♫♫ ♫♫ >>> CLOSED CAPTION OF THIS PROGRAM IS UNDERWRITTEN BY AARP OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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

♫♫ >>> GOOD DAY, AND WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.

MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM, AI 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 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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

WITH CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE OR AS DELICATE FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, FOR THE FIRST TIME ALSO, WE ARE INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND ELECTION.

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE IN THE ST. CROIX DISTRICT.

ANNETTE SCOTT, A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, AND I WILL SERVE AS THE MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE CANDIDATE VERSUS 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 ARE GENERALLY 60 OR 90 SECONDS.

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

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE.

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

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES.

LET´S START WITH ERIC.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

>> GOOD DAY.

MY NAME IS ERIC MATTHEW II.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, AND I AM NUMBER 19 ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> CLIFFORD?

>> GOOD DAY.

MY NAME IS CLIFFORD A. JOSEPH.

I´M A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

MY NUMBER IS 18 ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> OKAY.

LET´S BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT YOUR READINESS TO BECOME OR TO REMAIN A SENATOR.

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

AS A CANDIDATE FOR A SEAT IN 36th LEGISLATURE, WHAT ARE YOUR COMPETENCIES, EDUCATION, OR TRAINING THAT WILL MAKE YOU A GOOD CHOICE TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES AS A SENATOR?

AND THEN IDENTIFY YOUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE THOSE SKILLS AND YOUR READINESS FOR THIS POSITION.

ERIC?

>> WELL, LOOK, MY EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND IS I HAVE A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH A MINOR OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY.

MY MINOR IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT I THINK GIVES ME AN ADVANTAGE WHEN DEALING IN MICRO PERSON-TO-PERSON INTERACTIONS.

THAT´S SOMETHING THAT I USE ON A DAILY BASIS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE´RE TALKING TO ANYBODY I COME INTO CONTACT WITH, IT´S TO BE ABLE TO -- THE CLASSIC, MAKE EYE CONTACT, BE ABLE TO SPEAK ENTAIL JI BLI ABOUT ANY SUBJECT, TO BE WELL VERSED IN A DIFFERENT MANNER OF SUBJECTS.

IN A WAY THAT I´VE USED THAT MOST RECENTLY IN MY JOB AS THE BRAND MANAGER OF LEATHER BACK FOR THE WEST INDIES COMPANY IS THE BEDSIDE MANNER THAT NEEDED WHEN DEALING WITH A FAST-PACED, LARGE-VOLUME RESTAURANT IS USUALLY WHERE I SEE IT.

WHEN YOU´RE WALKING INTO SOMEONE´S BUSINESS AND TO BE ABLE TO TROUBLESHOOT AN ISSUE TO KEEP THIS BUSINESS RUNNING SUCCESSFULLY WHILE NOT HINDERING THEIR DAILY OPERATIONS, BEING ABLE TO WALK IN, FIX THE PROBLEM, WALK OUT WITH MINIMAL OVERSIGHT.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

CLIFFORD, SAME QUESTION?

I´LL REPEAT IT.

AS A CANDIDATE FOR A SEAT IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE, WHAT ARE YOUR COMPETENCIES, EDUCATION, OR TRAINING THAT WILL MAKE YOU A GOOD CHOICE TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES AS A SENATOR?

AND IDENTIFY YOUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE THOSE SKILLS AND YOUR READINESS FOR THIS POSITION.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> MY SKILL LEVEL STARTS FROM SERVING INDIVIDUALS.

I WORKED AS A FIREFIGHTER, GOT PROMOTED FROM FIREFIGHTER TO SERGEANT TO LIEUTENANT TO CAPTAIN.

ALONG THE LINE, I ALSO WAS A UNION PRESIDENT.

SO, ALWAYS SERVING AND FINDING WAYS TO IMPROVE OF WHAT LIFE COULD OFFER AS FAR AS BEING A UNION LEADER.

BEING A DIRECTOR OF THE FIRE SERVICE, I WAS ABLE TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE A BUDGET FOR THE GOVERNMENT, ABLE TO DIVERSIFY MY WORKFORCE.

AS A UNION LEADER, WE HAVE NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS.

AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK FOR LOCAL WORK FOR OUTSIDE ESTABLISHMENTS, WORK AND BEING ABLE TO BALANCE OPERATING WHILE I SERVE AND UNDERSTANDING THE FOCUS OF BEING ABLE TO COMPLETE JOBS, SHOWING UP ON TIME AND ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES AND TEAM MEMBERS BECAUSE IT IS A TEAM ORGANIZATION.

SO, I´M A GOOD TEAM PLAYER AS WELL.

>> ON ANOTHER TOPIC, ERIC, WE, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, ARE SHOCKED AND DISMAYED TO HEAR FAR TOO MANY CITIZENS SAY THEY´RE NOT VOTING THIS YEAR BECAUSE THEY SEE LITTLE HAPPENING TO ALLEVIATE THEIR SUFFERING WITH HIGH FOOD PRICES, INSECURE ENERGY RESOURCES, LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND CRIME YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR OF VOTING.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL THESE CITIZENS ABOUT THE REASONS FOR VOTING IN NOVEMBER?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, MS. MODERATOR.

I THINK IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE, NOT ONLY OUR CIVIC DUTY, OUR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT THERE AND VOTE.

I WAS A LITTLE APATHETIC MY FIRST FEW YEARS ON ST. CROIX, AND I WASN´T VOTING.

I WAS A YOUNG KID, YOUNGER GENTLEMAN.

I STARTED FINDING ALL THESE THINGS I TOOK ISSUE WITH.

AND AS I GOT A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE POLITICAL NATURE OF THE ST. CROIX.

AND SO I OF COURSE FORMED OPINIONS.

AND WE HAD OUR SUBCONVERSATIONS AND TACTICS AND IDEAS.

AND THEN I STARTED, LIKE, REALLY LOOKING BACK AT MYSELF, LIKE, IF YOU´RE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION, THEN YOU´RE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

AND I DIDN´T THINK THAT I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER IF MY VOICE WASN´T HEARD IN THE FORM OF VOTING.

SO, I DIDN´T PUT THOSE PEOPLE IN.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I COULDN´T CRITICIZE THEM.

SO, I THINK TO BE ABLE TO PUT YOUR HAT IN THE RING, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE REALLY AN OPINION ON ANYTHING AND TO VOICE IT LOUDLY, THAT YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT THERE AND VOTE.

AND THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE FACT THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN SO LONG, IT´S TIME TO MODERNIZE.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IS SOMETHING YOU´LL SEE ON ALL THESE POLITICAL POSTERS.

IT´S SOMETHING I REALLY BELIEVE I HAVE IN THE FIBER OF MY BEING AND SOMETHING I WANT TO SHARE WITH THE OFFICE.

>> CLIFFORD?

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> YES, I WILL REPEAT IT.

WE, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, ARE SHOCKED TO HEAR FAR TOO MANY CITIZENS SAY THEY´RE NOT VOTING THIS YEAR BECAUSE THEY SEE LITTLE HAPPENING TO ALLEVIATE THEIR SUFFERING WITH HIGH FOOD PRICES, INSECURE ENERGY RESOURCES, LACK OF AFFORDABILITY IN HOUSING AND CRIME YEAR AFTER YEAR OF VOTING.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL THESE CITIZENS ABOUT REASONS FOR VOTING IN NOVEMBER?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> YES.

IT´S IMPORTANT AND IT´S YOUR CIVIC DUTY TO GO OUT AND VOTE.

AND I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION BECAUSE WE ALL LIVE HERE.

AND WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT´S REAL -- AND THAT´S WHY I´M ONE OF YOUR CANDIDATES TODAY -- IF YOU ARE FRUSTRATED AND YOU´RE STAYING HOME, THE NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT STAY HOME IS GREATER TODAY THAN THE NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT´S GOING TO VOTE.

AND WHAT THAT´S DOING TO US IS ALLOWING THE SAME FOLKS TO NOT EVEN BE CHALLENGED.

SO, I THINK AFTER A WHILE, THESE INDIVIDUALS ALSO START TO BELIEVE THAT THEY´RE DOING A GREAT JOB BECAUSE THEY ARE RUNNING FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, MAYBE FOURTH EVERY -- FOR THE LAST SIX, MAYBE EIGHT TERMS.

SO, IF THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, THE FRUSTRATION THAT´S UPON YOU, YOU´VE GOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO SOME CHANGE.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR FOOD PRICES, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WE ARE WHAT WE EAT.

97% OF WHAT WE -- OUR INTAKE IS COMING FROM OUTSIDE.

I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE IN A DIRECTION WHERE WE CAN SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS, EAT HEALTHIER, MOVE FORWARD.

>> THERE ARE FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS TO THE PUBLIC, AS INDICATED BY SURVEY, EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH, AND WAPA.

WE LIVE IN A TIME -- WE´RE GOING TO ASK YOU TO RESPOND TO THAT.

SO, WITH RESPECT TO WAPA AS ONE OF THE FOUR TOP CONCERNS CITED BY VOTERS, CLIFFORD, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR WAPA?

AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

>> AT THIS POINT, YES, THERE IS A NEW CEO FOR WAPA.

I THINK THE KEY FACTOR WITH FINDING OUT THE NEW CEO IS EVERYTHING HAS TO BE ON A TIME FRAME.

WE NEED TIME.

YOU NEED TO TELL US, WHAT´S YOUR PLAN, AND YOU NEED TO BE AGGRESSIVE WITH YOUR PLAN.

THE PLAN HAS TO BE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE WE V. THE FIRST ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IS THE AMOUNT OF OUTAGE WE´RE GETTING.

WE NEED STABLE POWER TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL HOME.

SO, THE QUESTION TO THE NEW CEO AND THE BOARD WOULD BE, EVERYTHING IS DRIVEN AROUND A TIME PERIOD.

IT´S VERY IMPORTANT TO GIVE US YOUR PLANS AND YOUR EXECUTION BECAUSE EVERYBODY COULD COME WITH A PLAN.

BUT WE REALLY NEED TO KNOW HOW IT´S GOING TO BE EXECUTED TO BENEFIT THE CITIZENS OF THIS TERRITORY.

>> BACK TO YOU, ERIC.

>> THAT´S A GREAT QUESTION.

THANK YOU, MS. MODERATOR.

WHEN IT COMES TO REGARDS TO WAPA, I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ON MY WEBSITE.

IT´S ERICGFORSENATE.COM.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT IT, GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT OF TRAFFIC.

WHEN IT COMES TO MY FIRST MODE OF ACTION, LET´S DO A COST ANALYSIS.

WHAT MAKES MORE SENSE?

CAN WE KEEP ON TAKING THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS AND OUR OWN MONEY, OUR VIRGIN ISLANDS MONEY, AND MANDATING THE PROBLEM?

WE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

THE PROBLEM IS THE LACK OF RELYING ON -- RELYING ON THESE DIESEL AND PROPANE GENERATORS THAT ARE OUTDATED.

THAT´S NOT THE WAY THE GENERAL STRUCTURE GOES.

IT´S NOT HOW OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN US MAKE IT WORK.

SO, WE DO A COST ANALYSIS.

WHAT MAKES MORE SENSE?

SHOULD WE GO OUT THERE, SHOULD WE PATCH THE LINES?

IF THAT´S THE ANSWER, I´M OKAY WITH IT.

WHATEVER IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN GENERAL, THAT IS WHAT I WILL ADVOCATE FOR.

IF THAT DOESN´T MAKE ANY SENSE AND THE COST ANALYSIS SAYS, NO, WE SHOULD GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, RENEWABLE ENERGY, WE WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO MENTION OR CONSIDER THAT.

I DID A RECENT ANALYSIS.

ST. CROIX´S ENERGY USAGE IS 150 MEGAWATTS A DAY, I BELIEVE.

AND TO GENERATE THAT, YOU´VE GOT 1 MEGAWATT AT SIX TO EIGHT ACRE OF SOLAR FIELDS.

THAT TAKES 1,200 ACRES OF SOLAR PRODUCTION.

WELL, HERE ON ST. CROIX, WE HAVE 54,000 ACRES.

THAT´S A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE.

AND WHEN YOU START ADDING IN ALL THE -- >> YOU CAN FINISH YOUR STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU START ADDING IN ALL THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED BUILDINGS, IF YOU WERE TO PUT THEM ON THE ROOFS AND BE ABLE TO COVER THE PARKING LOTS OWNED BY GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND EVEN SOME OF THE SPACE THEY OWN IN BELVEDERE, I THINK WE COULD SUBSIDIZE WHAT WE HAVE GOING FOR WAPA.

>> THANK YOU, ERIC.

AND MY NAME IS ANNETTE SCOTT, THE MODERATOR.

YOU CAN JUST CALL ME ANNETTE.

I KNOW IT´S A LOT.

ALL RIGHT THEN.

BACK TO CLIFFORD.

WITH RESPECT TO CRIME CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP CONCERNS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES TO OUR COMMUNITIES?

AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> CRIME PLAYS A ROLE IN EDUCATION AS WELL.

WE´VE GOT TO GET SOME PARENTS´ GOVERNMENT.

FOR INSTANCE, WE DON´T -- WE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH GUN VIOLENCE HERE ON THE ISLAND.

WE DON´T -- WE DON´T MANUFACTURE ANY GUNS HERE.

SO, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR SHORES ARE CLEARER.

WE´VE GOT TO GO BACK INTO THE -- WHOEVER, THE UPS, POSTAL SERVICE.

THESE CHECKS NEED TO BE MADE.

GOING BACK TO THE BASIC, WE MUST, AGAIN, START WITH EDUCATION, TRY AND GET OUR FOLKS BACK OUT.

IDLE HANDS IS THE DEVIL´S WORKSHOP AND THE DEVIL´S WORKSHOP IS SURELY BUSY IN THE TERRITORY.

SO, WE´VE GOT TO GET AWAY FROM -- BECAUSE WE GOT SOME MIGHT BE A DRUG PROBLEM, SOME MIGHT BE A GAMBLING PROBLEM.

BUT WE SURELY HAVE A GUN PROBLEM HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

AND IT´S SCARY.

IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND ADDRESSED FROM US.

WE START IN THE SCHOOL.

WE GET THE PARENTS´ INVOLVEMENT, AND WE GET THE NEIGHBORHOOD BACK TOGETHER AS A WATCH.

SO, YOU SEE SOMETHING, YOU´LL BE ABLE TO SAY SOMETHING.

AND WHATEVER YOU SAY NEEDS TO BE KEPT PRIVATE AND YOU´RE NOT POINTED AT FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING IN THIS TERRITORY.

>> ERIC, WITH RESPECT TO CRIME CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP CONCERNS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES TO OUR COMMUNITIES?

AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

>> THANK YOU.

I BELIEVE WHAT MR. JOSEPH SAID IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

YOU KNOW, WITH CRIME AND LOW SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, YOU KNOW, GENERALLY DRIVES CRIME WAVES.

I HAVE A MINOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU SEE A LOT OF CRIME WAVES SPIKE IN SUMMERTIME IN METROPOLITAN AREAS IN THE CITY.

WELL, WHY IS THAT?

IT´S BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE MORE TIME ON THEIR HANDS.

HERE ON ST. CROIX SPECIFICALLY, I THINK THE GUN VIOLENCE IS 100% DRIVEN BY, YOU KNOW, BAD ACTORS, PEOPLE WITH MALINTENT.

WHAT THAT ALL COMES BACK DOWN TO IS THE EDUCATION LEVEL AND THE AVAILABILITY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO THESE PEOPLE.

I KNOW WE´VE ALL DRIVEN BY, YOU KNOW, THE TREE IN XYZ NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU SEE A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING THERE.

AND IT´S LIKE, OKAY, WHAT DO THESE GUYS HAVE GOING ON?

AND OF COURSE EVERYONE THINKS -- EVERYONE MAKES AN ASSUMPTION.

