ESCANABA — The Delta County Board of Commissioners is preparing to vote next month on a proposed resolution that would make the county a “sanctuary county” for the Second Amendment. Local residents had another opportunity to express their opinions Tuesday.

Commissioner David Moyle shared an early draft of the proposal during the board’s Nov. 25, 2019, meeting. If approved, the resolution would declare Delta County a Second Amendment sanctuary county. The board would also support the county’s sheriff and prosecuting attorney in the exercise of their discretion to not enforce unconstitutional firearms laws under the proposal.

At a committee of the whole meeting of the board on Jan. 14, residents spoke about the proposed resolution. Over 100 people attended the meeting, and the majority of speakers strongly supported the proposal.

Tuesday’s board meeting — which did not include the proposed resolution as an agenda item — was less heavily attended, but members of the public made a number of comments related to the proposal. Unlike the previous board meeting, many speakers were against the proposed resolution.

Ford River Township resident Teresa Ross said she was not in favor of what the prioritization of “special-interest requests” could mean for the county.

“By opening the door to one issue, we may be opening the door to others. For instance, I doubt we would consider becoming a Roe v. Wade sanctuary, or an immigration sanctuary, or LGBTQ. See where I’m going with this? Do we really want to put this board in that position?” she asked.

Ross also spoke about the legal and financial risks associated with the proposed resolution.

“If the sheriff department or local law enforcement refuse to carry out a common-sense safety measure, such as conducting a background check of an assault weapon or extreme risk order, they risk being sued and held financially responsible if that person then uses the firearm to kill or injure. As a taxpayer, I don’t want to pay for those legal expenses — or have it on my conscience, quite frankly,” she said.

Escanaba resident Wendy Pepin felt the proposed resolution was redundant.

“Why is it even needed? Our elected officials have already taken an oath to support the U.S. and Michigan constitution … so why sign again?,” she asked, noting the proposal would not allow the county sheriff’s department or prosecuting attorney to violate state or federal gun laws.

Instead, she encouraged the board to pursue a less divisive proposal.

“How about a resolution asking for support for the entire Constitution, instead of one amendment? You would get a lot more support,” Pepin said.

On the other side of the issue, Delta Conservation District Executive Director Rory Mattson said he would be in “total support” of the board passing the proposed resolution in February.

“I don’t see any boogeyman in it,” he said.

Mattson addressed why he felt it was important for the board to support the proposal. While Michigan’s House and Senate are both currently controlled by Republicans, he said anti-Second Amendment and anti-sanctuary county legislation could be brought forward if this changes in the future.

“By letting Lansing know, you guys are proactively coming back out, supporting your oaths to take the Second Amendment and the whole Constitution seriously,” he said.

The board is expected to vote on the proposed resolution at its Feb. 4 meeting.

“What happens if it passes or fails, I can’t really say,” Moyle said.

Board Chair Patrick Johnson spoke about limitations on public comment under the board’s rules of procedure. As has been the case in the past, people speaking during public comment at the upcoming meeting will be limited to three minutes, will have to directly address the board, and will be asked to avoid outbursts.

“If there is an issue, the sheriff will more than likely be here, and you get one warning — if you do it again, then we kick you out,” he said.

He also thanked attendees of Tuesday’s meeting and the Jan. 14 meeting for their civility.

“Both of these meetings, I thought, went really, really well,” Johnson said.

As attendance at the Feb. 4 meeting may be high, a motion to hold that meeting in the circuit courtroom of the Delta County Courthouse — on the condition the room will be available that evening — was unanimously approved by board members.

In other business, the board:

– voted to continue Delta County’s contract with Schoolcraft County to share the services of Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Geyer for 30 days. Schoolcraft County’s board is currently reviewing this contract.

– okayed the posting and filling of a grant-funded corrections officer position.

– authorized the filling of the Friend of the Court director position, along with updates to the position’s job description.

– allowed a part-time corrections officer position, a custodial position, the position of legal assistant to the prosecuting attorney, and a female adult probation officer position to be filled.

– okayed a letter of agreement between Delta County and the corrections union related to transport officers.

– approved lump sum payout requests for retiring housekeeper Sherry LaCroix, Friend of the Court James Soderberg and District Court Probation Officer Marie Kwarciany. The board also agreed to send letters of appreciation to these employees.

– authorized the release of a request for proposal for the filling of a criminal law attorney — first appearance counsel position.

– heard an update on a clean-up project for the Escanaba River from Mattson. He introduced Delta Conservation District employees during his presentation, as well.

– approved an amendment to its rules and procedures updating how commissioners are notified of special board meetings and schedule changes.

– appointed Darin Hunter as the county’s representative on the U.P. 9-1-1 Authority. Jen Peterson was appointed as an alternate.