Proudly Serving Bronx Communities Since 1988 • FREE ORWOODn EWSn NVol. 27, No. 7 PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION COR PNORATION April 3–16, 2014 BRIGHTENING UP MS 80 After Fire, Months-Long Rebuilding Begins Community By DAVID CRUZ Presses for Left- Turn Traffic Light, The charcoal scent still lingers along a stretch of small businesses on East Burnside Avenue just p. 3 a week and a half after a three-alarm fire damaged them. Crews have since erected a scaffold, while police from the 46th Precinct have set up a barri- cade, fencing off the property from pedestrians and any would-be squatters. Passersby assess the rubble at some stores, staring pitifully at some of Photo by Adi Talwar the establishments that have been gutted. THESE STUDEnts add a touch of vibrant green to the vestibule at MS 80 on March Across the street is Councilman Fernando 22. The neighborhood school received a face lift courtesy of Publicolor, a nonprofit Cabrera’s office. Cabrera, of the 14th Council Dis- working in partnership with Benjamin Moore. Several dozen students decked in old trict, convened a meeting exclusively for affected clothes worked alongside some Benjamin Moore staffers for the weekend event. The merchants on March 28. They connected with color in question is eco-friendly Natura. (continued on page 6) Teacher 5-2 Vows Crackdown on ‘Pooper-trators’ Arrested in By JUSTIN MCCALLUM DeWitt HS Melee, It’s a frequent topic for Community Board p. 5 7’s Environment and Sanitation Committee and universally disgusting--dog poop littering the streets year round. Whether along the gre- enways of Mosholu Parkway and Reservoir Oval, or other bustling thoroughfares such as Jerome Avenue, the prevalence of poop has certainly raised concerns. “People not picking up behind their dog is really a problem in our district, and I really don’t see any enforcement,” an anonymous complainant told the March 18 general meet- ing. But thanks to a recent addition to the 52nd Precinct’s Community Affairs office, the Crunch Fitness issue may finally come to an end. Officially Opens, Longstanding Problem p. 9 Officer June Cortez told the members how the issue had been raised at the District Cab- inet meeting, and the Conditions Unit of the five-two, a squadron reserved for quality of life issues. “We sent out some flyers and start- ed warning some of the residents and busi- ness owners that we will start enforcing,” she Run for the Wild, said. Those caught failing to clean up after their dog face a $250 fine. p. 10 Inability to assign penalties to the so called Photo by Justin McCallum “pooper-trators” has been a large obstacle, ex- DESPITE SIGNS reminding Bronxites to clean up after their four legged friends, “pooper-tra- (continued on page 7) tors” leave behind their pet’s waste across Norwood. Picture your ad here! Advertise in the Norwood News, your local community paper. Call 718-324-4998 for rates. www.norwoodnews.org 2 n April 3–16, 2014 n Norwood News In The Public Interest Vol. 27, No. 7 Victory for FreshDirect Fresh off another win in court, Bronx with FreshDirect since the business an- financial terms involving the $130 million Norwood News is published Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is nounced plans to move two years back. in subsidies FreshDirect received from bi-weekly on Thursdays by poised to welcome FreshDirect in its re- The group argued that the move relied the Industrial Development Corporation, Mosholu Preservation Corporation location to the Harlem River Yards in the on an old environmental impact state- which falls under the auspices of the New 3400 Reservoir Oval East South Bronx. ment that should have been revisited. The York City Economic Development Corpo- Bronx, New York 10467 “The court’s decision is a victory not suit also asked the judge to pore over the ration. —JUSTIN MCCALLUM only for FreshDirect, but for the Bronx Phone: 718 324 4998 as a whole,” Diaz said during a March 27 Fax: 718 324 2917 news conference. “FreshDirect will con- BP DIAZ CELEBRATES WOMEN’S E-mail: [email protected] tinue to be a great asset to the Bronx.” Web: www.norwoodnews.org The BP underscored the health and HISTORY MONTH economic benefits of the online grocer moving into the borough, in keeping with Publisher CEO, Mosholu his greater development plans for a ‘New Mosholu Preservation Preservation Bronx.’ Among these accomplishments Corporation Corporation are 1000 new jobs, 2000 other relocated Roberto S. Garcia Editor-in-Chief positions, previously held in Queens. Of David Cruz those 1000 jobs, roughly 300 will be set aside solely for Bronxites. Classified Advertising Despite its bumpy road to the Bronx, Dawn McEvoy overcoming criticism for heavy city and Accounts Receivable state subsidies and now two court cases Dawn McEvoy questioning the site’s environmental im- Proofreader pact report, FreshDirect is now primed to Judy Noy finally begin their operations, according to Diaz’s office. Production “This decision will allow for this project Neil deMause to move forward without delay,” said Mar- Regular Contributors lene Cintron, president of the Bronx Over- David Greene, Adi Talwar all Economic Development Corporation. Interns A fleet of ‘green’ FreshDirect delivery Shayla Love, Paolo Mossetti, Justin McCallum, trucks will soon be sweeping across the Photo courtesy Office of the Bronx Borough President and Chelsea George Bronx, thanks to a deal brokered between WOMEN WERE singled out for their contributions in advancing women’s empow- the company and Bronx-based Smith Elec- erment during the annual Women’s History Month Celebration at the New York For display advertising, call (718) 324-4998. tric. Since announcing its plans, FreshDi- Botanical Garden on Thursday, March 20. Those honored included Congresswom- rect has agreed to deliver everywhere in an Nydia Velazquez, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, and New York Support Your the Bronx, as well as accept EBT payments State Education Department Regents Member Dr. Betty Rosa. Community advo- Community Newspaper! for its groceries, carrying with them some cate Allene Roberts was honored posthumously. Live music, including a special The Norwood News is a not-for-profit pub- relief to food deserts throughout the area. performance by the Bronx Global Learning Institute for Girls was on hand. PIX11 lication and relies upon the support of its South Bronx Unite, which brought the News Reporter Lisa Mateo was the Mistress of Ceremonies. advertisers and readers to produce a quality suit before the courts, has been at odds community newspaper. To support your paper, become a member and receive a subscription for one year. In Delayed Opening of NCBH Ward, Pol Seeks Assurances Simply mail check or money order for $40 As North Central Bronx Hospital’s reversal of the original understanding. and Hospitals Corporation. But the result, to: Norwood News, 3400 Reservoir Oval East, maternity ward still awaits a re-opening, And it is disappointing.” according to hospital staffers at demon- Bronx, NY 10467. elected officials have pressed the hospital “We can agree or disagree. But it’s not strations, caused neighborhood hospitals to provide regular updates. Officials at an just about having a meeting for the pur- to be overburdened with more maternity Norwood News is not responsible for typo- evening meeting on March 18 agreed. pose of a having meeting. It’s really about calls. graphical errors. Opinions expressed in signed The suggestion put forth by Council- a meeting to have substantive– and work NCBH responded by instituting a plan letters and bylined columns represent the sole opinion of the author and are not necessarily man Ritchie Torres, whose 15th Council being done in between and that really is that brings in extra medical personnel those of Mosholu Preservation Corporations District lands within the hospital envi- my intention.” to tend to expectant mothers. The Nor- or Montefiore Medical Center. Editorials rep- rons, urged NCBH attending officials to The ward was originally set to re-open wood hospital had delivered 10 percent resent the views of the editor and/or publisher consider the move during the gathering. on April 30 following a decision by senior of Bronx babies, according to 2012 health only. The newspaper reserves the right to limit He had already secured a commitment officials to close it. An exodus of medical stats. or refuse advertising it deems objectionable. with the hospital officials during a health staffers forced the closure, shifting re- For now, the ward remains closed, with Advertisements appearing in this paper cannot committee hearing, agreeing to monthly maining doctors to nearby Jacobi Medical an extended deadline that’s supposed to be used without the written permission of Nor- meetings. But while he did get assurances Center, a trauma center part of the Health go into the summer. —DAVID CRUZ wood News. Letters to the editor are subject that NCBH would continue holding public to condensation and editing. Writers should forums, hospital brass said the gatherings include their affiliation or special interest if any. may happen once a month or perhaps six Anonymous letters are not published but your name can be withheld if requested. weeks. Torres said the decision “reneges” on assurances he had received during the committee hearing. “All I’m trying to do is I would like Mosholu Preservation Corporation is a to put out a calendar that everyone can not-profit support corporation of Montefiore agree to that would be regular meetings Medical Center. that will focus on particular milestones for work,” the official told Torres as he stood up questioning officials from the Public and Community Meetings city-owned hospital. “I hope that’s not • COMMUNITY BOARD 7 committee meetings are held on the following dates at shirking from what we said.” the board office, 229A E.