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!
@Anonymous-Sorry. It just doesn’t work that way. He is doing nothing for the city. his function is to make money for the corporation he is working for. If he does anything at all for the city it will be by accident and because it fits his agenda. They will shut down the mall in a second if that is what it takes for them to make a dime. Happy Holiday to you too..
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.
I’ll start out by saying, I don’t owe you any explanation. This is my site. NIT belongs to me. This is my business, you are my guest because I am allowing you to be here. If you don’t want to join the thousands of other readers here everyday, then you do not have to. You can feel free to leave, although we both know you will be back within a few hours. As for my qualifications to run this site, I believe after 3+ years of doing so I’ve proven my ability to create a successful news website. The point is now moot. If you want to debate me, reveal your identity and let’s step onto even ground. Otherwise, I consider the matter closed.
@Matt Marquardt-That anonymous toady is nothing but a lackey for the mayor and is on here to do nothing but spread hatred and discontent. If they don’t like what is done on this site they always have the option of not coming on here but they won’t do that. They just are not smart enough to know that. If it was up to me I would ban them immediately. If they are posting under anonymous they are probably not paying to be on here and as such have no right to be here. I for one am sick and tired of reading the made up insults that have no truth behind them It is a old trick of blogging to find one word and make a case on it even though it is not true. I would really like it if they were accountable enough to put their name out there and see how brave they really are.
Damn straight, Matt — I bet he just reads the free ones anyway.
“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?
Obs-What’s there to recant? People are in prisons because they chose the life they led. No one forced them. Jobs are out there. It may mean relocating or taking a job with a lower wage (like union workers who feel it’s beneath them to take less then they were getting at their union job)but again, that’s their choice. People like you just look for excuses to give free govt. money to anyone who asks for it, which is one of the reasons we are in the position we are in today.
By the way, if anyone wishes to see a performance of “A Christmas Carol”, Stebens Theatre is holding performances during December. Please go and enjoy, it is a fantastic play.
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…
I meant to say ” Kettle Club Member”….
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 !!
Sorry, but that’s how people speak in real life, those were the words that were given to us, and we don’t sugar coat. Hide in a box if you want to. By the way, words that are worse than that are spoken on public television everyday. Watch KIMT after 8 PM. Don’t blame NIT for the realities of life.
Hey Matt-when are you going to ban the gutless, spineless cowards that sneak around on here posting under anonymous? They are getting worse and have no accountability. All they want to do is cause problems and try to discredit the site. Most have absolutely nothing to add to the conversation.
lvs-Little man, little man. Look on this site and see how many people have posted under their own name. I may have posted under different names, and you would never know it. If you don’t like anonymous, what should I use? Robin Hood, Jessie James, Peter Rabbit, or maybe Luke Skywalker? The main problem is that you can’t answer my questions. Many time I ask for a “yes” or “no” answer, and you give me a bunch of rhetoric because you don’t have a logical answer for me. You use convoluted logic, and when I try to correct you, you become angry and vindictive. You are a little man in your own world who is unwilling and unable to face reality because doing so would terrify you. But, please, keep on posting. It’s better then reading “the joke of the day”.
@Ladybug.lady-you need to go to church and pay for forgiveness after reading such a nasty comment. Or maybe you should just not read N.I.T. if it offends you so much. Just keep on living in that bubble you live in.
lvs-You, of all people, accuse someone of living in a bubble?? Take a look in the mirror.
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.
BS
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.
Reread the article…NO ONE from the SA called anyone anything. It was a quote from someone whom directly spoke to TJ and dealt with his arrogant attitude to the point of great disgust and disappointment. I overheard their entire conversation!
Please quit making this about you ‘use to give to the Salvation Army’…this is about fundraising for those in need…and the lack of compassion of TJ and the owners of the mall. As a volunteer, I just want to help those in need!
Errrg. They were not from the Sal Army. Try using your 4th grade reading skills.
If they were bell ringers for the SA, then they were affiliated with the SA. Also, no one from the SA has apologized for the remark. So no more donations to Salvation Army.
The SA is perhaps the most charitable religious organization of all time and I generously support them during the Christmas Season and donating to special needs throughout the year. That being said, The Mall Association is a private entity and has every right to determine who and who can’t “solicit” on their property. If they allow the SA in there, what next…some fringe group out of mainstream middle America promoting their cause. The mall would be hard pressed to tell them no. Just saying….
Clear, concise, objective. Good post.
