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Mayor of Missouri’s biggest tourist destination happy Parson is replacing Greitens

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BRANSON, Mo. — Mayor Karen Best of Branson is speaking out quite candidly about Gov. Eric Greitens and Lt. Governor Mike Parson, who will take over the governor’s seat on Friday.

Branson City Hall Image courtesy of Missourinet affiliate KRZK

Mayor Best believes that Parson will be better at taking care of Branson’s needs -particularly tourism. “Governor Parson has a great understanding of the tourism industry..not only in our community but for the state,” said Mayor Best. “And that’s going to be a big difference between him and Governor Greitens because Governor Greitens cut the budget tremendously for tourism. ..and that’s the one economic driver for the state,” the mayor said.

She also says that the Lt. Governor is more visible.

“Since Gov. Greitens has been in office, the visits to Branson. I can probably count on one hand,”  Mayor Best said, “And since Lt., Governor Parson has been Lt. Governor, I can count them on my hands and toes. He’s been here a lot.”

In addition, the mayor said, when the city of Branson needed funding after devastating floods, a move by Governor Greitens, hurt more than it helped.”

“We had a deadline for putting in for our losses and that deadline is usually 30 days..and for some reason, Governor Greitens shortened that to 17-days,” the mayor said.

“We had two floods within 30-days,” she said. “The first flood was covered by FEMA. The second flood wasn’t. Had that deadline been at 30-days, it would have been covered by FEMA. So, that cost our city, hundreds of thousands of dollars by that one date being shortened by Governor Greitens.”

The mayor said Parson immediately reached out to her during the floods — as opposed to Greitens, who called after the city was past the critical stage.

“Having that experience, I know that when the chips are down and we need our governor..that Governor Parson will be there for us to take care of things.”

Mayor Best said that she believes, soon-to-be Governor Parson and his wife Teresa will be paying more visits to Branson in the coming year, because their granddaughter will be attending College of the Ozarks.

Missourinet media partner KOLR-TV contributed this story

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Missouri Congressman slams Roseanne for comments about former Obama operative

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Missouri Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver called Roseanne Barr’s racial tweet about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett “a burning cross in the yard.”

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)

Cleaver, who represents Kansas City and portions of western Missouri, was a guest Tuesday on MSNBC’s Hardball.  He said there was “no confusion” about the statement’s appeal to a segment of the population. 

“This was not a dog whistle, this was a burning cross in the yard,” said Cleaver.

In a tweet, Barr referred to Jarrett as the child of the Muslim Brotherhood and Planet of the Apes.  The actual Tweet Tuesday morning read, “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”

Cleaver called it “really horrible” that Barr would hold people of color in such low regard.

“She probably thought and believed that she would be applauded about what she said,” said Cleaver.  “She may have even wanted some applause to come from Washington.  And I think in absence of that she may have realized, not that she was wrong, but that she got caught.”

ABC canceled Barr’s latest version of the “Roseanne” show about 11 hours after she tweeted the comment.  According to the Hollywood Reporter, the program was the highest-rated and most-watched series of the broadcast season, having beaten other frontrunners “This Is Us” on NBC and CBS’ “Big Bang Theory”.

It was an updated version of the sitcom that originally ran during the 1980’s and 90’s, although the new rendition had been criticized for racially-flavored humor.

Against the background of Barr’s tweet, Cleaver said a major problem in the country with race is people who are unaware of their own bigotry.

“There’s a woman who said that it’s about time we get someone in the White House who looks like a real first lady,” Cleaver said.  “Then later in an interview, she said, ‘Well I’m not racist’.  I mean, that’s the problem.”

Critics immediately slammed Barr for comparing black people to apes and attempting to delegitimize the Muslim Brotherhood, which is an Islamist political organization.

Barr initially sent out at least two tweets appearing to defend her comments.  One read, “ISLAM is not a RACE, lefties. Islam includes EVERY RACE of people,” while the other said, “It’s a joke.”  She then expressed regret for her statement.

“I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans,” Barr stated on Twitter. “I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste.”

On Hardball, Cleaver said Congressional Republicans have done little to address racial issues since GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan called President Trump’s comments about a Mexican judge “textbook racism”.

“The problem is that if that’s what it is, why in the world are my colleagues in Congress on the Republican side hugging him,” said Cleaver.

