Urban Views Weekly March 15, 2017 by Urban Views Weekly

Mar. 15, 2017

Scholar of the Week - Ashlie Watts

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Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

How to build a successful volunteer engagement program A well-run volunteer management program can change the life of your nonprofit. Most leaders know this and yearn for a team they can depend on. At the same time, most delay engaging volunteers because “it’s a lot of work.” That’s the truth. But, it’s also true that an investment in volunteers will leverage the work of your organization in ways you can’t yet imagine.

articulate what you want to achieve, and what you believe it will take to reach those results. Continue the inquiry process by asking people who they believe could be an ideal volunteer. Research. Once you have a pool of prospective volunteers, research who they are. Take time to learn about each person as an individual. What are his or her interests, passions, experiences? Why would he or she want to volunteer for your organization? You want to find people who believe in the vision and goals of the organization, and who are passionate about your work. You want people with specific skills and a track record of successful volunteer work. You also want to engage people who will provide resources and financial support for the volunteer program. Most importantly, seek out those who will make a commitment continues to page 9

“...an investment in volunteers will leverage the work of your organization.”

There are two key principles that are the foundation of a successful volunteer engagement program. First, recruit leadership-level volunteers using the same care and thoughtfulness you would when engaging a major donor. Second, once recruited, ask volunteers to operate at the highest level. Here are some details.

Inquiry. Begin your volunteer recruitment process by asking questions. What do you want volunteers to accomplish? Clearly

Letter To The Editor

If you would like to respond to Viewpoints, your submission should contain your name, a full valid address and a daytime phone number. We cannot acknowledge submitted letters. We reserve the right to edit for accuracy, clarity, legality and taste. E-mail (without attachments) to editor@ urbanviewsweekly.com. Mail letters to Editor Urban Views Weekly.

Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com

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Urban Views Weekly | March 15, 2017

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Health News

sponsored by VCU Health

Understanding Colon Cancer

In February 2000, President Clinton officially dedicated March as National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Most colorectal cancers begin as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum called a polyp. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over the course of several years, but not all polyps become cancer.

• A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely • Weakness or fatigue • Unexplained weight loss Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they’ll likely vary, depending on the cancer’s size and location in your large intestine.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 21 for men, and 1 in 23 for women. “Obesity, high consumption of red meat and lack of exercise have been associated with an increased rate of colorectal cancer.” says Khalid Matin, M.D., medical oncologist specializing in colorectal cancer at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center. African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial and ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers. Colon cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people 50 years or older. However, incidence in those younger than 50 is on the rise. About 189,910 new cancer cases were expected to be diagnosed among blacks in 2016. The most commonly diagnosed cancers among black men are prostate (31% of all cancers), lung (15%), and colon and rectum (9%). Among black women, the most common cancers are breast (32% of all cancers), lung (11%), and colon and rectum (9%). Check out this PSA on African Americans and Colorectal

J. Chevonte’ Alexander

Cancer: https://youtu.be/1zaKPUFIXqk “We tend to see increased colorectal cancer at a younger age in African American patients. This is likely a combination of lower screening and dietary and lifestyle factors driven by socioeconomics, reduced access to care and possibly reduced awareness. Reduced vitamin D levels, which are lower in African Americans, may be another factor.” comments Dr. Matin. Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include: • A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool, that lasts longer than four weeks • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool • Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain

Educating community members and primary care physicians is the key. The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable has partnered with the American Cancer Society and other organizations, including VCU Massey Cancer Center, to raise awareness through a campaign called 80% by 2018. The goal is to increase the colon cancer screening rate to 80% of adults 50 or older. It gets harder to treat the more it has spread, because there are more cancer cells we have to eradicate. It also gets tougher to cure as it progresses. “Cancers in general are much easier to treat at an earlier stage because we can use surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to eradicate every cancer cell. This is much more difficult when it spreads outside the colon. At VCU Massey Cancer Center we have a multidisciplinary tumor conference where every new patient’s case is discussed so we can develop a consensus on the best treatment for that patient.” says Dr. Matin. For more information on colorectal cancer, including finding a clinical trial, screenings and more, visit the National Cancer Institute, https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal.

