The St. Croix Economic Development Initiative (SEDI) in association with the Christiansted Restaurant & Retailers Association (CRRA), Our Town Frederiksted (OTF) and the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands (St. Croix District), will host “Forums for Candidates for the Senatorial, Delegate to Congress, Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Governor Aspirants.” SEDI has partnered with these other organizations in a mission to foster a series of candidates’ forums on St. Croix’s economic recovery, revitalization, development and expansion.
The quest is to grow the local economy and strengthen the private sector to help communities become more prosperous by leveraging all assets to support local entrepreneurs. It is necessary to find the best solutions for the St. Croix community by working with each other to identify the local assets, potential partners and technical resources needed to create and sustain an entrepreneurial support initiative.
Every community desires to be a location where people want to live, engage in meaningful work and pursue their passions. In short, every community wants to be a vibrant, safe and livable place. These forums will afford an opportunity not only for the members of the business community but also all community stakeholders, bringing light and attention to the economic hardship and plight of the two historical downtown districts and enabling the public to be part of the vetting process of these political candidates, who are seeking votes for public office.
The first forums, set for Monday, June 23, will begin with a ‘meet and greet’ from 4:30-5:30 p.m. to be followed at 5:30-7:30 p.m. by two forums. The Senatorial Candidates Forums will be held at two locations: candidates with assigned election numbers 1-8 will be at Club Comanche St. Croix in Christiansted and June 30 (election number’s 9-16) – Venue Pier 69 Restaurant in Frederiksted.
Seanise Jeffers the 19-year-old who won the 2013 Caribbean Got Talent "The Voice" Competition, will be performing live during the ‘meet and greet’ and will sing the U.S. Virgin Islands Anthem and the U.S. National Anthem to open the forum. Candidates Forum schedule outlined below:
Meet and Greet at 4:30 p.m. followed by Candidates Forum from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Candidates Forum schedule is as follows:
Senatorial Candidates – June 23 (candidates with assigned election numbers 1-8) Venue Club Comanche St. Croix Christiansted and June 30 (election number’s 9-16) – Venue Pier 69 Restaurant in Frederiksted
Delegate to Congress – July 7 (venue: Club Comanche St. Croix in Christiansted)
Lieutenant Governor – July 7 (venue: Club Comanche St. Croix in Christiansted)
Gubernatorial Candidates — July 14 (venue: Pier 69 Restaurant in Frederiksted)
The forum moderators and panelists will be representatives from the SEDI/CRRA/Our Town Frederiksted/Democratic Party Virgin Islands (St. Croix District)
Contact Anthony Weeks at (914) 574-1213 with any questions or to confirm attendance.