Southwest Missouri News

Chamber plans '99 small business event

The Small Business Council of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 1999 Small Business of the Year Award. The business nominees must be located in Taney or Stone counties, but are not required to be members of the chamber.

Nominees will be judged on staying power, business or management philosophy, response to adversity, innovative products or services and community-oriented contributions. A nomination form must be filled out and returned to the chamber by May 15.

For more information, contact the chamber at 334-4084, ext. 340.

Show Me School now open on Hwy. 165

The Show Me School of Trading and Consulting Services held its grand opening March 23. The school is located at the Market Place Shopping Center next to the Welk Resort Center on Mo. Highway 165. The company's president, L.D. "Bernie" Phipps, said his new company will offer instruction in the principles and techniques of trading stocks, commodities, ag marketing and hedging on both the hobby and business level.

He said participants will be able to use computers to learn about trading over the Internet. Classes will also be held for training on personal computers. Phipps said classes will be held days, evenings and weekends, with the first class to be held at 7 p.m. March 30 and the first trading class to be held at 9 a.m. April 3.

Branson Boat and RV Expo set for May 7-9

The first Branson Boat and RV Expo will be held May 7-9 at Chateau on the Lake. Utilizing the grounds of the Chateau, as well as the arena, the show will feature both boats and recreational vehicles from area dealerships. According to Joe Sullivan, one of the expo's producers, Ozark Mountain Bank of Branson will also process loan applications on site.

Unique to the show will be the opportunity for potential buyers to test-drive boats at the marina.

"We participate in several indoor boat shows throughout the year, but we are particularly excited about the Chateau show because we are not limited in the size of boats we can show," said Bob Broyles, general manager of Port Arrowhead Marine.

Port Arrowhead plans to exhibit its larger Sea Ray Sundancers and Gibson houseboats on both land and water.

Other features of the show will be a kids' fishing clinic, and water ski and personal watercraft demonstrations.

Operations manager named for Corps

Kenneth Foersterling has been named as the new operations manager of the Upper White River Project Office at Table Rock Dam by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Foersterling replaces Richard Groves, who retired in January after more than 40 years of federal service.

Foersterling will be responsible for planning, managing and operating Table Rock and Beaver project dams and power plants, as well as the corps' parks and public land surrounding Table Rock Lake. Foersterling previously spent 13 years as the Table Rock Lake manager.

Nobel laureate to speak at MSSC April 12

Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and recipient of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize, will speak April 12 at Missouri Southern State College.

Arias is founder of the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress. His presentation will be titled "Latin America: Peace, Human Progress and New Challenges for the 21st Century."

His talk is a presentation of the college's Harry and Berniece Gockel International Symposium. Dr. Julio Leon, MSSC president, will make opening remarks. Alex Adwan, senior editor for The Tulsa World, will be moderator. The 7:30 p.m. program in Taylor Performing Arts Center is free and open to the public.

Sales tax revenue down 3 percent from '98

Sales-tax revenue disbursed to the city of Joplin in March dropped by 3 percent when compared to March 1998.

The Missouri Department of Revenue reported to Joplin that the city's 1-cent general sales tax and half-cent transportation sales tax brought in $1,846,601. In March 1998, the two taxes brought in $1,903,662.

Sales-tax revenue disbursed by the state in March reflects Christmas sales. Although it's lower than last year, it's still ahead of city projections. Officials projected that through March, the city would receive 41.3 percent of its total sales-tax revenue for the year. Joplin has received 41.5 percent of its projection.

Commerce announces new employee

Carolyn Lowry has joined Commerce Brokerage Services Inc., Joplin, as assistant vice president and regional investment specialist. She has 14 years of experience in banking and investments. Commerce Brokerage Services is affiliated with Commerce Bank.

Joplin airport reports decline in passengers

Two airlines serving the Joplin Regional Airport reported a decline in number of passengers and amount of cargo this February compared to February 1998.

Trans World Express, which flies passengers from Joplin to St. Louis, had 1,285 passengers in February. In February 1998, 1,482 passengers left Joplin on TW Express flights.

Northwest Airlink, which flies passengers to Memphis, Tenn., reported that its passenger count dropped from 720 in February 1998 to 593 this past February.

Cargo hauled to and from the Joplin airport dropped from 19,402 pounds in February 1998 to 13,746 pounds this year.

P&Z rejects South Madison zoning change

One of the last remaining residential areas on South Madison Street in Webb City remains so after the Planning and Zoning Commission rejected a rezoning request March 16. Thirteen property owners sought the rezoning from residential to commercial.

South Madison Street becomes North Rangeline in Joplin, the main commercial development area for both cities.

Charles Brown, speaking in favor of rezoning, noted that 25,000 cars a day travel on South Madison. "That leads us to believe that the area is not residential anymore," he said.

Ann Storm, resident, speaking against the rezoning, said she would hate to see commercial development backed up against her property. "We don't have to be an extension of Joplin," she said.

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