Bronx Connections: The Gang Impact (part 2 of 5)

By MARINA KOPF of WFUV

The Norwood News, WFUV Radio and BronxNet Television continue their five-part series on the impact of gangs in New York City. Kareem Nelson used to live what he calls the “street life.” He was involved in gang-like groups, sold marijuana and participated in gun violence. A gunshot wound paralyzed Nelson, but he still continued to work the streets. It wasn’t until after he did a stint in prison and was in a situation where he was forced to beg for his life, that he made the decision to change. In 2014, he created Wheelchairs Against Guns, using his experiences to

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will hold its general board meeting on Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at North Central Bronx Hospital, 3424 Kossuth Ave. The following CB7 committee meetings will take place at the board office, 229A E. 204th St., unless otherwise noted: joint meeting of Public Safety & Quality of Life and Sanitation Committees on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.; Housing, Land Use & Zoning Committee on Nov. 13; Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Committee on Nov. 14; Budget, Personnel & Ethics Committee on Nov. 19; Executive Committee on Nov. 20; and Health & Human Services Committee on Nov. 20.

Editor’s Pick Two Free Zingers Coming Up! Bronx Arts Ensemble pianist Pablo Zinger will make two free appearances performing from his Great Mexican Songbook featuring his piano as well as singers as follows: Nov. 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd. (info: (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org). Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 627 E. 187th St. (info: (718) 601-7399). Onstage Lehman College for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Eddie Palmieri & Lalo Rodriguez, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. (tickets: $55 to $85; $100/VIP);

Nationally, whether the gains Democrats made in statehouses and in Congress count as a blue wave will continue to be debated in the coming weeks. But here in New York the results are clear: voters are ready for a completely blue Albany. After a decade of playing footsy with the idea – delayed, in part, by the actions of legislators from the Norwood neck of the Bronx (see: Pedro Espada and Jeff Klein) – New Yorkers voted definitively for a Democratic majority in the Senate, positioning state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers to be the first woman and second African

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

In the coming months, affordable housing construction on two developments will begin in Bedford Park. The Bedford Mosholu Community Association (BMCA) discussed these projects coming to the neighborhood at their monthly meeting on Nov. 7. “Unfortunately, we’re losing a lot of our private homes in the area,” said Barbara Stronczer, BMCA president, at the latest meeting. The building will be built along a stretch of lots once belonging to one- and two-family homes. Among those lots is 267 E. 202nd Street, which had been a two-family home. Its owner, Peter Fine, knocked down the property along with two adjacent homes

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities. With 24 pages packed into this paper let’s get into the coverage! The front page focuses on the longstanding issue of mailbox fishing. The practice has become the ire of the NYPD, now trying to curb it with a new offensive. The Norwood News interviewed the lead cop at the 52nd Precinct behind the initiative. We also have an editorial on the NYPD’s tough task. The paper also has results on the General Election. The outcomes made the September primary official with some new faces going

Store Vacancies Draw Interest from Potential Business Owners in Norwood

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

The Jerome Gun Hill Improvement District (JGHBID) recently led several prospective shop tenants across its commercial district, showcasing at least a dozen store vacancies while outlining needed services currently unavailable at the BID. The commercial vacancy tour is the first for JGHBID. Shopkeepers first met at the Keeper’s House, the BID’s headquarters, with BID Executive Director, Jennifer Tausig, and Ariana Cipriani, the BID’s community liaison. Prospective business tenants surveyed locations like a former T-Mobile store with intrigue, evaluating the neighborhood, foot traffic, and empty storefronts. “My business has been operating for over two years already. Right now, I’m just a

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

@BOENYC only one machine out of 6 working at my polling place. District assembly 80. Need some IT people to fix the others — ☀️curly☀️ (@sunshinelova11) November 6, 2018 Amid malfunctioning machines, long lines, and ballot confusion, a hearing on the New York City Board of Elections’ (BOE) handling of the midterm elections is expected in the near future. At Scott Towers on Paul Avenue, the situation was described by at least one voter as “borderline chaotic,” though poll workers kept cool as ballot scanners were being repaired. Machines ceased working at approximately 10:19 a.m. on Tuesday, jamming the

Past and present faces of the Norwood News came to break bread and hail the paper’s 30-year milestone with a celebration at Lehman College on Nov. 1. The event drew roughly 130 guests to the college’s Faculty Dining Room in the Music Building, which included an awards program and keynote address by Errol Louis of NY1. Opening the ceremony was Jennifer Tausig, executive director of Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC), the not-for-profit that produces the Norwood News. Dr. José Luis Cruz, president of Lehman College, and Dr. Peter Semczuk, executive director of Montefiore Health System’s Moses Campus, spoke of the paper’s