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View Full Version : Don Allen Holbrook IEDC Rogue Former Member / Jeff Finkle Orchestrates Cover-up



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Soapboxmom
01-12-2012, 02:29 PM
All of the posts concerning Don Holbrook are now together. Will the IEDC (International Economic Development Council) step up and properly discipline this rogue member or must I file a complaint myself and keep this very public?

http://www.iedconline.org/Downloads/IEDC_Ethics_Enforcement.pdf


More of the entities tangled up in this fiasco:

Team


The EarthQuest Institute brings together some of the best and brightest minds from across the globe.
They share a deep devotion to science, education and the discovery of global solutions for a sustainable future.
Management Team

Our Management Team is comprised of accomplished executives from a variety of disciplines. They provide expertise in private and public fundraising, financial management, non-profit leadership and the sciences.

Don Holbrook, President and CEO
Dr. Matthew Gardner, Chief Science Officer
Executive Board

Our Executive Board represents the major creative and philanthropic developers of the EarthQuest concept, with respective backgrounds in science, communication, public education and community development.
Leon Cubillas, Chairman
Don Lessem, Founder and Director
John Marlin, Director












Entity Information:
MARLIN ATLANTIS WHITE, LTD.
GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23R
DALLAS, TX 75240-0000


Status:
IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012


Registered Agent:
JOHN D. MARLIN
GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS, TX 75240


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800312274


SOS Registration Date:
March 4, 2004


Taxpayer Number:
32035637753








Entity Information:
MARLIN ATLANTIS, LTD.
16301 QUORUM DR STE 200B
ADDISON, TX 75001-6871


Status:
IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012


Registered Agent:
MARLIN ATLANTIS HOLDINGS, LLC
5880 SHADY OAKS DR.
FRISCO, TX 75034


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800263757


SOS Registration Date:
October 30, 2003


Taxpayer Number:
32035701682













Entity Information:
MARLIN ATLANTIS HOLDINGS, LLC
16301 QUORUM DR STE 200B
ADDISON, TX 75001-6871


Status:
IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012


Registered Agent:
WYATT HENDERSON
11519 ROSSER RD.
DALLAS, TX 75229


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800263596


SOS Registration Date:
October 30, 2003


Taxpayer Number:
32012656917








MANAGER
ARTHUR ALLEN JONES
16301 QUORUM DRIVE, SUITE 200B
,






MANAGER
JOHN D MARLIN
13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240






MANAGER
WYATT HENDERSON
16301 QUORUM DRIVE, SUITE 200B
ADDISON , TX 75001









Entity Information:
MAW MAGNOLIA HOLDINGS, LLC
13455 NOEL RD FL 23
DALLAS, TX 75240-6620


Status:
IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012


Registered Agent:
JOHN D MARLIN
13455 NOEL ROAD 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS, TX 75240


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800570581


SOS Registration Date:
November 14, 2005


Taxpayer Number:
32018564396





MANAGER
DEBORAH A THOMAS
13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240






MANAGER
WV HOLDINGS LLC
13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240

















Entity Information:
WV HOLDINGS, LLC
GALLERIA TOWER II 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD
DALLAS, TX 75240-


Status:
IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012


Registered Agent:
DEBORAH A THOMAS
GALLERIA TOWER II 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS, TX 75240


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800324811


SOS Registration Date:
April 2, 2004


Taxpayer Number:
12009713707




MANAGER ROSCOE F WHITE III
13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240

Though the LLC holding the land is in bankruptcy, the other LLCs that signed the contracts for this adventure park still exist. There are contracts with the East Montgomery County Improvement District and possibly between the parties of the various LLCs themselves. That means scammer Roscoe / Trey White and John Marlin are still tangled up in this project to some degree. The others involved need to demand they sign off and let go of any interest in this deal or alternatively Trey White and John Marlin need to be sued, hauled into court and extricated by order of a judge so this project can be taken over by honest and experienced business people that can make it happen! This is extremely complicated and it could tie this project up in court for years to come. The taxpayers and folks that invested into this project and things in the surrounding area are getting royally screwed!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-08-2012, 02:13 PM
The EarthQuest Institute page seems to have turned into the Don Holbrook advertising venue as I noted earlier. I bet he was behind these totally misleading updates. The EMCID board is either corrupt or a bunch of totally clueless country bumpkins. Nice to know Holbrook was being paid $144,893.00 by the EarthQuest Insitute in 2009 for working 15 hours a week doing I suspect little more than promoting himself!



https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/71155_224584770416_5430110_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416)EarthQuest Institute (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416) The Park is still moving forward now that the financial markets have begun to flow our investment banking team is seeing great intrrest on the financing for the project. The average theme park project takes between 8-14 years from concept to opening, so we are ahead of the curve.June 12, 2011 at 11:42am · Like · https://s-static.ak.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v1/yw/r/drP8vlvSl_8.gif 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes/?id=10150664875680417)

EarthQuest Institute (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416) It makes no sense to throw out ground breaking dates until the phase one financing is definitively secured. Sorry but we are subject to king Midas and since he (Wall Street) has the gold he makes the rules.June 30, 2011 at 11:25am · Like · https://s-static.ak.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v1/yw/r/drP8vlvSl_8.gif 1 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes/?id=10150696752825417)
https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/71155_224584770416_5430110_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416)EarthQuest Institute (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416) Thanks Bryant. The project is picking up steam again. We are currently building our world class board of advisors from the entertainment, finance and real estate industries. Our investment bundle and project scope is being updated so we can fully pursue syndicated funding this fall and still shoot for a Spring 2012 ground breaking.September 8, 2011 at 9:43pm · Like


Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-14-2012, 11:57 AM
Wakeboard park, shooting range coming to East Montgomery County - Your Houston News: News (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/east_montgomery/news/wakeboard-park-shooting-range-coming-to-east-montgomery-county/article_bff7b91f-6abb-51ef-bc0c-b0f79f9014cf.html#user-comment-area)

For the love of mud. Allen, TX got the wake board park from this group and it didn't cost the public a dime. Why on earth is Frank McCrady throwing taxpayer money at this stuff?

http://hydrouswakeparks.info/wp-content/uploads/DMN-Allen-Cable-park-City-Council-Workshop.pdf

http://www.pahrumpnv.org/images/uploads/downloads/Backup_111011.pdf

And, it should be no surprise to learn that Don Holbrook is also likely involved in the shooting range nonsense. He met up with that bunch in Pahrump, NV and probably introduced them to EMC. It is just too much of a coincidence that the shooting range bunch is now soliciting EMC. Hasn't Don Holbrook made enough money off of us? He was paid 144 grand in 2009 for working 15 hours a week for the EarthQuest Institute alone.

What in the world is Frank McCrady doing paying for this stuff? He will do anything to divert attention from the dino adventure park fiasco it looks like to me.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-15-2012, 06:33 PM
In addition to the stunning, state of the art physical facility, the EarthQuest Institute plans to launch a set of education and outreach programs in the local Houston region, some prior to the completion of the actual EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park and the EarthQuest Institute.

These programs will make a significant impact on students, teachers, parents and future leaders who will in turn share the knowledge they gain with others around the world. INTERACTIVE WEBSITE
EarthQuest will offer a complete virtual-world designed to expand the reach of our programs beyond our facility in Texas, to reach the global community. The robust website will serve as a global communication hub and information repository with deep content and numerous engaging, interactive online activities. It will provide online research publishing; public social network; an information resources center with videos, podcasts and more; listings for volunteer opportunities; a gamer portal; an online store; and a convenient way to make donations.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
We are planning a portfolio of education and outrach programs to extend our reach to school children, teachers, and the public. These programs, some of which we will launch before construction is complete will bring EarthQuest programming to schools, public events, conferences and exhibitions where we will demonstrate our unique approach to education, communication and entertainment.
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
Through assessment and analysis of scientific research, and close collaboration with cutting edge businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and other entities, we will help advance the development of next-generation technologies in energy production, environmental monitoring, information technology and other key areas. Moreover, the Institute will serve as a central “clearinghouse” for the evaluation of sustainability-related research and as a direct link between the scientific community and product manufacturers, marketers, vendors and service providers.

CONSUMER AWARENESS
To help consumers buy, give and use green products confidently, EarthQuest is working with its research associates to develop the most comprehensive, objective and credible web resource for the general public for assessing the environmental impact of products, services, related organizations and charities.

MEDIA PROJECTS
The EarthQuest Institute will cooperate with leading filmmakers, virtual reality designers, production studios and other entertainment-industry experts to create new sustainability-focused programming for many different media. The themes and core messages will focus on educating the public in an informative, engaging and entertaining way. In other words, we intend to make learning about energy, the environment and sustainable living fun and exciting.

ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS AND INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
We are coordinating a global effort to advance education about sustainability and accelerate the development of green technologies and products that will aid in making and keeping our planet healthy for future generations. By forming academic partnerships and collaborating with businesses in a full range of industries, we will also be helping to create new economic opportunities for millions of people the world over.
EarthQuest News



EQI Collaborates with Lone Star (http://www.ultimatekingwood.com/stories/230536-college-students-to-create-game-for-theme-park)
EarthQuest in the Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7107178.html)
Houston Business Journal Story (http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/04/story6.html)



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21575 US Highway 59 North, Suite 200 | New Caney, TX 77357
info@earthquestinstitute.org | (866) 559-4006 | www.earthquestinstitute.org (http://www.earthquestinstitute.org/)
The EarthQuest Institute © 2012



The Insitute bragged at the first and only fund raiser that the educational programs would start in 2010. Absolutely nothing was done as far as I can tell. Holbrook and Deborah Thomas of Marlin Atlantis raked in tens of thousands of dollars in salary for this phantom project. Donors should file a formal complaint with the IRS and the 501 (c) 3 status should be immediately revoked. They are not doing what was promised.



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26-2454184
Institute Earthquest
New Caney
TX
United States
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http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-15-2012, 08:56 PM
Team


The EarthQuest Institute brings together some of the best and brightest minds from across the globe.
They share a deep devotion to science, education and the discovery of global solutions for a sustainable future.
Management Team

Our Management Team is comprised of accomplished executives from a variety of disciplines. They provide expertise in private and public fundraising, financial management, non-profit leadership and the sciences.

Don Holbrook, President and CEO
Dr. Matthew Gardner, Chief Science Officer
Executive Board

Our Executive Board represents the major creative and philanthropic developers of the EarthQuest concept, with respective backgrounds in science, communication, public education and community development.
Leon Cubillas, Chairman
Don Lessem, Founder and Director
John Marlin, Director
Don Lessem according to the latest news article by Cynthia Calvert exited the project as reflected in the EMCID board minutes. Marlin and Deborah Thomas who was paid $140,000.00 in 2009 for working 20 hours a week are tangled up in the Whitestone (property) bankruptcy and I bet Dr. Gardner is out or well on his way there. Why is it this page has not been updated? Who is actually left on the project now being run out of the EMCID offices?

Soapboxmom
02-16-2012, 02:17 PM
http://m1.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrink_100_100/p/1/000/01b/061/3d7cc45.jpg (http://m2.licdn.com/media/p/1/000/01b/061/3d7cc45.jpg)

Don Holbrook

The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy at Author
Las Vegas, Nevada Area (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&facet_G=us%3A412&goback=.fps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_*1_*2_*1 _Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_us%3A4 12_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 _*2_*2_*2) Capital Markets (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&industry=129&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=.fps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_*1_*2_*1 _Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_us%3A4 12_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 _*2_*2_*2)
Current

The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy at Author and Keynote Speaker (http://www.linkedin.com/company/860467?goback=.fps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_* 1_*2_*1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1 _us%3A412_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Author at Knights Templar Fictional Book Project
Board of Director at CDC Small Business Finance (http://www.linkedin.com/company/111566?goback=.fps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_* 1_*2_*1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1 _us%3A412_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)

see all (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8018105&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=Yqo8&locale=en_US&srchid=76466a7f-be24-4585-a5f8-87c6344487e1-0&srchindex=1&srchtotal=2&goback=.fps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_*1_*2_*1 _Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_us%3A4 12_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 _*2_*2_*2&pvs=ps&trk=pp_profile_name_link#)
Past

Consultant at EMCID
Senior Project Director at The Institute EarthQuest
President/CEO at Professional Economic Development Organizations

Education

University of Phoenix
Wright State University
Wright State University

Recommendations 10 people have recommended Don
Connections 500+ connections
Websites

Vercitas Group (http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thevercitasgroup.com&urlhash=2NTN)
Economic Developer (http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.economicdeveloper.co m&urlhash=C8JG)
IEDC (http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iedconline.org&urlhash=FYXv)

Twitter 9thTemplar (http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2F9thTem plar&urlhash=-zt3&trk=pro_twit)
Public Profile Don Holbrook | LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/economicdeveloper)


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Summary


My professional practice asists both businesses in need of capitalization for their operations and/or in search of a new location for relocation or expansion of new business opportunities and market expansion. We discover the most advantageous business climate and location, recommend the short-list of possible facilities or sites, and negotiate public incentives and inducements that lower the upfront costs of such investments and increase the equity and thus ROI to the ownership.

