♫♫ >>> CLOSED CAPTIONING 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.

OUR 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 ELECTED OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES 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 DELEGATES FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

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

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE AT-LARGE POSITION IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE.

I AM DR. FELICITA RICHARDS, A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND I WILL SERVE AS THE MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE 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.

TIMING OF A QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

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

A 45-SECOND FOLLOW-UP MAY BE ALLOWED.

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE ELSE.

SO, LET´S BEGIN.

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

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH, AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES.

LET US START WITH MRS. MARSH MONSANTO, MS. LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

MY NAME IS LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO.

I AM NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT FOR SENATOR AT LARGE.

I AM YOUR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR THE SENATOR AT LARGE POSITION.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE WITH SENATOR ANGEL BOLQUES JR. >> THANK YOU, DR. RICHARDS.

MY NAME IS SENATOR ANGEL BOLQUES JR., YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE, NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT.

>> SO, LET´S BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT YOUR READINESS TO BECOME OR TO REMAIN THE AT-LARGE SENATOR FOR THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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

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 THE AT-LARGE SENATOR?

AND PART TWO OF THE QUESTION, WHAT ARE YOUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE THOSE SKILLS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTIONS.

PART ONE OF YOUR QUESTION IS, WHAT MAKES ME READY FOR THIS POSITION?

I HAVE A BACKGROUND IN BUSINESS, BUT I AM FIRST AND FOREMOST A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

I HAD A BUSINESS FOR SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO THE HURRICANE.

I´VE WORKED IN GOVERNMENT ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT LEVELS.

I AM VERY COMMITTED TO MY COMMUNITY AND TO HELPING THE YOUNG PEOPLE GROW AND FOR THE SENIORS TO HAVE A BETTER WAY OF LIFE.

TAKING KIDS THROUGH NATIONAL PARK PROGRAMS THAT ARE OPEN TO THEM THAT NO ONE HAS EVER UTILIZED IN THE TERRITORY.

I WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO DO THAT, TAKING A GROUP OF 12 CHILDREN FROM ST. JOHN ON A TRIP TO PUERTO RICO.

THEY GOT TO STAY IN ELMORE ROW.

SO, I AM COMMITTED TO MY TERRITORY.

I WORK IN THE SECTOR OF BEING A HUMAN BEING, CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WANTING THE BEST FOR ALL OF US, NOT JUST SOME OF US.

AND I BELIEVE I CAN BE THE BETTER CANDIDATE FOR THIS POSITION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

SENATOR BOLQUES, WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS THE AT-LARGE SENATOR OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT MAKES YOU FEEL JUSTIFIED FOR YOUR RE-ELECTION TO THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU, DR. RICHARDS.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., SENATOR AT LARGE, NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT EXPANSION.

MOST RECENTLY WE PASSED OUR BUDGET.

AND ONE OF THE PARAMETERS -- ONE OF THE BILLS THAT WAS PASSED FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET WAS A CAR RENTAL SURCHARGE, WHICH CREATES NEW REVENUE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT WILL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT FOR GOVERNMENT EXPANSION, I WAS ABLE TO PASS A BILL THAT PURCHASED THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HENCE BRINGING DOWN OUR DEPENDENCY ON PAINFUL RENT.

I´M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT WE NEED TO HAVE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS THAT ARE OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT SO WE STOP PAYING SO MUCH RENT SO WE CAN FREE UP THOSE MONEYS THAT ARE HISTORICALLY USED FOR RENT FOR OTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

IN THE AREA OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I HAVE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP THROUGH THE PIPELINE CONCERNING AGRICULTURE AND OF COURSE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR OUR CHILD VICTIMS RIGHTS.

SO, I´M LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING THOSE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

WE WILL CONTINUE WITH YOU FOR QUESTION TWO.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE PEOPLE OF ST. THOMAS, ST. JOHN, AND ST. CROIX?

AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ADDRESS THEM?

YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES, SENATOR BOLQUES.

>> THANK YOU, DR. RICHARDS.

THE OVERARCHING CONCERN THAT I BELIEVE EXISTS RIGHT NOW IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS THE WAPA SITUATION, OUR ENERGY CRISIS.

FROM THE BEGINNING OF MY TERM, WHEN I BECAME A SENATOR, WHEN I WAS ELECTED, I WORKED WITH ENERGIES, CONSULTANTS AND THE THEN CEO OF WAPA, MR. ANDREW SMITH, AND THE BOARD CHAIR, KYLE FLEMING, WHO IS CONSEQUENTLY THE ENERGY DIRECTOR, FOR A NUMBER OF MEETINGS CONCERNING SOLVING THE ENERGY CRISIS.

TWO OF THE CONSULTANTS, IN THE ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO, THEY HAVE A SOLAR BATTERY STORAGE FARM OVER THERE THAT RECENTLY OPENED BACK IN APRIL 2024.

I ARRANGED THE WHOLE ENTIRE MEETING SO THAT WAPA COULD ATTEND, ALONG WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ENERGY AND SPARK THE CONVERSATION SURROUNDING SOLAR ENERGY BATTERY STORAGE.

AND I´M HAPPY TO SAY THAT AS OF TODAY, WAPA, THE WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY, JUST OPENED UP A BATTERY STORAGE UNIT ON THEIR PLANT FACILITY.

SO, THOSE CONVERSATIONS THROUGHOUT THE BEGINNING OF MY TENURE HAVE BLOSSOMED INTO FRUITS WHEREAS WE´RE STARTING TO LOOK AT OUR SOLAR ENERGY AND HOW WE CAN TRY TO CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE WAPA WITHOUT HAVING TO BE PURCHASING FUEL, SHIPPING, AND TAXES FOR THOSE FUELS WHEN FATHER GOD HAS GIVEN US ENERGY, WHETHER IT´S THE SUN OR THE WIND OR THE WATER.

THANK YOU.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO, TWO MINUTES.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE PEOPLE OF ST. THOMAS, ST. JOHN, AND ST. CROIX?

AND WHAT CAN YOU DO AS THE AT-LARGE SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS THEM?

>> I THINK OUR BIGGEST ISSUE IS OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY THAT IMPACT ALL OF US, NOT JUST SOME, BUT ALL.

THE INCUMBENT SPOKE OF HAVING WORKED ON LEGISLATION IN REFERENCE TO INCREASING A TAX ON RENTAL CARS, BUT HE NEGATED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH CONSTITUENTS TO FIND OUT EXACTLY HOW THEY WOULD BE IMPACTED.

AGAIN, SO WE NEED TO HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH OUR CONSTITUENCY.

IN REFERENCE TO HOW WE´RE GOING TO MOVE THINGS FORWARD FOR THIS TERRITORY, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE WILLING TO ASSIST AND MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS, LIKE I SAID IN THE BEGINNING, NOT JUST A FEW.

WE NEED BETTER COLLABORATION, BETTER COMMUNICATION, AND MORE PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT.

THANK YOU.

>> YOU WILL BE GIVEN 60 SECONDS FOR THE REBUTTAL.

>> THANK YOU.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT-LARGE.

THE CAR RENTAL SURCHARGE PREDOMINANTLY AFFECTS THE TOURIST MARKET.

IT DOES NOT PREDOMINANTLY AFFECT OUR LOCAL PEOPLE.

YES, IF AN INDIVIDUAL HAS A CAR OR A VEHICLE THAT IS BROKEN DOWN, HE OR SHE MAY RENT A VEHICLE.

BUT 90% UPWARDS OF THAT TAX IS PREDOMINANTLY FOR TOURISTS AND DOES NOT AFFECT OUR LOCAL CONSTITUENCY.

NOW, CONCERNING THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WERE MENTIONED PRIOR, YES, CONVERSATIONS WERE HAD.

CONVERSATIONS WERE HAD WITH OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, WITH IRB, WITH THE OWNER OF HERTZ AND CAR RENTAL AGENCIES.

SO, CONVERSATIONS WERE HAD.

SO, I WANTED TO JUST PLACE THAT ON THE RECORD.

THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> MAY I HAVE A REBUTTAL AS WELL?

>> 45 SECONDS.

>> IN REFERENCE TO COMMUNICATION, AS HE JUST STATED, HE SPOKE TO THE UPPER GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYMENT OF THE TERRITORY AND NOT THE PEOPLE WHO HIRED HIM TO DO A JOB.

WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE TO OUR CONSTITUENCY.

YEAH, IT MAY SEEM TO YOU AT THIS TIME THAT IT´S JUST FOR THE TOURISTS, THAT THEY WILL BE IMPACTED.

BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PICTURE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TELL ME HOW YOU´RE DEMONSTRATING WHERE THIS MONEY IS ACTUALLY GOING TO GO.

I READ YOUR BILL.

I REVIEWED IT.

AND I HAVE QUITE A FEW ISSUES AND CONCERNS ON IT.

AND I HOPE WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THIS CONVERSATION LATER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

SENATOR BOLQUES, SOME SUGGEST THAT THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN SHOULD HAVE THEIR OWN SENATOR RATHER THAN AN AT-LARGE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS?

IF SO, HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THE CONCERNS REGARDING VOTER REPRESENTATION IF EACH CURRENT DISTRICT SENATOR MATHEMATICALLY REPRESENTS ABOUT 6,000+ PEOPLE, WHILE ON ST. JOHN, A SINGLE SENATOR WOULD REPRESENT ONLY ABOUT 3,000+?

WOULDN´T THAT MEAN THAT THE VOTERS ON ST. JOHN WOULD HAVE MORE SAY IN THE RUNNING OF THE GOVERNMENT?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE, NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT.

WHILE THE DISCUSSION -- THIS HAS BEEN A DISCUSSION THAT IS TAKING PLACE FOR MANY DECADES.

PREVIOUSLY WE USED TO HAVE A SENATOR FROM ST. JOHN.

BUT THAT ALL CHANGED BACK IN 1966 WHEN THE VICTORY ´66 AND THEN THE COMPOSURE OF THE LEGISLATURE WAS CHANGED.

AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF INSTANCES WHEN THEY WERE -- WHETHER IT WAS ON THE BALLOT TO REQUEST TO CHANGE THE COMPOSURE OF THE LEGISLATURE, TO HAVE MORE AT-LARGE SENATORS OR THEREOF.

BUT, YES, IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE, WHEREAS THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN HAVE FELT SLIGHTED IN THE SENSE OF HAVING AN INDIVIDUAL NOT THAT THEY CAN CALL THEIR OWN IN THE SENSE OF THAT INDIVIDUAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE TERRITORY.

IT IS A VERY DEMANDING JOB.

AND I UNDERSTAND THE INTRICACIES OF THE JOB BECAUSE I´M CURRENTLY DOING IT.

HOWEVER, THE LAST INSTANCE, WHEN THEY TRIED TO CHANGE IT, THERE WAS AN ISSUE CONCERNING THE POPULATION, AS YOU INDICATED IN PARTS OF YOUR QUESTION.

AND THEREOF THE CHANGE OR THE COMPOSURE COULD NOT CHANGE TO HAVE ITS OWN SENATOR.

EITHER THE POPULATION OF ST. JOHN NEEDS TO GO UP TO MATCH WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE EQUAL BALANCE CONCERNING CHANGING THE COMPOSURE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT IS ANOTHER DISCUSSION WITHIN ITSELF.

THANK YOU.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO, YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> IN REFERENCE TO YOUR QUESTION, YES.

ST. JOHN, WE FEEL THAT WE DO NEED REPRESENTATION.

CURRENTLY MR. BOLQUES IN HIS POSITION DOESN´T EVEN HAVE HIS OFFICE OPEN ON ST. JOHN.

SO, WE DON´T HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND HAVE OUR CONVERSATIONS MET.

WE VOTE IN THE ENTIRE TERRITORY JUST LIKE ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX AND WATER ISLAND.

AND WE FEEL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE BECAUSE WE MATTER.

NO MATTER THE SIZE -- AS HE SPOKE BEFORE, THE ORGANIC ADD CAN CHANGE.

WE ARE WORKING ON THE CONSTITUTION.

SO, THESE ARE THINGS THAT CAN HELP PROMOTE AND HOPEFULLY GIVE US EQUITABLE FIELD IN REFERENCE TO BEING REPRESENTED IN A TERRITORY.

IT´S SUPPOSED TO BE ONE MAN, ONE VOTE.

BUT WE GET TO VOTE, BUT WE HAVE NO ONE WHO´S REPRESENTING US.

