>> ON THIS EPISODE OF COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

TRAINING SESSIONS JUST WRAPPED UP ON HOW TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

ELECTION OFFICIALS ARE HERE TO SHED LIGHT ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONVENTION AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE TERRITORY.

>>> ROYAL CARIBBEAN ICON OF THE SEAS ARRIVED TO FANFARE ON ST. THOMAS.

SOME RETAILERS SAW LITTLE BUSINESS FROM CRUISE PASSENGERS.

>>> DURING A TENSE EXCHANGE, POLICE COMMISSIONER RAY MARTINEZ INITIALLY REFUSED TO COMPLY.

WE´LL BREAK DOWN THE STORY BEHIND THIS SHOWDOWN AND LATER, THIS WEEK´S POWER PANEL JOINS THE CONVERSATION TO ANALYZE THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

NOW.

WELCOME TO COMES WITH THE TIRE.

WITH THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION LOOMING, INITIATIVES ARE ON THE WAY TO MAKE SURE CITIZENS HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO GET INVOLVED.

THE ELECTION SYSTEM OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CONDUCTED TRAININGS ON ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN COMPLETING NOMINATION PAPERS FOR THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTION THIS IS.

>> THE TRAINING COVERED CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS, NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR SUBMITTING NOMINATION PAPERS AND OTHER IMPORTANT ELECTION DETAILS.

LEGISLATION LAST YEAR TO ESTABLISH AND FINANCE THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS CONVENTION WILL DECIDE ON ADAPTING A NEW CONSTITUTION USING THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL DRAFT OR INCORPORATING THE REVISED ORGANIC ACT INTO THE TERRITORY´S CONSTITUTION.

IN THIS YEAR´S GENERAL ELECTION, DELEGATES FOR THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION WILL BE ELECTED.

THE CONVENTION IS SCHEDULED TO CONVENE IN JANUARY 2025 AND PRODUCE A PROPOSED CONSTITUTION BY OCTOBER OF 2025.

THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION WILL THEN UNDERGO A BINDING REFERENDUM IN NOVEMBER OF 2026.

IF APPROVED BY VOTERS, IT WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 31, 2027.

WE´RE PRIVILEGED TODAY TO HAVE TWO INSIGHTFUL GUESTS JOIN US TO DISCUSS THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

JOINING OUR SHOW FROM THE ST. CROIX IS TERRELL ALEXANDER.

DEPUTY SUPERVISOR FOR THE ELECTION SYSTEM OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, GENTLEMEN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FIRST OF ALL, OFFICIAL, FOR THE RECORD, THREE TERM SENATOR FROM THE DISTRICT AND YOU SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE MOST RECENT CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION THAT LASTED FROM ELECTION IN 2007 UP UNTIL 2010.

>> CORRECT.

>> NOW, LET´S DO SOME HISTORY.

WHEN YOU WERE ON THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 30 MEMBERS.

>> CORRECT.

>> WE DID OUR HOMEWORK.

THE FIRST TWO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS, 1964 TO 1965 AND THEN 1971, THERE WERE 33 MEMBERS TO INCLUDE ALL 15 SENATORS.

THEN IN 1977 WE HAD 60 MEMBERS.

THAT´S THE HIGH POINT NUMBER.

IN 1980, 30 MEMBERS.

AND THEN MOST RECENTLY THE FIFTH WITH 30.

THE NEW LAW CALLS FOR 15 MEMBERS LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION.

IS THAT A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

THEY SHOULD HAVE LESS RATHER THAN MORE.

THE 30 MEMBERS IN MY EXPERIENCE ON THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, PROVED TO ME THAT HUGE BODY WASN´T COHESIVE ENOUGH TO GET RESULTS.

>> SO MORE MEMBERS INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR?

>> CORRECT.

>> BEFORE I GO TO MR. ALEXANDER, I WANT TO ASK FOR YOUR PERSONAL OPINION.

WHY DO YOU THINK WE HAVE FAILED IN FIVE ATTEMPTS TO ACTUALLY ADOPT A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> BECAUSE WE HAD HEADSTRONG PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THERE´S SOMETHING CALLED VIRGIN ISLAND NATIVE RIGHTS.

LEGITIMATE POINT, WITH ALL OF THAT CAPACITY WE´VE HAD, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NAMES WHO HAVE SERVED AT CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, IT´S A VIRTUAL WHO´S WHO.

WE REALLY HAVE NO EXCUSE AS IT RELATES TO INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY.

PERSONALITIES, THAT´S A DYNAMIC AND HARD TO ACTUALLY CONTAIN.

>> I WAS SURPRISED BY THE, I SHOULD SAY HOW MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WERE WITH THE NATIVE VIRGIN ISLAND.

>> NATIVE VERSUS NATURALIZED?

>> NATIVE VIRGIN ISLAND RIGHTS.

HAVING RIGHT SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES.

A DOUBT THE MAIN MASKING AGENT ON ADOPTING IT?

>> AT LEAST THE LAST TWO.

>> WOW.

THAT´S AWESOME.

JOINING US FROM ST. CROIX DEPUTY SUPERVISOR.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

WELCOME TO COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

IF YOU WILL, PLEASE SPEAK TO THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT THAT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL VIRGIN ISLANDERS TO PLAY A ROLE IN THIS PROCESS OF HOPEFULLY ADOPTING A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> WE STARTED IN 2023 ELECTION CYCLE AND WE DECIDED TO FIRST EDUCATE CANDIDATES FOR THE DELEGATED CONSTITUTION.

THE DELEGATES FOR THE CONSTITUTION.

WE HAD ONE ON FEBRUARY 6th AND FEBRUARY 8th.

THOSE WERE ATTENDED BY POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AND TRYING WHAT THEY NEED TO RUN AND BE A POTENTIAL DELEGATE TO THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

YOU CAN ALWAYS REACH OUT TO THE OFFICE TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.

IN THE COMING WEEKS, WE´LL BE LAUNCHING ADDITIONAL TRAINERS GEARED TO VOTERS TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE CONVENTION.

THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT DOES NOT KNOW THERE´S A SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

>> NOW LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION.

THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT THAT THE ELECTION SYSTEM HAS INCORPORATED IN ITS ELECTION CYCLE TO CYCLE PROCESS, THIS IS NOT LIMITED TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

THIS IS BUILT IN WITH THE ELECTION SYSTEM AS IT RELATES TO ELECTIONS?

>> CORRECT.

WE OFFER ADDITIONAL TRAINING.

THE NEXT ONE IS FOR CANDIDATES WHO WILL BE RUNNING FOR THE DELEGATE OF CONGRESS.

THE SENATOR AT LARGE.

SENATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND BOARD OF ELECTION.

THOSE TRAININGS ARE SCHEDULED IN MARCH.

WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL TRAINING SCHEDULED IN APRIL FOR THE CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE.

ANYONE CAN ATTEND IF THERE´S AN INTEREST OR BE A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE.

IT´S FREE TO ATTEND.

IT´S NO COST.

>> BASED ON WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT NOW, DO YOU THINK THERE´S ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE AMENDED GIVEN WHAT THE 33rd OR 34th LEGISLATURE ADOPTED IN ATTEMPTING FOR US TO GET TO THE PROCESS OF A SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?

BASED ON WHAT YOU´VE SEEN SO FAR?

>> YES.

THERE WERE NUMEROUS THINGS THAT HAD TO BE DONE, WHICH CREATED THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

A MAJORITY OF THEM WERE DONE BY THE 35th LEGISLATURE.

THERE ARE STILL AT LEAST THREE ITEMS THAT ARE OUTSTANDING.

CURRENTLY, THERE IS A SECTION THREE WHERE IT LISTS THAT THERE´S 15 DELEGATES TO THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

WE UNDERSTAND ALL THE INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO RUN.

BUT WHAT WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND IS HOW THE INDIVIDUALS FROM ST. JOHN IS GOING TO RUN.

TYPICALLY THE PERSON WHO RUNS FROM ST. JOHN THEY WOULD RUN AS AN AT LARGE CANDIDATE.

THE OTHER ISSUE WAS IT REMOVED THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES AT LARGE CANDIDATES WERE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN.

WE WERE RECENTLY CONTACTED BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT OFFICE AND WORKING TOGETHER TO GET AN AMENDMENT PASSED.

THE GOAL IS TO HAVE IT PASSED AT THE END OF MARCH SESSION.

>> NOW, BASED ON WHAT MR. ALEXANDER SAID AND YOU HAVE SERVED AS A BOARD OF ELECTION MEMBER FOR HOW MANY YEARS?

>> 20.

>> YOU´VE ALSO SERVED AS A LAWYER.

DO THEY HAVE AN UNDERLYING QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED BASED ON WHAT MR. ALEXANDER SAID?

AS IT RELATES TO REPRESENTATION?

>> FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, I WOULDN´T FIND THAT TO BE AN ISSUE.

HOWEVER, TECHNICALLY, AS THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE TERRITORIES, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AT LARGE AND SAYING ST. JOHN RESIDENT HAS TO BE AT LARGE.

>> THE CONDITION FOR BEING AN AT LARGE IS YOU MUST LIVE IN ST. JOHN BUT GET VOTES TERRITORY WIDE.

>> THEN YOU HAVE THAT PROBLEM WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE.

>> SO IN THIS CASE, BASED ON WHAT MR. ALEXANDER IS SAYING IS THEY NEED MORE CLARITY.

>> YES.

>> WE NEED TO DETERMINE IF THOSE WHO VOTE IN ST. JOHN ARE GOING TO BE VOTING FOR THE ST. NOT THEY´LL PART OF THE ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN DISTRICT, WHICH THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.

>> CORRECT.

THAT QUESTION CONTINUES TO COME UP WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

IS IT PROPER TO HAVE A SET ASIDE FOR THE ISLAND OF ST. JOHN BASED ON THE ONE MAN, ONE VOTE RULE?

>> ONE MAN, ONE VOTE.

IN REALITY, THE REASON WHY WE BRING THAT AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT AWARE, THE DIFFERENCE IN RESIDENCE IN ST. JOHN AS OPPOSED TO ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX IS SIGNIFICANT.

LIKE 10%.

LIKE 4,000 AS OPPOSED TO 40,000 IN ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX.

THAT´S WHY THE ONE MAN AND ONE VOTE PRINCIPLE HAS TO APPLY.

IF, IN FACT, WE WERE TO ALLOW THE VOTE TO GO BASED ON POPULATION ONLY, THEN IT WOULD BE OVERREPRESENTED.

>> I ASKED A QUESTION WITH RESPECT TO ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAD WHILE YOU WERE SERVING AS A SENATOR BETWEEN 1991 AND 1997.

YOU BROUGHT UP THE FOCUS WASN´T SO MUCH A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BUT ABOUT STATUS.

WE HAD A VOTE IN OCTOBER OF 1993, AND THAT FAILED BECAUSE OF REPRESENTATION.

WE NEEDED A 50% PLUS ONE OF REGISTERED VOTERS.

RIGHT?

>> JUST TO TURN OUT.

>> JUST TO TURN OUT.

HAVE WE GRADUATED PAST THAT OR IS THAT STILL A DISCUSSION OF ITEM OF HIGH PROFILE AND HIGH PRIOR TO AT THIS JUNKTURE?

>> I´M SURE YOU´RE GOING TO HEAR A VOCAL MINORITY TALKING ABOUT STATUS AGAIN.

AND WE STILL HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THE UNITED NATIONS CONSIDERS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO BE A COLONY OF THE UNITED STATES.

A COLONY THAT REALLY HAS NO OR HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO DEFINE THE STATUS.

SELF-DETERMINATION STATUS.

>> THAT´S A LEGITIMATE QUESTION, DON´T YOU THINK?

AT LEAST FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE DISCUSSION.

>> IT IS A LEGITIMATE THOUGHT GIVEN THE SITUATION IN TERMS OF WHAT THE DEPENDENCY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

IN TERMS OF FEDERAL AID.

AFTER DISASTERS.

REALLY HAS CREATED A SITUATION WHERE IN MOST PEOPLE DON´T HAVE UNDERSTANDING OF NOT BEING, OF BEING A FREE ASSOCIATED ENTITY AND OTHER THAN THAN BEING AN ENTITY THAT GETS FUNDING AND THE NECESSARY AID FROM THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

>> MR. ALEXANDER, YOU CONDUCTED TRAININGS FOR THOSE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES SEEKING TO BE MEMBERS OF THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

YOU MAKING AVAILABLE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT LARGE FOR THEM TO GET MORE EDUCATED AS TO WHY THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HAPPENING, THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ULTIMATELY ENDED UP WITH A DOCUMENT BEING REPRESENTATIVE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS SO IMPORTANT?

>> WE´RE IN THE DISCUSSION PHASE OF WHAT WE´RE GOING TO BE PROVIDED TO THE VOTERS.

WE KNOW THE ONLY THING I CAN CLEARLY SPEAK IS THE REQUIREMENTS OF WHAT ARE YOU VOTING FOR.

THAT´S FOR THE DELEGATED, THAT´S FOR THE DELEGATES.

THEY CAN VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN SEVEN.

WE HAVE A MEETING SCHEDULED AND WE´LL DECIDE WHAT WE´RE GOING TO PROVIDE OUR VOTERS.

>> LET ME GO BACK TO YOU.

LOOKING BACK AT WHERE WE ARE AS A PEOPLE.

YOU MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THROUGH THE EYES OF THE UNITED NATIONS, WE´RE A COLONY.

WE´VE BEEN ELECTING OUR OWN GOVERNOR SINCE 1970.

THIS IS 54 YEARS.

WE´VE HAD FOUR CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS SINCE THEN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, ASIDE FROM THE NATIVE VIRGIN ISLAND ISSUE, ARE AREAS OF HIGH PRIORITY AS IT RELATES TO IF AND WHEN THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION CONVENES?

>> SOME OF THE ITEMS IN THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HAS GONE OUT OF MY HEAD.

IT WAS KIND OF VERY UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

HAVING TO SIT THROUGH A LOT OF THE SESSIONS.

BUT THE NATIVE SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR NATIVE VIRGIN ISLANDERS WAS ONE THAT PERMEATED THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

>> WAS THAT THE ISSUE?

OTHER ISSUES THAT DESERVE COLLECTIVE ATTENTION DID NOT RECEIVE IT?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

AND THAT CLEARLY WAS CONTRARY TO U.S. CONSTITUTION.

WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, UNTIL AND UNLESS WE ARE NOT PART OF THE UNITED STATES, THEN ANY CONSTITUTION THAT WE ADOPT HAS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE TENANTS AND THE PROVISIONS IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

>> 30 MEMBERS DOWN TO 15.

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

>> IN THAT REGARD.

NOW, WE´RE IN A TECHNOLOGICAL ERROR.

INFORMATION THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ACCESSIBLE.

I THINK THAT´S THE PROPER TERM.

LET´S SAY IN THE 1971 AND 1977, THE SECOND AND THIRD CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF INTERNET, LITERALLY EVERYTHING THAT IS DONE OR SAID AT A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF IT.

>> EVEN IN 1980, I WAS EVEN ACCOUNTED FOR THAT IN THAT ELECTION.

>> IN 1980?

>> YES.

I ALMOST CHALLENGED THE SAME ONE VOTE ONE MAN.

ST. JOHN HAD, I THINK, TWO OR THREE SET ASIDE.

>> WOW.

THAT´S INTERESTING.

LET ME ASK MR. ALEXANDER THIS QUESTION.

ONE OF OUR CONCERNS OVER THE YEARS IS WANTING FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS AND MORE SO.

ARE WE GOING TO BE GOING INTO THE SCHOOLS LOOKING AT OUR 11th AND 12th GRADERS?

THEY MAY BE 16 OR 17 NOW BUT THEY´LL BE OF VOTING AGE AT SOME POINT DOWN THE ROAD IN 2024.

>> YES.

LAST YEAR WE KICKED OFF THE CIVIC MATTERS BOARD.

WE FOUND IT WAS A WAY TO GET INTO THE SCHOOLS.

WE DID REACH OUT TO THE DIFFERENT TEACHERS, AND WE´RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE ASSISTANCE WE GOT.

WE´RE GOING TO BUILD UPON THAT RELATIONSHIP TO GET THE NEXT SET OF VOTERS.

OUR LOWEST VOTING STATISTICS IS 20 TO 29.

THE HIGHEST IS 60 AND UP.

>> THAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

WE WRAP UP THIS SEGMENT OF THE SHOW.

GIVE ME YOUR GUT FEELING WITH RESPECT TO THE POTENTIAL ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 WITH 1 BEING LOW AND 10 BEING VERY HIGH.

IF WE GET 15 PEOPLE WHO ARE COLLECTIVELY COMMITTED TO THE PROCESS, CAN WE GET A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN PLACE FOR THE PEOPLE OF VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> YES.

MY PROBLEM IS I DON´T KNOW IF WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THAT.

I´M ON THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

YOU CAN SAY I´M A DE FACTO MEMBER.

I INTENDED FOUR YEARS AGO NOT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

NOBODY FILED A PETITION TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

WE WERE GOING TO RETIRE.

SAY WELL, NOBODY FILED.

NOBODY ELSE WAS FILING.

FURTHER MORE, THERE WERE THREE SEATS.

ONE OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS GOT A WRITING OF 16 VOTES TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF ELECTION.

>> SO WE NEED A HIGHER CIVIC AWARENESS.

>> MUCH, MUCH HIGHER.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I FOUND IN TERMS OF MY YEARS, ESPECIALLY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, THERE ARE NO MORE FREE PERIODS WHERE YOU CAN GATHER THE STUDENTS AT A CERTAIN POINT IN TIME THAT YOU CAN CAPTURE THEM WHILE THEY´RE IN SCHOOL.

SO THE CIVIC BOARD AS MR. ALEXANDER SAID, WAS ONE THAT WAS A SPECIAL EVENT.

YOU CAN´T GET INTO THE SCHOOL FOR A SPECIFIC ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY HAVE THE BLOCK.

>> BLOCK SCHEDULING.

>> BLOCK SCHEDULING.

>> IN THE SCHOOLS.

THAT´S A VERY GOOD POINT.

>> I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE SCHOOLS SAID WE CAN´T COME DOWN THERE BECAUSE WE ARE BRINGING POLITICS INTO THE SCHOOL.

>> CAN WE GET A FINAL WORD ENCOURAGING THE PEOPLE TO BE MORE ASTUTE AND AWARE OF HOW IMPORTANT THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION CAN BE AND SHOULD BE?

>> DEFINITELY.

THAT IS A RIGHT.

OUR FOREFATHERS DIED TO GIVE US THIS RIGHT TO REGISTER TO VOTE.

ANY TIME THERE´S AN ELECTION YOU SHOULD EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT.

THE ELECTION SYSTEM SHOULD DO THEIR PART TO EDUCATE THE VOTERS AND BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE PROCESS.

REACH OUT TO OUR OFFICES.

FOR THE LATEST AND UP TO DATE INFORMATION.

YOU CAN GET IT ON OUR WEBSITE OR SIMPLY ON FACEBOOK PAGE AT ELECTION SYSTEM OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THREE TERM SENATOR AND CURRENT MEMBER BOARD OF THE ELECTION AND MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

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

FIRST, LET´S LOOK AT THE TOPICS ON TAP FOR THE DISCUSSION.

>>> GOVERNOR BRYANT, JR., SENATOR PRESIDENT FRANCIS AND SEVERAL OTHER LOCAL DIGNITARIES WERE ON HAND TO CELEBRATE THE SHIP´S ARRIVAL AND WELCOME PASSENGERS WITH LOCAL FANFARE.

THERE WAS OPTIMISM AMONG LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT THE INFLUX OF CRUISE PASSENGERS WOULD LEAD TO INCREASED SALES AND FOOT TRAFFIC.

>> ANY CRUISE SHIP IN CROWN BAY IS MAJORLY BENEFICIAL FOR DOWNTOWN.

>> BUT DESPITE THE BUZZ SURROUNDING THE SHIP´S ARRIVAL, SOME RETAILERS ON MAIN STREET SAID THE REALITY DID NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS.

>> IT ACTUALLY BROUGHT SOME PEOPLE IN BUT NOT AS MUCH AS WE EXPECTED.

THE STREETS WERE EMPTY.

THEY WERE HALF OF WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE GREAT ICON ARRIVAL.

BUT IT DIDN´T MEET THE EXPECTATIONS.

WE NEED MORE.

>> THE VISIT FROM THIS CRUISE SHIP WAS NOT AS WE EXPECTED.

THE HYPE WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WHAT WHAT WE SAW.

THE RESULTS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

WE DIDN´T SEE THE TRAFFIC THAT WE EXPECTED TO SEE.

>> ST. THOMAS WAS NOT THE FIRST STOP IN THE ICON´S VOYAGE.

>> THE SHIP MADE THE COUPLE OF STOPS BEFORE IT GOT TO US.

THAT´S ONE OF IT.

A LOT OF THE SHOPPING WAS DONE AT THE OTHER PORTS.

GOING FORWARD, THAT´S GOING TO BE THE CASE.

THE OTHER THING, THE SHIP, THE TIMING OF THE SHIP.

LEFT EARLY.

DIDN´T GIVE PEOPLE ENOUGH TIME TO EXPERIENCE WHAT ALL THE ISLAND HAS TO OFFER.

>> UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT YOUR COLLEAGUE APOLOGIZES TO MY OFFICES FOR CALLING THEM COWARDS.

>> I HAVE A RIGHT TO CALL YOU A COWARD.

NO APOLOGIES.

NONE FROM ME.

NONE WHATSOEVER.

>> THIS PUBLIC FEUD BETWEEN POLICE COMMISSIONER RAY MARTINEZ AND SENATOR FRANKLIN JOHNSON APPARENTLY STEMMED FROM A SENATE MEETING ON ST. JOHN BACK IN NOVEMBER.

JOHNSON HARSHLY CRITICIZED HIM FOR SKIPPING THE MEETING THAT SEVERAL CITIZENS TESTIFIED ABOUT ESCALATING CRIME ON THE ISLAND.

>> I FIRST WANTED TO APPLAUD ALL OF YOU WHO CAME HERE BRAVELY TO TESTIFY BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE THE COWARDS ARE THE COPS.

THEY DON´T HAVE THE COURAGE TO COME AND LISTEN TO YOU.

COMING TO THESE HEARINGS AND RAY MARTINEZ NOT SHOWING UP.

THIS IS ABOUT THE FOURTH TIME COMMISSIONER RAY MARTINEZ HAS BEEN INVITED TO HOMELAND SECURITY AND JUSTICE AND HAVE NOT SHOWED UP.

WHEN THE LEADER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DON´T EVEN SEND ONE REPRESENTATIVE HERE, IT TELLS ME WE NEED A NEW COMMISSIONER.

IF HE´S RETIRED ON THE JOB, SUBMIT THE RETIREMENT AND LEAVE.

LET SOMEONE RUN THE PLACE.

WE CANNOT LIVE LIKE THIS.

I DON´T ACCEPT THIS.

AND MR.

CHAIR, I´M DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.

IF WE´RE GOING TO HAVE ANYMORE HEARINGS, HENCEFORTH WITH COMMISSIONER RAY MARTINEZ, IT´S BY SUBPOENA.

>> ON A SENATE MEETING IN DECEMBER, MARTINEZ REFUSED TO SPEAK TO JOHNSON WITHOUT AN APOLOGY.

>> I NOR MY EXECUTIVE TEAM NOR ANYBODY THAT I SENT TO REPRESENT THE VIPD WHILE I´M HERE UNDER THIS TENURE WILL BE RESPONDING TO ANYTHING WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN FROM YOUR COLLEAGUE.

>> AND MR.

CHAIR, THAT´S WHY YOU WANT TO ACCEPT THE SUBPOENA.

WE SHOULD HAVE SUBPOENAED HIM.

>> THE STANDOFF CONTINUED UNTIL JANUARY.

AND ANOTHER SENATE MEETING ON ST. JOHN.

THIS TIME, POLICE COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ WAS COMPELLED TO APPEAR BY SUBPOENA.

EVEN SO, COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ INITIALLY REFUSED TO SPEAK TO JOHNSON.

>> I WILL ANSWER EVERY OTHER SENATOR IN HERE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HIM.

>> HIS DEFIANCE PROMPTED COMMITTEE CHAIR TO INTERVENE.

>> THE SUBPOENA IS CLEAR ON WHAT WE EXPECT.

SENATOR JOHNSON IS A MEMBER OF THIS BODY.

>> YES, HE IS.

>> AND AS SUCH, HE HAS ALL RIGHTS AND AUTHORITY TO QUESTION THOSE BEFORE US.

WE EXPECT A RESPONSE.

>> MARTINEZ EVENTUALLY COMPLIED AND ANSWERED SENATOR JOHNSON´S QUESTIONS BUT NOT BEFORE VOWING TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

>> I WILL TUCK MY EGO TODAY AND I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU.

I WANT THE RECORD TO REFLECT THAT AS WELL.

THAT NO ONE ON THIS COMMITTEE HAS ADDRESSED THOSE DEROGATORY STATEMENTS, AND THEY SHOULD NOT REQUIRE A COMPLAINT.

YOU ARE ALL HERE.

>> JOINING OUR PANEL FOR THIS EPISODE, I HAVE WITH ME DONALD DOSCOW.

JOINING THE DISCUSSION FROM THE WJTX STUDIO IS ATTORNEY KEY WALKER.

FOUNDER OF THE WALKER GROUP.

JOINING US FROM MARYLAND IS RETIRED EDUCATOR GERRARD EMANUEL.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

FOR THOSE WHO DON´T KNOW YOU, HE IS A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR 8 TO 10 WEEKDAYS HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

YOU WERE AN EMPLOYEE AT THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE YOU BECAME A SENATOR TAKING THE OATH IN 1999.

IS THAT CORRECT, SIR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> 1980 YOU WERE WORKING AT THE LEGISLATURE THEN?

>> YES.

>> THAT WAS WHEN WE HAD THE FOURTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

MR. RUPERT ROSS WAS THE CHAIR.

THAT WAS OVER 40 YEARS AGO.

HERE WE ARE LOOKING AT A SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, AND WE´RE STILL TRYING TO GET THE DOCUMENT IN PLACE.

FROM A HISTORIC STANDPOINT BECAUSE YOU´RE A POLITICAL SCIENTIST AND A HISTORY BUFF AS IT RELATES TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK WITH THE REDUCTION IN MEMBERSHIP?

BECAUSE THE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION, WE´RE AT 15 GIVEN THE LANGUAGE OF ACT 86-81 THAT MANDATES THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

>> YES.

I BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE IT WORK WITH THAT REDUCTION.

YOU HAVE THAT WIDE SPAN OF MEMBERS THERE.

YOU HAVE SO MANY DIFFERING VIEWS THAT ARE COMING IN.

AND IF YOU HAVE STRONG MEMBERS ON THE COMMISSION WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONVINCE OR SWAY OTHERS TO THEIR POINT OF VIEW, YOU´RE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS.

THAT IS WHAT I SAW HAPPENING IN THOSE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

>> NOW, YOU´RE A DAUGHTER OF THE SOIL.

YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF US WORKING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF PUTTING A DOCUMENT TOGETHER THAT IS NOT IN CONTROVERSY OF FEDERAL LAW, BECAUSE WE´RE AN AMERICAN JURISDICTION.

