>>> ON THIS EPISODE OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" -- >> A CRITICAL ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE IS FOUND.

MEMBERS OF THE SEA TURTLE ASSISTANCE AND RESCUE ARE HERE TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS A GROWING ISSUE AND HOW IT CAN BE PREVENTED.

>>> THE BOARD HAS PICKED A NEW CEO.

VIRGIN ISLANDS LAW PREVENTS HIM FROM TAKING THE JOB.

WE WILL EXPLAIN.

>>> THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT IS PROBABLY HAPPENING.

--THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS PROPOSED ALLOWING JUSTICES TO STAY ON THE BENCH PAST THEIR TERM.

THERE IS A BACKLOG OF 11,000 CASES.

WE HAVE MORE, PLUS -- >> I HOPE TO COME BACK.

>> TRUMP´S HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY RECENTLY VISITED .

>>> MEANWHILE, AN EXECUTIVE ORDER WOULD MAKE PUERTO RICO AN INDEPENDENT STATE IS CIRCULATING AMONG CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES.

WE HAD THE DETAILS.

>>> LATER, OUR PANEL JOINTS US TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES AND MORE.

"COMES WITH THE TERRITORY" STARTS NOW.

>>> WELCOME TO "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY".

I AM MARCELLINA VENTURA- DOUGLAS.

>> SEA TURTLES ARE A FAMILIAR SIGHT IN OUR WATERS BUT PROTECTING THEM REMAINS A CHALLENGE.

HUMAN ACTIVITY CONTINUES TO SPECIES.

A RECENT DISCOVERY IS A STARK REMINDER OF THE DANGER TEAT SEA TURTLES FACE IN THE TERRITORY.

>> A SEA TURTLE WASHED ASHORE NEAR HONEYMOON BEACH .

THE SEA TURTLE WAS SENT TO THE RESCUE TEAM AND SAID THE ADULT FEMALE HAD SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES.

SEA TURTLES ARE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED DUE TO HUMAN THREAT.

THEY RELY ON US FOR FOOD AND NESTS ON LOCAL BEACHES YEAR ROUND.

THEY SPEND TIME AT THE SURFACE BREATHING, MEETING AND SEARCHING FOR NESTING SITES, LEAVING THEM EXPOSED .

IN 2024, S.T.A.R.

REPORTED 36 SEA TURTLE STRANDINGS.

S.T.A.R.

IS URGING VOTERS TO SLOW DOWN AND STAY ALERT, ESPECIALLY IN NEARSHORE WATERS WHERE THEY SHOULD KEEP SPEEDS MILES PER HOUR.

THEY SAY SMALL CHANGES IN BOATING HABITS CAN PREVENT MORE DEATHS IN AN ALREADY STRUGGLING SPECIES.

>> THE SEA TURTLE ASSISTANCE AND RESCUE , OR S.T.A.R., IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION MADE UP OF PUBLIC AGENCIES, VETERINARIANS AND VOLUNTEERS WORKING ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

THEY RESPOND TO INJURED, STRANDED OR ABANDONED SEA TURTLES.

ANYONE WHO FINDS A TURTLE IN DISTRESS IS ASKED TO CALL 340- 690- 0474 AND PROVIDE DETAILS ABOUT ITS LOCATION AND POSITION.

JOINING ME NOW TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE THREATS FACING SEA TURTLES AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO PROTECT THEM ARE CLAUDIA LOMBARD AND JENNIFER VALIULIS , BOTH BOARD MEMBERS OF S.T.A.R., ALONG WITH NATALIE MONNIER, THE TEEN´S SEA TURTLE STRANDINGS CHLORINATOR.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US AND FOR THE WORK YOU DO, LADIES.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> CAN YOU START BY TELLING US ABOUT THE ACTIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE THAT INCIDENT WHEN THE TURTLE WASHED ASHORE NEAR HONEYMOON BEACH?

>> YES.

SO, WE REPORTED THAT STRANDING AND WE WERE ABLE TO SEND IT IN TO WILL LARGER NATIONAL DATABASE .

OUR DATA IS ALONGSIDE A LOT OF OTHER DATA FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AFTER DOING THAT, WE WROTE THE PRESS RELEASE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THIS THREAT AND ASKED THE PUBLIC FOR HELP IN CUTTING DOWN STRANDINGS.

>> AND, MS. LOMBARD, I UNDERSTAND ANOTHER STRANDED SEA TURTLE WAS FOUND MARCH 12th AROUND ST. THOMAS.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT INCIDENT?

>> YES, THAT´S RIGHT.

THIS INCIDENT IS ACTUALLY SO WE HAVE LIMITED DETAILS THAT WE CAN SHARE CURRENTLY.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THERE WAS A LIVE SEA TURTLE REPORTED THAT WAS DISPLAYING ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS.

THE TURTLE WAS STAYING ON THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN.

IT WASN´T DIVING DOWN , WHICH IS COMMON FOR SEA TURTLES.

ITS FLIPPERS WERE MOVING ERRATICALLY AT THE SURFACE.

WE SENT A TEAM OUT FROM USVI, THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE S.T.A.R.

NETWORK, TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER.

WHAT THEY FOUND IN THEIR EVALUATION IS THAT THE TURTLE HAD SMALL PUNCTURE WOUNDS TO THE TOP SHELF ON THE TURTLE.

THE PUNCTURE WOUNDS WERE THE SIZE OF THE TIP OF A PINKY FINGER, ABOUT 8 MILLIMETERS IN DIAMETER.

WHAT WE LEARNED AT THAT POINT, WE GOT POSITION THROUGH OUR PERMITS TO REMOVE THE TURTLE FROM THE WATER AND BRING IT IN FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT.

IT IS CURRENTLY THERE AND BEING TREATED AND EVALUATED BY VETERINARY STAFF WHILE AN INVESTIGATION HAPPENS.

NOW WHAT WOULD MAKE A PUNCTURE WOUND THAT SIZE AND WHY THAT IS SO IMPORTANT, PICTURE WOUND , WE CAN´T SAY DEFINITIVELY, BUT IT IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SPEAR FROM A SPEAR GUN.

WE ARE THINKING POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF THIS INJURY TO THE SEA TURTLE WAS A SHOT FROM A SPEAR GUN.

>> WE WILL LOOK OUT FOR THOSE RESULTS.

NOW, MS. MONNIER, FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE TERM STRANDED MEANS IN THIS CONTEXT?

>> OF COURSE.

STRANDING A SEA TURTLE MEANS ANY TURTLE THAT IS DISPLAYING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR, SO THIS COULD BE A TURTLE IN WATER OR ON LAND.

UM, THE TURTLE CAN BE INJURED, GOING THE WRONG WAY OR IT COULD BE DISEASED.

IF YOU SEE A TURTLE THAT IS DISPLAYING THESE BEHAVIORS, PLEASE CALL OUR STRANDING HOTLINE.

>> YOU KNOW THAT BOAT STRIKES ACCOUNTED FOR 25% OF THE DOCUMENTED STRANDINGS LAST YEAR.

CAN YOU PUT THAT NUMBER INTO PERSPECTIVE AND SHARE CERTAIN AREAS THAT SEE MORE THESE INCIDENTS?

>> YEAH.

IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE DOCUMENTED 35 STRANDINGS AND THOSE INJURIES OF THOSE STRANDINGS WERE BOAT >>> RELATED, 35 BOAT >>> TURTLES AND THOSE STRIKES ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF STRANDINGS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WE DOCUMENT THEM ON ALL THREE ISLANDS.

AND YOUR SECOND PART OF THE QUESTION, TRAN 23, WHERE THEY ARE TYPICALLY LOCATED, IF YOU AND YOU MAY ENCOUNTER A SEAT TURTLE BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THEY LIVE, BUT WE DO SEE A LOT MORE OF BOAT STRIKES HAPPENING IN AREAS WHERE THE TURTLES ARE FEEDING SO THOSE ARE NEARSHORE ENVIRONMENTS .

HABITATS , UM, COMPARABLE TO CORAL REEFS .

YEAH, WE WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW , UM, DEFINITELY TO SLOW DOWN IN THOSE NO WEAK ZONES.

>> NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BOAT AND TALKING ABOUT SLOWING DOWN, WHATEVER CAN PEOPLE DO TO HELP THE TURTLES?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE ARE QUITE A FEW.

WE HAVE SEEN ENTANGLEMENT INJURIES, THOSE ARE INJURIES CAUSED BY FISHING GEAR.

THEY CAN BE TANGLED IN FISHING LINE OR NETTING.

WE ALSO, UM, HAVE ISSUES WITH POACHING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IS A BIG FACTOR.

POLLUTION ON LAND OR IN THE WATER, EXCESSIVE ARTIFICIAL LIGHT ON BEACHES , ON OR NEAR BEACHES, I FEEL LIKE THE LIST IS VERY, VERY LONG BUT BECAUSE SEA TURTLES SPEND TIME ON LAND AND IN THE IN THE WATER MOST OF THEIR LIVES, THEY ARE KIND OF HIT WITH DOUBLE HUMAN INTERACTION, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> MS. VALIULIS, WOULD TO BRING YOU INTO THE CONVERSATION.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE BROADER CONSEQUENCES IS AND WHY IT IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE.

>> THAT IS A REALLY GREAT QUESTION.

SEA TURTLES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS.

THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR ECONOMY, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

THEY ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR ECOSYSTEM.

THE FUNCTIONING OF OUR MARINE AND ON LAND NATURE.

SO WHICHEVER THE ECOSYSTEMS, TURTLES HAVE THIS UNIQUE ABILITY OR THIS UNIQUE PART IN THE FOOD CYCLE WHERE THEY BRING NUTRIENTS FROM THE OCEAN TO THE BEACHES.

THE BEACHES ARE KIND OF NUTRIENT POOR.

THEY DO THAT BY LAYING THEIR EGGS IN THE SOIL.

THE EGGSHELLS AND THE YOKE LEFTOVER INJECT NUTRIENTS INTO THE SAND, WHICH THEN HELP GROW ALL THE TREES AND VEGETATION THAT IS ALONG THE SHORELINE.

THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, NOT JUST BECAUSE WE LIKE TO SIT UNDER TREES FOR SHADE WHEN WE ARE AT THE BEACH, BUT ALSO, IT KEEPS OUR SHORELINES AND BEACHES INTACT.

WE NEED MORE EDUCATION FOR THAT .

THAT IS A REALLY KEY PART.

SEA TURTLES ALSO MAINTAIN THE CORAL REEFS BY EATING ALGAE AND THE GRASSES AT LEVELS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

THOSE KIND OF FEET INTO WHERE THE ECONOMY COMES IN.

WE LIKE TO EAT FISH , COMMERCIALLY IMPORTED FISH, THEY LIVE AND EAT IN THE CORAL REEFS, THE SEAGRASS BEDS, SO A LOT OF OUR FOOD RELIES ON THE ECOSYSTEM THAT TURTLES MAINTAIN.

ANOTHER PART OF THE ECONOMY IS PEOPLE LOVE TO SEE SEA TURTLES IN THE WATER, THEY GO DIVING, ON THE WEST END OF ST. CROIX THERE ARE AREA SPECIFIC TO SEA TURTLES.

THAT IS ABOUT THE WAY THEY FEED INTO OUR ECONOMY.

BUT THEN NOT QUITE AS SOLID, SEA TURTLES BRING A LOT OF HAPPINESS.

THEY ARE A GREAT CONSERVATION AMBASSADOR.

PEOPLE REALLY CONNECT WITH SEA TURTLES .

THEY MAY NOT CONNECT SO MUCH WITH SAND BUT THEY WILL CONNECT TO SEA TURTLES AND THEY CAN TELL US , BY MAY BE DECLINING POPULATIONS, SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG AND KIND OF SPEAK FOR THEM.

>> NOW, SPEAK TO US ABOUT WHAT LAWS EXIST TO HELP PROTECT SEA TURTLES AND THE PENALTIES FOR BREAKING THEM.

>> THERE ARE BOTH TERRITORIAL LAWS AND FEDERAL LAWS THAT PROTECT, ACTUALLY, ALL ENDANGERED SPECIES.

THAT INCLUDES SEA TURTLES.

ALL THREE OF THE SEA TURTLES SPECIES WE FIND IN THE WATER AROUND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE OTHER BEACHES ARE PROTECTED AS ENDANGERED SPECIES.

I WILL FOCUS ON THE FEDERAL LAW.

IT IS THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT ENACTED IN 1973.

WHAT IT DOES, IT PROTECTS THE TURTLES FROM TAKE.

TAKE IS A GENERAL TERM.

WE CAN INCLUDE POACHING , KILLING, HARMING, HARASSING, ET CETERA.

ENDANGERED SPECIES, IN THIS CASE, SEA TURTLES.

VIOLATIONS OF THAT LAW CAN RESULT IN UP TO A YEAR IN PRISON.

$25,000 FINE FOR EACH VIOLATION AND CONFISCATION OF ANYTHING USED TO COMMIT THAT CRIME.

THERE ARE LAWS TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES BUT WITH EXAMPLES LIKE BOAT STRIKES, THOSE ARE OFTEN HARD TO IDENTIFY.

OFTEN TIMES, PEOPLE DON´T THINK IT IS BEING DONE ON PURPOSE.

IT IS USUALLY ACCIDENTAL.

THERE ARE APPLICABLE LAWS TO ENFORCE IN THOSE SITUATIONS BUT THERE ARE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR THE SEA TURTLES.

>> IN ADDITION TO THAT, TO EXPOUND ON THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU THINK CURRENTLY EXIST TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE, IF WE ARE NOT SEEING THESE LAWS KIND OF BEING DIFFICULTY BEING IMPLEMENTED?

>> RIGHT, YEAH.

IT IS A DIFFICULTY, AGAIN, WE HAVE SPECIFICALLY ON ST. CROIX, 52 BEACHES SURROUNDING ST. CROIX .

YOU KNOW, THE HIGHER DENSITY ON SOME OF THOSE BEACHES BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE.

WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN THE WATERS ON ALL THREE ISLANDS, YOU ARE RIGHT, THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT SEA TURTLES?

I GUESS, THE COMMUNITY CAN COME TOGETHER AND TAKE ACTION .

YOU CAN REPORT INCIDENCES SUCH AS THESE TO S.T.A.R.

AND WE CAN COLLECT THAT INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND THE THREAT THE SEA TURTLES ARE FACING.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU, BE ON FOLLOWING SPEED LIMITS, WHAT CAN BOATERS DO AND JET SKIS OPERATE IN THE TERRITORY.

THOSE OPERATING JET SKIS TO ALSO BE AWARE OF THESE LIMITS AND THE IMPACT TO SEA TURTLES?

>> YES.

JET SKIS , AS WE KNOW, PEOPLE LIKE TO GO REALLY FAST OR JET SKIS AND THEY CAN IMPACT THE TURTLES.

THEY TEND TO BE, YOU KNOW, IN THE NEARSHORE WATER.

IT IS A CONCERN.

IN TERMS OF WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE BY BOATERS, OBVIOUSLY, SLOWING DOWN, BEING AWARE OF HOTSPOTS FOR TURTLES, EVEN IF THE SPEED LIMIT MAY NOT BE LESS IN THAT AREA, IF YOU KNOW FROM YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND FROM WHAT WE HAVE TOLD YOU THAT THIS MIGHT BE A HOTSPOT FOR TURTLES, THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PLACE.

ANOTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS HAVE A LOOKOUT PERSON IN YOUR BOAT SO AS YOU ARE GOING ALONG, THEY CAN LOOK FOR TURTLES IN THE AREA.

ON A BROADER STROKE, THE INFORMATION WE ARE GIVING TODAY WILL HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE ABOUT IT AND READ ABOUT IT BUT THE BEST WAY TO LEARN IS TO USUALLY HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TELL YOU, ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE BOATING WITH YOU SO WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SHARE .

>> MS. MONNIER, I WANT TO , YOU KNOW, AND MACK WITH YOU.

SPEAK TO WHY S.T.A.R.´S WORK IS IMPORTANT AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD .

>> YEAH, S.T.A.R.

IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION THAT IS COLLECTING SEA TURTLES STRANDING DATA.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS BUT WE ARE THE ONES RECEIVING IT AND WE ARE ORGANIZING IT AND RESPONDING TO SEA TURTLES STRANDINGS.

THAT IS SUPER IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW HOW MANY STRANDINGS WE HAVE IN THE TERRITORY.

AND THEM YOU CAN BE OUR EYES AND OUR EARS.

SAVE THE S.T.A.R.

PHONE NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE.

YEAH, HELP US LOOKOUT FOR THE TURTLES.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK, AGAIN, YOU DO HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

>>> COMING UP, WE WILL HEAR FROM THE PANEL BUT FIRST, LET´S LOOK AT THE ISSUES ON THE TABLE.

>> A WEST INDIAN COMPANY HAS REPORTEDLY CHOSEN A TOURISM COMMISSIONER AS ITS NEXT PRESIDENT AND CEO.

ACCORDING TO MEDIA REPORTS, THEY CONFIRMED THE SELECTION IN AN INTERVIEW.

IT MAY BE WHERE A LAW PREVENTS HIM FROM TAKING THE JOB .

THEY CANNOT HOLD A BOARD OR COMMISSION AFTER A YEAR OF SERVING AS A MEMBER ON THE BOARD.

THE LAW APPLIES TO PUBLIC ENTITIES .

THEY HAVE LONG ARGUED IT IS A PRIVATE CORPORATION, EVEN FIGHTING IN COURT TO BLOCK ACCESS TO ITS RECORDS.

COURT RULINGS, INCLUDING CASES BROUGHT , JUDGES HAVE CONSISTENTLY FOUND THAT IT IS A PUBLIC ENTITY WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT.

EVEN SO, THE BOARD BELIEVES IT IS DESCRIBED AS A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION.

IT RECORDED ITS FEBRUARY 20th BOARD MEETING THAT WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THE CEO SELECTION REPORTEDLY TOOK PLACE DURING THE CLOSED DOOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THAT MEETING.

THE BOARD CHAIR REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE MATTER IN AN INTERVIEW ON MARCH 3 AND INSISTED A DECISION HAD NOT YET BEEN MADE.

>> I AM NOT GOING TO DIVULGE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD LIKE THAT.

WILL HAVE THE INFORMATION.

AT THIS POINT, IT HAS NOT BEEN MADE.

>> WITH WELL OVER 1000 CASES WAITING TO BE HEARD, LAWMAKERS RECENTLY DISCUSSED A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ALLOW JUDGES TO REMAIN ON THE BENCH PAST THEIR TERM LIMITS TO HELP CLEAR THE BACKLOG IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPERIOR COURT.

THE IDEA WAS PRESENTED BY THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR AND A HEARING ON FEBRUARY 27th.

RIGHT NOW, JUDGES CAN SERVE FOR 180 DAYS AFTER THEIR TERM EXPIRES BUT IF NO REPLACEMENT IS CONFIRMED BY THEN, THE SEAT REMAINS VACANT.

SHE POINTED TO THIS IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE BACKLOG, WHICH STOOD AT 11,666 PENDING CASES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024.

SHE TOLD SENATORS THAT DELAYS IN THE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT PROCESS HAVE CASE RESOLUTIONS AND INCREASED STRAIN.

IT WOULD REMOVE THE 180 DAY LIMIT UNTIL SUCCESSORS ARE CONFIRMED.

IT WOULD ALSO GIVE THE CHIEF JUSTICE AUTHORITY TO WAIVE THE 12 YEAR SERVICE REQUIREMENT FOR SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR JUDGES.

THAT WILL ALLOW EXPERIENCED FORMER JUDGES TO RETURN TEMPORARILY AND HELP REDUCE THE BACKLOG.

A SENATOR SAID THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR´S RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE REVIEWED BY LAWMAKERS.

>> THERE IS A BILL´S DRAFT IN WHICH, MOST, IF NOT ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, WERE MADE BY THE DRAFT ATTACHED TO THIS MEASURE AND WILL BE HEARD IN COMMITTEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER EXTENDING JUDICIAL TERMS AND DEFINITELY WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR CREATE NEW ONES.

>> IN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, I HAVE SEEN IT WHERE FOLKS ARE , YOU SERVE INDEFINITELY UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE IS CERTIFIED.

WE RISK HAVING OUTLAWED CHALLENGED , SHOULD THIS LAW BE CHANGED.

>> THERE ARE ALWAYS RISKS IN EVERY DECISION THAT IS MADE.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AND ARE LIVING THROUGH WHERE TIMELY APPOINTMENTS WERE NOT MADE.

