It's 2026, another election year, and the League of Women Voters is here again on WTA, TV channel 12 to interview candidates seeking elective office in the United States Virgin Islands.

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

I am Doctor Pamela Moolenaar-Wirsiy a member of the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands, and today we are speaking with three candidates for the position of senator in the Saint Thomas Saint John district candidates.

Thank you so much for being here.

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

Callwood Greetings to the people of the Virgin Islands.

My name is Derrick Callwood, your Republican candidate for the 37 legislature.

Number 11.

Number 16.

On your ballot.

Miss Francis?

Sure.

Good day.

Shenelle Francis I'm running as a Democrat.

I'm number 14 on the ballot.

Mr.

Farrell.

Hi, I'm Eugene Farrell.

Number 18 on the ballot.

I'm running as an independent candidate in the Saint Thomas Saint John district.

Now, 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?

And also state how you think this makes you stand out among all the other candidates.

Each of you will have 60s and will start with Mr.

Callwood Once again, the record number 16 on the ballot.

I have been raised here in the Virgin Islands, attended Antonio Jarvis School, went on to a little conquering, then concluded my education with Cornerstone Christian Academy.

Father also went and attend Ashford University for Business administration with 12 continuing credits.

I'm a business owner here in a Virgin Islands for 15 years, retired police officer, boat captain and a taxi ambassador for over 25 years.

I do believe that I could help contribute to our government in shaping our economy, lowering our health cost.

Raising, the value in our economy growth.

And I do believe that you voting for me will bring about the change that we desperately need.

We need a candidate, one who will.

Finish his sentence, one who will listen to the voices of the voter, act on behalf of the voter and not oneself.

Once again, my name is the record number 16 on the ballot, Mr.

Farrell.

All right.

Eugene Farrell, number 18 on the ballot.

The people of the Virgin Islands deserve leadership.

They can trust, service they deserve.

I've been a 36 year Army veteran, retired command sergeant major.

I served in the highest levels of government as the chief of staff to Governor Kenneth Map.

Currently, I am a chief.

I'm the chief researcher for Senator Franklin Johnson in the 36th legislature.

I have a master master's degree in public administration, a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing, and an associate's degree in management.

Now, why I feel I should be the best candidate or one of the candidates that you select.

My experience tells it all.

I've led teams, led agencies, instructed students coached and for for for a lack of a better word, I have done almost everything that I have done as a servant for this community.

Eugene Farrell, number 18 on the ballot.

Miss Francis?

Sure.

So now finna Francis here.

I have a ton of experience in real estate.

My background I have a bachelor's degree in marketing from Albany State University.

I noticed that there's a housing crisis here which sparked my interest in running for Senator.

I dedicate my life to this industry, and housing is something we need.

We need to keep our locals here on island by providing them all the resources they need to be successful.

In addition to housing, I've worked in research in Emory University.

I've also used tips and traits from the state side or the mainland to implement here, where we can make a better Virgin Islands.

I'm asking the public humbly for their vote of confidence this upcoming election.

Again, my name is Shenelle Francis.

Thank you.

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

Surely one hour is insufficient to address all the issues and concerns.

So the league's 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.

So to ensure that you each have equal time 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 rebuttals are made.

The candidate will have 45 seconds to address them all, so we ask for respectful treatment of one another, and your interactions will certainly say much to the viewers about what to expect of your behavior as a senator in the legislature.

Candidates.

As we begin, will you affirm that you have not been privy to our questions in advance in any way?

Mr.

Callwood, would you affirm?

I have one.

Miss Francis, I affirm, Mr.

Farrell, I affirm.

Thank you so much.

Now, let's get started.

Let's start with the big elephant in the room that is stomping on everything.

Wapa.

Let's be frank.

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

Colossal failures besides lack of money?

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

How would you, as Senator, address these other concerns?

You may still include financial issues as a minor point if you wish, but we really would like to hear some other reasons.

You think Wapa is failing us.

And this time we're going to start with Miss Frances.

Okay.

Thank you for the question, doctor.

See, with Wapa.

Yes, the elephant is in the room.

We deal with those challenges every day.

Now, there is something that we can do to combat this accountability issue, and that's possibly.

