The six-foot by two-foot banner in front of the Clay County business says, "Salute Every Generation's Heroes." WJXT image.
Posted on 03/20/2008 9:13:39 AM PDT by Cagey
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- A banner honoring America's military has become the center of a controversy in Clay County, where officials have said an Orange Park woman's patriotic display is breaking the law.
Ella George told WJXT that members of her family have fought for the country, and now she is fighting for her right to honor them by putting up a supportive banner at Annabelle's Interiors.
The six-foot by two-foot banner in front of the Clay County business says, "Salute Every Generation's Heroes."
However, the county said the banner violates its sign ordinance and has ordered it be removed.
"It was like someone had just slapped me in the face, basically," George said.
The code enforcement notice asking the banner be taken down cites a 2004 ordinance that prohibits banners in front of businesses, among other things.
"It just blew my mind. I cannot see why a store cannot advertise, if you want to call it advertising. Just putting something up that supports our military," George said.
The military widow doesn’t own Annabelle's Interiors but has worked at the store for 18 years. She said the banner and other patriotic messages, such as the store's mailbox that says "Support Our Troops," and several other supportive signs in front of the business, have the owner's blessing.
George also pointed out that the county's code specifically states that it is banners that advertise a business that are prohibited.
"It says in the code that it's for banners that advertise your business. This is not advertising," George said. "This is a military community, and I think right now with everything going on in Iraq and our men dying for us over there it's time for us to support them. By doing something small like this -- I think it helps."
Reporter Dan Leveton spoke to someone at the county's code enforcement office about the issue and was told an official would call back. As of Wednesday evening, that call has not been returned.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
The six-foot by two-foot banner in front of the Clay County business says, "Salute Every Generation's Heroes." WJXT image.
Someone needs a bigger banner
Remember, the constitution is a living, pliable document, moldable to whatever liberals say it is.
"It says in the code that it's for banners that advertise your business. This is not advertising," George said. "This is a military community, and I think right now with everything going on in Iraq and our men dying for us over there it's time for us to support them. By doing something small like this -- I think it helps."
Relevant portion. I think they have a case here.
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I’m sure the ACLU will get right on this./sarc
I think so too.
The video I linked in an earlier post has Mrs. George pointing out that “this is a military community” so I hope the community speaks out and lets the boobs in charge know how they feel.
Technically, this is a local sign ordinance, and thus could be protected by the 10th amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
It goes to show that it is important to teach Conservative values, the why behind our rights. The Constitution doesn't grant rights, it recognizes inherent rights and limits the federal governments impending on those rights. It could be argued this is free speech, but it could also be argued this is part of building and property codes which are not covered. I'm not defending the community, just emphasizing in many cases we need to get back to focusing on promoting Conservative values, such as, in this case, respect for the military. This will keep issues like this from every coming up.
“...officials have said an Orange Park woman’s patriotic display is breaking the law.”
This country is truly done for if it is not allowed to honor its heroes, not even in time of war.
Let’s build a few more footbaths and prayer rooms and give the enemy, that lives among us, more privileges than we give other religions.
Remember the term from the 1970’s, “The Silent Majority”? The Silent Majority is still, for the most part, silent.
>>Remember, the constitution is a living, pliable document, moldable to whatever liberals say it is.<<
Yeah but its not supposed to be put on a roll and hung in the bathroom...
Ah yes, the all-knowing, ever-present "officials," just protecting the subjects. I'm guessing "someone" at the county commission office is anti-war. But it is pretty shoddy journalism, so maybe the reporter called in this egregious violation of ordinance herself.
They need to take it up with the Zoning Board of Appeals.
They could always hang it inside the store.
“Living, breathing...” until it gets choked to death.
I wonder how many on this thread supporting the banner would be equally as supportive if it read “Allah Ahkbar - Death to Infidels”.
All cities and counties have sign ordinances that are equally applied to everyone, and for good reason. If you allow one simply because you agree with the message you must also allow the ones that you vehemently disagree with.
Exactly. Although it is shameful that she would be told to remove a patriotic display, it is important that we look at the whole picture of constitutionality.
I miss John Wayne.......
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