He probably won't see too many of the volunteers showing up for this dinner as the price of a ticket is too steep for most of then - just saying.

Who's event is it? If I were to book an event and the venue tried to tell me who could and couldn't come they would be given a choice: Back off, refund and cancel or get sued.

This all seems a little childish to me.

Are we back in grammar school people?!

Why is the law firm writing a letter seemingly requested by a former owner? I think the Mayor should be welcomed to the event. But if he is denied and he does greet all his employees and volunteers at the door, he will gain my respect.

"Those are my volunteers and employees " Really mayor? They are everyone else's volunteers and employees also, just as all the parking spots in district 4 are not just yours but they are everyone else's. You and your flunkies don't seem to get it!! Hey don't you only break ties anyway?

Another wonderful headline from Point Pleasant Beach! The volunteers, first responders...bona fide hero's deserve the recognition from their local dignitaries. Hopefully whatever misguided pride involved here can be tossed aside for a few hours as the interests of these well deserved others are put first. I'm not happy about the extension of the parking plan but where's that article? Going out of your way & putting your demand in writing is just as lame as the decision to read it in front of everyone at a council meeting although admittedly, it is something that needed to be shared but there's a time and a place. Council meetings are not. Installation dinners honoring our own are not. These things don't happen every week, lets get it together & can we please start positively promoting Point Pleasant Beach? I still get calls asking if the bridges to town are open yet gang - I know some don't care but local businesses, ALL of them...property values are all in peril. There are bigger things happening and the fact that all that has come from last night's council meeting is this shameful bit of news is proof positive that we are in real trouble. You both said your piece - congratulations and: http://youtu.be/CspjqdA8aPI (thats sarcasm)

You reap what you sow.

Barrella complain that someone is disrespecting the office of Mayor of Point Pleasant Beach is pretty funny, don’t you think? This from the man who has single handily done more to disrupt the respect people used to have for this office. It is Barrella who has used his office to divide the town, who has used the office as a bully pulpit to attack those he perceives as his enemies, who brings shame to PPB by exaggerating the issues with our summer visitors, and all for selfish political purposes and personal vendettas. It is Barrella’s vendetta politics that has brought disrespect to the office of Mayor of PPB.

Maybe Barella can have a parallel celebration for the First Responders at the same time at Jenks. Invite the Hawaiian Tropic Girls and he will pack the place.

James-love your sarcasm at end. Unfortunately the black marks for Point Pleasant Beach will continue as long as Barrella is in office. The guy has caused controversy since January 1,2008.

The only reason Barrella is upset is he is afraid of missing an opportunity to try and glom on the first responders for political purposes. Typical Barrella: play politics with PPB for his selfish political purposes.

“Those are my volunteers and employees," said Barrella. I have news for Mr. Barrella. We are not Mr. Barrella’s first responders and employees; we are Point Pleasant Beach’s first responders and employees, and we don’t give a “rat’s behind” about Mr. Barrella. We love PPB. Barrella should have kept his mouth shut and taken his punishment like a man. This is the problem with Mr. Barrella; it is always about what is best for Mr. Barrella, not what is best for PPB. How does Mr. Barrella whining about Martell’s excluding him help PPB?

What could be more important than advancing the recovery of this storm-battered community by honoring its first responders and volunteers? Suing that community, evidently. I wonder if Mr. Gasiorowski advised his client what a public-relations superstorm his letter would stir up?

this whole thing is silly... but MORE importantly: Denise or anyone else know if the PPB council voted last night to join the Hazard Mitigation Program to try to get some funds for PPB residents???

One who is being honored- first I would like to thank you. Second, your post is soooo correct about Barrella.

So many unfortunate issues regarding the recent history of our town being brought up in this article. First, there's the battle between Martells and some of our government officials, partially over the parking plan. Those elected officials couldn't put the parking plan litigation aside when Martells asked to use the town parking lot to rebuild. Now, Martells seems unwilling to put the litigation aside to allow the Mayor to attend this event for the Chamber and the first responders. The Mayor has told many people that he wouldn't set foot in Martells ever, so I do wonder whether the Mayor was going to attend this event anyway. I notice that the Mayor is uncertain as to whether Scott Bassinder feels that the Mayor should be excluded. Um, why didn't the Mayor simply call Scott on the phone and ask him? Why didn't the Mayor call Gasiorowski and ask if there was anything he could do to improve the situation? Why did this have to be made into a public statement, at this point, without people acting like grownups and trying to settle the matter themselves? We've taken the focus off of where it should be...the nature of the event. Second, why was Tooker interested in attending a Republican County event in June 2012? She was no longer functioning as a Republican by that time. She broke from the party in June 2011, and ran with Barrella & Corbally. She served as a campaign manager for two Independent candidate campaigns, starting in 2012. She's not a Republican.

