I begin this message by following-up on the report I gave to City Council on Tuesday morning regarding youths who are creating problems and interfering with the enjoyment of others. As I said to City Council, there are laws and guidelines in place at the State level that are clearly hindering local law enforcement agencies from effectively doing their job – and this is most evident when it comes to the issues we are having with young people who are gathering in large crowds, disturbing the peace, and showing a great lack of respect for others.

As you no doubt are aware, this issue is a major topic of discussion among many of Sea Isle City’s property owners and visitors – some of whom have made their feelings abundantly clear to us at City Council meetings, via emails, and when we bump into them on the street – and, yes, many of the people we speak with ask the same question: “Where are the parents of these kids, and why aren’t they making sure their children are acting respectfully to others?”

Recognizing that this is an issue many shore towns in New Jersey are dealing with, we feel that we must take action on the local level in any way we can. While I will not give up the fight in Trenton to change our State laws that prevent our police officers from stopping many of the problems that arise when young people are not acting as they should, I have directed my Administration to research and determine what laws we can enact to help level the playing field in favor of those who abide by the law – and in favor of all of the citizens of Sea Isle City. We will keep you updated on that effort, and in the meantime please know how grateful I am for everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work together to maintain Sea Isle City as a place that everyone can enjoy. And speaking of cooperation, if you see disturbing activity of any kind, please call 9-1-1 immediately and alert the Sea Isle City Police Department right away.

Even though we have had some problems with young people this summer, we also have a great deal to be thankful for – including the many events and activities that have gone-off without a hitch and have delighted people of all ages. Case in point, I want to thank everyone who attended our National Night Out event on August 2 – and special thanks goes to the many local businesses and organizations that showed their support for that important gathering (either financially or by providing food and other give-aways). Thank you Camo Dogs Hot Dog Stand, Crest Savings Bank, Freda Real Estate, James’ Fudge & Salt Water Taffy, La Finestra Restaurant, Ludlam Hotel & Shorebreak Café, Ocean Drive Night Club & Sandbar Grill, Rita’s Water Ice, Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization, and Topsail Steamer Seafood.

In addition to National Night Out – as well as our weekly entertainment line-up and a bevy of other family-friendly events taking place this summer – we have also had many successful athletic events occur, including competitions hosted by our Beach Patrol and other sporting events hosted by our Division of Recreation. One of the Recreation Office’s many efforts is the Dave Farina Men’s Basketball Tournament, which was scheduled to take place last week – however, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has been postponed until Saturday, September 10. One good thing about the delay is that it gives players who want to participate in this annual tournament extra time to gather their friends and form teams, which we look forward to happening. To learn more about the Dave Farina Basketball Tournament and all of our other recreation events, please phone 609-263-0050 or go to www.VISITSICNJ.com and click the “recreation” link on the home page.

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting the members of the Symons family, including siblings Cosette, age 7, and her brother, Ryder, age 5, both of whom hosted a lemonade stand to raise funds in honor of the three Sea Isle City police officers who sustained injuries while responding to a 9-1-1 call earlier this summer. I am very grateful to the Symons children for their efforts, which resulted in $600 being donated to the SICPD’s Good Will Fund. Thank you Cosette and Ryder for having such big hearts – you are fine examples for us all!

And speaking of kids doing good things, we are still accepting entries for our Beach Tag Art Contest, which is open to children up to age 17, who can submit artwork that will be considered for our 2023 beach tags. I encourage all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends of children to print-out a submission form and ask their favorite children to put their artistic skills to work. There is more info about the Beach Tag Art Contest in this week’s Newsletter, and you can also find the entry forms on the “Beach Tag” page of our municipal website, www.seaislecitynj.us.

The summer of 2022 may be winding-down, but there are still plenty of great events and activities planned in the weeks and months ahead that will keep the fun going strong in Sea Isle City – so go to www.VISITSICNJ.com to learn about what is happening as the summer cools down and the autumn season rolls around.

This week’s “Shout Out” goes to Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Lifeguard Eric Greensmith. If you have not read or heard about Eric, he was a local lifeguard during the 1970’s before beginning a successful career as a medical anesthesiologist. Now, at age 67, he is enjoying his “retirement” by once again serving as a lifeguard in Sea Isle City (a job that required him to fulfill all of the qualifications of a “returning lifeguard” with the SICBP – which he did successfully). My thanks and congratulations go to Dr. Greensmith for reminding us all that we can be of value and serve others no matter what our age. Keep up the good work, Eric!

Smile…You’re in Sea Isle,

Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio