♫♫ >>> CLOSED CAPTIONING OF THIS PROGRAM IS UNDERWRITTEN BY THE OFFICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

>> 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."

PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX TV FOR WELL OVER 35 YEARS.

IT IS OUR HOPE TO BRING THESE PROGRAMS SO THAT YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTED OFFICE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION YEAR RIGHT HERE ON WTJX TV WITH CANDIDATES TAKING OFFICE AS A SENATE IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE OR FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

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

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY, HOWEVER, THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF DELEGATE FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

I AM DENISE SINGLETON, A MEMBER OF THE VOTERS OF 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.

THE CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTION IN ADVANCE.

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

ANSWERS ARE GENERALLY 60 OR 90 SECONDS.

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

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

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE.

SO LET´S BEGIN.

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

WE COULD LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES.

LET´S START TO MY LEFT WITH CANDIDATE NUMBER ONE.

>> GREETINGS!

I AM A CANDIDATE FOR THE DELEGATE FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

MY BALLOT NUMBER IS NUMBER THREE.

>> HELLO TO THE VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I AM PATRICIA WELKEN AND I´M RUNNING AS A DELEGATE FOR THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, AND MY BALLOT NUMBER IS NUMBER EIGHT.

>> CANDIDATES?

>> GOOD DAY.

MY NAME IS BEVERLY HARRINGTON.

I´M RUNNING FOR DELEGATE OF THE SIXst CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

MY BALLOT NUMBER IS NUMBER NINE.

>> OKAY.

LET´S START WITH THE QUESTIONS.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, WE WILL ROTATE EACH QUESTION.

OKAY.

I´M GOING TO START WITH YOU.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A DELEGATE FOR THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE INQUIRY.

THE MOTIVATION CAME FROM MY LONG EXPERTISE IN DEALING WITH THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT MATTER.

I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH, I BELIEVE, BACK IN MARCH OF 2000 TO APPEAR BEFORE THE HOUSE OF CONGRESS SUBCOMMITTEE, PROVIDED TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE PROCESS OF ADOPTING A CONSTITUTION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE PLACE OF GUAM.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, IN 2010 IN MY CAPACITY AS A MINORITY LEADER IN THE LEGISLATURE, I APPEARED BEFORE CONGRESS TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY ON THE FIFTH CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENT THAT WAS BEFORE THEM.

THAT I ENTRUSTED WITH THE BELIEF THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND ADOPT A CONSTITUTION ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND VOTED ON BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PEOPLE.

>> OKAY.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

WHAT MOTIVATED ME AFTER PRACTICING LAW IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR THE LAST 34 YEARS, AND I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT HERE SINCE 1968.

AND WHAT MOTIVATED ME IS THAT HAVING LOOKED AT THE LAST FIVE CONVENTIONS, I REALIZED, GIVEN MY BACKGROUND AS AN ATTORNEY AND ALSO A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT I CAN ADD A LOT OF GOOD INPUT THAT HOPEFULLY WILL GIVE US THE CONSTITUTION THAT WE SO NEED TO HAVE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> EVERY MAN HAS A RIGHT TO DECIDE HIS OWN DESTINY.

I BELIEVE THAT IT´S TIME FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS A PEOPLE TO DECIDE THEIR OWN DESTINY.

I LOOK AT THE ISLANDS TO OURSELF, LOOK AT THE ISLANDS NORTH.

MOST OF THEM ARE INDEPENDENT, SELF-DETERMINATIVE.

I BELIEVE THAT IT´S TIME THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BE IN SUCH A POSITION.

I AM A LAWYER.

I THINK THAT MY EXPERTISE AND THE EXPERIENCE IN THE LAW CAN LEND ITSELF TO THE PROCESS.

AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT I GET THE OPPORTUNITY BY THE ELECTORATE VOTING ME IN.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WE´LL MOVE ON TO QUESTION TWO.

THIS TIME WE WILL START WITH YOU.

THE QUESTION, WERE YOU A DELEGATE IN ANY PREVIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?

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

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> NO, I WAS NOT A DELEGATE IN ANY OF THE LAST FIVE CONVENTIONS.

AND THE REASON WHY WE WERE NOT ABLE TO COME UP WITH A CONSTITUTION FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS IS THAT FUNDAMENTALLY THE PRIOR CONVENTION DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, AND THAT´S WHERE I WOULD START IF ELECTED AS A MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

WE HAVE TO START WITH THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION BECAUSE WE ARE UNITED STATES CITIZENS, A TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> OKAY.

MR. HARRINGTON?

>> OH, SAME QUESTION?

>> SAME QUESTION.

>> REPEAT IT, PLEASE.

THANK YOU.

>> WERE YOU A DELEGATE IN ANY PREVIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?

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

>> I NEVER SERVED IN A PREVIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AS A DELEGATE.

BUT BASED ON MY READING OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO ME, THERE WERE NINE SEPARATE POINTS OF ADDITION THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOUND DID NOT COMPORT WITH THE PUBLIC LAW THAT CREATED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF THE TERRITORY.

THOSE NINE POINTS ARE THE BASIC READING, THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS NOT YET DEVELOPED THEIR OWN CONSTITUTION.

>> THANK YOU.

SAME QUESTION.

>> I WILL SIMPLY SAY, NO, I WAS NOT A MEMBER OF THE PREVIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OR ANY ONE OF THE FOUR THAT PRECEDED IT.