Mayor Barella's home was flooded during the storm. Martell's lost a major portion of their pier. Both sides in this dispute have been badly hurt by Sandy. The mayor has worked tirelessly to help neighbors recover. Martell's has made significant contributions towards that same end. Mr. Ward's absolutely right: the world has changed since October 30th and the one thing missing is for both sides to find a way to start working together, for the good of both and for the good of us all.

First of all, I don't think Martell's has never held a fundraiser without making money for themselves unless it was for political favors. They may donate the building and food, which cost next to nothing, but they always have a cash bar, which is where all of the profit is made. I know, my girlfriend has been a bartender there for several years. And FYI, although ths son, Scott, may technically be the "owner", it is still the father, David, who calls the shots on the important issues. A couple of years ago when there was a problem with the bartenders stealing money, it was the father who came in and took control of the situation. I am sure it is the father who deals with the town issues too.

Isn't Martells a public bar and restaurant? Aren't they overstepping boundaries on what a business can or can't do?

Sounds rather childish. Of course, I have to take into consideration that this is the town that had Nat Sladkin as head of the Chamber of Commerce and President of the Republican club.

Living across the inlet in Manasquan, and having many friends in PPB, I can tell you firsthand that from the outside your Mayor and council make PPB a laughingstock. What a pity to the good people of PPB.

Isn't Martells a public restaurant and bar? Aren't they overstepping their boundaries?

Childish at best. Of course, this is the town that had Nat Sladkin as head of the Chamber of Commerce and President of the Republican club.

Shame on the Mayor for calling Mr. Bassinder a "small man", and shame on Mr. Bassinder for not letting the Mayor into Martell's. They both act like spoiled children. What the town doesn't seem to realize is that Martell's is not dropping the parking lawsuit. Jenk's did, but Martell's did not. WAKE UP PEOPLE!! The town is still going to have to defend itself in the legal system. Obviously the Bassinder's have the $ to keep this in litigation for a long time. The town cannot afford this. Where is the money going to come from? Our taxes? If the Mayor and Council cannot come to some kind of agreement with the Bassinder's, we are going to be in serious financial trouble. It seems to have become personal between the mayor and David Bassinder. Perhaps if the Mayor is willing to resign, Mr. Bassinder and Martell's will drop the lawsuit. Seems to me it would be a compromise that is for the good of our town.

I'm starting to wonder if this whole mess isn't the end product of a few of lawyers sitting around, drinking martinis together and thinking of ways to keep their income coming in.

Waller Waller: Your girfriend might want to re-consider what she shares with you if she wants to continue to tend bar. Second hand stories are rarely accurate and never a good idea.
And NoraBTS...the Mayor seems to have some kind of issue going on with someone at any given time!

This town is an absolute mess. The Chamber holds a dinner but charges the honorees to attend. Sounds like honoring the volunteers was just a timely way to bring in cash receipts. The Chamber knows that there are problems with Barrella and Bassinder but goes ahead and plans the event there anyway. Barrella and Bassinder don't like each other and can't squeeze their egos through the the entrance door at the same time. Juvenile egotists. The dinner is already tainted by the less than altruistic motives of the Chamber. What can be worse? Who's going to the the first to wear the big-boy pants? Maybe, they'll both man up and agree to box three rounds for charity. Now that's an event I would pay for!

If anyone wants to discuss the bigger picture and the profound changes we need to face together please read our letter to Point Pleasant Beach Mayor & Council: http://www.ward-realty.com/appeal.html

Mike Corbally - you say that the Hazard Mitigation Applications are on the town website... www.pointpleasantbeach.org? Don't see anything there... I do see the application on www.ptboro.com but these aren't the ones for PPB residents.

