As Shelter-Housing Rises, Fordham Hill Shareholders Mobilize

By DAVID CRUZ

Mayor Bill de Blasio may have received the Bronx political machine’s endorsement, but he could have lost hundreds of votes from shareholders of a Fordham cooperative after telling its representatives at a town hall that an impending homeless shelter/affordable housing development just blocks from their home will be there to stay. In an exchange with Chad Royer, secretary for the Fordham Hill Owners Cooperative board, de Blasio backed the shelter project by the Bowery Residents Committee (BRC). The setup is unique: a 200-bed men’s only homeless shelter will double as a 135-unit affordable housing complex for low-income residents. The

At Town Hall Forum, de Blasio Hears Bronx Matters

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s latest town hall in the Bronx once again saw the mayor bring an impromptu, though somewhat scripted, approach, batting around his ambitions while tackling issues of rats, public housing, and crime. The issues were on the minds for those living within the 14th Council District, where the town hall was held. Councilman Fernando Cabrera hosted the forum with de Blasio, with commissioners from key city agencies on tap. The two began the evening offering support for the Bronx community and NYPD following the death of Dr. Tracy Tam in the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital shooting rampage and the

The city is opening a temporary IDNYC center at Norwood’s community center. Representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) will set up an office at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) for the week to get Norwood residents signed up to the city’s official identification card. The card comes with several perks, including 50 percent off prescription medications at participating pharmacies, discount movie theater tickets, and free membership to 35 of the city’s museums. Representatives will be there first thing Monday morning, July 17 through Friday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments are absolutely necessary. To

By DAVID GREENE

More than 10,000 police officers from across the country joined community and family members to say goodbye to slain NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia in a moving ceremony held at World Changers Church on the Grand Concourse, blocks from where she was killed. Familia, a 12-year veteran of the force was shot in the head as she sat inside a mobile command center at the corner of Morris Avenue and East 183d Street in the early morning hours of July 5. The killer, Alexander Bonds, 34, quickly fled the scene but was shot dead by police minutes later. The shooting

Vigil Honors Victims of Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Shooting

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

At Mount Eden Malls in the West Bronx, mourners gathered around a table to write comforting messages on sheets that read, “We stand with Bronx-Lebanon,” a reference to the hospital at a busy part of Grand Concourse. It was at the hospital where former employee Henry Bello opened fire on six employees and killing Dr. Tracy Sin-Yee Tam, on June 30. Union and hospital officials paid respect to her and the victims at a vigil hosted on Thursday. A makeshift memorial was set up complete with pastel pink and yellow flower sprays along with a photo of Dr. Tam hung

Cuts in College Readiness Program Inspire Social Message Video

By DAVID CRUZ

Imani Martinez sat slightly coy as a video bearing her image boomed across the East Dining Room of Lehman College. On screen, Martinez stood confident, revealing moments and milestones that have contributed to her character. “Why must I have to put double the blood, sweat and tears I normally would have to put in order to accomplish my goal? Because I’m poor, Latina and I live in the Bronx,” Martinez, who dreams a career in law enforcement, said. Martinez’s verbal purge, a raw, coming-of-age message chronicled her personal struggles, ambitions, and a love for borough, warts and all. She intertwined

Out & About: Happenings at Van Cortlandt Park

Editor’s Pick: Summer Activities at VC Park Van Cortlandt Park, West 242nd Street and Broadway, offers a variety of summer activities including: Rowboating on VC Lake: Fridays through Sept. 1 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., free. Enter the park at VC Park South and Bailey Avenue. Meet near the lake. Barefoot Dancing: Thursdays through Aug. 3, on the VC House Museum lawn (details under “Events”). Horseback Riding Instruction: Daily lessons by the Riverdale Stables. For more information, visit riverdalestables.com. Fishing: Join the Rangers on Aug. 13 at noon for free fishing program catch and release only. NYS fishing license is required.

Hate Has No Business Here Canvases Jerome-Gun Hill BID

EXPECT TO SEE more signs like this one (inset) located at Anthony’s Famous Deli, 169 E. Gun Hill Rd., hung at stores around the Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District. The Norwood business strip, running along Jerome Avenue between Mosholu Parkway and East Gun Hill Road, and along East Gun Hill Road between Jerome and Webster avenues, joined a campaign dubbed “Hate Has No Business Here” to spread a message of tolerance across Bronx commercial corridors. Photos courtesy Jerome-Gun Hill Business Improvement District

De Blasio to Host Town Hall in the Northwest Bronx

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

Mayor Bill de Blasio will once again host a town hall forum in the Bronx. De Blasio, who is running for re-election, will take questions from folks living within the 14th Council District. Councilman Fernando Cabrera is the presiding councilman there. As usual, he will take questions only from the general public. De Blasio won the Bronx when he ran for mayor the first time out. Those wishing to attend must RSVP by today. The forum is scheduled for July 12 at Creston Academy, 2160 Creston Avenue, at 7 p.m. Residents are asked to come by 6 p.m. To RSVP,