WE HAD MEMBERSHIPS OF 33 AND 33 IN THE FIRST TWO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

WE WENT UP TO 60 IN THE THIRD CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

WENT BACK DOWN TO 30 NOW WE´RE LOOKING AT MEMBERSHIP OF 15.

7 ON ST. CROIX, 7 FROM ST. THOMAS AND 1 FROM ST. JOHN.

FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE AND SOMEONE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AT THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND NOT NECESSARILY AS SOMEONE WHO IS WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT?

WANTING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF WANTING A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF WHY IT´S IN THE BEST INTEREST?

>> I´M LOOKING AT EXPEDIENCY.

WHAT I´VE BEEN READING AS TO THOSE DATING BACK BEFORE 1977, WHICH IS BEFORE I WAS BORN, IT´S JUST TIME THAT WE HAVE A CONSTITUTION.

I´M A PROPONENT OF US ADOPTING THE REVISED ORGANIC ACT AS OUR CONSTITUTION AND AIMING IT.

WE CAN´T AFFORD TO KEEP DRAGGING IT ON TO HAVE THE SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH.

ADOPT WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

MAKE IT QUICK AND JUST MAKE THE AMENDMENTS SO THAT IT´S A DOCUMENT WE REALLY WANT.

AS A PRIVATE SECTOR MEMBER, I´M LOOKING FOR EXPEDIENCY AND SAVING MONEY.

>> MR. EMANUEL, YOU´RE A MEMBER OF THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

SOME MIGHT LOVE THE VIRGIN ISLANDSES AS MUCH AS YOU, THEY CAN´T LOVE IT MORE THAN YOU.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

WHAT DO WE WANT TO REPRESENT US AS A PEOPLE IN THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND ULTIMATELY THE DOCUMENT THAT WILL SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

IT´S A PRIVILEGE TO BE WITH ATTORNEY WALKER.

AND OF COURSE --I THINK IT´S IMPORTANT THAT WE REALIZE THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS CHANGED DEMOGRAPHICICALLY, AND IT´S NOT GOING BACK TO HOW IT WAS IN THE 50s AND 60s.

THAT´S THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO ACCEPT.

BASED ON THAT, ARGUING FOR NATIVE RIGHTS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, THAT´S A 20th CENTURY CONCEPT.

IT DOES NOT FIT INTO THIS ENVIRONMENT OF TODAY.

TODAY IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

WE´RE WORLD CITIZENS.

I THINK WHAT´S IMPORTANT IS RECOGNIZE THAT AND DRAFT A DOCUMENT WHERE WE DON´T SEE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS PRIMARILY FOR NATIVES ONLY.

WE WELCOME PEOPLE HERE AND LET´S DEVELOP A NATIONAL ETHOS THAT´S TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION EVERYONE WHO IS LIVING HERE.

UNLESS WE DO THAT, I THINK WE´RE GOING TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS WHAT´S HAPPENING WITH PEOPLE IN THE STATES.

THAT´S BASICALLY WHAT I´M THINKING.

WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A DOCUMENT THAT GIVES EVERYONE EQUAL PROTECTION.

AND ALSO IT COMES UP WITH THE CHANGES TO HOW WE ELECT OFFICIALS OR APPOINT OFFICIALS.

ONE THING WE TRY TO DO.

IT WAS THE ATTORNEYS THAT WENT AGAINST THIS.

WHO WERE TRYING TO GET AN ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL.

TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL CANNOT REALLY BE OBJECTIVE.

THAT IS THE GOVERNMENT´S ATTORNEY.

THINGS LIKE THAT ARE THINGS WE CAN FOCUS ON THAT WOULD MAKE THIS DOCUMENT APPEAL TO A WIDER CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT´S A VERY COMPREHENSIVE.

I WANTED TO HAVE A BOOM RANG DISCUSSION.

ATTORNEY WALKER, WHAT YOU HEARD FROM MR. EMANUEL, DOES THAT ACTUALLY COMPORT TO WHAT YOU´RE LOOKING FOR?

IT SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS DIRECTLY RESPONDING TO WHAT YOU SAID.

>> AS FAR AS RECOGNIZING THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN CONCEPTS FROM THE PRIOR CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

THE FOCUS ON NATIVE RIGHTS, I AGREE WITH MR. EMANUEL.

THE COMMUNITY HAS CHANGED.

I WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE NATIVE RIGHT LANGUAGE THAT WAS PROPOSED.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT´S NOT GOING TO PASS CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER.

THAT´S WHY I MADE MY INITIAL STATEMENT.

WE ALREADY HAVE A DOCUMENT WE´VE BEEN OPERATING UNDER.

I THINK WE SHOULD TWEAK IT AND MAKE IT A MORE EXPEDITIOUS PROCESS TO FINALLY HAVE AN ACTUAL CONSTITUTION IN PLACE THAT WE WANT.

>> I SPEAK ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME, YOU AND I HAVE ROOTS IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS A MELTING POT.

WE CAN´T BE THINKING 60s, 70s, 80s IN THE 2020s.

WE´RE NOT IGNORING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 60s, 70s, 80s AND 90s BUT WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC.

>> WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC AND MR. EMANUEL HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

THE FACT REMAINING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE VOTING FOR THE CONSTITUTION IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE THEY MIGRATE FROM AND WHERE THEY ARE TODAY, THEY´RE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR A CONSTITUTION TO TOTALLY KICK THEM OUT OF THE PROCESS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO IT´S DEAD ON ARRIVAL IF THOSE LANGUAGES ARE STILL A PART OF THE CONSTITUTION.

I AGREE WITH ATTORNEY KYE WALKER.

I, TOO, WOULD WANT TO SEE THE ADOPT OF THE ORGANIC ACT AND THEN WE AMEND THE ORGANIC ACT.

MANY WOULD SAY THE DOCUMENT WAS GOOD, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE OBJECTION TO IT.

SO THAT´S A WAY I BELIEVE THOSE WHO ARE COMING TO LOOK AT IT.

ATTORNEY WALKER IS MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE AS TO THE LAWS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAN I AM.

BUT WE HAVE ADJUDICATED LAWS UNDER THE ORGANIC ACT OF 1954 AS AMENDED.

THE CASE LAWS, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COURT, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE A PART OF AND PUT TOGETHER UNDER THE ORGANIC ACT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN DO THAT.

>> SO BASICALLY YOU´RE SAYING WE HAVE THE FOUNDATION OF FRAMEWORK.

IT´S FOR US TO BE CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE AND RESPECTFUL OF WHAT WE´RE LIVING UNDER RIGHT NOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE THING IS, THE ORGANIC ARTICLE 36 THAT WAS CREATED.

BASICALLY THE LANGUAGE IS VIRGIN ISLAND IS PART OF THAT.

INDIVIDUALS WHO WENT TO CONGRESS AND THEY WERE A PART OF FORMING THAT DOCUMENT.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CONGRESS GIVING IT TO US, THEY HAD AN INPUT ON THOSE.

OUR NEXT TOPIC.

THE WORLD´S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP, ICON OF THE SEAS.

