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.
"I left feeling detached, that form had superseded content, that the visceral theatricality that Shaffer so brilliantly offers by his gifts of storytelling had been denied," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"Yellow school buses? Not even a factor back then in Canadian school districts where we lived. Now, a logistical miracle that inconceivably transpires every school day morning," writes Ross Robinson.
"We have seen the lack of courage in the U.S. Congress and Senate to control the administration so many times it hurts. So, it falls to Canada to check Trump's bizarre behaviour towards what used to be their closest friend and ally," writes J. Richard Wright.
"By refusing to cave to a coercive regime, Canada provides a vital external anchor, just across the shared border, for American citizens who find themselves trapped under a dictatorial minority rule," writes Keith McNenly.
"It will take a long time for engineers to create a robot capable of playing a musical instrument ... Just don’t expect a robot to play tennis anytime soon," writes Dr. William Brown.
Niagara-on-the-Lake's council race kept growing right up to Friday's 2 p.m. nomination deadline. Eleven councillor candidates will be on the ballot this fall.
"Many Niagara-on-the-Lake residents may be unaware that this year's municipal election could fundamentally change how decisions are made in their community," writes the NOTL Residents Association.
For the first time in two decades, Gary Zalepa’s name won’t be on the ballot for this fall’s municipal election, but his career in local politics could be far from over.
The town's integrity commissioner found that the lord mayor's participation in a discussion on the Rand Estate's development was an "error in judgement made in good faith" and close the file.
"Add it up: The airport. The bridge. The bag money being thrown around. The unwarranted edifices like Parliament Oak or the Rand Ritz-Carlton ... Goettler sees a plot," writes Garth Turner.
"As a collective, we fall into the rut of repeating the past simply because it is familiar and comfortable. But, then there are those who step out and create new and wonderful alternatives," writes Brian Marshall.
A fascination that likely began when humans first created shadow images on caves in ancient times, puppets have survived millenniums as a storytelling device popular around the world, writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"The Undercovers entertained us with their rich harmonies and signature style, but the value added was the education. So many facts provided in their soulful storytelling," writes Ross Robinson.
It was an up and down year for Niagara-on-the-Lake hockey prospect Spencer Tomczuk. His diagnosis of hyperthyroidism slowed him down a bit, but didn't deter the captain of the Niagara North Stars U16 AAA team.
Guests got their hands dirty with clay under the tutelage of local potter Valérie Bélisle. They made their own miniature amphoras, in the shadow of Stratus' own wine filled vessels, while tasting select wines.
Just as winners on the professional tour are often decided "on the back nine on Sunday," so it was that the men's and women's championships were determined at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club.
"Democracy takes a hit when the one assuming that role refuses to speak on the record, be interviewed, or allow underlings to comment," writes Garth Turner.
"Without proper maintenance," writes Brian Marshall, "in a short period of time, a drain can lose its effectiveness to manage water and help to prevent flooding."
"She sought unusual locations where ordinary people built empires against the odds and where strong, smart women overcame gender, convention and adversity," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"Rejuvenating the brain might hold the line or possibly slow decline a bit, but not return our brain back to where it was when we were 20. That’s way beyond the science as it exists," writes Dr. William Brown.
Maria Mavridis, who was elected to council for the first time in 2022, is once again throwing her hat into the ring of this fall's election, hoping to serve another term.
Coun. Andrew Niven is running for Niagara-on-the-Lake council this fall, seeking voters’ support for the first time since he was appointed to the role nearly two years ago.
When Hollywood came knocking, Brodie and Maria Townley were ready for their close-up. The upcoming romantic comedy "Beach Read," which shot in Niagara-on-the-Lake in June, highlights the Townleys’ heritage home at 123 Johnson St.
