Local Politicians Reach Out Through Town Hall Meetings

In Kingsbridge Heights, they asked about the plan for developing the Kingsbridge Armory and alienating parkland. In Mt. Hope, they asked about the mounting murder count. And in Van Cortlandt Village, they asked about the Indian Hills nuclear power plant, just a few dozen miles up the interstate. This spring, in a departure from recent history, local elected officials are holding town hall meetings throughout the northwest Bronx and asking residents to voice their concerns, questions and conundrums.

Students Benefit From Tech-aided Reading Program

At a school named for a 19th century literary giant, young students are now learning to read through technology made convenient and accessible only in the 21st century. Ivonne Granda says her kindergarten class at PS 46, the Edgar Allan Poe Literacy Development School in North Fordham, has developed a love for reading through the Award Reading Program, which combines the use of interactive computer software with group and individual reading practices.

Green Housing for Seniors Opens in Bedford Park

Tony Carter remembers the New York City apartments of his youth: the cramped spaces, the flights of stairs he had to walk up, the rooms that were always too hot or too cold. Now in his 60s, Carter’s current apartment has its own thermostat and air conditioner. He was the first tenant to move into Serviam Gardens, an affordable housing complex for seniors that officially opened May 3 in Bedford Park, on the campus of the Academy of Mount St. Ursula.

Proposed ‘Tech’ Charter May Open on Webster

Two educators are hoping to open a charter school in the northwest Bronx, possibly on Webster Avenue. Steve Bergen and Adjowah Scott, two former colleagues at an independent, tuition-free K-8 school in Harlem, have applied with the State University of New York’s Charter Schools Institute to establish their own middle school here in the Bronx. The months-long application process should come to a head in June.

With Local Support, Tenants Take on Landlord

Lights. News 12 cameras. Action. It was opening day for these Kingsbridge-area tenants who say they are finally fighting back after enduring more than two decades of neglect and unresponsiveness from their landlord, Martin Hyman. Organizers and other activists who helped orchestrate the rally say 85 Strong residents are not alone. This type of treatment is happening to tenants in buildings throughout the borough.

Q&A: Dr. Jane Bedell, Bronx District Public Health Office

In 2003, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene opened regional offices in several high-needs neighborhoods that have some of the worst health outcomes in the city. The South Bronx District Public Health Office is located at 1826 Arthur Ave. This week, Be Healthy! caught up with Assistant Commissioner Jane Bedell, M.D. to see what her office is working on.

Letter to the Editor: End of Middle Class Dream at Tracey?

Our landlord at Tracey Towers has notified tenants that the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has received its application for a rent increase to go into effect in three stages over the next two years. The percentage requested for July 2011 is 25.53; for July 2012 it is 20.34; for July 2013 it is 16.9. When the math is done, we tenants will have our rents increased by a whopping 77 percent in the next two years.

Clinton Baseball Eyes Playoffs

(Photo by Adi Talwar) Clinton’s baseball team needs to overcome inconsistency to make a run in the city playoffs.Coming into the home stretch of a season filled with inconsistency, not just weather-wise, but with the team’s play as well, the talented DeWitt Clinton High School varsity baseball team is looking to secure a playoff berth in the PSAL Championship.

Armory Report Coming in June

At a town hall forum in Kingsbridge Heights on Sunday, State Senator Gustavo Rivera said the Bronx borough president’s Kingsbridge Armory task force was in the final stages of completing its recommendations for redeveloping the massive building that has been vacant for nearly two decades. They will release the report in June, he said.