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Sign carrying in front of South Beach not in Suzanne Corona's future

By Howard B. Owens

South Beach owner Ken Mistler announced today that he won't require Suzanne Corona to carry a sign in front of the restaurant saying "I stole from South Beach."

"Her sincere apology was restitution enough for me," Mistler said.

Corona, already facing a public lewdness conviction for her part in a sex act at Farrall Park in June, could have been charged with a felony for trashing the South Beach lunch buffet one afternoon last month. To avoid the charge, she signed a contract with Mistler last week admitting her deed and agreeing to carry the sign for four hours.

Mistler said Corona's husband reached out to him through a mutual friend to ask if during the four-hour walk he could be their to protect his wife from public abuse.

"It was at that point that I realized that this affects more than Suzanne," Mistler said. "It affects her whole family. I can't punish her family for something she did."

Reached this afternoon, Corona said she was grateful to Mistler for his decision.

"That is very wonderful of him," Corona said. "I told this to the media before and it got cut out -- he's a very fair man, a nice man and I respect him very much. I can't thank him enough that he's chosen this direction for my family."

After Corona got out of the hospital following an eight-day stay, she immediately came to Mistler ready to sign the contract, Mistler said. He said he figured that was a hard eight days lying in a hospital bed thinking about what she had done and the anticipation of the walk was probably difficult to think about.

He said he didn't feel the need to ask any more of her.

"She never said she wouldn't do the walk," Mistler said.

While Corona is off the hook for the four-hour "walk of shame," Mistler said he is suggesting to her -- only a suggestion -- that she volunteer for four hours with a local agency such as the animal shelter or help with a charity event.

"I've done that before," Corona said. "I've volunteered in soup kitchens. I've volunteered at a hospice. I can certainly do something for him in that regard. I most certainly will."

Kim Grant

Thumbs up to Ken. I agreed with the walk but I agree just as much with his accepting a sincere apology. I don't think Ms. Corona is as bad as people want to make her out to be either.

Oct 26, 2010, 12:59pm Permalink
Jason Murray

weak. im guessing too many people have felt sorry for her in the past. she needs to start taking responsibility for her own actions. so ken does the next person who steals over 1k from you get the same slap on the wrist if they just say their sorry

Oct 26, 2010, 1:31pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I agree ! Two thumbs up. Amen ! etc. A very pleasant outcome to a "hopefully" ended story. Another selfless act by Mr. Mistler and a great reciprocation from the Corona's.

Oct 26, 2010, 1:51pm Permalink
Jason Brunner

What a wonderful gesture by Ken and I would sincerely hope she pays it forward. Perhaps she could gain some perspective from volunteer work.

Oct 26, 2010, 2:00pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

Jason, Ken looks far from soft. It's easy to take revenge or look for payback. It takes much more inner strength to put your feelings aside and do what is best for everyone in the long run.

Oct 26, 2010, 2:22pm Permalink
Jason Murray

he should do whats best for his business. people didnt steal from him cuz they didnt want to deal with public humiliation. now they see all they have to do is fake an apology. he was setting good example for future criminals of southbeach now all he did was put out the welcome mat and invite all the trash

Oct 26, 2010, 2:25pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I think there's been plenty of publicity that Ken takes thievery seriously. He can easily afford to be magnanimous this time around. He's made his point.

Jason, here's a suggestion: Go try and steal from him and see what happens. Just try it. If you think you can get away with it, what do you have to lose?

Oct 26, 2010, 2:33pm Permalink
Jason Murray

so just because i point out that he was soft means that i gotta go try and steal from him to "see what happens" this woman is a waste on society, she clearly has no moral values. ken just palyed into what everybody else has by feeling sorry for her. she doesnt care how her family will be treated or else she would have done the things she has

Oct 26, 2010, 2:41pm Permalink
Bob Harker

A very gracious move on the owner's part, but how many times is this cuckold husband going to come to the aid of this woman? First he asks for understanding and privacy when she is caught having sex with another man in a park (where was HER sense of privacy?) and now he reaches out to this restaurant owner because she is a thief.

