I have good news to report. I was able to organize another meeting that will take place on Monday with local mayors, police chiefs, and legislators so we can discuss the issues related to juveniles that have occurred in many of our communities during the past few summers.
I will be cohosting that meeting with Mayor Tim Donohue, of Middle Township, Mayor Patrick Rosenello, of North Wildwood, Mayor Marty Pagliughi, of Avalon, and Mayor Jay Gillian, of Ocean City. Also in attendance will be Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland, Cape May County Sheriff Bob Nolan, and legislators from Atlantic County as well.
During Monday’s meeting, we will have a round table discussion regarding juvenile issues – and hopefully we will get some new legislation written after our meeting, as we continue to work on a solution to this important topic. As I said before, the pendulum needs to swing back in favor of our police departments, and I am confident that we will be on the right track after our meeting on Monday.
Monday’s meeting will be closed to the public, but I will report back to you with details and the progress we make. As promised, I will keep focused on this issue and keep you informed along the way.
Talk about time flying by ... This newsletter marks the beginning of the thirteenth year of Sea Isle City’s E-News system.
I know that many of you have been receiving our digital communications ever since our first E-Newsletter was sent out on October 19, 2010 – and for that, I am very grateful, because keeping our residents and visitors aware of what’s happening in our town is a key component to effectively running our municipal government – and we feel that sending you information directly from your elected officials and City representatives is the best way to do that.
Moreover, it is simply the right thing to do in an Administration, such as ours, that feels that transparency and responsibility are hallmarks to any government agency. So, please keep reading our newsletters, alerts and reminders, and we will continue to keep you aware of what’s happening in your favorite seashore community!
Now that Halloween has come and gone, we are rapidly approaching another holiday season in Sea Isle City. In fact, we have already begun to install some of our seasonal decorations so Sea Isle City will be fully prepared when Thanksgiving weekend rolls around.
However, before the holidays officially arrive, I will once again have the honor of hosting Sea Isle’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11, at Veterans Park, where we will honor all of the men and women who served in our nation’s military.
I hope you can join us on November 11; but, if you are not in Sea Isle that day, please try to attend a ceremony wherever you are – or at the very least make sure you say “thank you” whenever you see a Veteran. As we all know, freedom isn’t free, and we have our vets to thank for the liberties we all enjoy here in the United States.
Each autumn, the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization hosts their Fall Girls Weekend, which takes place this year November 18, 19 and 20. During Girls Weekend, participating businesses throughout town will offer special deals and discounts – and it is a great opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping.
So, I hope you plan on being in Sea Isle City during Girls Weekend so you can take advantage of the many bargains that await you!
As I indicated earlier, the holidays will soon be here – and that’s great news for those of us who look forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas and all of the festivities that come with them. As is our tradition in Sea Isle City, we officially launch the holiday season each year with a parade and tree lighting ceremony on what many people refer to as “Black Friday,” which is November 25 this year.
The parade will begin at 6 p.m. at the Sea Isle City Library and it will roll down Central Avenue to 84th Street, and then it will turn north on Landis Avenue and end at JFK Boulevard.
Our tree lighting ceremony will begin at Excursion Park as soon as the parade ends – and I hope everyone will mark their calendars now and join us for some holiday fun during Thanksgiving Weekend.
Don’t forget that Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday morning, so we all have to reset our clocks and “Fall Back” this weekend. I hope everyone enjoys an extra hour of sleep on Saturday night.
Also, please remember that Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. No matter which candidate you support, it’s very important that everyone in our country votes – so please exercise your constitutional rights by voting on Election Day.
This week we have two “Shout Outs.” The first goes to Jim Curtain, the Head Coach for the Philadelphia Union Soccer Team. Coach Curtain, who is a property owner here in Sea Isle City, has every reason to be proud, because the Union recently clinched the 2022 Eastern Conference Championship – and they soon will be competing for the 2022 MLS Cup. Keep up the good work, Coach Curtain!
The second “Shout Out” goes to Dave and Jeanine Orcutt, who recently told me that they enjoy Sea Isle City and they enjoy reading our newsletter. Thank you, Dave and Jeanine.
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle,
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
