Ocean City, N.J., rejects BYOB referendum

OCEAN CITY, N.J. (UPI) -- Ocean City, a Jersey Shore resort that began as a Methodist camp meeting, rejected a move Tuesday to allow restaurant patrons to bring their own wine or beer.

About 4,600 people cast ballots, a higher turnout than in state legislative elections in November, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. About 3,200 voted against the change, which lost by a more than 2-1 margin.

The Ocean City Restaurant Association lobbied for BYOB, arguing its members are losing business to establishments in neighboring communities. But local officials and a well-organized group of restaurants opposed it, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported.

"Ocean City has an image; an identity; a brand -- call it what you will," said Andrew Fasy, head of the Committee to Preserve Ocean City. "We do not allow and never have allowed the consumption of alcohol in public. It's a great place to live. It's a great place to bring up a family. It's a great place to vacation. Why change it?"

Ocean City, about 10 miles south of Atlantic City, has a year-round population of about 11,000 and hosts as many as 130,000 people during the busy summer season. The resort was founded in 1879 by a group of Methodist ministers.