Trashy bathrooms A Beaconite was appalled by the recent state of the bathrooms in the Queen Elizabeth II Park. They were littered with plastic bags, food containers, beer bottles and …
October 13, 2021
October 13, 2021
COMMENTARY — USVI’s 20-year plan seen as example to follow
There has been a “talk shop” over the last 20 years about where we want to see our territory in the future. Two decades later, we are still talking. I …
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October 13, 2021
COMMENTARY — Bad governance blamed for ‘hell on earth’
Poor governance is a road to hell on earth for a country or territory’s residents. Once upon a time, there was a land in Africa sitting on the fertile and …
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October 6, 2021
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for better gov’t
The institution of government matters, and it is legit. Nonetheless, the government is often criticised, maligned and raked mercilessly over hot coal. Some of the criticism is self-inflicted and well-deserved. …
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October 6, 2021
COMMENTARY — COI called ‘enforcer of good governance’
Without an enforcement mechanism ensuring that rules are followed by government officials, good governance is a mirage. Virgin Islands residents are today witnessing the true meaning of the rule of …
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September 29, 2021
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Sept. 30, 2021)
Money management The House of Assembly passed budget adjustments last week approving about $29 million in extra recurrent expenditure, among other changes. A Beaconite, however, continues to be perplexed …
September 29, 2021
COMMENTARY — COI called a ‘very public watchdog’
The Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry is a watchdog that acts as a guarantee of good behaviour by the powerful. VI residents today understand the true meaning of checks and …
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September 29, 2021
COMMENTARY — Call made for ‘legacy’ mindset
I have been hearing the phrase “young democracy” in conversations lately when referring to the Virgin Islands’ development. I am not sure when the “birth” of the territory is being …
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September 22, 2021
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Sept. 23, 2021)
Youth for the future On Saturday, a Beaconite joined in a territory-wide clean-up effort and was delighted to see how excited children and parents were to share in the experience. …
September 22, 2021
COMMENTARY — ‘The big fish, small fish problem’
Some years ago, then-Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur told me that unless regional leaders could agree on how to achieve economic parity between Caricom’s member states, a viable Caribbean Single …
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September 22, 2021
COMMENTARY — COI seen to reveal ‘social divisions’
The Commission of Inquiry is a shock to a number of “highly entitled” Virgin Islanders. One reason for some of the anger by a tiny number of people against the …
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September 15, 2021
COMMENTARY — COI commentary draws sharp retort
This week I read a commentary about the Commission of Inquiry in the Beacon’s Aug. 26 edition, which was captioned “COI seen to bring checks, balances.” As someone who dabbled …
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September 15, 2021
COMMENTARY — ‘Culture of fear’ seen in VI
The Commission of Inquiry is presenting a mirror for all residents to look at. What it reveals is not good. The investigation into Virgin Islands governance is showing up this …
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September 8, 2021
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (September 9, 2021)
Kudos to the premier A Beaconite is happy to see the premier hosting press conferences regularly to update the public on important topics. Dialogue between leaders and everyone else should …
September 8, 2021
LETTER — COI seen to shake up VI politics
This is the most unpredictable time in Virgin Islands politics in living memory. Anyone claiming to know the political and constitutional outcomes for the VI from the very public Commission …
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September 8, 2021
LETTER — Cyclist upset at reckless drivers
It is with great sadness and disappointment that I express my disgust with some drivers who display little or no consideration for people cycling along the roads in the Virgin …
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September 1, 2021
COMMENTARY — Mandatory vaccines expected for some
Mandatory vaccination makes a significant cross-section of the general public uncomfortable. However, for the Virgin Islands to participate in the worldwide travel and tourism economy, the territory must achieve herd …
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August 25, 2021
LETTER — Call made for more women in politics
As a woman in politics, I have been listening intently to the recent discussion about women leaders and the merits of an all-female Cabinet. I believe in life there should …
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August 25, 2021
COMMENTARY — COI seen to bring checks, balances
Make no mistake: Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. And the one language power respects and understands is greater power. It is rare indeed to discover a politician or …
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August 18, 2021
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (Aug. 19, 2021)
Near misses The Virgin Islands has been lucky in recent days as it saw near misses from two tropical storms. Nevertheless, there was some heavy rain and wind, and a …
August 18, 2021
COMMENTARY —Covid, Festival, Olympics addressed
Covid-19, the August Emancipation Festival and the Olympics are all worthy of a separate commentary. Nonetheless, there is currently a confluence of these issues, so I will take the bold …
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August 18, 2021
COMMENTARY — Inquiry seen to expose ‘culture of silence’
Make no mistake. The vast majority of Virgin Islands residents breathe easy these days because of the investigations driven by the Commission of Inquiry. There is a feeling that “This …
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August 11, 2021
COMMENTARY — Call made to return to ‘roots’
A few mornings ago, as I thought about current local affairs, a map of the Virgin Islands popped into my mind with the words “We the people” on the back. …
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August 11, 2021
POEM — Salvation
Caught in the sphere of despair, When you see trouble, run. Capture all fear! Conspiracy theory? Well, the truth has none. Coronavirus: Can it survive in the sun? Biological weapon? …
August 11, 2021
LETTER — Inquiry called a ‘blessing’ for VI
Make no mistake: The Commission of Inquiry is a good thing for the majority of residents in these majestic Virgin Islands — especially taxpayers. The only people nervous and bothered …
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