It's 2026, another election year, and the League of Women Voters is here again on w x TV channel 12 to interview candidates.

Seek an elective office in the US Virgin Islands.

Our goal with these programs is to help you, the voter, make well-informed choices for your precious votes.

My name is Doctor Andrea Dorsey, a member of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.

Virgin Islands.

Today, we are speaking with four candidates for the position of senator in the Saint Thomas Saint John districts.

Candidates.

Thank you for being here.

Please introduce yourselves only with your name, political affiliation and ballot number.

Starting with Senator Avery Lewis.

Good day, fellow Virgin Islands.

My name is Senator Avery L Lewis.

I am number seven on the ballot.

Your Democratic candidate.

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Joel Brown.

Conners.

Good day.

I am Joel Brown Connors, your Democratic candidate.

Number nine on the ballot.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

Miss Paula, do.

Hi.

Good day.

My name is Paula Duke.

I'm an independent candidate.

Number 17 on the ballot.

Thank you, Miss Duke.

Senator Ray Popa.

Francisca.

Blessings.

Good day.

My name is Senator Ray.

Pope Francis, a Democratic candidate.

Number ten on your ballot to learn more about you.

Can you now state how your education, your professional experience, and relevant accomplishments have prepared you for the position of Senator?

Also, state how you think this makes you to stand out amongst all other candidates.

You will have 60s each, starting with Senator Lewis.

Senator Avery Lewis.

Number seven on your ballot.

Well, all my life I've been a public servant.

And that's all I know about being a public servant.

I started out being in all my education in the public school system.

I started at Gottlieb Gas station, my first part time job, then West Indies Corporation, and I went to college.

University of the Virgin Islands, came out to be an elementary education teacher, served there for 15, well, 15 plus years.

Then I went in, you know, got a passion for the union, became a union president.

Local 1825, central Labor Council president, serving and labor management committee board.

Then God added, so that I became the center island administrator.

And then from then it started to evolve.

I started a job description in the legislature, and I said, I know I could fit this role.

I always made a promise for myself, I'm not going to waste the people time.

I'm going to go there and do my best.

And that I did.

I went in, I made a difference.

Every day I go to work, I always think on how I could make life better for the people of this Virgin Islands.

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown Connors.

Well, again, number nine on the ballot, Joel Brown Connors, 20 years of volunteer service and 15 years of public service.

Started off as a cadet with symptoms of civil patrol and becoming the first young, the youngest commander of that program in the Virgin Islands, serving 13 years as the squadron commander, where we sent youths ages 12 to 18 from the Virgin Islands off to the military or to professional development jobs when on from there, I became one of the youngest EMTs in the territory working for Department of Health, advanced over to the US Army, came back to the Virgin Islands and working with by team as the Outreach Coordinator and the Program Manager, teaching the community community service funds training from their need.

After working hurricanes, I saw a need with the police department and I transferred over to the police department, the police department and now serves seven years with the department and is now currently serving as the police union president.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

Miss Duke.

Hi.

My name is Paula Duke.

Number 17 on the ballot.

With 20 plus years as a retired police sergeant, I've had the the love for being a public servant, serving my community in various capacities.

As a small business owner, I provide janitorial services and renovation services.

I worked at the Royal Hospital, at the permit office, and then later went to the Virgin Islands Port Authority Police, where I became a police sergeant.

I've worked in several capacities as a police working with the NCIC unit, with the VIP department, as well as working as a. Access control monitor to include.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.. Senator van?

Yes.

Pleasant.

Good evening to the people of the Virgin Islands.

My name is re Pope.

Often, and it's been the honor of my life to be able to serve you in the legislature.

I was born in Vest-Agder.

Savan.

I'm a born Sava Nero.

I grew up in Beverly.

I attended Lockard School.

I went to at a little crane when Aspinall School and I graduated from Kent.

I went to Florida State University, got a master's at UVA, and I've had over 35 years of service in the government, rising from starting from an assistant accountant supervisor, going all the way up to become a chief executive officer at the Housing Authority.

I believe that the reason why I'm here is that I always wanted to have a career in government as a public servant, but working from the federal government side, I never could do to the Hatch Act.

So I'm I'm so privileged to be able to serve you.

And thank you very much.

Thank you.

Senator Fancy.

Now, a word to viewers about our approach in these programs.

Surely one hour is insufficient to address all the issues of concern.

So the leaks approach is to have candidates demonstrate how they think and what skills, ideas and meaningful strategies they can bring to the table.

We have selected some talking points, which we hope can demonstrate that for you, to ensure that you each have the opportunity to answer questions, our timer will let you know when your 60s to respond are up.

If there is a difference of opinion, you are encouraged to make a rebuttal for 45 seconds.

After all the reporters are made, the candidates will have 45 seconds to address them all.

And so we ask for respectful treatment of each other.

Your interactions will certainly say much to the viewers about what to expect of your behavior as a senator in the legislature.

No candidates.

As we begin, will you affirm that you have not been previewed to our questions in advance in any way, starting with Senator Lewis, can you please affirm, I affirm?

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown Connors, please affirm.

Affirm.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

Miss Duke, I affirm.

Thank you, Miss Duke.

Senator Fonseka, I also affirm.

Thank you.

Now let's begin.

So let's start off with the big elephant in the room that is stomping on everything Wapa.

Now, let's be frank.

Don't you think that there's more to whoppers?

Colossal failures besides the lack of money?

So let's call the beast by its many names and identify other factors that you think contribute to this horror story.

How would you, as a senator, address these other concerns?

You may still include and speak to the financial issues as a minor point, if you wish.

You have 60s to respond, and I will be starting with Senator Lewis.

Yes.

All right.

One of the things I said about is not just don't have one answer.

And one of the major issues that happened with is that over the years had many different leaders, and everybody came in with a new idea.

So we never really started one project and completed one project or task.

We heard about these billions of dollars, but we never really we don't really have a good oversight.

And so therefore the legislature had to, in its wisdom, create an oversight committee.

And that's why we need to enforce that oversight committee to make sure that we hold workers feet to the fire and make sure that they deliver on their deliverables that they say, not just allow us to tell us, well, we have 2 million, 3 million, 2 billion.

We need some timelines and put certain things in perspective.

As the head of the as the chairman of government operation, Veterans Affairs and consumer Protection are brought in.

Several times.

We've had closed doors meeting, we had open doors meeting and we and during those times we were able to garner certain things and make sure that we hold up a feet to the fire.

Now, one of the major things that we did recently, you can finish your last point, was making sure that the generators arrive and the the the repair to the line.

The transmission line is in place.

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown.

Well, I'll tell you, five year resident of the Virgin Islands can only see as far as I can remember.

The issue that we're having now, we've been having.

So as one of your candidates later, I can say that I believe one of the major issues is accountability on leadership.

So that being said, the oversight, as the good center said, is the constant changing of the leaders that.

So that is one of the major issues.

But the oversight in itself, it can't be a financial issue because we know that money is being funneled to upper, but from the general fund of the government or the taxpayers that pay their monthly bill.

So the the lack of, so they say, fuel being delivered on time or why the power is always of due to faulty lines.

It's all it all falls back and accountability.

So the only leaders are accountable at Wapa.

I think we'd have a better plan if we choose a adequate leader to lead the plant.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

Miss Duke.

Hi.

I think one of the biggest issues is what cannot sustain itself.

It needs to go back under the GV.

That's number one.

Number two, I feel that most of the issues with Wapa is not a management.

It's not a money problem.

It's a management problem.

We need to re we need to purchase new equipment, get rid of all the old antiquated equipment, because we've been putting too much money into the old antiquated equipment.

And still we're not seeing any solutions.

So we need to get rid of the antiquated equipment.

We need to also utilize title energy as well as wind.

We already utilized solar.

So there are other uses, reusable energy that we can utilize to bring down the cost for the consumers.

Also, we need to think about rebates.

Rebates when a damaged good, when Wapa damages your goods that you can reimburse the the customers for the damage equipment that they have.

Yes.

Thank you.

Great.

Thank you, Mister Senator.

Yes.

Thank you and good evening, Ray Popa Fonseka.

Number ten.

Every month Virgin Islanders pay some of the highest electricity bills and have some of the most unreliable service in the whole Caribbean and the United States.

Wapa is operating budget is $316 million and the fuel costs alone is $121 million.

40% of the budget goes to fuel.

That's unacceptable.

So first we have to replace those field.

What Sila generators.

The second group of four.

We also need to build a brand new plant.

Fixed feeder 11, 12 and 13.

They've been doing some repairs on 13.

And we need to also strengthen the statutory authority of the Public Finance Authority.

Title 30 of the VI code gives the PFA, the Public Finance Authority, certain statutory abilities to set rates and monitor of finances.

We need to give them more power so that they can petition the Superior Court to place Wapa into receivership.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Senator Fonseka, is there any difference of opinion based on the information shared from any of the of the candidates?

Does anyone have a rebuttal at this time?

Oh yeah.

Okay, well let's move on.

So the next topic is impact of demographics.

What impact do you see resulting from a continuing outward migration and an aging population on our future?

Are there strategies addressed in your platform that speaks to these impacts?

If so, can you please explain them?

And we will start with Senator Fan Seca.

Yes.

Thank you.

The Virgin Islands, according to the last census, does indeed have an aging population.

And it's impacting us tremendously, especially with the borders.

The borders are the elderly persons that have been in the hospital, and they don't need emergency care.

And they basically they're not picked up.

They stay in the hospital.

We need more elderly care beds so that we can treat our elderly.

The demographics.

Additionally, there's an influx of about three different languages in the community, and we have an influx of a lot of different religions.

The majority of us are still Christians, but we have almost every religion.

So we need to live together and be able to prosper as a community.

We also have some issues where sometimes people live here and they don't even speak English.

So we have to reach out to those folks and lend a helping hand.

Thank you.

Senator Fonseka.

Senator Lewis.

Well, as I said, the influx of people here and upcoming months and upcoming years, we're hearing all this talk about this rebuild.

Rebuild USVI.

They're going to take another 15 to 20,000 people to come into this territory.

We don't just want to say, well, you're not from here.

Whatever.

We don't need to make sure that when these folks come in, they adapt to our culture and they are not the ways of our culture, and we make room for them and we make sure that they're paying taxes as well.

We don't want that dollar.

So that's come in and come in and just leave without the U.S.

Virgin Islands getting a part of it.

Now we need to do things in the territory that we retain our people here.

We need to put things in place.

And that's one of the things I'm trying to champion for our young people at the well, make sure that we add money for the free tuition at the University of the Virgin Islands.

I make sure we put in things in place to make life easier and better for for Virgin Islanders, as in terms of right now, I passed a bill that if you have a child with autism, not autism, any kind of disability, the Spanish your point.

You have four hours paid annually to carry that child to a medical visit.

So it's about making life better for the people of the Virgin Islands.

Thank you.

Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown Conners.

Good day.

So, keeping the people here, I. One of the things on my platform are the youths and and the elders.

So those are two major populations we have.

However, the people coming in is one thing.

But the people, the local people that are leaving are a big issue.

So as a police officer and youth program director noticed that a lot of young people leave the island one because the better opportunities of island.

So the salaries of the are lower than below the means for the living wages, omniverse and islands.

So it's to raise wages and make better opportunities for the young people to stay within the Virgin Islands, especially in the emergency response team.

Police.

EMTs are dispatchers, firefighters.

Their career paths that pay very well and require no college.

So right out of high school we have opportunities for them to stay, but they leave because the cost of living, especially housing, is way too high.

So reducing that cost may help keep our own residents.

Henry, Virgin Islands.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

Miss Duke.

One of the agents.

One of the biggest issues we have, the aging population we need to build.

Ella Lee homes.

We need lily homes here as well as for disabled, because most people do not want to relocate to the States.

They end up going away and grieve it.

So if we have any homes here in our community that would allow elderly to be here, home with the within a familiar environment and they can be able to thrive.

One of the next things that I look at is the retaining individuals.

We need to increase the pay.

The $35,000 that was made to the salaries have to go higher because most of the government programs 45, $35,000 is not sufficient.

We need to be able to pay our teachers.

Please finish.

We need to be able to pay our teachers our fire.

Everybody within the government, from even to our custodians, a more substantial payment so that they will be able to be eligible to get a home.

Everybody wants a home.

Thank you.

Team number 17 on the ballot.

Thank you, miss two.

So based on, of course, the strategies you've heard from the various platforms candidates, are there any disagreements at this point from any of those strategies heard?

No.

Okay.

All right.

So what a significant decrease in population.

Our tax base has plunged and that has worsened all our woes.

What economy stimuli or strategic approach to increase the tax base.

Would you ever for as a senator you have 60s each to respond.

And we will be starting with Miss Duke for the.

Could you repeat the question?

Sure.

Of course, with a significant decrease in population, our tax base has plunged and that has worsened all our woes.

What stimuli or strategic approach to increase the tax base?

Would you advocate for as a senator who would advocate for increasing pay?

Like I said earlier, because once you increase the pay, individuals will be on a higher pay bracket tax bracket correction, and that will be able to they will be able to be eligible for more programs, become homeownership as well as put back into the the tax system.

Whereas when it comes to income tax to include property tax and so forth.

So definitely increasing the salaries would be a way to stimulate the tax bracket.

Number 17 on the ballot Paula Duke.

Thank you.

Mr.. Thank you, Senator Van.

Okay.

There's a there's several measures that the 36 legislature have passed, and it includes my colleague, Senator Avery Lewis.

We've addressed the gross receipts.

Tax it right now.

You know, we're in the midst of the disaster recovery projects, and we have a process in place where automatically the 5% is being deducted.

But that's not enough.

We are now going after the subcontractors to ensure that the subcontractors are paying this grocery see taxes up front in additionally on the IRS.

The IRS has a lot of tax revenues uncollected on the street that we need to hire more revenue collection agents and collect those.

The same thing I can say for property taxes, there's a lot of uncollected property taxes that we need to collect.

That's on the street.

Reporter Fonseka, number ten on the ballot.

Thank you, Senator from seeker.

Senator Lewis.

Yes.

One of the two.

Two things I'll say is that one we need.

We need to let the world know that we're open for business.

And by doing that, you know, we attract new investors in the territory.

New businesses in the territory bring fresh money instead of taxing the same people here over and over, not just creating new things that will be taking more money from the people here, the Virgin Islands.

We have to let the world know we are open for business.

How are we going to do that one?

We're going to work with the Economic Development Authority, letting the world know about that program that does those tax breaks.

Two beneficiaries left the the, the, the territory.

And that took a substantial amount of taxes away from us.

We talk about giving raises.

The only way we could do this is true taxes.

So we need to let the world know you go wrong.

You see, people are putting up boutique hotels and so forth.

So we let them.

We open in our tourism product.

That's one way.

And Saint Croix, we're going to have a lot during the campaign about the social trade zone.

But what we are doing in the 36 said, what this senator is doing is working with the idea to make sure that we expand the opportunities in the Virgin Islands.

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown Connors.

So taxes.

So one of the ways of generating revenue and increasing the taxes are tourism.

Tourism, not biggest product in the Virgin Islands and raising the head tax on the cruise passengers would help with that.

With that money issue.

So 20 2027 fiscal year, the cruise industry, there's more cruise ships than ever before.

Hey, Anderson.

Both Sintomas and Saint Croix.

So the reason I had thought we have the lowest one of the lowest head tax in the Caribbean yet this is one of the main destination ports for cruise passengers.

So reason that tax a few dollars would help.

Also, when it comes to the connection collection, we have the issue with those abandoned by laws.

If we the citation that have been issued daily, if those are, if they are enforced and the pain that would generate revenue, yes, is from the local tax paying people.

However, accountability goes both ways.

If I lay the law and citing you pay a citation and the ad monetary revenue collection.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

So you've all presented various strategic approaches to addressing, of course, this concern.

Is there any disagreement with any of the strategies you've heard?

I remain focused and say that one of the things I really, truly believe is that we need new businesses and we need fresh monies and fresh ideas because we cannot continue taxing the same people.

I hear a lot of ideas here tonight, but a lot of them are based on taxing the same people here in the Virgin.

We need fresh revenues to come in, and we need to open up our short red zone, work with the Economic Development Authority.

We need to work with water to make sure that we have reliable power, work with our Department of Education, so we make sure that we build capacity.

It's about economic building and capacity building.

Thank you.

Senator.

Senator.

Yes.

And just some for clarification, the 5% gross receipts tax for the new major construction projects is a one time tax.

And so we need to take a of the opportunity right now, because once the money is spent, that tax will never be collected again.

Thank you Senator.

I believe that a strong point is to ensure that we are not taxing the same group of people.

Is there a difference of opinion pertaining to that point?

Anyone else would like to rebuttal, Miss Duke?

What we can do.

Also, we can revisit the EDA program and we can also tax them.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.. So let's move on.

The EDC I'm sorry.

Yeah.

EDC.

Thank you.

So let's move on.

We're going to speak about affordability.

The cost of living in the US Virgin Islands has always been high and has skyrocketed recently.

Two questions.

First, what factors do you see have contributed to this?

The second question is indicate how you would assist families, especially those struggling with eldercare.

It has been noted.

According to a survey by R.P.

that 70% of such families lamented the very little support from the government concerning family care.

What is your strategy, if elected, to increase the support for struggling families, in particular in meeting the high cost of elder care in the US Virgin Islands?

We're going to start with Mr.

Brown Conners.

So that's a compound question here.

So the cost of living has done.

Yes.

And that's continuous.

That's worldwide.

So fixing the change in the reducing that.

Don't see how we can.

However we know what are the the war over Iran of overseas have caused oil price to go up.

So we have that issue.

The cost of living in itself, most of all products are imported to the Virgin Islands.

So with that, with the importation in itself, there's an extra cost just to come from the mainland to the US or from the Caribbean.

So those classes buy one home gardens.

Some of the stuff we can reduce by planting on food.

Backyard farming will reduce the cost of important certain food items and meat products.

When it comes to the seniors, right.

That was the second part.

The seniors and family.

So we have a lot of programs here through the human services and truly federal programs, and the federal government allowed the local government to set their own standards.

And we've set out guidelines so high that all locals don't qualify.

So maybe revisiting some of those guidelines and adjusting them will help the families adjust to the high cost of living in the island.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Miss Duke, could you repeat the question, please?

Sure.

The cost of living in the US Virgin Islands has always been high and has skyrocketed recently.

There's two questions.

What factors do you see have contributed to this?

And can you indicate how you would assist families, especially those struggling with eldercare?

I'd like to present more information concerning addressing our elderly.

