WITH THE TERRITORY," WE DELVE INTO THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED RETIREES REENTERING PROGRAM, WHICH ENABLES RETIREES TO REJOIN GOVERNMENT POSITIONS IN HARD TO FILL POSITIONS WITHOUT USING THEIR INEWETY.

ALIYA FELIX IS HERE WITH US TO SHARE MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

>> THESE PROJECTS ARE TAKING TOO LONG.

>> TO THE CHAIR, I´D LIKE TO RESPOND PARTICULARLY TO THE NOTION THAT SOMEHOW MY DEPARTMENT IS BEHIND ON SOMETHING.

>>> AT A RECENT SENATE HEARING -- DEFENDING THE DEPARTMENT´S PROGRESS AS DIANE KAY PART VOICED HER CONCERNS ABOUT THE PACE OF MULTIPLE LIBRARY RENOVATION PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

WE´LL HAVE THE E DID TAILS.

>>> PLUS, AS PART OF A FUNDED BY NATIONAL PARKS SERVICES, INFLUENCING THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF ST. CROIX´S THREE NATIONAL PARKS.

WE´LL EXPLAIN.

>>> AND LATER, THIS WEEK´S PANEL JOINS THE CONVERSATION FOR THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

"COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" STARTS NOW.

♫♫ >>> WELCOME TO "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY."

I´M LESLIE COMISSION YONG.

THE GOVERNMENT RECENTLY ROLED OUT A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS EMPLOYEES WITH VALUABLE EXPERIENCE TO RETURN TO THE WORKPLACE WITHOUT SACRIFICING THEIR RETIREMENT ANNUITIES.

>> THIS ADDRESSES CRITICAL WORKFORCE SHORTAGES WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT BY ENCOURAGES EXPERIENCED RETIREES TO RETURN TO PUBLIC SERVICE IN JOBS THAT WE NEED DESPERATELY.

>> AT A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST MONTH, GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE ROLLOUT OF THE RETIREES RE-ENTRY PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO CRITICAL GOVERNMENT SHORTAGES.

UNDER THIS PROGRAM, RETIREES CAN RETURN TO SERVICE WITHOUT LOSING THEIR ANNUITIES AS ENABLED BY RECENT LEGISLATION.

GOVERNOR BRIAN LAUDED THE PROGRAM´S FLEXIBILITY HIGHLIGHTING THAT RETURNEES CAN OPT FOR PART TIME WORK, WITH HISTORIC LOW EMPLOYMENT RATES, POSING CHALLENGES IN FINDING SKILLED WORKERS, THE INITIATIVE AIMS TO BRIDGE THE GAP WHILE YOUNGER EMPLOYEES RECEIVE TRAINING.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 140 OPEN POSITIONS ON THE DIVISION OF PERSONNEL´S WEBSITE.

THIS ADDRESSES THE PROACTIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING STAFFING GAPS WHILE TAPPING INTO THE WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE HELD BY RETIRED PERSONNEL.

AND JOINING THE SHOW TO SHARE MORE ABOUT THE RETIREES RE-ENTRY PROGRAM AND ITS BENEFITS, CINDY RICHARDSON AND LEGAL COUNSEL ALIYA FELIX.

IT´S A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU BOTH.

LET´S SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT, AND WHAT ARE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMS.

I´LL START WITH YOU DR., RICHARDSON.

>> THANK YOU, LESLEY.

THIS ACT WAS LATER AMENDED BY ACT 86.90 WHICH TASKED THE DIVISION OF PERSONNEL WITH COMING UP WITH LIMITS AND REGS SURROUNDING THIS PROGRAM TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO COME BACK FOR A SET PERIOD OF TIME, 36 MONTHS ACTUALLY, CONSECUTIVELY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES AND REGS THAT WE CAN DISCUSS AND GO INTO FURTHER.

IT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO COME BACK, SOME OF THOSE NEEDED PROFESSIONALS, TO FILL THE GAPS.

AND I´M HERE TODAY TO KIND OF DISCUSS AND TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND TO EVEN HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

>> GREAT.

SO, LET´S SHARE WITH THE VIEWING AUDIENCE, WHO´S ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.

IS IT ANY RETIREE IN THE GOVERNMENT?

>> THEY´RE RETIREES THAT HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE SYSTEM FOR AT LEAST NINE MONTHS.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

THAT´S IMPORTANT TO KNOW.

YOU HELPED ADDRESS SOME OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE PROGRAM.

WHAT WERE -- LET ME DIP OUT SOME OF THE OBSTACLES THAT YOU HAD.

I KNOW WE´VE HAD ISSUES WITH RETIREES REENTERING THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE BEFORE.

SO, WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO NAVIGATE IN ORDER TO COME UP WITH RULES AND REGS THAT COULD WORK FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND WORK FOR THE PROGRAM?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST HURDLES WE HAD -- NOT REALLY HURDLES -- IS THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND THE WAY THEY HIRE, TAKING THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

YOU KNOW, WHEN LEGISLATION IS DRAFTED, THERE IS AN IDEA, THERE IS AN INTENT.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND NOW CREATE THE POLICY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROCESS, YOU HAVE TO DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER.

WHILE I MAY HAVE STARTED A DRAFT AND I THOUGHT I HAD IT, I THEN HAD TO ADJUST BECAUSE I HAD TO REACH OUT TO VARIOUS AGENCIES, FOR EXAMPLE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE OTHER AGENCIES, THEY JUST DID THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

THEY MAY NOT DO THINGS THE WAY WE DO.

EVEN DIFFERENT BRANCHES.

THAT´S WHY THE AMENDMENT HAD TO COME OUT.

THERE HAD TO BE SEPARATE RULES FOR THE JUDICIARY LEGISLATURE, JUST BY THE NATURE OF HOW THEY HIRE.

IT WASN´T NECESSARILY A HARDENED LAW OF -- HAVING TO OVERCOME AND MAKE SURE THEY CAPTURE AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE DIFFERENT NUANCES THAT ARE INVOLVED.

>> GREAT.

LET´S TALK ABOUT WHY THIS PROGRAM WAS NECESSARY AND THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PROBABLY IS EMPLOYING THE LEAST AMOUNT OF EMPLOYEES WE´VE HAD IN THE LAST 20, PROBABLY 25 YEARS, OR EVEN MORE.

WHY IS THERE A NEED NOW TO BRING PEOPLE BACK?

>> THE NEED IS THERE BECAUSE, AS YOU LOOK AT -- AS YOU CAN SEE ON OUR LISTING RIGHT NOW, THERE´S A LOT OF JOBS THAT ARE LABELLED REPOSTED OR CONTINUOUS.

THEY´VE BEEN THERE THE LONGEST.

THESE ARE THE HARD TO FILL JOBS, THE JOBS THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE INDIVIDUALS COME BACK AND PROVIDE THEIR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, BRING BACK SOME OF THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE BACK SO THEY CAN DO IT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME OR EVEN -- FOR SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE THERE SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THE GOVERNMENT RUNNING.

>> LET ME ASK YOU A QUICK QUESTION.

IS THERE ANY COLLABORATION WITH, FOR INSTANCE, GRS?

I MEAN, I´M SURE THE DIVISION HAS THE RECORDS OF WHAT SKILLS AND WHO HELD THESE POSITIONS OR SIMILAR POSITIONS BEFORE.

