>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, IT´S BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

ON THIS EPISODE OF " COMES WITH THE TERRITORY," THEY FACE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS AND WERE RECENTLY FORCED TO LAY OFF STAFF MICHELLE ROBBINS IS WITH US TO SHARE THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION.

WITH THE RESIGNATION OF HANNAH CARTY AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS REGULATION THE LANDSCAPE OF CANNABIS REGULATION IN THE TERRITORY IS SET TO EXPERIENCE A PERIOD OF TRANSITION AND UNCERTAINTY.

WELL HAVE MORE.

>> WE NEED THE CASINO TO BE BUILT FIRST.

>> RACETRACK STATED THE PROJECT SUCCESS HINGES ON OBTAINING A RACETRACK LICENSE WHICH WOULD SERVE AS A PRIMARY REVENUE SOURCE.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS DEVELOPMENT AND LATER THIS WEEK´S PRIMARY -- COMES WITH THE TERRITORY STARTS NOW!

ALL THANK YOU FOR TUNING INTO COMES TO THE TERRITORY.

FOR OVER 60 YEARS THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SAINT THOMAS HAS BEEN A LIFELINE FOR ABANDONED ANIMALS.

RECENT CHALLENGES HAS PUSHED THIS ORGANIZATION TO THE BRINK HIGHLIGHTING THE CRITICAL NEED FOR COMMUNITY WAS --SUPPORT.

LESS THAN TWO DOZEN ANIMALS HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST. THOMAS RECENTLY.

AN IMPROVEMENT FROM THE CONDITIONS AT SHELTER ONE MONTH AGO WHEN WELL OVER 200 ANIMALS CRAMMED THE SHELTER BEYOND ITS CAPACITY.

HOWEVER RELIEF CAME JUST IN TIME IN THE FORM OF A LARGE- SCALE DONATION FROM THE TRANSPORTATION FACILITY BY PETS GOOD WINGS.

THIS INITIATIVE >>> SPONSORED HUNDREDS OF DOGS AND CATS AND BUNNIES TO MAINLAND NO KILL SHELTERS, ALLEVIATING THE BURDEN OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST. THOMAS.

WHILE THIS INTERVENTION PROVIDED IMMEDIATE RELIEF IT IS CLEAR THAT IT IS A BAND-AID SOLUTION FOR A MUCH LARGER ISSUE.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST. THOMAS OPEN ADMISSION SHELTER ANNUALLY SEES OVER 2000 ANIMALS IN NEED OF CARE, ASSISTANCE AND HELP.

UNLIKE GOVERNMENT FUNDING ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES PLACING ANIMAL WELFARE SOLELY ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY -- THE ORGANIZATION RELIES ON DONATIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT WITH ONLY A SMALL CONTRACT FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT OFFERING LIMITED ASSISTANCE.

UNFORTUNATELY, DONATIONS TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST. THOMAS HAVE BEEN DECLINING IN RECENT YEARS A PROBLEM IS ASPIRATED BY THE OVERWHELMING STRAY ANIMAL POPULATION.

THIS DIRE SITUATION HAS FORCED THE ORGANIZATION INTO A STATE OF EMERGENCY LEADING TO RECENT DECISIONS TO LAY OFF 17 EMPLOYEES.

NOW WITH ONLY A SKELETON CREW OF FIVE STAFF MEMBERS THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST. THOMAS IS IN URGENT NEED OF INCREASED FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND VOLUNTEERS.

THE FUTURE OF THEIR ABILITY TO SERVE THE ANIMALS OF ST. THOMAS DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON THE GENEROSITY OF THE COMMUNITY.

JOINING THE ONSET TO DELVE INTO WHAT SHE DECIDES AS A STATE OF EMERGENCY AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST. THOMAS IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHELLE ROBBINS.

WELCOME TO COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

AS HISTORY AND BACKGROUND ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION, HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE ISLAND AND WHAT THEY DO.

>> WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR ABOUT 60 YEARS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

OUR CURRENT LOCATION WE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 12 AND IT HAD BECOME A VERY BIG ISSUE HERE WITH ADOPTING ANIMALS OUT SO WE HAVE ENDED UP WITH ALMOST A HOARDING SITUATION.

I JUST CAME OVER TO THE SHELTER SIDE OF THINGS ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO AFTER ONE MONTH AND A HALF OF BEING THERE I WAS ASKED TO TAKE THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND IT HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND OF REALLY DIGGING INTO THE PAST THERE´S JUST SO MUCH THAT HAS GONE ON OR HAS NOT GONE ON THAT WE NEED TO FIX.

>> LET´S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

I KNOW THAT GROWING UP HERE WE USED TO SEE STRAY ANIMALS ALL OVER AND THERE IS NO QUESTION I THINK ANY OBSERVANT INDIVIDUAL CAN SAY THAT IN THE LAST 30 YEARS THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED --THERE HAVE BEEN A DRASTIC REDUCTION BECAUSE THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS PLAYING ITS PART IN THE REDUCTION OF ANIMALS ON OUR ROADSIDES ROAMING AROUND THE COMMUNITY, BUT AS A RESULT OF DOING THAT IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE ORGANIZATION IS TAKING ON TOO MUCH.

>> WE ARE THE ONLY ORGANIZATION HERE IN ST. THOMAS THAT CAN HANDLE THE ANIMALS AND IT IS A LOT.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM, PETS WITH WINGS IT SOCIETY AND RECENTLY THEY WILL ACTUALLY BECOME THEIR OWN PROGRAMS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO BIG AND STRONG AND HAVE SUCH A GOOD TEAM THAT THEY CAN HELP POTENTIALLY THE OTHER ISLANDS.

SO THEY HAVE BRANCHED OFF INTO THEIR OWN 501C AND I THINK THAT IS REALLY A HUGE BENEFIT TO EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THEM TO TRANSFER ANIMALS OFF ISLANDS.

WE ALSO HAVE RECENTLY SET UP A SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC AND THAT WILL DRAMATICALLY DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF STRAY CAT -- CATS AND DOGS.

WE ARE OFFERING OPTIONS FREE AND LOW-COST TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE HOPES THAT PEOPLE WILL SPAY AND NEUTER THEIR ANIMALS BECAUSE MANY DON´T.

>> I REMEMBER BOB BARKER WOULD ALWAYS CLOSE HIS PRICE IS RIGHT SHOW AS A REMINDER TO SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR ANIMALS.

THAT EDUCATION THAT HE UNDERTOOK ON HIS SHOW, HOW DO WE GET THAT OUT TO THE ANSWER TO HELPING WITH THE OVERPOPULATION ISSUE.

>> THIS IS A GOOD START.

RAISING AWARENESS I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON´T KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF IT.

I ALSO KNOW THAT IT IS EXPENSIVE.

WE ONLY HAVE TWO ON THE ISLAND AND THEY ARE BOOKED SOLID.

IT COST A LOT OF MONEY SO HAVING THIS NEW OPTION AT THE STAYING NEUTER CLINIC, IT WILL REALLY REDUCE THE ANIMAL INTAKE AND I THINK IT WILL HELP TO SPREAD AWARENESS OVER TIME THAT WE CAN DO THIS FOR FREE.

>> SO ARE THERE EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT THE HUMANE SOCIETY RUNS AS WELL?

>> WITH THE STUDENTS WE TALKED MORE ABOUT BEHAVIOR OF ANIMALS.

WE DON´T GET INTO THAT WITH THE YOUNG CHILDREN.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN TRAIN AND TREAT OUR ANIMALS.

WE DO GET A LOT OF STUDENTS THAT COME IN AND THEY HAVE TO DO VOLUNTEER TIME SO WE DO GET A GOOD AMOUNT OF STUDENTS AND THAT´S WHEN I REALLY THINK THEY GET THE EDUCATION THAT THEY NEED.

I THINK THAT IS A HUGE TOOL THAT THEY DO HAVE TO DO COMMUNITY SERVICE.

>> LET´S TALK ABOUT THE BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE.

HOW DO YOU GET YOUR FUNDING?

OF COURSE IF YOU HAVE -- YOU TALKED ABOUT GETTING 500 ANIMALS OFF ISLAND AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT COSTS TO FEED 100 ANIMALS.

THERE MUST BE EXORBITANT COSTS INVOLVED?

>> BETWEEN 1.2 AND 1.6 OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS ON A YEARLY BASIS WITH HAVING STAFF THAT WE NEED.

WE HISTORICALLY RELIED ON VOLUNTEERS BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THAT MANY ANIMALS YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOU HAVE PEOPLE THERE TO HELP AND SO BETWEEN THE COST OF THE STAFF AND ALL THE FOOD AND LITTER, MEDICAL EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE FOR THE ANIMALS, THEY ALL GET THEIR VACCINES IN THEIR SHOTS AND THEIR MICROCHIPS AND THEY DO GET ALTERED SO THEY ULTIMATELY GET SPAYED AND NEUTERED BY US.

ALL OF THAT ADD UP AND IT REALLY IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

MOST OF OUR MONEY ENDS UP COMING FROM DONATIONS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF DONORS THAT WILL STEP UP ESPECIALLY IF WE NEED A VET WHO PAID OR IF OUR SALARIES ARE PAID BY DONORS.

>> THAT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT WE ACTUALLY NEED.

WE DO HAVE A THRIFT STORE ON SITE.

THAT IS KIND OF WHERE I GOT MY START WAS HELPING OUT THERE SO THAT TURNED AROUND QUITE A BIT.

IT DOES MAKE ABOUT $40,000 PER MONTH AT THE THRIFT STORE AND IT IS A SMALL BUILDING BUT IT IS INCREDIBLE.

THAT STILL DOESN´T CHECK -- TOUCHED THE ELECTRIC COSTS.

WE HAVE PROPANE TO RUN OUR CREMATORY, SO THERE IS JUST THE COST OF SKUS ADDING UP AND THE FACILITY IS 12 YEARS OLD SO OBVIOUSLY IT WILL NEED MAINTENANCE AND TYPICAL REPAIRS.

>> LET´S TALK ABOUT WHAT HAS TRIGGERED THE MOST RECENT ROUND OF LAYOFFS THAT YOU HAD AND EDUCATE --HELP EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AS TO HOW WE CAN HELP THE ORGANIZATION.

>> WHEN I FIRST CAME I HAD TO ISSUE A CODE RED.

WE HAD NO MORE SPACE.

WE HAD DOGS EVERYWHERE.

THEY WERE IN OFFICE SPACES, HALLWAYS, THE LAUNDRY, STORAGE SPACES.

THEY WERE EVERYWHERE.

WE JUST COULD NOT --I COULDN´T BELIEVE HOW THEY WERE OPERATING.

SO WE ISSUED A CODE RED AND WE COULD NOT TAKE IN ANOTHER ANIMAL.

WE HAD NOWHERE TO PUT THEM SO THAT REALLY TRIGGERED A FRENZY.

I DON´T THINK ANYBODY REALIZED HOW BAD OFF THE HUMANE SOCIETY WAS.

IT LOOKED LIKE A HOARDING FACILITY.

IT LOOKS REALLY BAD.

USE A NATION --EUTHANIZATION POLICY -- WHAT WAS YOURS?

>> WE DON´T USE -- FOR SPACE AND THAT HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM.

IN THE PAST WE HAD AGGRESSIVE DOGS OR --YOU KNOW AND WE WEREN´T NECESSARILY WALLOWING THAT AND AGAIN, WHEN I CAME OVER TO THAT DIED IN NOVEMBER THERE WERE MANY AGGRESSIVE DOGS THAT HAD BEEN THERE FOR TWO YEARS OR 2 1/2 YEARS SO IF YOU IMAGINE THEM BEING IN A SMALL SPACE EVEN YOU TAKE THE NICEST DOG AND AFTER SEVERAL EVEN WEEKS THEY WILL START TO CHANGE AND SO NOW YOU ADD TWO YEARS TO THESE DOGS SYMPTOMS AND IT REALLY --THEY GO CRAZY.

ONCE WE STARTED TO CREATE THIS PETS WITH WINGS THEY DID A HUGE PUSH AND THEY SAID TOUGH CHOICES WILL BE MADE FOR THESE AGGRESSIVE DOGS AND THAT´S WHEN THERE WAS A BIG REPORT JUST CAME UP OUT OF 17 DIFFERENT STATES AND SO MANY PEOPLE RESCUED.

PEOPLE WERE DROP FROM THE STATES.

PETS WITH WINGS DID AN AMAZING JOB GETTING THIS WHOLE TRANSPORT TO HAPPEN.

I WAS HOPING THAT 30 TO 40 DOGS WOULD GO AND THEY GOT ALL BUT FOR OUT.

SO IT WAS REALLY AN INCREDIBLE THING THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF.

>> SO HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY HELP?

IF YOU WANT TO ADOPT OR FOSTER?

>> YOU JUST COME IN.

WE HAVE SOME APPLICATIONS SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR HOME IS SUITABLE FOR THE DOGS.

WE DO A VETTING PROCESS.

YOU CAN MEET THE DOGS.

EVEN IF WE DON´T HAVE ONE THAT IS AT THE TIME SOMETHING YOU´RE LOOKING FOR CAN TAKE THAT INFORMATION AND IF A DOG COMES IN LIKE THAT WE CAN LET YOU KNOW.

>> IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND GET EVERYTHING YOU NEEDED FROM THE GOVERNMENT, FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT PERFECT WORLD, HOW WOULD IT WILL WORK?

HOW THE HUMANE SOCIETY WORK LIKE WHAT WOULD YOU NEED FROM THE GOVERNMENT?

WHAT WOULD YOU NEED FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE WE HELP TO KEEP THE POPULATION OF STRAY ANIMALS AND CATS IN CHECK AND ALSO HAVE THE ORGANIZATION FUNCTION NOT BEING >> I WOULD HOPE FOR MORE MONEY AND BETTER EDUCATION.

I HOPE FOR BETTER EDUCATION ABOUT THE SITUATION AND MORE COMMUNITY SUPPORT THESE ANIMALS IN.

THEY TO THRIVE OUT THERE.

SO BRING THEM IN IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION TO HAVE THEM STUCK IN CAGES AND THEN ULTIMATELY IF THEY ARE THERE FOR YEARS THAN WHAT?

SO MANY OF THEM ARE THRIVING AND SO I GUESS I WOULD JUST HOPE THAT THE COMMUNITY COULD STEP UP AND HELP WITH THE SAYING NEUTERED PROGRAM AND KEEP THE DONATIONS COMING AND KNOW THAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIX THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

WE ARE UNCOVERING STUFF ALL THE TIME OF IS THAT WE DIDN´T DO RIGHT.

>> I READ ABOUT MISMANAGE RELATIONSHIPS AND MISUNDERSTOOD ENDING AND MISSED MEDICATIONS.

WE HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTES LEFT SO I WILL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW YOU A CHANCE TO TALK TO THEM COME UP WITH THING TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU GUYS DO?

THE $175,000 THAT YOU CURRENTLY RECEIVE FOR THE GOVERNMENT, HOW MUCH OF THAT NEEDS AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT THEY INCREASE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY?

>> I WOULD SAY THE BIGGEST REASON WOULD BE TOURISM BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE DON´T HAVE THE MONEY OR THE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND --WE DON´T HAVE AN ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT.

THE COMMUNITY CALLS ASKING FOR OUR HELP.

>> [ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ANIMALS WE HAVE.

IT IS IMPORTANT AND THAT TO ME ALSO IS REFLECTIVE FOR TOURISTS BECAUSE IF IT GOES ON LIKE THIS IMAGINE ALL THESE CRUISE SHIPS COMING AND WE JUST CAN´T GET ANY HELP TO GET THESE STRAY DOGS AND CATS OFF THE STREET.

IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE MONEY TO FUND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO >> WELL I WISH YOU GUYS THE BEST AND AS I SAID AS A VIRGIN ISLANDER I DO KNOW THE IMPACT HUMANE SOCIETY HAS HAD.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.

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

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> LAST JANUARY GOVERNOR SIGNED IN THE VIRGIN ISLAND CANNABIS USE ACT WHICH ALLOWED ADULT TO LEGALLY USE CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL SACRAMENTAL AND OTHER REASONS PENDING THE CREATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE NEWLY APPROVED INDUSTRY.

THE ENTITIES CHARGED WITH IMPLEMENTING THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR LEGAL CANNABIS IN THE TERRITORY HAS BEEN THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS REGULATIONS, UNDER IT´S FIRST AND ONLY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HANNAH CARTY.

BUT CARTY´S REGULATION -- RESIGNATION HAS LEFT CONCERNS REGARDING A POTENTIAL DISRUPTION TO THE LONG A MADE --AWAITED REGULATORY PROCESS.

IN A NEW INTERVIEW CARTY DETAILS THE CURRENT PRIORITIES OF OCR.

>> THE MAIN THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW IS PUTTING OUT THE REGISTRY SYSTEM SO THAT PRACTITIONERS, ORGANIZATION, PATIENT, SACRAMENTAL USERS PARTICULARLY FOR SACRAMENTAL LOCATIONS AND SACRAMENTAL USERS AND FOR PATIENTS THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT.2 ALLOW THEM TO NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND ADDITIONALLY WITH THE AUTO EXPUNGEMENT PROGRAM THESE ARE THE KEY COMPONENTS IN THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A CANNABIS PROGRAM AND THEN WHEN A NEW PERSON STEPS INTO THE POSITION THEY WOULD STEP IN HAVING TO DEAL WITH COMPLETING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS BEING ABLE TO SPEAK,, FROM THE COMMUNITY, COMMENTS FOR MYSELF,, FROM THE BOARD OF ABLE TO COMPILE THAT INFO IN A WAY THAT MAKES THAT.

>> CARTY HAS BEEN ESSENTIALLY FUNCTIONING AS A TEAM OF ONE IN OCR AND DOES NOT HAVE ANY OTHER STAFF.

WITH HER DEPARTURE AND --THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS REGULATION IN THE TERRITORY REMAINS UNCERTAIN IN APPARENT FRUSTRATION GOVERNOR ALAN BYRON JUNIOR ON FEBRUARY 8th CALLED FOR AND TO THE GOVERNMENT´S CONTRACT WITH DIG L, THE COMPANY ATTEMPTING TO REDEVELOPMENT THE RACETRACK SINCE 2016.

>> I ASKED THEM TO GIVE UP THE CONTACT.

NOW THAT I´M GETTING THIS NEAR TO NINE.

>> COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO CLARIFY THIS, THEY HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHY DIDN´T HE JUST GET STARTED ON ITEMS THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO THE CASINO IN ORDER TO HAVE A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL WE NEED THE CASINO TO BE BUILT FIRST.

>> A LICENSE IS NEEDED TO BUILD A 16,000 SQUARE FOOT CASINO.

THE IDL HAS APPLIED TO THE CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION FOR THE LICENSE.

DURING A PACK MEETING ON FEBRUARY 21st THE COMMISSION HEARD TESTIMONY FROM VARIOUS PARTIES.

>> WE, --FAVOR THE GRANT OF CASINO LICENSE.

>> ALSO VOICING THEIR REPORT ARE REPRESENTATIVES FROM -- RETIREE AND FORMER VICE CHAIR OF THE HORSE RACING COMMISSION AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF GATING ENFORCEMENT.

NOT EVERYONE AGREES.

--SUBMITTED TESTIMONY OPPOSING THE LICENSE APPLICATION.

SHE URGED THE COMMISSION TO WAIT UNTIL THE IDL FULFILLED ALL EXISTING AGREEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

AS THE IDL AWAITS THE DECISION ON ITS CASINO LICENSE DUBUQUE STRESSED THE COMPANY´S COMMITMENT TO THE PROJECT.

>> ONLY SPEND MORE MONEY OR TIME ON THIS THAN OUR GROUP.

WE WANT THIS TO HAPPEN MORE THAN ANYBODY I THINK THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD BECAUSE WE ARE COMMITTED.

WE HAVE BEEN COMMITTED.

TO HURRICANES, PANDEMICS, SPENDING MONEY IS STILL TRYING TO MAKE THIS PROJECT WORK.

WE BELIEVE AND KNOW IT CAN WORK.

>> JOINING THIS SHOW FROM OUR SAINT CLAIR STUDIO FORMER PRESIDENT RICHARDS ENJOINING IS VIRTUALLY WE HAVE ATTORNEY KEY WALKER, FOUNDER AND MANAGING ATTORNEY AT THE WALKER LEGAL.

AND ALSO TO MAKE ASSIGNMENTS.

AFTER JUST HEARING OUR INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE ROBBINS, WHAT YOU THINK THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE CAN DO TO HELP NOT ONLY THE ST. THOMAS HUMANE SOCIETY.

AND GIVEN THE SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT.

ADDITIONALLY OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WOULD NORMALLY PAY FOR THIS.

HOW CAN WE STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO HELP FUND THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN A BETTER WAKE?

INTERESTING.

IT DID IN FACT POINTS OUT SOME CONCERNS OF BEING ABLE TO SUBSIDIZE THE PRIVATE AND NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADING SOME OF THE MANDATES FOR THE GOVERNMENT MAY FALL SHORT IN THIS CASE ARE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND ENFORCEMENT.

I THINK OUTSIDE OF THE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE SOME STRINGENT REGULATING OF VEHICLES WANT TO SEEK OWNERSHIP OF ANIMALS.

TO MAINTAIN THE LIVELIHOOD OF THESE ANIMALS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND I AM PLEASED TO HEAR THERE HAS BEEN AM COMMITMENT NOT ONLY BY THE ST. THOMAS ROUTE BUT ALSO THE SAME CORE GROUP OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, SENATOR RICHARDS BROUGHT UP A VERY GOOD POINT.

IN THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE REVELATIONS PUT IN PLACE TO KIND OF GOVERN OUR OWNERSHIP OF ANIMALS.

I RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO A GENTLEMAN IN ST. CROIX, AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN AND I REALLY THOUGHT OF MY FATHER.

HE WAS ATTACKED AND VERY BADLY INJURED BY NEIGHBORS ANIMAL THAT HAS TRADITIONALLY HAD ISSUES.

NEIGHBORS HAD REPORTED IT BEFORE.

THERE WERE RUN-INS AND THEN THIS ELDERLY GENTLEMAN JUST GOING ABOUT HIS BUSINESS DOING WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO IN HIS OWN YARD WAS ATTACKED BY THIS DOG.

AND HAD TO BE AIRLIFTED OFF OF ST. CROIX.

WHAT CAN WE DO AS A GOVERNMENT TO BETTER GOVERN HOW INDIVIDUALS ARE ABLE TO OWN ANIMALS VIA -- BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE KNOW INDIVIDUALS HOARD ANIMALS AS WELL AND THEY DON´T HAVE THE FUNDING TO GIVE THEM PROPER MEDICAL CARE, TO SPAY AND NEUTER OR HELP CONTROL POPULATION GROWTH.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE HOW WE DEAL WITH THE SITUATION >> WE ACTUALLY HAVE LAW ON THE BOOKS FOR THAT WE ALSO HAVE LAWS ON THE BOOKS FOR HOW YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR ANIMALS.

I MYSELF HAVE REPRESENTED HIM AND WAS CHARGED WITH MISTREATING AN ANIMAL AND HOW HE ALLEGEDLY HAD THE ANIMAL CHAINED AND HAVE THE ANIMAL OUT IN THE SUN.

THERE ARE LAWS ON THE BOOK, BUT I DON´T THINK THEIR INVESTMENTS IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THESE LAWS.

I THINK YOU HAVE OFFICERS ON THE STREET AND THEY ARE PRIORITIZING OTHER CRIMES UNDERSTANDABLY SO OVER THESE CRIMES AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INVESTMENT TO ENFORCE THOSE LAWS THAT THE ISSUE BUT THE LAWS ARE THERE.

WE JUST DON´T HAVE THE ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES THINK TO REALLY PUT THEM IN A BOX AND PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT IS INTERESTING THAT YOU SAY THAT.

I WILL GO TO THE EDITOR AT THE VIRGINIA ISLANDS CONSORTIUM, WE WHETHER IT´S THE ABILITY TO GET HUMAN RESOURCES NECESSARY.

I REMEMBER THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION WITH AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN AND THERE WAS A SIMPLE TICKET BOOKLET THAT HAD NOT BEEN DEVELOPED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO WRITE TICKETS FOR WHEN THEY ARE IN VIOLATION.

A SIMPLE THING LIKE THAT WOULD PUT PEOPLE ON GUARD AND ALSO BE A WAY OF GENERATING REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WITH FINES THAT CAN BE ISSUED IF WE ONLY JUST TO THE EXTRA STEP TO MAKE THE --THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

WE KNOW THESE LAWS ARE THERE AND WE KNOW ENFORCEMENT TO EVERYONE IS ABLE TO BASICALLY OPERATE WITH THESE RULES NOT BEING IMPLEMENTED.

>> I THINK THAT THIS ISSUE OF WITHIN THE TERRITORY.

JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE ISSUE OF LACK OF ENFORCEMENT AND LACK OF ENFORCEMENT OFFICES ACROSS ALL AGENCIES THAT HAVE PEACE OFFICER EMPLOYEES WERE DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY.

THE LEGISLATORS WERE TALKING ABOUT THE REVENUE THAT´S BEING LEFT ON THE TABLE IN TERMS OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATION.

THEY WERE SAYING THAT NOT EVERYBODY WHO CAN, NOT EVERY AGENCY WHO CAN BE LOOKING AT TRAFFIC TO GET THEM ISSUING AND BRINGING REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THEY ARE DOING SO.

YOU MENTIONED THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE FOCUSED ON MORE I THINK IT IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE.

THEY NEED TO SIT DOWN INTO THEIR BUDGET CALCULATIONS.

REALLY WE ARE SENDING A MESSAGE TO THE AGENCY THAT YOU NEED TO REALLY ADDRESS THIS LACK OF PERSONNEL ISSUE WHEN YOU´RE DOING YOUR PROJECT AND BRING IN REALISTIC BUDGET AT A REASONABLE REQUEST SO THAT PEOPLE CAN FILL THOSE POSITIONS SO THEN YOU CAN START DOING THE ENFORCEMENT DECIDING THE NECESSARY TICKETS ACTUALLY DOING THE BUSINESS OF ENFORCEMENT FOR THE TERRITORY.

>> ANOTHER FEATURE ITEM THAT YOU SAW IN OUR NEWS LINED UP WAS THE RESIGNATION OF HANNAH CARTY AT THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS REGULATION.

I THINK THIS CAME AS A SURPRISE ESPECIALLY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT MOVING TOWARDS LEGALIZING CANNABIS USE IN THE TERRITORY, HOWEVER, THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME COMING.

I REMEMBER THE FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION AT THE TIME THE GOVERNOR HAD SIGNED, 2019, IT WAS A MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE BILL AND THEN WE HAD A BILL WHERE -- KEY, YOU WERE THERE DEFINING GUESTS THAT EXTENDED THE YOUTH ACADEMIES IN THE TORIES -- TERRITORIES.

THAT WAS MET WITH A LOT OF SUPPORT.

HERE WE ARE BACK TO ANOTHER ROADBLOCK ALONG THE ROAD OF GETTING CANNABIS USE REGULATED AND WHERE THE TERRITORY CAN ACTUALLY START TO REALIZE REVENUES FROM IT.

AND THE OPEN SECRET IN THE WE HAD A CANNABIS INDUSTRY AND WE HAVE HAD ONE FOR DECADES AND ANYBODY THAT´S BEING REALISTIC CAN IGNORE THAT FACT.

WHEN YOU READ THE NEWS ABOUT MS. CARTY´S RESIGNATION WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> I´M STILL INVOLVED IN THE ROLLOUT OF THE PROGRAM.

HOWEVER I DON´T BELIEVE THAT HER RESIGNATION WILL SLOW THE PROGRESS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS GOING ON ONE WHICH MEANS THERE ARE AMENDMENTS THAT NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE ROLLOUT TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND THOSE ARE BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

MS. CARTY HAD ALREADY PUBLISHED THE PROPOSED DRAFT RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY VETTED AND REVIEWED AND NOW IT IS OUT TO THE PUBLIC FOR REVIEW.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT THERE IS STILL A CANNABIS ADVISORY BOARD AND THEY HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE SEARCH FOR HANNAH CARTY´S REPLACEMENT.

AND JUST WITH WORKING WITH HER SHE IS EXTREMELY DETAILED AND EXTREMELY ORGANIZED.

SHE HAS LEFT A ROAD MAP AND SHE HAS CREATED ENOUGH DOCUMENTS TO ALLOW FOR A SEAMLESS TRANSITION TO A NEW OCR DIRECTOR SO I DON´T BELIEVE THAT HER RESIGNATION WILL SLOW US DOWN AT ALL.

>> THERE IS STILL THE QUESTION WHAT IS TAKING US SO LONG.

I LOOK AT THE JOURNEY FROM THE FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT GOVERNOR ALBERT BRYAN SIGNED BACK IN 2019 AND IN THE MEANTIME WE HAVE SEEN OTHER STATES AND TERRITORIES COME ON BOARD, GET MARIJUANA OR CANNABIS LEGALIZATION, WHICHEVER WAY YOU WANT TO ADDRESS IT.

I CAN PERSONALLY TELL YOU IN THE STATE OF NEVADA I HAVE A PERSONAL FRIEND OF MINE DION, I KNOW THE GOVERNOR OF NEVADA, WHEN THEY PASS THEIR LEGISLATION HE SAID DION, YOU ARE ON THE TEAM TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND I NEEDED TO HAPPEN IN THREE MONTHS.

GET THE TAXATION LAWS IN CHECK AND VENDORS AND THAT WAS HER JOB.

HE WAS LIKE GET IT DONE AND GET IT DONE NOW.

GIVE A DEADLINE THAT WE WANT TO MEET AND THERE´S REVENUES THAT CAN COME TO THE STATE.

IT TAKES A LONG?

>> POLITICS.

IT IS REALLY THE LEGISLATION WHICH HAS BEEN THE SHAKEUP.

IF YOU WILL RECALL THE SENATOR HAD THE OWNERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATION.

AND THERE WAS A BATTLE BACK AND FORTH SOMEWHAT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND SENATOR THOREAU AND TRYING TO GET THIS PASSED.

WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING WAS A VERSION THAT THE SENATOR ISSUED YEARS AFTER GOVERNOR BRIAN HAD ALREADY SAT DOWN DRAFT LEGISLATION.

AND WHEN THAT WAS ISSUED THERE WAS A MAD RUSH TO GET IT DONE AND GET IT PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE AT THAT TIME AND THOSE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WERE WORKING TILL 1:00 IN THE MORNING TO GET IT PASSED.

PRETTY DECENT LAW BUT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES.

THERE ARE SOME TYPOS IN THE LOGISTICAL ISSUES THAT WERE CLEANED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND THAT´S WHAT NEEDED TO BE CLEANED UP.

SO THE LARGEST DELAY IN MY OPINION HAS BEEN THE POLITICS SURROUNDING THE LEGISLATION AND THE DELAY IN GETTING IT PASSED.

THERE WERE DRAFT RULES AND REGULATIONS DRAFTED FOR THE MEDICAL CANNABIS, BUT THE MEDICAL CANNABIS WOULD HAVE NEVER SUCCEEDED BECAUSE THE COST OF REGULATING MEDICINAL CANNABIS FOR THAT SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WAS JUST COST PROHIBITIVE WHICH IS WHY THERE WAS A PUSH TO HAVE THE RECREATIONAL PATH SO THAT MEDICINAL AND RECREATIONAL COULD ROLLOUT AT THE SAME TIME BUT IN OUR SITUATION [ INDISCERNIBLE ].

>> I KNOW YOU ARE A KEEN OBSERVER OF MAJOR POLICY ISSUES AND LEGISLATION AND THAT GOES WHEN YOU HEARD NEWS ABOUT THE RESIGNATION OF HANNAH CARTY, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW WE HAVE GONE ABOUT THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS IN THE TERRITORY.

>> MY INITIAL CONSUMPTION OF THE SUBJECT MATTER WAS BASED ON WHAT IS BEING PRESENTED.

THE LISTENERS AND READERS AND VIEWERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE ISSUE WAS THE FACT THAT MS. CARTY WAS WORKING IN A SEPARATE PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE OF HER RESPONSIBILITY.

I AND I´M GLAD THAT ATTORNEY WALKER GAVE THE INTRODUCTION.

IT WAS THE LEGISLATIVE APPROACH TO THE ADOPTION OF LAWS TO GOVERN CANNABIS IN THE TERRITORY.

THEY SPOKE ABOUT MEDICINAL CANNABIS AND IT CAME UP TO RECREATIONAL USE AND I THINK GIVEN THE APPROACH AND HOW IT WENT AHEAD I THINK WE SHOULD BE MORE STRATEGIC AND CAREFUL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEGISLATION WE INTEND TO BRING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY SO IN THAT PARTICULAR NOTE I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH THE STRATEGIC LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THAT WILL BRING ABOUT MEDICINAL AND RECREATIONAL CANNABIS USE.

I HEARD YOU MAKE MENTION OF THE FACT OF BANKING LAWS AND THE ABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE RESOURCES THAT ALL HAVE REQUIREMENTS.

THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

>> JANEEKA, AS A WRITER FOR THE CONSORTIUM, YOU DO WITH A LOT OF ISSUES.

AND IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PEOPLE USE CANNABIS EVERY DAY 24 SEVEN.

THE GOVERNOR IS LOSING ITS OPPORTUNITY TO GENERATE REVENUE IN THEIR INDIVIDUALS THAT SPECIALIZE AND STUDY ON THEIR OWN AND HAVE GOTTEN CERTIFICATIONS IN ANTICIPATION OF ACTUAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPING.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR READERS THINK ABOUT THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT >> I THINK THAT PEOPLE HAVING SEEN THE TRAJECTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGISLATION OF SURROUNDING CANNABIS USE ARE NOT VERY OFTEN DOMESTIC.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WALLOWING MS. WALKER´S POINT OF VIEW THAT THE --WOULD NOT CREATE ANOTHER LAW.

PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING FURTHER DELAYS BECAUSE AS WAS SAID BEFORE THIS WAS REALLY A ONE- WOMAN SHOW IN TERMS OF THE OPERATORS OF THE LEGALIZATION PROCESS.

THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS REGULATIONS IS THE ORGAN THAT ACTUALLY WOULD IMPLEMENT ALL OF THE FRAMEWORK FOR CANNABIS REGISTRATION AND SALES.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY OCR THAT REGISTRATION WAS AVAILABLE FOR PRODUCT FISSURES AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE USING IT IN A RELIGIOUS MATTER HOWEVER, THE REGISTRATION PLATFORM IS NOT ONLINE SO YOU CLICK ON THE LINK FROM THE WEBSITE AND IT TAKES YOU TO A DEAD PAGE.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT STILL NEED TO BE IRONED OUT ON THE OPERATIONAL SIDE WHILE THE PUBLIC LOOKING AT THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR COMMENT BUT WHAT NEEDS BE DONE IS STILL LACKING AND SO I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SKEPTICAL THAT WE CAN SMOOTHLY GO INTO [ INDISCERNIBLE ] NOW INTRODUCING FOR THE DELAYS TO THE PUBLIC.

>> THAT UNFORTUNATELY HAS BECOME CONSIDERABLY -- EXTREMELY CONTENTIOUS.

AND I WILL COME TO YOU FOR THE FIRST RESPONSE ON THIS TOPIC.

I HATE THE TO GO BACK TO REMEMBERING OF THE TALE OF TWO CDS WHERE ONE DISTRICT IN THE TERRITORY HAS AND THE OTHER DOES NOT BUT UNFORTUNATELY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLINTON RACETRACK AND THE TIMING NOW WITH THE EIJI ALLEN ENDING AND THE GOVERNMENT´S RECENT RESPONSE AND ANNOUNCEMENT PUT OUT BY THE EIJI L AND WHAT WE JUST SAW IN OUR NEWS ROUNDUP HIS REACTION TO THAT THING LOOK, GIVE US BACK THE TRACK.

THE CHANCES OF THEM BUILDING THE RANDALL TRACE RACK IS SLIM TO NONE.

WHEN YOU HEAR HIM SAYING SOMETHING LIKE THAT IT EXACERBATES THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION.

COMPOUNDED WITH CARNIVAL RACES COMING IN THE DISTRICT.

A FACILITY THAT HAS GONE UP AND IS BEING BUILT ON VERY RAPIDLY.

IT´S EXPECT IT TO BE COMPLETED 100%.

IT IS THAT STORY OF THE HAVES AND THE HAVES NOT AND I DISLIKE IT BECAUSE WE SHOULD BE ALL MOVING IN ONE DIRECTION TO PUSH THIS INDUSTRY FORWARD.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE EIJI L, THE NEED FOR --LICENSE FIRST BEFORE A TRACK CAN BE BUILT ON SAINT ROY?

>> THANK YOU, LESLIE FOR THE RUSSIAN AND I WANT TO BEGIN WHERE YOU ENDED IT.

IN REGARDS TO THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOT.

MORE IMPORTANTLY INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT HAVING A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE EXISTING LECTURE IS A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE OF A COURT RULING THAT RULED THAT THE LOTTERY TERMINALS ARE THE SAME AS THE GAME MACHINES HERE ON THE ISLAND DIFFERENT DOCUMENT DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX.

AND I MAKE MENTION BECAUSE THE DISTRICT OF ST. THOMAS THERE IS A STEADY REVENUE SET COMING IN FROM BLTS THAT ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION AND IT ALLOWS THEM TO MAKE A QUICK INVESTMENT.

INDIFFERENT TO THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX AND I CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE POSITION AND YOU MUST RECALL I HAD THE FORTUNATE CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION AND INDIVIDUALS WERE NOT AWARE OF SOME OF THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES SCENARIOS THAT EXIST IN A GOOD EXAMPLE IS THE LETTERS EMITTED BY MS. SUSAN BARNES REPRESENTS -- LOCALLY KNOWN TO US --AND ONE POINT IT WAS THE PARENT COMPANY AND OPERATOR OF THE RACE TRACK.

I MAKE MENTION OF THAT BECAUSE THERE IS A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES, BE EIJI L AND TREASURE BAI VI IN REGARDS TO THE OPERATION OF A RACE CHECK.

AND THAT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT MAKES MENTION OF THE FACT THAT FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS THAT THE CASINO WOULD BE OPERATED BY PARENT COMPANY.

AND SO THAT IN AND OF ITSELF CREATE SOME CAN LEARN ON HOW THEY WILL GENERATE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND INVESTMENT IN MOVING ON WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RACE TRACK ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX AND I WOULD THINK PEOPLE NEED TO ALSO HAVE THAT CONTEXT AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF THE CHICKEN BEFORE THE EGG.

THIS IS AN ISSUE OF REOCCURRING REVENUE AND RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY WE CONSTRUCT A RACETRACK THAT IT CAN PROPERLY OPERATE.

>> I HEAR YOUR POINT AND I WILL COME BACK TO THIS BUT THE EIJI L HAS BEEN UP RUNNING A CASINO ON ST. CROIX SO I AM CONFUSED AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY GETS CONFUSED AS WELL WHERE IT ALMOST SEEMS IN BOTH DISTRICTS BASED ON WHAT SENATOR RICHARD SAID, I WILL COME TO YOU GAMING ALSO HAS TO EXIST FOR GAMING TO ASSIST AND I WONDER PEOPLE THAT ARE FAMILIAR WITH INDUSTRY, IS NOT A NECESSARY COMPONENT FOR HORSERACE TO EXIST IN THE TERRITORY?

