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

REPRESENTATIVES FROM VIRGIN ISLANDS WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ARE HERE TO DISCUSS HOW THEY ADDRESS RECENT SEWAGE OVERFLOW ISSUES AND HOW THEY´RE MANAGING SEWAGE CHALLENGES ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

>>> PLUS -- >> THERE ARE LEGISLATION FROM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.

>> WE´LL EXPLORE A LEGISLATIVE EFFORT TO MODERN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT HAVEN´T BEEN UPDATED SINCE 1959.

LEGISLATION HAS EVENTS TO ESTABLISH A BEAR WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL ON ST. CROIX BUT SOME LAWMAKERS EXPRESSED CONCERNS OVER DIMINISHING RETURNS.

WE´LL HAVE THE DETAILS.

>> JUST TRYING TO GET THE BREAK EVEN.

>> THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY IS WORKING TO BREAK EVEN BUT THE LATEST COST CUTTING MEASURE HAS RAISED CONCERNS IN THE SENATE.

WE´LL EXPLAIN.

>>> AND LATER THE PANEL JOINS THE CONVERSATION TO ANALYZE THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

>>> "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" STARTS NOW.

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

I´M MARTINA DOUGLAS.

WE WERE OVERWHELMED BY THE SMELL OF SEWAGE TWO WEEKS AGO.

BUSINESS OWNERS HAD TO ENDURE THE STENCH.

ACCORDING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS, THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF A PUMP AT THE LBJ STATION WHICH WAS FIXED THREE DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED.

SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED ON ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN.

THEY REPORTED THAT A MAN HOLE BEHIND THE PASSAGE HOTEL ST. JOHN HAS REPEATEDLY SPILLED OVER IN THE PAST.

MOSTLY DUE TO HIGH TIDES.

WASTE MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS HAVE STATED THAT AS OF NOW, ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY FIXED BUT THE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE REMAINS A CONCERN.

MANY RESIDENTS ARE NOW WONDERING WHEN A PERMANENT SOLUTION WILL BE PUT IN PLACE TO PREVENT A FUTURE PROBLEM.

I´M JOINED NOW BY KEITH SMITH, WASTEWATER MANAGER FOR THE AUTHORITY.

WELCOME TO "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND ALSO JOINING US FROM OUR ST. CROIX STUDIO, DARLENE PETERSON AND ENGINEER PROJECT MANAGER RONALD PHILLIPS.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, GENTLEMEN.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> MR. PETERSON, YOU COULD EXPLAIN SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THE AGING SEWER SYSTEM ON ST. CROIX AND WHAT IS BEING DONE RIGHT NOW TO PREVENT FUTURE OVERFLOWS?

>> WELL, WHEN IT COMES TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, ST. CROIX SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 60 YEARS OLD.

SOME OF THE SEWER LINES ARE EXPOSE COMPOSED OF CAST IRON OR CLAY PIPES WHICH WAS PREFERENCE BACK THEN.

SO, 60 YEARS PRIOR, WE KIND OF LACK THE FORESIGHT, AS A PEOPLE, WE LACKED THE FORESIGHT TO NOT HAVE CERTAIN TIES INTO OUR SEWER SYSTEM, THINGS LIKE STORM WATER RUNOFF, REALLY AFFECT OPERATION OF THIS ANTIQUATED SYSTEM.

OFTENTIMES OVERLOADING THE SYSTEM DURING HEAVY RAINS AND EVENTS THAT ARE AS SUCH.

NOW, WHEN WE HAVE THE PUMPING SYSTEM, WE´RE TALKING ABOUT A PUMP SYSTEM WHERE THE PUMPS HAVE ALREADY SURPASSED THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY.

OKAY.

SO COMPARED WITH THAT, THE SYSTEM IS VERY FICKLE.

IT IS SENSITIVE.

AND YOU KNOW, WE, AS A PEOPLE, WE HAVE TO BE VIGILANT.

FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT DOING ALL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, WHICH IS A CONSISTING OF THE CONSTANT FLUSHING OF THE LINES TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

DOING WHAT THEY PUT DOWN THE DRAIN, BUSINESS OWNERS, WE HAVE TO BE WEARY OF THE GREASE.

OUR RESIDENTS, WE HAVE TO BE WEARY OF THINGS LIKE FLUSHABLE WIPES ARE MARKED AS FLUSHABLE IN ACTUALITY, IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE SYSTEM.

THESE CAUSE PLUGGAGE AND INTERRUPTION OF FLOW AND CAUSES THE OVERFLOWS THAT WE SEE AT THE MAN HOLES.

>> AND MR. PHILLIPS, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME SOLUTIONS UNTIL THE INFRASTRUCTURE CAN BE CHANGED.

HOW LONG IS THE SOLUTIONS EXPECTED TO LAST?

>> RIGHT NOW, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT FEMA HAS A REPLACEMENT FOR ST. CROIX, WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEWER SYSTEM.

BUT THE ONLY THING THAT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THIS IS NOT AN OVERNIGHT FIX.

IT COULD TAKE FROM 10 TO 15 YEARS, MORE LIKELY IT IS GOING TO BE 15 YEARS.

RIGHT NOW WE´RE IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT WHAT WE CALL THE LBJ WATER SHED WHICH IS ALL OF THE SWELL LINES OF ALL OF THE RESIDENTIAL HOMES THAT ARE WITHIN THE LBJ AREA AND THAT IS WHERE THE PUMP STATION IS LOCATED.

SO, THERE IS AN ENGINEERING FIRM BY THE NAME OF EDT, AND TAKE LOOKING AT THE SYSTEM AND COMING UP WITH OVERALL TIME.

ONE OF THE PLANS IS THE LBJ PUMP STATION IS GOING TO BE RELOCATED AND SECONDLY, WITH THE LBJ PUMP STATION, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I´M GOING TO ALLUDE TO MR. PETERSON THAT WHEN THE PUMP STATION GOES DOWN, AND YOU HAVE THOSE MANHOLES OVERFLOWING, BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, YOU LOSE YOUR PUMP, WHICH IS ELECTRICAL AND THIS IS A 250 HORSEPOWER PUMP THAT HAS THE CAPACITY TO PUMP 3,000 GALLONS OF WATER.

WHEN THE PUMP GOES OUT OF SERVICE, ALL OF THE WATER STARTS TO FILL UP IN WHAT WE CALL THE WET WELL.

ONCE A WET WELL IS FULL, ALL OF THE LINES FILL UP AND EVENTUALLY THE WATER HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE, BECAUSE THE RESIDENT THAT IS STILL USING THE WATER, AND SO WHEN YOU SEE THE MANHOLES THAT ARE -- I REFER TO AS BUBBLING AND OVER FLOWING IN THE SECTION, BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE LOWEST PARTS WITHIN THE SYSTEM AND THAT IS A WAY FOR WATER TO GO.

IN THE DAYS WHEN PUBLIC WORKS OPERATED A SYSTEM, THEY HAVE A LINE, A DIRECT LINE THAT THEY COULD ACTUALLY PUMP THE WASTEWATER OVER THE REEF IN CHRISTIANSTEAD AND THAT PROTECTED THEM AND TO A CERTAIN EXTENT THAT IS WHAT I CALL A EMERGENCY BYPASS.

BUT CONGRESS PASSED A CLEAN WATER ACT AND WHAT THE CLEAN WATER ACT SAID THAT IF YOU COLLECT WASTEWATER, YOU HAVE TO TRANSPORT IT AND TREAT IT BEFORE YOU POST IT.

BUT IT IS OUR SOLUTION BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO BE OVER NIGHT.

>> I WANT TO GO OVER TO THE ST. THOMAS, ST. JOHN DISTRICT.

WE´RE SEEING SOME OF THE ISSUES HAPPENING ON THOSE DISTRICTS AS WELL BEHIND THE WIN WARD PASSAGE HOTEL, WE HAVE SEWAGE OVERFLOWING IN ST. JOHN IN THE CREWS BAY AREA.

