I begin this message with some very good news! After four months, Sea Isle City has received permission from the New Jersey State Comptroller to advertise for construction bids for our future Community Center.
The process of receiving that permission took longer than we expected; however, after making all the changes that the Comptroller’s Office requested to the bid package, we are now very happy to be on the threshold of advertising for bids – which we plan to do next week.
In addition to being one step closer to constructing our Community Center, plans are also moving forward with Sea Isle’s future Dog Park. In fact, earlier today I had the pleasure of hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the Dog Park, and it was such a pleasure to have so many people with us as we officially commenced construction.
I want to thank everyone who was there today as we began this much-anticipated project that I am certain will be well-received by dogs and humans alike.
Another project that has received a great deal of attention recently is the construction of windmills along New Jersey’s coastline. As you no doubt have heard, Orsted, the wind farm company that was planning to build the windmills, announced that they are pulling-out and cancelling the project – which is obviously good news for the many people who were alarmed by the plans to build the off-shore windfarms, and less than good news for those who supported the windmill project.
I want to make it very clear that I am not against renewable energy; and, as a community leader and a father, I want to ensure that future generations have the benefits of fresh air, clean water, and a healthy environment.
That being said, many of us felt that the Orsted Company wanted to push this project through at a pace that did not allow for proper vetting, and we believed that a comprehensive study was needed to better determine how the wind project would impact the environment, tourism and the local fishing industry. In short, many of us felt that those planning the windmill project simply didn’t have all the answers that were needed.
Moving forward, as we strive to find greener energy alternatives, I hope that any future project of this magnitude will be done in a way that is more inclusive and has answers to all of the important questions.
In other news, last week Sea Isle City received an award from FEMA that acknowledged our status as a Class 3 community in the National Flood Insurance Program and recognized our commitment to flood prevention “through mitigation, higher standards and outreach.”
Sea Isle is one of only a handful of communities in the entire country that has been able to reach and maintain Class 3 status – and that’s a big feather in our cap! Not only does Class 3 status entitle local owners of compliant structures to a 35% discount on flood insurance premiums, it also indicates that we are a community that knows how to work together and get things done for the greater good, and that says a great deal about Sea Isle City and its people.
I want to thank Neil Byrne, Sea Isle City’s Construction Official and Floodplain Manager, for his work to keep us a Class 3 community. Thank you, Neil!
Looking ahead, I want to remind everyone about several events that are taking place this month.
The first is Sea Isle’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 11 at Veterans Park, where our community will gather at 11 a.m. to honor the men and women who served in our nation’s military.
As I have said many times before, here in Sea Isle City, we don’t just honor our veterans on Veterans Day – we honor them every day of the year. Therefore, Veterans Day is obviously a very important day for our community, and I look forward to seeing as many people as possible on November 11.
Another event that is worth mentioning is the Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization’s Girls Weekend on November 17-19, which will feature special deals and discounts at businesses throughout Sea Isle City.
Even though Girls Weekend is always very popular with ladies, I remind all the fellas who are reading this message that Girls Weekend is also a good time for them to shop and dine in Sea Isle City – plus it’s a great opportunity to buy some holiday gifts for the ladies on your shopping list.
And speaking of the holidays, I hope you will be in Sea Isle City during Thanksgiving Weekend for our annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 24. In addition to these two popular attractions, Thanksgiving Weekend will also feature other happenings that families and smart shoppers are certain to enjoy – so mark your calendar and plan to be here as Santa Claus comes to town and Sea Isle launches the 2023 holiday season in style!
One last note about the holidays before I close …
Please be aware that Sea Isle City’s 2024 Holiday Beach Tags go on sale on Monday, November 13 – and they make terrific gifts. To learn how you can purchase a Holiday Beach Tag for yourself or for the people on your shopping list, see the special section in this newsletter or go to the “Beach Tag” page at
www.seaislecitynj.us .
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle,
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