IT ALMOST SEEMS THAT THE FINANCES TO OPERATE AND RUN A TRUCK THE WAY IT SHOULD BE ARE NOT THERE AND UNLESS YOU HAVE CASINO GAMING OR SOME TYPE OF REVENUE TO SUPPORT AND WE ARE LOOKING AT TRYING TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE, NO PUN INTENDED.

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, ATTORNEY WALKER?

>> I REPRESENTED THE HORSEMEN´S ASSOCIATION AND IT IS TRUE.

DURING THAT TIME THAT IS WHEN THE AGREEMENT WAS EXECUTED.

WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IS ACROSS THE NASCENT DEVELOPERS ARE TRYING TO DECOUPLE THE LICENSING AND SAY THE PROCESS IS IN THE LICENSES.

OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO KEEP IT TOGETHER BECAUSE THE RECENT CASINO REVENUE FUNDS, THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OF THE TRACK, YOU CANNOT SEPARATE AND IF WE DO WE WILL HAVE NO FORCE RACING AND THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE IS.

THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE PICTURE.

WE STILL HAVE THE TRACKS AGREEMENTS.

HORSEMEN HAVE TO NEGOTIATE AN EXIT FROM THEIR REMIT.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO ALSO NEGOTIATE AN EXIT OF TRACKS CO. AND THEN BRINGING IN THE EIJI L WHICH IS WHAT RESULTED IN -- DOESN´T SEEM FEASIBLE NOW.

SO THAT IS REALLY THE ISSUE BUT I DON´T SEE HOW THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RACETRACK WITHOUT THE LICENSE.

THE PROBLEM IS JUST LIKE WITH CANNABIS DRAGS ON TOO LONG AND WHEN SOMETHING DRAGON TOO LONG THE COMMUNITY LOSES TRUST AND CONFIDENCE THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN.

AND SO THAT IS BASICALLY WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

THEY ARE STUCK TOGETHER AND THEY HAVE TO REMAIN STUCK TOGETHER FOR FORCE RACING TO SURVIVE.

>> SO THAT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE REALLY NEED TO RE-EVALUATE THE VALUE OF HORSERACING AND I SAY THIS AS SOMEONE WHO FATHER AND GRANDFATHER WERE CHAIRMAN HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR THE HORSERACE COMMISSION AND THE TRUCK ON THINK THOMAS -- HE´S ONE OF THE BEST JOCKEYS TO COME OUT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT´S NOT LIKE I AM BEING ANTI- HORSERACING, BUT I AM BEING REALISTIC.

IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE ECONOMICS OF THE INDUSTRY ON ITS OWN CAN BE SUSTAINED IN THE TERRITORIES BASED ON MY VERY LITTLE RESEARCH AND WHAT I JUST HEARD WALKER SAY SEEMS LIKE ARE DEALING WITH THIS.

SO, WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS AS TO HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.

I AM INTERESTED IN HEARING YOUR ANALYSIS ON WHAT YOUR READERS ARE SEEING.

YOU HAVE PUBLISHED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS WELL BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> MY TAKE ON THIS AND I WILL TAKE OFF MY JOURNALIST HAT FOR A MOMENT AND PUT ON MY COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT ATTACHED FOR A WHILE AND I THINK THAT A LOT OF THE ISSUES HERE ARE ABOUT COMMUNICATION PUBLIC RELATIONS EXERCISES THAT ARE GOING ON BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND ET CETERA BECAUSE I WANT TO TAKE A STOCK OF WHEN THE NEWER CURRENT AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED.

TO BED AND THE GOVERNMENT PITCH YOU TO FIND A NEW AGREEMENT TO CONTINUE BUILDING THE TRACK ON ST. CROIX.

THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION AT THAT POINT IN TIME THAT THEY HAD TO COME PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION.

I THINK THAT THE PUBLIC MESSAGING WAS MAYBE NOT THE SARA LEE DONE IN A WAY TO REALLY GET EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE TIMELINE AND ORDER OF OPERATION WAS.

THE ECONOMICS OF THE SITUATION ARE WHAT IT IS.

I AM NOT AN ECONOMIC ANALYST TO TELL YOU WHETHER IT IS TRUE OR NOT BUT DEFTLY NEED TO MARRY OR KEEP THE GAMING ASPECT COUPLED WITH THE RACING ASPECT AND I KNOW THAT HORSERACING IS VERY HE AND PAUL OR AND OBJECTIVE TO RETURN FOR US RACING TO ST. CROIX TO BE GOING ON -- IT MAY BE THAT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT WHAT THE ECONOMICS ARE TELLING US WHICH IS THAT THEY NEED TO -- BEFORE THEY CAN CONTINUE.

I WAS JUST LOOKING TO SEE THE DEVIOUS REPORTING THAT WE DID ON THIS AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION --THAT THEY CASINO LICENSE WOULD BE APPROVED FIRST.

PEOPLE WERE VERY MUCH JUST SPEAKING ABOUT THE WORK THAT WAS GOING TO BE GOING INTO COMPLETING THE TRACK AND GETTING THE TRACK UP AND RUNNING.

I THINK IF THERE HAD BEEN A LITTLE MORE PUBLIC EDUCATION AROUND THE PROCESS AND A HOLISTIC PICTURE PAINTED THE PUBLIC WOULD BE A LOT LESS, YOU KNOW, IRRITATED AND IRRITABLE ABOUT THE PROCEEDING.

>> I WILL COME BACK TO YOU AND HAVING WHAT ATTORNEY WALK DIAMOND SAID AND TO BRING UP THE POINT OF JUST THE GOVERNOR´S OTHER FRUSTRATION IN THE PIECE THAT WE SAW.

LET´S BE HONEST.

WHEN PI GL WAS INTRODUCED TO THE TERRITORY IN THEIR INITIAL STREAM IS TO OPEN AND CASINOS IS ST. CROIX AND BUILD HOTEL ROOMS SUCH AS THEIR ORIGINAL AGREEMENT, HAS NOT BEEN A 100% FULFILLMENT OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY AND WHAT THEY HAVE SIGNED ON.

HAVE HAD HORSEMEN ON THE SHOW.

NOW PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED HORSERACING PEOPLE AND PEOPLE ARE HORSE RACING OBEDIENT.

THEY WANT HORSERACING FIRST.

TO HEAR LIKE HE IS SAYING THAT WE HAVE TO BUILD A CASINO FIRST BEFORE THE PEOPLE CAN GET HORSERACING, THAT FEELS LIKE A SWITCH AND BAIT ON US.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR EDITORIAL.

