During March/April ETC Institute, a professional survey, planning and technology company from Olathe, Kansas, conducted and analyzed a detailed community survey for the City of Branson. According to Chris Tatham of ETC, during his overview ...
read
more>>
The solicitation of tourists on the public sidewalks of downtown Branson by vacation clubs and time share sales personnel may lead to a change in the Branson Municipal code (BMC) to help control the problem. ...
read
more>>
On Thursday of this week, our community handled a challenge of the "heart," as many of our phones rang to tell us that there had been an accident involving two Branson School busses and that children were being taken to the hospital in ambulances. ...
read
more>>
Ever since he took office in April of 2007, Alderman Stephen Marshall has been accused of a conflict of interest every time he mentions or questions the operations of the Branson Convention Center. ...
read
more>>
Amid all the glowing reports of a billion dollar in retail sales and that the bookings at the Branson Convention Center are ahead of what was programmed there appears to be a "Caution Light" starting to blink. ...
read
more>>
City Attorney Paul D. Link said, "The general rule on ethics is that if you as an alderman stand to make a financial gain on something then you should abstain from voting." ...
read
more>>
History and fun will highlight Hollister's fifth celebration of founders day. ...
read
more>>
After a one year hiatus, a 19 year Ozarks tradition might continue. If the plan presented by Dawn Erickson, Executive Director, Downtown Main Street Association (DBMA) and Bill Lennon at the most recent ...
read
more>>
...at the end of the day, what will determine the ultimate success of Branson is the interface between the visitor and Branson's workforce. ...
read
more>>
The Branson Board of Aldermen is any indication, no one has a clue when Forsythe Road will reopen and the board is losing patience with the reasons for the delay, financial or otherwise. ...
read
more>>
...the vast majority of visitors to Branson went to attractions, shows, restaurants, and shopped, and, except for the reports in the paper and on T.V., didn't even know that some were having a problem with flooding. ...
read
more>>
...would not still be with us but for the reckless actions of Toeneboehn and his failure to simply slow down while going through a work zone. ...
read
more>>
The process used was innovative with boats pushing from the water, and a cable on a pulley being pulled by a front end loader to help remove tension and provide guidance ...
read
more>>
Branson paused a moment, at the April 16 meeting of its Board of Aldermen, to honor the service of the two aldermen who were leaving the board, Alderman Jack Purvis and Alderman Dick Gass ...
read
more>>
The current flood event didn't start with the torrential rains during the night hours of April 9 into the early morning hours of April 10 nor will it end after the spillway gates on Table Rock Lake are closed, as planned early this week. ...
read
more>>
Most of those who take the time to read an opinion column in a newspaper, this one or otherwise, are not the type of "Baa, Baa" people who will blindly follow the opinion of the columnist like a sheep. ...
read
more>>
... a compilation of the Pool elevations Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals Lake, for Beaver Lake, and Norfolk Lake compiled from US Army Corps of Engineers data on April 12, 2007 along with a link to each Lake leading to a ... ...
read
more>>
No more additional, water will be released from Table Rock Lake until and unless the lake level rises to an elevation of 931. ...
read
more>>
The answer to the question, "When does $140, 732 actually equal ($87, 268) and 50 percent of $100 equal zero is, "When reality is applied to the Branson Landing TIF." ...
read
more>>
To put it mildly, it could be said that the Branson School system's jazz bands hit the Drury Jazz Festival with a bang. Or, to use the words of John Kerley, Director of Bands for the Branson School District, "That is with a Swingin' Bang!" ...
read
more>>
After considerable research the association believes that a Farmers Market in historic downtown area would be beneficial to the businesses in the downtown and be consistent with the atmosphere for downtown Branson that they want to project.
...
read
more>>
Ironically, even as Branson is seemingly trying to evolve away from the history, heritage, and the type of entertainment that attracts millions to it every year, at least one other "Branson wannabee" appears interested in emulating that very thing. Well sort of. ...
read
more>>
...the project to four lane U.S. Highway 65 south of Brason to the Arkansas boarder (four lane project) is fast nearing completion and that the planning for the design and financing of Branson's Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge project and ...
read
more>>
If Wisconsin Dells can do it for water parks all winter long, why can't Branson have a city wide event for three to six days over one or two weekends in the middle of January to extend ... ...
read
more>>
Grizzly and a few others keep playing the potential conflict of interest card in Marshall's case while choosing to ignore it in the case of Williams and, in some cases themselves?
...
read
more>>
After a careful and deliberative process to select an executive search firm to handle a nationwide campaign to help the board find and select the best qualified, available, and interested candidate for the job, the process... ...
read
more>>
The Feb. 29 groundbreaking ceremony for Hollister's Wilderness in the Ozarks Waterpark Resort is the first major step in the development of the Hollister Interchange Entertainment District (The Interchange). Another major step will be the building of a 60,000 square foot entertainment center containing a movie complex ...
read
more>>
Mark Hartman, General Manager, Hiltons of Branson, and the personification of the Hilton image within the Branson community, has announced his retirement effective March 27.
