Quotes

“Like many of our sister resorts, ocean city has lovely beaches, beautiful waterways and a fun filled boardwalk that make it a wonderful place to live, raise a family and vacation.  But we also have something very different; it is our image as a wholesome family resort with a rich history and time-tested traditions.  Those qualities make our community unique.

So for us the central issue for the BYOB referendum is rather simple; will the proposed change – which cuts into a central part of our core values – serve our long-term interests?   More to the point, are the financial benefits that might flow to a few merchants worth the risk that BYOB will in the end materially damage our special brand as a family resort?

For us, the answer is a resounding NO.  The passage of BYOB will not serve our long term community interests – and we will Vote NO.”    

- Former Congressman Bill and Nancy Hughes

“There are many ways to improve Ocean City as a community and resort, BYOB is not one of them.  What we have here is special and should be protected and strengthened  over time. BYOB would provide minimal, if any economic benefit to our community and will erode not strengthen our historical foundation.”

-Dave Cates, Owner

Piccini Brick Oven Restaurant (Open Year Round)

“Ocean City is in the tourism business and occupies a special niche as a family-oriented vacation resort.

  Being alcohol-free is a vital component of that unique image.  Most of us first came as visitors and fell in love with this warm, clean and safe place to visit and reside.  Ocean City would not be enhanced by changing its basic principles.”

-Henry “Bud” Knight

Former Mayor

“Our uniqueness makes us famous. Why should we change our community values and risk losing what makes us special?”       

-Tom Heist III

“The issue is not about having a drink. It’s more about disturbing Ocean City’s highly successful and time-tested magic formula. Change isn’t always better!”

-Tom Heist III

I have been working in Ocean City as public relations director for over 40 years and in the 1960s did individual work for the City including the establishment of the first Boardwalk Art Show 50 years ago. It is obvious to me that one of the primary reasons that folks come to this community is because of the non public consumption of alcohol.

It sets Ocean City apart. It gives us a unique selling feature that no other boardwalk community has and it is one of the primary reasons that Ocean City has prospered since 1879. It is the reason why the Travel Channel has named us the Best Family Beach Resort and the Best Family Boardwalk in the nation.

It also gives the community a certain relaxing atmosphere that appeals to both resident and vacationers alike. This valuable asset should not be jeopardized in any way. Officially opening the community to BYOB will send the wrong message to our thousands of admirers throughout the country. And it won’t stop there. It will open the path to the further expansion of the public serving of alcohol. 

-Mark Soifer

Manager of Ocean City Public Relations