"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Planted in the soil of this nation, on land declared unfit, a seed of hope lay buried, sustained only by God’s remit. This seed had a vision, embedded in its …
Continue reading “POEM — Seed of the Vision — A Tribute to Hamilton Lavity Stoutt”
Following Black History Month, I would like to share a piece of my maternal family’s history with you. I’ll start where my journey began. My maternal family has been in …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Land dispute history recounted”
What was the common denominator for countries and territories that kept the pandemic to a minimum? Unlike in the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom, draconian action and effective …
We were encouraged to hear Premier Andrew Fahie say last month that his government plans to turn its attention to governance reforms starting at this week’s House of Assembly meeting. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Now, governance reform is more urgent than ever”
Props A Beaconite, like many residents, has been critical of several aspects of the government’s Covid-19 response. Some missteps were clear: failing to thoroughly explain the disbursement of the $62.9 …
I applaud the theme of the BVI National Commission for UNESCO World Poetry Competition 2021: “Perspectives of Our Past: Unsung Heroes.” So often our lips declare that “we stand on …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to honour VI heroes”
Some individuals may not want to acknowledge that there are ties which bind the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands, and I think I can understand why that would be …
The decision to take the Covid-19 vaccine or not is primarily a personal one. However, the effect and outcomes of not doing it may not exactly be so personal after …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Residents urged to get vaccine”
We are delighted that ground finally has been broken for a new National Emergency Operations Centre. The project has been needed for more than a decade. In fact, by the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: New NEOC has been needed for more than 10 years”
Impeachment A Beaconite watching the Senate impeachment trial of former United States President Donald Trump last week was captivated by the important role played by Stacey Plaskett, the delegate to …
In August 2020, I wrote a commentary discussing the Constitution being a tool for good governance, and it turned out to be a prelude to current affairs. The launch of …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Governance questions posed in light of ongoing inquiry”
A second critical travel document — a vaccine passport — is looking inevitable. But issues are mounting on the why, what, where, how and when of such a passport. Will …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Vaccine passports expected soon”
Vaccination is a very personal choice, but it has ramifications for all of society. We therefore urge all residents who feel comfortable taking the Covid-19 vaccine to get the shot …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Vaccines are the way out of Covid”
We welcome Governor John Rankin, who takes office at a time when the territory’s relationship with the United Kingdom is as strained as it has been in recent memory. He …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A memo for Governor John Rankin”
‘Exclusion zone’ Some charter companies and other marine businesses are becoming exasperated with the ongoing existence of the so-called “exclusion zone,” which bars most boats from the area between Jost …
Next week marks the beginning of my 50th year in the Virgin Islands. In the early days, I was busy working to provide you with modern communications, and I did …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Troubled projects listed as inquiry gets under way”
I couldn’t believe it when I turned on the radio to listen to the BBC News last week and heard that there was to be a commission of inquiry in …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Gov’t defended as COI starts”
The apparently unprecedented events taking place in the world during our lifetime actually are not unprecedented in life, for there is nothing new under the sun. What has been will …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Inquiry described as a step toward self-determination”
An entitled minority must never again be allowed to control Virgin Islands governance, politics and society without full citizen and resident participation. Had full citizen participation been the governing culture …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Probe called ‘a very good thing’”
Podcast On Friday, the Beacon launched a podcast, “The Wave.” The first episode, which was posted on the Beacon’s Facebook page, featured a recap of 2020’s biggest articles from each …
In the dying days of the Donald Trump presidency in the United States, the State Department designated Cuba a “state sponsor of terrorism.” Regrettably, the measure will slow efforts by …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — US urged to drop Cuba sanctions”
There will be no greater autonomy or independence in United Kingdom overseas territories until their residents trust local government. Recent crises in OT governance in the Turks and Caicos Islands …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Better governance seen as key to independence”
With a monumental task to complete in only six months, the commission of inquiry must devise a tightly focused strategy for shining its powerful spotlight into the dark corners of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Inquiry will need a tightly focused strategy”
Inquiry poll Elected leaders have criticised the United Kingdom corruption inquiry in recent days, but a Beacon poll suggests that the probe has very strong support in the community. The …
Joe Biden is now that 46th president of the United States, and many governments and individuals around the world are breathing a collective sigh of relief. This is not because …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Responding to Washington’s new hemispheric thinking”
