It's 2026, another election year, and the League of Women Voters is here again on WTJX-TV to interview candidates seeking elective office in the US Virgin Islands.

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

My name is Francine Lang, a member of the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands.

Today, we are speaking with three candidates for the position of senator in the 37th legislature from the St.

Croix District.

Candidates, thank you for being here.

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

My name is Senator Clifford A. Joseph.

I am number four on the ballot.

I'm representing the Democratic Party.

Ms.

Jackson?

My name is Ophelia Nemi Williams Jackson, number three, Democratic nominee.

Mr.

Vera.

My name is Julian S. Vera.

I'm an independent candidate for the Senate, number 12 on your ballot.

Thank you, candidates.

A 60-minute program does not provide enough time for us to speak on all the major issues of concern to residents of the US Virgin Islands.

We have selected some topics for discussion that we hope will allow the viewing public to help determine who can best address their major areas of concern for the betterment of the territory.

To begin, let's learn more about the candidates.

Senator Joseph, why should voters return you to the legislature?

What have been your accomplishments in the 36th legislature that speaks strongly in favor of your return?

You have 60 seconds.

My name is Clifford A. Joseph, number four on your ballot.

I'm asking for your support and thanking you for allowing me this opportunity to serve in the 36th legislature.

One of the bills that I got, that I sponsored, it's I closed a loophole, a tax loophole, that now generates from last year to this year, it generates $15 million.

So, in the time of the construction of the rebuild, over time, we should make over a million bucks for this community that will raise the life that we live and create opportunities for every single individual.

Closing that loophole, I also passed a bill that would allow compensation for the individuals long awaiting for the removal from in the blast zone at LBJ Gardens.

Thank you.

Aspirants, why should you be selected to replace those currently in the legislature or to fill an empty seat?

Specifically, what will you bring to the 37th legislature through your education or training or relevant accomplishments to improve or build on what is already there?

You will each have 60 seconds.

We'll start with Ms.

Jackson.

What really qualifies me to serve in the 37th legislature is my love for this community, which is demonstrated in public service, leadership, and practical accomplishments that I have made.

I have served this community, doing the work where legislation should support as a teacher, school, and curriculum administrator, deputy commissioner of sports, park, and recreation.

All those qualifications that I am mentioning helped me to advance and strengthen education through the advancement of a health and physical education curriculum through implementing the BMI program and a host of other activities.

My record reflects how serving- Thank you ... the public is important.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Vera, 60 seconds.

My name is Julian S. Vera.

I'm number 12 on your ballot.

What I would bring to the Senate is my years and countless hours of understanding where our people are in the Virgin Islands, what it would take to move us from where we are to a different place.

By this, I mean we are a broken people here in the Virgin Islands, and I've spent tens of thousands of hours researching our condition here in the territory and what it would take to move us in a different direction.

It is obvious that I, through this research, have a full understanding of what it would take to move our people from where we are to a better place.

Thank you.

Now, we move on to some talking points on the major issues.

To ensure that you each have equal time to answer questions, our timer will let you know when your time is up to respond.

If there is a difference of opinion, you are encouraged to make a rebuttal for 45 seconds on those questions so identified.

After the rebuttals are made, the candidate will have 45 seconds to address them all.

We ask for respectful treatment of each other.

Your interactions will certainly say much to the viewers about what to expect of your behavior as a senator in the 37th legislature.

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

Senator Joseph?

No, I have not been privy to any questions in advance.

Ms.

Jackson?

Correct.

I've not been privy to the questions.

And Mr.

Vera?

No, I have not.

Thank you.

Now, let's begin.

We start with a big elephant in the room that is stomping on everything, WAPA.

Let's be frank.

Don't you think there's more to WAPA's colossal failures besides lack of money?

So please identify other factors you think contribute to this horror, and then indicate how, as senator, you would address these other concerns besides money.

You may still include financial issues as a minor point if you wish.

You will all have 60 seconds to respond, and we will start with Senator Joseph.

To address the elephant in the room, which is WAPA, I will identify clearly that one stretch that we need to address would be having these companies that enjoy the IDC benefits.

They shouldn't be able to be off of the grid because it costs everybody else more for them being off of the grid.

I can't say they can't have what they need for backup in case WAPA goes out, but being that they're enjoying the IDC benefits, they should be able to be on the grid.

