Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s twelfth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into. There’s almost something happening in this corner of the Bronx, and we’ve captured a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story captures the conclusion to the New York City Department of Education’s plan to co-locate another school at the DeWitt Clinton Campus. Read the story by Jose A. Giralt. Read what Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza said about the hard fought, yet unsuccessful, campaign by the opposition. Inside the cover

Parkside Place Clean-up Dedicated to Domestic Violence Victims

By DAVID GREENE

More than a dozen volunteers from several different organizations turned out for a clean-up on June 1 along Parkside Place between East Gun Hill Road and East 205th Street in Norwood. Organized by Guerinos Against Graffitti, members removed debris and dead weeds from behind several buildings. An advocate from The Jewish Board, a domestic violence outreach program, was on hand to pass out literature. The group plans to make the clean-up an annual event.

Fisher House, a Home Away From Home, Opens at Bronx VA

By DAVID GREENE

Officials with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which included a personal visit from the federal agency’s Secretary, Robert Wilkie, were on hand for a ribbon cutting for two new homes that will house families of wounded or ailing service members at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs in Kingsbridge. A ribbon cutting for the new homes was held on Wednesday, May 22, the homes will temporarily house 32 families free of charge, allowing family members to be close to their loved ones as they seek medical care at the hospital. The Fisher Houses at the James J. Peters

SEE PICTURES: 52nd Precinct Fellowship Brunch

The 52nd Precinct Community Council held its annual Fellowship Brunch, recognizing residents and police officers striving to make the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham, and University Heights decent, livable communities. The May 24 event at Monroe College also saw officers from the NYPD’s other divisions—Explorers, Auxiliary, and School Safety—receive accolades. All photos are by Alondra Vasquez.

Inquiring Photographer: Readers’ Summer Plans

By DAVID GREENE

With the unofficial start of summer upon us, we asked readers their plans for the coming summer. I expect to be working, but I will take one month off in July. I will go to the beach; I like to swim. I will spend time with the family, attend some cookouts. I love going to the beach in this weather, visit the different parks. It’s going to be great. Perla Abreau Norwood Actually, I’m going to visit family in Sicily, Italy, and I haven’t been there in 10 years. I’m going to see my grandmother and grandfather, my aunts

When students show up for the start of the new school year in September at DeWitt Clinton High School, they can expect to find their building split up yet again. By a unanimous vote of 9 to 0, the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) voted on May 29 to use some of the space deemed underutilized at DeWitt Clinton Campus (DWCC) to co-locate the District 75 school known as PS X721 Stephen McSweeney within its walls. The new school will move into the building already shared by Clinton, Bronx Collaborative H.S., World View H.S., and PS X168—serving students in grades

By DAVID CRUZ

State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a hard-line progressive Democrat representing a large swath of the Bronx, has formed a campaign committee for the 15th Congressional District seat, an indication that he will run for office. Federal filing show Rivera, who represents the 33rd Senate District since 2009, opened a campaign committee dubbed “Gustavo for the Bronx” on May 24. Rivera is now the sixth candidate who has declared or expressed interest in the seat long held by Congressman Jose Serrano, who announced in March he will not be seeking a 16th term. “I am considering running for that seat, and I’m

Blake, Congressional Candidate, Backs One Fair Wage At Edge of District

By DAVID CRUZ

Assemblyman Michael Blake is backing a state bill that would mandate the restaurant industry establish a living wage for restaurant workers that predominantly rely on customer tips to make ends meet. The bill has stalled in the Albany Legislature despite a pledge from Governor Andrew Cuomo to see look into it. A portion of Blake’s announcement saw him work as a waiter for an hour at Bronx Draft House on May 28, a move intended to underscore the difficulties of the serving trade. “There will be some impact to your bottom line,” said Blake should the bill pass. While the

Skateboard Project Hits Another Snag, Delayed for Several More Months

By DAVID CRUZ

Just as crews were at the tail end of the long-anticipated skateboard park inside Williamsbridge Oval Park, the project hit a snag, delaying the project for several more months. News of the delay “We thought the skate park in the Oval was completed, however we found out that the surface, whatever they put down, cracked, and it all has to be ripped up again and redone,” said Barbara Stronczer, chair of Community Board 7’s Parks Committee, shared the news to a surprised audience at the latest Community Board 7 general board meeting. The delay, which was updated on the New