KEDRICK WHITE CLARIFIES GUS BROOKS STORY

Mr. Kedrick White, the Liberian contractor responsible for the construction of the property of Gwen and Gus Brooks, has described as unfortunate the utterances made in a video by Mr. Gus Brooks and posted on the BC website.

Mr. Brooks contracted the services of Mr. White, who engages in the construction of homes, etc., in Liberia to build a house in Paynesville on the outskirts of Monrovia. The value of the final house plan selected by the Brooks family, Mr. White claims, was clearly stated to be more than the estimated cost of - thirty five thousand dollars, an amount which was attached to an earlier plan that Mr. Brooks and his wife had rejected and opted for a much larger plan.

In good faith, Mr. White stated, he continued with the building of the house until at the point when the amount of thirty-five thousand dollars had been spent. Mr. Brooks and his wife now feel that such amount was not invested in the structure. The fact that Mr. White had communicated to the Brooks family before the start of the project was the first specific information that the Brooks Lawyer was looking for when he handled the case two years ago. (See a copy of the email correspondence below). Mr. White continued that the second specific information the Brooks Lawyer needed was to determine construction value at the stoppage. Mr. White added that this issue had been concluded with discussions between him and Mr. Brooks in the presence of the Brooks Lawyer at the Sharks Restaurant in the Sinkor Airfield area during Mr. Brooks Visit to Liberia.

Speaking to the BC during a guided tour of the property in Liberia, Mr. White said that the house in question was built according to specifications. Mr. White showed the BC video crew the walls which were solid and not crumbling and said that the house has been sitting for the past three years and is still in stable condition, although it was built in a sandy and swampy locale.

On the issue of the roof which Mr. Brooks had described on video as being totally rusty and useless, Mr. White noted that the zinc used for the construction that was purchased from Sethi Brothers in Monrovia and was advertised as 32-guage alloy. However, he continued that Sethi Brothers Company has been accused by several consumers of bringing in sub standard materials for the Liberian market, since the zinc they brought in was of low quality and quick to rust. The BC visited several other construction sites where the Sethi zinc lay rusting on roofs less than three years old. Mr. White then noted that issue was all about the supply and not about the quality of his work. He also stated that zinc was purchased at the tail end of the purchases which meant that it took a bit longer to realize this zinc was a part of the bad consignment. Several other persons have complained Sethi to the government but there have been no redress in the case at this time.

In a story written by Dominic Farley in 2008, he said, “But according to credible report gathered by this paper, most of the people who bought the alumina zinc for their projects have reportedly been victimized as a result of the poor quality of the product.

One of the victims of the Sethi’s alleged criminal act is the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE). According to reports, every piece of zinc used by LACE on its projects across the country is getting rusty, and this has prompted the Non-Governmental Organizational (NGO) to inform the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the behavior of Sethi. Meanwhile, sources at the Commerce Ministry have confirmed the action of Sethi Brothers. Sethi has reportedly agreed to refund customers’ money especially those who will return the goods with receipts indicating that the products were bought from its entity.” Mr. White noted during the tour, that there was no way to return the zinc even at the time since it had been installed on the roof top, and that it is all wasted effort to pursue that course due to the “LIB” system of doing things here. Many others still are pushing for a class action suit against Sethi.

Speaking further on the size of the construction and the cost of thirty five thousand dollars for the job, Mr. White said that he had presented several plans to the Brooks family to choose. He continued that the family had chosen a larger building and that they were told that more money would be needed to build the structure.

One of the complaints of the Brook’s family was that Mr. White continued to request for more money during the course of the construction. Mr. White on the other hand noted that all you have to do is to see the size of house that was built. “So, to hear Gus say openly that I have treated him and his wife in such a fashion as described in the video is very sad. Mr. White stated that he attempted to repair the minor wall cracks in two small areas but his crew was asked to leave the grounds by Gwen while she was in Liberia or else, so he ordered his crew out. Meanwhile, Mr. White provided the number of Mr. Brooks lawyer who he said had visited the site and was quite impressed with the level of work done on the structure.