SO, IT´S VERY TOUGH ON US.

AND WE REALLY NEED THAT.

>> AND CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE MATHEMATICAL DIFFERENCE OF ONE SENATOR ON ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX REPRESENTING AN AVERAGE OF 6,000 PEOPLE AND ST. JOHN GOT A SENATOR IT WOULD BE 3,000 PEOPLE FOR THAT SENATOR?

>> IN THE ISLE OF ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS, WE HAVE SEVEN SENATORS EACH.

AND ST. JOHN AT LARGE WOULD NO LONGER EXIST.

IT WOULD BE THE ST. JOHN PERSON.

IF WE SPLIT UP NUMBERS -- EVEN IF YOU ADDED A SUBDISTRICT OF -- TO ST. JOHN, IT WOULD HELP INITIATE HAVING MORE VOICE.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WE´RE GOING TO TURN TO NEWS.

SIMILARLY SOME HAVE SUGGESTED THERE IS NO NEED FOR AN AT LARGE SENATOR IN THE USVI, THAT SUCH A SENATOR IS NOT MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT DISTRICT SENATORS ABOUT TERRITORIAL WIDE ISSUES OR MORE CARING OF TERRITORIAL-WIDE RESIDENTS THAN DISTRICT SENATORS.

HOW CAN YOU ADDRESS THIS CRITICISM THAT WE DO NOT NEED AN AT-LARGE SENATOR?

SENATOR BOLQUES, CAN YOU RESPOND?

90 SECOND TS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

EVERY SENATOR IN THE LEGISLATURE AS A SWORN DUTY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, NOT BY DISTRICT BUT THE ENTIRE TERRITORY.

SO, THE TITLE OF SENATOR AT LARGE IS JUST THAT.

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ANY SPECIFIC SENATOR.

SO, IN ESSENCE, A DISTRICT SENATOR -- AND IT HAPPENS ACROSS THE DISTRICTS.

WE HAVE ST. CROIX SENATORS VOTING ON MEASURES FOR ST. JOHN, ST. THOMAS SENATORS VOTING ON MEASURES FOR ST. CROIX, VICE VERSA.

SO, THE TITLE ITSELF ONLY BECAUSE OF HOW IT´S PRISON IN THE ORGANIC ACT, IT´S NO DIFFERENT.

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN ANYTHING ACROSS THE SCALE OF WHAT THE REPRESENTATION AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THAT SPECIFIC SENATOR IS.

SO, IT DOESN´T REALLY MEAN ANYTHING.

IT´S JUST A TITLE.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO, YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> LORELEI MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT, SENATOR AT LARGE.

WE NEED MORE DISTRICT SENATORS, I BELIEVE, NOT JUST ONE SENATOR AT LARGE.

WE NEED TO HAVE DIVERSIFICATION IN OUR GOVERNMENT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

RIGHT NOW, NO ONE IS ACCOUNTABLE OR CAN BE HELD REALLY TRULY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS.

SO, WE NEED TO LOOK AT A RESTRUCTURING.

HOPEFULLY OUR CONSTITUTION WILL PASS THIS GO-AROUND AND WE WILL HAVE A DIFFERENCE GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

WE WILL CONTINUE ON ANOTHER TOPIC, AND THIS IS FOR 60 SECONDS FOR EACH RESPONDENT.

SO, WE AT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VI ARE SHOCKED AND DISMAYED TO HEAR FAR TOO MANY CITIZENS SAY THEY ARE 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 OF VOTING.

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

ONCE AGAIN, REMEMBER, 60 SECONDS EACH.

SO, CAN WE START WITH YOU, SENATOR BOLQUES?

>> THANK YOU.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON SENATOR AT LARGE.

FUEL AFFECTS EVERYTHING.

THE REASON THAT WE´RE SEEING THE HIGH PRICES IS BECAUSE FUEL AFFECTS EVERYTHING.

RECENTLY, THE WHOLE EASTERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONCERNING THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY IS ON STRIKE CURRENTLY.

THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BEING THAT WE´RE AN ISLAND TERRITORY THAT HAS EVERYTHING COMING IN OR SHIPPED IN.

SO, IT´S IMPORTANT FOR US TO VOTE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING TO SOLVE A LOT OF THE ENERGY ISSUES.

EARLIER I COMMENTED CONCERNING THE WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY AND MOVING TOWARD SOLAR ENERGY AND BATTERY BACKUP.

AND I WILL CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS YOUR SENATOR AT LARGE.

I HAVE WORKED VERY DILIGENTLY AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO BECAUSE OUR ENERGY CRISIS IS A REAL CRITICAL AREA.

ENERGY AFFECTS OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> COMPLETE YOUR SENTENCE.

>> AND ALL OTHER SECTORS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO INCLUDE THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. MARSH MONSANTO?

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE FOR SENATOR AT LARGE.

YES, A LOT OF THE CONSTITUENCY HAS SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO VOTE THIS YEAR BECAUSE VOTING DOESN´T MATTER.

BUT THE MERE FACT IS, IT DOES MATTER.

AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GETTING ENGAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOTE.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO NOT, THE PEOPLE THAT YOU CONSTANTLY COMPLAIN ABOUT WILL GET RIGHT BACK INTO THOSE SEATS, AND THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE.

SO, IN ORDER TO HAVE CHANGE, THERE HAS TO BE SOME TYPE OF MOTION.

AND YOUR MOTION IS ACTUALLY COMMITTING TO REGISTERING TO VOTE, PARTICIPATING IN THE VOTE, AND HOLDING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE WINNERS IN THE VOTING PROCESS ACCOUNTABLE WHEN IT´S ALL DONE.

YOU JUST DON´T VOTE FOR THEM AND WALK AWAY.

THEY ARE YOUR EMPLOYER.

EXCUSE ME.

THEY ARE YOUR -- THEY NEED TO WORK FOR YOU FOR A BETTER VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SO, THERE ARE FOUR MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN TO THE PUBLIC, AS INDICATED BY A SURVEY TAKEN TWO YEARS AGO.

BUT THERE ARE STILL AREAS OF CONCERN TO OUR VOTERS TODAY.

EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH, AND WAPA.

SO, LET´S LOOK AT EACH.

WE´LL BEGIN WITH YOU, MS. MONSANTO.