We also work with communities to recommend the creation of incentive and capitalization strategies and tools that will increase their ability to attract investment into their locales. Our focus is on deals that create quality jobs, significant investment and improve the quality of life for residents of our community clients. typically this helps the community economic development organization diversify their economy and improve their outcomes to their communities.
Specialties

Site Location Analysis, Business capitalization, Hybrid capitalization using special economic development tools, public policy such as incentive strategies tied to ROI, deal negotiations for public incentives and investment inducements.

The following article takes a very close look at Don Holbrook's shenanigans and his response is very telling. Don Holbrook has a webpage calling himself the Economic Developer.

Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/)


Here is the comment about Don Holbrook probably by Holbrook himself:
economic developer says: February 15, 2012 at 5:50 pm (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-1/#comment-28052)
In America we don’t give rumors and opinions credence when they are not factual. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that does not mean it factual. With regard to Don Hokbrook, the facts are he was wrongfully terminated by the Red Wing Port Authority under an allegation of resume fraud. He was given a public apology by that agency and they were made by the courts to admit they were wrong and paid j
Him approximately $100,000 for their false assertion.
Holbrook did not mail money into La Salle and receive a degree he turned in a thousand plus pages of online curriculum assignments including a 100 page Masters thesis and nearly 200 page doctoral dissertation to his assigned professors and it took him 4 years to do the work. The FBI issues a statement to all of the thousands of professional students telling them they had been fraudulently misled and it was no fault of the students. Holbrook immediately reported it to his employer and took the degrees off his resume. His employer told him it had no bearing on his own character or expertise and closed the issue. The other claims by the newspaper are just patently false. He has not been discharged ever for any spending or other wrong doings. He choose to not renew his contract in Lake Havasu on good terms so he could move closer to his parents. He has no disgruntled employers or failed projects, that is a fact.
He has won virtually every award in his industry for his achievements and has every prof essional certification including being awarded the industries most prestigious award of “Fellow Member” in 2008 for his lifetime of professional achievements by his more than 4500 peers.

So neither newspaper has told the facts. He is an integritous man, well respected by his peers with remarkable skills, knowledge and expertise in the field of economic development, with no failed projects. He was asked due to this to help get the EarthQuest project headed back in the right direction, and it is doing so now. Holbrook feels EMCID is acting correctly and appropriately to get that project in a position to succeed. He has been acting as a consultant to them in this regard because at no fault of EMCID or Holbrook, the previous developer failed to perform… But many others failed as well in 2008-2009 due to the global financial crisis.
Lastly Holbrook has never told the town of Pahrump they could attract a theme park. Rather he believes that Contour’s recommendation of a world class destination project is right on the mark and compliments the other major attractions and will attract new visitors to Pahrump to do unique tourism opportunities not available or easily replicated in Vegas. These are the real facts.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-16-2012, 02:23 PM
The Vercitas Group (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vercitas-Group/109069422456540)
Partner · Sep 2001 to present · Las Vegas, Nevada
Site Location and Strategic Economic Development consulting services


Australia Christmas Island Destination Tourism Projectwith Simon Millcock (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001075026392)
2011 to present
Creating a real sense of exotic locale to bring tourists primarily from the Northern Gateway of Malaysia, Asia and Korea to the island with high per capita expenditurres
Pahrump Destination Tourism Attractionwith Al Balloqui (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=622540359)
Jun 2010 to present
Working on creating a unique tourism project that will allow Pahrump to capitalize on the tourism driven economy created by Las Vegas.
EarthQuest Institute and EarthQuest Adventure Theme Parkwith Frank McCrady (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1709481626) and Matthew Gardner (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=787448336)
Oct 2004 to present
Working on building the worlds first green and sustainable influenced Theme Park designed from the ground up with clean technologies as a foundation.



The Vercitas Group page as linked by Holbrook on his Linkedin page goes here:
http://www.mcsstrategies.com/services.php

This is all quite curious. Just when did he jump on the Earthquest Titanic and whose idea was it to hijack "Dino" Don Lessem's interactive dino museum idea? Lots more questions!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-16-2012, 03:00 PM
Economic Developer: Home (http://www.economicdeveloper.com/)

Current MEGA Destination Tourism Projects - The EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park & Resort, Houston, TX
http://donholbrook.typepad.com/eq_logo.gif

Don Holbrook specializes in creating unique destination tourism projects within the entertainment and retail industries. Check out his latest project (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/) the first ever Green Theme Park powered by clean renewable energy with an economic impact of 17,000 jobs at full build out and over $1.3 billion in facilities investment. Holbrook negotiated the local incentive plan, assisted in the creation of special state legislation supporting the capitalization, managed the consulting team, assisted in the investor solicitation package, shaped the public private partnership agreement and did the final site location for the project. Governor Perry, calls this one of the most dramatic projects in the history of Texas Economic Development. Check out the project at their website (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/).
I can't find a quote anything close to that anywhere. So, where did Holbrook come up with that story????

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
02-16-2012, 08:51 PM
Governor Perry, calls this one of the most dramatic projects in the history of Texas Economic Development.

If and when the public become aware of what actually happened and how they've been ripped off, this sorry saga could very well become "dramatic"

Soapboxmom
02-17-2012, 12:04 AM
Talk of the Town: EDC SAYS GOODBYE TO HOLBROOK (http://www.waynet.org/talk/talk/messages/15/700.html?1280018130)

Don Holbrook certainly shows his true colors when those he has hoodwinked call him out!

I did the advanced math. Holbrook was paid $185.76 an hour for every hour he worked for the Earthquest Institute charity in 2009 for a total of over $144,000. That is beyond ridiculous.

I sent out an e-mail today. I would have included Don Holbrook as he is the President and CEO of the charity, but I didn't have his e-mail.


From: Dobrott, Heather
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 4:45 PM
To: 'leon.cubillas
Cc: 'fmccrady@emctx.com'; 'sparmer@emctx.com'; 'dmarks (the attorney who set up the charity)
Subject: Earthquest Institute Information Request

This request is made under the Texas Public Information Act, Section 552 of the Texas Government Code. In accordance with the law, which requires that the “Officer for Public Records shall promptly produce such information for inspection or duplication, or both, in the offices of the governmental body,”

The Texas Non Profit Corporation Act says:
1396-2.23A. FINANCIAL RECORDS AND ANNUAL REPORTS. A. A corporation shall maintain current true and accurate financial records with full and correct entries made with respect to all financial transactions of the corporation, including all income and expenditures, in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.
B. Based on these records, the board of directors shall annually prepare or approve a report of the financial activity of the corporation for the preceding year. The report must conform to accounting standards as promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and must include a statement of support, revenue, and expenses and changes in fund balances, a statement of functional expenses, and balance sheets for all funds.
C. All records, books, and annual reports of the financial activity of the corporation shall be kept at the registered office or principal office of the corporation in this state for at least three years after the closing of each fiscal year and shall be available to the public for inspection and copying there during normal business hours. The corporation may charge for the reasonable expense of preparing a copy of a record or report.
D. A corporation that fails to maintain financial records, prepare an annual report, or make a financial record or annual report available to the public in the manner prescribed by this article is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Also certain disclosures are required by the IRS, therefore I respectfully request access to the following information:
All records of the Earthquest Institute or The Institute Earthquest that are required to be publicly available including, but not limited to financial records, records reflecting the activities of the charity as outlined on its website EarthQuest Institute - Programs (http://www.earthquestinstitute.org/eqi-programs), a list of the currently active managers and board members of the Institute, information relating to Dr. Gardner’s proposal to house the Institute on EMCID property until it could be moved to the theme park, filings with the IRS or State of Texas and any other information concerning fundraising or activities of this charity.

