Bernie Sanders Campaigns in the Bronx, Rare Stop for a Presidential Contender

By DAVID CRUZ

Against the backdrop of St. Mary’s Park in the country’s poorest congressional district, Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders kicked off his New York campaign tour in the Bronx before New York’s April primary, telling a roaring crowd, “we are going to invest in the South Bronx.” SEE PICTURES: Bernie in the Bronx It was one of a few times Sanders directly mentioned the Bronx, an area largely impoverished with severe health and income disparities. His opponent, former Secretary of State and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, made an appearance at the Apollo Theater in Harlem the day before. His appearance marked

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

How do we demystify the Bronx as being “thuggish”? How do you get more employees from Montefiore Medical Center to spend their hard earned dollars on Jerome Avenue during their lunch hour? How can we attract businesses that aren’t 99 cent stores? For the roughly 90 residents attending the Bedford Park Livable Neighborhoods Program on March 26, these were pertinent questions. The event, sponsored by Bronx Community Board 7’s Long Term Planning and Community Relations Committee, the Municipal Arts Society and New York City Small Business Services, had residents spend several hours learning how to better their neighborhoods. Presenters broke

Editor’s Pick Circus Comes to the Bronx UniverSoul Circus will take place from March 30 through April 10 at 50 E. 150th St. (across from the Bronx Terminal Market at 149th Street and Exterior Street, next to the bridge). Events include motorsports, canines, bicycles, dancing elephants, aerial acts and more. Tickets range from $16 through $40 depending on venue and day. For more information and schedules, visit www.universoulcircus.com. Onstage Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents Lehman Woodwind Quintet, performing classical music, featuring audience participation, April 3 at 2 p.m., in the Recital Hall;

Dear Loyal Readers, The Norwood News, the Bronx community newspaper bringing you plenty of community news you can use, is out with its seventh edition of 2016! This week we once again go back to Kingsbridge Heights and a faceoff brewing between city officials and developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Apparently, the city is not satisfied with an explanation from KNIC saying it has money committed for the project. The New York City Economic Development Corporation is asking, “Show us the money!” Ice developers now have 30 more days to present funds. We also bring you stories on the

New zoning laws championed by Mayor Bill de Blasio with the approval of the City Council now make it easier for developers to build affordable housing without the addition of parking units, which could vastly impact the hundreds of drivers who rely on street parking in Norwood. The complex zoning laws, falling under Zoning for Quality & Affordability (ZQA), and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH), are considered the DNA of de Blasio’s lofty Housing New York plan introduced in May 2014. The plan seeks to build 80,000 new units of affordable housing while repairing 120,000 more affordable units over the next

By DAVID CRUZ

For years, city officials and developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) have been on the same page with respect to the impending project at the Kingsbridge Armory: They would like to see an ice center built. But until recently, the city has raised questions over whether KNIC has the proper financing needed to move forward with construction despite KNIC’s position that it does. KNIC was told to show it has the funding by March 25. But the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the city’s real estate arm, is not convinced. It’s now given developers another month

Free Financial Counseling Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Phipps Neighborhoods are offering one-on-one free financial counseling for Bronxites at Diaz’s office. Trained counselors will be able to discern and help with your financial challenges, bad credit, identity theft and other concerns. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call (718) 590-3554. “Save Easter” Mission Victorious Warriors III Inc., a nonprofit football club, is looking for financial assistance for their “Save Easter” project that services the Crystal Place Shelter in Ferry Point. The group is asking for $10.00 or more per child, as well as coloring books, puzzles,

Beginning the last week of March, residents living in the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Woodlawn and Riverdale will be able to vote on what community improvement projects will be added to their Council District’s capital budget through Participatory Budgeting. The process, whereby a member of the New York City Council offers residents the chance to decide how to spend $1 million in capital funding, is approaching the final stretch of its process. The office of Councilman Andrew Cohen, who once again hosted a Participatory Budgeting session, has released a voter guide that details the nature and prices of 12

By DANIELA BEASLEY

The rock pillars spanning the length of the heavily traveled Mosholu Parkway provide character to the leafy roadways. But the pillars have gone without rehab or renovations since the late 1970s, and it’s beginning to show. The pillars have been a long-standing issue, made even more problematic since some pose a safety hazard, according to Barbara Stronczer, who doubles as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and chairs Community Board 7’s Parks Committee. “You notice the deterioration of the columns. Take a look at the bottom of those pillars. I’m concerned someone is going to get hurt,” she said.