Inquiring Photographer: Is There Enough News Coverage of the Bronx

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers how the major and local news outlets are doing with regard to coverage of the Bronx. When I watch the local channels, I don’t really feel like they cover the Bronx, but they look at all the other boroughs like Staten Island and Manhattan, with Manhattan being the largest business district. But when I look at papers like the Norwood News, I do get that focus and it’s on education and community development, business and local community leaders and you don’t get that from the big broadcast stations. Leon Wentt Bedford Park I don’t feel like

Editor’s Pick Keeping Fit The public is invited to join the following fundraisers, and exercise at the same time, both on April 30: Wildlife Conservation Society – Run for the Wild, a Run and Family Fun Run/Walk at the Bronx Zoo. Registration fee includes complimentary admission and parking, free post-run activities, refreshments, entertainment and a silent disco. For more information, visit wcsrunforthewild.org. Mosholu Community Center – B’N Fit Teen & Community Walk at the NY Botanical Garden, to call attention to ending teen obesity. In-person registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; walk begins at 8 a.m. Participants who raise $50 walk for

By VIVIAN CARTER

The trend in New York City real estate development is unquestionably upward. But residents in the Woodlawn Heights section of the Bronx have orchestrated a reversal. Woodlawn Heights is an outlier, a hilly neighborhood of one- and two-family homes along the city’s northern line, surrounded by Van Cortlandt Park, the fences of Woodlawn Cemetery, and a bustling Webster Avenue corridor. The bulk of Woodlawn Heights (except along the cemetery and Webster Avenue) is zoned R4A, allowing only suburban-style homes. For years, three local homeowners groups have been working closely with local legislators and the community board to maintain the

Hello Loyal Readers! The ninth edition of the Norwood News, covering community news you can use, is out, hitting over 300 locations throughout Norwood and its surrounding neighborhoods. Of course, we begin in Norwood, at the enormous Tracey Towers. There, residents are supporting a proposal to review the books of its management company’s $40 million renovation. Read why the tenants association are backing an audit proposal. We then recap a meeting involving Norwood’s community stakeholders and the Bangladeshi community. Aldo Perez organized the meeting. Learn why he believes crimes against Bangladeshis and Muslims are under-reported. There’s also a piece on the story

By DAVID CRUZ

Over the last four years, Tracey Towers underwent a $40 million renovation by its building management firm following an incremental 62.5 percent rent hike imposed on its residents. It was considered the largest investment for a Mitchell-Lama residence such as Tracey Towers, home to some 3,000 residents. Upgrades went towards electrical circuit boxes, kitchens, intercoms, bathrooms, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. But complaints still persist, which compelled 80th Assembly district committeeman Kenneth Agosto to directly ask New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer to conduct a detailed financial review of the tower through a forensic audit. Stringer had scheduled a

By DAVID CRUZ

There wasn’t quite much talk on bias incidents aimed at a forum for the Bangladeshi community. Instead, the meeting morphed into an information session with a message in mind: the community at large is here to help. The gathering was the brainchild of Aldo Perez, a community activist, who sought to bring representatives from the NYPD, Bronx District Attorney’s office, local Community Board 7, Public Advocate’s office, and the state Assembly Speaker’s office to introduce themselves and the powers each office brings. Two-dozen guests from the Bangladeshi community were at the meeting hearing from representatives. Norwood has seen an ever-growing

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,