"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
As the Commission of Inquiry resumes hearings on Monday, the government should turn over a new leaf by quickly and completely producing all requested information so that the probe can …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: As inquiry resumes, government must provide info”
I recently shared this with some friends during a conversation about the ongoing Commission of Inquiry. I view the COI through a historical context, where our foreparents built this territory …
Mandatory vaccination makes a significant cross-section of the general public uncomfortable. However, for the Virgin Islands to participate in the worldwide travel and tourism economy, the territory must achieve herd …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Mandatory vaccines expected for some”
As a woman in politics, I have been listening intently to the recent discussion about women leaders and the merits of an all-female Cabinet. I believe in life there should …
Continue reading “LETTER — Call made for more women in politics”
Make no mistake: Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. And the one language power respects and understands is greater power. It is rare indeed to discover a politician or …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — COI seen to bring checks, balances”
We are greatly relieved that the number of active Covid-19 cases has fallen rapidly in recent weeks. But this good news has also brought a shadow of concern: Following a …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Incentives a good bet to boost vaccine pace”
This month, Virgin Islands Olympians brought a ray of sunshine to the territory during a dark time. For the first time in VI history, athletes from here qualified for the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Kudos to Virgin Islands Olympians”
Near misses The Virgin Islands has been lucky in recent days as it saw near misses from two tropical storms. Nevertheless, there was some heavy rain and wind, and a …
My husband, Jim Troup, suddenly lost his sight in the midst of the recent Covid-19 outbreak. Our lives, we feared, were about to change forever. However, we now know that …
Continue reading “LETTER — Hospital praised for handling crisis”
Covid-19, the August Emancipation Festival and the Olympics are all worthy of a separate commentary. Nonetheless, there is currently a confluence of these issues, so I will take the bold …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY —Covid, Festival, Olympics addressed”
Make no mistake. The vast majority of Virgin Islands residents breathe easy these days because of the investigations driven by the Commission of Inquiry. There is a feeling that “This …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Inquiry seen to expose ‘culture of silence’”
Celebrate good times The Virgin Islands has had no shortage of things to celebrate the past few weeks: all three Olympians in the 2020 Tokyo games performed incredibly, setting national …
A few mornings ago, as I thought about current local affairs, a map of the Virgin Islands popped into my mind with the words “We the people” on the back. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to return to ‘roots’”
Caught in the sphere of despair, When you see trouble, run. Capture all fear! Conspiracy theory? Well, the truth has none. Coronavirus: Can it survive in the sun? Biological weapon? …
Make no mistake: The Commission of Inquiry is a good thing for the majority of residents in these majestic Virgin Islands — especially taxpayers. The only people nervous and bothered …
Continue reading “LETTER — Inquiry called a ‘blessing’ for VI”
Holiday schedule Because of the August Emancipation Festival holiday, the Beacon won’t print next week, but advertising and editorial deadlines will return to normal for the Aug. 12 edition. Beaconites …
It has taken government ministers 70 years to realise they need help, and thus to decide to hire “ministerial political advisers.” This in effect will almost double the size of …
Continue reading “LETTER — Plan to hire ‘political advisers’ for ministers draws scepticism”
A few months ago, I wrote a commentary in which I suggested that three generations of Virgin Islanders would have seen our relationship with the United Kingdom from different perspectives. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Writer reflects on VI-UK ties”
The evidence is clear. Covid-19 vaccinations save lives, and they probably could have prevented most, if not all, of the tragic deaths from the disease the territory has seen so …
Ray of hope Reporting on the Covid-19 outbreak currently gripping the territory has been quite depressing for a Beaconite, so he was delighted to see a ray of hope this …
I have been pondering the tone of the current public dialogue, and it hurts my heart to see how we have come to a place where 1) People’s identities are …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made for love, kindness”
Earlier this year, the British overseas territory of Gibraltar experienced the horrors the Virgin Islands is presently experiencing with the pandemic. Gibraltar — whose population of about 34,000 is similar …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Gibraltar vaccine rate seen as example for VI”
Kudos to the government for finally launching an online work permit system, which has been urgently needed for many years. Now leaders must stick to the plan, ensuring that the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Online work permits a long time coming”
The final frontier Beaconites were thrilled to see Virgin Islands-based billionaire Sir Richard Branson launch Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo into space on Sunday. After a mid-air launch, Sir Richard and three …
This commentary, continued from last week’s edition, is the second of a two-part series. The debate on the equity and inequity of gentrification is heated and controversial. The following …