Thank you for your kind help. Please make the records available to me via e-mail and or publication on the charity’s website.

Thank you,

Heather Dobrott
This might clarify just a few things!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-17-2012, 10:42 AM
Don Holbrook has filed a corporate bankruptcy in NV and claims he was not paid by some developer. I could take a wild guess who that might be. Holbrook is in full meltdown mode as evidenced by the comments. I guess he blew the 144 grand he made in 2009. The Earthquest Institute was paying him $185.76 an hour. Ridiculous! Here is his latest rant:

Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/)

« Older Comments (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-1/#comments)


http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/71c3a5d104715d51abf11fa3be8aa399?s=32&d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a 11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D32&r=Geconomic developer says:
February 16, 2012 at 10:49 pm (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-2/#comment-28106)
I reread all these posts again and it just amazes me how smart and appropriate all of you self righteous people are. You are too small minded and malicious to even understand and accept facts and truthful commentary. I truly am glad people like you are not in control of government or there would still be lynch mobs and witch burnings. That is just how ingnorant and angry you are in your slanderous and heinous comments about good people trying to help your community create new jobs for people who need them. There is no reasoning with idiots and it just proves why most intelligent people don’t read blogs. Your community struggles with progress because it is filled with hateful nasty people and most decent folks won’t put themselves through the humiliation of working in your community. That is all this entire commentary has made clear to me. Go to Afghanistan please… Within weeks the Taliban would leave and the war would be over.


Charming, isn't he? Can we deport him back to Mars?

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-19-2012, 09:21 PM
Don Holbrook is making some very lofty claims:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyHEG_Z7Jfk&feature=related

A finance professional?? Where are the dollars for Earthquest? He claims that he has put together 100s of economic delveopment deals worth over billions of dollars that have created over 50,000 jobs in this country??? He better have some ink on that!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-21-2012, 10:24 AM
A Disneyland for gun lovers - Monday, February 20, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13341)
A Disneyland for gun lovers
Monday, February 20, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
Frank McCrady, president and CEO of the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID), announced last week that a preliminary agreement has been made with Front Sight Firearms Training Centers to build a facility in East County. McCrady said the project will bring significant economic impact.

The firing range project, which has an interesting connection to the questionable dinosaur theme park, EarthQuest, supposedly coming to East County, also brings a controversial history.

Front Sight's headquarters is located in Pahrump, Nev., the same community that former EarthQuest consultants Don Holbrook and Chris Brown have contracted with to develop a theme park in that rural area.

According to the Pahrump Valley Times [10-12-2011], after the EarthQuest project stalled, Holbrook entered a contract with the rural, economically depressed Nevada community to present the efficacy of building Think Tank!, a park where visitors can drive armored tanks. Holbrook prepared a report for the town saying that Think Tank! would be a place, “Where guests would be able to drive a military tank ... in a fun, safe environment.” There would also be obstacles with special effects and explosions.

Holbrook added that millions more could be gleaned from tourists if Pahrump were to expand on that idea and build 'Adventure Springs,' which would include the tank/explosion range along with a movie, a lake, a visitor center, a town, a hotel with a water park, a family entertainment center, a golf range, an event space and retail and dining space.

Interestingly, this is the same situation that developed with EarthQuest, which went from a small idea called Project Rex, then became the $50 million Dino-City which eventually morphed into EarthQuest, a $600 million plus, 1600-acre resort with four “lands,” a museum, rides, special effects, a water park, hotels, conference center, restaurants, retail and office developments, with Holbrook involved every step of the way.

Front Sight has a controversial history in Pahrump. Matt Ward, editor of the Pahrump Valley Times, said that while the range is part of the peaceful community, it is known as a “gun nut heaven.” The owner, a former chiropractor named Ignatius Piazzo, originally touted the idea as a residential development with a total gun focus. Piazzo, according to KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, bought 550 acres in Pahrump in the late 1990s and promised to build ''the safest town in America' by building a 'Disneyland for Gun Lovers.'” KLAS-TV investigative reporter Colleen McCarty (Las Vegas News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - KLAS-TV 8 News Now (http://www.8newsnow.com)) said, “Thousands of people bought in with memberships ranging in price from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most were guaranteed a lifetime of weapons training and six-figure deals, called platinum memberships, and were promised a one-acre home site.”

But the master-planned community never happened. Piazzo, according to McCarty and Pahrump Valley Times reporter Gina B. Good (archive.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2005/11/18/news/frontsight.html), was eventually sued by several of those members.

California attorney C. Keith Greer filed a class action lawsuit in November 2005 on behalf of several Front Sight members, alleging racketeering and fraud. Greer said Piazza de-frauded thousands for his own personal gain, Good reported. She also reported, “The action demands a jury trial under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The 26-page complaint against Front Sight centers on membership benefits and promises. At the organization's inception in 1998, memberships were sold to fund construction of shooting ranges. Free classes for life with memberships that could be willed to family members were attractive to gun owners who sought professional training. Additional benefits - like home sites - were promised for higher priced memberships.”

Greer said, "Piazza took other people's money for investment capital to start his operation and then when he got it up and running, he hung them out to dry. Didn't follow through on the promises he made, didn't give them what they expected, didn't give them their money back."

Eventually, by June of 2009, in response to Piazza's refusal to pay a multi-million dollar settlement, a federal judge ordered a receiver to take control of Front Sight, its facilities, its operations and its assets (www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2009 (http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2009)). Seven days later, Piazza made a financial offer and regained control of his property. According to the KLAS-TV, Front Sight still owes more than $5 million of the class action settlement.

Websites devoted to Front Site (THR - Powered by vBulletin (http://www.thehighroad.org)) have lengthy complaints that Piazza is a Scientologist or a former Scientologist. In fact, Piazza sued one of his former platinum members for writing in her blog that she believed him to be a member of the controversial organization (Diana Hsieh: Front Sight, Ignatius Piazza, and Scientology? (http://www.dianahsieh.com/frontsight/)).

Pahrump Valley Times editor Matt Ward says a mysterious death that occurred on the property, along with the recession, stopped the home development side of the operation.

"A guy died out there, not by a gunshot, but it was some sort of accidental hanging. Then there was a big lawsuit and the home development just never happened,” he said. According to KLAS-TV, a range visitor died in 2007 in a zip line accident and a lawsuit did take four years before it was settled (www.8newsnow.com/story/15691632 (http://www.8newsnow.com/story/15691632))

Front Sight failed to meet Nevada state fire safety standards numerous times, according to KLAS-TV reporter McCarty. The reporter said, “Front Sight has failed again to outfit its classroom building with fire safety basics like sprinklers, fire pumps and water. It's no surprise despite claims construction was on target; Front Sight has again failed to meet its deadline. This is the fourth such failure in the last two years.”

Controversy not withstanding, the Internet is also filled with glowing praise for Front Sight. Numerous blogs, letters, articles and news reports show there are many who vouch for the experience as exceptional, fun, beyond their expectations and that the gun range experience is excellent.

Courses range from $1,000 to $2,000 and the website (Gun training | Firearm Training (http://www.frontsight.com)) is filled with dozens of testimonials, course offerings, and options to learn or enhance individual firearms proficiency.

Final arrangements with Front Sight is pending; the final site has not been chosen yet.

As with EarthQuest, McCrady is assuring taxpayers that the development will not cost them a penny. EarthQuest developers received millions of dollars from EMCID; taxpayers were given assurance that parking fees at EarthQuest and intellectual property rights will make up for the EarthQuest costs estimated to be as high as $10-15 million (The Tribune has made numerous requests of EMCID for the total number of dollars spent to date on the EarthQuest project but no answers have been provided). McCrady said the incentives given to Front Sight will come from rebates of sales taxes and other revenues generated by the new business itself.

“None of the incentives will come from any existing source or take away from current funding,” he said. “We’re looking at venue taxes to provide the incentive needed to bring these businesses to East County.”

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Soapboxmom
03-06-2012, 08:28 AM
EarthQuest fees mount
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
The Tribune has attempted to document the millions of dollars spent on the EarthQuest project, including past expenses and future obligations in recent articles.

But what about other expenses? Consultant fees? Attorney fees? Travel, meals, etc.?

The Tribune has asked for numerous documents over the last eight weeks and while some have been received, The Tribune is not confident it has all the expenses related to EarthQuest, the land developer, and other associated parties. On Feb. 6, Frank McCrady told The Tribune, in response to a request for a total of expenses related to EarthQuest, particularly regarding EarthQuest promoters Don Holbrook, Don Lessem, and Thomas Gardener of Marlin

Atlantis, the failed land developer, that EMCID was hiring an accountant to do an analysis of its expenditures.

To date, The Tribune has not received any information. Therefore, the financial picture related here can only be considered a partial view of EMCID expenditures. The Tribune does have the cash flow statements for 2006-2011, American Express monthly statements for McCrady and office aide Suzanne Parmer from 2007-2011, detailed mileage reimbursement forms for Parmer, and EMCID employees Sandy Seelye, Warren Mather and Tom Lewis.

The Tribune looked at one year, 2009, for this article.

In 2009, McCrady’s and Parmer’s American Express bills together totaled $227,000, just a few thousand dollars shy of the entire amount of money funded by EMCID for college scholarships for every graduating senior in the district.

Many expenses are related office expenditures, tourism trade shows and the like. But most of the line items show when adding McCrady’s and Parmer’s American Express receipts, EMCID spent well over several hundred thousand dollars on food. No amount was too small nor too high for meals. Charges range from as little as $1 to thousands of dollars. McCrady had numerous meals at what many would consider highend, pricey establishments, including at Humble’s Chez Nous, the most expensive local restaurant.

McCrady was paid nearly $100,000 as an annual salary and the EMCID board voted to award him a bonus of $50,000. Parmer and Seelye also gets hefty year-end bonuses. McCrady also gets life insurance, health benefits, a retirement contribution of thousands of dollars a year and a car allowance of nearly $25,000 annually.

EMCID employees McCrady and Parmer have their own American Express credit cards, They, along with EMCID employees Seelye, Mather and Lewis, all have Wells Fargo credit cards, too.

Routine for McCrady and other EMCID staff and board members in 2009 was business-class airplane travel, limousines, expensive meals, and nights in luxurious hotels. McCrady’s statements show dozens of charges at airport bookstores, car rentals, cell phone bills, a $5,000-plus golf and dining membership at Kingwood Country Club, and several charges totaling $20,560 for Rockets tickets. Dallas Cowboys tickets, Cowboys merchandise and even Arbonne Cosmetics were all charged to McCrady’s American Express card and presented for reimbursement.

In 2009, McCrady and others from EMCID made three trips to Las Vegas, one to Dallas and another to Phoenix, all trips presumably tied to EarthQuest. Holbrook lives approximately halfway between Las Vegas and Phoenix; Holbrook’s corporate office is located in Las Vegas. EarthQuest’s failed land developer, Marlin Atlantis, is located in Dallas. In December, the dino-park designers of Don Lessem, Don Holbrook and Thomas Gardener all came to New Caney. Charges from these excursions total more than $100,000.

On Nov. 15, McCrady, Seelye, and board members Vickie Thumann, Leon Cubillas, Linda Floyd and her husband, Monte, all went to Las Vegas. Airfare was nearly $300 each. The group wined and dined at the Strip’s finest places: Planet Hollywood, Smith and Wollensky, Battistas, Margaritaville, Ruby D’s, the Stratta and two memorable meals – one at Morton’s Steakhouse for $1,324.95, followed by another at Joe’s Stone Crab for $1,357.91. The group stayed at the Mirage where room charges were several thousand dollars more.

It is unknown if alcohol was part of these meal charges. McCrady said that EMCID does not have written policies regarding alcohol in place.

McCrady provided the following written response to The Tribune’s queries:

“Though no written policy is currently in place, the board has discussed with the President/CEO on the appropriate etiquette and protocol for the use of alcohol in recruiting prospects. General business etiquette guidelines and customary entertainment parameters are used in which our competitors on projects will not have any undue advantage on placing a project in their market instead of locating in East Montgomery County."

“The entertainment policy is managed by the President/CEO based on recruiting businesses to the district and includes entertainment parameters that do not put EMCID in a non competitive posture in comparing our actions to others which we would be competing against in a project."

Employee meals are reimbursed for actual expenses and are reviewed monthly for appropriateness prior to reimbursement. Employees attempt to utilize per diem rates when possible.”

Holbrook, the consultant hired to do the EarthQuest feasibility study and to give advice about the project, The Tribune has learned, has been paid $304,000.

