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| Branson Landing Flood 2011 Photo by Darin Codon. Click photo to enlarge image to full screen. The photo was shot from Mt. Branson on the east side of Lake Taneycomo (Table Rock Lake Tailwater |
Showing posts with label Branson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Branson. Show all posts
Branson Flood 2011 Photojournal
Showboat Branson Belle Passengers Saved after Being Stranded Overnight (Video From Branson Belle)
Jennifer Moore Report: KSMU
A rescue is underway of over 600 passengers who were stranded Saturday night and into Sunday on a showboat that ran aground on Table Rock Lake due to high winds. Passengers, including children and the elderly, are disembarking a few at a time onto All-Terrain Vehicles across a man-made berm built in the middle of the night to reach the ship. KSMU's Jennifer Moore has this report.
As the winter winds raged Saturday night, nine passengers who had pre-existing conditions were slowly and carefully loaded onto a small, US Coast Guard boat. The other passengers tried to get as comfortable as possible for what was going to be a long night.
The Branson Belle cruise ship took off at 4 p.m. Saturday on Table Rock Lake and was supposed to be just over a two-hour trip.
Sergeant Dan Bracker with the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the boat had a problem with its propeller. After the propeller began working again, excessive winds caused the ship to drift, and the hull hit the ground about 50 yards from shore. A tugboat was unable to do much good.
“They’ve knocked down trees with a bulldozer, built a path from a piece of private property here on the Corps property to the shoreline," Bracker said.
Rescuers battled high winds, gusts of snow, and sub-freezing temperatures to reach the passengers.
The Branson Belle is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment Coporation, and it operates under the arm of Silver Dollar City Attractions.
Branson Tea Party Coverage by Springfield News-Leader's Roseann Moring
he main organizer of this weekend's tea party rally in Branson said the event is a chance to bring like-minded people together.
The group is centered around the principles of fiscal responsibility, limited government and free-market policies, he said. The Branson Tea Party website says the rally also aims to generate excitement for the Nov. 2 election.
Milton Wolf, President Barack Obama's second cousin, and country singer Ray Stevens are the main attractions. Also speaking are Eddy Justice, a tea party organizer from Poplar Bluff and Gina Loudon, who hosts a St. Louis radio show.
Faris said the event, like the coalition members, is nonpartisan. He said no elected official or even local candidate has spoken at a coalition rally.
"We don't want to be co-opted," he said. "We don't want to be cheaply imitated."
The Branson Tea Party Coalition got its start at about the same time as many around the country, by rallying on tax day in April 2009. Since then, the movement has gained momentum, with two more rallies from the Branson coalition in November 2009 and this April.
A southwest Missouri sometime tea party organizer who plans to attend this rally, Paul Beaird, said the purpose of the tea party is to ensure that "pro-freedom" candidates win their respective primaries.
"Pro-freedom," to Beaird, means a candidate who will commit to repealing every law that expands the federal government's power that was passed in the last 120 years.
Though the rally comes days after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People released a report detailing what it says is racism on the fringe of the tea party, Beaird bristles at the suggestion that any members are racist.
"If you are a member of the human race, we are the champions of your freedom," he said.
He says he's seen no indication of racism in the almost two years the tea party has been around.
Statewide, St. Louis seems to be the area of Missouri where the tea party movement has taken the most hold, said George Connor, a professor at Missouri State University's political science department.
In many ways, the modern tea party is a mirror image of the populist movement of the late 1800s, he said.
That movement was a grass-roots operation that was to the left of the Democrats of the day, he said.
The tea party movement is primarily "to the right of the right, statistically speaking," he said. And though it has members from both major political parties, the movement has primarily had influence on the Republican Party.
He said he sees the movement having an effect on the 2012 election. But after that, he said, it's hard to guess. Historically speaking, such movements either get absorbed into a major party or dissipate.
"I'm going to wait and see," he said.
Milton Wolf, President Barack Obama's second cousin, and country singer Ray Stevens are the main attractions. Also speaking are Eddy Justice, a tea party organizer from Poplar Bluff and Gina Loudon, who hosts a St. Louis radio show.
Faris said the event, like the coalition members, is nonpartisan. He said no elected official or even local candidate has spoken at a coalition rally.
"We don't want to be co-opted," he said. "We don't want to be cheaply imitated."
The Branson Tea Party Coalition got its start at about the same time as many around the country, by rallying on tax day in April 2009. Since then, the movement has gained momentum, with two more rallies from the Branson coalition in November 2009 and this April.
A southwest Missouri sometime tea party organizer who plans to attend this rally, Paul Beaird, said the purpose of the tea party is to ensure that "pro-freedom" candidates win their respective primaries.
"Pro-freedom," to Beaird, means a candidate who will commit to repealing every law that expands the federal government's power that was passed in the last 120 years.
Though the rally comes days after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People released a report detailing what it says is racism on the fringe of the tea party, Beaird bristles at the suggestion that any members are racist.
"If you are a member of the human race, we are the champions of your freedom," he said.
He says he's seen no indication of racism in the almost two years the tea party has been around.
Statewide, St. Louis seems to be the area of Missouri where the tea party movement has taken the most hold, said George Connor, a professor at Missouri State University's political science department.
In many ways, the modern tea party is a mirror image of the populist movement of the late 1800s, he said.
That movement was a grass-roots operation that was to the left of the Democrats of the day, he said.
The tea party movement is primarily "to the right of the right, statistically speaking," he said. And though it has members from both major political parties, the movement has primarily had influence on the Republican Party.
He said he sees the movement having an effect on the 2012 election. But after that, he said, it's hard to guess. Historically speaking, such movements either get absorbed into a major party or dissipate.
"I'm going to wait and see," he said.
Nelly Tickets To Sell Out This Week
Dunn's request to hold the concert outdoors was answered in a press release and distributed to media outlets nationwide.
City of Branson's Official Denial of Outdoor Permit Illustrates Foul Play
An interesting caveat to the story is the fact Branson's Board of Alderman released their decision in a planning session rather then a regular city meeting. The majority of these are unattended by press representatives and have allowed city leaders malfeasance without consequence.
False Information Processed through City Official Releases
The dangerous trend of media outlets publishing press releases without sourcing has compounded the problem as Branson's mayor has has unfettered access to print false data at will. On Sunday the Springfield News-Leader printed a story on the front page defuncting some of the statements Raeanne Presley has been pushing to the press in regards to the Branson Landing data.
City Bypasses Legislative Processes
When it came to Nelly performing outdoors the city leaders were quick to bypass processes in a story that got national airplay. Presley, since elected to office, has used heavy handed legislative action thwarting a prospering free market economy and forcing local business entities to get mayoral permission before they access constitutionally promised rights.
Last months distributed copy at city meetings contained more legislation than President Obama's health-care package.
Dunn was diplomatic in a report issued by KSPR earlier today noting city leaders have been working "behind the scenes" to ensure the concert could be held indoors. Still, Dunn expressed his desire to move the concert outside as intended.
The city's official excuse was that Dunn didn't complete his application for an exercise of "free speech" outdoors. While the city offered to bend the rules regarding indoor permitting no such offer was made to help Dunn hold the concert outside.
While the tax payer subsidized Presley theater (millions in marketing dollars) hasn't been successful in bringing new people to Branson, Nelly seems to have no problem. In fact, the demand for A entertainment in Branson is so large that it would take an outdoor venue to meet the rising demand.
Branson Missouri Editor's Notes - Taney County Debates, Branson City Hall and Foreign Labor
Moving backwards...
A website I had the privilege of working on several years ago is now fixed. Hundreds of people and multiple data sets give those searching for real estate in the Branson market access to integrated maps of 561 real estate agent listings, nearly 6,000 properties and the ability to cross-check data against the county sexual offender database. It's still cutting edge after 4 years (which is light years in Internet time). Though I was able to find funding for the project though a local entrepreneur; I am painfully aware that the project is the culmination of hundreds of people. Even today, every agent in the market will upload data for programs to process at midnight. A kink in the wheel could stop a massive engine from turning calling me in for repair duties.
Prior to tackling data I'm working with a partner on a survey of foreign laborers imported to Branson from overseas. Through the course of the evening I meet eight groups of foreign workers. Each group is segmented by nationality. Twelve Russians, eight Macedonians, three Turks and seven Kazantzakis pay between 2,500 and 5,000 to work in glorious Branson. The fact is a bit irritating since the welfare dole overwhelms our Christian County neighbors.
A legislative meeting at Branson City Hall conflicted with a debate at the Keeter center.
While the majority of my career has focused on technical know-how, trends force me to adjust my strategy and collaborate in new ways.
Back to the Keeter Center. Three major players lack of attendance weakened the civic value of the debates. For Missouri's District 7 Congressional seat both state senator Jack Goodman and Gary Nodler are absent. For Missouri's open Senate seat Congressman Roy Blunt isn't present. Though more are missing the three politicians mentioned above have a high likelihood of victory.
Hollister's favorite political irritant Ricky Renfro promises the video of the event so I took advantage of my time at the debates to work the halls and gather political intel. Like the cron job on the real estate site Renfro delivers by morning. We struck a deal. If he liberates the data I'll run a post for his favorite candidate.
At Branson City Hall, former Nixa Alderman Micheal Durbin's on the case. As a conservative at a Branson Alderman meeting he's alone amongst a herd of liberal sheep; but he's a fighter, understands municipal law and procedures and I believe he'll serve Branson as a good watchdog for the public. I'm excited to see his work.
Prior to arriving in Branson I worked as a strategist for a silicon valley tech firm. Corporate intelligence is far more complex than politics. While sharing information in business can get you in legal trouble, withholding information in politics is illegal.
When the night was still young I gathered war stories. Competing politicians eye me as I speak with their competitors (I talk to all of them) and I gather the tales of battles fought. It's a necessary procedure to raise personal empathy. The death of 648 journalists is a double edged sword, it means few will pity my experiences being unlawfully detained
Southwest Missouri Politicians have to develop a strong ground game to win elections and one politico recounts having phlem hawked into his face after telling the citizen what party he belonged to (she didn't like Republicans). I bet he wished he didn't knock on that door.
A congressional candidate shares his non-stop schedule and frustration with constantly answering false accusations. A local politician recants a threat issued by a local reporter (he/she has a foot high stack of papers detailing what a horrible guy he is).
During election season every politician is nice to reporters. After the elections....
Twice I have to issue the riot act but it's enough pressure to learn about the character of the candidates.
As the sun rises it's time to sort through the data.It's time to re-group and test new processes intended to expand the marketplace of ideas and allow for greater community collaboration.,
(Funnies courtesy of Da' Gaurdian)
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" ......
White River Valley Historical Society to purchase 100 Acre Compound
Shenanigans. We're sending in the women to do the job 10 men running the presses at two Branson Newspapers can't seem to do.
Keep the White River Valley Historical Society in-line.
Watch the Women's Republicans take on Presiding Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel Thursday night. Paid "unregistered lobbyists" for the White River Valley Historical Society were rejected - the group wants to ask real questions and get real answers. The group wants to ask an official representative - with particular interest in the 100 Acre complex. Tax proponents - Branson Daily News correspondent Donna Clevenger and Ozark Mountain Newspaper correspondent Vonda Sheets are lobbying to funnel millions of dollars to the group they serve as board members on - the White River Valley Historical Society.
Currently, the 90 million dollar tax being proposed hasn't been "specifically earmarked."
Keep the White River Valley Historical Society in-line.
Watch the Women's Republicans take on Presiding Taney County Commissioner Chuck Pennel Thursday night. Paid "unregistered lobbyists" for the White River Valley Historical Society were rejected - the group wants to ask real questions and get real answers. The group wants to ask an official representative - with particular interest in the 100 Acre complex. Tax proponents - Branson Daily News correspondent Donna Clevenger and Ozark Mountain Newspaper correspondent Vonda Sheets are lobbying to funnel millions of dollars to the group they serve as board members on - the White River Valley Historical Society.
Currently, the 90 million dollar tax being proposed hasn't been "specifically earmarked."
Branson Rolling 12 Month Financials - City Wide + TIF Districts
The chart above shows Branson's 12 month rolling financials. TIF districts are categorized separately.
We don't know too much about it. How about you study it with me?
