Dear editor:

The concluding paragraph of Ron Fritz’s letter, (“Town must pick and choose its legal battles,” The Lake Report, July 4) states that “town staff are knowledgeable … and their advice should not be ignored lightly.”

Unfortunately, when it comes to development issues, our town staff are either temporary or have occupied their positions for a short period of time.

We have had an interim chief administrative officer since the highly competent Marnie Cluckie resigned last December to become Hamilton’s city manager.

The community and development services director has served in that position since March 2022 while the manager of planning services started in October 2023.

The senior heritage planner was appointed in May. She replaces Denise Horne, who grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, graduated from the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, and held the position for eight years.

The new appointee recently received a Ph.D. from York University in medieval and renaissance studies. Her thesis was on a Norwegian cathedral.

It’s unfortunate that the current town staff has little experience with the critical issues facing Niagara-on-the-Lake today. 

Elizabeth Masson
NOTL