I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE SUBJECT MATTER AROUND GUAM, IN ADOPTING THEIR OWN CONSTITUTION IS HAMPERED BY THE CONSTRAINTS THAT WILL DEVELOP IN THE CONGRESS THAT WAS PASSED SOME PREVIOUS YEARS AGO TO ALLOW US TO DISCUSS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ADOPTING A CONSTITUTION.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I THINK THAT THE UNITED STATES AS IT EXISTS RIGHT NOW IN LAW I BELIEVE ALLOW PASSING IN 1976, BUT INTRODUCED BY A DELEGATE.

ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN AND A PROPOSAL.

>> WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT?

>> ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN ON A PROPOSAL RIGHT NOW WITHIN A SIX-MONTH PERIOD AND GIVE US THE TONIGHT TO VOTE ON IT.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

OKAY.

NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO QUESTION NUMBER THREE.

AND WE WILL START WITH YOU.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TALENTS, SKILLS OR ATTRIBUTES NEEDED BY ALL DELEGATES IF THE CONVENTION IS TO BE A SUCCESS?

AND HOW HAVE YOU DEMONSTRATED THOSE SKILLS IN YOUR CAREER OR LIFE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> 90 SECONDS.

WELL, I THINK THAT ONE OF THE MAIN ATTRIBUTES THAT NEEDS TO BE POSSESSED BY ANY DELEGATE IS THE ABILITY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND AND INTERPRET WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES, AND TO BE ABLE TO DRAFT LANGUAGE THAT COMPORTS WITH WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES.

MY EXPERTISE AS AN ATTORNEY I THINK LENDS ITSELF TO THAT TASK.

AND I BELIEVE THAT HAVING SERVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THEIR EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH LAW, INTERPRETING LAW, AMENDING LAW ALL LEND ITSELF TO THE TASKS AT HAND.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

MR. RICHARD, DO YOU NEED ME TO READ THAT QUESTION AGAIN FOR YOU?

>> NO.

>> OKAY.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TALENTS, SKILLS OR ATTRIBUTES MADE BY ALL DELEGATES IF THE CONVENTION IS TO BE A SUCCESS?

AND HOW HAVE YOU DEMONSTRATED THOSE SKILLS IN YOUR CAREER OR LIFE?

90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR RE-READING THAT QUESTION.

LET ME FIRST SUBMIT THAT IN ANY GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, THE INDIVIDUALS MUST HAVE A WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN, UNDERSTAND AND COMPREHEND WHAT IS BEING SHARED.

I MENTIONED AGAIN IN MY OPENING STATEMENT THE SUBJECT MATTER OF MY EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE.

AND IT GOES BEYOND THE TIMES I SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE OR CHAIRMAN OF A COMMITTEE.

BUT ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THE CREATION OF GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS.

OVER 212 COUNTRIES I REFERRED TO AS THE NATIONAL FEDERATION.

PRESIDED OVER DOCUMENTS FOR THE AMERICAS, WHICH HAS SOME 43 COUNTRIES OF NATIONAL FEDERATIONS WITHIN THE AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN.

IN THE CARIBBEAN DISTRICT WE HAD 23 BODIES WE WORKED WITH.

IN THE CAPACITY AS A PRESIDENT AND LEADER IN THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT I SUCCESSFULLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS THE IMPORTANCE OF COMING TO CONSENSUS WITH THE ADOPTION OF A DOCUMENT THAT WAS SERVED ON ALL OF US, UNDERSTANDING CLEARLY THAT NOT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US WON´T BE ABLE TO INCLUDE THE THINGS WE SEE AS VARIETY.

BUT THE MAJORITY SHALL PRECEDE AND OVERRULE.

>> THANK YOU.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME IS TO BE RESPECTFUL OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO WOULD BE ON THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, TO EXHIBIT PATIENCE AND AS SENATOR RICHARDS SAID, TO BE A GOOD LISTENER.

THOSE SKILLS ARE HONED AS A TRAINED MEDIATOR, BEING ABLE TO FACILITATE RESOLUTIONS AND THEIR CONFLICTS.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT´S AN IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTE THAT I WILL BE BRINGING TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

AND IT´S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO RESPECT PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS AND TO BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER, TO COME TO ONE GOAL, WHICH IS TO HAVE A CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

MOVING ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

WHAT -- AND WE´RE GOING TO START WITH YOU, MR. RICHARDS.

WHAT ARE THE TWO ISSUES YOU SEE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IN OUR CONSTITUTION?

AND WHICH OF THOSE ISSUES ARE YOU PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN, WORKING ON AND WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WORKING ON THEM?

>> THE KEY ISSUES IN MY MIND ARE IN REGARDS TO THE CONSTITUTION THAT WILL GOVERN THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AS MUCH AS STRUCTURE HOW GOVERNMENT IS SET UP, HOW THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES FUNCTION.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THERE IS ONLY A LITTLE MORE THAN A DECADE THAT WE HAVE BEEN BRING LAWS IN PLAY THAT ALLOWS FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO INVOLVE ITSELF IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS FOR JURIS PRUDENCE.

SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE IS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND HOW THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ESTABLISH ITSELF TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT HELP FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

HAVING SAID THAT, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS HOW WE PUT THE LAWS IN PLACE TO ALLOW THE EXPECTATION OF PUSHING OURSELVES TO BE A SELF-DETERMINED GROUP OF PEOPLE THROUGH SELF-DETERMINATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WHAT´S IMPORTANT FOR ME IS THAT, FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE A TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES AND THAT WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONSTITUTION AS THAT DOCUMENT THAT GOVERNS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND WHATEVER WE COME UP WITH AS A -- AS A CONVENTION, WE MUST WORK WITH IN THE CONFINES OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

AND WHAT´S IMPORTANT FOR ME IS THAT EVERYONE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHO, ESPECIALLY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VOTERS OR HAVE THE ABILITY TO VOTE, ARE TREATED EQUALLY, WITHOUT REGARD TO YOUR GENDER, WITHOUT REGARD TO WHERE YOU WERE BORN.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THOSE OF US WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE HERE AND TO PRODUCE HERE AND TO INVEST HERE, THAT WE ARE NOT TREATED DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF WHERE WE HAPPEN TO BE BORN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU CAN GO.

YOU CAN GO.

>> OKAY.

WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES YOU SEE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IN OUR CONSTITUTION?

AND WHICH OF THOSE ISSUES ARE YOU PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN WORKING ON AND WHY?

60 SECONDS.

>> ONE OF THE KEY THINGS FOR ME IS THE ABILITY FOR THE CONSTITUTION TO SET UP A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT WHERE ONE MAN, ONE VOTE IS NEEDED.

CURRENTLY, I THINK THAT THERE IS A STRUCTURE OF ABOUT 15 LEGISLATURES, WHICH IS DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE HAVE IN EACH DISTRICT.

I ALSO THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE PROVISIONS IN THE CONSTITUTION SO WE CAN BE -- HOW COULD I SAY?

REPRESENTATION FROM THE GRASS ROOTS OF THE PEOPLE.

I ALSO THINK THAT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SHOULD BE PERSPECTIVE IN A WAY THAT IT SPEAKS TO SELF-DETERMINATION, GIVEN WHERE WE ARE, A COLONY OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH CONTRIBUTION SHOULD BE ONE TO SET UP DETERMINATION.

>> OKAY.

IN JUST A LITTLE BIT, WE´RE GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION.

YOU ARE ALL GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO ANSWER, BUT YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADD, REDACT OR COMMENT ON THE QUESTION.

OKAY?

SO WE´RE GOING TO START THIS TIME.

YOU´RE WELCOME.

WE´RE GOING TO START.

AND THE QUESTION IS, IS THE ISSUE OF NATIVE WHITES OFF THE TABLE FOR YOU IN THIS CONVENTION?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

HOW SHOULD IT BE DEALT WITH?

SHOULD IT BE RAISED?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> YEAH.

OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE, IN MY VIEW, AND THIS MAY BE RADICAL FOR SOME PEOPLE, BUT THE NATIVES THAT I ACKNOWLEDGE ARE THE INDIANS DISPLACED BY COLUMBUS.

AND THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN VESTED HERE, HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT FOR OVER 50 SOMETHING YEARS, I´M A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAVE BEEN MY HOME.

I´M INVESTED HERE.

I HAVE THREE FAMILY MEMBERS BURIED HERE.

AND THE DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER I COULD BE GOVERNOR OR WHETHER I COULD VOTE ON CERTAIN THINGS SHOULD NOT BE BASED ON WHERE I WAS BORN.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD OR REBUT?

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT INHERENT IN THE TERM OR IN THE PROCESS SELF-DETERMINATION IS THE ABILITY OF A PEOPLE TO SELF-IDENTIFY, TO GOVERN THEMSELVES.

SO I DON´T TAKE NATIVE RIGHTS OFF THE TABLE.

I THINK THAT´S SOMETHING THAT´S DEBATABLE.

BUT THAT A SET OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, THAT´S A NATURAL HUMAN RIGHT.

THAT´S HOW PEOPLE SHOULD DEFINE THEMSELVES, IN THE WAY THEY SEE FIT.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

MR. HARRINGTON, YOU ARE.

DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT IT?

I´M SORRY.

>> NO.

BUT I WILL SAY THE COMMENTS BEING MADE TO LINE THAT UP UNDER THE SUBJECT MATTER OF INDIGENOUS, I THINK FOR ME IT IS ON THE TABLE.

AND IT WILL REMAIN ON THE TABLE BECAUSE I HAVE THE CONTEXT OF CITIZENSHIP, WHEN IT WAS GRANTED BECAUSE REFERENCE KEEPS BEING MADE TO THE UNITED STATES WHEN THE UNITED STATES PURCHASED THIS PLACE IN 1917, AND IT WAS 210 YEARS LATER THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE LIVING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WAS GRANTED CITIZENSHIP AND NOT FULLY GIVEN TO THESE PEOPLE UNTIL ALMOST 1940.

AND SO WE WERE A PEOPLE WITHOUT A COUNTRY, WITHOUT A CITIZENSHIP.

NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS IS SOMETHING THAT REMAINS ON THE TABLE FOR ME GIVEN MY UNDERSTANDING.

>> MAY I FOLLOW UP, PLEASE?

>> OKAY.

WE´RE GOING TO GIVE YOU 50 SECONDS.

>> WELL, I HEARD MY COLLEAGUES TALK ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATION.

IN MY VIEW, DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION AND SELF-DETERMINATION ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS.

THE CONSTITUTION WILL NOT NECESSARILY DETERMINE OUR DESTINY BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE TO GO TO CONTINUE AND THROUGH A WHOLE PROCESS.

I DON´T WANT THE VIEWERS TO BE CONFUSED BECAUSE THAT WILL DETERMINE OUR STATUS WITH THE UNITED STATES.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

>> READING THE PART OF THE PROCESS.

I DON´T THINK, AT LEAST FOR ME, SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, THAT WE IMPLIED THE CONSTITUTION´S STATUS.

THE SUBJECT MATTER THAT IS BEFORE US IS THAT IT REQUIRES SOME FUNDAMENTAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE GENESIS OF WHERE IT BEGAN UNDER THE QUOTE, UNQUOTE COLONIAL SADDLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

THAT HAS TO BE MADE CLEAR AND COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKAY.

>> WE WILL FOLLOW THE SAME FORMAT WHERE WE CAN ADD.

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS AFTER THE FIRST ONE.

SO WE WILL START THIS TIME WITH MR. CARING TON.

AND THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU THINK THE LACK OF POLITICAL STATUS WILL SERIOUSLY IMPACT THE CREATION OF CONSTITUTION?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> THE PARAMETERS THAT ARE SET FROM THE CONGRESS ARE PRETTY CLEAR.

THIS PROCESS IS NOT THE PROCESS THAT DEFINITIVE PROCESS FOR SELF-DETERMINATION.

WE´RE TASKED WITH THE CONSTITUTION, THE PARAMETERS OF THE CONSTITUTION ARE SET FORTH IN PUBLIC LAW AND IT ALLOWS FOR THE FORMATION OF THIS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

SO I THINK THE STATUS SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR FOR THE PASSAGE OF A CONSTITUTION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I COULDN´T AGREE WITH MR. CARING TON MORE.

AND HE SUMMED IT UP BEAUTIFULLY.

IT IS NOT ABOUT POLITICAL STATUS, AND IT SHOULD NOT PREVENT US FROM ARRIVING AT OUR CONSTITUTION IN THE SIXTH CONVENTION.

>> OKAY.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION, PLEASE?

>> OKAY.

DO YOU THINK POLITICAL STATUS, THE LACK OF, WILL SERIOUSLY IMPACT THE CONSTITUTION?

>> IT HAS ALREADY OVER THE PAST CONSTITUTION IMPACTED THE ADOPTION OF A CONSTITUTION.

THE FLAG THAT THE TERRITORY HAD REJECTED, WHAT CAME BEFORE THEM IN THE PAST HAS, IN FACT, SERVED AS A VEHICLE TO NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND WHAT A CONSTITUTION IS GIVEN THE LACK OF NOT HAVING A POLITICAL STATUS BE FINE.

I DON´T THINK I CAN ACHIEVE BRINGING THE CONSTITUTION BEFORE THE PEOPLE SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT MAKING CLEAR ITS IMPACT ON NOT ONLY SELF-DETERMINATION BUT TAKING US TO POLITICAL STATUS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

OKAY.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION, BUT WITH THE SAME FORMAT.

>> GIVEN THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE TERRITORY, HOW CAN YOU ASSURE THAT ALL VOICES CAN BE HEARD IN DEVELOPING THAT CONSTITUTION.

WE WILL START THIS TEAM AGAIN WITH YOU, MR. RICHARDS.

AND YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

IT CAN BE HEARD ON NOVEMBER 5th WHEN YOU VOTE FOR NUMBER THREE ON THE BALLOT.

BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE ARE REGISTERED VOTERS WHO ARE SELECTING PERSONS ON THEIR BEHALF AND REPRESENTING THEM IN SUCH A CONVENTION.

AND I THINK A PARTICULAR GROUP OR NUMBER OF PEOPLE, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE THEIR VOICE WITH SOME OF THE REASONS THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.

I HAVE BEEN BELIEVE TO REPRESENT AND TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE MEMBERS OF THE CONSTITUENCIES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DECK NADS.

>> SAME QUESTION.

>> IT´S BEEN CERTAIN THAT VOTERS WHEN THEY GO OUT AN NOVEMBER 5th LOOK AT NOT JUST THE TOP POSITION, SENATORS AND DELEGATES IN CONGRESS, BUT LOOK AT ALL OF THE PERSONS RUNNING FOR THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES AND, OF COURSE, ESPECIALLY THE DELEGATES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

I THINK A PROCESS OF EDUCATING PEOPLE, LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT YOUR POSITION IS AND ALSO GETTING FEEDBACK FROM THEM, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE PRIOR CONVENTION AND WHAT CAME OUT OF THEM GIVES US A BASIS TO START TO SEE WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE FOR OUR POPULATION.

>> THANK YOU.

GIVEN THE DIVERSE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE TERRITORY, HOW WILL YOU ASSURE THAT ALL VOICES CAN BE HEARD IN DEVELOPING OUR CONSTITUTION?

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> THE BEST I CAN DO IS JUST GET OUT THERE AND LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO I AM, WHAT THESE PROCESSES ARE ABOUT AND HOPE THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED ENOUGH IN THE PROCESS TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND LET THEIR VOICE BE HEARD.

AND WE DO HAVE VOTER APATHY.

BUT THIS IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT PROCESS.

IT IS NOT ONLY FOR NOW, BUT IT IS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND THE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

MOVING ON.

BUT WITH THE SAME FORMAT.

CURRENTLY, IT MUST RECEIVE 50 PERCENT PLUS ONE OF THE ALL THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST BAR FOR AN INITIATIVE TO PASS IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

SHOULD THIS BE CHANGED?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> YES, IT SHOULD BE CHANGED.

