Opinion

The Turner Report: Storms remind us who town’s real Ruller is

"Democracy takes a hit when the one assuming that role refuses to speak on the record, be interviewed, or allow underlings to comment," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Our stormwater drains and ponds need proper care

"Without proper maintenance," writes Brian Marshall, "in a short period of time, a drain can lose its effectiveness to manage water and help to prevent flooding."

Shaw review: Once maligned, author Edna Ferber shines again

"She sought unusual locations where ordinary people built empires against the odds and where strong, smart women overcame gender, convention and adversity," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Dr. Brown: In anti-aging quest, the brain is the biggest obstacle

"Rejuvenating the brain might hold the line or possibly slow decline a bit, but not return our brain back to where it was when we were 20. That’s way beyond the science as it exists," writes Dr. William Brown.

Ross’s Ramblings: Legion rises above adversity after last week’s flood

For many NOTLers, for many years, “the Legion” has been a social constant. Of...

Letter: Stormwater drains need to be maintained

"It should be a simple concept: to mitigate flooding, keep the flood gates in order, and the waterways, drains and ditches, designed to carry away flood water, clear of impediments so that water can flow unobstructed," writes Madis Tambre.

Letter: Disappointing state of affairs at this year’s Peach Festival

"I guess it was money-maker for the Chamber of Commerce — draw a crowd without investing in quality or great entertainment," writes Judy McLeod.

Letter: Whether driver, pedestrian or cyclist, we should all be courteous

"The reality is that every one of us is, at different times, a driver, a cyclist or a pedestrian. We all benefit when our roads are safer," writes Frank Hayes.

Letter: Let’s measure councillors’ success by their achieved goals

"The assessment of one’s performance becomes more credible when weighed by third party. To state the obvious," writes Philippe Borel.

Letter: An opportunity for NOTL to support pickleball

"This is not simply about pickleball. It is about investing in the health, well-being and quality of life of our community," writes Ron Pychel.

The Turner Report: After the big storm, the big flush

"The storms helped us face facts. A massive assault on the sewer system should have been disclosed — before the toilets burped, sump pumps were overcome and basements filled," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Addressing stormwater infrastructure issues, now and for the future

"While the current council does not bear full responsibility for the sad state of our infrastructure, its decision to greenlight development applications that rely on the same inadequate and failing infrastructure must be called into question," writes Brian Marshall.

Shaw review: Embrace your inner child with ‘The Wind in the Willows’

"Indulge the child within you. This joyous production is for all ages and it was pure delight to see children on the edge of their seats, parents and grandparents alert, all responding and laughing in anticipation of what was coming," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Dr. Brown: ‘Behold, I make all things new’: Can we reverse aging?

"In a nutshell, that’s what rejuvenation is all about: making old cells, old systems, old organs including our brains, young again. Or at least, that’s the hyped hope," writes Dr. William Brown

Ross’s Ramblings: Greetings from a wetter-than-usual NOTL

"We can rest assured town council and our town staff led by chief administrator Nick Ruller are working overtime and proactively to mitigate the effects of our next major precipitation event. Big bucks. But with climate change guaranteed, 'it’s a matter of when, not if,'" writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Residents and business owners need post-flood help

"We have seen heartbreaking images of flooded basements, entire farmer’s fields swept away, and businesses’ inventories destroyed," writes Wayne Gates.

Letter: Turner needs to step in and run again

"Garth is right that local politicians have the greatest impact on people’s daily lives. That is precisely why he should participate in the next election," writes Gienek Ksiazkiewicz.

Letter: Tourism pushback in Spain an omen of things to come

"I have reported previously that tourism will be the eventual downfall of our local culture. We are nearing, or past, the point of no return, yet more tourism is our number one priority," writes Sam Young.

The Turner Report: When the rules just don’t matter

"Our leadership gave the final green light to a modern complex that will forever, irrevocably, irreversibly change our landmark street. Not since 1847 when the Courthouse was built has anyone done this," writes Garth Turner.

Shaw review: A thoughtful ‘Heartbreak House’ that never fully catches fire

"'Heartbreak House' is a profound examination of generational change, of dreams and ambitions shattered by war, of industry and government overturning social programs in favour of exploitation," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Arch-i-text: What will it take to ensure heritage properties are protected?

"What do we want our legislative bodies — municipal and provincial — to do to underwrite our shared wish relative to protecting Ontario’s heritage?" writes Brian Marshall.

Dr. Brown: The surprising link between dementia and epilepsy

"Do some patients with mid-to-late-stage dementia have abnormal electrical activity in their brains that contributes to their cognitive decline?" writes Dr. William Brown.

Ross’s Ramblings: This summer’s forest fires recall fires of the past

"Hats off to our first responders. These brave people go toward the fires to save lives and limit damage. Most people flee fires," writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Council votes to undermine its own tree bylaw. Now what?

"Some homeowners pay fees and plant replacement trees in good faith, while others, it turns out, can appeal and be exempt from the law as written. Ridiculous," writes Kenton Needham.

Letter: Accessibility is key for great hospitality

"Accessibility is not just about complying with the law. It is about hospitality. It says that every customer matters and every visitor deserves the opportunity to enjoy everything our beautiful store has to offer," writes Cheryl Katz.

Letter: Tragic state of affairs at Parliament Oak

"I take the aerial view of the Parliament Oak fiasco surrounded by the large green trees and surrounding side streets ... as devastating, sad and tragic," writes Richard Peter Rand.

The Turner Report: Who can save NOTL from political grift?

"Although this level of government has the greatest impact on citizens’ daily lives, it is weak, ineffectual, rudderless and dominated by special interests," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: America’s greatest architect believed nature, not money, should shape our cities

Over the last five centuries, says Frank Lloyd Wright, what humanity has called architecture has been "phony": "It was not innate, it wasn’t organic and it didn’t have the character of nature.” 

Shaw review: Savour the vigorous comedy of ‘One for the Pot’

More than 40 years after the debut of this British farce on the Shaw Festival stage, "One for the Pot" returns with excellent performances that contain the elements needed to make this for-the-masses comedy a laugh riot, writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Ross’s Ramblings: We didn’t choose English — we just got lucky

"As a pretentious British boss of mine said many years ago ... 'I have found that around the world, one can get on with two languages: English, and loud English,'" writes Ross Robinson.

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