COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- The city of Covington has won a legal victory in federal court to force an advertising company to remove its benches from city sidewalks because the city deems them unsightly.
The Kentucky Enquirer reported that U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning ruled on Friday that the Bench Billboard Company has to remove its benches in the city by Aug. 12.
Cincinnati lawyer Eric Holzapfel, who represents the billboard firm, says he will appeal the ruling. Holzapfel said the benches are only located at bus stops and he argued that the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky -- not Covington -- should decide whether to allow the company's benches.
The city has used similar regulations to clear its sidewalks of unauthorized pay phones and vending machines.