SCREEN TO SAVE: Colonoscopy African Americans have a greater risk of colorectal cancer than any other racial group. A colonoscopy can detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable, and even prevent its development by removing precancerous polyps. If you’re between the ages of 50 and 75, you need to be screened. To schedule a colonoscopy call: (804) 827-0045 or learn more at masseycolorectalcancer.com www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Urban Views Weekly | March 15, 2017

ViewPoints

By Dr. T

How Long Will Women Wait For Equality? It was 1978, when we began to celebrate Women’s History Month in the United States while in the rest of the world, International Women’s Day goes all the way back to 1911. In the same manner as Black History Month, which was established in 1976, Women’s History Month was first celebrated as Women’s History Week. The rest of the world was already acknowledging and celebrating the significant contributions made by women throughout the course of human history nearly 68 years before the U.S. began to celebrate Women’s History Month. What also must be acknowledged is that in 2017, a woman in the United States continues to be paid less than a man for doing the same work. Violence against women continues to be an epidemic problem with 85 percent of domestic abuse victims being women, and sexual violence statistics persist with 1 out of every 4 women becoming victims of sexual assault.

right to equal protection under the law and basic human dignity. It seems, although having made great strides and monumental achievements over time, women still live in a perpetual struggle for equal representation, for justice and equity, for the right to make personal decisions about their own bodies and reproductive health, and are not afforded the opportunity to exist fully and fearlessly in the world without being penalized simply because “she” is a woman.

How long will we wait for full representation and equal treatment under the law? It has already been far too long and we are tired of waiting. The outpouring of women in the streets in protest and resistance to the current administration in Washington, DC was historic. It must continue to be relentless and must become as important to men as it is to women, and all people. The ridiculously myopic and entrenched racism, sexism, Words do matter. The style of communication that homophobia, xenophobia, and neo-fascism that has is “typically” used to characterize, describe and so insidiously infected what is being framed as “the address women in social and political discourse, populist culture” here in America is Extreme; it is media of all types and forms, in the halls of the NOT Normal although there are those who seem academe, in business, the arts and throughout popular culture is often denigrating and to want to believe it is. We are on the verge of something incredibly transformative in demeaning and creates a culture where a majority of the population is devalued and America right now and the danger, the apocalyptic danger on the horizon is real, it is marginalized. The normalization of these activities continues to perpetuate the myth that visceral and it is swiftly bringing American democracy to the precipice of a “Promethean” being a female is, inherently, less valuable than being dilemma. Our national character and identity a male. The complicity with which our society has is in question. The laws by which we live, the Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. allowed overt misogyny to persist within our politics representative government by which our “civil” Founder and Artistic Director and political discourse as another “perspective” or society is defined, and the people who are the most a first amendment right to freedom of speech and important ones, as well as the ones who are the most The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor expression is appalling. It emboldens the type of marginalized are ALL on a collision course with Virginia Commonwealth University violence against women and girls that threatens their TIME. How long must we wait? Not long. DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org

“...although having made great strides and monumental achievements over time, women still live in a perpetual struggle for equal representation...”

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The Deal

By Nathaniel Sillin

Rental Properties Can Make Good Investments, but They Come with Risk Maybe your financial house is in order. Your debt is manageable or paid off. You have an emergency fund and now you’re looking for ways to grow your wealth. Or, perhaps you’re planning ahead by learning about different investments options. Have you considered becoming a landlord? Rent prices tend to rise over time, providing an inflation-protected income into your retirement years. You also might be able to cash in big later if the unit’s value increases. It doesn’t always work out that way, though. Some landlords wind up with a trashed property after evicting a tenant or lose their savings in a natural disaster. In between the extremes of easy, hands-off income and total ruin are the everyday concerns, benefits and risks that most landlords face. A few risks you could face as a landlord. Investment property mortgages tend to be a little more difficult and costly to secure than primary residence mortgages. It can also be harder to take cash out of investment properties — either with a cash-out refinance or a home equity line of credit. In other words, you might not have access to the money during an emergency.

