“Personally, I would be extremely disappointed to vote for someone whose stand on over-development aligned with my own, only to have them unable to exert their power because they are in the same business as the applicant,” writes Sonja Kloss.
“This is an absolutely classic case on how to handle the insanity of the anonymous miserable people in this town; suffering fools gladly, a case study of sorts,” writes Peter Rusin.
“Mr. Turner suggested that while others run for a cause or a crusade, Andrea is running because she craves power and wants to raise her public profile. This could not be further from the truth,” writes Cindy I’Anson.
“Considering the terrible things that have been allowed to happen recently and are threatening again in the Old Town, this would be a good time to say that’s enough,” writes Wayne Murray.
“If the town continues to tear down buildings for tourism and build parking lots in place of schools, it removes the scenery and voices of school kids entirely from its streets,” writes Aspen Ziraldo.
“Many small arts spaces operate with a level of uncertainty, and finding suitable, properly equipped and affordable space is increasingly difficult,” writes Valérie Bélisle.
“The culture you are so proud of includes much less citizen participation on committees and fewer public consultation bodies with a much expanded administrative staffing cost,” writes Bob Bader.
“Too much focus is being placed on proposed infrastructure changes at the expense of the natural heritage and beauty of the treed streetscape,” write Karen Conderan and George Jager.
“It’s time for council to stop making decisions that benefit commercial developments and get back to making decisions that will make the community a better place to live,” writes Wayne Murray.
“What is the fundamental difference between the family-owned wineries and the corporate-owned wineries? Why does one group seem to get special treatment over the other?” writes Megan Wood.
“The centre of town … should be returned to the previous purpose it was originally meant to be: to be an accessible area for long-time taxpayers of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” writes Cecilia Bennett.
“We look forward to sharing more in the coming months about how the community can continue to support this important project,” writes Susan May Wery.
“Under realistic conditions, the proposed parking structure is unlikely to be financially self-sustaining, and the burden shifts to the taxpayer,” writes Colin Patey.
“The lands at and surrounding 176 Wellington St. hold deep historical significance — history that defended alliance lands and helped shape the nation we now call Canada,” writes Tim Johnson.
“Council has had ample time to consult, plan and implement a solution that balances the needs of all residents. The continued inaction reflects a troubling lack of leadership and responsiveness,” writes Vince Serratore.
“Change the surroundings, change the experience. Once these glorious shade trees are gone, the entrance to Old Town will be just like anywhere else,” writes Valmai Howe Elkins.
“Our town is foregoing a fortune in parking revenue by having so much free parking. No need to build a parking garage,” writes Ted Rumble.
“In most communities around the world, a philanthropic organization with funds to make investments, based on research, would be welcomed with open arms by the community leaders,” writes Robin Cardozo.
“Many people think of ducks in a kind of generic sense (quack) and don’t realize that there are many varieties of ducks, or that most of them are really striking when seen through decent optics,” writes Anita Barber.
“I believe Queen Street needs as prominent a place for a Shaw theater as can be found for it. It draws people to it and to the businesses and it a blessed relief from more businesses,” writes Peter Rand.
“Hopefully, more businesses will put out ramps or find other solutions to make it easier and possible for disabled people,” writes Dina Ritacca.
“If the tourism model continues to chase raw volume, buses and high-turnover day traffic, then pressure on Old Town will intensify no matter how much parking is built,” writes AnnLiz Simpson.
“This site is one of the most important publicly owned assets in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The process used to evaluate its future should clearly reflect the direction already provided by the community,” writes Kirby Davis.
“We must remain cognizant that provincial policies include increased density and height, loss of heritage structures and loss of open space and tree cover. What about the needs of local residents?” writes Luba Fraser.
“Instead of working with the foundation, we have decided to spend an additional $80,000 refining what staff or council or our lord mayor seem to think we need to identify before we can go to a request for proposal,” writes Bob Bader.
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