THIS IS HYPOTHETICALLY OUR FIX AND TIME WILL TELL IF YOU WORK WITH THIS IN PLACE, WHETHER OR NOT THAT RISK IS REAL OR IMAGINARY.

THE EVIDENCE SHOWS IT IS.

>> THIS IS MY FIRST VISIT TO PUERTO RICO SO THANK YOU ALL FOR WELCOMING ME AND MY TEAM TODAY AND BEING SO GENEROUS WITH YOUR TIME.

>> HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM COMMENDED HER LEADERSHIP, SAYING SHE WOULD HELP DIAL-IN IN HURRICANE RECOVERY EFFORTS.

THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY CRITICIZED FEMA FOR NOT RELEASING $18 BILLION IT NEEDS TO REBUILD THE POWER GRID, WHICH WAS DESTROYED BY HURRICANE MARIA IN 2017.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS THAT NOEM SAID SHE WOULD LOOK INTO HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD HELP, SAYING MAKING SURE PEOPLE WILL GET THE HELP THEY NEED .

NOEM´S VISIT ALSO INCLUDED SECURITY AND STRENGTHENING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH FEDERAL SECURITY AGENTS.

>> I WILL BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ON ALL THOSE ISSUES AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOUR GREAT GOVERNOR HELP THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO.

>> MEANWHILE, THE DAILY MAIL REPORTS PRESIDENT TRUMP IS BEING LOBBIED TO MAKE PUERTO RICO AN INDEPENDENT NATION.

ACCORDING TO THE PUBLICATION, AN EXECUTIVE ORDER OUTLINING A TRANSITION PLAN FOR PUERTO RICO TO SEPARATE FROM THE U.S. IS CIRCULATING IN CONGRESS AND HAS REPORTEDLY REACHED KEY REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO AND WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF.

>> IT IS SAID TO HAVE ORIGINATED FROM A CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE WITH PUERTO RICO´S CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, RATHER THAN THE WHITE HOUSE.

STAFFERS FROM THE SENATE ENERGY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE WHICH OVERSEES THE TERRITORY, HAS NOT SCHEDULED MEETINGS TO DISCUSS THIS.

HOWEVER, NOT ALL OFFICIALS LINK TO THE REPORT HAVE CONFIRMED IT .

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS NOT TAKEN A PUBLIC STANCE ON PUERTO RICO´S INDEPENDENCE.

>>> JOINING ME ON SET TO BREAK THIS ALL DOWN IS SENATOR ALMA FRANCIS HEYLIGER, AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE REPRESENTING THOMAS -ST. JOHN DISTRICT.

ALSO, PLEASE WELCOME DWAYNE HENRY, ESQUIRE, WHO HOSTS THE POPULAR RADIO SHOW "ANALYZE THIS," ON WTJX-FM 93.1.

LET´S GET RIGHT INTO THE TOPIC, STARTING WITH THE MAJOR ISSUE IN POLITICAL JOURNALS, THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE CEO POSITION.

NOW THE GOVERNOR CONFIRMS WITH THE CONSORTIUM THAT HE HAS YET TO ACCEPT THE OFFER.

HOWEVER, WHEN I ASKED THE BOARD CHAIR JASON CHARLES ABOUT THIS, HE SAID THE BOARD HASN´T MADE A DECISION.

WHAT COULD THIS EXPLANATION, YOU KNOW, BE WITH THE DIFFERING LANGUAGE WE ARE HEARING.

>> IT IS UNFORTUNATE.

CLEARLY, THEY WERE NOT PART OF THE MEETING.

SO FOR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION NOT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

YOU ARE TALKING TO THE PUBLIC.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM AS IT IS WITH PUBLIC CONFIDENCE .

WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BE AS STRAIGHTFORWARD AS POSSIBLE.

I HAVE A LOT OF OPINIONS ON THIS BUT I WILL STICK TO WHAT IS FACTUAL.

THE PROBLEM IS, THE WAY THAT NOMINATIONS AND INFORMATION IS BEING DISSEMINATED, THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

GRADUATES FROM THE NOW DEFUNCT SCHOOL, THE GOVERNOR SAID , THIS IS THE SEVENTH OR THE EIGHTH, RIGHT?

WE ARE COMING TO THE HOME STRETCH , THE FINAL RUN.

LET´S HAVE A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION.

LET´S HAVE A PRODUCTIVE 2025 AND 2026.

STAY AWAY FROM THE CONTROVERSY.

YOU KNOW, LET´S JUST LEVEL WITH PEOPLE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE ARE WHO YOU ARE REPRESENTING.

THEY HAVE GIVING YOU TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO BE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WE DON´T NEED CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES LIKE THIS, WHERE YOU ARE SAYING ABOUT THE WICO BOARD, THE BOARD CHAIR, SAY SOMETHING ELSE.

>> I WANT TO COME TO YOU.

THE GOVERNOR REPORTEDLY DESCRIBED WICO AS A GOVERNMENT OWNED PRIVATE ENTITY.

HE EMPHASIZED BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND THAT LAWMAKERS ORIGINALLY SET IT UP TO BE OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY.

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS REASONING SUPPORTS WICO BEING A PRIVATE CORPORATION THEY CAN NOW FREELY SELECT A SITTING BOARD MEMBER AS IT CEO?

>> NO.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, THEY HAVE ALREADY GIVEN THE ANSWER FOR THIS.

THEY CLEARLY SAID THAT NOT ONLY HOW WICO WAS SET UP AS UNDER CORPORATION LAWS, BUT BECAUSE THERE WERE APPOINTMENTS ARE THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT OWNED ENTITY, THEY´RE BASICALLY CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AS A WHOLE.

THEY ARE A GOVERNMENT ENTITY.

I FIND IT VERY IRONIC AND, IN MY OPINION, DISRESPECTFUL, WHEN WE HAVE A JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT CLEARLY PUTS OUT A MESSAGE AND SAYS, THIS IS MY COURT RULING, WE STILL HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, IS PUSHING BACK AND SAYING, WE´RE BASICALLY NOT ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT THE COURTS HAVE SAID.

>> ATTORNEY HENRY, WHY DO YOU BELIEVE WICO HAS CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN ITS STANCE OF BEING A PRIVATE CORPORATION, DESPITE THE MULTIPLE COURT RULINGS?

OF COURSE, THE NEWSFEED ARTICLE CITED AT LEAST FOUR COURT WE HAVE THREE LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS, AS WELL, TOO.

WITH THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS THAT, YOU KNOW, SENATOR HEYLIGER JUST NOTED, WITH THE SUPREME COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ASSOCIATION.

WE HAVE THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS .

THAT HAPPENED IN 2015.

WE HAVE THE SUPERIOR COURT RULING IN 2019 WHERE THE JUDGE ORDERED WICO TO PROVIDE UNREDACTED REPORTS AND TRANSCRIPTS, REINFORCING IT IS A PUBLIC ENTITY STATUS.

