Opinion

Opinion: Librarians are on frontlines in war on intellectual freedom

"Canadians have the right to access diverse ideas, literature and viewpoints without censorship, allowing libraries, schools, bookstores and readers to explore both popular and controversial works," write Susan Elliott and Dr. Robin Williams Foster.

The Turner Report: The voice from the big house

"There are suddenly more reasons to talk about Mr. Hummel as he uses social media this week to eviscerate your reporter. Ad hominem arguments are always exciting. He does it well," writes Garth Turner.

Dr. Brown: All diseases are spread by living organisms — except these ones

"Transmissible prion is extremely stable and very hard to destroy with chemical disinfectants or heat — far more so than for the case of viruses and bacteria," writes Dr. William Brown.

Ross’s Ramblings: The ‘good ol’ days’ are here, right now

"Life was tough and a never-ending challenge. Travelling on foot or on horseback or in wagons. Am I the only one who never thinks about this stuff? It was a long way to the West Coast, wasn’t it?" writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Prepare for another parade in town

"We love a parade here. Even if it rolls over us and breaks our backs while it destroys our town," writes Rick Monette.

Editorial: Wild West of Wine series aims to promote fairness

"The goal of this series isn’t to shut down a local business — we don’t want that. What we want is meaningful change that modernizes NOTL’s zoning bylaws and ensures they reflect the realities of 2025," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.

Ross’ Ramblings: Seniors’ housing, wine country and future plans for high speed train to NOTL

"If we want conveniently located hospitals, schools, libraries, recreational facilities and the like, all affordably priced, we absolutely positively need much higher population densityIf we want conveniently located hospitals, schools, libraries, recreational facilities and the like, all affordably priced, we absolutely positively need much higher population density," writes Ross Robinson, covering other topics including changes to Tourism NOTL's strategy and an intriguing proposition for a new speedrail system in southern Ontario.

Growing Together: The joys of spring, in sights and sounds

"The joy of spring isn’t just about the change in weather; it’s about the profound sense of rebirth that touches everything around us," writes Joanne Young.

Letter: What’s going on with Zalepa, bylaws and the official plan?

"A bylaw system which is ignored and only acted upon by complaint is simply not fair to other compliant wineries, nor the tax-paying residents of NOTL," writes Bob Bader.

Letter: Happy to see Marotta win against public smear campaign

"Marotta brings new jobs as well, which could come in handy for all those who may need a new hobby besides beating up on the Marotta family," writes Peter Rusin.

Arch-i-text: Examining the latest study on the heritage conservation district

"This particular bylaw is ... remarkably flexible — almost to the point of raising the question of whether it will accomplish the protection necessary for a successful study," writes Brian Marshall of a new bylaw meant to halt development in a portion of Old Town for one year.

Arch-i-text: The restoration calculation — why historical buildings are worth saving

"A given piece of architecture, whether modest or grand, is a physical representation of the architect’s (or the property owner’s) creative expression, defined by its purpose, and set within — or sometimes in contrast with — the prevailing political, economic and cultural conditions of society," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’ Ramblings: A world I simply cannot figure out

"Should so many Canadians have worked themselves into a lather regarding this unfortunate circumstance? Suggesting that a winery be renamed, writing graffiti on walls and defacing an iconic statue in Edmonton. Can we call a truce and come to our Canadian senses?" writes Ross Robinson.

The Turner Report: More mayhem as the sap flies in Virgil

"Everything’s approved these days. Tract houses. Honking big hotels in Old Town. Condos. Towers. Heritage house mutilations. Meanwhile, the housing market’s gone icy. Sales are rare. Prices under pressure," writes Garth Turner.

Opinion: Off to the polls — what’s at stake in the next election

"Voters are being 'sucker punched' after putting their trust in the Republican Party. The survival of American democracy is once again in the hands of We the people,'" writes Keith McNenly.

Dr. Brown: Degenerative disease in the spine, part 1: Lumbosacral spine

For those in the later stages of life dealing with degenerative changes, "sorting out which clinical, radiological and electrodiagnostic features best explain the symptoms can be very challenging," writes Dr. William Brown, "and the reason why surgery to relieve symptoms related to degenerative disease so often fails to relieve symptoms."

Growing Together: Springtime care of ornamental grasses

"During the growing season, grasses are a very low-maintenance plant that requires little attention. In the spring, though, a little bit of effort is needed to keep your grasses healthy and thriving," writes Joanne Young.

Letter: Canada must lead the way in global humanitarian aid

"With the United States freezing activities under the United States Agency for International Development, urgent humanitarian assistance is needed now more than ever," writes Kajanan Dayaparan from Markham.

Letter: Climate threat should be managed from the top

"It’s unfortunate that most municipalities in Niagara have a very limited list of trees that are suitable for use for streetscape planting purposes. The tree management plan should be a tool that protects and maintains the plant before and after construction," writes John Morley.

Letter: Carney is the best choice for Canadians

"For me, the main ballot question will be: 'Who would be best equipped as prime minister in the next four years to deal with the potentially turbulent times, with respect to relations with the U.S. and the economy?' Realistically, there are two candidates," writes Michael Fox.

Letter: We need to broaden supply chain options

"Our various media outlets should be screaming for change. Canadians are fed up being taken as pawns. We deserve more from our elected officials," writes Samuel Young.

Letter: Don’t cancel the Great One

"I think our leaders should stop encouraging people to set their hair on fire and double down on determining the real issues and addressing them," writes Mark Brown.

The Turner Report: Of felled trees and swirling uncertainty

"Does Virgil need 150 more families? Can the developer even flog that many new homes from plans and a sales trailer? Now that we’ve got a new wave of job-sucking Trump tariffs coming on April 2, was the Great Pine Slaughter a tad premature?" writes Garth Turner.

Dr. Brown: When electrical signalling in the brain fails

"Interfering with signalling in the peripheral and central nervous systems has serious functional consequences, the effects of which may be masked by the capacity of surviving nerve fibres and nerve cells to carry the load — up to a point," writes Dr. William Brown.

Arch-i-text: Addressing some urban myths about designation

In examining a 2023 study from McMaster University that looked at the corelation between heritage designation and property value, "The authors concluded that heritage-designated properties 'were associated with a positive increase in sale value' and resulted in 'an increase in sale price of residential properties,'" writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’ Ramblings: Quiet remembrance of a quiet NOTLer on a quiet afternoon

"Gerry Whittaker was from another era. Unfailingly kind, humble, highly accomplished in many fields, and a great  lover of our Niagara-on-the-Lake," writes Ross Robinson, eulogizing his Chautauqua neighbour, who passed away in February.

Letter: For the love of Earth, please protect our trees

"It is essential for our existence to appreciate trees. We must plant them — in yards, cemeteries and public places and along lines and concessions," writes Cynthia Rand.

Growing Together: Rain gardens — a sustainable solution

"Rain gardens slow down the rush of water from these hard surfaces, allowing it to naturally soak into the ground," writes Joanne Young. "For every inch of rain that falls on a surface area of 1,000 square feet, approximately 600 gallons of rainwater are generated."

Editorial: An unnecessary election — and a vital one

The upcoming federal election is "vital for the Tories," writes editor emeritus Kevin MacLean, "who hope to gain power, and to the Liberals, who want to revamp and legitimize their party under newly crowned leader Mark Carney."

The Turner Report: In NOTL, special reasons to be wary of America

"It’s gone too far. Every act of resistance is justified. Canada cannot be annexed, occupied or held. Americans made a grave error," writes Garth Turner.

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