>>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

WELCOME TO THE AARP IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WTJX VIRGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM.

GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES FORUM.

A SPECIAL WELCOME TO THE CANDIDATES SEEKING TO LEAD THIS TERRITORY IN AN HISTORIC TIME.

WHEN THE STAKES ARE HIGH, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING LIVES BETTER FOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

OUR AUDIENCE IS LIVE.

I´M THE AARP STATE DIRECTOR IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AARP IS THE NATION´S LARGEST NONPROFIT, NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION, DEDICATING TO ADVOCATING FOR POLICY THAT´S EMPOWER PEOPLE AGE 50 AND OLDER TO CHOOSE HOW THEY LIVE AS THEY AGE.

WITH A NATIONWIDE PRESENCE AND NEARLY 38 MILLION MEMBERS, WITH OVER 22,000 MEMBERS LIVING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AARP HAS A HISTORY OF PROVIDING AMERICANS WITH TRUSTED INFORMATION.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS AARP EXISTS.

AS A FRIEND AND FIERCE DEFENDER OF OLDER AMERICANS, AARP HAS BEEN CONVENING FORUMS OF CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE ON ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO FAMILIES.

ESPECIALLY ON MATTERS OF HEALTH CARE, FINANCIAL SECURITY, AND LIVABLE COMMUNITIES FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT TODAY´S FORUM WILL ALLOW YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE CANDIDATES ABOUT THE COURSE THEY ENVISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR EVENT PARTNER, WTJX FOR HELPING TO MAKE TODAY´S FORUM POSSIBLE.

IN PARTICULAR, I THANK WTJX´S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE STATION´S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND STAFF FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP WHICH ALLOWS US TO BROADCAST THIS FORUM LIVE ON OUR LOCAL PBS MEMBER STATION AND ONLINE VIA THE STATION´S WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE.

I ALSO THANK TODAY´S MODERATORS.

SUSAN ELLIS AND DR. LAVERNE RAGSTER.

SUSAN ELLIS, A GRADUATE OF COLORADO UNIVERSITY WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS.

SHE RELOCATED TO ST. CROIX IN 1992 TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT.

AS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, SUSAN LED THE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE LARGEST FUNDRAISING EVENT IN THE TERRITORY.

THE QUEEN LOUISE GOLF TOURNAMENT.

SHE ALSO WORKED FOR GLOBAL CAPITAL ADVISERS AND EDC COMPANY.

THE CARIBBEAN MUSEUM CENTER FOR THE ARTS, AND THE ST. CROIX FOUNDATION.

SINCE 2009, ELLIS HAS BEEN A JOURNALIST FOR PRINT AND ONLINE NEWS OUTLETS, INCLUDING THE V.I.

SOURCE.

AND CO-PLOD RATER, DR. LAVERNE RAGSTER.

DR. RAGSTER, BORN AND RAISED IN SAINT THOMAS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS IS A RETIRED PROFESSOR OF MARINE BIOLOGY AND PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

OVER THE SPAN OF HER CAREER, SHE HAS CONDUCTED RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN THE AREAS OF PHYSIOLOGY AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, PRESENTED AND PUBLISHED IN AREAS OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND TRAINING.

AND OBTAINED TRAINING AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN INSTITUTIONAL AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.

DR. RAGSTER HAS SERVED ON REGIONAL AND NATIONAL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO INCLUDE THE ISLAND RESOURCES FOUNDATION, V.I.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, V.I.

PUBLIC TELEVISION SYSTEM, LEGAL VOTERS AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF SAINT THOMAS.

I WILL TURN THE FORUM OVER TO SUSAN ELLIS.

>> WELCOME.

I´M SUSAN ELLIS.

ONE OF THE MODERATORS TODAY.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE OUR NEXT GOVERNOR AND TO LEARN OF THEIR ABILITY TO LEAD THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO A SUSTAINABLE AND HEALTHY FUTURE FOR US ALL.

JOINING ME TODAY IS DR. LAVERNE RAGSTER, CO-MODERATOR, AND MR. RICK GRANT, THE TIMEKEEPER.

MR. GRANT IS A CIVIL SERVANT, PUBLISHED AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO HAS A PASSION FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING.

MR. GRANT HOLDS A MASTERS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND A MASTERS OF SERVICE AND PHILOSOPHY FROM WALDEN UNIVERSITY.

CURRENTLY HE SERVES AS A SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, PROJECT LEADER WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY.

AS TIMEKEEPER, MR. GRANT WILL ALERT THE CANDIDATE ON THE TIME REMAINING TO RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONS.

AND WILL SIGNAL TO THE MODERATOR AND CANDIDATES WHEN THE TIME IS UP.

A GREEN SIGN WILL INDICATE THAT THE CANDIDATE HAS ONE MINUTE TO FINISH HIS ANSWER, AND AT 30 SECONDS, HE WILL HOLD UP A YELLOW SIGN THAT SAYS 30 SECONDS, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER YELLOW SIGN THAT SAYS 15 SECONDS.

WHEN THE TIME HAS EXPIRED, MR. GRANT WILL RING A BELL.

AGAIN, WELCOME AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A THOUGHTFUL AND ROBUST FORUM.

DR. RAGSTER WILL SHARE THE PROCEDURES FOR THE FORUM.

>> THANK YOU, MISS ELLIS.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ALL THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN TODAY´S FORUM.

HOWEVER, CANDIDATE CANDIDATE SMOKEY FRETT HAS INDICATED HE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE.

IT IS A NONPARTISAN ACTIVITY AND WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH THE RESPECT THAT CHARACTERIZES ALL AARP EVENTS.

EXPRESSIONS OF PARTISANISM IS NOT INVITED IN THE ROOM.

ATTACKS OF COMMENTS AGAINST OTHER CANDIDATES OR POLITICAL PARTIES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

TO OUR AUDIENCE, PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL MOBILE DEVICES ARE IN THE SILENT OR OFF MODE.

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CHEERING OR CLAPPING UNTIL TEND OF THE FORUM.

AND PLEASE ARE THAT THE INTEGRITY OF TODAY´S LIVE BROADCAST AND REFRAIN FROM RECORDING OR FILMING THE FORUM.

THE PARTICIPATION RULES FOR TODAY´S FORUM INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING.

FIRST, THE ORDER OF PRESENTATION IN THE FORUM IS BASED ON THE CANDIDATE´S NUMBER ON THE BALLOT.

SECOND, EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER.

EACH CANDIDATE HAS A MAXIMUM OF TWO MINUTES FOR THE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT.

AND EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO EACH QUESTION.

AFTER ALL THE CANDIDATES HAVE RESPONDED TO THE INITIAL QUESTION, KEEPING THE SAME ORDER, THEY WILL HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 60 SECONDS FOR REBUTTAL.

AFTER ALL THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED AND RESPONDED TO, CANDIDATES WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

LET´S MEET THE CANDIDATES VYING TO BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HERE IN ATTENDANCE.

CANDIDATES, YOU WILL NOW OFFER YOUR INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT AND YOU WILL HAVE A MAXIMUM OF TWO MINUTES.

WE´LL START TO MY RIGHT WITH GOVERNOR BRYAN WHO WILL BE CALLING EVERYONE CANDIDATE AFTER THIS.

BUT GOVERNOR BRYAN, GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO MY WIFE IN THE CROWD AND APPLY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I AM ALBERT BRYAN JR.

YOUR GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE IN THE 2022 ELECTION.

AND YOUR CURRENT GOVERNOR.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I´M ALSO A CARD CARRYING MEMBER OF THE AARP AND A PROUD PARTNER OF SUCH OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

FOUR YEARS AGO, I CAME TO YOU, VIRGIN ISLANDERS, TELLING TO YOU CHANGE COURSE NOW.

AND OVER THE COURSE OF THAT FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE CERTAINLY CHANGED THE COURSE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS.

I TOLD YOU THAT TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY WAS MOST IMPORTANT AS THE FIRST TENET OF OUR TIME AS GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I TOLD YOU I WOULD RESTORE THAT TRUST IN GOVERNMENT.

I WOULD TAKE THAT TRUST AND GET MORE INVESTMENT FROM FEDERAL AND PRIVATE PARTNERS.

ONCE THAT INVESTMENT CAME TO THE ISLAND, I WOULD SHARE THAT INVESTMENT AND PUT IT BACK INTO OUR PEOPLE.

SINCE THEN WE´VE RETURNED TO THE BOND MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 15 YEARS.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NOW HAS A SYSTEM THAT IS SOLVENT AND MOVING FORWARD VERY RAPIDLY.

WE HAVE PAVED OUR ROADS.

WE HAVE REPAID OVER $100 MILLION IN BACK WAGES.

WE ARE ASKING YOU FOR YOUR VOTE AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO CONTINUE ON A COURSE THAT IS PROSPERITY FOR THIS VIRGIN ISLANDS WITH THE 40-20-YEAR PLAN.

WE HAVE VISION AND VITALITY TO POWER THESE ISLANDS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND CERTAINLY ON TO THE FUTURE.

I ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE TO GET US THROUGH A 100-YEAR GLOBAL PANDEMIC WITH SHINING COLORS.

WE STAND TODAY AS AN EXAMPLE IN THE CARIBBEAN OF HOW GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RUN AND HOW PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU´RE NEXT.

>> WELL, GOOD NIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GOOD NIGHT, APPLY FELLOW CANDIDATES AND TO ALL STAFF MEMBERS PRESENTLY.

I WANT TO THANK AARP FOR INTRODUCING US, OR RATHER, INVITING US HERE TO THIS EDUCATIONAL FORUM.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD FOR BEING PRESENTLY HERE TODAY.

THE FACT STILL REMAINS THAT WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH HEALTH CARE.

AND THE MERE FACT THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IS HERE IN ATTENDANCE SLOWS THAT WE ARE LUCKY TO KNOW THAT WE ARE STILL HERE ALIVE AND KICKING.

PRAISE GOD FOR THAT, RIGHT?

SO WHEN I RECEIVED MY FIRST CARD FROM AARP, I SAID, WHOA, I´M GETTING OLD.

I WAS THROWN BACK BY IT.

IT´S REALITY AND REALIZATION.

TONIGHT, YOU WILL HEAR A LOT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, PLANS THAT I PLAN IN THE PICKARD ADMINISTRATION THAT WILL HELP US MOVE FORWARD.

HEALTH CARE ITSELF IS ON LIFE SUPPORT.

AND I´M COMING HERE TO TAKE AN OFFERING.

I´M HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL LIVE A BALANCED LIFE IN ALL THREE LEVELS AS IT PERTAINS TO HEALTH CARE.

WHICH IS HIGHLY IMPERATIVE.

IT AFFECTS EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS ROOM.

FAMILY MEMBER WISE.

MY NAME IS RONALD PICKARD.

I´M NUMBER TWO ON YOUR BALLOT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PICKARD.

AND MR. VIALET, COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE YOUR INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT?

>> GOOD EVENING.

WE BEGIN BY SAYING GOOD EVENING TO MY WIFE, GOOD EVENING TO MY RUNNING MATE, AND ALSO, FOR THOSE HERE TONIGHT.

I AM OFFICIALLY RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

AND THIS DECISION WASN´T EASY.

BUT I BELIEVE IT IS ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO IMPACT THIS COMMUNITY.

THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED OUR TERRITORY.

THE STATE OF OUR CHARACTER IS CRUMB BRG.

OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS IN CHAOS.

THE ENVISION PROGRAM IS NONEXISTENT.

CRIME IS RAPIDLY RISING.

DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER THIS PARTICULAR -- THIS HAS OCCURRED UNDER THIS PARTICULAR ADMINISTRATION.

I WILL QUICKLY ADDRESS MANY OF THESE ISSUES.

WE PLAN TO ADDRESS EDUCATION BY COMBATTING THE LEARNING LOSS TAKING PLACE IN THE SYSTEM.

WE PLAN TO CREATE PARTNERSHIPS IN HEALTH CARE TO BE ABLE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE ACROSS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.

MY NAME IS KURT VIALET.

I DIDN´T SAY MY NAME.

WE´VE WORKED TOGETHER THE LAST SIX YEARS.

AND WE WILL FORM A PARTNERSHIP AND BEGIN TO CREATE SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WANT TO SAY THAT THE GOOD SENATOR TURNBULL AND MYSELF WERE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS INCLUDED AND THAT WE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL MONEY SO THEY CAN BE SOLVENT.

IT IS THE WAY TO GO.

IT IS A WAY TO BRING BACK INTEGRITY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT IS A WAY FOR US TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT.

>> NOW TO THE QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION OF OUR FORUM.

THE CANDIDATES WILL RESPOND IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER.

GOVERNOR BRYAN IS NUMBER ONE.

MR. PICKARD IS NUMBER TWO.

AND SENATOR VIALET IS THREE.

THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE ROTATED WITH EACH QUESTION.

THE FIRST QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH GOOD GOVERNMENT.

GOVERNOR BRYAN, MAINTAINING THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES STRONG DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY IN THE V.I.

GOVERNMENT UNDER YOUR ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO FUNDING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AND POLICIES IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTIONS.

THE BRYAN/ROACH ADMINISTRATION IS THE MOST TRANSPARENT IN THE HISTORY OF ISLANDS.

EVERYTHING GOES OUT FOR BID PUBLICLY.

IT IS ALSO POSTED ON THE INTERNET.

EVERY SINGLE TRANSACTION THE GOVERNMENT MAKES, INCLUDING DOWN TO MY PAYCHECK, MY CREDIT CARD.

YOU CAN SEE.

EVERY SINGLE ONE.

EVERY FEDERAL DOLLAR, YOU CAN GO TO THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE.

EVEN THROUGH THE BLACKEST PART OF THE PANDEMIC ON A REGULAR BASIS, TWICE A WEEK I REPORTED TO YOU ON THE COMINGS AND GOINGS ON.

I WOULD MAKE THE LEGISLATURE MORE TRANSPARENT.

RIGHT NOW THE LEGISLATURE DOESN´T COME BEFORE THE BUDGET.

THE FINANCIAL BOARD HEARING IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FIND OUT WHERE OUR MONEY IS BEING SPENT.

THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY IN PROCUREMENT.

THEY DON´T ADHERE TO THE LAWS OF PROCUREMENT.

WITH NO BID CONTRACTS, THE LEGISLATURE REGULARLY GIVES OUT CONTRACTS TO PEOPLE HEADED BY KURT VIALET AND THE FINANCIAL TEAM.

THEY HAVE NEVER QUERIED THE SENATORS AS TO WHAT THEY DO WITH THEIR SOME $450,000 OF BUDGET THAT THEY GO EVERY YEAR.

THE JUDICIARY, WE WILL DO THE SAME.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ALL THE OTHER AGENCIES.

WE CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD.

OUR MAIN THING IS TO TRUST US.

YOU KNOW WHERE WE STAND.

THROUGHOUT THE LAST FOUR YEARS, I´VE TOLD YOU THE TRUTH EVEN WHEN IT HURT THE ADMINISTRATION.

THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE PICKARD, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO IMPROVE TRANSPARECY UNDER YOUR ADMINISTRATION?

>> FIRST, IF I MAY SAY, THIS ADMINISTRATION IS OBVIOUSLY NOT BEEN THE MOST TRANSPARENT ADMINISTRATION IN HISTORY.

THAT´S OBVIOUS.

THAT WE DO HAVE A HEALTH CARE SITUATION ISSUE.

WHENEVER YOU HAVE PROTESTS IN ANY GOVERNMENT.

WHEN THE PEOPLE COME OUT AND PROTEST, THAT MEANS THEY´RE PROTESTING AGAINST A GRIEVANCE, ABOUT BAD BEHAVIOR, BAD LIVING CONDITIONS, BAD WORKING CONDITIONS, LACK OF EQUIPMENT.

IT´S OBVIOUS.

ON EVERYBODY KNOWS IT´S A PROBLEM ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND THE PROGRAMS.

IF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT IS NOT UP TO DATE WITHIN SIX MONTHS, WE PLAN TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY AS IT PERTAINS TO HEALTH CARE.

BY DOING THAT, WE WILL NOT HAVE TO TOUCH ANY MONEY IN THE TREASURY.

NUMBER TWO, IT WILL BE COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

NOW, OUR MAIN THING IN A PICKARD/TURN BULL ADMINISTRATION, IT MAKES NO SENSE TO HAVE ANIMOSITY AMONGST OURSELVES.

IT MAKES NO SENSE TO THROW BLAME AT EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE TWO CANDIDATES, TWO YEARS AND TEN MONTHS IN THE GOVERNMENT.

YES, IT´S OBVIOUS WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HEALTH CARE.

WE PLAN TO ADDRESS IT.

THEY HAVE FOUR YEARS CIRCLING AROUND.

OUR PLAN IS TO WORK WITH THE SENATE.

ACT WITH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO HAVE IT IN FORCE.

>> THANK YOU.

AND SENATOR VIALET?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

LAW WAS ESTABLISHED FOR A CERTAIN REASON.

THERE ARE LAWS THAT GOVERN THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GOVERN THE TERRITORY.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE MUST BE ADHERED TO.

AND THE PROVISIONS IN THAT CODE THAT SPEAKS TO TRANSPARENCY MUST BE ADHERED TO.

WE CANNOT HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT FOLLOWS PROCUREMENT PROTOCOLS FOR CERTAIN DIVISIONS, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO CERTAIN DISASTER RECOVERY, WE CIRCUMVENT AND GO TO THE FINANCIAL AUTHORITY AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON.

OUR CONTRACTS, ALL CONTRACTS SHOULD GO THROUGH PROPERTY AND PROCUREMENT.

THERE SHOULD BE NO WAY, OR NO REASON TO CIRCUMVENT THAT PARTICULAR PROCESS.

I WILL CONTINUE WITH THE TRANSPARENCY WEBSITE AND MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN THE WEBSITE AND EXPAND THE WEBSITE SO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CAN KNOW EVERYTHING TAKING PLACE.

WHEN YOU HAVE CONTRACTORS, WHO BECOME SUBCONTRACTOR´S, AND HIDE IN A COMPANY AND GET BIDS OF $1 MILLION TO $4 MILLION, THAT´S NOT TRANSPARENCY.

WHEN YOU EXECUTE A $1 MILLION EXTENSION, JUST RECENTLY, THAT´S NOT TRANSPARENCY WHEN THE BOARD DID NOT APPROVE IT.

SO WE SAY ONE THING BUT WE ACT TOTALLY DIFFERENT IN REFERENCE TO THE FINANCES OF THE GOVERNMENT.

AND AS A FINANCIER -- >> THANK YOU.

ARE THERE ANY CANDIDATES WHO WISH TO -- YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS.

>> FOR 14 YEARS, THE SENATOR AND HIS RUNNING MATE HAVE SAT IN THE LEGISLATURE AND DONE NOTHING TO MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT.

ACTUALLY, THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO DISTRACT AND TO DETER TRANSPARENCY.

WE´VE BEEN TRYING THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS IN ORDER TO GET THE LEGISLATURE´S FINANCES AND YET NOTHING THERE.

THE CANDIDATE TALKED ABOUT NO-BID CONTRACTS THAT ARE NOT GOING THROUGH PROPERTY AND PROCUREMENT.

BUT HE CAN´T PRODUCE ANY OF THEM.

WHERE ARE THE 5,000 AND $6,000 AND $10,000 CONTRACTS THAT THE CANDIDATES AND HIS RUNNING MATES GIVE OUT TO THEIR BUDDIES IN THE LEGISLATURE?

WE HAD COVID FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

IN THAT TIME WE MUST HAVE HAD MAYBE ONE NO-BID CONTRACT, IF THAT.

WE ADHERE TO THE LEGISLATIVE RULES OF THE BODY OF THE CODE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

BUT IN A PANDEMIC, ACTION IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

AND ACTION IS WHAT WE DID.

WHILE THEY TALKED, WE RESPONDED.

IF WE WERE WAITING FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO GET IT DONE, WE WOULD STILL BE AFFLICTED BY COVID IN THIS TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU.

REBUTTAL?

HE WAS GIVEN TO A FAMILY MEMBER.

HOW DARE YOU SPEAK ABOUT THE $5,000, $6,000 CONTRACT, WHEN YOU TRIED TO EXECUTE A MILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT?

TO HAVE THE INTEGRITY TO SAY I WILL NOT BE INVOLVED AND I WILL NOT SIGN THAT CONTRACT.

THE CONTRACT WAS REVEALED TO US BY ANOTHER COMPANY WHO HAD ACTUALLY BID OR IN DISCUSSION TO GET THAT CONTRACT WHICH YOU CIRCUMVENTED THE PROCESS.

SO $5,000, $6,000.

FAR FROM THE TRUTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE PICKARD WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

>> SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WANT TO YOU PAY ATTENTION AS IT PERTAINS TO THE NUMBERS BEING THROWN BACK AND FORTH.

TO BEGIN AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS WHAT´S GOING ON.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY, THERE HAVE ABSOLUTELY BEEN NO ACCOUNTABILITY IN THIS ADMINISTRATION.

$2 MILLION JUST DISAPPEARED LIKE HOUDINI.

$4 MILLION DISAPPEARED FROM ONE HOSPITAL.

AND THE LIST GOES ON.

NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHERE IS THE MONEY?

WHERE DID THE MONEY GO?

WHERE WAS IT SITTING TO DEVELOP INTEREST?

IN A PICKARD/TURNBUL ADMINISTRATION, WE WILL HAVE AN AUDIT TO STOP THE MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

THAT´S SOMETHING YOU CAN BE GUARANTEED WITH.

NUMBER TWO, ON YOUR BALLOT.

DO I HAVE 15 SECONDS MORE TO GO?

OUTSTANDING.

SO OUR MAIN THING IS, MAKE SURE YOUR MONEY IS NOT LOST.

OUR THING IS TO MAKE SURE YOUR MONEY IS NOT STOLEN BY THE VERY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND IT IS PRETTY MUCH OUT THERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WELL, WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION ON GOOD GOVERNMENT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWERS.

THIS ONE WE WILL START WITH MR. PICKARD, CANDIDATE PICKARD.

THE BACKGROUND STATEMENT SAYS THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLAND THINK IS AN UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY WHICH ALL OF US SHOULD KNOW.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE REPRESENTED IN DISCUSSIONS WITH CONGRESS AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

AND OUTSIDE THE DECISIONS AND PROCESSES.

AS GOVERNOR, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENSURE THE CHALLENGES AND VOICES ARE REPRESENTED WITH ACTIONS IN CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> SO THE ONE THING, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

OKAY.

I WAS TOO FAR.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS OUR CITIZENS WANT TO KNOW WHAT´S GOING ON.

WE´RE ALL ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, RIGHT?

WE DON´T KNOW WHAT´S GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS UNTIL 1:00 IN THE MORNING, A BILL IS PASSED.

THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, IT IS PUT INTO LAW.

AS A GOVERNOR, TO MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION, THAT WE COMMUNICATE WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

I DON´T WANT IN THE PICKARD/TURNBUL ADMINISTRATION, WHAT´S GOING ON WITH INSURANCE?

OUR JOB TO WORK WITH DELEGATES OF CONGRESS.

THEY ARE OUR MOUTH PIECE WITH RESPECT TO CONGRESS.

THIS ADMINISTRATION, AND EVEN THE PAST ADMINISTRATION, I HAVE NOT SEEN MANY TIMES WHEN GOVERNORS AND SENATORS HAVE A RAPPORT RELATIONSHIP WITH CONGRESS TO TRY TO GET MORE THINGS DONE IN CONGRESS SO WE CAN BE REPRESENTED UP THERE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

AND THAT´S A PROBLEM.

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IN A PICKARD/TURNBUL ADMINISTRATION, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS IN A BALANCED LEVEL.

THERE CANNOT BE ANY ANIMOSITY TOWARD EACH OTHER.

AS A GOVERNOR, SENATORS, WE MUST FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

TO DO THAT, WE MUST LIVE A BALANCED LIFE.

THIS IS RONALD PICKARD.

NUMBER TWO ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU.

WOULD YOU PLEASE ANSWER HOW WOULD YOU PLAN TO ENSURE THAT THE CHALLENGES AND VOICES OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS ARE PRESENT WHEN WE SPEAK WITH THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT?

>> FIRST WE NEED TO PERHAPS CONVENE THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND WE NEED TO HAVE A CONSTITUTION THAT IS VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND SENT TO CONGRESS FOR RATIFICATION.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE.

WE NEED TO LOBBY, LOBBY, LOBBY.

DESPITE THAT WE´RE AMERICAN CITIZENS, WE DON´T HAVE THE RIGHT THAT EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN IS AFFORDED.

OUR MEDICAID, REIMBURSEMENT FOR PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT IS LIKE NO OTHER STATE.

IT IS THE LOWEST IN THE NATION.

WE ARE NOW STRUGGLING BECAUSE 2025, WE ONLY GOT BACK 1050.

WE MUST LOBBY.

WE MUST LOBBY.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE INDIVIDUAL LAWS.

SOME OF THE ISSUES WE´VE BEEN LOBBYING FOR, WE´VE BEEN LOBBYING THE LAST 30 YEARS.

IT IS TIME TO TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

LINKED WITH THEES FROM´S TEAM TO BE ABLE TO LOBBY FOR FULL INCLUSION OF OUR RIGHTS FOR OUR VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

WE ARE NOT SECOND CLASS CITIZENS AND WE SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS SUCH.

NUMBER FOUR.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CANDIDATE VIALET.

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS I DON´T HAVE TO TELL BUT WHAT I´M GOING TO DO.

I CAN TELL WHAT YOU I´VE DONE.

THE FIRST WORD IS DEMOCRAT.

I AM A DEMOCRAT AND I´VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SIT DOWN WITH OUR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FOR OVER TWO HOURS.

I HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH DELEGATE PLASKETT.

WE HAVE A GREAT REPRESENTATIVE AND WE HAVE A SUPER TEAM.

OVER THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS, WE´VE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUR EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT REIMBURSED WHICH HAS HELPED US CANADA TAX UP TO DATE.

OVER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS WE´VE BEEN ABLE TO ATTRACT $1.75 BILLION FOR 87,000 PEOPLE.

PROBABLY THE LIEST PER CAPITA IN THE UNITED STATES.

BEING INCLUDED IN EVERY SINGLE BENEFIT THAT EVERY MAINLAND AMERICAN GOT WAS BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT WORKING TEAM IN THE FOUR PEOPLE, WORKING FROM OUR OFFICE, WORKING WITH THE DELEGATES AND OUR OFFICE, ALL WORKING TOGETHER AND UNIFIED.

WHEN WE WANT TO SPEAK TO THE WHITE HOUSE, WE GO IN AND SPEAK TO THE PRESIDENT.

WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THERE THAT WE TALK TO ALL THE TIME.

EVEN IN WHAT I LOVE TO SAY TO YOU.

WE ARE WELCOMED INTO CONGRESS.

INTO THE SENATE BECAUSE WE ARE DEMOCRATS.

WE HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

DONNA CHRISTIAN, STACY PLASKETT.

WE DON´T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

WE ALREADY HAVE THOSE.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE, BRINGING HOME THE BACON TO THIS TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU.

CANDIDATE PICKARD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO REBUT?

>> HERE´S THE PROBLEM.

THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING HE´S A THE CONTRACT.

THAT´S THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR YEARS.

IT IS NOT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OR A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT IS ABOUT BEING A VIRGIN ISLANDER.

WHEN WE WIN THIS, THAT MEANS EVERYBODY WINS THIS CAMPAIGN.

IT IS TIME THAT WE PUT THIS TO LOCAL PARTIES TO AN END.

IT IS CLEAR AND EVIDENT, THE RESULTS OF BEING A DEMOCRAT.

LOOK AT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW.

A PERFECT TIME TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY AS IT PERTAINS TO HEALTH CARE.

SO MANY PEOPLE DIED.

YET HE DIDN´T DECLARE IT.

GUN VIOLENCE HAS TAKEN THE LIVES OF MORE PEOPLE THAN COVID.

WITH ME, IT´S CLEAR.

