Branson Landing - A view from the top

 
 
 
 
The Hilton will be managing the Condo-tel at the Branson Landing. Suites (photos from the interior will be posted later) will be occupied starting in February 2007 and the final touches are being applied to condo interiors. Investors paid upwards of 250,000 dollars and are granted 21 days to stay at their condo. The remaining days will be leased by the Hilton and will be rented at a price somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 dollars nightly. 

Branson Salvation Army Vs. Branson Landing

Rick Huffman will be on the phone today with a couple of Branson City Alderman over an untimely public relation's nightmare at the Branson Landing.
Branson Salvation Army Captain Ron Keys received a phone call from a bell ringer stationed in front of the Belk Department store at the Landing begging him to come quickly. Thinking someone may have been robbed the Captain rushed to Belk finding two security guards and an unidentified Branson Landing employee threatening to remove Mrs. Davis, the wife of College of the Ozarks President from Branson Landing property. Belk management disagreed with the Branson Landing Management's position stating the Belk leases the property and the Salvation Army was invited to participate in a promotion where making a donation to the Salvation Army earns a coupon granting 20% off their next purchase. A compromise was made where the Salvation Army kettle and ringer were permitted to remain as long as they moved to another entrance where a significant drop in donations was noted. Keys stated, "The total donations made for the remaining of the day equaled the first two hours at our original location".
Ron was shaken up by the event and it's anticipated that he'll be joining opposition against future development by Huffman at the next City Council Meeting.

Branson Landing Courtesy Code’s prohibit solicitation on the property which was the policy they were citing as they attempted to remove the Salvation Army presence from the property.

The three day promotion ends today where Scotty Earls from the Vacation Channel will be ringing the bell.

Branson From the Sky

(Click on the Photo Above For Higher Resolution Image)
To the left (West) you can see the Branson Landing - to the upper righthand side you can see the airport in Hollister. Highway 65 runs North/South and Highway 76 runs East/West.

Flyover Taney and Stone County

The above video is of the airport in Hollister. Click play ot start. Pilot Mike Cooper flies over Taney and Stone County to get an arial view of property in the area. You can get a good view over Taneycomo, Table Rock Lake, Branson West and Branson after the first 30 seconds. The Branson Edge was commissioned by Mike to take Photos of Branson Real Estate for his website and to scope opportunities. Mike Cooper has invested in his own aircraft since the video was shot.

Branson Trademark - Attorney and Public Commentary

Push Play to View. This is a long clip encompassing some of the more interesting parts of the City Hall discussion on the trademark and high-rise issue. A number of proprietary interests are represented in the discussion.

Branson Adoration Parade (Photos and Results)

 
 
 
 
Drum and Bugle Corps:
Springfield Central(Click Image above for Larger View)


Band Competition White Division:
1. Forsyth
2. Spokane

Band Competiton Blue Division:
Joplin

Non-Profit Religious Floats:
1. 1st Baptist Church/Branson
2. AIM Branson
3. 1st Presbyterian Church/Branson

For-Profit Relegious
Camp Little Paws (Click Image above for Larger View)

Non-Profit Non-Religious
1. Big Brothers/Big Sisters
2. Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church
3. Central Tire County Fire Department and Auxillary

For-Profit Non Religious
1. Premiere Dance Academy
2. Taney County Tire
3. The Vacation Channel 

Local Ministry Denied Future Invitations to The Landing

Questions about Branson’s values were raised by at our last city counsel by Jory Rolf the president and Founder of a performance ministry based in Branson. During the City Council meeting Jory voiced opposition to Rick Huffman’s proposed 300 foot high-rise based on his experience with management of the Branson Landing.
Rolf’s organization, Action Impact Ministries (AIM) was invited to perform at the Branson Landing on Labor Day on the conditions that the organization’s message wasn’t “In your face evangelistic or involved distribution of hand bills”.
AIM’s two hour Labor Day performance involved mimes and interpretive dance with musical accompaniments such as “It’s an honor to Serve” and “Fallen not Forgotten” The interfaith organization whose motto is Faith, Family and Flag was received well by many who watched the performance. In addition to being personally thanked by Veterans, The group of mostly home schooled children was invited to perform for local schools as part of the Character Plus program.
AIM’s past performances have resulted in future invites to such local venues as the Branson Mall and Branson Fest but no such luck was experienced after their Landing performance. According to Rolf the Branson Landing management found AIM performances to be, “Too Religious and Too Political.”
AIM’s ministry approach is inspired by St. Francis of Assisi who said “ at all times preach the gospel and only when necessary use words.”
Rolf maintains that Branson’s values are consistent with values his ministry promotes and is encouraging the City of Branson and the Branson Landing Management to take a stand and show the public who and what they are about. Rolf Jory continues to file requests for an invitation to perform at the Landing.

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Public and Private - Church and State - This story is the first of what may soon provide a challenge to the Branson Landing. Are the ethics and values promoted at the Landing consistent with the public who funds the Landing? Is it fair to demand the Landing to open itself up to the consequences of free speech and provide a venue for those who wish to express 1st Amendment rights?
The Landing, though publically funded is privately managed. Religous messages are delivered on a pay to play basis. There are two instances where religious based business peddle religous gear and religious venues. If publically funded should constitutionoal rights apply? Currently, freedom of expression is up to the discretion of Branson Landing management.
The mainstream in Branson is much more conservative than the United States as a whole. Political Incorrectness is standard and defiance of many national trends a local standard as well. Jory's goal is to challenge and solidify the Landing's stance and his stance is that it varies from the local public's value system.
The question remains, does the public or the City of Branson itself have any right to dictate how the Landing is managed or what messaging is permitted on-site?