Branson Courier

Month: September 2007

  • Fishing for Lake Taneycomo trout relates to business success in Branson how?

    A successful business environment for Branson’s businesses requires the same thing that makes Branson’s Lake Taneycomo the successful trout fishery that it is, comparatively speaking, lots of fish. In the case of fishing in Lake Taneycomo, it is enough Rainbow and Brown Trout to provide a quality fishing experience for most of those fishing the Lake. In the case of Branson’s business environment, it is in providing enough potential customers to provide a quality business experience for Branson’s businesses.

    The responsibility for insuring that there is a constant supply of trout for Lake Taneycomo’s anglers is the responsibility of the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery. Both the hatchery and Lake Taneycomo are managed to maximize the number and size of trout in Lake Taneycomo. The result, for most anglers, is a quality trout fishing experience.

    Whereas a definite physical facility, the hatchery, operated in a specific prescribed manner by one entity, the Missouri Department of Conservation, can, absent natural disaster or calamity, provide enough trout to make Lake Taneycomo a successful fishery, the same cannot be said for providing Branson’s businesses with enough customers to be successful. The hatchery equivalent, in terms of providing enough customers for Branson’s businesses, is marketing.

    Whereas the running of a hatchery and managing the Lake Taneycomo fishery is more a matter of science than art, marketing is at least as much art as it is science. In addition, the marketing of Branson involves the active participation and coordination of two primary government entities, the city of Branson and the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District. They finance and administer Branson’s marketing program and select an organization to actually development and implement the marketing program, which is currently the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

    Some might say, “Now hold on there Seagull, what’s all this marketing stuff, isn’t it "things," especially new "things" such as Branson Landing, the Titanic Worlds Largest Museum Attraction, Branson Convention Center, Dick Clark Theatre Complex, the anticipation of the new Sight and Sound theatre that are bringing people to Branson?” To an Ole Seagull the answer is “No.” Simply put, it is the marketing of those "things" and everthing else that Branson is that brings people to Branson.

    As an example, when Branson Landing was in the planning stages, one of the city’s nationally recognized consulting firms forecast that existing retail in Branson would suffer about a 19 percent drop in the two years immediately after Branson Landing opened. Yet, as recently as the Budget/Finance Committee held at Branson City Hall on Sep. 25, a city official expressed the opinion that, according to the city’s analysis of sales data, those forecasted drops were not occurring.

    Why, what changed? Could a nationally recognized consulting firm be that far off on their estimates? Maybe so, but may an Ole Seagull suggest that they could not possibly have taken into account the effect of a marketing tax that was non existent at the time they made their forecasts. The Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District tax was passed, after a Herculean effort spearheaded by the board, other organizations and people in the community, in Nov. 2005.

    The proceeds from that tax, and the astuteness of the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District Board in jump-starting the marketing effort in early 2006, resulted in huge increases in the number of people coming to Branson in 2006. Although the most recent figures indicate the possibility of problems down the road ,if not an anomaly, the number of people coming to Branson thus far in 2007 is greater than in 2006 and Branson still has the strongest part of its season ahead.

    Does that mean that every business in Branson is doing well? No more than just because there are plenty of Rainbow and Brown Trout in Lake Taneycomo every fisherman is going to catch their limit. What it means is that Branson’s marketing is working, there are plenty of people coming to Branson and that every business in Branson has an opportunity to earn their patronage and business.

  • Branson board takes steps to increase visitor parking in the historic downtown area

    By Gary J. Groman a.k.a. The Ole Seagull

    The construction of the Branson Convention Center and a new parking garage in the historic downtown Branson business district over the last couple of years has disrupted the availability of parking for downtown merchants, employees and visitors. The majority of the free parking that was available in the top level of the Reish Garage was taken over by the city and used for construction trailer and worker parking. When the lower levels of the same garage, which provided monthly parking for the downtown merchants and employees, was also closed, the result was that parking spaces in the downtown area became very limited.

    With the completion of construction and the recent openings of both the new garage and the Branson Convention Center, the city of Branson’s board of aldermen took two steps, at its rescheduled Sep. 13 business meeting, to expand the availability of parking in the downtown area. The first was the board’s final approval a Parking Garage Management Agreement between the city of Branson and Hilton Hotels Corporation. The agreement provides that Hilton Corporation, who also has a management contract with the city to run the Branson Convention Center, attached to the garage, and with the developer of Branson Landing to run the Hilton hotel attached to the convention center, will also manage the city’s parking garage.

    The management agreement contains a specific provision requiring that the garage will provide the number of monthly spaces that the city may reasonably designate at rates set by the city. The agreement contains an initial monthly rate of $25.00 per month.

    In a second related action, the board passed a resolution stating the city’s intent that the top level of the Reish Garage shall remain free and open on a first-come, first-served basis. It also states the city’s intent to provide at least 110 monthly parking passes in the garage, at an initial rate of $25.00 per month. These spaces will be available to businesses and employees in the downtown area and other potential purchasers, on a first come, first served basis.

    The resolution also provides that the parking spaces currently under monthly lease in the parking lot, commonly known as the “Awbery Lot,’ at the southwest corner of Atlantic and Commercial Streets, shall be freed up and become open public parking on a first come first-served basis. This should free up about another 28 additional spaces for downtown visitors.

    The resolution specifically provides that the “City recognizes that continued evaluation of parking usage in the Downtown area will be necessary to assess potential future alterations in parking arrangements.” It goes on to state that “The City will consider alteration of such arrangements as it deems necessary, taking into account input from those persons and businesses who utilize and benefit from the Parking Garages and other available parking in the Downtown area.”

  • The Ole Seagull’s Q and A on the proposed tax and downtown bridge

    This week’s column is 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.

