The Bronx Ink

The New York Times reported on September 16 that 8 of 20 social studies teachers at Bronx High School of Science have decided not to teach at the school again this year. “In my 25 years of teaching experience, I have never witnessed so many people transfer out of one department so quickly,” said Louis DiIulio, on of the social studies teachers who decided to stay at the school. Many teachers blame the administration. The New York Times found in interviews conducted with 7 former or current teachers at Bronx Science that teachers felt berated and disrespected by the administration, and in particular by Principal Valerie Reidy. Ms. Reidy, though, claims that turnover is a natural part of the school environment. “Turnover happens, and our job is to make sure that when turnover happens it’s a positive thing for students,” she said.

Cops spotted reggae artist of smash hit “I’ll do anything for you,” Denroy Morgan, leaving an apartment in Soundview with a brick of marijuana. They pulled him over for running a stop sign and noticed the car smelled of weed, a source told The Daily News. They found a trunk full of marijuana. Later during a search of Morgan’s house, cops found a pile of weed bricks with an estimated street value of up to $351,000. Morgan was charged with criminal possession.

In the wake of a suicide attempt by Robert McGee, one Bronx police officer charged with making ticket violations disappear for friends and family, other police officers speak out about the practice. They call it widespread, NY1 reported, and a courtesy to policemen and their families. Policemen are eager to see the trial end and indictments issued. The not knowing makes many policemen anxious and may have contributed to the suicide attempt by thirty-year police veteran, McGee.

Tulsie Singh, 35, was arrested yesterday on charges of sexual abuse of a young boy at P.S. 306 in Tremont. Sources told NY1 that past accusations had been made against the teacher. The Department of Education removed Singh from the school more than once but then allowed him to return. He is out on bail.

17 post offices in the Bronx, reports WNYC News, are slated to be closed. Many Bronx residents rely on the post office to pay bills, rent, and keep in contact with family in other countries. The removal of post offices would disrupt the daily workings of the neighborhood, simply making life harder for some. The USPS encourages users to conduct business online, but internet access is a luxury  for many Bronx residents. “It sends the wrong message to this community and others like it,” said Miquela Craytor, Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx, ‘It says that you don’t matter, that you are not valued.”

The Daily News reports that Surrogate Judge Holzman allowed his lawyer friend, Michael Lippman, charge fees for work he didn’t do on the estates of deceased Bronx residents. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct recommends disciplinary action against Holzman.

Tim Hetherington, photojournalist, was killed while reporting in Libya last April. He dreamed of opening a film and photography gallery space in the Bronx. Soon, reports The Daily News, his dream will be realized. Fellow photojournalist Mike Kamber plans to open the doors to the gallery in tribute to his heroic friend.

Residential confidential informant, 20 year old Antony Velez, was doing is job when he tipped off two cops to the location of guns and drugs inside a Brooklyn apartment. The agreement was that he would be protected in return. But on that day in 2004, Velez was shot just two hours after giving police the tip. Velez’s mother Bronx woman Towanda Velez, according to The Daily News, has decided to sue the two police officers in a civil case, for what she sees as negligent conduct.