Among the inaccuracies and half truths in the ad, a couple of things that almost everyone can relate to, illustrate just how little respect for the intelligence of the ad’s readers that those paying for the ad have. They also provide a perspective into their idea of “truth” and provide an excellent example of the fact that a conclusion is only as valid as the basis upon which it is based.
Among other things, the ad states “Our 7 million visitors arriving each year fuel our economy and none of those tourists choose to vacation in Branson because we have an outstanding school district.” The Ole Seagull doesn’t know if the number is zero or not; but, he’d be willing to bet that the number of those same seven million visitors who came to Branson, because a portion of it was located within the city limits of the City of Branson, TIF Districts, or Branson Landing, is the about the same as the number who came because of its outstanding school district.
Using the obvious truth of that sentence of the ad and the thought “we have an outstanding school district,” the ad transitions into a conclusion that is simply not true. The next sentence reads, “But we do have an outstanding school district because people choose Branson as their vacation destination.”
What a baseless, inane, and inaccurate statement. The truth as to the reason why Branson has an outstanding school district is very simple and is known by most people living within the Branson area except, evidently, those paying for the ad.
It is because the Branson School District is blessed with outstanding teachers and programs coupled with professional administrators, a board of education, and patrons dedicated to working together to provide the districts children with an outstanding educational experience. An obvious truth is that if none of the seven million visitors to Branson came because of the outstanding school district they probably didn’t come to teach, administer, or otherwise help educate the children of the district either.
Some might ask, “But don’t the tourists pay for it all?” Not hardly. In general tourists pay retail sales tax not personal property and real estate tax, the primary funding mechanism for the school district. In truth it is the businesses and patrons of the school district who pay the lion’s share of educating our children not our visitors.
The ad further states, “New residential and commercial construction outside the TIF Districts (either completed, underway, or already permitted) and directly caused by the districts will add over $6.5 million annually of new revenue to the school district.” Now there’s a conclusion but where is the basis? Could it be that a large part of that construction was directly caused by the millions of visitors who were already coming to Branson rather than TIF Districts? Indeed, how far along would the very TIF districts referred to have gotten but for those millions of visitors coming to Branson?
Now here’s an Ole Seagull truth, “The ‘Branson’ that seven million visitors came to visit in 2005 is the expectation of an enjoyable experience, not the City of Branson.” It is an expectation that has been created, met, and exceeded by Branson’s pioneers and entrepreneurs through their value systems, efforts, risk taking, personal investment, and involvement in Branson’s entertainment industry for over half a century. It is the bedrock foundation which drew the seven million visitors to “Branson” in 2005.
The basis for this “truth” is contained in the answers to three simple questions. Is Branson’s biggest attraction, Silver Dollar City, located within the City of Branson? Out of the 7 million visitors who came to Branson in 2005, how many cared whether or not the portion of Branson they wanted to experience was located within the city limits of the City of Branson, its TIF Districts, or Branson Landing? How many came simply to be entertained and experience “Branson?”
