City of Branson Sunshine Law Violations Will Result in Temporary Halt - Will Resume reporting shortly

Due to an effort by Mayor Raeanne Presley to persistently violate open government and civil rights laws a brief break is being taken and a multitude of next steps are being considered.

It's unfortunate that some politicians show little respect for the constitution of the United States, the state of Missouri and openly violate open government laws. This is generally the result of corruption and malfeasance of the highest degree. Open government laws are the enemy of corruption, halt money laundering and force self-serving interests to decline due to accountability.

It is clear the government body of which I am reporting on has no interest in demonstrating integrity with finances, municipal activity nor willing to submit to the law which protects us from the very worst of politicos.

This is our government, not the financier of one B-Entertainment venue with tremendous disrespect for the people who fought and died for liberty.

I believe in peace and the power of the pen to overcome the most sinister and self-serving bureaucrats who believe public funds and information are their private domain.

It's my intention to work and serve you - the citizens - and protect you from the overreaching power of those who are actively working to drain the budgets, misinform the citizens and cause harm to the community for their own selfish gain. National, state and local reporters routinely call when they need information about local public bodies. It is through dedicated study, courage, love of truth and the hope that freedom's ring can be heard for another generation that I write. Call me selfish, but I love my family and want them to remain free.

I am only a scorekeeper. I do not believe in violence as a means to solve problems. I believe in the power of citizen government and maintain the right to keep ourselves free and self-governed is an imperative to liberty not to mention constitutionally protected.

To be free and self governed we need vital information.  We have a right and deserve to know what "our" government is doing. The job of journalism is to keep us free and self-governed.

In Branson, our budget is not a personal pocketbook for the Presley Theater. It is not a capitalistic venture for a handful of media business partners of the Presley theater to whore. It is not a force to prevent minorities from performing in public. It is not an entity to be used for the purpose of denying personal property rights. It belongs to all of us collectively.

Our police force is not a personal army to terrorize those at political odds with irresponsible spending or to falsely detain citizens who chose to actively engage civic issues.

This is our government. This is our budget. This is our nation, state and community.

Due to the g-rated nature of this news source I will not go into the details of what has happened at the request of our politicians. I do not wish this treatment upon my allies, competitors or any being who could be called a child of God.

I will say this, To date I have experienced extreme acts of intimidation and have seen the devastation fruits of corruption birth. My physical body is routinely violated. I am regularly detained without cause, sometimes for hours. Access to public meetings is routinely blocked and excessive fees are levied to prevent me from reporting.

I realize that I am at political odds with a government entity that has proved fiscal responsibility is of little concern. But I am an American, I am a journalist and I strive to be fair. It would be unfair to my readers to allow application of terror to prevent me from reporting truth or cause undue bias.

I thank God I live in this country where we are still protected by the constitution and citizens have peaceful means of recourse to undo the damage caused by Godless leaders.

I want to thank my readers and those who provide leads; I could not do this without you. Most importantly I want to thank those who ask me questions. I have worked vigorously for you, so that you may not have to endure terror, harm to your private businesses or family due to the fact you want basic information about the government body charged with serving you.

It is time to review my options and for the next couple of days I will be posting information about the state of journalism throughout the world. Many developments have occurred over the last few weeks. Nations who have chosen to defy the will of God, who wants us to be free, have imprisoned my brethren of the pen.

Personal experience has led me to believe that true liberty comes from within as we submit ourselves to the creator and our higher purpose.

Rouseau said, "man is born free but everywhere he is in chains". This bondage is amplified when government chooses to negate the liberty we are born with. The implications of government action are vast and span most every aspect of our lives. Generally, it's not until the personal encroachment is blatant that we realize the importance of keeping tyranny at bay. By the time most citizens recognize this reality and begin to value their freedom it is too late.

The City of Branson will have every opportunity to correct their mistakes, violations of civil rights and re-commit themselves to abide by the law. They will also have the opportunity to be arrogant, disrespect the constitution and disregard the almighty. It is not my belief that this should continue without accountability. Unfortunately, when our leaders misbehave, we all pay the price.

I ask for your prayer. Pray for me and pray for our leaders that our father-in-heaven will bestow wisdom upon them.

Sincerely,
Branson Edge Editor,
Darin Patrick Codon

City of Branson Bitchslapped by Missouri Southern District Court of Appeals

Missouri's Southern District Court of Appeals rejected an appeal filed by the City of Branson whose arrogance was returned in kind for a secondtime. Two attempts to disassemble a Taney County's jury decision regarding land on Lake Taneycomo have failed.

A large percentage of the Branson Landing was granted to Doug Coverdell by a Taney County Jury early in the year sparking multiple public displays of arrogance that has cost the taxpayers to fork an estimated cool million dollars this year in legal fees alone.

Empire District's attempt to silent title on a portion of the Branson Landing lakefront began a seven year saga  which includes a pedigree of legal consultants which reads like summation of the Southern Missouri Bar.

Negotiators for Coverdell revealed under condition of anonymity that two offers have been made to the city of Branson's board of alderman. The first was $25,000 and the second $200,000 which the board rejected failing to put the vote of the record.

The decision to litigate has cost the city a pretty penny, much larger than the original amounts Coverdell offered to avoid a long painful lawsuit - which the city and Empire District Electric have pursued despite continual failure to legally dispute Coverdell's claim to a large plot of land which includes portions of the Branson Landing.

Missouri's Southern District Court of Appeals was kind by granting an extension for the city to get their files in order. Thursday August 19, 2010 was the deadline for the city to file an appeal. Empire District filed an appeal as well with a similar reponse from the court. Empire has 10 days to get it together.

Apparently, the disrespect Branson's Mayor Raeanne Presley and Branson Board of Alderman have shown citizens and competitors in the marketplace proved contagious peeving the judicial.

Unbecoming behavior toward  appellate staff were returned in kind. The court stated "It's not the court's duty to scour the file and inform appellant of each defect" after informing the city of Branson that rules 81.2, 81.4 and 81.5 prohibit the city from failing to "omit documents that are unnecessary to the decision on appeal".

The tone of the court screams loudly at the end of the appeal where Branson's rejected file is treated much  like  Presley has treated minorities who want to perform in the city.

In rejecting the documents the court says they won't accept the file and the City of Branson can come pick it up if the want to. Otherwise the court offers to throw away the document. The city is offered a third option, they can have the document mailed to them under the condition that they provide money for postage - harsh.

At last the court is kind giving the city a brief opportunity to hand a document to the judicial worthy of a response.

Moreso it's an opportunity for Branson's City leaders to grow a heart and brain, two elements the governing body has been lacking. The failure to treat the aggrieved party with common decency and dignity has cost the city millions of dollars and could cost the city many millions more if they continue to disregard the tenants of common sense in their backroom meetings.

Branson City Government Headlines Censored From AP Wire 2010

If Branson's governmental body was required by law to act with integrity the following headlines would be on the mandatory publishing list and distributed over the AP Wire:

1. Branson Mayor and Board of Alderman's lack of common decency costs Branson residents $1.2 million in legal fees in 2010.Mayor hides dereliction of duty through Sunshine Law loopholes. 

2. Branson Mayor and Board of Alderman send fraudulent press release over wire to slander private concert promoter, alter dates and insinuate alcohol will be sold to further harm party uninterested in promoting such activity..

3. Branson Mayor massively increases municipal spending to fund her private business activities; lobbyists funded by tax payers are asked to assist by pressuring state to allow higher utility rate increase. The max increase has already been enacted.

4. Branson Mayor spends a cool million dollars on personal trips and political efforts. The expense is budgeted in lieu of granting city employees 6% pay raise.

5. Branson Mayor spends $2 million dollars on unsuccessful witch hunts arrogantly fails to apologize to private sector business and individuals falsely accused of wrong doing.

6. Branson Mayor fires all city department heads with IQ Range of 125 to 145.  All fired city employees nationally recognized for excellence in their field.

7.  Branson Mayor and Board of Alderman reject $25k Branson Landing property settlement. Harmed party granted $90 million dollars in  property by Taney County Jury.

8. Branson Mayor helps business partner bypass municipal processes designed to thwart free market economics (this headline would run every other week0.

