>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED .

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

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

I AM SO DONE YOUR RICHARDS, MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM .

AS I LIVE WITH AND CARE FOR AN ELDERLY RELATIVE, WHO MAY BE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, DUE TO ADVANCED AGE , I HAVE CHOSEN TO WEAR A MASK FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM .

I ASK YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MY DECISION AS I STRIVE TO PROTECT HER.

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

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

WITH CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATOR , OR AS GOVERNOR, OR AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR .

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF SENATOR IN THE ST. THOMAS , ST. JOHN DISTRICT.

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

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

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

ANSWERS WILL GENERALLY BE KEPT TO 60 SECONDS.

CHANGES IN TIMING OF A QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

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

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE.

SO, LET´S BEGIN.

TO IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE AND TO STATE THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND VALID NUMBER .

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES .

LET´S START WITH SENATOR ALMA FRANCESCA HEILIGER.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE AND NUMBER EIGHT ON THE BALLOT.

>> GOOD EVENING, I AM JOEY BROWN, ROSE, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE, NUMBER NINE ON THE BALLOT.

>> CANDIDATE HENRY?

>> GOOD DAY, I AM DON HENRY, AN INDEPENDENT IN CANDIDATE AND NUMBER FIVE ON THE BALLOT.

NOW, FOR OUR FIRST QUESTION, LET´S BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT YOUR READINESS TO BE A SENATOR.

HERE IS A TWO PART QUESTION FOR WHICH YOU WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

AS A CANDIDATE FOR A SEAT IN THE VI LEGISLATOR, WHAT ARE YOUR COMPETENCIES AS WELL AS EDUCATION OR TRAINING , THAT WILL MAKE YOU A GOOD CHOICE TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES AS A SENATOR , AND WHAT ARE YOUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT SHOW YOUR SKILLS AND READINESS TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE ?

WHAT ARE YOUR COMPETENCIES AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS RELATED TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION?

YOU WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH OUR FIRST CANDIDATE, SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER.

>> GOOD DAY.

WHAT I WILL SAY, I HAVE ALREADY BEEN AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS TERRITORY TO SERVE AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE.

I AM CURRENTLY SITTING AT A AND AS A FRESHMAN SENATOR, I WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE MY SKILLS OF NEGOTIATION, COMPROMISE, LOBBYING TO REALLY WORK WITH MY 14 COLLEAGUES IN ORDER TO PASS SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION THROUGHOUT THE 34th LEGISLATOR THUS FAR.

I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT I WILL BE THE FRESHMAN SENATOR WITH THE MOST PIECES OF LEGISLATION PASSED IN THIS LEGISLATOR.

I HAVE TO SAY, I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR SUPPORT ON MANY OF THESE BILLS.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT I HOPE THAT IF I AM REELECTED TO THE 35th LEGISLATOR, I WILL HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT I CAN WORK WITH TO MAKE SURE I CONTINUE TO GET THE PEOPLE´S WORK DONE .

AS IT RELATES TO MY CAPABILITIES, AND OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE BEEN VERY MOST OUT OF, IS I AM NOT AN OWNER OF A RADIO STATION THAT FOR ME IS THE PULSE OF THE PEOPLE AND IT GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY YEARS TO REACH OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS.

>> GOOD DAY, I AM JOEL BROWNE CONNORS .

FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, I SERVED IN THE PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY AS AN EMERGENCY TECHNICIAN WITH THE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH, SERVED AS COMMANDER FOR THE ST. THOMAS PATROL CADET PROGRAM, I CURRENTLY SERVE AS A POLICE OFFICER, I SERVE AS AN OUTREACH FOR AND THE COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT RESPONSE TEAM DIRECTOR.

I AM ALSO A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

WITHIN MY TIME SERVING IN THESE CAPACITIES, I WILL THE ISSUES AFFECTING THE TERRITORY.

IT IS MY --I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND I AM MAKING LAWS AND HELPING MEN IN THE LEGISLATION TO BETTER THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

I AM JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON THE BALLOT.

>> CANDIDATE , ATTORNEY DON HENRY .

DAWN HENRY.

AS AN ATTORNEY FOR THE DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, WHERE I HAVE WORKED FOR 10 YEARS, SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT, I BRING TO THE TABLE ANALYTICS TO GILLS SKILLS.

AND THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE, I WAS ABLE TO HOST AND WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY IN MANY , MANY PUBLIC HEARINGS.

ALSO, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AND PRIVILEGE OF BECOMING THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES UNDER GOVERNOR MAP.

DURING MY TENURE, I WAS , ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES, THERE WERE OVER 200 EMPLOYEES, AND WE MANAGED A BUDGET OF $30 MILLION.

SOME OF MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS , DURING MY TENURE INCLUDED, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE , WE WERE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS OFF OF HIGH RISK.

I WAS ABLE TO --THROUGH THE TEAMWORK , WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IN $10 MILLION FOR HISTORIC STRUCTURE , AND WE HAVE MANY, MANY MORE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS DISCUSSION HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, ALL.

THE NEXT QUESTION , LET´S 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 FROM 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, AND PLEASE KNOW THAT SELF GOVERNANCE DOES NOT NECESSARILY IMPLY INDEPENDENCE ?

WE WILL BEGIN WITH CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS.

>> SO, THE FIRST PART OF THE QUESTION WAS, WHERE DO WE SEE THE TERRITORY IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

WITHIN MY PLATFORM , I TALK ABOUT THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES.

WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, I SEE GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN THE WORK HORSE, I SEE GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN A CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, WHERE WE CAN PRODUCE OUR OWN FOOD , AND CUT BACK ON THE IMPORTATION STATESIDE .

I ALSO SEE THE BOOSTING OF WORKFORCE , BRINGING IN THE YOUTH TO SERVE AS FIRST RESPONDERS, EMT, FIREFIGHTERS, AND THAT WILL INCREASE THE FIRST RESPONSE WORKFORCE AND AVOID FROM HAVING TO BRING IN STATES TO SERVE TERRITORY FOR WHEN IT COMES TO SELF GOVERNANCE, I AM NOT AGAINST SELF-GOVERNANCE , BUT WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING THUS FAR .

I SEE IS WORKING IN A GREAT CAPACITY WHERE WE CAN ADAPT AND WORK AND REVISE THE ACT AND CONTINUE WHERE WE ARE FOR THE SITUATION FORWARD.

AGAIN, JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> CANDIDATE HENRY ?

>> YES.

SO, FOR A VERY, VERY LONG TIME, I HAVE HAD IN MY MIND THE DECISION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD , THAT THEY LOOK AT US AND SAY, LOOK AT THOSE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

LOOK AT HOW THEY DO IT.

AND THEY WANT TO DO WHAT WE DO.

THAT IS MY OVERALL VISION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE BECOME SO PROSPEROUS THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO LIVE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT WE HAVE HERE .

WHEN IT COMES TO SELF-GOVERNANCE , I THINK THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US AS A PEOPLE TO HAVE A CONSTITUTION .

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS A MARK AND IT SHOWS A SIGN OF UNITY, IT SHOWS A SIGN THAT WE HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE BASIC RIGHTS OF ALL OUR PEOPLE , AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT ON PAPER SO THAT WE HAVE A BROAD UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE ARE GOING IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU.

>> SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER?

>> THANK YOU.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, MY VISION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AS MY FELLOW DEBATERS STATED, HAVE TO DO A LOT TO DEAL WITH US PROSPERING IN PROSPERITY.

I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT WE WORK COLLECTIVELY, ESPECIALLY AS LEADERS, TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WE DO IS MOVING US FORWARD IN A POSITIVE WAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, FROM SITTING IN THIS POSITION, I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES, WE ARE VERY REACTIVE, AS OPPOSED TO PROACTIVE .

WE WAIT A LOT OF TIMES FOR THINGS TO BUILD UP AND CAUSE MORE ISSUES AND DAMAGE, AS OPPOSED TO TACKLING IT HEAD ON.

I ALSO AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN HAVING A CONSTITUTION .

CURRENTLY, IN THE LEGISLATOR, WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF BRINGING FORWARD THE SIX CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

I THINK THAT THE ELEMENTS OF THAT, FOR ME, POTENTIALLY INCLUDING THINGS OF AN ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL, VARIOUS THINGS THAT DIRECTLY WILL IMPACT PEOPLE, I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE CRAFTED INTO THAT DOCUMENT, SO WE CAN HAVE A PLATFORM AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE FOR ALL GENERATIONS TO COME IN THIS TERRITORY.

THANK YOU.

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 IN MAKING THEIR CHOICES , AND WHY ?

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU, CANDIDATE HENRY .

>> I THINK THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION AND IT IS REALLY TIMELY, BECAUSE I SEE, AS A CITIZEN, AND FROM BEING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL , HEARING FROM OTHER VOTERS , THAT THERE IS SUCH A MISTRUST IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE MORAL STANDARDS THAT THE CANDIDATES HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT.

I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEIR WORD AND BE TAKEN BY THEIR WORD.

FOR ME, WHAT GUIDES ME AND MY MORAL STANDARD IS THAT , I AM A BELIEVER , AND THAT IS THE ROAD IN WHICH DICTATES ME EVERYDAY.

I WANT TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT, I WILL DO MY BEST TO PUT FORTH AND TO WALK EVERY DAY AT A STANDARD THAT YOU WILL SEE , LIKE YOU CAN TRUST, AT A STANDARD THAT YOU WILL BE PROUD OF, AND AT A STANDARD THAT WILL BE ABLE TO HELP MOVE OUR ISLANDS FORWARD AND WE CAN BECOME A BETTER PEOPLE.

>> SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER?

THANK YOU, CANDIDATE HENRY.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR LEADERS HAVE VERY HIGH STANDARDS AS WELL AS MORAL BEHAVIOR.

IF WE ARE ASKING THE PEOPLE TO REPRESENT THEM, WE ARE ASKING THEM TO BE THE VERY BEST OF THE BEST.

WE ARE ASKING THEM, TRUST ME AND MY ABILITIES TO MAKE DECISIONS ON YOUR BEHALF.

WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, THEY WILL BE LOOKING UP TO YOU AND SAYING, HEY, IF I AM GOING TO TRUST YOU, I EXPECT TO CARRY YOURSELF A SPECIFIC WAY, I EXPECT TO BEHAVE A PARTICULAR WAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, AS A MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTION , WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH SOME SITUATIONS WITHIN THE 34th THAT DID INVOLVE SOME SITUATIONS OF MORALITY AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT DURING THIS PARTICULAR TERM , THAT THE DECISIONS WE MADE WERE A REPRESENTATION OF THE PUBLIC´S UNDERSTANDING THAT WE DO HOLD THESE THINGS IN HIGH REGARD, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN TRUST OUR ABILITY TO SHOWCASE AND BE THE VERY BEST THAT WE CAN BE IN OUR REPRESENTATION OF THEM AS THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>> CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS?

>> I HAVE A POLICE OFFICER, MORAL, ETHICAL, CONDUCT, IT IS A BIT ROOM.

HOLDING ANYBODY IN POWER OR IMPOSITION TO A STANDARD IS, OF COURSE, NEEDED.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, WE ARE STILL HUMAN, SO WE DO MAKE MISTAKES.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, IF WE DO MAKE A STEAK MISTAKE IN OFFICE, OR AS HUMAN BEINGS, WE SHALL BE HELD TO A STANDARD, AND LAWS SHOULD BE APPLIED TO US EQUALLY AS FOR WHAT IS GOOD FOR ONE IS GOOD FOR THE NEXT, DESPITE MY POSITION OR ROLE WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT.

THAT IS MY TAKE ON IT, AGAIN, JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT .

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE INTO SOME AREAS OF MAJOR COMES TURN FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

IN A RECENT POLL OF THE ELECTORATE IN 2022, VOTES IDENTIFIED 12 AREAS OF MAJOR CONCERN AS THE EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH .

LET´S LOOK AT EACH ONE SEPARATELY AND ADDRESS BUT YOUR RESPONSES WOULD BE FOR THESE MATTERS IF ELECTED TO THE 35th LEGISLATOR.

WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION, CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS, WHAT YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATION TODAY?

AND, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATOR ?

WE ARE BACK TO YOU, SENATOR.

>> I THINK , FOR ME, UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH OUR EDUCATION PROCESS, WE HAVE SOME ISSUES WHEN IT CAME TO RECENTLY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT IMPACTED US TIME WISE, AS WELL AS THIS PANDEMIC.

OUR CHILDREN HAVE HAD TO GO TO VIRTUAL.

I THINK THAT HAS, UNFORTUNATELY, PLAYED A LARGER ROLE, FOR ME, INPUTTING THAT THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN.

I THINK WE HAVE TO SERIOUSLY WE ARE GOING TO PROPEL THEM, AND REALLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR GOVERNMENT , AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HAVING THE LARGEST SUM OF THE BUDGET , WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE BULK OF THE MONEY IS ACTUALLY GETTING TO THE STUDENTS, AS OPPOSED TO BEING SPENT AT THE TOP.

WHEN YOU DO ANALYSIS AND YOU LOOK AT HOW MUCH PER CHILD IS BEING SPENT, IT IS AN AVERAGE OF $12,000 PER CHILD .

THE QUESTION STILL REMAINS, HOW MUCH OF THAT MONEY IS ACTUALLY GETTING TO THEM FOR THEIR EDUCATION?

WE ALSO HAVE TO BE REMINDED THAT, THE NEXT GENERATION IS THE GENERATION THAT IS GOING TO BE OUR LEADERS, GOING TO BE OUR DOCTORS, GOING TO BE OUR INDIVIDUALS IN THE GROCERY STORE.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF THEY ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS IN ORDER TO REALLY PROPEL AND PUSH THIS VIRGIN ISLANDS FORWARD?

WE HAVE TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB, AND EVEN MYSELF SITTING ON QUESTIONS OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, OR EVEN THE DEPARTMENT--I MEAN, BOARD OF EDUCATION OR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I INQUIRED TO UNDERSTAND IN ORDER I CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE TO HELP WITH THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN.

THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS, EDUCATION?

>> EDUCATION , I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL YEARS, DATING BACK FROM BEFORE THE STORM, WE HAD AN DECREASE IN TEACHERS .

THAT IS ONE ISSUE THE STUDENTS ARE FACING .

THE TECHNOLOGY HAS TAKEN OVER THE MODERN WORLD .

I DON´T THINK WE ARE FULLY UP TO PAR.

WE ARE STILL USING TEXTBOOKS IN SCHOOL.

DURING VIRTUAL LEARNING, EVERYBODY GOT EQUIPPED WITH LAPTOPS AND WI-FI.

IT HELPED FOR GETTING TO SCHOOL, OR BEING ON THE ZOOM CAMERA.

HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY, THE COMMUNITY IS ADVANCED , AND WE ARE ALREADY SUFFERING WITH DOING OUR LEARNING AND WE GO TO SCHOOL TO READ OUT OF BOOKS.

THE BOOKS ARE OUTDATED.

WE HAVE TO UPGRADE THE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE STUDENTS TO LEARN.

WITH THE NEED OF SOCIAL SKILLS, HOWEVER YOU LOOK AT IT, THEY GO TO SCHOOL AND ARE STUCK IN THE CLASSROOMS, THEY ARE CAUSING FIGHTS .

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH STAFF AT THE SCHOOL TO MAINTAIN THE STUDENTS AND KEEP THEM INTO THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

MY PROBLEM WAS, GOING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY, DOING THE EXACT SAME THING, EVERY SINGLE DAY, IT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

THE YOUTH NEED MORE TO SWITCH IT UP AND DO DIFFERENT THINGS TO GET THEM MORE ENGAGED AND INVOLVED IN ACTUAL LEARNING.

AGAIN, JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> CANDIDATE HENRY?

MANY OF YOU.

MY DAUGHTER, WHEN WE WOULD GET UP IN THE MORNING, IF SHE SAID SHE DID NOT FEEL WELL ABOUT GOING TO SCHOOL, I WOULD TELL HER, LISTEN, MOMMY AND DADDY ARE GOING TO WORK, AND YOUR JOB IS TO GO TO SCHOOL.

WE SET STANDARDS FOR HER AND WE MADE SURE THAT SHE LIVED UP TO THOSE STANDARDS .

OUR CHILDREN ARE VERY MUCH CAPABLE OF SURPASSING ANY FEDERAL STANDARDS THAT ARE SET BEFORE THEM .

WE JUST NEED TO SET THEM UP AND PUT THEM IN A POSITION TO SUCCEED.

IT IS SAD TO HEAR THAT 85% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE READING BELOW GRADE LEVEL.

IT IS SAD TO HEAR IT IS EVEN HIGHER WHEN IT COMES TO MATH.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

WE NEED TO START WITH A COHORT OF SECOND GRADERS, THIRD GRADERS AND WE NEED TO INVEST IN THIS COHORT AND TAKE THEM STRAIGHT TO HIGH SCHOOL , MAKING THEM HAVE EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED IN THE CLASSROOM TO SUCCEED.

AND WHEN THEY GRADUATE, WE WILL SEE THAT THEY WILL BRING BACK TO US, GIVE BACK TO US MANYFOLD IN TERMS OF THE INVESTMENT.

WE SEE IT WITH OUR CHILDREN EVERY DAY.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT EXCEL IN MATH AND READING.

WE NEED TO HAVE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL SKILLS .

WE KNOW WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ELECTRICITY , PLUMBING, ALL OF THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING MY ROLE IN EDUCATION.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE AREA OF HEALTH, WHICH HAS BEEN CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

MANY LEAVE THE TERRITORY IN SEARCH OF HEALTHCARE, ESPECIALLY ON ST. CROIX .

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS PRIMARY CHALLENGES REGARDING HEALTHCARE ?

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATOR?

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU, MR. BROWNE CONNORS.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE, I AM AN EMT, I AM SEEING PEOPLE WITHOUT MEDICARE WITHOUT INSURANCE YOU WILL NOT BE STABILIZED HERE, YOU WILL SIT HERE AND WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS.

WE CAN PROVIDE--WE CAN LOOK AT PROVIDING HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYONE , BUT THE REALITY OF IT, WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE UP-TO-DATE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE DOCTORS HERE TO DEAL SOMEONE HAS A STROKE , SAME ISSUE .

WE KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE, YET WE DON´T HAVE THE DOCTORS WITHIN THE FACILITY.

IT GOES BACK AGAIN TO THE RATE WE PAY THEM BACK.

THEY COME HERE AND SEE OUR RATES AND SAY, LISTEN, I AM NOT GOING TO WORK FOR THAT.

YOU HAVE THAT PERSON WITH THEIR OWN PRIVATE PRACTICE AND WE CAN AFFORD TO GO TO THEIR PRIVATE PRACTICE THEY ARE DOING OUTPATIENT OPERATIONS IN THEIR CENTER, AND IT IS COSTING US WAY MORE THAN IT WOULD COST IN A HOSPITAL.

THERE IS A LOT TO BE WORKED ON WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE.

THE MAIN THING IS GETTING INSURANCE FOR OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE YES I´M A GOVERNMENT INSURANCE, WE ARE ALL HAPPY .

IT IS LESS COSTLY FOR US, BUT FOR THOSE THAT DON´T HAVE INSURANCE, THEY HAVE A TIME TO GO AND SEEK SERVICE WHEN THEY NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT .

>> ATTORNEY HENRY?

>> YES.

LISTEN , HEALTHCARE IS AN ECONOMY OF ITSELF.

I HEARD TODAY THAT WE ARE SPENDING INSURANCE PREMIUMS ABOUT $121 MILLION A YEAR AND A SHARE OF THAT GOES TO PLACES LIKE FLORIDA, NEW YORK, TEXAS .

SO, WE ARE BUILDING UP OTHER STATES´ ECONOMY, HEALTHCARE ECONOMY, WHILE WE WATCH HOURS LANGUISH.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THAT IS AN ISSUE.

WE HAVE TO GO INVEST IN OUR OWN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE TO FIND INCENTIVES WHERE VIRGIN ISLANDERS , ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE INSURED , THAT THEY STAY AT HOME AND KEEP DOLLARS AT HOME.

WHERE DO WE START WITH THAT?

TO ME, IT IS CLEAR.

FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE GOT TO GET A HOSPITAL IN ACKROYD.

PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE A HOSPITAL TO GO TO.

HAVE BEEN CRYING OUT FOR EVER ABOUT THE CLINIC IN ST. JOHN.

WE CAN PAINT THE CLINIC AND TURN IT INTO A PREMIER WELLNESS CENTER.

THAT COULD BE ST. JOHN´S NICHE.

ST. THOMAS , WE HAVE THE CANCER CENTER, LET´S REALLY, REALLY MAKE THAT ROBUST AND HAVE OTHER PEOPLE COME .

MOST IMPORTANTLY , AND CANDIDATE BROWN JUST MENTIONED THAT, MY DAD , HE HAD A STROKE AND IT WAS SO HEART- WRENCHING FOR ME TO SEE SO MUCH THAT HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IN THE STATES THAT HE DID NOT RECEIVE HERE AT ROY LESTER SNYDER HOSPITAL.

I KNOW THEY DID THEIR BEST, BUT IT IS A FACT.

I AM DAWN HENRY, NUMBER FIVE ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER .

>> IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE HERE IN OUR TERRITORY THAT ABOUT ONE HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

I AM FORTUNATE WHERE, AS A GOVERNOR --GOVERNMENT WORKER, I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, BUT IT DOES NOT TAKE AWAY THE FACT THAT I REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY AND I WANT THAT FOR THEM .

WHEN WE SPEAK ABOUT THE CONCERNS OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS, HAVING TO LEAVE THE TERRITORY AND SOME OF THE STORIES THAT COME TO ME, AND FAMILY BEING TORN APART, BECAUSE ONE NEVER HAD TO RELOCATE JUST TO GET CANCER TREATMENT , WHEN THEY REALLY WANTED TO BE AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILY.

WHEN YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN BLOWN OUT TO HAVE SPECIALTY SERVICES , BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE HERE .

I THINK WE HAVE TO FOCUS A LOT MORE ON REALLY MAKING SURE THAT THE TYPES OF SERVICES AND DOCTORS ARE HERE IN THE TERRITORY, WHETHER WE HAVE TO CREATE PROGRAMS TO GET THEM HERE.

WE HAVE PROGRAMS FOR THE EDA , WHERE WE TRY TO SOLICIT TO THIS TERRITORY.

AS A LEGISLATOR, WE COULD CREATE LAWS THAT ARE REALLY GOING TO REACH OUT AND TAP INTO INDIVIDUAL TO WANT TO RELOCATE HERE TO THE TERRITORY TO GIVE THE TYPES OF SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I THINK ACROSS THE BOARD, OUR HEALTH, OUR WELLNESS IS SO IMPORTANT TO US, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT THAT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES , THAT WE HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE, INCLUSIVE OF MYSELF, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK VERY HARD TO GET INSURANCE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY .

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO WHAT HAS BEEN CITED AS ONE OF OUR FOUR AREAS OF CONCERN, CRIME .

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES , AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATOR ?

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU, ATTORNEY HENRY >> YES.

SO, I SEE CRIME AS THE RESULT , AND WE REALLY HAVE TO GET TO WHAT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS.

AS IT IS THREE PRONG, THE FIRST IS FAMILY.

I GREW UP BROWN BLUEBERRY , WE WERE A VERY CLOSE KNIT COMMUNITY.

PARENTS GOT INVOLVED .

PARENTS MAKE SURE HOMEWORK WAS DONE .

I THINK THAT WE HAVE LOST A LITTLE BIT OF THAT BECAUSE OUR FAMILY STRUCTURE IS SLOWLY DETERIORATING, BECAUSE A LOT OF HE WILL HAVE TO MOVE OFF ISLAND , AND ALL OF THESE TYPES OF THINGS WE CAN OUR FAMILY.

WE HAVE TO BE PURPOSEFUL ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENT AND HOUSEHOLDS , THE IMPORTANCE OF ENCOURAGING OUR CHILDREN , AND REALLY STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY UNIT.

NUMBER TWO, WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, EDUCATION.

EDUCATION, EDUCATION, IT IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER.

IT REALLY OPENS THE DOORS AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES.

I THINK YOU WILL FIND IT VERY HARD AND VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND SOMEBODY ON THE STREET CORNER WHO WENT TO COLLEGE, HE IS EDUCATED , AND THEY ARE ON THE STREET CORNER WITH NOTHING TO DO, AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT IDLE HANDS.

I THINK EDUCATION IS VERY, VERY CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT.

WITH THAT COMPONENT GOES OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A DIVERSE MARKET, WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL STAY AT HOME WITH THE EDUCATION THEY HAVE SOUGHT AND THEY CAN GET JOBS THAT COMMISERATE TO THEIR EDUCATION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ATTORNEY HENRY.

SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER?

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME, IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO ME.

RECENTLY, I DID AN INTERVIEW ON MY OWN BROTHER´S MURDER, AND HOW THAT HAS IMPACTED , NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT THE FAMILY AS A UNIT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I TELL PEOPLE WITH CRIME HERE IN THE TERRITORY, WE BRUSH OFF A LOT OF THINGS AND ASSUME PEOPLE ARE JUST ABLE TO MOVE ON, WITHOUT RECOGNIZING THAT IS THE INDIVIDUAL, THAT MOTHER IN THE JEWELRY STORE THAT NOW HAS TO DEAL WITH LOSS OF HER SON, AND YOU JUST WANT HER TO PROGRESS AND YOU STILL HAVE SO MANY UNSOLVED MURDERS HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

I CAN´T JUST JUMP DIRECTLY TO CRIME ITSELF.

I LOOK AT IT FROM THE SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUES THAT WE DO HAVE HERE, SUCH AS POVERTY , SUCH AS DEALING WITH EDUCATION , SUCH AS, HOW DO WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT HUMANITY AND REALIZED THAT, SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU MIGHT HAVE A DISPUTE , THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS NOT TO TAKE SOMEBODY ELSE´S LIFE.

I THINK ENCOMPASSING MANY OF THESE THINGS , WE WILL HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT HOLISTICALLY AS A PEOPLE, WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO WANT BETTER AND SPEAK OUT MORE ABOUT THE CRIMES HAPPENING HERE TO HELP REDUCE CRIME.

YOU KNOW, THINGS HAPPEN, I AM A FIRM BELIEVER , IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT, ONE OF THE THINGS I BELIEVE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE UPON , IS COMMUNITY INTERACTION.

IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING WHEN SOMEONE WALKS INTO A POLICE STATION AND THEY ARE TRYING TO GIVE A REPORT, AND THEY HAVE TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH THE INDIVIDUAL JUST SIMPLY TRYING TO GET A REPORT , ANSWER THE PHONE, AND DO MANY THINGS WITHOUT GETTING THEIR MESSAGE OUT .

YOU HAVE TO GO SPEAK TO PEOPLE, COMMUNICATE FOR A BETTER OVERALL SITUATION WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME.

THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS?

>> THANK YOU.

CRIME IS A BIG TOPIC OF MINE, A VERY TOUCHY TOPIC AS WELL.

MOST OF THE CRIME OCCURRING ARE STUDIES OF A POLICE OFFICER, OF WHICH WE HAVE SEEN A LOT COME IN .

WE CAN´T STOP CRYING, BECAUSE CRIME WILL ALWAYS BE THERE.

WE CAN´T REDUCE IT.

ACCORDING TO THEM, WE DON´T PUBLICIZE THEM ENOUGH.

WE DON´T REWARD THEM FOR THEIR GOOD BEHAVIOR .

BEFORE, WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, YOU MADE HONOR ROLL, THERE WAS A PARADE.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOU.

WE STOPPED ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES, ACKNOWLEDGING THE GOOD THAT WE DO AS YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE STATE ACKNOWLEDGING THEM, AND THEY COMMIT CRIME .

THEY ARE NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED AT HOME, IN SCHOOL, IN THE MEDIA.

I HAVE GOTTEN YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE FIRST THING THEY ASKED WHEN BEING PROCESSED IS, IS THIS THE PICTURE THAT WILL BE ON CONSORTIUM?

AND THEY DO THEIR HAIR AND SMILE IN THESE PICTURES .

TO THEM, IT IS A GAME.

OBVIOUSLY, IT IS A GAME TO THEM, BUT IF YOU PUBLICIZE THE MORE FOR THE GOOD THEY DO, THERE WILL NOT BE SO MUCH CRIME AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE .

MOVING ON FROM THERE, POVERTY IS AN ISSUE.

THERE IS A LOT MORE TO IT THAN JUST PUBLICIZING THEM.

GIVEN THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR SOMETHING MORE THAN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES WILL HAVE THEM REDUCE THE ACTIVITIES THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN, GETTING LOCKED UP FOR ALL THE TIME.

AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO GO ON, BUT MY TIME HAS BEEN CALLED.

I AM JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> NOW, ONE OF THE TOPS CONCERNS CITED BY VOTERS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAJOR CHALLENGES YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATOR?

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU , SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER.

>> AS A SENATOR IN THE 34th, WE ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES.

AS A MEMBER OF THE ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUBCOMMITTEE, WE REALLY TRY TO TACKLE IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MAYBE CHANGING AROUND THE BOARD MEMBERS TO GET INDIVIDUALS ON THE BOARD THAT WAS MORE TECHNICALLY INCLINED AND SAVVY WHEN IT CAME TO ENERGY TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT CAME OUT HAD TO DO WITH THE AUDIT FOR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL´S OFFICE ARE SOME OF THE VERY BAD DECISIONS MADE.

SOME OF THE DECISION THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE TO HELP ME INCREASE THE RATE OF ELECTRICITY HERE IN THE TERRITORY HAS EXPONENTIALLY INCREASED OUR COSTS.

I´M GOING TO SPEAK RIGHT NOW FROM A BUSINESS OWNER PERSPECTIVE.

BUSINESSES IN OUR TERRITORY, PLAIN AND SIMPLE .

I LITERALLY HAVE TO DO A FULL ENERGY AUDIT TO TRY TO EVEN CUT MY BILLS A SMALL PERCENTAGE .

WHEN IT CAME TO DEALING WITH THE WATER ISSUE , THIS IS A TOPIC THAT FRUSTRATES ME, NOT ONLY AS A BUSINESS PERSON, ALSO HAS A REPRESENTATIVE .

MY GOAL AND MY ULTIMATE CHOICES THAT I MAKE AS A REPRESENTATIVE , IS TO HELP REDUCE THE COST OF ELECTRICITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT ONCE READ REELECTED TO THE 35th LEGISLATOR, I CAN WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE SURE WE DO OTHER THINGS THAT GUARANTEE THAT THESE CALLS WILL BE REDUCED ACROSS THE BOARD, FOR ME TO INCLUDE REALLY SOLICITING AND TRYING TO GET MORE GENERATORS THAT ARE MORE COST- EFFECTIVE TO REDUCE THE COSTS.

THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS?

>> THE MAIN ISSUE IS KEEPING THE POLL ON , RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS.

POOR PLANNING .

THE POWER IS ALWAYS GOING OFF.

THEN, YOU HAVE THESE EXTREME BILLS.

THE ISSUE I AM SEEING AS A BUSINESS OWNER, LIVING IN MY OWN HOME , THE COST IS ONE, WE ARE NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE COST TO KEEP THE POWER ON, BUT THE BILLS GO UP SO HIGH BECAUSE OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND LACK OF MANPOWER.

THOSE TWO THINGS ARE AFFECTING US AT THE SAME TIME, I AM VERY CERTAIN THE BILL I AM GETTING ARE NOT ACTUAL BILLS.

SO, WE LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS.

ONE OPTION EVERYBODY IS TALKING WE´VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.

I DID MY OWN STUDIES OF THE HOUSEHOLD, IT IS EFFECTIVE, BECAUSE THE POWER STAYS ON, HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO-- THERE IS NO SUN DURING A STORM, THE POWER IS STILL OFF, YOU CAN RUN A GENERATOR, BUT THE FUEL COST IS HIGH.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST, BUT THE COMPANY MADE A COMPLAINT, IF WE ARE GOING TO PAY THIS HIGH RATE, KEEP THE POWER ON .

FAULTY EQUIPMENT , I DON´T KNOW WHAT ELSE THEY NEED, BUT IT IS SOMETHING TO LOOK INTO FURTHER TO GET THE POWER STABLE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LEFT LIFE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> CANDIDATE DAWN HENRY.

>> I WAS RECENTLY TALKING WITH MY FRIEND IN FLORIDA, THEY HAD A LITTLE WARM AND THE POWER WENT OUT, AND SHE SAID WAPA STRIKES AGAIN!

NOT WANTING TO MAKE LIGHT OF THE SITUATION, BUT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

I AM 54 YEARS OLD, AND I HAVE NEVER KNOWN WAPA TO NOT HAVE POWER GENERATION PROBLEMS.

IT HAS BEEN WAY TOO LONG .

SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?

WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE SEE IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE WORLD.

WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY OUR GRID.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT WE HAVE DONE VERY WELL IS THAT WE MANDATED THAT SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS , RESIDENTIAL´S, THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE SISTERS, THAT HAS SAVED US TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT TAKING ALONG THOSE LINES WHEN IT COMES TO DIVERSIFYING OUR GRID.

SOLAR WOULD HELP , BECAUSE ON A REGULAR DAY TO DAY BASIS, IT WILL CONTRIBUTE ELECTRICITY TOWARDS THE GREAT, THAT IS FOR FREE, THAT WOULD REDUCE THE COST.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT REALLY BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE AT INDIVIDUAL .

WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT MICRO GRID, WHEN THE PLANT GOES DOWN AT WAPA, IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE ENTIRE ST. JOHN , ST. THOMAS DISTRICT, INCLUDING ST. CROIX.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT MICRO GRID.

WE HAD TO HOLD WAPA ACCOUNTABLE, IN TERMS OF THEIR FINANCES , AND BEING ABLE TO REALLY ACCOUNT FOR THE DOLLARS AND TAXPAYERS´ MONEY.

THANK YOU.

>> LET´S TALK A LITTLE ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WHILE TOURISM IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY, THE MAJORITY OF THE ELECTORATE DO NOT WORK IN THAT INDUSTRY.

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

WHAT IS LEFT IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

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

WE WILL START WITH MR. BROWNE CONNORS.

>> THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE , HELP THE ECONOMY GROW RIGHT NOW , WE TALK ABOUT AGRICULTURE, HOWEVER, I AM AN ACTUAL FARMER.

AGRICULTURE IS THE WAY AND SOMETHING WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO TAKE SERIOUS.

WE TALK ABOUT TOURISM , AND WHAT I HAVE REALIZED IN ALL OF MY YEARS OF FARMING, LIVING IN A TERRITORY, WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ACTUALLY A CARIBBEAN ISLAND .

WE LOOK AT IT AND TREAT IT AS THE U.S.

HOWEVER, THIS IS A CARIBBEAN ISLAND.

WHEN TOURISTS COME AND THEY LOOK FOR THAT ENTERTAINMENT ASPECT, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE MYSELF, OR ANYBODY THAT WE TAKE THAT AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, BUSINESS, I TRAVEL EVERY YEAR TO --THE DIFFERENT CARIBBEAN ISLANDS AND THEY ALL HAVE AN AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.

WE LOOK AT HORSEBACK LIGHTING, AND WE HAVE NONE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, IN ST. THOMAS AS THEY COME OFF THE SHIP.

THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO OPEN A BUSINESS DOING FARMING , PRODUCE, LOCAL FARMS FOR THE INDUSTRY THAT HELPS THEM AND HELPS THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

AGAIN, JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT .

>> YOUR RESPONSE, HENRY?

>> I THINK, JUST LIKE THE OTHER SPEAKERS, WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH TOURISM .

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE NEED TO DO NUMBER LONG FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GET A BUSINESS LICENSE.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CRACK THAT NUT OR A LONG TIME .

I THINK IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE MAKE THAT SYSTEM, THAT PROCESS EASY AND ACCESSIBLE.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD COMMIT TO DOING IF I AM ELECTED TO THE 35th LEGISLATOR.

SECOND, YOUNG PEOPLE, AGAIN, WE WANT THOSE THAT ARE A WAY TO COME HOME AND THOSE THAT ARE A WAY TO STAY.

WITHIN A CERTAIN AGE GROUP, IF YOU WANT TO START A BUSINESS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE YOU A CERTAIN TYPE BREAK FOR SOME SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF TIME SO YOU CAN GET YOUR BUSINESS STARTED OFF THE GROUND.

WE HAVE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN, LET´S BRING GROCERY STORES, MAYBE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, THINGS THAT WILL MEET THE COMMUNITY NEEDS AND GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO START BUSINESSES THAT MEET OUR NEEDS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, ATTORNEY HENRY.

SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER, THE QUESTION IS THE ECONOMY.

>> I DO CONCUR WITH MY OTHER INDIVIDUALS HERE AT THIS TABLE , DIVERSIFICATION IS THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE FOR OUR TERRITORY.

TOURISM IS A VERY STRONG ASPECT OF US, BUT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REALLY TAP INTO OTHER RESOURCES, SUCH AS WE HAVE THE I AND VN , WHICH SPEAKS TO BROADBAND, AND ALL THE THINGS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RUN THROUGH OUR TERRITORY AS A WAY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.

YOU HAVE AGRICULTURE , WHERE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AS AN INDIVIDUAL MARRIED TO A FARMER , I KNOW THAT AS A PEOPLE, WE REALLY HAVE TO START PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS AND REALLY FOCUSING ON MAKING SURE THAT NOT ONLY THAT WE GROW A LOT MORE OF OUR FOODS LOCALLY, BUT ALSO START TAPPING INTO OUR ECONOMIC ABILITY TO GROW BY CREATING EXPORTS .

WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT MANY THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO YOUNGER INDIVIDUALS ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP , AND WANTING TO HAVE BUSINESSES OF THEIR OWN.

I THINK ACROSS THE BOARD, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IS GOING TO BE KEY IN MAKING SURE THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MOVE FORWARD.

AS A LEGISLATOR , I JUST WANTED TO HELP MY COLLEAGUE OUT A LITTLE BIT, I JOINED THE 33rd LEGISLATOR, THEY DID CHANGE THE LAW, SO YOU CAN LITERALLY GET YOUR LICENSE IN NO TIME.

THEY SEPARATED IT FROM GETTING YOUR IRB , SO YOU CAN GET IT IN DAYS NOW.

SO, THAT WAS A DEFINITE PLUS , I WILL SAY.

IF ELECTED, WE CAN WORK ON SOMETHING ELSE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THANK YOU , SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER .

IF WE COULD DIG A LITTLE BIT MORE INTO AGRICULTURE, SINCE YOU HAVE EACH MENTIONED IT , CANDIDATES HAVE DISCOVERED AGRICULTURE IN ORDER TO GET ELECTED, BUT ONCE IN OFFICE, VERY LITTLE IS HEARD ABOUT STRENGTHENING AGRICULTURE BUSINESS.

WHAT YOU SEE IS A CHALLENGE TO MAKING AGRICULTURE BUSINESS A REALITY IN THE VI , AND HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THEM AS A SENATOR?

THE QUESTION WOULD FALL TO YOU, ATTORNEY HENRY, AS THE FIRST PERSON.

>> I DO AGREE, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AGRICULTURE FOR A LONG TIME.

I DON´T THINK AGRICULTURE ONLY STRUGGLES HERE IN THE TERRITORY, BUT IT IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE STRUGGLING FARMERS NATIONWIDE, THEY HAVE FORMED CO-OPS.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LOOK INTO AND TALK TO THE FARMERS ABOUT, ENCOURAGING THEM.

THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS IN FORMING A CO-OP.

YOU ARE ABLE TO PULL YOUR RESOURCES TOGETHER.

YOU ARE ABLE TO GET MORE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCED EQUIPMENT AGAIN, AND YOU ARE ABLE TO GET FINANCES A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

ON ST. THOMAS, THE REAL CHALLENGE THAT I HEAR FROM FARMERS HAS TO DO WITH WATER .

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT IN TERMS OF MEETING THAT NEED AND MAYBE GETTING A PLAN THAT CAN ASSIST THE FARMERS WITH THAT ISSUE .

FINALLY, I JUST WANT TO SAY, WE NEED TO FIND A NICHE.

IF IT CAN BE GREEN, EVERYBODY GROW THESE GREENS .

GROW THEM FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS , AND THEN WE CAN GO FROM THERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, ATTORNEY HENRY.

YOUR RESPONSE, SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER?

>> AGRICULTURE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

LIKE I STATED EARLIER , I AM MARRIED TO A FARMER , SO I KNOW THIS FIRSTHAND.

AS A LEGISLATOR, I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT AND IT WAS A VERY GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHEN PROPOSED, TO UTILIZE UNFORTUNATELY, THEY REDUCED IT TO HALF A PERCENT, WHICH I PERSONALLY DON´T THINK IT IS ENOUGH.

I THINK A PART OF THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY THE NEXT GENERATION COMING UP THINKING THAT FARMING IS JUST GOING OUT TO THE DIRT WITH A HOOK AND A PICK.

I THINK WE HAVE TO GET TO THE POINT FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY INVOLVED.

THERE IS HYDROPONIC.

THERE IS MANY WAYS YOU CAN FARM .

SOMETIMES, WHEN WE HEAR THE WORD, FARMING, WE ASSUME IT IS LIMITED TO WE ARE DEALING WITH PLANTS.

IS ALSO INCLUSIVE OF FISHERY, LIVES TALK .

THERE ARE MANY, MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF FARMING THAT WE CAN TAP INTO.

FOR ME, THIS IS NOT A CONVERSATION ABOUT , IT IS ELECTION TIME, JUST SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT, THIS IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR US.

WE LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN!

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SUSTAIN OURSELVES AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT SO WE CAN BE ABLE TO SURVIVE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS AND AGRICULTURE IS THE WAY TO GO .

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU .

CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS?

>> AGRICULTURE IS A BIG TOPIC OF MINE AGAIN, BECAUSE I AM AN ACTUAL FARMER.

I´VE BEEN A FARMER OVER 60 YEARS NOW.

I DO PRODUCE AND I AM A FULL- TIME LIVESTOCK FARMER.

I PRODUCE RABBIT, CHICKEN, AND MEAT, FRESH EGGS, AND PRODUCE.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE FACE IS , WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THE FARMERS ARE NOW OUT THERE, THEY ARE GETTING UP IN AGE.

THERE ARE NOT MANY YOUNG FARMERS.

WHEN WE DO HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN FARMING, THE OPPORTUNITY IS NOT THERE FOR US TO CONTINUE FARMING.

AGRICULTURE, THEY NEED MORE PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION FOR THE YOUNG FARMERS.

WE DON´T HAVE TO GO AROUND AND AROUND IN CIRCLES, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT CAN WE GET A PIECE OF LAND, WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THE LAND?

WE HAVE TO GO COLLABORATE WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE , WITH THE SCHOOLS.

THE SCHOOLS HAVE HAPPY FARMING PROGRAMS.

THE AQUA PANIC FARM, HYDROPONIC FARMS, THAT, THERE IS NO ONE TEACHING THE YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT FARMING.

WITH THE LITTLE BITS OF US THAT ARE LEFT, WE HAVE TO HAVE TO QUIT IT THERE FOR THEM .

WE TALK ABOUT TECHNOLOGY.

THE GREAT TECHNOLOGY WORLD OF FARMING, BUT THEY AREN´T THE ONES GOING TO BE USING THAT TECHNOLOGY.

IT HAS TO BE THE YOUNG PEOPLE .

WITHOUT EDUCATION AND EXPOSURE, WE WILL LOSE THE WHOLE INDUSTRY ALTOGETHER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WE ARE AT A POINT IN THE PROGRAM WHERE I INVITE THE CANDIDATES TO ANSWER EITHER OF ANY OF THE FINAL QUESTIONS .

ONE WOULD BE JUST IN THE TOPIC OF INTEREST IN, ALONG WITH YOUR APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE TOPIC, OR IDENTIFY A MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION YOU INTEND TO INTRODUCE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS AS A SENATOR, AND INDICATE WHY .

REMEMBER, WE HAVE NOT COVERED THE AREAS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA , OR HOUSING.

YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER THOSE.

ATTORNEY HENRY ?

>> FOR ME, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT DISCUSS OUR BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT, OUR BEACHES, CLEAN AIR , CLEAN WATER .

I THINK THE MOST PART, WE HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB IN MAINTAINING OUR ENVIRONMENT TO A STANDARD ABOVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD REALLY FIND ON THE MAINLAND .

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US TO CONTINUE TO DO A PLASTIC BAG BAN .

THAT WENT A LONG WAY AND THERE WERE SOME LOOPHOLES THAT IF I AM ELECTED, I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE THOSE LOOPHOLES REGARDING THE PLASTIC BAG BAN.

COMPOSTING .

I FELT LIKE WE LOST THE OPPORTUNITY AFTER THE STORM TO START COMPOSTING ON A REALLY LARGE SCALE TO ASSIST WITH FARMING AS WELL.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE HOUSING INDUSTRY.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THAT GENTRIFICATION IS HAPPENING ON ST. JOHN AND ST. THOMAS .

WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT OUR HOUSING MARKET AND THE ECONOMIC FACTORS THAT ARE DRIVING THESE ISSUES HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH.

SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER?

FOR ME, THE MAIN TOPIC I REALLY WANTED TO TOUCH ON HAD TO DO WITH HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SITUATION DUE TO THE HURRICANE , AS WELL AS DEALING WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF AIRBNB IN OUR TERRITORIES.

THE ABILITY TO GET HOUSING HAS BEEN VASTLY REDUCED.

IT IS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION, BUT AS A LEGISLATOR, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED HAS TO DO WITH THE REZONING .

I RECOGNIZE THAT , HOW OUR LAWS ARE CURRENTLY SET UP TO DEAL WITH PARTICULAR PLOT SIZES AND ONLY X AMOUNT OF BUILDINGS CAN GO IN A PARTICULAR SLOT SIZE , ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS LOOKING INTO IS REALLY TRIED TO UP THE SIZE OF THE PLOT SO SMALL OR MEDIUM-SIZED HOUSING--HOUSES CAN BE BUILT ON THESE PIECES OF LAND.

IN DOING SO, WE WILL BE ABLE TO CREATE A MUCH LARGER HOUSING MARKET AND DO IT A LITTLE MORE COST EFFECTIVELY.

I COME FROM A VERY LARGE FAMILY , WHERE BACK IN THE DAY, WE USED TO BUILD THESE HUGE MONSTROSITY OF HOMES.

TODAY, IT IS A MUCH SMALLER, INTIMATE SITUATION.

IF WE COULD TACKLE SOME OF THE ZONING SITUATIONS, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD SMALLER, MEDIUM HOMES, WHERE WE COULD BUILD MORE , SO EVERYONE COULD GET A PIECE OF PARADISE HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS .

>> MY MAJOR TOPIC IS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.

WITH THE YOUTH , FUNDING THE YOUTH WOULD SOLVE A LOT OF OUR ISSUES WITHIN THE TERRITORY, BECAUSE THE YOUTH ARE THE FUTURE.

MY GOAL IS TO FUND , PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO YOUTH PROGRAMS.

IN THE SCHOOLS, THEY CAN LEARN ON THE WEEKENDS , THEY CAN LEARN AFTER SCHOOL.

WE WANT TO GIVE THEM ALL THE EDUCATION THEY DESIRE.

FUNDING YOUTH PROGRAMS, AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING SHOULD BE THERE.

THE FUNDING IS NEVER ENOUGH.

OF COURSE, THE RESOURCES AND MANPOWER.

WE NEED ADULT HELP .

WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE VILLAGE MENTALITY, WHERE IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO REAR THE CHILDREN .

GETTING ADULTS TO COME UP IN A SYSTEM AND REALIZE, IT IS NOT JUST ME AND MY FAMILY, BUT OUR COMMUNITY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE HOLISTIC PICTURE AND DECIDE WE WILL DO SOMETHING, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SOLVE THE CRIME PROBLEM, THE HOUSING PROBLEM, AND ANY OTHER PROBLEM THAT ARRIVES IN THE TERRITORY BECAUSE YOU ARE THERE AND TRAIN AND QUALIFIED AND WILL PROVIDE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU .

NOW, CANDIDATES, YOU WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS EACH FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT .

WE WILL START WITH YOU, SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER .

>> THANK YOU.

FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR AFFORDING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND SHARE OUR THOUGHTS.

I ALSO WISH GOOD LUCK TO THE OTHER TWO INDIVIDUALS HERE , BECAUSE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO SERVE AS A LEGISLATOR, BUT ALSO BE A REPRESENTATIVE ON BEHALF OF THE.

I, AS A CURRENT SITTING SENATOR, HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK , AND I AM SIMPLY ASKING THAT THE PEOPLE GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY AGAIN TO CONTINUE TO BE THERE EMPLOYEE AND WORK ON THEIR BEHALF, AND REALLY, REALLY DO MY VERY BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING I DO SPEAKS TO PROSPERITY, SPEAKS TO PRODUCTIVITY, AND AN OVERALL, WELL-ROUNDED VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR ALL OF US.

THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE BROWNE CONNORS?

>> I WANT TO THANK LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND WTJX FOR INVITING ME TO BE A PART OF THIS INTERVIEW.

IT WAS A GREAT TOPIC .

AGAIN, I DO WANT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

I AM A MAN OF VISION.

I WANT TO SAY AGAIN TO THE PEOPLE, I AM JOEL BROWNE CONNORS, NUMBER NINE ON YOUR BALLOT.

TO YOU, IMPORTANT TO ME.

TAKE GOD WITH YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO, AND WHEN YOU CAN´T TAKE HIM, DON´T GO.

THANK YOU.

>> CANDIDATE ATTORNEY HENRY ?

>> YES.

I TOO WANT TO THANK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND WTJX, AND ALL OF THE SENATORS THAT HAVE SERVED BEFORE, BECAUSE WE STAND ON THEIR SHOULDERS WITH THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE HERE AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I THINK THE ALMIGHTY GOD THAT I WAS BORN IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE, THIS LITTLE SPECK IN THE WORLD, AND I WILL DO MY BEST, MY BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MOVES FORWARD WITH PROSPERITY, THAT WE ARE A PEOPLE , THAT WE STAND WITH OUR SHOULDERS ERECT AND WE ARE PROUD.

I AM DAWN HENRY , NUMBER FIVE ON THE BALLOT .

THANK YOU.

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

FOR WATCHING AND UNDERSTANDING MY CHOICE FOR A MASK TODAY.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOPES THIS ROOM HAS HELPED WITH YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CANDIDATES , AND IN SO DOING, WILL INFORM YOUR BOAT IN NOVEMBER.

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

>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY UNDERWRITERS.