The former Methodist pastor represents Missouri’s 5th Congressional District. He was first elected to the U.S. House in 2004 and last won re-election in 2016.  Cleaver started in politics as a city council member in Kansas City in 1979.  He became the city’s the first African-American in 1991 and served in the position until 1999.

Branson Aldermen reject nearly $500 million water park that would use tax money

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BRANSON, Mo. — Last night city leaders in Branson rejected a nearly half-billion-dollar proposed water park resort, that taxpayers were asked to help finance.

Branson City Hall – Image courtesy of Missourinet affiliate KRZK

In a vote of five no’s and one yes, the Board of Alderman in Branson voted against the proposed “Branson Adventures” Tax Increment Funding plan. Emotions ran high on both sides. It started with the board wanting to move forward with the vote in spite of the fact that developer David Cushman was not there Tuesday night, because of an illness. Through an email and his son, who was present, Cushman requested that the vote would be postponed until May 22nd.

“Yesterday we asked for a postponement of the Branson Adventures TIF vote due to illness and respectfully request that this board grant that request and move this discussion and vote to the May 22nd meeting,” Cushman said before the board.

However, the majority of the board voted to move forward without Cushman.

“I mean, this was a posted agenda item, said Alderman Chris Bohinc, “And the house is full with the public and I want them to be able to speak on this agenda item. That’s what this was for tonight.”

Alderman Bill Skains was the only yes vote. He also voted against moving forward with the vote in Cushman’s absence.

“I think this meeting is unfair, Skains said, “I think that Dave should have been sitting on that front row. I thought his people should have been there. And as he got inviscerated by members of this group out here he should have had a chance to respond to it.”

Branson businessman, Bob Nichols agreed with Skains.

This project creates nine hundred jobs. And many of them are high-paying supervisory and managerial positions. Please vote yes.”

Chris Myers of Myer Hotels joined the majority who were against the plan.

“This project is not fair to the hundreds of businesses in this community that have taken the financial risk. It creates an unfair competitive landscape”

For now, the $446 million Branson Adventure project is off the table. However, developer David Cushman can come back at a later date, with a revised plan, if he chooses to do so.

Story provided by Missourinet media partner KOLR-TV

Munzlinger, Houghton hopeful Missouri working animal bill will pass (AUDIO)

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Compromise legislation that would prohibit Missouri cities and towns from banning the use of a working animal was heard Tuesday afternoon by a House committee in Jefferson City.

State Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown)

Missouri Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee Chairman Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, testifies efforts to ban carriage rides in St. Louis prompted this bill.

Munzlinger emphasizes he’s worked with all parties on the bill’s language.

“This bill does not take away local control and the ability of the cities to make rules about working animals on public streets, especially when it comes to the health and welfare of the animals or the citizens,” Munzlinger testifies.

Munzlinger’s bill defines “working animal” as the use of any animal for the purpose of performing a specific duty in entertainment, transportation or educational exhibits.

Munzlinger notes the bill creates a definition that lawmakers have never had before. Livestock animals are not included in the definition.

During his testimony, Munzlinger emphasized multiple times that his legislation to prohibit cities and towns from banning the use of working animals still protects local control.

“So if the city of St. Louis feels that they need to say there should not be any horse-drawn carriages out in rush-hour traffic, that’s okay, as long as the rules and regulations are not intended to ban the whole industry,” says Munzlinger.

Munzlinger testified before the Missouri House Agriculture Policy Committee, which is chaired by veteran State Rep. Jay Houghton, R-Martinsburg.

Chairman Houghton hopes the compromise legislation will be approved by the end of session, which is May 18.

Houghton’s committee heard about 45 minutes of testimony Tuesday, including Missouri Farm Bureau’s testimony expressing concern with some of the bill’s language.

“The concerns that I’ve heard deals with a city or municipality imposing fees upon these folks that own working animals that could possibly keep them from doing business in a town,” Houghton says.

Munzlinger responded to Farm Bureau’s language concerns during the hearing, saying that the bill has been “out there” for four months.

Houghton tells Missourinet his policy is for the committee to hear a bill one week and vote on it the following week, indicating the committee will likely vote next week.

The Senate has already passed the bill, and Munzlinger and Houghton are both hopeful the House can pass the same version by the end of session.

