Business owners in Mercer turned out at Tuesday's borough council meeting to protest a sign ordinance that council adopted in January and enacted Feb. 8.

Karl Brandt and Barb Busch, owners of Showtime Video on North Diamond Street, presented council with a petition signed by borough business owners asking council to re-think the ordinance.

"We feel regulating signs inhibits our ability to market," Ms. Busch said in a prepared statement to council. "Marketing is imperative in every small business."

The petition asked council to re-examine parts of the ordinance relating to restrictions on flashing, illuminated or neon signs, roof or canopy signs and banners, and a part of the law that states window signs should not cover more than 25 percent of the window area.

The video store displays movie posters in its windows and frequently changes them to keep them current with new releases. Heather Roseski, who owns Subway, noted if she does not display certain advertisements sent to her by the corporation, the franchise would be out of compliance with the company.

"Posters, pictures and displays are an integral part of the business, and it's necessary for the continuation of the business," Ms. Busch said.

Zoning officer Robert Giebner said posters, advertisements and displays can be put up in the windows, provided they are six inches away from the glass. If the displays are six inches from the glass, they are not subject to the 25 percent coverage rule, he said.

Phil Reiter, owner of Cellular One on North Erie Street, said signs on a store are vital in a "drive-by" community such as Mercer. He said people who just drive by in cars may not see displays that are six inches away from the window.

"These new amendments severely limit our marketing," Reiter said. "We need banners, we need signs, we need signage."

Reiter said his business just started a program called "Phones for Life," in which people donate old phones to be given to people who can't afford them. Reiter said he planned to use a banner to advertise the drop-off site.

"I can't do it because of the ordinance," he said. "You can barely see our existing sign because of the ordinance."

According to the ordinance, banners can be displayed for 35 days with council approval.

Reiter added, "The bottom line is, if our sales go down, we close and we move out. That doesn't help the city."

Council President John G. "Jerry" Johnson said that council is "for business" but stressed the purpose of the ordinance, which is to continue to promote community beautification, develop community vision for historic preservation and to market local and regional retail opportunities and tourism.

"If we don't make money, none of that matters," Reiter said.

Others pointed out that council could do other things to beautify the community other than restricting signs.

"There are other things that can be done for beautification other than just to worry about signage," said Brent Terry, who said he recently opened a business in the borough.

Reiter argued that when banners and signs are done professionally, they don't make the town look bad.

Mercer business owners plan to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Tracy's Tanning and Hair Care Salon on Venango Street to further discuss the ordinance.

Johnson asked the business owners to make a list of everything they objected to and to present it to council at the work session on April 2.

"The council will do the utmost to help you out," Johnson said.