GOOD DAY AND WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM, A PROGRAM PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX TV FOR WELL OVER 35 YEARS.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022 ELECTION YEAR RIGHT HERE ON WTJX TV.

WITH CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 31ST 35TH LEGISLATURE OR AS GOVERNOR OR AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, ALTHOUGH ALL CANDIDATES FOR THESE POSITIONS WERE INVITED, NOT ALL RESPONDED.

OKAY, ACCEPTED THE INVITATION.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY.

HOWEVER.

>>> THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF SENATOR IN SAN CROY.

I´LL SERVE AS THE MODERATOR FOR THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF THE GUIDELINES.

NO CANDIDATES HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

THE FIRST RESPONDER TO EACH QUESTION WILL BE ROTATED AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.

ANSWERS ARE GENERALLY TO 60 TO 90 SECONDS WITH CHALLENGES AND REBUTTALS OF 60 SECONDS EACH.

CHANGES OF TIMING FOR QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

ANY COMMENT DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY AT ANOTHER PARTICIPANT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A REBUTTAL OF 60 SECONDS.

ALL I EXPECT IS TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE.

I WILL ASK EACH CANDIDATE TO IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE AND STATE THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND BALLOT NUMBER.

WE´LL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AS OUR DISCUSS ENSUES.

LET´S START WITH FRANKLIN LET´S START WITH FRANKLIN CANDIDATE, PLEASE STATE YOUR CANDIDATE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND >> GOOD DAY.

>> GOOD DAY.

MY NAME IS FRANKLIN D. JOHNSON.

I´M NUMBER 9 ON YOUR BALLOT, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JAMEELA EDWARDS, CANDIDATE.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND AFFILIATION.

>> MY NAME IS SHALIMA EDWARDS.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT AND MY NUMBER IS 8.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NOW, JAVON JAMES, CANDIDATE.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND AFFILIATION.

>> GREETINGS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I´M JAVON JAMES, SR., AND I´M NUMBER 18 ON THE BALLOT AND RUNNING UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC RUNNING UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW FOR OUR FIRST QUESTIONS.

NOW FOR OUR FIRST QUESTIONS.

YOUR READINESS TO BE A SENATOR.

YOUR READINESS TO BE A SENATOR.

HERE IS A TWO-PART QUESTION FOR WHICH YOU WILL EACH HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

AS A CANDIDATE FOR A SEAT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE, WHAT ARE YOUR COMP TAENETENIES AS WELL AS EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO MAKE YOU A GOOD CHOICE TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES AS A SENATOR, AND WHAT ARE YOUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS READINESS TO ASSUME THE READINESS TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE?

SO PLEASE ANSWER BOTH PARTS OF THE QUESTION IN 90 SECONDS.

WHAT ARE YOUR COMPETENCIES AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS RELATED TO YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS RELATED TO YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MR. JOHNSON.

MR. JOHNSON.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

I HAVE BEEN SERVING TO THE I HAVE BEEN SERVING TO THE QUITE SOME TIME.

QUITE SOME TIME.

I STARTED FROM THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS, WENT TO WORK IN GOVERNMENT WHERE I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS PROCESSES, AND THEN MANAGED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MY FIRST BID.

I HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE MOVING MY IN THE LEGISLATURE MOVING MY BUT I HAVE WORKED WITH EVERYONE.

BUT I HAVE WORKED WITH EVERYONE.

I HAVE WORKED WITH ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION.

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN ON THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SUBCOMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND WAS BLESSED TO BE A PART OF ONE OF THOSE SERVING AND MAKING SURE WE SAVE THE GRS, SO THAT ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR ME WAS SOMETHING BIG AND REALLY CHALLENGING BECAUSE WHEN I CAMPAIGN, I CAMPAIGN ON THAT.

I CAMPAIGN ON THE YOUTH.

I SIGN ON TO LEGISLATION WITH MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT REPRESENT THE YOUTH OF THIS TERRITORY AND I STILL ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR THE YOUTH OF THE TERRITORY AND THE SENIORS IN OUR TERRITORY.

I MUST SAY I HAVE BEEN A CIVIL SERVANT AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE THAT.

I´M A PERSON ANYONE CAN REACH AT I´M A PERSON ANYONE CAN REACH AT I´M ONE OF FEW CANDIDATES THAT I´M ONE OF FEW CANDIDATES THAT IN THE SENATE, MY BUSINESS CARD HAS MY PERSONAL CELL PHONE.

I´M A PERSON THAT TOUCHES AND PEOPLE RIGHT ONE-ON-ONE.

I HAVE AN OPEN DOOR POLICY AND WILL CONTINUE TO MANAGE MY OFFICE WITH AN OPEN DOOR POLICY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MS. EDWARDS, SAME QUESTION.

90 SECONDS.

90 SECONDS.

SO I HAVE BEEN AN ACTIVIST FOR SO I HAVE BEEN AN ACTIVIST FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.

I´M STILL ACTIVE IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

TO NAME SEVERAL, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ASSOCIATION FOR A COUPLE YEARS.

I HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED WITH COMMUNITY, DIRECTLY WITH COMMUNITY AT AN EARLY ADULT AGE IN THE HOUSING COMMUNITY.

I HAVE SERVED WHERE MY MOM ESPECIALLY ON THE TENANT COUNCIL, SEEING THE IMPORTANCE OF REACHING TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FEELING THE NEED TO CONTINUE CONNECTING WITH THE CONTINUE CONNECTING WITH THE I HAVE GONE TO COLLEGE, OBTAINED I HAVE GONE TO COLLEGE, OBTAINED MY DEGREES AND KNOWING WHAT WAS REQUIRED AND HOW TO APPLY THOSE SKILLS IS IMPORTANT.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL GUARD.

IT´S SERVING, AN AREA OF SERVANTS.

I DO KNOW I HAVE BEEN IN TUNE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE SAN CROIX COUNCIL OF ELDERS WORKING WITH CHILDREN.

AT THE PAST, I WORKED AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

KNOWING THE CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY IS VERY IMPORTANT AND BEING INVOLVED IS AN ASSET, I FEEL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JAMES.

>> THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, MY NAME IS JOVANI JAMES SR. I´M THE SON OF MARILYN.

I´M THE SON OF MARILYN.

SHE HAS BEEN TEACHING FOR ABOUT SHE HAS BEEN TEACHING FOR ABOUT 35 YEARS.

MY FATHER WAS VERY INVOLVED IN POLITICS IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, SPECIFICALLY THE ISLAND I GREW UP IN A HOUSEHOLD WHICH I GREW UP IN A HOUSEHOLD WHICH LIKE I SAID BEFORE, MY DAD HAD LIKE I SAID BEFORE, MY DAD HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE TO RUB SHOULDERS WITH HEAVY HITTERS AS FAR AS POLITICS.

MY FATHER´S FRIENDS BECAME MY FRIENDS, AND GROWING UP, WE NEVER HAD BABYSITTERS.

EVERYWHERE MY FATHER WENT, I WAS RIGHT THERE LISTENING TO THE POLITICAL CONVERSATIONS.

I ATTENDED AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE SAN CROIX EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX.

FROM THERE I WENT ON TO WORK IN THE REFINERY.

I WENT TO STUDY COLLEGE EDUCATION.

I BECAME A CERTIFIED OPERATOR IN A REFINERY.

FROM THERE I WENT ON TO THE AIR FROM THERE I WENT ON TO THE AIR AND MY BEST EXPERIENCE THAT AND MY BEST EXPERIENCE THAT PREPARED ME FOR THE JOB IS WORKING IN THE OFFICE OF SENATOR FRANCIS JR.

