>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

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

♫♫ >>> GOOD DAY, WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEET THE CANDIDATE FORUM.

A PROGRAM PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX FOR WELL OVER 35 YEARS.

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

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022 ELECTION YEAR RIGHT HERE ON WTJX WITH CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A GOVERNOR, SENATOR, OR AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF SENATOR IN THE DISTRICT OF SAN CROY.

I AM DENISE, 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.

ANSWERS ARE GENERALLY 60 OR 90 SECONDS WITH CHALLENGES AND REBUTTALS OF 60 SECONDS EACH.

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.

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 CANDIDATE AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES.

LET´S START WITH MR. TYROME MULINU.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

>> GREEGTS AND THANK YOU TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.

I AM TYROME MYLANU.

I´M A CANDIDATE UNDER BALLOT NUMBER FOUR IS MY NUMBER.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW, OUR NEXT PARTICIPANT, WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, BAT LOT NUMBER, AND AFFILIATION.

>> GREETINGS, I AM DAYIAN, YOUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, AND I AM NUMBER 19 ON THE BAT LOT.

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

HERE´S A GO-PART QUESTION FOR WHICH YOU WILL EACH HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN WITH MR. MULINU.

AND HERE IS THE QUESTION.

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

AGAIN, YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS FOR YOUR ANSWER.

>> AGAIN, I´M CANDIDATE NUMBER 4 ON YOUR BALLOT.

I AM PREPARED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I BELIEVE IT´S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK OUT FOR NOT ONLY THIS GENERATION BUT THE NEXT GENERATION AND NEXT GENERATION.

SO OVER THE COURSE OF MY EXPERIENCE AS FAR AS PRESIDENT OF THE SAN CROY OPERATION OF TEACHERS FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS, I STARTED THE PRESIDENT OF THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWESOME ORGANIZATION.

I SAT AS THE PRESIDENT FOR TWO YEARS.

IN ADDITION, I SERVED WITH THE CARIBBEAN UNIT OF TEACHERS WITH TWO YEARS AS AN OFFICER, AS A TRUSTEE.

SO THIS ORGANIZATION HAS PREPARED ME TO RESPECT THE PEOPLE IN THESE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 27 YEARS.

I´VE SERVED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT IN DIFFERENT CAPACITIES.

I HAVE SERVED IN THE MEDICAID ARENA.

I HAVE WORKED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PLUMBING AND NATURAL RESOURCES FOR 15 YEARS.

I´VE WORKED FOR DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

I´VE WORKED FOR ALSO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I PRESENTLY AM EMPLOYED.

YOU HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT SERVING IN MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.

I´VE ATTENDED THE HARKEM COLLEGE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE LEGISLATURE OF WHEN I WAS ELECTED, I CAN SAY I WAS THE PROUD SPONSOR OF 58 PIECES OF BILLS AND AMENDMENTS AND EIGHT THAT IS NOW EIGHT IMPACT THE LAW IN THIS TERRITORY FROM ADDRESSING COMPUTER CRIMES, MISSING MINORS, BULLYING, HOME INVASION, SO I HAVE IMPACTFUL LEGISLATION AND EXPERIENCE IS WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW WE´RE GOING TO MOVE TO THE VISION.

YOUR VISION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND THIS TIME, WE´RE GOING TO START WITH YOU, MS. 2027 WILL MARK THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS AND 100 YEARS SINCE THE PURCHASE FROM DENMARK.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS YOUR VISION WITH REV GOVERNANCE AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU INTEND TO PLAY IF ANY?

>> THAT´S A GOOD QUESTION.

SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR -- IN THE NEXT 2027, YOU SAID.

>> WHICH WILL BE OUR 100th ANNIVERSARY.

>> 1 U.N.th ANNIVERSARY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING A BETTER VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE WE WOULD BE IN TIMES WITH OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE HEALTHCARE TO EDUCATION.

PRESENTLY, WE CAN SAY THAT WITH TIME WITH OUR PAST HURRICANES AND EVEN PANDEMIC, I THINK WE HAVE SOMEWHAT REGRESSED, AND I THINK MOVING FORWARD, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE WITH THE TIMES AND START WORKING ON LEGISLATION FROM WORKING WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, LEGISLATURE EVEN JUDICIAL BRANCH TRYING TO SEE HOW WE CAN MOVE THESE VIRGIN ISLANDS FORWARD SO WE CAN THEN COMPETE IN OTHER AREAS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING PART OF THAT TEAM.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. MULINU.

>> YES.

AS FOR MY PLATFORM, I´M NOT BRAGGING, BUT I´M SAYING THAT MY PLATFORM IS OUTSTANDING IN TERMS OF ANY SENATOR OR ANY GOVERNMENTAL PLATFORM OR PLAN FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF WITH THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE GOVERNMENT, MEANING THAT YOU NEED REPRESENTATIVES WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTED OFFICIALS.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE RIGHT NOW WHERE WE HAVE SEVEN SENATORS REPRESENTING ONEDY DISTRIBUTE.

IT´S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

WE ARE SAYING WE WANT TO GO BACK TO WHEREIN YOU´LL HAVE NINE DISTRICT SENATORS, SIX AT LARGE SENATORS AND SERVING ACCOUNTABILITY AND DELIVERING US INTO WHAT WE CALL SELF GOVERNMENT, MORE RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT, AND THE PEOPLE WILL BE -- IT WILL BE LIKE POWER TO THE PEOPLE.

LIKE THE GOVERNMENT INDICATES.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW WE´LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

AND MR. MULINU, WILL YOU AGAIN BE RESPONDING FIRST ON MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD MORAL OR ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE PRIVATE LIFE OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY VOTERS IN MAKING THEIR CHOICES AND WHY?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IT´S -- WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR PRIVATE LIFE, THAT´S YOUR PRIVATE LIFE.