EXPLAIN WHAT IS CAUSING THESE ISSUES.

>> LIKE THEY WERE SAYING, AND PETERSON, WE HAVE AN UNINTENTIONAL SYSTEM IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, THE TERRITORY.

AND WE HAVE TO COMBINE, AND THAT IS STORM WATER AND SEWER.

BUT SO WE HAVE THAT BUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THEP INFRASTRUCTURE WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR COMBINED.

SO WE HAVE INFILTRATION OF STORM WATER INTO OUR SYSTEMS.

AND THAT IS NOT THE ONLY WATER WE GET.

WHENEVER YOU SEE AFTER A STORM IN THE GUTTERS, THE TRASH AND THE GARBAGE, THAT STUFF ALSO GET NEWS OUR SYSTEM.

AND BECAUSE IT GETS INTO OUR SYSTEM, IT GET NEWS OUR PUMPS.

THAT WASN´T DESIGNED FOR THAT KIND OF STUFF.

AND SO WHEN YOU PULL THE PUMPS OUT, THEY PULL OUT TRASH AND GARBAGE OUT OF THE PUMPS AND THAT IS AFFECTING OUR SYSTEM.

SOME SYSTEMS, THEY´RE DESIGNED FOR COMBINED.

BUT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, IT IS NOT.

NOW, IN THE AREA WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PUMP STATIONS.

BUT THE MOST CRITICAL IS THAT PUMP STATION.

>> AND SPEAK TO ME ABOUT WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC CHALLENGES YOU´RE HAVING?

>> SO ALL OF THE PUMP STATIONS IN THE AREA PUMP TO THE PUMP STATION.

THE PUMPTATION IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET SEWER OUT OF -- SO IN THAT FIELD EVERYTHING BACKS UP.

SO WHAT HAPPENED IN CONKRITE, IT IS A TREE AND WHEN I STARTED WORKING, I JUST CAME ON WASTE MANAGEMENT, BUT WHEN I STARTED WORKING IN AUGUST, 2023, I NOTICED THAT ONLY ONE OF THE PUMPS WAS ONLINE, RIGHT.

AND WITH IT BEING AGED AND THAT PARTICULAR PUMP IT LIKE WE´RE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PUMP ONLINE.

AND THE THING IS, THEY DON´T MAKE THE PUMP ANY MORE.

AND THEN THE PARTS FOR THE PUMP CAME OUT -- YOU CAN´T GET THE PARTS FOR THE PUMPS ANY MORE.

SO WE GET AN EMERGENCY PUMP AND THAT IS WHAT SAVED US ON SITE.

BECAUSE AFTER THE STORM, YOU HAVE A LITTLE DELAY BECAUSE THE STUFF HAS TO WORK ITSELF DOWNSTREAM AND WORK ITSELF, WE HAVE A FEW DAYS AND THEN NOT ONLY CONQUERING BUT ON ST. CROIX, LBJ, THE PUMP STATION, THAT IS A MAJOR PUMP STATION AND I SIT IN THE OFFICE AND I GET A CALL, AND A FEW HOURS LATER, ARE YOU READY FOR MORE NEWS, MR. SMITH.

IT IS OFFLINE.

LBJ IS OFFLINE.

IN THE SAME DAY.

RIGHT.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE ALL OF IT STUFF WORKED ITSELF DOWNSTREAM AND DAMAGING OUR PUMPS.

WE HAVE TO PULL OUR PUMPS AND TRY TO REPAIR THEM.

>> SO LET ME.

I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING TO TRY TO REPAIR THEM AND UNTIL THE PRUDENT REPLACEMENT IS ULTIMATELY DONE, HOW SUSTAINABLE IS SOME OF THESE TEMPORARY FIXES?

>> WELL WE HAVE A PLAN.

WE HAVE A PLAN TO REPLACE ALL OF THE PUMPS IN CON CRANE AND LBJ AND THE MAJOR PUMP STATIONS.

AND TRYING TO TAKE SOME PROTECTION MEASURES.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE SCREENS.

BUT STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> AND THIS IS ALSO FOR ST. JOHN.

>> ST. JOHN THEY HAVE THAT PROBLEM IN PARTICULAR.

THAT PROBLEM WITH THE MAJOR PUMPS IN ST. JOHN.

THE PROBLEM IN ST. JOHN, OF COURSE WE HAVE THIS COMBINED ISSUE IN ST. JOHN.

BUT IT IS BETTER MANAGED IN ST. JOHN BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A SMALL SYSTEM.

SMALLER PIPE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

BUT, IN ST. JOHN, THE ISSUE IN ST. JOHN IS WE HAVE -- IN THE INITIAL DESIGN, IT WAS DESIGNED FOR THE DISCHARGES OF AFFLUENT WHICH IS A TREATED WATER, WAS DESIGNED TO GRAVITY FEED OUT OF THE THIRD AND ABOUT TWO MILES OFF SHORE.

BUT BY GRAVITY.

HOWEVER, BECAUSE THAT PUMP STATION WAS BUILT OF COURSE, WE LEARNED THE DISCHARGE LINE WAS SETTLING RIGHT NOW.

SO THE PLAN FOR ST. JOHN IS TO CHANGE THAT LANE INTO A FOURTH -- WHAT WE CALL PUMPS OF GRAVITY, SO WE COULD COMBAT THE TIDE.

SO YOU FIND THE TIDE IS HIGH, WE´RE FIGHTING TO GET THE AFFLUENT WHICH IS THE TREATED STUFF OUT OF THE PLANT.

TWO MILES OFF SHORE INTO THE SEA.

>> WANT TO GO BACK OVER TO ST. CROIX.

WE HAVE SOME LONG-TERM STRATEGIES THAT ARE HAPPENING.

GIVEN THE ON GOING CHALLENGINGS, YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE FUNDING THAT CAME THROUGH FOR THE PRUDENT REPLACEMENT PROJECT TO UPDATE THE WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE BUT IN THE MEANTIME WHAT COULD THE COMMUNITY EXPECT IN THE COMING MONTHS?

>> WELL, LIKE WHAT MR. SMITH SAID, ONE THING THAT WE CAN DO IS ACTUALLY GET NEW PUMPS.

RIGHT NEW LBJ AND THE PUMP STATION, THEY HAVE THREE PUMPS.

SO WHAT YOU REFER TO, THOSE -- YOU SAY YOU HAVE A TRIPLE REDUNDANCY SYSTEM BUT YOU ALSO HAVE A DIESEL BACK-UP, SO IF YOU LOSE WATER POWER, WE ALSO HAVE A BACK-UP GENERATOR TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE PUMPS AND THEN IF THAT FAILS, THEN YOU ALSO HAVE YOUR DIESEL PUMP.

BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE PUMPS THAT ARE IN WORKING CONDITION AND THOSE PUMPS ARE REALLY BEYOND THE SERVICE LIFE.

SO, LIKE WHAT MR. SMITH IS SAYING, THAT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO YOU NOW IS GET SOME NEW PUMPS.

>> MR. PETERSON, I KNOW YOU SPOKE BRIEFLY WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN DO TO KIND OF HELP ALLEVIATE THOSE PROBLEMS, YOU KNOW, SPEAK TO ME A GUESS A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DETAIL ON WHAT RESIDENTS ARE DOING AND HOW THEY COULD HELP PREVENT FUTURE SEWAGE ISSUES?

>> OKAY.

BEFORE I SPEAK ABOUT THAT, I WILL SPEAK ABOUT WHAT WASTE MANAGEMENT IS DOING AS FAR AS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC.

WE HAVE OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM GOING OUT AND DOING PUBLIC OUTREACH.

WE STARTED A FOG INITIATIVE.

AND THAT IS FAT, OILS AND GREASE AND THAT HAMPERS OUR ABILITY TO OPERATE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR SEWER LINES.

SO GOING OVER THERE AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, EDUCATING THE KIDS.