IN THE 31st AND THEREENED LEGISLATOR AND I WENT ON TO SEEK A SEAT IN THE 33rd, 34th, AND NOW IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CROSS THE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CROSS THE MY COLLEAGUES TO GET MEANINGFUL MY COLLEAGUES TO GET MEANINGFUL MY COLLEAGUES TO GET MEANINGFUL FORWARD TO SERVING THE 35th FORWARD TO SERVING THE 35th LEGISLATION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

LET´S NOW TALK ABOUT YOUR VISION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

2027 WILL MARK THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS AND 110 YEARS SINCE PURCHASE OF DENMARK.

THE QUESTION IS, WHAT IS YOUR VISION WITH RESPECT TO SELF GOVERNANCE FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU INTEND TO PLAY IF ANY?

PLEASE NOTE THAT SELF GOVERNANCE DOES NOT NECESSARILY IMPLY DOES NOT NECESSARILY IMPLY MS. EDWARDS.

MS. EDWARDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

FOR MANY YEARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN FEEL IT IS TIME AS RESIDENTS CAN FEEL IT IS TIME AS RESIDENTS CAN SAY WE HAVE TO GROW UP AND SAY WE HAVE TO GROW UP AND RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR FOOD.

RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR FOOD.

WE HAVE TO PUT OURSELF IN A POSITION THAT WE´RE ABLE TO FOOD, WE HAVE TO PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROCESS OUR FOOD.

BEGIN OR CONTINUE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEIGHBORING ISLANDS.

THAT´S WOULD SHOW A SENSE OF BEING MATURE, I CALL IT, TO PUT US IN A POSITION TO BE MORE SELF US IN A POSITION TO BE MORE SELF >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. JAMES.

WANT ME TO REPEAT IT?

>> AS FAR AS SELF GOVERNANCE, WHEN I HEAR ABOUT GOVERNMENT, WE MUST ADMIT WE HAVE PROS AND CONS BEING UNDER THE UNITED STATES FLAG.

HOWEVER, IF WE DECIDED TO GO IN THE DIRECTION OF BEING INDEPENDENT, WE HAVE TO GET SERIOUS AS FAR AS ECONOMICS.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IF WE´RE NO LONGER GOING TO BE UNDER THE UNITED STATES FLAG, WE HAVE TO BUILD AND THE MENU TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE BRANCH OFF, WE HAVE TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AS FAR AS TRADE AND BARTER, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A BIG PORT DOWN HERE IN SAN CROIX AND ONE IN ST. THOMAS AS WELL.

AS WELL.

DIRECTION, WE HAVE TO HAVE A DIRECTION, WE HAVE TO HAVE A ROAD MAP FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS.

THAT WOULD TAKE CONSTITUTION CONVENTION.

WE TRY TO HAVE ONE COMING UP IN THE NEXT BALLOT AS FAR AS GETTING THE VOTERS TO DECIDE ON WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE THE NEXT CONSTITUTION CONVENTION.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE UNABLE TO GET THAT DONE IN TIME.

THE CONVERSATION HAD TO BE HAD.

AS FAR AS WHAT IS THE DIRECTION FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS, NOT JUST FOR TOMORROW, BUT THE NEXT 100 YEARS.

ONCE WE GET THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, WE CAN MAKE OUR DECISION FROM THERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JOHNSON.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> OKAY.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU INTEND TO PLAY.

PLEASE NOTE SELF GOVERNANCE DOES NOT IMPLY INDEPENDENCE.

>> THANKS FOR THAT.

MY ROLE IN SELF GOVERNANCES, I HAVE ALREADY BEEN ACTING IN THAT CAPACITY IN MAKING SURE THAT PROJECTS THAT WE PUT IN PLACE ARE COMPLETED.

WE HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEM WHERE WE HAVE DOLLARS, AND WE´RE TALKING ABOUT BEING SELF GOVERNING.

SELF GOVERNING.

HAD MONEY WE RECEIVE FROM HAD MONEY WE RECEIVE FROM CONGRESS, AND THOSE TYPE OF CONGRESSES NEED TO FREE UP MORE SO THAT THE PEOPLE COULD CHOOSE MORE HOW TO SPEND THAT MONEY.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

WE ARE UNDER THE UNITED STATES WE ARE UNDER THE UNITED STATES HOWEVER, THE CONDITIONS HOWEVER, THE CONDITIONS SOMETIMES LIMIT US, SLOW US DOWN FROM MOVING FORWARD.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE RECEIVE FROM THOSE, BUT YET WE HAVEN´T MOVED FORWARD WITH ALL OF THOSE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

SO OUR SELF GOVERNMENT HAS TO MAKE SURE WE PUT THE RIGHT MAKE SURE WE PUT THE RIGHT DOWN TO COMMISSIONER TO DOWN TO COMMISSIONER TO GOVERNORS, AND I´LL SELECT THE GOVERNORS, AND I´LL SELECT THE BECAUSE THE MONEY IS HERE FOR BECAUSE THE MONEY IS HERE FOR US, AND WE SHOULD BE MOVING MUCH FASTER, AND WE SHOULD BE MORE FARTHER AHEAD OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE CARIBBEAN.

WE MUST START LOOKING AT PLANTING, FEEDING OURSELVES.

IF WE CONTINUE WAITING FOR EVERYTHING COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE, WE DEFINITELY ARE GOING TO BE IN PROBLEMS IN THE NEXT TO BE IN PROBLEMS IN THE NEXT I DEFINITELY SEE US AS LEADERS I DEFINITELY SEE US AS LEADERS BEING ABLE TO TRY TO MAKE SURE BEING ABLE TO TRY TO MAKE SURE NED TO DO TO SUSTAIN OURSELVES.

NED TO DO TO SUSTAIN OURSELVES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD MORAL OR ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE PRIVATE LIFE OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY VOTERS MAKING THE CHOICES AND WHY?

MAKING THE CHOICES AND WHY?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, EVERY >> WELL, FIRST OFF, EVERY CANDIDATE HAS TO GO THROUGH A SCREENING AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD OR WHAT HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD OR WHAT BUT ONCE YOU GET THROUGH THAT BUT ONCE YOU GET THROUGH THAT PROCESS, OF COURSE, INDIVIDUALS PROBABLY DID THINGS IN THE PAST AND GOT AWAY WITH IT, BUT IT´S UP TO THE COMMUNITY TO BRING THOSE THINGS FORWARD.

WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY, SO IF YOU KNOW OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE A MORAL ISSUE, THEN WE SHOULD CHALLENGE IT.

BUT AS FAR AS THAT PERSON BRINGING TO THE TABLE, I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ AN INDIVIDUAL AND KNOW WHEN THEY´RE INDIVIDUAL AND KNOW WHEN THEY´RE VYING FOR A POSITION.

VYING FOR A POSITION.

BODY LANGUAGE, BUT AS FAR AS ETHICS, ONCE YOU GET IN, I THINK THAT´S THE EASIEST PART BECAUSE YOU´RE LIVE ON CAMERA.

INDIVIDUALS GET TO SEE YOU OPERATE AND HOW YOU BEHAVE AND THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE WHETHER THEY´RE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AS FAR AS SELECTING THE PEOPLE, ONCE YOU GO THROUGH THE SCREENING PROCESS AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND YOU HAVE NO CRIMINAL RECORD OR CRIME OF MORAL TURPITUDE, YOU MEAD THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS, YOU´RE ON TO BE SELECTED AS A CANDIDATE.

AS FAR AS TAKING IT SERIOUSLY, EVERY INDIVIDUAL SHOULD PUT A MICROSCOPE ON EVERY CANDIDATE AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING PRIOR TO VYING FOR POSITION, WHETHER IT´S BOARD OF ELECTIONS, BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE SENATE, GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, CONGRESS, OR WHOEVER I TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

YEAH, SENATOR JAVAN JAMES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JOHNSON.

>> MORAL AND ETHICAL CONDUCT IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND IT´S IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT NOT THINK THAT YOU´RE GOING TO STRIVE FOR A POLITICAL POSITION OR A PARTICULAR JOB.

SO IT´S IMPORTANT AS YOU ARE GROWING UP.

THE THINGS YOU DO TODAY WILL REFLECT ON YOU TOMORROW.

SO IT´S IMPORTANT THAT YOU LIVE THAT PROPER LIFE, DO THE THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT.

ALWAYS BE WILLING TO SHARE AND HELP SOMEONE.

TODAY´S PROBLEM IS YOUR PROBLEM TOMORROW.

ACCORDING TO HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE, THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DONE, THE BEHAVIOR IN THE COMMUNITY, AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID, IT´S A VERY SMALL COMMUNITY.

SO PEOPLE SEE.

THEY HEAR.

AND I LEAVE THAT TO THE VOTERS TO DECIDE IF THAT PERSON HAS THAT MORAL AND ETHICAL CONDUCT TO VOTE ON THEM.

AND THE VOTERS HAVE TO BE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF WHO THEY´RE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF WHO THEY´RE AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU PICK AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU PICK CANDIDATES THAT YOU KNOW ARE GOING TO RESPECT THE POSITION THAT THEY´RE VYING FOR.

SO IT´S IMPORTANT.

IT´S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU AS A YOUNG PERSON, IF YOU´RE A YOUNG PERSON, IF YOU´RE THE THINGS THAT ARE BEST AND THE THINGS THAT ARE BEST AND WALK WITH YOUR HEAD UP HIGH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MS. EDWARDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I DO AGREE AS FAR AS BEING A REFLECTION OF YOU ARE IN THE REFLECTION OF YOU ARE IN THE IN THAT WHAT YOU DO OUT THERE, IN THAT WHAT YOU DO OUT THERE, PEOPLE WILL SEE YOU IN THAT CURRENT STATE.

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE SAME OR BE OF THAT SAME BEHAVIOR WHEN YOU´RELEGISLATURE.

REGARDING THE SCREENING PROCESS, I AGREE THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS HAVE US GO THROUGH THAT.

BUT THE COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY SHOULD WATCH US.

TO SEE WHAT WE´RE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEREFORE USE IT AS A SIGNAL TO SAY OKAY, WELL, THIS IS THE CANDIDATE I WANT TO REPRESENT ME.

BECAUSE OF THAT PERSON´S MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MAJOR CONCERNS, IN A RECENT POLL OF THE ELECTORATE IN 2022, VOTERS IDENTIFIED FOUR AREAS OF VOTERS IDENTIFIED FOUR AREAS OF EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH, AND LET´S LOOK AT EACH ONE LET´S LOOK AT EACH ONE SEPARATELY AND ADDRESS WHAT YOUR RESPONSES WOULD BE TO THESE MATTERS IF ELECTED TO THE 35th LEGISLATURE.

WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATION TODAY AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

MR. JOHNSON.

>> WELL, STARTING OUT WITH EDUCATION, I WAS NOT ONE OF THEM FORTUNATE TO BE IN THE 33rd LEGISLATURE.

AND SELECTING A STRONG COMMISSIONER PLAYS A KEY ROLE.

AND I LOOKED AT THOSE INTERVIEWS OF THAT COMMISSIONER PAST, AND I LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED AND TRANSPIRED.

IF I WAS SOMEONE TO VOTE ON HER, I WOULD NOT HAVE VOTED AT THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE VOTED AT THAT IT´S NOT LEFT JUST TO THE IT´S NOT LEFT JUST TO THE COMMISSIONER.

SENATORS HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THE FUNDING THAT´S NECESSARY FOR EDUCATION TO MAKE SURE THAT IT´S IN PROPER PLACE.

THE PHYSICAL BUILDING.

OUR CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOLS.

SOME OF THE SCHOOLS ARE OLDER THAN I AM.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

THERE´S OPPORTUNITIES THERE.

MONEY IS THERE FOR US TO BUILD THESE SCHOOLS, BUILD THEM FAST, BECAUSE THOSE ENVIRONMENT ARE CONDUCIVE TO THE CHILDREN CONDUCIVE TO THE CHILDREN WALKING IN THESE TYPE OF WALKING IN THESE TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE RUN DOWN, IT REALLY BEARS THEM TO NOT PAY REALLY BEARS THEM TO NOT PAY THERE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THERE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MS. EDWARDS.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE >> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE AS IT RELATES TO WHAT CAN BE AS IT RELATES TO WHAT CAN BE DONE, DEFINITELY WE NEED TO GIVE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FULL AUTHORITY TO MANAGE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THEY WILL BE THE ONES WHO WILL BE HIRING THE COMMISSIONER, THE PRINCIPAL, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, WHAT HAVE YOU.

THEY ALSO MANAGE THE FUNDS THAT COME IN, AND TO INSURE THAT THE FUNDS TRICKLE DOWN TO THE CLASSROOM.

I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE AWAY THE POLITICS FROM EDUCATION BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE LINE IS OUR CHILDREN ARE THE ONES WHO ARE BY GIVING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FULL AUTHORITY TO PROPERLY MANAGE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AS I SAID.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JAMES.

>> JAVAN JAMES, NUMBER 18 ON THE BALLOT.

BALLOT.

FOR SENATORS, WE VOTE FOR THE FOR SENATORS, WE VOTE FOR THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SENATOR AT LARGE THAT WE PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO ARE VYING FOR POSITION IN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS A LOT OF SAY IN CERTAIN THINGS BASED ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE WHEN IT COMES TO CURRICULUM AND WHAT HAVE YOU, BUT AS FAR AS THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TASKED WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TASKED WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, IT BOILS DOWN TO RESPONSIBILITY OF EXECUTING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, IT BOILS DOWN TO VIRGIN ISLANDS, IT BOILS DOWN TO COMPETENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE HEAD OF GOVERNMENT FOR EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY OR THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND I MUST ADMIT THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN CALLING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INTO THOSE HEARINGS BUT THOSE HEARINGS BUT MUCH SUCCESS BECAUSE THEY TURN MUCH SUCCESS BECAUSE THEY TURN INTO ONE BIG TRA LAW LAW, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE MORE HEARINGS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, BRINGING THEM IN AND FOCUSING ON BRINGING THEM IN AND FOCUSING ON SPENDING OF THE DOLLARS AND SPENDING OF THE DOLLARS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

AS FAR AS VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY, I´M HOPING AND PRAYING THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK TO IMPLEMENT A NEW CURRICULUM SO YOUNG VIRGIN ISLANDERS WALK WITH PRIDE AS THEY LEARN ABOUT THEIR TRUE AND RICH VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY SO WE WONT SEE THE NONSENSE WE HAVE WITH INDIVIDUALS FIGHTING AND HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THEIR SELF IDENTITY.

THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH, CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS, MANY LEAVE THE TERRITORY IN SEARCH OF HEALTH CARE.

ESPECIALLY ON ST. CROIX.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES REGARDING HEALTH CARE STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

MS. EDWARDS.

>> OKAY, DEFINITELY, I WOULD TIE THIS NOW TO STRUCTURING THE LEGISLATURE.

THE QUESTION IS WHY.

WE DON´T HAVE ENOUGH ACCOUNTABILITY WHERE OUR SENATORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSIGHT OVER A PARTICULAR DEPARTMENT AND HEALTH IS VERY CRUCIAL.

SO KNOWING THAT THERE WILL BE AN AT LARGE SENATOR, FOR EXAMPLE, RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTH, WE CAN CLEARLY HOLD THAT PERSON ACCOUNTABLE TO INSURE THAT WE HAVE SUITABLE HEALTH CARE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SO THAT OUR PEOPLE WON´T HAVE TO BE FEARFUL OF STAYING HERE BECAUSE OF HEALTH CONCERNS.

SO REAPPORTIONING THE LEGISLATURE AND HAVING A LARGE SENATOR RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT DEPARTMENT WILL HELP US HAVE A BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY TO INSURE OUR HEALTH SYSTEM IS ADEQUATE OUR HEALTH SYSTEM IS ADEQUATE I WOULD USE REAPPORTIONMENT.

I WOULD USE REAPPORTIONMENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JAMES.

>> WELL, SENATOR JAVAN, NUMBER 18 ON THE BALLOT.

THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE IS STRUCTURES CURRENTLY, WHEN WE HAVE A CHAIR FROM THE DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX, LIKELY THE VICE CHIRE IS FROM THE DISTRICT OF ST. THOMAS.

