seats in the House of Delegates and 40 in the state Senate. The outcome will decide which political party, Democrats or Republicans, will hold the majority in each chamber and control policy making and state spending.

Richmond voters will play a role. The city is now cut into eight House districts, with significant contests in four.

The city also is split into three Senate districts, with a major contest in the 10th District that covers The Fan and other western portions on both sides of the river.

The selection of the winners — and majority control — is expected to directly affect people’s lives in areas where the two parties generally are diametrically opposed. That includes whether Virginia’s $7.25 minimum wage should be increased, whether gun control laws are approved and whether a constitutional amendment providing equal rights for women is passed. Also at stake are control of the state budget, election of judges and policies regarding health care and spending on public education.

As has been the case since at least 2011, Republicans control both the House and Senate, although with only slender majorities after a 2017 surge in Democratic House wins. At this moment, the GOP holds a 51-48 edge over Democrats in the House, with one vacancy, and a 20-19 edge in the Senate, with one vacancy.

Heading into the election, public records suggest Democrats are ahead in fundraising for candidates and in popular opinion, with recent polls suggesting more people are enthusiastic about the Democratic Party’s candidates.

But only the balloting will determine if such polls are accurate.

Should Democrats win enough seats to capture both houses, it would build on the momentum from 2017 when the party’s candidates captured all three top statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

nicholas da silva

stephanie lynch

It could also usher in what some are calling a “new Virginia.”

For workers, GOP majorities have meant a blockade against any state increase in the $7.25 minimum wage that has been in place since 2009, despite Democratic efforts and overwhelming public support for a hike to as high as $15 an hour, according to published polls.

The Republican majority in the House also has stood in the way of Virginia becoming the 38th and final state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to constitutionally ensure women are on equal legal footing with men.

And in an era when mass shootings have become almost a weekly occurrence, the Virginia legislature in GOP hands has become the place where gun control bills go to die, a key reason the National Rifle Association is spending lavishly to support Republican candidates in the commonwealth.

A Democratic majority would have the votes to pass many of the gun laws polls show the majority of the public supports. Those include universal background checks for all gun buyers, red flag authority to confiscate weapons from the mentally disturbed, bans on high-capacity ammunition magazines, restoration of local authority to ban guns from libraries, parks and other public places and to limit handgun sales to one gun a month.

In general, Democrats are hammering three issues in seeking to attract voters to their candidates — health care, education and gun safety — and citing opponents’ records to show the difference.

Republicans, in an effort to defend their majority, are pushing those issues as well, but also are demonizing their Democratic opponents as “radical socialists” in a bid to frighten voters into supporting GOP candidates.

Key races in the Richmond area include the high-profile contest between the top House Republican, Speaker Kirk Cox, who is facing a challenge from Democrat Sheila Bynum-Coleman in the revamped 66th House District.

The district, which mostly encompasses Chesterfield County and Colonial Heights, includes one city precinct in South Side.

Two other attention-getting races involve Richmond residents living in the 68th House District and the 10th

jer’mykeal mccoy

robin mines

Senate District.

In the 68th House District, Democratic Delegate Dawn Adams, who won an upset two years ago over Republican Delegate Manoli Loupassi, is seeking to hold the seat against Garrison Coward, an African-American Republican challenger.

Meanwhile, in the 10th Senate District, incumbent Republican Glen Sturtevant Jr., a former Richmond School Board member, is facing a challenge by Democrat Ghazala Hashmi, founding director for the Center on Teaching Excellence at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

Another hot contest in which some Richmond voters will participate is the 27th House District, where incumbent Republican Roxann Robinson is facing a challenge from Democrat Larry Barnett. The district, which lies mostly in Chesterfield County, includes two Richmond voting precincts.

Voters in five Richmond precincts are in the 73rd House District where Republican Mary Margaret Kastelberg and Democrat Rodney T. Willett are battling to replace firstterm Democratic Delegate Debra Rodman.

Delegate Rodman stepped down to run for the 12th District Senate seat in Henrico and Hanover counties, where she is seeking to unseat first-term Republican incumbent Siobhan Dunnavant.

In several Richmond legislative districts, the outcome has largely been determined. For example, three Democratic House members, Delegates Lamont Bagby, 74th District; Betsy B. Carr, 69th District; and Delores L. McQuinn, 70th District, are unchallenged in this election.

And in the 71st House District, incumbent Delegate Jeff M. Bourne is facing only a minimal challenge from Libertarian Party candidate Peter J. Wells.

The contests also have been minimal in two of Richmond’s three state Senate Districts.

In the 9th Senate District, incumbent Democratic Sen. Jennifer McClellan is expected to have plenty of voter support to fend off Libertarian Party challenger Mark Lewis.

And in the 16th Senate District, Democrat Joseph “Joe” Morrissey, who upset incumbent Rosalyn R. Dance in a June party primary, also has faced a relatively minimal challenge from independent candidate Waylin Ross.

henry w. ‘chuck’ richardson

mamie taylor

thaddeus ‘thad’ williamson

7 candidates vying for the 5th District City Council seat

By George Copeland Jr.

When Richmond City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto steps down from his 5th District seat on Nov. 30, one of seven people will step up to take his place in City Hall, the result of a special election that could impact some of the city’s most pressing issues.

Nicholas Da Silva, Stephanie Lynch, Jer’Mykeal D. McCoy, the Rev. Robin D. Mines, Henry W. “Chuck” Richardson, Mamie L. Taylor and Dr. Thaddeus “Thad” Williamson are vying to complete the rest of Mr. Agelasto’s term on City Council through December 2020.

An eighth person, Graham Sturm, started out in the race, but dropped out on Oct. 11, saying that he had met his campaign goal of pushing “the conversation towards education.”

Mr. Agelasto is stepping down after reaching an agreement with former Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Herring after it was disclosed that Mr. Agelasto no longer lives in the 5th District.

The race has been one of the most important for Richmonders, particular residents of the 5th District, with multiple candidate forums held throughout the city, hosted and supported by a suite of political organizations and community groups.

The race also has attracted donors.

The Virginia Public Access Project shows Dr. Williamson leading the candidates in fundraising with $22,553 as of Sept. 30, followed by Ms. Lynch at $22,421.

The race hasn’t been lacking for big ideas and big promises from candidates, where their answers to even simple yes or no questions during forums could possibly forecast a shift in city policy and the city’s future. Many of the forums focused on the candidates’ support or opposition to the $1.5 billion Richmond Coliseum and Downtown redevelopment project proposed by the Navy Hill Development Corp. and backed by Mayor Levar M. Stoney.

Other topics of discussion have centered on education and schools, transportation, gentrification and greater public input on various issues.

Mr. Da Silva, a recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, activist and Democratic Socialist, has positioned himself as a voice and advocate for the city’s working class, and as someone independent from the institutions, businesses and companies that have shaped the city for years.

He cites the violent and deadly white supremacist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville in 2017 in which Heather Heyer was killed by a white nationalist who drove into the crowd of counterprotesters as a critical moment in his choice to pursue politics. Mr. Da Silva was in the crowd and just feet from the car.

His platform promises to bring “a radical new approach to taxation and redistribution in our city” to ensure schools, teachers and students have full funding support. He also has called for greater accountability for the actions and policies of police through a civilian review board, influenced in part by the fatal police shooting of Marcus-David Peters in Richmond in May 2018. He also is calling for universal public transportation to improve traffic and food access, and greater compensation for working class residents through tax relief.

Ms. Lynch, who has worked for several years as a social worker and is now director of strategy, development and government affairs with a social services agency, seeks to fulfill the “progress left to be made” for Richmond Public Schools, public transportation, infrastructure, and other areas of city government.

Along with supporting measures that address gun violence and promote green development, she has promised greater transparency in city government to increase public trust. Ms. Lynch also advocates securing more state funding for city schools and pledged to work with local agencies and people within the community if

elected.

Mr. McCoy believes that “as our city grows, everyone should have the opportunity to grow with it.” He has worked with several community organizations, including serving as president of the Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals.

To reach the goal of expanding opportunity for all, his platform pledges to ensure safe and affordable housing for Richmond residents through collaboration with local builders and advocates, partnerships with businesses, colleges and trade schools that will grow, expand and support the city’s workforce, and full investment in Richmond Public Schools, from their buildings to their teachers and their students.

Rev. Mines has experienced some of the worst of racial unrest in the city. When she was growing up in the 5th District, the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross on the lawn of her family’s home.

The disabled Air Force veteran now serves as associate minister at Hood Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Jackson Ward.

During her campaign, she has focused on community, communication and collaboration among citizens, religious denominations and racial groups. She has advocated for mixedincome housing, improving school safety, raising teacher salaries above the national average and creating more connections with the city’s Latino community, among other initiatives. Rev. Mines also has called for greater public involvement in city schools, regardless of whether or not people have children, including creating community schools that would have education and programs for all ages.

Mr. Richardson served as the 5th District City Council representative from 1977 to 1995. He has been open about his intention to not run for a full term on council beyond serving out the remainder of Mr. Agelasto’s term. He said he ran because none of the other candidates believed it was wrong for Mr. Agelasto to remain on City Council while not living in the district. He filed

suit to have Mr. Agelasto removed from office and has focused his campaign on “accountable representation.”

He has called for citizen-centered policies, from residency requirements for police officers to public transportation catering to any and all passengers. On the campaign trail, he frequently has cited his record as a councilmember as evidence of his honesty as a politician, his ability to hold city officials accountable and his commitment to Richmond at large and to the 5th District specifically.

Ms. Taylor, a former RPS teacher and Richmond School Board member, has also cited her accomplishments in her various roles while promising to bring more equity to issues in the city. She has promised more transparency for city government, having city agencies operate more for the public good, as well as greater access to and knowledge of the city’s processes, all part of ensuring a better Richmond government for citizens.

She also advocates for more watchful spending in the city so that early indications of a surplus can allow money to be redirected to schools. She said the same push for investment in the Navy Hill project should be made toward investment in city schools.

Dr. Williamson is familiar with the inner workings of City Hall, having served as a senior policy adviser to Mayor Levar M. Stoney.

In that role, Dr. Williamson helped develop the Richmond Education Compact, creating an agenda for schools that public and private officials can rally around.

He has made addressing economic disparity one of his platform priorities, noting that more must be done to connect the unemployed with jobs. He has called for more intentional pipelines to be created by area hospitals and universities to train and employ RPS students and city residents.

He also has called for a thorough review within RPS to determine what needs to be funded and what needs to be eliminated.

B2 October 31-November 2, 2019

Richmond Free Press

✮ Local Elections 2019 ✮

Q&A

Candidates ask for support and address issues for City Council’s 5th District Nicholas Da Silva

Jer’Mykeal D. McCoy

HENRY ‘Chuck’ Richardson

Thaddeus ‘Thad’ Williamson

Address: Winder Street, Richmond, Va. 23220 Age: 21 Education: Bachelor’s in political science with a concentration in public policy and administration, Virginia Commonwealth University Occupation: Delivery driver Civic/Community Activities: Community organizing with the Richmond Democratic Socialists of America Email: nick@dasilvaforcouncil.com Telephone: (540) 848-3771 Website: dasilvaforcouncil.com

Address: 34 E. 32nd St., Richmond, Va. 23224 Age: 28 Education: Bachlor of arts with honors, Tennessee State University; master’s in professional studies, Georgetown University Occupation: Business development manager, Schutt Sports; Capstone adviser, Georgetown University Civic/Community Activities: President, Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals Email: staff@mccoyforrva.com Telephone: (804) 833-0078 Website: McCoyForRVA.com

Address: 906 Blanton Ave., Richmond, Va. 23221 Age: 71 Education: Virginia Union University; Virginia Commonwealth University, graduated Urban and Regional Planning Occupation: Retired planning consultant and real estate sales Civic/Community Activities: President/cofounder, National Organization of Rehabilitated Offender; co-founder, Maynard H. Jackson 501c3 nonprofit – restoration of rights and felony opposition organization Email: chuckforthe5th@gmail.com

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: I represent a fresh perspective and the energy to move Richmond forward. Our city is growing for the first time in 50 years and Richmonders need a candidate that is invested in the city’s future. Nothing is more important than empowering my fellow Richmonders. I will fight for working people over the powers that be, small businesses over corporations and public schools students over politics as usual. As an academic, businessperson and policy adviser, I have the experience and firsthand knowledge to advocate for the 5th District.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? They are the same issues facing our entire city — the alarming state of Richmond Public Schools and lack of economic mobility. I applaud the efforts of Superintendent Jason Kamras and the School Board to reform and repair the administrative culture. There is certainly more work to do, but I am tentatively confident that we are on the right track. Ensuring that RPS is fully funded and equipped with the resources it needs to serve every child in a safe and nurturing environment is a prerequisite for any meaningful change in our community.

I am committing to fully funding RPS every budget year.

How I plan to address those issues: I’ve identified three main focus points to address the issue of concentrated poverty in Richmond.

First is a strong commitment to RPS. If our children are not prepared to enter a competitive economy, our underserved neighborhoods will continue to struggle. Second is a centralized workforce development initiative that coordinates the efforts of all city departments. I will lead partnerships with businesses, trade schools and colleges to guarantee Richmonders have the opportunity and the skill certifications to earn a decent living. I would advocate for a renewed commitment to workforce development. I have seen the impact it can have on a community when done right.

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: My proven record of 20 years of trusted service on City Council as one of the most reliable, effective and knowledgeable members ever elected. My prior experience and institutional knowledge in the processes and machinations of City Hall has equipped me to hit the ground running with an understanding of budgeting, financial planning and bonding procedures necessary to help protect the city from major mistakes such as the latest development proposal. I possess the boldness to stand up to the apparatus of City Hall’s administrative monstrosity. They should vote for someone with an independent voice who is not attached to the mayor’s apparatus.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The ongoing priority during my two decades of prior service was education and should always remain at the top of governmental attention. The undergirding issues that affect this priority and other city concerns, however, are racial bias, the opioid epidemic and the culture of nepotism and cronyism that currently detracts from our abilities to fairly address other issues, which is becoming an overriding obstacle that the City Council needs to address. The racial disparities in contracts, employment opportunities and education continue to be the catalyst for impoverished conditions, crime and other socioeconomic disparities.

How I plan to address those issues: I will serve as an accountable representative for the people and speak up on unpopular matters. To address the opioid epidemic, I would recommend the establishment of a University of Crafts to teach drug offenders a trade instead of jail time, provide treatment and then utilize these defendants to meet the city’s deficit trades needs. Regarding race, I would institute a diverse executive exchange program with major corporations using private sector executives as loaners to help train our employees in technology and industry standards to keep pace with current practices and develop a workforce able to compete with the global market.

Address: 2316 Maplewood Ave., Richmond, Va. 23220 Age: 49 Education: Bachelor’s degree, Brown University, 1992; master’s in religion, Union Theological Seminary in New York, 1998; doctorate in political science, Harvard University, 2004.

Occupation: Associate professor of leadership studies and philosophy, politics, economics and law, University of Richmond.

Civic/Community Activities: Author of Mayor’s Anti-Poverty Commission Report (2011-13) and first director of city’s Office of Community Wealth Building (2014-16).

Email: thad.williamson@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 241-0625 Website: ThadForRva.com

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: For too long the status quo in Richmond has supported big business and monied interests, preventing the community’s voice from being heard. We’ve knocked on every door in the district during the course of our campaign and we’ve heard from thousands of people who feel alienated from the local government and feel they can’t have an impact. We’re here to change that. I am the only candidate who will work full time in office, knock on every door in the district until everyone’s voice is heard and push to create lasting accountability by ensuring the community has power to shape policy.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The greatest challenge is the economic disparity a quarter of our residents face daily. Twenty-five percent of our population lives in poverty while we have underfunded city services. This year, thousands of residents will be evicted from their homes and thousands more kicked out of public housing. We need to prioritize unheard voices by meeting people where they are and funding services through progressive and corporate taxation. Our schools need more attention and until they receive increased funding from the city and state governments, we won’t be able to give our students the resources they need to thrive.

