Well, the City of Branson held the Alternative Futures Workshop Thursday evening and reports are the turn out was low. Let's see, Branson High and Hollister High both in BIG games (Congratulations to both!!). The REALTORS were all at their annual business meeting and our Commercial Committee market report. Add to that, at least two Grand Openings of new businesses (outside the City limits, of course).
Not a problem, Some day, you will be able to go to the website:
http://www.bransoncompplan.com/
and see what the various futures are. Not sure when they will update the website. Apparently that was not in our immediate future. It's now Saturday morning and they are still proud to announce the Thursday night meeting.
Fortunately, I had two faithful fellow REALTORS who had to miss the business meeting and attend this City event. Well, thanks to them I have the hand outs and will be able to plan for all the government controlled changes we are in for.
I will delve deeper into the three options that have thus far been presented at a later time. At a time where you can see all the alternatives on the official website and where you just might be allowed the ability to give input. I would like to give you my initial opinion and a very general description of the three futures:
Future #1 seems to be the horrible option of allowing the free market to survive this anti-business administration. Now, the problem is they suggest this as "Business as Usual" and go on to explain it as being the same as the past ten years. Actually, if we could please have this future modified to be the same as the ten years previous to this administration and the introduction of protectionism, non-growth, worn out business biased attitudes. Give us the old administration attitudes of growth, economic development, active participation in attracting new business and that crazy idea they had about creating sales tax revenue and supplying services at low costs to citizens.
Future #2 portrays us THE international tourism destination of the Midwest of maybe even the US, clearly modeled after some ski resorts in Colorado with a twist. Development is, of course allowed, but frowned on and nearly sent packing due to the heavy restrictions. Color coordinated building faces and Archetectural controlled potions of town are encouraged and trolley cars fill the highway in place of cars with customers in them. This future is wrought with peril in that it is possible some of the entertainment might not be exactly what "WE" want here. There is one other small issue, the cost will be insurmountable, but once again, don't worry about that, I am sure we will cover that issue at another city wide meeting. perhaps Thanksgiving day? OH, here is a non-invasive move the city would have to make in this future, the utility companies who have legal rights to easements they bought will be forced to have their power lines, phone wires and cable lines placed underground. No idea who pays for this, but I will give you three guesses and the first two don't count. Thaaaattt;s right WE DO! Either the city pays and fees and taxes go up, or the utility companies pay and the rates go up. Don't get me wrong there are some great ideas in this future.
Future #3 is the utopia of the typical social minded city planner... Civic centers and Museums, regional libraries and regional mass transit with everyone living happily ever after in higher density living pods. Cultural experiences for all. Oh, and yes, we will have some of those pesky businesses that are not run by the government, but only to serve the common good, I'm sure. Of course this little gem has some good ideas also.
I think, if we are really lucky we will see a combination of these furures. The free market, if allowed to flourish, might be able to accomplish some of that fantastic internation tourism destination stuff from Future number two, that is if government will not only step out of the path, but even get behind the bus and push a little. If we can give future number one some of the help offered in future number two, we might see the city savings account change direction and grow a little, then we will be able to afford some of the utopian dreams from future number three.
Actually, if I am not completely incoherent at 3am, that last paragraph might just be the closest description of the old version of Free Enterprise meets the American Dream meets Civic Pride.... Well that is it would if you readers had the advantage of being able to see these three futures, keep watching the propaganda web site. They are fine tuning the results they want us to see as we spaek and should be able to deliver next week or two.
There are some facts that might have come to light in this expensive activity. Regardless of the fact that the city wanted certain results, they did get told some eye or ear opening bits of opinions from the citizens. They will most likely miss those important outcries, or they will interpret them to the advantage of the prevailing desires, but people have spoken and it is just possible one or two might have heard. We can all hope.
Once again, please go to the web site http://www.bransoncompplan.com/
Some day the Alternative Futures will be on there and you to need read them. Read them carefully. Read between the line. Realize, of course, that you will be being led by the nose, just as we have been thru this entire process. Don't worry, the futures you see now will be folded togather into what the original plan was anyway. The city just needs to go thru all this process so you think you were involved in their decision.
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