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Saturday, October 18, 2025

Opinion

Arch-i-text: Let’s review the core principles of good design

"These core principles are neglected, ignored or improperly applied by far too many practicing architects and results in poor designs which, if constructed, assault the public's senses with inferior built architecture," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: Door-to-door to oblivion

"Urbanites may not get this, but in much of Canada, the post office is Canada. The sole, identifiable, enduring and working link to the federal government. Once that is shuttered, the bond dies," writes Garth Turner.

Growing Together: Now is an ideal time to plant a new tree

The following column was written by the late Joanne Young, garden expert and coach, and was originally published in the Sept. 8, 2022 edition of The Lake Report.

Bottom Line: Can taxpayers win when governments budget?

"The lord mayor and some councillors defend this padding as prudent to redress a perceived infrastructure deficit. But what will these reserves actually be spent on?" writes Steve McGuinness.

Ross’s Ramblings: Paper road maps have lost their way

"Even in State College on a very busy weekend, our driver didn’t once ask me for directions. It was out of character for me, but I just sat in the back seat with my mouth shut. He would just glance at his GPS screen and implicitly trust the computers," writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Hummel’s view on municipal affairs is insightful

"As someone directly involved in many of the complex issues presented to city council, Mr. Hummel has a unique understanding of the process and should be considered a source of insightful information," writes Derek Insley.

Letter: Let’s talk about the real issue with the Hummel lawsuit

"What Mr. Hummel seems to be saying is that the NOTL council should agree to the amendments that are requested by them, or be prepared to defend against expensive lawsuits," writes Derek Collins.

Letter: We need better strategies to slow down drivers

"Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of — in this instance, very costly — stupidity," writes Daphne Lavers.

Opinion: NOTL’s old hospital site? Town should get to the hub of the matter

"Council has made unpopular development decisions before, but it appears to be playing this one more carefully. Let’s hope they’re listening," writes David Israelson.

Letter: Support animal rescue efforts with greenery donations

"Fresh greenery is scarce and overpriced (due to the fires), as a nonprofit, we cannot afford to purchase fresh boughs. We’re hoping to source from NOTL properties — we donate 100 per cent to animal rescue," writes Tanya Rice.

Opinion: Thirteen years later, my flag from Parliament Hill has arrived

"As a local photographer who often documents the heritage and beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake, receiving this flag feels like a full-circle moment," writes Dave van de Laar.

Arch-i-text: Losing our place: How the new Royal George threatens NOTL’s architectural identity

"We are being asked to accept the partial destruction of the Queen-Picton heritage district’s place identity on the very questionable altar of a cultural institution’s ask," writes Brian Marshall.

The Turner Report: Love it or list it, NOTL

"The buyer of a $1.9-million house needs $400,000 in cash and an income of about $220,000 to handle the $8,400 monthly mortgage payment, plus property tax and utilities. Ouch," writes Garth Turner.

Dr. Brown: From stone tools to superintelligence, how collaboration drives human progress

"It takes villages, towns and cities of scientists working together, whether directly or simply by sharing insights and data, to make most science work in our time," writes Dr. William Brown.

Growing Together: Some bits of fall gardening folklore

The following column was written by the late Joanne Young, garden expert and coach, and was originally published in the Oct. 5, 2023 edition of The Lake Report.

Bottom Line: Coffee and fair pay for those in the daily grind

"It is not the overpaid CEOs in the corner office at the top of the pyramid enhancing the brand’s value," writes Steve McGuinness.

Ross’s Ramblings: Yet another Saturday surprise in our wee hometown

"When only 16, Maria fled her homeland in 1944 to Germany, sometimes riding with all their belongings in a horse-drawn carriage. A tough life happened during and after the Second World War," writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Deliberate actions of last term of council led to lawsuits

"If you choose candidates who promise quick fixes or politically motivated crusades, don’t be surprised when the law catches up and the bill arrives at your doorstep," writes Rainer Hummel.

Letter: Saving the David Secord House: A community’s responsibility

"Preservation is not nostalgia. It is an act of respect — for the people who came before us, and for the generations who will follow," write the Friends of Laura Secord.

Letter: Speed bumps, not cameras, are the way to go

"I’m talking about speed bumps that will take out your transmission and wreck your car if you don’t slow down," writes Jackie Bonic.

Letter: It’s NOTL’s citizens who deserve more respect

"It is the common citizens who deserve respect and should be putting such a motion forward first," writes Peter Rusin.

The Turner Report: The battles we’re losing in Old Town

"Now people who flock to see old, quaint, authentic and irreplaceable architecture are greeted by a fine example of the Mississauga Industrial school of design," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: On delegations, the David Secord House and Parliament Oak’s permit

"Properly executed, the restoration of this vital and unique piece of heritage will stand as a lasting legacy bequeathed to all Canadians," writes Brian Marshall of the restoration of the David Secord House.

Opinion: Jim Bradley’s legacy is everywhere you look in Ontario

"Bradley’s political style was as effective as his personal style was, well, dull. He was modest, polite, thoughtful and hardly ever used the teacher voice he had at his disposal. He didn’t need to," writes David Israelson.

Growing Together: The natural beauty of Niagara in autumn

"Make sure that you take some time outside this week and soak in everything that nature has to give you," wrote Joanne Young.

Bottom Line: Conflicts grow like weeds between the vines

"Outdoor event hosting is the flashpoint in an ongoing dispute between a local winery and its farm neighbour," writes Steve McGuinness.

Letter: The knives are out early

"It seems to me in the last election cycle, the knives didn't come out until later in the year or early 2022," writes Bob Bader.

Ross’s Ramblings: The nothwithstanding clause manages to flummox almost all Canadians

"Understanding the recently regularly mentioned notwithstanding clause had never been a priority in my life," writes Ross Robinson. "It's pretty dry stuff."

Dr. Brown: Exceptional, yet dangerous: the human story so far

"Unfortunately, for all our cleverness, and growing control over nature, humans have failed to develop equivalent wisdom," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: In response to the ‘amusement park’ letter

"This council marches to its own drummer — to hell with their constituents' opinions, which oftimes have been supported by professional, well-documented solutions," writes Samuel Young.

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