How I plan to address those issues: The lack of funding for necessities of life is the most relevant issue for residents. When people spend hours trying to get to work, can’t easily access healthy food and worry about whether they will be evicted, they can’t possibly live a happy and fulfilled life. We need to prioritize funding for public transportation, schools and housing through changes in progressive taxation in our real estate taxes and by taxing corporations and developers who take advantage of our city for profit. Furthermore, we need to increase public input for nearly every aspect of decision making.

Stephanie Lynch Address: 700 W. 27th St., Richmond, Va. 23225 Age: 32 Education: Bachelor’s in psychology and gender studies with an African-American studies minor from Virginia Commonwealth University; master’s in social work administration and policy practice, VCU Occupation: Director of strategy, development and government affairs at Good Neighbor Care Civic/Community Activities: Making Men, an organization that offers mentoring to Richmond Public Schools students, and member of the Governor’s School Based Health Center Task Force, which is working to study and further implement school-based health centers in the state Email: electstephanielynch@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 396-4061 Website: electstephanielynch.com

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: I’m committed to achieving structural change in Richmond while making sure we deliver on the basic functions of city government and remain responsive and transparent to the residents of the 5th. I can promise you that I am committed to listening to you and translating your needs and concerns into action. I think that my unique background as a social worker in direct practice, as well as in developing and implementing policy and budgeting at the state level, have enabled me to have the perspective and experience to be an effective advocate for everyone in the 5th District.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district?

Two top issues that I have heard from residents on are ensuring that we have quality K-12 schools for every student in the district, and keeping the cost of living affordable. As a social worker, I’ve seen the impact that a good school and a stable home can have on a person, a family and a community. I’m going to work hard on council to make sure that our schools are fully funded and supported in a way that ensures equity and inclusion, and that every person in the 5th has access to quality, affordable and stable housing.

How I plan to address those issues: I will be a vocal proponent for fully funding costs to provide community, holistic supports in our schools, such as implementing school-based health centers. I will prioritize facilities funding and the rebuilding of George Wythe High School, and I will work toward economic empowerment of families and programs to address issues outside the classroom to improve outcomes for our kids. On housing, I will advocate to increase our affordable housing stock, oppose property tax increases on our vulnerable residents and expand access to initiatives to prevent evictions and keep residents in their homes.

Robin D. Mines Address: 3708 McRand St., Richmond, Va. 23224 Age: 61 Education: Master’s of divinity Occupation: Disabled U.S. Air Force veteran Civic/Community Activities: Vice president, Hull Street/Midlothian Civic Association; Clergy Against Racism Email: robinminesforcouncil@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 304-5918

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: I am a product of the 5th District — born, raised and educated in this district. I grew up playing in all the parks and I have served as a volunteer in this district over the years. I have served with you and fought with you to keep our neighborhoods safe and served to improve our schools and our infrastructure. Now let me fight for you as your representative to make the 5th and RVA a place where every child has life and every resident has dignity.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The top two issues facing the 5th District are low performing schools, which contributes to our crime rate, and our infrastructure, including the preservation of historical land markers, parks and our river.

How I plan to address those issues: Apply the maximum financial support possible to build new schools, upgrade facilities and increase teacher salaries. Support community schools to create parent engagement and support opportunities. Work with the council, the mayor and supporting agencies to address our housing crisis, promote mixed-income housing communities and continue supporting efforts addressing the high eviction rate. Hold agencies such as RMA accountable for maintaining land areas. Promote participatory budgeting.

Work closely with Richmond 300 and those promoting growth on affordable communities and to preserve our natural resources. Ensure requests for services are being addressed in a timely manner and that funding is in place to complete these services.

Mamie l. Taylor Address: 104 Larne Ave., Richmond, Va. 23224 Education: Bachelor’s in mass communications, Virginia Commonwealth University Occupation: Former Richmond Public Schools schoolteacher Civic/Community Activities: Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority public meetings regarding public housing and one-toone housing replacement; Stop the Violence rallies (gun violence) at the Bell Tower and with RPS Email: mamietaylor.mt@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 420-5239 Website: Mamietaylor5th.com

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: I am experienced and effective with established relationships. I’m also transparent, dependable and working for the culture of the city. My institutional knowledge, along with understanding what is required to be effective in this position, motivates and energizes me.

I have a wealth of experience as the previous 5th District School Board representative. I am committed to doing the work full time, while bringing a level of transparency and oversight rarely seen in local government. I’m running for City Council because the people of this great city deserve greater access to opportunity and equity, and I can help with that.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district?

1. Housing: Housing is a human right and everyone in this city deserves the stability a home affords.

2. Public education: For too long, Richmond Public Schools has been neglected as a top line item priority. Divestment from public education affects resident retention, city desirability, but, most importantly, the future and well-being of the youths in the city.

How I plan to address those issues: 1. Housing: I will prioritize the allocation of resources and programs to assist with the special housing needs of seniors, fixed-income families, people with disabilities, city employees, individuals with low incomes, public housing residents and the formerly homeless and incarcerated. I will advocate for more city shelters and improve homeless services, including transportation.

2. Public education: I will prioritize improvements to RPS over costly development projects.

Students come first. It is that simple. My colleagues on City Council and I will follow the city’s spending trends and negotiate a budget that reflects public education as a priority.

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: We need the most qualified and experienced people possible on City Council to tackle our many challenges. In addition to being a recognized policy expert, I have extensive administrative experience in city government, including as the first director of the successful Office of Community Wealth Building, which has helped thousands of Richmond residents through workforce development programs, support in applying to college and more. I have a proven track record in helping people find jobs, supporting education, promoting collaborative partnerships and working to improve the functioning of city government. I have a heart for people.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district?

1. We must dramatically improve schools and reduce poverty in the city. Students experiencing trauma, hunger and housing instability will find it more difficult to focus on learning and achieving in school. About 40 percent of Richmond’s children live in poverty and a large majority of RPS students are economically disadvantaged.

Stabilizing families economically will make it easier for kids to succeed in school.

2. We need to address the glaring inefficiencies and bottlenecks in City Hall that waste resources and make it harder for good work to get done, so citizens in the 5th District can get better services.

How I plan to address those issues: We need to fully fund the RPS strategic plan and accelerate building a new George Wythe High School; support the workforce development work being done by the Office of Community Wealth Building and expand its services into the 5th District; establish a robust citywide housing plan that expands the supply of affordable housing; expand and improve public transportation; and encourage small business, minority business and social enterprise business development. We also need to invest in improving basic operations inside City Hall in areas like human resources and procurement and apply a rigorous performance management plan to all agencies.

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Richmond Free Press The People's Newspaper

Richmond Free Press

October 31-November 2, 2019 B3

✮ Local Elections 2019 ✮

Democrat, Republican and independent candidates looking to fill open Henrico sheriff position

By Ronald E. Carrington

Three candidates are vying to become Henrico County’s next sheriff, succeeding longtime GOP Sheriff Mike Wade, who is stepping down after serving in the position since January 2000.

One candidate may have an inside track. Undersheriff Alisa A. Gregory, a Democrat and Richmond native who grew up Henrico County, started as a deputy in the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office in 1998 and has risen through the ranks to become the highest-ranking female in the Henrico Sheriff’s Office.

Col. Gregory, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Richmond, believes the key factor in progressive leadership

is equal opportunity in recruitment, retention and succession management, especially with female and minority officers in roles of responsibility.

Col. Gregory, who has been endorsed

by Sheriff Wade, has waged a campaign pledging to build on the successful programs started under Sheriff Wade.

To help reduce recidivism, she said she would establish a Faith Advisory Commission to aid the re-entry of offenders into the community and to expand the Henrico Sheriff’s Office’s RISE and ORBIT drug rehab programs, Recovery in a Secure Environment and Opiate Recovery by Intensive Tracking, respectively.

In addition to working with partner agencies to try to reduce jail overcrowding, Col. Gregory said, if elected, she also would set up an advisory

panel to help develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address the needs of female offenders, a growing segment in the jail.

Republican candidate Bob M. Matson, a Henrico Police detective, has served in the Henrico Division of Police since 2003, following seven years with the Albemarle County Police Department. The Virginia Military Institute graduate served in the Army, the Army Reserves and the VirginiaArmy National Guard. He also saw active duty in Iraq, where he earned the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.

Mr. Matson’s top issue is the critical shortage of staff at the jail, which he calls “dangerous and expensive.” He plans to institute better training and retention standards and form a panel to determine the reasons why staff leave

the Henrico Sheriff’s Office.

If elected, Mr. Matson said he would expand drug treatment and alternatives to incarceration to help address the opioid crisis and reduce jail crowding.

Independent candidate J.T. “Tom” Wadkins III, a former undersheriff with the Richmond Sheriff’s Office, has worked in the past with former Richmond Sheriffs Andrew J. Winston, Michelle B. Mitchell and Clarence “C.T.” Woody Jr. During his 10 years with the Richmond Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Wadkins was in charge of development of the computer systems for tracking all inmate-related issues, from bookings, records, court appearances, property, visitation and inmate accounts.

He was instrumental in obtaining two

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Alisa A. Gregory

supplemental pay raises for deputies by working with the city’s administration and was actively involved in getting the city to pay all of the retirement contributions for all constitutional officers, including the sheriff.

Presently, Mr. Wadkins, who has a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, is president for operations and information technology for Vive Life Center.

Mr. Wadkins said, if elected, he plans to continue and enhance the RISE and ORBIT programs to help offenders overcome addiction and substance abuse. He also said he would turn over to the commonwealth many of the state inmates currently at Henrico Jails. He said that would reduce the county’s jail overcrowding by about 20 percent.

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Address: 7330 Staples Mill Road, Suite 294; Henrico, Va. 23228 Age: 49 Education: Graduated from Highland Springs High School; bachelor’s in human resources management with a minor in leadership, University of Richmond; master’s in disaster science, UR Occupation: Undersheriff, Henrico County Sheriff’s Office Civic/Community Activities: Member of Saint Paul’s Baptist Church Creighton Road Campus Email: gregory4sheriff2019@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 404-3241 Website: www.aagregoryforsheriff.com

Voters should support me for Henrico County Sheriff because: I am the only candidate that is “Ready on day one” to step into the role of sheriff of Henrico County. I have dedicated the last 20plus years of my career to acquiring the education and training that has enabled me to be promoted to every supervisory position in the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office from sergeant through my current position as undersheriff. These positions were not given to me. I competed and earned these positions based on my experience, education and leadership abilities.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the sheriff’s office? The top two issues facing the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office are jail overcrowding and the number of inmates struggling with mental illness. Safe and unique approaches and strategies must be utilized to reverse the trends of persons who experience longer incarcerations than other inmates because of their active addiction or serious mental illness. These types of incarcerations require evaluation of behaviors or time to restore mental competency, which leads to more days in jail.

How I plan to address those issues: Jail overcrowding and the rise in the number of persons incarcerated with mental illness are issues that I will continue to address through partnerships with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Henrico Police, Henrico Fire, Henrico County Mental Health, the County Manager’s Office, the Board of Supervisors, Henrico judges, our community stakeholders and any other entity that can aid in creating long-term sustainable change for this population. We will focus on alternatives for non-violent offenders and continue to partner with the crisis intervention team to ensure offenders with mental health needs are receiving treatment — just to name a few.

Bob M. Matson Address: Friends of Bob Matson, P.O. Box 911, Glen Allen, Va. 23060 Education: Bachelor’s degree, modern languages, Virginia Military Institute Occupation: Henrico Police detective Civic/Community Activities: VFW Post 6364, FOP Lodge #4 Email: campaignj@matsonforsheriff.com Telephone: (804) 901-0384 Website: www.matsonforsheriff.com

Voters should support me for Henrico County Sheriff because: I am the only candidate who is a sworn Virginia certified law enforcement officer with 23 years of experience at the local, state and federal level, and the only candidate who has executive leadership experience.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the sheriff’s office? Critically short staffing is dangerous and expensive, and addressing this is my top priority. Expanding drug treatment and alternatives will help address the opioid crisis and reduce jail crowding.

How I plan to address those issues: I will institute better training and recruitment standards and form a recruitment and retention panel to determine core reasons for staff leaving. For drug addiction treatment, I will institute a triage system to try to get treatment sooner, and I will partner with other government and private entities to make sure each person is placed in a program that fits them best.

J. T. “Tom” Wadkins III Address: 4111 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, Va. 23223 Age: 71 Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management, Virginia Commonwealth University Occupation: Vice president, operations and IT development, Vive Life Center Civic/Community Activities: Board of directors member for Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center; 33rd Degree Mason in Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Email: tomwadkins72@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 337-5498 Website: www.tomwadkins4henricosheriff.org

Voters should support me for Henrico County Sheriff because: I have 10 years of actual hands-on experience administering all aspects (finance, computer systems, kitchen, medical and firearms training) of a large Virginia jail (sheriff’s office) under three sheriffs rising to the rank of undersheriff, and 40 years experience in the private sectors of distribution, information technology and medical operations.

While with the Richmond Sheriff’s Office, I was instrumental in obtaining two increases in the supplements to the pay for deputies by working with city administrators. I was also instrumental in getting the city to pay all of the retirement contributions for all constitutional officers.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the sheriff’s office? I see jail overcrowding and high deputy turnover rate as the critical issues facing the Henrico Sheriff’s Office. Overcrowding creates a dangerous environment for the inmates and staff and contributes to their high stress levels. It also is a factor in the high turnover rate for deputies.

How I plan to address those issues: I will work to remove as many state responsible inmates from Henrico jails as possible, thereby reducing the overcrowding conditions by up to 20 percent. This will in turn help reduce stressful working conditions. I will work with county officials to increase deputy pay as I did when I was with the Richmond Sheriff’s Office.

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Richmond Free Press

B4 October 31-November 2, 2019

✮ Local Elections 2019 ✮

Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon L. Taylor faces challenge by C. Owen Inge Conway

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

One of the standout local races is the contest for Henrico commonwealth’s attorney, where the winner is certain to be a woman.

Once again in a tough election fight, incumbent Democrat Shannon L. Taylor is vying for a third, four-year term as the county’s top prosecutor.

Standing in her way is Republican C. (for Catherine) Owen Inge Conway, a criminal defense attorney and a former assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Henrico who was among seven veterans Ms. Taylor fired after she was first elected in 2011.

Both women are graduates of the University of Richmond Law School, and both have had substantial legal careers.

A lawyer since 1995, Ms. Taylor’s résumé includes service as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Richmond, as a special assistant U.S. attorney and as special counsel for the Richmond Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury.

Ms. Conway’s résumé includes 20 years as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Hen-

c. Owen Inge Conway Address: P.O. Box 29203, Henrico, Va. 23242 Age: 54 Education: Bachelor of arts, Randolph Macon Woman’s College, 1987; J.D., University of Richmond, 1991 Occupation: Attorney Civic/Community Activities: Sunday School teacher and lay pastoral care team at St. Mary’s Church Email: owen@conwayforca.com Telephone: (804) 240-4560 Website: ConwayforCA.com

rico and two other jurisdictions and service as an assistant attorney general and as a defense attorney for the Henrico Drug Court.

While Ms. Taylor has amassed a bigger campaign war chest than her opponent, Ms. Conway has captured some surprising endorsements, including one from the Democratic-leaning Richmond Crusade for Voters and one from the Henrico County Fraternal Order of Police.

On her campaign website, Ms. Taylor is described as prioritizing “compassionate, effective, progressive policies to move Henrico forward and keep the community safe while stressing a rehabilitative mindset.”

