NIT – Yesterday, a disgruntled man brought a gun to an Iowa courthouse and tried to shoot the tax lady.
There was a sign on the door at the Jackson County Courthouse in Maquoketa, reminding folks that guns are not allowed. But that didn’t stop a man who was miffed about his taxes from trying to even the score, firing shots and taking his own life.
There is fear that violence can happen at anytime at these public meetings, even here in North Iowa.
Supervisor Jay Urdahl was a big proponent in banning guns from the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse. Many say the ban is unenforceable and not legal. Urdahl, on at least one occasion, brought a Cerro Gordo deputy in to a Supervisor meeting to sit in the back of the room out of fear of tough questions from NIT. Urdahl was reacting to a series of pointed questions from NIT regarding free meals and other goodies he has received.
Scott Tornquist, a Mason City councilman, has always had plenty of fear. For example, he has literally ran from council meetings when citizens turn the heat up with tough questions. Once, he proposed making sure the shades are always drawn shut at council meetings to make sure no one can aim a gun at him and get a clean shot. The word is, he forced the Mason City library to purchase thicker shades for the windows in the Mason City Room where council meetings are held, and cost the library thousands of dollars. You won’t find this deed in any city council meeting minutes, since he strong-armed library staff after a Rotary meeting, NIT is told.
It seems that gun violence is in the news everyday, and that many people are armed.
Do you think there should be more security at public meetings in North Iowa, considering the event that took place Tuesday in Maquoketa?
