The following op-ed was submitted by Elie Y. Katz, a council member and former Teaneck mayor.
Ah yes, the Blue Laws.
When I was Mayor of Teaneck, at the request of many Teaneck residents, I briefly touched the third rail of this "taboo" subject by looking into a referendum question for Teaneck voters.
It was not the harsh phone call from the Paramus Borough Attorney, nor the legal threats from mall operators outside Bergen County nor the concern from many husbands about their wives getting an extra day of shopping that made the Council withdraw the question. Rather, it was the fact that we were not legally permitted to offer a referendum question on a law which the state controls.
It seems a little strange that in a country which strives for justice and prides itself on its successful separation of Church and State, that government can prevent us from purchasing underwear and socks on Sunday.
While I am personally a firm believer in and supporter of having a day of rest, I would never force my beliefs on others. In fact, most proponents of Blue Laws today are not at all maintaining their position because of religious beliefs.
There are two main focal points for Blue Law support. One is the town of Paramus. That town's residents rightly feel they are harassed by traffic and visitors six days a week and deserve some peace and tranquility one day a week, Sunday.
A secondary opposition derives from mall operators outside Bergen County. They want Bergen County residents to spend their money with them. Capitalism as we understand it gives these mall operators the right to pursue their own interest politically and I would not have it any other way.
You can't blame or fault either of those groups, because they have valid perspectives.
While some argue that having seven days of shopping will act as a pressure valve and relieve some of the Route 4 and 17 congestion, it is a certainty that six days of shopping guarantees Paramus residents one day of a traffic free, noise free community with a seven day a week tax base.
Neither group of Blue Law proponents, however, shows concern that local downtown business districts in other communities suffer because they fail to attract both office and commercial businesses that want or need to be open seven days a week or that close some other day. In Teaneck, for example, many businesses are closed on Saturday and there is even a mistaken perception that those businesses which are open Saturday are closed that day.
There have not till now been enough politicians with the political will power to take on this sacred cow because the supporters of removing Blue Laws are a silent majority while those who are against any changes to the rules are a very vocal minority. If state politicians do change or alter the rules, they should allow each municipality to dictate their own situation and opt in or out on an individual basis.
Paramus could then impose the absolutely strictest Blue Law for itself and rightly keep their Sunday peace and quiet while other towns could look to rebuild their business districts.
The pressure valve that clearly most requires easement is to be found in residents' need to shift their tax burden more onto their town's commercial entities and away from residential homeowners. This can only be accomplished by building up such a town's commercial base.
Bergen County residents are struggling with some of the nations highest property taxes and yet do not have the final say that municipalities everywhere else in New Jersey and throughout the United States have to determine when they might conduct business.
How many more jobs could be created if hundreds of Bergen County stores were open one more day?
At a time when local brick and mortar merchants of all sizes are struggling against the competition of the internet, closing Sunday adds on an additional handicap to the burdens of small business owners and their workforce, our neighbors.
Ricky
8:09 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
I never found the Sunday closings to be a real hassle. Supermarkets and pharmacies that are open within the county sell some of the same items that you find in stores that are shut for the day. There's also other stores including Home Depot and Lowes that are located right along the border of Elmwood Park and Fair Lawn and other places that aren't all that far.
Jacob
8:35 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Elie: It is time for you to "convince" your local State Senator to get the ball rolling on this. Only Trenton has the juice to start this going. Let's see if you have the political willpower to do that.
mimi
8:48 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
I can sympathize with the group who wants to have a day of peace and quiet, but not with the out of county retail group. This is America. Capitalism encourages fair competition and this is how our country thrives. It makes NO sense for me to go to Costco in Hackensack and have a huge amount of items off-limits to me because of the Blue Laws. There has to be a way to modify the laws so that towns outside of Paramus can operate as they wish.
Beth Rosenberg
12:45 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Costco should have been closed on Sundays too. Keep the blue laws!!
Stan
10:50 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
If the Blue Laws were modified to allow Paramus to remain closed on Sunday but allow other smaller towns to stay open, I would bet within a year those towns would start calling for the Blue Laws to return. Driving in towns that choose to stay open on a Sunday would become a nightmare. You can't shut down two major highways worth of retail for a day and expect a couple towns to absorb that traffic.
Moshe
8:48 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Yes, finally some common sense. We need economic activity, not peace and quiet. If you want to retire, move to Florida.
