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.
"As locals, most of us tend to fall into the trap of taking our trees for granted. Not so for Suzanne and her horticultural and history-hungry daughter," writes Ross Robinson.
"We have no shortage of issues that will affect our futures, but may I humbly and respectfully request that we all take a few deep breaths?" writes Ross Robinson.
"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.
"Depending on the version, ChatGPT was trained on millions to trillions of times more data than was used in this simple model. That’s where ChatGPT gets its information and power," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, apparently aided and abetted by several of our elected 'representatives,' this narrative has been successfully played out again and again over the term of the current council," writes Brian Marshall.
"People respond with anger, aggression and the need to lash out when they’re insecure and under threat. Not by an old dude with a dodgy leg, but by circumstances," writes Garth Turner.
"People flock here (three million of them annually) because it’s authentic. It’s ancient. Historic. Quaint in a way Mississauga and Buffalo never will be. Not cute. Not fake," writes Garth Turner.
"If one gives away a million dollars here and there ... where does the money come from to make up those losses in order to fulfil the region’s legislated responsibilities?" writes Brian Marshall.
"Let’s all lighten up a bit and get jolly as the holly appears once again. Queen Street downtown, and indeed our four villages, are being transformed again," writes Ross Robinson.
"Is AI intelligent? Sure. It is, and becoming as intelligent or more than most humans. Is AI sentient? Not yet, but on the way. And it won’t be long," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Why is this production so satisfying? Irving Berlin's songs are pure genius. The orchestra sweeps and swirls us along. We unabashedly sing on request," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"They’re here. They invaded November 11th. They stood among us. Being a tolerant, inclusive people, we let them. It’s what makes us Canadian," writes Garth Turner.
"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.
"From Niagara-on-the-Lake to Hong Kong and eventually to Toronto, the word 'love' has suddenly been added to our vocabulary. And it happened so naturally, so quietly," writes Ross Robinson.
"Diminishment, the loss of abilities which we take for granted ... comes to all of us in different ways and times. It’s how we manage that diminishment that counts," writes Dr. William Brown.
"The proposed size, massing and form of the building, considered within the context of the surrounding buildings, completely dwarfs everything else in the heritage district," writes Brian Marshall.
"On every Nov. 11 since that day, I have shared the evening with a bottle of whisky, those memories and the words that were written down that evening," writes Brian Marshall.
"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.
"All models are provisional and, even if based on the best data available, might have to change in the light of new evidence," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Especially in our current world, seemingly so divided and torn over so many issues, it was gratifying to learn that love for the poppy is universal," writes Ross Robinson.
"NOTL is one of the few burgs in the nation allowing (and encouraging) the conversion of residential housing into 'unhosted' short-term rentals," writes Garth Turner.
"It is extraordinarily disingenuous for an individual or corporation to suggest that the 'progress' they seek — or achieve — automatically confers benefits upon the society or community they operate within," writes Brian Marshall.
"It is a cash grab, sure," writes Kevin MacLean of the speed camera program. "But so what? It’s a penalty earned for not obeying the law, in a school zone, amid warning signs."
