An annoying tendency regarding the filtration plant project is that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is inclined not to listen to the ratepayers and citizens who are funding all of this.

Concerned residents, some of whom have become experts on the issue, turn up at hearing after hearing and tell the DEP important things.

Agency officials don’t really listen; they just "explain" why they’re right, as if all it would take for the community to agree is to have it explained in words we poor foolish citizens can understand.

But that’s not so. Local activists were right that the DEP could do with a smaller plant and filter less water or use another technology like membrane filtration, rather than just spend money like – well, like water, actually. They were right that the plant would never go in the Jerome Park Reservoir. They were right that you couldn’t build something 20 feet high at the street and call it underground. And they were right that that the city had to get state legislative approval to

The article in your May 29 issue, “Bronx Schools Lacking in P.E. Department,” implies that schools are responsible for keeping its students in shape, and by not having sufficient physical education facilities, the obese from losing weight.

In the May 29 – June 11 issue, your article, “Report Says City and Yankees Deceptively Stole Parkland”), focuses on the New York Park Advocates’ report on replacement parks for the new Yankee Stadium. In it, the authors contend that the city did not fully replace the 25 acres of parkland taken for the stadium. If these numbers hold up under scrutiny, compensating the missing acreage is required by law. There are two ways this can be done:

In three separate ceremonies on Thursday, June 5, President Stephen Jerome conferred more than 2,700 college degrees at Monroe College’s 75th Anniversary Commencement. Held at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Jerome presented graduates with 101 MBA degrees, 1,110 Bachelor’s degrees, 1,475 Associate degrees, and 18 Nursing certificates, making the 2008 graduating class the largest in the college’s history.

The keynote addresses were delivered by Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, New York State Education Department Sr. Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier, and New York City Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott.

Norwood resident Stacy Cruickshank was named valedictorian last month for the New York City College of Technology’s (City Tech) 2007-2008 school year.

More than 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students representing 135 nations celebrated Lehman College’s 40th Commencement on May 29. At the ceremonies, guest speaker Antiguan Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs Bertrand Joseph urged the graduates to "go forth and make a positive difference in the world." Joseph, a Lehman alum, received an honorary doctorate.

Raucous cheering could be heard outside PS 246 from a block away in every direction last Friday when a boisterous crowd gathered behind the school to celebrate the Grand Concourse school’s undefeated co-ed softball team.

Michelle Parks wants to open the only roller skating rink in the Bronx, which would be a boon for borough boys and girls who often lack venues for organized sports. But the 40-year-old from Parkchester did not know how to start a line of credit or how to apply for loans.

Which is why Parks was one of more than 100 prospective and current north Bronx business owners who attended the third annual North Bronx Economic Development Summit on June 19.

Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr. and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer gathered last week on the University Heights Bridge, high above the Harlem River, to celebrate the structure’s 100th birthday and announce the start of Bronx Week.