I agree!

So close the stores there, too. One can still buy essentials—food, newspapers, medications—even liquor, though that is hardly a necessity, for limited hours; theatres and restaurants are open, too. And retail employees, who are usually part-timers (what store wants to pay for health insurance?) and often have unusual schedules, are guaranteed a full day off each week. If one really desparately needs a clothing item, piece of furniture, shop on line and arrange for pick up on Monday, or have it delivered, and then go spend some quality time with family, have a marathon cooking session to destress the next 5 days, do some yardwork, housework, go to a park, read a book. . . so many options when the “mall drug“ is taken out of the equation!

come live here and see how hard it is. i wouldn't mind the blue laws in Bergen County if all 3 major malls were all in one TOWN. Paramus has the Garden State Plaza with a 16 screen movie theatre, the Bergen Towne Center, The Parmus Park Mall and then stores and restaurants all up and down both Route 4 and Route 17. From Black Friday to January 2nd it is almost impossible to even leave my house because shoppers block driveways and congest our streets. you can't compare an entire County to one Town and expect us to put up with the congestion 7 days a week. Sunday is the only day I get to enjoy the town I live in.

Dawn,
I agree. During holiday season traffic near the malls gets beyond crazy. Like I've been saying, I am not advocating grid lock for Paramus 52 Sundays a year. Let Paramus keep their Blue Laws if they want, but let the rest of the county opt out if they so choose.

Your just out-raged because your town/county doesn't have Blue Laws.

You don t live or work in Paramus, Its a pleasure to drive thru the one and only town that has the moxy to stand alone. Other towns don t have to be open to drag 6 days of shopping into 7.All this does is to add to the cost of running a business GOOD FOR YOU PARAMUS! GO SPARTANS

It's up to the voters of Passaic, Hudson and Rockland counties to send the message to their mayors and freeholders what they want done in their counties.

The Blue Laws are antiquated. Many people only have the weekend to shop and are forced to travel to Passaic or Rockland counties. If we live closer to NY State and shop there we pay additional sales tax on items we would not normally pay in NJ. Why should we let our money go to other counties and states? Opening on Sunday would also promote job growth. The state and county need these stores and the money and jobs they will create. This is just silly now.

Obviously a nonresident. Close stores in those counties too, give everyone—even retail workers—a chance for a day off to spend with family and friends!

I lived in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ for many years. I agree that the Blue Laws are ancient and ridiculous in this day and age! I live in Florida now and with people having such diverse schedules, it is really necessary for them to be able to shop on Sundays for what they want and not what politicians want them to shop for! The Blue Laws in Bergen County, NJ are outdated and people should petition for recission of these ridiculous laws that hamper a person's freedom! Sincerely, Linda J. Hiltbold, North Fort Myers, FL

I agree with you Sally G! No need to have stores open on Sunday. There are plenty of hours to shop and it gives my daughter an opportunity to catch up on homework from during the week when she goes to school and works almost every day after or before her college classes. Think for a minute about those employees who need a day to spend with family. Retail employers are the least family friendly in the business world. Most retail managers are single moms with kids. Let's give them the opportunity to spend a day with their family.

When the malls came in in the late 1950s, there was no Sunday shopping—and it was made clear that there would never be. Yes, property taxes are lower because of the stores; the traffic is the quality-of-life “payment” for that by residents. The cost of public services such as police, ambulance, fire department would increase with Sunday shopping—and the borough does not get any of the sales tax collected, so there would be no corresponding income to offset that increased cost.

The malls keep taxes low but does that mean the rest of us have to be inconvenienced on Sunday? It's a nice change of pace to actually spend some family time not shopping! The world is the crappy place it is because there are no family times to just sit and chill and enjoy your family. Shopping isn't a necessity.

“Everyone” is a pretty sweeping statement—and I can categorically state that my family and I would not benefit, so it is false. Employees probably take all positions, as do store owners, residents, shoppers, etc.
What is clear is that every time it has been voted on in the county, Sunday closing has won—by an increasing majority. So it will be good to get back to normal—and I wish the same for all Sandy sufferers, particularly those whose homes have been destroyed. No shopping day can fix that.

I agree 100% and also agree with those saying the Blue Laws are ridiculous. I was out Sunday and there was NO Major Traffic. Here's an idea taken from the Gas Rationing: How about odd/even addresses close every other Sundays? Sorta 1/2 Blue-Law with business taking turns weekly on closing. Would cut traffic in 1/2, allow merchants to increase revenue.

The only business that has severely suffered are groceries and restaurants who lost power for several days. At least most other businesses do not have to get a dumpster to throwout product that they can no longer sell, then have to wait until they can get delivery.

Residents lost more than a couple of week’s income—some lost houses, cars; check out Moonachie and Little Ferry. How does opening the malls help them?

Choice A, please!

With regard to Little Ferry and Moonachie residents and how the Blue Laws recission might help them, they would have another day to work to earn money to repair their homes and restore their possessions, with more income to weather the losses they had in Hurricane Sandy. Linda Hiltbold, North Fort Myers, FL

The loss of income from the 7th shopping day is worth it for the ability to travel the roads in more-civilized fashion. Nobody is trying to force anyone not to shop, simply not to shop in our town/county.

So bars should be open 24/7, and banks, and the stock market, and every other business as well?
Sorry, government has put business regulations in place probably ever since the existence of same.

What? Yes that is what a governing body does. Don't get the third world country reference. Third world countries work there people 7 days a week for little wages, we are far from third world.

Each town has ordinances that control the days of the week and hours of the days that each type of business can be open and even when homeowners can do work on their own homes. It's not even legal to mow your lawn on a Sunday in some towns.

You agree with SOME of us—the minority of the voter each time the issue has been put on the ballot.

Garden State is the third most profitable mall in the country (so stated in a US News & World Report article back in 2009). And they do it on six days.

Putting it another way, if these laws were choking down retailers, they'd leave Bergen County en masse. I don't see anybody leaving.

Som the bottom line, Betty, is that it seems as if you want Sunday store openings as a convenience to you. Selfish.

Mark: Paramus is not the only town in Bergen County. According to http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bcresources/municipalities.html there are SEVENTY municipalites in Bergen County. Why should 69 of them bow down to one? If that one wants the law on the books, let them have it. Leave the rest of us alone.

Teanecker,

Bowing down? You're not talking sense.

