Atlantic City Weekly

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Morey

The city of Wildwood, just a half hour south of Atlantic City along the seacoast, is home to several generations of the Morey family. From sponsoring preservation of Doo-Wop architecture to consolidating aging fishing piers into an area now heralded as the largest seaside amusement complex in the Western Hemisphere, the Moreys have helped drive the shape and feel of this city by the sea. Together with his brother Jack, Will Morey now runs the Morey Organization, an entertainment empire whose holdings include four amusements piers and two full-scale waterparks along Wildwood's lengthy and scenic boardwalk. And did we mention that Will still finds time to serve on groups like the local school board?

You've engaged successfully in various types of development in Wildwood. What's your vision for the city's future?

Wildwood is positioned well. It's a seaside beach-boardwalk family resort town, and it's authentic. One of the biggest dangers is when people try to become something they're not; they'll come in third, fourth, fifth or 10th when they try that. Wildwood has the opportunity to be the top beach-boardwalk combination on the East Coast, and that's what it really needs to focus on.

Some want Wildwood to become a year-round destination; is that a likely prospect?

Jack and I just got back from a panel where we were invited to discuss Coney Island, give our view of its potential, its future, thoughts on how it might reshape itself. And the recurring theme from a number of people whom I consider to be very intelligent and experienced was that it's not a year-round thing. I don't believe Wildwood should be year-round. Ultimately our strength is in the summer. There's a rhythm of the summer. It's like the tide -- the tide comes in, the tide goes out, and life is supported by that tide. I believe Wildwood should have strong shoulder seasons, but I don't think it needs to be a year-round place to be successful. It just needs a strong spring and fall.

How do you spend spare time?

I enjoy the spring triathlon, so I cycle, swim, and run. Cycling's the best part for me. I enjoyed sailing for a long time, but now what I really enjoy when I have a little time is flying. I've been a pilot for 34 years.

Any chance of politics in the future?

I'm not interested in politics for its own sake, but I'm very interested in community service and, well, the pursuit of democracy. When and if those opportunities arise, I'd be interested, but not simply for the sake of going into politics.

How would you like to be remembered?

Everyone wants to say hey, I left something better than I found it, made life a little better for some people. You work with what you have. Certainly, Jack and I both have an interest in our business. And we started with, and have, a tremendous respect for our father, and for what he achieved as an individual who didn't pursue college and started with absolutely nothing. Like him, Jack has tremendous vision. I think one of our focuses is to make certain that we've made a contribution, that we've built not only for the business, but the well-being of all those who may be connected with it.