There is, however, no dinosaur project and not a spade of dirt has been turned after approximately eight years of ‘consulting.’

Holbrook was retained for $27,000 to assist with the EarthQuest project. Additionally, he has been paid over a 5-year period $277,000 to bring EarthQuest, travel and tourism projects, and job creation projects to the district, McCrady told The Tribune last month.

And what of the famed, ‘nonprofit’ EarthQuest Institute funds? TheInstitute was founded as a 501(3)c organization and is subject to the strict laws regarding charities in Texas. EMCID board chairman Cubillas is also a board member of the Institute. In December of 2009, more than 275 residents of East County attended a fundraising reception at the EMCID Building. More than $75,000 was handed to Lessem, the director of the Institute. The Institute appears to be either dead or dormant and records of the funds are not forthcoming.

Probably the person who has gained the most from EarthQuest’s complex and complicated dealings including contracts, extensions, addendums, bond issuances, elections and the like is David Marks, the attorney for EMCID, who billed the district for an astonishing $318,677.48 for 2009. Marks, presumably while billing at an hourly rate, has traveled numerous times with McCrady, to Las Vegas, to Arizona and even to Paris, France, although not for EarthQuest.

If the East Montgomery County Improvement District was, as it states on the EMCID website, “created to improve the economic, cultural and social conditions of the area,” there are several people, and one in particular, whose lifestyle has been enormously enriched by association with EMCID – its employees.

Credit card receipts show that McCrady and Parmer often bill at least one, if not two or three meals a day to EMCID for reimbursement. In 2009, there are literally thousands of meals presented for reimbursement by the pair. McCrady submitted receipts for entertainment, gasoline, golf, purchases at bookstores and duty-free shops in airports – all paid for by EMCID. And he is not alone. Parmer also has charged the district everything from $1.83 for Chick-fil-A, to hundreds of meals, to thousands of dollars for mileage reimbursement.

Both McCrady and Parmer, whose salaries have nearly doubled in a decade, received and redeemed hundreds of thousands of AmEx points, earned on the taxpayers’ dime, as well as received and redeemed thousands of Continental mileage points, again earned by charges to EMCID.

And what of the community – the taxpayers footing the bills and paying the tax dollars to EMCID? Beyond negotiated, high-dollar annual contracts(EMCID contracted with the Porter and New Caney fire departments to pay them millions in order to keep them from raising the tax rate and thereby negatively affecting EarthQuest’s ability to get as much as possible from tax revenue) and the annual donations to the scholarship foundation ($245,000) and the economic development group ($50,000), McCrady and the EMCID board approved a mere handful of grants of comparatively token amounts in all of 2009. New Horizons got $2,750, New Caney Project Graduation got $1,000, the Lone Star College Foundation got $2,000, Splendora Founders Day received $550, the Splendora FFA got $1,100. Other groups receiving grants were the Splendora Boy Scouts for $3,187.21, the Lions Club for $5,000, the Historical Society received $30,000 and the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables Office for $94,240.80.

For 2009 American Express report and 2009 Cash Flow report, visit http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/dinosaur.pdf. (Since it is a large file, it may take a few minutes to load)

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Soapboxmom
03-09-2012, 07:50 PM
http://imagec12.247realmedia.com/RealMedia/ads/Creatives/default/empty.gif (http://oasc12033.247realmedia.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/hcn.east_montgomery/32198955/x11/default/empty.gif/6b4b4b6b5a4536506948414143767a75?x) Money holds up EarthQuest; investors want re-phased project (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/east_montgomery/news/money-holds-up-earthquest-investors-want-re-phased-project/article_77d711fb-5fd9-5f3f-a27a-16d68f507d70.html?mode=story)



Posted: Monday, November 15, 2010 12:00 am | Updated: 1:03 am, Sun Nov 21, 2010.
By TIM WILLERT (twillert@hcnonline.com) | 5 comments (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/east_montgomery/news/money-holds-up-earthquest-investors-want-re-phased-project/article_77d711fb-5fd9-5f3f-a27a-16d68f507d70.html#user-comment-area)
It’s back to the drawing board for the proposed EarthQuest Adventures project.
Literally.


The developer told East Montgomery County Investment District board members Nov. 10 the 550-acre mixed-use project, which features a 150-acre dinosaur theme park and museum, must be re-packaged and built in phases in order to secure investors.

“We don’t know if we can raise $500 million for a green field project in this market,” Marlin Atlantis CEO John Marlin told the board.

Which is why Marlin proposed a redesign that is going to require about $200 million less to get started but will make two potential investors happy.

One, Guggenheim Partners, a financial services firm based in New York, would be willing to invest between $200 million and $300 million if the project is re-phased, while a second investor, an unidentified Houston group, is close to committing $85 million to the project, Marlin said.

“I feel real good about where we are going,” he said. “I am just as confident today that we can get EarthQuest done.”

The first phase of the re-design — the dinosaur theme park and museum - will cost approximately $307 million to build, but will begin generating income and attracting other investors, EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady said.

“This is a model that has worked in other theme park developments,” McCrady said. “As an investor, I think it’s more of a wise decision to take the main development and do it first and then add ancillary development.”
The EarthQuest Adventures project will be located at Roman Forest Boulevard and U.S. Highway 59.
The second phase of development presented to the board, known as Earth Walk, would include a retail development portion. Additional phasing will include a water park, entertainment center component and hotel component as funding becomes available.

“The most important thing is the cost of funds for additional development goes down once construction starts,” McCrady said. “If you have a proven project, you abate some of the risk.”
That goes for tenants, too, Marlin told the board.

“My guess is that by the time the them park is half done, hotels and retailers will show interest,” he said.
As for a new timetable, Marlin told the board it likely would be the end of January before a new package can be presented to investors, and another six months beyond that before construction starts.

“That’s a reasonable expectation,” McCrady said. “You can pick a date and we’ll be wrong three times.”
Contour Entertainment President Christopher Brown, the project’s master planner and lead designer, presented a preliminary re-phase to board members, letting them know that a $500 million vision and a $300 million reality “is a very different thing.”

“We’re trying to make the strongest showing we can,” Brown said, “but it won’t all be there on opening day.”
And that’s OK with McCrady.

