Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Early Voting and the 2020 Presidential Election

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on early voting and the 2020 presidential election.   “I think that the process was very effective, I’m hoping. I watched the press conference of Governor [Andrew] Cuomo, that he’s going forward with this in the future, so I think this was a very effective and efficient way of having this opportunity of early voting. The line was about sixty feet, and I was able to get in and out in twenty minutes. It only took me ten minutes to vote. I think the most critical issue is bringing people together. The divisiveness we’re


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the U.S. Supreme Court Nomination Process

  For our latest print edition, we asked readers for their thoughts on the U.S. Supreme Court justice nomination process.   “I believe the Supreme Court should be expanded, especially if we get too many conservatives on the Supreme Court and not enough moderates. I think there needs to be a balance. Even though justices swear to be neutral, I believe people are swayed by their opinions, how they are raised. You have Catholic judges who’ve had strict Catholic upbringings as being pro-life and that’s a big worry for women, that they will repeal Roe vs. Wade. It shouldn’t even


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Op-Ed: For Anyone Who Feels Forgotten – Vote!

  As a father of three, a husband, and the son of a mother who raised me on her own, I know what it means to care for people. Day in and day out, I care for the students and staff at my job as a porter at St. John’s University, work to put food on the table at my humble West Farms, Bronx apartment, and to make sure my kids have a safe bed to sleep in at night.   Because I care so much, the thought of having, for four more years, a president who clearly doesn’t care


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Op Ed: Financial Focus – How to Clean Up Your Credit Report in Three Steps

Normally, when I have clients that want to discuss their credit score, I first let them know that there are many credit agencies out there, and each one rates you differently.   But, of course the same principle applies at each of them. Your credit score will be good or bad, depending on the interpretation of the people and institutions rating your financial situation. Of course you want your score to be high.   How do we do that? In simple terms, we get a copy of your credit report and clean it up! But, it gets much deeper. I


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Op Ed: Financial Focus, The Products Used to Live Comfortably in Your Retirement Years

In last week’s article, we talked about some basic truths regarding Retirement Planning. We talked about how important it is to save and invest early. We talked about how inflation can eat up your money. We also briefly discussed when is it right to retire and for how long.   This week we will talk about the products one must use to achieve those goals:   Social Security   You already have a retirement product with the government. Yes, 80 percent of Americans are covered by social security. Employers and employees normally pay 50 percent each (8.25 percent) towards an


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Op-Ed: Financial Focus, Are You Ready To Live Comfortably In Your Retirement Years?

By the time you read this, school will have started; many, now virtually. At CUNY, this fall semester, I am teaching Retirement Planning. In our temporary “new world,” this should be a very interesting topic this semester.   But let’s start with a very simple premise.   What is Retirement Planning? For many, it is the objective of achieving financial security and independence. While we all, I am sure, want to achieve a desired financial lifestyle – what many do not understand is that to achieve that future financial independence, one has to be willing to forego a certain sum


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Op-Ed Financial Focus: How Does the City Get Needed Money in this Coronavirus Year?

There is no doubt that New York City needs help.   With a current unemployment rate of 20 percent and City government threatening even more layoffs, the City is going to need increased revenue, quickly.   There was outcry last week when City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson were alleged to have tried to save revenues by savagely cutting many areas of the City budget, an allegation they denied. They said they were looking for federal government assistance first.   In the absence of that, and knowing it might be difficult to get money from the


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Op-Ed: Financial Focus, The Joe Biden Economic Tax Plan

As we get ready to watch the Republican convention and the other side of our democracy, one thing that we cannot forget is what the next president is going to have to deal with, whoever it is: the government is going to need tax money for government revenues when it will try to assist lower paid workers with children.   What is Joe Biden’s plan for this?   1. He wants to make corporate taxes higher. Under his tax plan, the corporate tax rate would be increased to 28 percent, almost a 30 percent increase from where it is now.


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Love Legacy’s “Feed a Thousand” Campaign at Westchester Square

With the current pandemic, economic halt, and growing food shortage foremost in everyone’s mind, members of The Love Legacy Chapel, based at Westchester Square in the Bronx, recently embarked on an ambitious, “Feed a Thousand” campaign, whereby they hope to eventually feed 1,000 hungry Bronxites each week.   According to Pastor Christopher Garcia, the church, located at 2500 St. Raymond’s Avenue, began the program in early July with a half dozen volunteers who handed out some 200 meals consisting of chicken and rice, potato salad, as well as fruits and vegetables.   The church purchases food through donations, and food


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