The law got voted down twice, county-wide, and, the second time by a much larger margin than the first (80,000 vs. 35,000). It wasn't just a Paramus vote.

OK, maybe it's time to put it on the ballot again, as it's been 19 years. As I told Fair Lawn Resident down near the bottom of this long list of posts, this is a democracy; get enough signatures and petition to put it on the ballot. It's your right. But the majority of your county brethren voted it down twice. So, I'd hope you'll be able to deal with it, again, should it get voted down a third time. However, until that vote is taken, the Blue Law is the current law. I suggest you deal with it.

If you do a online petition I will sign it. I think this Blue Law gotta go! If Paramus people do not want to see it go or afraid of traffic then move in the woods and live like they did 60 years ago no phone no nothing! These people gotta realize it is 2012 not 1950s. Maybe if we did not shop Paramus 6 days a week and they lost alot of money they would realize this law gotta go. We should get people to not shop Paramus for a week and see what they lose they will wake up pretty damn fast. I heard a woman say "We will go to Trenton and protest" yea really! Get a grip!!! Stupidity for sure :(

The mayor of Paramus is representing the voters whom he represents and who put him in office. He is merely doing his job.

Kim, Think about the kids who work retail and the mom's that work retail. They need time with their families. The cost to be open an extra day won't bring in the profits you expect to recoup from the storm. The storm is just an easy way for you to try and push for the removal of blue laws. KEEP THE DAY FOR FAMILY TIME. SO happy the mayor stands by his blue laws. Its not just Paramus. It is all of Bergen County.

Many people were unaware that the stores were open.

Ending the blue laws would put a burden on me and my family, not keeping them in place so that we can actually leave my parents’ neighborhood without waiting for a seemingly-endless stream of traffic, and then crawling out of town in stop-and-go traffic.

The majority of people in Bergen County live closer to Hudson County, Passaic County, NYC or NY State than they do to Paramus. People who consider driving a few extra miles so they can shop within a 6 hour window on Sunday a "serious burden" have too much time on their hands.

Would you like for me to come to your town and command you and your town what and what not to do? Get a life and realize that you are in the minority and the residents of Paramus and other towns in Bergen County always uphold the blue laws. Last time I checked, that constitues a majority! Perhaps you should entertain yourself by reading up on laws and how the government works instead of whining about going to the malls on Sunday! Go shop elsewhere...that's fine...Paramus will never lose!

I think that Sally is right. However, as voters we should be able to influence changes in our community and county. Local option has already taken place. Lots of communities in Bergen county have amended versions of the Blue Laws. In some Bergen towns Radio Shack, bookstores, banks and toy stores are open on Sundays. Let Paramus keep it's Blue Laws and you should work to get your town to abolish its laws. If that doesn't work for you maybe you can support the building of a mall in your town!

why would you even think the paramus mayor should be impeached, he is doing exactley what he should be doing and that is representing his town,

I have said it before, and say it again: if you can get ALL businesses—stores, schools, offices, banks, etc., etc., to agree on any other day to be closed—SAturday, Tuesday, Thursday, whatever—I would be perfectly agreeable. I do not see that happening any time soon. So Sunday is the day for near-universal closing. What was about religion a century or more ago is now about quality of life.

It is an absolute disgrace that you drag and use religion unfairly just to make a point. The laws were not written with the intent to discriminate against one's religion...get over it! There are 5 other days in the work week. Are you going to cry wolf because not everyone can work on Sat.? Laws are written for the majority of people and regretably not everyone will be happy...it is unfortunate, but that is how it is.

"I have said it before, and say it again: if you can get ALL businesses—stores, schools, offices, banks, etc., etc., to agree on any other day to be closed—SAturday, Tuesday, Thursday, whatever—I would be perfectly agreeable."
Why legislate any specific day at all? Why not let each business owner choose what works for them? Many hair salons and barber shops are closed on Monday. People are used to it, they know it, they survive.

"What was about religion a century or more ago is now about quality of life."
Whose quality of life? Clearly there are those who would disagree with you on this point.

AML: Firstly, take a deep breathe. Secondly, certain parts of the law are specifically due to Christian sensitivies about Sunday as the Sabbath (liquor, for one). So it's not so out of left field. I am not anti religion, nor am I anti any specific religion. I am simply stating that, as any research you do will show, the laws were originally based on Christian beliefs. True, there are side benefits, but there are also negative side effects which need to be considered.

Longtime Teanecker,
The reason to call for a SINGLE day is for the best traffic relief; the only way to maintain the patterns as they are. Yes, decades and centuries ago it was religious in nature; now it is about traffic and congestion—completely secular rationale.

Amen Sally! Family's first!

Closing laws have been ruled constitutional if for a secular, nonreligious purpose—such as controlling congestion, traffic, etc., which is the reason for the current closing laws. (See my comment above about choosing a different day.)

I actually was thinking that if the people of Paramus really want one day without traffic we should make it Saturday that the blue laws are in effect. Based upon my preliminary (very preliminary) research, there is a significant part of the Bergen County population (Obeservant Jews and 7 Day Adventists) who can not shop on Saturdays and only a tiny group (Mormons) who can shop on Sunday. So wouldn't it be a fair resolution to switch the blue laws to Saturday?

Made a typo. So far could only find the Mormons who cannot shop on Sundays.

That might be hard for stores, but would be welcomed by residents—who might even decide that an annual no-shopping week would be a good idea.
Sort of joking here—but not entirely—but if you do not even shop in town, this is really not your fight, is it?

I am not sure what you mean by “pay all their taxes”? Property taxes in each town either go to the county or the town, do not go from one town to another, and sales taxes all go to the state, so no purchases affect Paramus income, at least I do not see how they would.

if u are so against paramus and it is the worse place why are you so concerned about what is going on in our town?

BEW, Sales tax goes to the State, unless you are in an Urban Enterprise Zone (more re-distribution taxpayers' money). Property tax goes to each individual borough. Your "patronage" doesn't affect property taxes. You also don't pay any sales tax on clothing or food. The car dealers love all of them being closed on Sunday, a day off with no competition. The people of Paramus and surrounding towns would love for you and your friends to stay out of their town. They would not suffer.

