Senator Jeff Klein, Bronx Political Heavyweight, Loses to Alessandria Biaggi

By DAVID CRUZ and JONATHAN CUSTODIO

The Democratic Party establishment, running parallel with the rest of the City, was hit with a blue tsunami on primary day as state Sen. Jeff Klein, a long term political fixture in the Bronx and former leader of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) lost to newcomer Alessandra Biaggi, along with four former IDC members. Klein, who had spent $2 million weeks before the Sept. 13 primary, did not appear to address supporters at Maestro’s Caterers in Morris Park, with many holding out until midnight before leaving. Unofficial tallies showed Biaggi had more than 53 percent of the vote over Klein’s

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS and DAVID CRUZ

On Election Day for this year’s primaries, the Norwood News took to the streets to see who the polls were favoring— state Sen. Jeff Klein of the 34th Senate District and once the co-leader of the Independent Democratic Conference who’s been in office since 2005, or Alessandra Biaggi, the new progressive Democrat. In Morris Park, a stronghold for Klein, campaign signs for Klein were abundant with some homes displaying several in their yards, but not one was spotted for Biaggi. Of the eleven people that the Norwood News spoke to in Morris Park, three expressed their devotion to Klein. One

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use. With 20 pages of news, we have a lot to cover. Our front page cover story focuses on the street co-naming of “Mary Vallati Way” in memory of the late community activist who died at the age of 102. Read what the street co-naming means to those who knew Vallati and the impact her endearing legacy can have on Bedford Park and Norwood. Also, read up on the editorial praising the value her stewardship left on the neighborhood. The Norwood

As Cuomo Supporters Meet at Tracey Towers, Nixon Meets Community Media

By JOSEPH KONIG

The Sept. 13 New York gubernatorial primary is fast approaching and Democratic politicians are making a last-minute push to encourage New York City voters to choose either incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo or his challenger, Cynthia Nixon. A week before the primary, Nixon sat down with ethnic and community news outlets in an hour-long conversation on issues that intimately affect New York City neighborhoods. The Sept. 6. discussion was hosted by the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, a public access news channel, at their East 104th Street studio. Moderated by campaign surrogate and former New York City council speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, the candidate

The September Primary is right around the corner, and that means crunch time for anyone on the ballot vying to keep or secure public office. You will see volunteers handing out literature of smiley politicos attempting to get you on their side. They’ll appear at festivals, street corners, or your social media feed. They will do everything they can to get you to vote. But as the years go on, drawing voters to the polls has become a tough sell. Apathy mixed with busy schedules and bad experience at prior elections are enough to keep the regular public from performing

By DAVID CRUZ

North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) has found its new CEO in one of ITS own, a week after officials with NYC Health + Hospitals initially snubbed her for the post. Cristina Contreras has been kicked upstairs to run the hospital after service as the city-funded hospital’s chief operating officer. Contreras succeeds outgoing NCBH head Maureen Pode, who announced her retirement. “We are lucky to have Cristina Contreras take on this new senior administrative post,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD, in a statement. “Her leadership and commitment to the hospital staff, patients, and the community

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, After taking a tiny break to rejuvenate ourselves, the Norwood News is back with its latest edition. Check out 24 pages of community news happening in and around your Bronx neighborhood. We begin with page one! This story previews the impending traffic headaches set to fall on Norwood. It’s thanks to two road projects that will take out lanes and test your patience. Jonathan Custodio spoke with residents on their thoughts on the dual projects. Read the city’s response to the first project. Inside the cover you’ll find my first-person account of serving jury duty with Mayor Bill

Mosholu Library Receives $15000 in State Funds A Rarity (Web Picture)

By JONATHAN CUSTODIO

You can bookmark Aug. 21 as a special day for Mosholu Library, which received a novel $15,000 in state funds. “Our libraries are community hubs and places of resources and comfort,” said Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, said at a news conference at the library on Aug. 21, “we can all relate in our passion for reading and looking for education, and really finding an escape.” The source of the newly distributed funds comes from discretionary funding of $60,000. The funds were evenly distributed to Allerton, Pelham Parkway-Van Nost and Morris Park libraries. Jane Addison-Amoyaw has managed the Mosholu library for the

The Bronx Breaks Ground on its Second YMCA

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Speaking in front of a crowd of community leaders, lawmakers, and youth activists at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Edenwald YMCA, Mayor Bill de Blasio explained why the new facility will progress his goal of making New York the “fairest big city in America.” “For all of us who have spent a lot of our lives at Ys, we know the passion that people bring to the work,” de Blasio said at the ceremony on Aug. 20. “The fact that so many Bronxites are about to benefit because of what will be built here is truly, truly inspiring.” The 50,000