Varney Sherman Speaks To Young Liberian Professionals

Sunday, September 5, 2004: Keeping up with one of his campaign promises to meet with all Liberians and Liberian groups, Cllr. H. Varney G. Sherman, who is currently seeking the nomination for the Liberian Action Party (LAP) for president for Liberia in the upcoming 2005 general elections, met with a group of young Liberian professionals at a cocktail event hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wortorson at their home in Bowie, Maryland.

In welcoming the guests at his home, Mr. Wortorson, stressed the need to bridge the generation gap. He said it was important for Liberian professionals in the United States to be informed about the various Liberian presidential candidates and their plans, especially those whose programs encourage Liberian professionals to go home to Liberia to contribute to the development of Liberia. Wortorson told Cllr. Sherman that many of his invitees were very anxious to know more about him and his campaign this why he organized the cocktail event. .

Also present at the event were members of Liberians for Good Governance, or LIGG. Liberians for Good Governance (LIGG) is a non-formal association of Liberians who trust the integrity of each other and makes decisions by consensus. LIGG is advocating for the institutionalization of democracy in Liberia, the advancement of integrity, transparency and accountability in government, and the promotion of equal opportunity for all Liberians irrespective of background. Members of LIGG believe that Cllr. Varney Sherman is the candidate for the presidency of Liberia best suited to achieving these objectives and are supporting him for the office. .

Mr. Mohamedu Jones, a member of LIGG, also a practicing lawyer in the United States, offered a deep and passionate introduction of the man who many say is poised to become the next president of Liberia, Cllr. Varney G. Sherman. Jones, who is also a brother to Mr. Sherman, presented him as the best and right man to lead Liberia at this time. Mr. Jones told the guests that his association with the Sherman?s campaign would have been impossible if he didn?t believe that he was the right person. .

Looking the guests straight in their faces, Cllr. Sherman said the mission of his campaign was to build what he called ?Enterprise Liberia.? Sherman?s concept is founded on the idea that all Liberians, at home and abroad, would be shareholders of Enterprise Liberia. Cllr. Sherman, who is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer, said he wanted to put in place an administration that would be held to strong business principles and ethics. He said that he believes, like the commercial world, where shareholders have a stake in the survival of their corporations, all Liberians, as shareholders in Enterprise Liberia, would have a stake in the development and reconstruction of Liberia through their full participation. .

Like in many of the gatherings he has spoken, Cllr. Sherman, informed the young Liberians professionals about another concept of his, which is ?Once a Liberian, Always a Liberian.? This is an idea that no Liberian need ever stop being a Liberian; and Liberia does not have to ever lose a citizen. If elected, Cllr. Sherman said, his administration would do everything; including proposing changes in the law, to encourage Liberians to come home, and will make sure that returning Liberians, whether they are citizens of another country or not, will be treated equally like all Liberians. He said Liberians in Liberia should not be intimidated by their returning brothers and sisters, and but should see the presence of Liberians from abroad in Liberia as a challenge which will increase the competitiveness of all Liberians and lift the entire country. .

The highlight of the event came when the guests were allow to ask Cllr. Sherman any question each might have. Answering questions about himself and his campaign is viewed by many who have attended his events as one of his strongest assets. With every bit of clarity and confidence, Mr. Sherman answered each of the questions that were posed to him. Unlike in some other campaigns, where a moderator usually serves as a go between the candidate and the people, the Sherman campaign encourages direct questions from the audience to the candidate, providing an opportunity for meaningful interaction between Sherman and the people. .

Cllr. Sherman at the end invited all those who were present, along with all other Liberians in the United States to be part of Enterprise Liberia. He said even if some Liberians cannot come home to stay permanently, they should at least make regular visits. He said Liberian professionals coming home to Liberia will make a positive impact on the lives of many Liberian families by engaging in business ventures that will generate employment. He emphasized how important and good it feels to be at a place where you are respected, where everyone seem to know your name, and reminded the guests of a good old saying, ?no place is better than home.? .