March 3 5, 2016 issue

VUU, VSU CIAA champs

Richmond Free Press

VOL. 25 NO. 10

© 2016 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Worker fired for doing mayor’s church work on the job

www.richmondfreepress.com

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Javier Galeano/Reuters

Hillary Clinton acknowledges the cheers of supporters at a campaign rally Tuesday night in Miami after she won seven states in Tuesday’s Democratic presidential primaries. Below, billionaire Republican businessman Donald Trump, backed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, speaks to reporters Tuesday night in Palm Beach, Fla., after winning seven states in Super Tuesday’s GOP presidential primary and caucus voting.

Please turn to A4

Scott Audette/Reuters

Telfair: I was never consulted on Petersburg water contract

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Two years ago, cash-strapped Petersburg jumped at a deal that Johnson Controls Inc. was offering.

As it has done across the country, the energy and industrial giant offered to pay for installing automated water meters to replace Petersburg’s 11,500 old and outdated meters. The new meters would transmit water usage data to a passing truck and eliminate the need to send staff to physically check meters every two months.

The promise from the company: The city would be able to repay JCI from the savings the city would achieve from the more efficient delivery of water, from the reduced cost of Mr. Telfair meter reading and from the city’s improved ability to find and repair leaky underground pipes.

According to Petersburg City Attorney Brian K. Telfair, JCI botched the meter installation, adding to the financial problems the city now has and helping undermine the city’s relationship with residents who are in an uproar over huge water bills that are too often based on inaccurate readings of water use.

Mr. Telfair said he was shocked and dismayed at the problems he discovered after finally being asked to review the deal with JCI three weeks ago to find a solution.

In an interview at his office last week, Mr. Telfair said City Manager William E. Johnson

MARCH 3-5, 2016

Clinton, Trump win Super Tuesday

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Richmond Ambulance Authority quietly has terminated a high-ranking employee who was doing volunteer work for Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ church during business hours, the Free Press has learned.

Pamela J. Branch, the authority’s chief human resources and legal officer for several years, was fired Feb. 24 after officials determined she spent time at the RAA doing work as clerk of First Baptist Church of South Richmond, where the mayor is senior pastor.

The Free Press has confirmed that her dismissal came after she threatened to sue the authority for religious discrimination if she was disciplined for doing church business on RAA time.

Ms. Branch could not be reached for comment.

“No comment,” was the Ms. Branch only response from Terone B. Green, chairman of the board of the ambulance authority, an independent public entity the city created in 1991 to operate Richmond’s emergency medical services.

RAA CEO Chip Decker said, “I am not going to comment on employment matters” when asked about Ms. Branch’s status with the organization.

Sources indicated that Ms. Branch’s forced departure followed a search of the authority’s computers, which turned up emails and other documents involving the church that she created while at work at RAA. The emails also included correspondence she exchanged with Mayor Jones, the Free Press has been told, showing he was aware that she was using RAA resources for church work.

The Free Press has requested copies of the emails and documents under the Freedom of Information Act, but has not yet received them.

Mr. Decker stated Wednesday the request is still being processed.

ee Fr

Fr ee

A8, B3

Super Tuesday proved super for Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.

The two front-runners each won seven of the 11 state primary contests this week, including Virginia — putting each on course to win their party’s presidential nomination and face each other in a general election showdown.

Mrs. Clinton also scored big in delegate-rich Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas with strong support from African-Americans, women and older voters as she began to pull away from her rival, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. She also won narrowly in Massachusetts and handily in Arkansas, where her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was a longtime governor.

While Sen. Sanders won four of the state contests, he still trails the former secretary of state, New York senator and first lady in convention delegates who will choose the Democratic nominee. Sen. Sanders now is regarded as a long shot to pick up enough delegates in upcoming contests to catch her.

It’s the same situation Mrs. Clinton faced in 2008 when she trailed then upstart candidate Barack Obama, but could never catch him.

Turnout was huge in Virginia and other states, often setting records. An estimated 1 million people voted in Virginia’s Republican primary, a new record. About 780,000 people voted in the state’s Democratic primary, second best to 2008. The total vote of nearly 1.8 million eclipsed any previous turnout for presidential nomination contests in the state.

According to national exit polls, Mrs. Clinton won 86 percent of the votes of African-American women and 81 percent of the votes of African-American men.

Richmond exemplified that support as she won by margins of up to 6 to 1 in predominantly African-American precincts. Mrs. Clinton won the city with 18,372 votes to 12,065 for Sen. Sanders, who scored his biggest wins in precincts heavy with college students.

He won contests in his home state of Vermont, as well as in Oklahoma, Colorado and Minnesota, but failed to blunt Mrs. Clinton’s appeal with AfricanAmerican and Latino voters, who are crucial to the party in presidential elections.

A self-described Democratic Socialist, Sen. Sanders, who has energized supporters with his calls for a “political revolution,” has struggled to expand his base beyond young people and liberals.

While Sen. Sanders has vowed to stay in the race until the party’s July convention, he is losing ground Please turn to A4

Henrico cop indicted

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

“Please don’t shoot me again.”

Kimberly McNeil made that plea to a Henrico County police officer who was firing into a car in which she was a passenger.

Her plea went unanswered, a cousin recounted, as Officer Joel D. Greenway, continued shooting at her as her fiancé, Robert Davis, tried to drive away Please turn to A4 Officer Greenway from the Exxon station where they had just purchased gas Dec. 15.

The bullets shredded the tires, and the car crashed about 100 yards away.

Ms. McNeil, a 43-year-old hair stylist, survived four bullet wounds, including one to the back of her head.

Mr. Davis, 47, a carpenter, was uninjured in the shooting at Nine Mile Pit Stop at 3606 Nine Mile Road, near the city line.

The couple, who were never charged with a crime, are physical, emotional and financial wrecks today, said Ms. McNeil’s cousin, John McNeil, who is serving as their spokesman.

Meanwhile, Officer Greenway is facing criminal charges in this latest case in which African-Americans have been hurt or killed by police around the country.

Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon L. Taylor is seeking to put the officer in prison based on evidence secured by two detectives assigned the case.

Officer Greenway, who has worked for HenSandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press rico Police for three years, was indicted Feb. 24 by a Henrico grand jury after a presentation of that evidence.

Harlem Globetrotters player Thunder Low, center, mesmerizes Richmond’s Carver The charges against him: Malicious wounding, Elementary School students with his basketball skills. He and other members of the shooting into an occupied vehicle and using a world-renowned basketball team demonstrated their signature dribbling, passing and firearm in the commission of a felony. If confancy footwork for youngsters last Thursday at the Greyhound Bus Station on North victed, Officer Greenway could be sentenced Boulevard. The team also offered an anti-bullying and teamwork message to the highachieving students from Carver, which recently was named a Highly Distinguished to 20 or more years in prison.

School by the Virginia Department of Education. The Globetrotters stopped in Richmond He was released on a $10,000 bond. His next

III never allowed him to look at the JCI contract before it was awarded in 2014. Mr. Telfair also said he was never consulted when the city accepted the system four months ago.

The ‘Thunder Low’ show

on their 90th Anniversary World Tour to perform at the Richmond Coliseum.

Please turn to A5

Pro-Confederate legislators make run to save symbols A5

Richmond Free Press

A2 March 3-5, 2016

Local News

Lighted VUU tower enhances city skyline

By Joey Matthews

Virginia Union University now has a brighter profile on the city’s skyline.

The landmark Vann Memorial Tower at the Belgian Friendship Building on campus is lighted at night and visible across the city and to motorists on Interstate 95.

The lights officially went on Feb. 5.

VUU alumna and former Richmond educator E. Dianne Watkins, who spearheaded the effort to have the lights installed through her nonprofit Bells for Peace, excitedly calls the new tower lights “stunning.”

“You can see it from all parts of the city,” she said.

It’s the second time that Bells for Peace has celebrated the lighting of the 161-foot tower.

The group paid to have lights installed in 2013, but Ms. Watkins said they were “insufficient” and “they could not achieve the impact that was sought.”

She then launched a second campaign to get new lighting.

Musco Lighting, based in Oskaloosa, Iowa, agreed in April 2015 to donate $15,000 in electrical equipment and technical expertise for the project after Bells for Peace agreed to match that amount to pay for the labor.

Other donors included the late Dr. Allix B. James, VUU president emeritus; the Art Deco Society of Virginia, which raised $3,000 in a December fundraiser; and the university.

Now, with the new lights, Ms. Watkins said she, other VUU alumni and the city have

reason to celebrate.

“It does my heart good,” she said, “and it makes a statement that we are here in Richmond and we have a symbolic voice through the lights and the bells. No longer can people ask, ‘Where is Virginia Union?’ ’’ Bells for Peace was founded in 2004 to restore the tower’s bells. In 2011, the nonprofit funded the installation of an electronic carillon of 63 tones that sound on the campus at 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. each day.

The tower is part of a building that Belgium created for use as its pavilion during the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. It features stone reliefs

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond of scenes from Belgium’s former colony, the Belgian Congo, which is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Belgium donated the building to VUU when the outbreak of World War II prevented the structure from being returned to Europe.

Ms. Watkins’ uncle, the late John M. Ellison Sr., raised $500,000 to bring the Belgium Friendship Building to the campus in 1941 during his tenure as VUU president.

Vann Memorial Tower is named for Robert Lee Vann, a VUU student from 1901 to 1903, who became an attorney and editor of the Pittsburgh Courier. He also served as special assistant to U.S. Attorney General Homer Cummings under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Preliminary figures show $4.7M surplus for city in FY2015 City Hall could fill a big chunk of a projected $9.6 million deficit for the current fiscal year once outside auditors sign off on the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year 2015 that ended June 30.

Based on preliminary figures, the city finished fiscal year 2015 with a $4.7 million surplus.

That money is being kept in savings and cannot be touched until the CAFR is finalized — still a distant prospect, it appears.

Richmond Police plans to curb domestic violence The Richmond Police Department is stepping up efforts to stem domestic violence in partnership with the YWCA of Richmond and the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

On Tuesday, the three entities began an initiative called the “Lethal Assessment Protocol.”

Under it, police officers who respond to domestic violence calls are required to put the victims in touch with the YWCA’s Greater Richmond Regional Hotline at (804) 612-6126.

Victims and offenders who are considered at high risk of further violence will be referred to the police department’s Youth and Family Crimes Division for more intense follow-up and be directed to services and resources.

Police Chief Alfred Durham said at a news conference last Thursday that the action was taken after domestic-related incidents accounted for six of the city’s first 12 homicides in 2016.

Chief Durham called those figures “extraordinary.”

By comparison, there were three domestic-related homicides in 2015. There also were six homicides attributed to domestic violence in 2014, five in 2013, one in 2012 and two in 2011, according to the police.

Chief Durham said that domestic violence incidents are among the most difficult crimes to prevent because “so often they take place behind closed doors.”

He said five of the domestic-related homicides this year occurred inside and the sixth just a few steps from the victim’s front door.

“While stopping these homicides before they occur is difficult, there are things we can do — actions we can take as a family, as friends, as a community and as a government,” Chief Durham said.

He was joined at the news conference by Emily Barker, coordinator of emergency services at the YWCA, and Kelli Burnett, an assistant commonwealth’s attorney, in touting the program.

“A previous study had shown that only 4 percent of abuse victims had used (a) domestic violence hotline or had come into shelter services prior to being killed by an intimate partner. So it is extremely important for this process to start,” Ms. Barker said. — JOEY MATTHEWS

Once the CAFR is completed, the mayor could request that City Council transfer the surplus to the fiscal year 2016 budget.

The $4.7 million also could be used to boost the amount the city has to spend in the proposed fiscal year 2017 budget the mayor is scheduled to unveil this Friday, March 4. Or the $4.7 million could be left unspent.

Selena Cuffee-Glenn, the city’s chief administrative officer, and her deputy for finance, Lenora Reid, told the City Council Finance Committee on Feb. 18 that the CAFR’s completion is being held up as the city seeks to comply with requests from the outside auditor.

This is the second year in a row that Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration has failed to complete the CAFR by the traditional Nov. 30 deadline.

Ms. Cuffee-Glenn said the outside auditor is waiting for three items to close the books on 2015.

First, Ms. Cuffee-Glenn said the auditor has asked the city

to go back 10 years on capital projects and provide financial evidence on which projects have been completed and which remain open. The information is needed to justify the city’s valuation of assets and to report depreciation.

The filing of such documents apparently never had been done in a systematic way, creating substantial work for the Finance Department staff.

Next, the auditor wants the city to provide an appraisal of The Diamond baseball stadium, Ms. Cuffee-Glenn said. The city took ownership of The Diamond in 2014, but the home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels had not been properly valued for CAFR purposes.

Finally, both the city and the auditor are awaiting Richmond Public Schools to provide the audit of its books for fiscal year 2014.

Neither Ms. Cuffee-Glenn nor Ms. Reid offered any timetable for completing the CAFR. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

WE PURSUE

WISDOM

FROM THOSE WHO LED THE WAY

Weldon Hill moves from VSU provost to professor New Virginia State University President Makola M. Abdullah will soon be putting his stamp on the university’s administration.

According to a statement the Free Press obtained Monday, Dr. Abdullah advised the university community that Dr. W. Weldon Hill has given up the school’s top academic post — provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Abdullah stated that Dr. Hill “has shared with me his desire to return to the faculty” to teach music.

He praised Dr. Hill for his service under Dr. Hill three previous presidents, stating that Dr. Hill’s “commitment to the academic enterprise is unmatched.”

He also lauded Dr. Hill for being “extremely helpful during my transition.”

The move clears the way for Dr. Abdullah to fill the key post and make an important appointment to his administration. He stated that VSU would begin an “immediate nationwide search to fill the position,” which pays about $250,000 a year.

An accomplished jazz performer, composer and author, Dr. Hill joined VSU in 2003, after being named dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Education.

Dr. Hill became provost at VSU after the departure of W. Eric Thomas more than six years ago. — Jeremy M. Lazarus

Some of the bravest role models of the Civil Rights Movement were teachers. Fiercely committed to this cause, these individuals were powerful leaders and activists who played a critical role in advancing society. Professor Derrick Alridge founded the “Teachers in the Movement” oral history project not just to honor them, but to create the largest repository of their stories anywhere in the world.

By pursuing wisdom from those who led the way, we continue to inspire the leaders of tomorrow.

Learn more at virginia.edu/pursuit

Richmond Free Press

March 3-5, 2016

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Richmond Free Press

A4 March 3-5, 2016

News

Local Democrats jubilant over Clinton win

By Joey Matthews

Two groups of Democratic supporters gathered Tuesday night at separate viewing parties two blocks apart at restaurants in Shockoe Bottom.

Shortly after the polls closed at 7 p.m., both venues quickly transformed into jubilant celebrations of Hillary Clinton’s resounding win over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in Virginia’s presidential primary.

When it was all said and done, Mrs. Clinton easily trounced Sen. Sanders in the state, winning 64.3 percent of the vote to his 35.2 percent.

About 75 people attended the Democratic Party of Virginia’s event at On the Rox at 119 N. 18th St. They shared friendly conversation and warm laughs as they discussed the landslide win by the Democratic presidential front-runner.

Among those attending were Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, state Sen. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County and state Democratic Party Chair Susan Swecker.

Down the street at Southern Kitchen at 1726 E. Main St., about 15 members of the Richmond City Democratic Committee and their guests sat down for a dinner and a post-vote discussion.

Among those attending were state Delegate Delores McQuinn of Richmond; her son, J.J. Minor, chair of the city Democratic Committee; School Board Chair Jeff Bourne; City Council member Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District; radio personality “Miss Community” Clovia Lawrence; and Maurice Tyler, founder of Coaches Against Violence Everywhere.

All those interviewed by the Free Press at the gatherings voiced their support for Mrs. Clinton’s nomination.

“We’re all real pleased and I know a governor … who is very pleased also,” said Lt. Gov. Northam.

He was referring to Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who has close ties to the Clinton family. The governor was at a rally and viewing party in Northern Virginia with other Clinton supporters.

“It’s evident that Hillary is the front-runner in the party now,” Lt. Gov. Northam said. “She is in a very strong position and she’s got a great organization and I think she’s going to be successful at the end of the day.”

Secretary Stoney called Mrs. Clinton’s Super Tuesday victories “major wins.”

“When you look at South Carolina, then at Georgia, Virginia and other Southern states, you see that it comes down to a diverse electorate and you see that she is the candidate of choice.”

Mrs. McAuliffe called it “a great night for the country to see Secretary Clinton win. It’s a great shot in the arm for her campaign. She’s the most experienced in the race. But we still have a lot of work to do,” she cautioned.

Sen. McEachin also lauded Mrs. Clinton’s decisive win as “a great night for Democrats.”

“Now is the time for the campaign to unite behind her and get ready for November,” he said.

A few blocks away, Mr. Bourne pointed to Mrs. Clinton’s experience as secretary of state under President Obama, her record as a U.S. senator from New York and her time in the White House as first lady as reasons he’s supporting her.

“Hillary is the one candidate in the race who can govern from day one,” he stated. “Her victories demonstrate she can win across the country in November.”

Leah Walker, an Oregon Hill resident who works for the state Department of Education, echoed those sentiments.

“Hillary Clinton’s victories mean we will have a viable candidate as our party’s nominee,” she said. “Now, I’m looking forward to the general election and supporting her as the nominee.”

She said the hate-filled rhetoric of Donald Trump and other Republican candidates fails to address the needs of everyday Americans.

“To me, the Republican primary candidates have a platform that is divisive to the country,” Ms. Walker said. “It’s important we elect a president whose plans for our country are to take us forward, not backward,” she stressed.

“Some of the rhetoric of the Republicans is terrifying. It’s important that people pay attention and choose a candidate who is fit to lead

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Several Virginia Democratic Party leaders spoke at Tuesday’s presidential primary celebration at a Shockoe Bottom restaurant. Among them, from left, state Sen. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County, Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, Party Chair Susan Swecker and Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam.

our country in the 21st century.”

Lawrence Anderson, a consultant who lives in Scott’s Addition, emphasized that Mrs. Clinton and Sen. Sanders best not forget the importance of the African-American vote that helped pave the way to President Obama’s big wins in 2008 and 2012.

“I would say the African-American vote is essential to any Democratic candidates,” Mr. Anderson said. “You saw that in 2008 and 2012. You saw in history what happens when that vote it taken for granted.”

Asked if African-American voters would support Mrs. Clinton in large numbers if she is the eventual nominee, he said, “It depends on who the Republican candidate is.”

“If it’s somebody like Trump, I don’t know of a bigger motivator for black and brown people.

In that case, it may be a greater turnout than in 2008 and 2012.”

“Virginia Democrats recognized tonight that Hillary Clinton is the fighter we need to ensure economic prosperity for all, access to affordable and quality health care, criminal justice reform

Clinton, Trump win Super Tuesday Continued from A1

fast to his rival. Mrs. Clinton was assured of winning at least 457 of the 865 delegates at stake on Super Tuesday, while he was expected to collect 299 delegates, with the remaining still undecided.

Sen. Sanders’ nomination prospects could be largely snuffed out should Mrs. Clinton do equally well in the upcoming stretch of 11 state contests. They begin Saturday, March 5, and extend through Tuesday, March 15, when primary voters in the key states of Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri will have their say.

On the Republican side, Mr. Trump also extended his nearly insurmountable delegate lead as he held off U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida to win Virginia and six other contests.

The braggadocious businessman with a potty mouth swept much of the South, raising alarms among some in the GOP who view Mr. Trump as splintering their party and making it easier for Mrs. Clinton to win the White House.

His most significant rival, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, won his home state of Texas, the night’s single biggest prize, as well as Oklahoma and Alaska to keep his campaign alive. A nd Sen. Rubio scored his first win in Minnesota.

Still, Sen. Rubio is expected to drop out of the nominating contest if he fails to win the March 15 GOP primary in his home state of Florida, where polls now show Mr. Trump with

a 20-point lead.

Signaling her confidence, Mrs. Clinton appeared to pivot to focus on Mr. Trump as she addressed supporters Tuesday night during her victory rally in Miami.

“It’s clear tonight that the stakes in this election have never been higher and the rhetoric we’re hearing on the other side has never been lower,” she said.

Dismissing Mr. Trump’s campaign promise to “make American great again,” Mrs. Clinton said, “America never stopped being great.”

Instead, she called for more “love and kindness” as she tried out her new theme to “make America whole.”

At his victory party, Mr. Trump also looked ahead to his matchup with Mrs. Clinton, portraying her as part of the political establishment that has failed Americans.

“She’s been there for so long,” Mr. Trump said at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. “If she hasn’t straightened it out by now, she’s not going to straighten it out in the next four years.”

Along with Virginia, Mr. Trump also won GOP contests in Arkansas, Massachusetts and Vermont as well those in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

The two other candidates in the race, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, trailed badly in most of the contests.

And on Wednesday, Dr. Carson indicated he planned to quit the race on Friday. Gov. Kasich said he would drop out if he could not win the winner-takeall GOP primary contest in his home state in two weeks.

M r .

Trump’s victories have rattled Republican leaders

Mr. Telfair said that he first looked at the contract in early February as resident protests over the problems mounted.

Amid efforts by Petersburg City Council to sever ties with him and Mr. Johnson, Mr. Telfair said he discovered that Petersburg officials apparently never required the company to “conduct any testing before the system went live to ensure it was working properly.”

Mr. Telfair said he has found evidence that JCI installed meters that “are not working properly” and that some meters “were installed backwards.” His also found that new meters never were installed at some properties.

The results have been disastrous for Petersburg and its residents, he said. The malfunctioning system “caused the city to first not send out water bills at all,

and contributors, with some observers now saying there is a civil war for the soul of the party.

While Mr. Trump professed to have good relationships with his party’s elite, he showed that he will be tough on them as he issued a warning to House Speaker Paul Ryan, who declared earlier in the day that “this party does not prey on people’s prejudices.”

Mr. Trump said that if the two don’t get along, “he’s going to have to pay a big price.”

All efforts to stop Mr. Trump have failed, including an aggressive campaign to discredit him by the two senators, with Sen. Rubio calling the front-runner “a con man” repeatedly ahead of Super Tuesday and Sen. Cruz describing Mr. Trump as a liberal who has donned conservative garb.

On Tuesday, Sen. Rubio failed to live up to the wider hopes of the numerous Republican officeholders who have promoted him as the party’s best alternative. With his campaign flagging, Sen. Rubio vowed to keep up efforts to “unmask the true nature of the front-runner in this race” as he and others pushed the hope of keeping Mr. Trump from winning enough delegates to win on the first ballot at the party’s convention.

Sen. Cruz has beaten Mr. Trump in four contests this primary season, a fact he wielded as he called on Sen. Rubio and other candidates to step aside.

However, Sen. Cruz has had little impact on voter support for the brash New York real estate mogul who has carved into Sen. Cruz’s base — evangelical Christians and social conservatives.

In six of the states on Tuesday, large majorities of Republican voters said they supported Mr. Trump’s proposal to temporarily ban all non-citizen Muslims from entering the United States.

Nine in 10 of Mr. Trump’s voters were looking for an outsider, and half were angry with the government, according to exit polls conducted

by Edison Research for The Associated Press and television networks.

Worker fired for doing mayor’s church work on the job Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Three-year-old Jashawn Johnson Jr. takes cues from his father, right, at the Hobson Lodge voting precinct in South Side on Super Tuesday.

Telfair: I was never consulted on Petersburg water contract Continued from A1

and college affordability,” Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan said in an email to the Free Press about the Super Tuesday results.

“African-Americans played a critical role in her victory tonight, and will do so again in November,” she added.

Asked if she would play a role in Mrs. Clinton’s Virginia campaign going forward, Delegate McClellan said, “I am honored to serve on her Virginia Leadership Council and will do all I can to ensure her election as our next president.”

then send out bills that were incorrect due to faulty readings, and now send out estimated bills.”

“These are systematic issues that make me question whether the system has worked since inception,” he said.

Mr. Telfair sent a letter dated Feb. 24 to JCI and its Petersburg project manager, Whitley Blake, demanding the company immediately begin tests on the system at its own expense to identify and fix the problems.

In a Feb. 26 statement to the Free Press, JCI responded that the company has “decades of experience and success in providing more efficient water meter systems, and we will work directly with the city to ensure the terms of our contract have been met.”

Water problems are not the only crisis Petersburg is coping with. At this point, the city is awash in unpaid bills, including more than $3 million due to the Virginia

Retirement System to pay for city employee pensions.

Petersburg also is at least three months behind in payments to the Riverside Regional Jail, which has housed Petersburg’s prisoners since the city closed its jail in early 2015.

The city also is three months behind on payments to the South Central Wastewater Authority that treats the city’s sewage.

The city’s problems have been compounded by lagging property tax collections that have fallen at least $3.4 million below expectations.

The City Council was to meet this week to continue closed-door talks on removing Mr. Johnson and Mr. Telfair and conducting a forensic audit of the city’s finances. But whether the city can afford the $120,000 it would have to pay in severance to Mr. Johnson and Mr. Telfair, and the estimated $300,000 it would cost for the audit, remains to be seen.

Continued from A1

In response to a request for comment from Mayor Jones, his press secretary, Tammy Hawley, stated Wednesday: “With respect to any emails between she and the mayor, the appropriateness or not of that should be driven by RAA policies and procedures.

“For example, the city’s own policy allows for some limited use of emails for personal use,” she continued. “The issue for us in the recent matter with (Emmanuel O. Adediran, the city director of Public Works) was persistent use and not limited use. RAA policies would dictate what she should or should not have done with respect to her volunteer work (for the church) from there. I’m not aware of the level of usage she had or what their policies are.”

Ms. Branch is the second employee caught breaching the firewall Mayor Jones claimed he set up when he first took office in 2009 to keep city business separate from that of his church.

Earlier this year, City Auditor Umesh Dalal created a major stir when he reported that Mr. Adediran was spending city time serving as volunteer project manager on the development of First Baptist Church’s satellite sanctuary in Chesterfield County.

The evidence came from emails on Mr. Adediran’s city computer, including a few Mr. Adediran exchanged with Mayor Jones, showing the mayor was aware of Mr. Adediran’s activities for the church.

The Free Press also reported previously that Mr. Adediran had permission from his immediate supervisor to undertake his work for the church and was known to work longer hours on his city job to make up the time.

Mayor Jones and Selena Cuffee-Glenn, the city’s chief administrative officer, required Mr. Adediran to relinquish 38 hours of vacation time to make up for the city time the city auditor estimated he had misused doing church work.

Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring also has begun a probe with the Virginia State Police to determine whether any criminal laws were violated.

Richmond Free Press

March 3-5, 2016 A5

Local News

Pro-Confederate legislators make run to save symbols

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Veto that bill, governor.

That’s the cry from members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus after the Republican-dominated General Assembly approved a bill that would bar localities from removing Confederate hate symbols from public property.

“I voted against it, but now we can only hope that that the governor will use his veto pen,” said Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan.

If Gov. Terry McAuliffe does not act, Virginia would join other former rebel states where Republican majorities have passed bills to protect the Civil War symbols of secession and the defense of slavery.

The bill initially passed 82-16 in the House of Delegates. And on Monday, it passed in the Senate 21-17 on a party line vote. The five African-American state senators voted against the measure.

In the House of Delegates, three of the 13 Legislative Black Caucus members supported the bill: Delegate Lamont Bagby of Henrico, Delegate Charniele Herring of Alexandria and Delegate Roslyn C. Tyler of Jarratt. Delegate Lashrecse D. Aird of Petersburg cast a yes vote, but the House Journal states she meant to vote no.

The legislation represents a backlash against the changes triggered by the slayings of nine worshippers in a South Carolina

church last June by a white supremacist who had posted photos of himself on the Internet with the Confederate battle flag.

In the wake of the vicious attack, many jurisdictions have removed racist symbols from public areas. Among them, South Carolina has removed the Confederate flag from the grounds of its Statehouse and New Orleans has voted to remove four Confederate statues from public land.

In Richmond, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Downtown won applause for its decision to remove Confederate symbols from its

Delegate Poindexter

historic sanctuary.

The surprise legislative counter attack was launched by Delegate Charles Poindexter, R-Franklin County. He introduced the measure in response to Danville’s decision last August to lower a Confederate flag from a city-owned arts and history museum that 151 years ago was the final headquarters of the collapsing Confederate government.

The bill expands on 1998 legislation that made it “unlawful” for local government officials or anyone else to “disturb or interfere” with any monuments and memorials once they are

put in place. The major change would protect all “monuments and memorials, regardless of when erected.”

According to Henrico Sen. A. Donald McEachin, the bill is meant to overturn a circuit court judge’s decision upholding Danville’s right to lower the flag and have it put inside the museum. The judge upheld Danville’s authority as the flag had gone up before the 1998 legislation was passed, and he ruled the flag was not covered.

A neo-Confederate group, the Heritage Preservation Association, sued the City of Danville after the flag was removed in a bid to get it reinstated. The group now plans to appeal the decision to the Virginia Supreme Court.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia also is urging the governor to veto the Poindexter bill. In a Facebook post Tuesday, Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, Virginia ACLU executive director, described the legislation as a “thinly disguised effort by some to keep people and localities from deciding what to do with Confederate memorials.”

She stated that the legislation “should be vetoed if for no other reason than it violates the (state) constitutional provision that bars the legislature from deciding an issue pending in the courts, which in this case is Danville’s decision to remove the Confederate flag from a public space.”

By Joey Matthews

Henrico County Public Schools has not banned the video on racism that upset some parents and their children at Glen Allen High School and created wider community turmoil when the Henrico County School Board chairwoman and superintendent apologized for it being shown.

In an interview Tuesday, Andy Jenks, spokesperson for Henrico County schools, told the Free Press, “No,” when asked if the video has been banned.

Mr. Jenks said he was representing the views of Superintendent Patrick Kinlaw.

“At no point did anyone from Henrico County Schools explicitly use the word ‘ban,’” Mr. Jenks said, referring to the Feb. 10 statement in which Dr. Kinlaw and School Board Chairwoman Michelle F. “Micky” Ogburn apologized for showing the video to students and indicated it would not be shown again in Henrico schools.

In the statement, Ms. Ogburn, said, “School leaders have been instructed not to use the video in their schools. In addition, steps are being taken to prevent the use of racially divisive materials in the future,” she said.

The county’s two top school leaders issued their joint statement six days after students at two Glen Allen High School assemblies on Feb. 4 watched the 4-minute video “Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race” as part of a presentation on race relations at the predominately white school.

The animated video, in which white and nonwhite runners line up on a track for a foot race, focuses on obstacles to progress that African-Americans historically have faced, shows the various benefits derived by white privilege and points out that affirmative action is one necessary step to help correct systemic racism and injustice.

“A portion of our board chair’s response on the subject stated that school leaders have been instructed not to use the video in our schools,” Mr. Jenks said. “We viewed that statement differently” than most in the public who believed that it calls for an outright ban.

He added that some board members, including Ms. Ogburn, indicated that they did not find

Dr. Kinlaw

Rev. Martin

Dr. Perry

Ms. Scharf

Speakers support race video and name change for Byrd Middle School the video offensive, but would have preferred it be viewed in other settings, such as “in a small classroom where a dialogue was more likely to occur and where viewpoints were more likely to be aired.”

When asked when the board would make a final decision on whether to allow the use of the video at Henrico schools in the future, Mr. Jenks said, “As we receive more community feedback and go through the process, we will determine how we go forward.”

“Any (determination) probably would take place in some sort of open session,” he said.

Ravi K. Perry, associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University who led the Glen Allen High assemblies, said it is clear to him that Henrico school leaders originally meant to ban the video as the statement indicated.

“The statement from the school board several weeks ago specifically instructed all teachers not to use the video,” he said Tuesday.

In an emotional address to the School Board at a public meeting last week, he said, “I’ve been attacked by you. You have insinuated very clearly in your statements that your goal is to ensure that this type of program never exists again.”

He added, “The story that’s been missing here

is that Glen Allen High School, its administrators and its students are simply amazing. You have allowed those voices to be silenced by banning the video and by also not releasing the entire recording video of that discussion.”

Dr. Perry’s remarks mirrored those of a diverse array of dozens of people who spoke at the meeting against the video ban.

“Centuries of racism and white privilege have made you entitled and fragile and afraid to see a race-based video, which needs to be seen by everyone,” Zandra Hicks, a retired Richmond Public Schools teacher, told the board.

“Our biggest fear is the elimination of our community, which by the way is happening now,” said Ms. Hicks, who is African-American. “And yet you’re the ones who are insulted.”

Four of the five Henrico School Board members are white.

“Many of us are concerned by the message singling out this educational video for a ban sends.

Doing so communicates to students of color that very real barriers to success that they or their family experience must go unacknowledged at school or be suppressed,” said Adria Scharf, director of the Richmond Peace Education Center.

The majority of those who spoke also backed the community-based effort to rename Harry F. Byrd Middle School. The school is named after

Henrico police officer indicted Continued from A1

court date set for March 28. He could not be reached for comment.

The Henrico Police Department, which has put Officer Greenway on leave with pay, initially sought to justify the actions of the officer, who was treated for cuts from flying glass after the shooting.

On Dec. 16, a few hours after the shooting, Lt. Chris Eley, the department’s spokesman, issued a statement with the following version of events: Officer Greenway noticed “a suspicious vehicle” backed into a parking space in front of the gas station around 10:30 p.m.

Lt. Eley stated that the station had closed at 9:30 p.m., although its posted hours show closing time is 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at midnight Friday and Saturday. Only a Subway sandwich shop inside the station closes at 9:30 p.m. “(The officer) was talking or interacting with driver and the driver put the vehicle into drive and struck the officer. At that point, (the officer) discharged his firearm,” the statement read.

Mr. McNeil said he was told the officer never talked to Mr. Davis. He said the officer approached the car’s passenger side and rapped on Ms. McNeil’s window with a metallic object, startling the couple.

The officer was wearing a body camera, but it apparently was not working or was turned off, Lt. Eley stated.

However, cameras inside and outside the store were rolling and documented what happened, Mr. McNeil said.

“I can’t wait to go to court to see those tapes,” he said.

According to Mr. McNeil, his cousin said she had returned to the car after paying for gas and stopping in the restroom.

“She was on her cell phone with

Photo courtesy John McNeil

Kimberly McNeil and her cousin, John McNeil, pose for a family photo taken around 2001.

her daughter,” Octavia McNeil, he recounted, when someone rapped hard on her window and motioned to her to roll it down.

“It was dark, and she couldn’t tell who it was,” Mr. McNeil said, although the officer was in uniform.

Then the glass shattered as Officer Greenway began firing, Mr. McNeil said he was told.

Ms. McNeil was hit in the right shoulder, he said. After a second shot hit her, she asked the officer to stop shooting and then flung her left arm across her face as he fired again, Mr. McNeil said. That bullet hit her left arm.

As Mr. Davis drove off, she was shot

again in the back of the head.

Mr. McNeil said a security guard in the store who knew first aid “saved her life.”

“He ran to the car after it crashed and put pressure on the wound until” emergency help arrived, Mr. McNeil said.

A key issue expected at the trial is whether Officer Greenway was struck by the car as he claimed. No evidence has been publicly released.

Mr. McNeil said Mr. Davis and his cousin told him the car never touched the officer. That’s also the view of Attorney A. Donald McEachin, a state senator who represents Ms. McNeil and is building a civil case against the officer.

“It is still early in our investigation, but I do not believe the officer was struck by the car,” Mr. McEachin said. However, he said he would know more once additional evidence becomes available.

Ms. McNeil was treated at VCU Medical Center and was released because she does not have health insurance, her cousin said. Her recovery has been hard and slow, he said.

“She still has bullet fragments in her head,” Mr. McNeil said. “She has seizures and has a hard time walking and talking.” He described her as too disabled to work.

He said Mr. Davis also has been so traumatized that he has not been able to work regularly.

“They still have bills to pay, but they have no money. The family is helping as best we can, but it’s just a sad situation,” Mr. McNeil said.

“The most hurtful part of this situation is who did the shooting. Police are supposed to protect and serve the community, not try and kill people,” he said.

“How can we trust them after what happened?”

the staunch segregationist and former Virginia governor and U.S. senator. He was one of the chief architects of “Massive Resistance,” a state-sanctioned policy designed to skirt the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 ruling ordering public schools to be desegregated to end educational inequities.

Thousands of African-American children were denied an education when public schools were shut down rather than desegregate. State money also was steered to all-white private schools to pay for the education of white students in many jurisdictions where schools were closed.

The Rev. Marcus Martin of New Bridge Baptist Church in Henrico told the board he was representing a group of concerned clergy who favor renaming the school.

“The continued honor given to a person, Harry Byrd, with such a divisive history which goes against our mission and values as a school system should not be,” he said.

“We have a chance in this moment not to turn a blind eye,” he said, “or ignore what is blatantly in front of us, but rather confront and change because it’s right. You did not make this problem, but you have an opportunity to correct this problem.”

Brandon Rosado, a Tucker High School ninth-grader who attended Byrd Middle School last year, spoke on behalf of the Henrico Branch NAACP. “Unfortunately, in 2016, there are still remnants of institutional racism and symbolism that remain in the public arena in the form of statues, flags, plaques, mascots and the names of institutions that were meant to intimidate, bully and oppress citizens of color,” he said.

“The recognition of Harry Flood Byrd Sr. as the name for an institution of learning is opposed to education and the ideal of a diverse society.”

Separately, the coalition leading the effort to rename Byrd is disputing the county’s estimated cost of about $138,000 to rename the school.

They said they have found several ways to reduce the cost to less than $30,000 that they asked Henrico school officials to consider.

The School Board will hold a second public hearing on the proposed name change 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at Byrd Middle School, 9400 Quioccasin Road.

Richmond sheriff sued for disability violation Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. has been hit with a federal lawsuit for firing a deputy who became disabled by a heart condition.

U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente filed the lawsuit Wednesday alleging that Sheriff Woody violated Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act by firing the deputy rather than assigning her to a vacant position for which she was qualified.

Maj. Jerry Baldwin, spokesman for the Sheriff Woody Richmond Sheriff’s Office, said the sheriff had not yet been served with the suit and is reserving comment until that happens.

According to a statement from Mr. Boente, who did not identify the woman, “the employee who had worked as a deputy for approximately 10 years asked to be reassigned to an available civilian position after a heart condition rendered her unable to continue as a deputy.”

Under the ADA, an employer must provide reasonable accommodations for a disabled employee, including reassignment, “where such an accommodation does not pose an undue hardship to the employer,” Mr. Boente stated.

“Employment is a vital part of life for all individuals, and the ADA ensures that qualified individuals who develop disabilities are able to stay employed,” Mr. Boente stated.

The suit requests that the former deputy be awarded the position she had requested, receive back pay since her dismissal and be awarded compensatory damages.

Mr. Boente has assigned assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Harker to the case with support from the U.S. Justice Department and its Disability Rights Section, which took the original complaint.

“The Justice Department vigorously enforces the ADA,” stated Vanita Gupta, principal deputy assistant U.S. attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, which oversees the Disability Rights Section.

“We want to ensure that when employees develop disabilities that interfere with their job,” Ms. Gupta continued, “employers reassign them to a different vacant position that matches their qualifications.” — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Richmond Free Press

Daffodils in South Side

Editorial Page

A6

March 3-5, 2016

Super Tuesday: Just how super?

Super Tuesday is over.

And for fans of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, it was a great night, with multistate victories for both candidates ranging from Massachusetts to Georgia to Arkansas.

In Virginia, Mrs. Clinton scored big, capturing 65 percent of the vote. Her win in the Commonwealth and largely throughout the Southern Super Tuesday states can be attributed to the overwhelming support she received within the African-American and other communities of color.

While this primary election night was filled with joyful high-fives and celebration, the coming weeks will be filled with troubling questions that may make Super Tuesday seem less than super.

Chief among them: • Will Mrs. Clinton and the Democratic Party live up to the promises made during these latest high-stress weeks of campaigning to support income equality, social justice and increased access to education that will benefit our community?

• If Mrs. Clinton ultimately is elected president, will our community’s needs be relegated to the back of the line or bargained away for tax breaks to the rich or another bailout for Wall Street?

• What happens to this nation should Mr. Trump actually win the nomination? Or heaven help us, the presidency?

What rude and crude surprises await us should this hotheaded egomaniac, who has conned thousands of people out of money with Trump University, become the leader of the free world? Would all of his supporters feel they’d been conned should he win the White House?

It is crystal clear to us that a President Trump would be a danger to the African-American community. Perhaps the saying should be “the friend of my enemy is certainly not my friend.” When Mr. Trump cozies up to David Duke and the KKK, whose history is dedicated to the harm and annihilation of black people, then there is no other sign we need to understand that he means us no good.

Oddly, we find ourselves agreeing in this rare instance with House Speaker Paul Ryan, a conservative Republican who was thrown into his leadership role as a bone for getting out of the crowded GOP presidential nomination race.

On Super Tuesday, as millions of voters were headed to the polls to choose candidates to run for president, he offered this observation and warning to Mr. Trump, who was busy deflecting questions about his support from white supremacists: “When I see something that runs counter to who we are as a party and as a country, I will speak up. So today I want to be very clear about something,” Speaker Ryan said. “If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party, there can be no evasion and no games. They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry.

This party does not prey on people’s prejudices. We appeal to their highest ideals. This is the party of Lincoln. We believe all people are created equal in the eyes of God and our government. This is fundamental. And if someone wants to be our nominee, they must understand this.”

Mr. Trump’s response? He threatened Speaker Ryan: “I’m sure I’m going to get along great with him. And if I don’t, he’s going to have to pay a big price.”

The GOP has a mess on its hands. The man who everyone considered a joke and dismissed six months ago is the leading GOP candidate. But should he win the nomination or the presidency, he becomes a mess for all of us.

One pundit said when it comes to Mr. Trump’s nomination, many Republicans are in the final stage of grief — acceptance. But we don’t believe the final nail is in the proverbial GOP coffin.

We ask the GOP to take a page from Mr. Trump’s playbook, “The Art of the Deal,” and get rid of him before he takes down the nation like he bankrupted some of those who bought into his bogus university.

And we implore African-American voters and the elected Democratic leadership who are so solidly behind Mrs. Clinton to hold her accountable as the party’s presumptive nominee — so that she doesn’t forget who brought her to the dance.

True winners Before the thrill of the annual CIAA Tournament wears off, we offer our hearty congratulations to the Lady Panthers of Virginia Union University and the Virginia State University Trojans men’s basketball team for such exciting CIAA championship wins last Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. Their victories are testament to the hard work and dedication they have given to the sport under the skilled direction of Coach AnnMarie Gilbert and Coach Lonnie Blow, respectively.

In addition to the teams securing the CIAA men’s and women’s crowns, two players, Kiana Johnson of VUU and Kevin Williams of VSU, won the women’s and men’s Most Valuable Player awards at the tournament that draws thousands of fans each year to Time Warner Cable Arena, as well as a national television audience.

The athletes on these outstanding teams have brought pride to their classmates, alumni, families and the Richmond-Petersburg metro area, who all share in this glorious moment.

We wish each team continued success as you head to the NCAA Division II regional tournaments. And we hope the perseverance, determination, teamwork and other positive character attributes you bring to the court will lead each of you to success in all aspects of your lives and careers in the future.

Now on to the NCAA games!

Déjá vu Now that the political pundits of the major media outlets have gulped down the teas that were the South Carolina Democratic primary and Super Tuesday, they are busy trying to read the leaves left in their respective cups.

One of the questions they are trying to fathom is: “Why are black voters splitting between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders?”

Their amazement over this split reveals the ignorance that continues to shroud most of white America when it comes to issues of race.

The obvious fact they miss is that black America is not homogeneous. That truth would be abundantly clear if people of color were portrayed more often and more fairly by Hollywood and the television networks. But the most prevalent themes in which black folk are visible — black misery and white heroism — provide little opportunity to accurately depict anyone, black or white.

Throughout history there have been many political divisions within the black community. The most noted of these was the disagreement between W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington in the early 20th century.

Then, as now, AfricanAmericans and other people of color were facing a surge of white intolerance. Jim Crow laws were being passed in the South, and in Northern industrial cities, black immigrants — fleeing Southern oppression — were despised and reviled for taking jobs away from white people.

