Inquiring Photographer: NYCHA’s $2B Pledge

This week we asked readers living in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments in the Bronx about the recent decision for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to oversee NYCHA, and the city’s $2.2 billion commitment for NYCHA repairs over the next decade. I’m all for that because right now we don’t even have heat in the building, no heat at all. We have running hot water, but no heat. We’ve had no heat since yesterday. It comes on and off. They keep saying they’re repairing it. The elevator keeps breaking down. Sometimes we have to go up and down

Editor’s Pick Seniors Should Socialize JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center, 3880 Sedgwick Ave. presents the following February events: (call (718) 549-4700 for more information): Feb. 14 -Informal Valentine’s Day party with music and special refreshments following lunch. Feb. 15 – Trip to City Island to dine out. Meet at the center at 10:30 a.m. and return by 2:30 p.m. Pre-register with Cindy. Feb. 21 – Classical concert at 1 p.m. Feb. 28 – Belated Valentine’s Day/Birthday party, featuring music, at 1 p.m. Onstage Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Hector Acosta “El Torito,”

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Do you live with someone or are married? Oops, you’ve lost your household tax deduction! Had job expenses? Oops, you lost those too? You paid alimony? Congratulations, to the other spouse–that is now tax free to them–no more tax deduction for you. Have a home-based business and want to write off the deductions? Oh no! When you received your $25 bi-weekly tax cut were you smart enough to plan a W-4 readjustment at work, to put you in your correct tax bracket- for both 2018 and 2019? Well, now you know just a part of the answer! Welcome to tax season 2018–the year

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourth edition of the Norwood News with plenty of community news you can use. We’ve packed 20 pages full of useful information. As usual, we’ll begin with page one! Our front-page story takes you to Bedford Park where locals are reeling over news the local Rite Aid has closed. This is troubling news for seniors living at Serviam Heights and Serviam Gardens, which serve senior citizens. Reporter Alondra Vasquez talks to a whole horde of residents over what this means for them and access to their prescriptions. Inside the cover you’ll find a two-page informative piece

Snow Postpones Stagg Meeting at Community Board 7

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Snow and ice caused the cancellation of Community Board 7’s Housing, Land Use & Zoning committee meeting of Feb. 12, in which residents from 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster Ave., owned by the Stagg Group, were prepared for a heated confrontation with the landlord’s representatives. As previously reported in the Norwood News, residents of the three buildings have intensified their complaints over repairs not being tended to, security cameras not working, dirty hallways not being regularly cleaned, and just the overall difficulty of getting the management team to respond. Led by Zxavier Simpson, from 2985 Webster Ave., residents are joining

Rite Aid Closure Stuns Bedford Pk. Locals

By ALONDRA VASQUEZ

Gloria Murray, 70, a resident at the Serviam Gardens senior home in Bedford Park, will no longer be able to pick up her prescriptions at her local Rite Aid. The sign taped to the pharmacy’s front door at 239 E. 198th St., just two blocks from the affordable housing complex, said it all: “Hello Rite Aid Customers. We are closing at 7 p.m. today. Thanks for choosing us as your favorite store. Sorry for the inconvenience.” The sign was posted Feb. 5, the date the store permanently closed. The closure adds a greater layer of inconvenience for residents at Serviam

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

New York City’s decades-long housing crisis continues, and it’s hitting the northwest Bronx the hardest. Fordham and Bedford Park were among the neighborhoods with the most evictions in the city, according to a report released by the office of City Council Speaker and interim Public Advocate Corey Johnson. From January 2017 through 2019, the Bronx led in evictions, in one eviction for every 79 units. That’s more than twice as much as in the next-most affected borough, Brooklyn, which saw one eviction in every 180 units. The 10458 and 10468 zip codes, which encompass Bedford Park, Fordham and other neighborhoods,

Ahead of Possible Government Shutdown, Bronx Locals Get Free Tax Help

By DAVID GREENE

As a possible federal government shutdown looms, Bronxites converged at one local bank for some to have their taxes prepped and filed before they’re refunds are stalled. On Feb. 7 Ridgewood Savings Bank, the largest mutual savings bank in New York State, announced it had partnered with non-profit tax professionals Ariva, in offering free tax preparation at two of its Bronx branches, including one at 3445 Jerome Ave. in Norwood. Customers arrived at the Jerome Avenue branch on Feb. 9 and 10 with documents in hand and met with a tax specialist and e-filed their returns the same day. Few seats

An Awareness Campaign to Combat Lead Exposure Beyond NYCHA

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

The fight against childhood lead exposure is about more than just lead paint. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced his new initiative, LeadFreeNYC, which aims to completely eliminate lead poisoning in children throughout the city. “We mean literal eradication,” said de Blasio, at a news conference alongside health experts at North Central Bronx Hospital in Norwood. Children can experience learning and behavioral problems and delayed physical and mental development due to the toxicity of lead, with children 6 and under being the most vulnerable. To make lead exposure “one of those diseases of the past” requires a deeper look