It’s good to know that our new governor has spoken out publicly against the widespread phenomenon of acting appointments in the civil service.
November 11, 2014
October 15, 2014
EDITORIAL — Help prevent dengue and chikungunya
The Virgin Islands community should work together to fight the spread of chikungunya and dengue, mosquito-borne viruses that pose a serious threat to the territory’s health and economy. To that …
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October 15, 2014
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (OCT. 16, 2014)
Better safe… A Beaconite has to confess that she was concerned about one of the common reactions she saw on social media to the relatively uneventful passing of Hurricane Gonzalo …
October 15, 2014
DATELINE: PARADISE — Charisma to attract cruise ships
When Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool predicted last week that more than 600,000 cruise ship passengers would visit the territory in the coming tourism season, many residents were sceptical.
October 15, 2014
Mentally ill seen as neglected in VI
Last Saturday in the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park, I ran into a man I had not seen in quite a while. He was sitting on one of the …
October 15, 2014
Singapore touted as an example for VI
Along with Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan, Singapore is one of the original “Asian tigers.” It is also one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia: The 270-square-mile island …
October 15, 2014
Thoughts shared about Bush exoneration
I have written time and time again about corruption by government officials in independent states, and in so doing I have stated that there is little or no dishonesty in …
August 27, 2014
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (August 28, 2014)
Quake warning A Beaconite who has always lived in “earthquake country” — in places that are near the fault lines along which quakes typically occur — was fascinated to read …
August 27, 2014
EDITORIAL — Staying the course
The tendency of successive governments to abandon plans made by previous administrations continues to waste taxpayers’ money and to cause unnecessary delays in badly needed projects.
August 27, 2014
DATELINE: PARADISE — Wanted: Donkeys
“GIHC Leasing is looking for one female donkey.”
August 27, 2014
SCB community centre called ‘a mess’
My relatives and I reserved the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay for our family reunion. On Aug. 2, it rained most of the day. The centre …
August 27, 2014
Passenger upset by ferry service
In a recent article, I wrote about the lack of working boats, which leads to a poor ferry service that often causes passengers to miss their connecting flights out of …
August 27, 2014
Media freedom seen as ‘good politics’
A section of the Virgin Islands establishment appears weary of the media — especially the online comments. However, in this commentator’s opinion, it is good politics to allow the media …
August 27, 2014
Historian analyses WWI history
We saw in my Aug. 14 commentary that Prussia’s military leaders extended the frontiers they had had to accept in 1815, after the Napoleonic Wars. In doing so, they demonstrated …
August 27, 2014
VI warned of dangers of independence
Two months after the dissolution of the West Indies Federation on May 31, 1962, Jamaica gained independence from Britain. Three weeks later Trinidad and Tobago followed, and four years later …
August 20, 2014
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (August 21, 2014)
Out the window A Beaconite was glad to see so many taxi drivers attending the Taxi Academy Workshop this week. However, the one driver who may have needed the academy …
August 20, 2014
EDITORIAL — 60th Festival came off well; reports should come soon
With the exception of a few minor hiccups, the August Emancipation Festival’s 60th anniversary celebrations were a resounding success. We trust that everyone who participated enjoyed themselves as much as …
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August 20, 2014
DATELINE: PARADISE —HOA celebrates longest debate ever
Legislators cheered and traded high fives last week after successfully completing the longest debate in history.
August 20, 2014
Call made for ‘Memorial Days’ in VI
The idea of the territory establishing a National Heroes Day has been on the burners for some time. However, with the recent announcement of the formation of a National Heroes …
August 20, 2014
Commentator takes up for VI media
Is the local media damaging the image of the Virgin Islands abroad? The following commentary says no. In fact, media exposure of issues that need to be made public knowledge …
August 20, 2014
Gov’t urged to manage facilities properly
Are Virgin Island residents getting maximum value from public facilities? Facilities are one of the VI government’s primary physical assets: They are valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, and …
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August 20, 2014
Miss BVI’s win seen as well deserved
I have been hearing reports that some people think the new Miss BVI, Jaynene Jno-Lewis, should lose her crown because of questions about her qualifications to run in the pageant. …
August 20, 2014
New guv has ‘a lot on his plate’
All eyes will be on the new governor, John Duncan, who was sworn in on Friday. Mr. Duncan will no doubt try to be more cautious than his predecessor Boyd …
August 13, 2014
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (August 14, 2014)
All shook up Some Beaconites were working late on Tuesday night in preparation for their Wednesday deadline when they heard a rumbling in the distance. Then the office started to …
August 13, 2014
EDITORIAL — Revision eases threat posed by cybercrime law
\We’re greatly relieved that legislators have revised the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act by adding a public-interest clause that will help protect free speech in the Virgin Islands. The decision …
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