Inquiring Photographer

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on President Donald Trump’s revised Executive Order calling on a temporary ban of citizens from six largely Muslim countries. It’s basically the same thing. He’s still targeting certain countries, even though Iraq is no longer on the ban, but it’s really the same thing. It’s just that this time he’s going through the proper protocols. I support protecting our borders and I believe there are rules, there are ways to come into this country. However, I don’t think it should just target certain countries and not just mainly minority countries. Marie Destin Norwood

By CHRISTINA OWUSU-AMPAW

On Monday, Feb. 13, a meeting was held by the New York City Council discussing ways to improve public transportation to impact the lives of New Yorkers under the so-called Fair Fares campaign. Among the supporters is Councilman Andrew Cohen. Council Members argue the cost of a subway ride has been an issue for citizens, keeping them from job opportunities, education, cultural experiences, and more. The campaign looks to reduce the cost of a subway ride for low-income New Yorkers to as much as half price to ensure riders are able to travel affordably. “The cost of public transit continues

By DEBORAH CRUZ

With fears of deportation engulfing immigrant communities, an information session addressing those concerns was organized, with a veteran immigration lawyer telling a Norwood crowd to get organized. Sharron Williams, a former Norwood resident who now runs the California-based JINA Immigration Legal Services, led the Feb. 23 workshop at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. She reiterated the uptick in raids launched by agents from Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), which have rattled communities comprised of the foreign-born. For immigrants to get ahead of this, Williams ran through some of the many visas that the government offers, as well as some that might

By By ANTHONY RIEVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

During income tax season, as a financial adviser, I’m asked many questions. Some of them are great! Some of them are ” lulus.” Let me educate you to the madness called income tax season and some of the questions people ask when looking for ways to either avoid income taxation or not realizing to protect themselves from fraudent Tax preparers and possible identity theft. Should I open an account in Switzerland? Answer: In short, You could. However, since the Obama Administration started looking at “offshore accounts,” an inquiry priority, I wouldn’t risk it. I want to protest Donald Trump? Answer:

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, publishing Bronx community news you can use, is out at 300 stands across the northwest Bronx. We begin, as usual, with page one and a proposal to downzone Mosholu Parkway, the green pasture that doubles as a roadway. Read what Mayor Bill de Blasio had to say about development in the borough, and get a full picture of his recent town hall powwow from reporter Wendy Joan Biddlecombe. Inside the cover you’ll find stories on Norwood’s CVS pharmacy primed to closed, according to the big chain pharmacy, an investigation into

By ADELINE HANSSEN

At a rally with shades of presidential ambitions, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared that Democrats are not going to let Republicans win when it comes to doing away with the Affordable Care Act. Cuomo, rumored to make a run for the White House in 2020, addressed the powerful 1199 SEIU at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Pelham Parkway/Morris Park on Feb. 22, rallying rank and file union members. He used his platform to criticize the Republicans’ position, taking a definitive stance on health care policy. According to Cuomo, New York faces a $3.7 billion loss to the Medicaid program should

CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT (r) talks with a guest at an open house for his new office at 2530 Grand Concourse in Fordham on Feb. 22. Espaillat, who won the seat in the 13th Congressional District, follows through on a campaign promise to build an office within the Bronx portion of the district. Voters say the congressional district previously had little representation in the Bronx. The office number is (718) 450-8241. Photo by Miriam Quinones/Caption by Christine Owusu-Ampaw

Bronx Barriers: Low Voter Turnout

By ANTHONY ALI

The Norwood News and WFUV continue their five-part series profiling different types of challenges impacting the Bronx. Voter turnout remains a challenge during New York City elections. In the Bronx, that problem is amplified, consistently lagging when it comes to voter turnout, according to figures. And with a mayoral election coming up later this year, it begs the question: Why aren’t more Bronx voters heading to the polls? Multiple Challenges It’s a question city Councilman Ritchie Torres of the 15th Council District had posed back in 2014. His answer: low civic engagement, with Bronx residents

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. once again lightly dabbled with the prospect of becoming mayor of New York City in his latest annual State of the Borough Address. Discussing citywide issues, he took aim at both Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Donald Trump. Diaz’s eighth annual speech, delivered at JFK High School in Marble Hill, drew 89 rounds of applause during his 47-minute delivery, as he summed up a number of the borough’s achievements, while it was light on new, lofty initiatives. Diaz was short on new proposals, while adding to previously announced proposals, which had included installing a deck atop a 13-acre train yard