Within this context, Dr. DuBois and Mr. Washington advocated two different approaches to the problem. Dr. DuBois saw the need for an elite class of black folks who could lead the rest of us on the path to full citizenship.

He believed that, through the force of scholarship and the power of reasoning, the evils of racism could be overcome. Mr. Washington,

on the other hand, wanted us to “cast down [our] buckets” where we were. He wanted us to work within the then current system, accept that white people believed in racial superiority, but demonstrate through hard work and upright character that

Oscar H. Blayton we deserve a slice of the American Pie. (But let us not forget that women still were not allowed to vote at the time.)

The struggle then, as it is now, was viewed as one between “elites” and “accommodationists.”

Today, academics, writers and intellectuals within the African-American community appear to be lining up behind a candidate who often is described as a “socialist dreamer” from Vermont. But a closer look will reveal that they are not so much in favor of Bernie Sanders as they are opposed to a hostile system that has heaped countless disappointments on us while inflicting immeasurable harm.

In the other corner are the party faithful who take their cues from the established voices, no matter what.

Their theme has been “we have to work within the system and go with the best that we find there. These black voters are staying with the heirs to the machinery that brought them “The War on Poverty,” JFK and FDR. But in the early 20th century, as it is today, there was a third movement. One hundred years ago this month, a man who was despised and reviled, even by some members of the black community, stepped forward to give voice to those who were neither among the intellectuals nor working within the established political machinery of the day. That man was Marcus Garvey. He eventually was deported to Jamaica. But before he was, he lifted black folks with a sense of purpose and self-reliance that endured for more than a half century.

The third movement today is the Black Lives

Matter movement. And like Mr. Garvey’s movement, Black Lives Matter advocates that black folks educate themselves as to what is in their own best interest.

This is not to say that Democratic Party loyalists rely too much on other people to tell them what to do. But when a group calling itself the “CBC-PAC,” with the implication that it is the “Congressional Black Caucus’ Political Action Committee,” endorses Hillary Clinton, people need to know that this is not the Congressional Black Caucus, but a group made up primarily of lobbyists.

This is not to say that when intellectuals present valid critiques of Hillary Clinton’s past participation in putting forward policies that decimated black communities and families they are saying they think Bernie Sanders is the solution to all black folks’ problems. Nor are they agreeing with the tone deaf young Sanders supporters who seem to be telling black voters that marching with Martin Luther King 50 years ago is the only qualification necessary for selecting a president.

If marching with Dr. King was the only qualification necessary, thousands of black folks should be in the White House today.

We know some black folks get it very wrong sometimes. After all, there were those slaves who, out of a sense of loyalty, followed their Confederate masters into battle during the insurrection of certain Southern states. And there are those black supporters of Donald Trump who walk among us today. But the debate between the Clinton and Sanders supporters does not fall in that category. This is a close call within the black community; one that did not end when the polls closed on Super Tuesday.

One certain outcome of this contest, however, is that black intellectuals will not be put back into the box.

The broader community now knows that they are here to stay. Going forward, everyone will know that black voices, like black

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

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

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

lives, matter.

Another clear outcome of this contest is that black politicians who have nothing to offer their constituents, other than loyalty to the leadership of the Democratic Party, have outlived their usefulness, and a new breed of younger, smarter, more energetic black activists — soon to be politicians — is on the rise.

The writer is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.

George Curry Media

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Richmond Free Press

March 3-5, 2016

A7

Letters to the Editor

What would Maggie Walker want?

The people have spoken. The city Public Art Commission has spoken. The city has decreed that the live oak tree at Broad and Adams streets cannot co-exist with the Maggie Walker statue.

But one voice has been surprisingly absent from the discussion: Maggie Walker’s.

The art commission cited reasonable logistical and aesthetic concerns about the tree’s proximity to the proposed statue. But they also gave credibility to the suggestion that the tree conjures an image of lynching, thus dishonoring Mrs. Walker’s legacy.

If our view of the oak tree is to be allegorical, then shouldn’t it be Maggie Walker who shapes that symbolism? A tree only represents lynching if we require it to.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Walker ardently campaigned against lynching, yet she never viewed trees as her adversaries.

On the contrary, Mrs. Walker saw trees as symbols of growth,

symbols of life. She evoked tree imagery in the slogan of her youth group, the St. Luke Cadets, when she espoused, “As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.”

In 1906 while summoning support for her two latest businesses, Mrs. Walker insisted, “The Emporium and the Bank to us is the sprouting acorn — but to your boys and girls, it will be the tall spreading, giant oak, affording shelter and protection for a thousand.”

Wouldn’t the best way to honor Mrs. Walker’s legacy be to value her own history? After all, Mrs. Walker, herself, was once reverently referred to as a tree. After her passing in 1934, the Richmond Planet eulogized, “Surely a tree has fallen, but in vases made of human hearts its leaves will be sacredly kept and cherished in saintly memory of God’s own gift to a struggling race.”

ETHAN BULLARD Richmond

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General Assembly A message from Senator Donald McEachin

Our children are exposed to many difficult, controversial, upsetting and explicit subjects throughout their young lives. Unfortunately, too much of this exposure comes with friends or out in the street or in any other unsupervised venue. Our children need to learn and understand about these issues as part of their preparation for adulthood. For them to understand and comprehend, the exposure should happen with an adult, an adult who can explain and appreciate and help guide children through it. That adult can be a parent, a faith leader, a relative, an adults friend or a teacher. In any of these guided and protected circumstances, children can gain immensely by exposure to sometimes difficult issues.

This year, however, the General Assembly has chosen to terminate one of those paths. They have passed legislation allowing children to opt out of anything that is so-called “sexually explicit.” With no definition this could include Biblical stories, with all the “begats” as well as classics that include rape such as To Kill a Mockingbird. Actually, the original objection to children being exposed to this kind of material came in response to two classics by African-American authors, The Bluest Eye and Beloved. These two books, which have difficult passages that include violence and tragedy as well as sex, are also parts of most high school classrooms required reading lists. They have been selected because of their very realism and the need to expose children to the difficult underside of life while giving them an opportunity to understand that one can survive and even thrive in the face of horrible circumstances.

By reading these books in an appropriate setting, a high school class, a prepared teacher can help children understand, cope and gain from the literary masterpieces. Moreover, our children are exposed to role models of African-American authors whose works are extolled and valued. The teacher can use this opportunity for so many important lessons of which “explicit sex” is insignificant.

Book banning is always a slippery slope and a risk for any society.

Better individuals read and learn than be ignorant and able to be coopted. No book in itself is dangerous. The General Assembly has spent this session loosening the rules on dangerous firearms and tightening the rules on what our teenagers can read. Something is very wrong with that.

If you have questions on this or any other legislation, please contact me at district09@senate.virginia.gov or at 698.7509. Additional information can be found on my website at www.donaldmceachin. com. Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you in the State Senate.

A8 March 3-5, 2016

Richmond Free Press

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

CIAA champs head to NCAA CIAA Tournament Most Valuable Player Kevin Williams of Virginia State University takes flight for a layup in Saturday’s tournament finale against Livingstone College.

Photo by Randy Singleton

Coach AnnMarie Gilbert of the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers celebrates the team’s CIAA championship last Saturday by making the final cut to take home the victory net in Charlotte, N.C.

Lady Panthers celebrating title; Johnson clinches MVP Kiana Johnson and Lady Walker may be the best celebration combination since ice cream and cake.

They’re the life of a Virginia Union University basketball party that’s just spreading it wings under first-year Coach AnnMarie Gilbert.

With Johnson dazzling on perimeter and Walker inside the paint, VUU won its first CIAA tournament since 1982, ousting juggernaut Shaw University 70-66 in last Saturday’s women’s final.

“There’s great chemistry between them,” Coach Gilbert said of her co-starlets. “At the end of every close game, they make the big plays. You can count on it.”

over on Aspire TV, caught the eye of commentator Stan Lewter, who noted, “Wow! How about that strut?”

Still, the game wasn’t over.

Shaw University’s Eboni Ross scored to make it 68-66 and then the Bears fouled Walker intentionally, away from the ball, with 7 seconds left on the clock.

Foul shooting isn’t Walker’s strength (48 percent), but the 6-foot-2 junior from Cleveland swished a pair.

And a few seconds later, the Richmonders were slipping on CIAA championship caps and T-shirts.

A transfer from Michigan State, 5-foot-7 Johnson added Tournament Most Valuable Player to her regularseason Player of the Year plaque.

Runner-up for both titles was arguably teammate Walker, who saved 23 points and a whopping 20 rebounds for the finals.

Johnson and Walker scored the final 12 points for VUU. During the season, Johnson averaged 29 points and nine assists. Walker averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds.

VUU’s other All-CIAA selection was 6-foot-2 senior Taylor White. VUU’s third All-Tournament pick was junior Rahni Bell.

It helped that Lady Luck was on the Lady Panthers’ side.

Shaw University’s Tabatha Anderson, a guard who was second to Johnson in the CIAA in 3-point shooting, was 0-for-10 against VUU from the distance and 0-forRudolph Powell/Richmond Free Press 14 overall from the field.

CIAA Tournament Most Valuable Player Kiana Johnson of Had even one of Anderson’s 3-pointVirginia Union University dribbles past a Shaw University ers found the nets VUU’s three decades-plus player in the title game Saturday. title drought may not have ended.

The tense, see-saw victory at Time Warner Cable VUU would prefer saying it made its own luck by Arena in Charlotte, N.C., advances VUU (25-2, with harassing Anderson wherever she roamed.

11 straight wins) to the NCAA Division II Atlantic “That was our game plan — to stop the threes. And Regional Tournament starting Friday, March 11. we did a masterful job,” said Coach Gilbert.

VUU Athletic Director Joe Taylor has submitted VUU is likely America’s most improved squad. a bid to host the eight-school regional at the Arthur The Lady Panthers were a poor 9-18 a year ago in Ashe Jr. Athletic Center in Richmond. Pairings and Coach Barvenia Wooten-Cherry’s final season. sites will be announced Sunday, March 6.

“Our returning players didn’t like hearing it,” Coach VUU is No. 1 in the CIAA and also in the NCAA Gilbert said of last year’s record. “But we needed to Atlantic Region, which includes many Pennsylvania change the culture a bit — from hoping to win to and West Virginia schools. expecting to win.”

Chicago native Johnson, the “Windy City Wonder,” A parade of victories has ensued, with Johnson and had 28 points against Johnson C. Smith University, Walker the high-stepping drum majors. The only losses 41 points against Livingstone College and then 32 were at Lincoln University, by 5 points, in December points in the final, including a 25-foot 3-pointer with and at Shaw University, in overtime, in January.

50 seconds left, giving VUU a 68-64 lead.

Should the Lady Panthers survive the NCAAAtlantic Johnson’s fourth 3-pointer so excited Coach Gilbert Regional, the team would fly to Sioux Falls, S.D., for that she did a sassy, high-heeled promenade down the quarterfinals March 22 and semifinals March 23. sidelines in front of her bench.

The NCAA finals, aka “The Last Dance,” are set “I had no idea (what I was doing),” Coach Gilbert for April 4 in Indianapolis. said of her impromptu stroll. “I was just hoping to VUU would love celebrating that special occasion get out of there alive.” with Johnson and Walker during the game and with Coach Gilbert’s fancy footwork, shown over and ice cream and cake afterward.

VUU enjoying turnaround Long story short — Coach Jay Butler has turned things around at Virginia Union University.

In recent times, VUU’s men’s basketball team would return from the CIAA Tournament in Charlotte, N.C., with no victories and little cause for optimism.

The image brightened last week as VUU won its first tournament game since 2009 (over Shaw University), nearly tacked on a second win against two-time defending champ Livingstone College, and did so with a roster oozing with skilled underclassmen.

Coach Butler’s Panthers finished 16-14 (second in the CIAA Northern Division) after VUU went 9-18 (with 11 straight losses at one juncture) last year under Coach Tony Sheals.

VUU was 31-49 during the previous three seasons under Coach Luqman Jaaber.

“We definitely feel good about things,” said Coach Butler. “We’ve got 14 of 15 coming back. Next year, we plan to be playing on Saturday night” for the championship.

In contemplating CIAA favorites in 2016-17, don’t count out the upward-bound Panthers. Here’s a glimpse of what fans have to look forward to in Coach Butler’s second go-round on Lombardy Street: Barco-Stevens Hall’s rafters are well decorated with retired jerseys. Ray Anderson, eyeing a monumental senior season, hopes to add his No. 3 jersey to the overhead scenery. Anderson averaged 21 points

per game as a junior and shined in Charlotte with 25 points against Shaw University and 18 points and 12 rebounds against Livingstone College.

Long-range marksman Kory Cooley saved his best for last, scoring 29 points (four 3-pointers) against Livingstone College. The sophomore averaged 13 points, with 56 3-pointers.

Some say he’s too short to excel in the paint, but plugger Tavon Mealy averaged 12 points per game and 7 rebounds as a junior, shooting 67 percent.

Mealy finished with 10 points and eight rebounds against Livingstone College.

Also returning next season: • Ball-handler De’Andre Gibson (led team in assists, steals).

• Versatile Colton Lewis, a mobile 6-foot-9 allround contributor.

• Guard Robert Valentine (41 percent of 3-pointers).

• Inside operators John Mitchell and Danny McElroy, who averaged 11 points and nine rebounds combined.

Red-shirting were 6-foot-4 Tre Patterson from John Marshall High School, 6-foot-3 Travon Brown from Armstrong High School and 6-foot-2 Marcus Hoosier from Petersburg High School.

“That adds up to a lot of players, but we’re still looking for a big,” said Coach Butler. “We need to add a piece or two and get better in the offseason.”

Photo courtesy of the CIAA

VSU Trojans win crown for first time since 1988; Williams named MVP There is a saying that the best form of revenge is success.

That being the case, color Virginia State University’s Kevin Williams revengeful, successful and, best of all, Most Valuable Player of the CIAA Tournament.

He was untouchable where it counts most — with a basketball in his hands.

Snubbed for in-season All-CIAA honors, Williams was named tournament MVP last Saturday after igniting the Trojans to their first CIAA championship title since 1988.

“We used it (not making All-CIAA) as a rallying stick,” said VSU Coach Lonnie Blow. “We couldn’t control the voting. But between the lines there’s no vote.”

A dynamic 5-foot-10 junior from Franklinton, N.C., Williams had 24 points,

CIAA banquet, which was held the day before the tournament, when results of the voting by coaches were released and Williams’ name wasn’t mentioned.

“Other coaches told me they voted for him. I don’t know how in the world it happened,” said Coach Blow. “I really don’t know who voted for him and who didn’t. But we’re OK with it now.”

VSU’s lone All-CIAA pick (on a 12-man team) was standout 6-foot-8 junior Elijah Moore (no relation to Javon Moore).

Coach Blow, in his third season at VSU, becomes the first coach in CIAA history to win the tournament as a coach from two different schools.

