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

♫NET ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >>> 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 THIS PROGRAM YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTED OFFICE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION YEAR RIGHT HERE ON WTJX TV.

THE CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE AND AS DELEGATES FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

FOR THE FIRST TIME ALSO WE ARE INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND ELECTION.

AND THOUGH THE CANDIDATES FOR THESE POSITIONS WERE INVITED, NOT ALL RESPONDED OR ACCEPTED THE INVITATION.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY, HOWEVER, THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF DELEGATES FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN THE ST. CLAIR DISTRICT.

I AM FRANCINE LANG, A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND I WILL SERVE AS THE MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF THE GUIDELINES OF THE PROGRAM.

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

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

ANSWERS ARE GENERALLY 60 OR 90 SECONDS.

CHANGES IN TIMING OF THE QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCED.

ANY COMMENT DIRECTIONED SPECIFICALLY AT ANOTHER PARTICIPANT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A REBUTTAL OF 60 MINUTES -- 60 SECONDS, EXCUSE ME.

ALL ARE RESPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE SO LET´S BEGIN.

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

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES.

LET´S START WITH CANDIDATE NUMBER ONE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND BALLOT NUMBER, PLEASE.

>> GOOD DAY.

MY NAME IS RAYMOND T. JAMES, RUNNING FOR DELEGATE FOR THE DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX NUMBER 14 ON THE ELECTION BALLOT ON NOVEMBER 5th.

>> SECOND CANDIDATE?

>> GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS JOHN TANAGIDA RUNNING FOR THE DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX.

>> CANDIDATE NUMBER THREE?

>>.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> NUMBER FIVE ON THE BALLOT.

>> CANDIDATE NUMBER FOUR.

>> GREETINGS.

I AM CANDIDATE NUMBER TEN ON THE BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW FOR THE QUESTIONS.

I´LL START WITH ATTORNEY JAMES, WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A DELEGATE FOR THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> MY MOTIVATION STEMS FROM THE PACK THAT IT´S NOW AT LEAST 24 YEARS SINCE THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION THAT IS IN 1979 AND 1980, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SHOULD CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR A CONSTITUTION OF THEIR OWN, AND NOT IN 1954 AS MANDATED.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE GOVERNMENT AS A CONSTITUTION PROVIDED FOR AND BY THE PEOPLE AND ITS ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. TANAGEDA, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

MY NOMINATION DID NOT COME EASILY.

IT WAS A TOUGH DECISION WHETHER I WAS TO BE EYE DELEGATE OR NOT.

OBVIOUSLY, THE SITUATION PRIMARILY IN ST. CROIX.

I HAVE SEEN A DEGRADATION IN OUR SOCIETY AND I´VE SEEN SOME LOTS OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND OUR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND I REALLY BELIEVE THAT IF WE CAN PUT A SUBSTANTIAL CONSTITUTION TOGETHER, IT WILL SET THE DIRECTION PROBABLY FOR THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS AND IF WE´RE SUCCESSFUL AT DOING THAT, I THINK IT´S THE IMPETUS FOR THE CHANGE THAT WE REALLY NEED.

WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE LESS THAN 10,000 PEOPLE AND WE HAVE TONS OF LIVES THAT ARE AFFECTING ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

I BELIEVE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT HAS TOO MUCH POWER, IT HAS TOO MUCH TEETH AND OUR CITIZENSHIP DOESN´T HAVE THAT MUCH AND I WOULD LIKE TO PUT SOME OF THAT POWER BACK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MISS SKALIAN.

>> YES.

A CONSTITUTION CAN BE A SET OF GUIDELINES THAT WOULD BE UNIQUE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE WONDERING, ALL OF THE STATES HAVE THEIR OWN STATE CONSTITUTION AS WELL AS A FEDERAL CONSTITUTION AND WE DON´T HAVE A CONSTITUTION YET HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND IT WOULD GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND IT´S GOING TO REQUIRE A LOT OF WORK.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. ROSS, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THE VIRGIN ISLANDS EVOLVE INTO SOCIETY AND THE LEADERS OF THE CONSTITUTION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

I PARTICIPATED IN THAT PROCESS BACK THEN, AND I MADE A PLEDGE TO MYSELF AND TO MY COMMUNITY THAT IT IS A CONSTITUTION OF OUR CHOOSING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS TO DEVELOP A SOCIETY OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING FOR THEIR OWN FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU.

SO THE NEXT QUESTION WILL START WITH MR. TANEGADA.

WERE ANY OF YOU A DELEGATE IN A PREVIOUS DELEGATION.

IF SO, WHY DO YOU THINK THE PROCESS DID NOT END WITH A KONG CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED?

>> I WAS NOT A DELEGATE IN THE PREVIOUS CONGRESS WE HAD BEFORE.

THERE WERE SOME POLICIES THAT WERE ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION THAT WERE DIVISIVE.

THAT WAS THE PRIMARY REASON IT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL AND THINGS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS AND SOME OF THE POLICIES DEFLECT A WIDE MARGIN OF THE COMMUNITY AND IT´S EFFECTIVE IN A POSITIVE WAY.