THE FIRST RESPONDENT WILL GET 90 SECONDS.

IF THE INDIVIDUAL HAS ANYTHING TO ADD, THE NEXT RESPONDENT WILL GET 60 SECONDS.

SO, WE´LL START WITH YOU MS. MARSH MONSANTO FOR 90 SECONDS.

>> YES.

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

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

90 SECONDS.

>> GOOD DAY, AGAIN.

LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE FOR SENATOR AT LARGE.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WAPA GO UNDER RECEIVERSHIP, FEDERAL RECEIVERSHIP SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF WHAT WE´RE WORKING WITH.

WE HAVE TRIED.

THE VI GOVERNMENT HAS TRIED.

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS TRIED.

WE HAVE TAKEN TONS OF MONEY AND SUNK IT INTO WAPA.

AND WERE WE TODAY?

STILL ON ROTATION, STILL SUFFERING THE SAME ILLS.

SO, WE NEED TO HAND IT OVER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LET THEM RECREATE, IF THEY CAN, OR BRING IN ADDITIONAL ITEMS SO THEY CAN HELP US WITH THIS POWER PROBLEM.

BUT CONSTANTLY SITTING ON THE WHEEL, REGURGITATING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER, IT´S INSANITY, AND WE HAVE TO STOP THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR BOLQUES, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING NEW TO ADD TO THIS QUESTION?

>> YES.

SENATOR ANGEL BOLQUES, NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

I HAVE ALREADY STARTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON SOLVING THE ISSUE WITH WAPA CONCERNING SOLAR BATTERY POWER STORAGE IN ADDITION TO OTHER NATURAL FORMS OF GREEN ENERGY TO BE ABLE TO SUBSIDIZE THE GENERATORS THAT GENERATE ENERGY AND POWER OR ELECTRICITY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE SHEER FACT IS THAT THESE MACHINES ARE ON A HIGHER CRITICAL FREQUENCY IN THE SENSE OF THEIR OUTPUT IS ALWAYS ON HIGH RATHER THAN, SORT OF, MEDIUM.

SO, WE NEED TO AUGMENT IS GRID IN THE SENSE OF HAVING RENEWABLE ENERGIES PLUGGED INTO THE GRID SO THAT THEY DON´T WORK SO HARD.

THAT´S WHY WE´RE SEEING A LOT OF THE BLACKOUTS AND THE ISSUES THAT TAKE PLACE.

AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAS TO BE DONE.

AND IF YOU DON´T HAVE A BACKUP TO SUPPLY ENERGY WHILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IS BEING DONE, HENCE YOU HAVE THE BLACKOUTS.

THANK YOU.

>> SO, WE´LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

AND THIS QUESTION IS ON CRIME.

REMEMBER, THE FIRST RESPONDENT HAS 90 SECONDS.

THE SECOND RESPONDER HAS 60 SECONDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES TO OUR COMMUNITIES?

AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE WITH RESPECT TO CRIME CITED BY OUR VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP CONCERNS?

90 SECONDS.

FIRST RESPONDER, SENATOR BOLQUES.

YOU BEGIN ON THIS QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU, DR. RICHARDS.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

THE ISSUE OF CRIME HAS TO BE CURTAILED FROM THE -- HOW SHOULD I PUT THIS?

THE ISSUE OF CRIME HAS TO BE CURTAILED BY PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH IN THE SENSE OF INTERVENTION.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS SAID, IT´S EASIER TO RAISE CHILDREN THAN TO REPAIR BROKEN MEN.

PEOPLE ARE ALREADY SET IN THEIR WAYS.

AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS WORK WITH OUR YOUTH FROM A VERY EARLY AGE TO INSTILL THE MORALS AND VALUES THAT ARE NEEDED TO BE GOOD LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS SO THAT WHEN THEY BECOME ADULTS THEY DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR NEGATIVE ACTIONS IN OUR SOCIETY.

SO, TO SOLVE CRIME, INTERVENTION OR PREVENTION PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE ACADEMIC PROGRAM, THE JUNIOR FIREFIGHTERS, ROTC.

ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE MANY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER DIFFERENT INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED FOR US TO BE ABLE TO CURTAIL CRIME SO THAT WE CAN SEE A SOCIETY THAT WE´LL BE PROUD OF.

THANK YOU.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS SHOULD YOU HAVE ANYTHING NEW YOU WANT TO ADD TO THIS QUESTION.

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT FOR SENATOR AT LARGE.

I THINK WE NEED TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE CHILDREN THAT THE UPPER LEVEL OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THIS TERRITORY.

YOU CAN´T KEEP TELLING CHILDREN NO WHEN THE ADULTS ARE THE ONES PERPETRATING THE CRIME AND WALKING FREE AROUND IN THE TERRITORY.

SO, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF THE MESSAGE THAT WE ARE SENDING, AND WE NEED TO START GETTING OUR ACT TOGETHER.

THE CHILDREN ONLY EMULATE WHAT THE ADULTS DO.

YOUR GOVERNMENT IS A REFLECTION OF YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> WE CONTINUE WITH A QUESTION RELATED TO CRIME.

MS. MARSH MONSANTO, YOU WILL BE THE FIRST RESPONDER ON THIS ONE FOR 90 SECONDS.

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

DISCLOSURE OF ASSAULT AGAINST HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BY A TEACHER IS SHOCKING, AND THE COMMUNITY REMAINS RIGHTFULLY OUTRAGED.

HOW CAN YOU, AS A SENATOR, PROTECT BOYS AND GIRLS, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE PART OF ADULTS?

90 SECONDS, ONE MORE TIME.

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, SENATOR AT LARGE, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

THAT IS A VERY HURTFUL THING THAT´S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT´S SHAPING AND DESTROYING LIVES IN THE TERRITORY AS WELL.

AGAIN, WE ARE NOT HOLDING ALL THE ADULTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT TOOK PLACE TO THOSE CHILDREN.

WE NEED STRONGER LEGISLATION THAT INCOMPASSES ALL THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK PLACE, WHO KNEW WHAT HAPPENED IN ANY SCENARIO IN REFERENCE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT.

PRINCIPALS, ASSISTANT TEACHERS, CROSSING GUARDS, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

THESE ARE LITTLE CHILDREN WHO ARE TRUSTING OF ADULTS.

AND WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY NOT JUST TO GET THE PERPETRATOR BUT THOSE WHO ALSO WERE COMPLICIT BY LETTING THIS THING HAPPEN.

>> I THANK YOU.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING NEW TO ADD TO THIS QUESTION, SENATOR BOLQUES?

60 SECONDS.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

SENATOR ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

I CURRENTLY HAVE A BILL IN THE COMMITTEE OF -- JUDICIARY THAT HELPS WITH THIS SITUATION.

THE AS I CRIME -- THE VICTIMS OF CRIME WITNESSES RIGHTS ACT.

AND THAT ACT HELPS, IN ESSENCE, IF A CHILD -- AND MOST -- PREDOMINANTLY, WHEN CHILDREN ARE WRONGED, THEY´RE AFRAID.

AND THEY MAY NOT WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT AN ADULT HAS DONE TO THEM, BEING THAT THE QUESTION WAS IN THAT AREA.

AND WHAT GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN THEY GO TO THE DOJ, THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE, ENTIRE, TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO A COURTROOM WHERE THE PERPETRATOR IS RIGHT THERE BEFORE THEM.

WHAT THIS BILL ADDRESSES, A LOT OF PROTECTIONS FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN WRONGED OR PERPETRATED UPON BY THE AGGRESSOR.

SO, I´M VERY PROUD AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BILL MOVING FORWARD INTO LAW.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WE MOVE ON TO THE AREA OF 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?

OUR FIRST RESPONDER IS SENATOR BOLQUES.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

CONCERNING THE ISSUES WITH EDUCATION, RIGHT NOW TODAY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE KNOW THAT OUR DEPARTMENT HAS MILLIONS OF FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT THEY´RE NOT ABLE TO SPEND AS QUICKLY AS THEY SHOULD AND NEED TO.

A LOT OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE OLD AND NEEDS REPAIR.

THE MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOLS -- WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH A YOUNG MAN INJURED BY A FAN RECENTLY.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO TAKE A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH ON DEALING WITH THE ISSUES BEFORE THEM AND STRATEGIZING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WHEN IT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE SENSE OF DEALING WITH THE MAINTENANCE, DEALING WITH THE BULLYING AND FIGHTING THAT TAKE PLACE IN SCHOOL, AND ALSO THE ADMINISTRATION AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.

THESE INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT SITUATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH THESE YOUNG BOYS BUT NOTHING WAS SAID.

SO, WE HAVE TO CREATE A MORE STRONG WAY OF COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS TEACHER AND FACILITY OR EVEN REPORTING FOR THAT FACT AND ALSO HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WRONGS THAT ARE DONE TO CHILDREN.

THANK YOU.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING NEW TO ADD TO THIS QUESTION?

IF SO, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

YES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A LOT OF THINGS.

WHEN THEY COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, THE SENATORS SHOULD BE ASKING THEM THE TOUGH QUESTIONS.

WHY ARE WE CONSTANTLY RETURNING MONEY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT ARE NOT USED?

WHY ARE WE HAVING KIDS IN SCHOOL WHEN WE KNOW THE SCHOOLS ARE NOT READY TO ACCEPT STUDENTS?

WE, AS A SENATOR, YOU HAVE TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS.

YOU HAVE TO GET THE QUESTIONS OUT THERE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

WE NEED TO BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION ON THE SENATE FLOOR SO THAT THE PERSON WHO IS EMPLOYED IN THAT CAPACITY IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.

SO, LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE, SENATOR AT LARGE.

>> THANK YOU, MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

YOU WILL BE THE FIRST RESPONDER ON THIS QUESTION.

WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH, CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS.

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

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES REGARDING HEALTH CARE?

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

YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

THIS PARTICULAR QUESTION IS REALLY TRUE AND HURTS MY HEART BECAUSE I KNOW OF SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE TO THE HOSPITALS AND RECEIVED LITTLE OR NO SERVICES.

WE HAVE TO REACH A POINT WHERE WE ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE TO READJUST.

BACK WHEN I WAS A LITTLE CHILD, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY KNEW EVERYBODY.

WE STILL KIND OF STILL DO.

BUT WE CARED.

SO, IF SOMEONE WAS SICK, SOMEONE WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON´T FEEL GOOD, HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

EVEN WITH THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSURANCE, OUR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLES ARE OUTLANDISH FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BELOW THE MINIMUM WAGE IN REFERENCE TO THEIR EARNINGS.

SO, WE HAVE A WHOLE CADRE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BRING IN OTHER RESOURCES TO ASSIST US IN GETTING OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SOME TYPE OF CAPACITY.

THE APPLE IS VERY HUGE, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE SMALL BITES TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. MARSH MAN SANTO.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING NEW TO ADD SOTS QUESTION, SENATOR BOLQUES?

>> SENATOR ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT.

WE THE 35th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS RECENTLY APPROPRIATED OVER $300 MILLION TO SUBSIDIZE MEDICAID AND MEDICARE PROGRAMS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SUBSIDIZE THAT PROGRAM BECAUSE THE HEALTH OF OUR PEOPLE IS PARAMOUNT.

THE ISSUE WE HAVE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THAT WE DON´T HAVE ENOUGH BEDS IN THE HOSPITAL, SO PEOPLE GO THROUGH TO HAVE -- TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR WHATEVER AND END UP STAYING IN BEDS THAT SHOULD BE ONLY FOR TEMPORARY USE IN THE SENSE OF IF WE HAD LONG-TERM FACILITIES, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TRANSITION.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR BOLQUES.

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 CAREGIVERS.

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

THE FIRST RESPONDER WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS.

THE SECOND RESPONDER ON THIS QUESTION WILL ALSO HAVE 60 SECONDS.

WE BEGIN WITH YOU, SENATOR BOLQUES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CONCERNING SENATOR ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

CONCERNING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE A BILL RIGHT NOW THAT I´VE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH AARP ON CONCERNING ELDERLY ABUSE, CONCERNING THE ISSUES THAT CAN TAKE PLACE WITH ELDERLY ABUSE.

SO, I´M VERY PROUD OF THAT BILL.

I´M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THAT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AS WELL.

HOWEVER, CONCERNING HELPING THE CAREGIVERS, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SUBSIDIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND ANY OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT GETS GRANT FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THESE INTRICATE SERVICES TO OUR ELDERLY.

