"Signs matter in this process. They convey a message about the candidate. They remind you who’s running and show who supports them," writes Garth Turner. "Well, what do some of the current signs tell us?"
"In short, we have two candidates who, should they become lord mayor, will support and perpetuate the current system and one candidate who is willing to take what we’ve got and work toward something different," writes Brian Marshall.
"Who were these famous and groundbreaking Jewish women? What did they have to overcome to succeed? What drove them forward? Ambition, drive, resilience for certain," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"Rick Hansen had been paralyzed in a car crash when he was only 15 years old. The years have gone by, and if he had been bilingual English/French, he just might have been the Governor General of Canada. What a life to reflect upon."
"We have to be clear with every level of government — arts and culture are important and they need government support to thrive. Arts, culture and heritage bring people to Niagara-on-the-Lake, but that doesn’t happen by accident," writes Wayne Gates.
"The power of ideas and force of personality is needed to break through the stratification and cynicism that can set in among 'veteran' politicians returning to office time and time again," writes George Herman.
"Should council fight every development request, even though the success rate for councils defending their denial is unlikely to succeed?" writes Ron Fritz.
"Throughout the search, I encountered remarkable kindness from people at the restaurant, grocery store, Tourist Information Centre and neighbours we met along the way," writes Tammy Wiens.
"Believing our town’s character was secure, more than half of the electorate sat out the 2022 municipal election," writes Judith Barnes. "This drop-off allowed a specific, tightly aligned group of politicians to take complete control of town chambers."
"The Niagara Warehouse of Hope is a well of optimism in a landscape growing more and more barren," writes Garth Turner. Last year, the group turned out thousands of items it donated to new mothers and children in need around the world.
Premier Doug Ford's "populist presentation" is "a facade behind which his government diligently works to centralize power, control and decision-making in the premier and cabinet ministers’ offices," writes Brian Marshall.
"Not that long ago, refillable water bottles became standard and accepted," writes Ross Robinson. "Usually cheap, usually plastic and colourful, and clutched by millions and millions of humanoids."
"The central villain in this climate tragedy is carbon dioxide generated by the burning of fossil fuels. Sophisticated climate models make that clear despite the claims of climate change deniers," writes Dr. William Brown.
"Here’s a really novel concept. If you don’t want to attend, don’t. If you don’t like certain music, don’t listen to it. If you don’t like a certain food, don’t eat it."
"On Queen Street, I heard the same story everywhere. The Americans were mortified. Apparently, nobody who comes here from the U.S. voted for that guy. Or will admit it," writes Garth Turner.
"Hospitality, viticulture and agriculture are the career choices of a comparable few, not the many. The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has focused for so long and with single-minded purpose on tourism that it has largely become a single-source economy," writes Brian Marshall.
With quality performances from its two leads, superb production value and creative direction from Philip Akin, Adrienne Kennedy's story of love and betrayal is well-realized at the Shaw, writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.
"Senior researchers sometimes have advantages," writes Dr. William Brown, "However, those same laboratories can be stifling for budding young scientists who challenge traditional views and are open to fresh ideas."
"Regardless of who becomes mayor, residents should consider whether the council they elect will have the capacity to exercise independent judgment," writes Al Bisback.
"To understand this in simple terms, we have a big hole (Parliament Oak). Water flows drawn by gravity, i.e. into the hole, not the other way around," writes Bonita Cawker.
"Tourism should serve Niagara-on-the-Lake — not require Niagara-on-the-Lake to be redesigned for an unlimited number of tourists," writes Bruce Gitelman.
"As with Trump, the goal is to be the most recognizable presence out there, as well as being in position to manipulate the public agenda. In which case, actual problems and actual realities never have to be addressed," writes Kevin McCabe.
"Fallout from the Big Soak continues. This goes to the heart of governance issues. If we can’t trust our reps to deal with stuff like flooding or police the voracious developers in our midst, maybe it’s time to get some new ones," writes Garth Turner.
