"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
In previous commentaries published in the Beacon on Feb. 9 and 23, I addressed the significance of the ongoing constitutional review to the future political socioeconomic development of the Virgin …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — More ideas offered for Constitution”
In a previous commentary published in the Beacon on Feb. 9, I started sharing my thoughts on the constitutional review and why it is laying the foundation for the best …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — More ideas offered for next Constitution”
I am glad to be alive for such a time as this. When I read about our national heroes like Hope Stevens and Howard R. Penn and how they wrote …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for new Constitution”
Recently, I concluded that somewhere over the years we stopped engineering roads and settled for roadways that are cousins to obstacle courses. Potholes, which are the least of the problem, …
As I’ve watched the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry reforms unfold, my mind took me back to 2003 when I joined the public service at the Ministry of Finance. …
Continue reading “LETTER — Previous ‘reforms’ seen to fall flat”
Since watching the recent press conference where the governor and premier discussed overdue police service increments, I have been waiting for the wider conversation. Payment of increments should be step …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Gov’t urged to up civil service pay”
I am not surprised by the timeline published by the governor for the publication of the Commission of Inquiry report, because from his first announcement I estimated it would take …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Waiting on UK response to COI”
I had the honour this month to participate in an important dialogue about how we prepare our students for life. The discussion centred around two questions: “Preparing learners to be …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Turning ‘learners to leaders’”
International Women’s Day is a marker in our calendars to cause us to pause and recognise the accomplishments of women and girls. This year I felt it was important to …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made for gender equality in VI”
Virgin Islands family, question for you: “What do you envision our beloved Virgin Islands will look like in 2040?” I will be in my 60s, and I most definitely want …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI urged to review 15-year plan”
This week as we marked the 72nd anniversary of the 1949 March, when our ancestors walked Main Street saying, “Enough is enough,” we find ourselves having to stand up against …
I have observed lately that we like to take our cues from the United Kingdom to give reason for our decisions, so I went and researched the role of the …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Questions asked about UK, VI speakers”
Picking up from where I left off recently about a national development plan, let us talk about the value of planning. If you missed that article, it can be found …
There has been a “talk shop” over the last 20 years about where we want to see our territory in the future. Two decades later, we are still talking. I …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — USVI’s 20-year plan seen as example to follow”
I have been hearing the phrase “young democracy” in conversations lately when referring to the Virgin Islands’ development. I am not sure when the “birth” of the territory is being …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made for ‘legacy’ mindset”
I recently shared this with some friends during a conversation about the ongoing Commission of Inquiry. I view the COI through a historical context, where our foreparents built this territory …
As a woman in politics, I have been listening intently to the recent discussion about women leaders and the merits of an all-female Cabinet. I believe in life there should …
Continue reading “LETTER — Call made for more women in politics”
A few mornings ago, as I thought about current local affairs, a map of the Virgin Islands popped into my mind with the words “We the people” on the back. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to return to ‘roots’”
It is not breaking news that the Virgin Islands is surrounded by water and so there are only two ways to enter the territory: by air or sea. From childhood, …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Alarm raised over border security”
I have been pondering the tone of the current public dialogue, and it hurts my heart to see how we have come to a place where 1) People’s identities are …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made for love, kindness”
In August 2020, I wrote a commentary discussing the Constitution being a tool for good governance, and it turned out to be a prelude to current affairs. The launch of …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Governance questions posed in light of ongoing inquiry”
We find ourselves in thought-provoking times and not just because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This December will mark 70 years since the local legislature was reconstituted and local elected representation …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Constitution seen as a means to an end”
Every year leading up to and after our August Emancipation Festival, there is plenty of commentary and critique over what has transpired, and this year has been no exception. What …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered to find Festival’s ‘roots’”