State of the Borough Pores Over Decade of Change for the Bronx

By JOSEPH KONIG

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. gave his tenth “State of the Borough” speech on Thursday taking credit for nearly a decade of crime reduction and increased economic investment, while acknowledging the borough’s housing and transit challenges. He also indirectly addressed comments made recently by his father, that caused a greater political divide between the two. “The Bronx is thriving,” Diaz Jr. said. “Almost ten years ago, I gave my first ever State of the Borough address. I spoke about the need for better paying jobs, to fight crime in our streets, encouraging new development of all types, and the

By JOSEPH KONIG

Seventeen candidates are on the ballot for the New York City Public Advocate special election race on Feb. 26 next week, but voting will be harder than just picking the Democrat or the Republican. Due to the circumstances of the race, each candidate is running on their own unique party line. For example, former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is running on the “Fix the MTA” line and Queens Assemblyman Ron Kim is running on the “No Amazon” line. The winner of the Feb. 26 election will only hold the office for a few months before the September

This week we asked readers living in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments in the Bronx about the recent decision for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to oversee NYCHA, and the city’s $2.2 billion commitment for NYCHA repairs over the next decade. I’m all for that because right now we don’t even have heat in the building, no heat at all. We have running hot water, but no heat. We’ve had no heat since yesterday. It comes on and off. They keep saying they’re repairing it. The elevator keeps breaking down. Sometimes we have to go up and down

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourth edition of the Norwood News with plenty of community news you can use. We’ve packed 20 pages full of useful information. As usual, we’ll begin with page one! Our front-page story takes you to Bedford Park where locals are reeling over news the local Rite Aid has closed. This is troubling news for seniors living at Serviam Heights and Serviam Gardens, which serve senior citizens. Reporter Alondra Vasquez talks to a whole horde of residents over what this means for them and access to their prescriptions. Inside the cover you’ll find a two-page informative piece

Bailey Forms Criminal Justice Reform Council, Gauges Input

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, representing Norwood and chair of the Senate Committee on Codes, recently announced the creation of a Criminal Justice Reform Council, attracting advocates from the district to help reshape the state’s criminal justice system. The council is comprised of several advocates on criminal justice reform that hail from the Bronx, and Westchester County. Members on the council are representatives from an array of organizations that include the Legal Aid Society, Vocal-NY, CUNY Law School, Discovery for Justice, B.R.A.G., Not On My Watch, RAPP Campaign, and 100 Suits for 100 Men. Bailey felt it was imperative to develop

Snow Postpones Stagg Meeting at Community Board 7

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Snow and ice caused the cancellation of Community Board 7’s Housing, Land Use & Zoning committee meeting of Feb. 12, in which residents from 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster Ave., owned by the Stagg Group, were prepared for a heated confrontation with the landlord’s representatives. As previously reported in the Norwood News, residents of the three buildings have intensified their complaints over repairs not being tended to, security cameras not working, dirty hallways not being regularly cleaned, and just the overall difficulty of getting the management team to respond. Led by Zxavier Simpson, from 2985 Webster Ave., residents are joining

Ahead of Possible Government Shutdown, Bronx Locals Get Free Tax Help

By DAVID GREENE

As a possible federal government shutdown looms, Bronxites converged at one local bank for some to have their taxes prepped and filed before they’re refunds are stalled. On Feb. 7 Ridgewood Savings Bank, the largest mutual savings bank in New York State, announced it had partnered with non-profit tax professionals Ariva, in offering free tax preparation at two of its Bronx branches, including one at 3445 Jerome Ave. in Norwood. Customers arrived at the Jerome Avenue branch on Feb. 9 and 10 with documents in hand and met with a tax specialist and e-filed their returns the same day. Few seats

An Awareness Campaign to Combat Lead Exposure Beyond NYCHA

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

The fight against childhood lead exposure is about more than just lead paint. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced his new initiative, LeadFreeNYC, which aims to completely eliminate lead poisoning in children throughout the city. “We mean literal eradication,” said de Blasio, at a news conference alongside health experts at North Central Bronx Hospital in Norwood. Children can experience learning and behavioral problems and delayed physical and mental development due to the toxicity of lead, with children 6 and under being the most vulnerable. To make lead exposure “one of those diseases of the past” requires a deeper look

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on legislators currently considering the legalization of recreational marijuana—Would this be good or bad for New York City? Is pot a stepping-stone to harder drugs and would it decrease or increase crime? I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. It’s very complex to even think about, because there’s a lot of parts to the issue. I don’t think it leads to harder drugs. If they start to tax it, they will make money like they do on booze, but what about the effect on crime? It’s a lot