2 November 2009
Before 12 noon, the Ballroom of the City Hall was already packed to capacity, all on account of the IFES-PUL-organized debate that brought together the ten candidates in the Montserrado County Senatorial By-election slated for November 10, 2009.
The candidates had participated in other debates by way of the electronics media, but this was to be the measuring line, not only for the presentation of platforms (realistic and fantastic), but also an evaluation of tactfulness in dealing with dedicated time, gesticulations, and, importantly, ability to respond to issues professionally and candidly.
The issues were clear, pointed and relevant: The candidates' perspectives of change and how they have fashioned out such perspectives in their various platforms, their ability to transmute those visions into reality, among others.
As has become a practice from the inception of the campaign for the Montserrado County Senatorial By-election, Dairus Dillon, started his opening comments with a call for a moment of silence in memory of the late Hannah Brent, the immediate occupier of the seat to which much attention is drawn.
To this, a debate watcher remarked, "this is one of his strong points since the start of the campaign. At least, some honor must be shown the deceased senator, even while they scramble for the seat she left behind." This, of course, is something other candidates, including that of the Congress for Democratic Change (the Party of the deceased), would want to do now, but it may portray an image of a copy-cat. So, Dillon sails through with it.
The maturity with which he handled the debate issues, his posture, gesticulation, keeping within the allotted time (not at any time was he signaled to that his time was finished), left a lasting impression on the minds of the debate's attendants.
For, as the mixed crowd made its way from the Ballroom, pockets of Dillon-enthusiasts and pre-debate critics, were seen engaged in post-debate commentaries, expounding on his exceptional performance. An elderly woman was heard saying, "If this guy earns a first degree, he will move the world. I mean God has gift for everyone, and I believe he has the blessing of God."
Somewhere on the far extreme, there was yet another group of discussants, this time, University Students, split between the Unity and Liberty Parties. The argument involved education of the candidates. "You guys are shameless to support Dillon", a Unity Party supporter said. In a rather aggressive tune, the other, seemingly from the Liberty Party, replied, "Should you not by now bow your heads in complete shame for having your Standard bearer openly campaign for an elementary drop-out in the Margibi By-election?"
As the argument was being shifted from the substantive issues of the debate to Dillon's education, which is yet to be properly challenged by proponents of the argument, side comments from other by-standers went in the direction of scorn for highly educated government officials who have been disgraced in recent time for moral bankruptcy.
"What happened to the Jallah Town road project where one Million dollars of taxpayers' money was misapplied by your educated people?" a young man was heard intruding angrily. "And what happened to LPRC, Information Ministry.... where there are no degree holders present when things went wrong with our money?" another youth interjected.
In the face of the outcome of the much publicized debate, observers believe that Dillon remains a serious contender in the race for the senatorial seat: Holding everything constant, therefore, it is easy to conclude that Dillon, not money, will win the seat.
Urey Addresses Huge Rally in Logan Town - Says Liberia Has Regain Hope
Unity party Senatorial candidate Clemenceau Urey has addressed a huge gathering of supporters in Logan town, District Number eleven Montserrado County, promising better legislations that will help health ,education, among others.
Hundreds of Supporters of the Unity Party Senatorial Candidate paraded through out the Logan Town area Saturday, October 31, 2009, leading to a very big event at the Gaglor pitch along the Bong mines bridge that had President Ellen Johnson Sileaf in attendance.
Speaking to thousands of jubilant supporters, Urey challenged the gathering to use the issue of character and contribution to community as the tools for judgment on November 10.
He noted that the race for the Senate is an attempt to change performance of the Legislature to much more people center body.
He also averred that better laws are carved with the peoples' participation, and that it remains the best answer to the issue of water, electricity, and road across the country.
He promised to consolidate gains that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has scored locally and internationally. "From Civil servants salaries to basic social services it is now clear that hope is now in sight" he declares.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in a joyful mood, was seen leading the way in singing various inspirational songs rallying supporters of the Urey Campaign as the hours draw nearer for the November ten pools.
Meanwhile, the Unity Party Senatorial Candidate believes the Desmond Tutu style Truth and reconciliation is a unique experience that Liberians need to review as tool to durable peace and Stability Following years of War.
Addressing students at the main campus of the United Methodist University on Friday, October 30, 2009, Urey reflected on the Accra agreement which laid the basis for the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC. According to him, the agreement showed that Liberians from diverse backgrounds who gathered in Accra placed a higher premium on healing and long lasting peace.
Urey told the Students that the impact of the war years has been devastating and as such, Liberians must carve combined energies not to only rebuild and address the post conflict transformation, but must avoid the prospect of returning to war. The unity party Senatorial Aspirant told the Students to view their educational sojourn as vital to Liberia's quest to achieving its goal and aspiration as a respected member of the global community.
He underscored that Liberia has achieved more under the leadership of president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, pointing out that Liberians have witnessed enormous turn around and at the same time, indicated that with a highly skill population, the pace of Liberia's transformation will be accelerated.
He reminded the enthusiastic crowd that his bid for the Senate is being inspired by his desire to boast the Country's health, Education, and broader human resource capacities issues which according to him, are given secure support from the State. He trepeated his call to the students to strive for academic excellence irrespective of the many challenges that normally serve as distractions to students.
He recalled that his support for various student groups and other well deserving groupings is simply a stimulus to engender growth in the education of the Country's population. Urey recounted that Education has proven to be a secure path out of hardship and poverty and as such, students seeking bigger responsibility in the Country must continue to adopt a serious approach to academia.
Keeping his focus on the November 10, 2009 by- election, the UP senatorial aspirant said, it is a glorious opportunity for Citizens of Montserrado to access the candidates based on their contributions to society and not on the basis of party symbols or Party loyalty.
He added that the election of people prepared to serve the people and address their challengers is cardinal during these trying times of the Nation's History. He intimated that people with demonstrated capacity to deliver and find answers to the people's dilemma are always best situated for position of trust and decision making as oppose to those seeking self-discovery.
The unity Party Senatorial candidate who gave two hundred and fifty arm chairs to Students of the Unity Methodist University (UMU) Friday said, the gesture is his own way of helping to tackle the issue of sitting capacity at the School.
He stressed that the donation was not simply a campaign matter, as students of the United Methodist are aware of contributions he continues to make in a bid to positively shape their educational motives, adding that his humanitarian passion was influenced by those who help him acquired education, and that he is prepared and ready to always look back.
He reminded the students to always cultivate the spirit of community sensitivity irrespective of how high they will rise in society, noting that the status he has attained in life did not come on a platform of silver platter, but by courage and perseverance and as such, students must adopt similar attributes.
The Unity party Senatorial candidate cautioned the Students to emulate such attributes as an essential ingredient to helping their communities and society at large. The Private Sector guru reminded the students that the challenges the nation faces ranges from education to health, and that transportation ought to be captured in a holistic way by the state, something he said, the Senate can champion.
In closing remarks, Mr. Urey cautioned the gathering that the nation was at a critical juncture, and that it requires the best in every facet of society to provide answers, stressing that the Senate is one of such places.
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