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ORWOODQ EWSQ FREE NVol. 27, No. 8 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION N April 17–30, 2014 Vol 30, No 15 • PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION •JULY 20-AUGUST 16, 2017 ORWOODQ EWSQ NVol. 27, No. 8 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION N April 17–30, 2014

INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: SEE PHOTOS: MUSIC AT WAR ON RATS | PG. 4 BAINBRIDGE GARDEN | PG. 8 BBQ FREE-FOR-ALL CB7 DM Offi cially ON MOSHOLU PKWY. Resigns | pg 2 Activists fume over illegal and excessive July 4th partying on parkway

Fallen Offi cer Laid to Rest | pg 5

Football Club Scores on Youth Development | pg 11 Photo by Adi Talwar ELIZABETH QUARANTA, PRESIDENT of Friends of Mosholu Parkland, spends countless hours keeping beautiful. She called the illegal partying on the parkway on July 4 “chaos.”

By DAVID CRUZ to ensure this doesn’t hap- remain a recurring sight By nightfall on Indepen- Activists are demanding pen next year. on Mosholu Parkway. For dence Day, the inhabitants of answers on how the local Many residents vented years, residents have bat- Mosholu Parkway continued 52nd Precinct could allow il- frustration on Facebook, tled outsiders crashing the partying, with at least one legal barbecues to go on for posting photos of other resi- parkway and pitching their fistfight reported. Sandra hours along Mosholu Park- dents setting up tents, lounge tents for the day. Loud mu- Pabon, a Bedford Park resi- way over the July 4 weekend, chairs and speakers across sic, accompanied by heavy dent and NYPD chaplain, despite the presence of “No Mosholu Parkway. The day drinking is the norm, ac- took to Facebook Live to re- Barbecuing” signs through- after July 4, mounds of trash cording to many residents cord two pit fires. “They’re out parkway. They’ve now can be spotted around the there. Barbecuing is illegal lighting up garbage cans, reached out to local elected leafy mall. on the parkway as there are look at this,” Pabon, narrat- officials and are in the Leftover trash and coal no barbecue pits to safely ing, said. “That’s Mosholu pg 14 stages of planning a meeting ashes the day after July 4 cook food. (continued on page 15) 2 •July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Vol. 30, No. 15 Vol. 27, No. 10 NorwoodVol. 27,News 27, No. No.is 10published 10 bi-weekly on Thursdays by CB7 DM Resigns a Month After Returning MosholuNorwoodNorwood Preservation NewsNews is Corporation ispublished published (MPC) Norwood3400 Reservoir News isOval published East bi-weekly on Thursdays by bi-weeklyBronx, New on ThursdaysYork 10467 by Mosholubi-weekly Preservation on Thursdays Corporation by To Work From Medical Leave MosholuPhone: Preservation 718 324 4998Corporation Mosholu3400 PreservationReservoir Oval EastCorporation 3400Fax: Reservoir 718 324 Oval2917 East By DAVID CRUZ E-mail: [email protected], Reservoir New York 10467Oval East Bronx, New York 10467 Web.:Bronx, www.norwoodnews.org New York 10467 Community Board 7 District Phone: 718 324 4998 Manager (DM) Andrew Sandler Fax: 718 324 2917 Publisher Phone: 718 324 4998 handed in his resignation to the E-mail: [email protected]:Fax: 718 718 324 324 2917 4998 Mosholu Web:Preservation www.norwoodnews.org Corporation board less than a month after re- E-mail: [email protected]: 718 324 2917 ExecutiveE-mail: [email protected] Director of MPC turning from a half year medical Melissa Web:Cebollero www.norwoodnews.org Web: www.norwoodnews.org leave. In what’s become a recurring Publisher CEO, Mosholu Director of MPC theme, this action once again leaves JenniferMosholu Tausig Preservation 3UHVHUYDWLRQ Corporation Corporation the board without a district man- PublisherEditor-in-Chief, NorwoodCEO, News Mosholu PublisherEditor-in-Chief RobertoCEO, S. Mosholu Garcia MosholuDavid Cruz, Preservation [email protected] 3UHVHUYDWLRQ ager. MosholuDavid Cruz Preservation Corporation Corporation3UHVHUYDWLRQ Sandler officially resigned on AccountsCorporation Receivable Corporation Editor-in-ChiefDawn&ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJ McEvoy Roberto S. Garcia July 9, less than one month from the Editor-in-Chief Roberto S. Garcia DavidProofreaderDawn Cruz McEvoy time Adaline Walker-Santiago, the David Cruz Judy$FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOH Noy board chair, announced his return. Dawn McEvoy &ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJRegular Contributors Sandler told the Norwood News that David&ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJProofreader Greene, Adi Talwar he wants to focus on recuperating DawnJudy McEvoy Noy ContributorsDawn McEvoy from his undisclosed medical condi- $FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOH3URGXFWLRQ Miriam Quinones, Dawn$FFRXQWV5HFHLYDEOHNeil McEvoydeMause tion. Walker-Santiago, board mem- WendyDawn McEvoy Joan Biddlecombe, bers and director of community File Photo ProofreaderReggie5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUV Francois, Devin Dae Tucker ANDREW SANDLER David Greene, Adi Talwar boards for Borough Pres- JudyProofreader Noy JudyInterns Noy ident’s Office, Thomas Lucania, 3URGXFWLRQShaylaFor Love,Display Paolo Mossetti, Advertising Justin McCallum, were alerted to his resignation. ployed since 2013. He was hired af- city agencies. They also hear and Neil3URGXFWLRQand deMause ChelseaCall George(718) 324-4998 Neil deMause The news also ends the tumultu- ter Dustin Engelken, the previous attempt to resolve resident com- 5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUVFor display advertising, call (718) 324-4998. ous relationship between Sandler district manager, resigned in Oc- plaints as per the duties outlined in David5HJXODU&RQWULEXWRUV Greene, Adi Talwar and Walker-Santiago. Sandler was tober 2015. Engelken’s predecessor a district manager’s job description. SupportDavidSupport Greene, Your Adi Talwar InternsCommunity Newspaper! placed on probation in September was Socrates Caba, who held the Sandler had experience on these ShaylaInternsCommunity Love, Paolo Newspaper! Mossetti, Justin McCallum, The Norwood NewsLVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE- 2016 for what board members said post from June 2013 until his res- fronts, serving as the director for andTheShayla NorwoodChelsea Love, News George Paolo is a Mossetti,not-for-profi Justin t publication McCallum, andlication reliesChelsea and upon relies George the upon support the support of itsof itsadvertisers was overextending his powers as ignation in December of that year. constituent services for Council- advertisers and readers to produce a quality and readers to produce a quality community district manager. Sources had told Before Caba’s tenure, Fernando man Andrew Cohen before landing Fornewspaper.community display advertising, newspaper.To support To call yoursupport (718) paper, your 324-4998. paper, become aFor memberbecome display a andmember advertising, receive and receive a call subscription (718)a subscription 324-4998. for one the Norwood News at the time that Tirado served as district manager the role of district manager. for one year. Supportyear. Your the probation was really payback until he resigned in 2013. The resig- As in each instance before, the Support Your against Sandler for alerting the nations were unlike what CB7 had board will organize a so-called CommunitySimplySimply mail mail check Newspaper! or or money money order order for $40 for $40 to: NorwoodCommunityto: Norwood News, News, 3400Newspaper! 3400 ReservoirReservoir Oval Oval East, East, Bronx Borough President’s Office seen before. For decades, Rita Kes- Personnel Committee to begin the TheBronx, Norwood NY 10467. News LVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE- licationBronx,The Norwood NYand 10467. relies News uponLVDQRWIRUSURÀWSXE the support of its - of inappropriate actions by Walk- sler served as CB7’s district man- search for a new district manager. licationNorwood and News relies is not upon responsible the support for typo of- its er-Santiago. A spokesman for the ager before retiring in 2007. With the board in recess until Sep- advertisersNorwood News and readers is not responsible to produce fora quality advertisersgraphical errors. and readersOpinions expressedto produce in signed a quality communitytypographical newspaper. errors. Opinions To support expressed your paper, in Bronx Borough President’s Office CB7 covers Norwood, Bedford tember, the process could begin communityletters and bylinednewspaper. columns To represent support the your sole paper, becomesigned letters a member and bylinedand receive columns a subscription represent said at the time that Walker-Santi- Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Ford- later that month and run until the becomeopinion aof memberthe author and arereceive not necessarily a subscription forthe thoseone sole year.of opinion Mosholu ofPreservation the author Corporations and are not ago was counseled. ham and University Heights. When end of the year. Typical searches necessarilyfor one year. those of Mosholu Preservation RU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHS- Still, Walker-Santiago said she is the board convenes in September, 18 last four to six months. Commu- SimplyCorporationresent mail the views check or Montefi of theor moneyeditor ore and/or orderMedical publisher for Center.$40 Editorials represent the views of the editor “going to miss [Sandler].” “I’m go- new members will be added to the nity boards normally place a help to:Simply only.Norwood The mail newspaper checkNews, or3400 reserves money Reservoir the order right toforOval limit $40 East, only.to:or Norwood refuse The newspaper advertising News, it3400 deemsreserves Reservoir objectionable. the right Oval East, ing to be praying for him,” she said. fold. wanted ad, then conduct two inter- Bronx,to limit NYor refuse10467. advertising it deems Bronx,Advertisements NY 10467. appearing in this paper cannot Lucania will assume the duties The DM vacancy will likely slow views with candidates before choos- objectionable.be used without Advertisements the written permission appearing of Nor- Norwoodin thiswood paper News. News Letterscannot is not to be theresponsible usededitor arewithout subject for typo - of CB7 DM, a role he’s undertaken response time on constituent mat- ing a district manager. graphicaltheNorwoodto written condensation errors.News permission andisOpinions not editing. responsible of theWritersexpressed Norwood should for intypo signed- four times at the board in recent ters for those living within CB7’s The full board votes on the dis- News.graphicalLQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ Letters errors. to Opinionsthe editor expressed are subject in tosigned letters and bylined columns represent the sole years. Sandler is indeed the fourth borders. District managers serve trict manager. “It’s going to take condensationlettersAnonymous and bylined letters and are editing.columns not published Writers represent but should your the sole opinioninclude oftheir the affi author liation and or are special not necessarily interest if district manager the board has em- as a liaison between the board and time,” Walker-Santiago said. opinionname canof the be withheld author ifand requested. are not necessarily thoseany. Anonymous of Mosholu lettersPreservation are not Corporations published RU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHSbutthose your of Mosholuname can Preservation be withheld Corporations upon - resentrequest.RU0RQWHÀRUH0HGLFDO&HQWHU(GLWRULDOVUHS the views of the editor and/or publisher- Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a only.resent The the newspaper views of the reserves editor and/or the right publisher to limit only.QRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUH The newspaper reserves the right to limit Norwood News Takes Break, Returns Aug. 17 or refuseMedical advertisingCenter. it deems objectionable. Advertisementsor refuse advertising appearing it deems in this objectionable. paper cannot beMosholuAdvertisements used without Preservation theappearing written Corporation inpermission this paper is a of non-cannot Nor- As has been the case for years, the Norwood down. We will be producing original content on profibe used t support without corporation the written permissionof Montefi oreof Nor- wood News. Letters to the editor are subject News will be taking a summer break from its print our website, www.norwoodnews.org. As usual, Medicalwood News. Center. Letters to the editor are subject to condensation and editing. Writers should edition. The current issue runs through Aug. 16, please send tips and story ideas to editor-in-chief, LQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\to condensation and editing. Writers should LQFOXGHWKHLUDIÀOLDWLRQRUVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWLIDQ\ with a brand new edition slated to come out on David Cruz, at [email protected] or Anonymous letters are not published but your Aug. 17. [email protected]. nameAnonymous can be letters withheld are if not requested. published but your name can be withheld if requested. It doesn’t mean the paper is completely shut

Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a QRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUHMosholu Preservation Corporation is a MedicalQRWSURÀWVXSSRUWFRUSRUDWLRQRI0RQWHÀRUH Center. Medical Center. July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News • 3 At Town Hall Forum, de Blasio Hears Bronx Matters

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER cized Cabrera’s handling of it. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s latest town “Cabrera called on everyone that hall in the Bronx once again saw him he funded and knew by first name, bring an impromptu, though somewhat not anyone from the community,” said scripted, approach, batting around his Fordham Heights resident Darney “K. ambitions while tackling issues of rats, Born” Rivers. “It was a ‘friends hall,’ public housing, and crime. not town hall.” The issues were on the minds for Rivers and others had stormed out those living within the 14th Council of the town hall without asking ques- District, where the town hall was held. tions. Councilman Fernando Cabrera hosted In a statement, Cabrera defended the forum with de Blasio, with commis- the style of the forum, arguing that sioners from key city agencies on tap. “98 percent of people who raised their The two began the evening offering hands were covered.” support for the Bronx community and Cabrera added, “Cards were given

NYPD following the death of Dr. Tracy Photo by Devin Dae Tucker to all who came and their issues will Tam in the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital MAYOR BILL DE Blasio speaks for nearly three hours at the town hall forum in the be followed up by the mayor’s office shooting rampage on June 30 and the Bronx. whether they raised their hands or fatal shooting of Police Officer Mioso- not, because we are looking to be solu- tis Familia on July 5. don’t like rats,” de Blasio quipped. De Blasio quickly responded, de- tion-focused.” “We go through these tragedies and After outlining plans for the city, claring, “There is no privatization of Still, residents were grateful de Bla- we get so angry, so pained. We also see guests raised questions on crime, NYCHA.” sio holding the discussion in their com- a lot of what’s so good about this com- homelessness, and the “I’ll get even closer to you,” de Bla- munity. munity, and about this city that shine Housing Authority. The Housing Au- sio joked, now face to face with the “I appreciate it was even in the through,” de Blasio told the crowd in- thority stood as the most talked about guest. “People like to say there is priva- Bronx. I feel that the Bronx has been side Creston Academy on July 12. topic from a weary public. tization but cannot back it up with the ignored for some time,” said Vivian Or- During the town hall, de Blasio an- “What are you going to do to stop facts. Every NYCHA building is pub- tiz of Fordham Manor. “[The mayor] is nounced “a war against rats,” which he the privatization of NYCHA, and why licly owned on public land, and it will very attentive to our needs and wants, claims can unite New Yorkers. “Thank are you allowing it?” a guest and board remain that way.” and having this town hall meant a lot to you, Lord,” one lady shouted. member of Bailey Houses in the Kings- Despite the open forum setting, one the Fordham section and Kingsbridge. “If you’re a real New Yorker, you bridge area, asked. group attending the town hall criti- It was about time; it was overdue.” 4 •July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER By DAVID GREENE 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 There are a lot of rats around here, The rat problem is defi nitely an When I take the trains I do see rats, but It’s possibly an epidemic, but it’s a Park and run down a hole. I see them they cross the street right there. It is an epidemic. I see them in the subways, I don’t see them on the street, so I don’t species of animal that’s going to be sometimes; they come out of an alley epidemic. I see them along the Grand on the streets. It’s pretty bad. The know. Defi nitely [I see them] on the D hard to eliminate. I don’t see them and run onto . I do think Concourse when I take the bus. They D train is horrible over here on train and along the . every day, but we see them, mostly on it’s an epidemic. They say they don’t have to put out more poison. Kingsbridge; they’ll run right over I’ve never seen them on the number 4 the trains. have enough inspectors, so they your feet on the platform. I’d rather train or out here. It’s a big shock to me Joey P Eleanor Berlman that it is a big epidemic out here. should hire some more. It’s ridiculous. see cats than rats. As long as the cats Mt. Hope There are kids in this park and people Norwood aren’t being mistreated, I don’t see Ronald Rojas enjoying cookouts. It’s a beautiful a problem with it. I’ve noticed where Foxhurst park, but people see that and they’re there are a lot of cats and urine…it’s a afraid to come out. deterrent to the rats. Michael Elliott Ogoby Gonzalez Norwood Crotona Park

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES

Resolve Warrants another’s work. Partici- for children age 19 and Track and field sports Housing Assistance The Bronx District pants are asked to bring under is available until activities are held Tues- Free housing assis- Attorney’s office holds paper and pen/pencil as Sept. 1 at public schools, days and Thursdays tance on topics relating a workshop on resolving there will be a writing community pool centers, through Aug. 9, for chil- to tenant harassment, outstanding summons prompt. For more in- New York City Housing dren ages 5 to 8 from 9:30 denial of repairs/ser- warrants to clear one’s formation, email Anne Authority complexes, li- to 10:30 a.m., and for ages vices, evictions, over- criminal record at East- Leighton at Anne@An- braries and other loca- 9 to 17 from 10:30 a.m. to chargers, and more chester Presbyterian neLeighton.com. tions around the city. No noon. For more informa- are available at the of- Church, 3154 Fish Ave. registration, documen- tion and to register, call fice of Assemblyman (corner of East Gun Hill Bx. _BP Constituent tation, or ID is required (718) 760-6999. Victor Pichardo every Road) on Aug. 5 from 9 Services to receive breakfast or Thursday from 11 a.m. a.m. to 4 p.m. Defense at- The Bronx Borough lunch. Nearest school Bird Walks to 3 p.m. at 2175 Jerome torneys will be available President’s Office offers location is PS 8, 3010 Free bird walk tours, Ave., Suite C. For more to help resolve summons constituent services to Briggs Ave. Breakfast is sponsored by Council- information, call (718) warrants that include address housing, im- 8 to 9:15 a.m. and lunch man Andrew Cohen 933-6909. loitering, noise viola- migration, sanitation, from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. with guides provided by tion, littering, and/or neighborhood safety For additional locations the New York City Audu- Farmers Market disorderly conduct. For complaints, and other and times, go to http:// bon Society and Van NYC Health + Hos- more information, call quality of life issues. bit.ly/UuevOA. Cortlandt Park Conser- pitals holds a farmers (718) 590-2272. Schedule is weekdays 9 vancy, are scheduled market near NYC Health a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thurs- Free Sports Activities for July 22 and 29 from + Hospitals/North Cen- Norwood Writers Club days to 6 p.m. For more Kids ages 5 to 17 can 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Van tral Bronx the corner of The Norwood Bronx information and to make register to learn the ba- Cortlandt Park Conser- Mosholu Parkway and Writers Group meets on an appointment, call sics of sports, from hur- vancy. Meet at the VC every July 25 at 7 p.m. at Wil- (718) 590-3554. dles and relay races, to Nature Center. For more Wednesday from 8 a.m. liamsbridge Oval Recre- long jump, shot put and information, contact Jo- to 4 p.m. through Nov. ation Center. Writers can Free Summer Meals the javelin throw, at Wil- seph McManus at mc- 22. For more informa- share and critique one Free summer meals liamsbridge Oval Park. [email protected]. tion, call 311. July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News • 5 Thousands Mourn Slain Officer Miosotis Familia By DAVID GREENE More than 10,000 police officers from across the country joined com- munity and family members to say goodbye to slain NYPD Officer Mio- sotis 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 183rd 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 touched an emotional nerve among police officers process- ing just why Familia, 48, was killed randomly. Mayor Bill de Blasio, speak- Photo by Miriam Quinones ing at the ceremony, said Familia was SEA OF BLUE. Officers from across the country line up on the Grand Concourse in the Fordham Heights section to pay respects killed “because she wore a uniform.” to fallen NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia. “She was murdered while acting as an agent of peace,” de Blasio said. “And played in the street,” Figueroa said. “I tion. A caravan of officers led the limo we’ve watched with horror these at- had to come here today for her.” Inside the service, Police Commis- carrying Familia to Woodlawn Cem- tacks on our police, here in this city Figueroa, tears streaming down sioner James O’Neill spoke directly to etery, where she was buried. and all around our country. But in her face, added, “[Cops are] just doing Familia’s surviving children, telling Familia leaves behind daughter fact, brothers and sisters, hermanos y their jobs in the community and they them, “Nothing I could say could bring Genesis, 20, and 12-year-old twins hermanas, we must end it.” took her away from us.” your mom back. But I can make you a Delilah and Peter. Outside the church, Michelle Val- Chaplin Kim Graves of the New promise: Your mom didn’t die in vain. Editor’s Note: More photos of the dez, a retired member of the NYPD York State Chaplin Task Force, which Your mom’s legacy will never fade funeral can be found on the Norwood News and former midnight officer at the 46th works closely with the NYPD, was from the importance of memory.” Facebook page. Precinct, said Familia “was an engag- frustrated when she said, “I believe O’Neill posthumously promoted ing person because she would literally they need to bring back stop and frisk. Familia to detective first-grade. look at you and ask how you were do- That was the biggest mistake when ing.” they stopped it.” Carmen Figueroa, a longtime Ford- “[I]t’s gotten worse since they Vigil for Bx.-Lebanon Victims ham Heights resident and member of stopped it and if they don’t bring it the 46th Precinct Community Council, back, it’s going to get worse,” Graves cried as she recalled Familia. “She was added. The stop and frisk method con- a great woman who came into our com- tinues, though it’s not as aggressively munity and talked to the children who utilized under the current administra-

Photo by Devin Dae Tucker AN ARRAY OF well wishes for victims of the shooting rampage at Bronx-Leb- anon Hospital were on display at a vigil held July 6 on the Grand Concourse at Photo by Miriam Quinones East 173rd Street. Read a full-length article by Reggie Francois at www.nor- A PORTRAIT OF fallen NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia stands on an easel outside woodnews.org. World Changers Church in Fordham Heights. 6 •July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News As Shelter-Housing Rises, Fordham Hill Shareholders Mobilize

By DAVID CRUZ Miller-Bradshaw, emphasizing that Mayor Bill de Blasio might lose she and the board are not anti-home- hundreds of votes from shareholders less. “It’s just the adult male aspect is of a Fordham cooperative after tell- really concerning to people. It’s con- ing its representatives at a town hall cerning to me as a woman.” that an impending homeless shelter/ Though shareholders felt blind- affordable housing development just sided, the project has long been in blocks from their home will be there the public eye. Community Board 7’s to stay. Land Use/Zoning & Housing Commit- In an exchange with Chad Royer, tee presided over a presentation from secretary for the Fordham Hill Own- Muzzy Rosenblatt, executive direc- ers Cooperative board of sharehold- tor of BRC, at a November 2014 meet- ers, de Blasio backed the shelter ing. CB7 ultimately voted against the project by the Bowery Residents Com- proposal. As in every case, CB7’s vote mittee (BRC). The setup is unique: a is simply advisory. It cannot blunt a

