Mayor’s Message: March 10

I begin this message by extending my thanks and congratulations to the members of VFW Post 1963 – and in particular, their wonderful Auxiliary. On Tuesday evening, after weeks of planning and fundraising, Post 1963’s Auxiliary completed their 2022 Adopt-a-Troop program, which they host every year in support of one unit of the United States military. This year’s “troop” is the Coast Guard Air Station in Kodiak, Alaska. As part of their annual military support effort, the members of Post 1963’s Auxiliary collected a variety of gifts and treats, which are being sent to the Coast Guard’s search and rescue unit in Kodiak – and will no doubt be greatly appreciated by the men and women who are serving our nation in that harsh environment, which is located off of mainland Alaska. I am very grateful for all that our local VFW Auxiliary does for our veterans and active duty military members, and I encourage them to please keep up the good work! In other news, I am happy to report that our plans for Sea Isle City’s future Community Center are still on track. Our architect is finalizing the project’s blueprints, based on our ongoing input and desire to make the building efficient, functional and attractive to the surrounding community; and we hope to send the entire project out to bid this summer. If things go as planned, we will break ground in the fall and then start using our new Community Center sometime in 2024.  Naturally, we will keep everyone updated on this important municipal project as it comes to fruition. Another project I am very excited about is the construction of Sea Isle’s future dog park in the north end of our town. We are currently in the process of submitting plans for the dog park to Cape May County’s Open Spaces program, which we hope will result in Open Spaces funding a large portion of this long-awaited project. Knowing that Sea Isle City is a very dog-friendly community, we feel the new dog park will be extremely popular – as will the future Wildlife and Scenic Observation Tower that we plan to build next to the dog park. We will let you know when we receive information about the anticipated funding from the Open Spaces committee and when we plan to break ground on the dog park and observation tower; so, keep an eye out and watch us grow! During their March 8 meeting, the members of City Council approved Resolution 039, which authorized the Sea Isle City Police Department to purchase additional surveillance cameras for the promenade and also add cameras to our recreation area along JFK Boulevard. As I said in my report to Council on that day, the cameras will help the police department keep our city safe; and they’re another tool that will help us monitor large crowds and help hold those who would do harm to people or property accountable for their actions. As we’ve discussed before, we want everyone to enjoy their time in Sea Isle; and all we’re looking for is respectful behavior. Before I close, I want to ask you to do two things: First, please mark your calendars and try to attend our annual National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at 12 noon on Tuesday, March 29, at Veterans Park, where we will honor the men and women who served in one of the most challenging wars of the 20th century. Also, please keep the people of Ukraine in your prayers and remember how blessed we are to live in a country that is not being ravaged by war or unjustly threatened by a powerful neighboring nation. This week’s “Shout Out” goes to our new Chief Financial Officer, Jennifer McIver, who took Sea Isle City’s financial reins earlier this week. Welcome to our municipal family, Jen! I wish everyone a very happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Smile … You’re in Sea Isle, Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio