>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

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

>>> GOOD DAY AND WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM, PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX FOR OVER 35 YEARS.

THESE PROGRAMS THAT YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR THE ELECTED OFFICE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022 ELECTION YEAR, RIGHT HERE ON WTJX .

THE CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE A SENATOR OR GOVERNOR.

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU.

TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF SENATOR IN THIS DISTRICT.

I AM JANINE FRANCIS BROWN, A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I SERVE AS THE MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF THE GUIDELINES FOR THE PROGRAM.

NO CANDIDATE HAS ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

THE FIRST RESPONDER TO EACH THE PARTICIPANTS.

ANSWERS WILL GENERALLY BE KEPT TO 60 -90/2 WITH CHALLENGES AND REBUTTALS OF 60 SECONDS EACH.

CHANGES IN TIMING OF THE QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED.

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

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF ONE ANOTHER.

LET´S BEGIN.

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

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AS OUR DISCUSSION CONTINUES.

LET´S START WITH THE CANDIDATES .

SENATOR JOSEPH?

>> GOOD DAY.

I AM KARL JOSEPH, DEMOCRAT, SEEKING A POSITION IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> I AM MARGARET PRICE.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT CITIZEN MOVEMENT, ICM AND IM NUMBER 13 ON THE BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW FOR OUR FIRST QUESTION.

LET´S BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT WHY YOU ARE RUNNING TO BE A SENATOR.

HERE IS A QUESTION FOR WHICH YOU EACH HAVE SET 90 SECONDS ANSWER.

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

PLEASE ANSWER BOTH PARTS OF THE QUESTION, 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, I HAVE AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE AND A BACHELORS OF ARTS DEGREE WITH SOCIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY .

I HAVE A MASTERS DEGREE IN INNER- CITY STUDY EDUCATION , I HAVE A JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE, I AM A REGISTERED NURSE, I AM ALSO A FORMER SCHOOLTEACHER, RETIRED FROM TEACHING HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH I TAUGHT 17 YEARS.

I HAVE A PFL AS A ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHER.

AS FAR AS SKILLS, I HAVE WORKED WITH THE HOMELESS, I AM ALSO CHAIRPERSON OF A DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT UNIT, IN WHICH AFTER HURRICANES , WE PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THOSE WHO NEED RELIEF.

, FROM FEMA, WHO WERE ABLE TO PUT ROOFS ONTO PEOPLE´S HOMES.

WE ALSO HAVE FEEDING PROGRAMS FOR THE PEOPLE.

CURRENTLY I HAVE GIVEN OUT TARPS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CONSULTED WITH MINISTERS , IN CASE OF AN IMPENDING STORM, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE PARISHIONERS COME IN, WHERE THEY BRING IN FOOD.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR JOSEPH?

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

ALSO 90 SECONDS.

>> ONE OF THE MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT I WANT TO REALLY TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I CAMPAIGNED ON IN 2020, WHICH WAS WORKING WITH ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO FIX THE LEAKS IN OUR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.

ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT IS WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN LEGISLATURE TO GET THE MUCH NEEDED RETROACTIVE PAY FOR OUR GOVERNMENT WORKERS .

WE JUST PASSED THAT LEGISLATION, GIVING $40 MILLION TO RETIREES AND OTHER HARD-WORKING PEOPLE.

IN ADDITION, WE WERE ABLE TO RESTORE THE 8% TO ALL OF OUR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

ONE OF THE KEY AREAS I WANT TO FOCUS ON, SOMETHING I CALL MY MISSION.

MY MISSION IS TO ENSURE THE ZONING´S THAT COME BEFORE US ARE NOT PASSED, WHERE IN IT IS A HEAVILY RESIDENTIAL AREA , THAT WE DON´T HAVE BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN OUR RESIDENTIAL AREAS , BECAUSE OUR PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE SOME PEACE.

RESTRICTIONS ON REZONING THAT WOULD ALLOW , SO THOSE TYPES OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

ITEM THREE ON THE BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU.

LET´S TALK ABOUT YOUR RELIGION VISION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

2027 IS THE 100 ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND HUNDRED AND 10 YEARS SINCE PURCHASE FROM DENMARK.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION, WITH RESPECT TO SELF-GOVERNANCE, AND WHAT ROLES DO YOU INTEND TO PLAY, IF ANY?

THE SELF-GOVERNANCE DOES NOT NECESSARILY IMPLY INDEPENDENCE.

60 SECONDS.

>> MY VISION IS THAT AS AN ISLAND, WE CAN COME TOGETHER, THAT WE CAN DIMINISH CRIME, AND WE CAN HAVE THE GRS IN PLACE WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE , SO THAT OUR UTILITIES CAN GO DOWN DRASTICALLY, AND THAT WE, AS ISLANDERS, CAN PUT OUR LOCALS TO WORK AND STOP RINGING IN FOREIGN COMPANIES TO TAKE THE MONEY OUT TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COUNTRY AND DONATE NOTHING TO OUR ISLAND.

WE NEED OUR PEOPLE TO WORK.

WE NEED TO HAVE HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS.

WE NEED TO HAVE BETTER INSURANCE CARE.

WE NEED TO HAVE BETTER HEALTH.

WE NEED TO HAVE QUALIFIED STAFF AND NEW HOSPITALS.

WE NEED TO HAVE SCHOOLS WHERE CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT AFRICAN HISTORY, CARIBBEAN HISTORY, ALL TYPES OF HISTORY, AND NOT JUST THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY, THEY NEED TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT IF THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE , THAT THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT THEY WILL.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR JOSEPH?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO IN THE 34th LEGISLATURE IS TO GET FROM AN AGRICULTURAL PLAN, LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED, BUT ONE OF THE KEY THINGS TO HELP US TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT IS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FOOD SECURITY, HAVE THAT LEVEL OF AGRICULTURE , WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO SUSTAIN OURSELVES, AND ALSO, LOOKING AT MOVING TOWARD SELF-GOVERNANCE, MEANING WE ARE NO LONGER A TERRITORY, INCORPORATED TERRITORY, BUT LOOKING AT US BEING EITHER AN ORGANIZED, INDEPENDENT , OR HAVING OUR OWN CONSTITUTION.

I THINK THAT KEY FOR ME, AND I´M HOPING IT´S KEY FOR MOST OF US AS PEOPLE, IS ALSO TO BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> THANK YOU.

ON THE TOPIC OF 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?

STARTING WITH SENATOR JOSEPH, 60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

IN MORALS AND ETHICS, THEY HAVE A HUGE ROLE, BECAUSE THAT HELPS DETERMINE YOUR DECISION-MAKING.

IF YOU HAVE A LEVEL OF ETHICS AND MORALS THAT ARE AT A HIGHER STANDARD , THEN IT ALLOWS OTHERS , IN THE COMMUNITY, TO BE ABLE TO EMULATE IT.

WE, AS LEADERS, WE ARE LEADERS, AND WE HAVE TO MODEL THE WAY.

WE CANNOT HAVE A LEADER WHERE IN THEIR MORALS AND ETHICS IN THEIR PRIVATE LIFE IS NOW SPREADING INTO THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE LIFE.

IT WILL DISTORT, ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, THEIR IMAGE AND WHAT THEY PERCEIVE AS A LEADER SHOULD BE.

THERE ARE SACRIFICES YOU HAVE TO MAKE AND MAINTAIN TO KEEP A HIGHEST LEVEL OF MORALS AND ETHICS, BUT IT IS REQUIRED IN THIS ARENA.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SAME QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MORALITY, WE TALK ABOUT UPBRINGING.

IT STARTS AT HOME , IT STARTS WITH YOUR PARENTS, IT STARTS WITH GOING TO SCHOOL, IT STARTS WITH EDUCATION, IT STARTS WITH GOING TO CHURCH.

IT´S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL VALUE.

IT IS NOT WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET SITUATION.

PEOPLE USE THAT TOO MUCH, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET.

THAT DOES NOT DESIGNATE MORALITY.

MORAL IS SOMETHING THAT IS INGRAINED, SOMETHING YOU LEARN WITH YOUR PARENTS AND WANT TO COME OUT OF THAT ROOM, THE MORALITY BEGINS, UP BRINGING FROM THE PARENTS, FROM THOSE AROUND YOU, AND WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON, THEY WANT TO EMULATE THAT.

THEY SEE WHAT YOU DO AND THEY SEE THE GOODNESS OF YOU, AND WE SEE WHATEVER IT IS YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> THANK YOU.

LET´S TALK ABOUT SOME MAJOR CONCERNS.

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

LET´S LOOK AT EACH SEPARATELY AND ADDRESS YOUR RESPONSES, IF ELECTED, TO THE 35th LEGISLATURE.

WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION, IS ONE OF THE FOUR AREAS OF CONCERN.

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

90 SECONDS, SENATOR JOSEPH.

>> THAT IS A CRITICAL QUESTION.

ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY , ESPECIALLY AFTER THE TWO HURRICANES , AS WELL AS THE PANDEMIC, IS FINDING TEACHERS TO TEACH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES WE ARE HAVING.

WHAT OCCURS IS THAT WE HAVE A LEVEL OF PROCESS WHERE THE TEACHER HAS TO BE HIGHLY QUALIFIED.

I WOULD SUBMIT THAT ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT, AND THIS IS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IS TO REALLY HAVE AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WHERE A PERSON CAN ACTUALLY COME IN WITHOUT HAVING ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS , AS THEY MOVE FORWARD, AND ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO TEACH AND WORK UNTIL THEY GET THOSE QUALIFICATIONS.

WE REALLY ARE IN NEED OF A LOT OF TEACHERS.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING, HERE IN THE GOVERNMENT AND OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND THE SCHOOLS ARE IN DIRE NEED OF A PARAPROFESSIONAL SECURITY , MONITORS, A LOT NEEDS TO BE ARE THE FUTURE OF OUR ISLANDS.

IF WE ARE NOT EDUCATED AS A PEOPLE, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PROGRESS AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO THRIVE IN THE FUTURE?

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SAME QUESTION, 90 SECONDS.

>> REFERRING TO EDUCATION, THERE ARE THINGS THAT GET ME, WHICH IS THE CURRICULUM.

THE CURRICULUM ITSELF NEEDS TO BE OVERHAULED.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE INCLUSION AND WE NEED TO HAVE FUNDING .

WE ARE LACKING THE FUNDING NEEDED FOR TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

WE NEED THOSE PROGRAMS, BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SURVIVED TWO HURRICANES AND WITH THESE HURRICANES, WE HAVE LOST A LOT , BUILDINGS, INFRASTRUCTURE, EVERYTHING IS GONE.

WE NEED THESE TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS , THEY CAN BECOME BRICKLAYERS, THEY CAN BECOME MARINE BIOLOGIST, THEY CAN REBUILD OUR ISLAND TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN STABILIZE AND GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE PRIOR TO HIM AND MARIA.

WE NEED TO INCLUDE MORE AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN HISTORY ALONG WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON OUR CHILDREN BEING CHILDREN.

NONSENSE ABOUT ABOUT GENDER, GIRLS WEARING PANTS, BOYS WEARING SKIRTS, THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO DEAL WITH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DO YOU WANT TO REBUT?

60 SECONDS.

>> I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR, THE LOT OF MONEY.

MANY , SOME OF THE FEDERAL GRANTS ARE IN JEOPARDY.

THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

WE NEED HANDS ON DECK.

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO DO THE WORK, TEACHERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO TEACH EVERY DAY.

THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE INSTRUCTORS .

WE DON´T HAVE ENOUGH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO INTO SOME OF THOSE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS.

PROGRAMS HAVE CLOSED AND THE HAVE THOSE PROGRAMS HERE.

THERE IS ALSO THE RAFAEL SKILL CENTER.

THEY OFFER A LOT OF OTHER TYPES OF TRAINING.

THE ISSUE IS NOT THE MONEY.

WE HAVE THE MONEY.

THE ISSUE IS WE NEED THE BODIES.

WE HAVE A DEFICIENCY WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE READY TO DO THE WORK.

WE HAVE TO GET TO WORK.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NEXT QUESTION.

WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH, CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS, MANY LEAVE THE TERRITORY IN SEARCH OF HEALTHCARE, SO WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES REGARDING HEALTHCARE, AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE ?

STARTING WITH THIS PRICE.

90 SECONDS.

>> AS FAR AS HEALTHCARE, WHAT I SEE IS THERE IS NOT A SUITABLE HEALTHCARE THAT COVERS THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEREFORE, IT IS LACKING.

WE HAVE A RADIATION CENTER THAT HAS BEEN DOWN SINCE IRMA AND MARIA.

WHY?

THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST HURRICANE.

HEALTHCARE, ITSELF, WE HAVE HEALTHCARE, WE DO.

BUT, DOCTORS IN SOME CLINICS DON´T TAKE SOME FORMS OF HEALTHCARE FROM PATIENTS, SO WE NEED A VIABLE HEALTHCARE THAT IS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL PATIENTS, AND NOT BE SELECTED BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE OR WHERE YOU ARE FROM OR WHATEVER.

WE NEED A GOOD HEALTHCARE TO COME IN HERE.

WE NEED GOOD DOCTORS , BOARD- CERTIFIED DOCTORS.

WE NEED DOCTORS COMING IN HERE THAT WANT TO COME IN AND HELP PATIENTS, NOT COME HERE AND GET RICH.

THEREFORE, WE NEED A BETTER HEALTHCARE PLAN AND I AM SURE THAT ONCE WE GET INTO THIS , WITH SENATORS AND COLLEAGUES AND EVERYONE ELSE WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN ASSURE THAT THIS TERRITORY WILL GET THE HEALTHCARE THEY DESERVE.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR JOSEPH?

SAME QUESTION, 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS VERY KEY IN HEALTHCARE.

IT IS CALLED PREVENTATIVE HEALTH.

WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES HERE TO PREVENT A LOT OF THE DISEASES THAT WE HAVE, BUT WE DO NOT TAKE THE TIME OR THE INTEREST .

WE HAVE TO START EXERCISING.

WE HAVE TO START EATING HEALTHY DIET .

THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR KEYS.

A LOT OF OUR PHYSICIANS ARE STRESSING, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT PREVENTATIVE CARE.

THAT IS ONE PORTION.

YES, OUR CANCER CENTER IS NOT UP AND RUNNING, BUT THERE IS MONEY THERE TO REBUILD IT.

FEMA HAS ALREADY GRANTED ALL OF THE FUNDING TO REBUILD THE CHARLOTTE CANCER INSTITUTE AND WE´RE HOPING IT COMES ONLINE SOON.

THERE IS AN ISSUE REGARDING HEALTH INSURANCE.

YES, WE DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ALL OF OUR PEOPLE.

THAT IS THE TRUTH.

WE ARE WORKING AT LOOKING AT IT AND LOOKING AT HOW TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

BUT, I WANT TO STRESS SOMETHING VERY MUCH.

HEALTH IS WEALTH.

WE HAVE A RIGHT, AND THAT IS ONE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS HUMAN BEINGS, TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND OUR OVERALL HEALTH.

WE ARE DOING A LOT , RELATIVE, TO PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WITH RESPECT TO WATER, AS A TOP FOUR CONCERN, WHAT YOU SEE AS THE MAJOR CHALLENGES AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE ?

STARTING >> THANK YOU.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT FALLS UNDER MY JURISDICTION OF CHIPPER CHAIRPERSON .

IT HAS A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

MY COMMITTEE WENT ON A TOUR, I HAVE TRIED TO CALL THEM BACK IN FRONT OF OUR COMMITTEE .

I WOULD SAY THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES THEY HAVE IS POOR MORALE, WITH THE WORKERS.

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE, AND THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY INCREASE IN THEIR PAY FOR YEARS.

THAT IS ONE OF THE ISSUES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VERY SKILLED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE WORKERS , AND WE HAVE A LOT OF AGING GENERATORS THERE.

RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT THOSE ONLINE.

BUT, I CAN´T STOP WITHOUT SAYING THAT WE HAVE MADE SOME BAD DECISIONS IN THE PAST.

DECISIONS AND WE ARE PAYING THE COST FOR IT.

BUT, I AM THINKING, AND I AM HOPEFUL, THAT WITH THE NEW LEADERSHIP, WE WILL SEE SOME OF THE CHANGES .

I WANT TO SEE THAT THE EMPLOYEES , ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE UNIONIZED, THEY GET THE NEW CONTRACTS IN PLACE.

THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LOW MORALE.

AND THEN, THE GRS BENEFITS ARE IN JEOPARDY.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DO AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE KEY ITEMS WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT TO HELP DECREASE THE COST.

THANK YOU.

>> SAME QUESTION, 90 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

THE FIRST THING THAT WE NEED TO DO IS A FORENSIC AUDIT, BECAUSE MONEY AND EVERY TIME YOU LOOK AROUND, THEY ARE REQUESTING NEW GENERATORS , OR GENERATORS ARE BREAKING DOWN.

WE HAVE TOO MANY POWER OUTAGES.

AS A SENATOR, IF I AM ELECTED, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGE IS A BILL WHERE, AS IT IS FINALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DAMAGES THEY DO WHEN THEY HAVE THESE POWER OUTAGES AND SURGES, WHEN THE ELECTRICITY IS RESTORED, THEY NEED TO BE PLACED IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR RESTRUCTURING PURPOSES.

THEY ARE REALLY NOT DOING ANYTHING THAT WE CAN SEE THAT IS EVIDENT THAT IS REALLY HELPING THE TERRITORY, ITSELF.

AS FAR AS THE WORKERS, YES, THEY HAVE BEEN HOLLERING FOR YEARS THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING PAID WHAT THEY ARE QUALIFIED TO DO.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF ENERGY AND GET RED RID OF THE FOSSIL FUELS IN REGARDS WHAT THEY CALL CLIMATE CHANGE.

BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD BE RESTRUCTURED AND WE SHOULD HAVE, THE BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD BE ELECTED, LIKE YOU DO SENATORS AND EVERYONE ELSE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE A REBUTTAL.

THANK YOU.

WE DID HAVE AN AUDIT THAT WAS PERFORMED , AND THAT AUDIT WAS VERY THOROUGH .

RELATIVE TO THE STATEMENT REGARDING PAY FOR DAMAGES TO ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES , A CONSTITUENT CALLED ME TODAY AND INDICATED THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS BEING DONE, NOW.

SHE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE WITH ONE OF THE POWER OUTAGES WITH ONE OF HER APPLIANCES AND THEY SENT HER A FORM.

I KNOW THAT THAT IS BEING PUT IN PLACE, RIGHT NOW, SO WE DO HAVE AN ACTION AND AUDIT THAT IS DONE AND VIABLE.

WE DEFINITELY NEED TO PUSH FORWARD WITH THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, WIND, AS WELL AS SOLAR, SO WE CAN DIVERT AND DIVERSIFY ENERGY SOURCES.

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

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

SENATOR?

60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

I AM HAPPY THAT GRS IS NOT ONE OF THE TOP FIVE ISSUES, BECAUSE THE 34th LEGISLATURE WHICH I AM A MEMBER OF, WE HAD A SUB COMMITTEE AND WORKED DAY AND NIGHT, LONG HOURS, ALONG WITH THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO FIX THAT LEAK.

I WAS A PROUD MEMBER OF THAT SUBCOMMITTEE.

MY TEAM WILL TELL YOU THAT WE WORKED TIRELESSLY AND WE HAVE LONG HOURS AND WE CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT IS WORKING AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK.

WE WANTED TO ASSURE THAT THAT LEAK DOES NOT HAPPEN, JUST LIKE A LEAK IN YOUR HOME.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUALLY MONITOR IT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO BREACHES.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE YOUR SENATOR , AT YOUR SERVICE, TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. PRICE?

>> YES.

I APPLAUD GRS FOR COMING UP TO PAR, THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD, BUT THEY STILL HAVE A LONG WAYS TO GO.

THEY HAVE BEEN BAILED OUT, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY ARE IN THE TOP FIVE.

IT GRS TO GET BOARD MEMBERS ON THERE THAT ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE SYSTEM ITSELF.

GRS ALSO NEEDS TO HAVE A BIT OF A RESTRUCTURING DONE .

I´M NOT SAYING THEY SHOULD HAVE A FORENSIC AUDIT BECAUSE I DON´T KNOW IF THEY´VE HAD ONE, BUT WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IS BE ABLE TO DIVERSIFY WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING OUT LOANS AND THINGS THAT THEY GET OUT, BECAUSE WE SEE THAT THEY GIVE OUT THESE LOANS AND THEN IT IS FORFEITED.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE GRS STARTING TO GET BACK TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE GOVERNMENT, GIVING BACK LOANS.

THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY COULDN´T, BUT THERE´S A POSSIBILITY THAT THEY CAN, NOW.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

WITH RESPECT TO CRIME, CITED BY VOTERS AS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE?

MS. PRICE, 90 SECONDS.

>> MY CHALLENGE IS THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE GOVERNMENT COMING INTO, I REMEMBER WHERE NO ONE OUTSIDE AGENCIES INTERFERED WITH THE HOUSEHOLD.

PARENTS COULD BE PARENTS.

NOW YOU HAVE AGENCIES SAYING WHAT YOU AS A PARENT CAN AND CANNOT DO IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.

YOU HAVE PARENTS THAT ARE AFRAID OF CHILDREN, PARENTS SAYING, I CAN´T DO ANYTHING FOR MY CHILD.

YOU HAVE PARENTS WHO SEE THE CHILD DOING THINGS THAT ARE WRONG, PARENTS THAT HAVE CHILDREN COMING IN WITH GUNS, CHILDREN THAT HAVE DRUGS IN THE HOUSEHOLD , BUT THEY ARE TOO FRIGHTENED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT THAT.

PARENTS NEED TO BE PARENTS.

PARENTS NEED TO TELL THE CHILDREN , THE NEED TO RAISE CHILDREN THE WAY THEY WERE RAISED .

AS FAR AS CRIME, WE NEED MORE PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR YOUNGSTERS, BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING , THAT IS TOO MUCH THEY CAN DO.

THERE IS BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS INTO BASEBALL OR BASKETBALL.

WHAT ARE THE PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS?

WHY ARE PARENTS NOT COMING TOGETHER AND GOING TO AGENCIES?

WE NEED MORE POLICE INVOLVEMENT SO THAT CHILDREN CAN SEE THAT POLICE DO CARE ABOUT THEM AND THEY ARE NOT THE BAD GUY.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR JOSEPH?

>> THANK YOU.

ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES THAT WE DO HAVE IS GETTING A LOT OF PREVENTATIVE CRIME PROGRAMS.

WE DO HAVE SOME IN PLACE ALREADY.

WE HAVE THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB , I HAVE SPONSORED , CHAMPIONED THAT ORGANIZATION, BECAUSE I HAVE WORKED IN THE TRENCHES IN THE HOUSING COMMUNITY FOR OVER A DECADE AND I HAVE SEEN THE WORK THEY DO, AND I REALLY CHAMPION GETTING THEM FUNDING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT GETTING MORE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, GETTING PROGRAMS TO THOSE FAMILIES, PUTTING IN PLACE THAT PARENT UNIVERSITY SO THAT THE PARENTS HAVE SUPPORT, AND CHALLENGING OUR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO GO INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO GIVE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES SOME HOPE , THAT THINGS CAN BE BETTER AND THAT THEY CAN BE BETTER AND THAT YOUR ENVIRONMENT DOES NOT DETERMINE YOUR TRAJECTORY.

I AM FROM PUBLIC HOUSING .

I LIVED THERE FOR 26 YEARS.

AND TURNED ME AROUND.

THAT, IN ITSELF, IS A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS.

YOUR FAITH.

I THINK THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO.

I HAVE STARTED A MENTORING PROGRAM AND MY HOME COMMUNITY AND I PLAN TO CONTINUE THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

UNDER THE SAME TOPIC OF CRIME, SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST OUR CHILDREN IS A CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

RECENT DISCLOSURE OF AN ASSAULT OF 12 BOYS BICYCLE TEACHER IS SHOCKING AND THE COMMUNITY WAS RIGHTFULLY OUTRAGED.

GIRLS ARE ASSAULTED AS WELL.

HOW CAN YOU, AS A SENATOR, PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT BY ADULTS?

SENATOR JOSEPH?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS DO A LOT OF BACKGROUND CHECKS .

CHECK PEOPLE.

WE JUST HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT MORALITY AND ETHICS.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO.

AND CONVERSATION WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND LISTEN WHEN THEY ARE WORKING , WORRIED ABOUT ISSUES THEY HAVE.

THIS INCIDENT YOU ARE REFERRING TO , ADULTS WERE TOLD.

ADULTS WERE TOLD AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE BELIEVED, HE APPARENTLY DID NOT BELIEVE THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND LET THEM KNOW THEY HAVE A VOICE, AND THEY CAN BE COUNTED.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE WHERE THEY CAN GO TO A SAFE HAVEN AND NO, I AM NOT GOING TO BE JUDGED HERE, I CAN TELL THEM WHAT IS TROUBLING ME, AND THAT WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.

I THINK THAT THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN WORK WITH AND DO.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. PRICE?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE PERSON WHO COMMITTED THAT CRIME DURING THE TIME I WAS A TEACHER AT THIS PARTICULAR SCHOOL, AND IT IS SO SURREAL , THAT WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE LIKE THAT, YOU CAN´T EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE A PERSON LIKE THAT IS CAPABLE OF DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, BECAUSE THE PERSONALITY DIFFERENCE DOESN´T MATCH WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DO.

I THINK WHAT WE NEED MORE OF IS WE NEED MORE COUNSELORS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE NEED A CLINIC, WHERE THERE ARE COUNSELORS WITH STUDENTS SO STUDENTS CAN ACTUALLY GO TO AND FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO SAY, HEY, THIS HAPPENS TO ME.

WE NEED PEOPLE IN THE SCHOOL WHO, JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH THESE PEOPLE, AND WHEN THEY TELL YOU SOMETHING LIKE THAT, DON´T TURN YOUR BACK.

DO SOMETHING.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

THANK YOU.

DEVELOPMENT, THE PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN US THAT WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY AND SUPPLEMENT OUR DEPENDENCE .

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE FOR GROWING AND DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY , AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES TO MAKING THEM A REALITY?

MS. PRICE, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I HAVE BEEN PREACHING TO THE CHOIR ABOUT DEPENDENCY .

WAY BEFORE IRMA AND MARIA HIT, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN CRUISE SHIPS DID NOT COME HERE.

IF YOU LOOKED AT YOUR STORES, IT WAS LIKE MOTHER HUBBARD´S CUPBOARD.

THEY WERE GETTING TO BE THERE.

WE CANNOT DEPEND ON TOURISM TO SUSTAIN US.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE CAN BRING IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE DONE.

YOU HAVE BOXCAR RACING, YOU CAN HAVE MANY CARNIVALS DURING THE WEEK.

ON FRIDAY NIGHTS, YOU COULD UTILIZE MAIN STREET, AND HAVE PLAYS AND THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU.

>> SENATOR JOSEPH?

>> IT´S A VERY DIVERSE GROUP OF TORYISM THAT CAN HAPPEN.

WE HAVE ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS TOURISM, BUT THAT WOULD ALL COME UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF TOURISM.

WHAT I WANT TO LOOK AT IS WHAT WE ARE OFFERING AND WHAT WE CAN OFFER THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, TYPES OF BUSINESSES THAT COME IN, THOSE TYPES OF FINANCIAL BUSINESSES THAT COME IN TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND INVEST HERE, BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT LEVEL .

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT INDUSTRIES THAT ARE NOT GOING TO ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ENVIRONMENT .

WATCHMAKING INDUSTRY , THE COMPUTER BUILDING INDUSTRY , ALL OF THOSE TYPES OF INDUSTRIES THAT CAN COME IN, AND EVEN RECYCLABLE.

RECENTLY, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE FERTILIZER.

THAT´S WHAT WE WANT TO LOOK AT.

