Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Wednesday, October 10, 2018 ELECTION 2018 The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 Daily News candidate interview: By U. RAO Oar News Staff S T. THOMAS — Sen. Janette Millin Young's campaign slogan, "Let's Make It Happen." is a fitting backdrop for a candidacy bent on action, results and scrapping what it sees as a slow. mismanaged recovery. The four-term senator, who recently sat down with The Daily News to discuss her candidacy for governor, said of Millie problems afflicting the territory, the lack of proper management to effect change —and to do so quickly — is arguably the most salient. "In the Virgin Islands. there is no focus and no management: Millin Young said. "You need managers in place who will pay attention to deadlines and do the work — it is that simple." Millin Young, an independent who shares the fourth ballot slot with her lieutenant governor pick, Edgar Bengoa. said her learn intends to accelerate progress by venous MUM from reviulizing economic development to embracing innovation and not letting longienn goals fall by the wayside. As the daughter of former Li Gov. Henry Millen —and ass former public information officer— Millin Young believes she has a deep-rooted sense of public service and what it sakes toengender trust with the people, a trust which, according to her. is deeply lacking with the current administration. "In this type of reside& more than know- how, you have to be inspirational and you have to lead by example: Millin Young said. "Right now, this community doesn't have somebody who leads by example. It's more like 'I can do what you can't do' — and that's not proper." Recovery Milian Yang showed link hesitation blasting the VI. Territorial Emerger.ey Management Agency for what the said was its lack of preparedness before lass yeark storms and in inability to communicate with the public in the aftermath. Taking particular aim at VITEMA Director Mona Barnes. the senator berated VITEMA's leadership for keeping people at arm's length and insisting they had things under control when they really didn't. "VITEMA kept saying 'move away. we got this; but they didn't have it, riot then and Mili not Soy— they failed test after test: Millin Young said. "I am very surprised that someone who is sitting there with a military background has failed us so miserably. This is a community calling for changes at the had of VITEMA. We need persons at the helm who are present and organized." As for Got Kenneth %Sapp. MMus Young criticized what she characterized as his inability to spend recovery dollars property and prow to the federal government theistic Virgin Islands can indeed be trusted with millions in reimbursable expenses. "We're wry fortunate to get 100 percent reimbursables for the aftermath of these hurricanes, but the key wad is 'reimbursable' and this governmem has not been able to spend in order to be reimbursed." she said "The part that (Mappl dean) get is that when something is reimbursable, you have to meet certain requirements and use funds the way they ate supposed to be used. I don't believe there is a lot of trust from the federal government and we have to show that we can spend in a proper way that. can be reimbursed: Mdhn Young said the government should take the initiative and use this opportunity of incoming funds to capitalize on other industries, from agriculture and manufacturing to marine and sports tourism -- all of which can bring much.needed revenue and employment to the territory. A lack of creativity. she said has been a major hurdle to the recovery. as evidenced by the pace of school modulus. "I kept trying to call the governor to tell him that there were options for our students to get back to school right away with the modular.," she said. "We had a military force, civil engineers who were sitting by the airport and not doing what they were called to do. All they needed was a call Sen. Janette Millin Young lion' the governor to go and Ran and fix those schools because that's their job. We could haw had our modems studying right away. "Sometimes it's not a sin to not be ready," she said. 'But it is a sin to not take advice, to not get to week because you don't have the creativity or know-how to do it" Indeed the senator said an approach like this Ica applecabk to IU3SpiLliS. top, NUM instead of rebuilding smaller hospitals. the intern should be to expand and diversify hospital services, luring more doctors and profits to the territory in the process. "Right now, our health care is just the bare minimum — what Medicaid and Medicare can pay — and we're not delving into the types of procedures that will being money:she said. "Many of our doctors have len. We have to build and incentivize to bring doctors in different areas of care, and especially care for the elderly." GERS Al Min Young's muki.prcoged strategy for fixing the Govenunent Employees' Retirement System involves paying bilk; addressing unfunded liabilities and restoring the ratio of active employee versus retiree. "For 27 years. almost three *cedes, we've had administrations who have not been paying what they're supposed to —so one of the