As for credits if our power goes out or lack thereof.

So if we don't have power at our homes, we receive our credit on our bill, or we can even offer appliance reimbursement.

Because I've been a victim, I've lost a washing machine.

I've lost a hair dryer.

Two, power surges.

So a couple other things we could look at is to implement maybe a credit towards your bill, a reimbursement for those damage appliances.

And we can explore solar in the ocean in addition to generators that our schools are elderly centers and our, housing communities.

So schools, elderly care centers and housing communities.

Thank you.

Mr.. Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

We'll move on to Mr.. Colwood.

Your response?

60s Wapa, I do believe has been an elected official.

I would look that at number 1248, what was created in in 1964 by the fifth legislature.

Wapa has been detrimental to the community.

It has raising electricity rates unstable current.

And I do believe that we need to experience or or for lack of a better term, we need to explore other energy resources.

I would once I get into the legislature, I would take a look at the app that created a board.

See if we could dissolve WaPo board and see how we could privatize Wapa, where we could have an assessment of a European, Canadian or American company to come in and run our utility plants.

We as the people of the government, we need to more be the the custodial worker, the custodial owners of Wapa, where these people pay us rent and they've been about a better service in our community.

Thank you.

Mr.. Mr.. Farrell.

Eugene Farrell, number 18 on the ballot.

And I've listened to my fellow panelists and they do have some valid points.

But currently Wapa does have a cultural problem.

Cultural problem meaning lack of maintenance.

They're not doing maintenance and the machines like they're supposed to.

Poor financial, oversight.

So currently they're not really in control of exactly what is going on with their money.

They're coming in late on projects.

The projects are actually over budget.

So therefore we need to look at the cultural issue.

One of the solutions I have is to put Wapa in receivership.

It's a court ordered a situation where a team comes in.

It looks at all the issues with Wapa.

It assists the Wapa, employees and management with making the service reliable.

Removing the board.

That is one of the major issues that we have putting competent people on the board.

Eugene Farrell, number 18 on the ballot.

Thank you.

Does anyone have a rebuttal to any of your fellow candidates?

If not, we'll move on.

Yes, I do have a rebuttal.

Okay.

45 seconds.

Mr.

Callwood said privatization.

Once we put Wapa in the hands of a private company, it then, puts us in a bad situation where we cannot control what's going on.

If the hospital, for instance, does not pay its bill, the hospital will be cut off.

So I don't agree with privatization, but I do know that we need to add additional, energy streams.

Such as when?

Expanded solar and water.

Eugene.

Number 18 on the ballot.

Eugene Farrell.

Yes.

45 seconds for rebuttal.

I would I would rebuttal to that that statement.

Because right now our government pays one communication.

One communication is a private entity.

We are not selling Wapa.

We are renting a property.

Being a custodial owners of the property where they pay us rent.

We have private entities here bringing about affordable rates when it comes to our economics.

Us privatizing Wapa only gives us an advantage to be in that competitive market.

The government can be the sole provider of all of our necessities.

So I would privatize explore privatization of the Wapa agency.

Thank you.

We're moving on to talking point number two.

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

And what are some strategies that may be addressed in your platforms that can affect these impacts?

You have 60s and we'll start with you, Mr.

Farrell.

Thank you doctor.

We'll see Eugene, 18 on the ballot.

And that's a very important question.

In order to stop the outward migration of our young people.

We need to provide them with opportunities.

We need to provide them with housing.

We need to provide them with jobs.

And currently we have to look at situations where like 340 North, it's a 340 note.

It's a development company that's currently right now building and expanding homes for middle income people.

So what we need to do is we need to provide opportunities for them to stay.

We need to provide housing, and we need to provide jobs.

And we have to look out for our elders because unless an elder is prepared to retire, they will continue to work and actually clog up the system.

Eugene, number 18 on the ballot, Miss Francis?

Sure.

Can you repeat the question?

Sure.

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

And what are some strategies addressed in your platforms that can impact this issue?

Thank you for the question, Doctor Wirsiy.

So with our elders, what's happening is we don't have adequate healthcare locally.

So what I'm proposing in my platform to decrease that number is for us to have a partnership with UVI and create a, geriatric sort of a program where they can care for our elders locally and we don't have to send them off to the states to get that proper care they deserve.

Our elders built this islands or they built this foundation where standing upon you, standing before you with.

I think they deserve that type of treatment.

We need to care for them here instead of shipping them off to the mainland.

And Mr.

Callwood, my approach and it is we would still I would still look forward for outside investment.

See if we could modernize or medical facility, see if we could get a Cleveland Clinic or Lando Health to come.

Right now we have the opportunity to have that done with Mary Keating Clinic in Saint John.

Saint John right now is destroyed from the storms.

We should be able to deal with, you know, to these companies opening up the industry where these companies could come into our territory and provide the necessary assistance, create the jobs, create opportunities.

Where were young people, them who it is studying to be a nurse who it is studying to be adapter surgeon can't stay here, retain a good adequate pay and serve our people here in a Virgin Islands.

We have so much opportunities but we keep lacking out competition.

We keep monopolizing to certain industries in our territory.

So I would open up our market, create opportunities for our young people to stay and still to care for our elderly.

We just have to be more explorative over time.

Thank you.

There's anyone have any rebuttals to anything your colleagues stated?

I do have a comment relative to bringing in another entity from the mainland.

I. I believe we should nurture what we have here and possibly creating a medical or teaching hospital on both of our UVI campuses.

So I think instead of opening it up for others to come to our territory, we need to expand on what we have here or explore that option, what have you.

Yes, 45 seconds.

We voted on that because, because I mean, right now we presently who can afford it presently travel to the mainland for medical resources or even educational purpose.

If we open up our resources, we could have them here.

We could reposition our territory as being a leading model in the Caribbean.

We could have neighboring islands come to our territory, seek home ownership, all these different aspects, and still serve our people at the same time.

So investment is not so much of a bad type of explore.

However, we need the proper investment so we could bring about the proper service for our community.

Thank you.

All right, moving on to talking point number three.

The legislature engaged in an internal struggle to select from two plans on how to best restructure and improve the district airports.

What is your preference between the two approaches?

Explain and justify your choice.

There'll be 60s for a response and 45 seconds for rebuttals.

And this time we're starting with Mr.

Callwood.

Repeat a question for me, please.

Sure.

The legislature engaged in an internal struggle to select from two plans on how to best restructure and improve the district airports.

What is your preference between the two approaches?

Explain and justify your choice.

60s for a response 45 seconds for a rebuttal, Mr.

Callwood Well, I'm not too sure of the approach that the legislature has taken, but I know privatizing privatization within our Saint Thomas district with the King Airport was not a feasible, option.

I think we needed to to more, explore different models that the board for Wapa proposed to the legislature and come up with a more comprehensive decision, whereas it could better serve our people.

And right now, governor is trying to, make, the port carriers invest in our airport.

How a dialect is our airport actually in this present state?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Callwood.

We'll move on to Mr.

Farrell.

18, on the ballot.

That's a very good question.

I'm very much aware of what's going on with the airport situation.

And Mr.

Callwood is correct.

The legislature has not given their position on it.

But the way I look at it.

Number one, it's going to cost us about $1.4 billion over four years, right.

And it's going to increase the travel cost to travel to the Virgin Islands if we do it in a four year span.

But if we go with the airlines proposal, which they would have skin in the game because the airlines are what really we should be looking at.

If the airlines stop coming to the Virgin Islands, we lose our tourism industry.

So we should look at both, alternatives, both options.

And then we would we would go forward.

Currently, right now I'm leaning on the weight of the airlines because the airlines is bringing skin in the game, similar to what's happening at the Chrome Arena with the cruise lines.

Okay.

Once they invest money in the Virgin Islands, I don't think they're going to pull out and leave us stranded.

Eugene, final number 18 on the ballot.

Thank you, Miss Francis.

Shenelle Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

I just want to say I'm not too privy on the two options at the airport, but what I can gather is the departure of spirit Airlines did have an impact on our ability to travel us as locals, in addition to people coming here to visit.

So whatever decision is best for the territory, I would have to side with with them on that because pricing would ultimately determine how how we are impacted by the decisions we make.

So if prices are extremely high, we won't get as much visitors.

We won't get to leisurely travel.

So it's twofold.

So I appreciate the the question.

