Keith Wright, Running for Congress, Promises Bronx Office

By DAVID CRUZ

Manhattan Assemblyman Keith Wright gave a “guarantee” that the Bronx will see a legislative office should he win in the heavily crowded race for the 13th Congressional District long held by Congressman Charles Rangel, who is retiring. “We’re actually looking to open a Bronx campaign office as well as Bronx congressional office after we win,” said Wright, standing beside Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who endorsed him for Congress before the steps of Borough Hall April 21. Roughly 20 percent of the district, gerrymandered a few years back, is in the west Bronx, which includes Norwood. A long-held bone

By DAVID GREENE

Hundreds of workers with Verizon held a demonstration along the Grand Concourse at East Fordham Road on April 20. Nearly 40,000 workers walked off the job over a week ago after executives declined to negotiate a new contract with retail workers and technicians. Verizon execs also tried to implement a waiver in the new contracts that stated Verizon can change any stipulations in the contract at any time. For Faith Griffith, a three-year Verizon employee living in nearby Tracey Towers for the last five years, the strike signified her “last paycheck” from Verizon the week of April 18. Griffith, a single

By DAVID CRUZ

Developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) have shot down a deal with the city allowing them access to the vacant Kingsbridge Armory while their lease remains in escrow, among other things. The development came roughly a week after the city reached out to local and state elected leaders to support its new compromise that remains on the table. In a two-page letter emailed to the media before KNIC saw it, New York City Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen offered developers entry into the armory, with the lease still in escrow, so it can begin some major asbestos removal work. Glen,

By DANIELA BEASLEY

Commuters in Norwood can expect transit and pedestrian safety improvements along the Webster Avenue Bx41 Select Bus Service route now that the city green-lit a contractor to complete the project. The project is building on already completed upgrades that include one lane dedicated to buses and pockets of pedestrian islands that pepper the thoroughfare. Services included in the renovations are real-time bus arrival information and additional shelters and seating. Construction will take place between East 205th Street in Norwood and East 165rd Street in Claremont Village with a sidewalk extension on the East side of Webster Avenue between East 194th

Small businesses are booming in the Bronx, according to a small sample survey. The analysis, conducted by TD Bank, asked 495 New York businesses about their prospects for the coming year. Some 100 participatory businesses are located in the Bronx. The survey detailed citywide optimism for the year, with 86 percent of Bronx small business owners expecting higher revenue, the strongest mark of any borough. Additionally, 93 percent of those Bronx small business owners surveyed are optimistic or excited about 2016, making it the most optimistic borough in the city. Some indicators for a positive outlook included cost of office

By DAVID CRUZ, DAVID GREENE & DANIELA BEASLEY

SpA recap of how the candidates schmoozed voters in the Bronx From Mott Haven to University Heights, presidential candidates vying for the White House converged in the Bronx, bringing to the borough a week full of rallies, surprise stops, condemnation and a boost to its political influence. Those visits all boil down to today, with New York holding its most critical presidential primary in recent years. CHECK OUT THIS HANDY BREAKDOWN OF CANDIDATES ON BALLOTPEDIA Bernie Sanders, the U.S. Senator from Vermont, was the first to arrive, launching his New York campaign tour in the Bronx. Three weeks before the April

There are exceptions to everything. For reporters, that mostly involves revealing your personal biases, good or bad. That’s why it was so uncommon to witness some 200 journalists standing in a celebratory cheer for U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, the keynote speaker at the 2016 New York Press Association spring convention. The Norwood News stood with them, joining in several applauses, including a long ovation for Mr. Bharara at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs. Indeed, it’s largely his relentless assault against the culture of corruption long linked to the Albany Legislature that’s earned him rock star status among New

By VIVIAN CARTER

New York City’s trendy downtown culture visited the Bronx on April 2, as the Mobile Unit of Joseph Papp’s celebrated Public Theater presented the classic play by William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet, at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. Obie Award winner Lear deBessonet directed the production, described in the program as “the classic tale of star-cross’d lovers caught between the world outside the bedroom window and passion as boundless as the sea.” The starring roles of Romeo and Juliet were played by Sheldon Best and Ayana Workman. The small indoor venue at the Oval was booked well in advance, with over

Greetings Loyal Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition, bringing you plenty of Bronx community news you can use. We begin with what was a late-breaking story into our newsroom: developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) taking the city to court over its delay of a lease developers say belongs to them. Read what KNIC is alleging in the 35-page complaint filed in Bronx Supreme Court. The development seriously endangers the project, which could force the community, elected officials and the city to start all over. Next, an editorial that shows our cards and respect