Ms. Conway points to the turnover of nearly 30 lawyers on the commonwealth’s attorney’s staff in the eight years that Ms. Taylor has been in charge as a need for change.

One of the key issues that divides the two candidates is a proposed 290-bed expansion of the county jail sought by retiring Henrico Sheriff Michael Wade to relieve overcrowding.

Sheriff Wade is so short of bed space that dozens of inmates in the Jail West on Parham Road nightly sleep on mattresses on the floor.

Voters should support me for Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney because: Voters should support me for Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney because I will bring positive change to Henrico by being present and accountable. I will stop the arbitrary prosecution of crimes and bring stability and order to the office. I will rebuild the fractured relationship with the police department and communicate with victims and witnesses effectively to ensure the most just outcomes in the courtroom. I will make sure my assistants are well trained and have the knowledge, skills and trust to make difficult decisions in the courtroom, which impact lives of victims, families and defendants.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the commonwealth’s attorney’s office? The jails in Henrico are currently the most overcrowded they have ever been, resulting in extreme safety risk and a significant cost to the citizens. There are not enough affordable and accessible programs for defendants with addiction and mental health issues. These issues cannot be addressed when the commonwealth’s attorney’s office has a severe lack of leadership, is a revolving door of employees and when the current commonwealth’s attorney cares more about her political future than Henrico County.

How I plan to address those issues: Without higher political ambition, I can focus on Henrico. I will return the office to a nonpartisan office of integrity, transparency and cohesion, focusing on safety in Henrico. With better leadership, I will build trust within the office, creating an environment where employees will stay, as they did prior to my opponent taking office. My assistants will be prepared, thereby reducing unnecessary continuances that add to the abysmal jail situation. I will work with police and the sheriff to solve the overcrowded jail issue and advocate for treatment options for addiction and mental health.

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Ms. Taylor has opposed that expansion in following the lead of the current chairman of the Henrico Board of Supervisors, Democrat Tyrone Nelson, Also a church pastor, Rev. Nelson has said that as an African-American leader, he cannot support a jail expansion and believes there are other ways to reduce the jail population.

“I stand with Supervisor Nelson and the Recovery Community,” Ms. Taylor stated. “We need to be investing in alternatives to incarceration, not just build more prison cells to lock more people up. I want to invest in programs that help people, both inside and outside the jail.”

Ms. Conway, though, supports expanding the jail so that inmates who serve on weekends or qualify for work release would be separated from regular inmates. The new building also would have separate space for men and women.

As envisioned by Sheriff Wade, the building would include a mental health section where counselors from the county could meet with inmates, who now must be transported to Henrico Mental Health.

Another key issue has to do with the bonding of people who are awaiting trial, which appears to

Shannon L. Taylor Address: P.O. Box 71685, Henrico, Va. 23235 Birth date: November 17 Education: University of Virginia; University of Richmond School of Law Occupation: Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Civic/Community Activities: Board member, Virginia Home for Boys and Girls; board member, Henrico County Police Athletic League Email: info@shannontaylorva.com Telephone: (804) 467-9448 Website: www.shannontaylorva.com

be a major contributor to the overcrowding.

Asked about her bail policy, Ms. Taylor said she, like other commonwealth’s attorneys in the area, has sought to end cash bond for nonviolent offenders with ties to the community.

But the county has not embraced release without having to put up a cash bond, according to court records and Sheriff Wade.

“In Henrico County, my assistants follow the law and the factors to be considered when recommending to the judge that an individual be either released or held with no bond,” Ms. Taylor stated. “My assistants do not get involved in cash bonds. Cash bonds are left solely up to the court.”

Ms. Conway said that assistant commonwealth’s attorneys regularly recommend “no bond” even when individuals could qualify for release.

She said that she would work with the police department, the judiciary, county officials and other organizations to consider options in this area.

“That is something my opponent has not done,” Ms. Conway said, but “it is definitely needed.”

Voters should support me for Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney because: I ask for voters’ support for my re-election because Henrico is safer. During my terms in office, crime rates have fallen and continue to fall, particularly violent crime. I have made sure we have as safe a community as possible, but have done that in a compassionate, progressive way — investing in addiction and mental health services, providing anti-bullying and social media programs for our schools and using alternatives to incarceration.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the commonwealth’s attorney’s office? My first responsibility will always be to keep our community safe. In the years I have served, new dangers have arisen, such as human trafficking and increased addiction problems. However, we need to fight crime in a way that keeps people safe and serves and helps the community. I work closely with recovery organizations to ensure those with addiction issues get the help they need. I also partner with mental health programs. We need to make sure we are helping people, not just locking them up. My goal is to have a safe community and to help people become productive citizens.

How I plan to address those issues: With my re-election, I will continue to prioritize compassionate and caring prosecution, which keeps truly dangerous people off the streets and works to get folks the help they need. I will continue to spend significant time in Henrico schools and out in the community to help our young people avoid trouble and to work with the community on their concerns.

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November 5, 2019

RE-ELECT

The Honorable Honorable The Frank J. Thornton Democrat

“

As the SUPERVISOR for FAIRFIELD MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT

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I am prepared and ready to continue serving the citizens of the Fairfield District.

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT - LET’S NOT BE DIVIDED. Also, I ask you to scrutinize my record. And now, Citizens of the Fairfield District, let’s continue our work of “MAKING HENRICO BETTER FOR THE FUTURE.” I proudly ask for the privilege to serve you and I would appreciate your vote.

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Richmond Free Press

October 31-November 2, 2019

B5

✮ Local Elections 2019 ✮

Henrico County Board of Supervisors district elections Fairfield District

Tuckahoe District

Delta R. Bowers

Frank J. Thornton

Address: 101 Chickahominy Bluffs Road, Henrico, Va. 23227 Age: 58 Education: Bachelor’s in economics; master’s of general administration in financial management; and doctorate of management in organizational leadership Occupation: Professor, entrepreneur and executive director Civic/Community Activities: President, Northern Henrico Civic Association; president, National Coalition of 100 Black Women Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter.

Email: friendsofdeltabowers@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 266-1492 Website: https://m.facebook.com/FriendsofDelta

Address: 724 Carldan Road, Henrico, Va. 23227 Age: 78 Education: Bachelor’s in French education, Virginia Union University; master’s in French 20th century literature, American University Occupation: Retired assistant professor of French at Virginia Union University Civic/Community Activities: Past president of the Henrico County Civic League; received award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Email: thornpar2@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 264-5363 Website: www.frankthornton.com

Voters should support me for Board of Supervisors Fairfield District because: As president of the Northern Henrico Civic Association, Chickahominy Bluffs Homeowners Association and community advocate for over a decade, I have been advocating for Fairfield District residents’ safety and security, speed limit reductions, parity relative to property values, infrastructure improvements, new housing developments, community maintenance, beautification initiatives, blighted properties and economic development to ensure that the district is on par with other districts in Henrico County.

I interfaced with my opponent, Mr. Thornton, the county manager, Henrico County Police Department, other Henrico County officials and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? Lack of economic development and schools accredited with conditions. The district does not have major corporations to support residents who live in poverty and others who are forced to drive more than 20 minutes to their jobs. Currently, the district has several schools not fully accredited, subpar real estate assessments, a 15.1 percent poverty level and many underperforming communities because of lack of employment or poverty level wages. Hence, families do not have the financial resources to supplement the resources needed by their children prior to enrolling in school and thus are ill-equipped to be successful in school.

How I plan to address those issues: My plan is to work with corporations and provide incentives to bring them into the Fairfield District. This will be done in collaboration with the county manager, other members of the Board of Supervisors, the Henrico County Economic Development Office, the community and the local Chamber of Commerce. Once residents are given the opportunity to be trained and work in corporations that pay livable wages, they can afford to live in regular housing communities or pay for the homes in which they live and acquire the supplemental resources required to ensure their children are successful in school.

Delegate Adams

Voters should support me for the Board of Supervisors Fairfield District because: I have been fighting in Henrico for inclusion, equity in education, supporting programs for our seniors and youths, more citizen engagement, improved public transportation and better quality in the building of homes in the East End. I am proud of the Henrico PAL program for our youths and the REAP program for our senior citizens that offers tax incentives, depending on family income.

Take a tour of the Laburnum Gateway to notice new businesses, including the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, a new health facility, the new Fairfield Library and the soon-to-be-completed Aquatic Center.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? More community development and improvements in infrastructure expansion.

How I plan to address those issues: I plan to address these and other issues using the tools that have proven to work: One is listening critically to the citizens and to inquire about any suggestions they may have regarding county issues and how the issues impact each citizen. Another tool is my monthly town hall meetings where I can answer questions citizens may have and share pertinent information to keep the community in good order. A third tool I use is the activation of dormant civic/community groups to make sure that citizens get important information that is required to make informed decisions pertaining to their community.

Democratic Delegate Dawn Adams is running for re-election to keep her seat in the 68th House District, where she is facing a challenge by Republican Garrison Coward.

Delegate Adams, a nurse practitioner with more than 30 years of experience in the health care field, won the seat two years ago in an upset of Republican Manoli Loupassi.

Mr. Coward, former political director and deputy director of minority engagement for the Republican Party of Virginia, is chief operating officer of BizCents, a local data analytics firm.

The district includes parts of Richmond and Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

Both candidates view health care, education and the environment as priority issues facing Virginia.

Ms. Adams believes all three are basic necessities for a productive member of society.

“Good health and education within a clean and safe environment are the building blocks society most wants to live in and a smart investment. This must be done through budget and policy,” she said.

With the General Assembly providing funding for a 5 percent raise for teachers’ salaries and incentives for state universities not to raise tuition, “we should continue to invest in making a quality education accessible to all Virginians so that we can keep producing the ‘best and brightest’ and also

Patricia S. “Pat” O’Bannon

Address: P.O. Box 42382, Henrico, Va. 23242 Age: 38 Education: Bachelor’s in integrated science and technology Occupation: Small business owner, ComForCare Home Care Civic/Community Activities: Chair, MS Society Government Relations Advisory Committee in Virginia; chair, Henrico County Democrats Email: marques@marquesjones.com Telephone: (804) 912-5363 Website: https://www.marquesjones.com/

Voters should support me for the Henrico Board of Supervisors Tuckahoe District because: Education isn’t being adequately funded. Teachers aren’t being paid enough. We need more sidewalks and we need better transportation infrastructure.

We need development that keeps our community’s interests and the impact on the environment as top priorities. These are real issues affecting real people — and I’m going to work tirelessly advocating for policies that make a difference.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district?

1. Education funding, specifically increasing teacher pay. I have pledged to raise teacher pay by 20 percent before the end of my first term. Working in corporate settings, I have dealt with my share of budgets and know finding waste that can be redirected to address this issue is doable.

2. Safe neighborhoods, continuing to fully fund our first responders while making sure that we have sidewalks and bike lanes to improve both quality of life and safety.

How I plan to address those issues: I’ll work with departments to lean out their operations and direct dollars saved from driving efficiencies into the education budget. Then I’ll partner with the members of the School Board to ensure the money is allocated appropriately. I will work to increase county investment in sidewalks and bike lanes.

I also will work to have covered bus stops with benches installed. The current infrastructure does not promote individuals’ safety. Lastly, I will work with developers to ensure their plans include sidewalks so that new developments don’t mirror the current dearth of pedestrian infrastructure.

Address: 8111 Rose Hill Road, Henrico, Va. 23229 Age: 69 Education: Graduate John Marshall High School, Richmond; Certificate of attendance, University of Oxford, England, UK; bachelor’s in education, Virginia Commonwealth University; certified planning commissioner, Virginia Tech Occupation: High school English teacher; fundraising associate, Virginia Public Broadcasting (TV and radio) Civic/Community Activities: Deacon, River Road Baptist Church; chair, Richmond Airport Commission Email: pob@patobannon.com Telephone: (804) 285-4728 Web site: www.VotePatOBannon.com

Voters should support me for the Henrico Board of Supervisors Tuckahoe District because: Experience counts. As a member of the Henrico Board of Supervisors for 24 years, I have led the way in economic growth, continuously improving services citizens want. I led the board to decrease the real estate tax rate five times, keeping homes affordable. I listen and I keep my promises. From implementing low-cost, door-to-door, within-thehour taxi service for seniors and those who qualify for CARE service; to completing Tuckahoe Creek Park; to making sure libraries are open on Sundays; to helping Henrico develop an app — I work hard to find creative solutions for problems.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? Sidewalks and schools. As the county urbanized, residents began to recognize the value of walking to shopping centers, schools and parks. From the 1940s to the 1990s, people didn’t want sidewalks.

Times change. However, retrofitting sidewalks requires engineering for drainage problems they cause. I have added miles of sidewalks and have programmed miles more for the future. When Henrico was contemplating renovating a 60-year-old school, I worked with the county manager to build a new Tuckahoe High School instead. Meals tax money was used effectively, not only to build one new school, but two.

How I plan to address those issues: I plan to add at least 5 miles of sidewalks in the next four years. They already have been engineered. I will continue to add sidewalks through the term. I will work with the School Board to monitor financial needs for schools, since the Board of Supervisors is the taxing authority for and is the funding provider for schools.

Varina District

Mr. Coward

Democratic Delegate Dawn Adams faces GOP’s Garrison Coward in 68th District House race

By Ronald E. Carrington

Marques D. Jones

attract teachers and all types of workers to move to Virginia,” she said.

She also backs gun safety legislation to help curb gun violence.

Mr. Coward said if he is elected, he will work to ensure Virginia’s teachers are paid competitive wages, programs are created for students to explore career fields as early as middle school and career and technical education is strengthened.

Protecting the business climate in the state and the district is key to future economic growth and prosperity, both candidates said.

Delegate Adams, who has built relationships on both sides of the aisle, said, “Harnessing and increasing growth begins with investing in a world-class education. This is what will continue to bring business, families and individuals to Virginia. And this is what will give our children a shot at prosperity, whether they grow up in the urban crescent or a rural community.”

Mr. Coward believes supporting the state’s “right-to-work laws are extremely critical to minority- and women-owned businesses in our Commonwealth.”

He said, if elected, he would introduce and support legislation with policies friendly to businesses that would encourage companies to relocate and bring high-paying jobs to the area.

“I am not afraid to bring people together, regardless of their politics, to solve tough problems,” he said.

Rev. Tyrone Nelson

Angela L. Rowe

Address: P.O. Box 26192, Richmond, Va. 23260 Age: 46 Education: Thomas Jefferson High School, Richmond, 1991; associate degree, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, 1997; bachelor’s, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1999; master’s of divinity, Virginia Union University, 2003 Occupation: Pastor, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church Civic/Community Activities: Board of Visitors, Virginia Commonwealth University; State Compensation Board, Chair Email: pastor@smzbc.org Telephone: (804) 690-5376 Website: www.tyronenelson.org

Address: P. O. Box 1873, Richmond, Va. 23218 Age: 57 Education: Bachelor’s in business and economics; master’s in business administration Occupation: Banking executive Civic/Community Activities: Advisory board, Envision Lead Grow; member, Junior League of Richmond Email: angelarowe4varina@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 921-7977 Website: angelarowe4varina.com

Voters should support me for the Henrico Board of Supervisors Varina District because: I have kept my promises to Varina residents and the evidence is all around us. We have new and renovated schools, additional public transit options, a new library and enhanced recreational facilities. During my term, more than $150 million has been invested in Varina schools. We have a new high school coming in Highland Springs in 2021.

We have funded improvements to Dorey Park and have resources for a future park in Sandston and the new East End Aquatics Center. Economic development has increased, bringing jobs to the area, including a $1 billion dollar investment by Facebook at White Oak Tech Park.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? Public education is the No. 1 issue in my district. While the schools have certainly improved, Varina students should have all the opportunities that are had by students in any part of this county. I will continue to prioritize public education so that all our children are prepared for higher education or a good paying job. We also need to continue to create good jobs in Varina so residents can support their families and contribute to the community. Good jobs ensure a strong economy and create opportunity for residents.

