Point Pleasant Beach Councilman Resigns During Meeting

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ – Current Point Pleasant Beach councilman Bob Santanello resigned during Tuesday night’s meeting, reading a prepared statement then immediately walking out the door.

“Frederick Nietzsche said, ‘He who fights with monsters should be careful, lest he thereby become a monster, and if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into you.’ I firmly believe in the grace of God, making this the perfect time for me to walk away,” Santanello said before getting up and walking out of the council chambers.

“It was a fitting end to his unremarkable time on council. One final “Look at Me” moment with zero substance,” Mayor Paul Kanitra said to Patch.

“I’m sure the entire council is looking forward to having someone who actually works hard and delivers real accomplishments for the town next year.”

According to Kevin Riordan, the borough’s attorney, the borough did receive a letter from Santanello with the same quote.

Santanello has had a tumultuous 2021 on the council, having been censured back in April for allegedly giving out closed-session info along with questioning the council’s spending, which led to a confrontation with Kanitra last month.

“I believe my statement last night speaks for itself, and people can read into it what they want,” Santanello said to Patch.

“Those that don’t like me will read it one way, Those that like me another, and those that know me will know exactly what I meant.”