By Donald Wittkowski
Stressing a theme of unity, Mayor Leonard Desiderio and Councilmen William Kehner Sr. and Frank Edwardi Jr. were sworn in to new four-year terms Monday during a sun-soaked outdoor ceremony just steps from the beach.
Councilman J.B. Feeley was appointed as the governing body’s president during the reorganization meeting. The five City Council members share the president’s post on a rotating basis each year and this is the first time Feeley has held the title since his election in 2017.
Desiderio, Kehner and Edwardi were joined by their families as they took the oath of office on the stage of the Band Shell at Excursion Park. The formally attired elected officials stood in contrast to the casually dressed beachgoers who strolled by the swearing-in ceremony while walking on the oceanfront Promenade.
Desiderio, who has been mayor since 1993, won his eighth term when he ran unopposed in the May municipal election. He also serves as a Cape May County freeholder and is one of only a few officials in New Jersey to hold two elected offices.
Addressing the audience, Desiderio touted the city’s nationally recognized flood-control program, the beautification of the main entryway into town and a series of capital improvements that have helped make Sea Isle a “premier destination” at the Jersey Shore.
“Indeed, we have achieved our vision,” he said.
The mayor added that the city’s accomplishments would not have been possible without the teamwork between elected officials, local residents and the business community. He called for more collaboration between all three groups to push Sea Isle to even higher heights.
“It’s been said that we are limited only by our imagination,” Desiderio said.
Kehner and Edwardi echoed the mayor’s sentiments during their brief public remarks. They also thanked their family members and the local community for their support.
“I’m just here to say that I’m happy to serve you in whatever way I can,” Kehner said in comments directed at the public.
Edwardi said he appreciated how the public has stood behind City Council as well as “criticizing us when needed.”
Kehner and Edwardi also ran unopposed in the May municipal election, with both winning their fourth term in office.
Kehner has a long history in Sea Isle politics. He served one term from 1977 to 1981 under the city’s old commission style of government. He was first elected to City Council in 2007.
Edwardi was also first elected to Council in 2007.
This was the second straight election that Desiderio, Kehner and Edwardi ran unopposed. They also faced no challengers when they were up for re-election in 2015.
All of them said during the May election that they believed the lack of opposition to their campaigns reflected voter satisfaction with the direction the city has been heading under the current leadership.
