No resident of North Fordham can help noticing that the Fordham Arcade, a persistent eyesore wedged between Webster and Decatur avenues, has been demolished after decades of abandonment. In March, the Norwood News reported that the Bronx Council for Economic Development (BCED) and other neighborhood groups contacted Samuel Falack, the property’s owner since last August, about redeveloping the site. In a letter, Fordham community members and business owners expressed concern about the garbage piling up outside the fence and the rats that had found a
A rare open seat has ignited a heated Democratic primary in the 80th Assembly District, pitting a local community leader against the larger Bronx Democratic organization. Naomi Rivera, daughter of Assemblyman Jose Rivera, faces Joseph Thompson, a well-known neighborhood activist, in what will certainly be a lively battle. The competition began when current Assemblyman Jeff Klein jumped into the race for the 34th Senatorial District, left open by Guy Velella’s resignation after he pled guilty to bribery charges. At press time, the Norwood News learned
Within the next couple of weeks, the Fordham Hill Owners Corporation (FHOC) will name a contractor to the task of renovating the vacant office building across the street from the co-op complex on West Fordham Road and Sedgwick Avenue. That choice will come a year after the FHOC Board’s initial decision to expand its residential offerings by creating a block of upscale rental apartments in the abandoned building — a decision that came after nearly a decade of deliberation and failed negotiations. Redevelopment efforts for the building stalled after its lone tenant, a Department of Motor Vehicles office, moved out
In 1999, a group of Democratic state legislators from the Bronx contributed to one of the biggest public policy blunders in the city’s history. Six of them voted to repeal the commuter tax, depriving New York City of $400 million in annual revenues it had been receiving for years. In all, 23 city lawmakers voted for repeal. How could they do it? You’re probably thinking they must have gotten something good in return, right? Like more money for city schools or after-school programs, or a greater say in the state budget? Or maybe some largesse for an important project like
For the past two years, St. Philip Neri Church in Bedford Park has served as the only church in the Bronx where couples can receive guided counselling — regardless of religious orientation — to focus on strengthening marital and family relations. "The program brings you closer to your spouse and closer to the church," said Madeline Saint-Cyr, who attended a St. Philip seminar with her fiancé, Clifford Saint-Cyr, prior to getting married. "It helped us focus on what really matters in a marriage – the two of us and God." The Saint-Cyrs are just one of the many couples who
For the past two years, St. Philip Neri Church in Bedford Park has served as the only church in the Bronx where couples can receive guided counselling — regardless of religious orientation — to focus on strengthening marital and family relations. "The program brings you closer to your spouse and closer to the church," said Madeline Saint-Cyr, who attended a St. Philip seminar with her fiancé, Clifford Saint-Cyr, prior to getting married. "It helped us focus on what really matters in a marriage – the two of us and God." The Saint-Cyrs are just one of the many couples who
For the past two years, St. Philip Neri Church in Bedford Park has served as the only church in the Bronx where couples can receive guided counselling — regardless of religious orientation — to focus on strengthening marital and family relations. "The program brings you closer to your spouse and closer to the church," said Madeline Saint-Cyr, who attended a St. Philip seminar with her fiancé, Clifford Saint-Cyr, prior to getting married. "It helped us focus on what really matters in a marriage – the two of us and God." The Saint-Cyrs are just one of the many couples who
Klein to Make Announcement on Filter Plant
Assemblyman Jeffrey Klein said today that he would make an announcement next Thursday concerning his position on the water filtration plant planned for Van Cortlandt Park. Klein made the statement at a press conference in Woodlawn, where he received the endorsement of Council Member Oliver Koppell in his bid for the State Senate in the 34th District. Several Woodlawn residents showed up at the press conference with signs protesting the plant, but they dispersed after Klein powwowed with Karen Argenti and Sally Regenhard, two opponents of the project. After the two politicians spoke regarding the endorsement, the
Firefighter Turns Up Heat In Congress Bid
On many weekday mornings and evenings, local commuters might see a tall, muscular man handing out campaign fliers and gathering petition signatures at subway stations. And while not a recognizable name yet, Kevin McAdams, a candidate for Congress, manages to get bleary-eyed commuters to stop and talk to him. "It’s almost funny how well people receive him," said Andrew Hysell, McAdams’ campaign manager for his bid in the 17th District. "Most [politicians] don’t have that personal charisma." It will take more than charm to upset eight-term incumbent Eliot Engel.