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remier Dalton McGuinâ€" Pty‘s decision to adjourn parliament early marks the beginning of the unoffiâ€" cial campaign for some local political hopefuls. "You start working in your own way," said Liberal candidate Louise Ervin, who has already started camâ€" paigning for the Oct. 10 provincial election. __"We keep looking for ways to keep it interesting, believe me." â€" For longtime Kitchenerâ€" Waterloo member of provinâ€" cial parliament Elizabeth Witmer, though, it‘s business as usual for now. "Our work continues as MPPs. We continue to work on behalf of the people in our community," she said. "I need to continue to be a strong voice and an advoâ€" cate for people in my comâ€" munity, and I will do that." Progressive Conservative: Elizabeth Witmer As a former teacher, it was Witmer‘s desire to improve the quality of eduâ€" cation that inspired her to serve as a trustee on the Waterloo Board of Education Local provincial candidates off and running aul Cescon knows who Phe’ll be thinking about when he lights a candle at this weekend‘s Relay for Life luminary ceremony â€" his grandparents, Amelio and Paula Cescon. Amelio died from cancer 14 years ago, while Paul, who was only eight years old at the time, was fighting his own battle with the disease. Before his death, Amelio said the one thing he wantâ€" ed was for his grandson to be OK. He didn‘t live long enough to see his dream come true. "I wish they were still here with us today, so it‘s certainly a special time when 1 can remember them." said Paul, 21, who vater00 5oard 0° LCUCaUOn _ family doctors and health Ervin, a longtime Waterâ€" â€" munity alt 2UEEMS FdTk ano PA06. M TEWESDLORLS S PERI Continued on page 7 ® ® Cancer survivor remembers those he lost to the disease By Jennirer Ormston _ _ Chronicle Staff _ By Jennirer Ormston Chronicle Staff _ A % 1 m w # € :’ C*~"~ d & T _ &A in f k N < M 0 ‘ 4* 4 Elizabeth Witmer Louise Ervin Catherine Fife Judy Greenwoodâ€"Speers "I‘ve always had an interâ€" est in helping people and that‘s what motivated me." Witmer was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 1990, and has been repreâ€" senting this community ever since. from 1980 to 1990 She‘s held a number of positions over the years, including Minister of Labour, Health, Environâ€" ment and Education, as well as being appointed deputy premier of Ontario in 2002. Witmer has served as deputy leader of the Opposiâ€" tion, caucus chair and Critic for Health and Longâ€"term Care since 2004. Going into the election, she will continue to be a "strong voice" for access to family doctors and health was diagnosed with cancer in December 1993, the year he spent Christmas in the hospital. Doctors eventually disâ€" covered the Grade 3 student had Burkitt‘s lymphoma, which presented as a tumour in his bowel that was later removed. "I remember a lot of it, some of the details are missâ€" ing, but I remember it being one of the most difficult years of my life." _ The treatments were gruâ€" elling, making him feel much sicker than he was. That surgery was folâ€" lowed by eight months of chemotherapy in Hamilton. One of the drugs weakâ€" ened him to the point that he wobbled and couldn‘t walk in a straight line The lumbar puncture, which injected medicine Decks require regular stain application to keep them in top shape. Take a day to ensure that ymcwoodrtsprotoctodmdsywmthour * CITY NEWS en n en e 4e 44 e 44944 services, reinvestment in education, as well as providâ€" ing opportunities for stuâ€" dents and support for senâ€" iors. Protecting the environâ€" ment, fighting poverty, proâ€" moting a strong economy and investing in children are also key areas for her. Waterloo cancer survivor Paul Cescon, 21, is helping the Canaâ€" dian Cancer Society prepare for the Relay tor Life in Waterloo To donate, go to www.cancer.ca/relay. whearth Omuston moro Witmer believes she‘s consistently been reâ€"elected because she listens to the community, and then takes their concerns to‘Queen‘s "I think it‘s the caring about, listening to, being accessible, and then being the strong voice that makes sure the services are delivâ€" ered that are required for our community." Liberal: Louise Ervin Ervin, a longtime Water HRON But it‘s also her commuâ€" nity involvement â€" with organizations like the Region of Waterloo Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council â€" that led ‘her to run for office. loo resident, started her career as a social worker before becoming a stayâ€"atâ€" home mom. Her interest in politics was piqued in 1985 when an issue at her daughter‘s school motivated her to become a trustee on the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, a position she has held ever since. "I‘ve gotten to really know the community and it just seems like an appropriate step for me at this point. I‘m ready to represent the comâ€" munity at Queen‘s Park and se 44 1 4 4 4 4 h a h a en 6 6 0b a eb 6 4 5 6e seb 4 a 6 4 d 4 3344044 44. "These four items are crucial to this area, and they mean a lot because of the strong elementary and secâ€" ondary base, and with two universities and a communiâ€" ty college, education is obviâ€" ously something of strong value to our community." be the voice of that commuâ€" nity at caucus." * She plans to run on a platform of moving forward with education, health, enviâ€" ronment and economic development. Recruiting doctors and training people who have lost their manufacturing jobs to move into other fields are also priorities for her. "The needle had to go into an exact spot, and it was agonizing. My mom would be there holding me," he recalled The entire process made him wonder, "Where has my normal life gone and when is it coming back?" into his spine, left a lasting mark on Paul. Paul beat the disease and has been in full remission ever since, though he gets tested every year. "On checkup days it‘s still a little nerveâ€"racking, but I‘m sort of confident that I‘ve passed that stage." This fall, he is entering into his fourthâ€"year studying international development and political science at Dalâ€" housie University in Nova Scotia. The Waterloo resident is not certain where he‘ll go Fife, a researcher at Wil New Democratic Party: 583 King Street N., Waterioo (519) 772â€"1127 677 Belmont Ave. W 1120 Victona St N KITCHENER KITCHENER w~â€" (519) 578â€"5330 (519) 576â€"7576 WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, June 20, 2007 * 3 HEERS ~ â€"& DESIGN CENTRES â€" She was reâ€"elected in 2006, but frustration over the lack of investment and focus on public education has pushed her to pursue provincial politics. frid Laurier University, got involved in politics in 2003, when she was elected as a trustee on the Waterloo Region District School Board. "Public education defiâ€" nitely was something ! thought was worth fighting for. Once you get involved and you see how you can make a difference, then it‘s quite honestly a very empowering experience." "I need to take a stand at a different level, and provinâ€" cial politics is where it‘s at for me right now." The New Democrat will focus on the prosperity gap, the environment, with sourceâ€"water and airâ€"quality protection being priorities, and public transit. "For me, education is the starting point, but education connects all of those areas," said Fife, who believes being a mother has made her even more concerned about enviâ€" ronmental issues. "When I look at my kids from there But one thing that won‘t change is his dedication to the Canadian Cancer Sociâ€" ety, where he is volunteering this summer. "It‘s a way I turn that horâ€" rible, negative, uncomfortâ€" able experience into someâ€" thing that was meaningful or worthwhile. And J think that‘s really important." He began volunteering for the society when he was still receiving chemotherapy. Over the years, he‘s helped out with the Great Ride ‘n‘ Stride, in the office and as a spokesperson. _ To top all that, he has raised more than $200,000 for the cause. Me‘s taking part in the Relay for Life this weekend in Waterloo Park West, in the bandshell area off Westâ€" Sales flep., Serving You Personally Karin Barthel Continued on page 4