♫♫ >>> GOOD DAY 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.

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

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION EACH YEAR RIGHT HERE ON WTJX TV, WITH CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE OR AS DELEGATES FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

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

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR A POSITION IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE IN THE ST. THOMAS ST. JOHN DISTRICT.

I´M DR. ANDREA DORSEY, A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WILL SERVE AS THE MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE GUIDELINES.

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

THE FIRST RESPONDER FOR EACH QUESTION WILL BE ROTATED AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.

TIMING OF A QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

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

A 45-SECOND FOLLOW-UP MAY BE ALLOWED.

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE ELSE.

SO LET´S BEGIN.

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

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

LET´S START WITH MR. COLLISTER FAHIE.

STATE YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER AND POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

>> GOOD NIGHT.

MY NAME IS COLLISTER FAHIE.

I´M A REGISTERED REPUBLICAN.

I AM ALSO ENDORSED BY THE PEOPLE´S CHOICE AND A MEMBER OF THAT GROUP.

I AM NUMBER 10 ON THE BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU.

NEXT WE HAVE SENATOR ALMA FRANCIS HEYLIGER.

>> HELLO.

I´M SENATOR ALMA FRANCIS HEYLIGER.

I´M AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE.

I´M NUMBER 5 ON THE BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU.

NEXT WE HAVE MR. EUGENE FARRELL.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I´M EUGENE FARRELL, NUMBER SIX ON THE BALLOT.

I´M AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE.

>> THANK YOU.

LET´S TALK ABOUT YOUR READINESS TO BECOME OR REMAIN AS A SENATOR.

WE´RE GOING TO START WITH OUR CHALLENGERS.

WHICH EACH YOU WILL HAVE A 90-SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

THE FIRST PART OF THE QUESTION IS, AS A CANDIDATE FOR A SEAT IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE, WHAT ARE YOUR COMPETENCIES, EDUCATION, OR TRAINING THAT WILL MAKE YOU A GOOD CHOICE TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES AS A SENATOR?

THE SECOND PART OF THE QUESTION IS, PLEASE IDENTIFY YOUR MOST RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE THOSE SKILLS AND YOUR READINESS FOR THIS POSITION.

PLEASE ANSWER BOTH PARTS TO THIS QUESTION.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO DO SO.

I´M GOING TO REQUEST MR. FAHIE TO START.

>> YES.

MY EXPERIENCES MAKE ME A PRIME INDIVIDUAL FOR THE CANDIDACY OF BEING A SENATOR.

I HAVE TWO DEGREE, ONE PARALEGAL STUDIES, ONE LEGAL STUDIES.

I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE PERB AND BEEN A DEPUTY FOR THE DISASTER RECOVERY.

I WAS A DEPUTY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

ALL THOSE GIVE ME A ROUNDED VIEW OF GOVERNMENT.

I HAVE SAT IN POSITIONS WHERE BILLS ARE WRITTEN, TESTIMONY IS GIVEN.

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LOOK AT OVERSIGHT, WHICH IS A MAIN PART OF BEING A SENATOR.

THE MOST RECENT -- IT GOES BACK TO DISASTER RECOVERY.

I WAS DISASTER RECOVERY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DEPUTY FOR TWO YEARS.

NOW I´M A DEPUTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS THE DISASTER RECOVERY MANAGER.

HAVING TO DO A LOT WITH THE PROJECTS AND ENSURING PROJECTS ARE DONE ON TIME, I CAN SEE A LOT OF AREAS THAT IT CAN BE IMPROVED AS WELL AS WHERE I THINK I HAVE MADE IT IN TERMS OF ENSURING THAT ESPECIALLY, FOR EXAMPLE, THE 2% MATCH.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FARRELL?

>> GOOD EVENING.

EUGENE FARRELL.

MY EXPERIENCE, I WAS A FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE GOVERNOR.

I´M A RETIRED COMMAND MAJOR.

I´M A SCHOOLTEACHER.

THESE POSITIONS THAT I HAVE HELD MAKE ME A PRIME CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT YOU IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE.

FOR INSTANCE, I TEACH ECONOMICS IN SCHOOL.

ECONOMICS, GOVERNMENT AND HISTORY.

THOSE AREAS ARE VITAL FOR ANYONE REPRESENTING THE TERRITORY.

YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR HISTORY, NUMBER ONE.

YOU HAVE TO STUDY ECONOMICS.

YOU HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT´S GOING ON IN THE ECONOMY TO MAKE THE ECONOMY BETTER.

FINALLY, LEADERSHIP.

I´M A LEADER.

FOR ME, THOSE ARE THE THREE QUALITIES I FEEL WOULD MAKE ME AN EXCELLENT CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT YOU IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW WE´RE MOVING TO OUR INCUMBENT SENATOR.

WE´RE ASKING FOR YOU TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A SENATOR OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT YOU FEEL WOULD JUSTIFY FOR YOUR RE-ELECTION?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR ALMA FRANCIS HEYLIGER, NUMBER FIVE ON THE BALLOT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE, YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO WORK WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON´T RECOGNIZE WHEN THE PUBLIC TAKES 15 PEOPLE AND PUT THEM TOGETHER, IT´S A VERY INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

WHEN YOU ARE PUT INTO A SITUATION, YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO COMPROMISE.

YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO NEGOTIATE.

WITH INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITIES BUT WITH THE GOAL OF KNOWING HOW TO PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST AT ALL COST.

SOMETIMES WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES, WE DO CLASH ON CERTAIN INSTANCES.

BUT IT´S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO MAKE SURE THAT I ALWAYS REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY AND PUT THEM AT THE FOREFRONT.

NO MATTER WHAT, FOR ME, THAT´S SOMETHING THAT I UTILIZE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS TO GET MY GOALS ACROSS ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE.

LEGISLATION-WISE, I COULD GO DOWN A LIST OF THINGS.

I WOULDN´T LIMIT MYSELF TO THE LAST TWO YEARS.

IT´S BEEN A BODY OF WORK FROM THE TIME I STEPPED FOOT INTO THE LEGISLATURE IN 2021 AND GOT SWORN IN, THERE HAS BEEN A PLETHORA OF THINGS.

EVEN THINGS THAT RESONATE TODAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE STARTED IN 2021, GOT PASSED IN 2022, BUT BECOME EFFECTIVE IN 2024, AND THAT SHOWS YOU AN EXAMPLE HOW THINGS GO DOWN THE ROAD.

IT´S ACROSS THE BOARD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

LET´S NOW TALK ABOUT THE VISION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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

THE QUESTION IS, WHAT IS YOUR VISION WITH RESPECT TO SELF-GOVERNANCE FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS?

WHAT ROLE DO YOU INTEND TO PLAY IF ANY?

WE WILL START WITH MR. FARRELL.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

MY VISION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK WE NEED TO DEAL WITH OUR STATUS.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE THE SIXTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BEFORE US.

IN ORDER FOR US TO LOOK FORWARD TO 2027, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE POLITICALLY CORRECT WITH OUR STATUS.

AND WE NEED A CONSTITUTION IN PLACE.

CURRENTLY, I REVIEWED THE FIFTH CONSTITUTION THAT WAS SUBMITTED.

THE NINE AREAS THAT NEED TO BE CORRECTED I FEEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND CURRENTLY SENT TO CONGRESS DID NOT ACT ON THOSE NINE ISSUES OR DIDN´T ACT ON THE CONSTITUTION.

FOR ME, MY PERSONAL OPINION, WE HAVE A CONSTITUTION.

RIGHT NOW, WE NEED TO DEAL WITH STATUS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FAHIE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

FIRST, THE TEACHING OF HISTORY IN THE SCHOOLS HERE HAS BEEN MANDATED.

BUT APPARENTLY HASN´T BEEN INSTITUTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

FIRST YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR HISTORY, I THINK.

AFTER STUDYING RECENTLY WITH MISS IDA SMITH, I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE TREATY.

THAT IN ITSELF OPENS UP A WHOLE PLETHORA OF THINGS AS IT PERTAINS TO US.

UNTIL I THINK THAT WE AS A PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT TREATY, WE WON´T KNOW THE ORGANIC ACT OF 1954 APPLIES.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR US GOING FORWARD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT STATE, A STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, OR SIMPLY BEING STILL AS JUST A TERRITORY.

THAT, I THINK, IS WHERE OUR AIM SHOULD BE.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU.

WHILE I DO AGREE WITH BOTH OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE, INDIVIDUALS HERE THAT SHARE THE PLATFORM WITH ME, I DO SUPPORT US MAKING SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN AND VIRGIN ISLANDERS ARE FULLY ENGULFED IN KNOWING THEIR HISTORY.

AS A SENATOR THIS VERY YEAR, I WAS A SENATOR THAT DRAFTED THE LANGUAGE TO CLEAN UP THAT PARTICULAR SECTION OF THE CODE AND SPECIFIED WHAT CLASSES FROM K TO 12.

I LITERALLY WROTE IT WORD FOR WORD TO GUARANTEE THERE WAS NO AMBIGUITY IN THE CODE SO THAT NOBODY COULD QUESTION AS TO WHAT OUR CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW.

YOU COULD CHECK THAT OUT AS WELL.

THE POINT I´M SAYING IS I ALSO DO SUPPORT THAT WE DO NEED A CONSTITUTION.

WE ALSO NEED TO FOCUS ON OUR STATUS AS IT RELATES TO THE CONSTITUTION.

IT´S A VERY INTERESTING THING.

AS A MEMBER OF THE BODY, WE DID PASS TO ALLOW FOR THE SIXTH CONSTITUTION TO TAKE PLACE.

WHILE IT´S ON THE BALLOT THIS GENERAL ELECTION, WE WILL SEE THE FINAL OUTCOME.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

NOW LET´S HAVE A DISCUSSION AROUND OUR DEMOGRAPHICS OR POPULATION SIZE VERSUS OUR LEGISLATIVE SIZE.

OUR CENSUS FIGURES SHOW A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN POPULATION.

THERE WERE 15 SENATORS WITH A POPULATION OF OVER 100,000.

BUT WE STILL HAVE 15 SENATORS WITH 85,000.

A SIGNIFICANT DROP SUCH THAT THE COST OF THE LEGISLATURE IS A HIGHER BILL NOW FOR VOTERS.

GIVEN THIS, SHOULD THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE BE APPORTIONED ACCORDINGLY EVERY TEN YEARS BASED ON CENSUS DATA?

DO YOU AGREE?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THIS QUESTION.

WE´RE GOING TO START WITH OUR SENATOR, SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU.

NUMBER FIVE ON THE BALLOT.

I THINK WE ARE LATE TO REAPPORTIONMENT.

I BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AS IT RELATES TO THE REDUCTION OF THE SENATE.

I´M GOING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

WITH ALL THE CORRUPTION I SEE GOING ON IN GOVERNMENT, I WOULD BE PARANOID TO ACTUALLY HAVE LESS PEOPLE RUNNING THE LEGISLATURE NUMBER WISE AS IT RELATES TO THE CENSUS.

I DON´T BELIEVE THAT THAT NUMBER IS EVEN ACCURATE.

EVEN I AS A SENATOR SITTING HERE WASN´T COUNTED IN THAT CENSUS.

WE WERE DEALING WITH COVID.

PEOPLE COULDN´T GO INTO PEOPLE´S HOMES.

NOBODY CALLED ME.

NOBODY CAME TO MY HOUSE.

EVEN I WASN´T COUNTED.

I CAN´T LOOK AT THAT 85,000 NUMBER AND ACTUALLY BELIEVE IT ACTUALLY REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HERE IN THIS TERRITORY.

IT´S UNFORTUNATE WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER TEN YEARS FROM THE TIME IT WAS DONE.

I BELIEVE IT WAS 2020.

IT´S EVERY TEN YEARS FOR IT TO BE DONE.

IN ALL HONESTY, IT DOESN´T REPRESENT US AS A NUMBER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FAHIE.

>> NUMBER SIX ON THE BALLOT.

I AGREE WITH THE SENATOR.

CURRENTLY, 85,000, AGAIN, LIKE SENATOR FRANCIS SAID, I WAS NOT COUNTED.

THE NUMBERS ARE NOT ACCURATE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING -- WE CAN´T FOLLOW WHAT THE UNITED STATES IS DOING.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOME STATES -- I HEAR PEOPLE IN THE STATES ALL THE TIME, YOU HAVE 15 SENATORS.

YOU HAVE A SMALL POPULATION.

WE ARE THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

WE TALK ABOUT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WE CAN´T GET THEM MIXED UP.

CURRENTLY, I THINK WE SHOULD STICK WITH 15 WE HAVE, EVEN THOUGH SOME PEOPLE MAY FEEL LESS IS BETTER.

I AGREE WITH THE SENATOR.

