Opinion

The Turner Report: So, why would anyone want this job?

"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.

Ross’s Ramblings: Thinking about Silks Restaurant in downtown Virgil

"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.

Arch-i-text: When it comes to town decisions, it ain’t over until it’s over

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.

Shaw review: The art of classical music in a century of transformation

"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."

Opinion: Our forefathers had the right vision for Niagara. Let’s not lose it

"Earlier Ontarians understood that public ownership, pastoral landscapes, gardens, historical preservation and architecturally serious infrastructure could be forms of economic development," writes Keith McNenly.

Bottom Line: Don’t let sickness break your bank

"Under the Canada Health Act, provinces are required to maintain universal health plans offering their residents medical coverage. The provinces receive significant social transfer amounts from the feds in return," writes Steve McGuinness.

Dr. Brown: The immune system: distinguishing friends from foes

"This is a very solid story of science at its best, expressed in the imagination and dogged persistence of the three laureates," writes Dr. William Brown, on this year's winners of the Nobel Prize in medicine and their discoveries concerning how the immune system is kept in check.

Ross’s Ramblings: Let’s ramble from a very crowded Blue Jays bandwagon

"Around NOTL, so many residents and visitors proudly wearing Blue Jays merchandise. People smiling and saying hello to strangers. In our world today, any positive news is welcome, and this World Series run is definitely good news," writes Ross Robinson.

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: The lion, the witch and the weight of representation

"In this production, three white siblings were loyal and steadfast, while the lone Black sibling was the betrayer — seduced by the Witch, captured and imprisoned. The child who looked most like mine was the one punished and needing to be rescued," writes Yakira Mukendi.

Letter: Community feedback on old hospital doesn’t represent everyone

"While older residents are a vital part of our community, this demographic alone does not represent the full spectrum of Niagara-on-the-Lake residents," writes Jennier Reimer.

Letter: The past is a foundation for the road yet travelled

"The people of NOTL built the hospital to care for their residents. That spirit of service and connection should continue," writes Toby Simmonds.

Letter: New hotel on King Street nail in the coffin for NOTL’s idyllic past

"Council should be ashamed and question deeply their commitment to ensuring NOTL remains a liveable place for its citizens," writes Greg Davis.

Letter: Revolting developments in NOTL go all the way to the top

"These revolting developments in Niagara-on-the-Lake are such blatant examples of functional illiteracy in the pursuit of billions that they need to be held up in front of the faces of the voters of Ontario," writes Kevin McCabe.

Letter: How our town crier represents the spirit of Old Town

"One day, his voice will fall silent — and when it does, we will miss that which completed our picture-perfect postcard and how deeply it was woven into the spirit of this town," writes Debra Rowe.

Opinion: Time for the Ford government to get serious

"People are tired of broken promises and political games. They want a government that shows up and delivers real solutions," writes Wayne Gates.

Arch-i-text: Let’s review the core principles of good design

"These core principles are neglected, ignored or improperly applied by far too many practicing architects and results in poor designs which, if constructed, assault the public's senses with inferior built architecture," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: Door-to-door to oblivion

"Urbanites may not get this, but in much of Canada, the post office is Canada. The sole, identifiable, enduring and working link to the federal government. Once that is shuttered, the bond dies," writes Garth Turner.

Growing Together: Now is an ideal time to plant a new tree

The following column was written by the late Joanne Young, garden expert and coach, and was originally published in the Sept. 8, 2022 edition of The Lake Report.

Bottom Line: Can taxpayers win when governments budget?

"The lord mayor and some councillors defend this padding as prudent to redress a perceived infrastructure deficit. But what will these reserves actually be spent on?" writes Steve McGuinness.

Ross’s Ramblings: Paper road maps have lost their way

"Even in State College on a very busy weekend, our driver didn’t once ask me for directions. It was out of character for me, but I just sat in the back seat with my mouth shut. He would just glance at his GPS screen and implicitly trust the computers," writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: Artificial intelligence takes a bite out of deadly snake venom

"In 2024, it was obvious just how powerful these computational programs could be for determining the 3D structure of a protein," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: Hummel’s view on municipal affairs is insightful

"As someone directly involved in many of the complex issues presented to city council, Mr. Hummel has a unique understanding of the process and should be considered a source of insightful information," writes Derek Insley.

Letter: Let’s talk about the real issue with the Hummel lawsuit

"What Mr. Hummel seems to be saying is that the NOTL council should agree to the amendments that are requested by them, or be prepared to defend against expensive lawsuits," writes Derek Collins.

Letter: We need better strategies to slow down drivers

"Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of — in this instance, very costly — stupidity," writes Daphne Lavers.

Opinion: NOTL’s old hospital site? Town should get to the hub of the matter

"Council has made unpopular development decisions before, but it appears to be playing this one more carefully. Let’s hope they’re listening," writes David Israelson.

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