Devouring a final few slices of Manco & Manco pizza to hedge their bets, six Ocean City men stepped on a scale on New Year's Day at the Ocean City Music Pier — the official first weigh-in of an informal 2013 weight-loss contest to benefit charity.

The contest started as a friendly challenge between Scott "The Butcher" Ping and Tony "The Plumber" Wilson, both members of City Council. In honor of the new year, the councilmen vowed to weigh in on Jan. 1, then return to the scales on July 1 during the annual council reorganization meeting. The lesser loser will donate $500 to the winner's charity of choice.

But the charity pool grew when the pair invited other members of the community to participate.

Weighing in on Tuesday at noon were: Ocean City lawyer Jon Batastini, retired educator and Board of Education member Lloyd Hayes, Councilman and executive recruiter Michael DeVlieger, and Ocean City resident Bob Becker.

Ping is owner of Boyar's Market and was famously dubbed "The Butcher" during an early 2013 debate over Fire Department staffing. Wilson is owner of C. Leo Wilson Plumbing, Heating and A/C.