Houghton admits time is a factor, with the session’s end one month away.

This is the eighth version of Munzlinger’s bill.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and House Ag Policy Committee Chairman Jay Houghton, R-Martinsburg, which was recorded on April 17, 2018 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

Who’s the mystery man in famous Capitol mural? Missouri historian thinks he knows

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The walls of the Missouri Capitol’s House Lounge showcase a massive 1936 mural with a longtime mystery – the identity of an African-American man attending a state political gathering. There are several unidentified figures in Thomas Hart Benton’s A Social History of the State of Missouri. But, the man leaning up against a tree in a white Stetson hat caught the attention of retired Missouri S & T professor and art historian James Bogan.

James Bogan

“It aggravated the hell out of me when we couldn’t come up with it (identity). Most of the characters in the mural are anonymous, which Benton did pretty much on purpose,” Bogan tells Missourinet.

He’s been wearing his detective hat intermittently since 1988 trying to solve the cold case about the mystery man portrayed in the colorful work of art that captures Missouri’s rich social history. According to Bogan, Democratic establishment was leading the political function touting Missouri House Speaker Champ Clark, who ran for the Presidential Democratic nomination in 1912. The political figures on stage were Benton’s father, U.S. Rep. Maecenas Eason Benton, then-Jefferson City Mayor Means Ray and then-Missouri Governor Guy Parks.

For years, Bogan has been sifting through newspaper files, microfilm and asking around about the identity of the lone African-American man pictured at the gathering. He contacted a former St. Louis newspaper reporter who knows the history of the local political scene. Bogan tells Missourinet he’s convinced the figure is that of Jordan Chambers – a well-known businessman and political figure in St. Louis in the 1930s.

from Thomas Hart Benton’s mural A Social History of the State of Missouri

“I just asked him, who was the best vote getter-outer in St. Louis in the middle 30s. He sent me an obituary of Jordan Chambers,” Bogan says. “The guy’s wearing a white Stetson hat. The Post-Dispatch called him the ‘Negro Mayor of St. Louis’ at the time. There’s just nobody else who fits the profile.”

Chambers, who invested in a funeral home and nightclub in St. Louis, was the first black Democratic Committeeman in the city. He is known for helping Missouri’s own Harry Truman capture black votes in St. Louis in a tight U.S. Senate Democratic primary in 1940.

“He (Truman) won by 4,000 votes out of a half-million cast,” Bogan says.

Truman went on to win the general election by defeating incumbent Republican Roscoe Patterson by nearly 20 points. While in the U.S. Senate, Truman offered Chambers the job as Recorder of Deeds in Washington, D.C., but Chambers chose to stay put in St. Louis.

from Thomas Hart Benton’s mural A Social History of the State of Missouri

Bogan describes the artwork as “Cinerama before there was Cinerama” because Benton painted a moving picture with figures leaping off the walls. It puts the state’s social history on display in different scenes that intertwine with the people who built Missouri, slavery, mythology, Huckleberry Finn and Jesse James.

“I say it’s the greatest painted walls this side of the Sistine Chapel and north of Mexico City. I have had a bar room fight over that in my life and I’m still ready to swing a punch in favor of that conclusion,” Bogan says.

In 1935, the Missouri Legislature commissioned Benton, who grew up in southwest Missouri’s Neosho, for the $16,000 job. The mural that took him two years to complete is considered by many to be Benton’s best work.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Schroer: “Waylon Jennings’ music lives in the hearts of many Missourians” (AUDIO)

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Legislation that would designate part of Highway P in eastern Missouri’s St. Charles County as the “Waylon Jennings Memorial Highway” has been heard by the Missouri House Transportation Committee in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Nick Schroer speaks to the Capitol Press Corps in December 2017 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, says constituents asked him to file it.

“Waylon Jennings has to be one of my favorite country music stars,” Schroer says. “I think he’s kind of set the tone for what country music is, what it should be about.”

Schroer tells Missourinet this stretch of Highway P goes from O’Fallon to Lincoln County, and reminds him of a popular television show called the “Dukes of Hazzard.”

Waylon Jennings, the show’s narrator, wrote and sang the theme song, which was called “Good ‘Ol Boys.”

Schroer has a tattoo of Jennings, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

The biggest hit of Jennings’ career was “Good ‘Ol Boys”, which at one time was the number one song on the Billboard country singles chart.