AS YOU SAID, IT´S ONE OF THE HOT SPOTS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THAT IT´S 50% PLUS ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO VOTE, WHO VOTED IN THAT PARTICULAR -- ON THAT PARTICULAR INITIATIVE.

BECAUSE WE DON´T WANT IS TO MAKE IT SO RESTRICTIVE THAT WE´RE NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE INPUT WE NEED TO -- TO PUT FORTH WHATEVER -- WHATEVER INITIATIVE THAT IT IS.

>> OKAY.

SAME FORMAT.

WE HAVE 50 SECONDS.

DO YOU WANT ME TO RE-READ THE QUESTION?

OKAY.

CURRENTLY, FOR AN INITIATIVE TO PASS, YOU MUST RECEIVE 50% PLUS ONE OF ALL THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST BAR FOR AN INITIATIVE TO PASS IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

SHOULD THIS BE CHANGED?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> I THINK THE PERCENTAGE IS NOT TOO HIGH, AND IT SHOULD BE 50% PLUS ONE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I DON´T AGREE IT SHOULD BE 50% PLUS ONE OF THE PERSONS WHO VOTE, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE PANELISTS WHO ARE JOINING ME TODAY AGREE THAT WE HAVE VOTER APATHY.

50% PLUS ONE OF THE PERSONS THAT VOTE MEANS IF ONLY 100 PEOPLE OUT OF 80,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE RESIDENTS, ONLY 100 GO AND VOTE, THEN THEY CAN ADOPT AN INITIATIVE.

YES, THE BAR IS HIGH.

IT REQUIRES US TO REVISIT AND REFERENDUM ADOPTED BY CONGRESS ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO FIND SOME WAY TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN, IN FACT, ACHIEVE THESE GOALS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAY I FOLLOW-UP, PLEASE?

>> OKAY.

I CAN ONLY GIVE YOU 50 SECONDS.

>> THAT´S OKAY.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO EDUCATE OUR VOTING PUBLIC.

DEPENDING ON WHAT THE INITIATIVE IS, PEOPLE WILL COME OUT AND VOTE.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EDUCATE THEM, GET OUT THERE AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.

BUT, YES, WE DO HAVE VOTER APATHY.

BUT ONCE WE DO THE EDUCATION, PEOPLE WILL COME OUT TO SUPPORT WHAT THEY WANT TO SUPPORT.

>> OKAY.

CAN WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE?

OKAY.

MR. CARINGTON, LET´S TALK ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE HAS BEEN SIGN OF THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE APPORTIONED BY POPULATION, BY LOOKING AT POPULATION NUMBERS EVERY TEN YEARS USING THE CENSUS AS BACKGROUND?

AND DECREASING THE POPULATION AS PEOPLE MOVE AWAY.

DOES THAT MEAN DISCUSS THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE?

MR. CARINGTON, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I THINK IT SHOULD BE IMMATERIAL.

I THINK THAT IT IS PROPORTIONATE TO THE POPULATION.

I THINK ONE MAN, ONE VOTE SHOULD REQUIRE US TO REVISIT WITH THE LEGISLATURE, HOW IT IS COMPRISED.

AND I ALSO THINK AS I SAID BEFORE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE WE HAVE DISTRICTING, WHEREBY PEOPLE CAN BE ASSEMBLED, THE REPRESENTATIVES CAN BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO EACH OF THE -- THE PEOPLE THAT THEY REPRESENT.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. RICHARDS?

>> YES.

I BELIEVE THE SUBJECT MATTER SHOULD BE ON THE TABLE.

I THINK SOMETIMES WE TRY TO MAKE COMPARISONS TO DIFFERENT STATES WITHOUT HAVING A PROPER UNDERSTANDING THAT MOST STATES ARE LEVELLED.

I DON´T EVEN HAVE A STATE SENATE, A STATE HOUSE.

WE HAVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CITY COUNCIL, WHETHER IT´S GOVERNMENT.

AND EVEN ELECTING JUDGES.

SO THE STRUCTURE, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, HAS BEEN MY PRIORITY.

THE STRUCTURE OF OUR LEGISLATURE IS BACKGROUND DEFICIENT.

AND IS NOT TODAY PUT TOGETHER IN A MANNER THAT CAN EFFECTIVELY SERVE THE POPULUS WHILE MAKING SURE THAT THE REPRESENTATION BETWEEN THE TWO DIFFERENT DISTRICTS ARE EQUAL.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> YES.

DEFINITELY THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE AND THAT MY POSITION IS THAT THE LEGISLATURES SHOULD BE CALLED INTO SESSION A SET NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE YEAR.

OF COURSE, IF THERE ARE CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SESSIONS.

BUT, YES, THE SIZE SHOULD BE REDUCED, AND IT SHOULD BE A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

LET´S LOOK AT ST. JOHN.

EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN AT LARGE SENATOR FROM ST. JOHN, SOME CITIZENS THERE STILL FEEL UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE REGULAR REGULAR LAY -- LEGISLATURE.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS AND WE WILL START WITH YOU.

>> PLEASE REPEAT THE QUESTION.

I´M GLAD THAT QUESTION FOLLOWED THE PREVIOUS ONE BECAUSE IT BRINGS IT RIGHT DOWN TO THE SUBJECT MATTER IN REGARDS THE WAY THAT THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE BODY IS SET UP.

AS A GOOD EXAMPLE, YOU ARE THE ONE THAT RAISED THE IDEA OF THE RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHN.

