Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were not able to host our annual public gathering to commemorate this year’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
So, in lieu of a more formal event, we asked the people of Sea Isle City to pause for a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on March 29, at which time I was honored to be at Veterans Park with several dignitaries, including Vietnam Veterans Charles “Chick” Haines and Joe “McTire” McLenaghan, who represented each of the men and women of our community who served in the Vietnam War.
My thanks go to all of the good people of Sea Isle City who took the time to honor our nation’s Vietnam War vets with a moment of silence, and special thanks go to Chick, Joe and all of the U.S. veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the 1960’s and 1970’s.
We want everyone to be aware that the Cape May County Bridge Commission has hired a contractor to perform some improvement work on the Townsends Inlet Bridge, which will not close the bridge altogether but rather will result in single lane closures that may cause minor delays this spring.
We expect the bridge to be fully open to traffic in both directions during Memorial Day Weekend, but in the meantime I ask all motorists to be on the lookout for new traffic signs as you approach the bridge and, as always, please drive safely whenever you’re behind the wheel.
And speaking of improvements, soon we will begin to wrap-up our local infrastructure enhancement efforts, as we do each spring in preparation of the approaching summer season.
Also, I am happy to report that construction of Sea Isle City’s new Fishing Pier and Kayak Launch at Dealy Field is nearing completion, and we have broken ground on the new pickleball courts along 42nd Place, which are expected to be completed in time for use this summer.
I am very grateful to everyone for their patience and cooperation while navigating around the roadwork and other construction efforts that have taken place in recent months, and I remind all of our residents and visitors that the work we perform now will pay-off for everyone in our community in the future – so thank you for bearing with us as we continue to make Sea Isle City better and better!
Looking ahead, please mark your calendars now and plan to be in Sea Isle City on April 16, 17 & 18 during the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Spring Girls Weekend, which will feature special offers and discounts at business throughout town.
On Saturday morning of that same weekend, you are invited to participate in the Sea Isle City Environmental Commission’s Spring Beach Clean-Up, which is a wonderful community effort that results in hundreds of pounds of trash and debris being removed from our shoreline.
Also on Saturday, April 17, the Eastern Surfing Association’s South Jersey District Surfing Competition will take place on Sea Isle’s 40th Street Beach, where surfers from across the region will display their skills and compete for prizes.
To learn more about these and other events happening in Sea Isle City, please go to www.VISITSICNJ.com or phone our Tourism Office at 609- 263-8687.
While I am very happy to share information about the events taking place next weekend, I am sad to report that we are once again cancelling the majority of events planned for this year’s Skimmer Festival in June – in particular, the festival’s vendors market on the promenade, food court on JFK Boulevard and family activities at Excursion Park on Saturday, June 20.
Obviously, hosting these events is not wise during a pandemic due to the enormous crowds that they attract.
However, we are able to safely host the annual Skimmer Antique Auto Show along the promenade on Sunday, June 20 (Father’s Day), and we hope to see you there!
We have two “Shout Outs” this week. The first goes to JB and Chick Flora, who are very active members of several local organizations, including the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City and Saint Joseph Catholic Church.
JB and Chick are well-known for their kind hearts, charitable efforts, and dedication to serving others and we are a better community because of people like them.
Thank you JB and Chick for all you do!
Since April is Autism Awareness Month, our next “Shout Out” goes to Mike and Jeannie Monichetti, hosts of the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism.
As the Monichettis always say: “Any day you can do something for children with disabilities is a good day.”
With that in mind, I hope everyone will do something for a child with disabilities this month – and continue that effort throughout the year.
Thank you Mike and Jeannie for all you do!
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