I´M NOT ABOUT POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

I HAVE NO, I DON´T OWE ANYBODY ANYTHING AS IT PERTAINS TO CAMPAIGNS.

THE ONLY THING I HOLD PEOPLE TO ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO DO THE JOB RIGHT.

PUT DEMOCRATS ASIDE.

PUT THE PEOPLE UP FRONT.

PARTIES ARE OVER.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, CANDIDATE PICKARD.

YES, PLEASE.

GO AHEAD, SIR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT, A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, A DEMOCRATIC SENATE, A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CHANGE OR STOP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM GOING BACK FROM 1325 TO 1050.

IT IS INCLUDED IN BIDEN´S BILL.

BUT THE GOVERNOR WITH ALL OF HIS RESOURCES AND RELATIONSHIPS WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THAT BUILD BACK BETTER BILL AND PLAY IT INTO THE INFLATION ACT SO WE COULD BE REIMBURSED UNDER 1325.

THAT´S $60 MILLION LEFT THAT WE WILL GET INTO THE COVER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THAT´S WHY LEGISLATION WAS SENT RECENTLY TO MOVE MONEYS THAT WERE ALREADY SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE RETARMT SYSTEM.

THE AMERICANS THINK THEY WILL GET THAT WHEN IT IS THE MONEY THAT´S WE PRESENTLY HAVE IN OUR COVER.

>> REBUT?

>> YES, PLEASE, CANDIDATE BRYAN.

GO AHEAD.

>> THE BRYAN/ROACH ADMINISTRATION IS THE MOST INCLUSIVE ADMINISTRATION IN THE HISTORY OF GOVERNMENT.

I´M THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EVER MARCHED IN A PRIDE PARADE.

THAT´S BEFORE AND AFTER I WAS GOVERNOR.

I´M THE ONLY GOVERNMENT TO EVER HAVE AN IMAM AT HIS SWEARING IN.

I´M THE ONLY GOVERNOR TO HAVE OVER 25 NOMINATIONS COMING IN FOR COVID, RESPECTING OTHER STATES.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE.

WE´RE NOT GOVERNMENT OF PART OF THE PEOPLE.

DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICS OR THE PEOPLE FROM HEAR.

WE ARE GOVERNOR OF ALL THE PEOPLE.

THAT CAN BE SEEN IN OUR ADMINISTRATION.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT, YOU CONTINUE TO FRIGHTEN THE PEOPLE WITH NONSENSE.

THE TRUTH IS IT IS BECAUSE OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS IN WASHINGTON, WE HAVE OVER $400 MILLION TO SPEND UNTIL 2026 WHICH INSULATES US AGAINST THE PENDING AMERICAN RECESSION OR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS.

THEY WANT TO SUSPEND ALL THE MONEY NOW LIKE A DRUNKEN SAILOR.

BUT I KNOW TIMES ARE COMING.

IT WILL BE HARD AND WE´LL NEED THAT CASH.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

THE NEXT FEW QUESTIONS ARE ON HEALTH.

ALL VIRGIN ISLANDERS SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR HEALTH STATUS, WEALTH OR LOCATION.

SENATOR VIALET, YOU WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION FIRST.

WHAT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO ENSURE HEALTH ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY FOR ALL VIRGIN ISLANDERS, ESPECIALLY OLDER VIRGIN ISLANDERS?

>> IT IS ONE OF THE MOST TROUBLING, ACROSS THE NATION, THE ABILITY FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE QUALITY HEALTH CARE, OR ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE.

DEFINITELY OBAMACARE WAS ONCE AGAIN OMITTED.

THIS IS ONE OF THE AREAS IN WHICH WE WERE NOT INCLUDED.

WE HAVE TO PLAY CONGRESS TO INCLUDE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN ALL THE PROVISIONS OF OBAMACARE.

WE ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED.

WE ALSO HAVE THE ISSUE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ENTREPRENEUR THAT´S DON´T PLAY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY.

THEY GET OLDER AND DON´T HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICARE.

WE NEEDED INDICATION PROGRAMS THAT WOULD ALLOW EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF PLAYING SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE BENEFITS OF GETTING MEDICARE WHEN YOU REACH A CERTAIN AGE.

WE MUST BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO DON´T HAVE ANY TYPE OF INSURANCE AND BECOME UNCOMPENSATED CARE.

THE MONEY THAT´S ARE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS TO COVER UNCOMPENSATED COSTS.

IF WE´RE ABLE TO GET OBAMACARE, TO GET MORE INDIVIDUALS MEDICARE, WE´LL DEFINITE HAVE THE ABILITY TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS FOR UNCOMPENSATED CARE.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO TRY TO GET A COMPANY IN THAT WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE TO THOSE RESIDENTS.

>> CANDIDATE BRYAN?

>> WHILE OTHERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WE HAVE PROPOSED SOLUTIONS.

WE HAVE INTRODUCED ASSOCIATIVE HEALTH CARE PLANS TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS IS A WAY THAT SMALL BUSINESSES CAN GET HEALTH CARE BY GETTING IN WITH THE ASSOCIATION, LIKE THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OR A UNION FOR THE FIRST TIME, SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE THE OPTION OF GETTING HEALTH CARE.

WE ALSO SAVED THE MEDICAID EXPANSION SYSTEM.

OVER 35,000 PEOPLE NOW DEPEND ON MEDICAID IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

NOT ONCE BUT TWICE WE WENT TO CONGRESS TO GET THE EXTENSION THAT COVERS SO MANY PEOPLE IN NEED FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

OVER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF, THREE AND A HALF YEARS, WE SPENT OVER $100 MILLION EXTRA IN HEALTH CARE MAKING SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE VIRGIN ISLANDER GOT HEALTH CARE.

THE VETERANS, WE WENT TO THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION.

NOW THERE IS A CLAIM THAT COMES THROUGH AND PICKS UP OUR VETERANS AND TAKES THEM TO THE VETERANS HOSPITAL.

WE INTRODUCED SINGLE PAYER HERRING.

NOW BEFORE YOU COULDN´T GET HEALTH CARE AS A SINGLE PAYER.

NOW WE HAVE THAT.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS BEEN WORKING AND WE´RE SOON TO INTRODUCE ANOTHER COMPANY INTO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE SMALL BUSINESSES WILL BE ABLE TO GET HEALTH CARE.

LET´S NOT FORGET.

THE MEDICARE EXPANSION OFFERED BY UNITED HEALTH CARE THAT WAS INTRODUCED IN THE BRYAN/ROACH ADMINISTRATION NOW ALLOWS FOR 6,000 OF OUR SENIORS TO GET HEARING AIDES SUPPLEMENTS, TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY WITHOUT PAYING A DOLLAR AND STAY IN THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT PAYING A DOLLAR.

>> THANK YOU.

AND CANDIDATE PICKARD, PLEASE.

>> HEARS THE THING.

YOU HAVE THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

FOR BUSINESS OWNERS, I´VE NOTICED THE EMPLOYEES, THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE NO HEALTH CARE.

THERE IS NO HEALTH CARE PROVIDED FOR THESE EMPLOYEES.

NOW, AS IT PERTAINS TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, THEY ARE NOT SICK NOW.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS RETENTION.

A LOT OF OUR SENIORS AS THEY GET OLDER, THAT CAPACITY LEVEL, AS THEY´RE AGING, THEY LEAVE THE ISLANDS.

THEY LEAVE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY´RE NOT BEGIN PROPER HEALTH CARE.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT UP TO PAR.

WE DON´T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

NOR THE STAFF.

SO A LOT OF OUR LOCAL VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE LEAVING THE ISLAND.

OUR JOB IS TO TRY TO KEEP THAT RETENTION.

KEEP THEM HEAR TO GIVE THEM HEALTH CARE.

TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, THESE PROGRAMS THAT HE´S TALKING ABOUT HAVE TO DO WITH MONEY.

IF YOU DON´T HAVE MONEY TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROGRAMS, THEY´RE GOING ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.

WHEN YOU HAVE A MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS, MONEY DISAPPEARS IN THE MILLIONS, AND THESE PROGRAMS ARE NOT COMPLETED BASED ON THEY CAN´T FIGHT THE $4 MILLION THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY.

IT IS A PROBLEM.

IN ORDER FOR US TO GET THE MONEY AND RETAIN THE MONEY, WE HAVE TO PUT A CAP ON THAT MONEY THAT´S DISAPPEARING.

WE MUST CONDUCT A FORENSIC AUDIT TO STOP MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

ANY REBUTTAL, SENATOR VIALET?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW NUMBERS FOR THE PROGRAMS CREATED UNDER THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

HOW MANY ACTUALLY SIGNED UP FOR THOSE PROGRAMS, IF IT IS COST EFFECTIVE SO WE CAN MAKE A DETERMINATION IF IT IS WORKING.

I KNOW WITH A WE HAVE NOW IS PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY.

SOMEBODY GOES TO THE HOSPITAL AND DON´T HAVE INSURANCE CAN´T SIGN UP FOR IT TO RECEIVE MEDICAID.

THE BAD THING IS WITHIN 30 DAYS, THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION, GO TO HUMAN SERVICES, COMPLETE THE JOB.

IT IS NOT GETTING DONE.

SO YOU HAVE PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY.

THEY GO FOR 30 DAYS, HUMAN SERVICES IS SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW UP TO MAKE SURE THAT PERSON BECOMES A MEDICAID MEMBER.

THERE´S NO FOLLOW-UP.

SO IT BECOMES A SERIOUS ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I NOTICED CRUISE B.

YOU SEE MOSTLY LATINOS AND THOSE OF HAITIAN DESCENT.

FRENCH DESCENT.

A LOT OF PROBLEMS THEY´RE FACING HERE, WHEN THEY GO FOR MEDICAL SERVICES, MEDICAL PROGRAMS, THERE IS NOBODY THERE, NO BILINGUAL OR RATHER TRI-LINGUAL PERSON IN THE DEPARTMENT TO TRANSLATE FOR THEM OR TO EXPLAIN THE PROGRESS THAT IS OUT THERE FOR THEM.

AND THAT´S SOMETHING I NOTICED.

SO ONE THING FOR SURE WE PLAN TO DO IN THE ADMINISTRATION IS MAKE SURE WE HAVE AS MANY TRI-LINGUAL PEOPLE, SO REGARDLESS OF WHERE PEOPLE COME FROM, UNDERSTAND THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THEM.

>> PICKARD -- >> YES.

>> I LOVE SHARING GOOD NEWS.

IT´S NOT A MONEY PROBLEM.

WE HAVE THE MONEY.

DURING COVID WE WERE SENDING PEOPLE FOR HOUSE VISITS.

OUR SENIORS DIDN´T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE.

PEOPLE WHO WERE SICK DIDN´T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE.

WE WERE DISPATCHING AMBULANCES TO GIVE PEOPLE THE LIFE-SAVING ANTIDOTE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO GET HEALED QUICKER.

WE ALSO WANT TO REMIND THEM THAT WE PICKED UP THE BILL FOR THAT.

WE DIDN´T PASS IT ON.

WE KNOW SO MANY PEOPLE DEPEND ON THAT CIGNA INSURANCE.

GUESS WHAT, CIGNA IS INTERESTED IN BUILDING HEALTH CARE CENTERS HERE.

BUT I´M NOT INTERESTED IN BUILDING THEM ONLY FOR CIGNA RECIPIENTS.

MY VISION IS THAT EVERYBODY WOULD GET $50 TO $100 EVERY PAYDAY TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND THAT WOULD COVER YOU FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS, YOUR BASIC CARE AND TAKE AWAY THIS UNFUNDED MANDATE, THIS UNFUNDED BILL WITH WE HAVE OVER $30 BILLION EVERY AREA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKAY.

>> WELL, WE´LL START THE ROTATION AGAIN.

WE START BACK WITH CANDIDATE BRYAN.

WE´RE STILL TALKING ABOUT HEALTH.

I REMIND EVERYONE WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT IS 45% OF THE PEOPLE ARE OVER 55 YEARS OLD.

THEREFORE WHEN I REMIND EVERYONE THE MENTAL WELL BEING OF OLDER POPULATIONS INCLUDES CREASING AND IMPROVING SERVICES FOR COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, THE QUESTION WOULD BE TO THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AS GOVERNOR, HOW WOULD YOU FUND PROGRAMS TO MEET THE COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS FOR ALL THE VIRGIN ISLANDERS?

PLEASE ALSO SHARE YOUR PLAN OR PLANS TO UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE AND DETAILS OF THE PROBLEM IN THE TERRITORIES.

TO ENSURE THE PROGRAM WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.

WE WANT TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, HOW WILL YOU FUND THE PROGRAMS TO MEET THESE ISSUES, AND HOW WILL YOU FIGURE OUT HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU HAVE TO SERVE AND WHETHER YOUR PLANS WORK.

>> SO THE PROBLEM IN THE TERRITORY IS SERIOUS.

WE SEE IT MANIFEST ITSELF IN THE HOMELESS PEOPLE WE SEE EVERY DAY ON THE STREETS.

THAT´S THE TIP OF THE PROBLEM.

YOU CAN SEE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE PEOPLE FIGHTING IN THE SCHOOLS.

HOW WILL WE FUND IT IS THE EASY THING.

THROUGH OUR AMERICA REINVESTMENT FUNDS, WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH.

WE´RE USING THOSE FUNDS ALREADY TO GET PEOPLE SERVICES.

THE PROBLEM IS WE NEED PERSONNEL.

PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY WHO ARE TRAINED IN GIVING THIS KIND OF SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS.

THE OTHER PART, PEOPLE RECOGNIZING THAT THEY´RE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH AND BEING ABLE TO COME IN FOR US TO ADDRESS THAT.

MY GRANDMOTHER DIED IN AN ASYLUM.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY SUFFERED FROM MENTAL HEALTH.

I KNOW HOW SERIOUS THIS IS.

IT IS ABOUT ORGANIZATION OF SKILL WITH PEOPLE.

NOT THE MONEY.

IT USED TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH THE MONEY.

IN OUR HOSPITALS, WE´RE GOING TO BE, WE HAVE A NEW HEALTH CARE WING FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

OUR NEW PRISONS THAT WE´RE BUILDING.

