With Memorial Day weekend now behind us, we’re looking forward to a summer season filled with fun, sun, and making memories. We are ready to fully enjoy our beautiful beaches, our oceanfront promenade, and everything else that our great city has to offer. While we had to endure some rainy weather this past weekend, it certainly didn’t dampen our community spirit. There was still a lot going on in town, and I was once again very pleased and deeply moved by the wonderful turnout at our annual Memorial Day ceremony, which was held inside our Community Center due to weather conditions. It is always heartwarming to see so many families and neighbors come together to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Looking ahead, next weekend, June 5th and 6th, is Restaurant Weekend. This is the perfect opportunity to kick off the summer by supporting our fantastic local business owners. I hope you will all be able to get out and enjoy some of the fine and diverse culinary offerings at our local restaurants. Whether you are looking for a casual bite or a fine dining experience, Sea Isle City’s chefs are ready to serve you.

Also taking place next weekend is Peyton’s Promise 5k Run/2k Walk. This is a truly wonderful annual event where all proceeds directly benefit the Peyton’s Promise Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Research Fund at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). I encourage everyone to lace up their running shoes or enjoy a morning walk for this incredibly worthy cause. Our community has always been incredibly generous, and this event is another testament to how we support one another and vital medical research.

I am also absolutely thrilled and proud to share some fantastic news: Sea Isle City was officially named the 3rd best beach in the State of New Jersey by USA Today in their 2026 Reader’s Choice Awards! We have always known that our coastline is spectacular, but it is truly special when visitors and residents alike vote to recognize what a wonderful community and pristine environment we have.

Speaking of our award-winning beach, as we have previously informed everyone, we are getting ready to receive critical beach replenishment, with sand pumping now expected to start around June 5^th. The contractor has already mobilized heavy equipment onto the beach at 57th Street and is continuing with the mobilization of the submerged pipeline and beach pipeline this week. This project, which is being managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will bring nearly half a million cubic yards of fresh sand to be placed between 29th and 55th Streets.

The sand will be pumped from a dredge located at a designated site over two miles away in the ocean. The pipeline from the dredge will come ashore around 44th Street. Sand pumping will initially proceed south from 44th Street to 55th Street, and once that section is completed, the crew will reverse direction and pump north from 44th Street to 29th Street.

As the project moves along, please be assured that no more than 1,000 feet of the beach will be closed at any single time, meaning the vast majority of our shoreline will remain completely open for your enjoyment. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June. However, please understand that work of this nature is highly dependent on sea conditions and the weather, which can impact the daily schedule. We will keep everyone updated on the status of the project through our regular e-alerts, bi-weekly e-newsletters, on our official municipal website, and through our social media channels.

I want to also mention something that I brought up at our Memorial Day ceremony and at our last council meeting – we’re looking for a great show of community spirit and patriotism as we approach the nation’s 250^th anniversary, and I’m asking every property owner to proudly fly the American flag. Let’s show everyone that Sea Isle City is America’s city!

Thank you all for making Sea Isle City such a premier destination and a wonderful place to live. I look forward to seeing you all around town on the Promenade, in our restaurants, and on our beautiful beaches.

Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!

Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio

“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. --Abraham Lincoln