Hollister Grape Festival (Videos)

Politicians dress in togas and contestants issue bribes to the judges before individual teams stomp grapes adorned in comedic uniforms to the music of their choosing. The winner gets the honor of holding the silly monkey trophy for a year. Good times.
At  one time Hollister MO was known for its wine.

Missouri Says Show Me the Money + Santa Claus and the Santa Train

Both Missouri's Treasurer Sarah Steelman and Hollister Mayor David Tate claim political connections and contact at the north pole.
Missouri's lost and found department can be accessed on-line at Show ME Money. Steelman added Santa Dasher and Rudolph to the list of citizens who have lost property retrievable at the website linked above to view the whole press release click here.
In a separate press release Hollister Mayor David Tate flexed political muscle citing his connections at the north pole. According to Tate Santa Claus and his 15th Annual Santa Train visit was rescheduled due to icy conditions in Northern Missouri.
The Santa Train visit has been rescheculed for Sunday,December 16, 2007 at 3:00 pm. Children will be able to get their Christmas wishes to Santa from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Christmas treats will be handed out courtesy of the Hollister Chamber of Commerce.

Hollister Tourism Tax - Proposed Ballot Language

Hollister officials were clear the ballot language was only a draft:

Hollister City Government Draft of Tourism Tax Legislation.

Hollister Steps built in 1920's - Photos

 

 

 

 

The bottom of these steps starts 25 yards from the Taneycomo aka Hollister bridge to an apartment building which sits atop Hollister's cliffs.

Hollister Enters Tourism Industry Arena - Waterpark to open 2009

Hollister City Administrator Rick Ziggnefuss said details on a $26 million TIF funded arena scheduled slated to open in 2009 was to be designed with the Hollister School District in mind.

According to Ziggenfuss the current plan to build an arena is being financed through the maximum allowed by law - 100% of property tax and 50% of sales tax. A component to the development announced by developer Justin Gage is the creation of one of the world's largest waterparks which will be built across from the publicly funded Arena.

The Waterpark on the 112 acres of land east of hwy 65 will not be part of the TIF district.

More to come....

Hollister Moving to Tourism Model and why the press isn't reporting it

Hollister Missouri will announce a major move into the tourism industry later this week. The fate of a massive development and 900 acres quietly annexed over the last month will be released with instructions from city officials on how to report the move.

The "forget the citizens" method of reporting sheds light on the anti-Branson anti-community and anti-democracy initiative two corrupt reporters drafted called Proposition A (a vote against Proposition A is a vote against corruption). The initiative involves a substantial portion of $90 million dollars in public funds to be funneled into the reporters pet project. Great efforts have been made to deceive Taney County Citizens so money can be laundered into the coffers of the White River Valley Historical Society which two reporters for Branson media outlets control through membership on the board of directors.

Records show correspondence published by unregistered Tax Lobbyist Vonda Sheets is limited to "Official Propoganda" published by Hollister's information officer. At every turn the citizens have been duped.

Documents obtained include detailed instructions on how to "sell a 15% tax increase to the public." A much lower increase at the county level was treated with "hateful disgust." Hollister increased their levy by 15% which they are allowed by state statute to pay debt.

Proposition A, which takes 90 million dollars from tax payers could also result in a massive increase in taxes as the irresponsible measure promises continued debt with no return. Contrary to popular belief, when municipalities act irresponsibly, they can increase tax rates without a vote of the people.

After a sunshine request was filled at City of Hollister administration offices the assistant city administrator demanded at 75 dollar deposit to release "instructions to the press" drafted by city officials. Officials claim the documents are only available on paper and "no digital records exist."

No official documents allowing reporters to admit Hollister is moving to a Tourism Destination Business Model have been released.

Last month, Hollister officials passed their first Tourism Tax.