• Meet Our Team
  • Advertise on SCDN
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, July 29
Scioto County Daily News
  • Login
  • Register
Subscribe For $1/week
  • Public Safety
    OSP Investigates Crash

    Tragedy Strikes Twice: Two Fatal Creek Crashes in a Single Day 

    OSP night 1

    💥Semi Rollover Dumps Hazardous River of Milk!💥 

    SCDN File Photo

    🚨 Caught in the Act: Armed Man Snaps After Catching Girlfriend in Bed with His Buddy — Ends in Arrest 🚔 

    Good Kids CPS

    Kids in Crisis: First Responders on the Front Lines of Portsmouth’s Youth Emergency 

    BAD BEHAVIOR

    Violence at Kelli Apartments: Man Accused of Attacking Woman and Grabbing Child 

    Recovery Housing Scioto County

    “We Can Shut Down a Bad Diner—But Not a Bad Rehab?”: Powell Pushes for Recovery Housing Reform 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 07/28/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    Nightmare Roommate: Woman Wakes to Sexual Assault in Her Own Bed 

    Recovery Housing Scioto County

    💥 Brawl at Rehab: Man Left Bloody, One Jailed After Fight at McDermott Facility 

    sheriff cruiser 23

    OD Scare Outside Funeral Home: Deputies Step In, Urge Public to Call for Help

    Jennifer Walsh

    Portsmouth Mom Busted After Child Shows Up Alone at Hospice — Again! 

    What to do if you suspect child abuse

    BREAKING: Allegation of Child Sex Assault Reported in Portsmouth – Here’s What You Need to Know 

    Suspect arrested

    🚓 Busted After a Police Ride?! Car Theft Suspect Claims Unusual Chauffeur 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 07/26/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    good cops

    From ER to Aisle 3: Walker-Wielding Wanderer Bounced Between Stores 

    👊 Daughter Busted After Alleged Attack on Mom — History of Violence Comes Back to Haunt Her 

    Timothy McKinney

    60 Days for a Brutal Beating? Man Who Killed Dog With 2×4 Gets Slap on the Wrist 

    New Federal Homelessness Order Calls for Tougher Measures, But Will It Help Cities Like Portsmouth? 

    Justice Delayed: Court Stalls in Walmart Ambush Case That Left Teen Fighting for Life 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 07/25/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics
    Scottie Powell

    “Run on Vision, Not Attacks”: Powell Offers Advice to Candidates Vying for Cathy Coleman’s Seat 

    🌿 Bamboo Gets Fast-Tracked at City Hall — But the Homeless Crisis? Still Stuck in Neutral 

    Who Will Carry Cathy’s Torch? GOP to Choose Coleman’s Replacement July 29 

    Cathy Coleman

    Commissioners Back Senior Housing Project Championed by Late Commissioner Cathy Coleman 

    “Bad and Quirky” Lucasville House Targeted for Demolition as County Cracks Down on Blighted Properties 

    ‘A Great Addition to Heaven’: Commissioners Honor Cathy Coleman, Reflect on Her Legacy and Who Might Carry It Forward 

    Cathy Coleman

    Scioto County Mourns Commissioner Cathy Coleman 

    🚨TRIAL TWIST! Horton Corruption Case on Ice—For Now 

    Cathy Coleman

    Remembering Scioto County Commissioner Cathy Coleman

    somc 2

    🏥 Scioto County Approves Hospital Tax to Keep Medicaid Dollars Local 

    No Kings

    Scioto Dems Snort at “Well-Funded” No Kings Protest Claim

    Cathy Coleman

    Cathy Coleman Still Fighting: Family Shuts Down Hospice Rumors, Says Recovery Still Underway

    County May Tap Opioid Settlement Funds to Finish MARCS Tower Project 

    Cathy Coleman

    ‘Small Steps, Big Faith’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Edges Closer to Recovery 

    Cathy Coleman

    ‘Praise God!’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Shows Remarkable Progress After Harrowing Weeks

    Cathy Coleman

    Cautious Hope and Harsh Realities: New Details Emerge on Commissioner Cathy Coleman’s Condition 

    Scioto County Commissioners Cancel This Week’s Meeting 

    Robert Horton

    Sudden Twist: Horton Court Dates Scrapped Ahead of Trial 

    Cathy Coleman

    ‘A Sign of Hope’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Shows Small Improvements Amid Ongoing Critical Condition 

    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder Gary Jenkins Unveils New Office Website 

  • Feel Good
    A family of two parents and a young boy and girl are playing laser tag with vests and laser blasters in an arena.

    What Activities To Offer at a Family Fun Center

    Shawnee State University SSU

    Shawnee State University Joins New Athletic Conference, Adds Football to Lineup 

    BREAKING: Commissioners Make Shocking Decision—Halloween to Remain on Halloween 

    Escape to the Hills: A Summer Reading List Set in Appalachia 

    Scioto County Champs: Lady Trojans and Word Wizards Bring Home the Gold 

    “I Held Those Keys Tight” — One Man’s Harrowing Journey from Addiction to Hope 

    Three girls in quinceañera dresses stand beside one another. The one in middle has a gold dress while the other two wear pink.

