Mayor: I Can't Stop Snooki & JWoww Filming in Morristown
There is presently no law on the books that prohibits production companies from filming here; administration looking into options.
Tim Dougherty is the mayor of Morristown. That doesn't mean he has the authority to do anything he wants, which currently includes telling production crews they cannot film in Morristown.
The mayor clarified that point to Patch Wednesday afternoon in the wake of misinformation some people have shared that the decision to allow the filming of "Jersey Shore" spinoff series "Snooki & JWoww" here is his.
"I don't have that power," he said. "I don't have ultimate authority if there is no law on the books to back me up."
When 495 Productions–the production crew behind the show about "Jersey Shore" cast members Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jenni "JWoww" Farley–sought to film in Hoboken earlier this year, they were rejected due to a zoning regulation prohibiting filming in residential neighborhoods after 11 p.m. That city's mayor, Dawn Zimmer, was lauded for the decision, even receiving an award because of it from the Italian American One Voice Coalition.
While Dougherty has said the town is not closed-minded to any production company wanting to use Morristown for their shoots, the safety and quality of life of the residents comes first.
Dougherty said town attorney Vij Pawar is presently researching whether or not such a regulation, or something else, is possible for Morristown. The letter sent to Morristown by 495 Productions noted the two cast members would be frequenting clubs, restaurants and bars in town, which Dougherty noted "are in residential neighborhoods," he said. "That may be something we want to look at."
Sean Ryan
7:12 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I am sure the town can do something about not allowing this to happen. It will just be a nuisance and an ultimate bad rap for our town. Mr. Mayor take the high road and just tell them they are not welcome!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/say-no-to-snooki-in-motown/
Ariadne
9:26 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Great job in getting the petition going, @Sean Ryan!
Jennifer Potts
9:47 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The mayor is a joke and ought to be ashamed he admits to being powerless in this no brainer decision.
Dave P
1:34 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Dougherty's claims of being "powerless" are all too common. He also claimed he was powerless to challenge JCP&L after the power outages in August and October. So weak. I do not think the filming is the end of the world (although possibly an inconvenience) but it certainly will not showcase Morristown in any favorable way. Anyone who thinks it will positively impact the community is mistaken. Morristown the new winter camp for the Seaside Heights scumbags?
RobbyC
10:45 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Dougherty is a total joke but he is not powerless. He got his best friend Jimmy the biggest bar in Morristown History even though a Murder occurred at Jimmy's last bar in Morristown. I'm more worried about a murder happening at the Iron Bar than I'm worried about Snooki.
allison williams
10:59 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
If the Iron bar ever gets to capacity someone will get hurt but I doubt that will ever happen. That place is awful. I heard people objected to the Iron Bar but they were ignored. The Town Council are Dougherty's puppets. I am more worried about Snooki though. She is going to make Morristown a public disgrace like Seaside.
Angela Lewis
6:47 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Everyone should share the petition on Facebook, twitter, etc! ThIs trash Plans to start filming in 2 weeks!!! We need to ban together to stop it!
Carl Scherzer
7:16 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I think there's something we're missing. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that even if the town were to deny filming, it would only limit the crew's access to public areas...a private business could still allow filming on their property, within their normal operating hours. If that's the case, even if the town says no the bars can still say yes, and then we've won nothing. Does anyone know which bars, restaurants, etc. the production company is planning to visit? The owners of these businesses need to hear the same objections the mayor and town council are. Perhaps suggesting a boycott of their services may open their ears a little. They're only considering this whole circus because they think they'll make money off it...if they can be convinced they'll loose money instead....
RobbyC
4:48 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I would bet the farm they are filming at the IRON BAR. Dougherty's best friend owns that place. Why else would he let that type of garbage in? The Iron Bar is already drowning. It is in desperate need for an identity and already looks Jersey Shore. Chains in the window! Are you kidding me??
Janet Blanchard
8:41 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Who cares that they are filming here. The towns own residents are worse then them after hanging out at a bar.
K
8:48 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I'm sorry but most of you just sound plain IGNORANT! Can you not read? There is no law/ordinance on the books which prevents them from filming in town! How is the Town to deny their request, with no legal backing! Stop playing the blame game, and do something to prevent this from happening again....like creating an ordinance similar to Hoboken's. Geeez, you people don't have anything better to do.
Rich
9:01 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Seriously, folks. There is no doubt that these people are trash. I wish I didn't even know their names. But a number of years ago, there was a white supremacist group that would show up on July 4 (which is why my family would leave town that day). You can't stop it, and you are doing them a favor by bringing attention to them when their 15 minutes is just about up.
Moira
12:47 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
I think the Town can do something. Make these groups, whether it be Snooki, a production company, or Nazis on 4th of July, post a huge bond to cover police presence, claeanup crews, traffic police, etc. Most of them would crawl away.
Ariadne
9:52 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Where there is a will, there is a way. Hoboken "found" an ordinance that helped block production there. Morristown may not have the same ordinance on the books, but I'm sure we have lots of legal talent that can look at our ordinances and find something to make it difficult for them to film here as well. Up until this moment, Morristown has been very open and many productions have filmed here, including the Sopranos. But none brought with them the distasteful behavior that these people have. They are not actors or professionals, they are poorly behaved semi-adults. They should not be treated with the same courtesy.
John Dunphy
5:55 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
This debate and back and forth and various opinions is great but, remember, let's keep comments relatively civil and above board. KTHXBAI
Moira
12:48 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
I don't see an uncivil comment here.
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