“This new budget process is more compressed and accelerated than in prior years. This change was imposed on May 1 when the province conferred strong mayor powers on our town without voter consent,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“Babe Ruth, among his many quoted phrases, said, ‘It ain’t over till it’s over.’
That amazing team of Blue Jays players has proven what we already knew: it’s never over, we’re just occasionally between innings,” writes Keith McNenly.
“Businesses in sectors like oil and gas (and specifically producers of liquid natural gas) are especially favoured … Sometimes the squeaky wheel attracts the grease,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“Connecting with nature and connecting in nature both have solid benefits: little hands in sand and water and soil, bring the principles of science and math and literacy alive,” write Dr. Robin Williams and Dr. Richa Agnihotri
“Under the Canada Health Act, provinces are required to maintain universal health plans offering their residents medical coverage. The provinces receive significant social transfer amounts from the feds in return,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“People are tired of broken promises and political games. They want a government that shows up and delivers real solutions,” writes Wayne Gates.
“The lord mayor and some councillors defend this padding as prudent to redress a perceived infrastructure deficit. But what will these reserves actually be spent on?” writes Steve McGuinness.
“Council has made unpopular development decisions before, but it appears to be playing this one more carefully. Let’s hope they’re listening,” writes David Israelson.
“As a local photographer who often documents the heritage and beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake, receiving this flag feels like a full-circle moment,” writes Dave van de Laar.
“It is not the overpaid CEOs in the corner office at the top of the pyramid enhancing the brand’s value,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“Bradley’s political style was as effective as his personal style was, well, dull. He was modest, polite, thoughtful and hardly ever used the teacher voice he had at his disposal. He didn’t need to,” writes David Israelson.
“Outdoor event hosting is the flashpoint in an ongoing dispute between a local winery and its farm neighbour,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“If you own any foreign property you’re considering selling, you may want to eavesdrop on my advice to Maggie,” writes Steve McGuinness, sharing some insight into the various taxes sellers of foreign property have to look forward to — namely, Canadians with a home south of the border.
“We require more applicant identity clarity to assess whether the neighbours are truly acting at arms’ length,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“I have concluded that the design principle underlying all of them is to frustrate customers so thoroughly that we hang up, abandoning all service attempts, forever and ever, amen,” writes Steve McGuiness.
“The driving presumption is that more frequent in-person interaction between team members will lead to better coordination and cohesion. But it could just as easily lead to more downtime spent socializing with distracted co-workers around the water cooler,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“Property taxes are a housing expense directly controlled by municipalities. The town portion of our residential tax bills has increased at multiples of inflation (a 24 per cent compound rate) during this council term,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“I encourage residents to remain engaged and vocal in local decision-making. That civic energy is one of the greatest strengths of our town,” writes Adriana Vizzari.
It’s the annual festival market, featuring a vast array of jams, jellies and sauces plus a bake sale, treasures sale and a silent auction. Either before or after, treat yourself to a breakfast at the food tent.
“Are flights on a major air carrier more of a vital commodity than mail delivery in 2025? When does a public service cross over the line from necessary to essential?” writes Steve McGuinness.
“By understanding how income on different investments gets taxed, you can enhance your after-tax yields by holding the more tax-advantaged investments outside of your RRSP and tax-free savings account,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“Residents living on our once quiet town streets, in homes neighbouring unhosted short-term rental sites, complain about irresponsible renting to unruly groups,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“When you contribute to an RRSP in your peak earning years and then withdraw in retirement (when your income will be lower), there will be a reduction in taxes paid, by moving into a lower tax bracket,” writes Steve McGuinness.
A selection of 12 woodcut prints from “Konjaku Monogatarishū” (“Tales of Days Gone By”), a collection of thousands of Japanese folktales, displays the artist’s conceptual skill and storytelling abilities.
“Even when we rigidly follow a retirement budget, many variables will lead to actual account values differing from plans,” writes Steve McGuinness.
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