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"But | was just blown away with the results that came back. We just had so many people come through for us." "It was a nailâ€"biter right up to 5 p.m. last night," said Girardi. "But there was a huge effort made in the last couple of days by all the reps and the staff. "The entire team engaged every body they could. and to have this incredible result at the last possible More than a tfew of the exportâ€" dependent local industries wondered if they could reach the high water marks their fundraisers hit last year. "What we heard was it‘s a tough year for the community." said Penny Rolinski, in her first year as campaign director for the United Way camâ€" paign. "They said, ‘Don‘t expect a lot this vear. After the presentation. a relieved Girardi had no problems expressing the sense of elation that comes with exceeding the goal. "I‘ve never won a lottry, but this is as close as I might get," said Girardi, of KPMG. "It‘s pust fantastic." That didn‘t mean the campaign didn‘t have its challenges. Those challenges started before the official Jaunch when local work place campaigns said there had been a round of beltâ€"ughtening after the Canadian dollar shot through the root this summer. At the annual campaign achieveâ€" ment breakfast last Friday at the Waterloo Inn, 2004 campaign chair Dan Girardi, sporting a few more grey hairs, unveiled this year‘s total of t came down to the wire again, Iwilh a few nervous moments before the final tally Thursday afternoon. But when it totalled up, the 2604 United Way campaign didn‘t just cross the finish line â€" it blew past it. $5,406,555. It was $81,555 more than the goal of $5,325,000 announced during the campaign kick off in September. United Way blows by | campaign ? target _ WATERLOQ CHRONICLE Introducing The Allâ€"New By Bos Vrsanac Chronicle Staff Continued on page 2 Now In Stock 2005 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2004 + WATERLOO, ONTARIO Citizens in the neighbourhood around the proposed 170,000â€" squareâ€"foot development are organizing a resistance in what they consider may be a race against the clock. Doug Rickert, spokesperson for the citizens‘ group, which is growâ€" ing daily, said his group is uncerâ€" tain whether or not the maximum Ix'x not the store they oppose, it‘s the location. This is the message a group of concerned citizens is voicing in their fight against a new Loblaws‘ development proposed on Weber Street in Waterloo. Citizens against proposed grocery store‘s location A member of the Brampton Clown Band blows a tune and clears a path‘?o?;he g-;uest of honour, St. Nick himself, during the Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Santa Claus Parade Saturday morning. See page 3 for more photos By Tim MurpiHy For The Chronicle Serving your community since 1856 Making way for the big guy "We‘re still trying to establish that; that‘s crucial to our group," Rickert said from his home on Parkwood Court, which is near the proposed development. 180â€"day time period has begun before council must make a deciâ€" sion. "There‘s absolutely no doubt the developer will try to push for the earliest possible date." â€" Doug Rickert concerned citizen Last Sunday night the citizens‘ group held an organizational meeting to determine what resources they have at their disâ€" posal. Rickert said, among others his group consists of three professionâ€" al engineers, one of whom is a traffic specialist. Another member has a degree in real estate and Rickert said, after discussion with the city, the planning departâ€" ment was still unsure of the curâ€" rent timeline. "There‘s absolutely no doubt that the developer will try to push for the earliest possible date," he said. $1 INCLUDING GST Continued on page 4 Crosby Audl 1175 Weber St. E., Kit. TM MuRPHY PHOTC 894â€"9300 crosbyaudicom Arts Calendar Classified Viewpoint Business WCI Viking girls sweep CWOSSA. WHAT‘S INSIDE 1H01.%K. Page 33 39 24 31 10