WE HAVE A BALANCE BETWEEN BOTH DISTRICTS AS FAR AS THE NEEDS OF THOSE ISLANDS.

AS FAR AS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE HOSPITAL, I MUST ADMIT THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS EVER SINCE I BECAME A SENATOR, WE HAVE BEEN GIVING THEM ALL THE FUNDS THAT THEY REQUESTED.

I JUST PERSONALLY FEEL WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS FOCUS MORE ON UPGRADING THE PAY FOR THE NURSES SO WE CAN HAVE THEM STAY.

WE HAD AN ISSUE AND WE SAW WHERE THE NURSES WHO CAME IN WERE TREATED WAY BETTER THAN THE NURSES WE HAVE HERE, AND WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN BECAUSE WE HAVE HARD WORKING NURSES WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND DESERVE THE SAME TREATMENT AND PAY AS THOSE SAME TREATMENT AND PAY AS THOSE AS FAR AS LAWS, I DON´T SEE A AS FAR AS LAWS, I DON´T SEE A NEED FOR LAWS.

WE HAVE MUCH LAWS FOR OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

WE JUST NEED A BOARD, A HEALTH BOARD, THE HOSPITAL BOARD TO DO THEIR PART.

IF THEY HAVE NEEDS, THEY CAN CALL IN THE LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE THE LAWS.

WE HAVE TO WORTH TOGETHER, LONG STORY SHORT, AS FAR AS THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND LEGISLAIVE BRANCH.

OVER IT WILL NEVER WORK.

SENATOR JAVAN JAMES, NUMBER 18 ON THE BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON.

>> AGAIN, I KEEP CONTINUE SAYING THIS, AND IT´S TO BE SEEN THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR US.

WE HAVE ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX THAT HAVE BEEN SITTING THERE FOR SOME TIME.

IT BOILS BACK TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

YES, AT SOME POINT WE NEED STAFF AND WE NEED PEOPLE.

WE NEED COMPETITIVE PEOPLE.

LOOK AT OUR REGISTRY FOR CANCER.

THAT´S SOMETHING WHERE DEFINITELY WANT TO TAKE A LOT OF MAKE SURE THAT IT´S PUT IN PLACE.

EVERY TIME SOMEONE FROM THIS TERRITORY HAS TO LEAVE TO GO ABROAD AND FIND OUT THEY HAVE JOB WITH THE REGISTERING, WHAT SOME OF THE AILMENTS THAT ARE REAL, COMING TO BE A PANDEMIC IN OUR ISLANDS.

YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF FOLKS THAT TRAVEL TO THE MAIN ISLAND ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND RAN INTO TWO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT I TWO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT I AND HER DAUGHTER.

AND HER DAUGHTER.

WHEN I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THEM TO MOVE TO FLORIDA, BOTH HAD CANCER AND HAD TO LEAVE FOR TREATMENT.

SO IF WE START DOING THIS REGISTRY, FINDING OUT WHAT´S CAUSING IT, THEN WE CAN START TAKING ACTION IF IT´S A REFIRRY THAT CAUSING IT, IF IT´S WHATEVER IT IS CREATING THAT PROBLEM, AND FIND OUT WHERE MOST OF OUR CANCER PATIENTS RESIDE.

THEN WE COULD START PINPOINTING TO MAKE SURE THAT LIFE CAN BE BETTER FOR OUR PEOPLE IN THIS TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU HAD A REBUTTAL?

YOU HAD A REBUTTAL?

>> JUST WANTED TO ADD TO THAT.

>> JUST WANTED TO ADD TO THAT.

SEE THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT AND SEE THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT AND THERE IS A NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE HEALTHY PEOPLE, THEN DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE THEM TO GO IN THAT FIELD OF STUDY.

IF IT´S TO BECOME A NURSE, A DOCTOR OR WHAT HAVE YOU, WE HAVE TO TIE THAT TO EDUCATION, AND PEOPLE WILL VALUE THEMSELVES AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I AM NEEDED IN MY COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO BUILD THAT TO HAVE IN OUR CHILDREN TO GET THEIR NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT HEALTH AREA.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT.

JAVAN JAMES ONCE AGAIN.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WITH STAFFING, IT BOILS DOWN TO STAFFING, IT BOILS DOWN TO WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

THE U.S. MAINLAND, THEY HAVE MORE ATTRACTIVE SALARIES AND INCENTIVES, AND WE SEE MANY TIMES EVEN IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WE LOSE OUR BEST AND EDUCATION WE LOSE OUR BEST AND MAINLAND WHERE THEY HAVE MAINLAND WHERE THEY HAVE COMPETITIVE SALARIES.

ONCE WE HAVE DOCTORS AND NURSES UP TO PAR, THEY WILL STAY HERE.

WE HAVE TO STOP THE BRAIN DRAIN, BECAUSE WITHOUT WORK FORCE, WE CANNOT GET THE MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WITH RESPECT TO CRIME CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

MR. JAMES.

>> YES, AS FAR AS CRIME, IF YOU WATCH THE RECENT BUDGET HEARINGS IN THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, WE SAW WHERE THERE´S A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH WORKFORCE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS ARE EITHER LEAVING, THEY´RE ON LEAVE, OR INDIVIDUALS JUST DON´T WANT TO BECOME POLICEMEN AND WOMEN.

SO I ASKED MOST OF THE AGENCIES WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO ATTRACT WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO ATTRACT THEY NEED INDIVIDUALS WITH THEY NEED INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGN-ON BONUSES TO ATTRACT THE YOUNGER ONES OR OLDER ONES, BUT AS FAR AS THE LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DID THEIR DUE DILIGENCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS.

WE´RE WORKING ON THE RFID WE´RE WORKING ON THE RFID THE SPOT SHOTTER, AND MANY OTHER THE SPOT SHOTTER, AND MANY OTHER DEVICES TO GET UP TO TIME AS FAR AS ELECTRONICS AND DIGITIZING.

BUT AS FAR AS WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE IS OUR BIGGEST ISSUE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE´RE SPENDING MONEY ON OVER TIME AND THAT MONEY CAN BE USED TO PUT IN TO FILL IN THE VACANCIES.

FILL IN THE VACANCIES.

NOT WANT TO BECOME POLICEMEN, NOT WANT TO BECOME POLICEMEN, AND WE NEED POLICE PRESENCE.

IF WE HAVE POLICE PRESENCE, MOST INDIVIDUALS WOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT DOING CERTAIN THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY.

UNTIL THEN, WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON UNTIL THEN, WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON SENATOR JAVAN JAMES.

SENATOR JAVAN JAMES.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. JOHNSON.

>> LET´S START BY SAYING WE MUST HAVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO GAIN CONFIDENCE FROM THE CITIZENS.

ARE HAPPENING, SOMEBODY OUT NOBODY IS WILLING TO COME TO NOBODY IS WILLING TO COME TO COME FORWARD BECAUSE THEY DON´T COME FORWARD BECAUSE THEY DON´T HAVE THE TRUST IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BUT WHEN YOU TAKE IT TO ANOTHER NOTCH, WE MUST INVEST EVEN MORE MONEY, AND I DO AGREE WITH MY MONEY, AND I DO AGREE WITH MY MONEY TO GET THESE CAMERAS, BUT MONEY TO GET THESE CAMERAS, BUT WE HAVE TO INVEST MORE MONEY INTO CAMERAS TO LIGHTEN UP THIS ENTIRE TERRITORY, THIS ENTIRE ISLAND WITH CAMERAS.

COMMISSIONER, HE SAID THE SHOT SPOTTERS WASN´T SUFFICIENT, AND AGAIN, WE GAVE MORE MONEY TO THAT.

YOU COULD GO TO THE BIGGEST STATE, THE BIGGEST CITY AND EVERY BLOCK YOU´LL SEE A CAMERA.

