>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE W TJX STAFF OR MORE.

>>> ON THIS EPISODE OF COMES WITH THE TERRITORY?

>> THESE ARE THINGS THAT HELP US BE BETTER.

>> THIS IS PART OF A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON REINTEGRATING FORMER INMATES THROUGH EDUCATION JOB TRAINING AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

WE WILL HEAR FROM DR. SUSAN McGRATH AND PROGRAM MANAGER ADRIAN GRANT WHO ARE LEADING LOCAL EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A SECOND CHANCE.

>>> CHAPMAN HAS ANNOUNCED A DEPARTURE FROM THE RESEARCH AND APARTMENT PARK FOLLOWING THE BOARD´S DECISION NOT TO RENEW HIS CONTRACT.

THE EXPERIENCE SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS GROWTH CONTRIBUTING GREATLY TO THE LEVEL DESPITE FINANCIAL CONCERNS.

GOVERNOR ALBERT BRIAN JUNIOR RECENTLY LED A DELEGATION TO THE 2024 T TREE CONFERENCE AIMING TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH MAJOR CRUISE OPERATORS.

WE WILL EXAMINE IF IT TRULY BENEFITS LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THIS TERRITORY.

THIS WEEK´S PANEL JOINS THE CONVERSATION TO ANALYZE THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

COMES WITH THE TERRITORY START RIGHT NOW.

>>> WELCOME TO COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

APRIL HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS SECOND CHANCE MONTH.

A TIME TO FOCUS ON REINTEGRATING FORMERLY INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED SOCIETY.

THIS ALIGNS WITH NATIONAL EFFORTS TO PROMOTE REHABILITATION AND REDUCED STIGMATIZATION OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH PAST CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS.

>> THEY ARE BREAKING BARRIERS.

>> STEFAN HYACINTH WAS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WHO SHARED PERSONAL JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION DURING A PANEL DISCUSSION ON APRIL 10th.

THE LOCAL EVENT WAS PART OF SECOND CHANCE MONTH A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE OBSERVED TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION OF FORMER INMATES.

THE UNIVERSITY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THROUGH THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS LOCAL MOVEMENT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BUREAU OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE INCARCERATED AND THOSE FOR REENTRY.

THE SERVICES RANGE FROM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO JOB ALL CRUCIAL IN PAVING THE WAY FOR STABLE AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE AFTER RELEASE.

>> THERE ARE CLEARLY SO MANY RESOURCES HERE THAT HAVE THINGS THAT HELP US TO BE BETTER.

>> THE LEGISLATIVE BACKDROP SO SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT RECENTLY.

THE FAIR CHANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT ACT PREVENTS INQUIRY ON AN APPLICANT CONVICTION HISTORY AND TO AFTER THEY ARE DEEMED QUALIFIED FOR A POSITION.

IT WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATION WITH LOCAL ADVOCATES HANDLING THE POTENTIAL TO SIGNIFICANTLY AID REINTEGRATION EFFORTS.

>> THIS IS GOING TO MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE.

IT WILL CHANGE PEOPLE´S LIVES.

>> IT WAS VETOED ON APRIL 11th.

GOVERNOR ALBERT BRIAN JUNIOR ROACH THE BAND BOX INITIATIVE IS COMMENDABLE AND I APPLAUD A FORWARD THINKING EXAMPLE FOR THOSE IN THE TERRITORY HOWEVER THERE ARE CONCERNS REGARDING OVERREACHING CONCERNS IN THE BILL ESPECIALLY THE SEVERE CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR EMPLOYERS AND THE ABSENCE ON CAP ON DAMAGES I EAGERLY ANTICIPATE THE REVISED VERSION OF THIS BILL.

>> THE FOCUS REMAINS ON OVERCOMING LEGISLATIVE HURDLES AND IMPROVING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THOSE SEEKING A FRESH START.

>>> JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT SECOND CHANCE MONTH AND HOW THE INITIATIVE IS MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY IS DR. SUSAN DARRELL McGRATH DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY´S DEPARTMENT OF REINTEGRATION AND REHABILITATION.

AND IT FROM THE SAINT CROIX PROGRAM MANAGER FOR UBI FOUNDER AND CEO OF THE LIEN COMMUNITY INC.

WHICH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING COMMUNITY REENTRY SERVICES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE SHOW.

LET US START WITH YOU.

CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE LOCAL EVENTS THAT YOU HAVE SPEARHEADED FOR SECOND CHANCE MONTH AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COMMUNITY?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT´S TRULY AN HONOR TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE ON THIS.

OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS WE´VE SPONSORED SECOND CHANCE MONTH ALONG WITH UBI AND THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

AS WELL AS THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS.

THERE ARE A FEW PANEL DISCUSSIONS THAT WE JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY TO THE REALITIES OF INCARCERATION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS THOUGHT OF STIGMA AROUND INCARCERATION BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE SEEN SOMETHING IN A MOVIE.

BUT WHEN IT IS THIS SMALL THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE INCARCERATED THAT ARE YOUR COUSINS YOUR NIECES YOUR NEPHEWS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE TRYING TO HUMANIZE THIS.

THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE LOCKED AWAY IN A CAGE.

MORE THAN 80% OF THOSE INCARCERATED WILL BE RETURNING TO SOCIETY.

ONE OUT OF THREE AMERICAN ADULTS HAVE SOME KIND OF CRIMINAL CONVICTION.

WE NEED TO DESTIGMATIZE THIS.

