Good. It's over. Done. Finito. Sfarsit. El fin. Die Ende. ha sikum.slutten.rampung. son.isigcino. the end.

Great to see the democratic system at work. Now, perhaps equal energy can be put into fixing the problems in OC that are not going to fix themselves simply because alcohol can't be consumed in restaurants.

Jesus drank wine, OC residents drink Kool-aid.

Fantastic news!
Not to make too fine a point. We aren't a democracy, we're a Republic.

Maybe now all those restaurant folks with the flawed business plans that wanted byob to save them will now rethink and work to actually improve their business

I hope if apparently OC is to remain dry, that means NO alcohol on the beach will be enforced? How hypocritical can a city be?

It is great to see that the people of Ocean City have spoken and we can all come together to find real solutions to revitalize the downtown.

The correct title to this story should be "BYOB DEFEATED MORE THAN 2-1 MARGIN"!!!!!!

It all over, Its all over,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I was very glad to see the polling places staffed with well over 25 to 30 election workers.......

Actually went down 68% to 32% and lost in every single district of every ward. Couldn't even carry the restaurant & shopping districts !

Can we now send the carpet baggers who pushed this thing back where they came from? Do you think they got the message the voters were sending???

Now I can continue to sit on my porch watch the neighbors booze it up then get n their cars go to the point for dinner so they can drink @ dinner n then drive back to the OC all liquored up

Robert, the "democratic" system refers to the right of a citizen to vote. I did not say we are a Democracy. And, I won't stake a formal position on exactly what type of government we have since it is unique and still a young 236 year old experiment, although I appreciate that most people refer to the USA as a republic. Thanks.

Great, it's over. Now can we move on.

Glad it is over.Have a good summer. Hope every business has a busy one. Dave Chick

Thank God those signs will be gone.

i strongly resented the self-serving out of towners who tried to push byob down our throats. i took names and i will not forget!

Dude. Life's to short to hold resentment over such small issues. When you feed the beast it only grows. Let it go.

Stop the pettiness and the boycotting, stop wasting your emotions on immature statements, The voting is over, we need to come together as a community and what are we going to do about our downtown, the heart of Ocean City. Does anybody care??? We need a vital and thriving downtown.

To the voters of OC: Your preference has been heard and the registered voters that exercised their rights were well represented. I applaud that without regard to the outcome. The main problem with the myopic viewpoint of the residents - regardless of their BYOB position - is that they either don't appreciate or don't understand the economic contribution that homeowners whom are not residents actually provide to the well being of the town. Fact of the matter, the 2nd homeowners underwrite and contribute to well beyond the majority of the tax revenues. Now if we see the restaurants pack up and move, incremental tax increases can be expected to be levied to homeowners - resident and otherwise. Quite frankly, I am aghast at the demonstrated ignorance of my fellow neighbors in OC. Just a sad commentary to read such idiotic postings as those contained herein.

JM, you are a fool. Kevin, excellent post.

What about all of the private clubs in ocean city the serve alcohol. Oh wait that isnt a problem because all of the people opposed to byob are members of those clubs and drink at them regularly. Ocean city is dying and once all of the close minded old timers are gone byob will be allowed. And Ocean city you are really doing a good job keeping the town dry. I can call somerspoint and have liqour delivered to my door anytime.

The tax burden of OC is offset by us "inlanders". To suggest that he doesn't care is foolish. He doesn't know what he doesn't know. In other words, it is better in matters where one is poorly educated to not speak at all; therefore, he will avoid removing all doubt of his idiocy when he does speak. He has failed this and therefore is a fool.

The private clubs already have BYOB and therefore voted BYOB down for the common folk, In order to accept the voice of the people against BYOB, for all the people, by the people, licenses to drink, and, yes carry alcohol in the streets of OC, should no longer be issued to any private clubs. Can this administration accept that challenge and abide by the voice of the people as spoken on May 8th. Would the Lake Brothers approve?

I hope most of the restaurants close and just hot dog stands and pizza is left for OC residents who clearly do not understand business and the economy. Yes like john k who comments he will boycot and hold accountable. Unfortunately some of the locals like the NOBYOB group exhibit ignorance have no qualms About spreading misinformation and are total hypocrites. OC is like a small town in rural deep south. Very backward and ultimately the dying town will have to change or disappear

Not to worry folks. Fasy will move on to other matters because he cannot bear to be quiet. Seems he jumped on this winning issue to rehabilitate his reputation after his wetlands fiasco Self inflicted wounds of course. Only in a small town with some ignorant uneducated unsophisticated folks could a person like this not be laughed out of town. What next in the quest for attention? With guys like john k in OC there is no mountain you can't climb. Proud?

