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 …
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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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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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. …
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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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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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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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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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 …
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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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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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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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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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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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 …
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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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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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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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? …
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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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 29, 2021)
Holiday schedule Because of the August Emancipation Festival holiday, the Beacon won’t print next week, but advertising and editorial deadlines will return to normal for the Aug. 12 edition. Beaconites …
LETTER — Plan to hire ‘political advisers’ for ministers draws scepticism
It has taken government ministers 70 years to realise they need help, and thus to decide to hire “ministerial political advisers.” This in effect will almost double the size of …
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 15, 2021)
The final frontier Beaconites were thrilled to see Virgin Islands-based billionaire Sir Richard Branson launch Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo into space on Sunday. After a mid-air launch, Sir Richard and three …
COMMENTARY — VI gentrification, part two
This commentary, continued from last week’s edition, is the second of a two-part series. The debate on the equity and inequity of gentrification is heated and controversial. The following …
COMMENTARY — Residents urged to vaccinate
The Virgin Islands — like the British overseas territory of Gibraltar — should have been approaching herd immunity and getting back to normal. Instead, conspiracy theories and anti-vaccinators have held …
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