BECAUSE THE KIDS DON´T COME HOME WITH THAT INFORMATION AND THEY GO AND TELL MOMMY, DON´T DUMP THAT GREASE DOWN THE DRAIN.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT.

WE WANT TO GO THERE AND WE WANT TO HAVE ALL OF OUR ENFORCEMENT TRAINED ON SUDDEN FAT, OIL AND GREASE PROCESS, WHILE THEY´RE RESTAURANT OWNERS AND NOT NECESSARILY FINE THEM, BUT WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO ALLEVIATE THIS SITUATION.

ONE THING THAT RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR, THAT IS THE CLEAN AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THEIR OWN GREASE TRAPS, OKAY.

NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GREASE TRAP IN YOUR PROCESS MEANS THAT IT DOESN´T HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR IS THEIR MANIFEST A LOT OF THE CONTRACTORS THAT THEY´VE HIRED TO COME TO PERFORM THIS SERVICE FOR THEM.

OKAY.

SO WITH THAT, WITH US REALLY GETTING OUT AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND TELLING THEM THE HAZARDS AND THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS KIND OF DISPOSAL, HOPEFULLY WE COULD SEE A CHANGE IN THE BEHAVIOR THAT IS HAPPENING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

MR. SMITH, I WANT TO COME BACK OVER TO THE ST. THOMAS AREA.

I KNOW WE ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE STATION AND SEEING THAT OVERFLOW BEHIND THE WIN WARD PASSAGE AREA.

ARE THERE OTHER AREAS HERE ON ST. THOMAS SPECIFIC THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON OR THAT YOU´VE BEEN SEEING SOME OF THE ISSUES AS WELL, TOO.

>> OH, YES.

WELL, YES, WE HAVE, AS I SAID EARLIER, IN THE RECENT TIMES, SINCE I´M NEW HERE, I WILL LOOK AT A CLAUSE THAT WE RECEIVE, THAT EFFECTS US, WE CALL ROOT CAUSE.

AND IT IS 80% BECAUSE OF THAT TYPE, WE STILL HAVE CONCRETE TYPE FAILURE AND THE PLAY PIPE FAILURE.

JUST IN A MATTER OF THREE WEEKS, I DID PIPE.

WE DID ALSO JUST BEHIND THE QUARTER -- JUST SINCE SATURDAY, THAT WAS 140 FEET OF CLAY PIPE THAT JUST COLLAPSED UNDER THE GROUND.

>> SO ESSENTIALLY UNTIL WE COULD GET TEASE PIPES CHANGED AND GET THE PUMPS CHANGED, THIS IS A CONTINUOUS FIGHT.

>> YES.

>> OKAY.

WELL GENTLEMAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I DO APPRECIATE ALL OF THIS EDUCATION TODAY.

AND COMING UP, WE´RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THIS WEEK´S PANEL.

BUT FIRST, LET´S LOOK AT THE ISSUES UP FOR DISCUSSION.

>>> THE RULE OF THUMB IS THAT CODES OF LAWS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY GENERALLY UPDATED EVERY TEN YEARS AND SO YOU COULD DO THE MATH THAT WE HAVE NOT UPDATED SINCE 1959 AT THE LATEST.

>> THE 35th LEGISLATURE SOUGHT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE THROUGH SYMPOSIUMS AND AIMED AT SPEEDING UP THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BY ALLOWING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SUGGEST UPDATES TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE FOR MORE EFFICIENT OPERATIONS.

THE GOAL WAS TO BEGIN MODERNIZING OUTDATED LAWS.

>> TOGETHER, WE COULD INFLUENCE LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY MEASURES THAT ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

>> AT THE INAUGURAL LEGISLATIVE SYMPOSIUM IN AUGUST ON ST. CROIX, THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS PRESENTED PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.

>> WE´RE PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ALLOW THE DLCA TO ADJUST LICENSING FEES ANNUALLY AND IMPOSE STRICTER ADMINISTRATIVE FINES FOR VIOLATIONS INCLUDING THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CITATIONS FOR THE SAME OFFENSE.

>> DURING THE SECOND LEG OF THE SYMPOSIUM IN ST. THOMAS, AGENCY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES PRESENTED A LARGE NUMBER OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS BUT LAWMAKERS URGED FOR SCRUTINY AND CALLED FOR A MORE THOROUGH EDUCATED PROCESS.

>> DOING IT IN THIS MANNER IS JUST CONVOLUTED AND THIS IS HOW WE MAKE MISTAKES.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE SMALLER SUBCOMMITTEES TO TACKLE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, TITLE AFTER TITLE, ONE TITLE AT A TIME, SO WE COULD SIT DOWN IN A TABLE AND A DISCUSSION WE COULD HAVE A CLEAR COHERENT STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> THE SYMPOSIUM CULMINATED IN BILL 350388 WHICH REVISED ANTIQUATED SAKS SANCTIONS OF TITLE 5 TO ALIGN WITH CURRENT LAW AND PRACTICE.

>> THIS IS JUST THE REVISION OF THE CODE TITLE 5 BECAUSE YOU HAVE LEGISLATION ON OUR BOOKS THAT WOULD SAY, IF YOU´RE MARRIED TO AN IDIOT, YOU COULD GET A DIVORCE.

THAT IF A CERTAIN ANIMAL, A PIG RUNS DOWN MAIN STREET, THAT THAT IS NOT THE ONLY ANIMAL IS PERMITTED COMING DOWN THE MAIN STREET AND THAT WAS BECAUSE BACK THEN I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A SLAUGHTERHOUSE AND THAT IS WHERE ANIMALS WERE ABLE TO COME DOWN THE STREET.

SO THERE ARE LEGISLATION FROM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.

SIMPLE WORDS THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED.

NOTHING THAT IS COMPLICATED, NOTHING THAT IS CONTROVERSIAL.

SO BILL NUMBER 35-0388, I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIAL VOTED TO ADVANCE THE BILL ON OCTOBER 10th WITH ALL PRESENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE.

BILL 35-388 WAS PASSED ON OCTOBER 16th.

>> WHEN I STARTED HERE TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE $16 MILLION BELOW BUDGET AND NOW DOWN TO $2 MILLION BELOW BUDGET BUT WE HAVE TO GET TO BREAK EVENT.

SO IT IS ENVIRONMENT AND LOWERING COST.

>> AND PART OF THE EFFORTS TO LOWER COST, THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY PLANS TO HALT ALL TRASH COLLECTION RESPONSIBILITIES IN COMMUNITIES.

A CHANGE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

INTERIM CEO DIAL GRIFFIN CONFIRMED THIS IN A RECENT HEARING ON BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE.

>> THE ISSUE CAME UP WITH THEY ADDRESSED A LETTER FROM ROGER MERIT WHICH INFORMED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT WASTE MANAGEMENT WOULD NO LONGER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRASH COLLECTION IN HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

THEY ASKED WHETHER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD CONTRACTED WITH A PRIVATE HAULER TO MANAGE TRASH COLLECTION AS A RESULT.

>> WELL, THEY HAVEN´T STARTED COLLECTING YET.

THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE SET UP WAS GOING TO TRY TO STOP US FROM BLOCKING THAT.

AND HOPEFULLY YOU DON´T.

THAT WILL SAVE US ABOUT $600,000 FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION.

THAT IS WHY WE APPROACHED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

WE WENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS TAKEN OVER THEIR GARBAGE COLLECTION AT THE SCHOOLS AND DOING IT WITH THE SAME PRIVATE HAULERS THAT WERE WE PAYING BECAUSE WE WERE NOT DOING THIS IN HOUSE.

WE WERE BASICALLY JUST CONTRACTING IT OUT WITH PRIVATE VENDORS.

>> SENATOR, HE EXPRESSED CONCERNS WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHOULD BEAR THE COST WHEN WASTE MANAGEMENT ALREADY RECEIVED GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

>> WE´RE GIVING YOU $35 MILLION AND YOU´RE CHARGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PICK UP TRASH.

SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE?

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE PAYING TO PICK UP TRASH.