THAT IS A LOT OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME SOMETHING DR. JOE McGRATH, HOW DO YOU WORK WITH THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS TO SERVE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS WITHIN HIS TERRITORY?

>> I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THIS EVENING SHOW.

WE STARTED WORKING WITH THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS ALMOST 6 YEARS AGO AND WE STARTED WORKING WITH THEM ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FROM THERE WE STARTED TO GROW THE INITIATIVE THAT CAME OUT OF THIS PLAN.

SO IT STARTED WITH THE FACILITY PROGRAM AND THE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA COURSE.

WE USE AN ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM QUITE OFTEN AS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INCARCERATED THEY HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO FINISH THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NOT BE SCHOOL DIPLOMA ARE OFFERED ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND FROM THERE ONCE WE HAVE THAT SQUARED AWAY WE MOVE ON TO CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES OR HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE STUDENTS ENGAGED IN A NUMBER OF CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS STUDENTS WHO ARE COMPLETING THEIR ASSOCIATES AND BACHELORS DEGREES.

>> THAT IS FANTASTIC.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE ALLYING COMMUNITY INC. AND THE REENTRY SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDE?

>> AT A LINE COMMUNITY WE HAVE AN INITIATIVE CALLED RESET WHICH IS TO REHABILITATE TO EDUCATE TO STRATEGIZE EXECUTE AND TRIUMPH.

IT IS A FIVE-STEP PLAN TO ASSIST PEOPLE THAT ARE LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED OR WERE JUST GOING TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THIS IS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE WHOLE PROGRAM.

THIS IS THE ARK.

AND THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT THEY LOOK AT SITUATIONS IRREGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS A TRIAL OR AN OBSTACLE.

HOW DO YOU GET OVER IT AND HOW DO YOU USE THIS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE AS OPPOSED TO SEEING SOMETHING AS A STOPPING POINT IN LIFE.

YOU SHOULD USE IT AS A CATALYST TO DO SOMETHING BETTER.

WE GO OUT IN THE COMMUNITY WITH BOTH JURISDICTIONS TAKING TIME HERE LIKE SAINT CROIX AND SOME GREAT CASE MANAGERS THE BEAUTY OF THIS PROGRAM IS THAT THE CASE MANAGERS AND EVERYONE WHO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE RESET PROGRAM ARE PEOPLE THAT WERE FORMALLY IMPACTED.

THOSE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THESE SYSTEMS THEY ARE TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO GETS WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE POSITIVE CHANGES DEALING WITH THESE SITUATIONS THE GREATEST THING THAT WE DO IS OFFER REINTEGRATION COACHING.

THIS IS NOT ON THE TIMELINE THEY EXPECT IT TO BE.

YOU KNOW THAT YOUR MOTHER LOVES YOU AND IT CAN BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

BUT IT HELPS YOU TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE IN YOUR CORNER.

AND THAT´S WHAT WE DO HERE.

>> THAT IS FANTASTIC.

LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING, WHAT INCENTIVES ARE THERE FOR INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE THESE PROGRAMS?

IS IT MANDATORY OR HOW DO INDIVIDUALS GET MOTIVATED TO ENROLL IN A PROGRAM LIKE THIS?

>> THAT´S A GREAT QUESTION BECAUSE YOU SEEN THOSE MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS CHANGE OF THE YEARS.

I THINK INITIALLY THEY ARE MOTIVATED BY THE FACT THAT THEY CAN GET TIME OFF OF THEIR SENTENCE BY COMPLETING A HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS.

BUT THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM HAS REALLY BEEN IN THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO´VE SEEN OTHERS GRADUATING LEADING TO TASSELS FOODS CELEBRATIONS AND MORE BRINGING MANY AND TO RECOGNIZE THE GRADUATES.

SO SEEING OTHERS HAVE THAT SUCCESS THEY´VE WANTED TO JOIN IN THE PROGRAM.

WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS RIGHT NOW BETWEEN THE TWO DISTRICTS THAT ARE ENROLLED IN A NUMBER OF COURSES.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BARRIERS TO REINTEGRATING INDIVIDUALS INTO THE COMMUNITY?

I´LL ASK MR. GLENNON THAT I´LL COME BACK TO DR. DARRELL McGRATH.

>> THE FIRST THING IS THE STIGMA AND THE WAY THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE SEEMS TO RECEIVE PEOPLE ONCE THEY´VE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

USING THE WORD CONVICT PRISONER OR JAIL MAN WHATEVER PEOPLE WANT TO SAY.

WE DO REALIZE THAT IF YOU LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT IS ECONOMICALLY STRAPPED USED TEND TO SEE MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

CATCH A CHARGE.

ASIDE FROM THAT IS JOBS HOUSING AND THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE YOU NEED TO SURVIVE MAY NOT BE AS EASY FOR SOMEONE WHO IS IMPACTED.

THAT JOB MAY PAY $17 AN HOUR BUT BECAUSE THEY´VE BEEN IMPACTED THE PERSON OFFERING THE JOB ONCE TO GIVE THEM A CUT RATE TO SEE IF THEY CAN TRUST THEM FIRST.

IF A PERSON GOES TO PRISON THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO COME BACK HOME AND THAT WOULD BE OVER.

THEY´VE DONE THEIR TIME THEY DON´T NEED TO BE PUNISHED AGAIN.

THOSE ARE THE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF INCARCERATION AND WE ARE TRYING TO STOP THAT.

