“It is past time that we come together as one voice to save the cultural heritage landscapes of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” writes Brian Marshall.

It has been reliably reported that Coun. Erwin Wiens has been heard suggesting he believes the council’s decision to rezone the Parliament Oak property from institutional to commercial is consistent with the provisions

“The citizens of NOTL are uniformly educated, intelligent, informed and realistic,” writes columnist Brian Marshall, commenting on letters to the editor sent to The Lake Report this year about contentious development plans in story for Niagara-on-the-Lake.

To anyone who reads this publication, it isn’t news that the majority of our council — in approving the rezoning of the Parliament Oak property to allow for the construction of a contextually inappropriate hotel — continued its practice of wielding a machete on the fabric, character and cultural heritage landscapes of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

I’d like to start off this week by saying how much I appreciate that each of you take the time to read my scribblings in this opinion column each week. Next month, I

Well, since being elected in November 2022 — 19 short months ago — our current council and lord mayor have managed to create more angst across the resident population of Niagara-on-the-Lake than any

Community resistance to ill-considered government land-use dictates are mounting across Ontario. On May 6, Oakville’s town council voted 14-to-1 against accepting the federal government’s densification deal. To provide a little background, last summer

A few days ago, I was privileged to chat with a number of Queenston residents about the history, heritage and unique character of their village. It was completely apropos that this discussion took

Every morning it is my wife’s habit to walk her dog along the streets of Old Town. Recently, she found herself walking down Prideaux Street and, as she neared Gate Street, a couple

You are sitting in an architect’s office explaining your vision for an addition on the historic building you own. As you explain your concept for an addition that is sympathetic and stylistically in

Driving into the outskirts of Old Town, it is impossible to miss the steel and concrete edifice rising on Niagara Stone Road.  Now, this is not a commentary on the design – the

This week I’d like start off by borrowing a page from my colleague, Ross Robinson’s playbook, and do a little “rambling” about things which arguably challenge folks who own their own home and

On March 18, I attended the virtual open house regarding Konik Estates’ phase two application for development of lands by Grey Forest Homes Ltd. During this meeting, a question was raised with the

On March 8, Premier Doug Ford held a press conference in Milton. During his remarks, he ruled out allowing fourplexes “as of right” across Ontario, saying it would be a “massive mistake.” Back

The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has been described as having the greatest concentration of surviving British Colonial architecture built between 1813 and 1860 of any municipality west of Quebec. It would be nice to

At the corner of King and Mary streets stands a large white building that recalls the early days of the Town of Niagara. In 1800, the renowned Mohawk leader Joseph Brant purchased the

So, you’ve decided it is time to paint the exterior of your house and are feeling a little trepidatious.  That’s OK – since everyone knows of at least one home painted in colours

Looking at the letters to the editor published in the Lake Report during the last couple of months, it seems there is a rising tide of acrimony being voiced by Niagara-on-the-Lake’s citizens and