Going green A Beaconite is really hoping to see the Virgin Islands go green sooner rather than later and hopes to see one other thing that will — in her …
March 19, 2019
March 19, 2019
COMMENTARY — Biologist describes aquaculture as ‘billion-dollar industry’ for VI
A billion-dollar industry. Yep, that’s right! Now that I have your attention, let me go into detail and describe the idea and how to develop an industry in the Virgin …
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March 19, 2019
COMMENTARY — Brexit seen as a danger to OTs
In the long run, Brexit is unsustainable, and it will impact British overseas territories in the Caribbean. A preamble is appropriate: The new Virgin Islands government has stated that maritime …
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March 19, 2019
COMMENTARY — ‘A territory in denial’
Ongoing research has uncovered that the benefits of the enormous profits made from the trans-Atlantic slave trade permeated British society. In the Virgin Islands, the International Business Companies Act 1984 …
March 19, 2019
COMMENTARY — Tourism head speaks up for women
The following is a condensed version of the speech Ms. Flax-Brutus delivered at the International Women’s Day information fair on Friday at Peebles Hospital. If anyone here knows me …
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March 18, 2019
EDITORIAL: Campaign finance reform should come by next election
Imagine that a foreign billionaire wants to influence a Virgin Islands election because of a lucrative investment opportunity he wishes to make in the territory. To do so, he secretly …
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March 8, 2019
EDITORIAL: United Kingdom politicians missed the mark. Again.
Once again, United Kingdom politicians have missed the mark in their handling of the overseas territories, with a parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee releasing an extremely tone-deaf report on the future …
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March 8, 2019
Commentary — Party system seen to prevail
Despite predictions that independent candidates and new parties would drive a new political culture in the Virgin Islands, the two main political parties remain dominant. In politics, a strong brand …
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March 5, 2019
EDITORIAL: VI wants change, and new government must bring it
The people have spoken, and the message is clear. The Virgin Islands Party’s win was a ringing declaration that voters want a change. It is also clear what form they …
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March 4, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Feb. 28, 2019)
Dry day While a Beaconite was between polling stations on Monday, she stopped in a bar to grab a drink. “No alcohol served during elections until 6 p.m.,” a …
March 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — African ‘ancestors’ explained
The Afrikan Studies Klub would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their participation in our annual wreath-laying ceremony at the start of this month. We would …
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March 4, 2019
LETTER — VI praised for smooth election
Well done, Virgin Islands! We ran a successful election with only a little noise, and no serious incidents. The electorate has spoken — whether wisely or not, we shall see …
March 4, 2019
Commentary — UK report sparks indignation
One matter the new government will have to keep front and centre is the fact that elements in the United Kingdom establishment are calling for major changes in the overseas …
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February 22, 2019
EDITORIAL: Please vote on Monday, but do it wisely
All eligible voters should exercise their right to cast a ballot in the General Election. But first, they should do their due diligence, putting aside any preconceived notions and learning …
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February 22, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Feb. 21, 2019)
At the gas station A new Beaconite has been busy covering political parties without bias or opinion for the past two weeks. But everywhere she seemed to go throughout …
February 22, 2019
Commentary — Quips target recent politics
Where the Virgin Islands leads, the United Kingdom will follow. First, members of the VI’s ruling party resigned because they did not like their newly elected leader. Now, in the …
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February 22, 2019
Commentary — Cyberattacks feared in VI
I am following up my letter of last week, “Cyberattack victim recounts his ordeal,” to alert voters to possible external interference in our election, without compromising police investigations into the …
February 22, 2019
Commentary — Voters urged to hit the polls
The table is set for the Virgin Islands’ general election. Premier Dr. Orlando Smith dissolved the House of Assembly in January and set an election date for Monday. Last Thursday …
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February 22, 2019
Commentary — The VI election and Brexit
As Election Day approaches, this Virgin Islands resident pleads with the voting and nonvoting public to exercise patience, civility and cordiality throughout the whole electoral process through the voting on …
February 22, 2019
Commentarty — African history seen as neglected here
I cannot deny that there’s room for improvement in the teaching of world history in our schools, including African history (or “black history,” as it is commonly called in this …
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February 20, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Feb. 14, 2019)
New face The newest Beaconite is Zarrin Tasnim Ahmed, a Bangladeshi American coming from Connecticut. She grew up in the state and earned a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism …
February 20, 2019
Commentary — Parties’ recent history analysed
I would just like to point out to the Afrikan Studies Klub, and indeed the Beacon editorial writer, that the club cannot possible pay tribute to ancestors who lost their …
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February 20, 2019
LETTER — Visitors pleased with warm welcome
What a wonderful welcome! Two years ago, we commented on our misgivings about immigration procedures in the Virgin Islands. Whilst alighting from the Cape Air plane out of San Juan …
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February 20, 2019
Commentary — Cyber-attack victim recounts ordeal
Out of curiosity, I unwisely opened an email apparently from myself in my spam folder. Google translated a message in Italian, claiming that its writer had watched me for months …
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February 20, 2019
Commentary — Writer fears expat ‘takeover’
For years here in the Virgin Islands, there has been a conversation by so many people in regards to children being born in this territory to expatriate parents and about …
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