OSAGE COUNTY  — Brenny Montgomery of Linn found her true calling about five years ago when she took a position with Osage County Community Living, and hopes to expand her role as the Public Administrator if elected on Aug. 6.

“I kind of do what (retiring Public Administrator Paul Stratman) does, but a smaller spectrum of it,” said Montgomery, who previously worked in daycare and ran her own business. “We have eight residents there, and I assist them with their needs, whether it be cleaning, cooking, finances, shopping, laundry, etc., and getting them out into the public so they can socialize with the community. Paul is or has been guardian over a couple of the residents there, so I’ve gotten to know him, and he’s gotten to know me and the job I’ve been doing. He suggested that I run for the position. He thought I’d be a good person to be able to handle it with my background.”

Montgomery’s clients or consumers, as they’re called, live in the John H. Stratman Apartments in Linn.

After graduating from State Tech (known then as Linn State Technical College) with a computer networking degree, Montgomery worked in the field for four years before circumstances led her down a different path.

“I love children and working in daycare, and it might have been my calling when I was younger,” said Montgomery. “Helping others has always been important to me.”

Since she began working at OCCL five years ago, Montgomery is more convinced than ever that this is what she’s meant to do. “I didn’t know what I was doing when I started, but I fell in love with it and my consumers,” she said. “To me, it’s not even going to work. They are like my family; they have great personalities and can lift you up. It’s a great thing to be able to help them out and have fun with them.”

Montgomery is a regular actor with Osage Community Players, and has the chance to perform alongside her daughter and granddaughter. “Our consumers love to come and see the plays I’m in,” said Montgomery. “They always have a lot of fun.”

Now, she wants to include as many people as possible as the Public Administrator. “I’m looking at it as an opportunity,” said Montgomery. “I want to help them, I want them to grow, and I want them to have their best life. They should be able to do what anybody else is able to do and not be limited, except according to their needs. They should get the best care — whatever they need; they shouldn’t be hidden away from the public. They should be able to go out into the public and enjoy life just like the rest of us without being chastised about it, made fun of, or mocked. I want to help them so they can better their lives. I’m free to do that, and I’m up for challenges. I know it’s hard work, but to me it’s not just a job; it’s like taking care of your family.”

She also hopes to educate people on all spectrums of disability and mental health, and get clients necessary materials, help, etc. “So many people have no clue what is going on in their own community or how to help these people,” said Montgomery, adding she believes there needs to be more programs, places, and help in different areas. “I would also like to get more people interested in helping out, and getting programs started in Osage County. It will be a challenge to do these things, but also one I am willing to work at and succeed in getting done.”

In addition to working at OCCL, Montgomery also handles accounting for Aplex, Inc., in Linn. If elected, she plans to continue her current jobs while handling the role of Public Administrator. “I work at OCCL in the evenings, and would see clients during the day at the courthouse,” she said. “I plan to get out and meet as many clients as I can so I’m in a position to offer them the best service. I also plan to look into grants and other funding sources to make sure we can meet the needs of our clients.”

Montgomery is married to Mike, a Deacon at Linn First Church. He was a Linn alderman for eight years, but has since stepped away. Together they have four children and 10 grandchildren, with another grandchild “in heaven,” she said.

Also running for Public Administrator in the Aug. 6 Election is Shirley (Riegel) Luebbering, a lifelong Osage County resident born and raised in Loose Creek. If elected, she pledges to accurately and timely complete the administrative and government-required paperwork for the job. “I will treat my clients in a caring, empathetic, and compassionate manner,” Luebbering said. “I was blessed to be raised by parents who taught me how to work, but also to be kind and caring to those less fortunate. Because ‘life happens,’ I’ve experienced those intense medical and emergency situations. I know first-hand how important it is to protect the ones you love in the hospital, nursing home, and rehab facilities. Since I was young, I have always enjoyed being around older people, and as an adult, I had the opportunity to take care of my parents in the last years of their lives.”

Luebbering worked at Linn Manor as a cook and CNA as a teen and is a 1981 graduate of Fatima High School. She earned college credit hours in accounting and business from Lincoln University. She has been a part of the Westphalia area community since 1982 and currently lives outside of Westphalia on a farm with her family. “We raise crops and livestock and also have a direct-to-the-consumer meat business that I’m involved in,” said Luebbering. “I have strong business and family ties and experience in the community. A strong sense of community is why Osage County is a great place to live and work.”

Luebbering gained much of her experience with helping people during her 15 years with the Department of Mental Health, Division of Psychiatric Services. She left her state job as an Executive I to be a full-time realtor and run a family construction company and land development business. She was a self-employed real estate agent for 22 years and still maintains her license.

After enjoying a successful career in the construction industry, Luebbering embarked on a new full-time job in September 2022 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) with Missouri Mentor, owned by Sevita.

“My personal belief system led me to become a full-time DSP,” she said. “I believe God called me to do this work, and it’s very fulfilling for me to help others and make a difference.”

She hopes to expand her influence by running for the position after 24-year veteran Public Administrator Paul Stratman announced his decision to seek higher office at the Lincoln Day dinner.

“Until I talked to Paul, it had never occurred to me to run for that position,” said Luebbering. “He did a great job, and I think I can do it as well. I thought about my parents and being there with them at the end of their lives. They needed the kind of support this position provides, and I want to be there for other people’s parents, kids, and anyone who needs assistance. People need somebody in this position that’s going to be caring and professional and can do the job.”

She alludes to her DSP job as a blueprint for working as the Public Administrator. “I work with public guardians and others now in my job,” said Luebbering. I know what their role is, and I see what happens and doesn’t happen. If you’re looking for somebody who knows how to work and be reliable, I’m that person. If you’re not good at being self-employed, you’re unemployed and don’t make a living.”

She also promised to be available full-time at the courthouse office. “People can expect me to show up,” Luebbering added. “I’m not going to let anybody take advantage of these people. I’m going to do the best I can for that. That’s just how I am.”

As a DSP, Luebbering noted she has first-hand insight into the importance of the Public Administrator’s role. “The clients I care for have little to no family to advocate for them and are dependent on government agencies for assistance,” she said. “My vast personal and professional experience will ensure that no client of mine will be ignored, neglected, or taken advantage of in their home or facility on my watch. I plan on regular and unannounced visits to my clients. They will know I care, and the facility will not neglect their responsibilities unchecked.”

Luebbering, who lives with her husband, George, and has four children and four grandchildren, said the biggest reason she’s interested in the position is because she really wants the job. “I don’t need the job,” she said. “There’s a big difference between needing the job and wanting the job; I want the job. I make more money doing what I’m doing now than what I will in that position, and I have really good benefits where I’m at right now. If elected, I’m going to be giving up great insurance and more money to take the position, but I think the county needs me. Somebody’s got a family member, friend, or neighbor that needs someone who cares. I’m that person.”