>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF ONE --WTJX, IN SPORT, OR THE STAFF.

>> ON THIS EPISODE, WE SIT DOWN WITH WAYNE L. BIGGS JR., THE CEO OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO DISCUSS THE TRADE ZONE AND HOW IT COULD TRANSFORM SAINT CROIX INTO A HUB OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>>> THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES FACING CHALLENGES AFTER A FIRE AND THE TRASH COLLECTION CONTRACTOR.

+3 FORMER MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNOR´S CABINET ARE FACING BRIBERY AND WIRE FRAUD CHARGES.

WE DISCUSSED THE DETAILS.

LATER, WE LOOK AT THE RECOMMENDED PAY RAISES FOR TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING.

STAY TUNED AS THIS WEEK´S PANEL ANALYZES THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

COMES WITH THE TERRITORY STARTS >> WELCOME TO COMES WITH THE TERRITORY, I AM MARCELLINA VENTURA-DOUGLAS.

INITIATIVE BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ECONOMIC AUTHORITY DESIGNED TO ADDRESS ENTICE BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

AT THE SOUTH SHORE AND STRATEGICALLY LOCATED NEAR THE DEEP WATER PORT AT THE HENRY WILSON AIRPORT WHICH IS A HUB FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY.

BUSINESSES IN THE ZONE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SIGNIFICANT TAX INCENTIVES INCLUDING 20 YEARS OF EXEMPTIONS ON OUR PART IN PERSONAL INCOME TAXES ALONG TAXES AND MORE.

TO MAKE THE SOUTH SHORE TRADE ZONE ATTRACTIVE FOR INDUSTRIES LIKE MANUFACTURING, INDUSTRY AND LOGISTICS.

THE SOUTH SHORE TRADE ZONE INVESTOR ROUNDTABLE IN OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTED THE POTENTIAL AND RECOGNIZE THE FIRST APPLICANTS.

>> WE ARE HONORED TO BE THE FIRST APPLICANT AND RECIPIENT OF THE SOUTH SHORE TRADE ZONE.

AS ENTERPRISE RECIPIENTS WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE ACCELERATED PROGRAM.

AS FAR AS THAT PROGRAM, WE ALSO BECAME A SPECIALTY FOOD ASSOCIATION MEMBER AND WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO NEW YORK TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THE LARGEST FOOD TRADESHOWS IN THE WORLD.

>> BEYOND THE DEVELOPMENT, THERE HAS TO BE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ECONOMY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JOINING US NOW TO SHARE MORE ABOUT THE SOUTH SHORE TRADE ZONE AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE TERRITORY´S ECONOMY IS WAYNE L. BIGGS JR., THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> CAN YOU GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF THE SOUTH SHORE TRADE ZONE.

HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN IN DEVELOPMENT AND WHAT MOTIVATED THE PURSUES DECISION TO PURSUE IT.

>>> WE DID IT FIVE YEARS BEFORE WE WANTED TO GET IT PASSED.

IT IS THE NEWEST TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX RELATED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO THE TERRITORY.

AFTER FIVE YEARS, HE BECAME A REALITY AND NOW ALLOWS US TO SERVICE THE ZONE AND ADVERTISE THE ZONE IS A PLACE FOR MANUFACTURER AND A VARIETY OF OTHER PRODUCTS.

>> WHAT MAKES SAINT CROIX´S SOUTH SHORE IDEAL FOR THIS.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE OVERALL CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT ON TARGET.

GEOGRAPHICALLY WITH SAINT CROIX, IT IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CHAIN AND AS A RESULT IT IS EASY TO GET TO LATIN AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, AND NORTH AMERICA.

WE ARE EXEMPT FROM THE JONES ACT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH.

ANYBODY LOOKING FOR MARKETS LIKE LATIN AMERICAN MARKETS AND SOUTH AMERICAN MARKETS, SAINT CROIX IS IDEAL.

WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE WITH DEEP WATER PORTS AND WE´VE DONE UP VISIBILITY STUDY OF LOOKING AT A SHIPYARD WITHIN THE TRADE ZONE.

WE ARE SHOPPING AT AROUND TWO ANYBODY IN INTERESTED IN THE SHIPYARD.

THE FEASIBILITY STUDY INDICATED IT WAS FEASIBLE TO CREATE A SHIPYARD IN THE TERRITORY WHICH WOULD BE ONE OF THE ONLY SHIPYARDS UNDER THE U.S.

FLAG.

>> NOW, THE TRADE ZONE IS EXPECTED TO DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CREATE JOBS WITH THE FEASIBILITY STUDY.

WHAT OTHER SECTORS STAND TO BENEFIT THE MOST?

>> DEFINITELY TRASH SHIPMENT.

ALSO WAREHOUSING.

BECAUSE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, ALL OF THE DELIVERY ENTITIES WITHIN THE TRADE ZONE AREA AND ADDITIONALLY CARGO SHIPS COME INTO THE AREA.

WE HAVE ALL OF THE PRIVATE SHIPPING COMPANIES LIKE FEDEX AND ALL OF THOSE WITH LABOR AND SUPPORT.

PRIMARILY MOVING PRODUCT IN AND OUT OF THE TRADE ZONE.

THE BEAUTY IS YOU DON´T PAY TAXES UNTIL THE PRODUCT GETS TO MARKET.

YOU CAN MOVE ITEMS IN AND OUT WITHOUT PAYING IMPORT AND EXPORT TAXES AND FEES.

>> THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT TAX BENEFITS WITH 20 YEAR EXEMPTION ON CORPORATE AND THERE´S ALSO CUSTOM DUTIES AND PROPERTY TAXES.

WITH HOW THESE INCENTIVES ARE STRUCTURED TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES WHAT KIND OF INDUSTRIES -- ARE THOSE SAME INDUSTRIES AS FAR AS THE SHIPYARD AND FEDEX, ARE THOSE THE INDUSTRIES YOU ARE SPECIFICALLY TARGETING?

>> WE ARE TARGETING ASSEMBLY.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING WITH A COMPANY THAT ASSEMBLES SOLAR PANELS.

THEY BRING IN COMPONENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND PUT THOSE COMPONENTS INTO THE PANELS.

WITH THE VALUE ADDED, BECAUSE FLAG, THEY CAN MARK THEM IS MADE IN THE USA ALTHOUGH THE COMPONENTS COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THE COMPANY THAT DOES SOLAR PANELS, WE ARE ALSO PURSUING HOTELS AND WE HAVE AN INTEREST IN A HOTEL IN THE AIRPORT AREA FOR 136 ROOMS IN THE AREA.

