WITH THE TERRITORY" -- ♫ >> ANTICIPATION IS GROWING FOR THE UPCOMING CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL.

YET CONCERNS LINGER AMONG SOME STAKE HOLDERS WHO BELIEVE THAT CHANGES BY THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS HAS HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE ON THESE CONCERNS.

>>> JUDGE RENEE GUMS REJECTED THE DEFENSE´S MOTION QUESTIONING HER AUTHORITY AND THREATENING SANCTIONS FOR SENATOR PAYNE´S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE 34th LEGISLATURE AS THE PRESIDENT DONNA FRED GREGORY.

WE´LL HAVE MORE DETAILS.

>>> PLUS, GREATLY RESPONDING TO THE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE, DURING THE FIRES THIS PAST SUMMER, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO BE PAID FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

WE WILL HAVE MORE.

>>> FOLLOWING PROTESTS IN SEPTEMBER OVER GOVERNMENT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, THE UNITED STEELWORKERS UNION HAS TURNED ITS ATTENTION TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

THE UNION IS ACTIVELY OPPOSING BIDEN´S PLAN TO RELOCATE ITS LOCAL CUSTOMER SERVICE JOBS TO GUYANA.

WE´LL HAVE MORE ON THIS DEVELOPING STORY.

>>> JOINING THIS WEEK´S PANEL DISCUSSION FOR THESE ISSUES AND MORE ARE, LOCAL RADIO TALK SHOW HOST NEVILLE JAMES.

FOUNDING CARNIVAL COMMUNITY MEMBER ALPHONSE STALLIARD AND PROMINENT ATTORNEY KYE WALKER.

"COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" STARTS NOW.

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

I´M LESLEY COMMISSIONG.

EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION ARE BREWING IN THE AIR WITH, FOR THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL WITH OFFICIAL ACTIVITIES JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

THE 12 DAYS OF CELEBRATION BEGINS WITH THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL VILLAGE ON DECEMBER 26th AND CULMINATES WITH THE ADULTS PARADE ON JANUARY 6th.

THE CRUCEN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL WAS PLACED UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM´S NEWLY ESTABLISHED DIVISION OF FESTIVALS IN 2019.

A MOVE THAT HAS STRENGTHENED THE FESTIVAL BY SECURING TOP TIER PERFORMERS, INTENSIFYING PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS, AND STREAMLINING THE ORGANIZATION FOR A SMOOTHER CELEBRATION.

♫ >> TO ESTABLISH AND CREATE A COMMUNITY AND HONORING OUR CULTURE, THE FESTIVAL IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION TO ALLOW RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE TO REVEL IN CELEBRATION.

THE.

>> THE FESTIVAL´S SIGNIFICANCE HAS GROWN OVER SIMPLY A LOCAL COMMUNITY GATHERING AND AS WE LOOK AT THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE FESTIVAL, IT HAS BECOME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE LOCAL ARTISTS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A PLATFORM TO HIGHLIGHT THEIR TALENTS TO THE WORLD.

IF YOU´RE FREE, CHECK OUT THE VILLAGE AND THE ARTISTS, WE ARE WELCOMING MANY GUESTS, WHERE THERE WILL BE SEVEN NIGHTS OF DANCING AND EXCITEMENT.

>> YES, WE CAN BRING IN TO THE ISLAND INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AND MAKE SURE WE´RE ALSO TAKING CARE OF OUR LOCAL ENTERTAINERS AND FESTIVAL-GOERS, TO MAKE SURE AGAIN THAT THEY´RE EQUALLY COMPENSATED.

AT SOME POINT THEY´RE PAID TIMELY, AND PART OF THE WHOLE PLAN, AND WE UTILIZE THEM ALL YEAR LONG AND WE CAN´T LEAVE THEM OUT OF THE DISCUSSION.

DO I HAVE A COMMITMENT FROM YOU ON THAT?

DO I HAVE A COMMITMENT FROM YOU ON THAT?

>> YES, YOU DO.

I´M SORRY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD.

WE NOW ARE LOOKING AT THE DISSATISFACTION WITH ARTISTS FOR THE MONARCH COMPETITION MAKING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION DIFFICULT FOR MANY.

>> REMEMBER, FOR A THOUSAND DOLLARS, TOGETHER, IT IS $100 THAT IS SOMETHING RIGHT NOW, AND YOU ARE TOLD THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT IT ON THE COMMON PAGE.

AND IF YOU´RE LOOKING AT THE ARTISTS, WITH THE CARNIVAL, THEY NEED TO BE PAID AND I CHALLENGE YOU, 200, $300 AN HOUR TO BOOK A PREMIERE, AND BY THE TIME WE DO THAT, WE HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY.

SPENDING A MILLION ON THE DAY.

HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY THAT?

WE CAN´T HAVE THESE PEOPLE HERE IN CARNIVAL, THESE GUYS FROM TOURISM, THEY DON´T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT CARNIVALE.

I THINK THEY ARE THE WORST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> OTHER CRITICS HIGHLIGHT THE GROWING SHIFT IN CULTURAL REPRESENTATION DURING PARADES, EMPHASIZING SCANTILY-CLAD PARTICIPANTS WITHOUT MEANINGFUL REPRESENTATION.

>> THIS IS UNDER THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS TODAY, FOR ME.

A MONTH AGO, I TRIED TO HAVE, OR I TRIED TO INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM CONCERNING A COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION AROUND OUR CULTURE AND THE CULTURE OF EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING OUR FESTIVITIES, AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMPONENT THAT A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THAT AREA, I BELIEVE, IS MISSING FROM THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS.

WE HAD A VERY LENGTHY AMOUNT OF TESTIFYING BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT SHOW UP AND I´M HOPING IN THE FUTURE YOU WILL SHOW UP FOR THAT DISCUSSION, AND I BELIEVE IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE.

>> THERE ARE ALSO CONCERNS ABOUT HEAVY RELIANCE ON POLICE OFFICERS FOR CROWD CONTROL.

>> ALL OFFICERS ARE ON DECK FOR ALL OF OUR EVENTS.

AND IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.

AND THEN WE USUALLY, FOR HANDLING THE CROWD, WE HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD, AND WE FLY OVER A TEAM FROM THE NEXT DISTRICT, AND IN RESPECT FOR THIS YEAR, WE WILL FLY OVER A TEAM FROM THE SAINT THOMAS DISTRICT, ROUGHLY MAYBE BETWEEN 12 TO 15 OFFICERS TO ASSIST.

>> EVERYONE IS ON DECK WITH ONE PARTICULAR EVENT, HOW DO YOU HANDLE WHEN OTHER THINGS DO HAPPEN IN THE TERRITORY?

>> THERE´S A SPECIFIC SET THAT THAT IS SCHEDULED TO WORK THE FESTIVAL EVENT, AND THEN OF COURSE, OUR OTHER OFFICERS STILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK IN THEIR DIFFERENT ZONE, THEIR DIFFERENT PATROLS, THEIR DIFFERENT UNITS, THE INVESTIGATION OR WHATEVER.

SO WE DON´T, YOU KNOW, WE DON´T CURTAIL THOSE UNITS OR THE ACTIVITIES OF THOSE UNITS.

>> DESPITE THESE ISSUE, THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL REMAINS A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EVENT, ALBEIT WITH A BACKDROP OF DIFFERING OPINIONS ON ITS RECENT CHANGES.

JOINING THE SHOW FROM OUR ST. CROIX STUDIOS WE HAVE CALYPSO LEGEND, CAMILLE "KING DERBY" MACEDON, DARISSE DOWEL DOWLING PART OF THE FESTIVAL DRINK AND DAYNIA DOWELLING, FROM THE DYNASTY TROUPE.

THANKS FOR EVERYONE FOR BEING ON THIS SHOW.

LET´S START WITH YOU, YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN CARNIVAL FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RECENT CHANGES AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FESTIVAL UNDER THE NEW DIVISION OF FESTIVALS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM?

>> IT IS VERY, VERY POOR TO ME.

ESPECIALLY FOR ALL OF US TO ACTUALLY BE GIVING THE FESTIVAL, THEY´RE TAKING AWAY EVERYTHING, FOR EXAMPLE, AS PART OF THE PART OF THE LIFESTYLE, 200,000 DOLLARS, TO PLAY IN THE VILLAGE FREE.

HOW COULD THEY EXPECT TO BRING ABOUT THOSE TO BE HERE, AND TO PLAY FREE?

I WOULD SAY MORE MONEY, AND WITH MY PLAN, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

PAY THEM MONEY.

>> WE ARE GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT I WANT TO MOVE ON TO MISS DOWLING, THE OWNER OF REGAL DYNASTY FESTIVAL TROUPE.

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR TROUPE.

AND IN OUR PIECE WE JUST AIRED, WE CALLED ABOUT CULTURAL REPRESENTATION AS A TRUE OWNER.

WHAT EFFORT DO YOU MAKE, THAT THE CULTURE IS REPRESENTED IN WHAT YOUR TROUPE DOES EVERY FESTIVAL?

>> IT IS VERY DIFFERENT FOR EVERY TROUPE.

FOR OURS, WE TRY TO KEEP IT AROUND A LEVEL, NOT AS MUCH AS HOW TRINIDAD IS, AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE STYLE ITSELF, IT IS BRINGING ABOUT THE CULTURE, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO, WE BRING IN THE COLORS, AND WE MOVE FREELY, AND WE HAVE THE STYLE, BUT WE TRY TO BRING THE CULTURE, WE TRY TO BRING IT HOME, NOT HERE.

>> I CAN RESPECT THAT.

AND DAYNIA, YOU ARE THE SECRETARY OF REGAL DYNASTY.

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY YOU THINK THERE´S BEEN THIS DEPARTURE FROM WHAT IS CULTURALLY OURS VERSUS WHAT WE SEE REPRESENTED IN OTHER CARNIVALS AROUND THE CARIBBEAN.

AND THE NEED TO ALMOST DUPLICATE.

AND HOW CAN WE CHANGE OR REVERSE THAT TREND, TO WHERE WE HAVE COSTUMES THAT ARE STILL CLASSY, DONE IN A CLASSY WAY, BUT ARE MORE CULTURALLY RELEVANT TO OUR HISTORY AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> WE ARE CHANGING WITH THE YOUNGER GROUPS, WE SHOULD BE MORE UP TO DATE ON KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES.

WE CAN STILL KEEP IT WITH THE TIMES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE DON´T WANT IT TO BE OH, MY GOSH, THEY BARELY HAVE ANYTHING ON TOP, AND YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, YOU HAVE YOUR PIECE OF IT, AND KEEP YOUR PARTS COVERED AND KEEP IT CLASSY, AND AT THE SAME TIME, KEEP THE CULTURE.

>> I CAN CERTAINLY RESPECT THAT.

>> I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU.

KING DERBY, I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU.

YOU MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THERE IS THIS DISPARITY AMONG THE MONEY BEING SPENT TO BRING ARTISTS IN, VERSUS OUR LOCAL ARTISTS, BUT WHAT DO YOU SAY TO INDIVIDUALS THAT SAY, WELL, THE LARGER ARTISTS, OR THE ARTISTS THAT THEY´RE PAYING, NOT LARGER, NO RESPECT, INTENDED HERE, BUT THE ARTISTS WE´RE PAYING TO BRING IN MAY SOMEHOW ATTRACT MORE INDIVIDUALS TO THE VILLAGE, AND SO THEREFORE, THE FEES THAT WE PAY THEM ARE JUSTIFIED, THAT IF OWNERS MAKE MORE MONEY, THERE´S MORE PEOPLE WHO COME OUT, OR COME HOME, TO ST. CROIX TO SEE THESE ARTISTS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE THAT MAKE THAT ARGUMENT?

>> OKAY, IF YOU WANT TO BRING ANYBODY IN GENERAL, IT IS A THOUSAND DOLLARS, IT SHOULD BE A THOUSAND.

GENERIC.

I MEAN THIS IS NOT A SMALL SHOW.

THIS IS PART OF THE TREASURE.

IT´S NOT RIGHT.

WE HAVE A LEADING BANDS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY ARE DISCOUNTED, 15,000 DOLLARS.

AND IT TOOK SIX MONTHS TO GET PAID.

I MEAN THAT´S A REAL PROBLEM.

I DON´T THINK THESE GUYS HAVE SETTLED FOR THAT, YOU KNOW.

THE VILLAGE SHOULD PAY THEM MONEY.

AT THE SAME TIME, THEY NEED TO DO IT, PAY THEM.

>> I WANT TO GO TO PARADE.

THERE HAVE BEEN SITUATIONS AROUND THE PARADE ROUTE FOR SECURITY.

ARE YOU SEEING CONCERNS WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE CUTTING THROUGH THE PARADE ROUTE AND NOT PART OF THE TRADE PARADE?

>> YES, LAST YEAR, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT, WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS, NINE YEARS AND LAST YEAR WAS THE ABSOLUTE WORST.

SO THERE IS A BARRICADE ALONG THE ENTIRE ROUTE.

BUT EVENTUALLY, I THINK THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS, WE HAVEN´T HAD ANY BARRICADES.

AND WITH THESE BARRICADE, THERE ARE BARRICADES ONLY FROM THE STORE, THE STATION RIGHT THERE, THAT´S ABSOLUTELY GOT TO CHANGE.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE CROSSING IN BETWEEN PERFORMERS.

YOUNG PEOPLE, I FEEL LIKE IT IS DANGEROUS.

OUR TROUPE HAS SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IT BUT IT HAS GONE UNHEARD.

THERE HAS TO BE AT LEAST A BARRICADE, THAT HELPS WITH V.I.P., TO REACH OUT WITH THE ASSISTANCE, AND SOMETIMES LIKE WITH THE MILITARY, SOMETIMES YOU SEE THEM ON THE ROUTE AS WELL.

>> LET ME ASK YOU, DAYNIA, IF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, OR IF YOU WERE IN CHARGE, FOR INSTANCE, HOW WOULD YOU HELP TO BETTER CONTROL THE CROWD?

WOULD IT BE MORE BARRIERS?

WOULD IT BE VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT?

TO HAVE PEOPLE ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE THAT CAN HELP KEEP THE CROWD IN CHECK?

BECAUSE THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE FUTURE.

>> IF IT WAS ME, DEFINITELY WOULD LOOK FOR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS AND GET MORE BARRICADES.

AND FOR TO ME, IT IS SUPER, SUPER IMPORTANT TO HAVE BARRICADES.

AS WAS SAID, IT WAS HORRIBLE LAST YEAR, SUPER HORRIBLE, AND UNFORTUNATELY, RIGHT BEFORE THE GRANDSTAND, SOME OF OUR MEMBERS WERE GETTING HIT, THEY GOT IN FIGHTS, JUMPING AT PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE WAY.

IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH.

I FEEL LIKE WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS, AND MORE SECURITY NEEDED, AND BARRICADES FROM THE ENTIRE PARADE, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, TO THE END.

THEY NEED TO HAVE IT THE WHOLE WAY.

>> KING DERBY, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT BOOTH OWNERS AND WHETHER OR NOT WITH SOME OF THE INCREASED FEES THAT WE´VE HEARD ABOUT, AND SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT IN YEARS PAST, FOR INSTANCE, THAT THE ACTS IN THE VILLAGE WERE NOT SUFFICIENT TO BRING IN THE TYPE OF REVENUE IF NECESSARY TO MAKE IT WORTH THE ENDEAVOR OF HAVING A CARNIVAL.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TAKE ON THAT PERSONALLY?

DO YOU KNOW ANY BOOTH OWNERS?

AND IF SO, HOW HAVE THEY REACTED TO THE NEW LEADERSHIP UNDER THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS?

>> WE´RE SEEING MUCH, AND THAT COMES WITH EVERYBODY, BUT IT IS A LOT OF MONEY PUTTING OUT, AND NOT HAVE FOLKS COMING IN.

AS WE SAID BEFORE, THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE ENTERTAINMENT WILL DRAW MORE PEOPLE TO THE VILLAGE.

WELL, OKAY, THAT MIGHT BE OUR PLAN.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LOCAL OF ENTERTAINMENT?

>> THANK YOU.

FOR OUR VIEWING AUDIENCE, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE DID REACH OUT TO THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS TO HAVE THEM ON THE SHOW AND UNFORTUNATELY A REPRESENTATIVE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE PARTICULAR AND WE HAVE AN OPEN INVITATION TO ANY MEMBER TO ISSUES.

SO JUST TO WRAP THINGS UP, I´M GOING TO START WITH YOU, DARISSE, IF YOU HAD RECOMMENDATIONS, OR YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS, WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD YOU MAKE SPECIFICALLY TO HELP TO IMPROVE THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE?

>> WELL, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A LIST, AND WE NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION, LIKE WE ARE HAVING A DISCUSSION, AND WE HAVE YET TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS, AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT, AND HAVE AN HONEST DISCUSSION.

THERE IS NO PROCESS WITH THAT.

THERE IS NO PROCESS WITH THE FESTIVAL.

>> DANA, SAME QUESTION.

IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A DISCUSSION, WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD YOU MAKE TO IMPROVE THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE.

>> BASICALLY ECHO WHAT DARISSE SAID.

LISTEN TO US.

NOT JUST HAVE A QUESTION AND JUST MOVE ON.

REALLY SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FROM WHAT IS TAKEN FROM THE DISCUSSION.

AND I KNOW IT TAKES MORE THAN THAT, BUT AT LEAST WE´LL ALSO GET HEARD, AND NOT JUST IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER.

>> AND ARE AND FINALLY, THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU WOULD MAKE TO IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE FOR LOCAL ARTISTS LIKE YOURSELF.

>> TOURISM.

TOURISM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, YOU´VE HEARD IT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

AND JOINING US AND OFFERING YOUR OPINIONS.

UP NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM THIS WEEK´S POWER PANEL WITH THE ISSUES THAT WE´RE ABOUT TO DISCUSS.

>>> THE JUDGE RECENTLY DISMISSED TWO DEFENSE MOTIONS FOR THE PAYNE LAW SUFT AGAINST DONNA FRED GREGORY CLEARING THE WAY AS SCHEDULED.

THE FIRST MOTION FILED ON NOVEMBER 22nd, QUESTIONED THE JUDGE´S AUTHORITY DUE TO A GAP IN HER APPOINTMENT.

ALTHOUGH JUDGE GUM CARTY´S OFFICIAL ENDED IN 2022 SHE BECAME SITTING JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT IN MAY OF 2023.

THE DEFENSE SOUGHT CLARIFICATION ON THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS INTERIM PERIOD AND ITS IMPACT ON THE JUDGE´S AUTHORITY.

THEY ALSO FILED A SECOND MOTION REQUESTING A 10-DAY SUSPENSION OF PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING THE JUDGE´S RESPONSE.

BOTH MOTIONS WERE FIRMLY REJECTED, BY JUDGE GUMP CARTY WHO CRITICIZED THE DEFENSE STRATEGY AS FRIVOLOUS DEFENSE TO DISRUPT PROCEEDINGS AND WARNED THAT FURTHER SITUATIONS COULD LEAD TO A SHOW CAUSE PROCEEDINGS AND BENCH SANCTIONS.

THE 34th LEGISLATION VIOLATED ITS RULES BY EXPELLING PAYNE OVER SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS.

PAYNE CONTENDS LAWMAKERS CAN DISCIPLINE BUT NOT EXPEL.

ARGUING THAT IT IS VOTERS WERE DISENFRANCHISED BY THE EXPULSION.

>>> TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY IS SHIFTING THE CUSTOMER SERVICES OPERATIONS FROM SAINT THOMAS IN ST. CROIX TO GUYANA, A MOVE THAT COULD LEAD TO THE LAYOFF OF SEVERAL LOCAL WORKERS THIS.

DECISION HAS SPARKED OUTRAGE OVER THE UNITED STEELWORKERS UNION WHICH REPRESENTS THE EMPLOYEE NOTICE TERRITORY.

THE UNION CLAIMED THAT VAYA´S DECISION TO MOVE THE JOB IS A VIOLATION OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, WHICH IS SET TO EXPIRE IN SEPTEMBER 2024.

IN A LETTER TO THE UNION, VAYA OFFERED A VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE TORE EMPLOYEES, THE PACKAGE, TEN WEEKS OF SEVERANCE PAY, COBRA BENEFITS FOR THREE MONTHS AND DISCOUNTED VAIA SERVICES FOR THREE MONTHS.

ADDITIONALLY EMPLOYEES WHO DECLINE THE OFFER WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BUMP THEIR MEMBERS ACCORDING TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT PROCEDURES.

DANIEL FLIPPO, DISTRICT NINE STEELWORKERS UNION, SAYS THE WORKERS LEFT WILL BE REQUIRED TO LEARN NEW SKILLS.

>> LET´S SAY YOU´RE A TEST FOR SERVICE PERSON, THEY WANT YOU QUALIFIED AS A SERVICE TECHNICIAN, SO THAT IF A LINE GOES DOWN, OR THEY NEED YOU TO CLIMB A POLE, OR TO STRETCH A LINE, THEN THEY CAN INSTRUCT YOU TO DO THAT, WHICH IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF OUR CONTRACT, BUT FRANKLY, IT´S NOT SAFE, AND NOT THE BEST WAY TO RUN A BUSINESS.

>> STEELWORKERS STAFF REPRESENTATIVE GIRARD JACKMAN SAYS.

THE UNION WILL BE EXPLORING ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS TO FIGHT VAIA´S DECISION.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR YEARS, AND WE HAVE A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THEM, AND EVERY YEAR, IT IS TIME TO LOOK AT STRATEGIES ON HOW TO DIVERT THAT, AND WE ARE TAKING EVERY STEP POSITIVE TO BASICALLY FIGHT THEM ON THIS ISSUE, WE HAVE SPOKEN TO OFFICIALS, WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BASICALLY, AND WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, AND I THINK SINCE ATM TOOK OVER, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THEM AND WE WILL TAKE EVERY COURSE OF ACTION THAT WE CAN TAKE IN THIS PROCESS.

RIGHT NOW, WITHIN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE HAD A GROUP OF 116 MEMBERS AND WE´RE DOWN TO 98 MEMBERS AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, THEY HAVE BASICALLY SENT A LETTER OFFERING THE EMPLOYEES, WITH THE VOLUNTARY SEPARATION FROM THE COMPANY, BASICALLY BY DIVERTING THOSE JOBS BASICALLY TO GUY ANA, OR ANY RESOURCES THAT IT CAN.

