Mayor's Message: Oct. 5

Last week, during the September 26 City Council meeting, I had the honor of announcing the winners of this year’s Beach Tag Art Contest, which took place during the recent summer season. We had 137 terrific entries in the competition, and ultimately four eye-catching designs were chosen to grace our 2024 beach tags. The winners of this year’s Beach Tag Art Contest are: Layla Baer, of Havertown, Pa., who drew a very attractive image of our Promenade’s gazebo that will appear on next year’s Seasonal Beach Tag; Aubrey Lynch, of Huntington Valley, Pa., who’s charming leprechaun will have everyone feeling the “Luck of the Irish” when they purchase a 2024 Saint Patrick’s Day tag; Kayla Hesketh, of Havertown, Pa., who displayed her patriotism by creating a red-white-and blue design for next year’s Veterans tag; and Sulless Wagner, of Lancaster, Pa., who drew a cheerful turtle wearing a Santa’s cap, which will appear on our 2024 Holiday Beach Tag. I am extremely grateful to each child who submitted artwork for this year’s contest – and my congratulations and best wishes go to each of the winners. Also, special thanks go to Sea Isle City’s Chief Financial Officer, Jennifer McIver, for once again organizing the contest. Thank you all! In honor of “Knock-Out Opioid Abuse Day,” which will take place Friday (October 6), I respectfully remind everyone of the importance of securing your home medicine cabinets and properly disposing of unwanted prescription medications – especially any opioids you may have in your home. Unfortunately, our nation is still facing an opioid addiction epidemic that is affecting families in every state and in every town, and education and awareness are the best tools we have to fight this terrible situation. For those who are not aware, the Sea Isle City Police Department will be participating in the DEA’s annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of City Hall. So please take the time to rid your home of any unneeded drugs and bring them to our Police Department for safe disposal on October 28 – and if you are not available on October 28, don’t forget that there is a secure drop box for unwanted medications in the lobby of City Hall that is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's that time of year again, when goblins and ghosts seem to be around every corner, and children of all ages eagerly await the arrival of Halloween. If you enjoy this time of year as much as I do, you won’t want to miss Sea Isle’s annual Halloween Parade along Landis Avenue on Friday evening, October 20. Even though this year’s parade promises to be another “frighteningly fun” success, our Recreation Office is always happy to welcome new participants. So, if you (or your family, your business, or a group you belong to) want to don your favorite costumes and appear in this year’s parade, please contact the Recreation Office at 609-263-0050 for more details – and join the fun on October 20. Earlier this week, I had the good fortune to be inside the Community Lodge while one of our “Sit-Fit-Seniors” classes was underway, and I was very impressed by the level of enthusiasm I saw in the participants and in the event’s instructor. If you have not heard about these much-loved fitness classes and you want to enjoy a low-impact exercise program that will get your blood flowing from the comfort of a stationary chair, come to the Community Lodge on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for our “Sit-Fit Seniors” classes, which are hosted 12 months a year by Sea Isle City’s Division of Recreation. You don’t need a reservation to attend – just show up with a smile on your face and an eagerness to feel great. The classes are free, but the amount of enjoyment you will experience will be priceless. As I mentioned in my last newsletter message, some important roadwork has resumed here in Sea Isle City – and more work is on the way during the months ahead. As we continue to improve our roads and other important aspects of our town’s infrastructure, I once again thank everyone for your patience, and I remind all motorists to please drive slowly and cautiously throughout town and to be on the lookout for possible detours as we make Sea Isle City better and better! Smile … You’re in Sea Isle, Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio