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

CANDIDATE FORUM, A PROGRAM PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX TV .

FOR WELL OVER 35 YEARS.

IT´S OUR HOPE THAT YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTED OFFICE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022 YEAR PERIOD RIGHT HERE UNDER THE TJX --ON WTJX.

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE TODAY TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF SENATOR IN THE DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX.

I AM AND THAT SCOTT, I WILL SERVE FOR THE MODERATOR.

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

NO CANDIDATES HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

THE FIRST RESPONDER WILL BE ROTATED AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.

ANSWERS ARE GENERALLY 60 OR 90 SECONDS WITH CHALLENGES AND CHANGES AND TIMING OF THE QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

ANY COMMENTS DIRECTED AT ANOTHER PARTICIPANT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A REBUTTAL.

WE ARE ALL 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 CONCLUDES.

LET´S START WITH DEVIN CARRINGTON.

PLEASE STATE THE NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND AFFILIATION.

>> MY NAME IS DEVIN CARRINGTON, BALLOT NUMBER 10, AND I AM AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR THE 31st LEGISLATURE.

>> NOW, PATRICIA JAMES, PLEASE STATE NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND AFFILIATION.

>> BLESSINGS.

MY NAME IS PATRICIA JAMES, I AM AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, NUMBER THREE IN THE ST. CROIX DISTRICT BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU .

NOW FOR OUR FIRST QUESTION.

YOUR READINESS TO BE A SENATOR.

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

AS A CANDIDATE, FOR A SEAT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE, WHAT ARE YOUR COMPETENCIES AS WELL AS EDUCATION OR TRAINING THAT WOULD MAKE YOU A GOOD CHOICE TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES?

AND, WHAT ARE YOUR RECENT COMPLIMENTS THAT SHOWS YOUR SKILLS AND READINESS TO ASSUME THE RESPONSE ABILITIES OF THE OFFICE?

PLEASE ANSWER BOTH PARTS OF THE QUESTIONS IN 90 SECONDS.

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

>> I AM A LAWYER BY TRAINING, MUSICIAN BY BIRTH.

I SERVED IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION IN LICENSING AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS.

CAPACITIES , MANY MANY CAPACITIES.

AS A LEGAL COUNSEL , FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

I ALSO SERVED ON THE CASINO COMMISSION.

AND I WORKED FOR SEVERAL SENATORS WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO I KNOW ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS , HOW BILLS ARE CRAFTED, HOW BILLS ARE PASSED.

THAT´S MY EXPERIENCE AS A 37 YEAR VETERAN.

>> MISSED JAMES, SAME QUESTION.

>> I AM A NINTH GENERATION , I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS FOR MY CHILD.

I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE I HAVE BEEN AN ACTIVIST IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND I´VE BEEN A PASTOR .

I´VE BEEN WORKING WITH EDUCATION, DIFFERENT AREAS, BRINGING JUSTICE WHERE INJUSTICE IS BEING DEALT WITH.

>> THANK YOU.

LET´S TALK ABOUT YOUR VISION.

2027 WILL MARK THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF AN EMERGENCY DECISION , AND 110 YEARS SINCE PURCHASE.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION WITH RESPECT TO SELF-GOVERNANCE FOR THE USVI.

AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU INTEND TO PLAY?

PLEASE NOTE THAT SELF- IMPLY INDEPENDENCE.

>> THANK YOU.

THE OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS , WE HAVE NOT EVEN STEPPED UP.

WE ARE STILL USING COLONIAL DOCUMENTS AS OUR VEHICLE .

I INTEND TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF LEADING OUR TERRITORY TO THE NEXT STEP , PHASE ONE IN SELF- DETERMINATION.

WE MUST, BOARD , MOVE FORWARD .

AND WE ARE POISED FOR EXCELLENCE, FOR GREATNESS .

I AND THE INDIVIDUAL FOR THE POSITION.

>> LET ME ANSWER THAT QUESTION I WAS RAISED BY MY PARENTS TO BECOME DETERMINE , INDEPENDENT AND SOMEONE THAT CAN BE SELF- SUFFICIENT.

HAVING BEEN RAISED THAT WAY, I HAVE ALSO IMBUED THAT INTO MY CHILDREN.

