"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.
"These days, China is imitating what worked in the West for success in business and science by instituting major changes to its political and managerial system to create the right combination of atmosphere, encouragement and support to develop science within China," writes Dr. William Brown.
"When the festival’s plans come to fruition, a phony wall will stand in the place of the Royal George’s existing façade, and the streetscape of both Victoria and Queen streets will, in my view, be negatively changed," writes Terry Davis.
"Charlie was exercising his First Amendment right: the right to free speech, while his cowardly killer will most likely die exercising his Second Amendment right: the right to bear arms," writes Samuel Young.
"In my opinion, the current attempt by Mr. Marotta to impose his will on others regardless is just another example of his well-known attitude toward the residents of NOTL," writes Derek Collins.
"As a community that prides itself on our farms and vineyards, we should show that same pride by standing alongside the workers who make it possible and by defending their right to dignity, safety and fairness without exception," writes Alissa O'Halloran.
"Charlotte Street highway: a shortcut into town. Drive as fast as you can. Nobody cares; the town certainly doesn’t, they are too busy catering to the tourists," writes Tom King.
"If you own any foreign property you’re considering selling, you may want to eavesdrop on my advice to Maggie," writes Steve McGuinness, sharing some insight into the various taxes sellers of foreign property have to look forward to — namely, Canadians with a home south of the border.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"Life in our small town was great, and the Terry Fox participants and volunteers were sharing the love. Raising the money to 'Finish It,'" writes Ross Robinson.
"Bluntly, the solutions here are many and varied — all a matter of sympathetic architectural design with delicate treatment of form, massing, scale and materiality, focused on blending in versus standing out," writes Brian Marshall.
"I have concluded that the design principle underlying all of them is to frustrate customers so thoroughly that we hang up, abandoning all service attempts, forever and ever, amen," writes Steve McGuiness.
"Niagara-on-the-Lake residents deserve the truth. The most effective way to protect our community’s interests is exactly what is happening now," writes Erwin Wiens.
"Far too often a ghost facade prioritizes a superficial appearance over functional reality," writes Brian Marshall of the new proposal for the Royal George Theatre.
"There is always something special about sitting out in the garden in the evening watching the glittering lights on the surface of the water," writes Joanne Young.
"The story of human evolution is important too because without modern humans, there would be no science and no one to understand what was happening in the universe — the universe would unfold without a witness," writes Dr. William Brown.
On the rebuilding and reopening of the new Royal George Theatre, Ross Robinson writes, "Please don’t say 2029 and then take a year or two or three longer ... The pain to local businesses and residents will be unbearable. To everyone involved."
"What is almost as annoying as the application itself is the fact that staff and council have even allowed this application to be registered at all," writes John McCallum.
"A hole 23 feet deep is no backyard swimming pool. It will consume a good chunk of the Parliament Oak site, rising toward King Street as it transitions from parking garage to hotel foundation and car ramp," writes Garth Turner.
"Our town staff, mayor and council sometimes face criticism from the community, but in this instance, they showed responsiveness and support," write Catherine Cornell & Don Dinnin.