It's a it's a it's an industry that we need to make sure we take a close look at.

Because right now how we're looking, it's extremely expensive to travel to the mainland in in the event you have a medical emergency it's almost triple the cost.

So whatever we decide, it has to benefit the people of the territory.

Shenelle Francis, candidate number 14 on the ballot.

Thank you.

All right, moving on to our next talking point.

With a significant decrease in population, our tax base has plunged.

And that has really worsened all of our woes.

What stimuli or strategic approach to increase our tax base would you advocate for as a Senator?

60s and rebuttals of 45 seconds.

We're going to start with Miss Frances.

Okay.

So I have some initiatives that could be revenue generating initiatives.

One is our agricultural product.

We could do things that we see others doing in other countries.

When people visit, make sure they see what fruit trees we have, make sure they purchase goods that contain our local fruit.

Make sure we visit the farms.

Make sure we patronize these places, the taxi drivers so it's all tenfold.

We can make it out of this slump with suggesting innovative options to generate some revenue.

Thank you, Mr.

Callwood When it comes to generating revenue, I think we owe our present and past administration missed the boat.

I think when, President Trump was talking about Make America Great Again, I do believe that our Congress lady and our governor should have gone to Washington and say, okay, you want to make America great again?

Unless you're talking about tariffs on top of these these companies in China and these different places, let's see how we could lower these companies to say inquiry set up shop where we could we could we could have that tax, that tax incentive for these companies.

And they could have money, they could have items made in the US Virgin Islands and exported to the mainland.

So I think that's a that's a conversation that we could propose together holistically once in the legislature.

And we could see how Washington could lower some of those, those companies here because we have tax exemptions also opportunities also.

But they have to pay our people, right.

They have to be able to bring about a better economic growth here in a Virgin Islands.

Number 16 on your ballot, Derek Carr.

Thank you, Mr.

Farrell.

Eugene foul number 18 on the ballot.

I must agree with my fellow forum partner, Mr.. We do have to look at the strategy.

And when he's talking about is the Jones Act, we need to actually look and take advantage of that Jones Act exemption that the Virgin Islands has.

Right.

So what that is, is we're going to be able to allow a shipment coming from overseas.

The products made in the Virgin Islands be labeled in the Virgin Islands and be sent to the United States as made in the USA.

Number two taxes.

No one wants taxes raised.

However, what we need to do is we need to make sure that we collect the outstanding taxes that we have for the past, I would say 6 or 7 legislatures.

I have seen the budget that comes from government House grossly expanded.

It is not a true budget and we need to actually sit down, look at the budget, ensure that what they say they they're actually going to get is what they have been getting.

So right now we need to look at making sure that we collect the money that's out there.

Number one.

And number two don't over inflate the budget.

Eugene.

File number 18 on the ballot.

Thank you.

Any rebuttals?

All right.

If not, we'll move on to the next talking point, which focuses on affordability, the cost of living in the US.

VI was always high, but it has skyrocketed recently.

So two questions.

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

And second, indicate how you would assist families struggling with eldercare, in addition to struggling to meet high cost of living in the VI, you have 60s first person here is Mr.

Farrell.

Well, thank you again for that question.

As far as the release of shipping, shipping is one of the biggest issues that we have.

When products come to the Virgin Islands, the the containers are paying around trip ticket.

So what we need to do is we need to be able to develop products and export products to the United States or wherever.

That way, when these containers leave here, the person is receiving our exports.

They will pay for the shipping.

Secondly, elder care.

My mom is currently bedridden and my brother takes the brunt of that responsibility.

We need to establish some form of assistance for individuals that are going through that that situation, that we can ensure that our elders are taking care of, not just by the caregivers, but some sort of government assistance.

Eugene found number 18 on the ballot.

Very good question.

Thank you.

Shenelle Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

I spoke briefly earlier about the geriatric nursing partnership, which I think a lot of families can benefit from that.

I, too, have a grandmother that's bedridden.

So the stresses on the families is felt across the territory.

So if we offer ourselves or get assistance from these nurses, they can alleviate some of that, some of that strain on families.

Also, the hospital I was speaking about briefly, I'm proposing a teaching hospital, which this will have specialized doctors here to service our elders.