“This stretch of Highway P goes from O’Fallon into St. Paul. It eventually ends up going into Troy (Missouri). But it’s a very wooded area on both sides. There’s some farms out there,” says Schroer.

The Missouri House Transportation Committee is expected to vote on the bill in April.

While Jennings never lived in Missouri, Schroer tells Missourinet Jennings performed on tour in the Show-Me State many times.

Jennings died in 2002, after reportedly battling diabetes.

Under the bill, the highway signs would be paid for by private donations.

Schroer hopes a “Waylon Jennings Memorial Highway” would be a tourist attraction for that area. He envisions I-70 travelers stopping off to visit the highway and eating at the local restaurants there.

Time could be the biggest challenge to Schroer’s bill. The 2018 session ends May 18.

Schroer is still optimistic.

He notes there are country music fans in the Missouri Senate, and says his measure could be attached to a Senate bill.

 

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Nick Schroer, which was recorded on March 22, 2018:

MetroLink officials tell Missouri lawmakers they need a dedicated transit police force (AUDIO)

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Ridership on the MetroLink light-rail system in St. Louis has dropped from 17.5 million in fiscal year 2014 to 14.9 million in fiscal year 2017.

State Rep. Mark Matthiesen (R-Maryland Heights) speaks on the Missouri House floor on February 1, 2018 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

MetroLink is a 46-mile, 37-station light rail system that stretches from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to Illinois.

Bi-State Development President and CEO John Nations testified recently before the Missouri House Subcommittee on Mass Transit Security in Jefferson City.

“There’s no question we saw an uptick in the incidents on our system, and security has been labeled by our passengers as their number one concern on the system,” Nations says.

Nations tells Missouri lawmakers that riders are complaining about loud music, obscene language and “bad behavior” on these trains.

Thousands of people use MetroLink daily to get to work, as well as to St. Louis Cardinal baseball and Blues hockey games downtown.

Bi-State Development communications director Patti Beck tells Missourinet ridership is down 11 percent in fiscal year 2018.

Metro Transit Public Safety Chief Richard Zott testifies they need a dedicated transit police force.

“When you police a transit system, it’s critical that you have a lot of visibility,” Zott testifies. “And that means your officers have to be on the trains all the time, not for an hour, not for two hours, all the time.”

Zott tells the subcommittee that St. Louis County has 44 officers dedicated to MetroLink security, and St. Louis City has nine officers.

Zott says there are about 120 private security officers, primarily on platforms. Some of the private security officers also handle fare enforcement.

He says Metro has security as well, and that St. Clair County, Illinois now has 15 officers.

The trains cross the Mississippi River into Illinois.

Subcommittee Chairman State Rep. Mark Matthiesen, R-Maryland Heights, says some of his constituents in Maryland Heights and St. Charles won’t ride MetroLink to Cardinal games in St. Louis, because of crime concerns.

“Many people are simply afraid for their lives right now and would rather drive to the ballgame (Busch Stadium) instead of take MetroLink and are willing to pay that $20 parking fee just to ensure they get there safely,” Matthiesen says.

Zott tells lawmakers there are cameras on the MetroLink trains, along with emergency buttons on platforms. Zott says the drivers have alarms.

Chairman Matthiesen tells Missourinet he was shocked to hear testimony from Bi-State officials, who say St. Louis County officers had threatened to arrest MetroLink light-rail officers.

Matthiesen says he’s also concerned to hear that some crime data hasn’t been given to Bi-State Development, which operates the MetroLink.

“I think it’s time that we get all parties to the table to take a look at how we are handling the crime, what we can do to improve it, and more importantly it seems like there’s a breakdown of cooperation from agency to agency,” says Matthiesen.

MetroLink officials testify that St. Louis Police have been riding the trains with their officers, saying visibility is a deterrent.

Richmond Heights Police have also stationed officers on the platforms, near the Saint Louis Galleria shopping center.

 

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Mark Matthiesen, R-Maryland Heights, which was recorded at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on March 14, 2018:

Popular theatre in small Missouri town would be state’s official theatre, under bill being considered (AUDIO)

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Legislation that would designate the Lyceum Theatre in west-central Missouri’s Arrow Rock as the official state theatre was heard this week by a Missouri House committee in Jefferson City.