SO, IF WE ARE LIVING ORGANISMS, WE ARE TAUGHT TO BE SELF DEPENDENT.

SELF DETERMINATIVE AND SUFFICIENT.

WHY SHOULD WE AS A PEOPLE NOT WANT TO STRIVE TO BE THE SAME?

TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN BEEF CONCEPTS .

AS A PEOPLE, WE REMAIN DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN POWER THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY LOOK OUT FOR OUR BEST INTERESTS.

SO I THINK THAT SELF- DETERMINATION IS A PEOPLE , SELF SUFFICIENCY IS A PEOPLE, MORE INDEPENDENCE IF THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO GO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

TO WHAT EXTENSION DOES MORAL OR ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE PRIVATE LIFE OF POLITICAL CANDIDATE BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY VOTERS?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I THINK THAT A PERSON´S PRIVATE LIFE SHOULD HAVE SOME BOUNDARIES.

TO THE EXTENT THAT A PERSON´S LIFE IMPACTS WHAT THE VOTERS THINK ABOUT THAT PERSON.

THE VOTERS HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO SUPPORT OR NOT SUPPORT THAT PERSON.

BUT I THINK THERE ARE CERTAIN BOUNDARIES THAT NEED TO BE KEPT BETWEEN YOUR PUBLIC LIFE AND PRIVATE LIFE.

UNLESS YOU´RE DEMONSTRATING THAT IT AFFECTS THE WAY YOU WOULD ACT IN A PUBLIC SECTOR.

>> MORALS AND CONDUCT CANNOT BE LEGISLATED.

WHEN YOU PRESENT YOURSELF IN LEADERSHIP, YOU MUST KNOW YOUR VALUES.

INTEGRITY IS ONE OF THEM.

HONESTY IS THE NEXT ONE.

COMMITMENT TO YOU ARE SERVING IS ANOTHER ONE.

12 CORE VALUES, AND IT´S A TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO KNOW WHERE THEY STAND MORALLY AND ETHICALLY.

SO IT´S UP TO YOU.

UNLESS IT AFFECTS MY SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> IN A RECENT POLL , VOTERS IDENTIFIED FOUR AREAS OF MAJOR CONCERN.

EDUCATION, CRIME , HEALTH, AND --LET´S LOOK AT EACH ONE SEPARATELY AND ADDRESS WHAT YOUR RESPONSES WOULD BE TO THESE MATTERS IF ELECTED.

WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATION TODAY?

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES TO ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 31st LEGISLATURE?

>> THIS IS A REALLY INTERESTING ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT.

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE.

WE PAY A LOT OF LIP SERVICE TO THAT.

WE ARE NOT REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIR FUTURE.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT MAINTAINED THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE.

PARENTS ARE FIGHTING TEACHERS AND FIGHTING OTHER STUDENTS.

WE REALLY NEED TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT EDUCATION.

WE HAVE SMALLER NEIGHBORHOOD, COMMUNITY TYPE SCHOOLS THAT THE COMMUNITIES CAN IDENTIFY WITH AND PARENTS AND STUDENTS CAN BE MORE IN TUNE AND A PART OF.

WE NEED TO ALSO INSIST PEOPLE WE GIVE TAX BREAKS TO BE PART OF THE MAINTENANCE.

I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE PARADIGM, WHERE WE HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OPERATING THE SCHOOLS.

IN MOST JURISDICTIONS, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DOES THE DAY- TO-DAY OPERATIONS , THE HIRING OF SUPERINTENDENT AND SUCH.

WE NEED TO CHANGE YOUR WHOLE OUTLOOK WITH RESPECT TO HOW WE OPERATE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I ALSO AGREE.

OUR SCHOOLS NEED TO BE REPAIRED, WE NEED NEW SCHOOLS.

AND SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS.

MY SON OR MY DAUGHTER , ALTERNATIVE IT IS NOT THE ALTERNATIVE.

WE NEED SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS.

GIVE ACCURATE ASSESSMENT TESTS AND SCHOOLS OF PERFORMING ARTS, SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE, AVIATION SCHOOLS, MARINE INDUSTRY SCHOOLS.

SCHOOLS THAT ARE GEARED TOWARD WHERE WE ARE AS A PEOPLE, WHERE WE ARE GOING IN THE FUTURE.

IT LEADS TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR WHERE WE ARE GOING IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU.

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

WHERE DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THE MATH A SENATOR?

>> WE HAVEN´T DEMONSTRATED WE CAN ACTUALLY OPERATE A HEALTHCARE FACILITY.

WE HAVE THE BOARD THAT GOVERNS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOSPITALS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, AND ONCE AGAIN, THERE´S NO DEMONSTRATION THAT WE ARE DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY.

WE USED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WHY WE ARE NOT DOING THAT TODAY IS AN ISSUE THAT WE COULD DISCUSS FOR ANOTHER HOUR OR MORE.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER ALLOWING PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF OUR HOSPITALS.

NOT PRIVATE OWNERSHIP, PRIVATE MANAGEMENT.

PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW HOW TO RUN A HEALTH FACILITY.

LET THEM COME IN AND OPERATES THE HOSPITAL.

OUR PROBLEM IS NOT MONEY.

IT´S HOW WE MANAGE MONEY, HOW WE USE THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE.

ONCE AGAIN, THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR PUBLIC FACILITIES.

HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS OR OTHER BUILDINGS.

WE HAVE TO REALLY GET SERIOUS .

WE ONLY HAVE ONE HOSPITAL.

AND PEOPLE DEPEND ON THAT.

IT´S INDISPENSABLE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE HERE.

WE NEED TO GET MORE SERIOUS ABOUT HOW WE OPERATE HOSPITALS.

>> I HAVE TO AGREE WITH MR. CARRINGTON.

THE MANAGEMENT ISSUE.

AND THE HEALTH SECTOR IS LACKING.

I GO BACK TO EDUCATION.

TRAINING OF OUR WORKFORCE.

WE KNOW WE WILL NEED BEGIN TO GO INTO THE SCHOOLS, IDENTIFY WHO WE NEED, AND WE TRAIN THEM FOR SUCH.

THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN BUILD OUR HEALTH SYSTEM .

WE HAVE PEOPLE IN AMERICA THAT WANT TO COME HOME .

BUT THE GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION , THEY ARE AFRAID TO COME HOME.

WE NEED TO BEGIN TO , WE HAVE TO GO BACK.

WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND IDENTIFY OUR PRIMARY SOURCES TO BE DEVELOPED.

>> WITH RESPECT TO CRIME CITED BY VOTERS IS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS CHALLENGES AND WILL BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR >> CRIME IS A MULTIFACETED ISSUE .

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH PREVENTION FIRST OF ALL, THEN WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE REALITY AND LOOK TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

WITH RESPECT TO PREVENTION, WE USED TO HAVE THE COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT TRAINING ASSOCIATION.

WE HAD THE BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS, ALL THESE THINGS WERE FACILITIES WHERE WE BROUGHT THEM AND THEY WOULD LEARN DISCIPLINE, THEY WOULD LEARN SKILLS, WITHOUT IDLE TIME THEY CAN CHALLENGE THEIR ENERGIES.

SECONDLY, GUNS.

THERE ARE NO GUN FACTORIES HERE.

GUNS ARE COMING FROM SOMEPLACE.

SO WE HAVE TO ENGAGE THE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT OUR BORDERS AND ASK THEM, WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY COME HERE?

AND FOR THE FUTURE, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE USE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO GET THEM CHANNELED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

SO THEY DON´T MOVE INTO CRIME.

>> WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CRIME AND ITS ERUPTION IN GOVERNMENT .

HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SCHOOLS NOT WORKING WELL, ABOUT CRIME INCREASING IN COMMUNITIES.

IT STARTS AT THE TOP.

START REMOVING THOSE IN GOVERNMENT THAT HAVE HAD THEIR HANDS IN MISMANAGEMENT.

SO TALK ABOUT CRIME, SO WE CAN LIVE BETTER.

>> SEXUAL ASSAULT IS A CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

RECENT DISCLOSURES OF ASSAULT AGAINST SCHOOL BUYS BY A TEACHER IS SHOCKING .

IN THE COMMUNITY WAS RIGHTLY OUTRAGED.

GIRLS ARE ASSAULTED TOO.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT OUR BOYS AND GIRLS FROM ASSAULT ?

>> THESE PREDATORS , WE CAN PUT ALL THE LAWS WE WANT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

LAWS DO NOT LEGISLATE BEHAVIOR.

THAT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO WORK WITHIN ME AND THE HIGHER POWER.

BUT WE DON´T KNOW WHO PREDATORS ARE.

OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS HEALING.

AND MANY OF US HERE HAVE SEEN THE RESULT OF IT, AND STUDIES SHOW THE THEY TOO HAVE BEEN.

WE NEED INNER HEALING.

>> I THINK THAT SEXUAL PREDATORS AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IS PERVASIVE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

NOT ONLY IN SCHOOLS.

WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB WITH THE SCREENING OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WE HIRE FOR THESE POSITIONS WHERE CHILDREN ARE PART OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT´S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DON´T JUST LOOK AT SOMEBODY´S RESUME AND SAID OKAY, THIS IS HE OR SHE CAN DO A JOB.

WE NEED TO DO MORE SCREENING, MORE IN DEPTH EVALUATION OF THE PEOPLE WHO WE BRING INTO THESE ENVIRONMENTS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF POLICE WHO SHOULD NOT BE POLICE BECAUSE THEY DON´T HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET.

SO CERTAINLY THERE´S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON´T HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET TO BE TEACHERS.

SO IT´S UP TO THE GOVERNMENT TO BE A SCRUTINIZING OTHER PERSON BEFORE THEY BRING THEM IN.

>> THANK YOU.

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

THIS AND WHY?

AND WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN ABOUT HOW THIS COULD BE SO?

>> THEY CRAFTED A MECHANISM BY WHICH WE BRIDGE THE GAP THAT WAS CREATED OVER THE YEARS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT WASN´T PAYING INTO THE SYSTEM.

AND INVESTMENTS THAT DIDN´T PAY OFF, THAT´S AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT.

MY CONCERN IS THAT ALTHOUGH WE HAVE SEEMS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY, WE HAVE KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

AND SO THEY FLUCTUATE , WHAT THE AMERICANS PAY BACK TO US ON A REGULAR BASIS FLUCTUATES.

MY THEORY THAT THAT CAN IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE AT THAT THAT HAS TO BE PAID BY THE FUTURE CITIZENS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> WE GO BACK TO LIABILITY.

I AGREE WITH MR. CARRINGTON, YOU CAN´T KICK IT DOWN THE ROAD .

AND FORCING EMPLOYEES TO TAKE A PACKAGE, WHEN THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS THAT CAN BE LOOKED AT.

WE SHOULDN´T BE LIMITED TO GRS.

WE SHOULD HAVE AN OPTION .

PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED TO TAKE GRS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

BUT TALK ABOUT GROWING THE ECONOMY.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

TOURISM IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY.

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 OR PLAN TO DO AS A SENATOR TO GROW AND SUPPORT THE PROJECT AND TO ENCOURAGE MORE LOCALS TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR?

>> RIGHT NOW, TOURISM, ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENT , AND AGRICULTURE.

IT´S BOTH FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

HAVING A PROPER AGRICULTURE PROGRAM SO WE CAN EAT LOCALLY.

OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION , I AM THE TREASURER, WHERE WE ARE GOING INTO COMMUNITIES AND HOMES AND DOING BACKYARD GARDENS.

BACKYARD DEVELOPMENT.

MY CONTRIBUTION AMONG MANY .

>> WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE ON MANY ISSUES.

ON THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR , WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

TOURISM CAN BE A DRIVER HERE IN ST. CROIX.

BUT NOT THE TYPE OF TOURISM WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THERE´S MANY PLACES TO DEVELOP.

AGRICULTURE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING WE REALLY GET SERIOUS ABOUT.

WE CAN DO AGRICULTURE, TOURISM , ECOTOURISM TO GROW OUR ECONOMY.

AND IN LINE WITH THAT, WE ARE ANTICIPATING WHAT THOSE GROWTH SECTORS ARE GOING TO BE AND TRAIN THEM TO TAKE PART IN THOSE.

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

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWING AND DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY?

>> I GO BACK TO AQUACULTURE.

THERE´S SO MANY THINGS THAT WE CAN DO, OUR RESOURCES, OUR NATURAL RESOURCES .

A COUPON X, AQUACULTURE , WE CAN GET SERIOUS ABOUT PLANTING FOOD WE CAN GROW HERE SO WE DON´T HAVE TO BE MAKING NOISE ABOUT HOW WE ARE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR TOMATOES OR CUCUMBERS OR LETTUCE.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE CAN GROW HERE.

THEY ARE FRESH, THEY ARE NOT SHIPPED IN A FREEZER.

FORM TO PLATE AS THEY SAY.

WE REALLY NEED TO STOP PLAYING LIPSERVICE TO THE ECONOMY, WHEN WE DO HAVE ALL THE MEANS RIGHT HERE TO DO SO.

WE ARE JUST TALKING ABOUT IT BUT NOT DOING IT.

>> ST. CROIX HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL.

THE RESOURCES ARE THERE.

WHEN I STARTED MY CAMPAIGN, I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE UNTAPPED RESOURCES WE HAVE.

IN THE MARINE AND AVIATION INDUSTRIES AS WELL.

WE CAN HAVE A RIGOROUS AVIATION AND MARINE INDUSTRY IN THE TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU.

PROPOSAL TO DRESS THE ST. THOMAS HARBOR TO ACCOMMODATE MORE CRUISE SHIPS.

YOU AGREE THAT IS THE WAY TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN THE TOURISM OFFICE?

>> TO GO BIGGER AND NOT HAVE PARTS DOESN´T MAKE ANY SENSE.

TO HAVE TOURISTS COMING IN, BUT THEN WHEN THE TOURIST ASKS FOR IT, THE RESORT DOESN´T HAVE IT, THEY DON´T HAVE SOUP FOR THE DAY.

WE DON´T HAVE THOSE THINGS.

SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO OFFER?

WE COULD REPRESENT ALL OUR DELICACIES.

>> I THINK WE ARE MAKING THE MISTAKE OF PUTTING ALL OUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET.

I THINK THAT ST. THOMAS IS KNOWN AS ONE OF THE VERMEER TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN.

I THINK THE DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR ECONOMY , THE PANDEMIC SHOWED US THAT TOURISM CAN BE VERY FICKLE.

IT JUST TAKES A PANDEMIC OR HURRICANE TO STOP THE SHIPS FROM COMING AND THEN WE ARE LEFT WITH NOTHING BUT CRACKED EGGS IN OUR BASKET.

GROWTH HAS TO BE NOT VERTICAL, BUT IT HAS TO BE HORIZONTAL.

WE HAVE TO WIDEN OUR ECONOMIC BASE.

TOURISM IS GOOD BUT IT´S NOT THE ONLY THING WE SHOULD DEPEND ON.

>> MEDICAL MARIJUANA WAS INTENDED AS A POSSIBLE BOOST TO THE ECONOMY AND THAT OFFICE HAVE BEEN CREATED TO DEVELOP POLICIES.

IT APPEARS THAT LITTLE HAS COME FROM THIS THUS FAR.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE IN ADDRESSING THIS MATTER?

>> THE LEGISLATURE SETS POLICIES.

THOSE POLICIES SHOULD HAVE TIMELINES AND GOALS TO BE MET.

WHEN THAT POLICY --IT SHOULD BE ADAPTABLE.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HERE IS WE ARE NOT SITTING OVERALL POLICY GOALS.

AND SO WITH NO TIMETABLES PUT IN PLACE AND NO GOALS TO BE MET, WE FIND OURSELVES STALLING.

ALL OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE JUMPED, OURS IS STILL STALLED.

AS A LEGISLATOR, BUT I´D HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE HOLD PEOPLE´S FEET TO THE FIRE.

AND WHEN PEOPLE DON´T PERFORM, BY PUTTING PEOPLE´S FOOT TO THE FIRE THE LEGISLATURE IS ABLE TO PUT PRESSURE ON PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> ONE OF THE MANY LAWS ON THE , WE GET THIS QUESTION IN MANY FORMS, WHAT LAWS ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE?

HOW WE MOVE FROM THERE.

SO THERE IS -- LIKE I SAID, OUR LAWS DON´T HAVE ENOUGH REINFORCEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LET´S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

OVER 30 YEARS AGO, THE LEAK HAS ASKED THE SAME QUESTION REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAND AND WATER USE PLAN FOR THE TERRITORY.