WELL, DO WE HAVE THE PROGRAMS IN PLACE, DO WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES IN PLACE, FOR THESE PEOPLE, THESE HUMAN RESOURCES, THESE ACTUAL BODIES THAT CAN PRODUCE AND MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF IT, ARE WE GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY?

OR WE´RE SENDING OUR YOUTH AWAY TO COLLEGE OR EDUCATING THEM UP IN THE STATES AND WE DON´T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO COME BACK?

THAT AND OBVIOUSLY THE HANDGUNS.

WE DON´T HAVE MUCH OF A PISTOL -- A RIFLE PROBLEM.

IT´S HANDGUNS.

AND THEY´RE COMING IN TO OUR SHORES BECAUSE WE DON´T HAVE A MANUFACTURING FACILITY HERE.

SOMETHING WE NEED TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF IS THE AVAILABILITY OF 3-D PRINTED GUNS, WHERE YOU ONLY NEED A FEW KEY COMPONENTS, WHERE YOU´RE ABLE TO MANUFACTURE THE GUN.

THAT´S SOMETHING THAT´S REALLY WORRISOME TO ME.

I DON´T KNOW THAT WE´VE SEEN IT ON ST. CROIX, BUT IT´S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

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

DISCLOSURE OF ASSAULTS AGAINST SCHOOLBOYS BY TEACHER IS CHOCKING AND THE COMMUNITY REMAINS RIGHTFULLY OUTRAGED.

HOW CAN YOU, AS A SENATOR, PROTECT OUR BOYS AND GIRLS, ESPECIALLY WITH ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE PART OF ADULTS?

>> THAT IS A -- THAT IS A REALLY HOT BUTTON TOPIC, OBVIOUSLY WITH EVERYTHING THAT´S GOING ON, LOOKING AT THE REPORTING GOING ON, THE B.I.

CONSORTIUM AND WHAT HAPPENED, REALLY UPSETTING STUFF.

I THINK IT´S A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM, HONESTLY.

WE´RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT LATER AS WE GET MORE IN DEPTH.

BUT IT´S CLEARLY THESE PEOPLE SUFFER FROM AN ILLNESS WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL ASSAULT.

THERE´S SOMETHING THAT´S NOT NORMAL.

IT IS A STATISTICAL OUTLIER, BUT IT´S NOT OKAY.

SO, HOW DO YOU LEGISLATE THE FAMILY?

HOW DO YOU LEGISLATE THAT PART OF EDUCATION?

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS SOME PEOPLE THAT AREN´T MADE TO BE INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY.

THOSE PEOPLE SHOULDN´T BE IN POSITIONS OF POWER.

THOSE PEOPLE SHOULDN´T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, THE ACCESS TO CHILDREN, THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS MALINTENT.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT THE KIDS?

THERE´S, YOU KNOW, CAMERAS.

THERE´S THE YOUTH PROTECTION PROGRAM THAT MANY ORGANIZATIONS USE.

FOR EVERY -- AN ADULT CAN´T BE WITH ONE YOUTH ALONE.

IT´S A YOUTH PROTECTION PROGRAM THAT THE BOY SCOUTS HAVE ACTUALLY SINCE IMPLEMENTED SINCE THEY´VE HAD ALL OF THEIR LEGAL ISSUES WITH THE SEXUAL ASSAULTS THAT HAPPENED IN THAT ORGANIZATION.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT´S BEEN DONE BY THE PEOPLE.

I THINK WE REPLICATE THAT AND THEN WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> CLIFFORD?

SHOULD BE PROTECTED.

I THINK WHAT´S MISSING AND WHAT´S GOT TO BE CLEAR, LIVING IN A SMALL COMMUNITY LIKE WE DO, A LOT OF TIMES WHEN THE FIRST COMPLAINT COME IN, WHEN WE ARE INVESTIGATING THESE CASES, IF WE NEED TO GO BACK FROM THE ORIGINAL PERSON THAT THE CHILD REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE WAS ACTUALLY INVOLVED AND KNOW WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON.

BECAUSE IT EXTENDS TO SOME OF WHAT JUST WENT BY IN THE PAST, YOU CAN SEE THAT IS A LINE AND A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

AND IF WE LIKE THIS PARTICULAR PERSON A LITTLE MORE, WE DON´T WANT TO BELIEVE WHAT THE CHILD IS SAYING.

BUT WHEN YOU GET CHILD ONE, CHILD TWO, CHILD THREE, CHILD NUMBER FOUR, AND WE GET TO FIND OUT THAT THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE HAS NOT MADE AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE INDIVIDUAL, WHEN CHARGES NEED TO BE GIVEN OUT, THOSE INDIVIDUALS ALSO NEED TO BE CHARGED ALONG WITH THE INDIVIDUAL THAT COMMITTED THESE FRAUDULENT CRIMES.

BECAUSE CHILDREN ARE INNOCENT.

YOU´RE BREAKING A CHILD´S INNOCENCE, YOU´RE GOING TO CONFUSE A NEW PERSON FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

SO, IF WE HAVE THIS INDIVIDUAL WHO IS DOING THIS HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE BECAUSE MAYBE HE WAS ASSAULTED OR SHE WAS ASSAULTED, WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE´RE DOING OUR INVESTIGATION EVERYBODY WHO KNEW ABOUT IT NEEDS TO BE CHARGED AS WELL.

I THINK IT WILL HELP EAT UP IN THE COMMUNITY WHAT WE HAVE AT HOME.

>> AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, TO ANYBODY, BOYS OR GIRL, IS USUALLY ABOUT POWER AND CONTROL ALSO.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT ALSO.

I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT IN.

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 36th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> NOT ENOUGH TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO EDUCATION, I THINK, IS REALLY GOING BACK TO WHERE DOES IT ALL START?

IT STARTS AT HOME.

YOU KNOW, THESE KIDS GO TO SCHOOL FOR SIX HOURS A DAY.

WHERE DO THEY SPEND THE REST OF THEIR TIME?

IT´S 18 HOURS.

THEY´RE SPENDING THAT WITH THEIR FAMILY, HOPEFULLY.

YOU CAN´T LEGISLATE THE FAMILY, BUT WE CAN SUPPORT THEM THROUGH DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, GIVE THE KIDS A COMMUNITY CENTER.

I SPENT A LOT OF MY TIME GROWING UP IN A COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND IT HELPED ME BECOME A WELL BALANCED, WELL ROUNDED KID.

YOU GET TO INTERACT WITH ALL THESE NORMAL PEOPLE YOU MIGHT NOT NORMALLY SEE.

THEY GO TO A DIFFERENT DISTRICT, GO TO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL.

I HAD A LITTLE BIT LARGER POPULATION GOING TO THE SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES THAN ON ST. CROIX.

BUT I DON´T THINK IT´S TOO TERRIBLY DIFFERENT WHEN YOU CAN INTEGRATE PEOPLE FROM EAST, WEST, MID ISLAND, THEY GET TO SEE THEIR FRIENDS.

I THINK BEING ABLE TO PUT THEM TOGETHER AND TO GIVE THE FAMILY THAT LITTLE BIT OF SUPPORT.

THERE´S A PLACE THE KIDS CAN GO AFTER SCHOOL SO THEY´RE NOT JUST LATCHKEY KIDS, OUT GALLIVANTING, DOING WHATEVER THEY LIKE.

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DOING THAT?

THROUGH GOVERNMENTAL AND FEDERAL FUNDS.

WE BUILD THIS PLACE FOR THEM IN THE CLASSIC FIELD OF DREAMS.

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.

THIS IS A CENTER THAT I FEEL LIKE WITH ENOUGH OF THE RESOURCES, LIKE WHAT THEY DID WITH THE PARK IN -- IT´S BEAUTIFUL.

YOU SEE PEOPLE USING IT ALL THE TIME.

IF WE BUILT A COMMUNITY CENTER NOT ONLY FOR THE YOUTH BUT FOR THE AGED AND FOR EVERYBODY, FOR EVERYBODY OF ST. CROIX, YOU KNOW YOU WOULD SEE THAT PICKUP BASKETBALL GAME GOING ON DOWN THERE, YOU WOULD SEE PEOPLE IN THE PARKING LOT.

IT WOULD BE A COMMUNITY CENTER, AND THAT´S HOW IT WOULD ACT.

>> CLIFFORD, WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION CITED BY THE VOTERS AS ONE OF FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS, WHAT DO YOU SEE THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATION TODAY, AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> WE HAVE A FEW ISSUES.

FIRST OF ALL, THE ACTUAL FACILITIES, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE MAINTENANCE GROUP, CHRISTMAS IS COMING UP AND IT´S ONLY TWO WEEKS, WE SHOULD HAVE THEM ALREADY IN SCHOOL KNOWING WHAT THEY COULD ADDRESS, WHATEVER THE SITUATION IS.

THERE´S SITUATION WITHOUT HAVING TO PAINT.

DURING CHRISTMAS, YOU GO IN AND YOU TAKE CARE OF A NUMBER OF ISSUES.

IN THE ISLANDS, AS FAR AS EDUCATION AS WELL, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE START A WAY TO ADDRESS TEACHERS, TO ENCOURAGE TO HAVE MORE TEACHERS, INCENTIVES.

IF YOU CAN DO RAISES, WE HAVE TO HAVE INCENTIVE WITH HOMEOWNERSHIP.

THE MORE -- THE PIVOTAL PART OF EDUCATION IS HAVING YOUNG CHILDREN TO START TO LEARN.

AND I THINK WE´RE AT A PLACE IN OUR COMMUNITY HERE, MAYBE ON THE MAINLAND AS WELL, WHERE TEACHERS ARE GOING INTO DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS.

BUT I THINK HERE IN THE ISLANDS, THE REASON WHY HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TEACHERS ARE DOING THIS IS BECAUSE THE SALARIES ARE NOT MOVING AND THERE´S ONLY -- ESPECIALLY IN GOVERNMENT HERE, IT IS THE ONLY ENTITY THAT DOESN´T EVEN MAKE OVERTIME.

SO, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO INCENTIVIZE THE TEACHERS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM PERFORM AND GET FACILITIES IN PLACE THE WAY THEY NEED TO BE SO CHILDREN HAVE A PLACE TO LEARN.

>> THANK YOU.

CLIFFORD, WITH RESPECT TO HELP 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, AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW WE´RE IN A SITUATION WHERE THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT IS NOT LOOKING AT SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS.

BECAUSE WHEN A FAMILY LEAVES HERE BECAUSE YOU´RE SICK AND YOU GET SHIPPED OUT, IT´S IMPERATIVE ENOUGH AS LEADERS TO TRY AND GET A PARTNERSHIP WITH A COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY -- I MEAN A UNIVERSITY/HOSPITAL TO HAVE SOME INFLUX OF EMPLOYEES COMING THROUGH.

I´M NOT A PERSONAL COMPONENT OF EVEN KNOCKING DOWN -- NO DEMOLITION.

I´M IN SUPPORT OF TAKING THE MONEYS WE´VE GOT RIGHT NOW AND GO AHEAD AND BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL.

AND LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE ALREADY SPEND WITHIN UVI AND GETTING READY FOR OUR FUTURE, START TO EMBRACE THE FUTURE BY HAVING THAT NEW HOSPITAL, GO BACK AND REFURBISH THE PRESENT HOSPITAL.

THEN ST. CROIX SHOULD BE LOOKING AT BEING THE CAPITAL OF THE CARIBBEAN FOR MEDICAL VISITS.

SO, ECONOMY WILL START TO GROW, GROWING STRONGLY ON MEDICAL.

THE SAME WAY WE´RE TAKING ALL OF OUR MONEYS AND BUILDING THE ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY FOR EVERYBODY GOES TO CLEVELAND CLINIC, IT WILL BE IN REVERSE.

ONCE WE PLAN OUR FUTURE RIGHT, THAT´S WHAT WE´LL BE SEEING FOR ST. CROIX.

>> THANK YOU.

ERIC, 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 PRIMARY CHALLENGES REGARDING HEALTH CARE?

AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU, ANNETTE.

PRIMARY HURDLES IS THE STATE OF THE HOSPITAL, THE LACK OF A MORGUE, SHIPPING PEOPLE TO AND FRO, ST. THOMAS AS WELL AS THE STATES.

THAT´S SOMETHING THAT´S UNSUSTAINABLE.

WE HAVE TO MODERNIZE.

THERE´S BEEN ISSUES WITH -- FOR A LONG TIME.

LIKE I SAID IN REGARDS TO WAPA, DO A COST ANALYSIS.

IF WE CAN´T BAND AID IT, IF WE CAN´T FIX IT AND MAKE IT BETTER OR DO PARTIAL DEMOLITION, WE NEED TO THROW THE WHOLE SYSTEM AWAY AND START FROM SCRATCH.

THERE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS AVAILABLE TO DO THIS, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO OBVIOUSLY USE A LITTLE BIT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GENERAL FUND TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

AND THE BUDGETING IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS, IT´S CERTAINLY A CONCERN.

I´M A FINANCE PERSON.

I LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE NUMBERS COMING FROM.

IT´S A CLASSIC QUESTION I LIKE GOVERN EVERY LITTLE BIT OF MY LIFE.

IS THE JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE?

I THINK WHEN WE´RE TALKING ABOUT HEALTH CARE, WE KNOW THE JUICE IS WORTH THE SQUEEZE.

WHATEVER MONEYS WE PUT INTO IT, WE WILL RECEIVE THAT BACK OUT OF IT BY THE HEALTH OF OUR GENERAL POPULATION.

WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

I BELIEVE IT´S -- I THINK IT´S 3% HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

AND THAT´S A CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO THE WORKFORCE, WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS NOW BY GETTING SPECIALISTS AND HAVING AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

COME AND DO YOUR RESIDENCY HERE.

WE WILL SUBSIDIZE YOU WITH BETTER PAY AND/OR HOUSING.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THESE PROGRAMS AND MAKE THEM WORK FOR US.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS WE HAVE DISCUSSED, IT WAS FOUND BY THE AARP THAT MANY FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING FROM BEING CAREGIVERS FOR AGING AND AGED FAMILY MEMBERS, RESULTING IN THE ALARMING DRAINING OF THEIR OWN RESOURCES.

MANY SAY THEY WILL SUPPORT THOSE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE SOLUTIONS TO ASSIST FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

ERIC, WHAT DO YOU SEE POSSIBLE AS A LEGISLATURE TO HELP FAMILY CAREGIVERS?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

I ACTUALLY JUST RAN INTO SOMETHING THE OTHER DAY.

IT WAS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM.

I BELIEVE IT´S CDPAP.

I DON´T REMEMBER THE EXACT ACRONYM.

I JUST HEARD WHEN YOU HAVE AGING FAMILY MEMBERS -- I DON´T KNOW THE VALIDITY OF THIS, I WILL HAVE TO CHECK -- THAT THEY CAN OPT THROUGH A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM, BECAUSE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR, I THINK, A RETIREMENT HOME IS SOMETHING LIKE $70,000, AND THAT´S TOO MUCH WHEN IT COMES TO GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.

SO, THEY CAN -- THERE IS A PROGRAM THERE WHERE THE AGING FAMILY MEMBERS CAN BASICALLY ADD -- THEY CAN PICK ANYBODY, A CARETAKER.

OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD HELP SO MUCH IF IT WAS A FAMILY MEMBER.

AND THAT BECOMES A SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME TO NOT ONLY BE ABLE TO ADD TO THEIR FULL-TIME JOB OR TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEIR FULL-TIME JOB TO GIVE FULL-TIME CARE TO THEIR AGING LOVED ONE.

THERE SHOULD BE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR THIS.

AND IF THIS FEDERAL PROGRAM IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT TRUE, I THINK IT´S A BRILLIANT IDEA.

AND TO BE ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO FUND THIS, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH GRANT MONEY OR THROUGH FREEING UP MONEY IN THE BUDGET, WE HAVE SUCH A SMALL POPULATION, IF WE DON´T TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES, THAT SEEMS LIKE ONE OF THOSE THINGS THE TWO WINGS OF THE BURGER -- THE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS ARE ON THE SAME BIRD.

