UPDATE 4:30 p.m. – Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera issued a statement Tuesday publicly thanking Gov. Christie for reinstating Bergen County's Blue Law, a move that is expected to come now that the county executive has petitioned him to do so following pressure from local officials.

See related story: Christie to Reinstate Bergen County Blue Laws

“I thank the Governor for listening to the will of the people of Paramus and all of Bergen County who spoke loudly in favor of the Blue Laws, which are absolutely essential for protecting our quality of life,” said LaBarbiera in a statement.

County Executive Kathleen Donovan originally urged the governor to lift the Blue Laws in the wake of Hurricane Sandy so people could shop for repair and survival items. Christie first suspended the Blue Laws on Sunday, Nov. 4.

Meanwhile LaBarbiera stood behind the Blue Laws in an effort to protect the borough’s quality of life by keeping local roads cleared of the thousands of cars that enter the area every other day of the week as Paramus is home to some of the largest malls in the state.

Donovan fought Paramus in court last week over the suspension and a county judge ruled Friday to allow stores to open once again this past Sunday. According to LaBarbiera, Donovan has now petitioned the governor's office to reinstate the Blue Laws.

Jeanne Baratta, Donovan's Chief of Staff, did not immediately return calls to Patch for comment on Tuesday.

LaBarbiera continued in a statement, “I would also like to thank him for the way he has handled the state’s response to this tragedy and for the accessibility he showed to local elected officials. Opponents of the Blue Laws, and we know they are out there, should look at this as proof that the residents of Paramus will never back down to any challenge to these important principles and we will always do whatever is necessary to protect our neighborhoods. Now is the time to focus on recovering from Sandy and doing whatever we can to help our neighbors in towns like Moonachie and Little Ferry that were devastated by this storm.”

Local state legislators also vowed on Friday to urge the governor to rescind the Blue Law suspension this week.

Paramus malls were open this past Sunday. At Garden State Plaza people milled around going to store to store just as they would on any other day of the week. Most stores were open however there were a few that kept their doors shut like the Apple store and JC Penney.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

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