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NEW YORK (AP) - A federal immigration judge says his priority when dealing with traumatized children facing deportation is to create a kinder, gentler courtroom.

New Yorks assistant chief immigrant judge, Robert Weisel, told a City Council hearing Monday that he takes off his black robes and speaks to young children from the bench in a more casual tone.

Our objective is to lower the level of anxiety, lower the level of fear, because after all, when you see someone in a black robe, its very scary, the judge said.

Weisel testified before the councils Committee on Immigration, which is assessing the needs of children smuggled into the United States from Central America. The cases of more than 1,100 of them are pending before New York City immigration judges. Some face deportation.

Almost $2 million was recently allocated to cover the childrens legal expenses - $1 million from the city and $900,000 in private funds.

New York is the nations second leading state - after Texas - in receiving these children, some as young as 5.

Officials say many of them appear in court for the first time with no legal representation.

A coalition of not-for-profit groups preparing attorneys for the task include the New York Law School-based Safe Passage Project, which has trained nearly 800 lawyers in the past few months to work with the often anxious, vulnerable young refugees appearing alone before judges in a daily docket processing the cases.

The question we face now is how will we treat these children relocating to New York state? asks project founder and law professor Lenni Benson, who urges legislators to provide additional social workers and educators to integrate the youths into American society.

Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said at Mondays hearing that on a recent visit to a courtroom, she was distressed to see traumatized children standing before a judge without a lawyer.

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NY judge sheds black robes for kids facing court

By Clayton L. Thyne and Howard Sanborn September 29 at 3:30 PM

Joshua Tucker: As part of our continuing collaboration with political science journals, the following is a guest post by political scientists Howard SanbornandClayton L. Thynebased on research that is forthcomingin the October issue of the British Journal of Political Science. In conjunction with this post on The Monkey Cage, the article will be available ungated (for free) for the next 30 days.

*****

This past weekend, the world was startled by images, caught in real time, of a Hong Kong in crisis. Police, protected by armor and gas masks, pushed forward into the throngs of students and pro-democracy supporters, through a choking fog of tear gas. Protesters, in large part students and other young people, stood firm with hands raised clutching cellphones, umbrellas (to protect from smoke and debris overhead) and cameras.

Students have played key roles in the various movements over the past century to check the power of abusive or unresponsive governments. Numerous scholars have detailed the decisive actions taken by students in different parts of the world. Over the past few years, we have seen students take the lead in protests against authoritarian regimes, be it in Tunisia, Egypt or, indeed, China.

Educational philosophers like John Dewey and Jurgen Habermas linked the provision of education across wide swaths of the population to the development of the values necessary to support democratic society. Dewey believed that students learned from their experiences; they could properly assess preferences based on their interests and develop, through repeated interactions, tolerance for the preferences of others. Habermas argued that the university had as much a responsibility to inculcate the cultural values of society as it did to provide students with the tools necessary for their careers. In addition, college students gained a political consciousness, aware of the outside world and their effect upon it.

If students, imbued with this political consciousness, played important roles in social movements that challenged institutions and authorities, what effect might this mean for the authoritarian regimes that go to great lengths to provide education to their citizens? In our piece from the October issue of the British Journal of Political Science, we find that the increased enrollment of students at the primary and university levels produces a greater chance that an authoritarian regime will transition to democracy. Put another way the more students that are educated under an authoritarian regime, the more likely it is that the regime will transition to democracy.

If it is the case that educated citizens living in these authoritarian systems agitate for regime change, one may ask: Why would a dictator ever provide more education to his citizens when this investment could lead to his eventual overthrow? Tunisia proves an effective illustration of this conundrum. Habib Borguiba, who took control of Tunisia after its independence from France in 1957, embarked on a program of liberal economic reforms to spur investment and instill a common, secular, Tunisian identity. These efforts led to a dramatic rise in the literacy rate and educational attainment, and a World Bank report from 2001 notes the widespread distribution of education to more people across the country.

As much as these reforms were successes of political will, they were also the seeds sewn for future unrest. Education to produce critical and productive workers is successful inasmuch as there are jobs for them upon graduation. Fairer provision of schooling to both men and women, as well as expansive connections to foreign cultures through the forces of globalization, instills post-modern values but also arms even more of the population with the tools and evidence to articulate high expectations for government.

It was, in part, this confluence of factors that undermined the authoritarian regime of Borguibas successor, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, in 2011. Indeed, in our study, we find the authoritarian regimes that make efforts to provide education, equally, to men and women and permit those connections to the outside world see their chances of transitioning to democracy rapidly increase. We also find that economic conditions, to no ones surprise, have an effect on these chances, too; authoritarian countries are largely immune to the democratizing pressures of education so long as the economy is healthy. When the economy takes a downturn, a sign that opportunities for graduates have fallen, the number of enrolled students is a strong predictor of the fall of the authoritarian regime and a movement to democracy.

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Monkey Cage: Educating those who will overthrow you

Kayaker John Worbel, of North Ridgeville, Ohio, paddles toward the White Oak River near the Cedar Point Recreation Area last week as anglers Don and Peggy Cole, of Bristol, Va., return. The site is within the Croatan National Forest.

By Drew C. Wilson, Halifax Media Services

CAPE CARTERET | The Croatan National Forests most popular campground is getting a facelift.

The U.S. Forest Service announced it would spend about $700,000 in renovations to the Cedar Point Campground on the southwest corner of the Croatan National Forest near Cape Carteret.

Its exciting to know that they are renovating this place. Well definitely come back next year, said camper Aleah Schoengut of Clarksville, Tenn.

