Borough of Point Pleasant Welcomes the Burro of Point Pleasant

Point Pleasant Borough Councilman, Dominic Asino, believes that his town does not get the recognition it deserves. "Being next to Bay Head and Point Beach, we sometimes get lost in the shuffle," he said. "I'm not taking anything away from our neighbor towns; I just think that we're a great town in our own right." Asino has spent a lot of time trying to figure out ways to promote his borough, and he believes he has come up with a great idea. "What we needed was a mascot! Something that is instantly recognizable and that people will associate with the Borough of Point Pleasant."

"I was reading a news story about a petting zoo in Pennsylvania that was closing," said Asino. "They were looking for people who would adopt their animals. The article said that they had a donkey that they described as a 'pleasant burro.' Something clicked in my head when I saw that. I knew a burro would be the perfect mascot for our borough!"

Councilman Asino immediately sought the approval of the mayor. At first the mayor thought the idea was asinine, but was eventually convinced that a burro could be an asset to the town. "I told the mayor that having a mascot would give people something to associate with Point Pleasant," said Asino. "The burro's image could be on all of our signage and advertising. The actual burro could make appearances at special events and give rides to kids. It would be great for the town!"

This past fall, Councilman Asino personally drove to Pennsylvania to pick up the burro. "Her name is Bella, and she is adorable. She has the gentlest disposition" said Asino.  The councilman, along with a friend who owned a horse trailer, brought the little animal back to Point Pleasant in early October. They unloaded her at the Recreation Center where a little stable had been built for her.

"Bella seemed to like her new home right away. She wandered around the grounds, ate and drank a bit, then settled in her stable for a nap," said Asino. "We chose the Recreation Center for a number of reasons. There was an outside area for the stable. It's near a park where Bella can be taken for walks. And at the rec center, children will get to see Bella every day."

Plans are in the works to modify signs and documents that feature the Borough of Point Pleasant logo. An image of Bella will be a central part of the new logo. "It's one of the first steps to making Bella the Burro our town's official mascot," said Asino. "We also hope to put up some new signs before summer that say 'Bella, the Burro of Point Pleasant, Welcomes You to the Borough of Point Pleasant.'"

Bella the Burro will have her official introduction sometime in the spring. Asino hopes that a special event can be held at Community Park so the town can meet Bella. "I'm working on getting a little cart that Bella can pull and give rides to children. I'm also hoping to talk the Mayor into taking the first ride in the cart when he officially welcomes Bella to Point Pleasant."

Though Bella the Burro's coming out party will have to wait, for now she is happily spending her days at the Recreation Center exploring her new home. Councilman Asino is confident the gentle little animal will be a great ambassador for Point Pleasant Borough for many years to come..