...
read
more>>
...who one votes for can influence the use and growth of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) within our community. What would have done the most to bring more people to Branson, $100 million spent on marketing all that Branson is and has or $100 million to develop Branson Landing?"
...
read
more>>
Representative Wood said that they had been told by MoDOT leadership that the "bridge closing is not an option" and that "something else will be done." ...
read
more>>
the total retail sales value for the period was $1,002,591,743. This was up from $920,136,098, or about 9 percent, for the same period in 2006.
...
read
more>>
In a recent column concerning the Branson Convention Center web site, the Ole Seagull wrote, '"Oh hush my beating heart,' is it even possible that HCW is the registered owner of the Branson Convention Center web site that the city is spending thousands of dollars in taxpayer money promoting?" The answer is... ...
read
more>>
Beginning July 1, the Branson/Lakes Area CVB (CVB) will include Hollister, and other tourism related entities located outside the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District (the District), in its tourism marketing effort. ...
read
more>>
Unfortunately while the April rains might "bring flowers that bloom in May" Branson's April election may bring the TIFs that bloom in May.
...
read
more>>
Amid all the great revenue reports on the great sales tax revenues coming from Branson Landing (Landing) there appears to be some businesses, mostly the smaller independent owners or franchisees, who have some concerns. ...
read
more>>
"Legends in Concert" opens its 2008 season with an exciting new lineup of stars, new dancers, and exciting new sets. ...
read
more>>
Hired to replace the city's former Finance Director, Deanna Schlegel, less than a year ago, Brown's last day on the job was Tuesday, Feb. 12. ...
read
more>>
After months of negotiation between the cities of Branson and Hollister, Taney Country and MoDOT's District 8, local officials received word late last week that both District 8 and MoDOT at the state level had decided that MoDOT's portion of the project cost was too much. ...
read
more>>
Lennon was also quick to stress that the $660,000 would not be available for use until MDT's Fiscal Year which begins on Jul. 1. He also pointed out that to get the $660,000 from MDT the Branson Lakes Area CVB must spend $1.3 million because, in addition to the programs built in maximums, it will only reimburse up to 50 percent of eligible marketing expenses ...
read
more>>
One can just imagine the excitement within the family as they are told that the highlight of their vacation will be the fire and light show at Branson Landing and a two for one hammer sale at Home Depot.
...
read
more>>
After hearing the summary of the independent audit conducted on the city of Branson for the year Sep. 30, 2007, Alderman Stephen Marshall said, "Our house is in good shape" and that he was pleased... ...
read
more>>
A portion of the retail tourism tax collected by Branson retail establishments, theatres, hotels, motels, restaurants, and attractions for marketing within the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District (TCED) may be diverted to market areas outside of the TCED as far away as Galena, Crane,... ...
read
more>>
In the game of Tourism Poker, it appears that the "Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (TRLACC) wants to win $200,000 from the Missouri Division of Tourism without having the ante or the money to play the hand. ...
read
more>>
What does piano playing have to do with carrot cake? Probably not much unless the piano is being played by Grand Pianist Dino Kartsonakis and the carrot cake has been developed... ...
read
more>>
According to the quarterly report received by the Branson Board of Aldermen at their Jan. 28 meeting, bookings for the Branson Convention Center are exceeding benchmark projections. ...
read
more>>
One of the foundational documents used to support the building of the convention center in downtown Branson estimated that the convention center would have an annual net operating deficit of ($530,000) per year in... ...
read
more>>
BransonFest, among a myriad of other activities, each day there is a "super show" that features performances by some of Branson's top shows and entertainers. The tentative list of those scheduled to appear.... ...
read
more>>
...with the opening of Branson Landing, the expansion of the Branson Show Schedule, the great year round selection of restaurants, shopping, and attractions like the Titanic, Ripley's, IMAX, Ralph Foster Museum, and many others it can be said that "Branson isn't just seasonal anymore,"... ...
read
more>>
...requested that the decision that the previous board and mayor made to permit a 300 foot skyscraper to be built on one of Branson's most prominent pieces of land be reversed. ...
read
more>>
At the end of the day, if the process leading to a result has a stench, the result will stink. ...
read
more>>
...believes that Hilton is doing an excellent job in operating and marketing the Branson Convention Center. Does he have hard data on bookings etc. to back that up? No, that's why it's a gut feeling... ...
read
more>>
The proposed ordinance provides that the 5 percent tax must be collected and paid, on certain transactions, to the city of Hollister by every person engaged in the business renting or leasing ...
read
more>>
Of the $6.6 million left to be funded locally, the $5.1 million authorized by the county leaves a gap of $1.5 million, $2.5 million if the interest cost is factored in. ...
read
more>>
It was a night of roses and congratulations when Branson City Clerk Lisa Westfall recently received recognition and certification as a Missouri Registered City Clerk at a recent Branson Board of Aldermen's Meeting but it took a lot ...
read
more>>
At its Jan. 7 meeting, the Task Force passed a resolution recommending that both the Branson Board of Aldermen and the TCHD Board of Trustees approve an intergovernmental agreement that will, for all practical purposes, merge the city of Branson's Health Department (BHD) and the Taney County Health Department into one... ...
read
more>>
The question is simple, "Is the city of Branson's convention center web site, paid for with tax payer funds designated for the marketing of its convention center, being used to market Branson Landing and the Hilton Convention Center Hotel, both of which are privately owned?" ...
read
more>>
The community was almost in shock when, in June, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) announced its intention to close the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo (the bridge) for a year. The announcement came from MoDOT's District 8 ...
read
more>>
In terms of the local Branson news stories for 2007 that will have the most lasting impact on Branson, now and in the future, the April election for mayor and aldermen just has to be right up there. ...
read
more>>
With fireworks or without, by boat or on land, Branson will offer a variety of ways at a variety of prices to celebrate New Years Eve and usher in the New Year. From the all inclusive evening celebrations at the Chateau on the Lake or the Branson Convention Center to a quiet dinner for two at one of Branson's fine restaurants ...
read
more>>
Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley recently said that there are some concerns among Branson's elected officials regarding the construction of a new bridge over Lake Taneycomo. ...
read
more>>
What does Christ have to do with CHRISTmas? Everything! Without Christ there can be no CHRISTmas. There can be a holiday, a season, festivals, and... ...
read
more>>
The city of Branson and the Hilton Hotels Corporation have something in common, neither one has managed a municipally owned convention center before. At its Dec. 18 meeting of the city of Branson's Budget and Finance Committee (the committee) met with members of the Senate Hospitality Group (Senate) to discuss an asset management relationship. ...
read
more>>
Santa's arrival was delayed about a week because of weather, but when he finally arrived at the Historic Hollister Train Depot on Dec. 16 the kids, parents and grandparents waiting for him did notseem to care. He arrived safely at about 3:00 p.m. in a Western Taney County Fire Protection Rescue Truck with a Hollister police escort. ...
read
more>>
If ex-alderman David Edie's request is honored, the decision that the previous board and mayor made to permit a 300 foot skyscraper to be built on one of Branson's most prominent pieces of land will be reversed. ...
read
more>>
Verbiage such as "phantom battle in the War on Christmas" and "pro-Christ bunch" show a sensitivity on the part of the News-Leader's Editorial Board that is exceeded only by its arrogance and apparent lack of knowledge as to why the Branson Board of Aldermen need not fight the War on Christmas" because the "city's Christmas spirit is obvious and the 'war' is fake." ...
read
more>>
Santa agreed and, according to Assistant City Administrator, Vonnie Mathiesen, is scheduled to arrive at the Hollister Train Depot on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 3:00 pm. Children will be able to talk with Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas. ...
read
more>>
When the downtown Lake Taneycomo Bridge was closed for repairs for about a half a day in November, two major areas of traffic congestion were apparent. One was the back up of traffic coming off the south bound Highway 65 ramp to take Business Highway 65 back through Hollister. ...
read
more>>
"Christmas" has always been an inherent part of Ozark Mountain Christmas now it's official. At the Dec. 10 meeting of the city of Branson's Board of Aldermen,... ...
read
more>>
Alderman Marshall presented a resolution supporting "the celebration of Ozark Mountain Christmas."
...
read
more>>
The "Christmas Resolution" that the city of Branson's Board of Aldermen (the board) is voting on Dec. 10 is not an establishment clause or freedom of religion issue. From a pure legal, logic, and governmental function perspective it is a simple resolution of the board stating their support of Ozark Mountain Christmas and encouraging Branson businesses and residents to take actions that will support it. ...
read
more>>
By the narrowest of margins, Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley breaking a 3 to 3 tie vote of the city of Branson's Board of Aldermen, the board voted to support the building of a new bridge across Lake Taneycomo just north of the current Business Highway 65/M ...
read
more>>
...
read
more>>
At its Nov. 26 meeting, the Branson Board of Aldermen might set a record for the number of requests for funding from the city's Tourism Tax Contingency Fund (the fund) ever handled at one meeting. The board will consider two new requests and give its init ...
read
more>>
Does Branson spend millions of dollars marketing Ozark Mountain Hanukah, Ozark Mountain Kwanzaa, Ozark Mountain Holidays, or some other form of a neutered politically correct version of Christmas? If it does it's one of the best kept secrets around. On th ...
