For our fourth issue of People of Timmins, we spoke to Rick Lemieux, local police officer and performer.
Q: You're probably best known in our community for your involvement with the DARE program. We hear about the impact the program has on the lives of the kids who participate, but what kind of impact has that program had on your life? In other words, how has it changed you?
A: The DARE program has been a part of my life since 2003. I’ve been able to teach thousands of students as well as hundreds of new DARE officers across Canada and the USA. The program encourages students to work hard towards their goals and I believe that it has helped me in the same way.
The program has helped me with always striving to do the best that I can do with any situation that I face. Because of this program and my family and friends encouraging me, I’ve written two children books that deal with bullying and having a good circle of friends.
I was doing some school presentations with Retro Bill back in 2009 and was speaking with him about how discouraging it was to find some new information to bring to students apart from DARE. I’ll never forget what he said, “you can draw and you can write, why not just write your material.”
That’s when I decided to write my first book entitled The Bully and the Bystander which is now in the hands of over 5,000 students across Ontario. I then decided that I wanted to make some safety videos for kids and with support from Goldcorp and Stark Productions I was able to produce and host a series called S.M.A.R.T. Tips with Constable Rick. The acronym for S.M.A.R.T.:
- Stay Confident
- Make Healthy Choices
- Advance your Education
- Respect Others
- Take Responsibility
I then wrote my second book entitled A Good Circle of Friends which encouraged kids to hang out with friends that respects them.
Q: You perform on stage, of course, in other ways besides as "Constable Rick." Can you tell us a bit about other roles you've played?
A: I have worked with Take Two Theater for two different plays. Take Two Theater is an amazing not-for-profit organization in Timmins.
Q: What has been your favourite role and why?
A: My favourite role that I’ve played was during the last play they did, The Odd Couple, where I played Manolo Constazuala. I’ve always loved to make people laugh and smile and the play did exactly that. I would suggest that anyone that has not attended a Take Two Theater production that you attend the next one. It is a great night out and supports local artists.
Q: You were the mastermind behind the Timmins Comedy Festival. Can you tell us a bit about what inspired you to start that event and what the planning process was like?
A: I have been organizing comedy shows in Timmins for about 15 years and have helped many not-for-profit organizations in our community. I started the Timmins Comedy Festival back in 2014 because I believe that Timmins has some of the best stand-up comedy fans. Since 2014, we’ve had so many amazing comedians such as Timmins own Derek Edwards, Mike MacDonald, Glen Foster as well as many others.
Q: Why was the Timmins Comedy Festival discontinued?
A: The reason I stopped organizing the festival was because of time. My family always comes first and it was taking a lot of my time. I also had my policing career and wanted to do my best representing the Timmins Police Service while I was in our community. It was also very stressful when tickets would not be selling until the final week before the show. The stress of losing money on the festival was also a part of my decision to not organize it anymore.
Q: A lot of work goes into planning a local event. If someone in Timmins is looking at starting up an event like that, what advice would you give them?
A: If someone was to take over and organize the festival, I would suggest forming a board of directors to assist with organizing, because it was and is a lot of work.
Q: Do you have any big plans up your sleeve for next few years?
A: In the next couple of years, I plan on working on another video series for children. I’ve been talking with the amazingly talented Retro Bill and we have an idea that would be educational and entertaining. We are just in the planning stages, but hope to get this project off the ground in the next year.
Q: Okay, time for some fun, rapid fire questions. If you could have one exotic pet, cost and risk free, what animal would you pick?
A: I’ve never been interested in having an exotic pet. I love my dog and would not replace her with any other animal.
Q: When you go camping (if at all), do you usually sleep in a cabin, an RV, a tent, or under the stars?
A: I don’t go camping often, but when I do it’s to visit family and get some rest. I sleep in a camper when I go.
Q: Which Winnie the Pooh character are you?
A: When I was younger, my family would call me “Pooh-boy” because of some Winnie the Pooh pajamas that I had. I would hope that my parents would explain to everyone why they called me “Pooh-Boy”, because I’m sure people thought it was something else.
Today I would think people would consider me Tigger because I’m always on the go “Bouncing” with my life. That’s the way I like it though.
Want to suggest someone for us to interview? Email [email protected].