So a survey by AARP indicated that 70% of such families lamented of the very little support from the government concerning family care.

What is your strategy of elected to increase support for struggling families, in particular in meeting the high cost of elder care in the U.S.

Virgin Islands?

One of the strategies I would focus on is muscle expanding and supporting our local farmers and fishers, with we supporting the local farmers and fishers will then bring the load the cars down when it comes to our imported goods, which will also increase the job market for local families too.

When it comes to grants and programs that we can also help when it comes to our elderly to support families.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, miss.

To Senator Francesca.

Yes.

And thank you for that question.

Right now I have a bill that is going to create a local Supplemental Security Income program for the elderly, blind and disabled.

It's been a, you know, worked on know, between my office and the government House.

Basically, one of the benefits you don't get in the Virgin Islands is a Supplemental Security Income, the SSI.

We want to create that program so our elderly, blind and disabled will be able to receive additional monies.

And the plan is, is once they receive that additional money, they'll have an incentive to stay here in the Virgin Islands rather than move into the States to receive that benefit.

In turn, that would increase the spending and result in a greater gross domestic product for the Virgin Islands.

So that's one way we will do it.

The new senator, finance, Senator Lewis?

Yes.

One of the things you you talk, you asked first was what do I think contributed inflation?

One of the greatest things is the war in the Middle East.

You know, when Iran and we had different was like down in Cuba in different places, and so forth.

No, no, no fault or own this administration just chose to war with everyone.

But in the meantime, on the home front now, what I'm doing in the 36th legislature, I brought a bill forward because, with I want to be able to exempt people from paying groceries and exempt the pharmacies from paying groceries and excise tax on prescription drugs.

For far too often, we have old elderly folks and young folks making decisions whether to pay rent or prescription or food or whatever, so we have to take something off the table, make life easier for people.

We talk about, a PARP is a very valuable tool.

A lot of resources a lot of people don't tap into.

I've got a lot of benefits.

I work closely with a P. You can finish your last point.

One of the things we working on is that we have a lot of folks here, elderly folks, that we have people taking advantage of them.

Elder abuse.

So if we crack down on that, then you know that that would be one way to alleviate some of this burden as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Senator Lewis is there for any of the feedback shared in terms of strategies.

Senator Francesca.

Yes.

The other point is that in addition to the SSI, the Medicaid program, which serves 17, 14,000 persons, we don't need we don't get the same reimbursements as the state.

So we have to continue to ask the delegate to Congress and the governor and the legislature to petition Congress so we can increase our Medicaid cap.

That would help us tremendously.

Thank you, Senator.

Any additional rebuttals at this time?

No.

Okay.

So let's talk about corruption.

As you know, corruption in government has become a huge concern.

Has it increased because we are better at finding it or has it actually increased?

So what role do you see for the legislature in addressing the issue, and what would you do as it pertains to your plan as a senator?

So we'll be starting with Senator Lewis.

Thank you for that question.

This Senator, this individual had every lowest number seven a ballot.

No way.

No form of action stand for corruption by by all means, you corrupted and you get involved in anything.

You should suffer the consequences that comes along with it.

One of the things that I'm doing and supporting right now, we have legislation we're working on with Senator Kennedy get in two different set of legislation, ethics and conflict.

Committee to and we just recently were discussing a bill that if you are and I want to make it clear, if you have been found guilty and a final decision have been made, and you work for the government, that your retirement will pay the restitution, not take away all your retirement, but they will pay the restitution.

But, you know, there's a process and the process is work.

And sometimes we work a little too slow and it's catching these bad actors.

We have bad actors all over the place.

And one thing we can tell, it is bad actors in this community because it takes away from all of us.

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown Connors saw the law enforcement officer, and we see corruption.

We hear about corruption.

We've seen what happens in the courtroom.

So as a senator, I there's not much you can say when it comes to pointing out corruption before it happens.

It has to happen.

So if you're corrupt, that's on you.

If you decide to break laws or steal.

I'm one of the major reasons people going to cookie jar, as they say, is because it's available.

It's there.

And no one, no one is looking.

So with good oversight, what is truly, truly executive branch with good oversight and knowing, holding people accountable and reporting what is going on, then we'll be able to hold the library records or the corrupted individual in government accountable.

So as we know, there were several individuals held for for corruption.

It only happened because somebody was covered in a courageous enough to go to the federal government and say, hey, this is what's happening.

We have the bill to come forward and say, yes, we know what's wrong, and call folks out and not just on TV, but to the high officials that do take action.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

Miss Duke, I would like legislation to give the AG and the Inspector General.

Police powers to go and.

Correct.

Commit me to arrest, arrest and powers.

I'm sorry.

Arresting powers to these individuals that they have come armed, completed adits and found that these individuals have committed.

Excuse me.

This correct is correct.

Yes.

So I would definitely enact the AG and the Inspector general.

Police powers.

Thank you.

Paula Duke, number 17 on the ballot.

Thank you, Miss Duke.

Senator Francesca.

Yes.

Good evening, Ray Pope.

Number ten.

Right now, I have a bill that, is prepared for vetting that was strengthened.

The bid documents.

We want to avoid past mistakes where someone.

I don't want to give the position, but someone's that that that is at the top can look at bid documents even though they're not part of the bidding committee.

So even if the boss no is not part of the bidding committee, he cannot or she cannot ask the subs to know what the prices are and the particulars.

That would eliminate some of the issues we've seen recently.

Addition to.

We have to fund more inspector general positions.

Our audits are continually issue when they come before the legislature for questioning.

A lot of the artists are not completed, and in many cases the audits are not a clean audit.

So thank you.

Ray Popoff on second number ten on the ballot.

Thank you, Senator, from seeker.

In your opinion of what significance?

Oh I hear that there might be a rebuttal.

So please proceed, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

So I just wanted to make it known that the attorney General office does have an arresting powers.

One of the issues that we have is the attorney general office is the attorney general itself is appointed by the governor.

So they work for the governor.

If the attorney general was an elected official, they worked for the people, and it would be a lot more easier than to hold people accountable at the AG or local level, instead of at the federal level.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors, do we have any other different opinions or perspectives on this topic of corruption?

I would add that I think one of the major things is that we just need a better checks and balances and government and oversight, somebody to check the check and check the checker.

Checker.

And I think things would be better in this government.

A lot of times we have a lot of books, we have a lot of laws on the books.

So it's not a matter of not having enough laws.

So we could enact a lot of things for the executive branch to execute those things, and for the judicial branch to really bring down the hammer and the bad actors.

Thank you.

Senator Lewis.

Do you all agree, candidates, is there any other perspectives of difference of opinion?

In your opinion of what significance is the Epstein case to the US Virgin Islands, if significant, what are the issues that should be addressed and what will be your approach as Senator, if not significant?

Explain.

How would you address these concerns raised, starting with Senator Fonseca?

Thank you for that question, doctor Dorsey, you know that Epstein has been a real bad chapter in the recent history of the Virgin Islands.

It's a case of, you know, excessive wealth buying influence all over the world.

There's allegations and there's been a lot of testimony, etc., but particularly in the Virgin Islands, we need to understand that not everybody that comes here with a mighty dollar is a good person.

And if someone is a sexual offender, we need to make sure that that person doesn't have the kind of access and influence that occurred due to, you know, tons of papers of testimony in the Virgin Islands.

It was terrible.

And I'm so glad that we are now getting past that.

We just have to learn from those mistakes.

Never have them be repeated.

Ray Fonseca, number ten on the bottom.

Thank you, Senator, from Senator Lewis.

Well, I, I'm a firm believer in this.

Our children are our precious gems.

And anybody that violates that really needs to be punished.

This Epstein case have caused by a dark shadow over these Virgin Islands for a very long time, and I don't know where we won't ever get to shake, because every day.

Opening newspaper, the second page, you know, these our children are doing such wonderful things.

But the second page in the Daily News every day is something with this Epstein, Epstein, Epstein, I think at some point in time, and whether the legislature or the executive branch or all of us get together, we just need to put it out on the table.

Actual investigation, let the bad actors come forward, let it do what they have to do to put this behind of us.

Then we could move forward.

But again, I am going to say this here, this Senator, in no way form of fashion, it's going to allow anybody to come in here to pray.

And our young children or any young child around the world, that's not my style.

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown Connors, so unlike everyone else, just like everyone else, I've thought about the Epstein case over and over again.

The police officer never had a case or mentioned Epstein on the local level.

What I can tell you is being able to work.

For the past several months, I've been a tour ambassador for the Virgin Islands, and the Epstein case may have been a dark shadow over the Virgin Islands, but I can tell you, every Taurus that I've picked up or give me a 20 resolutions have asked, and they've shown great interest in Epstein Island.

They come and want.

One of the main things they want to see is the island and where this position.

So yes, it has stained the island the name.

However, tourists are coming just to see that.

That's one of the main things that they want to see.

So it's a good and bad on all behalf because the coming forward not not for a good reason.

But it's been in the news.

So shed light on the Virgin Islands.

But as representatives of the Virgin Islands, it is one of our goals to change the dynamics.

And with from Epstein Island being such a bad island and make it that is no soul, no longer Epstein Island and make it back to Little Saint Jim or Greater Saint James.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Can't miss Duke.

As a mother, I think we need to denounce and the individuals that has been involved with the Epstein saga needs to be held accountable.

I think the legislature needs to request a special session and have a hearing based on the, actors so that they can be addressed.

