Comment cards

One Beaconite thinks the comment cards distributed to residents who attended government’s community meeting in Carrot Bay this week are a great idea. They allowed anyone at the meeting to write questions rather than standing up in front of the cameras and microphones to ask them. They also allowed government officials to collect questions and comments after the designated time for the meeting to end. The reporter hopes public officers and government officials continue to look for ways to help residents express their views to elected leaders, and she hopes that residents take advantage of such opportunities.

 

Recycled sign

There may not be a recycling programme for most products in the Virgin Islands, but one Waterfront Drive bar has found a way to reuse an old piece of government property. The old wooden sign for Crafts Alive Village, which during renovations could be seen leaning against the side of one of the newly renovated buildings, was moved across the street to the Bamboushay Lounge. The imprint of its faded lettering is still visible, but a Beaconite guesses that the sign will soon be repainted with the bar’s name.

A new lid

A Beaconite who lost her favourite sun hat some months ago on a boat trip found a perfect replacement while on assignment this week. She was visiting some straw weavers at the East End/Long Look Community Centre, who had kindly laid out an assortment of hats for the reporter to photograph. When the reporter mentioned her headgear shortage, one helpful hat-maker sifted through the collection and selected one for her to try on. It fit so well one of the seniors at the centre commented that it might have been custom made for her. The reporter is already enjoying walking around with much less worry about the sun in her face.

Kudos, jury members

A Beaconite who covers criminal trials knows that they can, at times, drag along at a snail’s pace. Because the presiding judge takes detailed notes throughout — an important part of the process — testimony can be slow and tedious, the clock seems to stop, and many eyes in the room glaze over. But the Beaconite noticed something this week: Jurors remained very attentive throughout the trial. Some of them were taking notes as if they were reporters, seeming to pay close attention to even the smallest details. Judging the facts of a criminal trial is a job of the utmost importance. The reporter was glad to see jurors take it seriously.

A long time ago

A Beaconite especially enjoys assignments that involve senior citizens. Two weeks ago, she interviewed Mabel Wagner about her new book, Lest I Forget. The book recounts the Englishwoman’s experience living in Trellis Bay in the 1950s (see the interview in the Island Weekend & Culture section.) Because Ms. Wagner lives in Florida, the reporter conducted the interview via Skype. She was grateful not only to learn about the VI’s past, but to meet Ms. Wagner’s puppy.

 

Noises in the night

A Beaconite who lives near the Road Town ferry terminal is pleased that work is ongoing to construct an awning at the facility. The structure is much needed, as ferry passengers often have to wait in the rain when lines are long. On the other hand, the Beaconite wishes that the noisy work didn’t continue so late into the night. On recent nights, the hammering and drilling have kept him awake. He understands that the work probably can’t be completed during the day when the terminal is in use, but he suggests that the workers go home by 10 p.m.

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