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Witmer shares common vision with new Tory leader Ithough Waterloo MPP Elizaâ€" A:Jeth Witmer failed in her bid o become the next premier of Ontario, she said that she‘s excitâ€" ed by the more conciliatory tone that incoming premier Ernie Eves has signaled as he looks to form his new government. Witmer said her government has to be less confrontational and more inclusive as it seeks to win its third straight majority government. The Tories badly trail the Liberals in the polls, and have some ground to make up before they‘re forced to call an election in 2004. While Witmer admitted she was a little disappointed that the rockâ€" solid support she enjoyed locally didn‘t translate to a wider following at last weekend‘s leadership conâ€" vention in Toronto, she said she was comfortable in crossing the floor to join Eves‘ camp after the first ballot because both candidates shared a common vision of _ ; . where the province W "Obviously if you don‘t win there‘s always disappointâ€" ment, but I do know that the ideas, the tone and the style that I adopted, and the policies and issues 1 talked about will become part of the next governâ€" ment," said Witmer. "I made my decision to go to Ernie Eves based on the fact his policies, his tone and style were most like my own." Looking For a New or Preâ€"owned BMW Witmer said her government has to do a better job of listening to the people and understanding what issues are important to them. "Like I said many times during my campaign, we have to focus on conciliation instead of confrontaâ€" tion" she said. "We certainly need to be more inclusive, and we have to build bridges with teachers and others who maybe feeling alienatâ€" ed. "I know Mr. Eves had a similar message during the campaign." Witmer, the province‘s current Environment Minister who also served in the health and labour www.bâ€"kmotors.com By Bos VrsaNAc Chronicle Staff â€" Elizabeth Witmer Waterloo MPP portfolios, was coy about her role in a future Eves‘ government, but offered him her total support in rebuilding party unity and the party‘s fortunes in the province. There is some speculation Witmer could be named as deputy premier of the province, or could be moved to the contentious educaâ€" tion portfolio, but she refused to get into the name game. "I not sure what it will be, but I ‘m going to be pleased to serve in whatever capacity he believes I can be the most help to the party, and best serve the people of the province of Ontario," she said. Witmer said she will just continâ€" ue to work on the strong personal relationship she‘s had with Eves since she was first voted to Queen‘s Park in 1990. Witmer expects the transition from Mike Harris to Eves to be done over the next month, with the new government‘s priority being a throne speech and a May budget. Addressing healthâ€"care concerns and â€" educational WeS:) issues, like the k) upcoming double K1 cohort, will quickly *~ follow. ) MPP "I think much of the healing and much of the reunification has already taken place," she said. At the end of the long fiveâ€" month process to pick a new preâ€" mier, Witmer said she has been reâ€" energized by the direction her party is taking and the support she enjoyed locally and around the province. "It was overwhelming," said Witâ€" mer. "I know that there was no other candidate who was so well supported by the people of the region of Waterloo. â€""It was unbelievable how the community came together and put their trust in me." "The budget, the economy, â€" health and education are certainly priorities," she said. Party unity will also be an issue. Witâ€" mer thinks the party made a good first step to resolving the issues both inside and outside the party at the convenâ€" tion on Saturday. PAGE 3 City ignoring environmental hazards at RIM Park golf course, claims citizens group Pauline Richards, chair of the Environmental Implementation Team (EIT) at RIM Park, outlined these concerns to Waterloo city council recently, stating &he city has ignored her team‘s viéws on environmentally hazardous golf course operations. group of citizens claims the Afiity of Waterloo has its ead buried in the sandâ€" trap over environmental conâ€" cerns at RIM Park‘s Grey Silo golf course. Richards said there is no excuse for the city‘s overâ€"use of buildings constructed on signifiâ€" cant wetlands, known as the Yordy property, for office and storage space. "This is unacceptable," she said. Of particular concern, she said, is the effect of lawnâ€"care equipment and other machinery on nesting birds early in the morning. KOOL FM morning coâ€"host Mark Paine, accompanied by the Easter Bunny, headed out to The Economical Insurance Group in Waterloo Tuesday to hand out chocolate treats to employees as they arrived at work. Twelveâ€"yearâ€"old Taylor Harrington was listening to KOOL FM in the car as his mother drove him to Centennial public school, and after hearing about the egg giveâ€"away, decided to make a stop at the Westmount Road company to get in on the goods. Similar giveâ€"aways will take place this week. By Anorea Baiey _ Chronicle Staff One ‘KOOE Easter Bunny Even more, she said, it‘s harmâ€" ful for the city to use the laneway leading onto the property as a link for maintenance vehicles to get to the golf course, claiming the traffic is impacting breeding birds and deer in the area. "We believe that using these buildings in their current location is destructive to the environment that the city has made a commitâ€" "We believe that using these buildings in their current location is destructive to the environment that the city has made a commitment to protect." â€"Pauline Richards chair, Environmental Implementation Team Originally, Richards said, the EIT was told the buildings would be used as a temporary storage facility, until the completion of the Elam Martin barns. ment to protect," she said But now, she said, the EIT understands the Martin barns are considered by golf staff to be too small, too far away, and could pose as a traffic hazard to golfers. "We see no reason why golf operations could not occur out of the barns at the Elam Martin farm, as originally planned, until such time as a viable alternative that puts the environment first can be found," Richards said. "We don‘t think that the environment should pay for an error in planâ€" ning." The group voted in favour of reviewing the location of the golf course maintenance facility when relevant environmental impact studies are completed; and that Council seemed to agree, in part. â€" â€" Continued on page 5 DEBORAN CRANDALL PHOTO