One of the biggest things that we had over and over and over is Epstein Island.

And I think it's not one of over here in the Virgin Islands until we as a community denounce Epstein and all of the buckle that has surrounded him.

Thank you.

Paula Duke, number 17 on the ballot.

Thank you, Miss Duke.

I believe we've all agreed that it is truly significant in terms of its impact to the territory.

Is there any different views in terms of the approach to address this issue at this time?

So Joel Brown, defend me.

It's not about I don't have a different how to approach it, 1 or 2 that we do here and we're here to the media every single day on social media is the people involved in Epstein case on Island and mostly in the car, or officials that are that have been working past and present.

One of the things that we got to put on the record is Epstein came to the island as a businessman.

So you may not have known his past or what he was into.

The fact of the matter is, just like any other business person and may come to the island, you build connections as government officials and you move forward when, as they said, when everybody found out what took place, everyone went their separate ways.

They parted ways as they should.

So to say who people accountable locally like what they really that deep involved, or was it just a business transaction like any other businessman that may come to the island?

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors.

Miss Duke, I think one of the biggest things is any sex offender has to be registered with the attorney General's office.

That's number one.

Is this man or not?

Number two, when you look around the world in the United States, anybody that has been associated with Epstein pastor present, had to resign from the position in which the Paula Duke number 17 on the ballot.

Thank you.

Miss two, are there any additional final thoughts pertaining to approaches as it pertains to this particular case?

So thank you candidates.

Well this is almost up for discussion.

Time is almost up of course for discussion with these four candidates seeking a seat in the 37 legislature.

So here is our final talking point for 60s, each with rebuttals for 45 seconds, if any.

So you are now invited to select any of the following topics not addressed, of course, in our discussion and explain your approach to addressing it at.

As a Senator, you have 60s.

Your options for topics are education, crime, food security, disaster recovery, and the hospital.

I can repeat the topics once again education, crime, food security, disaster recovery and the hospitals.

So we will be starting with mistook.

I think one of the things we need to do is expand access to health care, affordable health care to all residents across Saint Thomas.

Anchor in Saint John, making sure that individuals can see the doctors and not have a fair of having a dip.

I think one of the things we also need to consider is modernizing our facilities, all health care facilities, so that we can attract skilled, skilled health care workers so that we can go through and program three.

I think one of the things that we also need to do is Promote telemedicine, promoting telemedicine, which will allow us to take care of areas that are underserved.

Paula Duke, number four on the ballot.

Thank you, Mister.

Senator Francesca.

Yes, thank you, Doctor Dorsey, for that question.

And I serve as the chairman of health, Hospitals and Human Services in both the 35th and the 36 legislature.

So I've funded off sponsored act number 87, 29 appropriate and 700,000 for additional dialysis nurses act 8875 appropriating 2.1 million for kidney specialists at 8777 appropriate in $1 million for the Wang Louis Medical Center to purchase dialysis machine machines and act 8876 doing the same for Snyder, of course, at 8814 to create the territorial kidney disease, stroke and diabetes register.

But in addition to that, our hospitals are still under funded.

What we need to do and I have a five point strategy.

I'm going to get to it real quick is first, we need to make the government allotment go on.

Time to the hospitals.

References.

Number ten on the ballot.

Thank you, Senator Francisca.

Senator Lewis, one of the things I am proud about is that this legislature here, I'm going to go with education.

I believe that not all of our children going to go to a traditional four year college.

So therefore we need to bring a technical college school here in the Virgin Island.

And I had a plan.

I had a bill in place, have a Perkins grant.

I have two other grants and laymen to pay for it.

I didn't just put a grant, I didn't put a solution and a paper.

Without a funding source, you have to put your money where your mouth is and your actions.

Our children deserve that opportunity to come out of high school with associates, or with a with a certificate that could carry them straight into employment.

You know what it is that we have different.

We have we say no, we bring it in 15 to 20,000 people, but we send our children away to learn a trade.

And we could do it right here in the Virgin Island.

We have we rebuilding the schools where we're modernizing this.

We're modernizing the schools.

So therefore our shop classes and they have the the up to date technology tools.

So we could train our children and they call for more public private partnerships as well.

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown Connors.

So I'm trying to figure out how to put all the topics in one, but I'm going to stick to our culture.

So food security, backyard farming at home.

So this is a family activity that keeps you one working as a family.

Bring the family together.

Give them something to do.

So when is livestock or crops one.

You're producing your own food at home so that reduce the cost of going to the store to buy imported products the fresher so it's good health benefits.

We work as a family.

Working as a family, you have something to do together.

It helps reduce the crime in the territory.

So we'll always stick to animals in itself is therapy for anyone.

It reduces stress, it gives you something to do and it produces food.

So what is eggs from our locally grown chickens or meat from lamb or your goats?