The house is shown in the accompanying video and the video covers the sunken living room, several rooms, the front and the side where the garage is located. The land is located on sandy swampy soil in a grassy area. A church is being built in the front yard of the house and the church authorities are offering to buy the house since it is so close to their premises.

Many Liberians wanting to build homes at home are employing the use of construction firms and individuals. But the issue is that the expectations for what they spend far exceed what they finally get. Sometimes they are justified for their expectations, other times they are not.

Stanton B. Peabody is Dead by James E. Reginald Townsend 612-876-5227/612-205-5565

Stanton B. Peabody is Dead

Stanton B. Peabody, a Veteran Liberian Journalist is dead. Bob Stan, as he was affectionately called, passed away on the morning of April 13, 20011 at 1:45 at the John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital in Sinkor, Monrovia after a brief illness. Stanton B. Peabody was born in Marshall City, Marshall Territory, now Margibi County, to the union of Albert D. Peabody and Serena Ford Marshall Peabody. He was 80 years old.

Stanton B. Peabody received his primary education in Marshall City and later moved to Monrovia, Capital of Liberia, and attended the James B. McCritty School and College of West Africa respectively. Later, he matriculated to the St. John’s Episcopal High School where he obtained his high school diploma.

Realizing that high school diploma was short of his ambition, young Stanton took to the hills of the University of Liberia where he graduated later with a degree in journalism.

While a student, he launched his journalism career as a reporter for the Liberian Age. Later, Mr. Peabody served as Assistant Editor, and became Acting Editor of The Liberian Age in 1966. In 1970, he was formally appointed Editor-in-Chief, a position he held even after the April 12, 1980 military coup d'etat when the Liberian Age's name was changed to The Redeemer.

He continued to serve as Editor-in-Chief until December 1980, when he was transferred to the Ministry of Information. In October 1983, he became the Editor of the Daily Observer News Paper and its sister paper, the Sunday Observer, a paper that suffered prosecution brutally under the military government for relentlessly reporting the facts.

Between 1991 and 1994, Stanton B. Peabody served as Editorial Consultant for The Inquirer newspaper, and later served on the organizing committee of Torchlight, a newspaper established by ECOMOG, the West African Peacekeeping Force during the height of the Liberian Civil Conflict. Since 1962, he served as Correspondent in Liberia for the British wire service, Reuters. Returning to Liberia in 2005 after a brief exile in the United States, he continued to be active in the press and involved with journalism in Liberia.

A veteran journalist who covered over five Liberian administrations, Stanton B. Peabody has received numerous national and international awards and honors, including "Journalist of the Year" in 1988 and was a founding member of the Press Union of Liberia.

Mr. Peabody also lectured at the School of Journalism at the University of Liberia.

Stanton B. Peabody is predeceased by his father, Albert Daniel Peabody, mother, Serena Ford Marshall Peabody, his brother Hugh Peabody, and a sister who died in infancy, Mary Agnes Peabody.

Bob Stan is survived by his wife Rebecca, five children; Hugh, Vina, Madia, Stan, and Sam. He leaves to mourn his loss several grand children, many nephews and nieces including Stanford Peabody of the Bushchicken Minnesota online Magazine and a host of other relatives and friends.

Stanton was a loving father of five children, a wonderful grandfather, a great uncle, a concern cousin, a likeable friend, a friendly gentleman and a great statesman.

Funeral service for the remains of Stanton B. Peabody is slated for April 30, 2011 in Monrovia, Liberia.

Village life in Liberia

Village life in Liberia
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Liberia's own Spiderman

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TREASURER OF KONOLA ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MISAPPLIES $50,000, MEMBERS CRY

What will be known, as classic textbook case of how not to run an alumni association has been uncovered in the Konola Alumni Association.  It has been learned that its treasurer who was voted into the position in 1990 and held the position until the last convention in September of 2006 defrauded the Konola Alumni Association of about $50,000 over a 17-year period.

