Community Engagement Report Says Norwood Disengaged; Locals Disagree

By: Deborah Cruz

Nov. 16, 2016

Things got heated at a Community Engagement Forum where the results of a two-month study on Norwood were unveiled. The findings were surprising, but its presentation irked community stakeholders already aware of its problems.

The study by the Public Agenda, a civic engagement think tank commissioned by the de Blasio administration, sparked much debate between the study’s investigator, Nicole Hewitt, and guests who found the study pointless. “We don’t need people to come and tell us what the problems are. We know what they are. We need solutions,” said Sheila Sanchez, president of Friends of Williamsbridge Oval.

Hewitt reviewed the neighborhood’s qualities and conflicts, but underscored a lack of communication among residents. “It took some time to set up these interviews. We even offered incentives, but on the day of the interviews, around 20 people only showed up,” Hewitt said in her presentation.

She emphasized the lack of communication between Community Board 7, the civic body that represents Norwood, and residents, angering guests. “There is a communication with the board and the people of the community, but even if an event is thrown, not many people come,” yelled an audience member.

Many of the people believed that the information Hewitt presented was a rehash of what they already knew. “It just seemed condescending. She should have done her research properly,” said Sally Dunford, a longtime resident and executive director of West Bronx Housing, on Hewitt’s lack of knowledge to what the community already knew. “It just seemed condescending. You don’t come to a meeting without having done your research well.” Dunford didn’t stick around for the whole meeting.Fed up, she stormed out.

Some of the people stated that one of the biggest contributors to stability and prominence in Norwood is Montefiore Hospital and it was an insult not to have mentioned that at all in the 40- minute presentation. Hewitt explained in her presentation that because it was such a polarized subject with all the interviewees, she thought it best to leave it out of the presentation. “It was a very sensitive topic, and yes it is a huge factor for this neighborhood but people had strong opinions for it and against it,” Hewitt stated, defending herself against the audience’s backlash.

“This presentation was a wasted opportunity because it was poorly done,” Dunford said. Hewitt stated that Public Agenda had worked in many different states to help citizens navigate complex issues to help find solutions. “I was looking for an outline to a solution and it was not presented,”Anthony Rivieccio, founder of Northwest Bronx Democrats and community activist, told the Norwood News.“It was just two people getting paid todo nothing.”