NorwoodNews.org

Stories by Edition: December 11, 2008 (18 Stories)

Tenants Pressure State Agency on Unfair Rent Increases - For almost a year, tenants at 2720 Grand Concourse have fought against a $1.5 million rent increase that they feel was unwarranted. The battle for overturning the rent increase is underscoring what housing advocates say are serious systematic problems with the state agency in charge of rent increases for rent-controlled buildings, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). | Read the Story

Bx34 & Bx10 on Chopping Block - In response to a budget shortfall, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) proposed system-wide fare hikes and service cuts, including the elimination of bus service that connects Bronx riders in northwest Bronx neighborhoods.

If the proposal is implemented, the Bx10 bus, which joins Norwood to Riverdale, will cease nighttime operation. The Bx34 bus, which connects Fordham Road to Woodlawn via Bainbridge Avenue, will be eliminated altogether. | Read the Story

3 Murders Hit Nabe in 1 Week - After only seven murders during the first 10-and-a-half months of the year, the 52nd Precinct experienced three in one week in November, all of them within a four-block radius in North Fordham. | Read the Story

Mixed Memories of Ramon Velez - A polarizing figure throughout his life, the death of Ramon Velez has proven to be no different, inspiring a wide range of reactions to the passing of the anti-poverty baron who ran the South Bronx political machine for more than a quarter of a century. | Read the Story

Hunger Crisis Hits Bronx Hardest - Coinciding with the floundering economy, record numbers of food pantries and soup kitchens of the Bronx struggled to keep up with the increased demand for emergency food services in 2008. Emergency food agencies in the Bronx reported the highest numbers in both increased demand and turning people away. | Read the Story

Ready for Your Complaints - Local residents can now submit complaints and send e-mails to the Community Board 7 office through the new Web site. | Read the Story

Mr. Rivera Goes to Washington - After helping wage president-elect Barack Obama's successful election campaign, University Heights resident and activist Haile Rivera and his girlfriend are packing there bags for Washington, D.C. to help Obama's transition team. | Read the Story

Public and Community Meetings - A listing of public and community meetings for our readership in the northwest Bronx. | Read the Story

Espada's High-Stakes Gamble - It is probable that only a small percentage of city residents can name their state legislators. But it's hard to imagine that anyone in the northwest Bronx does not now - or won't soon - know that their state senator is Pedro Espada. | Read the Story

Mt. St. Ursula Mourns Fallen Basketball Player - During a Monday afternoon game, Mt. St. Ursula Academy sophomore basketball player Samira Ahmed (pictured, fourth from left) collapsed on the court and later died after being rushed to the hospital. | Read the Story

Land Grab - The city is trying once again to tack on another new and loathsome component to its already disastrous filtration plant project.

It proposes to snatch a chunk of parkland used by local kids to build a parking lot for the new golf course right next to Sachkerah Woods Playground, the only neighborhood benefit of what is shaping up to be the biggest boondoggle in Bronx history.

Because it's technically for a park use, the city says it isn't alienating additional parkland.

Maybe so, but after a litany of monumental screw-ups - not least of which is a tripling of the original price tag to around $3 billion - you'd think they'd shy from riling the community yet again and show a little sense.

And while golf is a recreational purpose, it is barely one that benefits this community enough to warrant slapping down more asphalt. After all, the parking lot is obviously for people who live far away from Norwood.

The city should stick to its original plan and keep the parking lot on the north side, where it is now and was originally slated for after the project's completion. | Read the Story

Save School Arts - Re: your article "Room for Improvement" (Nov. 27 - Dec. 10). It's unfortunate to read about the shortcomings of the five-year plan for school construction in addressing overcrowding in District 10. | Read the Story

20 Years at Paper - With the publication of this issue, I am celebrating having completed 20 years with the Norwood News. | Read the Story

Translating Dog Barks - Dogs bark because they sense danger. There are people who stand in front of other people's doors and windows and tease a dog into barking. The dog is thinking correctly. These people are a danger. | Read the Story

Filipinos Make Mark on St. Ann's - Among the many traditions that Filipino parishioners have brought to the Parish of St. Ann is the "Misa de Gallo," or "Rooster Mass." This is a novena - a series of nine masses - that begin at 6 a.m. on each of the nine days leading up to Christmas. | Read the Story

Neighborhood Notes - A listing of events, programs and services for our readers in the northwest Bronx. | Read the Story

Out & About - The Norwood News' arts and entertainment guide for our readers in the northwest Bronx. | Read the Story

Miss Universe Brings World of Cheer - On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela spent the day in the northwest Bronx bringing good cheer. First, she visited Montefiore Medical Center's Adolescent AIDS Program and then spent time with sick kids at Montefiore's Children's Hospital. Here, she's switching roles with Marielys Ruiz, 20, who suffers from sickle cell anemia. | Read the Story