Letter To The Maryland Legislative Caucus On The County-Sitting

Thomas Gbuo-Mle Bedell

SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE

Reevy Street, Harper City, Maryland County, R. L.

Cell: +231.880.226.566/886.920.151/777088427

Email: osygefo@hotmail.com, geesayfannokon@yahoo.com

August 2, 2016

To:

Maryland Legislative Caucus

Capitol Building

Republic of Liberia

Dear Honorable Gentlemen:

 I trust you are enjoying God’s grace and doing well with your varied responsibilities.

I'm sure you are aware of the pain of our county’s economic crisis that is being felt everywhere, including homes and schools of your constituents in Maryland.

That is why we urgently need your help.

As a constituent, and a parent, taxpayer, community member and a social justice advocate who won relief and reparation for our citizenry, I am asking you to support The County-Sitting to discuss and adequately appropriate the ONE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS of County Development Fund that is supposedly sitting in escrow while the entire County and people wallow in financial despair.

Since 2005 up to present, Maryland County has continuously suffered immeasurable budgetary problems beyond description due to internal wrangling within the Caucus.

If this internal wrangling continues, Honorable Gentlemen, it will surely hurt the students and our innocent youths who suffer through loss of programs and scholarship opportunities.

For example, at a time when our children, students and youths are expected to achieve at higher levels than ever before, we cannot afford to dismantle our quality programs. Our children and youths deserve more than just a bare-bone education; they deserve rich and varied educational opportunities that will help them succeed and compete globally. Without relief from you all, these kids may not get that chance. If the internal wrangling in the Caucus continues undiminished and there is no County-Sitting very soon at which time funding can be made available for development programs, even more opportunities for our children, youths and county will be lost.

We urge you to seek the hosting of the County-Sitting very shortly. Maryland County, its students, youths, and schools need your help now to make sure that our schools and students get the funding they need to provide the best education possible for them and for the development of the County.

Can we count on you to please speak with your fellow legislators and take the necessary bold steps to ensure that internal wrangling in the Caucus no longer be allowed to undercut quality education and development in Maryland County?

As a member of our civil society, especially the revolutionary sector, there are other constitutional and democratic ways and means to compel our leaders to act which includes and not limited to protest demonstrations, refusal to pay taxes, to vote and to rebel against injustice, but for the sake of human decency and civility and the progress of our county and youths, protests and demonstrations are not the best way, unless we have no other alternative.

Thank you for considering our concerns. We look forward to talking with you personally on this issue and seeing you in Maryland at the County-Sitting very soon. I am,

Respectfully Yours,

Thomas G. Bedell

Splits Among Liberians Are Not New, Only The End-Results Are Different!

(Thomas Bedell, January 17, 2007)

They say history to a people is what a mother is to a child. And the past is a kaleidoscope of promises, failures, victories and embarrassments.

The history of Liberia in terms of nation building must be used as a guide-post in moving her into the 21^st Century in terms of human resource and infrastructural development.

The idea of splits in the Liberian society is nothing new. What is new is the end-result that comes with each split. In Liberia, the end-results of splits have not been an encouraging trend. They’ve scathed our people for far too long.

Just for few examples, in 1985, heavyweight politicians converged in Liberia to form an alliance. But due to mistrust, it ended up in a split. In the end, Samuel Doe, whom they called a “dictator,” ended up winning the Presidential election. From thereon, the stage for generalized anarchy of violence was set. Liberia became a “house” on fire!

 In the same 1985 another incident took place again that crowned the story of splits.

When all political attempts failed to remove Doe, Gen. Quiwonkpa and some political heavyweights launched a military offensive. When they arrived in Sierra Leone, for whatever reason, a split developed in their ranks. So, when Quiwonkpa momentarily overthrew Doe, he met with failure. And Doe reemerged and re-seized power. As a consequential result, Quiwonkpa was arrested, humiliated and bludgeoned to death along with others. That particular event in the country shifted violence into high gear.

Then 1989 marked another split.

Charles Taylor, with the help of some Liberian political-heavyweights, organized the most vicious, bloodiest and all-time military offensive against Doe. Just when the offensive gained momentum, for obvious reasons, a split developed in the military offensive. And the group broke into two. Later on the split became three. 

