Editorial by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – The cultural crescent sculpture walk got off to an ugly start today in downtown Mason City.
The non-profit group that was awarded $40,000 of city tax dollars was busy picking out spots Tuesday afternoon at about 2:30 PM for seven of the sculptures that will be installed in a few of weeks. City staff was on hand to give advice on locations; two of which will be in Central Park. Eighteen more statues are coming later. Chamber Director Robin Anderson, Main Street’s Marty Walsh, nearby business owners, and a man from the Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk were collaborating on selecting sculpture locations.
(PHOTO: At top, sculpture walk leaders, including Dr. Jay Lala (second from left) and Chamber of Commerce Director Robin Anderson (second from right) pick locations for their statues in Mason City’s Central Park. INSET: Dennis Luna crashed their party and speaks with an MCPD officer afterwards.)
The group started in Central Park and then made its way up Federal Avenue’s east side to the corner of State Street, where they paused, and then walked into the pedestrian court at Southbridge Mall’s north entrance.
That’s where things turned ugly.
A Mason City man, Dennis Luna (pictured, bottom, speaking with MCPD officers), approached the group and accused Dr. Jay Lala, a dentist who is also part of the statue committee, of “ruining his teeth.”
Luna and Lala proceeded to have words, with Luna pursuing Lala. Scott Moorman, who owns Moorman Clothiers, got between the two men and separated them. Some of the group, including Lala, could be seen laughing after the incident.
Luna didn’t think it was funny.
“My teeth are ruined, and they think it’s funny,” Luna said. “He took over $9,000 of Medicaid and refused to finish the work.”
Luna displayed his mouth, showing several places where teeth were missing. “A dentist in Clear Lake is fixing this,” he said.
Mason City police were called, and everyone was questioned. Members of the sculpture group said Luna threw a punch at Lala, which Luna denied.
Police took a report and left.
The sculpture walk continued, as Lala left, headed north in Commercial Alley towards his office. A call there about 30 minutes later seeking a response from Lala was not immediately returned; his staff said he was not in the office Tuesday.
Luna stuck around to explain the incident on camera. Watch it below:
Matt, you are a University of Iowa graduate, right? You can’t really be this dumb to believe one word that man is saying. I know this is an old story but I have never been on this site before. You seem so appalled by Dr Lala possibly flipping you off . Are we to believe you have never done that? Can you really post that you have never done that in public?
Should an upstanding business man, chamber of commerce member, tax payer dollar taker, sculpture admirer, flip off a person who was simply standing nearby, enjoying a beautiful day? And just a few feet outside the front door to his business? I said nothing to the man; he stood there like that for some time. It was clear to me what his intention was, and really, I find it humorous. Now, being that he decided to make that gesture in public, he didn’t seem to care who noticed… so I am merely sharing his message to the world for him.
I assume you are calling me “dumb” in reference to the Dennis Luna debacle. The man is dead, so please, try not to disparage him. He did approach me on the day in question and offer his opinion of the good doctor’s dental practices. He did offer compelling visuals to bolster his story. I merely gave him a voice and venue to do so. Was that wrong?
Mr. Luna is just looking for something for nothing. I am sure that he got good care with that Dentist. Luna didn’t get his way so now he is pitching a fit. That has been his excuse all his life. How many sons does he have with different women? Always running and feeling sorry for himself. I know this for a fact. I raise one of those Sons which he had never paid support or even had the decency to phone on a birthday or Christmas. I say stop your complaining and look in a mirror. You are probably the problem. And not the Dentist. All I have ever heard about you is that you complain about everything. And just an observation, maybe you should have brushed your teeth all these years and they would not have rotted out of your mouth.
Looks to me not only some bad dental work from Lala but also the fun statue group is wearing the very same clothes as just the other day. Ewwww what’s worse. And the hideous fake pearls Robin loves. Tacky to say the least. Rocket scientists need not be present, this group is the epicenter of obvious assholes.
Here’s the finger right back at you Lala. Maybe that’s why you ruined this guys teeth, too busy giving the finger else where.
I am a former resident of Mason City and occasionally I access this site to stay in touch with the happenings of the town. I am saddened to see this “editorial.” This isn’t journalism, it’s a joke! Whatever happened to reporting the facts and getting both sides of the story? To let this man to go on and on about a situation that you know nothing about….unless it was a set up. I feel sorry for this man as he obviously has some issues and you took full advantage of him. Making him look like a complete fool. You should be ashamed. I will stick to the Globe from now on!
Goodbye, they need you over there.
Uh ya, don’t let the door hit ya……
The globe is the shit NIT scrapes off it’s feet. You belong there. Buh…bye.
Good bye The globe is a joke, why do you think the paper has got smaller people are sick of the globe, businesses are not advertising with them anymore. I will not even look at the globe anymore, I watch Kimt and nit online,
I hope that the dentist’s staff is careful what they post on here….it could lead to a HIPAA violation and Mr. Luna could have a mouthful of new teeth and a healty settlement.
I’d be less worried about HIPPA and more about Dr. Lala filing a defamation of character suit against this fool. But he probably has nothing of value anyway. What I would like to know is why is this guy on medicaid anyway? Is he to lazy to work or what? It makes me angry, I have full time employment with good benefits but still not dental coverage so I pay for my own care and he gets a freebie.
Too bad mr lala wont get a dime from this guy even if he trys to sue , Wow you must be stupid to even say that?? DUH