"Without hard boundaries including progressive taxation and dissolution of monopolies, oligarchy will continue to deconstruct society until elections, law, and truth become historical artifacts," writes Keith McNenly.
"The economy has flatlined. Trump’s war went badly. Inflation is back, so interest rates won’t be falling ... But people still want houses. And, of course, everyone wants to live here," writes Garth Turner.
"Any correctly thinking council — one that represents the good of the town and its residents as opposed to commercial real estate investors — would support proper controls and a cap on the short-term rental market," writes Brian Marshall.
"The relatively sudden demise of a once-accepted part of our lives, almost instantly replaced by handheld devices that mostly pass the time in our pockets," writes Ross Robinson.
"The allegations about hollowing out and the loss of neighbours didn't apply then and doesn't apply now to hosted short-term rentals," writes Kenn Moody.
"In my decades on this planet I’ve been pushed around a few times ... But never been beaten, viciously, until one pleasant and warm Friday afternoon in the bucolic bosom of Old Town NOTL," writes Garth Turner.
"We were gifted with laughter, anticipation and Wodehouse magic, plus some terrific Gene-Kelly-inspired dancing. Anchors away, don't miss this joyful cruise," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"Ironic that NOTL, at about a quarter of the population of Portland, should have identical total (2022 vs. 2024) numbers for licensed short-term rentals," writes Brian Marshall.
"There are better (and still profitable) uses of that property that would also celebrate its historic placement among us. Randwood should be available to the public for reasonable access," writes Terry Mactaggart.
"For your writer to make the comment that people are not allowed occupancy at the remaining Rand property is both incorrect and false, as are those that refer to hypocrisy and again to NIMBYism," writes Derek Collins.
“Queen Street will never be the same,” Nicholas Colaneri tells Garth Turner. “The change might not be tomorrow, but watch out 15 years from now, when we won’t have heritage any longer."
"As the ring-master of inventions and deceptions, Wyke is supremely confident that in the real world of crime, who could possibly outthink him?" writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"At the very least, this application should not have been deemed complete until it complied with the provisions of the tribunal’s decision. Instead, it was given the go-ahead," writes Brian Marshall.
"How do we solve the quandaries of the conflicts of interest? The very people who have expertise in a certain subject often opt to recuse, to voluntarily remove themselves, from the discussions," writes Ross Robinson.
"Future conflicts are breeding now because of what happened in the past and continues in the present and will be bitterly remembered in the future," writes Dr. William Brown.
"There is a lot of hypocrisy especially in the Old Town district of NOTL that is allowed to flourish in favour of NIMBY attitudes that kind of spoils the mood for others," writes Peter Rusin.
"There are opinions and then there are informed opinions. In the case of columnist Garth Turner, there are too many of the former and too few of the latter," writes Ron Fritz.
"More than 40 years later, it is almost hard to imagine the town without the Shaw as we now know it," writes Richard Harley. "And yet here we are again, acting as if the next step forward is some shocking attack on the town’s soul."
"The same tired logic keeps being used to make elected officials sound powerless, as if councillors are merely there to nod along while planners, consultants, developers and provincial policy do the real governing," writes Richard Harley.
"It was Sara Farb's finale, a stationary no-holding-back solo, guaranteed to rouse emotions, that wrenched the audience to an eruption of applause. Impressive, but still not quite enough to fill the void," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"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.