"If you are not happy with the Blue Laws, I suggest that you pack up your bags and move to a county or state where there is shopping on Sunday!"
Really? That's the best you can come up with? There are many wonderful things about the community I live in. I've lived her close to 40 years. If I were to move because of the Blue Laws, that would be small-minded at best.

"What ever happened to the seventh day as being a day of rest, a day to spend with family and friends?"
Firstly, the seventh day is Saturday, not Sunday. For some religions the day to spend as a day of rest with family and friends is Saturday.

"We have become a "moral-less," classless society in which material things & the almight dollar are revered."
I'm not going to disagree with this point as a whole, I'm just not sure how it has anything to do with the argument at hand. If you notice, people here are talking about buying things like clothes for ourselves and our children, not gadgets. These are necessities, not luxuries.

"Paramus has enough to contend with 6 days of mall activity & non-stop traffic; a day of peace is necessary."
Traffic was worse this past weekend on Saturday night than on Sunday. Argument disproven.

"For those who propose the elimination of Blue Laws, I would like to offer a counterproposal of having you work 7 days a week, instead of the normal 5 days a week...let's see how you would like that...to work nonstop with no day off!
"Let the retailers decide when they want to be open. Nobody is suggesting mandating that people need 7 day work weeks. We are, however suggesting that it not be mandated by the state which day to close.

AML,
I like your counterproposal.
I am a bit confused about your second paragraph, though: what do you mean by “make up for losses during Hurricane Sandy”? My understanding for the rationale was that it was intended to allow those who needed supplies for emergency repairs and to replace items destroyed by the storm to replace them; your sentence is ambiguous; it definitely was not in any way intended as a “make-up day” for businesses to recoup lost sales; that would have been a by-product only.

Agreed! Sundays are the only day we have to relax and with no pressure of feeling like you need to get things done. If your life is so crazy that you can't get it done on one of the other 6 days of the week then I think you need to revisit some stuff. Also to anyone who thinks business suffers in Bergen County by not being open on Sundays you couldn't be more wrong. The major dept stores in the GSP are all top 10 stores in the country. Not to mention the other big chains and big box stores. Lets leave it alone, go read a book or shop on line if you really need that pair of jeans from the Gap

The 7th day is Saturday not Sunday. I do observe a day of rest on Saturday.

AD:
"Agreed! Sundays are the only day we have to relax and with no pressure of feeling like you need to get things done. If your life is so crazy that you can't get it done on one of the other 6 days of the week then I think you need to revisit some stuff."

Um, not everyone uses Sunday as a day of rest away from getting things done. Other people have that on Saturday.

"Also to anyone who thinks business suffers in Bergen County by not being open on Sundays you couldn't be more wrong. The major dept stores in the GSP are all top 10 stores in the country. Not to mention the other big chains and big box stores."

What about the Mom & Pop shops forced to close? I know personally of stores forced to close in other Bergen County towns (outside Paramus) which have been forced to close because of the Blue Laws.

A Longtime Teanecker
Clearly you have plenty of time to spend on the Internet, maybe you could be spending it doing the things you can't do on Sundays. I'm sorry your friends business didn't make it but there are very successful speciality stores in the county and I think someone else said it best, if you're opening a small store in Bergen County you are fully aware of blue laws. Don't forget it costs money to operate a business day to day so they don't have the expenses for the day either.

The only comment from an independent businessperson I found was from the owner of Norton Paints, who supports Sunday closing.

if u are paying such high taxes where you live come move to paramus oh that's right paramus is the worse, get over yourself.

Done deal.

Actually, the mayor was representing his citizens by doing what they want—standing strong for store closings. I do not know whether he was going to stores or not—none of my business. It is not about what store is open, it is about what items are sold.

While I like the idea of the petition, it is written in a very juvenile, almost whiny, tone. To be seriously considered, the wording needs A LOT of work. I'm sure the person who started it meant well, but s/he needs to get a better writer on board, perhaps even have a lawyer get in on the authorship.

I reccomended getting a lawyer to draft it. Alas, I am not one.

Sorry if I insulted you. Not the intention. Wishing you well.

Most of the businesses came here AFTER the blue laws were in effect. These stores are the top performers in the country, while being open only 6 days. No store has to open here. Emergencies are why we have hospitals. Desires are why we have malls. I have yet to meet someone who couldn't wait an additional 24 hours to buy non-necessities or drive an additional 10 miles to get something they couldn't live without in that time frame. The one person who is NOT John Galt, is the person posting under the WIJG name. Entitlement is not a good trait.

The attitude expressed in that comment, combined with your user name, is off-putting to some. I agree with Longtime Teanecker that legal advice would be advisable.

Mia P,
Well said, thank you.

Christie and Donovan are up for re-election and need support in Bergen County. They used the storm to float this issue of opening stores and quickly got the message from voters that it would not help them to support this. The stores were quickly closed again.

No, absolutely not; it was to extend ONLY until the weather crisis was over. The rationale they used for the suspension was one of (a) allowing residents severely affected who needed to replace damaged items, buy construction materials, etc. (the county administrator specifically mentioned folks that had “lost both their cars and had to depend on neighbors” for transportation—I note that not everyone even HAS two cars) and (b) freeing the police from blue-law enforcement (whether total or by item) so that they could focus on crisis response. NOBODY in government whom I have heard even mentioned profit—to their credit.
That rationale is gone; hence the resumption to normal of closing laws.

Mia,
You may well be right; if so, I think they got the message (as Christie did in 2010).

GlenRocking,
I agree completely. My parents moved to Paramus before the malls; only house they could afford at the time. Stayed for school system, even better when my sister and I were kids than now; they also could not find a house/neighborhood they liked as well, so added on a few times over the decades.
Do not understand the “uppity” comment at all; certainly not one of the more exclusive communities in the county—I would think of Alpine, Upper Saddle River, Ridgewood in those terms, though I prefer not to make sweeping judgements about any community, especially if I do not have a great deal of first-hand experience (though if the newly-renamed Blue Eyes works in Paramus 7 days a week, I guess she has such experience, flawed though I think her conclusions are.)

Very well said! Bravo!

