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Niagara Falls
Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Opinion

Editorial: Niagara’s amalgamation gong show

"Let’s take a careful and thoughtful approach toward amalgamation. Niagara’s entire system of local democratic representation hangs in the balance," writes Kevin MacLean.

Opinion: Amalgamation threatens NOTL’s unique identity and decision-making power

"We need to have the ability for local voices to make decisions that are best for the character and residents of the town," writes Wayne Gates.

The Turner Report: So much digging. So little telling

"The next month will bring the collapse of the theatre, the erasure of the historic barber shop beside it ... and geothermal drilling," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Amalgamation costs less? Some researchers disagree

"The published findings of this report resulted in the conclusion that while amalgamation was supposed to bring cost savings, smaller government and lower taxes, it didn’t," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: Did the black maple leaf jinx our Olympic hockey players?

"What was the point of having black maple leaves on the Canadian ice hockey sweaters? Was it Nike’s creative folks dictating to our national Olympic bosses?" writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: Want to live longer and better?

"Our fate is not dictated by the sum of all the diseases we develop in our lives, especially in the later decades of life," writes Dr. William Brown.

The Turner Report: Stop yapping. NOTL is pawfect

"NOTL may attract three million visitors a year, but at its heart are caring, decent people always finding time for a pet, a smile and a stroke of my incredibly handsome fur," writes Cody the Chow, taking over for Garth Turner this week.

The Turner Report: What turned NOTL real estate skunky

"Sure, overpriced homes will continue to sit, but there are lots of properties now priced at 2022 levels, getting no action. Sellers are anxious. Many are willing to deal," writes Garth Turner.

Arts review: Bidding adieu to the Royal George with ‘A Christmas Carol’

"Some will mourn the final performances of 'A Christmas Carol' at the Royal George for the foreseeable future. Others will mourn the passing of the theatre itself," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Arch-i-text: ‘If not here, then where?’ Not there.

"The basic precepts of good urban development planning place the onus on the local government to proactively identify low, medium and high-density locations," writes Brian Marshall.

The Forum: Our held-over then cancelled patio roller-coaster ride

"The only thing certain about this ongoing great town patio debacle is that it is not over," writes Steve McGuinness.

Dr. Brown: The long road travelled and ended — and a big thank you

"Over the last six years, I’ve witnessed their hard work, dedication and faithfulness to care for their charges much as they would their own. That’s been a privilege to witness first-hand, and never more so than in Jan’s last few days," writes Dr. William Brown.

Ross’s Ramblings: The trees and I share an early winter day

"As locals, most of us tend to fall into the trap of taking our trees for granted. Not so for Suzanne and her horticultural and history-hungry daughter," writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: We can do better than the temporary patios

"I, for one, look forward to Queen Street regaining her former regal beauty without the tawdry decks projecting into the street," writes Bob Bader.

Ross’s Ramblings: How did I miss this great Canadian story?

"We have no shortage of issues that will affect our futures, but may I humbly and respectfully request that we all take a few deep breaths?" writes Ross Robinson.

The Forum: Ka-ching! Our hard-working, money-printing parking machines

"Metered parking is enforced for 3,340 hours a year, meaning the annual maximum revenue is $18,370 per space at full utilization," writes Steve McGuinness.

Dr. Brown: Want to know how ChatGPT works? Create a simpler model

"Depending on the version, ChatGPT was trained on millions to trillions of times more data than was used in this simple model. That’s where ChatGPT gets its information and power," writes Dr. William Brown.

Arch-i-text: The battle of fact vs. fiction happening in our town

"Here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, apparently aided and abetted by several of our elected 'representatives,' this narrative has been successfully played out again and again over the term of the current council," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: The town of tough guys

"People respond with anger, aggression and the need to lash out when they’re insecure and under threat. Not by an old dude with a dodgy leg, but by circumstances," writes Garth Turner.

The Turner Report: NOTL nears the tipping point

"People flock here (three million of them annually) because it’s authentic. It’s ancient. Historic. Quaint in a way Mississauga and Buffalo never will be. Not cute. Not fake," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Sign of the times: of gifts, taxes and other things

"If one gives away a million dollars here and there ... where does the money come from to make up those losses in order to fulfil the region’s legislated responsibilities?" writes Brian Marshall.

The Forum: The Eagle has landed — and rules the regional roost

"Multi-millionaires received a 20 per cent off early Black Friday discount on the $5 million total development charge," writes Steve McGuinness.

Ross’s Ramblings: Now we know the Christmas season is upon us

"Let’s all lighten up a bit and get jolly as the holly appears once again. Queen Street downtown, and indeed our four villages, are being transformed again," writes Ross Robinson.

Opinion: A letter to Santa, the nicest Canadian of them all

"The world has become a darker place, and it’s going to be a tough Christmas for you, just like everyone else," writes Keith McNenly.

Dr. Brown: How intelligent is AI and is AI conscious?

"Is AI intelligent? Sure. It is, and becoming as intelligent or more than most humans. Is AI sentient? Not yet, but on the way. And it won’t be long," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: O what a rent the envious Doug Ford made

"It remains possible that when more Ontarians find themselves out on the street, they may reconsider their votes in the past for Ford and his government," writes Kevin McCabe.

Letter: Chautauqua project preserves nature for the next generation

"As these new oaks will live for hundreds of years, this awareness will help maintain a stewardship state of mind in the community for many, many decades to come," write Leslie Frankish & Holmes Hooke.

Letter: What we found on a starry night in Queenston

"The night was getting on, and our tired eyes were still glued to the window, searching for that special house that would make the drive worthwhile. And there it was," writes Lucy Kovaliv.

Letter: Household trash dumping at McDonald’s must stop

"Surely the owner of this McDonald's could review this past week's security camera records, identify the paint can bandit and turn the data over to the police for prosecution," writes Samuel Young.

Letter: Joanne Young’s memory still lingers with us

"My wife and I were blessed to get to know her on a personal level as we had recently joined a Christian prayer group, which Joanne had long been a part of," writes Joost Vandelinde.

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