New Jersey Mayor Charges at Resident During Heated Town Meeting
Mayor Matthew Bianchini confronted a constituent after a flipped bird and alleged comments about his family.
Pemberton Township, New Jersey – A town meeting devolved into disarray Wednesday evening when Mayor Matthew Bianchini, 59, left his seat and charged across the council chambers toward a constituent. The incident, captured on video by the Pine Barrens Tribune and the township's own livestream, shows Bianchini being restrained by several individuals.
Video footage shows Bianchini pointing at resident Michael Sawka before advancing toward the public gallery. As Bianchini approached Sawka, a man in a blue checked suit intervened. Two other men then stepped in, holding Bianchini back against a wall. During the commotion, Sawka reportedly told the mayor, "You should resign," prompting Bianchini to attempt to lunge again, at which point he was further restrained.
"I am f****** getting you," Bianchini was heard shouting at Sawka as he was led away. Sawka stated that he wanted police to arrest the mayor for assault.
According to Bianchini, the confrontation stemmed from a long-standing, fraught relationship with Sawka. He told WPVI that he "snapped" after Sawka and another resident allegedly made "rude comments" to his wife and daughter, who were present at the meeting. "Don't attack my family. I think any good husband, any good father, would've done just what I did," Bianchini said. He acknowledged that his actions were "wrong" but stated he would "do it again if I had to," though he later apologized for his language, attributing it to the "heat of the moment."
Sawka, however, denied making any comments to the mayor's family and asserted that he remained calm throughout the incident. "I'm just sitting there. I never got up. I sat there the whole time. I was calm the whole time," he said. Sawka has called for Bianchini's resignation and to be barred from future political involvement.
The video also shows Sawka flipping Bianchini off with his middle finger shortly before the mayor exited his seat. All individuals involved in the altercation were asked to leave the meeting. Bianchini's office was contacted for comment.