Commentary

On Oct. 1, 1878, agricultural laborers on St. Croix protested the fixed wages and harsh living conditions they were forced into on plantation villages in an event that came to be known as the Fireburn.

Commissioner of Education Racquel Berry-Benjamin thanks all of those whose prayers, words of encouragement and well-wishes lifted her up while she was recovering from COVID-19.

“This will certainly prove beneficial as the territory poised itself to be favorably looked at in the investor market. The elimination of this debt places the territory to potentially see lower interest rates, which provides for greater opportunity for increased refunding bond capacity.”

I was informed that there are discussions among some legislators who are thinking about exchanging prime government agricultural farmlands with other lands to allow a development to move forward. Act 6836 forbids the use of prime government agricultural lands for non-agricultural uses.

Gwen-Marie Moolenaar of the League of Women Voters VI argues that voting is necessary if you truly want change.

Chairman Cecil R. Benjamin, speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands, condemns the recent actions of Senate Majority Leader Marvin Blyden.

Sen. Samuel Carrion of St. Croix writes about Hispanic Heritage and the contributions of the Hispanic people who live in the Virgin Islands.

Bob White remembers his longtime friend and radio partner Holland Redfield.

We should and must honor the wishes of Rockefeller, who wanted Caneel Bay properties to come under the control of the Secretary of the Interior and managed by the National Park Service, “for the use and enjoyment by visitors to the park of the outstanding scenic and other features of national significance located both within the premises and in other areas of the park."

Compassion is deep empathy for another who is suffering or living with misfortune. It is understanding and caring, and strong desire to ease their distress. Compassion flows freely from our hearts when we let go of judgements and seek to understand.

Dr. Sonia Taylor Griffith DDS informs the public about the importance of and the ramifications of good oral health.

Sandra Bradley compares the youth of the Virgin Islands to those young people in the world who compete at the Olympics. She asks the adults to set goals for the young to get behind and to lead them away from crime towards worthy purposes.

Joseph’s office budget funded the placement of young people to work at a government agency or non-profit organizations.

Sen. Kenneth Gittens, chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture, advises the public it will be discussing issues, concerns and initiatives related to local agriculture and fishing, emphasizing matters that impact small business people working in these industries.

Jelani L. Ritter says that people should have the right to refuse COVID vaccinations.

Lloyd Gardner says the main challenge in the development of the energy sector in the USVI is how to deal with the absence of comprehensive public policy and a sector development strategy.

Carlos Escobar, head of the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, addresses veterans, their families and caregivers on the Afghan crisis and how it affects them emotionally.

Government Retirees United for Fairness Inc. (GRUFF) presents a position paper on the Virgin Islands Government’s handling of the possiblity that problems with GERS solvency will effect the government retirees pension funds.

The following is an informational piece on dealing with natural disasters that was produced by the University of the Virgin Islands Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan team.

Well we now have a "Building for Nothing" in Coral Bay, St John. Shortly after Hurricane Irma devastated Coral Bay with almost total destruction of the historic Guy Benjamin School, construction began on a modular "Sprung Structure" on the grounds of the Coral Bay school.