Former District Leader Representing Norwood Looks to Reclaim Seat

By DAVID CRUZ

When Marcos Sierra stepped down as male district leader for Norwood’s 80th Assembly District, which stretches from Norwood to Morris Park, he was on the verge of being a dad again. His mother, meantime, was facing critical surgery. It was too much for Sierra, once a member of Community Board 7 who now serves as assistant program director for R.A.I.N., who decided to step down. John Zaccaro Jr., also a former CB7 member and current chief of staff to Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr., soon stepped up, appointed by the Bronx Democratic Party to fill the post. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez currently

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Many people own a home or property that they rent out. People do it for many reasons, most notably for additional income, but is this non wage gross income taxable? Yes. Notice I said gross? Because, like a simple math problem, now that you’ve added up your income, now it’s time to subtract your income from your expenses, because your net income is what you are finally taxed on. Not your gross income. Figuring out gross income is pretty simple, right? If you own a home or property that you now decide to rent out then you have rental income.

Oval Park Sees 42 Fresh Trees on Landscape

By DAVID CRUZ

The city Parks Department is planting seeds for a leafier Oval Park after construction-hatted crews decked in neon vests were spotted planting close to four-dozen trees around the perimeter of the Norwood greenscape. A Caterpillar crawler also joined the crews the week of Jan. 20, digging out soil as crews shimmied an unprecedented 43 saplings ranging from oaks, Japanese katsura trees, and London planes, into their new home. The new trees are scattered about the park though many can be found on the upper promenade. It can take decades to see these trees grow to maturity, with the katsura tree

For February, Montefiore Demonstrates the Literal Steps to a Healthy Heart (Picture)

By DAVID CRUZ

Dr. Azeem Latib stands between the living and the dead. He’s the last person patients at Montefiore Health System suffering from heart or coronary disease see should their conditions worsen. “Ideally, I would prefer to have less patients,” said Dr. Latib. “It means that they’re getting prevention.” And at Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care, where he serves as director of interventional cardiology, Dr. Latib is also part of a contingent looking to stymie such a visit. As patients and visitors passed the Moses Campus’ vestibule on East 210th Street during mid-morning on Feb. 3, he and clinicians,

Crime File: Fake Undercover Cop Allegedly Robs Teen in the Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

Fake Cop Robs Boy A month has passed since police were made aware of a 13-year-old robbed by a man pretending to be an undercover cop inside the PC Richard in Fordham. The incident happened on Jan. 3 around 6:42 p.m., according to police, who say the teen was inside the store when he was approached by the fake cop. The victim was told that he was investigating credit card fraud and demanded money from the boy, who complied, giving the man $200. The man is described as being around 45 to 50 years old, standing at six feet, and

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Members of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club—which has heavy influence in local races—kept club matters status quo this week after its incumbent president Michael Heller overcame a challenge by newcomer Morgan Evers by a count of 243 to 153 for club president. The election drew hundreds to the American Legion Hall in Kingsbridge, where candidates were given five minutes to lay out their platforms. Heller pointed to his decades of public service and politics dating back to his teenage years when Mayor John Lindsay spoke at his junior high school. “Through my entire life I’ve chosen to work in

PS 94 Spelling Bee Competition Doubles as a Mountain of Honey

The word was “amnesia.” It served as the deciding factor in who took home the first place prize for PS 94’s annual Spelling Bee. And this year’s victor went to Fatima Ali, a 10-year-old, who leaped into the air after beating out classmate Dion Florencio in the tense competition. Aafreen Mamsa was not too far behind. She won third place. “This will go in my trophy collection,” said Fatima, holding her trophy showing her first place ranking. Last year, Fatima placed third in the same spelling bee. On top of spelling “amnesia,” Fatima also had to spell the word Dion

The Bronx political landscape was thrown into a tailspin when Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced out of nowhere that he would not be running for mayor of New York City. For anyone following Diaz Jr.’s career such as this publication, one would know that rumors of a mayoral run began more than a decade ago. Then Diaz Jr., then in his 30s and with a receding hairline, represented the energy the Bronx needed at the moment. He brought a charisma that sought mega projects arrive to the Bronx, though some remain pending. Even so, he had the makings of

The Push to Expand Right to Counsel, Diaz Jr. to Retire: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s third edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We have packed 28 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a bill being championed by Councilman Andrew Cohen and housing advocacy groups that expands Right to Counsel. The act–which provides free legal counsel to those facing eviction–covers those considered extreme low income. New legislation looks to expand the income eligibility standards. Jose A. Giralt breaks it all down for us. Inside the