Local News
Official Funeral for Former Legislator Vernon Malone Set for June 22
The official funeral for esteemed former legislator, Mr. Vernon Malone, QPM, LLB, CPA, will be held on Saturday, June 22, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. This event will honour Mr. Malone’s distinguished service and contributions to the community.
Mr. Malone’s body will lie in state at the House of Assembly on Thursday, June 20. The public is invited to pay their respects from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on that day.
The official funeral proceedings will begin with a procession on Saturday, June 22, starting from the House of Assembly at 8:30 a.m., leading to the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. A pre-service is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., with the funeral service commencing at 10:00 a.m. Following the service, Mr. Malone will be interred at his family’s burial site in Brewer’s Bay.
To mark the occasion, official flags will be flown at half-mast on June 22 at all Government buildings throughout the Territory.
Mr. Malone, who passed away at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital on Saturday, May 4, at the age of 76, held numerous prestigious titles and accolades throughout his lifetime. He was an attorney at law, a recipient of the Queen’s Police Medal, and served in all three branches of government. His roles included Principal Crown Counsel at the Attorney General Chambers (Judicial, 1989), the first local Commissioner of Police (Executive, 1991), and a member of the House of Assembly (Legislative, 2007).
The Government of the Virgin Islands extends its condolences to the family and friends of the late Vernon Malone, honouring his legacy and contributions as a dedicated public servant and cherished son of the soil.
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Tola Radio Battles Legal Dispute Over Shutdown, Calls for Public Support
Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM, known as “the people’s radio,” has been off the air for 14 days amidst a legal standoff with Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited (CCT). Managing Director Floyd P. Burnett, also known as “Heritage,” is urging public support as the station navigates what he describes as a targeted attack on freedom of speech and locally-owned businesses.
Mr. Burnett alleges that despite meeting all payment requirements and deadlines, CCT refused to accept Tola Radio’s payment and later disabled the station’s broadcasting equipment. “They physically touched our equipment and locked them off, despite written legal letters asking and instructing it not to be done,” he stated.
The dispute follows CCT’s October announcement terminating its service agreement with the radio station. CCT clarified that Tola Radio could retain its services if it became a paying customer, but according to Burnett, his payment was rejected without justification.
The controversy escalated when Burnett claimed an attempt was made to have him arrested and charged with attempted murder. “The public was to wake up and hear the radio off along with hearing I was arrested and charged, but God is greater than man!” he said.
Efforts to secure an extension for relocating Tola Radio’s equipment were also denied, Burnett said. Additionally, an urgent injunction filed in the High Court was postponed by a visiting judge until November 22 without hearing any arguments.
The ongoing shutdown has left eight employees without income, caused significant financial losses, and breached client agreements. Burnett criticized government officials for their lack of action, accusing them of failing to address the issue despite the government being a major client of CCT.
“Like most problems facing the BVI, they can’t [find] no way to help us! Even though the government is the tower people’s biggest client,” Burnett remarked.
Burnett is calling on the public to boycott CCT in protest. “Plug out the phone, plug out the chip, don’t pay your bill! We need to make a statement to corporate BVI today!” he urged.
He framed the situation as a broader fight for “freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of information,” asserting that the attack on Tola Radio sets a dangerous precedent for other local businesses.
Despite the challenges, Burnett assured Tola Radio’s listeners and partners that the station will resume broadcasting soon. “We will be back on air shortly, hopefully before the day is out,” he promised.
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