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Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Opinion

Letter: Development control done for the right reasons

"The 2018-2022 NOTL council consistently strove to protect the natural and built heritage of Old Town, from our tree canopy and green spaces to our historic buildings and streetscapes," writes Terry Davis.

Opinion: Canada, a.k.a. Venezuela North?

"Now, upon seeing how the United States treats countries such as Venezuela when it plainly desires its resources, there can be little doubt that Canada might be an additional target on Donald Trump's radar," writes J. Richard Wright.

Arch-i-text: If development swallows up farmland, who will feed us?

"Food sovereignty and security must be considered paramount in all government policy. Otherwise, we may find ourselves as a banana republic — the beggars at the table," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: First the Fence, then the flood

"Soon the historic buildings behind the chain-link — some dating to the 1880s — will be razed. The excavators will move in. Then the erection of a 55,000-square foot complex with a six-storey height," writes Garth Turner.

The Forum: Santa Ford’s lump of coal: return to sender

"Wouldn’t our provincial government be wiser to support economic diversification? NOTL may aspire to be Napa North, but we lack their nearby Silicon Valley," writes Steve McGuinness.

Opinion: Jim Bradley’s legacy is everywhere you look in Ontario

"Bradley’s political style was as effective as his personal style was, well, dull. He was modest, polite, thoughtful and hardly ever used the teacher voice he had at his disposal. He didn’t need to," writes David Israelson.

Growing Together: The natural beauty of Niagara in autumn

"Make sure that you take some time outside this week and soak in everything that nature has to give you," wrote Joanne Young.

Bottom Line: Conflicts grow like weeds between the vines

"Outdoor event hosting is the flashpoint in an ongoing dispute between a local winery and its farm neighbour," writes Steve McGuinness.

Letter: The knives are out early

"It seems to me in the last election cycle, the knives didn't come out until later in the year or early 2022," writes Bob Bader.

Ross’s Ramblings: The nothwithstanding clause manages to flummox almost all Canadians

"Understanding the recently regularly mentioned notwithstanding clause had never been a priority in my life," writes Ross Robinson. "It's pretty dry stuff."

Dr. Brown: Exceptional, yet dangerous: the human story so far

"Unfortunately, for all our cleverness, and growing control over nature, humans have failed to develop equivalent wisdom," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: In response to the ‘amusement park’ letter

"This council marches to its own drummer — to hell with their constituents' opinions, which oftimes have been supported by professional, well-documented solutions," writes Samuel Young.

Letter: We should have public playgrounds for all ages — look at Europe

"Even now, when we cross the pond, we often find in other countries, along paths and beaches, equipment painted in joyous colours that invite fun," writes Kathy Belicki.

Ross’s Ramblings: Is our NOTL an accidental dichotomy?

"We seem to be living in the midst of so much angry emotion. Can we please give our heads a shake?" writes Ross Robinson.

The Turner Report: The wall, the hotel and the hope

"This is the Old Town’s new signature gateway project. And some people wonder what the heck went wrong with our planning process. How did we turn into Mississauga?" writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Make your voice heard on out-of-control development practices

"As citizens, we have only two formal venues through which we can express our opinion. The first is our vote, once every four years. The second is through our voice," writes Brian Marshall.

Dr. Brown: China: soon to be number one in science

"These days, China is imitating what worked in the West for success in business and science by instituting major changes to its political and managerial system to create the right combination of atmosphere, encouragement and support to develop science within China," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: Municipal heritage committee missed the mark

"When the festival’s plans come to fruition, a phony wall will stand in the place of the Royal George’s existing façade, and the streetscape of both Victoria and Queen streets will, in my view, be negatively changed," writes Terry Davis.

Letter: Charlie Kirk’s death and America’s constitutional rights

"Charlie was exercising his First Amendment right: the right to free speech, while his cowardly killer will most likely die exercising his Second Amendment right: the right to bear arms," writes Samuel Young.

Letter: Never taking no for an answer

"In my opinion, the current attempt by Mr. Marotta to impose his will on others regardless is just another example of his well-known attitude toward the residents of NOTL," writes Derek Collins.

Letter: Migrant workers’ issues are systemic, not just product of bad actors

"As a community that prides itself on our farms and vineyards, we should show that same pride by standing alongside the workers who make it possible and by defending their right to dignity, safety and fairness without exception," writes Alissa O'Halloran.

Letter: Charlotte Street needs a three-way stop

"Charlotte Street highway: a shortcut into town. Drive as fast as you can. Nobody cares; the town certainly doesn’t, they are too busy catering to the tourists," writes Tom King.

Bottom Line: Tax vultures circle above grounded snowbird

"If you own any foreign property you’re considering selling, you may want to eavesdrop on my advice to Maggie," writes Steve McGuinness, sharing some insight into the various taxes sellers of foreign property have to look forward to — namely, Canadians with a home south of the border.

Bottom Line: Alarming planning activities abound in Niagara-on-the-Lake

"We require more applicant identity clarity to assess whether the neighbours are truly acting at arms’ length," writes Steve McGuinness.

Dr. Brown: Ahead of this year’s Nobel Prize ceremony, let’s look back at past winners

"Increasingly, awards are evolving and while the Nobel Prizes remain at the top for now, the number of high-calibre competing awards by other institutions is increasing," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: In response to the deputy lord mayor’s record-straightening

"Maybe our esteemed deputy lord mayor should get his facts clarified before wading into the weeds defending his administration and planning staff," writes Bob Bader.

Letter: If developers are going to build, they should fund needed infrastructure

"This council has exacerbated a situation where the residents of NOTL are probably going to experience significant property tax increases in future years to fund infrastructure improvements," writes Gienek Ksiazkiewicz.

Editorial: NOTLers pay way too much for policing

"If taxation is to be equitable, Niagara Region needs to adopt a new model that does not penalize residents who happen to live in a low-crime community where their home has appreciated in value over the past decade or two," writes Kevin MacLean.

Ross’ Ramblings: A happy surprise gem on Terry Fox Day in NOTL

"Life in our small town was great, and the Terry Fox participants and volunteers were sharing the love. Raising the money to 'Finish It,'" writes Ross Robinson.

The Turner Report: Rockin’ in a woke world

"What’s motivating the Second Sons and the Tamaras needs to be learned. Dissing them as lowlifes and bigots doesn’t work," writes Garth Turner.

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