I really don't understand.

Oct 26, 2010, 2:58pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

"... to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

I admire any man or woman who can live up to that.

Oct 26, 2010, 3:04pm Permalink
tom king

Wow!!!!! Relatives in the Batavia Police Dept have any bearing on this decision??? If it was a man, no charges would be dropped, no side deal would be made, and finally, no letting of the hook after a 3rd party got involved. The law is there 4 us all 2 follow, not 4 us 2 pick and choose who we let off. Unreal.....

Oct 26, 2010, 3:22pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Jason wrote, "so wedding vows mean more then the law"

Jason, find even a hint of implication to support the notion that what I posted is any way related to "the law."

Tom, lots of unsupported, not-fact-based supposition, innuendo and speculation in what you write.

First, Suzanne's husband has a distant cousin in the department (probably lots of people in this town do). There's no logical connection between those events. The person in the department hasn't been involved in either case at any point.

Second, a man who previously stole from Ken Mistler did the walk of shame and no charges were filed, so your statement is without foundation and contradicted by fact.

Third, I have no idea what you mean by "no letting off the hook after a 3rd party got involved." That doesn't even make sense.

Fourth, where wasn't the law followed? As the aggrieved party in a non-violent crime, it's Ken Mistler's choice on whether to pursue charges or not. So he very much acted within the law.

Oct 26, 2010, 3:41pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

Bob, it's easy to understand. They have children and he's going to try and protect his troubled wife. The husband deserves a medal not to be called names.

Oct 26, 2010, 3:55pm Permalink
Tim Howe

Obviously Ken has a big heart which in this day is in short supply, however what your telling me is no punishment what so ever? No charges? Appearently stealing is no longer a crime...WOOHOO!!! I know where I am going to eat tonight, and I am bringing my 10 gallon hefty bag with me! :)

Oct 26, 2010, 3:57pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Bob; it's not important for you to understand Mr. Corona's motives, it's not your marriage.

Ken Mistler does not look soft, he looks strong by being intelligent enough to consider the whole picture instead of being petty. This is the right thing to do, Mr. Mistler; put an end to this whole stupid thing.

Lastly, the point has been made. Anyone stealing from or messing with the buffet at South Beach after all we've learned about the security there from this episode would have to be dumb as a rock.

Oct 26, 2010, 4:10pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Mr.Mistler, your actions are proof that this is not a heartless community, and you are to be commended for the change of heart, under very difficult circumstances.
I sincerely hope Ms.Corona gets the help she needs, and her, as well as her family can move forward.

Oct 26, 2010, 4:45pm Permalink
Bob Price

Hmmm-realize this people-she actually gave him "free publicity" with her stunt-look at how many radio and tv stations picked this story up-would anyone care to venture how much in adverting rates it would have cost Ken to get the far reaching effect this story had? I'm betting WAY more than the $1000 or so he estimates the damage as-maybe Ken should give her and her family a free meal on the house for saving him thousands in advertising........and with Ken not having her carry sign-I believe more people will frequent his establishment(s) now,that people see what a decent person Ken is for doing this.

Oct 26, 2010, 5:45pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Jason, there is always the possibility that people do have problems, and once in awhile they do overcome these problems, and once they admit to themselves they have a problem, there is the possibility they may overcome, or be treated for these problems, and lead as normal a life as anyone else. Someone has to give them a chance, and I think that is exactly what Ken has done, now it is up to Ms. Corona to take care of her end.

Oct 26, 2010, 6:29pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Watching the back and forth in here is very enlightening. Ken did a very good and wonderful thing here and he explained the reasoning behind it. Thats how real people deal with issues, not running to the law or jumping to lawsuits, this is the way a community is supposed to be able to handle these things.

Jason seems to have a personal grudge, thats my read either that or he was in a similar situation and didn't get a break. all the other naysayers just seem general but he wants to argue.