IN THE PAST, WHEN WE HAD DIVERTED SOME OF OUR JOBS, BASICALLY TO OHIO, AND AT ONE POINT, I THINK THEY HAD ALSO TO COLORADO.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME THEY HAVE THIS VOLUNTARY SEPARATION, THEY HAVE BEEN STILL CONTINUING TO HIRE, BUT THEY ARE HIRING PEOPLE IN MOSTLY LIKE TRANSPORTATION AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> SAINT THOMAS WATER HAULERS WHO PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN CONTAINING FIRES AT THE LANDFILL IN JULY AND SEPTEMBER ARE STILL AWAITING PAYMENT FOR THEIR SERVICES.

THE FIRST FIRE IGNITED BY SCRAP METAL IN JULY REQUIRED RAPID INTERVENTION FROM WATER HAULERS TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL.

THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A MORE EXTENSIVE BLAZE IN SEPTEMBERER THAT BURNED FOR WEEKS BEFORE IT WAS FINALLY EXTINGUISHED.

THROUGHOUT BOTH INCIDENTS, WATER HAULERS DELIVERED CRUCIAL WATER SUPPLIES, PROVING TO BE A VITAL ASSET IN COMBATTING THE FLAMES.

ONE OF THE COMPANIES INVOLVED SPOKE TO WTJK´S RADIO NEWS FEE EXPRESSING CONCERNS IN THE DELAY IN PAYMENT OF THE COMPANY´S MANAGER HIGHLIGHTED THE FINANCIAL BURDEN THIS SITUATION HAS PLACED ON THE COMPANY´S OPERATION AND EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF SWIFT COMPENSATION FOR VITAL SERVICES RENDERED DURING EMERGENCIES.

>> I´VE USED MY VOICE AND I´M JUST WAITING, AND WAITING UNTIL IT IS FINISHED, WHERE THEY PAY FOR MY JULY WORK, AND I HAVE TO WAIT, WITH MY WORKERS, I HAVE THE ORDER AND I HAVE MISSING PAYMENTS.

WITH THE EMERGENCY, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE WATER HAULERS.

BECAUSE WITH THESE SAME PEOPLE, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED THEM AND YOU´RE EFFECTIVELY NOT TAKING CARE OF THEM AND PAYING THEM TIMELY, AND IT IS A PROBLEM.

AND THEY DON´T FEEL OBLIGATED TO COME ANOTHER TIME.

SO WE TRY TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

>> JOINING OUR PANEL FOR THIS EPISODE, WE HAVE ALPHONSE STALLIARD, INCORPORATOR OF THE CARNIVAL COMMITTEE AND 38-YEAR MEMBER OF THE CRUCEN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL.

.

PROMINENT LOCAL ATTORNEY KYE WALKER, OWNER OF THE WALKER LEGAL GROUP.

AND FORMER SENATOR NEVILLE JAMES, HOST OF OUR VERY OWN RADIO TALK SHOW IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WELCOME TO YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FROM OUR STUDIO ON ST. CROIX.

I´M GOING TO COME TO YOU FIRST, MR. STALLIARD, HAVING HEARD THE CONVERSATION JUST NOW AMONGST OUR GUESTS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE CRUCEN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE HAVING SERVED SO LONG ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CARNIVAL COMMITTEE AND ON THE CRUCEN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE?

>> NUMBER ONE, AS THEY WERE SAYING, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WITHOUT BEING PAID APPROPRIATELY.

AND LOOKING AT THOSE OUTSIDE, GIVING THEM LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO PAY IN THE PRIVILEGES, AND WHEN THEY PLAY FOR FREE, AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THE COSTUMES, AND THE PEOPLE PUTTING ON VERY LITTLE CLOTHES ON AND EXPOSING THEMSELVES.

AND YOU HAVE THE WHOLE QUALITY OF A CARNIVAL.

>> SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU JUST BRIEFLY, AND I´M GOING TO JUMP TO NEVILLE JAMES.

NEVILLE, LET ME ASK YOU, I´M SURE THIS ISSUE HAS COME UP ON YOUR SCREEN, AND SOME SAY THEY LIKE THE EQUALITY, THEY LIKE THE DIVERSITY OF THE ARTIST, THEY LIKE THE DIVERSITY OF THE ARTISTS BEING BROUGHT IN, BUT TO THE ARGUMENT THAT IS BEING MADE, THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF IT, AND THE FESTIVAL´S ABILITY TO GENERATE FUNDS, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO TWEAK TO FIND THIS HAPPY MEDIUM THAT WE OBVIOUSLY HAVEN´T ACHIEVED YET?

>> FOR ME PERSONALLY, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN AN APPROPRIATING BODY, MAKING MONEYS AVAILABLE FOR FESTIVAL, SOMEONE WHO APPRECIATES THE VILLAGE.

THE VILLAGE, EVERYBODY HAS SOMETHING ABOUT CARNIVAL THAT THEY LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE VILLAGE.

AND THE BIG ISSUE THAT WE´RE HEARING IS THAT THEY ARE BRINGING BACK ARTISTS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE TERRITORY WAY TOO OFTEN.

AND THAT IS CREATING A PROBLEM.

THE LOCAL ENTERTAINER, PERFORMERS BELIEVE THEY´RE BEING SHAFTED, DISMISSED AND THAT´S UNFORTUNATE.

I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO START EARLIER AND GETTING ALL OF THE ENTITIES TOGETHER.

AND OF COURSE WE HAVE THREE FESTIVALS IN THE VIRGIN ISLAND, WE HAVE THE SAINT THOMAS CARNIVAL WHICH IS LATE APRIL, EARLY MAY, WE HAVE THE ST. JOHN´S CELEBRATION, WHICH IS ALONG THE FOURTH OF JULY OF JULY, AND THEN OURS, OUR FESTIVAL HERE ON ST. CROIX, IS SOMEWHAT PROTRACTED.

WE ACTUALLY HAD A PROBLEM THIS YEAR, LESLEY, WHERE THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS HAD NOTED A DECISION TO TRUNCATE HOW LONG THE VILLAGE WAS GOING TO BE OPEN FOR.

THEY ACQUIESCE TO THE PUBLIC FEEDBACK AND THEY EXTENDED IT SOME DAYS.

WEE WE NEED A COMPLETE RESET.

AFTER THIS YEAR, EVERYBODY CAN COME TOGETHER, SIT DOWN, LOOK AT ALL OF THE FESTIVALS, LOOK AT HOW WE CAN MAP ALL OF THE FESTIVALS.

OUR SITUATION IS A LITTLE BIT MORE UNIQUE BECAUSE IT IS LONGER, NUMBER ONE.

AND THEN NUMBER TWO, RIGHT, IT COMES DURING A TIME, DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MONEY TO TRAVEL TO COME HOME.

SO WE NEED TO FACTOR THAT IN AS WELL.

BUT TO TWEAK IT, DON´T THINK WE NEED A TWEAK, I THINK WE NEED A WHOLE RESET, TO INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE BODY, THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT, TOURISM, PUBLIC WORKS, WHAT HAVE YOU, AND THEN YOU KNOW, GO FROM THERE.

BUT I THINK WE NEED A WHOLE NEW RESET.

WAY TOO MUCH FINGER POINTING AT THIS POINT.

>> KYE, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.

