INSIDE THIS WEEK: Landmark Diner in the Pines in the Process of Being Sold - Pg. 2
PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE www.pinebarrenstribune.com
Vol. 2 – No. 22
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January 27, 2018 – February 3, 2018
Medford Threatens to Fine Toy Store Daily for Having LED ‘Open’ Sign PHOTO BY RYAN MARCHESE
Wonder World Toys in Medford is situated in Medford’s Historic Village Commercial Zone at 23 S. Main Street.
Town’s Move Draws Heavy Criticism from Former Councilman and Business Owners By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer
MEDFORD—A decision by Medford Township to threaten a business owner with a daily fine of $50 for displaying an LED ‘open’ sign on her toy store’s front door has sparked a controversy that has caused even a former town councilman now living in Tennessee to weigh in on the matter. The controversy started last week when Jessica Breaux, owner of Wonder World Toys at 23 S. Main St. in Medford, posted a picture of a letter she received from Medford Township Zoning Officer Beth Portocallis in a local Facebook group. Portocallis, in the letter, ordered Breaux to remove all LED signage from her storefront door. Breaux and Portocallis later confirmed to this newspaper that there was only one LED sign: an ‘open’ sign. “To avoid any further action by this office, you are requested to immediately remove all LED signage from the window,”
said Portocallis in the letter. “Please be advised that a fine for violating this ordinance is $50 per day, per sign; and failure to comply may ultimately result in the issuance of a summons and a mandatory court appearance in the Medford Township Municipal Court.” Breaux said in an interview with this newspaper that she didn’t want to start controversy, but that she did want to know if any other businesses in town were told that displaying LED signs in their storefront was illegal. “From a business standpoint, it is hard to be without a lighted sign if you have late hours,” she said. “To anyone driving by a business after dark, without a lighted sign, it looks dark.” Breaux said she inherited a LED ‘open’ sign for the toy store in May 2016, when she bought the toy store from its original owner. She said the store has been in business for five years.
PHOTO BY JESSICA BREAUX Wonder World Toys’ LED ‘open’ sign had to be removed after Medford Township threatened to leverage a fine against the toy store.
‘When I purchased Wonder World Toys almost two years ago, there was a light-up sign,” she said. “We replaced it about two months ago when the old one broke.” Breaux said that when she opened and read Portocallis’ letter on Jan. 19, she was dumbfounded. “It’s not even on the outside of the store,” she said. “It’s physically inside our building. How can we be told something can’t be in our window?” Portocallis, in her letter to Breaux, said the township’s sign ordinance states illuminated signs; including internally illuminated, LED illuminated, neon and gas tubing ones are prohibited in the township’s Historic Village Commercial Zone, where Wonder World Toys is located. “Further, under section N of this same ordinance, (Prohibited Signs, Item 4(p), ‘internally-illuminated projecting and
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