All in all this has worked out for the best and is a sign that we can exsist together and still accomodate each other even when things arent wonderful.

Good Man Ken you have a dedicated customer from this household after the way you handled this situation

Oct 26, 2010, 7:03pm Permalink
Gregory Hallifax

It was said earlier that previously a man who stole from Ken did do the "walk", so was he given the chance to apologize for the crime and not do the "walk"? Ms. Corona doesn't seem to be worried about morals and values when it comes to society just by her actions that have been made public. As it was also mentioned about wedding vows, Mr. Corona is being a supportive and loving husband, but Ms. Corona is not being the wife she agreed to be in those vows. If we quote wedding vows, let us quote a few other rules that come to mind, thou shalt not commit adultery, and thou shall not steal.

Ken did what he thought was a good moral decision, so we shouldn't fault him for doing what he thought was the "right thing" to do. That is his right to be forgiving, he is the one hurt in this most recent public display of stupidity, it is his business.

However, I foresee Ms. Corona making more headlines in the future. She seemed very proud of herself walking into court for the first of the headlines she made. She obviously has not made very wise decisions recently from the headlines we read. I wonder what other poor decisions she has made that didn't make headlines. I feel sorry for her family to be put through this and hope she gets the real help she needs.

Oct 26, 2010, 8:34pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

I only wish the media would cover the goodwill side of this story the same as the negative side.
The Batavian will probably be one of few that do.

Oct 26, 2010, 8:29pm Permalink
Ken Mistler

Every single person on this thread has been given a break at least once or twice in there life. I say lets forget about it, come on down to south-beach this Friday and everybody drinks $2.00 "Coronas" with me..........

Oct 26, 2010, 9:03pm Permalink
Liz Fuchs

But, i have to admit. Why must the P.D continue to release her on us? Halloween is coming up soon, and i'm positive u will see her name in the paper again, after yet another drunken lude act around people who are now sincerely tired of her antics. I respect her husband for following his vows to the fullest. How ever their "children" are pretty much grown, why would he? She obviously isn't following hers, and nobody is getting through to her. The publicity hasn't, the police haven't, nobody... Why can't somebody just lock her up and let the slam of a prison cell gate be her wake up call.. When is enough ever going to be enough in concerns to "Suzanne Corona". And why must we be the one's to continuously fall victim to her trash, when it could have easily been prevented? I truly hope next time (cause there will most definitely be a next time) the end of your post states " Sentencing date as to be determined by the court on __/__/____"

Oct 26, 2010, 9:43pm Permalink
RICHARD L. HALE

This act of compassion, is the reason we will hear from this woman again real soon, you can count on it. This whole thing should not have been left up to Mr. Mistler in the first place. I want to see how Mr Mistler justifies having the next thief arrested thats caught stealing from him.

Oct 27, 2010, 12:35am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Without the knowledge of what was discussed between Mr.Mistler, Mr.Corona, and Ms.Corona, no one should speculate, or draw conclussions. I tend to lean towards the fact that Mr. Mistler made a loud and clear point, he won't stand for being ripped off, if anyone thinks differently and decides to test that theory, I get the feeling the police will be called, charges will be pressed, and the perpetrator will have a day in court.
That seemed to be what the majority wanted in the first place. If someone chooses to steal from Ken, he has every option available to him, and needs no justification. Stealing is still against the law, that won't change, and if Ken let 99 out of 100 people off the hook, he still has the right to prosecute the one.
I think for those who are upset over the cancellation of the show, you can probably get a refund for your popcorn, peanuts , and soda

Oct 27, 2010, 7:40am Permalink
tom king

Big difference between shoplifting and destroying over $1000 worth of product don't ya think? Whatever... thats the great thing about this site, opinions,everyones got 1. Good luck 2 her, i have a feeling shes gonna need it. Connections........gotta love it

Oct 27, 2010, 11:37am Permalink

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