How I plan to address those issues: With my re-election, I will continue to prioritize Varina and to be its strongest advocate. While I am pleased and proud we have made significant progress, we still need to keep working together. I will continue to be accessible and responsive and to meet the needs of my constituents. I will continue advocating for school improvements, in terms of infrastructure, resources and ensuring the best and brightest teachers for our children. I will be a strong resource for bringing jobs and good corporate partners to Varina, improving the economy and creating opportunity for citizens. Varina will always be my priority.

Voters should support me for the Henrico Board of Supervisors Varina District because: The Varina District will continue to change and grow. In the process, we need strong leadership to strategically manage and oversee the challenges ahead and create new opportunities for our communities and each other. I will advocate for a “smarter” and more transparent approach to doing county business, so that it works better for our residents, businesses and visitors. I have a history as a strong leader and collaborator in the local community and broader region. I am uniquely qualified to represent the Varina District and have the background, compassion and courage to make our shared vision happen.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? Managing growth, including infrastructure, and human services. As a veteran banker and community leader, I will leverage my business and economics expertise to evaluate and approve economic development initiatives that best fit with Varina’s character, enhance sustainability of small businesses and attract new businesses that create job opportunities. When economic times are good for most, human services are often overlooked. I believe that helping each other is a core value of strong communities. Addressing poverty, jobs and housing insecurities will be priorities.

How I plan to address those issues: I will support smart growth strategies that preserve Varina’s beauty, green space and options for rural living and farming. Infrastructure strategic planning will be a priority, including enhancing road safety and public transportation. I will advocate for more funding for curbs and gutters, sidewalks, seated and covered bus transportation kiosks and extended service across the Varina District. I will support partnerships and innovative training initiatives that address barriers to citizens’ ability to earn industry certifications, apprenticeships and credentials needed to compete for new jobs. I will use my financial management expertise to make sure critical services are adequately funded.

Richmond Free Press

B6 October 31-November 2, 2019

✮ Local Elections 2019 ✮

Henrico’s Varina District poised to elect 1st African-American female to county School Board

By George Copeland Jr.

The Henrico County School Board is set for a historic new addition with next week’s election — its first African-American female member.

Four African-American women are running for the open seat in the Varina District —Alicia Atkins, Joyce L. Davis, Michelle Roots Henderson and Kandise N. Lucas.

They are seeking to replace John W. Montgomery Jr., the board’s chair, who is stepping down after serving three terms on the board.

Ms. Davis lost to Mr. Montgomery in a three-way race in 2007.

While the four campaigns have garnered a fair number of donations, the policies and proposals each candidate has advocated online and as they campaign door to door are the true focus of the race.

Ms. Atkins, tapping into her experience as a volunteer with the

PTA and Meals on Wheels, has promised greater engagement if elected. Her campaign slogan is “Let’s FACE the Future Together,” with FACE meaning exploring the facts, taking action, inspiring change and ensuring quality education for Henrico students. She said if elected, she will review the factors affecting student achievement, develop and implement solutions to identified problems and building positive, healthy relationships between students, their families and their community that enable students to learn and grow.

Ms. Davis, a policy analyst, former educator and political adviser, has pledged “to build on the accomplishments and work that has been undertaken” by the School Board if she is elected. This includes allocating funds for initiatives to increase the number of accredited schools in the Varina District, building partnerships with organizations and businesses for programs that help students succeed in school and beyond, and supporting strategies aimed at ensuring school safety, lower suspensions and competitive compensation that brings and keeps quality teachers in Varina.

Ms. Henderson points to her experience as a teacher for more

than 20 years and as a member of the Henrico County of Social Services Board as evidence of her qualifications and dedication to the district. She has promised increased resources to support students and teachers — from classroom assistants to greater attention on mental health care for students. She advocates for equity for schools in the Varina District in an effort to remove one of the “many obstacles and hurdles” children face in life.

Ms. Lucas, a former special education teacher, has had a contentious relationship with the Henrico School Board for years. She has clashed with the board in her roles as a parent and a special education advocate, fighting what she said are discriminatory policies that harm children.

She has called for greater accountability in operating the school system’s budget and floated the possibility of initiating career development for students in elementary school rather than waiting for middle or high school. She also has pledged to create a tutoring strategy to ensure that children from families unable to pay for private tutors still get the educational help they need.

Alicia Atkins

Joyce L. Davis

Michelle Roots Henderson

Kandise N. Lucas

Address: P.O. Box 7588, Henrico, Va. 23231 Age: 43 Education: I am a proud graduate of Highland Springs High School. Associate degree in business administration, California Coast University, then pursued bachelor’s in health care administration.

Occupation: I have more than 10 years of experience in health care administration, working in sales and account management. Also, I am currently a trainer for Virginia Commonwealth University’s Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention Program Civic/Community Activities: Meals on Wheels; Henrico County Public Schools Curriculum Transformation in High School Committee, Email: aliciaforvarina@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 836-3201 Website: aliciaforvarina.com

Office Address: P.O. Box 7552, Henrico, Va. 23231 Home Address: 1202 McLean Court, Henrico, Va. 23231 Age: 62 Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice, Virginia Commonwealth University; certificate in executive management, driving government performance, Harvard University Kennedy School; certificate in public performance measurement, governance and strategic planning, Rutgers University Occupation: Policy analyst and adviser to elected officials Civic/Community Activities: Blessing Warriors RVA, volunteer assisting with food and support services for homeless residents in the eastern Richmond and Henrico area; Ebenezer Baptist Church, Youth Ushers supervisor.

Email: votejoycedavis@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 368-1777 Website: votejoycedavis.com

Address: P.O. Box 38443, Henrico, Va. 23231 Age: 54 Occupation: Child care professional/children’s choir director Civic/Community Activities: I currently represent Varina on the Henrico County Social Services Board; Order of Eastern Stars of VA, PHA, 36 years, five years as Worthy Matron Email: votemichellehenderson4schoolbd@gmail. com or Mhende1276@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 929-7758 Website: Facebook—Friends of Ms. Michelle for School Board

Address: 4206 Chamberlayne Ave., Richmond, Va. 23227 Age: 50 Education: Bachelor’s biology, Oswego State University; master’s in special education, Old Dominion University; certificate of education Supervision and Administration, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Occupation: Foster family recruiter/trainer, eastern region supervisor Civic/Community Activities: Special education advocate; Advocates For Equity In Schools and The Dignity In Schools Campaign.

Email: kandiseisourvoice4varina@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 248-8656 Website: www.facebook.com/Kandise-Lucas-ForSchool-Board-Varina-District-2319509248316224/

Voters should support me for the Henrico School Board because: I am a champion for equity and quality education. I have been endorsed by the Henrico Education Association, Richmond Association of Realtors and the current Henrico County School Board chair because I have a proven record of success in our schools and strategic plan for the future. I will use my education, life experiences, professional skills, compassion and leadership to benefit children, families and schools. My motto is Let’s FACE the Future Together. FACE is an acronym for Facts, Action, Change, Educate. Together, we will explore Facts, take Action and inspire Change to Educate all children. I will use this to move schools forward.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? Schools should engage every student in rigorous learning that prepares them for being a good citizen, college, work and life. The top two issues are implementing the HCPS strategic plan and teaching challenges. We must fix the cracks in our foundation to successfully implement the HCPS strategic plan. The issues to be addressed are Standards of Learning results, bullying, code of student conduct, suspension-expulsion and improving communication tools. Also, our teachers deserve better salaries, smaller classroom sizes, access to more educational resources and training opportunities to help balance the different learning needs of students.

How I plan to address those issues: I will align public school system strategies to accommodate the careers of the future; advocate for policy changes on SOLs, code of student conduct/ suspension-expulsion and challenges our teachers are facing; and strengthen family engagement through partnerships with diversity and inclusion efforts and heightened Parent Teacher Association/ Parent Teacher Student Associations involvement.

With allocated funding, I will provide programs to reduce bullying and test anxiety while strengthening the mental well-being of students.

Voters should support me for Henrico School Board because: Voters should support me as a candidate given my diverse experience as a policy adviser, public schoolteacher, criminal justice planner, probation officer and youth advocate. I will utilize my extensive skills gained in program management, policy development and budget to assist students, teachers and administrators. Given my work in government, I understand the process needed for collaboration and consensus building in policy development, planning and allocation of budgetary resources. My role as a policy adviser to elected officials and legislative analyst for development of local and state laws will assist me in effective decision-making.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? 1. Accreditation of schools: The number of non-accredited schools in the Varina District have decreased, but too many non-accredited schools still exist. There also are too many schools with low reading scores and low academic achievement.

2. Suspension rates disproportionately affect students of color. Data shows that while there has been a decrease in racial disparity in discipline and suspensions in Varina District schools, suspensions remain at a high level and continue to disproportionately affect students of color and those with disabilities. High rates of student suspensions lead to a greater risk of students dropping out of school and negatively affect scores.

How I plan to address those issues: I would advocate for allocations to create dedicated programs to improve student learning for all schools to meet accreditation standards. I would recommend programs aimed to decrease the suspension rates of students: 1) Mediation for certain level infractions; 2) Use of community-school partnerships and interventions for support services to at-risk students and families for delivery of mental health care, medical and social support services; 3) Community service programs used in lieu of suspension; 4) Review school district policies to identify policies in need of change; and 5) Offer training for school staff to teach skills in behavior management and student discipline.

Voters should support me for Henrico School Board because: I bring proven leadership and experience voters can count on. I’ve worked with children and youths for over 30 years, with more than 23 of those years serving the Varina community as an advocate, leader, mentor and teacher. I’ve represented Varina on the Henrico Social Services Board for the past eight years, two as chair. Varina is where I’ve lived and raised a family for over 27 years. My four children and four grandchildren have all attended or attend Varina schools. “Children Are My Business” is not just my brand, it is my passion.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? Diversity/cultural competency and inclusion. We need to work to develop a diverse faculty and staff that more closely resembles our community. There needs to be equal opportunities and equal access for all students, including those who may have specific physical, emotional and/ or behavioral needs.

How I plan to address those issues: By working with the members to form faith, community and corporate partnerships and allocate more resources to provide more support for our teachers as they work to meet the needs of each student.

Voters should support me for Henrico School Board because: I am the most qualified, experienced and have a proven track record of ensuring advocacy, accountability and access for all families throughout Henrico County Public Schools, specifically in the Varina District. I am a licensed educator and administrator who is trained in evidence-based academic practices and socio-emotional interventions, as well as elevating and promoting educators within our profession. Finally, my capacity to ensure the proper and creative allocation of educational resources in order to maximize student achievement, educator performance and community engagement is undisputed. I am Varina’s voice.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? 1. The lack of the appropriate advocacy, accountability and access regarding the proper allocation of the educational, financial and human resources required to ensure student success as well as educator autonomy to meet the needs of our students.

2. The lack of skill and will of the district leadership to creatively and equally engage diverse communities, i.e. families of color, with disabilities, and that speak English as a second language; to dismantle the pre-school-to-prison pipeline; to ensure literacy by the third grade; as well as to provide the required mental health/behavior supports required by students, families and educators.

How I plan to address those issues: I plan to conduct a full evaluation of the allocation of financial, human and educational resources throughout the district; publicize the findings and work to equalize the distribution of all resources as needed to improve the “weakest links” throughout the district. In addition, I have and will continue to implement district and statewide reforms that mandate evidence-based intensive reading programs for all schools where our students “learn to read” so that they can “read to learn,” and mandate the allocation of district resources be based on student, family and educator need.

Henrico County School Board Fairfield District Roscoe D. Cooper, III Address: 112 Point Hollow Place, Henrico, Va. 23227 Birth date: June 25 Education: Graduate of Henrico High School; bachelor’s in religion and philosophy, Virginia Union University; master’s of divinity, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, VUU; doctor of divinity, Richmond Virginia Seminary Occupation: Pastor, Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Hartman Street location) Civic/Community Activities: Various outreach ministries at Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church; past president, Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity Email: roscoecooperiii@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 643-0715 Website: www.roscoecooper.org

Voters should support me for Henrico School Board Fairfield District because: Our children deserve the best teachers, best facilities and access to the right resources and opportunities to prepare them for success. I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve made during the past four years — increased graduation rates, decreased drop-out rates; increased the number of accredited schools; approved the plans to construct two new high schools by 2021; and approved the largest budget increase for HCPS that supports raises for teachers, critical staff hirings and expands many innovative programs such as the GYSA at Wilder Middle School. There’s more work to be done and I look forward to continuing this momentum.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The Fairfield District continues to experience challenges related to full accreditation of all schools and disparities in discipline for certain students. During my Eastern Henrico Schools Town Hall last month, Dr. Cashwell and seven principals from schools in Fairfield discussed the schools’ efforts at boosting attendance, increasing parental/

community involvement and improving equitable access to resources, which all impact learning and accreditation. As a result of the School Board approving the largest budget increase for HCPS in 13 years, Dr. Cashwell and her team are addressing these issues as part of an aggressive strategy to ensure all schools reach/maintain accreditation.

How I plan to address those issues: I will continue to support initiatives that close the achievement gap; recruit, retain and reward the best teachers and support staff; promote resource equity; increase racial diversity in gifted programs and Advanced Placement courses; and address discipline disparities for students of color and students with disabilities. I recently established the Eastern Henrico Equity Fund in partnership with Henrico Education Foundation to encourage greater participation and investment by the business and faith communities. As the Fairfield representative, I will continue to ensure our children have access to the same opportunities as children in western Henrico, as we strive to achieve OneHenrico.

Keith W. Hicks Address: P.O. Box 1372 Glen Allen, Va. 23060 Age: 52 Birth date: Jan. 3, 1967 Education: Bachelor’s in business administrations, Averett University; master’s in public administration, University of Phoenix Occupation: Job coach at Richmond Public Schools Civic/ Community Activities: President, Virginia Heroes; past first vice president, Astoria Beneficial Club Email: KeithHicks4schoolboard@gmail.com Telephone: (804) 869-3032 Website: www.keithhicksforschoolboard.com

Voters should support me for Henrico County School Board Fairfield District because: I am the only candidate who has worked in the classroom in the Fairfield District and clearly understand the lack of adequate resources that our children need to be successful. The Fairfield District schools have great teachers and staff, but lack all the necessary tools to prepare students to understand, contribute to and succeed in our rapidly changing society. I will provide these resources, which will ensure that our students develop the skills that a comprehensive education requires. I will be the voice for the voiceless and fight for equitable educational opportunities for all.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The first issue facing the district is the lack of Fairfield District schools meeting

full accreditation status. The second top issue is the defunding of the MathScience Innovation Center.

How I plan to address those issues: On accreditation, I plan to provide each school with additional teachers and instructional assistants. I also will seek to ensure that the quality and transparency of the school staff to the students and parents promotes an internal continuous improvement process. There will be a more teacher-focused learning environment, where the teacher will determine what resources are needed to be successful, and the administration approves it. On the MathScience Innovation Center funding, the center has hands-on learning opportunities that cannot be achieved in the classroom. The center also hosts interactive workshops, seminars and classes for teachers.

October 31-November 2, 2019 C1

Section

C

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

Personality: Carolyn Tibbs Hemphill Spotlight on founder of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society Black history runs deep in Hanover County, and Carolyn Tibbs Hemphill is on a mission to find it, preserve it and let the world know about it.

Ms. Hemphill, a retired independent consultant and Ashland native and resident, is the founder and chief executive officer of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society.

