Editorial: Good or Bad, We’ll Have Four More Years of de Blasio

Even in the face of his shady campaign finance practices, alleged pay to play scheme, propensity for exercise during work hours, and now his aggressive plan to place homeless shelters in every neighborhood, there’s a strong chance we will have four more years of Mayor Bill de Blasio after the Sept. 12 primary. This year’s race is what former politics writer and newsman Bob “Kappy” Kappstatter, now working for a Bronx elected, said to the Norwood News: “It’s an election made in heaven for the mayor.” Here’re a couple of reasons why: No recognizable challengers vying for the mayoral seat.

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers if they witnessed last week’s partial solar eclipse and if the hype of the event lived up to their expectations. I watched it, but I really didn’t know what to expect. It was a cool experience since it was my first eclipse and I didn’t have the special glasses, but I did catch a glimpse of it. I just wish I was more prepared because I would have had a better experience. Emily Mensah Foxhurst The eclipse was actually pretty cool. I saw it for less than 30 seconds because I didn’t want to

By REV. JACQUES ANDRE DeGRAFF

Mayor Bill de Blasio has set laudable and ambitious goals for creating jobs and supporting minority- and women-owned businesses across New York City. But these initiatives are now at risk of being undermined by ill-conceived City Council legislation – Intro 1447 – that would significantly change the city’s construction industry. Faith leaders and minority community advocates like myself are extremely concerned that City Council is considering a vote on Intro 1447 as early as September 7. MWBEs were unfairly left out of the discussion around this bill, which apparently went on for over a year without any outreach to our community.

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO

Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen believes our economy is strong. She believes that good jobs are being created and that we don’t want to get too strong because in her opinion, if we do then she has to make interest rates higher- so the economy can cool down. She wants the Fed to start this process, of raising interest rates, as early as September. Yellen, and the Board, have said their number one target would be inflation. According to Yellen, if we go over two percent inflation” then we are going too fast. Well, firstly, I come from the

Dear Fellow Readers, After four weeks on a nice break, the print version of the Norwood News is back with plenty of community news you can use. We begin with page one and some news on a possible homeless shelter arriving to the neighborhood. This hasn’t sit well with residents who want the New York City Department of Homeless Services to reconsider a site on Webster Avenue, directly across the street from a public school. Read about the alternative location DHS is looking at and why it’s a viable and realistic option. We then spend pages two and three talking about

By DAVID CRUZ

Following the city’s announcement to combat rats through a $32 million initiative, this week we asked readers how bad the rat population is across the Bronx. I just saw one run into Van Cortlandt Park and run down a hole. I see them sometimes; they come out of an alley and run onto Gun Hill Road. I do think it’s an epidemic. They say they don’t have enough inspectors, so they should hire some more. It’s ridiculous. There are kids in this park and people enjoying cookouts. It’s a beautiful park, but people see that and they’re afraid to come

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. Our 15th edition of the year runs for four weeks as the Norwood News takes a break from producing its print publication. With that out of the way, we can start with the beginning…and page one! This week we look at illegal barbecues that swept through Mosholu Parkway during the July 4 weekend, and longtime residents rage over NYPD not enforcing the rules along the parkway. We hear from park advocates and police on could be done about it in the near

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,

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, the award-winning publication covering all things Norwood and its surrounding Bronx communities, is out with plenty of news you can use. We start at the beginning, and on page 1. There, we have a story on the battle to preserve the character of Bedford Park and Norwood. A report yet finalized by the all Community Board 7 members was approved by the Land Use/Zoning & Housing Committee. What does this mean for the neighborhood? Read to find out more! Turning to inside-the-cover stories, the Bronx Borough President’s Office has released a