Wow Branson (buy, prices, customer)

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I don't necessarily care for it either, but that is how it usually works unforunately. Commercial entities become more energy efficient when they realize it cuts their operating costs while increasing the bottom line. It is simple economics. Environmental consultants are hired to do this work.

Unfortunately, seems too many commercial entities care more for (a) quarterly reports to satisfy near-term gains for shareholders, and/or (b) environmental aspects [only] when its satisfying political or public needs , not because its the correct right thing to do for long term sustainability.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by ShadowCaver

Unfortunately, seems too many commercial entities care more for (a) quarterly reports to satisfy near-term gains for shareholders, and/or (b) environmental aspects [only] when its satisfying political or public needs , not because its the correct right thing to do for long term sustainability.

Agreed

[ozarksboy]

Well, ShadowCaver and GraniteStater, I can see you two genuinely agree with one another on the issue of development. LOL.

Can the two of you cite some specifics in Missouri? Preferably in Southern Missouri? Several instances would be good, for you all agree that this is a pervasive problem among developers. I don't see it. Of course, I lead a pretty sheltered life here in Rolla, but the people I know involved in the construction industry in Phelps and Pulaski Counties are just businessmen looking to make an honest profit.

Can you give me several examples to persuade me otherwise?

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

I do not believe that economic development benefits the average man. It benefits the shareholders of the Hiltons, the Best Westerns, The Golden Corrals, the McDonalds, but rarely the wage slave who barely eeks out a living providing the sweat labor to these maga-giant corporations....It has been my observation that this "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT" of which you speak, does more to destroy my quality of life than it does to improve it.

20yrsinBranson

I'm an hourly wage employee of a HUGE corporate big-box store. I'm also a shareholder in the company, which also matches my 401(k) payments and gives me vacation, sick days and lots of training. Acres of trees lost their lives to make way for my store and its HUGE parking lot, but my quality of life is pretty darn good.

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

Yes, I have seen many changes since first moving here in 1987. The most interesting thing is when you haven't traveled down a certain road for many years, and then all of a sudden you DO and now there are condos and houses built up where once there was only deer woods! It's shocking to say the least.

I often have a problem with progress. In the immortal words of that song... Paradise....

"Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel
And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land
Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken
Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man.

Sometimes - no, OFTEN - progress is just an excuse to consume the natural resources that we have for the sole purpose of greed and profiteering. Did you know that Branson is on the migratory path for hundreds of bird species? Can you imagine how deforesting HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of acres of natural woodland impacts the habitat for not only migratory birds but a plethora of other wildlife as well? Call me a party pooper, but I do not believe that such things can ever be considered good.

20yrsinBranson

Well, I grew up in Greene County and my family visited Silver Dollar City, Shepherd of the Hills Farm and College of the Ozarks campus right at 20 years before you started your 20-year tenure. I can tell you that I saw a lot of changes over those 20 years.

Those changes were made to accommodate new residents such as yourself, as well as the tourist trade to help spark economic activity and employ people while MAKING A PROFIT, which seems to be a filthy pastime to some folks' way of thinking.

Probably some of the folks living in the condos are newcomes like yourself and the others who visited this forum and are encouraged to move here by various posters. Now that you are here and have a home in the Ozarks, do you begrudge them their homes?

They are not mining coal in Taney County.

If you believe in evolution, be assured the birds will adapt. If you believe in Our Creator, be assured He will take care of the birds as Jesus promised.

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

Having THREE Walmarts and a virtual cornacopia of retail establishments does not improve my quality of life one bit.

20yrsinBranson

I am a big fan of Wal-Mart. It's an Ozarks-based company founded by a man who believed in customer service and low prices for working people. People who dislike Wal-Mart are snobs. For more of my rant, click.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

I am a big fan of Wal-Mart. It's an Ozarks-based company founded by a man who believed in customer service and low prices for working people. People who dislike Wal-Mart are snobs. For more of my rant, click.

I am not a snob but prefer Target over Walmart. Target stores are just much cleaner overall, they tend to be less packed with people, and the customer service is excellent.

[Hillman]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

I am a big fan of Wal-Mart. It's an Ozarks-based company founded by a man who believed in customer service and low prices for working people. People who dislike Wal-Mart are snobs. For more of my rant, click.

Guess you've never heard of the Southern Mafia,Headquaters in North West Arkansas.I have,plus made good money working for one of the companies in it.

hillman

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by Hillman

Guess you've never heard of the Southern Mafia,Headquaters in North West Arkansas.I have,plus made good money working for one of the companies in it.

hillman

Sam Walton was in the Mafia?

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I am not a snob but prefer Target over Walmart. ... they tend to be less packed with people....

Why don't they draw as many customers? Are the prices higher?