Happy birthday, Beacon
The BVI Beacon turned 41 on Saturday. Much has changed since the newspaper’s first issue — a 12-page black-and-white affair — was published on June 7, 1984. That edition was composed on a single electric typewriter in the building that now houses The Dove restaurant, which served as the Beacon’s first office. Today, the weekly print edition, which is dotted with full-colour pages, includes content ranging from local stories to international investigations carried out in collaboration with media outlets across the Caribbean thanks to digital technology that makes cross-border communication easy. The Beacon website and social media channels also feature multimedia content including slide shows, videos and even the occasional podcast. Beaconites thank readers and advertisers for their support over the years and wish the newspaper many happy returns.
Banking on it
A Beaconite recently received the worst and best of the territory’s banking experience. A year after regulators said the banks had to cut lines and wait times, guess what? The lines in the banks on a recent paycheque Friday afternoon were as long as ever. Who’d believe it? The reporter, who was not feeling well generally, felt he might pass out in the seemingly endless queue. Thankfully, one of the very few bank tellers took pity and urged him through. Still weary, he rested at the “customer service” chairs afterwards, and a charming banker offered him a delicious cup of water. In other words, don’t blame the bank staff: Blame the managers — and the regulators. He thanks the kind employees who helped him out, and he urges the decisionmakers to do better.
After deadline
Following the June 2 protest at the Road Town roundabout, which drew fewer than 20 active participants despite the 1,000 that organisers hoped to draw, organiser Floyd “Heritage” Burnett suggested that the Deputy Governor’s Office may not have notified civil servants of their right to witness the protest as he had requested. The Beacon put the claim to the DGO and received a response shortly after its print deadline last week. In the email, the DGO said it shared Mr. Burnett’s official letter with senior managers so that they could “engage with staff within their ministries.” At the end of the statement, the DGO noted legislation governing residents’ rights in such situations. “Persons are encouraged to become familiar with chapter two of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, which speaks to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual,” the statement noted. Beaconites appreciate the response from the DGO, which has been added to the online version of their story about the protest. However, they have heard from public officers who claim they were not in fact notified of their rights before the protest. Next time around, Beaconites suggests that the DGO send a mass email to all public officers (and publish it) instead of simply emailing senior managers. There was clearly a hitch somewhere.
Online entry
When flying back to the Virgin Islands recently, a Beaconite has appreciated the ease of using the “Online Embarkation/Disembarkation Card System,” which was launched at the start of this year. She must admit that she prefers filling out this form on her phone (admittedly at times in the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport right after she passes through immigration) rather than on paper while on the plane. But there is one notable need for those completing the form: internet connection. The Beef Island airport has free Wi-Fi, so those who have disembarked from their plane and realise they have not completed the form can still easily do so, even if they do not have data on their phone. But the reporter is not sure the same can be said for people arriving at a ferry terminal. Though she has not yet had any personal experience in re-entering the territory via sea, she hopes others who do find the same ease in accessing the form as those at the airport. But she is not sure. Back in January, she was told there was no free Wi-Fi provided at the Road Town Ferry Terminal. If this is still the case, she hopes it will change soon.