>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S DEBATE.

OUR HOST IS GILBERT.

I AM PLEASED TO HAVE WTJX HOST THIS SPECIAL PROGRAM.

THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEBATE IS THAT THE CANDIDATES MUST POST AT MINIMUM 5% A SCIENTIFIC POLL.

INCUMBENT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE HAVE BOTH MET SAID CRITERIA.

TONIGHT WILL CONSIST OF AN HOUR OF ENGAGING ON LIVELY DEBATE AND HEAVILY EXPLORE THE QUESTIONS AND ISSUES THE MATTER THAT MATTER THE MOST.

THE POSITION IS A --FROM THE TOP OF THE TYPICAL TICKET.

ADDITIONALLY, BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE A RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE THAT WE NEED TO EXPLORE.

NOW FOR THE RULES.

THE ORDER OF THE FIRST QUESTION WILL DETERMINE OFF CAMERA BY A QUEEN TOSSED.

AS MONITOR, I WILL OFFICIATE THE DEBATE AND MAINTAIN CONTROL DURING THE PROGRAM.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ALLOWED A 62nd INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT.

DURING THE QUESTIONING PORTION, BOTH CANDIDATES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION AND WILL BE ALLOWED TWO MINUTES TO ANSWER.

NO INTERJECTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED DURING REBUTTAL.

AT MY DISCRETION, I WILL ASK ANY QUESTIONS OF EACH CANDIDATES.

THE OTHER CANDIDATE MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THOSE QUESTIONS AS WELL.

I WILL ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS IF NECESSARY AND CANDIDATES WILL BE ALLOWED 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

THE CANDIDATE MUST --OTHER CANDIDATE OR MODERATOR HAS COMPLETED THEIR RESPONSES BEFORE THEY CAN ANSWER OR CHALLENGE ANY STATEMENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND CANDIDATES THAT THEY WILL BE REMINDED WHEN THERE IS 30 SECONDS LEFT.

AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM, CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A CLOSING STATEMENT.

THE CANDIDATE WHO OPENED FIRST AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW WILL --CLOSING STATEMENT LAST.

NOW THAT I HAVE EXPLAINED THE RULES, LET´S START THE DEBATE.

>> GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS --.

I GRADUATED FROM --HIGH SCHOOL AND ATTENDED --COLLEGE.

I HAVE A BACHELORS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE.

I HAVE A FOCUS --I AM ALSO A DOCTORAL --.

I RETURNED HOME AND SERVED AS A U.S. HISTORY TEACHER, A COACH --A SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE INTERNAL GOVERNOR AND --34th LEGISLATURE.

I CHAIRED THE -- ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND --AND CULTURE AND THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY.

HAVING SAID ALL OF THAT, I KNOW I BELIEVE THAT I AM PREPARED TO SERVE.

I AM PREPARED TO BE YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GREETINGS.

THANK YOU MR. GILBERT AND THANK YOU TO --.

MY NAME IS --AND I AM YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I HAVE LET THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND A NUMBER OF SUCCESSES THESE PAST FOUR CO-YEARS.

MY BACKGROUND, I AM SCHOOL, I ATTENDED THE COLLEGE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE -- LITERATURE TRANSFERRED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI WHERE I HAVE A DEGREE IN JOURNALISM AND THEN ATTENDED LAW SCHOOL.

I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BAR SINCE 1991.

I BELIEVE THE BREADTH OF MY EXPERIENCE BOTH IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS IN A MANAGERIAL SECTOR AND -- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

I HAVE SERVED IN THE 32nd AND 34th LEGISLATURE´S AND I BELIEVE THAT MY EXPERIENCE, EXPERTISE IN MY LEGAL CAREER AS WELL AS MY OTHER WORK IN PUBLIC SERVICE HAS PREPARED ME FOR THIS JOB.

THANK YOU.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THANK YOU.

AND NOW FOR THE FIRST QUESTION, DURING AN INTERVIEW AT --, YOU STATED THAT YOU WOULD HELP GOVERN BY TAKING THE GOVERNMENT.

YOU SAID AND I QUOTE WE HAVE ALREADY AGREED I TAKE HALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND HE TAKE HALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.

WE WILL TAKE ON A MORE ACTIVE ROLE.

--THE TERRITORIES PROBLEMS ARE TOO VAST FOR ONE PERSON AND YOU FURTHER STATED --UTILIZE THE CAPACITY AND ABILITY TO LEAD.

THE QUESTION IS IF ELECTED, WHAT DEPARTMENT AND AGENCIES WOULD YOU BE CHARGED WITH MANAGING AND BRINGING MEANINGFUL CHANGE TO?

>> FIRST OF ALL THE CONCEPT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO ANY ADMINISTRATION.

I KNOW --WAS IN CHARGE OF THE VARIOUS AREAS THAT WILL BE UNDER HIS STRENGTHS.

I THINK HE HAD THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, JUSTICE AND A FEW OTHER AGENCIES.

UNDER THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WAS OVER ONE OF THE CONCERNS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPORTING THE TEAM AND THOSE THAT WE HAVE LISTENED TO OUR CANDIDATES, MANY SAID THAT I AM AN OUTSPOKEN AND ACTIVE SENATOR AND HE DID NOT WANT ME TO RUN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND MINIMIZE THE ROLE OR TO SILENCE MY VOICE.

SO TAKING THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, I MET --AND WE DISCUSSED WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR --DOES HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT BUT HE WANTED US TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN -- REALLY MOVE THE TERRITORY FORWARD.

ONE OF THE --HADN´T FINALIZED WHAT THAT WOULD BE YET BUT -- OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY.

A FEW OTHER AGENCIES --AS WELL SO WE HAVEN´T FINALIZED THE OUTCOME BUT I DO KNOW THAT HE CHERISHES WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE WITH MY POLICY AND BACKGROUND EXPERTISE AS WELL.

WE WILL MOVE FORWARD IN THAT DIRECTION BUT THAT HASN´T BEEN FINALIZED AS OF YET.

MY FIRST ROLE WOULD ACTUALLY BE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND DO WHAT IS MANDATED BY A STATUTE.

>> SENATOR, I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT.

YOUR TEAM HAS CHASTISED THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION FOR MOVING SLOW.

YOU SAID THEY DID NOT GET THINGS DONE AS THEY SHOULD.

WE ARE LESS THAN A MONTH OF WAY AWAY FROM ELECTION DAY AND YOU ARE SAYING YOU HAVEN´T FINALIZED WHAT HALF OF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE.

YOU HAVEN´T EVEN DISCUSSED HOW YOU WOULD MAKE THOSE CHANGES.

SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE ELECTED AND THEN GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THERE IN TERMS OF A SLOW PACE?

SHOULDN´T YOU HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ALREADY AND DECIDE AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAMPAIGN WHAT THOSE DEPARTMENT AND AGENCIES THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE OVER AND HOW YOU ARE GOING TO AFFECT CHANGE?

>> THE GOVERNMENT HAS 26 DEPARTMENTS OF AGENCIES.

