Even though the autumn, winter and spring seasons each have their own beauty and appeal, we all know that there are fewer people in Sea Isle City after the summer ends. With that in mind, during this “quiet” time of year, please keep your vehicles and homes locked at all times, be mindful of your neighbor’s properties while they are out of town, tell your neighbors when you plan to be away, and immediately phone the Sea Isle City Police Department if you notice a suspicious vehicle, person or situation. Additionally, if you phone the police to let them know that you will be out of town for an extended period of time, they will be glad to drive-by and check-on your home. Sea Isle City is a very safe community, and we can keep it that way by practicing good habits such as these.
The phone number for police dispatch is (609) 263-4311, extension “O.” I promise you that our officers will appreciate your call and that you will not be bothering them. After all, that’s why they are on the job 24/7, 12-months a year!
October 31 is still more than a week away, but the Halloween fun is in full-swing here in Sea Isle City. In addition to our annual Halloween Parade and Family Dance Party, which take place tomorrow night, the Sea Isle City Recreation Office is also hosting a Halloween Pet Costume Contest, which is already delighting people on Facebook. The pets in the costume contest are being judged by the good folks at the Cape May County Animal Shelter; and in return, our Division of Recreation is collecting pet food and other items that will be donated to the shelter in November.
For many of us, Halloween is all about the candy! Therefore, as is our tradition each year, door-to-door Trick-or-Treating will take place in Sea Isle City on October 31 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Also, there will be a community “Trunk-or-Treat” event from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Halloween night in the Welcome Center’s parking lot – so there will be plenty of opportunity for trick-or-treaters to stock-up on candy this year. For more information about any of our Halloween activities, please see the “Halloween Happenings” section in this newsletter or phone the Recreation Office at 609-263-0050.
Plans are currently being made for Sea Isle City’s 2021 Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 26 (the day after Thanksgiving). The parade will begin at 6:00 PM on Black Friday, and immediately afterwards I will be joined by Santa Claus at Excursion Park to officially kick-off the holiday season and light-up Sea Isle City’s Christmas tree. Also, the Chamber of Commerce will host their annual “Shop Small Weekend” on November 26, 27 and 28, when businesses throughout town will offer special deals, discounts and plenty of hospitality to patrons. So, mark your calendars now and plan on spending Thanksgiving Weekend in Sea Isle City – and begin this year’s holiday season in style!
I have two “Shout Outs” this week. The first goes to local attorney Dan McCann, who was recently recognized on NJBIZ’s 2021 “Forty Under 40” list for his work and service to the community. Dan, who is an alumni of Saint Joseph University and a member of our local Chamber of Commerce, runs marathons around the world to raise money and awareness for worthy causes. Congratulations Dan! –Keep up the good work!
Our next “Shout Out” goes to Steve and Sue Ahern, of Sea Isle Terrapin Rescue, the members of Girl Scout Troop #41012, and the other volunteers who donated their time on Saturday morning to carefully unearth 365 live baby Diamondback Terrapin Turtles from the “Turtle Garden” nesting sites behind the library at 48th Street and the Bay. After the baby turtles were dug-out of the sand, each one was released into the marshes, where they hopefully will grow to adulthood. Diamond Terrapins play an important role in our local eco-system – just as all wildlife does – and I am very grateful to the Aherns and all of the volunteers who helped make a positive impact on our environment on Saturday! Thank you all!
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
City Council's Message
October 21, 2021
During the “Mayor’s Report” at the start of the October 12 City Council meeting, Mayor Desiderio outlined the merits of Sea Isle City’s proposed Community Center, which the City’s Administration has been studying for several years and now would like to build, using preliminary architectural plans that have been created during the past 18-months.
Each of the resolutions on the October 12 Consent Agenda was approved, including…
• Resolution 205, which dedicated Sea Isle City’s Municipal Marina as the “Frank P. Edwardi, Sr. Marina.”
• Resolution 206, which ratified a Memorandum of Understanding with the City and the Public Safety Communicators through December 31, 2023, which is subject to presentation and adoption of a contract in the conformance of same.
• Resolution 207, which authorized the legally recognized process to procure doors and door repairs with Elmer Door Company, up to the bid threshold with no minimum purchase implied or guaranteed.
In addition to the resolutions on the Consent Agenda, Resolution 209 was also on the October 12 meeting agenda. This resolution was written to authorize the Administration’s Community Center Project and allow it to move forward to the “Construction Documents” phase. After listening to numerous comments from the public (most of which were in support of the existing plans), City Council was split 2-2 and the resolution did not pass. A project of this scale and cost requires a “super majority” (4 out of 5) of Council members to show support before it can be advanced.
The next City Council meeting will take place at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 26, inside Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall. –We hope to see you there!
Best Regards from the Members of City Council,
Council President Jack Gibson
Frank Edwardi
J.B. Feeley
William Kehner
Mary Tighe