1990 was another date when the “All Liberian Conference” convened in Atlanta, Georgia with a split.

A split developed in The All Liberian Conference. One group desired the immediate dissolution of The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA). On the other side, the desire for ULAA to live on became absolute. Both sides clashed. In an effort to compromise, all else failed. Soon, the impasse was transformed into the birth of The All Liberian Conference of North America. It was hoping to be a new Diasporic organization to replace ULAA. But in the end, Diasporic Liberians were plunged into a state of confusion. ULAA on one side and the new organization on the other side fussing and fighting. The situation lasted for a protracted period of time leaving both groups and Diasporic Liberians scathed.

Then came 1995.

The war had already taken a severe toll on the nation – tens and tens of thousands of innocent citizens perished in the chilling waters of national quagmire. To heal the wounds, democratic elections were called. Again, as was in the case of 1985, political heavyweights came together to form an alliance to make it impossible for Taylor to take power. As was in the past, the alliance failed. And Taylor won a landslide Presidential election. He became President. Thereafter, the stage was set for the collapse of constitutional and democratic state.

And then comes 2004.

Liberians in the Diaspora convene another “All Liberian National Conference.” This time in the DC Metro Area, USA. The intent was to help usher in a new, sound and civilian democratic leadership in the country during the 2005 elections. But for obvious reasons again, a split appeared in the Conference. Soon, there were two groups. Each registered under the corporate laws of USA as two separate legal entities. Like the current House of Representatives in Liberia, these two groups convened separate conferences in two separate cities. In the end, both groups lose sight of the initial intent and became monuments of decay. To date, besides their Articles of Incorporation, both groups have become a ghostly illusion. 

There was another split in 2005.

The war was over and the nation and the world were felt-up. So, another Presidential election was arranged. This time, tens and tens of candidates emerged to vie for the presidency. Liberians were war-fatigued. But were forced into another difficult situation - choosing from dozens and dozens of candidates. As was the case in the past, political heavyweights split in the middle again. So another alliance fell apart. In the end, the people were forced to elect a Congress and other leaders to power who had no clue of their respective duties to the Liberian state, people and constituents.  

Considering all the above, the current split in The House of Representatives cannot, by any stretch of anyone’s imagination, be an accident. It was bound to occur. But what should concern all of us is the end-result. Will the result help to educate members of the House to be statesmen and women or drive them more into useless strife? Whatever the answer is, will depend on what comes out of the split.

Unless Liberians rid themselves of colonial mentality and begin to work in the sole interest of their children’s future, there will always be splits and the end-results will be catastrophic!

Open eLetter To: Senator J. Gble-Bo Brown/Chair/Maryland Legislative Caucus Subject: Request To Reject Dr. Elliott Wreh Wilson’s Appointment As President Of The William V. S. Tubman University

Open eLetter

To: Senator J. Gble-Bo Brown/Chair/Maryland Legislative Caucus

Subject: Request To Reject Dr. Elliott Wreh Wilson’s Appointment As President Of The William V. S. Tubman University

March 20, 2018

Dear Senator Brown,

Please allow us to congratulate you on your recent election by your colleagues to the position of Chair of The Maryland Legislative Caucus. It becomes our ardent hope and prayer that this time around, our Caucus will be of more help than before. So we wish you the best in your difficult yet challenging task! We are available at your convenience when you need us.

This letter constitutes an expression of our extreme distaste and displeasure with the current appointment of Dr. Elliott Wreh Wilson as President of The William V. S. Tubman University in Harper City, Maryland County, Liberia. As your constituents and social justice advocates, we appeal to you and your colleagues to reject the appointment on grounds a President of the University should be selected through a more constructive means and less of the dictator-like approach that seemingly is visible thus far. The Liberian Legislature, through a Charter which is an Act of Legislature, gives the Board of The University the exclusive Authority to appoint a President of the University to be confirmed by the President of the Republic. That’s the Law!

Moreover Sir, the person who will serve as President of The Tubman University is bound to be violent-free with a reputation beyond reproach.  