WHAT HAPPENS IN PUBLIC THAT YOU BRING TO THE PUBLIC, THEN THAT´S PUBLIC LIFE.

SO I RESPECT ANYONE WHO HAS THEIR WAY OF LIFE, THAT´S UP TO THEM.

BUT WHEN YOU BRING IT TO THE PUBLIC, THEN YOU HAVE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES, WHETHER IT´S RIDICULE OR EVEN WHAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU HAVE A MAJOR CASE IN OUR COURT IN REFERENCE TO ABUSE OF OUR CHILDREN.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. KAYPAR?

>> THAT´S VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME AS WE ARE RUNNING FOR THE FIRST BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, WHICH ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD TAKE MORAL AND ETHICS VERY SERIOUS.

ONCE YOU´RE A PUBLIC SERVANT, YOU ARE IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND FOR ME, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY MOTTO, LIVE CLEAN AND WORK CLEAN.

SO ONCE YOU ARE IN THAT POSITION, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WALK A STRAIGHT LINE BECAUSE YOU ARE REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE, AND YOUR MORALS AND ETHICS SHOULD BE STRONG ONES THAT PEOPLE LOOK UP TO YOU AND RESPECT YOU AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO A NEW TOPIC CALLED MAJOR CONCERNS.

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

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 YOU, MS. KAYPAR AND WILL START WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THEIR MAJOR CONCERNS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS ONE OF THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATION TODAY, AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> I THINK BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE, BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, CLEAN WORKING ENVIRONMENT, NOT ONLY FOR THE STUDENTS BUT ALSO FOR THE TEACHERS.

I THINK BETTER AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE NOW PUT OUR CHILDREN SOMEWHAT BEHIND, AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUR CHILDREN READY FOR THE WORLD, AND THEY SHOULD BE BETTER PREPARED.

SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BETTER PREPARE OUR CHILDREN WITH AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, STRENGTHENING THEM.

I THINK NOT ONLY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, MORE BRINGING ADVANCEMENT WITH TECHNOLOGY.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PREPARE OUR CHILDREN AS THEY REACH 12th GRADE WHEN THEY GO TO COLLEGE THAT THEY COMPREHEND, THAT THEY CAN READ, AND THEY CAN COMPETE.

AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RETAIN OUR STUDENTS ALSO HERE TO BE EMPLOYABLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

SO I AM WILLING AND READY TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SO WE CAN BE AHEAD OF THIS GAME.

I THINK WE HAVE SLIGHTED OUR CHILDREN IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND IT´S TIME NOW THAT WE TAKE EDUCATION AS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

NOW WE WILL MOVE TO YOU MR. MULINU ON EDUCATION.

>> WELL, AGAIN, I WOULD SAY THAT FIRST IS TO REMOVE THE POLITICS OUT OF EDUCATION.

AND THAT IS THE COMMISSION OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE HIRED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED THE COMMISSIONER AND MAINTAINS HIS POLITICAL POWER.

SCHOOL REFORM, AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, WE SEE WHERE STUDENT DISCIPLINE HAS DISRUPTED THE SCHOOL DAY AND INTERFERED WITH LEARNING.

SO THERE SHOULD BE A SEPARATE CAMPUS FOR THOSE STUDENTS SO THEY CAN BE HELPED AND BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE BELIEVE THAT HISTORY SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOL.

WE BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE TREATED THE STATE CURRICULUM.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ONE CURRICULUM.

SO SEPARATE THE CURRICULUM FROM K TO 6, 7 TO 8 AND 9 TO 12.

EDUCATION CREDITS SHOULD BE REQUIRED FOR EACH STUDENT GRADUATED FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOL.

AGAIN, PRIMARILY WITH THE LOSS OF SO MANY DAYS, HURRICANE, COVID, I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE ALL YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

OKAY.

NOW, CONTINUING WITH OUR AREAS OF CONCERN.

WE´RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU, THIS TIME, MR. MULINU, BUT WE´RE GOING TO MOVE TO HEALTH.

MANY LEAVE THE TERRITORY IN SEARCH OF HEALTHCARE, ESPECIALLY ON SAN CROY.

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

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

FIRST OF ALL, I BELIEVE THAT HEALTHCARE SHOULD BE ONE OF OUR PRIMARY CONCERNS.

AND APPARENTLY, IT DOESN´T MATTER.

YOU TAKE ONE HOSPITAL FOR INSTANCE, NO TOILET INSIDE A FACILITY.

YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY EXIT THE FACILITIES TO UTILIZE BATHROOM/TOILET FACILITIES.

THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

WE HAVE A PROJECT CENTER, A YOUNG MAN SPENT HIS TIME AND ENERGY TO SET UP A STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY SO WE DON´T HAVE TO LEAVE THE ISLAND FOR THIS TYPE OF HEALTHCARE.

WHAT´S HAPPENING NOW?

WELL, HE LEFT THE ISLAND FOR A GOOD REASON, BUT IT´S BECAUSE IT´S SITTING THERE LIKE IT´S A STATUE.

PEOPLE WITH HEART PROBLEMS, YOU MUST HAVE SOME KIND OF ASSISTANCE.

SO HEALTHCARE DEFINITELY IS A PRIORITY.

HEALTH AND SAFETY DEFINITELY IS A PRIORITY, AND IF YOU LET IT, I WOULD ENSURE THAT MANY OF THE WORKERS -- BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE ACTUALLY IMPORT WORKERS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

YOU COME TO THE HOSPITAL, YOU THINK YOU´RE IN THE UNITED NATION, THE AMOUNT OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

SO WHY NOT CREATE SOME INCENTIVES FOR OUR CHILDREN TO TAKE THESE JOBS OTHER THAN JUST BEING THE JANITOR OR THE CLERK.

