The Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) over the weekend held elections for members of the Board of Directors. As the people found their way to the polling center, many expressed the concern as to whether this time around, the community would be reunited. Will, the Board of Directors be an instrument of peace and harmony or distunity and discord?

fourrteen members of the community vie for nine positions on the OLM Board of Directors. Those who contested include Kamaty L Diahn, Jonathan Sie Earley, Henry S. G., Gaypia, Jackson K. George, Jr., Henry Y. Kesselly, Zubah G. Kpanaku, Richard W., Parker, Ziahn J., Pour, Richard K., Sondah, John P Tarley, Margaret J. Toweh, Bangalee A. Trawally, Christopher Nahnie Wylie, and J. Clarence Yaskey.

It is often said that harmony is the strength of any society. A community where there is harmony, bound to succeed. Where there is discord, there can be no substantial achievement? Certainly not! The more dangerous thing is placing the community in the hands of polarizing figures. Some one said, "If life isn't about human beings living in harmony, then I don't know what it's about." This is why our leaders need to ensure that the community is at peace at all times.

Kamaty L Diahn	J. Clarence Yaskey	Richard W., Parker	Henry S. G., Gaypia	Jonathan Sie Earley	Margaret J. Toweh
Ziahn J., Pour	Henry Y. Kesselly	Bangalee A. Trawally	Zubah G. Kpanaku	Richard K., Sondah	Christopher Nahnie Wylie

Over the last two years, the community has been locked in a court battle, vicious infighting between the board and the president and the chairman of the board and the president on the other hand, abuse of office, political discord. The question is will this election bring an end to all of that?

During the 2007 elections the OLM President, Kerper Dwanyen promised that he was going to unify the community. He made the people believe that he was a "great unifier." They gave him the benefit of the doubts; they voted for and elected him.

Not long before the elections were over, he was on his way to court. He wanted to sue every one who may have opposed him during the election. It only after he realized that everything that was said about him was factual, he folded his tail and sat down.

The next thing was to sue the election chairman under the pretence of financial accountability, only to settle political scores. His pettiness could not allow him to reach out. Today, the OLM community is far divided then he met it. He has done nothing to unify, but everything to further divide the community. Currently there is an ongoing law suit that started immediately after the 2007 and is still hanging in court.

The question is now that the OLM election has come and gone, what is next for the community. Will this board be another "rubber stamp board" or will the new board members be independent and professional in serving this community. Will you be used to settle political scores? The vote you win to be a member of the OLM Board of director is a mandate to reach out, to involve these who were pushed aside, to unify this community.