"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
More evidence has surfaced in recent weeks suggesting that government’s taxpayer-funded economic stimulus package was grossly unfair to thousands of residents who lost their jobs during the pandemic. The unemployment …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Unfair stimulus sidelined the unemployed”
Happy birthday, Beacon The BVI Beacon turned 37 on Monday. The newspaper’s first issue — a 12-page black-and-white edition — was published on June 7, 1984 after being composed on …
The challenge with inflation is that it increases the cost of living. When uncontrolled, inflation can be very damaging. And if economics is primarily about human behaviour, then uncontrolled inflation …
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Virgin Islands softball once soared and reached the pinnacle of international competition, excellence, and prominence. However, its status and standing has declined precipitously in the past decades. As such, the …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to rekindle softball’s ‘glory days’”
Redacted On Monday, the Commission of Inquiry posted a redacted transcript of its May 5 hearing with BVI Airports Authority Chairman Bevis Sylvester. However, because the unredacted transcript previously had …
Sometime in the next 12 months, when the pandemic is fully brought under control in North America and Europe, visitors will return to the Caribbean in significant numbers. Once that …
Social democracy means a bottom-up economy, with public spending directed at alleviating the burdens of the poor; public policy that drives greater social equality; and public investment in infrastructure that …
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After the Commission of Inquiry was announced in January, Premier Andrew Fahie and other leaders promised that the government would assist investigators by providing requested information as transparently as possible. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government must respond fully to COI requests”
Kudos to the House of Assembly for making steady progress in recent weeks on a raft of legislation designed to improve governance in the territory. We hope to see all …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Governance bills a test of leaders’ promises”
Museum hop On Saturday, a Beaconite climbed aboard a safari bus in Road Town that whisked him away to several Tortola museums, none of which he had seen before. The …
I didn’t realise how short of money we have become. The BVI Ports Authority puts out a tender and receives three quotes for old boats, not new ones. Where is …
I am writing to the Virgin Islands community from a small village in Cornwall in the United Kingdom about a figure we share in common: the late Reverend Ralph Perry-Gore, …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Random act of art’ in UK had VI link”
For positive change in the era of Covid-19, a Commission of Inquiry that is throwing a fog over the future, and a terrifying new culture of crime, social democracy is …
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HOA transparency A Beaconite was troubled by a quote from opposition member Julian Fraser during a House of Assembly sitting last week. When debating a bill to update supplementary …
Politicians who ignore specific sections of the population to focus on channelling public resources to a select group are usually in for a rude awakening. Politics and economics are joined …
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In the House of Assembly, members can get away with saying almost anything under privilege without fear of retribution, except perhaps for calling another member a liar. It is not …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Show host, others called out”
The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially starts on June 1, and forecasters are predicting an active year. The Virgin Islands must prepare now, especially given that storms have been coming early …
The territory’s outdated waste disposal system is nothing short of a national crisis, and it is endangering residents’ health and degrading the environment. We are therefore glad that the government …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The waste strategy is great, but it must be followed”
No good deed… Last week, a Beaconite received a text message that no one wants to read: He had recently come into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. …
I was pleased to read in a recent issue of The BVI Beacon that Cabinet has approved a new location at Major Bay for the East End/Long Look Community Library. …
Supply-side trickle-down economics has not taken the world to Eldorado. And if the Virgin Islands is to fulfil its potential as a hive of social and economic prosperity, then it …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Social democracy seen as ideal for VI”
Cool birds Over the past few days, a Beaconite has noticed some interesting birds in the territory. At the Farmers and Fishers Fair, a peacock showed off his colourful plumage. …
Mark your diaries for early August 2027. Yes, talk show host and government consultant Claude Skelton-Cline has decreed that is the date when the British flag will be lowered and …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Politics spark questions, quips”
On a Facebook thread recently, there were very interesting assertions on Virgin Islands politics. First, there was a call to move away from two-party system which has been a feature …
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The affordable housing project at Joes Hill could significantly benefit a segment of the Virgin Islands community that is often overlooked and marginalised. But to make it work, government leaders …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Affordable home project must be fair, transparent”
