By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
The Christmas stars that have lit up the Ozarks Mountain Christmases of the past might not be shining as brightly this Christmas, if at all. That possibility raised its head as the city of Branson’s Board of Aldermen held its bimonthly agenda work session meeting on Nov. 6. The meeting was presided over by mayor pro-tem Stan Barker and attended by aldermen Sandra Williams, Bob McDowell, Jack Purvis, and Dick Gass.
Ross Summers, the President/CEO Branson /Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB [the chamber], made a presentation asking the board to consider giving them $25,000 to assist in defraying the costs of the Branson Area Festival of Lights [BAFOL] for this year. Summers pointed out that the chamber thought they had a turnkey agreement worked out with a major Christmas lighting display firm for BAFOL this year. Under the terms of the agreement they would put up all the lights for the drive through display, the Christmas stars, and run the whole operation in exchange for the drive through admission fees.
During the last week in September, as the contract negotiations were getting down the wire, the firm backed out. Fortunately, they recommended another firm who also specialized in Christmas lighting displays, North Pole Productions from Albany, NY, who was available. They flew to Branson and, thanks to a Herculean effort on their part, volunteers, and the chamber, the Branson Area Festival of Lights opened on Nov. 1 and is running smoothly.
Summers pointed out that because everyone thought that BAFOL was going to be handled on a turnkey basis by the first firm its surprise withdrawal at the last minute wa a unanticipated financial surprise. He pointed out that in years past the city has contributed $25,000 from the Tourism Tax Contingency Fund to help fund the Christmas stars that were put on the poles up and down Highway 76 and on other key Branson roadways. He said that there would be no stars this year and requested that the $25,000 instead to help defray some of the general BAFOL expenses.
Interim city administrator Frank Schoneboom pointed out that there was a specific procedure that the board had put in place for requesting funding of this nature. While the discussion on the $25,000 request was taking place, the fact that the Christmas stars were not going to be displayed came to the forefront. The general consensus of the board members present was that the Christmas stars integrate the whole community into Ozarks Mountain Christmas and helps provide a Christmas feeling throughout the whole city.
While the discussion was going on it was also discussed that the Christmas stars on the Taneycomo Bridge have not been put up for a couple of years. There are approximately 280 Christmas stars that cost about $40,000 to put up, maintain, and take down. Alderman Purvis pointed out that most of the lights had been modified so that it was relatively easy and quick to install the stars.
As the discussion continued Summers pointed out that if the Christmas stars are going to be displayed that a decision would have to be made relatively quickly so that those needing refurbishing could get it and all the lights could be replaced. The matter of the $25,000 to help defray the costs of BAFOL and whether or not the city will get involved with helping to get the Christmas stars up for this years Ozark’s Mountain Christmas has been put on the agenda, as an item for discussion during the the boards next regular meeting which will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 13 instead of Monday, Nov. 12 because of the celebration of the Veterans Day Holiday.
Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent.