I think at this point, right now as a sitting senator, I'm working on a piece of legislation that they have a feasibility study to put, especially St.

Croix, make a start by having the resources we have sitting in the refinery to be used to power up St.

Croix as well.

Thank you.

Ms.

Jackson, 60 seconds.

In order for the authority to function, the government needs to pay its share to the authority, pay its part.

And then the authority, I would encourage a better billing system so the customers will actually be charged for the electricity they are using.

It is so important for that to happen.

But as a senator, the WAPA has its board, and as a senator, it's important for us to work with the board for the authority to find out exactly what the problem is so that we can give the authority what it needs in order to address the ills and why the electricity is not dependable as it should.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Vera, you also have 60 seconds.

The first thing we need to do is to change the way we generate power.

We need to get away from purchasing an unstable commodity to produce power.

We could probably move to hydroelectric power or wind generation.

We need to make sure that the whole community is on the WAPA grid so that the prices can be lower.

Also, we need to make sure that the individuals that are selected to the WAPA board are knowledgeable in finance, power generation, and power generation.

Going forward, we need to make sure that WAPA is more accountable to the individuals that they serve.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next talking point is impact of demographics.

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

Are strategies addressed in your platforms about these impacts?

Explain them.

We'll start with Ms.

Jackson.

You will have 60 seconds, and then we'll allow rebuttals from the other candidates for 45 seconds.

The impact of migration here.

Right now, if I understand correctly, the population is decreasing.

And with the decrease in our population, the circulation of funds become challenging.

Employment decreases.

The need for a large staff or employment decreases.

The services normally that we would have here, they may not need the magnitude of services here.

So it's very important that we encourage those who have left to return here so that we can actually operate from a better position.

Would any of the other candidates like to rebut for 45 seconds?

No.

No.

Mr.

Vera?

Can you repeat the question please?

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

Are strategies addressed in your platforms about these impacts?

Explain them.

And you have 45 minutes to rebut Ms.

Jackson's response.

As individuals move from the Virgin Islands, we will notice a terrible brain drain, which would affect the totality of life here in the Virgin Islands from healthcare and hospital.

It will also affect individuals who should be putting money back into the GRS to make sure that the GRX stay afloat.

It will also affect the utility company in a negative way because less people would be on the grid.

So what needs to happen is that within our education system, our children need to be taught about their responsibilities here.

Thank you.

Our next talking point is on affordability, and you will all have 60 seconds to respond.

The high cost of living has been one of the drivers for the outward migration in the US Virgin Islands.

It has been especially so for the aging who wish to remain in the territory and at home.

AARP's 2026 research shows that affordability and aging in place are top concerns for Virgin Islanders, especially with far too little support from the government.

The question is, what do you see as factors that contribute to the high cost of living, especially for the seniors who wish to remain at home?

And what can you do as a senator to address those factors affecting affordability?

We will start with Senator-- um, sorry.

We'll start with Mr.

Vera, and you'll all have 60 seconds.

Can you repeat the question, please?

The question is, what do you see as the factors that contribute to the high cost of living, especially for the seniors who wish to remain at home?

And what can you do as a senator to address those factors affecting affordability?

The main things that are driving the high cost of living for especially seniors is medical and food.

I feel that if we were to utilize more federal funding to subsidize local farming, we can reduce the cost of food here in the Virgin Islands.

Also, if we're to utilize more federal funding, we can also reduce the cost of medical care for elderly here in the Virgin Islands.

Thank you.

Senator Joseph?

Can you repeat the question please?

Sure.

What do you see as factors that contribute to the high cost of living, especially for the seniors who wish to remain at home?

And what can you do as a senator to address these factors affecting affordability?

And you have 60 seconds.

Again, have to make a study on... Yeah, because right now, we import like 97% of what we eat.

The food prices are high.

Medication, between the Senate, the Congress, and the executive branch, we need to work on getting those caps off of the Medicaid to assist with our seniors.

So going forward, they could have the assistance that they need.

We also need to work on getting insurance for people outside of-- individual who works outside of the government because if we look at what we have, that's part of our problem when it comes to seniors, because if you work a job that didn't have insurance, at the time you get sick, you really don't have much to lean on because you were working uninsured most of your life, and you became a senior and still not being able.

Thank you.

Ms.

Jackson.

Competition drives prices down.

So it's very important for the legislature to create incentive to invite manufacturers here to set up shop that will increase competition.

Also, we need a strategic plan with benchmark and measurable results to really start the agricultural industry here so that we'll be able to feed ourselves and prices can be affected when we start to plan for ourselves.

Behavior change is necessary.

Start the legislature with a strategic plan and measurable results.

We need to fund the policy relative to those benchmarks that are created so that we will not be subject to importing 97% or a high 90% of the food that we consume.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next talking point is on economic stimuli.

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

What economic stimuli or strategic approach to increase the tax base would you advocate as a senator?

We will start with Senator Joseph.

You'll have 60 seconds, and then the other candidates will be able to rebut for 45 seconds.

As a first-term senator, like I said, I have brought legislation that closed the loophole and afford fairness across the board as it comes to local contractors and contractors because presently, right now, wherever your location is, as long as you're going to receive our local government money, you have to pay your fair share of taxes.

Prior to me closing this loophole, if you were a draft individual, you would have been able to draw a plan, get paid, and the local draft person would have to pay their portion of gross receipt when the outsider wouldn't have to pay before.

So as a sitting senator right now, I have already addressed some of the tax issues that we have here in the Virgin Islands.

Thank you.

Any rebuttals from the other two candidates?

Well, what I would add is we need initiatives that will bring new monies here, and building a sports economy is something that is necessary in order for us to attract individuals and sports tourism, attract individuals through sports and competition.

With them, their family visit and money come.

They spend money in our grocery store, and the increase of taxes there.

But to continue to depend on the locals to pay the taxes is just a circulation of money.

And with monies leaving, we must work on initiatives and incentive and front policy that will generate new monies.

Mr.

Vera, did you have any rebuttal?

No rebuttal.

Thank you.

Our next talking point is on accountability.

According to AARP, most families are concerned by the lack of government accountability and transparency.

As part of the legislature's oversight responsibilities, what measures will you promote about the sharing of information to achieve transparency so that the taxpaying public can monitor progress and accountability throughout the government?

You'll each have 60 seconds to respond, and we will start with Ms.

Jackson.

Well, government accountability is truly a priority.

Holding individuals accountable for the performance that they're responsible, or the service that they're responsible for providing to this community is very much important.

Having measurable results and benchmark for our government agencies to actually report on is important, and it will help the community actually keep up with what the government agency should be doing.

Also, with technology, ensuring that transparency is served, whether it's on the agency's website, and making sure that the agencies promote actually what they're doing, which will keep the public informed on what they're doing.

And actually, when they come to the legislature, ask the tough questions to ensure that they are doing what they ought to do relevant to providing service to the community.

Thank you.

Mr.

Vera?

What I think is that the legislature itself need to take the lead as far as accountability is concerned.

If the legislature itself was to be redesigned so that we can have individuals for different portions of the island and different individuals for different systems on the island, I think that would help.

In addition, if the legislature was to be redesigned, that would set an example for the rest of the government to follow, so the accountability issue would eventually fade away.

If we were to have a senator for each district on St.

Croix, for different districts on St.

Croix rather, and a senator for different systems on St.

Croix and the other islands, I feel like this would go a long way as far as accountability is concerned.

Thank you.

Senator?

Could you repeat the question?

According to AARP, most families are concerned by the lack of government accountability and transparency.

As part of the legislature's oversight responsibilities, what measures will you promote about the sharing of information to achieve transparency so that the taxpaying public can monitor progress and accountability throughout the government?

60 seconds.

Good evening again to the public.

My name is Clifford Joseph, number four on the ballot.

When it comes to accountability, it starts where it starts.

Everybody has to be accountable for what they're doing.

If you're driving a government car, you need to know 5:00 you finish working.

If you have the luxury of going home with a car, it needs to be parked.

So don't care how we search government, our enforcement in government is lacking, and accountability would need to show because if you don't enforce, again, our behavior, we continue to do anything that we want to do.

So when we come into accountability from an assigned standpoint, the sure saying is, if you see something, we have to say something.

So if you're going to communicate to any individual that comes- Thank you.

The next question will be on healthcare and hospitals.

The AARP VI has noted that the government's failure to reach the 17% match for Medicaid has prevented many seniors and minor children who are Medicaid eligible from receiving critical care.

Further, our hospitals are then called on to absorb the cost of treating such patients from their already strained budget.

The question is, how should the priorities in future annual budget recommendations address this critical failure to meet the Medicaid matching requirement at a level to address these concerns?