    1. Does Taney County need an economic development tax? Yes.

    2. Why? It is a Class 1 county and one of the fastest growing counties in the state with overall planning, transportation, environmental, quality of life, employment development, and other issues that far outstrip the available financial resources available to solve them.

    3. Is the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo really in danger of being closed down for an extended period? Yes, more than likely, even with the cosmetic treatment its driving surface will receive in the near future, the bridge will transition from its current 3 rating, “Serious Condition” to class 2 “Critical Condition” within the next two to four years

    4. Why? After 75 years of wear and tear, the cement deck and its supporting cross beams, upon which the driving surface rests, is deteriorating at an accelerating rate and, if not corrected very soon, will lead to the bridge receiving a rating of 2 by MoDOT which requires that the bridge be shut down.

    5. How do you know that is true? Of his own volition, he does not but the Ole Seagull has observed both the process and the people involved with the process and trusts both.

    6. It is a MoDOT bridge why not let MoDOT take care of it? We could and they will do so to the best of their ability based on the their prioritization and available funding which, in this case, after an extended closing of the existing bridge, will result in a rehabilitated bridge and round about that will handle the projected traffic for the next 20 years.

    7. If that will take care of it why build a new bridge? A new bridge is the preferred solution as part of solving the county’s long-term transportation needs, providing bridge redundancy at a critical point in its transportation system, and having to close down the existing bridge for an extended period and avoiding the economic and quality of life issues associated with such a closing.

    8. Was the statement in last weeks column stating “It is almost inconceivable to an Ole Seagull that Taney County does not have the resources and ability to take the lead in obtaining the financing necessary to build a new bridge without the imposition of a new retail sales tax” a sincere statement? Of course it was, the root thought of that statement is not original with the Ole Seagull and, in one form or another, is on the minds of many voters.

    9. If that is the case, why do we need the economic development tax? If it was just the bridge alone it wouldn’t be necessary but, as number 2 above indicates, it’s not just the bridge requiring adequate financing.

    10. What is “adequate financing?” To an Ole Seagull, it means having enough financing so that the elected representatives of Taney County have the resources to be proactive in meeting the multitude of challenges facing our rapidly growing county rather than reactive.

    11. What does that mean? Simply put, it means that the county would not have to use most of the financial resources available to solve one part, the bridge, of one major issue, transportation, at the expense of not only not being able to address another important part of the same major issue, the East West Corridor, but the other major issues facing the county.

    12. Why would you have put the tax on the November ballot? For what it matters, the Ole Seagull would not have put it on the Nov. ballot because of the “appearance” it created, lack of time for detailed planning relating to the bridge and other issues, and the fact that if the tax fails it cannot be put back on the ballot for at least a year.

    13. What is your recommendation? For what is matters and Number 12 aside, at the end of the day, what it will boil down to for the Ole Seagull is his faith and trust in our Taney County Commissioners and the process that the enabling law for the tax sets forth. For most others he would recommend ignoring what has happened up to this point, listening to what is said between now and the election, observing the leadership of the County Commissioners regarding the issue, evaluating the need for the tax and voting accordingly.

  • Cost of alternatives to Branson’s Taneycomo bridge closing range from $13 to 36.8 million

    By Gary J. Groman a.k.a. The Ole Seagull

    In the final analysis, the inconvenience to local residents and users of the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo between Hollister and Branson will be directly related to the funding available to correct the bridges deteriorating deck and traffic congestion at its eastern end. The bridges deck and traffic problems are the subjects of an ongoing Value Engineering Study currently being conducted by the Missouri Department of Transportation, MoDOT, in conjunction with local officials. The study team recently met in the MoDOT District 8 offices in Springfield, Sep. 10 through 13 and gave a status report on Sep. 13.

    The team consists of engineers and other professionals from MoDOT, private industry, Branson, Hollister, and Taney County. Local members of the team are Rick Ziegenfuss, Hollister City Administrator, Matt Filice, engineer with the city of Branson and Frank Preston, engineer with Taney County. Although the study is still a work in progress and additional traffic modeling and cost estimate adjustments for some of the recommendations must be accomplished prior to submitting its final recommendations to MoDOT management, the proposed recommendations in the study are identifiable.

    The recommendations are in two general phases, one relating to a constrained budget and the other for an unconstrained budget. The recommendations in the report for the constrained base line approach used the figure of approximately $5.5 million dollars which is the amount currently available for the project.

    This approach would involve the rehabilitation of the bridge, with a widening of its lanes and a roundabout at its east end. Traffic analysis of the traffic congestion caused by the Highway 76 traffic to the east of the bridge indicates that a signalized intersection at the bridges east end does not permit the Levels of Service, LOS, adequate to handle the traffic. Currently the intersection has an LOS of F, the lowest LOS possible. The proposed roundabout, redesigned from the roundabout originally proposed, performs at an LOS of C, will handle traffic volumes approximating the 20 year projection and will be flexible enough to provide for future expansion.

    The bridge rehabilitation under the base line approach would require that the bridge be closed. Although there was no definite commitment by the study team as to specifically how long it would be closed, indications are that the bridge would be closed for approximately a year. During that time, those wishing to enter Branson from the eastern side of Lake Taneycomo via Highway 76 would have to detour approximately 6.5 miles through Hollister via the Highway 65 interchange and travel north back to Branson.

    The unconstrained budget approach offered proposed solutions ranging in cost from $13.29 million to $36.85 million. All involved the building of at least one new bridge and would virtually eliminate the need to close the existing bridge for an extended period of time.