>> FRANK GREGORY CONTINUES TO PRESSURE THE ISSUE AND THE ADDED STRAIN ON THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> WE PAY OUR BILLS.

AND EVERY TIME YOU DON´T PAY ON A COURT CASE, A SETTLEMENT WITH SOME HARASSMENT, THE GOVERNMENT PAYS.

UPWARDS OF $250,000.

NO, THAT IS AN ISSUE.

>> A REVENUE GENERATOR AIMED AT BOOSTING THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT EFFORTS TO REACH ST. CROIX.

THESE WERE THE WORDS OF SENATOR DIANE CAPE HART AS SHE INTRODUCED THE BILL WHICH SEEKS TO ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL.

AND VENDORS AND BUSINESSES OF ALL SIZES ARE NOT JUST BEHIND, JUST BEHIND THIS BILL, THEY ARE CHAMPIONING IT.

THEY´RE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT UNDERSCORES THE POTENTIAL IMPACT AND IMPORTANCE OF THIS INITIATIVE.

>> THE DESPITE THE SUPPORT, CAPE HART´S LEGISLATION WAS MET WITH SOME HESITATION WHEN IT WAS INTRODUCED BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE.

CITING THE FESTIVAL CANCELLATIONS, IAN TURNBULL SAID THEY NEED CAREFUL EVALUATION BEFORE MOVING FORWARD.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO CAREFULLY ASSESS WHETHER THE FESTIVAL COULD BE SUSTAINED ANNUALLY WITHOUT PLACING UNDUE FINANCIAL PRESSURE ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT´S BUDGETS.

PERHAPS WE SHOULD LOOK AT SEEKING EXISTING LEGISLATION PASSED WHEN AN ANNUAL MUSIC EVENT AND INCORPORATE THE PROMOTION OF SPIRITS.

>> HE REFERENCED THE MUSIC FESTIVAL BILL WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO LAW THIS YEAR.

THE SPONSOR OF THAT BILL, DONNA FRED GREGORY, EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT ADDING ANOTHER NEW FESTIVAL INTO THE MIX.

>> I AM CONCERNED.

I AM OFF US HAVING FESTIVALS AND ALL OF THIS GOOD STUFF BUT I WISH TO REMIND US THAT IN JANUARY OF 2024, WE PASSED THE MUSIC FESTIVAL BILL.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND IT.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE TWO MEASURES, THEY SEEM TO MIRROR EACH OTHER.

>> GREGORY ULTIMATELY VOTED AGAINST BILL NUMBER 35-0257 AS DID ANOTHER SENATOR WHO VOICES SIMILAR CONCERNS.

>> I THINK THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS FOR PETITION AND IT WILL DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE ONE THAT WAS ALREADY CRAFTED IN JANUARY COULD BE UTILIZED TO BE THE EXACT SAME THING.

>> DESPITE THE OPPOSITION, THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE ON OCTOBER 9th.

BILL 35-0257 WAS PASSED ON OCTOBER 16th.

>>> JOINING ME ON SET TO ANALYZE THESE ISSUES IS RAVEN PHILLIPS, CO-HOST OF THE ONLINE TALK SHOW "THE FISH FRY".

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AND FROM ST. CROIX, ATTORNEY KEY WALKER FROM THE WALKER LEGAL GROUP.

AND LOCAL TEACHER ANTHONY MARDEN JR.

IT IS GREAT TO YOU HAVE BOTH HERE.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> BEFORE WE EXPLORE THE ISSUES OF THE DAY, I WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FEATURED DISCUSSION.

MR. MARTEN, YOU WERE IN DOWNTOWN CHRISTIANSTEAD WITH YOUR STUDENTS WHEN RAW STUDENTS WERE FLOWING AND YOU REPORTED THAT IT WAS HARMING BUSINESS ON THE BOARDWALK AND TOURISM.

TELL ME WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT WASTE MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVES JUST SAID ABOUT A FIX TO THIS ONGOING ISSUE?

>> THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR HAVING ME HERE.

SO TO BE HONEST, THIS SMELL HAS BEEN AN ISSUE, NOT JUST ONLY NOW BUT IT HAS BEEN FOR YEARS.

AND I THINK THE PUBLIC IS JUST TIRED OF THE ISSUES AND THE CONCERNS THAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THIS SMELL.

BUT THE MAIN THING THAT -- WHICH WAS REFERENCED IN THE ARTICLE WAS THAT BUSINESSES ARE AROUND THIS AREA.

ESPECIALLY RESTAURANTS.

AND WHEN YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO MAKE REVENUE AND MAKE MONEY, YOU KIND OF DON´T WANT TO BE EATING WHERE YOU´RE SMELLING ROTTEN EGGS OR WHATEVER.

SO I HEARD SOME DISCUSSIONS AND SOME SOLUTIONS THAT THEY BROUGHT UP.

I JUST THINK THAT IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN A LITTLE FASTER.

SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BEGIN TO GET SOME BETTER RESULTS AND WE COULD GO TO CHRISTIANSTEAD AND NOT HAVE TO SMALL ROTTEN EGGS ON THE BOARDWALK.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DISCUSSION ON WASTE MANAGEMENT ON THEIR TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS THAT THEY´RE PROPOSAL?

>> SO, I AM -- I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS, I THINK, WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT WAS DISCUSSED.

I CAN APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE SOME TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS ON THE WAY BECAUSE THIS IS A MATTER NOT JUST FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AS WELL, HAVING PEOPLE EXPOSED TO THAT SEWAGE IN THE STREET.

THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

SO I´M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT THEY HAVE SOME IDEA OF HOW TO ADDRESS IT AND IN A TEMPORARY MANNER.

BUT IT IS CONCERNING TO HEAR THAT ULTIMATELY WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN IS A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE SYSTEM AND THE FACT THAT THAT IS GOING TO TAKE 10 TO 15 YEARS AND THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS AN OLD, OUTDATED SYSTEM.

WHERE WE´RE CONSTANTLY HEARING OF OUR FAILING -- OUR AGEING AND FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND IT IS REALLY CONCERNING.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, DO BUSINESSES IN THE AREA HAVE LEGAL OPTIONS OR RECOURSE WHEN RAW SEWAGE CAN POTENTIALLY IMPACT THEIR ABILITY TO OPERATE AND DRIVE AWAY CUSTOMERS?

>> DEFINITELY.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN DOWNTOWN CHRISTIANSTEAD.

AND I HAVE REPRESENTED AT LEAST ONE BUSINESS OWNER IN THE PAST THAT SETTLES ITS CLAIM WITH THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

THE ISSUE HERE THOUGH, IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING THROUGHOUT CHRISTIANSTEAD AND AFFECTING BUSINESSES AND HOMEOWNERS.

THERE ARE HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE LOCATED IN CHRISTIANSTEAD IN THE AREA WHO ARE ALSO SUFFERING FROM THE SMELL, CHILDREN GETTING SICK, HOMES NEEDING REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS BECAUSE IT HAS SEEPED THROUGH THE WALLS OF THEIR HOMES.

SO ULTIMATELY THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THE ENTIRE TERRITORY BECAUSE HOW MANY LOSSES CAN WASTE MANAGEMENT REALLY DEAL WITH.

ULTIMATELY, I THINK, THERE NEEDS TO BE A TERRITORIAL PLAN TO REVAMP OUR WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

BECAUSE IT IS LARGER THAN JUST THE NEED TO REPLACE THESE OUTDATED SEWAGE LINES.

>> YEAH.

I WANT TO SHIFT NOW TO A DIFFERENT ISSUE.

AND OMNIBUS BILL PASSED IN THE SENATE AND THAT REMOVED OUT DATED LANGUAGE AND IMPROVE CLARITY.

ATTORNEY WALKER WE´LL STAY WITH YOU.

WHILE THE BILL FOCUSED ON NONCONTROVERSIAL UPDATES SUCH AS CHANGING COURT NAMES, WHAT ARE MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE CODE, DO YOU THINK, THAT SHOULD BE NEXT ON THE LEGISLATURE´S AGENDA?