We will start with Mr.

Vera.

You'll have 60 seconds to respond, and the other candidates will be able to rebut for 45 seconds.

Did you need me to repeat the question?

Yes, please.

It's about the 17% match for Medicaid that we fail to meet every year.

How should the priorities in future annual budget recommendations address this critical failure to meet the Medicaid matching requirement at a level to address these concerns?

Being that healthcare is critical here in the Virgin Islands, I feel that the projected amount yearly should be taken out of the budget prior to anything else.

Without proper healthcare, it's impossible for the whole community to strive.

So I feel that that should be a priority, which should be taken out of the budget before anything else is handled.

Thank you.

Would any of the other candidates like to rebut?

Well- 45 seconds.

Yes, I will.

All right, Senator Joseph.

Yes.

I feel, like earlier when I mentioned, it's clear that we need to attract more insurance to make sure more of our individual here are insured.

So the hospital in itself will be collecting so they could offset to help out with the 17%.

Because we could start budgeting, but the reality is we need reimbursement.

That's why I saying all branches of government need to get together, sit, and come up with a good comprehensive plan to address that particular situation.

So the executive branch, it's not only a legislative issue, and the congress person need to make sure, because like I said, if we could lift some of the caps, that 17% will go away as well.

Thank you.

Ms.

Jackson, would you like to rebut for 45 seconds?

Yes.

The first thing that I would do as a senator, one of the first thing is have a Senate resolution.

And the Senate resolution will be in reference to TEFRA, the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, where, for Medicaid and Medicare patients, the federal government ought to be refunding the hospitals.

And right now, the hospitals are being refunded at an outdated formula, 1986 and 1996 in Saint Croix, and 1986 in Saint Thomas, I believe the Schneider Hospital.

So a resolution urging Congress to update the formula so that the formula will reflect currently what we're paying for healthcare now, and that reimbursement should help.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next talking point is on disaster recovery.

Given a new incoming executive branch plus the ongoing investigations by FEMA and HUD on corruption and mismanagement in the disaster recovery project, what role do you see the 37th legislature as having to help the project to succeed for the benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands?

We'll start with Senator Joseph, and then the other candidates will have 45 minutes, 45 seconds to respond, to rebut.

Could you read the question to me for a fact?

Sure.

Thank you.

Given the new incoming executive branch, plus the ongoing investigations by the FEMA and HUD on corruption and mismanagement in the disaster recovery project, what role do you see for the 37th legislature to help the project to succeed for the benefit of the people of Virgin Islands?

And then you'll have 60 seconds, and the other candidates will have 45 seconds to rebut.

It's important when the new administration set forth that most, if or all, documents need to really be prepared and handed over in a genuine way to make sure that going forward, even everyone will have a clearer picture of where we're really at.

Because again, we'll hear a report from HUD, and right now we're waiting to be released from the freeze that we under to continue going forward.

But it's very important for us to affix ourself to be prepared to spend the monies that are with us.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Would any of the other candidates like to rebut for 45 seconds?

Well, I would just like to add to what he- Go ahead, Ms.

Jackson.

Okay.

The legislature, and you said how the legislature can help, is using its oversight power to ensure that the agencies are meeting the benchmark that they ought to meet.

And whatever necessary assistance, whether it's funding, different aspect that is needed to be matched to make sure and to position the agencies or the private sector better to perform the necessary tasks for completing the job at hand.

Thank you.

Mr.

Rivera, did you want to rebuttal?

Yes.

Going forward, I think before any work or any contracts are given out to anyone, the legislature should insist on an audit of all the executive branch, all sections of the executive branch that would be involved in the recovery to make sure that they know exactly where the executive branch is at and to ensure what direction the executive branch will be moving as far as spending these monies.

Thank you.

Senator Joseph, did you want to respond to the rebuttals?

I'd like to respond because- 45 seconds ... once contracts are already given, because most of these bundles, most of the contracts are out in bundles.

So the contracts are already, most of the contracts are already written.

So there is nothing at this point to change from a individual, a contractor who already won a bid.

That's my point with, as far as with the contracts.

Because, yes, I would support some audit once monies are spending, because right now we're on a freeze.

Monies are not spending.

So once monies are spending, then there's reason for audit.

But at this point, like I said, most, if not all, of the contract works to be done is already out.

