Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am a regular Vic customer at your Kill Devil Hills, NC store (Harris Teeter).
I am writing to you to plead for the lives of countless sea animals who cannot speak for themselves. Many people on boats and beaches have observed to their horror, dead and dying turtles, dolphins and other sea life that have ingested balloons that have fallen into the ocean after drifting away from children, many of whom got them at your stores. Some of the balloons were purchased and others given away. The balloons, especially the foil ones, resemble jellyfish, a favored food of many ocean species..
I have personally asked several of your local managers to remove the balloons from your stores only to be told that "corporate insists upon keeping them".
I would strongly urge you to reconsider that policy and practice.
I have also brought this matter to attention of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, who, I understand, are considering some action in this regard. Why wait to be formally requested or compelled to do the right thing?
Please remove all balloons from your local stores without delay. This action on your part should not be limited to the Outer Banks but should include, at a minimum, all coastal communities.
I will be sending a copy of this letter to all local and regional media - print and broadcast - and distributing it on the internet. Information about your response and corrective actions, if any, will be similarly disseminated to the widest possible audience.
If you should choose not to remove the balloons forthwith, I intend to organize a campaign to picket your stores until the balloons are removed. It seems to me that it would also be appropriate for your company to contribute to organizations that protect sea life in order to remediate some of the damage which your callous actions have caused.
Your immediate action in response to this letter would be greatly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
George Jay Mendelson
Colington Island, NC
25 comments:
I would have no problem with the ban, but I think it would be mighty tough to get it approved. Then again, they did ban the plastic bags, so there is hope. There are so many other beautiful decorations that can be used for a party. In fact, my son's birthday party is this Friday and you have inspired me to used something other than baloons. Thanks for making me aware.
I walk and drive on the beaches many days during the off season and am always amazed at how many balloons I see washed up on the beach, presumably released off cruise ships or from parties along our shoreline. Then again, I've freed more than one seabird from tangled fishing line too. It's really amazing, the hardships man has placed upon the animal kingdom, all in the name of recreation.
Next we should do like the Taliban and ban kites. Irresppnsoble people launch disposable kites in heavy winds and the line breaks and they drift out to sea. Personal responsibility is being lost in this country. Educate the people rather than simply assume that everyone is ignorant and cannot properly dispose of a ballot. Where dpi you stop: plastic bags, ballons, kites.....? Why picket Harris Tester why not picket the local mom and pop party supply stores.
The ballons themselves are not the problem. No more than alcohol, spray paint, bullets or any item. The problem is one of misuse or perhaps more accurately, negligent use. Change attitudes of the people and you will make a real difference.
This is just one symptom. The problem is rental company greed.
I propose: we make all the rental companies make their guests sign a simple "Etiquette" checklist when they pick up their keys. No signature, no keys.
1. Hey lady (this morning), no, your dog is not special and allowed on the beach. No, you may not drag it to the top of the dune so it can take a dump, then you dig and bury it, then you wrestle back through our sand fencing to bring it back down to where it can chase kids. You suck, lady.
2. No, you may not leave your canopy on the beach overnight. Or your chairs. Or local dude, no, you may not lock your kayak to the public walkover for 3 freakin months (at Chicahauk, feel free to steal it!)
3. No cigarette butts in the sand. Ever. My kids play in that sand.
4. _______ feel free to add everyone...
But I'm serious about this etiquette sheet. Those tourists are freaking clueless out there.
Dear EOD:
Thanks for posting my letter about eliminating balloons on OBX.
One of your readers asked me to identify the stores. I didn't intend to omit identifying the store. It is Harris Teeter. Although, my comments would apply to anyplace down here that sells or gives away balloons.
Sure, government regulates too much some times and I'm not suggesting that regulation is the answer. Only that in the absence of responsible corporate conduct, government ought to consider stepping in when the need is clear.
My first approach was to Harris Teeter and their response was included in my letter.
George Mendelson
obx1212@gmail.com
I wholeheartedly agree.
Stop it with all the balloons, everywhere. I don't care from whom. Just stop them being so, so pervasive.
Kids are prone to accidentally letting them go (as are adults) half of the time, and they can't NOT let them go, on purpose, the other half.
All winter we beach-walk in NH and there are spent balloons to be picked up out of the surf and off the beach EVERY DAY.
I know many of them must come from farther away than our beach. Some might be taken hundreds of miles up high in the wind before they lose helium and end up in our waterways.
Its the cruse ships
Ridiculous. Are you going to boycott every store on the beach? Walmart, Kmart, Food Lion, dollar stores, other local stores until the balloons are banned? Good luck finding a store to shop in that will not sell balloons!
If he is so happy to point fingers at Harris Teeter, the least he can do is include all other stores that sell the balloons -- The Dollar Store and Cap't Party or Major Party or whatever it's name is this year. And how 'bout the florist shops.