AND I CALL IT THAT BECAUSE LET´S BE HONEST, I THOUGHT WE WERE ALL BEING HONEST FROM THE BEGINNING THE POINT THAT I WAS MAKING AND YOU MADE IT A REFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT PI GL AND I´M NOT HERE TO DEFEND ANY PARTICULAR ENTITY THAT HAS BEEN ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX AND GENERATED REVENUES THAT MEANS YOU ARE DISPOSING AND DUMPING INTO GARBAGE THE INITIAL INVESTMENT THAT WAS MADE PRIOR TO THE INITIATION OF A LAWSUIT.

PRINCE AND THE ACQUISITION OF LAND TO EXTEND THE RACETRACK TYPE OF INVESTMENT FOR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE FACILITY.

ALL THESE THINGS TOOK PLACE PRIOR TO THE INITIATION OF A LAWSUIT BETWEEN SOUTH AND GAMING AND PI GL.

NOW I WILL COME BACK TO THE OPERATION AND FINANCES AND I THINK ATTORNEY WALK OR HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD IN REGARDS TO INVESTMENT AS WE SPEAK TODAY TO BE THE SPORT OF KINGS WHICH IS HORSERACING BUT TODAY THE ENTIRE USA AND SOME MAJOR PORT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD REQUIRE SOME SORT OF ADDITIONAL PURSES AND MONIES TO COMPETE IN THAT PARTICULAR INDUSTRY IN THE TERRITORY AND LASTLY I WOULD SAY THIS IN REGARDS TO THE EXPERT TATIAN OF BEING ABLE TO HAVE HORSERACE THING ON ST. CROIX SUPPORTED AND SPONSORED BY THE I GL WOULD REQUIRE A LARGE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AND EVEN IF PI GL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROCEED WE CANNOT MAKE THE COMPARISON OF WHAT IS BEING DONE RIGHT NOW ON CLINTON FIFTH RACETRACK TO THAT ON THINK ROY AND ON ST. CROIX WE HAVE A REGULATORY STRUCTURE.

AND I´M GLAD THAT THEY MADE MENTION OF COMMUNICATION.

I WAS PLEASED ON WHAT I HEARD.

PLEASE HEAR THE INTEREST -- INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT MADE WHICH ADMITTED AND MADE THE PEOPLE AWARE OF WHAT IS REQUIRED JUST TO BE APPROVED BY THE CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION.

THE INVESTIGATION THEY HAVE TO DO NOT ONLY ABOUT RELATED ENTITIES BUT OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT ARE A MEMBER OF THIS CORPORATE ENTITIES RELATED.

FOR SOUTHLAND GAMING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE BLTS WE ARE COMPARING APPLES AND ORANGES >> WHEN IT COMES TO HORSERACING I THINK PEOPLE WANT RESULTS.

I THINK IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ALWAYS LAY OUT THE SITUATION IN THE CONTEXT AND IT´S NOT ALL INDIVIDUALS.

THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES THAT POSE CHALLENGES IN ONE DISTRICT THAT DOES NOT EXIST AND THE OTHER THAT I WILL COME TO YOU ATTORNEY WALKER.

FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE OF AND IT ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON THE SHOW.

I THINK THAT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE TERRITORY WHEN INTRODUCING PI GL INTO THIS TERRITORY HAD TO HAVE KNOWN YOU DON´T UP AND FILE AND LAWSUIT WHEN YOU´RE DEALING WITH ENTITIES LIKE THIS.

IF THIS DOES GO FORWARD THERE WILL BE A LAWSUIT.

NOBODY CAN TELL ME THAT THOSE MORNINGS WERE NOT IGNORED AND WE HAVE TO BE HONEST AND FRANK ABOUT THAT.

AND THEREFORE YOU ARE EITHER IN A POSITION TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP AND I THINK MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY HAVE COME TO THAT SITUATION NOW.

THE BASIC THING IS THAT PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX ARE BEING TOLD THERE WILL BE NO HORSERACING UNTIL WE GET A CASINO AND THAT SEEMS LIKE I SAID UNFAIR TO PEOPLE.

IT´S EITHER WE CAN DO THIS OR WE ADEQUATELY COMMUNICATE TO THE PEOPLE WHICH CLEARLY WAS NOT DONE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOW LIKE WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

THE JOB WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY.

WE DID NOT GO ABOUT THIS THE RIGHT WAY AND AS A RESULT UNFORTUNATELY THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX ARE SUFFERING.

>> A LITTLE BIT YES AND NO AND I WORRY THAT THE COMMUNICATION MIGHT HAVE BEEN FLAWED.

PRETTY SURE THE AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR INDICATES THAT THE LICENSE A MUST HAVE FOR THE TRACK TO BE REBUILT.

SO I´M PRETTY SURE ABOUT THAT AND WHAT INTERESTING IS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING THE MOST ARE THE HORSEMEN THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY ARE LOSING THE INVESTMENT IN THEIR HORSES.

THEIR HORSES ARE NOT TRAINING AND RUNNING ARE NO LONGER GOOD TO THEM.

IN THE HORSEMEN SUPPORT PI GL GETTING THE LICENSE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRY.

TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED UNDERSTAND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND THAT COMMUNICATION MAY NOT HAVE GONE OUT TO THE LARGER PUBLIC.

ULTIMATELY THIS AGREEMENT CAME OUT UNDER THE MATH ADMINISTRATION, THE ISSUE WAS THEN INTERROGATED BY THE CURRENT ADMIN IS RATION AND ULTIMATELY THE RACETRACK I DON´T SEE HOW A RACETRACK CAN BE BUILT AND OPERATED WITH PURSE IS THAT OUR ATTRACT AND IF THAT LICENSE ISN´T ISSUED SO THEY GO TOGETHER AND THAT´S ULTIMATELY WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND MAYBE EVERYONE NEEDS TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE ONE CONVERSATION, HASH IT OUT AND MOVE FORWARD AS THE AGREEMENT IS ANOTHER DELAY TO THE PROCESS.

THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A RACINE OH CONSTRUCTED.

ULTIMATELY EVERYONE WILL HAVE TO COME TO THE TABLE AND WORK OUT ONE SOLUTION THAT AND IF IT´S THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IF THEY CONTINUE ARGUING AND TAKING SHOT THAT´S ONLY GOING TO DELAY THE PROCESS FURTHER.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU.

EDITORS OF VIRGIN ISLANDS CONSORTIUM, JANEEKA SIMON AND THAT´S ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE FOR YOU TODAY SO BE SURE TO TUNE IN NEXT SUNDAY AT 1:00 P.M. FOR ALL NEW EPISODES OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

IN THE MEANTIME TUNE INTO WTJX AT 5:00 P.M. ON 93.1 FM OR BY DOWNLOADING THE WTJX APP.

I´M LESLIE --AND FOR ALL OF US HERE AT WTJX CHANNEL 12 TAKE CARE.