Thank you.

Our next talking point is on education.

With student academic achievement shown to be below standard and a crumbling school infrastructure, what do you see as the key issues the legislature could tackle in their capacity to address these factors?

And which of these solutions do you intend to rally for in particular?

We'll start with Ms.

Jackson.

You'll have 60 seconds to respond, and then we'll have rebuttals of 45 seconds from the other candidates.

One thing I believe the Department of Education needs help in is infrastructure and maintenance.

And the legislature can make sure the necessary funding is available in order for the individuals and the agencies who are responsible for maintenance and the upkeeping of our educational system.

Our students need to report to structure that are conducive for learning.

That will definitely help.

And there's a division of curriculum of, and instruction, that I feel is underused.

We need to make sure that the support teachers need come from that division, and the Senate need to ensure that the necessary funding in order to support our teachers who are responsible for the delivery of instruction is there.

Thank you.

Any rebuttals from the other candidates?

Yes.

Mr.

Rivera, 45 seconds.

Yes, I agree with everything Ms.

Jackson just said.

I want to add that it's important as to the perspective our children are being educated from, which is vital for any community.

Right here in the Virgin Islands, we are mostly people of African descent, and we need to understand where we have been and the direction in which we need to go to foster a different community.

And I see that is lacking in the education system, which is creating most of the problems that we're having here in the Virgin Islands in the long run.

Thank you.

Read me the question, sorry.

Sure.

I want to rebuttal.

With student academic achievement shown to be below standard and a crumbling school infrastructure, what do you see as the key issues the legislature could tackle in their capacity to address these factors, and which of these solutions do you intend to rally for in particular?

So you'll be doing a rebuttal for 45 seconds of what Ms.

Jackson said.

I agree with most of what Ms.

Jackson mentioned.

I want to go into the maintenance of the school as well.

I feel like- In holding this new Bureau of Construction that they have for the schools, I feel that there's a reason to hire more maintenance individuals, because right now the Bureau is operating like a subcontract.

All they're doing is contracting out works.

So I feel like if we put maintenance individuals in each school, that will help.

And again, within the curriculum, we just need to make sure that the teacher ratio is in place.

Teacher to student ratio is in place.

Thank you.

Ms.

Jackson, did you have any response to the rebuttals?

No.

Okay.

Our next talking point is on youth violence.

To what do you attribute the violence we see in the community, especially among the young males?

How does your platform address this major concern for our community?

You will all have 60 seconds to respond, and we'll start with Mr.

Vieira.

Education is the key to changing the situation with our children in this community.

We need to develop a curriculum that will teach our children the connectivity to each other and the connectivity to this place that they were born or this place that they are being raised in.

As I mentioned before, the type of education you get, especially in the younger years, will shape your understanding of your surroundings, will shape your understanding to each other, and education itself will help to deter or help to limit most of the problems that we're having here in the Virgin Islands.

So I feel like education is the key in reducing all the problems that we have here in the Virgin Islands, including crime.

Thank you.

Senator Joseph?

Could you repeat the question, please?

For 60 seconds.

To what do you attribute the violence we see in the community, especially among the young males?

How does your platform address this major concern for our community?

Education is a factor, and violence and most any other behavior, some would start from home.

So as I think we need more counseling in the community.

We need people to accept that their behavior, that the adult as well, is not conducive because we're spreading a behavior that's not good.

And we don't want to accept that as an adult, that we do have a behavior that's not right for our children to witness, because sometimes children behaving from what they see, either at home or even in the community they live.

Again, thank you.

And Ms.

Jackson, again, 60 seconds.

The delivery of health education is vital in our school system.

Conflict resolution skills are taught through the standards of health education.

And starting at a very young age, we're teaching our young people to solve problems without violence is necessary, and that can also be done with adults as well.

We also need to make sure that we tell children what they can do, and not only what they cannot do.

Our recreation facilities need to be conducive for playing and structured so that when parents are out trying to get money, earn money to put food on the table, when the children come home, they're not locked behind closed door, but they can go to a safe place to play and increase their social skills, and that should help with juvenile delinquency.

Our next talking point is on waste management.

As a small territory that imports most things, waste accumulation is a big problem.

Is Waste Management Authority still the best solution, or should it go back to Public Works?

Are there other ways to tackle waste in the VI?

What can you do as a senator to address these issues?

We'll start with Senator Joseph.

