4.5 C
Niagara Falls
Friday, November 14, 2025

Opinion

Letter: Cottage rentals keep NOTL’s economy going and its heritage intact

"It’s time to recognize reality: Niagara-on-the-Lake is a world-class tourist town that thrives because people want to visit, stay, and fall in love with it," writes Jason Clements.

Letter: ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ casting wasn’t racist

"We all should practice "kind love against hatred" and doing one's best. My late husband (racially mixed) did this," writes Elizabeth Oliver-Malone.

Arch-i-text: An ode to those who’ve given everything to their country

"On every Nov. 11 since that day, I have shared the evening with a bottle of whisky, those memories and the words that were written down that evening," writes Brian Marshall.

Letter: Press pause on changing the school board boundaries

"Within a span of just two to three weeks, the lives and daily realities of many children and families were upended by a decision made without their voices being heard," writes Priya Litt.

Letter: Many thanks for supporting our pumpkin patch

"We had a great crop this year with lots of beautiful pumpkins," write Reid & Gabrielle, Brook & Brandon, Peg & Steve Watson.

Growing Together: On the cutting edge of a hedge

"We typically think of a hedge being kept trimmed to maintain a certain shape or height, so a more formal style. For a more relaxed or informal look, you can also let the plants grow into the shape and size that they want to be," writes Joanne Young.

Letter: Not losing any sleep over vandalized speed cam

"It's hard to feel any sympathy for the region when it comes to this issue. Regardless, they are a cash grab! Plain and simple," writes Yousaf Shaikh.

Dr. Brown: Hype and hope in Alzheimer’s disease

"It sounds great to treat as early as possible, but the drug had better be not only effective, but safe and free from troublesome side effects in patients who are clinically well," writes Dr. William Brown.

Opinion: The new Royal George Theatre: a meeting place for the whole community

"The new Royal George will be a bigger, grander complex than the current one. It has to be, by law, but more importantly, it will offer far more to the communities it serves and most especially to our friends and neighbours here in Niagara," write Tim Carroll and Tim Jennings.

Letter: Irrigation funding not a ‘transformational’ win for NOTL agriculture

"Why are our tax dollars now going to repair and upgrade the irrigation and municipal drainage system that has not been maintained properly for years and should be paid for by those that benefit from it?" writes Kip Voege.

Ross’ Ramblings: Holy cow! It’s been hot around here

"It was no surprise that our main street sidewalks were full of people of all ages doing their best to eat their gelato treats and ice cream cones 'n cups before the heat wave cheated them," writes Ross Robinson.

Arts review: ‘Tons of Money’ just needs more time to gel

"'Tons of Money' has a strong farcical plot, fine performances by a talented cast, stunning set and 1920s costume designs ... It simply needs to more cohesively come together," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

The Turner Report: Citizens resist Shaw’s latest drama

"Dear Shaw Festival, we want you to stay and prosper. But there’s a reason you’re here in paradise, and not in Brampton," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Focus on the real housing issue — the lack of affordable homes

"Building more of the same type of homes faster will do nothing but add to the current glut on the market of properties that a significant segment of our society simply cannot afford or, in other cases, do not want," writes Brian Marshall.

Growing Together: Giving your roses special care with pruning

"By removing the flowers as soon as they are done, the plant produces more flowers to produce more seeds. So, deadheading produces more blooms," writes Joanne Young.

Letter: NOTL should recognize the problem of homelessness

"I would like Niagara-on-the-Lake to be a partner in tackling these issues, which can affect any of our friends and family members, no matter who they are or where they come from," writes Steven Soos.

Celebrate with Royal Oak for 10th anniversary

"The fact that Royal Oak even exists is a small miracle for Niagara-on-the-Lake. It makes the town, all parts of it, a better place, and the more people know about it and why it’s important, the better it is for all of us," writes David Israelson.

The Turner Report: Stage fright: How Shaw will rock Old Town

"In all, four heritage buildings will be offed. The iconic Queen streetscape will be forever altered, the 120-year-old Royal George erased, trees sacrificed and apparently you have nothing to say about it," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Analyzing the Shaw’s future plans for the Royal George Theatre

"I support the Shaw’s overture for redevelopment of the Royal George. However, it must be done sympathetically, within context and not at the expense of the Part V heritage district," writes Brian Marshall.

Letter: Love is all you need

"Peace — first within ourselves, then within our families, our communities, our countries and finally in our increasingly small and fragile world — seems well worth the effort," writes Hugh Church.

Growing Together: Early June flowering shrubs

"But as we move into early summer, we start to lose some of that magic of spring and need to add in some shrubs that will extend interest and colour into summer," writes Joanne Young.

Letter: Questions and considerations about development in NOTL

"In a small community such as Niagara, where everyone knows everyone, businesses that rely on work directed to them from both governmental bodies and developers within the region are not going to want to upset their sources of income," writes Gienek Ksiazkiewicz.

Ross’ Ramblings: Hockey enthusiasm so parochial in Canada

Ross Robinson writes about watching game five of the finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers this past weekend at Butler's Sports Bar, and asks just how much love Canadians have for the sport — or, if some of them just follow the Leafs.

Letter: In defense of the Gate Street hotel — from its architect

"We can lament the fact that the properties close to Queen Street are no longer suitable for single-family houses, but the community has to decide what the best alternative use is," writes Wayne Murray.

Growing Together: The gentle giants of the garden

"Their bold foliage, which comes in a variety of greens, blues and golds, makes them ideal for creating structure and contrast in shade gardens," writes Joanne Young.

The Turner Report: ‘Corruption and democratic erosion.’ Not Trump — here

"It’s never a good thing when normally docile folks believe councillors are in the pockets of developers, that the town’s government is anti-family or that public matters are shielded from, well, the public. But here we are," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: What makes these two development proposals different

"Good design costs no more than bad design, but bad design will scar a street, neighbourhood and community for decades," writes Brian Marshall.

Dr. Brown: What Huntington’s teaches us about Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases

"The window for successful treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is usually well before symptoms develop, and perhaps explains why treatments employed when the first symptoms develop may be too late to prevent progression of the disease," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: Outdoor patios need a makeover

"Wrought iron and striped awnings come to mind, rather than the rough-looking backyard lean-to appearance they currently represent," writes Ann Handels.

Bottom Line: Home prices dip, but ownership still elusive for many

"Our residential real estate market continues to slump. Despite recent Bank of Canada interest rate drops, the days of cutthroat home bidding wars are well behind us," writes Steve McGuinness.

- A word from our sponsors -

Follow us

HomeOpinion

Subscribe to our mailing list