“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.
“For whatever reasons, Niagara-on-the-Lake has a history of delaying important decisions; here’s a chance for council to break that pattern and make Canada’s most beautiful town even better,” writes David Israelson.
“The government has plenty of time for photo ops and fundraising tours, but not enough time in the House to seriously address the issues families are worried about every day,” writes Wayne Gates.
“While Ontario municipalities struggle to balance the property rights of landowners with broader community interests, Doug Ford continues to exert his full weight on one side of the property development scales,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“The only thing certain about this ongoing great town patio debacle is that it is not over,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“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.
“Multi-millionaires received a 20 per cent off early Black Friday discount on the $5 million total development charge,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“The world has become a darker place, and it’s going to be a tough Christmas for you, just like everyone else,” writes Keith McNenly.
“It’s shocking how many Canadians have not prepared a will or completed any basic end-of-life planning. No matter your age or wealth level, this is imprudent and irresponsible,” writes Steve McGuinness.
“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.
© All Rights Reserved, Niagara Now.