MADE A VISIT HERE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

DID THE HYPE TRANSLATE TO LOCAL RETAILERS?

IMPACT OF CRUISE PASSENGERS SPENDING, ET CETERA.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU ATTORNEY WALKER AND CIRCLE MY WAY BACK.

THE REALITY IS CRUISE SHIPS NOW HAVE LITERALLY EVERYTHING THAT WAS ON LAND IS NOW ON THE SHIP.

WE´RE IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FOUNDATION AS IT RELATES TO CRUISE SHIP TRAVEL.

WERE WE REALISTIC IN EXPECTING JUST BECAUSE THE LARGEST CRUISE SHIP WAS MAKING A STOP IN ST. THOMAS WOULD BENEFIT US WHEN WE KNOW THAT EVERYTHING IS LITERALLY ON BOARD?

>> I WAS LAST ON A CRUISE SIX YEARS AGO.

THERE´S SHOPS ON A CRUISE SHIPS.

I THINK PASSENGERS HAVE ALSO CHANGED.

YOU HAVE PASSENGERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCES AND EXCURSIONS AND NOT NECESSARILY JUST TO SHOP.

TO THE EXTENT THAT THE TOURISM IS CHANGING, I THINK OUR PRODUCT HAS TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES AS WELL.

I DO THINK THIS EXPECTATION OF A LOT OF SHOPPERS COMMISERATE WITH THE SIZE OF THE SHIP WAS UNREALLYISTIC GIVEN THE TIME.

>> GERRARD, YOU´RE A HISTORY CONNOISSEUR.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A TIME THAT CRUISE SHIPS ARE LOOKING FOR A VACATION.

SHOULD WE BE IMPOSING OUR EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT TO GET THEM OFF THE SHIP?

BECAUSE OF THE SHIP PROVIDING THE AMENITIES.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY TO HAVE THESE SHIPS OF THIS SIZE.

>> IT IS INTEREST TAG YOU ASK ME THIS QUESTION.

I JUST CAME OFF ONE.

THE ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEA.

WE WENT TO MEXICO AND COSUMEL AND BELIZE.

I THINK THEY ARE CORRECT.

WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT WAY OF ATTRACTING PEOPLE.

WE CAN´T JUST EXPECT EVERYBODY TO WANT TO GO OFF THE CRUISE SHIP.

I DON´T KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE DOCKS.

NORMALLY THERE´S A LOT OF ACTIVITIES.

THERE HAS TO BE TOURS AND INNOVATIVE THINGS.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SET OF ISLANDS IN THE CARIBBEAN.

WE HAVE TO BE UNIQUE AND CREATIVE.

THE CRUISE SHIPS WE HAVE TO INVEST IN SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BRING THE PEOPLE HERE.

DO SOMETHING.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE.

>> WE´VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION OVER AND OVER.

MAIN STREET USED TO BE UNQUESTIONED MAGNET AS IT RELATES TO CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS.

THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE.

WHAT CAN WE DO FROM A CREATIVITY PERSPECTIVE TO GET BACK MAIN STREET?

WATER FRONT STREET?

WHAT HAVE YOU?

THE CRUISE SHIPS ARE REALLY DOMINATING THE SPENDING POWER OF THEIR PASSENGERS BY OFFERING THEM EVERYTHING ON THE CRUISE SHIP.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I´VE BEEN ON THE CRUISE SHIP THAT WAS BIGGER THAN THIS ONE.

BEFORE THIS ONE BECAME BIG.

AND ANYTHING YOU WANT IS ON THE CRUISE SHIP.

THE CRUISE SHIP HAS BECOME THE DESTINATION.

AND THIS BIG SHIP, WHEN YOU GO ON IT.

IT WENT TO ST. KATE AND ST. THOMAS AND COCO ISLAND AND BACK IN FLORIDA.

>> YOU HAVE A STREET ENVIRONMENT ON THE CRUISE SHIP.

>> YOU HAVE IT ON THE SHIP.

AND FOR US HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE WHAT WE CALL STRICTLY LOCAL.

WHEN I WENT TO ST. KATE´S, I WENT OVER TO THE PLACE.

SO I GOT OUT AND PICKED IT UP AND CAME BACK ON THE SHIP.

I DIDN´T SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY.

THE SAME THING HAPPENS HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY COME IN.

THEY WALK OFF AND DOWN THE STREET, THEY GET A T-SHIRT AND THAT´S IT.

IF WE HAVE THE MAGNET YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT.

LOCAL.

STRICTLY LOCAL.

LOCAL FOOD.

WE´RE TALKING ABOUT FISH.

WHERE YOU CAN GO AND SEE THEM MAKE THIS STUFF.

WE HAVE TO INCORPORATE THAT.

I WENT TO ALASKA TO A CRUISE IN ALASKA AND THEY SHOW YOU UP THERE HOW TO DO ALL THESE THINGS.

THEY HAVE TOURS SET UP TO GO AND SHOW YOU HOW THEY´RE DONE LOCALLY.

THAT´S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

THE CARVINGS WE HAVE.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST WOOD >> BASICALLY WHAT WE ALL CAN AGREE ON IS THE OLD MODEL AND THE MODELS OF 15, 20 YEARS AGO THEY´RE NOT WORKING TODAY.

WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO BE MORE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE TO GET THAT SPENDING POWER OF THE CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS INTO AND ON TO THE ISLAND.

WE UPS THE SHIPS ARE TRYING TO KEEP EVERYTHING ON THE SHIP.

FINALLY, TOPIC NUMBER THREE AND THIS IS A HUMAN RELATIONS TOPIC.

I AM GOING TO START WITH GERARD.

VIPD MARTINEZ, COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ UNDER SENATE SUBPOENA.

DOES A SUBPOENA COMPEL MARTINEZ TO COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE AND ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS, OR IS THERE A SCENARIO HE DOESN´T HAVE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS?

WHO WAS RIGHT IN THIS?

BEFORE WE GET TO THOSE QUESTIONS, I WANT TO TALK FROM A ST. CROIX ANGLE.

YOU, GERARD.

RAY MARTINEZ, COMMISSIONER RAY MARTINEZ AND SENATOR FRANKLIN JOHNSON ARE BOTH FROM THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX.

FROM THE ST. CROIX PERSPECTIVE, WE´VE HAD PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WHERE WE WANT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF RESPECT, AND WE HAVE ALL COME TO THE CONCLUSION, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVEN´T MADE THE STEP FORWARD IS WE KEEP FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

ISN´T THIS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF OUR FRUSTRATION OVER THE YEARS?

>> YES.

BUT TO ANSWER THE LEGAL PART OF YOUR QUESTION, I WOULD DEFER TO ATTORNEY WALKER.

>> I WAS SPEAKING ABOUT IT.

JUST FROM A HUMAN RELATIONS AND ST. CROIX ISSUE, A DISTRICT ISSUE.

>> YEAH.

IT HURTS ME TO SEE THAT.

IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO WATCH IT.

I WATCHED IT ABOUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES.

