Public supporting the "NO" vote is ceratinly showing their other side!

Our family has the greatest respect for Mr. Carlin and his family. They are outstanding members of this community. I personally have doubts about whether BYOB would be good for this town, but there is no reason to bring that debate to a low level. Let's keep it civilized. Let's value and honor people who care and take the time to get involved.

I don't know Mr. Carlin and I do agree that discussions should be kept civil; however, this proposal is more than a simple business issue. It is something that has the potential to change the character of the town which many people see as a threat to their family and investments. If Mr. Carlin didn't know, going in, that this was an emotional issue, he was very naive.
I also find it amusing that the proponents of this change, constantly cite the desire for "families" to have "a bottle of wine" with their meal. The proposal goes far beyond a bottle of wine. It would result in six packs of beer being carried around the streets by customers on their way to a pizza or hoagie shop. If the petitioners had been more restrictive in their proposal they might have stood a better chance of approval.

I am not a resident but a long time visitor, since 1983, from Ohio and now Texas, to enjoy your lovely city and wonderful beach. One of the key factors in my continuity of visits has been the fact that Ocean City is dry. The dinner is no less elegant if there is no wine on the table or a martini before or a beer with my slice. If I want a drink, I can drive across the bridge. The lack of alcohol has a significant impact on the behavior of the crowds on the beach and the boardwalk. I frequently travel alone, and I feeel safe walking around Ocean City, even late in the evening, since alcohol is not available to fuel bad behavior. That's not to say everyone who wants a drink won't behave, but it's been my experience, particularly with young men, that alcohol changes their behavior, and not in a positive way. The addition to alcohol will significantly change the atmosphere and environment in Ocean City, and I cannot see any major advantage to it for the community.

like this week's leading editorial in the sentinel states "perception outweighs reality." news media all over the area are reporting that ocean city, nj, is trying to change its dry status. this can do nothing but damage our reputation as america's greatest family resort. is BYOB really worth all the damage that it is causing?

There is a lot of spirited discussion about whether BYOB would be good for OC or not; valid issues of concern for either side. However, I know for sure what is NOT good for OC and that is the behavior that has been reported as harassment which caused Mr. Carlin to step down. Let the voters decide; that's all that is being asked in this democratic community. People need to get involved in their community and not be punished socially when they do.

The people are speaking. I think it's great. Make your voices known kids.I personaly know where I will not be spending any money in the future. Life long resident of OC for 52 years in the Downtown Business District.

The actions of these individuals are the furthest thing from Christ's teachings. I've posted a long response on my site. I truly wanted to remain respectful, but I am furious over this. http://imaginationsimmons.com/2011/06/16/berate-your-own-brother-ocnjs-byob-hypocrisy/

Again with the "glass of wine" reference in the link. Doesn't the Bible also say something about honesty ?

The bible says a lot of stuff. However, most of it is disregarded by each side in this argument and only used when it's convenient. In an effort to separate church and state, I think the Constitution implies something about that, we should look at the local economy and see if it'd benefit our local citizens. Either way you cut it, the harrasment of this gentlemen is a disgrace and I hope OCT and St. Peter's reach out to him and apologize publicly on behalf of their clergy.

I am interested to know if any of these folks who will "boycott" these establishments that participate have ever been to Disney World? I have enjoyed a nice glass of wine at one of many establisments within the wonderful world of Disney. I didnt see any "drunks" staggering around, and it seems to me Disney is considered "family friendly". I remember when the blue laws were challenged, everyone thought Ocean City would be known as "sin city": god forbid people can shop on a sunday....and god forbid, have a glass of wine.

Congregation* not clergy. Apologies for misspeaking

I was a resident of Ocean City for 26 years. Almost two years ago I moved to Brigantine, NJ.

On the island of Brigantine, there are 7+ places to buy alcohol or be served alcohol. And to top it all off it's a quarter of a mile away from Atlantic City NOT Somers Point ... AC

Now before I go on I would like to point out that this has nothing to do with the Police departments in either city. In fact, I have quite a few friends that are police officers in both cities, and both departments do an outstanding job with the amount of officers they are allowed to staff.

Brigantine with all the alcohol in and around it has a much lower crime rate (18.19 crimes per 1000 residents) than Ocean City at 69.54 crimes per 1000 residents. Now I know that Ocean City has far more seasonal residents than Brigantine, but it still shows that even with the large amount of alcohol available in and around Brigantine, the city is still extremely safe.

Let's get real people, the alcohol is already being bought and brought to Ocean City. It's no surprise that Circle Liquor founded their store on the side of the 9th street Bridge that heads IN to Ocean City.

I don't like the misinformation that has been spread. Let's get something straight the proposal would NOT allow alcohol to be sold in Ocean City. It would not allow someone to walk down the street and drink. The proposal is ONLY asking for permission to allow a customer to bring in their own drink to dinner.

until the restaurants in ocean city modernize their facilities, it will not matter if the have byob, sell alcohol, or whatever. people will still prefer to spend their money at the more attractive eateries on the mainland. it's as simple as that! BYOB WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS!!!

I have asked several police officers and everyone has said it would not be a problem.
As for the tax payers that is what the petition is trying to make happen ... Its a petition to put the question on the ballot to allow the tax payers to cast their vote, not their opinion on the topic.

It's a shame that people like yourself are willing to use scare tactics such as boycotting restaurants to hopefully not allow the tax payers a chance to vote on this issue.