>> WELL, THERE ARE SO MANY, RIGHT.

SO, THIS WAS ACTUALLY JUST LIKE A CHIP AWAY AT AN ICEBERG OF THE CODE.

WE HAVE A POSITION CALLED THE CODE REVISER.

SO THEY´RE SUPPOSED TO BE AN ONGOING EFFORT.

THERE IS AN EMPLOYEE THAT IS TASKED WITH PROPOSING CHANGES TO THE VI CODE.

THERE ARE SO MANY IMPORTANT SECTIONS OF THE VI CODE THAT NEED TO BE UPDATED.

THE ONES THAT WE SHOULD FOCUS ON ARE RELATED TO FAMILIES AND UPDATING THOSE.

BUT THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT WILL BE ONGOING FOR YEARS BECAUSE THERE IS JUST SO MUCH WORK TO DO WITH THE CODE.

>> MR. LOPES, GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHY YOU THINK IT IS TAKING SO LONG TO REVISE OUR CODE?

>> I THINK IT IS BECAUSE THE-V-I CODE IS OLD AND LARGE DOCUMENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF STRANGE THINS TO FIND IF YOU TAKE YOUR TIME TO WORK THROUGH IT.

I PREVIOUSLY WORKED IN THE LEGISLATURE AND I DO REMEMBER THE CODE COMING BY TO STOP BY THE OFFICE TO LET SENATORS KNOW OF THE CHANGES THAT THEY THINK SHOULD BE MADE AND I´LL NEVER FORGET, THIS WAS MAYBE IN 2019 OR 2020, THE CODE OFFICE CAME IN AND SAID THAT THEY FOUND SOMETHING IN THE CODE THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR RESTAURANTS IN ST. CROIX TO STILL HAVE LATRINES AND NOT INDOOR PLUMBING AND THAT WAS 2019, 2020 WHEN THEY FOUND THAT.

SO IT IS A REALLY LARGE DOCUMENT.

A REALLY OLD DOCUMENT.

AND AS IS WITH THE FUNCTIONS THAT ARE IN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE CODE, YES, THEY HAVE TO CHIP AT IT.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS IN THERE THAT YOU WOULDN´T REALIZE IS IN THERE UNTIL IT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, MR. MARDEN, LAWMAKERS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT RUSHING THE PROCESS.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE TO BALANCE THE NEED FOR URGENCY WITH THE NEED FOR A MORE THOROUGH REVIEW?

>> I ACTUALLY JUST WANT TO MENTION SOMETHING.

I AGREE WITH WHAT THE SENATOR MENTIONED ABOUT HAVING DIFFERENT SUBCOMMITTEES AND TACKLING DIFFERENT TITLES IN ORDER TO ACTUALLY SEE THE DIFFERENT LAWS THAT NEED TO BE AMENDED.

I THINK THAT IS A GOOD APPROACH MOVING FORWARD AND I THINK THEY SHOULD TAKE.

BUT I WOULD RATHER THE LEGISLATURE TAKE THEIR TIME IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE LAWS INSTEAD OF US HAVING A BUNCH OF BILLS THAT HAVE TO KEEP COMING FORWARD BECAUSE OF MINOR CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE.

I WOULD RATHER THEM TAKE THE TIME TO ACTUALLY SIT, LOOK AT DIFFERENT TITLES, HAVE THE DISCUSSION AND THEN MAKE THE PROPOSAL.

BUT HAVING THIS BILL THAT WAS PASSED IS A GREAT STEP MOVING FORWARD TO CLEAN UP SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO I THINK IT IS A GREAT STEP MOVING FORWARD.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, CODE ADVISER FOUND A THOUSAND SECTIONS THAT NEED TO BE MODERNIZED AND GIVEN THAT VAST SCOPE, HOW DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD PRIORITIZE WHICH AMENDMENTS GET PASSED FIRST.

>> THEY SHOULD PRIORITIZE IT BY THE AMENDMENTS THAT WILL DIRECTLY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU´RE LOOKING AT THE TITLE 16 AS IT PERTAINED TO DIVORCES AND FAMILIES AND CUSTODY, I WOULD START WITH THOSE TYPES OF SECTIONS OF CODE.

BECAUSE THOSE CHANGES WOULD HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON A QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND THEN YOU COULD MOVE TO THE MORE TECHNICAL, MAYBE LESS OFTEN USED SECTIONS OF THE CODE.

SO I THINK IT IS AN EASY THING TO PRIORITIZE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE DONE IN CHUNKS AT A TIME AND HOPEFULLY COMPLETED, YOU KNOW, SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT PROBABLY 15 TO 20 YEARS.

>> AND I WANT TO ASK YOU, THE OMNIBUS BILL, IT MAINLY FOCUSED ON UNCOMPLICATED UPDATES LIKE CORRECTING COURT NAMES BUT IT DOES INCLUDE ONE MEANINGFUL PROVISION REGARDING POLICE USE OF FORCE ON ARREST INVOLVING MOVING VEHICLES.

HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS CHANGE AND WHAT IMPACTS COULD IS HAVE ON LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE IN THE TERRITORY?

>> I THINK IT WAS A GOOD SUBSTANTIVE AMENDMENT.

IT DOES MAKE SENSE.

I WAS INVOLVED IN ONE CASE THAT INVOLVED, YOU KNOW, A HIGH-SPEED CHASE AND THE SHOOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE CONTAINED MINORS, RIGHT.

SO THIS LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE TO THE IPD AND THEIR OFFERS AS TO HOW TO FUNCTION THIS THAT KIND OF SITUATION.

SO THE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE THAT WAS NEEDED.

IT WAS IMPORTANT AND OUT OF PLACE BUT OFTENTIMES THAT IS HOW LAWS ARE MADE.

>> I WANT IT TURN NOW TO ANOTHER RECENT DEVELOPMENT.

THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL IN ST. CROIX HAS NOW CLEARED THE LEGISLATURE AND IT IS BEING FORWARDED TO THE GOVERNOR.

DO YOU THINK WE NEED ANOTHER GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED FESTIVAL WHICH SIMILAR LEGISLATION WAS JUST PASSED EARLIER THIS YEAR?

>> TO BE HONEST, NO.

I THINK WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR CURRENT FESTIVALS THAT WE HAVE AND JUST ENHANCE THE PRODUCT.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE´RE FACING.

WE´RE TRYING TO CREATE FESTIVALS FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES WHEN A FESTIVAL IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE CELEBRATING EVERYTHING.

AND SO, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT OURSELVES AND LOOK AT THE PRODUCT THAT WE HAVE AND MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHAT WE WANT TO HAVE IN EACH FESTIVAL AND WHAT MAKES EACH ONE UNIQUE RATHER THAN HAVING FESTIVALS COSTING THE GOVERNMENT MONEY AND IT IS HARD TORE GAIN.

AND SO I THINK THAT LOOKING AT OUR PRODUCTS FOR THE FESTIVAL AND CAPITALIZING OFF OF THAT INSTEAD OF A BUNCH OF FESTIVALS.

THAT IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO MARKET OURSELVES AS A TERRITORY THAT WANT TO PROVIDE AND AT THE SAME TIME IT WILL SAVE US MONEY MOVING FORWARD.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, DO YOU THINK THAT A BEER WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL IS SUSTAINABLE WITHOUT STRAINING THE GOVERNMENT´S BUDGET?

>> I DEFINITELY DON´T THINK THAT IT WOULD BE SUSTAINABLE IN ALL HONESTY.

I DON´T THINK THAT BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO TRY AND INTRODUCE A NEW FESTIVAL.