I KNOW BOTH OF THEM, AND I KNOW THAT´S NOT WHO THEY ARE.

IT´S HARD TO COME BACK UP AND YOUR EGO GETS INVOLVED.

I HOPE IT WASN´T JUST A SHOW JUST TO GET VOTES.

I DON´T THINK SO.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

AFTER LOOKING AT WHAT´S HAPPENING HERE IN THE STATES, I DON´T KNOW WITH AI AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS, I DON´T KNOW WHAT´S TRUE ANYMORE.

>> BEFORE I BRING HIM IN, WE´LL SPEAK TO THE ACTUAL ON THE FLOOR SENTIMENTS GOING ON.

I WANT TO BRING IN ATTORNEY WALKER.

TALK ABOUT, EDUCATE THE AUDIENCE AS TO THE POWER OF A SUBPOENA IN PRINCIPLE.

>> YOU´RE BASICALLY COMPELLING SOMEONE TO APPEAR AND SHOW UP.

SO IF THAT MEANS THEY´RE FORCED TO ANSWER EACH AND EVERY QUESTION?

NOT REALLY.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DON´T?

IF IT WAS A COURT OF LAW, THEY ARE COMPELLED TO APPEAR BUT NOT HAVE TO ANSWER EACH AND EVERY QUESTION.

THERE´S A DISTINCTION.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THESE TWO INDIVIDUAL FALLS OUTSIDE THE REALM OF THE SUBPOENA POWER.

THE COMMISSIONER WAS PERSONALLY OFFENDED AS THE LEADER TO HAVE THE MEMBERS OF HIS TEAM CALLED COWARDS, ESPECIALLY AFTER THEY LOCKED A MEMBER.

SO I BELIEVE THAT HE FELT PASSIONATELY ABOUT IT.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, INTRODUCING THIS SUBJECT MATTER OF A SUBPOENA COMPELLING HIM TO APPEAR, FINE, YOU COMPELLED HIM TO APPEAR.

THAT DOESN´T COMPEL HIM TO RESPECT YOU.

AND I THINK THAT´S WHAT´S HAPPENING HERE.

>> THAT´S AN EXCELLENT POINT.

THE SCHOOL YOU SERVED SIX YEARS IN LEGISLATURE.

I SERVED 12 YEARS IN LEGISLATURES.

SOMETIMES TEMPERS GET THE BEST OF US.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT´S ABOUT MUTUAL RESPECT, ISN´T IT?

>> YOU HAVE TO RESPECT WHERE YOU ARE.

ONE OF MY PROFESSORS TOLD ME WHERE YOU SIT IS WHERE YOU STAND.

YOU STAND AS A SENATOR.

THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY EGO AND YOUR EGO AND EACH PERSONAL EGO.

WE´VE SEEN IT THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE PASSION COMES IN.

IT´S RESPECT FOR YOUR POSITION AND RESPECT FOR MINE.

AND WHEN WE SEE THAT, WE TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND CHILDREN IN THIS COMMUNITY.

THEY´RE LOOKING AT THAT AND SAYING LOOK AT WHAT´S GOING ON.

THEY´RE THE HIGHEST LEVEL AND THIS IS HOW TO BEHAVE.

HOW DO YOU EXPECT US TO MAY?

>> IT´S HARD FOR US TO PROCESS WHEN YOU USE THE WORD COWARD AND WHEN IT COMES TO LAWSUIT.

THAT´S THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM AS IT RELATES TO WHAT YOU´RE EXPECTING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU DON´T WANT COWARDS PROTECTING THE PEOPLE.

>> A COWARD IN THE CONTEXT?

HOW WAS THE WORD USED IN THE CONTEXT?

THOSE OFFICERS WHO PUT ON THE UNIFORM AND PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE CANNOT BE COWARDS.

THEY DON´T KNOW IF THEY´RE GOING BACK HOME TO THEIR CHILDREN OR WIFE THE NEXT DAY.

IN ESSENCE, THEY CAN´T BE COWARDS.

COWARDS IN WHAT CONTEXT ARE THEY USING THE TERM?

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, WE HEARD COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ STATE THAT HE WOULD BE FILING A COMPLAINT.

I´M TRYING TO FIND OUT FILING A COMPLAINT TO WHO?

WOULD HE BE FILING A COMPLAINT TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT?

I DON´T KNOW OF ANY PENALTY IMPOSED AND I DON´T KNOW OF ANY PENALTY IMPOSED ON THE COMMISSIONER IF HE´S ASKED A QUESTION AND HE WAS TO SAY I DON´T RECALL.

>> I AGREE.

I DON´T THINK THERE´S ANY PENALTY ASSOCIATED WITH FILING A COMPLAINT.

I DO THINK HE MADE A VALID POINT, WHICH WAS A MEMBER OF YOUR BODY CALLED THE MEMBERS OF THE VIPD A COWARD.

AND IN THAT SENSE YOU´RE INVITING THE PUBLIC TO DISRESPECT THE MEMBERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEN YOU REFER TO THEM AS COWARDS.

BEFORE HE SAID HE WAS FILING A COMPLAINT, HE POINTS IT OUT.

NO MEMBER OF THIS BODY SAID ANYTHING.

NO MEMBER OF THIS BODY SAID YOU SHOULDN´T BE CALLING THE POLICE OFFICERS COWARDS.

I SPOKE TO COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ ABOUT THIS WHEN I RAN INTO HIM RECENTLY.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE HAS LOST A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS A VERY INSENSITIVE, DISRESPECTFUL COMMENT.

AND YOU CAN´T DISRESPECT AN ENTIRE SQUAD OF PEOPLE AND THEN BE SURPRISED WHEN THE LEADER OF THOSE PEOPLE DISRESPECTS YOU BACK.

SO YES, AS A SENATOR YOU HAVE LEGISLATIVE IMMUNITY.

YOU CAN´T EXPECT TO RECEIVE RESPECT AFTER YOU´VE DISRESPECTED SOMEONE.

THAT´S REALLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

IT PLAYED OUT IN AN UNFORTUNATE WAY.

IT DOES A DISSERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE ALL CAN ACT BETTER.

THAT´S WHAT THE LESSON SHOULD BE.

WE SHOULD ACT BETTER AND BE BETTER PEOPLE.

>> I THINK WHAT YOU SAID IS A GOOD WAY TO CRYSTALLIZE THIS DISCUSSION.

IT´S ABOUT RESPECT AND TIMING.

ONE OF OUR FINEST LOST HIS LIFE PROTECTING THE PEOPLE, AND FROM A TIMING PERSPECTIVE, THAT LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED.

WE GOT A BONUS TOPIC AS IT RELATES TO HISTORY.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION WITH PROPERTIES HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE HAD A BILL BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE AS IT RELATES TO THE RESTRICTIONS IN TERMS OF PROPERTIES HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE QUESTION IS THIS.

ARE REGULATIONS TOO RESTRICTIVE OR MUCH NEEDED?

SHOULD RESTRICTIONS BE RELAXED?

