Ahead of this fall's municipal election, Coun. Gary Burroughs says Niagara-on-the-Lake’s next council needs to start by asking why some residents no longer trust town hall.
"Canadians have the right to access diverse ideas, literature and viewpoints without censorship, allowing libraries, schools, bookstores and readers to explore both popular and controversial works," write Susan Elliott and Dr. Robin Williams Foster.
"There are suddenly more reasons to talk about Mr. Hummel as he uses social media this week to eviscerate your reporter. Ad hominem arguments are always exciting. He does it well," writes Garth Turner.
"Transmissible prion is extremely stable and very hard to destroy with chemical disinfectants or heat — far more so than for the case of viruses and bacteria," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Life was tough and a never-ending challenge. Travelling on foot or on horseback or in wagons. Am I the only one who never thinks about this stuff? It was a long way to the West Coast, wasn’t it?" writes Ross Robinson.
"The evidence that neanderthals created art has important implications and suggests that symbolic thinking antedates the emergence of modern humans by several hundred thousand years," writes Dr. William Brown.
"The problem with Ruller's actions is they are baseless, misleading and reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of a free press," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.
"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.
"It is fundamental to the job that the interests of the public are paramount and should be continually demonstrable in day-to-day performance," writes Brian Marshall.
"It turns out 'heritage' is, in fact, a hated word in the insurance biz, and that only a tiny sliver of companies (called "markets" by brokers) will even consider extending coverage," writes Garth Turner.
"This winter, like almost every other winter since we have been keeping accurate and useful meteorological records, has been cold. And this year, really cold," writes Ross Robinson.
"There are limits to what we can know, given that estimates suggest that 95 per cent of the universe is beyond what we can see," writes Dr. William Brown.
"The election’s this autumn. Betting is among senior members of the rebel NOTL residents rabble that the current monarch, Gary Zalepa, will be buried if he choses to run again," writes Garth Turner.
"The old hospital could become an adaptive reuse example to the world — provided the political will is brave enough to move forward," writes Brian Marshall.
"Prolonged really freezing temperatures, ice and persistent accumulations of snow had basically shut our town down. But our Fish Fry crew had thawed the haddock, and it just isn’t right to thaw it again," writes Ross Robinson.
"It’s common enough when we’re worried or upset for our feelings to be accompanied by an increase in heart rate, perhaps even a skipped or extra beat ... But what if, as some scientists suggest, the opposite happens?" writes Dr. William Brown.
"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.
"Existing tariffs are bad enough ... but hiking them to 100 per cent — and maybe ripping up the existing Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement this summer? That’s war," writes Garth Turner.
"Senior town staff and certain downline staff members were fully cognizant of the actual 'state of affairs.' However ... it seems that they failed to communicate these requirements to their heritage planners," writes Brian Marshall.
"Think about how tough life was for our ancestors. We cannot even imagine. How did they survive and prosper without all the things we take for granted?" writes Ross Robinson.
"It’s not hard to understand why our ancient ancestors might have created stories to explain and cope with the natural world that surrounded them," writes Dr. William Brown.
Every February, heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies start popping up across Niagara-on-the-Lake — and with them, a familiar show of community support for Red Roof Retreat.
"Old Town residents — on Victoria, Prideaux, Simcoe and Queen — can expect up to 50 trucks per day during various phases of the project. Dumps, flatbeds and tractor trailers," writes Garth Turner.
"I opine that the several municipal processes related to proposed and undertaken alterations of this important heritage property have been fundamentally flawed," writes Brian Marshall.
"Here was an example of the evolution of a novel technology in the hands of the three laureates in chemistry who reimagined how atoms and molecules might be arranged to the eventual advantage of humankind," writes Dr. William Brown
In the second half of 2025, development pressures, the Royal George Theatre rebuild and the Parliament Oak hotel project dominated the headlines in Niagara-on-the-Lake. But there also was plenty to celebrate.
On March 19, Donald Triggs, 82, will be appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in an Ottawa ceremony. “Let’s face it: receiving the Order of Canada is a highlight of my life,” says Triggs proudly.