I AGREE WITH THE TEACHER OVER IN ST. CROIX, IT IS MUCH BETTER FOR US TO ENHANCE THE PRODUCT THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

MAYBE ENGAGE IN SOME PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO KIND OF EMPOWER SMALLER ENTREPRENEURS TO MARKET WHAT THEY DO OR MARKET WHAT SERVICES THEY OFFER DURING THE FESTIVALS THAT WE´RE ALREADY DOING RATHER THAN TRYING TO START A WHOLE NEW FESTIVAL.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, WITH A GLOBAL DECLINE IN FESTIVAL ATTENDANCE, HOW DO YOU THINK THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COULD ASSURE THIS IS SUCCESSFUL AND SHOULD THEY SHIFT TO NEW EVENTS INSTEAD OF ADDING NEW ONES.

>> DIDN´T LIKE THE IDEA OR THE CONCEPT OF THIS ONE.

I THOUGHT IT LACKED CREATIVITY.

I WANT TO PROMOTE THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING.

LIKE THE TART WARS.

THAT IS AN INGINUS IDEA FOR A FESTIVAL.

IT PROMOTES THE LOCAL CULTURE AND YOU COULD INCLUDE FAMILIES.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE DOING WITH THEIR CHILDREN AT THIS BEER AND WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL.

IT DIDN´T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

I DON´T LIKE THE IDEA THAT IT IS A REQUIREMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT IT ON.

AND THERE ISSING IN POSITIVE THAT I COULD THINK OF TO SAY ABOUT IT.

I WOULD HAVE MUCH PREFERRED THAT WE SPONSOR SOME SORT OF MUSIC FESTIVAL AND CAN YOU INCORPORATE SPIRITS.

OR SOMETHING OF THAT EFFECT.

BUT TO JUST HAVE A FOCUS ON SPIRITS, I JUST DON´T UNDERSTAND WHAT WOULD BE THE ATTRACTION.

I DON´T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT WOULD INCORPORATE ANY ASPECTS OF OUR LOCAL CULTURE OR LOCAL PEOPLE AND QUITE FRANKLY JUST DOESN´T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.

>> YEAH, AND I´M HEARING YOU SAY THIS.

BUT SENATOR CAPE HART SAID THIS WILL BUILD DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS WITH DISTILLERY, AND HOW IS THAT GIVEN HOW MUCH INVOLVEMENT SHOULD THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE THIS WITH FESTIVAL?

>> I MEAN, PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD ALWAYS BE INVOLVED IN ANYTHING OF THIS NATURE, RIGHT.

I GET THAT.

BUT A FOCUS ON SPIRITS, HOW MANY DISTILLERIES DO WE REALISTICALLY HAVE THAT COULD EVEN, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF ENDEAVOR.

YOU COULD HAVE A MUSIC FESTIVAL AND HAVE SPIRITS THERE.

AND STILL INCORPORATE THOSE LOCAL BUSINESSES, YOU COULD INCORPORATE THOSE FEW DISTILLERIES THAT ARE AROUND.

JUST THE CONCEPT DOESN´T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

I HAVE NOT COME ACROSS ANYTHING NATIONALLY OR INTERNATIONALLY WHERE PEOPLE ARE DYING FOR A FESTIVAL FOCUSED ON BEER OR WINE.

AND EVEN IF THERE WAS SOME SORT OF MARKET FOR THAT, WHY WOULD IT BE HERE?

IT IS JUST NOT PART OF OUR FABRIC.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DO.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE´RE KNOWN FOR.

YES, WE´RE KNOWN FOR RUM.

BUT BEER AND WINE AND EVERYTHING ELSE, IT JUST HONESTLY, IT DOESN´T MAKE SENSE AND WE ALREADY HAVE A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION THAT IS PROMOTING THAT.

WE HAVE THE ST. CROIX FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

I DON´T KNOW WHY WE NEED A GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED FESTIVAL ON TOP OF THAT.

>> MISS PHILLIPS, DO YOU THINK THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF BUSINESSES, THAT THIS IS ULTIMATELY GOING TO LEAD TO THE SUCCESS OF THE FESTIVALS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE YOUR RESERVATIONS THAT YOU´VE EXPRESSED ALREADY.

>> I JUST, I JUST QUESTION SUSTAINABILITY OF IT ALL.

I CAN APPRECIATE THAT THE BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING AT THE ECONOMIC OUTPOINT OF THIS.

AND I AM 100% OF DEVELOPMENT IN ST. CROIX.

I DON´T KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT ONE.

>> I WANT TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

IT WAS REVEALED IN A RECENT SENATE HEARING THAT THEY HAD ALREADY STOPPED HANDLING TRASH COLLECTION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

AND ARE PLANNING TO CUT COSTS AND WORK TOWARDS BREAKING EVEN.

ATTORNEY WALKER, DO YOU SEE THIS IMPACTING THE BROADER COMMUNITY?

>> I MEAN, POSSIBLY.

TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU HAVE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS THAT NOW HAVE TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEIR WASTE COLLECTION.

BUT HONESTLY, WHEN YOU READ THE PURPOSE OF THE STATUTORY PURPOSE FOR THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND THE REASON WHY IT WAS CREATED, IT WASN´T CREATED TO HAUL TRASH FOR AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT.

I MEAN, IT HAS A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE TO MANAGE SOLID WASTE, TO DEAL WITH THE LANDFILLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO, I THINK THEY´RE WITHIN THE AUTHORITY TO USE THIS AS A COST-SAVING MEASURE.

IF THERE IS A CONCERN ABOUT VARIOUS AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS HANDLING THEIR OWN TRASH AND WASTE MANAGEMENT, THEN WE NEED TO MAKE THAT A SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND MAKE SURE WE PROPERLY FUND THAT LINE ITEM.

BUT THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY IS A STRUGGLING SEMIAUTONOMOUS AGENCY WITH A VERY IMPORTANT PURPOSE AND IT IS UNDERFUNDED AND ILL EQUIPPED AND I DON´T BLAME THEM TO TRY TO FIND AVENUES TO SAVE MONEY AND GENERATE REVENUE.

>> MR. MARDEN, DO YOU THINK THAT THEM TAKING THIS STEP IS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO HELP LOWER COSTS OR DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD BE CONSIDERING ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS?

>> I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH EVERYTHING ATTORNEY WALKER JUST SAID.

THE AUTHORITY IS A SEMIAUTONOMOUS AGENCY AND ONE OF THE ROLES OF A SEMIAUTONOMOUS AGENCY IS TO COME UP WITH INCOME GENERATED MEASURES SO THEY COULD SUSTAIN THEMSELVES.

SO IF THEY´RE SEEING THAT THEY´RE HAVING SOME ISSUES, FINANCIALLY AND THIS IS ONE THE ISSUES THAT THEY COULD TRY TO ADDRESS, I BELIEVE IT IS AN AWESOME STEP.

I WOULD EVEN SAY FURTHER, BECAUSE SENATOR FRED GREGORY WAS ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS PUSHING BACK ON IT.

I BELIEVE THAT IF THIS IS A REAL CONCERN AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO ADDRESS THE FUTURE, THEY HAVE THE BUDGET IF THEY WANT TO HAVE SOME FUNDING SO THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY COULD COVER DOING THAT, THEN THAT IS UP TO THEM.

BUT THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY IS STRUGGLING AND THEY HAVE TO DO WHAT IS BEST IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES AS AN AGENCY.

>> MISS PHILLIPS, WHEN THIS CUTTING OF THE TRASH COLLECTION, DO YOU THINK IT WILL GENERATE A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE?

>> I THINK IT DEFINITELY WILL IF NO ALTERNATE PLAN IS ESTABLISHED.

I FOUND IT CONCERNING THAT EXCHANGE, WHERE THE CEO SAID HE SPOKE WITH MISS PELL OF HOUSING AND THEY´RE SAYING, OH, NO, THE SENATE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BLOCK YOU.

THAT IS A LITTLE CONCERNING TO ME.

I FEEL LIKE IF THIS IS THE PATH OR THE OPTION THAT WASTE MA´AM HAS TAKEN, I FEEL LIKE ALL OF THOSE PARTIES SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO THE TABLE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

NOT HAVE HOUSING THINKING THAT OH, NO, THE SENATE IS GOING TO BLOCK THIS SO I DON´T HAVE TO COME UP WITH AN ALTERNATE PLAN.