Founded in 1994 to record and spotlight the legacy and contributions of AfricanAmericans who live or have lived in Hanover County, the society works to erase what Ms. Hemphill and former classmates at John M. Gandy High School see as “a significant void in the history of African-Americans in Hanover County,” according to the society’s website.

All information collected by the group, including texts, photos, oral histories and more, is open to the public for use or review.

Ms. Hemphill’s decades-long interest in African-American history began when she was attending the sole public high school for African-Americans in the area at the time of segregation.

The society has furthered Ms. Hemphill’s interest. During its 25 years in existence, the society has published multiple monographs documenting African-American history in the region; created a traveling exhibit that allows their displays to be showcased across Hanover; celebrated 19th-century minister John Clarke with a historical marker; sponsored an oral history project identifying eight African-American families dating as far back as 150 years; and preserved the Rutland Slave Cemetery on U.S. 301, with some of the data gleaned from

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the area now archived in an exhibit at the Smithsonian.

The group also celebrates African-American history in a more general sense, with annual celebrations of Juneteenth, the June 19 emancipation of slaves in the former Confederacy, and yearly participation in the Ashland Christmas Parade.

Looking over all these achievements, it’s no surprise that Ms. Hemphill is excited about her role in “providing a much needed venue for preserving information about Hanover’s African-American population.”

To hear her describe the feedback the society receives, those connected to Hanover County are pretty excited, too. The group’s work has connected a number of families and relationships, including a vacationing Californian with the broader history of his sister in the region.

The office regularly receives calls and emails from people curious about family that may have lived in Hanover County.

Given the depth of information the group has uncovered so far, there’s likely still more to be found in just the work they’ve done already.

The society is preparing to recognize “African-American Trailblazers on the Rails,” an exhibit debuting Saturday, Nov. 2, for the 17th Annual Ashland Train Day, a railroad-themed event of music, activities and exhibits, including model trains.

It will be held at the Ashland Train Station, 112 N. Railroad Ave. in Ashland.

At the event, the Hanover County Black Heritage So-

ciety will offer a free publication that includes “Been Workin’ on the Railroad,” the story of Samuel Ballton by William G. Thomas, and a listing of some Hanover County residents who worked for the railroad as laborers, porters and travelers.

While the society may be lacking a permanent headquarters to coordinate their efforts — a personal dream for Ms. Hemphill — the group remain steadfast in its mission to ensure this part of Hanover history isn’t buried and forgotten.

Black history in Hanover runs deep, and Ms. Hemphill and the society are still digging — and finding more — every day.

Occupation: Retired independent consultant.

Date and place of birth: March 19 in Ashland.

Current residence: Ashland.

Education: Bachelor ’s in sociology, Virginia Union University.

Family: Married to Calvin E. Hemphill.

When and why Hanover Black Heritage Society was founded: The society was founded in 1994 to highlight and document the accomplishments of AfricanAmericans who live or have lived in Hanover County.

Its mission: The society’s mission is to collect, preserve, educate and exhibit information on the histories and contributions of African-Americans in Hanover County.

Why I am excited about this organization: I am excited about the society because it is providing a much-needed venue for preserving information about Hanover’s African-American population. In doing so, we have established a place for individuals to begin to conduct initial family research projects and learn about the contributions of others —sometimes they might even be relatives.

For example, after reviewing the Hewlett Family History publication, my granddaughter remarked, “Everybody in Ashland is related to each other one way or the other.” In addition, we have a collection of documents, photographs, oral histories, a small library of books about and written by African-American authors and

other information on individuals who lived in Hanover County that is available for use and/or review by the public.

Upcoming event: 2019 November 2, Train Day ExhibitAfrican American Trailblazers on the Rails Dream for organization: My dream is to find a permanent home for the society.

How one can volunteer: By contacting our volunteer coordinator, Kelli Payne Williams, at pmisskay2002@yahoo.com Outlook at start of day: Thankful I am awake to begin another day.

A quote that I am inspired by: “When you know better, you do better.” — Maya Angelou Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Painting. I “dabble” in what some would describe as folk art painting.

At the top of my “to do” list is: Continue my research and complete a second edition of my first publication, “Betsy Hogg Tinsley: A Free Woman of Color.”

Best late-night snack: A Snickers bar.

My friends say that I: Continue to amaze them with all the things I’m involved with at “my age.”

The one thing I can’t stand: Procrastination.

Person who influenced me the most: My mother, Elizabeth Tinsley Tibbs.

What I’m reading now: “And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems”

by Maya Angelou.

My next goal: To find a permanent home for the Hanover County Black Heritage Society that will support our needs.

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Richmond Free Press

C2 October 31-November 2, 2019

Happenings Comedian Dave Chappelle honored with Mark Twain Prize Free Press wire report

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Author Ta-Nehisi Coates makes a point during his talk Oct. 25 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

Other speakers on the panel for “Legacies of Emancipation,” are Dr. Manisha Sinha, left, of the University of Connecticut, and Christy Coleman, chief executive officer of the American Civil War Museum.

Author Ta-Nehisi Coates deconstructs power: ‘The South won the war of aesthetics’

By Christopher Brown Capital News Service

Author and Maryland native Ta-Nehisi Coates visited Richmond last week to discuss emancipation and to promote his New York Times best-seller, “The Water Dancer.”

The book is set in Virginia, but his work isn’t the only connection to the Old Dominion. Mr. Coates recently found out that one of his ancestors was enslaved outside of Petersburg.

“It’s of special meaning to be here in the capital of the Confederacy,” Mr. Coates told the crowd.

He pointed out that many people can trace their ancestry to Virginia because of the slave trade.

“My story of having my ancestors being from Virginia is actually not that original,” he said.

Christy Coleman, chief executive officer of the American Civil War Museum, and Dr. Manisha Sinha, a professor at the University of Connecticut, joined Mr. Coates on stage Oct. 25 before a soldout crowd of almost 500 people at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

The evening was part of the museum’s ongoing exhibition “Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality” and was co-sponsored by the American Civil War Museum.

The discussion, “Legacies of Emancipation,” examined the history of enslaved African-Americans during the 1800s leading up to emancipation and the shift from enslavement to freedom.

Dr. Sinha, who teaches 19th century African-American and feminism history, said the emancipation of the enslaved in America was not just a “singular event, but a process that involves many social actors.”

“When you think about emancipation in that manner, you can actually uncover the efforts of African-Americans,” Dr. Sinha said.

Mr. Coates’ book examines the idea: “What if memory had the power to transport enslaved people to freedom?”

Hiram Walker, the book’s protagonist, is an enslaved African-American with a superhuman ability allowing him to travel long distances through water. His powers are triggered only through memories of his mother, who was sold and separated from him when he was a child.

According to Mr. Coates, the idea of creating a black

superhero during the antebellum South was inspired by the “war of aesthetics and beauty” that the Confederates won. He questioned the creation of an “Arthurian Camelot,” a fictional castle and a symbol of King Arthur’s story, that revered and memorialized Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. “On one level, there was a robbery of history. But on another level, it was the idea that somehow fighting for the right to steal labor from people and sell people … should somehow be depicted beautifully,” Mr. Coates said.

After an hourlong discussion, the panel took questions from the audience.

Virginia Commonwealth University employee and attendee Chante Holt asked what the state should do to combat the current high rate of evictions — with five Virginia cities in the top 10 nationally — that disproportionately affect people of color.

“Give them money,” Mr. Coates responded, adding that “you are robbing people” if they are taxed equally but only given a “sliver of the same resources.”

Brandy Akins, who works in human resources at Altria, responded to the statement Mr. Coates made about the maintenance of power being “deeply tied to forgetting.”

“The fact that we don’t remember Reconstruction the way it actually happened is not an accident,” Mr. Coates said.

Ms. Akins told Mr. Coates some people in her social group believe the period before desegregation “sounds like it was better than the situation we’re in now.”

“To not live in that world and to say that this world is worse, I mean, it just looks like you’re spitting on people,” Mr. Coates said. “If it was so much better, why would children march in the street, getting sprayed with fire hoses, having dogs sicced on them.

“The era of segregation was open terrorism,” Mr. Coates added.

Afterward, people explored the museum’s exhibit that opened on June 22, the day the street where the museum is located was renamed for Arthur Ashe in honor of the late tennis legend and Richmond native.

The exhibit, which runs through March 29, chronicles the black experience from 1619 to the present day through interactive exhibits set in four chronological sections: the Colonial period; American Revolution through the Civil War; Reconstruction through World War II; and the Civil Rights Movement through today.

said as she congratulated him. “It’s WASHINGTON the right thing. It’s actually perfect Dave Chappelle has built a that you’re getting the Mark Twain career on pushing boundaries and Prize because you both love using challenging social conventions. the n-word in your masterpieces.”

But his greatest act of defiance Mr. Chappelle was already a may have come Sunday night at well-established comedian and Washington’s Kennedy Center for comedic actor when he got his own the Performing Arts. sketch comedy show in 2003. He At the end of an evening of tributes won fans to “Chappelle’s Show” on and testimonials, Mr. Chappelle came Comedy Central in the first episode, on stage to accept his Mark Twain in which he played a Klansman Prize forAmerican Humor, a lifetime named Clayton Bigsby who was achievement award in comedy, with blind and therefore didn’t know a lit cigarette in hand. he was African-American.

“I want everyThe show one in America to combined clever look at me smoking parodies that ofindoors,” he anten tweaked racial nounced. “I didn’t conventions with ask anybody. What uniquely staged are they going to musical producdo? Kick me out? tions featuring This is called leverhip-hop and soul age!” artists.

A host of coAt the height medians and musiof his popularity, cians paid tribute Mr. Chappelle to the 46-year-old shocked the enterMr. Chappelle, detainment industry scribing him as a by walking away Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP uniquely gifted Dave Chappelle is touched in midseason in and passionate by the applause from the the early 2000s performer with a crowd at the Kennedy from a lucrative sort of pied piper Center for the Performing contract extension appeal that drew Arts in Washington, where and abandoning other artists into he was honored Sunday the show while it with the Mark Twain Prize his circle. was preparing for Rapper and ac- for American Humor. its third season. He tor Common praised Mr. Chap- disappeared from public view and pelle’s bravery and sociological took an extended trip to Africa. He influence. later explained that the pressures “He’s a beacon for a lot of dif- of the show’s success, and the ferent progressive thought,” he said influence applied by the network, as he entered the Kennedy Center made him feel “like some kind of Sunday night. “He’s always been a prostitute.” a leader in thought and culture.

Mr. Chappelle gradually reHe says provocative things and I turned to performing, more powrespect that. He brings uncomfort- erful than ever, and now releases able things up and now we have regular stand-up specials under to discuss it,” he said. “I think a multimillion-dollar deal with he’s one of the greatest, not just Netflix. entertainers, but the greatest minds Musician John Legend paid we have in this day and age.” tribute to Mr. Chappelle’s passion Michael Che, co-host of Week- for music and determination to use end Update on “Saturday Night his influence to spotlight different Live,” called Mr. Chappelle “the artists. At the height of his fame, Mr. entertainment equivalent of what Chappelle organized “Dave Chapthey call a five-tool player in base- pelle’s Block Party” — a movie ball. He can perform, he can write, built around an all-star concert he can do characters. That’s why featuring Mr. Legend, the Roots his fan base is so wide.” and a reunion of The Fugees.

Sunday night’s ceremony was “He’s a gifted curator who blends a homecoming for Mr. Chappelle, different worlds seamlessly,” Mr. who was raised in suburban Silver Legend said. “That’s why you see Spring, Md. so many musicians coming to this “Going there was one of the great stage to pay tribute.” privileges of my life,” Mr. ChapMr. Chappelle spoke with reverpelle said on the red carpet. “D.C. ence about the Mark Twain Prize and in the ’80s was turbulent and I met the “art form” of stand-up comedy. a bunch of young black artists who He noted that the list of previous taught me it was OK to be different. recipients reads like a roll call of his It was OK to be weird.” heroes, including the late Richard In addition to Mr. Che, Mr. Pryor and George Carlin.

Chappelle was joined on stage by “To be on a list with Richard Pryor other SNL cast members Kenan is just unfathomable to me,” Mr. ChapThompson and Colin Jost, actor pelle said. “The shoulders that I stand Morgan Freeman, comedian Sarah on are all here on this list.”

Silverman, Bradley Cooper, Aziz The ceremony will be broadcast Ansari and Jon Stewart who paid Jan. 7 on PBS. In Richmond, that tribute to his success. would be VPM TV, or Virginia “You deserve it,” Ms. Silverman Public Media.

The Wizards of Magic to perform Friday

Healthy hearts The Greater Richmond Convention Center was the first stop last Saturday for the 4th Annual “Spirit of the Heart” tour sponsored by the Association of Black Cardiologists Inc., a Washingtonbased organization dedicated to eliminating disparities in cardiovascular disease in people of color.

The event featured a health and wellness fair, free heart health and other screenings, health information from community-based organizations,

fitness and nutrition experts and health-related activities for seniors and children.

Sequoia Ross, left, owner of Favour Cookie Company, prepares a vegan cooking demonstrations at the health and wellness fair, including individual tasting containers of her quinoa, beet and cilantro salad.

Essie Sykes, right, has her blood sugar measured by Celina Hu of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Phillip Duncan, a Rich-

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

mond area cardiologist and association member, was a local host of the event, along with Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, Virginia Union University and

other ABC members.

The Spirit of the Heart tour will continue inAtlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Orange County, Calif.

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“The Wizards of Magic” will take people of all ages on a magical journey during two shows Friday, Nov. 1, at Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center, 4901 Old Brook Road.

The magicians, Reggie Rice, Mystique, Ran’d Shine and Master Magician Chris Capehart, will perform at 5:30 and 8 p.m.

The early Mr. Rice show is geared toward children.

The shows are free and will include a variety of magic feats, including making a person disappear.

Details and tickets: www. eventbrite.com/e/wizards-ofmagic-tickets-76793033029 or (804) 646-3677.

The program is sponsored by the city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

Richmond Free Press

October 31-November 2, 2019 C3

Faith News/Directory

Rep. Cummings remembered as ‘fierce champion’

First African-American lawmaker to lie in state at Capitol Free Press wire report

BALTIMORE Rep. Elijah E. Cummings was eulogized as a leader with the fiery moral conviction of an Old Testament prophet at a funeral last Friday that brought former presidents and ordinary people alike to the Baltimore church where the congressman worshipped for four decades.

“Our Elijah was a fierce champion of truth, justice and kindness in every part of his life,” said former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who took the stage at the New Psalmist Baptist Church to rousing applause.

Rep. Cummings, a sharecropper’s son and civil rights leader who rose to power in Washington over two decades ago with his sonorous Julio Cortez/Associated Press pool voice and powerful oratory, died of long-standing health problems Oct. 17, 2019, at age 68 while locked in political combat with President Trump.

The Baltimore Democrat, who had served since January as chair of the powerful House Oversight and Reform Committee, led multiple investigations of the president, who recently lashed out at Rep. Cummings’ district as a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess” where “no human being would want to live.”

Eulogies offered during the service drew an implicit contrast between Rep. Cummings’ upstanding ways and President Trump.

“There’s nothing weak about looking out for others. You’re not a sucker to have integrity and to treat others with respect, former President Obama said during the service.

President Obama recalled Rep. Cummings’ humble beginnings, saying, “His life validates the things we tell ourselves about what’s possible in this country, not guaranteed, but possible.”

In what sounded like a reference to the impeachment inquiry against President Trump, former President Clinton told the crowd, “We all know now that, at least until certain things happen, his legacy is how ardently he honored his oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

“He knew that without the Constitution, the laws that were passed under it, the rights that were guaranteed by it and the abuses it was designed to prevent ... he would not have been in Congress,” President Clinton said. “And so

he said to himself, ‘I am certain every day, I will not let this promise be sullied.’ ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who as Democratic leader is overseeing the impeachment drive, took note in her eulogy of the bipartisan crowd at the church and said Rep. Cummings had the ability to work with both his fellow Democrats and with Republicans.