He guided St. Augustine’s University to the CIAA crown in 2010. From there, St. Augustine’s traveled to West Liberty

Rudolph Powell/Richmond Free Press

The Virginia State University Trojans conference winning basketball team strikes a victory pose Saturday with the tournament trophy after donning CIAA championship T-shirts and caps.

five assists and three steals in the finale as VSU topped two-time defending champion Livingstone College 89-79 before a Time Warner Cable Arena crowd and ESPNU national television audience.

In ousting Fayetteville State University, Bowie State University and Livingstone College, Williams, known as “Roc,” tallied 57 points (19 of 37 from the field), with 18 rebounds and eight steals.

Also brilliant in the game against Livingstone was VSU’s lone senior starter, Javon Moore, who tossed in a career high 30 points.

The victory advances VSU, now 23-5, to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament starting Friday, March 11, at Wheeling Jesuit University or West Liberty University, both in West Virginia.

It marks VSU’s first NCAA bid since 1982 under Coach Floyd Laisure, when the Trojans lost at Mount St. Mary’s University in the first round.

Coach Blow had nominated Williams for All-CIAA and for CIAA Player of the Year, feeling he was a shoo-in.

Williams was the statistical leader in several categories, including top scorer, while leading VSU to by far the conference’s best record.

The squad was flabbergasted at the

for the NCAA regionals, where the team defeated Kutztown University of Pennsylvania before losing to West Liberty University.

The CIAA holds its tournament, an event dating to 1946, a week before most NCAA Division II conferences. Selection Sunday is March 6.

“That gives us two weeks to prepare, but also two weeks for everyone to be telling our players how great they are,” said Coach Blow. “It can be a curse.”

Regardlessm of what happens in West Virginia, VSU seems assured the best record in the Ettrick university’s annals.

According to VSU records, the top previous mark was 22-8 in 1973-74, with Harold Deane coaching.

The 1961-62 and 1962-63 teams, featuring future Harlem Globetrotters Frank Stephens and Ernie Brock, were a combined 38-15.

VSU’s other CIAA crowns were in 1947 and 1988. The 1988 title, under Coach Deane, was the last time the Trojans made it to the final, until now. In fact, VSU hadn’t made the CIAA semifinals since 2009.

“It’s been a long time, and it’s about time,” Coach Blow said of the title. “These are great times at Virginia State.”

Richmond Free Press

March 3-5, 2016

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B1

Richmond Free Press

B2 March 3-5, 2016

Happenings

Personality: Coach Maurice Tyler

Who is

Henrietta Lacks?

Spotlight on founding director of Coaches Against Violence Everywhere Maurice Tyler says he was driven to establish Coaches Against Violence Everywhere after 12-year-old Amiyah Moses was killed Dec. 19 during a gun battle between two 20-year-old men on North Side as she and her friends played nearby.

“Her mom will not get to talk to her about boys. She doesn’t have the chance to watch her child grow up and be successful,” Coach Tyler says of Amiyah’s grief-stricken mother, Kele Wright. “It was all taken from her.

“To keep that from happening again, we need to step up and get involved and do something to help so others won’t get killed from acts of violence.”

Coach Tyler and C.A.V.E., as the group is known, officially launched their antiviolence effort Jan. 1. So far, they have held or participated in three community marches against violence, including one in Amiyah’s honor and in the Creighton Court and Gilpin Court public housing communities.

“I am excited about this organization because I can see it saving lives,” says Coach Tyler.

“We march to raise awareness of the murders in the city and let the people of the community know we love them and care about them.”

The Henrico resident does his part to provide a positive outlet for children by coaching 12-year-olds who compete in the Midget Division for the Laurel Athletic Association in Henrico County. He also has coached for the Virginia Randolph Athletic Association during his 27-year coaching career.

“For those two hours we’re together, I say positive things to try to build their character in hopes that they’ll grow to be better adults,” he explains.

A 15-member committee oversees C.A.V.E. Rodney Leeper, a coach at the Glen Allen Athletic Association, coheads the group with Coach Tyler.

week’s Personality, Maurice Tyler: Date and place of birth: Dec. 15 in Henrico County.

Family: Wife, Angela, and two children, son Brandon and daughter Jordyn.

Education: Hermitage High School.

me most is: My mother.

Best time of my life: My son’s basketball game in Florida.

My next goal is: To be a member of City Council or the Richmond School Board and to make sure Richmond is a safer place for people, no matter what their race or religion. We want peace for all people.

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So far, the organization has received commitments from more than 2,100 people on its Facebook page to join their fight against violence, Coach Tyler says.

Right now, Coach Tyler says, C.A.V.E. is planning more marches and rallies in coming months. He’s also lobbying Richmond Public Schools officials to back the formation of football teams and cheering squads in middle schools.

“These kids turn to negative things in their neighborhoods because there are not enough things for them to do in school,” he says. “They wouldn’t need truancy officers to go looking for the kids who skip school if they had more positive things for them do at school, like providing football teams in middle schools. Then, the community would come out and support these teams and it would be a positive experience for everyone.”

Mr. Tyler says he envisions the Richmond middle school champion playing the Henrico County Public Schools champion annually at City Stadium before huge crowds.

Let’s meet one man who is fighting against violence, this

How can volunteers partner with Coaches Against Violence Everywhere: Visit our website at www.leaguelineup.com/C.A.V.E.

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What do young people need the most: Adult leadership and positive role models, starting with their parents.

What part do guns play in the ongoing violence: People who have guns without a permit use them for the wrong reasons.

What the public can do to stop the violence: The public can start by turning in people who have illegal guns.

If I could have one wish, it would be: There would be no more murders and everyone would have jobs to support their families.

I start my day by: Going to work.

A perfect day is: Not having to go to work.

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Richmond Free Press

March 3-5, 2016

Happenings

Ayasha Sledge

Basketball fans flocked to the CIAA Tournament in Charlotte, N.C., last week to see the fast-paced court action in the men’s and women’s games.

Fans also enjoyed parties, musical performances and reuniting with old friends and classmates.

The tournament spotlight also shone brightly on Suffolk native Abraham “Ham” Mitchell, aka “Mr. CIAA,” right, who was among 10 people inducted into the CIAA’s John B. McLendon Jr. Hall of Fame. R&B singers Raheem DeVaughn, below left, and Lyfe Jennings, right, performed for appreciative fans. The well-known Virginia State University Woo Woos cheerleading squad, below, rocked the house, as always. And several luminaries were in the arena, below left, including former CIAA and NBA basketball greats Earl “The Pearl” Monroe of Winston-Salem State University

and Richmond native Bobby Dandridge of Norfolk State University with CIAA Commissioner Jacquie McWilliams. Other celebrity sightings included R&B singer Tank, with former University of Richmond basketball star and pro player Johnny Newman. Those celebrating the VSU men’s basketball championship Saturday night included, from left, Mr. VSU Donald Lesley, VSU Athletic Director Peggy Davis, Vice Rector Willie C. Randall, new VSU President Makola Abdullah, Miss VSU Lauren Papillion and Coach Lonnie Blow. The championship teams then were feted after they returned to their respective campuses.

The Virginia Union University Lady Panthers, above, enjoy a ceremony at the school Tuesday, while the VSU men’s team, below, was celebrated at a rally at the new VSU Multipurpose Center.

CIAA fun

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Photos by Rudolph Powell/Richmond Free Press

Zestful celebration

Dora Ellis, right, controller at the Richmond-based hunger relief organization FeedMore, beams as she puts a ticket in a raffle basket at Saturday night’s 16th Annual Zest Fest at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The fundraising event featured dishes by the region’s top chefs and silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the event, including raffle tickets sold by volunteers Kari Fecht, center, and Rob Giddens, will benefit FeedMore’s programs such as Meals on Wheels, Mobile Pantry and the weekend BackPack program for youngsters. At left, FeedMore CEO Doug Pick talks with keynote speaker Cheryl Maroney, director of A Child Is Born Learning Center in Henrico County.

Photos by Clement Britt

Rudolph Powell/Richmond Free Press

Rudolph Powell/Richmond Free Press

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Richmond Free Press

B4 March 3-5, 2016

Happenings

Plunky and Oneness wins 2 IMA awards

Plunky and Oneness, a Richmond-based jazz-funk fusion group, is among the winners in the 2016 Independent Music Awards.

Led by veteran saxophonist and singer J. Plunky Branch, the group won awards for two songs in the 14th annual competition, according to the IMAs, which released the winners’ list Feb. 24.

Plunky and Oneness won in the Funk/Fusion/Jam category for “Never Too Late,” the lead song from the group’s most recent album, and in the Spoken Word category for “Space Jungle Love.”

“This was the first time we have won,” said Mr. Branch, whose group is marking its 42nd year of performing. Plunky and Oneness

has released 25 albums under Mr. Branch’s independent label, N.A.M.E. Brand Records.

Speaking from his home in the Randolph neighborhood that doubles as the group’s headquarters, Mr. Branch said he is even prouder that Plunky and Oneness is the only group that won in two categories.

The group includes Mr. Branch’s son, Jamiah “Fire” Branch, percussionist; brother, Philip “Muzi” Branch, bass player and vocalist; Charlayne “Chyp” Green and Kaila Valdez, vocalists; J. L. Harris, keyboard player; Jose Pomier, guitar player; and Derrick Simmons, drummer.

The IMAs honor innovative artists and releases.

“The goal of our awards is to

help exceptional independent artists and releases find new supporters in the music industry and among music consumers,” said Martin Folkman, executive director of the IMAs. Essentially, he said, the IMAs are an alternative to the Grammy Awards and serve to call attention to artists who self-release or do so on independent labels.

More than 400 works were nominated, Mr. Folkman said, and the winners were selected by the votes of a panel of independent judges and of 500,000 people worldwide who voted online. The people’s vote was weighted 80 percent. He said that’s why the awards are called “Vox Pop,” from the Latin phrase “vox populi” or “voice of the people.”

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

‘Evening with an Icon’ Renowned poet Sonia Sanchez, right, addresses the audience last Saturday night at the Grace Street Theatre as moderator Dr. Kimberly Brown, chair of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, listens. Ms. Sanchez spoke at the Afrikana Independent Film Festival’s “Evening with an Icon,” following the screening of a documentary about her life, “BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez.”

Host Chris Rock rocks the Oscars

Free Press wire reports

LOS ANGELES Comedian Chris Rock launched his return stint as Oscar host Sunday by immediately and unabashedly confronting the racially charged elephant in the room — the furor over the all-white field of performers nominated for Hollywood’s highest honor.

In an opening monologue peppered with biting commentary about what he described as “sorority” discrimination pervading the film industry, Mr. Rock set the stage for a night of running gags that repeatedly returned to themes of racial politics.

In doing so, he transformed a glittering awards show long known for self-reverential pomp into a 3½-hour live ABC telecast punctuated by withering satire riffing on issues of inclusion and diversity raised by the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite social media campaign and the Black Lives Matter movement.

But the issue of race was just one element that made the 88th edition of the Academy Awards likely to go down as one of the most socially conscious shows in Oscar history. Messages ranged from Vice President Joe Biden’s special appearance urging a stand against sexual violence on college campuses to best actor winner Leonardo DiCaprio’s impassioned appeal to take care of the planet.

The difference in tone was evident from the start. Strolling on stage in a white dinner jacket and bow tie, Mr. Rock welcomed the audience to a show “otherwise known as the white People’s Choice awards,” adding, “You realize if they nominated hosts, I wouldn’t even get this job.”

From that moment on, it was clear Mr. Rock would be pulling no punches, and that his no-

Chris Pizzello/Invision/Associated Press

Chris Rock keeps the audience laughing at the Oscars on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

holds-barred message could help the film Academy come to grips with its diversity problem.

Wondering with mock bemusement why black people did not protest over a lack of Oscar diversity in the 1950s or 1960s like they did this year, he answered his own question, “Because we had real things to protest at the time. We were too busy being raped and lynched then to care about who won best cinematographer.”

Mr. Rock did not confine his barbs to Hollywood alone. He drew one of his biggest laughs joking that the Oscars’ annual “in memoriam” montage tribute to deceased film luminaries would instead be devoted to “black people who were shot by the cops on their way to the movies.”

It was a motif that stretched beyond Mr. Rock’s monologue into bits of comedy in between award presentations. In one instance, he ventured in a tuxedo to the predominantly black Los Angeles suburb of Compton to ask several African-American

movie goers outside a cinema whether they had seen various films nominated this year for best picture. Only one had.

However, all said they had seen the critically acclaimed hip-hop drama “Straight Outta Compton,” whose failure to earn a place in the best picture contest helped stoke the #OscarsSoWhite uproar.

One of Mr. Rock’s most pointed comments on the subject was not a joke at all but a straightforward summation of the issue: “We want opportunity.

We want the black actors to get the same opportunities as white actors. That’s it.”

In a more lighthearted comic moment, Mr. Rock, 51, invited members of his daughters’ Girl Scouts troop into the Dolby Theatre at mid-show to sell boxes of cookies to the seated stars. They ended up selling more than $65,000 worth of cookies.

The big winner of the night was “Spotlight,” the Catholic Church abuse movie that was named best picture. It traces the

Richmond Symphony to host ‘Celebrate Jackson Ward’ in May The Richmond Symphony plans to host a spring festival in Jackson Ward to coincide with the grand opening of the new home of the Black History Museum, it has been announced.

The three-day “Celebrate Jackson Ward” event will run Friday, May 20, through Sunday, May 22, in Abner Clay Park, across from the historic Leigh Street Armory at 128 W. Leigh St. The museum has spent $8 million to renovate and expand the historic armory for its new quarters, which are nearly complete.

Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe joined Mayor Dwight C. Jones and other dignitaries last Thursday to announce the festivities, which will celebrate the people, places and history of Jackson Ward, the one-time center of the city’s black community in the northern section of Downtown. The programming will be similar to two annual festivals that celebrate Jackson Ward, the Down Home Family Reunion in August and the 2nd Street Festival in early October.

The May event is anticipated to add to the number of visitors to the city. It is scheduled for the

same weekend as the popular Dominion Riverrock Festival on the James River in Downtown.

The Jackson Ward event also will take place just two weeks after the Symphony travels to Chimborazo Park to put on the East End Festival.

The symphony expects to spend $100,000 on each of the festivals, according to David Fisk, symphony executive director.

Mr. Fisk said the city is contributing about $25,000 for each event, plus departmental support. Area foundations also are making contributions to help cover the full cost.

Like the East End program, the Jackson Ward event is to feature the symphony on its outdoor stage under the new “Big Tent” and a host of professional, student and community performing groups.

The festival also will highlight the nonprofit ART 180’s annual youth art show and close with an ecumenical church service in the park.

Additional information: Scott Dodson, Richmond Symphony, (804) 788-4717, ext. 120, or sdodson@richmondsymphony.com.

Boston Globe’s 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation of child sex abuse by Catholic priests. The movie also won best original screenplay.

