Candidates in 80th Assembly District Race Spar

By DAVID CRUZ

Ahead of the April 24 special election, the debate between the candidates vying for the 80th Assembly District seat touched on issues of immigration, business development, and the opioid crisis, while also exploring the political divide that has swept the country. The political spar between Democrat Nathalia Fernandez and Republican Gene DeFrancis was ripe with the theme of community authenticity. For DeFrancis, an Allerton resident who serves as founder of the Allerton International Merchants Association, being bred in the district made him the viable candidate as opposed to Fernandez, who has simply worked in the community until recently when she

Debate for Norwood Assembly Seat Tonight

By DAVID CRUZ

The Norwood News is a media sponsor for tonight’s televised debate between Democrat Nathalia Fernandez and Republican Gene DeFrancis for Special Election in the 80th Assembly District seat left vacant by Councilman Mark Gjonaj. But while Fernandez will lay out her platform on television, you won’t find it on the city Campaign Finance board’s special election guide. Fernandez, who previously worked for Gjonaj, secured the Democratic nomination for the district, which covers Norwood, parts of Bedford Park, Morris Park, Van Nest, and Pelham Parkway. The nomination put her on the Democratic ticket. The Bronx is overwhelmingly Democratic. The Special Election Guide

Norwood News Wins Four Prizes at NYPA Awards

By THE NORWOOD NEWS

Four awards went to the Norwood News took by the New York Press Association (NYPA), the best number in recent memory. David Cruz, editor-in-chief of the paper, took home a First Place prize in the News Story category at the Better Newspaper Contest, for his piece on rent histories questioned by a nonprofit housing advocacy group. The story was written in March. Judges called the story, “Fundamental reporting at its best.” Though the prize put him at the top, it was Adi Talwar’s Third Place award for Photographer of the Year that stood out. Talwar beat out 17 other photographers

On April 4, the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) opened its first ever food pantry at 3450 DeKalb Ave. Though an official ribbon cutting ceremony is slated for April 24, the pantry has already begun serving the surrounding community. Residents looking for assistance need not worry about income or location requirements. Although intended to serve Norwood’s low-income residents, all are welcome, Lenora Sealey, director of Support Services at MMCC, explained. Residents can receive a set number of items depending on the number of family members they are providing for. The pantry will be open on the first and last Saturdays

Editor’s Pick Veterans Brunch Awards The public is invited to the free Veterans Brunch Awards, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lehman College’s Music Building faculty dining room, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W. This event will acknowledge men and women from all divisions of the Armed Forces who have served our country, and includes free raffles and free brunch. Meet veterans, active duty members and their families, and get information about services for vets. RSVP to veteransbrunch.eventbrite.com. For more information, call (718) 933-5650. Onstage The Williamsbridge Oval presents Henry V, free, via a mobile theatre, April 14

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, spanning the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with its latest edition for 2018! There is tons of news to cover so let’s get right into it! Our front page story focuses on Bailey Houses, part of the stock of troubling properties owned by NYCHA. The chair of the New York City Council’s public housing committee visited the Kingsbridge complex, finding conditions problematic. Her visit came as the agency’s chair announced her resignation. Read what tenants have to say about the lumbering repair process. The timing will shock you.

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

President Donald Trump, in creating his tax plan that we now as Americans must live under is very dangerous to high tax states. Now, as an example, the State and Local Tax (SALT) deductibility has been capped at $10,000. You would think one counter to that, from the state point of view, would be to lower their tax base so they can allow their residents to maximize their tax liability, lowering their liability under the current law. But Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is thinking of running for President has another idea. Lets play “end around” tax reform! According to newly

This week we asked readers their thoughts on race relations in America on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It had gotten a little better, but we still have a long ways to go. Quality of life is everything for everyone to have. But now with the first openly racist president–there’s probably been others before him–but he’s just hitting the hammer on the nail as they say. I definitely have hope that people can walk hand in hand, no matter their color. We’re all human beings and we all bleed and we should be

By DAVID CRUZ

Democrats in the Albany Senate are looking forward to April 16 when Bronx Senator Jeff Klein, who as head of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) had caucused with Republicans for years, and will now caucus with his counterparts after agreeing to disband the IDC. The IDC wielded some of the greatest political power in Albany for nearly six years when Klein formed it in 2011 as a way to fix Albany dysfunction. Its largest criticism came when the group—comprised of eight Democratic senators—routinely caucused with Republicans, effectively broadening the IDC’s and Republicans’ influence on legislation. But with a critical November