Inquiring Photographer: Trump’s First Year

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on how President Donald Trump’s first year in office went. He’s done some things good and some things he’s messed up. He’s going after the pedophiles and the corrupt politicians, but he’s just as dirty as they are anyway. He’s corrupt too; all his business dealings and he doesn’t show his taxes and we don’t know anything more about him than what he’s shown. Everybody has their taxes exposed, but his are hidden. Why, I don’t know. But I prefer him over Hillary Clinton because she’s an old school politician who’s done nothing

Editorial: Not a Good Message, Mr. Council Speaker

When New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson took the reins from his predecessor, Melissa Mark-Viverito, we knew change was certainly inevitable. We just didn’t think this was going to happen. Within two weeks from the time Mr. Johnson was sworn in, out went several members of the Speaker’s Public Technology Unit, whose job was to work with the city’s diverse community and ethnic media. This move, which the office addressed as benign, spoke volumes. Four staffers were let go; all of them Latina women. The four employees worked well in sending out a message to New York’s community and

GUSTAVO VEGA with the El Colegio de México (COLMEX) (l) shares a moment with Lehman College President Dr. José Luis Cruz (r) at a symbolic signing between Vega’s and Cruz’s academic institutions aimed at strengthening cooperation and promoting mutual understanding. These agreements between Lehman College and eight other schools are intended to lead student and faculty collaboration. The event happened at the Bedford Park-based college on Jan. 18. Photo by Miriam Quinones

Financial Focus: Humans vs. Software Tax Preparers

As a 25-year financial advisor, I am obviously a big fan of tax preparation and planning to be a human process of actually a bigger project called financial planning. Today’s technology allows us to handle many wonderful tasks that outside human professionalism is today. Today, many believe tax prep software and Internet services can provide a do-it-yourself approach to getting your taxes done in 15 minutes and getting a huge tax refund. Such nonsense talk! That’s like saying technology allows for major surgery to happen in the morning and then we can go back to work in the afternoon. Yes, today’s technology

By DEBORAH CRUZ

After two years of its proposal, a supportive/affordable housing residence in Norwood will be opening its doors later this year after unexpected delays. But the committee that heard the latest development is worried over whether they’re guaranteed spots for current neighborhood residents. At the Community Board 7 Housing/Land Use Meeting on Jan. 9, John McDonald, the COO of The Doe Fund, a non-profit group that’s nearly built the $29.5 million affordable housing unit at 3100 Webster Ave., outlined the project. He was joined by Amanda Septimo, a community outreach consultant for the Villa Avenue project, who explained the issues surrounding

Become Civically Engaged Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. encourages New Yorkers to become more civically engaged as part of the “Hour New York Challenge.” Those interested take a pledge to dedicate at least one hour each month throughout 2018. Activities include attending community board meetings, volunteering with a nonprofit, and generally being a more informed and active citizen to improve neighborhoods. For more information, call (718) 590-3543. Catholic Schools Open Houses Bronx Catholic elementary schools are holding “Touring Tuesdays” open houses: Jan. 30, Feb. 13, March 13 and April 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. or by appointment. Local

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. There are 16 pages filled with a lot of useful information intended to make your aware of where you live. We begin, of course, with page one. In one of the more hotly controversial stories of the year (we’re only the second edition of 2018) teachers and staffers of JHS/MS 80 came in the defense of its principal, Emmanuel Polanco. The five-year principal and the school are under investigation for covering up a fight

Number of Chain Stores Grows in the Bronx Again

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

The Bronx has seen an increase in the number of chain stores in 2017, a sign of anticipated economic growth in the borough, according to a newly released report by a think tank group. The news is in lockstep with the rest of the city, which has seen its ninth consecutive year of growth in the number of national retailers and food establishments. The report by the Center for Urban Future (CUF), a research group that focuses on the economy and infrastructure in New York City, found the number of Bronx stores rose by 1.8 percent. There were a total

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

So is it really true? Will the new tax bill that put caps on mortgage interest and property taxes stop people from buying a home? Will it prevent them from receiving numerous tax deductions? Well, according to the IRS, the caps on these areas will only affect four percent of the nation. Now, while I’m sure, many (including me) question this number, their next projection might be more accurate: In high state areas like New York this will effect over 60 percent of home ownership. “Capping” deductible areas like mortgage interest and property taxes are designed to shift you from being