"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
In recent months, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has rightly drawn increasing attention to the lingering problems associated with the Virgin Islands’ colonial history. If he is truly committed to confronting …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: HOA secrecy is a colonial relic that must end”
The premier’s new tune A Beaconite has learned that tunes change — especially in politics. But lately, the premier seems to be conducting a full orchestra of contradictions. When the …
When the Virgin Islands adopted its 2007 Constitution, it was celebrated as a proud step toward self-governance and maturity. Yet within that historic document was a quiet change that continues …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘How the 2007 Constitution redefined belonging’”
Mabel Wagner’s 2015 memoir Lest I Forget draws on her husband Captain Wladek Wagner’s business letters and meticulously kept logbooks, together with her personal diaries and correspondence, to describe how …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — The Wagners of Trellis Bay, Part 42”
Always visible, never reachable A Beaconite listened carefully when Financial Services and Economic Development Junior Minister Lorna Smith rose in the House of Assembly recently to lament that the civil …
Make no mistake. We are losing our sons. From 2005, a single statistic tells a sad tale. We have lost more than 80 young men to gun violence. Moreover, as …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Idea offered to keep youths off streets”
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley deserves credit for his courage in breaking political taboos and opening a needed conversation about independence. His recent remarks at the United Nations — calling for …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A bold step toward a needed conversation”
The House of Assembly currently faces no task more urgent than getting constitutional reform right. The decisions made in the coming months will shape the Virgin Islands’ future for generations, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: In constitutional talks, transparency is crucial”
Beach bummer It’s time to talk about beach manners. A Beaconite was disturbed recently by cruise ship passengers who decided to bring their own, very loud, stereo to the sands …
The Virgin Islands has entered a new era of immigration policy, with sharply increased fees that took effect Oct. 1. The changes cover everything from belongership and residency applications to …
This series of commentaries follows Mabel Wagner’s 2015 memoir Lest I Forget. The book recounts Ms. Wagner’s work with her Polish husband Wladek Wagner to transform the remote, bush-covered Trellis …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — The Wagners of Trellis Bay, Part 41”
Trust is a foundation of good governance. But last month’s jaw-dropping revelation that House of Assembly members secretly doubled their own salaries has shaken that foundation once again. The facts …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Secret pay hikes are unacceptable”
Life’s a beach The Virgin Islands has got its tourism buzz back, according to Britain’s most famous newspaper, The Times. A Beaconite was heartened to see an expansive piece in …
Each year on Sept. 28, the global community marks the International Day for Universal Access to Information. This is not a symbolic date. It is a powerful reminder that democracy …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — UNESCO rep calls for info freedom across Caribbean”
It’s great to be back in the territory after a summer in England. I think. The premier and his deputy were on the plane with us, but their vehicle picked …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Airport arrival leaves traveller disgruntled”
Kudos to the Humane Society of the BVI. After more than a decade of planning, fundraising and overcoming setbacks — including Hurricane Irma and the Covid-19 pandemic — the non-profit …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: New animal shelter a milestone for Virgin Islands”
The cost of silence A Beaconite has been trying to wrap his head around a recent audit report that reads less like a technical document and more like a cautionary …
I am basing this series of commentaries on Mabel Wagner’s out-of-print 2015 book Lest I Forget, which recounts her Polish husband Wladek Wagner’s development of Trellis Bay and construction of …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — The Wagners of Trellis Bay, Part 40”
Eight years after Hurricane Irma ravaged the Virgin Islands on Sept. 6, 2017, we wish we could finally report that the government has kept its promise to “build back stronger.” …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government’s Irma recovery still far behind”
On Sept. 10, a single bullet to the neck assassinated Charlie Kirk, a far-right influencer and youth leader in the Make America Great Again movement. This tragic event took place …
The cases of two Montserrat British overseas territory citizens expose a systemic failure in how the United Kingdom supports vulnerable BOT citizens abroad. The matter is of urgent concern not …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ex-Montserrat premier calls out UK over medical care for OT citizens”
As the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference approaches in Brazil this November, the Virgin Islands government is rushing to tackle long-delayed reforms needed to prepare the territory for a …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Climate-change progress must accelerate”
Later this month, assuming the sudden reshuffle of the United Kingdom government does not intervene, the Virgin Islands will receive a visitor on a mission. Baroness Margaret Hodge has had …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Virgin Islands urged to prep for ‘Hurricane Hodge’”
I remarked in part 38 of this series (which was published on Aug. 5), that I wanted to test the accuracy of Mabel Wagner’s description of events in Lest I …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — The Wagners of Trellis Bay, Part 39”
Travel travail A Beaconite recently took a daytrip to St. John to visit family who were on holiday from the mainland United States. She enjoyed the visit. But next time, …