    Tips for Selecting the Color of a Quinceañera Dress

    The Day the Streak Ended: Lakers’ 1987 Record Broken

    An angler standing at the edge of a lake just after sunset with three fishing rods resting on the ground next to him.

    Night Fishing: Who Is It for and How Do You Start?

    good cops

    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

    good cops

    Kid Misses Bus, Deputy to the Rescue 

    A group of people stands outside with their arms in the air. They hold their hands together, making a pyramid shape.

    Hidden Gems: Community Strategies for Mental Wellness

    good cops

    Man Says He’s Trapped in Armory 

    Good Samaritan 2

    Good Neighbor and Officer to the Rescue 

    Portsmouth Flood Wall Stars

    Meet the New Flood Wall Stars! 

    A bearded man is sitting on the floor and comforting his dog in a wheelchair. The dog has his ears pinned back.

    Training Tips To Help Your Dog Get Used to Their Wheelchair

    U.S. housing market

    Tips for Making Your New House Feel Like a Home

    The Best Freshwater Fish To Catch This Summer

    The Best Freshwater Fish To Catch This Summer

    A man approaching the bowling lane with a red bowling ball as his three friends in the background cheer him on.

    How Bowling Can Improve Your Mental Health

    good cops

    Lost Kid Calls Cops for Help 

  • Obituaries
    Dannette Ann Lowery

    Dannette Ann Lowery, 55 of Mentor, Ohio

    Kathryn Jane Zaayer

    Kathryn Jane Zaayer, 87 of Otway

    Kyle E. Redoutey

    Kyle E. Redoutey, 30

    Myrtle Maxine Carver Boggs

    Myrtle Maxine Carver Boggs, 85 of South Portsmouth

    Patricia Ann Robinson

    Patricia Ann Robinson 73 McDermott

    Barbara Williams

    Shirley Jean Hackworth, 89 of Franklin Furnace,

    Judith Marie Fox

    Judith Marie Fox 81 of Wetumpka

    Janet Sue (Brisker) Risner

    Janet Sue (Brisker) Risner, 83 of Minford

    Prudence Ruth West

    Prudence Ruth West, 82 of Portsmouth,

    Kaitlyn Nicole Murphy

    Kaitlyn Nicole Murphy, 22 of Newcomerstown

    Ricky Edwin Johnson

    Ricky Edwin Johnson 72 of Portsmouth

    Alana Dustianna Meshelle Greene

    Alana Dustianna Meshelle Greene, 32 of Portsmouth

    Estel C. Harr, 68 of Portsmouth

    James L. Slone, 86, of South Webster

    James L. Slone, 86 of South Webster

    Gary Lee Meade,70 of West Portsmouth

    Lilly Ann Elliott

    Lilly Ann Elliott, 53 of Portsmouth

    James D. Hannah

    James D. Hannah, 60 of Greenup

    obit-infant-small

    Bristol Rafalowski, 3, of Wheelersburg

    Walter Logan

    Walter Logan 56 of Portsmouth

    Paul H. Parker

    Paul H. Parker 85 of Portsmouth

  • More News
    • All News
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Food & Drinks
    • Local Business
    • National
    • Opinion
    • Regional
    • Strange But True
    • Trending
No Result
View All Result
Scioto County Daily News
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Scioto County Daily News
No Result
View All Result

City of Portsmouth vs The Bales Family: Beware, Your Business Could Be Next

Cyn Mackley by Cyn Mackley
3 years ago
in Local Business, Politics
City of Portsmouth vs The Bales Family: Beware, Your Business Could Be Next
ShareTweetEmail

City of Portsmouth vs The Bales Family: Beware, Your Business Could Be Next

Portsmouth City Council is taking aim a privately owned benches featuring advertising. Council members have blamed the benches for panhandlers, trash, and homeless folks congregating and also criticized the upkeep of the benches and questioned their relevance as an advertising medium.

Now the family behind Courtesy Advertising, which has 42 benches within the Portsmouth City limits, is speaking out.

RELATED POSTS

Kids in Crisis: First Responders on the Front Lines of Portsmouth’s Youth Emergency 

“Run on Vision, Not Attacks”: Powell Offers Advice to Candidates Vying for Cathy Coleman’s Seat 

New Federal Homelessness Order Calls for Tougher Measures, But Will It Help Cities Like Portsmouth? 

Is council trying to shift the blame for the city’s panhandling, trash, and homeless problem to a private company? 

Bales Family Speaks Out Against Personal Attacks from City Officials- Full Interview

Fred Bales started placing the benches around town 44 years ago. His grandson, Tyler Bales, took over the business after he died last year. The company has continued to grow, but some members of Portsmouth City Council would prefer to see an end to bench advertising. 

Tyler Bales, who runs the day-to-day operations of the business, says his grandfather was inspired to start the business while preaching at a revival in North Carolina 44 years ago. A man he met there was getting out of the advertising bench business and sold what product he had left to him for $87. Fred Bales brought the materials back to the area and started his advertising business. 

