es means yes. No .! means no. Violence has got to go. These _ encouraging words will echo through the streets of downtown Kitchâ€" ener tomorrow night when 200â€"300 women band together â€" with chants preâ€" pared and noisemakers in hand â€" to take back the night. Local women fight to Take Back the Night "I don‘t know of many other experiences that have made me feel so empowâ€" ered," said Sue Barg, an organizer of the annual Take Back the Night march. "Just being around that many people marching for a common goal, it‘s so hard to describe the feeling." The first march was held in the 1970s in England, where certain restrictions were placed as a means of ending a series of sexual assaults on women. Women and children could not be out on city streets after 10 p.m. without being accomâ€" panied by a man. Outraged, women took a stance and marched to reclaim their to file nominations fast approaching, â€" Waterloo‘s Uptown Ward councillor announced last week he will not seek reâ€"election this "I‘ve had a great time as a councillor, but I believe it‘s time for council to have some The decision wasn‘t an easy one to make, he admitâ€" "I really wrestled with this," he said. "I almost did toss my hat in the ring, But it‘s just not the right time for me." Needham said he‘s almost completed his PhD, and plans to pursue an academic career. He wouldn‘t rule out, howâ€" ever, one day returning to the Needham not in the running By Anprea Baney r began in 1997 when he __ Chronicle Staff w defeated lan McLean in the m Ward 5 race. _ "T‘ll come back to it at some time, at some level," the Looking For a New or Preâ€"owned BMW www.bkmotorsgqroup.com With the Sept. 26 deadline EXTERIOR PAINKSSTAIN SALE By Anprea Bamey o terms is enough for Chronicle Staff SAVE 15% OFF ALL EXTERIOR PRODUCTS For a limited time, you can save 15% off our wide selection of instock exterior products. Quantities are limited, so hurry in today for best selection of your favorite exterior products! September 15th â€" 27th right to walk the streets without fear. The march is now held worldwide each year as a symbol of a woman‘s right to be safe at all times â€" without the protection of men and without the threat of violence. â€" Sue Barg coâ€" organizer, Take Back the Night march "That is our mission," said Barg, who is also the family violence prevention coordinator with the Wilmot Family Resource Centre. "The march is meant to raise public education and awareness that violence against women happens everywhere without excepâ€" tion; and it‘s also a chance for women to unite togethâ€" er to end the violence." Barg said she deals with violence against women on ____â€" Brent Needham Needham called his last term on council a struggle, having to deal with a number of heated issues including the fallout from the RIM Park "But the issues were never enough to stop me from wantâ€" ing to do it," he said. Needham!‘s passion for polâ€" His father, Prof. W. Robert Needham, was invoived at the federal and provincial levels. "Everyone should be treated with dignity, and everyone has the right to feel safe." His own political career a daily basis. And the abuse she sees comes in many forms â€" physical, emotionâ€" al, psychological, verbal, sexual, financial and spiriâ€" tual. The stories are heartâ€" breaking, Barg said. But she added, it‘s encouraging to see more women coming forward with their experiences and seeking help. _1 see more women coming forward, which is a good thing," Barg said. "Silence perpetuates abuse. "Also, the more women who come forward, the more they will realize they are not the only ones." Barg credits public eduâ€" cation and awareness camâ€" paigns like the march for motivating women to share their stories. "The more we talk about it, the more people will come forward," she said. "Unless we unite, nothâ€" ing will change." Participants will meet tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. at the Victoria Park clock tower. A guest speaker will kick off the march, before the Needham‘s reasons for entering politics included his desire to see certain parts of the uptown redeveloped, tial neighbourhoods from eroâ€" time I‘d Iived here for 30 years, and thought I could conâ€" tribute to the betterment of nice fit with my (studies)." He was reâ€"elected in 2000 after again defeating lan ham has played a key role in many decisions relating to the core through his roles on the Uptown Vision committee, the Uptown Business Improveâ€" ment Area (BIA), the Wilfrid Laurier University board of "As well, my PhD is in nadian Politics, so it was a As Ward 5 councillor, Needâ€" "Waterloo‘s my home Continued on page 4 PAGE 3 women take to the streets. Women are encouraged to bring noisemakers, drums, instruments and friends for support. While men can‘t take part in the march, they can show support by lining the Sue Barg, coâ€"organizer of the Take Back the Night march, stands next to Willis Way in Waterâ€" loo, representing a woman‘s right to walk the streets alone. LA kicked off its 2003 Fundraising campaign last week, announcing that the community goal for this year‘s drive is $5.3 million â€" a threeâ€" United Way goal $5.3 million perâ€"cent increase over last willrequire great dedication from members of the commuâ€" But after consulting with local business leaders about the state of their industries, she is confident the community will support the cause. "We know it‘s a bit of a stretch considering that the last couple of years the economy hasn‘t been the greatest," "But we feel this is someâ€" thing that the community can do because this is what comâ€" munity leaders have told us Campaign director Shem enerâ€"Waterioo and Area For The Chronicle By VisH KHanna United Way of Kitchâ€" sides of the street and shouting words of encourâ€" agement. 0 The event will wrap up with refreshments at the Victoria Park Pavilion, where there will be a donaâ€" tion box and items for sale. that we can do." The United Way of Kitchenâ€" erâ€"Waterioo & Area funds 45 member agencies who provide 80 programs and services in Due to the efforts of the pacesetter campaign, which consists of funds collected by individuals who pledged or made donations to the camâ€" paign prior to the official kickâ€" off, $1,413,724, or 27 per cent, of this year‘s goal has already fundraising campaign before it ends on Nov. 14. On Sept. 24, Rockway Golf Club is hosting an Employer‘s There are numerous events scheduled to benefit the The Waterloo Regional Police Service presents Kim Mitchell in concert with hypâ€" notist Mike Mandel at Kitchenâ€" er‘s Memorial Auditorium on Sept. 27. Tickets are available for $30 at any police station with a portion of the proceeds 581 King St. N., Waterloo 677 Belmont Ave. W., Kitchener 1120 Victoria St. N., Kitchener 330 Gage Ave. , Kitchener 245 Edinburgh Rd . S., Guelph H â€"â€"& DESIGN CENTRES â€"â€"â€" "Everyone should be treated with dignity, and everyone has the right to feel safe," Barg added. "That‘s the main purpose of the march â€" even if we achieve that feeling for just one night." going to the United Way. On Oct. 25, there will be a CKCOâ€"TVâ€"United Way Halâ€" loween Ball at Bingemans in Kitchener. All of these events will lead into the campaign wrapâ€"up breakfast, Nov. 21 at the Waterloo Inn. The breakfast will run from from 7:30â€"9 a m. Though it may not seem like a huge jump, Sutherland emphasized that topping last year‘s fundraising campaign will not be an easy task and will require a great deal of resourceâ€" fulness on the part of both the United Way and the surroundâ€" "We certainly could use their help," she said in disâ€" cussing how concerned citiâ€" zens could contribute. "If someone‘s at a workplace and they don‘t have a United Way Individuals who work at home and want to contribute to the campaign can call 888â€" 6100, or pledge online at wwwunitedâ€"waykworg. please invite us in to run one." ($19) 772â€"1127 (519) 578â€"5 330 (519) §76â€"7576 ($19) 576â€"8200 (§$19) 836â€"4731