Repeal the Blue Laws ,all about Xanadu?
Here we go again Foes Push to Repeal Bergen County “Blue laws”
February 3, 2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , Bergen County’s blue laws in some peoples eyes represent the last vestige of a civilized society are once again being challenged by the forces of darkness.
According to the Bergen Record a group lead Rosemary Shashoua, a resident of Westwood think the time is right “once again” to attempt to get rid of the highly prized ,traffic-less Sundays in Bergen County . While the record goes to great lengths claim this Westwood grandmother is the guiding force ,we all know from past experiences that most of the charge to be open on Sundays comes from outsiders , political consultants, lobbyists, big retailers and Xanadu supporters.( https://www.northjersey.com/news/189548961_A_Sunday_shopping_fight_for_the_21st_century_gear_up_again.html )
Previous attempts to repeal the “Blue Laws” have been met with overwhelming failure , and politicians seeking reelections should be careful if they wish to stay in office. County residents much prefer that time be better spent seeking indictments for those that proposed “Xanadu” to begin with and push for both jail time and confiscation of assets to help pay for the taxpayer funded mall fiasco.
Any attempt to eliminate the “Blue Laws” will met the fiercest opposition from residents of Paramus, who feel the “Blue Laws” are a quality of life issue ,little to do with religion and everything to do with their right to have one weekend day free of traffic.
Frankly the opposition to “Blue Laws” will have to find more a compelling reason than residents cant live for one day without shopping at Bloomingdales . Local malls are open till 9:30 pm 6 days a week and Food and liquor stores open on Sundays after 12. Gas stations are open every day and many movie theaters are open Sundays, street fairs operate and many sporting events are held. And you can always go to church !
Blue laws in bergen and paramus in particular are here to stay, we like the peace and quiet.
Leave it up to each individual town. No need for state & county control over the towns any more than they already have. Chains & big boxes support Blue Laws because of their uber-presence in Paramus and use them to thwart local shopping on the only day they can’t dominate.