Glen Rocking: You're correct in that I don't like the Blue Laws. You're also correct that they have a religious origin. You're also correct that I don't believe that the religious leanings of one group should affect laws pertaining to all groups. However you are wrong on many levels. You think you know me, but I promise you, you don't. A few more corrections are in order. 1) Teaneck Rd isn't the only street in Teaneck with business districts. There have been stores on Cedar Lane which have been forced to close due to Blue Laws. (2) Yes, the Blue Laws have been up on the ballot, but you have no idea how my parents, or I for that matter, voted. 3) I'm not "making the Blue Laws my religious crusade" as you put it. I simply don't see why 69 townships need to close their stores because 1 town doesn't want traffic. 4) I have spoken to residents and business owners of various races, religions, and creeds. The vast majority of them are against the Blue Laws and think they're ridiculous. 5)You wrote, "Why don't you start a petition to close all stores on Saturday because according to your religious beliefs that it is "your day of rest and family time" your going by your religious beliefs so you are also a hypocrite here." Please show me where in my prior comments I advocated for switching the Blue Laws to Saturday. I strongly believe that doing so would be just as wrong as having them on Sunday. I see no reason for personal attacks here. We can disagree respectfully.

@GlenRocking: Someone who doesn't shop on Saturday in Teaneck probably wouldn't be looking to shop on Teaneck Road. Now, Cedar Lane? Jackpot.

Keep the Blue Laws intact!!!!

GlenRocking, I second AML’s bravo!

Longtime Teanecker,
Regarding your conversations, it appears that your sample was not fully representative, as it did not reflect the will of the voters in the previous elections. I know when I do informal surveys, they tend to confirm my beliefs—in part, I suspect, because I tend to hang out/do business with peeps who have values/outlooks similar to mine.

Thanks for the compliment, GlenRocking; back at you—very well reasoned comments.

It is so frustrating reading the same yada-yada-yada -- the governor was smart enough to back off the Blue Laws issue after he was elected because he recognized the importance to residents of bergen County. And really, the residents are the ONLY ones whose opinions matter. Paramus is the most profitable retail zip code in the US and that is true with stores closed on Sundays. Bergen county would have the added expenses of police, municipal costs and employee wages to spend and all the other "extra" money raised would leave the county. Blue laws are a smart move for our county. And they have been in place for over 40 years -- so if you open a business or move into Bergen,, you know that is how it is -- DEAL WITH IT. Our quality of life trumps anyone's "need" to shop. A huge majority of residents want the Blue Laws so majority rules.

Paramus itself does not care what the rest of the county does. The Big Malls in Paramus do care that if they have to be closed on Sunday, they don't want to be at a disadvantage to stores in Hackensack, Teaneck, Englewood or anywhere else that might open up on Sundays. The "Big Malls" knows that even if the rest of the county abolished the blue laws, Paramus would still keep their own blue laws. So the Big Malls prefer that the entire county enforce the Blue laws.

Josh,
You have a point; and also, there are different levels of closing in different towns in the county; I remember driving by a record store in River Edge (long since closed) on Route 4, just past Paramus, that used to be open on Sundays—did not understand why it was open until I realized where the town border was.
Yes, a level playing field is important; it is the reason that you will see clothing departments roped off in stores that are open to sell other items on Sundays.

Majority of COUNTY residents voted in FAVOR of the Blue laws! Not just Paramus.

Actually, my parents bought their house BEFORE the malls; they originally had to drive into Hackensack to shop—6 days a week!
However, most residents came after the malls, so to your point: they bought near malls that were CLOSED on Sundays. If they wanted to be near 7-day malls, they could have bought in Wayne, or Nanuet, etc. Changing the rules later is in some sense unfair, especially without a vote. Malls make more in 6 days than in almost any other place in 7 days, and employees are guaranteed at least 1 full day off.
End of story, at least for me. (and check out how flexible, part-time hours really work in big stores; also consider owners of small stores with few if any employees—how could they compete with 7-day stores and still have a regular day off.) (guess it wasn’t really the end of the story, sorry! ;) )

I respectfully disagree, you would have two back to back days of terrible traffic.

"If we need to go to the malls we are are forced to go on Saturday because they are not open on Sunday."

What a ludicrous statement! No one is forcing you to go to the malls on Saturday. The last time I checked I believe we have at least five other days to prance about in the malls...please take note as they are: MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, & FRIDAY! So, you do have other choices.

Go out to Willowbrook on a Sunday and tell me that. Tony and AML are more likely—almost certainly, I would think—to be right. And I survive quite well without going to a mall on Sunday or most Saturdays, especially after 12 noon on Saturdays—leave it for the tourists! Glad to be able to visit friends, go out to eat, go to a park etc., on Sunday without the traffic.

Fred, is there a Web site for those interested in fighting the Crossroads project? LLike you, I grew up in Paramus, same decades, same sorrow—though my parents were the first wave that disrupted the agricultural prewar town, buying their house in 1952 with a GI mortgage (another topic: we need to do something like that for this generation of vets, Iraq and Afghanistan). I support the blue laws for the same reasons you do, and will gladly help the fight to keep the excessive retail space out of Mahwah.

Agree, Fred!

John: Not everyone has the "Church, family dinner, family time" on Sunday. Many also have "Worship, family dinner, family lunch, family time" on Friday night and/or Saturday. Your comment confirms the Christian leaning bend I am talking about.

Longtime Teanecker is right about different days for worship time; however, as previously said laws are not written to satisfy every single solitary person....for the most part they are written for the mass majoirty of individuals.

For all of the folks griping & complaining about the Blue Laws, I have to say that you did have a choice to settle in whatever town you selected knowing that the Blue Laws were in existence. If you did not, then you can only blame yourselves for your ignorance in not researching the area in advance. No one twisted your arm and forced you to live where you now live. If you did not like the idea of the "Blue Laws" you had the choice to move elsewhere. Do not blame the residents for what has already existed for many years as they are very happy with them.

For all the other ignorant people stating not to shop in Paramus, be my guest & go elsewhere. As another individual commented, Bergen County, specifically Paramus 's zip code, is in the top 3 for generating revenue in the entire USA. That is accomplished in 6 days; we do not need 7 days. To the folks whose analogy of increased revenue...please note that your figures are totally flawed & do not add up. Do the research!

When you moved to the area I am sure that the Blue Laws were in existence & it was your choice to settle in whatever town you chose to. For all of the people griping * complaining

sorry, extra sentences by mistake in my post.

If you go into retail, then you know that by definition, to make your business work, a 9-5 model will rarely work b/c you need to be available to sell when most people aren't at work - either earlier than 9, later than 5, or on weekends.