Beth Rosenberg
12:45 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
You have that for 6 days a week. People need a day of REST, don't be selfish.
jenny
9:01 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
100% agree Mr. Elie Y. Katz. Where do I vote?
Beth Rosenberg
12:45 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
No, he is silly and selfish.
Rick
10:23 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
@Beth...so stay home and get your rest, no one is telling you, you cant rest close your windows and close your doors, but dont let your desire for peace infirnge on my rights to go out an earn a living by operating my establishment
zizi
9:26 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Where is the state senator whose office is in Teaneck and who spends all her time to get a tree the historic plate...... Why can't she do something about it......
Joe F
9:36 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
its kind of nice to be able to drive somewhere on a sunday and not sit in route 17 traffic. long live the blue laws.
Debbi S.
2:06 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
That's right - it's WONDERFUL to have one day a week when we can drive down Rt. 4 & Rt. 17 with no traffic!! I love the blue laws for providing that ! There are plenty of places close by to shop, if needed, on Sunday. If the Teaneck Cedar Lane district has a hard time attracting suitable merchants, look to the high rents that are expected & the annoying lack of parking! I'd go anywhere else to avoid circling the block ten times to get a parking spot - that happens to me all the time! I hate shopping on Cedar Lane - give me convenient parking & maybe I'll change my mind!
Tee Smyth
9:59 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
What is Mr. Katz doing to rebuild Teaneck's main business district? Ya know, the one that no one frequents Monday-Saturday.
TeaneckUSEDtoBeGood
12:19 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
NOTHING!
Tee Smyth
10:01 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Oh, and...do your bloody homework, re: church and state. I can't even read any more of this because it's so laughable.
NEXT!
Cathy Zimmerman
11:02 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
In this country of shop til you drop, we need some control and the Blue Laws are doing just that. Experiencing this past year of Christmas with now Black Monday through Friday, enough is enough. Even the retail workers had to work day and night on Thanksgiving. What ever happened to Supermarkets closing early enough so that workers could actually go home and enjoy their holidays. Retail stores should not be open well into the night and next morning before the sun rises. Having the Blue Laws will enable people to actually be with their families on Sundays and Holidays - oh yes, God forbid anyone would ever like to enjoy time with their families any more.
JAD
11:36 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Use your own self control, don't force it onto others.
Beth Rosenberg
12:45 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
As an Orthodox Jew living and working in Teneack; I fully and strongly supports the blue laws!!
We need a day of rest and as a small business owners, we need the full day guaranteed off without the competition of big box stores and malls. Blue laws are the reason why I moved from New York to Bergen County! We still make more money in annually than places open for 7 days unnecessary.
Keep stores CLOSED on Sundays!! Let's not forget the horrible traffic rest of the week
William Mays
8:45 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Beth, keep your religion out of my life. I'm Jewish but I'm not a nuisance to others with my religious beliefs. Do not inject your beliefs into my life.
George P
2:39 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
If you need a rest, go ahead but why subject others to your Blue Laws? This law was enacted a long time ago. Times have changed. The stores in Teaneck are dying slowly. Just look at Cedar Lane.
Mark Kelly
3:46 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
As a Bergen County resident for 31 years the Blue Laws are simply just a hassle and a pain in the butt. I've spent my whole life in Bergen County and am now a tax paying home owner.
Sure I'm used to them by now but they serve no purpose. I work 5 days a week as does my wife. So between getting to and from work we get home around 6pm. Throw in dinner and walking taking my dog out we are looking at 7:30 before I get to sit down. I do not want to now run to the MALL to get something. I want to sit back and unwind.
Now comes the weekend... I have ONLY SATURDAY to do something. God forbid I have plans with family or friends... Now I can't go to get a new shirt or pair of shoes for work or some lumber to fix something on my house.
People complaining about Traffic and being able to drive on Rt4 or Rt 17 are silly. Sure I can drive on them, but there is no point BECAUSE THERE IS NOWHERE TO GO! I don't find the traffic to get places all that bad. If you live here you know how to navigate around the major congestion points.
It's more of a hassle if i need something on a Sunday that i have to travel to Palisades mall or to Willowbrook to purchase it. Or if i want to do construction and need a Nail... off to Home Depot in Patterson for me or Lowes up on 303.
