"we don't need alcohol here"...... however, there is a LOT of alcohol here....it even gets delivered 'here'...... people just want to enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner..... that is not sinful nor decadent....and it will not ruin OC's reputation.... go visit Ocean Grove.....

I don't think BYOB is necessary in OC. It's an honor to have the distinction as the Travel Channels "#1 family resort" and things should stay as they are.

As a visitor to OC for my whole life, no. I love coming here b/c it's dry, for my kids. I don't need my kids on the boardwalk seeing drunk college kids or just @ssholes ruining our vacation. I do drink, if I want a drink with my dinner I make dinner in my rental home. You can get it off 9th street and bring it in. or we have a few beers after the boards and after the kids go to bed. We aren't drink driving all over the island (another concern I'm sure).

The restaurants so not do enough to draw people into their businesses. Liquor will not make or break their business, marketing will. Do you have a "great dish", "specials", "early bird menu", friendly atmosphere, clean brightly lit business? These things are what I look for first.

I agree with JJ. Last year we paid out the nose for crappy pizza downtown (although the place was bright and clean). Won't go back there again!

I think it's an EXCELLENT idea. We are adults, how bout we begin to get treated as such!

Besides, I honestly don't know of too many people leaving a BYOB restaurant wobbly and out of control. Wine has been part of some cultures for centuries-maybe you want to have a ban on sugared drinks or artificial sweeteners, or caffeine?

I understand both sides of this age old arguement, however almost everyone here has a drink at home, so what's the big deal if you bring that bottle of wine or beer to a local restaurant? I'd
agree to trying it out for this summer on a trial basis. I can't imagine we are going to have
a bunch of drunks around our great city. Yes, there be an occassional knucklehead, but they are everwhere! I sure the drinking crowd isn't going to pick on our City because we allow wine or beer BYOB's. Maybe the restaurants , because of the increased volumn, could reduce the price of their meals? John S.

My family and I recently moved to Ocean City less than a year ago. I love the reputation of living in a dry town. I have gone to numerous restaurants and I could honestly say that I would only come back to a couple. I will take the drive to Cape May, Avalon and even nearby Margate & Ventnor for much better food quality and ambiance not for alcoholic beverages.

Linda Gronert

I enjoyed Dan Canova's video. I agree on keeping Ocean City a dry town. I don't think it could be something tried on a trial basis. Once we make a change, it would be hard to change back. I don't want to take a chance of losing our uniqueness.

"As a visitor to OC for my whole life, no. I love coming here b/c it's dry, for my kids. I don't need my kids on the boardwalk seeing drunk college kids or just @ssholes ruining our vacation. "

In reply to Fauxy's comment, I've said this before, spend one weekend working on the boardwalk this summer, I don't know what boardwalk you've been going to but it sure isn't OC's. I've more than enough drunk kids, drug use, fully exposed body parts, fights, theft, moronic behavior than imaginable. Why people continue to stick their heads in the sand about what truly goes on not only on the boardwak, but in this town in general is beyond hypocritical. The idea that BYOB would create and unwanted element is a moot point, a bad element already exists, people simply refuse to accept that fact.

I agree with todd,also you are just opening the door to have bars. I see what it like in neighboring towns that have nightclubs its terrible. Let keep our town the way it is

As an owner (seasonal use) in OC, I see nothing wrong with the BYOB concept as long as it is limited to wine and beer. Vacationers leave the island to dine at finer restaurants. The legislation must place some responsibility on the restaurant owner to obesrve consumption and behavior of the customer, limit quantities taken into their establishments, as well as request ID if necessary. I don't think that a BYOB policy will change the behavior of people. People are getting more than wine and beer in restaurants in the neighboring shore resorts and driving back to their homes in OC anyway. Let's not prevent an adult from having a glass of beer or wine with dinner.

BYOB would help the restaurants and the downtown businesses by keeping people downtown after they eat. People who say the restaurants are not providing good food are just confirming the need for BYOB. Who is going to order an expensive cut of meat and drink it with water or a soda? If people in Ocean City don't drink with dinner then why are there so many bar/restaurants directly over the bridge? Also, there are private clubs on the island that allow drinking. Anyone who is a member of such a club and is against BYOB is a hypocrite or feels they are more privileged than the average citizen or guest.

If you are an Ocean City resident and are against BYOB then you had also better stand up and say you are against Nights in Venice and it should be abolished. I have seen plenty of intoxicated adults participating in NIV festivities. Apparently that's acceptable, and we all know why, NIV is an economic windfall for the landlords and merchants in town.

For more then a century...Ocean City has enjoyed a sacred reputation. The totality of our city is unapproachable by any other. I feel strongly against this 'change.' A dinner hour is just that...an hour, is this debate really necessary for one glass of wine? When does one glass turn into two or three, one beer turn into a six-pack of beer? Once the door opens to one glass it will lead to more 'glasses.' Will we then have more petitions & more changes? Visitors will abuse this policy if implimented....&...year-round residents already know where 'spirits' reside. Please do not change our city. Thank you for this opportunity to voice my opinion.