Branson Convention Center Last Leg of $2.7 million marketing budget
August 17 to December 31, 2007 Budget
Income $1,111,342
Expenses 713,358
Department Profit 397,984
Total Deductions 574,460
Income before Fixed Charges (176,476)
Fixed Costs: Real Estate Property Taxes, Insurance and Other 71,043
EBITDA (247,519)
Management Fees 62,500
Profit/Loss (310,019)
The photos and information posted above were part of a presentation given to Branson officials last Monday. The aerial photo is fairly recent. Hilton's marketing plan is available for Branson area businesses that want to hit the group/convention market aka Social, Military, Educational, Religious and Fraternal(SMURF. All of you Branson, Missouri SMURF hunters take heed and take advantage of increased frequency in your marketing plan. After all, you're funding the first exposures!
Branson Missouri - CBS As the World Turns hanging with Andy Williams
Downtown Branson
Larger view of photo 2006The photo's you see are of the Branson Landing construction site less than a year ago today. I'm posting live from Sullivan's after visiting Downtown Historic Branson. While the streets of the "new downtown" are bustling, the once tourist filled streets of Historic downtown are virtually empty. When covering the story last week I got heat from both sides. An elderly woman threatened me (an employee of the Downtown Branson Mainstreet Association DBMA) if I continued coverage. On the other side merchants felt my writing was biased towards the downtown association. Many of the merchants feel they're not being represented by their lobbying organization and a meeting last week with 35 irate merchants and the DBMA left only more questions.When everybody gets paid, everyon's happy. Everyone isn't getting paid - particulary the downtown merchants. The once $37 million district has experienced wanning profits since the "new downtown" construction started. The convention center opening is just months away which brings some hope. A handful of merchants started an organization called the Historic Downtown Business Owners Organization HDBBO. They want to either force the DBMA to change their ways or split ways...Construction has been amazingly quick...see updated picture below.
View of Photo 2007
Peter Herschend on Gambling
Pete Herschend stepped up to the plate today to discuss gambling. The co-owner of the Herschend empire had a couple other issues on his mind today that he wanted to discuss face to face. From what I gathered it's going to be a tough trip to Jefferson City tomorrow. Herschend just got back from Atlanta which he prefers to the state capital. Herschend said, "In Atlanta I have family and people don't sleep by my door." The issue of the week is the St. Louis School District who will have to yield power to a transition board due to the fact they've shown incompetence in MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) Testing. When asked about the "funding formula" suit Herschend shared the results will have little impact, certain to be heard in an appellate court.
Back to Gambling - Peter Herschend reiterated his position. "We address Casino gambling the same way a doctor addresses Cancer." Herschend's philosophy is to contain gambling in Missouri to the 13 venues gaming already has and has presented concessions to ensure those who have established equity will get on the same page as him. The elimination of loss limits was presented by the anti-gambling lobby whose allies Herschend didn't want to reveal. Herschend's concerns stem from a moral stance in addition to a corporate philosophy of good corporate citizenship. He believes Gambling would inevitably result in the destruction of Branson's economic roots saying "if a large casino were established the theater industry disappear."
Back to Gambling - Peter Herschend reiterated his position. "We address Casino gambling the same way a doctor addresses Cancer." Herschend's philosophy is to contain gambling in Missouri to the 13 venues gaming already has and has presented concessions to ensure those who have established equity will get on the same page as him. The elimination of loss limits was presented by the anti-gambling lobby whose allies Herschend didn't want to reveal. Herschend's concerns stem from a moral stance in addition to a corporate philosophy of good corporate citizenship. He believes Gambling would inevitably result in the destruction of Branson's economic roots saying "if a large casino were established the theater industry disappear."
Branson History From A River's Perspective
A link to this article was sent by Gregory Holman, Branson native and editor of 417 Magazine. The site is dedicated to Taney History.
The River Runs Through It
by Gaye Lisby October/November 1994
I'm perching on the shoreline of the White listening to the voices of time flowing from the belly of the river. Fall has kissed the Ozarks and although it's much too chilly, I dangle my bare feet in the rippling water, listening. I can barely hear the story, the old, old, story which sounds faintly like a song. It fades in and out like sounds from the aged transistor radio I used to hide under my pillow at night as a child.
The story of the Branson region begins. It is whispered, sometimes shouted, often sung and I'm listening to the river tell it to me now.