Keep your BYOB. Been coming to OC since the 50's and since then so many of the traditional values which made America great have changed and, for the most part, not for the better. But in OC somehow so much still survives and the ban on alcohol is a significant part of it. The word wholesome comes to mind. I like a glass of Cab with a steak as much as the next guy. But to preserve one tiny corner of the America I grew up in, I will be happy to continue making the trip across the 9th St bridge when I want booze with my restaurant meal.

Shouldn't it be a 2-1 ratio, not a margin?

Nick. When you go across the bridge for meals with all your neighbors you are not doing business in OC. That's the point so you wanting to keep up the fantasy of "wholesome" will eventually mean there will be no restaurants. Too bad you are so selfish, Nick

I voted yes after a lot of thought hoping it might bring some decent restaraunts to town. Right now, I don't see any, so for those restaraunt owners who wanted BYOB, I would suggest getting better chefs and a better menu, because right now booze or no booze, your food is not cutting it.

I don't know if yes is the answer to the downtown problems and I'm not bitter or upset that it did not pass. Hopefully someone who knows more than me has an answer for our dwindling downtown

If there is better food and BYOB available at private clubs in OC I would like to know how to learn more about this and would be interested in joining, as I am tired of limited menu choices and have taken to going off-island when guests are with us as by day 3 we've eaten enough Italian food. Can anyone direct me to these clubs? Perhaps some "inlanders" would like to start a club that could be both social and strive to change the voting laws to allow representation in local elections?

I am neither a resident or second home owner but a renter. So, of course, what I have to say is irrelevant to most of you. That said, I'm spending money in your town. I have two children and after they are in bed I like to go out to eat and have a beer. Now, I have about thirty friends who all like to do this (rent in OC and ho to the Point for dinner) We spend on average about $100 per person on dinner. We would all rather be able to walk to a Byob in town then get in our car and drive to the Point. However, it's not a big deal so we do go. Have you seen how packed those restaurants in somers point and margate are? They are taking in the money. As a business owner if I foolishly purchased a restaurant on Asbury, I'd pack it up and move. There is no way to compete. People like their alcohol with their dinner. Period.

Too bad. When my kid is at the boardwalk with friends, my husband and I will continue to head to Margate, Avalon, and Stone Harbor for adults night out. It would have been nice to walk downtown for dinner, too.

Ok now it's time to take down the tacky eye sore signs!

I am very please with the vote outcome. Congratulations to all who kept Ocean City, as it was intended, and voted NO BYOB. One parting thought, the restaurant owners who supported the BYOB, had said "people leave the island every night to dine elsewhere". Well maybe if the food and services were better, then the customers would visit there restaurants more. Also is the food that bad that you need to get people drunk to enjoy it. Just a suggestion!!!

Time to move on, folks. The continuing year-round population loss should be of major concern. What, if anything, can be done to stem the tide? In light of current extreme housing costs when compared to the mainland, what can be done to attract young families, necessary for a thriving, vibrant community, to the island?

I don't agree with Mike at all...if you think Stone Harbor is so great ...you should do your shopping and drinking there...I also shopped in Stone Harbor,,,and we have it all over them..especially now with Stanton's new look..(just like the Marketplace) on Rt 9. And we don't need a Starbucks Marketers telling us how to run our town...we are not stupid and know there is already alot of alcohol in this town...but maybe keeping the town dry will help not make drinking situations get out of hand...which would create bigger problems....

Taxation without representation? Have any of you spouting this ever lived in NJ and worked in Philadelphia or New York City? One may pay more to Philadelphia in wage tax or NYC commuter tax than property tax or income tax in NJ, and you get nothing for it. You still aren't given privileges or city services. At least in OC property owners and renters can use the library, attend city functions, get trash picked up, etc.

I agree with moving on. My reading says that the construction of the new high school was supposed to take care of the falling population issue. Why did that fail? Who made such an erroneous projection? The over 65 population is growing rapidly and has needs that will place a significant burden on the town while this demographic is known for holding the line on taxes. How will OC meet these needs?

DONE...all should be said and done. Move on to the next controversy. Thanks to all who voted (no matter which way).

OC's rep is about safe family fun. Someone define "fine dining" for me. When familys get together here they want the beach and the boardwalk. Downtown is an attractive option, but not a main focus. This is a resort town afterall. One of the things I've noticed is how angry the proponents of byob have been over the course of this debate. We no byobers have been consistently called names and because some of us have decided to boycott businesses that run counter to our beliefs are somehow thwarting the democratic process. We all have rights. The ugliness of the debate mirrors the lack of tolerance so common today. Why should it be any different here in our town. For me, I'm glad the debate has ended...at least for now.