BUT RESIDENTS OF THE ISLAND OF ST. JOHN ARE FOR REPRESENTS OF THE SICHBth DISTRICT WHO RESIDE ON THE ISLANDS OF ST. JOHN OR SAINT THOMAS.

SO THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE IN REGARDS TO HOW WE STRUCTURE NOT ONLY THE SUBJECT MATTER, AND I HATE TO CALL IT DISTRICT REPRESENTATION, BUT I THINK CONSTITUENCIES THAT WILL BE PROPERLY REPRESENTED.

I AM IN SUPPORT WITHIN A 15-MEMBER FIRST-TIME BODY WHO WILL SERVE IN A CAPACITY THAT WILL BE ABLE -- IN A LARGE CAPACITY WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> OKAY.

SAME QUESTION.

>> YEP.

ST. JOHN REPRESENTATION DEFINITELY MUST BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE, AS SENATOR RICHARDS POINTED OUT, THEY GET TO VOTE FOR SEVEN BUT THEY´RE ALSO LIMITED, AND THEY HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO CAMPAIGN.

I DON´T REALLY WANT TO GO DOWN THE ROAD OF DISTRICTING, BUT WE´VE GOT TO LOOK AT POPULATION AND HOW THAT´S DONE IS SOMETHING TO BE DEVELOPED.

I´M NOT PREPARED TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS TODAY.

>> OKAY.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I THINK THAT IF WE BREAK THE ISLANDS DOWN INTO DISTRICTS OR CONSTITUENCIES, THE KEY HERE IS THAT EACH DISTRICT CAN BE ABLE TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE SOMEONE THAT THEY ELECT.

THE REPRESENTATION, THE RIGHT ACCOUNTABILITY.

SO I GO BACK TO DISTRICTING AS A SOLUTION TO THE QUESTION.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WE´RE GOING TO GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS FORMAT WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO START WITH 60 SECONDS AND EVERYBODY ANSWERS.

AFTERWARDS, WE´LL HAVE 50 SECONDS.

WE WILL START WITH YOU.

AND THE QUESTION, CURRENTLY ALL RESOLUTIONS ARE LONG-BINDING, IN CONTRAST TO THE MAJORITY OF STATES.

SHOULD THIS BE CHANGED BY OUR CONSTITUTION?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> THAT´S NON-BINDING RESOLUTION.

I´M TRYING TO THINK OF SOME OF THE RESOLUTION THAT´S COME UP RECENTLY, NAMING -- NAMING -- HONORING CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE HONORED.

AND I´M NOT SURE THAT -- AND, AGAIN, WITHOUT DOING ANY RESEARCH, THAT I WANT TO PUT THAT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

IT´S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD WANT TO RESEARCH FULLY BECAUSE I´M A RESEARCHER BEFORE I MAKE A COMMITMENT IN THIS FORUM, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO CONSIDER BECAUSE NOT ALL RESOLUTIONS NEED TO BE BINDING.

>> OKAY.

AND YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> THERE ARE TWO RESOLUTIONS.

ONE THAT CAME TO MY MIND WAS THE RESOLUTION THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED MOST RECENTLY TO HAVE THE INSULAR CASES AND THE DOCTRINE OF INSULAR CASES LOOKED AT AND REPUDIATED.

THAT SPEAKS A LOT TO STATUS, WHICH MEANS YOU CAN´T ESCAPE THE ISSUE OF STATUS.

AND, SO, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NON-BINDING RESOLUTIONS, RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE NOT RECOGNIZED OR GIVEN RESPECT IS A PROBLEM FOR US THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS ULTIMATELY.

AND THAT ULTIMATE ADDRESS COMES WITH THE ADDRESSING OF STATUS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MR. RICHARDS?

>> YOU HAVE THE QUESTION.

GIVEN MY CAREERS OF EXPERIENCE AS NOT ONLY A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE BUT AS A RESEARCHER, I WAS FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH A DELEGATE.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING WITHIN THE HALLS OF THE LEGISLATURE AS A BINDING RESOLUTION.

RESOLUTIONS ARE TO BE RESOLVED.

I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS, AND I SAID THIS.

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING IN THAT PIECE OF DOCUMENT THAT BEGAN AS A RESOLUTION, THEN IT HAS AN ACTING CLAUSE THAT WILL BE DONE.

BUT THERE IS A TERRITORY, A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT ONLY CAN BE SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE CAN´T HAVE ANY OTHER BANGED IN RESOLUTION.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

WE WILL MOVE ON IN THE SAME FORMAT.

AND THIS TIME WE WILL BEGIN WITH MR. CARINGTON.

WHAT KINDS OF ADVICE OR WHAT KINDS OF EXPERTS DO YOU THINK ARE NEEDED FOR THE CONVENTION TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> I BELIEVE THE CONVENTION COULD USE EXPERT ADVICE.

YOU NEED TO HAVE EXPERTS ON CONSTITUTIONAL LAW BECAUSE WE ARE WRITING THE CONSTITUTION.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE EXPERTS WHO UNDERSTAND AND CAN EDUCATE US ON WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE CONSTITUTION AND, QUITE FRANKLY, WHAT WAS REQUIRED TO MAKE THIS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SUCCESSFUL?

IT ALLOWS FOR THIS PROCESS TO GO FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. RICHARDS?

>> YES.

