"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
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”
Once again, United Kingdom politicians have missed the mark in their handling of the overseas territories, with a parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee releasing an extremely tone-deaf report on the future …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: United Kingdom politicians missed the mark. Again.”
The people have spoken, and the message is clear. The Virgin Islands Party’s win was a ringing declaration that voters want a change. It is also clear what form they …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: VI wants change, and new government must bring it”
All eligible voters should exercise their right to cast a ballot in the General Election. But first, they should do their due diligence, putting aside any preconceived notions and learning …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Please vote on Monday, but do it wisely”
The insurance tribunal that government established after Hurricane Irma was a good idea, and its members are now making sound recommendations that we hope policymakers will take to heart. In …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Leaders should act on insurance tribunal’s good ideas”
Last week the Afrikan Studies Klub once again held a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate Africans who died in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The well-conceived event — which is held each …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Wreath-laying ceremony a step toward reclaiming history”
Given that Premier Dr. Orlando Smith spent three years promising the public a comprehensive “audit” into the cruise pier project, we are greatly disheartened that the report finally released this …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The cruise pier project audit that wasn’t”
In the Virgin Islands, 2018 was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. The hurricane recovery, of course, dominated the news, which ranged from inspiring tales of phenomenal heroism to heart-wrenching …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Looking back on an emotional and turbulent year”
In light of this month’s Culture Week celebrations, the Virgin Islands should commit to vigorously incorporating heritage preservation and cultural projects into the hurricane recovery process. After sound recommendations from …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Culture is key in hurricane recovery process”
As soon as possible, the government should keep its promise to provide a comprehensive account of how it used the donations it received after Hurricane Irma. If it doesn’t, other …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government should account for all Irma donations ASAP “