“This film gave a voice to survivors, and this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we hope can become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican,” said producer Michael Sugar.

Mexico’s Alejandro Inarritu nabbed the best directing Oscar for “The Revenant,” becoming the first filmmaker in more than 60 years to win back-to-back Academy Awards. Inarritu won in 2015 for “Birdman.”

“I (am) very lucky to be here tonight, but unfortunately many others haven’t had the same luck,” Mr. Inarritu said, expressing the hope that, in the future, skin color would become as irrelevant as the length of one’s hair.

“The Revenant” went into Sunday’s ceremony with a leading 12 nominations, and was among four movies believed to have the best chances for best picture after it won Golden Globe and BAFTA trophies.

The ambitious pioneer-era tale, shot in subzero temperatures, also brought a first Oscar win for its star Mr. DiCaprio, who got a standing ovation.

“I do not take tonight for granted,” Mr. DiCaprio said, taking the opportunity in his acceptance speech to urge action on climate change.

Rising star Brie Larson, 26, took home the statuette for best actress for her role as an abducted young woman in indie movie “Room.”

Among surprises, Britain’s Mark Rylance beat presumed favorite and “Creed” actor Sylves-

ter Stallone to win the Academy Award for best supporting actor for “Bridge of Spies.”

British singer Sam Smith’s theme song for the James Bond movie “Spectre” beat Lady Gaga’s sexual assault awareness ballad “Til It Happens to You” for best original song.

Swedish actress Alicia Vikander won best supporting

actress for the transgender movie “The Danish Girl,” while documentary “Amy,” about the late and troubled British pop star Amy Winehouse, was also a winner.

“Mad Max: Fury Road” was the biggest winner, clinching six Oscars, but all were in technical categories such as costume, makeup and editing.

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Richmond Free Press

March 3-5, 2016

B5

Faith News/Directory

Scout leaders step down after more than 50 years

By Joey Matthews

Gladys Lewis and Anna Washington have faithfully led the Girl Scouts troop at their church, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church on North Side, for more than 50 years.

Through their selfless service, the Richmond residents have helped hundreds of young girls fulfill their scouting dreams.

They will officially step down as troop leaders Sunday, March 13, the day they are to be honored in a 10:30 a.m. ceremony at the church at 2900 Hanes Ave. St. Philip’s rector, the Rev. Phoebe Roaf, said it’s a well-deserved honor.

“They have left a legacy that will continue to affect the women of the metropolitan Richmond area for decades to come,” she said. “It’s difficult to quantify the impact of more than 50 years of service to young girls and teenagers.

“These two women joyfully and faithfully gave of themselves to create a nurturing environment for others,” she added. “Their dedicated, quiet service provides a model for all of us to emulate.”

Jacquelyne Bradley, a retired employee of the Richmond Department of Social Services, was a Girl Scout in the 1960s under the women’s guidance.

“I can’t even begin to relate what they did and what they meant to us,” she said. “They were great leaders. They worked with the girls so much to help develop them into wonderful young ladies.

“They will always be remembered as pioneers in scouting,” she added. “They were wonderful leaders, sacrificing their time with so many girls through the years. They’ve done this religiously with no pay.”

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Girl Scouts leaders Gladys Lewis, left, and Anna Washington will be honored Sunday, March 13, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, where they have volunteered their time in scouting for more than 50 years.

Ms. Lewis, who is 93, said she felt compelled to serve as the scout leader at St. Philip’s after her daughter, Zanette, came home one night and told her their troop leader was stepping down.

“I went to a scout meeting and they told me I had to get training to become the troop leader, so that’s what I did,” she told the Free Press.

“Then, I was talking with (Ms. Washington) and told her what I was going to do, and she said she would help me,” Ms. Lewis added.

Ms. Washington, who didn’t want to offer her age, said she became involved because “I wanted to help other girls and I wanted to give

service to the community.”

Thus began their storied journey together as scout leaders.

They began at the height of segregation and attended separate summer camps from the white scout troops. They also were forced to use a lot of second-hand materials to conduct their meetings.

“We didn’t have to teach the girls about

racism,” Ms. Lewis said. “They lived it every day of their lives.”

Undeterred, they led their troops at St. Philip’s, from the youngest Brownies, to the Juniors, to the oldest girls, who were Cadettes and Seniors.

In their time as leaders, they have taken scores of girls on camping trips, attended summer camp together, marched in parades, performed countless hours of community service and helped the girls earn merit badges.

It’s been a labor of love for the two women.

“We wanted the girls to learn who they are and what they are capable of being,” Ms. Lewis, a retired librarian, said.

“We wanted to build the girls’ courage and confidence in who they are and let them know that they are special people.”

Ms. Washington, a retired teacher, said, “Children have always been a part of my life. I wanted to see them grow up to be good citizens, be good leaders and be faithful to their God.” The women said they take a special delight when they see their former scouts are now doctors, attorneys, educators and community leaders.

“It’s been something I’ll always cherish,” Ms. Lewis said.

“We are so thankful that we’ve had the opportunity to do this,” Ms. Washington added. “”When we see the young girls go on to lead successful lives, we know our lives have not been in vain.”

For more information on the ceremony to honor the scout leaders, call the St. Philip’s office at (804) 321-1266.

Riverview

Baptist Church 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

Retired airman recounts saga to remove racist flag from Virginia Air National Guard it was formed in 1947.

After a Free Press article Leon Brooks, a retired

by Hazel Trice Edney was sergeant with the Virginia Air published in July 1992 with National Guard, was honphotos of the offensive flag ored Sunday “as a real living emblem on the Air National hero” in an emotional tribute Guard unit’s planes and uniat Greater Brook Road Bapforms, Gov. Wilder issued tist Church on South Side an executive order requiring during the church’s Heritage the flags to be removed and Celebration. replaced with the United “I’m really honored,” States flag.

Mr. Brooks humbly told Mr. Brooks, who was one the small congregation at of only six African-Amerithe church led by the Rev. cans among the squadron’s Grace E. Tolliver. “This is 50 members, openly comJoey Matthews/Richmond Free Press the first time anyone has plained about the racist symasked me to speak about Retired Sgt. Leon Brooks bol’s use by the squadron. spoke Sunday at Greater this publicly.”

He then was fired from his He was referring to the Brook Road Baptist Church job as an aircraft mechanic in South Richmond. major role that he, then-Gov. with the unit.

L. Douglas Wilder and the Richmond Free At the time, Mr. Brooks told the Free Press Press played in eliminating a racist Virginia the entire experience was “intimidating and Air National Guard policy and practice that humiliating.” allowed the Confederate flag to be used on Gov. Wilder later reinstated Mr. Brooks its fighter jet and uniform emblems. to his job.

Mr. Brooks said the church asked him to Mr. Brooks told the congregation that speak after several members recently heard shortly before he was fired, he had been removed from his mechanic duties and assigned to clean up the flight line. Throughout his tour of duty, he said, his commanding officers made it clear they did not want him serving with the mostly white unit.

Now 66, Mr. Brooks told the congregation he is undergoing treatment for posttraumatic stress syndrome through the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Richmond after serving two years in the Air Force, then 24 more with the Virginia Air National Guard.

He also sings with The Soul Seekers gospel group based at First Union Baptist Church in Hanover County.

After retiring, Mr. Brooks later became president of the King William County NAACP and served 10 years in that position.

Looking back on how the incident impacted his life, Mr. Brooks said, “It tore my family apart. We had to move three times because of financial stress. Each time we moved, we moved down to a smaller place. It was tumultuous.

“My mind went into survival mode for my family,” he recalled. “It had a serious impact on my life, but the almighty God kept me under the umbrella of Jesus Christ.

I don’t know how I made it through without having hurt somebody or being hurt.”

Mr. Brooks humbly downplayed his role in this pivotal time in history. others talk about his “If it had not been for the (writing) of trailblazing efforts that occurred more than Hazel Trice Edney, the professionalism of 20 years ago.

Mr. Raymond Boone Sr. (the late Free Press In his informative 30-minute talk, Mr. editor/publisher) and the presence of L. DougBrooks recalled how he was fired without las Wilder, that flag would have stayed right cause in 1992 from the Virginia Air National there,” he said. “They deserve all the credit Guard’s 192nd Fighter Squadron after he for the removal of the Confederate flag. And spoke openly against the Confederate flag God used (me) for his glory,” he said. being emblazoned on the squadron’s planes Mr. Brooks also shared his musical gifts based at Richmond International Airport and at the service by playing the piano as the its uniforms. congregation sang “Lift Every Voice and The incident began when a black airman Sing” and “We Shall Overcome.” who wished to remain anonymous complained Afterward, his brother, Avus Brooks, who to the Free Press about the hate symbol on the attended the ceremony, said, “My brother is emblem adopted by the state militia unit when my hero. What he did was amazing.”

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

Union Baptist Church

By Joey Matthews

94th Church Anniversary

PROVIDENCE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH 468 E. Ladies Mile Road, Richmond, VA 23222 804-329-1963 Dr. Jerome Clayton Ross, Pastor

presents

Sunday, March 13, 2016 11:00 A.M.

“A Musical Evening of Elegance” featuring tenor soloists:

Dr. Arthur Roots, Rev. Nathaniel Morris, Rev. James Lewis and The Soul Seekers of Mechanicsville, VA

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Earl Bledsoe, Pastor Emeritus Great Hope Baptist Church

Dr. Dolores Whitaker

Theme: Celebrating 94 Years: A Journey of Faith Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-2 Colors: Shades of Green

Mistress of Ceremonies

Saturday, March 12, 2016 5:00 p.m. (reception to follow)

Reservations: $20 per person (age 16 and up) $15.00 per person (age 15 and under) Presented by The Women of Providence Park Baptist Church

Reception Immediately Following

For further information please contact: Providence Park Baptist Church

1813 Everett Street Richmond, Virginia 23224 804-231-5884 Reverend Robert C. Davis, Pastor

Mrs. Sandra Ausberry and Mrs. Mary DePillars (804) 329-1963

LEWIS HILL BROWN

Conference on Race and Justice

Pastor ZD Lewis Pastor JT Hill Pastor OD Brown

The Conference on Race and Justice is a Black History Celebration honoring three former pastors/leaders of Second Baptist Church from 1889-­‐1989.

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016 8:30 AM – Opening Musical featuring Zion’s Voice 9:00 AM – Registration and Continental Breakfast 9:30 AM – Plenary Speaker I Dr. Rick Abel, Professor of Political Philosophy, Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas)

11:30 AM – Plenary Speaker II Dr. Joanne Braxton, Professor, The College of William and Mary

9:30 AM and 11:30 AM Plenary Respondents: Dr. Lisa Ashe, Physician, Mr. David Lassiter, Attorney, and Rev. Michael Moore, Pastor 1:00 PM – Lunch 1:30 PM – Musical featuring the Richmond Boys Choir

SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Sunday 8:00 AM – Dr. Rick Abel will lecture on Race and Justice 10:00 AM – Dr. James E. Jones will preach SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

1400 Idlewood Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23220 ▪ Email: sbcwestend@comcast.net Website: sbcwestend.com ▪ T) 804.353.7682 ▪ F) 804.358.0698

Dr. James Henry Harris, Senior Minister The Public is Invited and Please Bring a Friend.

A Repast will follow the 10:00 AM Worship.

Richmond Free Press

B6 March 3-5, 2016

Obituary/Faith Directory

Former boxer, ‘Rocky’ actor Tony Burton dies at 78 Tony Burton, a former boxer who portrayed Apollo Creed’s trainer in six of the “Rocky” movies, has died at age 78 after a long illness.

Mr. Burton’s sister said he died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in California after being hospitalized repeatedly in the past year but never receiving an official diagnosis, according to a local news website in Mr. Burton’s home state of Michigan.

Moore Street

Zion Baptist Church

Missionary

Baptist Church

2006 Decatur Street Richmond, VA 23224

1408 W. Leigh Street • 358-6403

Dr. Alonza Lawrence Pastor

Sunday, March 6, 2016 Church School - 8:30 A.M. Lott Carey Day - 10:00 A.M. Guest Speaker: Rev. Barbara Crump

Mr. Burton was among only a handful of actors to appear regularly in the decadeslong “Rocky” series, featuring Sylvester Stallone as Philadelphia’s favorite son, boxer Rocky Balboa.

Mr. Burton played Duke, who was the trainer of Rocky’s nemesis-turned-comrade, Apollo Creed, in the first five “Rocky” films starting in 1976, as well as in a sixth film, “Rocky Balboa,” in 2006.

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Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor Sunday Service 10 a.m.

Church School 8:45 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m.

Transportation Services 232-2867 “Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospel”

FirstM iBaptist Church dlothian

13800 Westfield Dr., Midlothian,VA 23113 804-794-5583 • www.fbcm1846.com

Service Times

Mr. Burton

Church School 9:45AM Worship 11:00AM

Tuesday

Bible Study 12 Noon

Wednesday Youth & Adult Bible Study 7:00PM Prayer & Praise 8:15PM

Van Transportation Available, Call 804-794-5583

Theme for 2016: Becoming a Five-Star Church of Excellence

Sharon Baptist Church

With Mission, Growth, Prayer, Purpose, Vision We Are Growing In The Kingdom Sunday, March 6, 2016 As We Grow The Kingdom New Order of Worship Beginning with Word, Worship and Witness

22 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23219 • 643-3825 thesharonbaptistchurch.com Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

This Week You Don’t Want To Miss It!

SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 No 8 a.m. Service | 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship & Holy Communion

WEDNESDAYS 6:00 p.m. ..... Prayer Service 6:30 p.m. ..... Bible Study

11:00 AM Divine Worship Message by: Pastor Bibbs Prayer Power Series Message #9 Organizing A Community Celebration Youth Choir Ages 5-18 Call Wanda West (804) 272-5169 You Don’t Have To Be A Member Of This Church

THURSDAYS 1:30 p.m.

Bible Study

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • 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)

Refuel War Room: Bible Study/Discussions February 17th - March 23rd 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Family Dinner 5:45 PM - Family Prayer 6:30 PM Rev. Dr. Yvonne 400 South Addison Street, Richmond, Va. 23220 (near Byrd Park) (804) 359-3498 • Fax (804) 359-3798 Jones Bibbs, Pastor

Mount Olive Baptist Church Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

2016 Theme: The Year of Restoration



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



Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m.

Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m.

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

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

Radio Ministry: Sunday: 9:30 a.m. {1540 AM}

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

Sundays

8:00 a.m.

Early Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship

Tuesdays

8775 Mount Olive Avenue Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 262-9614 Phone (804) 262-2397 Fax www.mobcva.org

Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858

Rev. Pernell J. Johnson, Pastor

Actor Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” films, posted on Twitter, “Sad news. RIP Tony Burton. His intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movies successful. #BePeace.”

A native of Flint, Mich., Mr. Burton also appeared in the 1970s films “The Shining” and “Stir Crazy,” and had a variety of television roles.