I CAN´T PUT MY HOPES IN LESS PEOPLE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS FOR US.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FARRELL.

I DISAGREE WITH BOTH MY PANELISTS HERE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE LESS PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT.

THE SENATE HAS 15 PEOPLE.

THAT´S NOT NEEDED.

THE CENSUS MAY BE OFF, BUT TO SAY IT´S OFF BY A LOT MAY NOT BE SO TRUE.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LEAVING THIS ISLAND SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE SAME THINGS THAT ARE MENTIONED.

CORRUPTION, WAPA, EVERYTHING.

TO GET LESS SENATORS IS WHAT I THINK IS THE FIRST STEP IN ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY.

YOU HAVE 15 SENATORS QUESTIONING, ARE THESE AGENCIES GETTING NO PLACE?

IF YOU STREAMLINE, BRING IT INTO ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT IS AFFORDABLE IS HOW I WOULD PUT IT.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THANK YOU.

I WILL ALLOW AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SENATOR TO RESPOND.

>> I DISAGREE.

WE DON´T HAVE A MUNICIPAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

THERE´S A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU HAVE 15 PEOPLE TAKING ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE EVEN STATESIDE, ALDERMEN, COUNCILMEN, BUREAUCRACY AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT´S NOT AVAILABLE HERE.

GO TO THE GOVERNOR OR SENATOR OR DELEGATE TO CONGRESS.

IF WE HAD MULTIPLE FORMS OF GOVERNMENT THAT PEOPLE WERE TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR VARIOUS THINGS, I COULD SEE, MAYBE YOU DON´T NEED THAT MANY SENATORS.

A LOT OF THINGS FALL ON THE BACKS OF THE SENATORS.

WE TAKE ON A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT WOULD HAVE NORMALLY GONE TO OTHER AGENCIES AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE ELECTED IF IT EXISTED HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, IT DOES NOT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT SOUNDS GOOD TO HAVE A REDUCTION IN SENATORS.

IT SOUNDS GOOD TO REDUCE SALARIES.

BUT BE HONEST.

BE HONEST.

YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

IF YOU INTEND TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SENATORS AND REDUCE THEIR SALARIES, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE.

ALSO, WHEN WE LOOK AT MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ACCORDING TO SENATOR FRANCIS, SHE´S CORRECT, WE CANNOT COMPARE OURSELVES.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TALKING ABOUT CONGRESS.

THIS IS OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

OUR REPRESENTATIVE IS CURRENTLY DELEGATE STACY PLASKIN.

SHE´S REPRESENTING US.

THAT´S WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT APPORTIONMENT.

THAT´S WHAT LEADS TO THE CENSUS, NOT THE LOCAL LEGISLATURE.

>> THANK YOU.

I WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.

YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE.

WE HAVE 15 SENATORS, VARIOUS AGENCIES, COMMISSIONERS, AN ALIGNMENT OF BUREAUCRATS.

IF IT´S SUCCESSFUL, WHY IS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE?

WHY ARE ROADS LIKE THIS?

WHY ARE HOSPITALS LIKE THIS?

WHY IS THE DISASTER RECOVERY LIKE THIS?

WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO AVOID THE ONE THING IN FRONT OF US.

BIG GOVERNMENT DOESN´T DO NOTHING FOR YOU.

IF THE PEOPLE ARE BEING SERVICED, THEN I WOULD AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

BUT IF THEY ARE NOT, 15 SENATORS DOES NOTHING, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THEY ACCOMPLISH NOTHING.

>> THANK YOU.

DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS AND SO MANY OTHER TOPICS TO SHARE, WE WILL MOVE ALONG TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

WE WANT TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT ACCOUNTABILITY.

CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO SENATORS.

IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT NUMBERED SEATS OR A DISTRICT REPRESENTATION BE INCLUSIVE.

WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSES TO THESE IDEAS?

WE WILL START WITH MR. FAHIE.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THIS QUESTION.

>> I AM A FAN OF REDISTRICTING.

IF YOU HAVE SENATORS LIVING IN THE AREA, THEIR DISTRICT, THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE IN THE DISTRICT.

AS IT STANDS, SENATORS ARE ELECTED ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT´S MORE LIKE A POPULARITY CONTEST.

REDISTRICTING FORCES YOU TO HAVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN YOUR AREA AND THEN THE PEOPLE IN THAT DISTRICT HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE.

YOU WON´T GET ELECTED SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE OR YOU ARE POPULAR.

FOR ME, REDISTRICTING IS A MUST.

IF I WAS TO GET LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS AND WAS TO BE ELECTED, THAT WOULD BE A PRIORITY.

THAT´S MY RESPONSE.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR HEYLIGER?

>> I AM IN SUPPORT OF SOME.

I DON´T HAVE A PROBLEM IF WE WERE ABLE TO SUBDISTRICT OUR COMMUNITY INTO SECTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS RUN TO REPRESENT THOSE PARTICULAR SUBDISTRICTS.

WE ARE IN TWO SEPARATE DISTRICTS.

IF WE WERE TO BREAK IT DOWN, I REMEMBER THERE WAS AN INITIATIVE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO SPLIT US UP FROM TWO TO FIVE.

THERE´S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE STILL HAVE TO GET THE DATA AND RESEARCH TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PARTITIONING IN A WAY TO MAKE SURE THE REPRESENTATION IS THERE AS OPPOSED TO JUST SAYING WE ARE DOING IT FOR THE SAKE OF DOING IT.

WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOUNTABILITY, I BELIEVE THAT EACH SENATOR HAS SOMETHING TO BRING TO THE TABLE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT´S ULTIMATELY UP TO THE PEOPLE TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

WHEN INDIVIDUALS HEAR SENATORS ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING, I THINK THE ONUS IS ON THE PUBLIC TO GUARANTEE THEY GO OUT AND DO THEIR RESEARCH, UNDERSTAND WHO IS RUNNING AND MAKE SURE YOU PUT PEOPLE IN THAT GIVE SOME KIND OF IMPORTANCE TO WHAT THEY NEED.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

MR. FARRELL.

>> I AGREE WITH APPORTIONMENT.

ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IS ST. JOHN.

HOW CAN WE SECURE WHAT WE´RE TRYING TO DO AND DO SOMETHING FOR ST. JOHN?

ONCE WE FIGURE THAT OUT, THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

ACCOUNTABILITY -- IT´S NOT SO MUCH THE LEGISLATURE.

OUR ACCOUNTABILITY IS WITH THE EXECUTIVE AGENCY.

THAT IS -- THOSE ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR EXECUTING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

THOSE ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING THE WORK DONE.

ONCE WE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE, THAT´S ONE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LEGISLATURE IS OVERSIGHT.

ONCE WE GET OVERSIGHT AND WE CONTINUE TO DO OVERSIGHT, WE WILL GET OUR WORK DONE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

ON TO ANOTHER TOPIC.

WE OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE SHOCKED AND DISMAYED TO HEAR THAT FAR TOO MANY CITIZENS SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT VOTING THIS YEAR BECAUSE THEY SEE LITTLE HAPPENING TO ALLEVIATE THEIR SUFFERING, WITH HIGH FOOD PRICES, INSECURE ENERGY SOURCES OR RESOURCES SUCH AS WAPA, LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CRIME YEAR AFTER YEAR.

AT THIS POINT, WHAT CAN YOU TELL THESE CITIZENS ABOUT REASONS FOR VOTING IN NOVEMBER?

WE WILL START WITH MR. FARRELL.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THIS QUESTION.

>> PLEASE GO OUT TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

BECAUSE IF YOU DON´T GO OUT TO VOTE, THE INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF, THE ONES THAT ARE NOT COMPLETING THE TASK, THEY WILL BE THERE AGAIN.

YOU WILL GET THE SAME THING.

WE AS LEGISLATORS SHOULD HOLD EXECUTIVE BRANCHS´ FEET TO THE FIRE.

UNLESS YOU GET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE IN THE SENATE WHOSE MANTRA ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU HAVE.

LACK OF PERFORMANCE, HIGH WAPA BILL, HIGH FOOD BILL, HIGH GAS.

I URGE YOU TO GO OUT AND REGISTER TO VOTE SO YOU CAN SELECT WHO YOU WANT TO REPRESENT YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FAHIE.

>> DITTO TO EVERYTHING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HAVE FOUND.

IT´S ACROSS THE BOARD.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I AM IN THIS RACE IS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THAT.

NOT A POLITICIAN.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING.

PEOPLE CAN´T SEEM TO GET ANY RELIEF.

THERE´S A LEVEL OF FEAR, UNCERTAINTY.

IT REACHES A POINT -- IT REACHES A POINT WHEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES.

THE OPPOSITE OF MR. FARRELL, WE ARE BEGGING PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND VOTE.

BUT I THINK THERE´S AN UNDERLYING CURRENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND VOTE.

THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE.

WHAT THE CHANGE IS GOING TO BE IS LEFT TO BE SEEN.

I BELIEVE THAT IF THE YOUNGER PEOPLE, THOSE ARE THE ONES I´M FOCUSED ON, YOU NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND JOIN THE OTHERS.

THAT NUMBER IS EXTREMELY LOW.

>> THANK YOU, MR. FAHIE.

SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> I THINK IT´S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT OUR RESIDENTS DO GO OUT AND VOTE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I UNDERSTAND THEIR PLIGHT.

FAR TOO OFTEN, SOMETIMES I´M THE LONE VOICE IN THE LEGISLATURE SCREAMING TO THE TOP OF MY LU LUNGS.

SOMETIMES I GET BACKLASH FOR BEING THE ONLY ONE FIGHTING AGAINST SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE.

WHEN WE SAW THAT $45 MILLION WAS TAKEN OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND WITHOUT LEGAL AUTHORITY BECAUSE ONLY THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN GRANTED THAT AUTHORITY, I WAS THE ONLY ONE SCREAMING.

I WAS SENDING LETTERS TO THE A.G.´S OFFICE DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY.

I WAS SENDING COUNSEL TO GET A LEGAL OPINION TO VERIFY IF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAD THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS.

THE OPINION SAID, THEY DID NOT.

WE HAVE TO HOLD AND MAKE SURE OUR EXECUTIVE BRANCH TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

IT´S EASY TO BLAME THE LEGISLATURE, BUT THEY HAVE TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DOING THEIR JOB AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

MR. FARRELL, DID YOU WANT TO PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP?

FEEL FREE TO DO SO.

YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.

>> AGAIN, ACCOUNTABILITY RESTS WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

WE ARE THE ONES THAT PROVIDE OVERSIGHT OVER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES.

IF THE EXECUTIVE -- WHICH IS THE GOVERNOR -- IS NOT DOING WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

CURRENTLY, SOME OF THE SENATORS THAT SIT IN THERE, THEY ARE NOT DOING IT.

THEY ARE DRINKING THE COFFEE FROM THE GOVERNOR.

HERE WE GO.

AGAIN, WE NEED TO HOLD THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ELECT PEOPLE THAT WILL DO THAT FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WE´RE GOING TO MOVE ALONG TO FOUR MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN.

LET´S TALK ABOUT EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH AND WAPA.

LET´S LOOK AT EACH ONE SEPARATELY AND ADDRESS WHAT YOUR RESPONSES WOULD BE FOR THESE MATTERS IF ELECTED OR RE-ELECTED TO THE 36th LEGISLATURE.

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 IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THIS QUESTION.

WE WILL START WITH SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS I SEE WITH EDUCATION IS THE FACT THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT GETTING THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION THAT THEY DESERVE.

IF YOU TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY AND LOOK AT OUR NUMBERS, YOU WOULD FIND FROM AS FAR BACK AS 2014, 2016, OUR CHILDREN WERE AT A LEVEL OF 75% BELOW BASIC IN READING AND MATH.

WHEN I LISTEN TO OUR EDUCATORS ON THE SENATE FLOOR COME AND SAY, THE ISSUE IS WITH COVID, THE ISSUE IS WITH THE HURRICANE, THAT´S A LIE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE NUMBERS ARE RIDICULOUSLY LOW AND IT WAS BEFORE THESE EVENTS TOOK PLACE.

THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THEY NEED TO STOP BLAMING THESE SITUATIONS AND FOCUS ON HOW WE HAVE TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN.

OUR CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING FROM POVERTY IN THIS TERRITORY.

OUR CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL SITUATIONS.

WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THEIR WELLNESS, MAKE SURE THEY ARE GOOD.

I´M SICK AND TIRED OF SEEING THESE VIDEOS CIRCULATING WITH OUR CHILDREN FIGHTING IN SCHOOL TO THE POINT, I DON´T EVEN KNOW IF THEIR SAFETY IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR SAFETY, WE SAW DEALING WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SCHOOLS.

A YOUNG MAN GOT SLASHED WITH A FAN.

THESE THINGS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IN THE TERRITORY.

WE DO NOT HOLD THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE.

THIS IS THE END RESULT.

ELECT PEOPLE WHO WILL PUT THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

MR. FARRELL.

>> EDUCATION.

FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE EDUCATION SITUATION ON A THREE-PRONG APPROACH.

WE NEED TO HOLD ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE.

WE NEED TO HOLD THE TEACHERS ACCOUNTABLE.

WE NEED TO HOLD THE PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE.

IT´S NOT JUST ONE AREA WHERE WE HAVE ISSUES.

NUMBER ONE, PROVIDE BETTER SALARIES FOR TEACHERS.

OUR TEACHER NUMBERS ARE DWINDLING.

WE HAVE TO IMPORT FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

MAKE TEACHING ATTRACTIVE.

ONE OF THE WAYS YOU DO IT IS TO INCREASE SALARY.

GIVE THEM MORE.

ENCOURAGE YOUNGER PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BECOME TEACHERS.

THAT´S WHAT WE NEED.

AT UNIVERSITY, SEVERAL YEARS AGO THERE WAS A PROGRAM WHERE IT TAUGHT PARENTS HOW TO HANDLE THEIR KIDS, HOW TO ASSIST THEIR KIDS WITH SCHOOLWORK.

THAT´S WHAT WE NEED TO GO BACK TO.

THE ADMINISTRATION, WE HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH.

IT´S OVER SEVEN YEARS.

WE HAVE ONE SCHOOL.

WE NEED TO ELECT PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THEM TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

CREATE A BETTER EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FAHIE.

>> THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM DECADES.

SENATOR HEYLIGER IS RIGHT.

YOU CAN´T JUST APPROACH EDUCATION AND SAY THINGS DURING AN ELECTION YEAR.

IT HAS TO BE A BODY OF WORK.

SHE HAS THAT.

SHE HAS BEEN DOING THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS NOT ONLY AFFECTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, MEANING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND THE SENATOR HAVING OVERSIGHT AND ALL THAT.

IT´S A CONTINUAL PATTERN OF DOING NOTHING DURING THE SUMMER AND THEN YOU CRITICIZE DURING SEPTEMBER WHEN SCHOOL IS FALLING APART.

THESE THINGS ARE NOT NEW.

THIS IS YEAR IN, YEAR AFTER.

IN ORDER TO GET THE EDUCATION SYSTEM FIXED, YOU HAVE TO PUT COMPETENT PEOPLE TO RUN THE DEPARTMENT.

SECONDLY, THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE CHILD WHO GOT SLASHED.

WHAT ABOUT THE CASE WHERE YOU HAD A MONITOR THAT WAS BASICALLY RUNNING RAMPANT THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL?

THAT REPORT CAME OUT.

NOTHING IS DONE.

NOBODY IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

IT CONTINUES.

IF WE CONTINUE DOWN THE ROAD WITH THOSE THINGS, THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WON´T IMPROVE.

WE CAN GIVE TEACHERS MORE PAY.

BUT THAT SHOULD BE A BASIC THING THAT IS DONE BASED ON THE ABILITIES OF THE TEACHER TO TEACH THE CHILDREN.

>> THANK YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE FLOOR FOR OUR OTHER TWO CANDIDATES TO PROVIDE ANY FEEDBACK.

I WILL START WITH SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME.

I´M HAPPY HE REFERENCED THE SITUATION WITH THE MONITOR.

I PASSED LEGISLATION THAT TURNED WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THEY REPORT THESE SEXUAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF OUR CHILDREN.

IF THEY DON´T RETURN THEM, I TURNED IT INTO A FELONY.

THEY HAD IT LIKE IT WAS NOTHING.

I RAISED THE LEVEL HOW LONG PEOPLE COULD BE CONVICTED FOR AS WELL AS I ALSO INCREASED THE FINES IF THEY ARE CONVICTED.

I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT CONTINUOUSLY NEGLECT OUR CHILDREN.

WHEN I READ THAT REPORT -- I´M HEARING THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING AS ADMINISTRATORS THEY WERE AFRAID TO COME FORWARD, WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN THAT WERE BEING MOLESTED?

WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN BEING HURT?

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES AND PROTECT THEM AT ALL COST.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

MR. FARRELL.

>> THANK YOU.

AS A SCHOOLTEACHER, I SIT IN THE CLASSROOM WITH THESE STUDENTS.

I SEE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

FOR ME, THE MAIN ISSUE IS WE NEED MORE TEACHERS.

WE NEED MORE PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOMS.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE NEED TO UP THE SALARIES OF THESE TEACHERS.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE INCENTIVE.

THE CLASSROOMS ARE IN DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS.

NOW, WE HAVE THE TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS WITH MOLD.

TEACHERS ARE WALKING OUT.

ONE TEACHER TOLD ME SHE WAS SWEATING DOWN TO HER UNDERWEAR.

WHO WANTS TO WORK IN THOSE CONDITIONS?

IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS AND WE GET BETTER TEACHERS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. FARRELL.

LET´S MOVE TO HEALTH CARE.

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

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

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

WE WILL START WITH MR. FAHIE.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

>> HEALTH CARE IS A BIG ISSUE.

EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT A LOT OF THE ELDERLY, THE CHILDREN ARE SICK, HAS TO LEAVE THE ISLAND NOW.

THE INSURANCE IS AN ISSUE.

AS A SENATOR, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I THINK THAT´S GOING TO CONFRONT THE 36 LEGISLATURE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT´S GOING ON WITH THE HOSPITALS.

THE ONLY WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GET QUALITY HEALTH CARE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS IF THE HOSPITALS ARE FIXED.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME SEMBLANCE OF PEOPLE LEAVING.

I THINK IF WE CAN GET THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY TO GIVE US AN INDICATION OF EXACTLY WHEN THESE HOSPITALS ARE GOING TO BE BUILT, TEN YEARS, FIVE YEARS, THEN WE COULD MOVE TO GET SOME SORT OF TEMPORARY FACILITY, SHORE UP THE TEMPORARY FACILITY THAT WE ALREADY HAVE WITH MORE DOCTORS, MORE NURSES, SO THAT THE PEOPLE HERE DON´T HAVE TO SPEND THE COST TO TRAVEL.

THERE´S NO FIX TO THAT UNLESS THAT HAPPENS.

IF THAT DOESN´T HAPPEN, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE.

YOU WANT QUALITY HEALTH CARE.

THIS IS NOT A KNOCK ON THE LOCALS.

BUT WITHOUT THE FACILITIES TO PROVIDE IT, THEY´RE GOING TO LEAVE.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I THINK IT´S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

WE DO HAVE AN AGING POPULATION HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

IT´S PARAMOUNT WE HAVE SERVICES THEY NEED.

UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE WE DO LIVE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE DON´T ALWAYS HAVE THE SPECIALTY SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND AT TIMES IT DOES FORCE INDIVIDUALS TO LEAVE THE TERRITORY.

AS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BOTH MY PARENTS DIED FROM CANCER, I WAS FULLY IN SUPPORT OF THE CANCER TREATMENT CENTER HERE.

WE ALL SAW HOW THAT SITUATION TURNED OUT WITH THE LACK OF FUNDING.

SEVERAL OTHER THINGS.

I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE ONE-THIRD OF THE POPULATION THAT DOESN´T HAVE INSURANCE, WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB IN TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD TRY TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO OFFER INSURANCE TO INDIVIDUALS HERE IN THE TERRITORY AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THAT TYPE OF OPPORTUNITY WHEN THEY GET ILL, THEY COULD FEEL THAT THERE´S SOME KIND PROTECTION FOR THE HEALTH.

UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE LACK INSURANCE, THEY DON´T GET THE SERVICES.

WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING, THEY STAY HOME, THEY DON´T GO AND GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

YOU HAVE A CLINIC THAT -- THESE THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP SUPPLEMENT.

BUT IT´S NOT ENOUGH.

WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE HELP WE NEED HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

MR. FARRELL.

>> THANK YOU.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT THE SITUATION THAT CAUSED THE ISSUES WITH THE HEALTH CARE SERVICE.

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

ONE THING WE CAN CONSIDER IS PROMOTING LIFESTYLE CHANGES.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES.

EATING HEALTHIER, EXERCISE.

THAT´S ONE WAY TO LOOK AT.

WE CAN CONSIDER SUBSIDIZING TRIPS.

IF WE DON´T HAVE THE NECESSARY FACILITIES THAT OUR PEOPLE NEED, THEN WE MAY NEED TO FUND OR SPONSOR SOME TRIP TO THE STATES SO THEY CAN SEE THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER UNTIL WE CAN GET OUR PLACES BUILT.

RIGHT NOW, IT´S A WHILE BEFORE WE GET HOSPITALS BUILT.

WE NEED TO SUBSIDIZE.

>> SOME PEOPLE SUGGEST WAPA SHOULD BE PRIVATIZED TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MIGHT BE THE ONLY PLACE OR ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE U.S. WHERE THE GOVERNMENT OWNS THE ELECTRIC COMPANY.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THIS MATTER?

WE WILL START WITH MR. FARRELL.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> PRIVATIZATION, NO.

WHAT I DO PROPOSE IS WE PUT WAPA IN RECEIVERSHIP.

THAT WILL GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AND SEE EXACTLY WHERE WAPA IS FAILING.

CURRENTLY, WE HAD A COMPANY WITH A $500,000 CONTRACT, WHICH I DON´T THINK IS ENOUGH.

HOWEVER, I SEE A CONFLICT DOWN THE ROAD.

ONCE THEY GIVE US THEIR FIX, WE STILL HAVE NOT EXECUTED.

DISBAND THE BOARD.

PUT WAPA IN LOCAL RECEIVERSHIP.

WE CAN SEE WHAT THE PROBLEMS WITH, FIX THE PROBLEMS, AND GET WAPA ON GOOD FOOTING.

THEIR RATING IS A CC.

THAT MEANS FAILURE IS LIKELY.

FAILURE IS LIKELY.

THAT AFFECTS OUR BAD RATING.

FOR ME, WAPA, IT SHOULD BE PUT IN LOCAL RECEIVERSHIP.

NOT FEDERAL.

IF WE GO INTO FEDERAL, IT´S A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY.

WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW AND PUT WAPA IN RECEIVERSHIP SO WE CAN SEE WHAT´S GOING ON.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FAHIE.

>> WAPA AS AN INSTITUTION IS DEAD.

WAPA IS AN F. IT´S FAILING.

IT CONTINUES TO FAIL.

THIS AFTERNOON COMING HERE, IT TOOK ME TEN MINUTES.

I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT.

WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT WAPA IS NOT ABOUT THE CITY ANYMORE.

WAPA IS ABOUT SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

THERE´S NO WAY YOU CAN PUT A TURNAROUND COMPANY TO RUN A FAILING INSTITUTION.

WAPA NEEDS -- JUST LET IT GO TO PASTURE.

YOU CANNOT FIX THE PIECES OF A CAR.

IT´S GOING TO CRASH EVENTUALLY.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I THINK, UNLIKE MR. FARRELL, THIS SHOULD GET A FEDERAL RECEIVERSHIP.

LET´S SEE UNDERNEATH.

WHY IS THERE THIS ANGST OF AUDITS AND KNOWING WHAT´S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE GOD KNOWS WHEN, 2010, 20007?

WE HAVE BEEN GETTING ROLLING BLACKOUTS.

WE CAN´T CONTINUE.

MY THING IS THIS.

WAPA IS FAILING.

DUNKING MORE MONEY DOESN´T MAKE MORE SENSE.

BRING IN THE FEDS, PUT IT THROUGH THE MOTIONS TO GET ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES THERE´S A DISCONNECT WHEN IT COMES TO WAPA AND THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY.

WE DON´T GET THE POWER WE NEED.

I HAVE BEEN AT HOME SOMETIMES RELAXING AND THEN I´M IN DARKNESS.

I CAN´T IMAGINE HOW MY CONSTITUENTS AND RESIDENTS FEEL IF I´M FEELING THE WAY I AM.

WHAT I DO RECOGNIZE IS WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY HOW TO DEAL WITH WAPA.

SOMETIMES I GO TO THE MINDSET THAT WE NEED TO SCRAP THIS WHOLE THING AND START ANEW.

I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ON OTHER WAYS OF GENERATING ENERGY FOR THE TERRITORY.

I HAVE A PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO LOOK AT HYDRO FUEL.

THE BIGGEST PART OF THE MONEY THAT WAPA SPENDS HAS TO DO WITH THE FUEL COST.

THAT´S THE BULK OF WHERE THE MONEY GOES.

IN REALITY, FOR THE WORLD POPULATION AND IT´S GENERATED FROM WATER.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

GIVE PEOPLE A PEACE OF MIND.

>> THANK YOU.

FOR THE INTEREST OF TIME, WE WILL MOVE ALONG TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

THIS SPEAKS TO FAMILY LIFE ISSUES.

IN ADDITION TO THE MAJOR CONCERNS WE HAVE DISCUSSED, IT WAS FOUND BY THE AARP THAT MANY FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING FROM BEING THE CAREGIVER FOR AGING AND AGED FAMILY MEMBERS, RESULTING IN THE ALARMING DRAINING OF THEIR RESOURCES.

MANY SAY THEY WILL SUPPORT THOSE CANDIDATES WITH SOLUTIONS TO ASSIST FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

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

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

WE WILL START WITH SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU.

AS A SENATOR, I LITERALLY RECENTLY PUT IN LEGISLATION TO CREATE ADULT FOSTER CARE.

THE REASON WHY I DID THAT IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WITH OUR AGING POPULATION AS WELL AS YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE ALONE AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF THE ELDERLY.

THE PLAN FOR THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, WHICH HAS BEEN PASSED IN SEVERAL STATES, IS WHERE YOU GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO POTENTIALLY LIVE WITH OTHERS AND GET THE TYPE OF CARE THEY NEED.

LIKE HOW YOU WOULD HAVE A CHILD GO INTO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

YOU HAVE ADULTS HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.

I THINK THAT WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE STRAIN AND STRESS.

IT´S KIND OF HARD WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER AND ALL THE BURDEN IS ON YOU.

I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

MYSELF RECENTLY, I AM DEALING WITH A SITUATION WHERE ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS IS MENTALLY ILL.

THE LEVEL OF WORK THAT GOES INTO THAT, I JUST ASK GOD FOR HELP.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

MR. FARRELL.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE CAREGIVERS.

MY MOM IS ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAS TO BE CARED FOR BY SOMEONE COMING TO THE HOUSE EVERY DAY TO TAKE CARE OF HER.

FOR ME, ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE COULD DO -- WE COULD CREATE LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO ASSIST FOR THE HELP.

WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN THIS POOL TO ACTUALLY HELP THOSE FAMILIES WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

RIGHT NOW, WE NEED TO IMPROVE THE CNA PROGRAM.

CNA PROGRAM, THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.

RIGHT NOW, WE SHOULD TRY TO FUND THAT AND BEEF UP OUR CNA PROGRAM SO IT CAN GO INTO THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE THE SERVICE WE NEED.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FAHIE.

>> THE HOME CAREGIVER PROGRAM, HOW THEY ARE HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO TAKE CARE OF OUR LOVED ONES, WHO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THE THINGS THAT WE CAN´T PUT UP WITH OR WE HAVE TO WORK WHILE THEY DO IT.

ALL OF US HAVE OLDER FOLKS WHO WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

WE KNOW THE STORIES.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE OLDER PARENT WHO HAS DEMENTIA, ALZHEIMER´S.

THAT MULTIPLIES IT FIVE TIMES.

I HAD THAT SITUATION RECENTLY.

IT´S NOT EASY.

FOR THOSE CAREGIVERS WHO ACTUALLY STAY HOME AND TAKE CARE OF THOSE, HOW DO YOU HELP THEM IN TERMS OF GETTING MAYBE MORE SHIFTS IN?

MAYBE GET IN MORE CERTIFICATION FOR PEOPLE.

A LOT OF THE TIMES THE PERSONS WHO GIVE THE CARE AREN´T REALLY QUALIFIED.

WE HAVE TO ADMIT THAT.

IF WE TRAIN THEM PROPERLY, IT MIGHT HELP ALLEVIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

LET´S LOOK AT THE TOPIC OF PROBATE REFUND.

GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE TERRITORY, LARGELY DUE TO DERELICT AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES TIED UP IN PROBATE, HOW WILL YOU APPROACH PROBATE REFORM IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO INCREASE HOUSING INVENTORY AND HELP RESIDENTS LIVE AND REMAIN IN THE TERRITORY?

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH MR. FAHIE.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE CORE PART OF IT.

TOO MUCH CASES STAND IN DOCKET FOR THE COURT.

THIS IS ACROSS ALL.

ESPECIALLY IN PROBATE.

THAT HAS TO BE FIXED.

THAT MEANS WE PUT MORE JUDGES IN PLACE.

I DON´T KNOW IF THAT´S THE ANSWER.

TO HAVE CASES SIT THERE FOR NINE AND TEN YEARS DOESN´T MAKE SENSE.

IN TERMS OF GETTING PEOPLE TO STAY IN THE TERRITORY, YOU HAVE YOUR HOME AND YOU HAVE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE COMING AFTER YOU FOR TAXES.

IF YOU DON´T PAY YOUR TAXES, YOU LOSE YOUR HOME.

WE SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AREAS THAT DON´T MAKE SENSE.

WHY CAN´T WE TAKE SOME OF THAT FUNDING AND GIVE THESE SAME PEOPLE GRANTS, GIVE THEM AMNESTY FOR SOME OF THE TAXES?

THE POOR PEOPLE, OLDER PERSON THEM, THEN THEY WILL STAY INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU.

WHEN IT COMES TO PROBATE, I DO AGREE THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR COURT SYSTEM WHERE THESE THINGS STAY ON THE DOCKET FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

THERE´S NO RESOLUTION.

AS AN INDIVIDUAL, I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE MORE EDUCATION IN TEACHING OUR PEOPLE ABOUT SETTING UP TRUSTS.

TRUSTS DON´T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE NEAR A COURTHOUSE.

EVERYTHING YOU COULD DO IN A PROBATE COURT COULD BE DONE IN A TRUST.

YOU COULD PUT EVERY HOUSE, EVERY CAR, EVERYTHING AND SEE HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SPLIT UP.

YOU DON´T HAVE TO GO TO COURT TO GET IT EXECUTED.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE HEAR TRUST, THEY ASSUME IT´S FOR THE WEALTHY.

IN ALL REALITY, ANYBODY CAN SET UP A TRUST TO MAKE SURE THEIR ASSETS ARE PASSED ON THE WAY THEY NEED TO.

AS IT RELATES TO ABANDON AND DERELICT PROPERTIES, I HAVE LEGISLATION I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.

SEVERAL OF MY OTHER COLLEAGUES HAVE AS WELL.

WE CREATED A TASK FORCE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE SOON BRINGING OUT LEGISLATION TO WORK ON THAT AND HELP CLEAN THAT UP.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

MR. FARRELL.

>> THANK YOU.

I DO AGREE WITH THE SENATOR IN REFERENCE TO EDUCATION.

WE NEED TO CREATE SOME WAY THAT WE COULD GET THE FAMILIES FOR THESE PROBATE CASES, LET THEM KNOW THERE´S HELP TO GET THEM THROUGH ISSUES THEY HAVE.

I AGREE WITH SPEEDING UP OUR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF JUDGES SO WE CAN GET THESE THINGS MOVED ALONG.

HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO DERELICT HOUSES, SOME PEOPLE DON´T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE HOME.

I ADVOCATE FOR PROVIDING MONEY TO FIX THESE HOMES AND TURN THOSE INTO RENTAL PROPERTY THAT WE CAN USE.

WHEN IT COMES TO LOW HOUSING, THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE YOU DON´T HAVE ENOUGH HOTEL ROOMS, AIRBNB IS USING THE AVAILABLE HOUSING.

ONE SUGGESTION I HAVE IS TO INCREASE HOTEL ROOMS DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY WHICH WILL GIVE LARGER OPTION FOR VISITORS TO COME.

>> THANK YOU, MR. FARRELL.

AS WE ARE HEADING TOWARD THE END OF OUR DISCUSSION DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO ADDRESS ANY OTHER TOPIC OF CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN ALONG WITH YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THIS TOPIC.

IN ADDITION, I WOULD ALSO LIKE FOR YOU TO PROVIDE YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT AS WELL.

YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS TO DO SO.

IN YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT, LET US KNOW WHY IT´S A WISE CHOICE TO INCLUDE YOU OR TO SELECT YOU AS ONE OF OUR UPCOMING SENATORS FOR THE 36th LEGISLATURE.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH MR. FARRELL.

>> THANK YOU.

ONE OF THE PASSIONATE AREAS I HAVE IS SPORTS.

CURRENTLY, I LOOK AT THE STADIUM.

IT´S A DERELICT PROPERTY.

RIGHT NOW, I´M TRYING TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY SO WE CAN GET -- MOVE FORWARD FUNDING THAT WAS ACTUALLY PROPOSED TO BUILD A STADIUM.

FOR ME, THIS WILL GET MOST OF THE YOUNG MEN OFF THE STREET.

ONCE WE HAVE SPORTS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR THEM, WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO PLAY SPORTS, NOT JUST BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, SOCCER.

WE WILL REDUCE CRIME.

EUGENE FARRELL, NUMBER SIX ON THE BALLOT.

LEADERSHIP YOU CAN TRUST, SERVICE YOU DESERVE.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR HEYLIGER.

>> THANK YOU.

FOR TOO LONG I THINK WE IN THE TERRITORY HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME FOCUSING ON WHO IS WHO IN REGARDS TO RELATIONSHIP, FAMILY MEMBERS.

I ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO GO OUT AND TAKE THE TIME OUT TO LEARN YOUR CANDIDATE.

KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE ASKING TO GO IN THERE TO REPRESENT YOU TO SAY, HEY, IS THIS PERSON GOING TO LOOK OUT FOR MY BEST INTEREST?

IS THIS PERSON GOING TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT MY FUTURE HAS SOME TYPE OF PROSPERITY IN IT?

WHEN WE ARE TALKING WITH THE ABANDON AND DERELICT TERRITORY, IN MY LEGISLATION THERE´S A SECTION THAT I DRAFTED THAT HAS TO DO WITH AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

THE GOVERNOR PREVIOUSLY HAD A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT HE WAS TOUTING TO TAKE PEOPLE´S PROPERTY BY CONSERVATORSHIP.

I DON´T SUPPORT THAT.

ONE OF THE OPTIONS IN MY LEGISLATION IS TO CREATE AN EXCHANGE WHERE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN INVESTING AND WORKING ON A PARTICULAR DERELICT PROPERTY, THOSE HOMEOWNERS ARE EITHER COMMERCIAL BUILDING OWNERS COULD POST THOSE THINGS AND PEOPLE COULD SEARCH THROUGH AND THEY CAN NEGOTIATE AND COME UP WITH AN IDEA HOW THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER.

I´M NOT FOR TAKING PEOPLE´S PROPERTY.

I BELIEVE IN GIVING THEM THE OPTION TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN SOLUTION AS TO HOW THEY WANT TO DO IT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, PUT PEOPLE IN OFFICE THAT IS GOING TO FIGHT FOR YOU.

PUT PEOPLE IN OFFICE THAT´S GOING TO HOLD PEOPLE TO THE FIRE IN REGARDS TO ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

MR. FAHIE.

>> YES.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT EVERYBODY LISTENING KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

ABOUT THE CORRUPTION.

YOU KNOW ABOUT THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

YOU KNOW WHO ARE HOLDING PEOPLE´S FEET TO THE FIRE AND WHO ARE ALLOWING FOR NOT.

CORRUPTION DOESN´T NECESSARILY MEAN WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS.

FOR 40 YEARS WE HAVE DONE THE SAME THING.

IT´S ACROSS EVERY AGENCY, EVERY BOARD, EVERY OFFICE.

THE BUREAUCRACY IS OUT OF CONTROL.

IF YOU DON´T FOLLOW THE LAW, YOU ARE VIOLATING THE LAW, IT´S CORRUPTION.

IF YOU ARE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND THAT RULE FROM THE LEGISLATURE TO THE A.G.´S OFFICE.

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE WE COULD HAVE FEDERAL INDICTMENTS AND THERE ARE NO LOCAL INDICTMENTS FROM OUR LOCAL A.G.´S OFFICE?

THAT´S THE QUESTION.

I ASK EVERYONE, VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.

YOU KNOW WHO IS DOING THE JOB IN THE LEGISLATURE.

GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THOSE PEOPLE.

THEN GIVE US LIKE MINDS.

YOU WILL SEE A CHANGE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

VOTE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, VOTE FOR HOPE, VOTE FOR CHANGE.

COLLISTER FAHIE.

NUMBER TEN ON THE BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, AND VIEWERS.

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

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

THE LEAGUE REMINDS YOU THAT YOUR VOTE DETERMINES THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT.

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

SO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY YOUR VOTE.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM DR. ANDREA DORSEY FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SAYING, VOTE EARLY OR VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

JUST VOTE.

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

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING FOR THIS PROGRAM WAS UNDERWRITTEN BY AARP OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.