According to sources in the hierarchy of the organization who explained the genesis of the story, the Treasurer was elected and has held the position of Treasurer for successive four-year terms due to his trustworthiness and his immaculate record keeping.
He was elected in 1990.

One may wonder as to how such a fraud could have been perpetrated amongst a group of people as learned as the composition of Alumni of Konola?  The group has doctors, lawyers, teachers and a wide range of other professionals.

The source in a telephone interview stated that the Treasurer kept complete records, but what the body never asked for were bank statements.

How did the body finally get to know?  Besides small projects of chairs, yard maintenance equipment to send to their school, the association had never undertaken a large project as the $12,000 truck they bought, serviced and paid freight for in 2005.

The truck caused $7500.00, servicing was $250.00 and shipment and licensing was about $4500.00.  As far as the body was concerned at the time, the treasury had up to $30000.00 plus, so when the treasurer was asked to provide the money for the quick shipment, and he took three months to come up with the amount, it was then that the rumor mill started.

People were quite skeptical about out rightly accusing the treasurer, The President of the Organization flew in to Minnesota to meet the State’s representative and together they asked for a meeting with the Treasurer, unfortunately that meeting never was held.

Several other incidents pointed to the fraud, but it was all about whom to bell the cat.  Meanwhile, the treasurer went about his normal duties day by day.

The final straw came during the convention when the report was about to be made and the Treasurer called the Board of Directors and other members of the finance committee in. He proceeded to ask their forgiveness and tell them that the money, about $18,000 had been lent out to a Pastor whom he did not want to name. 

In the main time, his wife was asked to keep quiet several times as she just went on explaining much to the annoyance of the members.  When quizzed further, the Treasurer broke down and confessed to misappropriating the funds.

The Board then decided to cover up the fraud.  While the body waited for the report, the caucus members came out and told the body that the Treasurer’s report was not forthcoming and that it would be made and mailed out to all the members.
Some members were mad, but the trust for the Treasurer won out and the convention proceeded without incident.

To make sure that the amount given by the Treasurer was accurate, the Board went to the bank to request five years of statements.

When the statement was received and reviewed, some members broke down and cried.
The CD was broken and emptied of the $11,000.00.  Monies from conventions, year in and year out were systematically deposited cleared and then withdrawn, sometimes up to $1500.00 a day for days.  The organization paid so many fees for being below the limit that it amounted to hundreds of dollars.

When a forensic audit of the statements was made for the five years, it showed that the Treasurer used up to approximately $50000.00 from the Association.

The organization is currently in the process of waiting for the Treasurer to refund the money, which he says, will be done in two months as of September.

Other members are afraid that if nothing’s done about this gross abuse of public trust, the viable organization would surely crumble.  Others yet are concerned as to how this could have been perpetrated for so long without anybody stopping to check.

The organization after the audit had only $379.00 balance in its account.  The organization is planning legal action if the Treasurer does not pay the amount.  This one insider says is to shore up the organization and keep the morale up.

PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO STANTON PEABODY ON ITS 42ND ANNIVERSARY

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) will observe its 42nd anniversary with an early morning parade of newsmen through the streets of Monrovia, ending up at the campus of the University of Liberia where the United States Ambassador Donald Booth and the former President of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, Mr. Mohammed Kamara, are expected to address the anniversary edition of the Edward Blyden Forum on the theme: 'MEDIA, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.'

Since its founding, the PUL has grown into a vibrant pro-democracy group in the Liberian society championing not only media matters and free speech, or improving journalists' role in the society, but also affecting issues on democratic governance human rights, rule of law, gender development and transparency in government.

In a Statement, the PUL says, "On the 42nd anniversary the Press Union will pay special tribute to the bravery of veteran journalist Stanton Peabody, whose jailing by the Legislature on September 29, 1964, gave birth to the PUL."

Where is Stanton Peabody now?

Mr. Peabody continues to practice journalism in Monrovia as Editorial Consultant of the Daily Observer - a paper he edited in the eighties before the civil conflict. He is also a Journalism Instructor at the AME University on Camp Johnson Road, Monrovia, Liberia. 

