A popular topic of discussion these days is the weather – thanks to this being one of the coldest winters in recent memory. I encourage everyone who has older friends and neighbors (especially those who live alone) to check-in on them and ensure they are doing well. Something as simple as a phone call or a knock on someone’s front door can go a long way to warm a person’s heart during this cold spell. Also, speaking as a dog lover, please take extra precautions when walking your pets so they don’t experience frostbite (our family’s favorite furry friend, Bruno, would certainly agree).
As I have mentioned in the past, even though Sea Isle City may seem like a sleepy little town during the middle of winter, our local civic organizations continue to host events and activities that are worth mentioning. For example, on January 30 our friends at VFW Post 1963 hosted an award ceremony for their annual Patriot’s Pen Essay Competition at Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School, where they distributed hundreds of dollars to this year’s winners. Dozens of students from Bishop McHugh (and countless others around the country) participated in this year’s national writing contest, which inspires youngsters to ponder the values of this great nation, and to combine their knowledge of American history with their own personal experiences to write essays based on a different patriotic theme each year.
In short, the Patriot’s Pen contest not only helps youngsters learn more about themselves and our country, it also serves as a reminder that our veterans have just as much value today as they did when they served our nation in uniform. –Thank you, VFW Post 1963 for all you do!
Another local organization that is active throughout the year is the Sea Isle City Italian American Club, which helps keep the winter season enjoyable by hosting monthly BINGO nights – and later this month, they will also hold an “Olive Oil Tasting Event” (which I am told is already sold out). Also, the Sea Isle City Women’s Civic Club continues to meet every Tuesday in the Community Lodge, where they socialize while playing bridge, mahjong and other table tops games. And then there’s our local churches, where members continually host special events, such as the Knights of Columbus’ yearly Spelling Bee for local eighth graders, which takes place this year on February 24.
Beyond hosting worthwhile community events, representatives from our local churches also rise to the occasion when they learn about people in need, as shown by their many charitable efforts such as volunteering at warming shelters during “Code Blue” warnings and helping feed the hungry with food drives and operating a local food pantry.
My sincerest thanks go to all the good people of Sea Isle City, who donate their time to make our town – and our world – a better place. We can all be proud of the fact that Sea Isle City is clean, safe, has wonderful public facilities, offers plenty of year-round entertainment, and is surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty – but it’s the people who make this community great (and worth visiting)!
The next big event on our horizon is Presidents’ Weekend, which is just eight days away. In addition to the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism on Saturday, February 14 – which is a huge event that’s always worth attending – many local businesses will be open and offering a variety of deals during Presidents’ Weekend, including notable discounts on retail merchandise, wonderful dining specials, live music, and other great ways to enjoy the long holiday weekend. To learn more about some of the offers our local business community has planned for you, please go to the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce’s “Presidents Weekend” page at https://www.seaislechamber.com/.
This week’s “Shout Out” goes to our municipal employees in the Department of Public Works for doing a great job clearing the snow during our recent winter storm. –Thank you, DPW!
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
Two ordinances were adopted during the January 27 City Council meeting, following their Second Readings and Public Hearings…
• Ordinance 1728, which was written to revise the types of plants that are to be planted at new construction sites.
• Ordinance 1730, which was written to amend recreation fees, including the establishment of fees for the use of Sea Isle City’s outdoor pickleball courts during the summertime, fees for non-property owners and non-year-round residents who want to enjoy Sea Isle City’s new Community Center, and fees for the use of the golf simulator inside the Community Center. This ordinance also adjusts fees for several existing recreation programs.
Please note the following points regarding Ordinance 1730:
• During the “Public Hearing” for Ordinance 1730, a property owner asked if summer sports leagues will be moved inside the new Community Center – and it was explained that all existing outdoor programs will stay the same; however, the Community Center can be used as a “rain location” during certain circumstances.
• Prior to City Council voting on (and adopting) Ordinance 1730 on January 27, it was announced that following its Introduction and First Reading, some language was added to Ordinance 1730 to clarify that there is no fee for year-round residents or property owners for general use of the Community Center; and the City Solicitor deemed that the additional language was minimal and that the ordinance could proceed.
Each of the resolutions on the January 27 Consent Agenda was approved, including…
• Resolution 011, which authorized a Professional Services Contract with Samuel Reale, Jr., of Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, of Willingboro, NJ, to serve as Sea Isle City’s Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorney through December 31, 2026.
• Resolution 012, which established the Sea Isle City Beaches that will have Lifeguards in attendance during the 2026 Summer Season.
• Resolution 014, which appointed Terence Graff as Sea Isle City’s temporary Tax Collector until a permanent Tax Collector is hired. (Please Note: This resolution initially appeared on the January 13 Consent Agenda; however, an updated version was added to the January 27 Consent Agenda to further clarify its wording).
During the “Citizen Comment” portion of the January 27 City Council meeting, several property owners expressed their opinions on various topics, including…
• Suggesting the city should purchase private property downtown and turn it into a public parking lot.
• Eagerness to see City Council meetings live-streamed later this year.
• An expression of thanks to the employees of the Sea Isle City Department of Public Works for successfully clearing snow from our streets following the winter storm that impacted our community on January 25.
City Council looks forward to seeing everyone enjoy the “unofficial start of the 2026 season” and shake-off their cabin fever during Presidents’ Day Weekend this month!
The next regular City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 10, at 10:00 AM on the third floor of City Hall – and we hope to see you there!
Best regards from the members of City Council,
Council President Mary Tighe
Ian Ciseck
Frank Edwardi
Michael Jargowski
William Kehner
