Blue Laws, Hurricane Sandy and Union Leaders Embezzle $350K Top November News

Christie Suspends Blue Laws

On the urging of County Executive Kathleen Donovan, Gov. Chris Christie suspended the Bergen County Blue Laws for two consecutive Sundays to allow residents affected by Sandy to purchase items from retail stores that would otherwise be closed.

The temporary suspension sent Paramus and County officials to court as the borough looked to enforce the laws and limit non-essential items from being sold. While Paramus mounted an unsuccessful court challenge in an effort to enforce the restrictions, the suspension was subsequently lifted on Nov. 13 

For over 10 days, residents and business owners in Paramus waited for PSE&G to fully restore power after Hurricane Sandy battered the borough with high winds that knocked down trees and wires. All area schools had to shutter their doors for a week until power could be restored.

Residents from around Bergen County descended upon the Garden State Plaza which opened its doors as a charging station for residents while Gold's Gym offered residents the use of its showers and exercise equipment. At the same time, the area was hard hit by a gas shortage caused by a lack of power.

Several local boy and girl scouts along with their parents pitched in on Saturday, November 3 to clean up debris from Town Hall, the Paramus Police station, the Rescue Squad building, and Petruska Park. 

Two high ranking union officers from the Paramus Local 164 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers were arrested and charged on Nov. 15 with embezzling  $350,000 from the union and its apprentice program. 

Business Manager Richard "Buzzy" Dressel, 63 of Montvale and Union President John DeBouter, 55, of Oakland, were indicted on eight counts of embezzlement from the Local 164's Joint Apprentice Training Fund. Both men entered “not guilty” pleas during a brief arraignment in federal court in Newark on Nov. 28 with a tentative trial date set for Jan. 22, 2013.

According to a press release, the embezzlement charges are related to Dressel allegedly using his position with the union to employ his caterer girfriend from 2008 to 2010.

Change has come to Paramus with a new majority as Democratic political newcomers Patsy Verile and Donna Warburton followed on the 2011 successes of Council members Elena Bellinger and Joseph Lagana.

In the first-ever November Board of Education election, voters re-elected board president Anthony Feorenzo, Jr. and trustee Bergenadette McCausland along with voting in newcomer Alison Donoghue to the three available seats on the board.

Move over Franklin Lakes as Paramus' own Rt. 17 pancake business Stacks Pancake House hosted Caroline Manzo and Jacqueline Laurita of the Real Housewives of New Jersey on Nov. 19. Both women were in town to promote a taste testing of blk., a health energy drink their family members launched recently.

Caroline Manzo’s sons, Albie and Chris Manzo, along with Jacqueline Laurita’s husband, Chris, are partners in this . It's Canadian spring water infused with fulvic acid, a natural nutrient-rich compound that has been used in alternative healing circles for centuries. 

A portion of the proceeds from the event are being donated to Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization.

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