Next up: Contracts In the upcoming week, the Commission of Inquiry plans to probe how government enters contracts “both in general and in relation to specific contracts.” A Beaconite is …
September 15, 2021
September 15, 2021
COMMENTARY — COI commentary draws sharp retort
This week I read a commentary about the Commission of Inquiry in the Beacon’s Aug. 26 edition, which was captioned “COI seen to bring checks, balances.” As someone who dabbled …
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September 15, 2021
COMMENTARY — ‘Culture of fear’ seen in VI
The Commission of Inquiry is presenting a mirror for all residents to look at. What it reveals is not good. The investigation into Virgin Islands governance is showing up this …
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September 14, 2021
EDITORIAL: Premier dropped the ball on climate change fund
As we’ve said before, the current government’s 2019 decision to revoke all six appointed members of the Climate Change Trust Fund board was a huge mistake. The failure to replace …
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September 8, 2021
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (September 9, 2021)
Kudos to the premier A Beaconite is happy to see the premier hosting press conferences regularly to update the public on important topics. Dialogue between leaders and everyone else should …
September 8, 2021
LETTER — COI seen to shake up VI politics
This is the most unpredictable time in Virgin Islands politics in living memory. Anyone claiming to know the political and constitutional outcomes for the VI from the very public Commission …
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September 8, 2021
LETTER — Cyclist upset at reckless drivers
It is with great sadness and disappointment that I express my disgust with some drivers who display little or no consideration for people cycling along the roads in the Virgin …
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September 6, 2021
EDITORIAL: Four years after Irma, government recovery far behind
The Elmore Stoutt High School. The Isabella Morris Primary School. The Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre. The Road Town library. The West End ferry terminal. The National Emergency Operations Centre. …
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September 1, 2021
EDITORIAL: As inquiry resumes, government must provide info
As the Commission of Inquiry resumes hearings on Monday, the government should turn over a new leaf by quickly and completely producing all requested information so that the probe can …
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September 1, 2021
LETTER — COI viewed through history lens
I recently shared this with some friends during a conversation about the ongoing Commission of Inquiry. I view the COI through a historical context, where our foreparents built this territory …
September 1, 2021
COMMENTARY — Mandatory vaccines expected for some
Mandatory vaccination makes a significant cross-section of the general public uncomfortable. However, for the Virgin Islands to participate in the worldwide travel and tourism economy, the territory must achieve herd …
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August 25, 2021
LETTER — Call made for more women in politics
As a woman in politics, I have been listening intently to the recent discussion about women leaders and the merits of an all-female Cabinet. I believe in life there should …
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August 25, 2021
COMMENTARY — COI seen to bring checks, balances
Make no mistake: Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. And the one language power respects and understands is greater power. It is rare indeed to discover a politician or …
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August 20, 2021
EDITORIAL: Incentives a good bet to boost vaccine pace
We are greatly relieved that the number of active Covid-19 cases has fallen rapidly in recent weeks. But this good news has also brought a shadow of concern: Following a …
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August 19, 2021
EDITORIAL: Kudos to Virgin Islands Olympians
This month, Virgin Islands Olympians brought a ray of sunshine to the territory during a dark time. For the first time in VI history, athletes from here qualified for the …
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August 18, 2021
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Aug. 19, 2021)
Near misses The Virgin Islands has been lucky in recent days as it saw near misses from two tropical storms. Nevertheless, there was some heavy rain and wind, and a …
August 18, 2021
LETTER — Hospital praised for handling crisis
My husband, Jim Troup, suddenly lost his sight in the midst of the recent Covid-19 outbreak. Our lives, we feared, were about to change forever. However, we now know that …
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August 18, 2021
COMMENTARY —Covid, Festival, Olympics addressed
Covid-19, the August Emancipation Festival and the Olympics are all worthy of a separate commentary. Nonetheless, there is currently a confluence of these issues, so I will take the bold …
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August 18, 2021
COMMENTARY — Inquiry seen to expose ‘culture of silence’
Make no mistake. The vast majority of Virgin Islands residents breathe easy these days because of the investigations driven by the Commission of Inquiry. There is a feeling that “This …
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August 11, 2021
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (August 12, 2021)
Celebrate good times The Virgin Islands has had no shortage of things to celebrate the past few weeks: all three Olympians in the 2020 Tokyo games performed incredibly, setting national …
August 11, 2021
COMMENTARY — Call made to return to ‘roots’
A few mornings ago, as I thought about current local affairs, a map of the Virgin Islands popped into my mind with the words “We the people” on the back. …
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August 11, 2021
POEM — Salvation
Caught in the sphere of despair, When you see trouble, run. Capture all fear! Conspiracy theory? Well, the truth has none. Coronavirus: Can it survive in the sun? Biological weapon? …
August 11, 2021
LETTER — Inquiry called a ‘blessing’ for VI
Make no mistake: The Commission of Inquiry is a good thing for the majority of residents in these majestic Virgin Islands — especially taxpayers. The only people nervous and bothered …
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July 29, 2021
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 29, 2021)
Holiday schedule Because of the August Emancipation Festival holiday, the Beacon won’t print next week, but advertising and editorial deadlines will return to normal for the Aug. 12 edition. Beaconites …
July 29, 2021
LETTER — Plan to hire ‘political advisers’ for ministers draws scepticism
It has taken government ministers 70 years to realise they need help, and thus to decide to hire “ministerial political advisers.” This in effect will almost double the size of …
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