WE HAVE THE LEGISLATURE SAYING IT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE PUBLIC ENTITY OPERATING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS ACT NUMBER 5826.

AGAIN, IN 2002 AND IN 2009 WE HAVE AMENDMENTS THAT FURTHER CLARIFY WICO AS A PUBLIC CORPORATION AND SEMI- GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

WHAT IS THEIR LEGAL JUSTIFICATION THAT PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE RULING FEDERAL AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, ARE QUITE CLEAR.

NOT ONLY THAT, EVEN FROM A COMMONSENSE POINT OF VIEW, IF THE GOVERNMENT OWNS AN ENTITY, CLEARLY, CLEARLY THAT ENTITY IS SUBJECT TO TRANSPARENCY .

THE TAXPAYERS HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO QUESTION ACTIONS OF WICO.

WICO DOESN´T GET TO DO WHAT IT WANTS SIMPLY BECAUSE , YOU KNOW, IT IS A PRIVATE ENTITY.

IT IS A PUBLIC CORPORATION AND THE GOVERNMENT OWNS 50%.

AS A SHAREHOLDER, BY THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS NOT A, YOU KNOW, ENTITY OF ITSELF.

IT IS THE PEOPLE.

WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT.

THEREFORE, ALL ACTIONS TAKEN BY ANYTHING THE GOVERNMENT OWNS OR OPERATES OR WHATEVER IS SUBJECT TO THE WHIMS OF THE PEOPLE.

THE PEOPLE´S WHIMS ARE ENACTED TO LEGISLATION.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE PASSES LEGISLATION SAYING THIS COMPANY IS SUBJECT TO THESE DIFFERENT ROLES, THEN THAT COMPANY NEEDS TO ABIDE BY THOSE RULES.

WE ARE ALL WICO.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO WITH THE SHAREHOLDER TO FORCE THE BOARD TO COMPLY WITH WHAT THE SHAREHOLDERS WANT THEM TO DO?

IT IS ABSURD TO THINK ONE CAN JUST FLAUNT THEIR NOSES AT PEOPLE, AS WELL.

THAT IS THAT.

IT DOESN´T HOLD ANY WATER .

>> YET, SENATOR ALMA FRANCIS HEYLIGER, WHAT CAN OR SHOULD APPOINTING BOSCHULTE FOR THE FULL YEAR?

YOU KNOW, AFTER IT PASSED?

>> WELL, WHEN YOU SAY WHAT CAN OR SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE DO, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO BUT I RECKON THEN --RECOGNIZE THE CULTURE I AM IN BECAUSE WE ARE DEALING WITH A LOT OF SYSTEMS THAT DON´T ALLOW FOR A LOT OF THINGS TO BE DONE.

THIS IS NOT NEW TO THIS ADMINISTRATION.

WE HAD A SITUATION EARLIER IN THIS ADMINISTRATION THAT ILLEGALLY TOOK OUT $45 MILLION OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

WHEN YOU ASK THE GOVERNOR ABOUT IT, HE SAYS, WELL, I JUST DID IT.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF ATTITUDE YOU ARE GETTING FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE MADE SURE THEY PUT VIRTUAL MONEY , THEY JUST SPENT IT.

WE JUST HAD A $60 MILLION TO THE LEGISLATURE TO GIVE FOR VENDOR PAYMENTS.

WE HAD SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, THE COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE WENT INTO THE GENERAL FUND AND UTILIZED SOME OF THE EPSTEIN MONEY WE HAD ALREADY EARMARKED FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND SPENT MILLIONS OF IT.

THE ATTITUDE IS, NO BIG DEAL.

ALL OF THESE ACTIONS ARE ILLEGAL.

UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE, AS A WHOLE, THE MAJORITY OF US GET TOGETHER AND DRAG THIS ADMINISTRATION TO COURT TO SHUT DOWN THIS BEHAVIOR, IT WILL CONTINUE BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING AWAY WITH THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR.

WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CARE NOW?

TAKING SOMEBODY TO WICO WHEN ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS?

YOU THINK THEY CARE?

>> AS A FORMER LAWMAKER, I AT THE SENTIMENTS OF SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER.

LEAVE A, QUOTE , HOLE IN HIS ADMINISTRATION.

HE IS RELYING ON TOURISM STRATEGY THROUGH 2026.

IS IT TRUE THEN, FOR THE BOARD TO ULTIMATELY CHANGE PERSONNEL AND TAKE BOSCHULTE FROM TOURISM TO BE THE NEW VICE CEO OR IS THIS MOVE, YOU KNOW, NOT EVEN ALLOWED UNDER VIRGIN ISLANDS LAW ?

>> [ LAUGHTER ] I DON´T KNOW IF YOU FORGET THE POINT BUT TO CHANGE COURSE, NO.

I HEARKEN BACK TO A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH THE FORMER GOVERNOR IN 2008 .

THE LATE GOVERNOR SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NOTHING STOPPING A GOVERNOR IN, RIGHT?

AND TALKING TO THEM AND LETTING THEM KNOW WHERE WE ARE AT.

YOU DON´T HAVE TO BE ADVERSARIAL.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO HAS SOMETHING IN IN HIS HIP POCKET .

IF, IN FACT , CERTAIN SITUATIONS REQUIRE TO ACT ON WAIVERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I REALLY WANT, WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT, NOT SO MUCH TO POINT FINGERS BUT TO PROMOTE THE IDEA THAT IF IN FACT YOU HAVE MADE IT CLEAR, RIGHT?

IT IS THE LAST LAP, YOU SHOULD NOT WANT CONTROVERSY.

YOU DON´T WANT A POTHOLE TYPE APPROACH.

I SAID TO SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER, THE THREE OR FOUR NONMEMBERS OF THAT PARTY IN THE YOU DON´T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OR YOU ARE ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE LEGISLATURE .

>> I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT AS A WHOLE.

I AM TALKING ABOUT THE STRUCTURE OF THE LEGISLATURE CURRENTLY, WHERE YOU HAVE THREE INDEPENDENT CABINET MEMBERS AND 12 DEMOCRATS.

>> I AM JUST SAYING, RIGHT, THE OPTION YOU LAID OUT IS AN OPTION.

THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER OPTION.

INDIVIDUALLY OR IN A SMALLER GROUP, NOT NECESSARILY THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU COULD TAKE HIM TO COURT.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT AT ALL.

>> AND I SUPPORT THAT.

I THINK THAT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.

WE HAVE TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB OF REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS CHALLENGING IS A DIRECT AFFRONT TO OUR AUTHORITY.

THAT IS A LONG AND SHORT OF IT.

IF WE DON´T UNITE AS ONE, WHETHER IT IS A MAJORITY OF US, AND PUSH BACK ON THIS RIDICULOUS BEHAVIOR, WE WILL CONSTANTLY BE DOING THAT.

TRYING TO LEAD AT THE FOOT OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IS NOT FEASIBLE.

