Long Beach : Phone Booth Ads Dropped
General Telephone Co. withdrew its request to place small ads next to public phones--a request that earlier this year concerned some Long Beach officials who questioned whether they would be opening the gates to a flood of advertisements on benches and other public spots.
The City Council was advised Tuesday of GTE’s decision to withdraw its appeal of a denial by the Planning Commission, which opposed the 3-by-3-inch ads in each of the city’s almost 4,000 public telephone booths.
Some city officials had said that if the council allows ads by public phones, it must also allow advertising in other public places, such as bus shelters and benches.
About 15 years ago the council banned ads on the public seats, which became popular advertising spots for mortuaries.
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