New Smyrna Beach benches advertising agency's request for additional signage

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Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – The way City Commissioner Lynne Plaskett sees it, New Smyrna Beach has more than its fair share of public benches with advertising on them. “I just don’t want to see us becoming a bus bench billboard city,” Plaskett said.

With that in mind, City commissioners agreed Tuesday to a new three-year contract with Waverly Media to install new advertising benches around the city, but not as many as were sought The advertising agency wanted permits for 107, but with city staff approving of only 54, the commission compromised by allowing 96 benches with a reduction of 10 percent each year over the course of the contract. Ne Smyrna Beach receives payments from Waverly Media in exchange for the right to place advertisements on benches for its clients. The city last received a payment in August in the amount of $2,544, for bench advertising purchased in January and February. The new contract now calls for monthly payments. Payment during the first year is equal to 16 percent of gross advertising revenue or $704 per month, whichever is greater; the second year, 17 percent; and in the final year at 18 percent.

About the contributing writer:

Dale Smith is a resident of New Smyrna Beach, who has reported on local news in Volusia County since October 2009.  His writing background includes a mix of journalism and public relations in several community newspapers and a p.r. firm in northern Virginia. He attended Barton Academy in Barton, Vt., and the Cambridge (Mass.) School of Broadcasting for radio & TV broadcasting.