reports or credit reports and call applicants’ references before offering a lease. • Covering your expenses. Between taxes, insurance, repairs, maintenance and mortgage payments the monthly and one-off costs can quickly stack up. Some landlords lose money because their rental income doesn’t cover their expenses, but they won’t be able to attract tenants if they raise it. If the housing and rental markets drop, you could be stuck losing money each month or selling the property at a loss. • The time or cost of managing a rental property. Becoming a landlord is often far from a hands-off job. When the phone rings in the middle of the night because the roof is leaking, you’ll need to figure out how to solve the problem. You may be able to hire a property management company to take on this work for you, but they often charge about 8 to 12 percent of your rental income or a flat monthly fee. Even with the risk involved, there are countless examples of successful landlords. Many find the experience so rewarding that they purchase additional investment properties.

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Those aren’t the only risks you could face when owning a rental.

Try to determine a property’s capitalization rate, the estimated annual return, before making an offer. To calculate the capitalization rate, divide the annual net income by the property’s purchase price.

• Finding and keeping good tenants. Landlords learn from experience that it’s worth leaving their rental empty for a month or two rather than pay for an eviction or expensive repairs later. You can pay for professional tenant screening

Your net income will be your rental income, which you can approximate based on rental prices for similar properties, minus your costs, such as maintenance, upgrades, vacancies and emergencies. You may need to consult an

MARCH 24, 2017 10 A.M. VSU MULTIPURPOSE CENTER 20809 2ND AVENUE, PETERSBURG, VA 23803

Owning a rental property outright can be risky as well. Especially if you’re placing a significant amount of your savings in a single investment, the lack of diversification could put you in a precarious situation.

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Continues to Page 11

The Investiture Ceremony is free and open to the general public. For more information, visit www.vsu.edu/inauguration. Urban Views Weekly | March 15, 2017

Destiny Empowerment Ministries Ignite Gandhi once said that the best way through Richmond-area hospital to find yourself is to lose yourself in partners. With the help of local the service of others. It is through volunteers, whether individually the selfless acts of volunteering and or through ministries like Destiny paying it forward that we not only Empowerment Ministry, The make someone else’s life better, but Doorways provides crucial care we also ignite a spark that will inspire to their residents and a true home others to do the same. Creating that away from home to those who need domino effect of giving back unites generosity and compassionate care as communities, spreads compassion, they heal. and ultimately, makes this world a much better place for generations Upon discovering The Doorways, to come. What a great tradition to Pastor Juliette Davis of Destiny start this year? Despite our own life’s Empowerment Ministries knew that Pastor Juliette Davis troubles, there’s always a reason to her heart for the people and the gifts give thanks, give back, and give this her congregation is blessed with would world a dose of kindness that we so desperately need. We hold make for an excellent volunteer opportunity. that power! “Due to limited resources, the Doorways doesn’t have a culinary As we progress further into 2017, continue to seek out ways staff to feed the residents, though they have a beautiful to make life great—for ourselves and others. Research local and extensive kitchen,” Davis explains. “Destiny has been organizations whose mission speaks to your passions and even tremendously blessed with some gifted chefs and caterers who allows you to utilize your talents. Cooking, woodworking, love to use their gift to be a blessing, so we develop a menu healthcare, childcare—you name it, there’s an organization that and serve the residents a home-cooked meal with a whole lot will put your skills to use for a greater good. For Richmond’s of love.” Destiny Empowerment Ministries, it’s all about giving back through the culinary arts. Being blessed with a congregation While residents enjoy their meals, which often include overflowing with delicious brunch, lunch, chefs and caterers, the and dinner items, the Pastors of Destiny Destiny family visits saw fit to make with each resident serving at Richmond’s and engages in rich The Doorways, formerly conversation. They Hospitality House, a core discuss everything part of their ministry. from life’s challenges, the battles with chronic The Doorways’ mission illnesses, the weight the is to provide a healing, illness places on their emotionally supportive family and finances, environment for those and the loneliness of who need to be close being away from home to the hospital but not for extended periods of far from the feeling time. It’s this personal Doorways resident talks with member of of “home.” According touch that really makes Destiny Empowerment Ministries to their website, www. Destiny a force to be thedoorways.org, the incredible organization serves as reckoned with; volunteering is about so much more than the Richmond’s premier provider of temporary lodging and gratification we feel after giving back—it’s about the potential non-medical services to patients and their families referred to connect on a personal level and truly impact a life. 6