THEY HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE.

AND WE´RE BUILDING TWO SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES THAT WILL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE´VE EXPANDED AND FIXED THE ANNEX AND NOW WE´RE FIXING THE MAIN PART TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN THE TERRITORY.

OUR WORK IS NOT DONE THERE.

WE HAVE TO GO INTO THE SCHOOLS AND THE WORK PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ARE EXHIBITING THIS TAPE OF BEHAVIOR BUT ARE TOO AFRAID AND TOO ASHAMED TO HELP.

>> THANK YOU.

CANDIDATE PICKARD, AGAIN, HOW WOULD YOU FUND PROGRAMS TO MEET BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

>> WHERE CAN WE FIND THE FUNDING, IT IS MAKING SURE THAT MONEY GOES TO THE DEPARTMENT AND STAYS IN THAT DEPARTMENT.

I THINK BRYAN WAS SAYING EARLIER.

TO GO INTO PROGRAMS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BUILDING.

WE HAVE MORE ABANDONED GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAN RESIDENTS HAVE BUILDINGS HERE.

YET ALL WE DO IS RENT, RENT, RENT.

A LOT OF SITUATIONS WITH MENTAL HEALTH THAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

MY THING IS TO GET A BUILDING THAT WE OWN AS A GOVERNMENT.

RENOVATE THAT BUILDING AND USE IT, ITS PURPOSE IS JUST FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

WHERE WE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY REDUCE THE LINE AT THE REGULAR HOSPITAL.

LOOK AT THIS.

HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

THE PROBLEM THAT THE PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO HEAR.

WE´RE BUILDING THIS.

WE´RE ABOUT TO BUILD THAT.

WE´RE ALMOST FINISHED.

NOTHING HAS BEEN FINISHED.

THE PEOPLE WANT THINGS TO BE COMPLETED.

UNTIL A PICKARD ADMINISTRATION, WE´RE MAKING SURE THESE CONSTRUCTORS MEET THEIR ENDING TARGET DATE AND STICK TO IT.

THIS IS PICKARD/TURNBUL.

NUMBER TWO ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> HOW WOULD YOU FUND PROGRAMS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

>> TO FUND THE PROGRAM IS TO CREATE THE PROGRAM.

GETTING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, GETTING OLD IN THE VIRGIN SAILEDS IS DIFFICULT.

A LOT OF TAMES YOU´RE HOME BY YOURSELF.

WE NEED TO CREATE ADULT CARE CENTERS.

WE NEED TO DEVELOP RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE OLDER INDIVIDUALS HAD A RESIDE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

A LOT OF THE POPULATION, THEY´RE JUST BORED AND LONELY.

AND THEY EXHIBIT A LOT OF ISSUES.

NOT BEING ABLE TO DEAL WITH IT.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH SOME KIND OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE.

MY DAD IS HOME ALONE AND I AM ALWAYS HAPPY WHEN SOMEONE GOES THERE.

I GO AND STAY AN HOUR OR TWO EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT HE HAS SOME TAPE OF DIALOGUE.

I PURCHASE STUFF FOR HIM TO KEEP HIS BRAIN GOING.

PUZZLES SO HE CAN DO STUFF.

WE NEED TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY.

IF THEY´RE STAYING HOME BY THEMSELVES, WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB.

WE CAN BE CREATIVE AS TO HOW WE WILL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE THE POPULATION ON A MAYOR REGULAR BASIS.

MAYBE TWICE A WEAK TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SOME TYPE OF STIMULATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE.

AND SPEAKING TO OUR SENIORS, THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING.

THAT´S WHY WE STARTED THIS.

IT GETS OUR SENIORS OUT, IN EMANCIPATION GUARDING, SAINT THOMAS AND SAINT JOHN.

THIS IS A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO.

THE OTHER THING IS THE COMPLEX THAT WE´RE BUILDING NOW IS ABOUT TO BE DEMOLISHED AND THEN WE HAVE $175 MILLION BUILDING WHICH WILL HAVE A SEPARATE ENTRANCE TO ADDRESS PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

ALSO, WE´RE ALREADY HELPING PEOPLE THROUGH OUR PARTNERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND IN NONPROFITS.

MISSION OUTREACH, WE JUST GAVE $140,000.

10,000 HELPERS, WE GAVE THEM 30,000.

WOMEN´S COALITION.

ALL THESE ARE PARTNERS HELPING TO US GET OUT THERE.

OVER A MILLION AND A HALF TO EACH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO MAKE SURE WE´RE TOUCHING PEOPLE AND CREATING.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT OUR FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM WITH THE AARP THAT WE DID TO -- >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE PICKARD, WANTED TO REBUT?

>> YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN A COMMUNITY.

I AM THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF ADOPT AN INMATE.

EVERY YEAR ANNUALLY, WE PICK A DIFFERENT SENIOR CITIZEN HOME AND WE DONATE OVER 140 PILLOWS TO SENIOR CITIZENS.

THE BEAUTY ABOUT THAT IS THAT WE HAVE A PASTOR TO BLESS EVERY PILLOW.

THERE´S A YOUNG LADY, AND I SAY YOUNG LADY.

SHE WAS PERHAPS 92 YEARS OLD.

SHE HAD A PILLOW FOR 12 YEARS.

WHEN SHE BROUGHT ME THAT PILLOW, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A REGULAR SHEET THAT SHE WAS GIVING ME.

A PEOPLOW CASE.

SHE SAID CAN I HAVE ANOTHER PILLOW?

THIS IS MY ORIGINAL PILLOW.

DOES FAMILY COME AND VISIT YOU?

SHE SAID NO.

I GAVE HER FOUR PILLOWS.

IT IS A SHAME TO SEE THAT SHE AT HER AGE HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN VISITATION.

WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR.

WE´LL DO IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

CANDIDATE VIALET, GO AHEAD.

>> ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, IT IT IS, WE FUNDED MONEY TO REOPEN AND CREATE A MENTAL HEALTH CENTER AT THE PROPERTY.

WE FUNDED OUR PROJECT TO THE TUNE OF $3 MILLION.

TO DATE, THOSE MONEY NOT BEEN SPENT.

WE THEN WENT AND PURCHASED A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH VAN.

WE PUT IT IN THE BUDGET.

THE IDEA IS THAT WE WILL CARRY THE SERVICE TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE LOCATED.

WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE THE MAN.

IT IS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT.

WE FUNDED POSITIONS TO BE ABLE TO START THE VAN IN THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE AND WE HAVE FUNDED POSITIONS IN THIS BUDGET SAKELE AGAIN SO WE CAN TAKE THE SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AND NOT WAIT FOR THEM TO COME TO US.

A CLUB ALSO OPENED AT SAINT CROY FOR THE MENTALLY ILL.

I DON´T KNOW THE LAST TIME.

SINCE COVID, IT HAS BEEN CLOSED.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HEALTH CARE IN THE TERRITORY HAS BEEN CHALLENGED FOR YEARS AND CURRENTLY THERE IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE BUT NO FACILITIES ARE PROJECTED TO BE FIVE YEARS AWAY.

HOW WILL YOU CONTINUE THE RECOVERY PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE BETTER ABLE TO MAKE THE FUTURE AND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND FOUGHT TO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

>> CANDIDATE PICKARD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START?

>> YES, MA´AM.

WE TALK ABOUT PROJECTS.

WE TALK ABOUT A BEGINNING DATE AND AN ENDING DATE.

THE PROBLEM IS THE GOVERNMENT NEVER SANCTIONS FOR LATE FINANCE.

MY THING IS OCTOBER 1 MIDNIGHT, ONE MINUTE PAST 12:00, IF THE CONTRACT IS NOT COMPLETED, WE WILL FINANCIALLY SANCTION THAT CONTRACTOR.

WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO WASTE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS REGARDS TO A STRUCTURE.

SO MANY GAMES ARE BEING PLAYED BY CONTRACTORS.

THERE´S SOMETHING CALLED UNFORESEEN SITUATION, A CHANGE ORDER.

A KEY EXAMPLE OF THAT IS THE HOSPITAL.

THAT STARTED OFF AT $8 MILLION.

NOW WE´RE UP TO 100 AND CHANGE THAT´LL AND NO ONE IS BEING SANCTIONED FOR THIS.

THIS TIME WHILE THIS IS GOING ON, THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRMINGIN ISLANDS, THE POTENTIAL PATIENTS ARE THE ONES SUFFERING.

THE REASON AWARE SO BACK, THE REASON WHY THE JOB ISN´T DONE, THE FROM 42 ISN´T COMPLETED.

YOU´RE PLAYING GAMES WITH THESE VARS SO THEY CAN SIT DOWN AND MILK THE GOVERNMENT FOR MORE AND MORE MONEY.

WE WILL GET THESE PROJECTS COMPLETED.

>> WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY BUILD BACK OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR SCHOOLS.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.

WE´VE BEEN GIVEN THE OKAY BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE HOSPITAL TO BE FUNDED AT 100%.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY BE ABLE TO BUILD BACK THE FACILITIES BRAND NEW.

THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY THE REDESIGN WHAT IT WILL BE IN THOSE HOSPITALS.

WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO BRING BACK AT THE HOSPITAL AND REESTABLISH AT THE HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THE REDESIGN THE STATE-OF-THE-ART OPERATING ROOMS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

WE´VE GOT TO GET IT GOING.

WE´VE GET TO GET IT GOING BY MOVING IN ONCE AND FOR ALL.

IT IS DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS.

THE NURSES LITERALLY TOLD THE CEO IN A MEETING YESTERDAY IF IT IS NOT OPPORTUNITY IN 30 DAYS, WE WILL WALK.

WE NEED THEM TO OPEN SO WE CAN BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DEMOLISHING THE HOSPITAL AND GET READY FOR THE REBUILD.

AS AER , I HAVE FOUND LEGISLATION TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE LANDS BEHIND THERE SO THERE WILL BE A PARKING LOT AND OTHER FACILITIES.

WE NEED TO HAVE MA AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THE PEOPLE OF SAINT JOHN HAD LIMITED BEFORE AND WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION HOW WE WILL PROVIDE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SAINT JOHN AND WHAT WILL BE BUILT.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL THOSE THINGS SHE SAID ARE HAPPENING.

WITH A DO YOU DO IN THE MEANTIME?

NUMBER ONE, WE FUNDED A NEW NONPROFIT DIALYSIS CENTER IN SAINT CROIX SO WE WOULDN´T HAVE TO MOVE DIALYSIS BACK TO THE STATES AGAIN.

WE ARE AUTHORIZED FOR TWO URGENT CARE CENTERS, PEOPLE GOING IN FOR COUGHS, IN AS, SMALL STRAINS, THOSE THINGS CAN BE ADDRESSED OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL.

WE´VE BEEN GETTING THE DIABETES CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE.

WE HAD A HEALTH FAIR.

WE EXPECTED 150 PEOPLE.

OVER 400 PEOPLE CAME THE FIRST DAY.

EVERYTHING FROM EYE EXAMS TO FOOT EXAMS.

WE ARE GOING TO OPEN IT.

BUT I WOULD RATHER BE TALKED ABOUT EVERY DAY ON THE RADIO THAN TO OPEN A FACILITY WHERE OUR PEOPLE CAN BE JEOPARDIZING LIVE.

WE HAVE TO GET IT DONE.

WAVE AUTHORIZED $10 MILLION.

THAT´S JUST THE FIRST ROUND.

WE JUST GIVE NURSES THE RETENTION BONUSES HOPING THAT IT WOULD BRING ON NEW ONES.

WE HAVE THE HOME CARE INITIATIVE.

NOW WE ARE TAKING IT RIGHT TO OUR SENIORS SO THEY DON´T TO GO OUT.

WE HAVE ACTIVE CARE, KEEPING OUR THE MINDS AND BODIES GROWING ALL THE TIME.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE´RE GOING TO DO.

WHAT WE DID IS WE PUT OUT ALL THE DRAWINGS ALREADY.

ALL OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS ARE ALREADY BEING CRAFTED AND ALMOST DONE.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

REBUTTAL?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE PROJECTS COMPLETED.

TALKING ABOUT IT BEING COMPLETED FOR THREE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS.

IN REALITY, WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE TODAY, TAKE A LOOK AROUND.

NOTHING IS COMPLETED.

WE´RE TALKING THREE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS.

THIS IS SO BLATANT OBVIOUS IN THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE VURNLGIN ISLANDS.

I DON´T CARE WHAT ISLAND YOU GO TO.

THESE PLANS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLETED.

WE´RE WORKING ON IT.

I´M HERE TO TELL YOU, THE FACTS.

THE FACT IS NOTHING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND IT´S A SHAME.

IF YOU LOOK OUTSIDE, THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE SAME.

I ALMOST RAN INTO A POTHOLE ON THE WAY HERE AND IT´S ALREADY DARK.

THE HOSPITAL IS THE SAME.

THE EDUCATION IS THE SAME.

THE LIST GOES ON, GRS.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I´M GLAD THE GOVERNOR MADE MENTION OF THE DIABETES NONPROFIT.

IT WAS GIVEN $1.9 MILLION.

THERE WAS IN REQUEST MADE AS TO WHO COULD PROVIDE IT.

IT WAS JUST A FORMED COMPANY THAT THE GOVERNMENT GAVE A CONTRACT TO.

A $1 MILLION CONTRACT FOR DIALYSIS.

WE HAVE ONE IN SAINT THOMAS THAT IS PERFECTLY RUN.

YOU GAVE A $1 MILLION CONTRACT TO A COMPANY FROM THE MAINLAND.

IS THAT A WISE USE OF THE MONEY?

YOU GIVE $1.9 MILLION WHERE THEY COULD HAVE DONE THE EXACT SAME JOB.

AND THEIR BUDGET IS ONLY $2.3 MILLION AND YOU GIVE A NONPROFIT $1.9 MILLION FOR DIABETES OUTREACH?

THEY HAD ONE OR TWO EVENTS THUS FAR?

I HOPE THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HOW IT WILL BE SPENT WITH THE NONPRFT.