read
more>>
Perhaps Abraham Lincoln, in his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation said it best. "No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things..." ...
read
more>>
The seconds, minutes, days, weeks, and months available to avoid the shutdown of the Lake Taneycomo Bridge for about a year are sifting through the hourglass....the last second dropping through means that the Branson community lives with the results of wh ...
read
more>>
...The Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo between Hollister and Branson will be closed for repairs for 14 hours between 11:00 a.m. Nov. 12 and 1:00 a.m. Nov. 13." ...
read
more>>
The bridge's deck is deteriorating, the Missouri Department of Transportation [MoDOT] has about $5.5 million for the rehabilitation of the bridge, it will be necessary to close the bridge for about a year to make the repairs, and those repairs could begin ...
read
more>>
It's about the inherent unfairness and lack of logic in the way that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) deprives local school districts of the funds needed to service the educational needs created by the very growth that the TIFs are being used to create and f ...
read
more>>
...the nation's largest Veterans Day event Nov. 5-11 as it holds its 14th annual Veterans Homecoming. The formal event grew from a Branson history and tradition of honoring veterans and is highlighted by the annual Veterans Day parade that has been held i ...
read
more>>
The awards were presented by Paul Revere of Paul Revere and the Raiders, currently performing at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater...The inaugural inductees and the category they were inducted into are...
...
read
more>>
The Branson Area Festival of Lights is a 1.25 mile drive through that has been expanded from the 120 displays last year to over 175 lighting displays this year. A number of the displays are animated and are organized into themes such as "Cartoon Land," "T ...
read
more>>
The blood of her sons, and ours, staining the sands of remote Pacific Islands such as Peleliu, Okinawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and others, solemnly testify to the futility of such an apology and of war itself.
...
read
more>>
The Christmas stars that have lit up the Ozarks Mountain Christmases of the past might not be shining as brightly this Christmas, if at all... ...
read
more>>
...at a billion dollars gross retail sales for the Fiscal Year. That's about $200 million over the best of any previous year.
...
read
more>>
...a tax we not only don't pay but that can save us money! Do you think we are stupid?" Quite the opposite... ...
read
more>>
...that the city of Branson is paying $115,000 in fees for the maintenance of some common areas in Branson Landing. In addition to the up to $310, 000 per year the city is obligated to pay for the operation and maintenance of the Branson Landing Fountains ...
read
more>>
To an ole Seagull, it appears that a new bridge is a "carrot," that those wanting a tax for other purposes, are using in the hopes of getting access to funds for their pet projects. The truth of the matter is... ...
read
more>>
Are there too many shows in Branson? How many shows are enough? Is the price of tickets a factor? How does the fact that a lot of shows and theatres sell their tickets to time-shares, ticket resellers, ...
read
more>>
The trail would be on the south side of the creek, from near the pedestrian bridge to the west boundary of the park and could eventually extend to the west, as additional easements are obtained, and connect to Henning Conservation Area.
...
read
more>>
The group expressed concern about the preservation of some of the downtowns remaining historical sites. They said projects to preserve these sights would require funding and the mayor was asked ...
read
more>>
The primary reasons he wrote the column was because the web site not only ignored Branson's historic downtown district but also, although listing many other businesses in Branson, did not list any from the historic downtown district. ...
read
more>>
According to a presentation given by city of Branson staff members, all the appropriate permits for excavation, tree removal, and blasting were in effect when work started on the TanStone Plaza commercial ...
read
more>>
A successful business environment for Branson's businesses requires the same thing that makes Branson's Lake Taneycomo the successful trout fishery that ...
read
more>>
With the completion of construction and the recent openings of both the new garage and the Branson Convention Center, the city of Branson's board of aldermen took steps to expand the availability of parking in the downtown area. ...
read
more>>
A simple Q and A on questions the Ole Seagull has been asked about the proposed economic development tax and the downtown bridge and, for what they matter, his responses ...
read
more>>
Is it just possible that no new sales taxes are needed to build a new bridge and avoid the closing of the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo? But even if they are, how is it possible... ...
read
more>>
In the final analysis, the inconvenience to local residents and users of the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo between Hollister and Branson will be directly related to the funding available to correct the bridges deteriorating deck a ...
read
more>>
...the City intends that the top level of the Reish Garage and the spaces in the parking lot commonly known as the "Awbery Lot, at the southwest corner of Atlantic and Commercial Streets," shall remain free and open on a first come first-served basis ...
read
more>>
Sheila Dutton, the beloved matriarch of the Dutton family, said, "During the course of the competition, all of the contestants got to know each other...When we made the offer to open a show here in Branson for a fall run, word got around.. Everyone is so ...
read
more>>