Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Dody promoted to city administrator

Branson Assistant City Administrator Terry Dody was promoted by the Branson Board of Aldermen to replace John Pinch as the new city administrator effective Feb. 1. Pinch resigned in December to accept the city manager's job in Lee's Summit. Dody's appointment was annouced Jan. 10 following an executive session of the Branson Board of Aldermen.

"Terry was our unanimous choice. He has worked so well with former administrator John Pinch, and with John's oversight, was responsible for the internal day-to-day management of city operations over the past 2 1/2 years," said Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer. "We felt it would be a smooth transition for the board, community and city staff to appoint Terry as administrator."

The 47-year-old Dody has served as assistant administrator since July 1997. Prior to coming to Branson, he was assistant city administrator and director of finance, computer and support services for the city of Topeka, Kan. Besides his city government experience, he also has 12 years of experience in state and county government.

Chamber seeks sponsors for Black Tie

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors for its annual Black Tie event Feb. 25. Sponsorship is available for $500 and includes eight tickets, recognition during the event and in the printed program, special table signs and advertising recognition in The Branson Tri-Lakes Daily News. Call Mandy Schwarz at the chamber, 334-4084, by Feb. 8 to participate.

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will also hold its January Business After Hours 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 20. The event will be hosted by The Pasta Grill on Green Mountain Drive in Branson.

Skaggs honors staff, celebrates anniversary

Skaggs Community Health Center of Branson named Ferzana Mir, MD, as Physician of the Year and employees Faye Baker and Debby Fryer, RN, as Employees of the Year for 1999. Mir is a pulmonologist and staff doctor who has worked at Skaggs since July 1998. Baker is director of accounting and has worked there since August 1959. Fryer has been at Skaggs since June 1986 and works in the outpatient procedures department.

Skaggs Community Health Center also celebrated its 50th anniversary Jan. 8. Skaggs is named for M.B. Skaggs, the founder of Safeway grocery stores and a Missouri native who owned a home and game preserve in eastern Taney County. With major financial backing from Skaggs and his wife, Estella, the 25-bed hospital was built, furnished and equipped at a cost of about $300,000. Now, nearly 100 physicians are on the medical staff roster, representing 29 specialties, and more than 770 nursing and support personnel are employed to operate the 99-bed hospital and its 11 clinics. The newest addition will be the Skaggs Outpatient Center, a $23-million, 112,000-square-foot, five-story building scheduled to open in late spring.

Stafford rests voice for Feb. 9 return

Branson entertainer Jim Stafford is recovering from successful laser throat surgery Jan. 3. The surgery remedied a benign nodule on his vocal cords. His physician, David Sherman of Ferrell-Duncan Clinic in Springfield, said there were no complications, and he expects a complete recovery by Stafford, according to a news release issued by the Jim Stafford Theatre. After a month of complete vocal rest, Stafford plans to resume shows at his Branson theater Feb. 9.

According to the release, the comic entertainer performed seven nights a week for a year with the throat problem to fulfill his 1999 schedule of 360 shows. He had become progressively hoarse and lost the upper register in his voice.

Andy Williams has also chosen complete vocal rest in an effort to solve a similar problem without surgery.

City officials outline emergency plan

The city of Branson will hold a public hearing on its risk management plan, as required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 in the council chambers at Branson City Hall. The plan outlines actions and responses the city will take if there is a leak of hazardous gases, such as chlorine, from the water and wastewater treatment plants. The plan describes how residents living around the treatment plants would be notified of the leak, what steps would be taken to evacuate them from the area and how the leak would be contained. All communities nationwide were required to submit a plan to the EPA last June.

Joplin

Sooter, Parks-Spurgeon join Realty Execs

Mark Sooter has joined Realty Executives in Joplin. He specializes in commercial real estate. He is an affiliate with the Business Brokers Network, the largest network of business brokers in the world. Rayma Parks-Spurgeon has joined Realty Executives in Carthage. She previously worked with ReMax.