I begin this message with words of gratitude for the people who organized and hosted Sea Isle City’s annual Arbor Day celebration on April 25. This year’s Arbor Day gathering took place inside our new Community Center, where a very nice audience was in attendance to recognize the important role trees play in our community – and I am very thankful to Sea Isle City’s Beautification Committee, Environmental Commission, Garden Club, Green Team, Historical Society, and Shade Tree Committee for hosting the event! My thanks also go to Diana Perry and Christie Ostrander, who shared an emotional story about older trees that were planted by local students years ago and still stand on the grounds of our new Community Center.

Earlier this week, during the April 28 City Council meeting, Sea Isle City’s long-time municipal engineer, Andy Previti, outlined several options for an outfall location for our planned stormwater pump station at 46th Street, after which numerous property owners shared their comments and concerns with us about the outfall’s location. We very much appreciate Andy’s comprehensive presentation – and the many people who stepped to the microphone to speak that day, because hearing what the people of our community have to say is very important to us. My administration and I will work closely with City Council to explore all our options before any final decision is made about the location of the pump system’s final design, and we will keep the lines of communication open as this important conversation continues.

With each passing week there are more people in town enjoying Sea Isle’s beautiful spring weather – and there are also more events and activities taking place that serve as reminders why Sea Isle is a “City for all seasons.”

One event that we look forward to each May is our Community Day celebration, which takes place this year on Saturday, May 9. As is our annual practice, Community Day will begin with a City Council meeting at 9:00 AM on the third floor of City Hall, followed by a variety of activities taking place at our new Community Center, including free document shredding (courtesy of 1st Bank of Sea Isle City), a municipal bicycle auction, a meet-and-greet with city officials and representatives from local civic organizations, and an awards presentation. Community Day is a perfect opportunity for everyone to learn more about our community and reconnect with neighbors – and possibly return home with a new (used) bike.

Also on Community Day, the Chamber of Commerce will host their annual City-Wide Yard Sale, which will give everyone the opportunity to clean out your attic and closets, and turn unwanted items into cash.

To learn more about our Community Day activities and the Chamber of Commerce’s Yard Sale on May 9, please go to “Event Calendar” page at www.VisitSICNJ.com – or phone the Tourism Office at 609-263-8687.

I am very happy to report that our new Community Center continues to be a hub of activity, and since we opened our doors on March 28, countless people have entered the building to enjoy organized fitness classes, self-led workouts, civic club meetings and luncheons, seminars, board meetings, open gym sessions and other notable gatherings – and we are just getting started, because there are many more programs and activities coming your wany in the months and years ahead inside our newest pubic facility that you won’t want to miss!

For example, the Sea Isle City Garden Club will host their 2026 Flower Sale Fundraiser in the Community Center’s under-building garage, where members of the public can purchase a wide variety of flowering plants that will beautify their homes and gardens. In recent years, the Flower Sale has been held at the Dealy Field Basketball Courts – however, now that the event will be “under cover” in the building’s garage, the members of the Garden Club (and those who patronize the Flower Sale) won’t have to worry about bad weather – plus, shoppers will have much easier access to the flowers that will be on sale. So please mark your calendar now and plan to attend the Garden Club’s Flower Sale on May 15, 16 and 17.

This week’s “Shout Out” goes to the Boyer family, who graciously offered to purchase a “Hometown Hero” banner for a Sea Isle City resident named William McMullin Smith, who fought and died in World War I – and who the Boyer’s learned about while reading an article by local author Joe Larosa. While serving in the 315th Infantry Battalion of the U.S. Army’s 79th Division, Corporal Smith sustained mortal wounds during the battle of Meuse-Argonne, which is believed to be the second-deadliest battle in U.S. history, resulting in over 26,000 American deaths and approximately 350,000 casualties. I want to thank the Boyers for recognizing that all of America’s fallen heroes are worth honoring – and for purchasing a banner in Corporal Smith’s honor that will proudly be displayed in Sea Isle City late this year.

Before closing, I would like to extend my best wishes to Sea Isle City’s Director of Community Services and Public Information Officer, Katherine Custer, who is retiring today. It was my pleasure and honor to recognize Kathy during this week’s City Council meeting, and I wish her (and her husband Ron) every happiness as they begin this next chapter of their life together. –Congratulations on your retirement, Kathy!

Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!

Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio