It’s her story, our story, Of a history we hadn’t planned on, A tale we thought we’d never tell. In the face of choice We are confronted with the …
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for voting wisely
Post the 2023 elections, intelligent voters understand that the next Virgin Islands government must completely adopt the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations for governance reform. That will mean working in partnership …
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EDITORIAL: A long cheer for short campaigns
With a general election due in less than three months, the Virgin Islands is heading into an unusually short campaign season. That’s a good thing. Prior to past elections, campaigning …
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LETTER — Voters urged to use ‘honesty test’
As the Virgin Islands enters the season of talk and promises, in another land far away and across the vast Atlantic, elections will take place this month. In that other …
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COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for new Constitution
I am glad to be alive for such a time as this. When I read about our national heroes like Hope Stevens and Howard R. Penn and how they wrote …
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EDITORIAL: Press conferences a big step toward transparency
Kudos to Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley for hosting regular press conferences ever since he was appointed premier last May. At sessions held every few weeks — often flanked by …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Feb. 2, 2022)
Saying good-bye As Zarrin Ahmed winds down her time here in the Virgin Islands as a Beacon reporter, she has been making the most of her days and catching up …
COMMENTARY — Voters urged to choose wisely in coming election
The choices voters make at elections in any free democracy mothball into the social and economic outcomes of a country or territory, all things being equal. The choices made by …
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EDITORIAL: We hate to say it, but the HOA may need to slow down
For decades, successive governments dragged their feet in the House of Assembly, moving at a snail’s pace and getting bogged down in politicking and petty squabbles instead of efficiently passing …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Jan. 26, 2023)
Floored? During a Monday press conference, the premier denied a report that he had slept on the floor of an airport in Antigua recently while in transit to the United …
COMMENTARY — VI urged to swallow COI ‘medicine’
A country or territory without an appropriate set of guiding values and principles — invisible rules of conscience and morality that sit in the hearts and souls of its residents …
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COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for next Constitution
Ironically, a review of the Virgin Islands Constitution initially was to be considered in 2017 as it is customarily up for review every 10 years. But in August and September …
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EDITORIAL: New ESHS buildings light the way for Irma recovery
It’s about time. Kudos to the Recovery and Development Agency, the government, contractors and everyone else who worked together to finally complete the new Elmore Stoutt High School buildings. As …
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EDITORIAL: An appalling arrival
At a time when the territory urgently needs its tourism industry to recover quickly from the pandemic, we have been distressed to hear repeated horror stories about travellers’ arrival experience …
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Jan. 19, 2023)
Slow down, drivers A Beaconite is enjoying the hustle and bustle of Road Town as tourists return in much greater numbers now that the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted. But …
COMMENTARY — Party system called into question
The 2007 Constitution Order, in its excellent and well-articulated preamble on page five, states, “The people of the territory of the Virgin Islands have over centuries evolved with a distinct …
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COMMENTARY — At 20, London Office praised
When then-Chief Minister Ralph O’Neal and his administration successfully acquired BVI House in July 2002 to set up the BVI London Office, it was with a clear understanding that the …
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COMMENTARY — Gov’t thanked for avoiding direct rule
“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.” In an ironic sort of way, this line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar …
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COMMENTARY — Call made for change in New Year
Culture change and changes in social behaviour are the prerequisites for a safer and more wholesome society. A society is simply the sum total of individuals, families and communities that …
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EDITORIAL: The highs, lows and lessons of 2022
An optimistic look back on 2022 might conjure a year-end image of the Virgin Islands as a phoenix preparing to rise from the ashes of its former self. And after …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Dec. 22, 2022)
Holiday schedule Because of the coming holiday, the Beacon won’t print on Dec. 29 or Jan. 5, but advertising and editorial deadlines will return to normal for the Jan. 12 …
COMMENTARY — Honest governance linked to success
The road to a safe, secure and prosperous Virgin Islands is honest and accountable governance. Recently, there has been a lot of talk by the media and others on the …
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EDITORIAL: Tourism is recovering quickly. Now what’s the plan?
Virgin Islands tourism is recovering quickly as the Covid-19 pandemic eases. This is great news. But it is also a reminder that the territory urgently needs the comprehensive tourism plan …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (December 15, 2022)
A Christmas miracle A Beaconite would like to report a Christmas miracle. On Tuesday, he had an 11:10 a.m. appointment to renew his immigration time at the Immigration Department. As …
COMMENTARY — VI advised to update Westminster system
The United Kingdom is the mother of parliament and operates on the Westminster style of government, which it strongly embraces and cherishes. The term Westminster comes from the Palace of …
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