Sorry, I don't subscribe to the notion that BYOB will help island restaurants...perhaps doing a better job at what they do will help them more! Keep Ocean City a dry town! I have no problem with folks drinking in their homes but I'd rather see the status quo continue.

we have a great thing going on here in ocean city. we have an impeccable reputation as a resort. why do you want to mess with success? makes no sense!

BYOB is limited to wine and beer only...no one will be selling it. This is just for adults who would like a glass of wine with dinner. Please know the facts before you vote. Let's help out local businesses rather than sending all our visitors and locals across the bridge!

No restaurant would be required to offer BYOB, it is up to the restaurant. It could also be offered only in the off-season. What most people do not know is that EVERY town in New Jersey has BYOB unless the specific town has an ordinance saying that it does not allow it. It is also silly to say that people will go to the mainland because of slow turnover -- did you ever try to go to the Crab Trap? People wait hours in the summer to go there. It is fine to be against BYOB but it seems that people are trying to tell restaurants what is good for them. The OC Restaurant Association supports this.

people pack the crab trap because they find it a nice place to enjoy a meal. to propose to have BYOB only during the off season is totally rediculous. you either have it or you don't!

It's amazing to me everyone has all the answers for the restaurants to be successful and make it year round. I have eaten several OC restaurants and yes some are better the others would be a correct statement, but they are not all horrible like some say. Sounds like they have a hidden agenda or fighting someones battle. To think in 2011 we are even having this debate is so ridiculous and hypocritical. Private clubs, even bars have been part of the fabric that Ocean City has been hiding behind for years. Really now how can we forget Night's in Venice the single biggest booze fest in South Jersey and yet on that night you let responsible adults enjoy a good time and we do not burn at the feet of God! By the way all the parties that I have attended in the past which are numerous have had children there with their "Family" but I guess we can sin one night a year! My family and I have even walked the seafood feast the night before without an issue! yes it's "dry" but is it really! Come on fellow people of Ocean City those days of do as I say not as I do are going out out to sea! I am a hard working family man who likes to break bread with my wife and friends. Hopefully the day has come that I can enjoy a glass on wine in a local restaurant at the same time!

thank you, Oliver! i am so tired of the anti-BYOBs chanting the same tedious mantra..... i hope the people of OC will stop acting like hypocrites and embrace the BYOB notion as a positive concept for the town's status, and not some hell, fire, and damnation they purport it to be.....
Ocean Grove, another dry town that allows BYOB, is recognized as a National Historic treasure.... they also began as a religious settlement in the 1800's.... it is a charming family town with Victorian influence..... and how about Cape May for that matter?... is that a drunken decadent town because they have so many restaurants that welcome the BYOB concept?

hypocrite?......hypocrite?......are BYOB proponents so desperate that they have to resort to name calling those who do not agree with their viewpoint? i am anything but a hypocrite and consider ocean city a very special place because of it's non-alcoholic stance. i want ocean city to continue to be special and an awful lot of other people seem to agree with my opinion. just because some out-0f-town restaurant owners want to change the character of our city, that doesn't mean we can't defend what we believe.

First of all, this discussion was never meant to become a name-calling spectacle...... although the topic/rationale seems hypocritical to me, not the people themselves. It is indeed a paradox. However, I really have not heard one reasonable intelligent argument from the anti BYOB constituents. I have read about the drunken ah**** who will be on the boardwalk. Honestly, I have seen enough of those already. And they have not become those drunken ah**** by having a glass of wine with dinner. I have read that families will be horrified to see someone drinking a glass of wine in restaurants. ....really???? I have read that OC will jeopardize its status as the #1 Family Resort in the entire universe. ....Again, really??? Look at Ocean Grove NJ. These do not seem to be arguments to me; they seem to be unrealistic scenarios developed from irrational fear. I am confident that if the BYOB law is ever passed that it will be well regulated, as it should be. I also know that OC is a great place to visit and to live. It does have a charm and ambiance that is appealing to many, and which would not be tarnished by allowing people to bring some wine to dinner, if they choose. I only see it as a positive. I am a frequent visitor to OC, both on and off season. It is really a great place to be. Please open your minds and rethink the positive effects of the BYOB issue.

Nobody wants to turn OC into Wildwood. We are talking about a glass of wine with dinner. Please

Also the petition in question is about letting the voters decide. The folks who are against BYOBs have not addressed this point. If they are so confident about what the residents want, why stand in the way of a vote? Maybe they want it, maybe not. Let's simply find out.

Linda

I am proud to display my "Don't change Ocean City poster!"
People who pass my sign say they agree with me. I do not think the residence want BYOB or they would not live in our unique dry town.
Are the restaurant owners pushing this registered voters in this town?

Ocean City anti-BYOB should be focusing more on crime (2 stabbings at the beach) then wasting energy, because Adults would enjoy a glass of wine at dinner. OC will survive. @Linda - sorry to say,'but OC is not a unique dry town'. It just picks and chooses where alcohol can be consumed and where it can't.

