Clarence L. Townes Jr., longtime business, civic leader, dies at 88 By Jeremy M. Lazarus
and business as part of his effort to boost economic and political opportunities for African-Americans and to overcome racial divisions. Among his most significant contributions to the Please turn to A4
Richmond Free Press
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Clarence Lee Townes Jr. left his fingerprints on Richmond over the course of six decades of involvement in civic affairs. A bulldog of a man, with a gruff voice and a pen-
chant for straight talk, he was a key player in creating landmarks that people take for granted — from the Greater Richmond Convention Center and Marriott Hotel to the Canal Walk by the riverfront. He packed his life with community involvement, ranging from the Richmond School Board to banking
JANUARY 19-21, 2017
Obama era ends
Pete Souza/White House
President Obama disembarks from Marine One at the Brackett Field landing zone in San Dimas, Calif., in October 2014.
President’s legacy inarguable despite GOP aim to erase it
By Barrington M. Salmon and Brittany Burton Trice Edney News Wire
With President Obama poised to leave office after two terms, advocates and supporters are concerned about the durability of his legacy after eight years of intense and sustained opposition from Republicans and the promise by his Republican successor to erase any semblance of the Obama presidency. “I don’t think President Obama has anything to worry about. The notion of erasing his legacy, are you crazy? Legacy is who he is and was,”
president for Innovation in Public Programs at Union Theological Seminary in New York, said President Obama’s political acumen, graciousness and consistency endeared him to African-Americans. He believes history will be kind to the 44th president, who leaves office on
Friday, Jan. 20. “He is a president who sought to speak to the full expanse of America,” Rev. Harkins said. “Much of his legacy spoke to the needs of all Americans. “I know the president, know him in the sense
Free Press wire, staff report
said Dr. Sharon Ames-Dennard, a psychologist and entrepreneur based in Tallahassee, Fla. “The feebleminded can always be convinced of anything. There are many things that he and his wife have done right. There were no scandals,” she said. “You know they were looking for the women, but every chance he got, he boosted up his wife.” The Rev. Derrick Harkins, senior vice
Donald Trump made his name with opulent hotels and a dramatic reality TV show. But his inauguration on Friday, Jan. 20, as the nation’s 45th president is shaping up as a more understated affair, with big names in entertainment staying away. Also staying away are more than 50 Congressional Democrats who plan to boycott in protest of the New York businessman’s policies and repeated criticism of legendary civil rights activist Rep. John Lewis of Geor-
By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Plans for speedier GRTC bus service that would slash 15 to 30 minutes from trips Downtown and other parts of the city were introduced to passengers and the public this week. In some instances, the plans have Fairfield Court riders reaching Downtown in 30 minutes, instead of the current 45 minutes, while Highland Park residents could cut their commute to the West End in half — from an hour to 30 minutes. The changes are designed to dovetail with the speedy service to be ushered in this fall when GRTC Pulse — the new bus rapid transit system now under construction — starts operating and begins 10- to 15-minute service mostly along Broad Street. Among key ingredients of the proposed bus service overhaul: Creation of six routes that would operate every 15 minutes, from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. It would be a Please turn to A4
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House Democrats set to boycott Trump inauguration on Friday
A look back, B3
GRTC plans speedier service
of a black man who is part of a beautiful family. They gave a sense of grace, a sense of who they are. President Obama was never uncomfortable being himself. He never lost his bearing.”
Rep. John Lewis
State office building to be named for Barbara Johns
Gov. Terry tist churches, McAuliffe is who was recnaming the ognized for his newly renoservice to the vated state ofcommunity. By Holly Rodriguez and Jeremy M. Lazarus fice building at However, 9th and Grace streets for civil the governor’s statement was a rights trailblazer Barbara highlight of the program. Johns, who as a teenager “When we name our led the 1950s attack on state buildings after peogovernment-enforced ple from our history, we racial segregation of make a statement that public schools in Virthe work done within ginia. those buildings will He made the suradvance their legacy,” prise announcement last the governor said. Friday during the 39th In this case, the buildAnnual Community Leaders ing houses the Office of the Breakfast at Virginia Union Attorney General, and Gov. University, a community gathering McAuliffe said, “I cannot think that celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. of a better person to inspire the men and Martin Luther King Jr. women who fight for justice and equality The governor’s announcement received (in that office) than Barbara Johns.” overwhelming applause from the audience In announcing the new name, Gov. of several hundred people. McAuliffe was joined on the dais by They also were treated to a speech Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring from Marc H. Morial, president and CEO and Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam. of the National Urban League, and the Ms. Johns is best known for organizpresentation of the MLK Lifetime of ing and leading a student walkout in Service Award to the Rev. Andrew “Jack” 1951 from dilapidated R.R. Moton High White, a VUU alumnus and retired pastor Please turn to A5 of Zion Baptist and Union Branch Bap-
gia. Among the three Virginia lawmakers boycotting is freshman Rep. A. Donald McEachin, who represents Richmond. Like those who came before him, President-elect Trump will take his oath on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building and lead a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, but there will be fewer members of Congress, official balls and less glitz and celebrity talent to welcome in the new president. Please turn to A5
City attorney rules $226,000 in severance payments legal By Jeremy M. Lazarus
The controversial award of $226,000 in severance packages to four people who worked for former Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones was legal, according to City Attorney Allen L. Jackson. In a statement released Jan. 12 through the office of Mayor Levar M. Stoney in response to a Free Press query, Mr. Jackson stoutly defended the severance pay awards and sought to dispel any suggestions that the payments violated the City Charter or were doled out without proper authorization. Earlier, Mr. Jackson advised city officials that $1.9 million in Christmas bonuses for all city employees and that were authorized by Dr. Jones and approved by Selena Cuffee-Glenn, the city’s chief administrative officer, were improper because City Council approval was needed. Mr. Jackson noted that the severance payments “were expressly authorized under Section 31 of the city’s pay plan (and) were consistent with the guidelines established by City Council in the severance pay ordinance approved Dec.13, 2004.” Despite media reports and public statements by City Council members, Mr. Jackson stated that the former mayor did not actually authorize the payments to his executive assistant, Cheryl Ivey Green; press secretary, Tammy Hawley; chief of staff, Mark Kronenthal; and deputy chief of staff, Don Mark. As required by the 2004 ordinance, Ms. Cuffee-Glenn approved the severance packages for the four former employees Please turn to A4