“We’d rather break ground on a theme park than wait for everything to get funded at once,” he said. “Our main interest is ensuring that they get the right partner, the right investor, instead of rushing in and going with the wrong investor.”

http://www.pahrumpnv.org/images/uploads/downloads/110614_Backup3.pdf

That is not the story told in e-mails by Don Holbrook and Frank McCrady in 2011 in the PDF linked. Please see page 5 and read further. Holbrook makes the startling revelation that that the developer had already gone bust in his May 31,2011 e-mail and he goes on to claim that there was never a reduction in the project scale and scope. Which is it scammers? Why were the taxpayers not alerted to the developer going under? I had to learn it that June 2011 from a heartbroken Don Lessem and couldn't share it because it was not public. Disgusting!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-10-2012, 10:42 AM
https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174759_240136904264_5221075_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)Earth Quest Adventures Houston (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264) shared Don Holbrook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)'s photo (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1185861319853&set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=1).

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/s320x320/5449_1185861319853_1027886709_578874_4767851_n.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1185861319853&set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=1&ref=nf)EarthQuest the Ultimate Project (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=3)
Frank McCrady has too much fun doing this stuff it should be illegal, sometimes it might come close so we just reinvent the rules!The worlds foremost Green Technology Sustainability Center and Thematic Destination By: Don Holbrook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)





Like · · Share (https://www.facebook.com/ajax/sharer/?s=99&appid=2309869772&p[0]=240136904264&p[1]=248073358615436) · 11 hours ago ·



https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174759_240136904264_5221075_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)Earth Quest Adventures Houston (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264) That caption with the photo certainly takes the cake!!!

Soapboxmom
03-10-2012, 12:34 PM
Earth Quest Adventures Houston (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)
Wined and Dined to be sure!https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/s320x320/5449_1185838039271_1027886709_578807_2777132_n.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1185838039271&set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=1&ref=nf)EarthQuest the Ultimate Project (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=3)
Paul says this green stuff is fun but I need more coffee I had too much Red Zeppelin Wine last night!The worlds foremost Green Technology Sustainability Center and Thematic Destination By: Don Holbrook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)

Soapboxmom
03-10-2012, 05:23 PM
Dinosaur City seeks '08 opening in Montgomery County BRAD HEM, Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Published 05:30 a.m., Thursday, November 2, 2006



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East Montgomery County could become home to a dinosaur theme park complete with dinosaur skeletons, animals and mock fossil digs, park developers announced Thursday.

The Pennsylvania-based Exhibits Rex plans to open Dinosaur City in 2008, but there are a lot of details to be worked out first.
The company and the East Montgomery County Improvement District hope to complete a deal next week that would require the district to find a 100-acre site next to U.S. 59 and get Legislative approval for a special economic zone and half-penny sales tax increase to repay about $25 million in revenue bonds.
The bonds would finance about half the cost to build the park.
Unidentified real estate and entertainment investors would contribute another $25 million, under the terms of the proposed deal.
The district also must agree to pay $200,000 for a study to determine whether the county is a good location for the park.
The park, which also would include an IMAX theater (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22IMAX+theater%22), water park, conference center and hotel, is expected to provide up to 1,000 jobs and could draw more than a million visitors a year, said Frank McCrady (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Frank+McCrady%22), president and CEO of the improvement district.
A destination tourist attraction would also draw restaurants, retail and hotels to the area, providing tax revenue and making the district's investment worthwhile, he said.
"It's going to be a tremendous amenity for our area and for the city of Houston," McCrady said. "It's a win for our entire area."
The park's creator is "Dino" Don Lessem (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Don+Lessem%22), author of 47 books and an adviser to the movie Jurassic Park and Walt Disney Co.'s Animal Kingdom.
Dinosaur City would be like a mini-Epcot Center (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22mini-Epcot+Center%22), "not an amusement park but an experience park," said Don Holbrook (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Don+Holbrook%22), the park's site selection director for the developers.
Kids would be able to excavate dinosaur bones from mock dig sites. Various birds, emus, alligators and other animals would be on display. And wooded walking trails will feature dinosaur replicas, Lessem said.
East Montgomery County beat out 68 other locations in 29 states in the selection process, according to Exhibits Rex.
It isn't clear whether the Legislature will go along with the special taxing district for the park. State Sen. Tommy Williams (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Tommy+Williams%22), who represents the East Montgomery County area, was only vaguely familiar with the project, his chief of staff, Janet Stieven (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Janet+Stieven%22) said.
"I think it's way too early to tell whether there is support for it," said Kathy Walt (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Kathy+Walt%22), a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Rick+Perry%22).
Whether the politicians buy the idea or not, the park would certainly be popular with kids, said Robert Bakker (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Robert+Bakker%22), curator of paleontology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=neighborhood%2Fhumble-news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Houston+Museum+of+Natural+Science%22).
"The interest among kids is always super high," he said. "Dinosaurs are always the most popular entrance for young people into natural history."
brad.hem@chron.com (brad.hem@chron.com)

Soapboxmom
03-10-2012, 07:30 PM
Frank McCrady and Don Holbrook party down. Not the professional relationship the taxpayers should be expecting.

634635636637638

So drunk they are dancing on the table. This is what dino disasters are made of!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-11-2012, 11:31 AM
Our tax dollars and Earthquest Institute charity dollars hard at work. Holbrook was being paid $144,893.00 by the EarthQuest Insitute in 2009 for working 15 hours a week (that's $185.00 an hour) according to the IRS filing when he wasn't on his grand European vacation that is.

645646644647648

Soapboxmom
03-11-2012, 11:56 AM
Don Holbrook is making some very lofty claims:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyHEG_Z7Jfk&feature=related

A finance professional?? Where are the dollars for Earthquest? He claims that he has put together 100s of economic development deals worth over billions of dollars that have created over 50,000 jobs in this country??? He better have some ink on that!

Soapboxmom
Don on Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/sitelocationpro)

Companies



Verizon

Tampa, Florida US
Senior Staff Consultant


July 1998 until July 2001
SSP/IGH EDC Progress Plus

South St. Paul, Minnesota US
Executive Director


July 1991 until December 1992
Crooskton EDA

Crookston, Minnesota US
Executive Director


January 1993 until August 1996
Red Wing Port Authority

Red Wing, Minnesota US
Executive Director


August 1996 until March 1998
Partnership for Economic Development, PED

Lake Havasu City, Arizona US
President/CEO


September 2001 until July 2004
Wayne County Economic Development Corp.

Richmond, Indiana US
President/CEO


October 2004 until February 2006




Holbrook has been asked to name these various successful projects on several occassions, but as yet we have heard nothing on any of the sites Mr. Holbrook has posted on substantiating these lofty claims. I cannot find these "100s of economic development deals worth over billions of dollars that have created over 50,000 jobs in this country" anywhere on the web after hours of searching.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-13-2012, 02:17 PM
Don Holbrook is rambling on about Earthquest on Discussion about the New Caney Dino Park - Houston Dinosaur Park (http://www.houstondinopark.com/discuss.php). He is not addressing the correspondence we had about the Earthquest Insitute charity.


