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

Wed Nov 18 14:47:05 UTC 2009

Joy,
    One of the reasons law enforcement is so well educated in our area is, 
well, it is our area! (smile) There was a time when one police officer told 
a woman who had just returned from the Guide Dog Foundation, "That may be 
the way they do it in new York, but, lady, you're not in New York!" He found 
out very quickly how we do it in Tampa! (smile)The Florida Association of 
Guide Dog Users (FLAGDU) has done a great deal of educating; obviously, we 
need to do still more! Through such incidents, we uncover the areas in which 
more needs to be done! I encourage others to get involved in NAGDU and the 
NFB. If there is a division in your state, join it and work for it! If there 
is not, get in touch with me and I will help you organize one!

fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joy Relton" <jrelton at verizon.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 8:35 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog user has to call police to have an ice cream 
atMarble Slab


> Marion,
>
> Nicely done. I think I'd prefer the Bass Ale as well. Got to watch those
> kalleries. (grin)
>
> Seriously folks, about twenty years ago I was refused service in a
> Friendly's in Washington D.C. My family was with me and didn't want to 
> wait
> for the police. It basically worked itself out but if it were to happen
> today my family know that they'd have to go on to the next restaurant on
> their own. I'd also come back with several dog guide users to patronize
> their establishment. I'm not rude, but I don't give up my rights. Sounds
> like you had some educated police and not so well educated employees. 
> Twenty
> years ago the police were not so well educated in D.C. I wonder if they
> would be now.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Marion & Martin
> Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 4:41 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 
> cream
> atMarble Slab
>
>
> Margo,
>    the police officers who responded advised the assistant manager that, 
> if
>
> Merry comes into the store again, she must serve her. If she does not, she
> will be handcuffed, arrested, and taken to jail. They will call the owner
> and have him lock the doors! They were very cooperative, as you can tell!
> (smile)
>
> marion
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Margo and Arrow" <margo.downey at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog user has to call police to have an ice 
> cream
> atMarble Slab
>
>
>> wow, I keep hoping things like this won't happen much anymore but they
>> do.
>> Mary, think you did well and marion, so did you and so did the police
>> finally.
>>
>> Mary, I really think you could go back to that store if you want to.
>> I
>> don't think she can really ban you, can she?
>>
>> margo andArrow
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
>> To: "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; "NFBF List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: <blind411 at verizon.net>
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 11:37 AM
>> 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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> n.net
>>
>>
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