Editorial – Dismal Voter Turnout Only Hurts You

On Election Night, the Norwood News stood glued to the results of voter returns in the race for Bronx District Attorney, a contest rife with political intrigue wrapped in rarity. The news of an actual race, the first in 27 years following the long tenure of borough District Attorney Robert Johnson, could have spurred a big presence in a contest that’s lain dormant for nearly three decades. One would think it would at the very least signal a spike in voter turnout in an otherwise lackluster political season. We expected that. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. When the returns trickled in, we

By DAVID CRUZ

The gridiron bustle could only be heard, not seen, at Williamsbridge Oval Park. A gruff voice barks “Get up! Get down!” as a sharp whistle signals an invisible command. Tiny helmeted silhouettes buzz about mid-field in a pre-determined pattern, shifting carefully between the goalposts. It’s dusk at the Oval, with virtually no visibility save for distant, orangey glows illuminating over the multi-purpose field. It’s there where Drake Holliday blindly feeds a plug from a generator to a socket. It’s past 5 p.m. on Nov. 3, pitch black after Daylight Saving Time, and practice for the Bronx Knights, a peewee team

By DAVID CRUZ, MICHAEL BROWN and DAVID GREENE

The race for Bronx District Attorney went as expected, with Bronx voters electing its first-ever female DA. Former Bronx Supreme Court Judge Darcel Clark, a Democrat, defeated Robert Siano, a Republican, in a DA race unseen in 27 years. The position had been held by Robert Johnson, who stepped down so he can run for a state judgeship. Clark secured 85.58 percent of the vote over Siano’s combined 14.10 percent of the vote. The race, however, was viewed as a lock for Clark. With the Bronx overwhelmingly comprised of registered Democrats by 10 to 1, Siano’s chances of winning

Snow Laborers Early registration has begun for part-time emergency snow laborers for the upcoming snow season. Pay is $13.50 per hour, and $20.25 per hour after 40 hours are worked in a week. To register, visit the Bronx Yard at Mosholu Avenue and Broadway in Van Cortlandt Park, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Applicants must be at least age 18, bring two small photos (1 ½ square), original and copy of two forms of ID and a Social Security card. Free Flu Shots Free flu shots will be administered on Nov. 9 at the Riverdale YM-YWHA at

Vital Stats: 2M Number of U.S. citizens age 65 and older suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (Source: Alzheimer’s Foundation) With 15 percent of Bronx residents 65 and older, and a population that’s living longer, Montefiore Health System is preparing for what it’s dubbed a “looming crisis” in the number of impending sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease. “When the first wave of baby boomers reach age 85, which is about 2031, there’s going to be more than 3 million people age 85 and older with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Jessica Zwerling, associate director of neurology at Montefiore’s Center for the Aging Brain in Yonkers. Alzheimer’s

By DAVID CRUZ

Maybe three times the charm? Manhattan state senator Adriano Espaillat is once again running for the 13th Congressional Seat, which covers Norwood and has long been occupied by Congressman Charles Rangel. His decision, falling a day after the General Election, marks his third attempt at making a run for Capitol Hill. He nearly unseated Rangel in a closely watched race many interpreted as a sign of shifting demographics in a largely black congressional district. Espaillat, who was born in the Dominican Republic, represents the && Senate District, which covers several neighborhoods that are largely Hispanic. The 13th Congressional District mostly

It came as a surprise to us when a Facebook post read that the Bronx News, established for the past 42 years, would downgrade. Instead, the paper will serve as an advertising vehicle loaded with horoscopes, trivia, random fun facts, comics and virtually no original reporting. For all intents and purposes, the new Bronx News is a trivialized version of its former self. The publication certainly had an edge, with stories largely focusing on the darker side of the Bronx with a sprinkle of good news thrown in here and there. But say what you will about the newspaper, the

By DAVID CRUZ

In the decades since Tom opened his Kingsbridge business, things had always been profitable and quiet. That was until last year when his landlord denied him his regularly five-year lease extension. Tom asked his last name be kept confidential for fear of retribution from his landlord who’s dangled month-to-month lease over his head. “My future’s uncertain there,” said Tom. He’s since refocused his attention on kick starting his restaurant business in nearby Westchester County, where small businesses are welcomed, he noted. Along Kingsbridge Road, a commercial area home to small businesses, many stores have maintained a holding pattern as the

This week we asked readers about complaints to the city’s 311 hotline and how fast they got results. [A woman claimed to be a landlord and wasn’t.] 311 responded quickly, but they just put in the paperwork saying they gave the woman a violation. On that side it went fine. But we’re still left homeless and without a place to stay because this lady took our rent money and now eight people are left in the cold. Anthony Simpson Fordham I called