She stayed two nights last week at the campsite with her husband and dog. She said the family likes the Cedar Point site because of its proximity to the beach and its forested setting.

The campground, located on the White Oak River, will close on Tuesday for the five-month renovation project that involves replacement of an aging and failing sewer system, relocation of a sewer dump station for recreational vehicles, an upgrade of electrical systems at campsites from 30 amps to 50 amps, renovation to the campsites and renovation to the bathroom and shower building with water-saving fixtures.

This project is a substantial investment in the Croatan National Forest and the community as a whole, Croatan District Ranger Jim Gumm said. The large dollar figure reflects the amount of work thats needed at the site and the important role this premier recreation destination plays in North Carolina.

The campground has 40 camp sites with nearby bathroom and showers, electrical hookups and available potable water.

Im glad theyre doing the work on it, said camper David Bobbitt of Littleton. It took a long time.

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Popular Croatan campground to get $700,000 facelift

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Although construction of The Hub cost Kabul Restaurant its streetside location on State Street, owner Hamed Zafari said he is making things work.

Zafari said despite the unexpected relocation of hisAfghani-Mediterranean restaurant to an upstairs space across the street, he has added a full bar and other new features that are bringing customers back to the beloved Madison spot.

The restaurant has been on State Street for 25 years, butwas forced to relocate after its original location under University Inn was torn down last spring in order to build The Hub.

The new location is larger and has new features like a full bar, something that Zafari said he has always wanted. He also said he wants to add late-night menus and bring live music in on the weekends.

One month into the semester and Kabul is still finding success in its new second-floor spot above candy store ITSUGAR.Zafari said he would have preferred to be on the first floor due to foot traffic on State Street, but said it has not affected business too much.

People are still finding us because they missed Kabul. Theyre going out of their way, theyre doing whatever they have to do to find it, he said. Weve had a tremendous amount of support, a lot of people have come back and expressed how happy they are that we are open again.

The restaurant had the option to stay in the previous location, but Zafari said they would have had to wait two years to reopen with doubled rent. Zafari said the restaurant would not be able to survive a change like that without increasing prices significantly.

Zafari said staying near campus was important to him because of all the students and faculty that come in.

We were scrambling to find a space, and I really wanted to stay close to campus, he said. I didnt see myself moving too far away, or going to the Square even. Professors and students have limited time, and I know they wouldnt walk all the way to the square, they just dont have the time.

Zafari described the construction process as a nightmare, spending almost double what they intended to, but he is happy with the new location.

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Kabul thrives following summer relocation

NASCAR Sports Grille, a mainstay at Universal CityWalk since the entertainment complex opened in 1999, will close Nov. 1.

The racing-themed restaurant, which serves American-style food such as burgers, ribs, sandwiches and pasta, will continue lunch and dinner service through that date.

Universal Orlando employees recently were told of the closing. No replacement has been identified.

The restaurant "has been a big part of helping CityWalk grow and establish itself as an entertainment destination," Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder said Sunday. "This change is part of our ongoing commitment to bring new entertainment experiences to CityWalk."

The 530-seat restaurant, which originally went by the name NASCAR Cafe, is located on the north end of the complex. It's the last outlet that visitors using Universal's parking garage pass if they are heading to Universal Studios theme park, home of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Diagon Alley.

The concept was a joint project of NASCAR and the Cordish Co., based in Baltimore. The restaurant includes a retail outlet that specializes in NASCAR gear and souvenirs. An additional NASCAR Sports Grille operates in Hampton, Va.

Universal is in the midst of revamping its dining options at CityWalk. New operations include Red Oven Pizza Bakery; Vivo Italian Kitchen; Antojitos, a Mexican place that took over the Latin Quarter space; Hot Dog Hall of Fame; a larger Starbucks location; and the Bread Box. The Cowfish, a small burger-and-sushi chain based in North Carolina, is expected to open this year. Construction workers were at the Cowfish site on CityWalk's second level on Sunday.

Other CityWalk restaurants -- including Hard Rock Cafe, NBA City, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Emeril's, Pat O'Brien's, Bob Marley: a Tribute to Freedom and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. -- continue to operate.

Universal CityWalk also features fast-service dining options, retail stores, a movie theater, miniature-golf courses, bars, nightclubs and the Blue Man Group.

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NASCAR restaurant closing at Universal CityWalk

by Catherine Sutton-Martin DCNN Correspondent

Newtown Supervisors reaffirmed the acceptance of dedication for four township roads at the Sept. 22 meeting.

According to engineer Eileen Nelson of Stantec, it was discovered that the roadways were missing from the Liquid Fuels list and therefore, not included in the state funding. The roadways are Old Forest Road, Hempstead Road, Heather Way and Bakers Lane.

Nelson also advised that the notice to proceed was issued, Aug. 22, to Road-Con for the Gradyville Road Bridge. Even though the contracted completion date is July 13, 2015, Nelson told the supervisors that Stantec would impress upon the contractor the need for an earlier completion date.

Nelson also noted that a Sept. 23 notice to proceed was given to Gessler Construction for the townships Road Program, and that Reese Avenue, held over from last years program due to utility work, will be completed.

New Restaurant

Township Manager Michael Trio announced that the former Albertos restaurant will become Teca 2, a sister restaurant to the one in West Chester, and part of the Guadagnini restaurant group.

Trio also noted that the barn, which stood on the property is gone, and they must put up an historic plaque.

Leaves, Recycling

Trio announced that the township leaf collection will begin Oct. 13; the schedule is posted on the website.

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Newtown Supervisors discuss roads, restaurant, bridge and new hire

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