What an exciting time it is in Sea Isle City!  As you probably know, we have a lot going on in town, including a variety of construction projects that will add convenience, beauty and safety to our community.  I would like to remind everyone to look for new stop signs on Central Avenue at 59th and 63rd Streets, which will soon be in place to slow traffic near Dealy Field.  Also, make sure you check-out our newly completed Townsend Inlet Waterfront Park at 94th Street, and notice the beautiful improvements along JFK Boulevard near the Entertainment Complex (including the new awnings and tables under the pergolas on the Promenade).  Plus, before we know it, our wonderful new Welcome Center will be completed at the base of the Sea Isle Bridge, and a new public parking facility will be finished on JFK Boulevard (on the site of our former library and beach tag office).  As I always say, “Things keep getting better and better here in Sea Isle City!”

Earlier this week, we recorded several new segments of our popular Sea Isle Minute, which will air on Channel 2 in the weeks ahead.  Our first interview guests of the season are Father Joseph Perrault from Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Vera McQuillen and Dolores Meyers from the Sea Isle City Women’s Civic Club, Christopher Glancey from the Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization, and Scout Master Mike Jargowsky and John Mazurie III from Boy Scout Troop 76.  Each person had many interesting comments to share during their interview, and I know you will enjoy hearing what they have to say.

Don’t miss our annual Community Day event, which takes place this Saturday, May 19, beginning at 9:00 a.m. There are many great activities planned for Community Day, including a pubic bicycle auction, discounted rides at Funland Amusement Park, the Garden Club Flower Sale, a City Council meeting, and the chance to shred unwanted documents.  Additional Community Day information can be found below.

Soon it will be Memorial Day Weekend – and the official start of the 2012 summer season. Don’t miss the Tri-For-Our-Veterans Triathlon and Duathlon on Saturday morning of Memorial Day Weekend.  This event is very important because it benefits military veterans with disabilities and VFW Post 1963.  Also on that Saturday, stop-by the Townsend Inlet Civic Center between 8:00 a.m. and 12 noon for their Memorial Day Indoor Sidewalk Sale.  Then, join us at Veterans Park on Monday, May 28, at 10:00 a.m. for Sea Isle’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony, which will feature many local veterans and other patriots who know the importance of honoring America’s fallen heroes.  Afterwards, walk with us to the beach, where members of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol will set flowers adrift at sea in honor of our nation’s deceased naval veterans.

In closing, I would like to give a “shout out” to several people.  First, my hat goes off to Public Works employees Mike Tighe and Jim Schneider for their recent beautification efforts at our Entertainment Complex.  Mike recently completed a beautiful new brick wall at Excursion Park, which closely follows the curves of the dune line adjacent to the promenade without damaging any of our precious foliage.  Jim displayed his artistic and carpentry prowess by fully restoring the Sea Isle City lifeboat that’s located in the center of Braca Plaza.  The lifeboat is no longer filled with flowers.  Instead, its interior has been hollowed-out and restored, which makes it an ideal place for photo-ops.  I invite everyone to take the time to notice Mike and Jim’s handwork – and to have their photo taken at the Entertainment Complex.  Earlier this week, while I was inspecting the new lifeboat, I spoke with Gerard and Agnes Urmson, of Downingtown and Sea Isle City, and I urged them to have their picture taken while sitting in the boat – making them part of that vessels “maiden voyage.” Look for their smiling faces in the “recent photos” section below.