Branson

Will city of Branson publicly pledge 100% of new tax fire and police tax to them?

Branson, Government, Marketing / /

Unless an Ole Seagull misses his guess, Branson voters will soon be asked to vote on a .5% “Fire and Police Tax,” for the benefit of our firs, police, and emergency medical providers. At first blush, it seems like a no brainer “Yes” vote. In almost any other city, but Branson, a “No” vote would be like voting against, “Mother hood and apple pie.” In Branson however, based on the city’s past actions, and its failure to protect the tax proceeds from TIF capture in its recently passed enabling legislation, that’s not the case. …

Will city of Branson publicly pledge 100% of new tax fire and police tax to them?Read More »

Will city of Branson publicly pledge 100% of new tax fire and police tax to them? Read More »

Why isn’t the City of Branson’s management of “Spirit of 76 Project” being investigated?

Branson, Government, Opinion / /

When the Ole Seagull looks at the way the “Spirit of 76 Project” (76 Project) has been mismanaged by the city of Branson an adage comes to mind. “If it looks like a skunk, acts like a skunk and smells like a skunk then it’s probably a skunk.”

Over a year and a half and millions of dollars into the 76 Project, a news article, in January of 2017, reported that “Mayor Karen Best said, “Where are we and what are we doing?… the board wants to know what they can expect and when…don’t have a budget, don’t have a concept and don’t know what the expectations are.” Alderwoman Betsy Seay said that “she feels like they don’t know where they’re going, that they’re rushing forward…it’s like ‘putting the cart before the horse.’” Alderman Bob Simmons said that “he feels like he’s coming out of the gate for an eight-second bull ride and he doesn’t have a grip.” It just doesn’t smell right! …

Why isn’t the City of Branson’s management of “Spirit of 76 Project” being investigated?Read More »

Why isn’t the City of Branson’s management of “Spirit of 76 Project” being investigated? Read More »

Are Branson’s elected and appointed leaders worthy of the tooth fairy’s help?

Branson, Government, Opinion / /

In an Ole Seagull’s opinion, “Absolutely not!” To use the dog food analogy one alderman used in responding to some of Branson’s shows when they asked for help, “He doesn’t like the ‘dog food’ they’re feeding to the citizens of Branson.” On second thought, considering the results of their actions, comparing them to “dogfood” is a disservice to the dog food industry. …

Are Branson’s elected and appointed leaders worthy of the tooth fairy’s help?Read More »

Are Branson’s elected and appointed leaders worthy of the tooth fairy’s help? Read More »

Is the peace and tranquility of Lake Taneycomo about to be shattered by a 1500 HP Jet Boat?

Branson, Government, Opinion / /

The peaceful, quiet, and relaxing nature of Lake Taneycomo is unique. There’s nothing else like it in Branson for visitors to enjoy.  “Most come to Lake Taneycomo for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, leisurely boat rides, and to relax at one of its lakeside resorts. They do not come for ‘thrill rides” or the recreational sports that many go to Table Rock Lake for,” said Lamar Patton, the owner of Scotty’s Trout Dock. The quiet relaxing character of Lake Taneycomo could be about to change forever!

For at least the last two years, Branson Jet Boats [LLC] has been operating under the public’s radar, to bring a “shattering” new experience to the peace and tranquility of Lake Taneycomo. When it goes into operation, the Ole Seagull believes it will be with a 37 x 12 foot Jet Boat powered by three 400 HP Ford Predator Engines with an additional three 100 HP Hamilton Waterjets. The boats bench seating is expected to seat 60 or more, depending on size, and operate up to eight trips per day out of Branson Landing.

For what it matters, the Ole Seagull is not against the new attraction, per se. He doesn’t know enough about it, or its impact on the environment, the resort and property owners along Lake Taneycomo, safety, and many other factors, to either be for or against it. What he is against is the way something of this import could get this far without a public hearing or the opportunity for input from the businesses and property owners that will be impacted. …

Is the peace and tranquility of Lake Taneycomo about to be shattered by a 1500 HP Jet Boat?Read More »

Is the peace and tranquility of Lake Taneycomo about to be shattered by a 1500 HP Jet Boat? Read More »

Don’t Branson shows deserve the same marketing efficiency as Alderman Booth’s dog food?

