"Niagara-on-the-Lake should not be treated as an extension of a 'Vegas North' casino economy. We are not a desert entertainment strip," writes Keith McNenly.
"I have heard that during his 26 years as mayor, Henry Paffard advocated for the planting of over 1,000 trees. By any measure, that’s a lot of limbs and leaves and shade and oxygen. And with trees come squirrels," writes Ross Robinson.
"Regardless of differences of opinion over development projects, I recognize that public discourse should be conducted respectfully and without casting aspersions on others," writes Stewart Hall.
"It is not the responsibility of the bureaucracy to teach a rookie 'the ropes.' The bureaucracy is there to answer questions — what questions would a rookie know to ask?" writes Derek Insley.
Analyzing the presence of a new home in Old Town NOTL, Brian Marshall writes, "This building is almost a textbook case demonstrating that even good architecture, when built in the wrong place, diminishes both its own qualities and the neighbouring streetscapes."
"Over my career, we have come to realize that the basis of early child development is the wiring and pruning of neural connections in a child’s brain, nestled in a backdrop of positive emotional, relational health — yes, love builds brains!" writes Dr. Robin Williams.
“Orange hair is the most powerful man on earth,” says Murray Weaver. “The only thing more powerful is the stock market. It has endured wars, financial crises, COVID-19 and many more. Cracks are already beginning to appear in this man-made crisis ... The market will come back, I promise you."
"Evidence that the spinal cord is compressed is based on weakness in what’s often referred to as a 'long-track' distribution," writes Dr. William Brown. "Some patients report that they feel an electric shock sensation extending from their neck and often into their trunk legs when they flex their neck, cough or step down hard on something."
"This isn’t just about supporting the arts — it’s about investing in jobs, tourism, small businesses and the unique character of Niagara-on-the-Lake," writes MPP Wayne Gates.
"Businesses must pay their fair share of commercial taxes to reduce the reliance on residential ratepayers and our bylaw enforcement officers must enforce the bylaws as written for everyone, not focus on harassing homeowners looking to create a little shade in their backyards," writes Steve McGuinness.
"While Poilievre lacks Carney’s international experience, he possesses the most important quality for our next prime minister: A genuine commitment to serving Canadians, not global elites," writes Nicolas Petrick.
"Mulching is a simple, low-cost garden technique that has big benefits for your plants and garden’s overall health," writes Joanne Young, sharing her breakdown of why mulch is important and a step-by-step guide for using it in your garden this spring.
The new heritage conservation district study, a plan will create "a tool to manage change, the policies and guidelines accept the evolution of buildings and structures over time," writes Brian Marshall, "while ensuring that any such change complements, rather than detracts from, the district’s unique character."
"Undoubtedly things will get worse in the next few weeks as layoffs happen, confidence wanes and the economy shrinks a little. Once the election’s over, serious talks can begin to try to resurrect Canada’s favoured trading status with the Americans. That will take time," writes Garth Turner.
"We’re thrilled that Shaw is receiving $35 million in funding — arts organizations need and deserve public support. But it was disturbing to see Oosterhoff pretending to stand for Shaw. Because he doesn’t. Not for a second," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
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."
"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.
"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.
"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.
