Rivera’s Presence Sought Kudos to Assemblyman Jose Rivera’s office for finally answering a request for a representative to take part in the Bedford Mosholu Community Association’s monthly meetings. It did take over a year.

Ribbon Cutting for Bedford Manor

Several Bronx community and elected stakeholders gathered April 14 to cut the ribbon on the newly opened Bedford Park Manor at 2985 and 2987 Webster Ave. The site, formerly a plumbing supplies company, houses 122 units, of which 80 percent are already rented. Amenities include a spacious courtyard. The complex was developed by The Stagg Group following major rezoning by New York City in 2009, at the behest of Community Board 7 and the Four Bronx Institution Alliance, comprised of Montefiore Medical Center, The New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx Zoo and Fordham University.

As Armory Ice Plan Continues, Questions Over CBA’s Oversight Committee Plan Linger

By HAYDEE CAMACHO At a recent meeting sponsored by Community Board 7’s Economic Development Committee, Mark Messier, CEO of Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC), reassured the stakeholders in and around the Kingsbridge community that plans to develop a nine-rink, 5,000-seat arena at the Kingsbridge Armory are proceeding apace despite nearly a year of delays.

With Tax Deadline Nearing, Torres Wants Bronxites to Think of Local Economy

By KIMBERLY JACOBS As the April 15 tax deadline looms for thousands of Bronxites, Councilman Ritchie Torres hopes residents think of the local economy should they receive their tax refund.

Several Trees to Be Replaced at Williamsbridge Oval Park

By JASMINE GOMEZ Several dozen trees at Williamsbridge Oval Park have been marked by the city Parks Department, with a portion of the arbores slated for replacement in what appears to be a large scale tree maintenance project.

Out & About

Onstage The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Four-Hand Band, duo eaturing Broadway to classical, April 4; and Ariodante by Handel, performed by the NY Opera Forum, April 11; both at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org. Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents Swan Lake, presented by the Russian National Ballet Theatre, April 12 at 4 p.m. (tickets are from $25 to $45; $10/12 and under). For more information, call (718) 960-8833. The New York Botanical Garden presents Hansel and Gretel performed by the Bronx Arts Ensemble,

By JASMINE GOMEZ and DAVID CRUZ The news of a Mott Haven teen plunging six stories from a building in Fordham on April 2 has one neighborhood reflecting on the criminality of marijuana and its effect on their local community.

New FOTWO Prez a Familiar Face in Norwood Community

By KIMBERLY JACOBS In March, the Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval (FOTWO) named a new president of the organization: Sheila Sanchez. As a resident of Norwood for 15 years, Sanchez is very involved in the community in several aspects and appreciates the beauty Williamsbridge Oval Park adds to the area. Accepting the new position allows Sanchez to continue making the park a place for residents, families, and children to enjoy and relax. ”This is a place where [residents] can come and enjoy with their family and kids as a restful place, listen to the trees, and just calm down for

By DAVID CRUZ Last week’s building fire at Jerome and Sedgwick avenues renewed calls from the FDNY to increase disability payments to new firefighters should they be injured on the job. The rallying cry from the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA), the union representing firefighters, was amplified by Bronx elected officials who have joined a fight to increase disability benefits to injured firefighters. Currently, firefighters hired after 2009 can only qualify for $10,000 in disability benefits, which ranks to $27 a day. Coverage went into effect after then Governor David Paterson vetoed a yearly bill that allows new firefighters to be covered as