Tourism concerns
In two separate court cases a Beaconite covered Tuesday, prosecutors brought up the vital nature of tourism to the Virgin Islands’ economy and how crime can affect the sector. The July 1 armed robbery at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park generated plenty of online commentary, with many people noting how unusual it is for such a crime to take place in a highly public area in the middle of the day. The incident raises the question about how strongly tourist impressions should be taken into account in such matters. Residents, after all, also have a right to a safe environment. And sometimes public officials have said far less about much more serious crimes — including murder — than they have said about the pier park robbery. Regardless, it is encouraging to see a strong security response at the park, and the reporter hopes higher-ups take to heart the reminder of the importance of redoubling efforts to curb gun crime in the territory.
Mystery SAP
Instead of tackling a busy question-and-answer-filled order paper, the House of Assembly apparently sat in closed-door committee for most of Tuesday debating a Schedule of Additional Provisions that was added to the agenda at the last minute on Friday. Doubtlessly like many readers, a Beaconite would love to learn more about the SAP that lawmakers have taken so long to debate. But it has not been published yet, and her efforts to obtain it from the HOA were unsuccessful. Tuesday’s HOA sitting recessed until today, so she is hoping to learn more soon. SAPs, after all, are important documents that detail how government is spending taxpayers’ money.
Earthquake
A Beaconite certainly felt the 6.6-magnitude earthquake on Monday at her home in Cane Garden Bay, though it only caused a slight rumble there. Other residents said they felt heavy shaking — while some didn’t feel a thing. One thing she found particularly interesting about this quake was a Facebook poll conducted by the Department of Disaster Management about how people responded. Excluding the approximately 60 percent of respondents who didn’t feel the shaking, most people said they remained calm. Though this instance wasn’t much of a cause for concern, it served as a good reminder of the importance of being prepared and acting accordingly during natural disasters — while also keeping a level head. She hopes that all residents will take such lessons to heart.
Mosquito madness
A Beaconite is curious whether readers are facing the same dilemma she is lately — murderously malicious mosquitos. She is used to an increase in the pests when her area gets a significant amount of rain following a dry spell. However, the bloodsuckers seem to have become increasingly tenacious, bigger, and borderline unbearable. The reporter hopes the influx plateaus soon, and she wishes anyone else dealing with the tiny terrors luck in retaining their sanity until then.
World traveller
A Beaconite has spent some time in Dubai recently, and she has noticed many similarities between the lifestyles in that city and in the Virgin Islands. Most of the population in Dubai consists of expatriates who come there to capitalise on industries like tourism. Most of the expats come from Southeast Asian countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, Pakistan and India. And in Dubai, taxes are even lower than in the VI. Tourists in both places also tend to spend time enjoying pools, beaches, yachts, parties, food and drink. Still, nothing beats the pristine beaches and waters of the VI. At least, she hasn’t seen evidence of it yet.