On Aug. 29, 2004, in broad daylight, a person or persons unknown cut down a Bradford Pear tree located in front of Jimmy Jets Grill in historic downtown Branson. At the time no one, including, evidently, the police officer who drove by as the tree was being cut down, was aware that a crime was being committed. What small business trying to operate and survive in Branson would dare to intentionally violate an edict of Branson city government? Can anyone, even the police officer who drove by the scene of the alleged crime as it was happening, honestly testify that the chain saw wielding fiend that cut the tree down was the Ole Seagull1?
Come to think of it, there’s probably more evidence as to who it was that cut down dozens of beautiful Oak and other trees on the Taneycomo Lake front because they stood in the way of what the city wanted to do. Even the beloved “Liberty Tree” was not immune to either the price of progress or the lack of respect that the city showed those citizens and businesses that were concerned about preserving the tree. In spite of intense public interest in the tree, or perhaps because of the intense public interest in the tree, it was taken down without any public warning or discussion by the city.
It was that same lack of concern, and compassion on the part of the city that lead up to the demise of the tree in front of Jimmy Jets on Aug. 29, 2004 and the subsequent charging of the now infamous “Olson Sisters Chainsaw Gang,” with the heinous crime of causing its demise. Three columns by the Ole Seagull chronicle the efforts of the Olson sisters to get advice and counsel from the city, the runaround given to them by the city, and the pathetic attempt by the city to cover up its ineptitude and lack of concern regarding the situation after the demise of the tree and the filing of charges against the sisters by the city.
Those columns, in order of suggested reading, are entitled, “Score: Birds and Trees, 10 – City of Branson, DBMA, and Downtown Restaurants, 0,” “In Cold Sap – a story of better actions government through communications,” and “Nixon had Watergate – is this Branson’s Treegate.” They are available on line at www.bransoncourier.com. Just enter the word “Sap”, with an upper case “S”, in the “Search Articles” box at the top of the page and press the “Search” button.
After the charges were filed in the Branson Municipal Court, the sisters requested, for obvious reasons, a change of venue into the Taney County Court system. The request was granted and the city took no further action to pursue the case until the sisters recently filed a motion to have the case dismissed.What an excellent opportunity for the city of Branson to demonstrate compassion and concern along with treating those they serve the way they would like to be treated.
How did the city respond after a year of inactivity on the case? Is it possible that the city attorney suggested to the sisters that each of the three sisters pay a fine “so that we can replant the trees?” Surely not in light of the fact that it has been over a year since the demise of the tree and everyone knows that the Bradford Pear Trees downtown are coming down as part of the down town’s “Cityscape Project.”
Does the city of Branson really want to pass up this opportunity to treat others as it would like to be treated? Is this not perhaps an appropriate time to remember the admonition, “Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Why not take this opportunity to right a wrong rather than step on the tail of a sleeping tiger?
