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Niagara Falls
Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Opinion

Arch-i-text: Takeaways from Brian MacKay-Lyon’s lecture on good and bad design

"It’s telling that MacKay-Lyons, whose main body of work is unabashedly contemporary, adheres strictly to this sense of place as derived from understanding its existing (or historic) vernacular materials, building culture and forms," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: NOTL rebels target ‘worst council ever’

"The NOTL rebels’ plan is to have candidates identified and in place well before the race. There may be a slate. There will certainly be public engagements — forums, Q&As, debates. There will be money, as well as passion," writes Garth Turner.

Letter: What happens to the old hospital will define NOTL’s future

"Do we plan for the few, or do we plan for everyone — families, seniors, artists, educators, and the millions who come here to experience Niagara’s beauty and culture?" writes Syreeta Larkan.

Ross’s Ramblings: A short drive to Elora, but a total change of attitude

"Here in Niagara, we seem to be impatient, unhappy and often down on each other. Often a bit mean," writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: Upcoming Nobel series at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Library

"The Nobel Prizes in the sciences began in 1901, and despite the emergence of a host of other worthy prizes in mathematics, engineering and recently the computer sciences, it remains the gold standard," writes Dr. William Brown.

Opinion: Who won the federal election? We did

"We’re in the early stages of the biggest political fight most of us have ever seen in this country; if we’re going to win, we need to listen to each other and pull together," writes David Israelson.

Arch-i-text: Ford government attacks Ontario’s livability

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."

Letter: Opportunity for something better with new urban design review panel

"We can do better in NOTL and there are resources to help us figure out how. This would be a step towards a more positive, cost-effective way of encouraging appropriate development in the current environment of flawed, broad-brush provincial directives," writes Chrys Kaloudis, former urban design committee member.

Letter: Thanks for Poilievre editorial — we must fight misinformation

"I have the greatest respect for those holding the energy for honest journalism and want to thank Niagara Now and similar outlets for doing so," writes Susannah Joyce.

Letters: Dog owners, please pick up after your pups

"If you are one of the people who do this, you should know that, like face-melting halitosis or chronic body odour, your friends are not going to say anything, but they are not enjoying your company," writes Julian Goss.

Letter: Not just ‘wine country’ — NOTL’s heritage matters, too

"Our heritage is our most important asset from a tourism perspective. Let's not forget how blessed we are with such a rich history and so many reminders of a dramatic past," writes Ron Dale.

Letter: Region still ignoring residents on St. Davids roundabout

"It is astounding that not only do we get an unneeded roundabout, but the region sees fit to send a four-page voting process to determine what it should look like," writes Bob Bader.

Letter: Democracy’s at risk in NOTL

"It’s easy to decry the decline of democracy in the U.S., where President Trump has used executive orders to rule virtually unchecked, but Ontario isn’t perfect either," writes Terry Davis.

Letter: Canadian sovereignty, and the relationship between our provinces

"We’ve got a lot of work to do, but the bright side is this: The threat from the south has unified us to a new level. The great majority of us agree on what we don’t want," writes Andrew Henwood.

Letter: St. Davids school needs better plan for the future

"Simply put, the school can no longer meet the needs of the community as it stands today, let alone accommodate the growth this new development represents," writes Andrew Stewart.

Letter: Enough with the Marotta, McArthur and SORE legal fights

"We have a dysfunctional council with an inept mayor at the helm. Get rid of Zalepa — I refuse to pay any more tax increases because of this dope," writes Peter Rusin.

Large dead trees are a threat to NOTL’s power lines

"NOTL Hydro is fully aware that the number of outages has been much higher than normal, starting last summer. Increasing the tree-trimming budget and activity is one of the actions being taken to try to reduce outages," writes Tim Curtis, president and CEO of NOTL Hydro.

Ross’ Ramblings: Joy, joyful and joyous on the streets of our town

"This seems like the perfect opportunity to reach out and voice our appreciation to everyone involved with last week’s Niagara-on-the-Lake In Bloom," writes Ross Robinson. "It was marvellous to be a tiny part of such an artistic, cultural and financial triumph."

Growing Together: How this toxic worm targets your garden’s helpful worms

"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.

The Turner Report: Flying blind through NOTL’s murky housing market

"It’s a tough gig for the house-sellers now. But those who do buy likely come from the urban east and move to NOTL with equity," writes Garth Turner.

Elbows Up: Fighting back against Trump in many ways

"I am wearing my 'I AM CANADIAN' t-shirt, which is 25 years old. I hope the Molson's Canadian beer company will start putting their 'I AM CANADIAN' flags in their beer cases again (I have two of them flying in my front yard)," writes Betty Ann Chandler.

Letter: If candidates can’t follow election laws, how are they fit to lead?

"My concern is this: If we cannot even trust the candidate to make sure a simple sign rule is obeyed, how can we trust that important issued are handled honestly" writes Susan Pohorly.

Ross’ Ramblings: So much going undiscussed on streets of our town

"We avoid discussing the situation, but an existential threat is upon us. Not long ago, I didn’t really understand what an existential threat was, but every day now we learn more," writes Ross Robinson.

Bottom Line: Mark Carney and your household budget

"The recent re-election of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government will usher in a host of tax and policy changes that could impact Canadians’ wallets. Some measures will take effect almost immediately, while others must await the passage of a federal budget, expected after the King delivers the throne speech on May 27," writes Steve McGuinness, in a new column for The Lake Report, "Bottom Line."

Editorial: Figuring out what NOTLers really want

"Whether you want to retain NOTL as an idyllic place to live and wish we could pull up the drawbridge to keep outsiders away, or you embrace it as "wine country" ... the reality is our wee town is growing, it is changing and it will never be what it once was," writes editor emeritus Kevin MacLean.

The Turner Report: Tensions rise as the rebs rally troops

"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.

Elbows Up: Canada pride along the border

"I have been distributing a letter to my shoreline neighbours, asking if they would consider flying a Canadian flag facing the riverside. Responses have been overwhelmingly positive," writes Jackie Kevill.

Opinion: ‘Strong mayor powers’ require more scrutiny from the town

"These are substantial powers that shift the balance away from consensus-based decision-making — something that has long been a hallmark of good governance in small towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake," writes MPP Wayne Gates.

Letter: Playing out the consequences of Canada, the 51st state

"While taking a while to settle, after 15 years or so, the newly enlightened America might have stabilized under three new parties. The population would hopefully have found benefit in the changes," writes Andrew Henwood.

Letter: Who’s paying for the Niagara Stone Road construction?

"It is in the interest of basic transparency and the taxpaying residents of NOTL who have a right to know who is paying for this," writes Derek Collins.

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