SO ULTIMATELY, I THINK SOME OF THAT DIVISIVENESS IS WHAT CAUSES THE CONSTITUTIONS TO FAIL IN THE PAST.

>> THANK YOU.

MISS SCULLY, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

>> MR. ROSS, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY SERVING AS A MEMBER OF THE THIRD CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF FORMER GOVERN ORAL EXANDRINER, AND I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS A PRESIDENT OF THE FOURTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION WHICH, BY THE WAY, WAS APPROVED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHO REJECTED IT.

>> THANK YOU.

ATTORNEY JAMES, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> IT´S IMPORTANT TO KNOW I WAS NOT A MEMBER OF THE PRIOR INSTITUTIONAL CONVERSATION, BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE LAST CONVENTION, THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA AND WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MEMORANDUM INDICATED THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS WHY THE CONSTITUTION WOULD FAIL, AND THEN THE PRIMARY FACTOR IS THAT THE CONSTITUTION WOULD EMPHASIZE THE SUPREMACY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

>> THANK YOU.

NEXT QUESTION WILL START WITH SCULLY.

IF THE CONVENTION IS TO BE A SUCCESS AND HOW HAVE YOU DEMONSTRATED THOSE SKILLS IN YOUR CAREER?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> I THINK FROM THIS CONSTITUTION CONVENTION TO BE SUCCESSFUL THERE HAS A KIND DEMEANOR WHERE PEOPLE REALLY ARE LISTENING TO WHAT EACH OTHER MIGHT BE PROPOSING.

IT´S A VERY SERIOUS DOCUMENT BECAUSE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAVE MANY DIFFERENT FACTORS.

IN MY EYES I TEND TO BE A VERY GOOD LISTENER, AND I TEND TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE, AND I THINK THAT´S WHY I WOULD BE A GOOD DELEGATE.

>> MR. ROSS, YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> THE DELEGATES ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS AND ONE -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> THE CONSTITUTION OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING AND TO DEVELOP THE LAW AND TO DEVELOP OUR DOCUMENTS.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND PRESIDENTIAL OFFICES AND THE CONGRESSMEN IN THE PAST TO RAISE THE ISSUE OF VIOLATIONS OF THE LEGISLATION AND I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED THE UNITED STATES OR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SECONDLY, THE DELEGATES NEED TO UNDERSTAND WITH THE ORDER AND HIRED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

>> THEY NEED TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO SO THAT THEY CAN SEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ENTIRE BODY FOR APPROVAL.

AND THE CONSTITUTION WRITTEN THAT WOULD BE SATISFACTORY.

>> THANK YOU, MR. ROSS.

ATTORNEY JAMES?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

>> I DO BELIEVE THAT THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HAS -- >> 30 SECONDS, SORRY.

>> HAVE MANY POSITIVE THINGS, BUT AS INDICATED BY THE MEMORANDUM FROM THE CONGRESS IT SHOULD PROVIDE FOR US TO DETERMINE WHAT SHOULD GO IN THE DOCUMENT, NOT EXPLICITLY TELLING US WHAT TO DO OR WHAT TO PUT IN IT, BUT AS A GOALPOST, AND AS A DELEGATE, THE DELEGATE HAS TO BE ABLE TO JOIN TOGETHER WITH THAT IN MIND AND THAT ROAD MAP OF THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SO THAT WE CAN, IN FACT, HAVE A POSITIVE CONSTITUTION TO SEND THAT FOR THE GOVERNOR, AND TO DETERMINE AN ALTERNATELY BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR SELF-GOVERNANCE.

>> THANK YOU, ATTORNEY JAMES.

MR. TANEGADA, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I HAVE A CORE UNDERSTANDING OF ALL OF THE DISTRICTS WITHIN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE´S DEFINITELY SOME CORE DIFFERENCES, AND I THINK A DELEGATE HAS TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF, YOU KNOW, THAT WE STILL ARE, YOU KNOW A COLONY OF AMERICA, AND I DON´T THINK OUR LIVES SHOULD CONTRADICT THAT.

WHEN I READ OVER THE PAST CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS, I SAW CORE THINGS THAT WERE MISSING THERE THAT TO GIVE IT BACK TO THE CITIZEN, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, IT DOESN´T HAVE TOO MUCH TEETH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF HANDS WITHIN THE CITIZENSHIP AND THE CITIZENS HAVE VERY LITTLE TO SAY.

SO A DELEGATE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT FIRST YOU REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THEN TRY TO KEEP THE WHOLESOME GOVERNMENT.

THERE HAS TO BE SOME BALANCE BETWEEN CITIZENSHIP AND GOVERNMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

SO THE NEXT QUESTION WILL START WITH MR. ROSS.

WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES YOU SEE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IN OUR CONSTITUTION AND WHICH OF THOSE ISSUES ARE YOU PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN WORKING IN AND WHY?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THE ISSUES THAT I SEE GOING FORWARD IS THAT THE CON VEPGS CONVENTIONS NEED TO CREATE THE DOCUMENT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS SO THAT THEY CAN BE PASSED TO THE PEOPLE AND THEY MUST ALSO BENEED TO CREATE THE DOCUMENT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS SO THAT THEY CAN BE PASSED TO THE PEOPLE AND THEY MUST ALSO BE DOCUMENTED.

