PB’s Not to Blame; NYC’s Capital Process Needs Reform

By ANDREW COHEN

Participatory Budgeting introduces the public to the City budget process and gives them a direct say in how millions of tax dollars are spent in our communities every year. This grassroots, people-powered initiative not only increases civic engagement, it connects individuals to their neighbors and encourages them to learn how local government plays an important role in our daily lives. Yes, Participatory Budgeting has its flaws. It is labor intensive for Council Members’ staff; volunteers don’t necessarily have the time necessary to devote; and it is challenging for community members to learn the complexity of the City budget. However, Participatory

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Well, now that America has seen “page 1” of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s income tax return, we now know The Donald was telling the truth about learning the true meaning of his wealth, through his “financials” versus his income taxes. In the income tax world, he’s been broke for the last 20 years and unless we simplify the tax code, he’ll be broke for life! Page one on his return shows his true side to lowering his income taxes: The buying, depreciation and selling of business property and equipment, or Section 179. It’s going to sound a little like

Editor’s Pick Biking the Bronx The public is invited to join the 22nd annual Tour de Bronx on Oct. 23. Participants have a choice of a 25- or 40-mile ride, both of which explore Bronx neighborhoods. Check-in is at 9 a.m. at Harris Field, Bedford Park Boulevard West between Paul and Goulden avenues. The rides end at the New York Botanical Garden with live music and light snacks. The NYC Department of Transportation is offering to fit and distribute free bicycle helmets for participants from 8 to 11 a.m. while supplies last. Those 17 and younger must be accompanied by

By DANIELA BEASLEY

Flu Season may peak during December and March, but Beatrice McMillan, along with others, isn’t chancing it this year and has already gotten her shot. “I think they are out of their minds,” McMillan said of people who choose not to get vaccinated. “I would feel unsafe if I didn’t get it. I need that flu shot.” This is the third year in a row McMillan has gotten her vaccination at the R.A.I.N. Boston Road Senior Center. A member of the center since 2009, the fact that it’s free certainly works as an incentive to get her shot as early

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA, Founder, Financial Advisors Group

Do you know what it means to your pocketbook when Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says, “I’m going to lower your taxes,” or when his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton says, “We need more infrastructure to create jobs”? Wait, that can be a bit too “out there.” Let me localize the question. Is your savings account getting more than three percent? Is your retirement investment account or 401(k) really going up or down? The stock market in August went down! The lack of financial planning knowledge, or financial literacy as we like to call it, is becoming very scary as we

Hello Fellow Readers! David Cruz, editor-in-chief of the Norwood News, here with another edition of the Norwood News, bringing you plenty of Bronx community news you can use! This week we bring you stories that have a direct impact on your life! We first begin with a proposal to bring a homeless shelter by a nonprofit provider with a checkered past. The plan is still in the talks phase, though sources tell us the developer has been eyeing one Norwood location that’s across from an elementary/middle school. Read reaction from parents and community stakeholders. Venturing inside the cover you will read a story

By DAVID CRUZ

As Norwood continues its building boom of affordable housing, with more projects under way, securing a unit could improve for applicants placed on so-called “landlord blacklists” following changes in the City’s affordable housing lottery and screening processes. With affordable housing often cut off to New Yorkers who may carry a poor credit score or had once sued their landlord, the new rules mandate landlords and developers disregard those considerations when renting a City-subsidized affordable housing apartment. The revised rules came after City officials solicited feedback over the fairness the housing lottery, a selection process that merely qualifies an applicant to

By DAVID CRUZ

A homeless shelter provider is eyeing a Norwood property that rests across from PS/MS 20 as his next shelter, sources told the Norwood News. But the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), which offers multi-million dollar contracts to nonprofit shelter providers, hasn’t drafted a contract, according to the agency. News of the proposed site, currently Sam’s Floor Covering at 3041 Webster Ave. near Mosholu Parkway North, caused widespread panic among stakeholders who have demanded that specialized housing be kept to a minimum along the Webster Avenue corridor. The proposal conflicts with and appears to undermine long-term plans to

By JALEESA BAULKMAN

The civil war continues at a Mitchell-Lama complex in Van Cortlandt Village. Following opposition to a plan by the Board of Directors to replace management services by Amalgamated Houses for another, more than 100 cooperators living at Park Reservoir approved a proposal to modify the building’s bylaws to prevent its management firm to be replaced without two-thirds support of tenants. But the proposal, approved 111 to 35 in favor, must be approved by the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), the agency that oversees Mitchell-Lama cooperatives. If this amendment is approved, cooperators could thwart the board’s yearlong plan