BP Diaz Jr. Touts Accomplishments, Further Visions in State of the Borough

by David Cruz Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. continued his promotional campaign of transforming the Bronx, touting some critical projects and offering his take on city policies during his State of the Borough Address. The tone was virtually optimistic, though issues of nagging unemployment and the influx of supportive housing remained untouched.

Previewing State of the Borough By JUSTIN MCCALLUM Feb. 20 marks Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s fifth State of the Borough Address. With many accomplishments to bolster his image as an economic development BP this past year, Diaz will have a full set of talking points for the speech. BP spokesman John DeSio teased the speech will be “about the ‘New Bronx,’ and will use the history of the borough in light of our centennial to discuss how we are making the most of our available amenities.” The Norwood News compiled a list of expected themes, as well as some items

Editor’s Pick Attention: Golden Anniversary Celebrants Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Healthfirst present their 7th Annual Sweetheart Luncheon on Feb. 13 for Bronx couples who have been married for 50+ years. For more information, eligible couples may call (718) 590-6248.

Crime File: City Settles Stop-Question-And-Frisk Case

by David Cruz, Editor-in-Chief Stop, Question and Frisk Appeal Dropped Mayor Bill deBlasio promised, and now he’s delivered. In what was a major campaign promise during deBlasio’s road to Gracie Mansion, the city has now dropped its appeal in two-class action lawsuits over the constitutionality of stop-question-and-frisk, preferring to settle the case entirely. The controversial policy, which for years created a divide between the police and Bronx minority men and women, will now be overseen by a court-appointed monitor, under the terms settled between the city and several Bronx plaintiffs who were stopped, questioned and frisked by police. Mayor deBlasio

By MICHAEL BROWN JR. “Expected Occupancy Summer 2014,” reads the sign at a Bedford Park building.

Community Board 7 District Manager Resigns

In one of the shortest administrative tenures in recent times at Community Board 7, the board’s district manager has suddenly resigned with just only half a year on the job. Socrates Caba turned in his letter of resignation on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to CB7 Chairwoman Adaline Walker, who was voted into office in June, the same month Caba had been hired following a lengthy recruiting process. Walker, a seasoned CB7 member with an education background, had replaced outgoing Chairman Paul Foster. Caba, meanwhile, had replaced Fernando Tirado, who resigned following hostile tensions between him and the executive board who often

by David Cruz On the cusp of the full New York City Council voting on the game changing Kingsbridge National Ice Center, members of a Council subcommittee heard overwhelming support for the project even as the Council’s swing voter continued to flip-flop on whether to approve or reject the project. Councilman Fernando Cabrera, where the cavernous armory falls under his district, slammed the project by KNIC partners, offering his first concrete opinion on the project. “Until the developer is willing to engage in a consistent and meaningful discussion I will urge my colleagues to vote no on this project,” said Cabrera,

Cabrera Holding Out On Armory

By KATE PASTOR

Councilman Fernando Cabrera, a pastor whose church and condo are just a few blocks from the Kingsbridge Armory, is holding out his final blessing of a new ice sports complex proposed to fill the long-vacant, historic building.