~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
Second Amendment sanctuaries were briefly discussed at the Aug. 30 meeting of the Greene County board of supervisors. The idea was presented by supervisors Mick Burkett and Dawn Rudolph and county sheriff Jack Williams as having been prompted by “people asking“ them about it.
Supervisor Dawn Rudolph asked whether other board members would like to consider making Greene County a Second Amendment sanctuary county.
The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees “the right to bear arms.” Recently, the boards of supervisors in several counties in Iowa have passed resolutions to designate their counties as “Second Amendment sanctuaries.”
According to statements made by the boards of supervisors in Jasper and Hardin counties, their thinking is based on fear of possible gun laws passed at the federal level that they believe could violate the Constitution. By designating their counties as “sanctuaries,” they believe this prevents residents from being under the authority of federally passed gun laws that they perceive as restricting their right to bear arms.
Across Iowa, legal experts agree overwhelmingly that sanctuary counties have no legal standing and are only “symbolic.” The consensus of expert opinion is that no one can give away their Constitutional rights, Constitutional rights cannot be taken away, and no one can opt out of obeying federal law.
Board chair John Muir said there is confusion on what sanctuary means and he agreed with the suggestion by auditor Jane Heun that county attorney Thomas Laehn be consulted at the next board meeting Sept. 7.
In other business, information technology coordinator Michelle Fields reported on work she is doing with possible redistricting of maps of the county. She reported a redistricting committee has been appointed but the work is being held up by census data being slow to arrive.
Redistricting is done with each 10-year census to ensure changes in population are reflected in voting opportunity. The redistricting committee is made up of members of both major political parties.
Engineer Wade Weiss reported ongoing progress in meeting with American Rescue Plan Act officials and Brooks Borg Skiles engineering firm in Des Moines to discuss use of ARPA funds to install an HVAC system in the courthouse.
Weiss said ARPA projects need to be approved by the end of 2024 but do not have to be completed until 2026. Because of the time frame, he suggested the possibility of the board paying BBS out of other funds and then use ARPA funds for another allowable project. The board took no action.
Weiss also reported the bridge over the Raccoon River on the Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail is finally completed. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held August 25.
County attorney Thomas Laehn presented two designs for the new magistrate courtroom from Realwood Productions of Carroll. One design would make the courtroom reflect the architecture and style of the main courtroom and is tentatively estimated at a cost of around $27,000. The second design would be simpler, more contemporary, and would cost somewhat less, though a figure was not available.
Laehn said the state might help with money for furnishings.
The board discussed price versus the historical integrity of the courthouse.
Muir said, “The courthouse represents every person in the county. Changes could last 100 years.”
Rudolph was in favor of making the courtroom “look like the rest of the building,” but said price needed to be considered.
Supervisor Pete Bardole spoke of the “historic courthouse,” and attorney Laehn spoke of “doing it right.”
The consensus seemed to be in favor of historic reproduction for the magistrate courtroom though the board took no action and will wait for firm quotes for each design plan.
Emergency management coordinator Dennis Morlan explained the annual updates to the county’s comprehensive emergency plan and emergency support functions. Morlan said these plans are the basis for all emergency and disaster preparedness for the county and necessary for eligibility for FEMA funds.
The board unanimously approved parts of the plans that had been updated as the result of the August 2020 derecho and the ongoing pandemic.
Morlan was complimentary of public and business help during times of need over the past year.
“Cleanup from the derecho was done by local people who often didn’t turn in bills to FEMA for their time, and HyVee is always there to help with food and water in times of need,” Morlan said, citing a recent explosion at Landus Elevator in Jefferson. “HyVee is a great corporate neighbor.”
“That’s the way Greene County works,” he said.
The board unanimously approved a resolution recognizing county conservation director Dan Towers as he retires from 37 years of service to Greene County. Towers was commended for “his dedication and his commitment to Greene County and its residents.”
Towers was presented with a certificate of appreciation, many thanks from those present, and applause. Towers was described as having “a personality that draws people in” to projects and ideas.
Towers said, “It was a good 37 years and I appreciate and will miss everyone.”
The new county conservation director is Tanner Scheuermann, a native of Greene County.
“I couldn’t be happier with the choice,” Towers said.