THAT IS NOT VERY PRO-ACTIVE.

THAT IS NOT BEING VERY PRO-ACTIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND I THINK THAT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

>> MR. MARDEN, WHAT SHOULD THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES´ PRIORITY, BALANCING THE BUDGET OR MAINTAINING THE SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES?

WHAT SHOULD BE THEIR PRIORITY?

>> UM, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, THEY HAVE A MAIN RESPONSIBILITY AND IT IS TO MANAGE THE SOLID WASTE.

AND SO I BELIEVE THAT IS THEIR MAIN RESPONSIBILITY THAT THEY SHOULD BE FULFILLING.

AND PEOPLE NEED TO CONTINUE UNDERSTANDING THAT, YES, THEY ARE SEMIAUTONOMOUS AGENCY, BUT THEY ARE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT AND SO I BELIEVE CONVERSATIONS SHOULD BE HAPPENING SO THAT THEY COULD BE ABLE TO STILL PROVIDE THE SERVICE.

BUT NAVIGATE THE FINANCIAL ISSUES THAT THEY´RE HAVING.

I THINK THAT IS THE STEP WE NEED TO BE TAKING FORWARD I JUST HOPE THE AUTHORITY CONTINUES DOING ITS SERVICE AND BEING THE BEST AT IT.

BUT LOOKING AT THEIR FINANCES AND TRYING WHATEVER THEY CAN POSSIBLY DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY´RE RECEIVING FUNDS SO THEY COULD CARRY OUT THEIR MANDATES AS IN THE LAW.

>> AND ATTORNEY WALKER, DO YOU THINK THERE IS A BROADER ISSUE HERE ABOUT HOW GOVERNMENT ENTITIES ARE MANAGING PUBLIC FUNDS?

SPECIALLY WHEN SERVICES LIKE TRASH COLLECTIONS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS?

>> THE BROADER ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS A VERY LIMIT THE POOL OF RESOURCES.

A VERY LIMITED POOL OF FUNDS.

SO WHAT YOU HAVE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS AGENCIES SOMEWHAT COMPETING FOR THAT LIMITED POOL OR FINDING WAYS TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES THAT MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT OTHER ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

SO WASTE MANAGEMENT IS DOING WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO TO SURVIVE AND THAT OF COURSE MIGHT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON A HOUSING AUTHORITY WHICH MIGHT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE HOUSING COMMUNITIES WHICH OF COURSE WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT FOR THE TERRITORY.

SO UNLESS THERE IS A WHOLISTIC APPROACH AND HOW THE WASTE MANAGEMENT WILL BE MANAGED, THEN I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU´LL CONTINUE TO SEE.

>> YEAH.

AND YOU KNOW, WE HEAR TALKS ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE STEPPING IN.

DO YOU THINK THAT THE SENATE NEEDS TO STEP IN TO BLOCK THE CUTS TO TRASH COLLECTION AND HOUSING COMMUNITIES, OR DO YOU THINK THAT WASTE MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO FLEX TO MEET ITS FINANCIAL GOALS?

>> I MEAN, I THINK BLOCK, THE USE OF THE WORD BLOCK WAS A POOR CHOICE OF WORDS.

I´M NOT SURE WHO USED IT.

WHETHER IT WAS MRS. POWELL OR MR. GRIFFITH.

BUT WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES HAVE IS THE AUTHORITY TO ENACT LAWS, THE AUTHORITY TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS, AND BRING SOME RELIEF TO THE ISSUE.

AND I THINK PROBABLY WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE PRUDENT ASSUMING THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR, WAS FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SENATORS BEFOREHAND AND SEEK TO IDENTIFY A DIFFERENT SOLUTION AS OPPOSED TO COMING TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THEN HAVING TO DEFEND WHAT MIGHT BE AN UNPOPULAR DECISION THAT IT MADE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, SUCH IS THE NATURE OF GOVERNMENT.

AND HINDSIGHT IS 20/20.

SO IT IS A TROUBLING ISSUE.

BUT I THINK THERE IS A RESOLUTION FOR IT AND I THINK LEGISLATION COULD HELP WITH IT WITHOUT BLOCKING.

>> AND THERE IS ONE MORE ISSUE TO DISCUSS BEFORE WE WRAP UP.

DURING AN EMERGENCY, BOARD OF ELECTIONS MEETING, BOARD MEMBER HARRIET MURCER WAS ORDERED TO APOLOGIZE FOR ACTIONS THAT WERE DEEMED DISRUPTIVE ON THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING.

THE INCIDENT HAVE INVOLVED A POLL WATCHER CAUSED SUCH A DISTURBANCE THAT THE POLICE HAD TO INTERVENE.

A MOTION WAS PASSED ON OCTOBER 15th REQUIRING MERCER TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN APOLOGY WITHIN 24 HOURS TO THE SUPERVISOR AND ELECTION OFFICIALS WHO WITNESSED HER, QUOTE, NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR.

HERE IS WHAT MURCER HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE DECISION.

>> -- ANY NOISE OR WHATEVER, THERE WAS NO -- HOWEVER, I DIDN´T BLOCK ANYBODY FROM VOTING.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS UNDERSTOOD.

THAT IS FALSE INFORMATION.

SHE DID NOT HAVE THE CERTIFICATE AND THAT IS ALL THAT WAS HAPPENING BUT AS FAR AS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE DECISION, I WANT TO TELL THE THREE BOARD MEMBERS WITH JOSEPH -- AND MYSELF, WHO BROUGHT IT IN THE NEGATIVE OF THAT.

WE VOTED THAT I SHOULDN´T BE PENALIZED FOR STANDING UP BECAUSE OF DEALING WITH THE LAW, I WAS JUST DOING MY JOB AND DUTY FOR THE PEOPLE.

ANY OTHER NOISE, THERE WAS ONE PERSON THAT WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND THAT MAY HAVE EXERTED ME TO GO UP A LITTLE NOTCH.

BUT, NO, THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING OUTLANDISH.

THE VOTE WAS NOT BASED ON FACTS.

BUT I WILL GIVE THE APOLOGY BECAUSE I SAID I WOULD.

I NEVER WANTED TO MAKE IT PUBLIC.

YOU ARE MAKING IT PUBLIC BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED.

NONE OF THAT WAS NECESSARY.

NONE OF IT.

SO NOW THE PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR NO REASON.

>> MISS MURCER ISSUED AN APOLOGY BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS RUN FOR A SEAT ON THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, HOW DO YOU THINK INCIDENTS LIKE THIS WILL AFFECT TRUST IN THE PROCESS.

>> THE PUBLIC HAS A HARD TIME TRUSTING THE ELECTION SYSTEM PERIOD IN FROM THE BEGINNING AS I WAS ON THE TEAM MONTHS AGO.

THEY FEEL THAT THE ELECTION SYSTEM DOESN´T HAVE ANY INTEGRITY AND DOESN´T HAVE ANY TRUST.

AND JUST TO GO FURTHER, THIS SITUATION AND THEN IN WEEKS PRIOR, WE HAD THE SITUATION IN REGARDS TO CANDIDATE SMITH.

SO IT JUST PROVES THAT THE ELECTION SYSTEM DEFINITELY NEEDS TO LOOK AT SOME ETHICS AND THEY NEED TO LOOK AT HOW THEIR PLANNING TO PRESENT THEMSELVES TO THE PUBLIC AND TRY TO GAIN THE PUBLIC´S TRUST BACK.

ESPECIALLY AS A BOARD MEMBER AND NOT ONLY REFERRING TO THE SITUATION THAT OCCURRED, BUT JUST ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL.

THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF DIFFERENT SITUATIONS IN REGARDS TO HER BEHAVIOR IN REGARDS TO CANDIDATES AND THE ELECTION SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.

