>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

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

>>> GOOD DAY AND WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS: MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM.

A PROGRAM PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX FOR HOPE THAT THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022 ELECTION YEAR.

RIGHT HERE ON WTJX WITH CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 35th LEGISLATURE OR AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR .

I AM DR. GRANT MARIE MOLINAR.

I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE TODAY AS CO-MODERATOR ATTORNEY ROSALIE SIMMONS VALENTINE.

WELCOME ROSALIE.

>> THANK YOU.

I AM REALLY DELIGHTED TO BE HERE AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO AN FORMATIVE AND ENGAGING DISCUSSION WITH ALL OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE POSITION OF GOVERNOR OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THANK YOU CANDIDATE FOR PARTICIPATING IN TODAY´S TWO HOUR PROGRAM.

NOW FOR THE GUIDELINES.

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

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN THIS.

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

TIME ALLOWANCE FOR RESPONSES VARIES FROM 60 SECONDS TO TWO MINUTES.

THE TIME ALLOWED FOR EACH QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE .

ANY PARTICIPANTS TO WHOM A SPECIFIC COMMENT IS DIRECTED WILL BE ALLOWED IN REBUTTAL OF 60 SECONDS.

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE.

>> INDEED AND SERVING AS A TIMER FOR OUR CANDIDATE RESPONSES TODAY IS THE BOARD MEMBER , --.

WE ARE ALSO DELIGHTED TO WELCOME THIS YEAR A SMALL AUDIENCE TO THE FORM.

AND WE WILL DO SO BY ASKING EACH CANDIDATE TO SIMPLY IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE , TO STATE THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND BALLOT NUMBER AND WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH CANDIDATE AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES.

LET´S START WITH CANDIDATE NUMBER ONE.

GOVERNOR ALBERT BRYAN.

>> MY NAME IS ALBERT BRIAN JUNIOR AND I AM A DEMOCRATIC MATERIAL CANDIDATE.

I HEAR HAIL FROM THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX.

>> THANK YOU AND CANDIDATE NUMBER TWO .

>> HELLO .

MY NAME IS RONALD PICARD AND I AM AN INDEPENDENT GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE FOR THIS YEAR, 2022 .

IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AND I HOPE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE AUDIENCE AND I THINK YOU FOR ATTENDING.

>> NUMBER THREE ON THE BALLOT.

>> MY NAME IS STEPHEN SMOKING FRET AND I AM A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR AND I AM GLAD TO BE HERE TO EXPRESS THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT THINGS .

>> THANK YOU AND BALLOT NUMBER FOUR?

>> GOOD DAY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE AND I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY AND I WANT TO THANK THE LEAGUE OF THE VOTERS.

THANK YOU CANDIDATES AND NOW FOR OUR VERY FIRST QUESTION AND WE BEGIN WITH NUMBER ONE OF THE BALLOT GOVERNOR BRIAN.

GOVERNOR BRIAN YOU ARE SEEKING RE-ELECTION IN THE CASE THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR RECORD OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS SUPPORTS YOUR RE-ELECTION.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE YOU SHOULD BE RE-ELECTED AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO MAKE YOUR CASE.

>> GOOD EVENING.

WHY I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE RE- ELECTED.

WE LISTED OVER 100 ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND WE TOOK OVER A GOVERNMENT THAT WAS BANKRUPT AND DIDN´T HAVE THE MONEY OR THE ORGANIZATION SKILLS TO PUT WE BROUGHT IN THE BALANCE BUDGET AND CAME IN UNDER BUDGET EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

ADDING TO THIS WE SAW SOME OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS.

THE 40-YEAR-OLD PROBLEM OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM WILL SOLVED OUR FIRST TERM.

AS I COME TO YOU ONLY $30 MILLION IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, --IT IS NOT BEEN SERVED IN OVER 40 YEARS.

THERE WAS DEBT FOR THE GOVERNMENT OVER $100 MILLION IN BACK WAGES FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS AND BROUGHT OUR TAX RETURNS UP-TO-DATE AND THAT WAS ONLY IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS IN OFFICE.

I ASK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE ONCE AGAIN BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN TRIED , TESTED AND PROVEN AND I WOULDN´T EVEN MENTION THE CAMPAIGN.

NATIONALLY AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO HANDLE AN EMERGENCY.

I DON´T KNOW IF I CAN SAY ENOUGH ABOUT MY LIEUTENANT GOVERNMENT COWINNER.

CREDITING TFN WITH THE NOW OUR INSURANCE FUND IS FINALLY FUNDED AND IS NOT CREATED EVERY YEAR BREAK THE BUDGET.

I CAN TELL YOU WHY THE BRIAN ROACH TEAM SHOULD BE RE-ELECTED AND SO WE CAN FINISH OUT THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE DONE.

I COULD TALK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS WE ARE DOING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR SENIORS.

CHANGING THE CULTURE OF OUR SOCIETY.

I´M BRINGING A TOTALLY NEW WAY OF LIFE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THANK YOU.

>> YOU FINISHED BEFORE TWO MINUTES.

>> YOU DON´T HAVE A TIMER SO TO BE HELPFUL TO KNOW -- >> WE DO HAVE A TEMPER.

>> BUT WE DON´T KNOW.

>> YES, OKAY.

THANK YOU GOVERNOR.

CLEARLY GOVERNOR THERE ARE THREE PERSONS WHO DISAGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT AS THEY ARE SEEKING TO REPLACE YOU SO CHALLENGERS WE WANT EACH CHALLENGER TO PROVIDE AN RUN TO OCCUPY THE POSITION OF GOVERNOR AND EACH WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES GETTING WITH NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT, MR. PICARD.

>> THE GOVERNOR THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB BUT IN REALITY WE ALL KNOW HIS JOB HAS BEEN VERY WEAK.

VISION, WE CAN SEE THE FACT THAT EDUCATION IS IN THE WORST CONDITION.

WE CAN ALSO SEE THAT HEALTHCARE HEALTHCARE IS SOMETHING THAT´S NOT EVEN SPOKEN.

IT´S IN A BARBARIC STATE TO THE POINT IF YOU RECEIVE ANY KIND OF MEDICAL INJURIES OR MEDICAL TREATMENT AS NEEDED YOU HAVE TO GO OFF ISLAND BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT DOESN´T PROVIDE THE PROPER HEALTHCARE THAT WE NEED HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE HAVE ONE HOSPITAL.

THE TRAILER HOUSE HOSPITAL.

IT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR OVER --.

THIS PROJECT WAS TO SPLIT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND IT HASN´T.

WE SPOKE ABOUT EDUCATION AND WE SPOKE ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

THOSE OF US THAT HAVE VEHICLES IT IS OFFICE THAT AN INFRASTRUCTURE HAS NOT COME REMOTELY CLOSE TO BEING FINISHED.

THERE ARE POTHOLES IN EVERY SINGLE TERRITORY IN THIS VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THOSE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE NO LONGER POTHOLES THEY HAVE MERELY PLACED A BAND- AID ON IT.

THE PICARTE ADMINISTRATION ARE ALL ABOUT ECONOMY AND CREDIBILITY.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE MUST HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS .

YOU HAVE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE GIVEN PROJECTS THAT EXPIRED GOING ON TWO YEARS.

STADIUM IS NOT DONE IT HASN´T BEEN REBUILT.

THE HOUSE TRACK IN ST. CROIX.

THEY PROMISED BY SEPTEMBER THE ENTIRE TERRITORY WILL BE UNDER SOLAR ENERGY.

THESE ARE WORDS OF --HIMSELF.

TRANSPARENCY IS WHAT WE ARE ALL WE ASKED OUR GOVERNMENT TO BE TRANSPARENT.

IT CLEARLY HASN´T BEEN.

OUR DEAL IS TO ATTACK THESE PROJECTS TO AND TO COMPLETE PROJECTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT COMPLETE.

THANK YOU.

>> AND SO, CANDIDATE NUMBER THREE .

SHE MET YES, MY NAME IS STEPHEN ´SMOKEY´ FRETT.

IT IS CLEAR THAT FOUR MAJOR INSTITUTION IN THIS SOCIETY ARE ALL IN DISARRAY.

STARTING WITH THE HEALTH FACILITIES.

ALL THREE ISLANDS ARE IN DISARRAY.

WHEN WE START TO TALK ABOUT FEEDING OURSELVES.

AGRICULTURE.

YOU KNOW, NOTHING IS HAPPENING THERE.

WE ARE SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO WHATEVER TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE BECAUSE WE HAVE FAILED TO DEVELOP AGRICULTURE , A SERIOUS AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM.

THEN WE HAVE EDUCATION.

I THINK THAT EVERYBODY HAS LAWS AND THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION IS TO PROVIDE AND SHOW OUR CHILDREN THE SKILLS THAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE OUR TERRITORY BY.

WE ARE FINDING OURSELVES IN A SITUATION NOW WHERE WE IMPORT IN TEACHES TEACHERS .

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

AND WE HAVE A HIGH RATE OF DROPOUT WITH OUR --.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM WHERE BY THE TIME PEOPLE ARE CHARGED AND BY THE TIME THEY COME UP TO COURT SOME OF THEM HAVE ALREADY SERVED MORE TIME THAN IS REQUIRED BY THE INFECTION THAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED.

AND THEN WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PROBATE AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, IT´S A STOCKPILE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE.

I´M SAYING THE MAIN INSTITUTION AND ALSO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SINCE 1970 WE WERE ALLOWED TO ELECT OUR OWN ELECTED OFFICIALS .

WE ARE STILL ONE BIG CONSUMER MARKET.

WE ARE NOT MOVING TO THE POSITION OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY WHICH WAS ALSO THE INTENTION OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR THESE TERRITORIES.

>> THANK YOU.

AND NOW SENATOR BILLY.

HE MET FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS I HAVE SERVED IN LEGISLATION.

SIX YEARS ON CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

SIX YEARS WHICH I CAN REMARK AS TO THE WONDERFUL JOB UNDER MY LEADERSHIP AND ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE BALANCE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

BALANCE BUDGET WITH FLEXIBILITY TO HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO BE ABLE TO PAY THINGS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE JOB OF THE FINANCIAL COMMITTEE THAT HAS BEEN CONDUCTED FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS YOU WILL SEE CLEARLY THAT OUR --WAS CUT OUT OF THE BUDGET.

THERE WERE FRIVOLOUS --.

A LOT OF TALK IS ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE.

THEY GIVE 8%, THEY GIVE RETRO, THEY GET THIS, THEY GIVE THAT.

THERE´S NOT A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.

EDUCATION.

HOW IS OUR EDUCATION?

WE ARE IN THE WORST STATE WE HAVE EVER BEEN IN AND IT´S CLEAR THE PRESENT COMMISSIONER HAS EVEN ADMITTED THAT EDUCATION IS IN A MESS.

YOU LOOK AT HEALTHCARE IN THE CLOSURE OF --.

EVERY YEAR THE GOVERNMENT HAS REALLY SAID HE´S OPENING UP MORE BUT IT HAS NOT OCCURRED.

YOU LOOK AT CRIME .

TRIPLE AND DOUBLE HOMICIDE.

SILENCE AND ONLY THING YOU HEAR IS I PAID 8% AND I DID THIS BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES THAT PLAGUE VIRGIN ISLANDERS ON A REGULAR BASIS?

WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BLUE TARPS ON THEIR ROOF AND CRIED LAST LEAF WHEN TORRENTIAL RAIN CAME ?

70 SOMETHING, 80 SOMETHING YEARS OLD.

WE HAVE THE NERVE TO SAY WE ARE STRONGER THAN EVER?

ARE WE BETTER THAN THREE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS AGO?

LOOK AT THE PRESENT SITUATION AND TELL ME WHAT IS BETTER .

READY FOR FORWARD MOVEMENT.

>> GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO RESPOND BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ARE SIMILAR COMMENTS.

INSTEAD OF SAYING FOR EACH ONE YOU HAVE A FULL TWO MINUTES TO REBUTTAL.

>> THANK YOU VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

OVER THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS WE DIDN´T TALK ABOUT IT.

YOU AND I, WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

THESE GENTLEMEN HERE ALL MEAN WELL BUT THEY DON´T HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO DO WELL.

MR. --HAS INSISTED THAT BECAUSE HE EDITED --MANY PEOPLE RIGHT BUDGETS.

WHEN SHE GOES TO THE GROCERY STORE THE FOOD AT UP TO MORE THAN WHAT SHE BUT IT SHOULD BUDGETED AND SHE DOESN´T KNOW HOW IT WORKS.

MR. BLA HAS NEVER RUN A BUDGET.

EVEN 600,000.

HE SAYS HE´S GOING TO DO A BETTER JOB?

HE HAS NEVER WORKED OUTSIDE OF EDUCATION.

HE HAS NEVER HAD A LEADER POSITION.

HE HAS NEVER SERVED ON ANY MAJOR BOARD.

HE IS AN EDUCATOR WHO NEVER THOUGHT THAT IT WAS WISE HEAD THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS HE SAYS ARE OCCURRING.

IT´S TRUE THAT OUR ECONOMY IS DOING SO WELL AND THE REASON WHY IT´S DOING WELL IS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE DECISIONS WITHOUT SNAP JUDGMENT DURING COVID.

THESE OTHER GENTLEMEN, I´M SURE ACTUALLY HAVE NO GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE.

MR. STEPHEN ´SMOKEY´ FRETT HAS ONLY SERVED IN THE LEGISLATION FOR ONE TERM.

WHEN YOU COME DOWN TO IT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS PROVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY MANAGE A BUDGET, NOT EDITED AND WHY I HAVE ALL OF THE BRIGHT IDEAS COME WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS?

REALIZE THIS , THEY ARE SAYING THAT WE ARE HAVING THE WORST EDUCATION SYSTEM AND WORTH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM BUT WE HAVE EIGHT BRAND-NEW PRE-CASE.

EVERY STUDENT NOW HAS A COMPUTER.

OUR HIGH SCHOOLS WHEN THERE IS A DAY OFF FOR RAIN THEY CAN DO THE WORK FROM HOME.

TEACHERS HAVE THE BEST CONTRACT THEY EVER HAD.

OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HAS SURVIVED A GLOBAL HUNDRED YOUR PANDEMIC WITH THE LOWEST DEATH RATE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS ABOUT EXPERIENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

HE SAYS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN EDUCATION ALONE.