IS THERE ANY COLLABORATION THERE OR DATABASE BEING PUT TOGETHER SO WE KNOW THAT THESE TEN INDIVIDUALS HAVE DONE -- REACH OUT TO THEM AND THEIR RETIREES NOW.

>> THEY´VE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS PROCESS.

AS ATTORNEY FELIX INDICATED, THE DRAFTS TOOK SOME TIME.

WHAT WE DID IS WE STARTED TO BUILD THE PROCESS AND INCORPORATED GRS INTO THE PROCESS.

THEY ARE IN THAT APPROVAL TEAM.

THE HRs WERE ALSO PART OF THE PROCESS.

WE HAVE TRAINED EVERYONE.

JUST BEFORE THE GOVERNOR SIGNED, ALL OF THE HRs WERE TRAINED, GS WAS BROUGHT INTO THE MIX.

WE EVEN HAVE MENTION OF AN AUDIT PROCESS SO THAT IF WE, IN FACT, HAVE TO -- ANYONE, WE CAN CAPTURE THEM AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH US THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROGRAM.

>> THAT´S GREAT.

TELL ME WHAT TYPES OF POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.

>> IF YOU GO ONTO OUR WEBSITE, WW.DOPUSDI.ORG AND YOU GO ON TO OUR CAREER SEEKERS PAGE, YOU´LL SEE THERE´S ANYWHERE -- THIS FLUCTUATES.

TODAY, PROBABLY 129.

WHEN IT LAUNCHED, 140.

ANYTHING THAT´S LISTED AND HAS REPOST OR CONTINUOUS, THOSE ARE THE POSITIONS THAT THE RETIREES WILL WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE A SYSTEMS ANALYST AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT´S LISTED RIGHT NOW.

WE ALSO HAVE ALCOHOL CONTROL INSPECTOR.

THAT´S THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, A BUDGET ANALYST AT OMB, A -- LEADER AT SPORTS PARKS AND REC.

THERE ARE A LOT OF JOBS LISTED RIGHT NOW.

SO, WE DO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO UP AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT´S AVAILABLE.

>> LET ME ASK ABOUT LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS, ATTORNEY FELIX, FOR COMPLIANCE ISSUES THAT YOU CAME ABOUT RELATED TO THE PROGRAM, SPECIFICALLY, I MEAN -- YOU DID A GREAT JOB OF EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENT NUANCES, FOR INSTANCE, BETWEEN THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

BUT WHAT ARE SOME OTHER CHALLENGES YOU CAME UP AGAINST?

>> JUST I THINK IN ALL LEGISLATION MAKING, MAKING SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE INTENT BEHIND THE LEGISLATION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND HAVE THE COLLABORATION SO THAT YOU´RE NOT JUST WRITING WHAT YOU THINK THE BILL IS SUPPOSED TO STAND FOR.

YOU´RE ACTUALLY GETTING WHAT THE TRUE INTENTION IS.

SO, THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US.

AND WE DID MEET WITH THE -- PLANS TO MAKE SURE WE´RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

IN DOING SO AND INFORMING THEM OF WHAT WE WERE FACING ALONG THE WAY, THEY WENT BACK AND MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS.

SO, THEY DID LISTEN.

THEY DID REALIZE THAT EVEN WITHIN THEIR OWN CAMPS, AGAIN, JUST HOW THINGS HAPPEN IN THE DIFFERENT BRANCHES, THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT.

THAT PART REALLY WASN´T DIFFICULT SURPRISINGLY.

I THINK THAT WENT PRETTY WELL.

THERE WAS GOOD COLLABORATION THERE.

>> EXCELLENT.

THAT´S GREAT TO HEAR.

LET ME ASK YOU, DIRECTOR RICHARDSON, IS THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MENTORSHIP AND TRAINING OF, YOU KNOW -- OR EVEN CROSS-TRAINING BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS HERE NOW THAT YOU´RE BRINGING RETIREES, MANY WITH VERY VALUABLE EXPERIENCE?

IS THAT A CONSIDERATION BEING MADE WITH THIS PROGRAM?

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.

IT´S A WAY FOR THE RETIREES TO BRING BACK THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

THEY´RE THERE FOR 36 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.

IT´S REALLY UP TO THE AGENCY TO ENSURE THAT THEY´RE -- SUCH A WAY THAT THEY CAN OFFER THAT TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE THERE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY´RE COMING FROM ONE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT OR EVEN A DIFFERENT AGENCY, NOT NECESSARILY GOING BACK TO THE AGENCY THEY CAME FROM.

BUT IT´S SOMETHING WORKING IN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THEY WANTED TO GO TO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, INFORMATION COULD BE SHARED.

>> SO, LET ME ASK YOU ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM.

HOW LONG CAN RETIREES WORK FOR?

YOU MENTIONED THE NINE-MONTH PERIOD.

ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS FOR THAT, IF SOMEONE JUST RETIRED AND, LET ME CHANGE MY MIND, OR SOMETIMES AN EMERGENCY COMES UP, UNEXPECTED EXPENSES AND GOING BACK TO WORK WILL HELP.

ARE THERE ANY ALLOWANCES MADE FOR STUFF LIKE THAT?

>> SO, THERE ARE A FEW EXCEPTIONS, BUT REGULAR RETIREES CAN WORK FOR 36 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.

THEY DO HAVE A WAITING PERIOD OF NINE MONTHS.

HOWEVER, ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONS ARE IF THEY´RE A TEACHER, NURSE, OR POLICE OFFICER, THERE´S NO WAITING PERIOD.

>> THAT´S GOOD TO HEAR.

AND ARE THEY RESTRICTED TO THAT 36 MONTHS, OR CAN THEY GO BEYOND THAT, ESPECIALLY FOR TEACHERS?

>> ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF THE LAW IN PLACE ALREADY, IT WOULD BE FOR TWO YEARS.

>> OKAY, OKAY.

SO, LET ME ASK THEN, FOR THOSE ESSENTIAL POSITIONS -- LIKE, I REMEMBER BEFORE THIS PROGRAM, THIS LEGISLATION WAS PUT IN PLACE, THERE WERE OBSTACLES FOR FOLKS COMING BACK.

LEGALLY -- I´LL GIVE YOU THIS QUESTION, ATTORNEY FELIX -- WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES TO WHY RETIREES COULDN´T -- WHAT WOULD THEY HAVE TO GIVE UP IN ORDER TO REJOIN THE GOVERNMENT WORKFORCE IF THEY DID COME BACK?

>> THEIR ANNUITY.

SO, ONE OF THE GREATEST SELLING POINTS OF THIS PROGRAM IS THAT THEY KEEP THEIR ANNUITY.

IT DOESN´T DIMINISH THEIR RETIREMENT STATUS ISN´T CANCELLED.

THEY KEEP THAT STATUS OF RETIREE, BUT THEY GET THEIR ANNUITY AS WELL AS A CURRENT GVI SALARY.

SO, THAT´S THE MAIN BENEFIT TO THE EMPLOYEE, THE RETIREE THAT´S REENTERING THE PROGRAM.

AND IF I COULD GO BACK A LITTLE BIT -- >> SURE.

>> -- WHEN YOU WERE SPEAKING ABOUT -- I´M SORRY -- THE TRAINING, THE CROSS TRAINING, ET CETERA, ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS THAT COME BACK IS FOR THE AGENCY, THEY HAVE TO IMPLEMENT A RECRUITMENT PLAN.

THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF SOMETHING WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IS THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR THE HIRING SHORTAGE.

>> GOT IT.

>> IT´S A TEMPORARY FIX.

