From the subtle to the downright obvious, I wonder if we are in time to stop the rot? I believe our legislators, civil servants, contractors and so on don’t see …
May 18, 2022
May 12, 2022
LETTER — BVI Post under fire
The National Bank of the Virgin Islands has said that it has posted some documents to me via the BVI Post three times. They have never arrived. I don’t know …
February 9, 2022
COMMENTARY — WE terminal plan draws questions
Who to blame? Several verses can be added to this Caribbean calypso to highlight the way our poor territory is being dragged over a cliff into the abyss. The latest …
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July 29, 2021
LETTER — Plan to hire ‘political advisers’ for ministers draws scepticism
It has taken government ministers 70 years to realise they need help, and thus to decide to hire “ministerial political advisers.” This in effect will almost double the size of …
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June 23, 2021
COMMENTARY — ‘My time in the HOA’
The below is my paraphrase of the combined submissions House of Assembly members gave to the Commission of Inquiry in recent days, with the exception of Deputy Speaker Neville Smith. …
May 26, 2021
COMMENTARY — Gov’t spending questioned
I didn’t realise how short of money we have become. The BVI Ports Authority puts out a tender and receives three quotes for old boats, not new ones. Where is …
May 19, 2021
COMMENTARY — Show host, others called out
In the House of Assembly, members can get away with saying almost anything under privilege without fear of retribution, except perhaps for calling another member a liar. It is not …
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May 5, 2021
COMMENTARY — Politics spark questions, quips
Mark your diaries for early August 2027. Yes, talk show host and government consultant Claude Skelton-Cline has decreed that is the date when the British flag will be lowered and …
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April 28, 2021
COMMENTARY — Drag racing, cruise bill spark questions
My goodness, the House of Assembly was busy last week. It passed lots of new bills and quite a few amendments to finance bills, most of which I feel sure …
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April 21, 2021
COMMENTARY — Premier’s ‘rant’ draws scepticism
I wonder who writes the premier’s speeches? And who are they aimed at? International audiences, businesses, voters, taxi drivers, or just regular folks? He has surpassed himself with his latest …
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April 14, 2021
COMMENTARY — Vaccines, ferries, speeches draw scrutiny
It’s very commendable that many people, from the premier down, are encouraging reluctant folks to take the vaccine. However, it is not helpful to “threaten” that unused doses approaching their …
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March 24, 2021
LETTER — Few cruise ships expected
It’s good news that Royal Caribbean is restarting Celebrity cruises based on St. Marten. But before we get too excited, please note it is for a limited season from June …
February 10, 2021
COMMENTARY — Troubled projects listed as inquiry gets under way
Next week marks the beginning of my 50th year in the Virgin Islands. In the early days, I was busy working to provide you with modern communications, and I did …
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January 20, 2021
COMMENTARY — Questions raised about exotic-dancer warning
We are continuously being told by our leaders that qualified Virgin Islanders and belongers must come first in any employment stakes. Last week, the premier rants on for three hours …
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January 13, 2021
COMMENTARY — A tale of Foxy’s ‘first real phone’
Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke was in the news because his famous Old Year’s Night party was cancelled. They just had dinner and dancing for a few. That …
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November 18, 2020
COMMENTARY — Pot law delay seen as a money-saver
The premier says that the governor has cost us millions in income by not signing the Cannabis Licensing Act. On the contrary, I think he has saved us millions in …
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August 19, 2020
COMMENTARY — Premier called out over border opening
We waited a week for that Sunday speech from the premier, and we are underwhelmed! Do we, or government, know how many work-permit holders are stuck outside? Is it five, …
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August 12, 2020
COMMENTARY — VI seen as unready for independence
This small territory of about 30,000 people, less than half of whom are Virgin Islanders (some would say “indigenous”), is rife with nepotism, favouritism, tribalism and victimisation, not to mention …
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July 22, 2020
Commentary — Questions raised about pot plan
The fact that the House of Assembly passed 15 bills in June does not necessarily mean that much is going to happen in a hurry — unless someone at Gorda …
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July 15, 2020
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for ‘failing’ NHI
What is wrong with our legislators? We all know why the National Health Insurance system is failing. It’s because the private medical facilities increased their fees by around 300 percent …
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June 24, 2020
COMMENTARY — Long-time letter writer returns
Hi there. Are you wondering where I have been? Right here with you, under lockdown. When the flights stopped and the Beacon could not distribute its print edition for a …
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February 26, 2020
COMMENTARY — Problem noted, questions asked
I have often commented on the appalling performance of our postal service, both long before and after the hurricanes. The service does not appear to have made any repairs or …
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February 19, 2020
COMMENTARY — Writer sceptical of gov’t claims
I am all for reducing food prices, but I don’t see how the United States Virgin Islands can help us achieve this. Surely most of our imported food comes from …
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February 5, 2020
COMMENTARY — RDA CEO’s resignation imagined
I’ll start this week’s commentary by imagining the resignation letter that could have been penned by Recovery and Development Agency CEO Paul Bayly. Dear Sirs: Due to the …
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January 9, 2020
COMMENTARY — Bikes, bodyguards and pot draw fire
I guess the police commissioner can’t say no to the premier’s decision to allow larger motorbikes into the territory. So he suggests some conditions for importation and regulations for use. …
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