    All the unrestrained recommendations, with a cost under $29 million dollars, were in the range of $13.3 to $16.2 million. The one discussed the most during the presentation was option B10. It would cost $15.6 million, involve the rehabilitation of the current bridge and the building of a new two lane bridge that would connect with Branson Landing Boulevard. Under this option, both bridges would have two way traffic, pedestrians would have to use the new bridge, and those coming into Branson from the Hollister side would have a choice of coming in on Highway 76, much as is currently being done or going down to Branson Landing Boulevard.

    Chad E. Zickefoose, MoDOT’s District 8 Transportation Project Manager said, “The purpose of the study is to come up with a financially prudent recommendation for solving the problem.” He went on to point out as part of arriving at a solution the study team has provided different alternative recommendations for evaluation and consideration. Zickefoose also stated that, as is the case with all of their projects, MoDOT will work with the local communities involved in trying to resolve not only the financial issues but other areas of the project which could impact on the communities involved.

  • Are Branson and Taney County voters being “steered” into a new bridge tax that they really don’t need?

    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 that the same Taney County Commission that put the tax on the ballot doesn’t know what percentage of that tax will be used for a new bridge?

    On Sep. 5, a meeting to discuss the bridge and potential solutions was held at Hollister City Hall. Representatives of the cities of Hollister and Branson, Taney County, and the Missouri Department of Transportation, MoDOT attended. All three Taney County Commissioners were present.

    The one half of one percent county wide retail sales tax that the commission had just put on the Nov. ballot was mentioned as a potential source of funding for the bridge. Having heard that the proposed tax had evolved from a tax to fund the Taney County Industrial Development Authority, IDA, county parks, and the historical society, the Ole Seagull asked the question, “How much of the proposed tax would go to helping resolve the current problem with the bridge?”

    To his great surprise, the consensus of those talking about the proposed tax at the meeting, including all three of the Taney County Commissioners, was that the “steering committee” is still working on that. Well evidently, they are still working on it because when the Ole Seagull asked Taney County Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel the same question, late on the afternoon of Sep. 15, his response was, “At this time the steering group has not told me what the percentages are.”

    The first thing that comes to an Ole Seagull’s mind is what is this steering committee stuff? Taney County already has a “steering committee,” elected by the voters, its County Commission, Chuck Pennell, Danny Strahan, and Ron Herschend. These are men that the Ole Seagull knows and respects. When it comes to the steering related to the need for new taxes and how those taxes are going to be spent he expects the steering to be done by them, not some nebulous unelected, and unaccountable, steering committee.

    To an Ole Seagull, in terms of how what he calls the “Steering Committee” tax has evolved to its current state, it seems that the bridge is an add-on to improve the chances of getting the tax passed and, what an add on it is! In its earlier stages, it was a one eighth of one percent. Now it has grown to one half of one percent, a 300 percent increase, ostensibly because of the bridge.

    Yet, there has not been one public announcement relative to what percentage of the Steering Committee tax is intended to be devoted to that purpose. More importantly, there has been no announcement of what the Taney County Commission that put the tax on the ballot will do to insure that, in fact, that percentage is devoted to solving the issues involved with the bridge.

    Perhaps the more burning issue is whether an increase in the retail sales tax is even needed to build a new bridge. As was recently pointed out in connection with the emergency funding of the assessor’s office, Taney County has millions in a contingency fund. If they have that much for emergencies how much more does it have in other reserve funds? If the city of Branson’s sales tax revenues have grown by 15 percent over the record year of 2006, hasn’t the same thing happened at the county level?

    It is almost inconceivable to an Ole Seagull that Taney County does not have the resources and ability to take the lead in obtaining the financing necessary to build a new bridge without the imposition of a new retail sales tax. In any event, is it inappropriate to ask just how much effort was spent exploring alternative methods of financing a new bridge before it was thrown in the Steering Committee tax increase hopper with the IDA, county parks, the historical society and, under the law that governs this particular tax, potentially a lot of other things?

  • Parking issue for downtown businesses to be addressed by Branson’s aldermen

    Two different items on the Agenda for the rescheduled Sep. 13 meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen may lead to relieving some of the parking concerns of the businesses in historic down town Branson. One is the finalization of the Parking Garage Management Agreement between the city of Branson and Hilton Hotels Corporation. The other is a resolution by the city making 110 monthly passes available to downtown businesses and designating other areas in historic downtown Branson as free parking on a first come first serve basis.

    The Consent Agenda contains the final reading and approval of the Parking Garage Management Agreement between the city of Branson and Hilton Hotels Corporation. At its August 27 meeting, the board, after extensive discussion on the agreement, voted to amend Section 3 of Article 5 of the Agreement to eliminate the restriction that only 20 monthly passes could be issued. The Parking Garage Agreement is on the Consent Agenda and will be approved without further public comment unless removed at the request of an Alderman or citizen before the Consent Agenda is voted on.

    In a separate item on the Regular Agenda, the board will consider a Resolution stating that the City intends that the top level of the Reish Garage and the spaces in the parking lot commonly known as the “Awbery Lot, at the southwest corner of Atlantic and Commercial Streets,” shall remain free and open on a first come first-served basis. The resolution also provides for at least 110 monthly parking passes for parking in the city’s new Pacific Street Garage.

    The monthly parking passes will be available to businesses and employees in the Downtown area and other potential purchasers on a first come, first served basis. The fees and charges for the monthly parking will be governed by the “Governing Documents” and will initially be $25 per month.

    The Resolution goes on to state that the city recognizes that “continued evaluation of parking usage in the Downtown area will be necessary to assess potential future alterations in parking arrangements to insure the highest level of service to the citizens of, and visitors to, the City.” The Resolution reserves the right of the city to make what ever changes it deems necessary in the future subject to, among other things the Governing Documents. The Parking Garage Management Agreement between the city of Branson and Hilton Hotels Corporation is listed as one of the Governing Documents.

