The mayor whose blog offended Italian-Americans, Staten Island residents and blondes is calling it quits. Belmar Mayor Ken Pringle won't seek re-election in November after 20 years in office. He was not asked by Democratic Party bosses to step down because of his "tongue-in-cheek" comments about summer visitors in 2008. Pringle portrayed Staten Island women as heavily hair-sprayed blondes holding drinks and called men "guidos." To make amends, the mayor participated in a daylong tour of the New York City borough. During his tenure in Belmar, Pringle ushered a 2001 ban on smoking on borough beaches. He also took steps to transform the community from a summer party town to a family destination. In a letter to his constituents the mayor said he will not seek re-election this year. He added that it was not an easy decision because he still has so much he wants to do.
Sue Linfante