>> DR. DARRELL McGRATH YOUR EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS THAT YOU OFFER, HOW DOES THAT HELP TO COMBAT SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS THAT THEY WERE JUST MENTIONING?

>> THAT´S THE NICE THING ABOUT HAVING THE CONNECTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

INDIVIDUALS AS THEY ARE TRANSITIONING OUT CAN COME ONTO STUDIES IF THEY ARE MADE PROGRAM THEY CAN MEET UP WITH MR. GLENN ON CAMPUS AS WELL AS THE CASE MANAGERS.

AND THEY CAN CONTINUE STUDIES WHICH IS GREAT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE MONTHLY PUBLIC REENTRY ACTION GROUP.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT AT ALL?

>> YES.

IT IS A COMBINED EFFORT WITH A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFITS AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

JUST TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BRIDGING THE GAP FOR THOSE WHO ARE COMING HOME.

IT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING HERE.

THAT WAS THE FIRST THING I WAS INVOLVED WITH.

THAT´S HOW I MET DOC SUE.

THEY CALL ME AG.

THE AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DOC SUE AND A BUNCH OF OTHER GREAT PEOPLE TRYING TO PULL THE RESOURCES TOGETHER TO HELP PEOPLE OUT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND THIS.

LAST WEEK THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS IMPACTED AND HE WAS TRYING TO GET BACK HOME HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HOUSING AND A COUPLE OF PEOPLE GOT TO GATHER GOING TO COURT WITH HIM AND HE WAS ABLE TO BE RELEASED THAT DAY.

HE SAID I´D NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE.

THIS IS REALLY MAJOR AND IF YOU´RE NOT PART OF IT BUT YOU WANT TO BE, WE NEED ALL THE HELP THAT WE CAN GET.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT GROUP?

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE HAVE REENTRY HOUSING WORK GROUP THAT ALSO MEETS UP.

HOUSING HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT WE´VE HAD WITH REENTRY.

WE CAN DO A GOOD JOB WITH FINDING SOMEONE A JOB.

IF YOU DON´T HAVE SOMEPLACE TO LIVE YOU´RE MORE LIKELY TO REOFFEND.

SO THE RE-ENTRY HOUSING WORK GROUP WE FOUND OUT ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

BECAUSE OF ACTIONS THERE WE WERE ABLE TO GET INVOLVED WITH CONTINUING CARE FOR HOMELESSNESS AND I´M AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THAT BOARD AS WELL AS PETER ABRAHAM AND WE FOUND THAT YOU REALLY HAVE TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE BOARDS THAT HOLD THE PURSE STRINGS AND HAVE CONNECTIONS TO HUD FUNDING TO MAKE REAL CHANGES.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING ON THE HOUSING SITE AND THE REENTRY ACTION GROUP MEETS ON THE THIRD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH AND ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED CAN EMAIL US AT CLL AT UBI.EDU AND JUST LET US KNOW THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED AND WE WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO SEND YOU THIS INVITE.

>> RECENTLY THE GOVERNOR VETOED THE FAIR CHANCE EMPLOYMENT ACT THAT WAS PASSED BY LEGISLATURE MARCH 25th.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT ON APRIL 11th.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT THIS COULD HAVE HELPED THE CAUSE THAT YOU ADVOCATE FOR?

>> IT´S NOT TOO DIFFERENT FROM LAWS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.

IT IS JUST SOMETHING THAT WOULD´VE INCREASED THE VISIBILITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG EMPLOYERS THAT YOU CAN´T SUGGEST DO THESE BLANKET DENIALS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND THE BACKGROUND SCREENING BEFORE YOU´VE HAD A CHANCE TO INTERVIEW THE PERSON AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE.

FOR US IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THAT LEGISLATIVE BILL GETS PASSED.

THERE´S LOCAL POOL WITH SENT OVER DONOVAN WHO HAD SUPPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE THAT WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

>> HOW CAN LOCAL RESIDENTS GET INVOLVED AND SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION OF FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS?

>> THE MOST SIMPLE WAY TO DO THAT IS LOVE.

GO OUT THERE AND GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY.

IF YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED YOU CAN ALWAYS EMAIL I AND FO ADALINE 340.ORG AND WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU AND SHOW YOU SOME MORE STRATEGIC WAYS TO DO THIS.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS GET RID OF THOSE BIAS AND LET PEOPLE REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

IF YOU DON´T GIVE THEM THE CHANCE TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES YOU´RE FORCING THEM TO DO SOMETHING THAT YOU DON´T WANT THEM TO DO IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

IT BEHOOVES YOU TO HELP PEOPLE PUT THEIR LIVES TOGETHER.

IT DOES NOT TAKE MUCH TO FIND YOUR OWN SELVES IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I AM A PASTOR IN ST. CROIX AND THE LORD TELLS US THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE FOR PEOPLE AND HELP PEOPLE.

TREAT PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED.

DO NOT JUDGE PEOPLE FOR YOUR OWN PAST ACTIONS.

I SAY THAT AS A FORMALLY IMPACTED PERSON MYSELF.

I HAVE A GOOD LIFE AND I WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY NOW.

I HAVE A NONPROFIT A FAMILY AND TWO WONDERFUL SONS AND I´M LIVING A GREAT LIFE.

BUT THAT´S BECAUSE WHEN I CAME HOME MY COMMUNITY GAVE ME THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

I DON´T THINK I COULD EVER REPAY THEM FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN ME.