Jim Arthur

When the leaders and the residents realize you are a resort town, then and only then will things grow. The strength of OC is it is a resort town. Use this as your economic engine and drive it. The leaders must work together and understand that OC can be like Avalon, Stone Harbor, or for that matter Cape May. Take the time to find a business model that fits the Resort town and use it. Michigan has many many resort towns and we have always found a way to make them work with great downtown's as well as great experiences. Mackinac Island is a prime example of what can be done with a resort community. I have been coming to OC for the past 30 years and have had the pleasure of having my 2nd home here for 10 years. The issue is not BYOB or Alcohol Sales. The issue is Leaders focused on finding and using your core business model to drive an Economic Engine. If this means subsidizing or tax breaks for rent to pull good restaurants into town then do it. They must cover 12 months of fixed expenses on five months of revenue. Do the math people. A revitalized Downtown starts with a solid strategic SWAT analysis, (strength and weakness of what you currently market and how it is perceived). Spend the money used to defeat or try to win this election on a core group focused on revitalizing the downtown. Create a DDA, (Downtown District Association), Create an OCEDC,(Ocean City Economic Development Committee), create a true business model with solid leadership and watch what happens.

The City of Somers Point thanks you!

What happened to Davy's comment about Mike Iaquintano? It was the most accurate spot on post of the day.

I'm an "Inlander" and own a couple of properties in OC. One is a rental & one is for personal use. We chose OC because it was a dry town even though my wife & I consume alcohol. BYOB would have let the "camel's nose in the tent" and it wouldn't be too long before OC would have to deal with the push to sell alcohol...and the problems that causes shore towns. I view the BYOB as a victory to those that wish to preserve that "Norman Rockwell" like image and feeling of Ocean City, NJ.

One thing I don't fully understand is those property owners that claim they'll boycott the store, shops, and restaurants of OC. Your actions can only hurt OC...and those things that hurt OC also hurt your financial investment (home ownership) in OC. You've got to be pretty stupid to purposley try and hurt your financial investment just because you didn't get your way.

I'll continue to do what I've always done; stop at Circle Liquors & pick up beer, wine, and liquor before heading across the 9th St bridge. I'll continue to patronize the shops, stores, & restaurants in OC. I'll continue to do my part in trying to keep Ocean City as the Greatest Family Resort in America. See you on the water, it's flounder season!

Gary. Please elaborate!

Many thanks to everyone who voted yesterday. First time voters (not even knowing where they should vote) new full-time residents, those walking with aids, wheel chairs, and carrying babies or holding the hands of young children. It was emotional for many. Their voices were heard, as I sat as a challenger and looked at the many faces. Yes, it is over, thankfully. Our sacred town remains the same until the next 'idea' comes along..those in 'need' can go elsewhere, those that proposed the change should go elsewhere and purchase a liquor license and a building where patrons can relax and dine with a parking lot. You knew the 'rules' when you started your businesses. Personally speaking, I will never step foot in any of their restaurants, nor will my family nor friends And, I do support all the businesses in Ocean City, Asbury Avenue, the boardwalk and all over the town. With hopes, others will do the same. Families save up all year to come to this
resort town be it for a week, a month, a season or to buy their 'castle' in the sand. Thank you all again for your efforts, thank you Doug for your excellent reporting,
Am proud and take pride in America's Greatest Family Resort...again, thank you to everyone who voted and those that had to struggle to vote, you'll never know how much this was appreciated.

I said Mike Iaquintano was a perfect horses butt. I used the appropriate word but it was deleted.

I believe in freedom of speech (just voiced mine, in fact, very calmly) democracy and change. I care little about your reply except your very rude & immature remarks.
The election is over, I was thanking the people of Ocean City.

One point of this initiative is to promote restaurant business, however, I don't see and clearly voters agree, that making OC BYOB won't make the restaurants' food an atmosphere better. Doesn't matter how much wine I drink, the food can still be awful. It's so funny how people get hung up on this issue and then everyone thinks they're politicians and know everything about OC, so you put the question to vote and the people have spoken. Now stop your bellyaching.

Can't wait for my Mango n Mango Pizza next weekend with my cold beer on my porch with a great cigar listening to the waves roll in for the last time. That's what I call BYOB. Okay everyone time to laugh and love one another.

