"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Various events this month have been helping to nurture and preserve Virgin Islands culture, but in-depth dialogue and sustained effort need to continue over the long term if this community …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recent events a great start, but more needed for VI culture”
The European Union-funded effort to refurbish and stock emergency shelters around the territory is music to our ears. It was also a long time in coming. When Hurricane Irma struck …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Thanks, European Union, for shelter funding”
When we heard that the new government was drafting a revised recovery plan as part of its efforts to secure the United Kingdom loan guarantee, we had high hopes. But …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The revised recovery plan is even worse than the last”
After this month’s House of Assembly meeting, it is clear that the opposition needs to do a better job of working as a team. During the session, different members asked …
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The extra congestion plaguing Road Town in the days since the traffic lights were replaced highlights the urgency of solving the capital’s traffic woes. To that end, the new government …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Traffic woes are getting worse in Road Town”
Kudos to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court for introducing its first set of sentencing guidelines. The new system should help ensure that justice is administered fairly and consistently in the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Sentencing guidelines are huge, but more reforms should follow”
The unexplained closure of the East End public library last month is yet another unfortunate example of successive governments’ longstanding neglect of the territory’s library system. The Virgin Islands now …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: EE closure is one more sign libraries are being neglected”
Turn right at the yellow house, drive up a steep hill, bear left after the cow field, and turn right immediately past the second mango tree. Most anyone who has …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: 30 years later, addressing system is a milestone”
Finally. Two years after Hurricane Irma, public high schoolers are no longer attending class on a part-time basis under a shift system. This welcome news comes with the long-delayed reopening …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: End of shift system is welcome, but work needed in schools”
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 …
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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 …
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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”