THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF W TJX OR STAFF.

GREETINGS, AND WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM.

A PROGRAM PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX TV .

FOR WELL OVER 35 YEARS.

I AM THE MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

AS I LIVE AND CARE FOR AN ELDERLY RELATIVE WHO MAY BE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, I HAVE CHOSEN TO WEAR A MASK.

EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTED OFFICE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK UP ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022 ELECTION YEAR RIGHT HERE ON W TJX.

FOR GOVERNOR OR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

ALL CANDIDATES WERE INVITED, NOT ALL RESPONDENTS ACCEPTED THE INVITATION.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU TODAY.

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

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

AND GENERALLY 60 OR 90 SECONDS.

THE TIMING OF THE QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

ANY QUESTION DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A REBUTTAL OF 60 SECONDS.

-- LET´S START WITH SAM.

CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, VALID NUMBER AND AFFILIATION.

>> INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES, NUMBER 12.

>> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER AND CAREER.

FOR OUR FIRST QUESTION.

YOU EACH HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

AS A CANDIDATE FOR A SEAT IN THE LEGISLATURE, WHAT ARE YOUR COMPETENCIES AS WELL AS EDUCATION OR TRAINING THAT WILL MAKE A GOOD CHOICE TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES AS SENATOR.

AND, WHAT ARE YOUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT SHOW YOUR SKILLS AND READINESS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OFFICE?

PLEASE ANSWER BOTH PARTS OF THE QUESTION IN 90 SECONDS.

>> MY MAJOR IS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, I ALSO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN THEOLOGY, I WORKED IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR FOR MANY YEARS, DIRECTED THE RED CROSS, I AM ALSO A BUSINESS OWNER, I COME FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

I BRING VAST EXPERIENCE FROM NONPROFIT SECTOR -- AS A SITTING SENATOR, I HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE, BEING ABLE TO PASS MANY BILLS.

AND I WORKED AS A SENIOR ADVISOR FOR FORMER ADMINISTRATION AND NOW I´M WITH THE FOCUS BRANCH.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY APPLY INDEPENDENCE.

YOU WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS AND WE WILL START RISK FREE.

>> I SERVED AS --FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WHEN WE WERE DECIDING WHAT IT UNFORTUNATELY, THAT PROCESS WAS INTERRUPTED.

BUT AT THE TIME, WE WANTED AN ABILITY TO GOVERN OURSELVES.

HOWEVER, WE WANTED OUR OWN CONSTITUTION.

I PROMOTE RIGHT NOW AS THE CANDIDATE THAT WE EXPLORE WAY WE CAN GET GREATER AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION, NOT NECESSARILY SEPARATE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE HURRICANES, HAS SHOWN US HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> WE SHOULD CONTINUE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS AND DIALOGUES.

SELF-DETERMINATION IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT PATH WE WANT TO TAKE.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION, EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY, BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE FORMS AND CONVERSATIONS, AND PRESENT OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR US.

WE HAVE TO START KNOWING WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE.

WE DON´T KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO GO IF WE DON´T KNOW WHO WE ARE.

SO THESE CONVERSATIONS, WE HAVE TO STEP AND START HAVING THESE DIALOGUES.

AND I THINK YOU VI HAS BEEN A CRUCIAL COMPONENT TO HAVING THESE FORMS AND TO HELP US AS A COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY WHAT PATH WE WANT TO TAKE.

>> TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD MORAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE PRIVATE LIFE OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT?

YOU´LL HAVE 60 SECONDS AND WE WILL START WITH YOU.

>> I THINK IT HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.

YOUR ETHICS, YOUR MORAL COMPASS, REALLY THINK ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON.

INDIVIDUALLY, WE ALL HAVE OUR PROFESSIONAL LIVES AND PERSONAL LIVES.

SOMETIMES THOSE THINGS CANNOT BE SEPARATED.

BUT THE REALITY IS, WHEN WE SPEAK ABOUT HAVING A MORAL COMPASS AND GUIDELINES, IT REALLY SPEAKS ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON AND THE LEVEL OF INTEGRITY AND HOW YOU ARE GOING TO PRESENT YOURSELF IN A PROFESSIONAL MATTER NOW AT A HIGHER LEVEL AS A PUBLIC LEADER.