The restaurant owners just wanted to try something to see if it would help their failing businesses - which are failing mainly because OC is a ghost town during the winter. It is a ghost town because all the houses - especially in the south end - are condos and duplexes and triplexes and quads. When the developers took over the town and knocked down all the single homes, that changed OC forever. But the powers that be were making big money then so there was no "Committee to Preserve" anything. Just realtors and developers and insurance agents putting the money in their pockets. The Blue laws went away, didn't they? Do you think Gillian's Fun Deck could make money with the Blue Laws? Please - if the powers that be in OC owned restaurants, this would have passed and the bogus committee to preserve OC would not have opened their hypocritical mouths. Jerry - maybe you can laugh, but the poor business people in town have nothing to laugh about. An idea that might have helped was destroyed - they aren't laughing. And creeps like John K and the NOBYOB crowd that intimidate and fear monger - they are laughing right now. But when the downtown is nothing but empty buildings, lets see who is laughing then

I agree that Ocean City has been hurt by the destruction of single family homes with duplexes (and larger). However census bureau population = 1940-4672; 1950-6040; 1960-7618; 1970-10575; 1980-13949; 1990-15512; 2000-15378; 2010-11701. From 1930 to 1970 (approx) OC had these restaurants: Watson,s 500 seats; Chris's 250 seats; Becks then Hogates around 200 seats and others without BYOB. Many things have changed over the years. Our eating choices ; family vacation durations. Back then Asbury Ave. had Staintons Dept store; doloway's dress store; Cabots men's store & others. OC had at least 2 maybe 3 car dealers. Why ???

I am in shock after reading the above comments. Our "christian" settlement has strayed far from it's roots. The preachers promote anger from their pulpits and the followers act out by turning on their neighbors, ahhh what happened to that little New Jersey Island, now known as "America's Greatest Family Resort"?

ok OC christians ............ time to dismount this dead horse........ the new name for this town should be " Ugly Christians gone wild" ...... This is why christians are look at in a funny way...........

I try to shop downtown--I really do, but so many of the stores carry items I'd really only buy for Christmas gifts. Things I need are off the island. I wanted to buy a new gas grill at the hardware store, and keep the money local, but their cheapest model was way more grill and way more expensive than I was able to pay. We need to start offering goods and services that people need or that will bring others to the island as well as keep people here. The stores that seem to do well are the hardware store, the card shop, and the book store--every day items. The boutiques are fine for special purchases and for those who do stroll the avenue on cloudy days in the summer and who are shopping stores that are new to them, but there is just a bunch of stuff I have no use for. I would love to stay in OC and food shop, but the prices are high and at one I've found so many perishable items that were outdated. I think so many people in the area would drive into town and shop at a WholeFoods or Trader Joes. The closest ones are in Marlton--Ocean City is a much closer drive. If we are paying the high prices, we should be getting better quality/more for our money. And if that's threatening to the markets here, let it be a way to get better products.

The issue is why the OWNERS of real estate that do not live in OC year round can not vote? We have the same vested interest to keep the City vibrant. I predict the vote goes 180 degrees to Yes if the part-timers had a vote.

thx ocean city voters, if i want a day with my family, i go to ocean city ,if i want to DRINK, I CAN GO ANYWHERE!! second home owners ,,, you should have bought in wildwood or seaside, THE drinking has made those places TERRIBLE!!!!

has drinking made stone harbor, avalon or long beach island terrible ? Home values are still as high there as ocean city. Wildwood became terrible when...hold on to your hat son, the builders and developers ripped it apart and oversaturated the market.
Knowing the issue, byob was not going to help oc anyway, which is why i voted no. so, your family values are safe, but let's not be foolish to think that in this town, more drinking goes on here than in other shore towns, so still look both ways before crossing in the middle of the street @@

No matter how you voted, it's done. However, revitalizing downtown needs a capitalist business owner to help! Evolution is key. Does anyone really think tat those gold coast beachfront homeowners dine or shop locally in season? No, they don't. Because there is nothing there for them. The town for the most parts breeds generations of families that have built there empires through OC real estate and turned there small family home into a mega mansion. Bring on better quality restaurants an upper scale gourmet shop, whole foods, or something to draw the people that have evolved to what the current trends are! Fight over byob.. Is like republicans and democrats. But OC won't ever be vibrant without some kind of change.

the solution for businesses on asbury ave is simple: better prices and better hours. asbury ave is like a ghost town at night with most of the stores closing around 5:00pm. i realize that many of the shops are owner operated and the owners put in a lots of hours, but the stores should stay open at least until 7:00pm. mandatory night hours revitalized the business district in st. augustine, fl, and definitely should be tried in ocean city.