WE HAVE ALREADY DISCUSSED KEY ONES BUT THAT WILL BE DONE BY EXECUTIVE ORDER IN JANUARY.

ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 8th.

WE STILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO DETERMINE THE ADDITIONAL AGENCIES THAT WE WANT TO MANAGE HALF-AND-HALF.

>> DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT?

>> I THINK IT SOUNDS GOOD, BUT I THINK IT IS TOTALLY UNREALISTIC.

--UTILIZE HER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AS AN OVERSIGHT FOR A PARTICULAR AGENCY BUT WHAT I AM LISTENING TO, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WILL HAVE --.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE ROLE OF OUR GOVERNOR, IT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.

IT IS A COLONIAL INHERITANCE AND THE GOVERNOR HAS AUTHORITY BECAUSE -- APPOINTED OFFICIAL.

SO EVEN TO CHECK THE GOVERNOR´S AUTHORITY LIKE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY STATUTE, THAT WAS A CHALLENGE TO GET THAT PASSED, THE LEGISLATURE.

THE ROLE OF DATE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR , IT IS UTILIZED ALL OF THE TIME FOR INPUT.

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, THERE IS ONE GOVERNOR.

THERE IS NOT A GOVERNOR OF ST. CROIX AND ST. JOHN --THIS ROLE REQUIRES A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HUMILITY IN ITS APPROACH TO BE THE SECOND INCUMBENT.

>> THIS HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE WHERE EXECUTIVE ORDER HAVE ASSIGNED OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY OVER CERTAIN AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS GIVEN THE EXPERTISE OF THEIR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THAT IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE TWO GOVERNORS.

I HAVE SAID IT PUBLICLY.

I DON´T INTEND TO SPAR WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I DON´T INTEND TO OVERSHADOW HIM.

MY JOB IS SPECIFIC BY THE CODE AND I INTEND TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR IN HIS CAPACITY AS WELL.

>> 30 SECONDS.

>> I AM RESPONDING TO EXACTLY WHAT THE -- HAS SAID IN THE BEGINNING IS THAT SHE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE OF HALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE --ELECTED AS GOVERNOR WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OTHER HALF.

I DON´T KNOW ANY OTHER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT AS TWO PEOPLE BEING GOVERNORS AT THE SAME TIME.

EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AUTONOMY AND THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WITH REGARD TO BANKING AND INSURANCE, THE GOVERNOR STILL HAS TO SIGN THE --PEOPLE THAT I WANT TO HIRE AND THE ONES THAT I HAVE DETERMINED, HE STILL HAS TO SIGN THOSE AS WELL.

THOSE ARE SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS BEFORE WE SPLIT IT EITHER WAY.

>> THANK YOU.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ROACH.

AS HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE TERRITORY, SOME WOULD CONTEND THAT MUCH HAS NOT BEEN DONE TO BRING ABOUT RECOGNIZABLE CHANGE AND THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN THE AREAS OF EITHER BANKING OR INSURANCE.

WE HAVEN´T HEARD OF ANY FROM YOUR OFFICE TO PUSH BANKS FOR EXAMPLE TO OFFER PROGRAMS THAT WOULD MAKE FINANCING EITHER FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL MORE ACCESSIBLE.

RELATIVE TO HEALTH INSURANCE, A LARGE PERSON OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS ARE STILL WITHOUT COVERAGE BECAUSE WE DON´T HAVE AFFORDABLE SINGLE-PAYER OPTIONS AND GROUP OPTIONS ARE TOO COSTLY.

IT HAS BEEN FOUR YEARS.

WHY HAVEN´T WE HEARD OF SUCH IMPROVEMENT?

>> I WILL ANSWER THE SECOND PART OF YOUR QUESTION FIRST.

THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAD MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR.

ACCREDITING HOUR BANKING AND INSURANCE DIVISION FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE BEGINNING OF MAKING OUR CLIMATE MORE HOSPITABLE TO INSURANCE COMPANIES AND BANKS WHO DESIRE TO DO BUSINESS IN THE TERRITORY.

BY COMING TO THE TERRITORY, THEY ARE COMING AT THEIR DISCRETION.

THEY MAKE MARKET STUDIES ABOUT WHETHER THEY WANT TO DO BUSINESS.

THIS ISSUE OF INDEPENDENT OR PLANS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, THE OPPONENT HAS REFERENCED IT IN PART OF THE CHALLENGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL HAS INSURANCE PACKAGE.

WE ARE NOT UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND THERE IS NO MANDATE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIRED BY OUR GOVERNMENT OR SUPPORTED BY OUR GOVERNMENT TO HER PRIVATELY EMPLOYED.

THE LIEUTENANT -- OFFICE, WE JOINED --AND WE MET WITH THE COMPANY FOR INSTANCE THAT PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE.

THE REASON THEY HAD THAT PLAN IS THERE GOVERNMENT PLANES PAYS FOR THE SUBSIDIZED --BY CITIZENS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT IT SHOULD BE A LEGISLATIVE MANDATE AS WELL.

WITH REGARD TO YOUR CONCERNS, THERE IS A LOT OF TALK OUT THERE ABOUT WHAT THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT DOES.

WHAT PRODUCTS ARE NOT OFFERED HERE, THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE HAS BEEN A BIG THING, A BIG-TICKET ITEM FOR THEM.

BANK OF ST. CROIX, MERCHANT BANK, ALL OFFER CONSTRUCTION LOANS.

I DON´T KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL PARTICULARS AS TO WHY ONE OR ANOTHER PERSON HAVE BEEN DECLINED A MORTGAGE OR BANKING OPPORTUNITY BUT WITH OUR OFFICE WE HAVE PUBLIC OUTREACH AND WHAT WE SAY TO PEOPLE ALL THE AGENCY AS WELL.

IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT WHERE A BANK HAS DENIED YOU A MORTGAGE AND YOU BELIEVE IT IS DISCRIMINATORY, YOU BRING THAT TO US AND WE WILL INVESTIGATE IT AND WE CAN ORDER THE BANKS TO RESPOND.

>> WHEN WE HAD THE COMMITTEE OF FINANCE HEARING AND THEN FOLLOWED BY THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, THE ONLY BANK THAT WAS OFFERING US --WAS --INDICATING THEY WERE TRYING TO GET THAT ONLINE, BANK OF ST. CROIX WAS IN THE DISCUSSION OF TRYING TO BRING IT ONLINE.

THE PRODUCTS THAT THEY WERE OFFERING WERE PRETTY NONEXISTENT AND HOMEOWNERSHIP WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

--TO REFURBISH AND RENOVATE PROPERTY FOLLOWING THE STORM BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN BUYING DAMAGED PROPERTY AS WELL.

THAT WASN´T EVEN AN OPTION WITH THE BANKING PRODUCTS.

SO I AM CONCERNED IN ACTUALITY WHY OUR BANKS ARE OFFERING THE SAME PRODUCTS AS THEY DO IN PUERTO RICO.

THEY WILL SAY THAT THEY DO BUT TECHNICALLY THEY DO NOT.

