Times Talk
Work continues on the Townsends Inlet Bridge.
T.I. BRIDGE REOPENING TARGETED FOR JULY 30
Work continues on the Townsends Inlet Bridge and Cape May County officials recently announced a projected reopening date of July 30. Due to the favorable weather conditions in May and June, several necessary aspects of the project have been completed and have helped speed up the timeline for reopening, which originally had been targeted for Memorial Day weekend.
The county reports that all the pier caps have been placed and the deck stringers for spans 1 and 2 are in place. If work proceeds as anticipated, the bridge deck surface work would be performed the week of June 21. This needs to be completed before the construction of bridge components such as the sidewalks and railings.
In order to stay as close to reopening on July 30 as possible, county officials will explore options in consolidating the work schedule by permitting contract work to proceed concurrently where feasible.
Another update will be issued by the county in the next few weeks as a more definitive reopening date is determined.
Andy Giordano
GIORDANO CATCHES WAVES FOR CHARITY
Sea Isle City native Andy Giordano celebrated his 55th birthday by catching 55 waves in 3 hours on June 3 to raise money for the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation. To date, he has raised $925 of his $2,000 goal.
“On the official Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation website, you can create your own fundraising page through CrowdRise that can be shared on Facebook and Instagram,” said Giordano. “My goal to raise $2,000 needed a shot, so I came up with the idea to catch 55 waves on my 55th birthday on Monday, June 3rd, and it was amazing how people responded. I chose this foundation because all money raised goes directly to local families in need. Twenty-two years ago, my son Andrew was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, a similar foundation, The Brendon Borek High Tides Fund, assisted my family with emotional, financial support at a time when things got really challenging. Thank God, Andrew just turned 24 years old and doing great.”
Giordano has deep roots in Sea Isle City. He was born at the old Mercy Hospital, which was located at 59th Street and Landis Avenue. His grandfather, Charles, purchased two lots in 1911, his dad’s dental practice was across from St. Joseph Church, and his grandfather’s name is on the World War I memorial stone at Veterans Park. He is proud to be part of the Sea Isle City community.
After he was finished catching 55 waves, family and friends joined together for a clean sweep of the 35th Street beach. “After catching my 44th wave, a pod of dolphins swam in to wish me ‘Happy Birthday,’ ” said Giordano. “If everyone could see them up close in their environment, you would never take another straw at Wawa or ask for plastic bags.”
Plans are already in the works to celebrate his 56th birthday in a similar way: He would like to catch 56 waves, but start with a yoga class on the beach and include free stand-up paddle board lessons and the beach cleanup after his 56th wave.
Community Services Director Katherine Custer with two of the three concept plans for redevelopment of the Public-School Building at 4501 Park Road.
OPTIONS FOR OLD SCHOOL BUILDING DISCUSSED
A standing-room-only crowd attended the June 11 City Council meeting to hear a presentation on different options for redevelopment of the former public-school building at 4501 Park Road. Katherine Custer, the director of the Department of Community Services, highlighted the various uses for the building since it was built in 1971 and the options that are being explored to transform the old building into a Community Recreation Complex.
With three options ranging from $2 million to $20 million, the ad hoc committee that was formed in 2017 explored three main concepts: renovate the existing building while keeping the same footprint and amenities; demolish and build a new facility with the same amenities; demolish and build a new facility with the same amenities with the addition of an indoor community swimming pool.
The committee is unanimous in the opinion that the building should be demolished, and a new facility constructed. However, there are differing opinions on the addition of the indoor swimming pool.
“The committee members who were not in favor of the pool expressed concerns for the initial capital costs as well as the ongoing costs associated with staffing and maintenance,” Custer said. “Those committee members who were in favor of the pool indicated belief that investing in a community pool would provide a desired amenity for residents and visitors and would also attract people to Sea Isle City, and it would be a benefit to the business community as well. The committee as a whole decided that their recommendations and the concept plans should be discussed among the mayor, City Council and the public in order to decide on which path to move forward with. I would like to thank the committee for all their hard work on this. They gave a lot of time, and their input was definitely valuable.”