I WILL CONCUR WITH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER OF EXPERTISE BEING REQUIRED AND NECESSARY FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ELECTED AS DELEGATES TO HAVE THE ADVICE AND SOMEWHAT GUIDANCE OF INDIVIDUALS, NOT ONLY IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW BUT ALSO IN THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT IF IT PLANS TO MARKET TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF WHAT IS CLEAR IN THE CONSTITUTION, WHAT IT IS WE´RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE TO HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENT REVIEWED, APPROVED BY CONGRESS AND VOTED UPON BY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REGISTERED VOTERS.

IN THAT CONTEST, IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE THOSE POINTS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE THE TECHNICAL GUIDANCE IN BODIES FROM THE LEGISLATURES HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THROUGH THE UNITED STATES.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE WHO PROVIDE THE GUIDANCE NEEDED FOR DECISION MAKERS.

>> I AGREE WITH MR. CARINGTON.

ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FIVE ATTEMPTS AND THE FINDINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THE LAST CONVENTION.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERTS WHO CAN GUIDE THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A NUMBER OF LAWYERS RUNNING, I STILL BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS A CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERT.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

NEXT QUESTION.

I´M GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU, MR. RICHARDS.

WHAT STRATEGIES COULD YOU PROMOTE TO KEEP THE PUBLIC ENGAGED OR INFORMED OF THE WORK OF THE CONVENTION?

WE WILL GIVE YOU 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK FROM WHAT IS NORMAL, PARTICULARLY IN OUR DISCUSSIONS HERE TODAY AND ONE OF THE REASONS THAT OUR CONSTITUTION IN THE PAST, WHETHER IT WAS THE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD OR FOURTH FAILED BEFORE THE VOTERS WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME PARTICULAR CONTEXT WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION THAT THE PEOPLE HAD TO RAISE AGAIN.

MY POINT IS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND THE VOTERS WHY WE NEED A CONSTITUTION, WHAT´S IN THE CONSTITUTION, WHAT PARAMETERS WERE GIVEN RIGHT DOWN TO THE INDIGENOUS DISCUSSIONS THAT THEY HAVE.

SO THAT THEY CAN PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE CHOICES THAT ARE BEFORE THEM AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE A LEGAL BASIS AND FOOTING BY WHICH THEY STAND ON TO MAKE THE DECISION.

AND SO HAVING SAID THAT, I´M LOOKING FORWARD TO PUTTING A LOT OF ENERGY INTO THE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

A LOT OF ENERGY IN NOT ONLY MAKING SURE WE ADVOCATE IN IT BEFORE CONGRESS, BUT WE PROMOTE, INFORM AND EDUCATE WHAT´S BEING SENT TO CONGRESS ON THEIR BEHALF BY THE ELECTED DELEGATES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

THE ACT WHICH CREATED THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION PROVIDES FOR FUNDING, FOR EDUCATING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ABOUT WHATEVER WE HAVE DRAFTED.

AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO AGGRESSIVELY UTILIZE ALL MEANS OUTLINED IN THAT.

FOR EXAMPLE, ENGLISH AND SPANISH LANGUAGE BROADCASTING, RADIOS AND BILLBOARDS.

WHEN WE HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN, HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE A TERRIFIC TURNOUT TO SUPPORT WHAT WE HAVE DRAFTED.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. CARINGTON?

>> THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, THIS SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IS A POLITICAL BODY, BUT IT IS ALSO A BODY THAT NEEDS TO COME TO CONSENSUS.

AND PART OF THE EDUCATING UPSETS THAT WE NEED TO EMBARK ON, IT IS TO APPEAR AS A VALUE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE OUT OF THE PROCESS WHERE WE ARE, WHERE WE´RE GOING AND WHERE WE WANT TO END UP.

SO I THINK THAT IT´S IMPORTANT THAT WE, AS DELEGATES, NOT INDIVIDUALS NECESSARILY, BUT AS GROUPS OR AS A GROUP THAT EXTEND EDUCATION FOR THE PEOPLE SO THEY KNOW WHERE THEY´RE GOING, WHAT THE PROCESS IS AND WHAT THEY´RE TRYING TO GET TO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I HAVE JUST ONE POINT.

>> OKAY.

>> I JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS THE STATEMENT WHICH I THINK SOMETIMES IS LOST.

THE FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION DOCUMENT THAT WAS SENT TO THE U.S. CONGRESS, PARTICULARLY TO THE HOUSE OF CONGRESS WAS A DOCUMENT THAT WAS ADOPTED BY CONSENSUS MAJORITY.

IT IS INCLUDED IN A MAJORITY OF PERSONS IN A DELIBERATIVE BODY FOR CONGRESS TO CONSIDER.

SOMETIMES WE MISS THAT POINT, THAT EACH ONE OF US MAY HAVE AN OPINION, MAY HAVE A POSITION, MAY FEEL A CERTAIN WAY.

BUT IN THE END, LET´S INCLUDE IN WHAT THE MAJORITY HAS AGREED UPON.

>> ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

BECAUSE WE´RE GOING TO GO TO OUR CLOSING QUESTION.

OKAY.

THERE ARE OTHER KEY ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION IN THE CONVENTION SUCH AS ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL, ELECTED JUDGES AND DELIBERATION.

DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON ANY ONE OF THESE TOPICS?

AND WE´RE GOING TO GIVE YOU 90 SECONDS WITH NO REBUTTAL.

AND WE´RE GOING TO START WITH YOU.

>> I´M SORRY.

