The hundred year old Branson Daily News shut down the only existing daily newspaper leaving the Springfield News-Leader the only regional daily paper in the area.
The Branson Independent is currently printing three weekly editions and a new publication named the Tri-Lakes Tribune is also publishing three days a week providing coverage of both Stone and Taney Counties.
Currently, the Independent is delivering the current Branson administration actively delivering a party line (not exactly journalism - but rather political propaganda). The Tri-Lakes tribune is soft on politics focusing on human interest stories.
The Branson Daily News promises to continue coverage of Branson City Council and promises more depth in online coverage.
Missouri Senator Kit Bond To Retire
Politco published a report and transcript of Missouri Senator Kit Bond's retirement announcement this morning..
Branson Tourism Tax Reaches Record High in Fiscal 08
The City of Branson's Tourism Tax peaked to new heights in fiscal 2008. The chart above depicts the history of the tourism tax, not to be confused with the regional tourism tax that extends to Silver Dollar City.
The Branson Tourism Tax reflects revenue derived by the city of Branson proper as opposed to the TCED tax entity voters approved of over two years ago.
The Branson Tourism Tax is controlled by the City of Branson Alderman and trickled in nearly $800,000 more than projected by government officials at at the beginning of fiscal 2008. Analyst forecasted $11,422,027 in Tourism Tax Income to the city of Branson while actual income from the tourism tax totaled $12,620,239. Branson's fiscal 2008 Tourism Tax Totals reflect record city income from the tax from Branson hotels, restaurants and attractions and a 5.8% increase over last year.
(by Darin Codon)
***Edit: 8 not 10 year history
Favorite Interviews - People I met in 2008
Mike Huckabee - Truly likeable guy. Discussions about theology were some of the interesting experiences with politicos during the year. The discussion - respect for athiesm and free-thought under Christian Leadership.
Tim Russert - One of the most amazing journalists of all time, prior to meeting Russert, transcripts from meet the press were being archived on the Presidential Politics Blog Russert refused to predict who would be the next president of the United States.
Ron Paul - What was interesting about my time with Ron Paul had nothing to do with face time but rather an overwhelmingly large group of missionaries who were supportive of Ron Paul for his philanthropy work with Christian organizations in South America where he volunteered as a doctor and delivered hundreds of children.
(Updating with Photos and videos)
Tim Russert - One of the most amazing journalists of all time, prior to meeting Russert, transcripts from meet the press were being archived on the Presidential Politics Blog Russert refused to predict who would be the next president of the United States.
Ron Paul - What was interesting about my time with Ron Paul had nothing to do with face time but rather an overwhelmingly large group of missionaries who were supportive of Ron Paul for his philanthropy work with Christian organizations in South America where he volunteered as a doctor and delivered hundreds of children.
(Updating with Photos and videos)
Branson City Government in 2008
A foot of the brakes of Branson's economy and the other on the pedal for political traditionalists marked 2008 for Branson's city government.
Contrary to regurgitated press releases by a mostly non-present (never stopped them from publishing stories) regional press, Branson's new alcohol ordinance that moved forward had nothing to do with derailing teenage drinking, but rather a push to thwart a burgeoning nightlife industry that embraced new markets malaligned with Branson's center strip entertainment venues.
Legal consultants and Branson Alderman focused on increasing liability on business owners for misconduct related to abuse of alcohol distribution practices by employees. In addition, the ordinance allows broad oversight and intrusion to private property in order to enforce the new initiatives.
The ordinance also halts potential growth of a bar district, which could stimulate growth in the Branson Landing's adjoining old town district. Social conservatives find the ordinance a victory as Branson's expansion of tourism into new demographics presented a challenge to the Christian Brand.
The very form of government would also change moving from a body of debate to one of strong central leadership and slashing positions - terminating employees willing to debate the new monolithic structure. The Mayor - City Manager form of government would disapate and a successful power grab by Branson's new leader would assume total control of the city.
The true state of Branson's economy would be buried as it would challenge the premise that launched a new government into power in the first place. Branson Landing, a TIF funded district on the lake would deliver on its promise to stimulate Branson's economy and for 22 months Branson would experience the highest revenue in the city's history - ignoring the national economic downturn.
Branson's new government would continue inquiries into past finances , ironically at an expense of 1 million dollars.
New expenditures promise to appear in 2008 as the transition of power would find millions and promise to damper the effect of 10 years of solid economic growth.
Citizen participation would increase and new groups would form to beautify the city and collaborate with state agencies to provide a better anesthetic. The Downtown Business Owners would continue to organize and collaboration with the Branson Chamber would begin.
The Branson Chamber would move more funding into Internet Development and double the size of web traffic.
