March 11 marked the first anniversary of the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought a year of extraordinary challenges for this territory and the rest of …
EDITORIAL: Why hire communications consultants from abroad?
Shortly after the 2019 election, the government gave two communications consultants from abroad one-year contracts worth a total of $176,000, according to a document provided to the opposition in the …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (March 11, 2021)
Online and onward A Beaconite was glad to see a series of digital-focused bills make their way through the House of Assembly over the past week. One of her friends …
COMMENTARY — Racial shifts examined
The ability to change in a changing world is a great human asset — and a mark of resilience and intelligence. However, change gets harder as we grow older. Assumptions …
COMMENTARY — Inquiry further analysed
So, the commission of inquiry is searching for information to verify, or not, the claim that there is corruption in the Virgin Islands. Who would be interested in providing this …
POEM — Seed of the Vision — A Tribute to Hamilton Lavity Stoutt
Planted in the soil of this nation, on land declared unfit, a seed of hope lay buried, sustained only by God’s remit. This seed had a vision, embedded in its …
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COMMENTARY — Land dispute history recounted
Following Black History Month, I would like to share a piece of my maternal family’s history with you. I’ll start where my journey began. My maternal family has been in …
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COMMENTARY — Pandemic lessons explored
What was the common denominator for countries and territories that kept the pandemic to a minimum? Unlike in the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom, draconian action and effective …
EDITORIAL: Now, governance reform is more urgent than ever
We were encouraged to hear Premier Andrew Fahie say last month that his government plans to turn its attention to governance reforms starting at this week’s House of Assembly meeting. …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Feb. 25, 2021)
Props A Beaconite, like many residents, has been critical of several aspects of the government’s Covid-19 response. Some missteps were clear: failing to thoroughly explain the disbursement of the $62.9 …
COMMENTARY — Call made to honour VI heroes
I applaud the theme of the BVI National Commission for UNESCO World Poetry Competition 2021: “Perspectives of Our Past: Unsung Heroes.” So often our lips declare that “we stand on …
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COMMENTARY — VI’s ties with UK examined
Some individuals may not want to acknowledge that there are ties which bind the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands, and I think I can understand why that would be …
COMMENTARY — Residents urged to get vaccine
The decision to take the Covid-19 vaccine or not is primarily a personal one. However, the effect and outcomes of not doing it may not exactly be so personal after …
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EDITORIAL: New NEOC has been needed for more than 10 years
We are delighted that ground finally has been broken for a new National Emergency Operations Centre. The project has been needed for more than a decade. In fact, by the …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Feb. 18, 2021)
Impeachment A Beaconite watching the Senate impeachment trial of former United States President Donald Trump last week was captivated by the important role played by Stacey Plaskett, the delegate to …
COMMENTARY — Governance questions posed in light of ongoing inquiry
In August 2020, I wrote a commentary discussing the Constitution being a tool for good governance, and it turned out to be a prelude to current affairs. The launch of …
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COMMENTARY — Vaccine passports expected soon
A second critical travel document — a vaccine passport — is looking inevitable. But issues are mounting on the why, what, where, how and when of such a passport. Will …
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EDITORIAL: Vaccines are the way out of Covid
Vaccination is a very personal choice, but it has ramifications for all of society. We therefore urge all residents who feel comfortable taking the Covid-19 vaccine to get the shot …
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EDITORIAL: A memo for Governor John Rankin
We welcome Governor John Rankin, who takes office at a time when the territory’s relationship with the United Kingdom is as strained as it has been in recent memory. He …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Feb. 11, 2021)
‘Exclusion zone’ Some charter companies and other marine businesses are becoming exasperated with the ongoing existence of the so-called “exclusion zone,” which bars most boats from the area between Jost …
COMMENTARY — Troubled projects listed as inquiry gets under way
Next week marks the beginning of my 50th year in the Virgin Islands. In the early days, I was busy working to provide you with modern communications, and I did …
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COMMENTARY — Gov’t defended as COI starts
I couldn’t believe it when I turned on the radio to listen to the BBC News last week and heard that there was to be a commission of inquiry in …
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COMMENTARY — Inquiry described as a step toward self-determination
The apparently unprecedented events taking place in the world during our lifetime actually are not unprecedented in life, for there is nothing new under the sun. What has been will …
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COMMENTARY — Probe called ‘a very good thing’
An entitled minority must never again be allowed to control Virgin Islands governance, politics and society without full citizen and resident participation. Had full citizen participation been the governing culture …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Feb. 4, 2021)
Podcast On Friday, the Beacon launched a podcast, “The Wave.” The first episode, which was posted on the Beacon’s Facebook page, featured a recap of 2020’s biggest articles from each …