The White Papers.............
The first results of our $150,000 "investment" are just being published on the Comprehensive Plan website ( http://www.bransoncompplan.com/plan-documents.html ). Eight "White Papers" are available for download and review. I suggest you all go to those pages and read the preliminary results. They seem to mirror what we at Commercial One Brokers have been warning about. The "anti-growth" agenda of this administration has been mysteriously transformed into a written set of instructions complete with a sure fire way to keep the ball rolling after they leave. Really, why did we have to go to all these meetings and ask all these questions.
These are wordy and in many cases loosely interpretable passages slightly modified form historical boilerplate. They will take a second and even a third read through to even partially comprehend the ingenious interweaving patterns of economic engineering that will, if adopted, change the free enterprise of this community and strip land owners of many basic rights of ownership.
Unfortunately, these papers will be seen by many as innocuous and my interpretation will differ from other interpretations. They are designed that way. Don’t be fooled. A pleasing description of connective trails between “wilderness zones” and "community parks" will sound so inviting and help build the “BUY IN” factor, but no mention of the cost to the landowners or the hindrances on the developer. At first blush, even this cynical S.O.B. started “BUYING IN” a little. Knowing the makeup of our community and it’s socioeconomic and political preferences, this well directed expert company leverages those attitudes and jumps from land use plan to what I believe is the real reason we spent the thousands on an expert from out of town. Governance. Yes, this community is in general a little more than slightly right of center in most beliefs. People like that are typically very in tune with self governance. Our not so right wing, anti business, environmentalist, within the current administration want more power. The powers granted them by the state of Missouri don’t seem to be enough. They want a more locally designed and controlled city government, a Charter City Government.
From a single question in a totally controlled environment that came from way out in left field, the land use, comprehensive plan, and developmental guidelines, project changed to the evils of a forth class city and the wonderful benefits of a Charter City form of government. While I may even approve of a “some day” conversion to Charter Government, and most of you might have already guessed this. I am not sure I want this administration to write the Charter! I know, you never even thought I would be so obnoxious and actually write it out loud. This administration has small (friendly) factions in it with special interests. Some want to save the earth, or at least this little part of it, some want less new businesses coming to town and taking the employees away with higher wages and more benefits, others seem focused on stepping back to the old days when less numbers had more power. While I don’t fault any of those factions for their positions, I fault the others for almost never voicing an opposing view. There is such an overall enabling character within the hallowed halls of the city that IF we allow this group to write a Charter and give them the power to over-rule standard Missouri governance, we will have a development code that somehow forbids any growth at all. The trees will be safe, but our citizens will all remain stuck in the 1980’s and 1990's forever in low paying jobs. Our visitors will be fewer and will have seen and heard everything so many times that repeat visitation will certainly dwindle. The schools will see less and less growth as more and more families find it necessary to move on to greener pastures.
Please be warned. This move to “self government” will seem to be a move to the right. It will be phrased and already has been phrased as a cure all to help us move away from the burden of fitting into a mold of a State defined set of rules. It will be made to look like the epitome of a Tea Party agenda. But, what it will really be is a move toward higher taxes, slower growth, less “Ozark Entrepreneurship” and more costs to live and work here.
Think about it. What groups gain if my crazy rants are true? If we slow the growth of new business, stop the rise in hourly wages, reduce the benefit packages to employees, eliminate the right to build big buildings on city (or even nearby county) lands. Who is it that enjoys the status quo the most. Them that already HAVE, not them that might want to have in the future.
More on each of the “White Papers” presented in the future:
1 comment:
Like I said 4 years ago-"There are only three options to balance the budget in the City of Branson. Generate more revenue, cut services, and raise taxes". I prefer the 1st, generate more revenue.
You are right Bob, this administration wants absolute control. As a property owner I resent the inference that the present council should be able to change ordinances to suit themselves. If they require landowner to comply with all of these ordinances then the City will be required to fund them.
Great post BOB.
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