Category Archives: Editorials

Cartoon by Branson, MO cartoonist John Logan regarding his opinion of the jokes David Letterman told about Sara Palin’s daughter. Continue reading →

The “Wheel of Fortune’s “Wheelmobile” will be in Branson at the Welk Resort Theatre between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on May 9 and 10 conducting the preliminary screening process before the final Wheel of Fortune contestant auditions.

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Someone a lot wiser than an Ole Seagull said, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” Although perhaps not soon enough for some, the Ole Seagull’s “appointed time” as a columnist has come to an end.
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Who could have known back in 1959 that when the Mabe family started performing their country music variety show called the “Baldknobbers,” in a small 50 seat basement room in the Branson Community Center, the show would still be going 50 years later? Continue reading →

“The airport can do whatever it wants to do because it’s private.” That’s true if the airport is truly private, but from its inception, to this point, that makes about as much sense as saying Dr. Jekyll is “Cinderella.”
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Like a lot of people, the Ole Seagull is no more of an expert on pie shows than he is a marketing expert. But, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have an idea or two about pie shows or marketing. Here’s a great marketing idea, how about using the internet to market Branson?
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Interestingly, last week’s column entitled “Mirror mirror on the wall, who brings Branson most of all?” evoked a response that was 100 wrong. There were those who disagreed with the column because they perceived the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB (CVB) was being attacked and there were those that agreed with the column because they perceived the CVB was being attacked. Both were wrong. Continue reading →

The queen, in the movie “Snow White,” was concerned about whether or not she was the fairest in the land…Maybe, just maybe, those government officials with a responsibility and true concern for the marketing of Branson should be asking the magic mirror, “Mirror mirror on the wall, who brings Branson most of all.”

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It seems the hot issue in Taney County, Hollister, and Branson, Missouri over the last couple of weeks, and particularly this coming week, is the rush for Taney County to put the financing for the East West Corridor (EWC) and an Events Center (EC) on the ballot for the April election. Continue reading →

It’s not a rumor, no matter how BransonFest has done in the past, good bad or indifferent, it isn’t going to do anything in Branson this year…the Titanic’s Mary Kellogg said “Branson’s First Annual Great American Pie Show” would be held at the Branson Convention Continue reading →

Is it really a privately owned and operated airport when it is receiving up to $2 million in government funds directly and the direct benefit of hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax payer financed marketing? Should the city revisit the contract in view of other information on how the airport will be raising revenue and operating? Continue reading →

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) robotic and bureaucratic adherence to “The Plan” will impact the Branson area for years to come. Early last summer in a column entitled, “Corps fiddles The Plood while local officials and leaders dance to the tune.” The Ole Seagull asked the areas elected and unelected leaders two simple questions about what was being done to correct Continue reading →

the average American loses their job, watches their pension and retirement fund dwindle away, as home values drop and health care costs rise out of control. Some might even have the impression that things are beyond control.
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The “Grinch” never came any closer to stealing the true meaning of Christmas than has trying to be “politically correct.” The political correctness of “Merry Christmas” may change but the true meaning of CHRISTmas will never change. Continue reading →

The question is, “What will do more to bring more people to Branson and get Branson the most public relations (PR) exposure for each dollar spent, a three day pie show with a nationally recognized celebrity or a free three day $150,000 minimum prize Texas Hold-em tournament? Continue reading →

This week while talking with Branson Airport (BBG) officials they said that the bottom line for the success of the airport is getting “butts in the seats.” Come to think of it, paraphrased a bit to “butts through the door” … Continue reading →

Generally speaking, who among us says “thank you” to “no one?” When thanks is given it is for something and is “given” to the person or entity believed to have provided that something. Is Thanksgivning any different?
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Branson’s new airport has announced they have signed a low cost nationally networked carrier, but its identity, except for the anointed few is a “secret.” The Ole Seagull isn’t one of the anointed few but we’re he a guessing bird he would say “The new air service for Branson Airport is going to…
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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. Continue reading →

Well not many, according to the city’s official web site….they were surprised and not very impressed when only four items showed up for “Downtown Branson,” were McDonalds, Wendy’s, Pappa Johns, and the Candle Stick Inn Restaurant. Continue reading →

