HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) — An Italian-American group is responding to Hoboken’s rejection of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” reality show — by giving the city’s mayor an award.
The Italian American One Voice Coalition is presenting Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer with its “Una Voce” award Wednesday for denying film permits to a show the group feels promotes negative stereotypes of Italian Americans.
Zimmer says the decision to deny permits was made based on safety and quality-of-life concerns for residents of Hoboken.
The show has been issued permits to film in Jersey City. The spinoff of the reality series will feature Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWoww” Farley renting an apartment in New Jersey’s second largest city. Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy says he believes the show is an opportunity to promote the city.