WE HAVE TO UNITE AND PUSH BACK.

I COULD STAND APPEAR AS A SENATOR AND CONSISTENTLY SAY, OKAY, I AM GOING TO ARGUE, I AM GOING TO FIGHT.

BUT IF I DON´T HAVE AT LEAST ANOTHER SEVEN TO SEE A MAJORITY OF US MOVING COLLECTIVELY AGAINST THIS, IT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

THAT IS WHERE MY CONCERN IS.

>> I LOVE THIS.

I LOVE THIS DIALOGUE RIGHT NOW THAT IS HAPPENING.

WE STILL HAVE OTHER TOPICS I DO WANT US TO GET TO SO WE WILL TURN NOW TO WHAT IS BEING OFFERED TO LAWMAKERS FOR THE BACKLOG IN THE SUPERIOR COURT.

SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER, YOU´RE FIRED UP RIGHT NOW.

DID THE PROPOSAL FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR OF COURTS, WAS IT SOMETHING NEW TO YOU?

WAS IT SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD BEEN CONSIDERING OR THAT RESONATED ULTIMATELY WITH YOU?

>> I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN.

BASICALLY, ATTENDING THAT PARTICULAR MEETING, I HEARD WITH THEIR ISSUES WERE IN THEIR DRAFT.

MY CONCERN IS THAT THE THOUSANDS OF BACKLOGS WE HAVE , I THINK WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A BETTER SYSTEM OF HOW JUDGES ARE APPOINTED BECAUSE YOU COULD HAVE A JUDGE SITTING IN THAT CHAIR FOR THE SIX TERMS, THE SIX-YEAR TERM BUT HOW DO WE FULLY EVALUATE ?

HAVE WE DONE A GOOD JOB AT CLEARING THE CASES WE HAVE AND THAT SIX YEARS?

NOT JUST REAPPOINT THEM OR JUST LEAVE THEM THERE.

WHAT IF THEY ARE NOT DOING A GOOD JOB?

THERE HAS TO STILL BE A BALANCE.

I UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERNS, BUT FROM A LEGISLATURE STANDPOINT, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WE STILL HAVE TO MONITOR AND SEE WHO THESE JUDGES ARE AND IF THEY ARE ACTUALLY EXECUTING.

I WILL NOT PUT IT ALL ON THE COURT.

SOME OF THESE SITUATIONS OCCUR, IT MAY BE A REASON WHY , CLIENT- SIDE RELATED WHY THEY TAKE A LONG TIME, LAWYER RELATED, I DON´T WONDERED DUMP EVERYTHING ON THE COURT BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES HOLDING UP EVERYTHING.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE AN OVERALL STRUCTURE TO MAKE SURE NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE AND THE JUDGES ARE CAPABLE OF EXECUTING THESE JOBS AND SIZING OF THESE SITUATIONS.

>> ARE LEGAL EXPERT ON THE PANEL, ATTORNEY HENRY, THE TO THE BIG FACTOR IN THE BACKLOG.

NOW WHAT ELSE DO YOU SEE POSSIBLY ADDING TO THE PROBLEM?

>> WELL, CLEARLY, THERE IS A LAW, IN PARTICULAR, THE PARADE AREA , THE PROBATE , MY PERSONAL OPINION, I HAVE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING I SAY ON THE SHOW IS MY OWN OPINION, IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A PROBATE COURT.

EVEN SPECIALIZED COURTS.

IN NORTH CAROLINA, EVERYTHING IS SPECIALIZED COURTS AND THEY WORK VERY WELL.

THEY HAVE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COURT, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE VERY WELL SEGMENT IT LIKE THAT.

IT TENDS TO MOVE CASES ALONG QUITE RAPIDLY.

IF WE HAD SPECIALIZED COURTS , TWO JUDGES IN THERE, THEY COULD MOVE THESE CASES QUITE RAPIDLY.

THEY WILL DISPOSE OF THE CASES THAT DON´T NEED TO BE.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF CASES THAT NEED TO BE DISMISSED, BUT IT IS A QUESTION OF WHEN THE JUDGE WILL GET TO IT.

THOSE CASES AND THEN EVENTUALLY THEY ARE DISMISSED, BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY MAY DRAG ON FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.

IF YOU HAVE THESE SPECIALIZED COURTS, WE HAVE A JUVENILE COURT AND THEY FIT UNDER THE FORMER ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE HERE ON ST. CROIX.

IT´S WHAT THEY CALL CONFLICTS LITIGATION.

WHEN THE JUDGE CAME ON, HE WAS ADMIN OF THAT , YOU KNOW?

THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL THE CIVIL CASES.

IF SOMEBODY CAME TO ME WITH THE CASE BETWEEN TWO CORPORATE ENTITIES, FROM 2009, YOU KNOW?

THE PROBLEM THOUGH THAT WE WILL RUN INTO IS FUNDING.

IT TAKES ABOUT $1.5 MILLION FOR EACH JUDGE WE GET.

A JUDGE MAKES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY .

THEY DO WELL.

THEN HE OR SHE HAS TO HAVE TWO MARSHALS.

THOSE MARSHALS HAVE TO HAVE A VEHICLE.

THE JUDGE HAS TO GET A VEHICLE.

TWO LAW CLERKS, IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

SO TO ME, IN MY OPINION, WE NEED 10 NOR $15 MILLION, QUITE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.

>> JUDICIAL VACANCIES HAVE HISTORICALLY HAD DELAYS IN NOMINATIONS AND STATES OF APPROVAL.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS BEING FACTORS BEHIND THESE DELAYS?

, AS A FORMER LAWMAKER, YOU KNOW, WHY DOESN´T THIS ISSUE SEEM TO BE A PRIORITY, YOU KNOW, COLLECTIVELY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I AM GLAD I CAN LAUGH .

ATTORNEY HENRY AND YOU KNOW, I AM A MATH KIND OF GUY.

$11,600 I THINK IS THE NUMBER JUST SAID.

>> CORRECT.

>> THAT IS A BIG NUMBER.

RIGHT OFF THE BAT, THERE ARE 365 DAYS IN THE YEAR.

THEN WE HAVE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

WE ARE DOWN TO 261.

WE´VE GOT 25, 30 DAYS WITH THE HOLIDAYS AND THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE 230 DAYS OF ACTUAL WORK TAKING PLACE, RIGHT?

YOU DO THE MATH.

WE HAVE SIX COURTS.

WE´VE GOT THE CRIMINAL, FAMILY AND CIVIL.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THREE COURTS IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THAT IS A BIG NUMBER.

I AM GIVING SOME SUGGESTIONS .

DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS, THIS YEAR WHEN THE BUDGET IS SUBMITTED BY THE GOVERNOR AT THE END OF MAY AND THE COURT , EVERYTHING IS ONE, SUPREME COURT, MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE A DISCUSSION, RIGHT, NOT ONLY ON THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026, WHICH STARTS OCTOBER 1, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 BUT THERE SHOULD BE TIME SET ASIDE TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS HOW WE GO ABOUT DOING A REVIEW, RIGHT, TO DETERMINE WHAT ATTORNEY HENRY SAID, WHAT CASES CAN WE LOOK AT , AS IT RELATES TO ADJUDICATING THEM ASAP FOR DISMISSAL , RIGHT?

NOW, I KNOW THE LEGAL PROCESS I AM AWARE OF THAT.

11,666 IS A BACKLOG BEYOND UNDERSTANDING.

THAT IS A BIG NUMBER.

YES, THERE IS A MONEY ISSUE, RIGHT, BUT MAYBE WE NEED TO HIRE SOME ADDITIONAL FOLKS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE REVIEW .

LIKE A COURT SUPERVISOR OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES TO SEE IF THEY CAN DO SOMETHING TO EASE IT.

>> YES, SENATOR FRANCIS HEYLIGER , A WARNING ABOUT LETTING JUDGES OFF THE BENCH AND INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNOR, APPOINTING TIMELY NOMINATIONS.

THAT COULD BE POSSIBLY TOO LONG, TOO.

WE HAVE FOUR JUDICIAL SITUATIONS THAT EXPIRE IN MAY WITH NO REPLACEMENTS IN PLACE.

>> FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I THINK WHEN THE GOVERNOR KNOWS IT IS NOMINATION AND HE KNOWS HOW SIGNIFICANT THESE THINGS ARE, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE PART OF HIS PRIORITY LIST.

I DON´T THINK IT SHOULD BE WHERE WE ARE SITTING AROUND WAITING FOR MAY 8 TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

I DO AGREE THAT WE HAVE A NEED TO ADJUST THE LOSS TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE LEEWAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, ADJUSTING THAT 180 DAYS BECAUSE OF THE BACKLOG.

THAT MIGHT INCREASE THAT.

I WOULD ALSO WANT TO SEE SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF JUDICIAL REVIEW SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING QUALITY JUDGES IN THESE JUDGESHIPS.

IN ORDER TO ALSO TRIED TO RECRUIT UNDER --OTHER INDIVIDUALS.

THERE WAS A CONCERN FOR THE POSITION FOR ATTEMPTING TO BRING ON RETIRED JUDGES.

I MAY, THAT GAP IS A LITTLE TOO HIGH, IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT REDUCING THE BACKLOG.

WE DO NEED TO HAVE A PROBATE COURT.

THAT IS SOMETHING I 100% SUPPORT.

I TRIED TO CREATE ONE BUT I WAS PREEMPTED BY ANOTHER SENATOR.

I KNOW THAT LEGISLATION IS COMING UP IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS TERM.

WE HAVE LIKE WHAT THE ATTORNEY WAS SHARING, BREAKING UP THE LEGISLATURE INTO FRACTIONS WHERE JUDGES COULD NOW FOCUS ON PARTICULAR SUBJECTS INSTEAD OF HAVING TO BE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I THINK THAT COULD ALSO HELP WITH CLEARING UP THE BACKLOG, EVEN TO THE SUGGESTION THAT WAS MADE BY FORMER SENATOR JAMES THAT WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT COULD HELP AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DISMISSED, WHAT COULD BE CLEARED OUT IN A MONTH .

AND REALLY ORGANIZE THE ENTIRE SITUATION TO SAY WE CANNOT THESE OUT, NOT THOSE OUT AND THEN THE HARDER ONES BE DISPERSED AMONG CURRENT JUDGES.

>> WE ARE SHIFTING NOW TO REGIONAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM IS IN THE NEWS.

KEY REPUBLICANS ARE NOT PLANNING FOR THIS.

MR. JAMES, WANT TO GO WITH YOU FIRST.

IS THIS A SIGN OF DISCORD IN THE PARTY OR JUST UNRELATED EFFORTS HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME?

>> TO ME, THEY´RE NOT REALLY THINKING BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONSISTENT TO WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS TALKING ABOUT.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT FOR PANAMA, THE PANAMA CANAL?

IT DOESN´T MAKE ANY SENSE.

ONE REASON THE PANAMA CANAL AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ATTRACTIVE IS BECAUSE OF LOCATION.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, ACTIONS LIKE THIS, THERE ARE QUESTIONS WITH RESPECT TO RACISM.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I HEARD THE NAME McCLINTOCK, RIGHT, AS ONE OF THE NAMES , I WAS WONDERING IF IT WAS McCLINTOCK WHO WAS SECRETARY OF STATE IN PUERTO RICO .

COME TO FIND OUT, IT WAS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA.

THEY WERE THE ONES WHO SENT THIS TO ME WHEN THEY HEARD ABOUT IT.

I AM LUCKY I AM KNOWLEDGEABLE AS IT RELATES TO THIS.

WHAT IS VALUABLE FOR AMERICA AT THIS POINT?

THEY SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT JUST BECAUSE A $617 BILLION?

WITH RESPECT TO THE VALUE FOR AMERICA AND ITS ECONOMY, SERIOUSLY, WHEN YOU ARE IN DEBT AT 30 SOMETHING TRILLION, DO YOU REALLY NEED 670 BILLION?

I DO WANT TO SAY, RIGHT, I AM SO PROUD .

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE DON´T HAVE THE FINANCIAL ISSUES THAT PUERTO RICO DOES IS BECAUSE, WE HAVE A LOT OF LAWS IN PLACE THAT PROTECT US FROM OURSELVES.

I THINK WE NEED TO START GIVING OURSELVES A LITTLE MORE CREDIT ADMINISTRATIVELY AND LEGISLATIVELY.

>> GOVERNOR ALBERT RYAN JR. HAS SAID THE TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COULD SECURE A PERMANENT INCREASE .

SINCE HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM IS PLEDGING TO HELP PUERTO RICO, DO YOU THINK THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COULD BENEFIT, AS WELL?

>> I WOULD THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME KIND OF COATTAIL EFFECT.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SAY THIS BUT CLEARLY, CONGRESS, OVER THE YEARS, DOESN´T BELIEVE WE SHOULD EVEN BE GETTING THAT MONEY, YOU KNOW?

WHICH IS WHY THEY ESSENTIALLY GAVE US THIS KIND OF STUFF .

BECAUSE IT IS A FEDERAL TAX.

THEY CLEARLY BELIEVE IT IS THEIR MONEY AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THEY SHOULD HAVE TO GIVE IT TO US.

BECAUSE A FAIR ASSESSMENT OR A FAIR SHARE OF THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASSESSING IT SHOULD BE THE TERRITORIES, PUERTO RICO AND VIRGIN ISLANDS , WE SHOULD GET CLOSE TO 50% THAT MONEY.

OF COURSE, THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

I THINK IT WAS, WHAT WAS IT, IN D.C.

THEY MADE THE COMMENT ONE TIME WE WOULD BE THE KUWAIT OF THE CARIBBEAN.

THAT WAS A BIT TOO MUCH FOR SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

>> I WANT TO GET YOUR CRITIQUE ON THIS.

WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SUGGESTED ELIMINATING FEMA ALTOGETHER, NOW, PROPOSING THAT STATE HANDLE DISASTER RESPONSE OF THEIR OWN, NOW SEEING NOEM´S RECENT PLEDGE HELP CUT THROUGH FEMA RED TAPE FOR PUERTO RICO ´S HURRICANE IMPACTS, IS IT CONTRADICTORY TO THE PRESIDENT´S STANCE?

>> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT IS A LITTLE BIT INTERESTING HOW SHE PRESIDENT IS SAYING.

I THINK WITH THE NEW INCOMING PRESIDENT , AT THE CURRENT MOMENT, THERE WAS A CONCERN ABOUT PANDERING TO THEIR BASE.

A LOT OF ACTIONS AND THINGS THAT ARE BEING SAID CLEARLY, IS TO THAT OBJECTIVE.

YOU STILL HAVE INDIVIDUALS HEADING UP DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES THAT, YOU KNOW, LET ME JUST DO MY JOB.

I THINK IT ALMOST SOUNDS AS IF THERE IS SOME SORT OF CONTRADICTION AND HOW THE MESSAGES GOING OUT TO THE PUBLIC BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I HOPE THAT WE DO GET THE HELP WHEN WE NEED IT, WHEN I SAY WE COME I´M TALKING ABOUT THE TERRITORIES AS A WHOLE, INCLUDING PUERTO RICO.

EVEN THE SITUATION WHAT YOU WERE HEARING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL THAT PUERTO RICO SHOULD GO INDEPENDENT, WE HAVE NOT HEARD THAT FROM THE PRESIDENT.

THAT IS COMING OUT OF CONGRESS.

IT IS ALMOST LIKE FROM A DAY TO DAY BASIS YOU ARE HEARING THESE MIXED MESSAGES.

IT HAS NOW BECOME A DISTRACTION INSTEAD OF REALLY FOCUSING ON THE REAL ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE TACKLED, WHETHER ON A NATIONAL OR LOCAL BASIS, SO WE CAN FIX SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE REALLY CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE , ESPECIALLY IN OUR TERRITORY.

>> NOW, BEFORE WE WRAP UP, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT FOR OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER , WHO WAS CONVICTED LAST MONTH ON CHARGES INCLUDING FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING, CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS.

HE WAS CONVICTED AFTER SEPARATING HIS CASE FROM HIS WIFE´S, WHO STILL FACE CHARGES FOR CONTRACTS.

DO YOU THINK THE CONVICTION COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR CHARLEMAGNE AS THE CASE MOVES FORWARD?

>> I DON´T SEE HOW IT CAN HELP IT, YOU KNOW?

THEY CAME BACK WITH, I THINK, A GUILTY VERDICT ON ALL OF THE CHARGES.

YOU KNOW, I AM A TALKSHOW HOST.

I DON´T WANT THE PUBLIC TO THINK I AM AFRAID OF IT, BUT, YOU KNOW, I AM UP THERE.

I WAS ONCE WHERE THE SENATOR WAS.

YOU KNOW, YOU´VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT HOW HIS ACTIONS OR WHOSE ACTIONS WILL REFLECT ON THE TERRITORY.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

YOU KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING?

I JUST CAN´T SEE HOW IT WOULD WORK.

I HAVE ALWAYS SAID, MY BIGGEST ISSUE WITH THIS WHOLE SCANDAL, WHATEVER THE TERM IS, THE CHARLEMAGNE PAYMENT WAS 83,000 AND THEY ACTUALLY GOT AN INCREASE, I BELIEVE, WITH THE NEW CONTRACT OF 120,000.

I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, IF THEY ARE SAYING THAT WORK WASN´T DONE AND WE ARE IF, IN FACT, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY HAD A CONTRACT OF THAT NATURE, THEY SHOULD BE LIVING THERE TO MAKE SURE THE WORK IS DONE, RIGHT?

IT IS TAKING CARE OF .

THAT IS A VERY BIG CONTRACT.

AS I SAID, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS BEHIND US.

THIS CASE JUST STARTED.

THERE IS MORE TO GO.

>> A LOT MORE TO GO.

ATTORNEY HENRY, I WANT YOUR INPUT.

SINCE THE CONVICTION WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE HIGH RANKING OFFICIALS IN THE ADMINISTRATION LIKE THE FORMER COMMISSIONER BEING INDICTED ON FRAUD AND BRIBERY CHARGES.

YOU KNOW, THIS ISN´T THE FIRST INSTANCE, YOU KNOW, WHY DOES IT SEEM HERE IN THE TERRITORY THAT PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE NOT AFRAID TO STEAL?

>> I DON´T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

I DO KNOW THAT, I MADE A COMMENT RECENTLY, I SAID, THERE , THIS IS NATIONWIDE.

IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE.

FOR SOME ODD REASON, PEOPLE THINK ONCE YOU ACHIEVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT.

CLEARLY, THEY CAN´T .

THEY ARE GETTING CAUGHT.

I CANNOT EXPLAIN IT, I REALLY CAN´T.

>> I WANT YOUR INPUT REALLY QUICKLY.

>> WELL, I THINK THIS ENTIRE SITUATION HAS BEEN UNFORTUNATE.

YOU KNOW, YOU DON´T WANT TO LIVE IN A SPOT WHERE THE REJECTION IS BEING PUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC THAT OVERALL THERE IS SO MUCH CORRUPTION ALL THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

WHILE I DO APPRECIATE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR STOPPING OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THAT SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING HERE LOCALLY.

WHY WASN´T THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PAYING ATTENTION?

I THINK THAT IS WHERE YOU GET A LOT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC.

WE HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SAVE US.

WE HAVE TO REALLY STOP THAT.

WE HAVE TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WHEN WE SEE SOMETHING IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO STEP UP LOCALLY.

WE HAVE TO STEP UP TO FIX IT.

--THANK YOU.

THAT IS ALL THE SHOW WE HAVE FOR YOU TODAY.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN NEXT WEEK FOR AN ALL NEW EPISODE OF "COMES WITH THE TERRITORY."

IN THE MEANTIME, FOR YOUR NEWS UPDATES, STAY WITH US WEEKDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. ON WTJX-FM 93.1 OR BY DOWNLOADING THE WTJX APP.

I AM MARCELLINA VENTURA- DOUGLAS.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT WTJX, TAKE CARE.

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

>> JOINED WTJX ALL MONTH LONG AS WE CELEBRATE VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY MONTH.

>> HERE WE GO.

>> USING THE OLD TRADITIONAL STYLE .

>> WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?

>> THIS HISTORY AND ITS CULTURE , A CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS OF THE FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL HERE AT ST. JOHN´S.

>> EVERYBODY IS SINGING.

>> THAT IS WHAT HE IS DOING.

>> TUNE IN ALL MARCH LONGFORD DOCUMENTARIES EXPLORING VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY ON WTJX CHANNEL 12.