To the editor:
Hey, if I were a Methodist minister living at the turn of the 20th century, I, too, might have invested in Ocean City simply because it is a “dry town.” I don’t doubt for a minute that there are people today who invest in Ocean City because it does not have bars and clubs and liquor stores. That does make it unique. Quite frankly I (like most other BYOB supporters) would like to see it stay that way. But whatever happens with the BYOB ordinance, Ocean City will remain a “dry town.” There will be no bars, clubs or liquor stores. It will keep its “brand.” It will still be unique among the shore towns. To claim that BYOB will turn Ocean City into another Wildwood (which allows liquor sales) appeals to fear. There is no rational basis for such a statement.
If these people feel that the public consumption of alcohol in Ocean City will be a detriment to the wholesome family image, why are they not petitioning to do away with Night in Venice? Is that not a public event? Has the booze bash kept people from coming to this island? Investing in this island? Has it adversely affected property values? What about the prohibition (still apparently on the books) against showing flesh in public? If we want to revert to the vision of the Methodists ministers, don’t we need to do something about the unnatural perversion of wearing revealing bathing suits? Reinstate the blue laws. Let’s be consistent with that vision.
The statement that BYOB will “be detrimental to the business community” is a curious one. How it is that keeping people on the island for dinner will be detrimental to our economy? Ocean City is not free of alcohol. It has an abundance of alcohol and has largely remained free of “rowdiness.” I suppose some of that has to do with the ratio of police to the number of tourists in the summer and to residents in the winter. There were times I had at least a few assigned just to me. Is it a surprise that having trendy restaurants isn’t valued highly by the people who come here? If those people valued trendy restaurants why would they come here in the first place? Besides which, most of them dine off the island. Is it a surprise then that the survey revealed this?
I could go on and on with this. If BYOB doesn’t work, it can be repealed in three years. There is no proof that BYOB will harm the town (either). In regard to making suppositions without facts, the anti-BYOB group is the chief offender. Where is the correlation between Ocean City’s property values and BYOB (for example)? I do think, in part, the stress on our business community is related to the loss of residents. What are we going to do about it? Keep sending what business we do have across the bay? Keep tearing down commercial for vacation homes?
I know John Flood believes in the supremacy of city government in making decisions for the people of this town. If you’ve lived here for any length of time, you can clearly see the effects of that supremacy. Do you feel Ocean City is a better place to live than it was a decade or two ago? The statement that BYOB will be a gateway to permitting full liquor licenses is nothing but a fear tactic. It won’t happen, because: 1) The people of this town don’t want it, and 2) City government doesn’t want it (and would have to apply for liquor license), and 3) Even if the sky falls and those two things were to happen, the population of this town would qualify it for ONE (1) liquor license. No, people, we’re not on the highway to hell with BYOB. I don’t really care what Rutherford did or Collingswood did. This is a vastly different town. This is about what is good (or not good) for Ocean City.
I do agree with one thing. People make a successful community. We need LEADERS in government to address the declining population and the loss of business. We need people in government that will advocate for this community and not just for real estate development and tourism. The BYOB issue pales in importance to the ward elections. The government you chose will determine the course of Ocean City in the future. Do you feel we’re on the right path? Go educate yourself. Ask the hard questions. And get out there and vote.
Eric Sauder,
Ocean City
Jim Arthur
When I bought my house, I had no idea of just how screwed up many of the people in this town were. But I do notice that most of the Internet bullies on your side use names like Nobyob and don't show their faces while they launch attacks on the other side. You know who I am, why not let us know who you are
2C:33-27. Consumption of alcohol in restaurants a. No person who owns or operates a restaurant, dining room or other public place where food or liquid refreshments are sold or served to the general public, and for which premises a license or permit authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption has not been issued: (1) Shall allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages, other than wine or a malt alcoholic beverage, in a portion of the premises which is open to the public; or . . . b. Nothing in this act shall restrict the right of a municipality or an owner or operator of a restaurant, dining room or other public place where food or liquid refreshments are sold or served to the general public from prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages on those premises. c. A person who violates any provision of this act is a disorderly person, and the court, in addition to the sentence imposed for the disorderly person violation, may by its judgment bar the owner or operator from allowing consumption of wine or malt alcoholic beverages in his premises as authorized by this act.
Malt Beverages includes beer, but also includes Mike's Hard Lemonade, Twisted Tea, Captain Morgan Fool's Gold, Bacardi Silver Mojito and more. Therefore I would say it contradicts the NJ ABC Handbook.
sdpoc.bbnow.org
Jim Arthur
BYOB in and of itself will not make all that happen, but we're going to have a heck of a time attracting dinning etsablishments to the downtown if a large percentage of the dinning clientele is eliminated. I'm serious about revitalizing the downtown. But its going to take a commitment by our government officials to bring it to fruition. This is a ctizen's movement. We're doing what we can. Now we have to get people on city government to do what they can, or elect people to city government who will. My apologies to noBYOB for losing my patience.
"some people just make up Sh.t ..... Or as some say do not let the facts get in the way of a good story or its my lie and I'll make it as big as I want ... the pro BYOB mantra".Mr. Sauder is a person of the highest integrity who was the target of police intimidation.He is a man of impeccable character and speaks only the truth. Our community should be honored to have him in our midsts. Steven Fenichel, MD