"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
I was pleased with the cultural emphasis during the August Emancipation Festival events this year. It is getting closer to what I have been advocating for many years: prayerful thanksgiving, …
Continue reading “Commentary — Call made for new library, archives”
Prospects for international cooperation have dwindled dramatically since 2016 thanks in large part to United States President Donald Trump’s animosity towards multilateralism. US shirking of international responsibilities has been enacted …
Continue reading “Commentary — ‘MAGA’ policies seen as misguided”
Following the government’s recent announcement that expatriates will be allowed to enter the territory starting in September, one big question remains about plans for the border reopening: When will tourists …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Plan for tourism opening needed now”
Intern honoured Beaconites would like to congratulate the newspaper’s Virgin Gorda-based intern, Nicklous Kanhai, for his accomplishments his senior year of high school. Mr. Kanhai was not only the valedictorian …
Someday, we will open the borders. People will come to the Virgin Islands from places near and far. And when they do, we need to be sure we are ready …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Plan proposed for restarting tourism”
Throughout the second half of the year, the United States economy is expected to operate alongside a number of stress factors: the surging pandemic, racial tensions, and political factionalism. The …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — US issues seen as threat to Caribbean”
We waited a week for that Sunday speech from the premier, and we are underwhelmed! Do we, or government, know how many work-permit holders are stuck outside? Is it five, …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Premier called out over border opening”
In my previous four commentaries, I imagined the Virgin Islands of 2030 through the eyes of a 10-year-old Guyanese girl named Maria, her older brother Zak, and their father Troy. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Dispatches from 2030 continue”
The government is right to use caution when reopening the borders during the pandemic, but we are glad that leaders have finally announced a plan to allow the return of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government right to reopen borders to expats”
Airport or not? A poll posted last week on the Beacon website asked readers whether or not the Beef Island runway should be expanded — a long-time government plan …
The current turmoil in the west over race is simply a continuation of a history narrative that started with the exploration of Africa by European rulers in the 1400s, leading …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Writer mulls black history, BLM”
In my previous three commentaries, I imagined the Virgin Islands of 2030 through the eyes of a 10-year-old Guyanese girl named Maria, her older brother Zak, and their father Troy. …
This small territory of about 30,000 people, less than half of whom are Virgin Islanders (some would say “indigenous”), is rife with nepotism, favouritism, tribalism and victimisation, not to mention …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI seen as unready for independence”
Though the Covid-19 pandemic means that this year’s August Emancipation Festival has been scaled back dramatically, the observance is every bit as important as usual, and we hope residents will …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Celebrate emancipation, but please do it safely”
Lockdown, part two A Beaconite’s household is once again under quarantine after her roommate came in contact with someone from Jost Van Dyke, which is under 24/7 lockdown because a …
Some years ago, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation launched a marketing campaign under the tagline “life needs the Caribbean.” It positioned the region’s tourism experience of peace and relaxation as the …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for safe tourism”
In the 1960s there was one street in Road Town: Main Street, which had two lanes. Eventually, traffic was diverted to Wickhams Cay and the government of the day permitted …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — History tapped for RT traffic ideas”
In my previous two commentaries, I imagined the Virgin Islands of 2030 through the eyes of a 10-year-old Guyanese girl named Maria and her older brother Zak. This week, I’ll …
As the graduation season gets under way, we wish a hearty congratulations to the Class of 2020, which has overcome formidable challenges that we fear are not over yet. Most …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Graduates have overcome much, but a hard road is ahead”
If leaders in the new government proceed with their predecessors’ plan to expand the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, they must turn over a new leaf by being fully transparent …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Before airport expansion, transparency needed”
Praise where it’s due A Beaconite’s recent writings in this space have not been particularly complimentary of government in general or its policy decisions in particular. But she must give …
The road to Virgin Islands independence is a long and winding road that starts with public discussion and debate leading to a referendum where two thirds of a territory’s citizens …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘The road to VI independence’”
In last week’s commentary, I imagined the perspective of a Guyanese girl named Maria in the Virgin Islands of 2030. This week, I’ll imagine her older brother’s perspective from the …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Writer imagines VI in 10 years”
The fact that the House of Assembly passed 15 bills in June does not necessarily mean that much is going to happen in a hurry — unless someone at Gorda …
Continue reading “Commentary — Questions raised about pot plan”
The big stink Beaconites have been hearing complaints about the sewage-smelling water that has been washing over the road near Road Reef Marina in recent days. They hope government officials …