HE ONLY SERVED AS COMMISSIONER OF LABOR AND DURING HIS TENURE AS COMMISSIONER OF LABOR WE HAD A CONSTANT DECREASE.

WE HAD MISS MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

WE HAD FUNDS BEING SPENT FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS ON COLLEAGUES SO TO ACT LIKE BECAUSE YOU ARE IN A POSITION THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE QUALIFIED JUST LEAVE ME SPEECHLESS BECAUSE I DON´T THINK HOW YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE UP YOUR OWN CRITERIA AS TO WHO OR HOW YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BECOME A GOVERNOR BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS.

HE JUST LISTED A NUMBER OF QUALIFICATIONS THAT LITERALLY I HEARD BEFORE.

SECONDLY, THE LEGISLATURE IS RESPONSIBLE TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET.

NOT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ISN´T RESPONSIBLE, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY .

>> REBUTTAL.

>> MR. STEPHEN ´SMOKEY´ FRETT I DIDN´T HEAR A NEGATIVE STATEMENT MADE ABOUT YOU.

HE MET AN INCORRECT STATEMENT THAT HE WAS MAKING.

HE STATED THAT I ONLY SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I HAVE WORKED IN THE GOVERNMENT FOR 15 YEARS AND I HAVE ALSO RUN A BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS.

WHICH ONE OF THESE GUYS HAS RUN A BUSINESS?

HE DOESN´T EVEN KNOW IT TAKES TO MAKE A PAYROLL AND DEAL WITH ALL THE TAXES THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS.

COME ON PEOPLE .

DON´T BE FULL BY THIS GUY TALKING THIS KIND OF CRAP.

THEY DON´T KNOW HE WAS GREEN.

WHEN HE WAS COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, HE WAS A FAILURE.

HE NEVER DID ANYTHING.

HE WAS COMMISSIONER.

HE DIDN´T PROTECT LABOR.

BE MET IN QUEUE.

MR. PICARD , 45 SECONDS.

>> IT´S THIS SIMPLE.

THE GOVERNOR STANDARD STOOD HERE AND GAVE HIS WHOLE RESUME.

I HAVE BEEN FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS A BUSINESSMAN .

I HAVE RAN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING AS WELL IS IN CHARGE OF SCHEDULING.

ONE THING FOR SURE, I DID NOT TRY TO DO, I DID NOT DEFRAUD THE GOVERNMENT.

I DID NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFINE THE GOVERNMENT.

HOWEVER MR. BRIAN ATTEMPTED TO DEFRAUD THE GOVERNMENT BY GIVING HIS DAUGHTER A MILLION- DOLLAR CONTRACT WHEN HE KNEW SHE HAD NO LICENSE OR PERMIT, BUT HE ATTEMPTED TO FRAUD THE GOVERNMENT AND WITH THE PEOPLE SPOKE OUT SHE BLAMED GOVERNOR ROACH .

>> IN YOUR COMMENTS MOVING FORWARD YOU COULD INCLUDE SOME YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY -- >> THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS NEVER BEEN UNDER --FOR ME.

>> WE WILL MOVE ON BECAUSE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE ASKING AND WE WILL ADDRESS ONE OF THE SPECIFICALLY.

OUR SECOND QUESTION IS THAT BEING A GOVERNMENT MEANS YOU ARE IN SOME WAYS SIMILAR TO A TOP AND A STRAIGHTER OR A LEADER OF A VERY LARGE ENTERPRISE SO DEMONSTRATE YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE CAN YOU IDENTIFY ANY ADMINISTRATIVE OR LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO MANAGE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER AND DESCRIBE THE STRATEGIES THAT YOU USED TO ADDRESS THAT ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGE AND OUR FIRST RESPONDER IS MR. PICARD.

>> ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF NOW , I AM THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

IT TAKES A MAJOR ROLE TO THE POINT RIGHT NOW WE ARE TAX EXEMPT FINALLY.

>> I DIDN´T INDICATE THAT YOU HAD TWO MINUTES.

THE MAC >> OKAY.

AS THE CEO OF THIS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK.

WHAT I SPECIALIZE IS INMATES TRANSITIONING FROM PRISON TO SOCIETY.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO ONE HERE FOR THEM.

I AM THE ONLY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT OFFERS SOMETHING TO THE INMATES COMING HOME.

I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TRY TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS.

MY STAFF HAS BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT HIS OFFICE.

NO RESPONSE.

I CREATED A CURRICULUM THAT WILL HELP INMATES .

YOU WANT TO DO IS TO INVITE THEM BACK INTO SOCIETY AND CORRECT THEIR LIFESTYLE AND MAKE THEM GENTLEMEN.

TO BE A CEO OF A ORGANIZATION EFFORT AND TIME BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY IT´S ALL ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

I AM HERE TO TELL THESE EX- FELONS THAT THERE IS LIFE AFTER PRISON AND ONE THING , DON´T EVER LET ANYBODY TALK ABOUT YOU OR TRY TO DEGRADE YOU AS AN EX- FELON.

LIKE THE GOVERNOR DID.

NELSON MANDELA SERVED OVER 27 YEARS IN A HARD-CORE PRISON IN SOUTH AFRICA.

AND HE CAME OUT AND HE RAN FOR PRESIDENCY AND HE BECAME THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT PEOPLE TOLD HIM?

THEY SAID DON´T DO IT.

YOU WILL MAKE A FOOL OUT OF YOURSELF.

THEY WILL LOOK AT YOU AS A CHANGED PERSON, HE IGNORED THAT.

HE DID NOT ALLOW FELLOW POLITICIANS , DIGNITARIES, TO TRY TO DISGORGE HIM FROM MAKING SOUTH AFRICA A BETTER PLACE.

I AM HERE TO SHOW YOU PROOF THAT NOT ONLY IS THERE LIFE COULD BECOME SOMEBODY.

YOU CAN COME BACK TO A SOCIETY THAT WILL CONDEMN YOU BUT INSTEAD COME BACK AND HELP THEM.

WE ALL HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AS PEOPLE AND BE TRANSPARENT.

I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME BUSINESSMAN.

I´M NOT A POLITICIAN.

I AM SMART AS A POLITICIAN.

THE WHOLE THING THERE THAT WE ARE SUFFERING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS OUR PEOPLE ARE NOT BEING GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE.

>> .

MR. FRET , WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU HAD THAT WOULD DEMONSTRATE YOUR MINISTRY TO CAPABILITIES?

>> I OWN A SMALL BUSINESS WHERE WE HAVE HAD EMPLOYEES BETWEEN EIGHT AND 10 AND I SUPERVISE THEM AND ALSO I WAS THE CHIEF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION IN INTERNAL REVENUE WHERE I SUPERVISE AN EMPLOYEE AND MY STATUS IS SIMPLY THIS , A FACILITATOR , YOU ARE NOT A POWER-HUNGRY PERSON , YOU TRY TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUR EMPLOYEES AND MAKE THEM FEEL THAT THEY ARE PART OF THINGS.

YOU MAKE YOUR VISION CLEAR TO THEM AND ALLOW THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PARTICULAR ADMINISTRATION.

THIS IS OUR STAFF AND THEY HAVE WORKED FOR US.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 30 YEARS .

WHAT WE HAVE TRENT FORM .

LET´S BE REAL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SENATOR, HOW DO YOU EDIT DEMONSTRATE YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE --?

>> IN 1995 I HAD A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN A NEW HIGH SCHOOL ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX.

TO MANAGE A STAFF OF 130 INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE OVER 1600 STUDENTS TO CREATE SCHEDULES AND TO DESIGN A MAGNET PROGRAM THAT BECAME THE SHINING STAR OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I HAVE BEEN IN EDUCATION FOR 29 YEARS AND I FIND IT CYNICAL FOR SOMEONE TO SIT HERE OR AND HERE AND TRY TO SAY THAT BECAUSE YOU ARE A EDUCATOR THAT YOU ARE NOT READY TO BE THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT´S HARD TO --ON SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO --.

I CHALLENGE THE GOVERNMENT .

TRY TO WIN A SCHOOL FOR ONE WEEK.

TRY TO MANAGE A CLASSROOM FOR ONE WEEK.

.

MANAGING STAFF OF 130 INDIVIDUALS.

I CHALLENGE THE GOVERNOR TO TRY TO DO THAT .

AND IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THAT IS NOT MANAGEMENT THEN I DON´T KNOW IF I CARE WHAT YOU THINK.

CLEARLY , MY EXPERIENCE IN POSITION BECAUSE BY BEING IN EDUCATION I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE.

WE HAVE TO CLEAN THE SCHOOL EVERYDAY.

I KNOW THOSE WHO ARE DOING WELL AND THOSE WHO STRUGGLE.

I KNOW THOSE FAMILIES WHO CAN´T MAKE ENDS MEET BECAUSE I LIVE IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO GO IN MY POCKET TO BUY A STUDENT UNIFORMS OR A BOOK BAG OR LUNCH.

I AM RIGHT THERE.

I AM VERY CLOSE TO TOTALLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT THIS COMMUNITY GOES THROUGH ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AND I KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY WHOLE .

WE MUST INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE.

GOVERNMENT JOB IS TO INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE.

>> THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR?

>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN.

I NEVER SAID THAT BEING AN EDUCATOR DOESN´T MAKE YOU FIT TO BE GOVERNOR.

GOVERNOR --IS ONE OF OUR GREATEST GOVERNORS.

WHAT I DID SAY IS THAT WHEN YOU PREPARE YOURSELF TO BE GOVERNOR RUNNING ELECTIONS.

YOU PREPARE YOURSELF BY RUNNING GOVERNMENTS.

RUNNING NONPROFITS .

GETTING INVOLVED IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE CONTROL.

THE GREATEST PROBLEM THAT WE EVER HAD THAT I ADD TO OVERCOME ADMINISTRATIVELY WAS COVID.

HOW DO WE BALANCE FOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS AND STILL BE ABLE TO HELP ECONOMIC ACTIVITY?

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INVOLVED AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE PENNY THAT REGULAR AMERICANS ON THE MAINLINE GET THAT WE GET THEM TO?

I GET EVERYBODY TOGETHER EVERY MORNING AND WE WOULD DISCUSS EVERYTHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

I CREATED A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD SO THAT THEY FELT COMFORTABLE TELLING ME WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE.

I DID MARKET THEM CRITICIZE THEM LIKE PEOPLE WHEN THEY GO TO THE LEGISLATURE.

I LISTENED TO THE INFORMATION.

I CHALLENGED THEM.

THEN WE MOVE FORWARD WITH AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY.

THAT ACTION PLAN SAVED LIVES.

IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS THEY TOLD ME 200 PEOPLE WOULD DIE.

A SERIOUS THING TO SAY AND YET SURVIVE.

WE NOT ONLY SURVIVED WE FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CREATE THE BAKE GREATEST TOURIST EXPLOSION IN THE CARIBBEAN AT THAT TIME AND CAME OUT ON TOP STILL KEEPING OUR PEOPLE SAFE .

I REALIZE MY TALENT IS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS AND CLUTCH PLACES AND BE ABLE TO STAND BY OTHERS.

MY OPPONENTS WILL TELL YOU THEY HAVE EXPERIENCE , BUT I MANAGED OVER 6000 EMPLOYEES ON A DAILY BASIS.

26 DEPARTMENT OVER SIX SEMIAUTONOMOUS AGENCIES.

MANAGING WHEN YOU DON´T HAVE A --FOR YEAR AND A HALF AND THEY TELL YOU THAT YOUR MONEY IS RUNNING OUT AND YOU MADE EVERY PAYROLL AND PEOPLE WHETHER THEY STAYED HOME OR CAME TO WORK EVERYBODY HAD A --.

>> IN QUEUE.

THANK YOU .

>> WE WILL MOVE ON.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON.

PLEASE.

GENTLEMEN.

I WOULD ASK YOU ALL PLEASE , I THINK THAT THE AUDIENCE WANTS TO HEAR WHAT ARE YOUR STRATEGIES AND YOUR PLANS TO MOVE THESE ISLANDS FORWARD ?

OKAY, WE WANT TO HEAR THAT.

NOT A TAX ON EACH OTHER.

WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM ANY OF YOUR ADMINISTRATIONS IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ELECTION.

MY NEXT QUESTION IS ALSO WITH RESPECT TO ADMINISTRATION AND WE WILL START WITH YOU, MR. FRETT, AND YOU WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS.

IN THE MAJORITY OF STATES ON THE MAINLAND THE LIEUTENANT NOR THE LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY AS OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE PARTICULAR PERSON THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN AS YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND HOW DO YOU SEE HIM OR HER PREPARED TO ASSUME THE DEMANDING RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OFFICE?

>> I CHOSE HIM BECAUSE I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN HIM, MR. MILLER.

HE IS EDUCATED AND ALSO SHARES THE SAME PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS THAT WE HAVE FOR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE.

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS IS WE ARE GOING TO PHASE OUT PROPERTY TAX EVENTUALLY.

WE KNOW WE HAVE TO REPLACE IT WITH A DIFFERENT TAX BUT WE ARE READY TO DO THAT.

YOU KNOW, SO I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN HIM.

ALSO, WHEN THE PURPOSE OF MAKING THE LIEUTENANT BURNER IN CHARGE OF THE OFFICE, THERE HAS BEEN TIMES IN THE PAST WHERE HE WAS JUST THERE TO GET VOTES BUT I WANT MR. MILLER TO GOVERN WITH THE ALSO AND IF WE COULD CHANGE THAT ORDER WE WOULD CHANGE IT BECAUSE I WANT MR. MILLER TO RUN THE DAY-TO-DAY AT TIFFANY´S.

THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES OF ST. CROIX.

WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES WE WILL DISCUSS THEM.

I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN MR. MILLER.

HIS EDUCATION AND HE SEEMS TO SHARE THE SAME PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS AS ME.

>>> LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING MY RUNNING MATE IS A FEMALE.

THE ONLY FEMA ON THE BALLOT.

MY RUNNING MATE IS A MILLENNIAL PURE THE ONLY MILLENNIAL ON THE BALLOT.

MY RUNNING MATE HAS A DIFFERENT SEXUAL PERSUASION.

