>>> ON THIS EPISODE OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY."

>> IT´S BEEN A LONG HARD ROAD.

>> BUT THERE´S A SMOOTHER PATH AHEAD.

A $1.1 BILLION RECOVERY EFFORT.

DISASTER RECOVERY DIRECTOR ADRIAN WILLIAMS JOINS US WITH DETAILS OF WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>>> DONALD TRUMP EASILY WON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOP CAUCUS ON FEBRUARY 8th.

HIS LAST REMAINING RIVAL IN THE RACE NIKKI HALEY WAS 74% OF THE VOTE BUT IT REMAINS UNCLEAR HOW MANY LOCAL DELEGATES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

WE WILL GET TO THE SOURCE OF THE CONFUSION.

PLUS, A LAWSUIT OVER SMART METERS HAS BEEN AMENDED TO PROPOSE A CLASS-ACTION CLAIM WE WILL HAVE MORE .

>>> LATER, THE POWER PANEL JOINS A CONVERSATION TO ANALYZE IT ISSUES AND MORE.

"COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" STARTS NOW.

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

I´M LESLEY COMISSIONG.

>>> AFTER YEARS OF --SECURED A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD FOR THE TERRITORIES RECOVERY EFFORTS.

HERE´S MORE.

IN PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS MOVED TO SUBSIDIZE OUR RECOVERY WITH ANOTHER 1.1 BILLION DOLLARS AND MAYBE MORE.

>> CALL HE HAD AN AWESOME DAY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A LONG-AWAITED INCREASE IN THE FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION FROM THE TERRITORY´S DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECT HE EMPHASIZED THE EFFORTS SPANNING TWO FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION TO ACHIEVE THIS MILESTONE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR FIVE YEARS.

WE STARTED WITH SUBMITTING IT , A REQUEST TO THE FEMA DIRECTOR AT THE TIME TO TRY AND GET IT, THE MATCH TO 100% .

IT WAS DENIED THEN BY THE FEMA DIRECTOR AND THEN WE SUBMITTED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO DENIED IT AGAIN.

WHEN PRESIDENT --WAS ELECTED AND SPORTING, WE SUBMITTED IT TO FEMA DIRECTOR AND IT WAS DENIED AGAIN.

THEN, SUBSEQUENTLY, SUBMITTED TO PRESIDENT BIDEN WHERE IT WAS DENIED AGAIN.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE WHY DON´T WE TRY TO GET SOME.

>> THE REQUIRED 10% LOCAL MATCH WAS REDUCED TO 5% FOR PERMANENT WORK PROJECTS.

JUST 2% FOR SECTION 428 PROJECTS.

THIS MEANS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL NOW FUND UP TO 98% OF THE TERRITORY´S PROJECTS TO REBUILD SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND OTHER CRITICAL FACILITIES.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THAT 98%, WE WENT FROM HAVING TO COME UP WITH $800 MILLION TO ONLY NOW HAVING TO COME UP WITH $160 MILLION.

YOU CAN SEE THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT AND JUST THAT $1 MILLION IN RECOVERY ALONE.

>> WE CAN IDENTIFY THE MATCH AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN GETTING OUR CRITICAL SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, OUR UNDERGROUND IN PROJECTS ALONG WITH OUR WASTEWATER PROJECTS MOVING WITH REBUILD USVI.

THIS IS A PRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE BY FEMA AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE HISTORY OF FEMA FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET OUR 428 PROJECTS OUR A FIXED PROJECT IN OBLIGATED AND ALSO OUR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE 406 PROJECT OBLIGATED AT 95%.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES ARE THE MAPS THAT WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE PARTNERSHIP THAT HAS BEEN DONE WITH FEMA HERE AND THIS AREA.

AND UTILIZING ALL OF THE BENEFITS THAT ARE AFFORDED TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO REBUILD AND DO SO RESILIENTLY.

>> JOINED THE SHOW FROM THANKFULLY IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY.

IT´S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE WITH THE.

GOVERNOR IS A TERM --JOE BIDEN SAID THIS WAS A BIG DEAL BUT ME TELL YOU, THIS IS CAUSE FOR THE TERRITORY TO DEFINITELY CELEBRATE.

A BIG DEVELOPMENT FOR US.

EXPLAIN HOW OUR VIEWERS WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROCESS, WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT COST SHARE IS AND WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT IS THAT THE VERY AND HOW IT WORKS ON A BASIC LEVEL SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND.

>> SURE.

IT IS A BIG DEAL.

WHEN I FIRST GOT THE NEWS, I ACTUALLY DANCE A JIG.

I WAS SO ELATED THAT ALL THE HARD WORK ACTUALLY MEANS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT WE ARE REBUILDING AND SPENDING COULD POTENTIALLY BE $15 BILLION IN FEDERAL DOLLARS IS A MONUMENTAL TASK, BUT BASICALLY WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IT MEANS THAT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE LARGEST RECOVERY DOLLARS, HAS A MATCH.

90% WILL BE OBLIGATED BY THE FEDERAL AGENCY WHICH IS FEMA AND THE TERRITORY HAS TO COME UP WITH 10% OF WHATEVER THAT PROJECT IS.

OVER THE COURSE, WE WERE LOOKING AT NOW WHERE WE HAVE PROJECT THAT --BUT WE DON´T HAVE THE CORRESPONDING MATCH TO BE ABLE TO EXECUTE THE PROJECT IN ORDER FOR US TO START ANY PROJECT, WE HAVE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE AMOUNT.

IT WAS SIGNIFICANT CONCERN .

WHERE WERE THE TERRITORY FINE POTENTIALLY $15 BILLION IN FUNDING THAT PRETTY MUCH IS ON ITS WAY ON THE PROJECTS WE HAVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE OVER 1500 PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

WE HAVE TO FIND A MATCH.

THE TYPICAL WAY JURISDICTIONS WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT MATCH IS THROUGH THE --DOLLARS THAT COME.

WE DESIGNATED $1.9 BILLION THAT IS ALLOCATED FOR THE TERRITORY FROM HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

AND WE HAVE DESIGNATED ABOUT $500 MILLION IN FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE MATCH.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT SAYS?

$500 MILLION OF FUNDING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR HOUSING, INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO UTILIZE THAT IN AS THE AMOUNT OF THE OBLIGATION STARTED TO RISE, IT WAS CLEAR TO US THAT THAT WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BE ENOUGH AND WE WOULD HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FIND --AND THE LARGER PROJECTS, WE ARE SEEING HOSPITALS, OBLIGATED AT $1 BILLION.

WE NEED TO FIND A MATCH FOR THAT BUT WHAT WE CAN ACTUALLY START.

WHEN THIS NEWS CAME THAT WE ARE NOW DOWN TO FINDING INSTEAD OF 10%, 2% IT GOT IN REACH.