You'll have 60 seconds to respond, and the other candidates will have 45 seconds to rebut.

Could you repeat the question, please?

Is Waste Management Authority still the best solution, or should it go back to Public Works?

Are there other ways to tackle waste in the VI, and what can you do as senator to address these issues?

Waste management at the point right now is they have-- I wouldn't say that we need to go back to Public Works at this point.

I feel that we all, as a community, need to contribute to the issue that we have.

Because if you look at our streets, some might be from stray animals, but a lot of times it's us.

We ourself as individuals in this community are the ones that are in the battle of our cars.

And again, I'm going to talk... So as far as an authority and being a sitting senator right now, the Virgin Islands is one of the only place that we actually don't pay for trash.

So, it'll be an extra tax on our people, but I am hoping going forward, even if it comes to being an- Thank you.

Would either Ms.

Jackson or Mr.

Vieira, or both of you, like to rebut for 45 seconds?

Well, I can go.

One of the things that can help with waste, whether it's under Public Works or it's a standalone authority, recycling measures with a strategic plan must be implemented in all our school system so that behaviors can change, and it must be enforced.

Anything that is not enforced, behaviors will not change.

So we definitely need a recycling segment in waste management.

Right now, we badly need it because of the tires that we have, and we need laws, policies in place to actually penalize those who violate the law.

Thank you.

Mr.

Vieira, did you have any rebuttal?

Sure.

I see that whether it's Public Works or the Waste Management Authority need to be better structured so that specific waste could go to specific places.

And I also see that we can use the waste that is generated here on the island as far as energy is concerned.

Waste to energy, which will eliminate the waste that we have here on the island.

Thank you.

Senator Joseph, would you like to respond to the rebuttals for- Yes ... 45 seconds?

Yes.

As far as waste to energy, we don't produce... Well, first of all, we need to do source separation.

We have to make sure the trash is separated in order to recycle or to do waste to energy.

And rebutting, it's clear that if we don't have enough trash, we're not going to make that number that we need to make sure that we could put out the energy that we need to help our generating power here in the island.

Us generating power here in the island.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Our next talking point is on Epstein in the US Virgin Islands.

Did the lack of consideration by the legislature of the Epstein involvement with the USVI signal a failure in legislative oversight of corruption at government levels?

What recommendations will you propose for handling such possible government corruption issues in the future?

We'll start with Mr.

Vieira.

You'll have 60 seconds, and the other candidates will have 45 seconds to rebut.

Can you repeat the question, please?

Did the lack of consideration by the legislature of the Epstein involvement with the USVI signal a failure in legislative oversight of corruption at government levels?

What recommendations will you propose for handling such possible government corruption issues in the future?

I would say yes, there was Senate oversight lacking for several years.

And looking back at this Epstein saga, I feel that the legislators, if they had paid closer attention to individuals within the Senate itself that was communicating concerning this Epstein saga, it wouldn't have gotten so much out of hand.

So I think a closer net legislator would have nipped the situation in the bud, and it wouldn't have gotten so much out of hand.

I think all legislators need to stray away from so much grandstanding and work better on behalf of the people.

Thank you.

Any rebuttals from the other candidates?

No.

No, I would agree with-- They weren't effective.

I feel personally they weren't effective.

I'll agree that they just wasn't effective.

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

So here is our final question for 60 seconds each.

Please select any topic not addressed in our discussion and explain your approach for addressing it as a senator.

You'll each have 60 seconds, and we'll start with Ms.

Jackson.

The government of the Virgin Islands must be able to pay its financial obligations.

We have retroactive pay that are outstanding, tax refund outstanding, vendors payment are outstanding.

That is a clear show that our government is not making or generating enough fund to pay its obligation.

We must change what we're doing.

The government cannot do business as usual.

We must bring investors here, create incentive for investors to set up shop here, and also build a sports economy, invest in a sports economy, so that it can generate the necessary fund for the government to pay its financial obligations.

I am Nemie Jackson, number three on the ballot.

Thank you.

Mr.

Bureau?

What I see is seriously lacking in the Virgin Islands government is accountability.

And we can achieve this by dividing the larger islands, St.

Thomas and St.

John-- I mean, St.

Croix and St.

Thomas into districts, four districts, and St.

John into one district.

So we can have district senators, four St.

Thomas, four St.

Croix, one St.

John, and also we can have senators representing different systems which would make the other six senators.