ONLY ONE ON THE BALLOT.

I BELIEVE IN SHE IS A BRILLIANT LUNG YOUNG LADY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SIMILAR PHILOSOPHIES.

I HAVE SEEN HER ABILITY TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS.

I HAVE SEEN WHERE SHE IS NOT SCARED TO STEP OUT OF THE BOX.

I HAVE SEEN WHERE SHE OPERABLY REPRESENTS WHO SHE IS AS A PERSON AND I BELIEVE THAT THOSE ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO MOVE THE TERRITORY FORWARD.

WHEN TOUGH DECISIONS CAME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, SENATOR JANEL SORROW DID NOT RUN.

THERE WAS PUBLIC FLAP BUT SHE MADE DECISIONS THAT WERE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THAT IS WHAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO RUN THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WE NEED TO MAKE SOME TOUGH KNOW THAT JANELLE K. SARAUW, WHO WAS VERY EDUCATED , WOULD BE ABLE TO LEAD THE CHARGE.

>> THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR BRYAN?

>> CHARACTER.

HE IS A OUTSTANDING CITIZEN.

THIS GENTLEMAN I WAS ATTRACTED INITIALLY BECAUSE HE PUT FORTH THE BILL THAT SAID LET´S GIVE COLLEGE EDUCATION TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

INSTEAD OF PUTTING THEM IN JAIL AND IN THE LONG RUN ALL OF US WILL PAY OFF.

THAT IS A THINKER AND WHEN YOU HEAR HIM TALK EVERY TIME YOU HEAR HYMNS WEEK THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE LEARNED.

ANOTHER THING I LOVE ABOUT HIM IS THAT HE DOESN´T WANT TO BE GOVERNOR.

HE WANTS TO BE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE FIRST TIME I MET HIM, HE SAID THAT HE WANTED TO PERFECT HIS JOB AS A SENATOR, GOVERNOR TREGENZA.

TWO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO DO OTHER PEOPLE´S JOBS AND LASTLY , QUALIFICATIONS.

MY RUNNING MATE IS A BORROWED ATTORNEY.

HIS EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY , AT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, HE HAS EXPERIENCE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AND DOING HIS OWN STUFF.

HE´S AN ACCOMPLISHED AUTHOR AND A NOBLE SPEAKER AROUND THE CARIBBEAN.

ATTORNEY ROACH, WHATEVER IT IS THE TITLE , HE ALWAYS HAS THE TEMPERAMENT AND THE VOICE OF REASON.

THE PERFECT PERSON TO BE IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

NEVER TOO PUSHY BUT ALWAYS IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. PICARD?

>> THIS IS A BUSINESSMAN.

BUT BEFORE I GO THERE HE IS A DEDICATED HUSBAND TO HIS WIFE AND TO HIS CHILDREN.

I DIDN´T WANT A RUNNING MATE THAT WALKED AROUND WEARING A TIE AND SUIT AND SAT IN AN AIR CONDITIONER.

I WANTED A GOVERNOR THAT WOULD BE RIGHT HERE IN THE STREETS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THAT YOU WILL SEE HIM EVERYWHERE.

IT´S CALLED ACCOUNTABILITY.

THE FIRST THING HE TOLD ME WAS --ONCE TO SEE YOU.

HE SAID THE FIRST THING I WANT MR. PICARD IS TAKE THE HANDCUFFS OFF OF ME WHEN I BECOME LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AND I WAS CURIOUS, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

HE SAYS I MEAN I WANT TO GO OUT THERE AND DO MY JOB.

I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE ME .

I DON´T WANT PEOPLE TO SEE ME ON THE LIGHTER END OF RE-ELECTION.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT´S GOING ON AND IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

THERE ARE SO MANY EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE NO MANY GRIEVANCES THAT HAVEN´T EVEN BEEN HEARD.

THERE IS NO RESPONSE TO THE GRIEVANCES.

AND YOU KNOW HOW IT IS FOR THE REGULAR PERSON TO GO TO WORK KNOWING THAT YOUR CRIES OR COMPLAINTS ARE NOT BEING ANSWERED BUT YOU CAN EVEN QUIT YOUR JOB?

YOU WILL NEED THAT INSURANCE.

YOU HAVE CHILDREN.

BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW THAT YOU COULD GO TO WORK KNOWING THAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND GOVERNOR ACTUALLY TOOK TIME TO LISTEN TO YOU.

WE WILL HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE.

>> THANK YOU MR. PICARD.

OUR NEXT QUESTION ALSO DEALS WITH --.

WE WILL START WITH YOU, SENATOR VIALET.

>> --PURSUE THE IDEA OF SEPARATING BANKING, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND ESTABLISHING IT AS A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT IDEA AND COULD YOU PLEASE JUSTIFY THE RESPONSE YOU GIVE?

60 SECONDS.

>> I DO BELIEVE THAT WE TO HAVE -- AN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER NEEDS TO BE HIGHER.

I DON´T THINK THAT ALL THE RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD FALL ON THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BUT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HIRE SOMEONE THAT IS GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF --.

I BELIEVE YOU NEED SOMEONE TO HAVE THE SKILL SET AND THE EDUCATION AND THE KNOWLEDGE.

NOT EVERY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE TO BECOME A --.

GOVERNOR IS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE.

THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GENERATES A LOT OF REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SO IT´S VERY , VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN THE STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE AND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BRING IN INDIVIDUALS ON BOARD THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO ENHANCE THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT TRULY UNDERSTAND INSURANCE.

WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT TRULY UNDERSTANDS BANKING AND I WOULD MOVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY IN THAT PARTICULAR POSITION.

>> THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR BRIAN?

>> I AGREE WITH HIM.

I THINK THAT OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO GREAT THINGS BEING ABLE TO GET A LOT OF HIS DIVISIONS ACTUALLY CERTIFIED BY NATIONAL AGENCIES AND BRINGING PEOPLE IN TO DEFINITELY DIGITIZE THE SYSTEM.

A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT WE ARE DOING LIKE FILING FOR YOUR BUSINESS YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO IT ONLINE.

I HAD THE EXPERIENCE THE OTHER DAY AND IT WAS VERY QUICK.

I AM SOMEBODY WHO DID BUSINESS LICENSES AND FILING PAPERS FOR CORPORATIONS AND TRADEMARKS AND IN MY BUSINESS I KNEW HOW HASSLING IT WAS TO GO BACK AND FORTH.

NOW ALL OF THAT IS COMPUTERIZED.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES ON THERE.

HIM BEING AN ATTORNEY GIVES IT AN EXTRA PUSH IS NOT ONLY WILL HE BE ABLE TO MANAGE, BUT HE KNOWS THE LOBBY.

HE TAKES HIS JOB VERY SERIOUSLY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK WHEN YOU BECOME THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THAT YOU ARE SITTING BY THE GOVERNOR SIDE ALL DAY BUT IS ACTUALLY A FULL-TIME JOB MANAGING EVERYTHING.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. PICARD?

>> WE ARE ACTUALLY IN AGREEMENTS.

THE ONLY THING TONIGHT.

HERE.

INSURANCE IS VERY TRICKY.

MOST OF THE WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES ARE COMMITTED UNDER FRAUD INSURANCE.

THAT´S WHY IT´S HIGHLY IMPERATIVE THAT WE MUST HIRE TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE DONE RIGHT DAY BY DAY.

MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

MAKE SURE EVERY CLAIM IS UP TO PAR AND THE WAY BY DOING THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE PLACE PEOPLE IN THERE THAT ARE ACTUALLY QUALIFIED FOR THE POSITION.

AND THE PICARD MINISTRATION, THERE WILL BE NO NEPOTISM.

NO BEING PLACED IN A POSITION BECAUSE OF POLITICAL FAVORS.

WHEN YOU DO THAT, THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF IS IN A HOLE.

REST ASSURED, ONE THING FOR SURE IN OUR ADMINISTRATION , EVERYONE THAT IS PLACED IN A PARTICULAR DEPARTMENT WHETHER IN EVERY DEPARTMENT, HE OR SHE WILL BE QUALIFIED TO RUN IT.

>> THANK YOU MR. PICARD.

MR. FRETT?

>> I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT ON THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE BUT WE DO NEED AN EXPORT DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT US TO CONSIDER IS THIS BECAUSE WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION YEARS AGO, MOVING THE PROPERTY TAX.

MOVING IT OUT OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE AND PUT IT ON THE IRB.

THAT WAS A DISCUSSION WE HAD MANY YEARS AGO.

IT NEVER WENT AHEAD BECAUSE OF FOR WHATEVER REASON, BUT THE MILLER TEAM AND ARE IN MINISTRATION WILL DEFINITELY CONSIDER MOVING THAT FROM UNDER THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR´S OFFICE OVER TO THE BOARD OF INTERNAL REVENUE.

>> OKAY, GREAT.

SO WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

AND WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR VISION FOR THE TERRITORY .

IN 2027, WE ARE GOING TO BE MARKING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO, WE HAVE A TWO-PART QUESTION.

IT IS THIS.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION WITH RESPECT TO SELF-GOVERNANCE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

AND ALSO , FOR POLITICAL STATUS?

AND WHAT ROLE WILL YOU PLAY IF ANY IN THESE MOVEMENTS ?

AND SO WE BEGIN WITH GOVERNOR BRYAN.

>> HOW MUCH TIME?

>> YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES BECAUSE YOU WILL BE TALKING ABOUT A CONSTITUTION AND POLITICAL STATUS AND YOUR ROLE.

THREE MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.

WE HAVE HAD MANY CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT OUR STATUS.

WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE OUR COMMUNITY IS SO DIVERSE.

THE REAL PROBLEM IS BEING ABLE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS BY A MAJORITY OF A TWO THIRDS VOTE.

GETTING THE ORGANIC ACT DOCTORED AS AN INTERIM CONSTITUTION AND MOVING FORWARD IN A WAY THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO MOVE ALONG.

SO MUCH CONTROVERSY HAS COME BECAUSE OF THESE CONSTITUTIONAL RESOLVED.

THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO IS FROM HERE AND WHO ISN´T FROM HERE AND WHAT RIGHTS THEY SHOULD HAVE, WE ARE ONE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PEOPLE WHO COME HERE ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS.

I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT IN BEING AMERICAN CITIZENS BUT I DO WANT TO HAVE THE STATUS THAT ALLOWS US TO GO TO WASHINGTON AND BE MUCH MORE THAN A LOBBYIST ON THE WALL TALKING TO REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE KIND OF STRENGTH THAT WILL CONTROL THINGS LIKE OUR IMMIGRATION PEOPLE COME AND GO FROM THE ISLANDS ESPECIALLY IN THIS TIME WHEN MANY OF US HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN AND IN THE NORTHERN CARIBBEAN THAT COULD COME HERE AND HELP US WITH ALL OF OUR REBUILDING THAT WE NEED TO DO.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COLLECT ALL OUR TAXES AND AWAIT THAT WE GET THE 1350 FOR US AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT THROUGH OUR CONSTITUTION.

WE ARE ABOUT TO OPEN AN OIL REFINERY AGAIN.

WE SHOULD BE GETTING A TAX ON ALL THE OIL WE SHIP TO THE UNITED STATES.

IMAGINE THE KIND OF PROGRESS WE CAN MAKE WHEN WE SELF- DETERMINED WHERE OUR LAND SHOULD BE AND WHO SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHTS IN ORDER TO DO CERTAIN THINGS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND MAKE OUR ECONOMY GROW.

RIGHT NOW, THAT´S NOT UP TO US.

WE JUST EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT ALLOWS US FINALLY TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY WE HAD TO GIVE OUT BECAUSE OF TAX CHANGES IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE ARE CURRENTLY IN A SITUATION WHERE WE WILL GET THAT MONEY BACK AND FINALLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO STAY CURRENT WITH OUR TAXES.

IF WE ARE JUST IN THE WIND WITH EVERYTHING THAT CONGRESS DOES AND SAYS THEN WE CAN´T REALLY SAY WE ARE STRONG AS AN INDEPENDENT PEOPLE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY WANT TO WORK ON IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

MAKING SURE THAT OUR STATUS AS A LINE AND THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHO WE ARE AS AMERICAN CITIZENS.

THAT WE ARE MAXIMIZING THE USE AND BENEFIT OF BEING A TERRITORY WHERE WE CAN GIVE TAX BREAKS , HANDLE OUR IMMIGRATION, OF BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GREATEST DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD.

THANK YOU.

>> ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU WILL TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE THING THAT IS ON OUR PLATFORM THAT WE HAVE NOT EXECUTED AN THAT IS -- TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WE ARE ALWAYS PREEMPTED IN THE LEGISLATION.

THAT IS PREEMPTED BY GOVERNOR JANELLE K. SARAUW WHO HAS BEEN HOLDING UP THE BILL.

WE ARE HOPING WITHOUT THAT BLOCKAGE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE STATUS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

MR. PICARD?

>> TO START OFF THERE´S NONE OF US HERE THAT CAN STAND HERE AND PROMISE YOU THAT WE CAN GET THIS DONE.

THAT WOULD BE A LIE.

WE NEED TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AS WELL AS THE SENATE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHEN I SENT SOMETHING DOWN AS GOVERNOR THAT THERE IS NO ANIMOSITY.

IF THE SENATE SENDS SOMETHING UP I CAN´T KNOCK IT DOWN JUST BECAUSE I HAVE A BAD RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE IN THE SENATE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY YEARS.

I ASKED THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER AS ONE.

TAXES.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN A LIFETIME TAX THAT WILL GIVE TWO MAJOR COMPANIES COMING INTO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SMALL COMPANIES HERE ARE SUFFERING.

IN ORDER FOR YOU TO GET A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT YOU NEED MILLION-DOLLAR INSURANCE.

>> MR. PICARD, IF I CAN GET YOU TO FOCUS ON GOVERNOR CONSTITUTION AND POLITICAL STATUS PLEASE.

>> HERE IS THE THING.

THE ORGANIC ACT HAS BEEN ATTACKED FIVE TIMES.

I FEEL AS GOVERNOR WE NEED TO TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME.

SEE IF WE CAN GET THAT PASS.