IT´S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THAT RECRUITMENT PLAN, THAT SUCCESSION PLAN THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DOING BEFORE.

SO, THAT´S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW.

>> I´M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU, DIRECTOR RICHARDSON, AS THE KEY RECRUITER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE -- UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TACTICS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING TO TRY TO ADDRESS THIS, YOU KNOW, CHRONIC JOB SHORTAGE?

AND JOB SHORTAGE IS VERY -- ALMOST.

IT´S NOT JUST HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

YOU WATCH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS, AND WE SEE THIS IS A CHALLENGE ALL THE OVER THE WORLD.

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN INNOVATIVE IN TRYING TO RECRUIT INDIVIDUALS TO COME WORK FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE´VE DONE, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WAY WE MARKET.

WE´RE USING SOCIAL MEDIA A LOT.

WE´RE TRYING TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TO RECRUIT FOR OUR POSITIONS.

EVERYTHING FROM THE HIGH SCHOOLS TO THE EVI TO THE SCHOOLS´ CURRENT TECH, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES, THOSE ARE GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS, WE´RE TRYING TO REACH OUT TO THEM.

WE´RE EVEN DOING -- WE DID A VIRTUAL FAIR, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, AND WE HAD AT LEAST SIX OF THE AGENCIES PRESENT.

AND WE HAD AT LEAST 88 PEOPLE COME TO OUR VIRTUAL FAIR.

AND WE´RE ABLE TO, LIKE, PROMOTE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND TALK ABOUT OUR JOBS.

AND ACTUALLY WE´RE GOING TO BE HAVING ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT WEEK ABOUT ANOTHER AVENUE THAT WE´VE OPENED TO BRING INDIVIDUALS TO GET SOME OF THESE HARD-TO-FILL POSITIONS FILLED.

>> THIS MAY BE A LITTLE OFF-KILTER, BUT I THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR VIRGIN ISLANDERS THAT ARE LIVING AWAY THAT THEY SPEAK OF AS OBSTACLES TO COMING BACK HOME.

ONE OF THEM IS AFFORDABILITY OF LIVING, A PLACE OF LIVING, IN GENERAL, FINDING AN APARTMENT THAT COULD FIT THE SALARY THAT THEY WOULD MAKE HERE.

HAS THE AGENCY EVER GIVEN ANY CONSIDERATION TO WORKING, FOR INSTANCE, WITH REALTORS OR DEVELOPERS TO HELP FACILITATE GOING THAT EXTRA MILE?

I KNOW THIS SOUNDS A LITTLE CRAZY, BUT IF SOMEBODY KNEW THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO HELP ME FIND AN APARTMENT AND MY POSITION, IT MIGHT MAKE THAT HURDLE A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO CROSS FOR THEM.

>> THAT´S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DEFINITELY LOOK INTO AND ALSO TO TRY TO CAPTURE SOME OF THE OTHER LOCAL PROGRAMS AND, KIND OF, LINK SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE JOBS.

YOU KNOW, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK INTO.

>> THIS IS A WAY TO -- THE FACT THAT WE DO HAVE TO MODERNIZE THE BENEFITS, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUALS, MANY PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO LIVE AT HOME.

MATCH UP TO THE NATIONAL STANDARD.

SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF OUR PROJECTS IS UPDATING EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK AND UPDATING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

AND THE ONE OF THE KEY FACTORS THERE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE AND REMAIN THE EMPLOYER OF CHOICE IS TO ENHANCE THE BENEFITS PACKAGE IS LOOKING LIKE AND EXPLORING ALL OPTIONS THERE.

>> THERE WAS ONE CONCERN THAT SOME RETIREES HAD REGARDING THIS LEGISLATION, AND THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF RETIREES THAT ARE REHIRED PURSUANT TO ACT 85-60, IF THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET THEIR LUMP SUM PAYMENT AS ANNUAL LEAVE THAT THEY´VE ACCRUED, THAT THEY DID NOT USE DURING THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD WHEN THEY WORK.

I´M GOING TO GIVE YOU THIS QUESTION, ATTORNEY FELIX, IF YOU DON´T MIND ANSWERING, OR WHICHEVER IS MORE COMFORTABLE ANSWERING.

>> I CAN ANSWER THAT.

PURSUANT TO THE ACTUAL ACT, THAT IS NOT ALLOWED.

IN TERMS OF A LUMP SUM FOR THE ANNUAL LEAVE THAT´S ACCRUED -- AND IT WILL ACCRUE -- THERE IS NO LUMP SUM PAYMENT THAT IS GOING TO COME OUT.

AS WE SAID, YOU KNOW, WE -- CREATING THE RULES AND REGS THAT IMPLEMENT A PROCESS FOR THE ACT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE -- WANTS TO EXPLORE MORE, WE COULD TAKE THAT TO THE LEGISLATURE AND SEE IF ANY AMENDMENTS COULD BE MADE THERE.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

TELL FOLKS HOW THEY CAN APPLY OR IF THEY´RE INTERESTED, AGAIN, HOW CAN THEY FIND THE JOBS AND WHERE THEY CAN FIND YOU FOLKS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL?

>> SO, AGAIN, YOU CAN, ONE, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

BUT ALSO WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE, WW.DOPUSVI.ORG AND CLICK ON CAREER SEEKERS.

AND RIGHT THERE YOU´LL SEE THE LISTING OF OUR JOBS.

LIKE I SAID, IT FLUCTUATES.

AS OF TODAY, THERE WAS 129 JOBS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE INTERESTED RETIREES WE DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT THE POSTINGS THAT ARE LISTED AS P CONTINUOUS OR REPOSTED.

THOSE WOULD BE THE JOBS THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE RETIREES.

>> GREAT.

>>> UP NEXT, WE´LL HEAR FROM THIS WEEK´S PANEL.

BUT FIRST, LET´S TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOPICS ON THE TABLE.

>> A NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE INITIATIVE AIMS TO INVOLVE GENERATIONAL CRUISES IN NATIONAL PARKS, CHRISTIAN SHAN, BROOK ISLAND REEF NATIONAL MONUMENT, AND SALT RIVER BAY NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK AND ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE.

AND A RECENT LISTENING SESSION SAID, PROFESSORS IS PART OF THIS GRANT FUNDED INITIATIVE CONGREGATED TOGETHER INFORMATION FROM RESIDENTS.

THE PROJECT LIAISON SPOKE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT.

>> IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT RESIDENTS OF ST. CROIX ARE BEING ASKED TO SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF THE SPACES THAT ARE NOW NATIONAL PARKS.

>> THE PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR FOR THE PROJECT SAID ONE REQUIREMENT IS TO EVALUATE AND ASSESS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES, INCLUDING WRITING A NARRATIVE THAT EXPLAINS WHY THE PROPERTIES AND SITES ARE IMPORTANT.

>> THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT NEEDS TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT, WHICH MEANS IT HAS DUTIES TO MANAGE HISTORIC PROPERTIES WITHIN THE LANDS THAT ARE PART OF ITS JURISDICTION.

>> THE PROFESSORS WILL COMPILE ALL THE INFORMATION BOTH COLLECTED FOR PRESENTATION TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO HELP THE AGENCY UNDERSTAND THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF ITS PARK SPACES TO BETTER INTERPRET THEM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THE NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE IS ALSO ENFORCING RULES AND REGULATIONS SET IN PLACE OVER 50 YEARS AGO AS A RESULT OF ITS NEW MANAGEMENT.

