My name is Jerry Voss.
I live in Linn, Mo. and have worked at Osage County newspapers, the Unterrified Democrat and the Osage County Observer, for over 50 years.
I have been asked to run for a seat on the Osage County Republican Committee to help straighten out a serious problem. A couple of people have moved here from another state and have almost taken over the committee.
If you are a Republican in Osage County and wish to run for a political office you must be “vetted” by the committee. They, apparently, think they should be able to tell you if you can or cannot run for an office on the Republican side of the Osage County ballot.
I don’t understand what makes them think they have that right. Anyone, no matter who you are, should be able to run for any office they qualify for. Let the voters decide. It’s healthy to have several people on the ballot.
I am willing to try to correct this problem but this isn’t something I should do by myself. There are EIGHT vacant positions on the 12- person committee. They don’t even have a quorum to meet.I was told on Friday afternoon that the present Republican committee will not even identify their members to that office so I have no idea which positions are open.I have listed below the county townships. Each township is supposed to have a committeewoman and a committeeman. Please let me know which position you would be willing to run for.
I was told by an elected official that the committee members enforcing this rule are Linda and Craig Rantz and George Luebbering and Joyce Weber.
County Commissioner Dale Logan told me Friday that he asked to speak to the committee at one of their meetings and was told by Linda Rantz that the meetings were closed to the public. She also would not give him the date or time of the next meeting.
If you are interested in running and helping the county, give me a call. 573-694-1681. Or better yet, go to the Osage County Clerk’s office before March 31, and ask to file for the committee. I was told there is no filing fee nor are you required to vet for these offices. I will list the townships at the bottom of this letter.
I filed on Monday morning for Crawford Township committeewoman. I am 79 and this is my ONLY interest in running for the committee.
Don’t forget the deadline is March 31.
Do you want to help fight this or do you want to continue to let those four people stomp all over us?
CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP, Linn area
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Meta area
LINN TOWNSHIP, Bonnots Mill and Loose Creek areas
BENTON TOWNSHIP, Chamois area
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Freeburg, Koeltztown and Arglye areas
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, Belle area
Jerry Voss
Linn, Mo.