Urban Views Weekly | March 15, 2017

“...there’s always a reason to g this world a dose of kindness “We always find common ground with at least one person and always leave with one more reason to be thankful,” says Davis. “We’ve had the privilege of meeting mothers who are awaiting heart surgery for their infants, and siblings who put their lives on hold to ensure a transplant is a success. So I guess you could say there’s enough ‘soul food’ to go around.” Launching Destiny Empowerment Ministries in 2015 with her husband, Pastor Freddie Davis, Pastor Juliette Davis

Jeff Conley stops to take a ph

es a Spark of Volunteerism in Richmond By Jana M. Hall

what about those on the outside? Countless community members need the love and compassion the church offers, but unfortunately, can’t always make it through the doors. That’s where community involvement comes in, and that’s where Destiny Empowerment Ministries excels.

give thanks, give back, and give that we so desperately need.”

named, collects clothing, toiletry items, gloves, hats, and coats for distribution at various locations around the city of Richmond. Pastor Juliette also launched Divine Design in late 2016, a monthly program for college students that focuses on helping young women identify and embrace “It’s important for people their “divine design.” of faith to give back,” Pastor Juliette stresses. “I “We believe that have found that an knowing how God Members of Destiny prepare plates for Doorways Residents amazing phenomenon wired you is essential to occurs when you position yourself to be a blessing. Initially, it knowing your purpose, and knowing your purpose is the key seems that the blessing is yours to give—be it food, clothing, to fulfillment in life,” Pastor Juliette explains. “Whether you are or some type of service. When you least expect it, the tables 18 or 80, and regardless of your socio-economic background are turned and you begin to realize that you are the one who is or ethnicity, knowing your purpose is a game changer for getting blessed.” everyone.” In addition to serving at The Doorways, Pastors Juliette and Freddie Davis feed the homeless through a ministry they launched over five years ago. “He Cares,” it’s appropriately

For all initiatives, Pastors Juliette and Freddie Davis welcome the assistance of all volunteers who have a heart for the people and seek to be the change they want to see in this world. They’re passionate about equipping and empowering believers to fulfill God’s divine destiny for their lives, and that extends beyond the church doors and spills out into the community.

constantly reminds her members how important it is to sacrifice your time, talent, and resources on behalf of others. After 25 years of ministerial experience, the Davises sought to provide a hands-on approach to the training, development, and coaching of believers to bring the Gospel in a practical way to their home, community, and the nations.

For those interested in volunteering with Destiny Empowerment Ministries, email destinyempower@gmail.com.

The key word here is “community.” So often, churches seek to touch the lives of those who come through their doors, but

Destiny Empowerment Ministries holds services on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at the Hampton Inn in South Richmond, 4300 Commerce Road, and holds their life-changing Transformation Cafe every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Assembly of God, 10551 Chalkley Rd,. N. Chesterfield.

hoto with Doorways residents

This year, don’t just focus on ways you can make your life great, but take it a step further and discover ways to impact and improve the lives of others. The world works best when its inhabitants have all hands on deck, committed to remaining compassionate and benevolent. How will you make a mark in your community in 2017?