… that thousands of other soldier’s wives, mothers, grandparents, and loved ones hear the same comments and questions, the information, poignancy and emotion in the email from Heather Klein, the wife of SPC Kory Klein, currently serving with the U.S. Army Reserve in Iraq, needs to be shared and, except for some slight editing, is printed below as submitted.
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…as was the case at the federal level, the budget situation in Branson was created by the decisions that its elected and unelected leaders made. What’s particularly sad in the local case is that the decisions were intentionally made whereas as at the federal level they, more often than not, were made by omission or failure to act. Continue reading →

Even with Branson’s “caution light” on and city revenues estimated to be going down about 4 percent in 2009, the city’s operating expenses are budgeted to go up about 4 percent from last year. The budget presented to the Budget and Finance Committee at its Oct. 15 meeting for 2009 showed Budgeted Revenues of $15,440,350 and Budgeted Expenditures of Continue reading →

…elected leaders at all levels should have the honesty, courage, and fortitude to do what should have been done years ago, tell people, “It happens,” here’s what it costs to get rid of “It” and here’s what you pay to get rid of yours” It’s the “pay as you flush” variation of the “pay as you go” concept. Continue reading →

As a nation, when was America the most successful? Was it when God, His precepts and power were an integral part of our daily lives from both a national and a personal perspective? Or. is it now when seemingly as a nation, and in a lot of cases from a personal perspective, the U.S. Constitution and the Federal government has been substituted for the precepts and power of God?”
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Lately it seems from the national to local level, people are being bombarded by numbers that impact on their daily lives, their community, and, possibly, on the very future of their nation. Continue reading →

Can anyone tell an Ole Seagull how the terms “promotion” and “tourism,” as used in the legislation authorizing the spending of tourism tax dollars for marketing, can be so broadly interpreted in Hollister and so restrictively interpreted in Branson? Continue reading →

In describing the breakdown of the financial system Dean Kruithof, Branson’s present city administrator said there was a lack of effective contract management, no reconciliation to budget, no project accounting,… Continue reading →

ncredulously, after all the warning signs and the actual impact upon our community of this year’s historic high water there is no public record of any effort by any community leader, organization, governmental or otherwise… Continue reading →

While developers seem to get millions of city tax dollars for their projects it appears there are very few crumbs left for improvements helping the average resident and business or to simply make things easier for our guests. The answers to the following… Continue reading →

It must have been a dream because there can’t be involuntary servitude in Branson. Yet it seemed so real, this conversation the Ole Seagull had with a man who stopped him on the street… Continue reading →

For all practical purposes, not one dollar of that retail sales tax revenue can be used by the city to meet its financial challenges or used for anything except to pay off the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bonds used to finance the Branson Landing Project. Not one dollar will be spent to build or repair a road… Continue reading →

In terms of a “profession,” America’s future does not lie in the hands of Presidents, politicians, lawyers, doctors, accountants, and other leaders. Her future lies in the hands of the professionals who will be teaching those who will become the future Continue reading →

The challenge is to limit and channel the scope of any new LCOs to that necessary for the efficient resolution of the problems that need to be addressed.
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“What has Branson received for the $3 million… A stop light, an almost one of a kind inefficient zigzag approach to the intersection and the commitment of city government…
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…it appears the city of Branson’s proposed new liquor control Ordinances (LCOs) is taking an elephant gun approach to solving a mouse sized problem. It’s not a matter of whether or not Branson can or should enact new LCOs, it can and should; it’s a matter of scope and efficiency. Continue reading →

…of separating the wheat from the chaff. The posting of just one post from one blogger this week, about the city of Branson’s proposed new regulations, illustrates that challenge.
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…he fears for what can happen if the lake level situation is not addressed immediately as to what can be done to get more water out of the Branson area lakes faster. At a minimum that should involve an official request to prevent the lowering of the regulatory stage at Newport to 12 feet from its current 14 feet until all the Branson Tri-Lakes area lakes are at their Seasonal Conservation Pool averages. Continue reading →

The cumulative beliefs, actions, passion, enthusiasm, hopes, and dreams of today are the foundation of tomorrow, if it comes, and our legacy if it doesn’t Continue reading →

A “plood” is defined as “The overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry, or the constant real threat of such flow, usually caused by the development and administrtion of “The Plan” by the Corps. Continue reading →

Board “solicited” to make the simple complex but why? By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull In the world of “no brainers,” whether one uses Webster’s definition of “to approach with a request or plea” or some other definition … Continue reading →

Recently Mellie expressed a concern that a lot of people and businesses in the Branson Tri-Lakes area have. She said, “I am worried about our economy, in Branson.”
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Unfortunately, the adverse economic effects of the floods will not automatically abate in proportion to the recession of the water levels of Table Rock Lake.
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A “Plood” is a flood caused by “The Plan” of US Army Corps Engineers and indifference on the part of the local community. Continue reading →

