Opinion

Bronx Newspapers Combined Editorial: Living Wage Dies

Editor’s note: This editorial reflects the opinion of the Norwood News, The Riverdale Press, Hunts Point Express and Mott Haven Herald, and appears (or will appear) in all four publications. The battle to require businesses that receive city subsidies to pay their workers a living wage began with a bang when Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. led a fight to reject the creation of a shopping mall at the Kingsbridge Armory if retail workers weren’t paid enough to make ends meet in this most expensive of cities. The battle has ended with a whimper. Council Speaker Christine Quinn has


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Editorial: Protecting Our Kids From What?

Let’s not overthink this. The Department of Education’s policy precluding churches and other religious organizations from worshiping in city schools is discriminatory and impractical.

The Bronx Breakdown: Sitting Down with Sal, Bronx Corruption Updates, A Church Hopes for Supreme Court Help and More

The Bronx Breakdown is a re-imagined and re-invigorated version of what we once called “Friday News & Notes,” which was lacking in both an interesting title and consistency. We’ll be experimenting a little in this space, but for the most part, the weekly Breakdown, which will appear Friday afternoons, will consist of (1) a subjective breakdown of the week’s biggest and most intriguing news stories, (2) tidbits and newsbits we’ve come across and thought you should know about (3) a youtube clip, probably from Bronx Assemblyman and amateur Scorsese, Jose Rivera and (4) recommendations for things to do in the Bronx this weekend. So settle in, grab a cup of coffee or a Bronx Brewery Pale Ale and enjoy the Breakdown.

Friday News & Notes, 11/11/11, Veteran’s Day Edition

We took last week off, but we’re back today on Breaking Bronx with some freewheeling and random tidbits as we head into the weekend. — First of all, a very Happy Veteran’s Day to all of our brave men and women who have served or are currently serving overseas. — I want to take a minute to send a shout out to the vet I know best, ex-Marine Nicky Rosa, a tattoo enthusiast and beer aficionado who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and experienced some crazy, ah, stuff. (Full disclosure: he’s my lovely wife’s cousin.) Soon after coming home


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Letter to the Editor: Smoking Concerns

As an artist with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts and Art Therapy I am impressed with the fidelity to cultural practices and design of the fine cigars created by Francisco Rosario (Norwood News, Oct. 20, 2011-Nov. 2, 2011). Mr. Rosario’s dedication to maintaining the skills he adopted in childhood is admirable and no doubt his cigars bring enjoyment and relaxation to his customers. As a child advocate, I am concerned that he was working with toxic materials as a child and most likely subjected to the second hand smoke of the adults around him. As a health professional with a Master’s in Public Health, I have grave concerns about the impact of cigars on the health and well being of Mr. Rosario, his customers, their families, especially children and anyone in the wake of their smoke.

Editorial: Empty Lot, Empty Promises

Two years ago, in the wake of an early Halloween morning fire on Bainbridge Avenue that destroyed 10 Norwood businesses and deflated an entire neighborhood, there was much talk of renewal — from city agencies, elected officials and the landlord who owned the lot where those businesses once thrived. But talk has not resulted in action and only a sad, empty lot remains.

Welcome to the Norwood News’ Digital Evolution

Whether you are a regular reader of the Norwood News or you are just checking out this website for the first time, I would like to personally thank you for your support of vital community journalism. Now, starting this week, we would like to reward you for your support by offering you more. More news. More photos. More information. More analysis. More multi-media. All of this for free. I know. Sounds too good to be true, right? Let me explain.

‘Have a Nice Day’: My Mugging Story

A few days before I got mugged in Williamsbridge Oval, I was thinking to myself about the surprising warmth and courtesy that I’d felt from Bronx residents in my first few weeks in the borough.