SO I THINK THEY GO HAND-IN- HAND, IT´S IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT LEADERSHIP REQUIRES SACRIFICE, IT REQUIRES OF EXAMPLE.

>> YOUR VALUES ARE VERY IMPORTANT .

WHEN I WAS IN THE NATIONAL GUARD I SERVED AS A COUNSELOR, BASICALLY TO TELL OUR EMPLOYEES THAT THE PUBLIC HAS TRUST IN YOU.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TRUST THE PUBLIC HAS IN YOU WILL ALWAYS BE AT THE FOREFRONT .

CAN ONLY BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR MIND IF YOU HAVE STRONG ETHICAL AND MORAL VALUES.

YOU HAVE TO BE TRANSPARENT.

YOU ARE USING THEIR RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC SERVICE TO THEM.

>> IN A RECENT POLL OF ELECTORATES, VOTERS IDENTIFIED FOUR AREAS OF MAJOR CONCERN AS BEING EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

LET´S LOOK AT EACH ONE SEPARATELY AND ADDRESS YOUR RESPONSES ARE FOR THESE MATTERS.

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

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR AND LEGISLATOR.

>> ONE OF MY FOCUS AREAS IS EDUCATION, AS A FORMER TEACHER IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, I UNDERSTOOD WHAT EDUCATION MEANS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY I SAW THE EDUCATION CHANGE THE LIFE OF PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW, OUR STUDENTS ARE BEHIND.

THEY ARE RESILIENT, BUT THEY ARE BEHIND.

WE GONE THROUGH HURRICANES THAT PUT THEM BEHIND.

MORE PERHAPS BECAUSE PRIOR TO THE HURRICANES, WE WERE ALREADY BEHIND IN TERMS OF READING.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO NOW AS A COMMUNITY IS WE NEED TO EMPHASIZE MORE THAN EVER PROGRAMS TO REDUCE THE DEFICIENCIES.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

ONE OF THE THINGS I PROPOSE IS THAT WE DO HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING PROGRAMS, WHERE WE PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS LITERATE.

EDUCATION MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE CHANGING HIS --CHANGES A COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU.

SAM?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> EDUCATION IS A PRIORITY.

I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOL, TWO HAVE RECENTLY GRADUATED AND NOW ARE MOVING ON.

WE HAVE MAJOR ISSUES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

IT´S NOT REALLY A FUNDING ISSUE BECAUSE THE MONEY IS THERE, IT WE REALLY NEED TO WORK ON IMPROVING.

PART OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH ENSURING THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE WELL PAID.

WE KNOW ACROSS THE TERRITORY THERE IS A GAP IN FINDING TEACHERS.

AND THE ONES THAT WE HAVE ARE WORKING WITH LITTLE TO NO RESOURCES.

THAT IS AN ISSUE AMONG THE TEACHERS WHO ARE PASSIONATE AND DEDICATED.

A LIVING SALARY IS IMPORTANT, SO PART OF IT HAS TO BE ENSURING OUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORTING STAFF ARE WELL PAID AND WELL TRAINED.

AND THEN ENSURING WE CAN HELP THEM TO FILL THE GAP.

WE NEED TO REALLY IMPROVE AND CREATE PROGRAMS THAT WILL BRING THEM UP TO PAR.

>> WITH HEALTH CITED AS TOP CONCERNS, MANY LEAVE THE TERRITORY IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE, ESPECIALLY IN ST. CROIX.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES?

YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> WE HAVE ENORMOUS CHALLENGES WITHIN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

WE NEED TO REALLY STRENGTHEN THE INFRA STRUCTURE OF OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND REALLY ATTRACT DOCTORS WHO ARE SPECIALIZED IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO LEAVE THE TERRITORIES.

MAYBE SOME OF THOSE CAN AFFORD TO LEAVE AND SEEK IT ELSEWHERE.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN OUR TERRITORY WHO CAN´T JUMP ON A PLANE AND GO TO ONE OF THE MAIN HOSPITALS IN THE STATES.

SO TO ENSURE THAT WE PROVIDE QUALITY HEALTHCARE TO OUR COMMUNITY IS PARAMOUNT IMPORTANT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT´S PROPERLY FUNDED AND PART OF OUR JOB AS A SENATOR IS ENSURING THAT AGENCIES HAVE THE FUNDING THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THEIR MISSION, RESPONSIBILITY AND GOALS.

OUT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH HEALTHCARE.

WE NEED TO REALLY EMPOWER AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE PROPER FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY SO THAT OUR PEOPLE CAN RECEIVE A QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICE THAT THEY DESERVE.

WE DON´T DESERVE ANY LESS THAN ANY OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION IN THE NATION >> WE HAVE TO ADDRESS NOT ONLY HOSPITALS BUT THE OVERALL HEALTH OF OUR PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ALSO ON NOT HAVING OUR PEOPLE SEEP --SEE HOSPITALS AS THEIR PRIMARY CARE SPACE.

IT SHOULD ONLY BE FOR EMERGENCIES.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS COME UP WITH COLLABORATIVE APPROACHES IN VARIOUS SECTORS IN OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT WE CAN POPULATION.

WE ALSO NEED TO EDUCATE OUR POPULATION MORE ON PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES, ISSUES THAT AFFECT US AS A PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY.

WHEN HE THE OTHER THINGS I THINK WE NEED TO DO, AT SOME POINT WANT TO BUILD UP THE CAPACITY WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE MORE VEHICLES GOING TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDING PRIMARY CARE THAT THEY NEED.

THEY ACTUALLY ADDRESS HEALTH ISSUES AT THE PREVENTATIVE LEVEL SO THAT ONCE WE ADDRESS IT, WE CAN MAKE OURSELVES ABLE TO WORK BETTER.

>> WITH RESPECT TO CRIME, WE WILL ANSWER THE FIRST PART.

THE FIRST PART IS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR?

YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS EACH.

>> CRIME JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER ISSUES CAUSES POVERTY.

30% OF OUR CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN POVERTY.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY, THAT MEANS THEIR PARENTS CANNOT AFFORD TO PROVIDE THEM THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY NEED.

THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE NEED.

WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO HAVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES TO PROVIDE THE ACTIVITIES THAT THEY NEED SO THEY ARE NOT LED INTO A LIFE OF CRIME.

MY FOCUS WILL BE ON PREVENTION AS OPPOSED TO PUNITIVE MEASURES.

WE SHOULD ADDRESS ISSUES AT THE FRONT END.

I WOULD SEE PROGRAMS ESPECIALLY TARGETED TOWARD BOYS.

IT´S A HEALTH ISSUE AS MUCH IT IS A FAT --PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

MY FOCUS WILL BE ON FINDING WAYS TO GET BOYS AND GIRLS INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES THAT WILL PREVENT THEM AND DETER THEM FROM GOING TOWARDS A LIFE OF CRIME.

>> WHAT YOU SEE AS THE MAJOR CHALLENGES?

>> >> WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT IT FROM A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE AND BRING A SOLUTION.

WE NEED TO GRAB IT FROM DIFFERENT LEVELS.

OF COURSE IT STARTS WITHIN THE HOUSE, WITHIN THE FAMILY.

THE NUCLEUS IS SO IMPORTANT.

BUT PREVENTION IS ALSO KEY.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE PROGRAMS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THAT THEY HAVE ALTERNATE ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD KEEP THEIR MIND INVOLVED.

SO YOU NEED TO BACK AWAY FROM AN EMOTIONAL PERSPECTIVE, TO ENSURE THAT THE WHOLE PERSON IS COMPLETE.

TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE OPTIONS.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS PROPERLY FUNDED.

THAT THEY HAVE THE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THEIR JOB.

SOMETIMES WE EXPECT A LOT BUT WE DON´T GIVE A LOT.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WHEN BALANCING THE BUDGET, WE HAVE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF ENFORCING THE LAW.

BUT ALSO, REHABILITATION.

WE NEED TO HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO REALLY TRAIN OUR PEOPLE TO GIVE THEM THE SKILLS NECESSARY SO THEY CAN INTEGRATE BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THE SECOND PART OF THIS QUESTION IS SEXUAL ASSAULT IS A CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

RECENT DISCLOSURE OF ASSAULTS AGAINST BOYS BY A TEACHER WERE SHOCKING AND THE COMMUNITY WAS RIGHTFULLY OUTRAGED.

GIRLS ARE ASSAULTED TOO.

PROTECT OUR BOYS AND GIRLS FROM ASSAULT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> AGAIN, IT STARTS, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF CHILDREN ARE IN HOUSEHOLDS WHERE THEIR PARENTS SOMETIMES DON´T HAVE ANYONE TO CARE FOR THEM.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE PREDATORS, I HAVE LITTLE --I DON´T KNOW WHAT THE WORD IS, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THESE PEOPLE, WE HAVE TO HAVE STRICTER LAWS.

AND ENSURE THAT OUR JUDGES ARE ACTUALLY HANDING OUT SENTENCES.

>> SAM?

>> THIS IS A KEY ISSUE THAT WE´VE BEEN TALKING A LOT WITH AN HOUR COMMUNITY.

THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS THAT WE´VE BEEN HEARING LATELY.

I REALLY BELIEVE IT HAS TO START WITH EDUCATING.

PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT SOMETIMES WE ARE AFRAID TO HAVE THE SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS.

AND I THINK IT STARTS WITHIN THE FAMILY.

MOTHERS AND FATHERS HAVING THEIR CHILDREN.

WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE, WHAT´S NOT ACCEPTABLE.

AND BUILDING THAT TRUST SO THAT YOU CAN OPEN UP AND SAY SOMETHING.

ALSO ENSURING WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ALL THOSE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE THAT THOSE THAT ARE WORKING THERE IS A BACKGROUND CHECK.

THAT THERE´S OVERSIGHT, THAT PEOPLE CAN REALLY SUPERVISE AND ENSURE THAT ENVIRONMENT IS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

I THINK THOSE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS TO HELP PREVENT IT.

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

AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM?

YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> WE HAVE A VERY OUTDATED SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR YEARS.

WE ARE MOVING INTO A DIRECTION WHERE WE ARE GETTING SMALLER REGENERATING SYSTEMS THAT WILL HELP US CONSERVE AND NOT HAVE SO MUCH WEIGHT --WASTE.

THE CUSTOMER SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE SOME RELIEF IN THE COST OF AGENTS.

I´M A MEMBER OF THE ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUBCOMMITTEE, SO I WORK CLOSELY WITH MY COLLEAGUES, WE WOULD REALLY CHANGE THE BOARD.

OVER THE YEARS HAD A MANAGEMENT ISSUE, WE SEEN IT IN HEADLINES, I AM HOPEFUL WITH NEW LEADERSHIP, THE NEW SYSTEM THAT IS COMING ON BOARD, THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE SOME RELIEF.

>> I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO SEE THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, WITH ANY CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP WE HAVE TO GIVE THOSE WHO ARE IN POWER THE ABILITY TO ASSESS AND DECIDE THE WAY FORWARD.

THE NEW GENERATION SYSTEMS ARE GOING TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF DELIVERING ELECTRICITY TO OUR PEOPLE AND SOMETIMES WE DON´T COMMON WITH RESPECT TO THE YOUNG MAN WHO IS LEADING THE ENERGY DIVISION.

I THINK THAT IS DOING A GREAT JOB EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EFFICIENCIES OF ENERGY.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT FOSSIL FUELS ARE FINITE.

AT SOME POINT, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABLE AND WE SHOULD ALL BE THINKING ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES.

I´M OPTIMISTIC WITH THE NEW LEADERSHIP THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONQUER THIS.

WE NEED TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE SON, WE ARE AN AREA WHERE THE SUN IS THERE FOR US TO USE.

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

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THIS IS SO AND WHAT LESSONS HAVE WE LEARNED?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING OF GRS, I´M NOT A GRS EMPLOYEE, I WAS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR 18 YEARS AND SPORADICALLY IN GOVERNMENT.

BUT I UNDERSTOOD HOW THE RETIREES WERE SCARED, THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THE ACCESS.

WE WERE MOVING IN A DIRECTION WHERE MORE MONEY WAS LEAVING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE RESOURCES THEY HAD.

AS YOU SAY, IT´S NO LONGER ON THE TABLE.

I THINK IT PROBABLY WAS WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE DIDN´T WANT OUR RETIREES TO -- >> I´M PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES, TO BRING FORTH -- WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY, THERE IS A RIPPLE EFFECT THAT WILL AFFECT EVERYONE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

PART OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OVER THE YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT SIZE HAS REDUCED AND THEN WE HAVE MORE INDIVIDUALS THAN THOSE THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING TO IT.

THE SYSTEM WON´T BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN ITSELF THAT WAY.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO FILL THE VACANCIES WE HAVE, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE ARE WELL QUALIFIED AND HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO ENSURE THE MANAGEMENT IS APPROPRIATE.

>> LET´S TALK ABOUT GROWING THE ECONOMY.

THE MAJORITY OF THE ELECTORATE DO NOT WORK IN TOURISM.

IN GOVERNMENT.

WHAT´S LEFT IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

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

YOU WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS EACH.

>> THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ESPECIALLY SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY.

THEY ARE THE DRIVING FORCE.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE .

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO THAT WE PROVIDE VENUES AND MECHANISMS TO STRENGTHEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE NEED TO ALSO CREATE PROGRAMS THAT WILL SUPPORT EMERGING SMALL BUSINESSES, AND WE NEED TO TRY TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY BY PROVIDING OPTIONS.

I WAS PROUD TO SAY I WAS THE SPONSOR OF ACT 8528 FOR TAX RELIEF, WHICH ALSO LEVERAGED THE PLAYING FIELD AND ENSURES FUNDING FROM THE TEXAS FROM SHORT RENTAL BUSINESSES INTO OUR TREASURY.

>> THANK YOU.

MARISE?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN WAS THE PASSAGE OF --THAT´S GOING TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES, PROVIDE THE TOOLS NEEDED FOR US TO GROW THE ECONOMY.

ANOTHER AREA THAT I´VE BEEN INVOLVED IN AS A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY IS ONE OF MY CLIENTS RECENTLY WAS AWARDED A LOAN, WHICH IS GOING TO HELP HER, SHE IS A LOCAL.

IT´S GOING TO HELP HER CREATE A BUSINESS WHERE SHE WILL HIRE PEOPLE.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO MORE OF THAT, WE NEED TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO THIS, IT IS THE CONSUMER THAT REALLY SUFFERS, IT´S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON THOSE MEASURES.

>> WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY ECONOMY.

>> I NEEDED TO GET MY TEST DONE IN ORDER TO RETURN HOME TO ST. CROIX, AND SO WE HAD TO GO ON BY VIDEOCONFERENCE AND ADMINISTER THE TEST.

SHE SAID I AM ACTUALLY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

WE NEED TO START LOOKING FOR WAYS, I NEEDED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WHEN I CALLED, THE LADY WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE, I ALSO ASKED HER WHERE SHE WAS LOCATED WE NEED TO GROW OUR WORK IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE WITH SAM.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> TRAVERSING THE ECONOMY IS ESSENTIAL.

WE CAN´T JUST BE BASED ON ONE INSTITUTE.

IF WE DO THAT, WE ARE SETTING UP FOR FAILURE BECAUSE WHEN THAT INDUSTRY SHUTS DOWN FOR ANY REASON, WE ARE IN TROUBLE.

OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY WAS AFFECTED.

FIND WAYS AND DELIVER POLICIES THAT WOULD OPEN THE MARKET.

AND WE NEED TO BECOME MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY.

WE REALLY NEED TO THEN LOOK AT OUR LAWS AND SEE HOW WE CAN PROVIDE INCENTIVES.

WE ARE NOT REALLY TAPPING INTO THE GREAT POTENTIAL.

TO REALLY BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT ISSUE, WE HAVE THE LAND AND WE HAVE OPENED UP TO PROVIDE A SOCIAL DEGREE IN THAT FIELD.

WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THESE OTHER INDUSTRIES AND DIVERSIFY.

>> MEDICAL MARIJUANA WAS INTENDED AS A POSSIBLE BOOST TO THE ECONOMY.

AND THAT OFFICE HAS BEEN CREATED TO DEVELOP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR OVERSIGHT OF MEDICINAL MARIJUANA IN THE TERRITORIES.

IT APPEARS THAT LITTLE HAS COME FROM AND THUS FAR.

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

AGAIN, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

PART OF THE ROLE OF LEGISLATURE IS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE.

IF THIS IS THE DIRECTION THE TERRITORY WANTS TO MOVE IN, I KNOW WE HAVE ADOPTED THE MEDICAL COMPONENT OF IT, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT OUR REGULATIONS AND POLICIES ARE IN PLACE AND ABOVE EVERYTHING, THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE.

SO EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT AS LEGISLATORS, WE CREATE A PATHWAY WHICH THINGS CAN FLOW BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE SAFETY, SECURITY, THERE IS ALSO SOME CONCERNS WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH SO THAT THESE AREAS, WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THESE CHANGES.

>> THE ROLE THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS, THE ONLY ROLE THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO IS WHEN IT COMES TO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

MAYBE THE LEGISLATURE CAN LOOK MAKE SURE THAT THERE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE FAIR, >> LET´S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LAND AND WATER USE PLAN, WITHOUT FAIL OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS GUBERNATORIAL AND SENATE CANDIDATES ALIKE HAVE PLEDGED THAT ON THEIR WATCH, A PLAN WOULD BE DEVELOPED.

WHAT IMPACT IF ANY HAVE YOU SEEN ON A TERRITORY AS A RESULT OF NOT HAVING A PLAN AND WHAT YOU SEE AS A CONCERN MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT A PLAN.

>> I WAS INVOLVED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.

AND YOU´RE CORRECT, WE TALKED ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN.

AS A SMALL PROPERTY OWNER, HAVING CERTAIN BUSINESSES IN AREAS WHERE THEY SHOULDN´T BE, DESTINATIONS ON EVERY CORNER TO BIG BUILDINGS BEING PUT UP IN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS.

THE NEIGHBORS, THE PEOPLE WHO SO YES, IT HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED US.

THE AREA THAT WE LIVE IS 84 SQUARE MILES, IT´S NOT GETTING ANY BIGGER.

WE DEFINITELY NEED TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE AND GET THEM TO RALLY BEHIND.

>> YOU WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> LIKE IN ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION, I THINK IT´S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A LAND-USE PLAN.

AND NOT HAVING ONE REALLY CREATES TOTAL CHAOS.

BECAUSE THERE´S NOT A CLEAR INDICATION OF WHAT GOES WHERE.

SO THE LACK OF ALSO HAVING A CITY PLANNER THAT ASSISTS IN DEVELOPING THESE KIND OF THINGS CREATES PROBLEMS.

SO WE´VE SEEN IT, BUSINESSES BEING WHERE THEY SHOULDN´T BE, NOT REALLY HAVING AREAS OF CONSERVATION OR PRESERVATION, AND MY CONVERSATIONS THEY HAD SHARED THEY HAVE SOMETHING ALREADY PLANNED, SOMETHING THEY´VE BEEN WORKING ON.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THEM TO SUBMIT WHAT THEY HAVE.

>> WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE AS POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE TERRITORY?

WHAT WILL YOU DO AS A SENATOR MITIGATING THOSE IMPACTS?

>> >> WE SEE THE EFFECTS.

PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS DO OUR LITTLE PART HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO TRY TO WORK AGAINST IT.

ESTABLISHING LAWS, I´M WORKING ON LEGISLATION THAT HAS TO DO WITH PLASTIC BOTTLES, WE ARE A SMALL TERRITORY, WE NEED TO DO OUR PART TO TRY TO REDUCE AND RECYCLE AND REUSE.

AND BY THAT, WE PART IN CONTRIBUTING TO IMPROVING OUR ENVIRONMENT, PROTECTING OUR RESOURCES THAT ARE CRUCIAL AND PRECIOUS TO US.

SO PART OF THAT IS HOW WE CAN REALLY BE ACTIVE.

>> I WAS VERY HAPPY, THAT´S ACTUALLY A WAY TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHEN WE HAVE MORE LAND THAT IS BEING PRESERVED.

WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO REDUCE WASTE, WE AS A COMMUNITY CREATE MORE WASTE.

WE NEED TO REDUCE WASTE.

WE ALSO NEED TO TRY TO GROW GARDENS, MORE WAYS.

REALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ISLAND NATIONS, WE ARE AFFECTED BY WHAT THE BIG COUNTRIES ARE DOING.

THE LITTLE WE CAN DO ON OUR ISLAND WE SHOULD DO.

WE ARE REALLY AT THE MERCY OF THOSE BIG COUNTRIES AND NATIONS.

WE NEED TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE AFFECTING US ALSO.

>> LET´S TALK NOW ABOUT HOUSING.

MANY YOUNG FAMILIES ARE LEAVING THE TERRITORY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE HOUSING MARKET HERE.

OR EVEN FIND AFFORDABLE RENT.

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

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON RENT CONTROL FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS AND WE WILL START WITH MARISE.

>> I HAVEN´T THOUGHT ABOUT RENT CONTROL.

THE ANSWER.

I DON´T THINK THAT IT´S GOING TO DO WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO IN TERMS OF PROVIDING OUR PEOPLE WITH HOUSES.

WE ACTUALLY NEED, FROM MY POINT OF VIEW AND WHERE MY FOCUS IS, FINDING OUR WAY TO HELP MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE.

IT NOT ONLY CREATES LONG-TERM HOUSING STABILITY, BUT IT CREATES GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

SEE WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL ULTIMATELY BENEFIT THE TENANT, THAT´S WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ABLE TO AFFORD A HOUSE.

>> WE REALLY HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE WAITING LIST FOR SOME OF OUR PUBLIC HOUSING AVAILABLE, IT´S PAST THE HUNDREDS.

YOU ADD ONTO THAT SHORT-TERM RENTALS, I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND CREATE A FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS PROGRAM TO REALLY TRY TO EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE AND PROVIDE SOME FUNDING FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO TAP INTO AND GET LOANS.

WE REALLY ALSO HAVE TO LOOK INTO SOME DEVELOPERS TO DEVELOP HOUSING STOCK FOR MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES.

WHICH IS SO CRUCIAL.

I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS PROGRAM IN FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO TAP INTO.

>> CANDIDATES HAVE DISCOVERED IT IS WISE TO TALK ABOUT PROMOTING --IN ORDER TO GET ELECTED BUT ONCE ELECTED, VERY LITTLE IS HEARD.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES MAKING BUSINESS A REALITY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THIS?

>> PART OF THE CHALLENGES REALLY WITHIN OURSELVES.

WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR MINDSET, THE WAY WE SEE OUR CULTURE.

PERSPECTIVE AGRICULTURE REALLY IS A WRONG PERSPECTIVE.

NOW THERE IS TECHNOLOGY INVOLVED.

WE NEED TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND PRESENT THOSE OPTIONS.

OUR CULTURE HAS EVOLVED SO MUCH.

PART OF IT IS WE HAVE TO EDUCATE AND BREAK THAT.

ALLOWING THE PRESERVATION OF FOOD AND PLANS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO OUR TERRITORY.

THROUGH THE YEARS, WE ARE NOT SEEING CERTAIN FOODS.

THAT´S PART OF IN REGARDS TO OUR CULTURE.

BUT IT ALSO STARTS WITHIN OUR SYSTEM.

>> FOR SOME REASON, WE THINK THAT FARMERS ARE NOT BUSINESS PEOPLE.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

THEY RUN A BUSINESS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THAT´S ONE MISCONCEPTION WE NEED TO REMOVE.

RECENTLY, I LISTENED TO A PRESENTATION ON THE AGRICULTURAL PLAN, I STARTED TO READ IT, THEY´RE LOOKING AT VERTICAL FARMING.

REALLY CHANGING THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS PERIOD.

WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO PRODUCE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.

BUT FIRST WE NEED TO TALK WITH EXPERTS.

THAT´S WHAT I INTEND TO DO AND LEARN AS MUCH AS I CAN ABOUT RUNNING THEIR BUSINESS.

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

LET´S START WITH MARISE JAMES.

>> WE KNOW THAT WE DON´T HAVE THE POPULATION TO SUSTAIN A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE WANT TO.

WE HAVE JOBS, WE DON´T HAVE PEOPLE.

I REALIZED THAT WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO BRING THE TERRITORY, FILL THOSE VACANCIES, HAVE THEM COME BACK AND START BUSINESSES.

THIS IS THE PLACE TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY.

IT SHOULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY, TO LIVE, TO LEARN, TO DO BUSINESS AND RETIRE.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO COME BACK SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR VISITORS AND WHOEVER COMES HERE.

>> YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> ALONG THE SAME LINE, PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS WORKFORCE.

WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO INCENTIVIZE INDIVIDUALS, NOT ONLY CREATE PROGRAMS BUT INCENTIVIZE THEM TO GET INVOLVED.

WE REALLY HAVE A CAPACITY ISSUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO BRING PEOPLE BACK AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THEM TO COME BACK.

THAT SPEAKS ABOUT HOUSING, ABOUT HAVING A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, ABOUT HAVING REASONABLE ENERGY COSTS.

ALL THESE THINGS CONTRIBUTE TO INDIVIDUALS WANTING TO STAY.

WE NEED TO TACKLE THESE AREAS TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERYONE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WANT A GOOD PLACE WHERE I KNOW IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY, I CAN BE ATTENDING TO AND ALL THESE OTHER AREAS.

>> NOW CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS EACH FOR A STATEMENT.

>> I WANT TO THANK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY, TO SHARE ABOUT WHO I AM.

IT´S BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR WITH THE PANDEMIC AND EVERYTHING BUT WE WERE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

WHAT I´M ASKING IS TO ALLOW ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOUR BEHALF, TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE LEGISLATION WE ALREADY HAVE TWO REALLY TARGET AREAS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY THAT NEED ASSISTANCE.

I AM YOUR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, MY NAME IS SAM CARRION, NUMBER 12 ON THE BALLOT AND ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOUR BEHALF .

I WILL REPRESENT YOU AND THE GREAT LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THANK YOU.

>> HELLO ONCE AGAIN, I AM MARISE JAMES AND I AM A DEMOCRAT , NUMBER 16 ON THE BALLOT.

I WANT TO OFFER MY SERVICES TO YOU, THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX.

I HAVE THE ABILITY, THE TALENT, THE EXPERIENCE, THE KNOWLEDGE, THE KNOW-HOW, AND MOST OF ALL THE CONCERNS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. CROIX.

AND I HAVE OPTIMISM, I BELIEVE IN BETTER AND I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF US DESERVE BETTER, WHETHER IT´S HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, ANY OTHER AREAS THAT WE SPOKE ABOUT.

WE NEED TO IMPROVE.

AND THE WAY THAT WE CAN DO THAT IS BY HAVING BETTER GOVERNMENT.

IT MATTERS WHEN IT WORKS AND IT MATTERS WHEN IT DOESN´T WORK, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE IT WORK .

I WANT TO BE ONE OF YOUR VOICES, TO HELP GOVERNMENT BE MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE.

GIVE YOU BACK THE TRUST THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE IN GOVERNMENTS.

I BELIEVE THAT I CAN MOVE LEGISLATION THAT WILL IMPROVE OUR LIVES.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND FOR UNDERSTANDING MY CHOICE FOR A MASK.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I´M FRANCINE LANGE FOR THE WEEK --LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SAYING VOTE EARLY OR VOTE IN NOVEMBER, BUT THE VOTE.