"These core principles are neglected, ignored or improperly applied by far too many practicing architects and results in poor designs which, if constructed, assault the public's senses with inferior built architecture," writes Brian Marshall.
"Urbanites may not get this, but in much of Canada, the post office is Canada. The sole, identifiable, enduring and working link to the federal government. Once that is shuttered, the bond dies," writes Garth Turner.
The following column was written by the late Joanne Young, garden expert and coach, and was originally published in the Sept. 8, 2022 edition of The Lake Report.
"The lord mayor and some councillors defend this padding as prudent to redress a perceived infrastructure deficit. But what will these reserves actually be spent on?" writes Steve McGuinness.
"Even in State College on a very busy weekend, our driver didn’t once ask me for directions. It was out of character for me, but I just sat in the back seat with my mouth shut. He would just glance at his GPS screen and implicitly trust the computers," writes Ross Robinson.
"No matter the season, there are always plants that are ready to show off the beauty that lies inside of them and summer is no exception," writes Joanne Young.
"I felt happy to still be curious, but at the same time, sad because my life has been so lacking in music. I know so little, but am able to lose myself in this world that is so foreign to me," writes Ross Robinson.
"Year after year, the Conservative government has underinvested in primary care, abandoned rural communities and advanced private clinics at the expense of our public health system. This trend must stop," writes Wayne Gates.
"For the sake of the heritage district, town residents and the Shaw, I hope they succeed in tabling a design that will work," writes Brian Marshall of the upcoming Royal George Theatre renovation.
"This is the Niagara Warehouse of Hope. Mary and her squeeze, Ted, started in their garage almost 40 years ago. She now operates out of the big structure a crew of believers built in a single day and ships containers around the world with the help of at least 150 volunteers," writes Garth Turner.
"I humbly submit these solutions to restore and preserve the existing theatre, bring it up to code, and maintain the historic character of Queen Street," writes Yimlei Molly Yep, retired architect.
"If the town had done its due diligence, it would have found that scores of other municipalities in Canada and the U.S. did studies that resulted, in many cases, in changing plans for location," writes Rick Gallant.
"I am confident that participating businesses will not only see increased foot traffic but will also be recognized for their leadership and goodwill in fostering a more inclusive community," writes Cheryl Katz.
"40 kilometres an hour, 24-7, all year round, for a school closed for a large portion of that time due to school hours and summer closures doesn’t make sense," writes Charles Goddard.
"I hope the festival team will rethink their design for the new theatre. Not the push to make the new space fully accessible and incorporate accessible washrooms ... but the overall look and feel of the facility," writes Terry Davis.
"Niagara-on-the-Lake is not meant to be a town of lockboxes and absentee landlords. It’s a place to live," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley. "And while tourism is part of that identity, it should not come at the expense of neighbourhoods."
"U.S. President Donald Trump, with his focus on trade and tariff negotiations, poses significant threats to our town's economy. Local businesses must adapt quickly to protect profits and jobs," writes Steve McGuinness.
"All the stars seemed to have aligned. Terror, temperature and talented people. An enabling microclimate. Wine tourists from around the world, more than willing to open their wallets wide for this sweet treat, to be savoured here or back home, around the world," writes Ross Robinson.
"The design for the theatre is a matter of taste, but it sure beats the Dairy Queen. Also, it enhances the look and feel of the old town by adding some much-needed class," writes Mike Henry.
"The Royal George eruption has folks again asking that eternal question: is this a place to live or a theme park for the tourists?" writes Garth Turner.
"What most of the committee realized during the Shaw’s presentation was that the new building was going to destroy heritage houses and turn Victoria Street into a service road for trucks backing into a loading dock," writes Wayne Murray.
"No more mistakes. Distracted driving kills. Stop making excuses to play Russian roulette with children's lives and follow the flipping rules," writes Lani Parkinson.
"Change within the heritage district is one thing, but the wholesale flouting of the heritage district guidelines — specifically designed to preserve its 'special character' — is a horse of a different colour," writes Brian Marshall.
"I support building a new theatre. Done right, it will bring new energy and vitality to Old Town and will make both the Shaw and Niagara-on-the-Lake a prized place to live, work and visit well into the 22nd century," writes David Israelson.
"On the one hand, we have the traffic camera at Crossroads School and, on the other, we have the dangerous E. coli levels at Queen's Royal Beach (and, likely, the much-ignored Ryerson Park beach)," writes Bruce Dickson.
"Just like any garden, you need to have something that will catch and capture your attention and cause your eyes and mind to rest. Let your imagination go when dreaming of what your focus will be," writes Joanne Young.