  • TOUR OF MISSOURI Cycling Race to change Branson Traffic patterns Sep. 13

    The Tour of Missouri is a 600-mile, six-day world-class race that features point-to-point racing. The race Starts in Kansas City, September 11 and concludes September 16 in St. Louis. It includes legs to Clinton, Springfield, Branson, Lebanon, Columbia, Jefferson City, and St. Charles. The race features some of the world’s top professional cycling teams.

    The race is sanctioned by the UCI, the international governing body for cycling, and USA Cycling, the national governing body for cycling.When Branson hosts a portion of the first ever Tour of Missouri bike race next Thursday (September 13), residents and visitors need to be aware of some changes in traffic flow along the bike route in the north part of the city.

    About 120 professional cyclists will be participating in the Time Trials, an 18-mile long course that begins at Branson Landing and ends at the Shepherd of the Hills Farm on West Highway 76. The race begins at 11 a.m. and ends about 3 p.m. The cyclists will start from Branson Landing at one-minute intervals and then head north to Branson Hills Parkway where the cyclists turn westward towards Highway 248.

    According to Branson Police Chief Caroll McCullough, the following streets in the city limits will be totally or partially closed to regular traffic from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.

    Parnell Drive east of the roundabout will be closed. Residents in that neighborhood should use Compton Drive to enter and exit their homes.\

    The northbound, outside lane of Branson Landing Boulevard will be closed for the bike route, but the other northbound lane and the two southbound lanes will remain open. The north lane used for racing will be fenced off, but there will be access to businesses along the east side of Branson Landing Boulevard, and officers will be at the entrances to direct traffic in and out of businesses.

    At the U.S. Highway 65 intersection, the cyclists head north on 65 and one lane of that highway will be closed as well as the northbound exit ramp at the Bee Creek interchange.

    The cyclists then turn west at the Bee Creek interchange on Branson Hills Parkway to Wintergreen Road. They go north on Wintergreen and then west on Ozark Scenic Drive behind

    Home Depot and back to Branson Hills Parkway where the route turns westward. Race marshals will be stationed on Wintergreen and Ozark Scenic Drive to escort residents and businesses in getting to and from their places during the race:

    Both westbound lanes of Branson Hills Parkway will be closed from the Target Store to Missouri Highway 248. The eastbound lanes remain open. People wanting to access the Branson RecPlex will have to use Highway 248 only.

    The cyclists turn north on Highway 248 and continue the race on roads in the county.

    Highway 76 will also be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Shepherd of the Hills Expressway west to the Highroad to allow race officials to set up the finish line at the Shepherd of the Hills Farm. Persons wanting to go to Silver Dollar City or Branson West will be detoured on Highway 376 over to Highway 265 and back to Highway 76.

    “We just urge motorists to drive cautiously and watch for officers, spectators, and racing signs when traveling in that part of town on the 13th,” said McCullough. “We don’t anticipate any problems, and there will be plenty of locations along the route where spectators can view the race.”

  • ‘Headin’ West’ debuts at Silver Dollar City’s Festival of American Music & Crafts

    Headin’ West a story of the American pioneer
    spirit and the quest for new frontiers in 1870s.

    Launching a major new production for the Festival of American Music & Crafts with the popular Salute to the Great American Cowboy, Silver Dollar City presents Headin’ West. The Broadway-style show is slated to be the park’s most impressive production ever, dramatizing the adventure of America’s Western expansion. Headin’ West debuts September 13 with the opening of the festival, which also features Western music stars, trick riding and roping, bluegrass bands and the nation’s top craftsmen. The Festival of American Music & Crafts runs through October 27 at the Branson, Missouri theme park.

    An original musical production created exclusively by and for Silver Dollar City, Headin’ West tells the story of the American pioneer spirit through the characters’ quest for new frontiers in the 1870s west. The story comes to life with elaborate sets, surround-sound, revolving scenery, visual projections and period costumes. Impressive special effects immerse the audience in adventures from deep cave prospecting and white water rafting to a thundering buffalo stampede. A talented cast of 14 actors performs, with live music enhanced with an original orchestra score.

    The festival also features Michael Martin Murphey in a special concert September 21, headlining the Western entertainment. Trick roper Johnny Lonestar, seen recently on America’s Got Talent, performs along with the Sons of the San Joaquin, cowboy poets, Roy Rogers Jr., a Native American hoop dancer, and the singing Sons of the Silver Dollar. An all-new arena show features trick riders, World-Record holding palomino trick horses, wild mustangs and long-horned steers. Cowboy boot makers from around the country compete in the 2nd annual Best of American Boot Makers competition.

    Lindy Knight demonstating traditional
    woodworking.

    Widely recognized as the premier event for fine craftsmanship, the festival features custom hat makers, copper sculptors, silversmiths and stained glass artists, some of more than 125 visiting artists from across the country who fill booths lining the streets of the theme park with their colorful handwork. Best of Missouri Hands juried artists are spotlighted around the Square with wares including silver wire jewelry, handcrafted pewterware, hand-woven baskets and stoneware pottery. A special showcase of western crafters features custom-made leather hats, spur making, western art, bronze sculpture, and leather saddle and tack making. Click here for list of craftsmen and schedules.

    The tastes of the fall harvest are served up throughout the park, with smoked turkey legs, roasted corn on the cob and hearty skillet meals cooked on open grills. For a full festival feast, guests can dine at Tastes of America in the Red Gold Heritage Hall, featuring barbecued ribs, roasted prairie chicken, southwestern tacos or buffalo chili, and desserts from blackberry cobbler and peach pie to hot apple dumplings, while trick riders, ropers and rodeo stars perform in the Red Gold Arena.

