Branson

Commitment to First PLACE! is a wonderful thing for Branson and its children

Branson, Opinion / /

As a columnist, a goal is to start the year with a column that has the potential for the most impact on our community during 2011. In an Ole Seagull’s opinion first place in that category would have to go to “First PLACE!” and encouraging our community to continue working together to make positive character traits part of what our children and grandchildren experience every day, at home, in school, and in the community. First PLACE! is a community commitment by our schools, area businesses, individuals parents, relatives, the College of the Ozarks and others to “foster a community where character is highly valued and intentionally taught.”

“Oh come on Seagull, you have to be kidding. With all that’s going on down at city hall and out at the county, the Branson Airport debacle and law suits on Branson Landing, et …

Commitment to First PLACE! is a wonderful thing for Branson and its childrenRead More »

Commitment to First PLACE! is a wonderful thing for Branson and its children Read More »

It’s millions of dollars about “butts in the seat,” flushing the toilet and what’s right

Branson, Opinion / /

The biggest question the Ole Seagull has been asked in the last week concerns the relationship between the city gifting the airport tens of millions of dollars under the unconscionable Pay for Performance Agreement that the current board has “laundered and the raising of the water and sewer rates for Branson voters. Actually, it’s pretty simple, Branson only has so much revenue coming in to operate the city with.

Whatever is paid from that revenue for specifically designated extraordinary costs is obviously not available for other purposes such as the operational costs of running the ci …

It’s millions of dollars about “butts in the seat,” flushing the toilet and what’s rightRead More »

It’s millions of dollars about “butts in the seat,” flushing the toilet and what’s right Read More »

A little Christmas for everyone – Branson Board gives airport hundreds of thousands as it raises residents water and sewer rates

Branson, Opinion / /

At the November 25th meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen (BOA), they voted to give the Branson Airport the Christmas gift that keeps giving. That would be paying hundreds of thousands of dollars on an alleged 2006 “contract” based on a “Pay for Performance Agreement (PfP).” The PfP was made by the “pre 2007 election city administrator and the loyal band of elected “munchkins,” whoops sorry forgot it was Christmas, “elves,” with the Branson Airport. …

A little Christmas for everyone – Branson Board gives airport hundreds of thousands as it raises residents water and sewer ratesRead More »

A little Christmas for everyone – Branson Board gives airport hundreds of thousands as it raises residents water and sewer rates Read More »

Even with the Branson Airport Agreement it’s the process that counts, not what an Ole Seagull thinks or believes

Branson, Government, Opinion / /

“Glory be another miracle!” Given the political pressure of the community and in spite of months of study, work and preparation, City staff has gone back into the allegedly “bare bones budget” they originally submitted and found a way to save about $295,000. Now, dear citizen, don’t get your hopes up thinking that money might be used to subsidize your water or sewer rates, buy needed equipment for the city or pay for any of the other operational aspects of the city etc. …

Even with the Branson Airport Agreement it’s the process that counts, not what an Ole Seagull thinks or believesRead More »

Even with the Branson Airport Agreement it’s the process that counts, not what an Ole Seagull thinks or believes Read More »

Christmas or otherwise the Branson Airport is a gift?

Branson, General / /

As the Ole Seagull said in a previous column, “The issue is not about the Branson Airport whether its good or bad, should have been build or not etc. It’s about a Pay for Performance contract (PfP) that has the potential to cost the taxpayers of the city of Branson up to $2 million dollars per year for 30 years.” He went on to point out that in his opinion it is so one-sided and unconscionable on its face that most objective people looking at it would say, “Wow, what a gift for the airport, how can I get the same type of deal simply for running my business?”

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Christmas or otherwise the Branson Airport is a gift?Read More »

Christmas or otherwise the Branson Airport is a gift? Read More »

Taney County Assessor James Strahan and The Ole Seagull “trick-or-treating” together

Branson, Government, Opinion, Taney County / /

In examining the opinion piece appearing in the October 23 edition of the Branson Tri-Lakes News by James Strahan, Taney County Assessor (Strahan) entitled, “Assessor’s office should remain” the Ole Seagull was reminded of an Abraham Lincoln quote. The quote says, “I believe it is an established maxim in morals that he who makes an assertion without knowing whether it is true or false, is guilty of falsehood; and the accidental truth of the assertion, does not justify or excuse him.” …

Taney County Assessor James Strahan and The Ole Seagull “trick-or-treating” togetherRead More »

Taney County Assessor James Strahan and The Ole Seagull “trick-or-treating” together Read More »

Why are some Branson shows and attractions successful and other not?”

Branson, General, Opinion / /

Although it’s more involved than this, the Ole Seagull’s initial answer to the question “Why are some shows and attractions successful and others not?” is at least simple. That answer would be, “Successful shows and attractions have enough paying customers purchasing tickets to their shows or attractions so that they can pay their bills, keep operating and make a profit consistently.” …

Why are some Branson shows and attractions successful and other not?”Read More »

Why are some Branson shows and attractions successful and other not?” Read More »

“Yes” means “No” and “No” means “Yes” or ” How much additional authority do you want to give the city of Branson to tax you and your property?”

Branson, Government, Opinion, Taney County / /

Missouri voters going to the polls in the November election will have to vote “Yes” for “No” and “No for “Yes” on two important issues relating to their pocket books. Remember always the Ole Seagull’s warning, “We promise that if you vote for this we will do that.” “What the heck does that mean?” “By itself nothing, but when you add up the total number of times you have voted for ‘this’ and they actually did ‘that,’ or a variation involving less than what was promised the significance of the warning becomes clear.”
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“Yes” means “No” and “No” means “Yes” or ” How much additional authority do you want to give the city of Branson to tax you and your property?”Read More »

“Yes” means “No” and “No” means “Yes” or ” How much additional authority do you want to give the city of Branson to tax you and your property?” Read More »

Physically battered woman suffers through City of Branson’s abuse!

Branson, General, Government, Opinion / /

It was, at the same time, one of the most courageous things the Ole Seagull has ever seen and one of the saddest. It was courageous, as a trembling, terrified recovering victim of intense physical abuse entered the Branson Municipal Court and defended herself against a different kind of abuse, the city’s abusive use of “a corrupt practice or custom.” It was sad because she was put in the position to have to defend herself in the first place. …

Physically battered woman suffers through City of Branson’s abuse!Read More »

Physically battered woman suffers through City of Branson’s abuse! Read More »

Kid’s hunger trumps behavior of Taney County Commissioners as pathetic story of the week

Branson, Opinion, Taney County / /

An Ole Seagull’s prayer would be that if you remember nothing else from this column that you would ask yourself what you would do if you were the teacher in the following scenario. It’s Monday morning, you look up from your desk into the distressed eyes of one of your first grade students who says, “My mommy forgot to cook for us this weekend.”
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Kid’s hunger trumps behavior of Taney County Commissioners as pathetic story of the weekRead More »

Kid’s hunger trumps behavior of Taney County Commissioners as pathetic story of the week Read More »