Vying for an Endorsement, 81st Assembly District Candidate Says Local Club Playing Games

By DAVID CRUZ

A candidate for the Assembly seat representing Norwood is crying foul a local political club’s decision to endorse candidates the same night as it handles assignments for the club’s executive committee without fully discussing the pros or cons for such a move. George Diaz, a former staffer to former Councilman Oliver Koppell vying for the seat against long-term Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, claims he wasn’t properly told about a Nov. 20 meeting where candidates seeking the endorsement of the Ben Franklin Reform Democratic Club can make their cases for official support from club members. “There was no prior discussion of this

Ahead of the US. Census Count, Bronx Democrats Form Club to Ensure a Proper Tally

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Democrats in the Bronx added another club Nov. 17 to grow their political power in the borough. Formally known as Northwest Bronx Democrats for Change, the group is led by Oswald Feliz, a housing lawyer and Democratic district leader for the 78th Assembly District. Locally, Feliz has been involved in representing the tenants of Bedford Park Manor in their dispute with the owner, the Stagg Group, over living conditions including broken elevators, bug infestation, and water damage inside apartments. The group was formed, according to Feliz, in response to a larger threat than just local landlords failing to deliver on

Norwood’s Graffiti Fighter Turns Attention to Domestic Violence

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

Heather Guerino and her husband Sirio are well known for cleaning up graffiti in Norwood. Now Heather is taking on a new cause by advocating for domestic violence survivors, and putting greater attention toward the issue. “I am on the frontline of this issue because I am working with parents that have gone through domestic violence situations,” Heather said. She even mentioned still seeing the effects of abuse on men and women who are no longer with their abuser. Heather’s advocacy was inspired by the tragic story of Lisa Marie Velasquez, a young woman from the Bronx who intended to

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By MICHAEL TURAY

New York City Councilman Fernando Cabrera was joined by City Board of Elections Director Mike Ryan last Wednesday to reveal the results of New York City’s early voting, which was implemented this year in what’s considered a very sleepy election season. From Oct. 26 through Nov. 3, 60,110 people came out to the polls to participate in early voting, with 4,893 of those voters registered casting a ballot in the Bronx, the New York City Board of Elections announced at a news conference the day after Election Day. The overall number of total voters in general elections has shown an

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s twenty-second edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news stories to read and share. We have 28 pages packed full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on what’s happening at Bronx Community Charter School on Webster Avenue. There, students took on an ambitious project to understand the neighborhood of Norwood, the players and the issues. Read about one student, Blessing Owusu, who delved deeply into the controversial topic of gentrification. It’s a true story of the power of community

Inquiring Photographer: Early Voting in New York City

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on early voting, allowing them several days to cast a ballot ahead of Election Day. I was aware of it, and I think it will help a lot of people. I’m used to going on Election Day; I’ve been doing it for 40 years, so I will continue to do it on Election Day. But it’s convenient for some people who can’t vote because it’s late, or they rush, or some people don’t take it seriously. Now some people will say they have time before the big day, so it’s convenient. Melvin Roseborough

A Civics Lesson on Impeachment, Courtesy of Norwood’s Congressman

By DAVID CRUZ

Constituents within the 13th Congressional District, which covers Norwood, got a lesson on impeachment from Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who spent more than an hour covering the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. Espaillat, a Democrat who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, one of three bodies conducting the impeachment probe on Mr. Trump, outlined the process of on impeachment at a forum on Oct. 17. “I hope that this process will be expedited but that it will be fair and that it will be one where the American people gain a level of confidence in government again,” said Espaillat. In

In Lifting the Seal of Police Personnel Records, Norwood Senator at the Helm

By DAVID CRUZ

Repealing the non-disclosure of personnel records of police officers, known under state law as 50-a, is taking center stage in the era of criminal justice reform, with advocates and opponents of the law debating the merits that could drastically change law enforcement. And at the center of that debate is Norwood’s state Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, chair of the Codes Committee and lead sponsor of a bill that would see the law completely abolished, clearing New Yorkers in reviewing disciplinary records of NYPD officers. Bailey has heard from both sides following two hearings that examined the 43-year-old law, sifting through

By DAVID CRUZ

The New York City Council voted to suspend Councilman Andy King for 30 days without pay following a damning 48-page report that outlined gross violations of public office while retaliating against former staffers for speaking out against him. In a 44 to 1 vote against King, the Council also stripped King of committee assignments (King serves as chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee), ordered him to pay a $15,000 penalty, and instituted a monitor to ensure the Council workplace rules at King’s Bronx office are properly followed. The move is a rare vote for the 51-member Council, which hasn’t voted

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Politics

Vying for an Endorsement, 81st Assembly District Candidate Says Local Club Playing Games

Ahead of the US. Census Count, Bronx Democrats Form Club to Ensure a Proper Tally

Norwood’s Graffiti Fighter Turns Attention to Domestic Violence

Cabrera Expresses Optimism for Early Voting in Coming Years

School-wide Project, Cuomo Probe of Stagg Buildings: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Inquiring Photographer: Early Voting in New York City

A Civics Lesson on Impeachment, Courtesy of Norwood’s Congressman

In Lifting the Seal of Police Personnel Records, Norwood Senator at the Helm

Councilman Andy King Given 30-Day Suspension From the Council for Ethics Violations