Community Corner
What a Loser: Councilman Sheds 55 to Win Contest
Tony Wilson loses 55 pounds in a challenge that raises thousands for charity.
To the cheers and catcalls of a small crowd on Sunday afternoon at the Ocean City Music Pier, Councilman Tony Wilson weighed in at 191 pounds — 55.5 pounds lighter than when he stepped on the scale on New Year's Day at the same location.
Wilson won an informal weight-loss contest among four other Ocean City residents by losing the equivalent in weight of four bowling balls or a small Labrador retriever.
What started as an informal challenge between Wilson and Councilman Scott Ping six months ago ended up raising thousands of dollars for charity.
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In honor of the new year, the councilmen vowed to weigh in on Jan. 1, then return to the scales six months later with the lesser loser donating $500 to the winner's charity of choice. The charity pool grew when the pair invited other members of the community to participate.
Weighing in on Sunday were:
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- Wilson: 191 pounds (loss of 55.5 pounds)
- Ocean City lawyer Jon Batastini: 214 pounds (loss of 39 pounds)
- Ocean City resident Bob Becker: 195 pounds (loss of 32.25 pounds)
- Ocean City School Board Member Lloyd Hayes: 263.5 pounds (loss of 24 pounds)
- Councilman Mike DeVlieger: 190 pounds (loss of 19 pounds)
Councilman Keith Hartzell had promised to donate $500 and a dollar for every pound lost to the winner's charity, and knowing that Hartzell champions Operation First Response and its Walk for the Wounded, Wilson asked him to make his donation there. Hartzell rounded his contribution up to $1,000.
Ocean City Realtor Gary Jessel made a private donation of $100 to the Humane Society. Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian donated $10 for every pound lost in the entire contest — a total of $1,650 — to OCNJ CARE, the local Superstorm Sandy relief organization. And an anonymous donor made another contribution to OCNJ CARE. Wilson said he would make his own private donation to a charity of his mother's choice — breast cancer research.
The donations capped off a lighthearted event with contestants ribbing each other, preening on stage and ultimately cheering for Wilson.
In a side bet with Becker, Wilson vowed never again to bait his own fishing lines on trips together.
Wilson celebrated his victory by chugging water. A former wrestler, Wilson hadn't eaten since noon Saturday.
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