‘A miracle’ As a Beaconite waited for a tow truck to come drag her vehicle out of the ditch last week (long story short, wear better sunglasses when driving up …
June 24, 2019
June 24, 2019
COMMENTARY — Case made for legal pot
As the HempFest at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar approaches, it is the time of year to look once again towards a future that will have cannabis and cannabis products legalised on …
June 24, 2019
COMMENTARY — ‘New economic thinking’ praised
Neo-liberalism — supply-side trickle-down economics — has failed the world. However, a new economic thinking can save the day, according to a number of influential economists. The new thinking is …
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June 19, 2019
EDITORIAL: Recommended election reform is long overdue
The international team that observed the February general election has provided a sound roadmap for badly needed election reforms in the Virgin Islands. If the new government is serious about …
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June 18, 2019
Reporter’s Notebook (June 13, 2019)
35 and counting Beaconites of course realise that the Queen’s birthday was celebrated on Friday in the territory. But that day also marked another birthday that is close to their …
June 18, 2019
Commentary — VI-Cornwall links explained
A recurring theme throughout more than 100 commentaries I have contributed to the Beacon has been the Virgin Islands’ ties over time with Cornwall, a county in southwest England. Last …
June 18, 2019
Commentary — ‘Economics for a dangerous time’
Supply-side trickle-down economics — also known as neoliberalism — has failed to deliver prosperity for western workers. Instead, the western middle class is angry. Free market ideology has driven a …
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June 12, 2019
EDITORIAL: Hurricane season is here, and VI is still vulnerable
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 …
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June 11, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 6, 2019)
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 …
June 11, 2019
Commentary — UK-VI roadmap proposed
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 …
June 11, 2019
Commentary — Call made for cultural harmony
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 …
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June 11, 2019
Commentary — Ideas offered for immigration reform
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 …
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June 4, 2019
EDITORIAL: West End port should be a priority
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 …
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June 4, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (May 30, 2019)
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 …
June 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — Residency debate sparks ‘disgust’
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 …
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June 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — Call made for more cops in EE
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 …
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May 28, 2019
EDITORIAL: Speaker should swear in D-4 rep and stop wasting public money
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 …
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May 28, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (May 23, 2019)
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. …
May 28, 2019
COMMENTARY — Premier called out for revoking Climate Change Trust Fund board
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 …
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May 28, 2019
COMMENTARY — Billboards, BVI Airways among concerns
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 …
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May 21, 2019
Reporter’s Notebook (May 16, 2019)
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 …
May 21, 2019
Commentary — VI urged to have a ‘vision’
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 …
May 21, 2019
Commentary — Feasibility of independence probed
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 …
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May 21, 2019
EDITORIAL: Belongership reform welcome, but it must be consistent and fair
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, …
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May 14, 2019
EDITORIAL: ‘Policy’ of replacing boards is an unfortunate mistake
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 …
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