…if it is vigorously and equally enforced against anyone that solicits on the public sidewalks, be it for vacuum cleaners, time share and vacation clubs, free tickets, etc that the problem will be solved in short order. Absent that all the ordinance changes in the world aren’t going to make a difference.
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On Thursday of this week, our community handled a challenge of the “heart,” as many of our phones rang to tell us that there had been an accident involving two Branson School busses and that children were being taken to the hospital in ambulances. Continue reading →

Ever since he took office in April of 2007, Alderman Stephen Marshall has been accused of a conflict of interest every time he mentions or questions the operations of the Branson Convention Center. Continue reading →

…at the end of the day, what will determine the ultimate success of Branson is the interface between the visitor and Branson’s workforce. Continue reading →

…would not still be with us but for the reckless actions of Toeneboehn and his failure to simply slow down while going through a work zone. Continue reading →

Most of those who take the time to read an opinion column in a newspaper, this one or otherwise, are not the type of “Baa, Baa” people who will blindly follow the opinion of the columnist like a sheep. Continue reading →

The answer to the question, “When does $140, 732 actually equal ($87, 268) and 50 percent of $100 equal zero is, “When reality is applied to the Branson Landing TIF.” Continue reading →

Ironically, even as Branson is seemingly trying to evolve away from the history, heritage, and the type of entertainment that attracts millions to it every year, at least one other “Branson wannabee” appears interested in emulating that very thing. Well sort of. Continue reading →

If Wisconsin Dells can do it for water parks all winter long, why can’t Branson have a city wide event for three to six days over one or two weekends in the middle of January to extend … Continue reading →

Grizzly and a few others keep playing the potential conflict of interest card in Marshall’s case while choosing to ignore it in the case of Williams and, in some cases themselves?
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…who one votes for can influence the use and growth of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) within our community. What would have done the most to bring more people to Branson, $100 million spent on marketing all that Branson is and has or $100 million to develop Branson Landing?”
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In a recent column concerning the Branson Convention Center web site, the Ole Seagull wrote, ‘”Oh hush my beating heart,’ is it even possible that HCW is the registered owner of the Branson Convention Center web site that the city is spending thousands of dollars in taxpayer money promoting?” The answer is… Continue reading →

Unfortunately while the April rains might “bring flowers that bloom in May” Branson’s April election may bring the TIFs that bloom in May.

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One can just imagine the excitement within the family as they are told that the highlight of their vacation will be the fire and light show at Branson Landing and a two for one hammer sale at Home Depot.

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In the game of Tourism Poker, it appears that the “Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (TRLACC) wants to win $200,000 from the Missouri Division of Tourism without having the ante or the money to play the hand. Continue reading →

One of the foundational documents used to support the building of the convention center in downtown Branson estimated that the convention center would have an annual net operating deficit of ($530,000) per year in… Continue reading →

At the end of the day, if the process leading to a result has a stench, the result will stink. Continue reading →

…believes that Hilton is doing an excellent job in operating and marketing the Branson Convention Center. Does he have hard data on bookings etc. to back that up? No, that’s why it’s a gut feeling… Continue reading →

The question is simple, “Is the city of Branson’s convention center web site, paid for with tax payer funds designated for the marketing of its convention center, being used to market Branson Landing and the Hilton Convention Center Hotel, both of which are privately owned?” Continue reading →

In terms of the local Branson news stories for 2007 that will have the most lasting impact on Branson, now and in the future, the April election for mayor and aldermen just has to be right up there. Continue reading →

What does Christ have to do with CHRISTmas? Everything! Without Christ there can be no CHRISTmas. There can be a holiday, a season, festivals, and… Continue reading →

Verbiage such as “phantom battle in the War on Christmas” and “pro-Christ bunch” show a sensitivity on the part of the News-Leader’s Editorial Board that is exceeded only by its arrogance and apparent lack of knowledge as to why the Branson Board of Aldermen need not fight the War on Christmas” because the “city’s Christmas spirit is obvious and the ‘war’ is fake.” Continue reading →

The “Christmas Resolution” that the city of Branson’s Board of Aldermen (the board) is voting on Dec. 10 is not an establishment clause or freedom of religion issue. From a pure legal, logic, and governmental function perspective it is a simple resolution of the board stating their support of Ozark Mountain Christmas and encouraging Branson businesses and residents to take actions that will support it. Continue reading →