HEATED EXCHANGES AT FINAL DEBATES

Every two years members of the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA) come together to decide who leads the Organization for the next two years. With this year being an elections year for the Union, after listening to the various candidates in Minnesota few weeks ago, delegate and well-wishers on September 22, 2006 jam packed the International House located in the part of Philadelphia popularly known as the University City to listen to the various candidates for the last time before elections.

                         

                                       CROSS SECTION OF DELEGATES

Though the debate was well attended as compared to the Minnesota debate, it failed to start on time. During an exchange before the start of the program, Hon. Gbai M. Gbala, a prominent Liberian, Mr. Arthur Watson, out going president of the union, and Mr. Kesselly, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Union all expressed their disappointment with the issue of Liberian disrespect for time. "Liberians can never change regardless of where they are, we can never start anything on time," said Gbala.  

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Elections Commissions, Mr Benoni T. Grimes praised the turn out of delegates. He expressed his hope that the election will produce a President who will take the organization to the next level. He said at the end of the day, he trust that Liberians will turn out to vote the candidate of their choice who is capable of leading the Union . 

                        

                                       WATSON, SETON AND KESSELLEY

Though the various candidates were present, the debate itself was mainly a re-echo of statements made in Minnesota . For the position of Secretary General, the two candidates re-affirmed their positions. For his part, Mr. Isaac Zawolo of the Wettee-Selli team, after lengthily outlining his educational achievements, emphasized his hope to work hard to improve the Union . Adding, over the time we've worked hard to improve the organization, we even improved the Union 's chapter by an addition of a new chapter. On the other hand, Mr.Adolphus Jacobs of the Toe-Norris Team promised to transform the Union . He said the Union needs to redefine its roles. He described the Union as a drowning organization that need changes. Adding, how can you be Drowning and want to save another person who is drowning?" 

As the two Vice Presidential Candidates took on each other, the level of civility that is usually exhibited by female politicians was at its peak. Though the two candidates did not meet during the last debates in Minnesota due to the absence of Mrs. Georgia Selli from the Wettee-Selli camp, their level of maturity and respect for each other was well exhibited. In her usual soft spoken voice, Mrs Danlette Norris of the Toe-Norris camp, said, "I come not with all the knowledge but to partner with you." On the question of how independent are the two candidates outside of their respective heads, Mrs. Norris said, "I do not subscribe to things I do not believed." For her part, Mrs. Selli said she has always worked independently and hope to continue doing so. "I will never be a rubber stamp, she said. 

                         

                                      OLD HANDS FLOMO AND BROWN

The Presidential debates, though not much was different form the promises/statements made in Minnesota , saw some heated exchanges. Interestingly, the debate was mainly fired up due to what many described as the "home angle" because of important questions asked by a Panelist, Mr. Wesseh, the Managing Editor of the Inquirer News Paper in . Wesseh, who just traveled from Liberia to attend some Training in Virginia said while the Liberian population in Liberia views the Union as a serious force in the social, political and economic development of Liberia, the Union has been silent on many issues for months.  He raised a question about the Candidates position on the issues of Liberian Citizens only being people of Negro Decent, to which both candidate took refuge in the constitutions. 

Another Panelist, Mr. Abraham Massally continuously raised questions that were direct as he seemed to be well informed about the issues and concerns in the various chapters of the Union . However, when Massally could not properly frame a question intended for Mr. Toe, his supporters led by Rev. Samuel Reeves disrupted the debate and brought it to a standstill for about 13 minutes of protest. Some called on him to be replaced, however, that did not happen as Masselly later asked his question in a more defined faction. 

Meanwhile, the official programs marking the 32nd Convention is expected to start today, September 23, 2006 at the same venue that give birth to the organization in 1974 ( The International House). The convention is expected to be presided over by the Union's out going president, Mr. Arthur Watson at 9 A.M. Delegates are also expected to walk next door to cast their votes while the convention is in process. Later in the evening, the Union will host delegates and well-wishers to a formal dinner/ball at which time the Elections Commissions is expected to announce the results of the Elections.