From naughty to nice

>> Ex-cop turned Santa uses his peace-keeping know-how to keep the Christmas cheer


by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Ken Pelletier

Age: 54

Occupation: Shopping Mall Santa

Location: Cavendish Mall

Remuneration: A few extra dollars and the love of children everywhere.

Bio: This Ahuntsic resident and roly-poly big bundle of love is currently experiencing his first year as Santa Claus and relishing every second of it. A recently retired MUC police officer, he was encouraged by his wife to contact something called the Quebec Association of Santa Clauses (apparently they really exist) and see if they could rep him out for Santa gigs—which they did, landing him the prestigious Cavendish Mall job shortly thereafter. In considerably better physical condition than the real Santa Claus, Ken has taken on a series of odd jobs since retiring from the force two years ago, including pizza delivery boy and golf marshal at the Ste-Rose golf course in Laval. “I like to keep myself busy.”
Has Santa ever had the children of people he’s busted come sit on his knee? Not yet, but while on Santa duty Ken has run in to a few nefarious characters he once knew as a cop.
The age of the oldest kid to sit on his knee: About 15. “Some of the teenagers get a little rambunctious sometimes but, if I detect that in their attitude, I tell them it’s best that they just go home and to have a happy holiday anyway. As a former peace officer I have a lot of experience dealing with this sort of thing. There’s not much I can’t handle. But you have to adjust to each situation.”

Does he ever get pushy parents ordering him around for photos and telling him to move his fat red ass and speed the line-up along? Not too often. “But when you do come across people like this you need to be patient and not lose your temper. Depending on the situation, I generally tell impatient parents that the wait won’t be too long and to just look how much fun their child is having. They usually back off after that. Most parents don’t like to take joy away from their children.”

Have any kids ever soiled themselves while sitting on his knee? Not yet.
One thing all good little boys and girls want this year: Sony Playstation 2.
Does management ever encourage him to remind kids that all the nifty things on their wish list are available at stores in the mall and give him discount coupons and stuff to deliver to their parents? Never.

One of his hobbies: Collecting baseball and hockey cards.

Another thing he does: Volunteer work for various charitable organizations.

Childhood ambition: To become a policeman or a teacher.

Musical tastes: Chopin, Pavarotti, piano and organ music.

A recent film he absolutely adored: Monsters Inc. “It made me laugh and it made me cry.”

Television preferences: Sports programming. Ken used to really like watching Hockey Night in Canada but less now that “hockey is not so much of a sport anymore, but just a business.”

Words of wisdom: “Take each day as it comes and at the end of the day, if things still aren’t done, remember that tomorrow is another day.” :

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