"Lord Mayor Zalepa has now formally endorsed the move to chop council, dump our elected rep to the region, accept an unelected super-chair and submit to a voting scheme that would mute our voice. Your voice," writes Garth Turner.
"Doug Ford’s government is taking a page out of Trump’s playbook to introduce equally ill-advised legislation with dire future impacts on provincial and local levels," writes Brian Marshall.
"Whoever came up with the design for the hospital gown? Or did it evolve naturally over the years? Seriously, it must have been the brainchild of a highly unqualified committee," writes Ross Robinson.
"As decisions are made about the future of 176 Wellington, I hope there is room to consider what it could mean for young people in this community to have a place that reflects their potential," writes Andorlie Hillstrom.
"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.
"Sure, there are lots of shortcomings and even mistakes with AI, but given improving databases and computational methods, AI continues to rapidly evolve. The potential for AI to do so is enormous," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Transparency, lawful decision-making and respect for the limits of municipal authority protect not only the town, but also the residents who ultimately bear the financial consequences," writes Maria Mavridis.
"For whatever reasons, Niagara-on-the-Lake has a history of delaying important decisions; here’s a chance for council to break that pattern and make Canada’s most beautiful town even better," writes David Israelson.
"The government has plenty of time for photo ops and fundraising tours, but not enough time in the House to seriously address the issues families are worried about every day," writes Wayne Gates.
"The Shaw as we know it is losing touch with new realities," writes Lydia Madonia. "The loyal audience they have enjoyed is slowly fading away and it is not being replaced by a younger audience."
"I challenge each town councillor and employee to make a personal effort to only spend what they actually make, rather than spending money just because they 'want' something," writes Susan Pohorly.
"Media and technology today allow us to be informed, and almost everything is in real time. Not that long ago, less than a century, news travelled at a snail’s pace, if it travelled at all," writes Ross Robinson.
"In 2025, we have borne witness to a series of assaults on the tapestry of Niagara-on-the-Lake," writes Brian Marshall, writing about the Crysler-Burroughs property, Glencairn Hall, the Royal George Theatre and more.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
