Mayor Bloomberg, in perhaps the most courageous move of his mayoralty, got it precisely right when he stood up for religious freedom to support the creation of a mosque and community center in lower Manhattan.

It’s unfortunate that we have to remind ourselves of freedoms so elemental to our Constitution and national DNA, not to mention to the gloriously diverse and tolerant city we all call home.

How can it be that we would consider depriving members of any religion the right to worship wherever they please as long as they adhere to the law?

"We would betray our values – and play into our enemies’ hands," Bloomberg said with the Statue of Liberty as his backdrop, "if we were to treat Muslims different than anyone else."

This debate has been fueled by the demagoguery of national politicians like Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, who regularly demonize New York. It would be a grave mistake to bow to them.

Following an independent review prompted by charges of racism and discrimination by employees, Woodlawn Cemetery says it will make significant changes to employment and training practices.

Still, cemetery employees remain skeptical about the depth of the investigation and say the cemetery’s response was inadequate.

The city has authorized the closure of East 197th Street, between Decatur and Marion avenues (see map), for the next three months as John Civetta & Sons, Inc. reconstructs a retaining wall there.

SCHOOL STARTS WEDNESDAY, ­SEPTEMBER 8, 2010! 1. DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO REGISTER NEW STUDENTS Proof of home address, which can be one of the following: • An original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence • A current tax bill for the residence • Documentation on letterhead from a federal, state or local government agency • NYCHA document • Utility bill (gas, electric, or water) • Medical or insurance card with address • Official payroll documentation from an employer such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt. Proof of child’s immunization Child’s transcript or most recent report card Proof of child’s birth;

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French Fries are not vegetables.

That’s the message that Tyshawn Davis, a teacher at IN-Tech Academy, wants to drill into his students. The apples in the school cafeteria sit untouched for days on end, he said, until they’re thrown away.

After years toiling in employment limbo and struggling with inner demons, David Scott and Lawrence Carrington spent the last six months working with their hands – chopping, cleaning, pruning, digging and planting in Bronx parks.

Sometimes Robert Giuffre, the 27-year-old candidate for assembly in the Bronx’s 81st District, which includes Norwood, Morris Park and Allerton, thinks he might be going crazy.

It’s usually when he looks at the state government’s petitioning process that determines which candidates get on the ballot during election season and sees how discouraging it is to potential challengers. "I’m up at night thinking, ‘Am I the only one who sees how insane this is?’" Giuffre says.

Robert Giuffre didn’t necessarily want to spend his summer fighting an uphill primary battle against incumbent Naomi Rivera.

But Giuffre said Rivera’s actions, or inaction, as the Assembly representative for his Morris Park neighborhood compelled him to throw his hat in the ring.

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