Tee Smyth
6:11 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
So...you're arguing against people's desire to unwind on Sunday because you need to unwind Monday-Friday?
William Mays
8:17 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
No one asked people to move to Paramus. 99% of Paramus residents probably moved there after mall development started. If they didn't want to live in such a busy area, perhaps they should have bought property in the Poconos or some other boring hillbilly area. I think that it is unfair that I have to go shopping in New York or New York City on Sunday because a few snobs get annoyed by congestion. I live in Fort Lee, we deal with congestion every single day, and we somehow are still alive and healthy. If you bought property along or near one of the busiest highways in the state and expected piece of quiet, I have just one word you describe you: dumbass.
Tee Smyth
11:30 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
By the same token, no one asked you to move to Bergen County.
William Mays
12:10 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I was actually born here. I've been annoyed by blue laws since I first began to understand them when I was in elementary school.
Tee Smyth
9:54 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Yet....you stayed.
Mark Kelly
1:24 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
No but as a working and tax paying citizen. I shouldn't be penalized with stores being closed on Sundays.
It doesn't penalize you. You can stay home and relax on sundays if the malls are open. Do you live on Rt 4 or Rt 17? If not it shouldn't effect your ability to unwind on a Sunday. Because as a resident the sat traffic is no skin off my back... neither would sunday.
Same with if i wanted to do nothing and unwind on a Saturday. The malls being open doesn't effect my ability to unwind. But the malls being closed can effect my ability to be productive on the weekend... should i choose two.
if this is up for a vote you can be sure i will be making sure every resident i know in Bergen county will be voting to revoke the dumb out of date laws.
Susan Romanoff Lazzaro
6:17 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
@ Willian Mays....99% of Paramus residents probably moved there after mall development started....are you kidding me? Ive lived here since 1964, before the Fashion Center, Paramus Park Mall and the Mall at 4. Before Riverside Square Mall. Before 2 highways lined with stores. And they keep building more and more mini malls.I remember when the GSP and the Bergen Mall were small and were outside malls. (and I am only in my 50's) I always say you know you're in Paramus when you see red tail lights.
Susan Romanoff Lazzaro
6:40 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
@ Mark. I work 3 jobs. One in the city from 7am till approx. 7pm because of the commute. My second job I work two to 3 nights a week from 6 to midnight. My third job I work from home. (Yes sometimes I end up working 7 days a week) And I have no problem getting something from the mall when I need it. Oh and I also raised two kids on my own. If I cant get to the mall when its opened, then I buy on line. So really what you are saying is because you dont want to be inconvenienced by going out after a long day of work or having to drive out of your way to go shopping on a Sunday they rest of us should be inconvenienced by having the added traffic on Sunday in Paramus. Not to mention, having Sunday open we would have to increase of Police and other first responders to accommodate for the extra people traveling through our great city. Who pays for that but us tax payers.
William Mays
8:45 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Riverside Square Mall is in Hackensack. As you've stated, GSP and Bergen Town Center were already open. I know for a fact that Bergen Mall was one of the busiest malls in the area back in the day.
Joe
5:17 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
This guy has made the most valid points. You should not force YOUR beliefs on others. Just because YOU want peace and quiet,it doesn't mean everybody wants it.
Bruce Jones
8:17 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Mayor Katz: This is a labor issue not a religious issue. The workers of Teaneck should not be required to work seven days a week. Like people, every business enterprise needs to take a moment to review its work. Taking at least one day in the week is prudent.
Tee Smyth
11:32 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
What's funny is that the "workers of Teaneck" don't even work five days per week.
Lol.
Orthowatch
1:08 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
So you want to force the store owners to take a day to review their business? If an owner wants to review his business, he can do so. He/she can choose to close their store. The law shouldn't mandate it.
Mark Kelly
1:26 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Nobody is "Required" to do anything. if your a small business owner and want to close on Sundays SO BE IT. Barbers are universally closed on Mondays... Do people complain.. NO.
Art Vatsky
8:55 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
OK, OK, kudos to Elie for bringing this up again. Here are a few suggestions for him, the Council, the manager and the public to stop guessing and speculating and actually finding out what happens when Blue Laws are lifted. Since Bergen County is the last area in NJ to have blue laws:
1. Contact the NJ League of Municipalities and ask for guidance.
2. Do the same with the Rutgers School of Government.
3. Contact the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.
All of them have the horsepower we lack to tell us the impact on traffic and accidents and economics and pollution from dropping the Blue Laws elsewhere
I want Bergen County politicians to stop paying lip service to local problem and do the not so "heavy lifting" that is involved. After all this issue involves safety, economics and employment and some answers are only a phone call or email away.
