Opponents campaign against Ketchikan jewelry store initiative

A ballot initiative to limit jewelry stores in Ketchikan has opponents lining up against it.

A political action committee has formed and plans to campaign against the measure.

Charles Edwardson, who heads Citizens for a Positive Economy, says that passing the initiative October 2 would send a wrong message to the tourist industry and other businesses that Ketchikan had a "hostile business environment."

Initiative sponsor Citizens for Ketchikan's Future says it's concerned with how Ketchikan will look. Proponents say there are too many jewelry stores downtown.

The ballot initiative aims to limit Ketchikan jewelry stores from locating within 200 feet of each other.

A jewelry store is defined as a business that displays jewelry in more than 40% of its display area.

If the measure were to pass, existing jewelry stores would not be affected as long as they did not close for more than eight consecutive months.
Source: ktuu