First off, I believe that if you don't live here, your viewpoint matters very little. Residents should make the decision, not tourists. People have the right to consume alcohol in their homes, and not in a public setting here. This is not a new law people. It is ridiculous to think that adding alcohol would be a benefit to this town. I'm against the proposition sue to the fact that establishes a bad precedent. Once you allow wine; then the next arguement is to allow beer, then liquor. Restaurant owners know that adding alcohol is a last ditch effort to garner a little more revenue during these hard times, and I don't blame them. However economy shouldn't dictate law.
If the economy were fine, would we still have this arguement being so "heavily" considered? Unfortunately when the economy is bad, businesses suffer. Some of them are restaurants. Often their real issue is the fact that the cost of their food has inflated along with the economy and the value is outrageous at their prices. During times of slow economic growth, lower end more cost effective restaurants (typically chains) are the ones who survive. The others are restaurants that offer a quality for their food with an established customer base. For many restaurants in Ocean City, the cost to feed a family or four runs well over $100 per dinner. Combine that with the general inflation of costs in regards to gas on the island, ride tickets, even french fries. Serving alcohol won't fix the problem.

Also Ocean City has been a dry town, so whether you grew up here, moved here, or are visiting, you understand that fact. Ocean Grove allows it now. Great. Move or visit there. There are seven other beach towns that serve, live or visit there. As a resident and home owner here for over 10 years, I can tell you that one of the reasons that I moved my family here was because it was dry. Are their people who still sneak beer on the beach? Yes. Are there kids who still find a way to get alcohol on the island? Yes. Things like this are always going to happen, because there will always be people who cirumvent the rules. Making alcohol more available would only serve to create other problems that no one else seems to realize. There would have to be an increase in police force to accomodate the time that would be necessary to account for the increase in alcohol related stops and breathalizers, while still distracting them from important tasks as finding the person who committed the stabbing I read about.

While on the surface it seems like solution, at its core the people who are for the proposition are trying to justify their desire to change the law and drink under the mask that it serves to benefit the community. We can't allow this to happen. Not even for a trial period. The reason prohibition didn't work was due to the fact that alcohol was legal before the Act, and people were being denied what they felt was a right on a national level. Residents and tax payers of Ocean City should realize that by keeping alcohol out, were are re-affirming not only what makes our town special, but a part of what makes it great.

Whether you are for it or against it, sign the petition and let the voters decide. Anti BYOBers shouldn't be afraid to allow the question to be on the ballot. The people can put this to rest once and for all by their votes. Sign the petition and vote your opinion.....

Sandra, That's the bottom line. Well said

well, Jonathan.... my opinion may not matter to you or other OC residents, but my tax and tourist generated dollars certainly do....... your comments are pretty insulting to those of us who work hard to generate those dollars and still have no representation..... let the residents decide then..... what are all of you afraid of?

Where can I sign the petition to allow BYOB?

Patrick, you should educate yourself on how easy and legal it is to change your primary address to OC when your a home owner here. I can delare this as my primary residence. I already have. I will be voting in the local elections this year and you can do nothing about it. I have filed my Federal and state tax returns showing this is my primary address. Five of my neighbors have also done the same thing. I live in OC six months of the year and have every right to delcare it as my primary address. I do take enjoyment in knowing that I can get you motivated to take part in the community. You are the exact type of OC resident that has inspired me to attempt change in OC also. Good luck with your new endevor, but in the end you will never stop change. As far as the 90% figure. I would like to hear your estimate as to what percentage of OC property owners ( who are taxpayers) vote in local elections. From where I live in town it wouldn't be close to 1 in 10 that live here all year and thats in the North end of town. The south end seems to be vacant all winter.

I even get a homestead credit this year!!!!!!

Pat,
I see your still an avid non-supporter of BYBO. What Bar and Restaurant business were you in for 30 years? You keep saying that BYOB not fair to the "servers", what about the Restaurant owners? They are the people who want this! Most of the "servers" dont even live in O.C. (or the country). What is so wrong with letting the people of O.C. vote on it? We already know the "City" is against it. Last time I checked the office of the Mayor was not a dictatorship! hahaha. Hated owing a business in that town, they were NOT for the business owners in any way. We celebrated 100 years in business at the same location and they would NOT even let us hang a banner up to announce that because it was against the City ordinance. Pathetic, you would think they (City) would have been proud! O.C. SUCKS!!!

I have been coming here for forty five years, but not till I moved here were my eyes opened.

Pat,
P.S. I would vote against Beach Tags too!!!! Doesnt the City generate enough money through property taxes and parking meters? Residents should not have to buy tags!!!!

This thread could be a case study on logical fallacies. Keep it up guys, it's really quite interesting and entertaining!

Diane, if you aren't a resident, then no. I'm sorry to bust your bubble, but your opinion doesn't matter. Same as my opinion wouldn't matter if I happened to drive through the neighborhood you live in PA. And sorry to break it to you, but that's life. Contrary to most tourist's beliefs, Ocean City still exists outside of the tourist seasons.

Rick, you sound like an educated person, with some valid points. However by saying that people who should be against BYOB yet support NIV are hypocrites. NIV can act like a release valve for people who feel like they are "opressed" by not having alcohol. Such exceptions serve to allow a "flexibility" if you would in regards to the laws themselves. Using drinking as an example, the drinking age used to be 18, until the federal government mandated that states that don't enforce a 21 minimum policy would lose federal funding for road. Even since that time, not everyone who is under 21 and is caught with alcohol gets arrested. The point or laws are to establish and maintain a status quo that we can all accept and live with. Alcohol never has been, nor ever should be a part of the status quo here in Ocean City.