I LOOK AT DR. McGRATH AND WHAT SHE HAS DONE FOR ME AND I HOPE THAT I CAN BE AN EXAMPLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MEAN IT´S WHEN YOU GIVE SOMEONE A SECOND CHANCE.

>> THAT IS A VERY POWERFUL STORY AND TESTIMONY THAT YOU JUST GAVE.

IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS HOPE FOR EVERYONE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH DR. McGRATH AND THANK YOU MR. GLENN FOR THE WORK THAT YOU MAY BE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT WAS VERY TOUCHING.

>>> NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM THIS WEEK´S PANEL.

BUT FIRST LET´S LOOK AT YOUR TOPICS UP >> I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD TO REPORT THAT IN 2023 THE EFFORTS WILL ALSO YIELD AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR UPI.

>> AFTER STARING THE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PARK THROUGH STRATEGIC ADVANCEMENT, THERE´S A BOARD DECISION NOT TO RENEW HIS CONTRACT.

BOARD CHAIR EDWARD THOMAS SENIOR STATES THERE´S NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT A BOARD GOING IN A NEW DIRECTION SINCE THEY SET POLICY.

AS A MATTER OF FACT THIS DECISION IS THE THIRD ONE SINCE I HAVE BEEN THE BOARD CHAIR.

CHATMAN BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 5th 2016 AND FOLLOWED JULIAN MARCEL WITH THE RT PARK AND ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE THE RT PARK BUSINESS PORTFOLIO GREW BY 275% WITH REVENUE INCREASING BY 300% UNDER THAT LEADERSHIP.

THIS HOW TO ELIMINATE OVER $4 MILLION IN DEBT.

THEY ALSO SUPPORTED THE UNIVERSITY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CONTRIBUTING A TOTAL $14 MILLION SINCE ITS INCEPTION TO 3 MILLION IN 2023 ALONE AS DETAILED IN THAT PRESS RELEASE.

AT A BUDGET HEARING CHATMAN INCLUDED IN ITS WRITTEN TESTIMONY A PIE CHART THAT SHOWED WHERE THEY WERE SPENDING THIS MONEY THEY GENERATED WITH THE LION´S SHARE GOING TO UBI.

THEY EXPRESSED CONCERNS TO THE UNIVERSITY.

>> WHAT DOES THE LAW REQUIRE YOU TO GIVE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS?

I THINK I CAN SEE THIS IN THE PIE CHART IT´S ALMOST 42% THAT GOES TO THE UNIVERSITY?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THERE IS NO STIPULATION OR REQUIREMENTS IN THE LEGISLATION OR THE STATUTE THAT IS THE NORTH STAR THAT SAYS WE DEDICATE A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF MONEY THE ONLY THING IT SAYS IS THAT WE ARE TO GIVE THEM FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN THEIR OWN UNIVERSITY.

WE ARE ENGAGED IN AN INTERNAL DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW ON HOW WE ENSURE THAT THERE IS EQUILIBRIUM AS WELL.

THIS IS WITHIN THE REALM OF THE PRIMARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> IN THE PRESS RELEASE HE SAID HIS NEXT STEP WOULD INVOLVE DEDICATING MORE TIME TO THE COMPANY URBAN POLICY AND INNOVATIONS.

AND THEY FOUND THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

THIS LED THE SEA TRADE CREWS GLOBAL CONFERENCE IN MIAMI AIMING TO STRENGTHEN THE TERRITORY TIES WITHIN THIS INDUSTRY.

THEY INCLUDE THERE IS THE EMPLOYMENT RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

DURING THE CONFERENCE THEY ENGAGE WITH MULTIPLE CRUISE OPERATORS SUCH AS DISNEY CRUISE LINE THE NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE AND CARNIVAL CORPORATION.

DISCUSSION FOCUSED ON THE ONGOING PARTNERSHIPS THE POTENTIAL EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES AND UPDATES RELATIVE TO THOSE INDUSTRIES.

FOLLOWING THE COVID-19 SETBACK ST. THOMAS IN ST. CROIX SAW AN COMPARED TO 2019.

THE WEST INDIAN COMPANY CROWN BAY DOCK AND EDWARDS AND MARINE FACILITY WELCOMED 1.6 MILLION PASSENGERS.

PLUS THE TERRITORY RECORDED 58% RISE FROM 2022 TO 2023.

INCLUDES PASSENGERS FROM 2024.

>> SO PLACE THAT ONLY HAS 100,000 PEOPLE I´M VERY IMPRESSED WITH IT.

KNOWING THAT 31 MILLION PASSENGERS GLOBALLY AT 1.6 MILLION OF THOSE BELONGED TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WE CONTROL 5% OF ALL OF THIS IN THE WORLD SO THAT IS A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK WE ARE DOING PARTNERING WITH TOURISM TO WE KNOW THAT THIS IS 70% OF THE ECONOMY.

THEY JUST ADD TO THE PRODUCT AND MAKE IT MORE VITAL.

>> JOINING ME ON STAT TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS SENATOR ROOSEVELT , WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW MR. DAVID.

AND FORMER SENATOR KURT DAILY AND RADIO TALK SHOW JIMMY THE DAVIS ON HER OWN SHOW.

SHE IS STAFF FOR SENATOR DONOVAN GREGORY AS WELL.

WHICH WAS THE SPONSOR FOR THE VETOED BILL.

SENATOR GREGORY RESPONDED AND THIS IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> I´M A BIT CONFUSED WITH THE GOVERNOR´S VETO MESSAGE.

