News of NCBH-Jacobi Management Merger Comes Amid Promotion Snub

By DAVID CRUZ

North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) is here to stay, according to officials for the city-funded hospital. But it will once again come with some changes at the top. Officials with NYC Health + Hospitals announced at an employee town hall a “restructuring” of high-level management, with the current CEO of NCBH’s sister hospital, Christopher Mastromano of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, slated to manage both hospitals. The move comes amid the retirement of NCBH’s CEO, Maureen Pode, and several promotions that raised several eyebrows. The retirement of Pode opens the door to “build on the close relationship” between NCBH and Jacobi,

Free Air Conditioner Free air conditioners are available to Bronx residents who either receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and did not receive an air conditioner by the Home Energy Assistance Program. Income-eligibility requirements also apply. For more information, call (212) 331-3126, or visit the Department of Human Resources Administration at 1932 Arthur Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commercial Lease Help Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition offers free legal help to small businesses in negotiating commercial leases with their landlords. Businesses have to be in New

Pols- Elevator Needs at Mosholu Pkwy. Station

By DAVID CRUZ

A petitioning campaign is underway in Norwood aimed at putting pressure on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to prioritize the installation of a much-needed elevator at the Mosholu Parkway 4 No. train station. The effort is noticeably led by Eric Dinowitz, District Leader for the area’s 81st Assembly District who’s expressed interest in running for the City Council seat currently held by Norwood Councilman Andrew Cohen. Cohen, whose district overlaps with the train station, was not there. “We know that more than 10 percent of the population here has a disability, so you could figure it’s over a thousand people who

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Well, I am sure by now you heard the ramblings from TV, social media, radio, and of course our President: “Our economy is growing at 4.1 percent.” So what? There are many things you do not hear in those 30-second soundbites. One of them is that 4.1 percent represents, the second quarter of the year (April through June), not the whole year. What if I told you after you account for the first quarter of 2018, that 4.1 percent now gets averaged to three percent for six months? Now, don’t get me wrong. first half of the year growing at

By DAVID CRUZ and MARTIKA ORNELLA

The NYPD has identified a third suspect in a string of robberies that have happened near French Charley’s Park near Norwood since May. The first incident dates back to May 5. Thieves have struck seven more times since. A 17-year-old suspect was identified in the third theft. It happened May 25 around 4 p.m. near Allerton Avenue and Bronx Park East. Police say the thief and another suspect approached two teens, flashed a gun, and robbed them of their iPhones and $4. Police released video of a suspect involved in the fifth robbery. Police say it happened May 28 at

Above Putnam Place, an Urban Garden Grows

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Every day in the summer, Victor Khan, 72, of Norwood hobbles to his kitchen window, and carefully climbs onto the roof of the Sing Fei Chinese Restaurant from his fire escape overlooking Putnam Place and East Gun Hill Road to tend to his garden. An automobile accident at age 15 partially disabled Khan, making him unable to move his hip and causing one of his legs to be an inch and a half shorter than the other. Using a chair to help boost himself out of the window makes it a little easier to get outside, but not much. The

With One Month Before Primary, Bronx Political Forces at Play

By MARTIKA ORNELLA and DAVID CRUZ

A sleepy political race and quiet political machinations abut a closely-watched contest ahead of the Sept. 13 Democratic primary, which could see a dramatic shift in representation across the borough. The theme of progressivism has coursed through key races in the Bronx, thanks to political histrionics coming out of Washington, D.C. It began with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the socialist Democrat beating established frontrunner Congressman Joe Crowley in the June 26 Democratic primary in a race that pitted an outsider against an insider. That theme has spilled onto the race for the 34th Senate District between Alessandra Biaggi, an attorney who once

As has been the case for years, the Norwood News will be taking its summer hiatus, and this current edition will cover virtually the entire month of August. This means readers won’t see another print edition until Aug. 30. We’ll be around, of course. You’ll find our bylines on the website, www.norwoodnews.org. You may also continue to send tips, letters, and story ideas to Editor-in-Chief David Cruz at dcruz@norwoodnews.org or norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org.

Health Check: When is a Drink a Drink in the Summer?

By PAULETTE GIAMBALVO, MPH, CHES

During the summer, many adult Bronxites may find themselves drinking more fluids, including adult beverages ranging from beer to specialty drinks at restaurants or at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes certain groups should not drink at all, including those under the legal drinking age of 21, women who are or may become pregnant, people who are driving, planning to drive, or are participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness. Also, people taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol, people with certain medical conditions and people who are recovering from