Rent Rolls Questioned

By DAVID CRUZ

A Bronx tenant’s advocacy group claims landlords may be skirting the rules by not showing rent-stabilized tenants rent registration forms. They’re also claiming the state agency tasked to track these rent histories fails to thoroughly double check whether a landlord’s rent increase on a tenant is justifiable. West Bronx Housing, headquartered in Bedford Park, has since been collecting these statements to pick up patterns while enlisting the help of elected officials. The group has now zeroed in on an apartment building in Riverdale, where rent histories are suspect. They’re now requesting these forms to tenants living in Norwood and Bedford

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By By ANTHONY RIEVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

During income tax season, as a financial adviser, I’m asked many questions. Some of them are great! Some of them are ” lulus.” Let me educate you to the madness called income tax season and some of the questions people ask when looking for ways to either avoid income taxation or not realizing to protect themselves from fraudent Tax preparers and possible identity theft. Should I open an account in Switzerland? Answer: In short, You could. However, since the Obama Administration started looking at “offshore accounts,” an inquiry priority, I wouldn’t risk it. I want to protest Donald Trump? Answer:

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, publishing Bronx community news you can use, is out at 300 stands across the northwest Bronx. We begin, as usual, with page one and a proposal to downzone Mosholu Parkway, the green pasture that doubles as a roadway. Read what Mayor Bill de Blasio had to say about development in the borough, and get a full picture of his recent town hall powwow from reporter Wendy Joan Biddlecombe. Inside the cover you’ll find stories on Norwood’s CVS pharmacy primed to closed, according to the big chain pharmacy, an investigation into

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

Although Mayor Bill de Blasio’s town hall meeting was held in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, the mayor heard from Norwood residents, who brought issues of parking and overcrowding to his attention. Throughout the event, held at In Tech Academy on Tibbett Avenue and moderated by Councilman Andrew Cohen, the mayor addressed Bronxites’ questions on national issues as well as local concerns, including immigration, healthcare and education. “This is a city where we’re passionate people. When you look at the tabloids, you look at the news, there’s a lot of feeling, a lot of emotion. And I think we

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. once again lightly dabbled with the prospect of becoming mayor of New York City in his latest annual State of the Borough Address. Discussing citywide issues, he took aim at both Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Donald Trump. Diaz’s eighth annual speech, delivered at JFK High School in Marble Hill, drew 89 rounds of applause during his 47-minute delivery, as he summed up a number of the borough’s achievements, while it was light on new, lofty initiatives. Diaz was short on new proposals, while adding to previously announced proposals, which had included installing a deck atop a 13-acre train yard

Flea Market Donations Sought Donations are needed for the Bedford Mosholu Community Association flea market scheduled to be held on March 4. Bring new and used items (except clothing) to the BMCA office at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. So., apt. B1 (lobby floor) on Feb. 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Feb. 25 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and March 1 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, call (718) 367-2230 or email bedfordmosholu@verizon.net. State Job Exam Exams that qualify you for a state job in the fields of health and human services, environmental conservation, human resources, administrative analysis, and transportation will

By DAVID GREENE

Owners of vehicles stored at a public indoor parking garage in Bedford Park have been anxiously awaiting news if their vehicles were destroyed following the collapse of the facility. Police, fire and paramedics were dispatched to Dr. Parking, located at 3000 Jerome Ave. near Bedford Park Boulevard at just after 6 a.m. on Feb. 19. Officials say there were no injuries, with workers managing to escape. Investigators from the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Building’s (DOB) were investigating. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported Number 4 Trains were running at a reduced speed past the area to

By DAVID CRUZ

The long and lumbering review process for a mall directly across a mega-mall in the Bronx is underway. And while review processes involve the approval of the sitting Councilman, the real decider could be the Bronx political machine’s attorney doubling as the developer’s lobbyist. Stanley Schlein, the attorney representing the Bronx Democratic County Committee and key advisor to its chair, Marcos Crespo, is registered to speak on behalf of Grid Properties, the developer behind the proposed Baychester Square Mall. Developers are eyeing the 400,000-square-foot lot of land directly opposite the Bay Plaza Shopping Center, owned by real estate magnate Sam

By DEBORAH CRUZ

Nearly three years after the Archdiocese announced the closure of Shrine Church of St. Ann, church officials announced it will close St. Ann School resting above the now-defunct church, surprising parents who’ve long considered the school a major part of their lives. Many parents, the bulk of whom live in the community, were shocked and angry over the school’s imminent closure. Many of the parents were disappointed with the decision to close down the school. “My little one just started,” said Melissa Martinez, 39. “Now we have to start the process all over again and look for another school that