“Will NOTL’s council ever be ready to consider other options for this public property? Based on what we’ve seen so far, you don’t what you’ve got till it’s gone,” writes David Israelson.

“Do you think that people in Niagara should have less ability to find out what the government is doing on these files behind closed doors? I certainly don’t,” writes Wayne Gates.

“The irony is that Gale’s resignation leaves Niagara Region better off, but not for the reasons he resigned. These reasons relate to his job, not his peccadillos,” writes David Israelson.

“Our local leaders should think boldly and speak clearly. It’s time to dream — otherwise, someone else will be dreaming for us,” writes David Israelson.

“Amalgamation with local adjacent municipalities with failing infrastructure will result in higher cost of living, more taxes and less service,” writes Richard Connelly.

The representatives of small governments like NOTL “aren’t ‘politicians’ of the ilk perceived by Premier Ford, with offices in glass palaces and numerous staff,” writes Keith McNenly, “but community members representing community members.”

“We need to have the ability for local voices to make decisions that are best for the character and residents of the town,” writes Wayne Gates.

“It would be helpful for everyone on all sides of this dispute, right or wrong, to lower the temperature, in print, online and in social media,” writes David Israelson.

“Doug Ford is forcing through the amalgamation of our local conservation authority — the conservation authority that protects so much of what we hold dear in Niagara,” writes Wayne Gates.

“Wouldn’t our provincial government be wiser to support economic diversification? NOTL may aspire to be Napa North, but we lack their nearby Silicon Valley,” writes Steve McGuinness.

“Transparency, lawful decision-making and respect for the limits of municipal authority protect not only the town, but also the residents who ultimately bear the financial consequences,” writes Maria Mavridis.

“Metered parking is enforced for 3,340 hours a year, meaning the annual maximum revenue is $18,370 per space at full utilization,” writes Steve McGuinness.