Osage County is soliciting proposals from insurance providers for our insurance needs in budget year 2012.  This will include coverage for general liability, Employment Practice Liability, vehicle liability, and health insurance for our employees.  Please submit a questionnaire or application form to:

Osage County Clerk, P.O. Box 826, Linn, MO  65051   573-897-2139 ext. 113

Dear Citizens,

 I submitted the following letter to the newspaper for publication, but wanted this posted so it would be available to everyone.

Over the past several years I have refrained from commenting or responding to many of the allegations and statements made about me as I did not wish to perpetuate the constant turmoil and upheaval that I have seen continuously occur.  I did not respond because I know the majority of the citizens of this county see through those attacks as nothing more than an attempt to advance the agenda of the article writer.  However, after reading the article in last week’s paper regarding the dropping of the liability coverage for the county I felt it necessary to provide the facts and information that the article conveniently chose to minimize in an attempt to attribute the dropping of the coverage on myself and the Sheriff.

 Back in 2006 when Russell Scheulen came to me inquiring as to whether I was aware of any incidents that may result in a possible lawsuit over the ‘last few years’.  My response to him was “not that I’m aware of, but I can never PROMISE you that there is not something out there”.  I further indicated to him that absent a demand letter from a potential litigant there would be no way to know if there was something out there.  That was the end of our discussion. 

 I very much appreciate his honesty in responding to the newspaper when he indicated he believed the Helmig case was not on our minds.  He was right.  At that time, that case had been upheld by appellate courts repeatedly.

 If you read the article, you will find there were no quotes from me, or the Sheriff, as we were not asked to comment or respond.  You will also note that it is indicated that Mr. Scheulen inquired of the other elected officials in the same manner he did the Sheriff and I, but there is no mention of any of their names as I am certain their response was the same.

 I found it interesting that Mr. Samson’s comment was that they had acted upon my advice.  I am uncertain how that could be.  I did not attend a commission meeting in regard to this matter.  I never spoke with Mr. Samson regarding this matter and I was never asked my opinion.  At no time did I encourage, advise or even suggest that the county should drop any tail liability coverage they had. 

 Frankly, I find it ludicrous that anyone would infer it was somehow based solely on the statements made by the Sheriff and I that the county dropped this coverage.  I can assure you that no attorney would ever suggest, advise or encourage anyone to drop insurance coverage, ever!!  That was a decision made solely by the county commission at the time and they are solely responsible for making that decision.  They did so even against the advice of the insurance agent.  For the newspaper to suggest the Sheriff and I are somehow responsible for that decision is once again an example of the creative reporting we have all become accustomed to. 

 /s/  Amanda L. Grellner