New Elevators Finally Installed at Bedford Park Blvd Subway Station

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The grand opening of long-awaited ADA compliant elevators at Bedford Park Boulevard subway station took place on the Grand Concourse on Thursday, Oct. 15. MTA Construction & Development President, Janno Lieber, launched the opening alongside a group of MTA colleagues, and was also joined by elected officials, Congressman Adriano Espaillat and State Assemblyman José Rivera. Speaking at the launch, Espaillat said, “There are three elevators, one up here [street level], and two downstairs [at subway level], and they were built at a cost of $38.2 million,” he said, adding that it was an extraordinary project. He then

By AUGUSTINA KWAFO-BAIDOO

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a perfect time to remember to take care of our oral health. When people think about a healthy lifestyle, eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity, limiting alcohol, getting more sleep and making time for self-care often top the list. But, taking care of our oral health is also an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and the health of our mouth, teeth and gums affects the way we talk, smile, eat and present ourselves to the world. Just like the rest of our body, the mouth is full of good

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Last November, residents living at 2558 Grand Concourse were unable to cook a Thanksgiving dinner on their stoves because the gas service was cut off by Con Edison. Stellar Management, the company that manages the property, provided the Fordham Manor tenants with portable hot plates, but it was an unsatisfactory solution for some. Daneiry Gonzalez is one of the affected tenants. “How am I supposed to cook a Thanksgiving dinner on a hot plate with two coils [burners]?” she said, when asked how she coped with the situation last year. Speaking in Spanish to the Norwood News, Gonzalez

By Síle Moloney

Police responded to a 911 call on Thursday, Oct. 22, at around 7 p.m. regarding a man who had been stabbed in front of 380 East Bedford Park Boulevard, within the confines of the 52nd precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed a 62-year-old man, unconscious and unresponsive, with a stab wound to the lower back. EMS responded and transported the man to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. The deceased has been identified as Kevin Smith, 62, of 2960 Decatur Avenue, The Bronx.

Election 2021: Abigail Martin on Housing, Schools & A Living Wage

By Síle Moloney

An educator and social worker, Abigail Martin, candidate for City Council in the 11th District points to equality in education as being key to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. As a student advisor and adjunct professor at Columbia University’s school of social work, she helps train the City’s next generation of social workers. “I mentor them throughout their first year of social work school, and work with them in their placements,” she said. “All my students are usually placed in the Bronx so, I’ve been in a lot of public schools in the Bronx, meeting with my students

By Síle Moloney

As record numbers of New Yorkers vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming Nov. 3 election, many have been dismayed to learn that they need to pay for postage in order to return their ballot. Legislators and advocates gathered virtually on Thursday, Oct. 22, to criticize what they call another de facto poll tax on voters. The discussion was led by State Senator James Sanders Jr., Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Dr. Hazel N. Dukes from the NAACP NYS Conference. Prior to the passage of the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, citizens in some states had to pay a

By Síle Moloney

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez received the endorsement of former presidential candidate and United States Senator Elizabeth Warren in her re-election bid for the New York State Assembly, it was announced Thursday, October 22nd. “I am proud to endorse Nathalia Fernandez for re-election to the New York State Assembly. She is the fighter The Bronx needs in Albany,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Since taking office, she has been a powerful voice for progressive values, and I know she will continue to build on the work she has done in her next term.” “This endorsement is very close to my heart,” said

By Síle Moloney

Jessica Haller, Democratic candidate for New York City’s 11th Council District, announced a further endorsement of her candidacy for the June 2021 primary election on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The grassroots organization, 21 in ‘21, founded in 2017 which is working to elect at least twenty-one women to the New York City Council by 2021 has thrown its support behind Haller. The Board of 21 in ‘21, and membership comprises a diverse range of women and allies. Among others, these include Amelia Adams, president of Adams Advisors LLC and former political director to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Black Lives Matter Greater NY released a statement on Oct. 19 following a separate recent announcement by the NYPD regarding the launch of a policing commission in conjunction with the Robin Hood Foundation and the NY Urban League. The title of the press release was,”New York State Exemplifies Why Activists and Young Black Don’t Trust Democrats.” “In the wake of the George Floyd murder, while the country was experiencing an uprising, Black Lives Matter Greater NY negotiated with Governor Cuomo’s office to have elements of our legislative package included in his ‘Say Their Names Act’,” the statement read. “In