Lots of Chirping — Get in the
On the December 9, 2025 episode of ZBVI 780 AM's Talking Points, co-hosts urged Virgin Islands residents to move beyond sidelines commentary and take collective responsibility for community issues. The hosts argued authorities cannot fix everything alone and encouraged small, practical actions that contribute to broader positive change.
Hosts of the radio programme Talking Points used their December 9, 2025 broadcast on ZBVI 780 AM to call on residents of the Virgin Islands to shift from passive criticism to active participation in solving local problems. Grange said, "I think we have gotten to a place where we have surrendered our collective responsibility, and I think if we are going to see a better world, we cannot depend solely on the authorities." He acknowledged that while authorities are present, they may lack local information needed to address specific concerns: "The authorities are there, but they don’t have information that we are probably aware of, then they wouldn’t be able to address some of the issues that we have." Grange warned against complacency and urged residents to do their part.
Grant and Violet Thomas-Gaul echoed those sentiments. Grant said there is "a lot of chirping on the sidelines, but we’ve got to get in the game," noting that it is better to help build solutions than to remain a bystander. He recalled how Thomas-Gaul’s decision to conceptualise Talking Points could have been stifled by fear of criticism, but chose engagement instead: "But then I would be part of the problem.
So I much prefer to be part of the solution, and some are going to hate on the programme, some are going to love it." All three hosts reiterated the programme’s stated objective: to address topical issues with objectivity. They encouraged listeners to "look within themselves and figure out what they can do to bring about some positive change," emphasizing that small actions add up: "every mickle makes a muckle." For BVI residents, that message translates into practical steps such as sharing reliable information with authorities, participating in community clean-ups, supporting neighbourhood watch initiatives, attending public consultations, and volunteering with local organisations.
The hosts stressed that individual contributions — reporting concerns, helping vulnerable neighbours, and engaging civically — complement government efforts and can speed up responses to local problems. Talking Points’ appeal for greater civic involvement reflects ongoing conversations across the Territory about community resilience and collective responsibility.
As the hosts argued, moving off the sidelines can help the Virgin Islands address issues more effectively and foster greater goodwill across communities.
Primary source: VINO