WE PUT MOST OF OUR MONEY INTO PUERTO RICAN BANKS.

ANYTIME WE LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES, WE NEGOTIATE AND GET THEM TO --IN ORDER TO BE ACHIEVABLE.

>> THE COMPARISON.

WE MADE THE COMPARISON WITH PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

PUERTO RICO HAS 3.2 MILLION PEOPLE.

WE HAVE UNDER 100,000.

IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO THINK THAT --OFFERS SOME PRODUCTS IN ONE MARKET THAT AREN´T IN THE OTHER.

I DON´T KNOW WHEN THE BANKS HAVE MADE TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

I DON´T KNOW HOW RECENT THEY ARE BUT IN OUR STATE OF THE BANK MEETING, FIRST BANK INDICATES IT IS GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT ITS CONSTRUCTION LOAN IN NOVEMBER.

THE OTHER THREE HAVE REPORTED --.

>> I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON SO YOU ALREADY HEAR A LOT OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE OF HAVING DIFFICULTY AND BEING ABLE TO SECURE LOANS.

MILLENNIAL´S, FOLKS, THE BANKS HAVE MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT AND WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS FOR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THESE BANKS, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHAT EFFORT SPECIFICALLY HEAVY PRESSURE THE BANKS, HAVE YOU PUSHED THEM TO SAY WHAT CAN YOU OFFER TO VIRGIN ISLANDERS THAT WILL GIVE BUSINESS LOANS AND SUCH ITEMS?

AS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE HAS BEEN PUSHING IN THAT DIRECTION --IF NOT, WHY NOT?

>> TWO THINGS, ONE IN THE CONVERSATION OF BANKING AND MORTGAGES, I LISTENED TO A HEARING WHERE THE SENATOR ITSELF TALKED ABOUT HER DIFFICULTY IN GETTING A LOAN OR MORTGAGE.

I CANNOT RESPOND TO THAT BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW HOW THE BANKS EVALUATED HER FROM THE PLACE OF CREDIT OR HER INCOME OR WHATEVER OTHER REQUIREMENTS THEY MAY HAVE.

SECOND YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE A MORTGAGE CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF PREDATORY LENDING WHERE PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO BORROW MONEY AND THEN ENDED UP IN ALL KINDS OF SEVERE FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO THERE IS REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE BANKS FOLLOWING THE PREDATORY LENDING CRISIS THAT THE BANKS HAD TO ADHERE TO AS WELL.

>> IF WE FOLLOW THE GLOBAL TRAIN AND NATIONAL TRAIN, THEN THE NATION WENT THROUGH A MORTGAGE CRISIS, THE TERRITORY DID NOT --MORTGAGE CRISIS.

WE WENT FLAT.

THE SITUATION IS NOT REALLY APPLICABLE.

IT IS JUST NOT APPLICABLE TO THE TERRITORY AND THE BANKS, WE HAVE TO PUSH FOR OUR BANKS WITH AUTONOMY BECAUSE MOST OF THESE DECISIONS BEING MADE BY THE BANK ARE BEING MADE IN PUERTO RICO.

WE REALLY NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHY OUR BANKS ARE NOT PUSHING OR PROMOTING A CULTURE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND HOMEOWNERSHIP.

GO AHEAD.

>> THE SITUATION MAY HAVE BEEN FLAT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THAT IS A MISREPRESENTATION TO SAY THAT WE WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED THE SAME THAT WE WERE AFFECTED BY THE PATRIOT ACT, THE SAME WAY WE ARE AFFECTED WITH EVERYTHING WE DO TO FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

THIS STILL APPLIES WHETHER WE EXPERIENCE MORTGAGE CRISIS OR NOT.

PREDATORY LENDING REQUIRE --TO STEP IN AND MAKE CERTAIN REGULATIONS BY WHICH WE MUST ADHERE.

>> IT IS THE JOB OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO ADVOCATE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY.

WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO SEE PEOPLE MOVING HOME AND HOMEOWNERSHIP IS NOT ACHIEVABLE.

WHO IS DOING ADVOCACY ON THE BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY?

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THIS ADMINISTRATION REALLY WANTS TO DO.

THE STATUS QUO CANNOT CONTINUE.

>> SEND THEIR SARAUW , YOU SEND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR POSITION WOULD BE QUOTE NO LONGER BE A SYMBOLIC POSITION.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE SENATOR HAS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES ONE OF WHICH BEING THE --DIVISION OF BANKING OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL REGULATION.

IT ALSO HAS A MYRIAD OF OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS WITH DIVISIONS SUCH AS CORPORATIONS AND TRADE MARKS, THE OFFICE OF THE TAX ASSESSOR, --PUBLIC, RECORDER OF DEEDS, I COULD GO ON AND ON.

ARE YOU UNDERESTIMATING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE BY DEEMING IT IN YOUR WORDS SYMBOLIC?

>> I AM NOT UNDERESTIMATING THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE.

I HAVE OVER THE YEARS TREATED IT AS A COMMUNITY AS A VERY SYMBOLIC POSITION.

WE FOCUSED ON IT AS THE TOP OF ROLE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE.

--NOTARY REPUBLIC AND THE LIST GOES ON.

SO WHAT I MEAN IS THAT I WANT THE OFFICE TO BE FELT.

RIGHT NOW, IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG, YOU GO TO THE POLICE STATION.

YOU FEEL THE BRUNT OF IT AND WHEN YOU COMPLAIN, YOU GO TO IRB.

I WANT THE OFFICE TO BE --IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD, MORE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

THE REGULATOR DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE ADMINISTRATION CANNOT ADVOCATE FOR MORE BANKING PRODUCTS, HEALTH INSURANCE.

WE HAVE AN INSURANCE ISSUE.

WE HAVE A NEW TERRITORY THAT IS CAUSING A BACKLOG OVER IN THE --DIVISION.

WHEN I SAY SYMBOLIC, I WANT THE OFFICE TO REALLY MOVE AHEAD.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE MADE STRIDES BECAUSE I SIT IN THE SENATE.

WHEN IT --WAS THERE, WE VOTED ON A 4-5 LEGISLATIONS THAT WOULD BRING BACK ASSURANCE INSURANCE INTO LINE.

THE BILL WAS SENT FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE TO ACHIEVE ACCREDITATION.

HOWEVER, I WANT THE OFFICE TO BE FELT IN THE COMMUNITY, THE IMPORTANCE OF IT, THE ROLE OF IT BECAUSE IT IS THE SECOND- HIGHEST GENERATOR FOR OUR GOVERNMENT.

I WANT THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY TO UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLES.

LOOK AT OUR PROPERTY HOW WE ISSUE PROPERTY BILLS RIGHT NOW.

IT IS YEARLY.

I AM LOOKING AT A QUARTERLY OR MONTHLY TO MAKE IT EASIER ON THE PROPERTY OWNER.

I AM A FORWARD THINKER AND THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO ACHIEVE.

>> SO THE SENATOR IS GOOD AT LANGUAGE.

