August 20, 2006
Sunday

I agree with Eric Muench concerning ballot initiative #2 and regulating the cruise ship industry. On several occasions, prominent supporters of industrial tourism have told me that the industry is just in its infancy in Ketchikan. I think about that every time a floatplane carrying tourists to see bears at Traitors Cove or Neets Bay flies below 1000 ft over my house at 6:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Sometimes they come in waves. I think about that when I see motorcycle, bicycle, and bus tours driving through my residential neighborhood. I think about that when I observe tourist industry staff gearing up to begin commercial use of our hiking trails around Ward Lake and Creek. I also think of that when my good neighbors, who run a very low-key and unobtrusive tour business near my home, tell me the cruise lines have not paid them for their services since May.

As the cruise industry grows so will the density of cheesy, industrial attractions because those are where the cruise lines earn their money. That will make it impossible for them to remain "good neighbors" and the quality of our lives during the precious summer days will continue to decline rapidly.

A tax won't deter industrial tourism in Ketchikan because there is too much money to be made by the cruise ship companies and too many locals willing to be exploited. At least, however, the initiative will make the cruise lines pay more of their fair share, reduce their polluting of our waters, and make it a little harder for them to cheat and manipulate our local businesses.

Dave Person
Ketchikan, AK - USA

About: "A resident of SE Alaska since 1991 and of Ketchikan since 1998."

Related Viewpoint:

YES on Proposition 2 Cruiseship Initiative By Eric Muench - Ketchikan, AK - USA

 

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