200-bed men’s only homeless shelter Photo by Miriam Quinones project based on its recommendation. will double as a 135-unit affordable FORDHAM HILL COOPERATIVE Board of directors, including (l-r) Board secretary Still, Calderon wished more com- housing complex for low-income resi- Chad Royer, Board President Myrna Calderon and Board Vice President Rachel Miller- munity input could have been given. dents. The site is a block and a half Bradshaw “Fordham Hill has been a stabiliz- from the 72-year cooperative that’s ing force in this community,” Calde- home to several hundred residents. with a significant homeless popula- Royer, who attended the town hall ron said. “If people start moving out, I In his 2013 election, de Blasio had won tion, said. “And we’re gonna do that with Board President Myrna Calde- don’t know what’s going to happen in 189 votes in the precinct overlapping in every part of this city, and it’s ulti- ron and Board Vice President Rachel this community.” with Fordham Hill, aligning with his mately going to be in proportion to the Miller-Bradshaw characterized the In a statement, Rosenblatt said, overall win of the Bronx. population.” mayor’s stance as dismissive. “Much of what we all read and hear “[W]e have an obligation in ev- Royer tried to counter de Blasio’s “It was very disrespectful for Mr. about homelessness and home- ery community to take care of folks answers but was immediately shot de Blasio at the very least not to an- less shelters is indeed concern- who’ve come upon hard times, who down. swer the question,” said Royer, who ing. That is precisely why we at want to get back on their feet,” de Bla- “It’s not a back and forth. I’ve an- asked de Blasio whether his adminis- BRC are building this facility. We sio, a staunch Democrat grappling swered your question,” de Blasio said. tration considers the potential drop of know that shelters can be better, property values when placing shelters that how a program is run mat- in neighborhoods Ironically, Council- ters more than what it is, and that man Fernando Cabrera, who recently there is a need for improvement in moved into the complex, hosted the how these services are provided in town hall. Though he remained pub- our City; indeed, this is at the core Shop Fordham Road licly silent on the issue, Cabrera has of Mayor de Blasio’s plan to change been praised by shareholders for fa- and improve the shelter system.” “THE OUTDOOR MALL EXPERIENCE” cilitating meetings between the 52nd A spokesperson for DHS, the agency Precinct and BRC. Calderon and oth- that will refer homeless clients to ers toured the site and were not im- the Fordham Landing site, said it pressed, labeling it an eyesore that’s looks “forward to welcoming neigh- “built like a prison.” In a statement, bors to this innovative mixed-use Cabrera didn’t completely address site that will provide New Yorkers where he stood on the shelter. with both affordable and tempo- A petition has now circulated rary housing opportunities, includ- across the Fordham complex and the ing giving Bronxites experiencing surrounding neighborhood demand- homelessness the opportunity to ing BRC reconsider the men’s only be sheltered closer to their support OVER 300 shelter for one that will accommodate networks and community they call homeless seniors, Vietnam veterans, home as they work to stabilize their SPECIALTY SHOPS or domestic abuse survivors. The lives.” BRC development, partially financed The spokesperson added, AND CHAINS by the New York City Department of “[W]e’re confident that our clients Homeless Services (DHS), is at the will be warmly welcomed to the Furniture • Home Improvement tail end of construction. It’s settled neighborhood—and that, together, Clothing • Jewelery • Shoes on a residential lot at 233 Landing Rd. with support and compassion, we Electronics • Discount Outlets that’s near a nightclub, Dallas BBQ, will make this the best experience it Cell Phones • Games, and storage facility. can be for these individuals as they F Accessories • Offi ce Supplies Board members have found sup- get back on their feet.” FORDHAM ROAD And Many Fast Food Restaurants port from other shareholders, who De Blasio said the development is BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT have also forwarded letters and emails expected to open in October. For more information contact (718) 562-2104 Acccessible By All outraged over the development, Mill- Editor’s Note: More news on NYC Mass Transportation er-Bradshaw said. “They are fright- the town hall forum can be found on Parking Facilities Available ened and concerned and scared,” said page 3. July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News • 7 NEWS BRIEFS by DEVIN DAE TUCKER

Bank Fraud last seen wearing a baseball cap, gray Police are asking the public’s help T-shirt and white sneakers at the time in identifying a man wanted (pictured of the incident. Anyone with informa- below) for suspicious activity on an el- tion is asked to call Crime Stoppers at derly man’s bank account. On May 8, (800) 577-8477. All calls are kept confi- the perpetrator, who is described as a dential. black man, 25 to 30 years old, deposited a duplicate check of an undisclosed amount to be withdrawn from the vic- tim’s account. Anyone with informa- tion is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-8477. All calls are kept confi- dential.

Justice for Slain Shelter Director West Spruill, 41, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the first-degree murder of a homeless shelter director. Spruill Bronx Children’s Museum fatally shot Ana Charle, 36, after sexu- Ten years in the making, the Bronx ally assaulting the victim. Charle tried Children’s Museum is finally coming to escape but was killed. Charle was to Mill Pond Park. The nearly $16 mil- the director of the Bronx Boulevard lion project officially broke ground on Men’s Shelter, where Spruill had re- July 12, and is to be located at 1 E. 150th sided until January 2015. Spruill was St. (also known as 725 Exterior St.) in also charged with two counts of sec- Concourse. The Bronx is currently ond-degree Criminal Possession of a the only borough without a children’s Weapon. museum and is expected to target roughly 250,000 children.The project is Street Renaming expected to be completed by the end of Mario Borgatti, a Bronx pasta-mak- 2018. ing legend, officially has a street re- named after him at the corner of East Cell Phone Thief Wanted 187th Street and Hughes Avenue in Bel- Police are looking for a man (pic- mont. Borgatti, who died in 2014 at the tured right)who allegedly stole a Sam- age of 97, spent nearly eight decades op- sung Galaxy phone valued at $250. The erating Borgatti’s Ravioli and Egg Noo- victim was placing an order at the win- dles in the Bronx’s Little Italy. Known dow of Liberato Restaurant on June for his service and generosity, Borgatti 21, when the man snatched his phone fought in WWII in the U.S. Navy and and quickly fled. The suspected thief regularly used his shop to help feed the is described as a 6’1” Hispanic male hungry. His son, Chris, now operates

TO REPORT A STORY TO THE NORWOOD NEWS, CALL US AT 718-324-4998 8 •July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News Music at Bainbridge Garden Photos by Wendy Joan Biddlecombe. The Bainbridge Avenue Garden, at 2974 Bainbridge Ave. between 201st Street and Bedford Park Boulevard, opened its gates on July 15 to a free event, Bronx Music Garden, that included live music, a barbecue and prizes. This was Bronx Music Garden’s third oc- curence, and is sponsored by Bronx Council on the Arts, Green Arts Brigade, Friends of Mosholu Parkland and Bronx Green-Up.

(L-R) DJs Marc “DJ Slick” Sanchez, Omar “Morsy” Morsy, (L-R) COMMUNITY RESIDENTS MADELINE Brito, Daisy Delarosa, and Rob “DJ Nique” German. Morsy looks to “break the ste- and Amber Arias strike a pose at the Bainbridge Avenue Garden. reotype of what people think” of the Bronx through the Bronx Music Garden.

DAISY DELAROSA (R) and Amber Arias explore the Bainbridge Avenue Garden.

SCIENTISTS SAY MUSIC can help vegetables grow. These to- matoes certainly got plenty of it during the event.

DJ SLICK WORKS the turntable at the Bainbridge Avenue Garden.

ATTENDEES STROLL ABOUT the Bainbridge Avenue Garden. July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News • 9 Quarter of Stores in Key Norwood Strips Vacant. Why?

By REGGIE FRANCOIS Mickey Burke catered to the once booming Irish population in Norwood with Keltic Connec- tions for 20 years. His business was at 282 E. 204th St. With rent increases and a decline of cus- tomers interested in Celtic cul- ture, Burke did not see the point of keeping his brick-and-mortar store open. He became a street vendor. “The neighborhood population has changed,” said Burke. “And businesses can’t beat the higher rent. A new store opens up and, two years later, they’re out.” In the space of three years, store closures have been some- thing of a norm along East 204th Street and its adjoining street, Bainbridge Avenue. Most re- cently, V.I.M., a clothing and shoe store at 3083 Bainbridge Ave., Photo by Reggie Francois closed in June. Outside, a vendor MCDWYER’S PUB AT 331 E. 204th St. closed in September. It was a staple in Norwood for 50 years. sells clothes and accessories out of boxes. A block and a half down, dental clinic and several other that we’re bringing in retailers an impasse when tenants are un- the popular Beso Lounge night- stores in October 2009. It was that we know that people want to willing to take on new terms and club closed in May. Last Septem- one of three fires that happened shop at so we can hopefully avoid the two parties cannot move for- ber, McDwyer’s Pub at 331 E. on the strip that year, which the high turnover.” ward with lease negotiations. 204th St. closed after five decades took several years to rebuild. In addition to these standstills of operation, etched in neighbor- Longtime residents worried that Rising Rents between tenants and landlords, hood history alongside Burke’s chains would soon replace the Some business owners and online shopping sites, such as business. neighborhood stores. It did: the managers along East 204th Street Amazon, drive shoppers’ deci- In the same vein, chains and V.I.M. store, which just closed. and Bainbridge Avenue, who did sion to use the Internet for buying banks are replacing locally- not want to disclose their names, merchandise, given the compara- owned stores like pharmacies Empty Storefronts put the blame of empty storefronts tively cheaper prices. and diners, while creating a According to city data, there on high rents. And with increased “You’re seeing a lot of these quick turnover in the area. are a total of 127 legally operat- retail rents on currently open Internet-based, e-commerce com- Millie Clavell, a resident of ing businesses on East 204th and stores, a rolling-snowball effect panies taking over a lot of retail Norwood up until last year, has Bainbridge Avenue, and along begins, causing a jump in retail assets and taking them out of the noticed this trend. A longtime the Jerome-Gun Hill Business prices, and loyal customers look- real estate business,” said Gold. manager of the now closed Freil- Improvement District. The large ing for something cheaper else- ich Jewelers at 312 E. 204th St., commercial strip runs on Je- where. Fighting Back Clavell has seen what she calls rome Avenue between Mosholu “Even when I go to the store, I Outside entities like Take an apparent change in the last 15 Parkway and East Gun Hill Road ask how much a two-liter bottle of Back NYC, a non-profit that looks years. “How many barber shops and along East Gun Hill Road be- soda is, and they say $3.99,” said to preserve the small business and nail salons do you need?” tween Jerome and Webster ave- Michael Martinez of Fordham landscape across the city, have said Clavell. “It’s one after the nues. Thirty-three of those store- Heights, who comes to Norwood to enlisted help from lawmakers to other. It’s going downhill from fronts, or roughly 26 percent, are visit Williamsbridge Oval Park. forge a stronger small business here.” empty, with “For Rent” signs on “It’s too expensive.” community. For years the group The former jewelry shop’s display. “[L]andlords understand that has unsuccessfully lobbied the owner, Allan Freilich, closed the The empty storefronts at the [with] the retail [space] they have, New York City Council in passing business after he could not reach BID have stood on the mind of they could be getting a good rent the Small Business Jobs Survival a renewal lease agreement with Jennifer Tausig, executive di- and are looking for higher rents,” Act, designed to guarantee a min- his landlord. The store closed af- rector of the BID, who intends to said Jason Gold, director of in- imum 10-year lease to commercial ter 80 years in business. reverse the trend there. “We’re vestment sales at Ariel Proper- tenants. Yet the bill has always Among the turning points on going to be doing a community- ties, “maybe a three percent bump been buried in committee. Bainbridge Avenue’s commercial needs assessment within [Mon- for the tenants to be paying their “Nothing is being done,” said landscape, Clavell recalled, was tefiore Hospital] and also in the proportionate share of expenses.” Kirsten Theodos, a spokesperson the five-alarm fire at the inter- residential buildings within the Gold said these expenses can for Take Back NYC. “Mom and section of Bainbridge Avenue and BID,” said Tausig. “And then include water or electric bills and pop [business] survival is the is- East 204th Street that destroyed a we’re going to use that data to repairs. He believes most commer- sue. This is a morality issue, bakery, fish store, butcher shop, work with brokers to make sure cial tenants and landlords come to too.” 10 •July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News MEDIA TRIFECTA HEALTH CHECK Norwood News, WFUV, BronxNet Combine Resources to Bring Series on Development Breastfeeding: Three Bronx media outlets have nalism; trains the university’s next forged an alliance to cover a singular generation of multimedia profession- Simpler Than You Think topic impacting the borough. als through educational programs The Norwood News, WFUV radio, and practical experience; and contrib- By TIANA TURNER the first hour of delivery is a great and BronxNet Television will present utes to New York City, its hometown, Have you noticed more women way to kick off breastfeeding. a four-part series on development and through community engagement and breastfeeding their babies over Always wash your hands before current rezoning efforts, and how they public service. the last few years? Yes, we have breastfeeding. Don’t get discour- affect Bronx residents. The Norwood News was founded in “We’re thrilled to work with these 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corpo- too, and we’re really happy about aged about how little milk you are media institutions,” David Cruz, edi- ration. It began as a bi-monthly news- it. Since 2011, breastfeeding rates producing in the first few days. A tor-in-chief of the Norwood News¸ said. paper that eventually settled as a bi- have been on the rise in the U.S, newborn baby’s stomach is only “Putting Bronx issues to the forefront weekly covering Norwood, Bedford reflecting a growing recognition the size of a marble! stands as a quintessential driver in Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham, of the value of mother’s milk. Using a breast pump can help what our local media institutions do so and University Heights. Over the last well. We hope that increasing the expo- few years the paper has been recog- Why breastfeed? Breast milk stimulate even more milk, which sure threefold can influence the think- nized for numerous honors, most re- is best for your baby. Some of the you can then store and give to the ing of our local lawmakers.” cently by the New York Press Club for benefits include: baby at a later time. Breast milk WFUV student reporters Andrew Community Coverage. • Breastfed babies are often can be kept frozen for four to six Seger, Diana Nelson, Jake Shore, and BronxNet television is the not-for- healthier. • Breast milk is filled months. Thaw it at room tempera- Julia Rist, will produce news articles, profit 501(c)3 media network of the radio wraps, and video packages for people of the Bronx, providing pub- with vitamins and nutrients your ture or in the fridge, but never in a each of their topics. They will debut on lic services including award winning baby needs to boost his/her im- microwave. Aug. 17, running in each outlet. local television programming, ac- mune system. It also improves Breastfeed when your baby “WFUV is super excited to be col- cess to technology, studios, and chan- your baby’s brain development. is hungry; don’t try to stick to a laborating with the Norwood News and nels, with workforce development op- • Breastfed babies are less likely schedule. Your baby knows when BronxNet to delve into development is- portunities for middle, high school sues in the Bronx,” George Bodarky, and college students. The Bronx- to get infections and to develop he or she is hungry. program director for WFUV, said. Net studios are located on the beauti- asthma, some cancers, diabetes Keeping track of the number of “The borough is undergoing rapid ful campus of Lehman College and in and Sudden Infant Death Syn- wet diapers can reassure you that change and this project will allow us to the East Bronx at Mercy College in drome (SIDS). your baby is getting enough milk. dig deep into what that means for the the Hutch Metro Center. Michael Max • Breastfeeding helps with your Nursing should not hurt. Pain future of Bronxites. The project will Knobbe serves as executive director of help to hold decision-makers account- BronxNet. own weight loss and helps your is a sign that your baby has not able, while making sure local residents “This collaboration will help stu- body recover faster from preg- latched on properly. If the pain have their voices heard and are well- dents develop the skills they will need nancy and labor. Breastfeeding continues after one minute into informed about what’s happening in to enter a multimedia digital world can burn 300 to 500 calories a day! feeding, break the suction by plac- their communities.” that is ever changing,” Marisa M. • Breastfeeding saves time and ing your pinky finger gently in the WFUV, the noncommercial, lis- White, director of creative services for tener-supported public media service BronxNet, said. “We at BronxNet are money. Unlike formula, breast corner of the baby’s mouth and re- of , champions committed to training, educating and milk is always the right tempera- latch baby. music discovery and fosters apprecia- preparing our young people to enter ture, no bottle is needed, and it’s Always bring the baby to the tion of our diverse musical heritage. professions in mass media. This col- FREE! breast, never the breast to the WFUV showcases a curated, eclectic laboration will only strengthen our • Breastfeeding helps you bond baby. blend of rock, roots and world music, efforts as we continue to build and from emerging, indie, and established develop our media partnerships and with your baby. When in doubt ask for help! artists. It offers a rich mixture of live serve our community.” Speak to a nurse or lactation con- performances, interviews, and jour- Getting Started sultant. You are not alone! Breastfeeding is a skill; it may For more information on breast- take some practice and determi- feeding, contact Tiana Turner nation. [email protected]. Breastfeeding can start as soon Source: Montefiore Health Sys- as the baby is born. Placing the tem’s Office of Community and Pop- baby’s skin with your skin within ulation Health

Have you or someone you know recently been the victim of mail shing? If so, the Norwood News wants to hear from you. Email David Cruz at [email protected] or Photo by Reggie Francois call (718) 324-4998. MEET THE TEAM behind the four-part series on development in the Bronx stand- ing in front of the Keeper’s House, offi ces of the Norwood News. Bronx DA to Investigate NYPD Shooting Death of Unarmed Senior July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News • 11 Norwood Football Club Scores on Youth Development By DEVIN DAE TUCKER determine how well students are do- For the Bronx Buccaneers, a Nor- ing. wood-based youth football program, Life coaching is a common practice the mission means more than the for Leslie Alvira, assistant general game. manager and Norwood resident. “The In the last 11 years, the club has kids are staying off the street and can found itself functioning more as a ve- be productive and have a place to go,” hicle for cultivating the lives of young she noted. “The best part is being so athletes, and espousing life lessons close [to Norwood] and seeing them intended to enhance critical thinking outside of football. I go hard on them and athletic abilities. about being involved, doing positive The program throws a veil on the stuff and staying out of trouble.” students, general manager Tasha Indeed, staffers have firsthand Andrews admits proudly, saying the knowledge of what could happen if sport is used to “develop responsibil- players go down the wrong path. One ity and focus” for the program’s boys former player become involved with and girls. gang activities after leaving the Bucs Andrews calls the program a and was arrested for his connection to bridge that brings players “together a murder. “Up until that point [when and to focus on creating young men he left], there were no issues with who are going to be active and posi- him,” Andrews said. “It was one of tive members in society; to have love our biggest heartaches.” for their community; to have pride An ongoing issue the Bucs face at in where they come from and to have the Oval is practicing with subpar unity.” lighting, forcing the team to move to And even in the face of seasonal DeWitt Clinton High School and to hurdles (the team occasionally prac- Evander Childs Educational Complex tices without adequate lights in the in the Olinville section of the Bronx. fall), the Buccaneers, or “Bucs” for “In the summertime it’s easy to short, seem to get by. practice, but in the fall we can’t go Bucs head coach and owner Den- past a certain time,” O’Neal said. “We nis O’Neal, a Norwood resident for don’t want the kids playing [football] more than 20 years, says the players’ in the dark because it’s dangerous, coming-of-age path starts the moment and we also don’t want them in the they hit the field. “Team discipline park after dark. comes first and individual discipline The cost of new lights at Oval Park comes second,” O’Neal said. is estimated at $1.5 million, according O’Neal once coached the Harlem to a figure the New York City Depart- Giants of the Pioneer League in the ment of Parks provided to the Nor- Concourse section of the Bronx, but wood News in November 2015. the team dissolved after construction “Not having lights is discouraging of the new Yankee Stadium on the Photo by Devin Dae Tucker and disheartening because we con- Giants’ home field at Macombs Dam ELIJAH GIBBONS IS about to catch pass from quarterback Darius Ramos. sider Williamsbridge Oval our home,” Park. “The location was great because Andrews said. “It might actually add of the subway and buses,” O’Neal said ing Program of the Year by league or- O’Neal frequently asks his players to a little more security with lights be- of the Concourse park. “There aren’t ganizers in 2015. bring their report cards, and periodi- cause of such a big abode of darkness a lot of [football] fields in New York, Throughout the program’s incep- cally checks with players’ teachers to in the middle of the community.” so we ended up moving to the north tion, friendships have formed. “They Bronx.” always hang out at the park, prac- Forced to relocate, O’Neal left the tice or not, and are always there for Bucs in Norwood in 2006, sticking each other,” O’Neal said. The mantra with the Pioneer League. The Bucs seems embedded in the team’s motto: practice at Williamsbridge Oval Park, “Once a Buc, always a Buc.” doubling as the home field. Players The organization uses Facebook can be seen running drills Wednes- to promote itself and has recently days and Saturdays. partnered with St. Joseph’s School in The Bucs originally began as an 18 Tremont and MS 80 in Norwood to di- and under team called the Bronx Reb- rectly recruit. els. The team has a roster of 101 play- Recruitment is up, allowing staff- ers and cheerleaders in four age divi- ers to watch their players grow and sions: 10 and under, 11- and 12-year play a major role in their adolescence, olds, 13- and 14-year-olds, and 15- and which has been described as “amaz- Photo by Devin Dae Tucker 16-year-olds. Since then it has gone on ing” and having a “serious” impact. WAYNE GIBBONS, FATHER of Bronx Buc Elijah Gibbons, takes handoff from Darius Ramos during Father’s Day practice. to win several recognitions, includ- Mentoring goes beyond the field. 12 •July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News Classifi eds Professional Directory

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TRIPS

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NORWOOD NEWS 2ESERVOIR/VAL%s"RONX .9  July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News • 13 Making the Grade Norwood and Bedford Park Behind in City Average of “A” Restaurant Grades By WENDY JOAN BIDDLECOMBE More restaurants in New York City are earning more “A” grades than they have since the city Department of Health started issuing restaurants letter grades in 2010, according to numbers released by the city in late May. But while “A” grades dominate in key commercial corridors of Norwood and Bedford Park, they still score a percent- age point lower than the rest of the city, as of press time. “Citywide levels are slightly higher [in “A” grades],” Health Department spokesperson Christopher Miller told Norwood News in an email, adding that the agency continues to help Bronx res- taurants achieve or maintain an “A” through education. Since the letter grading practice be- gan in 2010, 154 restaurants in the zip codes covering Fordham, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights and Norwood were closed because of unsanitary conditions, Health Department figures show. Last year, 17 eateries were shut down, (by comparison, 42 were shut down in 2010). Photo by Wendy Joan Biddlecombe In late May, Montezuma Restaurant on POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN at 3411 Jerome Ave. is among the 93 percent of restaurants in New York City that have received an A grade from the city Department of Health. West Kingsbridge Road, which had pre- viously scored a “B”, was shut down for a week after inspectors found evidence eration, food handling techniques, cross Lubarsky said it would have to be both. bill that will require food carts to receive of mice and roaches, food items stored contamination and personal hygiene. “There is no way to cheat the sys- a letter grade (the regulation is set to go at improper temperatures, and other is- But, said Carmen Bermudez, the man- tem,” said Lubarsky, whose company, into effect 270 days from the day the bill sues. ager at Tequilaz Restaurant and Lounge Letter Grade Consulting, works with res- is signed). Justin Mashia, who lives in Kings- on Jerome Avenue near East Gun Hill taurants to comply with Health Depart- Those who want to order a chicken bridge Heights, says he usually eats out Road, what a lot of people don’t under- ment regulations. “If an inspector comes and rice meal or sandwich at a neigh- in the Bronx and about three stand is that the Health Department in, there’s no way to really pretend that borhood deli will have to do their own times per week. considers things other than food in their someone is wearing a hat when they’re research. Though delis are inspected by “I used to pay attention to the grades, score. not, or wearing gloves when they’re not. the city, they receive a pass/fail grade but lately it’s been seeming as if all of “The problem with the grading sys- It’s a true combination of restaurants un- and are not required to post letter grades them have good grades,” Mashia said. tem is that people think it’s just based on derstanding and following the rules bet- in the window because they are regu- “When I eat out, I’m generally just trust- food. The grade is based on other things. ter.” lated by the state Department of Agricul- ing that the restaurant is clean and my Say if you had a broken door handle, or a Still, restaurants that receive a “C“ ture, not the city Health Department. food has been prepared very sanitarily. lightbulb went out [when the Health De- score on a follow-up inspection must wait “I don’t think the letter grade would However, I refuse to eat at a restaurant if partment was inspecting],” Bermudez roughly three to six months for another help us,” said Fouad Ahmed, who owns it has less than a ‘B’ grade.” said. inspection, prolonging the chance of a 169 Gourmet Deli on East 205th Street “When people see an ‘A’, they under- higher grade. in Norwood. “There are a lot of delis all How Scoring Works stand that this is a place where they can “We expect restaurants to do bet- over the place. When it comes to restau- Restaurants are graded on a point sys- be assured is kept clean, and they’re fol- ter,” Lubarsky said. “Restaurants rants, the letter grade helps them a lot be- tem. The number of points earned is cal- lowing Health Department procedures,” have to fix the violations, but fix- cause if you like the food, and you think culated to a letter grade: A, B or C. There said Bermudez, who said she’s been in ing the violations will not fix the the place is clean and that place is graded is nothing lower than a “C”. If a restau- the food service industry since 2002. grade for that inspection cycle.” an ‘A’, you will walk a distance to go to rant scores in that range, the Health (Bermudez said while the restaurant has the restaurant. But delis are all over.” Department may conduct monthly vis- an A grade, it is not listed in the Health What Isn’t Graded its until the restaurant scores better. If Department’s public database due to a re- Although delis and food carts are Editor’s Note: To find out how res- things haven’t improved, the agency can cent name change) still tested and inspected by health in- taurants score, and to see a list of inspec- shut down the restaurant. When asked if the uptick in “A’s” spectors and abide by the same rules and tions and violations, visit http://on.nyc. Restaurants are evaluated by a num- means that restaurants are cleaner and requirements, they don’t receive a letter gov/1f43UOp. This article was written as ber of other factors that include the pres- safer to eat at, or if they are just bet- grade that the consumer can see. part of the Health Reporting Fellowship of ence of mice, roaches, “filth flies” and ter at following the Health Department That’s changing, at least for food the Center for Community and Ethnic Media other critters, as well as improper refrig- rules, health inspection consultant Leon carts. In May, the City Council passed a and funded by a grant from News Corp. 14 •July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News

Compiled by JUDY NOY EDITOR’S PICK Night Out at the Oval The 52nd Precinct invites the public to a free National Night Out at Williamsbridge Oval, on Aug. 1 from 3 to 6 p.m. Meet and greet the precinct’s officers and executive staff and enjoy snacks and drinks. Events include pony rides, face painting, music, bingo, and raffles. For more information, call (718) 220-5824.