I BELIEVE THAT SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT SYMBOLIC MEANS AND I GET THE SAME DEFINITION WHICH MEANS UNIMPORTANT, SYMBOLIC, JUST A SYMBOL.

--I HAVE NO IDEA FOR WHAT PERIOD OF TIME.

IT WAS A SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

IF SHE HAD, SHE WOULD´VE REALIZED THAT JUST SAYING THAT UNDERMINES THE ROLE OF THE OFFICE.

EVERY SINGLE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION THAT TAKES IN THE TERRITORY WALKS THROUGH THIS OFFICE.

THIS OFFICE CONTRIBUTED $116 BILLION MILLION DOLLARS.

IT EMPLOYS ABOUT 120 PEOPLE WHO LOOK TO ME FOR MANAGERIAL EXPERTISE AND DIRECTION AND WE ARE SCATTERED ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

WE PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND TO DESCRIBE IT AS SYMBOLIC IS TO DO IT A DISSERVICE AND IT CONTRIBUTES TO PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW MEANINGFUL A POSITION IT IS.

>> RIGHT NOW, THE DIVISION OF PERSONAL WEBSITE HAS 135 LISTED POSITIONS .

THE OFFICE A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS ROUGHLY 35-40 VACANT POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FUNDED FOR THE LAST CYCLE TO THIS BUDGET CYCLE.

THERE IS NO LISTING OF ANY VACANCY IN THE OFFICE A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S WEBSITE.

THERE IS NO LISTING OF THE VACANCIES ON THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS WEBSITE.

SO GOING BACK AGAIN, I WANT TO MAKE THE POSITION AND TO THE OFFICE VISIBLE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE, THEY EXIST BUT HOW DO PEOPLE KNOW TO APPLY FOR JOBS WITHIN THE OFFICE?

>> SO AGAIN, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES OF THIS GOVERNMENT AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS FINDING QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO --THE CRITICAL FUNCTIONS.

THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHEN A PERSON SITS IN A LEGISLATURE AND LOOKS FOR BUDGETS AND NUMBERS AND MAKES CONCLUSIONS BASED ON THOSE BUDGETS AND NUMBERS AND WHEN THE PERSON IS PHYSICALLY WITHIN THAT POSITION, HAVING TO MAKE MANAGERIAL DECISIONS TO FIND PEOPLE AND TRAIN THEM FOR POSITIONS DEALING WITH A SYSTEM OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE DEPARTMENT --WHEN POSITIONS EXPIRE, YOU HAVE TO POST THEM AGAIN.

YOU MAY BE LOOKING AT IT AT A TIME WHEN THEY NEED TO BE REPOSTED.

>> FROM THE LAST CYCLE UNTIL NOW, AT ONE POINT MY OPPONENT SAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IT IS NOT A MATTER OF FINDING QUALIFIED PEOPLE.

HOW DO YOU FIND QUALIFIED PEOPLE IF IT IS NOT EVEN POSTED ON INDEED, NOT POSTED ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS WEBSITE?

YOU COULD NEVER ATTRACT QUALIFIED PEOPLE IF WE ARE NOT BEING TRANSPARENT OR IF WE ARE NOT VOCALIZING THAT HEY, WE DO HAVE CLOSE TO 35 POSITIONS AVAILABLE.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO APPLY FOR THESE JOBS.

>> WE´RE GOING TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT QUESTION.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ROACH.

THERE ARE --IN THE WORLD OF FINANCE THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE TERRITORY.

I BELIEVE THESE INCONSISTENCIES CAN BE CHANGED WITH SOME EFFORT.

FOR EXAMPLE, VIRGIN ISLANDERS DON´T HAVE ACCESS TO CERTAIN CREDIT CARDS BECAUSE OF ARBITRARY REASONS.

ADDITIONALLY, CERTAIN PAYMENTS SERVICES SUCH AS CASH AT END OF CELL ARE NOT AVAILABLE HERE IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING THAT YOU ARE FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WHILE --2022, THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE.

THESE FINANCIAL SERVICES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE TERRITORY RESIDENCE USING THEIR LOCAL ADDRESSES .

WHY HASN´T YOUR OFFICE TAKEN A MORE PROACTIVE ROLE IN MAKING SURE THE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE TERRITORIES?

>> WHEN YOU SAY CERTAIN CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO VIRGIN ISLANDERS, I´M NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN AND IF YOU MEAN THE SAME ISSUE THAT COMES UP WHEN YOU ORDER MERCHANDISE AND --TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OR THE FACT THAT WE HAVE ISSUES WITH MAIL THAT GOES TO PUERTO RICO, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, THOSE ARE NOT ISSUES THAT ARE SOLELY THE RESOLUTION OF THE BANKING AND INSURANCE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I THINK IT IS --IT IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE THING TO DO.

WE ARE WORKING ON THE SUM OF THE PAYMENT OPTIONS THAT YOU HAVE DESCRIBED, AND YOU MAY THINK THAT THREE YEARS IS SUFFICIENT TO DO EVERYTHING THAT IS EXISTING WITHIN THE FINANCIAL REALM OF THE TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, BUT IT ISN´T.

WE ARE WORKING TO ATTRACT BANKS INTO THE TERRITORY.

THE SAME WAY WE ARE WORKING TO ATTRACT INSURANCE COMPANIES INTO THE TERRITORIES AND WE HAVE DONE FOUNDATIONAL WORK WITH OUR BANKING AND INSURANCE DIVISION TO BRING US TO THIS PLACE.

THE PLACE OF THIS ACCREDITATION THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN TO SEE THE TOTAL BENEFITS OF WHAT WILL COME TO THIS TERRITORY AS A RESULT OF THESE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND IN THE CASE OF THE CARIBBEAN, THE CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE REGULATORS RECOGNIZING THAT WE AS A DIVISION ARE ON PAR WITH ANY DIVISION ANYWHERE WITHIN THIS COUNTRY.

THAT IS MY RESPONSE.

>> IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE LOBBY --THE ENTIRE DEMONSTRATION HAS TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS, GET UP, GO OUT, LOBBY, EVEN DELEGATE.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PROMOTING e-COMMERCE AND -- COMPANIES IN BUILDING OUR PRIVATE SECTOR, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE IMPROVE THE AMOUNT OF --THE CARDS THAT ARE OFFERED OR THE PAYMENT METHOD LIKE CASH APP AND THE LIKE.

THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE ON A CONCERTED EFFORT ACTUALLY WITH CONGRESS, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO SAY TO THESE COMPANIES HEY WE ARE OPEN >> WHAT I AM REFERRING TO FOR EXAMPLE YOU HAVE AMERICAN EXPRESS AND THEN YOU HAVE CAPITAL ONE FOR EXAMPLE.

I HAVE AN AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD.

THEY HAS IT LISTED WITH THEIR OWN EFFORTS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THEN CAPITAL ONE WHEN YOU TRIED TO GET THEIR CREDIT CARD, THAT IS NOT THERE.

I AM SPEAKING TO THOSE ISSUES THAT CURRENTLY EXIST IN THE TERRITORY DEALING WITH FINANCE.