AND ALSO SOME OTHER BUSINESSES WE ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES.

ONE IS THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL COMPANY THAT CREATES PREFAB AND MODULAR CONSTRUCTION THAT COULD BRING CONSTRUCTION DOWN TO THE TERRITORY.

>> INTERESTING.

DURING THE SOUTH SHORE INVESTOR ROUNDTABLE IN OCTOBER, WHAT WERE THE KEY MESSAGES SHARED WITH BUSINESS LEADERS?

WHICH INDUSTRY SHOWED THE MOST INTEREST IN INVESTING IN THE ZONE?

>> FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY WE HAVE 10 DIFFERENT COMPANIES REPRESENTED FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND SO IT WAS OUR INTRODUCTION WITH THE ZONE.

WE HAVE AN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY SHOWING INTEREST IN RELOCATING HERE TO THE TERRITORY.

ALSO WE HAVE A COMPANY THAT ASSEMBLES SOLAR PANELS AND SO THIS SEEMS LIKE TWO GOOD BITES AS A RESULT OF THE ROUNDTABLE AND ANOTHER ROUNDTABLE WILL HOPEFULLY BE ANNUALLY SO WE CAN BRING IN MORE AND MORE INVESTORS.

>> AND LOCALLY, IT WAS THE FIRST APPROVED APPLICANT UNDER THE PROGRAM.

HOW DOES THE SUCCESS REFLECT THE GOALS OF THE TRADE ZONE AND HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE MORE BUSINESSES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES?

>> IN THE MIX, AS INDICATED, THEY ARE PART OF THE PROGRAM AND THEY HAVE BEEN WANTING TO INCREASE EXPORTS TO THE MAINLAND AND OTHER AREAS.

THEY WERE PRIMED WITH REGARD TO GETTING INTO THE TRADE ZONE AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM NOW SO THEY CAN SEE THEIR DREAM COME IN ADDITION TO KEEPING THINGS STORED, THEY WANT TO DEVELOP A MANUFACTURING PLANT AND FACILITY WHERE THEY CAN EXPORT COOKIES AND CAKE MIX AND A VARIETY OF THINGS THAT THEY HAVE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FOR TO THE U.S. MAINLAND AND OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS.

>> WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

I KNOW YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST.

ARE THERE NEXT STEPS AS FAR AS THIS DEVELOPMENT?

>> WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE PORT AUTHORITY BECAUSE MOST OF THE PROPERTY HERE BELONGS TO THE PORT AUTHORITY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT MAPPING AND WHAT ACCESS WOULD FIT BEST.

OUR INDUSTRIAL PARK AND THE OTHER INDUSTRIAL PARK ALSO.

FOR US, IT IS TO GO OUT AND SHOW THE ASSETS THE TERRITORY HAS.

THERE ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE ENTITIES HERE.

INITIALLY, RECENTLY THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW THE SOLAR POWER DIRECTLY IN THE TRADE ZONE WITHOUT THE REGULATIONS.

WITHOUT THE PRODUCTION COSTS AND POWER COSTS TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

OH HOW IS THE EDA GOING TO MEASURE THE OVERALL SUCCESS ON THE SOURTH SHORE TRADE ZONE?

WHAT ARE YOU AIMING FOR OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

>> THERE IS THE COST BENEFIT AND WE LOOK AT THE INVESTMENT IN THE AREA AND WE LOOK AT THE EMPLOYMENT.

OF COURSE, WE LOOK AT THE SUCCESS THAT BUSINESSES HAVE IN THE AREA.

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF MATRICES THAT WE PUT INTO THE COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS.

AS A RESULT YOU HAVE THIS AMOUNT OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN UP.

IT IS A GIVE AND TAKE AND THE RATIOS WILL DETERMINE WHETHER IT IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT.

>> WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT THE EDA WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

SPEAK ABOUT HOW IT IS PERFORMING OVERALL.

>> IT IS DOING PRETTY WELL.

WE WOULD LOVE TO DO BETTER BUT WE HAVE INCREASED OUR PORTFOLIO ABOUT 22% OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

WE HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THERE CONTINUES TO BE A LOT OF INTEREST.

WE ARE SEEING SMALLER COMPANIES, NOW BUT THE VIRGIN ISLAND IS IN DEMAND.

I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MARKET AND PUSH WHERE WE CAN.

WE ANTICIPATE A BANNER YEAR ONCE AGAIN.

THERE ARE 92 BENEFICIARIES IN THE PROGRAM THAT ARE ACTIVE NOW.

WE HAVE ROUGHLY 12 CERTIFICATES THAT ARE BEEN APPROVED BUT NOT ACTIVATED AT THIS MOMENT.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET OVER THE CENTURY MARK AND TO CONTINUE ON.

>>> TELL ME, MR. BIGGS, WHAT CAN RESIDENTS EXPECT TO SEE COMING OUT FROM THE EDA?

>> THAT´S A GOOD QUESTION.

I WOULD SAY THE NEXT BIG PROJECT WE ARE WORKING ON IS THE AQUA PROCESSING CENTER.

WE WILL BE CREATING THE PROCESSING CENTER THAT WILL ALSO HAVE TEST AND ALLOW FOR CREATED VALUE PRODUCTS THERE.

IT WILL HAVE A TASTING ROOM IN A SMALL RESTAURANT AND WE WILL DO SOME TEACHING.

WE WILL GET THE PRODUCT OUT AND HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY EXPORT YOUR PRODUCT IF YOU WANT TO EXPORT YOUR PRODUCT, THAT´S WHAT WE HAVE GOING RIGHT NOW.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO BRING YOU BACK TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT WHEN IT COMES TO FRUITION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND SPEAKING WITH ME.

A PLEASURE AS ALWAYS.

>> IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE BEING HERE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK AS THOSE PROJECTS ARE DEVELOPED.

>> WE WILL BE BACK, BUT FIRST LET´S TAKE A LOOK AT THE ISSUES ON THE TABLE.

>> THIS WAS A SCENE AT JUST RIGHT TRUCKING IN THE EARLY MORNING OF JANUARY 12th.

THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND EVIDENCE POINTS TO ARSONIST TRESPASSING AND DELIBERATELY SETTING THE FIRE THAT DESTROYED THREE GARBAGE TRUCK, TWO TRUCKS, A BACKHOE AND AN EXCAVATOR.

REQUIRING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.

ARSON IS BELIEVED TO BE TIED TO A CONTRACT SECURED WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

JUST RIGHT TRUCKING´S NEW CONTRACT INVOLVES TRASH COLLECTION FOR ABOUT 25 NEIGHBORHOODS ON ST. CROIX.

>> THIS WAS AN EMERGENCY HOUSE TO HOUSE COLLECTION BECAUSE OF AN EMERGENCY WITH A PREVIOUS CONTRACTOR.

WE ARE DOING A SIX MONTH CONTRACT NOW AND THEN WE´LL PUT IT OUT FOR A TWO YEAR CONTRACT.

>> THE PREVIOUS CONTRACTOR WITH BATES TRUCKING SAID THAT HE HAS SEVERED TIES WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT AND LAID OFF SEVERAL EMPLOYEES FROM HIS BUSINESS DUE TO THE AUTHORITY´S FAILURE TO PAY HIM.

>> I WON´T BE ABLE TO HAVE MY EMPLOYEES AND I HAVE TO >> WASTE MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ESTIMATED THE DEBT AT A LITTLE OVER $700,000.

BASE DISPUTED THE AMOUNT CLAIMING IT WAS WAY MORE THAN THAT.

AS WASTE MANAGEMENT WORKS TO RESOLVE PAST ISSUES, IT WORKS WITH ONGOING ISSUES WITH TRASH COLLECTION ON ST. CROIX BY DISRUPTING ITS CONTRACTOR´S OPERATIONS.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO PUT THIS TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP TO CONTINUE.

WE ARE TO NOT WANT TO SAY WE ARE OUT.

WE ARE NOT 100% OUT BUT WE ARE DONE.

WE ARE DONE BUT NOT OUT.

>> A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS ON ST. CROIX SINCE 2003 REMAINS DETERMINED TO FILL ITS COMMITMENT USING ITS REMAINING COMMITMENT.

>>> WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

STRONGER.

THEY CAN SLOW US DOWN BUT THEY CAN BE ASSURED THEY ARE NOT GOING TO STOP US.

>> THE FORMER MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DIRECTOR AND FORMER POLICE COMMISSIONER RAY MARTINEZ AND THE COMMISSIONER, ALBERT WHITE, APPEARED IN DISTRICT COURT ON JANUARY 10, THE SAME DAY THAT HE FACES WIRE FRAUD AND BRIBERY CHARGES.

ACCUSED OF TAKING BRIBES FROM DAVID WHITAKER, THE FINDER OF THE CYBER SECURITY FORM.

MARTINEZ WHO RESIGNED AS POLICE COMMISSIONER IN 2024 IS ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING MORE THAN $100,000 IN BRIBES.

COURT DOCUMENTS SAY THIS INCLUDED EQUIPMENT AND LABOR FOR HIS BUSINESS ALONG WITH PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION FOR HIS TWO SONS AND TICKETS TO SPORTING EVENTS.

IN RETURN, MARTINEZ ALLEGEDLY DIRECTED THAT INVOICES WERE PAID AND APPROVED A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT FOR WHITAKER TO PROVIDE CASE SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HE FACES ONE COUNT OF ROBBERY INVOLVING FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS.

ONE COUNT OF MONEY LAUNDERING CONSPIRACY AND TWO COUNTS OF SOCIAL INJUSTICE.

JENNIFER O´NEILL ALSO RESIGNED IN JUNE 2024 ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING $17,730 IN BRIBES FROM WHITAKER.

ALLEGING THAT WHITAKER PAID HER RESTAURANT LEASE DIRECTLY TO THE LANDLORD TO CONCEAL THE SCENE.

IN RETURN, WHITAKER RECEIVED PAYMENTS AND INSTRUCTED STAFF TO FACILITATE THE PAYMENTS.

SHE FACES FIVE COUNTS OF WIRE FRAUD AND ONE COUNT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS AND ONE COUNT OF CONSPIRACY.

BRIBE SOLICITATION AND A $5000 BRIBE FROM WHITAKER FOR A CONTRACT TO INSTALL SECURITY CAMERAS AT SPORTS FACILITIES.

HE CONCEALED THE SCHEME BY USING HENDRIX TO FACILITATE AND RECEIVE THE BRIBE PAYMENT.

WHITE AND HENDRIX ARE CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF WIRE FRAUD AND ONE COUNT OF BRIBERY INVOLVING FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS.

CITING EXTENSIVE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE CHARGES INCLUDING CONVERSATIONS, TEXT MESSAGES, MULTIPLE TERABYTES OF DATA AND PAGES OF DOCUMENTS.

ALL PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND WERE RELEASED PENDING TRIAL.

>> [ CROWD CHANTING ].

>> OF THE 36 LEGISLATURE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE 36 OFFICE ON JANUARY 13 MARKING A NEW LEGISLATIVE TERM.

AFTER THE CEREMONY, THEY MOVED STRAIGHT TO THEIR FIRST SESSION WHERE SOME SENATORS USED ALLOTTED TIME TO ADJUST THE ADDRESS THE CONTROVERSY WITH SALARY INCREASES FOR OFFICIALS WHICH HAVE STRONG CRITICISM MEN LEGAL SCRUTINY.

>> NONE OF US, NONE OF US FOR A RAISE.

SHOW ME WHAT MANY PEOPLE FEEL AND THINK ABOUT US.

>> DO WE DESERVE IT?

NO PAY RAISES AT THIS TIME.

NO PAY RAISES FOR TOP LEVEL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS UNTIL THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE OF THIS TERRITORY CHANGES FOR THE BETTER OF US ALL.

>> THE SALARY INCREASES WERE RECOMMENDED IN THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS COMPENSATION STUDY.

A REPORT REPAIR PREPARED BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICIALS AND THE BODY TASKED WITH REVIEWING AND PROPOSING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE OFFICIALS PAID.

THE LEGISLATURE HAD 90 DAYS TO REVIEW AND ACT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE STUDY.

IF NO ACTION WAS TAKEN WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME, THE PROPOSAL AUTOMATICALLY TOOK EFFECT.

AT THE CENTER OF THE DATE WAS WHETHER THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE 35th LEGISLATURE WHICH DID NOT ACT ON THE REPORT.

CLAIMS THAT THE REPORT WAS EMAILED TO KEY OFFICIALS INCLUDING THE THIN SENATE PRESIDENT IN 2024.

HE DENIES RECEIVING IT.

THE LEGAL COUNSEL CONCLUDED THE SALARY INCREASES ARE NOT LEGALLY BINDING ON THE GOVERNMENT OR THE LEGISLATURE IF THE COMPENSATION COMMISSION DID NOT SUBMIT THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

AS RECORDED BY THE HOUSE, THE THERE IS AN INCREASE OF THE GOVERNORS PAY FROM $150,000 TO $192,000.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S FROM $125,000 TO ABOUT $168,000.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR $145,000 TO ROUGHLY $168,000.

OTHER TOP OFFICIALS INCLUDING COMMISSIONERS AND AGENCY HEADS WERE RECOMMENDED TO RECEIVE PAY RAISES BASED ON ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

THE SENATORS DID NOT RECEIVE A PAY RAISE AND THE $98,000 FIGURE REFLECTED IN THE REPORT REFLECTS THE CURRENT SALARY OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT WITH NO CHANGES RECOMMENDED FOR THE SENATORS.

JOINING ME TO BREAK THIS DOWN IS FORMER SENATOR DONALD "DUCKS" COLES.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

>> ALSO IS KYE WALKER, ESQUIRE WHO IS THE CHIEF PARTNER AND FOUNDER OF WALKER LEGAL.

LET´S START WITH THE RECENT FIRE AT JUST RIGHT TRUCKING AND THE WASTE MANAGEMENT TRASH COLLECTION ON ST. CROIX.

THEY STOPPED COLLECTING AFTER BEING OWED MORE THAN $1 MILLION WHICH LED TO LAYOFFS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SUSTAIN OPERATIONS.

THEY CONTINUE SERVICING PUBLIC HOUSING UNDER A SEPARATE DEAL WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AT DORITY.

THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HIRED JUST RIGHT TRUCKING ON A SIX-MONTH EMERGENCY CONTRACT TO TAKE OVER HOUSE TO HOUSE TRASH COLLECTION.

SOME CLAIM IT WAS UNFAIR TO THE COMPANY STILL OWED MONEY WHILE OTHERS SEE IT AS A STRAIGHTFORWARD BUSINESS DECISION BY JUST RIGHT TRUCKING TO FILL A GAP IN BUSINESS SERVICE.

WITH THE GAP IN SERVICE, TRASH COLLECTION HAS BEEN DISRUPTED ONCE AGAIN.

MISTER JAMES, I WANT TO ASK YOU, DO YOU THINK IT WAS UNFAIR FOR JUST RIGHT TRUCKING TO ACCEPT THE CONTRACT POTENTIALLY ALLOWING WEST MEASUREMENT FROM RESOLVING ITS DEBT?

>> IT IS UNTRUE.

WITH JUST RIGHT FILLING THE GAP.

HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK IT IS TOTALLY UNFAIR WITH WHAT HAPPENED.

I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HIM AND THESE ARE THE NUMBERS HE GAVE ME.

THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY OWES HIM $1.6 MILLION.

THEY TOLD HIM IN THE LATTER PART OF 2024 THAT THEY WOULD BE ADDRESSING THAT.

WHEN THEY DID, THEY GAVE HIM A PAYMENT OF $100,000, THAT´S WHAT HE TOLD ME.

THIS IS AKIN TO ME OWING YOU SAYING TAKE $10.

IT DOES NOT REALLY IMPACT WHAT I OWE YOU.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

AND NUMBER TWO, THE ONE QUESTION I WOULD HAVE FOR JUDGE RIGHT IS IF IN FACT THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY --WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO ENTERTAIN THAT CONTRACT KNOWING THAT THEY OWE SIGNIFICANT MONEY FOR THE SAME SERVICE YOU ARE GOING TO PROVIDE?

THAT IS RISKY.

WHAT I DON´T LIKE ABOUT IT IS WE ARE GIVING THE IMPRESSION WE ARE PITTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AGAINST EACH OTHER.

THEY PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ALL OF US FOR A HEALTHY AND CLEAN ENVIRONMENT.

AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ECONOMICS AND MONEY, IT SIMPLY SEEMS WE NEED TO GET OUR SITUATION TOGETHER AND TO ALLOW THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY DO BACK WHEN IT WAS CREATED IN THE LATTER PART OF 2003 AND 2004 VIA LEGISLATIVE MANDATE.

>> YOU THINK THIS WAS SIMPLY A BUSINESS DECISION AND HAD NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER?

>> I THINK IT WAS A BUSINESS DECISION.

FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT, THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE PICKING UP TRASH.

THE FACT THAT THEY NEVER SPOKE TO IT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH AN ENTITY THAT IS NOT PAYING BILLS.

I REMEMBER AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WHEN I WAS THERE WITH THE PORT AUTHORITY, THEY UTILIZED THE SAME TECHNIQUE.

THEY OWED MONEY AND THEN THEY WENT INTO ANOTHER CONTRACT.

RIGHT?

NOBODY GETS PAID WAS BASICALLY A BIG PROBLEM.

THE MANDATE BY THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

THE LEGISLATURE THAT PASS TO THE BILL CREATED THAT AND THEN WENT BACK AND REMOVED THE SECTION OF THE LAW THAT GAVE AUTHORITY TO THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION TO PUT THE WF FUND IN PLACE.

IT WAS A FUND THAT WOULD GENERATE MONEY TO SUPPORT THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

THE THING IS THEY DON´T HAVE AUTHORITY --THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PUT THE WASTE USER FEE IN PLACE.

THAT WAS THE PORTION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.

THUS THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY IS DEPENDENT ON THE GENERAL FUND FOR CARRYING OUT ITS MANDATE.

AND WE KNOW THE GENERAL FUND IS REFERRED TO AS A BLACK HOLE BECAUSE THERE´S NO MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND.

WONDERING WHERE MATE WASTE MANAGEMENT IS FINDING THE FUNDS TO PAY JUST RIGHT TRUCKING FOR THE EMERGENCY CONTRACT AND WHETHER IT WOULD BE MORE PRACTICAL AND FAIR TO USE THE FUNDS TO ADDRESSING THE DEBT.

THE SAME ISSUE WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT´S HANDLING OF TRASH AND ITS CONTRACTORS.

THE OWNER STATED HE WOULD NOT REMOVE HIS GARBAGE BINS THAT WERE GARBAGE FILLED OR THE EXCAVATORS THAT WERE AT THE SITE DESPITE THE REQUEST FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY WITH ONGOING LEGAL DISPUTES.

THIS IS RAISING BROADER QUESTIONS.

WHY DOES WASTE MANAGEMENT APPEAR TO HAVE AN ONGOING PATTERN OF NOT ADDRESSING FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO CONTRACTORS LEADING TO THIS SITUATION WITH TRASH PILING UP IN THE PUBLIC.

>> ISSUE, ITSELF IS AN ISSUE.

WE GENERATE MORE WASTE IN THIS TERRITORY THAN THE AVERAGE LOCATION.

SOMETHING TO THE TUNE OF 460 TONS PER DAY WHICH IS ABOUT NINE POUNDS PER PERSON.

