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Thursday, October 23, 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.

Letter: Congrats to your news team on OCNA awards

"Thanks for keeping our community well informed, no matter the view, on what’s going on around us," writes Terry Mactaggart.

Letter: Remembering Glencairn and its Hollywood cameo

"For those readers who want a look inside this once magnificent home, check out the movie 'Red' on Netflix. The house is featured at about the 58-minute mark," writes Laura Cousens.

Elbows Up: Pushing back against Trump and MAGA

"I was ticked off by Trump's 51st State baloney that I swiped this wording from a Greenland guy and had eight hats made for my family and friends," says Jim Dandy of his new hat, a parody of the infamous "Make America Great Again" chapeau.

The Turner Report: The Rebs and Super-Z set to clash in NOTL

“The problem I see is the government is changing rules (strong mayor) and all we're getting is more housing approved, not built," says Niagara Foundation head Lyle Hall.

Letter: Do you know who your current MP is?

"MP is not an honorary position: MPs are actually expected to do something in representing their constituents in Parliament," writes R. Kirby.

Opinion: Don’t let the darkness enveloping America spread to Canada

"On April 28, Canadians can choose to put aside our regional bickering, reject populist leadership, and elect a prime minister capable of leading Canada through these dark times. We must have a strong national leader who has never been in the thrall of the Trump cult and whose policies do not align with MAGA ideology," writes Keith McNenly.

Ross’ Ramblings: The Masters has defined sports and sportsmanship, again

"Last week was the 89th playing of the Masters. Has there ever been a final day with more drama, more class, and more great and bad shotmaking? Rare double bogeys were not so rare, and emotional swings became almost too much for both spectators on the course and those of us watching on television to handle," writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: NDP supporters, it’s time to vote red

"A strong national government is critical this time, given the Trump factor/threat. I believe traditional NDP voters' (and independents and "third party" voters, like the Greens, as well) best bet this time is to vote Liberal," writes Rick Kirby.

Letter: Poilievre or Carney? Let’s talk facts, not propaganda

"So, is it Poilievre? Or is it Carney? Whomever we vote for should be driven by the most reliable information we can obtain, not by propaganda and bluster," writes Michael Fox.

Letter: Let’s vote for a better future for our planet

"This is not a time to ignore the deep-rooted issues of the climate crisis we are in because of the 'tariff wars,' but a time to focus on cleaning our natural environment and securing a healthy society," writes Lynn Verheul.

Letter: On the subject of back pain, let’s loop in chiropractors

"In the 1980s and onward, orthopedic surgeons, medical physicians and chiropractic physicians have worked collaboratively for the benefit of suffering people (e.g. at the University of Saskatoon)," writes Dr. Ronald V. Fuller.

Letter: Joanne Young’s mulch column was spot on

"If you are able to stay away from dyed mulches and their unknown source of shredded wood, your garden will thank you," writes Betty Knight.

Letter: I’ll take Poilievre over Carney

"Governments can’t solve everything for us. We need an environment that allows the people to solve it," writes Simon Gardner.

Letter: I support Carney for PM

"Unfortunately, the only thing a 'Poilievre' seems able to do is run negative attack ads," writes Kaspar Pold.

Letter: The fallacy of the 51st state

"Imagine adding a state that would reliably deliver the vast majority of those 50 or so seats to the Democratic Party? It would forever tip the House of Representatives in favour of Democrat," writes Don Mustill.

Letter: The negative forces at play in our modern world

"I invite everyone to engage in self-reflection with their families, friends, and neighbours to comprehend the nature and impact of surrounding negative forces," writes Lawrence Clarke.

Letter: Poilievre knows how to get things done

"Mark Carney is a wealthy elite and a fan of the World Economic Forum. Though he laces up his skates and dons a hockey jersey for the cameras, he is not the regular guy that he wants voters to believe he is," writes Phil Wilson.

Letter: Who’s the real hypocrite?

"It seems to me, at least, that Sam Oosterhoff is not the one who is guilty of being closed-minded and hypocritical," writes Thomas Korcok.

Arch-i-text: How zoning bylaws affect the design of homes in neighbourhoods

Analyzing the presence of a new home in Old Town NOTL, Brian Marshall writes, "This building is almost a textbook case demonstrating that even good architecture, when built in the wrong place, diminishes both its own qualities and the neighbouring streetscapes."

Opinion: NOTL’s library is an invaluable community asset

"Over my career, we have come to realize that the basis of early child development is the wiring and pruning of neural connections in a child’s brain, nestled in a backdrop of positive emotional, relational health — yes, love builds brains!" writes Dr. Robin Williams.

The Turner Report: Well, at least the Americans are sorry

“Orange hair is the most powerful man on earth,” says Murray Weaver. “The only thing more powerful is the stock market. It has endured wars, financial crises, COVID-19 and many more. Cracks are already beginning to appear in this man-made crisis ... The market will come back, I promise you."

Dr. Brown: Degenerative disease in the spine, part 2: The neck

"Evidence that the spinal cord is compressed is based on weakness in what’s often referred to as a 'long-track' distribution," writes Dr. William Brown. "Some patients report that they feel an electric shock sensation extending from their neck and often into their trunk legs when they flex their neck, cough or step down hard on something."

Opinion: Royal George and Shaw ‘heritage and economic backbone’ of NOTL

"This isn’t just about supporting the arts — it’s about investing in jobs, tourism, small businesses and the unique character of Niagara-on-the-Lake," writes MPP Wayne Gates.

Letter: Double standards for homeowners vs. wealthy business owners

"Businesses must pay their fair share of commercial taxes to reduce the reliance on residential ratepayers and our bylaw enforcement officers must enforce the bylaws as written for everyone, not focus on harassing homeowners looking to create a little shade in their backyards," writes Steve McGuinness.

Letter: Carney’s record spells trouble for Canadians

"While Poilievre lacks Carney’s international experience, he possesses the most important quality for our next prime minister: A genuine commitment to serving Canadians, not global elites," writes Nicolas Petrick.

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