MOST PEOPLE I THINK WOULD ARGUE THAT THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT NOW COMES FROM THE DIVISION OF FESTIVALS WAS A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN THE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE IN PLACE AT THE TIME, AND I THINK THAT THE DECISION TO MOVE TO THE DIVISION BASICALLY COME FROM THE FACT THAT THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY IN HOW DOLLARS WERE SPENT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MOVE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PRODUCT THAT IS BEING PRODUCED RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FESTIVAL AND THE CARNIVAL, ALL THREE OF THEM ARE BEING AT LEAST PARTIALLY FUNDED, OR PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS, THERE SHOULD BE SOME LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

YOU KNOW, ON ONE HAND, YOU HAVE SOME PEOPLE SAYING THAT IT HAS DETERIORATED THE QUALITY OF THE OTHERS THINK IT HAS IMPROVED AND I THINK ULTIMATELY WHAT HAPPENS IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH ANYTHING.

YOU CAN´T PLEASE EVERYONE.

AND PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS.

WHAT IS GOING TO APPLY TO ONE PERSON IS DESCRIBED AS EMPOWERING TO ANOTHER.

SO THIS IS JUST A VERY PERSONAL ISSUE IT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND SOME PEOPLE ARE HAPPY AND SOME ARE NOT, WITH THE DIRECTION THAT IS, YOU KNOW, THAT IS BEING TAKEN.

>> NEVILLE, I´M GOING TO COME BACK TO YOU.

RECENTLY, JUDGE CARDY REJECTED THE DEFENSE´S MOTION IN THE STEVEN PAYNE VERSUS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE, AND ALSO, A WORD OF VERY STERN WARNING FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE, AT LEAST THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THEM, IN TERMS OF QUESTIONING HER ABILITY TO COME BACK TO THE BENCH TO PRESIDE OVER THIS CASE.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THAT LEGISLATOR MEMBER, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE, WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE LEGISLATURE´S ABILITY, EXCUSE ME, TO REMOVE ONE OF THEIR MEMBERS?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, BEFORE I TALK ABOUT THAT, I WANT TO DOVE-TAIL ON SOMETHING MS. WALKER SAID.

I BELIEVE THE LEGISLATURE IS TOO INVOLVED WITH FESTIVALS.

I KNOW THEY´RE THE APPROPRIATING BODY.

AND THERE´S A LIKELIHOOD THAT IT HAS GOTTEN TOO POLITICAL.

SO MAYBE WE NEED TO BACK OFF A LITTLE BIT.

AS WE LOOK AT THIS SEASON BEING AN ISSUE.

I SPOKE ABOUT THIS IN MY FIRST APPEARANCE HERE ON "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" AND I AM DO YOU MEAN FOUNDED, TO BE VERY HONEST, VERY -- DUMB FOUND, TO BE VERY HONEST, VERY FRANK HERE WITH THE AUDIENCE, MS. COMMISSIONG, THE NOTION THAT THE LEGISLATURE SUPPOSEDLY DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO REMIT ONE OF THEIR OWN MEMBERS IS A FLAWED MOTION.

WE HAVE PRECEDENT BACK TO 1989, WITH ONE WHO WAS REMOVED.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS GOING TO, SAY, I AM GOING TO SAY ´89, ´90, THE 18th OR 19th LEGISLATURE, THERES ABOUT.

THE LEGISLATURE REMOVED HIM BECAUSE HE HAD REGISTERED TO VOTE IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

THAT´S NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, THE HANSON MATTER, WHEN THE SUPREME COURT IN 2014 VIEWED THAT SHE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TO SEEK OFFICE OR TO BE ON A BALLOT FOR THE 31st LEGISLATURE, THE SUPREME COURT RULED THERE AGAIN, IF IN FACT SHE WAS GUILTY, AND COULD NOT RUN OR SEEK OFFICE IN THE 31st, THE SUPREME COURT MADE IT CLEAR, THAT MEANS SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE SERVED IN THE 29th AND THE 30th.

AND THEN IN THE 32nd LEGISLATURE, THE BATTLE OF RODRIGUEZ, WHEN HE HAD A LEGAL ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO FILING BANKRUPTCY IN TENNESSEE, AND THE LEGISLATURE HAD THE ABILITY TO ADMIT HIM OR DENY HIM.

AND WE HAVE, I BELIEVE IN JUNE OF 2017, RIGHT?

SO THE COURT IN MY ESTIMATION MIGHT HAVE MADE A MISTAKE.

THAT´S MY TAKE.

AND I BELIEVE THERE´S ARGUMENT BASED ON PRECEDENT THAT JUDGE CARDIN MADE A MISTAKE AND I BELIEVE HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS BEHIND US.

>> SOUNDING LIKE AN ATTORNEY, NEVILLE JAMES AND WE WILL GO TO THE ATTORNEY ON THE PANEL KYE WALKER.

KYE, THERE ARE TWO ARGUMENTS BEING MADE HERE.

ONE, THE LEGISLATURE´S AUTHORITY TO REMOVE A MEMBER, AND SERVED AS CONSULATE, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE, YOU ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO ANSWER THIS.

AND THEN THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE OF THE JUDGE´S ABILITY TO COME BACK AFTER HER TERM HAS EXPIRED TO RULE OVER THIS CASE.

HAVE YOU TAKEN A LOOK AT BOTH LEGAL ISSUES, AND FROM YOUR EXPERT OPINION, WHAT DO YOU THINK ON BOTH?

>> I HAVE.

I HAVE LOOKED AT IT.

AND I WILL SAY THIS.

AND THANK YOU, SENATOR JAMES FOR ARGUING THIS CASE, AND I LOOKED AT THE LEGISLATURE IN THIS CASE AND THE LEGISLATURE WAS SUCCESSFUL, AND THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT THERE MIGHT BE A QUESTION ABOUT THE JUDGE´S AUTHORITY TO HAVE ISSUED SOME OF THE ORDERS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.

I THINK WHAT HAPPENED HERE IS, READING THE PAPERS THAT WERE FILED BY THE LEGISLATURE´S COUNSEL, IF YOU ARE GOING TO QUESTION A BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, THE AUTHORITY OF ANOTHER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, YOU GOT TO COME CORRECT, YOU´VE GOT TO FIGHT SOME CASES, YOU GOT TO BE STABLE IN YOUR ANALYSIS, AND ALSO AN ANALYSIS THAT REALLY SUPPORTED THE POINT THAT THE ATTORNEY WAS TRYING TO MAKE.

ON TOP OF THAT, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE AUTHORITY, HER AUTHORITY TO ISSUE ORDERS HAS BEEN RAISED, I THINK THAT´S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN, AND I THINK WHAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE IS TO EITHER EXPLAIN WHAT THE AUTHORITY WAS, MAYBE THERE WAS LAST-MINUTE TIMING AS TO WHAT SHE WAS MADE TO -- BUT ALSO THE ORDERS CAN BE VACATE AND REISSUED, SINCE SHE HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS A SITTING STATUS.

SO I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A VALID ISSUE.

I THINK COMPLETELY DISMISSING IT AND THREATENING SANCTIONS MAY NOT BE THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO HANDLE IT.

AFTER YOU LOOK AT THE ISSUES, SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CAN REST ASSURED THAT WHATEVER DECISION WAS MADE, WAS MADE WITH THE PROPER AUTHORITY.

SO I THINK THERE IS A LEGITIMATE ISSUE THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE APPROPRIATE WAY.

>> MR. STALLIARD, IN LOCAL NEWS, VAYA HAS DECIDED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE MOVING THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION TO, OR SOME OF THE JOBS, RATHER, REGARDING CUSTOMER SERVICE, TO GUYANA, AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, THAT´S A MAJOR BLOW, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNITED WORKERS.

