Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino of MTV’s Jersey Shore fame, and his family opened a tanning salon in Middletown yesterday.
MMM is not in the habit of giving free advertising to people who drive Lamborghinis, and the company did not respond to our ad pitch, so we did not cover the ribbon cutting.
But NJ.com and USA Today-Monmouth/Ocean edition couldn’t resist the spectacle.
Gerry Scharfenberger is the only member of Middletown’s Township Committee of non-Italian American descent. Gerry did the honors at the ribbon cutting and said the right things.
“The goal is always to fill vacant storefronts, so whenever that happens it is a positive thing,” he said. “And if the star power they have is able to help them and the other businesses here, that’s even better.”
But the expressions on Gerry’s face in the pictures at NJ.com tell another story, which prompted MMM to look further into the situation.
Why wasn’t Mayor Stephanie Murray presiding on the high profile ribbon cutting? She finds the situation offensive.
“While I wish the business success for the sake of the existing businesses in the shopping center, I don’t personally support Mr. Sorrentino as his insensitivity and disrespect toward women (calling women “grenades” for example), is appalling and offensive, Murray said, “Additionally, as an Italian-American who loves and lives at the Jersey shore, the image Mr. Sorrentino projects is equally offensive.”
Committeeman Tony Fiore is also not happy with the situation.
“While Mr. Sorrentino has the right to open a business anywhere he chooses, Mr. Sorrentino has done nothing to help promote a positive image of the Jersey shore or Italians who live or visit the Jersey shore,” Fiore said, “In my view no self respecting Italian who grew up in NJ, lives at or loves the Jersey shore would help promote his business. While I wish him like any other business in Middletown success, he shouldn’t expect Middletown to embrace the circus that he is bringing to the Middletown.”
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Posted: March 2nd, 2014 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Middletown | Tags: Gerry Scharfenberger, Jersey Shore, Middletown, Mike Sorrentino, Stephanie Murray, Tanning Salon, The Situation, Tony Fiore | 6 Comments »
Dr. Gerry Scharfenberger, PhD, is slated to become Mayor of Middletown Township on Sunday January 6 when the Township Committee reorganized for 2013. Committeewoman Stephanie Murray will be Deputy Mayor.
Scharfenberger, an archaeologist who teaches at Monmouth University, is the Director of the State Office of Planning Advocacy within the Department of State. A Township Committee Member since 2005, he previously served as mayor in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Murray, the owner and co-founder of Crescent Moon Press, is serving her first term on the Township Committee.
Under the Township Committee form of government the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected annually by the Committee Members.
Posted: January 2nd, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Gerry Scharfenberger, Middletown | Tags: Gerry Scharfenberger, Middletown, Stephanie Murray | 4 Comments »
Tony Fiore will be elected to serve another year as mayor of Middletown when the township reorganizes on Sunday, January 1.
Committeeman Steve Massell will be Deputy Mayor.
Stephanie Murray will take the oath of office for her first term on the committee. Murray replaces Deputy Mayor Pam Brightbill who is stepping down after two terms.
Fiore said that his top priority in 2012 is to continue to find cost savings and to keep the township’s property taxes stable.
Additionally, Fiore wants to implement the lessons learned in 2011 to improve real time communications with Middletown’s residents. “We learned a lot as a result of the December 2010 blizzard and the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. We will be improving our communications in the coming year.”
Posted: December 29th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Middletown | Tags: Middletown, Middletown Township Committee, Pam Brightbill, Stephanie Murray, Steve Massell, Tony Fiore | 59 Comments »
By Art Gallagher
Well, suddenly election season is not so boring.
Earlier this week the Middletown Democratic Executive Committee reported to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission that they received a $2600 contribution from Bookazine Inc, a Bayone based book wholesaler.
Bookazine specializes in the wholesale distribution of homo-erotica. Their catolog includes such titles and Handjobs Anthology, Volune 22, Tug Harder 2, and Bustin’ a Nut. I’m not going to write the sub-titles.
Reached for comment, Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo said, “What’s your problem?” Asked if knows what Bookazine sells, Caliendo said, “No comment on anything,” and hung up.
Democratic Township Committee Candidate Carol Fowler said, “I wouldn’t know about that,” when informed that Bookazine had contributed to the campaign. When informed about what Bookazine sells, Fowler said, “That’s too shocking to even process.”
Fowler’s running mate, Jim Grenefage, could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Tony Fiore, who is being challenged by Grenafege and Fowler said, “The Middletown Democrats should return that donation. If they have any sense of decency and what is right, they will return the money.”
Fiore’s running mate, Stephanie Murray, a book seller herself, said “The Democrats should know where their money is coming from. This contribution shows a lack of judgement and insight.”
Posted: October 14th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Middletown | Tags: Carol Fowler, Jim Grenefage, Joe Caliendo, Middletown Democrats, Stephanie Murray, Tony Fiore | 65 Comments »
Middletown Deputy Mayor Pamela Brightbill will not be seeking a third term on the Township Committee, according to a statement released by the Middletown GOP today.
Zoning Board Member and Housing Authority Commissioner Stephanie Murray will be Mayor Tony Fiore’s running mate. Fiore is seeking his second term on the Township Committee. The candidates filed their nominating petitions today.
“While my commitment to public service is no less no than it was six years ago, I feel that it is the right time to pass the baton to another active member of our community, which is why I am pleased to support Stephanie Murray for Township Committee,” said Brightbill. “I know Stephanie will make and excellent addition to the Committee and help preserve the quality of life we all enjoy in Middletown.”
In addition to serving as a member of the Zoning Board and Housing Authority, Murray has also served as a member of the Township’s Parks and Recreation and Open Space Committees. She is the founder of the community group known as “Middletown Mornings” which is an open forum for residents to meet with their local public officials. Murray holds a B.A. from Fordham University and runs a small publishing company.
Fiore said of Murray, ” I know Stephanie Murray will serve the taxpayers of Middletown well based on her record of service on the Zoning Board and as a Commissioner on the Housing Authority. Stephanie is not only a tireless member of our community, but also a dedicated wife and mother to three children whose family has lived in Middletown for 10 years.”
Posted: April 11th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Middletown | Tags: Middletown, Pamela Brightbill, Stephanie Murray, Tony Fiore | 6 Comments »