    Fables of the Est comedy team.

    Meet some of television’s top western heroes when Gunsmoke’s Buck Taylor hosts stars of classic American Westerns from Wagon Train to F Troop, and catch performances by Waddie Mitchell and other Western Heritage Cowboy Poets. Dancers can kick up their heels at the country barn dance. Western Performers include Michael Martin Murphey, Roy Rogers, Jr., Sourdough Slim, Sons of the San Joaquin, Kip Calahan, Bill Barwick, Red Steagall, Sons of the Silver Dollar, R.W. Hampton, Syd Masters and the Swing Riders, Waddie Mitchell, and Johnny Lonestar. Click here for complete list and schedule.

    National touring bands, gospel and bluegrass favorites perform throughout the park. Performers include The Biscuit Burners, Foxfire Bluegrass, Hit & Run Bluegrass, The Chapmans, Midnight Flight, NewFound Road, Bluestar, The Martins, and the The Wilders. Click here for complete list and schedule.

    The sounds and smells of the fall harvest fill the Silver Dollar City Square, where guests can see sorghum and apple butter making. A cast of talented singers and dancers perform in This Country’s Rockin’ at Echo Hollow Amphitheatre each evening.

    Throughout the festival, the park is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. For further information or to purchase tickets by phone or on line, call 1-800-451-3791 or click here.

  • Finalists from NBC hit show “American’s Got Talent” coming to Branson’s Dutton Theatre

    Dean and Sheila Dutton with David Hasselhoff.

    The Dutton’s, themselves one of the final ten top acts on the national hit NBC show “America’s Got Talent has just announced that a number of the other top ten acts will be appearing in Branson at the Dutton Family Theatre starting on Sep. 17. The idea all came from a thought that David Hasselhoff, one of the shows three judges had about helping some of the acts from America’s Got Talent pursue their dreams to continue performing.

    Sheila Dutton, the beloved matriarch of the Dutton family, said, “During the course of the competition, all of the contestants got to know each other and became friends. When we made the offer to open a show here in Branson for a fall run, word got around and it wasn’t long before the phone was ringing off the hook. Everyone is so excited to come here.”
    Amy Dutton with Winston and Terry Fator.

    Although it is anticipated that the cast will change periodically based on availability etc., each show will feature at least three of the America’s Got Talent Finalists. The opening week, starting Sep. 17, will include the Calypso Tumblers from New York, singer Robert Hatcher from Cincinnati, the Glamazons from New York, and Branson’s own Johnny Lonestar. Ventriloquist Terry Fator, this year’s winner, will participate via video from Las Vegas and is trying to clear a few days to join in the fun in Branson. In subsequent weeks Cas Haley, Julienne Irwin, Fault Line, Jason Pritchett Butterscotch and others will be appearing.

    Although the Duttons will be hosting each show, the Finalists will take the stage from 5:30 – 7 PM, Monday through Saturday. The Duttons will be performing in their own show, The Duttons, at 8:00 PM and some 2:00 PM matinees. Special combo-ticket packages are being made available that will include the Finalist Show, the Dutton’s Show and a free dinner for a special price. For more information or to reserve seats, contact the Dutton Family Theater at (417) 332-2772.

  • “Where’s the beef” that brings millions to Branson?

    Who can forget the 1984 Wendy ads where an 81 year old actress, Clara Peller, asked the question, “Where’s the beef?” The words, “Where’s the beef?” quickly became part of America’s lexicon and took on a meaning that expanded far beyond the boundaries of a mere sandwich to become an instant catchphrase for “Where’s the substance.” In Branson, “Where’s the beef could be applied to a number of different situations.

    “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 its shows and attractions and their effective marketing.

    In the1984 ads, Wendy’s was trying to use the “beef” in their sandwiches, the amount or otherwise, to differentiate themselves from their competition. They wanted potential customers to choose Wendy’s over all of the other fast food choices that were available to them. Is it much different in the vacation destination business?

    Since its very early stages, Branson has wanted potential customers, visitors, to pick Branson over all the other vacation destination choices available to them. History testifies to the simple undisputable fact that the “beef” that has drawn millions upon millions of visitors to Branson over the years is its shows and attractions.

    “Oh no Seagull, you have it wrong. In terms of a general category of things that people do when they come to Branson isn’t shopping the number one activity?” Outside of eating, that might very well be, but people are going to shop and eat wherever they are, whether vacationing or not. The obvious fact is that for that shopping to take place in Branson, the person doing the shopping must be in Branson.

    Does not Branson’s actual history, from the late 50’s through the end of Dec. 31, 1990, testify to the fact that it was the category of shows and attractions, not shopping that caused people to choose to visit Branson? When they came they shopped but to shop in Branson they first had to come to Branson and come they did. Was it any different between Jan. 1, 1991 and Dec. 31 2000 or Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2005?

    How many people believe that the original malls built in Branson, let alone Branson Landing, would have been built if there were not already millions of people coming to Branson? What was the primary reason those millions of people chose to come to Branson? Amidst all the new government financed glitz and glamour may an Ole Seagull suggest that it was Branson’s shows and attractions?

    There are those who would say that the shows and attractions, especially the shows, have served their usefulness and that Branson must move on to new things if it is to be successful in the future. The caution that an Ole Seagull would give is to suggest that it is Branson’s shows and attractions, and the type of shows and attractions it has to offer, that provide a major part of our areas uniqueness. They are the primary reason that the vast majority of it’s visitors not only chose to come to Branson in the first place but return on a regular basis.

    But Seagull, didn’t your column of last week ,entitled,“Why aren’t more people playing at Branson’s shows,” try “to dismiss the concern of the shows and other community members regarding the recent trend of visitors seeing less shows while they are in Branson?” Au contraire, on balance, what it did was acknowledge the reality of what is, the current environment within which shows must compete, not only for customers but marketing emphasis, and suggest some elements that some shows might want to look at to improve their situation.