non and first things I will do will Ito to toy: Mtl in Young said. "There are also unfunded mandates that have been in the works forever and its going to take more thanfiat me saying 'alms to be done this way' I believe we need to bnng all concerned to the table: Moreover. she said government retirees typically at up— in the first ilea to five year — everything they have contnbuted and arc therefore maintained by active employees. Currently. she said the anise employee ratio to the ream is 1 so I• when it should be closer loam I. "We have to restore job vacancies and put people to work: Millin Young said. "We have lost a lot of government employees and yet we're dill paying a whole lot of money in alines. Something is wrong," Millin Young chided Mapp for ignoring the GERS Board and telling them to "pack a lunch" instead of displaying leadership and resolving the issues at hand. "Because of my very nature and background in conununicatiggs, you could not expect this of me, because ■ always at the table: she said. "I always wani to meet. I always want to hear someone else's perspective. I don't believe in the 'one-man m one-woman' show" Marijuana Mahn Young said she is supportive of medical marijuana but that allowing recreational use should be a gradual process "I've come a long way when it comes to my undemanding and how I feel about ii:' she said. "I have participated in the deenminahanon because I thought that we were criminahzing a lot of our young men for doing absolutely nothing and now I am a supporter of the medical tilatUU3113." While acknowkdging that recreational marijuana would bring in revenues. Millin Young said she is unsure whether • could "cure the VI. See MIWN YOUNG, page 4 EFTA00811468 4 The Virgin Islands Daily News BENGOA COSIredoW COOm AtGE —anything else comes through." he aid. GERS Bova said the financial malfeasance involving the Govemmern Employees' Retirenunt System should be enough to get Got Kenneth Mapp impeached. "Right now, the amount of money that the goternmem has taken out from the employees is $150 minim — and Mapp has only returned $86 This is the employees' money, the money they worked so lied for Bova said. There Tone simple solution —pay the bill. The government has not paid the GERS in full smut 1991. That 27 }van when: they have n04 paid dollar for dollar of what they have collected from the employee" Bengal said Ix hopes to smart 100 new companies within his first year that are in line with EconOmac Development Commission Averments and have a small percereage of their menu put into an account excknisely for GERS. "Loa say out of the 100 companies, 60 pesters do the requited minimum of having five local empSaysts and Ices say we lake a CLIMB met Ike 03 percent of de revenue that the government is nuking off of that one company and send a to a GERS account Bonged said "l'ou know how many millions of doll... in a year that's gong to be for 100 companies'? We're along about S40 million to $60 million going into the GERS find: Bongos dismissed the plans of the other gubernatorial candidacy, insisting they only extend the life of GERS for a few yeas. What GERS needs instead is a serous infusing of cash. he said. Transparency As a former president and treasurer orthe St. CrOix Chamber of Commerce, Bongos said he tea always ended himself on maintains an open book petty end that such a policy wdl continue if elected. "Estayling should beopen-boar he said. "My policy is to be as transparent as possible" While Benito didn't specify ffinher, he did say the connivent needs to enhance its interactions will the public. insisting that anemia service is a oitical component of gammen( that is hrgely overlooked. "C saner tenet on our islands it depletabk." he said "When we all go away somewhere, what do we want? We stunt great customer service. Customer >civic< i5e55ental for the growth of any place. so vve got to push for it." What else ... Bencoa update, ptioney of his tenure will be to spur entivprencurehip the Virgin Islands by makingthe banking and licensing process simpler and more convenica. "I ware to brag in nos. banks to nuke ii casks foe young entrepreneurs to get commercial leans and also to get caner montage% wItah are all tons of growing an ccomeny." he said. 'Also, if you arc a teardnew business, as somas you walk in and pay, you're walking an of there with 3 buskin" license. That is one thing that I've been fighting rayon. And now, once we get eketed that's du lam thing dun's going to happen." Bctigeo said he would like to haw, an a minimum, the Fire Service. Planning arid Natural Resources and Licensing and Consumer Affairs in the same building. We need to consolidate a lot of this — make the office a me-sop shop." he said. "Nett going to make it Troaleconvenknt to renew your license because we can't keep muting away business" — Com'acrAJ Rao at 340-714-910I or email altuo(6rkstownts.a. ELECTION 2018 MILUN YOUNG CONTIIMEDR93WYGE 3 budget." as some proponents have suggested. Moreover. she said the proceeds from the sale of recreational manjuana cannot be used in agencies like Education or Human Services because they receive federal grants and recreational manjuana n still against