City Charter Revision Could See Drastic Changes to Community Boards

A regulatory body empaneled to update the city’s written policies looks to impose term limits on community board members, a rule that will likely be on the ballot for a vote in the November general election. The City Charter Revision Commission, charged with updating the New York City Charter, a document akin to the U.S. Constitution, said the proposal will allow board members a maximum of four consecutive two-year terms. Currently there are no term limits. Members would have to reapply one year after they are no longer on the board, under the proposal. Community boards serve as ad hoc


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Nephew Charged in Uncle’s Stabbing Death in Fordham

An 18-year-old is in cuffs for allegedly slitting his uncle’s throat and leaving him to die in the corner of East 196th Street and Briggs Avenue in Fordham. The incident marks the fifth homicide for the 52nd Precinct so far this year. Police say 55-year-old Eric Shaw was the victim of Travis Mason in the stabbing incident that happened just after midnight on August 18. Police found him bleeding at the corner just near P.S. 46 Edgar Allen Poe. Shaw, employed as a construction worker, was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, but did not make it. He was pronounced dead.


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Shooting at Devoe Terrace Leaves One Hospitalized

A man remains in critical condition at St. Barnabas Hospital after being shot last night at 2492 Devoe Terrace in University Heights, according to police. Police from the 52nd Precinct say the victim, who was shot just before midnight on Aug. 16, had a lengthy criminal history. They did not release more details other than he is 29 years old and was shoot in the upper left torso. Police are reportedly looking for two assailants involved in the shooting. The residential neighborhood where the victim was shot is steps from Devoe Park.

News of NCBH-Jacobi Management Merger Comes Amid Promotion Snub

North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) is here to stay, according to officials for the city-funded hospital. But it will once again come with some changes at the top. Officials with NYC Health + Hospitals announced at an employee town hall a “restructuring” of high-level management, with the current CEO of NCBH’s sister hospital, Christopher Mastromano of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, slated to manage both hospitals. The move comes amid the retirement of NCBH’s CEO, Maureen Pode, and several promotions that raised several eyebrows. The retirement of Pode opens the door to “build on the close relationship” between NCBH and Jacobi,


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Neighborhood Notes

Free Air Conditioner Free air conditioners are available to Bronx residents who either receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and did not receive an air conditioner by the Home Energy Assistance Program. Income-eligibility requirements also apply. For more information, call (212) 331-3126, or visit the Department of Human Resources Administration at 1932 Arthur Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commercial Lease Help Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition offers free legal help to small businesses in negotiating commercial leases with their landlords. Businesses have to be in New


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Pols: Elevator Needs at Mosholu Pkwy. Station

A petitioning campaign is underway in Norwood aimed at putting pressure on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to prioritize the installation of a much-needed elevator at the Mosholu Parkway 4 No. train station. The effort is noticeably led by Eric Dinowitz, District Leader for the area’s 81st Assembly District who’s expressed interest in running for the City Council seat currently held by Norwood Councilman Andrew Cohen. Cohen, whose district overlaps with the train station, was not there. “We know that more than 10 percent of the population here has a disability, so you could figure it’s over a thousand people who


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Financial Focus: So What If 2nd Quarter GDP is at 4.1%

Well, I am sure by now you heard the ramblings from TV, social media, radio, and of course our President: “Our economy is growing at 4.1 percent.” So what? There are many things you do not hear in those 30-second soundbites. One of them is that 4.1 percent represents, the second quarter of the year (April through June), not the whole year. What if I told you after you account for the first quarter of 2018, that 4.1 percent now gets averaged to three percent for six months? Now, don’t get me wrong. first half of the year growing at


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SEE VIDEO: Another Suspect in Bronx Robbery Pattern

The NYPD has identified a third suspect in a string of robberies that have happened near French Charley’s Park near Norwood since May. The first incident dates back to May 5. Thieves have struck seven more times since. A 17-year-old suspect was identified in the third theft. It happened May 25 around 4 p.m. near Allerton Avenue and Bronx Park East. Police say the thief and another suspect approached two teens, flashed a gun, and robbed them of their iPhones and $4. Police released video of a suspect involved in the fifth robbery. Police say it happened May 28 at


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Above Putnam Place, an Urban Garden Grows

Every day in the summer, Victor Khan, 72, of Norwood hobbles to his kitchen window, and carefully climbs onto the roof of the Sing Fei Chinese Restaurant from his fire escape overlooking Putnam Place and East Gun Hill Road to tend to his garden. An automobile accident at age 15 partially disabled Khan, making him unable to move his hip and causing one of his legs to be an inch and a half shorter than the other. Using a chair to help boost himself out of the window makes it a little easier to get outside, but not much. The


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