9. Branson Mayor fires whistle blower who accuses Mayor of fraud.

10. Branson Mayor Presley Theater creates 0 dollars in new revenue -  Branson Landing generates $450,000,000 in sales during same period.

Branson Landing Grosses $100,000,000 In First Few Months of 2010 -

The Branson Landing is on par for a quarter-of-a-billion dollar year and you'd think this success story would have some traction but outside of Branson this fact isn't being published.

The importance of a 100 million dollar half-year is marked by a massive misinformation campaign propagated by City of Branson officials.

Prior to becoming mayor, Raeanne Presley was a big fan of subsidizing retail in Branson. In fact, she submitted plans to build a "Mall of America" which was rejected by city leaders. In addition, some of Presley's business partners were tipped off to Branson's plans to build a convention center.

While the convention center plans were supposed to be kept on the "down low" a group of thugs decided they were going to cash in with the inside information they gained.

The importance of keeping the project "hush" was to put on a proper poker face for the city of Springfield. Intent to break a silent agreement where Branson would stay out of the convention center business while Springfield refrained from the entertainment market was going to be disregarded either way.

After developer Rick Huffman pursuaded then Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan Bob Holden to kick in an extra $50 million on the convention center project logistics forced a major change. A tax increment finance (TIF) district required jurisdictional limitation that eventually brought the project to the lakefront connecting the Branson Convention Center and the Branson Landing. The insider trading deal went sour and a great divide ensued.

The fallout continues to this day. Presley and Branson's current Board of Alderman are more than happy to badmouth the Branson Landing. Ironically, it's their job to ensure the projects success but elements of the project which allow the city to host public gatherings have been ignored. In fact a constant stream of negative and often untruthful statements about the Branson Lakefront project continue to spew from Branson's current leadership to the press.

To date, since taking office, Presley has generated a fat $0 in revenue generating projects, over two-million in unsuccessful witch hunts and a record amount to fund "Mayor Fun Trips".

The Branson Landing and Branson Hills now account for over 20% of Branson's current cash flow and while the projects are continually badmouthed Presley has no problem spending the new windfall or revenue. Due to these developments Branson currently boasts over the last five years more annual tax income than the city has ever seen.

Record subsidies are being given to generate demand for Branson's theaters and the tax dollars seem to flow to a few businesses which include the mayor's personal business. The inorganic stimulation is required to generate traffic to entertainment venues with an aging/dying population.

Interestingly, while the current city administration complains about the cost of the revenue generating projects tax funds utilized to market theaters such as the mayor's personal business have seen an increase.

The political reason for not supporting the cities investment is simple. Branson's leaders want to raise taxes to fund their private business and as long as the press remains docile regurgitating city releases instead of analyzing facts, our tax dollars will flow from the poorest to the few corrupt officials in what amounts to the expanding subsidization of politicians private endeavors.

Branson Leaders have no Intention of Honoring Airport Contract

Branson Airport executive director Jeff Bourke should be nominated for sainthood for keeping the dialogue positive while Branson city administrators show they have no intention of honoring a 2006 agreement that enabled the region to build a first-class airport.

Presley has publicly criticized the agreement while personally capitalizing on the airport at every turn.

Regarding Branson city leader's public attempts to dishonor the agreement, Jeff Bourke told Ozark Mountain News,

"airport representatives continue to work with city officials to resolve the dispute. Bourke said the relationship with the two entities is good. We'll continue to talk with them and work through this, but at the end of the day, we have an agreement and we expect to get paid"

Branson's former mayor Lou Schaefer reforms now account for 30% of Branson's economy. Unfortunately, some of Branson's theaters haven't generated new revenue for Branson in over a decade.

Theaters, such as the Presley's, owned and managed by Branson's current mayor have received increasing subsidies over the past several years, but if new revenue is the goal, Presley Theater is a dismal failure.

In a 2007 interview Branson's new mayor criticized a pay-per-performance contract the former city leader signed to bring a new airport to the Branson area. Of course, when the airport opened, Presley took the stage and boasted what a great addition the new airport is to Branson. It was all smiles and waves as Presley was toted on a pull cart through the new property. She even took the center stage with an hour long speech during the airport's opening.

