Opinion

The Turner Report: Who can save NOTL from political grift?

"Although this level of government has the greatest impact on citizens’ daily lives, it is weak, ineffectual, rudderless and dominated by special interests," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: America’s greatest architect believed nature, not money, should shape our cities

Over the last five centuries, says Frank Lloyd Wright, what humanity has called architecture has been "phony": "It was not innate, it wasn’t organic and it didn’t have the character of nature.” 

Shaw review: Savour the vigorous comedy of ‘One for the Pot’

More than 40 years after the debut of this British farce on the Shaw Festival stage, "One for the Pot" returns with excellent performances that contain the elements needed to make this for-the-masses comedy a laugh riot, writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Ross’s Ramblings: We didn’t choose English — we just got lucky

"As a pretentious British boss of mine said many years ago ... 'I have found that around the world, one can get on with two languages: English, and loud English,'" writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Zalepa’s conflict of interest on Rand application persists

"I provided you with an opportunity to do the right thing, which you have obviously declined to do. Please be advised that I intend to pursue this in the appropriate forum(s)," writes Derek Collins.

Editorial: Transparency and the role of local media

"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.

Opinion: Closing of Welland’s long-term care home trouble for Niagara’s seniors

"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.

Arch-i-text: Public servants owe us transparency and accountability — and, the Shaw’s towering arrogance

"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.

The Turner Report: When old is not so beautiful

"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.

Ross’s Ramblings: Reflections on our comfort during a long and cold winter

"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.

Dr. Brown: In search of the earliest stars and galaxies in our universe

"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.

Letter: Critical opinions are valuable to NOTL, not damaging

"I don’t understand how criticism, questionings or requests for public documents can encourage abuse, and create an unsafe and disrespectful workplace," writes Gienek Ksiazkiewicz.

Letter: Turner Report represents many residents’ grievances

"The residents could fill a book as thick as 'War and Peace' with the past decade of poor administration decisions and their fiduciary duties to spend out taxes wisely," writes Samuel Young.

The Turner Report: The mayor, the build and the nasty writer

"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.

Arch-i-text: Why reusing the old hospital on Wellington makes sense

"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.

Ross’s Ramblings: When the going got tough, our Legion got going

"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.

Dr. Brown: The science behind ‘that gut feeling’

"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.

Letter: So, when I stand up for myself and others, I get banned?

"If we truly want a better Niagara-on-the-Lake, we need fewer echo chambers — and more courage to hear the full story," writes Maria Mavridis.

Letter: The constantly negative Turner Report has got to go

"His obsession with the Shaw and the real estate market is not only repetitive — it's downright boring," writes Liz McElheran.

Letter: Time to amalgamate NOTL into a bigger Niagara

"With amalgamation, we will get quicker development of the airport expansion and won’t have to listen to this group’s agenda items like 'climate adaption and community resilience' — what?" writes Peter Rusin.

Letter: More controversial development likely coming NOTL’s way

"I hope I’m wrong, and that things will change," writes Terry Davis. "And that NOTL will continue to be a wonderful place to live, work and visit."

Opinion: Joining Niagara’s conservation authority with Toronto’s would be a big mistake

"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.

The Turner Report: The governor, the president and your house

"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.

Arch-i-text: Two situations facing the heritage committee this year

"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.

Ross’s Ramblings: Polar vortex tests toughness of local Scots on Burns Night

"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.

Dr. Brown: Why does belief in the afterlife persist throughout human history?

"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.

Letter: Many thanks for our neighbours’ generousity during the snowstorm

"I've lived in the village of Queenston for nearly two decades, and I never cease to be amazed at the kindness and generosity of my neighbours," writes Linda Fritz.

Letter: Actually, let’s keep talking about immigration

"Are we only pro-immigration because people are fleeing persecution or hunger? Would immigration be immoral if they were not?" writes Alexander Evans.

Letter: A lot of positive things are happening, too

"To pass negative judgement of the hoarding around the site, and its design, would seem unnecessary, indeed trival," writes Peter Rand.

Letter: NOTL needs to be at the table of our future — not on the menu

"When decisions are driven by stronger powers and historic towns respond individually, compromise tends to be one-sided," writes Bruce Gitelman.

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