[nagdu] Guide dog user has to call police to have an ice creamatMarble Slab

[Marion & Martin]

Tami,
    Perhaps the word you were looking for was "rude"! (smile) Now the 
assistant manager is claiming that kappie was "licking the cones"! How 
ludicrous! Especially since the cones are about five feet off the floor! 
There just happened to be a security officer in the store when all of this 
happened! Of course, he was ignorant enough to tell Merry that the store was 
private property and could refuse access to anyone they wished. When she 
told him of the law, he retorted that he was a former police officer, was 
well aware of the law and that no such law existed! He changed his tune very 
quickly when the real cops arrived! (smile)
    I will be speaking with the franchise owner and the security company 
that contracts with the mall today. I will send an update when I have 
something to report!

Peace!
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tamara Smith-Kinney" <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 12:52 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog user has to call police to have an ice 
creamatMarble Slab


> Wow!  I am so sorry that Merry had to go through this.  Great job by both 
> of
> you, and Sunshine, to straighten things out.  I am impressed, and thank 
> yous
> from Oregon for dealing so effectively with access issues!  And for your
> follow up, which I know you are both well capable of doing well!
>
> Banned from the store for being rude!  Well, I never!  That is just...
> Words fail me.
>
> Keep on being rude like that!  Only I hope you don't have to again.
>
> Wishing Merry gallons of her favorite ice cream.
>
> Tami Smith-Kinney
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Marion & Martin
> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:38 AM
> To: NAGDU List; NFBF List
> Cc: blind411 at verizon.net
> Subject: [nagdu] Guide dog user has to call police to have an ice cream
> atMarble Slab
>
>    I am sending the following message on behalf of Merry!
>
>
> Hi All,
>    Last night on my way home from school, I decided to stop at Marble Slab
> to have some ice cream, since I had time before my bus was due to arrive. 
> I
> walked in the door only to be told that I could not bring my dog in the
> store.  The assistant manager told me that she would serve me if I stood 
> by
> the door to place my order and then sit outside to eat it.  This all
> happened at approximately 8:30 p.m., I arrived home at 10:43 p.m. because 
> of
>
> the drama.  However, I am pleased to announce that I did get my ice cream
> although it took 2 police officers and 1 police Sgt.  from the Tampa 
> Police
> Department.
>    Please note, especially all guide dog users, that our education is not
> done!  Not only did we educate an Assistant Manager, a security officer at
> Centro Ybor, we educated the police officers as well, who at first 
> basically
>
> told me that I was not telling the truth.  It was only when Marion called
> for the Sgt. that attitudes changed.  I can tell you I was literally 
> shaking
>
> I was so upset, my words were assertively calm, but from the beginning I 
> was
>
> not going to come out this being the bad guy.  I thank Sunshine and Marion
> for being there for me via phone supporting me, and then Marion hopping on
> the bus to stand by my side.
>    Of course, this morning more education will be done by calling the
> corporate office of Marble Slab and Centro Ybor Security.  So, all my 
> fellow
>
> guide dog users please note that when I finally was able to order my ice
> cream, I told the officers I had just one question to ask the woman...I
> asked her that if 3 guide dog users walked into Marble Slab would they be
> served without any problems or being told to go outside.  She replied that
> they would be served; however, I am banned from the store for being rude,
> HAHA.  I think she's angry because I called the police, who stated that 
> she
> was rude not me (imagine that !).  The police officer said if she ever
> denies anyone with a service animal access again, he will slap the cuffs 
> on
> her and the owners can come and lock the doors!
>    Education is a great thing...speaking of which two more papers to 
> write!
> Blessings to all,
> Merry
>
>
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