THAT IS EVERY ADULT AND EVERY CHILD IN THE TERRITORY GENERATING ABOUT NINE POUNDS OF TRASH EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THE WASTE MANAGEMENT ISSUE ITSELF IS TOO LARGE FOR THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY DOES NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MANAGE THE WASTE THAT IS GENERATED IN THE TERRITORY AMONG THEIR OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

WITH THE DISPUTE, I COMPLETELY EMPATHIZE WITH THEM.

AND WITH JUST RIGHT, I COMPLETELY SYMPATHIZE WITH THEM.

BUT, ALL OF THIS IS THE MANIFESTATION OF WHAT IS AN UNDERLYING MUCH LARGER ISSUE WHICH IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A WASTE MANAGEMENT PROBLEM THAT THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY CANNOT MANAGE.

>> AND MISTER JAMES, THE INTERIM DIRECTOR AND CFO HAS SAID THE VIRGIN AIRLINE ISLANDS IS THE ONLY U.S.

TERRITORY WHERE RESIDENTS DO NOT DIRECTLY PAY FOR TRASH COLLECTION.

YOU THINK IT IS TIME FOR THAT TO CHANGE?

>> IN THEIR CONVERSATION, THERE IS ONE THING I WANT TO SAY FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY WAS CREATED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE CRISIS THAT HAS BEEN IN THE TERRITORY OVER 20 YEARS.

WHAT HAPPENED FROM A POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE IS THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY FINDS IT HARD FOR THE LAST 20+ YEARS TO IMPLEMENT THE FEES GIVEN THE EXCESSIVE PRICE THAT WE PAY.

SO, THIS IS REALLY THE ISSUE.

SO, IN FAIRNESS, WITH THE FEES, THEY WOULD BE IN A BETTER FINANCIAL POSITION TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES.

WITH A BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES?

I DON´T KNOW.

WE NEED TO FIX THAT ENERGY CRISIS.

HE IS ACUTELY FAMILIAR WITH THAT AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION WITH HIS BACKGROUND AND ALSO BEING ON THE BOARD.

>> NOW IT SAYS IT´S $23.5 MILLION ANNUALLY TO MANAGE TRASH COLLECTION ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

BECAUSE IT DOES NOT GENERATE ITS OWN REVENUE, IT RELIES ENTIRELY ON EXTERNAL FUNDING.

HOW FEASIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE IS THIS MODEL?

>> IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A FUNDING SOURCE.

THE FUNDING SOURCES THE GENERAL FUND AND LIKE I SAID, THE LEGISLATURE --I WANT TO REPEAT IT AGAIN.

THE PLACE FOR THE WASTE USER FEE WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WHERE WE GENERATE THE MONEY FROM TO PAY.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THAT TIME AND THE OTHER LADY OUT OF ST. CROIX.

>> UMM HUMM.

>> I WAS A MEMBER AND WE WENT AND CREATED THE FUND.

IT WAS EGREGIOUS FOR SOME PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU HAD INDIVIDUALS THAT CAME AND TESTIFIED.

IF I HAVE A BIG TRUCK AND A YEARS.

I HAVE TO PAY THE FEE UPFRONT AND I´M NOT GOING TO GET RID OF THAT TRUCK FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS.

SO, THE ABILITY AND THAT SITUATION REACHED A HEIGHT.

THE LEGISLATURE THAT CREATED THAT FUND WENT AND REPEALED THAT SECTION THAT CREATED THE FUND.

THUS, HOW ARE WE GOING TO GENERATE THE REVENUES?

THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO COME BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR WASTE COLLECTION.

EVERYTHING IS IMPORTED IN.

WE IMPORT 95% OF EVERYTHING WE CONSUME HERE AND THE TRASH HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE.

WE NEED TO HAVE A FUNDING SOURCE OUTSIDE OF THE GENERAL FUND OR ELSE IT IS GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC.

>> NOW, LET´S SHIFT OUR FOCUS TO THE RECENT FEDERAL INDICTMENTS OF RAY MARTINEZ AND JENNIFER O´NEILL AND THE COMMISSIONER, CALVERT WHITE.

WHILE THEY ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, THESE INDICTMENTS ARE UNDOUBTABLY SIGNIFICANT.

NOW, ATTORNEY WALKER, HOW DO THESE CHARGERS IMPACT CONFIDENCE IN THE ADMINISTRATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LEADERSHIP ROLES AND CRITICAL AGENCIES LIKE ENFORCEMENT AND BUDGET MEANT MANAGEMENT?

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU REVIEW THE ALLEGATIONS IN THIS CASE, THEY REALLY SPEAK TO ACTIONS THAT WERE ALLEGEDLY TAKEN BY INDIVIDUALS.

NOT ACTIONS TAKEN WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THEIR WORK.

NOT ACTIONS DIRECTED BY ANYONE IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

THEY WERE VERY PERSONAL ACTIONS THAT WERE TAKEN, ALLEGEDLY, BY INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE ABUSED THEIR POWER AND AUTHORITY.

THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF NOT JUST THE ADMINISTRATION BUT THE TERRITORY BECAUSE IT IS FEDERAL FUNDS.

IN ADDITION TO ANY CONCERNS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY MAY HAVE, WE ALSO HAVE A LARGER CONCERN WHEN DEALING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THEIR DESIRE TO CONTINUE TO SEND RECOVERY FUNDS TO THE TERRITORY.

IT IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE BUT THE ALLEGATIONS DO NOT SPEAK TO THERE BEING ANY PATTERN OR MISCONDUCT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OR THAT THESE WERE TAKEN AT THE DIRECTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION INVOLVED.

>> WITH THE GOVERNOR IN HIS LAST TWO YEARS, HOW DO THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IMPACT HIS OVERALL LEGACY OR HIS ABILITY TO CREATE A LASTING LEGACY?

>> I AGREE WITH ATTORNEY WALKER.

THE ADMINISTRATION ITSELF DID NOT DIRECT ANYBODY TO DO THESE THINGS, AT LEAST NOT FROM MY CONCERN.

THE LEGACY OF AN ADMINISTRATION BASED ON THE PEOPLE WHO YOU HAVE WORKING FOR YOU IS TIED TO YOU.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CHARGED AND CONVICTED AND SERVED JAIL TIME AND WE CAN LOOK AT THOSE LEGACIES.

THE GOVERNOR´S LEGACY, I BELIEVE WILL BE TIED TO WHAT HE DID WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE.

HOW HE HANDLED THE COVID ISSUE AND HOW HE DEALT WITH THE ISSUE WHICH IS TROUBLING AND CONTINUES TO BE TROUBLING.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL BE HIS LEGACY.

