For Tenants, a Bill to Question Rent Histories Beyond Four Years

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

Almost eight years ago, Norwood resident Iris Vega-Ortiz was reportedly awarded $33,000 after the state housing agency found her landlord had overcharged her by $400 a month on rent for several years. A new bill proposed by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz might make Vega-Ortiz’s case more of a common occurrence. Dinowitz, a Democrat who represents Norwood, Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Wakefield and Woodlawn, has introduced a bill to change the state law when it comes to tenants who wish to file a rent overcharge complaint. Currently, tenants can request their rent history from the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

So why is tax planning, this time of year, even more important than tax preparation? Several reasons! First, you are living in 2019, not 2018. As you are reading this, because tax laws took effect on Jan. 1 you want to tax change your life as soon as possible to take advantage in the change in tax laws. Tax planning, in it’s simplest sense, is when one learns, strategizes, and executes their tax plan 2019 just before–or after “tax preparation, 2018,” so you can make sure knowing that Jan. 1, 2020 you are prepared to get a big hefty refund

Contest Looks to Tap Into Bronx’s Culinary Talents on Salad Dressing

By DAVID CRUZ

Throw in a dash of community gardens, a pound of culinary imagination, and a cash prize and you have a recipe for a contest seeking the next great salad dressing. The Bronx Canasta, a contingent of Bronx-based food and social justice groups, has announced a contest that seeks Bronx residents to create their own salad dressing and marinade recipe. Contestants will craft their recipes using ingredients grown at local community gardens grown across the Bronx. Organizers have taken the pains of prepping a recipe by simply having them submit them online. The contest has drawn interest from elected officials, including

By THERESA SCHLIEP

At $1200 a Month, Managing Diabetes Puts a Dent on Bronx Family’s Budget The Norwood News, WFUV Radio, and BronxNet Television present a five-part series on health-related struggles affecting residents of the Bronx. Elbia Cabral of Highbridge knows a lot about insulin. She knows the different kinds of long-acting and short-lasting insulin, the cheap brands, and the pricier brands. It’s been a year and a half since 12-year-old Elizabeth was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. And it’s been an adjustment for the whole family. Now, Elbia worries about her daughter’s health, and has plenty of questions on her management. “[I]s

CB7, Serving as Mediator, Looks for Resolve in Stagg/Tenants Feud

By JOSE A. GIRALT

Community Board 7 is finding itself in the middle of a tug-of-war between tenants from 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster avenues, collectively named The Bedford Park Manor, and its buildings’ owner, the Stagg Group. At issue are conditions inside the properties that opened four years ago, leading the recent trend of major development for the Norwood/Bedford Park area. At the last meeting of CB7’s Housing, Land Use, & Zoning Committee meeting on Feb. 21, chairman John Snider made clear that tenants from the buildings have been heard from but representatives from the Stagg Group have yet to appear in person.

By DAVID CRUZ And ALONDRA VASQUEZ

DeWitt Clinton High School’s alumni association is troubled over a proposal by the city Department of Education to add a special education high school to the campus for the next school year. While the group doesn’t object to the program, they’re worried it will significantly diminish the Norwood school’s presence as it begins to hit its stride. DOE spokesman Doug Cohen confirmed to the Norwood News the agency’s consideration, writing in a statement that it will “continue to work closely with the [Community Education Council] and the entire school community throughout this process to address any feedback and ensure we’re

Councilman Ritchie Torres Takes Aim at Alleged Con Man at it Again

By ALONDRA VASQUEZ

The alleged con man who exploited the generosity of people following the death of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz is at it again, according to Councilman Ritchie Torres. Torres, at a news conference on March 1, reported that R.A. Gregg swindled $5,000 out of Larry Winawer over the purchase of a 1976 Cadillac Deville. “In December I had saw an advertisement of a vehicle. Mr. Gregg had represented himself as Dr. Gregg and he claimed that he had purchased the vehicle years ago from a relative a fellow doctor and that he was the rightful owner of the vehicle,” said Winawer, adding

Car Chase Ends at Fordham University, Three Arrested

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

A high-speed car chase through the Bronx ended in arrest at Fordham University on March 1, Fordham Public Safety said. Three men fled from NYPD officers from the 52nd Precinct and drove onto Fordham’s Rose Hill campus before abandoning their Audi and running away, according to a statement emailed out to the Fordham University community. Fordham Public Safety officers arrested the three suspects before turning them over to the 52nd Precinct officers, who seized 20 bags of heroin and two knives, the statement said. “Public Safety supervisors are searching the area to make sure no contraband was dropped on campus,”

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

It’s been two months since a homeless man living in a Norwood shelter was reported missing on Jan. 6 at 10 p.m., but cops need the public’s help finding him. Clemente Garcia, 53, was last seen at 3600 Jerome Ave., the site of a homeless shelter that opened more than a year ago. According to the 52nd Precinct, Garcia is described as Hispanic, 5’9’ tall, and weighing 130 lbs. Anyone with information in regard to Garcia’s disappearance can call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish (888) 57-PISTA (74782), or texting tips to hotline 274637. Calls