By: Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
Things really heated up at the Jul. 17 work session meeting of the city of Branson’s board of aldermen as Alderman Stephen Marshall suggested that he had been given erroneous information by city attorney Paul Link and warned city administrator Terry Dody about such actions in the future. The alleged erroneous information came from comments Link made to the board, at its Jul. 9 meeting, regarding the area within Branson Landing where beer purchased at a particular kiosk could legally be consumed.
At the Jul. 9 meeting, during the public comment portion of the meeting, the issue of where beer purchased at Branson Landing could be consumed came up. Mayor Presley said that, based on public comments made at the previous meeting, she had asked city attorney Paul Link to look into the issue and asked for his comments.
Link said, “In a nutshell, as has been stated here many times in public meetings, Branson Landing is private property. The liquor license that allows that kiosk [Chicago Hotdogs] to sell beer by the fountains extends for the Branson Landing property and it’s completely legal for someone to buy a beer at that kiosk and walk on the Landing because its private property.”
While the board was discussing the issue the ten minute time limit ran out. Mayor Presley suggested that the topic would be discussed at a future work session.
The “Discussion of alcohol at the Branson Landing” was included on the agenda for the board’s Jul. 17 work session. In introducing the item, Mayor Raeanne Presley pointed out that, according to the Missouri Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Control, the particular kiosk in question, “Chicago Hotdogs,” must control the perimeter. Almost immediately, Alderman Stephen Marshall asked, “So they can’t walk all over the Landing?” Mayor Presley responded, “No, and within ten days he will be required to install a perimeter of some type around that business.”
Alderman Marshall then directed a question to Link asking, “So Paul, how do you tell us, tell me, that it’s the whole thing that was licensed?” Link responded, “That was my understanding and I think, the city’s understanding.” Marshall then asked, “Who gave you that understanding?” Link replied, “That has been my understanding since I came down here and the reason why I, honestly, didn’t call liquor control and get the exact boundaries was because it was private property.”
As the discussion between Link and Marshall continued, the city of Branson’s administrator, Terry Dody interrupted and said, “Well Stephen, the issue is that if liquor control would have granted them that large a perimeter that would have been the case and that was what HCW was working toward.”
In response, Alderman Marshall said, “My effectiveness as an alderman is dependent upon the information that Paul gives us and that you give us and if its not correct information I am not going to be effective in what I say.” Dody responded, “Everything that was said Monday night was correct” because it could have been licensed that way. Marshall responded, “But it wasn’t licensed that way Mr. Dody.” Dody then said, “And it was never said that it was.”
Marshall said, “It was, was implied that it was licensed that way Mr. Dody and I’m tired of getting that type of erroneous information.” In a very pointed and emphatic manner Marshall warned, “If you think that I am going to get ramroded like this for the next two years you are mistaken Mr. Dody.” As the discussion heated up from that point, Mayor Presley took control and the issue of the accuracy of the information provided to the board by Dody and Link was not again discussed.
Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent.