Gambling on Mayor Popularity Poor Bet Near Branson

Disagreement with the way Mayor's in the Branson area handle business seems to be the consensus these days. Both Rockaway Beach and Kimberling City are taking action to fire the Mayor.

Branson's Mayor stood against many citizen's voiced opinions Monday in favor of building a 25 story highrise in Branson - telling the BDN the building he'd like to see a 35 story building. Kimberling City Mayor George Quest has been accused of illegally signing a building permit for Fisher Creek LLC to build a three story building (2 is the limit) and Rockaway Beach Alderman are expected to file charges shortly and claim the Mayor isn't moving quickly enough in moving forward a casino initiative.

City determines Branson Building Will be Limited to 12 Stories

Monday's city meeting was packed as the dicussion to approve Huffman's latest venture, a proposed 25 story 300 foot highrise was discussed.

13 of 14 citizens speaking to the Board of Aldermen agree - a highrise isn't good for Branson. Citizens cited the beauty of the landscape as reason to object. The Branson Daily News reported the Mayors approval of the building, "25 stories is good but I'd rather see 35".

A compromise of 12 stories was approved by city council; however, the developer expressed doubts about continuing the project under the new terms.

If Today Is your day in the belly of the Beast -

If you saw her you'd never assume the dark history, one that fails to haunt her.

She stood at the end of a peer in the City of Angels ready to end her life. The last line of the poem she wrote before deciding to end her life...

"Somewhere in the deep blue see, I'll end this life of misery"

It's probably more likely you'd see her leading a church group then the days of old where you could find her in alleys getting her fix. As a junkie she found little hope - too proud to ask her family in the midwest for help even after being reduced to homelessness.

As she prepared to jump a hand of a woman touched her left shoulder and another her right shoulder. An unknown voice spoke, "I know you're going through a hard time ....

1. God loves you
2. God has a plan for you
3. You haven't done anything that you can't be forgiven for

The woman turned around and the two strangers were gone.

If you see her, it's unlikely you'll hear this story - it's unlikely you'd assume anything except a lifelong journey of prosperity and joy.

We could just as easily assume that prosperity and joy are in your future even if today is your day to experience a dark hour ... if today just happens to be your day in the belly of the beast.

NBC Show "Who's Got Talent" Last Chance to Audition

After signing 10 pre-audition contract I decided to refrain from providing NBC from syndicating my "mad skills" across the nation. I was told that if I auditioned I wouldn't be able to write about it...tough choice. Fame and fortune was my sacrifice today. Needless to say, I stood alone.

Although Branson was the only location cited by the network, NBC's next stop will be Las Vegas then San Francisco. Considering the short lines for America's got talent at Chateau on the Lake yesterday there is a good shot you can be seen if you'd like to try out for the television show.

Those seeking fame and fortune traveled to Branson yesterday to strut there stuff. Those who auditioned described a comfortable setting where production assistants made them feel at ease.

Simon Cowell was nowhere to be seen nor Regis Philbin who will host the show. If you have a hot novelty act.....here's your chance to bust into the bigtime.....You still have time! Head up to Chateau and you may have the opportunity to meet David Hasselhoff (one of the show's judges) --- or an extra million dollars.

Branson's Presley denied reappiontment to Missouri Tourism Panel

ST. CHARLES, Mo. | More than 250 tourism professionals gathered here this week for the 38th annual Governor's Conference on Tourism - and to wonder who the new state tourism director will be.

At the three-day conference on industry issues, which wraps up today, Missouri Travel Council President Gary Figgins said industry priorities next year would include pressing state lawmakers to push back the first day of public school.

Figgins said the policy change would extend the summer travel season for families and allow teenage workers to remain on the job longer. He said a recent study found 'a $1 million-a-day economic impact on the state from lost travelers alone.'

Those attending the conference also anxiously awaited this morning's meeting of the Missouri Tourism Commission. An impasse with the governor's office has emerged over the hiring of a new director of the state's Tourism Division, which oversees an annual budget of $18 million, spent mostly on advertising Missouri's visitor attractions.

