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Waterloo North Tories will choose their candidate at a nomination meeting Monday, Aug. 10 at the Waterioo Inn. NDP challenger to MPP Herb Epp is Richard Hastings, a 43â€"yearâ€"old printer. Witmer said that her first priority as MPP would be to improve communications with the local electorate. As trustee, ‘"I feel there is a need for a strong voice in Queen‘s Park; a new voice for Waterloo North in Queen‘s Park." ‘"I have enjoyed my fullâ€"time role as trustee and chairman of the board, and would like to put my experience and knowledge to work in a wider arena and service the citizens of Waterloo North at Queen‘s Park," said the 40â€"yearâ€"old Witmer, announcing her decision to seek the Waterloo North PC nomination. Vowing to be accessible and approachable, Liz Witmer, chairman of the Waterioo county board of education, Monday offiâ€" cially launched her campaign to be the Waterioo North Progresâ€" sive Conservative candidate in the next provincial election. Elizabeth Witmer Witmer seeking PC nomination in Waterloo North A former teacher, Witmer was first elected as one of Waterloo‘s three representatives on the pubâ€" lic board in 1980 and became chairman in 1984. If she wins the nomination, Witmer will request a leave of absence from the board to devote herself to the campaign. Despite the soaring popularity of Peterson and his government in the opinion polils, Witmer is "confident‘" she can take the seat from Epp. ‘"Realisâ€" tically, I‘m aware it‘s going to be an uphill battle, but I‘m conâ€" fident we will be victorious on election day,"" she said. Witmer criticized the twoâ€"year record of David Peterson‘s Libâ€" eral government as a time of ‘"‘many announcements, lots of talk but very little action,." adding that she is particularly ‘"‘disappointed" by the governâ€" ment‘s lack of planning for the future. She slammed Peterson for his failure to reduce the deficit, at a time when the province has a $800â€"million surâ€" plus, and for his party‘s ‘"excesâ€" sive"" spending on information services (an increase of more than $10 million during the past two years) "to sell the Liberal government to the people." She named health care, the impact of free trade on agriculâ€" ture and industry, improving the quality of life for senior citizens, and strengthening the local food industry as issues of concern to the residents of this riding. As well, Witmer said a new Ontario government must work "to enâ€" sure that pay equipty is inâ€" troduced fairly and responsibly and must ensure that the interâ€" ests of the schools, universities and community colleges in our area are given top priority." and public board chairman, she said, "I have always had to approach our local MPPs and our mayors. As MPP I would take that initiative to actively seek input from the community in order to determine from them what the priorities and the issues are that need to be addressed. It isn‘t enough to wait for someone to come to you."‘ Coliform are normal inhabitants in human and animal wastes. When coupled with heavy rainfall, coliform levels in swimming areas tend to heighten because of fecal material being washed into the water flow. Geese and gulls are often the major culprits behind unacceptable levels. The hot, muggy weather experienced in Waterloo Region recently can often lead to safety problems, but in the case of Laure] Creek, no problems have yet materialized. Shade‘s Mill conservation area in Cambridge exceeded the safety levels earlier this month, but was reinstated as a safe place after a July 17 test. Several Toronto beaches were closed last week for safety reasons, as well as a swimming hole in Baden. Paul Stone says tests taken last Monday indicate the fecal coliform levels at the popular swimmingâ€" hole did not exceed the limit of 100 fecal coliforms per millimetre, the established acceptable level. Stone would not reveal the exact numbers. Mark Bryson Chronicle Staff The water bacteria count at Laure) Creek Conservation Area is at an acceptable level for public safety, says Waterloo region‘s deputy chief public health inspector. But Peter Mason, manager of environmental) Swimming still safe at Laurel Creek Reservoir Adding chlorine to the water has been done in the past, but it is not something the GRCA likes to do. Trying to assemble water fowl into *"goose pastures" is also attempted. The GRCA also uses ‘‘goose stress tapes" to discourage the animals, and has permission to discharge firearms from Wildlife Canada. The GRCA and the regional health office alternate weekly testing of the region‘s water. Laurel Creek has been closed to the public several times in years past, but this summer has remained open. Mason believes the removal of marshy areas at both sides of the swimming area has something to do with the improved condiâ€" *‘In addition to giving animals a hiding place, the marshy areas also stopped the flow of water. It seems to have improved the situation," he said. services for the Grand River Conservation Authorâ€" ity, is quick to point out a long and steady rainfal) can actually be a blessing because of its cleansing effect. A short rainfall merely washes fecal matter into the water system, causing a detrimental efâ€" fect. At unacceptable levels, the bacteria can cause throat infections, intestinal and stomach problems, as well as eye, nose and ear problems.