Have the Branson Board of Aldermen and the Taney County Commission invented a new game called “Seweropoly?” If so, it appears that the rules for playing the game are in dispute. In acts reminiscent of childhood, the Branson Board of Aldermen and the mayor are pointing fingers at the Taney County Commissioners, calling them names, and accusing them of not playing the game according to the rules. On the other hand, the Taney County Commissioners want to “take their toys and go home” if Branson won’t play the game according to their rules.
Unfortunately, as the aldermen and commission play Seweropoly the residents of the Bee Creek Watershed are still without an efficient central sewer system and are forced to live with the pollution and health hazards caused by leeching septic fields and overflowing septic tanks. Does it take an environmental Einstein to appreciate that overflowing septic tanks and leeching septic fields are not good for the drinking water supply and could be a major pollution source for Lake Taneycomo?
“But Seagull didn’t the state issue $16 million in bonds to the Taney County Regional Sewer Board in January to sewer the area?”
“That they did.”
“Is the County required to make payments on the bonds issued?”
“Yes, about $90,000 per month.”
“Wow that’s about $3,000 per day.”
“In Seweropoly the stakes are a lot higher than ‘passing Go and collecting $200.'”
As the Ole Seagull sat in the Branson aldermen’s meeting on Apr. 25 he was surprised, embarrassed, and shocked as they launched into an obviously scripted and orchestrated attack against both the Taney County Commission and the Taney Country Regional Sewer District. As he sat there and listened he thought to himself, “How can anyone involved with this presentation, being given in this manner, be hypocritical enough to talk about how low someone else has allegedly stooped?”
Interestingly enough, in an Ole Seagulls opinion the Branson Board of Aldermen had the “high ground” for about the first four pages of the statement. Even their “appeal” to the Taney County Regional Sewer District asking them “to focus on what you have been charged to do, and have the authority to do, rather than allowing yourselves to be intimidated and caught up in agendas that have nothing to [do with] your responsibilities” seemed appropriate.
“Then what’s your problem Seagull?”
“All the personal issues discussed after that portion of the statement saying, ‘We had originally intended to end our statement at this point’ and the manner in which the presentation was orchestrated and executed.”
“What personal issues?”
“Personal issues peripheral to the central issue?”
“What is the central issue?”
“That the County Commission, through its actions, is delaying the Bee Creek Sewer Project at a cost of about $90,000 per month or $3,000 per day for each day of such delay.”
It’s ludicrous. Virtually every one acknowledges the critical need for the sewering of the Bee Creek Watershed. The resources to do it are in place and the independent Taney County Regional Sewer District has “approved an RFP for the selection of construction management on the project” that will move the project on to the next step. Yet the project has virtually stopped and is being delayed because of inaction by the Taney County Commissioners.
“Why won’t the Commissioners take the necessary action to move the project forward as quickly as possible?
“Because they want a Feb. 28, 2000, Sewer Services and Exclusive Territorial Agreement signed by the Taney County Commission, Taney County Regional Sewer District and the City of Branson five years ago to be changed.”
“Why can’t they continue with the sewering of the Bee Creek watershed while their concerns about a five year old agreement are worked out?”
When asked that same question, Presiding Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel said, “Because it [the agreement] is the only tool and leverage that the County has to strong arm the city council into amending the agreement and to protect the citizens of Taney County from what I believe is the unfair tactics of the city.”
“They signed the agreement. In view of their actions, how can anyone citizen, business, developer, state agency etc. rely on their word?”
“Time will tell.”
It’s too bad that the Branson Board of Aldermen didn’t end their statement where they had originally intended to end it. It’s not what they did but how they did it that stinks but then, in the game of Seweropoly, there is plenty of stink to go around.