BUT IT IS ACTUALLY NOW ATTAINABLE.

WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH GETTING OUR PROJECT STARTED.

>> WELL, THE GOVERNOR IN OUR OPENING PIECE DISCUSSED THE REJECTIONS THAT WE HAD AND HOW LONG THIS PROCESS WAS.

GIVE US A LITTLE STEP-BY-STEP.

HE IS ADEPT AT COMING UP WITH LOCAL COLLOQUIALISMS TO DISCUSS DIFFERENT THINGS.

THIS IS --FEMA WAS TURNING US DOWN AND IT REALLY PROHIBITED THE PROCESS.

LET´S SHARE WITH THE VIEWERS WHAT IT REALLY TOOK FOR US TO GET TO THIS POINT.

>> WELL, WE DID A LOT OF -- WE HAD TO BE PERSISTENT.

THE DELEGATE, WE SPOKE WITH EVERYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR , WE MADE NUMEROUS TRIPS TO HEADQUARTERS OF FEMA.

IN THE SEA.

JUST PLEADING THE CASE OF THE TERRITORY.

WE HAVE A MONUMENTAL OPPORTUNITY AND WE ARE ALLOWED FOR THE WAIVING OF THE MATCH BY FEDERAL AGENCIES.

THERE IS A LOT OF TALK THAT THEY WOULD TELL US, YOU KNOW WHAT?

YOU HAVE TO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME.

WELL, WE HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO GETTING OUR PROJECT DONE, BUT THERE IS A UNWILLINGNESS TO WAIVE THE MATCH COMPLETELY.

WE KEPT GOING AND THE LAST ATTEMPT LAST YEAR WAS TO THE U.S. OMB DIRECTOR.

WE PLEADED THE CASE IN WERE SAYING, YOU DON´T HAVE TO DO THE ENTIRE MATCH.

WE WILL PAY OUR BILLS AND WE HAVE RESOURCES THAT WE WILL DEDICATE TO THAT.

HOWEVER, IT´S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH.

WE, AS A TERRITORY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE NEEDS WE HAVE, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THEY ARE SAYING, THERE IS A LOT OF BENEFIT PROVIDED TO PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY WOULD SAY, WELL, IF WE DO THIS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE WILL HAVE TO DO THIS FOR PUERTO RICO AS WELL.

WE KEPT GOING BACK THINK NO.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE INSULAR AREA AND THE INSULAR AREA AND PUERTO RICO IS NOT --IT IS NOT PRECEDENT-SETTING BECAUSE PUERTO RICO IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

ANYONE WHO IS LISTENING, ANYTIME I SPOKE, I TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND SHARED THAT THE TERRITORY HAS SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE BIPARTISAN ACT THAT THE DELICATE AND IT WAS MONUMENTAL FOR THE TERRITORY.

BUT IT WAS STILL AN ADDITIONAL NEED FOR US TO FIND A MATCH THAT CAME WITH THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS THAT WAS PROVIDED.

YOU KNOW, OUR VOICES AND CRIES WERE HEARD AND WE ARE AT A POINT NOW WHERE WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> YOU MUST BE READING MY MIND BECAUSE MY NEXT QUESTION IS GOING TO BE ABOUT SHARING WITH THE VIEWERS WHAT THE PLAN TO MEET THE NEW MAGIC FIREMAN AND HOW WILL IT EXACTLY WORK AND WHAT STIPULATIONS ARE THERE FOR THE VARIOUS TYPES OF FUNDING.

IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN THAT TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> SURE.

THE STIPULATION THAT CAME WITH THE NEW GUIDANCE AND THE PERCENTAGES FOR THE MATCH , THE 428 PROJECTS THERE ARE SIX GRANT PROJECTS.

428 PROJECTS MEAN ANYTHING DESIGNATED AS A 420 DAY PROJECT MEANS THAT WE AS A TERRITORY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

THIS IS THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING YOU GET.

THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE SOME MEASURES BUT THIS GRANT IS THE AMOUNT THAT WAS OBLIGATED.

WE HAD TO SELECT OUR 428 PROCESS FOR THE PROJECT THAT WOULD BE FROM --FUNDED BY THE --WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH FEMA, WHERE FUNDING WILL BE OBLIGATED IN MANY CASES.

WE OWE SOME CONTRACTORS MONEY ON THE MATCH AND WE WILL --AND BE ABLE TO PAY THOSE FUNDS OUT.

THE STIPULATIONS IN THE AGREEMENT IS THAT WE COMPLETE THE PROJECT NOW BUT WITHIN 11 YEARS IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, THE MATCH WILL REVERT TO 95% AS OPPOSED TO 98%.

WHEREVER --HOWEVER YOU LOOK AT IT, WE ARE IN A BETTER POSITION THAN WE HAVE BEEN IN BECAUSE THE MATCH PREVIOUSLY WAS 90%.

SO, IF WE ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THOSE PROJECTS BY THE 11 YEARS, THEN THE MATCH WILL GO BACK TO 95%.

AS THE NON 428 PROJECTS OR NON -- PROJECTS ARE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS A 95/5 SHARE ON THE DISASTER NOW.

>> WOW.

THE GOVERNOR IN THAT --JUST LEFT AND THEY DISCUSSED THE FACT THAT HE WAS PUTTING TOGETHER AN INITIATIVE CALLED REBUILDBI.

A PLAN TO CREATE --AND PUT A CONCERTED EFFORT BEHIND REBUILDING THE TERRITORY.

LET´S TALK ABOUT THAT PLAN AND WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW AND WHAT IS THE TIME LINE TO REBUILD -- >> IT IS DEFINITELY THE STRATEGY THAT WE HAVE TWO MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE EXPERIENCE WE HAD OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS IS DEFINITELY INSANITY.

WE HAVE PROJECTS NOW THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CHALLENGES WE ARE HAVING.

MANPOWER.

CHALLENGES WE HAVE WITH CAPACITY TO MANAGE MULTIPLE PROJECTS.

CONTRACTORS ARE ABLE TO GET THE BONDING, BUT HAVE MANY PROJECTS THEY ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW.

WE KNOW WE HAD TO CONSIDER NEW CONTRACTORS IF WE ARE GOING TO BUILD FIVE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND REPAIR 42 SCHOOLS.

OR RECONSTRUCT 42 SCHOOLS.

REPLACING THE WASTEWATER.

AND UNDER GROUNDING PROJECTS.

ALL AT THE SAME TIME IT´S ALL TRYING TO KEEP THE QUALITY OF LIFE ARE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE HAVE TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

WE KNOW IT CALLS FOR US TO ISSUE A GROUP PROJECT IN A $1 BILLION BUNDLE THAT WOULD ALLOW ACROSS PROJECTS AND BE ABLE TO MAXIMIZE AN ECONOMY SCALE FOR PROJECTS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.

IF WE ARE DOING THREE FACILITIES IN THE SAME AREA, WE ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE THE LAYDOWN AREAS OR MATERIALS ACROSS VARIOUS PROJECTS.

THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT PROVIDED A BENCHMARK WHERE WE ARE NOW WHERE WE NEED TO GET TO.

WHEN WE STARTED THIS OFF, WE HAD DIFFERENT CONTRACTORS ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ABOUT COMING TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE HERE AND THE PLAN WE HAVE WITH REBUILD USVI.

WE HOSTED INDUSTRY DAY IN DECEMBER AND MET WITH CONTRACTORS.

WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME DOWN AND WE SAID, --WE WERE VERY DECEMBER.

WE WERE TALKING TO THESE CONTRACTORS AND THESE ARE THE ONES YOU SEE MAJOR CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES WHO WORK ALL OVER THE UNITED FAITH COME DOWN TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING AND DIFFICULT TO CONSTRUCT AREAS WHERE THEY KNOW THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MANPOWER.

THEY SPOKE ABOUT BRINGING CONCRETE PLANTS IN DIFFERENT WAYS TO ADDRESS SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES, DIFFERENT WAYS TO ADDRESS MANPOWER SHORTAGES AND OTHER THINGS WE KNOW WE WILL BE GRAPPLING HERE WITH IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE PLAN TO GET THIS OUT AND START THE SOLICITATION IN MARCH.

THE FIRST QUARTER WE COMMITTED TO DOING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

WE ARE WORKING ON EXECUTING THOSE SOLICITATIONS TO BEGIN THE WORK ON THESE CRITICAL FACILITIES LIKE THE HOSPITALS, THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF PROJECTS THAT WE WENT GET YOU STARTED.

>> YOU JUST ALLUDED TO A TOPIC THAT I HAVE HEARD THE GOVERNOR ADDRESS AND THAT IS KEY .

IT´S AT THE HEART OF OUR RECOVERY WHICH IS WORSE CAPACITY.

I REMEMBER SPEAKING TO --AFTER THE STORM ABOUT USING BACK THEN IN 2018 AT THE TIME TO IMPLEMENT THE TYPES OF TRAINING IN THE AREAS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATING, THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO PUT THE TERRITORY BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN WHAT IS IN TERMS OF TRAINING AND UPPING OUR WORKFORCE CAPACITY.

>> WHEN THE FUNDING WAS ORIGINALLY ALLOCATED TO THE TERRITORY, IF YOU RECALL, SOME OF THE OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES HAD SOME CONCERNS TO DO THE WORK.

SINCE THEN, THERE WAS A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY FEMA AND THE RAND CORPORATION SET UP THE CHALLENGES THAT THE TERRITORY WOULD HAVE.

ONCE THE CONSTRUCTION STARTED AND ONCE THEY WERE EMPTIED INTO THE ECONOMY.

THE CAPACITY WAS STATED AT THE TIME, WE WERE LOOKING AT IF WE HAD 5000 WORKERS IN EVERY ABLE- BODIED PERSON IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WAS WORKING, THAT WOULD MEAN EVERYBODY WHO CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO BE WORKING.

WE WOULD NEED 5000 WORKERS.

AS WE GO FURTHER INTO THE DISASTER, BASICALLY WE ARE LOOKING AT 7000 IS THE NUMBER RIGHT NOW.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, OUR CONTRACTORS THAT WE SPOKE TO SAID , WE WILL COME TO THE TERRITORY BUT WE WENT TO MAXIMIZE THE WORK FORCE.

IT´S GOOD FOR US AND WE SAW THIS HAPPENING AND THREE YEARS AGO WHEN WE ESTABLISHED THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY, ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE --, LOOKING AT WHAT THE DEMAND FOR THIS DISASTER , WE WERE LOOKING AT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, THE DATA ANALYSIS, FORENSIC ACCOUNTING.

WE TALKED ABOUT, WHAT DO THESE KNEE?

WE WILL BE BUILDING OVER THE NEXT 11, 12, 13 YEARS, AND THAT MEANS WE NEED TO START TRAINING STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL TO CREATE OFFERINGS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS.

-- WE HAD A TASK FORCE AND THAT STARTED TO OFFER CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY.

OTHER COURSES AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AND WE ALSO FUNDED A PROGRAM CALLED SKILL FOR TODAY WITH HUD DOLLARS WERE ALL OF THE COURSES IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT , ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAINING FOR CONSTRUCTION WAS SUCCESSFUL AND OVER 800 STUDENTS AND PARTICIPANTS ACROSS THE TERRITORY WERE RECEIVING THIS TRAINING.

THEN WE CAN BE READY TO ADDRESS THE CALL KNOWING THAT THERE´S A LOT MORE TO BE DONE BUT WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO BE TRAINED AND BE ABLE THE RESOURCES HAIR THAT EXIST BEFORE WE HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE.

>> WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU´RE HAVING FUN, BUT I WANT TO ADDRESS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC.

WE HEAR THESE TERMS EVERY -- LARGE SUMS OF MONEY AND SOMETIMES SOME PEOPLE WILL GET FROM HEARING THAT, THAT WE HAVE --A BANK ACCOUNT SOMEWHERE AND THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE.

LET´S TALK QUICKLY IN A MINUTE ABOUT APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH HAS BEEN EXPENDED IN RECOVERY DOLLARS.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPENDED, ALLOCATED AND -- QUICKLY.

>> IN A MINUTE.

OKAY.

ALLOCATED IS WHEN WE SAY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MONEY SET ASIDE BUT YOU CAN´T GET IT UNTIL YOU PUT IN AN APPLICATION AND YOU TELL US HOW YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND THIS MONEY.

THEY AGREE AND APPROVE THE APPLICATION AND THAT IS OBLIGATED.

WE HAVE A ALIEN DOLLARS MILLION OBLIGATED AND THAT MONEY IS APPROVED FOR YOU BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THIS UNTIL WE DO THE WORK.

THEN WE CAN DRAW THE FUN AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, IT´S NOT IN A BANK ACCOUNT.

IT´S LIKE A LINE OF CREDIT THAT WE CAN DRAW DOWN THESE FUNDS ONCE WE HAVE PROJECTS BUT $1 BILLION OBLIGATED, $3 BILLION HAS BEEN EXPENDED OR SPENT OUT OF THAT $8 BILLION AND WE ANTICIPATE GETTING UP TO HAVING $15 BILLION OBLIGATED ON THIS DISASTER.

I HOPE COOKIE MONSTER GOT THAT >> COOKIE MONSTER, THAT IN THE ACCOUNT WOULD BE HAPPY.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TERRITORY RECOVERY PROJECT, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE.

