I hope you were able to join us on Saturday during the City’s annual Community Day gathering, which was very successful regardless of the rainy weather. Community Day featured a Municipal Bicycle Auction, during which nearly 50 bikes were sold at great prices, and there was also a weekend City Council meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Additionally, Community Day featured free document shredding in the parking lot of the Community Lodge (courtesy of First Bank of Sea Isle City), as well as dozens of tables manned by representatives from City Departments, local civic organizations and a variety of County Departments. One of my favorite aspects of Community Day is our annual awards ceremony, during which the Chamber of Commerce gives their yearly scholarships to local students, First Bank of Sea Isle City presents their Community Partnership Award (along with a check for $2,000) to a local civic organization that performs valuable community services, and I have the pleasure of handing-out my annual “Do the Right Thing” awards to individuals who perform good deeds for others. I am very pleased to announce that this year’s scholarship recipients are Elizabeth Buch, Caroline Byrne, Hannah Iannone, Jada Majors and Faith Waldron – each of whom are great examples of the fine young people we have here in Sea Isle City. Also, the Catholic Daughters of Saint Joseph Church were the recipients of this year’s Community Partnership Award – which they very much deserve. And, my “Do the Right Thing” awards went to five terrific individuals, who truly deserve a pat-on-the-back: Decorated World War II Veteran (and all-around nice guy) Bill Johnson, AARP Chapter 710 President (and one of the most active seniors you’ll ever meet) Frank Roach, Eleanor Moore (a valued member of Sea Isle City’s Environmental Commission, Historical Society, Beachcomber Guides and other local organizations), Sea Isle Ambulance Corps volunteer and Antique Auto Show organizer Jim Ambro, Historical Society President and Beachcomber Guides Co-Chairperson Abby Powell, former SICBP lifeguard (and “international marathoner for charity”) Dan McCann, and Caroline Byrne (an outstanding local high school student, who is on her way to study in London later this year). Congratulations to you all – and thank you for all you do!
As is the case during every off-season, City employees and hired contractors have been working diligently in recent months to ensure that a variety of improvement projects are completed in time for the start of the summer season. If you regularly read this E-Newsletter’s “Project Updates” section, you know about the many efforts that have been taking place in Sea Isle City since last September, including updates to our utility services, road reconstruction projects, repainting of the City’s water tower on 39th Street, a complete renovation of the 85th Street Beach Playground, much-needed improvements to the Public Works Garage on JFK Boulevard, resurfacing of the Pickleball Courts on West Jersey Avenue, and the installation of a new Bocce Court at Dealy Field. Even though a great deal of work has already been completed in the past year, we are not done yet, because one of this government’s main goals is to ensure that our residents and visitors can thoroughly and safely enjoy life in Sea Isle City – complete with necessary services, first-rate facilities, safe roads, clean drinking water and a sound infrastructure.
And speaking of our infrastructure, Sea Isle City’s first flood water pumping station will be built this summer near 38th Street and the Bay. This is the earliest in a series of important steps that the City will be taking to combat the challenges of flooding throughout our community. In the meantime, please bear with us as we tackle this sizable – but worthwhile – effort. Also, even though floods don’t happen every day in Sea Isle City, remember to avoid driving through flooded streets no matter how deep the water is, because even a few inches of salt water can negatively affect your vehicle and create a wake that can damage private and public property. When in doubt, turn about!
It’s difficult to believe that it’s almost Memorial Day Weekend, which, as we all know, is the unofficial start of summer. However, before the excitement of the pending season unfolds any further, please reserve one hour of your time to join us at 10:00 a.m. on Memorial Day (Monday, May 28) at Veterans Park, where we will honor the men and women who died while serving in our nation’s armed forces. A number of dignitaries will be joining me on the podium on Memorial Day, including U.S. Senatorial Candidate Bob Hugin, who served our country as an active duty infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps and later served in the reserves. Our annual Memorial Day Ceremony is typically very well attended each year; however, there’s always extra room at Veterans Park for anyone who realizes that “freedom is not free” and who wishes to take a moment to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of liberty.
As a reminder, if Monday turns out to be rainy, our Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Sea Isle’s Municipal Gymnasium inside the former public school at 4501 Park Road.
Have a safe and happy Holiday Weekend!
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