YOUR OFFICES ROLE IN MAKING SURE THAT IT MAY SEEM TRIVIAL BUT THEY ARE INCONVENIENCES.

>> I WILL TELL YOU THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE CAN ENSURE THAT YOU GET THE CREDIT CARD THAT YOU APPLY FOR.

>> IT IS NOT APPLY FOR.

THE ONLY REASON YOU CANNOT GET IT IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT AVAILABLE.

WITH CAPITAL ONE FOR EXAMPLE , NO LISTING OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE AS IT RELATES TO THOSE FINANCIAL SITUATIONS AND INCONVENIENCES?

>> CAPITAL ONE IS NOT A COMPANY THAT DOES BUSINESS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND IF IT WERE, THEY WOULD DELIVER FINANCIAL SERVICES AND IT WOULD COME UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE.

WE WOULD EXERCISE CERTAIN REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER IT BUT IT IS NOT A VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATION.

WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO TELL CAPITAL ONE THEY HAVE TO OFFER CARDS IN THE TERRITORY.

>> THIS IS FOR BOTH CANDIDATES AND I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

BEING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MEANS BEING A MOMENT AWAY FOR THE GOVERNORSHIP.

IF GOD FOR BID THE GOVERNOR WERE TO PASS, AS GOVERNOR WOULD YOU PURSUE YOUR OWN AGENDA OR COMPLETE THAT OF THE DECEASED?

>> I DO NOT NEED TWO MINUTES TO ANSWER THAT.

I AM A TEAM PLAYER.

I WANT TO DO GOOD.

I HAD TO ACTUALLY RELY ON A GOOD PATH TO EXECUTE.

THAT IS A LESSON I LEARNED PLAYING SPORTS SO DEFINITELY I WOULD CONTINUE THE WORK OF THE DECEASED.

WE WORKED ON OUR PLATFORM TOGETHER , A CABINET WAS ASSEMBLED TOGETHER.

WE HAD A VISION TOGETHER AND I WOULD EXECUTE THAT TO THE END.

THOUGH TWEAKS MAY BE MADE BECAUSE NOTHING IS NOT FINITE AND GLOBAL TRENDS MAY HAPPEN, AN ACT OF GOD MAY OCCUR, SOMETHING MAY HAPPEN THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT OR A CHANGE IN THE PLAN, BUT I DON´T FORESEE MYSELF GOING WAY TO THE LEFT OR WAY TO THE RIGHT OR DOING MY OWN AGENDA WHEN THAT IS WHAT WE RAN.

WE RAN A UNIFIED PLAN AND I INTEND TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON ITS.

>> YOU ALMOST TOOK IT TO TWO MINUTES THERE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> MY ANSWER WOULD BE SIMILAR.

SARAUW AND I SHARE CERTAIN VALUES AND WE HAVE CERTAIN PRIORITIES.

I REALLY BELIEVE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE COMFORTABLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHEN WE SUPPORT HOME BUYER PROGRAMS NOT SIMPLY TO THE BANK NECESSARILY BUT ALSO HAS PROGRAMS IN THE TERRITORY TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DOWN PAYMENTS OR THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH BUILDING, IF THEY HAVE LAND PROVIDING SUPPORT IF YOU HAVE A FOUNDATION.

I WOULD WANT TO PUT MY OWN STAMP ON THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR AS WELL, AND I THINK ANYBODY WHO INHERITS THE GOVERNORSHIP SHOULD HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT SOME OF THE PRIORITIES WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

FOR INSTANCE, BRINGING FREE TUITION TO THE UNIVERSITY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT EXPANDED TO ALL OTHER KINDS OF FACILITIES.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT EXTEND TO PEOPLE WHO ARE PURSUING MASTER´S DEGREES.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHERE WE JOIN UP WITH OUR DEPARTMENT AND ACTUALLY EXAMINE OUR WORKFORCE AND NEEDS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT EFFECT AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US MAKE MORE OF A HEADWAY ON OUR DISCUSSIONS ABOUT STATUS.

SO I THINK WITH REGARD TO CONTINUING THE WORK, IT WOULD BE SOME OF THE SHARE PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE EXPRESSED BUT I WOULD ALSO SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING MY OWN -- TO THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORIES.

>> IF IN YOUR MIND BUT GOVERNOR AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS WENT DOWN THE WRONG PATH SO MUCH SO THAT IT WAS IMPACTING THE VIABILITY OF THE TERRITORY TO REMAIN FUNCTIONAL AND SOLVENT, WOULD YOU RESIGN?

>> THIS IS A SIMILAR QUESTION IN THE LAST ELECTION.

I DON´T KNOW THAT I WOULD NECESSARILY JUST RESIGNED THE POSITION.

I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND DECIDING THAT THEY WANTED ME TO BE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ALSO EXPECT A CERTAIN TYPE OF REPRESENTATION AND A RESPONSIBILITY.

SO I THINK I WOULD HAVE TO APPOINT IT OUT WHAT IT IS I BELIEVE IS GOING WRONG.

--GIVE WAY TO JUST MY OWN OPINIONS.

I DON´T THINK THAT I AM THE ARBITER OF EVERYTHING THAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG BUT I BELIEVE THAT I WOULD HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO BRING THOSE CONCERNS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND I DON´T KNOW THAT SIMPLY RESIGNING WOULD BE SUFFICIENT OF AN EFFORT TO ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE A GOVERNMENT TAKING US DOWN THE WRONG PATH.

>> SENATOR.

>> RESIGNING WOULD MEAN THAT I WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE GOVERNOR THE SHIP THAT WOULD BE GOING OFF COURSE.

SO RESIGNING, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE LAST RESORT.

AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I WILL CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE GOVERNOR IF HE IS BEHAVING IN A ROGUE MANNER, BUT I WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE PEOPLE.

I WOULD HAVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE SENATE AND ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

THE GOVERNOR IS NOT, WE DON´T --LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY.

IF THE GOVERNOR DOES GO OFF COURSE, THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT ANSWER TO HIMSELF.

DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE?

YOU HAVE A JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

THERE ARE VERY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN GO ABOUT ACTUALLY HOLDING THE GOVERNOR ACCOUNTABLE SO RESIGNING WOULD NOT BE, IT WOULD NOT BE MY TOP 10 LIST OF THINGS TO DO BUT I WOULD DEFINITELY USE THE ORGANIC CODE, USE THE --AS WELL TO ENSURE THAT WE ACTUALLY RESTORE SOME SENSE OF GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE TO REMAIN LEGITIMATE BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS ITS LEGITIMACY WHEN THE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE GOVERNING BELIEVE IN THEM AND BELIEVE IN A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT THAT GOVERNS THEM.

SO THAT WOULD NOT BE IN MY LIST OF TOP 10 BUT I WOULD LIKE TO UTILIZE ALL THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ME WITHIN A DEMOCRACY TO HOLD THE GOVERNOR ACCOUNTABLE.