Let's take BYOB for what it is and not what you assume it could end up being ...

the voters of ocean city already voted on BYOB. it was defeated. how often do we have to vote on this subject? what part of "NO" didn't the proponents of BYOB understand?
it just seems that if you don't like the results of a vote, just go out and get a petition and try again.

Vic let's be clear that vote that you are talking about was a vote by city council. Yes city council is supposed to be the voice of the people who elect them, but this topic is too big for only 5 people to be able to vote on it.

sorry, tom. i'm talking about a vote by the voters of ocean city that rejected alcohol. the city council vote was recently held, and there are 7 members on council.

Yes I know that there are 7 members but only 5 members cast a vote on the issue ...

i invite you all to listen to my radio show on wibg 1020 am on saturday from 1 to 2 pm. the show is The Betson Connection and on saturdays from 1-2 we talk oc politics with oc councilman keith hartzell.
i am on every day from 4-5 pm and on saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm.
you can call in by dialing 609 398 1020.

This sounds like a bad remake of Footloose.

Reply to Salt E. Water -

I did read the proposal which states that the establishment must have at least ONE waiter/waitress. Like it's really hard to put in a table or two and hire a minimum wage waitress. Like the "glass of wine with dinner" reference this is just a disingenous attempt to distort the facts. If you're really behind this and believe in it why are you distorting the facts ? Man up !

why are some people comparing the possibility to Belmar or Wildwood.......why not compare with Cape May or Ocean Grove??? these hysterics are not helping..... why is the council so opposed to putting it to a vote and letting the people speak? i think the proposal is prudent and reasonable..... the BYOB question is not tainting OC.....but the politics of it surely
are.....

Here's the thing. As a visitor I am sick of paying out of the nose for crappy food. If these restaurants served better food maybe they'd get more business. That's really the issue isn't it? They think alcohol will bring in more diners? Sorry, if your food still sucks it won't. The "iconic" Chatterbox is one of these restaurants I don't remember having great food last time I ate there.

Just because the Chatterbox is backing the BYOB proposal doesn't mean we want it for our restaurant.

if the chatterbox does not intend to have byob, they should say so.

Just because the Chatterbox might not entertain BYOB doesn't mean we don't like BYOB ... In fact we think it would be a game changer for the food industry in Ocean City. The city's food industry loses way too much business to places right over the bridge ... BYOB would go a long way in stopping that ...

many individuals enjoy a cocktail either before or during their meal. allowing byob would not influence any of these people. even if the chatterbox allowed you to bring in a bottle of wine, they would still prefer to dine at the crab trap.

Vic your statement about the Crab Trap would be similar to people coming to Ocean City with or without BYOB ... If the only reason that people came to Ocean City was because it was a dry town belittles all the other great amenities that Ocean City has to offer ...

I say No to BYOB to restaurants! Keep BYOB on the beach where it belongs. Anyone checked the recycle cans lately - those sure aren't soda bottles in them!!

I wonder how many Ocean City residents, particularly the registered voters, have made an effort and taken the time to read the proposed ordinance. It seems to me to be intended to limit the type and location of restaurants that would qualify to operate as a BYOBs. I can think of very few restaurant currently doing business in OC that I would patronize if they allowed me to bring a bottle of wine, but I can think of several empty commercial properties that would make good locations for the type of restaurant that could be successful if their diners had the option of bringing a good bottle of wine to consume with dinner.

what good is a good bottle of wine if you don't have the good food and the good environment to go along with it.

It's still a good bottle of wine.

so save yourself the trouble and stay home and drink it.

I for one will never go in the Chatterbox again or any of the other establishments supporting this. If my understanding is correct this petition will put it on the ballot for the voters to decide. Do the people pushing this realize that they don't have any chance of this being passed by a majority of the voters in this town. Has the Chatterbox thought this through that all they are doing is upsetting and losing customers over a potential referendum vote that has absolutely no chance of passing when and if it makes it to the voters. Not smart.

Your right, maybe I'll just bring a bad bottle of wine. That way it goes with my bad meal, as you described it.

Few restaurants are here for the locals. Considering every local on this site says they all are terrible anyway, who cares about your boycott. The only dining establishment the locals patronize is the McDonalds on 9th. That's why it's one of the few places that remain open all year. If your really such a closed minded person that the simple question on the ballot would cause you such a problem, then perhaps we are better off with you staying out of public places anyway.

rick, do you really believe that your comments are doing the chatterbox or the byob petition drive any favors? you sound like a very bitter person.

I for one have no problem with it being on the ballot. I am very confident that it will be defeated. Perhaps then this issue will die for the next 25 years.

Vic, Well someone has to defend them from the Tabernacle drones that would have them burned at the stake for asking to have the issue considered. With few exceptions, the anti BOYB group has been the nastiest side of the argument. This group seeks to punish all that don’t conform to their opinion. It’s easy to read and see who the bitter crowd is.
What got me involved in the issue was how nasty this group was to the people proposing BYOB. Maybe you should re-read the article you are commenting on.

I drink very little and personally don’t care that much which side wins, but I have little tolerance for people acting as they did in the article above. I would however like to see decent restaurants in Ocean City and this might be the first step. I live here, I pay taxes here, I vote here and I have every right to my opinion and vote, but I am not so foolish to think my role in this town is so important. We don’t offer enough support to our local businesses, that’s why they shut down in winter. There are just too few locals to support the cost of running the business all winter. The Tourists’ control our town, Face it. Boycott all you want. It means virtually nothing. I don’t know of one neighbor of mine that stays in OC to eat dinner.

Having worked in a bar restaurant in pa I do remember the owner say that all her profits were in alcohol sales,not food .So really this is a lot about nothing !