By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – In a switch from often-heard complaints from residents about noise and trash coming from the Sunrise Tequila Bar on Ventnor Avenue, supporters turned out recently to speak up about the success of the business and the owners’ philanthropic nature toward Margate.
Two individuals spoke during public comment sessions at the June 4 Board of Commissioners meeting, about the owners – lifelong residents Brian and Dana Hiltner – who have supported the community in many ways, they said.
Resident Chuck Cavanaugh said despite the Hiltners being “harassed” by neighbors, they turned a “tired” bar, restaurant, liquor store into a thriving business that should be celebrated.
Cavanaugh said the owners spent a lot of time and money to rebuild the place, and that a “vocal minority” are the ones complaining.
“Margate needs more Tequila Sunrises, we don’t need more condos and townhouses. We need more things for the people who are here,” Cavanaugh said. “Somebody actually put their money into it a did it and is getting beat up over it.”
Resident Alecia Pacione, read a prepared statement about how the Hiltners support Margate throughout the year, by donating to area organizations, opening their doors for community events and sponsoring the city’s youth sports programs.
Sunrise has provided networking opportunities and community connections that enhance the community, she said.
“I find it disappointing that the loudest voices online and at these meetings only focus on the complaints while ignoring the overwhelming positive impact it has on the town around it,” she said. “Business like Sunrise keep Margate vibrant, social and economically strong.”
Residents who live near Sunrise Tequila Bar have said the music coming from the second-floor open air lounge keeps them up all night, and that trash is littering private properties along the mostly residential side street.
In an effort to reduce the noise, the Hiltners have installed windows around the second floor bar area at a cost of nearly $200,000, but the rooftop lounge has a louvered roof that cannot muffle the sound of music emanating from the speakers.
Surprisingly, there were few complaints over the Memorial Day weekend, Commissioner of Public Safety Cathy Horn said, but that may have had more to do with the cold and wet weather than the window installation.
Police Chief Matthew Hankinson said the Police Department had a busy couple of weekends, nonetheless.
“The weather might have kept people off the beach, but it didn’t keep them out of our bars and restaurants,” he said.
Over a two-week period including Memorial Day weekend, the Police Department had 1,013 calls for service, including 12 arrests for aggravated assault and disorderly conduct, four Driving While Intoxicated arrests, and 250 summonses for various motor vehicle and parking violations.
“We are in full summer swing in the Police Department already,” he said.
Hankinson reminded residents and visitors to lock their cars and garage doors at night to prevent becoming a victim of crime.
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