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

Wed Nov 18 14:06:49 UTC 2009

Well I have a mentor in you for sure.  As information becomes available I
would like to post links on my site to draw attention nationally so we may
help others learn from this experience. Peace.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion & Martin
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 8:27 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog user has to call police to have an
icecreamatMarble Slab

Albert,
    Thank you for your suggestions! The restaurant is a franchise of Marble 
Slab located in Atlanta, GA. I have already contacted their headquarters and

have spoken with the franchise owner. I am expecting a return call from him 
today. I have also spoken with the General manager of Centro Ybor, the mall 
where the store is located, as well as the District Manager of International

Security Management Group (ISMG), the company that provides contract 
security for the mall. With more than 20 years of advocacy experience on 
guide dog issues, I have learned the value of casting a wide net and taking 
my concerns directly to the top and calling everyone to task for their 
employees behavior! I have even been in contact with the media! The story is

out on Face Book and individuals I don't even know have called the store and

told them how outraged they are with their treatment of guide dog users!
    The Assistant Manager is now claiming that Merry's dog "was licking the 
cones", something that is not only ludicrous, but impossible, as the cones 
are kept above the counter, more than five feet high! The security officer 
may have been arrogant, but at least we believe he will tell the truth about

the incident. He was there when Merry walked in and the whole time the 
incident took place. We will have more of the story for everyone as it 
unfolds!

fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:30 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog user has to call police to have an 
icecreamatMarble Slab

> Find out if they are a subsidiary of a larger chain, like stone cold
> creamery, I am getting a sense you could single handedly change 
> perceptions
> across state lines if this is true.  Further, see if you could get the
> security company to hire you for proper sensitivity trainings for its 
> staff
> who are obviously ignorant of federal laws governing service animals.  I
> love these mickey  mouse cops who cannot make it as peace or police 
> officers
> only to settle for security positions to assuage their own inadequacies. 
> I
> had a similar problem with a village security guard and boy was he eating
> crow when the real police showed up.  You have a great opportunity here to
> effect change in a few established organizations who have not embraced the
> 21st century and humanity over all.  If you would like to talk more on the
> topic, I and My Blind Spot   would be all to happy to assist. Keep 
> fighting
> the good fight.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Marion & Martin
> Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 4:28 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog user has to call police to have an ice
> creamatMarble Slab
>
> 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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