Author Archives: Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull

Branson’s government had “lost the benefit of the doubt position.” Continue reading →

Branson Alderman says, “I made that Statement Mr. Groman because Mrs. Dapprich has used all kinds of verbiage to describe us from snakes to other descriptive adjectives. That’s why I made that statement.”
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What will bring visitors to Branson is the expectation of experiencing what they believe Branson is, shows, shopping, attractions, family entertainment, lakes, values, etc. What will bring them back to Branson, or not, is the actual experience they have w Continue reading →

Any changes to this Section can either enhance the opportunity for open government and the effective exchange of information between those wishing to speak and the city of Branson’s elected representatives or reduce that opportunity. Continue reading →

At the May 29 meeting of the AE board of aldermen they voted unanimously to rescind the current program which the BE board initiated in the Fall of 2006 to try to give the city of Branson rights to the name “Branson” that it did not have. Continue reading →

branson_area_District_TCED_Board_Aldermen_Lakes_Area_Convention_Visitors_Bureau_visitors_Golden_Coral_ Continue reading →

The city of Branson’s newly elected mayor and aldermen are taking a novel approach to the governing of the City of Branson. They actually want to participate actively in the development… Continue reading →

Were an Ole Seagull a betting bird he would wager that the only thing “ad nausea” about the details of all the agreements that the city of Branson entered into was the repeated use of Missouri’s Sunshine Law exceptions to keep details like these from the Continue reading →

Come to think of it, why would an Ole Seagull or anyone else for that matter, pay any attention to the unsupported allegations of someone hiding behind a cloak of anonymity as they personally attack someone else? Continue reading →

that the type of growth that has made Branson what it is today is entrepreneurial growth. The type of growth where people invest their own… Continue reading →

They replaced them with those who pledged that, if elected, such arrogance “would not stand” and to try to earn back “the benefit of the doubt position” from the community.
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He supports Raeanne Presley over the incumbent mayor Lou Schaefer because of her policy on growth, her proven credentials to lead Branson into the future, her willingness to address an “attitude at city hall that boarders on arrogance” and her pledge that Continue reading →

By treating the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the same manner as it treats some of its citizens and businesses, has the current leadership of the city of Branson has done, in their morning bowl of cornflakes, what a male dog does to a fire hydrant? Continue reading →

As one listened to the city of Branson’s administrator, Terry Dody, during the Public Comment portion of the March 12 meeting of the city of Branson’s board of aldermen, it was hard to constrain one’s self from jumping up and … Continue reading →

…”a lowly seagull walking along after the horse in the parade picking at the droppings” who is the 66 year old grandfather of seven, an independent columnist, and editor and publisher of the Branson Courier, an online newspaper about the live family ent Continue reading →

…just has to believe that Dapprich is due an apology for what the city of Branson, under the color of law, did and attempted to do, in its Sep. 15, 2006 letter to her. Continue reading →

It’s what it represents that’s important, the application of the law fairly, to all, without regard to social, economic, or political status, or position within the city of Branson’s pecking order. Continue reading →

…it is extremely unlikely that casino gambling will come to Branson in the near future, if ever, and that Branson is poised for…
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Can any reasonable thinking person really believe that the opinion of one columnist can divide any city, let alone one like Branson with its many extremely talented …
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Does the current administration of the city of Branson look for ways to promote the Sunshine Law policy or circumvent it? Continue reading →

An Ole Seagull knows he’s going to be humming “Blue Moon” when he gets both the “full moon” and “a” moon trying “to correct his errors” all in one day. Continue reading →

…it is inconceivable that the city of Branson’s use of TIFs is not, in the very least, a contributing factor in the school district having to ask the voters for the tax increase Continue reading →

…could build two Branson Landings, neigh five Branson Landings, and they would not do as much for Branson’s brand as our values and the perception that our visitors have of them.
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A commitment to foster a community where character is highly valued and intentionally taught. Continue reading →

Do the very carefully chosen choice of words used by Branson City Administrator Terry Dody provide an interesting and revealing insight as to his version of reality and truth as compared to the way that most other people would view them under similar circ Continue reading →

If we keep the spirit of the Christ Child and His love in our hearts and share it with others, Christmas, in its truest sense, will be with us everyday of the year, Merry Christmas folks, Merry Christmas. Continue reading →

To paraphrase Paul Link, “I guess I should not assume that someone having a responsibility to enforce the law would actually know the law but Paul Link is entitled to his opinion Continue reading →

The official CDs of the Nov. 27 meeting of the city of Branson’s board of aldermen indicate that city attorney Paul Link, in referring to the “musings” appearing in the “free press,” said, “Contrary to these musings, it is the … Continue reading →

To an Ole Seagull, taken in total, the presentation appeared to be an arrogant attempt at justifying the unjustifiable Continue reading →

..should involve drama and perhaps a little “song and dance” should the decorum of two of the city of Branson’s highest paid senior level management employees at recent board meetings come into question. Continue reading →

…he tapes reflect is that two of the city of Branson’s senior unelected, executive level employees delayed or interrupted the proceedings, disturbed a speaker, and spoke during the Public Comment Meeting of the board of aldermen without registering, all Continue reading →

…is the type of cart before the horse logic that undervalues what makes the city of Branson financially relevant and overvalues the city of Branson’s contribution to what has made Branson what it is. Continue reading →

What city in its right mind would treat the very theatres, attractions, other entertainment venues, and the lodging industry that has made it so successful as the “financial incubator” for the “New Branson”… Continue reading →

To him the primary issue is how those very important, and complex, issues are best addressed. Is it through the “one amendment covers it all approach,” as interpreted by the courts, or the through his elected representatives and the legislative process? Continue reading →

At the October 10 meeting of Branson’s board of aldermen, Alderman Ron Huff read a statement about the City of Branson’s September 15th letter to the Branson Sports Club demanding that it take the word “Branson” out of its name … Continue reading →

In his Sep. 24 column entitled, “At least ten things that the Ole Seagull is positive about,” the Ole Seagull said, “He is positive that if people don’t turn out for the Branson Board of Aldermen’s meeting at 7:00 p.m. … Continue reading →

“Dodink Law.” In the instant case it’s the kind of law that appears to try to intimidate and coerce by… Continue reading →

What “New Branson” without the seven million plus visitors that the “Old Branson” generates? Continue reading →

more to do with the marketing strategy…than either Branson Landing or the convention center combined. Continue reading →

But the Branson City Tourism Tax wasn’t conceived in a vacuum. Continue reading →

…both supporters and opponents alike have forgotten the old adage attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “You can fool some of the… Continue reading →

City of Branson could not even prove that a crime had been committed. …How embarrassing to the city is that?
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the problem is not Branson’s current product but making … Continue reading →

…and you can see why the “Little Rockaway Beach Casino Engine” just might keep chugging along saying, “I think I can, I think I can, …. Continue reading →

Said another way, Link’s stated fact is simply not true.
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…it is legal for vendors on the “public square” in Branson Landing to sell cups of beer … Continue reading →

…a New Branson where anything is all right as long as it … Continue reading →

…the issue is with the commercial exploitation of obscene material not with the morality of any individual or … Continue reading →

What is it about the Alamo that has touched the hearts and souls of generations? Continue reading →

It’s about the character of our community. the family friendly values … Continue reading →

Even worse is not simply the shallowness of the professionalism and integrity involved with the attempt but … Continue reading →

City of Branson uses mass mailing to require Branson businesses to send their customer lists to the city… Continue reading →