I am happy to report that last week I toured Sea Isle City’s future Fishing Pier and Kayak Launch at Dealy Field, and it is wonderful! Standing on the pier and overlooking our beautiful bay and wetlands, I could only imagine how many people will enjoy this newest recreation facility for many years to come.
I envisioned countless happy memories being made as families gather there to reel in dinner, as couples enjoy a romantic moment together at sunset, and as kayakers finally have a place that will give them convenient access to the bay.
Once it is completed later this spring, the pier will complement our existing inventory of public spaces in many ways – and it will no doubt get a lot of use!
Another project that is in the making is the construction of new pickleball courts at our Municipal Marina along 42nd Place.
After receiving many requests for additional court space from our local pickleball community, I asked our City Engineer to create a plan for seven new pickleball courts, which we hope will be completed before the summer of 2021.
In the meantime, I want to thank all of the folks who reached out to us to say how popular pickleball has grown in recent years – and I look forward to seeing them enjoy their favorite sport at the Municipal Marina as I drive over the Sea Isle Bridge.
Each autumn, a number of our local businesses traditionally close their doors and don’t reopen until the following spring. This year, however, I have noticed several of Sea Isle’s businesses that usually close during the winter have decided to stay open – and I think that’s great!
As I have said many times during the past year, we all can recognize the negative impact this pandemic has had on small businesses across our country and here in Sea Isle City. Therefore, I ask everyone to please patronize our local business community and show them that we understand the importance of shopping small and eating locally.
Saturday, January 9, was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, so I would like to officially thank all of the members of our municipal, county and state police agencies who help keep our communities safe.
Just as we honor our veterans every day of the year here in Sea Isle City – not just on Veterans Day – I hope too that we will all show our law enforcement officers the gratitude they deserve throughout the coming year.
Thank you Men and Women in Blue!
As you have no doubt seen on the news, health officials across the nation have begun distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. Obviously, this is a huge undertaking, so we all must be patient as the distribution process is fine-tuned and expanded.
Keep in mind that distributing a vaccine on such a large scale is a new procedure for each community – and not one that federal, state or county officials have had to contend with prior to this pandemic.
That being said, you can find details about the distribution of the vaccine on the State of New Jersey’s website (https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine) and on Cape May County’s website (https://capemaycountynj.gov/1388/COVID-19-Updates).
In the interim, I ask everyone to continue to wear face masks and practice social distancing at all times, and to always remember that we are one Sea Isle City – and above all, we are one America – and together we will be stronger than ever!
I wish everyone a Happy Martin Luther King Holiday! Here are a few words from Dr. King to consider during these difficult times.
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