YES, WE HAVE A LACK OF ELDERLY FACILITIES HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND SOME OF THEM ACTUALLY NEED REPAIR RIGHT NOW.

AND WE´RE WORKING ON THAT.

BUT IN THE INTERIM, IT´S IMPORTANT THAT WE´RE ABLE TO SUBSIDIZE THAT IN-CARE HOME SERVICE, THAT CONTINUUM OF CARE, SO THAT OUR ELDERLY POPULATION IS ABLE TO THRIVE.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO?

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

YES, WE DO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO OFFER HOME CARE TO THEIR LOVED ONES.

I HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE IN 2020, SO I KNOW THE DYNAMICS OF WHAT TAKES PLACE.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE ASSISTANCE AND THE CARE OF -- YOUR LOVED ONE WANTS TO STAY AT HOME.

NO ONE WANTS TO BE TRANSPOSED INTO A HOSPITAL OR A CONTINUING CARE FACILITY THAT NOBODY REALLY KNOWS THEM.

SO, IT IS -- AND THERE ARE FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT EXIST IN REFERENCE TO HELPING A CAREGIVER.

WE JUST NEED TO FIND WHERE THOSE THINGS ARE, TAP INTO THEM, AND USE THEM EFFECTIVELY AS WE CAN.

LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

>> SO, NOW, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR ST. JOHN.

WHAT ARE SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

60 SECONDS EACH.

WE BEGIN WITH YOU, SENATOR BOLQUES.

>> THANK YOU.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

THE HOUSING ISSUE IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT ONLY AFFECTS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT´S AFFECTING THE WHOLE ENTIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND LIKELY OTHER COUNTRIES BUCHLT BEING THAT WE´RE AN ISLAND DISTRICT AND A LACK OF LAND AND RESOURCES TO BUILD THEREOF, IT´S VERY CRITICAL THAT WE FIND VARIOUS INNOVATIVE WAYS OF TRYING TO CREATE HOUSING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPE OF HOUSING THAT WE CAN CREATE, WHETHER IT´S LOW, MODERATE INCOME, WORKFORCE HOUSING.

PARTICULARLY BEING THAT MOST OF OUR POPULATION IS LOW INCOME, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE LOW INCOME HOUSING FOR OUR PEOPLE.

BEING THAT THE TAX BASE OR THE -- THE TAX BASE FOR TAXING HOMES THAT ARE BUILT IN ADDITION TO THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS NEEDED THAT IS ALL SHIPPED IN, IT´S VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE TO BUILD A HOUSE.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS BEEN WORKING ON A NUMBER OF WAYS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE, WHETHER IT´S A -- PROGRAM OR OTHER PROGRAMS THAT EXIST.

THANK YOU.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO, 60 SECONDS.

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

YOU REFERENCED ST. JOHN SPECIFICALLY.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS LAND THEY HAVE AVAILABLE IN CORAL BAY BASIN.

THEY ALSO HAVE LAND IN BETHANY THAT CAN BE USED FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING.

ON THE ISLAND OF ST. THOMAS AND THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX, THEY HAVE UNHADS OF ACRES THAT CAN BE UTILIZED.

WE CAN DO A PARTNERSHIP WITH -- IND P PENT PEOPLE TO GET HOUSING BUILT IN THE TERRITORY.

IT´S AMAZING HOW WE CAN BUILD A HOTEL IN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS AND WE CAN´T GET CERTAIN HOUSING AND HOSPITALS DONE IN THE TERRITORY.

SO, YES, THERE ARE MEANS AND MECHANISMS AVAILABLE SO THAT THESE THINGS CAN BE DONE.

WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, YOUR SENATOR AT LARGE.

>> THANK YOU, MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

NOW, LET´S LOOK AT THE LAND AND WATER USE AREA.

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?

YOU WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS EACH.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU, MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, SENATOR AT LARGE, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE.

OUR WATER USAGE PLAN HAS BEEN, AS YOU STATED, IN THE HOPPER FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

I THINK THAT WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE MORE WORK TO BE DONE ON THAT ON THE DIFFERENT ISSUES.

WE HAVE, SINCE THE HURRICANE, CERTAIN AREAS HAVE BECOME NOW FLOOD ZONES.

THOSE THINGS HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED.

AND DIFFERENT THINGS HAVE TO BE PUT INTO PLACE.

WE NEED TO WORK ON THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I THINK THERE´S A LOT MORE TWEAKING BEFORE WE GET TO THE END OF THE ROAD.

AS THE SENATOR AT LARGE AND IF THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY SAY THAT THEY WANT THIS, I WILL SUPPORT IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, YOUR SENATOR AT LARGE, NUMBER ONE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

I ATTENDED ALL IF NOT MOST OF THE LAND AND WATER USE MEETINGS WHERE THE GENERAL PUBLIC WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE INPUT TO A TEAM THAT WAS HIRED OR CONTRACTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

A LOT OF THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PUT FORWARD WAS GOOD AND REPRESENTED WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT TO SEE IN A LAND AND WATER USE PLAN.

I BELIEVE WHEN IT COMES TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR RATIFICATION, THEY´RE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF IT, I´M LOOKING FORWARD TO REVIEWING IT VERY THOROUGHLY AND APPROVING IT IF NECESSARY.

BUT FOR THE ISLAND OF ST. JOHN, IT´S DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT´S OVER 70-SOMETHING PERCENT OWNED BY THE NATIONAL PARK.

SO, IT DOESN´T NECESSARILY AFFECT ST. JOHN AS MUCH AS THE OTHER ISLANDS OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX.

HOWEVER, THIS LAND AND WATER USE PLAN IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT IT WILL HELP US IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU.

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

YOU WILL EACH HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR RESPONDING.

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

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

60 SECONDS EACH.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU, SENATOR BOLQUES, AS OUR FIRST RESPONDER.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON YOUR BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

CONCERNING THAT QUESTION, I BELIEVE WHAT WE SHOULD BE WORKING ON, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE´RE A TOURISM INDUSTRY HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE NEED TO START PLANTING ON OUR SHORELINES, ESPECIALLY ON OUR BEACHES.

EROSION HAS CHANGED A LOT OF THE LANDSCAPES HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT IF WE DO NOT MITIGATE THEM.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A REAL THING.

