Axe-tivities Seemingly out of nowhere, axe throwing has become a popular bar activity in the past few years. A Beaconite remembers first seeing the phenomenon and wondering if it is …
August 22, 2024
August 20, 2024
EDITORIAL: Opposition should stop resisting COI reforms
For decades, successive Virgin Islands governments have shamelessly wasted the public’s money by awarding pork-barrel contracts to cronies and other unqualified bidders. Last month, a divided House of Assembly barely …
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August 15, 2024
COMMENTARY — Writers urges VI to guard freedom
As a post-slavery society, the Virgin Islands annually commemorates emancipation in celebration of our freedom as a people. This year was no different, and the celebrations held in recent days …
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August 15, 2024
COMMENTARY— The Wagners of Trellis Bay, part 20
As I recounted in part 19 of this series on July 25, Polish Captain Wladek Wagner and his wife Mabel wanted to hold the grand opening of their clubhouse on …
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August 15, 2024
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Aug. 15, 2024)
Bank crank Jean-Paul Sartre was wrong. The legendary French existentialist philosopher found lasting fame with his observation that “Hell is other people.” Clearly, Mr. Sartre had never experienced the horrors …
August 1, 2024
EDITORIAL: 70th Festival is a time to celebrate and reflect
During this August Emancipation Festival, there is much to celebrate. Most importantly, of course, today marks 190 years since emancipation. This year also commemorates 70 years of Festival, an annual …
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August 1, 2024
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered to tackle cost-of-living crisis
Greater productivity, increased production and good governance are the panacea needed to lower the cost of living and increase living standards. For all the efforts of governments to manage living …
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August 1, 2024
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Aug. 1, 2024)
Festival schedule Because of the August Emancipation Festival holiday, the Beacon won’t publish a print edition next Thursday. Advertising and editorial deadlines will return to normal for the Aug. 15 …
July 29, 2024
EDITORIAL: Minimum wage needs more regular review
The government’s decision to increase the minimum wage from $6 to $8.50 per hour at the end of November is an important step in the right direction. But for too …
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July 25, 2024
COMMENTARY — The Wagners of Trellis Bay, part 19
Polish Captain Wladek Wagner’s partnership with Herbert Lee in March 1956 — recounted in part 18 of this series on July 4 — “catapulted into reality” the dreams of Mr. …
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July 25, 2024
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 25, 2024)
Runaway runway Contention and lack of consultation collided this week at the heart of government. A Beaconite was intrigued by the logical gymnastics put on display by Premier Dr. Natalio …
July 22, 2024
EDITORIAL: Recent assistance reforms a good starting point
Kudos to the House of Assembly for passing legislation this month to help reform social assistance in the territory. But leaders must not stop now. The Public Assistance (Amendment) Bill, …
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July 18, 2024
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 18, 2024)
Facebook folly A Beaconite has been wondering something: When does a forensic probe into a major government announcement descend into a taxpayer-funded vanity project? And lo, the answer came: It’s …
July 18, 2024
COMMENTARY — ‘Seven pillars’ of capital explained
There are seven pillars upon which capital and growth rests and thrives. As explained in previous commentaries, the Virgin Islands’ capital includes the land, human resources, technology, learning and finance …
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July 15, 2024
EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands will feel effects of Labour landslide
The political winds in the United Kingdom have shifted dramatically in ways that will doubtlessly touch these shores. UK voters demanded change in the election on July 4, and change …
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July 11, 2024
COMMENTARY — Labour gov’t urged to mend fences with OTs
The Labour Party’s landslide victory at the polls last Thursday presents a fresh opportunity for the United Kingdom to establish a genuine modern partnership with the overseas territories. During the …
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July 11, 2024
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 11, 2024)
Redefining ‘public’ A Beaconite is somewhat confused. Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley recently made it clear that his government is all in favour of a public register of who owns …
July 10, 2024
EDITORIAL: After scathing security review, UK and VI leaders must step up
Residents may be forgiven for feeling numb on the release of yet another scathing report about governance failings in the Virgin Islands. The 2022 Commission of Inquiry, the conviction of …
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July 4, 2024
EDITORIAL: Airport survey questions raise questions
Words matter. And we fear that the verbiage chosen for a public survey circulated as part of the business case for the planned airport expansion could produce skewed and incomplete …
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July 4, 2024
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 4, 2024)
UK election Last week, the Beacon reported — incorrectly, it turns out — that Virgin Islanders living here won’t get to cast a ballot in the United Kingdom election today. …
July 4, 2024
COMMENTARY — The Wagners of Trellis Bay, part 18
This commentary continues the chronicles of Polish sailor Wladek Wagner’s family at Trellis Bay, picking up from part 17 in the June 20 edition of the Beacon. Colonel Henry Howard, …
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June 27, 2024
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 27, 2024)
Fighting transparency A Beaconite was extremely disappointed this week to hear multiple members of the House of Assembly take a stand against transparency. With straight faces, they argued that the …
June 27, 2024
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for Prospect Reef project
Prospect Reef is the perfect model for studying the subject of capital and its value in driving the Virgin Islands’ prosperity. The management of capital is the key driver of …
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June 24, 2024
EDITORIAL: Kudos to a resilient class
The Class of 2024 has much to celebrate as they receive their diplomas and welcome the future. While the road ahead will be challenging, the graduates have proven themselves more …
June 20, 2024
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 20, 2024)
Hitchhiking “Toot, toot! Yeah. Beep, beep! Hey, Mister, you wanna spend some time with me?” Although a Beaconite is slowly getting used to the fascinating etiquette of hitchhiking in the …