I DIDN´T KNOW WHERE YOU WERE STARTING FROM.

>> SO I THINK THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, EVEN ELECTED JUDGES.

I BELIEVE THESE ARE SUBJECT MATTERS THAT CAN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AT THE CONSTITUTION LEVEL.

I´VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN DEALING IN MY CAPACITY AS AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER AS THE EXECUTIVE BLACK CAUCUS AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES ABOUT HAVING A PERSPECTIVE AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND HOW IT IMPACTS ON HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS.

THE LEVEL THAT THE ELECTED TERRITORY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ELECTED EVERYONE THAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE TERRITORY ON A MORE FUNCTIONAL BASIS BEFORE WE JUMPED ON AND ADDED ON OTHER OFFICERS THAT NEED TO BE ELECTED.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE THE SUBJECT OF CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE.

ANYONE RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE IS SET BY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS IMPACT THE SUPERIOR COURT BENCH THAT HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE VOTING PUBLIC.

THESE ARE ALL KEY ELEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

AND I AGREE WITH SENATOR RICHARDS THAT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT POLITICIZING ALL OF THESE POSITIONS, ESPECIALLY JUDGES AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

BUT I DO WANT TO TOUCH ON IMMIGRATION BECAUSE YOU ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

AND YOU HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT AS LONG AS WE REMAIN A TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE TO OPERATE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE IMMIGRATION LAWS.

BUT, YES, CERTAIN THINGS MAY BE CARVED OUT BECAUSE OF OUR UNIQUE LOCATION IN THE CARIBBEAN WITH OUR NEIGHBORS.

AND THAT´S ON THE TABLE FOR ME.

>> 60 SECONDS.

>> IT´S QUITE A POWERFUL ISSUE.

IT HAS A BIG IMPACT ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

BUT I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT IT AGAIN.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I REALLY THINK ARE IMPORTANT, SUCH AS NATURAL RESOURCES.

IT REALLY SPEAKS TO PROTECTION, BUT IT SPEAKS TO THE PRESERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

THAT´S ONE THING THAT I THINK WE SHOULD ADD.

AND WE ALSO SPEAK TO PRESERVATION, PRESERVING PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF OUR LIVES FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES AND OTHER PURPOSES.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT A LOT OF ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE LEFT CAN BE REVISITED AND SHOULD BE REVISITED.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS EACH FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

AND THIS TIME WE´RE GOING TO START WITH MR. CARINGTON.

>> I THINK THAT THIS -- THIS IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT PROCESS THAT YOU´RE EMBARKING ON.

WE MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS, FIVE ATTEMPTS.

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

THEY HAVE NOT GONE TO FRUITION.

I THINK THAT THE FIFTH IS AN EXCELLENT DOCUMENT, THAT WE SHOULD WORK FROM THAT DOCUMENT AND LOOK TO IT SO THAT WE CAN, AT SOME POINT, GET TO THIS JUNCTURE WHERE THE GOVERNMENTS ARE LOW KEY, AN OPERATION WITH SOMEBODY OKAYING THAT I WANT TO DO.

BUT THE CORE ISSUE OF ADOPTING IT IS AN OXYMORON BECAUSE IT COMES FROM THE PEOPLE.

THIS DID NOT COME FROM THE PEOPLE.

SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO NOW, AND WE SHOULD.

>> 60 SECONDS.

>> FIRST I WANT TO THANK YOU AND WTJX, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

AND I WANT TO REMIND THE VOTING PUBLIC THAT MY BALLOT NUMBER IS NUMBER EIGHT UNDER THE SIXTH DELEGATE CONSTITUTION.

AND WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE OUR ABILITY TO BE SELF-GOVERNING BY CREATING A CONSTITUTION THAT WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND A CONSTITUTION THAT SEEKS TO A UNIQUENESS, BOTH IN TERMS OF LOCATION AND THE DIVERSE POPULATION WE HAVE.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN DRAFTING SUCH A CONSTITUTION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

STRICT 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, WTJX AS HAVING ME HERE.

TO THE VOTERS, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE IT IS MY PLANS AND EXPECTATION TO NOT JUST TALK THE TALK, BUT TO WALK THE WALK.

MEANING THAT I INTEND, PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 5th, TO NOT ONLY WAIT BUT TO GO TO DIFFERENT FORUMS ON MY OWN AT MY EXPENSE TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC NOT ONLY OF WHAT THE CONSTITUTION IS ABOUT OR WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT MR. RICHARDS, NUMBER THREE ON THE BALLOT, AS A DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

I THINK THIS SHOULD NOT BE A POPULARITY CONTEST.

I THINK THAT WE OWE TO THE PEOPLE WHO WE SAY WE WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT A CONSTITUTION TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT, THE CONTEXT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO TELL THE PEOPLE WHO WE ARE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU.

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

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN´S VOTERS HAS HELPED YOU, THE VOTER, IN UNDERSTANDING THE CANDIDATES AND INFORMED YOUR VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

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

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT.

DURING ELECTIONS, WE OFTEN SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BARELY MAKES THE CUT BECAUSE A FEW MORE PEOPLE DID VOTE OR ONE WHO BARELY LOSES AND WISHES, IF ONLY I HAD A FEW MORE PERSONS TO VOTE.

SO LET´S LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY YOUR VOTE.

IT´S YOUR RIGHT.

TAKE IT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM DENISE SINGLETON FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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 OF THIS PROGRAM WAS UNDERWRITTEN.