Scooter lessons
A Beaconite got her first lesson in riding a scooter on Sunday. Though she’s been able to operate one on the roads of Martha’s Vineyard and Anegada, she is now experiencing what it’s like to ride the hills of Tortola. Strapped with a helmet, she began slowly, just practising turning the bike and balancing its weight while getting a feel for the throttle. With a little more time and practice, she hopes to be zipping around the island soon. She might not be as experienced as other residents, but with safety and patience, she’s sure she will get the hang of it.
Investment club
A Beaconite has often heard of the BVI Investment Club in her nearly five years in the VI, but she’s never been fully aware of its back story, who its members are, or what they’ve accomplished over the years. After covering the club this week, she knows it is the group behind many institutions she uses and patronises, including telecoms, restaurants and marinas. On Monday, she met the members in person on the occasion of their 30th anniversary. Often, investing for VI residents can be difficult. They often lack access to large foreign markets, and unfortunately some “investments” offered in the territory have turned out to be Ponzi schemes, as the Financial Services Commission has noted in the past. She thinks the opportunity for legitimate investments in the VI can only be a good thing, and she encourages younger people to follow in the Investment Club’s footsteps.
Press conferences
A Beaconite appreciates the consistency with which the premier and government ministers have been holding press conferences recently. With so much happening in different sectors of government, press conferences and community meetings give journalists the chance to ask valuable questions, and they make it easier for community members to keep track of what their elected officials are doing. Social media has made these meetings even more accessible, and the reporter is glad to see Government Information Services broadcasting them across various channels. The fact that election season is right around the corner likely has something to do with the recent flurry of government press conferences. There is nothing wrong with an administration highlighting its progress during a politically important time, but the Beaconite wishes that the government members would have been as eager to hold press conferences throughout the entirety of their administration. More importantly, should they win power again, he hopes they continue to hold these conferences just as frequently.
Open for business
A Beaconite was excited to finally stop for a meal this week at the new African restaurant specialising in Nigerian cuisine that recently held its grand opening. The staff provided a warm welcome, and while the reporter still needs a bit of practice with rolling just the right portion of fufu, she was glad to get a delicious, comforting meal after a tough Monday. The Beaconite commends the business owners who are willing to take a leap and open a new store in the territory even in a challenging economic climate and looks forward to supporting those entrepreneurs as much as she can.
Roadside beauty
A Beaconite has noticed that some businesses in Road Town have been beautifying their premises by planting and maintaining flowers and other decorative plants. These relatively simple acts go a long way to improving the atmosphere of the capital city, and he hopes more companies will come on board. The government, meanwhile, might want to consider offering incentives to encourage more greenery. A contest might be a good first step.