As the first fully in-person August Emancipation Festival in three years gets under way, we encourage everyone to celebrate while also remembering the reason for the annual observance. On Aug. …
July 29, 2022
July 27, 2022
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 28, 2022)
Festival schedule The Beacon won’t print next week because of the August Emancipation Festival holiday. Advertising and editorial deadlines will return to normal leading up to the next edition on …
July 27, 2022
COMMENTARY — COI seen as a ‘blessing’
The present discomfort and nervousness with United Kingdom indirect rule of the Virgin Islands is a very necessary wake-up call for the territory. We all know that the grandstanding and …
July 25, 2022
EDITORIAL: Next year’s general election must not derail reforms
With a general election due early next year, there is a very real danger that a divisive campaign season could derail the ongoing governance reforms and trigger direct rule by …
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July 20, 2022
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 21, 2022)
Happy 50th! July 12 marked the 50th anniversary of the first official graduation at the BVI High School, as noted by community members on social media this week. Photos of …
July 20, 2022
COMMENTARY — ‘US influence in the Americas is waning’
The recently ended Summit of the Americas will likely be best remembered for the United States’ decision not to invite Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua; the chaotic unprepared way in which …
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July 18, 2022
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 14, 2022)
Customer service A Beaconite is happy to hear that a director of customer service is to be appointed to “enhance” the government’s Customer Service Care Centre. For whoever is hired, …
July 18, 2022
COMMENTARY — Fahie urged to resign D-1 seat
Members of the House of Assembly representing a district are rewarded with a salary and other benefits for participating in the lawmaking process and furthering the interests of residents in …
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July 18, 2022
COMMENTARY— ‘Silent majority’ seen as influential
The term “the silent majority” is much used by politicians who attempt to identify where the mass of voters and other residents sit on any matter. Commentary and activism are …
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July 18, 2022
EDITORIAL: Andrew Fahie should resign
First District Representative Andrew Fahie should resign his seat in the House of Assembly without further ado. If he refuses, he should be removed as soon as possible. Mr. Fahie, …
July 11, 2022
EDITORIAL: So far, so good on governance reforms
Despite a few hitches, the National Unity Government is off to a good start with the governance reforms agreed with the United Kingdom. Already, the territory is seeing badly needed …
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July 6, 2022
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 7, 2022)
Roadside service During the recent roadworks in Fish Bay, a Beaconite noticed a refreshing example of excellent customer service. Twice, he drove up to the site from the Road …
July 6, 2022
COMMENTARY — Reform plan’s viability questioned
The National Unity Government’s performance to date gives its well-wishers scant assurance that its members understand the challenges the Virgin Islands is confronting, let alone have a strong enough vision …
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July 6, 2022
LETTER — ‘Bring on a referendum’
The one clear and straightforward route to Virgin Islands independence is through a referendum. So why are the “elites” shirking from a referendum and yet pontificating on the subject of …
July 4, 2022
EDITORIAL: Reform detractors should put up or shut up
Make no mistake: The people of the Virgin Islands are fed up. For decades, they have watched their elected leaders waste taxpayer money, reward cronies, shun transparency, and otherwise break …
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June 29, 2022
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 30, 2022)
No rapid tests When returning to the Virgin Islands from St. Kitts this week, a Beaconite opted to get her Covid-19 rapid test upon arrival since government announced recently that …
June 29, 2022
COMMENTARY — D-8 road seen as potential disaster
I am taking this matter to the media since I’ve had no meaningful response from the authorities whom I thought were responsible. Which ministry, department or agency is responsible for …
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June 29, 2022
COMMENTARY — VI urged to rediscover ‘paradise lost’
In 1975, while sailing north through the Caribbean, stormy weather caused me to take shelter in the Virgin Islands. The anchorage off Road Town was exposed and uncomfortable, and I …
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June 27, 2022
EDITORIAL: It’s time to stop flushing raw sewage into the ocean
In 1974, when the Virgin Islands’ population was less than 11,000, the government’s annual agenda included a national sewage treatment plant that would help eliminate the need to flush Tortola’s …
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June 22, 2022
EDITORIAL: Coming reports and audits must be published quickly
We applaud the specific deadlines in the reform proposal agreed this month by the Virgin Islands and United Kingdom governments. The targets are ambitious, but they represent exactly the sort …
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June 22, 2022
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 23, 2022)
Flower On her next hike, a Beaconite will keep her eye out for the highly endangered Marrón bacora, a 10-foot-tall flowering shrub that produces purple-and-yellow flowers. Why? Tortola is one …
June 22, 2022
COMMENTARY — Gov’t urged to up civil service pay
Since watching the recent press conference where the governor and premier discussed overdue police service increments, I have been waiting for the wider conversation. Payment of increments should be step …
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June 22, 2022
COMMENTARY — COI came ‘just in time,’ writer says
The culture of “wrong and strong” is a Virgin Islands folly that will be the territory’s undoing. Currently, a significant subset is averse to the new reality of correctly imposed …
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June 15, 2022
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 16, 2022)
Court of public opinion While former Premier Andrew Fahie’s release from custody on bond is covered in this issue of the Beacon and has been reported by other Virgin Islands …
June 15, 2022
COMMENTARY — ‘Taxes and death: a cautionary tale’
A playwright stated in 1716, “’Tis impossible to be sure of any thing but death and taxes.” However, participants in the 1949 Great March in the Virgin Islands couldn’t have …
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