As you open your pockets for the next natural disaster, please keep these facts in mind:
The American Red Cross President & CEO’s salary for the year was $651,957 + expenses.
The United Way President receives a $375,000 annual salary + expenses and benefits. Did you know United Way donates money to illegals?
UNICEF CEO receives $1,200,000 per year (that’s 100k per month) + expenses (including a ROLLS ROYCE company car).
This means that less than 5 cents of our donated dollar actually goes to theses causes!
The Salvation Army Commissioner receives a salary of only $13,000 + housing for managing a $2 billion dollar organization.
96% of our donation goes to the Salvation Army.
The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 (zero) salary.
100% of our donation goes directly to help Veterans and their families and youth!
Sincerely,
Bobi Bigelow
Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations
– See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2307980/charity-where-does-your-donation-go-#sthash.Cv0VdqmT.fhEbU3Bk.dpuf
Please, please, please check your facts before posting information like this. The information is from an email that’s been circulating for the last 8 years and is not the least bit accurate: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/charities.asp
I feel very badly for these charities.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/2307980/charity-where-does-your-donation-go
Wow I think the manager should ring the BELL.Although I can seeing him not thinking it through before he spoke.Just like people commenting on this very important issue.I a person that grew up in Mason City can’t see the fision they had when they developed the Mall.Our nickname River Cityshould of been the thym of such a big important part of such a big project.We should see the new manager has a big job to do.Like unfix a wrong.Just SAYING……….
The real issue here is the limitations to who may volunteer to be a bell ringer. The mall used to be the one indoor location where people who may be unable to stand out in the cold could still participate and play a part. I started taking my daughter to ring the bell when she was 9 months old, and we loved sitting in the mall, as do other families with young children. Many elderly people also do not do well in cold air, even the entrance of a store. With so few businesses and traffic even in the mall, it’s not like the bell ringers were somehow in the way. I guess it’s just one more example of Mason City completely disregarding those people who could actually make a difference in this dying town.
screw the mall it sucks antway
Target is “unbiased and awesome”? That is a joke! They don’t even give their employees a Christmas gift after forcing all of them to work long hours from black Friday until Christmas. If you don’t work when they say — you are fired. They are just as greedy as all the other “box” stores.
Tell me what job gives their employees Christmas gifts? The people working on Black Friday are getting money and should be thankful.
Southbridge is a joke
The Salvation Army lied. The mall manager did not say they couldn’t put a kettle at the mall. Just that they couldn’t be inside. The SA said they couldn’t be there at all. An out and out bold faced lie, and NIT latched onto it. Matt, please be more objective in your reporting and leave the emotion out of it. To the kettle club member who called the mall manager “an arrogant ass”. Just want to tell you I won’t be putting any more money in your bell ringer’s kettles. And if I were a store owner, you wouldn’t be putting a kettle outside my business either. To the best of my knowledge, Salvation Army does not have the “right” to put their kettles anyplace but their own property. Anywhere else is a privilege from the owner of the area you wish to be on, and to insult owners/managers simply because they don’t believe you’re the god-like figure you think you are is sheer hypocrisy.
Would you feel the same if you had to call the Salvation Army for help…I think not.
Never taken charity, never will. Just like welfare trash, if you can’t make it on your own, too bad.
Wow…. Hope you never have a fire, tornado, or loose your job.
Sorry, LOSE!
Actually, I was listening to the phone conversation and YES TJ did say they cannot be in the mall.
Hmmm-Correct, they can not be “in” the mall, but he did say they could be outside the mall or on inclement days inside the vestibule. Thank you for clearing this up.
It’s target corporate policy. The Salvation Army is a religious orginization. Being that Target is an unbiased awesome company they chose to decline. Nothing wrong with it, if you want companies to help you out, don’t promote hate.
I hope all of you boycott Target also. They threw the bell ringers out years ago.
Of course Target did that, every dollar that goes in the kettle is one less dollar the shopper takes in the store. Corporate greed at its finest. Guess I’ll go to Walmart.
Where does it say in the bible that the bell ringers have the right to have their kettles anyplace they want?
I think it says so immediately after this verse:
12. Deut. 25:11 “When two men are fighting and the wife of one of them intervenes to drag her husband clear of his opponent, if she puts out her hand and catches hold of the man by his privates, you must cut off her hand and show her no mercy.”
Let’s hope you never have to need to generous help of the Salvation help.
Or get on their bad side and have them call you nasty names in an NIT article.
If the shoe fits, maybe old TJ oughtta wear it.
