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Branson Globe, March 29, 2024

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‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!’ – Mark 16:6

Your source for local news and entertainment

March 29, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #13

INSIDE:

Tony Orlando: ‘Branson is the shining light of patriotism’

• Around Town.... 10B • Churches............ 8C • Classifieds........... 9C • Food.................. 6C • Fun & Games.... 10C • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 11A • School News........ 6B • Features ............. 1C • Voices................. 1B • Weather........... 11A

PLUS:

Distraction or destiny? – SEE PAGE 1B.

Tony Orlando receives a welcome home at the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport. Businesses and attractions around the area joined in the welcome by displaying yellow ribbons. (Photo by Luanna Fullerton)

BY LUANNA FULLERTON, Entertainment Writer What a man, what a life, what a legend…Tony Orlando! I met Tony back in 2007 at the Trinity Christian Academy School where my two younger children were attending, and I was working. His daughter Jenny was attending there also. Tony and his wife Francine would attend functions. I never sat and spoke with Tony, just admired him and his wife from afar. So, when this opportunity was presented to me, of course I accepted. Who wouldn’t? I listened to his music growing up. When I set the interview up with Jenny, I told her that your dad won’t remember me. So, the first thing that Tony said to me was, “Of course I remember you; you were always so great to the kids at the school; you’re amazing.” I told Tony that he was my first interview for this column, and he re-

plied, “Well you know why you lucked out, right?” I said, “Why?” His response melted my heart, by saying, “It’s because I love you! We had some good days in the past at the school and that school changed so many lives, by bringing the Lord Jesus to the young children in this town.” Tony started his career in 1959. He would go to the Brill Building and take his guitar and every door that was a record company he would enter and audition. One door that he knocked on was a music publishing company run by Don Kirshner. This is where he met Carole King and Gerry Goffin, her husband. He charted the song, Half Way to Paradise that was Carole King’s first hit record as a songwriter in 1961. Tony was only 16 years old at the time of this hit record. “Bless You,” was his folSEE TONY ORLANDO, PAGE 4A

Branson’s Future: Candidates speak out on key issues

Still promoting Branson – SEE PAGE 1C.

BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist Dear Candidates for Branson Alderman, As the upcoming municipal election approaches, the Branson Globe aims to provide our readers with information to help them make informed decisions when casting their votes. To provide this crucial information, we kindly request your responses to a series of questions. The Friday, March 29, edition of the Branson Globe will feature your answers published exactly as you provide them. This request is being sent to all candidates at 12:30 on March 21, 2024, and contains questions relating to matters that we trust you are already familiar with. To ensure that we can meet our publishing deadlines, please submit your responses via return email no later than the close of business on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Thank you in advance for taking the time to make this information available to the

voters and for your willingness to serve. If you have questions, please contact me, either via email or phone at 417294-0404. Best Regards, Gary The following are the results of that inquiry as of 6:45 a.m. on March 27. No response was received from Ralph LeBlanc, who is running unopposed in Ward 3, or Chuck Rodriguez, Ward 2 Incumbent, running against Glen Schulz, who cared enough to respond. The answers are published in the order received: 1. “Yes” or “No,” do you have an opinion on the most significant issue facing Branson? 2. If “Yes,” please precisely and succinctly share what that issue is. Glenn Schulz - Ward 2 1. Yes. 2. The growth of Branson will be stunted by the shortage of workers due to the lack of affordable housing. A recent Branson housing

study estimated that more than 230 housing units are needed per year for the foreseeable future. Another study showed that less than 40 percent of Branson workers live in Branson. One Branson apartment developer recently stated that he has a waiting list of 200 people. The Branson housing problem is reaching a critical state. Branson must actively identify the locations, specify the types of housing, put the proper zoning in place that excludes nightly or weekly rental use, invest in the infrastructure, and put the incentives on the table to attract the investors and developers to build affordable housing. Let’s get 600 units built in the next 24 months. Marshall Howden Ward 1 1. Yes. 2. We have significant workforce challenges in the city of Branson. To operate a robust tourist economy, we need workers to staff the many businesses that

are open during our busy seasons. This challenge certainly involves the lack of housing for these potential workers to live in this community. I have recently asked the City Administration to ensure that in the next comprehensive plan for the city, we include space for the expansion of workforce and affordable housing. A study by the Taney County Partnership reported that we need about 200 new units per year over the next decade just to keep up with demand. Bill Skains - Ward 1 1. Yes. 2. Housing. Affordable/ moderate and even low income housing. If this problem is reduced, most other issues will be lessened. Housing will increase workforce and correctly located housing will aid in the transportation issues. Branson has already stymied over 200 housing units on Fall Creek Road. The development needs to proceed. Almost all apartment build-

ings have several hundred person waiting lists. 3. “Yes” or “No,” do you have a top priority for Branson’s future growth? 4. If the answer to 3 above is “Yes,” please state that priority as concisely and succinctly as possible. Glenn Schulz - Ward 2 3. Yes. 4. As we look for new business opportunities, we should turn our attention to the blighted entrance of our Entertainment District when exiting from Hwy 65. Unfortunately, this part of 76 is not in the Entertainment District CID that is scheduled to be upscaled. The City of Branson needs to take a leadership role in naming the type of businesses that are needed in the entrance to our Entertainment District, putting incentives on the table and inviting the investors and developers in to get it done. Let’s attract businesses such as supercharger stations and major Bible themed busiSEE CANDIDATES, PAGE 6A

The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...

SPRING!

Open Mon. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. • 3609 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson, MO 65616 • 417-332-1499 • worldslargesttoymuseum.com


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