newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Ocean City was founded in the 1880s to be a Methodist summer retreat. As a result, the community was built with no bars, taverns, or liquor stores. The question of “bringing your own bottle” has been around the family-friendly community for ages, but it looks to be going on the general election ballot in Ocean City on May 8.

Philly.com reported that BYOB supporters got enough signatures, 10 percent of those who voted in the last election, to get the question included on the May 8 general election ballot. City Clerk Linda MacIntyre said she will certify the petition.

The petitioners needed 352 valid signatures from registered voters for their measure, and were able to collect 382, according to Ocean City Patch.

The Press of Atlantic City reported that Council unanimously opposed the BYOB measure last year, but wants to give the question to voters just to see them vote it down. Council President Michael Allegretto said. “We’re against it, but we want to give voters the opportunity to vote on it.”

Then council votes tonight on accepting the petition, but will most likely reject it again and put the question on the ballot in May. Supporters of BYOB have said they don’t want to see alcohol on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

If the council chooses to take no action on the measure, the petitioners would have 20 days before the question could be submitted to the county clerk, and they would likely miss the deadline for putting the question on the general election ballot.

When the practice of “bringing your own bottle” into establishments became popular, Ocean City passed an ordinance allowing local police to write tickets against people who brought alcohol into the community.