Governor’s threat is premature

By David Bakken, Decorah

Dear Editor,

Winneshiek County is fortunate. We have a constitutional sheriff. Dan Marx understands that his loyalty to the U.S. Constitution supersedes all state, county and local laws. The Iowa Legislature it seems, in their creation of Iowa Code Chapter 27A, may not have vetted sufficiently for constitutionality. 

In his widely disseminated letter to the people of Winneshiek County, Sheriff Marx details how 27A  violates the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights. Of course, when 27A is challenged, it will ultimately remain for the courts to determine which, if any, sections are unconstitutional. Because such a determination does not yet exist, Gov. Reynolds is premature in  threatening legal jeopardy for Sheriff Marx’s failure to comply, thus depriving him of due process. We trust this will play out under the rule of law. 

Iowa’s motto is “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” Dan Marx sees his high duty to insure Iowans enjoy this common goal. It is a comfort that Winneshiek County is protected by our constitutional sheriff. Too bad Iowa does not appear to have a constitutional governor.

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