What could the High Road have to do with gambling and drinking?Could it be that it was championed under the banner of “economic necessity or emergency?” That many of the benefits touted to get its approval will fail to materialize, and that its primary benefit will accrue to a “vested few,” while its “price” will be paid by the whole community?
At the outset the Ole Seagull must point out that he drinks and gambles on occasion.Too, during the campaign for the building of the High Road, in the mid 90’s, he was unalterably opposed to giving priority to the building of the “High Road,” a purely economic road, while people were bleeding and dying, on highways, like US 65, that needed safety improvements.
“Fast tracked” through as a solution for an alleged “economic emergency” in 1996, the $120 million dollar plus High Road will be opening very soon.Exactly what was the “economic emergency” that the building of the High Road was to solve?How will its opening help the majority of businesses and residents of Branson?Will one, or, possibly, a few, businesses, clearly benefit from its opening more than all others?
Won’t the whole community “pay” its price?Of course it will!Not just as taxpayers but, on a daily basis, as it sits in traffic jams at the Taneycomo Bridge and on Highway 65 south, from Branson to Highway 165 and beyond.One can only speculate as to the economic and “traveling safety” price our area has already paid, and will continue to pay, because of the priority given to the construction of “worlds longest driveway” instead of improving our areas main traffic artery to and from the south, Highway 65.
There are those who would expand drinking within our community into theatres and attractions and bring casino gambling into our community. Like the High Road before them, the justification is one of economics and allegedly meeting the needs of the new “demographics” that some tell us we need.One thing is as sure as there is a God in the heavens, as with the High Road, there is a better chance that their figures and logic will be wrong than right and, one way or the other, right or wrong, our whole community will pay the price.
Was it drinking in theatres and attractions and casino gambling that developed the crowds that drew the performers and developers that flocked to Branson in the early 90s? Will they be the salvation of Branson in its future?The answer is, “No!”
Branson, as a community, is a special place.Those of us, not having the privilege of being born and raised here chose to move here.Why?The reasons may vary but, unless the Ole Seagull misses his guess, in the majority, at least pre 1990, the reasons will center on the community, its people, spirit, natural beauty, and “uniqueness.”
It is that “uniqueness,” that makes Branson what it was and is its best hope for its future.Is it inappropriate to suggest that the linchpin of that “uniqueness,” and, possibly, Branson’s tourism success, is because God has so blessed this area?He has provided natural beauty, a people and a community that provides a welcome place for families and those who need Him to find respite, a special place set apart from others.
In his heart, an Ole Seagull finds it almost incomprehensible that individuals and families have less need today for that Branson “uniqueness” than in the past.In total, from a quality of life perspective and economically, what would do the most for our community, sharing our “uniqueness” with the world, expanding drinking into our theatres and attractions, or casino gambling?
A loving God gives us free choice but by the choices we make, the actions we either take, or do not take, so shall we reap.The High Road, and the price this community has paid and will continue to pay for it, serves as a concrete monument to that fact.
