Inquiring Photographer: Specialized High School Test Debate

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers if students should be accepted into specialized high schools on the basis of one test, or should the acceptance process be changed completely? Yes, I think it should be based on more than one test or maybe even something other than a test like overall grades. Some kids volunteer, maybe the extra work they do. Anything that shows how far they’ve been educated and what they know. Someone can recognize how good one is without the basis of a test. They should even look at a student’s interests. Richard Berroa Mt. Eden Yes, I feel

Bronx Connections: The Impact of Legal Weed (Part 1 of 2)

By JULIA RIST and THERESA SCHLIEP of WFUV

The Norwood News, WFUV Radio, and BronxNet Television present a two-part series on the debate to legalize recreational marijuana use in New York State. In 2003, 17-year-old Anthony Posada was thrown against a wall and held at gunpoint by two plainclothes NYPD detectives in Jackson Heights, Queens. With no uniform, Posada initially thought he was being robbed by two men. “The feeling of powerlessness was stunning,” Posada said. “It was paralyzing. My experience with law enforcement up to that day was already one where I couldn’t say or do anything.” The plainclothes detectives found a small amount of marijuana in

At E. 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue, Changes to its Retail Landscape

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

Change is always a constant at commercial strips, and the line of small businesses along Bainbridge Avenue and East 204th Street is no exception. The last 12 months have seen changes at the corridor that’s home to mom and pop, regional, and national retailers. From construction of new housing and office space, to the expansion of some businesses, to the establishment of new ones. All this comes amid the ongoing presence of empty storefronts that yearn to be occupied. The vacancies are certainly on the mind of Daniela Beasley, program manager at Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC, publishers of the Norwood

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Free Tax Prep Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave. offers free tax return service Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. Those who made $54,000 or less in 2018 and have children, or $30,000 or less without children, qualify for the free service. For more information or to make an appointment, call (718) 882-4000. Participatory Budgeting The next round of workshops on Participatory Budgeting, where residents can decide how $1 million in capital funding should be spent in the 11th Council District, takes place on the following dates and times for residents living in Bedford Park and Norwood: Sister Annunciata

Editor’s Pick: Norwood Town Hall Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Senator Jamaal Bailey and Councilmember Andrew Cohen invite the public to a Norwood Town Hall meeting on April 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Montefiore Medical Center Cherkasky Auditorium, 110 E. Gun Hill Rd. For more information, call Dinowitz’s office at (718) 796-5345. Onstage Williamsbridge Oval presents free theatre, Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” in the Rec Center, April 11 at 7 p.m. RSVP bronxacf@parks.nyc.gov. For more information, call (718) 543-8672. Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents Celia Cruz H.S. Orchestra performing chamber music, March 30 at 2:30 p.m.; and

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is: What is the best way to save for retirement? When I tell them, “your tax savings.” I love seeing the shell shocked look. Let’s say you have $0 saved for retirement. You’re 40, living in New York City, home of one of the highest tax rates and high cost of living in the country. And after tax preparation, two years ago, especially because of the new Trump tax laws, you became “tax smart” and attended a tax planning class to learn how the new laws apply to your life–and how

Brazen Bank Teller Defies Would-Be Robber in Fordham

By DAVID CRUZ

Police are looking for a man who tried robbing a bank but was denied by a brazen bank teller. Police say it happened at the HSBC Bank at 1 E. Fordham Rd. in busy Fordham on March 27. There police say the man walked into the bank and passed a note to the teller demanding money. When the teller said no, the man left without any money. He took off in an unknown direction. The man is described as black, around 20 to 30 years old, and last seen wearing a mustard-colored hat, dark-colored winter jacket and baggy clothes. Anyone

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s sixth edition of the Norwood News with plenty of community news you can use. We’ve packed 20 pages full of great stories impacting the Bronx. As usual, we’ll begin with page one! Our front-page story focuses on progress at the The Bedford Park Manor, which will now be occupied with a live-in super. The tenants have been fighting the landlord, The Stagg Group, for several months over the conditions at the building. Jose A. Giralt spoke to all sides. We also hear from West Bronx Housing, which breaks down the unconventional approach by tenants. Inside the cover

Inquiring Photographer: City Control of Subway System

By DAVID GREENE

With New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson recently proposing the city take control of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), amid the agency’s plan to raise weekly and monthly fares, we asked readers if this would make a difference in terms of service. If they fixed things I would pay a little more. They always say the same thing, but you never see the improvements. Maria Fermin Norwood Yes, I think that would be a good idea. It’s always very slow, both the bus and trains and they’re always fixing it. The problem is too many people not working