Also Rick, your counterpoint to my statement about it being the law was totally specious reasoning. To draw an analogy to Slavery or Abortion is ridiculous. Those were issue that affect the direct well being or basic human rights of a person. Your arguement for change is the same one used by people who want to legalize drugs like cocaine and marijuana. You are simply twisting the words to serve your purpose.
The same point was made in regards to smokers and their area's designated to smoke on the boardwalk. That was an infringment of people's rights, done in an effort to help the community as a whole, not matter how ridiculous it is.
The point I was trying to make is that no one's rights were comprimised by them moving or visiting Ocean City because they made the CHOICE to come or visit here. It is understood that Ocean City does not allow alcohol, and never has. For someone who hasn't been to a restaurant in 15 years by your own admission, then this vote won't even affect you!
As Americans we subscribe to a democratic system and I'm all for the vote about BYOB, if not simply for the fact that we can lay the issue to rest when it doesn't pass.
Ocean City does not need alcohol.

Jill, I totally concur with your idea about the beach tags too. I think they need to carry it even one step farther for locals. I happen to know of other cities that restrict their parking to 2 hour increments. Residents receive a parking decal they place on their cars that allows them to park for as long as the like regardless of the two hour signs (car must still be moved every 72 hrs though.)
Ocean City should implement a parking decal for residents that allows them to park in metered spots for free during the summer season, and also permits the vehicle to travel into Ocean City via the Longport Bridge at no cost.

I don't think the Longport Bridge toll issue is up to the city. I could be wrong?

@Jonathan Smith - anyone who owns property / pays local taxes in OC should receive the same benefits you describe. You have all these big plans for so-called locals, but your tax dollars are the same as mine. As for BYOB we all are adults, OC will survive. There should be more focus on crime than (2 stabbings on the beach) having a glass on wine with dinner.

Excuse me, Jonathan, but you got it wrong again---- I do NOT drive through the OC neighborhood.. I spend a lot of time and money here on and off season.....and I hate to burst your bubble, but I do NOT live in PA..... I am born and bred in NJ.... not that any of that matters, but if you need to get your facts correct, there they are! I am well aware that OC exists off season, I am NOT a visistor, as you so arrogantly put it..... I pay full taxes and have always enjoyed being here...... I would also vote against beach tags anywhere....ridiculous that the taxes paid cannot cover beach maintenance......
and, thank you Rick for your input...... your input is refreshing amidst all this rhetoric..........

People are using the current economic situation as rational for allowing BYOB. So if the economy wasn't as bad as it has been would this proposition carry as much weight as it is getting? I don't think so. This an attempt by the people who want BYOB to use the economy as an excuse to allow them to change the law.

I'm not arguing who should have the right to vote in Ocean City based on whether or not they own property. Thats another matter in itself. My point was that people who live and exist in this town year round should have the say on the laws that govern said town, regardless of Tourism.

People who don't live here should not have a say in the matter regardless of "how much money you spend here". That's ridiculous. You are a patron, and you spend your money willfully of your own decisions. Buying a ticket to a movie doesn't give me the right to yell and scream through it. That money argument breaks down to prostitution, and people who invoke that card should be ashamed of themselves. Money doesn't dictate worth.

And for Diane:
visitor: noun - vis*i*tor - plural - visitors
1. somebody visiting: somebody who visits a person or place
2. birds - migratory bird appearing temporarily: a migratory bird that regularly spends a season or part of a season in a place.
3. website viewer - an internet user who views a website

Since you don't live here, that would make you a visitor by the DICTIONARY definition.
As long as you are so interested in getting the facts straight...
Please don't confuse my being blunt with arrogance.
There was no arrogance in my statement, I simply used an analogy to illustrate my point, but the same is true if you are from NJ. Visiting a place doesn't give you the right to change it.

If you own property and aren't allowed to vote beacuse this isn't your place of primary residence, take that up with your congressman and local government, and get them to change that law, and then you'll have your say here.

Anthony, you confuse the heck out of me.

I agree with you that ocean city should be more concerned with the stabbings tha BYOB, then you turn around and say the opposite in your next post.

I didn't have any "plans for so called locals". I had ideas of things that should be afforded the people of Ocean City to help offset the financial gouging of Tourism. Great, people come here and spend their money and boost the economy. Locals shouldn't have incur a cost to go about their daily lives due to the fact that shoobies are here. If you ARE a local, then my ideas benefit you, so how could you be against that?

Yes, I guess I am a visitor by your definition..... thank you so very much for the lexicography lesson..... but I am also a tax paying visitor......and that should come with some of its benefits, but you're right, that is a different legal issue..... so, how can I possibly have a "right to change it", as you say.... in that regard, then you shouldn't care what my opinion is because I am powerless....and I am also wondering why you referenced PA in one of your posts..... are PA shoobies a problem? or NJ shoobies? they make OC a great vacation destination..... but do the residents resent them being here?...-- anyway, it seems that there are tax paying year round residents who are looking for a change.....you make it sound like us tax contributing outsiders are the only ones who would like a change...... let the residents decide and we "visitors" will all accept the results ......

