Happy New Year!
Today’s Council agenda includes adoption of the temporary budget for 2023. This is a routine occurrence at the beginning of each new year to appropriate the needed funding for municipal operations until final adoption of the budget.
Regarding that, the administration continues to fine tune all the elements of the 2023 budget, and on February 14, I’ll present the proposed budget along with the annual State of the City.
As we are all aware, here and throughout the state and the country, folks have been hit with rising prices as inflation has reared its ugly head over the past year. When it comes to Sea Isle’s budget, our objective is not to contribute to that trend. As I stated a moment ago, we are still fine tuning our budget, but without being too confident, I believe we’ll be in a good position to deliver good news next month.
Later this month, on January 28th, we will hold our second Youth Recreation Committee meeting. Last year, I worked with our Community Services Director, Kathy Custer, and we organized a group of local students to get feedback from them on a number of topics, including ideas for our future Community Center, along with input regarding new recreation programs and activities they’d like to see in the city.
We had our first meeting on December 3rd, and I have to tell you how pleased and encouraged I was by how engaged these children were. We often talk about the importance of working together, and I’m hopeful that this will help to set that example for the next generation.
Also, on January 28th, which is a Saturday, City Hall offices will again be open to the public until noon. We’ve previously mentioned our plans to open City Hall several weekends during the year, and we’ll make sure to let the public know well in advance.
I want to update Council and the public on our ongoing efforts to address issues we’ve had in the past with disorderly conduct that’s occurred too often – specifically with juveniles and young adults.
Over the past year, we’ve made it very clear that our objective is to provide law enforcement agencies, including our police, with the ability to issue citations or detain those who violate the law regarding consumption of alcohol or drugs in public places, and effectively deal with disruptive behavior.
Some of this needs legislation at the state level, and I know that this topic is on the legislature’s agenda as they start the new year. However, regardless of what takes place in Trenton, be assured that we will take action locally. Our police department is as prepared as ever, and we are preparing municipal ordinances for consideration by Council that will further improve our ability to hold those who would do harm to people or property accountable for their actions. This is our top priority.
I’ll repeat what I’ve said in the past – we welcome everyone, but if you don’t want to behave, Sea Isle is not the place for you. Fortunately, the vast, vast majority of our community and our visitors all want the same thing – to enjoy their lives in peace and enjoy this beautiful island we call home.
And with that in mind, please remember, we are one Sea Isle City, and together we’ll be stronger than ever.
Mayor Leonard Desiderio