THE NPS HELD A MEETING EARLIER THIS YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ON ST. CROIX TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS REGARDING THEIR PERMITTING PROCESS.

>> -- POLICY THAT IS BEING ENFORCED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT -- CRUISE ON WEEKENDS -- SOMETHING SPECIAL.

ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> SOME OF THE PROCESSES MAY SEEM NEW, BUT THEY´VE ACTUALLY BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2006, NPS OFFICIALS SAID.

>> THESE ARE RULES THAT, YOU KNOW -- WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY THEM.

I DO HAVE COMPASSION AND SINCERITY, AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU COME FROM AND EVERYTHING -- IT WASN´T TWO YEARS AGO, THREE YEARS AGO, WE ACTUALLY TALK AND SAID WOE, THAT´S ONE OF THE THREE THAT´S GONE TO THE PARK.

AND WE HAVEN´T CONTACTED THEM TO GET A PERMIT.

IT WASN´T UNTIL EARLIER LAST YEAR THAT WE FINALLY HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND DISCUSSED THAT ANY PERMIT THAT THEY ISSUE IN THE TOWN OF CHRISTIANSON IS GOING TO GO THROUGH THE PARK CANNOT BE APPROVED OR SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED UNLESS THEY GET A PERMIT FROM US.

>> DURING THE MEETING, NPS PROVIDED DETAIL INFORMATION ON THEIR COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS AND SPECIAL USE PERMITS POLICIES AND GUIDANCE IN NAVIGATING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

THE NPS ADVISES THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD CONTACT THEM AHEAD OF TIME FOR THE PROPER GUIDELINES, IF HOLDING A LARGE EVENT, SUCH AS A PARADE, MARCH, WEDDING, AND MORE.

>> THESE PROJECTS NEED TO GO.

THEY NEED TO HAPPEN.

>> PLANNING A NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSIONER JEAN-PIERRE ORIOLE RECENTLY FACED CRITICISM FROM DIANE KAYPART REGARDING THE PROCESS OF MULTIPLE LIBRARY RENOVATION PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

THE SCRUTINY GAME AFTER ORIOLE PROVIDED A SENATE UPDATE ABOUT DISASTER RECOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE AND PLANNING ON MARCH 22nd.

>> ALL ARE CURRENTLY OBLIGATED, TWO CURRENTLY IN CONSTRUCTION WITH OTHERS IN VARIOUS PHASES OF ACTION.

>> THE -- LIBRARY RENOVATION PROJECT WAS OBLIGATED BY FEMA IN JANUARY OF 2021, BUT THE PROJECT FACED DELAYS DUE TO BIDS EXCEEDING BUDGET.

-- SECURED FUNDING THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, AND THE FACILITY IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, HE SAID.

>> WE ANTICIPATE THE RENOVATION WILL BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER OF 2024.

>> THE LIBRARY WAS OBLIGATED BY FEMA IN SEPTEMBER 2021 AND PUT OUT TO BID TWICE, WITH BOTH TIMES COMING IN OVER BUDGET, ORIOLE SAID.

BUT -- ABLE TO SECURE MORE FUNDING AND CONTACT EXECUTED IN FEBRUARY WITH A NOTICE TO PROCEED COMING IN MARCH.

>> AND THE RENOVATION SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR.

>> THE DPNR COMMISSIONER ALSO GAVE AN UPDATE ON ST. CROIX´S PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

>> SCOPE OF WORK FROM LIBRARIES WERE DEVELOPED AND THE BIDS FOR REPAIRS FOR EACH OF THESE FACILITIES WAS SOLICITED IN JULY OF 2021.

>> RENOVATIONS AT THE FLORENCE WILLIAMS LIBRARY ARE FINISHED.

AND A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY WAS HELD LAST MONTH.

BUT THE PETERSON LIBRARY IS FREDRICKSON IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THE DPNR COMMISSIONER SAID.

>> WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF APPROVING A CHANGE ORDER FROM ADDITIONAL ITEMS NOT A PART OF THE ORIGINAL SCOPE OF WORK.

WE ANTICIPATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT IN EARLY 2025.

>> OUR ST. JOHN -- WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR AND IS CURRENTLY OPEN TO PATRONS, WHILE CONSTRUCTION ON A ST. JOHN OFFICE BUILDING IS ONGOING AND EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST, ORIOLE SAID.

KAYPART, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR DPNR, CRITICIZED THE PACE OF THE INCOMPLETE PROJECTS.

>> THESE PROJECTS ARE TAKING TOO LONG.

I´VE BEEN THERE.

I KNOW.

AND WE KEEP HEARING THE SAME STORY OVER AND OVER.

THE FREDERICK STEAD LIBRARY.

I THINK YOU PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT YOU SELECTED A CONTRACTOR.

WHAT´S THE STATUS ON THAT?

THERE´S A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT IS BEHIND OF, AND I THINK EVEN LACK OF STAFFING CONTRIBUTES TO A LOT OF THINGS NOT GETTING DONE.

>> ONE MINUTE.

>> IN THE DEPARTMENT.

>> ORIOLE DEFENDED HIS DEPARTMENT´S PROGRESS.

>> I DON´T UNDERSTAND HOW DPNR IS BEHIND ON ANYTHING WHEN TWO LIBRARIES ARE COMPLETED, TWO OF THEM ARE IN CONSTRUCTION, ONE OF THEM IS THREE MONTHS FROM -- ST. JOHN OFFICE BUILDING IS THREE MONTHS FROM BEING COMPLETED, AND TWO OF THEM ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF THE HANDS OF DPNR BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ANE PROFESSIONALS.

>> EVEN SO, SENATOR KENNY GITENS SAID LIBRARIES DIDN´T SEEM TO BE A TOP PRIORITY.

>> IT´S REALLY UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR LIBRARIES ARE NOT OPENED AND SEEMINGLY NOT IN OUR TOP PRIORITY LISTING.

I AM STILL CONSIDERING LEGISLATION TO REMOVE LIBRARIES FROM UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES BECAUSE I DON´T BELIEVE THAT IT´S GETTING THE ATTENTION THAT IT TRULY DESERVES.

>> JOINING ME ON SET FOR THE PANEL DISCUSSION IS COMMUNITY ADVOCATE MALACHI THOMAS.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW, MALACHI.

AND JOINING THE PANEL DISCUSSION FROM OUR ST. CROIX STUDIO, LET´S WELCOME RETIRED EDUCATOR, GERARD EMANUEL, AND JAMILA RUSSELL.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

LET´S START OFF WITH YOU MR., EMANUEL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RETIREE RE-ENTRY PROGRAM?

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT IT?

AND AS A RETIREE, IS THIS SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

I DON´T PLAN TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT, NO.

BUT I THINK IT´S A GREAT PLAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN HIRING COMPETENT OF STAFF.

I THINK IT´S 104 POSITIONS -- OR 140 POSITIONS.

I THINK IT COULD BE ATTRACTIVE FOR SOME RETIREES.

>> THAT´S INTERESTING TO HEAR BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT THE SHORTAGES THAT ARE HAD AROUND THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CHALLENGES JUST WITH EMPLOYMENT OVERALL.

YOU THINK THAT THE BENEFITS OF BEING ABLE TO COLLECT YOUR ANNUITY AND CHECK AT THE SAME TIME IS ENTICING ENOUGH TO SOME OF THE RETIREES THAT ARE OUT THERE?

>> OH, YES.

DEFINITELY.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE COST OF LIVING IS GOING UP TREMENDOUSLY.