OK, the voters decided, Ocean City won’t change. Now what do we do? How are we going to breathe life into the downtown? How can we keep residents and businesses here? What WILL draw people downtown? I firmly believe that BYOB would have helped our downtown by bringing fine dining to the downtown, but that’s off the table now. Some people are saying we need to make the downtown more accessible, and I’ve been pushing to upgrade to our public transit system (the jitneys) and a centralized parking garage as possible solutions. But people need to have a reason to want to go downtown (especially in the evening). So what can we do there? Are more retail shops the solution? The ones we have now are barely hanging on. We need investment in the downtown but there’s not enough demand to stimulate it. In my opinion there needs to be change. It would seem the majority of the voters disagree. The result of this vote, and the seeming lack of interest in the downtown by our government officials, all but ensures that the downtown area will continue to deteriorate. Ocean City is transitioning into an exclusive tourist town, and the bay towns are booming from the loss of our commerce. Ocean City has already changed, and not for the better.

Stores close early because there is no business!

I've been wanting to post this question on so many BYOB threads, but have never done so. I hope there are still enough people reading this thread, to respond. Why is there so much bullying and negativity, towards people who have a differing opinion, other than your own??? Nothing will ever be accomplished, if things continue this way. I was neither PRO or NO BYOB, but very interested in all the chatter over the past year, as well as the outcome. Every single Patch post that was posted on this topic (1) got numerous comments and (2) had so much nasty back-and-fourth goings on. The people who want a drink with dinner are not going to be getting wasted and making a scene at a dinner establishment. It's not a crime or something evil or 'unchristian' to want a glass of wine with dinner. All that being said, I never could decide if it was the best decision for the city (I couldn't vote anyway, b/c my primary residence is elsewhere). But wow...it’s such a turnoff to see people calling names and bullying those with opinions, other than their own. Why do you think it is ok to behave in such a way??? Man, I am glad this vote is over with, b/c this has just become ridiculous.

Diane, I agree with you, but also expect this issue to be raised again, consistent with the democratic process. It would be nice if people had civil discussion but I have learned that these blogs, for many people, serve as a place to rant and to make personal attacks. That's a shame and I see it ripping apart what is supposed to be a quaint small town.

Eleanor, there isn't necessarily a link between BYOB and downtown revitalization. The Anti-BYOB group successfully painted their opponents with this task. Then, they put up the straw man in the debate and demanded studies proving that allowing BYOB would solve the downtown economic woes. Frankly, it was a brilliant move and the Anti-BYOB group did much better job in the fight. In fact, the drinking is simply a right as we learned from the brief experiment called prohibition. Nonetheless, some people and communities don't believe that citizens can control themselves and need to be regulated. OC is one of the later, which strikes me as odd in that Republicans and Conservatives usually advocate getting government out of a individual's personal life, and OC is clearly a "Red" community. Personally, I believe in shrinking government where possible but also believe that I can decide if I should drink, if my family should be around people who drink, etc.

@Neil I heard and read where the pro BYOB people cited this specifically as a benefit of BYOB plus received literature saying this was one of the reasons to vote for it. It may also have been on their web site but not sure. The 'rising tide lifts all boats' was a big part of their platform. It was not pushed on them by the opponents.

In my opinion the reason why the contest got so ugly was because of the tactics that were employed. I don't see where the anti BYOB people offered one rational reason for opposing the initiative, and instead appealed to irrational fear to defeat the measure. Stuff like that bothers me. It reached an all time low with the youtube video and the anonymous posts from "party hardies" that couldn't wait to sack Ocean CIty. Like I said in an earlier post, it was the dirtiest campaign I've ever seen.

I can live with or without BYOB, but I can't live with that.

And Eleanor, there is a market for fine dining. That's why there are so many restaurants in Somers Point.

Sadly enough, the divisiveness regarding this matter will likely not subside over time. Predictably and fortunately there were always be at least two sides to the equation when evaluating the merits of all interested parties. These are good, strong and positive tenets of a working democracy. What is pathetic, is the staunch, blatant and ignorant statements espoused by many that care less what the non primary residence homeowners think, believe or desire. That is a caustic viewpoint that does not bolster strong collaborative interaction while clearly diluting the notion of working together to make "our collective town" more vibrant. The good news is that business owners, restaurateurs, vacationers, 2nd homeowners, Shoebies, etc. are the vibrant financial contributors to Ocean City. If for not these people and their money, "our town" would quickly become a ghost town. Let's put the personalities aside and figure out what is the most economically feasible approach for stimulating our little strand of paradise before it collapses under its own weight!!

And, lets's find a way to include the non-full time residents who have lots to offer in addition to the majority of the tax revenues.

the residents who want byob did sign a petition....and they lost by over 2-1 to the residents who don't want byob. haven't you heard yet, lori?