WE ALL WANT THAT.

WE ALL WANT THAT FOR EACH OTHER.

>> CLIFFORD, SAME QUESTION.

IN ADDITION OF THE FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS WE HAVE DISCUSSED, IT WAS FOUND BY THE AARP THAT MANY FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING FROM BEING CAREGIVERS FOR AGING AND AGED FAMILY MEMBERS, RESULTING IN THE ALARMING DRAINING OF THEIR OWN RESOURCES.

MANY SAY THEY WILL SUPPORT THOSE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE SOLUTIONS TO ASSIST FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE POSSIBLE AS A LEGISLATURE TO HELP FAMILY CAREGIVERS?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK BACK ON THE AMOUNT OF -- A LOT OF BENEFICIARIES, WE START THEM OFF WITH A LOT OF YOUTH PROGRAMS.

BUT WE DO HAVE AN AGING COMMUNITY HERE, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE LEGISLATION AND LOOK TO SEE FOR A MONETARY PORTION OF IT, TO SEE WHERE CAN WE RECOVER OR SEE WHAT THE STANDING OF SOME OF THESE COMPANIES ARE.

AND IF NEW COMPANIES ARE COMING IN TO OUR SHORES, WE COULD HAVE THEM TO ADAPT A PORTION OR THE SAME WAY WE´RE PUTTING IN, WE´RE HAVING THEM DONATE MONEYS FOR THIS SCHOOL OR SOME OTHER FACILITY WE COULD DO IT IN.

AND THEN WE NEED TO GET BACK INTO EDUCATION AND MAYBE START TO TRAIN UP NEW SOCIAL WORKERS AS FAR AS CAREGIVERS.

AND THAT COULD BE -- THAT SHOULD BE A GROWING DIRECTION FOR US HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BASED ON OUR AGING SOCIETY THAT WE HAVE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> SO, LET´S TALK ABOUT GROWING THE ECONOMY AS ONE OF THE AREAS OF CONCERN.

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

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

SO, WHAT´S LEFT IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, AS A SENATOR -- WELL, LET ME CORRECT THAT.

IF YOU BECOME SENATOR, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO GROW THE ECONOMY AND SUPPORT THE PRIVATE SECTOR?

>> AS FAR AS GROWING OUR ECONOMY, AGAIN, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT -- WE HAVE TO REALLY GET THE ELECTRIC GOING BECAUSE AS FAR AS NEW COMPANIES COMING TO OUR SHORE, THEY´RE GOING TO BE IN QUESTION.

IBC BENEFITS ARE ONE, BUT PAST IBC BENEFITS, WE´VE GOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT´S AVAILABLE, IF IT´S -- WE´VE GOT SUNSHINE, WE´VE GOT RAIN, AND WE NEED, I THINK, WATER IS A BIG RESOURCE THAT WE COULD START TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

SOME OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD ARE SHORT -- HAS WATER SHORTAGE.

WE NEED TO LOOK TO REPAIR CREAKY DAM.

WE´VE GOT TO LOOK INTO WHATEVER FRUITS WE HAVE HERE TO EXPORT TO HELP US GROW ECONOMY.

OUR ECONOMY RIGHT NOW, HEALTH CARE.

WE JUST SPOKE ON IT A WHILE AGO.

IT´S A BIG -- THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE LEAVE IN OUR ECONOMY TO GO OUT.

AND STABILIZING OUR ECONOMY, WHERE IT COMES FROM, AGAIN, MAKING SURE WE HAVE RELIABLE POWER.

THEN WE HAVE TO TRY AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO CHANGE THE COST.

TOGETHER, ECONOMY GOING FROM A PRIVATE SECTOR.

WE HAVE TO BE THINKING OUTSIDE OF JUST THE REFINERY.

THAT´S FOR SURE.

>> ERIC, LET´S TALK ABOUT GROWING ECONOMY AS ONE OF THE AREAS OF CONCERN.

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.

SO, WHAT´S LEFT IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

AS YOU COME INTO THE SENATE, IF YOU BECOME A SENATOR, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?

WHAT PLAN WOULD YOU HAVE?

>> WELL, ANNETTE, THIS IS DEFINITELY A MULTI-PRONGED ISSUE HERE.

THE EDC, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THERE ARE TAX BENEFITS FROM THE RUM COVER CHARGES AND THE TAX BENEFITS IN REGARDS TO HIRING LOCAL PEOPLE TO HAVE A JOB.

ONE OF THE COMPANIES I WORK FOR WAS AN EDC BENEFICIARY.

I THINK GENERALLY IT´S A GOOD PROGRAM.

IT´S DEFINITELY LACKING, AND IT CERTAINLY CAN´T SUBSIDIZE EVERYTHING WE NEED OUT OF THAT.

WITH AN AGING POPULATION AND TRYING TO ATTRACT A YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC, YOU NEED DIGITAL NOMADS.

A DIGITAL NOMAD, PEOPLE THAT WORK REMOTELY.

WE FOUND OUT GLOBALLY THAT SO MUCH OF THE ECONOMY, SO MANY OF THE JOBS THAT ARE NEEDED, CAN BE DONE REMOTELY.

OBVIOUSLY WE NEED OUR LAWYERS.

WE NEED OUR DOCTORS.

WE NEED THE TRASHMEN.

THOSE ARE VERY IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE ECONOMY.

BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF JOBS THAT CAN BE DONE REMOTELY.

TO ATTRACT THOSE PEOPLE AND GET THEM HERE TO BE ABLE TO EITHER WORK FOR A COMPANY ON ST. CROIX OR TO BE WORKING ON A STATESIDE COMPANY AND PAYING THE TAXES HERE.

IT´S A VERY BENEFICIAL THING.

WHAT WE NEED HAD TO ATTRACT THOSE CERTAIN TYPES OF PEOPLE IS WE NEED A RIGID INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE WE CAN PROMISE THEM THAT AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON IN 108 DEGREE HEAT WAVE DAY THAT YOUR POWER ISN´T GOING TO GO OUT.

BECAUSE WHEN YOUR POWER GOES OUT, YOUR INTERNET GOES OUT.

WHEN YOUR INTERNET GOES OUT, YOU STOP GETTING PAID.

THAT´S SOMETHING WE ARE ACTIVELY SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE FOOT FOR.

AND HONESTLY I´M NOT HERE FOR IT.

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

WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE, BESIDES TOURISM AND ALCOHOL, FOR GROWING AND DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY?

AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES TO MAKE THEM REALITY?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> OUR -- WE DID IT IN THE PAST.

AND IF YOU KNOW YOUR PAST, YOUR PAST SHOULD LEAD YOU TO YOUR FUTURE.

AND I FEEL AGRICULTURE, WE FED OURSELVES, WE FED THE REST OF THE CARIBBEAN.

BUT WE NEED TO RETURN BY FEEDING OURSELF.

IF WE SELF-SUSTAIN, WHAT THE PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT ME WAS WE RELY SO MUCH ON EVERYTHING THAT COMES IN THAT WE FORGOT HOW TO DO EVERYTHING TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.

SO, IF WE GO BACK AND LOOK AT AGRICULTURE FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND NOT JUST THE BACKYARD PLANTING AND ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT, AND HAVE INDIVIDUALS GO OUT THERE AND USE THE LAND THAT WE HAVE HERE THAT´S NOT BEING USED AT A GREAT AMOUNT BECAUSE WE´RE USING IT -- WE DO HAVE SOME FOLKS THAT ARE PRODUCING.

BUT THE PRODUCTION THAT THEY´RE PRODUCING IS NOT TO SUSTAIN US.

SO, WE´VE GOT TO WORK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO SUSTAIN OURSELF THROUGH FEEDING OURSELVES.

SO, IF WE COULD GET TO THAT POINT, WE SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH TO START TO EXPORT.

SO, THAT SHOULD HELP US AS WELL GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU.

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

WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE BESIDES TOURISM AND ALCOHOL FOR GROWING AND DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY?

AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES TO MAKING THEM REALITY.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS -- MR. JOSEPH JUST TOUCHED ON IT -- FOOD SOVEREIGNTY.