The White River flowed unimpeded for centuries, carving out its relentless passageway through the mountains. Heralding from Arkansas, it visits Missouri only briefly, then returns to its native land. The Osage borrowed from the White only what they needed and remained proud caretakers of the land until they relinquished their rights in the Osage Treaty of 1808. Ten years later Schoolcraft and his companions explored the tangled shorelines of the unruly water and wrote of its crystalline beauty.
Emigration occurred shortly after and by 1840, Jesse Jennings' census revealed just over 3,000 residents of this harshly magnificent one thousand square miles. Homesteads were hacked from rock and cedar and the river ran through it all. Listen.
Settlers settled and neighbors were neighborly, sometimes more for the necessity of it all rather than in response to Christian commands. Then the war came in 1860.
The river wanted nothing to do with it and told her people who agreed for there wasn't anything to be won or lost by it all here along the shores of the White. But the armies came anyway and took the guileless and ruthless side by side, men and boys, and the river cried in agony with the women and children. Nothing could be done, however, so the river ran through it all. Time marched on and so did some of the Stone and Taney County men and not-so-boys back to their devastated land. They touched the base at the shore of the rippling waterway, yet shuddering at the distant sounds of change. For others were leaving their shattered lives looking for Utopia and yearning for the sounds of the river. Listen.
Autumn's chill is too much. I pull my now blue feet from the water and tuck them underneath me shivering, listening.
Land heretofore unattended, seeming to belong to no one and everyone suddenly spouted a homestead and a stranger. The magnificent tanglewood suddenly seemed much too revealing and those who were born naked and helpless in this wild land felt uncomfortably uncovered. The river clashed with the stubborn rocks in narrow passageways as natives and strangers eyed each other warily. And the river ran through it all.
Then in 1884 the Baldknobbers came. Might and right both took a poke in the nose and neither liked it one bit. Some strangers left and some natives did too while the sounds of the river echoed plaintively in their ears.
Big Nat Kinney was a mighty man, about as right as might could be. But he fell and the earth shook and the people were astonished when they saw their reflections in the White. They didn't like what they were seeing. Listen.
A sound came through the mountains, more like a thunder, a rumble and roar and smoke belched from her smokestack and Progress was here.
She wore fine, fine clothes and had a lovely parasol and a purse which the natives admired and so bit by bit she traded them for their land. And towns were born where they never were meant to be. The river was laid bare and anxiously fretting her future kept climbing out of her banks making a nuisance of herself to the people.
Someone needed a light. The sun and the moon were not enough so the river was powerfully dammed. Part of her became a lake. Commerce shot the rapids and landed in the middle of the lake while the river ran through it all. Listen.
Bell Wright had come and gone and shuddered for what he had done but the floodgates were opened and villages became towns yearning to become cities.
The people loved their river and loved her lake and proudly showed her off like a shiny penny won after a game of marbles in the summer sun. Still the river was growing old and cranky and she sometimes slapped at those she loved. She was dammed again. Listen.
Like a dying woman after a blood transfusion she was energized and became deep and wide and beautiful in her old age. The people hated her and loved her marveling at the great white bandage upon her belly. When she felt better, she sat up to eat at Table Rock.
So did the people. A man came and another city-town was born on the quiet side of the lake. To the East, trout played where catfish once wallowed. But the bass were good no matter how or where you sliced them. And the river ran through it all.
The cave that was once a secret garden was no longer a secret anymore and we were proud of that. Progress was still living in town and had long since put up her parasol and purse for she wanted instead things that looked simply lovely.
The river was much different now because she was twice a lake, then thrice a lake and it was too confusing to all the people. And anyway strangers had come again. The natives wagged their hoary heads and wished they'd just leave money instead. But cities had shattered the strangers' lives and their ears, full of din, yearned for the sounds of the river. Listen.
It was possible now, even probable that the towns would become cities. Then wafting over the leafy hillsides a new sound was heard. This was music like no front porch on a Saturday night. The people loved the new music and the new musicians who were so much like themselves. And the musical strangers touched the blue water of the river-lake and loved her too. More musical strangers came and touched too and the river ran through it all. Listen.
Over the hill then comes a new sound, music-like but with a bit too much clinking. The strangers and the natives their heads wondering. But the sound fades in and out and is too hard to interpret. Listen.
The strangers and the natives often can't tell each other apart clapping each other upon the shoulders and laughing at their children growing. Listen.
