>> GOOD DAN WELCOME TO LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEET THE CANDIDATE FORUM, A PROGRAM PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH W TJX FOR WELL OVER 35 YEARS DID I AM MODERATOR TO TODAY´S PROGRAM.

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

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

IT IS THE LEAGUE´S HOPE THAT THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS THAT YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTED OFFICE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022 ELECTION-YEAR RIGHT HERE ON W TJX.

THE CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE OR GOVERNOR OR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF SENATOR IN THE SAINT DOM THOMAS DISTRICT THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INFORME IN ADVANCE OF THE GUIDELINES FOR THE PROGRAM.

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

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

ANSWERS WILL GENERALLY BE KEPT TO 60 OR 90 SECONDS.

CHANGES IN TIMING OF 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.

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

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH OF OUR CANDIDATES AS DISCUSSION ENSUES.

>> GREETINGS MY FELLOW VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

I AM DUANE DEGRASSE, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE NUMBER 12 ON THE BALLOT.

>> GREETINGS.

I AM RAY FONSECA , YOUR NEW DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR THE LEGISLATURE , NUMBER SIX ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> AND WE WILL COMPLETE WITH SENATOR.

>> GREETINGS.

I AM NUMBER 10 ON THE BALLOT .

I AM SEEKING RE-ELECTION IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

NOW FOR OUR FIRST QUESTION.

LET´S BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT YOUR READINESS TO BE A SENATOR.

HERE´S A TWO PART QUESTION.

YOU WILL EACH HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

LET´S BEGIN.

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

YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH SENATOR DEGRASSE .

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

>> I HAVE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE AND SERVED IN THREE TERMS.

I CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I BELIEVE I BRING A STRONG DECENCY TO THE POSITION OF SENATOR WITH MY BACKGROUND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, MILITARY AND NOW AS A SENATOR.

I HAVE SUPPORTED LEGISLATION AND SPONSORED LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT SENIORS DURING DISASTERS , THEIR BENEFITS AND TO GENERATE REVENUE FOR THE SYSTEM.

I ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING STUDENTS.

I HAVE TAKEN PART IN SEVERAL COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ALSO BRINGING NOTABLE RESOLUTIONS TO HONOR PERSONNEL WHO ARE PERMANENT.

ATTRIBUTES I BRING AND I AM AS EAGER NOW AS I WAS WHEN I FIRST JOINED, SO I CONTINUE IN SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU, AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO MR. FONSECA.

THANK YOU, FELICITA.

I AM RAY FONSECA.

I WAS BORN IN THE SOUTH ON.

I WENT TO DAY CARE IN PEARSON GARDENS.

I WENT TO LOCKHART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

I STUDIED AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY I GOT A DEGREE IN HOTEL ADMINISTRATION AND I ALSO COMPLETED MY MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY.

I HAVE MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT.

I SERVED AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY.

>> I HAVE MANAGED OVER $400 MILLION IN FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SOME OF MY RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS, I HAVE BEEN THE PROJECT MANAGER HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGIN ISLANDS IN THE MARINE SCIENCE HOLDING.

>> YOU KNOW, I AM A CANDIDATE TO HELP MY CONSTITUENTS.

I WANT TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR ALL THE PEOPLE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SO I AM VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE AND THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

SENATOR BHARATA >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

I BELIEVE MY COMPETENCIES ARE SIGNIFICANT FOR THE POSITION OF SENATOR IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE.

I HOLD A BACHELOR´S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY AS WELL AS CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> I HAVE SERVED AS PAST DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF PERSONNEL.

I HAVE SERVED AS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT AUTHORITY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION.

I HAVE SERVED AS PAST PRESIDENT AND TREASURER FOR THE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SO MY EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES ARE VAST , I BELIEVE, AND I AM QUALIFIED TO SERVE IN THE POSITION AS YOUR SENATOR.

OF THE FRESHMAN SENATORS I BELIEVE MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE SIGNIFICANT.

ALSO, I CHAIRED THE RULES AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WHERE WE HAD NOMINEES TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF GOVERNMENT .

I AUTHORED A NUMBER OF MEANINGFUL BREAD- AND-BUTTER ISSUES ALLOWING RETIREES TO RETURN TO WORK WHILE RETAINING THEIR RETIREMENT ANNUITY.

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE SIGNIFICANT.

WE DON´T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GO INTO EVERYTHING HERE.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR PARRA.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR SECOND QUESTION.

LET´S START WITH MR. FONSECA AS OUR FIRST RESPONDENT ON THIS QUESTION.

.

2027 WILL MARK THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS AND 110 YEARS SINCE PURCHASED FROM DENMARK.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS YOUR VISION WITH RESPECT TO SELF- GOVERNMENT FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU INTEND TO PLAY, IF ANY?

PLEASE NOTE THAT SELF- GOVERNMENT DOES NOT NECESSARILY IMPLY INDEPENDENCE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NEED TO DEVELOP A [INDISCERNIBLE] FUND.

