Opinion

The Turner Report: Storms remind us who town’s real Ruller is

"Democracy takes a hit when the one assuming that role refuses to speak on the record, be interviewed, or allow underlings to comment," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Our stormwater drains and ponds need proper care

"Without proper maintenance," writes Brian Marshall, "in a short period of time, a drain can lose its effectiveness to manage water and help to prevent flooding."

Shaw review: Once maligned, author Edna Ferber shines again

"She sought unusual locations where ordinary people built empires against the odds and where strong, smart women overcame gender, convention and adversity," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Dr. Brown: In anti-aging quest, the brain is the biggest obstacle

"Rejuvenating the brain might hold the line or possibly slow decline a bit, but not return our brain back to where it was when we were 20. That’s way beyond the science as it exists," writes Dr. William Brown.

Ross’s Ramblings: Legion rises above adversity after last week’s flood

For many NOTLers, for many years, “the Legion” has been a social constant. Of...

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.

The Turner Report: Hey NOTL, hope you like trucks

"Old Town residents — on Victoria, Prideaux, Simcoe and Queen — can expect up to 50 trucks per day during various phases of the project. Dumps, flatbeds and tractor trailers," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Questions about proceedings on the Crysler-Burroughs House

"I opine that the several municipal processes related to proposed and undertaken alterations of this important heritage property have been fundamentally flawed," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: Can we please stop talking about immigration?

"How can we still be debating the subject of immigration? Especially here in the new world, and specifically in Niagara?" writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: How the latest Nobel Prize in chemistry might change the world of aviation

"Here was an example of the evolution of a novel technology in the hands of the three laureates in chemistry who reimagined how atoms and molecules might be arranged to the eventual advantage of humankind," writes Dr. William Brown

Letter: Is the town trying to administratively frustrate people?

"Requests for access to the town’s public documents that could confirm the existence of a variety of problematic items related to council’s decisions, such as infrastructure deficiencies ... are rebuffed/seemingly withheld," writes Gienek Ksiazkiewicz.

Letter: Ford’s intellect not up to the job

"As U.S. President Donald Trump's crusade to have all North American cars manufactured exclusively in the U.S. proceeds, Canada needs to replace those defunct jobs. And, we have to start somewhere," writes J. Richard Wright.

Letter: Some facts about the world of Canadian air defence

"The Department of National Defence directorate of aviation requirements has consistently and recently made it clear that the F-35 is the aircraft type that best meets Canada's defence requirements," writes Kenn Moody.

The Turner Report: Worries build as Shaw clams up

"How will heavy construction be handled during the next three summers when Queen is shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists, cars are everywhere and festival season arrives?" writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: NOTL needs apartment buildings — but, the right ones

"This simplistic design approach to apartment buildings has dominated the sector for decades and has resulted in a quasi-institutionalized environment within the resultant neighbourhoods," writes Brian Marshall.

The Forum: Future councils will inherit a colossal financial mess

"This fiscal irresponsibility this term kneecaps our future councils, leaving them little manoeuvring room going forward," writes Steve McGuinness.

Ross’s Ramblings: Some Winter Olympic levity to loosen up the world

"Are we getting better when compared to other nations? Perhaps, but there are so many more events now. Many more opportunities to grab a medal," writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: Intelligence, whether human or AI, evolves the same way

"AlphaFold2 was like a loyal grad student who learned under the tutelage of humans at Google — not human of course, but a student nontheless and perhaps deserving of a share in the prize," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: The meaning behind the engineer’s iron ring

"It reflects a distinctly Canadian understanding of professionalism: that public trust rests not only on rules, but on conscience," writes Stuart McCormack.

Letter: Medical assistance in dying: the perfect prognosis?

"Governments could channel 'happy death' through the entire medical and social system, and take minimum responsibility for these programs," writes Kevin McCabe.

Letter: Where are all the letters to the editor from NOTLers?

"Is freedom of speech and expression via our local newspaper being eroded in NOTL?" writes Megan Wood.

Letter: Development control done for the right reasons

"The 2018-2022 NOTL council consistently strove to protect the natural and built heritage of Old Town, from our tree canopy and green spaces to our historic buildings and streetscapes," writes Terry Davis.

Opinion: Canada, a.k.a. Venezuela North?

"Now, upon seeing how the United States treats countries such as Venezuela when it plainly desires its resources, there can be little doubt that Canada might be an additional target on Donald Trump's radar," writes J. Richard Wright.

Arch-i-text: If development swallows up farmland, who will feed us?

"Food sovereignty and security must be considered paramount in all government policy. Otherwise, we may find ourselves as a banana republic — the beggars at the table," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: First the Fence, then the flood

"Soon the historic buildings behind the chain-link — some dating to the 1880s — will be razed. The excavators will move in. Then the erection of a 55,000-square foot complex with a six-storey height," writes Garth Turner.

The Forum: Santa Ford’s lump of coal: return to sender

"Wouldn’t our provincial government be wiser to support economic diversification? NOTL may aspire to be Napa North, but we lack their nearby Silicon Valley," writes Steve McGuinness.

Dr. Brown: AI may make mistakes, but humans aren’t perfect, either

"Sure, there are lots of shortcomings and even mistakes with AI, but given improving databases and computational methods, AI continues to rapidly evolve. The potential for AI to do so is enormous," writes Dr. William Brown.

Opinion: Council’s million-dollar mistake

"Transparency, lawful decision-making and respect for the limits of municipal authority protect not only the town, but also the residents who ultimately bear the financial consequences," writes Maria Mavridis.

Opinion: Best time for the town to act on future of old hospital site is now

"For whatever reasons, Niagara-on-the-Lake has a history of delaying important decisions; here’s a chance for council to break that pattern and make Canada’s most beautiful town even better," writes David Israelson.

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