I think a call to the individual stores in the mall would be better. If the stores received a ton of calls letting them know that we won’t shop there because of this, maybe they’d talk to management. Just letting management know our feelings won’t get us anywhere. I’m going to call each of the stores I WOULD HAVE shopped in and let them know WHY I won’t be back this season.
This is sad – It is not only about the Salvation Army Kettle Drive it is about carry or people and being courteous. The manager maybe needs a course in public relations.
Well said! Let him hope that he is never in need of the Salvation’s help…aye!
There having craft shows and indoor farmers market at willow brooke mall sounds like southbridge didn’t want them there.
sad…ppl in need…sounds like ppl need to bring life back to willowbrook!! i am real…only shop where i am treated real…rarely go to southridge…
when I worked at the mall back in 2000…the rumor then was that in 2013 to 2015 that penny’s and younkers were moveing out because there contracts were up then and they were moveing out to the best buy area.
Didn’t the salvation army recently say that gays should be put to death?
http://tgvnews.com/2013/06/salvation-army-says-gays-need-to-be-put-to-death/
Are you worried?
My partner and I were quite offended by the SA’s insinuation that we should die for loving each other. But no, we are not worried, we pray each day for acceptance, even in this backwards part of the country.
@rainbow boy-where I personally am not offended by gays I do get offended when I see people displaying “affection” in public. That is something that should be done in private. I would guess the comment comes from their idea of what the bible says. I am not real big on that either.
Is that all people of just “those” people.
How about holding hands? Just where do you draw the line on public displays of affection?
SO it is ‘OK’ for a man and a woman to show their love in public, make out, but not me and my partner? I’m getting SO SICK and TIRED of the DOUBLE STANDARD in this HILBILLY TOWN!!
I said “PEOPLE” not those people. I don’t care what sex they are or who they are with. Public display is disgraceful. And Rainbow, if you don’t like it here you can leave. Us hicks won’t miss you and it has nothing to do with your sexual preference.
No kidding, I don’t want to see anyone making out in public… Whether it’s a man and a woman or same sex partners.
Backwards part of the country. I have an idea. ………..MOVE!!!
I apologize if that has ever been said…every human has the right to love. With that being said…this is about donations to help those in need not being able to help out the volunteers by keeping them in from the cold…these are not paid people but volunteers. Please let us help these wonderful volunteers by giving them a place to ring the bell. Where is everyone’s Christmas spirit. SA bell ringing and the season go hand-in-hand. This is about fundraising…for those in need.
lvs-You said “public display is disgraceful”. Since you didn’t pick out any special kind of display, does that also mean bowing one’s head in church for worship, or putting one’s hand over one’s heart for the National Anthem. Please put a list of acceptable public displays you approve of so we can be sure of not offending you since you are so important.
@rainbows why get your skirt in an uproar. Everybody gets put down at some point in their life for some reason or another.
Quit your whining. Go do what ever it is you do and shut up! You got it made in the shade.
You basically just shot yourself in the foot! NEVER going in there again!
If they do not want to support the public we should not support the mall. I have heard that Penny’s in in bankruptsy and if they go the only anchor store will be Yonkers. It just seem like that will not be enough of a draw to keep the mall open. Tear it down or turn it into a casino. A casino would be a good draw for the rest ot the downtown area. I really can’t see them tearing it down. That would cost a fortune.
JCP IS in BIG trouble. They are doing so great at the ‘mall’ that they closed the west door forever. Once jcp closes, that mall anchor will be home to nothing more than flea markets and fleas themselves. Maybe the homeless will sneak in there to sleep, who knows.
http://northiowatoday.com/?s=penney
Don’t worry if JCPennys leaves the Pretzel shop will anchor the Mall. Im sure Mr Just spends enough there to make their lease.
Downtown realtor, when did you become an expert of why jcpenney closed 1 of 4 doors? It sounds to me that you just enjoy negativity. Maybe you, along with others, should check the facts before making statements.
Salvation army kettle ringers are the LEAST harassing charity drives around. There is no possible worry for having them there.
Southbridge mall stores, sorry your management is rediculous ill be shopping online this year.
And Mr. Just wonders why the mall is a barren wasteland of empty storefronts and mall walkers who don’t buy anything.
reminds me of the north iowa fairgrounds. Simply boycott the mall like people have done with the fairgrounds.
you going to boycott Target also? Haven’t seen any bell ringers there for years
I might as well since I have never been to target in Mason City. Or any for many years.