OC...the wettest dry town in America and so hypocritical! There was enough booze on the beach on the 4th of July to choke a horse, but the "powers -to-be" looked the other way....yet BYO is forbidden in restaurants??
People return to OC year after year because of memories, the beach and the B-walk, first and foremost, not because it's dry.
Remember the Blue Laws??? Repeal was going to send us all into Hell in a hand basket.
The Tabernacle's calling is to deliver the "Good News",,, the Gospel, not political banners.

funny how so many who have only lived in OC for less than 10 years but boast of visiting for 50... I have visited many places and would never consider putting my ideas of how that place should run.. and again I find only the ones against the BYOB are putting signs up and bad mouthing everything.. i seems to show who has class..and this idea of its the churchs duty to fight this and tell people they should not support the idea, what ever happend to God loves you know matter what.. I a sad to read these comments and again said about the underlying hate some have.

I'v been a resident of Ocean City since 1986, & I think this a measure that should be passed. I frequent Mildred's in Strathmere, a BYOB and hardly a roudy restaurant, Upper Township doesn't seem to have an issue with the problems that BYOB's "cause". Let us return to the Blue Laws of the 80's, only restaurants open on Sunday, Mayor Gillian would not want to return to those days, Sunday is probably the busiest day on the boardwalk. The real issue is alcohol, maybe all alcohol should be banned, delivered, carried in, or for private parties, not allowed, checkpoint on the entrances. Now there is a revenue maker! How would that work? what would that do for our "family town" or "Greatest Family Resort" tag line. The limits set forth in the ordinence are a reasonable amount of alcohol to consume at a meal. Have all of the protesters read the entire ordinence, I think not, Should the Tabernacle be so involved? Let the voters decide without the fear of the religion, entering into the mix.

I thought those founders said " No commerce on Sunday, also. The Tabernacle is a political org., plain and simple. They hand out political propaganda and raise money to support political issues. Let's not even mention how nasty they are when you oppose them. Not a shining example of Christianity in any form of the word.

When I registered to vote, they asked me if I was a Democrat, Republican, or Tabernacle.

The lunacy of these arguments in these point-counterpoint posts speaks poorly of the posters. At least provide a logical well thought out argument. Geez !!!!!

Re: Jim Houck's post: I don't see "lunacy" in these posts; merely intense feelings one way or the other. I think lunacy comes in when one feels strongly about something, says nothing, then complains bitterly at an outcome that displeases them. Personally, I am opposed to byob. I am most concerned with people from out of town telling us here in OC what's best for us. The absurdity of "a fine dining experience" in some of the places promoting byob is stunning. Lets see what happens and hope cooler heads prevail.

Jim Arthur

Ok Jim, I will speak Ad nauseam about everything, I will give many in depth statements about the matter at hand, talk about everything I feel and how the masses of the city residents feel ( THE VOTING RESIDENTS ). How would that work for you; Jim? I live my life, now dedicated with a single goal... Jim, making sure BYOB never happens. Where do you want me to start, Jim? I can speak on this subject all day long, Jim. I realy do know of what I speak! :) Do you want me to start with my main argument about how this doesnt work as resturants need "Turnover"? Or how this is realy going to hurt servers? Or how the way the thing is writen, is just bizzare? Just let me know? Please? I will start typing now! i ready, Jim! :)

Sorry Jim Houck, The Tabernacle and the other Christianity things have nothing to do with the reason I am opposed to BYOB, nothing at all with the old Blue Laws, beach Drinking, and drunks wandering the streets. Sorry I put you in the mix.

Proponents of BYOB frame the issue by saying, "What's wrong with a couple being able to enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner?" And the answer to that is nothing. But the issue is not that simple. There are always a few bad apples who would abuse the privilege and spoil it for everyone. One of Ocean City's strongest selling points is the absence of drunken, rowdy behavior on the beach and boardwalk. It's not called "America's Greatest Family Resort" for nothing. It's what defines Ocean City and gives the town its unique charm and appeal. Sure, BYOB may be a benefit to a handful of restaurant owners. But it's not in the best interests of the business community or the residents because it would jeopardize those qualities that make Ocean City so appealing to visitors and homeowners.

Roger Gottlieb put it beautifully. What makes Ocean City so wonderful is not having
to worry about drawing the rowdy youth who drink and make life miserable for all on the boardwalk and dangerous on the streets. Yes we still have some but start with BYOB and I promise it will go from there. It always does. I enjoy wine with dinner
and have no problem with a drink but I know this is the one place I can go that it is controlled and that certain "element" of humanity will not be welcome.

Your argument is simple. The vast majority should have their right or privilege (however you want to put it) restricted to prevent the few from abusing the right. How about this, we start enforcing the laws on the books pertaining to public drinking on the beach and elsewhere. Since we all seem to agree it’s going on, let’s demand our police force put a stop to it.
If I was so against drinking in restaurants in my own town, I would like to think that I would adhere to those same values in someone else’s town.

Rick asks what fine dining establishment doesn't serve alcohol. That's been one of the largest concerns in this entire byob debate...the serving of alcohol. All of us who are and were servers in restaurants know that diners tend to "camp" over their drinks. There are fewer tables turning, fewer diners served and less tip money at the end of the night. The restaurant owners who are promoting this stuff are not stupid. In the short run they realize they will be serving fewer meals. The only way any of this makes sense is to look at the big picture. Selling alcohol generates big money. Selling alcohol in their establishments can be their only logical motivation. Many of the owners pro byob are off islanders. Our welfare and the future of this town are not their priority. Their motivation is profit, plain and simple.

i like to have a martini before my meal when i go out to a restaurant. why should i patronize any restaurant in ocean city just because they offer byob? i firmly believe that the restaurant owners who are proposing byob are seriously fooling themselves. improve your menus, improve your furnishings, match your dishes and utensils. then maybe you will be able to compete with the restaurants on the mainland, and you can stop your crying.
the restaurants in ocean city that went out of business did not close because they were not doing enough business. they closed because developers made them an offer they chose not to refuse.

Well, there's no more diversity on any ideas for or against on this issue. BUT, what happened to the fire house having a permit as a private entity to serve alcohol? Is it true or not?

Rick Bernardini, any "Private Entity" can have any private party, serve all the booze they want, no permet is required. The most important part is, NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IN ANY WAY!, No charge for any food served, any resturant in town can do the same thing, as long as they do not purchase said booze (Purchased by said event organizer is fine), charge for food or of course booze, be totaly private, and in no, I MEAN NO!! way open to the public. You could even do it at McDonalds, as long as it was not open to the public in any way! No Permit required!

Pat, Please tell me you don't consider the Fire Dept or the firehouse to be private. PLLLEEEAASSSEEEE.

I didnt say the Firehouse or Fire Dept. was private at all, it is a Public building and entity and they are city employee's not volunter's as some other towns. I have never seen booze at any event at the Ocean City Fire Dept., I know other towns rent out fire halls for party's and such, but I am pretty sure they are volunter fire company's. As far as I know, the city doesnt rent out our fire company's.

A month and a half ago I cared about this a lot. Since then absolutely nothing has changed on these message boards. Same folks, same opinions. With that said, I guess I'll offer my final word on the matter. I like to be thorough in my writing, so I've posted to my own site: http://imaginationsimmons.com/2011/06/27/final-word-on-ocnj-byob-a-matter-of-trust/

Good luck to both sides. <3 democracy