Sixth Baptist Church

Mission Statement: People of God developing Disciples for Jesus Christ through Preaching and Teaching of God’s Holy Word reaching the people of the Church and the Community.

6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

Sunday

He did not appear in the latest “Rocky” installment, “Creed,” for which Mr. Stallone received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

Mr. Burton drew from his own experience as a professional boxer to portray Duke. In 1988, he told an interviewer he served 3½ years in prison in California for robbery and developed his interest in acting while serving his sentence.

“The People’s Church”

Noon Day Bible Study

Wednesdays

6:30 p.m.

Prayer and Praise 7:00 p.m.

Adult Bible Study

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 • Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 • Email: ebcoffice1@comcast.net • web: ebcrichmond.org Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study



11:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

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

Mon. 6:30 p.m.

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

Wed. 7:45 p.m.

Wed. 4:30 p.m.

Wed. 6:00 p.m.

Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

Dr. Levy M. Armwood, Pastor  Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

Pastor Kevin Cook

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

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

20th NDEC Founders’ & Church Anniversary Banquet Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 5 P.M. Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

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

Wednesday Services Noonday Bible Study 12noon-1:00 p.m.

Attendance - 43 Sanctuary - All Are Welcome!

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7 p.m.

Attendance -

Saturday 8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

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

Also, for your convenience.

The Omni Richmond Hotel 100 S. 12th St., Richmond, VA 23219 For more information and to purchase your banquet tickets go to:

www.ndec.net

Women With Mission and Purpose Conference 2016!

Thursday, April 14, 2016 through Saturday, April 16, 2016

Theme:

In His Presence - "Striving for Total Wellness" - Mind, Body & Spirit

Breakfast

Saturday, April 16, 2016 9 A.M. - Doubletree Hotel For more information and to register visit

www.ndec.net Rev. Dr. Price L. Davis, Pastor

Triumphant

Baptist Church

2003 Lamb Avenue Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Emphasis during the 11 A.M. service. .

Church School - 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service - 11:15 a.m.

Bible Study: Tuesday - 9 a.m.

Wednesday - 7 p.m.

CHRIST MINISTRY JOSEPH FRAZIER, EVANGELIST

Prayer Services: Wednesday (1st & 3rd ) 7 a.m.

Every Wednesday 8 p.m.

PO Box 2155, Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Tel: 804-387-9226, E-mail: rjjoyjoe@gmail.com

Communion - 1st Sunday

PRESENTS

Mosby Memorial Baptist Church

“A Community Committed to Loving, Listening and Learning While Launching into our Future.”

March 6, 2016

Join us for worship on Communion Sunday.

Evangelism Explosion Teacher/Training for all levels of the church congregation.

We will teach you how to share your faith to win the unchurched population to Christ Jesus.

The first class starts on Saturday, March 12, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. for 13 weeks.

All classes are FREE, and all materials are available.

March 12-13 Women’s Weekend Saturday @ 4:00P.M. - Dinner & a Movie Sunday Morning (Women’s Day) Special Guest Speaker Dr. Deborah Martin of New Chestnut Baptist Church.

Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon & 7:00 P.M.

If you are interested please contact us at 804-387-9226 or email: rjjoyjoe@gmail.

“This will be one of the greatest experiences of your life.” Christ said, “come ye after Me I will make you to become fishers of men.” ~ Mark 1:17

2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mosbymemorial.org Rev. Dr. Price L. Davis, Pastor

fÑÜxtw 1x3.5 à{xjÉÜw spread the word To advertise your church: Worship Service Gospel Concert Vacation Bible School Homecoming Revival

call 804-644-0496 Richmond Free Press

We care about you and Richmond.

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church C

o

everence e with e evanc R ing Dr. Morris Henderson, Senior Pastor bin ❖

SUNDAYS Church School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. ❖

WEDNESDAYS Bible Study 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. ❖

MONDAY-FRIDAY Nutrition Center and Clothes Closet 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

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

Richmond Free Press

March 3-5, 2016

B7

Legal Notices/ Employment Opportunities City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, March 28, 2016 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. 2016-039 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3303 Lawson Street for the purpose of permitting up to four single-family detached dwellings, together with associated improvements, including a parking area, upon certain terms and conditions. The Richmond Master Plan designates this property as Single-Family (low density) in the Old South Planning District. “Primary uses are single-family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre. Includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semi-public uses. Typical zoning classifications that may accommodate this land use category are R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5” (p.133).

Ordinance No. 2016-040 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3210 Chamberlayne Avenue for the purpose of permitting offices and artist studios, upon certain terms and conditions.

The property is located in the North Planning District as defined by the 2000-2020 city-wide Master Plan, which recommends “Single-Family (Low-Density)” uses for the property. Primary uses for the Single-Family designation are, “singlefamily detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre” (p. 133).

The Plan further states, “The Chamberlayne Avenue corridor north of Brookland Park Boulevard should continue to be primarily residential, with single and multi-family residential use and limited institutional uses…

The Land Use Plan map identifies single-family low-density residential use for areas along Chamberlayne Avenue north of Brookland Park Boulevard where this is intended to be the predominant but not exclusive use (p. 257).”

Ordinance No. 2016-041 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1608 West Cary Street for the purpose of permitting a two-family attached dwelling unit and accessory parking, upon certain terms and conditions. The Richmond Master Plan designates this property as Single-Family (medium density) in the Near West Planning District. “Primary uses are single-family and two-family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semi-public uses. Typical zoning classifications that may accommodate this land use category are R-43 and R-48” (133).

Ordinance No. 2016-042 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 501 and 503 Maple Avenue for the purpose of permitting up to four single-family detached dwellings, together with associated improvements, including a private street, upon certain terms and conditions. The Master Plan recommends Single-Family “Low Density” for the subject properties. Single-family is defined as, “Primary use is single-family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre (p. 133).”

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Ordinance No. 2016-044 To rezone the property known as 2201 East Franklin Street from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the B-5 Central Business District. The subject property falls within an Urban Center Area of the Shockoe District, as established by the Richmond Downtown Plan. Such areas are characterized by higher density, mixed-use development, typically arranged on a fine-grained street network, with wide sidewalks, regular tree planting, and minimal setbacks. No residential density is specified for the Urban Center Area.

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.

Jean V. Capel City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHESTER ROBINSON, Plaintiff v.

SHANA ROBINSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL15002628-00 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 14th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure Counsel for Plaintiff VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LaVONDA WHITE, Plaintiff v.

JERMAINE HARRIS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL16000553-00 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 14th day of April, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

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

CUSTODY virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re REINA VICTORINA LIZAMA v.

SAMUEL PEREZ-NESTOR Case No. JJ085829-02-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody and visitation of Cristaly Abiley Perez-Mendez, (DOB: 8/12/10),whose mother is deceased and whose father, Samuel Perez-Nestor, resides in Mexico, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Samuel PerezNestor appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before April 6, 2016 at 9:00 A.M.

Ordinance No. 2016-043 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 1401 West Leigh Street, 1405 West Leigh Street, and 1400 Catherine Street for the purpose of permitting up to 11 dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan recommends Single family (Medium Density) land uses for the property.

The Master Plan defines the primary uses for this category as single-family and two-family detached and attached dwellings at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre, and includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, and neighborhood parks, among others. The proposed special use permit would allow a residential density of approximately 28 units per acre.

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re COLBY WILLIAM LANE, Juvenile Case No. JJ078169-09, JJ078169-10 The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Gerald Scott, (Father), Unknown, (Father), of Colby William Lane, child, DOB 07/16/2002, “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 defendant Gerald Scott (Father), Unknown, (Father,) appear at the above-named Court and protect his interest on or before May 24, 2016 at

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Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

2:00 p.m. Court Room #1.

Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Kelsie Alvis, Juvenile Case No. JJ085689-07, JJ085689-08 The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Jesse Alvis, (Father), Unknown, (Father), of Kelsie Alvis, child, DOB 01/30/2007, “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 defendant Jesse Alvis (Father), Unknown, (Father,) appear at the above-named Court and protect his interest on or before May 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Court Room #1.

Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re KEITH O’NEIL BROWN, JR., Juvenile Case No. JJ086675-10

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown (Father), Keith O’ Neil Brown Jr., child, DOB 12/04/2002, “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 defendant, Unknown (Father), appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interest on or before June 20, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Court Room #1.

Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lewis, Gabrien Rosi; Stokes, Alexander Sean; Stokes, Amaya Justina, Glenna Daphney Lewis v. antonio Jean stokes Case No. JJ087150-01-00,02-00, JJ087151-01-00,-0200, JJ087149-01-00,-02-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Gabriel Rosi Lewis (DOB: 12/25/02), Alexander Sean Stokes (DOB: 12/22/05), and Amaya Justina Stokes (DOB: 6/15/00), whose mother is Glenna Daphney Lewis, and whose father is Antonio Jean Stokes, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3.

It is ORDERED that the defendant appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before April 20, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. Adrienne Barnes, Esq. 1326 Alverser Plaza Midlothian, VA 23113 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt IN the COunty of Chesterfield Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Coleman, Frank; III DWayne hayes v.

Unknown father Case No. JJ087475-01-00 OrDEr Of puBLicatiON

The object of this suit is to: Determine custody of Frank Coleman, III, (DOB: 3/11/2009),whose mother was Sandgria Banks (Deceased); whose grandfather is Dwayne Hayes; and whose father is unknown, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 16.1-241A3.

It is ORDERED that the defendant appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before April 6, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. Paul Spaulding, Esq. 11901 Iron Bridge Road Chester, VA 23831 virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re MARILEA HEFLIN, Juvenile Children’s Home Society of Virginia v.

Unknown Birth Father Case No. J-91969-2

The object of this suit is to: Pursuant to VA. Code Section 16.1-277.01, Children’s Home Society of Virginia is requesting that the Court terminate the residual parental rights of the unknown father, whose identity and whereabouts are unknown, and transfer custody of the infant, Marilea Heflin, d/o/b 11/03/2015 to the Children’s Home Society of Virginia with the right to place the infant for adoption.

It is ordered that the defendant, unknown birth father Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

Continued from previous column

appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before April 11, 2016 at 11:20 a.m.

Sherry A. Fox, Esq. Thompson McMullan, P.C. 100 Shockoe Slip Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-698-6252

the 30th day of March, 2016, in the Clerk’s Office of this Court and do what is necessary to protect her interests.

An Extract Teste: Wendy S. Hughes, Clerk Stephen R. Bloomquest, Esq. Quest Law PLLC 5913 Harbour Park Drive Midlothian, VA 23112 804.396.3329 888.780.5945

virgiNia: iN thE Circuit court for the county of Chesterfield In the matter of the adoption of a child to be known as AUbrey Future wilson (Birth Certificate registration number 145-10-073618, registered in the commonwealth of virginia) Case No. CA15-60 By julia lynn fullerwilson and Richard allen wilson, sr.

OrDEr Of puBLicatiON January 26, 2016 The object of the above-styled suit is the adoption of the minor child, Aubrey Future Wilson.

And it appearing by affidavit filed according to law that Shaneka Lynette Dunkley, Respondent and biological mother of the minor child, whose location has not been able to be ascertained despite diligence and reasonable efforts of the Petitioner, it is therefore ORDERED that the said Shaneka Lynette Dunkley appear on or before Continued on next column

virgiNia: iN thE JuvENiLE aND DOmEstic rELatiONs District cOurt Of thE city Of richmOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Egypt Townes, Juvenile Case No. JJ0888007-10

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown, (Father), of Egypt Townes, child, DOB 5/6/2013, “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 defendant Unknown, (Father,) appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/ her interest on or before June 6, 2016 at 9:20 a.m. Court Room #1.

Matthew Morris, Esq. 730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-646-3493

CONSOLIDATED PLAN PUBLIC NOTICE On Friday, March 25, 2016, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold a public hearing on items relating to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s administration of the Consolidated Action Plan 2016-2017 Action Plan.

The public hearing will be held at 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM in the 12th Floor North Conference Room of the Main Street Centre, 600 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. DHCD will be taking comments on the proposed 2016-2017 Action Plan including goals and objectives for housing and community development; the projected use of funding; the method for distributing $7,034,121 in HOME Investment Partnership funds; $2,754,274 in Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) funds; $745,593 in Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds, and $16,881,481 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Copies of the plan document may be requested by calling (804) 371-7100, (804) 371-7122, or (804) 371-7084 TDD. Persons requiring special accommodations should call (804) 371-7110. The Plan will appear on the agency’s web site at http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov under “What’s New.” The Department will receive written comments and testimony on the proposed 2016-2017 Action Plan through the close of business on April 15, 2016 at the following address: Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Attention: Lyndsi Austin Main Street Centre 600 East Main Street, Suite 300 Richmond, Virginia 23219

Employment opportunities

Mortgage Banking The School Board of the City of Richmond, Virginia is seeking vendors to provide the following services: IFB#16-6710-2 Refuse Collection & Removal and Recycle Services To obtain a copy of the solicitations, please visit: Web.richmond,k12.va.us/departments/purchasing. aspx

D/M/WBE SUBCONTRACTORS/SUPPLIERS WANTED

T. A. Loving Company is seeking certified DBE, MBE, and WBE subcontractors and suppliers for the County of Henrico Three Chopt Water Pumping Station Valve Replacement (B1 and B2) Henrico, VA project which bids March 8, 2016 at 3:00 PM. Plans and specifications are available at the following locations: T.A. Loving Company, Goldsboro, NC and Henrico County Electronic Document’s Web portal at www. ebidexchange.com/henrico . Potential subcontracting opportunities include but are not limited to electrical. Please contact David Pittman (dpittman@taloving.com) if you are interested in submitting a proposal on any portion(s) of this project. Contact via phone 919-734-8400; fax 919-736-2148; or email. All quotations will be accepted up to bid closing time on bid date.

TA Loving Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

D/M/WBE SUBCONTRACTORS/SUPPLIERS WANTED

T. A. Loving Company is seeking certified DBE, MBE, and WBE subcontractors and suppliers for the City of Richmond CSO 028A Separation Project in Richmond, VA project which bids March 8, 2016 at 2:00 PM. Plans and specifications are available at the following locations: T.A. Loving Company, Goldsboro, NC and City of Richmond’s Web portal http://richmondvaprocurementconstructionbids.blogspot. com/ . Potential subcontracting opportunities include but are not limited to Demolition, Hauling, Asphalt Work, Erosion Control, Seeding/ Sodding, Concrete flatwork, Linework, striping, bypass pumping, survey, traffic control, CIPP liner, and MH Rehab. Please contact Bill Musso (bmusso@taloving.com) if you are interested in submitting a proposal on any portion(s) of this project. Contact via phone 919-734-8400; fax 919-736-2148; or email. All quotations will be accepted up to bid closing time on bid date.

TA Loving Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

D/M/WBE SUBCONTRACTORS/SUPPLIERS WANTED

T. A. Loving Company is seeking certified DBE, MBE, and WBE subcontractors and suppliers for the Caroline Correctional Center Upgrade to Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants in Richmond, VA project which bids March 8, 2016 at 2:00 PM. Plans and specifications are available at the following locations: T.A. Loving Company, Goldsboro, NC http://www.taloving.com/ estimating/ under the Utility Division Bid List.

