John Bartees Appointment in OLM Receives Major Blow

John Bartees Appointment in OLM Receives Major Blow

By Staff Reporter/PNN

The United Christian Fellowship Church (UCFC) has declined to host the induction ceremony of Mr. John Jenkins Bartee, the man OLMs President Kerper Dwanyen appointed to serve as Vice-President of the organization.

The Peopletopeople news has confirmed that Pastor Charles Goah declined to host the event, because he believes the appropriate procedures established to confirm such a nomination was not followed and that he does not want to be a party to any process that is characterized by political gimmickry.

The Liberian Media and Advertising Agency announced a fortnight ago that the induction of Mr. John Bartee was scheduled to have been held at the UCFC Church, only to later report that the venue has been changed to a local restaurant.

Earlier, Mr. Arthur Zakama, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OLM, rejected the appointment of Mr. Bartee, saying any attempt by President Dwanyen to bypass procedure established to legitimize Mr. Bartee will not be accepted.

True to his trait of creating chaos, Mr. Dwanyen recently appointed Mr. Bartee as OLMs Vice-President, to replace Mr. Andrew Tehmeh, without the approval of the Board of Directors.

OLM President, Kerper Dwanyen OLM Board Chairman, Arthur Zakama

Mr. Dwanyen has refused to quote the part of the constitution that gives him the authority to appoint a Vice-President to a vacant position created by the departure of Mr. Andrew Tehmeh.

The Liberian Journal: In the past, all non-elected OLMs Vice-Presidents have enjoyed the legitimacy of being approved by the Board of Directors of the organization, including Mrs. Marie Y. Hayes, who was nominated to replace Mrs. Julia Grear, at the sunset of the administration of President Wilfred Harris.

The Liberian Journal also quoted Chairman Zakama as saying, The OLM Board does not recognize Mr. Bartee as Vice-President of the community until President Kerper Dwanyen recognizes and follows the appropriate procedures. If Bartee is not nominated to the board for confirmation, he will enjoy no legitimacy, no matter what President Dwanyen does to pass him off as a legitimate Vice-President of the Liberian community in Minnesota.

Many observers have concluded that this appointment is the most controversial process in OLMs history.

Why is Mr. Bartee so desperate to occupy this position in the midst of these violations, an observed wondered.

It can be recalled that Mr. Bartee, as a candidate for the 2007 OLM Board elections, was disgracefully defeated, perhaps forcing him to bypass will of the people, just to be called a community leader.