By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
“Christmas” has always been an inherent part of Ozark Mountain Christmas now it’s official. At the Dec. 10 meeting of the city of Branson’s Board of Aldermen, presided over by Mayor Raeanne Presley, and attended by Aldermen Jack Purvis, Sandra Williams, Stan Barker, Bob McDowell, Dick Gass, and Stephen Marshall, the board approved a resolution stating, “The Board of Aldermen hereby states its support of the celebration of Ozark Mountain Christmas.”
Originally, the resolution, entitled “The Support of the Board of Aldermen of the city of Branson to the celebration of Christmas in Branson as part of Ozark Mountain Christmas” (the resolution), was scheduled to be the last item on the meeting’s agenda. It was moved to the first item of business to accommodate those coming to the meeting who might have come just to speak to the resolution. The motion to approve the resolution was introduced by Alderman Marshall. There was no city report, recommendation, or input given from city staff as part of the introduction.
During the public comment portion of the meeting every speaker but one supported the motion. Representative of the comments would be those of Bob Simmons who stated his support for the resolution and said, “It reaffirms what our position on Christmas and this season which has meant so much to us in many many ways.”
The board’s discussion of the issue started with Alderman Purvis stating his objections to the resolution as presented. He stated he didn’t believe it would do anything for us, and said that he believed, “that there are some ramifications that could be of a negative impact that could draw attention to us as the super destination Christmas.” Alderwoman Williams stated her support of the resolution and pointed out that all it did was, “suggest and encourage the businesses in the city of Branson support and promote an event that we are marketing for the visitors that are coming here and that they expect to see and experience. She went on to point out that it is not religious at all and doesn’t tell anyone who does not want to celebrate Christmas to do it.
Alderman Marshall said, “The whole intent of this resolution had nothing to do with religion, zero, zip.” He went on to point out the vast support he has received from the public in support of the resolution, explain his rationale for why he believed the resolution was necessary, acknowledged the concern that some businesses in the community had that the ACLU would some to Branson because of the resolution and pointed out that the whole situation had become something bigger than it actually was. At that point he made a motion to amend the resolution to eliminate the last two sections from the resolution.
After the amendment, the operable portion of the resolution read, “The Board of Aldermen hereby states its support of the celebration of Ozark Mountain Christmas.” The first section that was eliminated read, “In furtherance of that support, the Board hereby urges Branson businesses to try to keep the word and spirit of ‘Christmas’ in Christmas and to foster the history and heritage of the traditional American Christmas in Branson, Missouri.” The other eliminated the section read, “The Board of Aldermen also hereby encourages all businesses and residents of Branson to show their support by the displaying of Christmas decorations during Branson’s Ozark Mountain Christmas to ensure that all visitors experience the old fashion Christmas they imagined.”
During the debate on the public debate on the amended motion, local editorial cartoonist John Logan spoke passionately against the amendment. From a conflict of interest perspective this writer spoke in favor of the amendment. The amended motion was approved by the unanimous vote of the board. Prior to the vote on the amendment, Mayor Presley stated her position that in the case of a tie she would be voting for the resolution.
Related Links:
1. Board to decide how much Christmas is in Ozark Mountain Christmas.
2. Branson’s resolution is about "Christmas" not the establishment clause!
3. Will Branson celebrate Christmas or some other neutered politically correct holiday?
Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent.