HE NOTED THAT THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES ON EMPLOYERS WERE TOO SEVERE AND THERE IS NO CAP ON THE DAMAGES THEY CAN RECOVER FOR VIOLATION OF THE STATUTE.

BUT I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THESE PROVISIONS ALREADY EXIST IN THE LAW.

SO BECAUSE IT CONTAINS LANGUAGE THAT IS ALREADY PART OF EXISTING LAW IT STRAINS LOGIC FOR ME.

I HAVE LEGAL COUNSEL LEGISLATION LOOKING CLOSER TO SEE IF THERE IS AN OVERARCHING ISSUE WITH THE PENALTIES.

BUT I CURRENTLY HAVE NO ISSUE WITH HAVING AFFAIR CONVERSATION AND COLLABORATING ON THESE PENALTIES.

IT IS SOMETHING I AM WILLING TO DO.

BUT IF IT BECOMES NECESSARY I AM ALL IN FOR OVERRIDING THE GOVERNOR´S VETO.

>> SENATOR FRED ISSUED ANOTHER STATEMENT.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT WENT DOWN WITH THE GOVERNOR?

>> I THINK THE SENATOR SPOKE CLEARLY ON WHAT HAPPENED.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED THE MEASURE AND THE SENATOR ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE IN RESPONSE TO THAT VETO.

CLEAR ON THIS POSITION WHICH IS CALLED A FAIR CHANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT ACT.

THEY ADDRESS ANY ISSUES THAT MAY POTENTIALLY BE THERE.

THE MEASURED IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE SENATE AND THEY SHOULD BE PREPARED TO MOVE FOR THE OVERRATE.

IT SEEMS LIKE THERE MUST BE SOME FURTHER DISCUSSION BECAUSE CLEARLY THERE IS NOISE IN THIS CONVERSATION.

I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A PATH FORWARD AND WE ARE IN A FAIR CHANCE MONTH.

APRIL IS THE SECOND CHANCE MONTH THAT´S WHAT IT IS CALLED NATIONALLY.

OUR FOCUS SHOULD BE ON MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN ALLOW THOSE WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED TO HAVE A FAIR PATHWAY TOWARD BEING EMPLOYED AND BECOMING PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SHOULD BE NOTED WITHIN JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE NATION TO HAVE SIMILAR LEGISLATION.

>> SO YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR´S RESPONSE AND THE PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SENATOR ABOUT THIS VETO.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS SITUATION?

>> I QUICKLY READ THIS A MOMENT AGO.

AND I DON´T SEE ANY MALICIOUS INTENT.

IN FACT THE GOVERNOR APPLAUDED THE INTENT.

BUT ESSENTIALLY THAT IS WHAT WERE LOOKING AT HERE.

>> SO I STEP BACK A LITTLE BIT AND I LOOKED DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT I SEE, IS THAT SMALL BUSINESSES ESPECIALLY DRIVE THE OF INCENTIVIZED.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THE GOVERNOR´S POSITION ON THIS AND I THINK I AM WILLING TO COLLABORATE.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A SEVERE STAFFING SHORTAGE PROVIDING THEM WITH ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUALS WITH THE RE- INTEGRATION EFFORTS THAT ARE BEING MADE WITHIN THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS TO HELP PREPARE AND BE READY FOR THESE POSITIONS.

IS THAT A THE APPROACH WE SHOULD BE TAKING A LOOK AT?

IT WOULD REPEAL AND REPLACE ITS ENTIRETY WHAT WAS SPOKEN ABOUT BY THE GOVERNOR EXISTS IN THE CODE SO BY VETOING IT YOU CAN SEE IT PRESENTING QUICKLY READ A WHILE AGO WHAT PRESENTLY EXISTS IN THIS CODE WHETHER OR NOT THAT DISCUSSION IS HERE WITH SOMETHING YOU WANT TO REMOVE ALTOGETHER.

BUT THIS IS STILL IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE.

THE LANGUAGE IS DIFFERENT.

IT IS NONEXISTENT IN THE NEW BILL.

THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE SAYING THEY WANT TO BE BACK IN THE BILL.

THESE ARE THE STAKEHOLDERS AND AT THAT POINT THEY´VE MADE THE RECOMMENDATIONS SO THE AMENDMENT COULD BE MADE ON THE FLOOR.

>> HAVING HEARD WHAT THE SENATOR´S POINT WAS WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE PATH FORWARD OUTSIDE OF SITTING WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU THINK MAY BE OPTIMAL TO HAVE THIS BECOME LAW?

>> AMENDMENTS WERE MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THAT IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AND MADE PART OF WHAT BECOMES THE FINAL MEASURE AND IS A MATTER OF INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION THAT MAY BE NEEDED BECAUSE THERE IS REFERENCE IN THAT VETO MESSAGE ITSELF THAT IS NONEXISTING IN THAT MEASURE SHE INDICATED THAT SHE IS OPEN TO COLLABORATION AND WORKING TO FIND OUT SPECIFICALLY WHAT WOULD BE NEEDED FOR WHAT MAY SEEM PROBLEMATIC TO THE HOWEVER I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY THE TRUE MEASURE AND DUTY OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND IT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME BETTER CITIZENS AND VALUABLE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

THERE MAY BE DISCUSSIONS IN THE WEEKS AHEAD THAT MAKE SURE THAT THIS MEASURE AND THE INTENT OF >> SO WE JUST SAW THE NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PETER CHAPMAN AND THE BOARD OPTING NOT TO RENEW THIS CONTRACT.