I´M GOING TO GET BACK TO THAT SHORTLY BUT I THINK THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE IN A SITUATION A PEOPLE, WHAT WE WANT OUR FORMAL STATUS TO BE, AND WE, AS YOUR NEXT LEGISLATURE, THE 35th LEGISLATURE, I WILL FOLLOW WHATEVER THE WISHES ARE OF THE PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT RESERVE BECAUSE THERE ARE PANDEMICS THAT NEED EMERGED EMERGENCY FUNDING.

THERE IS A HURRICANE THAT NEEDS EMERGENCY FUNDING.

RIGHT NOW AT A HIGH SCHOOL THERE IS A FUNDING ISSUE, SO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE SELF- SUFFICIENT SO THAT FOR EXAMPLE, IF FEMA REQUIRES A 10% DOWN PAYMENT, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH THAT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO START THE PROGRESS OF PROJECTS.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY A LOT OF OUR PROJECTS ARE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CAPACITY.

ALSO, HEALTHCARE IS VERY IMPORTANT .

ALSO EDUCATION THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.

THIS IS RAY FONSECA.

>> SENATOR PARRA, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE RESPOND TO THE QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

FOR SURE, ANY CIVILIZED MODERN SOCIETY SHOULD HAVE ITS OWN CONSTITUTION AND SO I THINK A BIG PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO DEVELOP OUR OWN CONSTITUTION.

THE TIME IS RIGHT .

WE ARE LONG OVERDUE IN THAT RESPECT.

WE ALSO MUST DETERMINE OUR STATUS .

WE HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT THAT, BUT I THINK THAT SIGNIFICANT YEAR, 2027, FOR SURE WE SHOULD BE IN A POSITION TO HAVE THOSE TWO THEN.

OUR FEDERAL LAW DOES NOT ALLOW US THE FLEXIBILITY TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES THAT A MODERN , VIBRANT COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO , YOU KNOW, SIGNIFICANT ISSUES LIKE DO WE WANT TO LET AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, FOR EXAMPLE [INDISCERNIBLE] FOR MAKING THOSE TYPES OF DECISIONS.

THAT IS FEDERAL LAW.

[INDISCERNIBLE] AND IF YOU HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO FEDERAL LAW, IT REQUIRES SOME INVOLVEMENT FROM THE CONGRESS, SO THESE ARE TWO MAJOR THINGS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE FOR 2027, A CONSTITUTION AS WELL AS THE STATUS OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

IF YOU WOULD PLEASE RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONS, SENATOR DEGRAFF .

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I BELIEVE LET´S >> ADOPT THE ORGANIC ACT OF 1954 AS ARE CONSTITUTION BEFORE CONGRESS AND GO IN THAT DIRECTION.

THEN WE HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND DECIDE HOW WE WANT TO GOVERN OURSELVES IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE, IN TERMS OF LOOKING OUT FOR OUR PEOPLE FIRST VERSUS JUST TAKING WHAT THE UNITED STATES IS SAYING.

I´M NOT SAYING TO GET AWAY FROM THE UNITED STATES BUT I THINK WE NEED A LITTLE MORE CLOUT IN TERMS OF HOW WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE TO ADDRESS WORKING WITH THE UNITED STATES.

I THINK IT IS CLEAR AND SIMPLE FOR ME.

LET´S PUT THIS BILL FORWARD, ADOPT THE ORGANIC ACT OF 1954 AND BE ALLOWED TO AMEND IT BECAUSE WE ALREADY VOTED ON IT THAT STRUCTURE AND I SUPPORT THAT 100%.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO ANOTHER QUESTION, AND THIS PERTAINS TO ETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

TO AN EXTENT, SHOULD MORAL OR ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE PRIME OF LIFE AS POLITICAL CANDIDATES BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY VOTERS IN MAKING THE CHOICES, AND WHY?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I DON´T THINK THAT YOU CAN SEPARATE MORAL AND ETHICAL CANDIDATES COMPETENCIES AND READINESS TO SERVE.

SERVICES A CALLING OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, AND MY OPINION AND YOU DON´T WANT [INDISCERNIBLE] TO SERVE AS YOUR SENATOR.

YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO IS ETHICAL, SOMEONE WHO IS MORAL, SOMEONE WHO HAS HIGH STANDARDS WHO CAN BE AN EXAMPLE FOR PEOPLE SO I THINK MORALITY PLAYS A VERY CRITICAL ROLE IN THE DECISION FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO ELECT PEOPLE TO SERVE.

YOU CANNOT SEPARATE ONE FROM THE OTHER.

>> SENATOR DEGRAFF, YOUR RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION?

>> I THINK WE ARE LEGISLATORS MAKE LAWS AND FOR US TO FOLLOW THE LAWS BUT PERSONALLY I BELIEVE YOUR STANDARDS MUST BE HIGH.

YOU´RE GOING INTO PUBLIC OFFICE.

YOU´RE GOING TO DEFEND AND SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION AND PEOPLE AND LAWS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I THINK THE MORALITY SHOULD BE ABOVE REPROACH.

NONE OF US ARE PERFECT .

I´M NOT ASKING TO BE PERFECT BUT AGAIN WE MUST BE ABLE TO BECOME THE EXAMPLE AND LEAD EVERY DAY, EVERY NIGHT , ALL THE TIME.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

>> MR. FONSECA, YOUR RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION?

>> YES.

YOU KNOW, I AM RUNNING A CAMPAIGN ON TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

MORALITY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR EVERY PUBLIC SERVANT.

YOU KNOW, HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF WORK TO DO WITH MORALITY AND I BELIEVE THAT HAVE LOST SOME OF OUR STANDARDS , ETHICAL STANDARDS THAT WE HAD WHEN I WAS A CHILD GROWING UP.

I WAS LISTENING TO THE COMMISSIONER ON THE RADIO TODAY AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT J ANTONIO JARVIS AND HIS STANDARDS, AND I REMEMBER GROWING UP AS A BOY, PEOPLE WHERE JAMES MADISON SCHOOL IS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

MORALITY AND ETHICS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

IN A RECENT POLL OF THE ELECTORATE IN 2022, VOTERS IDENTIFIED FOUR AREAS OF MAJOR CONCERN AS BEING EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH, AND WATER.

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

WE WILL BEGIN WITH SENATOR DEGRAFF HE SPOKE TO EDUCATION, SENATOR DEGRAFF.

THIS WAS 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 35th LEGISLATURE?

YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS EACH.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

ALONG THE LINES OF EDUCATION, I AM A PRODUCT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I AM ALSO A PRODUCT OF THE CTE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.

I BELIEVE THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO PUT BACK IN EDUCATION.

PROVIDE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THESE TRAITS TO BE ABLE TO TEACH INDIVIDUALS.

EDUCATION, FIRST OF ALL , FOR ME IS NUMBER ONE.

SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT WHAT THE STANDARDS ARE FOR UNITED STATES AND NOT ADOPT EVERYTHING FROM THE UNITED STATES IN TERMS OF NOT GETTING OUR STUDENTS READY.

ALONG THE LINES OF EDUCATION, HIRING TEACHERS IS AN EFFORT.

PROVIDE SOME KIND OF INCENTIVES FOR TEACHERS TO COME BACK HOME, OR FOR INDIVIDUALS IN COLLEGE WHO ARE STUDYING EDUCATION COURSES RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS A LINE I WOULD GO ALONG FOR EDUCATION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE, AND MR. DEGRAFF, COULD YOU PLEASE RESPOND TO THE QUESTION, MR. FONSECA?

I AM A CANDIDATE FOR THE 35th LEGISLATURE AND WE HAVE A NEW BELT TO PRINTED EDUCATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT SO FIRST, I AM PROPOSING THAT WE TEACH OUR YOUTH FINANCIAL LITERACY.

OUR YOUTH HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT CREDIT.

THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PAYING BILLS AND MANAGING THEIR FINANCES, AND LIVING WITHIN THEIR MEANS.

WE ALSO HAVE TO --AND THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT --TEACH OUR YOUTH ABOUT CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND HOW TO CONTROL YOUR ATTITUDES.

ADDITIONALLY, WE NEED TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO [INDISCERNIBLE] I WANT TO BRING BACK THE TRADES IN EDUCATION.

MECHANIC, YOU ARE A MASON, YOU ARE AN ELECT CHRISTIAN, YOU CAN BRING HOME A GOOD LIVING AND BE ABLE TO FEED YOUR FAMILY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

ALSO, IN ADDITION, WE MUST REALIZE THAT THE WORLD IS MOVING FORWARD AND A LOT OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ONLINE LEARNING CAPABILITIES.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO BLEND ONLINE WITHIN CLASSROOM LEARNING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FONSECA .

SENATOR PARRA, CAN YOU PLEASE RESPOND TO THE QUESTION ON EDUCATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I´M NOT SURPRISED THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAVE SELECTED EDUCATION AS A MAJOR AREA OF CONCERN.

WITHOUT QUESTION, THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THE LEARNING LOSS THAT OUR CHILDREN HAVE EXPERIENCED.

THE LAST TIME WE HAD A FULL YEAR OF SCHOOL WAS THE 2016- 2017 SCHOOL YEAR.

WE WERE RECOVERING FROM TWO BRUTAL HURRICANES.

BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO CATCH OURSELVES, WE WERE HIT BY COVID- 19 AND THE ON-AGAIN OFF-AGAIN SCHOOL.

NOBODY´S FAULT, IT IS JUST THE REALITY THAT WE HAVE BUT WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO FILL THAT VOID.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS IF WE ARE NOT INTENTIONAL IN OUR EFFORTS TO FILL THE VOID.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE DEVELOP AN OFFICE OF LEARNING, RECOVERY, AND ACCELERATION, SPECIFICALLY GEARED TOWARD DEVELOPING STRATEGIES AND FILLING THE VOID AND GAPS IN LEARNING HER CHILDREN HAVE EXPERIENCED.

WE NEED SOMEBODY TO WAKE UP SOMETHING HAPPENS TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE UP TO PAR.

WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHILDREN ARE NOT READING ON PAR IN THE THIRD GRADE OR THAT IS THE BIGGEST PREDICTOR OF MASS INCARCERATION AND SO FORTH.

EDUCATION IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DEVOTE SOME SIGNIFICANT TIME AND EFFORT TOWARD.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO ANOTHER MAJOR AREA OF CONCERN.

HEALTH WAS CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS.

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

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

YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU, MR. FONSECA.

>> YES.

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN .

HEALTHCARE.

YOU KNOW, OUR BLUEPRINT INVOLVES HAVING FREE SCREENINGS FOR CERTAIN CHRONIC DISEASES.

FOR EXAMPLE, BREAST CANCER, COLON CANCER, PROSTATE CANCER, DIFFERENT FORMS OF ILLNESSES .

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, DIABETES.

I ALSO WANT THE MEDICAL SCHOOL AND THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO BE FULLY ACCREDITED .

IN THE HOSPITALS, WE NEED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GO TO OUR HOSPITALS AND GET A C.A.T.

SCAN.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET AN MRI.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE LATEST X-RAY MACHINES SO THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO TREAT OUR PATIENTS , OUR PEOPLE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

YOU KNOW, IT WOULD SAVE US MONEY BECAUSE FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THIS SCREENING , DIAGNOSTIC SCREENING I AM TALKING ABOUT WE CAN POTENTIALLY DISCOVER THE ILLNESSES WHEN THEY´RE IN STAGE ONE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS MUCH EASIER TO TREAT ANY FORM OF CANCER IF YOU DIAGNOSE IT IN STAGE ONE AS TO STAGE FOUR, WHEN THE PROGNOSIS FOR EXTENDED LIFE IS VERY THIN.

SO, HEALTHCARE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT .

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

WE WILL CONTINUE WITH SENATOR PARRA.

THE ISSUE IS HEALTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AGAIN.

WE ARE IN DIRE STRAITS WITHOUT QUESTION .

WE NEED HEALTHCARE, ALL OF US.

I THINK WE NEED TO WORK WITH OUR DELEGATES TO CONGRESS TO ENSURE THAT WE GET -- WE MAKE PROGRESS WITH REGARDS TO BOTH FACILITIES .

THEY LEAVE A LOT TO BE DESIRED.

FOLKS HAVE TO ACTUALLY --FOLKS NEED THE ABILITY TO GET UP TO GO TO FLORIDA, TO CUBAN CLINIC, TO MAYO CLINIC TO GET THERE HEALTHCARE ISSUES RESOLVED .

NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE WHEREWITHAL TO DO THAT SO WE NEED TO GIVE PRIORITY TO BUILDING OUR STRUCTURE.

IT IS ALSO A CHALLENGE TO RECRUIT SPECIALISTS HERE TO OUR TERRITORIES.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE FUNDING --TO FIND THE FUNDING AND MAKE THAT A PRIORITY TO MORE SPECIALISTS HERE .

WE HAVE ONE PSYCHIATRIST IN THE VIRGIN ISLAND.

MENTAL HEALTH IS A PROBLEM HERE.

THERE IS A LOT THAT WE NEED TO DO TO ENSURE THAT WE BEEF UP OUR HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> SENATOR DEGRAFF.

>> YES.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE AN AGED POPULATION, THAT IS A FACT AND I THINK WE MUST GET HOSPITALS, CANCER CLINIC EVERYTHING GOING BACK IN LINE 100% .

ALSO, LET´S LOOK AT [INDISCERNIBLE] WE CAN ATTRACT SOME OF THE QUALITY PHYSICIANS AND THERAPISTS AND PROFESSIONALS THAT WE NEED HERE INTO THE TERRITORIES SO WE DON´T HAVE TO KEEP LEAVING THE ISLANDS TO SEEK HEALTHCARE, BUT HEALTHCARE IS AN ISSUE AND HEALTH INSURANCE.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PRIVATE ENTITIES CAN ALSO GET INTO PROVIDING HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE PUBLIC.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK INTO IMMEDIATELY .

WE´RE SEEING THE PRESENCE OF ILLNESSES AND THE LACK OF TREATMENT ON THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE SO AGAIN WE HAVE TO GO INTO STRONG HEALTH EDUCATION AND I´M SEEING IT NOW TAKING PLACE IN CERTAIN THINGS ARE BEING DONE.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

>> WE MOVE ON TO ANOTHER MAJOR AREA OF CONCERN FOR OUR VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

WITH RESPECT TO CRIME, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS CHALLENGES AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE ?

WE BEGIN WITH SENATOR PARRA.

>> CRIME IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT ISSUE OF COURSE.