THAT´S PARAMOUNT BETWEEN THE PANDEMIC, TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO, IRMA, RITA, AND HURRICANE HUGO.

WHEN YOU START REMOVING YOURSELF FROM WHAT YOU NEED, AS MR. JOSEPH ED YERLER, 97% OF THE FOOD THAT WE EAT ON A DAILY BASIS OR MONTHLY BASIS IS ALL IMPORTED.

THAT 3%, IT´S A PRETTY PALTRY NUMBER.

HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND YOU PASS BY A KIDNEY MANGO ON THE SIDE, GOVERNMENT OWNED PROPERTY, JUST SITTING THERE FALLING, ADDING TO THE PEST POPULATION.

I THINK WHAT WE DO IS TRY TO BRING IN AN OUTSIDE COMPANY AND/OR TRY TO MAKE ANOTHER ARM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

GET A USDA REGISTERED CO-PACKER FOR ALL OF OUR SURPLUS BETWEEN MANGOS, AVOCADOS.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE FINEST GREENS IN THE WORLD GROWN RIGHT HERE ON ST. CROIX.

IT´S SOMETHING THAT WITH THE PRIDE THAT WE DO HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE IN OUR LOCAL PRODUCE.

THE CUCUMBERS.

WE´RE PRODUCING IN SUCH BULK, IF WE HAVE A CO-PACKING FACILITY WHERE WE´RE ABLE TO CAPTURE THESE, KEEP THEM FRESH, AND EXPORT THEM, THAT COULD BE A REALLY IMPORTANT SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SORRY.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> LITTLE ADDENDUM.

THEN TAXING IMPORTS.

RETAIL IS DYING.

I SEE PEOPLE BRINGING IN 50 POUNDS OF DOG FOOD THROUGH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE BECAUSE IT´S CHEAPER TO BUY THEM ONLINE.

AND WE´RE NOT TAXING THOSE IMPORTS AND IT´S EFFECTIVELY PUTTING RETAILERS OUT OF BUSINESS.

IT´S NOT GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY.

>> THANK YOU.

MANY CITIZENS ARE APPALLED AT WHITE COLLAR CORRUPTION HERE.

THIS INCLUDES THE CARELESS AWARDING OF CONTRACTS TO BUSINESSES OR PERSONS WHO ARE LATER REVEALED TO BE FRAUDULENT OR THE HIRING OF PEOPLE WITH FALSE RÉSUMÉS OR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCEPTING BRIBES.

ALL INSTANCES OF CORRUPTION OR WHITE COLLAR CRIME, DO YOU SEE THE LEGISLATURE BEING ABLE TO ADDRESS THIS IF YOU COME INTO THE 36th LEGISLATURE, CLIFFORD?

60 SECONDS.

>> YES.

I´M FOR SURE -- I STEADFAST 100% AGAINST CORRUPTION, ESPECIALLY IN A WHITE COLLAR SITUATION.

I FEEL EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS.

AND IF WE CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE´RE DOING, WE ARE STABBING OURSELVES.

WE´RE COMMITTING SUICIDE SLOWLY.

I MEAN, AGAIN, LIVING IN A SMALL COMMUNITY, A LOT OF TIMES WE DO BECAUSE WE THINK WE KNOW THE NEXT PERSON.

OR DIFFERENTLY, WE MIGHT TRUST THE TOTAL STRANGER AND ALLOW US TO GO ACROSS.

WE NEED TO GO BACK TO PROCUREMENT -- WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CONTRACT FOLLOWS A GUIDELINE AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT´S FOLLOWED ALL THE WAY THROUGH BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT´S BEING INVESTIGATED RIGHT NOW, YOU LOOK AT DID THEY FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES?

AND NO.

AND JUST LIKE I SAID WITH THE CHILD, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL WHO IS INVOLVED SO WE CAN START TO CLEAN IT UP.

>> RIGHT.

AND THIS IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC, CLIFFORD, WE´RE GOING TO GIVE YOU 30 MORE SECONDS TO RESPOND A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT ALL WHO IS INVOLVED, IT´S -- IT´S NOT LOOKING GOOD AT ALL AS A SMALL COMMUNITY.

I FEEL THAT THE CORRUPTION SHOULD BE FIXED.

I LOOKED AT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT´S SUFFERING HERE WHEN YOU LOOK AT ROOFING PROGRAMS AND DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, AND MAYBE EVERY SINGLE ONE.

AND THE CORRUPTION DOESN´T JUST RAISE FROM WHAT WE´RE LOOKING AT, GOVERNMENT.

WE LOOK AT CHARGES THAT ARE FROM THE MEDICAL SECTION THAT´S TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS, AND A LOT OF TIME MAYBE THEY GO OUTRAGEOUS WHEN THEY GET TO THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOVERNMENT SUPPLEMENTED AND YOU GO IN AND YOU NEED SOME ASSISTANCE AND YOU´VE GOT TO HEAR THAT YOU CAN´T GET ANY BECAUSE THESE FOLKS WAS OVERCHARGING FOR A WHILE.

SO, WE NEED A COMPLETE INVESTIGATION THROUGHOUT, YOU KNOW, HERE LOCALLY TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR STUFF -- WE NEED TO GET BACK ONLINE -- >> OKAY.

>> -- WATCH WHAT´S PRICED RIGHT AND WHAT´S NOT PRICED RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MANY CITIZENS ARE APPALLED AT WHITE COLLAR CORRUPTION HERE.

THIS INCLUDES THE CARELESS AWARDING TO BUSINESSES WHO ARE LATER FRAUDULENT OR HIRING OF PEOPLE WITH FALSE RÉSUMÉS OR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCEPTING BRIBES.

ALL THESE INSTANCES OF CORRUPTION ARE WHITE COLLAR CRIMES.

DO YOU SEE IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE BEING ABLE TO ADDRESS THIS?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> THE SHORT ANSWER IS, YES.

I DO THINK THAT THE 36th LEGISLATURE COULD ADDRESS THIS.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WHEN YOU OPEN THE NEWSPAPER -- UNFORTUNATELY WE LOST OUR -- ST. THOMAS PAPER.

IT´S A REAL SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS.

IT WOULD BE FUNNY IF IT WASN´T SO SAD, SPECIFICALLY, YOU KNOW, WHAT´S IN THE NEWS RIGHT NOW.

WHEN A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT IS AWARDED WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO A COMPANY THAT HAS ADMITTED TO FRAUDULENTLY BILLING THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, HAS ADMITTED THAT IN A COURT OF LAW AND THEY PAID RESTITUTION FOR THAT, AND THEY WANT TO COME DOWN HERE AND SHAKE A FEW HANDS, KISS A FEW BABIES, AND TODAY GET A DEAL.

THERE´S CLEARLY SOMETHING GOING ON.

ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHAT´S THE MOST EXPENSIVE EMPLOYEE I´VE EVER COME INTO CONTACT WITH?

IN SMALL BUSINESS IN MY 14 YEARS.

MY NO NO.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE EMPLOYEE.

IT´S THE CLASSIC, I -- IT´S THE CLASSIC, YOU KNOW, IT´S NO ONE´S RESPONSIBILITY.

IT´S THE OTHER GUY´S.

YOU ASSUME SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TO TAKE PART OF IT.

IF YOU´RE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION, YOU´RE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

THE TRANSPARENCY, BEING ABLE TO HAVE THIS PUBLIC FORUM, IF I MAKE IT INTO OFFICE, IT WILL BE AN OPEN DOOR POLICY.

I HAVEN´T DIALLED IN YET.

EVERY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, 11:00 TO 1:00, COME IN, TALK TO ME, I´LL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON.

IT IS THE TRANSPARENCY.

THERE´S NO CLOSED DOORS.

I JUST WANT A SEAT AT THE TABLE SO WE CAN ENSURE THIS DOESN´T HAPPEN ANYMORE.

>> THANK YOU.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT 30 YEARS, WE MAY FINALLY BE GETTING A REAL LAND AND WATER USE PLANT THANKS TO THE WORK OF DPNR.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE NEXT STEP IN ACTIVATING THE PLAN THAT WOULD INVOLVE THE LEGISLATURE?