Systems like utility, healthcare and hospital, and education, examples.

In this way, we would have each senator responsible for a specific area or a specific system that come election day, the individuals who are voting would know what senator is responsible for where and what senator is responsible for what.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Senator Joseph.

Could you repeat the question?

This was any subject that we haven't touched on that you'd like to speak on for 60 seconds.

Well, we haven't spoken on anything with the roads.

I feel like our roads in the Virgin Islands need to be addressed and treated like they are federal roads.

Because I think if we look at the bypass or any other federal road, it seems to get addressed a lot faster.

We go through just about a lot of the aging communities, the Glens, the Mommeju, the William the Light, and you think you're driving on a dirt road in the 21st century that we're living in, and the roads are back to dirt road.

So we need to make sure that monies are set aside to make sure that we're making the repairs that we need.

When it comes to outage from WAPA, I think it needs to be addressed.

If people appliance are being damaged, we need to be able to address the issues.

Thank you.

We'll have one final question, which you'll each have 45 seconds to respond.

What legislative committee do you look forward to being a member of in particular and why?

What contributions could you bring to that committee that would make you a valuable member?

And we'll start with Senator Joseph.

Well, presently, I am on the Homeland Security and Justice.

I'm the chair.

I'm a past-- Again, I've worked for the fire department.

I, at one point, was post certified.

And being part of the committee, being the chairperson of the committee and any other committee that I sit on, I take the time to meet with constituents and listen to what issue that they're having.

So regardless if I'm in that committee or not, I'm always willing to listen, to share ideas, because after sharing ideas, it gives you the opportunity to bring forward workable legislation to this community.

Clifford A. Joseph, number four on the ballot, asking for your continued support.

Thank you.

Ms.

Jackson.

It all depends on the individuals that are successful.

I am a team player, and I will be willing to head the committee that will best serve the community.

My experience is, of course, in education.

I have a background in health, the economy.

Wherever I'm useful, I will gladly serve in the 37th legislature.

Thank you.

Mr.

Bureau.

I would be pleased to be a part of the education committee.

I feel that education is the key to growing a different Virgin Islands.

By this, I mean education from a different perspective that our children would understand their role as community members.

Education from the perspective that our children would understand their connectivity to each other and their connectivity to the Virgin Islands itself and the connectivity to growing a better Virgin Islands.

So I see education as being the key to fostering a better Virgin Islands, and I will do my best, once elected, to work on that committee to make sure and to ensure that we have a better Virgin Islands.

Thank you.

We now invite each candidate to make a closing statement of 45 seconds, starting with Senator Joseph.

Good evening.

Sorry.

I am Clifford A. Joseph Sr.

I am looking for your continued support.

I'm here in the Senate presently fighting for fairness, a leader with integrity, fighting for fairness for all.

Thank you.

Vote number four on the ballot.

Asking for a vote for number four on the ballot.

Ms.

Joseph.

Or I'm sorry, Ms.

Jackson.

Well, this is your opportunity to, and our opportunity to put me at the table to represent your cause.

My readiness is reflected in my record of serving this community, creating programs, and understanding where government needs help.

I would work hard for the people for progress and prosperity.

So vote for me.

Give me that opportunity so we can experience progress in the 37th legislature.

Thank you.

Mr.

Vera.

My name is Julian S. Vera, number 12 on your ballot, asking for your support so we can build a different Virgin Islands.

It is obvious that the choices we have made for decades hasn't worked for the Virgin Islands.

I'm asking for your support.

I'm asking for your vote during early voting and on November 3rd, so we can shape a different Virgin Islands.

Education from a different perspective, investing in our local businesses so that our tax base can thrive, investing in our elderly, investing in our youth so that we can create a different Virgin Islands.

Again, I'm Julian S. Vera, number 12 on your ballot, asking for your support.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The League of Women Voters hopes this program has helped you, the viewer, to better choose among the candidates this election season.

But we also encourage you to read their platforms and attend their events for further evaluation.

This program has been recorded for viewing on WTJX's Facebook and YouTube pages, the free WTJX app, and on wtjx.org, as well as on the League of Women Voters Facebook page until election day.

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

Thank you, candidates, for participating today.

Thank you to WTJX, our timer, and you, the viewing audience.

Please do vote.

If you want change, you must vote smart.

It's your right and your responsibility.

Vote.