Submitted Column, Author at Niagara Now

Opinion: A shared opportunity for 176 Wellington St.

“There are important moments when a community must decide not only what to build, but how — and with whom. Niagara-on-the-Lake is in one of those moments,” writes Susan St Amand.

Opinion: Humans vs. canines: Who domesticated whom?

“The most dangerous species on Earth was not conquered. It was befriended, one household at a time, by a creature sometimes small enough to fit in your arms and wise enough to require your best self,” writes Keith McNenly.

Fort Mississauga to open for tours in May, June

“Fort Mississauga stands as a tower of strength on Lake Ontario. Built just after the War of 1812, this unique site reflects 150 years of British and Canadian military activity,” writes Tony Chisholm.

Opinion: Democracy in NOTL will suffer from Ford’s government overhaul

“It all really boils down to one thing: if you’re a voter in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the province wants to hear less than ever from you about decisions that affect your town,” writes David Israelson.

Opinion: Centralized power threatens local democracy

“Democracy can be messy. It can take time. But that process is exactly what ensures decisions reflect the people they impact,” writes Wayne Gates.

Opinion: Trump and Putin: Same agenda, different hemospheres

“Taken together, Putin and Trump can be seen as pursuing compatible projects in different hemispheres,” writes Keith McNenly, citing the consolidation of influence through coercion, leverage and military aggression; treating sovereignty as negotiable and more.

Opinion: Let’s focus on seniors living, not just seniors housing

“Not all can, or even wish to, pursue the gold standard of assisted living. Care should be taken to remain sensitive to the needs of the less affluent and to avoid a tendency for “high-end,” high-profile housing proposals,” writes Michael Ennamorato.

Opinion: We need a home for young voices at 176 Wellington St.

“As decisions are made about the future of 176 Wellington, I hope there is room to consider what it could mean for young people in this community to have a place that reflects their potential,” writes Andorlie Hillstrom.

Opinion: NOTL needs wide range of seniors housing options

“Among areas of consensus, there are some important ‘universals’ shared by virtually all NOTL seniors. It is clear, for instance, that the large majority share a desire to age in their current community and, ideally, within their current neighbourhood,” writes Michael Ennamorato.

Opinion: Don’t it always seem to go? NOTL’s parking lot push

“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.

Opinion: Changes to freedom of information laws threat to democracy

“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.

Opinion: Bob Gale’s record, not his books, are why it’s good he’s gone

“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.

Opinion: If NOTL doesn’t want amalgamation, what do we want?

“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.

Opinion: The realities of amalgamation

“Amalgamation was intended to deliver ‘better, more efficient government at less cost to the taxpayer.’ But, 25 years later, Hamilton residents are still waiting,” writes Ken Bosveld.

Opinion: Want to see the future of amalgamation? Look at Ottawa

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

Opinion: A tale of two towns: what local government means to democracy

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.”

Opinion: Let’s end amalgamation contemplation and look at facts

“If you sometimes buy milk from the supermarket and sometimes from the convenience store, it does not mean that one or the other should be shut down,” writes David Israelson.

Opinion: Amalgamation threatens NOTL’s unique identity and decision-making power

“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.

Opinion: NOTL’s info gag order should go, but public should behave respectfully, too

“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.

Opinion: Closing of Welland’s long-term care home trouble for Niagara’s seniors

“We’ve made progress here by working together as a community to open Niagara Long Term Care Residence. But let’s be clear: we shouldn’t accept any cuts to beds in long-term care in Niagara,” writes Wayne Gates.

Opinion: Joining Niagara’s conservation authority with Toronto’s would be a big mistake

“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.

The Forum: Future councils will inherit a colossal financial mess

“This fiscal irresponsibility this term kneecaps our future councils, leaving them little manoeuvring room going forward,” writes Steve McGuinness.

The Forum: Santa Ford’s lump of coal: return to sender

“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.

Opinion: Council’s million-dollar mistake

“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.

Opinion: Best time for the town to act on future of old hospital site is now

“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.

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