BE SURE TO TUNE INTO RECOVERY FOCUS, AND HOUR-LONG MONTHLY UPDATED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE TERRITORY´S RECOVERY .

RECOVERY FOCUSES ON THE LAST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH RIGHT HERE ON WTJX CHANNEL 12.

>>> UP NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM THE POWER PLANT WILL --POWER PANEL BUT LET´S LOOK AT THE ISSUES UP FOR DISCUSSION.

>>> LOCAL REPUBLICANS REJOICE WHEN FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WON THE THIRD IN THE NATION VIRGIN ISLANDS REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ON FEBRUARY 8th AGAINST RIVAL NIKKI HALEY IN A RANK TRACE CONTEST.

TRUMP CALLED TO THANK ATTENDEES AT AN ELECTION NIGHT EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THAT WAS A BIG VICTORY BUT WE DID NOT EXPECT TO WIN BY THAT MUCH.

YOU ARE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE AND I WILL NEVER FORGET.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> EVENT ORGANIZERS ALSO PLAYED A PRERECORDED VIDEO MESSAGE FROM TRUMP SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

>> WE WILL DO SOMETHING THAT IS VERY SPECIAL WITH OUR COUNTRY AND WE ARE ALWAYS ON TOP OF THE FACT THAT THINK THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, THINK THEY HAVE NEEDED OVER THE YEARS, I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE WERE VERY CLOSELY WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.

BUT YOU ALWAYS COME THROUGH AND I HAVE ALWAYS COME THROUGH FOR YOU AND I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

I THINK WE WILL DO SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL AND IT IS CALLED MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

WERE GOING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN AND WE´RE GOING TO MAKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GREAT AGAIN AND IT WILL NOT BE THAT TOUGH BECAUSE YOU ARE STARTING WITH SOMETHING THAT IS VERY RATIONAL.

THE MOST SPECIAL THING ABOUT ARE YOUR PEOPLE.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR TRUMP, GOP RESIDENTS ELECTED TWO NEW PARTY OFFICERS.

THEY WILL SERVE TWO YEAR TERMS.

DURING THIS CAUCUS, VOTERS ALSO ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE WHO RAN UNOPPOSED.

THE NEXT GOP PRIMARY WILL BE FEBRUARY 24th AND HE WILL BE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

>>> A LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT THE POWER AUTHORITY AND CONTRACTORS KNOWINGLY INSTALLED IN ALL THE METERS THEM HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO PROPOSE A CLASS-ACTION CLAIM REPRESENTING AT LEAST 50,000 PAYERS.

THE LAWSUIT ORIGINALLY FILED IN 2021 AS A SEALED --OR WHISTLE- BLOWER COMPLAINT ACCUSED -- AND INSTALLING A DEFECTIVE MULTI- MILLION-DOLLAR SMART METER SYSTEM.

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMED THE DEFENDANTS FALSELY REPRESENTED THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD IMPROVE BILLING WHILE THEY DO IT WOULD NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS ALLEGEDLY RESULTED IN AN ACCURATE AND EXCESSIVE BILLS ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINT.

THE INITIAL COMPLAINT UNSEALED LAST YEAR FOCUS ON FALSE CLAIMS REGARDING SYSTEM CAPABILITIES AND ALSO ADDED -- AND COMMISSIONER --WHO ALLEGED BEING UNFAIRLY BILLED DUE TO SYSTEM ERRORS.

HE REPORTEDLY FACED THOUSAND $553 OVERCHARGE RELATED TO HIS SMART METER.

PUBLICLY --IS ACKNOWLEDGED ISSUE WITH THE SMART METER SYSTEM AND THE CEO ADMITTED TO MONTHLY DEVICE FAILURES AT A PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION´S MEETING IN MAY 2023.

HOWEVER, SMITH ALSO ALLUDED TO POTENTIAL UNFOUNDED COMPLAINTS AMONG REPORTED ISSUES.

>> WE HAVE ROUGHLY 65% OF OUR THEM ELECTRONICALLY.

IT GOES IN OUR SYSTEM AND GOES OUT.

WE ARE LOSING 1000 A MONTH.

RIGHT NOW, SIX 5% ARE SINNING.

THOSE THAT ARE FUNCTIONING ARE RELIABLE.

I´M SURE THERE IS ONE SOMEWHERE THAT IS NOT WORKING RIGHT.

BUT THEY ARE RELIABLE.

THERE´S A LOT OF STUFF WE DON´T DO.

BUT I WOULD JUST ASK EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES -- IS NOT ALWAYS ENTIRELY THE SITUATION.

>> THE PLAINTIFF´S ATTORNEY IS SET TO RECEIVE PHONE CALLS FROM RATEPAYERS AFTER THE COMPLAINT PROMPTED HER TO PROPOSE EXPANDING THE LAWSUIT TO A CLASS-ACTION IN JANUARY 2024.

THE PROPOSAL IS CURRENTLY PENDING BEFORE THE COURT.

>>> JOINING OUR PANEL FOR THIS EPISODE I HAVE WITH ME GORDON ACKLEY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND FROM ST. CROIX, LET´S WELCOME LOCAL RADIO TALKSHOW HOST --AND TOM -- CHIEF REPORTER FOR THE WTJX NEWS FEED.

WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU ARE THE PLAINTIFF IN THIS CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT.

AGAIN, ALLEGING THAT SMART METERS THEY HAVE INSTALLED IN THE TERRITORY ARE DEFECTIVE AND DON´T ACCURATELY READ PEOPLE´S POWER USAGE AND IS OVERCHARGING.

TELL US ABOUT WHY YOU WERE LED TO FILE THIS CLASS-ACTION IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS SEALED UNDER THE --ACT AND I GOT INVOLVED .

I WAS ALWAYS IN THE BACKGROUND BUT ONCE IT CAME OUT, PEOPLE KEPT CALLING AND CALLING AND I HAD A BIG ISSUE AND WAS BEING OVERCHARGED.

ESTIMATING MY BILL.

THROUGH DEPOSITIONS AND THINGS WE FOUND OUT THAT -- THEY ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO ESTIMATE YOUR BILL FOR THREE MONTHS AND THEN THEY HAD TO COME OUT AND READ IT.

AND THEY WERE DOING THAT.

THEY WOULD JUST MARK THE ACCOUNT BEING READ WHEN IT ACTUALLY WASN´T BEING READ.

SO, WHAT I WOUND UP DOING IS EVERY MONTH ON THE SAME DATE, I READ MY METER AND TOOK A PHOTOGRAPH, TIME AND DATE STAMPED IT AND AT THAT TIME, I WAS GETTING BILLS SOMETIMES ON THE 21 DAY BILLING CYCLE AND SOMETIMES A 60 DAY BILLING CYCLE.

WHAT LED TO THE OVERCHARGES , I´VE TRIED AND I´VE TRIED AND TRIED AND ALWAYS BEEN AVAILABLE FOR NEGOTIATIONS ESPECIALLY 8000 OR $9000.

THEY RACKED UP APPROXIMATELY 20,000 HOURS IN OVERCHARGES.

I KEPT MY OWN RECORDS AND DISPUTED IT AND FINALLY, AFTER SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS, THEY FINALLY CAME OUT AND READ MY METER.

IN THE NEXT BILLING CYCLE THEY BACK OFF 27,000 HOURS AND THEY NEVER BACKED THE DOLLAR FIGURES OFFERED >> AREN´T THEY SMART METERS DESIGN SO THAT METER READERS DON´T HAVE TO ACTUALLY GO OUT TO THE LOCATION CRACKED ISN´T IT SUPPOSED TO BE TRANSMITTED, A SIGNAL, WITH THE READINGS TO DIRECTLY SO WE CAN SAVE GASOLINE TO GET THEIR ACT EMPLOYMENT COST?

ISN´T THAT WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE WERE TOLD IN WE WERE ALSO PROMISED THAT WE COULD LOOK AT OUR METERS IN REAL TIME AND LOOK AT IT.

YOU COULD ACTUALLY GET A FEEL AND PREDICT WHAT YOUR BILL WOULD BE.

THE SYSTEM NEVER FUNCTIONED AS ADVERTISED.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN THE DATA THEY WERE COLLECTING AND INTERFACING WITH THE BILLING SYSTEM.

>> WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I WANT TO COME TO YOU BECAUSE I KNOW AS A LOCAL RADIO TALKSHOW HOST, IT IS A CONSTANT ISSUE YOU DEAL WITH ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

BUT THIS PARTICULAR CASE, AND THIS IS THE THIRD LAWSUIT I CAN RECALL IN RECENT HISTORY BEING BROUGHT AGAINST THEM AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE PLAINTIFFS HAVE ACCUMULATED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIM.

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS PLAYS OUT IN THE COURTS?

>> WELL, ULTIMATELY, THE DEFENSE, I DON´T KNOW WHAT THE DEFENSE WILL BE, THEY HAVE TESTIFIED CONSISTENTLY AT INCONSISTENT MATTER WHEN IT COMES TO AMI AND THE LEVEL OF COMPLETION THAT THEY REPORTED PUBLICLY SO, WE HAVE A PROBLEM WHERE THE PUBLIC DOESN´T TRUST WHAT THEY SAY AND NOW WITH THIS LAWSUIT, THEY WILL HAVE TO PROVE TO THE COURT THAT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS ACTUALLY TRUTHFUL AND PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.

I THINK EVEN THEN THE PUBLIC IS STILL GOING TO BE SUSPECT.

IT SPEAKS TO THE LACK OF TRUST THAT THE PEOPLE IN OUR TERRITORY HAVE WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POWER AUTHORITY ESPECIALLY THE LEADERSHIP.

NOT WITH THE RANK AND FILE, BUT THE RANK AND FILE OF THE POWER AUTHORITY.

>> YOU HAVE DONE IN DEPTH PIECE HONEST PEER SURE WHAT YOU HAVE UNCOVERED IN THIS PARTICULAR STORY.

>> DEFINITELY.

THERE IS A LOT OF DOCUMENTATION THE COURT PROCESS IS GOING TO --THE ATTORNEYS ARE FILING A LOT OF MOTIONS NOW AND IN ADDITION TO AMENDED COMPLAINT, THE DEFENDANTS ARE FILING MOTIONS TO DISMISS.

THEY ARE SPEAKING ABOUT DIFFERENT COUNTS AND WE HAVE THE FALSE CLAIMS , WHICH IS A FEDERAL CAMP, AND THERE IS A LOT TO DO WITH -- AS TO HOW FAR THIS CASE WILL GO.

SO, IT IS NOT -- IT´S MORE THAN WHAT IS ON THE SURFACE FROM HOW WE FEEL ABOUT WAPA AND HOW WE FEEL ABOUT UTILITY BILLS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGAL ANGLES THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED IN THE MOTIONS.

YAY FOR YOU, THE VIEWER, YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE WAPA LAWSUIT IN THE IN-DEPTH ARTICLE ON THE WTJX NEWS FEED TO GO TO NEWS FEED.ORG.

WE HAD A BIG EVENT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT YOU HELPED BE THE ARCHITECT OF.

THE ACTUAL GOP PRIMARY.

THE CAUCUS.

WITH PRESIDENTIAL NAMES ON IT.

SHARE WITH THE VIEWERS YOUR VISION AND HOW WE BECAME THIRD IN THE NATION WITH THE CAUCUS AND THE JOURNEY TO GET TO THE EVENT YOU HAD ON FEBRUARY 8th.

>> IT WAS A CALCULATED MOVE.

FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT´S ABOUT ELEVATING OUR VOICES, ELEVATING THE NEED OF THE TERRITORIES.

PEOPLE DON´T NORMALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THIS.

THE RACE IS OVER BY THEN, BUT WHAT WE DID IS WAS TRULY AMAZING.

IOWA WENT FIRST, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SECOND AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN NEVADA, THEY ACTUALLY WENT.

NIKKI HALEY RAN IN THE PRIMARY THAT ONLY NIKKI HALEY WAS IN AND NONE OF THE ABOVE AND NONE OF THE ABOVE WON.

THE OTHER FACTION OF THE PARTIES ARE HOW THE CAUCUS AND NO ONE ELSE PARTICIPATED EXCEPT FOR DONALD TRUMP.

AT THE SAME TIME, SOUTH CAROLINA, AT THAT TIME, THEY WERE IN THE NEGOTIATION AND THEY ONLY HAD THREE REPRESENTATIVES FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

WE TALKED TO ALL THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND SAW THEM ON OUR PLATFORM AND WE HAD EIGHT SIGN UP.

>> THAT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE.

THE FACT THAT WE HAD THAT MANY.

IT WAS EARLIER IN THE CYCLE, BUT THEY ALL COMMITTED TO BEING ON THE BALLOT AND THEY ALL MET THE REQUIREMENTS AND PAID THE FEES.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS A PRETTY INNOVATIVE EFFORT ON THE GOP´S PART TO FUND RAISE FOR THE PARTY.

TWO, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNEW WE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MEAN SOMETHING.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT I THINK IF WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE TOP TIER CANDIDATE TO VISIT THE TERRITORY.

THAT WAS OUR ULTIMATE GOAL.

WE DIDN´T QUITE GET THERE BECAUSE OF THE CONSOLIDATION THAT WENT PRETTY QUICK.

BUT I THINK IF SOMEBODY WON NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SOMEBODY ELSE WON IOWA, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE.

WE MADE A JOKE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP COULD JUST FLY THE JET BY THE AIRPORT.

BUT, YEAH, IT TURNED OUT RATHER WELL.

WE GOT NATIONAL WRECKING MISSION ON ABC, ASSOCIATED PRESS.

WE PUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ON THE MAP.

WE PUT OUR BOYS ON THE MAP.

--OUR BOYS ON THE MAP.

THE COST OF LIVING IS SO HIGH THAT WE CAN´T BE SURE CHANGE.

AND EXPECT TO HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE WE DESERVE.

SO, WE MADE OUR VOICES KNOWN AND THEY READ BONDED.

IT GOES BACK TO TRYING TO GET THEM TO COMMIT AND MAKE SURE THEY FILL IN U.S.

MARSHALS AND EAG OFFICE AND JUDGES WHICH ARE APPOINTED POSITIONS IF THE REPUBLICANS TAKE THE WHITE HOUSE BACK.

THEY COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH US AND FILLING THOSE POSITIONS, WHICH WE NEED.

>> WE SAW THAT IN THE RECORDED MESSAGE FROM DONALD TRUMP IN HIS VICTORY SPEECH.

LET´S GO TO THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX.

WHAT WAS THE FEEL OF THE TERRITORY LEADING UP TO THE GOP TALKING AND DID YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK TO ANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CAUCUS ON FEBRUARY 8th?

>> YES.

THE FEEL IS PURE EXCITEMENT.

TO PUT IT PLAINLY.

THERE WAS A LOT OF ATTENTION ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WE HAD MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FLY TO THE TERRITORY TO LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD.

THEY WERE STUMPING FOR TRUMP IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, THE ONES I HAD INTERVIEWED.

THEY WERE SPECIFICALLY REPRESENTATIVE WESLEY HUNT OUT OF TEXAS, AND HE WAS AT THE -- HERE AND THINK WHY WHEN I MET HIM.

HE WAS --HE GAVE AN INVIGORATING SPEECH TO THE ROOMFUL OF ATTENDEES ENCOURAGING THEM TO GO OUT AND VOTE FOR TRUMP IN THE CAUCUS.

AND ALSO OVER ON ST. THOMAS, THERE WERE A COUPLE MEMBERS FROM CONGRESS AS WELL.

AND THEY WERE MIXING AND MINGLING WITH OUR BORDERS, OUR RESIDENTS, AND TRYING TO TELL THEM WHY THEY THINK TRUMP WOULD BE THE BEST PICK GOING INTO THE CAUCUS.

>> AS A RADIO TALKSHOW HOST, I KNOW YOU HANDLE A VARIETY OF TOPICS.

I´M SURE AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE DISCUSSED THIS GOP CAUCUS.

WHAT WAS THE FEELING AND EMOTIONS A PARTICIPANT ON YOUR SHOW ABOUT THE CAUCUS?

>> WELL, SURPRISINGLY, I HAD SOME REPUBLICANS THAT CALL IN WHEN I SPOKE ABOUT IT, BUT THERE WAS A SENSE OF EXCITEMENT.

TRUTHFULLY, I THOUGHT THE GOP PARTY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ON THE MAP.

AS AN UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY, WE DON´T VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND LEVERAGING THE LITTLE POWER THAT WE HAVE, BY PLACING US THIRD IN THE NATION IN THE GOP, AND ALLOW FOR PEOPLE TO INCLUDE US IN THE CONVERSATION.

SO, I SAW WHERE THE LOCAL REPUBLICAN PARTY WHICH I AM NOT A PART OF, LOBBIED HEAVILY TO HAVE OUR NEEDS ADDRESSED AND I MUST GIVE KUDOS TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECAUSE IT DID EFFECTIVELY THINGS THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL IN DOING IN LEVERAGING THE LITTLE POWER THAT WE HAVE TO BRING NATIONAL RECOGNITION TO THE NEEDS OF THE TERRITORY.

SO, I THOUGHT MORE PEOPLE WOULD TURN OUT , MEMBERS OF THE 900 PLUS MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BUT I THOUGHT WE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB AND I LOOK FORWARD , MOVING FORWARD, IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS HAVING US PLACED THIRD IN KEEPING US IN THE CONVERSATION NATIONALLY.

>> THIS WASN´T EASY AND OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN SOME INFIGHTING.

I´M GOING TO PUT THAT ASIDE.

TELL US, DO YOU THINK A TRUMP WIN WAS INEVITABLE?

>> PERSONALLY, I THINK NIKKI HALEY WOULD HAVE DONE A LOT BETTER THAN SHE DID IT I MEAN, SHE SOUNDS PRETTY HARD HERE.

SEVERAL OCCASION SHE SPOKE TO PEOPLE.

BUT THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.

WE ACTUALLY BROKE IT DOWN WHERE TRADITIONALLY YOU WOULD HAVE A DELEGATE SELECTION COMMITTEE AND THESE PEOPLE WOULD GO BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN POP OUT AND SAY , WE ARE GOING TO BACK X, Y, AND Z.

SINCE WE UPSET THE VOTE A LITTLE BIT AND WENT EARLY, WE SAID, WHY DON´T WE PUT IT DOWN TO THE PEOPLE AND LET THE PEOPLE SELECT A CANDIDATE.

HENCEFORTH THAT IS OUR OFFICIAL BATTLE HAD THE PRESIDENTIAL NAMES ON IT.

SOME OF THE FEEDBACK I GOT FROM SOME OF MY FRIENDS AND NEW PEOPLE I DIDN´T KNOW, THEY SAID IT FELT DIFFERENT WHEN YOU GOT TO SEE AND CHECK THE NAME BY DONALD TRUMP OR VIVEK RAMASWAMY OR NIKKI HALEY.

WE HAVEN´T BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT BEFORE.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT CONCEPT IN FUTURE ELECTIONS.

>> I WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME CREDIT BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME PUSHBACK ABOUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BEING THIRD IN THE NATION.

YOU FOUGHT TO MAKE SURE WE STAYED THERE.

WHAT WAS THAT BATTLE LIKE?

>> WELL, YOU HAVE OPPOSING FORCES.

SOME COMPLAINTS CAME FROM THE CHAIRMAN IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHO THEM BECAUSE HE HAD EIGHT CANDIDATE SIGN UP FOR OUR CAUCUS AND HE ONLY HAD THREE.

>> I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE STILL FRIENDS.

>> WE ARE REPUBLICANS.

YET, THEY THOUGHT WE STOLE THEIR THUNDER BUT WE NEED TO ELEVATE OUR VOICE.

I AM TRULY GLAD THAT WE DID WHAT WE DID.

I WE PROVE THE POINT.

IF WE DO MAKE OURSELVES KNOWN, PEOPLE WILL RESPOND.

AND I AM JUST ELATED THAT WE GOT THIS MUCH IN TENSION -- ATTENTION.

SOME PEOPLE SAID IT WAS GENIUS WHAT WE DID >> I ABSOLUTELY AGREE.

I´M A DEMOCRAT BUT I CAN SEE THAT WORKED.

WE SAID THAT ON THE SHOW AND DISCUSSING IT IN BEFORE THE CAUCUS I SAID, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GENIUS I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE TAKEN OUT OF YOUR BOOK.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE DISPUTE THAT HAD BEEN REPORTED ABOUT THE ACTUAL DELEGATE.

HOW DID THAT ARISE WITH SUCH A SMOOTH PROCESS AND ONE THAT WAS SO WELL-PUBLICIZED HOW DO WE END UP WITH A DISPUTE OVER WHO THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE GOING TO THE CONVENTION >> THERE WASN´T A DISPUTE ON THE REPRESENTATIVES, IT WAS HOW MANY.

>> SHARE WITH THE VIEWERS.

>> OKAY.

IT BECOMES A MATHEMATICAL EQUATION.

OTHER STATES COMPLAIN AND THEY HAD TO SLAP US A LITTLE BIT, BUT IF YOU READ THE RULES AND DO THE MATH, THE DELEGATION WAS CUT IN HALF WHICH THEY SAID THEY DROPPED IT DOWN TO FOUR, BUT THE WAY WE INTERPRET THE RULES, THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND CHAIRMAN ARE SUPERDELEGATES AND THEY ARE NOT THERE.

SO, IF YOU CUT OUR DELEGATION IN HALF, THAT WOULD BE THREE WHICH MEANS WE WOULD HAVE A TOTAL OF SIX AND NOT FOUR.

>> UNDERSTAND.

>> WHAT WE ACTUALLY DID IN OUR CAUCUS MEETING, WE ADDRESSED ALL THE SCENARIOS.

WE HAD A FOUR PERSON SLATE, A SIX PERSON PLAY, A NINE PERSON SLATE.

WHEN WE GET THE FINAL NEGOTIATING AT THE RNC, I THINK WE WILL GET AT LEAST SIX.

MR. TRUMP IS ON MY SPEED DIAL.

WE WILL GET IT ALL LINED UP.

>> I LIKE THAT.

LET ME ASK YOU ONE MORE THING.

YOUR EFFORTS TO GROW THE REPUBLICAN PARTY .

THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY ON "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" TO SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS WHAT THE REPUBLICANS AGENDA FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MOVING AWAY.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY DOWN TO ONE PARTY RULE NOW FOR 35 YEARS, IN THE ´80s, WE HAD FIVE OR SIX REPUBLICAN SENATORS.

WE SORT OF HAD A BALANCE IN THE TERRITORY.

WE WOULD ARGUE AND WE THEN WHAT ALL HAVE A HEINEKEN AFTERWARDS.

SO, THAT IS GONE.

I DON´T LIKE THE FACT THAT WE´VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE WE FIGHT TO THE DEATH EACH TIME.

WE NEED TO BRING BACK CIVIL DISCOURSE AND THAT NEEDS TO BE IN OUR POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND HERE, WE ARE FOCUSED ON LOCAL ISSUES.

THE NATIONAL ISSUES, I GUESS, BUT WE ARE MAINLY FOCUSED ON LOCAL ISSUES.

IF IT´S NOT A REPUBLICAN ISSUE FOR HAVING CLEAN DRINKING WATER, AND SAFE STREETS, THERE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO DO AS A PARTY TO GET THE REFINERY BACK OPEN IN ST. CROIX.

THESE ARE NOT ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

THESE ARE COMMUNITY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.

IT GOES BACK TO THAT SAME THING.

THE ERRONEOUS WAPA BILLING.

WE HAD THE FIRST OR SECOND HIGHEST RATE IN THE WORLD FOR ELECTRICITY AND I GO BACK TO WHEN I WAS A KID.

WE HAD TWO HOURS ON, TWO HOURS OFF.

THAT WAS 50 YEARS AGO AND EVERY TIME WE TRY TO FIX WAPA, WE DON´T EXIT AND THE RATE KEEP GOING UP.

NOW WE ARE THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD AND THAT IS NOT A COMPLIMENT.

THAT IS A DISGRACE.

WE NEED TO FINALLY FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL.

GET THE POLITICS OUT OF IT AND THAT IS BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR.

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR >> A BILL THAT CRIMINALIZES THE NON --OF SEX IS THE IMAGES RECENTLY CLEARED THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY , LET´S PLAY A KIT FROM THE FEBRUARY 13th HEARING.

>> JUST IMAGINE HAVING EXPLICIT PHOTOS , IMAGES OF YOURSELVES SHARED ACROSS THE GLOBE WITH STRANGERS.

WE DON´T HAVE TO IMAGINE IT.

WE SEE HERE IN THE TERRITORY, RIGHT HERE IN OUR SMALL ISLANDS.

MOST STATES MAKE IT A MISDEMEANOR.

FOR FIRST OFFENSE.

IN A FELONY FOR A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE.

THIS BILL FOLLOWS THAT PRACTICE.

IT CRIMINALIZES THE PRACTICE OF DISSEMINATING NONCONSENSUAL IMAGES OF A SEXUAL EXPLICIT NATURE IF THE PERPETRATOR ACTED WITH A SPECIFIC INTENT.

IF THERE IS AN PORT --AND PROTECT THE PRIVACY AND DIGNITY OF VICTIMS WHO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO THIS FORM OF ABUSE.

AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO GO FORWARD BECAUSE NOW THEY DON´T WANT TO GO FORWARD BECAUSE THERE IS NO JUSTICE.

WHY SHOULD I PUT MYSELF ON A LIMB TO GET HUMILIATED AND EMBARRASSED THEY DON´T GO TO PERTH, --THEY DON´T GO TO COURT, AND WE ARE HOPING THIS BILL GIVES THEM WHAT THEY NEED TO GO FORWARD TO SEEK JUSTICE.

>> THERE ARE SOME AMENDMENTS I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER BECAUSE YOU CAN GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE WHAT I CALL A RESOURCE REVENGE AND THIS CAN HAPPEN .

THIS REVERSE REVENGE -- >> I DON´T CARE WHAT AMENDMENTS WE HAVE TODAY, IT NEEDS TO PASSED.

>> WORKING AT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE, I AM SURE YOU HAVE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENT OF THIS BILL.

A LOT OF THE STORIES THAT MAY NOT APPEAR IN THE LOCAL MEDIA THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN AFFECTED RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY, THOSE OTHER ONE WITH THEIR EARS TO THE GROUND AND WE COULD GIVE YOU STORIES.

WATCHING THAT CLIP WITH INTERESTING BECAUSE THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT SPOKE IN THAT CLIP THAT IT HAD SITUATIONS THAT INVOLVE MEDIA GETTING OUT ABOUT THEM.

THAT IS EVEN --THAT AFFECTS MEMBERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE.

THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND.

HAVING WORKED FOR THE SPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION, HOW DID THIS BILL COME INTO BEING AND THE REASON WHY IT IS SO CRITICAL NOW IN THE TERRITORY TO HAVE THIS BECOME LAW.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE -- SINCE THEN, SHE HAD BEEN WORKING ON GETTING THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO THE FLOOR.

WE HAVE HAD COUNTLESS INSTANCES OUR OFFICE IN TEARS BECAUSE A PHOTO HAS BEEN SHARED OF THEM ON WHAT SAP OR OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND IT WAS A LONG PROCESS AND WE HAD TO MAKE SURE WE GOT IT RIGHT SO WHEN IT GOT TO THE FLOOR IT COULD SUSTAIN LEGAL CHALLENGES .

WE WORK WITH THE LEGAL COUNSEL TO MAKE SURE WE TIGHTENED UP THE LOOPHOLE.

WE WORK WITH AGENCIES THAT WORK DAILY WITH VICTIMS OF THESE TYPES OF CRIMES AND WE SEE IT.

WE HAVE SEEN IT AND WE HAVE SEEN THE HORRIBLE VIDEOS THAT ARE SHARED ON A REGULAR BASIS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

SO, THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AND THIS BILL IS TIMELY AND I AM GLAD THE SENATOR WAS ABLE TO GET SIX MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT THE MEASURE AND MOVE IT TO FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

TOM, I DON´T KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO DO IN EVERY HOARDING ON THE BILL, BUT JUST WATCHING THAT CLIP, THE DIFFERENT EDITORS HAVING DIFFERENT OPINIONS.

WHAT TAKES YOU HAVE OR TAKE AWAY YOU HAVE ON WHAT YOU JUST SAW?

>> YES, THE THING IS, WE ARE LIVING IN A DIGITAL AGE.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PROTECT INNOCENT VICTIMS.

IT HAD BECOME SO COMMON TO RECORD OUR LIVES AND TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THAT CROSSES THE LINE INTO INTERNET -- THERE IS NO , NEVER, IT IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE TO USE ANY FOOTAGE WHETHER IT´S PHOTOGRAPHS OR VIDEO TO TRY TO EXPOSE YOUR INTIMATE PARTNER IN A WAY THAT WE GET REVENGE .

IT IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE AND IT DEFINITELY IS TIME FOR THE BARGE AND ISLAND -- THE VIRGIN ISLAND LAWMAKERS TO PUT SOME PENALTIES IN SO WE CAN HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS WITHOUT EVEN THINKING THAT THEY WOULD EVER GET IN TROUBLE FOR DOING IT.

IT´S VERY TIMELY AND VERY MUCH NEEDED.

>> GORDON, YOU GREW UP HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON´T KNOW THAT ABOUT YOU.

THIS IS KIND OF LIKE A REUNION FOR US.

I WORKED WITH YOU FOR MANY YEARS ON RADIO.

TO TOM´S POINT, WE ARE CONSTANTLY CONNECTED IN A WAY THAT WE HAVE NEVER BEEN IN HUMAN HISTORY.

GIVEN THE INTIMACY OF RELATIONSHIPS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, I ALWAYS SAY, THERE ARE NO DEGREES OF SEPARATION IN THE TERRITORY.

YOU KNOW THAT BETTER THAN MOST PEOPLE.

WHY DO YOU THINK OTHER THAN THE RELEVANCY , LET ME REPHRASE THIS QUESTION.

THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SET BY THE CENTER THAT BUGGED ME IN THE CLIP.

THIS IS REVERSE REVENGE TERMINOLOGY.

REVENGE IS REVENGE.

IF WE WERE DATING AND WE BROKE UP AND I DECIDED TO BOTH PICTURES THAT IS REVENGE WHETHER YOU MOVED ON OR YOU´RE WITH ME.

I THINK THE SENATOR WAS OUT OF TOUCH WITH THAT BUT RELATING TO YOUR EXPERIENCE IN MEDIA AND WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT TECHNOLOGY NOW, WHAT TAKES YOU HAVE ON THIS LEGISLATION AND DO YOU THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED IN THE TERRITORY AND DO YOU THINK IT PASSES?

>> I BELIEVE IT IS LONG OVERDUE.

IF YOU GO BACK AND REMEMBER, I BUILD TWO OF THE THREE FIRST INTERNET COMPANIES IN THE TERRITORY.

I WOULD GET SEARCH WARRANTS AND SUBPOENAS FOR DATA AND WHAT THESE PEOPLE DON´T REALIZE , AND THIS IS A WARNING TO EVERYBODY, I JUST HACKED A HACKER THE EVERY KEYSTROKE THAT YOU EVER DO ON THE INTERNET IS RECORDED SOMEWHERE.

AND A LOT OF TIMES YOU CAN FIND OUT THAT SOMEONE WENT INTO THEIR COMPUTER, WHO LOGGED IN, THE IP ADDRESS, WE CAN´T REVERSE TRACY, RIGHT DOWN TO THE INTERNAL ADDRESS OTHER HANDHELD OR COMPUTER AT THEIR HOUSE.

SO, THESE PEOPLE ARE --EVEN THE PICTURES CONTAIN METADATA.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE GEOGRAPHIC DATA TURNED ON AND WE CAN SEND IT WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING.

BUT PEOPLE , THAT IS HOW WE FIND PEOPLE.

PEOPLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE.

IT GOES BACK TO THE SAME THING IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE NEED TO ELEVATE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INTO THE DIGITAL SECURITY, CYBER SECURITY, AND I ME FOR MONEY.

SOMEBODY SHUT DOWN MY BUSINESS.

WE NEED TO UP GRADE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT DEALS WITH THE TYPE OF OFFENSES.

>> THAT IS A GREAT POINT.

I KNOW FOR FACT THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT THAT CAN HELP VIOLATORS OF THESE TYPES OF CRIMES BE PERSECUTED OR PROSECUTED, RATHER , IN THE TERRITORY ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON THE PANEL.

THAT´S ALL WE HAVE FOR THE SHOW TODAY.

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

IN THE MEANTIME, NEWS UPDATE TO INTO THE WTJX NEWS FEED A WEEKDAY AT 5:00 P.M. ON 93.1 FM.

OR BY DOWNLOADING THE WTJX APP.

I´M LESLEY COMISSIONG.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT WTJX CHANNEL 12, HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY.