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

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

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

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED, HOWEVER, TO HAVE WITH US TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE AND THE ST. THOMAS/ST.

JOHN DISTRICT.

I AM PAMELA TUSSANT, A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND I WILL BE SERVING AS A MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF THE GUIDELINES OF TODAY´S PROGRAM.

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

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

TIMING OF THE 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, OF COURSE, TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER.

SO, LET´S BEGIN.

OUR FIRST ACT AS CANDIDATE TO IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE AND TO STATE THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND BALLOT NUMBER.

WE WILL, OF COURSE, LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE CANDIDATES AS OUR DISCUSSION CONTINUES.

I´LL START FIRST WITH OUR CANDIDATE TO MY IMMEDIATE RIGHT, SENATOR.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND YOUR POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

>> WELL, PLEASANT GOOD EVENING TO THE LISTENING AUDIENCE.

I AM YOUR CANDIDATE RAY FONSECA.

I AM NUMBER 11 ON THE BALLOT, AND I AM A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR THE 36th LEGISLATURE.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. LEWIS.

>> NAME, BALLOT NUMBER, AND POLITICAL AFFILIATION, PLEASE.

>> PLEASANT GOOD EVENING TO THE LISTENING AND VIEWING AUDIENCE.

MY NAME IS AVERY LEWIS, AND I´M NUMBER 9 ON THE BALLOT.

AND I AM A DEMOCRAT.

A PROUD DEMOCRAT.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EACH OF THE CANDIDATES FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

SO, WE´LL GET STARTED WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.

SO, WE, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW JUST ABOUT YOUR READINESS TO BECOME OR EVEN TO REMAIN AS A SENATOR IN THE UPCOMING 36th LEGISLATURE AND I´LL START, OF COURSE, WITH MR. LEWIS, SO THIS IS THE TWO-PART QUESTION.

AND YOU WILL EACH BE GIVEN 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

THE FIRST PART, 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 VEXING ISSUES AS A SENATOR HERE IN THE TERRITORY?

SECOND PART TO THE QUESTION.

PLEASE LIST YOUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT DEMONSTRATES THOSE SKILLS AND YOUR READINESS FOR THIS POSITION.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> GREAT.

FIRST, I´M A PRODUCT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I SPENT ALL MY YEARS HERE, STARTED OUT IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND WENT DOWN TO THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGIN ISLANDS TO DO MY BACHELOR´S IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, THEN MY MASTER´S AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY ONLINE.

I TAUGHT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE MY PATH STARTED LEADING UP TO TODAY.

I TAUGHT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR AT 15 YEARS, PLUS, AND THEN I MOVED ON TO BECOME THE AF, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ST. THOMAS ST. JOHN DISTRICT LOCAL 1825.

THEN I BECAME A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL LABOR AND EVENTUALLY THE PRESIDENT OF THE CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL.

I WAS ON VARIOUS BOARDS, THE ECONOMIC AUTHORITY, ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE, YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE ADMINISTRATION, I WAS THE PENSION REFORM TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN.

THEN, I MOVED ON RECENTLY TO MY MOST RECENT POSITION AS THE ST. THOMAS WATER ADMINISTRATOR, AND I THINK ALL OF THIS GAVE ME THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SOME EXPERIENCES.

I GOT TO SEE BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN DURING MY YEARS OF COMING TO THIS POINT WHERE I WAS ACTUALLY BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, SEE HOW THINGS GO.

>> THANK YOU.

AND SO WE´LL TURN NOW TO THE INCUMBENT SENATOR, AND SO YOUR PART OF THE QUESTION READS, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A SENATOR OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT YOU FEEL JUSTIFIES FOR YOU BEING RE-ELECTED IN THIS UPCOMING ELECTION CYCLE?

AND YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO KINDLY, MADAM MODERATOR, MISS TUSSANT, AND A PLEASANT GOOD DAY TO ALL THE LISTENING AUDIENCE AND GREETINGS AND WARM WELCOMES AND BLESSINGS.

YOU KNOW, IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE, I´D LIKE TO EXTEND A HEART WARMED THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOTERS WHO HAVE ENTRUSTED ME WITH YOUR FUTURE.

REST ASSURED, I WILL TAKE YOUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN ME IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE SERIOUSLY AS I CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE AND SHINE LIGHT ON THE PRESSING ISSUES.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ACTS PASSED.

I SERVE AS THE CHAIR OF THE HOSPITALS AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, AND REAL QUICKLY, TO SUMMARIZE IT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE 90 SECONDS, WE WERE ABLE TO APPROVE ACT NUMBER 8729, WHICH APPROPRIATED $700,000 TO THE CARIBBEAN KIDNEY CENTER.

AS YOU KNOW, AFTER HURRICANE IRMA AND MARIA, WE HAD A WHOLE LOT OF DIALYSIS PATIENTS THAT HAD TO MOVE TO THE STATES.

RUNNING AROUND QUICKLY.

WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO APPROPRIATE $2.1 MILLION IN ACT 8875 TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR THE STAFFORD NURSES.

>> YOU CAN CONTINUE.

GO AHEAD.

>> AND WE HAVE A WHOLE -- WE HAVE ACT 8876, $1 MILLION FOR THE ROY LESTER SNIDER HOSPITAL TO PURCHASE DIALYSIS CHAIRS.

ACT 8812, ACT 8814.

>> OKAY.

>> A WHOLE LOT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, SENATOR, FOR THAT.

AND I´LL CONTINUE WITH YOU, SENATOR.

THE NEXT QUESTION REALLY LOOKS AT YOUR VISION FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND IN 2027, IT WILL ACTUALLY MARK THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDERS AND 110 YEARS SINCE WE WERE PURCHASED FROM DENMARK.

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

AND JUST TO CLARIFY, SELF-GOVERNANCE DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN INDEPENDENCE, BY ANY MEANS.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, I´M ALSO A BORN SOUTHERNER, AND I WENT TO LOCKHART SCHOOL FROM FIRST TO THIRD GRADE, THEN I WENT TO THE JAMES MADISON SCHOOL, WHICH IS NOW EDITH WILLIAMS SCHOOL.

I ALSO GRADUATED FROM EUDORA.

MY FAMILY GOES BACK TO THE 1800s IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

MY MOTHER, MY FATHER, MY GRANDPARENTS, ALL OF THEM ARE BURIED HERE.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO CONCENTRATE ON IS WE HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON PREVENTION, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, 500 VIRGIN ISLANDERS GET DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER EVERY YEAR, AND IT´S MUCH EASIER IF YOU GET DIAGNOSED AT A STAGE I, WHICH MEANS YOU CAN PROBABLY HAVE SURGERY OR RATHER THAN DELAYING THE DIAGNOSIS AND GETTING DIAGNOSED WHERE YOUR PROGNOSIS IS MUCH WORSE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT RESPONSE.

WE´LL MOVE ON TO MR. LEWIS, AND I´LL REPEAT THE QUESTION FOR YOU IN TERMS OF WHAT YOUR VISION IS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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

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

AND YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, AND AGAIN, I LIKE TO SAY, AS IT PERTAINS TO WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TERRITORY TO GO, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, IN THE LEGISLATURE, THEY PASSED A BILL FOR FREE TRADE ZONE IN ST. CROIX, SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE TRADE GOING ON IN THE ECONOMY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US IMPROVE A LOT MORE ON OUR TOURISM PRODUCT, MORE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, CREATE MEMORIES.

RIGHT NOW, THE GDP, THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, IS TRENDING UPWARDS AND WE´RE DOING A GOOD JOB BUT WE HAVE TO DO BETTER BECAUSE IF WE -- THE DAYS OF SUN AND SEA HAS TEMPORARILY -- THAT´S WHAT ATTRACTS THE PEOPLE, BUT WE HAVE TO OFFER THOSE EXPERIENCES AND MEMORIES, SO I LOOK AT IT AS, ONE, INCREASING OUR TRADE ZONES.

TWO, INCREASING OUR TOURISM PRODUCT THAT WE CAN START FLOURISHING MORE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SERVICES WE OFFER IN THE COMMUNITY, AND IF WE DON´T HAVE THE PROPER DOLLARS IN THE COMMUNITY, WE CAN´T OFFER THE SERVICES.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT RESPONSE.

I´LL CONTINUE WITH MR. LEWIS.

LOOKING AT THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE, THERE´S BEEN A LOT OF TALK OVER THE SEVERAL YEARS, ACTUALLY, GOING BACK TO PERHAPS MORE THAN TEN YEARS THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONED THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AND I WILL READ THE QUESTION SPECIFICALLY TO THAT.

THE LAST CENSUS INDICATED A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN OUR POPULATION SIZE.

I THINK WE WENT FROM ANYWHERE FROM OVER 120,000 PEOPLE TERRITORY-WIDE, TO UNDER 85,000.

JUST LOOKING AT THAT, WHAT STILL REMAINS THE SAME IS THAT WE STILL HAVE 15 SENATORS, ALTHOUGH OUR POPULATION HAS DECREASED.

THE QUESTION IS, LOOKING AT THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION, IN COMPARISON TO THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE, SHOULDN´T THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE BE APPROPRIATED OVER TEN YEARS WHERE YOU CAN SAY, WELL, OKAY, NOW THAT OUR CENSUS HAS DECREASED, WHY HAVEN´T WE DECREASED THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR POSITION ON THAT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> MY POSITION ON THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

MY POSITION WOULD BE THE QUALITY OF THE WORK COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MUCH EASIER AND THINGS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND MAKE THINGS, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, WE´RE FACED WITH INFLATION.

SO, WE HAVE TO TRY TO WRK ON THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

SO, YOU KNOW, THEY PUT THROUGH A REFERENDUM AND PEOPLE VOTED TO DOWNSIZE THE LEGISLATURE.

I DON´T KNOW WHY NOBODY HAS TALKED ABOUT THAT YET TO ACT ON IT, BUT THE QUALITY OF WORK IS WHAT IS -- CONCERNS ME COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> AGAIN, LOOKING AT THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION, DO YOU THINK THAT -- >> WELL, IT´S A LITTLE BIT -- YOU PUT IT TO THE REFERENDUM, THE PEOPLE VOTED ON IT.

NOW IT´S TIME FOR US TO ACT ON IT.

>> THANK YOU.

AND SENATOR FONSECA, SAME QUESTION.

LOOKING AT THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE COMPARED TO THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT LIVE IN THE TERRITORY, SHOULD THAT CONTINUE?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

WHAT´S YOUR POSITION ON THAT?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WE REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, AND THAT´S A GOOD POINT.

IT´S A WAY TO SAVE MONEY AND BE MORE EFFICIENT, BUT YOU KNOW, I´D LIKE TO ALSO REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS UNIQUE IN THAT WE HAVE A UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE.

ALL OF THE STATES, YOU HAVE A HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND YOU HAVE A SENATE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE DUTIES ARE SEPARATE.

THE HOUSE, YOU KNOW, WILL LOOK AT DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THE BUDGET.

THE SENATE WOULD APPROVE NOMINATIONS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE WHERE YOU CAN GET IN CONTACT.

HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE DO BOTH JOBS.

WE DO THE BUDGET.

WE DO ALL OF THE NOMINATIONS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE ALSO FUNCTION AS A LAND USE APPEAL BOARD BECAUSE WE APPROVE ALL OF THE LEASES, ALL OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

SO, THERE´S A LOT THAT´S ENTRUSTED IN THE SENATE HERE BEING A UNICAMERAL FUNCTIONING AS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE.

>> SO, SINCE WE´RE ON THE TOPIC OF LOOKING AT THE LEGISLATURE, AS WELL AS THE SENATORS, YOU KNOW, THIS QUESTION IS FOR THE INCUMBENT SENATOR, SENATOR FONSECA.

VIRGIN ISLANDS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

NAMELY, OUR SENATORS.

IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS NUMBERED SEATING APPROACH MIGHT ALLOW FOR EVEN BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS IDEA OF LOOKING AT NUMBERED SEATS AND MATCHING IT UP TO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SENATORS?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> YEAH, NUMBERED SEATS IS A VERY GOOD IDEA, AND ACCOUNTABILITY, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU CAN ONLY ADDRESS YOUR OWN PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

I FIND THE 35th LEGISLATURE TO BE A GROUP OF HARDWORKING, DECENT, AND HONEST INDIVIDUALS, AND SO I DON´T SEE ANY ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE LEGISLATURE, AND THEN, OF COURSE, REMEMBER THE LEGISLATURE´S MAIN ROLE IS TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE BUDGET WHEN IT COMES TO THE FINANCES.

ONCE THE BUDGET IS APPROVED, EVEN THE ALLOTMENT IS DICTATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF OMB, SO WE DON´T EVEN -- EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT APPROVE A MILLION DOLLARS TO A PARTICULAR PROGRAM, THE LEGISLATURE DOESN´T EVEN CONTROL IF THEY ARE GOING TO GET ONE DIME OUT OF THAT MILLION DOLLARS.

SO, ACCOUNTABILITY IS ALWAYS VERY IMPORTANT, AND THE NUMBERED SEATING IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD TAKE TO THE VOTERS AND HAVE THEM MAKE THE FINAL DECISION.

>> THANK YOU.

SAME QUESTION, MR. LEWIS, AS IT RELATES TO NUMBERED SEATING.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, AS IT PERTAINS TO NUMBERED SEATING, I THINK THAT WOULD POSSIBLY WORK.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE LOST SO MUCH DISTRUST IN THE TERRITORY THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY FEEL THAT THEY CAN´T TRUST THE POLITICIANS, AND YOU KNOW, THE ISSUES REMAIN THE SAME, BUT THE POLITICIANS CHANGE.

WE TALKED ABOUT WE HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT THE PEOPLE -- WHEN YOU WALK AROUND THE COMMUNITY, YOU TALK TO PEOPLE, THEY´RE LIKE, YOU DON´T DO NOTHING FOR ME, BUT THINGS ARE HAPPENING BUT PROBABLY NOT HAPPENING IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD OR DIRECTLY TO THEM.

BUT PEOPLE ARE SO DISGUSTED WITH SOME OF THE EMPTY PROMISES THAT WE COULD SIT ON HERE AND LIST OUT -- LIST ISSUES THAT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THERE WOULD BE NEW RULES AND BY NOW WE JUST HAD THE HURRICANE, I SAW THE PAPER WHERE SOMEONE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PROGRAM SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE STORM.

SO, I THINK THE DISTRUST, WE HAVE TO WIN BACK THAT TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY AND IT´S A LONG ROAD.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT RESPONSE.

YOU KNOW, I´M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP THE WHOLE ISSUE OF DISTRUST, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT -- AND THAT´S EVIDENT IN, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU´RE HEARING AROUND TOWN IN TERMS OF PEOPLE -- SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING IN THIS UPCOMING ELECTION CYCLE.

SO, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, WE´VE BEEN SHOCKED AND DISMAYED TO HEAR MANY OF THE CITIZENS SAYING, I´M JUST NOT VOTING THIS YEAR.

THERE´S BEEN A LOT OF EMPTY PROMISES.

THERE´S BEEN THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR FOR YEARS, YOU KNOW, BUT AGAIN, ADDRESSING THE HIGH COST OF FOOD IS AN ISSUE.

ADDRESSING THE RELIABILITY OR LACK THEREOF WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRICITY, SPECIFICALLY, THE ESCALATING NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT WE´RE LOSING.

THERE´S A LOT OF CHALLENGES HERE IN THE TERRITORY, SO WHAT CAN YOU TELL CITIZENS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, VOTING IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE?

WHY SHOULD THEY VOTE?

MR. LEWIS, THAT QUESTION IS TO YOU FIRST.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> YOU KNOW, MISS TRUSSANT, WHY SHOULD THE PEOPLE VOTE?

ONE, BECAUSE IT´S OUR RIGHT AND OUR CIVIC DUTY AND NOT JUST TO GO VOTE AND NOTHING HAPPENS BUT WHEN YOU DON´T GO VOTE, A SMALL SET OF PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS FOR THE MASS, AND THAT´S WHERE THE ISSUES COMES IN.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO OUT THERE AND NOT JUST GO OUT THERE AND VOTE BUT AFTER YOU VOTE, THERE´S ANOTHER PART TO IT.

YOU HAVE TO START CALLING YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND KEEPING THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE.

DURING THIS MONTH, LEADING UP TO NOVEMBER 5th, YOU´RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT OF PROMISES, AND THIS SENATOR DON´T PLAN TO MAKE PROMISES THAT HE CAN´T KEEP.

I PLAN TO DELIVER ON MY PROMISES.

>> SENATOR FONSECA, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WHAT´S YOUR POSITION ON THAT?

WHY SHOULD WE GO OUT AND VOTE IN NOVEMBER?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT´S YOUR CIVIC DUTY, AND REMEMBER, IF YOU DON´T VOTE, THEN YOU BASICALLY NULLIFY YOUR DUTY TO ELECT THE BEST OFFICIALS.

YOU KNOW, THE PROMISES IS SOMETHING THAT YOU GO IN AND YOU WANT TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN, AND YOU HAVE A PLAN, BUT ONCE YOU GET IN THE LEGISLATURE, THE LEGISLATURE IS A DELIBERATIVE BODY.

IT TAKES EIGHT VOTES TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING, AND I´M ONE OF THE SENATORS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH SO MANY ACTS, SO MANY LEGISLATION.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, ALL OF MY ACTS AND LEGISLATIONS, ALL 15 SENATORS HAVE VOTED FOR THEM.

THAT´S INCREDIBLE.

ALL 15 SENATORS HAVE VOTED FOR ALL OF MY ACTS.

YOU SEE, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COMPROMISE BUT NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR INTEGRITY, BECAUSE REMEMBER, YOU MUST HAVE THAT IMPECCABLE INTEGRITY TO DO THE PEOPLE´S JOB.

>> THANK YOU.

THERE´S A LOT OF IMPORTANT QUESTIONS, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, IT´S JUST A 60-MINUTE PROGRAM.

THEY´RE GOING TO ALLOW US TO DISCUSS AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE -- IS THAT VIRGIN ISLANDERS, WHEN SURVEYED, WE ACTUALLY WANTED TO FIND OUT FROM THEM, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP MAJOR CONCERNS?

AND THERE WERE FOUR AREAS THAT THEY LET US KNOW.

FIRST, OF COURSE, THEY LISTED EDUCATION, AND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE TERRITORY.

CRIME.

PREVENTION AND AWARENESS ON THAT.

HEALTH.

LASTLY, THEY TALKED ABOUT THE AFFORDABILITY OF OUR UTILITY AND THE RELIABILITY.

THAT´S THE THING THAT WE KEEP HEARING OVER AND OVER FROM CITIZENS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AS IT RELATES TO UAPA?

WE´LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK YOU SEVERAL QUESTIONS AS RELATES TO THOSE TOP FOUR CONCERNS.

EACH ONE OF YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, SPECIFICALLY TO THE CONCERN THAT MANY HAS BROUGHT UP HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

AND I´LL START WITH THE INCUMBENT SENATOR, SENATOR FONSECA.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAJOR CHALLENGES, AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR STRATEGY?

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> YOU KNOW, WAPA WAS RUN AS A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

I´VE BEEN A SENATOR NOW GOING ON TWO YEARS.

I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ONE PAGE OF THE CONTRACT.

WAPA WAS RUN AS A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION.

IT´S TERRIBLE.

I KEEP TELLING PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, IF YOU´RE RUNNING A BUSINESS AND IT HAS THE HIGHEST COSTS AND THE WORST SERVICE, THAT BUSINESS WOULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

WAPA HAS FAILED.

THE AMI SYSTEM IS A FAILURE.

THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS BAD.

HOWEVER, RIGHT, I BELIEVE THERE´S HOPE, AND WITH THE BATTERY SYSTEM AND GOING GREEN.

WAPA HAS THE -- THEY HAVE ABOUT A 43 MEGAWATT CAPACITY.

SO THAT THEY CAN RUN ON BATTERY FOR AT LEAST SIX HOURS SO THEY CAN GET THE STUFF FIXED WHILE WE´RE ON BATTERY.

WAPA ALSO NEEDS TO EXPLORE THE SOLAR.

THERE IS SO MUCH PROBLEMS WITH WAPA.

WE HAVE PUMPED SO MUCH MONEY INTO THEM, AND THERE´S ALWAYS SOME SURPRISE, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, THEY WANT US TO PREPARE OUR FOOD FOR A WHOLE WEEK.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE PUT IT IN THE REFRIGERATOR AND IT GOES BAD?

THEY WANT US TO HANG OUR CLOTHES ON THE LINE.

WAPA IS AN INEFFICIENT ORGANIZATION.

>> OKAY.

SO, SENATOR, AGAIN, LET ME GO BACK TO THE QUESTION.

SO, WHAT SPECIFIC STRATEGY WOULD YOU PROPOSE IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE?

>> THE STRATEGY IS BATTERY BACKUP.

RIGHT NOW, THEY ONLY HAVE NINE MEGAWATT CAPABILITY FOR ABOUT ONE AND A HALF HOUR.

THEY NEED TO HAVE A 43 MEGAWATT CAPABILITY SO THAT THEY CAN RUN FOR AT LEAST EIGHT HOURS ON BATTERY BACKUP, AND THEY´RE FAR AWAY FROM THAT AND THEN THE OTHER MAJOR THING IS WAPA, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE NEW WATTS AND THE GENERATORS ARE GOING TO GO ONLINE, THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE.

SEE, THE -- THEY WERE DIGGING TO REPAIR A WATER LINE, AND THEY BUST THE MAIN FEEDER.

THEY DIDN´T -- THEY DID NOT EVEN HAVE AS BUILT TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE THE MAIN TRANSMISSION LINE IS.

IT HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS, BUT WE NEED TO GO TO BATTERY BACKUP, AND WE NEED TO ALSO GO TO THE PROPANE.

YOU KNOW, WE´RE NOT EVEN USING THE PROPANE.

WE´RE STILL USING DIESEL.

WE SPEND OVER $250 MILLION TO BUILD THAT PROPANE TANK.

I COULD TALK FOR HOURS ON THE PROBLEMS WITH WAPA, BUT THEY HAVE TO GO TO BATTERY.

THAT´S THE SOLUTION.

THEY HAVE TO GO TO BATTERY AND THE SOLAR.

WE HAVE LOTS OF SOLAR.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT RESPONSE.

SO, MR. LEWIS, I´LL POSE THE QUESTION TO YOU AS IT RELATES TO WAPA, A DIFFERENT QUESTION, BUT STILL RELATIVE TO WAPA.

>> I WOULD ANSWER THAT QUESTION, BUT GO AHEAD.

>> GO AHEAD.

IF YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THE SENATOR.

>> I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, AS A LEGISLATURE, I THINK IT´S PRUDENT FOR ME, GOING IN, TO BRING IN WAPA, TO FIND OUT WHAT´S WORKING AND NOT WORKING.

AS IT PERTAINS TO WAPA, YOU JUST CAN´T SIT OUTSIDE AND LOOK AT IT AND SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WAPA IS -- THIS IS GOING ON, I´M 48 YEARS OLD, WAPA HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES LONGER THAN ME.

ONE OF THE THINGS I PROPOSE TO DO IS, ONE, WE HAVE TO FIX THIS EGREGIOUS BILLING.

WE HAVE TO FIX THE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO, I HAVE TO BRING THEM BEFORE ME TO SEE HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET THIS THING ACCOMPLISHED.

WE HAVE TO START LOOKING INTO BURYING THE LINES.

YOU KNOW, WE´RE IN A ZONE WHERE IT´S HURRICANE, EARTHQUAKES, SO WE HAVE TO START HARDENING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND, YOU KNOW, DO THE THINGS.

WE SEE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GOING TO WAPA, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT´S SPENT CORRECTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT RESPONSE.

>> REBUTTAL.

>> YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND WHAT AVERY IS SAYING.

HOWEVER, WE´VE BROUGHT WAPA BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY´RE CONSTANTLY BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, LIKE I TOLD YOU, THE VITAL CONTRACT, THEY HAVE NEVER PROVIDED US WITH THAT INFORMATION.

YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, THE LEGISLATURE IS IN A FIGHT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

AVERY LEWIS IS THE ONE WHO GIVES THE WHOLE COMMUNITY THE UPDATES ON WAPA.

HE´S THE WAPA MAN.

RIGHT NOW, THE BOARD, WE ARE IN THE COURT WITH THE GOVERNOR OVER THE BOARD, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOARD OF WAPA TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE ON THE BOARD OF WAPA ARE QUALIFIED.

WAPA HAS COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE ALL THE TIME.

THEY DO NOT PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTATION.

THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE.

THERE´S BEEN THREE DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATIONS IN WAPA IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

THEY COME BEFORE THE YOU THAT INFORMATION.

>> SO, JUST A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT.

WHAT ABOUT PRIVATIZATION?

THAT HAS BEEN A CONCEPT THAT HAS BEEN FLOATING AROUND FOR MANY YEARS AS IT RELATES TO WAPA.

SO, I WILL JUMP BACK TO MR. LEWIS.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR POSITION ABOUT PRIVATIZING WAPA, CONSIDERING SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AND SOME THAT YOU ACTUALLY BROUGHT UP?

AND YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THAT.

>> FROM WHERE I SIT RIGHT NOW, I´M NOT IN FAVOR OF PRIVATIZING OUR ELECTRICITY AND WATER COMPANY.

I THINK WE HAVE QUALIFIED VIRGIN ISLANDERS WORKING IN WAPA THAT COULD HELP TURN THIS PLANT AROUND.

AS A LEGISLATOR, I THINK MY JOB IS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT THESE PEOPLE COULD DO THEIR JOB EFFECTIVELY, AND BY THEM DOING THEIR JOB EFFECTIVELY, AND COMING UP WITH IDEAS AND SO FORTH, AND OF COURSE, WE´RE GOING TO HAVE TO BRING IN SOME CONSULTANTS AND EVERYTHING TO WORK ALONG WITH THE TEAM, BUT I THINK WE HAVE QUALIFIED VIRGIN ISLANDERS TO MAKE THE SHIFT THAT WE NEED FOR RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT POWER IN THE WAPA PLANT.

>> SENATOR FONSECA, DO YOU WANT TO CHIME IN AS TO WHAT´S YOUR INSIGHT ON THAT, CONSIDERING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, IN THE SENATE NOW FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND WAPA HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN COMING TO THE BODY?

I´LL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND IN TERMS OF YOUR POSITION AS IT RELATES TO PRIVATIZING WAPA, AND YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> YOU KNOW, I AGREE THAT THE CURRENT DIRECTOR, THE BOSS IN CHARGE OF WAPA, I REALLY LIKE HIM.

I´VE FOUND THAT HE BRINGS A LOT OF TRANSPARENCY.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE TOURED THE WAPA FACILITY THE OTHER DAY.

THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE CURRENT DIRECTOR HAS TOLD THE LEGISLATURE THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT SOME MACHINES NEVER HAD A COMPREHENSIVE OVERHAUL FOR TEN YEARS.

YOU KNOW, AND HE COMES TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND HE SAYS, LISTEN, THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM -- RIGHT NOW, THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH WAPA IS THE DISTRIBUTION LINES.

ONCE THE WATT AND THE GENERATORS GO, AND OF COURSE, WE´RE TALKING ABOUT ST. THOMAS.

ST. CROIX, THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS SEVERE.

BUT WAPA ALSO NEEDED TO PUT THE MAIN LINES ON THE GROUND.

BUT HENCE, WE HAVE AN UNDERLINE FEEDER 13 WAS UNDER LINE AND THE WATERFRONT AND THEY WERE DIGGING AND STILL BUST IT, SO EVEN THOUGH THAT LINE WAS UNDERGROUND, WAPA BUSTS THEIR OWN LINE.

THERE´S COMMUNICATION THAT NEEDS TO BE, BUT I THINK THAT THE CURRENT CHIEF OF WAPA, I THINK THAT I WOULD GIVE HIM A GOOD GRADE AND CONTINUE TO GIVE THE RESOURCES -- THE LEGISLATURE GIVES YOU THE RESOURCES.

THEY CAME TO US LAST YEAR, ASKED FOR $150 MILLION TO PAY OFF THE VITAL CONTRACT.

WE FACILITATED THE $150 MILLION.

THE CONTRACT IS NOW HISTORY.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES FOR WAPA IS NOW HISTORY.

THE VITAL DEAL.

WE NOW OWN THE PLANT.

>> THANK YOU.

SO, I´M GOING TO SHIFT AWAY FROM WAPA, BECAUSE WE ARE -- WE HAVE A LOT OF CITIZENS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AND INCLUDING YOU AS WELL, HAVE CONCERNS AS IT RELATES TO WAPA AND THE MANY CHALLENGES THAT WE´VE EXPERIENCED FOR THE LAST -- WELL, THIS YEAR IN PARTICULAR.

SO, I´M GOING TO SHIFT NOW TO A QUESTION THAT WAS ACTUALLY FURNISHED BY AARP OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND THE QUESTION READS, IN A RECENT SURVEY COMMISSIONED BY AARP, THEY FOUND THAT MANY FAMILIES HERE IN THE TERRITORY ARE SUFFERING FROM BEING CAREGIVERS AND WHETHER IT´S FOR THE AGING FAMILY MEMBERS OR AGED FAMILY MEMBERS RESULTING IN THE ALARMING DRAINING OF THEIR OWN PERSONAL RESOURCES.

MANY SAY THEY WILL SUPPORT CANDIDATES WHO HAVE SOLUTIONS TO ASSIST FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

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

AND I WILL SEND THAT QUESTION BACK TO YOU, MR. LEWIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THAT QUESTION IS CLOSE AND NEAR TO MY HEART.

AT THE ADMINISTRATOR, I WENT TO THE WHITE BUILDING AND I SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE, INDIVIDUALS, SENIORS, A VULNERABLE POPULATION OVER THERE WITH NO HELP BECAUSE THAT´S THE LONE CENTER.

THAT´S NOT ASSISTED LIVING.

BUT WE HAVE OTHER ISSUES WHERE FAMILY MEMBERS JUST CAN´T CARE -- PROVIDE THAT CARE FOR THEIR FAMILY MEMBER WHO´S SICK OR DISABLED OR WHATEVER THEY MAY BE.

BUT AS A LEGISLATOR, I NEED TO SIT CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND LET´S SEE HOW WE CAN UTILIZE THE FUNDING.

WE NEED TO TAP INTO A LOT MORE OF THE FEDERAL RESOURCES TO ASSIST FAMILY MEMBERS TO PAY FOR CARE.

NOW, I´LL TELL YOU THIS.

I BELIEVE IN A PORTION OF THIS SHOULD BE A LOT MORE PRIVATIZED WHERE WE HAVE PRIVATE COMPANIES COMING IN AND HAVING PEOPLE GO TO THEIR HOMES TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH THESE TYPE OF THINGS, AND NOT ONLY THAT, SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE DISABLED PEOPLE, PEOPLE WITH ISSUES, WHATEVER AILMENTS THEY HAVE, SEVERITY IN THESE HOMES AND CARETAKERS.

WE HAVE TO NOT JUST PUT PEOPLE IN THERE BECAUSE THEY NEED A JOB.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HELP PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WITH LOVE.

THEY HAVE TO SHOW THAT LOVE TO TAKE CARE OF THESE PEOPLE GOING IN THIS HOME AND IT´S NOT JUST A PAYCHECK AND WE HAVE TO PROVIDE NOT JUST, SAY, A CARETAKER, BUT SOME PEOPLE JUST DON´T HAVE THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AS WELL.

SO, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT THERE TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SENATOR FONSECA, IN YOUR POSITION, ESPECIALLY BEING THE CHAIR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH THIS QUESTION AS WELL.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO HELP OUR FAMILY CAREGIVERS?

AND YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> YES, VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE CAREGIVERS, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT YOU DO AN AWESOME JOB.

YOU KNOW, JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME STATISTICS, RIGHT, IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE HAVE 18,641 PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF 65.

SO, WHAT WE NEED IS WE NEED MORE ELDERLY HOMES.

WE NEED THOSE ELDERLY COMMUNITIES LIKE THAT.

SINCE THE HURRICANES AT HERBERT GRIG IN ST. CROIX, WE´VE LOST UNITS.

AT LUCINDA MILAN, WE´VE LOST UNITS.

WE´RE GOING TO USE SOME OF THE EPSTEIN FUNDS TO PURCHASE AND ADD BACK 25 MORE ELDERLY UNITS.

WE NEED TO ADD MORE UNITS SO THE CAREGIVERS HAVE THAT FACILITY -- >> THANK YOU.

>> CAN I REBUT?

>> SURE.

>> I APPRECIATE THE GOOD SENATOR TALKED ABOUT HAVING MORE UNITS AND MORE FACILITIES, BUT ONE THING I DIDN´T HEAR HIM SAY TODAY IS BUILDING THESE FACILITIES WITHOUT ASSISTED LIVING CARE AND REHABILITATION CENTERS IS USELESS.

WE NEED TO BUILD FACILITIES AND HAVE ASSISTED LIVING CARE FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS AND NOT JUST PUT THEM IN A BOX.

AND A LOT OF THIS NEEDS TO BE PRIVATIZED.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> SPECIAL FEDERAL FUNDS, FUNDED BY SPECIAL FEDERAL FUNDS.

>> THAT´S WHAT I SAID.

ASSISTED LIVING AND INDEPENDENT LIVING.

SO, I´M SORRY MY COLLEAGUE DIDN´T HEAR ME, BUT I DID SAY LUCINDA MILAN AND THE CELESTINO, AND THEY ARE EXAMPLES OF ASSISTED AND INDEPENDENT LIVING.

>> THANK YOU.

I KNOW MANY OF OUR CAREGIVERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR THE POSITIONS YOU HAVE STATED ON THAT.

WE HAVE REACHED THE FINAL MARK OF TONIGHT´S EVENT, BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO NOW, AND EACH OF THE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

WE MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THERE WERE FOUR MAJOR CONCERNS FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

THEY MENTIONED CRIME, EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND OF COURSE, WAPA.

SO, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU, AMONG THOSE, ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC ONE OF THOSE AREAS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH ON, IF ELECTED OR EVEN RE-ELECTED IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATURE.

AND YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT, OF COURSE, IS OF GREAT INTEREST TO YOU AND WHAT STRATEGY YOU WOULD EMPLOY, AND AGAIN, I WILL GIVE THAT QUESTION TO SENATOR FONSECA.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> OKAY, EDUCATION, CRIME, HEALTH.

I´M GOING TO PICK HEALTH.

YOU KNOW, IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY, THERE´S AWESOME DAYS AHEAD.

WE JUST FINISHED LAST YEAR, JUNE, WE OPENED THE ONE MODULAR UNIT, $174 MILLION FACILITY.

THAT HAS BEEN THE LARGEST PROJECT EVER CONSTRUCTED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

RIGHT NOW, WE´RE DOING THE CHARLOTTE CANCER CENTER HERE AT ROY LESTER SNIDER HOSPITAL.

THAT´S A $50 MILLION PROJECT.

WE JUST RECEIVED FEMA APPROVAL TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ROY LESTER SNIDER HOSPITAL.

THAT´S AN $800 MILLION PROJECT.

BUT RIGHT NOW, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO RAISE THE SALARIES AND HIRE MORE NURSES.

WE NEED TO BE WHERE WE ARE THE STATE-OF-THE-ART BECAUSE RIGHT NOW ON ST. CROIX, THEY HAVE A 64-SLICE CT SCAN, THE SAME AS CLEVELAND CLINIC.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE PHYSICIANS AND THE HEALTH CARE SPECIALISTS NOW.

WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON THOSE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT RESPONSE.

MR. LEWIS, SAME QUESTION.

LOOKING AT THE FOUR MAJOR ISSUES WE TALKED ABOUT WAPA, OF COURSE.

BUT THERE´S ALWAYS HEALTH.

THAT´S A CHALLENGE FOR MANY VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

EDUCATION, AS WELL AS CRIME.

WHAT STRATEGIES WOULD YOU EMPLOY TO TACKLE SOME OF THESE CHALLENGES IN THOSE RESPECTIVE AREAS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

ONE, I WOULD PICK EDUCATION.

THAT´S CLOSE AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

THAT´S WHERE MY CAREER IS AT, AND IN THE ADMINISTRATORS POSITION, BUT ONE, AS A LEGISLATOR, I SEE THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION, CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, MADE SOME STRIDES UNDER THE 36th LEGISLATURE AND BALANCING THE BUDGET SO THEY WERE ABLE THIS YEAR TO MOVE FORWARD TO GIVE THE TEACHERS -- BRING THE TEACHERS TO A STARTING SALARY OF $50,000.

BUT ONE THING WE NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO START PUTTING THINGS IN PLAY THAT WE CAN RETAIN TEACHERS HERE, BECAUSE OTHER PLACES ARE ADVERTISING, AND WE ARE LOSING TEACHERS.

EVERY PROFESSION IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS STARTS WITH A TEACHER.

WE NEED -- WE HAVE GREAT TEACHERS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, BUT WE´RE LOSING THEM.

WHY?

BECAUSE WE ARE NOT TAKING CARE OF THEM.

SO, WE NEED TO PUT THINGS IN PLACE, BUT WE NEED TO SIT DOWN WITH GR AS WELL, LAMB AND SO FORTH, AND START HAVING THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS, MAKE IT AFFORDABLE FOR THE TEACHERS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

SINCE WE´RE ON THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION, WE MENTIONED EDUCATION, BUT I ALSO REALIZE THAT NONE OF THE CANDIDATES TOUCHED -- OR WANTED TO TOUCH ON THE ISSUE OF CRIME, SO I´M GOING TO SEE HOW WE CAN KIND OF BALANCE THE ACT BETWEEN EDUCATION AND CRIME, SPECIFICALLY, LOOKING AT THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF OUR TEACHERS, AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS IN EDUCATION AS IT RELATES TO PROTECTING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO, I POSE THAT QUESTION TO YOU FIRST, SENATOR.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST OUR CHILDREN IS OF GRAVE CONCERN HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

DISCLOSURE OF THESE, ESPECIALLY THOSE, YOU KNOW, RECENTLY WITH THE SCHOOL BOYS BY TEACHERS HAVE BEEN QUITE SHOCKING AND THE COMMUNITY IS OUTRAGED.

HOW CAN YOU AS A SENATOR PROTECT OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE PART OF THE -- AND YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT TOUCHED MY HEART.

AS A PARENT, I RAISED FOUR BOYS HERE IN ST. THOMAS.

NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER BEEN ARRESTED OR CHARGED OR ANYTHING.

THEY ALL WENT TO COLLEGE.

YOU KNOW, THE PARENTS HAVE A MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY IN RAISING THE CHILD.

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM GIVES THE PROFESSIONAL SETTING, BUT THE BASICS, READING, WRITING, AND ARITHMETIC, HAVE TO START WITH THE HOME.

MY FATHER DIDN´T KNOW HOW TO READ AND WRITE, BUT HE MADE SURE THAT MY AUNT TAUGHT ME.

YOU KNOW, THE CRIME, RIGHT, YOU SEE THE VIDEOS.

WHAT ALARMS ME NOW IS THE AMOUNT OF GIRLS THAT ARE FIGHTING.

IT SEEMS LIKE THERE´S EQUAL GIRLS IN THOSE VIDEOS FIGHTING.

THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS NUMBERS, AND THIS IS STARTLING, SAYS THAT WE HAVE 394 TOTAL PRISONERS AND INMATES, 394.

SO, WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF TRAINING OUR YOUTH WITH BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

BEHAVIOR ISSUES AND ANGER MANAGEMENT GOT TO BE CURRICULUM IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> WHILE I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU´RE SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT HONESTLY DOES TAKE -- IT STARTS FROM HOME AS WELL, BUT IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD, AND YOU KNOW, YOU´RE THE PARENT, AND YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE CHILDREN, YOU ENTRUST YOUR CHILDREN TO THE CARE OF THEIR TEACHERS, SO AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE QUESTION, THE ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE PART OF THE ADULTS TO PROTECT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHAT WOULD YOU PROPOSE AS THE SENATOR?

AND I WILL GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THAT.

>> OKAY, FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE PARTICIPATION IN THE PARENTS-TEACHERS MEETINGS.

TEACHERS ALWAYS MENTION TO ME THAT THE PARENTS-TEACHERS MEETINGS ARE NOT WELL ATTENDED.

SO, IT SHOWS, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE´S A FALL DOWN THERE, BUT ALSO, THERE´S THOSE KIDS THAT ARE AT-RISK, THOSE THAT ARE MISSING CLASSES.

YOU NEED TO GO TO THAT HOME.

THOSE THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, HAVE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, YOU NEED TO GO TO THAT HOME.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO VISIT THE HOME AND FIND OUT WHY THAT CHILD IS NOT COMING TO SCHOOL AND WHY THEY´RE HAVING BEHAVIORAL ISSUES BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, EDUCATION STARTS AT THE HOME.

YOU GET THE PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE TEACHERS, BUT IT STARTS AT HOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SAME QUESTION TO YOU, MR. LEWIS.

AS IT PERTAINS TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE -- OR THE PART, RATHER, OF THE ADULTS IN PROTECTING OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN SCHOOL.

>> LET ME ANSWER THAT BY SAYING -- >> YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> SORRY.

THANK YOU.

LET ME ANSWER THAT BY SAYING AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, I´M GOING TO TAKE IT DOWN REAL QUICK.

I WANT TO SAY THIS.

I THINK, AS A LEGISLATOR, I PLAN TO AMEND LAWS THAT´S ON THE BOOKS THAT, YOU KNOW, REALLY PENALIZES THESE PEOPLE FOR THESE DIFFERENT EGREGIOUS ACTS ON OUR CHILDREN.

BUT AS WE GET INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE HAVE TO START HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

I THINK IT BASICALLY -- UNREPORTED.

UNREPORTED.

WHEN YOU SEE THESE THINGS HAPPEN, YOU HAVE TO REPORT IT TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES, SO THE PROPER ACTIONS COULD BE TAKEN.

WE HAVE TO BRING IN THE DEPARTMENT, THE AFC, THE EEA, ALL THE DIFFERENT UNIONS, ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS TO THE TABLE, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PUT THE REPORTING PROCEDURES AND POLICIES IN PLACE THAT WHEN WE SEE THINGS -- NOT ONLY THINGS HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL AND ALL.

WHEN I WAS IN THE CLASSROOM, I SEE CHILDREN COME TO SCHOOL WITH DIFFERENT ABUSE AND DIFFERENT THINGS.

YOU SEE THE SIGNS AS AN EDUCATOR, SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEP AND BE THEIR ADVOCATE AND VOICE THEIR CONCERNS TO THE PROPER AUTHORITY, NOT JUST TURN A BLIND EYE, OH, HE COME TO SCHOOL TODAY.

THERE´S THINGS HAPPENING.

SOME OF THESE CHILDREN CAN´T SLEEP BECAUSE OF ABUSE GOING ON IN THE HOUSE.

IT´S NOT JUST PHYSICAL ABUSE.

IT´S MENTAL ABUSE AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE AND NOT JUST FOR OUR CHILDREN.

OUR POPULATION, OUR ELDERS, OUR CARETAKERS SEE ABUSE HAPPENING, REPORT IT, WHETHER IT´S FINANCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY OR MENTALLY.

REPORT IT.

I´M NOT GOING TO STAND FOR THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

I SEE YOU´RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT.

AGAIN, LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE´RE ALMOST TO THE CLOSING, AND NOW I WILL ASK EACH CANDIDATE, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT STARTING WITH YOUR NAME.