NO MATTER IF THEY PLAN TO STAY, AND THE CONSTITUTION PROTECTS THEM EQUALLY IN THE TERRITORY.

THE PROBLEMS WE´VE HAD IN THE PAST WITH SOME OF THE DOCUMENTS -- >> THANK YOU.

ATTORNEY JAMES, DO YOU NEED ME TO RELAY THE QUESTION?

>> OKAY.

ANOTHER COMMISSION AND WE DID VERY WELL BY UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER.

IF ELECTED, I WOULD LOOK AT PRIMARILY THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I WOULD ADHERE TO IT AS IT IS WRITTEN.

AS IT RELATES -- THE BILL OF RIGHTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE ED MA THE ISSUE THAT AFFECT THOSE PEOPLE AND GIVE THE LOCAL COURTS ALL OF THE NECESSARY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ADDRESS THE GROWING PROBLEM IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> NO.

I´LL SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD.

OUR GOVERNMENT REQUIRES TOO MUCH POWER.

I WOULD ESTABLISH A VERY CORE BILL OF RIGHTS AND DICTATE WHICH RIGHTS THE CITIZENS HAVE AND GIVE BACK THE RIGHTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

AND HAVE A BUDGET.

WE NEED TO HAVE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE HAVE MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT COME TO THIS TERRITORY, AND I THINK THERE´S A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT THE MONEY IS GOING TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE GOING AND WE´LL HAVE TO COVER THAT.

ENERGY, I THINK WE FOCUS ON ENERGY AS ONE LUMP SUM WITHIN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC FROM THE ST. CROIX DISTRICT.

WE -- I THINK WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH SOME RIGHTS WITH REGARD TO ENERGY AND PROPERTY TAXES AND I WANT TO GIVE BACK SOME OF THE POWER TO THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE LAND AWAY FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> MISS SKALIAN, DO YOU NEED 60 SECONDSES?

>> NO.

THIS CONSTITUTION AND THE ABILITY FOR THE PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I THINK WE SHOULD DEMAND TO BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE EVERY AMERICAN ON SOME LEVEL, AND I THINK WE SHOULD DEMAND TO BE ABLE FOR THE DELEGATES IN CONGRESS TO HAVE A VOTE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY STRONG ABOUT THAT AND BE VERY CLEAR AND THE HOMELESSNESS AND RIGHT NOW MONEY IS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT THAT MONEY HAS TO BE DIRECTED INTO HOW IT´S A 24/7 STAFF SUPERVISION.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

SO WE´LL START THE OTHER QUESTIONS AND THEY´LL BE HANDLED DIFFERENTLY.

SO THE FIRST PERSON THAT WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION AND THEN THE OTHER PEOPLE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO EITHER ADD TO OR REBUT THAT, AND EACH OF YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO ACTUALLY ANSWER A QUESTION.

WE´LL START WITH ATTORNEY JAMES.

>> THE ISSUE WAS OFF THE TABLE AND THIS CONVENTION, WHY OR WHY NOT?

HOW SHOULD IT BE DEALT WITH?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THE ISSUE IS VERY CLEAR TO ME.

IT CANNOT BE PLACED IN A CONSTITUTION THAT SUPPLEMENTS THE SUPREMACY OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE 14th AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.

IF IT ADHERES TO THE MEMORANDUM AND PREVIOUS ONES, THIS CONSTITUTION WOULD ALSO FAIL.

I WILL NOT BE A PART OF ANY POSITION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SO MR. TANEGADA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THAT OR REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO IT.

I DON´T THINK IT´S OFF THE TABLE.

IT WILL ULTIMATELY BE ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS RIGHT HERE, BUT AS A CANDIDATE, I WILL NOT ALOU IT TO CAUSE OUR CONSTITUTION TO FAIL.

I DON´T SEE THEM AS RIGHTS, BUT I THINK AS VIRGIN ISLANDERS, WE NEED TO IDENTIFY WITH SOMETHING.

EVERY CARIBBEAN ISLAND IDENTIFIES AS SOMETHING.

IN REGARDS TO NEEDS OR RIGHTS.

THEY ARE NOT CITIZENS.

THEY ARE NATIONALS.

THEY HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS AS AMERICAN NATIONALS.

OTHER STATES SAY IT HAS TO BE ON THE TABLE.

I THINK THAT NATIVE, THEY HAVE TO BE IDENTIFIED.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> MISS SKALIAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THAT OR REBUT?

>> I THINK THE LAST PROBLEM WITH THE CONVENTION IS WHEN IT COMES INTO PLAY THAT SOMETIMES THE AMERICANS FEEL LEFT OUT.

THIS IS IMPORTANT AND JUST FORGET ABOUT THE AMERICAN POPULATION.

THE PEOPLE HERE THAT REALLY CARE AND ARE TRYING TO DO THEIR BEST, AND I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN EQUAL PLAYING FIELD FOR EVERYONE.

IN TERMS OF BEING STRONGER FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION, I DON´T THINK THEY SHOULD BE HOMELESS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

YOU LIKE TO ADD OR REBUT TO THAT RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THE CONVENTION DOCUMENT IS A VIOLATION OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

THE DOCUMENT WAS ACTED UPON FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE CONGRESS.

IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE TERRITORY SO THAT THE DOCUMENT COULD BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

>> FROM WHERE I SIT, THEY HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENT OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING, FOR ALL OF THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO THIS NEXT QUESTION WILL GO TO MR. TANEGADA.

DO YOU THINK THE LACK OF AGREEMENT ON POLITICAL STATUS WILL SERIOUSLY IMPACT THE CREATION OF THE CONSTITUTION?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

I DON´T THINK IT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT PUERTO RICO.

PUERTO RICO, THEY TRIED TO HAVE IT IN 2017.

THEY VOTED FOR STATEHOOD OVERWHELMINGLY AND THAT WAS WITH THE CONGRESS AND IT WILL PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I DON´T THINK STATUS IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK ESTABLISHING OUR LIVES AND SHOWING THAT WE´RE RESPONSIBLE THAT WILL LAST OUT THERE.

EVEN THOUGH IT´S A LIVING DOCUMENT AND IT´S IMPORTANT TO ADD TO THAT.

>> WOULD YOU LUKE TO ADD OR REBUT TO THAT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> WITH RESPECT TO STATUS YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGALITIES.

AND IF THE PEOPLE CHOOSE TO BE AN INDEPENDENT NATION OR BE A STATE OR A TERRITORY AND THERE ARE SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS TO THAT AND ALSO THE MONEY COMES AFTER A HURRICANE, THE MONEY COMES IN AFTER A PANDEMIC -- A PANDEMIC FROM THE UNITED STATES.

AND WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT THAT OFF.

MR. ROSS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THAT OR REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> ONLY AS A MEMBER OF THE STATUS CONDITIONS.

THIS IS FOR DECADES AND WHETHER IT´S THE ISSUE OF STATUS VERSUS THAT OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE ARE TO GO RIGHT NOW SO THAT THE PEOPLE CAN DEFINE A SOCIETY OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING.

>> THANK YOU.

ATTORNEY GENERAL JAMES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO OR REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> YES.

I WOULD ADD TO IT WITH SOME CAUTION.

THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION DID ADD AN ELEMENT OF STATUS IN IT.

WHEN THE MEMORANDUM FROM CONGRESS CAME BACK IT DID NOT NECESSARILY STATE THAT WE CANNOT HAVE THE ISSUE AND THE ABILITY OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF GOVERNMENT AND IT DID NOT SAY COMPLETELY NO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION WE´LL START WITH MISS SKALIAN.

GIVEN THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE TERRITORY HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THAT OUR VOICES CAN BE HEARD IN DEVELOPING OUR CONSTITUTION?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

?

.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, FRANCINE.

WITH THE CONSTITUTION, AFTER IT IS WRITTEN IT GOES TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE CONGRESS AND THEN THE PEOPLE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GET TO VOTE ON IT, BUT WITH RESPECT TO THE ACT OF 1954 THE PEOPLE DO NOT GET TO VOTE ON THAT THROUGH THE SENATE.

SO IT WILL BE FOR THE CONSTITUTION WHERE THE NOT NECESSARILY THE ACT.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I´VE SEEN THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IS AHEAD OF IT BECAUSE OF CREATING THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION WAS WRITTEN AS TO HOW THEY WOULD RESPOND TO THE NEW DOCUMENT.

AS I SAID BEFORE, THE FOURTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION THAN THE FIRST OR THE SECOND TO MAKE CHANGES TO OUR SOCIETY OVER THE YEARS.

AND IT WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU.

ATTORNEY JAMES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THAT RESPONSE OR REBUT IT?

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> YES.

THANK YOU.

>> THIS QUESTION IN TERMS OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CITIZENSHIP NOW IS 24 YEARS LATER, AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CITIZENS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAVE CHANGED TREMENDOUSLY.

IF EITHER DELEGATE IS ELECTED WE´VE GOT TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN TERMS OF HOW WE WRITE THE CONSTITUTION TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF THE CITIZEN, ALL OF THE CITIZENS REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY´RE FROM ISSUE PART OF THE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION THAT WILL GO TO THE VOTERS FOR THEIR AFFIRMATION.

>> MR. TANEGADA WOULD YOU ADD OR REBUT TO THAT?

>> I WILL ADD TO THAT.

I IDENTIFY AS A BLACK INDIAN, BUT I ALSO HAVE HISPANIC AND EUROPEAN DNA WITHIN ME.

MY FAMILY IS VERY INCLUSIVE AND EVEN BEYOND THAT.

I´VE WORKED IN MANY DIFFERENT FIELDSES IN.

AS SECTOR, AND THE CANDIDATE TELLING US WE YOU AND WHY DEMOGRAPHIC OF PEOPLE FROM LIKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I AM A VIRGIN ISLANDER.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS MR. MR. ROSS AND EVERYONE CAN REBUT.

CURRENTLY FOR IT TO PASS IT MUST RECEIVE 50% PLUS ONE OF ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS AND THIS IS THE HIGHEST BAR FOR THE INITIATIVE TO PASS IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

SHOULD THIS BE CHANGED?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> IF THE CONSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN ADOPTED THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THAT.

THE DOCUMENT AND THE STANDARD THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BASICALLY FROM THE CONGRESS AT ALL REQUESTS BECAUSE BACK THEN THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS REFERENDUM AND RECALL AND THEY SET HIGH STANDARDS.

IF WE HAD A CONSTITUTION AND WE FELT THAT THE 50% OF ONE FOR THE INITIATIVES THAT ARE TOO HIGH AND THEN THE CONSTITUTION WAS SPECIAL AND RIGHT NOW WE CAN´T DO IT WITHOUT GOING BACK TO CONGRESS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ATTORNEY JAMES?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO OR REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> I WILL ADD TO IT.

>> THIS IS WHY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A SIXTH CONSTITUTION CONVENTION DRAFTED, AND BY THE PEOPLE.

THIS WILL HELP US TO IDENTIFY THAT VERY CAME QUESTION THAT YOU HAVE ABOUT 50 PLUS ONE.

WE WOULD HAVE MADE THAT DECISION, BUT NOT WITHOUT OUR OWN GOVERNING CONDITION STUGZ.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. TANEGADA WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THAT OR REBUT THE RESPONSE?

>> THE 50 PLUS ONE IS AN UNACHIEVABLE GOAL UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

IT´S A PIECE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS REMOVED FROM THE CITIZEN, AND I MENTIONED ON OCCASSIONS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF MY INITIATIVES HERE.

WE HAVE TO PUT THE POWER BACK WITH THE PEOPLE.

IF THE PEOPLE ARE DISSATISFIEDED WITH THE GOVERNMENT THERE ARE INITIATIVES AND WE WILL RECALL THE INDIVIDUAL.

IT IS TOO DIFFICULT TO RECALL INDIVIDUALS SO YES, WE HAVE TO HAVE IT REMOVED.

>> MISS SKALIAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD RER REBUT?

>> I AGREE.

>> LET´S TAKE ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE HAVE BEEN PROPOSALS FOR NINE, 11 AND 15 MEMBERS.

DO YOU THINK THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE PROPORTIONED TO THE POPULATION SIZE EVERY 10 YEARS USING CENSUS DATA?

AND BACKGROUND, WE HAD 15 SENATORS FOR THE POPULATION OVER 100,000 YEARS AGO.

WE STILL HAVE 15 FOR THE POPULATION OF ABOUT 85,000 AND ASSUMING WE ARE DECREASING POPULATION AS MORE PEOPLE LEAD THE WAY.

SHOULD THIS BE A DISCUSSION OR NOT?

EXPLAIN.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> YES.

IT SHOULD BE A DISCUSSION.

A MAN, THE DELEGATES AND THE CONSTITUTION.

IT IS ONE, I BELIEVE, FOR DISTRICTING.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD LOOK AT POPULATIONS AND AND THE ISSUES, BUT I WILL SAY THAT YES, THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST PARAMOUNT ISSUES I BELIEVE FACING US FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE.

WE SIMPLY CANNOT, I BELIEVE, BE EYEBALL TO GET GOOD GOVERNANCE WITH 50 SENATORS.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT IT DOES NOT PRODUCE THE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MR. TANEGADA YOU CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> I DON´T KNOW IF INCREASING OIL IS THE RIGHT THING.

I THINK INDIVIDUALS NEED REPRESENTATION.

OUR RAPTIVES NEED TO REPRESENT OUR DEMOGRAPHICS AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO LOOKED AT MORE FORMAL WHETHER IT´S REDISTRICTING OR NUMBERED SEATS OR GOING AS FAR AS HAVING MAYORS IN ADDITION TO ADDRESSING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE ON A WHOLESOME APPROACH.

I THINK THE TERM LIMITS SHOULD ALSO BE A PART OF THIS PACKAGE.

I BELIEVE THAT EVEN SALARY, OR EVEN A PART-TIME SENATOR.

THEY´RE A SEPARATE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT AND THEY CAN ESTABLISH WHAT TYPE OF SALARIES THEY HAVE, AND I THINK IN OUR CONSTITUTION THEY HAVE TO PUT SOME CONCRETE LAWS IN PLACE THAT THESE CAN´T BE CHANGED WILLY-NILLY.

IT HAS TO BE A WHOLESOME APPROACH, AND NOT JUST REDUCING THE SENATE OR INCREASING THE SENATE.

>> MISS SKALIAN, YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> I AGREE WITH JOHN 100% ON THIS ISSUE.

I FEEL THAT IT IS A REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION WITH THE COP VENG BECAUSE THEY´RE IMPORTANT DECISIONS.

>> MR. ROSS, YOU ALSO GET TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, AND YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> WELL, I AGREE THAT THE QUESTION AS TO THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD OCCUR BASICALLY BASED ON THE POPULATION OF THE TERRITORY AND THE ONE MAN, ONE COURT RULE TO ADHERE TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, AND ALL CONSTITUTIONS AND THE PROVISIONS ON THE ISSUES EVERY TEN YEARS OR EVERY 15 YEARS.

WE HAVE RECORDS AND CAN MAKE THOSE ADJUSTMENTS.

AS A DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IF I´M SUCCESSFUL, I WOULD CAUTION MEMBERS NOT TO STIR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION PROCESS.

THOSE ARE APPROVED ACTIVITIES AND LEFT UP TO THE COURT.

>> THANK YOU.

NEXT QUESTION, WE´LL START WITH MR. TANEGADA.

LET´S LOOK AT ST. JOHN.

THERE HAS BEEN AN AT-LARGE SENATOR FROM ST. JOHN, SOME CITIZENS STILL FEEL UNREPRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT IDEA CAN YOU BRING BACK.

>> NUMBER ONE, GET RID OF THE LARGE SENATE AND LET THEM HAVE THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVES.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE -- I´M NOT TRYING TO LEGISLATE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE -- AND LIKE YOU SAID HAVING ALMOST SEPARATE GOVERNMENTS AND ALL OF THESE THINGS NEED TO BE PUT ON THE TABLE DURING THIS TIME SO YOU TONIGHT HAVE REGRETS MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.

WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW DOESN´T APPEAR TO BE WORKING FOR US, RIGHT?

ABC IS PART-TIME AND WE´RE NOT MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CITIZEN AND WE HAVE TO TAKE AN APPROACH OF THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO WORK AND PUT SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING POLICIES AND POLICE TO REALLY CORRECT THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

MISS SKALIAN, YOU CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION ALSO.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I THINK THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN FEEL CHEATED OR LEFT OUT.

WHY THAT IS I DO NOT KNOW, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE ON ST. JOHN THAT THEY DON´T FEEL THEY´RE GETTING THEIR FAIR SHARE.

MIB MAYBE MAYBE WE TALK ABOUT FIXING THE SIDEWALKS AND ENTRANCE FOR COMFORT WHEN THE TOURISTS COME TO THE ISLAND AND HAVE A PLACE TO SIT DOWN AND RELAX.COMFORT WHEN THE TOURISTS COME TO THE ISLAND AND HAVE A PLACE TO SIT DOWN AND RELAX.

THERE NEVER SEEMS TO BE MUCH ATTENTION OR MONEY GOING TO ST. JOHN.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> THANK YOU.

>> MR. ROSS, YOU CAN ANSWER THAT ALSO, YOU HAVE 60 SECOND.

>> THE POPULATION OF THE TERRITORY AND THERE IS A CHALLENGE AS TO HOW TO MAINTAIN ST. JOHN UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PROVISION OF ONE-ON-ONE VOTE.

THE FORMULA WHERE THE SENATE IS AT LARGE -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] IT GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WILL END UP WITH EIGHT SENATORS.

WHEN THEY ARE AT LARGE SENATOR FROM ST. JOHN WITH ST. CROIX, THE POLITICS AND TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU.

ATTORNEY JAILS, YOU ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, AND YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> UNDER CURRENT LAW REPRESENTATION FOR ST. JOHN IS ONE MAN, ONE VOTE AS A CONSTITUTIONAL STATE.

IT IS A DIFFICULT TASK AS IT RELATES HOW YOU WILL DETERMINE THE DISTRICT OF ST. JOHN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MANNER IN WHICH THE ONE MAN, ONE VOTE WAS CREATED.

WITH HIS POPULATION IS ONE OF THE DRAWBACKS TO THE ONE MAN, ONE VOTE AND THEIR REPRESENTATION.

SO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HAS TO DO WITH IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO THE NEXT QUESTION WILL START WITH MISS SKALIAN AND THIS IS ONE YOU WILL ANSWER AND THE OTHERS HAVE A CHANCE TO REBUT.

CURRENTLY ALL OF THE REGULATIONS ARE NONBINDING IN CONTRAST TO THE MAJORITY OF STATES.

SHOULD THIS BE CHANGED BY OUR CONSTITUTION?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> TO BE HONEST, I HAVE TO STUDY THAT BEFORE COMMENTING ON.

I HAVE TO GIVE IT A THOUGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. ROSS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THAT OR REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

>> NO.

THE RESPONSE IS IF IT WAS BY THE PEOPLE VOTED ON AND ESTABLISHED THE INITIATIVE REFERENDUM.

THE REFERENDUM CAN BE ACTED UPON BY THE PEOPLE AND ULTIMATELY INVOLVING THE LEGISLATURE WITH OTHER STATES AND UNDER THE FLAG.

WE CAN ACQUIRE IT OURSELVES.

UPON.

>> THANK YOU.

ATTORNEY JAMES WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO OR RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 50 SUCCESS IT IS.

>> THE QUESTION IS WHEN OF POWER TO THE PEOPLE BECAUSE NONBINDING IS BASICALLY A POLITICAL STATEMENT.

AND THAT POLITICAL STATEMENT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE LOCAL LEGISLATURE, BUT IF WE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION FOR OUR OWN THEN THEY CAN DECIDE THAT THE INITIATIVE DOESN´T HAVE TO BE NON-BINDING OR BINDING UPON THE CITIZENS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THAT WOULD GIVE A SENSE OF GOVERNANCE BY THOSE INITIATIVES BACK TO THE PEOPLE.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. TANEGADA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO OR REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THERE´S NOT MUCH TO ADD TO THAT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RESOLUTIONS, IT´S REALLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND I DON´T THINK IT´S THE BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUE THAT IT COMES ON WITH VIRGIN ISLANDERS AND HAVING SAID THAT, OBVIOUSLY, IF WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN PASSING THIS CONSTITUTION, IT GIVES PART OF THE MORE BINDING BODY OR POLICY.

THAT ULTIMATELY, TO ME IT´S NOT ONE OF THE BREAD AND BUTTERS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE NEXT ONE WILL BE AN ANSWER OR REBUTTAL IN ADDITION TO THE OTHERS AND WE´LL START WITH MR. ROSS.

>> THERE ARE SOME WHO WERE BUILT FOR EXTRA ADVICE -- WHAT KINDS OF ADVICE WOULD YOU NEED FOR THE CONVENTION TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> OH, LOOKING AT THE QUALITY OF THE DELEGATE AND THE -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] FROM PEOPLE INVOLVED IN POLITICS FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS AND WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

WE JUST NEED TO SIT DOWN AND GET IT DONE.

>> THANK YOU.

ATTORNEY JAMES WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO OR REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 50 SUCCESSES.

>> NOT MUCH FOR ME OTHER THAN TO SAY THE DELEGATES, AND I BELIEVE HAVE ENOUGH WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING TO PRESS NOT A DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE PASSED.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION WITH THE UNITED STATES STATING THE ISSUES THAT WE SEE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED AND I DON´T THINK THAT SPENDING THEIR MONEY WILL CHANGE THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. TANEGADA WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THAT AND THE RESPONSE?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF EXPERTISE IN DIFFERENT FIELDS THERE, BUT WE NEED EXPERTISE IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, JUST TO GUIDE US ALONG THE WAY SO WE´RE NOT MAKING MISTAKES IN REGARDS TO TRYING TO LEGISLATE THIS CONSTITUTION, BUT I BELIEVE AS A CANDIDATE, I PLAN TO REALLY PUSH THE LIMITS, TO PROTECT THE DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX.

SO I THINK THE CONSTITUTION WOULD HAVE THE EXPERTISE THERE TO KEEP US ON TRACK.

>> THANK YOU AND MISS SKALIAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO OR REBUT THAT RESPONSE?

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> DO I FEEL THAT THEY MAY NEED TO CALL IN ONE OR TWO ATTORNEYS WHO SPECIALIZE IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW OR TO LOOK AT THINGS OBJECTIVELY AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEM.

>> FOR OUR FINAL QUESTION, I INVITE YOU TO ADDRESS ANY OTHER TOPIC OF CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN ALONG WITH YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THE TOPIC AND WE WILL START WITH ATTORNEY JAMES.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.

ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES, I BELIEVE, THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND THAT IS OF CONCERN TO ME IS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS UNINCORPORATED STATUS.

YOU HAVE TO STRATEGICALLY GET THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO AN UNINCORPORATED STATUS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND SO I BELIEVE THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SHOULD ADDRESS IT AND WE´VE GONE A LONG WAY WHERE WE HAVE CASES THAT BASICALLY WENT TO THE HEART OF THE UNINCORPORATED STATUS OF THE VIRGIN ISLEANTS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.

>> MR. TANEGADA, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> IT´S IRONIC THAT WE MENTIONED THE CASES.

I THINK WE BROUGHT UP OBAMA ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS HERE.

IT´S IRONIC THAT OUR FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT DIDN´T ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDERS AND WE ARE ADDRESSED AS SAVAGES WITHIN SOME OF THE INTERIOR DOCUMENTS.

IT´S TIME FOR A CHANGE, AND I THINK IT´S GOING TO START WITH THIS CONVENTION.

I HOPE WE ARE ALL SUCCESSFUL IN WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM TO NOT ONLY HAVE A BILL OF RIGHTS, BUT ALSO TAKE THIS DOCUMENT TO OUR CONGRESS, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR TO START RECOGNIZING US AS THE CITIZENS THAT WE ARE, NOT THE SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS THAT WE ARE, BUT THE POTENTIAL TO BE FULL CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> MISS SKALIAN, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I LIKE THE IDEA OF AN ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY TO REALLY THINK FOR YOURSELF UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND THE DEPTHS OF PROBLEMS AND TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS AS JUST AS POSSIBLE, AND SO THAT IS ONE ISSUE THAT I WOULD BE BRINGING UP AS YOUR DELEGATE.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. ROSS, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> MY GOAL IS TO, AT THE END OF THIS PROCESS HAVE THE PEOPLE AND VOTERS ADOPT A CONSTITUTION, AND I AM HESITANT TO CREATE A SITUATION TO DATE THAT WOULD CAUSE OUR PEOPLE TO BE DIVIDED BECAUSE THAT´S THE END RESULT OF THE LAST THREE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS, THE THIRD, THE FOURTH AND THE FIFTH.

>> TO IDENTIFY THOSE PROCEDURES THAT ARE IN PLACE, THAT WE PUT THEM IN THE DOCUMENT FOR THE ABILITY TO AMEND THE DOCUMENT AND IF WE´LL ADOPT THE DOCUMENT FOR THE DEBATE OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL AWAY FROM CONGRESS.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS EACH FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT STARTING WITH ATTORNEY JAMES.

>> I WOULD ALLOW LOU THEM TO COME BEFORE YOU TO ADDRESS WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS IT RELATES TO DRAFTING A CONSTITUTION.

MY ROLE AS YOUR DELEGATE WOULD BE TO LISTEN DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME UP UNTIL NOVEMBER 5th.

ONCE NOVEMBER 5th COMES, AND I AM SUCCESSFUL, I WILL THEN BE PART OF A GROUP OF DELEGATES THAT WOULD BE HONORED TO REPRESENT YOU, THE VOTERS AND PRESENT THE ISSUE THAT CONFRONT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TODAY.

THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN MANY WAYS IS A TEMPLATE, AND I BELIEVE THAT ONCE WE VIEW THE TEMPLATE WE VIEW WHAT THE CONGRESS HAS SAID, WE VIEW WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID WYE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. TANEGADA YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> FRANCINE, THANK YOU AND TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGIN ISLANDS TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

I ASK YOU TO VOTE 15 ON NOVEMBER 5th, BUT IT´S AN HONOR, FIRST OF ALL, TO EVEN BE CONSIDERED AS A CANDIDATE.

WE PASSED THROUGH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, BUT TO COME BEFORE THE PEOPLE, I DON´T THINK IT´S GOING TO BE A PERFECT DOCUMENT, BUT I WANT THE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE HERE ALMOST LIKE SACRIFICIAL LAMBS TO PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE, THAT WE REALLY NEED TO REALLY MOVE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I THINK AS CANDIDATES WE HAVE TO BE GOOD LISTENERS, IF SOMETHING IS MINUTE, I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE IT OFF TABLE AND WE HAVE TO WORK RESPECTIVELY AS INDIVIDUALS.

I THINK IT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ELECTIONS WHERE IT´S DIVISIVE OR TIMES WHETHER YOU´RE RUNNING FOR SENATE.

THIS IS A TEAM, FORT WHERE YOU WANT EVERYONE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND IT WAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> OKAY.

I AM NUMBER FIVE ON THE BALLOT AND I WANT TO THANK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN´S VOTERS FOR THIS VERY WELL ORGANIZED EVENT TODAY.

I ALSO WANTED TO SHARE SO THAT EVERYBODY IS AWARE, IF YOU WANT TO REGISTER TO VOTE YOU CAN DO SO THROUGH OCTOBER 6th, I BELIEVE, IS CORRECT.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS NOW.

IT IS NOW OR NEVER FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO I FEEL THAT YOU WILL SEE THIS NOVEMBER, YOU WILL SEE -- YOU WILL SEE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATES AND THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND OF EDUCATION.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT, AND WE -- I THINK THAT WE´VE GOT TO LEARN TO REALLY WORK TOGETHER AND TO GET IT DONE.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. ROSS, 90 SECONDS FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, FRANCINE.

I´D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISCUSSION, AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND ALLOWING THE LOCAL TELEVISION STATION FOR AGAIN, PROVIDING THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THIS ACTIVITY TO OCCUR.

MY FOCUS GOING FORWARD IS TO CONVINCE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT OVER THE PAST DECADES WE HAVE WRITTEN A CONSTITUTION EVEN IF WE DIDN´T HAVE ONE THAT WE, OURSELVES CAN LEARN.

WE ALLOW CONGRESS TO ELECT THE GOVERNOR FOR NINE VOTING MEMBERS TO CONGRESS, TO HAVE SUPREME COURTS, TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE ACTIVITIES AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> I WANTED TO PUT THESE TOGETHER AND ALL OF THESE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH, AND THEY ALL HAVE THE POWER TO AMEND IT.

>> THANK YOU CANDIDATES AND VIEWERS, AND THANK YOU, WTJX TV AND STAFF FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOPES THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED YOU, THE VOTER IN UNDERSTANDING THE CANDIDATES AND IN SO DOING, INFORMED YOUR VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

LET ME REMIND YOU THAT YOUR VOTE DETERMINES THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT.

DURING ELECTIONS WE OFTEN SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BARELY MAKES THE CUT BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE DID VOTE OR ONE OF THEM BARELY LOSES AND WISHES IF ONLY A FEW MORE PERSONS HAD VOTED.

SO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD HEARD BY YOUR VOTE.

IT´S YOUR LIFE.

TAKE IT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIFRNL INISLANDS.

VOTE EARLY AND VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

JUST VOTE.

♫NET ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM IS NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

CLOSED CAPTIONING OF THIS PROGRAM WAS UNDERWRITEN BY THE OFFICE UPON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF UVI.