AND WITHOUT FAIL, CANDIDATES ALIKE HAVE PLEDGED THAT ON A PLAN WOULD BE DEVELOPED BUT NONE HAVE.

SO WE ASKED, WHAT IMPACT HAVE YOU SEEN ON THE TERRITORY AS A RESULT OF NOT HAVING A PLAN AND WHAT YOU SEE AS A CONCERN MOVING FORWARD ?

>> NOT HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR IT FOR 40 YEARS.

IT IS FOR US TO PUT IN THE LAW.

THE LAWS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE THE ZONING IS THERE >> IF THE LAW IS ON THE BOOKS , AND AGENCIES OR CERTAIN PERSONS ARE MANDATED TO COME UP WITH A PLAN, AND THEY ARE NOT, THEN YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF THEM.

THE LAW IS THE LAW.

IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL.

OUR ECONOMY IS BASED ON THE RESOURCES YOU HAVE , THE NATURAL RESOURCES YOU HAVE .

WITHOUT PLANNING FOR THE USE OF OUR RESOURCES, OUR LAND RESOURCES , OUR HUMAN RESOURCES, WITHOUT PLANNING FOR THE USE, INTEGRATED AND ECONOMIC LAND, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MOVE YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN WHICH SAYS THIS IS WHERE WE ARE GOING , THIS IS HOW WE WOULD USE OUR RESOURCES TO GROW OUR ECONOMY.

>> THANK YOU.

I MET CHANGE , WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE AS THE POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS A SENATOR TO ENSURE YOU ARE MITIGATING THOSE IMPACTS?

>> IN 12 YEARS, WE ARE GOING TO BE , THAT BEAUTIFUL HIGHWAY WILL BE AT SEA LEVEL.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO USE THAT IT´S ALMOST AT SEA LEVEL.

WHAT WOULD I DO?

ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE TO HOLD PEOPLE´S FEET TO THE FIRE.

BASED ON WHAT´S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT 30, 40, 50 YEARS.

>> WE -- ALL THIS TIME, THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING , OUR ISLAND IS CHANGING.

YOU HAVE TO PLAN ON THE WATERFRONT.

30 YEARS AGO CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT AN ISSUE AS IT IS NOW.

OUR WATERFRONT AND SANDERS BEING WASHED AWAY ON THE COASTLINE.

THAT AFFECTS US AS WELL.

>> LET´S TALK A BIT ABOUT HEALTH.

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

SOME HAVE SUGGESTED RENT CONTROL AS A WAY OF STABILIZING THE MARKET.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON RENT CONTROL?

>> I SAT ON THE RENT CONTROL BOARD.

-- THERE WAS RENT CONTROL IN PLACE , PART OF THE STATUTE WAS REPEALED AND I THINK IT´S HIGH TIME WE RECONSIDER THAT.

NOT ONLY ARE WE FACED WITH HIGH RENT, BUT IT´S A FUNCTION OF THE MARKET.

AND WITH THESE AIRBNB ENTERPRISES COMING INTO THE TERRITORY NOW, PEOPLE DECIDED TO NOW STOP RENTING, BECAUSE THEY SEE -- SO A RENT CONTROL BOARD AND SOME LAWS THAT ARE RESIDENTS , IT´S TIME TO RECONSIDER THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

ENERGY.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS A LARGE DEBT OWED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

>> I WAS REALLY SURPRISED THAT THE BOARD WAS NOT FORWARD THINKING ENOUGH.

WE DEAL WITH THE CRISIS, BUT WE DON´T DO SO WITH INNOVATION IN MIND.

IT SEEMS TO BE WE HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BE MORE ENERGY INDEPENDENT.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS NOT AND KNOW THAT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE TODAY, WE WILL NOT REAP THE BENEFITS OF THOSE SOLUTIONS FOR 30 YEARS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE VISION FOR THE FUTURE.

>> WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP .

SOLAR PANEL RENEWAL ENERGY PROGRAM, WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP , WE NEED THOSE THAT UNDERSTAND THE VISION FOR THE PEOPLE.

THAT´S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP WITH A VISION.

WHO CARES --YOU NEED MANAGEMENT.

>> WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LEGISLATURE IN RELATION TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION?

>> THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WORKS WITH PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES , CORRECT?

WE STILL HAVE FOUR MOBILE SERVICE , POOR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY , WE NEED TO REVISIT THESE BOARDS.

>> I THINK THAT INDEPENDENT BOARDS SURVEY FUNCTION , THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THEY ARE TRULY INDEPENDENT .

WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE STAFFED BY PEOPLE WITH POLITICAL AFFILIATION THAT DO THE BIDDING OF THE GOVERNOR OR THE SENATOR.

IF WE HAVE A BOARD THAT LOOKS OUT FOR ASPECTS OF THINGS THAT AFFECT US, WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE ON BOARD THAT HAVE THE MENTALITY AND THE VISION THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE.

>> HOW CAN THE LEGISLATURE HELP THEM BETTER REGULATE?

>> THE PSC, THEY HAVE SOME TEETH .

BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO BAIL THEM OUT .

WE FIND OUT THEY NEED ANOTHER RATE HIKE, MAKING SO MANY PROMISES BUT THOSE PROMISES ARE NOT KEPT.

THE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT SUFFER.

AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

WE KEEP BAILING THEM OUT.

>> RIGHT NOW, THEY HAVE BEEN SUBPOENAED .

>> SOME PEOPLE HAVE CONTINUED TO SUGGEST THAT IT BE PRIVATIZED .

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THIS MATTER?

>> WE HAVE SEEN FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN HELD HOSTAGE BY THEM.

IT´S TIME TO BRING IN SOMEONE ELSE .

WHO HAS KNOWLEDGE RUNNING A PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.

>> WHEN THEY RUN IT FOR RABBITS, THEY RUN IT FOR PROFIT.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO CRAFT SOME SORT OF PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP WITH CONTRACTUAL TIMELINES IN MIND .

AND WITH THE END GOAL OF SAYING THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU PRIVATIZED, AND WHAT YOU TO TAKE US TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THE PARTNERSHIP CAN BENEFIT EVERY DAY.

>> WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR -- AND BEGIN TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET .

THEY HAVE TO DECIDE BETWEEN FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER UTILITIES.

WHAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT IS CHANGING THE MINDSET OF US AS A VIRGIN ISLANDS PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO START THINKING ABOUT BECOMING MORE SELF DEPENDENT.

THINK ABOUT USING THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER.

TODAY, WE HAVE RESOURCES OF OUR OWN.

WE CAN TAKE CARE OF US.

THAT WILL PROPEL US TO CHANGE THE POLICIES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

>> WHAT OPPOSES WHAT YOU HAVE THAT WOULD MAKE WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY MORE EFFICIENT?

>> WE HAVE COME TO THE POINT WHERE WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING WE GET SHOULD BE FREE , SHOULD NOT, PRICE.

THE DUMPING OF GARBAGE THAT ENDS UP , THAT COSTS.

AT THE FRONT END, WE CAN´T CONTINUE TO BELIEVE SOMEBODY HAS TO HELP PAY FOR THAT.

IT NEEDS TO BE FUNDED.

TO DO A BETTER JOB, TO HIRE MORE INSPECTORS.

THAT MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEPLACE.

>> FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, I´VE BEEN GOING TO AMERICA BACK AND FORTH .

IT NEEDS TO BE EDUCATION IN THE IMPORTANCE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT.

AND THE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAN ISLAND.

IT´S A SENSE OF PRIDE, SELF- WORTH, NATIONAL SELF-WORTH.

THE LOVE FOR YOUR TERRITORY.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR HOME.

>> OUR FINAL QUESTION.

I INVITE YOU TO ANSWER.

ADDRESS ANY OTHER TOPIC OF CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE AN INTEREST ALONG WITH YOUR APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE TOPIC.

OR, IDENTIFY A MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATURE YOU INTEND TO INTRODUCE AS A SENATOR AND INDICATE WHY.

>> MY WHOLE PERSPECTIVE ON THIS IS OUR LACK OF TAPPING INTO OUR RESOURCES.

I THINK THAT ST. CROIX IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST PLACES WITH UNTAPPED POTENTIAL.

SO WE MUST BEGIN AGAIN.