It is with this consideration, we believe and are undoubtedly convinced, the newly appointed President of Tubman University, Dr. Elliott-Wreh Wilson, doesn’t fit the category. Take for example, last year (2017), he physically attacked another professor, Dr. Mauve Gardiner in the presence of students and other employees of the University. Dr. Gardiner was defenseless. As a Policy procedure, the University Administration investigated the matter; found Dr. Wilson guilty and suspended him for three months without pay. His peers at the University initially proposed his immediate dismissal due to the gravity of the offense. But through interventions and “familyhood,” the University reduced the penalty to suspension. Consequent of the penalty he received, he departed the University for Cuttington where he remained for less than three months up to his appointment as President of the very University that suspended him. We are not sure if the suspension is been lifted.

It is our belief and suspicion, Mr. Chairman, that, when Dr. Wilson takes office as President of the University, besides his violent record, he will surely retaliate against his peers at the University who suspended him including Dr. Gardiner who was victim of his physical assault. The reason is obvious!

It is in view of this violent attitude aforementioned, we strongly and unambiguously believe that Dr. Wilson cannot lead this University. Please keep in mind, this University is new and it represents a promise to Maryland, the Southeast and the Republic. Consequent of that, as custodians, all of us are duty bound to protect and guide the Institution.

The methods and tactics Dr. Elliott applied in his interpersonal relationships over the years at the University as a Faculty member with some staff of the University and the larger community are despicable and contemptible. His violent actions and statements both on Campus and in the community these few yeast past, demeaned and relegated the University to a secondary position. So he lost our faith and support for him to lead the University.

Recommendations:

1.     The University Board must find another candidate through its hiring process for the vacant post;

2.     But if Dr. Elliott must be President of the University by any means, then he must first openly apologize to Dr. Gardiner plus attend and graduate Anger Management classes at a reputable institution before he can have a shot to any advertisement of the post as a candidate.

3.     No one should impose him on the University or it is a recipe set to detour the path of scholarship.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, we ask you and your colleagues to please submit our plea and deepest concerns to President Weah to withdraw the appointment respectful of the foundation of the democratic society in which we live. Constantly shifting priorities and visions leave universities adrift. If we want to avoid governance disasters, we need to be systematic and democratic about choosing our leaders.

“It is far better for the truth to tear OUR flesh to pieces, then for OUR souls to wander through darkness in eternal damnation.”

Thank you. We look forward to your response. Be well and Peace!

Respectfully,

T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell/Chair

Maryland Concerned Citizens Action Committee (MCCAC)

Pyongyang, Reevy Street

Harper City, Maryland, Liberia

Cell: +231.886.920.151/880.226.56

A Call To Reject The Newly Appointed TU President!

March 6, 2018

Maryland Legislative Caucus and William V. S. Tubman University Board MUST reject Dr. Elliott Wreh Wilson's appointment as TU President on grounds he's deviant and PHYSICALLY VIOLENT, making him incompetent to run the University! Early this year, he physically attacked one professor, a son of Maryland, in the open right before the students and humiliated him. TU investigated and found him guilty and suspended him w/out pay. He escaped TU to Cuttington University. Now he's appointed president of TU? He needs Anger Management!

We join the M'land University Students in Monrovia and other Marylanders, asking the M'land Legislative Caucus and TU Board to reject the appointment!


T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell/SJA

J. Kwee-Sie Bedell Death Announcement

It is with deep sorrow and regrets I inform you the sad demise of my younger brother, Mr. J. Kwee-Sie Bedell, on 27 February 2018 at 4:15 pm at his Barnesville Road Residence, Monrovia, Liberia. He served as an Executive Staff of The World Food Programme (WFP) in Maryland County, Liberia.

Funeral will be announce soon.

Children:

Mrs. Eliza Bedell Harris

Mr. Landry Wah Bedell, II

Mr. Otis Bedell

Mr. Alex Bedell

Mr. Jacob Bedell

Ms. Esther Bedell

Mr.  J. kwee-Sie Bedell

Siblins:

Mrs. Gertrude Bedell Marriam

Mrs. Cecelia Bedell Howe

Mrs. Esther Bedell Conteh

Mrs. Alice Bedell Nyenow

Ms. Janet Bedell

Mr. Landry Wah Bedell, I

Mr. Henry T. Bedell

Mr. Thomas G. Bedell

Mr. S. Wah-Kwee Bedell, Jnr.

Contact:

+231.886.920.151

+231. 880.226.566

+231.886.573.408

+231.886.552.182

+231.888.895.128

Thomas G. Bedell/BROTHER

Does Anyone Care About Maryland?