>> TAKE A FEW SECONDS.

FINISH YOUR THOUGHT.

>> SO THE IDEA IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN TO BENEFIT, TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE TO US IN OUR OLD AND GOLDEN YEARS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MS. KAYPAR.

>> THANK YOU.

UNDERSTANDING THE QUALITY OF CARE THAT PARTICULARLY THE PEOPLE OF SAN CROY THAT WE HAVE AND BEING A FORMER ADMINISTRATOR OF MEDICAID, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO WORK ON A WHOLISTIC SUSTAINABLE HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO CREATE BETTER CONNECTION WITH SPECIALIZED DOCTORS, RECRUITING SPECIALIZED DOCTORS TO COME TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT´S A MATTER OF PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

AND AS THE SENATOR, I WOULD BE THAT ONE TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER HEALTHCARE.

IT IS ONE BELIEVABLE THAT MOST OF OUR INDIVIDUALS IN THE TERRITORY HAVE TO LEAVE THE TERRITORY TO SEEK BETTER HEALTHCARE.

AND IT´S A SIMPLE FIX IF WE JUST HAVE THAT PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE CAN WORK TO CREATE A BETTER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, IT´S SERIOUS WHEN, YES, YOU CAN GO TO THE HOSPITAL, AND YOU HAVE TO BE FACED WITH SIMPLE LOW-HANGING FRUITS THAT CAN BE TEND TO.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT HEALTHCARE IS IMPORTANT, AND IT´S ALSO A MONEY-MAKING BUSINESS AS WE ARE NOW FACING WHERE WE WOULD HAVE THIS VISA WAIVER, WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT MEDICAL TOURISM THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO ASK INDIVIDUALS FROM DIFFERENT EASTERN CARIBBEAN ISLAND THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS WHERE YOU CAN COME AND SEEK MEDICAL CARE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

NOW WE´RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT AREA OF CONCERN, AND THIS TIME WE´RE GOING TO START WITH MS. KAYPAR WITH RESPECT TO CRIME.

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

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> YES.

I PRESENTLY AM EMPLOYED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, SO I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FACE.

AND MORE MONEY, MORE MONEY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

I WANT TO WORK ON WORKING ON GETTING SPECIALIZED TRAINED UNITS TO ADJUST WITH HAVING POLICE -- THE POLICE INDIVIDUALS TRAINED, THAT THEY CAN RESPOND TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MENTAL BEHAVIORAL ISSUES THAT WE NEED TRAINING UNITS.

WE NEED MORE CAMERAS IN MORE AREAS.

WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR MORE TRAINING FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS.

WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR THIS DEPARTMENT THAT WE CAN RECRUIT INDIVIDUALS, WE CAN HIRE MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

IF WE START SAYING, POLICE OFFICERS MAKE THIS AMOUNT, YOU WOULD SEE INDIVIDUALS PROBABLY WANT TO EVEN SERVE BECAUSE IT´S A DANGEROUS WORK TO DO, AND YOU NEED TO BE COMPENSATED.

SO MORE MONEY, MORE MONEY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT, BUT I WOULD ALWAYS BE AN ADVOCATE BEING A PRESENT EMPLOYEE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.

THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

NOW.

>> YES.

THANK YOU.

AS A FORMER MEMBER AS BEING ONE OF THE FIRST APPOINTED BY THE FIRST GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR EVANS TO SERVE AS A YOUTH COMMISSIONER ON THE BOARD MEMBER, YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT I WAS PROBABLY IN MY TEENS AT THAT TIME.

BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW THAT THEY -- THE NEW COMMISSION WAS VERY EFFECTIVE IN BRIDGING THE GAPS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

RIGHT NOW, THE CRIME IS TAKING PLACE WITH NEIGHBORS VERSUS NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS RATED NUMBER FOUR IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO MURDER AS PER CAPITA.

JUST THIS LAST WEEK, FOUR INDIVIDUALS DIED HERE.

PREVENTION.

AGAIN, IN MY PLATFORM, WE TALK ABOUT REFORM SCHOOL, A REFORM CAMPUS WHERE WE CAN SAVE OUR CHILDREN.

YOU KNOW, REMOVE THEM.

WE HAVE THESE BEFORE.

IN ST. THOMAS, YOU HAD THE SCHOOL.

IN IT WAS EFFECTIVE.

YOU KNOW.

A GENTLEMAN BY THE NAME OF JOHN BELL TALKED ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AND HOW THIS INSTITUTION HELPED HIM TO BECOME A SENATOR, A CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SO YES, WE HAVE TO BELIEVE IN OUR CHILDREN AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.

>> I´M GOING TO STICK WITH THAT FOR A MINUTE BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT NO ONE MENTIONED SEXUAL ASSAULT, SO I´M GOING TO ASK YOU A QUESTION AROUND THAT TOPIC, AND I´M GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU THIS TIME, MR. MULINU.

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

RECENT DISCLOSURE OF ASSAULT AGAINST 12 SCHOOLBOYS BY A TEACHER IS SHOCKING, AND THE COMMUNITY WAS RIGHTFULLY OUTRAGED, BUT GIRLS ARE RAPED AND ASSAULTED TOO.

HOW CAN YOU AS A SENATOR PROTECT OUR BOYS AND GIRLS FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT BY ADULTS?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS ON THAT.

>> WELL, I´M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP BECAUSE IT IS AN ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHEN YOU HAVE SEXUAL ABUSE TAKING PLACE BY ADULTS.

IT SHOULD NOT BE BUSINESS AS USUAL.

YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT UNIVERSITY OF VIRGIN ISLANDS, WITHIN RECENT TIMES, WITH ALL THE ABILITY TO SCREEN HIRED INDIVIDUALS WHO CAME HERE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS, AND WE´VE HAD THAT BEFORE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SO THE SCREEN IS IMPORTANT.

