"Without hard boundaries including progressive taxation and dissolution of monopolies, oligarchy will continue to deconstruct society until elections, law, and truth become historical artifacts," writes Keith McNenly.
"The economy has flatlined. Trump’s war went badly. Inflation is back, so interest rates won’t be falling ... But people still want houses. And, of course, everyone wants to live here," writes Garth Turner.
"Any correctly thinking council — one that represents the good of the town and its residents as opposed to commercial real estate investors — would support proper controls and a cap on the short-term rental market," writes Brian Marshall.
"The relatively sudden demise of a once-accepted part of our lives, almost instantly replaced by handheld devices that mostly pass the time in our pockets," writes Ross Robinson.
Keith McNenly
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report
Humanity is entering a new era in the dynamics of self governance. With the United States embracing authoritarianism,...
"The hype surrounding AI in the last two years may have been over the top, but the future of life as we know it will become increasingly dependent on AI," writes Dr. William Brown.
Dear editor:
A tiny silver lining in the current border tariff war is the opportunity to drop provincial barriers to internal Canadian trade. I hope...
"If the new U.S. president proceeds with his threatened tariffs, it will certainly be his biggest financial gamble since he took a lead role in Atlantic City casinos. History teaches us the results could again be dire, costly and uncomfortable," writes Ross Robinson.
Dear editor:
I read with interest and considerable fellow-feeling the article by Paige Seburn about NOTL "heritage designations."
I have had a similar rather negative experience...
Ted Carmichael
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report
How should Canadian governments and citizens respond to the Trump administration’s threatened tariffs? Even if Canada’s commitments on fentanyl...
"The desire for non-single-family accommodation continues, so it behooves NOTL to somehow grow and densify. Like bonsai, let’s plan our growth and appearance," writes Ross Robinson.
Google's GenCast, introduced at the end of 2024, is a program designed to accurately predict weather forecast for 15 days — "a far more difficult task than 10 days," writes Dr. William Brown, explaining how the program works and its implications for the future.
In this week's edition of Arch-i-text, Brian Marshall outlines how a municipality may directly intervene to bring a property into the provincially required standards under the Building Code Act.
"I believe our town does not know how to budget, does not know how to look at where wasteful spending is taking place and does not seem to hire based on merit. And every year, it gets worse," writes Susan Pohorly.
"In Canada, we are not allowed to shut down power to anyone in the middle of winter. What reaction do you think there would be should Canada take similar action against the U.S. this winter? A clear and present danger of freezing to death?" writes Daphne Lavers.
For gardeners who have been working on adding to their outdoor space but feel dissatisfied with the results, what is missing is the sense of flow, writes Joanne Young: "It is the sense of flow that creates unity and peacefulness in the landscape."
"So much of life is controlled by our reactions, especially when something beyond our control has affected us. Even the smallest thing can be remembered and can have a positive or negative influence on the rest of our lives," writes Ross Robinson.
"What’s worse than NOTL becoming a theme park? Why, turning into a cartel, of course. David Gilchrist says it’s already here, aided by the bandidos at town hall," writes Garth Turner.
"Clearly, the province has recognized the serious nature of a conviction under the building code and has provided a sledgehammer to enforce it but, far too often, municipalities have bypassed the sledgehammer in favour of a fly swatter," writes Brian Marshall.
"I would suggest that the combination of unsustainable tax increases and no serious attempts to reign in spending represents a financial crisis," writes Jonathan Household.
"The biggest piece of advice that I can give you is to do your homework. It pays to invest in a designer who will take all of your wishes and needs and fit them into your space," writes Joanne Young.
"Our identity will not be enhanced with the retention or addition of more outdoor patios along Queen Street. With no plans in place as to how many curbside patios should be permitted along Queen Street, things will only get worse. Plain and simple," writes John Morley.
"Is the lord mayor suggesting that if we as residents, have a personal agenda, and want certain things accomplished, we can only do so by being on council?" writes Buddy Andres.
The possible transmission of H5N1, also known as bird flu, into the human population, and then from human to human, "would put us a risk for a second pandemic in less than a decade, and this time, the political climate has changed and might hobble our response to a possible pandemic," writes Dr. Brown.
"Some developers appear to be using their wealth to purchase undue influence with the provincial politicians that control the tribunal. This increases the perception that the playing field is not level," writes Steve McGuinness.
With Willow Cakes & Pastries closing its brick-and-mortar store on Mary Street at the end of this month, Brian Emes shares a poem he wrote in pre-COVID times to the beloved local bakery.