The Lyceum Theatre is located in Arrow Rock, a town of 56 people (photo courtesy of Lyceum Theatre website)

State Rep. Dave Muntzel, R-Boonville, tells Missourinet that the theatre has a huge impact on the small town of 56 people.

“There’s two or three little restaurants, little shops and everything and they wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the Lyceum Theatre,” Muntzel says.

The 416-seat theatre held its first performance in 1961 and attracted more than 40,000 patrons in 2017, according to testimony at the hearing.

The theatre has an orchestra, and the audience is part of the show.

“People come from all over, especially neighboring states and come here and make a day trip of this, you know and so, because of the restaurants and the little shops and then the entertainment,” says Muntzel.

Arrow Rock, which is north of I-70 and northwest of Boonville, is located in Saline County. The town is surrounded by corn fields.

The entire village has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Muntzel testified this week before the House Special Committee on Tourism. He says that the thousands of people who visit the town enjoy Broadway-caliber productions, and that artists from as far away as New York City are involved.

“We’re looking at the Missouri heritage and how long it’s been there and it’s right in the middle of the state, and it’s like I said in there (Capitol hearing room), it’s just got Missouri stamped all over the theatre,” Muntzel says.

The crowd at this week’s hearing was standing-room only, as supporters and theatre board members packed the room.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) notes that the Arrow Rock State Historic Site includes the J. Huston Tavern, which dates back to 1834. DNR’s website notes the tavern “provides a dining experience in the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River.”

The Lyceum became the first Missouri theatre to receive an award from the Missouri Arts Council, in 1983.

It’s located at 114 High Street in Arrow Rock.

 

Click here to listen to Missourinet news director Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with State Rep. Dave Muntzel, R-Boonville, which was recorded on March 14, 2018 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

 

Branson commission votes to send massive public-private water park project to city aldermen

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BRANSON, Mo. – By a vote of 7 yes to 4 no, the Branson Tax Increment Financing Commission resolves support for Branson Adventures, a proposed 446-million dollar resort, and water park development.

This action is a formal recommendation to city aldermen, who will ultimately decide on the private-public redevelopment plan at an upcoming meeting, to be determined.

During the four-hour meeting last night, commissioners heard from mechanical engineer and former Olympic kayaker Scott Shipley, whose team has been selected to design the showcase attraction – a white water rafting course – along with other features including ziplines, climbing walls, and ropes courses.

“Based on what we’ve seen at other whitewater park locations, that will change the brand of your town,” said Shipley.  “It will bring outdoor adventure recreation to your town.  And what you’re hearing from these experts is that’s sort of where tourism is headed at this point in time.”

While nearly everyone who spoke during the hearing voiced favor for the development concept, the use of public funds and specifically those beyond TIF capture was the sticking point for opponents, and for the commissioners who voted against the plan.

In addition to a 50-percent TIF capture, the developers are seeking “supplemental contributions” from the city amounting to another 25-percent of taxes generated by Branson Adventures, including general sales tax and tourism tax revenue.

The developers project Branson Adventures will generate 798-million dollars in total revenues over the course of the TIF.

Sam Clanton from Missourinet Branson affiliate KRZK contributed this story

Frontier Airlines adds cheap introductory flights between Denver, Branson

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Introductory fares starting at $29 each way are on sale now for non-stop flights between Branson and Denver International Airport. Frontier Airlines says it plans to offer direct service between Denver and the Branson Airport starting in June.

Frontier Airlines adds cheap introductory flights between Denver, Branson

“We are thrilled to help reduce the cost of flying to and from the Branson area and the Ozark region via the convenient Branson Airport,” says Daniel Shurz, Senior Vice President, commercial for Frontier Airlines. “We are proud to be the only airline to offer ultra-low fares to and from Denver.

“Having Frontier Airlines provides visitors the ability to conveniently and affordably get to Branson from Denver and beyond,” says Jeff Seifried, President of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB. “We appreciate Frontier Airlines’ confidence in the broad appeal of the Branson tourism market.”

Denver-based Frontier flies one the youngest fleet in the industry of Airbus A320 Family jet aircraft, with nearly 200 more new planes on order.

Flights are available for purchase now at flyfrontier.com

By Jason Rima of Missourinet affiliate KTTS in Springfield