IT´S GETTING HOTTER.

HURRICANES ARE STRONGER.

AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS CUT BACK ON A LOT OF WHAT HAS BEEN BURNED IN THE SENSE OF FOSSIL FUELS AND START TO GO INTO GREEN ENERGY AND TRY TO HAVE A SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT´S IMPORTANT, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, TO BE ABLE TO PLANT ON OUR SHORELINE SO WE CAN SAVE OUR BEACHES AND OUR LAND FROM BEING ERODED.

THANK YOU.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON YOUR BALLOT FOR SENATOR AT LARGE.

IT´S FUNNY THAT YOUR QUESTION ROLLED RIGHT INTO YOUR PREVIOUS QUESTION IN REFERENCE TO WHAT -- IN REFERENCE TO GLOBAL IMPACT.

I WILL SPEAK ON THE ISLE OF ST. JOHN.

FOR EXAMPLE, OUR DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WANTS TO BUILD A THREE-STORY BUILDING RIGHT ON THE FLOOD ZONE, IN THE TSUNAMI ZONE, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAY.

THAT SHOWS YOU THERE´S A DISCONNECT WITH RESPECT TO THE WATER USE PLAN AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

HOW CAN YOU PUT THAT BUILDING IN THAT LOCATION WHEN IT´S SO CLOSE TO THE OCEAN?

SO, AGAIN, THESE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO WORK ON, CONTINUE TO TWEAK, BECAUSE THERE´S NO 100% ERROR-FREE DOCUMENT THAT´S GOING TO COME FORTH AT THIS TIME.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU, MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

YOU WILL BE THE FIRST RESPONDER ON THE NEXT QUESTION.

YOU´LL HAVE 90 SECONDS EACH FOR RESPONDING.

SO, LET´S LOOK AT THE ECONOMY.

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 DIVERSING OUR ECONOMY?

AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES TO MAKING THEM A REALITY?

ONCE AGAIN, 90 SECONDS.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU THIS TIME, SENATOR BOLQUES.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON YOUR BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

CONCERNING DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY, THERE´S A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO, WHETHER IT´S SPORTS TOURISM, MEDICAL TOURISM, AMONGST THOSE.

WE ALSO HAVE WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED EXCURSION-BASED TOURISM.

SO, I KNOW THAT YOU MENTIONED OUTSIDE OF TOURISM.

BUT TOURISM IS THE MAIN WAY THAT WE´VE BEEN ABLE TO DO SO.

ALSO, ULTIMATELY, WE HAVE THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, PREDOMINANTLY THE MARIJUANA ON THE MEDICAL AND THE RECREATIONAL, WHICH HAS NOT REALLY STEMMED OUT TO BE ABLE TO REACH TO ITS -- TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN GENERATE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR OUR TERRITORY AS WELL.

SO, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE AREAS THAT POTENTIALLY WE COULD TAP INTO.

BUT JUST BY TECHNICALLY DIVERSIFYING OUR TOURISM IN DIFFERENT AREAS IN ADDITION TO AGRICULTURE AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

>> MS. MARSH MONSANTO?

>> YES.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON YOUR BALLOT.

I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO START TO LOOK INTO MANUFACTURING AND MANUFACTURING WHAT WE KNOW BEST.

FOR EXAMPLE, OUR -- BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THEY MAKE DELICIOUS PASTRIES AND FOOD.

THEY CAN CREATE -- WE CAN CREATE A BUSINESS OF A BAKERY, A FACTORY, AND HAVE THESE ITEMS MADE AND SHIP THEM WORLDWIDE AND SHOW PEOPLE OUR CULTURE, OUR TASTE, JUST LIKE HOW THEY MAKE JAMAICAN PATS AND SELL THEM EVERYWHERE, EVEN IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WHY CAN´T THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DO THE SAME THING?

CREATE OUR BEAUTIFUL CAKES, GUAVA BERRY CAKES, OUR TARTS.

THE TWO YOUNG LADIES WHO ARE IN ST. CROIX WHO ARE MAKING THEIR JUICES, THEIR JUICES HOPEFULLY WILL GO WORLDWIDE.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO PROMOTE AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A DIVERSE BUSINESS ECONOMY.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

LORELEI MONSANTO.

>> SENATOR BOLQUES?

60 SECONDS.

>> I WILL ADD TO THAT IN THE SENSE OF RECENTLY I PASSED A BILL SETTING THE NATIONAL DISH AND DESSERT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO, THAT ALSO TIES INTO, LIKE, FOODIES TOURISM, WHEREAS NOW WE CAN MARKET THE NATIONAL DISH AND DESSERT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO THE WORLD AND OF COURSE HAVE OUR RESTAURANTS START TO INCORPORATE A LOT OF WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE CUISINE AREA AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

SO, NOW LET´S TALK ABOUT YOUR VISION FOR THE VI.

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 USVI?

AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU INTEND TO PLAY, IF ANY?

YOU WILL EACH HAVE 60 SECONDS.

WE´LL BEGIN WITH YOU, MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE.

2027 WILL BE A PHENOMENAL YEAR FOR US IF WE MAKE THE CHANGES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE NOW.

WE HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE WORLD THAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF RUNNING OUR OWN GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVELY, EFFICIENTLY, HAVING EVERYBODY ACCOUNTABLE, HAVING BALANCED BOOKS, HAVING EVERYTHING TO A -- WHERE PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A RESOURCE TO ACTUALLY LIVE AND ENJOY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND IT´S NOT JUST FOR OUTSIDERS TO COME IN AND HAVE FUN AND FROLIC.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN OUR OWN HOMES COMFORTABLY.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE BEST SCHOOLS IF WE CHOOSE TO.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE KIDS IN THE SCHOOLS HAVE QUALITY SCHOOLS, QUALITY EDUCATION.

WE NEED TO TEACH OUR KIDS ABOUT HISTORY.

THE LAWSUIT THAT WAS WON BY THE RESIDENTS OF ST. CROIX WHO FOUGHT FOR HISTORY TO BE TAUGHT, THERE SHOULD BE NO FURTHER DELAY.

WE NEED TO HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE THAT SHOWS US OUR HISTORY.

IF YOU KNOW YOUR PAST, YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR FUTURE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR BOLQUES?