Why don't we just ban everything! It seems that someone somewhere is coming up with something that is going to harm a human or animal. Lets ban fast food because parents choose to take their kids there and they get fat lets ban alchohol because some people choose to abuse it lets ban cigarettes because some people choose to smoke lets ban peanuts because some are allergic to them lets ban sugar because some are diabetic. But how bout this lets ban building anymore condos or houses being built so that noone else moves here or comes here. Where does it stop. I agree we all need to be more responsible with the things we have and the things we do with them but the last time i checked this was still a free country and we all have choices responbile or irresponsible.
Well written letter! I agree!! People can't be responsible with balloons, cigarette butts, beer cans, OR dog poop!! Agh!! What is wrong with people??
I love it! People are not responsible enough with their purchases so let's make a ban for EVERYONE!!!!!
You sound like Finch who put a ban on smoking at the skate board park in KDH b/c there were butts on the ground.
Finch got estimates to remove and replace playground equipment to another location b/c kids at the skate board park were cussing and it offended the parents of young kids.
People need to take responsibility for their own actions. Quit taking my rights/privileges away b/c someone else is making mistakes.
Dear EOD:
I received the following reply from Harris Teeter this afternoon regarding my request that they remove balloons from their OBX stores:
"Thank you for taking the time to contact us as your input is very important to us and enables us to identify areas for customer service improvement.
Please be assured that your comments on how we can better satisfy your shopping needs will be forwarded to the responsible department. Even though it may not always be feasible to make changes, every customer suggestion is important and is reviewed by appropriate management personnel.
It is our pleasure to have you for our customer!
Sincerely,
Stephanie
Harris Teeter Customer Relations
Reference: #1192373"
I assume that this was an automated reply inasmuch as it was not personally addressed to me. There was no salutation at all.
Comments on EOD have questioned why I have singled out Harris Teeter. It is simply that I noticed the free balloons that are given away to anyone who wants one and, more importantly, in response to my suggestion that they remove the balloons, Harris Teeter HQ specifically declined to do so.
As to other companies' balloon policies, I am only one person. A multi-vendor campaign is beyond my capacity/desire.
If anyone else chooses to challenge another balloon merchant to quit selling and/or giving away balloons on OBX I would encourage and applaud her.
George Mendelson
Dear EOD:
Sorry to trouble you, but apparently some of your readers can't get the obvious point. The issue is not all balloons. It is only helium-filled balloons that float out over the ocean that are the problem. And ordinary folks seldom fill their children's balloons with helium. It takes a store or other vendor to do that.
George Mendelson
Ban the people...the balloon's won't come.
Photos today at Harris Teeter, KDH at noon.
The dolphin balloon is particularly ironic.
https://picasaweb.google.com/2009gjm/HarrisTeeterBalloons
No, it isn't just the helium balloons...It's all of 'em...air filled, water filled...When they hit the ocean, they all look the same.
Anybody want to get going on fireworks? Fireworks are illegal, and they are going off every night.
FYI:
This is not merely a personal or local issue.
The National Park Service has banned helium-filled balloons from all its facilities for years in recognition of the hazards to animal life.
http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/permits-faqs.htm
Dianne said
I agree that as individuals we must take responsibility for our own actions. BUT too often people don't think about the results of their actions. That is why some times we must have rules for a civilized society. If the National Park Service bans balloons in all of their parks so can we do the same. I will be there on Thursday and I hope to see many of you stopping by.
If there's a ban on baloons, and, if I need some, I'm heading to Manteo. I'm sure Basnight still has the arrogance of power to exclude his little town, as he did with the plastic bag ban.
I will be demonstrating at the Harris Teeter store in KDH (Bypass @ Eighth St.) starting at 10:00 am, Thursday, July 28 and every day thereafter until Harris Teeter removes all helium balloons from its OBX stores.
Starting on Saturday, the activities will be permitted for a "group demonstration" so anyone can join me in demonstrating.
For Thursday and Friday, I will be demonstrating alone although spectators and moral support are strongly encouraged.
George Mendelson
HeliumKills@gmail.com
I'm a retired sales person who wholesaled balloons and helium for years on the road to stores large and small including grocers and mom and pop florist. I must say your campaign, while based upon good intentions, has many questionable parts.
My first question...Helium kills? Misleading isn't it? Helium is widely used in the medical field as a coolant in MRI machines and when mixed with oxygen is used in some respiratory treatments. So the facts are that helium doesn't kill, it is a very useful. So yes, helium is used in balloons that float and eventually returns to the earth, but the helium itself doesn't harm or kill anyone. Its the same argument that guns kill, no they don't, people kill using guns as a weapon.
Second question...You said you have chosen a store to protest based upon that they didn't bow to your demands at the local and corporate level to remove them from sale. How did the other stores you emailed or contacted respond to you? Was HARRIS TEETER the worst response you received or was it the only response you received. I have the feeling that most retailers would have put your email in the not going to touch that bin and didn't respond.
