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idane Titine WtintestnBiiinnbdei d dadect lc 2 question is weighmg' heavy on the minds of many lnnXxym â€" when will the economy begin to turn around? It‘s difficult to be concerned with other issues, however imporâ€" tant, such as Canada‘s jeoparâ€" dized constitution or the environâ€" ment, when jobs are being lost at an astonishing rate, when the number of welfare cases skyrockâ€" ets, and when community agenâ€" cies such as food banks endlessly struggle to assist victims of the recession. And as Waterloo‘s provincial and federal members of parliaâ€" ment know from the calls they receive at their constituency of fices, the state of the economy will remain Canadians‘ main conern for months to come. "Obviously, the _ uppermost thing on everyone‘s mind is the challenge of economic recovery," said Waterloo North MPP Eliâ€" zabeth Witmer. "I‘ve received a lot of calls this Christmas from people who are experiencing hardships â€" a lot of people have lost their jobs. And so I would hope that in 1992, we make building a strong, healthy ecoâ€" nomy the number one priority." To do that, Witmer said all levels of government need to work together to initiate job creation, and higher emphasis Deborah Crandalil Chronicle Staff As we head in She admitted that she mourned his death to a point where she gave up her career as a knitter and closed the door on her social life. Her outings were mostly to Jimmy‘s grave where she would talk to him. Others told her to let go and get on with her life, but letting go of his memory seemed unforgivable, and impossible. Pete Cudhea Chronicle Staff It was three years ago this week that sixâ€"yearâ€"old Jimmy Damsic was stuck down by a car while crossing the street. A bit of Aranka Rakanovic, his aunt, also died in the accident. In her Waterloo condo, an 11x14 photograph of Jiramy sits on her end table. It‘s one of the largest photographs in her house and it sits next to her favorite chair. Childless herself, Jimmy was her only nephew. The love of her life. A tribute to Jimmy TL _ Bicycle safety focus of educational video If You Are Even Thinking About Getting In Shape... _ â€"apeni Economy top priority in 1992 has to be placed on providing education and retraining for those losing jobs in the manufacâ€" turing industry. ‘"We‘re heading into an age where high technology is sought after and we have to create jobs and employment in that area," Witmer said. "Things are changâ€" ing and we have to learn to Waterloo‘s Aranka Rakanovic, creator of safe cycling video. Witmer said there are approxiâ€" Elizabeth Witmer Waterloo MP Walter McLean said he has heard from constiâ€" tuents who feel Canada‘s "constiâ€" tutional crisis" should be put on hold until the nation‘s poor ecoâ€" nomic state is improved. But McLean feels that if the country doesn‘t hold together, Canada‘s economic situation will worsen. Therefore, he said, it‘s important not to choose between the economy and the unity of the country as being of top priority. "While unemployment and the difficult transition we‘re going through is very painful, it will be ‘"The idea that I should do something for the children came to me at his resting place. If this video could save one family from going through what I went through, and others like me, then it would be worth it." Although she talks with a slight Yugoslavian accent, her script called Tricksy‘s Safe Bicyâ€" cling was more than clear By meeting other people who lost young family members she realized that she wasn‘t alone in this world of hurt and pain. And then, one day she came up with the idea of making a video on child safety issues. "I felt that I had to do someâ€" thing. I just couldn‘t let go. I had to do something to keep his memory alive," Rakanovic said. Yet, it was at his grave site that Rakanovic found a way to hold on to his memory and at the same time, free herself from her secluâ€" sion. even more painful if the country doesn‘t hold together," he said. ‘"The amount of trade we do interprovincially, and the impliâ€" cations of this, have real concerns for us. McLean said a great deal of provincial trade is done with Quebec, and a "messy divorce" could interfere with that. He said that all levels of governâ€" ment, the private sector, industry and business need to pull things while riding a bicycle. Eventually, through the help of a police officer and an angel‘s voice, or as she calls it "the voice of reason" Tricksy learns bicycle safety. Rakanovic has appeared at malls handing out balloons to children and admits that she‘s getting quite a reaction from the kids. This will eventually help the kids to know Tricksy through more than just the 24â€"minute video. ‘"This was my first attempt at making a serious video. I certainâ€" enough to convince others to back the video project. She showed her script to trustees from the Perth Board of Education, parents, teachers and police from Kitchener and Waterloo and they all approved. Rakanovic portrays a clown named Tricksy, who gets into trouble by doing all the wrong ic o is Bs t 1 Walter McLean A positive step in coping with transition, McLean said. is an initiative by the local university community, the private sector, and all levels of government, in which the feasibility of establishâ€" ing a centre for environmental research is being discussed. He said a nucleus of 27 environmenâ€" tallyâ€"oriented firms operates in Waterloo ‘‘To me. this is one of the most important proâ€"active initiatves to create new jobs and maintain the tax base of Waterloo," he said. "If we could have a centre here for environmental research, and if we can address the needs of the 905 in terms of the environment, we can cope with transition ~ As an example, McLean reâ€" ferred to a smoke stack scrubber designed at the University of Waterloo. The mechanism, which is now manufactured in Water|loo, provides employment for local residents loo Region‘s transition away from industry and towards technology. ‘‘There are federal funds availâ€" able for retraining, the problem is, what do we retrain you for? Nobody knows â€" there‘s no clear answer," McLean said. "For a long time it was automotive parts and rubber, and we‘re now movâ€" ing into high tech and computers But we‘re in competitition with a lot of other areas." be on Stzeet ProofingDrugs Sexual Abuse and Household Dangers And what‘s next for Rakanovic? According to Waterloo‘s newest video maker her next projects will Her grand screening of the video was held last week at Kitchener‘s Reformation Lutherâ€" an Church in Kitchener before a full house. Prior to the screening the Caring Kids Choir performed the song When The Lights Go Out All Over The World and there was a candleâ€"light vigil for her nephew Jimmy together (instead of blaming one another) to work through Waterâ€" it came to editing." However, along with editing, she wrote, produced and directed the video. She credited Ian Forbes at Video Works and Service for letting her use his facilities for two weeks of editing and Don Reid and Ron Burklen of Studio A Take Note Production Company for provid ing the music ly learned a lot, especially when