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Friday, January 16, 2026

Opinion

The Turner Report: Worries build as Shaw clams up

"How will heavy construction be handled during the next three summers when Queen is shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists, cars are everywhere and festival season arrives?" writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: NOTL needs apartment buildings — but, the right ones

"This simplistic design approach to apartment buildings has dominated the sector for decades and has resulted in a quasi-institutionalized environment within the resultant neighbourhoods," writes Brian Marshall.

The Forum: Future councils will inherit a colossal financial mess

"This fiscal irresponsibility this term kneecaps our future councils, leaving them little manoeuvring room going forward," writes Steve McGuinness.

Ross’s Ramblings: Some Winter Olympic levity to loosen up the world

"Are we getting better when compared to other nations? Perhaps, but there are so many more events now. Many more opportunities to grab a medal," writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: Intelligence, whether human or AI, evolves the same way

"AlphaFold2 was like a loyal grad student who learned under the tutelage of humans at Google — not human of course, but a student nontheless and perhaps deserving of a share in the prize," writes Dr. William Brown.

The Turner Report: Dividing our world into left and right solves nothing

"Dividing the world into left and right, as the Americans are doing (and we’re following) solves nothing. One side is not right and good, the other wrong and evil. Trust me. I’ve been on both," writes Garth Turner.

Letter of the Week: Build elegant retirement residence on Parliament Oak site

"It's not too late to save the situation. Ask Mr. Marotta and Two Sisters to build something that is desperately needed and would be welcomed with open arms: An elegant retirement residence," writes Hamish Kerr.

Arts review: The hits abound at Shaw’s popular Spiegeltent

"'It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing' and swing audiences certainly did when Duke Ellington composed this jazz classic with lyrics by Irving Mills in 1931 and performed it at Harlem's famous Cotton Club," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson, highlighting one of several standout show at the Shaw Festival's Spiegeltent this summer.

Letter: An alternative view of the migrant farm workers program

"It is sad, but true that mistreatment may occur, however it can and does happen in many workplaces that have nothing to do with migrant workers," writes Susan Pohorly.

Letter: Trash cans were overflowing during Peach Festival

"I do think the Town of NOTL should look into having much more frequent garbage pickup, particularly when the town is hosting these special occasions," writes Melissa McGroarty.

Arch-i-text: Protests and problematic planning reports

"It was my observation, particularly given the universal opinion expressed to me by those gathered on the lawns, that many of this council's decisions are the antithesis of their campaign promises," writes Brian Marshall, who attended the town hall protest last week.

Letter: NOTL protesters shouted but kept their cool

"It’s a shame that 350 people were blamed for the ignorance of a few. Let it be known that during our fight to save our town that anyone who is with our group will be held responsible for their actions," writes Karen Taylor-Jones.

Opinion: The times are a-changin’, but not for the better

"The economic policy of the past 60 years simply does not reflect the current world reality. It has the effect of allowing the rich to amass wealth to the detriment of the poor and middle classes," writes Keith McNenly.

Growing Together: Time to think big about tropical gardens

"There is just something to be said about a more tropical look in the summer," writes Joanne Young, sharing her four favourite summer beauties that will add some “wow” to your garden.

Ross’s Ramblings: Marvel at musical talents right here in NOTL

"Please, neighbours, commit to the arts. Don’t let Yogi Berra’s famous malaprop be proven here, as he famously said, 'If people don’t want to come to the ball game, you can’t stop them,'" writes Ross Robinson.

The Turner Report: Dream of being a landlord? Do the math first

"A nice heritage home sold in Old Town this week. The asking price was competitive, but no cigar. The new owner got it for 14 per cent less," writes Garth Turner.

Dr. Brown: Evolution of jet engines shows how far we’ve come

"The single most important technical development to have a major impact in commercial and military aviation after the war was the development of turbine jet engines," writes. Dr. William Brown.

Arts review: A remarkable play and excellent debut in Canada

"THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND" *** (out of 5) Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, 2 hours 30 minutes, one intermission. Ends Oct 12. Writer: Marcus Gardley....

Letter: People are angry and frustrated with council

"The heritage, history and look of Old Town are fundamental and extremely important issues to its residents. Old Town is unique and should be protected by council," writes Derek Collins.

Letter: Council needs to listen to residents’ concerns

"My message to the lord mayor and the councillors who have supported what I believe are bad development projects for our town remains the same: Reconsider or resign; respect our official plan," writes Terry Davis.

Letter of the Week: Criticism of protest a cynical attempt to ‘change channel’

"The lord mayor and council have the duty, responsibility and opportunity to take the high road and restore confidence in our local government. They can do so by fostering transparency and accountability and, most importantly, restoring TRUST, which is, after all, the real subject at hand," writes Paul Kirkconnell.

Letter: Hydrangea should be official flower of NOTL

"Here in The Village, where I live, hydrangeas are ubiquitous and deserve the recognition," writes Nigel Napier-Andrews.

Letter: Planning department workshops would help public understand process

"As a solution, I encourage the planning department to provide a roadshow or series of workshops at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre or other venues to provide such education," writes Peter Warrack.

Letter: Town could start heritage defence fund

"I suggest that the town should create a Municipal Heritage Legal Defence Fund. All those who feel that money should be spent defending heritage before the Ontario Land Tribunal could donate money to the fund," writes Ron Fritz.

Letter: Town should have fought Parliament Oak plan

"The submissions from developers may have met planning department requisites but have ignored the residents' concerns and the very reason NOTL is a preferred area to live, not just visit and buy an ice cream and leave the garbage for taxpayers to clean up," writes Jean O'Malley.

Dr. Brown: What AI can teach us about the human brain

"Like the human brain, AI acquires large databases (sets for AI), which cover a broad range of subjects sequestered in different sets. The issue is: how does AI choose from among different sets of data to better focus and solve the problem or question at hand?" writes Dr. Brown.

Ross’s Ramblings: Today’s tradition in NOTL was yesterday’s change

A few years ago while rambling in The Lake Report, I observed that we often seem to live in a BANANA Republic. “Build absolutely...

Editorial: Anger, division and the future of NOTL

"Perhaps the anger vocalized by those who protested this week can now be channelled into something positive in working with the town and council toward a better future. Or perhaps the breach between the two solitudes is just too wide," writes Kevin MacLean.

Letter: Anywhere else, history would be protected

"I find it difficult to comprehend the 180-degree reversal of four of our councillors’ and lord mayor’s election platforms. At the time, they sounded so sincere and convincing," writes Luba Fraser.

The Turner Report: With prices high, homes are unaffordable for many

"Rates have now dropped twice, with two more chops likely in 2024. In NOTL the market, like the weather, has been uncomfortably sticky," writes Garth Turner

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