THERE ARE CONCERNS WITH THE FINANCIAL FUTURE AND CONTRIBUTIONS THEY ARE MAKING.

THEY SAW THAT INTERACTION I AM CURIOUS TO HEAR BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE ARE THEY CONTINUING TO GO FORWARD UNDER MR. CHAPMAN´S LEADERSHIP?

>> THAT ENTITY IS DEAR TO MY HEART.

WHEN THE MEASURE CAME FORWARD A LOT OF DISCUSSION WENT INTO THIS.

NOW THAT IT IS UP AND RUNNING I UNDERSTAND.

I DON´T BELIEVE I HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO SAY WHETHER NOT THEY HAVE A GOOD JOB NEEDING TO GROW FORWARD.

DID HE MEET THE GOALS SET BY THE BORDER?

AND JUST NOT RENEW THE CONTRACT HEAR WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN DOING VERY WELL?

I DON´T BELIEVE I AM IN A POSITION TO SAY THEY MAY HAVE MADE AN ERROR.

BUT FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER THEY DECIDED TO GO WITH THE BOARD.

THESE ARE ALL VERY REASONABLE PEOPLE.

AND WE DON´T KNOW WHAT STANDARDS WERE MET HERE.

YOU CAN SEE THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IS ACTUALLY PRETTY DECENT.

I AM CURIOUS TO HEAR WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ON THIS MOVE BY THE BOARD AND THAT NEW LEADERSHIP THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR.

THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO THAT CONTRACT.

IN NO WAY WILL THEY NOT REACH THAT REASON.

THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE THE CLARITY NOT TO RENEW THIS ADVANCED MOTIVE.

YOU DIDN´T HEAR ANY DISCUSSION IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH MONEY THEY´VE GENERATED AND HOW MUCH THEY HAVE WITH THOSE COMPANIES THEY´VE BEEN ABLE TO ATTRACT AND IF THEY ALIGN WITH NEW COUNTRIES COMING TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THIS IS FROM 2018 TO NOW YOU THAT THEY HAVE COLLECTED FROM ITS ASSESSMENT TO 2024.

WHICH IT WAS ALMOST 25% OF WHAT THEY´VE COLLECTED IN 19 YEARS.

WHY ARE YOU GOING TO GET RID OF SOMEONE THAT IS PERFORMING.

AND THAT JUSTIFICATION CANNOT BE THAT YOU HAVE THE CLARITY TO DO SUCH.

BECAUSE YOU MAY GO BACK TO IT BEING MISMANAGED WITH LOCAL EMPLOYEES AND WE DON´T UNDERSTAND THAT RATIONALE.

WE JUST CANNOT UNDERSTAND IT.

THERE´S A SUDDEN MANAGEMENT AND THEY COULD´VE BEEN CREDITED WITH THAT LICENSED PARK?

>> SO MAYBE I HAVEN´T HAD ANY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BOARD ON THIS YET BUT THERE IS A TIME WHERE YOU BRING IN PEOPLE TO SEE THIS OPERATION AND HANDED OFF TO ANOTHER PERSON.

I DON´T KNOW WHEN THE BOARD BROUGHT IN YOU BECOME THE CHANGE AGENT AND ONCE THEY´VE DONE WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO THEY WERE SET ON THE RIGHT COURSE AND I´M NOT SURE HERE.

BECAUSE OF THAT I THINK MR. CHAPMAN ISSUED A MULTIPLE PAGE PRESS RELEASE SHOWING ALL THAT THEY´VE DONE.

AND I THINK THAT WAS DONE IN AN IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE BOARD AND WHAT THEY DECIDED TO NOT EXTEND THIS CONTRACT HAVING COME FROM THE HR BACKGROUND I UNDERSTAND THAT LEGALLY THIS POSITION IS GIVEN TO A PERSON AND YOU MAY HAVE BEEN BROUGHT ON AND FULFILLED THIS CONTRACT LEGALLY WHERE THE BOARD CAN RENEW THAT CONTRACT.

THEY´VE UNDERPERFORMED AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE THESE ISSUES WITH SOMEONE WHO IS SEEMINGLY TURNED DOWN AN ENTITY AND BEEN POSITIVE BIG BANKS THE QUESTION WHY WOULD WE GET RID OF THIS?

I THINK IT IS A VALID QUESTION TO ASK AND I THINK THEY SHOULD ANSWER THIS WITH WHAT DIRECTION THEY WANT TO GO WITH MR. CHAPMAN SAYING THAT THEY COULD FULFILL ANY NEED.

>> THAT IS UNDERSTOOD.

SO YOU SERVE ON THE BOARD CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PRESENCE HERE TRADITIONALLY?

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE EACH YEAR AND HOW IS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CURRENTLY MARKETING ITSELF IN COMPARISON TO OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS?

>> THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION TO GATHER TO INTERACT WITH THE PEOPLE THAT YOU MEET AND THE BOARD MEMBERS GETTING ALL KINDS OF REDUCED LEVELS NOT JUST THE OFFICIALS THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR.

INTEREST HERE.

THEY NEED TO COME TO THE UNDERSTANDING.

THIS IS THE REST OF THE WORLD CAPITALIZING THE INDUSTRY AND THE OFFICIALS WILL TELL YOU RIGHT UP FRONT THAT YOU MUST ENHANCE YOUR PRODUCTS.