Politics aside, Presley had no intention of honoring the contract and has worked vigorously to undermine the integrity of Branson's agreement.

Under the auspices of the agreement, the city of Branson is required to pay $8.24 per passenger that cites Branson as their destination. The contract has a ceiling of $500,000 per quarter. Without the agreement, Branson's international airport would have never been built.

Since Presley took office economic development has been put on the back-burner. Higher end resorts have seen increased revenues while some of Branson's traditional theaters have seen steady natural decline. As one newspaper put it, "Branson's Country Music theaters have lost their charm."

An upper-scale audience has little interest in some of the traditional venues, good for Branson, bad for some private businesses - including the mayor's.

Luckily, due to the insight of Branson's former mayor Lou Schaefer, Branson has defied the economic downturn most cities in the United States have experienced over the past three years. Branson's last three years boast the highest sales tax revenue in the city of Branson's history. Most recently, November 2009 sales tax receipts are reporting 4.9% higher than 2008 - which was a former record.

But the new administration is in a jam. Presley's social reform programs have brought new debt to Branson. And Presley has clearly ignored 2007 recommendations that Branson put the yellow light on spending.

While the city is experiencing record revenue, Presley's spending spree has promised to drive Branson into bankruptcy.

Prior to becoming mayor, Presley had a habit of suing the city. Although Presley's attempts to pursue litigation were dismal failures, tax dollars now provide deep coffers for Presley's battle against a free market economy.To date, Presley has spent $67,000 in legal fees to fight fiscal responsibility for the City of Branson's end to the agreement.

Due to Presley's disregard for Missouri's application of the Freedom of Information Act (i.e. Missouri's Sunshine Law) some of the reports are just coming out.

Over the last three years of record sales, Presley has overspent city income by over $5,000,000 drasitcally reducing the $12,000,000 surplus at the mayor's disposal when she took office.

The overspending promises bankruptcy for Branson in three years if debt isn't restructured. Recommendations for infrastructure upgrades already exceed the City of Branson's available funds.

Shunning the agreement, 2010's budget doesn't include the expense. In an attempt to create a roadblock to payments Presley pushed a Branson Board of Alderman resolution to force an amendment to the contract before any payments are issued.

Branson's 2010 Budget (Part 1)

Record sales tax revenue for the city of Branson continues as second quarter sales taxes take a slight increase. But massive spending under the Presley administration promises additional tax increases to keep the city afloat by 2012.

The city's tourism tax had a slight decline for the first time in a decade after a massive spike in 2007. Three factors are affecting and will affect revenue the city receives.
1. HFE's theme park Celebration City closed this year
2. Timeshare and packaged tour tax reporting adjustments prescribed by the recent Supreme Court Ruling
3. Anti-growth policies of the current city administration

Branson alderman raised water and sewer rates last night which will continue over the next 5 years. Citizens refrained from comment as the Branson Board of Alderman voted to approve the increase.

When Raeanne Presley was elected Mayor 12.85 million dollars in funds sat in reserve due to conservative fiscal policies of previous administrations. Under the current plan, the reserve funds will be reduced to 4 million dollars at the end of the 2011 calendar year.

The budget Branson Alderman approved on first reading totaled $62 million.

Branson Development Disaster

Three years ago Branson elected a new mayor and an era of unprecedented corruption was born.

As money flowed to business partners and conflicting boards of which the mayor served and currently serves on; all commerce to which Raeanne Presley wasn't personally or politically in vested in came to a screeching halt.

Following a previous administrations multi-billion dollar economic engines, Presley had one project to steward. The project is an ongoing disaster and eyesore to the community which cartoonist John Logan illustrates in the cartoon above.

Branson Opens For Air Travel

Branson is ready for international flights as the epic opening of the airport south of Hollister launched this weeken despite some local politicos efforts to thwart the regional airport from opening.

One of the main opponents of the airport, Branson's current Mayor Raeanne Presley fought against the airport but took the spotlight during the opening ceremonies. Though Presley has repeatedly criticized the vision of Branson's former administrators, she was gracious in crediting former Mayor Lou Schaefer during the announcement of Air Tran as the first commercial airline to ink a deal to charter flights into Southern Missouri.