SO, THIS DOESN´T HELP THE ELECTION SYSTEM TRYING TO CLEAN UP THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT THEY´RE FACING.

BUT I DO THINK THEY NEED TO HAVE A SITDOWN, AND I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT A SUPERVISOR AND THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ARE BUTTING HEADSIN TED OF COMING TOGETHER TO TRY TO TRY TO CLEAN UP WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE ELECTIONS.

I THINK IF THEY COULD SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND ACTUALLY DISCUSS THAT AND EVEN COME UP WITH POSSIBLY SOME CODE OF ETHICS, I THINK IT WILL HELP IN MAKING SURE THAT THE ELECTION SYSTEM GAINS THE TRUST AND THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE PEOPLE.

>> ATTORNEY WALKER, MR. MARTINBORO TALKS ABOUT THEM BUTTING HEADS AND THIS SITUATION OCCURS.

DO YOU THINK IT IS AFFECTING PUBLIC TRUST IN THE ELECTION PROCESS?

>> I DON´T KNOW THAT THIS PARTICULAR EPISODE HAS INCREASED OR ERODED PUBLIC TRUST.

I JUST, I´M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

AND NO ONE HAS SAID EXACTLY HA WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

ALL I THAT COULD DETERMINE IS THAT THIS PARTICULAR BOARD MEMBER ENGAGED IN SOME SORT OF BEHAVIOR FOR WHICH SHE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED WAS SOMEHOW INAPPROPRIATE OR OUT OF LINE TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY DID ISSUE THE APOLOGY.

WHAT I DON´T -- WHEN I READ ABOUT THINGS LIKE THIS AND I SEE THINGS LIKE THIS, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A DISTRACTION.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE MAYBE SOME LEGAL OF IMMATURE BEHAVIOR AND IT LOOKS LIKE SHE WAS SUBJECT TO SOME SORT OF PUBLIC REPRIMAND.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I HOLD AGAINST THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

THERE ARE OTHER CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE WOULD LIKELY HAVE WITH THE SYSTEM.

THIS RIGHT HERE JUST SEEPS LIKE AN EPISODE OF POOR CONDUCT TO ME.

>> MRS. PHILLIPS, I WANT TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THIS.

POLICE STEPPING IN AND NOW A WRITTEN APOLOGY, ULTIMATELY WITH IF SHE DID NOT WRITE THE APOLOGY, IT WAS TO BE THAT SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN CENSURED.

SPEAK TO ME, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THESE SERIES OF EVENTS?

>> I AM CONFUSED, KIND OF ECHOING WHAT ATTORNEY WALKER SAID.

IT IS NOT CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC WHAT HAPPENED.

IT IS A -- THERE IS A WEIRD LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AROUND THIS.

I COULD KIND OF SEE IF THE BOARD WANTS TO HANDLE THIS INTERNALLY.

BUT YOU WENT AS FAR AS TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND COMING OUT SAYING SHE HAD TO ISSUE AN APOLOGY.

IF THIS WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT THE POLICE HAD TO BE CALLED AND YOU WANT HER TO ISSUE A PUBLIC APOLOGY, I THINK THAT YOU OWE IT TO THE PUBLIC TO BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE SITUATION.

AND ANNOUNCE THAT YOU´RE GOING TO DO.

I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THEY CHOSE TO THE TO MAKE A COMMENT BUT THEY HANDLE THE WHOLE INVESTIGATION AND JUST LEFT THE PUBLIC TO WONDER WHAT HAPPENED.

>> AND I COULD HEAR -- I SEE YOUR CONCERN ABOUT THAT.

WHEN WE SPOKE WITH MISS MERCER, THE ISSUE STEMMED FROM WHETHER OR NOT THE POLL WORKER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM DURING THE ENTIRE DAY DURING THE EARLY VOTING PROCESS.

SENATOR FOX HAS TATED THAT IT IS A SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM.

THERE ARE 31 CANDIDATES THAT ARE RUNNING.

EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO HAVE A POLL WATCHER.

NOW IF EVERYONE WAS TO HAVE A POLL WATCHER, THE CONFERENCE ROOM WOULD BE FULL, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PRIVACY.

SO SUPERVISOR FOX HAS TALKED ABOUT A ROTATION SCHEDULE BEING IMPLEMENTED AN THE ISSUE FROM MISS MERCER WAS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WAS NOT ALLOWED INTO THE CONFERENCE ROOM, AND THERE WAS THAT DEBATE AND THEN VOICES WERE ELEVATED AND VOTERS WERE PRESENT.

BECAUSE VOTERS WERE PRESENT AND BECAUSE VOICES WERE RAISED, YOU KNOW, THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE ENTIRE SITUATION TO KIND OF ESCALATE.

AND BUT ULTIMATELY, DO YOU THINK THAT WITH THE BOARD CHOOSING TO HAVE THIS APOLOGY, YOU KNOW, HAVE HER WRITE THIS APOLOGY OR FACE POSSIBLE CENSURE, DOES THAT AFFECT THE DECISIONS HOW THE BOARD MAKES DECISIONS FOR OTHER BOARD MEMBERS?

BECAUSE POTENTIAL FUTURE IMPLICATIONS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> HONESTLY, IT DOES MAKE ME A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED.

IF THIS IS HOW IT IS HANDLED, IF YOU´RE GOING TO HANDLE A SITUATION LIKE THIS WITH A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, LIKE I SAID, IF IT IS THAT BAD, THAT YOU NEED TO CALL THE POLICE, THEN, YES, I THINK THAT THE PUBLIC ALSO DESERVED A STATEMENT FROM ELECTION SYSTEM ON WHAT OCCURRED AND WHAT WILL BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT THINGS LIKE THIS DON´T HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

I DON´T THINK IT IS ENOUGH TO JUST HAVE HER ISSUE AN APOLOGY AND YOU HAVEN´T SPOKEN TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT SHE EXACTLY SHE´S APOLOGIZING FOR.

>> YOU COULD GO BACK TO THE WTJX NEWS FEED AND HEAR FROM IT YOURSELF.

AND WHAT KIND OF IMPACT COULD THIS HAVE ON THE THE BOARD MOVING FORWARD AND DOES IT SET ANY PRECEDENT?

>> WELL, THE BOARD MEMBER ISSUED THE APOLOGY SO SHE DIDN´T LEGAL IMPACT COMING OUT OF THIS SPECIFIC SITUATION.

I THINK WHAT THE BOARD -- IT SOUNDS TO ME, BASED ON WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED, THAT THE BOARD JUST WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR THAT WE DON´T SANCTION THIS TYPE OF CONDUCT.

THIS TYPE OF CONDUCT IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE NOW DEMANDED AN APOLOGY FROM THIS PARTICULAR BOARD MEMBER FROM THOSE ACTIONS AND THAT IS WHAT IT SIGNALS TO ME.

I DON´T DISAGREE WITH MISS PHILLIPS, A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT MAY BE IN ORDER.

BUT HONESTLY, FOR ME, I´M NOT -- I´M JUST NOT THAT INTERESTED.

THERE ARE MUCH LARGER ISSUES AT PLAY HERE THAN, YOU KNOW, THE POOR BEHAVIOR OF THIS BOARD MEMBER.

NOW, IF IT AFFECTED PEOPLE´S ABILITY TO VOTE THAT DAY, OR IF TURNED INDIVIDUALS OFF FROM VOTING, I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE BOARD SHOULD ADDRESS PUBLICLY.

YOU KNOW, THAT THIS -- OUR POLLING CENTERS ARE SAFE, IT IS SAFE TO COME OUT AND VOTE.

THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

WE´VE TAKEN STEPS SO THAT IT WON´T HAPPEN AGAIN.

I´M JUST MORE CONCERNED OF VOTERS BEING DISCOURAGED FROM EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL INPUT.

AND THAT IS ALL OF THE SHOW THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU TODAY.

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

TUNE INTO THE WTJX NEWS FEED ON 93.1 FM.

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

♫♫ >> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF STASH TASH, ITS BOARD OR STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.