Des Moines, Iowa: The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Old Order Groffdale Mennonite community, allowing them to continue to use steel wheels on their paved-road traveling tractors in accordance with their religious beliefs.[1][2][3] The ruling is a loss for Mitchell County, which created a statute (The 2009 Road Protection Ordinance) disallowing steel wheels on roads to prevent road deterioration. Citations were issued to members of the Mennonite community following the institution of the law, and the appeals eventually reached the Iowa Supreme Court. Though this ruling is a setback for Mitchell County, they plan to continue to issue citations under a revised version of the law, which is more specific in targeting steel wheels that cause damage to pavement, rather than a blanket ban on all steel wheels.[2]
- ↑ Globe Gazette, "Iowa Supreme Court: Steel wheels law violated rights," February 3, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Des Moines Register, "Mennonites win steel wheels case, but Mitchell County plans to press on," February 3, 2012
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa Supreme Court overturns steel wheel citation," February 3, 2012