WE´RE GOING TO HAVE TO RELY ON TECHNOLOGY IN ORDER TO SOLVE CRIMES, AND ONCE WE CAN GET OUR TECHNOLOGY UP TO SPEED TO HELP US SOLVE CRIME, HOPEFULLY WE´LL PUT A NIP IN THE BUD WITH THAT BECAUSE IT´S A SMALL GROUP THAT CONTINUES TORTURING THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY.

SO AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE TRYING TO FIND MORE FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD PUT CAMERAS AND CAMERAS THAT ARE WORKABLE TO IDENTIFY LICENSE PLATE READERS, START HAVING CAMERAS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS.

PEOPLE ARE DRIVING RECKLESSLY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I DO AGREE WITH THE TWO CANDIDATES HERE AS IT RELATES TO CAMERA SITUATION.

WHERE I WOULD ALSO -- WELL, IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE NEED TO REFOCUS WHO´S COMMITTING THESE CRIMES AND WHY.

IF WE TEND TO NEGLECT THE FACT THAT THERE AREN´T ADEQUATE PROGRAMS FOR OUR YOUTH, THIS MAY BE BEFORE MY TIME, BUT I HEARD ABOUT A YOUTH COMMISSION, AND ACTUALLY IT MAY NOT BE BEFORE MY TIME.

TIME.

ACTIVITIES IN THE HOUSING ACTIVITIES IN THE HOUSING COMMUNITY, FOR EXAMPLE, AT LEAST I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE WHERE THE YOUTHS WERE ENGAGED IN LEARNING SKILLS AND BEING A PART OF A COMMUNITY.

HOW CAN I BE A STEWARD FOR MY COMMUNITY?

WE ARE LACKING A LOT OF PROGRAMS FOR OUR YOUTH PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO HAVE PROGRAMS THAT WILL HAVE THEM PREPARED FOR BEING GOOD COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

SO IF WE NEGLECT ON THAT KEY AREA, OUR CHILDREN PROVIDING AREA, OUR CHILDREN PROVIDING WHAT´S GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHAT´S GOING TO HAPPEN.

MORE CRIMES ARE GOING TO TAKE MORE CRIMES ARE GOING TO TAKE WHY ARE WE HATING EACH OTHER?

WHY ARE WE HATING EACH OTHER?

THE CHILDREN HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY´RE HATING THEMSELVES WHEN THEY COMMIT CRIMES AGAINST EACH OTHER.

SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT IN ADDITION TO WHAT MY CANDIDATES, CO-CANDIDATES SAID.

>> MM-HMM.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT >> I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT WE MUST INVEST MORE IN OUR WE MUST INVEST MORE IN OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BECAUSE THEY´RE THE ONE THAT FILL THAT GAP.

TALKING ABOUT BOYS CLUB, GIRL SCOUTS, THESE TYPE OF PROGRAMS, 4H PROGRAMS, THESE PROGRAMS HAVE DIED DOWN DRASTICALLY, SO OUR CHILDREN ARE IDLE MANY TIMES, AND IDLE MINDS DWINDLE IN CRIME.

SO WE MUST FIND FUNDING TO INFUSE IN THESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE THE PERSON WHO HOLD THE BALANCE WHEN THAT FAMILY IS WORKING A SECOND JOB.

I SUPPORT HAVING THOSE TYPE OF PROGRAMS REALLY GETTING MORE FUNDING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT, AND THAT IS WHY I AGREE THAT, AND THAT IS WHY I AGREE THAT´S WHY AS A SITTING SENATOR THAT´S WHY AS A SITTING SENATOR IN THE 33rd AND 34th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS I WAS ABLE TO BRING FORWARD LEGISLATION WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR $200,000 TO RENOVATE THE POLICE FACILITY.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET $1.1 MILLION FOR, $2.1 MILLION FOR A CRICKET FIELD.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A SOCCER COMMISSION AND OTHER RECREATIONAL ENTITIES AND NONPROFITS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THINGS FOR CHILDREN TO DO.

IN ADDITION TO UPGRADING OR IMPROVING OUR WORKFORCE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND USING TECHNOLOGY, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THINGS FOR OUR YOUTH TO DO AND ENGAGE ANY KIND OF TRAINING.

WE HAVE TO GIVE FUNDING AND THAT´S WHY WE´RE DOING THE BUDGET WRAP-UP.

WE NEED TO PUT THE NECESSARY FUNDING IN THERE TO DO THINGS THAT THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST OUR CHILDREN IS A CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

RECENT DISCLOSURE ASSAULTS AGAINST 12 SCHOOL BOYS BY A TEACHER IS SHOCKING AND INCOMMUNITY WAS RIGHTLY OUTRAGED.

BUT GIRLS ARE RAPED AND BUT GIRLS ARE RAPED AND HOW CAN YOU AS A SENATOR PROTECT HOW CAN YOU AS A SENATOR PROTECT OUR BOYS AND GIRLS FROM SEXUAL ASSAULTS BY ADULTS?

I WILL ASK MS. EDWARDS.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

VERY INTERESTING.

HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ADULTS.

DEFINITELY, WE NEED TO KNOW WHO THESE PERPETRATORS ARE.

IF THERE´S LEGISLATION THAT IS NEEDED BEFORE ANYONE CAN BE EMPLOYED RELATING TO WHERE CHILDREN ARE, THEN THAT NEEDS TO GET DONE.

I WANT TO ADD, THOUGH, SOMETIMES WE TEND TO NEGLECT WHAT IS HAPPENING AT HOME, TOO, AND IT MAY BE HAPPENING IN THE CHURCH, WHAT HAVE YOU.

WHAT HAVE YOU.

EDUCATING ON AN ONGOING EFFORT EDUCATING ON AN ONGOING EFFORT TO LET THE CHILDREN KNOW, LET THE PARENTS KNOW, WHAT´S GOOD TOUCH, WHAT´S BAD TOUCH, WHERE TO GO IF YOU´RE BEING ASSAULTED, IS VERY IMPORTANT.

SO ADVOCACY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

SO SOMEHOW, AS PEOPLE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN WHEREVER THEY ARE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. FRANKLIN.

>> VERY GOOD AND DIFFICULT QUESTION.

EVERYTHING CANNOT BE LEGISLATIVE.

PARENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, THE COMMUNITY HAVE TO GET INVOLVED.

IF WE´RE GOING TO NIP IT IN THE IF WE´RE GOING TO NIP IT IN THE MANY TIMES WHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT MANY TIMES WHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT THAT TEACHER, THERE IS INFORMATION OF FOLKS KNOWING THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED WAY LONG THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED WAY LONG THERE´S SOME LAW THAT JUST HAD THERE´S SOME LAW THAT JUST HAD BEEN PASSED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HOLD THOSE WHO KNEW AND DIDN´T BRING IT FORWARD TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND FACE JUDGMENT TOO.

SO IT´S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE JUST LEGISLATION ALL THE TIME THAT´S GOING TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS, BUT THE COMMUNITY, FAMILY MEMBERS, PEOPLE EDUCATING THE CHILDREN, AGAIN, I WOULD CALL IT MY COLLEAGUE TO MY LEFT HERE, SAID.

LETTING CHILDREN KNOW WHAT´S GOOD TOUCH, WHAT´S BAD TOUCH, SO IT STARTS AT HOME, MAKING SURE YOUR CHILDREN KNOW SO THAT THEY CAN REPORT IT TO YOU AND THEN YOU AS THE ADULT BRING IT TO THE AUTHORITIES RIGHT AWAY.

AUTHORITIES RIGHT AWAY.

MR. JAMES.

MR. JAMES.

>> YES, JAVAN JAMES, NUMBER 18 ON THE BALLOT.

I HAVE PROPOSED AND SUCCESSFULLY PASSED FOUR PIECES OF LEGISLATION EVER SINCE SITTING IN THE 33rd AND 34th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL ABUSE.

ONE OF THE FIRST IS ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

INDIVIDUALS USE THAT AS A LOOPHOLE TO AVOID GOING TO JAIL, LOOPHOLE TO AVOID GOING TO JAIL, THEIR FAMILY MEMBER IS GOING TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBER IS GOING TO PRESS CHARGES, THEY TRY TO BUY THEM TO HAVE THE CHILD MARRY THEM.

ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION ABOUT KNOWLEDGE OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR.

I HAVE PASSED LEGISLATION REGARDING NEGLECT OF A MINOR, REGARDING NEGLECT OF A MINOR, CHILD NEGLECT, AND ALL THOSE CHILD NEGLECT, AND ALL THOSE LEGISLATIONS WERE SUCCESSFULLY PASSED.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THOUGH, OUR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS COULD BE MORE OPEN AND HAVE AN OPEN POLICY IN THE SCHOOLS WHERE THE STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE IN CONFIDING IN THE GUIDANCE COUNSEL AND FROM THERE THAT INFORMATION CAN GO TO THE AUTHORITIES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I HAVE TO GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

WITH RESPECT TO WAPA AS ONE OF THE FOUR TOP CONCERNS CITED BY VOTERS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAJOR CHALLENGES OF WAPA, AND WHAT BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE?

90 SECONDS.

MR. JOHNSON.

>> WAPA, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, THAT HAS REALLY CREATED JUST A DESTRUCTION IN THIS TERRITORY.

TERRITORY.

BECAUSE OF WAPA.

BECAUSE OF WAPA.

HIGH POWER BILL, HIGH UTILITY.

WAPA STARTS WITH THE MANAGEMENT.

BAD MANAGEMENT, BAD MANAGERS.

NOT ENOUGH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE IG REPORT AND SEE WHAT KIND OF BAD INVESTMENT THAT WAPA HAVE MADE, PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

FOLKS, WHEN $2 MILLION DISAPPEARED, WE HAVE TO FIND OUT WHERE OUR MONEY IS BEING SPENT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT WAPA DECIDED TO BRING ONBOARD THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EFFICIENT AND BRING DOWN THE COST OF POWER, DIDN´T WORK.

WE ARE GOING TO DEFINITELY HAVE TO TAP INTO A LOT OF RESOURCES AND GO SOLAR.

IF WE DON´T START UTILIZING THE SUN, THE WIND, AND ENERGY WE HAVE AROUND US, THESE BILLS WILL CONTINUE SKYROCKETING, AND IT´S GOING TO COST THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY A LOT.

I DEFINITELY LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW INITIATIVE WITH MORE SOLAR PANELLING, MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE TO THE AVERAGE PERSON, AND SOME WIND TURBINES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MS. EDWARDS.

>> VERY INTERESTING, BUT VERY GOOD THAT CANDIDATE JOHNSON MENTIONED THAT, BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE ADVOCATED IS USING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

AND IF WAPA IS THE MAIN SOURCE FOR US TO GET ELECTRICITY, THEN WE HAVE TO SEEK OTHER WAYS WE CAN RECEIVE SUCH RESOURCES.

AND SENATOR JOHNSON MENTIONED ABOUT THE SOLAR PANEL AND THE ABOUT THE SOLAR PANEL AND THE I ALSO DO AGREE WITH THAT I ALSO DO AGREE WITH THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

WE MAY NEED TO LOOK FURTHER AS IT RELATES TO SOLAR PANELS, THE IT RELATES TO SOLAR PANELS, THE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IF ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IF IT GETS DAMAGED.

BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AGAIN FOR OTHER WAYS IN WHICH WAPA COULD HELP IN REDUCING THE COST OF LIVING HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

RESEARCH IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IF YOU ELECT ME, DEFINITELY I WILL HAVE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE RESEARCHING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY MORE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JAMES.

>> GES, JAVAN JAMES, NUMBER 18 ON THE BALLOT.

AS A MEMBER OF THE 33rd AND 34th LEGISLATURE, MY COLLEAGUES PASSED MANY LEGISLATION TO HOLD WAPA ACCOUNTABLE AND WE SAW PUSHBACK FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.

ADMINISTRATION.

WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON IS WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON IS WHAT HURTS INDIVIDUALS´ POCKETS.

WHAT HURTS INDIVIDUALS´ POCKETS.

AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NEEDS TO REVISIT THE DEAL TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN RENEGOTIATION OR AMEND THAT DEAL BECAUSE IT´S AFFECTING THE BASE RATE.

WHEN WE DID THAT DEAL, IT INCREASED THE BASE RATE ON ALL INDIVIDUALS.

BUT IN THE LONG TERM, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN COMPETENT PEOPLE TO SERVE ON THE WAPA AUTHORITY BOARD WHO MAKE THE DECISION TO HOLD THE CEO ACCOUNTABLE AND THEN FROM THERE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ADEQUATE TRAINING FOR OUR LINEMEN AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK AT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK AT THE LONG STORY SHORT, IN THE LONG LONG STORY SHORT, IN THE LONG TERM, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHO HAS YEARS PUT A BLUEPRINT, A ROAD MAP IN PLACE SO WHEN GOVERNORS COME IN, THEY FOLLOW THAT BLUEPRINT AND MAKE SURE THE WAPA BLUEPRINT AND MAKE SURE THE WAPA THE LEADERSHIP ARE HELD THE LEADERSHIP ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR FINANCES AND THEIR OVERALL PLAN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE PLAN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE AND I´M HOPING THAT ONE OF THESE AND I´M HOPING THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS THAT WE CAN HAVE TWO PLANTS ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX SO WHEN ONE TRIPS ANOTHER ONE KICKS IN AND THE SAME THING, ONE CAN BE ON ST. JOHN AND ONE ON ST. THOMAS.

WHEN ONE TRIPS, ANOTHER ONE KICKS IN.

IF NOT, WE´LL CONTINUE TO HAVE POWER OUTAGES GRRB THANK YOU.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT 25 YEARS, GRS WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR CONCERN.

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THIS IS SO AND WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN ABOUT HOW THIS CAME TO BE SO?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

MS. EDWARDS.

>> I WILL ADMIT MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED AS TO WHY THAT OCCURRED.

WHY THE GRS IS WHERE IT´S AT AND WHY A LOT OF RETIREES AREN´T RECEIVING WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECEIVING YEARS AGO.

I WILL SAY THAT IF THERE ARE ADEQUATE FUNDS THAT SHOULD BE TIED TO PAYING THE EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY RETIRE, THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

IF THE FUNDS ARE NOT BEING UTILIZED IN A WAY WHERE IT´S GOING SOMEPLACE ELSE, THEN IT´S GOING TO CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE RETIREES.

BUT AGAIN, I WOULD SAY THAT I NEED MORE RESEARCH AS TO HOW IT STARTED AND HOW TO END THIS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT´S GOING TO BE -- THEY´RE GOING TO BE BLEEDING AND NOT RECEIVING THE FUNDS THEY´RE SUPPOSED TO BE RECEIVING AS RETIREES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JAMES.

>> YES.

I´M PROUD TO SAY AS A MEMBER OF THE 33rd AND 34th LEGISLATURE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED HEAVILY TO RECENT LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW, THAT IS NOT GOING TO SAVE GRS BUT STOP THE BLEEDING.

HOWEVER, ONE OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES AND THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS THE NINE UNFUNDED MANDATES RECENTLY IN THE PAST LEGISLATURES, WE HAD INDIVIDUALS WHO PASSED FEEL-GOOD LEGISLATION, AND WE DIDN´T HAVE THE ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUNDS TO FUND THAT IN THE LONG TERM.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS AT SOME POINT.

IF NOT, WHEN WE CONTINUE TO PUT THESE BAND-AIDS, WE´RE GOING TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

AS FAR AS A FUNDING SOURCE, I AS FAR AS A FUNDING SOURCE, I THE ADULT RECREATIONAL CANNABIS THE ADULT RECREATIONAL CANNABIS LEGISLATION.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL COME FORWARD.

WE CAN USE IT AS A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE TO GO TO GRS.

I´M WILLING TO SUPPORT ANY MEASURE AS A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I THINK I STARTED OUT I´M NOT ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, BUT I MAKE SURE THAT I WAS ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND I TOOK PART IN THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT MY COLLEAGUE SPOKE ABOUT THAT IS NOT A SAVIOR, BUT IT STABILIZED.