THEY´RE BEING OFFERED SEVERANCE PAY.

THEY´RE BEING OFFERED THREE MONTHS OF DISCOUNTED SERVICE.

AND OF COURSE, COBRA COVERAGE.

BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT A MOVE LIKE THAT FOR SUCH A LARGE COMPANY, A LARGE EMPLOYER IN THE TERRITORY?

>> YOU KNOW, LESLEY, I THINK IT IS A TERRIBLE MOVE, BECAUSE TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS WITH THIS GOVERNMENT, IT IS WHERE AT&T SOLD THE COMPANY TO LIBERTY.

FROM WHAT I AM UNDERSTANDING, LIBERTY IS NOW OFFERING GUYANA THE JOBS IN THAT COUNTRY, AM I CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> AND I DON´T SEE WHAT THEY GET BETTER BY VAYA SENDING THEIR COMPANY WORK TO GUYANA, AND I THINK THE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NEED TO STAND UP AND VOICE THEIR OPINION AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS.

BUT YOU SEE WHAT I THINK IS HAPPENING IS THE IDEA THAT GUYANA HAS BECOME A BETTER TAX SHELTER THAN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR THE BUSINESSES.

AND THAT´S MY OPINION.

>> I WANT TO MAKE A QUICK CORRECTION.

IT IS NOT THE ENTIRE COMPANY, IT IS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION.

COMING TO YOU, NEVILLE, WE HEARD FROM THE UNION LEADER JERRY JACKSON, AND THE ACTIONS THAT THEY ARE PLANNING TO TAKE, TO PROTECT THEIR WORKERS, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME, AND THIS IS NOT JUST HERE IN THE TERRITORIES, BECAUSE WE SAW SEVERAL STRIKES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THIS YEAR, WITH VARIOUS UNIONS, UNIONS SEEM TO BE LOSING THEIR GRIP ON POWER AND THEIR ABILITY TO HELP THEIR MEMBERS, AND CORPORATE MOVES LIKE THIS SEEMS LIKE THE EMPLOYEES AND THE UNIONS, THEY ARE KIND OF FINDING THEMSELVES ON THE SHORT END OF THE STICK.

NOW, WE DON´T KNOW ALL OF THE LOGISTICS BEHIND THIS MOVE, OR THE REASONS MIND THIS MOVE.

BUT WHAT RECOURSE DO YOU THINK THE LOCAL UNION ACTUALLY HAS TO HELP SAVE THEIR EMPLOYEES, OTHER THAN SIMPLY RETRAINING THEM?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS PAINFUL, WHEN I HEARD THAT THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU KNOW, LESLEY, AS A HOST, TO ANALYZE THIS, AND HAVING SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE ARE A NUMBERS CRUNCHER, AND THE REASON THEY CALL ME THAT, IS BECAUSE I´M BIG ON DISPOSABLE INCOME HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE NOTION THIS THAT WE´RE GOING TO LOSE JOBS, UNDERMINE OUR TAX BASE, AND THE PUBLIC, A LOT OF PUBLIC IS NOT AWARE OF HOW THE GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS.

WE NEED A SOLID PRIVATE SECTOR WITH FOLKS WORKING AND PAYING TAXES, RIGHT?

AND WE CALL IT INCOME TAXES.

AND BECAUSE OF THIS DISPOSABLE INCOME, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE HOMES, WHICH MEANS MORTGAGES, WHICH MEANS THE BANKS ARE DOING WELL, THEY SPEND MONEY, AS CONSUMERS, AND THIS IS VERY, VERY UNFORTUNATE.

>> FROM A UNION STANDPOINT, LOOK, I BELIEVE, LESLEY, THE REAL ISSUE IS IN THIS WORLD OF EVER-ADVANCING TECHNOLOGICAL GROWTH, RIGHT, THAT IS WHAT IS ON THE MIND OF THE UNIONS BIG TIME.

RIGHT, THE ABILITY FOR FOLKS TO WORK REMOTE, YOU KNOW WHAT I´M SAYING, THE PEOPLE TO COMMUNICATE FROM THEIR, VIA CELL PHONES AND DEVICES IS, REALLY ON THE MINDS OF THE UNION´S STRENGTH BECAUSE UNIONS ARE REALLY ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE, AND MAN AND WOMAN POWER, AND BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGY, AND THE UNIONS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW THEY´RE GOING ABOUT DEALING WITH MATTERS.

NOW, I DO WANT TO SAY UAW, RIGHT, JUST OVERCAME A BIG WORK STOPPAGE, THEY WENT ON STRIKE, IN MICHIGAN, RIGHT, WITH THE BIG THREE, AND THAT WORKED OUT WELL FOR THEM.

WHY?

BECAUSE PEOPLE STILL GOT TO PUT CARS TOGETHER, YOU KNOW WHAT I´M SAYING?

BUT IN A SERVICE INDUSTRY, CELL PHONES, AND TV, AND LAND LINES, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, I HAVE A PROBLEM IF A CHANNEL DOESN´T WORKING, I CAN CALL, AND THEY CAN TELL ME WHAT TO DO ON MY REMOTE AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND THAT´S WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON THERE.

SO THEY NEED TO LOOK AT THAT.

AND THAT´S WHAT WE´RE SEEING AT THIS STAGE.

AND WE´RE SEEING HOW WE CAN MAKE THINGS WORK AND MAKE SURE UNIONS ARE VIABLE.

BECAUSE UNIONS ARE IMPORTANT.

>> AND TO THAT POINT ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, CHANGING THE WORKPLACE, AND WE KNOW THAT THEED ADVENT OF AI, FOR INSTANCE, SO MANY COMPANIES ARE USING AI FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE POSITIONS AND PART OF THIS IS MOVING TO GUYANA, HOW DO YOU THINK LOCAL BUSINESSES CAN BRACE FOR THE WAVE OF CHANGE THAT IS ALREADY UPON US, AND MAKE THEMSELVES MORE COMPETITIVE TO AVOID MOVES LIKE THIS?

>> WELL, WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL EMPLOYEES, YOU´RE GOING TO HAVE TO ANTICIPATE THIS.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE.

BUT AS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, SO DO THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYERS TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT THEY FEEL LIKE ARE BETTER BUSINESS DECISION FORCE THEIR COMPANY.

I SYMPATHIZE WITH ANYONE LOSING THEIR JOB AND A GROUP OF PEOPLE LOSING THEIR JOBS.

BUT AS IT IS AN ANTICIPATION WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE AI TECHNOLOGY, PEOPLE NEED TO START LOOKING AT CAREER CHANGES, OR THE OPPORTUNITIES, AND NOT GET CAUGHT OFFGUARD WHEN THIS TYPE OF ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WE IS -- HAD CALL CENTERS IN INDIA FOREVER.

I DON´T KNOW THE LAST TIME I CALLED AMERICAN AIRLINES THAT I TALKED TO AN AMERICAN.

AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO HAVE A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE CHANGES TO ACCOMMODATE THE CHANGES.

>> THAT´S THE REASON WE HAVE THE PROGRAM, AND WE HAVE THE RT PARK.

WE GIVE OUT EXEMPTIONS FOR THESE COMPANIES THAT ALLOW FOR US TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.

BECAUSE THE COST OF LABOR, IN A LOT OF THESE FOREIGN COUNTRIES PAY IN COMPARISON TO WHAT IS PAID TO WORKERS UNDER THE U.S.

FLAG.

