"A&M are pumping their latest project. It’s a whopper. If the sisters get their way with local politicians (once again), the old Rand Estate will turn into a five-storey, 111-room luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel," writes Garth Turner.
"Should any future council enact an interim control bylaw, underwritten by a duly compliant study, it will be largely legally unassailable," writes Brian Marshall.
"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.
"If we each add a couple pollinator-loving plants, it will make a positive difference. If we feed a pollinator, they will in turn provide us with the food we need to survive," writes Joanne Young.
"For a visitor-dependent destination to allow such a disgusting display to recur in full public view year over year without abatement, or even evident intervention, calls its priorities seriously into question," writes Bruce Dickson.
"When I cast my votes in municipal elections, I do so for candidates who I believe will bring the best set of skills, experiences and judgments in dealing with the important issues facing our town even where I do not agree with everything that they stand for," writes Ron Fritz.
"My sincere thanks to the three gentlemen who were successful at reuniting me with my special hat and restoring my faith in human kind," writes Dr. Fred Ross.
"I realize each theatre patron sees the world differently but in this case the great majority of the audience by the their response saw the play as the director intended," writes Michael Eagen.
It has been reliably reported that Coun. Erwin Wiens has been heard suggesting he believes the council’s decision to rezone the Parliament Oak property...
"The Meritorious Service Medal (civil division) is one of Canada’s most prestigious awards and deservingly granted to Steffanie for her work over many years in serving our community through Red Roof Retreat," writes Peter Warrack.
Tiger Woods has carded 20 holes-in-one. There have only been 34 in Masters history. President Joe Biden has had 14, and with a straight face, Donald Trump claims 16 — many while wearing a red MAGA golf cap.
"I suspect that Ron Fritz’s excellent letter about the town needing to pick and choose its legal battles likely reflects the opinion of the majority of Niagara-on-the-Lake residents who are fed up with unsustainable property tax increases year after year," writes Jonathan Household.
Studies have repeatedly shown that as many as one-third of patients suffering from pain see noticeable improvement thanks to placebos, a measure of effectiveness rivalling or surpassing the effectiveness of many pain medications, including over-the-counter drugs and opioids for painful disorders such as headache and lower back pain.
"The decisions to approve are contrary to the official plan, contrary to much-needed guidance of contextual zoning, will change the living experience of immediate residents as well as others and also are contrary to the election promises that the majority of the five made," writes Terry Mactaggart.
"Groups who follow a common lineage and share a NIMBY attitude —and were formerly known locally as Citizens Against Virtually Everything (CAVE) — have a short memory," writes Bonita Cawker.
"It would be interesting to know how many offshore workers there are in Niagara and to ask each one whether they want to have permanent residency," writes Susan Pohorly.
Part of us hopes a lot of Canadian kids have been watching the Copa America and Euro Cup soccer tournaments to witness how the so-called beautiful game can be played.
We naively thought, hoped, wished that last summer’s collective civic embarrassment when the new rainbow crosswalk was repeatedly vandalized might have inspired greater tolerance in some pockets of Canada’s “prettiest little town.”
"Unfortunately, when it comes to development issues, our town staff are either temporary or have occupied their positions for a short period of time," writes Elizabeth Masson.
"I am certain the summer of 2024 is going to be a classic, one for the memory books. So many problems in the world, political, financial, and just plain not good. But here we are, on a parking-lot-like crowded main street," writes Ross Robinson.
Sure, it’s a nice place. Most folks would be happy living in the coach house. But is it $4.5 million nice? The latest listing on my Old Town street (one block from the flip now on sale at $3.9 million) is part of a larger local story.
"Will the ever-expanding AI universe create a society not unlike drones, unable to draw on our own accumulated experience and intelligence to think critically?" writes Don Mustill.
"The citizens of NOTL are uniformly educated, intelligent, informed and realistic," writes columnist Brian Marshall, commenting on letters to the editor sent to The Lake Report this year about contentious development plans in story for Niagara-on-the-Lake.
"Our former chief librarian chose to accept a generous severance package and is now enjoying an early retirement. Property owners have borne and paid the cost of her choices," writes Steve McGuinness.
"Not to ignore our lovely green spaces and charming wineries, but compared to the Loire Valley, Australia or New Zealand, we come up a wee bit short," writes Lauren O'Malley.
"I had no idea what a five-star hotel entailed and I suspect none of those who support the Parliament Oak plan and threw that phrase out did either," writes Gail Benjafield.
