Sea Isle City Reflections

I recently found an article in the paper dated November 9, 2006, and I thought the property owners of Sea Isle City would enjoy reading it:

SEA ISLE CITY: Voters passed a change of government referendum Tuesday that will set the stage for a major nonpartisan election in the spring. Next year, residents will elect officials to fill five council seats and a mayor’s seat, following the referendum that doubled the size of elected local government. The public vote passed 767 to 659 on Election Day and produced a nearly 70 percent turnout. Debate on the referendum brought sharp opinions from both sides. “In the spring, I hope that a number of people express an interest in participating in the government, so we have an election with a variety of people, old and new- whoever wants to do something,” said John Fee, one of the leaders of the referendum drive. The large turnout, Fee said, was a key in lending the change of government validity. “ I think the volume of turnout was important. Nobody can turn around and say only a fraction of the people spoke. It was a very healthy turnout,” he said. The new government will include five at-large council members and a popularly elected mayor. The City Commission is currently composed of three members, including a mayor appointed from its own ranks. “The commissioners are there to serve the people, and this is what the people want, and this is the way we’re going to go,” Commissioner Angela Dalrymple said. Mayor Leonard Desiderio said both sides of the issue waged good campaigns and worked hard to get their points across. “People were voting before they went to work, before they were going to vacation, before they were going wherever they were going. I was happy to see that,” Desiderio said. Desiderio, also a Cape May County freeholder, won re-election to that office Tuesday. Desiderio said if he decides to run in the spring, he would run for the mayor’s seat. “I love being mayor of Sea Isle City and whatever form of government would be there,” he said. “I would run for the mayor’s seat, but I’m going to weigh all my options. I’ve had discussions with people early this morning for an Assembly seat. And I’m like, whoa, let me digest this election first,” he said. Commissioner James Iannone said he will not seek re-election next year as he approaches his retirement and has served city government for more than two decades. Iannone did not support the change in government and had said it was sour grapes from the people upset with last year’s election, when all three incumbent candidates won re-election. But he said he will work to make the new form of government a success. “I don’t think six people can do a better job than three. However, I’m not one to moan and groan after the election just because we lost it. I will support the new form of government,” he said. Dalrymple on Wednesday said she couldn’t say if she will seek election next year.

SEA ISLE VOTERS SAY “YES”

To a surprise of most, the Sea Isle City voters said, “Yes” to the larger city government. This will allow for a City Administrator, and two more councilmen. For all of you who were wondering, the answer is “Yes”.