Mayor Barrella the victim again, Poor poor Barrella loves playing the victim . No Mayor, it not a disagreement on politics between you and Mr Bassinder its your behavior and nasty personal comments . You talk about Mayoral duties,then why did you refuse to present Scott Bassinder his business person of the year award and have someone else do it. Why have you in one of your rants call PPB, Jenkinsontown or Bassinder Blvd . Why did you and your cronies ( I know you said you would vote yes, BS) not let Martells use the empty parking lot to store materials to re build. Why did you call him a Little Man. Why are they suing you personally, it goes on and on with you with the personal attacks and not just against Mr Bassinder. So much for acting Mayoral. And the 1000 people who signed your recall was that because you acted Mayoral. Pleaaasssseee. Finally you pushed someone whos not afraid to push back and you have your hands full now . Maybe keeping you out of a Chamber event isnt the right call , but you brought it on yourself . Maybe Mr Bassinder will be the Bigger Man and let you in so you can do your Mayoral duties,then once done, leave and dont let the door hit you in the - - -

And for all of this....... my hard earnd money that pays taxes in PPB is being utilized ($30,000) for a "Marketing Plan" to be shared with the COC and local businesses-each also kicking in an additional $30K ($90,000 Total) to market PPB as a friendly destination? Save our money! Headlines like this totally detract from the message you are trying to convey. This is not the first time that local businesses have pulled this kind of stunt (Martell's, Frankies...etc). As a businessman, I cannot fathom allowing this type of negative publicity on my business. It makes people look small and petty. Politics and the hospitality industry are polar opposites. Be prepared for a loss of business when you alienate people and refuse service because of politics.

Be thankful Martells that you are not in Shanghai.... as the mayor would have come and shut you down~
Dont take your freedom to knock a political figure this way.... so lightly~

TheMayor should have the fire marshall inspect Martells every Friday and Saturday night this summer and count heads. I am sure they are over the fire code. He should also have the police walk the beach and tiki bar checking IDs every day. They will find may underage drinkers and at least drive away some business.

For those of you that have jumped on the anti-Martell's bandwagon, I can tell you first hand that the Bassinder's are the most generous people/business in the town of Point Pleasant Beach. They donate and give back to their community very often; this is something that they've done pre-hurricane and even more so post-hurricane.

These comments are as childish as the incident it's self.

How much is it going to cost the taxpayers to defend this lawsuit? I'm sure money like Mr. Bassinder's could bankrupt us. Just take a look at his house. This town is in trouble.

over a foor of snow heading this way......please make sure Vince stays outside in the snow

Frosty the Vinceman

Thank you, Mr. Ward.

Small Town...Small minds....Stupid is as Stupid does.

Both Barrella and Martells are acting badly, but there is a big difference. Martells is a privately owned business; Barrella is a public servant.

Martells has a perfect right to deny entrance to whomever they like. If you don’t like it, don’t spend money in Martells. But understand: Martells has a perfect right to not admit people they don’t want, as long as they don’t discriminate based on race, creed, etc.

Barrella, on the other hand, is a public servant. He has an obligation to do what is best for the people of PPB. Barrella keeps shunning that obligation to vent his personal feelings ( in this most recent example about being dissed) to the detriment of the people he is supposed to serve. If you don’t like what Barrella is doing, then be sure to vote in November for candidates who can do a better job than the ones Barrella supports. That is what the voters of PPB did in November of 2011; this is what the voters should do again and again until all remnants of the damage Barrella has done to PPB are purged from PPB.

That should be November of 2012.

I have never met Mayor Barrella, but I am appealing to him to PLEASE be kind to the struggling businesses in his town. This is a time when we must show solidarity ! I am owner of Cedar Creek Campground in Bayville and know that many of my guests are visitors to all of the surrounding towns who have been hit hard by storm Sandy. It is very important, especially now, for all of these storm ravaged communities to keep a positive spin to our joint recovery. You see, if we lose our tourists (and their many dollars) to other locations it may take years, if ever to regain their business.
Often business and resident are at odds with regard to ‘ how each should behave ’, however, this is not the time to show our divisions. The future for all of us is hanging by a thread here, let us stand together and show the world “we will be ready”, for it is imperative that we continue to send a message of success and welcome to all the folks that love and enjoy, who we are, The New Jersey Shore.