I find it hard to believe there are still some ADULTS that resort to calling OC tourists "Shoobies". People have got to grow up. I would expect that from a teenager, but not an adult!!!

thanks, Rick.... I really appreciated your comments..... I have heard the analogy many times about people who move next to an airport and then complain about the noise ---- in relation to the BYOB debate.... but I think this applies to those who resent the tourists..... people who move into a summer resort vacation destination and then complain about the tourists/shoobies...... why did those people choose to live in OC??? and I agree about the summer crowds.... I very much prefer to be here off season for lots of reasons ... OC is a great place.... and I'm glad to hear that not all of you residents act like asses..... you certainly don't sound like one.... thank you!!!! I will still be a frequent VISITOR even if BYOB winds up in the dumpster... I just think it would an asset in many ways...... I just don't understand the fear factor ....... and I don't understand the anti-shoobie sentiment.... how could this possibly exist in America's Greatest Family Resort...... seems hypocritical..... and not very nice..... considering that tourists flock to OC for the ambiance.....

Agree

What is with Shoobie. That word just sounds dumb. It’s not even a good derogatory word. It sounds like snoopy. Sorry Pat, we were not talking about you saying it in your youth. Jonathan is calling them that now. As for where I live , I am at 4th and the bay

I think the term was started by the guys that cleaned the beaches and had to pick up the discarded shoe boxes. On the issue of BYOB- I think that if the restaurant owners check with their insurance carriers they may find that the increase in liability coverage may outweigh any gain that they anticipate. Another question would be whether or not a server under the age of 18 would be allowed to wait on a table with alcohol present. And let's not forget that people with several bottles of wine or beer may have a tendency to lounge a bit after their meal thus slowing down the number of turnovers for the restaurant on any given night. So the restaurant may have to charge a little more to make up for it. I have spoken to several family style restaurant owners and they do not want it. They don't care if other higher scale restaurants have it, but they do not want it on their menu. Unfortunately, it would put them on a different playing field in a competitive market. Maybe we should let the restaurant owners decide first, then put it up to the voters.

sounds fair

while outsiders and some oc taxpayers favor byob, voters in oc are totally opposed to it. we live here year round and we don't want it. put it on the ballot. it will get crushed once and for all.

Vic have you taken a poll of ALL voters in Ocean City because you statement seems to imply that?

tom, do you live in a vacuum? do you talk to the residents of ocean city? there is opposition to byob throughout the city. we welcome an election.

i have been to quite a few meetings concerning byob. i am not authorized to speak for the various organizations, but the opposition by the local voters is totally overwhelming.

Vic no I don't but you made the statement "voters in oc are totally opposed to it. We live here year round and we don't want it" ... And yes I have talk to quite a few people in town and almost all have said they think it's a great idea for the city. The problem that most people are having with saying publicly that they are FOR BYOB is that they are being intimidated by the oppositition just ask Mr. Carlin ... Calling for boycotts of restaurants and confronting people at local events is just bully tactics and is a shame that it's happening. If Ocean City is so safe and such a great place BYOB will not change that, it can only make it better ...

Ocean City’s big white elephant made the front page of the AC Press. Seems like elephants in shore towns are for business expansion, Margate’s was for real estate development. Ocean City’s imaginary elephant may be for restaurants, BYOB, Bring Your Own Bottle. Has anyone looked at the recycling contents of Ocean City? There are thousands of people bringing their own bottles to town. We just can’t bring them out for dinner.

When visitors and out of town friends ask where I eat in Ocean City, my unfortunate response, except for breakfast and lunch, is Somers Point or Margate. I enjoy great food, and like most gastronomes, enjoy wine with dinner. Fine dining in Ocean City is a rare commodity, now and in the past. Really great restaurants just haven’t survived here.

BYOB could bring a restaurant renaissance, expand our downtown offerings and keep the tourists in town. Maybe they’ll shop after dark! Surely our town fathers will find a way to capture revenue on this lucrative endeavor. Where do all those cars go on Saturday evenings? The Ninth Street exodus and dining dollars crawling out of town rivals the crowds coming in the mornings.

Restaurants, …bring it on.

Rick Bernardini

Patrick with all due respect, that doesn't really have anything to do with the topic at hand. Besides the fact that everyone one you listed is for BYOB. Once again BYOB might not fit our restaurant, we feel it would be a great benefit to the food industry in Ocean City as a whole.

Rick you are spot-on with your statement!
High-end restaurants have never survived in Ocean City and they never will without at least BYOB.

Patrick what you do with your spare time is up to you. It's just a shame you and many others don't see what good BYOB would do to revive the depressed downtown area of Ocean City. BYOB would attract more people to stay IN Ocean City to eat dinner. Which would keep people near the downtown shops and in turn more people shopping in the downtown area ... How can you be against that?

help me out. i can't think of any fine restaurants in the area ( i don't consider southern cape may county, 45 to 50 minutes away, in the area) that are byob. there are many very good restaurants in the area that serve alcohol. but fine restaurants that are only byob. none come to mind. can you name some.