>> WHAT IS ASHAME, IF YOU HAD RESEARCHED, MR. PICKARD, YOU WOULD KNOW THERE ARE OVER 700 PROJECT WORKSHEETS ALREADY COMPLETED OUT OF THE 1500 THAT WE NEED TO DO.

AND YOU PAY ATTENTION.

MR. VIALET HAS BECOME A SPECIAL PURPOSE SENATOR.

ASK ABOUT WHY HE SUPPORTS HIM IN THAT BUSINESS.

ASK HIM WHY HE APPORTIONED $4 MILLION FOR A VENDOR AND WHY HIS CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS IS IN THAT SAME BUILDING.

ASK HIM FOR YES ALLOWED THEM NOT TO BUILD THE BUILDING DOWNTOWN AND TRIED TO DEFRAUD THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS.

ASK HIM WHY HE HAD SPECIAL LEGISLATION TO HAVE A CANE FIELD.

ASK HIM WHY HE TOOK $2.5 MILLION FROM THE LEGISLATURE FROM THE HOSPITAL JFL THAT HE TALKED ABOUT TODAY, AND TOOK IT AND BUILT A PALACE OF A LEGISLATURE, AND WHY HE TACK THOSE PEOPLE OUT OF FREDERICKSON.

WHY >> Referee: BUSINESS IS DEAD.

ASK HIM WHY HE´S A SPECIAL INTERESTS SENATOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YES, YES.

WE´VE HEARD LOTS ABOUT HEALTH.

NOW WE´LL TALK ABOUT FINANCIAL ISSUES.

WE WILL START WITH YOU, CANDIDATE VIALET.

IN THESE INFLATIONARY TAMES, WHAT PLAN DO YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS OUR ECONOMY ON THIS LEVEL OF INSECURITY TO HELP ENSURE VIRGIN ISLANDERS CAN KEEP MORE OF THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT´S A GOOD QUESTION.

WE HAVE STARTED THE PROCESS BY SUPPLEMENTING.

SO IT IS FOR YOU.

IT IS ABOUT FIVE SEAR.

MAKE SURE THAT WE DON´T PASS IT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE RECEIVED $487 MILLION TO THE GENERAL COFFERS OF THIS GOVERNMENT TO BE USED OVER A FOUR OR 5-YEAR PERIOD, THAT HAS SOFTENED THE IMPACT OF ANY OF THESE TOUGH TAMES THAT MIGHT OCCUR.

WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE´RE CONSERVATIVE SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOESN´T PROJECT TO SPEND MORE.

THERE IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND THE BASE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BECAUSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD.

THE WAR IN UKRAINE, THE PANDEMIC THAT RECENTLY TOOK PLACE, THE DESIRE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO BRING BACK MANUFACTURING TO THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND MARKET THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, TO BRING THE COMPANY HEAR SO WE CAN EXPAND WHAT WE HAVE.

AND REGARDING THE DOLLARS THAT WERE PAID, THAT WAS PAID TO A COURT SETTLEMENT.

BUT YOU WANTED TO GIVE $10 MILLION TO A SPECIAL INTEREST COMPANY ON THE ISLAND OF SAINT CROIX.

I LITERALLY SAID NO.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ASKING YOU THE SAME QUESTION.

>> YOU GO CHECK THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR.

IT IS $26 MILLION MORE THAN WE SUBMITTED.

HOW IS THAT CONSERVATIVE?

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE WITH FREE BROAD BAND EVERYWHERE, EVERYONE CAN GET ONLINE, GET INFORMATION, DO BUSINESS.

AT THE UNIVERSITY, MAKING SURE THAT THAT CONTINUES.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN A FINANCIAL FELLOWS PROGRAM.

THEY´RE GOING $55,000 COMING OUT.

MAKING SURE THEY STAY HEAR.

AWARE NOW OFFERING FREE TRADE SCHOOL AND WE HAVE OVER $10 MILLION IF APPRENTICESHIPS.

THAT $10 MILLION IS THERE TO HELP XUS PANNED IN OUR MARINE SECTOR WHICH WE HAVE SEEN EXPLODE WITH OUR CHARTER BUSINESSES.

WE´RE INVESTING IN OUR DOCK BY REDOING THE FISH RAMP SO THE FISHERS CAN GET OUT.

WE´VE OPENED UP THE LICENSING SYSTEM.

SO PEOPLE WHO COULDN´T FISH FOR 20 YEARS NOW HAVE LICENSES.

WE FIXED THE FISH MARKET.

WE HAVE MADE SURE THAT THERE IS A NEW BUSINESS THAT VIRGIN ISLANDS EXCLUSIVELY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

BUT THIS SENATOR´S RUNNING MATE HAS BEEN HOLDING IT IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR THREE YEARS.

CLAIMING SHE HAS A PEACE OF LEGISLATION THAT NO ONE HAS SEEN.

SHE TOOK OUT THE RESTITUTION FOR PEOPLE WITH CANNABIS LAWS AND BEEN IMPRISONED UNJUSTLY AND SHE IS HOLDING THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE THAT NO ONE -- >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

CANDIDATE PICKARD?

>> HE TALKS ABOUT HIS RUNNING MATE.

I FORGOT THE ORIGINAL QUESTION.

>> THE QUESTION IS IN THESE INFLATIONARY TIMES, WHAT PLAN DO YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ECONOMY ON THIS LEVEL OF INSECURITY?

>> YOU HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION.

HOW MANY MILLIONS THAT WAS DOLLARS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THAT.

MILLIONS.

SO IF WE ASK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR $10 MILLION AND HE WITH ONLY SPEND OF 5 MILLION, WE´LL BE A JOEG IN THE EYES.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN WE ASK FOR MORE MONEY.

WE JUST GIVE YOU $5.

WE´LL MAKE SURE WE HAVE PROFESSIONALS THAT KNOWS HOW TO KEEP THAT MONEY TO BE SPENT, NOT TO BE SENT BACK TO THE UNITED STATES IN THE AMOUNT OF MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE COST OF LIVING IS SO HIGH.

EVERYTHING IS GOING UP EXCEPT FOR MINIMUM WAGES.

ISN´T THAT A PROBLEM?

>> WE WANT TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS WE´LL HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE EDA IS A SECONDARY LENDING SOURCE.

WE HAVE SO MANY ENTREPRENEURS HERE.

THEY´RE NOT GIVING A CHANCE BECAUSE IT ONLY DEALS WITH COLLATERAL LOANS.

OUR THING IS TO OPEN UP THE LOANS AND MAKE IT NONCOLLATERAL CLONES SO ALL ISLANDERS CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO BE SUCCESSFUL RAISING THE ECONOMY AND HELPING THE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

RONALD PICKARD.

NUMBER TWO ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> WELL, ASKING IF ANYONE WANTS TO REBUT.

THANK YOU.

>> THE FISH MARKET, IT´S BEEN CLOSED A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

I DON´T THINK IT IS OPEN RIGHT NOW.

THE FIRST BILL BY THIS GOVERNOR, THREE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS AFTER NO DISPENSARY.

WHEN HE WAS ASKED THE QUESTION, HE SAID MEDICAL MARIJUANA DON´T HAVE ANY MONEY IN IT.

REFUSED TO REALIZE THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION WAS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAD A HAVE CHRONIC PAIN.

HE IGNORED THAT.

HE´S NOT WORRIED ABOUT THEM.

I WANT IT CREATE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS, BUT NOT IN ADVANCE OF THE TERRITORY.

AND THE BIGGEST SPECIAL INTEREST.

IN THIS TERRITORY, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS.

YOU´RE GOING TO BE THE ONLY GOVERNOR THAT NEVER PRESIDED OVER IT.

YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS TO A COMPANY.

SHAME ON YOU.

>> YES, DAD -- >> LET ME GET TO THE REAL THING THEY ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT.

CONSTRUCTION WILL CLEARLY BE OUR WAY THE NEXT TEN SEAR.

AT BEST WE CAN PUT IT IF OUR AND I.

IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST TEN SEAR TO GET IT.

ONLY $4 BILLION.

INCOME TAXES ARE UP 10%.

YOU SHOULD DO YOUR RESEARCH.

INCOMES ARE UP 4%.

AS FAR AS MEDICAL MARIJUANA, MR. VIALET, THERE IS NO MONEY FOR IT.

FURTHERMORE, IT ROB OUR NATIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE.

YOU ONLY HAVE TO LIVE HERE 5 YEARS TO GET INTO THAT BUSINESS AND YOU WON´T BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE CANNABIS BUSINESS.

HE KNOWS, FIVE YEARS, TEN YEARS, HE WON´T VOTE FOR IT.

BECAUSE HE IS AGAINST MARIJUANA, PERIOD.

WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU TODAY IS NOW WE HAVE A CHANCE TO SEIZE THIS BUSINESS AND MAKE IT WHOLE.

I TOLD HIM AND THE LEGISLATURE AND HIS RUNNING MATE.

WE ALREADY HAVE A CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

WE JUST DON´T GET ANY MONEY FROM IT.

>> THANK YOU.

WE ARE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> YES.

AND LET´S SHIFT TO RETIREMENT PLANS FOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

IN A RECENT SURVEY, A RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM FOR V.I.

WORKERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE EMPLOYED BY SMALL BUSINESSES.

THEY DO NOT HAVE 401(k)s OR OTHER WAYS TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT.

PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO ENSURE ALL WORKERS HAVE A CHANCE AT A SECURE RETIREMENT?

HOW DO YOU SEE THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION.

AARP WORK AND SAVE PROGRAM FITTING INTO YOUR APPROACH?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> THE BIGGEST THING FOR ANY PERSON IS RENT.

WE HAVE A BILLION-DOLLAR PROGRAM TO REDO ALL OF OUR HOUSING.

30 TO 40% OF THAT HOUSING IS SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING FOR SENIORS.

BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT PROBLEM.

WE ARE NOW EXPANDING THAT PROGRAM WITH DOLLARS BEING ABLE TO PAY SENIORS MORE AND BEING ABLE TO SERVE MORE SENIORS.

WE ALSO HAVE, FOR THE NONGOVERNMENT RETIREES, IT IS EXTREMELY HARD.

THE THINGS THAT WE´RE TRYING TO DO IS LOWER THE BASIC COSTS.

HOUSING, RENT AND ENERGY.

SO WITH A AWARE DOING NOW IS WE HAVE A $25 MILLION PLAN TO GET OFF THE GRID SO YOU CAN STABILIZE YOUR HOUSING.

SAVE YOUR LIGHT BILL OVER TEN YEARS.

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I HAVE NOT READ THE AARP´S PLANNED PROPOSAL.

WHAT IS IT CALLED?

>> THE AARP WORK AND SAVE PROGRAM.

>> RIGHT.

BUT WE´RE DOING ALL KINDS OF INCENTIVES.

THE OTHER THING IS THE GRS LENDING PROGRAM.

THAT HELPS OUR SENIORS TO MEET THEIR POCKET BOOKS.

AND THE OTHER LAST PIECE IS MAKING SURE WE GIVE BACK AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE.

OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, VIRGIN ISLANDERS WILL BE MADE AWARE, WE´RE GIVING EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON SOCIAL SECURITY A $500 CHECK TO HELP THEM WITH INFLATION.

>> HOW DO YOU SEE IT?

>> RETIREMENT, FIRST THINGS FIRST BEFORE I GO THERE.

I WEAR MANY HATS.

ONE OF THEM IS PROPERTY MANAGER.

AND THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS A COMPLETE DISASTER.

IT´S A DISASTER FOR THE LANDLORDS.

BECAUSE WE DON´T GET PAID.

I HAVE AN ACTUAL CASE I´M WORKING ON.

OVER 11 MONTHS FOR THE RENTAL PROGRAM BECAUSE IT IS SO SLOW.

TELL ONLY PERSON WHO BENEFITS FROM THE RENTAL STANCE PROGRAM IS THE TENANTS.

THEY.

NOT THE HARD LORD.

I´M A BUSINESSMAN SO I HAVE TO TALK AS A BUSINESSMAN ASPECT.

PERTAINING TO GRS, HISTORY SHOETS THAT NOBODY HERE THE TELL YOU.

IF YOU´VE NEVER HAD A BUSINESS ORIENTED GOVERNOR, THE REASON WE´RE IN SUCH A BAD PLACE.

ONCE YOU OWE MONEY, YOU´RE STILL IN A DEFICIT.

GRS WAS DONE, THE NUMBER ONE BIGGEST LOANING BACK.

IT WASN´T A BACK.

IT IS FOR THE EMPLOYEES.

WE TOOK SO MUCH RISK AS GOVERNMENT AND GAVE LOANS.

WE´RE TALKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

40 MILLION TURNED AROUND.

THESE HOTELS THAT OWED US IN DEFAULT.

WE MUST KEEP ENTITIES.

I DO NOT BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR MONEY NOR INVEST IN IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CANDIDATE VIALET, WHAT DO YOU SEE ABOUT SECURITY RETIREMENT FOR ALL WORKERS?

>> IT IS VERY, VERY HARD TO ACHIEVE -- IT IS THE OLDER AMERICANS WORKING AND THEY DIDN´T HAVE A RETIREMENT PLAN.

LITERALLY A MONTH AGO, YOU PUT MONEY INTO YOUR 401, AND AFTER SIX OR SEVEN YEARS, IT IS EASY TO LOSE THAT.

BUT WE NEEDED THE 401.

WE NEED COMPANIES TO MAKE US SURE ABOUT IT TO CREATE THE 401 WORKINGERS.

WE ALSO PAID SURE ALL THE INDIVIDUALS, THAT THEY PAY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS HAD A ARE NOW 65, 67.

THEY NEVER PAID NO MONEY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY FOR ALL THEIR LIFE.

NOW THEY DON´T RECEIVE A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK.

WE NEED THEM TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE THEM FROM A YOUNG AGE AFTER THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING THESE PAYMENTS SO THEY CAN HAVE SOME LEVEL OF FINANCIAL SECURITY WHEN THEY BECOME OLDER.

GRS STILL HAS WORK TO DO.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT.

THEY CAME AND SAID THEY STILL HAVE WORK TO DO.

THEY WILL HELP THE RETARMT SYSTEM -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

TO GO BACK AND CONTINUE TO WORK.

