Neighborhood News Check
Alleged Drunk Driver Facing Tougher Charges
Tens of thousands Orthodox Jews gathered in the Financial District and Seaport area last Sunday in order to protest a new Israeli law, forcing Orthodox Jews in Israel to join the rest of the country in at least two years of military service. The protest, in name only, featured no signs or chanting and focused solely on prayer. "This is a protest against Israeli law that would imprison Jews who want to study," said Yitz Farkas, one of the participants. TribecaTrib
Population Increase Spells Trouble for Lower Manhattan
There already aren't enough public school seats for the children of Lower Manhattan, but if statistics hold, things are going to get a lot worse, and for Community Board 1 in particular. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of children decreased by 7.3 percent in New York City. However, over that same period of time in Community Board 1, the population increased 83.6%. "A school has been authorized for Community District 1, but we don't know where it will go," said Diana Switaj, CB1's land use and planning director. "We do know that there's a gigantic need in the Financial District." Downtown Post NYC
Children's Magical Garden Lawsuit
Last Monday, lawyers representing the Childrens Magical Garden filed a lawsuit against 157 LLC claiming that their purchase of land was invalid because it wasn't for sale. "In New York after a continuous possession of the property is maintained and cultivated for 10 years you become the legal owner of the property," said Benjamin Burry, an attorney for Children's Magical Garden. DNAinfo.com