>> SO YOU WOULD USE ALL THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU AND YOU ALSO SAID YOU WOULD UTILIZE THE BULLY PULPIT.

ARE WE SEEING A PICTURE WHERE YOU ARE, YOUR OPPORTUNITY -- YOU ARE USING YOUR BULLY PULPIT TO SPEAK, WHAT WOULD YOU BE SAYING?

>> WHAT I SAID WAS --ANONYMOUS TO MY OPPONENT WHEN HE SAID HE WILL COMMUNICATE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE BULLY PULPIT IS JUST THAT, TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC ON THESE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE HAVE BUT NOT TO GO ROGUE, NOT TO STAGE A COUP.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE SEEING.

>> USING THE BULLY PULPIT TO SPEAK UP AGAINST THE EVILS OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT YOUR -- TICKET --YOUR GOVERNOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IS NOT QUITE CORDIAL THERE IS WHAT I HAVE TO GET AT.

HOW DO WE BALANCE THAT?

DO WE USE THAT PULPIT TO SPEAK AGAINST WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING OR DO WE STEP ASIDE?

>> THIS DISCUSSION IS HYPOTHETICAL.

IT DEPENDS ON THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION.

IF WE HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT LITTLE BOYS GO MISSING AND THERE ARE MASS GRAVES, THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

THE QUESTION IS REALLY HYPOTHETICAL THAT YOU ARE ASKING.

I DON´T KNOW WHAT THE SEVERITY ME TO USE THE BULLY PULPIT TO EDUCATE THE MASSES OF THE BULLY PULPIT TO SPEAK OUT.

IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH IS PRESENTED BEFORE ME.

>> I THINK IN ESSENCE WHAT BOTH OF US ARE SAYING IS THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.

THE TRAIN TO, ALTHOUGH WE RECOGNIZE THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR, THE PEOPLE PUT THEIR FAITH IN THAT OFFICE AND TO NOT BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC THROUGH ALL OF THE VARIOUS MEANS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED WOULD BE A DERELICTION OF DUTY TO SIMPLY SAY I´M GOING TO WALK AWAY FROM THIS.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR SARAUW.

AS AN OPENLY CANDIDATE, YOU WERE RECENTLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY A --EVENT WHERE HE CALLS YOU A HE/SHE.

IN LIGHT OF THIS, NAME STEPS YOU WOULD IMMEDIATELY ENCOURAGE WITHIN A --ADMINISTRATION TO DIMINISH DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PLUS COMMUNITY.

>> I LIVE A VERY OPEN LIFE.

I LIVE IN OPEN LIFE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN SHOWING UP AS BEING MOST AUTHENTIC VERSION OF MYSELF HOPING TO INSPIRE SOMEBODY.

I ALWAYS TELL MY FRIENDS THE CLOSET IS FOR COATS AND SHOES.

I HAVE A LOT MORE TO OFFER TO PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY OUTSIDE OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

WE TEND TO FOCUS A LOT ON THAT AND WE TEND TO PROMOTE A CULTURAL HOMOPHOBIA AND WE CREATE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE SPACES FOR THOSE WHO MAY WANT TO MOVE BACK HOME OR LIVE IN THE TERRITORY.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR, I HAVE ALREADY BEGIN THAT PROCESS.

IT IS CALLED THE QUALITY ACT AND THE QUALITY ACT CALLS FOR NO DISCRIMINATION AND IT BANS DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING AND IN THE WORKPLACE AND TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC PLACES AND THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IT IS GOING TO BE HEARD ON THURSDAY.

HOPEFULLY THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN IT WHEN HE GETS TO HIS DESK.

THE DISCRIMINATION PIECE OR THE FIRST PIECE, IT WOULDN´T BE A LIST OF TOP FIVE PER SE.

WE JUST HAVE TO BEGIN TO NORMALIZE THE CONVERSATION AROUND LGBT Q RIGHTS BECAUSE GIVEN RIGHTS TO MY COMMUNITY -- ANYBODY ELSE, AND WE HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE AND LET LIVE.

WE LIVE IN AN AMERICAN TERRITORY.

I DEFINITELY WILL NOT PROMOTE A CULTURE OF DISCRIMINATION.

IT WAS QUITE SAD WATCHING THE HE/SHE COMMENTARY BECAUSE THE --TEAM HAS NEVER DONE THAT NOR WOULD THEY EVER DO THAT.

>> I THINK THE QUESTION IS BROUGHT UP ON HOW YOU FRAME IT BECAUSE THE ISSUE OF UTILIZING WEATHERED THE CONCEPTION OF THE REALITY OF A PERSON´S SEXUAL ORIENTATION AGAINST THEM IS NOT LIMITED TO ANY COMMENTS MADE TO THE SENATORS ALONE.

SENATOR --MADE A POST ABOUT THAT CALYPSO WHICH I AM NOT DEFENDING, BUT SHE LED A POST ON HER PAGE, TARGETING THE LGBT COMMUNITY WITH WHATEVER SHE SAID WAS SAID IN THE CALYPSO TO ESSENTIALLY POLITICIZE IT AND SAY VOTE FOR ME, NOT FOR THEM.

UNDER THAT SAME POST, ALL KINDS OF COMMENTS IN REFERENCE TO MY SEXUALITY, QUESTIONING AS TO WHETHER I AM MARRIED TO A MAN OR A WOMAN OR NOT JUST BY SAYING HE/SHE IN THE CALYPSO BUT CALLING MY NAME IN THE SAME POST ON HER PAGE, THE SENATOR --SAID WELL YOU KNOW MY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW IF A PERSON IS MARRIED TO A MAN OR TO A WOMAN, YOU CAN GO AND FIND THAT OUT.

SO YOU CAN COMPLAIN AND SAY THAT YOU ARE A TARGET OF DISCRIMINATION WITH REGARD TO YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND STILL PARTICIPATE OR -- CONVERSATIONS WHERE YOU KNOW THE INTENT IS THE SAME.

SO --ONE CAMPAIGN TO BE STIGMATIZED WITH SAYING THAT ONE IS ANTI-LGBT Q COMMUNITY.

EVERYBODY IN THIS COMMUNITY, YOU MAY LIVE AN AUTHENTIC LIFE BUT YOU KNOW THAT THIS, IT DOESN´T MEAN THAT YOUR COMMUNITY HAS THAT CHANGED.

WE LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE HETEROSEXUAL MEN ARE AFRAID TO EAT A BANANA AND A PARTICULAR WAY BECAUSE SOMEBODY MIGHT SAY THEY HAVE ANOTHER EXPERIENCE WITH ANOTHER MAN´S GENITALIA.

THIS IS ANOTHER LEVEL OF HOMOPHOBIA THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I THINK IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO WORK TO ADDRESS IT.

>> THE COMMENTS UNDER THAT POST, YOU DID NOT RESPOND.

>> THE ENVIRONMENT WAS --AT THAT RALLY ON A TUESDAY NIGHT AND AN APOLOGY CAME THE FOLLOWING -- APOLOGY OR RECOGNITION, THE APOLOGY CAME FOLLOWING PUBLIC OUTCRY AND THE VIDEO BECOMING VIRAL.

