My two children were born outside of the British Virgin Islands in places where their complexions stood out. One day while my daughter was just a few days old in the nursery, as I was making my way to visit her, someone said ‘there’s a pretty baby there and she must be yours’. The comment was not made because the person thought I was beautiful – it was because my daughter was more caramel than the other light-skinned babies. Her little curly locks were dark and shiny compared to her bald-headed neighbors. It never ran through my mind that the commenter may have been racist.

The Ladies of S.A.S.S., a group of young ladies on the move, are hosting an etiquette training workshop for high school girls in conjunction with Related by Humanity, an organization committed to youth development and Human Rights awareness.

The economic crisis of Greece has raised much concern within Europe and has mounted fears over Greece's ability to pay off its debts. In fact, it was reported on 29 January, 2010 that the euro dropped to a six-month low against the dollar and that Greek government debt has been considered to be the riskiest since the euro was formed in 1999.

There is not much action when it comes to debating the public school education system. But some retired educators are of the opinion that the curriculum needs to be upgraded. Even some parents who are conscious of the deficiencies agree.

Mr. Douglas Wheatley's talk show "Speak Out BVI" on 16th February 2010 was very informative and interesting as usual. As a Businessman for over twenty-five (25) years, I can sympathize with the Taxi Drivers of the BVI who call in to the talk show describing their emotional pains of feeling as if the people in power create policies without input or looking at the big picture.

In the light of this, I will take it upon myself to speak on behalf of most if not all business owners who has been expressing our emotional pain for approximately seven and a half years (7 ½). For Example, when the National Democratic Party was in power for the period 2003-2007, they seemed to have spent their term trying to fix the country by creating new policies. However, we, the local Business men/women were forced to run the country with our business dollars. Now that the Virgin Islands Party is in Power, they are still working on policies.

As I was confronted by a Senior Politician last week, his first question to me was, "Why we business people don't speak up on the New Labour Code?" I replied, "Speak up to say what? We don't get a say in this country. The Politicians that we elect are in charge and I believe they took that word in charge for granted." They abuse their power every four years, and at the end of those years they come back to us crying like babies who want a candy. We, the people forget the pain and suffering they caused during their term in Office soften our hearts and say "yes, I will vote for you."

I sat on Committees, where I thought I could make a difference; unfortunately my knowledge fell on deaf ears.    In fact, I was a member of a Cost of Living committee when I recommended to Mr. Wade Smith, Comptroller of Customs and a few other Government Officials to help the Businesses by having water imported duty free. This in turn would have helped the people of the BVI; but years later there has been no change and the Business Owners continue to pay 20% duty on water. That is very disappointing since water is a basic commodity and people travel to St. Thomas to buy cases and cases of water that is cheaper even with duty added.

I think that the Politicians need to help the people of the BVI get what they need and not what they want. I remember vividly when the Premier said to the general public on the "Public Eye" show, "I have put a Committee in place to look at prices and policies to help the people of the BVI." He named two businesses and persons on the Committee, which included Road Town Wholesale (Delma Maduro) and One Mart (Dion Vanterpool). A few days after that show, I received a phone call from Mr. Dion Vanterpool inviting me to sit on that Committee. I told him that I think he was wasting his time as well as mine. To date, approximately two and a half years later, I have not heard of the Committee or read any report coming out of the Committee's findings.

Growing up in the BVI was difficult for many BVIslanders including myself. I am happy to report that I am grown and until the people of the BVI grow up and speak out, there will be no change in the way elected officials conduct business. Let us look at the New Labour Code, although there are many businesses in the BVI we are never a part of the drafting process or ask to sit on meetings. We are only asked to review when the policy makers put things in place for approval. We submit our concerns; they fall on deaf ears. In quoting a few elected officials, there is nothing much in the New Labour Code for Businesses. I agree, from my experience, employees can give me one day notice when resigning, but if I give an employee one day notice of termination, I am faced with strict penalties. Policy makers are not concerned with looking at the big picture. They seem to put policies and procedures in place to benefit some and hurt others.

A note to the people of the BVI – the only quick fix I know is one that was made for a car tire when you get a puncture. Getting this country in line with International Standards is not about a quick fix. To the old Politicians, the New Politicians and the group of would be Politicians who say they can make a difference, don't take people for granted and do not take being in charge as a right. Look at it as a privilege and try very hard to do things differently. In my opinion, the Virgin Islands Party continues to do what they want because they have numbers.