George Smitherman cares about St. Thomas heritage, why doesn’t Aileen Carroll?

Ms.Carroll,
On November 28th,2009 it will have been 18 long months since we lost beautiful and historic Alma College in St.Thomas,Ontario.In this time many letters and e-mails have been sent to you requesting 96 Moore Street be given Provincial Heritage Designation.The property alone is deserving of the honor,however since 2 of the original buildings are still standing,along with the outdoor amphi-theatre,its only fitting that after close to 130 years of service Alma College gave to our province,the only right thing to do,would be to honor what remains,so future generatons will be able to enjoy part of the legacy,once the chapel,music building and outdoor amphi-theatre are fully restored.Alma College was lost in a horrific fire,that was deliberately set,and if not for the political bumbling of politicians,the college may very well be on its way to full restoration,instead we are trying to save what remains,with little to no interest,on the part of the culture ministry.We can’t go back in time,but we can capture a part of yesterday,by restoring the 2 remaining buildings and outdoor amphi-theatre,We are asking the provincial government to step to the plate and designate the property and assist in the restoration of 96 Moore Street.It’s not only the right thing to do,but in the interest of history,its the just thing to do…

Bob Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Aileen Carroll’s path of destruction continues

Vandals take their toll on Alma amphitheatre

From Bob Foster in Brampton, Ont
Monday September 28th,2009 marked 16 months to the day that we lost Alma College in St.Thomas,Ontario.On the property at 96 Moore Street 2 buildings remain standing,as does the unique outdoor amphi-theatre.The thousands of Alma supporters would like our culture minister to designate the property with “Provincial Heritage Designation”,so the property will be protected from any further neglect.The chapel and music building have remained untouched since the May 2008 inferno completely destroyed beautiful & historic Alma College,sadly the outdoor amphi-theatre which was restored by residents of St.Thomas shortly after the fire,is now facing a daily dose of vandalism.Our culture minister has failed to see the historic value of this property and 2 remaining structures.In the headlines almost on a daily basis is our culture minister handing out millions of dollars to one organization or another,yet funds cannot be provided to fully restore the 2 remaining structures and outdoor amphi-theatre,at 96 Moore Street.If the property was protected with heritage designation,this would pave the way for the last remaining part of the Alma College legacy,to be preserved for future generations to enjoy.Aileen Carroll failed 16 months ago to properly designate Alma College,which more than likely would have prevented this tragedy from ever taking place,and instead of mourning the loss,we would have been celebrating the grand re-opening of this once magnificent structure.The Alma supporters ask Aileen Carroll to recognize the huge contribution 96 Moore Street has made to our province.The property is at risk of becoming a distant memory,but with government intervention the property could once again become a valuable part of St.Thomas.16 months of silence from Aileen Carroll is not a positive sign from the one person who is supposed to champion the cause of preserving our heritage,instead we are left to wonder,WHO IS PROTECTING OUR PAST?

Don’t forget this in the inventory of places of worship

From Bob Foster in Brampton:

Minister Aileen Carroll,
In a recent news release on the CNW Group website,it was reported that the Ontario Heritage Trust was taking inventory of places of worship.At first I was taken aback, because for 15 months we have been trying to convince your ministry to recognize a quaint little chapel located on the grounds of 96 Moore Street in St.Thomas,Ont.The chapel was a huge part of Alma College and the thousands of student who passed through the granite gates of the college would eventually enter the chapel at some point to pray,as it was a part of their daily routine.We lost Alma College to fire in May 2008,however the chapel survived,as did the music building and outdoor amphi-theater.It would be a fitting tribute to the great legacy of Alma College,if the Ontario Heritage Trust would recognize the chapel as a place of worship,and it would also be fitting if the ministry of culture would give provincial heritage designation to 96 Moore Street,so the chapel,music building and outdoor amphi-theater would be protected from any further neglect.The Alma supporters are formally asking your ministry to recognize 96 Moore Street.I’ve included a few photographs of the chapel,and if your ministry is serious about taking inventory of places of worship,starting with the chapel at 96 Moore Street,would be a great start.The chapel may not be a grand old church,but many a student prayed inside her walls,and the chapel brought piece and comfort to all those students who came to study at Alma College,from all across the globe.Alma College gave to our province for well over 100 years,it’s now time for the Ontario government to give back with provincial heritage designation for 96 Moore Street St.Thomas,Ont

Bob Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Culture Minister Aileen Carroll’s 15 months of shame

Aileen Carroll

Posted by Bob Foster

Dear Mr.Premier,
Today marks exactly 15 months to the day that we lost beautiful & historic Alma College in St.Thomas.The Alma supporters thought our culture minister would surely step forward after the horrific fire and designate the property to protect the 2 remaining buildings and outdoor amphi-theatre,but sadly we were mistaken.Aileen Carroll has FAILED to do anything of importance,when it comes to Ontario’s built heritage.Countless buildings have been demolished on her watch,and with 14 months left before the next provincial electon,we are sure to lose many more before Ontarian’s realize what a failure this Liberal government has been,on so many fronts.Aileen Carroll was recently voted the 2nd most invisible provincial cabinet minister by the people in her own riding.Letters were sent to the editors of several newspapers by the voters in her riding,claiming she does not respond to e-mails,letters or phone messages.A spokesman for Carroll claimed she likes to work quietly behind the scene to get things done.Now that statement is laughable,Minister Carroll doesnt work quietly,in fact she doesnt work at all,at least not for the protection of built heritage.I’ve seen Minister Carroll on the evening news,at the opening of several art galleries and other regal events,but have yet to see her do anything of significant value in the area of built heritage.96 Moore Street has always been a candidate for Provincial Heritage Designation,and the Ontario Heritage Trust recommended such designation,but the ministry of culture hid the OHT report for months,letting the “demolition by neglect” to continue,until the college was burned to the ground 15 months ago.Will Minister Carroll now give 96 Moore Street the honor it so deserves,will she finally recognize the contribution Alma College made to our province for well over 100 years,or will she continue allowing historic buildings and properties to be demolished and bulldozed.The Alma supporters await designation for this historic property,anything less would be an insult to 100 years of service.We await a response,but according to voters in her own riding of Barrie,responding is not a top priority for Aileen Carroll.

Bob Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Looking for heritage roadblocks? Start with the legal community.

During its August meeting three years ago, city council denied a permit application from the Zubick family of London to demolish the remaining buildings at Alma College.
What appeared at the time to be a bold move by our municipal representatives was, in fact, nothing of the sort. With a trip to the polls just three months distant, our elected officials were just protecting their political assets.
Following the November vote, it was business as usual and a collective ho-hum to the city’s rich heritage.
To be fair, however, the finger of blame also needs to be pointed in the direction of culture minister Aileen Carroll, who appears to be missing in action when dealing with the province’s built heritage.
Or as faithful reader Bob Foster in Brampton notes, should you wish to corner Carroll, you are best to attend regal gatherings where there is no shortage of wine and cheese.

“You dont change the course of history by turning the faces of portraits to the wall”

Posted by Bob Foster:
Ms.Aileen Carroll,
On a warm and breezy August day I drove the 2 hours from my hometown of Brampton,to the city of St.Thomas where beautiful & historic Alma College stood for 130 years,sadly the college no longer towers over St.Thomas,for all the political posturing and lack of leadership at every level,allowed this masterpiece to sit neglected,until a fire eventually brought her down in May of last year.The property is historical in its own right and one would think our culture minister would see the historical value,considering 2 buildings remained standing after the horrific fire and are now facing demolition,unless someone from the Ontario government steps to the plate and gives provincial heritage designation.Are we to simply walk away from 96 Moore Street,do we just forget the contribution the college made to our province,or would the culture minister prefer the 2 buildings that have withstood the hands of time,be brought down with the wrecking ball,like so many on her watch.I’m reminded of a quote I recently read by Jawaharlal Hehru:

“You dont change the course of history by turning the faces of portraits to the wall”

This saying couldnt be more true,for if we simply turn our back on 96 Moore Street,does this mean we can just go on like we’re not to blame.We are all responsible for allowing the poor treatment of this magnificent structure to continue for so long,but we now have a chance to keep the memory alive.Will Aileen Carroll give provincial heritage designation to 96 Moore Street or will she simply turn the portrait of Alma College to the wall?

Bob Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Falling through the cracks — the innocent victims of futility

Elizabeth Dye is a strong-willed woman — whose sense of pride and work ethic prompted her to write this corner to urge the time has come to stop judging and start helping others.
She speaks not of herself, in spite of the fact she has had to “downgrade everything,” but instead for those she notes, “who don’t fit into the neat little categories society sets out as the norm.”
Those neither sick enough to be hospitalized nor healthy enough to function effectively in our society.
“They are cast aside and fall through the cracks,” she advises. “In short their family, friends and advocates just fade away when they realize the futility of the fight.”
The RPN, off work for two years dealing with her own emotional issues, wishes to draw attention to the pitiful sum handed out monthly via the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Especially in light of the fact, whether physically or psychologically unable to work, no one sets out to be in this position.

A bottle of wine and block of cheese for culture minister Aileen Carroll

The chapel at Alma College

Ms.Carroll,
For exactly 14 months,the supporters of 96 Moore Street in St.Thomas have been trying in vain to obtain provincial heritage designation for this historic property,but have yet to get a response from the culture ministry since the horrific fire that completely destroyed Alma College in May of 2008.The property has 130 years of rich history behind it,and 2 of the original buildings (the chapel & music building) still remain standing,and are in need of protection from the Ontario government.

Time to recognize the architects of Alma

Posted by Bob Foster -
Dear Mr.Premier,
Recently the Heritage Canada Foundation released it’s 2009 top ten endangered places and worst losses list,and it’s no surprise the worst loss of 2008 was beautiful and historic Alma College in St.Thomas,Ontario.The college was set ablaze on Wednesday May 28th,2008 at exactly 12 noon.The dreams of seeing this magnificent structure fully restored were now over,however once the smoke cleared we were given a renewed hope,because TWO historic buildings on the property survived the intense inferno,giving us a chance to save a small part of the 130 year legacy of Alma College.

In Carroll’s absence, vandalism continues at Alma

From Bob Foster

Dear Mr.Premier,
For over 1 year supporters of the Alma College property have been asking,begging & pleading with culture minister Aileen Carroll to give provincial heritage designation to 96 Moore Street in St.Thomas,Ontario.The culture minister has not responded in any fashion to our requests.Alma College was lost to arson in May of last year,however 2 buildings still remain on the historic property,and were an important part of Alma College.It was reported yesterday that part of the historic front gate,known as “the Sifton Gate” has been stolen,leaving only 1 half of the gate.If the culture minister does not move soon to protect what remains,its only a matter of time before we lose whats left of the Alma College legacy.We ask you and Minister Carroll to give provincial heritage designation to 96 Moore Street,so we can restore the music building,the chapel and the outdoor amphi-theater.The theft of the Sifton gate is heartbreaking,and we now need to have government protection put in place to ensure nothing further is removed from this historic property.Will Minister Carroll do the right thing and honor this historic property with Provincial Heritage Desigantion? We await a response.

Sincerely,
Robert F.Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Ah, before you go on holiday Aileen Carroll

Ms.Carroll,
The Alma College supporters are requesting that the Ministry of Culture give “provincial heritage designation” to 96 Moore Street in St.Thomas,before you & your cabinet colleagues embark on a 14 week summer vacation.We’ve now waited well over 11 months for a response from you,and on Thursday May 28th,2009 it will be 1 full year to the day,that we lost the college to arson,however 2 buildings and an outdoor amphi-theater still await protection from your ministry.It would be a fitting tribute to every student and staff member,who walked the halls of Alma College,if they could once again visit the chapel,the music building and the outdoor amphi-theater.Will you step up and give “provincial heritage designation” to this historic land,giving this sad story a positive ending?.We still await some form of a decision.

Bob Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Which door is open Minister Carroll?

From Bob Foster:

How ironic that Culture Minister Aileen Carroll would stand in the legislature and boast about the “doors open” program,when the one door that has never been open,is her own,in fact she has slammed it shut in the face of every heritage advocate fighting to save the 2 remaining buildings at 96 Moore Street in St.Thomas,Ontario.It’s hard to believe Ms.Carroll could say with a straight face,how proud she is of Ontario’s built heritage,and how the “doors open” program will allow people to enter buildings otherwise off limits to the public.If we allow Ms.Carroll to continue down this path of destruction,there will be no historic buildings left standing for her “doors open” program.96 Moore Street still sits abandoned & neglected some 11 months after the inferno,that brought down Alma College,and this minister still pretends she’s a fan of Ontario’s built heritage.When will Aileen Carroll stand up and defend 96 Moore Street,she claims Ontario’s built heritage is important to her,and she can convince Alma supporters that this is indeed true,by designating 96 Moore Street as “provincially significant”.For almost 130 years Alma College held it’s “doors open” for students far & wide,the college gave to the province of Ontario in spades,and though the main building has been lost forever,we can still save a small part of the great legacy of Alma College,by restoring the music building and the chapel.Will the minister end her silence and step to the plate,or will she slam the door shut yet again? We await an answer on 96 Moore Street

Rainy days and Mondays

From Bob Foster

Dear Culture Minister Aileen Carroll,
On Monday May 4th,2009 I drove the 2 hours from my hometown of Brampton,Ont to the beautiful City of St.Thomas,Ont to see what,if any progress has been made on the property at 96 Moore Street.The rain was coming down lightly,thunder was rumbling off in the distance and from the looks of the property,it has remained untouched since the horrific fire that brought Alma College down on Wednesday May 28th,2008.The chapel and the music building have been left abandoned and neglected,further damaged after another brutal Ontario winter.The Alma supporters are asking the ministry of culture to designate the property and 2 remaining buildings as “provincially significant” to ensure the Alma legacy lives on in the City of St.Thomas.Both the chapel and the music building could easily be restored and incorporated into any further development at 96 Moore Street.We must do the right thing and honor the hard work of every person who built the college,and most of all the students and staff who created the Alma College legacy.All of these people have an emotional attachment to 96 Moore Street,that is second to none.Allowing this property to continue being abused is a crime,but if the culture ministry would now step in and help save what remains,we could have somewhat of a happy ending,knowing the chapel and the music building were spared,and will continue on for many more years.Standing in the rain,I envisioned the college as it once was,students enjoying the beautiful college grounds,the chapel and the music building full of life with laughter filling the air,now fast forward to 2009,the entire property is full of sadness,with no signs of life and the rain now symbolizes the tears of every person who ever walked through those granite gates and experienced the beauty that was Alma College.I ask that you please consider the possibility of designating 96 Moore Street,so the sun can once again shine,on this sacred ground.

Bob Foster
Brampton,Ontario