She NEEDS to shop on Sundays? NEEDS?

As supermarkets are already open Sunday, do you mean to tell me that there are no other hours in the week for her to do her clothes, frivolous, etc. shopping? She has no evenings available? No mornings?

Shop for what are you unable to help her out?

OMG, ditto the previous responses. It is 2012; do you not have on which Internet to shop? My feminist hackles raise: is she shopping for you (in which case why can you not do it yourself, or at least share?); if she is choosing to shop for herself on Sunday because she feels that she has no other time, she should have a LONG talk with you about sharing.
I realize that I am reacting to a mere two-sentence post, and do not have all the details, so please explain why all the responses to your comment are as negative as they are.
Sudden thought, midpost—was that a failed attempt at sarcasm?

Get her a laptop with internet -- she can shop 24/7.

Absolutely correct.

I do not live in Paramus and I chose to live in my town 30 years ago specifically because of the Blue Laws. If I did not like it, I had the choice to move elsewhere. The same scenario applies to all of the gripers out there. If you did your homework & you did not like the Blue Laws, then you should have made it your priority to move to an area which did not have the Blue Laws.

my comments about keeping the blue law is really only for paramus, if other towns don't agree they should try to get their lifted, with 3 major malls in our town we need sunday off, today (wednesday) i was stuck on rt 17 for about 45 minutes trying to get home and it is not even the holidays yet, i actually get all my holiday shopping done before next week so i don't have to deal with to much traffic during the holidays.

As Paramus has so many stores, it is the main focus; although the county has not opted out of the state blue laws as other counties have, each town enforces the minimum, Paramus’s standards are probably the strictest. Thus, the focus of the original comments, which then influenced the remaining comments.

Bravo, CAC!

Boo-hoo to you. You can't get straws (that sounds ridiculous, but I'll go with it, as most cashiers would probably look the other way, if indeed they have to) and you don't have an extra pair of pantyhose on hand?

Besides, if you're going to a funeral on Sunday, it isn't a Christian one. So, how many Jewish/Muslim funerals on Sunday do you plan to attend? And, if you have a bunch of old relatives about to go, maybe you should keep extra pantyhose on hand.

Mark R,
Excellent response to a whiny comment. We are all adults and can plan ahead for almost everything. The nature and severity of the storm was the only reason for suspending the blue laws, as stated by the politicians. If a relative is so dependent on a straw, that person or per caretaker should be very sure to have an extra box on hand. Almost every woman who wears pantyhose has a pair of slacks, or full-length skirt to wear instead of a skirt that would show a run, and if not, the same thing applies—make sure to keep a back-up pair.

case in point, Willowbrook Mall in Wayne.

Pamela being a small business owner i have recently found my health care cost will actually go down under Obama care. A blanket statement such as yours does not hold up.

Pamela,

And what about the people who don't go to church on Sundays? Are they going to hell?

What you need is a place like Prospect Park, where it may still be illegal to do something mundane like wash your car on Sunday. And if it is legal, it hasn't been for long.

leave religion and politics out of this! If you don't understand healthcare then leave it and it has nothing to do with blue laws. As far as church, not everyone is catholic and most people are selective when it comes to religion. as i stated blue laws should be lifted during the holiday season and i think that should make everyone happy.

Natalie,
What you think “should” make people happy is not necessarily what does; not everyone wants what you want. I would have been happier if the blue laws had not been suspended at all; I can accept their suspension for emergency relief for RESIDENTS seriously affected, and to allow the police to concentrate on relief work, but that is it. VERY GLAD that it is back to normal; I will be watching Black Friday opening times like a hawk. (P.C. Richards has already run a full-color ad announcing that they will not open at all on Thanksgiving, so that employees can enjoy family time, and honoring emergency workers who do not have that luxury. [They also mention those suffering Sandy and credit relief workers, as well as military servicefolk who are overseas and cannot be with family.] This is a local chain that I will gladly support next time I need an appliance.)

Your comment is also ignorant. Please tell me who is forcing people to shop on Saturday? As I said in another post, the last that I checked, we also have MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, & FRIDAY!

Jenny,

Separation of church and state? There is no such thing anywhere in the Constitution.

What it IS is that there will be no state-sponsored religion. The "separation" thing is something made up or misunderstood that others blew out of proportion.

And, what AML said--Shopping madness? Stress? Forcing people to get their shopping done on Saturday? Hey, if that sort of thing is stressing you out, I think you have very deep problems. And there are five other days, you know.

Jenny,
Most of us are happy with Sunday closings; to reiterate, that has been voted on repeatedly, and closing has won. Also, as another person here mentioned, the 6-day shopping week is as much a desirable feature to someone shopping for a home as it is a deterrent to others. So speak for yourself; I prefer to leave things the way they have been for decades; wish other counties would see the benefit, but that is none of my business, really.

Bergen county residents -- a vast majority -- want the Blue Laws. We have "gotten with it"!! We choose to keep them for quality of life. Nothing to do with religion unless you want it to!

If you don't live in this county -- go argue about something that has to do with your neighborhood and let us keep ours as we want to.

It appears that you did not do your homework before moving to Bergen. It is not fair to blame people and the towns for what has been in existence for many years as many of the residents moved to their towns specifically for the Blue Laws.

I am surprised that you did not research more carefully. Only police expenses and traffic accidents would go up, increasing your property taxes without any of the (probably not even) increased revenue offsetting that. More recreational trips to the mall, increasing traffic but not stores’ profits. All in all, not a win for residents.

You are a very bitter and angry person blaming the residents of Bergen County and calling people idiots for sitting home & doing nothing on Sundays! You do not know what people do on Sundays. Little do you know that you are quite the idiot! You are a narrowminded person who should take your very own advice and move out of the area! If you hate Bergen County so much, especially Paramus, you are the one who should move. Do not tell residents who support the Blue Laws to move out. You exhibit extreme prejudice of the residents by assuming that everyone is "uppity." Time for you to go to pack up your bags and move to an island where you can be queen & command the population to open up stores on Sunday...that is if there is such a population on the island!

Blue eye woman (only one eye?)(Also, apologies to Van Morrison),

The foreclosure rate in Bergen county is the second lowest in NJ, second only to Somerset. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111494514

Many places in Florida, many of those far cheaper to live in than Bergen, have foreclosure rates that are up to ten times higher.

