The Borscht Belt’s neon sign will have to come down.
On 1 February 2024, the Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board voted 3 to 1 to deny the restaurant’s appeal of a zoning officer’s order to remove the sign for violating the township’s sign ordinance.
In issuing its decision, the board did not comment except to read and pass a motion denying the restaurant’s request for relief and upholding the notice of violation issued by the township.
Members Tim Potera, William Wall and Josephine Vlastaris voted to deny the motion. Voting to grant relief was Matthew McCullough. Chairman Paul Cohen recused himself from the vote.
Owners and employees of the Borscht Belt attended the meeting along with about 25 residents from the community who carried signs that touted slogans like, “Equal Rights For Neon Lights" and “Jewish and Proud.” Listen to his comments...
After the vote, deli co-owner Mike Dalewicz sounded a defiant tone. "This is not the end. This is a beginning," he said. "We’re not here to be knocked down. We’re here in solidarity and will rise above unjust treatment.
Supporters of the Borscht Belt brought handmade signs to the meeting demanding, "Equal rights for neon lights."
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Mr. Dalewitz posted this repsonse on FB:
"Well here it is folks, unfortunately not what we hoped for but a sincere thankfulness and gratitude for all our friends that have supported our business during these tumultuous times. Our customer base may be down since Oct 7., our iconic signs may have to be changed, but new “friends and family” who appreciate what we are about have been becoming an important part of keeping us in business."
Now that the "gag order" related to litigation of this issue is no longer relevant, I would be glad to sit down with Mr. Dalewitz and hopefully come up with a solution moving forward that is positive for this township, rather than keep fighting.
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