Government

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

“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. …

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An Apology for Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Dedication: The republication of this evolving tribute is respectfully dedicated to America’s veterans and active duty military and their families with thanks and gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

It is a sad fact of life that the politicians, and those in power, start wars and that the people of the nations involved bleed, die, suffer, and otherwise pay the price of war. Even in today’s world of terrorist attacks, as the people of countries or ideologies make war on each other they fall into two general categories, “Military” and “Civilian.” The Military or the fighters, generally kill each other and the civilians they believe are making war on them the old fashioned way, directly, with bullets, bombs, suicide or otherwise, terrorism, planes, etc. History testifies to the fact that they, and the civilians their actions impact on, are generally the first to bleed, suffer, and die.

An Apology for Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Read More »

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 »

“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 »

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 »

Is there “any love in the room” for splitting Taney County into two different counties?

In a 2005 column entitled, “‘Free at last,’ a new Freeus County formed from the western portion of Taney County?” the Ole Seagull wrote, “Ok, let’s get to the nubbin of it, eastern and western Taney County live in two different worlds. An outsider watching what has been transpiring recently would sense the same thing that the Ole Seagull sensed when he moved to Taney County just about twenty years ago; that eastern Taney County and the Taney County Commissioners treat the economic generator of the vast majority of …

Is there “any love in the room” for splitting Taney County into two different counties? Read More »

What a pathetic way for Branson to treat any employee let alone a U.S. Marine Veteran!

If you are an employee for any business within the City of Branson read the next sentence if you read nothing else! In spite of being devoid of common sense and compassion, it is the city of Branson’s current position that a mere employee can be charged with a violation of the Branson Municipal Code if the person they are working for doesn’t have the proper City of Branson business license and is not available when the inspector comes in to the business establishment. Under Section 1-11 of the Branson Municipal Code, suc …

What a pathetic way for Branson to treat any employee let alone a U.S. Marine Veteran! Read More »

I don’t recognize my country anymore either!

“I don’t recognize my country anymore,” said a lady who had called in to Springfield, Missouri’s KWTO “Morning Line Show (AM 560)” recently. That thought immediately registered with the Ole Seagull because he has felt that way for many years.

Let him list just some of his reasons why: …

I don’t recognize my country anymore either! Read More »

Attorney Ima Robublind strips for Branson board and $8.24 per Branson bus passenger

It was a bad night last night and the Ole Seagull must have had one of his “dreams.” In the dream it’s a quiet night at the Branson Board of Alderman’s meeting as a middle aged professional woman, dressed in a business suit, approached the podium to address them during the “Public Comment” portion of the meeting. …

Attorney Ima Robublind strips for Branson board and $8.24 per Branson bus passenger Read More »