                                                                   February 14,.2018

See, time and time again, we get news in Maryland sometimes when it becomes old news. This is because we find ourselves deep in the keyhole and belly of the southeastern region of the country where nothing gets there on time and we are separated from the nation six months every year in the Rainy Season. But all the same, whether or not the news becomes old, we still get it and we carefully process it.


But in recent time, since the new government came to power, nothing is being heard on Maryland County (Liberia) in terms of leadership appointments. Nobody knows if we are going to have a new superintendent or retention is the magic word.


In Maryland, currently, almost all the officials are in Monrovia, the nation's capital where the "scramble" for jobs is ongoing. So, who's running the county? No superintendent, no assistant Supt., no Mayor... It's a free fall situation. For who bucks it takes the free rope as the kids used to say!
President Weah needs to get on the Ball right now. Maryland has no leadership in place. The Administration Building is empty every day. It seems as though no one is sure of himself anymore. And so there is a nonchalant attitude in the County on the part of the leaders and sometimes the people.


Something must be done!


But not just anything!


The news we are hearing is disturbing.


Retention?


How can one retain someone who served in local government for more then eight years and handled most of the county's money without submitting a single financial report? And at the same time launched a serious political persecution of citizens who desired to join other political parties of their choice, as if he would remain in power forever.


We are using this medium to call on Dr. Chambers not to do what we are hearing he wants to do: retain the Assistant Superintendent for Development. If he does, Maryland will become a hot seat.
Finally, we look forward to hearing from George Weah as to who runs Maryland as soon as possible before highway robbers deplete collected taxes!




I am T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell, social justice advocate, victim of police brutality and political persecution, speaking and working on the ground in Liberia

UNHCR ACCIDENT CASE FILE

DATE OF ACCIDENT:                           November 29, 2017

HOUR OF ACCIDENT:                          Approximately Between 7:30 to 8pm

COMPANY VEHICLE INVOLVED:     UNHC/ARD

VICTIM’S NAME:                                 JOHN D. DOE

VICTIM’S AGE:                                     20 Years Young

ACCIDENT LOCATION:                       Rocktown Road, Harper City, Maryland County, R.L.

NATIONALITY:                                     Liberian

UNHCR/ARD FIELD REP:                     Phillip Donkan 0886538987

On November 29, 2017, an accident occurred along the Rocktown/Fishtown Road in Harper, Maryland County, Liberia. The vehicle involved in the accident is owned and operated by The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)/ARD. The victim in the accident is a young man by the name of John D. Doe.

On that fateful day, I am told by my client, which was corroborated by the Chauffeur, that UNHCR/ARD organized and sponsored a sporting activity in the Little Wlebo Refugee Camp. The games were organized by UNHCR between the Refugee and the host communities (Rocktown, Middletown and Fishtown). I am told the event was mainly organized for the youths and children in the vicinity. And so UNHCR/ARD dispatched two of its tonnage trucks to collect youths from the three towns mentioned above. I am told by the chauffeur that in the morning hours around 9 to 10am, his truck headed to Rocktown and Middletown to pick up the youths in that area. The other truck, I am told, headed for Fishtown to pick the youths in that area. The chauffeur said the pick-up of the young people from his assigned area was very successful. And so were the games. According to the Chauffeur, the problem came when the games were over and the trucks began to return the young people back to their destinations.

