Opinions of Bonner County Sheriff? (Priest River, Kootenai: house, taxes, live) - Idaho (ID) - City-Data Forum

countryboy73 · 08-09-2015, 02:25 PM

As previously noted my wife and I are looking at ID pretty hard. My wife found an article about a veteran in Priest River who got a letter from the VA informing him that, due to a stroke, he has been determined by the VA to be unfit to handle his own affairs, and is no longer allowed to own firearms. Apparently the Sheriff of Bonner County was on site at a gathering in front of the vet's house to show his support for the man and the people supporting him, as well as gun rights of county citizens. Which leads to my question.

Is the sheriff a genuinely good guy who cares about the rights and peace of his citizenry, or is he a bit of a political haymaker, attempting to make capital out of whatever he can? Or is he a bit of both? I am simply curious. Figured I might be able to gain some perspective from folks who live closer to the situation...

Toyman at Jewel Lake · 08-10-2015, 07:28 AM

From what I've seen the sheriff is one of the good guys. The VA bureaucrats in this case had no right to violate this man's civil rights or steal his property. The sheriff (and local residents) acted properly.

Idahoridgerunner · 08-10-2015, 07:50 AM

Sheriff Wheeler's a great constitutional sheriff and Bonner county is lucky to have him.

countryboy73 · 08-10-2015, 09:14 AM

That's what it seemed like, and what I hoped was the case. Far too few of the good guys left. If you guys have one, good for you. And maybe us, if and when we settle in Bonner County. It is looking good so far. Some of the lowest taxes in the state, a good sheriff, and beautiful weather(most of the time

). What's not to like?

Publius4 · 08-10-2015, 09:27 AM

I've not met Sheriff Wheeler but I've talked to folks who have met him. They find him to be sincere. I am skeptical of any politician but Sheriff Wheeler's actions seem to back up his words. I think that's the best we can expect from a politician. By all accounts though, he's a patriot and dedicated to protecting his constituents from criminals regardless of whether they are street thugs or bureaucrats in suits inflicting tyranny.

I was impressed when he sent out a letter to the residents of Bonner County after the Sandy Hook massacre when the Feds were all lathered-up and ready to affect the gun grab they so desperately want. Sheriff Wheeler wrote in the letter to call 911 immediately if any federal agents interfered with your 2nd Amendment rights and he and his deputies would come to stop the tyranny. I was impressed.

The Kootenai county sheriff was not as resolved to look out for the rights of the Kootenai county citizens. His reaction was basically "I support the Constiution BUT we'll have to see how the courts rule." As if the courts can just decide the constitution is all of sudden wrong.

VandalsLOL · 08-10-2015, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Publius4

I've not met Sheriff Wheeler but I've talked to folks who have met him. They find him to be sincere. I am skeptical of any politician but Sheriff Wheeler's actions seem to back up his words. I think that's the best we can expect from a politician. By all accounts though, he's a patriot and dedicated to protecting his constituents from criminals regardless of whether they are street thugs or bureaucrats in suits inflicting tyranny.

I was impressed when he sent out a letter to the residents of Bonner County after the Sandy Hook massacre when the Feds were all lathered-up and ready to affect the gun grab they so desperately want. Sheriff Wheeler wrote in the letter to call 911 immediately if any federal agents interfered with your 2nd Amendment rights and he and his deputies would come to stop the tyranny. I was impressed.

The Kootenai county sheriff was not as resolved to look out for the rights of the Kootenai county citizens. His reaction was basically "I support the Constiution BUT we'll have to see how the courts rule." As if the courts can just decide the constitution is all of sudden wrong.

1. That letter was a publicity stunt and his outing as a wannabe folk-hero Joe Arpaio. The feds weren't coming for anyone or their guns, so he played on all of your paranoia just masterfully.

2. The Kootenai County sheriff is correct; sheriff's are not jury, judge, and executioner. They DON'T get to decide what the Constitution says either, and on far less a ladder rung than a judge, especially a federal or circuit judge. Don't like it? Sorry, that's the system we have. We are a nation and society of laws, and the courts, via juries of our peers, or through the judiciary, "interpret" our laws. Not sheriffs in podunk Idaho.

Publius4 · 08-10-2015, 10:42 AM

"Shall not infringe" - it's pretty clear. No further interpretation needed.

Idahoridgerunner · 08-10-2015, 10:49 AM

That's correct, Publius4, and the letter that Wheeler sent out to his constituents was in response to the unprecedented volume of letters, emails and phone calls that he received, not a PR move.

aiden_is · 08-10-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalsLOL

... That letter was a publicity stunt and his outing as a wannabe folk-hero Joe Arpaio. The feds weren't coming for anyone or their guns, so he played on all of your paranoia just masterfully...

... the courts, via juries of our peers, or through the judiciary, "interpret" our laws. Not sheriffs in podunk Idaho.

Your condescension is well noted, and typical of your judgmental posts. I would argue that Bonner County is not "podunk" by any real standard.

Disciple1975 · 08-10-2015, 11:57 AM

It is good to know the sheriff looks out for the citizens of the county in spite of the feds and their potential action that might infringe upon our rights. I'm not sure how it can be claimed to be a "publicity stunt" but people on the left and those anti-gun nuts will claim that nonetheless. Even if it were a publicity stunt, I'd rather have it be taking a definitive stance than the "straddle the fence" (verbal or silent) type of publicity stunt often taken by politicians who want to see how things play out and then speak in whatever way is most beneficial to them.

Feds trampling on constitutional rights is the real threat as they seem to want to do that a lot and can trample all they want until the judicial process catches up to their actions months or even years later. Local sheriff's and their office without a doubt set the tone for the civility of the citizens of a county, especially in smaller populous municipalities.

By the way...It's GOOD to be able to post again after a lame ban was handed down to me.