Branson West votes to extend mask mandate
September 17, 2020
Cindy Hembree
The Branson West aldermen, on Wednesday, September 9, held a public hearing to decide whether or not to keep the mask mandate. Before the hearing began, Alderman Gary Brandt was sworn into office, adding a fourth voice to the board.
Once the meeting was called to order, everyone stood and recited the pledge of allegiance as they faced the flag. Upon being seated, Mayor Ron Flam read the ordinance and asked if anyone in the room had any objections.
Only nine individuals were in attendance for the hearing. Only one Branson West business was represented. Steve Sanderson, co-owner of K’s Koffee, was the first to stand at the podium. He stated that he noticed that since the mask mandate had started, he has seen a lot more division in the community. He also noted there had not been a big difference in the statistics of before and after the mandate.
Carolyn DeJager, a Branson resident, said she does all of her shopping in Branson West. She asked the board to weigh out the pros and cons of the mask. “Is it really working?” she asked. She also asked them to consider the individuals that were concerned about the complications of wearing a mask.
Shane Clements, of Reeds Spring, was the last to come to the platform. Claiming she has a medical issue that does not allow her to wear the mask, she said she had been verbally abused several times for not wearing a mask. She felt uncomfortable having to discuss and explain her medical history to everyone. Clements stated that she does not like to go out anymore because of this.
After all had voiced their opinions against the mandate, Mayor Flam mentioned that no one residing in the city limits was present. The hearing was then closed, and the voting began. Alderman Ken Pollack and Alderwoman Penny Longsway voted in favor of the mask mandate. Alderwoman Carrie Rogers and Alderman Brandt opposed it. Mayor Flam was left to break the tie. The result was a 3-2 split in favor of the mandate staying in place for another 30 days.
After the hearing was over, the board moved on to the new business at hand. Ken Smith, the city administrator, spoke of the new hangar under construction at the Branson West airport. He spoke about how much the airstrip is used. He added the airport was attained with a Star loan.
The board also discussed the new 500,000-gallon water tower the city is planning to erect. No tax dollars will be needed for the purchase. However, the city needs 1.4 million dollars to have the tower assembled. The location cited for the project is east on Hwy 76, close to the former Bear Bank. Smith said they are anticipating the construction to be completed sometime in the next year. Once the funding is acquired, the Missouri Rural Water Association will build the turret.
The new water tower may pose a problem for residents in the immediate area who use wells for their water supply. In 1995, when a new water tower was installed in Branson West, it greatly affected the water table. Several residents close to the area were alarmed when they discovered their wells had run dry. Households were forced to spend thousands of dollars to have their wells lowered. Smith admitted that might be an issue for those individuals who have shallower wells.
On Monday, September 14, the administrator added that no new wells would be established via phone interview. “We are simply going to use existing wells to supply the elevated tank,” Smith said. He assured this is being done in the best interest of the Branson West community.
The Branson West aldermen, on Wednesday, September 9, held a public hearing to decide whether or not to keep the mask mandate. Before the hearing began, Alderman Gary Brandt was sworn into office, adding a fourth voice to the board.
Once the meeting was called to order, everyone stood and recited the pledge of allegiance as they faced the flag. Upon being seated, Mayor Ron Flam read the ordinance and asked if anyone in the room had any objections.
Only nine individuals were in attendance for the hearing. Only one Branson West business was represented. Steve Sanderson, co-owner of K’s Koffee, was the first to stand at the podium. He stated that he noticed that since the mask mandate had started, he has seen a lot more division in the community. He also noted there had not been a big difference in the statistics of before and after the mandate.
Carolyn DeJager, a Branson resident, said she does all of her shopping in Branson West. She asked the board to weigh out the pros and cons of the mask. “Is it really working?” she asked. She also asked them to consider the individuals that were concerned about the complications of wearing a mask.
Shane Clements, of Reeds Spring, was the last to come to the platform. Claiming she has a medical issue that does not allow her to wear the mask, she said she had been verbally abused several times for not wearing a mask. She felt uncomfortable having to discuss and explain her medical history to everyone. Clements stated that she does not like to go out anymore because of this.
After all had voiced their opinions against the mandate, Mayor Flam mentioned that no one residing in the city limits was present. The hearing was then closed, and the voting began. Alderman Ken Pollack and Alderwoman Penny Longsway voted in favor of the mask mandate. Alderwoman Carrie Rogers and Alderman Brandt opposed it. Mayor Flam was left to break the tie. The result was a 3-2 split in favor of the mandate staying in place for another 30 days.
After the hearing was over, the board moved on to the new business at hand. Ken Smith, the city administrator, spoke of the new hangar under construction at the Branson West airport. He spoke about how much the airstrip is used. He added the airport was attained with a Star loan.
The board also discussed the new 500,000-gallon water tower the city is planning to erect. No tax dollars will be needed for the purchase. However, the city needs 1.4 million dollars to have the tower assembled. The location cited for the project is east on Hwy 76, close to the former Bear Bank. Smith said they are anticipating the construction to be completed sometime in the next year. Once the funding is acquired, the Missouri Rural Water Association will build the turret.
The new water tower may pose a problem for residents in the immediate area who use wells for their water supply. In 1995, when a new water tower was installed in Branson West, it greatly affected the water table. Several residents close to the area were alarmed when they discovered their wells had run dry. Households were forced to spend thousands of dollars to have their wells lowered. Smith admitted that might be an issue for those individuals who have shallower wells.
On Monday, September 14, the administrator added that no new wells would be established via phone interview. “We are simply going to use existing wells to supply the elevated tank,” Smith said. He assured this is being done in the best interest of the Branson West community.