JAD
9:08 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Why is ones ability to relax with their family contingent on Sunday closures? I've lived in a few different states and have always had self control and the ability to spend quality time with loved ones without the need to force an entire county to adhere to blue laws.
Garry Hunt
8:19 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
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21st century concerned citizen
10:23 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Unbelievable arguments with the logic that lifting the Blue Laws would require people to work 7 days a week. Lifting the Blue Laws would allow additional employment opportunities in Bergen County. For all of the naive comments about keeping the Blue Laws intact we have a huge unemployment problem in this county. Students who are both going to school and those who have graduated cannot find jobs and are running up significant student loans. Have you all been reading the news articles on our employment issues??????? Also towns like Hackensack, Teaneck, Westwood etc would have more demand for retail space if the locations were open 7 days instead of 6. If you do not like traffic, I would suggest you look for another area of the country (perhaps the Dakota's) to live in. I have lived in Bergen County for over 60 years. I have seen a vibrant Hackensack and Teaneck and to make them retail hubs again we need to lift these 1800 era laws
Tee Smyth
11:03 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Let's assume that the stores are permitted to open from 10 AM-6 PM on Sundays. That's an additional 8 hours. If you own a small store, are you hiring another person to handle those 8 hours, or will you just shift the hours of your existing employees? If the stores were going to be open 24 hours, I could moreso understand the argument of additional employment opportunities.
Someone convince me otherwise. I'm open to listening.
PeterB
10:34 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
@ Beth - what does being a orthodox jew have anything to do with this subject?
You live in the most congested area in the country, if you want your peace and quiet move to Kansas. I am sure you would love to commute 20 mile to the closest store which is Walmart.
shimon baum
3:24 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Shes a fake trust me no Orthodox Jew would want Costco closed on Sundays.
TSDK
2:10 am on Sunday, March 24, 2013
I am going to say it has to do with the idea that people might assume Orthodox Jews would hate the blue laws. They can't shop on Saturday, so with the Blue Laws, they can't shop near home on Sunday either. Sunday isn't their Sabbath so theoretically it could hurt their businesses, having one in Bergen and only being able to be open mon-fri.
21st century concerned citizen
11:15 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
One other item that the proponents of the 1800's Blue Laws neglect to comment on. In Bergen County as well as many other areas in NJ and the US, people are relying on Food Stamps, Food Banks and other venues for their survival. Why? Because we do not have enough jobs! Lifting the Blue Laws would open additional employment opportunities for all citizens. Senior Citizens who are trying to survive on Social Security could work an extra day or two each week at the Home Depot, Lowes, Target etc which are in our towns but do not open because of these antiquated laws. And don't even bring up the argument that there would be no extra jobs because the retailer would require their employees to work 7 days a week. In case you did not know we have Federal laws in place that require overtime payments for work over 40 hours a week. The retailers would hire additional employees and not have to pay the OT. While many comments concern the convenience of being able to shop on Sundays, the key argument is enhancing our economy and allowing people additional opportunities to WORK!!!! If you want to continue to support the Blue Laws, I would suggest you go to your local Food Bank and make a substantial contribution; as your argument is only supporting the lack of jobs and increase in handouts.
21st century concerned citizen
11:21 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
@Tee Smyth Lifting the Blue Laws will allow the retailer the opportunity of opening on Sundays. At least they will have the option of opening or staying closed. You could say that competition would require them to open but we do have many establishments that close another day of the week even though they have the option of staying open. La Viano in Westwood is closed on Mondays. A number of restaurants are closed on Mondays. Again, this is America and the Land of Free Market Capitalism. Our Business Owners should be allowed the opportunity of making their own decision on when to open and when to close. They are the ones who have made the investment in their business
Tee Smyth
12:07 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
So, you believe that business owners should dictate quality of life. Sorry, I fundamentally disagree. You've taken a large leap towards what you think I believe, and what I support. Ahh, such is life.
