Branafia egos too big for a “Godfather” but….!

On July 18, an excellent article by Rick Alm, entitled, “Branson, Rockaway at odds on casino,” appeared on the front page of the Kansas City Star. In that article it was reported that “Gary J. Groman, a columnist for the Branson Daily Independent, recently portrayed Herschend [Peter F. Herschend] as the godfather of what he termed the ‘Branafia’ — influential local businessmen with ‘disproportionate’ influence over civic affairs.” The article went on to report, “‘I hate that,’ Herschend said of being cast as a self-serving villain in local coffee shop chatter and newspaper articles.”

In an Ole Seagull’s opinion, Herschend might very well be right about what is being said “in local coffee shop chatter and newspaper articles,” particularly as to his involvement in the Highroad, but he should get over it. He, and to a much lesser extent, in terms of influence, clout, finances, and community support, an Ole Seagull, has elected to put himself into the public arena. While in that arena, the publics perception about our actions, whether justified or not, “comes with the territory.”

In a recent column entitled, “Look, up in the sky, it’s the ‘secret handshake clique’ – no wait, it’s the ‘Branafia!'” the “Branafia” was defined as “those families, businesses, and individuals who appear to exert a disproportionate amount of influence and control over the affairs of the Branson area and the quality of life of its citizens all the while maintaining an innate ability and desire to have others pay for the benefits that the Branafia receives.” It is obvious that the term “Branafia,” as originally coined by the Ole Seagull, is much broader in scope than indicated in the Kansas City Star article.

Over the years, the Ole Seagull has differed with Herschend on very few issues, among them the High Road, the tax that some call the “Chamber Tax,” and the methodology and hypocrisy allegedly used by “our community” against Rockaway Beach’s attempt at economic development. The “Branafia” column, alluded to in the Kansas City Star article, used quotes from an article relating to Herschends involvement with the High Road, entitled “Did Ashcroft Take the Lowroad on the Highroad?” which was published in the January 15, 2001 edition of “The Nation” magazine.

With all due respect to the reporter who wrote the Kansas City Star article stating that “Gary J. Groman, a columnist for the Branson Daily Independent, recently portrayed Herschend as the godfather of what he termed the ‘Branafia…,'” there was no mention of, or inference to, any “godfather” in the column nor was any intended. Although it could have been a Freudian slip on the part of the reporter, if a reasonable person gave it any serious thought at all, who would they pick as the “godfather” of the Highroad, of the tax that some call the “Chamber Tax,” the opposition against Rockaway Beach’s attempt at economic development, or the Branafia?

To an Ole Seagull the choice in the first three would be very clear. The Branafia on the other hand, because of the size of the egos involved, is too close to call. One thing for sure though, the Highroad, and the price in lives, increased safety risks, and daily inconvenience that those traveling on Highway 65 have paid and will continue to pay, speaks volumes about the Branafia’s innate ability and desire to have others pay for the benefits that it receives.

An Ole Seagull would be remiss if he did not point out that he believes, to the very depths of his heart, that Peter F. Herschend is morally opposed to gambling and that no one will ever see casino gambling as part of Silver Dollar City, Celebration City, the Show Boat Branson Belle or any other Herschend family owned enterprise as long as Peter and the Herschends control them. Does that mean that economics do not enter into the picture and might even be a primary motivating force? Absolutely not, but, so what, doesn’t economics play an important part in a lot of decisions that families, businesses, Communities, and individuals make?

The Ole Seagull must also acknowledge the obvious, in terms of the total “good” done for our area. Peter’s total would be a “mountain” as compared to a Seagulls “mole hill.” However, as he has said before, Peter’s “personal accomplishments and community involvement are the things that legends are made of but, like Ole Seagulls, even legends aren’t right all of the time.”