"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Hurricane Dorian’s tragic destruction in the Bahamas was yet another dire warning to the entire Caribbean. Scientists expect climate change to bring more frequent and more intense storms to the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Dorian a tragic warning as global climate warms”
In the two years since Hurricane Irma devastated the Virgin Islands, the territory has made astonishing progress that should make residents proud. Nevertheless, all is not well with the longer-term …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recovery has come far, but all is not well”
In the weeks before the February general election, the former government quickly resurfaced roads across Tortola. Already, those repairs are falling apart. This is extremely disheartening at a time when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Roads must be repaired properly”
At a time when the government’s recovery effort is severely delayed and egregiously underfunded, Premier Andrew Fahie should stop fear-mongering and work quickly with Governor Gus Jaspert to finalise a …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Absent alternatives, loan guarantee is needed”
Once again, freedom of speech is in danger in the Virgin Islands. The House of Assembly is considering amendments to the 2014 Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act that would stifle …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: New cybercrime bill poses grave threat to free speech”
For decades, we have encouraged residents during this season to remember the real reason for the August Emancipation Festival. As we do the same this year, we are pleased to …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: In Facebook age, emancipation is increasingly on VI’s radar”
We are thrilled that the new government appears to be moving ahead with a badly needed law that could go a long way toward better protecting the territory’s increasingly beleaguered …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Eco-law could be a huge step forward”
Kudos to the new government for soliciting public input before moving ahead with some of the most important initiatives on its agenda. We hope that residents will take advantage of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government is right to include the public”
It is embarrassing and disheartening that yet another proposed development at Prospect Reef has fallen through, leaving the resort to crumble further into disrepair 14 years after government purchased it …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Prospect Reef flop is a crying shame”
The new government’s bumbling on climate change is endangering the territory’s future. On April 24, the Cabinet decided to revoke the membership of the Climate Change Trust Fund board, a …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government is dropping the ball on climate change”
Congratulations to this year’s graduates, who have overcome challenges that would be unimaginable to most people their age, and to the educators who have helped them along the way during …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Kudos to another class of post-Irma graduates”
Premier Andrew Fahie should start holding regular press conferences that give journalists a chance ask about topics of their choosing. Though Mr. Fahie occasionally has met with the media about …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Premier should start holding open press conferences”
The international team that observed the February general election has provided a sound roadmap for badly needed election reforms in the Virgin Islands. If the new government is serious about …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recommended election reform is long overdue”
If a major hurricane hits tomorrow, will the Virgin Islands be ready? We’re afraid not. Another storm season started this month, and the VI is simply not as prepared as …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Hurricane season is here, and VI is still vulnerable”
It is good to hear that the new government plans to open the West End port to international ferries by August while plans proceed for a new facility. Now we …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: West End port should be a priority”
Without further delay, Speaker of the House Julian Willock should swear in Mark Vanterpool as the Fourth District representative and stop squandering taxpayer dollars on pointless legal action. If he …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Speaker should swear in D-4 rep and stop wasting public money”
Kudos to the new government for tackling the touchy issue of permanent residency and belongership. The overall plan to ease the requirements for both statuses seems reasonable and fair. However, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Belongership reform welcome, but it must be consistent and fair”
The new government has taken a step backward by implementing an explicit “policy” of revoking and replacing the boards of all statutory bodies and government committees. Though previous administrations often …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: ‘Policy’ of replacing boards is an unfortunate mistake”
Last week’s Earth Day celebrations were a heartening demonstration of community spirit, but they were also a reminder of the looming threats facing the territory’s delicate natural environment. In the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Substitute green action for green rhetoric”
We don’t understand why the government should pay Claude Skelton-Cline’s consulting firm $98,000 for six months of work that the public service should be doing. But now that leaders have …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government should avoid consultant fever”
The newly planted flowers and trees along the James Walter Francis Drive demonstrate that relatively minor improvements can go a long way toward beautifying Road Town and other population centres …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Trees, flowers go a long way in Road Town”
It is good to hear that the new government is moving ahead with longstanding plans to streamline labour and immigration processes by implementing an automated electronic system. This time around, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Labour, immigration reform should be easy win”
On March 23 Virgin Islands News Online published a bizarrely vicious attack against The BVI Beacon and our reporter Genevieve Glatsky, making outlandish false claims under the guise of an …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Bullying won’t silence the Beacon”
During its first three weeks in office, the new government has made some major changes. At times, the public has struggled to keep up. Starting immediately, the Virgin Islands Party-led …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: New government needs communication strategy”
Imagine that a foreign billionaire wants to influence a Virgin Islands election because of a lucrative investment opportunity he wishes to make in the territory. To do so, he secretly …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Campaign finance reform should come by next election”