The building at 4501 Park Road served as the Sea Isle City Public School from 1971 when it was built until the spring of 2012, when students were transferred to Ocean City School District due to low enrollment. Following Superstorm Sandy’s destruction of the City Hall building, the building served as headquarters for City officials and the police department while the new building was being constructed. It currently provides the community with a space for programs and events as well as the rain location for many outdoor events.
Many of the building’s features are outdated and in need of repair. It needs a new HVAC system, bathrooms that are ADA compliant, ADA amenities, new windows and floors, and new kitchen equipment. Also, the current building’s flood elevation does not meet current standards.
Over the next few weeks, Mayor Leonard Desiderio and City Council will review the concept plans, gain more feedback from the public, and will host a Saturday meeting on the topic at which the members of the public are invited to voice their opinions. Concept plans will be available at seaislecitynj.us, and the public meeting date will be determined and announced in the coming weeks.
From left, Councilman J.B. Feeley, Councilman Bill Kehner, Mayor Leonard Desiderio, Sue and Steve Ahern, Miss Cape Resort Abigail Waid, Councilwoman Mary Tighe, and Councilman Jack Gibson.
COMMUNITY DAY DRAWS A CROWD
Sea Isle City’s Community Day, the annual event featuring award and scholarship presentations, an opportunity to interact with a variety of community organizations, face painting, paper shredding and a bicycle auction, drew hundreds to the Park Road Gymnasium on May 18. The 10th edition of Community Day was held in conjunction with the Garden Club Flower Sale.
Representatives were on hand from such organizations as the police department, the sheriff’s department, the beach patrol, AARP, and the Beachcomber guides.
Mayor Leonard Desiderio presented “Do the Right Thing” awards to Lily Capone, Steve and Sue Ahern, JB and Chick Flora, and Mike and Marlene McHale. Desiderio created these awards 10 years ago to recognize members of the community for their good deeds.
The 1st Bank of Sea Isle City presented a $2,000 Community Partnership Award to the Knights of Columbus of St. Joseph Church for its service to others.
Also, the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization presented scholarship awards to graduating high school seniors Neil McIntyre, Cole McIntyre and Aidan Tracey.
The Overbrook Bicycling Association riders and their families pose for a group photo on the Promenade at the end of a 78-mile ride.
GROUP’S 54TH ANNUAL BIKE RIDE ENDS IN SEA ISLE
The Overbrook Bicycling Association made its 54th annual cycling journey to the shore on June 1. Two of the original members, Fran Dolan and Joe Fitzpatrick, now in their 70s, were among the 20 cyclists making the 78-mile ride from the Tacony Palmyra Bridge to the Promenade in Sea Isle City.
The trip originated when Dolan, Fitzpatrick and their two friends and other original members Marty Costello and Jim D’Angelo, at age 19, went out on a whim and decided to take this bicycle tour to the shore to celebrate the end of their first year at St. Charles Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.
Three generations of family and friends now participate in the ride, always held on the first Saturday in June. The Sea Isle City Police Department escorted them into town. After their arrival, they all gathered at The Ocean Drive Sandbar & Grill for food and drinks.
Williamson College of the Trades students (from left) Luke Myers, Patrick O’Donnell, Steve Royer, CJ Cardell, Ryan O’Donnell, Professor Dan Massuto, and (kneeling) Connor Dawson and Eric Thomas.
TRADE STUDENTS HELP WITH PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS
Students from the Williamson College of the Trades in Media, Pa., spent three days assisting the Sea Isle City Public Works Department with projects as part of the school’s community outreach program. Professor Dan Massuto and six students helped build the retaining wall at 85th Street and the beach, and helped paint the pavilion and pergolas at JFK Boulevard and the beach. The students assisting in the projects were Luke Myers, Patrick O’Donnell, Steve Royer, CJ Cardell, Ryan O’Donnell, Connor Dawson and Eric Thomas.
“One of the students has a summer house in Sea Isle and they offered to come down and assist our Public Works Department for their community outreach program,” said Vicki Feeney, superintendent for the City of Sea Isle Department of Public Works. “We grabbed them up to help out Public Works in advance of Memorial Day weekend. Their professor came down with them and we thought since most of them are carpenters, painters, masons, that building the retaining wall at 85th Street would be a fun project for them to do. We’re grateful to the City and the students for moving these projects forward.”