Employees of the airport applauded as the first planes landed carrying Branson Airport's investors and their families as they walked into Famous Dave's in the terminal which has a barn facade complete with a water wheel. Read More: Branson Airport Opens

(Photo by Melnov)

Branson Employee Turns Whistleblower Accuses City Administration of Fraud

From Branson Missouri

Interim Planning and Development Director Ruth Denham alleged city employees are involved in a cover-up regarding building code shortcomings on a Lake Taneycomo lakefront project.

The allegations include accusations that city employees are intentionally keeping information from FEMA that buildings at the Branson Landing meet neither Branson Municipal Code nor National Flood Insurance Program requirements.

Denahn contends that that a legitimate Certificate of Occupancy could spur an audit from FEMA which couldn't pass without city employees committing fraud. Denham went on to state in a letter verbalized to Branson Alderman last night that she along with other employees are being pressured to sign off on Certificate of Occupancy documents.

Sam Proffer, Branson's former floodplain administrator was cited by Denham as an employee who refused to sign off on CO's resulting in a "resignation under pressure".

The engineering firm Benham was said to be uncooperative after hiring an administrator to replace Proffer even after receiving $1,300,000 from the city to oversee the highly successful waterfront project.

Denham explained to the Board of Alderman that detailed information was sent to the interim city attorney, Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley and Branson City Administrator Dean Kruithof. The only response she received was from Kruihof who stated Denhan, "was very upset I put the white elephant in writing"

During the meeting, Denham stated "Those who aren't playing along with the cover up game are resigning, or being terminated, for failing to play according to the morals of their supervisors".

The city issued an immediate response promising to quickly address the issue. to selective press outlets before Denham's allegations could be published in full.

Branson Election Filings

Branson's first day of filings for April's elections produced three candidates:

Raeanne Presley filed for a re-election bid for Mayor

Bob Simmons and Sandra Williams both filed for Alderman Positions

City of Branson Revenue At All Time High

Branson's current city administration has more money to play with than ever before with income at an all time high.
The two images above depict income flowing into Branson's city budget. Again, many businesses in Branson are suffering as they are nationwide; however, Branson city leaders have more money to play with than ever before despite press releases and correspondence that speak otherwise.
2008 marks a record high in sales tax up 4.8% from Branson's record 2007 increases,. The City of Branson's Tourism tax is up3.7% above 2007 - once again an all time high.
As stated in the last three posts and for several months, Branson's deficit is due to new spending not a decline in revenue.

****
If new spending allocated to special interests translates to fiscal responsibility, then we can call this administration "very responsible". And if we can call hiding the success of the Branson Landings contribution to the Branson economy "open government" ......

Branson Tourism Up - Sliver Dollar City Down

An effective misinformation campaign can help hide cover incompetence and in the case of the current Branson administration - severe fiscal irresponsibility.

In short, Branson Revenue is at an all time high but unable to sustain new expenditures, such as Presley's multi-million dollar handout to the Taney County Health Department. Unfortunately, the new expenditures, unlike the management philosophy of the last decade lack economic stimulus components. In fact the opposite is true, the new political environment is cursed with an anti-growth agenda which has strangled the construction industry. For the first time in a decade construction projects in Branson proper have come to a screeching halt.

The revenue increase in Branson comes from the economic development activities of the past administration which brought several new projects including the Branson Landing, the Sight and Sound Theater and subsidization for a new airport.

The Landing is the goose that lays golden eggs bringing in a new demographic which the current administration promises to kill with a new era "Prohibition Act" going into effect at the beginning of the year. New legislation will create barriers and both increased licensing fees and legal responsibility on business owners that choose to serve alcohol.

Branson City Leaders Use Intimidation to Block Sunshine Requests

In the wake of death threats, the Branson Police Department's slander campaign, threatening phone calls from the Branson Police Department and politicians I made a trip to city hall.