OPENNESS WITH THE CHILDREN, HAVING SOME SORT OF COUNSELING PROGRAM ONGOING SO THEY CAN SPEAK UP AND HAVE CONFIDENCE IN INDIVIDUALS TO DISCLOSE WHAT´S GOING ON.

WHAT YOU POINTED OUT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL WAS COMPLAINTS MADE TO THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE CONCEPTION THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT.

WHAT HAPPENED?

IT COMES BACK TO RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND HAVING FAITH IN OUR CHILDREN AND BELIEVING IN THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELL, CREATING A GREAT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILDREN AND HAVING TEACHERS WHO ARE TEACHING THEM, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE BETTER BACKGROUND CHECKS.

AND I THINK THAT IS A COLLABORATION WITH WORKING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT ALL TEACHERS BE SCREENED.

THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH A BACKGROUND CHECK THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT WHO THIS INDIVIDUAL THAT IS TEACHING THESE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I THINK REAL IN DEPTH BACKGROUND CHECKS WOULD ELIMINATE ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUBJECTING OUR CHILDREN TO ANY KIND OF ABUSE.

SO I THINK STRONG BACKGROUND CHECKS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE, THAT COLLABORATION WOULD HELP.

THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

NOW WE´RE GOING TO MOVE TO EVERYBODY´S FAVORITE TOPIC.

MS. KAYPAR, TELL US SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK WITH RESPECT TO WAPA.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES, AND WHAT WOULD YOUR STRATEGY BE FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE?

>> YEAH.

I CONSIDER WAPA OUR DINOSAUR ON OUR BACK, AND I THINK ELIMINATING OUR TOTAL -- 100% TOTAL DEPENDENCY ON FOSSIL FUELS IS OUR PROBLEM.

I THINK WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.

WE´VE TALKED ABOUT THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WE ARE IN AN AREA IN THIS WORLD THAT WE HAVE FUN 24/7.

WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.

WE HAVE SOLAR, WE HAVE ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE UTILIZED.

WE´VE TRIED PROPANE.

WE NEED TO TAKE THIS SERIOUS AND HAVE THIS OFFSET.

WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, I VOTED ON LEGISLATION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A 30% REDUCTION WITH SOLAR AND PROPANE.

THAT DIDN´T HAPPEN.

WITH TIME, WE NEED TO REVISIT THIS TO GET OFF THAT TOTAL DEPENDENCY OF FOSSIL FUEL.

THANK YOU.

>> SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

AND YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> WAPA IS OUT OF CONTROL.

MISMANAGED, HIGHEST RATE IN THE WORLD.

MONEY STOLEN, CONTRACTS LIKE MS. KAYPAR POINTED OUT, THEY PROVIDED MONEYS TO GO TO PROPANE.

THE PRICE STARTED AT ONE PRICE AND TROUBLED TO THE POINT WHERE THE COMPANY NOW WAS ABLE IN A POSITION THEY CAN ACTUALLY TAKE OVER AND OWN WAPA BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEYS THAT WERE OWED TO THE COMPANY.

SO, SOLAR POWER, WE LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE THERE´S A REASON WHY WE SHOULD NOW TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOLAR POWER, SOLAR ENERGY.

YOU HAVE THE WIND, AND IF YOU WANT TO BE CREATIVE, WE CAN GO TO THE OCEAN.

BUT WAPA´S PROBLEM IS ACCOUNTABILITY, HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE, MANAGEMENT OF THE FACILITIES IF NEEDED, WAPA PUMPS IN TO THE SEVEN SEAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY TO MAKE PORTABLE WATER, WHICH IS DRINKABLE WATER.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WASTE MANAGEMENT TAKES AND DISCHARGE IT BACK INTO THE CARIBBEAN SEA, 3 MILLION GALLONS OF THIS WATER THAT THEY CLEAN UP AND TREAT IT.

SO, AGAIN, WE CAN TAKE THIS WATER, BRING IT BACK INLAND, CREATE ARTIFICIAL LAKES WHERE OUR FARMERS CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS WATER THAT´S BEING DISCHARGED INTO THE CARIBBEAN SEA DAILY.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WE´RE GOING TO MOVE AWAY FROM THOSE MAJOR CONCERNS TO A NEW QUESTION.

AND WE WILL BEGIN THIS QUESTION WITH YOU, MR. MULINU.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT 25 YEARS, FWRKS ERS 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?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> OKAY.

WELL, I SPENT TEN YEARS ATTENDING EVERY SINGLE GERS BOARD MEETING.

ONE OF THE THINGS I´VE ADVOCATED AND CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE TODAY WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS MIRROR THES IS SYSTEM.

WHEN EVERY SINGLE WORKER RECEIVES AN ANNUAL STATEMENT, YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND YOUR EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION, IT DON´T HAPPEN HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SO YOU END UP WITH THIS CALAMITY.

WE OWE THIS, THEY OWE THIS.

UNBELIEVABLE.

NOW, THIS INFORMATION ABOUT WAPA HAVING A SAY IS A MYTH.

WE KNEW IT WAS A MYTH.

YOU KNOW, THEY TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM ONE THING TO GIVE IT TO ANOTHER THING.

NOW, GERS IS OWED MAYBE CLOSER TO $3 BILLION AS A RESULT OF UNFUNDED LIABILITY THAT WAS DONE BY SENATORS AND GOVERNORS OVER THE YEARS.

AND SO -- >> ALL RIGHT.

TIME IS EXPIRED.

OKAY.

AND MS. KAYPAR, I´M SURE YOU´RE GLAD TO TALK ABOUT THIS SUBJECT.

>> YES, THE GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT SYSTEM WAS ONE OF THE BEST BASES TO RETIRE FROM.

