Last week, the City’s Municipal Alliance Committee hosted a successful awareness event in our former public school gymnasium, where more than 150 audience members learned valuable information about the dangers of marijuana and the unknown risks of vaping tobacco products.
This timely event, which was held in cooperation with my office, the Sea Isle City Police Department and the County Prosecutor’s Office, was led by Monmouth University Professor of Criminal Justice Doug Collier, who is also a former DEA Special Agent. Professor Collier shared some shocking facts and statistics with us that day – and everyone in the audience was able to learn something new and take home some very important lessons.
My thanks go to Professor Collier for sharing his vast knowledge with us, to the members of our Municipal Alliance for organizing the seminar, and also to Acme Markets, Wawa, and First Bank of Sea Isle City (our wonderful community partners who helped make the event a success).
During yesterday’s City Council Meeting, I had the honor of handing Sea Isle’s proposed 2019 Municipal Budget to Council and delivering this year’s State of the City Address. First and foremost, I am more than happy to report that the state of our City is, indeed, very good.
In my speech, I mentioned some exciting initiatives that are on our horizon, including the addition of new lighting along the Promenade and in our business districts, and also the creation of a new fishing pier and kayak lunch at Dealy Field.
Additionally, we will continue to focus on improving our infrastructure with freshly paved streets and maintaining strong, healthy beaches – all the while never losing sight of the importance of flood mitigation and providing necessary services for our residents and visitors.
During yesterday’s State of the City speech, I also proposed a half-cent tax decrease in this year’s budget, which follows last year’s zero tax increase budget. Based on the analysis of all projections, I am also committing to another zero tax increase in 2020.
With regards to Sea Isle’s water and sewer utility, there will be no increases to those rates for the sixth year in a row, and I am also committing to not increasing our water and sewer rates in 2020.
I encourage everyone to read the full State of the City Address, which can be found in today’s E-Newsletter and through a link on the home page of our municipal website, www.SeaIsleCitynj.us .
As you probably are aware, Presidents Weekend is also Polar Bear Plunge Weekend in Sea Isle City – and this year marks that event’s 25th anniversary. It’s difficult to believe that a quarter-century has passed since Dr. Irene Jameson took her first icy dip in the Atlantic Ocean at the age of 70.
For those who may not be aware, Dr. Jameson was Sea Isle City’s original “Polar Bear Queen” and the force behind the creation of Sea Isle’s Plunge. She was also Sea Isle’s long-time Director of Public Information and quite possibly the biggest champion of good will that our community has ever known.
So, if you plan to be here this weekend – whether you intend to take the plunge or not – please remember Dr. Jameson and all that she did for our City.
To learn more about the events taking place in Sea Isle City during Polar Bear Weekend – including the Costume Contest, the Mike’s Seafood Run/Walk for Autism, and the Plunge itself – please go to www.VISITSICNJ.com.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day!
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