A sound nags at the back of their minds but they are full of life and the living of it and the river runs through it all. Listen.
The sound becomes a noise. The noise clinks loudly like heavy coins in a noisy bar. The strangers and the natives are alarmed when suddenly a deluge of new strangers stride along the river-lake in Italian shoes and silk suits with chirping phones. Listen.
The game of marbles is suddenly over. Innocence is gone and speculative strangers up the land like ice cream through a straw. A chill shadow falls over the hillsides. Foreheads become wrinkled overnight as natives and strangers alike try to figure out the rules to this new game they don't want to know how to play. Listen.
But Progress plugs in her radio and television and flops down a newspaper in front of the people. They must play or be played upon. The river wonders that no one touches her waters much now. Listen.
Projects pop like popcorn in a microwave instead of like shoots of tender grass in the warm summer sun. The river-lake hunches her shoulders still not ready for the blow. And boy did she blow! Blow by blow by blow by blow. Then the storm quiets and the strangers, natives, and new strangers stand looking at one another warily. Listen.
The river-lake has weathered the storm like she does so well and the sun hesitantly peeps over the mountains. The people look anew at the water and drawn to her sparkling shores reach down and touch it. And the river runs through it all.
****
Gaye Lisby is a College of the Ozarks graduate and author. She wrote "A Spiritual History of the Land of the Osage and Branson"
The River Runs Through It
by Gaye Lisby October/November 1994
I'm perching on the shoreline of the White listening to the voices of time flowing from the belly of the river. Fall has kissed the Ozarks and although it's much too chilly, I dangle my bare feet in the rippling water, listening. I can barely hear the story, the old, old, story which sounds faintly like a song. It fades in and out like sounds from the aged transistor radio I used to hide under my pillow at night as a child.
The story of the Branson region begins. It is whispered, sometimes shouted, often sung and I'm listening to the river tell it to me now.
The White River flowed unimpeded for centuries, carving out its relentless passageway through the mountains. Heralding from Arkansas, it visits Missouri only briefly, then returns to its native land. The Osage borrowed from the White only what they needed and remained proud caretakers of the land until they relinquished their rights in the Osage Treaty of 1808. Ten years later Schoolcraft and his companions explored the tangled shorelines of the unruly water and wrote of its crystalline beauty.
Emigration occurred shortly after and by 1840, Jesse Jennings' census revealed just over 3,000 residents of this harshly magnificent one thousand square miles. Homesteads were hacked from rock and cedar and the river ran through it all. Listen.
Settlers settled and neighbors were neighborly, sometimes more for the necessity of it all rather than in response to Christian commands. Then the war came in 1860.
The river wanted nothing to do with it and told her people who agreed for there wasn't anything to be won or lost by it all here along the shores of the White. But the armies came anyway and took the guileless and ruthless side by side, men and boys, and the river cried in agony with the women and children. Nothing could be done, however, so the river ran through it all. Time marched on and so did some of the Stone and Taney County men and not-so-boys back to their devastated land. They touched the base at the shore of the rippling waterway, yet shuddering at the distant sounds of change. For others were leaving their shattered lives looking for Utopia and yearning for the sounds of the river. Listen.
Autumn's chill is too much. I pull my now blue feet from the water and tuck them underneath me shivering, listening.
Land heretofore unattended, seeming to belong to no one and everyone suddenly spouted a homestead and a stranger. The magnificent tanglewood suddenly seemed much too revealing and those who were born naked and helpless in this wild land felt uncomfortably uncovered. The river clashed with the stubborn rocks in narrow passageways as natives and strangers eyed each other warily. And the river ran through it all.
Then in 1884 the Baldknobbers came. Might and right both took a poke in the nose and neither liked it one bit. Some strangers left and some natives did too while the sounds of the river echoed plaintively in their ears.
Big Nat Kinney was a mighty man, about as right as might could be. But he fell and the earth shook and the people were astonished when they saw their reflections in the White. They didn't like what they were seeing. Listen.
A sound came through the mountains, more like a thunder, a rumble and roar and smoke belched from her smokestack and Progress was here.
She wore fine, fine clothes and had a lovely parasol and a purse which the natives admired and so bit by bit she traded them for their land. And towns were born where they never were meant to be. The river was laid bare and anxiously fretting her future kept climbing out of her banks making a nuisance of herself to the people.
Someone needed a light. The sun and the moon were not enough so the river was powerfully dammed. Part of her became a lake. Commerce shot the rapids and landed in the middle of the lake while the river ran through it all. Listen.
Bell Wright had come and gone and shuddered for what he had done but the floodgates were opened and villages became towns yearning to become cities.
The people loved their river and loved her lake and proudly showed her off like a shiny penny won after a game of marbles in the summer sun. Still the river was growing old and cranky and she sometimes slapped at those she loved. She was dammed again. Listen.
Like a dying woman after a blood transfusion she was energized and became deep and wide and beautiful in her old age. The people hated her and loved her marveling at the great white bandage upon her belly. When she felt better, she sat up to eat at Table Rock.
So did the people. A man came and another city-town was born on the quiet side of the lake. To the East, trout played where catfish once wallowed. But the bass were good no matter how or where you sliced them. And the river ran through it all.
The cave that was once a secret garden was no longer a secret anymore and we were proud of that. Progress was still living in town and had long since put up her parasol and purse for she wanted instead things that looked simply lovely.
The river was much different now because she was twice a lake, then thrice a lake and it was too confusing to all the people. And anyway strangers had come again. The natives wagged their hoary heads and wished they'd just leave money instead. But cities had shattered the strangers' lives and their ears, full of din, yearned for the sounds of the river. Listen.
It was possible now, even probable that the towns would become cities. Then wafting over the leafy hillsides a new sound was heard. This was music like no front porch on a Saturday night. The people loved the new music and the new musicians who were so much like themselves. And the musical strangers touched the blue water of the river-lake and loved her too. More musical strangers came and touched too and the river ran through it all. Listen.
Over the hill then comes a new sound, music-like but with a bit too much clinking. The strangers and the natives their heads wondering. But the sound fades in and out and is too hard to interpret. Listen.
The strangers and the natives often can't tell each other apart clapping each other upon the shoulders and laughing at their children growing. Listen.
A sound nags at the back of their minds but they are full of life and the living of it and the river runs through it all. Listen.
The sound becomes a noise. The noise clinks loudly like heavy coins in a noisy bar. The strangers and the natives are alarmed when suddenly a deluge of new strangers stride along the river-lake in Italian shoes and silk suits with chirping phones. Listen.
The game of marbles is suddenly over. Innocence is gone and speculative strangers up the land like ice cream through a straw. A chill shadow falls over the hillsides. Foreheads become wrinkled overnight as natives and strangers alike try to figure out the rules to this new game they don't want to know how to play. Listen.
But Progress plugs in her radio and television and flops down a newspaper in front of the people. They must play or be played upon. The river wonders that no one touches her waters much now. Listen.
Projects pop like popcorn in a microwave instead of like shoots of tender grass in the warm summer sun. The river-lake hunches her shoulders still not ready for the blow. And boy did she blow! Blow by blow by blow by blow. Then the storm quiets and the strangers, natives, and new strangers stand looking at one another warily. Listen.
The river-lake has weathered the storm like she does so well and the sun hesitantly peeps over the mountains. The people look anew at the water and drawn to her sparkling shores reach down and touch it. And the river runs through it all.
