Diaz Sr. (Yes, Diaz Sr.) Allocates $11,000 to LGBTQ-Supporting Groups

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., a candidate for the 15th Congressional District who’s been routinely chastised for making anti-gay remarks, surprisingly contributed a total of $11,000 to LGBTQ-supported groups, according to a review of the recently enacted Fiscal Year budget. Diaz Sr., a self-proclaimed social conservative Democrat and pentecostal minister, doesn’t see this as a form of contrition. “Why did I give money to these groups? Because they need it,” Diaz Sr. plainly told the Norwood News in a phone interview. Diaz Sr. has allocated $6,000 to Pride Not Prejudice, an organization that uses art to present current issues, such

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fifteenth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into and share. We’ve packed 24 pages of news from this corner of the Bronx, capturing a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story looks at the possible implications behind the Bronx Bus Network Redesign Plan, that could knock out several bus routes cutting through Norwood. Read what residents have to say about the news, and what can be done about it. Inside the cover you’ll find a piece on the

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

Councilman Ritchie Torres has four times more money than his rivals in his run for the 15th Congressional District race, with $522,494 from 1,100, putting him ahead of his opponents by $400,000, according to campaign finance records. This puts him at the top when it comes to fundraising, a move that could afford him building a greater campaign apparatus than his rivals. But when it comes to the number of donors hailing from the Bronx, the bulk of those donors went to fund the campaign of Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., according to an analysis of the figures. Torres’ total

Diaz Sr. Favors Keeping Rikers Island Open, Will Vote Against Neighborhood Jail Plan

By DAVID CRUZ

The city’s plan to build a borough-based jail in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx finds itself emblematic of a growing criminal justice reform movement that began in the Bronx. And, as expected, it’s found itself intertwined with the crowded 15th Congressional District race, where Congressman Jose Serrano announced he will not seek re-election. The entanglement, and subsequent intrigue, stems largely from Ritchie Torres and Ruben Diaz Sr., congressional candidates on the other side of the Democratic spectrum who double as Council Members. The two legislators will need to vote to approve or reject the plan. Their positions could

By DAVID CRUZ and CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Councilman Ritchie Torres, who’s dropped hints he’ll be pursuing a run for Congress for the last few months, finally made it official, launching his campaign in the form of a video he released. It’s narrated in a sobering tone by Torres, who explains how he overcame the odds and plans to continue to make changes that will support low-income and marginalized residents. “I’m running for Congress because the Bronx needs a fighter in Washington D.C. The primary presents a stark choice between a progressive new guard and a reactionary old guard. Between an LGBT fundraiser and a vicious homophobe. Between

A Bengali Womens’ Empowerment Group Walks A Tightrope in Norwood

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Sanjana Khan and Ayesha Akhtar grew up just a block apart in Norwood. Both their families hail from the city of Sylhet in eastern Bangladesh on the Surma River. Yet, it took a Bronx Narratives event last August at the Bronx Museum of the Arts for the two to finally meet. A month later, they founded LAAL, a non-profit group supporting Bengali women in Norwood live healthy, engaged, joyful lives. The two women spent June 23 “womanning” the group’s table stand at the “Bangla Bazzar Street Fair”, which took place at Decatur Avenue and East 204th Street in Norwood. Together, with

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourteenth edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of great community news stories to dive into and share. There’s plenty of news to report in this corner of the Bronx, and we’ve captured a good chunk of it. And as usual, we’ll start with page one! Our front-page story focuses on the results of the latest Community Board 7 elections, with board members going a different direction in voting for a new chair. Read about the new agenda for Emmanuel Martinez, the newly installed chair of Community Board 7 by myself and Síle Moloney.

Inquiring Photographer: Presidential Candidates

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. De Blasio is good to be mayor, but I don’t think he can compete for the U.S. presidential election. He’s not good, I don’t think so. I think Joe Biden has the most experience and he has a plan. All of the Democrats look good. MD Ali Washington Heights So far no one stands out. No, I don’t like [former Vice President Joe] Biden. I don’t know, I think we need new faces and

15th Congressional District Race Updates: Torres Lands First Endorsement

By DAVID CRUZ

It’ll be roughly a year from now when voters in the 15th Congressional District will decide who to send to Washington D.C. to represent them in the House of Representatives. Not even a year out, and the race is already crowed, with nine declared candidates (or least opening committees with the Federal Election Commission) laying the groundwork for what’s likely to be a very contentious race. Torres Notches First Endorsement Councilman Ritchie Torres, whose 15th Council District somewhat overlaps with the, landed the race’s first endorsement, locking in the backing of the Equality Caucus’ political agent, the Equality PAC. The