Republican Gov. Matt Blunt last week appeared to be pushing former GOP state Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer for the post after the commission had offered the $74,000-a-year job to a candidate from another state who has extensive tourism experience. That person's name has not been released.

The governor stalled the hiring process and then declined to reappoint Raeanne Presley of Branson to the 10-member panel. He replaced her with a campaign contributor. Presley opposed Luetkemeyer, a banker and insurance agent who has no tourism industry experience.

The commission could choose a compromise candidate or even put off the decision. A delay wouldn't disappoint some industry insiders.

Peter Herschend, a key owner of Herschend Family Entertainment, which operates Silver Dollar City in Branson and other attractions, said Wednesday that he had met with the governor.

'There's no need to rush to judgment,' Herschend said. 'We need to let some of the heat go out of this controversy.'

Tourism awards

Here are some of the awards announced at the conference:

St. Joseph tourism director Marci Bennett was inducted into the Missouri Tourism Hall of Fame. Bennett, also executive director of the Missouri Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, was praised for her 'commitment to the industry beyond personal gain' and for having 'a lasting impression on the economy and welfare of the state.'

Singer Sheryl Crow was recognized for tourism commercials for her hometown of Kennett, Mo., and for the state.

Joplin's tourism agency was recognized for its marketing campaign built around a groundhog named Boomer.

Dale Amick, Missouri Travel Council lobbyist; Terry Ramsey, director of the Bushwhacker Museum in Nevada, Mo.; and Gary Figgins, publisher of the quarterly Show Me Missouri travel magazine, were recognized for contributions to the industry.

Source: KC STAR

Historical Note:
The Kansas City star was originally published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints (aka the Mormons). The name of the publication was "The Morning and Evening Star".

Branson Plane Crash Photo's From Scene

This was the main "object" of interest. If you blow the picture up you can see clues to the early scene... Though i have recieved in depth details about the scene captured by the first responders the details were left out of the article I'm publishing in the paper. The detail I did publish was ...he died on contact...I think I'm the only one that captured this bit of information. It was clear - it may be a month before anyone else says it...the Springfield press etc... but this is detail is certain.



The north side of the scene..you can see the intact wing. It was hard to capture the full scene due to the angles of perspective given to the press.

Plane Crash - One Dead

Branson officials received several phone calls shortly after 9 a.m Friday Sep.22 after witnessing a plane spiraling into the Henning conservation area west of the Branson strip. The densely wooded area proved to be problematic for rescue teams who searched for nearly an hour and a half before local hospital airplanes were dispatched to identify the crash site. There was neither smoke nor fire and wreckage debris was scattered in a relatively small area. Emergency responder details of the scene suggested the pilot died on impact. The pilot has been identified as Thomas Currie.

Thomas Currie stayed overnight at Hollister’s Taney County Airport, previously known as M Graham Park Airport, in the mechanic’s hanger after experiencing propeller vibrations with his homemade aircraft. He was hesitant about flying the plane due to concerns about the connection between the propeller and crank shaft which may have cause oil leaks. It was reported that Currie held up a can of J-B Weld, joking, “I never fly without it”. Currie plane was one of over 2000 “Quickie kit planes” which are no longer in production. Known for an inexpensive price and ease of use featuring glass fibre over a foam core. The Continental 4 cylinder 85 horsepower engine reached speeds of 150 miles an hour which flight instructor Bill Lee stated, “ shows an exceptional ability in aeronautic design”. Airport personnel described Thomas Currie as both an interesting and pleasant person to be around

Currie was on his way to Kansas City where he planned to pick up a friend to take with him to an Emporia Kansas Air Show. Currie flew the plane for 7 years and 800 hours before the plane crash and was excited about going to the show which he had done annually since the plane was built. Thomas was especially excited about flying into Emporia and surprising his friends with a fresh new flying shark paint job.