DEFINITELY THAT WOULD BE A CONSIDERATION.

I´M GLAD THAT THE DRAFTERS OF THE LEGISLATION TOOK THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

MY ONLY CONCERN IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE ACCUMULATED ANNUAL LEAVE.

ACCORDING TO THE LAW, CAN I GET THE -- ANNUALLY ONCE YOU RETIRE?

BUT THEN MY QUESTION IS -- KNOWING YOU CAN´T GET THE ANNUAL -- AROUND THESE THINGS.

I DON´T KNOW WHAT THE PURPOSE IS OR THE POINT IS IN SAYING THAT ONCE YOU FINISH YOUR CONTRACT FOR A FEW YEARS, YOU -- ANNUAL LEAVE THAT YOU HAVE.

>> JAMILA, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RETIREES RE-ENTRY PROGRAM.

I´M CURIOUS ON WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS AS TO HOW THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO GO?

DIRECTOR RICHARDSON MENTIONED 11 RETIREES ALREADY ENTERING THE PROGRAM.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THERE WILL BE A FLOOD OF INDIVIDUALS REENTERING THE GOVERNMENT?

>> I THINK THE EXECUTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 85-60 IS LONG OVERDUE.

IT´S A PASSED MEASURE SOMETIME IN 2022 WHERE SENATOR -- RESPONSE AND THE LEGISLATION -- ACTIVE, ENACTED, WITHIN 90 DAYS UPON ENACTMENT AND SIGNING THE BILL TO GOVERNMENT.

SO, I´M PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL HAS STARTED -- FINALLY -- DRAFT SET OF LEGAL REGULATIONS AND THOSE LEGAL REGULATIONS HAVE TO BE PUBLISHED.

AND THE LEGISLATURE UNDER THE LAW HAS 40 DAYS TO REVIEW THEM WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE LAW, THEY HAVE TO DO THAT THROUGH LEGISLATION.

I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILL HARD TO FILL POSITIONS AND OFFERS A LEVEL OF CONTINUITY IN GOVERNMENT.

WE´RE FINDING AND WE´RE SEEING WHERE PEOPLE HAVE RETIRED, THERE IS NO SUCCESSION PLAN WITHIN THE AGENCY.

SO, THE KNOWLEDGE THEY HAD, THEY HAVE INFORMATION -- NEW INDIVIDUALS ARE COMING IN IN SOME CASES AHEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THEY´RE BEING FORCED TO JUMP INTO THE DEEP END OF THE POOL AND FORCED TO SWIM SOMEWHERE SAFE.

SO, I THINK THEY´VE GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BACK QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS INTO GOVERNMENT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME TO HELP US NAVIGATE THESE WATERS WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

>> THE NEW NPS LOCAL MANAGEMENT IS ENFORCING RULES THAT THEY SET IN PLACE SINCE 2006, REQUIRING PARADE PERMITS.

IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE -- AND I KNOW THAT STRETCH -- HAS DONE REALLY, REALLY WELL.

JAMILA, LET ME START WITH YOU, FIRST OF ALL.

I AM REAL PERPLEXED ABOUT THE -- PARADES GO THROUGH THAT PORTION OF CHRISTIANSON AND THE REAL IMPACT IT HAS ON THE PARKS.

CORRECT ME IF I´M INCORRECT.

MOST OF THOSE JUST GOING RIGHT THROUGH THAT SECTION THAT THE PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET.

BUT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE PARKS COMMUNITY IS QUIBBLING ABOUT?

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD NOT.

AND I THINK THAT STREET SHOULD BE GIVEN BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND I THINK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT, THE -- IN PARTICULAR TO FLEX ITS MUSCLES HERE IN THE TERRITORY AND SHOW US THEY ARE TRULY COMMON NEIGHBORS.

I THINK THAT TO ENFORCE THESE RULES AT THIS TIME, YOU KNOW, IS BEYOND LUDICROUS, AND THAT THERE´S NO HARM TO COME FROM US BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE.

AND WHAT THEY´RE DOING IS IMPEDING US FROM BEING OUR TRUE SELVES AND ALLOWING US TO -- CULTURAL HISTORY IN A FORMAT AND A MANNER THAT THEY´RE ACCUSTOMED TO.

AND I THINK THAT THIS IS A FARCE.

PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS SPOKE TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND THEY IGNORED THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS.

AND I DON´T THINK THEY´RE GOING TO LISTEN TO THESE GENERATIONAL -- TO SAY YOU WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE USE THE SPACE AND SHARE OUR HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS.

THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRIOR TO YOUR ACQUIRING THESE SITES AS HISTORIC SITES.

I THINK THIS IS JUST A CHECK THE BOX, PRETEND TO LISTEN TO YOU, AND FLEX OUR MUSCLES, AS THEY HAVE DONE AT BUCK ISLAND AND THAT THEY´RE DOING BECAUSE WE SEE THE IMPACT.

AND IT´S JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR THEM TO SHOW US THAT THEY HAVE THE HANDLE AND WE HAVE THE BLADE.

>> MR. EMANUEL, LET ME ASK YOU, I´M CURIOUS TO HEAR YOUR PERSPECTIVE -- METHODS OF ENFORCEMENT REQUIRES PERMITS FOR EVENTS, ET CETERA.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

I FIRST OF ALL -- WHAT SHE SAID.

THE PARK HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN -- FOR MANY YEARS, SINCE THE TRANSFER.

AND SINCE THE TRANSFER, THE REASON THOSE PARKS WERE FOR MUSICAL BANDS, FOR FOUGHT OF JULY, FOR PARADES, FOR PARTIES, LIFE EXCURSIONS.

AND WE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PARK.

WE HAVE BEEN PARTICIPANTS IN THE PARK FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND I DON´T KNOW OF ANY PROBLEMS THAT WE´VE HAD.

SO, I´M HOPING SOMETHING CONCRETE AND POSITIVE WILL COME OUT OF THIS.

>> MR. THOMAS, WHAT ARE YOUR CONSIDERATIONS FOR BOTH ISSUES?

DO YOU THINK THAT IT´S A GOOD THING AND CRUISE SHIPS PAY ATTENTION TO -- IDEAS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SITES ON ST. CROIX?

AND ALSO HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE RULES THAT THEY´RE IMPLEMENTING IN CHRISTIAN STEAD.

>> THE RULES SOUND NONSENSICAL AND UNNECESSARY.

I CAN´T PREDICT WHETHER THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE COMMUNITIES´ NEEDS ON THAT.

I DO THINK THIS PROCESS IS LONG OVERDUE, AND IT´S NECESSARY, IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE BEFORE IN CHRISTIAN STEAD, I THINK WE DEVELOPED -- THIS WAS 2014.

WE DEVELOPED A WALKING TOUR.

I WORKED CLOSELY WITH BENITO, WHO WAS A PARK RANGER AND DR. -- AND WE SPOKE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE HAD THAT TYPE OF ENGAGEMENT.

BUT ESPECIALLY GIVEN THIS YEAR THAT WE´RE GETTING READY TO CONVENE A SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, I THINK IT TIES INTO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL POWER THAT WE WIELD TO AFFECT OUR LIVELIHOOD HERE.

SO, IT WAS INTERESTING READING THIS ARTICLE AND CONSIDERING THAT WE´RE GETTING READY TO CONVENE A SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND CONSIDER OUR OVERALL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> JAMILA, YOU WERE QUITE STRONG IN YOUR EMPHASIS OF WHETHER -- WOULD BE LISTENED TO OR NOT.

IN THE SHAPING OF FUTURE PARKS OTHER THAN THE THREE EXISTING IN ST. CROIX RIGHT NOW, WHAT CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN -- IMPLEMENTED BY THE NATIONAL PARKS FROM NATIVE CRUISE SIPS?

>> WELL, I DON´T THINK -- I WOULD JUST PUT ON THE RECORD, I DON´T THINK THERE SHOULD BE ANY EXPANSION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IN THE TERRITORY.

I DON´T THINK THAT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NEEDS TO ACQUIRE ANY MORE SPACE WITHIN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR ANY PARK ASSET.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, HONESTLY, YOU KNOW, I CAN SAY TRUTHFULLY BACK IN 1986 TO 1989, THEY HAD -- WHO PROTESTED ABOUT THE PARK SERVICE TURNING UP THE PARKING LOTS INTO THE SITE THAT IT IS NOW.

SO, I DON´T EXPECT THAT -- NOW AND AGAIN THIS IS JUST AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO CHECK THE BACK AND SAY HEY, WE LISTENED.

WHEN I HEAR THESE STUDIES -- PERSPECTIVE FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, PEOPLE FROM UNIVERSITIES ON THE MAINLAND.

SO, HOW SERIOUS ARE YOU IF YOU´RE NOT GOING TO ENGAGE WITH OUR UNIVERSITY TO CONDUCT THIS STUDY AND USING UNIVERSITY TALENT FROM OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.

I THINK THEY DISREGARD THE PEOPLE OF THAT TERRITORY.

THEY´VE SHOWN THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT PORTION OF STREET AND COMPANY SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND IT PERPLEXES HOW IT BECAME PART OF THE PARKS SERVICE PORTFOLIO.

>> VERY INTERESTING.

WE SAW EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM THERE WAS AN EXCHANGE BETWEEN SENATOR DIANE KAYPART AND OVER THE LIBRARY REHABILITATION IN THE TERRITORY AND WHAT´S BEEN GOING ON THERE AND HOW LONG THINGS ARE TAKING.

MR. THOMAS, LET ME ASK YOU, DID YOU GROW UP AS A FREQUENT USER OF THE LIBRARIES HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> NO, I CAN´T SAY I WAS A FREQUENT USER.

I CAN´T SAY I WAS.

>> BUT ARE YOU AT LEAST -- >> -- USE THE TERM LIBRARY.

I KNOW MY CURRENCY IS TO TAKE US TO -- IT WAS MORE ACTIVE WHEN MY OLDER SIBLINGS WERE COMING UP.

THEY HAD LIBRARY CARDS.

MY PARENTS MAINTAINED LIBRARY CARDS FOR THEM.

THEY WOULD TAKE THEM TO THE LIBRARY A LOT.

I WANT TO SAY BY THE TIME WE WERE COMING UP, THE LIBRARY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WITH THE ACTIVITY.

>> SO, YOU SAW THE EXCHANGE BETWEEN SENATOR KAYPART AND THE COMMISSIONER.

DID YOU THINK THE LINE OF QUESTIONING WAS FAIR?

>> YEAH, I THINK AS A COMMUNITY WE COULD DO A LOT MORE TO ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE LITERACY IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND IT´S NOT JUST ABOUT THE OUTSIDE OF THINGS AND LOOKS.

IT´S ABOUT WHAT´S IN IT AND WHAT HAPPENS IN IT.

WE CAN DO A LOT MORE TO INVEST IN OUR INSTITUTIONS.

I LOOKED AT THE -- PROBLEM TWO YEARS AGO, I PARTICIPATED IN THE 175th COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE, A SUBCOMMITTEE, AND WE WERE WORKING WITH LIBRARIES´ ARCHIVES AND MUSEUMS FOR AN EXPOSITION AND WANTED THE -- AND LOOKED IN 2023 -- NO, 2022.

I LOOKED AT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL, NO REQUESTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES I.

LOOKED AGAIN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, NO REQUEST FOR FUNDS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

TO ME, THAT´S TELLING.

THAT´S TELLING ME THAT YOU DON´T EVEN HAVE THE VISION TO ASK FOR RESOURCES TO PUT ON PROGRAMMING TO EVEN ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME INSIDE THE SPACES THAT WE HAVE TO INSPIRE CULTURE, TO INSPIRE READING AND UNDERSTANDING HISTORY.

>> LET ME GO THROUGH TO YOU, MR. EMANUEL, ON ST. CROIX.

AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE LIBRARIES.

WE JUST HAD A RIBBON CUTTING, BUT DO YOU THINK THINGS HAVE BEEN TAKING TOO LONG AND IS DPNR MAKING LIBRARIES A PRIORITY?

>> IT IS DIFFICULT TO -- THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT THE PLANS GET BIDS BUT THE BIDS ARE TOO HIGH.

THEY HAVE TO GET MONEY.

BUT LIBRARIES, THAT´S VERY DEAR TO MY HEART.

I WORKED IN THE LIBRARIES FOR MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS.

AND IT´S A SHAME FOR ALL THESE YEARS THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN CLOSED DOWN.

-- TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE SHE -- MORE RECENTLY THAN I DID.

BUT I´M HAPPY THAT THEY´RE ON TRACK NOW.

AND I´M HOPING THE FAMILY SAID THEY GET THE FUNDING TO PROVIDE THE REQUISITE PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT IS NECESSARY.

THEY´RE VERY IMPORTANT TO COMMUNITY.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE INTERNET SERVICE AND ALL OF THAT NOW, THE SPACE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO GO AND READ AND RELAX AND LEARN.

SO, I´M HOPING THAT -- FINISHED NOW.

THE PEOPLE SAID -- FINISHED SOON AND PREPPING THE STAFFING AS WELL AS EQUIPMENT.

THE PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE ELDERS COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> JAMILA -- WHERE WOULD YOU PUT THEM?

>> I HAVE NO ANSWER FOR THAT.

I DON´T KNOW WHERE YOU WOULD PUT THEM.

I THINK THAT WHERE THEY ARE THEY PROBABLY NEED TO REMAIN FOR THE TIME BEING.

I DON´T HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THAT.

BUT I THINK THE CONVERSATION AND A LOT OF THE FRUSTRATION IS ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE GRADUATING STUDENTS THAT CAN´T READ.

WE´RE GRADUATING STUDENTS THAT READ AT A LEVEL THAT, YOU KNOW -- ENTER COLLEGE.

BUT I THINK THAT JUST MR. THOMAS SAID WE NEED TO PROVIDE LITERACY PROGRAMS.

LET´S FACE IT.

-- LIBRARY USER.

IN MY HOME GROWING UP, I DIDN´T HAVE A WHOLE SET OF ENCYCLOPEDIAS.

I HAD TO GO TO THE LIBRARY.

SO, I USED IT ON -- QUITE REGULARLY.

SO, PEOPLE ARE LEARNING DIFFERENT NOW.

PEOPLE ARE READING BOOKS ON KINDLE.

THEY´RE NOT BUYING HARD COVER BOOKS.

SO, WE HAVE TO DEVELOP THE LIBRARIES IN A SPACE WHERE CHILDREN WANT TO COME IN AND USE IT AND EQUIP -- PUT THE EQUIPMENT IN THE SPACE SO THAT CHILDREN CAN COME AND USE THE SPACE.

NOT ALL FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET SERVICE.

NOT ALL FAMILIES HAVE COMPUTER SERVICE.

