Tired of rusted, unsightly newsracks around the city, Venice City Council Member Bob Daniels recently set his sights on forcing their owners to clean them or move them out.

Many are in disrepair, with broken glass or plastic and peeling paint. Some that were once brightly colored plastic advertising shoppers — a term for industry products that publicize autos, boats, real estate and apartment rentals, etc. — are now dull, sun-baked, make-do litter bins.