We won't have to go off island.

I hear that there's one GI gastroenterologist on island.

I hear that there's one urologist between the three islands.

These things should not happen.

If we have a teaching hospital, we would attract these physicians to provide the specialized services to service our elders.

That way, we don't have to rush lives and take them to the States for care.

Chanel Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

Mr.

Callwood, rising costs of costs, of rising costs.

When it comes to cost of living, our government need to be more interactive with the agricultural state here in a Virgin Islands.

We have a majority of our industry is everything is in port.

We we close down the abattoir, we we scalp supporting our farmers in the way that we should.

We should be able to, grow tomatoes, grow peppers, group potatoes, Alice.

Different type things in our climate.

Whereas the grocery stores could more shop by our local farmers market and rather than just importing and on interest, percentage on top of our goods and it comes back.

I would agree with Mr.

Farrell and, Miss Francis, when they talk about opening up certain things and it still falls back on the same aspect and sentiment that I share here, that we need to open up our industry.

We need to we need to privatize.

We need to bring about incentives, and we need to bring about economical, challenge or, or or growth where it comes to, affordable cost and these things here, there are 69 about it.

Thank you for that.

Any rebuttals?

All right.

If not, we moving on to a question submitted by the a R.P.. Corruption in government has become a big 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 this issue, and what do you plan to do about it as a senator?

This time we will start with Mr.

Callwood.

Corruption is the record again, number 16 on the ballot.

Corruption is blatant in our community.

Yes, I do agree with that question.

We as or I as a legislature, I would I would introduce bills where where we hold cabinet members accountable solely.

All right.

We just had a corruption with the police department.

I have yet to see our local government actually have a investigation into the matter.

We only had federal investigation.

What happened?

Our Department of Justice don't want to investigate cabinet members as well.

We should have had two investigations running.

So I tend to create a bill where we could hold individual responsible.

Because doing right is so wrong right now.

And doing wrong is the new right here in our community.

So if we hold people responsible solely and we separate them from the government, because at the end of the day, the government is who bear the burden of responsibility with the actions, these individual cars.

So I would bring about a bill to hold people accountable in the positions that the whole once appointed and confirmed by the legislature, the record number 69.

Thank you, Mister Farrell.

Eugene, number 18 on the ballot.

And the answer is yes.

Corruption has increased just recently in this legislature.

Senator Alma Francis Heyliger proposed a resolution to have Congress to give us the opportunity to elect our own attorney general.

And if you notice all the corruptions that are currently going through the territory, that only general is in the middle of it.

You can't solve corruption.

You can't stop it when it's an executive branch, issue number one, and the person who is charged with fighting corruption works for the executive branch.

So again, I would support that resolution to have our attorney general elected and we move forward and put an end to this corruption.

Eugene, front number 18 on the ballot.

Thank you.

Shenelle Fina Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

I've listened to these two gentlemen beside me.

And it's one thing that's clear.

Yes, corruption is alive.

It's well, it's active.

But how do we combat it?

We have to vet these individuals prior to them receiving these high rolls in offices.

Once we vet them, we know what they're capable of.

Instead of listening to a resume and making a decision.

As legislators, we need to vet these individuals properly to avoid these nuances.

Also.

Over 16.

Also, I lost my train of thought.

Sorry about that.

I lost my train of thought.

So relative to corruption, yes, it occurs, but what we need to focus on too is we make these appropriations as legislators.

We don't have a follow up.

I worked in procurement, so I'm very familiar with contracting.

And contracting is very a very serious thing.

There's no, there's it leaves no room for corruption.

So with my experience in procurement, we need to focus in on vetting these individuals for positions.

Thank you.

Rebuttal?

Yes.

I would like to be about the two candidates.

Mr.

Farrell spoke about electing the attorney general.

We need to, give our inspector general powers.

We need to make him not elected position as well.

For when it comes to, Miss Francis, she spoke about vetting.

Yes.

All individuals must be vetted.

But power do 1 or 2 things.

It corrupt, and it reveals the true character.

So if you have a thief, no matter how much education they have, they gone teeth out of the government.

They're going to create bargains that benefits themselves.

But we need to support the inspector general.

