Last weekend, many ladies (and gentlemen too) were in town to take advantage of the discounts and special offers at businesses throughout Sea Isle City during the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fall Girls Weekend. As is the case each year, our town was hopping with activity during Girls Weekend – and it was great to see so many people enjoying our local dining and shopping establishments.
Now that Girls Weekend has come-and-gone, it’s time to focus on the fast-approaching “season of joy.” As always, Sea Isle City is the perfect place to spend the holidays, and we will be kicking-off the season in grand style on Friday night with our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Excursion Park, which will begin with a Holiday Procession along JFK Boulevard at 6:00 PM. The Procession will include Santa Claus and other holiday revelers, who will travel from the Welcome Center to the Excursion Park Band Shell, where there will be additional festivities and the lighting of our town’s Christmas Tree.
If you are as excited about the holidays as I am – and you can’t wait for the Holiday Procession and Tree Lighting on Friday night – don’t forget that the Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Winter Village at Excursion Park takes place from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Black Friday, featuring a variety of merchandise and food vendors. Then, the Winter Village will continue on Saturday with additional activities, giving everyone even more reasons to spend Thanksgiving Weekend in Sea Isle City.
Once this weekend’s merriments are over, be sure to take advantage of the many other local holiday happenings that are coming your way in the weeks ahead – including the Italian American Club’s annual Poinsettia & Wreath Sale as well as their 2025 Christmas Dinner, VFW Post 1963’s Brunch with Santa and their Christmas Caravan to the Vineland Veterans Home, the Recreation Office’s Holiday Lighting Contest and Santa’s Calling Program, the Historical Society’s Holiday Open House, the Fire Department’s First Responders Parade and Candy Cane Run, Saint Joseph Church’s Live Nativity – and the countless other holiday events and celebrations that take place each year in Sea Isle City!
In addition to the various seasonal gatherings that are planned in our town, there is one event that is especially near-and-dear to my heart: our annual Mayor’s Holiday Toy and Food Drive, which is now underway. As is the case each Christmas season, my “elves” and I collect unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items for families in need – and then we have the happy task of personally delivering all the donated items several days before Christmas. As they say, “It takes a Village” – and that is certainly true when it comes to our Toy and Food Drive – so I want to thank (in advance) each of the local businesses that graciously serve as drop-off locations for this important event: Crest Savings Bank, Dee’s Hair Salon, First Bank of Sea Isle City, Mrs. Brizzle’s Buns & Deli, Rick’s Breakfast House, and Sands Department Store. For everyone’s reference, you can also deliver toys and food at City Hall and the Welcome Center, where you will also find drop-off boxes. To learn more about this year’s Holiday Toy and Food Drive, please see the special section in this week’s E-Newsletter or phone my office at 609-263-4461, extension 1245.
Even though Thanksgiving is upon us and we still have many holiday weeks ahead, it is never too early to begin making plans for New Year’s Eve – especially if you want to enjoy dinner at one of Sea Isle’s many wonderful restaurants. So, make your December 31 dinner reservations early – and then plan to watch our annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display at 8:00 PM!
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
During the “Council Reports” portion of the November 25 City Council meeting, Council President Tighe reminded everyone that several events were planned in Sea Isle City during Thanksgiving Weekend: A Holiday Procession along JFK Boulevard and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday evening, November 28; and the Chamber of Commerce’s Winter Village on November 28 and 29.
Two ordinances were Introduced with First Reading during the November 25 meeting…
• Ordinance 1728, which revises the types of plants that are to be planted at new construction sites, based on recommendations from the Sea Isle City Environmental Commission.
• Ordinance 1729, which adjusts the installation fees for water service connections and a fee schedule for 6-inch piping. Please Note: This ordinance does not increase fees paid by property owners for general water and sewer service.
Both Ordinance 1728 and 1729 will have Second Reading (and possible Adoption) during the December 23 City Council meeting.
Each of the resolutions on the November 25 Consent Agenda was approved, including…
• Resolution 205, which established the 2026 Holiday Schedule for Sea Isle City’s municipal employees.
• Resolution 206, which established City Council’s 2026 meeting schedule.
• Resolution 207, which established a Discretionary Property Tax Grace Period for Federal Employees negatively impacted by the recent government shutdown.
• Resolution 209, which authorized a Change Order in the amount of $188,554 for several additions to Sea Isle City’s Community Center: An Acoustic Ceiling Tile System for the building’s Main Meeting Room; a Golf Simulator Room; and a “Multi Ball” Room, which will offer an Interactive Game System that includes a large electronic screen and a wide variety of games for people of all ages.
• Resolution 213, which authorized a contract in the amount of $22,660, with Devine Brothers, of King of Prussia, PA, for one-year of preventive maintenance and service for City Hall’s HVAC System.
• Resolution 214, which authorized a National Co-Op Contract in the amount of $71,855.38 with BIS Digital, of Boca Raton, FL, for improvements to the existing Audio-Visual Equipment in City Council Chambers, and the addition of a Live Streaming System that will allow City Council to broadcast meetings to the public.
• Resolution 215, which authorized the city to execute a Mediation Agreement that settles Sea Isle City’s Fair Share Housing obligation, ensuring the city is constitutionally compliant and will be protected from developer lawsuits for the next ten years.
During the “Citizen Comment” portion of the November 25 meeting, a productive discussion took place after a resident suggested that the city form a sub-committee to examine our Fair Share Housing obligations. This topic will be included in Sea Isle City’s Master Plan Re-Examination, which will get underway in 2026.
The next regular City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 9, at 10:00 AM on the third floor of City Hall – and we hope to see you there!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Best regards from the members of City Council,
Council President Mary Tighe
Ian Ciseck
Frank Edwardi
Michael Jargowski
William Kehner
