"For citizens who can’t add a small porch without a permit (that will likely be denied) ... watching builders and developers raze entire historic structures, erect hulking developments in sensitive areas and enjoy almost-free use of public infrastructure seems wrong," writes Garth Turner.
"Jennifer and Joel run a tight ship. I understand the eatery opened in 1995, and they took over the reins 17 years ago. They have the Midas touch of attracting highly talented, loyal and classy employees," writes Ross Robinson.
Six property owners have filed appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal, stalling and potentially killing the expansion of Old Town's heritage district, writes Brian Marshall.
"In the 18th century, instability, wars and social change were the norm," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson. "The function of music socially and politically was to represent the social values held by the royals, the aristocrats and the wealthy bourgeoisie."
"Earlier Ontarians understood that public ownership, pastoral landscapes, gardens, historical preservation and architecturally serious infrastructure could be forms of economic development," writes Keith McNenly.
"A subtle aspect of planning a trivia night is selecting questions that are challenging, but not too challenging. We paying participants don’t need to be reminded how dumb we are," writes Ross Robinson.
"Mr. Turner is right. The viability of non-profit organizations 'hangs off the largesse of donors and governments.' It always has. This is what makes working and volunteering in the non-profit organization sector so challenging," writes Carolyn Bodnar-Evans.
"Niagara-on-the-Lake’s strength comes from its business community. Adding cost and complexity at the municipal level risks discouraging investment and weakening that foundation," writes Scott Gauld.
"Where is the evidence-based-outcome driven benefit of reducing council to six from eight? How is springing a change like this on the citizens of Niagara-on-the-Lake with no opportunity for discussion or study 'good governance'?" writes Bob Bader.
"I'm sure that no one thinks that it should be the taxpayers' responsibility to build a parking garage for anyone, including the Shaw theatre, especially when other more acceptable uses were being privately funded," writes Wayne Murray.
"We talk a lot in NOTL about attracting young families to the area, and yet we have no public school, no hospital and few spaces for families to gather, outside the community centre," writes Brendan McLeod.
"Do you think that people in Niagara should have less ability to find out what the government is doing on these files behind closed doors? I certainly don’t," writes Wayne Gates.
"Given the level of public support, it would be good to know more about how this web of interests is being run. Is it sustainable? What happens in an economic downturn, with a half-built theatre complex?" writes Garth Turner.
"If you plan to do any work on your contributing property, that undertaking should be informed by the building’s architectural style to ensure that any alterations are compatible and in-keeping with its contributing attributes," writes Brian Marshall.
"Driving everything in my quest for understanding nature have been recuring themes for me," writes Dr. William Brown, citing the universe, human evolution, the rise of AI and more.
"The irony is that Gale’s resignation leaves Niagara Region better off, but not for the reasons he resigned. These reasons relate to his job, not his peccadillos," writes David Israelson.
"Is this bureaucratic overreach? Abject stupidity? Or a clumsy attempt to tamp down the grassroots rebellion? Let’s see where that vote lands," writes Garth Turner.
"Intrinsic to the plan’s policies and guidelines is the understanding that a property that contributes to the overall integrity of the cultural heritage value of the conservation district," writes Brian Marshall.
"Colonizing Europeans often encountered what they considered primitive peoples," writes Dr. William Brown. "Yet, within a few generations, those so-called 'primitives' mastered European languages, cultures and technologies."
"Henry Paffard accomplished so much, and helped to create our town fire department. This was a busy citizen, and remember, all without modern means of communication," writes Ross Robinson.
"If we begin demanding that individuals resign from public life based solely on the title of books they have read or purchased, we are venturing down a very slippery slope," writes Rob Brenmer.
"Let’s stay focused on amalgamation of one kind or another folks, and maybe go to the public (not private) library and read some intriguing books once in a while," writes Peter Rusin.
"Eventually, everything made with oil — which is pretty much everything, like the plastic on the berries, plus the diesel and jetfuel that got them to the store — will become dearer," writes Garth Turner.
"If the plan is followed and enforced, there should be no fear of having an inappropriately designed monster McMansion squeezed into the lot next door," writes Brian Marshall.
"I have lived here for some 40 years, and have driven or run past Mennonite churches hundreds of times, with little thought about their history," writes Ross Robinson.
"My guess is that had AI been trained on similar challenging math problems, it wouldn’t have taken long before AI mastered other questions posed by top notch mathematicians," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Our local leaders should think boldly and speak clearly. It’s time to dream — otherwise, someone else will be dreaming for us," writes David Israelson.
"Amalgamation was intended to deliver 'better, more efficient government at less cost to the taxpayer.' But, 25 years later, Hamilton residents are still waiting," writes Ken Bosveld.
