OCEAN CITY – The City Council has affirmed its position that the city would remain dry for the foreseeable future.
The question arose because of fears that hotel developer Eustace Mita might be able to obtain a liquor license if he were to construct a 100-plus room hotel in the city, perhaps on the site of the Wonderland Pier amusement park.
In August, city public information officer Doug Bergen told the Herald that it would take an act of the council to repeal the ordinance that prohibits alcohol sales in the city, and that there was no will on the part of the council to do that.
At its Thursday, Sept. 26, meeting, the City Council passed a resolution affirming its position on alcohol sales.
Resident Frank Worrell thanked the council for its action and said concerning alcohol sales, “This is something, I feel, with this council and administration is not a possibility.”
Worrell also applauded Second Ward Councilman Keith Hartzell and Mayor Jay Gillian for sharing the stage at a recent Second Ward meeting about Wonderland. Hartzell previously ran for mayor against Gillian.
“I saw Keith and the mayor working on the same stage addressing problems,” Worrell said.
Gillian operates Wonderland Pier on a lease from Mita, who owns the property. Gillian plans to close it down on Oct. 13.
Mita, owner of ICONA Resorts hotels, had once before proposed a hotel for the city, but ran into strong opposition, including from Gillian. He has said he will not announce plans for the Wonderland site, at 600 Boardwalk, until at least the end of the year.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
