Open doors Sometimes, the work of a journalist involves making oneself uncomfortable, which is how a Beaconite felt when he set off to knock on the doors of strangers in …
COMMENTARY — Call made for re-opening plan
At the outset, let me say that I would not want to be in the shoes of our leaders having to wrestle with the impossibly difficult question of the best …
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COMMENTARY — VI urged not to ‘waste’ Covid crisis
The pandemic brought on by Covid-19 is the worst global crisis in the lifetime of most of us. It is probably the worst regional calamity we’ve seen, and I have …
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COMMENTARY — Banking, policing seen through 2030 lens
In my recent commentaries, I have been imagining the Virgin Islands of 2030 through the eyes of a 10-year-old Guyanese girl named Maria, her older brother Zak, and their father …
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EDITORIAL: Covid is highlighting Irma recovery failures
Three years after Hurricane Irma, successive governments’ failure to secure the needed level of recovery funding — which now could be doing much more to help the stalled economy through …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Sept. 3, 2020)
Taking the Covid test Conducting widespread testing is essential to getting a handle on Covid-19 in the territory, and a Beaconite is extremely grateful for the health care workers …
COMMENTARY — 2030 view considers land, corruption
In my recent commentaries, I have been imagining the Virgin Islands of 2030 through the eyes of a 10-year-old Guyanese girl named Maria, her older brother Zak, and their father …
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COMMENTARY — Supply chains in the Covid age
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the international business environment permanently. The pandemic means that organisations around the globe must be able to react, adapt and set up crisis management mechanisms …
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EDITORIAL: Last month’s press conference should be repeated weekly
Kudos to government for hosting a comprehensive press conference last month in a format that we hope will become the new normal going forward. The session was ideal for several …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Aug. 27, 2020)
Bikes and dogs With the use of motorbikes remaining a hot topic in the community, a Beaconite would like to add her two cents as a new dog owner. Most …
COMMENTARY — Constitution seen as a means to an end
We find ourselves in thought-provoking times and not just because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This December will mark 70 years since the local legislature was reconstituted and local elected representation …
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COMMENTARY — View of 2030 VI continues
In my recent commentaries, I have been imagining the Virgin Islands of 2030 through the eyes of a 10-year-old Guyanese girl named Maria, her older brother Zak, and their father …
COMMENTARY — Call made for trade school
The training of Virgin Islands youth for the critical hands-on and vocational skills required by the economy is a necessity. There has been a lot in the news recently on …
EDITORIAL: Even the Covid-19 pandemic has silver linings
The territory now faces one of the darkest times yet in its fight against Covid-19, but the crisis will not last forever. Eventually, a vaccine or other solution will be …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (August 20, 2020)
If it ain’t broke… A Beaconite used to be profoundly impressed with the government’s switchboard operators. Most any time he called 494-3701, they would answer after a ring or two …
Commentary — Call made for new library, archives
I was pleased with the cultural emphasis during the August Emancipation Festival events this year. It is getting closer to what I have been advocating for many years: prayerful thanksgiving, …
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Commentary — ‘MAGA’ policies seen as misguided
Prospects for international cooperation have dwindled dramatically since 2016 thanks in large part to United States President Donald Trump’s animosity towards multilateralism. US shirking of international responsibilities has been enacted …
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EDITORIAL: Plan for tourism opening needed now
Following the government’s recent announcement that expatriates will be allowed to enter the territory starting in September, one big question remains about plans for the border reopening: When will tourists …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (August 20, 2020)
Intern honoured Beaconites would like to congratulate the newspaper’s Virgin Gorda-based intern, Nicklous Kanhai, for his accomplishments his senior year of high school. Mr. Kanhai was not only the valedictorian …
COMMENTARY — Plan proposed for restarting tourism
Someday, we will open the borders. People will come to the Virgin Islands from places near and far. And when they do, we need to be sure we are ready …
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COMMENTARY — US issues seen as threat to Caribbean
Throughout the second half of the year, the United States economy is expected to operate alongside a number of stress factors: the surging pandemic, racial tensions, and political factionalism. The …
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COMMENTARY — Premier called out over border opening
We waited a week for that Sunday speech from the premier, and we are underwhelmed! Do we, or government, know how many work-permit holders are stuck outside? Is it five, …
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COMMENTARY — Dispatches from 2030 continue
In my previous four commentaries, I imagined the Virgin Islands of 2030 through the eyes of a 10-year-old Guyanese girl named Maria, her older brother Zak, and their father Troy. …
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EDITORIAL: Government right to reopen borders to expats
The government is right to use caution when reopening the borders during the pandemic, but we are glad that leaders have finally announced a plan to allow the return of …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 30, 2020)
Airport or not? A poll posted last week on the Beacon website asked readers whether or not the Beef Island runway should be expanded — a long-time government plan …