BELMAR, N.J. (AP) — The Jersey Shore 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.

Pringle says 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 small shore community from a summer party town to a family destination.

Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story. Credit: Newsday Staff

'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem' Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.

Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story. Credit: Newsday Staff

'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem' Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.

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