Deborah Bachman says she might be able to solve local businesses’ advertising problem.

Using a set of three to four signposts, Tombstone could be come as easily navigable as a mall, Bachman said in her proposal at the regular city council meeting on Oct. 11, which involved a series of large signs mapping out local businesses.

The signs, which the council voted to discuss in the coming weeks, would cost $3,000 to $4,000; money which George Barnes, the city manager, said could be taken from unused bed tax money. Bachman added that businesses could be listed in the signs for an annual fee, which would also pay for upkeep.

“Visitors have complained they can’t find anything,” Bachman said, who said the signs could solve the problems of lost tourists.

More importantly, these signs could quiet the hemming and hawing over the solicitation ordinance, Bachman said.

“I hate the word hawking, but a lot of the street accosting could be eliminated,” Bachman said. “If people know where the businesses are, it won’t be as bad.”
Barnes voiced approval of the idea at the council meeting as a convenient solution.

“We’ve all done it at the mall,” Barnes said. “It’s something we’ve never really had.”

Bachman said a similar design was used with a degree of success in Bisbee, Ariz., and serves as a model of what the signs could do in Tombstone. Unlike Bisbee’s, though, she’d like an additional space for folded maps, too.

Mike Carrafa said that he thought the signage could be a good idea but wants to know more about it, especially the yearly fee that’s involved.

Marshal Bill Cloud, who has been enforcing the solicitation ordinance, said doesn’t know if the sign could be a solution, but could be an opportunity for businesses to work together.

“I don’t know if it would solve it, it’s human nature,” Cloud said. “I understand the economy’s tight and everybody’s fighting. But people need to work together as a whole.”

Barnes had the last word at discussion of the proposed signs.

“We have more than enough money,” Barnes said, for the signs. “It’s a promotional enterprise, so it kind of makes sense.”