***Note: Out of camera view there are four more police officers in the small room surrounding me.

I was horrified, having to ask myself, "Is this worth dying for?". When the Branson Police Department went to my apartment claiming "We got him", my worldly possessions were put into storage - that is - what's left. They claimed I was liable for comments made - to me mind you - on this blog. Like caller ID noting threats were coming from city hall, IP addresses suggest threats came from the Branson Police Department and a politician himself.

Two days later I left town in fear for my life before making a re-entry 40 days later.

It took a lot of courage to march into city hall and request the indicting documents, knowing terrorism was a method Branson's current city government had no problem using. But, for the first time, I wondered how far Branson's leaders would go to keep control of information they don't want released to the public.

I knew they'd threaten, but, would they actually do it? Eventually, I had to make a choice. I decided to take it head on with the protection of video cameras. I walked into city hall to make information requests, still not answered in violation of Missouri Law, But, when did violating the law ever stop this administration?

By the time I was able to retrieve the documents elections were approaching rapidly and though some of the politicians running for office were clearly without honor, I didn't want documents being posted to effect the outcome.

It's nice to step back, look at both sides and describe the different perspectives; however, in the midst of direct attacks it can become impossible.

Accessing and publishing core documents is a way to objectively portray the score card. Press releases are created to project an image - an idea - a philosophy or hype. The numbers often tell a different reality. And though I've sat through hundreds of hours of meetings at city hall, enough to have a clear picture of what is really happening, publishing core data is the best way to inform the public about what is actually happening versus an opinion about what might be happening. The Sunshine Law, if followed, is a great way to objectively share data the public has a right to access.

In the end, I regressed, it's not worth dying for.

Branson Passes Deficit Budget Despite Increase in Tax Revenue

Despite modest decreases in Branson's highly subsidized theater industry sales tax is at an all time high.

While Branson's income has increased spending is at an all time high. As a result, the city has moved from several years of savings to a serious deficit which has been reported on this website for over a year.

The facts have taken some time to come to light; however, the Branson Daily News ran the story of Branson's 12 million dollar surplus moving to a $6 million dollar deficit in one year....

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It's with no pleasure that I post this story; but, it is nice to be vindicated after having the unfortunate responsibility of reporting Branson's city administration's fiscal mismanagement and taking heavy fire for it. But, I'd rather Branson practice fiscal responsibility and the philosophy of balanced budgets spoken but not practiced.

BDN Story

Branson City Hall - Reponse to threats and "Special Procedures"

Reporting on corruption at Branson City Hall has come at a high cost; recently Branson City Manager Dean Kruithof sent correspondence dated August 25th setting "special rules" for access to City Hall. This is one of several actions Branson officials have made in an effort to intimidate "the Branson Blogger" from covering city business.

Response to Kruithof

Reality According to Darin Codon Part III

Forgive me the fool.

"The Mark of the Bird" - Detailed Analysis of Jack Purvis's Sins
by Darin Codon
The Official © Scribe of Branson
"News Approved by the Most Holy Pharisees and Saducees"


---

Convicted
Broken
Restored
Forgiven
Blessed
Filled
Worthy
Humbled
Joyful
Generous
Kind
Anointed
Healed
Realized Child of the Almighty
One who has reason to believe
Wealthy beyond imagination
Righteous Judge
Child of God
Chosen
Servant-Leader
Redeemed
Powerful
Holy
Fair
Kind

Most of all loved

by The Shepherd of the Hills

4 out of 5 Downtown Branson Merchants Don't Trust Branson Chamber of Commerce

Talk about a twist of irony.

Quite frankly I find some of the marketing activities of the Branson Chamber of Commerce and Convention Center's Bureau unbecoming of a tax payer funded entity; but , as it turns out - I'm the biggest fan in Downtown Branson (apart from those receiving cash, high paying un-elected positions for twice the regional average pay)!

Selling the integrity of the Branson Chamber of Commerce Quarterly (Scroll Down to View 70 Page )report ended up being difficult to peddle.

And though - it would appear - to a more cynical person that you'd have to donate to a political candidate to receive the multi-million dollar jackpot - perhaps only the top 6 donors; I trust the numbers.

Historic Downtown Merchants and Downtown Branson Main Street Association

The Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA) made enough headway to threaten the continuation of the Historic Downtown Branson Business Owners association (HDDBBOA)an effort supported by some of Branson's City Leaders.