IF YOU HAVE A LIBRARY CARD AND YOU CAN GO INTO THE LIBRARY AND ACCESS THE INTERNET TO DO YOUR SCHOOLWORK AND LEARN, YOU´RE CREATING AND FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT OF LEARNING AND HAVING OUR CHILDREN THRIVE.

AND THAT SHOULD WORK IN CONCERT WITH THE SCHOOL.

AND I THINK THAT´S WHAT´S MORE IMPORTANT TO THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE IS THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU WALK WITH THE -- OF THE LIBRARY.

>> VERY GOOD POINT.

MR. THOMAS, REAL QUICK, IF WE WERE TO MOVE LIBRARIES -- ARE YOU AN ADVOCATE OF MOVING THEM FROM DPNR?

AND WHERE WOULD IT GO?

>> MOVING THE LIBRARY DOESN´T GET RID OF THE LACK OF PROGRAMMING.

THERE HAS TO BE MORE THAN JUST MOVING THE LIBRARY.

WHAT´S WRONG WITH WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW?

>> MOVING -- UNDER DPS, ANOTHER AGENCY.

>> EDUCATION.

EDUCATION, LEGISLATION, THE PEOPLE THAT PUT THE BUDGET TOGETHER GOING TO REQUEST THE FUNDS TO GET THE RESOURCES AND THE PROGRAM NECESSARY TO FUNCTION AND OPERATE THE LIBRARIES?

I THINK WE´VE GOT GOOD -- WHAT´S ACTUALLY THE PROBLEM WITH IT BEING AT DPNR?

THE PRESIDENT DOESN´T MENTION IT.

I´M SURE HE HAS IT IN HIS MIND, BUT HE DOESN´T MENTION IT.

I´M NOT SURE WHAT THE BENEFIT.

>> THAT´S PRETTY INTERESTING.

I´M GOING TO COME BACK TO YOU MR. EMANUEL.

JAMILA MENTIONED SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO ME, WHICH IS THE TESTING SCORES AND THE ABILITY OF OUR GRADUATES TO READ.

AND I REMEMBER THE STATE OF THE TERRITORY, I REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT -- FROM OUR SCHOOLS HAVING TO TAKE REMEDIAL COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLAND.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK SHE´S RIGHT AND THAT´S A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE.

NOW, THE -- SITUATION ISN´T GOING TO NECESSARILY SOLVE THAT.

BUT IT CAN ASSIST WITH PROVIDING A SPACE FOR STUDENTS TO SIT DOWN AND ACTUALLY READ.

THE LIBRARY, IT´S JUST AN ENVIRONMENT THAT´S QUIET AND PEACEFUL AND EVERYTHING.

IT´S THE PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING.

BUT, LIKE I SAID, YOU KNOW, IT´S NOT A PANACEA THAT´S GOING TO HELP EVERYBODY.

PARENTS HAVE A ROLE IN IT.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE CHILDREN TEACH THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS.

BUT A LIBRARY THAT IS PROPERLY STAFFED AND PROPERLY EQUIPPED WITH PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES, THAT GOES A LONG WAY IN ASSISTING STUDENTS -- HOME ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE FOR LEARNING.

THAT´S ANOTHER THING.

SOME STUDENTS GO AND -- AND GOING TO THE LIBRARY CAN BE A VERY GOOD ALTERNATIVE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I COULDN´T AGREE WITH YOU MORE.

IN REGIONAL NEWS, VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TRAVELLED TO PUERTO RICO ON THE 22nd OF MARCH TO UNDERSCORE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION´S COMMITMENT TO AIDING THE ISLAND´S RECOVERY AND ATTEND A DEMOCRATIC FUND-RAISER.

BUT PROTESTS CONCERNS THE ISRAELI-HAMAS CONFLICT.

>> THE VICE PRESIDENT´S VISIT TO PUERTO RICO IS A TESTIMONY TO THE BIDEN/HARRIS -- WELL BEING OF PUERTO RICO.

>> DURING HER FIRST VISIT TO PUERTO RICO, KAMALA HARRIS WAS JOINED BY JENNIFER GRAN HOLD AND ADRIAN TODDMAN TO HIGH LATE THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PUERTO RICO RECEIVED IN THE AFTERMATH OF 2007 HURRICANE.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND I HAVE BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR THE LEADERS AND THE PEOPLE AND THE FAMILIES OF PUERTO RICO.

SO FAR OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS INVESTED OVER $140 BILLION IN PUERTO RICO.

>> HARRIS WAS ALSO IN TOWN TO ATTEND A DEMOCRATIC FUND-RAISER, ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, WHICH REPORTED THAT HARRIS´ PUERTO RICO VISIT CAME DAYS AFTER BIDEN LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN TARGETING LATINO VOTERS.

BUT LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF HARRIS´ VISIT DEPICTED PROTESTERS TAKING TO THE STREETS TO VOICE THEIR DISAPPROVAL OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> HARRIS ALSO FACED AN AWKWARD MOMENT COVERED BY MANY NATIONAL MEDIA CHANNELS WHEN SHE APPEARED TO BE CLAPPING ALONG TO THE BEAT OF A PROTEST SONG, AND THEN STOPPED WHEN AN AIDE APPARENTLY TRANSLATED THE LYRICS TO HER.

TO YOU.

I KNOW YOU´RE VERY WELL VERSED IN ISSUES OF TERRITORIAL STATUS.

PUERTO RICANS SEEM TO BE VERY ATTACHED TO THEIR HERITAGE AND VOICE STRONG OPPOSITION TO ITEMS AND ISSUES THAT THEY ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH.

AND I THINK ABOUT HOW IN ONE YEAR PUERTO RICO HAD THREE GOVERNORS, TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, BECAUSE OF PROTESTS AND COMING TO THE STREET, WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE DIFFERENCE OR WHAT DO YOU THINK IS UNIQUE ABOUT THEM DOING SO AND US IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NOT DOING SIMILAR THINGS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT WASN´T ALL PUERTO RICANS THAT WERE DOING THAT.

WE HAVE TO BE VERY SPECIFIC.

IT WAS MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE FOR INDEPENDENCE STATUS.

THEY´RE THE ONES DOING MORE -- >> VERY GOOD POINT.

>> AND AS FAR AS THE -- THE DIFFERENCE, I THINK IT´S JUST A CULTURAL THING, PUERTO RICO -- THEY HAVE A GENETIC HISTORY OF REVOLUTION.

IT SEEMS TO BE DISAPPEARING WITH THE 20th CENTURY, THE 21st CENTURY.

BUT I THINK KAMALA HARRIS, WHEN SHE WAS CLAPPING, I THINK SHE WAS CLAPPING TO THE BEAT.

IT WAS MUSIC.

I DON´T THINK SHE UNDERSTOOD THE LYRICS BECAUSE THE ATTACKS HAPPENING IN ISRAEL AND PAKISTAN AND ALL THOSE THINGS, THEY´RE VERY UPSET.

BUT LET ME SAY THIS BEFORE I GO ON, I THINK KAMALA HARRIS DOESN´T AGREE WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS DOING.

SHE´S NOT THE PRESIDENT.

SO, FOR THEM TO PROFESS -- AGAINST HER.

IT WAS NOT AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION.

AND BIDEN, BECAUSE OF THEIR -- THEY´RE NOT SIGNING UP TO -- GENOCIDE THAT´S GOING ON THERE.

BUT I´LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

MR. THOMAS, ON THE ISSUE OF STATUS, AND SIMILAR QUESTIONS.

PUERTO RICANS HAVE HAD SEVERAL REFERENDUMS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, AND THERE ARE CLEARLY DEFINED GROUPS, MR. EMANUEL POINTED OUT, THAT POINTED OUT STATEHOOD.

WHY DON´T WE HAVE THAT FOR OVER HERE IN THE TERRITORY?

>> I KNOW MR. EMANUEL MENTIONED THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCE.

I THINK POSITIVE IS NUMBERS TOO, RIGHT?

PUERTO RICO HAS A MUCH LARGER POPULATION, AND THERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS.

I´M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO WOULD ADVOCATE FOR INDEPENDENCE.

BUT JUST LIKE PUERTO RICO, MOST PEOPLE WOULD ADVOCATE FOR MAINTAINING SOME -- CURRENT RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OR TO BECOME PART OF THE UNION.

SO, I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IN THE ADVOCACY THAT WE SEE IS REALLY BASED ON NUMBERS.

IF WE HAD A LARGER POPULATION, WE´D PROBABLY -- AND THERE WAS A LARGER -- EVEN IF IT WAS THE SAME PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE BUT JUST A LARGER NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD ADVOCATE FOR INDEPENDENCE, THEY WOULD BE MORE INSPIRED TO BE AS LOUD AS OUR PUERTO RICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ADVOCATE FOR INDEPENDENCE.

THAT´S MY THEORY.

>> JAMILA, IN PUERTO RICO, TO THE POINT MR. THOMAS WAS MAKING ABOUT NUMBERS, PNP FOR INSTANCE IS A PARTY THAT IS IN SUPPORT OF A COMMONWEALTH STATUS.

PDP, I BELIEVE IS STATEHOOD.

AND THERE´S A THIRD PARTY WHICH ARE THE INDEPENDENT STATES.

IT´S EVEN INTO THE POLITICS AND THE POLITICAL PARTIES THAT THEY´RE FOLLOWING PUERTO RICO.

AGAIN, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

WHY DO YOU THINK PUERTO RICANS SEEM TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN THEIR VOICE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR POLITICAL STATUS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES?

>> BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I DISAGREE WITH MR. THOMAS IN THAT IT BOILS DOWN TO NUMBERS.

I DON´T THINK IT BOILS DOWN TO NUMBERS.

I THINK IT BOILS DOWN TO PEOPLE HAVING CONVENTION IN THE POSITION THAT THEY HOLD.

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE STATUS WHERE YOU WANT TO REMAIN IN SELECT TERRITORY, UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, YOU HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY WHO WERE AT ONE POINT VERY VOCAL ABOUT BEING INDEPENDENT.

I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO OUR EDUCATION AND I THINK THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HOLD A POSITION ON EITHER ONE ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY, WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO -- BEING INDEPENDENT OR HAVING SOME OTHER TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THOSE POSITIONS, THE INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS, THEY´RE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO EDUCATE THE VIRGIN ISLANDERS AS TO WHY THEY FEEL ABOUT THE WAY THEY DO.

AND I THINK THE LACK OF EDUCATION AND THE LACK OF PASSION FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE IN A POSITION TO BECOME ASSISTANTS, THERE´S A LOT OF CONSISTENCY.

SO, IF YOU EDUCATE AND YOU´RE CONSISTENT IN EDUCATING, I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF TURNOUT WHERE PEOPLE TAKE TO THE STREETS TO PROTEST AND ORGANIZE.

I DON´T THINK THE SIZE OF OUR TERRITORY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.

I THINK IT´S HOW PEOPLE FEEL IN OUR TERRITORY ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE AND HAVING THE EDUCATION AND THE CONSISTENCY IN EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION ABOUT THOSE PARTICULAR POSITIONS.

>> I´VE GOT TO SAY I AGREE WITH YOU IN POST PARTS.

MR. EMANUEL, 30 SECONDS.

TO THE POINT OF EDUCATION, HOW DO WE BETTER IMPROVE -- AND YOU BEING CONSIDERED ONE OF THE TERRITORY´S FOREMOST EXPERTS, LET´S JUST SAY, ON POLITICAL STATUS, HOW DO WE DO A BETTER JOB TO MAKE SURE INDIVIDUALS UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES AND ALIGN PERSONAL VIEWS WITH POLITICAL STATUS?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO START MUCH EARLIER, ONCE PEOPLE BECOME ADULTS.

THEY HAVE TO START IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITH THE CURRICULUM BECAUSE -- IT HAS TO BE A SYSTEM.

>> WE RAN OUT OF TIME, BUT I AAPPRECIATE IT.

I´D LOVE TO HAVE YOU BACK TO TALK ABOUT IT.

THAT´S ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE FOR YOU.

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

TUNE IN WEEKDAYS -- I´M LESLEY COMISSION YONG.

TAKE CARE.

I USED TO BE CARE FREE.

I USED TO GO BY MYSELF.

I WOULD SAY HI TO STRANGERS.

BUT AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, I FELT LIKE I HAD TO LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER EVERY TIME I GO OUTSIDE.

>> I AM SO SORRY YOU HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT.

>> DID YOU STOP TALKING TO HER BECAUSE OF WHAT SHE DID TO ME?

>> I DID, YEAH.

>> WHY CAN´T YOU FORGIVE HER?

>> BECAUSE THAT´S TELLING HER IT´S OKAY, AND IT´S NOT OKAY.

>> DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN´T SPEAK SWAHILI IN PUBLIC ANYMORE?

>> YES, BECAUSE I REALIZE I DON´T BELONG.

I HAVE TO PROVE MYSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY AND MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO GIVE UP A LOT OF WHO I WAS.

>> I´M GOING TO PRAY THAT YOU PERSON YOU USED TO BE.

>> I WILL GET THERE.

IT´S GOING TO TAKE ME A WHILE.

BUT FOR YOU TO STAND UP FOR SOMEBODY YOU DON´T KNOW AND TO SAY THAT WHAT SHE DID WAS UNACCEPTABLE, THAT MEANT THE WORLD TO ME.

>> I WILL SUPPORT YOU IN ANY POSSIBLE WAY I CAN.

YOU KNOW, THEY SAY BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER AND YOU STAND BEHIND YOUR FAMILY NO MATTER WHAT.

WELL, YOU´VE GOT TO DRAW A LINE SOMEWHERE, AND YOU´RE MY LINE.

>> THANK YOU.

♫♫ >>> WITNESS THE TRANSFORMATION FIRST HAND.

JOIN WTJX FOR COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE FOR THE TERRITORIES RECOVERY FROM THE 2017 STORMS.

>> A LOT OF COORDINATION GOING INTO THIS.

>> INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CAN LAST FOR DECADES TO COME.

>> BEING RESILIENT, WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN FOR THE RESIDENTS?

>> TUNE IN ON THE LAST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 8:00 P.M. ON WTJX TV CHANNEL 12, ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AND ON THE APP.

>>> I FIRST NOTICED THE TREMOR IN MY LEG, AND THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS DANGER ON THE RIGHT.

>> I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PARKINSON´S AT THE AGE OF 39.

>> PARKINSON´S HAS MULTIPLE SYMPTOMS WHICH ARE STAGGERING IN THEIR BREADTH.

>> IT´S EXHAUSTING.

HOLDING IT TOGETHER IS MORE EXHAUSTING THAN THE DISEASE ITSELF.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> TUNE IN APRIL 8 AT 11:00 P.M. ON WTJX TV, CHANNEL 12.

♫♫ >>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.