NO ONE UNDER THE POST COMMENTED MY NAME.

THEY RETALIATED IN SUPPORT SAYING LISTEN IF YOU --DO WE QUESTION THE OTHER PERSON?

WE ARE NOT FAIR IN THIS POLITICAL ARENA.

WE DON´T JUDGE MEN AND WOMEN THE SAME AT ALL.

>> THERE IS A DOCTOR IN THE LAW THAT SPEAKS WHEN YOU COME TO THE LAWFUL RELIEF, YOU HAVE TO SAY THAT YOUR HANDS ARE CLEAN.

SO YOU CAN BE PARTICIPATING IN THE SAME KIND OF CONVERSATION AND THEN NEED AN APOLOGY ADDRESSED TO YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE OFFENDED BY A PARTICULAR REFERENCE.

YOUR HANDS HAVE TO BE CLEAN AS WELL AND IF YOU THINK AN APOLOGY MUST BE MADE DIRECTED TO THE CANDIDATES, I THINK THAT CANDIDATE ALSO HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THAT SAME PLATFORM TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SAME INJUSTICES TO WHICH SHE REFERENCES AND WHAT KIND OF REMEDIAL WORK THAT WE MUST ALL DO.

>> ALL OF THESE COMMENTS, YOU MADE A POST, YOU DON´T FEEL LIKE IT WAS NECESSARY?

>> MY OPPONENT IS ON A JOURNEY.

SO THAT IS WHAT HIS JOB IS TO DO.

HOWEVER, I AM NOT THE Q COMMUNITY.

I AM NOT --SO MANY THINGS HAPPEN.

THERE WERE MAYBE TWO OR THREE COMMENTS THAT ASKED IF --IN A NUTSHELL.

NOBODY CALLED HIM BY HIS NAME, NOBODY CALLED HIM A HE/SHE, NONE OF THE ABOVE.

THIS ENTIRE THING, THE --WAS THROWN FIRST.

>> I DON´T NEED AN APOLOGY.

I DIDN´T ASK ANYBODY FOR APOLOGY AND I THINK WE WOULD BOTH AGREE THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE LGBT Q TO BE A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> YOUR OFFICE HAS HAD SOME CHALLENGES INCLUDING THE RECENT ROLLOUT OF THE TAX COLLECTION SYSTEM THAT CAUSED MUCH -- .

THIS INITIATIVE REMAINS INCOMPLETE SOME FOUR YEARS TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS WOULD INCONVENIENCE VIRGIN ISLANDS, MANY RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO PURCHASE --FOR THIS FOR EXAMPLE CANNOT PLACE AN ORDER BECAUSE SPACE X, --NEED TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY YOUR LOCATION.

I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE INITIATIVE AFFECTS INDIVIDUALS.

THE ROLLOUT PROBLEM, THE STREET INITIATIVE, CAN YOU TELL US WHY WE ARE NOT FURTHER ALONG ?

>> MY OPPONENT REFERENCED THE STREET ADDRESSING INITIATIVE IN AN EARLIER FORUM THAT HAS BEEN ON THE AGENDA, THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FROM THE TIME SHE WORKED AT THAT OFFICE.

WHAT WE DID AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ADMINISTRATION IS TO MAKE IT A PRIORITY.

MAKING A PRIORITY DIDN´T MEAN THAT WE HAD ALL THE FUNDING TO ACCOMPLISH ITS.

SO WE TOOK THE FUNDS WE HAD INITIALLY.

WE HAVE THE GROUNDWORK .

WE JUST RECEIVED THE ADDITIONAL FINANCING TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN WHICH IS THE $5.4 MILLION THAT WE HAVE FROM OUR URBAN DEVELOPMENT GRANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK AT THIS INITIATIVE.

EVEN SO, OUR DATA THAT WE ARE PROVIDING TO SPACES LIKE GOOGLE MAPS, UPS , TYPING IN THE GPS SERVICES, OUR OFFICES HAVE WORKED TO IMPROVE THOSE KINDS OF LOCATIONS SERVICES.

--OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT I THINK IN THE YEAR TO COME.

IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN --POSTAL SERVICES, ETC.

AND IT HAS TAKEN QUITE A LOT OF RESOURCES TO PUT IT ON THE -- AND WE EXPECT TO HAVE THAT COMPLETED SHORTLY.

>> RELATIVE TO THE OTHER QUESTION THAT THE NEW SYSTEM FOR --, WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> I MADE AN APOLOGY, A PUBLIC APOLOGY.

WE IMPLEMENTED A NEW SYSTEM.

THE NEW SYSTEM IS GOING TO ENHANCE OUR ASSESSMENT CAPACITIES AND CAPABILITIES.

IT IS GOING TO IMPROVE THE BILLING.

WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY HAD IT -- AND BILLING SO WE HAVE IMPROVED THAT.

THE SYSTEM CAME ON UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE BEEN BRINGING MODULES OF IT ON PREVIOUSLY.

ONE OF THE ADDITIONAL THINGS WE TRY TO IMPLEMENT WHICH WE HAD TO GET INTO AGREEMENT, WE ONLY ACCEPTED VISA.

WE HAVE NOW EXPANDED IT TO METHODS OF COLLECTION INCLUDING AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER AND WE HAVE DONE THAT IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC REQUEST.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT IT ADDRESSES.

>> ALONG THE $5.4 MILLION GRANT, WHEN IT EXPIRES IF ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL AS NEEDED TO ACTUALLY GET THE INITIATIVE COMPLETED, MOST TIMES WE HAVE FUNDING.

SOMETIMES WE LACK THE PERSONNEL, THE TIMELINE TO ENSURE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AS WELL.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DETAILS ONCE ELECTED AS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THAT TO ENSURE THOSE FUNDS ARE SPENT TIMELY AND IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER.

ADDITIONALLY, WITH THE PAYMENT PORTAL, I KNOW THAT IT IMPACTED THE COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAXES BECAUSE THE COLLECTION THIS YEAR WAS $58 MILLION AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE BEFORE US, THEY WERE UP $34 MILLION AND THEN IT CAME TO $44 MILLION.

I DON´T THINK WE MET THE TARGET GOAL AS OF WHEN THE BUDGET PASSED.

WE DIDN´T MEET THE $50 MILLION THRESHOLD THAT WE ESTABLISHED IN THE BUDGET AND WE FELL SHORT WHICH WOULD BE SOME OF THE DEFICIT.

SO I KNOW THAT IMPACT COLLECTIONS AS WELL.

>> BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT SOME PEOPLE´S ACCESS TO THE PORTAL WAS DELAYED, WE DID IMPOSE AN AMNESTY THAT FORGAVE ANY INTEREST OR PENALTIES UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30th AND THE BUDGET HEARING WAS IN JULY.

AS OF LAST WEEK, WE DID MEET OUR PROJECTIONS OF COLLECTING THE $58 MILLION THAT WE HAD PROJECTED AS THE SENATOR REFERENCED.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION.

