"So, what direction will NOTL voters choose? That’s impossible to predict but what we do know is it has never been easier to exercise your democratic franchise," writes Kevin MacLean.
"At the end of the day, we need someone who can get Ford to respect us until we can try again to vote him out. The question, I guess, becomes, what’s the best strategy?" writes Richard Harley.
"If we elect the same people (and most are reoffering) we’ll get the same result. More hotels. More bending over for tourism. More construction. More old buildings razed. More density. More compromise. More loss," writes Garth Turner.
"If you are one of the approximately 191,000 Niagara residents that live outside the boundaries of the three large cities, you have just been marginalized as a perpetual member of the minority," writes Brian Marshall.
"He had the large sculpture placed in front of the Prince of Wales Hotel, but local leaders didn’t think it belonged at the corner of King and Queen streets. Much controversy ensued and Gerry the Giraffe was soon turfed," writes Ross Robinson.
"'It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing' and swing audiences certainly did when Duke Ellington composed this jazz classic with lyrics by Irving Mills in 1931 and performed it at Harlem's famous Cotton Club," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson, highlighting one of several standout show at the Shaw Festival's Spiegeltent this summer.
"It is sad, but true that mistreatment may occur, however it can and does happen in many workplaces that have nothing to do with migrant workers," writes Susan Pohorly.
"I do think the Town of NOTL should look into having much more frequent garbage pickup, particularly when the town is hosting these special occasions," writes Melissa McGroarty.
"It was my observation, particularly given the universal opinion expressed to me by those gathered on the lawns, that many of this council's decisions are the antithesis of their campaign promises," writes Brian Marshall, who attended the town hall protest last week.
"It’s a shame that 350 people were blamed for the ignorance of a few. Let it be known that during our fight to save our town that anyone who is with our group will be held responsible for their actions," writes Karen Taylor-Jones.
"The economic policy of the past 60 years simply does not reflect the current world reality. It has the effect of allowing the rich to amass wealth to the detriment of the poor and middle classes," writes Keith McNenly.
"There is just something to be said about a more tropical look in the summer," writes Joanne Young, sharing her four favourite summer beauties that will add some “wow” to your garden.
"Please, neighbours, commit to the arts. Don’t let Yogi Berra’s famous malaprop be proven here, as he famously said, 'If people don’t want to come to the ball game, you can’t stop them,'" writes Ross Robinson.
"A nice heritage home sold in Old Town this week. The asking price was competitive, but no cigar. The new owner got it for 14 per cent less," writes Garth Turner.
"The single most important technical development to have a major impact in commercial and military aviation after the war was the development of turbine jet engines," writes. Dr. William Brown.
"THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND"
*** (out of 5)
Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, 2 hours 30 minutes, one intermission. Ends Oct 12. Writer: Marcus Gardley....
"The heritage, history and look of Old Town are fundamental and extremely important issues to its residents. Old Town is unique and should be protected by council," writes Derek Collins.
"My message to the lord mayor and the councillors who have supported what I believe are bad development projects for our town remains the same: Reconsider or resign; respect our official plan," writes Terry Davis.
"The lord mayor and council have the duty, responsibility and opportunity to take the high road and restore confidence in our local government. They can do so by fostering transparency and accountability and, most importantly, restoring TRUST, which is, after all, the real subject at hand," writes Paul Kirkconnell.
"As a solution, I encourage the planning department to provide a roadshow or series of workshops at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre or other venues to provide such education," writes Peter Warrack.
"I suggest that the town should create a Municipal Heritage Legal Defence Fund. All those who feel that money should be spent defending heritage before the Ontario Land Tribunal could donate money to the fund," writes Ron Fritz.
"The submissions from developers may have met planning department requisites but have ignored the residents' concerns and the very reason NOTL is a preferred area to live, not just visit and buy an ice cream and leave the garbage for taxpayers to clean up," writes Jean O'Malley.
"Like the human brain, AI acquires large databases (sets for AI), which cover a broad range of subjects sequestered in different sets. The issue is: how does AI choose from among different sets of data to better focus and solve the problem or question at hand?" writes Dr. Brown.
"Perhaps the anger vocalized by those who protested this week can now be channelled into something positive in working with the town and council toward a better future. Or perhaps the breach between the two solitudes is just too wide," writes Kevin MacLean.
"I find it difficult to comprehend the 180-degree reversal of four of our councillors’ and lord mayor’s election platforms. At the time, they sounded so sincere and convincing," writes Luba Fraser.
"Rates have now dropped twice, with two more chops likely in 2024. In NOTL the market, like the weather, has been uncomfortably sticky," writes Garth Turner
"Sign up for a course and then seek to have your gratuitous grievances paraded. I simply don’t understand how somebody who occupies a property that once was a forest or an orchard or part of an Indigenous territory, can stand there proudly and cry foul," writes Peter Rusin.
"This high-energy white fur ball has always been in great shape — loved long walks, swimming and running These days, Heidi loves walking by the lake, which is where she can become like a puppy again," writes Raffaella Florio.