I am told by the Chauffeur that the kids began to hang on the truck as he was departing the games area. The Chauffeur told me that each time he stopped to put the kids down from his truck, they would return on the truck as soon as he (chauffeur) hops back in the truck. According to the Chauffeur, the kids continue this activity for a while until he could no longer take it anymore. My client (the kid, John D. Doe) tells me that, it was at this point when the Chauffeur was upset that he (chauffeur) decided to adapt a don’t-care attitude. My client tells me that the Chauffeur would then speed off excessively with the truck and abruptly step on the brakes to make an abrupt stop. At this point when the truck stops abruptly, the kids would then fall off in the grass. The Chauffeur did this continuously until most of the kids fell off the truck. My client tells me that at one point in the dark, the Chauffeur did the same speed off and applied brakes. This time when the Chauffeur applied his brakes, the victim, John D. Doe fell from inside the cabin outside on the road. According to John, while he was on the ground, the Chauffeur decided to reverse the truck. And seeing the truck coming towards him, the victim tells me, he made an attempt to dodge the huge tires by flipping his body on the side of the road. But he was too slow for the truck. The truck back tires faintly rode over his lower body thereby damaging his pelvis. I am told the other kids in the truck began to alarm to call the Chauffeur’s attention to stop because someone had dropped from the truck and was lying on the ground in the dark. I am told, the Chauffeur paid no heed. He just drove off. My client, (the victim) tells me that at that point on the ground, he began to feel blood coming between his legs. So he started to cry out for help. But he was alone in the dark. Luckily for him, a motorbike came by. The rider heard the crying and stopped. Due to the huge amount of blood pouring from the kid, the rider asked his passenger to help him mount the victim on the bike. When they mounted the victim on the bike, they took off for the Rocktown clinic. When they got at the Clinic, due to the pool of blood, the staff at the clinic could do nothing but to call for Ambulance from J. J. Dossen Hospital in Harper – approximately one hour driving time from the clinic to the Hospital in Harper City. Due to the pain being experienced by the kid and the continued profuse bleeding, coupled with the delay of the Ambulance, a Good Samaritan paid for the bike to take the kid to Harper. I am told by the bike rider and his passenger, while taking the kid to the Rocktown clinic, they met with the Chauffeur who was returning from Rocktown where he dropped off the other kids. I’m told that they stopped the Chauffeur to inform him of what had happened to the kid. The bike rider and passenger said the Chauffeur said that he didn’t care. And he drove off.

By the time the bike rider got to the intersection of Rocktown/Fishtown road and Pleebo road, the Ambulance showed up. And so they transferred the kid to the Ambulance. He was then taken to the J. J. Dossen Hospital for medical treatment in Harper City. He remained at J. J. Dossen for a week. After one week treatment, the Doctor advised that the kid seeks help of an orthopedist either in Monrovia or Tapita. He then was discharged. Few days later, he was readmitted at the J. J. Dossen Hospital due to the intensity of the pain but released again for lack of an orthopedist. This was between Xmas, Runoff Election and New Year’s. And so, nothing seemed to be working with the usual speed. All in all, we were able to fly him to Monrovia for additional medical treatment where he currently is.

I contacted the police for the accident report. I was referred to one Mr. Woart of UNHCR (0886524543) in Monrovia. On Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 10:25am I spoke with Mr. Woart. He confirmed receiving the accident information from Commander Neufville of the Maryland Police Detachment. But he also told me that he (Woart) has not gotten in touch with the Insurance man of his company. He then gave me the name of the man (Jallah Cole, and his number, 0886544540). I called and spoke with Mr. Cole on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 11:33am. He informed me that he had not heard of the accident. And so, having heard about the accident from me, he was now rushing in his office to compile some notes. He advised for me to call him the next day. Because he expected the UNHCR/ARD office in Harper to forward the information to him by then.

In our conversation, I informed both Woart and Cole that I am responsible for the kid’s legal interest (s) as an advocate. I duly informed them the family elected me to represent their interest. I also informed them that the kid’s case was critical. And that J.J. Dossen Hospital had re-admitted him. I told them that initially, we were attempting to send the kid to Tapita Hospital due to the severity of his medical condition, but we could not. However, I was making frantic efforts to send him to Monrovia at my own expense if the UNHCR/ARD is not willing to help. And indeed, the UNHCR/ARD insurance by the name of Equity Insurance blatantly refused to help even though the accident occurred in a vehicle they have insured.

Up to this moment, UNHCR/ARD refused to help. I convened series of meetings with one of their officers in charge in Harper by the name of Phillip Donkan and the Chauffeur. They admitted the accident occurred in their truck. In fact, they helped with few dollars and transportation for the kid to attend medical treatment and purchase food.

Currently, the kid is in Monrovia with a relative on doctor’s advice. Both the insurance and UNHCR/ARD care less for the kid’s medical and human condition. We are depending on friends and humanitarians to keep him alive. He’s out of school. Whether or not he will be able to go to school again, have kids and play as a young man, is something we are skeptical about. Because the medical condition is worsening every day.

T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell/Social Justice Advocate