Today, I'm reviewing the master transportation plan. Listening to the last 6 hours of audio isn't as fun as it may seem. The head of Branson's engineering department is a man of exceptional character; however, his monotone matter of fact demeanor makes for not so pleasant listening...For a moment I want to get back to Mike Rankin. When I first met the guy he gave me the hebie jeebies (sorry Mike - it's the cowboy boots and those hard looks that look like they fire bullets). Since - we've actually got to sit down for a little while over the past few weeks. You read about the whole disclosure deal... (see two posts down) but here's an element missing from the story:
Rankin was personally sued, settling for $5 grand while the Australian's were working on their version of the Branson Landing. Mike Rankin told the City Council he "lives by a code" and refuses to break it. Personally, I respect that and so did (more importantly) Alderman Stephen Marshall. The issue is new agreements made and how things are handled moving forward.
The question is how is Branson going to move forward. The message to city council was a little bit wishy washy - since they didn't lay it down - perhaps because the perception of how the new council "think" - I thought I'd give you the perspective as I see it.
Tourism is the backbone of the Branson economy but other sectors are being developed. It's nice to have plenty of 8-10 dollar an hour jobs but some of us have families to feed. You can't really feed a family at that wage and with real estate values as high as they are - you can't expect to get ahead or have a quality of life greater than a large segment of our market best categorized as the working poor.
Representatives from Governor Blunt's office see Branson as an easy market. Low education levels and low mean wages are perfect for the manufacturing sector. It's a sigh of relief for state reps considering the demands of urban centers who want investment in risky - but sectors with high revenue potential such as Bio-tech. The beauty of projects such as the Montain Complex and Commerce Park is that it could lure a higher paying job market to the area. Now let's step back into the "midwestern work ethic" the Obama family was talking about last night. Let's say a family has a primary and secondary provider. The jobs being sought are for primary providers - 15 dollars an hour and up..
Branson Missouri's City Council Finishes Last Day of Orientation
We're reaching the first month marker and Branson's new city administration is finishing orientation. It's been interesting watching how things have progressed. An editor of another publication asked some interesting questions about the new administration. Soon, they won't be new. In fact, I struggle calling them that. Their personalities are showing and the direction they promised to take is interesting to watch. I'm listening to the the last six hours of their session and am going to be posting a review shortly.
Haygoods Flyover Branson
Branson Missouri - Corporate Confidentiality
“It’s my job to be well connected.,” said Mike Rankin, Branson’s economic development director. Debate over paid city administration’s duty to report activities ensued Tuesday, May 1, during the second and final orientation session for Branson’s new leadership.
Rankin claims over 20,000 emails are fielded annually from his office. Some of the inquiries come from large corporations who want to keep their interest in Branson secret during the discovery phase of their investigation into the local market. Many of Rankin’s leads come from the Chamber of Commerce and trade shows. Rankin is a registered lobbyist though reports from the Missouri Ethics Commission show he hasn’t spent a dime wooing legislatures. “I want to keep it that way,” says Rankin, “I spend a lot of time sitting in committees, I’m not there to wine and dine legislatures.” His activities with private companies are less regulated. In fact, communications with different business entities aren’t communicated to elected officials until they come to the attention of planning and zoning, a policy challenged by Branson’s elected leadership.
Bob McDowell found the idea of a developer requiring non-disclosure from city council particularly disturbing. “I don’t want my rights signed away,” said McDowell. Terry Dody said the issue of liability comes into play. According to Dody an elected official has protection from litigation and can’t be held to confidentiality agreements. Alderman Stephen Marshall questioned the legality of failing to disclose information to the board citing regulations affecting information availability in the private sector.
Mayor Raeanne Presley addressed the broader issue of controlled growth. Presley wanted to know what business sectors were being promoted and expressed concern that development projects were in a mature phase of development before elected officials are briefed. Rankin said, “I don’t cut deals, my job is to get their attention and encourage them to come to Branson.” Marshall believes city officials can help bring deals to fruition. Alderwoman Sandra Williams challenged the idea that a developer would be able to, “trust the city employees but not the elected leaders.” Presley promised to research the legal issues and Dody suggested a policy change could be made through local legislation.
Rankin claims over 20,000 emails are fielded annually from his office. Some of the inquiries come from large corporations who want to keep their interest in Branson secret during the discovery phase of their investigation into the local market. Many of Rankin’s leads come from the Chamber of Commerce and trade shows. Rankin is a registered lobbyist though reports from the Missouri Ethics Commission show he hasn’t spent a dime wooing legislatures. “I want to keep it that way,” says Rankin, “I spend a lot of time sitting in committees, I’m not there to wine and dine legislatures.” His activities with private companies are less regulated. In fact, communications with different business entities aren’t communicated to elected officials until they come to the attention of planning and zoning, a policy challenged by Branson’s elected leadership.
Bob McDowell found the idea of a developer requiring non-disclosure from city council particularly disturbing. “I don’t want my rights signed away,” said McDowell. Terry Dody said the issue of liability comes into play. According to Dody an elected official has protection from litigation and can’t be held to confidentiality agreements. Alderman Stephen Marshall questioned the legality of failing to disclose information to the board citing regulations affecting information availability in the private sector.
Mayor Raeanne Presley addressed the broader issue of controlled growth. Presley wanted to know what business sectors were being promoted and expressed concern that development projects were in a mature phase of development before elected officials are briefed. Rankin said, “I don’t cut deals, my job is to get their attention and encourage them to come to Branson.” Marshall believes city officials can help bring deals to fruition. Alderwoman Sandra Williams challenged the idea that a developer would be able to, “trust the city employees but not the elected leaders.” Presley promised to research the legal issues and Dody suggested a policy change could be made through local legislation.
Branson Independent Distribution - Good People
I handle each medium differently. Here, I rarely edit and speak in 1st person (obviously that's inappropriate for a newspaper). As a reporter I don't think it's my job to insert opinion and try hard to present conflicting sides of issues. While taking a tour of the city with Branson's newly elected government officials I saw the Branson Daily Independent at every government facility. It left an impression on me and reminded me how important it is to be a good custodian of fact.
A couple weeks ago, while at a city planning meeting I let some frustrations come out. I've been pressuring the city of Branson to transfer digital information as opposed to print. It wasn't happening quick enough and I spoke sharply to a group of high ranking city employees. I had been up all night and walked nearly 12 miles before the meeting began. Thing is - in the backround these city employees were probably working hard to help me. Forget the requirements - what's owed or what I can legally demand - I believe they were trying hard to help me - which means a lot in my book - and by criticizing them by making my demands in a public setting was discouraging to them. I've felt horrible about that since the meeting.
Being a reporter means tearing down walls and cutting out windows but unnecessarily hurting people in the process...not who I want to be or what I want to do. Failing to report vital information to the citizens who trust you - thats equally harmful and one far more frequently committed.
Branson Missouri - No Abortion Clinics Here
He wanted the child. She didn't. She said,"If you wanna keep this kid you have to change the world." He couldn't change the world quick enough. The closest abortion clinic to Branson Missouri is three hours away. For her it wasn't close enough. For him it was a few more hours to hope.
Branson Missouri - Silver Dollar City Roller Coaster Footage
I usually only post video's I've shot but these were interesting. Silver Dollar City usually takes your camera away but these camera's were smuggled on board. A screamer sits behind them.
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