Burgled After a trip abroad last week, a Beaconite returned to find an unexpected surprise: her car had been burgled. The vehicle had been parked for about a week in …
LETTER — Another vote for cannabis
Cigarettes have never touched my lips. I lived through the rock’n’roll years of the 1960s and never participated in a pot party. I believed it was as evil and addictive …
LETTER — Writer wants female road names in VI
Pursuant to the Beacon’s editorial of last week — which gave a few suggestions for new street names — is no woman to have a street or road named after …
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COMMENTARY — ‘Reluctant payers’ seen in territory
Over 46 years in the Virgin Islands, I have come to realise that we don’t like paying our bills, whether as individuals, corporations or government. I know people are hurting …
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COMMENTARY — HLSCC graduation speech praised
In my time I have had the opportunity to attend a number of graduation ceremonies and listen to some interesting commencement addresses. Only two of those addresses had the kind …
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COMMENTARY — Call made to honour ‘gov’t agents’
I agree in principle with your editorial of last week arguing that Virgin Islands roads should have names of local significance. There are several categories of VI heroes and heroines …
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EDITORIAL: It’s time for answers in BVI Airways deal
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith should stop pointing fingers and explain exactly what happened to the $7 million of taxpayers’ money paid to BVI Airways, which to date has failed to …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 5, 2018)
Legalise it? As preparations continue for Foxy’s Hemp Fest on Saturday, a Beaconite would like to compliment the remarkably sane, reasonable attitudes she has encountered from nearly everyone concerning Foxy’s …
COMMENTARY — Rules proposed for legal pot
As the debate about decriminalisation of cannabis moves forward, attention needs to be given to what happens next. It is important that cannabis be regulated, and that the laws surrounding …
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COMMENTARY — Consumer protection law ideas offered
A few weeks ago, the Beacon published a long list of bills that the government plans to pass in the coming legislative session. The list, which was announced during the …
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COMMENTARY — Territory seen to be ‘in a mess’
Well, sir! Whoever said that the more things change the more they remain the same was right on the money. But that doesn’t mean I can’t hope. For a brief …
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COMMENTARY — Passport Office staff draws praise
I am writing in response to Donald de Castro’s letter of last week, “Passport statement draws questions.” In June/July 2017, I needed to renew both my United Kingdom passport and …
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COMMENTARY — Next election described as critical
The territory’s next general election is to take place before the end of next summer. It will be an epic affair. The election will be a hard fought battle. In …
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EDITORIAL: What’s in a name? Plenty.
It is good news that legislators finally appear to be moving forward with the urgently needed national addressing system, which has been promised for more than 30 years. As early …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 28, 2018)
Spelling matters A Beaconite noticed Premier Dr. Orlando Smith is scheduled to move a motion in the House of Assembly today establishing the long-awaited National Addressing System. The Beaconite thinks …
COMMENTARY — Asia House head touts China links
When the Virgin Islands government decided in 2013 to open its office in Asia, it estimated that somewhere in the range of 40 to 60 percent of the territory’s financial …
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COMMENTARY — Kudos offered for premier
I have never admired or respected Premier Dr. Orlando Smith more than I do as I write this letter on June 19. Of all the options he could have chosen …
LETTER — Passport statement draws questions
I feel it very important that I address information about passports that was reported on the radio on June 19 pursuant to a joint release issued by Government Information Services …
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COMMENTARY — ‘Where is our money?’ writer wants to know
Where is our money? You know, the stuff we pay our taxes with, for the government to spend on our behalf? Did it all get blown out of the banks …
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EDITORIAL: Keep the campaigns clean, please
Though the general election likely won’t be held until next summer, campaign season is already in the air, with politics increasingly driving public dialogue on the airwaves, social media and …
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LETTER — Economist thanked for registers piece
I wanted to commend Peter Wickham on his article of last week explaining the negative effects that the recent United Kingdom decision will have on the fiscal stability of the …
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COMMENTARY — Nutritionist debunks diabetes myths
Look! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. Nope. It’s just another diabetes myth. There are many myths about diabetes out there. We’ve all heard them and they sometimes sound so …
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COMMENTARY — Trouble seen in NHI’s future
It was interesting to note that in the Standing Finance Committee it is being suggested that people who do not have to contribute to the National Health Insurance fund, but …
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COMMENTARY — Walker recounts travels of his youth
I remember the anxiety I caused my parents when I demonstrated my budding interests in walking, personal finance and travel at the age of 6. My sister Joyce celebrated her …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (June 21, 2018)
Healthy dialogue online A Beaconite has noticed a positive uptick in political dialogue on social media recently in the Virgin Islands. While he has traditionally had a lot of disdain …