Now here’s a gift idea from the folks who brought us Proposition A, the closing of Branson’s Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo (the bridge) for a year. Oh the gift, if it comes, will not come from … Continue reading →

Does Branson spend millions of dollars marketing Ozark Mountain Hanukah, Ozark Mountain Kwanzaa, Ozark Mountain Holidays, or some other form of a neutered politically correct version of Christmas? If it does it’s one of the best kept secrets around. On th Continue reading →

Perhaps Abraham Lincoln, in his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation said it best. “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things…” Continue reading →

The seconds, minutes, days, weeks, and months available to avoid the shutdown of the Lake Taneycomo Bridge for about a year are sifting through the hourglass….the last second dropping through means that the Branson community lives with the results of wh Continue reading →

It’s about the inherent unfairness and lack of logic in the way that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) deprives local school districts of the funds needed to service the educational needs created by the very growth that the TIFs are being used to create and f Continue reading →

The blood of her sons, and ours, staining the sands of remote Pacific Islands such as Peleliu, Okinawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and others, solemnly testify to the futility of such an apology and of war itself.
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…a tax we not only don’t pay but that can save us money! Do you think we are stupid?” Quite the opposite… Continue reading →

To an ole Seagull, it appears that a new bridge is a “carrot,” that those wanting a tax for other purposes, are using in the hopes of getting access to funds for their pet projects. The truth of the matter is… Continue reading →

Are there too many shows in Branson? How many shows are enough? Is the price of tickets a factor? How does the fact that a lot of shows and theatres sell their tickets to time-shares, ticket resellers, Continue reading →

The primary reasons he wrote the column was because the web site not only ignored Branson’s historic downtown district but also, although listing many other businesses in Branson, did not list any from the historic downtown district. Continue reading →

A successful business environment for Branson’s businesses requires the same thing that makes Branson’s Lake Taneycomo the successful trout fishery that Continue reading →

A simple Q and A on questions the Ole Seagull has been asked about the proposed economic development tax and the downtown bridge and, for what they matter, his responses Continue reading →

Is it just possible that no new sales taxes are needed to build a new bridge and avoid the closing of the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo? But even if they are, how is it possible… Continue reading →

“Where’s the beef” that built Branson to the point where it is today? The simple fact is that the “beef” that built Branson to the point where it is today is… Continue reading →

“Is a person who makes it half way across Highway 65 before getting hit by a dump truck traveling at 60 miles per hours “half right” or a hood ornament? Continue reading →

In a city where legalistic manipulation and interpretation has been used to call land that a developer was reimbursed over $100,000 an acre for “blighted”… is it any surprise that a “bicycle” could meet the legal definition of a “skateboard?”
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Branson’s marketing brand proudly proclaims to the world the illusion that “Someone you love is always playing in Branson.” What the message doesn’t promise is that the “someone” will “always” be “playing” in a show or theater and that’s not necessarily a Continue reading →

How can a reasonable person interpret a possible conspiracy to “curtail commercial business growth” and “an attempt to curtail wage increases and stifle the job market” from a statement reiterating the generally held community belief that there is a need Continue reading →

The truth of the matter is that for the next 99 years or so, the public square at Branson Landing is not “owned” by the public. Yet, never has the public had more access to, or made more use of, the area occupied by Branson Landing’s public square. Continue reading →

This week’s column is a response to a post made to a thread entitled “State enforcement agency admits that Branson Landing kiosk beer permit vague,” that the Ole Seagull started in the forum of a website he is involved with, … Continue reading →

the major guiding percepts for criminal investigators, reporters, columnists…Kipling wrote “I keep six honest serving-men, they taught me all I knew; their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who.” Continue reading →

The question is simple, how will the closing of the “Business 65 Bridge” over Lake Taneycomo for a year or more impact on the Branson community and the lives of the thousands of people and the many businesses that use and depend on it daily, in terms of s Continue reading →

The recent “Bransongate” embarrassment was couched in terms of preserving the “purity” of Branson’s name from those who would deflower it but… Continue reading →

What is it about the Alamo that has touched the hearts and souls of generations since? What are we to remember? Was it their courage or that they spent their lives for a noble cause?
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Not really because to do that, one would have to assume that the downtowns parking problems are all the fault of Branson Landing and that simply is not the truth.
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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 →

Country and gospel superstar Randy Travis is coming to Branson for a concert series this week at RFD TV-The Theater. Travis 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 →