Seagull Musings for February 29, 2004
The February 22 edition of this paper, in an article entitled, “Judge rules candidate be placed back on ballot,” reported that Jim Thomas, “A candidate for Branson City Ward 1 Alderman, who was nixed from the official ballot, has been put back on by order of Judge William R. Haas Friday after a hearing in the Taney County Courthouse.” According to the article Haas ordered “that Mr. Thomas be placed on the ballot for the April 6 election,” because he found that the state statutes relating to residency were “ambiguous,” have been for over 30 years, and needed “to be corrected.”
An editorial column appearing in the February 23 edition of the Springfield News Leader, entitled, “Decision points to flaw in election law — and serves democracy,” editorialized on that decision. It said “Branson’s attorney said he’ll appeal the judge’s decision” but, in their view, “Going to the legislature sounds like the better option.”
An Ole Seagull would ask “Why? Isn’t going to the legislature a little premature at this point?” If the appellate courts decide in the City’s favor it would make the matter moot and if they decide against the city it provides the justification and rationale for going to the legislature.Either way it would appear that an appeal is the more prudent and logical initial approach.
The column also said, “Besides, something is gained by having Thomas on the ballot. He has been among the most vocal opponents of Branson’s lakefront development. With him in the race, the election becomes a true referendum on the council’s decisions. If he wins, the aldermen will know they don’t have the full confidence of citizens. If he loses, his criticisms lose any punch. Either way, democracy is served.”
That logic seems incredulous.Can anyone explain how an aldermanic race, in just one of Branson’s three wards, Ward 1, could possibly indicate anything other than the opinions of the voters in that Ward? How does this escalate into “a true referendum on the council’s decisions” or let the aldermen “know they don’t have the full confidence of citizens?”
In an Ole Seagulls opinion, a vote for one Ward 1 candidate over another will have as much effect on Branson Landing and the Convention Center becoming a reality as it will on the City of Branson issuing a resolution opposing the expansion of the serving of alcohol, the “chamber” getting the city’s marketing funds, or changing the city’s position on casino gambling in Rockaway Beach. Does anyone believe it’s going to reduce the time the Branson Board of Aldermen need to debate and pontificate on a simple cartoon to less than 30 minutes? Manifestations to the contrary, it is but the election of one candidate over another who will cast only one out of the six votes that the Board of Aldermen cast. No more and no less.
Using the same logic as used in the column, the Ole Seagull would suggest that a “true referendum on the council’s decisions” has already been held. It was the April 2003 Mayoral election. In that election, didn’t Mayor Lou Schaffer beat all opponents in a “city wide” election, encompassing the votes of all the voters in Branson who voted, not just those in one ward? Weren’t Branson Landing and the Convention Center big issues in that election?
Even more telling however is the fact that, even with three new aldermen elected in 2003, with very few exceptions, the Branson Board of Aldermen have shown virtual unanimity in their Branson Landing related votes over the last year.Yet, with three seats up for grabs in the April 2004 election, the only contested race is in Ward 1 where Thomas has entered the race.
But for the candidacy of the “resident” that, in the Ole Seagulls opinion could win the title of “Branson’s Hummingbird Resident of the Year,” it appears that the “less flitting” and perhaps more permanent residents of Branson are permitting their incumbent alderman to run without opposition.This virtually ensures them another term. Doesn’t that “speak volumes” about the attitude of the residents of Branson and their confidence in their aldermen? Is it not a perfect illustration of the old adage, “People get the kind of government they deserve?”
Agree with it or not, love it or hate it, the Ole Seagull would respond to both questions with a resounding, “Yes!”
Gary Groman is an independent columnist and the editor of the Branson Courier and may be reached by clicking here or by calling 417-339-4000.
