MASCOT COSTUME COST RAISES EYEBROWS

The city's police services board didn't take the DARE - and we aren't
lion.

A request from DARE Brantford for $1,500, toward the $3,620US cost of
a lion costume, raised a few eyebrows around the boardroom table Thursday.

"You can probably get a real lion for that," said board member Leo
Renzella.

The costume is that of DARE International mascot Daren. Daren makes
public appearances at the drug-resistance group's charity events,
parades and graduation ceremonies, but board members questioned his
cost-effectiveness as an educational tool.

"I don't see the value in it for that kind of money, either for the
DARE board or the kids," chairman Larry Kings said.

DARE's primary target group is Grade 6 classrooms, where children are
typically 11 and 12 years old. Board member Debi Dignan-Rumble
suggested that age group is perhaps not the most easily enchanted by
lifesize mascots.

Picking up on Renzella's comment, she quipped, "I like the idea of a
real lion to scare the kids not to use drugs."

Comedy aside, Renzella added, "We don't want to send the message that
we don't support D. A. R. E."

It's just that so many groups need financial support in a more direct
way, the board agreed.

"I have trouble supporting this," said Mayor Mike Hancock, "given all
of the places we've got to put money."

The board moved to send a letter to DARE Brantford president Susan
Reid, asking her to come before it at another meeting and explain the
benefits of the lion costume.