Fordham Business Improvement Onstage District presents film, “Dirty Dancing,” July 22 at sundown at Bronx Council on the Arts presents Fordham Plaza (3rd Avenue and free concert, Aug. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m., 189th Street), preceded by music featuring John Benitez and his Salsa and games at 5 p.m. Bring chair or Band, at the Amalgamated Train blanket. Popcorn is provided. For Park, Orloff Avenue and Gale Place. more information, call (718) 562- For more information, call (718) 931- 2104. 9500. Van Cortlandt Park, West 242nd Bronx Arts Ensemble presents free Street and , offers a variety concerts: July 23 - Tango Dances, of summer activities including: in Van Cortlandt Park, Rockwood Rowboating on VC Lake: Fridays Drive Circle at Mosholu Avenue and through Sept. 1 from 4:30 to 7:30 Broadway, at 2 p.m.; and at Fordham p.m. (free; enter the park at VC University (Keating Hall, 1st floor), at Park South and Bailey Avenue; 4 p.m.; and July 30 - New Orleans meet near the lake); Barefoot Jazz, at Fordham University (Keating Dancing: featuring demonstrations Hall, 1st floor), at 4 p.m. For more and teaching, on the VC House information, call (718) 601-7399. Lawn from 6:30 to 8 p.m.: July 27 - Sufi music; and Aug. 3 - Salsa Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz (info: (718) 430-1890); Horseback Jr. presents Bronx Summer Concert Riding Instruction: Daily lessons File Photo Series, at Orchard Beach’s Main by the Riverdale Stables (for more NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Against Crime will likely see the return of Wilma Stage at Section 9, July 23 through information, visit riverdalestables. Sept. 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. Included are com); Fishing: Join the Rangers Alonso (l) and Daniel Bernstein, co-executive directors of the Fordham salsa, freestyle, bachata, merengue, on Aug. 13 at noon for free fishing Road BID, sponsors of the Aug. 1 event (see Editor’s Pick for more de- R&B, and pop. Zumba will also be program catch and release only tails). provided. For more information, call (NYS fishing license is required); (718) 590-3500. Swimming: Free outdoor pool open daily through Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to SSC Salsa Band, featuring male offers for children: Harry Potter Party: Events 7 p.m. (closed from 3 to 4 p.m.; also 11-member group, Aug. 9; all on the (ages 5 to 12), enjoy games, crafts and offered are learn to swim programs grounds at 7 p.m. ($10/ticket; $6/ stories, July 27 at 3:30 p.m. (registration Williamsbridge Oval presents film, (info: (718) 760-6969 ext. 0) or 311); students/seniors 65+; $4/ages 6 to 18). required); and film: “The Lego Batman “Newsies,” July 24 preceded by Learn to Play Tennis: For beginners, Grounds admission is free until noon Movie,” July 22 at 1:30 p.m. Adults can Newsies Broadway performers at through Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Tuesdays all year. For attend: Knitting Circle: Thursdays at 3 6:30 p.m. (rain date: July 31). For at Indian Field Courts (info/register: more information and a schedule of p.m. For more information, call (718) 882- more information, call (718) 543- (718) 760-6999); and Art Classes: events including tours and walks, call 8239. 8672. Tuesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. from (718) 549-3200. July 19 to Aug. 9 at Woodlawn The Jerome Park Library, 118 Eames Councilmember Fernando Cabrera Playground for Painting Nature; Place (near Kingsbridge Road), offers for presents Summer in the Park, at St. and on Fridays through Aug. 25 at Library Events children: Kids Get Active Fridays at 2:45 James Park, 2550 Jerome Ave., July 6:30 p.m., for Twilight Hike & Draw p.m.: (ages 5 to 12), dance moves on the The , 310 E. 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 4 to 9 (meet at Nature Center). For more Wii game console, July 21, 28, Aug. 4 Kingsbridge Rd., presents for children: p.m. Included are free refreshments, information and a detailed schedule, and 11; and films at 2:30 p.m.: July 29 T-Shirt Making (ages 5 to 12), July 20 at movies and giveaways. For more call (718) 601-1553. and Aug. 12 (“The Labyrinth” and “The 2 p.m. (all supplies provided; in-person information, call (347) 590-2874. Never Ending Story”). Teens/young adults Wave Hill, a Bronx oasis at 675 W. preregistration required); Hands-on can enjoy: A Day With Clay: to create Projects (ages 7 to 12): Popsicle People Williamsbridge Oval presents free 252nd St. in Riverdale, offers Family objects out of clay, Aug. 16 at 4 p.m. Making, July 23 at 3:30 p.m.; Picture special events: July 21 - Hula Hoop Art Projects: July 22 and 23; July Adults can attend: Computer Basics at Frame Making, July 27 at 2 p.m.; and Workout at 6:30 p.m.; July 22 - 29 and 30; Aug. 5 and 6; and Aug. noon: July 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10 and 17. For Box Making, July 30 at 3:30 p.m.; and Learn to Ride from noon to 2 p.m. 12 and 13; all in the WH House from more information, call (718) 549-5200. film: 90-minute feature film, July 25 at 2 (bring bike and helmet); and July 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (call for details). p.m. Adults can enjoy: film: “The Great 26 - Community Art Project at 6:30 Also scheduled is Libby Richman NOTE: Items for consideration may Gatsby,” July 22 at 2:30 p.m. For more p.m. (create sculpture using recycled & Co., musical group performing be mailed to our office or sent to information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or materials and paint). For more classical, Latin and current music, [email protected], and visit www.nypl.org. information, call (718) 543-8672. July 26; Salsa Bruja featuring singer should be received by Aug. 7 for the next and dancers, Aug. 2; and Orquesta publication date of Aug. 17. The Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St., July 20-August 16, 2017 • Norwood News • 15 BBQ Free-for-All on Mosholu Parkway

