inside of the windows. Then leave the window shades pulled
up all the time.
Posted on 08/12/2023 8:17:50 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
WEST ORANGE, New Jersey (WCBS) -- The owner of a bagel shop in West Orange, New Jersey thinks he's being unfairly targeted by the town's zoning department.
Jarrett Seltzer, who opened Bagels by Jarrett in early 2020, claims he was cited twice for zoning infractions even though he's following the rules.
"We switched to curbside, obviously because of COVID. And it was one of those things that just ended up working," said Seltzer.
That curbside-only business model stuck. Customers still order online and their food is carried out to them.
Seltzer keeps the shades down to lower his cooling bill and discourage customers from coming inside.
In July, Seltzer was given a summons from the West Orange Zoning Department, which claimed he violated an ordinance that states "all windows shall be left uncovered and shall not be opaque to the public view."
The ordinance also says "All screening of interiors, or shades, shall be maintained clean and in a good state of repair."
"As far as the code reads, we're not breaking the code. And we stand by that," said Seltzer.
Seltzer said the zoning department gave him another summons on Thursday for advertisements covering more than one-third of his windows, which he disputes.
Seltzer said he's facing thousands of dollars in fines and possible jail time.
"If you drive down Main Street in West Orange, you will see that every single business has window shades up. No one has any issues with their window shades. It's only my window shades. And I can't tell you why," said Seltzer.
Mayor Susan McCartney told CBS New York she believes Seltzer violated the ordinances even after she tried to work with him on a solution.
Loyal Bagels by Jarrett customers said Seltzer is being harassed by township officials over window treatments.
"I don't understand it. I'm not a lawyer. I am a realtor in town, or whatever, so it really doesn't make us look good, to be honest with you," said Amy Gallatin.
Seltzer hired an attorney and plans to fight the claims before a judge on Aug. 22.
Imagine Americans once went to war over a 0.5% excise tax.
I believe it is illegal for consumers to pump their own gasoline there, also.
I guess the reasoning might be that if they are dumb enough to vote for their crop of government officials, they are obviously not smart enough to pump their gas safely.
That argument recently collapsed in Oregon. Waiting to see how many gas-station fires happen.
Easy, DiW. -OGINJ
Hey now!
I think you’re outnumbered, but keep fighting the good fight, LOL!
Well, considering everyone ELSE on the planet manages to pump their fuel without setting themselves ablaze, I think that even the Guidos in Oregon will figure it out in short order.
We’re pretty scrappy here in the Garden State. 😁
Is the state songs still a Bruce Springsteen song about escaping New Jersey lest he succumb to the sweet release of suicide?
Tony Soprano needs to pay a visit to that code enforcement guy.
We can hope. Here in Arizona I’ve seen people smoking cigarettes at the pump, so Oregon has no monopoly on idiots.
Sadly it would have to be a James Gandolfini look-alike at this point. 😔
Come to think of it there’s almost nobody that ever looked anything like Park Ridge’s own, James Galdolfini.
As a person who has personally spent plenty of time driving around West Orange, East Orange and closely adjacent areas of Newark, NJ, …. you can believe and trust me: they have MUCH bigger issues than legitimate businesses with window shades in the “down” position!!!
That is crazy!!!
Will Sasso from MadTV as Tony Soprano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqE7ZxH7BJE
Resembling that remark!
His shades reduce his energy consumption, reduces his carbon footprint, and likely shaved at 7 years off our certain demise from (dramatic pause) climate change.
That’s the argument he should make. And scold town officials for being so callous towards muthaErrf.
Lastly, he should send me some bagels.
Wow...that’s a #&$?!®¥€§ good Tony Soprano.
Mayor Susan McCartney:
Has interest in the building and wants to get him out to accept a better rent offer.
Wants, or has someone who wants the location for their own business.
Owns the bagel shop across the street.
Went in for a bagel and got told that she had to order online.
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