WE ARE BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE´VE TRIED TOUGH LOVE.

ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS IS THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS SOME OF THE TOUGHEST GUN LAWS ANYWHERE IN AMERICA THAT FLIES THE FLAG STILL I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT REALLY IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY POLICING.

I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING WE HAVE SAID BEFORE, BUT WE HAVE NEVER REALLY IMPLEMENTED IT.

IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND NEIGHBORHOODS SO THAT YOU HAVE OFFICERS EMBEDDED IN THE COMMUNITIES FORM RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY CITIZENS SO THAT YOU ARE NOT ALWAYS AFRAID TO CALL THEM IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT I FEEL I CAN TRUST A POLICE OFFICER WHO I AM ENGAGING WITH AN GOOD TIME SO WHEN DIFFICULT TIMES COME I AM COMFORTABLE .

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO FOCUS ON ADDRESSING THE MANPOWER AND RESOURCES IN SPECIFIC AREAS WHERE WE SEE CRIME OCCURRING.

CRIME IS A SPECIFIC AREA SO WE NEED TO DEPLOY OUR MANPOWER, FOCUSING ON THOSE AREAS WHERE THE CRIME IS OCCURRING.

THANK YOU.

>> SENATOR DEGRAFF.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I BELIEVE CRIME AGAIN [INDISCERNIBLE] WITH EDUCATION.

THERE ARE SOME GOOD PROGRAMS .

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS A PROGRAM WHERE THEY ARE INFORMING INDIVIDUALS, CRIME IS A SITUATION WHERE CRIME OF OPPORTUNITIES.

YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMIT A CRIME WE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE FOR THESE YOUNG GENERATIONS IN TERMS OF JOBS, JOB TRAINING THEN WE NEED THE LAWS TO PUT THEM BEHIND BARS.

I WILL SPONSOR LEGISLATION AND GUN CONTROL TO ADDRESS IS BEING BROUGHT INTO THE TERRITORY AND PUT TOGETHER AND SPONSORED WITH OTHER SENATORS GUN BUYBACK TO GET GUNS OFF THE STREET BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE FOR WE HAVE INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL IN DIFFERENT SPORTS AND THAT KIND OF INFORMATION .

TO SEE SOMETHING AND SAY SOMETHING I SUPPORT 100% CAMERAS.

I SUPPORT LEGISLATION BUT AGAIN, THE EDUCATION PART IS A BIG MISSING PART.

IT IS EASY TO LOCK THEM UP AND PUT THEM AWAY AND SAY THAT CRIME HAS GONE.

IT HAS NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY JUST HAS CHANGED.

AGAIN, EDUCATION FOR ADDRESSING CRIME IS WHAT I SUPPORT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

MR. FONSECA.

THE ISSUE IS CRIME.

>> YES.

CRIME IN OUR TERRITORY, I THINK WE ALL CAN AGREE IT IS VERY BAD RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, I THINK WE NEED TO START WITH MORE LOVE.

WE NEED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

I GREW UP HERE .

IT NEVER USED TO BE SO BAD.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU STILL LOVE TO NEIGHBORS.

THE TRADES IN THE SCHOOLS.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE A SKILL AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE A JOB FOR THEM FOR A LIVING WAGE.

YOU KNOW, THE SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING, THE CAMERAS, ALL OF THOSE PROGRAMS ARE GOOD.

IN THE 34th LEGISLATURE, I ATTENDED A VIGIL SPONSORED BY FORMER SENATOR MYRON JACKSON, AND AT THAT TIME, THERE WERE 587 VIRGIN ISLANDERS THAT WERE GUNNED DOWN.

THIS IS GUN VIOLENCE.

WE NEED MORE LAWS.

WE NEED TO TEACH OUR YOUTH THE TRADE.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF POLICE OFFICERS TAKING THE TEST.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PASS OR FOR SOME MINOR INFRACTION , MAYBE THEY SMOKED A LITTLE MARIJUANA 10 YEARS AGO, THEY LET´S GET TOGETHER AND SOLVE THIS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP WITH AN ADDITIONAL QUESTION ON CRIME.

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

[INDISCERNIBLE] ASSAULT AGAINST 12 SCHOOLBOYS BY A TEACHER IS HAPPENING AND THE COMMUNITY IS WIDELY OUTRAGED.

HOW CAN YOU, AS A SENATOR, PROTECT OUR BOYS AND GIRLS, OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN, FROM SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN ABOUT 60 SECONDS AND IF YOU WOULD RESPOND, STARTING WITH SENATOR DEGRAFF.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

AGAIN, I BELIEVE EDUCATION.

GIRLS TO WHAT THE ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME ARE .

SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY´RE DOING, THIS IS A TOUCHING SITUATION THEY ARE [INDISCERNIBLE] EDUCATE OUR YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES, EVEN WITH PERSONS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE CLOSE TO THEM.

IT IS AGAIN FOR THEM TO BE EDUCATED FROM A YOUNG AGE .

THE PING THINGS THAT PEOPLE SAY, THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DO, THE WAY THEY LOOK AT YOU, THE TOUCH CHUM ADJUSTERS ARE NOT WRITING TO SAY SOMETHING.

THESE ARE ISSUES WHERE IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU, CONFIDE IN SOMEBODY AND CONTINUE FINDING SUPPORT FOR.

>> AGAIN IT GOES BACK TO PERSONAL DIGNITY.

YOU KNOW, SEXUAL PREDATORS, THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I SERVED AS A SOCCER COACH FOR THE DOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL , SO YOU KNOW, SATURDAY MORNING WE HAVE A BIG GAME .

FRIDAY NIGHT , A LOT OF THESE [INDISCERNIBLE] AT MY HOUSE.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED WITH THAT MAIL ASSAULTING THESE YOUNG GUYS, I THINK THAT IS REALLY AN ISOLATED EVENT THAT IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE , BUT IT IS VERY SERIOUS.

ANY KIND OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, SEXUAL PREDATOR IS VERY SERIOUS BUT WE NEED MORE LOVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

LET´S GET TOGETHER TO FIX THESE ISSUES.

ALL PEOPLE ARE NOT LIKE THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SENATOR PAR.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE, MR. FONSECA.

SENATOR PAR?

>> I BELIEVE IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST BONE CHILLING THINGS THAT I HEARD WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT THIS PROLIFIC SEXUAL ASSAULT , HE WAS WALKING WITH HER CHILDREN .

A COACH AT THE HIGH SCHOOL IS SOMETHING THAT IS TROUBLING IS SOMEONE THAT HAS CHILDREN.

I THINK WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE AT SCHOOLS TO MAKE CHILDREN FEEL COMFORTABLE IN REPORTING WHEN THINGS HAPPEN THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN , WHERE THERE IS A SAFE PLACE THAT STUDENTS CAN REPORT THESE INCIDENTS AS TRUTH BECAUSE I´M SURE SOMEONE SAID SOMETHING .

ONE OF THESE CHILDREN SAID SOMETHING BUT I DON´T THINK IN THESE CASES THAT WE TOOK OUR CHILDREN SERIOUSLY ENOUGH.

PARENTS NEED TO PAY ATTENTION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

NOW WE CONTINUE .

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAJOR [INDISCERNIBLE] AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE?

>> THANK YOU.

I AGREE 100 % WITH THE PUBLIC IN REGARDS TO WHOP UP.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT MANAGEMENT .

MANAGEMENT IS AN ISSUE WITH WAPPA.

I DO THINK INDIVIDUALS IN WAPPA CAN ASSIST AND MANAGE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH INDIVIDUALS IN THE TERRITORY.

I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF OUTSIDE TEMPORARY RECEIVERSHIP TO LOOK AT IN- HOUSE THE PERSONAL STRUCTURE AND EVERYTHING THAT WAY.

I THINK IF WE CAN PUT THOSE THINGS TOGETHER AND ADDRESS IT THAT WAY RATHER THAN MAKING IT JUST SEEM LIKE WAPPA IS A BAD PLACE BUT AGAIN, THE MANAGEMENT IS FOR A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS BEGIN.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FONSECA.

>> YES, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A FIVE- STEP PLAN TO ADDRESS WAPPA.

IT IS OVER FIVE MINUTES LONG, SO BASICALLY IN AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, WAPPA HAS AN ACCOUNTABILITY AND A TRANSPARENCY PROBLEM.

I AGREED WITH THE DELEGATE WHEN SHE HAD RECOMMENDED THAT WAPA BE PUT IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THEY HAVE A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THERE AND I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO HIM AND I THINK WE HAVE TO GIVE HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

HE IS BROUGHT ON SOME NEW STUFF AND SOME COMPANY IF THE STAFF.

AND I THINK IT IS BETTER THAN IT WAS .

AND THE FACT THAT HE MENTIONED PURCHASING GENERATORS, I BELIEVE, I THINK THAT IS A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BECAUSE THE PROCUREMENT OF HOW IT WAS IN THE PAST WHERE WE PAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A GENERATOR THAT COST SEVEN, EIGHT, $9 MILLION THAT WE COULD HAVE PURCHASED OUTRIGHT IS GOOD.

ADDITIONALLY, WAPA HAS OVER $1.4 BILLION OF LIABILITIES, SO I AM SAYING THAT WAPA IS AN ISSUE WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

THANK YOU.

>> SENATOR PAR, THE ISSUE OF WAPA?

>> I THINK WE´VE HAD SERIOUS ISSUES FOR OVER 50 YEARS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND HAVE NOT SEEN SIGNIFICANT GAINS OVER THE YEARS.

IT HAS BECOME AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE BECAUSE WE PAY A PREMIUM RATE FOR UNRELIABLE SERVICE.

THAT IS DISTRESSING.

THIS WEEKEND WE HAD SIGNIFICANT OUTAGES THROUGHOUT THE ISLANDS.

