Viewpoints
Jewelry Police
By Jackie Williams
September 29, 2007
Saturday AM
Dear Editor:
Next week voters will choose who and what to vote for or against.
When asked to sign the Jewelry Store petition I read it: my first
thought was it is meaningless because it could not be enforced
and tries to prohibit free enterprise. If it passes our local
government will be forced to try and enforce it; the cost coming
out of the citizens' pockets.
Section (N)(1)(a); one criteria for meeting the definition of
a Jewelry store is having ...over 40 percent of the total merchandise
on display, as measured by dimensions of display areas visible
from either the interior or the exterior of the store.
Who will be the jewelry store police and make the decision to
measure the interior or exterior of store display area.
Section (N) (3); Existing, non-conforming jewelry stores may
continue to exist... except that the temporary, seasonal closure
of the store for a period not exceeding eight months shall be
allowed. When the property has been vacant for more than eight
months and its inventory removed, the jewelry store shall be
presumed closed.
May, June, July, August, September the summer tourist season,
five months of the year, which leaves seven months to be legally
closed. . Downtown stores open by the end of April, staying open
until the end of September. Jewelry stores can have staff come
to town earlier and stay open longer displaying more than forty
percent of their merchandise in the measurable display area as
seen from the outside, or inside? Get the jewelry police ready
to decide whether it will be deemed measurable by visible display
areas inside or outside. How much money, time and energy it will
take to decide and enforce that point?
The jewelry stores that already exist are in the prime locations
and have reached the market saturation point, doubt we will see
any more new ones opening up.
Sides are drawn on this issue, US or THEM, will an emotional
vote take place? I sincerely believe when the voters go to the
polls next week they will acknowledge the emotional side of the
issue but will make an intelligent vote against this initiative.
Vote NO on Resolution 1.
Jackie Williams
Ketchikan, AK
Received September 26, 2007
- Published September 29, 2007
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