Branson, Marketing, Opinion / /

The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers asked the city of Branson for a “Blue Ribbon Task Force.” It would advise the board about the marketing of Branson’s shows. To no one’s surprise, at its February 9, 2017 Study Session, the Branson Board of Aldermen decided not to make the request an official agenda item.

What was surprising, to an Ole Seagull, was Alderman Mike Booth’s comments at the session. …

Don’t Branson shows deserve the same marketing efficiency as Alderman Booth’s dog food?Read More »

Don’t Branson shows deserve the same marketing efficiency as Alderman Booth’s dog food? Read More »

Does proposed Branson “thrill boat” attraction pose an unreasonable safety risk?

Branson, General, Opinion / /

The plans for a new “thrill boat” attraction on Lake Taneycomo at Branson Landing are well underway. This is what a similar ride looks like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24OXZT0EOPw

Attractions like this operate in other areas of the country. Just not on waters anywhere near as congested as Lake Taneycomo. Staying well under the public’s radar, the attraction has an unmarked dock at Branson Landing downstream from its Fountains. Its anticipated opening date is sometime in May.

One can only wonder in amazement how the government agencies responsible for public safety could, in good conscience, let something like this get this far without public hearings to address safety, noise, environmental, and other concerns.  This includes the City of Branson, City of Hollister, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Water Patrol Division of the Missouri Highway Patrol, FERC, and Taney County. One would also think that the management of Branson Landing and Empire Electric would be interested in public comment on the issue.

Of even more consternation, is that Kanakuk Kamps, and the resorts  and property owners along the Lake Taneycomo shoreline are not up in arms. Safety issues aside, the operation of the new attraction will certainly add new meaning to “peace, tranquility, and relaxation on Lake Taneycomo.”

 

Does proposed Branson “thrill boat” attraction pose an unreasonable safety risk? Read More »

Does the “typical Branson show” and the Branson Airport have a lot in common?

Branson, Government, Opinion, Shows / /

At first blush they do, but do they at the end of the day? They both participated in a record breaking year for Branson tourism! Per the latest reports by the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, 2016 was a record setting year, both for the number of tourist coming to Branson, an estimated 8.8 to 9.0 million, and “record high levels” of tax receipts. It was reported that “The City’s tourism tax receipts ended up 9.1 percent, with every business classification seeing annual increases” and that “theater tax collections were up 15.5 percent over the previous year.” …

Does the “typical Branson show” and the Branson Airport have a lot in common?Read More »

Does the “typical Branson show” and the Branson Airport have a lot in common? Read More »

Isn’t the reality for Branson shows brighter if we all work together?

Branson, General, Marketing, Opinion / /

“The question is, are there those in power in this city who are grateful for the decades of growth which the shows have provided this community and who want to help the shows recover in a protected and logical way, preserving that special and important element that has made Branson unique?” asked Sheila Dutton in her letter to the editor, published in the Dec. 7-8 edition of this paper. It was entitled “Outlook for Branson shows bright if we all work together.” …

Isn’t the reality for Branson shows brighter if we all work together?Read More »

Isn’t the reality for Branson shows brighter if we all work together? Read More »

Is Branson’s $480,000 CVB payment a SmackDown of shows or their marketing reality?

Branson, Opinion / /

After ignoring repeated requests by The Branson League of Theatre Owners & Show Producers (League) for the grant of some independent marketing funds and the formation of a “Blue Ribbon Task Force” to look into the way Branson is being marketed by the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB (CVB), the Branson Board of Aldermen awarded more than $480,000 to the CVB for use in their marketing of Branson. Depending on one’s viewpoint, some might call it a SmackDown of the Leagues efforts, but to an Ole Seagull the payment is not only consistent with, but a strong endorsement by the Board, of the CVB’s marketing plan that has been in place for over three years. …

Is Branson’s $480,000 CVB payment a SmackDown of shows or their marketing reality?Read More »

Is Branson’s $480,000 CVB payment a SmackDown of shows or their marketing reality? Read More »