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Newly formed Liberian group not a breakaway from main community
Posted June 18, 2009
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The newly formed Liberian Association of Dallas County, (LADC) in North Texas says it is not a breakaway faction from the Liberian Community Association of DFW. The Interim Chairman of LADC told Running Africa and WRAR-96 on Sunday following a well attended meeting of LADC, “we want to reiterate our call to every Liberian that this is not a breakaway faction as you may call it from the group in Euless.” Mr. Emmanuel Kumeh said they in Dallas County believe they can adequately handle their own issues and organize as a social body to help the community. He said the forming of LADC was long in making, and the people were hungry for leadership, adding that even though they want to be independent, they still see themselves as a part of the LCA-DFW and will continue to attend their meetings and make their contribution. Mr. Kumeh said his organization will seek membership into the sub-regional body, Conference of Liberian Organizations in the Southwestern United States – COLOSUS. But he said, this will depend on what he calls the agenda of COLOSUS and the decision of the general membership. COLOSUS’ Secretary General Willie Kamara who attended the meeting on Sunday as an observer, told Running Africa and WRAR-96 that he was impressed with the turn out in so short a time of its organizing. Mr. Kamara said that if the group applies for membership to COLOSUS, the application will go through the regular scrutiny and decision made at the leadership level. Earlier in a closed-door discussion with the Interim leadership of LADC, Mr. Kamara appealed to the group to reach out to the leadership of the Liberian Community Association of DFW with the intention of bringing everyone together. He encouraged them to field candidates in the forthcoming LCA-DFW election if the leadership vacuum in that organization is their concern. In informal discussions with other members of LADC, they expressed concern over the failure of the leadership of LCA-DFW to pay attention to their issues, long travel time to meeting sites which are always held out of Dallas County and the lack of interest shown in the organization by Liberians residing in the mid-cities area. The President of LCA-DFW Mr. James Coleman has meanwhile been reacting to the new of the establishment of the new community association. In an e-mail sent to the leadership of LADC, Mr. Coleman regretted his inability to attend the meeting due to scheduling conflicts. He called on the members of the new association to abandon their ideas and join what he called an exiting organization, bring in any skills and visions that they feel will enhance the community effort. Mr. Coleman said, “this is NOT the time to drive wedges between our people to create LCA North Dallas, LCA East Dallas, LCA West Dallas, LCA South Dallas and LCA-HEB. I will love the opportunity to meet with your team to explore ways our people can function as a single unit and community.” He reminded the LADC leadership of the challenges ahead in continuing and growing these organizations, adding, “it is very easy to start something.” Meanwhile, the members of the Liberian Association of Dallas County – LADC have agreed to hold election of officers to lead the organization. The members voted unanimously on Sunday, June 14, to hold the election on August 2, 2009. The Election Commission headed by James Greene presented the election guidelines to the membership at Sunday’s meeting and the timetable calls for those interest in running for office to beginning declaring their intent as of Sunday. There will be a mini debate by the candidates on July 26, 2009.
Writes: Patrick Manjoe - Dallas |
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