"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Government is right to kick off 2025 by organising a comprehensive public conversation about the tourism sector. Now it’s the public’s turn. We urge all residents to participate in the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Public input vital at tourism summit”
Fake news No, the government is not handing out tax refunds worth $3,000, though readers probably saw a fake news report circulating online that suggested as much. Unfortunately for the …
The global south is made up largely of former colonies of European empires. Today they are emerging economic and military powers. China leads the global south in a world that …
We are cautiously optimistic about the sensible plans included in the legislative agenda unveiled in the recent Speech from the Throne even though the to-do list appears overly ambitious for …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Aligning HOA agenda with national plan is wise”
‘ED card’ When a Beaconite arrived at an American Airlines counter in the United States on Friday morning to check in for his return flight to Tortola, he received a …
In part 27 of this series, published on Nov. 28, I used Mabel Wagner’s lengthy quotes from an account of her son Michael’s 6th birthday on April 3, 1957, by …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — The Wagners of Trellis Bay, part 28”
The past 12 months have not been easy for the Virgin Islands, but 2024 nevertheless brought glimpses of the light at the end of a tunnel the territory entered when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: After 7 years of strife, the VI must emerge stronger”
Holiday schedule This is the Beacon’s final print edition of 2024. Advertising and editorial deadlines will return to normal for the Jan. 9 edition. In the meantime, stay tuned to …
The Virgin Islands government has been assessing the case for the expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island (yet again!). But it seems to be making …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Economist weighs in on airport project”
United States President-elect Donald Trump and his “Make America Great Again” agenda have one Achilles’ heel: the rise of the Global South. This weakness that will test the limits of …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — MAGA seen to have Achilles’ heel”
Government’s recent decision to suddenly postpone the long-planned minimum-wage increase was not acceptable. The $2.50-per-hour increase to $8.50 per hour, approved by the House of Assembly earlier this year, was …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Raise the minimum wage already”
Holiday schedule Because of the coming holiday season, next week’s Beacon (the one that will be published on Thursday, Dec. 19) will be the last print edition of 2024. After …
You placed it in my hands Your book with your story Hoping to poison my mind To keep my thoughts in captivity You blurred my vision Hoping I will see …
The election of Donald Trump as the next United States president marks a new American governance model marked by impunity and machismo. Democracy is increasingly taking a back seat. Hubris …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Trump seen as threat to world”
Signs abound that the coming tourism high season will be successful, building on travellers’ positive impressions of the Virgin Islands and showing that the demand to vacation here remains strong. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands must not rest on tourism laurels”
It’s a sign A Reporter’s Notebook item published on Oct. 31 highlighted an embarrassing error on a mock street sign then in the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park. At …
“The defence of the individuality of places is the defence of the individuality of ourselves,” wrote British architectural critic Ian Nairn. In the 1970s, the Virgin Islands proudly boasted, “Yes, …
Kudos to the hundreds of residents who took part in the recent re-enactment of the 1949 Great March. Together, they staged an impressive and appropriate commemoration of an enormously important …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Great March lessons still ring true today”
Hitchhiking When a Beaconite was hitchhiking into Road Town one morning last week, she got a ride from a kind driver who identified herself as a “born and raised” Virgin …
In part 26 of this series, published on Nov. 14, I described how the then governor of Puerto Rico gave the 1950s Beef Island airstrip project a Caterpillar bulldozer, delivered …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — The Wagners of Trellis Bay, part 27”
For decades, successive governors and other United Kingdom leaders have pressured the Virgin Islands government to be more transparent. They are right to do so. But the UK must also …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: UK minister missed the mark on transparency”
The United States has moved hard right with the victory of Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the country’s Nov. 5 election. The win has also ushered in an …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Expecting the worst from Trump”
Birthd(el)ay card Oh, happy day! A Beaconite was beyond delighted to receive a birthday card from London this week. The fact that his birthday was actually in May and said …
It has been said that when the United States sneezes, the whole world catches a cold. We fear much worse than a proverbial cold for the Virgin Islands and the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands should expect the worst from Trump presidency”
Police presence A Beaconite was walking along Norman Fowler Drive last week when she noticed about six armed police officers — many of whom were also wearing bulletproof vests — …