    It clearly establishes the answer to the question of “where the beef is” in Branson’s never ending extravaganza of entertainment opportunities. As it has always been, and must remain if the Branson entertainment experience is to keep from becoming simply another cornflake in a box of destination cornflakes, it is in the uniqueness of Branson’s shows and attractions and their effective marketing.

  • Isn’t half right still wrong in Branson?

    The comments of Branson Alderman Jack Purvis to the contrary, the downtown merchants, as well as the other citizens and businesses of Branson, have every reason to rely on the credibility the current Mayor and board of aldermen. The sad thing is that without the April election, where a new mayor and three new aldermen were elected, Purvis would have been 100 percent right but now, in terms of the current board of aldermen, he is only half right but still wrong.

    Purvis’s comments came while the board was in the process of discussing the proposed Parking Garage Management Agreement between the city of Branson and the Hilton Hotels Corporation. As part of that discussion, Deana Acton, President of the Downtown Branson Main Street Association, spoke on behalf of the association about their concern with language in the agreement that appeared to limit the number of monthly parking spaces to 20. At no time during her presentation did she speak about the credibility of the board, the trust that the downtown merchants had in the board or request anything in writing from the board.

    Alderman Stan Barker had just commented regarding the fact that what was being discussed was the contract with Hilton, it should contain nothing that would tie the hands of the board in dealing with needs of the downtown merchants for parking in the facility, and expressed his belief that the board was committed to meeting the parking needs of the downtown merchants. Then, from out of left field, Purvis blesses all those in attendance, with his wisdom regarding what was being discussed at the time.

    Purvis said, “I’m afraid that I don’t agree with my friend and neighbor Mr. Barker and our credibility is, on a scale of one to ten, with the downtown merchants right now, I think, about a minus 10.” First, what is his basis for making that inane statement? It certainly wasn’t based on anything that Acton or anyone else at the meeting said.

    The second and more onerous issue is his use of the word “our” in what appears to be an attempt to revise history and stigmatize the newly elected board members with the type of credibility and fairness that a number of people in the community attached to the previous administration. Surely Purvis remembers.

    It’s the one he was a member of. The administration which lost its choke hold on the community as a result of the overwhelming results in the April election when a new mayor and three new aldermen were elected to, as newly elected Alderman Bob McDowell said, “Earn back the benefit of the doubt position from the community.”

    Purvis then goes on to point out that the downtown business owners taxed themselves to pay for half the cost of a public garage and said, “We took the top level away from them” and “Our word has not been all that great Mr. Barker.” He continued, “I don’t think that we have been fair with them over the last year and a half and I don’t see why they should trust us to be fair with them again…”

    What is this “we,” “our” and “us” stuff? Did the current board create the credibility, fairness, and other issues that Purvis is referring to? Most reasonable people would agree that the answer is “No” and that, if Purvis is correct, they were created by the previous board, of which Purvis and two other members of the current board, who did not have to run for reelection in April, Alderman Stan Barker and Alderman Dick Gass were members.

    “But Seagull, if Purvis, Barker, and Gass compose half of the new board doesn’t that make Purvis half right?” The Ole Seagull knows that you asked first but, “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?

    It is one thing for the new board to do what must be done to “Earn back the benefit of the doubt position from the community” that the previous board squandered away. It is entirely another thing however, to even imply that the new board was in any way responsible for creating the situation. The ironic part about Purvis’s grandstanding and comments is that they illustrate the very credibility problem of which he speaks.

  • Business 65 Taneycomo Bridge safe but functionally obsolete and structurally deficient

    By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull

    The “functionally obsolete” and “structurally deficient” but safe condition of the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo will be the major topic of a Missouri Department of Transportation, MoDOT Value Engineering Study next week in Springfield. The study was the major item discussed at a Sep. 5 meeting on the bridge and related transportation issues held at Hollister City Hall. It was attended by representatives of the cities of Hollister and Branson, Taney County, and the Missouri Department of Transportation, MoDOT.

    Chad E. Zickefoose, MoDOT’s District 8 Transportation Project Manager said, “The study would be conducted Sep. 10 through 13 in Springfield” and would include various experts from MoDOT along with representatives from the cities of Branson and Hollister and Taney County. He also pointed out that additional expertise would be brought in on an as needed basis.

    The end result of the study will be a recommendation to MoDOT that it will use in formulating its solution to the problems presented by the condition of the bridge and the traffic flow bottleneck at its east end. Zickefoose suggested that the study would more than likely take a two pronged approach in making its recommendations. One based on a budget of $5.5 million and another based on the scenario that funding is not a problem.

    He said that the $5.5 million is composed of $3.5 million from MoDOT that has been budgeted for the project and about $2.0 million from “matching funds.” Half of the matching funds will come from MoDOT, increasing its share of the $5.5 million project to $4.5 million, and the other half from the cities of Branson and Hollister and Taney County. Rick Ziegenfuss, Hollister’s City Administrator, pointed out that the vast majority of the matching funds coming from local sources are coming from the federal government through Federal Urban Transportation Funds. These funds must be used within a specified period of time or are lost and are not coming from local taxes.

    There was some general discussion that a more permanent solution would require substantial additional funding. Taney County Commissioner Danny Strahan said that Representative Jo Ann Emerson has expressed an interest in seeing what additional help could be provided at the federal level. It was also pointed out that a proposed Taney County sales tax increase, of one half of one percent, will be voted on in the Nov. election and that a portion of that tax would be used to help address transportation issues.