Potential subcontracting opportunities include but are not limited to Demolition, Earthwork, Erosion Control, Seeding/Sodding, Concrete flatwork and CIPC, Painting, Electrical, HVAC, SCADA, masonry, roofing, plumbing,insulation, survey, concrete formwork, rebar, and MH Rehab. Please contact David Pittman (dpittman@ taloving.com) if you are interested in submitting a proposal on any portion(s) of this project.

Contact via phone 919-734-8400; fax 919-7362148; or email. All quotations will be accepted up to bid closing time on bid date. TA Loving Company is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press

call 644-0496

Quality Review analyst VHDA is seeking qualified applicants with experience in mortgage loan processing and closing/title requirements for multiple vacancies. Candidates will review mortgage loan documentation for decision prior to purchase. Candidates must be fully versed in the requirements as set forth by FHA, VA, RD and Private Mortgage Insurance. Additionally, VHDA loan program knowledge is necessary.

Strong communication and analytical skills are essential. Several years of mortgage loan experience is required.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Interested persons must submit a resume and cover letter stating salary requirements, online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE This position closes at midnight on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Hiring range - $44,946 – 58,428 Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment

Business Development anD training manager HomeownersHip Unique opportunity for experienced residential mortgage lending professional to utilize skills and knowledge supporting our affordable housing mission.

Responsibilities include management of business development and training resources and activities for the Homeownership Originations Department.

Candidates must have a BS, BA degree or equivalent and have several years of experience in the residential lending industry specifically related to residential mortgage loan originations or other area providing knowledge of mortgage lending policies, procedures and regulations. In addition, candidates must possess excellent communication skills, experience providing customer support and training and the ability to build and maintain business relationships.

Candidates must have experience performing a variety of management responsibilities. Experience in the development of presentations, trainings and on-line tools using a broad spectrum of techniques and technology applications is required. Candidates must possess a good driving record and be willing to perform significant in state travel (30% - 50% of time). Ideal candidates possess experience working with industry partners in Virginia with an understanding of VHDA loan programs and experience in outreach and business development.

We offer a competitive salary with generous benefit package. Submit resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE Background, credit and driving record checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range: $78,609 – 102,190

VHDA is currently seeking 2 Program Support Trainees in the following areas: Homeownership and Rental Housing. The first two years will include leadership development and training opportunities as you prepare for a career with VHDA. Please see below for details on each position. Previous work experience as an intern in the applicable area is highly desirable. Both positions are VHDA Market Range 3.

If you feel you meet the qualifications, please submit your cover letter and resume, online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE Credit and background checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Program Support Trainee – Homeownership This position provides an exciting opportunity to work in the Homeownership Division. The candidate will report directly to the Quality Review Supervisor and develop skills to review credit packages submitted by Lender, including the review of loan commitment, conditions, accuracy of income, loan-to-value ratio, net worth and adherence to all programmatic requirements for FHA, VA, RHS and Authority guidelines. The ideal candidate will have a BS or BA degree, strong communication skills—written and oral, excellent interpersonal skills, and a basic understanding of and interest in Real Estate, Finance and Mortgage Lending. The candidate will be detail oriented and proficient in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and Power Point. Incumbent will work directly with managers of the Homeownership Division in Originations.

Program Support Trainee – Rental Housing This position provides an outstanding opportunity for the successful candidate to interact with the four business units comprising the Rental Housing Division: Rental Housing Development, Low Income Housing Tax Credit Programs, Compliance and Asset Management and Rental Loan Servicing, with a concentration in the loan underwriting and construction loan disbursement processes for rental housing loans. Interested applicants should be comfortable working in a collaborative environment with multiple teams. Requires the ability to research and analyze potential loans, coordinate the logistics of the loan underwriting process, present loans to internal groups and work with others to administer closed loans. The position also requires the ability to interact effectively with customers. The ideal candidate will have an undergraduate or graduate degree in real estate or related field. This position reports to Rental Housing senior management.

Richmond Free Press

B8 March 3-5, 2016

Sports Plus

Jesse Owens had backup

17 other black athletes competed on 1936 U.S. Olympic team

By Fred Jeter

Adolf Hitler’s bigoted theory on “Aryan supremacy” took a terrible beating at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

A talented band of African-American athletes led by Jesse Owens blew up Hitler’s hateful propaganda and kicked the rubble in his face.

The current biopic “Race” focuses on Owens’ gallant efforts in overcoming social injustice at home and abroad to strike gold four times in Nazi Germany.

The tribute is well deserved.

However, it should be noted Owens had plenty of company on the victory podium.

A total of 18 African-Americans (16 men, two women) competed, facing fears of violence. That was three times the number of AfricanAmericans who competed at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The U.S. team’s African-American contingent dominated track and field events in the 1936 games with 13 medals, plus one African-American athlete won a medal in boxing.

“Race,” starring Canadian Stephan James as Owens, examines the

political wheeling and dealing behind the scenes at the time with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Avery Brundage.

The NAACP was among the voices urging U.S. black athletes — particularly Owens — to boycott the Berlin games for their own safety and to demonstrate solidarity for the oppressed.

Starting with the incomparable Owens, here are the black Americans — all of whom are deceased now — that made Hitler squirm: Owens: In arguably the greatest track and field performance in history, the Ohio State University legend won the 100-meter, 200-meter and long jump and ran the second leg of the victorious 4x100 relay.

Mack Robinson: Older brother of baseball icon Jackie Robinson. The University of Oregon athlete took the silver medal in the 200-meter. He was a mere 0.04 seconds behind Owens.

Archie Williams: Before earning a degree in chemical engineering at University of California-Berkeley, he won gold in the 400-meter, thwarting the Fuhrer.

John Woodruff: Known as “Long John” for his 6-foot-3 frame,

the University of Pittsburgh strider won gold in the 800-meter.

Ralph Metcalfe: The Marquette University speedster was second in the 100-meter and ran a leg in the 4x100 relay. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois and co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus.

Fritz Pollard Jr.: Son of the football coach-star of the same name, the younger Pollard went to the University of North Dakota and captured the bronze medal in the 110 high hurdles.

Cornelius Johnson: After finishing fourth as an 18-year-old at the 1932 Olympics, the Compton College leaper took the gold in the high jump in 1936.

David Albritton: An Ohio State teammate of Owens, Albritton took the silver medal behind Johnson in the high jump. He later served in the Ohio House of Representatives.

James LuValle: Took the bronze medal in the 400-meter in Germany before earning a degree in chemistry at UCLA. Jack Wilson: A boxer. He won the silver medal in the bantam weight division.

Jesse Owens

America’s 1936 gold medal basketball team, playing outdoors, had all white players. The first black U.S. Olympic basketball player was UCLA’s Don Barksdale in 1948.

Basketball player Sam Balter was the U.S. team’s only Jewish medal winner in 1936.

In a highly controversial development at the 1936 games, two Jewish runners on the U.S. relay team — Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller — were replaced by Owens and Metcalfe on the day of the finals.

There are different theories why, one being the United States already had stepped on Hitler’s toes many times with the African-American athletes and winning the relay with two Jews might embarass him too much.

Germany had banned Jews from its own Olympic team in 1936.

Owens and Metcalfe were slightly faster than Glickman and Stoller, but comparative times showed the U.S. team would have won the relay with any available combination.

Despite U.S. track and field success, Germany won the most overall medals, 89, with the United States second with 56. There were a total of 21 sports.

Employment Opportunities Drivers: CDL-A 1yr.

Excellent Family Medical Ins. Guaranteed Weekend Home Time.

Earn $65,000 + Monthly Bonuses. Absolutely No-Touch.

888-406-9046

Opening for Nurse Aides and PCA’s with Alzheimer’s experience.

Good pay.

Good days off.

Call for more information (804) 222-5133

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

DMAS is charged with ensuring proper MEDICAID services to qualified recipients.

The Agency seeks qualified candidates for the following positions:

Director, Division of Program Operations & Services #00421 Oracle Applications Developer - #00899 Appeals Eligibility Cases Manager - #00876

Please visit our website at www.dmas.virginia.gov or Monster.com for more information.

An online application is required. Faxed, e-mailed, or paper applications will not be accepted. Visit http://jobs.virginia.gov for application details.

EEO/AA/ADA

Document control SpecialiSt VHDA is seeking qualified applicants with experience in recognizing mortgage loan documents. Candidates must be capable of using a variety of systems to upload, scan and index mortgage documents. Experience in filing or administrative assistance and strong attention to detail is required. Strong communication, customer service and analytical skills are essential.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Interested persons must submit a resume and cover letter stating salary requirements online only at: http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE

News Producer NBC12, Richmond’s No. 1 news organization has immediate opening for creative, dynamic news producer. Successful candidate must be strong writer, energetic, self motivated and strong leader.

No show stackers…just experienced leader with vision and skills to develop content. Apply on line at https://careers-raycommedia.icims.com. EOE M/F/H/V Drug Screen required.

Mortgage Banking

This position closes at midnight on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Credit and Background checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Accounting

Hiring range - $25,699 – 33,409

Accounting MAnAger

TransiT sysTem

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER Closes: March 18, 2016

GRTC Transit System is seeking candidates who possess excellent customer service skills and superior management abilities for a fulltime Customer Service Manager position. This position will be responsible for the training & scheduling of Customer Service personnel, addressing customer complaints, providing monthly data reports to management, and performing call monitoring and coverage as needed. 3-5 years of Customer Service Call Center experience required with 1-3 years of supervisory experience required as well.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Bilingual Spanish-English preferred. For a more complete job description and the ability to apply online, please visit www.ridegrtc.com. GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.

The Virginia Housing Development Authority is seeking a seasoned Accounting Manager to join its accounting department. This position is responsible for supervising and managing the grant disbursement accounting and reporting for VHDA’s Community Outreach programs as well as accounts payable, expense reimbursements and cash management for the entire organization. Reporting to the Controller, this position will also ensure compliance with program guidelines, tax and other regulations and GAAP for financial statement preparation and reporting.

BS/BA in accounting or business/equivalent, along with several years broad experience in accounting, required (CPA a plus). Ability to meet month-end close under tight schedules required. Working knowledge of sophisticated accounting systems and system conversions also needed, along with proven ability to enhance process flows and address challenges of interfacing to other business systems such as purchase order, grant management and expense reporting systems. Excellent communication and organizational skills, strong computer and analytical skills required. Successful candidate will be self-motivated, selfdirected and enjoy working in a fast-paced and professional environment.

We offer a competitive salary with generous benefits package. Interested parties should submit a resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at:

Business Data aDministrator Unique opportunity for experienced candidate to utilize technical skills and mortgage banking knowledge in supporting our affordable housing mission.

Responsibilities include assisting Lock and New Lender Department with creating and documenting new processes, analyzing mortgage data information as well as updating and/or maintaining information in the Loan Origination System (Mortgage Cadence). Provide internal and external support related to lock requirements and new lender requirements.

Candidates must possess several years of experience with mortgage lending.

Experience working with data and use of Loan Origination System is preferred.

Ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Associates degree preferred. Candidates should be able to work independently and in a team environment.

We offer a competitive salary with generous benefits package. Submit resume with cover letter stating salary requirements online only at:

http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE

http://www.vhda.com/about/careers An EOE

This position closes at midnight on Monday, March 14, 2016.

Hiring range - $78,609 – 102,190

This position closes at midnight on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Background and credit checks will be performed as a condition of employment.

Hiring Range - $39,084 – 50,808

Saint Mark Baptist Church, serving the Goochland Virginia and surrounding communities, is seeking a

The City of Richmond is seeking to fill the following positions: Business Analysis Manager General Services Parking & Fleet 29M00001109 Department of Public Works Apply by 03/13/2016 Head Lifeguard Seasonal-Multiple Positions 30TEMP02007 Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities Apply by 04/03/2016 Operations Manager- Fleet 29M00001074 Department of Public Works Apply by 03/13/2016 Swimming Pool Manager Seasonal-Multiple Positions 30TEMP2002 Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities Apply by 04/03/2016 Systems Developer 20M00000046 Department of Information Technology Apply 03/13/2016 ****************** For an exciting career with the City of Richmond, visit our website for additional information and apply today! www.richmondgov.com EOE M/F/D/V

Music Director/Choir Director and Organist/Pianist.

As music is a key component in our Worship Services, we are seeking a person with a strong background and commitment to both traditional and contemporary styles of gospel music, experience with choral leadership and excellent communication skills. The salary of this part-time position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Please send resumes with references by e-mail to stmarkmaidens@aol.com or by mail to Saint Mark Baptist Church, C/O Marie Hewlett, Clerk, 4596 Factory Mill Rd, Maidens Va 23102.

TransiT sysTem

Farebox Puller $15.08 per hour

Closes: March 11, 2016 GRTC seeks an energetic team member to handle the removal and the replacement of cash boxes of the Farebox unit for the revenue vehicles. The ideal candidate must be detail oriented and possess good math skills. Honesty and integrity are a must. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. For a detailed job description, including the application procedure, go to www.ridegrtc.com.

GRTC Transit System is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment that values diversity in the workplace.

TransiT sysTem

TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR

History Instructor

Closes: March 14, 2016

(Position #FO282)

GRTC seeks a results oriented professional who excels in working in a fast paced environment. This position is responsible for supervising and monitoring the activities of the bus operators on a daily basis. The ideal candidate will possess integrity, excellent problem solving skills, proven decision-making skills and excellent communication skills. High School diploma required, with a Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Previous experience in the transit industry highly desirable. Must be able to pass a background check, pre-employment drug test and DOT physical. A CDL Class B or higher with a Passenger endorsement is required. Those interested in the position may apply online at www.ridegrtc.com. GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.

(J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Master’s degree in History; or Master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in History. Pre-employment security screening is required.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-tim,e ninemonth teaching faculty-ranked appointment.

Salary range: $42,501-$71,595. Approximate maximum hiring salary: $54,080. Additional information is available at the College's website: www.reynolds.edu.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Application reviews will begin APRIL 28, 2016, and will be accepted until the position is filled.

AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans/ AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/Other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Western Tidewater Free Clinic Suffolk, Virginia

Western Tidewater Free Clinic is seeking an Executive Director to lead the operations of the Clinic to ensure the continued delivery of high quality health care services to the medically underserved population in our service area. This includes responsibility for human resources management, fundraising (including grant writing), budget management, program development, and strategic planning execution in cooperation with the Board of Directors. Senior management experience required. Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred. Find additional information at https://www. wtfreeclinic.org/western-tidewater-free-clinic/employment-opportunities/. The Clinic is a drug-free work place and an equal opportunity employer. Interested qualified candidates please send a cover letter, resume and three (3) references to: EDsearch@WTFreeClinic.org. Closing date for applications is March 22, 2016.