Third question.. you also stated that you chose HARRIS TEETER and another person (who turned in her shopping bags, but did she turn in her discount card so the next time coke or whatever else she likes is cheap she won't get the deal) said they wouldn't shop there because they give free balloons to kids or anyone who asks, and they are the only store to do so. Wrong...FOOD LION has and gives ballons to children too, they may not make such a big deal about like HARRIS TEETER does but they do have them and give them out not only at the stores but at events like the OBX marathon.
Fourth question...many retailers on the beach sell balloons, but have you noticed a difference in the way the sell they are sold. There are both responsible and irresponsible sellers here.A responsible seller of balloons sells them with weights attached in order to prevent them from flying off. North Carolina has no law that requires weight be attached to metallic balloons as some other states due, but a responsible retailer would attach the weights. Many stores sell balloons just with strings. I went to the HARRIS TEETER and looked. ALL of the balloons on display to sell had weights on them to prevent them from flying away. So it seems you may be misinformed about responsible retailing or just didn't notice the measures they have already taken to prevent balloons from flying away.
Fifth question....Many marine animals die from trash, medical waste, six pack ring connectors, discarded fishing line and countless other things that mankind puts intentionally or unintentionally in the ocean. Is there any data that shows that balloons cause a higher percentage of death to marine life than these other things? Are you planning to protest at tackle shops who refuse to stop selling fishing line at your demand next?
So yes, to not wanting marine life to perish unnecessercairly, but this campaign against helium and a retailer who is already acting responsibly in retailing balloons seems misguided and in my opinion needs to be reconsidered.
In closing, you seem so bothered by kids with free balloons, yes, they may float away sometimes, but as an adult, try as I do not to be so old and cynical, remember the joy of having a balloon to play with as a child.
This is our last post on this subject.
First, we want to thank Bob Dickerson for his lengthy comments. Some of his thoughts strike us as valid. Others reflect an industry bias that is understandable.
Mr. Dickerson: you didn't post your email address which we understand. We would like to engage in direct conversation with you before undertaking any further demonstrations or other activities in regard to helium-filled balloons. If you are so inclined, please contact us: obx1212@gmail.com
Now to respond to your general reader comments:
1. We never suggested, nor would we favor, a government ban on helium-filled balloons unless industry and retailers were first given an opportunity to do the right thing themselves.
2. Harris Teeter was not arbitrarily singled out for special focus. H/T is our store of choice so we are in there several times a week. H/T is the only store on OBX, to our knowledge, that gives away helium-filled balloons to anyone who takes one, in addition to selling helium balloons and promoting sales with a prominent display. See 3 photos taken Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at H/T in KDH. https://picasaweb.google.com/2009gjm/HarrisTeeterBalloons
3. For those who think that we are quixotically tilting at windmills, in addition to numerous animal rights and environmental groups that urge people not to purchase or sell helium balloons, you all should know that the National Park Service has, for more than 10 years, formally banned helium balloons from all park facilities because they cause death to animals. Indeed, there is legislation to that effect.
http://www.nps.gov/anac/planyourvisit/balloons-and-hot-coals-and-the-earth.htm
4. Our actions with regard to helium-filled balloons are about education. We care fervently about the environment both here, across the United States and worldwide. As some of you have pointed out, there are many things that cause harm to wildlife, ourselves and to future generations. We know that it is impossible for a small group of people to make a change. But, it is possible for a small group to start a change and make a difference. We hope our activities will contribute to people's awareness of what each of us can do to make this a better world for generations to come.
5. Helium is in short supply world-wide and that supply is decreasing rapidly. Helium is used in many critical medical devices among other uses. The use of helium in balloons, regardless of the environmental costs, should be curtailed voluntarily by businesses and concerned individuals. Not only do helium-filled balloons contribute to trash, they kill wildlife, and waste a precious resource on total frivolity.
6. In light of what we learned from our initial demonstration, we have modified our strategy. Our broad-based campaign against helium-filled balloons will be launched during the month of August. It will not be limited in focus to OBX nor Harris Teeter. Please watch for the inauguration of our new website, HeliumKills.org for activities and developments. We invite all concerned persons to join our efforts.
Thanks to you all for your input and especially to EOD for providing such a forum.
George Mendelson
Dianne Eisenach
Comments just keep on coming.
Contrary to various erroneous news items, blogs and reader rants, we do not advocate the banning of helium-filled
balloons. We are interested in educating OBX residents and visitors of the issues involved with their release.
Please do not release helium-filled balloons out-of-doors. Whether released deliberately, through inadvertence or because of adults' neglect to monitor children, helium-filled balloons are a serious environmental issue.
In addition to general littering concerns, many helium-filled balloons float over the ocean and break.
The fallen shards and strings are eaten by and entangle sealife and birds, including
whales, dolphins and sea turtles. The results are often fatal.
The U.S. National Park Service has banned helium-filled balloons from all of its facilities for more than ten years.
Thank you for your caring response and for saving innocent lives.
george mendelson
dianne eisenach
HeliumKills.org
HeliumKills@gmail.com
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