NYC News in Brief, July 26

143,000 Kids Free to Borrow Books Again

The New York Public Library granted amnesty to over 143,000 children with overdue book fines in an effort to encourage reading. The fines were on average at least $15 per child, and made it impossible for them to check out any more materials. Library officials say these kids, 30 percent of their cardholders, may have felt ashamed about these outstanding fines, and that kept them from reading. Now these children can check out books.

Upper West Side Parents Rally Against Co-location

Parent, students, and elected officials rallied outside the Louis D. Brandeis High School against the co-location of Upper West Success Academy elementary school in the same building. A study conducted by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio concludes that this plan would stunt the growth of new nearby high schools like Frank McCourt and Global Learning Collaborative, preventing them from sharing science labs and studio space. Parents from these schools filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education, and the case will resume in court on Aug. 10. Application rates are also “exceptionally high,” according to de Blasio, with 10 times as many students applying than spots available in District 3.

New Goethals Bridge Plan Delayed

The 83-year-old Goethals Bridge connecting Staten Island to New Jersey was originally slated to begin rebuilding in 2013 with the help of a $500 million federal loan. With the recent debt-ceiling dilemma, it looks like that funding may not come through, and the start date would be pushed back to 2017. However, Port Authority officials are looking to apply for funding under Washington’s Transportation Infrastructure and Innovation Act due to the possible increase in the federal budget for transportation. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairman of the Committee on Public Works is asking for a $1 billion increase in the federal transportation loan program. According to the New York Post, contractors from China were rejected for the construction of the bridge despite having the lowest cost because of the amount of federal money funding the project.

Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund Opened

The death of 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky has led to a number of safety initiatives, including Safe Child Cards sign-up events, in which critical identification information for children are logged and identification cards are handed out, and proposed legislation to create “safe havens.” Nachman Kletzky, the father of the boy, announced a Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund on Sunday. He hopes to raise $1 million to “cope with grief by doing good,” and use the money in his community to “accomplish some of what Leiby would have accomplished in his lifetime.” The family also plans to move from their current apartment to leave the painful memories behind. In one day, $60,000 was raised and neighborhood companies are donating bedding and furniture. Over 200 people gathered in the playground behind PS 230 Sunday night for a candle vigil in memory of the boy, and a memorial gathering was held at the Ateres Golda Hall Monday night.