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Saturday, September 20, 2025

Opinion

Bottom Line: Alarming planning activities abound in Niagara-on-the-Lake

"We require more applicant identity clarity to assess whether the neighbours are truly acting at arms’ length," writes Steve McGuinness.

Dr. Brown: Ahead of this year’s Nobel Prize ceremony, let’s look back at past winners

"Increasingly, awards are evolving and while the Nobel Prizes remain at the top for now, the number of high-calibre competing awards by other institutions is increasing," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: In response to the deputy lord mayor’s record-straightening

"Maybe our esteemed deputy lord mayor should get his facts clarified before wading into the weeds defending his administration and planning staff," writes Bob Bader.

Letter: If developers are going to build, they should fund needed infrastructure

"This council has exacerbated a situation where the residents of NOTL are probably going to experience significant property tax increases in future years to fund infrastructure improvements," writes Gienek Ksiazkiewicz.

Editorial: NOTLers pay way too much for policing

"If taxation is to be equitable, Niagara Region needs to adopt a new model that does not penalize residents who happen to live in a low-crime community where their home has appreciated in value over the past decade or two," writes Kevin MacLean.

Letter: St. Davids can’t handle more development

"How many other developments in Niagara-on-the-Lake have been approved without the full adequacy of the supporting infrastructure?" writes Gienek Ksiazkiewicz.

Letter: Addressing concerns about the Niagara District Airport’s expansion

"In the 1950s, the federal government recognized that aviation could be an important part of the development of the Niagara Peninsula," writes Kenn Moody.

Letter: A referendum on unhosted short-term rentals?

"Let the residents of Old Town actually have a say as to what is good or not good for the community in which we live," writes Michael Clark.

Opinion: The presence of civility often means more than the topic of the debate itself

"It’s not worth winning a fight over a cellphone tower if norms of basic civility are abandoned in the process," writes Daniel Smeenk.

Bottom Line: Flying the turbulent skies of the Air Canada strike

"Are flights on a major air carrier more of a vital commodity than mail delivery in 2025? When does a public service cross over the line from necessary to essential?" writes Steve McGuinness.

Arch-i-text: Something is wrong with this picture

"There is an extremely disturbing trend in this province directed at marginalizing, diminishing or outright destruction of our shared history, built heritage and cultural landscapes," writes Brian Marshall.

Arts review: Spiegeltent’s productions bring spirit and innovation to the Shaw

"Please, bring back the Spiegeltent in whatever future form it may take and do plan more of these innovative, imaginative offerings. Let's have more opportunities to tap, swing and lift our spirits," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

The Turner Report: The town where zombies dwell

"NOTL ain’t TN. This is paradise. Everybody wants to be here, right?" writes Garth Turner. "But wait. We also have a weird market. And some people are being clobbered by it."

Letter: Royal George Theatre needs our support

"This project is more than bricks and mortar — it’s an investment in our economy, our community spirit, and our cultural future," writes Allan Bisback.

Ross’ Ramblings: Have Niagara’s GO Trains got up and went?

"I was given a tour of the infrastructure work being done in west St. Catharines, preparing for the commencement of the magic pill that will be GO Train service to Niagara," writes Ross Robinson. "I was attentive and polite, but very skeptical."

Growing Together: Shade trees — the unsung heroes of our homes

"Studies show that being around trees and green spaces improves your overall mental well-being," writes Joanne Young. "Spending time with trees is time well spent."

Letter: Why is the Chamber hosting a peach festival?

"The Chamber is so stubborn to continue with promotional activities instead of solidly encouraging the formation of a BIA (business improvement area) like the rest of the province’s towns," writes Mary Gallagher.

Letter: MPP Gates’ column on Ontario’s health care is a false picture

"The people of this community deserve facts, not fearmongering, about the future of their health care," writes Jake Sinke, president of the Niagara Falls PC Riding Association.

Letter: Great summer magazine gives many reasons to return to NOTL

"I have been to NOTL many times over the years, but you have given me so many reasons to come back," writes Beth McMaster.

Letter: Words matter: commit to a plan for Chautauqua in official plan

The words 'will be developed' and "will be considered" have very different meanings. The former is a commitment and the latter an option. This change in language in the draft official plan is unacceptable," writes Kate Sullivan.

Letter: Expanded NOTL airport means more air and noise pollution

"I live near the roundabout in Virgil, directly under a flight path ... As things are today, it’s quite tolerable," writes Eric Lehtinen. "The thought of more and bigger planes using the airport at regular intervals is simply unendurable."

The Turner Report: How many is too many? Maybe 231

"Unhosted short-term rentals are a bad idea. Period. Most municipalities in Canada have banned them. Having an Airbnb unit in your house is far different from buying a property and operating a ghost hotel with nobody living there full-time," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: It’s time: Let’s go over the draft of the new official plan

"The more public input that is provided at this juncture, the more likely it is that staff — principally Fiona Main, senior policy planner — will be able to meet their published timeline," writes Brian Marshall, in the first of a series of columns analyzing the town's latest official plan draft.

Arts review: In ‘Major Barbara,’ women confront class, power and morality

"In 'Major Barbara' of the Salvation Army, we hear the voices of Victorian women aspiring to liberation, to work, to earn money and have the right to social, political, legal and gender equality," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Dr. Brown: A new telescope to solve old mysteries in the universe

"Given the high-tech nature of this telescope and wide window on the universe the Rubin telescope provides, we should get answers to many puzzling questions within the decade," writes Dr. William Brown.

Ross’ Ramblings: From Marilyn Bell to Vicky Mboko, many wonderful Canadian women athletes to love

"I totally climbed aboard the (Victoria) Mboko bandwagon, cheering for this wonderful tennis player with a positive on-court personality," writes Ross Robinson.

Growing Together: Give tired annuals a mid-summer boost with these tips

"Whether planted in garden beds or containers, they can lose energy and appear tired or leggy — especially during hot, dry weather," writes Joanne Young.

Bottom Line: Understanding how investment income is taxed

"By understanding how income on different investments gets taxed, you can enhance your after-tax yields by holding the more tax-advantaged investments outside of your RRSP and tax-free savings account," writes Steve McGuinness.

Letter: Preserving our history takes time and effort

"We are all in awe when we walk down historic cities or villages in Europe, yet we are totally oblivious to the effort it has taken local communities and administrations to protect what they have," writes Lydia Madonia.

Letter: Council can lead in demanding a rethink of Royal George plans

"At this point in the Royal George rebuild project, council should be holding all the cards it needs to win the game and the day," writes Terry Davis.

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