Opinion

Letter: Costs are going up. We need change to help us keep up

"When we vote for our next lord mayor or local councillors, consider who will have the courage to make the bold quantum leap changes needed to address the affordability crisis," Harry Schlange.

Letter: Don’t paint rookie politicians with a broad brush

"Ultimately, the question is not whether a council has enough first-term councillors or veterans. It is whether its members can listen, learn, work together and make thoughtful decisions in the best interests of Niagara-on-the-Lake," writes Robin Cardozo.

Letter: Why do residents with expert experience get shafted?

"Staff experts don’t have a monopoly on good advice. Public opinion, often based on years of experience, matters too," writes Chrys Kaloudis.

Letter: Let’s really embrace spooky season in Old Town

"By the time Halloween arrives, Niagara-on-the-Lake's busiest tourist season is winding down. A co-ordinated Halloween celebration could give visitors another reason to come to Old Town," writes Debra Rowe.

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.

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.

Ross’ Ramblings: In a sweltering hot summer, let’s talk about ice

"All the stars seemed to have aligned. Terror, temperature and talented people. An enabling microclimate. Wine tourists from around the world, more than willing to open their wallets wide for this sweet treat, to be savoured here or back home, around the world," writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: New Royal George deserves to be a first-class facility

"The design for the theatre is a matter of taste, but it sure beats the Dairy Queen. Also, it enhances the look and feel of the old town by adding some much-needed class," writes Mike Henry.

The Turner Report: Will tourism bring the curtain down on NOTL?

"The Royal George eruption has folks again asking that eternal question: is this a place to live or a theme park for the tourists?" writes Garth Turner.

Letter: Heritage committee has issues with Royal George plan

"What most of the committee realized during the Shaw’s presentation was that the new building was going to destroy heritage houses and turn Victoria Street into a service road for trucks backing into a loading dock," writes Wayne Murray.

Letter: Speed cam vandal should be charged

"No more mistakes. Distracted driving kills. Stop making excuses to play Russian roulette with children's lives and follow the flipping rules," writes Lani Parkinson.

Arch-i-text: It’s much more than all to do about nothing

"Change within the heritage district is one thing, but the wholesale flouting of the heritage district guidelines — specifically designed to preserve its 'special character' — is a horse of a different colour," writes Brian Marshall.

Opinion: Let’s work together to make Shaw’s new Royal George a success

"I support building a new theatre. Done right, it will bring new energy and vitality to Old Town and will make both the Shaw and Niagara-on-the-Lake a prized place to live, work and visit well into the 22nd century," writes David Israelson.

Letter: Curious safety priorities in town

"On the one hand, we have the traffic camera at Crossroads School and, on the other, we have the dangerous E. coli levels at Queen's Royal Beach (and, likely, the much-ignored Ryerson Park beach)," writes Bruce Dickson.

Growing Together: Achieve your landscape goals in a small space

"Just like any garden, you need to have something that will catch and capture your attention and cause your eyes and mind to rest. Let your imagination go when dreaming of what your focus will be," writes Joanne Young.

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