Tyler says benches provide a quick and affordable advertising outlet for small local businesses. “He always told people advertising with him doesn’t cost; it pays.”

Tyler Bales says the feedback from advertisers has been amazing, and the benches have helped many new small businesses get their message out there. 

Bales says he was surprised to learn that 5th Ward Councilman Joey Sandlin had spoken out against the benches at a Portsmouth City Council meeting, highlighting an issue where a panhandler had approached his son near their business and tried to mug him. He blamed an advertising bench near his business for attracting panhandlers. 

Bales says his family requested a private meeting with the city manager and city solicitor after the council meeting. They thought they could efficiently draft a fair agreement that would work for everyone involved. While council members said they spoke to several businesses that wanted their benches removed, Bales questions why council members are getting between him and his customers. “They have my contact information. If they have an issue they want to address, I would address it with them easily.” 

City of Portsmouth vs The Bales Family: Beware, Your Business Could Be Next

Bales said he followed up with the businesses council members who claimed wanted their benches removed and heard a very different story. “I spoke with one person who stated that they city that the city wanted them (the benches) to be removed. Another mentioned stated that they never even talked to anybody from the city. A lot of these business owners that I went and spoke to, do not have a problem with our benches.”

Bales says it’s just a matter of small businesses helping other small businesses. The family also feels that Councilman Sandlin wants every advertising bench in the city removed and will not let it go until he puts them out of business. 

The family says some council members raised the issue of possible injury from the benches, so they went around and checked every bench to make sure there was nothing dangerous. They admit some benches need repair but say they are reluctant to spend the money if council is planning on making them remove all of their benches. “Why would anybody want to spend thousands of dollars if they’re just going to take them away.”

Tyler Bales says council is dragging the matter out and refusing to approve an agreement that works for all parties involved.  

The family also denied claims that they did not hold the proper liability insurance for their benches. “During this last meeting they claimed all the private businesses would have liability. Both the city and the private businesses are protected.” 

The company says they have contracts with the private property owners where benches are placed. They did not turn those contracts over to the city, since the contracts are confidential information between two businesses. “It’s not the city’s business. They have no right to those contracts.”

City of Portsmouth vs The Bales Family: Beware, Your Business Could Be Next

The company says it very much wants to come up with a workable contract with the city, but officials keep stalling. “We’re willing to do that. But we’re not getting any feedback.”

The company says they are willing to remove benches from public property but would like to come up with a deal to keep them there. “Maybe by offering free advertising for city events so that other businesses can still advertise there.” 

Tyler Bales says he worked on some concepts of ways to promote the city. “But I guess that wasn’t something they were interested in.” He said the city manager, solicitor, engineer, and council clerk had been “outstanding” and tried to work with the company. “We appreciate that.”  He said working out an agreement with other communities had been easy, so the issue in Portsmouth is puzzling. 

Please Support This Local Business

The family says if council does decide to ban benches, they’re taking an affordable advertising outlet away from local small businesses. They also said council is taking money away from Fred Bales’ 83-year-old widow who depends on the income from the business to survive. “This is a personal issue brought to city council by Joey Sandlin.”

They pointed out they’d driven by the same location where Sandlin’s son was accosted by a panhandler, and even with their bench gone, there was still a panhandler sitting on an electrical box in that location. “Is he going to start campaigning to have electrical boxes removed in the city.”

Removing benches to move homeless people away from a particular area is sometimes called “hostile architecture.”  Critics point out that it does nothing to stop issues like drug use or homelessness, it just forces people to move to other areas or sit or lie on the ground. 

Previously, council members have expressed concern that the large number of rehab facilities in the area contributes to the panhandling and homeless problems, even going so far as passing a ban on new facilities. 

To learn more about “Hostile architecture”, please press this link.

Tags: FeaturedMy Local Stations
Please Support This Local Business

TRENDING NOW

SCDN File Photo

Poolside Tragedy in Wheelersburg: Toddler Rushed to Hospital  

July 19, 2025
Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 07/18/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

July 18, 2025

Mayor Call Cops on Fired Police Chief After Missed Deadline

July 19, 2025

Rachele Lynne McLaughlin, 44 of Minford

July 19, 2025
Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 07/17/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

July 17, 2025

ABOUT US

We are a grassroots team of local journalists on a mission to give our community up-to-the-second news and events for Southern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Western West Virginia. We believe progress inspires change and we believe our reporting has become the front-lines of Portsmouth, Ohio's comeback.

CATEGORIES

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Casino
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • Food & Drink
  • Local Business
  • National
  • Obituaries
  • Ohio
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Public Safety
  • Regional
  • Strange But True
  • Video

AREAS SERVED

  • Portsmouth
  • Wheelersburg
  • Minford
  • Waverly
  • Friendship
  • Ironton
  • West Union
  • Piketon
  • Coal Grove
  • South Point
  • Vanceburg
  • Grayson
  • South Shore
  • Greenup
  • Raceland
  • Ashland

SITE SEARCH

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Public Safety
  • Lawrence County
  • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • All News
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise on SCDN
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Public Safety
  • Lawrence County
  • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • All News
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise on SCDN
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.