IN COMPARISON TO OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS WHAT IS THE TACTIC WE ARE USING TO MARKET OURSELVES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN BEHIND US?

AND THEM NOW CATCHING UP WITH US?

IS THERE ANY INSIGHT THAT WE CAN SHARE AS TO HOW WE ARE CHANGING A PATH AND NOT MARKETING THIS.

>> WE OFTEN COME UP WITH STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE COMING HERE AND YET UNDER THE SAME LEVEL WORK WITH BUSINESSES SO THEY CAN ATTRACT THIS LEVEL BECAUSE THINK ROY HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY.

WE WANT TO COME TO ST. CROIX.

UNTIL THAT PRODUCT COMES FORWARD THEY HAVE TWO OF THESE THINGS IN THAT NATURE.

THEY KEEP THAT STRATEGY TO THEMSELVES AND THEY DON´T WANT ANYONE TO COMPETE AND TAKE THIS ALONG THAT LEVEL.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THINGS YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE ARE PARTICULARLY WITH THOSE SHOP OWNERS.

THEY WILL BE BENEFITED BY THIS WORK THAT THEY´VE BEEN WORKING ON HERE.

>> I KNOW YOU´VE ATTENDED SEVERAL CONFERENCES AND THEY SAID THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NOW CONTROLS 5% OF ALL CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS IN THE WORLD.

DO YOU THINK THAT METRIC IS ONE THAT WE SHOULD BE CONTENT WITH OR ONE THAT WE SHOULD POSSIBLY BE DOING BETTER WITH?

AND TO THAT QUESTION WITH MR. DAVIS HOW DO WE DIFFERENTIATE THE MARKETING EFFORT FROM OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS NOW?

TO THE POINT THAT WE KEEP THAT MARKET EDGE THAT WE A TERRITORY?

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON´T BECOME COMFORTABLE.

SOMETIMES THE GREATEST PEOPLE WANT TO GO HERE AND EASILY PASS THIS LEVEL YOU HAVE TO CREATE THAT OVERALL EXPERIENCE.

FOR AS MUCH IS POSSIBLE YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS AND REDEFINE THE PRODUCT TO MEET THE DEMAND OF THE PASSENGERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES.

YOU NEED TO GO TO THE BEACH TO SEE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AND I THINK IT´S TIME FOR US TO REDEFINE EXACTLY WHAT WERE OFFERING THESE CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS.

BEACHES IN THE WORLD.

YOU HAVE THE TOURISTS COME TO THE BEACHES AND WE HAVE TO THINK ON TERMS OF WHAT THEY ARE COMPETING AGAINST DELL LICK CRUISE SHIPS AND CRUISE LINES.

WITH THOSE PRIVATE ISLANDS WITH SOMEONE HERE IN PUBLIC.

THEY ARE SPENDING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ISLANDS MONEY AND WE DO NEED THAT SUPPORT AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP ALL OF THIS CLEAN AND DEVELOP THIS WHEN THEY COME OFF THE BEACH.

YOU CAN SEE THEY COULD ALL SURE THAT THE OVERALL PRODUCT IS MAINTAINED AND CONTINUES TO BE EXPANDED AND IMPROVED.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT ALONG THIS AREA.

I THINK THERE IS A PLAN ALREADY IN PLACE BECAUSE THEY´VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN.

>> IT´S ALMOST LIKE YOU ARE READING MY MIND.

SHOULD THEY ADOPT A UNIFIED STRATEGY?

YOU WOULD HAVE VARIOUS PEOPLE WITH DISPOSABLE INCOME ON THE THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCE THAT ARE AUTHENTIC FOR THOSE PASSENGERS.

WHAT I THOUGHT THAT WAS MISSING WAS THE NEED FOR THE LOCAL VENDORS TOUR OPERATORS AND PLACES THAT OFFER AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES ON EACH OF THE ISLANDS TO HAVE A PRESENCE AND A VOICE AT THAT EVENT SO THEY CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND AND ANOTHER TAKEAWAY WAS WELL WE ARE COMPETING WITH OTHER DESTINATIONS THAT WE ALSO STILL HAVE TO MARKET THE CARIBBEAN COLLECTIVELY.

AS AN AREA, IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MARKET OURSELVES WITH THE NATIONS IN THE ISLANDS BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE THOSE EXPERIENCES FROM EACH OF THE ISLANDS THAT WILL ATTRACT PASSENGERS TO COME HERE.

WHAT WAS VERY SURPRISING TO ME IS THAT I LEARNED THAT CHINA IS NOW FULLY ENTERING INTO THIS FRAY AND IT IS GOING TO BRING SOME UNCERTAINTY.

AS A LOCAL DESTINATION WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM HAS ONE MARKETING STRATEGY WORRY FOR THIS TERRITORY TO ATTRACT CRUISE LINES TO THE SHORE AND AS A TERRITORY WE MUST WORK CLOSELY WITH THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN NEIGHBORS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK WITH OUR NEIGHBORS TO ATTRACT THEM TO THIS AREA.

>> READY TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ISSUE.

USE A PERENNIAL ISSUE.

THERE WAS A SERIES OF SOMEWHAT CONFUSING NOTICES ABOUT ROTATING POWER OUTAGES NECESSARY TO PREVENT OUR WILL ISLANDWIDE SHUTOFFS.

AND THE REASON WHY THE DIFFERED BETWEEN THE TWO DISTRICTS.