Mom and Son Enjoying Dinner and Conversation with Destiny Empowerment Ministries

Photos: Janna M. Hall

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Scholar of the Week

Ashlie Watts

of Richmond Community High School GPA: 4.5 College(s) of Interest: Christopher Newport University, Hampton University, Mary Washington University, University of Virginia Major Community Service: Girl Scouts of America, Petersburg Police Animal Shelter, Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast, etc. Strong Interests: Pediatrics, sports and psychology Favorite Activities: Running track and babysitting

By Janeal Downs

Since the young age of five, Ashlie Watts has been involved with sports. She has played basketball, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball and participated in gymnastics. Of all the sports, her favorite is track and field. “It’s just something that I’ve always done,” Ashlie said. “I can’t imagine myself not doing it.” Not only is track her favorite activity, sports is just a part of her family. Her sister ran track, her mother is a track coach and her father is a basketball coach. In her 9th and 10th grade years, Ashlie played basketball at Armstrong High School and ran track. She has even had family members go to college to run track. This includes not only some of her cousins, but her mother was a former collegiate athlete as well.

While she is still in high school, Ashlie is the secretary of FBLA, the secretary of the Key Club and the treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor. She has volunteered as a youth ambassador with the Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast and also with the Petersburg Police Animal Shelter, where she even adopted a dog. “You never know what other people are going through,” Ashlie said about what she’s learned as a volunteer. “You see people and on the outside they look like they’re fine. Then you hear their stories or you hear the situation and you realize, that you don’t really know what they’re going through.”

Scholar0

Ashlie plans to continue running track in college. Some of her top choices for college are Christopher Newport University, Hampton University, Mary Washington University and University of Virginia. Except for UVA, the other schools interest her because they are small schools. All four have pre-medical programs. While she has a big interest in sports and has even considered studying to be a professional athletic trainer, she is leaning more toward becoming a pediatrician. “I like working with children, especially babies,” Ashlie said. She already gets practice with children by babysitting in her neighborhood and at church. Along with running track, Ashlie’s other favorite thing to do is babysit.

With all of her extracurricular activities inside and outside of school, Ashlie still works hard in school. She currently maintains a 4.5 GPA. The ™ best advice that she’s been given when it comes to approaching college life is “you want to worry about your academics and make that a priority but at the same time, have fun too.” While she currently volunteers in the community, Ashlie is determined to continue giving back in the community by pursuing a career as a pediatrician. Two of her biggest inspirations to reach her goals are her parents. “They kind of just push me to do what I want to do and be the best that I can be at it.”

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Urban Views Weekly | March 15, 2017

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FUNdraising from page 2

TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll

– both short and long term – to complete the task or responsibility you ask them to take on. Preparation. If you have a case for support for your organization, use that when preparing to meet with potential volunteers. Update the “call to action” to speak to potential volunteers. List the types of volunteer opportunities available, the time commitment, and the impact you expect to make as a result of volunteer engagement. Cultivate. As you begin to engage potential volunteers, take the time to cultivate them and educate them on the work of your organization and what you are trying to achieve. Before your meeting, make sure you know exactly what you want a potential volunteer to do. Be prepared with a suggested project or role. And, as with fundraising, don’t forget to make the ask. Job description. Once an individual

commits to volunteering, ask what they believe would be the best way to approach the work you have asked them to take on. Using their thoughts and your earlier work in defining what you want to accomplish, create a “job description” that communicates their roles and responsibilities. Share this with each volunteer. This is the beginning of creating open lines of mutual communication. Investing in leadership-volunteers is an investment in your organization and those you serve. Treat each with the level of professionalism that you expect from them. You will be amazed by what they can achieve.

There has been a rise in hate crimes under the current President’s administration according to sources. Reportedly, there have been hundreds of hate crimes against Muslims, African Americans, the Jewish community and the LGBT community. Civil rights groups are calling for the 45th President of the United States to take a firm stand against the rise of hate crimes sweeping the country.

