"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
It’s great to be back in the territory after a summer in England. I think. The premier and his deputy were on the plane with us, but their vehicle picked …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Airport arrival leaves traveller disgruntled”
I trust all members of the government’s tourism delegation returned safely from the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami. I wonder what positive progress they will report? But exactly what …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Questions raised about cruise ships”
I’m still waiting to be interviewed for the census. I heard that the form can be completed online, but I have looked and looked, and the only form I can …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Questions raised about census, other topics”
Every day I hear more and more complaints about the noise nuisance, particularly at night, made by motorcyclists. They race up and down and congregate in various locations. The police …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Motorbikes, other issues spark concern”
The longer I live here, the more I feel we have been governed by immature politicians who were elected by immature voters. So much talk, so little action. They make …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Questions raised about constitution, licences”
We are informed of a record number of cruise ship passengers for 2023. But are the numbers correct? Quoting the total capacity of a ship sounds great. But does it …
I am no expert, but I would have thought that our main climate dangers are from earthquakes and hurricanes, and not from flooding and temperature rises, though it wouldn’t hurt …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Climate change response questioned”
American Airlines’ wheels had barely touched the tarmac when it was announced that government would hold a “non-stop” concert at Brandywine Bay (that popular tourist spot) to celebrate the arrival …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — $250k concert sparks more questions”
Why does nothing ever start on time in the Virgin Islands? House of Assembly, concerts, meetings, church, contracts. In all my years, the only event to always (in the past) …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Gov’t grilled on lateness, census, belongership”
We are told that government is not broke, yet they and other bodies seem to have difficulty in paying increments. In most companies, the day they cannot pay their staff …
Continue reading “LETTER — Gov’t urged to explain increment delays”
Our premier says we are not broke (good news, if true) and we need to spend money in order to make lots of money. So we are spending a lot …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Free concert, other plans questioned”
People are asking each other, “What do you think of the election result?” I imagine there are lots of different answers. Firstly, Polling Day seems to have gone very smoothly …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — WE terminal plan draws questions”
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 …
Continue reading “LETTER — Plan to hire ‘political advisers’ for ministers draws scepticism”
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. …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Show host, others called out”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Politics spark questions, quips”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Drag racing, cruise bill spark questions”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Premier’s ‘rant’ draws scepticism”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Vaccines, ferries, speeches draw scrutiny”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Troubled projects listed as inquiry gets under way”