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

Culture Minister Aileen Carroll – her past victories and future promise

Culture Minister Aileen Carroll

From Bob Foster:
I had to laugh out loud when I read the above headline about Aileen Carroll.Our “culture minister” plans to speak at the Economic Club of Canada to discuss “past victories & future promise”,I have but one question,are you serious? Does anyone in the ministry of culture really believe they’ve had any victories,and as far as the future of built heritage is concerned,its very disturbing to say the least.The mere fact that Aileen Carroll could stand before any group of people,and with a straight face say that she has had even one victory with built heritage,is an exaggeration to say the least.Minister Carroll has failed miserably with built heritage,and the proof is still evident at 96 Moore Street in St.Thomas,where 11 months after the blaze that levelled Alma College,the 2 remaining buildings still have an uncertain future,without government protection.It’s an absolute joke that Aileen Carroll would take any credit,because to take credit,you must accomplish something worth talking about,and the only thing that is concrete,is this minister’s complete disregard for Ontario’s built heritage.I’ve attached a photo of Alma College engulfed in flames,and I give Minister Carroll full permisssion to use the photo during her speech,to show the audience how her refusal to provincially designate the college,lead to it’s demise,and if she considers Alma College a victory for her ministry,then she has won the first place ribbon,for incompetence.Simply unbelievable that Premier McGuinty has allowed this sideshow to continue for so long,because our history is at stake and Aileen Carroll is asleep at the wheel,of the wrecking ball!

Bob Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Founding Meeting of the St. Thomas-Elgin Chapter of The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario

The St. Thomas-Elgin Chapter of the ACO will hold its founding meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Canada Southern Station (former New York Central Station) located at 750 Talbot St., St. Thomas. The meeting will take place in Anderson Hall, the former station dining room. The station is located behind the Giant Tiger store. All individuals interested in architectural preservation in St. Thomas and Elgin County are welcome to attend. Guest speaker at the meeting will be Cathy Nasmith, president of the ACO and Toronto architect.
The ACO was founded in 1933 “to preserve buildings and structures of architectural merit and places of natural beauty and interest”. Since the 1930s, through advocacy and direct action, the ACO has saved hundreds of buildings across Ontario and raised awareness of preserving community heritage. The ACO operates through a network of branches, linked by an office in Toronto. There are 23 branches across the province and a membership of over 1,200. Last year the ACO and its branches organized or participated in 400 events with a total attendance of over 53,000 people. In addition, board members and volunteers served as representatives on local workshops and planning meetings, researched local heritage issues, and acted as advocates before various levels of government.
Each ACO branch has its own board and its own accounts to manage local affairs. Branches operate with relative independence, focusing on local issues, programming and recruitment. Typically, branches advocate for preservation of local architectural heritage and an increased knowledge of the value of such preservation, its contribution to increased tourism, pride and self-esteem.
For more information on the founding meeting, please contact Laurence Grant at 519-633-2535 /laurencegrant@narhf.org

The sun is shining on Aileen Carroll, but the sun is setting on Ontario’s built heritage

Alma burns, May of 2008

From Bob Foster:
With the release of the “sunshine list” (the $100,000 salary club),it’s appalling to see Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll is making $164,623.53,especially since she has FAILED miserably in her duties as culture minister,and what makes it more shocking is,this minister is also collecting a pension from the federal government,all the while badly neglecting her duties.

First Alma, then seniors get the cold shoulder

From Bob Foster:
Dear MPP’s,
It’s time for someone to stand up and question Aileen Carroll,about her lack of concern for senior citizens in this province,and for her horrific handling of Ontario’s built heritage.I’ve attached a letter written by a senior citizen,who is concerned about his locked in pension,and Minister Carroll responded by telling the senior “he was not in her constituency”,and could not assist him in anyway.Imagine Aileen Carroll,minister responsible for seniors,and she pretty much told the gentleman (a senior citizen),she will not assist him with his pension concerns.He wrote a second letter informing her that since she was minister responsible for seniors,should she not be assisting all seniors in the province of Ontario.He stated he still has not received a response to his pension concerns.He also stated other senior citizens have had the same concerns with Aileen Carroll,not responding to their many letters.She has also been giving excuses to opposition members,when they rise in the legislature to ask what exactly is she doing to rectify the concern of these seniors.She is also neglecting her duties as Culture Minister,for which I have pointed out on many occasions,her lack of concern with built heritage issues in this province,now she is completely ignoring the seniors citizens in our province,by not addressing their concerns,especially during this time of economic uncertainty.Aileen Carroll needs to be called on the carpet,and asked why she refuses to respond to the citizens of this province,when they have serious concerns,that need her immediate attention.
I urge all members to please read the attached article.
Aileen Carroll

Seniors, beware of Aileen Carroll

Aileen Carroll

Minister Carroll,
I had to look twice when I read an article (attached),which states that Speaker of the House Steve Peters,will be meeting with Service Employees International Union today, Feb 27th,to discuss the worsening conditions in the home care industry.

Smoke Clears,Dust Settles,Snow Melts and still no word from Aileen Carroll.

Alma fire, May 28, 2008

From: robert_foster2007@hotmail.com

Minister Carroll,
I was reading a quote you recently made regarding heritage volunteers,the quote was “The achievements of these dedicated volunteers help to strengthen communities across Ontario,” said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll. “Their hard
work ensures our rich heritage is conserved and celebrated for generations to
come.”.How could you make such a statement,when you yourself DO NOT “conserve and celebrate”,in fact your motto should be “search and destroy”.It never ceases to amaze me,that you have been quoted on many occasions praising the hard work of heritage voluteers for their tireless efforts,on behalf of our built heritage,then head back to your Queen’s Park office,to sign the demolition papers on some beautiful and historic building,that could be saved with a little help from the ministry of culture,but you would rather bring it down,then assist in bringing it back.Your words are hollow and mean nothing,when it comes to our rich heritage.96 Moore Street has sat abandoned and neglected since the May 2008 fire,the chapel is further damaged,do to the gaping hole in the roof,the music building continues to deteriorate,thanks to the brutal weather here in Ontario,and the outdoor amphi-theatre will surely be unrecognizable,once the snow melts away,so even though the smoke has cleared from the devastating fire in May of 2008,the dust has settled on the demolition that followed the fire,and the snow and ice slowly melts to reveal that nothing has changed on the property in 9 months,one has to wonder what exactly you meant when you said “Their hard
work ensures our rich heritage is conserved and celebrated for generations to come”,because at 96 Moore Street,in St.Thomas,nothing has been conserved and there is no sign of celebration,however “demolition by neglect” has been evident for many years.I do applaud all the heritage volunteers and heritage advocates,who stand up for our built heritage,now if we could only put someone at the helm of the ministry of culture,who has the same passion,we would be well on our way to “conserving and celebrating”…
Quote taken from the following news article:
Aileen Carroll

Robert F.Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Heritage is fine, say lawyers, but not for us

Ian McCallum

Having remained out of the spotlight since last summer, the Elgin County Court House is back on the radar, following a letter sent Feb. 5 by the Elgin Law Association to Ontario Realty Corporation.
At its last meeting, the association acknowledged the court house is “an impressive building of historical and architectural significance,” and it supports preservation of the Wellington Street facility that predates Confederation.

Minister Aileen Carroll shows signs of life

Letter submitted by:
Bob Foster

Aileen Carroll

Minister Carroll,
I recently came across an article (on-line) in the Innisfil Journal,in which it’s reported you wrote a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Jim Watson on the boundary issue facing Innisfil and Barrie.The letter is quite passionate,which brings me to the reason I’m writing you today.It seems you would like a quick response from Minister Watson,somewhat similar to the same urgency felt by the supporter’s of the Alma College property,who have been waiting for a response from you,(now going on 9 months).I can see from reading your letter,you would like your issue resolved as soon as possible,again similar to our dilemma with the Alma College property,but you have FAILED to answer the many letters asking for land designation,at 96 Moore Street,in St.Thomas.How is it,you can disregard the public and their letter writing campaign for 96 Moore Street,but expect Minister Watson to jump and respond instantly,to just one of your letters,mainly because you would like to see your issue resolved now,rather than later.Your job as Minister of Culture requires you to handle all of Ontario’s built heritage issues,that means you should be as concerned about St.Thomas,as you are about Barrie and Innisfil.It’s time for the culture ministry to resolve the issue surrounding 96 Moore Street,and designate the property,so the 2 remaining buildings and the outdoor amphi-theatre,have government protection.I can understand your passion for Barrie,what I dont understand,is your lack of passion for our built heritage.

Article from the Innisfil Journal

Aileen Carroll is waiting for a light bulb moment

Culture Minister Aileen Carroll

Minister Carroll,
I’m pleased you’re promoting energy efficient lightbulbs,but could you possibly spend a little more time promoting our built heritage.We’re still waiting for a response from the ministry of culture,on designating 96 Moore Street in St.Thomas,Ontario as provincially significant.I understand the need for energy efficient lightbulbs,but I dont believe you were hired,to worry about our energy problems in Ontario,and we would appreciate a little more focus on our built heritage,as we’re losing historic buildings at an alarming rate,on your watch.The difference between the lightbulbs you’re promoting,and our built heritage is,lightbulbs can be replaced,our built heritage cannot.Please respond to our request,to have the property where beautiful & historic Alma College stood for 130 years designated,so the 2 remainings buildings,and the outdoor amphi-theatre,will have government protection.

Robert F.Foster
Brampton,Ontario

Heritage Canada Foundation encouraged by federal budget

Heritage Canada Foundation

Ottawa, ON February 27, 2009 The Heritage Canada Foundation (HCF) expressed measured satisfaction that the federal Budget tabled this afternoon by the Minister of Finance includes some recognition of the need to invest in historic preservation.

Bombshell letter derails Dunlap Observatory hearing

David Dunlap Observatory

Posted by Ian:
My but this story has an eerie familiarity to it. Perhaps because we in St. Thomas have lived through it first hand. Withheld Alma report So what exactly is the mandate of Culture Minister Aileen Carroll and her staff? It would appear preserving the heritage of this province is not anywhere on her radar, as witness this story from yorkregion.com. Thanks to the Alma Advocacy Association for the heads up.

The Minister of Culture could have preserved the Dunlap Observatory site’s entirety with the stroke of her pen, according to newly-released information.
A letter sent by Ontario Heritage Trust chairperson and former Lt.-Gov. Lincoln Alexander to Culture Minister Aileen Carroll in September, recommends the province take immediate action to declare the site’s main 177 acres a heritage site.
That would mean if designated by the minister, no alterations to the property would be allowed without her consent.
Full story