So, it's obvious that you're full of crap and have no idea what you're talking about. Go move to Mississippi somewhere where you'd be branded a "genius." And you'd be able to shop on Sunday, too.

you hate bergen county and paramus so much but you live here and work in Paramus, get over yourself.

AML,
You are more direct than I would be, but your message is exactly right.
I believe that Blue Eyes changed her screen name after I took exception to a comment of hers on another article on the subject.

USA1 i'am not mistaken this has been very carefully looked into and based on the amount of employees our cost WILL go down.

ballot.

Ms. Ignorant Blue eye woman:

Please define "you people." That appears to be a highly prejudicial statement. What does President Obama & Obamacare have to do with the Blue Laws? You are defining the population who support the Blue Laws as "you people" who support President Obama. You are quite the moron! I don't know how a respectable business can hire someone as narrowminded, and to use your very own word, "idiot." What I think that you should do on Sundays instead of going to the mall is to take several remedial courses at the grade school level so that you may be able to comment intelligently as the other folks in this discussion have done.

49% of the people DIDN'T want Obama. You know, the 49% that pick up the bills for the 51% that voted for the guy,

Last time was 1993 - that was 20 years ago. The county and the population have changed a lot in 20 years. Time to do another referendum on this topic.

That is why I saw no reason to suspend the blue laws; I thought it was done by a politician without the backbone to say “no”—those who were in dire straits had many days they could have shopped; those who were less affected did not need to shop on Sunday. Well, that is past—and the blue laws properly reinstated.

Absolutely!

Agree with JamesTS 100%.

James TS...you are missing the point & .obviously you have no respect for the law! The temporary repeal of the Blue Laws was strictly to allow people affected by Hurricane Sandy to purchase supplies and items of necessity. Purchasing a bathing suit for a trip to Mexico went directly against the CURRENT LAW...this woman should be ashamed for abusing the temporary suspension & for gloating that the purchase was for a trip to Mexico when people are homeless and have been severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy. If this woman was so bored and had nothing to do on Sunday, she could have volunteered to help those in need...but oh no, she only thought of her selfish self! And oh, she broke the law and you also failed to see that.

Now we can talk about the regular Blue Laws....You are quite the absurd and dumb person for suggesting to people that have lived with the Blue Laws to move out of their towns....You and all of the countless other folks who do not like the Blue Laws ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD MOVE OUT OF TOWN. IF YOU WERE STUPID ENOUGH TO MOVE INTO TOWN WITH THE BLUE LAWS THEN IT IS YOUR FAULT FOR BEING STUPID. DO NOT BLAME THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED IN TOWN WITH THE BLUE LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE. WOULD YOU GO TO A MOVIE THAT YOU KNOW YOU WOULD NOT LIKE? WOULD YOU GO TO A BUSINESS THAT YOU KNOW WOULD RIP YOU OFF? YOU HAVE A CHOICE. SO IF YOU KNEW THE BLUE LAWS WERE IN EXISTENCE WHY WOULD YOU MOVE & LIVE HERE! BLAME YOURSELF ONLY!

Then perhaps Ridgewooder you should move out of the area. If you moved into the area knowing that the Blue Laws were in effect, then it is your own fault. The people who reside in those towns should not move out, you should. Perhhaps, you are the one who was selfish enough to flaunt the spriit & temporary suspension of the Blue Laws to purchase a bathing suit for the trip to Mexico. I can only hope that the selfish and arrogant people who skirt the law get a dosage of their own medicine when the desperate need arises. What goes around, comes around!

I spoke with a retail owner in Ridgewood who was thrilled with the Sunday activity at his store. Being closed on Sunday is a real hardship for mom & pop shops.

Disagree 100% maybe you should leave. Try driving in Rockland county on sunday it is almost impossible.

My point is JAMES, Bergen County opened their malls normally closed for essentials not a bathing suit, so what, so what is you can buy it at anytime. Blue Laws should stay in place if you lived in Bergen County you would understand!!!

AML & all the others who have recommended people move out if they're against Blue Laws: Do you SERIOUSLY believe that this is a reason for people to move out? Really? Who's being closed-minded now. Yes, I knew about the laws when I bought my home in Teaneck. For crying out loud, I grew up with them! If you really think that THIS is why people choose (or don't choose) a particular community, I strongly disagree.

You get to vote what happens in YOUR town. Paramus residents get to vote what happens in THEIR town. If you want the stores open, you and your friends can start buying houses in Paramus and when you get a majority who support that, you can run for mayor or council and then can change the law. There's your plan. It won't change any other way. The people of Paramus are living in borough, not in NYC (or Teaneck for that matter). Blue laws clearly don't kill businesses as Paramus is where the most successful stores are. Downtown districts haven't worked for decades because people don't want to park on streets, pay to park and walk outside from one store to the next or be outside in the dark in many NJ downtown districts.

are you really suffering (as you put it) because of Paramus Blue Laws, if you were a resident in this town then maybe you could or should have a say in what the RESIDENTS in paramus want. also we were not against stores opening on sunday to help out the victims of hurrican sandy, our govenor wanted them open for the victims, he basically was using other peoples losses to try to gain someone, he has talked about changing the law before and this was his way of trying to start the process.

You can buy ANYTHING you want (providing it is legal) right from home on Sunday without affecting the roads on which the rest of us drive.
Your post sounds as though it is written by a spoiled brat who cannot get his way. If you really want to change things, do so using the approved democratic process; otherwise, live with the majority’s decision.

If Blue Laws kill business, how does Paramus have the MOST PROFITABLE ZIP CODE IN THE US?! Stores such as Container Store waited YEARS to open a business in the northeast US because they wanted their 1st store in PARAMUS! A 6-day-per-week retail situation.

It is NOT just Paramus that votes to KEEP the Blue Laws -- most COUNTY residents vote that way!

The towns have decided, time and time again. Each town has a slightly different interpretation, agreeing only in the minimum. You can shop any day you want, either in a different area or online.

Blue Eye Woman...you should not talk about yourself that way...using the word stupid...it's time you get over it & stop whining. Are you going to complain about taxes being outdated & that you should repeal all taxes? You should get a grip, move out, and don't forget to take remedial courses to better educate yourself. You and all of the whiners contact your town's mayor, & your elected officials instead of griping and complaining & have them draft legislation & put it up for referendum for the next election...guess what??? you will lose, because all of the people that support the blue laws, all of the people you call stupid , will prove to you that you are wrong and that the blue laws are here to stay. So, start you job to contact your elected officals & good luck!

agree

We do not need insults, Blue eye.

