Hunterdon Freeholder Calls For No County Interference With Business Hours

Saying private businesses are in a better position than government to the determine what is right for their own operations, Hunterdon County Freeholder John E. Lanza has called for the Hunterdon Freeholder Board to consider setting a ‘non-interference with business policy,’ in response to the Governor’s new executive order permitting counties and municipalities to regulate the operating hours of non-essential businesses after 8:00 p.m.

Lanza said he will propose a non-interference with business policy at the Hunterdon County Freeholder Board’s November 17th meeting. “Business owners and operators know far better than government how to ensure the protection of the health of customers and employees, while still being economically feasible,” the Freeholder stated.

Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order No. 195, announced on November 12th, authorizes counties and municipalities to regulate the operating hours of non-essential businesses after 8:00 p.m.

“I will be seeking the support of my Freeholder colleagues for a resolution that assures Hunterdon County businesses that we will not be ordering when they can operate. I am also reaching out to the Freeholders in Warren and Sussex Counties, suggesting we take a regional approach to keeping government’s hands off of local businesses,” Lanza added.

Hunterdon, Warren, and Sussex Counties joined forces in May to create a regional ‘Gateway to Resources for Business Re-opening’ website providing the latest information on the best practices for commercial re-openings and that encouraged the Governor to permit regional re- openings of business.

Lanza added, “Back in the spring the Hunterdon County Freeholders said the Governor’s one size fits approach to closing businesses across the state, threatening the viability of many businesses and putting thousands out of work, was the wrong approach. We called on him to recognize that different regions are affected differently by the corona virus spread. We are glad he has finally taken our advice.”