Politics

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Controversy Surrounding Long Island Rep. George Santos

By DAVID GREENE
This week, amid new allegations of financial misconduct, reports of a federal investigation, and widespread calls for his resignation, we asked readers their thoughts on newly sworn-in, Republican congressman, Rep. George Santos (NY-3), who represents parts of Long Island and who, according to media reports, has admitted to lying about his experience and education. As reported recently by Norwood News, local Norwood congressman, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) has also called for an investigation into Santos’ campaign finances.   “You shouldn’t be a politician if you can’t be as honest as you’re supposed to be. If he was my representative, I would


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Victims of Twin Parks Fire Tragedy Remembered on First Anniversary

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The first anniversary of the Twin Parks fire tragedy which ripped through the towering housing development in Fordham Heights on Jan. 9 2022, was marked by a somber ceremony on Monday, Jan. 9. As reported extensively at the time, the tragic event claimed the lives of 17 Bronxites, including 8 children, mostly of Gambian descent. The cause of the fire was found to be a combination of a “malfunctioning space heater” and reportedly malfunctioning self-closing fire doors.   With legal proceedings against the Twin Parks building owners still pending, Mayor Eric Adams and other Bronx elected officials attended the private


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UPDATE Fordham Heights: Boy, 13, Arrested for Loaded Gun Possession at M.S. 363, Two Teens Shot in Longwood

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
Police said a 13-year-old boy who is a student at a middle school in Fordham Heights was arrested after he was allegedly found to be in possession of a loaded gun on Thursday. Meanwhile, on the same day, in the Longwood section of the borough, two teenagers were shot, one fatally.   An NYPD spokesperson said that on Thursday, Jan. 19, at around 9.20 a.m., police were alerted that there was a gun found inside M.S. 363 (previously M.S. 399) Academy for Personal Leadership and Excellence, located at 120 East 184th Street in Fordham Heights. “Upon arrival, school safety agents stated that


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Former SBA President Ed Mullins Pleads Guilty to Misappropriating SBA Funds

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Former president of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), Ed Mullins, has pled guilty to misappropriating $600,000 from the SBA, it was announced on Thursday, Jan. 19. The news was confirmed in a brief press release by the SBA, whose current president is Vincent J. Vallelong.    “During his plea allocution, Mullins admitted to defrauding the union by submitting inflated expense reimbursement reports as well as characterizing personal expenses as SBA expenses, which he knew to be false,” the SBA statement read. “As part of the plea, the court entered a preliminary forfeiture order in the amount of $600,000. As


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UPDATE Torres Calls for Federal Elections Commission Investigation into Santos’ Campaign Finances

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), who represents parts of Bronx Community District 7, including Norwood, has called for a federal elections commission investigation into the campaign finances of U.S. Rep. George Santos (NY-03), the newly elected, controversial lawmaker who represents part of northern Nassau County on Long Island and northeast Queens, who has reportedly admitted to lying about his education and work experience.   Torres made the announcement during a news conference on Long Island on Tuesday, Jan. 17, and called on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to launch an investigation into potential illegal activity and alleged irregularities with Santos’


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UPDATE Benjamin Franklin Reform Dems to Consider Endorsement of Bronx District Attorney

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Representatives of The Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club (BFRDC) have announced that the club will hold club leadership elections during its annual meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.   In addition to some club business, club representatives said the following endorsement will be considered: Shall the Club Make an Endorsement for Bronx District Attorney? They added that if the answer is yes, recognized candidates, Darcel Clark and Tess Cohen, will speak and answer questions.   Club representatives said members of the public are invited to view the meeting via Zoom. They clarified that only club


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Morris Park: Controversial ‘Just Home’ Project Moves Ahead on Grounds of Jacobi Hospital

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Health + Hospitals and the Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) announced in August 2022 that construction for Just Home, a housing project for formerly incarcerated New Yorkers with life-threatening medical conditions, was going ahead, as reported by YIMBY.   Located at 1900 Seminole Avenue in the Morris Park section of The Bronx, the initiative will create approximately 70 studio and two-bedroom apartments. The existing property at 1900 Seminole Avenue currently sits vacant on the NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Medical Center campus. According to City officials, tenants will have access to intensive on-site social services provided by licensed


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on 2022 and Hopes for the New Year

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on 2022 and their hopes for the New Year.   “I did not feel safe in 2022 and I couldn’t enjoy my summer. A few people dear to me passed away. Despite the few accomplishments that we had, 2022 was filled with disappointments, empty promises, and uncertainty. I hope that in 2023 we can put an end to the reckless motorcycle and motorized bike riding on the sidewalk and the senseless loud noise coming from passenger cars and SUVs. My hopes are to raise awareness to the needs of our folks with disabilities,


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Bedford Park: Phase II Construction Begins at Bedford Greene

By JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA
  Construction of Bedford Green House II, located at 2880 Jerome Avenue in Bedford Park, the second of a two-phase, supportive housing development, began on Friday, Dec. 9. The first building, constructed under Phase I of the development and located on the adjacent lot at 2865 Creston Avenue, was completed last winter and residents started moving in in January 2022. A formal ribbon-cutting opening ceremony took place in July.   As reported, Mayor Eric Adams, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State. Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), Adolfo Carrión Jr., NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) commissioner, Eric Rosenbaum,


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