IT WILL BE TAINTED IN THE EVENT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE CHARGED ARE NOW CONVICTED NOW MEMBERS OF YOUR ADMINISTRATION WITH THESE ILLICIT CRIMES.

I THINK HIS LEGACY IS GOING TO BE MORE THAN THAT.

HE IS GOING TO BE TARNISHED BUT HIS LEGACY WILL BE OVERALL WHAT HE DID FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THIS TERRITORY.

>> AND NOW MISUSE OF FEDERAL FUNDING MAY BE MORE COMMON BUT IN A SMALL TERRITORY LIKE OURS, IT FEELS ESPECIALLY EXPLOSIVE.

SHOULD WE ESTABLISH A GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES?

WOULD IT BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO STRENGTHEN THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ´S OFFICE FOR MEANINGFUL JURISDICTION?

>> I THINK ERIC EVERY JURISDICTION SHOULD HAVE A GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE.

WITH CONGRESS TO EXIST ON LOCAL LEVELS.

TO STRENGTHEN THE ALL FOR THAT.

THAT PROVIDES ANOTHER LEVEL OF SECURITY AND OVERSIGHT WHICH I REALLY WANT TOO.

FOR THE RECORD, I AM VERY GOOD WITH MARTINEZ AND WITH CALVERT WHITE AND NOT AS MUCH AS JENNIFER O´NEILL.

THIS IS PERSONAL FOR ME.

TO ALLOW A DOCUMENTED LAWBREAKER GOING BACK DECADES TO COME TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PRETTY MUCH WORKED HIS WAY AND WEASEL HIS WAY INTO POSITIONS.

THAT IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN.

THEY GRANTED A PLEA OF NOT GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

HAVING SAID THAT, MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS WE LOOK LIKE WE ARE A TARGET MS. MARCELLINA VENTURA- DOUGLAS WHERE FOLKS CAN COME TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WAIVE WHAT THEY WANT TO WAIVE AND TELL US THINGS AND WE BUY IT.

I LOOK BACK AT A WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE WHERE IT WAS STATED BACK THEN THAT YOU CAN GO WHEREVER YOU WANT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS WAS AN ARTICLE WILL FOR 25 YEARS AGO.

IF YOU KNOW WHO TO TALK TO AND WHAT TO TAP INTO AND ALL OF THAT CRAZINESS.

HERE WE ARE A QUARTER OF A CENTURY LATER AND IT IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN WITH US LETTING DOWN OUR GUARD AND BEING FRAGRANT NEGLIGENT AND LETTING THESE PEOPLE COME INTO THE TERRITORY AND HAVE ACCESS AND ACTUALLY SUBJECT US TO THINGS THAT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY YOU UNDERSTAND?

EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY AND THAT IS THE MOST PAINFUL THING ABOUT THIS SCANDAL, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.

>> NOW, THEY BOTH RESIGNED IN JUNE 2024.

THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.

YOU THINK THESE RESIGNATIONS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE MEDIA HAD NOT BROUGHT IT TO LIGHT?

WOULD THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE?

>> I TEND TO BELIEVE THAT AFTER THE MEDIA BROUGHT IT TO LIGHT THAT YOU HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RESIGN OR THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO ASK FOR THE RESIGNATION BECAUSE THE POSITION IN WHICH THESE INDIVIDUALS SIT, AND LIKE I SAID, EVERYBODY IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

AND WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DOWN WITH THE POLICE, YOU HAVE MANAGEMENT OF THE BUDGET WHERE THEY BASICALLY THE NEWS MEDIA DID THE JOB AND GOT IT OUT AND THE GOVERNOR HAD NO CHOICE.

>> NOW, ATTORNEY WALKER, BOTH JENNIFER WALKER AND RAY MARTINEZ HAVE BUSINESSES CONNECTED TO THE ALLEGED FRAUD.

HOW MIGHT THIS IMPACT THEIR BUSINESSES MOVING FORWARD.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT O´NEILL´S BUSINESS IS OPEN AND MOVING FORWARD AND MARTINEZ´S BUSINESSES MOVING FORWARD.

WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATION FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS?

>> THERE IS DEFINITELY A RISK OF A CALL BACK.

WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL´S OFFICE WITH THE MOVED EQUIPMENT FROM THE BUSINESS OWNED BY FORMER COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ.

I HAVE TO SAY, AND THIS CAME OFF OF THE FORMER SENATOR.

WITH THE AMOUNT THAT IS NOW CIRCULATING IN THE TERRITORY, THE TERRITORY IS THE TARGET.

IT IS ALL SUBJECT TO A HEIGHTENED LEVEL OF FEDERAL SCRUTINY.

WHEN YOU READ THESE ALLEGATIONS, THERE IS A CERTAIN LEVEL WITH THE FORMER DIRECTOR POSTING THAT IS BEEN RETRACTED BY WHITAKER AND POTENTIALLY BY FORMER COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT EVEN IF YOU DON´T THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG, IF IT REMOTELY SMELLS FUNNY, YOU HAVE TO QUIT IT.

THERE IS THE NUMBER OF FEDERAL AGENTS AND AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF FEDERAL SCRUTINY WE ARE SUBJECTED TO BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY FLOATING IN THE TERRITORY RIGHT NOW.

>> DON´T FORGET WE HAD THIS ISSUE IN THE OFFICE OF SOMETHING NEFARIOUS THAT MIGHT BE GOING ON AND THAT MIGHT´VE BEEN WHEN THIS WHOLE THING STARTED.

HERE WE ARE WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE DON´T NEED.

IT IS FRUSTRATING THAT OUR LEADERS ALLOWED WHITAKER, OR WHOEVER HE WAS, TO WORK HIS WAY INTO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND DO THIS TO US.

IT HAS REFLECTED POORLY ON THE TERRITORY AND THAT IS MY CONCERN.

THE PERCEPTION OF THOSE LOOKING AT US.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE INDICTMENT OF THE FORMER POLICE COMMISSIONER WHO HAD THE HIGHEST ENFORCEMENT ROLE IN THE TERRITORY.

COULD THIS IMPACT SCRUTINY AEREY OF AGREEMENTS OR EVEN CASES HANDLED DURING HIS TENURE?

WHAT KIND OF SCRUTINY AND WHAT FORM MIGHT THIS TAKE WITH THE THE POLICE FORCE?

>> IT IS FAR-REACHING IN SEVERAL ASPECTS.

ONE, IN INVITES MORE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.