Vic you are right there are very few ANOTHER way Ocean City would still be able to remain unqiue but i have perfect example for you ... Mildred's on Ocean Drive in Strathmere.

that's it......mildred's??? and byob is going to save ocean city restaurants. i rest my point.

Vic thats one that's close to Ocean City ... Read the article about Collingswood and how well their food industry is doing since allowing BYOB ...

what do you know about collingswood. do you know that it had nothing to do with byob? do you know that the town bought a failing large apartment complex, turned it around, and sold it at a hugh profit, and used that money to revitalize the main shopping street. then they used federal funds to build a condo complex right in the middle of the shopping district thus guaranteeing foot traffic. jody allesandrine brought the collingswood mayor to ocean city to explain how he was able to turn his town around. byob was not the cause. the restaurants turned around because of the increased traffic brought about by the urban renewal project. sometimes a little knowledge is dangerous.

Vic Ocean City has the foot traffic already ... Too bad all that traffic continues to go over the bridge year-round for dinner ...

Vic you couldn't be more correct.

I have spoken with many people who work at both waiters and waitresses in Ocean City local restaurants, and the servers themselves are mostly opposed to BYOB. If you ask your server next time you are out whther they are for or against BYOB, you will hear that the overwhelmng majority or them are against it. Alcohol will only cause people to stay longer at local restaurants in an effort to finish their wine. Most people during the summer do not partake of either dessert or coffee post meal. As the key money making element for many of the restaurants in Ocean City is their turnover, BYOB will only serve to make customers linger and spend more time at the restaurants. This will actually decrease profit, since the restaurants themselves will not be directly profiting from the sale of alcohol. All BYOB will serve to do is slow down the turnover at local restaurants, causing them to lose even more money.

- I also think it is ridiculous that one of my earlier my postings was deleted. Its funny how much freedom of speech is is restricted when people don't like what they hear.

While I have no actual resentment against tourist themselves, I do have a problem with the sense of entitlement that many visitors to Ocean City have simply spend a week or two here.

As I posted before and it was deleted, it is a matter that will be left to the voters,and I have no doubt it will be voted down.

God Bless America and bring back the first amendment.

Three ad hom attacks against me as well too eh? Diane, Rick?
Way to be open minded and share ideas, while spouting unsubstantiated points and theories.
Nice job regulating Patch.
Have a great night.

Jonathan, Your point is not valid. No restaurants will be force to allow BYOB. They can simply decline. All your would be negatives, if in fact they are negatives, would not effect them. It's their choice.

The places pushing for the "fine dining" experience with byob here on the island are really special. Cousins closet for openers. A fine dining experience where you are afraid to stand up too quickly and the bread is served in plastic buckets. Of course, the owner's "real" agenda is not getting the go ahead for byob, rather ensuring we Americans have the right to vote. Such unselfish patriotism! Another neat potential fine dining experience with the advent of byob would be the Chatterbox. Apparently droves of would be fine diners have been driven from the restaurant because of the lack of alcohol. A nice Merlot along with your coleslaw in the little paper cup, and of course,"...do you want fries with that?" Yes, I can see it now, fine diners lined up to partake of the exquisite dining experience. I just can't wait! To add a more serious note, I do take exception to the owner of Cousins who was quoted as saying something like he had to settle for Senior citizens looking for bargain meals rather than having these seekers of fine dining come to his place. I would remind him that we Seniors bring our families to his establishment seeking a family-friendly dining experience. Frankly, we were never disappointed. We also spent a lot of money. I would suggest to the owner that he refrain from slamming the Senior population of our hometown. It is disingenuous at best and downright insulting at the other end. Try not to throw out the baby with the bath water.

Jim

Jim. I acutally agree with you. I guess the only solution would be to allow alcohol sales. That would bring nice dinning establishments. Sounds like a good idea to me.
Thanks for the advise.

that's exactly why we are all against byob. thank you for making our point for us.

I never said I was against alcohol sales. I would vote to allow restaurants to sell wine.or beer provided they have no bar area For me byob is a compromise that I would accept That's just my view. I speak for no one else.

Lets allow BYOB because we do see a fair amount of drunken college kids on the beaches and boardwalk. So BYOB wont make things worse. And we are adults who can make reasonable decisions.
Yea, I see lots of kids making out also. So can we add BYOH to the referendum also- "bring your own hooker!"
As a more respectful comment I have no problem with a petition allowing the residents to vote on it. Similar petitions have been crushed in the real vote before.
Residents are allowed to make the decisions .. that is a pretty universal (in the US) concept.
I'll vote against it. If it passes, I'd be saddened but not devistated. That is what democracy is about

A little late to this article but a few things that have been on my mind -
1. This move seems to be spearheaded - at least the two names i see most in the articles - are a guy who owns an OC restaurant but lives in Linwood and a guy who owns an Ocean City restaurant but lives in Mays Landing. They chose to open their restaurants here but do not choose to live here, and they want to change a fundamental aspect of OC but want the OC taxpayers to fund the referendum and the cost of any negative after effects of allowing BYOB.
2. A lot of the arguments are about 'there is already drinking in OC' in people's homes. As the kids say - 'Duh'. People have a right to be the stewards of their own homes. Government recognizes a difference between public and private. If i had the license to possess a firearm in my house it does not automatically mean that i have the right to carry it in public. If I smoke in my house it does not mean that i can smoke anywhere in public. What if smokers launched a drive to smoke in restaurants?
3. If you are promoting anything a lot of it has to do with the 'brand' - Ocean City has the brand of a family resort and no public alcohol consumption is part of that. Take away an important part of the brand and the repeat customer will not see a difference between Ocean City and Sea Isle.
4. Is one referendum going to end the discussion or will there be a series of them until one side gets the vote they want (like with the high school?