Wife of Legislative Lobbyist Chip Mason, Dawn Erickson has proved to be a uniting force successfully moving downtown merchants agendas forward while keeping the purse strings within the DBMA.

The DBMA when led by Gayla Roten, focused primarily on State and Federal Grants and lobbying for Economic Development Funds. Roten has since moved to the state level after heavy criticism from Merchants operating in the Downtown Branson Area threatened the future of the DBMA.

PROBLEM: The Downtown Branson Historic District hasn't been monetarily benefiting from the Branson Landing and Convention Center admitted Branson's financial consultants in a report delivered last week to the Branson Board of Alderman.

Though Histroic Downtown Merchants have been crying foul play for three years since the Branson Landing opened; the development was supposed to increase not decrease total sales in Downtown Branson's oldest tourism district.

Branson Landing Not Economically Beneficial to Historic Downtown Branson Merchants

A complex matrix of special taxing boundaries puts the Branson Landing at an advantage; but much of the outdoor mall's success can be attributed to special events and interactive elements such as the fire and water show and paid live street musicians (much reduced this year).

Two years after the Branson Landing launched Downtown Branson's Historic District, Business owners are struggling to re-institute what was once the heart of the city.

Business owners took matters in their own hands marketing regionally without the help of the Tourism TAx District controlled by the Branson Chamber of Commerce. The merchants joined forces and purchased tens of thousands of dollars in advertising and marketing last year.

Branson Chamber of Commerce and the Press

Since Mayor Raeanne Presley and a new group of Alderman took office the Branson Chamber of Commerce and Convention Center and Visitors Bureau has become a much more closed organization evading Sunshine Law practices instituted by former Branson City Council. In fact, both districts no longer post notice at city hall when holding meetings.

Leaders meet privately, off the record weekly.

One of the primary objectives or the organization is to reduce the negative effects of bad press in a "Tourism Marketing 2.0" world. Travel journalists are often granted subsidized and/or free vacations courtesy of the Branson Chamber.

The Branson Chamber of Commerce and Convention Visitors Bureau is more than a "Business Owner's Association " they're one of the most powerful Quasi Government tax funded agencies in Southwest Missouri. In Branson, they own the Department of Revenue franchises.

The most noted effort to control media is a $400,000 Internet Campaign raising the cost of entry for journalists writing about Branson.
Due to the nature of an auction market - it could also raise the cost of entry for businesses trying to capitalize on the online tourism market.

Though such a massive campaign will help the publicly funded agency gain media power - how will it be dispersed?

*******
Though I disagree with many of the Branson Chamber of Commerce / Convention Center and Visitors Bureau spending policies and lobbying efforts - I withhold the tax district number in the Branson Chamber of Commerce report are accurate. It's just funny that I have to convince so many people - the majority of Downtown Branson Merchats

Judge James Justus - Branson Politico Awarded Best Hair Award

 

Ever since the Honorable Judge James Justus started sporting his "totally-killer" ponytail we haven't been allowed to bring a camera in the courtroom.
It took a while to capture this shot, but Justus appeared at Lincoln Days a few months ago earning top honors by the Branson Edge for "Best Hairdo Sported by Male Politician".
Justus, father of Missouri Senator Jolie Justus made an appearance at Branson City Council last week to block the creation of a proposed Planned Development (PD) named Bay Harbor proposed along the Taneycomo shoreline.

Branson Area Cops Threaten Drunk Drivers July 3-6

Branson Area Police Forces are spamming press releases hoping to curtail drunk driving over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Celebrating the nation's independence from British rule is often celebrated with explosives and booze. Unfortunately amateur pyrotechnicians and drunks make this weekend especially perilous.
Law enforcement officers will be setting road blocks throughout the tri-lakes area. Although it's never a good idea to drink and drive (idiotic), the potential for serious legal issues and severe bodily harm is especially high during this celebratory day.
Celebrate safely. For a substantial fee the "Branson Edge" is assigning designated drivers during the weekend. Prison and/or death is no way to celebrate Independence Day.

Branson Host City - Tour of Missouri 2008 -