Diving, round two On Saturday, a Beaconite hopped back on a dive boat and headed to the waters off Norman Island for Round Two of her Open Water Diver certification …
COMMENTARY — Premier praised for residency move
I applaud the premier for wanting to revitalise the applications of those who have been waiting years for residency and belongership. I suppose this isn’t spurred on by the United …
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COMMENTARY — Decolonisation committee reconsidered
Virgin Islanders living in the United Kingdom who have registered to vote there would serve the territory’s best interests by supporting a Remain party like the Liberal Democrats or Greens …
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EDITORIAL: Substitute green action for green rhetoric
Last week’s Earth Day celebrations were a heartening demonstration of community spirit, but they were also a reminder of the looming threats facing the territory’s delicate natural environment. In the …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (May 2, 2019)
Sustainability A Beaconite has been heartened to see some of the valuable efforts to contribute to sustainability in the Virgin Islands over the past week. She was so heartened …
COMMENTARY — Crypto deal draws distrust
Somebody please tell me this is a joke? Over the years we have seen sensible investors such as the Rockefellers, Dr. Henry Jarecki and Sir Richard Branson. But many carpetbaggers …
COMMENTARY — Call made for national library to house salvaged books
I am still rescuing books after Hurricane Irma. Incredible! At last I’m getting around to my store of books at the Old Family House, which had been unoccupied for more …
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COMMENTARY — Gov’t warned of early grumbling
Smart politicians pay heed to early disenchantment from voters. Why? Because to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Voter grumbling and voter discontentment at specific matters usually mark the beginning …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 25, 2019)
Ban the ban? The Virgin Islands is among a dwindling number of countries and territories worldwide that continue to ban alcohol sales during Good Friday. Last year, after much …
Commentary — ESHS, other projects scrutinised
So we are to get a third reincarnation of the “litter wardens.” What happened to the previous two times they were appointed? Were they paid? Are they still being paid? …
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Commentary — Call made for national vision
Once a government has decided upon its short-, medium- and long-term strategy, leading to realisation of a national vision, economics is the tool and vehicle to get the territory to …
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EDITORIAL: Government should avoid consultant fever
We don’t understand why the government should pay Claude Skelton-Cline’s consulting firm $98,000 for six months of work that the public service should be doing. But now that leaders have …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 18, 2019)
Hearing hearing A Beaconite had the privilege of attending the High Court hearing held last week to determine the legality of Mark Vanterpool’s resignation from the Fourth District. As she …
Commentary — ‘A contrarian view of independence’
The world’s first formal stock exchange was established in Amsterdam in the early 1600s. The two major companies listed on it were the Dutch East India Company (founded in 1602) …
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Commentary — Brexit called into question
Brexit was never sustainable. Why? Because it was an act of political expediency by former United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron to appease the right wing of Britain’s Conservative Party, …
Commentary — Incinerator, other issues spark concern
It is nice to know that the Water and Sewerage Department building will soon be restored. I wonder if the WSD director and the new minister of transportation, works and …
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EDITORIAL: Trees, flowers go a long way in Road Town
The newly planted flowers and trees along the James Walter Francis Drive demonstrate that relatively minor improvements can go a long way toward beautifying Road Town and other population centres …
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Reporter’s Notebook (April 11, 2019)
Bush whacking A Beaconite was fortunate enough to travel to Guana Island this week with scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, exploring and identifying native plant species. The …
Commentary — New gov’t praised, warned
To hear that the festival finances are already $300,000 in the red is not really a surprise. Vendors and suppliers have continually complained that they don’t get paid. Successive governments …
COMMENTARY — WE ferry dock seen as crucial
In terms of value for money, investment in the West End ferry terminal is the most critical tourism and seaport investment the Virgin Islands can make right now. Investment in …
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COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for new gov’t
Congratulations to our newly elected members in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly, and God’s blessings throughout your term. The campaigning was quite short. As a result, many candidates did …
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for e-gov’t, telecoms
Moves towards e-government are welcome but overdue in an economy dependent on telecommunications to make its tourist product and financial services industry more attractive and efficient. We might emulate Estonia’s …
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EDITORIAL: Labour, immigration reform should be easy win
It is good to hear that the new government is moving ahead with longstanding plans to streamline labour and immigration processes by implementing an automated electronic system. This time around, …
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EDITORIAL: Where’s the loan guarantee?
More than a year and a half after Hurricane Irma, it was extremely disheartening to learn recently that the previous government had not sent the United Kingdom the information necessary …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 4, 2019)
Work permits A Beaconite has experienced plenty of frustrations while sitting in the Labour and Immigration offices when she could have been at work. She is not the only one. …