SO, WE WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME THAT EVERY CONTRACT HE TOUCHED IS NOW BEING SCRUTINIZED, NUMBER ONE.

A NUMBER TWO, WITH REGARDS TO LOCAL PROSECUTION, YOU HAD BETTER BELIEVE THAT THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE NOW ASKING AS PART OF THE DISCOVERY WHICH IS THE RECEIPT AND EXCHANGE OF EVIDENCE, THEIR EAST DOSE OF IT ALL INVOLVED WITH THE INVESTIGATION OF THOSE CRIMINAL CASES.

SO, IT MAKES THE JOB OF THE PD IN THE DOJ MORE DIFFICULT WHEN PROSECUTING CRIMES THAT OCCURRED ANY TIME DURING THAT PERIOD SO, THIS PARTICULAR INDICTMENT OF THE VI PD DOES HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT.

PRESUMABLY THE OFFICE WAS INVOLVED IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS ANOTHER CONTRACTS THAT ARE NOW SUBJECT TO SCRUTINY.

>> MISTER COLES, THERE HAS BEEN A CHARGE FILED.

WITH A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH, COULD THIS HAVE BEEN AN EFFORT BY MARTINEZ TO KIND OF DEFEND HIS REPUTATION.

DOES IT RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS DECISION-MAKING SKILLS OR PROCESSES?

>> MISTER MARTINEZ HAS FILED A CASE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A QUID PRO QUO WHOA ABOUT ME AND I WILL SAY THIS ABOUT YOU.

I DON´T THINK MISTER MARTINEZ´ CASE IS A CRIMINAL FILING.

>> NO, IT IS CIVIL.

>> IT´S A CIVIL SUIT BUT THE FILING BY THE GOVERNMENT IS CRIMINAL.

WHEN YOU JUXTAPOSE BOTH OF THOSE I THINK THAT MR. MARTINEZ SEEMS TO BE THE ONE WHO IS MOST IMPACTED.

BECAUSE MR. WHITAKER HAS ALREADY --I THINK HE IS NOW BEING USED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS A WITNESSED AGAINST MR. MARTINEZ.

SO, THAT IS SOMETHING WE REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT.

THE COURT IS GOING TO HAVE ONE CRIMINAL.

AND IN TERMS OF MR. MARTINEZ, WE HAVE CITIZENS OF THIS TERRITORY WHO LOOK TO THE.

WHEN SOMEONE IS ACCUSED, WHO DOES THAT RIPPLE DOWN TO?

OUR CHILDREN AND THE PEOPLE IN THE STREET.

IF THEY ARE ACCUSED OF DOING THIS, THEN WHY SHOULD WE BE TRUSTING OF THE AGENCY THAT IS PUT TOGETHER TO TAKE CARE OF US?

IT CREATES A PROBLEM FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE TERRITORY AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE TRUST BACK.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE.

THIS INDICTMENT COMES AT A TIME WHERE THE PUBLIC IS ALREADY SCRUTINIZING AND CRITICIZING PAY RAISES FOR THE TOP OFFICIALS.

THE REPORT WAS EMAILED TO THEN SENATE PRESIDENT FRANCIS IN AUGUST 2024 BUT HE HAS STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED IT.

THE SALARY INCREASES ARE NOT LEGALLY BINDING IF THE COMPENSATION COMMISSION FAILED TO SUBMIT THE REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

HOWEVER, THE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE HOW THE REPORT IS SUBMITTED.

GIVING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REPORT, MISTER JAMES, SHOULD THEY HAVE HAND-DELIVERED WITH AND A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGMENT RECEIPT TO ENSURE IT WAS PROPERLY REVIEWED?

SHOULD THE PRESIDENT REASONABLY HAVE KNOWN THE REPORT EXISTED, ESPECIALLY AS MEMBERS OF THE MAJORITY APPROACHED HIM IN DECEMBER SEEKING SUPPORT FOR WAGE INCREASES AND REQUESTED HIS ABSENCE FROM THE SESSION TO PRESENT THE PROPOSALS WITHOUT OBJECTION?

>> AS IT RELATES TO THE COMPENSATION COMMISSION AND THE SALARIES DISPUTE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH, I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED A HARD COPY.

RIGHT?

WE ARE LIVING IN AN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD AND SO A LOT OF THINGS ARE TRANSMITTED VIA EMAIL.

I HAPPEN TO BE THE SENATE PRESIDENT IN 2016 WHEN WE ENACTED ACT 7878 THAT ESTABLISHED THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC OFFICIALS COMPENSATION COMMISSION.

THERE IS A PART OF THIS THAT FOLKS ARE IGNORING.

RIGHT?

THAT WAS DONE IN 2016.

APPARENTLY IN 2020, THE GOVERNOR SUBMITTED A BUDGET TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021.

IN THAT, HE OUTLINED THAT SALARY RAISES WERE GOING TO BE IN EFFECT FOR IRONICALLY, CALVERT WHITE WHO WAS THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS CABINET.

ACCORDING TO ACT 6905, AND HE AND SO THEY KNEW, RIGHT, THAT A SALARY RAISE WOULD BE IN EFFECT FOR 2021.

WHAT HAPPEN WAS CERTAIN CENTERS DID NOT LIKE WHERE THEY RAN IN THE PRIMARY IN AUGUST OF 2020.

SO, AFTER THAT, ONE OF THEIR POLITICAL MOVES, WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED TO DO FOR SELF PRESERVATION.

THEY LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE GETTING A RAISE WHICH CREATED THE PROBLEM TODAY.

THEY REACTED TO ACT 7878 FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PUBLIC COMPENSATION COMMISSION BY SUBSEQUENTLY ENACTING 83 AND 84 WHICH WAS REPLETE WITH ERRORS.

THE BIGGEST ERROR AND ACT 8384 WAS THE LEGISLATURE ABDICATED ITS RESPONSIBILITY AS IT WAS WITH SALARIES FOR THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THEMSELVES BY SAYING THIS LEGISLATURE DO ACT ON THE LEGISLATURE.

NON-ACT IS TANTAMOUNT TO DEFYING THE LAW WHICH IS THE MOST SUSPECT LANGUAGE I HAVE SEEN IN SUCH LEGISLATION.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND ANALYZED TO THIS AND IF THERE IS ONE ACT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPEALED, IT IS ACT 8384 BECAUSE OF THE LANGUAGE.

7878 JUST ESTABLISH THE COMPENSATION.

THIS IS UNFORTUNATE AND IT DIDN´T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS WITH DEADLINES MISSED.

I DON´T KNOW HOW TO RECONCILE IT MS. MAC VENTURA- DOUGLAS.

THE SALARY CHANGES ARE BINDING AND THAT MEANS THERE WILL BE AN ULTIMATE THE RICHER FOR THIS DISPUTE.

>> NOW I WANT TO GET YOUR STATEMENTS ON SOME THINGS THAT MISTER JAMES JUST NOTED.

DO YOU SAY THAT THE PROPOSED PAY RAISES FOR THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ARE NECESSARY TO RETAIN TOP TALENT AS WHEN HE TOLD THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS?

>> OF COURSE, THE SALARIES FOR THE COMMISSIONERS, THE HIGHER THEY ARE, THE GREATER THE POOL OF CANDIDATES YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE FROM.

SO, THAT MAKES SENSE.

FOR THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR I THINK THERE ARE OTHER INCENTIVES AND OTHER REASONS PEOPLE RUN OR CAMPAIGN FOR THOSE POSITIONS AND I DON´T THINK THE ARGUMENT APPLIES TO THOSE TWO OFFICES.

GOING BACK TO WHAT THE FORMER SENATOR CLAIMS AND BY THE WAY, I THINK FORMER SENATOR JAMES NEXT LIFE BECAUSE HE BREAKS DOWN ARGUMENTS IN A LEGAL AND METHODICAL MANNER.

HE´S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

THE PROBLEM THAT WILL HAPPEN IS THERE WILL BE AN ATTEMPT TO REPEAL THAT ACTS.

IT IS WHETHER REPEALING IT WILL BE NECESSARY BECAUSE THE PAY RAISES HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT?

WHEN YOU PARSE THE LEGALITY OUT OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE AGAINST THE PAY RAISES, WHICH ARE MORE EMOTIONAL DRIVEN AND PRINCIPAL DRIVEN, LEGALLY, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH EXECUTES THE LAWS THAT ARE GIVEN TO IT.

IN THIS INSTANCE, THAT IS WHAT THE LAW DID.

THE LAW, ESSENTIALLY ALLOWED FOR THE PAY RAISES TO GO INTO EFFECT.

THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR HAND DELIVERY OF THE ROOT PORT.

THERE WAS NO REQUIREMENT FOR TOWN HALLS OR SOME SORT OF PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT.

QUITE FRANKLY, ON THAT COMMISSION ARE TWO LAWYERS WHO I RESPECT HIGHLY AND WHO I CONSIDER TO BE HIGHLY INTELLIGENT LAWYERS.

I AM SURE THERE WAS SOME SORT OF DISCUSSION AMONGST THAT COMMISSION WHEN THEY TRANSMITTED THEIR REPORT AS TO WHAT TRANSMITTAL IS UNDER THAT SPECIFIC LAW.

WHAT YOU HAVE IS THERE WAS A LAW ENACTED IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THAT WAS COMPLIED WITH AND THE RAISES HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT.

ANY ATTEMPT TO REAP PEEL OR WALK THIS BACK WILL LIKELY BE UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE I CANNOT BE HELD LEGALLY TO HAVE IT APPLIED RETROACTIVELY.

>> AND IT WAS EVALUATING THE SALARIES OF SENATORS BUT THE REPORT ONLY ANALYZE THE SENATE PRESIDENT´S SALARIES AND EXCLUDED OTHER LAWMAKERS COMMISSION MISSED THE MARK BY RECOMMENDING PAY RAISES FOR TOP- LEVEL OFFICIALS AND EXCLUDING?

WHAT YOU THINK THE RATIONALE WAS FOR EXCLUDING THE ENTIRE LAWMAKING BODY?

>> I THINK THE COMMISSION HEARD IN ITS EVALUATION OF THE LAW AS YOU JUST STATED.

I HEARD THE SINNER THE OTHER DAY WHEN HE WAS SWEARING IN.

IT IS DEVALUING OF A SENATOR AND THE SENATORS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

LOOK AT THE SENATOR AND WHAT HE IS TELLING THE SENATORS IS, LISTEN, YOU DON´T WARRANT AS MUCH.

I SERVED AS A SENATOR.

NEVILLE JAMES WAS A SENATOR AND IT´S A HARD TASK.

WHEN YOU GO INTO THE SENATE, YOU KNOW WHAT THE SALARY IS WHEN YOU GO IN THERE.

BUT, THE WORK ASSIGNED TO THE SENATOR AND YOU LOOK OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY, THEY DO SO MANY THINGS, THEY DO EVERYTHING WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

AND THE CULTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOING BACK OVER THE YEARS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS SUPPOSED TO BE BLAMED FOR EVERYTHING.

YOU SEE THEM AT CHURCH AND THE SUPERMARKET AND THEY COME TO YOU 24/7.

THE FACT REMAINS THAT I THINK THEY MISSED THE MARK AND EVALUATING THE LEGISLATOR´S ABILITY TO DO THE JOB THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> NOW, MISTER JAMES, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT ADDRESSING THE BACKLASH, SOMETHING THAT HE HE DID POINT OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR´S RAISES $40,000 WHICH DREW LESS BACKLASH AND PUBLIC OUTCRY WHICH IS NOTED.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE HISTORIC BACKLASH ABOUT THE POLITICAL RISKS FACED BY SENATORS.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE QUESTION AS FAR AS INCREASES, THE CENTER´S SPEECH IS JUSTIFIED WITH HIS EXPRESSION OF FRUSTRATION.

YOU THINK IT COULD LEAD TO BACKLASH IN THE NEXT ELECTION AND WHAT HAPPENED TO SENATORS IN THE PAST WITH RAISES?

>> HE IS 100% CORRECT.

WE RESPECT THE LEGAL, YOU KNOW VERNACULAR.

WITH 6905 WHERE THE GOVERNOR MADE $80,000.

THE AND THE SENATORS MADE $65,000.

THE CENTER´S SALARY WAS TANTAMOUNT 81% OF THE GOVERNOR.

WE WOULD HAVE THE SENATE PRESIDENT $95,000 IN THE GOVERNOR AT $192,000.

THE SALARY HAS REDUCED FROM A PERCENTAGE FROM WHAT WAS 80% OF THE GOVERNOR TO 49% AND THAT IS CORRECT.

I WANT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO DO ME A FAVOR, START DEFENDING YOUR SENATORS MORE.

YOU HAVE EASY ACCESS TO YOUR SENATORS THAN YOU DO WITH THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR >> AND THAT IS HOW WE GET TO YOU, MISTER JAMES.

THAT IS ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE TODAY.

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

AND YOU CAN TUNE INTO THE WTJX I AM MARCELLINA VENTURA-DOUGLAS AND FOR ALL OF US HERE AT WTJX, THANK YOU.