Dispute in Sylvania over sign rule settled
7/2/2013The city of Sylvania and a citizen who challenged the time limit in a temporary-sign ordinance have settled the case after the city repealed the limit.
Daniel Greenberg and city representatives agreed Monday to terms that include dismissing the case in U.S. District Court in Toledo and city payment of Mr. Greenberg's legal expenses, said Dale Emch, Mr. Greenberg's attorney.
Mr. Greenberg sued after the city cited him last July for displaying an Obama/Biden campaign sign in violation of an ordinance that limited display of temporary signs to no more than 70 days before or seven days after an event like an election.
Such limits violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, he argued.
The city repealed the time limit in April, and Mr. Emch said his client decided not to seek punitive damages to which he may have been entitled.
The city’s attorney, Jim Silk, Jr., could not be reached for comment.