We need to make sure the inspector general is a semi-autonomous agency where they don't answer to a governor and not being appointed position the record number 16 on the ballot.

Any other rebuttals?

Yes, I like to report.

Mr.

Callwood, currently the inspector general, do have officers on staff.

The issue with the inspector general is that they don't have the funding to carry out some of these audits that they require.

Just recently we had a added that was supposed to be done by Wapa and but they didn't have the resources.

So again, I go back and I will stand firm on electing our attorney general and have that person be able to prosecute whoever violates the law.

Eugene, file number 18 on the ballot.

Thank you.

All right.

Moving on to another elephant.

We have lots of elephants in the room.

The Epstein case, in your opinion, of what significance is the Epstein case to the United States Virgin Islands?

If it is significant, what are the issues needing addressing?

And what will be your approach as a senator if you think it's not significant?

Explain how you would address concerns raised by citizens.

You have 60s.

And the first respondent here is Miss Francis.

Okay.

So can you ask me the question?

Sure.

In your opinion, of what significance is the Epstein case to the United States Virgin Islands, is it significant?

If you think so, what are the issues needing addressing and what will be your approach as a senator if you don't think it's significant?

Explain how you would address concerns raised by citizens.

Thank you for the question, Doctor Warsi.

So yes, Epstein is something that it's very significant.

Why?

Because this is the U.S.

Virgin Islands.

So where a U.S.

territory.

What it showed, what it showed America, what it showed the world is that maybe anything is possible in the Virgin Islands.

What I would try to do is combat that and not make this place seem as if it's a stomping ground for that type of activity, for the, you know, being able to purchase politicians, to influence decisions, to receive tax breaks.

I can list a ton of things.

What what Epstein has done for us.

There's a movie, there's all these other aspects that we don't need that type of publicity for the U.S.

Virgin Islands.

It's a very significant thing.

How do we stop it from happening?

We implement some controls.

We implement some, controls.

We we we have we implement controls and make sure that we are not engaging in individuals that will do such.

Again.

Chanel Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

Thank you, Mr.

Callwood.

The Epstein case is very significant.

Evans.

It has demonstrated a world that we welcome corruption.

Our local politicians can be bought.

It has demonstrated a lot and it reflects bad here in the territory.

It's going to create attraction because everybody wants to go to Epstein Island when they visit the Virgin Islands.

But it's a black hair and we investigations are start based on a hunch.

And we had an investigate investigation being stopped by Miss George Koontz.

However, she was shot down by the present administration.

I think the next administration needs to pick up that mantle and do an investigation, because here is where those victims were offended.

Here, I mean, violated here is where, the Virgin Islands is, is is is home to me.

And I don't welcome pedophiles here.

And and the way how Epstein receive all those tax exemptions, I think we still need to pursue certain things where we could recoup.

And our interest in Virgin Islands.

The record number 16 on the ballot, Mr.

Farrell.

Eugene found 18 on the ballot.

Yes.

The Epstein case, the Epstein issue and everything surrounding Epstein is a major issue for the Virgin Islands.

And that goes back to my previous statement that we need to have an elected attorney general.

My colleague said the attorney general was fired.

If we elect an attorney general, then the governor cannot fire them.

They cannot fire them.

They cannot remove them for cars because we put that person there.

Epstein will continue to follow us until we are able to elect an attorney general and hopefully, hopefully, the constitutional convention that is currently going on.

Hopefully that option is in there for us to elect our attorney general, Eugene number 18, on the ballot.

Thank you.

Any rebuttals?

All right.

If not, we're moving on to our next talking point.

And this time it is around waste management as a small territory that imports most things.

Waste accumulation is a big problem.

Is waste management authority still the best solution or should it go back to public works?

And are there any other ways to tackle waste in the VI?

What can you do as a Senator to address these issues this time?

The first response goes to Mr.

Farrell.

Thank you for that question.

Waste management.

And it is a major issue.

Putting waste management back under public works may not be a viable option.

It is a semi-autonomous agency.

That means that it should be able to raise funds to execute what their mandates are for territory.

Currently, waste management does not collect for trash, so we need to start collecting for trash.

We need to move into recycling.

We need to actually look at ways to energy options.

And we need to make sure that the entire community buys into this.

In the States, you have individuals that pay for their trash pickup, but we don't.

So we need to start looking at progressive ways to get waste management back on track, but not putting them under public works.

I don't think that's the issue.

Eugene found over $1,800, Mr.. Francis?

Sure.

No final.

Francis number 14 on the ballot.

Yes.

Trash collection is something we need to implement in the territory.

I don't think waste management needs to go back under public works.

It's an authority that that we use, that we need to expand further and expand our service services that we offer to the people of the territory.

Recycling.

Recycling is a great option.

We have tons of waste that we could repurpose and reuse and do other things with.

So we need to expand on our recyclable product in addition to expanding our existing waste management product.

Chanel Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

And Mr.

Callwood, they're calling them at 16 on the ballot.

I, I do believe we as management is a good standalone agency.

I think we as management have to look at the trash as a business standpoint.

There's there's good money in trash.

People of the Virgin Islands.

I know this one guy that used to, get collect or it's them from the the fast food place and send them off and create their pay for the oil.

They use.

All our waste management agency needs to to to to explore some of those options from within.

Not us just certainly trash and having somebody else ship it out.

People making money and metals couples these different type of thing that is being brought to waste management.

Why haven't we management leadership, pay attention to that aspect and see how they could recoup those funds, see how they could get into those business modules where they could expand their different, the different agents.

They're different divisions, whereas they could recoup on some of the monies them that we are sending out under a privatization, company, the recover number 16 on the ballot.

Thank you.

Any rebuttals?

If not, we'll move into our final talking point.

For this talking point, you will get to select any of the following topics that have not been addressed in our discussion, and explain your approach to addressing it as a Senator.

Again, you have 60s and you can rebuttal for 45 seconds.

The topics are education, crime, food security, disaster recovery, and hospitals.

And this time we're going to start with Mr.

Callwood Can you please repeat the question?

Sure.

You can select any of the following topics that have not been addressed in our discussion and explain your approach to addressing it as a senator, the topics are education, crime, food security, disaster recovery, and hospitals.

Okay, there are 16 on the ballot.

I would go with, crime.

Crime is running rampant in a Virgin Islands.

We need to bring about better training for our officers.

We need to support our officers.

We need to amend laws for our officers when it comes to aggravated assault and battery, and a police officer that some means demeanor.

We need to create bills where those things could be looked at as a felony.

We need to we need to modernize our patrolling.

Comes to healthcare.

I think we we we we need to steal.

The government can be the sole provider of healthcare.

We need to explore private medical, positions or companies to to come to the Virgin Islands to better serve our elders, better bring about the modernized care we need so desperately here.

We have a broad industry when it comes to healthcare.

We could serve neighboring islands.

We could explore, more more hotel, tourism, care, all these different aspects.

The recovered number 16 on the ballot.

Thank you, Mr.

Farrell.

You're next.

Well, on my agenda is number one.

But right under Wapa is healthcare.

We have an agent community.

We have a dilapidated hospital system.

So currently what the problem is with the hospital, number one, they're not collecting the uncompensated care is not being collected.

Number two is grossly underfunded.

So currently right now we are waiting for the hospital rebuilds.

And I think once the hospital rebuilds start to take place, when we get all the new equipment, it will actually recover.

I believe it will recover because you'll get more nurses, doctors coming back into the territory because the hospital system will improve.

I do have a piece of legislation that I've drafted to help the hospital with their financial issues, but I'm not going to give it to you now when I'm when I get elected.

You hear about it, Eugene, file number 18 on the ballot.

So now you know Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

We've heard about crime.

We heard about hospitals, but we haven't heard about education.

So I'd like to speak to you about that education.

We need to develop what we have here.

So we have billions of dollars floating to the territory, but we don't have the train, specialized individuals to perform those jobs.

So I'm proposing that we have a trade and trucking school expo right here in the Virgin Islands, in addition to diesel and mechanics.

Because we have a robust marine industry, we need to expand on those career options for our youth.

With these trade and trucking exposed, we're able to source and place young people in the territory into these jobs that are.

So I just used the school rebuild as an example.

We have billions of projects CA remodel, BC remodel, but we need skilled tradesmen to complete those tasks.

We need to nurture them here and make sure that they have a place in in our workforce.

