"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
If a major hurricane hits tomorrow, will the Virgin Islands be ready? We’re afraid not. Another storm season started this month, and the VI is simply not as prepared as …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Hurricane season is here, and VI is still vulnerable”
Overlooked jobs It’s not surprising that air-traffic control is a line of work that many young residents have not considered. A Beaconite had not thought of it either until she …
Whatever the reasons for the premier’s attempts to fast-track residency and belongership applications, the genie is out of the bottle: The eruption of heated arguments for and against the proposal …
Cultural engagement and cultural integration between ethnic and racial groups is no longer optional for these Virgin Islands: It is necessary. Looking afar, global social change shows that populism and …
Continue reading “Commentary — Call made for cultural harmony”
A week is a long time in politics. Two weeks is an aeon, especially when public meetings are held after the event. Over the weekend, the premier seems to have …
Continue reading “Commentary — Ideas offered for immigration reform”
It is good to hear that the new government plans to open the West End port to international ferries by August while plans proceed for a new facility. Now we …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: West End port should be a priority”
On the water A Beaconite had the chance to witness her first Leverick Bay Poker Run on Sunday. She arrived at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park a bit too …
Our newly appointed “King” Fahie (see government press release) may have called a National Day of Prayer for today but I am afraid he and God have an uphill task …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Residency debate sparks ‘disgust’”
I have been having problems with a nearby resident who I believe is heavily on street drugs. This man has been tormenting the Old Plantation area neighbourhood, my daughter and …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made for more cops in EE”
Without further delay, Speaker of the House Julian Willock should swear in Mark Vanterpool as the Fourth District representative and stop squandering taxpayer dollars on pointless legal action. If he …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Speaker should swear in D-4 rep and stop wasting public money”
Gardening tip 101 Brussel sprouts plant amazingly here, a Beaconite was excited to learn. So do tomatoes, basil and thyme. That’s all she knows for certain at the moment. …
The rule of law is fundamental to the Virgin Islands, perhaps more so than many people realise. Therefore, it was troubling to read in the May 9 edition of The …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Premier called out for revoking Climate Change Trust Fund board”
Apologies to those who bought the Beacon last week expecting to see a contribution from me. It’s the curse of the weekly newspaper: Publish Thursday, but deadline Tuesday, and a …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Billboards, BVI Airways among concerns”
On the fast track When 300 people pack a room in the Virgin Islands, you know it must be important. There were that many or more at Monday’s information session …
Queen’s Counsel Gerard Farara is a constitutional theorist with a successful and thriving legal practice in the Virgin Islands. In early May, Mr. Farara asserted that any reform of a …
The United Nations Special Committee’s annual review in June 2018 of the Virgin Islands’ readiness for independence depended purely on documentary evidence, whereas for the Turks and Caicos Islands and …
Continue reading “Commentary — Feasibility of independence probed”
Kudos to the new government for tackling the touchy issue of permanent residency and belongership. The overall plan to ease the requirements for both statuses seems reasonable and fair. However, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Belongership reform welcome, but it must be consistent and fair”
The new government has taken a step backward by implementing an explicit “policy” of revoking and replacing the boards of all statutory bodies and government committees. Though previous administrations often …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: ‘Policy’ of replacing boards is an unfortunate mistake”
Diving, round two On Saturday, a Beaconite hopped back on a dive boat and headed to the waters off Norman Island for Round Two of her Open Water Diver certification …
I applaud the premier for wanting to revitalise the applications of those who have been waiting years for residency and belongership. I suppose this isn’t spurred on by the United …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Premier praised for residency move”
Virgin Islanders living in the United Kingdom who have registered to vote there would serve the territory’s best interests by supporting a Remain party like the Liberal Democrats or Greens …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Decolonisation committee reconsidered”
Last week’s Earth Day celebrations were a heartening demonstration of community spirit, but they were also a reminder of the looming threats facing the territory’s delicate natural environment. In the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Substitute green action for green rhetoric”
Sustainability A Beaconite has been heartened to see some of the valuable efforts to contribute to sustainability in the Virgin Islands over the past week. She was so heartened …
Somebody please tell me this is a joke? Over the years we have seen sensible investors such as the Rockefellers, Dr. Henry Jarecki and Sir Richard Branson. But many carpetbaggers …
I am still rescuing books after Hurricane Irma. Incredible! At last I’m getting around to my store of books at the Old Family House, which had been unoccupied for more …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made for national library to house salvaged books”