ONCE THE ORGANIC ACT IS PASSED WE CAN CONTINUE STEP-BY-STEP WITH THE CONSTITUTION SO WE CAN ALL BE ON ONE LEVEL, BALANCE FIELD.

THIS PERTAINS TO A POLITICIAN, RIGHT?

>> CLINICAL STATUS.

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S. >> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE KEEPING A POLITICAL STATUS WITH THE U.S. WHY?

WHEN IT BOILS DOWN TO IT WE HAVE TO GO TO THE UNITED STATES TO ASK FOR HELP, BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE EVEN UNITED STATES WHEN THEY LOOK DOWN HERE AT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND SEAL THIS MONEY THAT HAS BEEN MISSING, THEY HESITATE TO GIVE US MORE MONEY.

IF YOU ASK FOR $10 MILLION FROM THE U.S. AND WE ONLY SPENT 5 MILLION AND 5 MILLION HAS TO BE SENT BACK , APPARENTLY WE DIDN´T NEED $10 MILLION.

SO THAT LEAVES QUESTIONS IN THE MINDS OF THOSE POLITICIANS UP THERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE DON´T WANT TO HAVE ANY DOUBTS IN THE MINDS OF OUR POLITICIANS OR CONGRESS.

WE WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE ASK FOR SOMETHING WE >> WHAT ROLE WOULD YOU PLAY IN THE MOVEMENT FOR CONSTITUTION AND RESOLUTION OF POLITICAL STATUS?

>> MY ROLE WOULD BE DEEP INTO THAT.

IT WOULD BE HANDS ON.

TO ASSIST THOSE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE AND MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE PASSED FOR A BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THAT´S PRETTY MUCH MY ROLE.

IT´S NOT IN A BULLY ASPECT BUT IN AN ASPECT TO HELP TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE THINGS ARE PASSED.

TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THE JOB DONE.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. FRETT?

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE CONSTITUTION WE HAVE ALWAYS ADVOCATED STATUS BEFORE CONSTITUTION.

THERE IS NO DOUBT.

WE HAVE FAILED TO DEFINE OUR STATUS FIRST.

WE NEED TO DEFINE OUR STATUS AND THAT WILL GIVE US THE FREEDOM TO PUT IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN JUST WHAT THE U.S.

WANTS.

SECONDLY WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT WE DON´T HAVE ANY CHOICE IN THIS MATTER .

THE UNITED STATES HAS SIGNED ON IN THE U.N. TO DECOLONIZE ALL OF ITS COLONIES AND WE ARE STILL CONSIDERED A COLONY.

SO WHETHER WE WANT TO OR NOT , IT´S COMING.

WE HAVE TO PREPARED IN THE BEST WAY TO BE PREPARED IS TO PUT THE FACTS IN SCHOOLS.

MAKE IT A CLASS SO THAT EVERY CHILD WILL HAVE TO STUDY WHAT ARE THE ACTIONS AND WHEN THEY BECOME ADULTS , AT LEAST IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHEN THEY BECOME ADULTS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AS TO WHAT IS THE BEST STATUS.

>> WHAT ROLE WILL YOU PLAY?

>> I WOULD PUT IT IN THE SCHOOLS.

IMMEDIATELY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS BUT IF YOU ASK MOST PEOPLE WHAT DOES THE STATUS STAND FOR, .

>> SENATOR VIALET.

>> THEY ARE --.

THE BILL SHOULD BE HEARD BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THE BILL IS SPONSORED BY MY RUNNING MATE.

THERE IS MISCONCEPTIONS AND REFERENCES TO THE BILL IN WHICH LEGISLATURE CAN MANDATE THE ADAPTION OF THE ORGANIC ACT.

WE CAN´T DO THAT.

WE CAN ONLY CONVENE A -- CONVENTION.

A CONSTITUTION MUST BE BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE AND NOT BY A SELECT GROUP.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FOLLOW THE PROCESS AS PRESCRIBED BY CONGRESS .

THERE ARE OTHER TERRITORIES THAT HAVE CONSTITUTIONS SO WE WILL BE JOINING THAT LIST OF TERRITORIES .

YOU LOOK AT OUR BARRICADE REIMBURSEMENT.

WE ARE GETTING READY TO GO BACK TO 55%.

WE ARE NOT CALCULATED ON ANY FARMLAND THAT IS COMPARABLE TO ANY STATE IN THE NATION TO INCLUDE THE STATE THAT HAS THE MOST PASSIONATE.

THE AMOUNT OF UNFAIR PRACTICES THAT ARE LEVIED ON THE VERGE OF ISLANDS ON THE RIDDLER BASIS AND THOSE ARE THE ERRORS WE MUST ADDRESS.

WHEN WE ABLE TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ON THE VARIOUS STATUS OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS .

WE MUST GET HER EDUCATION OUT .

IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WE NEED TO BEGIN THE DISCUSSION.

WE NEED THE DISCUSSION ABOUT SELF-GOVERNANCE.

WE HAVE TO BEGIN TO TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING TO ALLOW US TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> THAT IS SELF-GOVERNANCE FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SO WE HAVE TO CONTINUE ALONG THE PATH.

IT HAS TO BE CLEAR FOR THE DRAFT .

>> OUR FIRST RESPONSE WILL BE YOU MR. BURKHARD AND YOU EACH HAVE TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS THIS.

AND WOULD ALL AGREE THAT TRUST IN THE LEADER IS ESSENTIAL.

FORGOT TO GOVERNANCE.

TRUST IS BUILT ON SEVERAL PILLARS , AT LEAST TWO OF WHICH ARE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

SO AS GOVERNOR, HOW WILL YOU BUILD TRUST IN YOUR LEADERSHIP YOUR TRANSPARENCY IF ELECTED AND YOU EACH HAVE TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS THAT.

MR. PICARD?

>> PEOPLE LACK THE MEDICATION WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

ALL WE ASK FOR HIS TRANSPARENCY.

ALL WE WANT YOU TO DO IS TELL US THE TRUTH.

WHEN CAN WE EXPECT IT AND HOW CAN WE UTILIZE THE ACTUAL PROJECTS THAT YOU SAY WILL BE COMPLETED?

WHEN YOU HAVE SO MANY PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROMISED TO YOU THEY DIDN´T COME IN, IT´S NOT --.

YOU BEGIN TO LOSE TRUST.

WHEN YOU COME IN TO NEW GOVERNOR PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU AS SOME SORT OF SAVIOR FROM THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE FACT HOW CAN WE BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR WHEN HE SAYS HE WILL DO A, B, AND C AND IT´S NOT BEING DONE?

AND THE FIRST THING HE SAYS IS I INHERITED THIS WHEN I CAME IN.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO.

I AM GOING TO INHERIT EVERYTHING THAT MR. BRIAN HASN´T DONE.

WHEN I DO SAY A PARTICULAR PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED, THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED.

IT IS THE ONLY WAY.

ONCE THESE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED AND THE PEOPLE CAN LOOK AND SAY WOW, THE GOVERNOR REALLY DID SAY HE´S GOING TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT AND HE DID EXACTLY WHAT HE SAY´S GOING TO DO.

AND TO BE HONEST WITH US.

THAT´S ALL THE PEOPLE LOOK FOR.

BUT WHEN PROJECTS ARE SITTING THERE, YOU HAVE MORE ABANDONED BUILDINGS THAT BELONG TO THE GOVERNMENT THEN RESIDENTS, THAT´S A PROBLEM.

WHEN PEOPLE SIT THERE AND THEY PHYSICALLY SEE WITH THEIR EYES THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS THE MOST MONEY IN THIS ADMINISTRATION THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS EVER HAD IN HISTORY DUE TO COVID-19.

WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY BUT WE ARE POOR IN PERFORMANCE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS FACTUAL.

>> REMEMBER, THE FOCUS IS GOING TO BE ON YOUR STRATEGIES OR ACCOUNTABILITY OR STRATEGIES FOR TRANSPARENCY, SO RATHER THAN JUST SIMPLY TALKING ABOUT THE ILLNESSES DOESN´T ADVANCE YOUR CAUSE, SO MR. FRETT ?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT TRUST DOES NOT BEGIN WHEN I BECOME GOVERNOR.

I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR OVER 60 YEARS.

WE HAVE BEEN OUT THERE FOR OUR PEOPLE.

WHEN THE HURRICANE HIT WE HAD NO ROOF WE COOKED AND OFFERED $10 A PLATE FOR OUR PEOPLE.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE TODAY THAT STILL ASK US BECAUSE TIMES ARE STILL DIFFICULT AND WE STILL DO THAT.

WHEN WE HAVE THE --IN THE GARDEN FOR CHRISTMAS WE WENT THERE AND WE SAW THAT PEOPLE COME UP TO SEEING BUT THERE´S NO HOT TEA OR FOOD.

WE BEGAN THAT.

WE TELL OUR PEOPLE IN THE STREET ANYTIME YOU DON´T HAVE ANY MONEY, COME TO --.

SO, THE PEOPLE TRUST STEPHEN ´SMOKEY´ FRETT.

NOT BECAUSE HE´S IN A POSITION BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY , HE HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS.

TRANSPARENCY?

I AM WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO HIDE?

I DON´T HAVE ANYTHING TO HIDE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT NO MATTER HOW WE WORK FOR OUR PEOPLE AND IF OUR PEOPLE HAVE LITTLE, FAITH, NO MATTER HOW GOOD IT IS, IF THEY HAVE LOST FAITH IN AN INSTITUTION IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE IT AND WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT THE ELECTION SYSTEM AND OUR PEOPLE HAVE LOST FAITH.

WE ARE WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE.

TRANSPARENCY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE TO OUR PEOPLE , WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

WE ARE WORKING FOR YOU.

YOU ARE OUR BOSSES.

THE MAC IN QUEUE.

SENATOR VIALET, WHAT STRATEGIES WILL YOU USE TO DEMONSTRATE TRANSPARENT ?

>> WE HAVE LAWS IN THE BOOK.

WE HAVE LAWS THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED BUT LAWS THAT ARE CIRCUMVENTED AT CERTAIN TIMES.

WE HAVE THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY WHICH SHOULD REALLY ADHERE TO THE LAWS AS DESCRIBED BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BUT FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS IT IS AND ISN´T.

WE HAVE TO ELIMINATE ALL -- CONTRACTS.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE PUT IN CONTRACTS OUT OF --THAT YOU MUST SORTED OUT AND YOU CAN´T JUST SELECT ONE.

YOU HAVE TO MOVE AWAY FROM GIVING INSIDE INFORMATION TO CERTAIN COMPANIES AND MAKING CERTAIN COMPANIES THE PRIME CONTRACTOR FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PRESENTLY HAS ENOUGH MONEY THAT EVERYONE CAN HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

IT SHOULD NOT BE A SELECT FEW THAT CONTINUE TO REAP THE BENEFITS AND WE ARE NOT SEEING THE REWARDS.

THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY NOW WE ARE SEEING WERE THE ADMINISTRATIVE --.

WE HAVE SEEN WHERE THEY HAVE FAILED.

WHY IS THAT HAPPENING?

WE HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON AREAS .

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE SPEND THIS MONEY WE ARE BEING CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT´S NOT GOING TO A PREFERRED VENDOR THAT IS SOMEBODY THAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO GET INTO A CONTRACT.

>> EVERY SINGLE TRANSACTION THAT WE MAKE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS AVAILABLE ARE YOU OR EVEN THE ELA TO LOOK AT.

WE HAVE A WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN GO UP AND LOOK AND SEE WHERE ANY BUSINESS OR TRANSACTION WAS MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT.

FROM THE FIRST TIME I STARTED RUNNING, I TOLD PEOPLE THREE THINGS I´M GOING TO DO.

I´M GOING TO TAKE THAT TRUST AND BRING INVESTMENT, AND INVEST IN THE PEEP .

THAT´S WHAT I´VE DONE.

THE IRONY OF THE SITUATION IS THAT THEY SAY YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

THE LEGISLATURE IS THE LEAST TRANSPARENT ORGANIZATION , NO ONE QUESTIONED THE LEGISLATION BUDGET.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE LEGISLATION ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE SENATOR HAS DONE WITH THEIR MONEY?

THEY NEVER DID.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE LEGISLATURE PUT UP A WEBSITE WHERE IT IS TRANSPARENT, WE CAN SEE THE TRANSACTIONS THEY ARE DOING?

THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY.

FOR YEARS MR. VIALET AND HIS BUDDIES HAVE BEEN CONTRACTS WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

OUR ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTED A CREDIT CARD SYSTEM JUST LIKE MR. VIALET AND HIS FRIENDS OF THE LEGISLATURE WANTED US TO DO.

WE SET UP THE TRANSPARENCY RUNNING SITE.

EVERY BID THAT GOES UP IS ON THE WEBSITE, AND WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS MAKING IT ELECTRONIC.

EVERY SINGLE FEDERAL DOLLAR IS ACCOUNTED FOR.

GOES IT TO THE HOUSE HE WEBSITE.

HOW MUCH WE HAVE BEEN ALLOTTED, HOW MUCH HAS BEEN RECOVERED , HOW MUCH AND WE HAVE SPENT.

YOU CAN ALWAYS THINK OF TELLING VIRGIN ISLANDERS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

WHETHER IT IS THE PRESS OFFICE OR PRESS BRIEFING WE HAVE EVERYTHING ON MONDAY TELLING YOU WHAT WE ARE DOING.

YOU DO THAT FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND THE HEAD OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, IS THAT TRANSPARENT?

>> YES, 60 SECONDS.

>> I DON´T HAVE ANY CONTRACTS.

I DON´T HAVE ANY CONTRACT EMPLOYEES FOR FIVE OR $6000.

BUT THAT IS LITERALLY NOT TRUE.

THE LEGISLATIVE ENTITY , TO BE ABLE TO REIN IN THE GOVERNMENT , WHEN WE SAW CREDIT CARD BALANCES THAT WERE OUT AND WE NEEDED TO CONTROL THOSE BALANCES AND DETERMINE A PROCESS AS A WHOLE.

CREDIT CARDS WOULD BE ISSUED, AND MONEY WOULD BE SPENT.

WE DID THAT WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF OUR BE TO CREATE THE POLICY TO MOVE FORWARD.

