Contractor and developer Gerald Burr, left, prepares to ceremoniously break ground on the Townhomes at Warwick Place, his company’s new $6.7 million townhouse apartment project in South Richmond. Joining Mr. Burr last Thursday are, from left, Graham Driver of the Virginia Community Development Corp.; Gena Burr, Mr. Burr’s wife and president of GTT Enterprises Inc.; Monique Johnson of Virginia Community Capital Bank; Ron Johnson with the City of Richmond; Mayor Dwight C. Jones; and City Council President Michelle Mosby. The development by Canterbury Enterprises LLC of 40 affordable rental units is going up at 6220 Old Warwick Road, across the street from the grounds of a former church that the city plans to transform into a recreation center and park. Each unit will have three bedrooms and an average of 1,450 square feet. Ten units will be accessible for persons with disabilities. The townhouse development is expected to be completed by December.

Judge Joi Jeter Taylor beams happily after being sworn in to the Richmond Circuit Court. Family, friends, judicial colleagues, members of the legal community and area elected officials were on hand March 12 for her investiture ceremony at the John Marshall Courts Building in Downtown. Judge Taylor actually joined the court Dec. 1 after serving nearly 17 years as a Richmond General District Court judge. The General Assembly elected her in late September to succeed Richmond Circuit Court Judge Margaret P. Spencer, who retired from the bench last summer. A Howard University Law School graduate, Judge Taylor served 15 years as an assistant attorney general before she went on the bench in 1998.

The Rev. Kevin Chandler, vice president of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, speaks from the podium about a new coalition’s plans to seek dialogue with local law enforcement authorities. The coalition of community activists and civil rights advocates wants to encourage area police departments and elected officials to implement proactive measures to prevent incidents of police brutality. They also are seeking an end to disparate treatment of communities of color by the criminal justice system.

Newly sworn Richmond Police Officer Timberly Bolden, left, is pinned by his proud mother, Detral Bolden, as his grandmother, Elnora Timberlake, looks on. At right, Officer Jevel Leon kisses his 6-year-old daughter, Kaylee, as his wife, Marta, watches. The men were among 28 new

Graduates of the Richmond Police Department’s 110th Basic Recruit Class. The ceremony was held Tuesday in the Cheek Theater at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Police Chief Alfred Durham and Mayor Dwight C. Jones were on hand to salute the new officers.