WORK ON MECHANISMS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO ONCE AND FOR ALL TO GET THE SYSTEM TO BECOME SOLVENT.

THE WEATHER SYSTEM GOES OUT HERE, TOO, THAT´S WHEN IT BECOMES SOL VENT.

>> THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR BRYAN?

>> THE MOST DISINGENUOUS PERSON I´VE MET IN A LONG TIME.

WE SAID AS A SENATOR, NOW WE NEED TO DO THE OTHER THINGS TO MAKE THE SYSTEM EVEN STRONGER.

THEY REFUSED.

THEY SAID NO.

WE DIDN´T WANT TO DO IT.

AND NOW HE´S HERE SAYING THIS IS INSOLVENT.

THE SYSTEM IS SOLVENT.

I DON´T THINK MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW THE GRS IS BUILT.

WE CREATED A DEBT THAT THEY OWE TO THE GRS.

WE PAY THE DEBT INTO THE GRS.

IT IS OUR DEBT.

SO THE GRS HAS A FUNDING STREAM THAT CREATES AND MAKES IT SOL VENT.

IT IS THE SAME AS IF THEY HAD $6 BILLION INVESTED SOMEWHERE THAT WOULD BE $12 BILLION IN THE FUTURE.

IT IS THE SAME.

FOR HIM TO SAY THAT, AFTER HE IS ON THE RADIO EVERY DAY SAYING HE SAVED THE GRS.

IT IS SO DISINGENUOUS.

HE KNOWS THAT THE TEAM OF PEOPLE WE GOT TOGETHER WITH, FINANCIAL ANALYSTS.

HE EVEN CLAIMS HE WROTE THE BUDGET.

IT IS 2,000 PAGES.

HE WROTE IT?

COME ON.

IT TAKES A WHOLE TEAM OF PEOPLE TO COME UP WITH THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

AND WE KNOW THE TRUTH.

SO TELL THE PEOPLE THE TRUTH.

YOU WERE RIGHT THERE.

YOU HAVE THE DOCUMENT WHERE YOU CROSSED OUR BRAND´S NAME AND YOU PUT VIALET RIGHT THERE.

WE CAN SHOW THE PUBLIC.

YOU DIDN´T WRITE ANYTHING.

YOU´RE A GOOD EDITOR.

BUT EDITORS ARE NOT AUTHORS.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, SIR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IF I MAY, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.

AS IT PERTAINS TO GRS, IN THE PICKARD ADMINISTRATION, WE BELIEVE AND PROMOTE FROM WITHIN.

THERE IS A BLESSING FOR THAT, RATE?

FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE WORKED 20 TO 30 YEARS, WE DO NOT REALLY BELIEVE THAT MUCH IN EXCEPT EMPLOYEES.

WHENEVER YOU HIRE AN EXEMPT EMPLOYEE IN AN ADMINISTRATION, YOU JUST KNOCKED OUT THE CHANCE FOR A PAID UNION WORKER.

AND THIS ADMINISTRATION, UNFORTUNATELY, WE´VE HAD SO MANY EXEMPT POSITIONS HERE THAT THE REGULAR UNION CLASSIFIED WORKER CAN´T EVEN BENEFIT IN TIME FOR RETIREMENT.

WE´RE TRYING TO AVOID THAT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN YOU RETIRE, YOU DON´T GET WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DESERVE.

THAT´S SOMETHING WE ARE TRYING AND WE WILL AVOID IN THE PICKARD/TURNBUL ADMINISTRATION.

SUPPORT UNION WORKERS.

>> THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION.

MISINFORMATION YOU MADE A MISTAKE.

DISINFORMATION IS SAYING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND HOPING THE PEOPLE WILL BELIEVE IT.

LOOK AT REALITY.

MY GOVERNMENT HAS A RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

CAME ON THE BOARD ITSELF WHO PRESENTED TO US, LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS.

CLEAR, YOU SAID, WE´RE GOING TO HAVE SOME DIFFICULT YEARS.

SIX, SEVEN YEARS.

THAT IS WHAT THEY PROJECTED.

THE THREE BILLS THAT YOU SAT DOWN, THERE IS NO REFERENCE OF RETIREMENT IN ANY OF THOSE BILLS.

WE GAVE YOU ACCESS OF ADDITIONAL $40 MILLION.

WE SAID THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE SYSTEM.

IT GO DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM BY CREATING A RESTRICTED ACCOUNT.

YOU PLAYED THE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

TO CUT ANNUIANNUITIES.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

>> SO WE ARE GOING TO SHIFT A LITTLE BIT.

>> THANK YOU.

CLEARLY ONE OF THE THINGS WE´RE HEARING IS IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.

WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT, WHERE WE LIVE IS LIVABLE.

SO THE QUESTION, THE NEXT QUESTION GOES TO CANDIDATE PICKARD.

I´LL ASKING, FIRST OF ALL, OUR POPULATION IS LIVING LONGER IN A SYSTEM THAT IS INADEQUATE TO ACTUALLY HANDLE ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE NEEDS.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BRING ATTENTION TO LONG CHARACTER ISSUES?

>> WELL, LIKE IN.

IT BRINGS IT BACK TO RETENTION.

IS IT LIVABLE?

WE ARE LIVABLE.

IS THE CONDITION LIVABLE?

IS IT WHAT WE WANT?

IT´S NOT.

HEALTH CARE IS NOT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

AND AS YOU GET OLDER, YOU START TO GET NERVOUS.

YOU START TO GET SCARED.

THERE IS NO FACILITY TO ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR MEDICAL CONDITION.

TELL FIRST THING YOU DO IS GET A FLIGHT TO THE UNITED STATES FOR HEALTH CARE.

MAY MAIN THING IS TO MAKE SURE YOU´RE COMFORTABLE.

THAT YOU HAVE HEALTH CARE.

TO LET YOU KNOW YOU´RE IN A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT, IN HEALTH CARE.

IN ORDER FOR ME TO DO THAT, WE MUST FIRST TACKLE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

INFRASTRUCTURE IS A MUST.

ONCE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THERE, ONCE WE GET IT COMPLETED, WE PLAN TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE STAFF MEMBERS FILLED.

MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT.

ALSO, LIKE, I SAID EARLIER.

AS IT REFERS TO THE COST OF LIVING.

IT IS SO HIGH.

WE HAVE TO BRING IT DOWN OR BRING UP MINIMUM WAGES.

I DON´T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT.

I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING AS IT GOES TO THE VACCINATION.

THAT´S WHY WE HAVE 20% COVID.

WHEN YOU HAVE A LOCAL VIRGIN ISLANDS HAD A HAVE GONE BACK TO THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF THE VACCINATION CRISIS, HOW DO WE COMPETE TO THE UNITED STATES AND THEIR AMENITIES?

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER THEM?

>> THANK YOU.

THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT THEN.

WHAT WILL YOU DO TO BRING ATTENTION TO LONG TERM CARE ISSUES?

>> WE NEED MORE LIVING ASSISTANCE FACILITIES IMMEDIATELY.

WE NEED TO PARTNER WITH PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENTS TO CREATE LIVING FACILITIES.

WE NEED TO HAVE AN EXTENSIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE HOME HEALTH CARE.

WITH HE NEED TO GET A NUMBER OF CNAs TO ASSIST WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TAKING CARE OF A LOVED ONES.

THAT WILL GIVE THEM A BIT OF A RELIEF.

WE NEED TO HAVE CARE TAKERS.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF CARE TAKERS.

WE NEED ACCESS TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

THE ISLAND OF SAINT THOMAS, THERE IS MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDED.

THEY HAVE TO GET THE EQUIPMENT SENT OVER.

SAINT THOMAS, SAMT CHRISTCHURCH, SO WE NEED AIR LIFT BETWEEN THE ISLANDS.

RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAVE A MOBILITY ISSUE, IT IS LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR TO YOU TRAVEL BETWEEN SAINT THOMAS AND SAINT CROIX TO COME OVER HERE.

WE REALLY TAKE CARE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

ERAS THAT CONTINUOUSLY LIMIT THE OLD POPULATION, QUALITY OF CARE ACCESS TO QUALITY LIFE.

WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR BUILDING CODES.

YOU´RE GOING TO GET ALL OF THAT AT SOME POINT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CANDIDATE VIALET, COULD YOU ANSWER HOW YOU INTEND TO BRING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO LONG TERM CARE MOVING FORWARD?

>> THE FIRST THING IS THAT WE´RE BUILDING TWO NEW SKILLED NURSING CENTERS.

WHEN WE FIRST LOOKED AT THIS, THERE WERE TWO REQUIREMENTS.

FIRST, WE WERE BUILDING 100-ROOM FACILITIES.

DURING COVID, WE SAW THE CROSS CONTAMINATION OF OUR SENIOR HOMES.

THE NURSES WORK IN THE REGULAR HOSPITAL AS WELL AS PART TIME OTHER PLACES.

I DOWN SCALED IT TO 80 BEDS WEST REALLY DON´T HAVE THE NURSING TO HAVE A FACILITY THAT LARGE.

THE OTHER PIECE IS THAT WHILE WE HAVE THAT, WE NEED TO PARTNER WITH A PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNER WHICH I MANDATED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

WE NEED TO BUILD IT BUT THEY HAVE TO STRUCTURE IT.

WE CAN GET A LOT OF THE CARE THAT´S REIMBURSABLE.

OUR HOSPITALS HAVE TURNED INTO LONG CARE FACILITIES AND IT COSTS US MONEY.

WHEN PEOPLE ABANDON THEIR PARENTS THERE, THIS WILL EASE UP.

EXPANSION OF ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND INDEPENDENT LIVING FACILITIES.

WE NEED TO RESPOND TO OUR PARTNERS.

THEY´VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF PROVIDING THESE TYPES OF PRODUCTS FOR OUR OLDER INDIVIDUALS.

A LOT OF US HAVE PARENTS THAT HAVE DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER´S.

WE NEED TO GIVE THEM MORE MONEY TO DEAL WITH THEM.

IT IS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A REBUTTAL.

CANDIDATE PICKARD?

>> YES, MA´AM.

WE´RE TALKING ABOUT LIVABLE CONDITIONS.

I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THIS.

HERE IN SAINT THOMAS, THERE IS A PLACE CALLED THE PLAZA.

IT IS A BUNCH OF YOUNG LADIES.

ANYWHERE FROM 58 YEARS OLD, OR 65 AND UP.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN PROMISED FOR TEN SEAR.

MOST RECENTLY TWO WEEKS THAT THEY WOULD BE GIVEN THINGS TO MAKE IT LIVABLE.

THEY WERE TOLD TO MOVE THEIR PRODUCTS AND THEY WERE FORCED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE COMMISSION PROMISED THEM THEY WILL BRING THEM FOR THEM TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM.

EVERY SINGLE DAY THEY HAVE TO PUT UP THEIR TENTS.

TAKE IT DOWN.

THEY HAVE TO LOAD THEIR ITEMS.

RELOAD IT AND TUCK IT BACK IN THEIR VANS.

WE´RE TALKING YOUNG LADIES, 68 YEARS OLD AND UP.

HOW MUCH MORE TIME, HOW MUCH MORE TIME MUST THEY BE PROMISED THAT THAT IT WILL BE ADDRESSED?

AND IT´S BAD.

THAT´S NOT A LIVABLE CONDITION.

NOT A COMFORTABLE CONDITION TO WORK.

TO BE PAID.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> WE APPRECIATE THE POINTS YOU´RE BRINGING FORWARD.

>> I WANTED TO CONTINUE SAYING WHAT I WAS SAYING.

IT IS VERY HARD FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF SOMEBODY FULL TIME.

WE PLAYED THE TO DESIGN A PROGRAM THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO, THEY HAVE TO GO TO WORK IF THEY GO TO WORK SOMETIMES, THEY WALK AWAY AND HAVE ISSUES.

WE NEED TO HAVE A NUMBER OF CLASSES THAT WILL TRAIN INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME CNAs.

LIVING IN A FACILITY, YOU CAN HAVE ONE RN AND TEN CNAs AND BE ABLE TO EXPAND.

WE NEED PROGRAMS AND START THEM NOW SO WE CAN HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN ASSIST WITH THE ELDERLY POPULATIONS.

NOT ONLY THE HOMES BUT GO TO THE HOME AND PROVIDE THAT SERVICE FOR THAT ELDER COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO REBUT THIS?

>> I HAVE TO REBUT BY I AGREE.

I THINK THEY´RE BE DEBATABLE.

WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS IS THE CURE.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

ALL THEY DID WAS BLOCK EVERYTHING TO GET IT DONE.

HE KNOWS HE WAS VERY OFFENDED.

I SAID WE´RE NOT HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW BROKE THE SYSTEM IS OR CUTTING PEOPLE´S BENEFITS.

NOBODY IS WILLING TO DO THAT.

SO FOR HIM TO SAY WE WOULD CUT PEOPLE 40% IS RIDICULOUS.

HE KNOWS IT AND I KNOW IT.

I´LL TO THE POINT WHERE I´M USING STRONGER WORDS THAN DISINGENUOUS.

FINALLY, I DON´T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

I KNOW A KIOSK.

I KNOW AFTER TEN YEARS HAVING A TENT CITY, BY THE END OF THE AREA, WE´LL HAVE NEW KIOSKS.

I SPOKE TO THE LADY YOU CAME IN.

SHE´S A VERY NICE LADY.

SHE PROMISED HER SUPPORT.

WE´LL CLEAR THE PARKING LOT AND PLAF THE CARS SO WE CAN HAVE ALL OF THEM STAY THERE WHILE THEY DO THE UNDERGROUNDING FOR THE ELECTRICAL.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU´LL HAVE YOUR TIME AT THE END.

WE´RE TRYING NOT TO TURN THIS INTO A LARGE ARGUMENT.

WE ARE ASKING THE AUDIENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HELP US HANDLE THE NOISE CONTROL IN THE ROOM.

WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

>> WE DO.

ANOTHER QUESTION ON COST OF LIVING.

MANY VIRGIN ISLANDERS CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO REMAIN IN THE TERRITORY DUE TO HIGH COST OF HOUSING.

IF ELECTED, SENATOR VIALET, WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIFIC PLANS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS AND YOUNGER FAMILIES?

