Farewell, Beaconites
At the start of the summer, an eager fourth form student, Reeka Campbell, joined Beaconites for her school’s internship programme. During about two months of working alongside reporters, she reported on topics ranging from summer camps to the August Emancipation Festival.
Now her internship has come to an end, and she is headed back to the Elmore Stoutt High School. Ms. Smith enjoyed working with the Beaconites, and she learned to love the atmosphere at the newspaper. Now more than ever, she looks forward to becoming a journalist. One of the most important lessons she learned from her experience is that work should not be treated as a burden, but as a priority that needs to be done to the utmost perfection (or else your editor will keep making you do it over and over and over and — you get the idea).
Murdered author
A Beaconite is grateful to Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards for recommending the book Commonwealth Caribbean Criminal Practice and Procedure as a reference for his special report on civil liberties in the Virgin Islands (see page one). However, when the Beaconite was researching the background of the textbook’s author, Dana Seetahal, he was shocked to find out that Ms. Seetahal was killed in Trinidad and Tobago recently in what police suspect was an assassination. According to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, the long-time lawyer and politician was serving as senior counsel for several high-profile cases before the incident occurred. The publication reported that the murder was a “well planned hit.” On Aug. 22, it was reported that one of the lead suspects in Ms. Seetahal’s murder was shot and killed by police in an unrelated incident. The Beaconite hopes that anyone else involved in her death will be brought to justice soon.
Bionic bartenders
Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool has repeatedly said that the territory needs to extend the cruise ship dock in order to accommodate larger ships and safeguard the industry’s future. But a Beaconite has discovered another good reason for the larger ships: robotic bartenders. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has announced that its new ships, Quantum and Anthem of the Seas, will each feature a “Bionic Bar.” Crewmembers will take passengers’ drink requests using tablet computers, but the robots, mechanised arms that can shake and pour drinks, will fill the orders, according to The New York Times. The territory’s new cruise pier is being designed to accommodate Quantum-class ships, so passengers may get to see the bartenders in action.
More sargassum
The sargassum washing up on Virgin Islands shores is getting out of control. In the past, a Beaconite has noticed sanitation workers cleaning up the seaweed. But she was somewhat disappointed on Monday when she saw a drain clogged with the brown matter, which stank. She hopes that whoever is responsible for cleaning up will redouble their efforts as more sargassum washes ashore.
Transparency talk
A Beaconite was surprised to get singled out among other reporters this week. It seems that the Beacon has been consistently attending BVI Electricity Corporation bid openings and other events, which BVIEC General Manager Leroy Abraham said helps the corporation keep the public informed about its activities. Like all journalists, Beaconites can’t be everywhere, but reporters do make a special effort to attend contract signings and bid openings because of the importance of matters relating to the spending of public funds. The Beaconites also appreciate a chance to interact with busy public officials, who at such events often answer questions about matters that aren’t directly related to the contracts being signed — as Mr. Abraham did Monday.
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