UNFORTUNATELY IN THE PAST, THERE HAS BEEN SOME BAD DECISIONS MADE BY THE BOARD, BAD INVESTMENTS MADE, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS.

NOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING THE PERSONAL LOANS.

THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT INDIVIDUALS LIKE MYSELF DEPENDED ON GETTING THOSE PERSONAL LOANS TO PROVIDE A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR MY CHILDREN, AND THEY LOOKED -- EVERY ONE OF US LOOKED FORWARD TO THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.

BUT WORKING WITH GERS WAS FACING INSOLVENCY.

BUT WITH THIS NEW RECENT SAVE THAT WE HAVE, THAT´S JUST A TEMPORARY FIX.

IT´S NOT A PERMANENT FIX.

IT´S JUST A BAND AID FOR NOW.

SO TRUST THAT WHEN I´M ELECTED THAT WE CONTINUE LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN HAVE LONG-TERM STABILITY FOR GERS.

THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

NOW WE´RE GOING TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT TOPIC AGAIN.

AND WE´RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND WE´RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT FROM THE FOCUS OF GROWING THE ECONOMY.

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

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

SO WHAT´S LEFT IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

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

WE´RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH MS. KAYPAR AND YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> WHEN I WAS IN THE 30th LEGISLATURE, A BUSINESS ASSOCIATE CAME TO ME AND SAID, YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO PARITY FAIRNESS FOR THE BUSINESS OWNERS.

THERE´S WHERE I GOT THE ACT FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO MAKE SURE THEY GET FIRST PREFERENCE TO BIDDING TO HELP THEM WITH THE PROMISE OF THE SURETY BONDS.

SO I´M ONE OF THOSE ADVOCATES THAT BELIEVES IN LOOKING OUT FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING ON CREATING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BECAUSE IT´S IMPORTANT.

WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO RECRUIT INDIVIDUALS FROM OUTSIDE TO THE -- FOR US TO DEPEND ON THEM, SO I AM JUST THAT ADVOCATE THAT WOULD CONTINUE WORKING ON BIDS LIKE THE PREFERRED BIDDERS ACT, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE VI.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YES.

MY VISION AND OUR VISION SHOULD BE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION.

IN MY PLATFORM, WE HAVE WHAT YOU CALL FINANCE AND BANKING, AND THAT IS, IF ELECTED, I WILL ENSURE THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TERRITORY BANK SHALL BE ESTABLISHED, AND IT SHALL BE THE ONLY LEGAL DPOZ TORY FOR ALL VIRGIN ISLANDS FUNDS.

OFFICIAL FUND DEVELOPMENTS, PROMOTE OUR CULTURE AND INDUSTRY AS WELL AS OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THAT´S THE ANSWER TO OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THE GERS SHOULD PUT MONEY IN THE BANK -- WE SHOULD HAVE THEM ACTUALLY BUY IN THE HOME DEPOTS.

SO I HOPE PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT IN THE LONG RUN FROM THESE TWO.

BUSINESSES IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SHOULD BE OWNED BY US.

YOU TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES.

BUSINESSES, PRIVATE SECTOR, HOMEOWNERSHIP, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WITH YOUR OWN BANK, SKY´S THE LIMIT.

JUST WANT TO SAY, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE MODEL.

THERE´S ONLY ONE STATE WITH A STATE BANK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE´RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION, AND WE´RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU.

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

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

AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES TO MAKING THEM A REALITY?

60 SECONDS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE WHAT YOU CALL LAND AND WATER USE PLAN.

WE KNOW THAT TOURISM IS THE BACKBONE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, BUT THE MAJORITY DON´T NECESSARILY BENEFIT FROM TOURISM.

SO IN MY PLATFORM, WE TALK ABOUT HOME -- YOU TALKING ABOUT PUTTING TOGETHER PROCESSING PLANTS, PATHOGEN PLANTS.

WE COULD PACKAGE THAT ICE CREAM AND MAKE SURE THAT IT´S IN ALL THE STORES IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SO ALL OF THIS IMPORTED ICE CREAM WILL NOT COMPETE.

IT´S ABOUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

AGRICULTURE.

THERE´S NO REASON WE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE SOME KIND OF CROP AND PROCESS IT.

I BELIEVE THAT EACH HOUSEHOLD.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE A MANGO TREE IN YOUR YARD, YOU SHOULD COME TO YOUR MANGO TREE, PROCESS IT, WHETHER WE MAKE DRY MANGOS, MANGO JOUS, WHATEVER IT IS.

PROCESSING AND PACKAGING IS THE WAY TO GO TO MOVE OUR ECONOMY AND DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW WE LIVE IN SUCH A SMALL COMMUNITY THAT WE CAN BE SO CREATIVE.

PARTICULARLY SAN CROY BECAUSE WE BENEFIT FROM THE JONES ACT.

I´VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT A SHIPMENT PORT.

WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT THESE BIG THINGS WE CAN HAVE.

BIG SHIPS, THEY OFF LOAD, THEY THEN CARRY ON TO EASTERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS.

YOU CAN USE SAN CROY AS A FUELING HUB STATION.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IN A TERRITORY, AGRICULTURE AS TYROME MENTIONED, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN OURSELVES.

ANOTHER PANDEMIC HITS, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT OURSELF -- SAN CROY USED TO BE THE BREAD BASKETS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT THESE INDUSTRIES THAT WE CAN FEED OURSELVES AND BE CREATIVE.

WE LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY, AND WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO BE CREATIVE SO WE CAN START TO GENERATE FUNDS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WE CAN BE AN EXAMPLE FOR THE CARIBBEAN.

THANK YOU.

>> WE´RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU ON OUR NEXT QUESTION, MS. KAYPAR.

WYCO PROPOSED TO DRENCH THE HARBOR FOR LARGER CRUISE SHIPS.

DO YOU AGREE THAT MORE AND BIGGER IS THE WAY TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN THE TOURISM MARKET, AND EXPLAIN YOUR RESPONSE.

60 SECONDS FOR THIS QUESTION.

>> YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE IN PARITY.

AND WHILE ST. THOMAS MAY WANT THE DREDGING OF THEIR HARBORS TO ACCOMMODATE MORE SHIPS, WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR SISTER ISLAND SAN CROY.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO ACCOMMODATE OUR TOURISTS THAT WANT TO COME TO OUR ISLAND?

SO WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT WHAT DO WE HAVE THAT IS UNIQUE THAT WE CAN SELL.

SO THEY HAVE ALREADY LOOKED AT, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE SMALLER SHIPS.

THIS IS BEING DONE.

BUT I BELIEVE IN PARITY.

SO WHAT IS BEING DONE FOR ONE ISLAND MUST BE DONE FOR ANOTHER ISLAND.

PARITY IS IMPORTANT FOR ME.

SO WE ALL HAVE -- EACH ISLAND HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE CHARACTERISTIC, AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HONE IN ON TO THESE CHARACTERISTICS AND BE ABLE TO GENERATE FUNDING FROM THOSE.

THANK YOU.

>> I THINK IT´S A BAD IDEA.

THE CRUISE SHIPS DON´T REALLY STIMULATE MONEY FOR THE ECONOMY.

IT´S MAINLY FOR THE CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY.

WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN HOTELS.

WE SHOULD HAVE A SMALL CONVENTION CENTER.

IT DON´T HAVE TO BE ATTACHED TO A HOTEL.

IT CAN BE A STAND ALONE CONVENTION CENTER.

MANY TIMES AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ST. CROY OPERATION OF TEACHERS, AND I´M ON CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS, THERE´S ALWAYS THIS QUESTION, WHEN CAN WE HAVE A MEETING, A CONVENTION AT THE VIRGIN ISLAND, AND THE LIMIT HAS ALWAYS BEEN HOTEL ROOMS, THE SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE THEM.

SOP TO PUT $17 MILLION INTO WYCO, AND YOU HAVE A HOSPITAL WITHOUT TOILET FACILITIES, IT TELLS ME WHERE IS OUR PRIORITY?

WHO´S RUNNING ST. THOMAS, WHO´S RUNNING THE CRUISE SHIP?

I´M SAYING WE ARE THE MAJORITY, AND WE SHOULD SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WHEN IT COMES TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY INTO TOURISM AND NEGLECTING THE REST OF THE ECONOMY IN TERMS OF OUR BUSINESS.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WE´RE GOING TO MOVE TO A NEW TOPIC AGAIN.

AND WE´RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA WAS INTENDED AS A POSSIBLE BOOST TO THE ECONOMY AND AN OFFICE HAS BEEN CREATED TO DEVELOP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR OVERSIGHT OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE TERRITORY.

IT APPEARS THAT LITTLE HAS COME FROM IT THUS FAR.

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

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> WELL, IF IT COMES TO FOOD AND MARIJUANA, I THINK IT´S AN EASY DECISION FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

WE SPEND ABOUT OVER $900 MILLION A YEAR ON IMPORTED FOOD.

AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS NOT THE SOLUTION.

YOU KNOW, IT´S NOT THE SOLUTION.

I ASKED SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO DID THE TOUR OF THOSE FACILITIES OUT IN THE NORTH WEST AND THE MIDWEST.

I ASKED THEM, WHO RAN THESE FACILITIES?

WAS IT ANYONE WHO LOOKED LIKE YOU AND ME?

NO.

AND IT´S BIG BUCKS.

IT´S MILLIONAIRES.

YOU HAVE A SECTION OF OUR CULTURE WHO ARE ADVOCATING FOR THIS MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

HE´S BEEN IN OFFICE FOR FOUR YEARS, AND TO DATE, HE HAS YET TO CALL A MEETING WITH THE FARMERS ON SAN CROY OR ST. THOMAS.

WHAT ABOUT PROMOTING FOOD?

>> THANK YOU.

MS. KAYPAR, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THE LEGISLATURE RESPONSIBILITY IS TO HAVE OVERSIGHT.

AND I THINK AS ONE OF THOSE FORWARDS, THAT THE LEGISLATURE WORKS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING TO ADDRESS THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT THAT THEY SAY THAT WOULD BE FOR THE VI.

MY CONCERN HAS ALWAYS BEEN AS A FORMER LEGISLATURE IS THE REGULATORY ASPECT OF IT.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF WHAT WE ASK FOR.

EVEN THOUGH IT IS SAID THAT IT WOULD GENERATE ALL THIS FUNDING TO THE TERRITORY, MY CONCERN WOULD BE THE REGULATORY ASPECT OF IT AND THE LEGISLATURE´S RESPONSIBILITIES TO BRING ACCOUNTABILITY TO THIS BOARD TO REVIEW THAT LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE IT WOULD NOT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THANK YOU.

>> AGAIN, WE´RE GOING TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND ON THIS QUESTION, MS. KAYPAR, WE´RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU.

FIRST I´M GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND HERE.

FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, THE LEAGUE HAS ASKED THE SAME QUESTION REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LAND AND WATER USE PLAN FOR THE TERRITORY, AND WITHOUT FAIL OVER THE PAST 30-PLUS YEARS, SENATORIAL CANDIDATES ALIKE HAVE PLEDGED THAT ON THEIR WATCH, A PLAN WOULD BE DEVELOPED.

NONE HAS BEEN SO FAR.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IF YOU ARE ELECTED TO MAKE SURE THAT A PLAN IS DEVELOPED?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AS A FORMER EMPLOYEE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN AVOIDABLE TOPIC.

THIS WOULD ACTUALLY BRING REGULATION SO DEVELOPERS THAT I THINK WOULD PROVIDE A WHOLE BIBLE FOR THE ARENA IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

I UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF IT.

I WOULD BE AN ADVOCATE BECAUSE LIKE I MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, MOST OF MY LEGISLATION, INDIVIDUALS CAME TO ME, AND THEY SAID, THIS IS AFFECTING ME IF LAND AND WATER USE PLAN, I TRUST THAT I WOULD DEFINITELY BE WORKING ON THIS.

THERE´S NOT EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN WORK ON, BUT HIGH PRIORITY AREAS AS OUR LAND AND WATER USE PLAN WOULD BE IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HELPS TO REGULATE, AND IT HELPS EVEN PROVIDE BUSINESS OWNERS OR DEVELOPERS WHO WANT TO COME INTO THE TERRITORY WHERE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU.

>> 60 SECONDS NOW.

>> IN MY PLATFORM, I ADDRESS THE SEPARATE LAND AND WATER USE PLAN FOR AGRICULTURE ZONE AREAS.

I CAN GO IN AND TALK ABOUT THE RUNOFFS THAT DAMAGE OUR SEA LIFE, OUR MARINE LIFE, AND WE TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED.

MEGAN´S BAY HAS A BEAUTIFUL BEACH, AND IT´S NOW DESTROYING THE BEACH.

NOW, SAN CROY, BEAUTIFUL LAND, GOOD AGRICULTURE.

BACK IN THE ´80s, WE PURCHASED ABOUT 2,000 ACRES.

OF THAT 2,000 ACRES, MOST OF IT IS USED UP FOR EVERYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN AGRICULTURE.

WE PLACED THE U.S. ARMY, NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY, THE HIGH SCHOOL, TWO SOCCER FIELDS, THE HOUSING PROPERTY, AND NOW WE´RE LOOKING TO PLACE A CRICKET FIELD AND A HORSE -- SOME KIND OF HORSE FACILITY ON THIS PROPERTY OTHER THAN AGRICULTURE.

SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED A LAND AND WATER USE PLAN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THESE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

WE´RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH YOU, MR. MULINU.

BUT WE´RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOUSING.

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

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

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON RENT CONTROL?

AND YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> WELL, AS A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE USDA FARMERS PROGRAM WHERE I ADMINISTERED THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME, DEFINITELY THERE´S A VOID IN THESE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IF YOU LOOK BACK ABOUT ´1960-69, YOU HAD THE STATE 22, THE STATE -- YOU HAD MOST HOMES BACK IN THAT ERA WHERE AROUND 15-13 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

TODAY, THOSE HOMES ARE WORTH OVER $200,000.

WE´RE TALKING ABOUT INTERGENERATIONAL WEALTH.

YOU CAN SEE HOW THEIR CHILDREN CAN BENEFIT.

BUT WHERE IS AFFORDABLE PROGRAM?

TO OWN A HOME IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

THAT´S WHY MY PLATFORM ON FINANCE AND BANKING ESTABLISHING A VIRGIN ISLAND BANK WOULD PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FIRST TIME TO HAVE HOUSING WITH AN INTEREST RATE THAT THEY CAN AFFORD.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I BELIEVE IN HOMEOWNERSHIP.

SO ADDRESSING THIS RENT CONTROL WOULD BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT OF HOMEOWNERSHIP.

WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL BANKS TO BE MORE FRIENDLY IN LENDING OUR INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED HOMES, WORKING CLOSELY WITH REHOUSING AUTHORITY, WITH THEIR HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM.

THE USDA, THERE ARE PROGRAMS HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO OWN THEIR OWN HOMES, AND THIS RENT CONTROL ISSUE THAT WE HAVE, WE CAN START ENCOURAGING HOMEOWNERSHIP.

IT´S -- IT´S JUST A MATTER OF CREATIVITY.

IT´S A MATTER OF WORKING WITH THESE BANKS, AND WE CAN START ENCOURAGING OUR INDIVIDUALS IN THE TERRITORY ABOUT HOMEOWNERSHIP.

IT´S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FEELING TO OWN YOUR OWN HOME.

EVEN AT A YOUNG AGE.

AND THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT TO OWN THEIR OWN HOME, BUT THERE ARE CHALLENGES, AND WE NEED TO BE, AS LEGISLATURES, TO WORK ON THAT FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS.

THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

AS OUR SENSES, WE´RE GOING TO DEMOGRAPHICS.

OUR CENSUS SHOWS A DECREASE IN POPULATION.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS AN IMPACT OF THIS DECREASE, AND WHAT CAN YOU DOI DO AS A SENATOR IF ELECTED?

60 SECONDS.

WE BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> I THINK DEVELOPING STRONGER WORK FORCE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO GO TO COLLEGE.

TRAINING.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE RETENTION PROGRAMS WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO STAY HERE.

THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS NOW, YOUNG PEOPLE THAT I´VE SPOKEN TO, THAT THEY´RE READY TO LEAVE BECAUSE THERE´S NOTHING HERE FOR THEM, AND I THINK DEVELOPING A STRONGER WORK FORCE, WORKING WITH PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP WOULD BE -- WE CAN START KEEPING INDIVIDUALS HERE THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS.

THERE´S SO MANY THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AS A SMALL COMMUNITY, AND I THINK WORKING ON OUR WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF THEM.

THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

60 SECONDS.

>> WELL, SINCE THE DECREASE, WHO´S LEAVING, AND WHO´S COMING?

WHO IS LEAVING, AND WHO IS COMING?

YOU KNOW, AND IF IT TAKES -- IF YOU ASK ME, IT SEEMS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEAVING, IT´S PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE YOU AND ME.

AND THE PEOPLE COMING ARE THE PEOPLE THAT SEE THIS PLACE AS PARADISE, AS A PLACE WHERE THEY´RE GOING TO MAKE THEIR LIVING, THEIR INCOME.

ST. JOHN IS GONE.

WHAT ACTUALLY DO YOU THINK I MEAN BY THAT?

IT MEANS IT´S NOW OVERPOPULATED WITH VISITORS, NONRESIDENTS.

AND SO, YES, THERE´S A PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO THE CENSUS, AND MAYBE -- I HATE TO TAKE THIS POSITION -- MAYBE TALK TO THE WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SAY, WE NEED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL CHILDREN TO OFFSET THE DECREASE IN THE POPULATION.

I DON´T KNOW.

MAYBE THAT CAN BE DONE.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY.

WE HAVE TIME FOR EACH CANDIDATE TO EXPAND ON ANY ONE TOPIC OF CHOICE FOR 60 SECONDS BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE CLOSING STATEMENT.

LET´S START WITH YOU, MS. KAYPAR.

WE´RE GOING TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT ONE TOPIC THAT YOU -- THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT, THAT IS ALONG THE LINES OF YOUR INTEREST, OR YOU CAN EVEN IDENTIFY MAJOR LEGISLATION.

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID ADDRESS IS THE HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

AND AS I SAID, NOT UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY PROBABLY START TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION HERE IN THE TERRITORY IS WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALITY OF CARE THAT WE HAVE.

THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR ME AS A FORMER ADMINISTRATOR OF MEDICAID WHERE I´VE WORKED CLOSELY WITH CMS WHERE WE´VE HAD INDIVIDUALS IN THE TERRITORY AND MEDICAID FROM 14,000 PEOPLE TO 30,000 PEOPLE.

WHAT KIND OF CARE DO WE OFFER THESE INDIVIDUALS?

HALF OF THE TIME, WE HAVE TO AIR LIFT.

HALF OF THE TIME, WE HAVE TO SEND THEM TO PUERTO RICO.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A BETTER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, PARTICULARLY ON THE ISLAND OF SAN CROY.

WE CANNOT AFFORD ALL THE TIME TO JUMP ON A PLANE TO GO TO CLEVELAND CLINIC, THE JOHN HOPKINS.

WE NEED TO DO BETTER FOR OUR PEOPLE.

THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM MUST BE BETTER.

>> OKAY.

>> THANK YOU.

WHAT´S PASSIONATE ABOUT MY PLATFORM IS THE REAPPORTIONMENT.

AND ALL IT MEANS IS, YOU KNOW, A CHANGE TO THE FIRST BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF HOW WE WOULD BE LEKED.

AND I´M PROPOSING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE NINE DISTRICT SENATORS.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE TWO DISTRICTS.

AND YOU HAVE SEVEN SENATORS PER DISTRICT.

SO THE PLAN IS TO HAVE NINE DISTRICT SENATORS.

FOUR IN SAN CROY, FOUR IN ST. THOMAS, ONE IN ST. JOHN.

SIX AT LARGE SENATORS.

THE SIX AT LARGE SENATORS WILL MAN OR CHAIR WHAT WE CALL STANDING COMMITTEES WHICH WILL BE ADDRESSING ISSUES THAT ARE CONCERNS TO ALL OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, EXAMPLE, WAPA, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THOSE WILL BE STANDARD COMMITTEES THAT WILL BE CHAIRED BY AT LARGE SENATORS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TIME HAS GONE QUICKLY.

AND NOW, CANDIDATES, WE HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR EACH OF YOU TO GIVE A CLOSING STATEMENT, STARTING WITH YOU, MR. MULINU.

>> AGAIN, I AM TYROME MULINU, NUMBER FOUR ON YOUR BALLOT ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

I HAVE BEEN AN AGRICULTURE ADVOCATE IN THESE ISLANDS, EDUCATION RIGHTS CHAMPION, LABOR LEADER, AND I BELIEVE I HAVE ALL THE TOOLS, ALL THE EXPERIENCE TO TAKE THESE VIRGIN ISLANDS FORWARD SO THE NEXT GENERATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM ALL OUR WORK IN THE 35th LEGISLATION.

AND I WILL JOIN MY COUNTERPART TO JOIN ME IN BEING A PART OF THIS PLATFORM.

IT´S NOT ABOUT ME OR ANY PARTICULAR PARTY.

IT´S ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, IT´S ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION.

SO I ASK HER TO JOIN ME THAT THIS BECOMES A REALITY WHEN WE BOTH BECOME ELECTED TO THE 35th LEGISLATURE.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU, CANDIDATE.

AND -- OH, KAYPAR.

I´M SORRY.

>> YES.

SO I AM DIANE KAYPAR.

I AM NUMBER 19 ON THE BALLOT ASKING YOU FOR YOUR VOTE.

I HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE BEING YOUR PUBLIC SERVANT.

AS I MENTIONED, I WAS IN THE 30th LEGISLATURE BEFORE.

I SERVED WITH INTEGRITY, I LED WITH MY INTEGRITY, AND I´M RUNNING ON MY INTEGRITY AGAIN.

I AM LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST.

I BROUGHT 58 BILLS IN AMENMENTS, NOW THERE ARE EIGHT THAT ARE IMPACTFUL LEGISLATION FROM THE HOME INVASION, PREFERRED BIDDERS ACT, COMPUTER CRIMES, MISSING PERSONS.

I WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF.

I DON´T GO ALONG TO GET ALONG.

I´M A CONSENSUS BUILDER, I SERVE WITH RESPECT.

I HAVE ETHICS, I´M ETHICAL, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING, WORKING HARD ON YOUR BEHALF.

I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE AND YOUR SUPPORT THIS COMING ELECTION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES.

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

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM DENISE SINGLETON OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SAYING VOTE EARLY OR VOTE IN NOVEMBER, BUT VOTE!

THANK YOU.

ST. CROIX