Nathalia Fernandez Wins Assembly Race, Must Run Again in September

By DAVID CRUZ

Nathalia Fernandez was so used to working behind the scenes. Now she’s front and center. Fernandez secured her victory on the April 24 special election for the 80th Assembly District seat, allowing her to soundly defeat Republican challenger Gene DeFrancis, founder of the Allerton International Merchants Association. Fernandez, winning by more than 1500 to DeFrancis’s 300 (official numbers by the Board of Elections won’t be available for a few weeks) now succeeds her former boss, former Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. Her win automatically makes her the district legislator serving Norwood, parts of Bedford Park, Allerton, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park, and Van

Editorial: Bedford Park Locals Should Consider a No Solicitation Zone

By MARY MELLON

Bedford Park residents are trying another tactic to ward off overdevelopment in the neighborhood: preservation. Kelly Carroll, who works for the Historic Districts Council (HDC), a landmarks advocacy group, met with neighborhood residents at the April 4 Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) meeting to discuss the prospect of landmarking certain sections of the neighborhood. Apart from making sure “the landmarks preservation commission behaves itself,” HDC educates the public, and meets with communities to address their concerns about preservation. “So what we can help with is getting to know the neighborhood. If there’s an active interest in preservation here it would

CB7 Chair Unexpectedly Resigns, Will Remain Member

By DAVID CRUZ

Adaline Walker-Santiago, the chair of Community Board 7 who brought a cheerleading style to her leadership, unexpectedly resigned on April 17. In her announcement to members and the general public at the latest community board, Walker-Santiago pledged to remain a member of the north Bronx board. Her resignation as chair is effective April 30. Walker-Santiago told the Norwood News shortly after her announcement that her decision to step down stemmed largely from freeing up her time. She said she plans to travel abroad, spend more time with family, and continue serving as a life coach. For the last five years, Walker-Santiago

Candidates in 80th Assembly District Race Spar

By DAVID CRUZ

Ahead of the April 24 special election, the debate between the candidates vying for the 80th Assembly District seat touched on issues of immigration, business development, and the opioid crisis, while also exploring the political divide that has swept the country. The political spar between Democrat Nathalia Fernandez and Republican Gene DeFrancis was ripe with the theme of community authenticity. For DeFrancis, an Allerton resident who serves as founder of the Allerton International Merchants Association, being bred in the district made him the viable candidate as opposed to Fernandez, who has simply worked in the community until recently when she

Norwood News Wins Four Prizes at NYPA Awards

By THE NORWOOD NEWS

Four awards went to the Norwood News took by the New York Press Association (NYPA), the best number in recent memory. David Cruz, editor-in-chief of the paper, took home a First Place prize in the News Story category at the Better Newspaper Contest, for his piece on rent histories questioned by a nonprofit housing advocacy group. The story was written in March. Judges called the story, “Fundamental reporting at its best.” Though the prize put him at the top, it was Adi Talwar’s Third Place award for Photographer of the Year that stood out. Talwar beat out 17 other photographers

On April 4, the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) opened its first ever food pantry at 3450 DeKalb Ave. Though an official ribbon cutting ceremony is slated for April 24, the pantry has already begun serving the surrounding community. Residents looking for assistance need not worry about income or location requirements. Although intended to serve Norwood’s low-income residents, all are welcome, Lenora Sealey, director of Support Services at MMCC, explained. Residents can receive a set number of items depending on the number of family members they are providing for. The pantry will be open on the first and last Saturdays

Editor’s Pick Veterans Brunch Awards The public is invited to the free Veterans Brunch Awards, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lehman College’s Music Building faculty dining room, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W. This event will acknowledge men and women from all divisions of the Armed Forces who have served our country, and includes free raffles and free brunch. Meet veterans, active duty members and their families, and get information about services for vets. RSVP to veteransbrunch.eventbrite.com. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. Onstage The Williamsbridge Oval presents Henry V, free, via a mobile theatre, April 14

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, spanning the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with its latest edition for 2018! There is tons of news to cover so let’s get right into it! Our front page story focuses on Bailey Houses, part of the stock of troubling properties owned by NYCHA. The chair of the New York City Council’s public housing committee visited the Kingsbridge complex, finding conditions problematic. Her visit came as the agency’s chair announced her resignation. Read what tenants have to say about the lumbering repair process. The timing will shock you.

This week we asked readers their thoughts on race relations in America on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It had gotten a little better, but we still have a long ways to go. Quality of life is everything for everyone to have. But now with the first openly racist president–there’s probably been others before him–but he’s just hitting the hammer on the nail as they say. I definitely have hope that people can walk hand in hand, no matter their color. We’re all human beings and we all bleed and we should be