Shenelle Fina Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

Thank you.

Yes.

Any rebuttals?

45 seconds?

Yes.

The education definitely needs to be supported.

Our teachers need to be more appreciated.

Our teachers, them are the the the importance of them.

We pay less attention to the teachers.

The teachers.

Them are more of social workers, their parents, everything in one under one hat.

So we need to invest more in the teachers and the present teachers, them that we have.

Yes, we need to bring about, trade schools.

We need to bring about, better learning environments.

However, we must we must focus on our teachers in making that change happen.

Any other rebuttals?

Well, thank you for bringing up that teachers need.

Thank you for the rebuttal.

Also, teachers do need some attention, but in relative to a crime, we still need to work with the schools to address that issue.

With youth crime at an all time high in my platform, I propose a junior police program, which is offered to juniors and seniors at the high schools where they receive proper training, their assigned as hall monitors to defuze and mitigate between disagreements.

Because I don't know if you know with the youth, they tend to find out information first.

So it's critical to have that presence to reduce crime, what have you that starts at the school level.

Thank you.

Any others?

Yes.

Eugene 18, on the ballot.

As a former educator, I know the perils and the challenges that students face.

Currently, everything starts at home and it carries into school.

So I propose the parent university that was once a traveling program in the Virgin Islands, be funded at full capacity so we can support parents to support our students to support the Virgin Islands.

Eugene Farrell, number 18 on the ballot.

And the last rebuttal.

Mr.

Callwood if you'd like.

Yes.

To be honest, Francis, remarks.

We, the police department do have a junior program is called a cadet program, and they just implemented back the McGruff program.

But the way how we shape our community and the way how we we we we you discipline a child.

The first thing you sell police for you all this.

We need to be more police oriented in our community.

The police need to be more interactive with the students them and it takes it starts from home.

Like Mr.

Farrell said, it takes the parents, it takes the teacher, everyone, a community holistically.

The number 16 on the ballot.

Thank you all.

So the time is almost up for discussion with these three candidates seeking a seat in the 37th legislature.

So our final talking point you'll have 60s each.

I now invite each of you to make a closing statement, and we will start with Miss Francis Chanel Francis, number 14 on the ballot.

I'm just like you, a mother, a educated woman.

I am in real estate.

I have a diverse background, but I really, truly care about this territory.

My initiatives are very diverse.

I have fruit tree initiatives to support our agriculture product, youth development with sports initiatives with that sports tournaments throughout the territory.

That's basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer or flag football, what have you.

These interisland sports could create a sense of camaraderie amongst the territory, which will reduce crime.

I'm asking you to give me a chance.

My name is Shenelle Fina Francis, a dedicated woman of God, a mother and your friend.

I'm asking you to give me your vote of confidence this upcoming election on November 3rd.

Number 14 on the ballot.

Shenelle Fina Francis Thank you, Mr.

Callwood.

You're next.

Once again, my name is Derrick Callwood your Republican candidate number 16 on the ballot for the 37th legislature and the days leading up to the general election?

I will be in our community beating the roads, beating the pavement, having discussions how we can holistically create change in our economy, in our residents, in our territory.

I would be fighting for the change we so need desperately, and it's not a change where we bring prosperity just for a certain few people.

It's a change where we bring prosperity for all the Virgin Islanders.

Once again.

My name is Derrick Callwood your Republican candidate, number 16 on the ballot.

And Mr.

Farrell, thank you.

Eugene Farrell, file number 18 on the ballot.

I'm running because our community needs senators, legislatures that follow through.

Just passing a bill or holding hearings is not enough.

You need people that are going to understand the problem.

Finding solutions, hold people accountable, and fund the initiatives to help us get out of these issues that we're in.

I listen to all my my fellow Amanda and they have great points.

But again, we need to put a team of senators together that will stand for you, that will stand with you, that will provide for you because you deserve your fair share.

My name is Eugene Farrell.

I'm 18 and the ballot leadership you can trust service you deserve.

Thank you.

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

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

We'd like to thank you to the candidates and you, the viewer.

This program has been recorded for viewing on the WTJX Facebook, and the League of Women Voters Facebook pages until the election.

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

And remember to vote.

Stay well.