>> FOR THE ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN DISTRICT THE ROTATION SCHEDULE WAS DUE TO A DELAY OF DIESEL DELIVERY BECAUSE OF THE MARINE WEATHER.

THE VESSEL WAS ESSENTIALLY STUCK IN PUERTO RICO AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET TO ST. THOMAS FOR THE EXPECTED DELIVERY.

SO WE HAD TO PUT A ROTATIONAL OUTAGE SCHEDULE BEGINNING ON SATURDAY APRIL 14th.

ONCE WE DID RECEIVE THE FUEL DELIVERY WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE THAT ROTATIONAL SCHEDULE AND THE OUTAGES ONLY LASTED FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

WE ANTICIPATED THAT WE WOULD HAVE REDUCED GENERATIONAL CAPACITY WITH THEM BEING OFF- LINE.

THAT SCHEDULE WAS UPDATED AND WE DID POSTPONE THE OUTAGE TO THE WEEK OF APRIL 15th.

DO HAVE A ROTATION YOU CAN SEE IT WILL BE HERE AND IT IS ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE END DATE AS TO WHEN THAT ROTATION WILL CONCLUDE.

WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY RIGHT NOW WITH THE GOVERNOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY A SINGULAR TIME AS TO WHEN THE GENERATION WILL GO BACK ONLINE BUT AT THIS TIME WE DO NOT HAVE THAT DATE.

>> I WILL LET YOU GO AHEAD AND DECODE THIS ONE.

BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE VESICLE COULD NOT GET TO ST. THOMAS AND THAT THERE IS SOME PEAK LOAD ISSUE OR GENERATIONAL ISSUES IT ST. CROIX.

WHAT DID YOU GET OUT OF THIS?

>> EVERYONE WAS IN DISBELIEF.

AND MORE IN DISBELIEF BECAUSE YOU DON´T KNOW WHAT´S GOING ON AND WHAT IS HAPPENING.

THERE IS NO CONVERSATIONAL DISCUSSION THEY ARE OFF-LINE BECAUSE OF REPAIRS.

THERE IS NO DISCUSSION ON WHEN IT WOULD COME ONLINE.

EVERYTHING IS SO VAGUE THAT HONESTLY I BELIEVE THAT WHAT THEY´RE TRYING TO DO NOW IS PART OF THE POSITION IN THE GOVERNMENT GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL MONEY.

THIS IS A PAST MEASURE WHICH GENERATES ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT I THINK THEY NEED TO BRING FORWARD AS A COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

THIS IS THE NEXT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.

AND THIS IS COMING UP VERY SOON HERE SO OVERALL YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE WATER AND POWER AUTHORITIES.

IT APPEARED LIKE A WONDERFUL SALARY.

>> CAN YOU DECODE WHAT WE JUST HEARD?

THE TIMETABLES ARE UNCLEAR.

WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON IT IS CONFUSING PEOPLE OFTENTIMES IN THE ABSENCE OF GOOD INFORMATION PEOPLE MAKE THINGS UP.

AND THAT IS WHAT STARTS THE RUMOR MILL.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I AM GOING TO GO FURTHER BACK.

THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED THIS IN THE MANAGER TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR A PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BUT GUESS WHAT?

THIS PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WITH SEVEN ENERGY AND WAS GOING TO BE A 75% SHAREHOLDER WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GETTING 25% OF THE SHARE OF THE COMPANY.

>> BUT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW.

WE CAN´T GO BACK AND CHANGE THAT.

>> ALL I´M SAYING IS THAT THERE IS HYPOCRISY THAT PEOPLE VOTED AGAINST IT HAVE AND THEN TODAY THEY ARE MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISES.

TODAY WE ARE SUFFERING.

ELECTRICITY WOULD NOT BE SOLD AT 13 CENTS PER KILOWATT HOUR.

TRIPLE THAT IT STILL LASTS AND THOSE EFFORTS ARE COMING ON THE BOARD.

BUT THE STATEMENTS WERE VERY CONFUSING.

BUT I DO AGREE THAT THE COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE AND THE LEGISLATURES SHOULD GET THIS TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF WHAT´S COMING ON.

TOO MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN INVESTED AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RESULTS OR IMPROVEMENTS.

>> THIS IS THAT PERSPECTIVE.

>> THE RESPONSE WAS WHAT PUBLIC RELATIONS PEOPLE DO.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DON´T HAVE ANSWERS AND WE DON´T WANT TO SEE WHAT IS TRULY HAPPENING OR WHY IT IS HAPPENING.

SAYING SOMETHING IS OFF-LINE IS VERY MISLEADING.

IS IT BROKEN?

OR IS IT OFF-LINE FOR OTHER REASONS?

PEOPLE WILL MAKE UP STORIES AND HONESTLY I THINK THAT THEY GARNER A CERTAIN ACTION HERE.

THEY ARE IN 2024 IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

SENATORS ARE UP FOR REELECTION.

LEADERSHIP AT THE WATER POWER AUTHORITY UNDERSTAND THIS.

CONSTITUENTS ARE GOING TO BE UP IN ARMS AND THEY LOOK AT THE FIRST BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT FOR ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS.

I THINK IT WAS THE ONLY CLEAR INTENT.

I WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PATH FORWARD.

I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THE REASONABLE MINDS WILL WANT TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR PEOPLE WITHIN THIS TERRITORY.

BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOME LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY.

>> AS USUAL GREAT SHOW AND INSIGHTS THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN NEXT SUNDAY AT 1:00 FOR AN ALL-NEW EPISODE OF COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

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