IN REFERENCE TO THE LEGISLATIVE, UNTIL THE PRESIDENT, THAT IS NOT THE ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL SENATOR TO PUT UP FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT IS THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT.

LEGISLATOR COULD PROVIDE ANY KIND OF FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SPOKEN OUT.

>> HE SAID YOU, REFERRING TO ME, AND I NEED TO CALL THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND I WOULD LIKE TO ARGUE THAT HE CHAMPIONS HIMSELF AS THE HEAD OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

MR. PICARD HERE WAS RIGHT, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

THERE WAS NO ACCOUNTABILITY THAT HE EMITTED FROM THE SENATE.

HE HAS BEEN IN CHARGE FOR YEARS.

AND NOT ONCE.

NOT ONCE HAS HE DEMANDED TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND HIS COLLEAGUES.

ALL HE WANTS TO DO IS QUESTION EVERY SINGLE BODY THAT COMES BEFORE THEM ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH THEIR MONEY.

WHICH IS FINE.

BUT HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A REPORT FOR THE LEGISLATURE THAT ACCOUNTS FOR WHERE THESE DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT?

WHERE TRIPS ARE BEING GONE TO, WHO IS GOING ON THOSE TRIPS, ARE THEY GIVEN THOSE RECEIPTS I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

AND IF HE IS AS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AS HE SAYS HE IS, SHOULD BE MADE WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

AT LEAST A LAST EIGHT YEARS.

>> YEAH, I THINK YOU ARE NOT ATTENDED TO, SO WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO NOW IS WE ARE GOING TO GO TO A BRIEF BREAK , AND I´M GOING TO ASK THE VIEWING AUDIENCE TO STAY WITH US.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE COMING.

THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SECOND HOUR OF OUR FORUM.

PARTICIPANTS ARE ALL IN PLACE, SO WE WILL BEGIN.

FORMER SENATOR FRETT, YOU WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.

IN A RECENT POLL, VOTERS IDENTIFIED FOUR AREAS OF MAJOR CONCERN.

EDUCATION, CRIME , HEALTH, .

LET´S EXAMINE THEM AND SEE HOW EACH OF YOU WILL ADDRESS THESE ISSUES EVER ELECT .

YOUR EMPHASIS BE ON YOUR STRATEGY OR RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM , RATHER THAN YOUR EMPATHY REGARDING THE PROBLEM.

>> COULD YOU CALL THEM ONE AT A TIME?

>> I WILL.

WE WILL START WITH EDUCATION.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIES THAT YOU PLAN TO PUT IN PLACE TO ADDRESS THEM?

YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

>> THE MAIN STRATEGY THAT WE HAVE IS THAT WE HAVE GOT TO ADVISE THE CURRICULUM.

THE CURRICULUM IS NOT PRODUCING WHAT OUR SOCIETY NEEDS.

WE HAVE TOO MANY NEEDS.

IT IS COSTING US A LOT OF MONEY.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, WE HAVE TO IMPORT TEACHERS, WE HAVE TO IMPORT NURSES, WE HAVE TO IMPORT DOCTORS, WE HAVE TO IMPORT SKILLED PEOPLE.

THIS GENERAL EDUCATION AND WHICH WE ARE GETTING IS NO GOOD FOR US.

WE DON´T HAVE TO WAIT FOR AMERICA TO APPROVE IT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR WHAT IS SO WE BELIEVE THAT AN EDUCATION THAT ALL STUDENTS THAT GO TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SHOULD COME OUT WITH SOME KIND OF SKILLS.

THEY NEED A SKILL.

WE GRADUATE PEOPLE FROM GRADE 12, 18 YEARS OLD, AND THEY COME OUT WITH NO SKILLS TO IMMEDIATELY HELP THEMSELVES OR THEIR FAMILY.

BUT THEY CAN GO TO THE AMATEUR SKILLED PEOPLE.

THAT´S NOT RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WITH THE SKILL UPON GRADUATION.

THAT IS THE MAIN THING THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

THEN WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE A LARGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE, STUDENTS WHO ARE SPEAKING FRENCH AND SPANISH.

WE HAVE TO EMPLOY MORE BILINGUAL TEACHERS TO HELP THE SITUATION SO THAT THESE CHILDREN WILL NOT BE LEFT BEHIND, AND ALSO INVEST MORE MONEY IN EARLY EDUCATION.

THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS OF OUR YOUTHS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA THAT WE MUST TO ADDRESS IN EDUCATION IS LEARNER LOSS.

FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS OF , THE STUDENT HAS NOT HAD A NORMAL SCHOOL YEAR.

WE GO BACK TO HURRICANE MARIA, WHEN SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED, YOU FAST TRAVEL TO COVID AND WENT CHILDREN WENT TO SCHOOL VIRTUALLY, LITERALLY FOR TWO YEARS AND STUDIED ALL ACROSS THE NATION .

THERE HAS BEEN A CLEAR INDICATION THAT STUDENTS HAVE FALLEN BACK ONE INTO GRADE LEVELS.

IN THE TEST THEY RECEIVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WE HAVE THE LOWEST LEVEL THAT WE HAVE BEEN OUT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

WE MUST ADJUST TO LEARNER LOSS BY BEING ABLE TO OFFER EACH STUDENT A GRADE LEVEL ON THE COMPETENCY EXAM.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT GRADE LEVEL LATER ON, AND IF THEY HAVE MADE THOSE GRADE LEVEL COMPETENCIES FOR LANGUAGE ARTS, DEVELOP A PROGRAM OR PLAN THAT WILL ADDRESS THE STUDENTS NEEDS.

WE NEED ONE-ON-ONE, WE NEED AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, WE NEED EXTENDED SUMMER SCHOOL WHERE WE HELP PEOPLE THAT DO NOT MEET THE GRADE LEVEL COMPETENCIES, SO THEY MUST COME TO SCHOOL DURING THE SUMMER TO BE ABLE TO CATCH UP ON AREAS THAT THEY ARE DEFICIENT IN.

WE NEED WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND ARE SCHOOLS.

WE NEED A LOT OF GRADE LEVEL ASSEMBLIES, COUNSELING IN THE SCHOOL, WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS WITH ISSUES.

WE HOPE THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK IT OUT ON THEIR OWN, BUT THEY ARE NOT CAPABLE.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PULL THEM OUT AND OFFER THOSE SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE THE STUDENTS ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND BE ABLE TO LEARN ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE NEED STRONG, ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS.

WE CAN´T RESULT TO EXPELLING STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE STRONG ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS WHERE WE WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER ALL OF THE SERVICES AND THEN SPEND THEM BACK TO THE HOME.

I THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOVERNOR BRIAN?

>> YOU KNOW, IF YOU LISTEN TO PEOPLE TALK NOW, THEY WILL SAY THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM WITH EDUCATION IS MANAGEMENT.

EVERY DISCUSSION WE HAVE WITH EDUCATION IS ABOUT MANAGEMENT.

ABOUT THIS OR THAT .

WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE EVERY YEAR, EVEN WITH COVID, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GRADUATE PEOPLE THAT ONTO THE TOP SCHOOLS IN THE NATION.

DO WE HAVE LEARNING LOSS?

ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT THAT?

SO WE HAVE SHORTENED THE CLASSES NOW IN ORDER THAT IN THE AFTERNOON WE CAN ACTUALLY DO THE TUTORING.

AND WE ARE ABLE TO PAY TEACHERS NOW DURING THE SUMMER, PAY THEM EXTRA.

IT BREAKS MY HEART EVERY TIME I WE DON´T DO THAT ANYMORE.

I HAVE ASKED THE COMMANDER OF EDUCATION TO PAY $15 AN HOUR, WHATEVER THE RATE IT IS TO BRING OUR TEACHERS AND, TO GET THEM TO STAY FROM 3 TO 7, TO GIVE THE STUDENTS LEARNING LOSS COMPENSATION.

LET´S DO IT.

WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF CONTACTS WITH PEOPLE, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT AND EVERY SINGLE STATE IN THE NATION IS SUFFERING FROM FINDING TALENT IN SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES.

WE ARE BRINGING THOSE TO THE SCHOOL.

AND YOU KNOW WE NEED TO DO?

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE POVERTY-STRICKEN AND SURROUNDED BY NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE THEIR ENDS MEET FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THE TEACHERS, WE HAVE SUPPORTED AND HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME.

GETTING TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOLS, THAT IS WHY WE GAVE THE AFT ONE OF THE MOST RIGHTEOUS CONTACTS THEY HAVE EVER SEEN.

AND THAT IS DRIVING THE MINIMUM SALARY FOR TEACHERS IN OCTOBER OF TWO $49,000 .

WE ARE ALMOST THERE TO 50.

WE GIVE THE TEACHERS AN INCENTIVE.

1200, EACH ONE, DURING COVID TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO SERVE SEWARD STUDENTS.

BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK BIG .

RIGHT NOW WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITY HAS ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.

FREE INTERNET FOR KIDS THAT ALLOW THEM TO GET THE EDUCATION AND ACCESS TO THE EDUCATION.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

MR. PICARD?

>> YES, MA´AM.

IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO BE ATTENTIVE, THEY NEED TO BE IN AN ENVIRONMENT TO BE A TENANT.

THE FIRST THING IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL SCHOOLS HAVE CAFETERIAS ONCE AGAIN.

MY NEXT THING IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE LEAKING ROOFS ARE STOP.

MY THING IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT, THAT WE HAVE MANPOWER TO CONDUCT MAINTENANCE.

MINUTE ADMINISTRATION, WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MAINTENANCE.

MY THING IS TO TACKLE THAT IMMEDIATELY SO THAT TEACHERS WILL HAVE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO TEACH AND STUDENTS WILL HAVE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO LEARN.

IN ORDER TO HAVE A STANDARDIZED TEST, YOU MUST HAVE A STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM.

SO TO SPEAK, A SYLLABUS ACROSS THE TABLE.

ALL TEACHERS MUST BE IN THE SAME ACCORDANCE, TEACHING THE SAME STUFF.

WE DON´T HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS ONE THING I PLAN, ANOTHER THING I PLAN TO ATTACK, AS WELL.

MOSTLY, LOST TIME SINCE 2020.

A LOT OF STUDENTS LOST A LOT OF TIME IN SCHOOL.

MY THING IS TO ADD AN EXTRA HALF HOUR TO 45 MINUTES A DAY AT THE END OF THE DAY, SO THAT EACH STUDENT PRIOR TO BEING DISMISSED TO GO HOME , THAT TEACHER WILL GO OVER THERE RESIN HOMEWORK FOR THAT DAY.

WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND OR COMPREHEND THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT, AND IT HELPS THE STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HIS OR HER ASSIGNMENT IS THAT DAY FOR THE NEXT DAY.

SO WE MUST HAVE AS MANY POSSIBLE AVENUES TO HELP THE STUDENTS CATCH UP ON LOST TIME.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PICARD.

OUR NEXT QUESTION IS ALSO IN RESPECT EDUCATION.

SENATOR BAILEY, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

NUMBER 44 079 START SEPARATE OUT THE MANAGEMENT OF EDUCATION PHYSICAL FACILITY, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE, AS A SEPARATE EURO FROM THE ACADEMIC AREAS.

THE COMMISSIONER THEN WOULD RELIEVE FROM THE FACILITY´S RESPONSIBILITY TO FOCUS ON THE ACADEMIC ISSUES.

WHAT IS YOUR THINKING ON THIS PROPOSAL?

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

>> THIS IS NOT A LEVEL OF BUREAUCRACY, LITERALLY.

OF EDUCATION, WE HAVE ENGINEERS WHO WORK THAT DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK IN THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT I THINK THE MISTAKE THAT WAS MADE WAS WHEN THEY TOOK THOSE SKILLED WORKERS OUT OF THE SCHOOL.

BEFORE YOU HAD MAINTAINED WORKERS WHO WERE TO EACH SCHOOL, WHICH INCLUDES LABORERS AND MECHANICS, TOOK THEM OUT AND BEGAN TO USE A LOT OF CONTRACTS.

WE GOT TO GO BACK TO WHERE YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING ON THE SCHOOL LEVEL WHO CAN TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM THAT OCCUR ON A DAILY BASIS.

THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS , THEY SHOULD BE UTILIZED TO HELP IN THE SCHOOL.

IF YOU HAVE A PLUMBING CLASS, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HIRE A PLUMBER WHEN YOU HAVE STUDENTS THAT ARE THERE THAT ARE TAKING A COURSE AND YOU CAN GIVE THEM ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

WE MUST HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

WE NEED CONTINUOUS ANIMAL MAINTAINED MEN.

ONE WEEK BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR.

GOVERNOR BRIAN?

>> I AM IN FULL SUPPORT.

THE REALIZATION IS THAT WE ALREADY DO THAT FOR EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT.

ALL OF THE BUILDINGS BELONG TO PROPERTY PROCUREMENT.

THEY ARE MAINTAINED BY THE PROPERTY OF PUBLIC WORK.

YOU HAVE AN EDUCATION WAS ALWAYS ENGAGED.

SEPARATION OF THIS RESPONSIBILITY WILL ALLOW FOR ACTIVE ATTENDANCE INSIDE THE BUILDING, SO THAT SHE CAN CONCENTRATE ON WHAT COUNTS AND PERFORMANCE.

WE HAVE SCHOOL-BASED MAINTENANCE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE 50 TO 60 YEARS OLD.

MR. BAILEY CAN TELL YOU, HE WAS ONCE THE LAST SIX YEARS IN THE BUDGET PUTTING $1 MILLION FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE SCHOOL, AND KNOWING THAT HOW CAN $1 MILLION HELP A 60-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL ?

OVER 23 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE IN THIS TERRITORY.

BACK IN 2010 , IT WOULD TAKE $1 BILLION.

BRYANT EVER ENTERED THE TEAM.

OUR CHILDREN ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE AND WE NEED TO BE MOVING IT OUT.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PICARD?

>> THANK YOU.

HE SPOKE ABOUT THE FORMER GOVERNOR AND HOW IT CONTAINS TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE PROMISED THAT WHEN HE IS ELECTED GOVERNOR HE WILL RECTIFY THE ENTIRE PROBLEM.

HE OBVIOUSLY FAILED.

I BELIEVE WE SHOULD SEPARATE.

PRINCIPALS HAVE ENOUGH ON THEIR PLATE AS IT IS TO START WITH.

