Good morning.
Following my report, Police Chief Tony Garreffi will provide an update on the operation of the police department this summer. Without taking away from any of the chief’s report, I must say that our police department is doing an outstanding job. I receive regular reports on police operations, and it’s clear that our officers are not only responsive to the calls they receive but are also proactive in their patrols and oversight of the entire city in their efforts to maintain public safety and ensure that quality of life issues are handled quickly and efficiently.
I’m happy to report that beach-filling operations have been completed. Norfolk Dredging placed approximately a half million cubic yards of sand on our beaches and are now working to demobilize from the beach and finish up dune crossover work at the JFK boulevard beach access.
I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during the replenishment project. I know this was an inconvenience, but as most everyone knows, this is a critical project that helps to maintain the viability of our beaches. I also want to remind everyone that this is an Army Corps of Engineers contract; and a project for which we contribute just 12 and a half percent of the total cost.
In addition, we also need to understand that there are only a few companies in the entire country that can perform a project of this magnitude, so we need to take these projects when they become available. Having said all this, I also want to say that we’ve had relatively few complaints about the project, and frankly, when we explain the situation I just described, our citizens are very understanding.
I want to mention our drone show that’s scheduled for this Thursday, July 16th, 9 p.m. at Dealy Field. It was originally scheduled for July 7th but had to be postponed due to technical issues the company was experiencing. We received great feedback about the first drone show we had at the end of June, and I hope everyone gets a chance to check out this week’s show.
As always, please remember we are one Sea Isle City and together we’ll be stronger than ever.
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
There was no council meeting since our last newsletter, so we have no news to report on meeting activity or legislative actions, however, we are pleased to echo the mayor’s comments about the fantastic July 4th holiday weekend that we just experienced. It was a joy to see our beaches, the promenade, and our local businesses filled with so many families and visitors celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday together. The energy and community spirit on full display were a wonderful reminder of why Sea Isle City is such a special place to spend the summer.
We also want to reiterate the mayor’s ongoing message regarding public safety. With such a large number of people enjoying our town, it is incredibly important that everyone takes their time, obeys all traffic laws, and remains fully aware of their surroundings. Please keep an eye out for pedestrians, cyclists, and the extra vehicle traffic that comes with a busy summer shore town. A little patience goes a long way in keeping our community safe.
Speaking of public safety, we have an important presentation scheduled for our next public gathering. At next week’s council meeting, Police Chief Tony Garreffi will provide a report on the work of his department during the busy summer months. Chief Garreffi will update the public on the enforcement of quality-of-life issues, along with the various daily matters and challenges that our officers must contend with throughout the summer season.
We would also like to take this moment to express our deepest gratitude to the Sea Isle City Police Department, as well as all of our public safety personnel, for the outstanding work they do year-round. We never want to take for granted the tireless work of our first responders who keep our town secure. This high standard of care also extends to our dedicated Beach Patrol. Every single day, our lifeguards work diligently to keep the bathing public safe in the ocean, ensuring that your time on the sand is both enjoyable and secure. We truly have some of the best first responders and safety personnel anywhere on the Jersey Shore.
Our next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 14, at 10:00 AM on the third floor of City Hall – and we hope to see you there!
Best regards from the members of City Council,
Council President Michael Jargowski
Ian Ciseck
Frank Edwardi
William Kehner
Mary Tighe
