Following a July 4 sermon, First Baptist Church of Bartow distributed almost 300 red and white yard signs that feature the words “God Bless America” (along with a cross and flag) to local residents. Now, neighbors who keep them up will be fined $25-per-day. According to the City of Bartow Code Enforcement office, the move isn’t anti-religious; it’s simply a matter of enforcing their existing sign law, which requires that displays only be “out on holidays that are relevant.” A handful of locals who are facing the $25 fines plan on taking their case to the Bartow City Commission, who will decide if “God Bless America” is a message that is only allowed to be displayed once a year …