    When the question was asked, “How much of the proposed tax would go to helping resolve the current problem with the bridge,” the general consensus of those talking about the tax was that the “steering committee” is still working on that. Commissioner Strahan, with no one in attendance disagreeing, also pointed out that the immediate transportation needs of our area will involve solutions and funding needs that go far beyond just the current Taneycomo bridge situation.

    In referring to the current condition of the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo as being “functionally obsolete” and “structurally deficient” but safe, MoDOT’s Zickefoose stressed the safety of the bridge and that it was the size of the existing lanes and condition of the deck that are the primary problems in that regard. He pointed out that if one of the side walks was eliminated, enabling the widening of the lanes to 12 feet, and the bridge was re decked that the bridge would not longer be either functionally obsolete or structurally deficient.

    Zickefoose also informed those at the meeting that the one inch stripping and overlay project scheduled for the bridge, designed to give users of the bridge a smoother ride and extend the life of the current deck a couple of more years, is dependent on the availability of the contractor. He anticipated that the overlay, which is not part of the current project being evaluated for the bridge, will only take a few hours, will be done primarily at night, will pose minimal inconvenience to traffic, and would be scheduled so that the community had at least two days notice.

    As the meeting was coming to a close, Rick Ziegenfuss, Hollister’s City Administrator, thanked MoDOT’s Chad Zickefoose for all the assistance he has given our area and for “sticking with us through all the bumps.” Zickefoose is the MoDOT Project Manager over a 12 county area and is currently managing over 30 projects.

    Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent.

  • Welk Stars Reunion 2007 Sep 5 – 9, 2007

    Jo Ann Castle

    Stars of America’s all time favorite variety show are in Branson this week for the Welk Stars Reunion 2007. The five-day schedule with nine live performances at the Welk Resort Theatre begins Wednesday, Sept. 5 and runs through Sunday, September 9.

    Original guest stars from the Lawrence Welk television show appearing in the Welk Stars Reunion 2007 include Jo Ann Castle, Anacani, Ava Barber, Dick Dale, Jack Imel, Mary Lou Metzger and Roger & David Otwell (see entertainer bios below).

    The Welk Stars will be joined by the dance team of Pasha & Ailona and the Champagne Music Makers under the direction of Bobby Tillery. Produced by Mary Lou Metzger, the show will include Big Band favorites, the stars’ signature songs and a few surprises — topped off by an emotion-filled patriotic salute to veterans.

    Show times for the Welk Stars Reunion 2007 are Wednesday thru Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. plus Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Welk Resort Theatre Box Office, by phone at (800)-734-5515 or (417)-337-7469, on the internet at sullivanshows.com or at select Branson-area ticket outlets. Ticket prices including all taxes range from $39.50 for Elite Seating to $34.50 for adults and $14.50 for children. An every day “locals rate” is available to people who live or work in Stone or Taney counties. Proof of employment and/or residency is required.

    “The Lawrence Welk Show” was broadcast for 27 years – on the ABC television network from July 1955 to September 1971 and in syndication from 1971 to 1982. Demanding that his shows be clean and wholesome, Welk featured easy-listening music performed by a “family” of wholesome musicians, singers and dancers. The show’s enduring popularity has been proven time and again through highly rated re-runs and specials on PBS since 1987 and 11 years of live performances at The Welk Resort Theatre in Branson.

    The Welk Resort and Theatre are located 3 miles south of Highway 76 on State Highway 165. The destination resort complex opened in 1994 and includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door Restaurant & Lounge, miniature golf course, swimming pool, game room and other amenities. The 2,245-seat theatre near Table Rock Lake was home to the Lawrence Welk Show from 1994 through 2004. A new alliance announced in October 2003 united the Welk Resort Group and SullivanShows in a venture designed to bring an array of new shows to Branson. Welk-Sullivan Productions has operated, managed and marketed the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson since January 1, 2004.

  • Branson board postpones action on business district skateboard ordinance

    Is a skateboard a bicycle? The answer to that question, as well as some other apparent points of confusion on the ordinance, caused the city of Branson’s board of aldermen to postpone action on an ordinance designed to keep people from riding skates, skateboards, scooters or any type of non motorized vehicle on, or in, certain areas owned or controlled by the city of Branson within the downtown business district.

    The staff report on the proposed ordinance was presented by the city of Branson’s Chief of Police, Caroll W. McCullough. The report said that the proposed ordinance changes would prohibit anyone from riding any skates, skateboards or scooters in certain areas located in the downtown business area or on property owned or controlled by the City of Branson and recommended that the board approve the proposed changes.

    Chief McCullough pointed out that the ordinance was being submitted in response to some problems that had arisen recently in the downtown business district. He cited, as just one instance, a situation this past weekend where skateboarders had to be asked to leave the new downtown convention center garage.

    During public comment on the proposed changes, long time Branson resident and bicycle rider, Bob Glen, voiced his concerns that the proposed changes would impact adversely on the areas he normally rode his bicycle. Chief McCullough pointed out that the ordinance wasn’t intended to add any additional regulations to those riding bicycles and that the riding of bicycles on any sidewalk within a business district has been prohibited for years.

    A large colored projected image of the area, as well as the clear concise maps attached to the proposed change, unlike some of the earlier maps, very clearly showed that the area covered by the ordinance just covered the downtown business district and did not cover either Branson Landing or the city camp ground. In spite of that fact, there was a considerable discussion about bicycles in Branson Landing until the city of Branson’s Planning Director, Don Stephens, stepped up to the podium and, using a pointer, pointed out that the area covered by proposed changes did not cover either Branson Landing or the city camp ground.

    The proposed ordinance states that it only applies to structures “located on property owned or controlled by the City of Branson.” Branson Landing, including the town square and board walk, is leased, under a long term lease, and is for all practical purposes private property not under the control of the city of Branson.