Your cows.

We all have space at home to raise something or grow something.

What is on a porch or your backyard?

So growing that we do scream.

We help with health benefits and save some money.

Joel Brown number nine on your ballot.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Conners.

So at this time, based on the information shared in terms of perspectives pertaining to these topics.

Do you have a rebuttal for any of them?

That's so much a rebuttal, but I'd like to remain focused and said that one of the things when we talk about our hospitals, our health care, where are we talking about building new hospitals and health care?

We have to have a temporary solution.

We invest in 20 to 30,000 new people that we need to make sure that when those people, those people come in, we have facilities and places to take care of the population, not just the visitors, but those the residents who live here.

We need to make sure we have adequate building, billing and so forth, because people walking in the hospital, leaving and not paying for the services the hospital need to replenish, we need to make sure our doctors and our nurses are fully paid properly.

All this stuff in other hospitals, it's take four, six and a vision, but we have to work together, work with all the work with the executive branch to make sure these projects are being executed in a timely manner.

Thank you, Senator Lewis.

Miss two, I would like to add, would Senator Lewis, he talked about education.

I think one of the things when he spoke about certificates, one of the things that we can do, knowing that we have reusable energy and artificial intelligence, those are two certificates that we need to partner with Yuvi and our vocational training programs to consider, as well as providing apprenticeship and journeyman to youth and adults alike.

Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Duke.

Due to time constraints, we will now have to move to the next segment.

And so at this time, I would now invite each candidate to make a closing statement.

And so you have 60s each starting with Senator Fonseka.

Good evening my fellow Virgin Islands.

I am Ray Popa Fonseka, number ten on the ballot tonight.

You've heard many of my bills and my proposals and also legislation that was enacted into law.

But this election is about trust, integrity and results.

So I have served in this legislature and I have fought for the people.

So I am asking the people to retain me because my record is my resume and my service is my promise.

I believe I have served you with integrity, I have worked hard, and I have humbly been committed to my duty.

I serve as the chair of the Health Hospitals Human Services Committee.

I also serve as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee.

Thank you, Sir Popa Fonseca, number ten on the.

Thank you, Senator Francisco, Senator Lewis, fellow Virgin Islands I am a real Lewis.

Number seven on your ballot.

I ask you leadership, loyalty, legacy.

I've always made myself accessible.

Leadership is not just leading from the back.

It's leading from the front, making it tough, unpopular decisions.

I go to work every day thinking about how could I make life easier for people, the lifestyle better for people making those tough decisions.

My campaign is about assisted living, homes, senior living, making life better for our seniors and making life better for our young people.

Growing in the growing economy and building capacity.

Folks, we need leadership in legislature.

Like if we lose, who's going to get things done now?

Just talk from behind.

Look at my record.

I've proven track record, and I continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the people.

One of the biggest bills I'm proud of is children with disabilities.

Parents know have full hours of annually.

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Senator Lewis.

Mr.

Brown Connors, good day.

So I want to start by thanking the judge and the League of Women Voters for having us today.

So, number nine, on your ballot for the general election, Joel Brown corners.

So I want to say I have 20 years of service to the Virgin Islands.

I've been committed 35 years living in islands.

I've seen the struggles of more people.

And every day I see too many of our hard working people doing everything right.

I'm still struggling to survive.

I want to make it one of my businesses, to help ease the burden and give hope to the residents of the Virgin Islands.

So I'm humbly asking for your vote on Election Day number nine, Joel Brown.

Comments.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Brown.

Connors, Miss Duke.

Hi, my name is Paula Duke.

Number 17 on the ballot.

I'm a sauna.

Little scary scared.

But that doesn't mean I'm not hard working and I'm not ready to do this job.

I'm prepared to fight for you because I am not stand that I am a sufferer.

Just like you guys.

I had a cry.

I see the cry.

I feel a voice heard, a voice of the people.

And I want to stand up for you out there that needs a representation and a independent voice that can fight for you.

I believe a leadership in that is transparent accountability, integrity.

Those that are those are the characteristics that I possess.

However, please give me a chance to represent you in the 37th legislature.

I humbly ask for your vote.

My name is Paula Duke, number 17 on the ballot.

I'm afraid to believe I am a fighter.

Candidates.

Thank you very much for your participation in today's forum.

Thank you as well for your continued commitment and service to the US Virgin Islands.

The League of Women Voters hopes that this program has helped you, the viewer, to better choose between these four candidates.

But we also encourage you to read their platforms and attend the events to further evaluate candidates and have them answer your questions.

We thank W.T., the candidates, and you the viewer.

This program has been recorded for viewing of the WTA Facebook page, as well as the League of Women Voters Facebook pages until the election.

Be sure to let others know they too, can view the program if they have missed it.

And remember to vote.

Keep well.