“Our Elijah always made a seat at the table for others,” she said.

Rep. Cummings’s widow, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, told the crowd that President Trump’s recent jabs hurt her husband. Without mentioning the president by name, she said her husband’s job became “infinitely more difficult in the last months of his life when he sustained personal attacks and attacks on his beloved city.”

“While he carried himself with grace and dignity in all public forums, it hurt him,” she said.

President Trump, who was Steve Ruark/Associated Press Left, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings enters the sanctuary of in South Carolina on Friday, New Psalmist Baptist Church for the funeral of her husband, offered his condolences to the the late Rep. Elijah E. Cummings. Above, Jennifer Cummings, Cummings family during a left, applauds in response to remarks by her sister, Adia speech and recalled the conCummings, during the funeral of their father, Rep. Cummings. gressman’s “very strong pasBelow, the body of Rep. Cummings lies in state Oct. 24 at sion” for lowering prescription the U.S. Capitol, where a ceremony was held by members of drug prices, adding, “We’re Congress the day before his formal funeral service. going to get it done.”

At the church, gospel and R&B singer BeBe Winans, a favorite of Rep. Cummings, performed “Stand” as mourners sang along, stood and raised their hands. Many wiped away tears. Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts recited the 23rd Psalm.

“It is no coincidence — is it?

— that Elijah Cummings shared a name with an Old Testament prophet,” Mrs. Clinton told the crowd. “Like the prophet, our Elijah could call down fire from heaven. But he also prayed and Mandel Ngan/Associated Press pool

Julio Cortez/Associated Press pool

Former President Obama was among the many speakers at the funeral on Oct. 25 for Rep. Elijah E. Cummings at New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore.

worked for healing. He weathered storms and earthquakes but never lost his faith.”

Several hundred people had lined up outside before dawn, waiting for the doors to open so they could pay their final respects to Rep. Cummings, who lay in an open casket in the grand, 4,000-seat sanctuary.

“I felt like it was my civic duty, my responsibility to come and pay respects to a man who has done so much for Baltimore city, so much for the people, trying to keep us together,” said the Rev. Jacqueline Williams, 67, of Baltimore, as she waited in line.

On Thursday, Oct. 24, Rep. Cummings became the first African-American lawmaker to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol.

Bobby Trotter, a 67-year-old Baltimore resident who lives just outside Rep. Cummings’ district, recalled how the congressman helped quell tensions in the city after the rioting that erupted in 2015 over the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who suffered a spinal injury and died during a jolting ride in a police van.

Rep. Cummings “believed in helping people, particularly people that were downtrodden. He stood up. He spoke for them,” Mr. Trotter said.

Burial for Rep. Cummings was private.

Former Rep. John Conyers, the longest-serving black lawmaker in U.S. House of Representatives, dies at 90 Free Press wire report

WASHINGTON Former Rep. John Conyers, a liberal Democrat who was the longest-serving AfricanAmerican member of the U.S. House of Representatives at more than half a century, died on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, at the age of 90.

Rep. Conyers joined the House in 1965 and stepped down in 2017, after his reputation was sullied by sexual harassment accusations. The Detroit-area congressman was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

In a statement released by the CBC, officials said, “Congressman Conyers was more than a founding member. He was a guiding light. We will continue his vision by serving as the ‘Conscience of the Congress’ in pursuit of justice for all Americans.”

“I was deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman John Conyers today,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a written statement released by his office.

“From co-founding the Congressional Black Caucus to leading the fight in Congress to enshrine Martin Luther King’s birthday as a national holiday, John Conyers’impact on our city and nation will never be forgotten,” Mayor Duggan said.

Just days after Dr. King

was assassinated in 1968, Rep. Conyers introduced legislation to create a federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader.

He reintroduced the bill every year for 15 years until President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday into law in 1983.

Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, who famously refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Ala., bus in 1955, worked on his Detroit staff for more than two decades before retiring in 1988.

He was a lead co-sponsor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He also was an ardent opponent of the death penalty and fought for Justice Department oversight in cases of police brutality.

According to the CBC, Rep. Conyers was the first member of Congress to introduce the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act to establish a government-sponsored, single payer health system option to control costs.

He also was a champion of the issue of reparations for descendants of formerly enslaved people in the United States, and introduced a bill to establish a commission to study the issue of slavery and race relations.

“His fight for justice extended to international issues as well,” the CBC stated. “Mr. Conyers was an early leader in

Former Rep. Conyers

the anti-Vietnam War movement, in addition to the antiIraq War movement. He was also a vocal opponent of South Africa’s apartheid policies,” joining the late Congressman Ron Dellums of California and other CBC members in confronting President Nixon about imposing sanctions against South Africa.

“When it became clear (President Nixon) would not act, Congressman Conyers joined Congressman Dellums in introducing legislation to that end and was even arrested at a protest in front of the South African embassy,” the CBC stated.

In November 2017, the House Ethics Committee said it was investigating allegations of sexual harassment against Rep. Conyers, who said his office had resolved a harassment case with a payment but no admission of guilt.

The allegations arose as Con-

of Dr. Thompson Pastor and People

Dr. Lawrence

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence and the Moore Street Missionary Bap�st Church 10 a.m. Sunday, November 3, 2019 Guest Preacher: Dr. Wayne Thompson First Bap�st Ins�tu�onal Church, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Moore Street Missionary Bap�st Church 1408 W. Leigh St. Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 358-6403

gress reviewed how to handle sexual harassment complaints and followed a string of similar accusations against prominent figures in the U.S. media, Hollywood and politics.

Rep.Conyers stepped down on Dec. 5, 2017, although saying the harassment allegations were “not true.”

He was chair of two influential committees — the House Government Oversight and Reform Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, of which he was the first AfricanAmerican chairman, although a criminal case involving his wife caused him embarrassment at the time.

Monica Conyers, a former Detroit city councilwoman, was sentenced in 2010 to 37 months in prison for accepting bribes from a waste management company trying to win city business. The U.S. Justice Department said there was no

evidence the congressman knew about his wife’s conduct.

Rep. Conyers led the 1989 impeachment and removal of a black federal judge, Alcee Hastings of Florida, for corruption. Judge Hastings later was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

First elected to the House in 1964, Rep. Conyers was the only House member to serve on two committees handling presidential impeachments: for Republican Richard Nixon in 1974 over the Watergate scandal and for Democrat Bill Clinton in 1998 over his relationship with a female White House intern.

Rep. Conyers favored the impeachment of President Nixon, who became the only president to resign, and was included on President Nixon’s infamous “enemies list.”

He fought against the impeachment of President Clin-

ton, calling it a coup attempt

by Republicans. The Senate ultimately declined to remove President Clinton from office.

He also investigated the 2004 U.S. presidential election in which President George W. Bush edged Democrat John Kerry, with President Bush’s narrow victory in Ohio proving pivotal. Rep. Conyers’ report said that “numerous serious election irregularities” and Republican misconduct tilted Ohio to President Bush.

Critics felt the Detroit native and son of an autoworkers’union official was, as writer Joe Klein put it in Time magazine, “foolishly incendiary.” Supporters felt otherwise. Marcus Raskin of the Institute for Policy Studies think tank told Newhouse News Service in 2006: “He’s a cannon but he’s not loose.”

In 1989 and 1993, Rep. Conyers ran for mayor of Detroit but lost.

Richmond Free Press

C4 October 31-November 2, 2019

Faith News/Directory Religion News Service

This Thanksgiving, 5,888 families in Cook County, Ill., will receive a card with the names of several congregations belonging to different Protestant Christian denominations throughout the city of Chicago and these words: “Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We want you to know that all your debts have been forgiven.�

The churches don’t mean that merely theologically.

Together, the congregations paid off $5.3 million in medical debt for “the poorest of the poor� — many in Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods of Englewood, Auburn Gresham, Washington Heights, Roseland and West Pullman, according to the Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of the historic Trinity United Church of Christ.

Trinity UCC, a congregation of 8,500 founded in 1961 in Washington Heights, is the first African-American church in the UCC and counts former President Obama among its past members. “We believe this is a moment of Jubilee for our community — a moment of Jubilee for our nation, where we reset the moral compass of our nation and for some of our churches that have lost their way in reference to the waves and the undertow of our current political situation in this nation,� Rev. Moss said at a celebration Oct. 20 announcing the churches’ donation.

The pastor said the idea came several months ago from a conversation he had with the Rev. Traci Blackmon of the UCC. The two were discussing how they could engage their communities and “plotting some holy mischief�

Chicago churches join growing movement of congregations paying off medical debt

Emily McFarlan Miller/Religion News Service

The Rev. Otis Moss III, center, is surrounded by other Chicago church leaders and denomination officials with the United Church of Christ to announce on Oct. 20 that the group paid off $5.3 million in medical debt for poor people in Illinois.

when the conversation turned to an article in The New York Times about a nonprofit called RIP Medical Debt. “I thought, ‘What an incredible program!’ Instead of allowing debt collectors to purchase the debt, why not have communities of faith purchase that debt and forgive that debt?�

Rev. Moss said.

For every dollar Chicago churches donated, RIP Medical Debt was able to purchase and abolish about $142 worth of debt, according to Rev. Blackmon, the UCC’s associate general minister of justice and local church ministries. The average amount of debt they “forgave� was $970, she said, which cost the churches just $7, allowing their donations of $38,000 to cancel more than $5 million of debt. “I’m glad that we could do it. But there’s absolutely no reason why people should be held hostage so that other people

can be enriched on their backs,�

Rev. Blackmon said.

The Chicago churches join a growing trend of congregations paying off medical debt for the people in their communities and beyond.

At least 18 other churches have done the same from the start of 2018 to the end of May, forgiving $34.4 million in debt through RIP Medical Debt.

Even comedian John Oliver paid off nearly $15 million in medical debt through the nonprofit in an episode of his HBO show “Last Week Tonight� (though not on behalf of the satiric televangelism ministry he also started for another episode of the show, Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption).

Joe Antos, a health care policy scholar for the conservative American Enterprise Institute, raised red flags for congregations wanting to pay off medical debt for their members earlier this year in an article

in Christianity Today.

They are “well-meaning,� but, Mr. Antos told Religion News Service, “Generally churches do not have expertise in health financing.�

RIP Medical Debt co-founders Craig Antico and Jerry Ashton do. Both had worked in debt collections for years until realizing who was impacted and how “destructive� it was for them, Mr. Antico said. “It became abundantly clear: Why don’t we do what we did with our business life and just

2IVERVIEW

"APTIST #HURCH 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

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

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“MAKE IT HAPPEN�

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

Pastor Kevin Cook

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2019 8:30 a.m. ....Sunday School 10:00 a.m. ...Morning Worship and Holy Communion

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

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11:00 AM Worship Celebration Message by: Pastor Bibbs

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SATURDAY, JUNE 29 9:30 - 11 Communion Sunday Worship Community Breakfast TH

November 3, 2019 @ 10:30 A.M.

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New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

Every Day Is A Day Of Thanksgiving!

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP Weekend Thursday, Oct. 31st

Gospel Truth Anniversary Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

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Men’s Fellowship Bible Study Leader: Mr. Phil Jordan It’s All About Celebrating Jesus!

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2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor Bishop G. O. Glenn

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Sixth Baptist Church

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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

Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m.

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Good Shepherd Baptist Church

do it for good?� Mr. Antico said.

RIP Medical Debt, which was founded in 2014, purchases “portfolios� of medical debt from health care providers and from the secondary debt market at an average $1 for $100 of medical debt, according to its website. Those providers sell the debt at pennies on the dollar to try to recoup some of the cost of those unpaid bills. Usually, those who buy that debt then continue to bill people for it.

RIP Medical Debt instead abolishes the debt, with no tax consequences or strings attached for the recipients, according to its site.

The New York-based nonprofit brought in just $3,000 in its first year, according to Mr. Antico. But donations exploded after RIP Medical Debt appeared on “Last Week Tonight,� he said. It quickly raised $250,000, and donations have continued to grow since then.

Mr. Antico said he expects

the nonprofit to raise $10 million this year and cross $1 billion total forgiven in a matter of weeks — the goal it set when it started, he said.

Churches have played a huge role in that growth, according to the co-founder. RIP Medical Debt worked with more than 70 faith-based groups this year alone, according to the Chicago Tribune. “It’s nonpartisan or nonpolitical, and Republicans, Democrats, progressives can all agree on this,� Mr. Antico said. “And churches — they all agree that their mission is to help their people get through hard times and be resilient and let people start over again and know that they’re supported. I think that’s the key here. They care so much about people and their community and that’s why it’s resonating.�

UCC churches across the country will make medical debt relief the focus of their Giving Tuesday campaigns on Tuesday, Dec. 3, Rev. Blackmon announced. “This is not the end. This is the beginning. We are using this as a sacred launching pad in the United Church of Christ,� she said.

D. Min., Pastor

Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

SUNDAY

8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service

the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of SUNDAYS peace and brotherhood can never become a reality‌. I believe that Church School a.m.the final word.� WEDNESDAY SERVICES unarmed truth and unconditional love 9:30 will have Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

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Richmond Free Press

October 31-November 2, 2019 C5

Legal Notices City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, November 12, 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 ordinance: Ordinance No. 2019-276 To amend City Code §§ 26-872, concerning definitions related to license taxes, and 26-989, concerning licenses taxes for personal services businesses, and to amend ch. 26, art. XV, div. 2 of the City Code by adding therein a new section numbered 261003.1, concerning the license tax for technology businesses, for the purpose of creating a new business, profession, and occupation license category called “technology business” and imposing [a new license tax] on such businesses a new license tax of $0.10 per $100.00 of gross receipts for persons engaged in biotechnology, research and development, and information services, $0.03 per $100.00 of gross receipts for federal contractors engaged in research and development services, and $0.03 per $100.00 of gross receipts for persons engaged in computer services.

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 City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, September 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. 2019-208 As Amended To amend City Code § 12-263, concerning the Budget and Revenue Stabilization Contingency Reserve, to set forth stipulations for the use of the reserve.

Ordinance No. 2019-211 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute the Navy Hill Development Agreement between the City of Richmond, Virginia, and The NH District Corporation for the purpose of providing for the financing, construction, maintenance, and operation of public improvements and private development within an area generally bounded on the west by North 5th Street, on the north

by East Leigh Street, on the east by North 10th Street, and on the south by East Marshall Street. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-212 To create the Navy Hill Fund. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-213 To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of a portion of the City-owned real estate known as 601 East Leigh Street, consisting of 171,906± square feet, for nominal consideration to the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond. ( C O M M I T T EE : Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber)

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bounded generally by E. Leigh St. on the north, N. 10th St. on the east, E. Marshall St. on the south, and N. 5th St. on the west. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-215 To close, to public use and travel, certain rightof-way areas comprised of portions of East Leigh Street, East Clay Street, North 5th Street, and North 7th Street, such portions together consisting of 44,590± square feet, to retain easements in certain of the closed right-of-way areas, and to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept the dedication of right-ofway improvements and property, consisting of approximately 66,977± square feet, in connection with the closing of the right-of-way areas, for the purpose of facilitating the redevelopment of the area bounded generally by East Leigh Street on the north, North 10th Street on the east, East Marshall Street on the south, and North 5th Street on the west. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-216 To authorize the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond to encroach upon the public right-of-way with proposed encroachments on East Clay Street and East Leigh Street between their intersections with North 5th Street and North 7th Street for the purpose of facilitating the redevelopment of the area bounded generally by East Leigh Street on the north, North 10th Street on the east, East Marshall Street on the south, and North 5th Street on the west. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-217 To repeal ch. 30, art. IV, div. 26 (§§ 30-448.1—30448.4) of the City Code; to amend ch. 30, art. IV, by adding therein a new div. 26 (§§ 30-448.1—30448.8); and to amend City Code §§ 30-503, 30-519, 30-710.1, 30-710.4, 30710.13, and 30-1220, all for the purpose of modifying the zoning regulations applicable in the CM Coliseum Mall District. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-218 To amend the official zoning map for the purpose of designating certain street blocks as “priority streets” and certain street blocks as “street-oriented commercial streets” in the area bounded generally

by East Leigh Street on the north, North 10th Street on the east, East Marshall Street on the south, and North 5th Street on the west. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-219 To rezone the properties known as 601 E. Leigh St., 501 N. 7th St., 808 E. Clay St., 800 E. Clay St., 500 N. 10th St., 900 E. Marshall St., 406 N. 7th St., 408 A N. 7th St., 500 E. Marshall St., and 500 B E. Marshall St. from the B-4 Central Business District to the CM Coliseum Mall District. The Pulse Corridor Plan indicates that the area should be “Downtown Mixed-Use”, with some “Public & Open Space”, as well as identifying it as an “Opportunity Area” in the Future Land Use map. The Plan specifically recommends that the Coliseum and adjacent City-owned parcels are an opportunity site that could be redeveloped into a mixed-use, mixedincome, pedestrian-friendly environment that serves as a connection…between the Convention Center, Biotech Park, and the Capital District”. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber)

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and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2019-264 As Amended To amend ch. 2, art.

