• strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_argument::init() should be compatible with views_handler::init(&$view, $options) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_node_status::operator_form() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::operator_form(&$form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/modules/node/views_handler_filter_node_status.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.

The right choice – Our view: Board's choice good for county, sheriff's office

County commissioners were recently faced with a potentially sensitive decision regarding the future leadership of the McLeod County Sheriff’s Office and the chief law enforcement officer outside the incorporated cities.
Commissioners made the right choice.
The McLeod County Board was faced with two options when it came to selecting Sheriff’s Scott Rehmann’s replacement after the sheriff announced his retirement following a stroke late this summer.
Realizing the effects of the stroke robbed him of his abilities to properly serve as the office’s leader, Rehmann set his pride aside and decided his retirement would be the right thing to do.
Rehmann rightfully endorsed his longtime chief deputy as his replacement. Tim Langenfeld has been Rehmann’s chief deputy, his right-hand man, since he won the election to the job.
The county board had the option of advertising the open sheriff’s position and selecting a replacement or appointing Langenfeld to the final 2¼ years or so of the term Rehmann won in 2018. Commissioners would have been well within their rights to advertise the post and select a replacement.
Instead, they made the right choice by appointing Langenfeld to the post. We don’t know whether he is respected and beloved, or reviled and distrusted, by the sworn deputies, corrections officers and office staff. There is no reason we know of to believe he won’t do a good job leading the sheriff’s office.
Appointing Langenfeld was the right move based on the best interest of the office. He represents consistency of leadership, something the office and its staff will benefit from for 2¼ years until Langenfeld decides if he will run for election or decide to do something else.
The chief deputy typically runs the operations of the sheriff’s office on a day-to-day basis, enacting the policies and directives of the elected sheriff.
Langenfeld now has the opportunity for a test drive, a chance to try out the job for two years as a policymaker before deciding if he wants to seek the job for a longer run. Publicly, he says there are no significant changes planned. Langenfeld still needs to appoint the person who will take his position as chief deputy now that the commissioners have formally put him in charge of the MCSO.
In the big picture, 27 months is the blink of an eye. We’ll eventually know if Langenfeld is worthy of Rehmann’s endorsement to do the job. We like the notion he was willing to privately tell Rehmann if an idea was a good one, if a decision should perhaps be reconsidered.
There is no doubt Langenfeld has the tools to lead the sheriff’s office well. He has rightfully earned and received the board’s confidence. It seems the office of sheriff is in good hands.

-jm

Second amendment question clarification
During this campaign for county board, commissioner candidates were asked at a Glencoe Area Chamber candidates’ forum if they agreed with a county board resolution years ago supporting the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
This resolution is befuddling and represents what is arguably a publicity stunt. The question at last month’s forum might create a gap between candidates, but it doesn’t necessarily say who supports gun owner rights and who does not. The county board has no place weighing in on state or federal constitutional amendments.
A candidate can rightfully say he supports the amendment but disagreed with the county board passing a resolution.
Let’s be clear here. Just because a candidate disagreed with the resolution doesn’t mean he opposes gun rights to lawful owners of handguns and other lawful firearms.

-jm