UPDATE Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on MTA Extending Cash Transaction Elimination at Subway Booths

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on reports that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) may extend the elimination of cash transactions at subway booths, a policy first brought in March 2020 to halt the spread of the coronavirus.   “I don’t think it’s a good idea because a lot of people don’t have the means to acquire a bank card or debit card or credit cards to pay for the subway. How would ending cash transactions make the subway safer? Everyone that has to go somewhere will use the subway, so what would make it safer? I don’t understand how that would


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Expansion of Citi Bike in Bedford Park

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the new Citi Bike stations that have recently popped up across the borough, and are heavily concentrated in Bedford Park.   “I actually came out of the building, and it just appeared there last week. That’s when I noticed it. I’m actually looking forward to using them, and I was just saying to my friend that I think it’s a great use of the space. I do think if you’re going to use these bikes, you definitely should have all the safety gear that you should wear when you’re biking.” Monique Robinson, Bedford Park  


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Deciding Factor when Choosing a New Mayor

  This week, we asked readers what is the main factor that will decide their choice of candidate for New York City mayor – crime, civil rights, housing, other?   “Crime is up in every aspect, as I’m sure you’ve seen all the shootings that have taken place, and I just think Eric Adams is the right man to address the violence, the crime in the subways and also the hate crimes that are taking place.” Rev. Oswald Denis, Mott Haven   “The issues that are most important to me in this election [are] specifically safety in the community, and the


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Norwood News Website Available in Spanish, Bengali, French, Arabic, Chinese & English!

  Dear Readers, In 2020, in acknowledgement of the diverse composition of the local communities the Norwood News serves, we updated our website, www.norwoodnews.org, to allow users to read our site in Spanish, Bengali, Arabic, Chinese and French, using a Google Translate function.   Readers can translate the site from English into each of these languages by selecting the relevant language from the drop-down menu located in the top, right-hand corner of the home page.   As a nonprofit news organization, with limited resources, we decided to include this translation function on our site to help you, our community of readers, access local


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Op-Ed: A Summer of Renewal for our Students

This year has demanded that all New York City families and students do so many things differently—they’ve had to think differently, learn differently, and connect differently with teachers, peers, and the whole school community. At the Department of Education, we know we also have to think differently as we look towards the summer. For the first time ever, we are inviting all students to join us for a free, fun-filled, enriching summer program: Summer Rising.   This year, we will serve any student in grades K-12 in July and August who wants to participate, and I am excited to be


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Unmasking with just 33 Percent of Bronxites Vaccinated

  This week, we asked readers how they felt about unmasking, if fully vaccinated against COVID-19, knowing that the vaccination rate in the Bronx remains the worst in the city. As of May 24, only 33 percent of Bronxites were fully vaccinated, while 40 percent have had one shot.   “Everyone has to wear a mask because you don’t know if the next person has the coronavirus and then they give it to you. No, I can’t trust some people because I don’t know who’s vaccinated. When I’m among people, I wear the mask regardless of vaccinations or not.” Richard


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on President Joe Biden’s First 100 Days in Office

This week, we asked readers for their thoughts on President Joe Biden’s job performance after 100 days in office.   “Well, my expectations were pretty low because I’m old enough to remember Biden through the decades and I’m pleasantly surprised, not because I think he’s had a change of heart, but because conditions have become dire. I think the Trump interregnum was a real wake-up call for – let’s call it – the establishment, our governing pooh-bahs. They realized that they actually have to try and do something while at the same time serving their money-bag overlords. That’s their priority, not


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Op-Ed: Attacks on Synagogues Part of Pattern of Bigotry

As an American Jew, I try hard not to have a persecution complex when it comes to anti-Semitic acts, like last weekend’s attacks on four synagogues in the Fieldston and Riverdale sections of the Bronx, as reported by Norwood News.    However, in retrospect, I view the attacks on these houses of worship as part of a trend that has engulfed our city, our state, and our nation ever since Donald Trump first ran for President of the United States.   Trump successfully used scapegoating, as bigots and self-seeking politicians do, to increase support for his causes and cover up


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UPDATE Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the George Floyd Murder Trial Verdict

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the verdict in the George Floyd murder trial, and if they feel the verdict could be a turning point in police/community relations.   “I don’t think it’s right. The government has to be more careful now, because what they did to George [Floyd] was not right, because there was discrimination. I think we’re all equal, everyone, White and Black and Spanish, all around the country, so I think the police officers have to care a little bit more about what’s going on, and do what they’re supposed to do. The verdict will help,


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