I am not calling anyone stupid here just people in general so not aiming at ANYONE! If the Blue laws are here to stay so be it who cares anymore. I decided to spend my money elsewhere and maybe the low taxes in Paramius will increase then WE can get our satisfaction just sayin :)

Obviously, you are even missing the point of Christmas! "Oh, because of the Hurricane, we are not having Christmas." First of all, Christmas is not about material things, toys, electronic gadgets, clothing, etc. Christmas is about Christ, and the hope, love, and peace that he spread. We get so wrapped up with the materialistic aspect of Christmas that many people really do not celebrate the true meaning. I guess this is what many people teach their children...Christmas is equivalent to toys and material things. Of course, one of the traditions is to give presents, but that is not necessary to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and Santa Claus is a part of it, but likewise, that is not the true meaning of Christmas. You can spend time with your children and do special things, I do see that you care deeply about your children as you would like to make extra money to buy them presents and for that I congratulate you.

Interesting view that giving an expensive gift outweighs the time you spend with your child.

Sorry Little Jimmy that Daddy can't play with you anymore, but he as to work 7 days a week now..but here's this expensive toy that will break in a week! I'll have to text you a Merry Christmas because I'll be forced into working that day too.

Blue,

I sincerely hope you haven't been breeding. I've seen the stuff you've written here, one of which (besides this) I replied to. Are you really that stupid?

And, "a lot" is two words. And try using punctuation once in a while.

AML nailed it—Christmas is not about stuff; it is about gathering with family and friends, maybe even doing some relief work for those who were more severely affected by the storm, or generally have even less than you do.

The government is not "dictating" that we cannot shop on Sundays -- the residents voted to keep Blue Laws. why can't people understand that?????? This is NOT Christie's decision.

I am trying to flag that comment as inappropriate—ah, it finally went through. Most of us here, even if we have a difference of opinion, are at least trying to have a civil discussion. Please keep it civil or go away.

I am only dishing out the words back to you that you firstly used in your posts, such as "stupid" and "idiot.". You are the one with no class for posting the words "ha ha ha ha." Obviously, you are not educated enough to realize that a comma should have been placed after the words ha, ha, ha, ha. Oh yes, I have a masters degree, and graduated with honors from an excellent school, so I do not think that I need to take courses to educate myself, as you most certainly do. You also do not know how to read because I never once said that you and others did not have the right to voice opinions. Check all of my posts and please let me know where I said that! You are void of intelligence and perhaps you have had your head stuffed into a bag for way too long!

Thank you, USA1.

James TS, there is nothing in the Constitution about separation of church and state. The Constitution says the government shall not establish a religion.
Let's close stores on Sundays for our Christian brethren; Saturdays for our Jewish friends and Fridays for out Muslim friends.
3 days to go fishing.

It IS done town by town; each allows a different set of purchases, there is only a minimum state blue law; other counties have opted out of that. Paramus is the strongest, other towns vary.

Absolutely. The upgrade of the 4/17 intersection brought that bit of road closer to handling the current traffic volume; it had been carrying many, many times more vehicles than the original design considered.
I have been distressed for decades about the town’s willingness to allow virtually every development proposed.

Tell you what...

Get a petition together, get enough signatures and put it on the ballot. Though it's been voted down twice, the first time 55-45, in 1980, and by more than 80,000 votes in '93 (no percentage, but the '80 vote was voted down by comparatively fewer--35,000), it's been 19 years; maybe the viewpoint is different now and the Blue Laws can be voted away.

All I can hope is that, if the vote doesn't go your way (again), that you'll accept it and move on. Majority rules. Deal with it, as I will should the law get voted down.

Here's my source, by the way:
http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2012/11/by_the_numbers_a_brief_history_of_blue_laws_in_bergen_county.html

Other tows vary in what is sold—another resident mentioned goods available in Fair Lawn that are not sold in Paramus.

LOL, I guess I've been living an imaginary life. Thanks for waking me up. I don't have to wake up early anymore.

Obviously? Really?

I had all of that, including sometimes working 60 hours a week and more. Unlike you, I learned how to plan ahead and budget my time.

What an idiotic, ignorant, and uneducated statement to have made! I have a full time job, a part-time job, attend mayor & council meetings, zoning board meetings in my town which is not Paramus & often do not come home until after midnight, have children & adult relatives to take care of who are sickly, was smart enough to know about the blue laws when I moved to Bergen County, volunteer in my church approx. 15 hours per week, and have the time to do my shopping, etc, during the work-week. It is called time management. Perhaps, you & all of the other complainers should take a time management course because you are blaming your poor time management skills falsely on other people. Your delusional mind astounds me!

Speak for yourself; that is clearly not true. Online shopping and time management, as well as less of a focus on material possessions, would help that a lot.

The Lord giveth; the Lord taketh away.
Thank you Governor Christie.

well said, Bruce

Rachel: It is really absurd to not to be able to shop on Sunday. I don't buy the idea that people need one day of rest...... I should be able to go out and buy what the rest of the country can buy on any given Sunday..... This goes so much against the idea that as a nation we are free people and that people should have choices....
How much driving you guys really do on Sunday that you are complaining about the traffic so much?

Thank you, Rachel.
zizi,
By “day of rest” (and I am interpreting here, speaking more for myself than for Rachel), we mean a day without business pressures; a day to do housework, go to a child’s game, go to a park, have a cooking marathon to make the rest of the week easier, etc.
It is not so much the quantity of driving as the quality—making a left turn onto Farview Ave., for instance, or going an exit or 2 on Route 17 actually driving, not stop and go. The other day it took well over an hour to get from Woodcliff Lake to the Garden State Plaza—that is what residents look to avoid with Sunday closings.

100% in agreement USA1. I welcome the opportunity to vote on this issue again and whatever the outcome is, I will honor what the people want.

Well said, USA1.