****
Gaye Lisby is a College of the Ozarks graduate and author. She wrote "A Spiritual History of the Land of the Osage and Branson"
Branson 2006 Statistics - Branson Restaurants | Branson Hotels | Branson Theatres
Theatre Lodging and Restaurant StatsTheatres 52
Hotel/Motels
Lodging Facilities 27
Hotel and Motel Rooms - 18,578
New Lodging Facilities 2
Increased Hotel Capacity: 674 Rooms
Branson Restaurants
Total Restaurants 440
Restaurant Seats 37,048
New Resaurants 30
Branson Theaters
Total Theaters 52
Theater Seats 58,267
New Theaters 5
Branson's Newest Theatres
50's at the Hop
Magic Parlor & Imagination Theatre
Branson Hot Hits
Sight and Sound
Millenium Plaza
Released by the City of Branson Health Department
Hotel/Motels
Lodging Facilities 27
Hotel and Motel Rooms - 18,578
New Lodging Facilities 2
Increased Hotel Capacity: 674 Rooms
Branson Restaurants
Total Restaurants 440
Restaurant Seats 37,048
New Resaurants 30
Branson Theaters
Total Theaters 52
Theater Seats 58,267
New Theaters 5
Branson's Newest Theatres
50's at the Hop
Magic Parlor & Imagination Theatre
Branson Hot Hits
Sight and Sound
Millenium Plaza
Released by the City of Branson Health Department
Maynard Wallace - District 143 Taney County Representitive to Missouri
Taney County's Representative to Jefferson City Maynard Wallace walks a political line unheard of. Endorsements from education interests aren't known for their support of strong Republican candidates. Mr. Wallace has the support of both. Many Branson area administrators choose Wallace over their elected Reps to represent their interests. In a half hour interview with the Branson Edge Maynard Wallace helped untangle some of the mystery behind the great divide between educational and tourism interests. Wallace asked that the interview be posted in full, so if you have time, download the interview and listen to what Wallace has to say. Local Media outlets have my consent to use the content of the audio for publication under a creative common license with attribution. Ye are hearby granted,Wallace revealed that he'll be submitting a School start bill to the Missouri House of Representatives. Wallace intends to push through legislation that will eliminate State fuel taxes for School busing. Wallace notes the Federal Government doesn't tax school buses and questions the logic behind using tax dollars to pay taxes.
Wallace didn't answer some of the hard hitting questions such as:
"Should School Teacher's be drug tested?" Since drug abuse by teacher's in local school's have come to light and since administrators have decided that it's ok to take genetic material to test our children we confirm our stance in the post...."Does Your Kid's Teacher Smoke Crack?" If School Teacher's choose to do drugs, that's fine - though we want them to sober up before we are required to send our children to the state mandated learning facilities. Is elevating our children's minds to the status we give heavy machinery appropriate? (Something for you to chew on)...
Senator Jack Goodman Senate Bill 64 Update - Branson - Missouri Senate
In an interview conducted by the Branson Edge Senator Goodman discussed Senate Bill 64 which is his second attempt to enact legislation aimed at discouraging early school start dates. According to Senator Goodman, administration backed by powerful education lobbyists and multitude of special interests overshadow who should have the ultimate say over how our children are educated. He states the priority should be the needs of students first, parents second, teachers third and administrators fourth - a reverse pyramid of the educational power as it stands. Goodman anticipates the bill will graduate from the educational committee sometime over the next couple of weeks. He also anticipates a 17 day maximum clause will be removed. Under the current constructs of the bill Missouri school's wishing to start more than 10 days before the Labor Day holiday will have to hold a board meeting where parents can submit opinions to their elected school board representatives.
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Opinion/Backround/Perspective
Randy Turner, teacher, author, award winning blogger and education advocate failed to answer questions about the downside of the bill when engaged with questions several months ago. In fact, Randy, who does an excellent job of educating us about lobbying efforts consistently avoids the special interests which are so close to his heart. Though we understand not wanting to bite the lobbying hand that ensures his trough remains full, we find his "flaming" of anyone who dares challenge the dictatorial authority of highly paid bureaucrats by asking for a reasonable explanation....downright offensive.
As a result of my inability to obtain wisdom from my fellow blogger, several administrators were questioned in regards to the issue. To date, the most valid response came from an area superintendent who admitted the real issue is that “school's don't like to be told what to do.”
Branson has significant interest in the bill's passage as does the entire state of Missouri. As Senator Goodman pointed out Missouri experiences 1.5 million dollars a day in tax losses everyday school's choose to start before Labor Day. Many who live in Branson experience extreme poverty in the off-season. Though I'm inclined to support increased education funding - highly paid bureaucrat’s egotistical interests come second to ensuring my family and neighbors live without experiencing extended poverty.
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Dennis Wood - Report from the Missouri House of Reps.
Dennis Wood, seen above at the Hollister Grape festival (far left) gives an update regarding his work in Jefferson City. Wood discusses success in the area of tourism funding, Senate Bill 64, the tax disagreement between Taney County and the State of Missouri in addition to campaign finance reform/perspecitve on lobbyists. The beeps you hear are to drown out backround sound as clips were collected for Branson local radio stations KHOZ and KZRK.What do you think? Click Play to hear the podcast below.
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