V of the City Code by adding therein a new div. 10 (§§ 2-1002—21006) for the purpose of establishing an Ethics Reform Commission Ordinance No. 2019-268 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute an Agreement for the Use of Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program Funds Fiscal Year 2019 between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to provide funding for the continuation of the City of Richmond Employee Trip Reduction program.

Ordinance No. 2019-269 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Project Agreement for Use of Commonwealth Transportation Funds Fiscal Year 2019 between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to provide funding for the continuation of the City of Richmond Employee Trip Reduction program.

Ordinance No. 2019-270 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1 East Main Street for the purpose of up to 20 single-family attached dwellings and one single-family detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

The property is located within the TOD-1 Transit Oriented Nodal District.

The Pulse Corridor Plan designates the subject property as Downtown Mixed-Use which features high-density development with office buildings, apartments, and a mix of complementary uses, including regional destinations. High density is appropriate for these areas. The density of the proposed development would be approximately 22 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2019-271 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1301 Bellevue Avenue for the purpose of a dwelling unit within an existing accessory building, upon certain terms and conditions.

The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Single‑Family (LowDensity) uses. Primary uses in this category are single‑family detached dwellings at densities up to 7 units per acre. The density of the parcel if developed as proposed would be a ratio of approximately 12 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2019-273 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Commonwealth’s Development Opportunity Fund Performance Agreement between the City of Richmond, Thomson Reuters Holdings Inc., the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority for the purpose of providing Thomson Reuters Holdings Inc. with incentives to establish a cybersecurity operations office and to improve, equip, and operate a new facility in the city of Richmond.

Ordinance No. 2019-274 To amend ch. 11 of the City Code by adding therein a new art. VIII (§§ 11-190—11-197) to establish a commercial property assessed clean energy program in accordance with Va. Code § 15.2-958.3, for the purpose of facilitating the development of clean energy projects.

Ordinance No. 2019-275 To amend ch. 6 of the City Code by adding therein a new art. XII (§§ 6-596— 6-602) to establish a technology zone program in accordance with Va. Code § 58.1-3850, for the purpose of facilitating the development and location of technology businesses in the city of Richmond, capital investment, and job creation.

Ordinance No. 2019-214 To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of certain parcels, or portions thereof, of City-owned real estate known as 601 E. Leigh St., 501 N. 7th St., 808 E. Clay St., 800 E. Clay St., 500 N. 10th St., 500 E. Marshall St., 500 A E. Marshall St., 116 N. 7th St., 114 N. 7th St., 112 N. 7th St., and 401 E. Broad St. to The NH District Corporation for the purpose of facilitating the redevelopment of the area

Ordinance No. 2019-260 As Amended To authorize the special use of the property known as 1836 Park Avenue for the purpose of office space and occasional events, upon certain terms

Ordinance No. 2019-277 To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of a portion of City-owned real estate on Brown’s Island, located at the south end of the South 5th Street footbridge and consisting of 1,256± square feet in the form of a circle with a diameter of 40 feet, for nominal consideration to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purpose of facilitating the installation and maintenance of the Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to repeal Ord. No. 2017-005, adopted Feb. 13, 2017.

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Ordinance No. 2019-248 To amend and reordain City Code § 26-355, concerning the levy of tax on real estate, to establish a tax rate of $1.20 for the tax year beginning Jan. 1, 2020, pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-3321(b), and increasing such rate from the Rolled Back Tax Rate of $1.122 as computed in accordance with Va. Code § 58.1-3321(a).

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Ordinance No. 2019-278 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Fourth Amendment to Controlled Public Access Lease Agreement between the City of Richmond and Venture Richmond, Inc. for the purpose of excluding from the “Demised Premises” certain real property, and to repeal Ord. No. 2018056, adopted Mar. 26, 2018.

Ordinance No. 2019-279 To g r a n t t o t h e Commonwealth of Virginia a non-exclusive, permanent easement over and across an approximately 23,228.99square-foot portion of City-owned real estate l o c a t e d o n B r o w n ’s Island for the purposes of installing, accessing, and maintaining the Virginia Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument, and to repeal Ord. No. 2018-055, adopted Mar. 26, 2018.

Ordinance No. 2019-280 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the design and construction of multimodal access along North Lombardy Street from its intersection with West Leigh Street to its intersection with School Road and Admiral Street.

Ordinance No. 2019-281 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the resurfacing of Chippenham Parkway from its intersection with Archdale Road to its intersection with the Forest Hill Avenue exit ramp.

Ordinance No. 2019-282 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the resurfacing of Chippenham Parkway from its intersection with the Forest Hill exit ramp to the City’s corporate boundary.

Ordinance No. 2019-283 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the resurfacing of West Roanoke Street from its intersection with Forest Hill Avenue to its intersection with Midlothian Turnpike.

Ordinance No. 2019-284 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the resurfacing of the southbound lanes of Virginia Route 161 from its intersection with Dunstan Avenue to its intersection with Brandon Road.

Ordinance No. 2019-285 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the resurfacing of the northbound lanes of Virginia Route 161 from its intersection with Brandon Road to its intersection with Dunston Avenue.

Ordinance No. 2019-286 To authorize Symbol Development Office, LLC, to encroach upon the public right-of-way with an outdoor dining area encroachment at the west line of Highpoint Avenue north of the northwest corner of the intersection of Rockbridge Street and Highpoint Avenue, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2019-287 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute appropriate documents releasing The Maggie Walker Community Land Trust and its successors in interest from any obligation to fulfill certain deed conditions and contractual requirements to redevelop the property known as 2922 P Street for the purpose of allowing the Land Trust to exchange Continued on next column

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the property known as 2922 P Street for a certain parcel owned

by Restoration Builders of Virginia, Incorporated.

Ordinance No. 2019-288 To amend ch. 27, art.

II of the City Code by adding therein a new § 27-40.1, concerning distracted driving, for the purpose of prohibiting distracted driving while using a handheld personal communications device.

Ordinance No. 2019-289 To amend ch. 19, art. VII, div. 2 of the City Code by adding therein a new § 19-334.2, concerning the reporting of lost or stolen firearms, for the purpose of imposing a requirement that lost or stolen firearms be reported to the Department of Police and prescribing a civil penalty for violations thereof.

Ordinance No. 2019-290 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Police Mutual Aid Joint Av i a t i o n A g r e e m e n t between the County of Henrico, Virginia, the County of Chesterfield, Virginia, and the City of Richmond, Virginia, and to repeal Ord. No. 2018010, adopted Mar. 12, 2018, which authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a Police Mutual Aid Joint Aviation Agreement between the County of Henrico, Virginia, the County of Chesterfield, Virginia, and the City of Richmond, Virginia, for the purpose of operating a joint aviation unit to support aerial law enforcement activities in the party jurisdictions.

Ordinance No. 2019-291 To p r o v i d e f o r t h e granting by the City of Richmond to the person, firm or corporation to be ascertained in the manner prescribed by law of a franchise for management of the Hopkins Road Transfer Station located at 3506 Hopkins Road and the East Richmond Road Convenience Center located at 3800 East Richmond Road in accordance with a certain Franchise Agreement.

Ordinance No. 2019-292 To amend the schedule of classifications and assigned ranges incorporated into section I of the Pay Plan adopted by Ord. No. 2018-319 on Jan. 14, 2019, for the purpose of revising the wording of certain classification titles and changing the pay ranges of two classification titles.

Ordinance No. 2019-293 To amend City Code §§ 28-837, concerning records of facilities, 28857, concerning the authority required for the placement and use of poles, wires, and conduits, and 28-862, concerning joint use of existing poles or conduits and board of arbitrators, and to amend ch. 28, art. VII, by adding therein a new div. 3 (§§ 28-876—28-882) for the purpose of authorizing the Director of Public Utilities to issue permits for the installation of wireless facilities in the public right-of-way.

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 COUNTY OF HANOVER HILDAH MAKUNGU, Plaintiff v.

JAVON FORD, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19001500-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 25th day of November, 2019 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

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

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NAKIA DOBSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19002302-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 3rd day of December, 2019 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

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

and protect his interests.

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

visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown Father to appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before January 15, 2020, at 11:30 AM, Courtroom #5.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER TARA DAVIDSON, Plaintiff v.

BRANDON DAVIDSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19003009-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 3rd day of December, 2019 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

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

SHANNON STEADHAM, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19003032-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 3rd day of December, 2019 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

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

HAGAR HALL, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19003030-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 3rd day of December, 2019 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JAMES HAYES, Plaintiff v.

SHERYL HAYES, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19001391-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 25th day of November, 2019 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

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

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

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.

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF CHESTERFIELD Commonwealth of Virginia, In re: Lesvin O Garcia De Leon, Rosa De Leon Fajardo v. Jorge N Garcia Gonzalez Case No. JJ097647-01-00

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Lesvin Oswaldo Garcia De Leon (DOB: 11/29/03), whose mother is Rosa De Leon Fajardo, and whose father is Jorge Nery Garcia Gonzalez, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3. Father’s whereabouts are unknown.

It is ORDERED that Jorge Nery Garcia Gonzalez appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before December 16, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ALFONSO DOBSON, Plaintiff v.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER AIDA HERRERA, Plaintiff v.

HUGO ALVARADO JUARES, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19002267-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 25th day of November, 2019 at 9:00 AM,

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re JAKENYA MONAY YOUNG Case No. J-096533-07 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) for Unknown (Father) of Jakenya Monay Young, child DOB 10/20/2018.

“RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of:

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VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ZION REYNOLDS & ZYRELL REYNOLDS Case No. J-93798-08-09-00, J-95854-07-08-00, J-95854-09-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) Natural Jefferson (FATHER) & UNKNOWN (FATHER’S) & Siaja Reynolds (MOTHER), of Zion Reynolds, child, DOB 7/29/2008 & Zyrell Reynolds, child DOB 4/9/2018, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Natural Jefferson (Father), Unknown (Father’s), & Siaja Reynolds (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 1/7/2020, at 10:00 AM, Courtroom #2.

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

KROUSE, LLC, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL19-4237 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the properties briefly described as 2900 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S008-0527/053, 2902 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S008-0527/054, 2904 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S008-0527/055, 2906 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S008-0527/056, 2908 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S008-0527/057, 2910 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S008-0527/058, 2912 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S008-0527/059, 2914 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S008-0527/060, 2916 Krouse Street, Tax Map Number S0080527061 and 2101 Lumkin Avenue, Tax Map Number S0080527/062, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Krouse, LLC.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner KROUSE, LLC, an entity purged from the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that KROUSE, LLC, an entity purged from the records o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before DECEMBER 5, 2019 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 NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SPECIAL COMMISSIONER’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Pursuant to the terms of Orders of Sale entered in the Richmond Circuit Court, the undersigned Special Commissioner will offer the following real estate for sale at public auction at Motleys Asset Disposition Group, 3600 Deepwater Terminal Road, Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday November 20, 2019 at 2:00 pm, or as soon thereafter as may be effected. The sale is subject to the terms and conditions below and any other terms and conditions which may be announced on the day of auction. Announcements made on the day of the auction take precedence over any prior written or verbal terms of sale.

3124 4th Avenue N0000997015 City of Richmond v.

Theodora Parham, et. al.

CL18-6177 920 East 16th Street S0000393010 City of Richmond v. Wilbur C. Green, et. al.

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Richmond Free Press

C6 October 31-November 2, 2019

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P. Paige, Jr., et. al CL18-6236 1524 North 19th Street E0000930007 City of Richmond v. Sonny’s Painting, LLC, et. al.

CL18-6179 7 West 20th Street S0000295030 City of Richmond v.

Orlander Burke, et. al.

CL18-3571 1602 North 22nd Street E0000858012 City of Richmond v. Angus Ellerbe, et. al CL19-316 1603 North 22nd Street E0000859015 City of Richmond v.

Raymond J. Thornton, et. al.

CL18-4406 1605 North 22nd Street E0000859016 City of Richmond v. George Taylor, et. al.

CL18-4453 17 East 28th Street S0001002022 City of Richmond v. Mary A. Smith, et. al.

CL19-1235 19 East 28th Street S0001002023 City of Richmond v. Edward Fountain, et. al.

CL19-998 30 East 28th Street S0001121001 City of Richmond v. Jessie Hilton, et.al.

CL19-610 32 East 28th Street S0001121002 City of Richmond v.

Leonard J. Byrd, et. al.

CL18-3965 1813 ½ North 28th Street E0120427006 City of Richmond v. William T. Pitts, et. al.

CL18-4805 1115 North 29th Street E0000568031 City of Richmond v. Lee E. Carney, et.al.

CL18-6234 1417 North 29th Street E0000717026 City of Richmond v.

Samover, Inc., et.al.

CL18-4177 1810 North 29th Street E0000951011 City of Richmond v. Maude Minor, et.al.

CL18-5279 1110 ½ North 30th Street E0000568012 City of Richmond v. William Simms, et.al.

CL18-5280 1209 North 31st Street E0000721023 City of Richmond v. George L. Stanley, et. al.

CL18-4564 1321 North 31st Street E0000720027 City of Richmond v.

Courtney Ruth Carter, et. al.

CL18-4359 1106 ½ North 32nd Street E0000722013 City of Richmond v. Bruce Robinson, et. al.

CL18-4179 1121 North 32nd Street E0000803031 City of Richmond v. Kay Arrington, et. al.

CL18-5836 1127 North 32nd Street E0000803034 City of Richmond v. Caudill & Lewis Holdings, et. al.

CL18-6265 1401 North 32nd Street E0000800009 City of Richmond v. Manuel Anderson, et. al.

CL18-4178 1322 North 34th Street E0000875003 City of Richmond v. Goldie B. Terry, et. al.

CL18-4188 2509 Afton Avenue S0071677016 City of Richmond v. Robert Valentine, et. al.

CL18-5848 2511 Afton Avenue S0071677015 City of Richmond v. Robert Valentine, et. al.

CL18-5849 3007 Alpine Avenue N0000983019 City of Richmond v. Jessie Thompson, et. al.

CL18-5256 738 Arnold Avenue N0001153026 City of Richmond v. Walter L. Craddock, et. al.

CL18-6180 2619 Bainbridge Street S0000796024 City of Richmond v. Viola Harris Fox, et. al.

CL19-392 2621 Bainbridge Street S0000796025 City of Richmond v.