VERY QUICKLY BEFORE WE MAKE OUR CLOSING STATEMENTS AND THIS IS FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE AND TO THAT END, TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR RUNNING MATE?

>> --HAS BECOME LIKE MY BEST FRIEND.

WE TALK IN THE MORNING.

MAY BE DURING THE DAY, WE TALK IN THE EVENING AND LATE AT NIGHT.

IF WE LOOK AT ANY SENATE HEARING, YOU ALWAYS SEE A PICTURE OF HIM AND I COLLABORATING.

IF THERE IS AN IDEA HE HAS, HE SAYS HEY JANELLE , CHECK THIS OUT.

I DO THE SAME WITH HIM.

OUR RELATIONSHIP, WE DON´T JUST HAVE A RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE I AM A CANDIDATE OR I AM ON THE TICKETS.

OUR RELATIONSHIP WAS ESTABLISHED WAY BEFORE WE EVEN DECIDED TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

SO I THINK THAT MAKES IT EASIER GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR RUNNING MATES OR THE GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AS WE SEE IN OUR HISTORY.

WE HAVE HAD GOVERNORS AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS THAT HAVE PUBLICLY FOUGHT AND THERE IS A THING THAT WHEN THE ELEPHANT FIGHTS, IT IS THE GRASS THAT SUFFERS SO WE DON´T WANT THE GRASS TO SUFFER, WE DON´T WANT TO THE ELEPHANTS TO FIGHTS.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE THE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE DO HAVE.

WHAT IS ALSO IMPORTANT IS THAT HE --I AM NOT AFRAID TO SAY THAT HE IS --THERE ARE TIMES THAT WE GO TOE TO TOE ON A LOT OF ISSUES.

AT TIMES, HE VOTES YES AND I VOTE NO.

THERE ARE INSTANCES LIKE THAT HOWEVER WE UNDERSTAND THAT CRITICAL THINKING IS IMPERATIVE BECAUSE CONFLICT IS INEVITABLE FOR CHANGE.

>> I BELIEVE THAT MY RELATIONSHIP TO THE GOVERNOR HAS GROWN, HAS IMPROVED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THAT WE HAVE WE HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW EACH OTHER MUCH BETTER THAN WE DID AT THE BEGINNING.

I DON´T KNOW THAT I WOULD WANT HIM TO BE MY BEST FRIEND OR THAT I WOULD DESCRIBE IT THAT WAY BECAUSE I THINK SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER IF YOU ARE NOT.

I THINK WE HAVE MUTUAL RESPECT.

I THINK WE HAVE SHARED VALUES, AND I THINK CERTAINLY IT IS THE UNDERSTANDING THERE THAT WE DIFFER AND I BRING THAT TO THE TABLE AS WELL.

IT IS ONE THING TO SPEAK ABOUT WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP WOULD BE LIKE, SHOULD BE LIKE.

IT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT THING TO BE IN THAT RELATIONSHIP AND TO BE SERVING IN A ROLE WHERE A GOVERNOR PARTICULARLY IN THIS TERRITORY IS PERCEIVED TO BE SO POWERFUL.

THE PERSON WHO WAS IN THE SECOND COMMAND REALLY HAS TO BE IT IS A CHALLENGE WHEN YOU COME FROM THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE, YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO EVERY DAY SPEAKING.

EVERY DAY YOU ARE ON THE RADIO.

EVERY DAY, YOU ARE ON THE TELEVISION AND IT MAY BE THE OR IT MAY NOT BE THE SAME WHEN YOU GET TO THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I DO BELIEVE THE ROLE IS MORE SUPPORTIVE.

NOT THAT YOU DON´T BRING YOUR EXPERTISE, NOT THAT THE GOVERNOR DOESN´T RELY ON YOUR EXPERTISE, BUT YOU SUPPORT, YOU ARE THERE AS A RESOURCE, AND IT IS CLEAR THAT TO ME A FRIENDSHIP --TO HAVING A RELATIONSHIP TO PEOPLE AND TO RESPECT EACH OTHER´S POSITIONS AND ARE ABLE TO TOLERATE DIFFERENCES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE ARRIVED WHERE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR CLOSING STATEMENTS FROM OUR CANDIDATES AND WE ARE BEGINNING WITH YOU, >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN THIS CONVERSATION THIS EVENING.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR WAS UNFAIRLY CHARACTERIZED THE OTHER DAY WHAT HE REFERRED TO THE ONLY MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE THAT SENATOR --HAS WOULD´VE BEEN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOLS AND THAT WAS -- EDUCATORS CANNOT BE GOVERNOR AND THAT IS NOT WHAT HE SAID.

WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO DO WAS PAINT A CLEAR PICTURE BETWEEN THIS TEAM AND OUR OPPONENT.

OUR OPPONENTS HAS SPENT NOT A SINGLE DAY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

I THINK THAT CONTRIBUTES TO OUR PEOPLE THINK THIS IS A GOVERNMENT FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE WORD HISTORY, MY WORK HISTORY HAS BEEN SPLIT ALMOST EVENLY BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS.

I THINK THERE IS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT GOVERNMENT REQUIRES IN THAT REGARD.

SECOND TO THAT, THE MANAGERIAL MANAGING PEOPLE, I BELIEVE THE EXPERIENCE AND THE EDUCATION HAVE PREPARED ME FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN A UNIQUE WAY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK YOU TWO WTJX AND THOSE WHO ACTUALLY TUNED INTO TONIGHT´S LIVE DEBATE.

WE HAVE SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO UNEARTH WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ARE THE TRANSGRESSIONS FROM THE 2009 -- TOXIC RELATIONSHIP AS IF ANYBODY ELSE DIDN´T HAVE THAT AND THEY SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO CAST DOUBT IN YOUR MIND WHETHER OR NOT I HAD THE COMPETENCY TO WHETHER OR NOT I HAD THE SKILL SET AND WHETHER OR NOT I HAVE THE TEMPERAMENT TO BE YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I ASK THAT YOU LOOK AT THE WORK ETHIC I HAVE HAVE HAD.

I HAVE SHOWED UP WELL PREPARED YOUR BEHALF.

I AM FIGHTING FOR BLUE ROOTS, FIGHTING FOR OUR --FIGHTING FOR A BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE, EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE AND I ASK THAT YOU LOOK AT THE WORK ETHIC THAT I HAD.

I SHOWN YOU AS I HAVE SERVED IN THE SENATE, I CAST YOUR VOTES FOR --.

I AM PREPARED, READY TO SERVE AND READY TO BE YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES.

THANK YOU.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU VIEWERS FOR WATCHING ON BEHALF OF THE WTJX AND -- CONSORTIUM.

THANK YOU FOR TUNING AND.

WE HOPE TONIGHT´S DEBATE WAS HELPFUL IN INFORMING YOUR DECISION FOR THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TEAM TO LEAD THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I´M REMINDING YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8th AND EARLY VOTING IS CURRENTLY GOING ON.

THANK YOU.

GOOD NIGHT.