5.5 C
Niagara Falls
Sunday, April 5, 2026

Opinion

Letter: NOTL ‘in the parking business’ sad reflection of our times

"I have no doubt that our hard-working councillors are concerned about raising revenues. But really — a parking lot at a historic gateway site, where caring and community have always been at the heart?" writes Robin Cardozo.

Opinion: Don’t it always seem to go? NOTL’s parking lot push

"Will NOTL’s council ever be ready to consider other options for this public property? Based on what we’ve seen so far, you don’t what you’ve got till it’s gone," writes David Israelson.

The Turner Report: A town where you don’t ask questions

"Is this still an artistic enterprise worthy of oodles of tax money, the sympathy of donors and exemption from all heritage rules? Or, has it become a non-tax-paying corporation heavy into real estate development?" writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: What our buildings are saying — and why it matters

"If you go for a walk in your neighbourhood, look at the houses — what you’ll see on the streetscapes will begin to communicate its architectural language," writes Brian Marshall.

Dr. Brown: The nature of consciousness — and what it means for AI

"These days, the nature of consciousness is hotly debated by several competing groups, with no consensus or clarity emerging in the debates between them," writes Dr. William Brown.

The Turner Report: The mayor, the build and the nasty writer

"The election’s this autumn. Betting is among senior members of the rebel NOTL residents rabble that the current monarch, Gary Zalepa, will be buried if he choses to run again," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Why reusing the old hospital on Wellington makes sense

"The old hospital could become an adaptive reuse example to the world — provided the political will is brave enough to move forward," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: When the going got tough, our Legion got going

"Prolonged really freezing temperatures, ice and persistent accumulations of snow had basically shut our town down. But our Fish Fry crew had thawed the haddock, and it just isn’t right to thaw it again," writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: The science behind ‘that gut feeling’

"It’s common enough when we’re worried or upset for our feelings to be accompanied by an increase in heart rate, perhaps even a skipped or extra beat ... But what if, as some scientists suggest, the opposite happens?" writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: So, when I stand up for myself and others, I get banned?

"If we truly want a better Niagara-on-the-Lake, we need fewer echo chambers — and more courage to hear the full story," writes Maria Mavridis.

Letter: The constantly negative Turner Report has got to go

"His obsession with the Shaw and the real estate market is not only repetitive — it's downright boring," writes Liz McElheran.

Letter: Time to amalgamate NOTL into a bigger Niagara

"With amalgamation, we will get quicker development of the airport expansion and won’t have to listen to this group’s agenda items like 'climate adaption and community resilience' — what?" writes Peter Rusin.

Letter: More controversial development likely coming NOTL’s way

"I hope I’m wrong, and that things will change," writes Terry Davis. "And that NOTL will continue to be a wonderful place to live, work and visit."

Opinion: Joining Niagara’s conservation authority with Toronto’s would be a big mistake

"Doug Ford is forcing through the amalgamation of our local conservation authority — the conservation authority that protects so much of what we hold dear in Niagara," writes Wayne Gates.

The Turner Report: The governor, the president and your house

"Existing tariffs are bad enough ... but hiking them to 100 per cent — and maybe ripping up the existing Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement this summer? That’s war," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Two situations facing the heritage committee this year

"Senior town staff and certain downline staff members were fully cognizant of the actual 'state of affairs.' However ... it seems that they failed to communicate these requirements to their heritage planners," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: Polar vortex tests toughness of local Scots on Burns Night

"Think about how tough life was for  our ancestors. We cannot even imagine. How did they survive and prosper without all the things we take for granted?" writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: Why does belief in the afterlife persist throughout human history?

"It’s not hard to understand why our ancient ancestors might have created stories to explain and cope with the natural world that surrounded them," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: Many thanks for our neighbours’ generousity during the snowstorm

"I've lived in the village of Queenston for nearly two decades, and I never cease to be amazed at the kindness and generosity of my neighbours," writes Linda Fritz.

Letter: Actually, let’s keep talking about immigration

"Are we only pro-immigration because people are fleeing persecution or hunger? Would immigration be immoral if they were not?" writes Alexander Evans.

Letter: A lot of positive things are happening, too

"To pass negative judgement of the hoarding around the site, and its design, would seem unnecessary, indeed trival," writes Peter Rand.

Letter: NOTL needs to be at the table of our future — not on the menu

"When decisions are driven by stronger powers and historic towns respond individually, compromise tends to be one-sided," writes Bruce Gitelman.

The Turner Report: Hey NOTL, hope you like trucks

"Old Town residents — on Victoria, Prideaux, Simcoe and Queen — can expect up to 50 trucks per day during various phases of the project. Dumps, flatbeds and tractor trailers," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Questions about proceedings on the Crysler-Burroughs House

"I opine that the several municipal processes related to proposed and undertaken alterations of this important heritage property have been fundamentally flawed," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: Can we please stop talking about immigration?

"How can we still be debating the subject of immigration? Especially here in the new world, and specifically in Niagara?" writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: How the latest Nobel Prize in chemistry might change the world of aviation

"Here was an example of the evolution of a novel technology in the hands of the three laureates in chemistry who reimagined how atoms and molecules might be arranged to the eventual advantage of humankind," writes Dr. William Brown

Letter: Is the town trying to administratively frustrate people?

"Requests for access to the town’s public documents that could confirm the existence of a variety of problematic items related to council’s decisions, such as infrastructure deficiencies ... are rebuffed/seemingly withheld," writes Gienek Ksiazkiewicz.

Letter: Ford’s intellect not up to the job

"As U.S. President Donald Trump's crusade to have all North American cars manufactured exclusively in the U.S. proceeds, Canada needs to replace those defunct jobs. And, we have to start somewhere," writes J. Richard Wright.

Letter: Some facts about the world of Canadian air defence

"The Department of National Defence directorate of aviation requirements has consistently and recently made it clear that the F-35 is the aircraft type that best meets Canada's defence requirements," writes Kenn Moody.

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.

- A word from our sponsors -

Follow us

HomeOpinion

Subscribe to our mailing list