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Friday, April 10, 2026

Opinion

The Turner Report: How democracy slips away

"Lord Mayor Zalepa has now formally endorsed the move to chop council, dump our elected rep to the region, accept an unelected super-chair and submit to a voting scheme that would mute our voice. Your voice," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Premier Ford’s tidal wave of unwise new legislation

"Doug Ford’s government is taking a page out of Trump’s playbook to introduce equally ill-advised legislation with dire future impacts on provincial and local levels," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: Hospital gowns always make a fashion statement

"Whoever came up with the design for the hospital gown? Or did it evolve naturally over the years? Seriously, it must have been the brainchild of a highly unqualified committee," writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: Fire was key to evolution — where did it come from?

"If controlled fire was a huge plus for neanderthals 400,000 years ago, how far back does controlled fire go?" writes Dr. William Brown.

Opinion: We need a home for young voices at 176 Wellington St.

"As decisions are made about the future of 176 Wellington, I hope there is room to consider what it could mean for young people in this community to have a place that reflects their potential," writes Andorlie Hillstrom.

Letter: Gus the Wonder Dog and his coyote encounter

"My garden is well fenced, so the mystery is how the coyote got in and how he left. And the lingering fear was, would he be back?" writes Nancy Smith.

Bottom Line: Reducing tax on your savings and investments

"When you contribute to an RRSP in your peak earning years and then withdraw in retirement (when your income will be lower), there will be a reduction in taxes paid, by moving into a lower tax bracket," writes Steve McGuinness.

Letter: The future of 176 Wellington should reflect the best of us

"We must be careful with our community: seasonal wealth and picture-postcard charm can mask a deeper fragility," writes Jim Burton.

Letter: Glencairn Hall wasn’t built by Robert Hamilton Sr.

"Robert Hamilton Sr.'s estate (land holdings) wasn't distributed to the four sons, three stepsons and daughter until 1823, when John was 21," writes Elizabeth Oliver-Malone.

Letter: We can’t wait for a coyote attack before taking action

"I would encourage the town to show some common sense and remove or cull every coyote on an ongoing basis to support our community’s safety and to prevent any further ridiculous discussion on this matter," writes Mark Smith.

Letter: NOTLers tried to save Parliament Oak school

"It would be great Old Town still had a public elementary school, but it seems our elected officials decided otherwise a long time ago," writes David Israelson.

Letter: Our frustrations are being ignored

"You should survey the sellers, as I have done. They will give you the answer — and often an earful — on how NOTL has already gone to the dogs," writes Sam Young.

Bottom Line: Retirement savings: Too little? Too much? Too late?

"Even when we rigidly follow a retirement budget, many variables will lead to actual account values differing from plans," writes Steve McGuinness.

Opinion: Must we fall before anyone will help us stand?

"Why are we only supporting people after they’ve gotten hurt? Shouldn’t the right care at the right time be before the injury happens?" writes Carolyn Chandler-Hill.

Growing Together: Add drama and colour with these summer garden showstoppers

"No matter the season, there are always plants that are ready to show off the beauty that lies inside of them and summer is no exception," writes Joanne Young.

Ross’ Ramblings: As cool as the other side of the pillow with Music Niagara

"I felt happy to still be curious, but at the same time, sad because my life has been so lacking in music. I know so little, but am able to lose myself in this world that is so foreign to me," writes Ross Robinson.

Opinion: Ontario is sliding toward a two-tiered, U.S.-style healthcare system

"Year after year, the Conservative government has underinvested in primary care, abandoned rural communities and advanced private clinics at the expense of our public health system. This trend must stop," writes Wayne Gates.

Arch-i-text: From the Royal George to Virgil, planning decisions raise eyebrows in NOTL

"For the sake of the heritage district, town residents and the Shaw, I hope they succeed in tabling a design that will work," writes Brian Marshall of the upcoming Royal George Theatre renovation.

The Turner Report: From NOTL bedsheets to soldiers’ slings

"This is the Niagara Warehouse of Hope. Mary and her squeeze, Ted, started in their garage almost 40 years ago. She now operates out of the big structure a crew of believers built in a single day and ships containers around the world with the help of at least 150 volunteers," writes Garth Turner.

Letter: How the Royal George could be restored without affecting Queen Street

"I humbly submit these solutions to restore and preserve the existing theatre, bring it up to code, and maintain the historic character of Queen Street," writes Yimlei Molly Yep, retired architect.

Letter: Move Virgil’s pickleball court to new Queenston court

"If the town had done its due diligence, it would have found that scores of other municipalities in Canada and the U.S. did studies that resulted, in many cases, in changing plans for location," writes Rick Gallant.

Letter: NOTL is loved for its small-town charm — don’t ruin it

"Why does a rehearsal hall and other amenities have to be built at this location, causing the demolition of three historic homes?" writes Ann Goodin.

Letter: To the man who took two ladders on July 11

"Please, kindly return them to us so we can return them to their rightful owner," writes Fernando Vieira.

Letter: New StopGap ramp program big win for accessibility

"I am confident that participating businesses will not only see increased foot traffic but will also be recognized for their leadership and goodwill in fostering a more inclusive community," writes Cheryl Katz.

Letter: Virgil speed camera’s location may not be reasonable

"40 kilometres an hour, 24-7, all year round, for a school closed for a large portion of that time due to school hours and summer closures doesn’t make sense," writes Charles Goddard.

Letter: Scaling back new Royal George is the way to go

"I hope the festival team will rethink their design for the new theatre. Not the push to make the new space fully accessible and incorporate accessible washrooms ... but the overall look and feel of the facility," writes Terry Davis.

Letter: NOTL needs public, not private, education options

"Royal Oak prides itself on being a community school, but is it really a community when you have to pay to be a part of it?" writes Lauren Bubnič.

Editorial: Speak out against unregulated vacation rentals on July 22

"Niagara-on-the-Lake is not meant to be a town of lockboxes and absentee landlords. It’s a place to live," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley. "And while tourism is part of that identity, it should not come at the expense of neighbourhoods."

Bottom Line: Our border and the trade wars

"U.S. President Donald Trump, with his focus on trade and tariff negotiations, poses significant threats to our town's economy. Local businesses must adapt quickly to protect profits and jobs," writes Steve McGuinness.

Arts review: Lessons from Shaw’s ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’

"Within this wardrobe is a land of intrigue, adventure and danger that will change their lives forever: Narnia," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

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