Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Econo Lodge named Inn of the Year

The Econo Lodge of Branson has been awarded Inn of the Year by Choice Hotels International. Choice franchises the Econo Lodge hotel brand, as well as Comfort Inns, Quality Inns, Clarion, Sleep Inns, Rodeway Inns and Mainstay Suites. The award was presented to the hotel's owner, John Jeschke, during Choice's 45th annual convention in November in San Diego. The 67-room Branson hotel was chosen from 717 Econo Lodges worldwide. The award is based on the hotels that best represent their brands in the areas of guest service, hospitality, appearance and operations.

White River joins promotion campaign

As of Jan. 1, White River Valley Electric Cooperative Inc. of Branson is a member the Touchstone Energy alliance, a new campaign to promote electric cooperative products and services. Touchstone Energy is a national branding and marketing group of about 560 rural electric cooperatives. Its goal is to promote a strong local connection between the electric cooperatives and their communities and member owners. According to White River Valley Electric's Current Times, the new campaign will include cobranding logos. The Touchstone Energy logo will appear with the cooperative's logo on all advertisements and official communications.

Branson No. 10 growing retirement area

The city of Branson reports that Branson and the surrounding area tied for 10th place as one of the fastest-growing retirement areas in the country during the years 1990-99. The number of retirees grew 46 percent in that period, according to sociology professor Mark Fagan, from Jacksonville State University in Alabama, an expert on rural migration. The study said that Branson has what retirees are looking for lower costs of living and quieter, safer streets.

City lists accomplishments for year

How safe is Branson? According to the latest crime report from the Branson Police Department, crimes against people (murder, rape, robbery and assault) were down 12 percent in 1999 from 1998, even with about 7 million visitors coming to the area last year. Some of the city's other accomplishments listed for 1999 were:

Opened, equipped and staffed a third fire station with a police satellite office in southwest Branson.

Acquired life-saving defibrillator equipment for the fire department.

Teamed with Taney County to establish an animal-control program and built a modern animal control facility.

Added the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area and the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area as nature preserves to the city.

Developed a land-use plan to guide city officials in future decisions regarding zoning, annexation and land development.

Eliminated older septic tanks and packaged sewer plants through annexation. Branson increased its city limits from 12.6 square miles to 17.1 square miles in 1999.

Retimed traffic signals at key intersections to decrease traffic congestion.

Began overall transportation study for the city to determine future requirements of effectively moving traffic. Participated in a study to look at improving transportation between Springfield and Branson.

Started improvements to the Branson City Campground to include 50-amp electrical hookups for large RVs, cable TV and new restrooms and showers. Improved the appearance and condition of the Don Gardner Pitch N Putt Golf Course and renovated the city swimming pool, which resulted in a 33 percent usage increase.

Created a Residential Construction Handbook and brochure for citizens to provide information on permitting and plan reviewing of new homes.

Passed a truth-in-advertising ordinance to regulate false and misleading advertising of products and services.

Developed a city Web site for the Internet.

Pinch resigns as city administrator

John Pinch, city administrator of Branson, announced his resignation Dec. 20 to accept a similar position as city manager of Lee's Summit, effective Feb. 1. Pinch was assistant city manager in Aurora, Colo., before coming to Branson in 1996. He said a national firm recruited him for the position. Lee's Summit, a community just south of Kansas City, has a population of about 68,000.

"After interviewing with the mayor and council members in Lee's Summit, I see this as an outstanding opportunity in my career, as Lee's Summit is a rapidly growing and dynamic metropolitan area community," Pinch said in a news release.

Festival of Lights winners announced

The Branson Area Festival of Lights Committee and the Blossoms of Branson announced the winners of the annual residential and commercial holiday lighting contests. Judging by the Blossoms of Branson took place during the first two weeks of December. Commercial lighting winners were: Emory Creek Bed & Breakfast and Gift Shop, first place, traditional; Super 8 Central, first place, contemporary; and Polar Bear Inn, first place, child at heart/whimsical and overall commercial lighting grand prize.

Winners in the residential lighting contest were: Mary Lewallen, first place, traditional; Carla Michel, first place, contemporary; and Dan and Renny Thurlo, first place, child at heart/whimsical and overall residential lighting grand prize.

The grand prize for the commercial lighting contest was an advertising package worth more than $1,800 from The Branson Tri-Lakes Daily News and 96.5 The Max radio. First place plaques were also awarded in each commercial category. The residential grand prize winner received a weekend for two in St. Charles. Two-night stays at the Village at Indian Point in Branson were awarded to the first place winners in the residential categories.

Carthage

Tapjac sells seven stores to Barton

A 100-year-old Carthage business, Tapjac Home Centers, will be sold to an Arkansas company, owner Bill Putnam Jr. announced Dec. 20. The change of ownership will not result in any store closings or job loss, he said.

Tapjac traces its roots to November 1899, when Henry Putnam grandfather of Bill Putnam Jr. bought two Carthage lumberyards.

Today, the company operates seven stores under the Tapjac banner. Locations are in Carthage, Nevada, El Dorado Springs, Monett, Mount Vernon, Kimberling City and Shell Knob.

Putnam said the chain will be sold to E.C. Barton and Co., based in Jonesboro, Ark. E.C. Barton operates 43 stores throughout the South, including southwest Missouri. E.C. Barton & Co. has 390 employees.

Putnam and his brother, Harry Putnam, also own Ozark Salvage stores in Aurora and Springfield.

Joplin

Buerge named as regent at university

Alden Buerge, chairman and chief executive officer of First State Bank of Joplin, has been appointed to the board of regents of the Mid South School of Banking at the University of Memphis. Buerge is chairman of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and is past president of the Missouri Independent Bankers Association.