>> I´LL START WITH THE YOUNGER FAMILIES.

IT IS AN ACT THAT A ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GOING, WHO DON´T HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR A DOWN PAYMENT TO ACCESS MONEY WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SUPPLEMENT.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF MACHINE IS PURCHASING A HOME FOR $400,000.

20% DOWN, $80,000.

IF THEY DON´T HAVE THE MONEY, THEY WILL GIVE IT TO THEM FOR THE SAME INTEREST RATE.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THEY WILL ACROSS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT INDIVIDUALS JUST WALKED AWAY OR THEY´RE IN PROBATE.

IMMEDIATELY ESTABLISH A PROBATE CODE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBATE ISSUES.

THEN PROVIDE INCENTIVE FOR THOSE HOMES TO BE RENOVATED AND BACK TO THE MARKET AND THOSE POEMS THAT WERE ABLE TO NOT GET IN THE MARKET.

PERHAPS BE ABLE TO PURCHASE IT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY PROVIDE IT.

ALL THE PRODUCTS AFFORDED TO THE PEOPLE OF BREAKING.

TO IMMEDIATELY HAVE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LOOK AT WHY THOSE ARE NOT PROVIDED.

AND BEGIN TO ATTRACT THOSE THAT COME TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT WILL HAVE A LOWER INTEREST RATE SO INDIVIDUALS CAN PURCHASE -- >> THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR BRYAN, WHAT SPECIFIC PLANS DO YOU HAVE?

>> THANK YOU.

THINGS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

WITHIN THE WEEK, WE WILL ANNOUNCE A NEW PROGRAM.

ACTUALLY AN OLD PROGRAM.

WE´RE GIVING PEOPLE ACTUALLY A GRANT TO BULL THEIR SIS TERN.

THESE ARE NOT THE PEOPLE HAD A QUALIFY FOR THE VIHJ.

WE´RE FOCUSING ON MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING.

GETTING THE HOTELS OPEN WILL HELP WITH THE RENT.

WE HAVE $10 MILLION TO SUPPLEMENT THE BILL BY THE GOOD SENATOR.

$4 MILLION MAKE IT.

THAT IS A LOAN PROGRAM.

WE HAVE A GRANT PROGRAM FOR THOSE $10 MILLION.

WE CAN´T GET CONTRACTORS TO BUILD HOUSES EVERY TIME.

IF YOU CAN BUILD AN 1,800 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE FOR LESS THAN $400,000, THE GOVERNMENT WILL GUARANTEE WE´LL BUY EVERY ONE FROM YOU TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

AND THEN WE´LL BUY DOWN THAT HOUSE $100,000 AND YOU HAVE A LOAN FOR $300,000.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE PROJECTS FOR LAND IN SEVERAL AREAS.

WE ARE ABOUT TO CUT THE RULES INTO ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN SAINT CROIX AND WE HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVELY TRYING TO PURCHASE LAND IN SAINT JOHN.

I´VE SPOKEN TO AT LEFT A 30 DEVELOPERS.

EVERY ONE OF THEM KEEPS SAYING, WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TAD?

WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.

WHAT WE NEED IS PEOPLE THE BUILD HOMES.

>> SO MAY THING IS PRETTY MUCH THE ADDRESS THE CONCERN OF ALL THE ABANDONED BUILDINGS OWNED BY RESIDENTIAL OWNERS.

THE OWNERS DON´T EVEN RESIDE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NO MORE.

A LOT OF THEM DON´T EVEN PAY PROPERTY TAXES.

THE FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS, TO OF COURSE GIVE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REKT FAYE THE BUILDING.

AS A GOVERNOR, WE´LL INTRODUCE THEM TO THE PROGRAM.

IN THE 15th VERY WANT TO KEEP IT OR SELL IT.

HOWEVER, IF NO ONE RESPONDS, WE´LL TAKE ACTION BUT THOSE ESPECIALLY SPECIALIZING IN LOW INCOME SOCIETIES THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY.

SO WE STILL GET OPPORTUNITIES.

IT WILL BE THE SAME SYSTEM WITH THE ACTUAL GRANT TO RENOVATE THAT BUILDING.

>> THANK YOU.

REBUTTALS?

>> THANK YOU.

>> WITH THE CONSTRUCTION LOAN, IT THERE´S ONE.

LITERALLY NONE.

IF YOU WANT TO REBUILD A HOME, IT IS HARD TO GET A LOAN IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY´RE ASKING TO YOU LOOK AT A HOME THAT´S ALREADY COMPLETED AND IT CAN´T NEED RENOVATION.

SO WE NEED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH THE BANKS MOVING FORWARD.

FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, EVERY SINGLE YEAR FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

GETTING READY TO BEGIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

GETTING READY TO BEGIN TO BUILD.

FOR TWO YEARS, THE PLAZA WAS CLOSED.

ALMOST TWO YEARS.

NO CRUISE SHIPS.

NO WORK WAS DONE.

CRUISE SHIPS ARE BACK.

WHAT TYPE OF PLANET IS THAT?

THE LEGISLATURE ADVOCATED FOR THE PLAZA TO BE RENOVATED, REFURBISHED, REBUILT, WHERE DO WE HAVE THE CRUISE SHIPS?

>> THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR BRYAN.

>> IN EIGHT YEARS TO FIX ANYTHING.

HE DID NOT.

HE DID NOT PUT UP A CENT FOR IT.

THE WAY WE GOT IT WAS THROUGH COVID.

WE USED THE MONEY.

WE MADE AN EXCUSE AND SAID WE HAVE TO HAVE THE KIOSKS TO HAVE SEPARATION WHEN WE HAVE TOURISTS.

A REAL OPPORTUNITY IS IN DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION.

WE HAVE HARD URBAN DEVELOPMENT MONEY WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO GET.

WE CAN HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE WE TAKE THESE HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN IN PROBATE FOR YEARS.

PUT THEM UNDER THE FAMILY TRUST AND DEVELOP THEM.

PUT THEM BACK UP.

WE NEED TO BE WORKING ON THIS.

WHILE GOVERNOR, I´VE EXPANDED THE ENTERPRISE ZONE.

THE THING WITH US, THERE ARE SO MANY PROGRAMS GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO ME.

THEY ARE BECOMING A CANCER MORE ANDER MONTH.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESERVATION COMMISSION.

AND WITH AN EAR TO DEVELOP THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

BACK TO GO THE PLAZA.

HERE´S THE FACTS.

IT IS THE MAIN SPOT.

THE MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTION, RIGHT?

OCTOBER.

THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

IT IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE 22 SHIPS WHICH CARRIES 89,578 PASSENGERS.

THAT´S JUST OCTOBER.

HE SAID IT WILL BE COMPLETED BY THEN.

WE´LL SEE.

NOVEMBER, WHEN IT WILL BE OVER.

WE´RE SCHEDULED TO HAVE 51 SHIPS.

163,000 PASSENGERS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.

AND IN DECEMBER, WE HAVE 76 SHIPS SCHEDULED.

216 PASSENGERS IN DECEMBER.

SO YOU HEAR THESE NUMBERS AS IT PERTAINS TO TOURISM.

THAT´S HOW MANY TOURISTS ARE COMING TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

BUT THESE YOUNG LADIES WON´T BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM IT.

HERE WE GO WEST PROMISE TO GET IT DONE.

WE´RE IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING IT.

EVERYTHING IS IN THE PROCESS BUT NOTHING IS COMPLETED.

IN THE PICKARD ADMINISTRATION, OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE COMPLETED.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE ARE STILL GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT LIVABLE, COMMUNITIES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

ONE OF THEM HAS TO DO WITH US HANDLING SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION.

WHAT KIND OF OPTIONS DO WE HAVE ON ISLAND THAT´S HAVE LIMITED LAND SPACE?

CLEARLY HAVING AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT EVERYONE NEEDS.

SO THE QUESTIONS TO OUR CANDIDATES BEGINNING WITH CANDIDATE BRYAN IS, WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGY TO INCLUDE SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, INCLUDING INTERISLAND TRAVEL?

>> SO FIRST, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO THANK CANDIDATE PICKARD FOR POINTING OUT HOW STRONG OUR ECONOMY IS, HOW MANY PASSENGERS ARE COMING TO ST. THOMAS.

SO IF YOU LOOK, WE HAVE A NEW BIKE TERMINAL IN ST. THOMAS.

AND IN ST. CROIX.

OUR SENIORS HAVE TRANSPORTATION ON THE WEEKENDS WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

WE PUT IN WITH THE DELEGATE FOR INTERISLAND FERRY FOR THE THINGS THAT CAN BE SUBSIDIZED IN ORDER TO MAKE INTERISLAND TRAVEL MORE FREQUENT.

WE DIDN´T GET IT IN THE FIRST GO-AROUND.

WE´RE PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT WE´RE GOING INTO THEM.

WE ARE INTRODUCING NEW POWER CHARGING CENTERS 47.

THERE IS WHY WE BOUGHT TESLAS TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT HAVING ELECTRIC CARS.

IF WE HAVE SOLAR POWERED STATIONS WHERE WE´RE GETTING THE MONEY BARK THAT´S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS EVERY DAY THAT DON´T GO INTO PEOPLE´S POGT.

LITTLE DID WE KNOW, WE HAVE GIVEN THEM OVER HALF A MILLION EACH.

WE HAVE IN THE WORKS WHERE EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE COMING FROM ST. JOHN WILL GET FREE PASSIONS.

RIGHT NOW IT´S NOT LIKE THAT.

FOR OUR SENIORS, THEY´LL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL FOR FREE ON THE WEEKENDS.

.

>> THANK YOU.

CANDIDATE PICKARD, COULD YOU SPEAK TO A STRATEGY FOR PUTTING IN SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION?

>> DURING THIS WHOLE THING I NOTICED ONE THING THAT IS IMPERATIVE.

ST. JOHN HAS A LOT OF SERIOUS ISSUES FOR TRANSPORTATION.

KIND OF A TREE LEVEL MONOPOLY.

THE BARGES GOING BACK AND FOR THE.

IT AFFECTED THE COST OF LIVING.

IT WAS $55.

NOW HE WRITES UP THERE, $65.

IT HASN´T EVEN BEEN REGULATED BY PFC.

THEY JUST RAISE THE PRICE BECAUSE THEY CAN DO IT.

MAY THING IS THOSE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY, GOING BACK AND FORTH EVERY ISN´T DAY.

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WORK IN ST. THOMAS.

I WANT TO PROVIDE ANOTHER SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION.

THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION.

ST. THOMAS AS WELL AS ST. JOHN.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

DEFINITELY EXPAND IT TO TRANSIT.

TO PROVIDE VERY GOOD SERVICE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELDERLY AND WANT TO SHOP AND PAY BILLS BUT WE DON´T HAVE SUFFICIENT BUSES.

I THINK WE´RE TRYING TO UTILIZE FEDERAL FUNDS.

WITH HE PLAYED THE TO EXPAND THE PRESENT BUS SERVICE WE HAVE AND ESTABLISH MORE PICK-UP SPOTS FOR BUSES THAT THEY CAN TRAVERSE THE ENTIRE ISLAND.

NO MATTER WHERE A PERSON LIVES, THEY CAN GET BUS TRANSPORTATION.

WE NEED TO EXPAND THE AMOUNT OF BUSES.

BE ABLE TO PURCHASE MORE BUS THAT´S ARE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE.

A FULL OF BUSES PASSED A WOMAN BECAUSE SHE WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR AND FINALLY ONE STOPPED.

SO WE NEED SOME TRAINING AND EDUCATION.

WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE TAXI CAR DRIVERS AND HOW THEY´RE WORKING AND THE SERVICES THEY´RE PROVIDING.

STATEMENTS 9:00, 10:00 AT NIGHT, IT IS HARD TO GET A TAXI UNLESS YOU KNOW SOMEONE.

WE NEED TO EXPAND THAT AND TO DELIVER TAXI DRIVERS SO TECH PICK INDIVIDUALS UP.

SO WE NEED FOR INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE MORE ACCESS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DOES ANYONE WANT TO REBUT?

APPARENTLY NOT.

YES.

>> GOOD SUGGESTIONS, SENATOR VIALET.

WE DO HAVE TWO NEW BUSES ONLINE.

EARLIER THIS TERM I THINK WE WORKED WITH THE SENATOR TO PUT TOGETHER A PEACE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE TAXIS TO CREATE THEIR OWN UBER SYSTEM.

IT WOULD ONLY ALLOW FOR FOUR PASSENGER CARS.

THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION TO THE GROCERIES.

IT WOULD LU FOR LATE NIGHT TRANSPORTATION AND SAVE PEOPLE FROM DRUNK DRIVING.

WAVE BEEN WORKING WITH TAXI DRIVERS THROUGH COVID.

WE KNOW THEY WENT THROUGH A HARDSHIP.

WE HAVE AUTHORIZED $1,000 FOR EACH ONE.

WE HOPE THEY USE IT TO EXPAND THE WAY THEY TAKE BILLING SO THEY CAN USE PAY PAL, VENMO AND THE OTHERS.

AND SO THEY CAN BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH DISEASE AND ANYTHING ELSE.

IT WE DID THE BEGINNING FOR THE TRACKS FOR THE BUSES.

IF THE TRANSPORTATION IS RELIABLE, NOW YOU CAN SAY I´M GOING INTO WORK AND WHAT.

A LOT OF EDUCATION AROUND THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

DID YOU SAY IT ON UBER?

>> WHEN YOU SAY UBER -- >> I SAY UBER-LIKE.

THE TAXI ASSOCIATION.

>> HERE´S THE THING.

THE TAXI ASSOCIATION, I´M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.

WE´RE GOING ON 17 YEARS NOW WHEN TAXIS HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RAISE.

WE´RE TALKING ABOUT ST. CROIX, ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN.

THE REASON I ASKED HIM ABOUT UBER, IF THAT WAS COMING TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, IT WOULD BE A DISADVANTAGE FOR THROWS LOCAL TAXI DRIVERS AND THAT´S MY TAKE ON THAT.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO REBUT?

>> THE TAXI CAB ASSOCIATION IS IN DISARRAY.

