Financial Focus: Can College Be Free, Again?

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

College students from all over New York are protesting Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York State, requesting that college education be like it was before 1976: free. Today, more than 40 years later, it costs about, minimum, $6,000 a year. So is it worth funding the system with your tax dollars? At 200,000 students per year going through the CUNY, that will be $1.2 billion a year. Is a public education worth this cost as a state and can we make it cheaper? If my memory serves, in 1986, I paid $1,200 a year. Based on current inflation, this would now be $1,920 a year in 2017. While $1,920 might be

By DAVID GREENE

Following the first killing in a New York City Public School reportedly in 25 years, we asked readers: Besides the newly installed metal detectors, what could have prevented this tragedy? They should have seen the situation clearly, knowing that the school didn’t have metal detectors. This kid was bullied and everybody knew about it. The school, security and police should have all gotten together, like Bob Marley said, “One Love,” because we’re all one together. I think it would have been much better if they had talked to the kid. I was bullied myself; my mother taught me how to fight,

By DAVID CRUZ, AARON MAYORGA, and YARA PALIN

From the freneticism of Fordham to the more bucolic parts of Mosholu Parkway, the uptick in homelessness has not gone unnoticed by residents. In many instances, makeshift beds can be spotted in parts of Fordham while a camp for the homeless is commonly used in a leafy section of Dead End Park by Allerton Ballfields. For the number of homeless the Norwood News spoke to, living on the streets is a life more familiar than a roof over their head. It also presents the safest option. And as the city Department of Homeless Services (DHS) mulls over the site of

Crime File: Suspect Chucks Credit Card Reader at Victim

By DAVID CRUZ

The Norwood News’ Crime File takes a look at some high profile cases the NYPD needs help with. This week there are cases involving a credit card reader used as a weapon, a $22000 grand larcenist, and a wallet thief.

Newly Sworn in Lehman College President Pledges Expansion

By DIEGO BARCACEL PEÑA

The inauguration of Lehman College’s third president, Dr. José Luis Cruz, was filled with smiles and optimism for the future. It also doubled for the announcement of a new initiative by the college dubbed “90 by 30.” Cruz’s 90 by 30 initiative hopes to produce 90,000 degrees and credentials by the year 2030, doubling the current number of degrees conferred. The plan includes hiring more professors and working on expanding virtual and physical infrastructure. This includes building a $53 million, 50,000-square-foot nursing teaching and research center, a $12.8 million addition to the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, and the

By JESSICA SHAPIRO, MS, RD, CDN, CDE

The Norwood News’ Health Check offers tips on how to stay healthy when handling food that’s spoiled from a power outage or natural disaster.

Public & Community Meetings

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 committee meetings are held on the following dates at the board office, 229 E. 204th St., at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: Public Safety & Quality of Life Committee meets on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd.; Health & Hospitals Committee meets on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Environment & Sanitation Committee meets on Oct. 4; Education, Youth & Libraries Committee meets on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Traffic & Transportation Committee meets on Oct. 5; and Veterans Committee meets on Oct. 5. For more information, call (718) 833-5650. BEDFORD

The Norwood News’ Neighborhood Notes section has a listing of services that include organ donation signup, free WiFi for students, and SAFE Disposal events.

Financial Focus: Tax Cuts Minus No Deductions Equals Tax Increase

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Congressman Paul Ryan: “I would like to see a new tax system in place when we wake up January 1, 2018.” President Donald Trump: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to fix an outdated and complex tax system. We should have a tax plan that lowers taxes, creates higher growth and brings more jobs.” Well, here it comes! As you might have heard in recent days, our new government is about ready to change our tax and financial life forever by: Simplifying personal tax brackets from 7 to 3 Increasing child and elderly tax credits Decreasing business taxes, significantly, from