>> THANK YOU.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

WHATEVER CHOICE IS MADE, THE CHOICE HAS TO BE THE CHOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

THAT IS WHY THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IS SO IMPORTANT.

MORE SO EVEN IMPORTANT THAN DELEGATING SENATORS BECAUSE THESE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GOING TO HELP CRAFT AND CREATE WHAT IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERED OUR CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WHATEVER CHOICE IS MADE IN THAT SENSE, BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE TO SURVEY THE PEOPLE IN ORDER TO FIGURE IT OUT.

WHAT I DO BELIEVE, I SEE A FUTURE -- AT LEAST INDEPENDENTLY THE WAY I SEE IT.

MAYBE NOT EVERYONE SHARES MY VIEWS.

BUT I DO SEE A FUTURE WHERE WE ARE, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, CONSIDERED A NATION MORE SO THAN A TERRITORY BUT STILL HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP SUBSIDIZE WHAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED TO BE THE QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND I BELIEVE IT´S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT RELATIONSHIP, EVEN IF WE DECIDE TO GO IN THE AREA OF INDEPENDENCE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

LET´S TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SENATORS.

-- HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO SENATORS, IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT NUMBERED SEATS MIGHT ALLOW FOR BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSES TO THIS IDEA?

60 SECONDS EACH.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU, SENATOR BOLQUES.

>> THANK YOU.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

I HAVE HEARD THE CONVERSATION ABOUT NUMBERED SEATS, DISTRICTING, MOVING AWAY FROM WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AS A 15-BODY UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE.

I DON´T NECESSARILY BELIEVE THAT CHANGING IT IN THAT WAY WILL BENEFIT OR CHANGE ANYTHING.

NUMBERED SEATS JUST TECHNICALLY GIVES YOU WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A PORTION OF WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A POPULATION OF PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT.

I DON´T NECESSARILY BELIEVE NUMBERED SEATS IS GOING TO CHANGE ANYTHING.

I PREFER TO SEE DISTRICTING OR CONTINUE WITH WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. MARSH MONSANTO?

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

YOUR QUESTION WAS IN REFERENCE TO ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE SENATORS.

ACCOUNTABILITY HAS MANY LEVELS.

LET ME DIVE INTO THEM REAL QUICK BECAUSE MY TIME IS LIMITED.

THE SENATOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO SHOW HOW THEIR MONEYS ARE BEING SPENT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNTING TO THEIR OWN BUDGETARY NEEDS AND WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

THEN WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OR DEMONSTRATE THAT YOU HAVE ACTUALLY HAD COMMUNITY MEETINGS WITH THE COMMUNITY, SOME TYPE OF OUTREACH.

I THINK FOR SO MUCH -- I´M A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

SO, MY WHOLE THING IS, WE NEED TO HAVE ACTUAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WHERE THEY ARE.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES.

WE HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE CAN UTILIZE TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.

AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO GALVANIZE THOSE THINGS MORE SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT´S HAPPENING BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

AND THAT´S AFTER IT HAPPENS.

AND THEN THEY BECOME REACTIVE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE IN REFERENCE TO GETTING THINGS DONE.

SO, ACCOUNTABILITY STANDS MANY WAYS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW WE CAN NOW MOVE TO THE FINAL QUESTION AND YOUR CLOSING STATEMENTS AS WELL.

SO, PLEASE SELECT ANY TOPIC OF GREAT CONCERN OR INTEREST TO YOU THAT YOU INTEND TO FOCUS ON AS SENATOR AT LARGE IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE.

YOU WILL 60 SECONDS EACH, AND YOU MAY ALSO CLOSE OUT BY RESTATING YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND PARTY AFFILIATION.

THANK YOU.

>> AREA OF SPECIFIC CONCERN.

AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

>> LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

MY AREA OF PARTICULAR CONCERN IS FOR ST. JOHN AND THE NATIONAL PARK.

WHEN ELECTED SENATOR AT LARGE, I WOULD LIKE TO BE THE LIAISON TO INTERIOR.

BEING THAT OUR ISLAND IS 70, 75% OWNED BY THE NATIONAL PARK, THE NATIONAL PARK HAS BEGUN AND ACTED IN SEVERAL LAWLESS ATTEMPTS.

THE NATIONAL PARK HAS GALVANIZED THREE MEETINGS FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS.

I HAVEN´T SEEN THE SENATOR AT LARGE, SENATOR BOLQUES, AT ANY OF THOSE MEETINGS.

AND IT´S IMPERATIVE THAT OUR COMMUNITY GO TO THOSE MEETINGS, BECOME AWARE OF HOW THEY´RE GOING TO IMPACT THEM.

MY NAME IS LORELEI MARSH MONSANTO, SEEKING OFFICE FOR SENATOR AT LARGE IN THE NEXT LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN REFERENCE TO MAKING OUR COMMUNITY BETTER AND MORE EMPOWERED.

I THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. MARSH MONSANTO.

60 SECONDS, SENATOR BOLQUES, TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AND MAKE YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

ANGEL BOLQUES JR., YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE, NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT.

THERE ARE MANY AREAS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON.

BUT OVER ARCHINGLY, THE ONE I WOULD FOCUS ON AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON IS SOLVING OUR ENERGY CRISIS.

AS I MENTIONED THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE FORUM, I HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE BY HAVING MEETINGS AND INVITING THE WAPA -- THE LEADERSHIP OF WAPA TO THE SOLAR POWER PLANT WHEREAS WE HAD A MEETING THERE WITH MANY LEADERS FROM DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND WE ARE VERY FOCUSED ON TRYING TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE.

AND I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT.

BECAUSE THE ENERGY CRISIS AFFECTS EVERY SINGLE THING THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THAT AMONGST ALL OF THE OTHER ENDEAVORS THAT I PLAN TO WORK AND REPRESENT FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

MY NAME, AGAIN, IS ANGEL BOLQUES JR., NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AT LARGE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES AND VIEWERS.

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

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

THE LEAGUE REMINDS 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 IF ONLY A FEW MORE PERSONS HAD VOTED.

SO, LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY YOUR VOTE.

IT IS YOUR RIGHT.

TAKE IT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM DR. FELICITA RICHARDS FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SAYING, VOTE EARLY OR VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

JUST VOTE.