Karamat S. Marrefi, et. al.

CL19-393 2100 Bellemeade Road S0080276011 City of Richmond v. KCC Holdings, LLC, et. al.

CL19-59 2705 Berry Road S0090341006 City of Richmond v. George L. Kite, Jr., et. al.

CL18-6026 2707 Berry Road S0090341007 City of Richmond v. George L. Kite, Jr., et. al.

CL18-6025 1816 Blair Street W0000840038 City of Richmond v. William McGee, et. al.

CL19-450 2810 Burfoot Street S0001121020 City of Richmond v.

Leonard J. Byrd, et. al.

CL18-3964 2216 Carrington Street E0000469017 City of Richmond v. Joyce Shepherd, et. al.

CL18-4454 2014 Carver Street E0001237022 City of Richmond v. George Hill, et. al CL18-4269 405 Catherine Street N0000208007 City of Richmond v. James Lenard, et. al.

CL18-4752 600 Chimborazo Boulevard E0000882013

City of Richmond v. Victory Tabernacle Baptist, et. al.

CL18-6032 3413 Cliff Avenue N0001351007 City of Richmond v. Terry K. Cousins, et. al.

CL19-86 2523 Coles Street S0090104020 City of Richmond v. Donald J. Both, et. al.

CL18-3260 2304 Creighton Road E0120294003 City of Richmond v. Joan M. Robinson, et. al.

CL18-1142 1913 Decatur Street S0000294023 City of Richmond v. Arthur T. Webb, Sr., et. al.

CL18-3238 3018 Grayland Avenue W0001354026 City of Richmond v. Elvin H. Jefferson, Jr., et. al.

CL18-5896 2710 Haden Avenue S0080772024 City of Richmond v. Tavia M. Johnston, et. al.

CL19-47 2105 Halifax Avenue S0000643013 City of Richmond v. Angela F. Jackson, et. al.

CL18-5671 1022 Kinney Street N0000619094 City of Richmond v. Mary Pauline Page, et. al.

CL18-6175 2626 Lancelot Avenue S0090301014 City of Richmond v. John H. Hicks, et. al.

CL18-6266 1311 West Leigh Street N0000573010 City of Richmond v. Edward Smith, et. al.

CL18-5378 3324 Maryland Avenue N0001160001 City of Richmond v. Elvin H. Jefferson, Jr., et. al.

CL18-6233 2401 Melbourne Street E0120278001 City of Richmond v. Mabel Lee Clarke, et. al.

CL18-5254 2803 Midlothian Turnpike S0000911048 City of Richmond v. Thelma Sor, et. al.

CL18-4098 607 South Nansemond Street W0001586016 City of Richmond v.

Barbara S. Walker, et. al.

CL18-6181 2606 North Avenue N0000641006 City of Richmond v. Joseph Z. Carrington, et. al.

CL17-2649 3837 Old Post Road C0090687003 City of Richmond v. Theresa Taylor Sparks, et. al.

CL18-6111 2101 Phaup Street E0120259001 City of Richmond v. Daniel Bates, et. al.

CL18-3828 2601 Q Street E0000475001 City of Richmond v. Connie B. Parker, et. al.

CL18-5702 2603 Q Street E0000475002 City of Richmond v. Connie B. Parker, et. al.

CL18-5703 3316 Q Street E0000877011 City of Richmond v. William A. Joyner, et. al.

CL18-5705 3318 Q Street E0000877010 City of Richmond v. William A. Joyner, et. al.

CL18-5706 2701 Selden Street E0120319001 City of Richmond v. James E. Branch, et. al.

CL18-4361 1831 1/3 Thomas Street N0000946013 City of Richmond v. Richard Harris, Jr., et. al.

CL18-4175 1831 2/3 Thomas Street N0000946012 City of Richmond v. Albert Cook, Sr., et. al.

CL18-5058 704 Webster Street N0000280010 City of Richmond v. Mandel D. Sutton, et. al.

CL18-4001 3506 Woodson Avenue N0001552011 City of Richmond v. Wells Fargo Bank, NA, et. al.

CL18-3084 TERMS OF SALE: All sales are subject to confirmation by the Richmond Circuit Court. The purchase price will include the winning bid plus 10% of the winning bid.

High bidders will pay at the time of the auction a deposit of at least 20% of the purchase price, or $2500.00, whichever is greater. If the purchase price is under $2500.00, high bidders will pay in full at the time of the auction. High bidders will pay the balance of the purchase price to the Special Commissioner, and deed recordation costs, by a date and in a form as stated in a settlement instruction letter. Time is of the essence.

If a high bidder defaults by not making these payments in full, on time, and in the required form, the Special Commissioner will retain the deposit, and may seek other remedies to include the cost of resale or any resulting deficiency. Settlement shall occur when the Richmond Circuit Court enters an Order of Confirmation. Conveyance shall be either by a special commissioner’s deed or a special warranty deed. Real estate taxes will be adjusted as of the date of entry for the Order of Confirmation.

Properties are sold “as is” without any representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, subject to the rights of any person in possession, and to all easements, liens, covenants,

defects, encumbrances, adverse claims, conditions and restrictions, whether filed or inchoate, to include any information a survey or inspection of a property may disclose. It is assumed that bidders will make a visual exterior inspection of a property within the limits of the law, determine the suitability of a property for their purposes, and otherwise perform due diligence prior to the auction.

T h e S p e c i a l Commissioner’s acceptance of a bid shall not limit any powers vested in the City of Richmond. Additional terms may be announced at the time of sale. Individuals owing delinquent taxes to the City of Richmond, and defendants in pending delinquent tax cases, are not qualified to bid at this auction. Bidders must certify by affidavit that they do not own, directly or indirectly, any real estate with outstanding notices of violation for building, zoning or other local ordinances.

Questions may be directed to Gregory A. Lukanuski at greg.lukanuski @richmondgov.com (804) 646-7949, or to Christie Hamlin at christie.hamlin@ richmondgov.com / (804) 646-6940.

abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.

Registration of trade Name Virginia, Richmond City County To whom it may concern: Please be advised that Hodges Michael Prince, whose address is c/o 3455 Howard Rd Richmond Virginia [23223], is the Authorized Representative/Nameholder of the business now being carried on at c/o 3455 Howard rd Richmond Virginia [23223], in the following trade name, to-wit; MICHAEL PRINCE HODGES; and that nature of said business is commerce.

I, Hodges Michael Prince, Personally appeared before the undersigned officer, Michael Hodges, who says under oath that the above foregoing statement is true.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this the 25 Day of October, 2019. I am in good standing along with this publication and I am

not responsible for anyone else’s debts.

Notary Public Henrico County,Virginia

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Gregory A. Lukanuski Deputy City Attorney Special Commissioner 900 East Broad Street, Room 400 Richmond, Virginia 23219 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING THELMA L. CHEATHAM a/k/a ESTATE OF THELMA LENORA CHEATHAM,

By Alice A. Brooks, Administrator Plaintiff v.

HEIRS AT LAW OF THELMA LENORA CHEATHAM DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES, OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THELMA LENORA CHEATHAM, CREDITORS WHETHER FUTURE OR AT THIS TIME NOT KNOWN, ET ALS, ALL MADE PARTIES DEFENDANTS TO THIS ACTION BY THE GENERAL DESCRIPTION, “PARTIES UNKNOWN” Defendants CASE#CL18-5382 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to confirm the heirs at law of THELMA L. CHEATHAM, who died intestate, in the City of Richmond, Va. On January 2, 2011.

An affidavit has been filed, by the Administrator of her estate, Alice A. Brooks, that confirms THELMA L. CHEATHAM a/k/a THELMA LENORA CHEATHAM, had two sister who preceded her intestate, in death, namely (1) Edythe Cheatham Smith and (2) Odessa Vivian Cheatham; that Marquita C. Smith, survived her mother Edythe C. Smith but also died intestate on August 5, 2009; That no Last Will and Testament, nor heirs at law for the aforesaid Heirs at law of THELMA L. CHEATHAM have been identified or located, that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, and / or creditors with a current or future interest in said estate have been identified, despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suits by general description of “ PARTIES UNKNOWN”.

IT IS ORDERED that t h e “ H E I R S AT L AW ” , DEVISEES ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS in interest of THELMA LENORA CHEATHAM and PARTIES UNKNOWN come forward and appear on or before December 1st, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interest in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk I ASK FOR THIS John L. Taylor III, Attorney 2416 Jefferson Avenue Post Office Box 8027 Richmond, Virginia 23223 (804) 649-7688 (Phone) (804) 649-8757 (Fax) VA BAR# 19845 AT T Y J LTAY L O R 3 R D @ VERIZON.NET

BID ITB # 19-1931-10PEW — Roslyn Hills Drive Water Main Replacement Project 00768 — Replace approximately 1,105 linear feet of water main.

Due 2:00 pm, November 21, 2019. Additional information available at: https://henrico. us/finance/divisions/ purchasing/bids

Soul N Vinegar LLC Trading as: Soul N Vinegar, 601 N Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23284-5610 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia D epartment of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for a Wine and Beer on Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Michelle Parrish, 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.

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The City of Richmond is seeking bids for a franchise for the management of the Hopkins Road Transfer Station located at 3506 Hopkins Road and the East Richmond Road Convenience Center located at 3800 East Richmond Road in accordance with a certain Franchise Agreement, for a duration of 5 years, subject to certain responsibilities to be imposed by the Franchise Agreement and subject further to all retained rights of the City of Richmond.

To advertise in the Richmond Free Press call 644-0496

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All bids for the franchise hereby offered to be granted must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. Bids will be presented to the presiding officer of the Council of the City of Richmond on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in open session and shall then be presented by the presiding officer to the Council and be dealt with and acted upon in the mode prescribed by law.

The City of Richmond expressly reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The successful bidder shall post the bond required by the ordinance.

A copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the City Clerk’s office, and the full text of the ordinance and franchise to be executed is available at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail. aspx?ID=4168032&GUID=633A49A8-B728-4D83-BC190125DA566150&Options=ID|Text|&Search=2019-291 Please address any questions or bids to:

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for City General Funds

Candice D. Reid, City Clerk City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 646-7955

The City of Richmond is beginning preparation of the fiscal year 2021 City General Funds (CGF) Non-Departmental budget. The purpose of this Application is to solicit requests for funding from eligible nonprofit organizations to address unmet, critical needs in the key priority areas of Children, Youth, and Education; Housing, Human Services and Health; and Arts and Culture. In addition, this application is to be used by public sector and quasi-governmental organizational partners of the City of Richmond.

NOTICE FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Application packages will be available November 5th on the City of Richmond websites: http://www.richmondgov.com/ Applications packages will also be available at the Main City Library located at 101 E. Franklin Street and at the City Hall information desk located at 900 E. Broad Street. All Project/Program funding requests must be submitted on the current application form. All applicants must submit three (3) hard copies of the application and digital files on two thumb drives to the Office of Budget and Strategic Planning, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Room 1100, Richmond, VA 23219. All proposals and applications must be received no later than 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

Faxes, e-mails and late submissions will not be accepted.

The City of Richmond Department of Economic Development (DED) is seeking proposals from qualified purchasers to purchase property located at 2901 Bainbridge Street, Richmond, VA 23225, Tax Parcel ID#S0001130013. Deadline for receipt of proposals by the DED is December 6, 2019 at 11:00 AM. The complete RFP is available at http://www.yesrichmondva.com or by calling 804-646-3061.

There will be two application workshops held on November 14, 2019. The first will be held at the Main City Library located at 101 E. Franklin Street from 10am until 11:30am. The second application workshop will be at the Police Academy located at 1202 W. Graham Road from 6pm to 7pm.

Please bring a copy of the application and any questions you may have.

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

Please direct all questions to the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services, at 804-646-3096. The City of Richmond does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in the admission or access to its programs. Virginia Relay Center - TDD users dial 711.

Director of Internal Audit

Notice of Funding Availability for

CDBG, HOME, ESG, HOPWA and Affordable Housing Trust Fund The City of Richmond is beginning preparation for the allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) and Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) funds. The Federal funds are entitlement dollars allocated to the City through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for neighborhood development and supportive services.

The AHTF is here to assist with housing production and housing supportive services which are intended for projects and programs that are aligned with regional, state and federal plans. All federal funds and affordable housing trust fund applications must be for projects that will have a direct impact on low and moderate income City residents, except for HOPWA for which the City administers funds for the entire Metropolitan Statistical Area. AHTF funds may not be used to supplant existing commitments of permanent financing.

Chester�ield County, Virginia (RichmondMetro Area), a recognized leader and award-winning local government, is seeking an experienced, knowledgeable, and technically competent leader who will lead, plan, direct and oversee the Department of Internal Audit.

To review the recruitment pro�ile and application instructions, visit the link Director of Internal Audit or visit www.chester�ield.gov/careers. The deadline to apply is November 8, 2019 at 5 p.m.

Application packages will be available November 5th on the City of Richmond websites: http://www.richmondgov.com/ Applications packages will also be available at the Main City Library located at 101 E. Franklin Street and at the City Hall information desk located at 900 E. Broad Street. All Project/Program funding requests must be submitted on the current application form. All applicants must submit three (3) hard copies of the application and digital files on a two thumb drives to the Department of Housing & Community Development, 1500 E. Main Street, Suite 400 Richmond, VA 23219. All proposals and applications must be received no later than 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Faxes, e-mails and late submissions will not be accepted.

There will be two application workshops held on November 14, 2019.

The first will be held at the Main City Library located at 101 E. Franklin Street from 10am until 11:30am. The second application workshop will be at the Police Academy located at 1202 W. Graham Road from 6pm to 7pm. Please bring a copy of the application and any questions you may have.

An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity Music Ministry Opportunity

Westwood Baptist Church seeks a dedicated,

Christian Musician

Experienced on keyboard and organ, Reads music Experienced in vocal training Experienced in all types of music genre Able to work with youth and adults Possesses strong leadership/collaborative skills Available 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays Submit resume to: Personnel Ministry, Westwood Baptist Church 1003 Glenburnie Road, Richmond, VA 23226 Fax (804) 288-7136 ELEPHANT INSURANCE SERVICES LLC SEEKS A HEAD OF MARKETING: To manage all marketing activities including design, planning, & deployment. Brand development & strategy. REQS: Master’s degree in Biz Admin., Marketing, or closely related field; 2 yrs’ exp. conducting market research, forecasting, & developing strategic plans to improve customer satisfaction for an insurance company; & 2 yrs’ concurrent exp. managing & overseeing profession teams within the insurance industry. ALTERNATIVE REQS: Bachelor’s degree in Biz Admin., Marketing, or closely related field; 5 yrs’ exp. conducting market research, forecasting, & developing strategic plans to improve customer satisfaction for an insurance company; & 2yrs’ concurrent exp. managing & overseeing professional teams within the insurance industry. JOB LOCATION: Henrico, VA. Only applicants sending cvr ltr, CV, salary reqs. & refs. to: Kelsey Powell, Employee Relations Manager, Elephant Insurance Services LLC, 9950 Mayland Drive, Deep Run I, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23233 will be considered.

Miss Don'tDon't Miss One Word One Word Don’t Miss One Word

Please direct all questions to the Department of Housing & Community Development at 804-646-1766. The City of Richmond does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in the admission or access to its programs. Virginia Relay Center - TDD users dial 711.

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LICENSE Jamaican Café LLC Trading as: Jamaican Café 400 N 2nd St Richmond, Virginia 23219-1704 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia D epartment of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On Premises and Mixed Beverages Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. 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.

REQUEST FOR BIDS For a Franchise For the Management of Hopkins Road Transfer Station at 3506 Hopkins Road and East Richmond Road Convenience Center at 3800 East Richmond Road In the City of Richmond

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