AND THAT´S WHAT PAY MORSE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

THEY MAKE THESE MOVES, AND IF IT HAPPEN, AND IN MANY INSTANCES, PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR TAX BREAKS, THEY´RE LOOKING AT THE BOTTOM LINE, BUT WE HAVE AN ATTRACTIVE AGENCY AND PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS COMPANIES TO BE MORE THAN COMPETITIVE BY STAYING HERE.

WE ALSO HAVE SOMETHING TO OUR ADVANTAGE AS WELL.

WE´RE AMERICAN JURISDICTION AND THEY HAVE PROTECTIONS HERE THAN THEY HAVE IN OTHER PLACES.

THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAFER HERE THAN THEY ARE IN THESE FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

>> AND WE REACHED OUT FOR VAIA TO HEAR THEIR PART OF THE STORY, AND AT THE TIME OF THIS RECORDING WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY.

>>> ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

MR. STALLIARD, THAT WATER HAULERS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PUTTING OUT THE FIRE, JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND BACK IN JULY.

THEY HAVEN´T BEEN PAID.

AND THIS IS A REOCCURRING STORY THAT WE HEARD FROM VENDORS WHO PROVIDE EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL SERVICES TO OUR TERRITORY, HAVING TO GO OUT ON A LIMB, HAVING TO STRETCH THEMSELVES, AND SOMETIMES BEING PLACED IN VERY COMPROMISING SITUATIONS, AND PUTTING THEIR BUSINESSES AT RISK, WITH HAVING TO HELP THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT WITH AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

WHAT´S YOUR TAKE ON THAT?

AND HOW DO YOU THINK WE CAN IMPROVE THE WAY WE DEAL WITH INDIVIDUALS THAT PROVIDE US WITH CRITICAL EMERGENCY SERVICES THAT ARE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR?

>> MY TAKE ON THAT WOULD BE SINCE IT IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION LIMITED TO THAT FIRE, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE LEGISLATION TO APPROPRIATE MORE FUNDS.

AND THEN WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE, TO GO AHEAD AND PAY THESE VENDORS AND PAY THEM IN AN EXPEDITIOUS TIME, BECAUSE WE DON´T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE CALLED UPON AGAIN.

AND WITHOUT THEIR HELP, WE ARE IN TROUBLE, BECAUSE IT WILL TRAUMATIZE THE HELP OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

SO IT IS NEEDING TO BE PAID.

IF YOU DON´T HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDS TO PAY IT, SHOE SEEK LEGISLATION TO APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS AND SEE THAT THEY ARE PAID ON A TIMELY BASIS, AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE PAID.

>> WITH THE INTERVIEW WITH OUR NEWS SERVICE, IT WAS SAID THAT INDEED FUNDS HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATED, AND THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FIRE SERVICES WAS GOING TO TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF THEIR BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER HAULERS WERE PAID.

BUT I´M GOING TO COME TO YOU, NEVILLE.

HAVING BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, THIS IS A REOCCURRING THEME.

WHETHER IT´S WASTE HAULERS.

WATER HAULERS.

I MEAN THIS IS A PERENNIAL ISSUE.

WHAT SOLUTION, IF THERE IS A SOLUTION, SHOULD THERE BE, SO WE EMPLOY WITH THE GOVERNMENT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THESE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, SO WE DON´T PUT THESE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN SUCH A COMPROMISING POSITION?

>> AS SOMEONE, LIKE YOU SAID, WHO HAS NOT ONLY WORKED IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AS A SENATOR, BUT I WAS ALSO DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SO I´M AWARE OF THE REQUISITION PROCESS, AND ONE THING I LEARNED, RIGHT, THAT I WANT TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW, RIGHT, THERE´S SPECIAL FUNDS THAT ARE SET ASIDE, RIGHT, TO ADDRESS EXIGENCY, AND QUARTERLY SITUATION.

AND AN EXIGENCY MATTER.

AND ONCE YOU HAVE A SITUATION OF THIS MATTER, ONCE YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED HOW CRITICAL THIS ISSUE IS, LOOKING AT THAT PARTICULAR AGENCY, YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO IDENTIFY FUNDS SO WE CAN PAY THEM.

BECAUSE MR. STALLIARD IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT AND HE WORKED IN GOVERNMENT FOR A LOT OF YEARS, AND THIS IS ABOUT EXECUTION, AND THIS IS ABOUT EXPERIENCE, KNOWING HOW TO GET THINGS DONE.

TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE A MATTER OF EXIGENCY.

CAN WE MAKE PAYMENTS FROM LOCAL FUNDS?

CAN WE MAKE PAYMENTS FROM FEDERAL FUNDS?

BECAUSE ONCE IT IS DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, MAYBE WE WILL GET PAID FROM FEDERAL FUNDS.

RIGHT?

OR MAYBE WE NEED SPECIAL FUNDS, RIGHT?

THERE´S WAYS TO DEAL WITH THIS.

I´M GLAD I´M SITTING HERE NEXT TO ATTORNEY WALKER, BECAUSE SHE SHOULD HAVE SOME MORE INSIGHT, RIGHT, BEING PART OF THE INTER SANCTIMS OF THE SITUATION.

I WANT TO ACCESS THESE AGENCIES AND MAKE SURE YOUR LEGISLATOR IS PREPARED TO DEAL WITH A MATTER OF EXIGENCY, AND COMMUNICATE, AND NOT ONLY THE LEGISLATURE BUT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN PARTICULAR.

>> I WANTED TO GO TO ATTORNEY WALKER, BECAUSE IN ADDITION TO HAVING THAT EXPERIENCE, SHE IS ALSO THE OWNER OF A LEGAL GROUP, AND A BUSINESS OWNER, A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, SO SHE HAS BEEN IN POSITIONS WHERE I´M SURE THERE´S BEEN EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH MONEY FOR PAYMENT AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVICES IN AN EXIGENT SITUATION, THE QUICKER WE PAY THEM, THE FASTER AND BETTER SERVICE WE WILL GET WITH THEM IN THE FUTURE.

SO WHAT´S YOUR TAKE ON THIS SITUATION, ATTORNEY WALKER?

>> WELL, DESPITE THAT NICE SOUNDOFF BEFORE HANDS, I DON´T HAVE ANY FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE AS TO WHY THERE IS A DELAY IN THE PAYMENT TO THE WATER HAULERS.

BUT I WILL SAY THIS.

I DEAL WITH A LOT OF OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES WHO ARE OWED VENDOR PAYMENTS.

AND WHAT I HEAR FROM THEM IS THEY´RE ALMOST USED TO THIS.

AND IN FACT, WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR, IS LISTEN, WHEN DUE -- YOU DON´T PAY ME, YOU EXPECT ME TO PAY MY FEES AND YOU PAY ME A LATE PENALTY IF I DECIDE TO PAY MY EMPLOYEES INSTEAD OF TAXES.

AND TO THE EXTENT THAT SMALL BUSINESSES ARE OWED SUMS OF MONEY, AND WE´RE TALKING ABOUT A MILLION, A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF YOUR BUSINESS, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF GIVE AND TAKE.

I THINK ANYONE DOING BUSINESS IN THE PRIVATE COMMUNITY WITH THE GOVERNMENT HAS THIS EXPECTATION, AND AS UNREASONABLENESS AS IT IS, THEY EXPECT THIS.

BUT I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF RELIEF THAT´S BROUGHT TO THEM.

AND I DO AGREE WITH FORMER SENATOR JAMES.

WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THAT A BUSINESS DID NOT PLAN FOR, SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS SHOULD BE MADE TO GET THOSE PAYMENTS TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

AND IT´S THE HOLIDAYS.

AND I JUST REALLY, IT REALLY SADDENS ME TO HEAR ABOUT THESE TYPES OF ISSUES WHEN WE´RE COMING UP ON THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> WELL, SPEAKING OF THE HOLIDAYS, PRESIDENT BIDEN´S VISIT TO ST. CROIX HAS ALMOST BECOME LIKE AN EXPECTATION, AND THE SITUATION HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE.

BUSINESSES, WE HAD BUSINESSES ON THE SHOW.

AND ON HERE, "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY," DISCUSSING THE FACT THAT IT HAS AFFECTED THEIR CUSTOMERS´ ABILITY TO GET TO THEM.

AND THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN IN AN UPROAR.

THERE WAS A MEETING THAT TOOK AN UNFORTUNATE TURN, IN TERMS OF GETTING REAL SOLUTIONS, BUT WITH THE MEDIA, AND ALL OF THE OTHER ANCILLARY SUPPORT SERVICES THAT ACCOMPANIES THE PRECEDENT FOR ST. CROIX, IS ST. CROIX REALLY PREPARED TO HOST PRESIDENT BIDEN IF HE AND HIS FAMILY DECIDE TO COME THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON?

LET´S HEAR WHAT RICHARD MORA OF GOVERNMENT HEALTH HAD TO SAY.

>> THERE´S A DISPUTE BETWEEN THE AUTHORITY AND ONE OF THE CONTRACTORS, AND WE´VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CONTRACTOR, AND WASTE MANAGEMENT, TO TRY TO MOVE OVER THE DISPUTE, HELPING TO RESOLVE, IT WE´RE HOPEFUL WE WILL MAKE PROGRESS ON GETTING THOSE ROADS FIXED, IN VERY SHORT ORDER.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY SIGNED THE CONTRACT FOR THE VENDOR TO PAVE THE ROADS, AND SO IT IS JUST UP TO THE CONTRACTOR, THE CURRENT CONTRACTOR, TO FINISH MAKING THOSE LAST-MINUTE THINGS, THAT NEED TO BE DONE, BEFORE THEN THEY CAN START ON THE ROAD PAVING.

>> NOW ONE THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN AN OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION THAT THE PRESIDENT IS VISITING THE TERRITORY, WHAT HAS BEEN EXPECTED LOCALLY, THE COSTS HAVE BEEN THERE, AND LIKE YOU SAID, ON YOUR SHOW, NEVILLE, I´VE SOON THE CONDITION OF THE ROADS, AND HOW DO WE RECTIFY THIS SITUATION?

BECAUSE TO ME, THIS IS A MAKE IT OR BREAK IT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THESE ROADS BETTER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS THAT COULD BE EMPLOYED TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION?

>> LESLEY, YOU MENTIONED MY SHOW, AND THIS IS A BIG TOPIC ON MY SHOW.

HIGHLY-CHARGED POLITICAL TOPIC ON MY SHOW.

HOWEVER, THE GOOD THING ABOUT OUR SHOW, AND I LIKE THIS, A LOT OF MY LISTENERS, A LOT OF OUR LISTENERS, I WOULD SAY OUR LISTENERS, WTJX, THEY THERE ARE SOLUTIONS.

AND TO REPEAT, LESLEY HAS BEEN A PANELIST ON THIS PARTICULAR SHOW, AND BROUGHT IT UP RECENTLY, WHERE HE WAS IN DELAWARE, AND THEY DO A LOT OF WORK, ONE THING ABOUT THE MAINLAND, THEY INVEST AND REINVEST IN THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND IT IS A SUGGESTION THAT IT HAPPENS HERE.

WHEN YOU´RE DEALING WITH ROADS, MAYBE WE NEED TO EMPLOY OR DEPLOY, WHICHEVER WORDS IS APPROPRIATE, IN THIS SITUATION, ON THE ROADS, IF IN FACT THE PRESIDENT WILL COME HERE, BECAUSE I´M SORRY, THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD PERSPECTIVE FOR ANYONE, NOT JUST THE PRESIDENT.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT COMES, THEY TRAVEL WITH A MEDIA GROUP.

AND THEY ASK THEM ABOUT THE JURISDICTION.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE MEDIA TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IT IS STRUGGLING, AND THE PRESIDENT BEING HERE, IN SOME PART OF THE ISLAND, AND THEY WILL NEED TO DISCLOSE.

THAT AND WE GOT TO BE CAREFUL.

I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THIS, THOUGH THIS.

APPLIES TO EVERY AREA THROUGHOUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WHETHER IT IS ANY AREA, PLANNING IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

AND EXECUTION.

I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

SOMETIMES I DON´T EVEN KNOW THAT THE CONTRACTORS ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.

I DON´T LIKE TO POINT FINGERS AT THEM, BUT SOME OF THEM WITH THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE, THAT IS NOT HOW IT USED TO BE BACK IN THE DAY.

>> LET ME ASK YOU A QUICK QUESTION.

DO YOU THINK WITH THE ROADS AND THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY ARE RIGHT NOW, WOULD YOU THINK THE PRESIDENT WOULD QUESTION WHAT EXACTLY IS HAPPENING WITH ALL OF THE FEDERAL DOLLARS WE´RE SENDING TO THIS TERRITORY WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS CONDITION, IF HE SEES THE CONDITION, IN THE STATE THAT HE IS IN NOW.

>> I THINK HE WHO WALKS THROUGH TOWN AND GO TO THE RESTAURANTS WOULD HAVE TO QUESTION IT.

IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

I CAN EXPLAIN AWAY A LOT OF THINGS BUT THE ROADS, AS WAS SAID, IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN EXPLAIN AWAY.

IT SHOULD NEVER COME TO THIS AND IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO LAST AS LONG AS IT HAS.

I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE EMBARRASSMENT TO US.

A HUGE ISSUE FOR ANYONE, MUCH LESS THE PRESIDENT, TO COME AND SEE THE ROADS IN THE CONDITION THEY ARE.

I´M EMBARRASSED.

AND I DON´T LIKE COMING INTO TOWN ANYMORE, BECAUSE OF HOW TERRIBLE THE ROADS.

ARE AND I REALLY HOPE THAT IT GETS FIXED.

VERY SOON.

>> ALPHONSE, I KNOW YOU HAVE SAID, AND REALLY AND TRULY VIRGIN ISLANDS, I DON´T KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT THE BIG ISLAND, BUT SPECIFICALLY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THIS SITUATION SO THAT WE DON´T COME TO THIS SITUATION IN THIS POSITION AGAIN?

>> THEY NEED TO DO THE WORK.

THEY NEED TO FIX THE ROADS IN SAINT CROY.

SOME OF THE ROADS, YOU WILL FIND, THEY HAVE SO MANY BUMPS, IT IS DESPICABLE, FOR PEOPLE TO SAY THAT THEY ARE DRIVING THEIR CARS ON THESE ROADS.

I DON´T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM.

SOMEBODY IS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAILS.

FROM LAST YEAR, WE´VE BEEN TRYING TO FIX THE HIGHWAY GOING INTO FREDERICKSTON.

AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW, AS OF THIS DATE, IT IS NOT FIXED.

WE NEED TO HAVE EXECUTION.

>> I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PANEL.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING YOU.

THAT´S ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

JOIN US NEXT SUNDAY AT 1:00 P.M., FOR ANOTHER EPISODE OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY."

AND THE SHOW REPEATS AT 7:00 P.M. FOR YOUR WEEKDAY UPDATES, MAKE SURE AT 5:00 P.M., YOU TUNE IN TO 93.1 FOR OUR 5:00 NEWS PROGRAM.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY.

FOR ALL OF US AT WTJX, THANKS FOR TUNING IN.