October 2010

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

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” together Read More »

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

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 »

“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?”

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.”

“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 »

Which office should be dissolved “County Assessor” or “Planning and Zoning?”

A recent headline in this paper blared out “Assessor calls for vote to dissolve P & Z department.” The first paragraph of the article stated “Taney County Assessor James Strahan called on the county commission to place an initiative on the ballot to dissolve the county’s Planning and Zoning Department but before the day was out a disgruntled county resident agreed to take up the cause.” It also stated, “Strahan, whose family owns a large farm, doesn’t like the way the government handles regulations on farmers. He said there should be no intervention when it comes to farm land.”

Which office should be dissolved “County Assessor” or “Planning and Zoning?” Read More »

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

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 »