OSAGE COUNTY  — Dale Logan of Westphalia easily won the seat held by retiring Western District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes, claiming 1,089 votes in a three-way election last Tuesday. The turnout was 37.54%, with 3,796 ballots cast among 10,111 registered voters.

“I appreciate the support I received from voters,” said Logan. “I will do everything in my power to represent the people of the Western District fairly and be proactive in our approach to spending money to improve our roads and equipment.”

Logan defeated Joe Schmidt (529 votes) of Argyle and George Luebbering (457 votes) of Freeburg.

“I would like to thank all of my family and friends for helping me with my campaign,” said Schmidt. “It was a good experience to run for public office, and maybe in the future, I will try again. Thank you to all those who voted for me.”

Luebbering also thanked his supporters in the election. “I would also like to apologize to my supporters for not being able to improve the county roads they drive on every day,” he added. “After several attempts, Mr. Logan finally returned my phone call, and I congratulated him. I spoke with him for quite some time about the issues he will be facing and the problems we are having with our county roads. While he did listen, he seemed not too concerned.”

Luebbering went on to say that the voter dynamics in this election were much the same as in the rest of the country.

“The many urban voters dictate to the few rural voters,” he said. “Osage County Commissioners only have two responsibilities: the county budget and overseeing the county road and bridge department, which makes up a major portion of the budget. Most of Mr. Logan’s supporters, if not all, will never have to deal with his decisions and actions, while most, if not all, of mine will have to live with them on a daily basis. Hopefully, I am wrong, but my experience says I am not. Hopefully, Mr. Logan’s attendance record for K of C Council meetings and attention to returning phone calls from members are not indicators of his future actions on the commission.”

In the Public Administrator race, Brenny Montgomery of Linn had a smaller margin of victory but defeated Shirley (Riegel) Luebbering, 1,700-1,494.

“I want to give a huge thank you to the residents of Osage County who voted for me, supported me, and put signs in their yard for me,” said Montgomery. “I appreciate all who donated to help with my campaign costs, those who helped campaign for me, and those who shared my information online and in person. I couldn’t have done it without all of you supporting me. I promise to do my best as the next Public Administrator of Osage County. I’m very excited for this new journey.”

Luebbering also thanked everyone who supported her efforts. “I ran a positive campaign and avoided criticizing my opponent publicly when I could have,” she added. “I know I would have been excellent in this position. I hope for the sake of the county clients that the Public Administrator-elect holds to her promise to treat this as a full-time position with an office in the courthouse and that county residents hold her accountable.”

Voters also approved Proposition R (2,120-1,546), a half-cent sales tax that will fund the Road and Bridge Department’s improvement and maintenance of all county roads. The tax goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin expressed gratitude for the passage of the sales tax issue. “I appreciate the people voting for Proposition R,” he said. “We will do our best to make sure that money is spent well.”

A breakdown of voting by precinct appears this week.

Uncontested county Republican races include Jeff Peters for Eastern District Commissioner (1,145), Assessor Tina Kammerich (2,983), Sheriff Mike Bonham (3,179), and Coroner A.J. Probst (2,197). The only Democrat candidate at the county level is incumbent Surveyor Tim Hamburg (234), who likewise had no opposition.