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r I Three â€" people ~are already registered to run for two positions on Waterloo regional coun cil, while anothrer familiar face plans to join the race. Regional race heating up Edwin Larvea, the NDP candidate for Waterloo in the last federal election, as well as regional council incumbents Mike Connolly and Jane Mitchell, will run in the Nov. 13 election. Former regional councilâ€" lor Sean Strickland has also said he is planning to announce his candidacy later this week. All the candidates said. if elected, they will focus on growth within Waterloo Strickland said the top issue facing the city is how this growth is managed in light of the decreasing land supply. "The issues facing our community right now in terms of growth and planâ€" ning for how our communiâ€" ty is going to look in the future are at a critical stage," he said, adding he has expeâ€" Tea party for longtime organizer of Owl‘s Nest program ozens of ladies raised Dlhvir teacups and nibbled on cakes at a party in honour of a long: time Adult Recreation Cenâ€" tre volunteer last week. Mary Ann Holowaty has been the volunteer coâ€"ordiâ€" nator for the Owl‘s Nest craft program at the Adult Recreation Centre for 32 vears. The 74â€"yearâ€"old has taught sewing, hat making and crafts, and been involved in a number of fashion shows, bazaars and craft shows held in support of the centre. "She‘s an incredible lady who gives of herself all the time," said Julie Bugry, the centre‘s program supervisor. Holowaty devotes every Wednesday morning, when the volunteer group meets to make crafts, to the centre, along with countless hours calling members to see how By Jennirer Ormston Chronicle Staff By Jrnnirer Ormvston Chronicle Staff "All those are most important because they‘re going to decide what‘s going to happen in this region in the next 10, 15, 20 odd vears." rience in this area. For Connolly, the top three issues are rapid tranâ€" sit, water and growth. However, he also said property tax rates need to be closely monitored, espeâ€" cially in terms of the lack of planning for future growth, which could lead to tax hikes down the road. "And a lot of people in Waterloo â€" are hurting. They‘re lowâ€"paid, middleâ€" paid people that canit afford these big increases." "That‘s not the way to go because eventually you‘ll kill the goose that lays the golden egg." Connolly said. In addition to growth, Mitchell said the environâ€" ment and traffic are key areas of concern for her. "Traffic is always a probâ€" lem. so we‘re looking at tryâ€" ing to improve traffic by improving the roads and transit." Mary Ann Holowaty enjoys a special tea in her honour after 32 years as a volunteer with Owl‘s Nest. wNNiFeR ORMSTON PHOTC Larvea said with the new ':S\('\!;'( fi‘,'.- “QN& C k CTTY NE challenges facing the region it is time for new leadership. "What I specifically want to bring in there {council) is what 1 call visionary thinkâ€" ing," he said. "I want us to be able to look ahead and not be afraid to make investments in certain areas rather than having the tunnel vision council has had up to this point," he said. * One of the ways he said he would do this is by encouraging collaboration among the region‘s municiâ€" palities. "That doesn‘t mean we have to give up our uniqueâ€" ness, but | think if we want to be a very competitive region and position ourâ€" selves globally, given the fact our economy is doing very well, we need to work as a united region," he said, adding this means looking for ways to eliminate overâ€" lap and finding the best value for the dollar. All of the candidates‘ resumes are brimming with political experience. While on regional counâ€" Continued on page 34 they‘re doing, planning socials and setting up craft sales. Each year the group makes about $3,000 for the centre by selling their handâ€" made crafts at their Christâ€" mas sale in November at the Waterloo Memorial Recreâ€" ation Complex. But Bugry said this group does more than just make crafts â€" it is also a support network. "Mary Ann‘s ability to work with that group and support the individuals when they had health issues, lost a spouse and had to downsize from a home to a retirement facility has brought the group into a social type of an atmosâ€" phere. "It‘s gone beyond being a group of ladies that come to the centre to help fundraise for the older adult programâ€" ming." In return for her tireless efforts, Holowaty said she too has benefited from the Bhupi Rajput suggested Eva Gabriel, 14, get the. Herina design she chose either on her shoulder or her ankle. Rajput is a Henna artist at Mehendhiâ€" Village. Her booth was just one of many at the Kitchâ€" enerâ€"Waterloo Multiculâ€" tural Festival in Victoria Park, June 24. The differâ€" ent booths offered the opportunity to experience and find about more about different cultures from around the world and in the Kâ€"W area. What do you think? VAJQ relationships she has built within Owd‘s Nest. When she was 50 she was diagnosed with cancer, and it was the program‘s volunâ€" teers who gave her the comâ€" fort she needed at that diffiâ€" cult time. "They were very supportâ€" ive," she said. "You get more out of it (Owl‘s Nest) than you put into it." As well, she believes the ladies â€" who she said are willing to take on any chalâ€" lenging craft idea she comes up with up â€" truly appreciâ€" ate her work. The group would have been lost without Holowaty, â€" Julie Bugry Director Adult Rec Centre "She‘s an incredible lady who gives of herself all the time." said June Germann, an Owl‘s Nest member who has known her for about 40 vears. "She is really good at ideas and very patient with the rest of us that aren‘t that good. "She contributes a lot to our Owl‘s Nest." "Her contribution is going to be missed. It‘s takâ€" ing two people to replace her," said Bugry, who has known Holowaty for 35 years. After more than three decades, Holowaty has decided her days as volunâ€" teer craft coâ€"ordinator must come to an end. Although she is giving up her position, she will still be a part of the group, spendâ€" ing three hours a week makâ€" ing crafts to be sold at the Christmas sale. "She is a great lady. And she‘s going to continue supâ€" porting the group, for which I‘m very very grateful," Bugry said.