I THINK FOR SURE WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP AT THE WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY.

WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE GOING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT RELEASE IN TERMS OF THE RATE THAT WE PAY UNLESS WE DEVELOP [INDISCERNIBLE] I´M TALKING ABOUT WIND, HYDRO AND THE LIKE.

WE NEED SOLAR.

WE NEED TO DO THAT AND HAVE THAT IMPLEMENTED IF WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME RELIEF FOR OUR POWER BILL .

WE NEED LEGISLATION TO ALLOW THE WAPA TO MAKE ENERGY UTILIZING WIND AND SOLAR PROGRESSIVELY OVER THE YEARS.

THAT IS REALLY THE ONLY WAY THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE GOING TO SEE ANY MEANINGFUL REDUCTION IN WHAT WE PAY AT WAPA SEEING ANY IMPROVEMENT IN RELIABILITY.

THANK YOU.

>> GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR RESPONSE, SENATOR PARRA.

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

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THIS IS SO, AND WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN ABOUT HOW THIS CAME TO BE SO?

WE WILL START WITH YOU, MR. FONSECA.

>> YES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I HAVE BEEN A CANDIDATE FOR ELECTED OFFICE FOR OVER FOUR YEARS NOW AND I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR MANY YEARS ON TV , ON RADIO THAT WE NEEDED TO RESTRUCTURE THE BONDS TO HELP.

BECAUSE AT THE TIME OUR BONDS WERE JUNK STATUS.

IN 90 SECONDS I CAN´T GET INTO THE [INDISCERNIBLE] BUT THE MATTER MUST GO TO THE NEXT STEP.

THE GIS MUST PROVIDE IN REAL ESTATE THE LINE NAMES TO OUR PEOPLE.

WE MUST REINSTATE HOMEOWNER LOANS TO OUR PEOPLE.

THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO PROVIDE MORE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BENEFITS THAT THE GER S PROVIDES HIS HEALTH INSURANCE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY, MAINLY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE HEALTH INSURANCE AND THIS IS AN AREA THAT I WILL PROVIDE THE DETAILS LATER .

WE CAN HELP THE PRIVATE SECTOR .

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO SENATOR PARRA.

RESPOND TO THE QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I´M VERY PROUD THAT I WAS APPOINTED TO THE GERS SUBCOMMITTEE WHEN I GOT ELECTED TO THE SENATE BUT I THINK THAT WAS DONE BECAUSE I STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE FOR US TO HAVE A SOLUTION SELLING HER WE GOT ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO THE TABLE, ALL STAKEHOLDERS SITTING TO THE TABLE AT THE SAME TIME TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS VERY VEXING AND TROUBLING MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FUNDED LIABILITY ISSUE THAT IS THREATENING THE SURVIVAL OF THE SYSTEM.

I AM PLEASED , I WOULD SAY HEARTENED, BY THE FACT THAT I WOULD NOT CALL IT A SUMMIT, BUT MOVEMENT TO SIT AT THE TABLE , THE GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATURE, WE ALL SAT AROUND THE TABLE TO COME UP WITH PERFECTING THE APPROACH TO FIX THE SYSTEM.

I HAVE LEARNED OF NOTHING MEANINGFUL AND OF CONSEQUENCE HAPPENS IN THE SENATE UNLESS OR UNTIL WE HAVE POSITIVE COOPERATION BY STAKEHOLDERS, SO I WAS VERY VERY PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THAT PROCESS.

>> SENATOR DEGRASSE, YOUR RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION?

>> YES, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I TOO AM HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN UP PART OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GERS AND TO COLLABORATE AND PUT A VOTE TOWARD WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE THE END OF THE ISSUE BUT I BELIEVE GOING FORWARD, WE STILL HAVE TO LOOK AT GERS BECAUSE IN THE EARLY STAGES, WE SEE THE MONEY FROM THE BOND.

THE DELEGATES SAY IT WILL GO BACK UP TO 13 , 25, THESE ARE SOME THINGS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE FUNDED TO CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN GERS AND WATCH IT HOW GERS IS BEING MANAGED GOING FORWARD.

ALSO TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE DIFFERENT LEGISLATION, WE GOT TO PUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO GERS .

AGAIN, CONTINUE TO PUT LEGISLATION FOR THE MANAGER AND GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES.

GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE SO MANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE AT OUR FINAL QUESTION IN TERMS OF TIME.

OUR FINAL QUESTION.

WE INVITE YOU TO ANSWER EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING.

QUESTION ONE .

ADDRESS ANY OTHER TOPIC OF CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN ALONG WITH YOUR APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OR IDENTIFY A PIECE OF LEGISLATION YOU INTEND TO INTRODUCE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS AS SENATOR , AND INDICATE WHY.

WE WILL START WITH YOU, MR. FONSECA.

>> YES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL NEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT WE HAVE I DONE THE RIDE IDENTIFIED IN OUR NEW BLUEPRINT.

THE FIRST ONE I AM GOING TO TACKLE IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE MANY OF OUR ELDERLY , DISABLED, AND BLIND RESIDENTS THAT HAVE ACCESS TO LESS THAN $3000 LIVING HERE AND THEY DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE FEDERAL PROGRAM SO WE ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM.

LET´S KEEP OUR ELDERLY RESIDENTS HOME HERE WITH US WHERE WE CAN LOVE THEM.

THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MOVE TO THE UNITED STATES TO QUALIFY FOR THIS SSI PROGRAM.

THE OTHER AREA THAT I WANT TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY IS THE INFLATION AND THE COST OF LIVING.

I AM GOING TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION FOR THE GERS TO PAY A COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, A YEARLY COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE TO ALL RETIREES, AND THIS WOULD BE BASED ON THE SAME RIGHT RATE THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION GIVES ALL OF ITS RETIREES.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

WE MOVE ON TO YOU, SENATOR PARRA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I THINK ONE THING I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON NEXT TERM IS MANDATORY MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION IN THE K-12 CURRICULUM.

WE DON´T NEED TO UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT WE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

A LOT OF WHAT WE SEE THAT APPEARS TO BE CRIME, THAT APPEARS TO BE CHILDREN I THINK IT IS A MANIFESTATION OF MAJOR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE EXPERIENCING.

I THINK THAT HAVING MENTAL HELP THE KIDS WITH STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

MORE PEOPLE WILL TALK ABOUT IT , MORE PEOPLE WILL COMMUNICATE THE STRUGGLES AND FEELINGS THEY ARE EXPERIENCING SO THAT THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH WILL BE ERADICATED AND WE CAN BEGIN TO TREAT ISSUES AT AN EARLY STAGE SO THAT THEY DO NOT ESCALATE INTO CHRONIC PROBLEMS LATER ON IN LIFE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SENATOR THE GRAPH?

>> YES THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I AM LOOKING AT TWO THINGS.

ONE IS THE POPULATION , HAVE LEGISLATION [INDISCERNIBLE] BECOME A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED THIS COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD AND THE UNITED STATES FOR A VERY LONG AND YOU KNOW, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THEIR HONOR.

I ALSO WANT TO SEE LOOKING INTO A FACILITY THAT WE HAVE FOR LONG-TERM CARE , GERIATRIC NURSING HOME AND ASSISTED LIVING.

WE COULD HAVE A COMBINATION TO PROVIDE FOR A LOT OF OUR SENIORS WHO ARE HERE WHO LIVE ALONE WHO NEED HEALTHCARE BUT HAVE TO LEAVE THE ISLAND TO BE TREATED .

THEIR FAMILIES TAKEN CARE OF THEM ARE DOING A GREAT JOB BUT THEY NEED TO HAVE SOME KIND OF FACILITY THAT BECOMES LIKE A ONE-STOP SHOP >> THANK YOU, SENATOR DEGRAFF PAID OUR TIME HAS COME TO A CLOSE, SO YOU WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO EACH SAY YOUR NAME AND THE NUMBER ON THE BALLOT AND A THANK YOU TO OUR VIEWERS.

I WILL BEGIN WITH FONSECA.

>> MY FELLOW VIRGIN ISLANDERS, I AM RAY FONSECA, YOUR NEW DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE NUMBER SIX ON THE BALLOT.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO VOTE FOR EXPERIENCE.

VOTE FOR TRANSPARENCY.

VOTE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY .

ON NOVEMBER 8th, PLEASE VOTE RAY FONSECA, NUMBER SIX ON YOUR BALLOT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SENATOR PARRA.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I´M GOING TO ASK THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO CONSIDER GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ONCE AGAIN IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE.

I AM NUMBER 10 ON THE BALLOT AND WE HAVE MET DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE FOR THE SENATE, DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.

WHEN YOU MEET ME, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET, YOU GET BALANCE, LEVELHEADED LEADERSHIP.

I AM A WORKER BEE.

I´M GOING TO GET THE JOB DONE WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> SENATOR DEGRAFF.

>> THANK YOU.

I NAME IS DWAYNE DEGRAFF , NUMBER 12 ON THE BALLOT.

I AM AS EAGER NOW AS I HAVE BEEN WHEN I JOINED THE 32nd LEGISLATURE.

I COME TO WORK .

I HAVE MISSED TWO MEETINGS IN TWO TERMS AND THOSE WERE FOR PERSONAL REASONS.

MY MOTHER PASSED, AND HEALTH ISSUES, BUT AGAIN, I AM HERE TO SERVE TO THE PEOPLE.

I SERVED A LONG TIME IN THE MILITARY, SERVED A LONG TIME IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT .

I AM ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE, NUMBER 12 ON THE BALLOT, DWAYNE DEGRAFF .

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, AND THANK YOU , W TJX TV AND STAFF FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING AND FOR UNDERSTANDING BY CHOICE FOR A MASK TODAY.

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