City Kicks Off Soccer Initiative in the South Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

Fifty soccer fields are expected to be built over the next five years across the city, and in the Bronx, as part of a public-private partnership to “leveling the playing field” and increase mentorship opportunities, city officials announced. Mayor Bill de Blasio visited Millbrook Houses in Mott Haven to announce NYC Soccer Initiative, a $3 million venture among the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, sports apparel Adidas, U.S. Soccer Foundation, and the New York City Football Club (NYCFC). The club’s base of operations is at Yankee Stadium. Millbrook Houses, falling under the city housing authority, is one of

Body Camera Survey The NYPD wants your opinion on its officer body-worn cameras. Take the questionnaire or submit comments at nypdbodycameras.org. TV Production Training Workshops on television production are available through BronxNet Television, the borough’s official public access television station, from July 12 through Sept. 3, at either Mercy College or Lehman College. Registration fee is $90 for in-studio training and $100 for field production. For more information, call (718) 960-1181. Free Summer Meals Free summer meals for children age 18 and under is available until Sept. 2 at public schools, community pool centers, New York City Housing Authority complexes,

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the delay of redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory into an ice skating center, and if they think the project will ever be completed. I think an ice skating rink should be built there; it would be fun. There’s not many over here. Most of them are far away, like Manhattan. I honestly think they want to build something else there, they don’t want to build a skating rink. I heard some saying it was a waste of money, that once they build it, no one would go. Jahira Davis Yonkers I

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

Lifelong Bronxite Samelys Lopez, former second vice chair at Bronx Community Board 7, is petitioning to become the Democratic Female District Leader for the 78th Assembly District, an area that covers Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham and a portion of Belmont. The district leader is an elected and unpaid volunteer within both the Democratic and Republican parties, and responsibilities for the position include hiring poll workers, listening to and advocating for community members’ concerns and encouraging people to be involved in the local political process. There are two district leaders for each assembly district, one female and one male, who

By TATYANA TURNER and DAVID CRUZ

With the northeast Bronx still facing the highest number of foreclosures in the borough, a local councilman proposes a plan that could stave off foreclosures, coinciding with a larger goal with city officials. Councilman Andy King, representing the 11th Council District, is turning to extending the deadline on lien sales from one to two years. Liens, a collection of unpaid debts that could include water bills, are given at least one year to be paid off by the city Finance Department. As it stands, liens are typically sold to a lien servicing company after one year. The buyer can attach

Editor’s Pick Summer in the City The public is invited to attend Summerstage, a variety of free performances, all at 10:30 a.m., presented by City Parks Foundation, in city parks (schedule is subject to change): Van Cortlandt Park’s Classic Playground, VC Park South and Orloff Avenue – Todd Rolle: Kids Day Out on July 7; and Chinese Acrobat Li Liu on July 14. Van Cortlandt Park’s Sachkerah Woods Playground at Jerome Avenue and Gun Hill Road – PuppetMobile’s Puss in Boots on July 21; Marc Cary: The Harlem Sessions on July 28. Poe Park, next to the bandstand, Grand Concourse

By DAVID CRUZ

For the past six months, the small band of tenants at 267 E. 202nd St., a 2-story apartment building, have dealt with an uncertainty that hasn’t quite been resolved: are they staying or going? It’s a question that’s been on the minds of these tenants who’ve built lives there for as long as 30 years. “Everybody’s been living in that building for so long,” said Cynthia Garcia, a tenant and single mother of two children. “Everybody’s like family.” The piece of property, resting at the tip of Briggs Avenue in a sleepy part of Bedford Park, remains a source of

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

The busiest volume in over five years! The British pound tumbled to near $1.32, its lowest level since 1985, before bouncing back to a loss of 8 percent at $1.3678. The five percent drop in the United States Stock Market following Brexit was the worst in 10 months. Wall Street (and your retirement plan) are now -0.5 percent. And our financial markets now have a lot to digest. Britain’s decision to leave the European Union (E.U.) has started a trickledown effect that will leave a gaping hole in many areas of its united armor. If Switzerland, Spain, Ireland, just to name a few, continue

State Senator Adriano Espaillat largely owes his primary victory in the Democratic 13th Congressional District race to the Bronx, which takes up 20 percent of the gerrymandered district that also covers Norwood. Mr. Espaillat took in 15,735 votes over the presumptive frontrunner, Assemblyman Keith Wright, who took in 14,499 votes in a stunning upset. Mr. Espaillat also won the Bronx by 853 votes. Granted, June 28 did mark a primary, but with the district heavily Democratic, November’s General Election will formally see Mr. Espaillat ascend to the seat. With that: Mr. Espaillat, please open a Bronx constituent services office. After