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Roger Harris

February 9, 2022

COMMENTARY — WE terminal plan draws questions

Who to blame? Several verses can be added to this Caribbean calypso to highlight the way our poor territory is being dragged over a cliff into the abyss. The latest …

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by Roger Harris
July 29, 2021

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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by Roger Harris
June 23, 2021

COMMENTARY — ‘My time in the HOA’

The below is my paraphrase of the combined submissions House of Assembly members gave to the Commission of Inquiry in recent days, with the exception of Deputy Speaker Neville Smith. …

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by Roger Harris
May 26, 2021

COMMENTARY — Gov’t spending questioned

I didn’t realise how short of money we have become. The BVI Ports Authority puts out a tender and receives three quotes for old boats, not new ones. Where is …

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by Roger Harris
May 19, 2021

COMMENTARY — Show host, others called out

In the House of Assembly, members can get away with saying almost anything under privilege without fear of retribution, except perhaps for calling another member a liar. It is not …

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by Roger Harris
May 5, 2021

COMMENTARY — Politics spark questions, quips

Mark your diaries for early August 2027. Yes, talk show host and government consultant Claude Skelton-Cline has decreed that is the date when the British flag will be lowered and …

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by Roger Harris
April 28, 2021

COMMENTARY — Drag racing, cruise bill spark questions

My goodness, the House of Assembly was busy last week. It passed lots of new bills and quite a few amendments to finance bills, most of which I feel sure …

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by Roger Harris
April 21, 2021

COMMENTARY — Premier’s ‘rant’ draws scepticism

I wonder who writes the premier’s speeches? And who are they aimed at? International audiences, businesses, voters, taxi drivers, or just regular folks? He has surpassed himself with his latest …

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by Roger Harris
April 14, 2021

COMMENTARY — Vaccines, ferries, speeches draw scrutiny

It’s very commendable that many people, from the premier down, are encouraging reluctant folks to take the vaccine. However, it is not helpful to “threaten” that unused doses approaching their …

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by Roger Harris
March 24, 2021

LETTER — Few cruise ships expected

It’s good news that Royal Caribbean is restarting Celebrity cruises based on St. Marten. But before we get too excited, please note it is for a limited season from June …

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by Roger Harris
February 10, 2021

COMMENTARY — Troubled projects listed as inquiry gets under way

Next week marks the beginning of my 50th year in the Virgin Islands. In the early days, I was busy working to provide you with modern communications, and I did …

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by Roger Harris
January 20, 2021

COMMENTARY — Questions raised about exotic-dancer warning

We are continuously being told by our leaders that qualified Virgin Islanders and belongers must come first in any employment stakes. Last week, the premier rants on for three hours …

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by Roger Harris
January 13, 2021

COMMENTARY — A tale of Foxy’s ‘first real phone’

Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke was in the news because his famous Old Year’s Night party was cancelled. They just had dinner and dancing for a few. That …

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by Roger Harris
November 18, 2020

COMMENTARY — Pot law delay seen as a money-saver

The premier says that the governor has cost us millions in income by not signing the Cannabis Licensing Act. On the contrary, I think he has saved us millions in …

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by Roger Harris
August 19, 2020

COMMENTARY — Premier called out over border opening

We waited a week for that Sunday speech from the premier, and we are underwhelmed! Do we, or government, know how many work-permit holders are stuck outside? Is it five, …

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by Roger Harris
August 12, 2020

COMMENTARY — VI seen as unready for independence

This small territory of about 30,000 people, less than half of whom are Virgin Islanders (some would say “indigenous”), is rife with nepotism, favouritism, tribalism and victimisation, not to mention …

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by Roger Harris
July 22, 2020

Commentary — Questions raised about pot plan

The fact that the House of Assembly passed 15 bills in June does not necessarily mean that much is going to happen in a hurry — unless someone at Gorda …

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by Roger Harris
July 15, 2020

COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for ‘failing’ NHI

What is wrong with our legislators? We all know why the National Health Insurance system is failing. It’s because the private medical facilities increased their fees by around 300 percent …

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by Roger Harris
June 24, 2020

COMMENTARY — Long-time letter writer returns

Hi there. Are you wondering where I have been? Right here with you, under lockdown. When the flights stopped and the Beacon could not distribute its print edition for a …

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by Roger Harris
February 26, 2020

COMMENTARY — Problem noted, questions asked

I have often commented on the appalling performance of our postal service, both long before and after the hurricanes. The service does not appear to have made any repairs or …

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by Roger Harris
February 19, 2020

COMMENTARY — Writer sceptical of gov’t claims

I am all for reducing food prices, but I don’t see how the United States Virgin Islands can help us achieve this. Surely most of our imported food comes from …

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by Roger Harris
February 5, 2020

COMMENTARY — RDA CEO’s resignation imagined

I’ll start this week’s commentary by imagining the resignation letter that could have been penned by Recovery and Development Agency CEO Paul Bayly.   Dear Sirs:   Due to the …

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by Roger Harris
January 9, 2020

COMMENTARY — Bikes, bodyguards and pot draw fire

I guess the police commissioner can’t say no to the premier’s decision to allow larger motorbikes into the territory. So he suggests some conditions for importation and regulations for use. …

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by Roger Harris
December 18, 2019

COMMENTARY — ‘Inkberry,’ cryptocurrency draw questions

I note Verna Penn Moll’s description of the local old-fashioned Christmas tree in last week’s opinion page. She says it was the “inkberry” or “fishing rod” tree, which is also …

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by Roger Harris
December 4, 2019

COMMENTARY — Throne speech draws scepticism

In the United Kingdom, shortly before the election was announced, the queen read “The Queen’s Speech” outlining the government’s proposed legislation for the next session of Parliament. This has since …

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by Roger Harris

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