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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September 16, 2020
September 16, 2020
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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September 16, 2020
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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September 9, 2020
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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September 2, 2020
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 …
September 2, 2020
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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September 2, 2020
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 …
September 2, 2020
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 …
August 26, 2020
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 …
August 26, 2020
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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August 19, 2020
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 …
August 19, 2020
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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August 19, 2020
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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August 19, 2020
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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August 19, 2020
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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August 12, 2020
COMMENTARY — Writer mulls black history, BLM
The current turmoil in the west over race is simply a continuation of a history narrative that started with the exploration of Africa by European rulers in the 1400s, leading …
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August 12, 2020
2030 VI imagined as progressive
In my previous three 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. …
July 29, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 23, 2020)
Lockdown, part two A Beaconite’s household is once again under quarantine after her roommate came in contact with someone from Jost Van Dyke, which is under 24/7 lockdown because a …
July 29, 2020
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for safe tourism
Some years ago, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation launched a marketing campaign under the tagline “life needs the Caribbean.” It positioned the region’s tourism experience of peace and relaxation as the …
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July 29, 2020
COMMENTARY — History tapped for RT traffic ideas
In the 1960s there was one street in Road Town: Main Street, which had two lanes. Eventually, traffic was diverted to Wickhams Cay and the government of the day permitted …
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July 29, 2020
COMMENTARY — VI of 2030 imagined again
In my previous two commentaries, I imagined the Virgin Islands of 2030 through the eyes of a 10-year-old Guyanese girl named Maria and her older brother Zak. This week, I’ll …
July 22, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 16, 2020)
Praise where it’s due A Beaconite’s recent writings in this space have not been particularly complimentary of government in general or its policy decisions in particular. But she must give …
July 22, 2020
COMMENTARY — ‘The road to VI independence’
The road to Virgin Islands independence is a long and winding road that starts with public discussion and debate leading to a referendum where two thirds of a territory’s citizens …
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July 22, 2020
Commentary — Questions raised about pot plan
The fact that the House of Assembly passed 15 bills in June does not necessarily mean that much is going to happen in a hurry — unless someone at Gorda …
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July 15, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 16, 2020)
The big stink Beaconites have been hearing complaints about the sewage-smelling water that has been washing over the road near Road Reef Marina in recent days. They hope government officials …