What’s Your Take? Have you experienced any increased racial tension since the candidacy and presidency of our 45th President? Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

Copyright 2017 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of four books on fundraising available on Amazon. com. For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

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Girls and Their Dads Prepare for Date of the Decade Nationally-Recognized Girls For A Change Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Citywide Celebration Ten years ago, a group of girls enrolled in a program offered by Girls For A Change (GFAC) – a nonprofit organization empowering girls of color – and as part of a social change project, created Date With Dad to celebrate dads and change the perception that dads, especially of color, were absent from girls’ lives. Now, ten years later, GFAC will celebrate ten years of recognizing and strengthening the bond between fathers and daughters with Date With Dad 10.0 – a monthlong anniversary celebration that is an upgrade from the previous three-day weekend event. Date With Dad 10.0 will feature more than 10 educational and fun experiences for dads and daughters at several locations throughout Richmond –Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Trinity Family Life Center, Richmond Public Library, Downtown YMCA, Science Museum of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Children’s Museum of Richmond and The

Richmond City Justice Center. Among the experiences is the anticipated annual father-daughter dance, which will be held Saturday, March 18 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden from 4-9 p.m. Tickets are $60 per father-daughter couple. Another annual dance, Dance of Their Own, will be held for girls with incarcerated fathers Sunday, March 19 at Richmond City Justice Center. This event is closed to the public. Olympic gold medalist Michelle Carter will be the keynote speaker at the Date With Dad Dance at Lewis Ginter. Inspired by her father, 1984 shot put Olympic silver medalist and San Francisco 49ers nose guard, Michael Carter, Michelle will share her personal story with participants. “Date With Dad Weekend began with an idea from a group of black girls who believed that they could change how the world viewed black fathers,” says Angela Patton, CEO of Girls For A Change. “It’s amazing to see this event evolve and attract fathers and daughters of all races, experiences

and backgrounds. That’s exactly what social change is meant to do.” Creating social change in her own right, pioneering hip-hop icon Roxanne Shante´ will lecture Wednesday, March 15, 6-8 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library, exploring women who have made positive contributions in hip-hop culture. Annually, more than 600 people, including dads and daughters, attend Date with Dad Weekend, traveling from as far south as Atlanta and as far north as Philadelphia. Date with Dad Weekend has been covered by national media including ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, Inside Edition and most recently CNN’s This Is The Life with Lisa Ling. For a complete listing of events, visit datewithdad10. eventbrite.com.

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The Deal from page 5

accountant to understand how your new tax situation can affect your costs.

An extra income and potential to build equity with their tenants’ money seems too good to be true, and it just might be. If you’re going to be successful, you should acknowledge the risks that come with the territory and plan accordingly.

Cap rates tend to change depending on the area and type of property. But regardless of what’s considered “good” in your area, you can use this formula to compare different investment opportunities.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney

Bottom line: Many people focus on the positives of owning investment property.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135; 49 U.S.C 5303 and 5304, the Tri-Cities Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) hereby provides area citizens an opportunity to review and comment on the Transportation Improvement Program. This transportation plan has been developed by local and State agencies represented on the Tri-Cities Area MPO. A copy of this draft document has been made available for public viewing during regular visiting hours at public libraries in the Tri-Cities Area during a 30 day public review period beginning February 19, 2017 and ending March 22, 2017. One public meeting will be scheduled to receive comments on this draft plan on March 22, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Petersburg Multi-Modal Station located 100 W. Washington Street in Petersburg, VA. Persons in need of special accommodations to participate in these public meetings are requested to forward this information either by contacting the Crater Planning District Commission at 804-8611666 or by email using the address listed below one week prior to the meeting date. Persons with a hearing impairment may contact the

Virginia Relay Center at 1-800-8281120 to forward information to the Crater Planning District Commission and Tri-Cities Area MPO. The purpose of the Transportation Improvement Program is to recommend highway and transit improvements for the Tri-Cities Area. A copy of this draft plan and other information related to the Tri-Cities Area MPO has been made available in electronic format located http:// craterpdc.org/transportation/mpo. htm The Crater Planning District Commission and the Tri-Cities Area MPO assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, handicap, sex, age or income status, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent nondiscrimination laws, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity. Written comments on Transportation Improvement Program should be addressed Crater Planning District Commission, P.O. Box 1808, Petersburg, Virginia 23805 and or sent email dhyder@ craterpdc.org and received within the review period ending March 22, 2017.

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Urban Views Weekly | March 15, 2017