July 2011

Why don’t the businesses and citizens of Kimberling City and it environs ante up for their own marketing?

When a resident of Branson goes into the Wal-Mart Super Center in Branson Hills they are paying a one percent retail sales tax to be used for marketing. Considering just the retail marketing tax, that’s $1010.00 for $1,000 in taxable purchases. When a resident of Kimberling City or Branson West goes into the Wal-Mart Super Center in Branson West and buys the same $1,000 in purchases their total is only $1000.00 dollars because they have no marketing tax.

Why don’t the businesses and citizens of Kimberling City and it environs ante up for their own marketing? Read More »

What would cost Branson the most tourists, the closeing of its live shows or its RecPlex, city funded outdoor sports venues and Branson Landing?

Seagull, “In your opinion, what would have the most impact on the total number of visitors coming to Branson in the future, the closing of all its live theatres or a combination of the closing of its RecPlex, city funded outdoor sports venues and Branson Landing?” “That’s easy, the closing of Branson’s live theatres.” …

What would cost Branson the most tourists, the closeing of its live shows or its RecPlex, city funded outdoor sports venues and Branson Landing? Read More »

Give us a break- 20% reduction in Branson sales tax revenues caused by theatres- that’s nuts!

On July 13, in a thread in the Ole Seagull’s Forum at www. 1Branson.com Forums (www.1branson.com/forum/) poster BMOMAN said, “Recently there was an article in the NewsLeader that said Branson’s sales tax was down 20% for April and May. I spoke with members of the city and chamber commerce about that alarming number and found out a couple of unusual things. Restaurants and hotels were actually up. The state park had there [their] highest grossing 4th of July EVER!! but when asked how come the number was done [down] they regrettably said it was the theatres that were bringing those numbers down. Whats your thoughts?”

An Ole Seagull’s thought is, “That’s not only nuts, it’s stupid and inaccurate.” Given that scenario, how could shows alone possibly reduce Branson’s overall “sales tax” revenues by anywhere near 20%? However, in the opinion of an Ole Seagull, that’s not surprising coming from BMOMAN and those of his ilk who, to an Ole Seagull, seem hell bent on depreciating the economic value and relevance of Branson’s live shows to Branson, currently and in the future. …

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“Caution Flag” out for proposed Branson Sports Entertainment Complex

When the initial announcement about the plans for the proposed NASCAR Racetrack south of Hollister and Branson was made it reminded the Ole Seagull of Abraham Lincoln’s statement when he said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Not knowing much about NASCAR, but having a curiosity as to why it would even consider coming to Branson I talked with friends who are real NASCAR fans.

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America’s Spirit – “Remember the Alamo”

"Bronze statute in front of the Branson Veteran's Museum reflects the reason why America is able to celebrate each and every Fourth of July."

On March 3, 1836, Colonel William Barret Travis, the Commander of the Alamo, wrote to Texas Governor Smith, “…victory will cost the enemy so dear, that it will be worse for him than defeat.” In the early predawn hours of Sunday, March 6, 1836, after 12 days of almost constant bombardment and siege, the soldiers of Mexican General Santa Anna, numbering in the thousands, made their final assault on the Alamo, overwhelming and killing everyone of its 189 defenders. …

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