A BILL SPONSORED WAS HELD IN THE COMMITTEE OF DISASTER RECOVERY.

TO GET A FEEL OF WHAT THE SMARTS WERE PROCESSING, WE´RE GOING TO MAKE THIS CLEAR BY APRIL.

SHE WAS TESTIFYING AS WELL.

ALONG WITH A HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER.

>> MANY HAVE SOUGHT TO PURCHASE HISTORIC PROPERTIES BUT HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGED BY THE RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON A BUYER.

IF THESE RESTRICTIONS WERE RELAXED, AS YOU PROPOSE, THEN WE WOULD SEE THE RENOVATION AND REHABILITATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES PROGRESS AT A MUCH FASTER RATE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT STRINGENT HISTORIC PRESERVATION RESTRICTIONS BUT WE HAVE YET TO NAME WHAT IS RESTRICTIVE.

96% OF ALL APPLICATIONS THAT WERE SENT TO THE COMMISSION LAST YEAR WERE APPROVED.

96.

SO, I´M NOT, I HAVE YET TO READ WHAT SPECIFICALLY IS RESTRICTIVE ABOUT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GUIDELINES?

>> THE LAW THAT STANDS RIGHT NOW PROVIDES SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY FOR THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES.

THE COMMISSION MAINTAINS A BODY OF APPLICATIONS, AND YOU ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO COME AND REVIEW THOSE.

AND THIS IS NOT HERE SAY OR SPECULATION.

THIS IS CASE BY CASE EXAMPLES OF WHERE THE COMMISSION HAS WORKED WITH PROPERTY OWNERS TO HELP FIX THEIR BUILDINGS.

IT´S UNFORTUNATE THAT PEOPLE CONTINUE TO WANT TO PORTRAY RUMORS AND THINGS.

THAT´S FINE.

THE FACTS ARE WE HAVE THE CASES AND THERE ARE GOOD EXAMPLES YOU CAN SEE FROM ALL SPECTRUMS FROM THE BUILDING TRADES.

WE ARE PRESERVING THE HISTORIC FABRICS OF THESE BUILDINGS.

>> LET ME START WITH YOU, GERARD EMANUEL.

WE NEED REFORM AS IT RELATES TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

>> THAT´S A POWERFUL QUESTION.

WE DO NEED REFORM, BUT BASED ON MY BIAS IN TERMS OF CULTURE AND HISTORY, I WOULD LIKE US TO MAINTAIN SOME LEVEL OF ACCURACY AND ATHEN TESTY IN THE ARCHITECTURE.

I DON´T WANT IT TO BE SO RESTRICTIVE THAT IF SOMEONE CAN´T AFFORD TO MAINTAIN A BUILDING IN A CERTAIN MANNER THEY HAVE TO SELL IT.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU WANT TO REMAIN THE CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY OF A COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE THAT´S WHAT DEFINES.

>> I WANT TO GO TO ATTORNEY WALKER BEFORE I BRING IN FORMER ATTORNEY.

YOU ARE AWARE OF WHAT WE´RE DEALING WITH HAVING WORKED IN THE LEGAL FIELD.

UNDERSTANDING OUR BUSINESS AS IT RELATES TO PURCHASING PROPERTY AND TERRITORY.

THE REALTORS, THEY HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH WHAT WE´RE ATTEMPTING TO DO.

HOW DO WE GO ABOUT FINDING THIS DELEGATE BALANCE?

ON ONE HAND, YOU WANT TO PROMOTE THE NOTION THAT PROPERTIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU WANT THE BALANCE AND YOU WANT TO PROTECT THE HISTORIC, THE ADEBTICS OF OUR DOWNTOWNS.

THIS IS A GOOD DISCUSSION BUT NOT AN EASY FIX FROM HOW I SEE IT.

WHAT´S YOUR TAKE ON IT, ATTORNEY WALKER?

>> HONESTLY, I LEAN TOWARDS THE MAINTAINING THE RESTRICTIONS.

I WAS PERSUADED BY THE TESTIMONY OF THE COMMISSIONER THAT 96% OF THE APPLICATIONS ARE APPROVED.

AND WHAT´S BEAUTIFUL ABOUT OUR TOWNS, ESPECIALLY IS THE CHARACTER.

YOU LOSE THE CHARACTERS OF THE TOWN IF YOU RELAX THE RESTRICTIONS OR RELAX THEM TOO MUCH.

SO YES, WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE PURCHASING PROPERTY.

WE CAN ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PURCHASE PROPERTY BUT RESPECT THE RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE.

AND I´M IN THE SURE THERE´S AN UNREASONABLE BALANCE.

I WAS LOOKING AT PROPERTY RECENTLY AND I WAS TOLD IT´S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO BUILD THERE.

IF I WANT TO BUILD THERE, I WILL.

IF YOU WANT TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY YOU WILL.

UNTIL SOMEONE TELLS ME THERE´S X AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE REFUSED TO PURCHASE PROPERTY BECAUSE OF A PARTICULAR RESTRICTION, WHICH NO ONE HAS TOLD ME, I LEAN TOWARDS MAINTAINING THE RESTRICTIONS AND KEEPING THEM IN PLACE.

>> WE HAVE A MINUTE AND A HALF LEFT.

SHOULD WE RELAX RESTRICTIONS TO ALLOW FOR BETTER PURCHASING POWER OR SHOULD WE ALWAYS BE CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTING THE LOOK OF HOW HISTORIC DISTRICTS?

>> YOU GOT TO KEEP THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.

WE CAN RELAX BUT WE CAN´T GET AWAY FROM THE HISTORIC STRUCTURE.

I TRAVEL ALL OVER THE PLACE.

IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN AND WESTERN CARIBBEAN, YOU HAVE THESE HISTORIC CAL STRUCTURES THAT PEOPLE GO AND TAKE A TOUR AS PART OF THE TOUR.

IF WE KEEP OUR HISTORICAL STRUCTURE, IT BECOMES PART OF TOURISMS COMING IN AND SAYING I WANT TO GO TO THE HISTORICAL STRUCTURE.

IF YOU WASH IT DOWN AND SAY WE HAVE TO DO THIS.

WE HAVE TO STAY WITH IT.

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO USE THE LAWS TO OUR BENEFITS.

WE HAVE A FUND.

THE HISTORIC DISTRICT REINVOLVING AND RENOVATION FUND WE´RE NOT MAXIMIZING.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE CODE.

WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE CODE.

I DON´T BELIEVE WE´RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT TO THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WANT TO THANK GERARG EMANUEL AND ATTORNEY KYE WALKER AND GIVING US AN AWESOME FLAVOR THAT LEGAL FLAVOR THAT THIS DISCUSSION HAD AND MY GOOD FRIEND FOR JOINING US HERE AS WELL ON THIS EDITION OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY."

THAT´S ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

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

IN THE MEANTIME, FOR YOUR NEWS UPDATES TUNE INTO THE -- OR BY DOWNLOADING THE APP OR ONLINE.

I´M NEVILLE JAMES.

HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY.

"COMES WITH THE TERRITORY"