(continued from page 1) described the scene as chaos with Though 40 PEP officers are on man Andrew Cohen, who also repre- Parkway on fire.” firecrackers going off and loud mu- the payroll, many of them may not sents the neighborhoods, said his of- The partying wasn’t just isolated sic that could be heard at least one work at once, according to Geoffrey fice is also willing to attend. to Mosholu Parkway. At Williams- terrain over. Though she sympa- Croft of A Walk in the Park, a park Polizzi said the office has bridge Oval Park, just a quarter thized with partygoers, Quaranta advocacy group. “Those 40 officers worked the phones to ask the 52nd mile from Mosholu Parkway, there said rules should be enforced. But do not exist,” Croft said. “Imagine Precinct to enforce the no barbe- were several barbecues reported one month alerting partygoers you have a set of officers and the cue mandate, while also calling on at the park. Remnants of fireworks isn’t enough, Quaranta said. She beach and pool season opens, so now the Parks Department to clean up were also spotted a day after the big hoped the “No Barbecue” signs that those very, very few officers that are the parkway. Last year, Cohen had celebration. are sporadically posted across the already available are no longer as earmarked monies for a so-called Fernando Tirado, the former dis- parkland should read what the fine available to handle the most basic “gator” smart car to help the police trict manager of Community Board should be. quality of life issues.” get around the parkway faster. Co- 7 and a local resident, immediately Croft has spent years pushing the hen also funded monies for cleanup sent an email to the 52nd Precinct, PEP Officers city to include more PEP officers to crews from the Fedcap program. Community Board 7 and Council- The New York City Parks De- the fold, having secured a victory They were called in on July 5 to man Andrew Cohen, whose district partment has 40 Parks Enforcement when the Parks Department began help clean up the parkway, Polizzi covers the parkway, chronicling Patrol officers assigned to Bronx hiring full-time PEP officers. One said. what he saw throughout July 4. parks, ensuring visitors abide by the wish is outstanding for Croft: in- It took hours before police would “It has been a disaster along rules. PEP officers can ticket park creasing the number of PEP officers arrive to clear the parkway. The both sides of the parkway, includ- goers for disobeying park rules and from some 200 to 500. “It’s a lot of commanding officer of the 52nd ing a block away from the precinct,” even make arrests. parkland and you only have a hand- Precinct, Deputy Inspector Peter Tirado wrote. “Bedford Park and But with 30,000 acres of parks ful of officers to begin with,” Croft Fiorillo, has given discretion to his Norwood are under siege by the de- and local CB7’s formal request for said. officers on whether to issue a ticket, clining quality of life, which the more PEP officers at its parks, the adhering to NYPD Commissioner’s Five-Two routinely failed to address number is substantially low, critics Planning Ahead policy of leniency over enforcement. properly.” argue. Anthony Rivieccio, a community Still, three people were fined on the Michael Medina, another resi- CB7, which covers Mosholu Park- activist on Bedford Park, is now parkway that day, Fiorillo said. dent, responded to Tirado’s email he way, has put the expansion of “ad- planning a quality of life meeting Quaranta, meantime, looks to sent out saying the lower quality of ditional PEP officers” aimed at ad- slated for next month. Jason Laid- permanently fix the problem. “I life has caused Norwood and Bed- dressing “various quality of life ley, chief of staff for state Senator think we have to go big here. We ford Park to revert “back to the mid- issues including vandalism, illegal Jamaal Bailey, who represents Nor- can’t put a Band-Aid on this,” Quar- ‘70s and ‘80s when New York was at barbecuing, etc.” as its fourth prior- wood/Bedford Park, said the of- anta said. “This is more than that. its worst.” ity in its Expense Budget and Priori- fice is willing to attend the meeting We have to get the different agen- Elizabeth Quaranta, president ties and Requests report it submits to hear from residents. Christina cies at the table, not just the 52nd of Friends of Mosholu Parkland, to the city during budget season. Polizzi, a spokesperson for Council- Precinct.”

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Mixed Feelings For Stagg’s Mosholu Site pg 5

Norwood Sewer Project Approved For Night Work | pg 6 REACH 40,000 testifi es before a panel focusing on the problems of the city Department of Education’s gifted and tal- by Bronx Borough President Potential Customers In The Bronx Ruben Diaz Jr. and his Brook- Monte Pilot Program n counterpart, Eric Adams, ld its first session on March The panel heard from Ma- Photo by Adi Talwar Streamlines Access sura Tidjani, a mother of two at the Bronx High School African-American boys in To Developmental cience, a specialized high School District 9 who qualified supposed to have the program Care | pg 11 ol where entry becomes a for a G&T program for the past for the past two years but did -long goal for parents. The two years. On the first day3URXGO\6HUYLQJ%URQ[&RPPXQLWLHV6LQFH‡ of Proudlynot have Serving any programs Bronx becauseCommunities Since 1988FREE member panel heard from one of her son’s G&T class, Ti- they don’t have enough stu- s frustrated by a system djani was told that PS 199x The dents to open a class,” Tidjani SG&T seatsFREE are few in the Shakespeare School had can- told panelists, who sat jotting celed it for the school year. notes. “According to the DOE, N you have to have at least 25 chil- “When I spoke to the princi-    ORWOODdren in order to open a gifted pal she Vol told me30, that No they 6 • were P Q PUBLISHEDand talented class.” UBLISHED BY INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: BYHer M MsonOSHOLU re-took the test, scoring aboveOSHOLU 97 percent, PRESERVATION which TRUMP’S TRAVEL BAN 2.0 | PG. 4 PRESERVATION (continued on page 15) C CORPORATION N ORPORATION  EWS • MQ   pg 14ARCH 16-29, 2017

KNOWING BRONXYOUR LEGAL BARRIERS: RIGHTS | PG. 9 INCREASE SALES RENT ROLLS When Advertising In The Award Winning QUESTIONED rd Park housing group questions legitimacy of tenants’ rent

Elevator Planned For B/D Bedford Pk. Subway Line | pg 6 NORWOOD NEWS

St. Ann’s School Teachers Want The ONLY Newspaper Covering The Stories That Answers | pg 8 Concern You In YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ector of West Bronx Housing (r), and her colleague Andrew Laiosa (l), compile rent history forms alleging

thoroughly double check ether a landlord’s rent Study: Trains Loaded Photo by Adi Talwar rease on a tenant is jus- listing the help of elected With Fatty Food Ads ble. o f f i c i a l s . T h e g r o u p h a s Pg 11 est Bronx Housing, now zeroed in on an apart- tive director of West Bronx quartered in Bedford ment building in River- Housing, has noticed an dale, where rent histories Proudly Serving Bronx Communities Since 1988 has since been col- 3URXGO\6HUYLQJ%URQ[&RPPXQLWLHV6LQFH‡uptick in these suspect rent FREE INTRODUCTORY - FIRST TIME ADVERTISER are suspect. They’re now these statements histories amid an afford- requesting these forms to FL/DR-1.0 forms able housing crisis that’s FREE tenants living in Norwood Spatterns while en- to making living in New York and Bedford Park. N City, including the Bronx, Sally Dunford,    ORWOOD execu- almost impossible for the Vol 30, No 5 • P Q PUBLISHEDworking class. UBLISHED BY M INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: (continuedBY M OSHOLU on page 15) OSHOLU PRESERVATION THE BRONX’S RAT PROBLEM | PG. 4 PRESERVATION CORPORATION N CORPORATIONpg 14  EWS • MQ   ARCH 2-15, 2017 THE CAMPAIGNCIVIC ENGAGEMENTBRONX BARRIERS: CRISIS | PG. 9 SPECIAL OFFER! TO DOWNZONE QUARTER PAGE FULL COLOR AD AS LOW AS Community Board 7 backs downzoning of Mosholu Pkwy.

CVS to Close in March pg 3

Fordham Nonprofi Looks Out for Teens t pg 7

y Van Cortlandt Avenue East (pictured) is among the streets community activists hope to ha . borders as a way to preserve ts character while stemming urther development. munity it will assess the look Photo by Adi Talwar State of the Bronx The group won a victory of the neighborhood. A mo- ve downzoned the latest CB7 Land Use/ tion presented before the full Blasts City and Trump turned from what some called using Committee meet- board at its Feb. 28 meeting a nonstarter to a mayoral is- pg 8 on Feb. 15 when the New was passed, with board mem- sue,” civil activist Anthony City Department of City bers agreeing to revisit the Rivieccio, who proposed the ing (DCP), charged with proposal by the fall. The board Proudly Serving Bronx Communities Since 1988 3URXGO\6HUYLQJ%URQ[&RPPXQLWLHV6LQFH‡idea for a blanket rezoning of FREE mining the character of first needs to finalize another Mosholu Parkway and its im- orhoods across the five separate independent study mediate side streets, told the $100* FREE Shs, assured the com- it had commissioned last No- * FREE CREATIVE SETUP Norwood News vember. N The plan, backed. by lo- “InVol five 30,     months NoORWOOD 4 it’s • P been cal legislators and residents, QP UBLISHEDUBLISHEDlooks to prevent overdevelop- B BY Y MOSHOLU MOSHOLU MUST RUN 2 WEEKS. SECOND WEEK AT NORMAL PRICE ($145) INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: (continued on page 15) BAG FEE BAGGED FOR NOW | PG. 4 PRESERVATION PRESERVATION CORPORATION CORPORATION N • Fpg 14  EWS EBRUARYQ 16-M   ARCH 1, 2017 THERE WILL BE A $25 CHARGE ON ANY EDITS OF SECOND RUN ST. ANN SCHOOLA NN-WFUVBRONX COLLABORATION BARRIERS: | PG. 9 TO CLOSE DOORS ws comes two years after parish church closed CALL 718-324-4998 or EMAIL

Trump Travel Ban Impacts Norwood pg 5 Jessica [email protected] at [email protected]

Veterans Honored At CB7 Breakfast pg 7