Aileen Carroll
Alma fire, May 28, 2008
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
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.
Continue reading
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
Culture Minister Aileen Carroll
Robert F.Foster
Brampton,Ontario
Heritage Canada Foundation
David Dunlap Observatory
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
Erie Street United Church, Ridgetown, Ont.
Minister Carroll,
It’s an absolute DISGRACE that once again,you have allowed another historic building to be demolished.The Erie Street United Church,in Ridgetown,Ontario is another glaring example of your complete FAILURE as Minister of Culture.What will it take for you to see the value in Ontario’s heritage?.We lost Alma College in St.Thomas,Ont on May 28th,2008 due to your lack of interest.It has become very apparent that you’re more interested in opening art galleries,and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Ontario Science Centre,for which you were all over the news “bubbling” with enthusiasm for this “regal” event.Could you possibly put some of that enthusiasm towards our built heritage?.At the rate you’re going,you could wipe out all of Ontario’s built heritage,with one term in office.These buildings have stood upwards of 100 years,withstood the brutal Canadian weather,have given back to the Province of Ontario in spades,and your way of re-paying the favour,is to send the wrecking ball to their front door.Premier McGuinty needs to rein you in,before you completely wipe out Ontario’s identity.Every building you demolish,is like tearing a page from the history book,every time a building falls to the ground,so to goes with it the legacy that took a 100 years to create.I’m not only sad for the people who are fighting for our heritage today,I’m also sad for the people who years from now,will only have photograph’s of these beautiful & historic buildings.It’s a very sad time for our built heritage,and I can safely say the biggest threat to every historic building in the Province of Ontario,is Aileen Carroll.
Bob Foster
Brampton,Ontario
