On November 12, I was honored to speak during a Sea Isle City Taxpayers Association’s meeting, which was held inside the Sea Isle City Library. It was a very productive gathering and we discussed a number of topics, including Sea Isle’s plan to address flooding, our beaches and beach regulations, bicycles, future commercial development and other important subjects. My thanks go to President Mary Tumolo and the other members of SICTA for their warm welcome on November 12.
If any other local organization would like me to speak during one of their meetings, I will be happy to attend – just phone my office. As a reminder, contact information for City employees and elected officials can be found on Sea Isle’s municipal website, www.seaislecitynj.us.
Autumn has flown by, and now our nation is about to celebrate Thanksgiving and the arrival of the holiday season. As is the case each November and December, we have many seasonal activities taking place here in Sea Isle City. One event that’s near-and-dear to my heart is our annual Mayor’s Holiday Toy and Food Drive, during which we collect unwrapped toys, gift cards and non-perishable food items for local families in need. If you want to make this Christmas more cheerful, you can bring a toy or food item to City Hall or one of several other drop-off locations around town. Then, in December, a small army of “elves” will personally deliver the gifts to designated families prior to Christmas Day. Please see the “Toy and Food Drive” section of this newsletter for more details.
If you want to get some exercise while supporting a good cause, please join us on Friday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m. on 63rd Street for the Cape May County Police Chiefs Association’s Holiday Dash 1-Mile Walk & Run, which will benefit this year’s Mayor’s Holiday Toy and Food Drive. Walkers and runners can drop-off their donations of toys and food during this fun charitable event – and, if you wish, you can even walk or run with your donation and hand your gift to Santa Claus as you cross the finish line. Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite holiday attire to the Holiday Dash, and afterwards we will present a prize to the most festive participant. I hope to see you on December 9!
Another event many of us look forward to each year is Sea Isle’s annual Holiday Extravaganza, which takes place during Thanksgiving Weekend at Excursion Park. Hosted by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization, the Extravaganza begins on Friday night with a parade, ice-skating, a tree lighting ceremony with Santa Claus and other entertainment. The Extravaganza continues on Saturday with more ice-skating and other family fun. I hope you can spend the entire Thanksgiving Weekend in Sea Isle City and bring your family to this wonderful celebration.
To add more enjoyment to this year’s holiday season, we have added a special mailbox in the lobby of City Hall for “Letters to Santa Claus.” The mailbox is accessible 24-hours a day, and anyone is welcome to use it when sending Saint Nick their Christmas wish lists – no matter what your age! Just drop your letter in the box and we will ensure that it arrives at Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole. Also, please notice Sea Isle’s new winter banners, which are now hanging on light posts along JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue. The wording on the banners gives thanks to our veterans, fire fighters, ambulance corps and police officers – four groups we should all remember in our prayers on Thursday and throughout the entire year. And, if you’re driving along Landis Avenue near 26th Street, please notice the blue line that’s been painted down the center of the road in support of our local police officers and law enforcement officials across the nation.
This week’s “Shout Out” goes to Dr. Joseph Giordano, a long-time local resident and former member of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol, who had a successful dental practice for 33 years here in Sea Isle. Dr. Giordano has been an avid swimmer his entire life, and he recently won 17 gold medals in the Martin County Florida Senior Games. Congratulations Dr. Giordano – keep on swimming!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
