WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Will proposed ordinance close existing targeted Canton businesses?

Will proposed ordinance close existing targeted Canton businesses?

By Roslyn Anderson - bio | email

CANTON, MS (WLBT) -The Canton Board of Aldermen targeted liquor stores, pawn shops, nail salons and check cashing stores as undesirable Monday.

An ordinance creating a moratorium is being interpreted as a means to close them.

Some Canton business owners were outraged and puzzled about language in a proposed ordinance that would lead to their closure.

The plan establishes a moratorium on building, leasing or purchasing any check cashing and title loan businesses, liquor stores, nail salons and pawn shops.

"As it shows that we can't even sell out. we have to sell out within 30 days according to this. I've been in business 43 years, and I want to be able to sell my store out or turn it over to a family member or somebody and according to this we won't be able to," said Froggy Hayes, owner of Hayes Package Store.

"It's kind of surreal to even think that someone would want to close existing businesses licensed by the Department of Banking and Finance and has been here for a number of years like these other folks have as well as I. We're hoping that we're misreading that," said Big Daddy's Pawn Shop owner Kevin MacDonald.

Section six of the ordinance states that all the establishments are prohibited in all areas within the municipality on and after 30 days of its adoption.

Several targeted business owners took their concerns to the board and mayor during Monday's work session.

Mayor Dr. William Truly said it is a temporary ban on new stores similar to moratoriums in Byram, Clinton, Madison and Ridgeland.

"It is not the intent of this council to put any business in the city of Canton out of business, regardless of how the language may read. We're not gonna be in the business of putting people out of business," said Mayor Truly.

The company owners want an addendum to the ordinance that would grandfather in existing businesses, allow them to sell, move and pass them along to their heirs.

According to the mayor, the ordinance is not on Tuesday's regular agenda and won't be voted on until the board takes all concerns under advisement.

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