Paramus Mayor Calls Blue Laws Repeal Effort 'Ridiculous'
Mayor Richard LaBarbiera stands strong in support of the Blue Laws in Bergen County and Paramus and defends the residents who have been criticized for "whining" in defense of their peace and quiet.
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Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera is calling Westwood resident Rosemary Shashoua's argument to repeal county Blue Laws "ridiculous."
During Tuesday's council meeting, the mayor defended the Blue Laws and the Paramus residents who have been criticized for wanting to keep peace and quiet in this town on Sundays.
"Don't worry about Paramus and we won't worry about what you do in your town," said LaBarbiera.
"I won't stop whining as some outsiders have challenged us," said the mayor referring to the hefty debates that have been going on in the comment sections of recent articles and on Facebook pages.
Shashoua's group "Modernize Bergen County" has the goal of repealing Bergen County's blue laws via a voter referendum on the premise that allowing shops to open on Sundays would create more jobs and bring more money into the area that may be spent in other counties or New York.
The mayor says one of the biggest reasons people move to Paramus is because stores are only open six days a week. He also said he has been greeted by employees of retail stores who have told him how happy they are that they have Sundays off. It is also why many businesses choose to come to Paramus, he says.
Former Councilman Sam Cassiello said Bergen County's Blue Laws have been challenged before, they have been upheld and knows Paramus will see to it that it continues.
"Don't waste your time and energy with petitions," said Casiello.
Former Mayor Jim Tedesco echoed the same message telling LaBarbiera he knows Paramus will continue to protect the Blue Laws and will overcome this challenge.
The blue laws have been challenged twice before: once in 1980 and again in 1993. The plans to repeal the laws were defeated 192,394 to 157,648 in 1980 and 185,821 to 105,040 in 1993.
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Kristen
6:44 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Oh Paramus....they love all those tax dollars being generated , but don't inconvenience them on Sundays.
Go anywhere and tell people that in Bergen County you can buy booze but not jeans. Watch the reaction.
John Santaella
12:06 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
I can buy my jeans any other day of the week or online for that matter. I don't live in Paramus but applaud them for this closure. Route 4 is clogged with traffic every other day of the week. I can drive on route 4 on Sundays without grief. I've also discovered stores I did not know existed because I could see them on a Sunday. For those who object that Blue laws are antiquated based on religious beliefs just change the name to 'Quality Laws'
JAD
8:47 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thanks Paramus for forcing the rest of the counties businesses to follow this antiquated system. How about we let business owners decide their operating hours based upon customer needs
Alex Chang
10:18 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
The mayor is being ridiculous. He's failing to see the symbolism attached to maintaining blue laws is oppressive to the non-Christian members of the Bergen County community. Blue Laws historically recall times of puritanical beliefs that have become antiquated much like how black face comedy recalls a time of racial tension. Furthermore, Blue Laws are not in tune with the anti-establishment clause in the First amendment. Keeping such laws for petty reasons like traffic or "family day" is offensive to me and a disgrace to the very core of our belief in human rights to have a government that isn't willing to establish Christianity as the official religion. Blue Laws, thus, show a favouritism towards a certain religious group symbolically, and should be repealed if only for the additional revenue that we can generate and give to our schools or our public servants.
Tee Smyth
11:52 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
First, it's the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, not the anti-Establishment Clause. "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion...."
Next, don't put Blue Law and Black Face comedy in the same sentence. Just don't.
Next, although the blue laws may have been enacted with religious beliefs as a goal, the laws as they stand have devolved into something other than that. Call it "family" time. Call it "me" time. Call it "scratch yourself" time. Call it "watch football" time: the result is the same. Don't believe me? Ask the Supreme Court because they have upheld the Blue Laws as not violating the Establishment Clause for that very reason.
Tee Smyth
10:18 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
I live in Teaneck and support Paramus 1000%
So, JAD...we will let business owners decide quality of life? No thanks!
JAD
2:15 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
Yes TeeSmyth, that's exactly what I said.
Or the actual intent behind my statements were to repeal the blue laws and let the needs of the consumer drive the business decision. If people are not frequenting these shops, they will not open. If Paramus as a town chooses to continue with shopping restrictions then so be it, why does the rest of the county need to follow suit.
Beth Rosenberg
10:14 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Keep the blue laws!!!!