Mayor's Message: March 25

I am pleased to announce that we were recently given permission from two State environmental agencies to extend the dates that dogs are permitted on Sea Isle City’s beaches. In accordance with our current Beach Management Plan, dogs were prohibited from all of our beaches between March 15 and September 30. Now, after working with the NJ DEP and the NJ Fish and Wildlife Service last week, dogs are permitted on our beaches (from 20th to 93rd Street only) until May 1. Because Sea Isle’s shoreline north of 20th Street and south of 93rd Street are considered protected beaches due to the migrating birds that live in those areas, the zones from 1st to 20th Street and south of 93rd Street will remain with the March 15 to September 30 pet prohibition – but our other beaches will give dog lovers plenty of room to enjoy the sand with their four-legged friends for the next five weeks. That being said, I respectfully remind everyone that regardless of where you walk your dog – on our beaches or on the sidewalk – all dogs must be on a leash at all times and their owners must clean up after their pets whenever “nature calls.” In other news, City Council approved Sea Isle City’s 2021 Municipal Budget on Tuesday morning, which means we are financially prepared to supply all of the services our residents and visitors have come to enjoy and rely upon, and we can continue with the municipal improvement efforts that will further strengthen our town’s infrastructure and keep Sea Isle City moving in the right direction. I am very grateful to our City’s Administration (and in particular Paula Doll, our Chief Financial Officer) for developing a sound and responsible budget for the year ahead. You may have heard me mention that we are planning a virtual public presentation in April to give the people of Sea Isle City a thorough update on the concept plans we are developing for our future Community Center on Park Road. I am happy to announce that we will host that presentation on Saturday, April 24, at 10 a.m., at which time people can log on and view blueprints, see what type of amenities we have planned for the facility, and generally learn how the building will be used. We are extremely excited to share all of the plans we have developed thus far with the public, and I hope many of you will mark your calendars now and view our presentation on April 24. More information about the public presentation will be made available next month. Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of hanging an Easter egg on the Giordano family’s well-decorated “Christmas tree” on the 44th Street beach, which earlier this year was transformed into a Valentine’s Day tree before being covered with shamrocks and other green trim for Saint Patrick’s Day, and is now accented with colorful Easter decorations. My thanks go to Nick and Shannon Giordano and their children for bringing so much joy to our community during the past several months, and I encourage everyone to take a moment to visit the tree – and perhaps hang a decoration of your own. To view pictures of the Giordano’s “Easter tree” please see the “Recent Photos” section in this newsletter. My congratulations go to the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce for publishing their 2021 Explore magazine, which includes a great deal of information about our community and the businesses that make up the Chamber. No doubt, Explore will be a very useful tool for residents and visitors alike this summer, as folks experience all that Sea Isle City has to offer. Keep up the good work, Chamber of Commerce. And speaking of this summer, I predict that the season ahead will be worth remembering in many ways. After a very difficult year filled with news about the pandemic and the countless challenges and heartaches that COVID-19 has brought to many individuals and families, we all need something wonderful to look forward to – and a summer in Sea Isle City will certainly fit the bill. But, first and foremost, we must continue to wear facemasks, practice social distancing, and follow all of the safety precautions put forth by the CDC and our County Health Department. Now is not the time to let down our guards, so please do your part to keep yourself and others safe. This week’s “Shout Out” goes to Trish Jackson in Sea Isle City’s Tourism Office for helping nearly 30 people register for the COVID-19 vaccine during the City’s Vaccine Registration Assistance Program, which helped people without computers or with other special circumstances register to receive those life-saving shots. Each of the individuals who Trish helped register have either already received their vaccines or have a vaccination appointment – which is great news! Smile … You’re in Sea Isle! Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio