>> ON THIS EPISODE OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY", THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS REMAINS ON THE COUNCIL´S LIST OF NONCOOPERATIVE JURISDICTIONS FOR TASK PURPOSES.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE RESIDENCE OF THE TERRITORY?

TAX ATTORNEY ADAM MARINELLI IS HERE TO BREAK IT DOWN.

>> WE ARE GETTING A NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> ARIEL SMITH RECENTLY RESIGNED AFTER EIGHT MONTHS IN OFFICE.

GOVERNOR ALBERT BRYAN JUNIOR HAS APPOINTED ATTORNEY GENERAL IN CLEMENS AS ACTIVE ATTORNEY GENERAL WALLY SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT IS UNDERWAY.

WE WILL HAVE MORE.

>> TEACHERS ARE FED UP WITH THE BEHAVIOR OF THE STUDENTS.

>> FRUSTRATED STUDENTS WALKED OFF THE JOB IN RESPONSE TO DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR.

WE WILL HAVE DETAILS ON THE RESPONSE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

AND LATER, THIS WEEK´S PANEL JOINS THE CONVERSATION TO ANALYZE THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

"COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" STARTS NOW.

>> WELCOME TO "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY".

I AM LESLEY COMISSIONG.

THE COUNSELOR OF THE EUROPEAN UNION RECENTLY UPDATED ITS LIST OF PLACES DEEMED NONCOOPERATIVE ON TAX MATTERS.

AND THE TERRITORY REMAINS INCLUDED ON THAT BLACKLIST.

THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS IS AMONG THE 12 JURISDICTIONS ON THE EU TAX BLACKLIST ANNOUNCED ON FEBRUARY 20th.

IN A PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING ITS UPDATED LIST, THE ENTITY STATED THE COUNCIL REGRETS THAT THESE JURISDICTIONS ARE NOT YET COOPERATIVE ON TAX MATTERS AND INVITES THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE IDENTIFIED ISSUES.

THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL ALSO RELEASED A DOCUMENT OUTLINING ITS CONCLUSIONS ON WHY EACH OF THE 12 JURISDICTIONS MADE ITS TAX BLACKLIST.

THE COUNCIL CONCLUDED THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DOES NOT APPLY ANY AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION, HAS HARMFUL PREFERENTIAL TAX REGIMES, INCLUDING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, EXEMPT COMPANIES, AND THE INTERNATIONAL BANKING CENTER REGULATORY ACT.

AND HAS NOT COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES.

A STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR REGARDING THE TERRITORY STATUS ON THE EU LIST OF NONCOOPERATIVE TAX JURISDICTIONS SAID, GOVERNOR ALBERT BRYAN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE VIGOROUSLY LOBBIED AGAINST THIS UNJUST ACTION SINCE 2019 AND CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE U.S.

REMOVAL FROM THAT LIST.

GOVERNOR BRIAN STATED IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR US TO CONTINUE BEING TREATED LIKE A FOREIGN COUNTRY SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE UNITED STATES.

IN THE AREA OF TERRITORIAL TAX TREATMENT ESPECIALLY, WE CONTINUE TO BE TREATED INCONSISTENTLY ACROSS THE TERRITORIES AS A GROUP.

OTHER JURISDICTIONS OF THE EU TAX BLACKLIST INCLUDE SAMOA, CG, GUAM, PALAU, PANAMA, RUSSIA, SAMOA, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, AND A LOT TOO.

THE NEXT REVISION OF THE LIST IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER OF 2024.

IN THE STUDIO WITH ME TO DISCUSS EU APPLICATION FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ATTORNEY ADAM MARINELLI.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS .

TAXES ARE USUALLY NOT ONE OF THOSE ISSUES.

TODAY.

BUT BRIEFLY SIMPLIFY IT.

TELL US ABOUT THE EU TAX BLACKLIST AND WHY IT IS RELEVANT.

>> SURE.

ON ITS FACE, IT COMES ACROSS AS A PUMP LOCATED LITTLE THING.

BUT IT DOES HAVE A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT.

SO THE WAY I WOULD ANALOGIZE IT, THINK OF IT AS KIDS PLAYING MARBLES ON THE PLAYGROUND.

THE EU AND UNITED STATES HAVE BIG GROUPS OF MARBLES.

AND OTHER TERRITORIES LIKE US DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF MARBLES.

AND THAT IS KIND OF WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

WE HAVE THE EUROPEAN UNION TRYING TO STOP IT TAX BASE FROM ERODING, SO TO SPEAK.

THEY WANT TO KEEP AS MANY MARBLES IN THEIR POT AS THEY CAN.

AND THEY CAN LEAN ON THE LITTLE GUY, THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> GROWING UP, MARBLES IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS A BIG THING.

WHAT DID THEY SAY THAT THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS IS NOW ON THE UPDATED LIST AS WELL?

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS AT PLAY HERE.

I THINK PRIMARILY THE BIG ONES ARE TAX TRANSPARENCY ISSUES AND IN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES THAT WE HAVE.

THE PROBLEM WITH A SMALL TERRITORY LIKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS THAT OUR ECONOMY IS VERY SMALL AND WE NEED A DIRE INFLUX OF OUTSIDE CAPITAL TO KEEP IT FUNCTIONING.

TO DO THAT, OUR GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTS ECONOMIC INCENTIVES.

TO BRING COMPANIES TO THE TERRITORIES, TO DO BUSINESS HERE, INVEST IN TERRITORIES.

AND THE BLACKLIST HAS A HUGE DAMPENING EFFECT ON THAT INVESTMENT.

PREVENTS EUROPEAN INVESTORS FROM RELOCATING HERE OR BRINGING CAPITAL HERE.

ULTIMATELY, THEY WILL END UP BEING TAXED MORE HEAVILY THAN IF THEY HAD NOT DONE SO.

THAT IT IS NOT A DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR ACADEMY.

IT IS A PROBLEM THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, FOR SURE.

>> TELL US THE LATEST HISTORY , IN THE BLACKLIST.

GOING BACK TO ABOUT 2017 OR SO.

>> SURE, YEAH.

THE CONDUCT GROUP THAT WAS CREATED BY THE EU ESTABLISHED A FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTED STANDARDS TO IMPOSE CRITERIA UPON THE TIME, I THINK IT WAS 92 JURISDICTIONS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED THAT WERE POTENTIALLY NONCOMPLIANT.

THE HISTORY WAS, IN MARCH OF 2018, WE WERE IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF THE 12 AT THE TIME BEING NONCOMPLIANT.

LIKE I SAID EARLIER, THE PRIMARY ISSUES THAT WE WERE IDENTIFIED FOR WERE BASICALLY TAX TRANSPARENCY ISSUES AND ULTIMATELY OUR ECONOMIC INCENTIVES CREATED, IN THEIR MIND, WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A TAX HAVEN.

IT IS TRULY NOT THE CASE THOUGH.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE BLIND CONFIDENCE IN BOTH THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND ARE REPRESENTATIVE TO WORK WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND TREASURY TO TRY TO FIX THE SITUATION.

HOW IT IS PERCEIVED THERE, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT THE REGISTRATION WAS CREATED BY CONGRESS ITSELF TO HELP, YOU KNOW, THE TERRITORY AT THE TIME BEGIN TO DIVERSIFY AND DEVELOP ITS ECONOMY.

LET´S TALK SPECIFICALLY ON THE IMPACT IT HAS ON THE U.S. GOVERNMENT DUE TO ITS CONTINUED PRESENCE.

WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?

AND WHAT IS THE TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT IN YOUR FIRST ANSWER?

HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE AVERAGE BUSINESS OWNER?

>> SURE.

LIKE I SAID, BACK TO THE ANALOGY OF THE MARBLES, REALLY WITH RESPECT TO OUR BANKS AND THE DIRECT LINE TO THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS THAT WE SEE FROM FOREIGN INVESTMENTS.

WHEN BANKS RECEIVE INVESTMENTS FROM FOREIGN INVESTORS, FOR EXAMPLE, LIQUIDITY IS BETTER AND YOU PROBABLY GET MORE MORTGAGES GOING OUT, MORE DEVELOPMENT.

DEVELOPMENTS ARE ADDED TO TERRITORY.

SO THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS ALSO RELATED TO JOBS.

YOU KNOW, THOSE TYPES OF INVESTMENTS CREATE JOBS AS WELL.

THOSE ISLANDERS ARE BEING HIRED TO BUILD THOSE DEVELOPMENTS AND WORK IN THE STRUCTURES THERE.

IT BECOMES A DIRECTLY IMPACTFUL ISSUE THAT I THINK SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

>> LET´S TALK A LITTLE BIT.

YOU HAD CONFIDENCE, YOU JUST SAID, IN THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION WORKING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

IF YOU CAN, WALK US THROUGH THE STEPS THEY WOULD TAKE TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE AT , AND WHAT ARE THE LEGAL ARGUMENTS, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT WE WOULD MAKE AS A TERRITORY TO HELP GET US OFF THIS LIST?

>> I THINK GOVERNOR BRYAN NAILED IT WHEN WE SAID WE SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS A FOREIGN JURISDICTION.

WE ARE UNDER THE OFFICES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, WHICH ALREADY HAS AN EXISTING TAX TREATY WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION.

WE DO NOT ACTUALLY HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY OR RIGHT TO OWN BEHALF.

GOVERNOR BRYAN, REPRESENTATIVE HASKETT AND THEIR RESPECTIVE CABINETS HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CHANNELS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET THIS SITUATION ADDRESSED.

SO THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, FOR EXAMPLE, THOSE ARE ENTITIES GOING TO BAT FOR US WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION.

AGAIN, YOU HAVE TWO BODIES NOW GOING AT IT.

IT IS NOT I CAN TO ITS OWN PRESSURES WHEN IT COMES TO FOREIGN TAX INVESTMENTS.

THE IRS TREATS FOREIGN TAX INVESTMENTS PRETTY STRICTLY AS WELL.

BECAUSE WE ARE IN A UNIQUE SITUATION WHERE WE CANNOT NEGOTIATE ON OUR OWN BEHALF AND OUR ECONOMIC INCENTIVES WERE CREATED BY CONGRESS FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING, FOR A LACK OF A BETTER TERM, AND CONVERTING THE ECONOMY.

WE ARE VERY SMALL IN NATURE COMPARED TO THE EUROPEAN UNION.

WE NEED THOSE INCENTIVES TO DRAW INVESTMENT TO THE TERRITORY.

>> WOULD IT BE WORTHWHILE, YOU THINK, FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO LOBBY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOBBY GOVERNOR HASKETT AND SAY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT YOU TO DO?

OR DOES A LOBBYING HAVE TO TAKE ON A HIGHER LEVEL WHERE IT IS OUR REPRESENTATIVES MEETING WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, MEETING WITH STAFF AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO HELP RECTIFY THIS ISSUE?

>> THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE COULD DO LOCALLY.

I THINK THAT THERE ARE INFRASTRUCTURE , FOR EXAMPLE, THAT COULD ADD TO OUR LEVEL OF TAX TRANSPARENCY.

INFORMATION SHARING IS ONE OF THE CRITERIA OF THE AU.

I THINK WE COULD DO A BETTER JOB, PERHAPS, OF WORKING WITH THE EU TO SHARE THE INFORMATION THEY ARE AFTER.

BUT ULTIMATELY, THIS IS IN THE HANDS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, THOSE HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIALS ARE THE ONES THAT WILL BE THE ONES TO GET THIS OFF THE BLACKLIST.

>> DO YOU THINK IT IS A PRIORITY FOR THEM?

HOW DO WE MANAGE TO MAKE IT ON THERE?

THE TERRITORIES ARE SMALLER, HOW DO, YOU KNOW IN FRONT OF THEIR FACES AND SAY, HEY, GUYS.

THIS IS AFFECTING OUR ECONOMY, WE NEED THIS TAKEN CARE OF?

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

THE TERRITORIES ARE OFTEN LEFT IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE CONVERSATION A LOT OF TIMES.

BUT I THINK THEY HAVE TAKEN NOTICE.

THERE IS DEFINITELY WORK BEING DONE IN THE BACKGROUND FOR GETTING US OFF THE BLACKLIST.

BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE UNITED STATES TREATIES WITH THE EU ARE BEING RESPECTED.

IN TERRITORIES ARE A PART OF THOSE TREATIES.

FROM A GENERAL DIPLOMACY STANDPOINT, AGAIN, I AM NOT A POLITICAL EXPERT OR INVOLVED IN ANY OF THESE HIGH-LEVEL CONVERSATIONS.

BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IF THERE IS A -FOR-TAT TRADE NEGOTIATION GOING ON FOR HOW WE TREAT EUROPEAN INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES VERSUS HOW WE TREAT THEM IN THE INSULAR TERRITORIES.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK YOUR VIEWERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THEIR >> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE TERRITORY.

LIKE I SAID, IT HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY.

WE NEED FOREIGN INVESTMENTS BECAUSE IT IS WHAT JOB GROWTH, INVESTMENT IN THIS TERRITORY.

IT WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LOCAL VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A QUOTE THAT I ALWAYS USE MY PRACTICE AS A TAX ATTORNEY.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO THINGS CERTAIN IN LIFE.

DEATH AND TAXES.

SOMEBODY WILL GET THEIR MONEY.

WHETHER IT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION, OR THE VIR AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE WILL FIND OUT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING TIME OUT TO HELP EXPLAIN THIS COMPLEX TOPIC.

YOU DID A GREAT JOB IN HELPING OUR VIEWERS.

UP NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM THIS WEEK´S --.

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

>> I RESPECT HIM.

I REALLY LIKE HIM A LOT.

BUT WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF APPROACH.

>> GOVERNOR ALBERT BRYAN JR. PARTED COMPANY WITH HIS ATTORNEY GENERAL, ARIEL SMITH, LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER SHE OFFICIALLY ASSUMED THE ROLE OF IN A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR, SMITH WROTE, PER YOUR SPECIFIC REQUEST AND BASED ON MY CONVERSATION WITH CHIEF KNIGHT ON MARCH 11th, 2024, I SUBMIT THIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 15th, 2024.

I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OF SERVICE TO MY COMMUNITY AND THE CLASS OF ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS.

PRESSED BY THE MEDIA TO ASK BLAINE THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING SMITH´S DEPARTURE, BRIAN WOULD ONLY SAY, >> PHILOSOPHICALLY, THEY ARE NOT ALIGNED WITH WHAT THE MINISTRATION SHOULD BE ALIGNED WITH.

>> THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN -- DECLINED TO THE REASONS FOR THE RESENTMENT.

HE HAS APPOINTED IAN CUMMINGS AS ACTING GENERAL.

RECENTLY, CLEMENS REPRESENTED THE GOVERNOR BEFORE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT´S IN A LOSS OF OVER CHANGES TO THE GOVERNING BOARD THAT PRODUCED IT FROM 9 TO 7 MEMBERS AND CUT THE NUMBER OF CABINET APPOINTEES FROM 3 TO ONE.

CLEMENS ARGUED THAT THE BOARD CHANGES VIOLATED THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AND HINDERED THE GOVERNOR´S DUTIES.

>> ARE YOU SUGGESTING SOMEHOW THE GOVERNOR HAS THE AUTHORITY ON THE BOARD?

>>´S FUNCTION TO SUPERVISE ALL EXECUTIVE BRANCHES -- >> HOLD ON JUST ONE MINUTE.

LOOK AT WHAT IT SAYS HERE.

>> I AM REALLY MISSING A LOT ON THIS ARGUMENT, I THINK.

THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU KNOW THEY ARE EXPERT?

YOUR ANSWER IS BECAUSE THEY WORK FOR THE LEGISLATURE?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO SOMEHOW PULL A SURPRISE IN YOUR ARGUMENT.

>> WITH CLEMENTS SERVING AS ACTING AG, THE GOVERNOR´S OFFICE SAID IT WILL ANNOUNCE A PLAN FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR SMITH IN THE COMING WEEKS.

SMITH WAS APPOINTED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL LAST YEAR AFTER SHORTLY AFTER HER OFFICE SUED J.P. MORGAN CHASE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICES INVESTIGATION OF SEXUAL OFFENDER JEFF EPSTEIN.

MORGAN EVENTUALLY SETTLED THE CLAIMS BY AGREEING TO PAY $75 MILLION TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

EPSTEIN ´IS VICTIMS FILED A LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT THE VIRGIN ISLAND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FACILITATED EPSTEIN´S OPERATION.

THE LAWSUIT IMPLICATES SEVERAL HIGH RANKING OFFICIALS, INCLUDING FORMER GOVERNOR JOHN DION JUNIOR, HIS WIFE, FORMER CANTOR DENNIS MATT, FORMER GENERAL HINTON FRAZIER, CINDY PRESCOTT AND PHILISTINE A WHITE SR.. >>> TEACHERS AT LOCKARD SCHOOL ON St. THOMAS WALKED OFF THE JOB RECENTLY IN RESPONSE TO DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR THAT HAS RESULTED IN SOME TEACHERS BEING HARASSED, AND EVEN ONE BEING ATTACKED.

ACCORDING TO THE UNION TOOK PART IN THE UNSANCTIONED JOB ACTION.

>> THE TEACHERS ARE PRETTY MUCH FED UP WITH THE BEHAVIOR OF THE STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL.

THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU REPEAT OFFENDERS THAT ARE DISRUPTIVE, RUDE, AND VIOLENT.

THREE STUDENTS FOLLOWED A TEACHER HOME, THREATENING TO HARM HIM.

ONE TEACHER HAD GOTTEN ATTACKED AT SCHOOL WHERE HER GLASSES WERE BROKEN.

SHE HAD RESTRAINED THE STUDENT, AND THEY FEEL AS THOUGH NOTHING HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE IN SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: WILL NOT ENDORSING THE WALKOUT, DON´T SET THE St. THOMAS St. JOHN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS ACKNOWLEDGED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION.

TWO TEACHERS WHO WISH TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS VOICED CONCERNED WITH BEING THREATENED BY STUDENTS AND PARENTS, A LACK OF DISCIPLINE WHEN MISBEHAVE , INSUFFICIENT STAFF TO INCLUDE ONLY THREE SCHOOL MONITORS FOR 1000 STUDENTS, AND OVERCROWDED CLASSROOMS THAT ARE NOT CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING.

THE MARCH 13th WALKOUT PROMPTED A SWIFT RESPONSE FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

COMMISSIONER DION WELLS HENDERSON MET WITH FACULTY AND PLEDGED TO WORK ON SOLUTIONS.

IN A RECENT STATEMENT, SHE SAID, AND HEARING THE CONCERNS OF THE TEACHERS, WE UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUES PRESENTED.

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR NOT ONLY INTERRUPTS THE LEARNING PROCESS, BUT ALSO UNDERMINES THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS.

THE SCHOOL´S ADMINISTRATION WILL WORK WITH FACULTY, STAFF, AND DISTRICT PERSONNEL TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO ADDRESS REOCCURRING BEHAVIORAL CONCERNS.

WHILE TEACHERS HAVE SINCE RETURNED TO CLASSROOMS, SOLUTIONS ARE STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT.

>> THERE ARE SOME STRUCTURAL THINGS THAT NEED TO BE PUT IN LOCKHART WITH ITS OWN ONGOING DISCIPLINARY ISSUES WITH ITS STUDENTS.

WE NEED THE STAFF ASAP.

BECAUSE TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED.

YOU KNOW, YOU CANNOT TEACH WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS DISRUPTING YOUR CLASS.

IT IS NOT WHAT THEY WERE TRAINED TO DO.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THEY ARE PAID TO DO.

THEY ARE PAID TO TEACH STUDENTS AND NOT BREAK UP FIGHTS IN FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES WHEN THEY ARE IN THE CLASSROOM.

>>> JOINING THE PANEL DISCUSSION FROM OUR SAINT COREY STUDIO IS FORMER SENATOR KURT FEELEY AND ATTORNEY KEE WALKER, FOUNDER AND MANAGING ATTORNEY AT THE WALKER LEGAL GROUP ON St. CROIX.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

JOINING COMES WITH THE TERRITORY, WE HAVE SHANIKA SIMON.

EDITOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CONSORTIUM, IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE PANEL.

ALL OF YOU.

LET´S START WITH YOU, DIVING RIGHT INTO THE TOPIC OF THE RESIGNATION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION GOVERNOR BRYAN ABOUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL´S DEPARTURE.

I MUST SAY, A LOT OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS, IT CAME AS A SURPRISE GIVEN THIS IS NOW A THIRD ATTORNEY GENERAL.

YOU WOULD THINK SUCH A CRUCIAL POST IN A CABINET IS ONE THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO MAINTAIN SOME CONSISTENCY.

BUT YET HERE WE ARE.

WHAT IS THE RESPONSE THAT GOVERNOR BRYAN GAVE TO YOU?

>> WELL, I WAS THE SECOND PERSON TO ASK ABOUT THIS.

HE GAVE MY FIRST COLLEAGUE WHO IS ACTUALLY IN THE ROOM WITH HIM AN ANSWER SAYING IT WAS DIFFERENCES.

HE BASICALLY SAID THE SAME TO ME WHEN I TRIED TO PRY THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE IN APPROACH WITH ME AND MRS. SMITH.

BUT HE REALLY DID NOT DELVE INTO WHAT THE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WAS, OR WHY TWO ATTORNEY GENERAL´S IN A ROW HAVE LEFT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR TENURE.

>> SENATOR, THERE IS A TON OF SPECULATION, ALL WE CAN DO IS SPECULATE GIVEN THAT THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS NOT MADE ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS INVOLVING THE RESIGNATION OUTSIDE OF HER RESIGNATION LETTER.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE IT THE SYSTEM AND HOW WE SELECT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL COMEDY POSITION ITSELF INHERENTLY IS APPOINTED BY A GOVERNOR.

THE DEBATE ONCE AGAIN OF ELECTING AND ATTORNEY GENERAL TO AVOID SITUATIONS LIKE THIS IS ONCE AGAIN IN THE AIR.

I AM CURIOUS TO HEAR WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ON THE ISSUE.

>> AGAIN, SAYING --ELECTING AND ATTORNEY GENERAL -- VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OR THE ACT OF CONGRESS.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TO THE POINT NOW WHERE -- IT IS ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS LEFT THE POSITION, BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED FOR SOMEONE IN THE FEDERAL OFFICE.

I REALLY NEED SOMEBODY THAT WILL BE IN THE OFFICE.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT YOU HEAR AT THIS JUNCTURE THAT THERE ARE PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES.

BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL WAS SELECTED FOR THE POSITION.

THE POSITION WOULD BE ONE THAT --AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME STABILITY TO GET THESE CASES MOVING.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, LET ME COME TO YOU.

TO THIS POINT, THE BUSINESS AND BACKLOG OF CASES THAT ARE HAPPENING AS A RESULT OF RESIGNATION AFTER RESIGNATION, IT IS REALLY BEGINNING TO TAKE A TOLL ON THE PEOPLE´S BUSINESS GETTING DONE.

WHAT IS YOUR, YOU KNOW, PERSPECTIVE ON WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.

LET ME START THERE.

AND HOW WE CAN WORK THINGS OUT IN THE FUTURE?

WHAT CAN THE ADMINISTRATION DO, POSSIBLY, TO NOT FIND ITSELF AT THIS CROSSROADS AGAIN BEFORE IT COMES TO ITS EVENTUAL END?

>> I DO NOT BELIEVE THE TURNOVER IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL POSITION IS THE CAUSE OF THE BACKLOG.

I SOMEWHAT DISAGREE WITH THAT PREMISE BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS THE ADMINISTRATOR.

THE INTERNAL --ATTORNEY GENERAL REALLY APPEARS IN COURT OR FOR CASES.

THERE IS SOMEONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.

A LOT OF THE BACKLOGS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING IS BECAUSE WE WERE UNDER COVID, THE COURTS ARE NOW HAVING TRIALS IN THESE ATTORNEY GENERALS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES IN CRIMINAL POSITIONS, AND TRIAL, AFTER TRIAL, AFTER TRIAL.

TO THE COURT CAN CATCH UP.

TURNOVER AND WHAT THAT MEANS, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE REASON IS FOR THE RECENT RESIGNATION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND THE GOVERNOR IS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS TO MEET, AND THEN YOUR ATTORNEY WOULD --IF THERE IS A PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE, IT IS A DIFFERENT STRATEGY OR PRIORITY, THEN THAT WOULD RESULT IN A CHANGE IN THE AG, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ATTORNEY CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, ONCE THAT ARISES, I DO NOT THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS A CHOICE BUT TO MAKE A CHANGE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PRIORITIES HE SETS FOR THE GOVERNMENT ARE BEING FOLLOWED.

>> WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.

I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH YOU ON WHAT ATTORNEY WALKER JUST SAID.

THE GOVERNOR, GIVEN THE SYSTEM OF LAW THAT WE HAVE IS THE LAW, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FIRE OR THAT MAY SERVE AS A PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR AS WELL AS OTHER NUMBERS OF THE CABINET.

THE PROBLEM I WOULD ARGUE IS THAT WHEN IT COMES TO JUSTICE, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS, PERSONALLY I BELIEVE EDUCATION, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND POLICE SHOULD ALSO BE INVOLVED.

WHEN A PROFESSIONAL IS HIRED TO DO A JOB, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO OUT ACT OUTSIDE THE REALM OF POLITICS, SO TO SAY.

TO THE FORMER SENATORS POINT, WE WOULD LITERALLY HAVE TO CHANGE OUR SYSTEM OR PETITION CONGRESS TO BE ABLE TO ELECT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO THEN WOULD ALSO HAVE THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND THEM, SINCE THEY WOULD BE AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

HAVE ANY OF YOUR READERS BASED THEIR OPINIONS ON THAT TOPIC?

>> WELL, I JUST WANT TO AMPLIFY SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID.

PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES, OR THE IDEA OF DIFFERENCES MAY OR SHOULD HAVE COME UP PRIOR TO HER APPOINTMENT, ONLY EIGHT MONTHS AGO.

SO WHAT ARE YOU EVALUATING IN ADDITION TO YOUR TEAM?

SHE WAS NOT UNKNOWN.

SHE WAS ON THE CIVIL DIVISION BEFORE SHE WAS APPOINTED.

SOME OF THE REASON IS THAT THESE KINDS OF CONFRONTATIONS, STRATEGY, DEMOCRACY, THEY ARE INGRAINED IN THESE HUGE HIGH- PROFILE CASES.

THE PEOPLE ARE NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPTING BEING DIFFERENT OF OPINION AND ALL THAT.

WHETHER PEOPLE WOULD PREFER TO HAVE AN ELECTED AG , I´VE TALKED ABOUT THIS EXCEPT SENSIBLY ON THE PLATFORM.

I BELIEVE IT IS RELATED TO PROCESS.

THE DEPARTURE.

AND ALSO, TRYING TO PROCESS THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. CLEMENS.

>> WHEN WE COME BACK TO ATTORNEY WALKER, BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE YOUR LEGAL PERSPECTIVE ON THIS, WE SAID RECENTLY THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL´S OFFICE WAS REPRESENTING AN ONE OF THE MOST RECENT FAMOUS LAWSUITS.

FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL VINCENT FRAZIER.

HOWEVER, THERE WERE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT WERE NOT REPRESENTED BY THE AG´S OFFICE.

IT IS A CLEAR WHY OF WHY THEY WERE REPRESENTING TWO MEMBERS AS OPPOSED TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONGRESS MEMBERS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHTS ON THAT?

>> I DO NOT HAVE ANY INSIGHT ON BUT I WILL SAY THAT I FOUND IT STRANGE.

YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS BECOME SENSITIVE IN THE PAST OF HAVING MULTI- DEFENDANT CASES.

IT HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN IT REPRESENTS MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS IN ONE CASE AND IT HAS TO --IT IS ESSENTIALLY A CHINESE LAW THAT ALLOWS REPRESENTATION.

THEY HAVE DONE THAT IN THE PAST.

IT IS NOT CLEAR TO ME WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DID THIS FOR TWO AND NOT THE OTHERS.

I DO NOT HAVE ANY FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE AS TO WHY.

SO I REALLY CANNOT PASS A JUDGMENT ON THAT.

BUT IT DID STRIKE ME AS ODD THAT THEY REPRESENTED ONLY TWO.

>> SENATOR, THE OFFICE OF THE AG WAS REPRESENTING JUST MATT AND FRAZIER, I AM BEING TOLD.

BUT THE OTHER MEMBERS WERE, THEY WERE NOT REPRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL´S OFFICE.

SOME PEOPLE MAY LIKE TO HAVE THEIR OWN COUNSEL BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEIR OWN COUNSEL MAY WORK BEST.

BUT SENDING THE QUESTION TO YOU, DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHT ON WHY THE DISPARITY IN WHAT THE REPRESENTATION WAS OF THE AG´S OFFICE?

>> I DON´T.

BUT I DID FIND IT VERY STRANGE.

THEY COULD BE PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES.

BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

BUT I FIND THE WHOLE THING STRANGE.

WE WOULD HAVE TO BE GIVEN A FULL EXPIRATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AS TO WHY THEY WILL PROCEED IN THAT MANNER.

CLIENTS MAY WANT TO HAVE THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

BUT AN EXPLANATION NEEDED TO BE HAD.

I THINK THE EXPIRATION OF PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES IS WHY EVERYBODY IS UP IN THE AIR RIGHT NOW.

WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR IN JANUARY, AND NOW WE HAVE SOMEBODY AGAIN, SUMMARY HAS BEEN SELECTED.

COULD THAT HAVE BEEN A PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE?

A LOT OF IT NEEDS TO BE CLEARED UP.

IT WILL NOT QUELL THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION.

>> BESOUGHT IN THE CLIP, THE CURRENT ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT ON MARCH 12th.

REPRESENTING THE GOVERNOR WHO CLAIMS THAT THE GOVERNING BOARD FROM 9 TO 7 MEMBERS, AND CUTTING THE NUMBER OF CABINET APPOINTEES FROM 3 TO ONE VIOLATES THE SEPARATION OF POWERS.

LET´S PLAY ANOTHER CLIP FROM CLEMENS´ FULL ARGUMENT.

>> THE LEGISLATURE HAS REMOVED ALL SEATS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

>> THEY COULD HAVE.

WE HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE.

>> WHY IS IT THAT YOU HAVE LEFT IT AT ONE?

>> AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, THE PROBLEM HERE, AND IT IS NOT WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL PERSON, I MEAN, IT IS A SEPARATE ISSUE AS TO THE CABINET MEMBERS.

AND IN THE OTHER SIX ONLY BEING REMOVED FOR CAUSE.

WHEN YOU COUPLE ALL OF THAT TOGETHER, IT DOES CONSTRAIN THE OVERSIGHT OR THE SUPERVISION OF THE BOARD.

WHILE IT IS AUTONOMOUS, IT IS NOT PRIVATE.

AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, IT DOES DEPEND UPON THE GOVERNMENT.

YOU TAKE THE LEAD WATER CRISIS, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> --THE SEPARATION OF POWERS.

YOU´RE TALKING TO THE BOARD FOR A PUBLIC OPERATION.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR ARGUMENT, ESSENTIALLY.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, I LOVE THAT IN THE MEDIA, WE MAY SELECT A CLIP THAT TRIES TO DRIVE A POINT.

BUT THE CLIP YOU JUST PLAYED DOES NOT INSTILL A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE.

WE ALL HAVE BAD DAYS AND MOMENTS WE ARE NOT AT OUR BEST.

IT HAPPENS TO ALL OF US.

BUT JUST NOW, THAT IS THE REPRESENTATION THAT WE SEE.

I DIDN´T, ATTORNEY CLEMENS, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA AT ALL OF HIM ACTING AS A NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL?

SEEING THE ORIOLE ARGUMENTS JUST NOW, IT DOES NOT INSTILL A WHOLE BUNCH OF CONFIDENCE.

>> I MEAN, I AM FAMILIAR WITH ATTORNEY CLEMENS.

I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY NEGATIVE ABOUT HIS PERFORMANCE AS AN ATTORNEY.

I THINK HE MAKES A BIG MISTAKE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE BEST ENGINEER OR PUBLIC WORKS SHOULD BE THE COMMISSIONER, OR THAT THE BEST ATTORNEY OUT THERE SHOULD BE THE AG.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE THE COMMISSIONERS, THEY ARE ALL ADMINISTRATORS.

IF YOU ARE RUNNING A PRIVATE BUSINESS AND YOU HAVE A HOTSHOT ATTORNEY, YOU WILL MAKE THAT TRIAL ATTORNEY A PERSON WHO RUNS THE PHONE.

YOU WILL SEND THAT ATTORNEY TO COURT.

THAT IS TO SAY, HOW ATTORNEY CLEMENS MAY HAVE PERFORMED IN THE CLIP WE HAVE JUST SHOWN AND HOW HE CAN ON AN INTERIM BASIS OR PERMANENT BASIS BE A GOOD ADMINISTRATOR OR LEADER FOR THE DEPARTMENT, I THINK THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE SKILL SETS.

WE CANNOT MAKE A JUDGMENT ON HIM AS AN AG BASED ON THIS ONE SECTION OF HIS PERFORMANCE IN ONE CASE.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY FAIR.

YOU KNOW, IT PRESSES THE QUESTION.

LET ME ASK YOU.

FORMER SENATOR, DO YOU KNOW ATTORNEY CLEMENS AS WELL?

DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON THE JOB HE GAVE YOU AS ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> I HAVE NOT MEET HIM IN PERSON.

BUT I HOPE WHOEVER IS SELECTED CAN BE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT WILL BE --IN THE ONE THAT IS THE BEST PHILOSOPHICALLY.

IT IS TIME FOR US TO HAVE SENSIBILITY.

IT IS JUST NOT A GOOD LOOK THAT WE ARE RUNNING THROUGH ATTORNEY GENERAL´S.

IT IS NOT A GOOD LOOK AND IT DOES NOT LEAD TO ANY STABILITY, ANY TRANSITIONAL PROJECTS, NOTHING RESTRUCTURED, NOTHING.

A STRONG INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A GOOD ADMINISTRATOR, TO BE IN THAT POSITION, TO GET THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THEY HAD LOST A NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.

PHILOSOPHICAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE LAST AG AND S1.

AT SOME POINT, YOU´VE GOT TO GET IT TOGETHER.

>> ALSO, HERE IS ANOTHER POINT.

GOING BACK TO THE LAST ADMINISTRATION, I THINK WE ARE TWO OR THREE GENERAL -- ATTORNEY GENERAL´S.

THIS IS A SITUATION WE ARE SEEING REPETITIVE TURNOVER AND DIFFERENCES OF OPINION THAT HAVE CAUSED DISRUPTIONS.

IN THE LAST MINISTRATION, WE HAD AN ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR JUST SIX WEEKS.

WHAT ARE WE SAYING ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN TERMS OF THE TURNOVER?

>> PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED FRANKLY ABOUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL´S.

BUT IF I COULD DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING, I THINK IT WIDENS THE CONVERSATION A LITTLE BIT.

THE CONSENSUS REALLY HAS BEEN THAT THE PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENT IS LYING.

IT MAY ACTUALLY GIVE US SOME CLUES AS TO WHERE THOSE PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES MAY LIE.

SHE IS JUST AS HARD ON THE OTHER PANEL, THE OTHER JUSTICES ON THE PANEL.

IT´S THAT CONFUSION OF THE ARGUMENT THAT MR. CLEMENS WAS MAKING.

THEY OBVIOUSLY FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO AGREE WITH HIM THAT THE LEGISLATION MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BOARD COMPOSITION WAS AN IMPOSITION ON THE EXECUTOR OF POWER.

I REMEMBER WHEN FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL GEORGE , THE GOVERNOR WAS VERY UPSET OF HER FIRING OF J.P. MORGAN.

IT COULD BE A SITUATION WHERE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS MAY BE DOING THINGS IN THEIR BEST LEGAL PRACTICE OR UNDERSTANDING, AND WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION WHICH IS TRYING TO PUSH THIS AGREEMENT WITH THE LEGISLATURE THROUGH THE COURT, BUT THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY CREDITED ON THE LEGAL ARGUMENT.

SO, I WAS JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE FOR DISCUSSION, FOR SOME CONSIDERATION BY THE AUDIENCE.

>> A VERY GOOD POINT AS WELL.

GOVERNOR BRYAN SAID HE WILL ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT FOR SMITH IN A FEW WEEKS.

>>> IN BETWEEN THANK YOU FOR HIS RECENT HEARING BEFORE THE SENATE RISK COMMITTEE, WILLIS TOOK A MOMENT TO MAKE HIS PICK FOR THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THIS TAKE A LOOK.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO JUST, IF I MAY TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY, FIRST AND FOREMOST, MY WIFE.

--THE ATTORNEY GENERAL´S OFFICE.

PITCH IN THE COURT FOR THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I THINK YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT PITCH AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

>> Reporter: I WILL GO TO THE EXPERIENCED LEGISLATOR ON THIS ONE .

THAT WAS A VERY INTERESTING MOMENT THERE.

EVEN IN THE MIDST OF HIS NOMINATION HEARING AND BEING BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, HE WAS MAKING THE PITCH FOR THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THE REALLY INTERESTING THING HERE, HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BEFORE?

>> I´M HEARING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I AM A BIT SURPRISED.

I DO NOT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE TO MAKE A PITCH FOR WHO WOULD BE THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HE IS ACTUALLY UNDER THE ATTORNEY COURT SYSTEM.

IT IS A BIT STRANGE AND INAPPROPRIATE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.

I THINK HE IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND HE IS A VERY GOOD INDIVIDUAL, BUT I WOULD HAVE RATHER THAT NOT HAPPENED ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU, FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE, LET´S JUST SAY ATTORNEY PONTY DOES BECOME THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

YOU KNOW ATTORNEY GENERALS RARELY GO BEFORE THE CREEK SUPREME COURT FOR ANYTHING.

BUT IF THEY DID, IF YOU WERE TO, LET´S JUST SAY GOOD LUCK, IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT, WITH AN INDIVIDUAL, WHERE INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT ACTUALLY RECUSE HIM BECAUSE OF THIS SHOW OF FAVORITISM?

>> I MEAN, THEY COULD.

REALISTICALLY THOUGH, I DO NOT THINK THAT ARGUMENT WOULD CARRY MUCH WATER.

ONLY BECAUSE JUDGE WILLIS HAS DEMONSTRATED OVER THE YEARS TO BE A VERY FAIR JUDGE.

I CAN PERSONALLY SAY THAT I REPRESENTED AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS ADVERSE TO A MEMBER OF JUDGE WILL ASK FAMILY.

I STILL APPEAR BEFORE JUDGE WILLETT WITH THAT ISSUE.

I HAD A TRIAL BEFORE HIM THAT WEEK AND I CONSIDERED HIM TO BE VERY FAIR.

SO I THINK HE MADE AN OFFHAND COMMENT.

I DO AGREE WITH THE SENATOR, IT WAS NOT THE MOST APPROPRIATE COMMENT TO MAKE AND IT WAS AN INAPPROPRIATE PLACE TO MAKE IT.

BUT TO ESTABLISH RECUSAL, YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE MORE FOR RECUSAL THAN AN OFFHAND COMMENT THAT THE JUSTICE MADE.

>> GOING BACK TO THE POINT THAT THE SENATOR MADE ABOUT THE INAPPROPRIATENESS OF THAT, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HIM SAYING IT WAS NOT QUITE THE TIME AND PLACE TO BE PROCURING FOR THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> I THINK I MAY BE THE WRONG PERSON TO ASK THAT QUESTION.

YES, YOU KNOW, A FORMER LEGISLATOR , YOU KNOW, IT WAS NOT THE APPROPRIATE FORUM.

A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE A LEGAL OPINION.

BUT FOR ME, I GET MY KICKS FROM SEEING ALL OF THE AD HOC MOMENTS.

IT REALLY IS SOMETHING FOR ME.

SO I LAUGHED TO MYSELF WHEN I WAS READING THAT REMARK.

I THINK IT IS JUST PART OF THE SENATE PROCESS .

THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE FREE, THEY ARE A LITTLE MORE OPEN AND LACKS.

SO FOR ME, IT WAS JUST A LIGHTHEARTED MOMENT.

>> I WILL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A MEDIA MINUTE.

WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL?

AND IF YOU DON´T HAVE YOUR MIND SET ON AN INDIVIDUAL, WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES A GOVERNOR SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR IN HIS NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> I MEAN, HONESTLY, HE NEEDS TO IDENTIFY A LEADER THAT THE INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT WILL RESPECT .

HE NEEDS TO IDENTIFY AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WILL PUT SYSTEMS INTO PLACE.

FIND THE ERRORS, THE CLERICAL ERRORS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING.

HE NEEDS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CAN LEAD A TEAM.

DEVELOP A TEAM.

I RECENTLY HAD A CASE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL´S OFFICE LAST WEEK IN FRONT OF JUDGE WILLETT.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRONT OF MY ENTIRE CAREER, I GOT A CLIENT ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES.

THAT MEANS THE JUDGE DETERMINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT FAILED SO MISERABLY IN A CASE THAT HE COULD NOT SEND IT TO A JURY.

AND THAT IS A VERY RARE THING TO HAPPEN.

AND THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

BECAUSE OF YOUR CASE IS SO -- THAT YOU DO NOT NEED TO TAKE ITS TRIAL, YOU NEED TO AT LEAST MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR CASE BEFORE A JURY.

SO THE NEXT AG REALLY NEEDS TO BE A LEADER WHO CAN REALLY RUN THAT DEPARTMENT.

>> RECENTLY, WE HAD AN UNSANCTIONED JOB ACTION AT SCHOOL OVER STUDENTS DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR.

YOU SAW THE CLIP THAT WE PLAYED.

WE HAVE TEACHERS NOW IN OUR SYSTEM THAT ARE FEARING FOR THEIR SAFETY AND STUDENTS FOLLOWING TEACHERS HOME AND THREATENING THEM.

WHEN IT COMES TO YOU, AS A FORMER PRINCIPAL AND EDUCATOR, FEEL?

IS IT SOMETHING THAT, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN SO MANY YEARS IN EDUCATION, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD SEE COMING TO?

AND IF SO, HOW DO WE ABATE THIS SITUATION IN THE FUTURE?

THIS IS A PLACE TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND.

THIS IS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.

TEACHERS ARE BEING FOLLOWED HOME?

>> TO HAVE THESE ISSUES WHERE TEACHERS ARE FEELING THREATENED, STUDENTS ARE FOLLOWING TEACHERS HOME, I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS WHEN THEY BECOME HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

IT REQUIRES VERY STRICT RULES AND REGULATIONS.

FOR SOME REASON, WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM HAVING RULES AND REGULATIONS IN SCHOOLS TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IT IS NOT A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR EDUCATION.

I THINK IT WILL TAKE A MEETING OF ALL ADMINISTRATORS WHERE YOU WILL HAVE TO OUTLINE EXACTLY WHAT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THEY ARE GOING TO FOLLOW TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IS SAFE.

IT IS A JOB OF THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE.

BUT WHAT WE SEE IN THE COMMUNITY, WE CONTINUE TO ACCEPT THE BEHAVIOR, WE CONTINUE TO ACCEPT INDIVIDUALS DOING WHAT THEY WANT, WE DO NOT WANT TO INTERVENE , AND NOW WE ARE FILLING OUR SCHOOLS.

BUT WE NEED TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE.

I HAVE NOT HEARD THAT MESSAGE YET.

BUT THAT STRONG MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE SENT OR YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AN EXODUS OF TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY FEAR THAT THEIR ENVIRONMENT IS NOT SAFE.

MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD TO BE HAVE STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS.

YOU NEED TO IMPLEMENT THEM, LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHAT ARE THE DO´S AND DON´TS.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT DISCIPLINE ENVIRONMENT IS IN EVERY SINGLE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.

>> I WILL COME TO YOU ON THIS QUESTION, MISS SIMON.

IF THERE IS NO DISCIPLINE IN THE HOMES , THIS IS WHERE YOU SEE THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR.

IF YOU LISTEN TO THE PIECE THAT WE PLAYED BEFORE ABOUT THIS SITUATION, IT TALKED ABOUT PARENTS ALSO BEING INVOLVED IN THE THREATENING OF TEACHERS.

I AM CURIOUS TO HEAR WHAT THE VIEWERS AND READERS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

>> THESE PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED.

PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE NEED DISCIPLINE.

THERE IS REPORTING IN THE CONSORTIUM ABOUT THAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

LOOKING AT THIS WHEN I PULLED UP FROM 2022, THE PERMIT OF EDUCATION, THIS IS THEIR HEADLINE.

THE DEFERMENT OF EDUCATION HAS SAID --IS NEEDED TO CURB VIOLENCE AMONG YOUTH.

SO THE UPTICK IN VIOLENCE IN THE BREAKDOWN OF DISCIPLINE IS NOT SOMETHING NEW.

I THINK IT IS RECENT OF THE TERRITORY HAS HAD ISSUES WITH STUDENT BEHAVIOR.

WE HAVE HAD FIVE --AND WE AIM TO CORRECT THAT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF MUCH YOUNGER PEOPLE, BUT THIS IS NOT NEW.

WE NEED A MESSAGE OF STRATEGY AND CONCRETE TACTICS TO CURB THE OUT-OF-CONTROL BEHAVIOR IN OUR CLASSROOMS.

>> Reporter: RECENTLY, THERE HAS BEEN AN UNANNOUNCED LOCKDOWN OF CAMPUSES IN THE TERRITORY, ATTORNEY WALKER, WHERE MONITORS AND POLICE OFFICERS, LIFERS AND OFFICERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN CONDUCTING SEARCHES OF CAMPUSES BECAUSE THINGS HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE THAT IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO FIND WEAPONS, TO FIND CONTRABAND, TO FIND ILLEGAL DRUGS.

WHICH ALL HAVE BEEN FOUND IN HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES.

BUT TO SEE THIS AT THE K THROUGH EIGHT LEVEL IS A BIT ALARMING.

AND IT IS INDICATIVE OF -- STATE.

ONE THING I HAVE NOT HEARD DISCUSSED IN THE COMMUNITY IS THE SANCTIONS FOR THE STUDENTS AND POSSIBLY PARENTS WHO PERPETRATED THIS.

I HAVE NOT HEARD HOW THESE STUDENTS WILL BE HANDLED IN THE FUTURE.

>> NEITHER HAVE I, LESLEY.

I THINK WE ACTUALLY HAVE A NATIONAL PROBLEM.

THE INCIDENCE OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE ARE NOT ONLY HAPPENING HERE, THEY ARE HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

I THINK IT MAY BE AN ISSUE AS TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL WILL LOOK LIKE.

WILL WE HAVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE HEAVILY MONITORED WITH A STRONG POLICE PRESENCE?

IS THAT CONDUCIVE TO A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS.

I WAS HAPPY THAT THE SENATOR WAS HERE BECAUSE HE DEFINITELY HAS MORE KNOWLEDGE THAN I DO IN THIS INSTANCE.

I DO NOT KNOW, OUTSIDE OF AN EXPULSION, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT OTHER SANCTION COULD BE GIVEN TO A STUDENT UNLESS THEY ARE CHARGED CRIMINALLY.

BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF SCHOOLS SHOULD BE IN THE BUSINESS OF FILING COMPLAINT AGAINST STUDENTS SO THAT THEY END UP IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I JUST THINK OUR SOCIETY CONTINUES TO BECOME MORE VIOLENT.

EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE INTO THE SHOW POWER, FOR SOME REASON, WHICH IS A SHOW ABOUT VIOLENCE.

YOUNGER AND YOUNGER AGE AND THEY ARE EXHIBITING THESE BEHAVIORS AT SCHOOL.

>> AN INTERESTING POINT YOU HAVE MADE.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN EPISODE OF "POWER".

THERE IS RECENTLY A CONSIDERED BILL BY SENATOR JOHNSON TO -- FESTIVALS BY ELIMINATING THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITION AND REPLACING THEM WITH DIRECTOR POSITIONS FOR EACH ISLAND.

HERE IS MORE.

>> THE BILL PROPOSED INCREASES THE NUMBER OF DIRECT TEARS FROM ONE TO 3.

STIPULATING THAT EACH DIRECTOR MUST RESIDE ON THE ISLAND THEY ARE APPOINTED TO SERVE.

THIS RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT ENSURES THAT LEADERSHIP IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> APPOINTING A DIRECTOR FOR EACH ISLAND WOULD FURTHER IMPROVE THE CULTURAL EFFECT OF OUR EXPERIENCE, TRANSPARENCY, EQUITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

LET St. CROIX HANDLE OUR BUSINESS, St. JOHN, YOU HANDLE YOUR CARNIVAL, YOUR FESTIVAL.

St. THOMAS, YOU DO THAT.

THIS IS UNDER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH´S ABILITY TO MANAGE ITS OPERATIONS AND DEPARTMENTAL PRACTICES.

AS A DEPARTMENT, WE STAND FIRM IN THE BELIEF OF ONE BAND, ONE SOUND, WHICH SIGNIFIES THE STRENGTH AND IMPACT OF THE CURRENT STRUCTURE.

IF WE HAVE ONE TERRITORIAL PERSON AND IN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR THE FOCUS IS ON THEIR ISLAND, I AM STILL TRYING TO FEEL OUT WHERE THE ISSUE IS.

THIS IS STARTING TO SOUND MORE LIKE TRYING TO BE RIGHT IN St. THOMAS, St. JOHN, AND St. CROIX AGAIN.

>> IS IMPORTANT.

UNLESS YOU ARE A CRUCIAL AND, St. JOHN HE AND, OR St. THOMAS YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT HOW WE FEEL ABOUT PEOPLE.

SO WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, MY STANCE IS NOT TO DIVIDE.

MY SICK DANCE IS TO STRENGTHEN.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO NOT PUT ASIDE OUR PEOPLE.

>> THE BILL ULTIMATELY MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE DUE TO LACK OF SUPPORT.

BUT HAVING SEEN WHAT WE JUST PLAYED, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS SEEMINGLY DISAGREEMENT AND LEADERSHIP ON THE FESTIVAL?

>> THE WAY THAT THE FESTIVAL IS STRUCTURED, YOU HAVE ONE THING WITH THE GREAT TO TERRITORIAL DIRECTOR, AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO ASSISTANT DIRECTORS.

THIS BILL LITERALLY JUST ELIMINATES THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITION AND PUT ALL PEOPLE IN A DIRECTOR POSITION FOR THE ISLANDS.

WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL REPORTING TO THE COMMISSION.

WHAT WAS JUST SAID MAKES SURE THAT EACH ISLAND HAS THEIR OWN DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE CLARITY FOR THE ISLAND, TO PROVIDE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN MAKING DECISIONS.

BUT THE FINAL PERSON WOULD STILL BE THE COMMISSIONER.

IS THIS THE RIGHT PARODY?

I DO NOT THINK HOW WE CREATE ANY TYPE OF DIVISION, I THINK IT SAVES MONEY BECAUSE IT ELIMINATES ONE PARTICULAR POSITION.

AND IT WOULD MAKE EACH ISLAND FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A TRUE SAY AS TO HOW THE FESTIVAL, CARNIVAL, OR HOW THE CELEBRATION IS GOING TO BE STRUCTURED.

I THINK IT WAS A GOOD THING.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DISCUSSION WE JUST HAD THAT WAS AIRED ON THE FLOOR?

>> YOU KNOW, LESLEY, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT DO NOT NEED LEGISLATING.

THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

WE JUST FINISHED TALKING ABOUT VIOLENCE AT SCHOOLS, AND NOW WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME ON WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE A TERRITORIAL DIRECT THERE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I REALLY DO NOT CARE ABOUT BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK IT WARRANTS THIS MUCH ATTENTION.

IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT WARRANT LEGISLATION.

>> I COULD NOT AGREE MORE.

I WOULD SAY NO FESTIVAL UNTIL WE RELEASE OUR STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES IN SCHOOL AND WE LEARNED THAT OUR CHILDREN CAN GO TO SCHOOL SAFELY.

WHAT ARE YOUR PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THIS, AND SPECIFICALLY THE DISCUSSION ON PARENTING, WHICH IS A REOCCURRING THEME.

WE SEE SO MANY ISSUES.

IT SEEMS INDIVIDUALS FROM St. CROIX ARE GETTING THE REPRESENTATION THEY SHOULD.

>> I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES HERE.

YOU HAVE A POTENTIAL OF SEEING LEGISLATORS IN THIS FASHION.

YOU HAVE THE ISSUE IN THE TERRITORY WHERE CHRISTIANS ARE OFTEN, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE BIG ISLAND OVERLOOKING SOMEWHAT WHEN IT COMES TO --ACTIVITIES.

I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH MS. WALKER.

IN THE ARTICLE THAT WE PUBLISHED, LEADERSHIP ALSO SAID THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN TOO MUCH PRIORITY BY OUR GOVERNMENT.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THE TERRITORY NEEDS TO FOCUS ON.

AND IT SHOULD BE THAT.

>> I WILL COME TO YOU FOR A FINAL WORD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ULTIMATELY HAPPENS HERE WITH REGARDING THIS ISSUE?

>> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT THE DIVISION --MUST COME TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WE LOOK AT EDUCATION AND ET CETERA.

YOU HEARD IT AMONG THE ENTITY.

REMEMBER, IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO CREATE A BETTER STRUCTURE.

AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CREATE A BETTER STRUCTURE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF IT FAILS, BACK TO THE DRAWING TABLE.

>> WE HAVE TO GO, TWO MINUTES LEFT ON THE SHOW.

IT IS A MINIMAL EXCHANGE IF YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATIVE BODY THAT CREATED THE ENTITY TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES.

DO YOU THINK ULTIMATELY YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED HERE?

DO WE MAKE THE CHANGE?

>> I JUST DO NOT SEE WHY IT IS NECESSARY.

I AM APPRECIATIVE THAT THE DIVISION WAS FORMED, I THINK THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA WORTHY OF LEGISLATION.

AS FAR AS MICROMANAGING THE STRUCTURE AND HOW IT OPERATES, I THINK YOU CAN JUST LEAVE THAT TO THE DEPARTMENT.

>> SURE, GO AHEAD.

>> THERE ARE ALEXIS EMPLOYEES IN THE DIVISION.

WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FESTIVAL.

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, SO THERE IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS AND St. CROIX --.

THAT CREATES A PROBLEM.

YOU HAVE A COMMISSIONER, ONE INDIVIDUAL, AND TO INDIVIDUALS .

THAT IN ITSELF IS A PROBLEM.

>> THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

THAT IS ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE FOR YOU TODAY.

BUT 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 , TUNE INTO THE WTJX NEWSFEED AT 5:00 P.M. ON 93.1 FM.

I AM LESLEY COMISSIONG.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT WTJX CHANNEL 12, TAKE CARE.