THANK YOU.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO REBUTTAL.

THIS IS THE VERY REASON WE NEED OUR TRADE AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, BECAUSE WE CAN TEACH OUR YOUTH TO BE BRICKLAYERS, MASONS.

THEY CAN DO ALL TYPES OF THINGS , COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, THAT CAN BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE ECONOMY ITSELF , IF WE CAN BRING IN BUSINESSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT DO THOSE BUSINESSES COME IN TO DEAL WITH THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY, RINGING BACK AND GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY, OR ARE THEY JUST COMING IN AND TAKING ?

YES, WE NEED ALL OF THAT, BUT FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO GIVE OURSELVES A CHANCE TO GET TOGETHER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA WERE INTENDED AS A POSSIBLE BOOST TO THE ECONOMY .

THERE ARE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .

IT APPEARS THAT LITTLE HAS COME FROM IT.

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

MS. PRICE ?

YOU .

THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE IN ADDRESSING THAT IS THAT WE NEED TO GET THAT TOGETHER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THERE ARE STILL TECHNICALITIES WITH FEDERAL NOT ALLOWING IT, THE MONEY TO GO TO THE BANK, BUT THEY CAN BE OFFSET.

WE NEED THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON THE ISLAND.

THERE ARE PEOPLE HURTING, PEOPLE THAT DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GO TO THE DOCTOR, PEOPLE THAT DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY HURTING, THEY ARE IN PAIN.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAN HELP SUSTAIN THE PAIN .

THE COST IS NOT THAT MUCH, WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO GOING TO A HOSPITAL OR A CLINIC.

I SEE NO REASON WHY THEY DON´T GET IT TOGETHER AND LET THE PEOPLE UTILIZE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR JOSEPH?

>> LET´S TALK ABOUT WEED , THAT HERB, THAT IS SO GOOD AT HEALING A NATION.

THAT IS WHY ONE OF OUR PERSONS THAT WAS A GOOD SINGER SAID , WE DO HAVE A CANNABIS BOARD FUNCTIONING.

THEY HAVE JUST ISSUED RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MEDICINAL MARIJUANA.

THEY ARE HERE TO OFFER CERTAIN TYPES OF CBD AND THOSE THINGS, THEY ARE HAPPENING.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE RECREATIONAL PORTION OF IT, THAT IS WHERE WE ARE HAVING A CHALLENGE.

THERE IS LEGISLATION.

I KNOW ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES HAS AUTHORSHIP ON THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION , FOR US TO BE ABLE TO REALLY CAPITALIZE ON IT, SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES WENT TO COLORADO TO TALK ABOUT IT .

I KNOW IT´S ON EVERYONE´S FOREFRONT SO I´M HOPING WE CAN ADDRESS IT SOON.

>> THANK YOU.

LET´S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE FOR A MOMENT.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AGO, THE LEAGUE HAS ASKED THE SAME QUESTION REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LAND AND WATER USE PLAN FOR THE TERRITORIES .

WITHOUT FAIL, OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, GOVERNMENT ORAL AND SENATORIAL CANDIDATES HAVE PLEDGED THAT ON THEIR WATCH, PLAN TO BE DEVELOPED.

IT HASN´T HAPPENED.

WE ASK THIS QUESTION.

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

>> THANK YOU.

I HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE CHAMPIONS , AS PRESIDENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION , FOR OVER 10 YEARS.

THERE WAS A PLAN, AT THE END OF THE FORMER GOVERNOR ALEXANDER FAIRLEY´S TIME.

BECAUSE WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A PLAN IMPLEMENTED, THAT PLAN WAS NOT IMPLEMENTED, THAT´S WHY I TALKED ABOUT, INITIALLY, IN MY INTRODUCTION, THINGS THAT I HAVE CHAMPIONED, REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND HAVING DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE NOT CONDUCIVE FOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS .

CASE IN POINT, WE HAVE A BAR AND RESTAURANT OPERATING IN A HEAVILY, DENSE RESIDENTIAL AREA.

WHAT I HAVE DONE IN MY TENURE IN THE LEGISLATURE IS AMEND ANY REZONING COMING TO RESTRICT BARS AND RESTAURANTS FROM OPERATING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, BUT WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO , I KNOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING ON GETTING A CONFERENCE OF PLAN TOGETHER.

THANK YOU.

>> MS. PRICE?

>> AS FAR AS LAND AND WATER USE, THE AVAILABILITY, I DO NOT SEE WHY THERE SHOULD BE ANY TYPE OF CONFUSION , OR ANY TYPE OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG.

LOOK AT THE SEA.

WE HAVE SO MUCH WATER.

WHY CAN´T THEY DESALINATE THAT WATER AND BRING IT IN TO THE ISLAND ITSELF?

WHY DO WE HAVE TO GO AND BUY WATER ALL THE TIME?

I ASKED DVI, WHEN I WENT TO THE MEETING, I SAID IS THAT WATER DRINKABLE?

THEY SAID YES, WHAT HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN A TEST AND TAKEN IT TO THE LAB AND SEEN THE GERMS AND THINGS IN THAT?

YES, PEOPLE HAVE DONE THAT.

SO WHY IS IT THAT WE CANNOT GET TOGETHER TO DESALINATE AND BRING IN FRESHWATER INTO YOUR HOME?

>> THERE IS A REBUTTAL.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS A REVERSE OSMOSIS OPERATION , AND THAT IS HAPPENING.

IT DOES TAKE THE WATER OUT OF THE OCEAN.

THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND AND WATER USE IS HOW WE BUILD, HOW WE WILL BUILD AND USE OUR LAND AND OUR OCEAN , AND ARE WE GOING TO HAVE PHIL LAND, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PLACE CERTAIN TYPES OF BUSINESSES , DO YOU PLACE THOSE IN AN AREA THAT IS HEAVILY RESIDENTIAL?

THOSE ARE PLANS.

THAT TAKES A LOT OF COMPLEX STUDY AND ASSESSMENT, AND THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED A COMPLEX ASSESSMENT BECAUSE WE ARE , IN THESE DISTRICTS , WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE LAND AND WATER USE PLAN BECAUSE THOSE A LONG WAY, ESPECIALLY IN PROTECTING OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND OUR OCEAN AND OUR CORAL REEFS.

THANK YOU.

>> I AGREE THAT THERE IS OSMOSIS.

THEY HAVE A REVERSE OSMOSIS.

BUT, IF YOU TAKE YOUR WATER TO A LAB, THERE IS STILL A REPORT COMING OUT EVERY SO OFTEN THAT TELLS YOU WHAT´S IN THE WATER .

THEREFORE, WE STILL NEED THEM TO CORRECT , WHETHER IT IS REVERSE OSMOSIS, DESALINATION, SO THAT THE WATER COMING OUT OF YOUR SINK IS DRINKABLE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I JUST WANT -- >> I´M SORRY.

WE NEED TO GO ONTO THE NEXT QUESTION.

ALONG THE TOPIC OF CLIMATE CHANGE, WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE AS POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE TERRITORY?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO, AS SENATOR, TO ENSURE PROTECTIONS FOR MITIGATING THOSE IMPACTS?

>> CLIMATE CHANGE IS A HOT TOPIC ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO START BEING ABLE TO REDUCE CERTAIN SITUATIONS, THAT CAUSE THE ACTUAL CLIMATE CHANGE ITSELF.

ONE THING THAT OUR TERRITORY DOES NOT HAVE IS A LOT OF SMOG .

IT DESTROYS CLIMATE CHANGE BUT WE HAVE GOOD, CLEAN AIR.

I AM SAYING THAT WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

I AM NOT TOO FAMILIAR WITH IT SO I WON´T TALK ABOUT IT A LOT, BUT I DO KNOW THAT WE IN THIS TERRITORY COULD DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE THINGS THAT WE USED TO PROTECT OUR TERRITORY.

THANK YOU.

>> SENATOR JOSEPH?

>> SO WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF CHALLENGES WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE HAVE CORAL BLEACHING, AND WITH HOW THIS AFFECTS OUR ECOSYSTEM.

CORALS ARE ESSENTIAL AREAS IN OUR ECOSYSTEM.

THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR FISH , EVERYONE LIKES TO EAT FISH , AND THE LIKE.

SO WE REALLY WANT TO LOOK AT HOW THE WARMING OF OUR WATERS IS AFFECTING US, HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I KNOW THERE WAS A MOVEMENT AFOOT TO DO SOME CHORAL THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT , TO REPLANT THE CORAL REEFS.

ONE OF THE OTHER KEY ITEMS I WANT TO GO BACK TO IS THAT COMPREHENSIVE LAND AND WATER USE PLAN.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SEDIMENT IN THE OCEAN BECAUSE OF BUILDING.

WE NEED TO PUT IN PLACE, THE TYPE OF SENSORS IN PLACE TO PREVENT EROSION AND SEDIMENT TO ENSURE THAT WE MAINTAIN OUR CORAL REEFS.

>> THANK YOU.

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU´RE HAVING A GOOD TIME.

FINAL QUESTION.

I INVITE YOU TO ANSWER EITHER OF THESE QUESTIONS I´M ABOUT TO ASK.

YOU´LL HAVE 60 SECONDS.

ADDRESS ANY OTHER TOPIC OF CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE INTEREST IN ALONG WITH YOUR STRATEGIES , OR, IDENTIFY A MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT YOU INTEND ON INTRODUCING OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS AS A SENATOR AND INDICATE WHY, STARTING WITH MS. PRICE.

60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

MY BABY IS AGRICULTURE.

AGRICULTURE.

WHY ARE WE NOT HELPING THE FARMERS AS MUCH IS THEY SHOULD BE HELPED?

ESPECIALLY WITH YOU FOOD SECURITY .

YOU KNOW, WITH HURRICANES AND THINGS, WE ARE NOT GUARANTEED WE WILL GET FOOD SHIPPED IN, SO WHY ARE WE NOT HELPING THE FARMERS?

WE NEED INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE WE NEED WATER TANKS, WE NEED FARMERS TO BE BACKED UP, WE NEED FUNDING.

MY PROBLEM IS, I WENT OUT, ALONG WITH OUR CAMPAIGN MANAGER TABER TOUR.

WHY HAS IT BEEN CLOSED SO MANY YEARS?

WHEN YOU TAKE ANIMALS TO ST.

CLOUD, YOU STRESS THEM OUT AND STRESS GOES INTO THE MEAT AND SOMETIMES YOU MEET IS TOUGH.

WE NEED TO GET FARMERS TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THE FARMING INDUSTRY OF THE ISLANDS.

>> SENATOR JOSEPH?

>> ONE OF THE MAJOR PIECES OF LEGISLATION AND WORKING ON IS FOR SENIORS.

WE DON´T HAVE CONTINUING OF CARE, ANY SKILLED NURSING FACILITY, ANY ASSISTED NURSING FACILITY, AND WE HAVE A VERY LARGE AGING POPULATION.

WITH HOW WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR OUR SENIORS, AND HAVE THEM TREATED WITH DIGNITY .

I AM IN THE PROCESS , A LENGTHY PROCESS, OF DEVELOPING RULES AND REGULATIONS AND LAWS, ALL OVER THE STATE, IN PREPARATION OF DOING THAT.

WE HAVE A GREATLY UNDERSERVED AND WELL DESERVING SENIOR POPULATION, WHO DESERVE THAT TYPE OF CARE AS THEY TRANSITION OUT OF OTHER LIFE AND HAVE PEOPLE TO TREAT THEM WITH DIGNITY.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR AREAS I´VE BEEN LOOKING AT, SHOULD I BE ELECTED TO THE TRANSFERS.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW WE GO TO CANDIDATE CLOSING STATEMENTS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS FOR THEIR CLOSING STATEMENT AND WE WILL START WITH SENATOR JOSEPH.

>> I AM YOUR SERVANT AND SENATOR, CARLA JOSEPH, ASKING YOU TO COME OUT AGAIN AND GIVE ME ONE OF YOUR VOTES.

I HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATURE AND FIGHTING AND CHAMPIONING ISSUES SUCH AS GRS, RETROACTIVE PAY, ASSURING THAT WE HAVE A LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

I HAVE THOUGHT FOR YOU TO GET ITEMIZED BUDGETS.

I THOUGHT FOR YOU TO GET YOUR RETROACTIVE PAY BACK.

I ALSO THOUGHT FOR OUR ELDERS AND RETIREES WITH GRS.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU.

A VOTE FOR ME IS A VOTE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

A VOTE FOR ME IS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

A VOTE FOR ME IS ABOUT A LEVEL OF HUMILITY AND TRUST AND INTEGRITY .

I AM URGING EVERYONE AND ASKING YOU HUMBLY TO COME OUT AGAIN , THIS ELECTION, IN THE GENERAL, AND VOTE FOR CARLA JOSEPH.

A VOTE FOR CARLA JOSEPH IS A VOTE FOR ALL OF US.

VOTE 3.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. PRICE?

>> THANK YOU.

HELLO.

I AM MARGARET PRICE.

I KNOW IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, YOU ARE SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THE NEGATIVITY TAKING PLACE IN THE ISLANDS THAT IS ACTUALLY MOVING FORWARD , FOR INSTANCE CRIME, LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY , VISIBILITY .

YOU ALSO HAVE PRICE GOUGING , GRS MISTAKES, YOU HAVE HOUSING, YOU HAVE A LACK OF DECENT CURRICULUM FOR OUR STUDENTS AND EDUCATION.

THERE IS NO RESPECT FOR THE ELDERS.

WE NEED HOUSING.

WE NEED TO HAVE PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR CRIME.

WE NEED TO HAVE PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, TO HELP THEM GET A BETTER FOOTING AND EDUCATION AND A BETTER SENSE OF SELF-RESPECT.

I AM ASKING YOU TO COME OUT OF THE TRENCHES AND BE THE FOOT SOLDIERS FOR CHANGE.

WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER, AND WE CAN SAY TO THE WORLD, THAT WE IN THE ISLANDS ARE FREE AT LAST OF THE NEGATIVITY THAT IS TAKING PLACE.

IF YOU REALLY WANT A CHANGE, COME AND JOIN MY CARAVAN OF CHANGE.

THANK YOU, MARGARET PRICE, 13 !

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

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOPES THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED YOU TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CANDIDATES AND IN DOING SO, WILL 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 DIDN´T VOTE, OR ONE WHO BARELY LOSES AND WISHES THAT IF ONLY A FEW MORE PEOPLE HAVE VOTED.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY YOUR VOTE.

IT IS YOUR RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SAYING THAT VOTE EARLY, OR VOTE IN NOVEMBER, BUT VOTE.

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

>>> IT´S A WORLD DEFINED WHAT W EB DO VOICE CALLED SURVEILLANCE.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT NETWORKS OF BLACK PEOPLE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF ASSOCIATIONS.

SOCIAL , AND INTELLECTUAL ORGANIZATIONS.

>> HOW WOULD EACH OF YOU THE INSTITUTE?

>> I DIDN´T LEARN SO MY IN SEVEN DOORS.

>> WHAT DOES BLACK JOIN MEAN TO YOU?

>> BACK JOY BEING IN A SAFE SPACE AND FEELING FREE, YOU CAN BE YOURSELF AND SHED THAT SKIN.

>> WHERE EVER YOU HAVE A LARGE POPULATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS, YOU HAVE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS THAT RISE UP, THAT MEET THE NEEDS IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> MADAM CJ WALKER , WAS THAT A GOOD THING ?

>> WE CAN DO ANYTHING WITH OUR HAIR.

>> BLACK SOCIAL NETWORKS , OUR INSTITUTIONS, BARRIERS THAT PROTECT US FROM THE STORMS IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE BEGIN TO SEE DETERIORATION FROM OUR INSTITUTIONAL LIFE?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE WHO ARGUE THAT OUR COMMUNITY WAS BETTER OFF BEFORE INTEGRATION.

>> WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, EVERYBODY IN MY SPHERE WAS BLACK.

EVERYONE WAS IN THIS TOGETHER.

WHEN YOU LOOK NOW AT THE 21st CENTURY, WE SEE MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT ARE BLACK FOREMOTHERS AND FOREFATHERS FACE.

ANTI-BLACK VIOLENCE.

DISENFRANCHISEMENT .

BUT, WE ARE FACING THEM WITHOUT MANY OF THE TENSIONS THAT BLACK PEOPLE HAD TO SUSTAIN THEM DURING THE FIRST ROUND.

>> I AM CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO OCCUPY MY IDENTITY.

I DO SURROUND MYSELF WITH BLACK PEOPLE.

AMERICA, BLACK NETWORKS AND INSTITUTIONS WILL ALWAYS MATTER.

>> THE FOUNDING OF THE PRINCE HALL MASONS TO BLACK TWITTER.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE FORGED NETWORKS IN THEIR OWN IMAGE AS THE ULTIMATE ACT OF RESISTANCE AND SURVIVAL.