THAT´S ONE OF THE THING BEFORE THE SENATE.

WE COULDN´T ACCOUNT FOR ANYTHING.

TO BE ABLE TO TELL THEM WHAT ARE THE FUTURE PLAN FOR TAXI DRIVERS IN THE TERRITORY.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO IMPLEMENT A TARIFF.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE END OF AUGUST.

IT HASN´T BEEN IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE THEY COULDN´T GET IT PRINTED.

WHICH IS A TOTALLY RIDICULOUS EXCUSE.

THAT DECISION WAS SUBMITTED FOR TWO PAYMENTS FOR THEM.

HE VETOED THE LEGISLATION.

THE LEGISLATION WAS NOT PASSED.

HE CAME ONE SOME EXCUSE AFTER PERSONALLY TELLING ME THIS GO LEGISLATION SET IT UP.

WE´RE GOING TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATION TO MOVE FORWARD.

HE VETOED IT AND MADE UP AN EXCUSE.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR VIALET.

ARE YOU FINISHED?

THANK YOU.

I THOUGHT I HEARD THAT IN YOUR VOICE.

SO WE´RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE LAST QUESTION.

>> QUICKLY LET´S TALK ABOUT WAPA.

HOW WILL YOU PROTECT VIRGIN ISLANDERS FROM SKYROCKETING UTILITY RATES AND BRING EQUITY BACK TO THE UTILITY POLICY?

MR. PICKARD FIRST?

>> THANK YOU.

>> WAPA IS A COMPLETE DISASTER.

IT IS A MONOPOLY GOING ON FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

EVEN DURING MR. BRYAN´S ADMINISTRATION.

IT NEED TO BE CHANGED.

IT SHOULD GO BACK INTO THE CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT.

THERE´S TOO.

MISAPPROPRIATION.

PERTAINING TO ENERGY NOW.

I BELIEVE IN OPTIONS.

WE THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NEED OPTIONS.

YOU HAVE ENERGY, THE WINDMILLS, ORIGINAL ENERGY FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND YOU HAVE SOLAR.

AND WAPA COULD BE THE BACK-UP.

I WANT TO GIVE THE PEOPLE A CHOICE.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CLUES WHICH ENERGY SOURCES YOU WANT.

NOT BE FORCED TO THE HIGH PRICES.

THERE SHOULD BE NO GUESS ADMINISTRATION IN THE PRICE.

WE PLAN TO BRING IT.

OUR WHOLE THING IS TO MAKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS A BALANCED PLACE FOR EVERYBODY TO LIVE.

THIS IS RONALD PICKARD.

AND I´M NUMBER TWO ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

MR. VIALET?

>> THE LEGISLATION TO HAVE EXPERTS BE NAMED TO THE BOARD.

THE LEGISLATION, IT WAS OVERRIDDEN BY ALL THE SENATORS, THE GOVERNOR HAS FAILED TO IMPLEMENT THE LEGISLATION.

SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ERAS THAT WE WANTED TO CORRECT.

WE NEED EXPERTS TO BE MAKING THE DECISIONS.

IT IS BETWEEN IT WAS TO 24 CENTS WHICH IS MORE THAN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

SO WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE BASE RATE.

EVEN IF IT GETS TO BE TEN CENTS, THE TOTAL COST WILL STILL BE 34 CENTS.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT BY BEING ABLE TO BRING IT TO THE TABLE.

TO RENEGOTIATE TO EXTEND THE YEARS OUT AND COME UP WITH A NUMBER AS TO EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

IT HAS BEEN IN EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY THEY´VE WORKED IN.

IT IS TIME TO BRING THEM AND TELL THEM LAKERS, WE DON´T BELIEVE IT COSTS THAT MUCH.

LET BE CLEAR ON WHAT THE NUMBER IS.

AND WE´LL EXPAND IT.

WE´LL PAY THE LOW INTEREST RATE.

14% THAT THEY ARE PAYING.

ADDITIONALLY, IT IS PAID SOME $12 MILLION EVERY YEAR TO OPERATE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE COULD HIRE TEN ENGINEERS AT $200,000 AND SAVE $10 MILLION.

WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS -- >> THANK YOU.

>> GOVERNOR BRYAN?

>> FIRST I WANT TO ADDRESS THE LEGISLATION.

I LOST SO MUCH RESPECT FOR SENATOR VIALET OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

HE WAS A STRONG SENATOR.

HE PASSED UP LEGISLATION THAT SAID THAT EVERY BUSINESS MUST SEMITWO FORMER PAYMENTS.

THAT´S TWO FORMER PAYMENTS.

THEY ALREADY DO THAT.

THE LEGISLATION WAS USELESS.

FIRST OF ALL, THE THING THE LEGISLATURE, WITH A THEY´VE ALWAYS TRADE TO DO IS RUN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

THE LEGISLATION IS ILLEGAL.

THE COURT TOLD THEM IT WAS ILLEGAL.

THE LEGISLATURE CANNOT APPOINT PEOPLE.

ALL THEY CAN DO IS APPROVE WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS RECOMMENDED.

IN TERMS OF THIS, THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO SAY THAT IT WILL BE A RENEWABLE ENTITY.

IT WILL BE RENEWABLE AND AFFORDABLE.

AND IT WILL BE CONSISTENT.

RATE NOW, WE HAVE ALREADY LAUNCHED A PROGRAM THAT GIVES PEOPLE OPTIONS.

WE HAVE THE OPTION TO HAVE A SOLAR LOAN PROGRAM.

AND YOU PAY IT BACK LIKE DO YOU YOUR LIGHT BILL.

THE POWER IS STAYING ON MORE FREQUENTLY NOW.

WHY?

WE REBUILT THE SUB STATIONS.

THE PROJECT IS MOVING ALONG RATHER RAPIDLY.

THE POWER STAYED ON IN THE VIRGIN SAILEDS.

THEY NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND THE $2 BILLION ONCE AGAIN THAT IS ALLOTTED -- >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON´T HAVE TIME FOR REBUTTALS SO WE CAN GIVE YOU YOUR TWO MINUTES IN CLOSING TIME.

>> SO WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION OF TODAY´S AGENDA.

YOU WILL NOW HAVE TWO MINUTES EACH TO PROVIDE YOUR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

AND WE SHOULD START WITH, WE SWITCH THIS AROUND.

THAT´LL WOULD END UP BEING MR. PICKARD.

>> I WANT TO GO LAST.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY.

TONIGHT YOU HEARD A WHOLE BUNCH OF PROMISES.

YOU HEARD ABOUT A BUNCH OF PROJECTS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLETED ABOUT, TO BE COMPLETED.

AND THE FACT REMAINS, IT IS STILL HERE.

WHEN YOU LEAVE THE DOORS TODAY, YOU WILL SEE THE SAME SITUATION YOU SAW BEFORE COMING INTO THIS MEETING.

IN THE PICKARD/TURNBUL ADMINISTRATION, WE´RE GIVING YOU EXACTLY WHAT YOU´RE ASKING FOR.

ACCOUNTABILITY.

SOMETHING YOU DON´T SATISFY IN THIS ADMINISTRATION.

WE´VE HAD MORE MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS IN THIS ADMINISTRATION, BUT WE DON´T EVEN HAVE A WHITE COLLAR CRIME UNIT.

IT HAS NOT BEEN ACTIVATED IN THIS UNIT.

THAT IS A PROBLEM WHEN YOU APPOINT ATTORNEY GENERAL IN A POSITION.

I BELIEVE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD BE AN ELECTED POSITION.

THAT´S A WAY TO AVOID CORRUPTION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CORRUPTION IS LIKE RACISM.

IF YOU DO NOT ATTACK IT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER.

SO MANY OF OUR PRESENT POLITICIANS AND FORMER POLITICIANS HAVE PROMISED US THE WORLD AND DELIVERED NOTHING.

MY WHOLE THING IS TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

I´M NOT AFRAID TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE DAY, I WANT TO YOU LIVE THE LIFE DESIGNED FOR YOU TO LIVE.

I´M AN INDEPENDENT.

I HAVE NO PARTY AFFILIATION.

I DON´T OWE ANYBODY ANYTHING.

THE ONLY THING I OWE IS THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

YOU HEARD MR. BRYAN AND MR. VIALET GO BACK AND FORTH PERTAINING TO BILL.

A BILL MEANS NOTHING IF IT IS NOT AN ACT.

AN ACT MEANS NOTHING IF IT IS NOT ENFORCED BY THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

THAT´S REALITY.

IN A PICKARD/TURNBUL ADMINISTRATION, OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE EVERYBODY WALK TOGETHER.

I RECOGNIZE THAT WE´RE ALL VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR VIALET, YOU´RE NEXT.

>> THANK YOU.

THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, LOOK AT HEALTH CARE.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE THE VIRGIN ISLANDERS FACE ON A REGULAR BASIS?

ARE YOU SATISFIED?

OR ASK THE QUESTION THE NEXT WAY.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT ANYTHING IN HEALTH CARE HAS IMPROVED OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS?

SWITCH TO EDUCATION.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN THE TERRITORY?

SCHOOLS OPENED THIS YEAR.

SCHOOLS CLOSED, TO WATER, NO ELECTRICITY.

CLOSURE AFTER CLOSURE.

ARE YOU SATISFIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ADDRESSING THE LEARNING LOSS OF OUR STUDENTS?

PEOPLE OF THE VIRLGIN ISLANDS, ARE YOU SATISFIED THE BLUE TOPS ON THE ROOFS ARE STILL THERE THREE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS AFTER?

ARE YOU SATISFIED?

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE STATE OF THE TERRITORY, THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES THAT FACE US ON A REGULAR BASIS?

THE GOVERNOR WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU´RE SATISFIED.

HE´LL SAY THAT YOU´RE SATISFIED BECAUSE YOU GOT YOUR 8%.

HE´LL SAY YOU´RE SATISFIED BECAUSE YOU GOT STIMULUS.

BUT SOMEHOW, SO MUCH OF THIS IS BEING DONE JUST ONE MONTH BEFORE ELECTION.

NURSES GIVEN BONUSES AFTER NURSES IN DROVES HAVE LEFT THE HOSPITAL.

BUT THEY ARE GETTING IT NOW BECAUSE THE ELECTION IS ONE MONTH AWAY.

AND I´M HOPING THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WON´T BE FOOLED.

HE JUST TOLD YOU MONEY HE´LL DO IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

WE´LL BUILD THIS FACILITY, WE´LL BUILD THAT.

BUT IT HASN´T STARTED.

NAME ONE NEW SCHOOL.

NAME ONE FOR A SCHOOL.

NAME ANYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED THAT AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

MONEY IS NOT QUALITY OF LIFE.

YOU CAN GET A HEART ATTACK AND NEED TO BE STABILIZED AT THE HOSPITAL.

AND I´LL END BY SAYING, NO BIG LOSS.

FOR ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

KURT VIALET, NUMBER FOUR.

>> GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE THE LAST ONE.

>> FIRST I WOULD LIKE THE THANK THE AARP FOR A REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION.

I THINK WE SHOULD ALWAYS ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE BRING THE TRUTH TO THE LIGHT WE HEAR PEOPLE´S IDEAS.

UNFORTUNATELY, SENATOR VIALET DOESN´T HAVE ANY IDEAS.

THE STUFF THAT HE PUT FORTH IS STUFF THAT HE READ, LISTENING TO PEOPLE OF MY ADMINISTRATION GOING TO THE LEGISLATURE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

WHAT IS INDEED UNFORTUNATE IS THAT AFTER THREE AND A HALF YEARS OF BLOCKING EVERYTHING THAT WE PUT FORTH, MAKE IT BETTER FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS.

HIM AND HIS RUNNING MADE CHOSE IT.

I CHOOSE THE PEOPLE.

WITH THE PEOPLE I PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST.

WE PUT THEM FIRST IN COVID.

THAT´S WHY WE HAVE THE THIRD LOWEST DEATH RATE IN THE NATION.

WE KEPT OUR SENIORS SAFE.

WHEN COVID WAS DONE, WE PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS.

WE TRIED TO GET THEM OUT, GET THEM EXERCISE AND GET THEM SECURE.

WE ARE NOT PUTTING OUT MONEY BECAUSE IT IS A GREAT THING TO DO FOR THE ELECTION.

WE ARE PUTTING OUT POINT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE UNDER DURESS.

WE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT.

TRIED, TESTED AND PROVEN TRUE.

IF THERE´S ONE THING YOU KNOW, VIRGIN ISLANDERS, OVER THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS, I TAKE A HARD STAND.

I CALL IT LIKE IT IS.

YOU DON´T TO HAVE GUESS.

FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS THEY´VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

NOW THEY´RE THINKING IT IS TIME TO MOVE FORWARD.

WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME?

WHERE WERE THEY WHEN COVID WAS THERE?

IT IS ONLY NOW THEY ARE HAVING THE BRIGHT IDEAS SINCE THE BRYAN/ROACH ADMINISTRATION HAS COME TO TOWN.

WE´VE BEEN PUTTING MONEY IN PEOPLE´S POCKETS.

IT WAS OWED TO THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS AND WASN´T PAID.

YOU KNOW OUR ROADS WEREN´T PAVED FOR 40 YEARS.

WE´RE PAVING THEM NOW.

$288 MILLION IN TAX RETURNS GIVEN BACK TO VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

$100 MILLION IN BACK WAGES.

PAYING IT BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED TO IT SURVIVE.

WILL WE FIX EVERYTHING IN THREE AND A HALF YEARS IN NO.

WE FIXED A LOT AND WE STILL LOVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CANDIDATES, IT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING EVENT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS FORUM.

AARP IS PLEASED TO HAVE COLLABORATED TO HOST THIS FORUM.

WE HOPE YOU ARE NOW BETTER PREPARED TO DD WHICH CANDIDATE WILL BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US TO PRESENT THIS FORUM AND REMEMBER THAT VOTING IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT RIGHT.

IT GIVES YOU A SAY IN WHAT OUR FUTURE LOOKS LIKE.

WE URGE TO YOU MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER TO VOTE.

VOTE EARLY OR BY ABSENTEE BALLOT.

WHATEVER YOU DO, VOTE.