federal law. "We have to be wry careful about how we proceed" she said. "We canna forget that our young people have to understand how it will also affect them going intocertain jobs. Be have to be wry careful that we don't do ourselves a disservice in terms of the job market for yang people" Transparency With a background in public relanans and journalism, Milln Young said she is acutely aware of the importance of pubic disclosure. not only in keeping constituents condonable with their government but also in driving away any suspicions of impropriety. "I want to be as open as possible:' she said. "You have my commitment that that1 how I will be. because you haven't seen anything in my track record that's been any different. When you keep things to yourself. especially when you're talking about polo's. someone is always going to think there an underfunded something to be hidden —so I don't operate like that Mill in Young said each gen-manure agency should have a responsive public information Mica who is not afraid to divulge information that may upset the sitting governor. "You don't need an executive order ma law, you just need to all whoever is in the position that this is how we're going to do business now." Millin Young said. "We're going to be proactive and share information with the public. And you will see the difference in how the public men.' What else ... Millin Young said she was against Mapp's executive order to merge V.I. Next Generation Network and the Bureau of Information Technology and insisted the decision ultimately hurl businesses that are unable to compete. She said Viya has been panicularly hurt, with Stapp even writing to rode-,al officials to prevent the telcoorninumeatians company from receiving federal grants. "Right now, the conemor is intervening and causing ha= to a private corporation," MilianYoung said. "lie's trying to protect VINGN. As the chief occeitive. I too want to Koko my goverment assets, but not at the detriment of a business where people hove invested their mania' Milton Young also said the V.I. Pon Authority should manage all ports. with WICO becoming more a division under tlx agency. She added. however, that the Pon Authority should not be packed with friends and relatives of the governor, but rather people selected for their competence. "Right now, we have a couple board members that have no knowledge about the pons:' she said. "So, it is very important that if we get to that big hump of having Port Authority manage everything. that we absolutely have a board of directors that's knowledgeable." - Contact 4.1 Rao as 3(0.714-9104 or email afrooq dadynewr.vi. Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Campaign Events The St Thomas District Democratic So- nata is hosting an raceme inviting at 6 today at the Democratic leaky: men Topers for discussion will be pollovatchers and upcoming events Be on mac. • • • The vbernatorul campaign of Gov. Kenneth Mapp and Lt. Governor Osbert Potter is having a lunch food sale bcginning at neon Dattiday at their headquaren in I LIN eilf /gill on St Thomas The eat ithagn also will intsjaingcs and greet swans; at 6 M. &muds). at By the Sea on St. Thomas. • • • In its filth in a senor of gobsoutonal fount. "Step Up to Truth" presents cantiducs Albert Bryan and Sen. 11egenza Roach, latectiatic nom for codeine( and IKUICII3/II governor. at 5:30M Friday at the University of the Vega Is- landsconference crown in both (When the progren will be simulcast over radio sat. bons WSTA.AM 17 - - . and - . and • • • The Committee to Elect it itch, fade will host Fotde findey staring at 6 Friday at Porde headquarters. Food fix sale et barbecue pig- tail plates with potter) salad and corn for $12 and a plate of chicken wings and a jchnny cake is $5. The camcuip wil a sap ask at Funk Head currs Ism e 7 to 1 I Saturday, Nickles fiah red pea and chicken soupnova as coat wax/ will be en sale fa $8 fora small bowl and $12 fora rage bawl • • • The St. Thomas Cluptef of Delta Sigma Theta mi l Sorority is hosting a fawn lot se alnd a at. lenge senatorial candidates at 2 Sunday at de Curette Amalie II igh School au atrium. The form is pan one of the sorority's -Still on De Foxe" sects. On Oss 21. the sorority well kin a forum for on • running for governor, reelynt gover- nor and delegate to Congress at 2 Oct. 21N the Charlotte Amalie High Schoola nom • • • The public is invited to help the Independot Can eon Movement celebrate the ICM Party's 50th anniversary on Sunday in Emancipation Gad n. There will bc discussions, speeches. notching bards. reenactments. entertainment and dancing. Vendors will also be there to sell crafts, food and cultural and traditional items. For move redo 25190 or send an email to The Daily News does not independently verily or attest to the accuracy or buthfulness of statements, dalms or opinions contained hl Pald Political Advertisements. ISSN 2159.3019 On, Wm Pansong Ce Ire pea, boiON nefelklIC 5.55On Ow Imp. SUN% DIN IIEN1 Ws aunt Sinery. En 0,55 eaten St. Nan Ow EWES lure num "nt "...".<431 rift WnroNna.danciN4 St /Man U S VI USPS 144-180 >051m4510..“ Net ism mni °" 4 " . 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