Diving, round two On Saturday, a Beaconite hopped back on a dive boat and headed to the waters off Norman Island for Round Two of her Open Water Diver certification …
May 14, 2019
May 14, 2019
COMMENTARY — Premier praised for residency move
I applaud the premier for wanting to revitalise the applications of those who have been waiting years for residency and belongership. I suppose this isn’t spurred on by the United …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Premier praised for residency move”
May 14, 2019
COMMENTARY — Decolonisation committee reconsidered
Virgin Islanders living in the United Kingdom who have registered to vote there would serve the territory’s best interests by supporting a Remain party like the Liberal Democrats or Greens …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Decolonisation committee reconsidered”
April 30, 2019
April 30, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 25, 2019)
Ban the ban? The Virgin Islands is among a dwindling number of countries and territories worldwide that continue to ban alcohol sales during Good Friday. Last year, after much …
April 30, 2019
Commentary — ESHS, other projects scrutinised
So we are to get a third reincarnation of the “litter wardens.” What happened to the previous two times they were appointed? Were they paid? Are they still being paid? …
Continue reading “Commentary — ESHS, other projects scrutinised”
April 30, 2019
Commentary — Call made for national vision
Once a government has decided upon its short-, medium- and long-term strategy, leading to realisation of a national vision, economics is the tool and vehicle to get the territory to …
Continue reading “Commentary — Call made for national vision”
April 23, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 18, 2019)
Hearing hearing A Beaconite had the privilege of attending the High Court hearing held last week to determine the legality of Mark Vanterpool’s resignation from the Fourth District. As she …
April 23, 2019
Commentary — ‘A contrarian view of independence’
The world’s first formal stock exchange was established in Amsterdam in the early 1600s. The two major companies listed on it were the Dutch East India Company (founded in 1602) …
Continue reading “Commentary — ‘A contrarian view of independence’”
April 23, 2019
Commentary — Brexit called into question
Brexit was never sustainable. Why? Because it was an act of political expediency by former United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron to appease the right wing of Britain’s Conservative Party, …
April 17, 2019
Reporter’s Notebook (April 11, 2019)
Bush whacking A Beaconite was fortunate enough to travel to Guana Island this week with scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, exploring and identifying native plant species. The …
April 17, 2019
Commentary — New gov’t praised, warned
To hear that the festival finances are already $300,000 in the red is not really a surprise. Vendors and suppliers have continually complained that they don’t get paid. Successive governments …
April 17, 2019
COMMENTARY — WE ferry dock seen as crucial
In terms of value for money, investment in the West End ferry terminal is the most critical tourism and seaport investment the Virgin Islands can make right now. Investment in …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — WE ferry dock seen as crucial”
April 17, 2019
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for new gov’t
Congratulations to our newly elected members in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly, and God’s blessings throughout your term. The campaigning was quite short. As a result, many candidates did …
April 17, 2019
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for e-gov’t, telecoms
Moves towards e-government are welcome but overdue in an economy dependent on telecommunications to make its tourist product and financial services industry more attractive and efficient. We might emulate Estonia’s …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for e-gov’t, telecoms”
April 9, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 4, 2019)
Work permits A Beaconite has experienced plenty of frustrations while sitting in the Labour and Immigration offices when she could have been at work. She is not the only one. …
April 9, 2019
COMMENTARY — Food seen as third economic pillar
We in the Virgin Islands have been talking a lot about diversifying our economy. We have spoken about diversifying our financial services pillar and enhancing and diversifying our tourism pillar. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Food seen as third economic pillar”
April 9, 2019
COMMENTARY — VIP election victory impresses
The recent victory of the Virgin Islands Party in the Feb. 25 general election could be viewed as a spectacular political achievement. Much of this success is to be attributed …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VIP election victory impresses”
April 2, 2019
COMMENTARY — Mother explains Down syndrome
Hugs, warm and tender touches, soft kisses and overwhelming cuddles are some of the tender loving care I have experienced as the mother of a child with Down syndrome. My …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Mother explains Down syndrome”
April 2, 2019
Commentary — Concerns about hackers linger
I am related to seven different kiwi (New Zealander) families, the first descended from a war bride taken in 1917 to a gold-mining town in South Island, better known for …
Continue reading “Commentary — Concerns about hackers linger”
March 25, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (March 21, 2018)
At the gas station A new Beaconite has been busy covering political parties without bias or opinion for the past two weeks. But everywhere she seemed to go throughout town, …
March 25, 2019
COMMENTARY — Voters urged to hit the polls
The table is set for the Virgin Islands’ general election. Premier Dr. Orlando Smith dissolved the House of Assembly in January and set an election date for Monday. Last Thursday …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Voters urged to hit the polls”
March 25, 2019
Commentary — Cyberattacks feared in VI
I am following up my letter of last week, “Cyberattack victim recounts his ordeal,” to alert voters to possible external interference in our election, without compromising police investigations into the …
March 25, 2019
Commentary — The VI election and Brexit
As Election Day approaches, this Virgin Islands resident pleads with the voting and nonvoting public to exercise patience, civility and cordiality throughout the whole electoral process through the voting on …
February 12, 2019
Commentary — Campaign rhetoric, promises mocked
It’s February. February. Are they here yet? Where are they? Who? Why, the 450 medical students who were to arrive this month to begin, or continue, their studies. Perhaps the …
Continue reading “Commentary — Campaign rhetoric, promises mocked”