IT´S BASICALLY AS SIMPLE AS YOU CAN LOOK AT IT, JUST CONSOLIDATING AND UTILIZING IT, BUT THAT PIECE OF MEASURE THAT WAS PASSED SO WAS IMPORTANT THE WAS PASSED SO WAS IMPORTANT THE EVERY TIME THAT IS SAVED THAT IS EVERY TIME THAT IS SAVED THAT IS MADE WILL GO DIRECTLY TO GERS, AND NO PLACE ELSE BUT GERS.

SO I WAS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE 34th LEGISLATURE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DID EVERYTHING THAT STABILIZE WAPA.

THERE´S A LOT OF OTHER ADJUSTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE WITH FOLKS THAT 20-YEAR RETIREMENT WENT TO 25.

SOME OF THEM HAD AGES INVOLVED.

THERE´S BEEN A LOT OF ADJUSTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO SAVE GERS AND STABILIZE IT.

SAVE GERS AND STABILIZE IT.

INITIATIVES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

LET´S TALK ABOUT GROWING THE ECONOMY.

TOURISM IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY, THE MAJORITY OF THE INDUSTRY.

MANY WORK IN GOVERNMENT BUT THAT DOES LITTLE TO BRING IN NEW DOLLARS.

DOLLARS.

SECTOR.

SECTOR.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE OR PLAN TO DO AS A SENATOR TO GROW AND SUPPORT THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TO ENCOURAGE MORE LOCALS TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THE PRIVATE SUCCESSFUL IN THE PRIVATE YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR PLACING THAT ON >> THANK YOU FOR PLACING THAT ON >> THANK YOU FOR PLACING THAT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS VERY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS VERY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS VERY I HAVE BEEN CHAMPIONING, I WORK I HAVE BEEN CHAMPIONING, I WORK DILIGENTLY WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HOTEL PROJECT COMES INTO FRUITION BECAUSE IT´S A PART OF MY VISION FOR SPORTS TOURISM.

EARLIER I MADE MENTION OF THE $2.1 MILLION FOR THE CRICKET ROLE IN GETTING THAT SPONSORED AND MENTIONED THE $1.1 MILLION FOR THE CAR TRACK.

I´M SITTING ON MILLIONS OF LEGISLATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE TRACK.

I WAS ABLE TO GET $8 MILLION IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE HAVE THERE TO FINISH THE PROJECT AND TO HAVE TRUE SPORTS TOURISM, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE HOTEL THE AIRLINES ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE HERE IF WE DON´T HAVE ENOUGH PLACES TO PUT INDIVIDUALS SO I´M PUSHING FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT ON ST. CROIX AND I HAVE PLENTY MORE LEGISLATION THAT WILL PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR ST. CROIX.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I DO FEEL THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TOO TOP HEAVY.

I SAY THAT TO SAY MANY PEOPLE MAY WANT TO JUST GO AND WORK, BECOME AN EMPLOYEE AT THE GOVERNMENT.

HOWEVER, THEY´RE LACKING, I FEEL, THEIR FORESIGHT IN BECOMING ENTREPRENEURS.

WHEN WE LET OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ESPECIALLY KNOW THAT, HEY, YOU CAN CREATE A BUSINESS.

THIS IS YOUR INTEREST, THEN GO FOR IT.

WE NEED TO BE SENSITIVE TO OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, PROVIDE INCENTIVES, AND NOT PUT MEASURES IN PLACE THAT´S GOING TO CAUSE THEM TO END THEIR BUSINESS IN A MATTER OF TWO, THREE YEARS.

WE HAVE TO ENCOURAGE MORE BENEFITS TO LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS ESPECIALLY, ENCOURAGE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GO IN THAT AREA OF INTEREST.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JOHNSON.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT YOUR QUESTION HAD A POINT THAT´S YOUR QUESTION HAD A POINT THAT´S VERY IMPORTANT.

MOE OF OUR PEOPLE ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE TOURISM INVOLVED IN THE TOURISM AND IF WE LEARN ANYTHING, WE AND IF WE LEARN ANYTHING, WE MUST LEARN FROM THE PANDEMIC.

BECAUSE IF THE NEXT PANDEMIC HIT, IT SLOWS DOWN THAT TOURISM INDUSTRY THAT WE RELY ON.

WE MUST PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO AGRICULTURE, FARMING, AND FEEDING OURSELVES.

IF WE CAN CUT DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF FOOD WE CONTINUOUSLY IMPORT, WE´LL BE IN A VERY GOOD PLACE.

MY EXPERIENCE IN FARMING COMES BACK FROM WALKING TO THE PRISON WHERE FOR SEVEN MONTHS STRAIGHT WE PROVIDED CUCUMBERS, TOMATOES, AND ZUCCHINI.

1,000 POUNDS OF TOMATOES ON MONDAY, 1 THON POUNDS OF CUCUMBERS ON TUESDAY.

I KNOW THAT WE CAN SUPPLY OURSELVES WITH A LOT OF THESE SIX MONTHS PRODUCT THAT WE DON´T HAVE TO CONTINUE SHIPPING IN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I HAVE TO GO ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

THE PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN US THAT NEED TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY AND SUPPLEMENT OUR DEPENDENCE ON TOURISM.

WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE BESIDES TOURISM FOR GROWING AND DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY, AND WHAT OTHER CHALLENGES TO MAKE THEM A REALITY?

>> I THINK I JUST ENDED MY LAST ONE.

>> YOU DID.

>> I ENDED OFF THE QUESTION, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION SPEAKING ABOUT LOOKING INTO AGRICULTURE.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO REALLY TAKE IT MORE SERIOUS.

THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK IT WAS THE 33rd LEGISLATURE, INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR AGRICULTURE A PERCENT OR X AMOUNT OF PERCENT FROM THE BUDGET.

BUT WE HAVE YET TO SEE THE FRUITS OF THAT LABOR.

BUT WE HAVE TO.

WE MUST LOOK AT AGRICULTURE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO FEED OURSELVES SO WE DON´T HAVE TO RELY ON SO WE DON´T HAVE TO RELY ON FOOD COMING IN.

FOOD COMING IN.

IF WE DO THAT, IF AND WHEN THE NEXT PANDEMIC DO HIT, WE´LL BE NEXT PANDEMIC DO HIT, WE´LL BE >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MS. EDWARDS.

MS. EDWARDS.

TYING INTO AGRICULTURE, TYING INTO AGRICULTURE, DEFINITELY.

EARLIER I MENTIONED ABOUT EARLIER I MENTIONED ABOUT WE HAVE SOME INDIVIDUALS IN OUR WE HAVE SOME INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY, THEY´RE GREAT WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SNACKS, MANGO, USING A RAW FRUIT, FOR EXAMPLE, AND THE VALUE ADDED IS THAT END PRODUCT WOULD BE CHIPS.

IT COULD BE JAMS.

WE HAVE GOOSE BERRIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO USING WHAT IS NATURALLY HERE, WE COULD FIND WAYS TO BRING IN WE COULD FIND WAYS TO BRING IN SO WE COULD EXPORT, SO IT´S NOT SO WE COULD EXPORT, SO IT´S NOT JUST WAITING FOR TOURISTS TO COME HERE.

WE COULD START EXPORTING THESE PRODUCTS.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. JAMES.

>> YES, SENATOR JAVAN JAMES.

THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS THE CHIEF NEGOTIATOR.