HAVING A FUTURISTIC VISION FOR THE PEOPLE , THE INSTITUTION AND CORPORATION.

WE HAVE WATER, WE HAVE, WE HAVE SON, WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO BECOME SINGAPORE IN THE CARIBBEAN.

WITH THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP AT THE HOME.

THANK YOU.

>> I´M GOING TO APPROACH IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

POLICY DRIVEN, WITH TIMETABLES AND GOALS TO BE MET.

POLICY IS ADAPTABLE SO THAT IF YOU TRY SOMETHING AND IT´S NOT WORKING, THE GOAL STILL REMAINS.

AND HIS POLICIES MUST BE DRIVEN FIRST AND FOREMOST AND ULTIMATELY BY WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT THREE, FOUR, FIVE GENERATIONS.

THOSE SHOULD BE POLICIES THAT TAP INTO THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE SO WE CAN BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT, MORE SELF- DETERMINED AND LESS DEPENDENT.

>> FOR THE LEGISLATURE HAVE A WRITTEN -- READING THEM, IT´S HARD TO DISTINGUISH FROM THE NEXT.

SO HOW DOES ONE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN DEMOCRAT AND INDEPENDENT BASED ON WHAT IS STATED?

>> I´M GOING TO ANSWER THE QUESTION THIS WAY, I DON´T SEE THAT PARTY POLITICS TODAY --WE HAVE THE SAME PARTY IN POWER FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS .

HAVE WE GOTTEN BETTER?

I THINK THAT THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF PARTY, WELL IT CAN BE A GOOD THING, HAS DEVOLVED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS .

WE ARE ONE TERRITORY.

I SHOULDN´T EVEN USE THE WORD TERRITORY.

WE ARE ONE PEOPLE, WE CAN BE ONE NATION OF PEOPLE AND OUR POLITICS NEED TO BE DRIVEN NOT BY POLITICAL PARTIES BUT BY THE MINDSET THAT WE NEED TO DEVELOP OURSELVES AS A PEOPLE , AS A NATION.

>> WE SHOULD BE DRIVEN BY THE FACT THAT WE ARE PART OF THE CARIBBEAN REGION.

MOVING FORWARD , WE ARE RESPONSIBLE IN THIS REGION TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BUILD THE REGION.

WE HAVE TO BEGIN TO GROW FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

IF WE DO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH INDEPENDENT THINKERS.

>> CANDIDATES, WE HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR EACH OF YOU .

>> I´M EMBARKING ON THIS NOT FOR PERSONAL REASONS, I´M DOING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE CHILDREN, I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN, AND I AM FEARFUL THAT THE DIRECTION WE ARE GOING IN TODAY IS GOING TO LEAVE THEM .

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION, JUST AS ALL THOSE BEFORE US, TO TRY TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE.

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

AND THAT IS WHY I AM RUNNING FOR OFFICE, BECAUSE I WANT TO HELP CHANGE THE MINDSET WITH THE HELP OF PEOPLE LIKE PATRICIA HERE.

THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS PLACE A BETTER PLACE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> IT´S MY HOME, AND I´VE ALWAYS BEEN TAUGHT YOU HAVE TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR HOME.

I KNOW MY PASSION FOR MY TERRITORY AND MY PEOPLE.

I GO OUT OF MY WAY TO SEE IF I CAN HELP .

IT´S ABOUT THE POLITICS, ABOUT THE FUTURE AND DESTINY OF A GENERATION.

>> THANK YOU CANDIDATES, AND THANK YOU WTJX STAFF AND TV.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOPE THIS HAS HELPED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CANDIDATES.

THE LEAGUE REMINDS YOU THAT YOUR VOTE DETERMINES THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT.

WE OFTEN SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BARELY MAKES THE CUT BECAUSE OF A FEW VOTES.

OR ONE WHO BARELY LOSES IN WHICH 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, BUT VOTE.

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

>> WHAT YOU GET FROM WASHINGTON WEEK THAT YOU WON´T GET ANYWHERE ELSE ARE THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST REPORTERS FROM DIFFERENT MEDIA COMPANIES AND THEY ARE ABLE TO HAVE A REAL CONVERSATION ABOUT THINGS IN WASHINGTON.