"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Efforts to tackle climate change in the territory may soon be eligible for long-delayed funding from a pot that has grown to almost $6 million. After sitting empty for a …
Continue reading “After a decade of delays, climate fund could soon get millions”
We are disappointed that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has decided to sidestep the advice of his own Minimum Wage Advisory Committee and increase the baseline hourly wage only to $7.25 …
In the Caribbean, calls have grown louder for United States President Donald Trump to rethink his tariff trade war due to price hikes expected across the region. Democrat Stacey Plaskett, …
The recently completed law-enforcement review offers an extensive 10-year plan to solve appalling security failures caused by decades of underfunding and other neglect by the United Kingdom and Virgin Islands …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Security recs mostly sound, but UK power grab not okay”
A proposal to give the governor sweeping new powers over areas including customs, immigration and financial investigations has been roundly condemned by both sides of the House of Assembly. HOA …
Continue reading “HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped”
Following an explosive public row between Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley and his counterpart in the United States Virgin Islands over planned fee hikes for charter boats, both leaders announced this …
Continue reading “Charter dispute ‘95%’ sorted, premier says”
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley appears to be getting ahead of himself in his haste to lure opposition members to the government bench. He should slow down. When announcing recently that …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: ‘Minister of state’ plan is half-baked”
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s bid to create a new “minister of state” role in his government could be an attempt to expand the Cabinet “through the back door,” according to …
Beneath a bright moon, an ocean of cell phone cameras pointed upwards as Jamaican dancehall artist Vybez Kartel took the stage just minutes after midnight. The crowd erupted, and photographers …
Continue reading “Despite criticism, Kartel show draws a crowd”
After less than five months on the opposition, At-Large Representative Lorna Smith has once again crossed the floor in a surprise move that strengthens Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s government by …
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley is absolutely right in seeking to raise yachting fees and otherwise reform the 33-year-old rules governing the territory’s marine industry. But stakeholder protests here and abroad …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Yachting reforms need more work”
We have often used this space to praise the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency for consistently getting projects done on time and on budget. Last month, however, we were …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: WE ferry terminal bid flop raises troubling questions”
Long-delayed plans to build a new sewage system in Cane Garden Bay are back on track after Connect Enterprises Limited signed a $3,785,274.55 contract to carry out “Phase Two” of …
After more than 15 years of broken promises and false starts, the future of the long-delayed West End ferry terminal has been thrown into serious doubt once again after private-sector …
The House of Assembly and Governor Daniel Pruce should be ashamed of themselves for leaving in place absurd rules limiting the public’s access to HOA members’ Register of Interests. In …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Register of Interests a shameful COI fail”
We were pleased to hear Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley renew his commitment to passing long-promised freedom-of-information legislation. Now, he and other legislators must rise above lip service, passing the law …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Info-freedom talk must be followed by action”
Britain’s newly appointed anti-corruption czar is “biased” against the Virgin Islands, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said last week when asked to respond to her recent criticisms of the territory. In …
Continue reading “Premier brands UK anti-corruption czar ‘biased’”
We are cautiously optimistic about the sensible plans included in the legislative agenda unveiled in the recent Speech from the Throne even though the to-do list appears overly ambitious for …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Aligning HOA agenda with national plan is wise”
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has acknowledged that low-paid workers were let down by the government’s sudden decision to delay a minimum-wage increase just before Christmas, but he said the planned …
Continue reading “Premier blames wage-boost delay on cost-of-living concerns”
The reopening of Peter Island Resort shows that the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands is returning to its “former glory,” according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The resort, which …
Continue reading “Peter Island rebirth hailed as big tourism boost”
Government’s recent decision to suddenly postpone the long-planned minimum-wage increase was not acceptable. The $2.50-per-hour increase to $8.50 per hour, approved by the House of Assembly earlier this year, was …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Raise the minimum wage already”
A long-time critic of the Virgin Islands’ financial services sector has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s new “Anti-Corruption Champion.” Baroness Margaret Hodge has pledged to end “dither and delay” …
Continue reading “Virgin Islands critic is new UK anti-corruption czar”
A review of duties on essential items imported into the territory is likely to come soon, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. Responding recently to concerns about the high cost …
Britain is seeking a “reset” of relations with the Virgin Islands and other overseas territories, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said following discussions in London between United Kingdom ministers and OT …
The government still hasn’t released the completed part of an ongoing review of the proposed airport expansion, but residents will get a chance to weigh in on the long-delayed project …
Continue reading “Public airport meetings to start Tuesday in Road Town”