HE HAS THE POWER TO SIT DOWN WITH HOTEL DEVELOPERS, SIT DOWN WITH BIG COMPANIES AND ATTRACT THEM AND BRING THEM TO THE THEM AND BRING THEM TO THE I´M HOPING AND PRAYING, THOUGH, I´M HOPING AND PRAYING, THOUGH, THAT WHILE WE WORK ON BRINGING THAT WHILE WE WORK ON BRINGING OUR ECONOMY, THAT WE FOCUS ON OUR ECONOMY, THAT WE FOCUS ON OUR ECONOMY, THAT WE FOCUS ON NEED TO GET OUR ROADS UP AND NEED TO GET OUR ROADS UP AND NEED TO GET OUR ROADS UP AND WE NEED TO GET OUR LIGHTS AND WE NEED TO GET OUR LIGHTS AND CHALLENGE WAPA BECAUSE THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

IF WE CAN WORK ON REDUCING THE BASE RATE FOR THE WATER AND BASE RATE FOR THE WATER AND DOING BUSINESS IN THE TERRITORY DOING BUSINESS IN THE TERRITORY WILL GO DOWN.

SO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUT WE STILL HAVE UNDERLYING ISSUES WE HAVE TO FIX IF WE WANT TO REALLY SEE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY, AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEVELOPMENT CENTER BECAUSE THEY DEVELOPMENT CENTER BECAUSE THEY HAVE PROGRAMS TO HELP COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES IN THE INITIAL PHASES OR STAGES TO GIVE THEM THE NECESSARY FUNDING AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE HAVE TIME FOR EACH CANDIDATE TO EXPAND ON ANY ONE TOPIC OF CHOICE FOR 60 SECONDS BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE CLOSING STATEMENTS.

LET´S START WITH JAVAN JAMES.

>> YES, SENATOR JAVAN JAMES, WITH EVERYTHING SAID TODAY, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS VALUING THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.

LIKE I MADE MENTION EARLIER, MY MOM IS AN EDUCATOR.

YEARS.

GROWING UP IN THAT HOUSEHOLD, I KNEW THE IMPORTANCE OF READING, READING THE DAILY NEWS, READING, AND JUST BEING SHARP.

SO I AM ENCOURAGING THE YOUNG VIRGIN ISLANDERS TO VALUE EDUCATION AND NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO COLLEGE IF YOU DON´T WANT TO CHOOSE THAT ROUTE, BUT LEARN A TRADE, A SKILL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY AS A SENATOR IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS I WILL CONTINUE TO DO MY DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE WE APPROPATE THE NECESSARY FUNDING TO CREATE THAT LEARNING AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR YOUTH BECAUSE HOW I SEE IT IS, IF YOU PLANT THE SEED, WHICH IS THE YOUTH, AND WE NURTURE IT AND MAKE SURE THAT IT GROWS SUCCESSFULLY, THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE ISSUES WE HAVE EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION.

EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE TO AGREE THAT IS ONE >> I HAVE TO AGREE THAT IS ONE OF THE TOP ONES FOR ME, EDUCATION.

AND IF COMMUNITY DON´T KNOW THEMSELVES, THEN THEY WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK ELSEWHERE IN SOLVING THE PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE THE CAPACITY BECAUSE WE LIVE HERE.

WE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE.

AND WE CAN FIX THE PROBLEMS TOGETHER.

SO GETTING US TO THE RIGHT PLACE, KNOW YOURSELF.

KNOW THE GREATNESS THAT YOU HAVE.

YOU WILL LOVE EACH OTHER, YOU WON´T WANT TO DESTROY EACH OTHER.

COMMUNITY.

SO THAT IS WHY I WOULD SAY EDUCATION IS THE TOP PRIORITY.

AND FUNDING THAT´S THERE, LET IT TRICKLE DOWN TO THE CLASSROOM.

LET IT REACH TO THE STUDENTS.

LET IT REACH TO THE PUBLIC AND KNOWING THAT, HEY, WE CAN EDUCATE OURSELVES, KNOW OURSELF SAID, OF OUR HISTORY AND OUR GREATNESS BECAUSE THAT IS KEY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JOHNSON.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

I WILL ASK THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG.

THERE ARE FOUR MAJOR PROBLEMS AT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS THAT WE HAVE HAD FROM THE TIME I´M A LITTLE BOY.

WE SPOKE ABOUT THEM TODAY.

WE TALK ABOUT CRIME, ABOUT WAPA, WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION, AND WE FACILITIES.

IF WE DON´T MAKE A DENT INTO THESE FOUR MAJOR PROBLEMS, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL BE IN A SAD PLACE.

WE MUST DO BETTER IN THOSE FOUR AREAS IN ORDER TO COMPETE IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AND TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE RIGHT HERE IN OUR BETTER LIFE RIGHT HERE IN OUR IT´S ABOUT US LOOKING OUT FOR US IT´S ABOUT US LOOKING OUT FOR US AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DO THESE FOUR PROJECT THAT ARE VERY SINCERE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SINCERE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NOW, CANDIDATES, WE HAVE 60 SECONDS.

SECONDS.

FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT STARTING FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT STARTING WITH MR. JOHNSON.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO WTJX AND IT LEAGUE OF WOMAN VOTERS FOR HAVING THIS FORUM.

IT´S BEEN A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH MY TWO CANDIDATES, COLLEAGUE AND CANDIDATE.

I MUST SAY IT´S BEEN A VERY NICE EXPERIENCE THUS FAR FOR ME IN THIS 34th LEGISLATURE.

I HAD SOME CHALLENGES BUT IT DOESN´T STOP ME FROM TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT I PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND MAKE A BETTER VIRGIN ISLANDS.

MY NAME IS FRANKLIN D. JOHNSON.

NUMBER 9 ON YOUR BALLOT.

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE.

NUMERO NUEVE.

>> THANK YOU, MS. EDWARDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME AND GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED AND MY RESPONSE TO THOSE QUESTIONS.

I AM DEFINITELY A COMMUNITY I AM DEFINITELY A COMMUNITY I WILL DEFINITELY KEEP IN TOUCH I WILL DEFINITELY KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE AND YOU THE PEOPLE, YOU HAVE THE POWER.

DON´T JUST EXPECT ME TO JUST GO IN THERE AND DO IT ALONE.

NO.

I EXPECT TO ENGAGE, YOU ENGAGE ME.

GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, HAVE GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, HAVE TOWN HALL MEETINGS.

I AM THAT PERSON.

PLEASE REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED YET, PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE IT´S TOO LATE AND VOTE FOR NUMBER 8.

YOU CAN FIND ME ON FACEBOOK OR ON YOUTUBE, SHALIMA EDWARDS.

ON YOUTUBE, SHALIMA EDWARDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR >> THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ONCE AGAIN, NUMBER 18 ON THE BALLOT, I´M HUMBLY ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND VOTE.

YOU CAN CALL MY OFFICE AT 340-712-2246 IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK @SENATORJAVANJAMES.

I WILL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU.

IF I´M NOT ABLE TO PICK UP THE PHONE, SOMEONE IN THE OFFICE WILL HELP YOU.

MY ROLE IS SIMPLE.

LEGISLATION, PROVIDING OVERSIGHT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.

I HAVE BEEN DOING JUST THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES.

THERE´S NO I IN SENATE.

IT´S ABOUT BUILDING CONSENSEs AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO SO.

BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD CONSENSUS, THAT´S THE REASON WHY I´M ABLE TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED.

I WILL CONTINUE TO DO MY DUE DILIGENCE AND SERVE THE PEOPLE.

ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU TO WTJX AND THE LEAGUE OF WIPEN VOTERS.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, AND >> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HELPS THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HELPS THIS PROGRAM WAS HELPFUL WITH YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CANDIDATES AND WILL INFORM YOUR THE LEAGUE REMINDS YOU THAT YOUR VOTE DETERMINES THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT.

DURING ELECTIONS WE OFTEN SEE DURING ELECTIONS WE OFTEN SEE THE CUT BECAUSE A FEW MORE THE CUT BECAUSE A FEW MORE PEOPLE DID VOTE.

OR ONE WHO BARELY LOSES AND WISHES IF ONLY A FEW MORE PERSONS HAD VOTED.

SO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY YOUR VOTE.

IT´S YOUR RIGHT.

IT´S YOUR RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM ANNETTE SCOTT FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SAYING VOTE EARLY OR VOTE IN NOVEMBER, BUT VOTE.