In Campaign Launch, Ritchie Torres Aims to Fight for the Bronx in DC

By DAVID CRUZ and CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Councilman Ritchie Torres, who’s dropped hints he’ll be pursuing a run for Congress for the last few months, finally made it official, launching his campaign in the form of a video he released. It’s narrated in a sobering tone by Torres, who explains how he overcame the odds and plans to continue to make changes that will support low-income and marginalized residents. “I’m running for Congress because the Bronx needs a fighter in Washington D.C. The primary presents a stark choice between a progressive new guard and a reactionary old guard. Between an LGBT fundraiser and a vicious homophobe. Between

NYC Prepares for Impending ICE Raids. What You Should Know.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With Norwood home to a burgeoning Bangladeshi and established Hispanic community, and the Trump administration’s promise for a major ICE raid of roughly 2,000 undocumented immigrants this Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio reaffirmed the city’s ongoing commitment to protecting immigrants by informing them of their rights, providing free legal services should they require them and reassuring immigrants that city agencies would not cooperate in any way with ICE officials. Speaking on the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC on July 12, de Blasio said, “If anyone is afraid or concerned, you know, they can, whether their kids go to a school,

A Bengali Womens’ Empowerment Group Walks A Tightrope in Norwood

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Sanjana Khan and Ayesha Akhtar grew up just a block apart in Norwood. Both their families hail from the city of Sylhet in eastern Bangladesh on the Surma River. Yet, it took a Bronx Narratives event last August at the Bronx Museum of the Arts for the two to finally meet. A month later, they founded LAAL, a non-profit group supporting Bengali women in Norwood live healthy, engaged, joyful lives. The two women spent June 23 “womanning” the group’s table stand at the “Bangla Bazzar Street Fair”, which took place at Decatur Avenue and East 204th Street in Norwood. Together, with

In Aftermath of Unsanctioned July 4th Parties- Trash, Lots of It

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Despite signs banning open flames at certain green spaces across the Bronx, every year on the July 4th, for at least five years, ashes, bottles, and leftover trash are found along Mosholu Parkway the day after the holiday. The grassy strip that’s lined with benches on either side is home to several dozen trees, which the Parks Department is mandated to protect from fires. Yet despite several community meetings, and a history of complaints from Community Board 7 urging the Parks Department and NYPD to step up its ‘no barbecue’ enforcement ahead of the agency’s busiest time of the year,

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourteenth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into and share. There’s plenty of news to report in this corner of the Bronx, and we’ve captured a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story focuses on the results of the latest Community Board 7 elections, with board members going a different direction in voting for a new chair. Read about the new agenda for Emmanuel Martinez, the newly installed chair of Community Board 7 by myself and Síle Moloney.

Editor’s Pick Free Activities at the Oval Williamsbridge Oval offers a variety of free summer programs including sports, exercise, and dance. For more information and a detailed schedule, call (718) 543-8672. Onstage The Botanical Garden offers a variety of Brazilian musical performances weekends in July. For detailed information, fees, and a schedule, call (718) 817-8700. Events Wave Hill, a Bronx oasis at 675 W. 252nd St. in Riverdale, offers the following concerts: Niall Connolly, performing with his four-piece band, July 10; and Sweet Meg & the Wayfarers, band performing a variety of music, July 17; both on the Great

CB7 Backs Proposed Bike-Friendly Changes to Southern Boulevard

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Community Board 7 voted to support a plan by the city Department of Transportation (DOT) that would overhaul traffic patterns on the northbound lanes of Southern Boulevard. As part of its last pieces of business before going on its summer break, the board voted to send a letter to the DOT backing the project. The plan dubbed Southern Boulevard Traffic Calming and Protected Bike Lanes Safety Project looks to narrow the northbound roadway, and add a two-way protected bike lane. The hope is to discourage speeding and make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists. News of the board’s backing

Inquiring Photographer: Presidential Candidates

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. De Blasio is good to be mayor, but I don’t think he can compete for the U.S. presidential election. He’s not good, I don’t think so. I think Joe Biden has the most experience and he has a plan. All of the Democrats look good. MD Ali Washington Heights So far no one stands out. No, I don’t like [former Vice President Joe] Biden. I don’t know, I think we need new faces and

CB7 Sees Mix of New and Veteran Members to Executive Dais

By DAVID CRUZ and SÍLE MOLONEY

Community Board 7 saw a shift in civic power, as Jean Hill, who presided as chair of the northwest Bronx board, was voted out in favor of 31-year-old Norwood resident Emmanuel Martinez, a relative newcomer to the board. Several familiar faces have stayed on the executive dais, likely adding a mix of fresh ideas and institutional knowledge. Martinez currently serves as chair of CB7’s Veterans’ Committee, having recently hosted the annual Veterans’ Day Brunch, now in its third year. It’s unclear what the vote tally was as CB7 continues to ensure the proper vote count was met but 33 board