Announcement of Candidacy for 

Mayor of Marionville, MO

My name is Jim Brangenberg, and I am running for Mayor of Marionville.

I love Marionville. This is an amazing small town with great people, strong schools, and a great location. We have dedicated organizations, committed volunteers, and all the right ingredients to thrive as a city.

At the same time, Marionville faces serious financial challenges that must be addressed. The 2026 budget recently passed by the Board of Aldermen includes a projected deficit of approximately $175,000. Under the current plan, that shortfall would be covered by drawing from the city’s savings. If nothing changes, those savings could be exhausted within just a few years.

Our city needs leadership that is innovative, energetic, and connected to all parts of the community. We need a mayor who is willing to ask tough questions and offer bold, practical solutions to strengthen city revenue. My vision is to move Marionville out of financial strain and into a place of stability and growth—so we can fix our roads, repair and add sidewalks, and invest in the infrastructure that keeps our town safe and welcoming.

We must also attract new businesses that generate sustainable revenue while ensuring the city collects the revenue it has earned and deserves to provide quality services.

My wife, Martha, and I have demonstrated our commitment to Marionville through physical and financial investments in downtown, including Central Place, The Gathering, and the LoJ. We have also worked to support and encourage local businesses through Marionville Business Connect.

I live in Marionville. I work here, volunteer here, attend church here, and regularly attend Board of Aldermen meetings. I have served our community in many ways, including as:

• Co-host of the Good Place Marionville Podcast

• Co-founder of Marionville Business Connect

• Chair of the Marionville Economic Development Advisory Committee

• Member of the Planning & Zoning Committee

• Active member and Chaplain of the Marionville Fire Department

• Member of the Ministerial Alliance and Lions Club

• Advisor to Marionville High School FBLA students

In addition, I bring over 40 years of experience running businesses, managing people, and solving complex problems, along with a background in communications, radio, podcasting, and public speaking.

I believe I can help Marionville see clearly where we are, where we need to go, and how we can grow while preserving what makes this town special in southwest Missouri. As mayor, I will work collaboratively with a newly elected Board of Aldermen, our dedicated city employees and citizens to serve Marionville well.

I would be honored to earn your vote on April 7, 2026.

— Jim Brangenberg

My work in downtown Marionville and support for our local businesses
show my commitment to this community. 

I live here, work here, worship here, and volunteer here.

I’m ready to step in as a mayor who listens, stays involved, and stands up for Marionville’s future.  

It all started when…

Jim & Martha Brangenberg bought a house in Marionville to live near one of their kids.  Once that house was renovated, they learned about the “Old Library,” saw the beauty in its history, and fell in love.  For 12 months, the couple worked to gut the building completely and worked hard to preserve as many materials as they could.  A new roof installation assured them that the inside would be protected, and they moved forward to uncover the old charm.  Opening the rafters and exposing the exterior brick were just two of the ways they chose to celebrate the life of this old building. 

They updated everything: plumbing, electrical, walls, insulation, design, painting…and today we have a beautiful 2,200 sq. ft building named Central Place. 

and then there was more…..24 E Washington St

When Jim and Martha purchased Central Place, the building next door stood empty and in need of significant cleanup and renovation. They reached out to the owner multiple times, sending letters in hopes of restoring the space, but received no response. Nearly twenty months later, through the diligent work of Alicia at Great American Title, the liens were released, and 24 E. Washington St. became their next downtown project.

After much prayer and reflection, Jim and Martha felt a clear calling to create a space Marionville needed—a place for community to gather downtown, to sit at the table together, and to truly belong.

Today, that vision is a reality.

The Gathering is now open, housing Elevate Coffee, a locally owned coffee shop, along with a welcoming venue for live events, meetings, and small private parties. It has become a place where neighbors connect over coffee, conversations happen naturally, and local talent and creativity are shared.

The space reflects Martha’s original dream: a warm environment with room to linger, support local makers, host meaningful events, and provide a listening ear to anyone who walks through the door. What began as an empty building has been transformed into a vibrant part of downtown Marionville.

Below are a few photos capturing the early days of the project and the progress that brought The Gathering to life.

What’s next?

While construction was still underway at The Gathering, another need in downtown Marionville became clear. Following the passing of Bruce Schatzer in 2024, the building that had long housed the Marionville Clothing Bank sat unused, and the once-beautiful structure began to fall into serious disrepair.

The History of the Old Lodge

The Old Lodge of Marionville

The Old Lodge in Marionville is a building with a rich and layered history. This nearly 7,000-square-foot, two-story structure was originally built in 1923 by the Masons and served as a Masonic Lodge for its first twelve years.

Over the decades, the building has continually adapted to meet the needs of the community. It became a music emporium where people could learn, play, and purchase instruments. Later, it operated as both a movie theater and a bowling alley, offering entertainment and a gathering place for local families. In the 1950s, the building found new life as Bible Baptist Church, and throughout the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, it served as a VFW hall with a very active Women’s Auxiliary. Many artifacts from this era still remain today.

Around the turn of the century, the building became home to the Marionville Clothing Distribution Center, a nonprofit ministry where community members could donate and receive clothing and household items. Stewardship of the building eventually passed to Bruce Schatzer, who faithfully kept the ministry running for over a decade—often without electricity or heat—distributing hundreds of thousands of items to those in need.

After Bruce’s passing in 2024, the building quickly fell into serious disrepair, including a major roof failure that left it exposed to the elements. Although the clothing ministry had operated in the space for years, the property remained under a former nonprofit, creating potential legal complications. To prevent the title from becoming tied up in court, iWork4Him Ministries stepped in to acquire the building with the intent of transferring it to the Marionville Firefighters Auxiliary.

Shortly after taking ownership on December 30, 2024, immediate repairs began. The roof was rebuilt with new decking and shingles over the course of just a few days. The building was then offered to the Firefighters Auxiliary, who ultimately declined the gift.

With the original plan falling through, a decision had to be made. With the original plan falling through, the Board of Directors of iWork4Hm Ministries chose to step back and for a year the property was owned by Jim and Martha Brangenberg and Kris and Sydney Bowling, who committed to restoring the property and bringing it back to life. 

Throughout 2025, significant renovations were completed, including the replacement of all 39 windows, wrapped in aluminum to make them maintenance-free, the installation of six new maintenance-free doors, and extensive brick and masonry repairs. These efforts transformed the building from a long-standing eyesore into a renewed community asset.

In the spring of 2025, the property hosted one of the largest garage sales in Marionville’s history, redistributing more than 10,000 items back into the community, with most items selling at 25 cents. Proceeds from the sale helped fund the building’s window replacements.

Kris and Sydney stepped away from the project in the run-up to the 2026 Mayoral Election to eliminate any conflict of interest between Jim Brangenberg and Kris as a city Employee.

Looking ahead, The Old Lodge is being reimagined as a space designed to serve the Marionville community while contributing to the city’s future. The main goal is to contribute to the revenue of the City of Marionville. Potential uses include childcare services on the lower level, with the upper level offering flexible space for events such as dances, bingo nights, and large community gatherings. All possibilities are being thoughtfully considered as this historic building enters its next chapter.

Jim and Martha aren't done yet!!!

Then came VisitMarionville.com