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT IS WHAT WE NEED .

WE HAVE A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM.

A MAINTENANCE ISSUE.

THE MERE FACT THAT WE VISUALLY SEE THE PROBLEM IN THE INNER STRUCTURE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERRITORY , IT PHYSICALLY SHOWS IT.

EVIDENCE IS RIGHT THERE.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT WE DON´T STAY ON TOP OF OUR MAINTENANCE ISSUE.

WE STAND THERE AND ALLOW IT TO RUN AWAY.

I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

IF THE BUILDING AND SUFFERING WITH MOLD INFLATION , OKAY, LET´S GO AHEAD AND RENT ANOTHER BUILDING.

THE NOTING THAT BELONGS TO THE GOVERNMENT JUST SITS THERE.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF MOVING TO ANOTHER BUILDING IS THE EXTENT HOLDING SO THAT WE CAN GO BACK THERE.

THROUGH A THANK YOU, MR. PICARD.

>> I DON´T THINK WE NEED TO MAKE A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT FOR MAINTAINERS.

I THINK WE HAVE THE PEOPLE IN SCHOOL, BUT ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IS THAT THIS MONEY WE SET ASIDE FOR MAINTAINING, DOES IT GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OR SHOULD IT HE DIVIDED EACH SCHOOL?

I THINK WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT IF PEOPLE WHO MAINTAIN PARTICULAR SCHOOLS, THEY DON´T HAVE THE RESOURCES IMMEDIATELY TO RESPOND TO A SITUATION , AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THAT.

BUT TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A WHOLE ANOTHER BUREAUCRACY, I´M NOT FOR THAT.

MAKE MONEY DIRECTLY AVAILABLE TO THE SCHOOL SO THAT THEY CAN ADDRESS IMMEDIATE CONCERNS THAT TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE SCHOOL.

THINK THAT YOU CAN COME IN AND 3.5 YEARS AND RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.

THE ROADS ARE NOMINATED, THE HOSPITALS ARE NOT MAINTAINED, THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM IS NOT THE MAINTAIN.

BUT WE CAME IN AND FIXED A LOT OF THAT.

WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO FIXING MORE.

THE WAY THAT WE DO THAT IS BY MANAGING THE GOVERNMENT´S MONEY IN A WAY THAT IS COST EFFECTIVE, AND GIVING THE PEOPLE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.

THAT IS A VERY HARD AND TO DO WHEN YOU DON´T HAVE ANY MONEY, LIKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS BEEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

FINALLY WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO THESE THINGS, BUT WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO DO IT.

WE HAVE LESS EMPLOYEES THAN WE HAD IN 2007.

SO THE PROBLEM IS TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING TO A VERY SMALL MODE OF PRODUCTIVITY.

WHILE I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT MY COLLEAGUES APPEAR ARE SAYING, THE REALITY WHILE YOU DO THE JOB IS THAT EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS WAITING FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE TALENTED, AND SO IS THE GOVERNMENT.

WE ARE DOING THE BEST TO COME UP WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

EDUCATION WILL BE BETTER SERVED WITH MAINTENANCE OUTSIDE.

>> HE REBUTTED YOUR COMMENT.

>> YOU SAID ME.

>> MR. VIALET, MR. KAHANA PICARD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU, THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THAT MR. VIALET , HE HAS NEVER RECOMMENDED MORE THAN 1 MILLION.

IN FACT, HE HE IS GIVEN $2 MILLION EVERY YEAR.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, 2019 , APPROPRIATED MY BILL.

APPROPRIATED SOME $5.2 MILLION FOR MAINTAINERS OF SCHOOLS AND THE TERRITORIES .

OF THE $5.2 MILLION THAT WERE APPROPRIATED THREE YEARS AGO, HE HAS BEEN LESS THAN $200,000.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TOOK OVER $200 MILLION IN FUNDS AS THE RESULT OF COVERED.

THOSE MONIES ARE SECONDARY IN THE ACCOUNT WITH NO CLEAR PLAN ON HOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY.

THE COMMISSIONER JUST RECENTLY SAID SHE IS GOING TO RESUBMIT THE PLAN FOR THE $200 MILLION BECAUSE THE PLAN THAT WAS SPEND IS NOT CAPABLE OF MOVING THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DIRECTION THAT SHE THINKS IT NEEDS TO MOVE IT.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I WILL REMIND ALL OF YOU, PLEASE, WE ARE ASKING YOU TO GIVE US YOUR STRATEGIES FOR HOW WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES THAT WE ARE ASKING YOU TO IDENTIFY.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH, AND I BELIEVE WE START WITH YOU, GOVERNOR.

>> SENATOR BAILEY.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM?

WHAT STRATEGIES WILL YOU PUT IN PLACE TO ADDRESS OUR STRUGGLING HEALTHCARE SYSTEM?

YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH.

FACILITIES, FACILITIES, FACILITIES.

THAT IS THE FIRST.

ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT IT IS GOING TO OPEN BY A PARTICULAR DATE , IT IS STILL CLOSED.

THE BUILDING AFTER THE RECENT RENOVATION IS COMPLETELY FLOODED.

THE BUILDING BEING CONSTRUCTED .

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN GSL AND THREE AT A TIME.

I WOULD SUGGEST THE CONTRACTOR WORKING ON THE PROJECT BE TOLD THAT THEY HAVE TO DOUBLE UP .

THEY HAVE TO WORK LONGER HOURS .

WE ARE FLYING INDIVIDUALS OUT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AT THE NURSES UNION.

THAT NEGOTIATION HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE THE LAST YEAR AND TWO MONTHS.

WE HAVE BEEN PROMISED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW CONTRACT.

THE NEW CONTRACT HAS NOT MATERIALIZED.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE RETENTION BONUSES FOR THOSE NURSES, SO WHEN NURSES DON´T GO TO THESE TRAVELING COMPANIES.

WE NEED TO HAVE RECRUITMENT ON DRIVES WHERE WE OFFER AN INCENTIVE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WILLING TO COME TO WORK IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE SAME THING WE ARE DOING WITH EDUCATION, WILL LOOK AT DEVELOPING , LOOKOUT NURSES FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND DOCTORS FROM THE PHILIPPINES CAN RECRUIT TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND BE THE PROGRAM.

BACK IN THE 70s WE HAD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DOCTORS FROM THE PHILIPPINES RELOCATED TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS , STAYING HERE FOR 30, 35 YEARS.

WE MUST HAVE A CLEAR PLAN .

WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TRANSITION ALL OF THESE WE HAVE THE CENTER AND THE CLINIC AND ST. JOHN THAT IS A MANATT MODULAR UNIT.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOVERNOR BRIAN, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

>> YES, THE QUESTION WAS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

NOT ABOUT J FL HOSPITAL.

MR. VIALET NEEDS TO REALIZE HE WILL NOT BE THE GOVERNOR OF ST. CROIX, HE WILL BE THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THERE IS A CONCERTED PLAN IN AN EFFORT TO DEVELOP ALL THESE BUILDINGS AND GET TO THE SAME STANDARD.

WHETHER IT IS OUR SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES, WHICH WE ARE BUILDING TWO OF THEM, OR THE HEALTH BUILDING.

FIRST, WE HAVE TO GET INTO A STANDARD.

THEN WE HAVE TO TAKE IT ON A SERIOUS LOOK AT PARTNERING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION THAT CAN DO THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE OUR HEALTHCARE WORK.

HE TALKS ABOUT RETENTION BONUSES.

EVERY SINGLE RESPIRATORY THERAPIST AND ALLIED HEALTH PERSON GOT A $7000 BONUS THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW WHY?

BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ISSUING RETENTION PLANS.

EACH HOSPITAL WAS GIVEN $10 MILLION IN ORDER TO CREATE RECRUIT GLANDS OR DO WHATEVER ELSE THEY NEEDED TO BRING RESOURCES TO THEM.

OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE SPENT OVER ONE OR MILLION DOLLARS IN HEALTHCARE.

YES, $100 MILLION IN HEALTHCARE.

WRINGING ACCESS TO OUR HOSPITALS , THROUGH COBRA TESTS AND OTHER RESOURCES TO KEEP THEM AFLOAT.

THE UNFUNDED CARE DID NOT GO AWAY.

WE STILL HAD.

GSL NORTH NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED.

WE INHERITED A BAD PROJECT WITH BAD MANAGEMENT, AND WE ARE ALMOST THERE.

IT WILL GET OPEN, BUT IT WILL BE THE STATE-OF-THE-ART HEALTHCARE CENTER FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AS SOON AS I CAME IN, I KNEW IT WOULD BE A TIME BEFORE WE GOT THE HOSPITAL WHERE NEEDED TO BE.

THAT IS WHY WE ISSUED THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED, IN ORDER TO GET OTHER URGENT CARE ORGANIZATIONS UP IN ST. CROIX.

THE HOSPITAL IN ST. THOMAS HAS A NEW INFECTIOUS WEED.

WE HAVE A NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING CENTER.

WE HAVE INVESTED THE MONEY IN, BRINGING OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND AND OPENING UP THE HEALTH COMPLEX.

WE HAVE NOW EXPANDED WITH CIGNA.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

>> THANK YOU, MA´AM.

FIRST THINGS FIRST.

THIS IS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS THAT IS ABANDONED.

MY THING IS TO OPEN UP THE CHILDREN´S HOSPITAL, THE FIRST ONE EVER IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I AM ALREADY IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE TRAINING HOSPITAL IN GEORGIA AS IT PERTAINS TO THAT.

OF COURSE I WILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE CONTRACT IS HONORED AND THE BEGINNING AS WELL AS FOR THE CHILDREN´S HOSPITAL.

ALSO, OPENING UP ANOTHER MEDICAL CENTER.

THAT WILL BE FOR REHABILITATION PURPOSES ONLY.

BUT THE PATIENTS RECOVERING FROM SURGERY, AS WELL AS THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL CHALLENGES AS WELL AS NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS AND AA.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL.

SO HEALTHCARE, WE ALL KNOW IT, CIGNA IS FOR THE BIGGEST INSURANCE COMPANY HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WHEN THE PATIENT LEAVES THE ISLANDS TO GO SEEK TREATMENT, THAT COMPANY OR DOCTOR IN THE FACILITY, THE INSURANCE MONEY IS GOING TOWARDS THEM.

WE NEED TO KEEP THE MONEY HERE.

HEALTHCARE, AS PEOPLE GET OLDER, THEY GRADUALLY LEAVE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO SEEK BETTER TREATMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM HERE.

IT IS ALL ABOUT RETENTION.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE PERFECT HEALTHCARE.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THE PERFECT INFRASTRUCTURE.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO HOLD THE CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE , BUT THE CONTRACT HAS NOT FINISHED ITS DATE AT ONE MINUTE PAST 12, MY THING IS TO ACTUALLY SANCTION A CONTRACTOR.

WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO WASTE.

PEOPLE´S LIVES ARE IN JEOPARDY RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT IS WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR.

>> TAKE YOU , MR. PICARD.

FRETT.

>> IT SHOULD BE A CASE TO EVERYONE ABOUT THIS CASE TAKING TOO LONG.

WHAT THE MILLER ADMINISTRATION WOULD DO, BASED ON THE ACT, IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WE WOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

GET THE EXPERTS IN HERE TO BUILD THIS HOSPITAL AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

TYPICALLY IN THE MINISTRATION, WE DON´T HAVE TO PLEDGE THE MONEY.

BUT WE WANT THE BUILDINGS UP .

WE WANT THE SERVICES GOING FOR OUR PEOPLE.

AND THAT IS THE MAIN THING FOR THE FRETT MILLER ADMINISTRATION.

AFTER WE GET THE FACILITIES UP, THEN WE INCORPORATE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE DOCTORS THAT ARE HERE, AND ALL THE LOCAL PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND DEVELOP SOME KIND OF RELATIONSHIP THINGS LIKE THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

BUT THE MAIN THING IS TO GET THIS HOSPITAL UP.

WE ARE LOSING TOO MUCH MONEY.

OUR PEOPLE ARE LOSING TOO MUCH PEOPLE.

AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE FRETT MILLER TEAM HAVE IS HEALTHCARE ECONOMICS.

WE WANT TO BE THE BIGGEST HEALTHCARE MEGA IN THE WHOLE CARIBBEAN, AND WE CAN DO IT.

NOW IS THE OPPORTUNITY.

TOO MUCH TIME IS BEING WASTED.

>> IN QUEUE, MR. FRETT .

THE THIRD AREA OF CONCERN FROM THE POLLS IS IN THE AREA OF CRIME.

CERTAINLY THAT IS IN THE HEADLINES A LOT ON A DAILY BASIS.

SO WHAT ARE THE KEY FACTORS THAT YOU SEE AFFECTING CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY?

AND WHAT ARE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM?

GOVERNOR BRIAN, WE START WITH YOU.

>> HOW MUCH TIME?

>> TWO MINUTES.

>> SO, CRIME IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM.

YOU NEVER GET TO GO TO ZERO.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN TAKING CONCERTA STEPS TO DEAL WITH CRIME.

SOME I CAN TALK ABOUT AND SOME I CAN´T.

ONE THING WE ARE VERY PROUD OF IS THE 164 CAMERAS WE HAVE DEPLOYED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

NOW WE CAN SEE EVERY LICENSE PLATE, EVERY PERSON MOVING ALONG AND TRAVERSING OUR HIGHWAYS.

FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT NOT HAVING ENOUGH OFFICERS.

WE HAVE SUFFERED WITH TECHNOLOGY.

AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NOW HAS FOUR DRONES THAT THEY CAN USE IN SURVEILLANCE TACTICS.

THEY HAVE ACCESS TO ALL KINDS OF EQUIPMENT THAT MAKE SOLVING CRIME EASIER.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THAT.

IT IS ABOUT CREATING THE OPPORTUNITIES LIKE FREE COLLEGE TUITION FOR KIDS THAT CAN´T GO TO SCHOOL.

IT IS ABOUT UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE WHO WENT TO THE ENTIRE EDUCATION SYSTEM, BUT WHEN THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL THEY CAN´T GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE THEY DON´T HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

IT IS NOT REQUIRED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE OTHER THING IS REHABILITATION.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW WE GET THESE YOUNGSTERS THAT HAVE MADE MISTAKES IN THEIR 20s BACK INTO SOCIETY AND BE ABLE TO ERASE THE RECORD.

