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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July 22, 2020
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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November 27, 2019
COMMENTARY — Water meter contract sparks questions
I wonder what sort of advice the governor gives in Cabinet meetings? I wonder if the heads of departments know what goes on at the bottom of their hierarchy? I …
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November 20, 2019
COMMENTARY — Writer weighs in on VG bank, other issues
I am pleased for the people and businesses of Virgin Gorda that they once again have banking facilities, albeit through only one bank, and not full time. Of course, one …
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November 6, 2019
COMMENTARY — NHI interview sparks more questions
Following my comments on National Health Insurance last week, Roy Barry — the deputy director of the Social Security Board with responsibility for NHI — gave a radio interview on …
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October 23, 2019
Commentary — VG clinic, other issues spark concerns
If the new Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre is to open soon on Virgin Gorda, with vastly improved facilities, hopefully (that word again — more later), why is the BVI …
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June 11, 2019
Commentary — Ideas offered for immigration reform
A week is a long time in politics. Two weeks is an aeon, especially when public meetings are held after the event. Over the weekend, the premier seems to have …
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June 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — Residency debate sparks ‘disgust’
Our newly appointed “King” Fahie (see government press release) may have called a National Day of Prayer for today but I am afraid he and God have an uphill task …
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May 28, 2019
COMMENTARY — Billboards, BVI Airways among concerns
Apologies to those who bought the Beacon last week expecting to see a contribution from me. It’s the curse of the weekly newspaper: Publish Thursday, but deadline Tuesday, and a …
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May 14, 2019
COMMENTARY — Premier praised for residency move
I applaud the premier for wanting to revitalise the applications of those who have been waiting years for residency and belongership. I suppose this isn’t spurred on by the United …
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May 7, 2019
COMMENTARY — Crypto deal draws distrust
Somebody please tell me this is a joke? Over the years we have seen sensible investors such as the Rockefellers, Dr. Henry Jarecki and Sir Richard Branson. But many carpetbaggers …
April 30, 2019
Commentary — ESHS, other projects scrutinised
So we are to get a third reincarnation of the “litter wardens.” What happened to the previous two times they were appointed? Were they paid? Are they still being paid? …
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April 17, 2019
Commentary — New gov’t praised, warned
To hear that the festival finances are already $300,000 in the red is not really a surprise. Vendors and suppliers have continually complained that they don’t get paid. Successive governments …
April 9, 2019
COMMENTARY — Talk show host called out
Talk show host Claude Skelton-Cline knows perfectly well why the British government imposed the Recovery and Development Agency on us. Just one reason. Successive governments here have shown themselves to …
March 25, 2019
COMMENTARY — Quips target recent politics
First, members of the Virgin Islands’ ruling party resigned because they did not like their newly elected leader. Now, in the United Kingdom seven members of the opposition Labour Party …
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February 12, 2019
Commentary — Campaign rhetoric, promises mocked
It’s February. February. Are they here yet? Where are they? Who? Why, the 450 medical students who were to arrive this month to begin, or continue, their studies. Perhaps the …
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January 1, 2019
LETTER: ‘Gobsmacked’ over Elmore Stoutt High School wall
In all the recent turmoil concerning the Elmore Stoutt High School wall, I can’t help thinking that most readers and listeners will have been gobsmacked, as I was, at the …
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