Conflicts of Interest would be ignored as well as an ethics proposal which proved too hard and demanding of more integrity than Branson City Leaders would allow.
Political Bribery would ensue and Branson Alderman would throw state law to the side to push an agenda rejected by Branson citizens many years coming.
Branson would announce daily flights and the majority of construction of a new airport would ensue.
The one major development within Branson City limits would remain an eyesore on the strip and a new slate would push for more development on the dying strip.
The full impact of Branson's loose spending practices, attempts to stop the growth of new industry and movement back to the "good ole days" of the 1950's will rear it's head in 2009 as more details, successes and dismal failures elope into the pages of the Branson Missouri Blog.
Contrary to regurgitated press releases by a mostly non-present (never stopped them from publishing stories) regional press, Branson's new alcohol ordinance that moved forward had nothing to do with derailing teenage drinking, but rather a push to thwart a burgeoning nightlife industry that embraced new markets malaligned with Branson's center strip entertainment venues.
Legal consultants and Branson Alderman focused on increasing liability on business owners for misconduct related to abuse of alcohol distribution practices by employees. In addition, the ordinance allows broad oversight and intrusion to private property in order to enforce the new initiatives.
The ordinance also halts potential growth of a bar district, which could stimulate growth in the Branson Landing's adjoining old town district. Social conservatives find the ordinance a victory as Branson's expansion of tourism into new demographics presented a challenge to the Christian Brand.
The very form of government would also change moving from a body of debate to one of strong central leadership and slashing positions - terminating employees willing to debate the new monolithic structure. The Mayor - City Manager form of government would disapate and a successful power grab by Branson's new leader would assume total control of the city.
The true state of Branson's economy would be buried as it would challenge the premise that launched a new government into power in the first place. Branson Landing, a TIF funded district on the lake would deliver on its promise to stimulate Branson's economy and for 22 months Branson would experience the highest revenue in the city's history - ignoring the national economic downturn.
Branson's new government would continue inquiries into past finances , ironically at an expense of 1 million dollars.
New expenditures promise to appear in 2008 as the transition of power would find millions and promise to damper the effect of 10 years of solid economic growth.
Citizen participation would increase and new groups would form to beautify the city and collaborate with state agencies to provide a better anesthetic. The Downtown Business Owners would continue to organize and collaboration with the Branson Chamber would begin.
The Branson Chamber would move more funding into Internet Development and double the size of web traffic.
Conflicts of Interest would be ignored as well as an ethics proposal which proved too hard and demanding of more integrity than Branson City Leaders would allow.
Political Bribery would ensue and Branson Alderman would throw state law to the side to push an agenda rejected by Branson citizens many years coming.
Branson would announce daily flights and the majority of construction of a new airport would ensue.
The one major development within Branson City limits would remain an eyesore on the strip and a new slate would push for more development on the dying strip.
The full impact of Branson's loose spending practices, attempts to stop the growth of new industry and movement back to the "good ole days" of the 1950's will rear it's head in 2009 as more details, successes and dismal failures elope into the pages of the Branson Missouri Blog.
Morning Political Dispatch
(Video by Darin Codon)Last year, this week I attended a speech with President Elect Barack Obama. He spoke to a room of 125 people at a Jr. High School in Des Moines Iowa.
The last speech I witnessed first-hand was in Kansas City Missouri with an estimated 30,000 people.
In 10 days, he'll be the leader of the free-world with the Palestinian/Israeli conflict front and center: Articles on Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
"Hamas used Gaza to launch terrorist attacks on Isreal" - the official word delivered from the President live right now and "Israel has a right to defend itself". These words are being delivered live right now by our current president George Bush.
Meanwhile, news wires are flowing digital video filmed ten minutes ago in Washington D.C., the man who drew a crowd of 125 is live with (D-California, Speaker of the House 8th District Nancy Pelosi in preparation for tomorrows swearing in of a new congress. On the Palestinian issue Obama has spoken in favor of Israel's right to respond to rocket attacks qualified with the statement, "We need to change our policy in the Middle East." Obama will likely respond with a statement in a press conference scheduled this afternoon.
Missouri will begin a session this week with a majority of the state legislator maintained in Republican hands. Governor Elect, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon promises bi-partisan ship - if nothing else out of necessity. Political coverage of the Missouri Legislature will be posted on Missouri Netizen with commentary on the Branson Missouri Blog as issues relate to local political issues.
Chuck Norris and Darin Codon on New Year's Day (Photo)
A late night of partying with Chuck Norris led to an early morning semi-hungover photo. Perhaps you feel as bad as I look in this photo. In case of self-doubt ask yourself, "What would Chuck Norris Do?"
WWCND
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