"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
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 …
Continue reading “LETTER — Plan to hire ‘political advisers’ for ministers draws scepticism”
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. …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Show host, others called out”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Politics spark questions, quips”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Drag racing, cruise bill spark questions”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Premier’s ‘rant’ draws scepticism”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Vaccines, ferries, speeches draw scrutiny”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Troubled projects listed as inquiry gets under way”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Questions raised about exotic-dancer warning”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — A tale of Foxy’s ‘first real phone’”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Pot law delay seen as a money-saver”
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, …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Premier called out over border opening”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI seen as unready for independence”
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 …
Continue reading “Commentary — Questions raised about pot plan”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for ‘failing’ NHI”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Long-time letter writer returns”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Problem noted, questions asked”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Writer sceptical of gov’t claims”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — RDA CEO’s resignation imagined”
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. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Bikes, bodyguards and pot draw fire”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Inkberry,’ cryptocurrency draw questions”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Throne speech draws scepticism”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Water meter contract sparks questions”