At the final meetup of Niagara-on-the-Lake's mayoral candidates before the polls open on election day, Oct. 26, Erwin Wiens, Andrea Kaiser and Vaughn Goettler were divided on a variety of issues, including how a municipality is supposed to be run.
Early voting gave some Niagara-on-the-Lake residents peace of mind, while others saw it as an opportunity to make their voices heard ahead of election day.
The Lake Report asked more nominees for trustees what their top three priorities are, why they decided to run and what they would like to change or fix at the school board level.
The gloves came off on stage Thursday night when one Niagara-on-the-Lake council candidate accused two fellow candidates, both incumbents, of betraying residents over the Parliament Oak development.
At barely 14, NOTL's Kaige Zhu and Eli Perng already competed in tournaments far more intense and demanding than most recreational golfers will ever experience. But they're just getting started.
"The longevity of a plant is partially determined by how well a plant has been pruned over the years. Most evergreens need pruning yearly to stay within the size and scale of most landscapes," writes Joanne Young.
"Apartment units should be reserved for long-term tenants, not thrown into the online tourist pool. And no place with a pool or a hot tub should be granted a short-term rental licence, since that’s just a recipe for neighbourhood noise, disruption and mayhem," writes Garth Turner.
Since opening Treadwell, Stephen has been inducted as “Chef of the Year” and a fellow into the Ontario Hostelry Institute, as well as being named 2009 “Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
"Why did citizens have to protest outside town hall last year with signs and slurs just to be heard? And why wasn’t the mayor there the other night when the largest political mob in modern NOTL history packed the community centre, fully 500 days before a vote?" writes Garth Turner.
"Some visionaries imagine that tiny devices might be adopted for treating cancer and vascular disease," writes Dr. William Brown. "That’s forward-thinking very much in line with Feynman’s vision for what was possible in 1984."
"Whether you live in a bustling city apartment, a suburban home or out in the country, container gardening allows you to create vibrant, green spaces with minimal fuss," writes Joanne Young.
Extravagant floral arrangements were on display across Old Town from May 9 to 12, in an inaugural festival celebrating the spring season in town, hosted by Vintage Hotels.
Describing the newly introduced Bill 5, Brian Marshall writes, "Quite simply, the proposed legislation seeks to gut environmental protection, continuing Ford’s earlier assaults in 2020 and 2022."
"A decline in earthworm populations due to hammerhead worms can negatively affect agriculture, gardens and ecosystems. We need to be diligent in controlling this invasive species if we want to keep it at bay," writes Joanne Young.
"Is this a good development for NOTL, or does it polarize us? Is endorsing candidates useful, or cause conflict and strife? Does the rebel movement suggest we need improvement in the way this place is run? And will you attend the meeting?" writes Garth Turner.
"Coast to coast, somehow this organization battles the domineering and slow marching curse of demographics, providing leadership as 'We Will Remember Them,'" writes Ross Robinson, covering this year's annual general meeting at Legion Branch 124 in NOTL.
"The weather in Crete was sunny and English is widely spoken. We were greeted warmly and there was some recognition of our Canadian challenges with Trump and the 51st state rhetoric," writes Judy McLeod.
"It is a fundamental mistake for a municipality to assume that urban planners and urban designers are interchangeable. A city or town must draw upon the expertise of both professions to successfully realize urban development that serves the needs of its residents," writes Brian Marshall.
"Whether you’re creating sharp lines for a contemporary feel or soft curves for a more natural look, a well-edged garden shows attention to detail and care," writes Joanne Young.
"After the winter that we had, they have never been more beautiful than ever. There is something about seeing those fresh, green leaves start to push through the ground, only to be followed by the brilliant shades of yellows, reds, pinks and purples," writes Joanne Young.
Throughout her final shift in the paint department, where Judy Doerksen worked for the last few years, customers and NOTLers stopped by to say goodbye and wish her well.
"The loss feels like a death — not of a person, but a part of a person vested in a physical symbol of shared heritage. There's simply no excuse," writes Brian Marshall.
"The 1832 white heritage Queenston gem may be lost. Damage is extensive and the fire marshal is poking around. But the fact folks opposite took quick action when they saw the flames lick says much about the relationship that’s existed for more than a century and a half," writes Garth Turner.
"Despite so much muscle, compression of the nerve can still cause symptoms. For example, the nerve may be compressed within the sciatic notch by an enlarged piriformis muscle through which the nerve passes on its way through the notch," writes Dr. William Brown.
“The problem I see is the government is changing rules (strong mayor) and all we're getting is more housing approved, not built," says Niagara Foundation head Lyle Hall.
"Growing native groundcovers in our gardens has become more and more important. Many of the groundcovers we have been growing for years, because of their dependability and ease of maintenance, are now included on the invasive species lists," writes Joanne Young, sharing a list of her favourite native groundcovers.
“Orange hair is the most powerful man on earth,” says Murray Weaver. “The only thing more powerful is the stock market. It has endured wars, financial crises, COVID-19 and many more. Cracks are already beginning to appear in this man-made crisis ... The market will come back, I promise you."
"Evidence that the spinal cord is compressed is based on weakness in what’s often referred to as a 'long-track' distribution," writes Dr. William Brown. "Some patients report that they feel an electric shock sensation extending from their neck and often into their trunk legs when they flex their neck, cough or step down hard on something."
