Neighborhood Notes

Body Camera Survey The NYPD wants your opinion on its officer body-worn cameras. Take the questionnaire or submit comments at nypdbodycameras.org. TV Production Training Workshops on television production are available through BronxNet Television, the borough’s official public access television station, from July 12 through Sept. 3, at either Mercy College or Lehman College. Registration fee is $90 for in-studio training and $100 for field production. For more information, call (718) 960-1181. Free Summer Meals Free summer meals for children age 18 and under is available until Sept. 2 at public schools, community pool centers, New York City Housing Authority complexes,

This week we asked readers their thoughts on the delay of redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory into an ice skating center, and if they think the project will ever be completed. I think an ice skating rink should be built there; it would be fun. There’s not many over here. Most of them are far away, like Manhattan. I honestly think they want to build something else there, they don’t want to build a skating rink. I heard some saying it was a waste of money, that once they build it, no one would go. Jahira Davis Yonkers I

By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE

Lifelong Bronxite Samelys Lopez, former second vice chair at Bronx Community Board 7, is petitioning to become the Democratic Female District Leader for the 78th Assembly District, an area that covers Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham and a portion of Belmont. The district leader is an elected and unpaid volunteer within both the Democratic and Republican parties, and responsibilities for the position include hiring poll workers, listening to and advocating for community members’ concerns and encouraging people to be involved in the local political process. There are two district leaders for each assembly district, one female and one male, who

State Senator Adriano Espaillat largely owes his primary victory in the Democratic 13th Congressional District race to the Bronx, which takes up 20 percent of the gerrymandered district that also covers Norwood. Mr. Espaillat took in 15,735 votes over the presumptive frontrunner, Assemblyman Keith Wright, who took in 14,499 votes in a stunning upset. Mr. Espaillat also won the Bronx by 853 votes. Granted, June 28 did mark a primary, but with the district heavily Democratic, November’s General Election will formally see Mr. Espaillat ascend to the seat. With that: Mr. Espaillat, please open a Bronx constituent services office. After

The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use to make you a more aware Bronx resident! This week we have 16 pages packed with news happening in the Norwood area and surrounding communities. Our page one story takes us to the heart of the neighborhood and accusations of welfare fraud by a popular halal deli on East 204th Street. A raid rounded up members of the family-owned operation. David Greene spoke with the son of the owner. See what he has to say. We then turn to an editorial found on

By DAVID CRUZ

It’s not over til it’s over. The crowded Democratic race for the 13th Congressional District seat did not appear to go for the frontrunner, Assemblyman Keith Wright, but to his lead opponent, state Senator Adriano Espaillat. But Wright told supporters he’s not ready to concede until “every vote is counted.” He also called on the Justice Department to examine the vote count process following news reports of voter irregularities in pockets of the district, which extends into the Norwood section of the Bronx following redistricting in 2012. Voters have long complained the borough, which makes up 20 percent of the

Bronxites head to the polls today to do something that hasn’t happened in nearly 50 years: putting someone else other than Congressman Charles Rangel in the 13th Congressional District seat. Nine candidates are vying for the seat, in a race that’s become quite ugly within the last few days. Rangel, who announced his retirement over a year ago, was considered a political giant in Washington D.C., bringing concerns of Harlem to Capitol Hill. The 13th Congressional District was reconfigured a few years ago to include the Bronx, including the Norwood section of the borough. Learn about the candidates in this

This week we asked readers if they think domestic terrorism is on the rise and if stricter federal gun control laws would solve the problem. Most certainly domestic terrorism is definitely on the rise as shown in Orlando, Fla. I believe what [President] Barack Obama was saying at a town hall meeting, and he made a great analogy with driving and guns. People were dying in accidents at a phenomenal rate until they did a study and they were able to determine that seat belts save lives. The gun lobbyists won’t let us do any kind of research at all,

By DANIELA BEASLEY

Following the massacre at in the Orlando, Fla. Shootings, along with a spate of shootings in the Bronx, a state assemblyman has re-launched a popular program where guns are traded for cash, and no questions asked. Assemblyman Victor Pichardo of the 86th Assembly District is sponsoring the latest gun buyback program to get weapons off the streets and prevent future shootings. “The recent mass shooting and recent spates of violence in our community need more than our thoughts and prayers – they require action,” Pichardo said in a statement. The gun buyback event will take place in early August, which normally ranks