Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi is dealing with some major criticism from the New Jersey Mayor, Daniel Rodrick. It seems that the mayor is not a fan of the singer and his wife Dorthea Hurley’s charitable contribution to the city of Toms River.
As native New Jerseyans, Jon and Dorthea have made it their goal to give back to their community and use their success and influence to help those most in need. In 2006, the couple began the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, a New Jersey-based nonprofit restaurant that has a pay-it-forward model to accommodate all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorthea have worked for years to perfect the right formula that meets the needs of their customers. The first restaurant opened its doors in 2011 in Red Bank.
โIt is not a pay-what-you-want model or a soup kitchen,โ as customers pay for their meals (the suggested price is $12) and are allowed to pay for someone else’s meal, assisting those who canโt pay and instead volunteer their time,” according to the official website. Things have been moving along successfully, encouraging Jon Bon Jovi to expand the JBJ Soul Kitchen’s efforts.
New Jersey Mayor Calls Jon Bon Jovi Eatery ‘A Real Safety Concern
In February, Bon Jovi opened a pop-up location stationed inside Toms Riverโs Ocean County Library. This has caused a real issue between the Mayor and the Bon Jovi Foundation, according to Radar Online.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick’s main concern is that the eatery is driving up the homeless population in the Tom’s River. Roderick believes the restaurant’s platform encourages homeless individuals across the state, and even neighboring states, to congregate around the eatery.
Rodrick stated, โIf theyโre going to turn this into a homeless shelter, hell, cut everybody a check and give them a Barnes and Noble gift card. I definitely want it gone.”
โWe certainly don’t think that the library is a good place. The issue was never Bon Jovi. It was [the] Ocean County Board of Commissioners who engaged with these nonprofits. “He also deemed the establishment a ‘real safety concern.’
Despite Rodrick’s distaste for the establishment, Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace is pushing back against the mayorโs claims. They reveal that, to date, there haven’t been any alarming incidents occurring in town due to the JBJ Soul Kitchen.
So far, no solutions or compromises have been determined. However, many fans have nothing but praise for Jon Bon Jovi and Dorthea Hurley’s humanitarian efforts.
“You are an inspirational couple.” One fan writes. “Bravo!! You are the Best example of giving back! Itโs really nice to see,” adds another. “
“Such an important cause thank you, Bongovis, for all the work u do organizing and leading this effort in our area. Wish we had more celebrities with such missions.”
Despite the mayorโs criticism, it looks like he will have quite a fight on his hands to shut down the JBJ Soul Kitchen in Tom’s River, especially if Jon Bon Jovi and his fans have anything to say about it.