CLIFFORD, 90 SECONDS.

>> ACTIVATING THE PLAN, I GUESS THEY HAVE TO COME FOR ALL THE CGM PERMITTING AND ACCESS TO GET THE WORK GOING.

AND, AGAIN, JUST TALKING ABOUT THE CORRUPTION AND WE JUST HOPE THAT THESE CONTRACTS DID PROPERLY AND WORK COMPLETED ON A TIME BASE.

WE FALL SHORT A LOT OF TIME.

OR A PORTION THAT HAPPENS TO US IS WE END UP GOING TO THE UNDER BIDDER AND YOU END UP PAYING DOUBLE OR TRIPLE ON THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE AWARDED.

SO, I THINK WITH THIS WATER USE, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE OUR FIRST STEM TO GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS FAR AS HAVING WORK TO BE DONE AND GETTING IT DONE FOR COST OR VERY CLOSE TO COST.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE TODAY BECAUSE OF WHERE WE´RE AT -- WILL HAVE TO BE SHIPPED TO US.

IT MIGHT -- HOPEFULLY -- IF YOU HAVE AN OVERRUN OF 100,000, I COULD SEE THAT.

BUT AN OVERRUN OF 1 MILLION, 3 MILLION, 4 MILLION, WE´VE GOT TO DO A LOT BETTER THAN THAT GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU.

ERIC, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT 30 YEARS, WE MAY FINALLY BE GETTING A REAL LAND AND WATER USE PLANT THANKS TO THE WORK AT DPNR.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE NEXT STEP IN ACTIVATING THE PLAN THAT WOULD INVOLVE THE LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> THE NEXT STEP TO ACTIVATE THE CURRENT LAND AND WATER USE PLANT, WHICH DPNR WORKED REALLY DILIGENTLY WITH.

I REALLY RESPECT THEM REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING THEM SOURCE THESE CONCERNS.

I THINK THE NEXT STEP REALLY IS TO GO OVER THE CONTRACTS, MAKE SURE THEY´RE OPEN ENDED ENOUGH WHERE EITHER PARTY CAN -- OBVIOUSLY IT´S AT-WILL.

EITHER PARTY CAN AMEND OR TO WALK AWAY FROM THE CONTRACT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT´S THE BEST THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX.

I KNOW THERE´S SOME REALLY HOT-BUTTON TOPICS GOING ON WITH THE LAND USE OUT WEST WITH THE SUGAR CANE FIELD, THE RUM PRODUCTION OUT THERE.

I THINK THAT GOT, KIND OF, BACK DOOR, THAT GOT, KIND OF, PUSHED THROUGH WITH SOME REAL VERBAL OPPOSITION.

WHETHER OR NOT IT´S A GOOD THING FOR ST. CROIX OR A BAD THING FOR ST. CROIX, I THINK THAT IS A TOPIC THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ROUND TABLED AND A LARGE ROUND TABLE, A TOWN HALL MEETING.

ALL THESE CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE BROUGHT UP AND THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE HERE.

THIS ISN´T A SENATOR AT LARGE TOPIC.

THIS IS THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY, OF THE ST. CROIX.

OR I´M SURE SIMILAR ISSUES ARE HAPPENING IN ST. THOMAS.

YOU HAVE TO ASK THE COMMUNITY, WHAT DO THEY WANT?

JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT IT DOESN´T NECESSARILY MEAN IT´S GOOD.

IS IT GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

IS IT GOOD SUSTAINABLY FOR OUR ECONOMY?

THESE ARE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO ANSWER.

AND TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE ENTIRE PLAN AS IT PLAYS OUT.

JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER DOESN´T MEAN IT WILL BE NECESSARILY GOOD IN PRACTICE.

>> THANK YOU.

CLIFFORD, WE´RE GOING TO CHANGE OUR -- TURN OUR ATTENTION TO ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE AS POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE TERRITORY?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS SENATOR TO ENSURE THE ATTENTION IS BROUGHT TO MITIGATING THOSE IMPACTS?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> WELL, WE HAVE TO START WITH THE BASIC WHAT ARE WE DOING THAT´S CAUSING SO MUCH EMISSION.

MAYBE WE´RE REMOVING TOO MUCH TREES.

WE´VE GOT TO ONE BY ONE, SEE WHAT CAUSE IS THE PROBLEM.

PEOPLE THAT DOES USE AIR CONDITION, ARE WE MAKING SURE THEY´RE NOT LETTING THE KIND OF GAS IN OUR ATMOSPHERE?

BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE´RE HERE ON A SMALL ISLAND, WE, TOO, CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE FROM THE WAY THE EROSION OF THE LAND HITS THE SEA.

AGAIN, THAT´S THE PRACTICE OF PEOPLE DUMPING GREASE ON THE GROUND.

WE JUST HAVE A LOT OF -- WE´RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

WE´RE, KIND OF, RUNNING OUR ISLAND AT THIS POINT, WHERE WE NEED TO WORK BACK UP TO STANDARDS.

STANDARDS ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN WHATEVER WE´RE DOING.

AND I THINK WE HAVE LOST A LOT OF OUR STANDARDS, AND WE ALLOW, YES, WE ARE A MELTING POT.

I´M A FAN OF MIGRATION MYSELF.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH WHO WE ARE AND CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR PLACE CLEAN BECAUSE THAT, TOO, IS CAUSING AN EFFECT ON OUR GLOBAL.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU COULD HAVE FINISHED YOUR STATEMENT.

EVEN THOUGH THE BELL RINGS, YOU CAN ACTUALLY FINISH YOUR STATEMENT IN A SECOND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SO, ERIC, WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE AS POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE TERRITORY?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS SENATOR TO ENSURE THE ATTENTION IS BROUGHT TO MITIGATING THOSE IMPACTS?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> I CAN TALK ABOUT THIS ALL DAY.

I´LL TRY TO MAKE IT AS CONCISE AS POSSIBLE.

I AM A CONSERVATIONIST AT HEART.

I THINK WE HAVE ONE PLANET.

WE SHOULD PROBABLY TAKE CARE OF IT.

THE THING IN POLITICS IS OH, THIS GUY IS PROFIT OVER PEOPLE.

WELL, I´M KIND OF, LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE´RE IN THE MINDSET OF, LIKE, PEOPLE OVER PLANET.

AND THAT´S -- OF COURSE WE´RE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PLANET, BUT WITHOUT THE PLANET, THERE WON´T BE ANY PEOPLE.

SO, I´M 100% ON BOARD WITH CONVERSATION.

THE LAND IS HERE FOR US TO USE, BUT SMART USE OF IT.

THAT´S WHY WITH THE BUCK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, COMMERCIAL PLACE YOU CAN´T FISH WITHIN A MILE, A BIG CIRCLE THERE, ACROSS GRAPE TRAIN, ALL THE SOUTH SHORE, THAT´S AN AMAZING THINGS.

IS IT ENFORCED?

NO, IT´S NOT.

IT´S UNDER FUNDED.

THAT´S UPSETTING.

THE BUTCHERY OF THE MAHOGANY TREES.

THE FACT THEY BUTCHERED AND KILLED THOSE TREES BREAKS MY HEART EVERY TIME.

THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL MAHOGANY LINED DRIVE DOWN CENTER LINE.

IT´S NOT LIKE THAT ANYMORE.

IT LEADS YOU TO THE DECAYING BRIDGE THEY JUST PUT IN OVER THERE NEAR UVI.

REALLY UPSETTING STUFF, STYROFOAM, PLASTIC BOTTLES.

TO BE ABLE TO -- THEY ALWAYS SAY ACT LOCALLY, THINK GLOBALLY.

YEAH, MAYBE WE SHOULDN´T BE USING STYROFOAM.

MAYBE WE SHOULDN´T BE THROWING IT OUT OF OUR CAR WINDOWS.

MAYBE EVERY TIME WE GO TO PLAZA, WE SHOULDN´T SEE RESIDENTS GRABBING TEN AND 12 CASES OF PLASTIC BOTTLE WATER.

RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE.

PLENTY OF THE FIVE GALLON PLACES, THEY CARRY THE WATER.

CARRY A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU.

IT DOESN´T NEED TO BE A PLASTIC ONE.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

LET´S TALK A BIT ABOUT HOUSING.

MANY YOUNG FAMILIES ARE LEAVING THE TERRITORY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE HOUSING MARKET HERE OR EVEN FIND AFFORDABLE RENT.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON RENT CONTROL FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

WHAT ARE SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

CLIFFORD?

>> FOREMOST, WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING, I THINK WE NEED TO ESTABLISH SOME LAWS BETWEEN THE TENANT ITSELF AND THE LANDLORD.

WE NEED TO SET PERCENTAGES WHERE YOU COULD RAISE ON POTENTIAL TENANT WHO IS INSIDE, AND THEN YOU CAN -- WE CAN DICTATE TO A NEW TENANT BUT AT LEAST TO PUT A TENANT WHO IS THERE THAT THE LIMIT SHOULD BE WHATEVER PERCENTAGE WE COULD COME UP WITH AS A BODY.

I DON´T WANT TO CALL NUMBERS ON MY OWN SELF.

AND THEN WHEN WE LOOK AT THE TENANT, CERTAIN BEHAVIORS, WE´VE GOT TO BE STRAIGHT UP.

AND THE JUDGE HAS GOT TO BE READY TO ENFORCE.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU -- THAT´S A PROBLEM BY ITSELF.

OVERALL, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SEEK WHATEVER SYSTEM WE CAN TO AFFORD, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER FOLKS STARTING UP.

ONE THING WE HAVE HERE IS EXPENSIVE ECONOMY TO LIVE IN.

BUT WHEN YOU TRAVEL LIKE I TRAVEL TO SAN FRANCISCO, THE COST OF LIVING MIGHT BE JUST A PINCH MORE THAN WHAT WE HAVE HERE, BUT THE JOBS ARE PAYING TO SUIT THE COST OF LIVING.

THAT´S SOMETHING WE´VE GOT TO WORK HARD AS A GOVERNMENT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO CORRECT OR TO BE ABLE TO SUPPLEMENT SOME DECENT HOUSING TO GOVERNMENT -- I DON´T KNOW IT´S GOING TO BE FEDERAL, WHERE AT.

BUT SOME KIND OF SYSTEM HAS TO COME BECAUSE ONE THING THAT´S NOT IN LINE WITH WHAT WE´VE GOT FOR COST OF LIVING IS THE SOLID READ THAT WE MAKE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

ERIC, MANY YOUNG FAMILIES ARE LEAVING THE TERRITORY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE HOUSING MARKET HERE OR EVEN FIND AFFORDABLE RENT.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON RENT CONTROL FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

WHAT ARE SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO RENT CONTROL, I THINK THAT´S NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING.

I THINK IT´S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO MORE.

I DEFINITELY NEED TO MAKE MYSELF A LITTLE BIT MORE ABREAST WITH WHAT ALL OF THAT ENTAILS, THE LEGALITY OF IT.

AND THEN A COUPLE OF SOLUTIONS.

MY GOSH, IT´S INTERESTING WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AROUND AND YOU SEE THE AMOUNT OF ABANDONED PROPERTIES ON ST. CROIX.

I MYSELF HAVE BEEN TO THE LOCATER RECORDS, SEEING THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE I LOVE THE CHARM OF IT.

AND IT´S JUST BEEN SITTING THERE AND IT LOOKS OVERGROWN.

WHO OWNS THAT?

IS THAT SOMETHING WHERE GRANDMA MOVED TO THE STATES TEN YEARS AGO AND I CAN SEND HER A LETTER AND BE LIKE, HEY, ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SELLING?

IT´S NOT SURNTLY LISTED ON THE MLS AND IT´S NOT ACTIVELY FOR SALE.

IT´S A DERELICT PROPERTY THAT IS BECOMING ALMOST MORE OF A LIABILITY THAN AN ASSET.

BUT YOU SEE SOME OF THESE PLACES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN INVENTIVE PROGRAM FOR -- UNFORTUNATELY IT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE SOMEBODY WITH A LOT MORE MONEY THAN I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BUILD THESE BACK UP AND THEN MAKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE.

I CURRENTLY, I´M A RENTER, AND I HAVE ANIMALS.

IT´S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A HOUSE WITH A YARD FOR MY DOGS.

IT´S SOMETHING THAT I THINK ABOUT A LOT.

AND IN MY 14 YEARS HERE ON ST. CROIX, I´VE LIVED -- I´VE BEEN BLESSED ENOUGH TO ONLY LIVE IN, LIKE, FOUR PLACES.

SO, NOT HAVING TO MOVE ALL THE TIME, VERY IMPORTANT.

I´VE BEEN VERY LUCKY TO HAVE GOOD LANDLORDS, BUT WE NEED MORE SPACES TO ATTRACT A YOUNGER POPULATION AND GROWING FAMILIES.

JUST WHAT IT IS.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW, EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS EACH FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS, STARTING WITH YOUR NAME.

OH.

IT´S HARD -- YOU THINK IT´S EASIER WHEN IT´S TWO.

IT´S ACTUALLY HARDER.

GO AHEAD, ERIC.

>> GOOD DAY.

AS YOU MAY HAVE PICKED UP MY NOW, MY NAME IS ERIC MATTHEW -- II, AND I´M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR VOTE IN THE 2024 SENATORIAL ELECTION.

I WANT TO REPRESENT ST. CROIX AND THE 36th LEGISLATURE.

REALLY EXCITED JUST FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MY NAME AS AN OPTION ON THE BALLOT.

I THINK AS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, GETTING THROUGH, THERE´S SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

AND I THINK TO BE AUTOMOBILE TO -- TO BE ELECTED AND TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HELP THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MOVE TOWARD A MODERN -- A MORE MODERN, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY, I´M SURE ALL OF US HAVE EXAMPLES OF THIS ISN´T SUSTAINABLE, WHETHER IT BE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE N BUSINESS LIFE.

IT CAN´T KEEP ON GOING THIS WAY.

IS IT WORKING FOR YOU, BECAUSE IT´S NOT WORKING FOR ME.

THAT´S THE THING WITH THE RIGHT MINDS SITTING AT THE TABLE.

I´M JUST ONE MAN.

I DON´T HAVE THE ANSWERS TO EVERYTHING, BUT I´VE ALWAYS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF KEEPING SMARTER COMPANY THAN MYSELF, LISTENING TO THOSE IDEAS, AND THEN FINDING A WAY TO IMPLEMENT THEM TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR EVERYBODY.

I´M ERIC G. I´M YOUR TICKET TO A BETTER VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> CLIFFORD A. JOSEPH, COMMITTED TO SERVE.

I´D LIKE TO THANK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE, TO EXPRESS AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS -- EXPRESS MYSELF AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE POSED TO ME.

I´D ALSO LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I WAS BORN HERE ON ST. CROIX AND I´M READY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX.

I AM COMMITTED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX, THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY, BUT ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX.

MY NUMBER IS NUMBER 18 ON THE BALLOT, AND AGAIN, CLIFFORD JOSEPH, COMMITTED TO SERVE.

LONGTIME DEDICATED FATHER, DEDICATED HUSBAND, DEDICATED WORKMAN, AND A DEDICATED LEADER.

SO, I´M LOOKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5th.

MY NAME IS CLIFFORD JOSEPH, AND MY NUMBER ON THE BALLOT IS NUMBER 18.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES AND VIEWERS.

AND THANK YOU WTJX TV AND STAFF FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOSTS THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED WITH YOU AND THE VOTER OF THE CANDIDATES AND IN SO DOING, INFORM YOUR VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

THE LEAGUE REP MINDS 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 A FEW MORE PEOPLE DID VOTE OR ONE WHO BARELY LOSES AND WISHES ONLY A FEW MORE PERSONS HAD VOTED.

SO, LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY YOUR VOTE.

IT´S YOUR RIGHT.

TAKE IT.

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.

JUST VOTE.

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

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING FOR THIS PROGRAM WAS UNDERWRITTEN BY AARP OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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