MASON CITY – In what may be another in a growing list of decisions that are irking would-be shoppers and patrons, Southbridge Mall management has apparently decided that the very soothing and holiday-themed sound of the Salvation Army Kettle Bell is not wanted this season.
A call this morning to the Salvation Army in Mason City confirmed that the Salvation Army kettle ringers will be taking donations at places like Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Walgreen’s, Shopko, Hy-Vee East and West, Fareway in Clear Lake and Mason City… but not Southbridge Mall.
“Right now we were informed we won’t be able to do that,” a person at the Salvation Army told NIT Thursday morning. “They are under new management and they said we can’t come there. We hope that will change.”
The Mason City Kennel Club, volunteer kettle ringers, also verified that they were told that they won’t be ringing the kettle at Southbridge Mall.
“After many years of a wonderful contribution on the part of the Southbridge Mall in Mason City allowing the volunteers for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive to come inside out of the elements to ring the bell, the new owners and new manager are no longer allowing this,” a Kennel Club member said Wednesday evening.
“Members of the Mason City Kennel Club who had volunteered to man the kettle in December were recently notified that our day of participation has been cancelled due to the new mall manager not allowing the Kettle Drive to take place inside the mall.”
The Kettle Club member went on to say:
“I placed a call to the management office to verify this rumor. The manager (an arrogant ass) returned my call and I asked him why, after years of the Southbridge Mall contributing to the Salvation Army Kettle Drive’s cause by allowing volunteers to be inside the mall while ringing the bell, would he not allow this tradition to continue. After being taken aback by my question, he informed me that he would allow the volunteers to ring the bell but they must remain outside the mall or in the vestibule. I suggested that the ball inside the bell be replaced with a paperclip as in previous years in order to cut down on noise. He said that he would ‘take this into consideration.'”
A call to Southbridge Mall manager TJ Just was answered, and he said NIT has it all wrong.
“That is not true,” Just said, sounding somewhat agitated. “We are working with the Salvation Army.”
“What’s there to work on, TJ?” NIT Publisher Matt Marquardt asked. “The kettle ringers have been in the mall for years.”
“Is there anything else?” Just asked.
Anyone wishing to contact the mall to issue a complaint can call 641-423-6688 and ask for TJ Just, Southbridge Mall Manager.
Well what do you know?? The Bell Ringers are now allowed in the mall. It was all a misunderstanding. The mall loves them now. I guess public opinion does count for something once in awhile.
Yesterday went shoppinng for a carpet shampoo machine; Target $229.00; same machine, same model, Wal-Mart $188.00
Let me say, I am embarrassed for the people Mason City. Where did this story get so distorted? It was never said the bell ringers could not be at the Mall. Mr Just said they could not ring the bells in the mall, but they could ring them outside or in the vestubel. By the way, I have never seen a bell ringer in a store. only outside! Mr Just came to Mason City to do a job. Nobody likes change, but for Mason City to grow and for the mall to survive change is necessary! People of Mason City need to support the changes it takes to help the city grow. Yes, Mr Just did step into a huge undertaking! Instead of calling him to complain, why don’t we call him to let him know how much we appreciate all the work he is doing to help our city!
Happy Holiday’s!
Isn’t bell ringing apart of the Christmas Holiday? Something that is meaninful and identified as part of tradition is being ostracized. No wonder America is so violent, we take everything away that has been held sacred!
Right on Matt! Ha! Realities of LIFE.
The people that think they are running all the life here in Mason City… wait til that REALITY of LIFE comes to bite them.
I just can’t wait! We all know the reality of life does comes back to git cha!
NIT-When are you going to tell me why you removed my post? It referenced professionalism and ethics in journalism, and mentioned NIT’s article about Mayor Bookmeyers son. It ended by asking about Matt’s qualification to edit a paper and any structured education or prior experience he had. And please don’t remove this one like you did my previous queries. If Matt wants to be treated like a professional, let him act like one.
“Just like welfare trash, if you can’t make it on your own, too bad.”
“Are there no prisons?” asked Scrooge.
“Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. “Are they still in operation?”
“They are. Still,” returned the gentleman, “I wish I could say they were not.”
“The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?” said Scrooge.
“Both very busy, sir.”
“Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,” said Scrooge. “I’m very glad to hear it.”
Perhaps you wish to recant that comment?
TJ Just needs to STOP eating so many Pastries
NIT-A posts that I entered here has been removed. It was a reply to Matt’s rebuttal to Ladybug.Lady’s post. May I have a reason why it was taken off? There was no swearing or calling people names. Most of it were objective questions about Matt’s printing of some articles and questions about his qualifications as a publisher. Thank you.
I think I can clear up some confusion. I re-read the article. Where it talks about a Kennel Club member the next line uses the words Kettle Drive Member. That makes it sound like the Salvation Army made the arrogant ass comment. Read carefully. It was a Mason City Kennel Club member. The Salvation Army is an honorable organization and helps the people of our community in ways that rarely get recognized. God bless them and their workers…
FLEET FARM also will not let the kettle be in their store nor the entry way. Rang the bell many times there….outside & froze to death !! Places that don’t let The Salvation “inside” to ring the bells ….. I don’t shop there ever again !! I also don’t think the phase ” the manager – an arrogent ass”…..needed to be included in the story at all !! NIT needs to clean up their act !!
I’m the chump who was dropping in a krugerand every year. Can’t do it anymore as I was busted for pot plants and the police, lawyers and the courts took everything.
I could not believe when I read that a member of the Salvation Army would call someone an arrogant ass in print. When you ask someone for something, that person has the right to say yes or no. And they should be able to say it without retribution of any kind. I used to be a staunch supporter of the Salvation Army as I felt they were a Christian organization. No more. If this is what the Salvation Army has turned into, I will have no part of it.