County Will Take Borough to Court over Blue Laws

It's been a week since Gov. Chris Christie issued an order to suspend Bergen County's Blue Laws so residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy could purchase repair and survival items.

And while Paramus has the strictest Blue Laws on the books, County Executive Kathleen Donovan may take the borough to court to keep local officials from limiting what stores can be open, NorthJersey.com reported.

Donovan asked the state on Saturday to suspend the county’s Blue Laws as the county struggled with widespread power outages. Christie gave the order on Sunday to allow for retail stores to open.

The Executive Order is meant to allow the sale of clothing, building materials, furniture and appliances.

But Paramus posted on its website that the remainder of the town's Blue Laws remain in effect. A letter was also issued to the Paramus Chamber of Commerce outlining what could and could not be sold on Sunday.

Officials have stated they will enforce the laws and fine any retail stores that attempt to sell books, jewelry, recreational and athletic equipment, or automobiles.

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera likened the "100,000 square feet of jewelry stores" to a "wolf in sheep's clothing," NorthJersey.com wrote.

County officials stated they intend to head to court on Thursday seeking a ruling to prevent Paramus and any other towns from enforcing the Blue Laws.

Westfield Garden State Plaza posted on its Facebook page that it will be open on Sunday, 11am to 6pm. The  Bergen Town Center Paramus Park and Shops at Riverside will also be open on Sunday as well.