“We’re very, very, very worried about what’s happening,” he says. “The dots are starting to connect.”

Vaughn Goettler lets it spill out: “There’s more going on than we know. There’s a plan. Erwin is friends with Dougie. If he gets in, they’re going to put a casino or casinos into our backyard here, maybe even in one of the developments that’s under construction or proposed as we speak.”

So, yeah, the gloves just came off. Retired, wealthy, philanthropist, self-made man Goettler is taking direct aim at sitting deputy mayor, grape king and former career cop Erwin Wiens. Both want to be lord mayor. One is all brakes. One is all gas.

The election slugfest slipped into high gear late last week as the province (led by Doug “Dougie” Ford) announced “a major milestone” in its plan to double tourism in these parts. Simply put, this opens all of Niagara region to an historic expansion of casinos, gambling and related entertainment.

The company with a lock on casinos (now operating two in the Falls) has agreed to “allow additional casino operators to enter the gaming market.” That market includes NOTL. And Goettler smells a blackjack rat.

“People have joked about a casino going into the Parliament Oak hotel,” he says. “But what if it’s not a joke? What if — nudge, nudge, wink, wink, behind the scenes, you know — Erwin has agreed? Maybe it’s already decided. Already done. We have no idea how many behind closed door agreements have been made.”

Poppycock, says Wiens: “I am unaware of any discussions of casinos taking place. For the record, I do not support casinos in Niagara-on-the-Lake. That is a hard ‘no’ for me.”

So, what do we know?

There is a ton of political capital being thrown at a dramatic expansion of the tourism business here. The province is spending more than $1.5 billion to twin the QEW bridge over the canal. There is almost $40 million in public money being scooped by the Shaw for its massive Royal George expansion.

And to help facilitate 25 million visitors a year, the cutesy little local airport is slated to become a regional hub. Passenger traffic could mushroom from about 8,000 now (mostly chartered heli riders) to 600,000, landing via jets on scheduled trips from Canadian and U.S. cities.

For his part, Wiens is fine with it.

“The airport’s master plan is a 20-year roadmap rather than a commitment that every recommendation will automatically be built,” he tells me. “Improvements such as terminal and parking upgrades, and security and customs facilities will have direct benefits to the community.”

His main concern is the impact on agriculture. Otherwise, “I support responsible improvements to the Niagara District Airport because better air access can strengthen business connectivity, emergency services, local employment, tourism, community access and Niagara’s long-term economic resilience.”

Resilience or unshackled growth? Will Ontario’s thirst for GDP, its embrace of gamblers and the dreamy vision of Las Vegas North turn authentic little NOTL into a theme park?

Is Goettler’s paranoia that powerful forces have already approved too many new hotel rooms, surrendered too much local control and allowed developers to corrupt town hall, justified? Or does he spout election hyperbole meant to stir loins, flush cheeks and scare up votes?

But add it up: The airport. The bridge. The bag money being thrown around. The unwarranted edifices like Parliament Oak or the Rand Ritz-Carlton. The gutting of our local council (we lose two seats and a regional rep). Even the St. Davids roundabout making trips to the casinos faster.

Goettler sees a plot. He also sees in the July 28 and Aug. 2 floods, justification for an immediate moratorium on all new development.

“We must do that, until we can figure out the infrastructure to support any more,” he says. “That’s really number one for the sake of all the residents.”

Wiens responds that his support for development, “is not a blank cheque.” Things like building out the airport, “must be supported by demonstrated demand, sound financial planning, appropriate environmental and agricultural studies, regulatory approvals, public consultation and a clear benefit to Niagara-on-the-Lake.”

Andrea Kaiser is also running to run the place. She tells me her position is that a process is required before, well, she has a position.

“I think the proposed airport expansion deserves a full and transparent public process before any position is taken. We need to understand the potential economic benefits, but also carefully consider the impacts on traffic, infrastructure, agriculture, residents, noise and tourism.”

Nominations close Friday.

Garth Turner is a NOTL resident, journalist, author, wealth manager and former federal MP and minister. garth@garth.ca