"For citizens who can’t add a small porch without a permit (that will likely be denied) ... watching builders and developers raze entire historic structures, erect hulking developments in sensitive areas and enjoy almost-free use of public infrastructure seems wrong," writes Garth Turner.
"Jennifer and Joel run a tight ship. I understand the eatery opened in 1995, and they took over the reins 17 years ago. They have the Midas touch of attracting highly talented, loyal and classy employees," writes Ross Robinson.
Six property owners have filed appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal, stalling and potentially killing the expansion of Old Town's heritage district, writes Brian Marshall.
"In the 18th century, instability, wars and social change were the norm," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson. "The function of music socially and politically was to represent the social values held by the royals, the aristocrats and the wealthy bourgeoisie."
"Earlier Ontarians understood that public ownership, pastoral landscapes, gardens, historical preservation and architecturally serious infrastructure could be forms of economic development," writes Keith McNenly.
"The legacy of our current council will be forever. A large hotel and venue plunked in a residential hood ... Changes of mass and scope to the main street that can never be undone," writes Garth Turner.
"Nobody is sure who coined the term 'sleepy little town,' but one thing is for certain: in the past few years, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake certainly cannot be described in those terms," writes Brian Marshall.
"Politicians have a habit of hanging on long after their best-before dates, believing the country can't get by without them. That's a sign of cognitive impairment, not an encouragement," writes Dr. William Brown.
From the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the recent disheartening outcome for the Montreal Canadiens, to cherishing Niagara's homegrown corner store chain and an overlooked park in NOTL, Ross Robinson's Ramblings run the gamut this week.
"None of these owners, when learning of deficiencies, should consider tearing the building down without first looking at all of the possible solutions to the problems," writes Wayne Murray.
"Our volunteers offer companionship, compassionate listening and emotional support for a caregiver’s loved one — and regular respite from caregiving duties," writes Bonnie Bagnulo.
'No one in Rainer's large extended family ever forgets that the difference between a mud hut and a mansion is only the next bad political decision," writes Wallace Wiens.
"Canadians have the right to access diverse ideas, literature and viewpoints without censorship, allowing libraries, schools, bookstores and readers to explore both popular and controversial works," write Susan Elliott and Dr. Robin Williams Foster.
"There are suddenly more reasons to talk about Mr. Hummel as he uses social media this week to eviscerate your reporter. Ad hominem arguments are always exciting. He does it well," writes Garth Turner.
"Transmissible prion is extremely stable and very hard to destroy with chemical disinfectants or heat — far more so than for the case of viruses and bacteria," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Life was tough and a never-ending challenge. Travelling on foot or on horseback or in wagons. Am I the only one who never thinks about this stuff? It was a long way to the West Coast, wasn’t it?" writes Ross Robinson.
"If we are considering a major construction project on the old hospital on Wellington Street, it would be pertinent to look at restructuring that end of Queen Street (Picton)," writes Malcolm Newton.
"It appears to this writer that Save Our Rand Estate is basically trying to preseve the historical and heritage assets that have been determined by experts to be located at the site, for the benefit of current and future generations," writes Derek Collins.
"In a Canadian climate, outdoor courts can only provide a seasonal solution. Play is limited to a relatively short portion of the year and is frequently interrupted by rain, wind, excessive heat and cold temperatures," writes Ron Pychel.
"Frank and Jill did a great job communicating with us, last year and this year, making changes to improve the traffic flow and eliminate congestion," write Bruce and Regina Robb.
"Boasts aside, the authoritarian holds only a single card — the joker’s trick of chaos and distraction. The real deck is large. Americans hold roughly 340 million cards," writes Keith McNenly.
"The arboreal genocide has been rethought. When the tree guys are finished and before the dozers move in, there will be 17 stumps instead of 41," writes Garth Turner.
"This proposal is another fail on multiple levels and is underwritten by the arrogance of applicants simply who want what they want, full stop," writes Brian Marshall.
"I don’t think any sport has changed as much as hockey during the past 60 or 70 years. Back in the day, most of the players came from Canada, so we could say with straight faces, 'Hockey: it’s our game,'" writes Ross Robinson.
"An accelerating expansion of the universe without any obvious cosmic brakes ... is a universe whose matter is so dispersed that stars can't form, with the result that the universe eventually goes dark and cold with no place for life," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Personally, I would be extremely disappointed to vote for someone whose stand on over-development aligned with my own, only to have them unable to exert their power because they are in the same business as the applicant," writes Sonja Kloss.
"This is an absolutely classic case on how to handle the insanity of the anonymous miserable people in this town; suffering fools gladly, a case study of sorts," writes Peter Rusin.
"Mr. Turner suggested that while others run for a cause or a crusade, Andrea is running because she craves power and wants to raise her public profile. This could not be further from the truth," writes Cindy I'Anson.
"Considering the terrible things that have been allowed to happen recently and are threatening again in the Old Town, this would be a good time to say that’s enough," writes Wayne Murray.