But, businesses are currently trying to figure out ways to circumvent Obamacare. I have absolutely no reason to believe that businesses will go through the expense of hiring people to cover an additional 8 hours. (I use 8 hours in the broadest of terms). I believe businesses will divide up those hours amoungst staff, while also staying under 40 hours.... while also trying to circumvent Obamacare!
God bless America! Land of the Free.
shimon baum
5:07 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Actually it would be the customers who dictate that which would be mostly the residents of Bergen County. A business would not open just to be open. It would open because there is a demand from the customers. If there is no demand there is no point in being open. Any business who opens on a Sunday would figure that out pretty quickly. It's pretty simple.
mimi
5:07 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Shimon, Costco is open on Sundays, you are just resricted in what you can purchase there. This is the most absurd application of this law that I've found.
Heights12
9:46 am on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
I agree with this article COMPLETELY!! Parmaus and any other towns in Bergen County can continue to have the blue law in effect - but let other towns have the choice. My town's business district is completely dead on Sundays and it very unfortunate. Sundays are meant for walking the town and stopping in our local businesses. If traffic is such a nightmare for Paramus residents - why did they make the choice to live there?? There are many other nice towns in Bergen County. Where do they go on Sundays? Everything is closed? Why do they need to cruise up and down a deserted route 17?
Resident
12:41 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Keep the blue laws! It's easy, find the time to go shopping the other 6 days out of the week! If the blue laws were lifted I'm sure people would then find something else to complain about!
Carmine DeMarco
11:13 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Or, how about this scenario: the state legislature in Trenton simply repeals its Sunday Closing Law. Nothing need be done on a county referendum-based level, or on an individual municipality-based level. If a given municipality (like Paramus) wishes to have its own Blue Laws, it is free to do so.
Carmine DeMarco
11:19 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
And a note to Mr. Katz re. his comment: "Paramus could then impose the absolutely strictest Blue Law for itself and rightly keep their Sunday peace and quiet while other towns could look to rebuild their business districts." Have you READ the existing Paramus "Blue Law" ordinance? I don't think they can get any stricter than they already are, LOL.
TSDK
2:10 am on Sunday, March 24, 2013
I've lived in Bergen County since 1976 except for 7 years when I went to college and stayed by there for a little while after. What would be really awesome is if you want to make a point with "facts"- make sure your facts are correct. 99% of Paramus residents came AFTER the town was built up with all the malls?? Really? And the Plaza borders Maywood & Rochelle Park where the traffic is RIDICULOUS. It's great knowing if I have to be in NYC or down the shore on a Sunday, I can at least make it out of Bergen in decent time. I like the opportunity to go to a restaurant in Bergen on a Sunday without a two hour wait by 6p. I also saw after Hurricane Sandy how nice it was to be able to walk around Ridgewood on a Sunday and do more than window shop. I see both sides of the arguments.
I own a small business not open on Sundays because of blue laws and can't say I don't like it since we have only one employee and we have to be there all six days. It's nice for US to have one forced day off. We don't ever take vacation because who can focus on vacation when you're thinking about all the possible money you're losing not being open. But I also live in a town with some of the highest property taxes in the county. So I get it. There are two sides. But for pete's sake- stop throwing around opinions & statistics as facts when they aren't. Check your spelling while you're at it too.
Lisa Dee
10:58 am on Saturday, May 25, 2013
Elie, Paramus Park just approved 13 movie theaters and restaurants. This will add
approx: 100,000+ cars on Sundays on side and main roads. The Blue Laws according to Paeamus is a Quality of Life issue,LOL. If it benefits the Paramus taxpayer no matter how badly it affects its neighbors does not seem to matter.
Elie, its time for Paramus to knock off the hypocrisy. Bergen County should repeal Blue Laws and let each town decide for itself. Elie, you know a sabbath observant
clothing store operator can't make it without Sunday. If Monsey and Spring have Dress shops that would open but they can't survive without Sunday opening.
Lisa Dee
7:22 am on Sunday, May 26, 2013
Elie,
I would encourage this group to hold off pushing for a vote. I would wait till after election and approach Govenor Christie who only backed off issue now for votes. Christie needs no convincing he knows sales feom east Bergen and Northern Bergen are going to New York on Sunday's. We can try and save a few downtowns.
Paramus can stay closed. We can increase sales tax from lost sales to New York,payroll taxes, jobs, and if towns do better Real Estate property taxes rise this can especially help Teaneck.