Opinion

Op-Ed: Manhattan May Not Notice Parks’ Budget Cut, Other Boroughs Will

By LIANA SMALE
Next time you walk through one of New York City’s 1,700 public parks, take a closer look at the names on the signs advertising park events, or at the shirts worn by people picking up trash. Do they say “NYC Parks” or the name of a private group? While NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) performs many general park maintenance tasks, oftentimes private groups ensure that parks are clean, safe, and fun spaces.   According to New Yorkers for Parks, the City already spends less on its parks than other major U.S. cities, and this June, according to New


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Current Shape of the 2024 Presidential Election

By DAVID GREENE
With the recent announcements by Robert Kennedy Jr., a Democrat, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, of their candidacies for U.S. president, this week we asked readers their thoughts on the current shape of the 2024 presidential election.   “I’m looking at the non-traditional candidates. [President] Joe Biden has not been good, and [former President Donald] Trump is not such a good leader. No, Biden has not done a good job. I think Trump’s going to win, but he doesn’t know how to bring together the American people. He’s popular, but as a leader he’s not so great. He didn’t


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Bronx Week Parade Moving to the Grand Concourse

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the shorter annual Bronx Week Parade and its move from Mosholu Parkway to Grand Concourse between 167th Street and 158th Street.   “Why did they move it? I actually attended the parade a couple of years ago when I was a part of Peace December, where peaceful artists came together, and I attended the festival. I think it’s better now that they moved it by the courthouse. I think it has to do with the protection there because things can happen with all these young kids nowadays and people, in general, doing


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on U.S. President Joe Biden Running for a Second Term

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the recent announcement by U.S. President Joe Biden of his decision to run for reelection in 2024. If he were to win, he would be 82 years old when sworn into office.   “I think it’s fantastic. I think he’ll be a great, great president when he gets reelected. I don’t buy that [he’s too old]. I don’t believe in Fox News. I believe in facts, not fiction. The president has all his faculties, absolutely! He will run again. Against whom? No comment if you catch my drift.” Jeff Corman, Kingsbridge “Well,


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Best Way for the City to Respond to EDPs Who Are Armed

By DAVID GREENE
  This week, we asked readers their opinions on the best way for City officials to respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis or so-called emotionally disturbed persons (EDPs) who are armed.   “I personally feel that instead of just talking to them, I feel like [the police] should just tase them, like detain them first. I feel like you can’t talk to a person with mental illness because you need to put them in a mental illness facility or a hospital… If you have mental illness, you shouldn’t be put in jail because they won’t learn anything, and


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Why People Oppose Banning Assault Weapons

By DAVID GREENE
  This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the possibility of banning assault weapons, and what is driving the opposition by some to banning the use by civilians of weapons of war.     “Assault weapons or machine guns shouldn’t be in the hands of regular citizens; they should only be used by the military, but all citizens should be able to own handguns and rifles. No one should be dying. Lawmakers should just take some action. They should just make the right choice. My thinking is if you know the history of how the police first began, they were


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Possible Indictment of Former President Donald J. Trump

By DAVID GREENE
  This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the possibility of criminal charges being brought against former U.S. President Donald J. Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in connection with an alleged hush-money payment to porn actress, Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.   “I think he’s corrupted, and he deserves what he gets for what he did. He’s going to New York City first. Well, actually he’s got a lot of money, but I think he’s guilty – simple. He paid a lot of women off. They’re going to get


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on E-bike Fires Caused by Damaged, Illegal or Improper Chargers or Batteries

By DAVID GREENE
This week, in the wake of the 5-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Sunday, March 5, caused by a lithium-ion battery explosion from the charging of an e-bike, we asked readers their thoughts on the use of illegal, damaged or improper chargers or lithium-ion batteries.   “It’s an urban nightmare! Bringing something that’s flammable and explosive into a city of eight-and-a-half million people is crazy. To risk your neighbor’s life, firemen’s lives, your life, and the ruination of housing stock that’s depleted as it is…for what? Deliveries? You can’t pick up your own stuff? And I think the city really has to


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Op-Ed: Bronxites Will Create New Kingsbridge Armory

By ELISABETH ORTEGA-BAILEY
I live on Aqueduct Avenue with my 4-year-old son, Nori, and my husband, Nelson, close to the landmark Kingsbridge Armory that is now 514,000-square-feet of nothingness, thanks most recently to a failed plan to fill it with nine ice hockey rinks.   I’m 34, in my second year at Bronx Community College, and have been organizing around the Kingsbridge Armory with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) since I was 16 and attending DeWitt Clinton High School.   Nelson and I often joke that in order to live in New York City, you need both a job and a


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