    Chief McCullough emphasized that the primary purpose of the proposed changes was to regulate skateboards not bicycles. Some of the board members thought that some of the verbiage, such as using the definition of “any one, two three or four wheeled device powered by the user” to define the term “skateboard” was confusing. The board voted 6 to 0 to have further research done on the issue and postponed taking any action on the ordinance until its Sep. 24 meeting.

  • Branson Landing flood plan map revisions not a life safety issue

    A request submitted to the Taney County Commission indicates that portions of some Branson Landing buildings are located within the current 100 year flood plain. At the Aug. 27 meeting of the Taney County Commission Eddie Coxie, Assistant Administrator, Taney County Planning and Zoning, presented a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, by HCW Development Company, LLC, HCW, for a revision of, 100 year flood plain map for area encompassing the Branson Landing project. Taney County’s review of the request is part of the normal processing of such requests.

    The request, called a Letter of Map Revision, LOMR, was based on information complied by the engineering firm of Olsson Associates and contained a letter of support from the city of Branson and a letter of no objection from the city of Hollister as attachments. In an interview after the presentation, Coxie said, “This is a pretty common situation.” He went on to point out that the process could result in more definite elevations for the reference points used by FEMA to determine the 100 year flood plain.

    According to the letter of support for the LOMR issued by the city of Branson on July 25, and signed by it’s attorney, Paul D. Link, if the LOMR is granted, the net effect will be that some of the buildings at the Branson Landing “will be removed from the floodplain but several others will not be.” The letter goes no to point out that the lower portion of the buildings remaining in the flood plain, such as parking garages, loading docks, and storage areas, “will require additional dry or wet flood proofing documentation in order to bring them into compliance with the City’s floodplain ordinances.”

    Planning Director for the city of Branson, Don Stephens, said that each of the buildings covered by the LOMR is currently being used and occupied under the terms of Temporary Certificates of Occupancy, TCO. Each TCO contains a list of specific issues that must be resolved before a permanent Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. Stephens said, “None of the issues addressed in the Temporary Certificates of Occupancy are life safety issues.”

    The Temporary Certificates of Occupancy were issued pursuant to a “White Box Construction & Completion Agreement” between the city of Branson and HCW Development, LLC. They were issued for a year and will begin to expire at various times beginning in the October November time frame. Stephens said that permanent Certificates of Occupancy will only be issued when the issues listed on the Temporary Certificates of Occupancy have been satisfied.

    Rick Huffman, President and CEO of HCW said, “As soon a FEMA reviews the application [LOMR] they will report back what items need to be flood proofed as well as the new flood plain map revisions.”

  • If Branson’s blighted land is worth $100,000 per acre why isn’t a skateboard a bicycle?

    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” or to say that the city of Branson owns the name “Branson” is it any surprise that a “bicycle” could meet the legal definition of a “skateboard?” Or is it that a skateboard could meet the definition of a bicycle?

    To help in the analysis of those two weighty questions, let’s start off with a simple two choice multiple choice question, “A two wheeled device powered by the user is “a. Skateboard” or “b. Bicycle?” Actually, thanks, at least in part, to the same legal leadership that led the city into the Branson “name gate” fiasco, both would be correct under proposed changes to an ordinance that were presented to the Branson Board of Aldermen at their Aug. 27 meeting.

    In the Aug. 26 edition of this paper the Ole Seagull reported, “The board will also consider an ordinance prohibiting the riding of any non-motorized skate, skateboard or scooter, or any type of non-motorized vehicle, including bicycles, upon any parking lot, sidewalk, pedestrian ramp, public parking garage facility, retaining wall, stairway, step, stonework, or similar structure, located on property owned or controlled by the City of Branson…” On Aug. 30, the city of Branson’s Public Information Director, Jerry Adams, called the Ole Seagull to let him know that the proposed ordinance didn’t pertain to bicycles, that the article was in error, and that a citizen had attended the meeting because of that error.

    Didn’t the board itself actually approve a motion, by a 6 to 0 vote, to postpone taking any action on the proposed ordinance until its Sep. 24 meeting? Didn’t that motion say that the action was being taken so that city attorney Paul Link, “Has an opportunity to further look into this and see what a non motorized vehicle is, if that is a bicycle and to come back to us with some definition of terminology in Section F and to make some further recommendations to us.”

    Doesn’t subsection G of the proposed change, say “The term Skate, Skateboard or Scooter shall be defined as any one, two three or four wheeled device powered by the user?” Is a bicycle not a two wheeled device powered by the user?

    “Oh come on Seagull, use a little common sense?” When it comes to the legalistic, the time to use common sense is before a law is passed because after it’s passed it will mean what the judges, lawyers, and those with the controlling power, money, and vested interests say it means. Common sense would tell most people that a piece of vacant land valued at $100,000 plus per acre isn’t blighted but the law says it is. Common sense would tell most people that a skateboard and a bicycle are not the same thing but that’s not the way the proposed change was written.

    How much easier it would have been if the person having the legal responsibility for writing the proposed change had simply added the words “except for bicycles after the word “user” in the proposed subsection G, kept subsection F simple by omitting the words “any type of non-motorized vehicle,” and put all the regulations pertaining to bicycles in one appropriately titled subsection and all those pertaining to the operation of skates, skateboards and scooters in another.

    Just today, for the second day in a row, the Ole Seagull noticed an adult riding their bicycle down the side walk on Commercial Street. When he stopped the person and asked them if they knew it was against the law to do so they said they did not. Wouldn’t it be a better use of Adam’s time to write a press release telling citizens that it is a violation of the law to ride a bicycle on a public sidewalk in a business district?