AND I WILL START WITH SENATOR FONSECA.

>> YES.

THANK YOU.

YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT, SENATOR FONSECA, I´M NUMBER 11 ON THE BALLOT, DEMOCRAT, AND YOU KNOW, I´M ACCOUNTABLE.

I´M TRANSPARENT.

AND I´M AVAILABLE.

WE SEE OUR CONSTITUENTS EVERY DAY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.

I COME WITH AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN THE GOVERNMENT.

I´VE SERVED AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

I STARTED OUT MY CAREER AS AN ACCOUNTANT, ROSE ALL THE WAY UP TO BECOME THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY.

I SPENT ALL OF MY CAREER IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, BORN HERE, RAISED HERE, NEVER LEFT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I DID COMPLETE MY MASTER´S DEGREE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

BUT YOU KNOW, I WANT TO ADDRESS ONE QUICK THING IS THE HIGH COST OF LIVING.

AND ALSO OUR LABOR MARKET.

WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE HOURLY WAGES SO WE CAN ENCOURAGE THE EMPLOYEES TO GET BACK INTO THE JOB MARKET, THOSE THAT ARE UNDEREMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED.

WE HAVE SOME ACTS AND BILLS AND LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS ALL OF THOSE IN THE 35th, AND WE ASK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE OF CONSIDERATION, RAY FONSECA, NUMBER 11.

>> THANK YOU.

SO, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME LEFT IN THIS EVENING, SO I WANT TO ASK THE QUESTION ABOUT HOUSING.

AND I´M GOING TO POSE IT TO MR. LEWIS.

YOU´LL HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THIS.

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

OR EVEN AFFORDABLE RENT.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON RENT CONTROL, PERHAPS EVEN SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS OF -- AS A POSSIBILITY OF ADDRESSING THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE TERRITORY.

AND YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> WELL, MISS TUSSANT, I FEEL THE PAIN OF THE PEOPLE.

EVEN TRIED TO OWN A PIECE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THE MARKET IS JUST SO EGREGIOUS WITH THE PRICING OF WHAT´S GOING ON, EVEN TO OWN YOUR OWN HOME OR TO RENT, THIS PROBLEM CAME ABOUT DURING THE TIMES OF COVID WHEN WE -- PEOPLE WAS COMING IN AND EVERYBODY STARTED TURNING THEIR PLACES INTO THESE AIRBNBS AND SO FORTH, SO THESE PIECES GOT EGREGIOUS AND THEY NEVER TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION.

WE AS A GOVERNMENT, WE NEED TO SIT WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE FINANCE AUTHORITY, TO SEE WHERE WE CAN GET A LOT OF THESE DIFFERENT PROJECTS UP AND RUNNING.

I´VE BEEN TO SEVERAL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES, AND ALL WE DID WAS PUT IN INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE WE´VE BEEN TO WILD PINEAPPLE DOWN IN FORTUNA, BUT WE NEED TO START SITTING DOWN WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS AND FINDING OUT WHEN THESE THINGS WILL BE COMING ONLINE SO THEY CAN BE AVAILABLE TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I SEE THERE´S A NEW PROJECT.

WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH CONTRACTOR THERE, SO WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO THESE PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE TO GET A LINE SO PEOPLE CAN BE OFFERED THESE THINGS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT RESPONSE.

SENATOR FONSECA, YOUR RESPONSE AS IT RELATES TO THE POSSIBLY RENT CONTROL HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT´S GOING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> RENT CONTROL OR HOME OWNERSHIP?

YOU SEE -- AND THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THAT´S VERY IMPORTANT.

YOU SEE, HOME OWNERSHIP INVOLVES THE BANKS.

COMMUNITY AT THE RATE THAT THEY USED TO LEND.

THE PRICES ARE GOING UP.

ALSO, THE GERS.

THE GERS USED TO PROVIDE AUTOMATIC LAND LOANS AND REFINANCING LOAN.

THAT NO LONGER HAPPENS.

WE NEED TO GET THE GERS BACK TO GIVING LOANS.

SO, I WAS A CO-SPONSOR OF ACT NUMBER 8822 TO AUTHORIZE THE GERS SYSTEM TO RESUME THE PERSONAL LOAN PROGRAM, AND THEY RESUMED IT IN THIS YEAR AND IN SIX MONTHS, THEY´VE GIVEN OUT AN ADDITIONAL $20 MILLION TO LOCAL VIRGIN ISLANDERS, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

WE NEED A LOT MORE OF THAT.

RIGHT NOW, THERE´S THE LEND TO OWN PROGRAM WHERE YOU CAN GET A GRANT OF UP TO $250,000.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT´S GOING ON, BUT THE PUBLICITY NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED SO THAT OUR RESIDENTS CAN KNOW THAT THERE ARE THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

YOU WANT TO REBUT?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO.

>> YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK AS A LEGISLATURE WE NEED TO DO IS SIT DOWN WITH OUR -- START HAVING TOUGH CONSIDERATIONS WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO INCREASE A LOT OF THE INCOME THRESHOLDS, BECAUSE EVEN PEOPLE WHO MAKE GOOD MONEY, WHO HAVE FAMILIES, AND THEN THE NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND THEY´RE NOT MEETING THE QUALIFICATIONS.

AND THEN THE MARKETER IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS SO EXPENSIVE.

ST. THOMAS HAS SKYROCKETED.

ST. JOHN, LESS.

ST. CROIX, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE AFFORDABLE.

BUT WE REALLY NEED TO SIT WITH OUR FELLOW PARTNERS, INCREASING THE NUMBER, THE SALARY RANGES ON THESE THRESHOLDS AND SO FORTH.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE OWN A LOT, BUILD A HOME.

WE HAVE THE SLICE PROGRAMS AND EVERYTHING.

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE SLICE PROGRAM IS THAT THEY HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT LAYERS TO IT.

IT´S STARTED TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE AS WELL.

>> WE´RE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING AND HOUSING INVENTORY IS A CHALLENGE, OF COURSE.

LET´S BACK IT UP TO LOOKING AT THE YOUTH OF OUR LAND OR THE LIMITED LAND SPACE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR TERRITORY.

THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS OR SO WE MAY BE FINALLY GETTING CLOSE TO HAVING A REAL LAND USE AND WATER USE PLAN THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF THE FOLKS AT THE DPNR DIVISION.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE NEXT STEP IN ACTIVATING THE PLAN THAT WOULD INVOLVE THE LEGISLATURE?

60 SECONDS TO RESPOND, AND MR. LEWIS, YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE THAT QUESTION, AND THEN I WILL SEND IT OVER TO YOU, SENATOR.

>> WELL, THE PLAN, I THINK, THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING OF NATURAL RESOURCES, THEY STARTED OUT GOOD WITH THE DIFFERENT RATES THEY HAD IN INVOLVING THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR INPUT.

NOW, AS IT COMES TO THE LEGISLATURE, I´M, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT WE REALLY NEED TO SIT DOWN.

MY COLLEAGUES AND I REALLY NEED TO SIT DOWN AND PLAN PROPERLY, BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND THEN I KNOW IT´S GOING TO HAVE TO GET APPROVED.

SO, WHEN IT COMES BACK, HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, WE´LL HAVE A DOABLE AND A WORKABLE PLAN THAT HELPS ALL OF US IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

SENATOR FONSECA?

>> YES, AND I HAVE TO ALSO THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

IT´S VERY GOOD.

THE LAND USE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN WORKING ON BY COMMISSION ALREADY, GREAT, BUT I WANT TO MENTION THAT THE PLAN THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO TAKE YOUR HOMES, YOU KNOW, AND PUT THEM INTO RECEIVERSHIP IF THEY WAS DECLARED A HEALTH HAZARD OR DILAPIDATED AND STUFF, THAT WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE´RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW ANYBODY TO TAKE YOUR HOME AND DEMOLISH IT AND THEN REBUILD THAT PLACE AND GIVE YOU A BILL AND YOU AIN´T GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT.

THAT PLAN BY THE GOVERNOR WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

WE NEED TO ALSO LOOK AT THE ZONINGS, AND THAT´S PART OF THE DUTIES OF THE LEGISLATURE.

JUST THIS WEEK ALONE, WE HAD FOUR DIFFERENT ZONINGS, TWO ON ST. JOHN.

THERE´S A LOT MORE THAT WE NEED TO DO TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIES.

WHEN MY MOTHER BOUGHT THE HOUSE, IT WAS VERY CHEAP.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO OUR RESIDENTS SO THAT THEY CAN AFFORD THE HOME, AND THEN, IT BECOMES A GRANT.

YOU CONVERT IT TO A GRANT, AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL GET REVENUE BECAUSE THEY´LL GET THE PROPERTY TAXES ROLL INCREASE, SO WE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE SUBSIDIES TO OUR RESIDENTS SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A PIECE OF THE ROCK.

>> SURE.

I´M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP THE WHOLE THING WITH THE ECONOMY AS WELL, BECAUSE THAT´S ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE REALLY DIDN´T GET TO DIVE INTO MUCH.

AND I WILL ASK YOU THE QUESTION, SENATOR, JUST KIND OF KEEPING ALONG THE LINES OF LOOKING AT THE ECONOMY, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, HOME BUILDING, LAND AND WATER USE, AND JUST, YOU KNOW, THE RIGHT MIX OF BUSINESSES WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND PERSONAL HOME OWNERSHIP ADDS TO THE WHOLE THING ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE ISLANDS.

BUT SPECIFICALLY TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HERE, WHILE TOURISM, AS WE KNOW, IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY, THE MAJORITY OF ELECTORATE, HOWEVER, DON´T WORK IN THE INDUSTRY.

MANY ACTUALLY WORK IN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR, WHICH, YOU KNOW, DOES LITTLE TO BRING IN NEW DOLLARS.

SO, WHAT´S LEFT IS REALLY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

WHAT HAVE YOU -- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, LIKE I SAID, YOU´RE AN INCUMBENT, IF ELECTED OR RE-ELECTED IN THIS CASE TO GO AND SUPPORT THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TO ENCOURAGE MORE LOCALS TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THAT.

>> YEAH, THE ECONOMY, YOU KNOW, PART OF OUR PROBLEM AND THE 35th LEGISLATURE, WE´RE LOOKING AT THAT MONEY TRANSFER.

YOU KNOW, HERE´S PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH OUR ECONOMY.

RIGHT NOW, WE´RE BUILDING THAT HOTEL ON THE DOCK, $20 MILLION.

THE CANCER CENTER, $50 MILLION.

THE DAY CARE CENTER, 4.4.

$70 MILLION IS BEING SPENT RIGHT NOW IN ST. THOMAS AND IT´S ALL GOING TO BE FINISHED WITHIN A YEAR.

OUR PROBLEM IS WE HAVE WORKERS THAT GET PAID IN CASH AND COME FRIDAY, WHOOSH, THAT MONEY LEAVES HERE.

THE MONEY NEEDS TO CIRCULATE, TURN AROUND IN OUR ECONOMY.

I´M NOT PICKING ON ANY PARTICULAR GROUP, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE FAMILY OFF ISLAND AND YOU NEED TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY, BUT RIGHT NOW, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS SUPPORTING THE WHOLE OF THE CARIBBEAN, AND THE MONEY IS NOT TURNING AROUND.

THOSE SAME PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE MEDICAID BENEFIT, EVEN THOUGH CONSTRUCTION WORKER MIGHT GET $1,500 A WEEK.

WHOOSH.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I DO WANT TO GIVE MR. LEWIS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHIME IN WHEN IT COMES TO ENCOURAGING LOCALS TO BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

SO, YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND TO THAT, AND THEN WE´LL MOVE TO OUR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AS A LEGISLATOR, I THINK THAT IT´S OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BUSINESSES FEEL SECURE.

ONE, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT POWER IN THE COMMUNITY.

WAPA HAS KILLED A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES.

RIGHT?

NEXT THING WE NEED TO DO IS I HAVE TO START GIVING US A SMALL GRANT IN INCENTIVES TO CONTINUE TO GO ALONG.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALL THESE THINGS.

WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS, WE REPORT 15 TO $20 BILLION OUT THERE IN THE TERRITORY IN REBUILD V.I.

WE NEED TO PUT LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT ALL VIRGIN ISLANDERS, SMALL BUSINESSES AND VENDORS HERE, ARE ABLE TO TAP INTO THOSE RESOURCES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

AND, WELL, WE´RE DOWN TO THE CLOSING NOW.

WHAT I´M GOING TO DO NOW IS ASK EACH OF THE CANDIDATES -- YOU´LL HAVE 60 SECONDS EACH FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT, AND WE´LL START WITH YOUR NAME.

MR. LEWIS, YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD?

>> THANK YOU TONIGHT, TODAY, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.

THIS IS A MUCH WELL ANTICIPATED FORUM EVERYBODY LOOKS FORWARD TO.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO LET THE PEOPLE KNOW, VOTING FOR NUMBER 9, AVERY LEWIS, IS A VOTE FOR STRONG LEADERSHIP AND SOMEONE WHO REALLY AND TRULY UNDERSTANDS THE PLAN -- THE ISSUES AND THE AILMENTS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

I PLAN TO BE CONTINUE TO BE VISIBLE, ACCESSIBLE, AND WORK HARD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AGAIN, NUMBER 9 ON THE BALLOT, AVERY LEWIS.

>> SENATOR FONSECA, YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT?

>> YES, THANK YOU, MISS TUSSANT.

YOU KNOW, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR ENTRUSTING ME WITH YOUR CONFIDENCE AND THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

YOU KNOW, I AM A SENATOR THAT IS ACCESSIBLE, TRANSPARENT, AND ACCOUNTABLE, AND I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO MANAGE THE V.I.

GOVERNMENT AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

I HAVE OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE MANAGING THE V.I.

GOVERNMENT AS THE CHIEF SENIOR EXECUTIVE LEVEL, AND I´M CAPABLE AND EXPERIENCED.

BUT YOU KNOW, I ALSO WANT TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW THAT WE NEED MORE LOVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ISSUES OF CRIME.

SOME OF THE ISSUES ARE WAPA IS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF WHY BUSINESSES FAIL.

YOU NEED TO HAVE RELIABLE POWER.

SO, THERE´S A LOT MORE TO DO, AND I ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO RE-ELECT FONSECA, NUMBER 11 ON THE BALLOT, AND BLESSINGS AND HAVE A PLEASANT GOOD EVENING TO ALL THE LISTENING AUDIENCE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, AND THANK YOU TO OUR VIEWERS AS WELL, AND OF COURSE, TO THE STAFF OF WTJX.

THANK YOU FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM PAMELA TUSSANT.

FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, VOTE EARLY OR VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

JUST VOTE.

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