MITCHELL COUNTY, IA-Old order Mennonite farmers and one North Iowa county's leaders are compromising when it comes to steel wheels.
As part of the 1st Amendment, congress cannot make laws that stop the free exercise of religion.
State Representative Mark Kuhn recently sent a letter to Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller. He's asking if the Mitchell County's steel wheel ordinance is in violation of that amendment.
Members of the Mennonite Community say steel wheels are part of their religious tradition.
That's why Kuhn says banning the wheels on roads affects people's freedom.
Kuhn says, "the 1st Amendment right prohibiting the free right of religion, I believe is being violated by the total ban that's in effect in Mitchell county."
The Groffdale Mennonite Conference Church members have used steel wheels since the 1920's.
Steel Wheel Farmer Peter Nolt says "we're holding on to a tradition that was kept up until now."
Steel wheel farmers say it's part of their religious belief that they remain a step behind modern society.
Kuhn adds, "they believe if they go to rubber tires then they will go to automobiles and the automobiles will lead to a break-up of there group."
Mitchell County leaders say steel wheel farmers still need to stick to the Iowa code and it has nothing to do with religion.
Mitchell County Board of Supervisors member, Stan Walk says, "just as we cannot claim that I could go ahead and shoot you because it's my religion that allows me to shot another person, we can't allow damage to our road just because someone wants to damage them."
Recently in Howard County, a compromise left the county with money from the farmers to repair any road damage and still allowed the Mennonites to abide by their religious practices.
In Mitchell county talks of a complete compromise seems to be at a stand-still.
Walk says, "I think we've tried to meet em', I think they need to meet us half way and so far, I have not seen that they have tried to come to any kind of mediation."
Kuhn says, "there's an old saying in politics..if you're in a hole and want to get yourself out, stop digging; I'll tell the Mitchell County board of supervisors it's time to stop digging and time to start resolving this problem."
Representative Kuhn says he doesn't expect a response from the state on his letter for about month.
Meanwhile, Mitchell County says they will defend their steel-wheel code all the way through court if it gets that far.
The mennonite farmers are hoping that Mitchell County agrees to a voluntary mediation for the issue.
