DARE, DEPUTY FRIENDLY SAVED

Cut To Horticultural Agent's Job Protested At Budget Hearing

Racine - County Officials Took A D.A.R.E., But Then Gave It Back Again.

An overflow crowd, many wearing red or black T-shirts supporting the
Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Deputy Friendly programs, and
another group dressed in green to support the University of Wisconsin
Extension horticulture agent, attended the public hearing Thursday
night on the proposed 2005 county budget.

Rather than protest the planned elimination of DARE and Deputy
Friendly, people instead thanked County Executive William McReynolds
and Sheriff Robert Carlson for finding the money to keep the programs
one more year.

Wide support

Jackie Strelow, president of the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce,
which led the effort to save the programs, said there was overwhelming
support from people on the east and west ends of the county.

Strelow gave the board petitions signed by 2,200 people in support of
DARE and Deputy Friendly.

The programs are being saved with money from several sources,
including a planned donation from Spiegelhoff's Pick 'n Save in
Burlington. McReynolds has said the community would have to find the
money to keep the programs beyond 2005.