FOR NONVIOLENT CRIMES, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE A PATH SO THOSE PEOPLE CAN INTEGRATE.

IF THEY CAN´T INTEGRATE, THEN THEY ARE GOING TO COMMIT MORE CRIMES.

ACTIVITY.

WE HAVE INVESTED OVER $1 MILLION AND OUR BEST LIFE, NOT ONLY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, BEFORE YOUNG PEOPLE, AS WELL.

OUR SPORTS, PARTS, AND RECREATION, HAVE BEEN REPAVING ALL OF THE TENNIS COURTS AND BASKETBALL COURTS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE HEALTHY, BUT TRYING TO GET STUDENTS ENGAGED.

IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS YOU WILL SEE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES, BE IT VOTING,´S FISHING, JUST TO GET PEOPLE UP AND ENGAGED.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WEEKLY SKILL CENTER HERE IN ST. THOMAS IS GOING TO MAKE GETTING THOSE SKILLS EVEN EASIER.

OUR FINANCIAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AND COME TO THE GOVERNMENT TO WORK AND GET EXPERIENCE IS INCREDIBLE, AND THE $10 MILLION WE HAVE FOR APPRENTICESHIPS IS WORKING REAL WELL IN GETTING THE SKILLS THERE.

>> IN QUEUE, GOVERNOR.

MR. PICARD?

>> WHAT THE GOVERNMENT OR IS NOT TELLING YOU IS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED CONSENT DECREE.

THAT IS BASICALLY THE PAY THE FELLOW AGENCY TO COME DOWN HERE AND SUPERVISE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

WE ARE PAYING SUPERVISORS TO SUPERVISE SUPERVISORS.

CONTENT DEGREE HAS TO BE UNDER SUPERVISION UNDER THE COURSE OF LAW.

THE CAN´T EVEN GO LIKE THIS TO YOU WITHOUT BEING ARRESTED.

AND THE CRIMINALS KNOW THAT, AND THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE.

CRIME IS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL.

MY THING IS TO GET RID OF CONSENT DECREE BUT REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING ELSE, WHICH IS THE SOP.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS NEVER HAD AN SOP.

CAN I TELL YOU THAT?

BECAUSE I AM A FORMER LAW- ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

THERE IS NOTHING NOWHERE IN THE BOOKS WHEN YOU ARE GIVEN A BADGE.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE YOU A BOOK THAT TELLS YOU WHAT I DO IN EVERY SINGLE SITUATION.

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT TO DO.

SO THERE HAS BEEN NO DECREE, AND THE REST OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES ON A VIOLATION.

IN THE PICARD ADMINISTRATION WE WILL TAKE THE HANDCUFFS OFF THE OFFICERS SO THEY CAN ACTUALLY DO THEIR JOB.

YOU HAVE SOME POLICE OFFICERS SAYING WE´LL GO TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE WHEN THERE WAS A DISCHARGE AND EYESHOT.

BECAUSE IF WE LOCK THEM UP, NEXT THING YOU KNOW WE WILL GO TO JAIL FOR CONSENT DECREE.

THEY JUST NEED TO BE TRAINED.

WHEN YOU HAVE IN-SERVICE TRAINING, IT HAS TO BE MORE THAN JUST DISCHARGING A FIREARM AND RUNNING AROUND AND CIRCLES.

THEY NEED TO BE TAUGHT ABOUT THEY NEED TO BE TAUGHT ABOUT AN SOP ONCE IT IS IMPLANTED.

THAT WILL TAKE PART IN REDUCING CRIME.

WE ALL KNOW THAT ONLY GOD HIMSELF COULD STOP CRIME.

WE COULD PLAY A PART AS FAR AS REDUCING IT AND GETTING RID OF CONSENT DECREE.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PICARD.

>> THE FIRST THING, AND IF YOU TALK TO LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, YOU WILL SEE THAT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS PUT OUR PEOPLE TO WORK.

WE HAVE ALL THIS MONEY.

OUR SOCIETY IS IN DEPLOYABLE POSITION.

PUT THESE YOUNG MEN TO WORK .

THAT´S THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO.

AFTER MARYLAND, WE THE PEOPLE TO WORK, CRIME WAS DIFFERENT.

CRIME WAS DONE.

NOW WE HAVE A SOCIETY THAT LOOKS LIKE LESS THAN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, NO ACTIVITY GOING ON, AND OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE SITTING ON THE SIDELINE WITH NOTHING TO DO.

THAT IS THE FIRST THING.

THEN WE HAVE GOT TO GET BACK TO COMMUNITY POLICING.

I DON´T KNOW IF YOU ARE NEVER THAT PROGRAM THAT WE HAD.

THAT WAS A FEDERAL PROGRAM.

BUT THE POLICEMAN IN THE COMMUNITIES.

LET THEM BECOME A PART OF THE COMMUNITIES.

NEXT WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR PRISONS HAVE REAL REHABILITATION.

IT´S NOT HAPPENING.

WE NEED TO PASS LAWS THAT WILL ATTACH THINGS , MAYBE YOUR SENTENCE CAN BE REDUCED.

AND LIKE THIS.

AND THEN WE HAVE TO FIND JOBS FOR THOSE WHO COME OUT SO WE PUT THEM BACK IN THE SOCIETY.

THEN LASTLY, IN SCHOOL, WE HAVE TO TELL OUR CHILDREN WHAT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

HOW MANY OF US WENT TO SCHOOL?

WERE YOU EVER TOLD WHAT WAS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR FELLOW MAN?

WERE YOU EVER TOLD WHAT WAS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR COMMUNITY?

WHAT WAS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BIGGER SOCIETY?

WHAT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR RACE?

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TOLD THAT?

SO EVERYBODY IS JUST DOING THEIR OWN THING AND WANTS TO GET MONEY TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO.

THE EDUCATION IS LACKING, THE PROCESS IS LACKING, AND IF YOU LOOK WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN AMERICA , WE WOULD BE SURPRISED THAT THERE IS NOT A CIVIL WAR BROKE OUT.

WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT US WHEN OUR YOUNG MAN IS INJURED?

>> IN QUEUE, SENATOR BAILEY?

>> THIS IS BECOME A NORMAL COMMUNITY THING.

IT IS NOT A GOOD THING.

IT IS NOT A GOOD INCOME AT ALL.

WE HAVE SO MANY STUDENTS WHO HAVE WITNESSED A VIOLENT ACT OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS SHOT OR STABBED.

IT DEVELOPS THESE DEEP-ROOTED ISSUES IN THESE PARTICULAR YOUNG ROOTED STUDENTS.

OUR MEMBER HAD AN EIGHT TRADER WHO HIS BROTHER WAS RECENTLY KILLED .

I PULLED HER INTO THE MAIN OFFICE AND SAID WHY WOULD YOU BE SO INSENSITIVE TO LAUGH AT SOMEONE WHO JUST LOST A FAMILY MEMBER?

SHE CAME INTO MY OFFICE AND SAID I WAS LAUGHING AT HIM BECAUSE HE KILLED MY BROTHER.

FOR IT GRADE YOU COULD´VE SEEN THOSE ISSUES.

WE NEED TO STOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF CRIMINALS.

YOU STOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF CRIMINALS BY HAVING THOSE WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

PULLING THOSE INDIVIDUALS OUT AND BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE COUNSELING.

OFFER WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU $200,000 TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE COUNSELING FOR THE FAMILIES OF CRIME VICTIMS.

THOSE WHO LOST HER LIFE AND THOSE WHO DID THE ACT.

THE COMMISSIONER CLEARLY SET I HAVE SUFFICIENT MONEY .

I CAN DO THAT.

BUT IT IS NOT BEING DONE.

IMMEDIATELY, THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE ONES I MIGHT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO STOP THE NEXT GENERATION.

IF YOU DO NOT STOP THE NEXT GENERATION, YOU HAVE TO STOP THE NEXT GENERATION.

WHEN YOU HAVE THEM ALL HIT THE WHEN CRIME IS OCCURRING.

NOT ONE TO ONE, NOT 8 TO 5, YOU HAVE TO LISTEN HIT THE STREETS WHEN MORE OF THOSE CRIMES ARE TAKING PLACE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE HAVE TO PUT GPS IN ALL CARS SO THAT WE CAN KNOW WHERE EVERY SINGLE UNIT IS.

AT A PARTICULAR TIME OF THE DAY, SO THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A RESPONSE WHEN SOMETHING IS HAPPENING.

WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE A LOT OF OUR YOUNG OFFICERS TO COME BACK TO THE FORCE AND PROVIDE MENTORING FOR THE YOUNG OFFICERS.

>> THANK YOU, AND THE FOURTH AREA OF CONCERN FOR VOTERS IN THE POLLS HAD TO DO WITH WAPA.

>> THE FIRST THING I PLAN TO DO IS TO RESTRUCTURE THE ENTIRE WAPA BOARDS.

NEXT THING, WAPA HAS BEEN ALMOST A 40 YEAR MONOPOLY THAT HAS CRUCIFIED EVERY VIRGIN ISLANDS OR .

YET NO ONE CAN FIND A SOLUTION FOR IT.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS AS IT PERTAINS TO POWER.

WERE TO ENERGY.

YOU HAVE AQUA ENERGY, WINDMILL ENERGY, SOLAR ENERGY, AND GLASSMAN, YOU HAVE WAPA.

AT PICARD ADMINISTRATION, OUR JOB IS TO PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR YOUR CHURCH.

WE ALL KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS .

AT LEAST IN OUR ADMINISTRATION WE WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHICH ENERGY SOURCE YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE OUT.

TO BETTER SUIT YOUR FINANCIAL BUDGET .

THAT IS THE MAIN THING WE HAVE TO DO.

WE HAVE TO PROVIDE OPTIONS.

BECAUSE WAPA, FOR SURE, IS NOT AN OPTION.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO MR. FRETT.

>> IT IS CLEAR.

WE HAVE A NEW PLAN.

AND WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, AGAIN, IS CREATE A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR WAPA.

WE CAN´T WAIT .

WAPA IS PREVENTING OUR PEOPLE FROM GOING IN BRINGING ANY TYPE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE NEED TO GET THE HELP FROM THE TWO LEADING COUNTRIES IN NATURAL RESOURCES AND RUNNING UP WENT .

WE NEED TO START TO RELY ON THE SUN, WATER, WIND, AND GARBAGE.

ONCE WE CALL A STATE OF EMERGENCY, WE NEED TO ASK THE UNITED STATES TO HELP US ESTABLISH A NEW PLAN AND THESE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO US.

MARKET TO BUY FOSSIL FUEL AND NATURAL GAS, IT´S NOT GOING TO WORK.

WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE PRICES , THE LOWER PRICES THAT ARE NEEDED TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY.

WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO DO IT.

SECONDLY, THIS WAPA BOARD, THERE IS MORE EXPERTISE INSIDE OF WAPA THAN IN THE BOARD.

WE DON´T NEED A BOARD.

WE NEED TO GET RID OF THAT PARTICULAR BOARD.

YOU UNDERSTAND?

AND LEAVE THE DIRECTOR WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, BE ACCOUNTABLE TO HIM.

THIS, IF YOU WANT FURTHER REFERENCE, TAKE THE LETTER THAT THE DELEGATE WROTE TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE SENATORS TELLING THEM THE SAME THINGS, BECAUSE IT WILL OPEN UP YOU FOR FORGIVENESS OF CERTAIN NORMS THAT YOU HAVE.

AND IT WILL OPEN UP TO NEW MONEY IS THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE UNLESS YOU ARE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

AND WE CAN DO THINGS TO CORRECT.

AND I WANT TO SAY, LASTLY, WAPA IS NOT ONLY THERE TO PROVIDE US WITH DOUBLE ELECTRICITY, IT IS ALSO A REVENUE SOURCE.

TO MAKE MONEY, TO REINVEST IN OUR PEOPLE.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR BAILEY.

>> WE NEED ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROBLEMS.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

THE BIG ISSUE THAT WE HAVE IS THE BASE RATE.

IT IS NOW MORE THAN 22% PER KILOWATT HOUR.

IT IS MORE THAN ANY STATE ACROSS THE NATION , TOTAL KILOWATT COST.

THIS RATE IS SO HIGH BECAUSE OF THE DEALS THAT WERE MADE .

WE ARE PAYING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY OR ALL A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HAVE WAPA HELD HOSTAGE.

WE ARE PAYING SOMEONE HUNDRED $60 MILLION AS A LOAN , AT 14% INTEREST.

THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS TO BRING THEM TO THE TABLE AND NEGOTIATE WITH TO BE ABLE TO EXTEND THE LOAN, REFINANCE IT OUT TO 30 YEARS IN A FIVE-YEAR TERM, REFINANCE THE LOAN OUT AT A LOWER INTEREST RATE.

WE HAVE BEEN CONTESTING THE CAUSE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND THEY HAVE RESTORED IN EVERY COUNTRY THEY HAVE OPERATED IN HER PROVIDING ALL THE INFORMATION.

THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE CAN´T CHALLENGE THEM AS PER THE AGREEMENT THAT THEY ENTERED INTO WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE ARE PAYING THEM EVERY YEAR $12 MILLION TO RUN THE PROPANE FACILITY.

WE CAN HIRE 10 ENGINEERS AT $200,000 AND SAVE $10 MILLION.

WHICH TURNOVER 13 OR $16,000 TO SIT OUTSIDE ALL THESE AREAS THAT WE MUST REVISIT.

PLAYERS TO THE TABLE AND BE ABLE TO TELL THEM WE CANNOT CONTINUE THIS WEEK.

BECAUSE HE COULD GO TO ZERO AND YOU WOULD STILL HAVE $.22, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN EVERY STATE ACROSS THE NATION.

THE FIRST THING THAT OUR TEAM WOULD DO IS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUILD THAT THE GOVERNOR VETOED , WE OVERRULED , AND STILL FAILED TO IMPLEMENT THE BILL BECAUSE HE BUILT THAT ONE EXPERTISE ON THE BOARD.

>> I GET TWO MINUTES TO MENTION MY NAME.

THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM I HAD IN THE FIRST PLACE WITH THE GOVERNMENT CARRIED A $29 MILLION BILL FOR DECADES AND NEVER PAID IT OFF.

WE PAID IT OFF IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OUR MINISTRATION.

IT HAS NOT BEEN IN DONE IN DECADES.

THE SECOND THING IS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE WAPA RENEWABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND RELIABLE.

THAT IS A STRATEGY THAT WE HAVE.

EVERYONE WAS EXCITED BUT THE PASSING OF THE HURRICANE AND A LIGHT STAYING ON.

THAT´S NOT AN ACCIDENT.

THAT´S BECAUSE OF ALL THE WORK THAT IS BEEN DONE TO PUT IN THE COMPOSITE POLLS AND BRING THE LINEUP ABOVE THE TREE LINE SO THEY ARE NOT INTERRUPT DID DURING THE STORM.

IT IS THE UNDERGROUND AND THEN WAPA HAS BEEN DONE .

YOU TALK ABOUT RENEWABLE, THE WAPA CEO JUST INTRODUCED AND TOLD THEM ABOUT TURNING ST. CROIX INTO A RENEWABLE ISLAND.

BRINGING THE POWER WENT DOWN.

THE REASON WHY MR. VIALET CAN TELL YOU IS BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN READING THE PLAN.

WHAT WE´VE BEEN TRYING TO DO FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS IS REFINANCE THE DEBT AND ALL THE OTHER DEBT WE HAVE.

THE PROBLEM WITH US IS THAT WE KEEP MEDDLING AND MEDDLING.

THE ONE THING COVID HAS SHOWN ME IS THAT SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO SO THAT ROW ALL THE WAY TO THE END.

CONSTANTLY MIXING THINGS AND ADDING THINGS TO THE SOUP CREATES CONFUSION.

WE HAVE A PLAN THAT IS GOING TO CREATE A RENEWABLE OPPORTUNITY , LOWER THE DEBT, AND AT THE SAME TIME WE JUST INTRODUCED A RENEWABLE PROJECT THAT ALLOWS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GO COMPLETELY OFF THE GRID AT 1% INTEREST WITH NO MONEY DOWN THROUGH THE ENERGY OFFICE.

THAT IS THE FIRST TIME IN A GOVERNOR HAS MADE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO SAY THAT WAPA IS GOING TO BE RENEWABLE.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RINGS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

THE INITIATIVES THE WAPA HAVE ALSO CREATES FOUR NEW GENERATORS THAT ALLOW THEM TO NOT THE BIG GENERATORS WITH 20 MEGAWATTS OR MORE AT A TIME.

NOW WE CAN RUN GENERATORS AND START THEM UP QUICKLY BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF GENERATORS THEY ARE.

WAPA HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE A BEEN A KID AT BREAKING DOWN EVERY WEEK.

BUT YOU CAN FIX THOSE AND 3.5 YEARS.

YOU DON´T NEED CONSTANT CEOS.

WE HAVE HAD FIVE OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

WHAT WE NEED IS CONSISTENCY.

STICKING TO THE PLAN, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE COMMITMENT OF THE BOARD AND EVERYBODY ONLINE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FULFILL WHAT WE INTEND TO DO.

BUT THIS CONSTANT SWITCHING OUT, THE LEGISLATURE HARASSED THE TEAM SO EVERYBODY RESIGNED OR WAS FIRED.

WE HAVE A WHOLE NEW TEAM , AND WE ARE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN.

IT IS NOT THE PEOPLE, IT IS THE COMMITMENT OF THE LEADERSHIP IN GETTING IT DONE.

>> IN QUEUE.

>> I HAD A RED BUT, TOO.

I WILL CONCEDE MY REBUTTABLE SO THAT WE CAN MOVE ON.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

VERY LAST QUESTION SO WE MOVED THE IN CLOSING STATEMENTS IS ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

WE JUST COULDN´T CLOSE THIS OUT.

HOURS.

THIS WAS A GREAT DISCUSSION AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR IDEAS.

BUT WE DESCRIBE OURSELVES OFTEN AS A RESILIENT PEOPLE.

RESILIENCE MEANS THE ABILITY TO BOUNCE BACK TO NORMALCY AFTER A BLOW TO THE SYSTEM.

SO HOW WOULD YOU BUILD ECONOMIC RESILIENCE IF YOU ARE ELECTED?

THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

AND I WILL FIRST RESPOND, MR. FRETT.

HOW WILL YOU ECONOMIC RESILIENCE?

>> IT IS NO DOUBT THAT WE HAVE TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMIC PORTFOLIO.

>> EXCUSE ME, I WAS TOLD THAT WE CAN ONLY AFFORD 60 SECONDS FOR THIS RESPONSE.

>> RIGHT, SIMPLE.

HEALTHCARE ECONOMICS.

FISH FARMING PACKING WATER AND EXPORTING IT.

THIS IS SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT WE HAVE.

THEN WE WOULD DO A GOOD JOB FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY, AND I THINK WE HAVE A RARE TIME IN HISTORY THAT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT TO A GOAL.

BUT WHAT IS GOING ON ACROSS THE NATION, WHAT´S GOING ON ACROSS THE WORLD, YOU QUICKLY REALIZE THAT FORCING ALL THE MANUFACTURING IN THE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HAS CREATED A PROBLEM.

THERE IS A UNIQUE TIME NOW THAT WE CAN LURE THOSE COMPANIES OR ATTRACT THOSE COMPANIES BACK TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SHOW THEM A PROGRAM AND OFFER THE TAX INCENTIVES.

WE HAVE HEARD THE CRY WHEN PHARMACEUTICALS WERE NOT ABLE TO COME TO THE U.S. WE HEARD THE CRY WITH MILK NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIP TO THE U.S. HOW CAN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ENTER INTO THE PARTICULAR REALM, THE PARTICULAR MARKET ABLE TO HAVE MEETINGS, WHICH MEETINGS IN PARTICULAR WITH ENTITY IS A PHARMACEUTICAL WHERE WE CAN ATTACH THEM TO COME TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

REDEVELOP THE REEF TO KEEP THE INDUSTRY OF TOURISM GOING.

>> WE ARE IN THE INFORMATION AGE.

ECONOMIES ARE NOT ABOUT LOWERING COMPANIES.

RESILIENCE IS NOT ABOUT GETTING NEW EDC COMPANIES HERE.

WHAT IT IS ABOUT IS ABOUT PEOPLE .

ABOUT INVESTING IN INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE RESILIENT.

FREE TUITION, FREE-TRADE WORKS, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE REALLY CREATE VOLUME.

GIVING PEOPLE HOMES AND INVESTING 100,000 ON THE PRICE SO THAT THEY IMMEDIATELY HAVE AN ASSET TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

RESILIENT WILL MAKE RESILIENT FAMILIES.

RESILIENT FAMILIES MAKE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.

RESILIENT COMMUNITIES MAKE A STRONGER VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER YOU CAN WORK FROM ANYWHERE NOW.

COVID HAS SHOWN US THAT VIRGIN ISLANDERS CAN TAKE A POSITION GLOBAL , AND BE ABLE TO BRING THAT MONEY RIGHT BACK HERE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE DON´T NEED TO SPOIL OUR WATERS AND BRING MORE POLLUTANTS, WE CAN GET VIRGIN ISLANDERS TO WORK IN CHICAGO, OR MAINE, OR BOSTON , RIGHT FROM FREDERICKSBURG.

AND THOSE PEOPLE WILL BE ORDERS.

WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH THEIR MONEY?

SPEND IT RIGHT HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

BUILD A HOME IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

ONE ALL THESE FAMILIES ARE STRONG, THEN WE ARE TRULY RESILIENT.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PICARD?

>> YES.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS INVEST IN OUR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS.

AND BY DOING THAT, WE CAN CAPITALIZE ON TOURISM.

BUT IN ORDER FOR US TO INVEST IN OUR LOCAL VENDORS , OUR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS, WE HAVE TO BELIEVE IN THEM.

DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE A.D.A., THE ONLY GIVE COLLATERAL LOANS.

THEY DON´T GIVE NON-COLLATERAL LOANS.

OUR THING IS TO MAKE SURE THAT BY MATCHING OUT MONEY , THAT MUCH MONEY FOR THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE THE COLLATERAL FOR THOSE ENTREPRENEURS THAT WANT OPEN UP THE BUSINESS.

HE´S RIGHT, DURING COVID-19 SO MANY PEOPLE BECAME ENTREPRENEURS THAT NEVER KNEW IT WAS IN THEM.

THEY NEVER KNEW IT EXISTED.

BUT THEY COULDN´T GET THE MONEY TO START OFF FOR THAT PROJECTED PROJECT THAT THEY NEEDED.

IT CAN BE DONE.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE AXIS.

WE HAVE THE MONEY.

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EDA OPENS BACKUP LOANS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO COLLATERAL.

>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.

SO NOW WE ARE CLOSING TO YOUR COMING STATEMENTS.

WE HAVE TO CUT DOWN BECAUSE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN REALLY WELL SPOKEN.

WE HAVE TO CUT DOWN YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT TO 50 SECONDS.

TELL THE VIEWING PUBLIC WHY YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE UNIQUELY A STANDOUT PERSON TO BE GOVERNOR.

RESPONDER HERE WITH CITIZEN BAILEY.

>> THANK YOU.

29 YEARS IN EDUCATION.

A RUNNING MATE THE WORKED IN GOVERNMENT HOUSEWORK AND RECREATION, WORKED IN EDUCATION.

CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A RUNNING MATE WHO IS CHAIR OF DISASTER RECOVERY.

A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES.

BEING ABLE TO KNOW THE BUDGET OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS INSIDE AND OUT.

KNOWING HOW EACH DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONED AND WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.

A TEAM THAT IS WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER.

A TEAM THAT IS WILLING TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

A TEAM THAT WOULD NOT VIEW AN ACCOMPLISHMENT AS 8% OR GETTING THAT INCOME TAX CHECK.

BUT A TEAM THAT WILL ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, CRIME, AND REDUCING THE WAPA RATE THAT INDIVIDUALS OBTAIN OUR REGULAR BASIS.

WE MUST INVEST IN THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR?

>> VIRGIN ISLANDERS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME IN YOUR HOME TONIGHT.

AND THANK YOU TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.

THE QUESTION YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELF IS IS IT BROKEN?

HAS THE GOVERNOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MADE A KIND OF DECIDED PROGRESS IN MAKING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAVE THE BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE?

WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND, YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A TEAM THAT IS BEEN TESTED, TRIED, AND BEEN TRUE.

LET US CONTINUE TO DO ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE 3.5 YEARS WE HAVE PAID YOUR SERVICE, BROKEN BREAD, PARTY, CRIED , AND BEEN THROUGH SOME ROUGH TIMES.

BUT WE DID IT TOGETHER.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT WE ARE STRONGER THAN EVER.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME, YOU KNOW THAT I PUT PEOPLE FIRST.

SO WHEN I MEET YOU OR TALK TO YOU IN HOSPITAL OR MET YOU AT THE SCHOOL, YOU KNOW WHERE WE STAND.

AND YOU KNOW WHO CAN MAKE THIS TERRITORY STRONGER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PICARD?

TWO YEARS IN THE SENATE.

THREE YEARS AND 10 MONTHS AS A GOVERNOR.

YET OUR PROBLEMS STILL EXIST.

HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, CRIME, THE LIST GOES ON.

I HUMBLY ASK YOU TO GIVE PICARD TRUMBULL ADMINISTRATION TIME AND SUCCESS TO BE SO SIMPLE.

THINGS THAT WE HAVE NOT DONE FOR YEARS AND NEVER DONE.

WE HAVE NO MORE TIME TO WASTE.

CONTRACTORS AND UNFORESEEN PROJECTS CHANGE, AND LOTS OF PROJECTS OUT.

WITH THE WE BELIEVE IN THE BEGINNING DATE OF THE PRODUCT, AND THE ENDING DATE.

OUR DEAL IS TO MAKE SURE THE ENDING IS COMING TO AN END.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME INTO YOUR LIVES AND HOMES, AND I LOOK FOR TO WORKING WITH YOU AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AT THE END OF THE DAY ALL OF US STANDING HERE ARE >> AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY .

TECHNOLOGY ONLY PROVIDES JOBS FOR A SMALL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

WE MUST BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE MASSES OF PEOPLE.

THERE CAN BE NO JOBS, NO PROGRESS FOR ALL PEOPLE WITHOUT SOME FORM OF INDUSTRY.

TO EMPLOY THIS MASS OF PEOPLE.

THE MILLER TEAM IS TELLING OUR PEOPLE WE HAVE CREATED A SITUATION HERE THAT IS TOTALLY OUT OF OUR HANDS.

OUR LEADERS OF THE 60s SAID THAT WE MUST CONTROL ECONOMICS IN OUR COUNTRY IF WE ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR PEOPLE.

WE HAVE LET THEM DOWN.

NOW WE HAVE A HUNCH OF BUREAUCRATS COMING INTO THE GOVERNMENT WHO WANT TO DIRECT THE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES TO BENEFIT THEM AFTER THE LEAD SERVICES.

FRETT MILLER TEAM IS GOING TO PUT YOU, THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE SYSTEM WITH DEVELOPING LIKE YOU HAVE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

AND THANK YOU, CANDIDATE , TIMER, AND VIEWERS.

AND THANK YOU, W TJX AND STAFF HAVE BROUGHT CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION OF GOVERNOR OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE VOTING PUBLIC.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOPES THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED YOU, AND I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE.

IT SHOULD HELP YOU IN UNDERSTANDING THE CANDIDATES, AND IN SO DOING, INFORM YOUR VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

THE LEAGUE REMINDS YOU THAT YOUR VOTE DETERMINES THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT .

DURING ELECTIONS, WE OFTEN SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BARELY MAKES THE CUT BECAUSE A FEW MORE PEOPLE DID VOTE .

OR ONE WHO BARELY LOSES AND WISHES ONLY A FEW MORE PERSON SO LET YOUR VOICE IT IS YOUR RIGHT .

TAKE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM DR. GRANT MARIE MOLINAR, WITH CO-MODERATOR, ROSALIE SIMMONS VALENTINE.

VOTE EARLY, OR VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

JUST BE SURE TO VOTE .