I would first like to say that I totally respect your view, Eleanor. I don’t want OC to turn into a Wildwood either. I however, have a big problem with opponents of the proposition harassing the proponents. We should be able to disagree respectfully and understand and consider each side. I truly don’t believe OC will ever be a Wildwood unless we allow bars and nightclubs. You would need nightlife here in town to have that kind of change. If the Crab trap or Deauville Inn were located in OC, would it change the town into a bunch of drunken idiots? I don’t think so. My response to your points would be as follows.
1) Most businesses on the island are owned by people who live off the island, so what.. Most islanders are employed off the island. Does that mean we shouldn’t have a say in things that effect our employment or our business. I own two businesses out of state. I sure feel like I should have a say in how the law affects me in those towns.
2) I have read posts that state we allow drinking at the Firehouse. I don’t know if this true, but if it is, I have a real problem with it. OC firehouse is public by nature as it’s a city dept and funded as such. Any drinking going on there should meet harsh consequences. Secondly, we do allow public drinking in OC, when we want to. Enforce the rule all the time or not at all.

3) OC would still be a dry town, as no alcohol sales would be permitted. Once again, without nightlife I don’t see us turning into a Sea Isle or Wildwood.
4) Lastly, No it will never end the discussion. Sooner or later the law will change. Economic pressures will eventually win. As the traditional OC residents’ get older and are replaced by younger counterparts from diverse backgrounds, the law will change. As we allow diversity into our city, we get opposing views from people with different values. This could be said of America in general, as I feel we are losing some of our American values all this time.

To Suzanne - it does not matter what i think of the HS, but this was a case of a referendum that went down, was mounted again, went down again and passed on the third try. It is no coincidence that civics lessons happened to emphasize the importance of voting to HS (voting age) seniors. So now we have a high school that was not supposed to increase the tax rate (taxes were increased), would attract more famliies to OC (the percentage of HS residents in the school has decreased). So to the seniors who now live elsewhere and the proponents who moved to less expensive areas when their own kids graduated - thanks for shifting the burden to the rest of us.
To Rick: The point is not whether a business is owned by someone from outside the area. The point is either arrogant or ignorant to open a business in a town that you know is a dry town and then lobby for a change in what is fundamental to that town if you really dont want to bear a homeowners tax burden - you only want to reap the rewards of increased business.
2. Drinking has always been allowed in private venues for things like wedding receptions. You rent the hall, buy the liquor, hire a bartender and remove any remaining alcohol when you are done. The event itself is a guests only private one and not the same as 'public consumption'.
3. Economic pressures win when people who can afford to live in a town choose that town, and IMHO, 'community' is about shared values not different values.

It's clear that this town does not share all the same values. I guess I am not so upset with business owners asking for a vote. After all it's the residents that will decide, Right? Keep in mind many of the business owners are the ones paying the property tax on their locations, even if it's rented to them. Most of these leases are triple net leases. Lastly, I have a problem with any building that’s paid for with my tax dollars being used for any alcohol parties of any kind, in a town that prohibits alcohol consumption in privately owned facilities. Otherwise, let’s just have the restaurants charge a $1 membership fee to its patrons and call it a private club. Hell, they can even refund the dollar as a member discount on food.
From the posts I have read, it's not just renting the building out for parties, it's the serving of alcohol to the firefighters' themselves under the guise of it being a Private club. If it's in a public building, it's NOT private. Like I said, I don't know if that's true, but I have read it.

Here is a deal: I will sign the petition and live with the results so long as written into the petition is a binding statement stating that the issue can not be brought up again in a referendum for at least 15 years regardless of the result.

"Don't be afraid of change". Yeah, yeah. Hope and change, hope and change. What presumption to call people who object to public consumption as being 'afraid of change'.
I like Duffers deal, but i would say one referendum and thats it, period. No do overs. No coming back in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years. One and done.

I own a business that's open to the public, but it is certianly NOT public property. The beach and streets and public buildings are public. You want to see public drinking? Go to the beach and count the red cups any day of the week. I see at least 5 to 10 people a day drinking beer on the beach and that's just in the small section of the beach I sit at.

but please don't change anything at all EVER ...... we like it this way!!!!!

No problem with religion at all. I am s life long evangelical The tabernacle has been a political org. Since it's beginning.and is currently sending their members out to torment those they disagree with. I would rather they just say their morally opposed to alcohol consumption.
What's funny is I am the non drinker defending the drinkers and the drinkers are the ones attacking me. Go figure.

So you are being tormented and attacked by the tabernacle????? Ha Ha!!!!
They're coming to take you away Ha Ha! To the funny farm......

Grow up

Thank you Duffer and Elenor for making some great points against the BYOB.
Many people who have commented for the proposal are only doing so that they can drink themselves, and don't have to bear the ramificiations of what this change could do to Ocean City.
Ocean City provides a unique experience for both residents and visitors, and it does so with all the laws and restrictions thatare in place.
Pointing out that some people flout the law is just proof positive that we need to keep the island dry. All those people you see drinking on the beach? All the red solo cups? I will bet you dollars to donuts that at least 99% of them are out of towners.
To follow that rational, we should eliminate stop signs, since one time I saw someone drive through one. (See how dumb that sounds?)
Alcohol will not "fix" or solve Ocean City's problems, just as it hasn't in other communities.You'd have to be naive to think this is a valid solution. Approving BYOB will only bring about the start of a slippery slope. Next, we will have the argument that beer should be able to be served (given the fat it is the third most popular beverage after water and tea.) Then comes liquor. Then crack. (I was being sarcastic about the crack.)
Ocean City is just fine the way it is, so as my grandmother used to say, "Lump it or leave it.)

Come on now, if you know That people are running a stop sign, you put a cop there. You don't just turn your head the other way.

Alcohol won't fix OC problems, but it's the only way your going to see restaurants like the crabtrap on the island, Thats economics. Notice nobody has posted the name of one up scale restaurant that doesn't serve it.

I think you may have just slipped and shown us your true motives when you used the word "serve". This debate isn't about "serve", its about bring your own, right??? Thanks for showing us where this is heading.

Are you just joining the discussion. I have always stated I am for allowing them to sell it, as long as they have no bar area. Nothing slipped, I am stating it. Try reading my posts. BYOB is FOR ME is a test, but that's just MY opinion and doesn't represent anyone elses. I agree, you wont get any restaurants like the Crab Trap to open in OC until they make the money from the sales, but it's a small step to see how it works out. I am still waiting for the name of one up scale restuarant that doesn't serve

The argument about drinking on the beach - that is 'people already drink in public' does not fly. There is an ordinance in OC that says dogs cannot be on the beach in summer. You still see people - mostly out of towners who do not know all of the rules - who bring their dogs to the beach. The fact that they are getting away with it does not make it okay and does not change the fact that they are in violation of a town ordinance.
The proponents assume - and there is a LOT of assuming going on - that there is a huge demand from the citizens and visitors for upscale fine dining in Ocean City. Ocean Citys 'brand' is 'Americas Greatest Family Resort'. You get customers - repeat customers and new customers - by selling your brand. Compromise your brand and your customer sees no difference between you and any other resort.
For those who want dining with alcohol, it is 10 minutes away. I dont have a problem with them. I have a problem with people who want to come into OC and change a fundamental element of the town for their own benefit without any impartiality or foresight as to what it would do to the town.
Not all change is good, and those who embrace (and vote for) change for the sake of change often wind up in a worse position - and drag others along with them.

Eleanor, Your brand argument has merit and might even be able to win me over, if you could explain one thing. You state the town doesn’t want to change its brand, in fear of losing its popularity with vacationers. In my experience here, from local gov’t to local resident, the people here a disgusted by the visitor/shoobie and wish for nothing more than for them to go home and stop coming here. I have seen this sentiment from virtually every local I have ever met as well as our municipal building and police dept.
So my question is, which is it? You want to protect the brand so we don’t lose our visitors, or you want them to stay home. Make your choice and then show it in your actions and I might just be the first BYOB’er to change their opinion.

Its the bad actors we don't want to come back. The ignorant, noisey at night, littering our streets and beaches, treat people poorly crowd. Those are the people we don't want here. You know them when you see them. Funny thing is these people are the same people who would love to change our town into Wildwood or Seaside Heights with open alcahol and the problems that will come with it. No thanks. If you don't like our town's stance against alcahol, go elsewhere!!!!!

I have a suggestion - how about if everyone stops responding to Rick. He's a hopeless narcissist.

Great idea Change starts with u

I dont like some of the vulgar language on this board. It doesnt mean that i am opposed to free speech and dont support it - i just dislike rudeness - or what Duffer calls the 'bad actors'.
I dont know who some hang out with or where they live but except for irate letters to the editors in local papers, I have not heard from my local friends and neighbors any 'disgust' over the 'shoobies'. We all complain about traffic issues but most of what i have heard has to do with the 9th street bridge project. Nobody likes rude people who have no respect for others or their environment but i do not want anyone to go home and stop coming here. Again - to say that is an assumption.
A brand is always stronger for what unique features it offers. The most unique feature about Ocean City is the 'no public consumption' policy. Other shore resorts have boardwalks, rides, nice beaches, nice motels and rental properties. Take away the one thing that separates Ocean City from all those others and you, and the consumer, lump Ocean City in with all those others. Maybe business in a few restaurants would improve but i think overall business would see a drop, and to change the brand for the few people - and from the # of signatures which was less than the petition drive said they wanted, i think you can infer it is a minority - does not make sense IMHO.