Inquiring Photographer: Nat’l Anthem Controversy

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the NFL’s new policy of issuing fines to players who publicly kneel in protest during the singing of the National Anthem. It’s the American anthem and any NFL, NBA or players of any sport should have the right to kneel. I don’t think it’s fair that they’re now penalized and all they are doing is respecting ordinary people–us. I think President [Donald] Trump is partially responsible for taking away their right of free speech. I am a football fan, I’ll probably still watch, but not be into it as much as I was because

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of Bronx news to spread around. We’ve packed 12 pages of original reporting by our talented rotation of reporters we hope you’ll find insightful. For now, let’s begin with page one and a long-awaited project. That project falls in the heart of Norwood, Williamsbridge Oval Park. It’s there where a ceremonial groundbreaking of the highly anticipated skate park took place to the pride of many stakeholders involved. Read the city Parks Commissioner’s comments on this latest project. Read also why some will view this project as

Oval Skate Park Project Quietly Gets Under Way

By DAVID CRUZ

Without much of a notice, the bulldozers came to the west side of Williamsbridge Oval Park to break ground on the long-awaited skate park. A large patch of soil blankets the area once used for a dog run, with crews ready to spend until winter of next year to complete the project. But the council member who funded the project is planning a formal celebration. Councilman Andrew Cohen secured $750,000 in capital funding for the project in 2014, holding a news conference on the funding soon after. The price of the project eventually went up to $888,000. It was among

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

A law that offers free legal help for low-income residents fighting eviction should be expanded faster, said Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. In late May, Diaz sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio urging him to speed up the availability of the Right to Counsel Act, suggesting de Blasio move the provision by 2020 instead. Right to Counsel is already in effect in some parts of the Bronx. It would be in full effect by July 2022. But Diaz, an early contender for Mayor in 2021, finds the matter more pressing. “Our City’s tenants simply cannot wait,” Diaz insisted

By DAVID CRUZ

The plants that once belonged to Elizabeth Carson have been destroyed. And she knows who did it. It didn’t take long for Carson to know who damaged those beds at Risse Street Garden. It was an apparent team effort. At a meeting among gardeners at Risse Street Garden the morning of April 22, Carson confronted Brendan O’Regan, another gardener, over who destroyed her flower beds. “Those plants have been nicely removed,” O’Regan was captured on Carson’s cell phone video recorder saying, his arms folded as he carefully explained what happened to Carson’s flowers. “Anytime I tried to respond to

By DAVID CRUZ

Officials representing Norwood are urging the MTA to consider building an elevator at the Mosholu Parkway subway station, which could be a boon to disabled riders who get on and off the station. In a letter drafted to authority president Andy Byford, Assembly Members Jeff Dinowitz and Nathalia Fernandez, Councilman Andrew Cohen, and state Senator Jamaal Bailey, lobbied for the station to get an elevator. The news comes as the MTA Board approved $300 million to reconfigure 18 stations to make them wheelchair accessible, adhering to a 1993 federal ruling that mandates all current and new stations across the system

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering Bronx communities, is out this week! Check out these stories put together by our dedicated interns and freelancers aiming to get the conversation going across the Bronx. Our page one story focuses on the perennial issue in the Bronx–barbecuing at areas that bar the practice. Community Board 7 is once again getting ahead of the issue and is pressuring the Parks Department to have those “No Barbecue” signs where they’re supposed to be. Read mixed feelings behind this issue. Behind the cover story is another parks-related story, this time focusing

Stop Work Orders Issued at 2 of 4 New Norwood Projects

By DAVID GREENE

A building boom along a four-block stretch in Norwood has once again been halted as the Department of Buildings (DOB) has issued stop work orders at two of the four projects currently under development. DOB records show a full vacate order and a partial stop work order remain in effect for 3083 Hull Ave.—a one-story property by East 204th Street consisting of five shops. Records reveal “There is an active permit for interior demolition of the property. However a violation for work without permit was issued for activities outside the scope of the permitted job at the time of the

By MARTIKA ORNELLA and DAVID CRUZ

Three weeks before the unofficial start of summer, Barbara Stronczer wanted to get ahead of what’s expected to be a raucous season at Mosholu Parkway. As it’s been the case for years, she wants the “No Barbecuing in the Area” signs up before the parties begin. “We expect it by Memorial Day,” said Stronczer, chair of the Parks Committee for Community Board 7 at a meeting on May 9 regarding the signs in neighborhood parks. “If you don’t have it by then, then it’s a big battle for us.” Barbecuing is illegal in Devoe Park, Williamsbridge Oval Park, and Mosholu