I CANT STAND THE WHINY RESIDENTS OF PARAMUS THEY THINK THEY ARE THE ONLY TOWN WITH TRAFFIC. YOU ALL CHOSE TO LIVE IN THE MALL CAPITAL TOWN OF THE WORLD. MANY OF YOU DO SHOP ON SUNDAYS I AM SURE MANY GO TO WILLOWBROOK AND I SEE MANY NEW JERSEY PLATES IN PALISADES MALL PARKING LOTS AS WELL. IF YOU HAD LET CHRIS CHRISTIE KEEP TH E BLUE LAWS SUSPENDED THROUGH CHRISTMAS MANY OF U MIGHT OF SEEN A DIFFERENCE ON WEEKNIGHTS AND SATURDAYS DURING CHRISTMAS, WE DONT HAVE TRAFFIC HEADACHES BECAUSE OUR STORES ARE OPEN 7 DAYS. YOU HAVE TO REALIZE TO THAT ROUTES 4 AND 17 ARE MAIN ROADWAYS TO AND FROM NYC NOT JUST THE MALLS. I WAS IN PARAMUS LAST SUNDAY AND DONT LIE MANY OF YOU WHO COULDNT GET TO GSP OR BTC WERE THERE AND IT WASNT BAD ADMIT IT PARAMUS. ITS THE 21ST CENTURY ITS TIME TO GIVE UP THESE STUPID BLUE LAWS.

DAVE, YET THEY LET GSP EXPAND, THEY ADDED LOWES ON ROUTE 4 WHEN THEY TORE DOWN THE FORMER ALEXANDERS PARAMUS APPROVED IKEA, CHRISTMAS TREE AND BED BATH PARAMUS TOWN SQUARE SO MANY NEW STORES HAVE BEEN ADDED WITHOUT A FIGHT. PARAMUS CANT HAVE ITS CAKE AND EAT IT TOO. JUST LIKE ROCKLAND COUNTY WHO FOUGHT THE PALISADES MALL FOR 11 YEARS THEY LOST AND YOU CANNOT FIGHT PROGRESS. WE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS HERE AND THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT TRAFFIC ROUTE 59 RUNS SMOOTHLY 7 DAYS A WEEK. IF PARAMUS WOULD GIVE IT A SHOT SATURDAYS WOULDNT BE SUCH A NIGHTMARE OR CHRISTMAS AS WELL.

The one improvement that mostly worked was that of the 4/17 intersection—although the 4E>17N loop, which puts one into traffic, with a quick exit in the way, much too soon. The other legs are clearly marked and a distinct improvement.

Logic may say that, but experience does not—look at Willowbrook. Just about every time that roadways are expanded, the improvement lasts a very short time, then the volume of traffic expands to fill the roadway and then some. We need to look at more alternatives, including mass transit and shuttle vans and buses. Only then, when we have ameliorated the traffic situation somewhat, might we discuss opening businesses on Sundays.

Sally,

Most people who live in suburbia and own cars (which is just about everybody) will not take a bus to a mall. They won't want to be a prisoner of the bus schedule and won't want to drag their merchandise on the bus. And, as most buses wind their way from wherever to, say, Garden State Plaza, why should I take twice or three times as long on the bus than in my car? And, I'd venture to guess that most people won't want to park in a remote lot and take a shuttle, either.

Nice thought, but it won't work.

Are you saying that I cannot accomplish all of the above? Gee, it must be insulting when one human being can accomplish what another one cannot.

What difference does it make what type of job that I have? That is none of your business. But I will let you know that I do not hold a union job/I am not a teacher, or, administrator. Please take some time management courses and maybe you will accomplish what I do.

Shops and malls came after many people were here!

AML,

Garden State Plaza opened in '57. I'm sure there are more than a few people around here who predate the mall. But, I'm certain there are a lot more people here who are not only under 55, but who might not have lived around here for all their years.

So, while there may be many in the first group, as you said, there are likely far many more who aren't.

Rex,
We in Bergen County have kept a modicum of decorum; we would like to keep it as long as possible, thank you.

Blue Eyed Girl UH I mean REX, (split personality anyone?) Sit back relax and remember to take your meds. You are seriously DERANGED..You do know Bergen Pines is open on Sunday's maybe you should check it out.
You can not be married, if you are I feel bad for your spouse. Blue Laws will stay whether YOU like it or not along with the Teaneck poster....you keep talking rubbish. Oh and Teaneck you asked me up above about your religion....You can see very well from your comments you are Jewish and do not shop on Saturday's. It's not my fault nor is it the resident(s) of Bergen County's fault that you can not shop on The one day that you can shop~ If I want to shop on Sunday or NEED to shop on Sunday I go out of Bergen County which all the whiners can do too.
For all those up above saying Saturday traffic will be lighter if the mall's are open on Sunday's are you CRAZY??? The weekdays are bad enough, Saturdays are ridiculous try to get from Teaneck to the GSP on a Saturday at about 4ish...you spend over 45 min in traffic when you live less than 5 miles from the mall. It would be the same on Sunday's and whoever say's different is delusional. Why can't the naysayers get it thru their thick skulls.
Blue Laws are here to stay, whether it come on a ballot or not you will lose, then it's about time for you to move, like most said above NO ONE made you move to Bergen County.

It is NOT for church; it is for peace and calm. The true meaning of Christmas has little to do with shopping. It has little to do with the materialism of the malls; it has to do with taking your time to appreciate life, not rush and rush 7 days a week.
It is a desire for a perfectly secular calm quality of life.

CHRIS WHOS SCREAMING ITS STATING THE TRUTH ABOUT PARAMUS AND THE RESIDENTS. I USED TO WORK AT GARDEN STATE PLAZA TWO GUYS WERE IN A FIST FIGHT IN FRONT OF NORDSTROM OVER A PARKING SPOT. OTHERS GIIVING THE FINGER. THATS SUPPOSED TO BE PEACE AND CALM DURING CHRISTMAS WHEN PEOPLE ONLY HAVE SATURDAY TO SHOP I TRULY DO NOT THINK IT WOULD BE BAD IF THE MALLS WERE OPEN SUNDAY. THEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE BLUE LAWS SUSPENDED THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Rex,

What I think Chris means is, why are you writing in all caps? In Internet lingo, that's equivalent to screaming. Bad form, unless you're screaming, of course.

Chris,
I recently became aware that some folks with bad eyesight use all caps; it is not necessarily screaming, it can be a matter of ease of reading. I did not comment on Rex’s use of caps earlier because I was unsure of his reason for using caps.

Since when?