Team


The EarthQuest Institute brings together some of the best and brightest minds from across the globe.
They share a deep devotion to science, education and the discovery of global solutions for a sustainable future.
Management Team

Our Management Team is comprised of accomplished executives from a variety of disciplines. They provide expertise in private and public fundraising, financial management, non-profit leadership and the sciences.

Don Holbrook, President and CEO
Dr. Matthew Gardner, Chief Science Officer
Executive Board

Our Executive Board represents the major creative and philanthropic developers of the EarthQuest concept, with respective backgrounds in science, communication, public education and community development.
Leon Cubillas, Chairman
Don Lessem, Founder and Director
John Marlin, Director


It has been about 1 month since I requested the documents. I was told by Dr. Matthew Gardner that they were being sent to the East Montgomery County Improvement District office ages ago. By law certain documents must be made public. The charity and the EMCID office share the same physical address. I called the office and Frank McCrady's receptionist still has no idea where the documents are. So, Holbrook's claims that EMCID is doing a great job are completely laughable. Holbrook and EMCID have been sweeping stuff under the rug and making all kinds of positive statements when in fact the developer was bust many months before Cynthia Calvert published it. They have not according to the most recent article even talked to DR Horten to see about purchasing the property for the project. The whole thing is a huge disaster that has wined, dined and lined the pockets of McCrady and the others involved in the project while no investors are lined up and no construction is underway. Ridiculous!

Residents request more info on EarthQuest - Your Houston News: News

(http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/east_montgomery/news/residents-request-more-info-on-earthquest/article_3058073d-293c-5d8f-b1ef-d12928b1a612.html)Holbrook has removed boatlads of comments on the Earthquest institute Facebook page and is once again using the non-profit for his own personal inurement as his personal advertising venue. It looks to me like they can kiss their 501 c 3 status goodbye. And, as I am sure many donors are filing complaints with the IRS (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf),Holbrook abusing the charity and not releasing documents as required by the IRS will likely get this disaster audited. Holbrook and EMCID are destroying this Earthquest project themselves with their shenanigans.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416

Soapboxmom
03-13-2012, 08:03 PM
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/71155_224584770416_5430110_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416)EarthQuest Institute (http://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416)



Here is where you can purchase all my books about creating positive economic change at the local level, including my latest book, "The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy."

http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCAHq_0PxAZaXbp&w=90&h=90&url=http%3A%2F%2Fg-ecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FG%2F01%2Fciu%2Ff8%2Fca%2F3fe afac9d0c90a7e9d9a5e.L._SY120_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/Don-Allen-Holbrook/e/B001JS1PGA)Don Allen Holbrook (http://www.amazon.com/Don-Allen-Holbrook/e/B001JS1PGA)
www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/)Visit Amazon.com's Don Allen Holbrook Page and shop for all Don Allen Holbrook books and other Don Allen Holbrook related products (DVD, CDs, Apparel). Check out pictures, bibliography, biography and community discussions about Don Allen Holbrook



Like (http://www.facebook.com/r.php?fbpage_id=224584770416&r=111) · Comment (http://www.facebook.com/r.php?fbpage_id=224584770416&r=111) · December 31, 2011 at 11:00am ·



Wendy Tise (http://www.facebook.com/people/Wendy-Tise/1121896798) and Rose Annette Doggett Tullos (http://www.facebook.com/people/Rose-Annette-Doggett-Tullos/1649886570) like this.


1 share (http://www.facebook.com/shares/view?id=209519675803039)
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/275287_1334149417_329040121_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/people/Dean-Kerne/1334149417)Dean Kerne (http://www.facebook.com/people/Dean-Kerne/1334149417) Thanks for the update Heather! i am surprised that the local mainstream media has not reported any of this??February 4 at 8:46pm
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41395_1511178029_8675_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/people/Heather-Dawne-Clarke-Dobrott/1511178029)Heather Dawne Clarke Dobrott (http://www.facebook.com/people/Heather-Dawne-Clarke-Dobrott/1511178029) An awesome and well researched update from Cynthia Calvert which includes excerpts from the court docs I posted! Kudos to Ms. Calvert!!! Lots of info on Don Holbrook!

Court gives EarthQuest developer time to raise money, save project - Tuesday, February 07, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13295)February 7 at 12:23pm





Holbrook's book plugs and my posts linking recent news articles are all gone. Progress!!!

Soapboxmom
03-15-2012, 10:08 AM
Don Holbrook is busy hiding his very embarassing public posts on Facebook. Luckily there is the Google cache and of course many posts already archived here!

Earth Quest Adventures Houston (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264) shared Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Holbrook/1027886709)'s photo (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1172467625019&set=p.1172467625019&type=1).

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/s320x320/5329_1172467625019_1027886709_523812_6891265_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1172467625019&set=p.1172467625019&type=1&ref=nf)Don Holbrook's Photos
EMCID created the legislation and Governor Perry signed it into law that enabled...See More
By: Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Holbrook/1027886709)





Like (http://www.facebook.com/r.php?fbpage_id=240136904264&r=111) · Comment (http://www.facebook.com/r.php?fbpage_id=240136904264&r=111) · March 10 at 3:31pm ·





http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/161662_655576664_1924283321_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Johnston-Perry/655576664)Jennifer Johnston Perry (http://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Johnston-Perry/655576664) I thought this project went out of business!!!March 10 at 3:35pm
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/187031_100001821822566_7445979_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Fleming/100001821822566)John Fleming (http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Fleming/100001821822566) Hey I went to the New International Flea Market where Fingers used to be around greens road, inside I saw this Earthquest Layout Drawing, & seen pictures of trees removed, so I was wondering if ya'll know that over there?March 10 at 5:00pm
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/187031_100001821822566_7445979_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Fleming/100001821822566)John Fleming (http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Fleming/100001821822566) This picture is from 2009!March 10 at 9:24pm


Earth Quest Adventures Houston (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)


Wined and Dined to be sure!

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc1/s320x320/5449_1185838039271_1027886709_578807_2777132_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1185838039271&set=p.1185838039271&type=1&ref=nf)Don Holbrook's Photos
Paul says this green stuff is fun but I need more coffee I had too much Red Zeppelin Wine last night!The worlds foremost Green Technology Sustainability Center and Thematic Destination By: Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Holbrook/1027886709)





Like (http://www.facebook.com/r.php?fbpage_id=240136904264&r=111) · Comment (http://www.facebook.com/r.php?fbpage_id=240136904264&r=111) · March 10 at 9:29am ·



http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174759_240136904264_5221075_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)Earth Quest Adventures Houston (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264) http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-lessem-654/index6.html#post16984March 10 at 4:36pm









Luckily I archived the drunken dancing on the table party with Frank McCrady, the European vacation from 2009 and the most truthful comment Holbrook has ever managed. This one takes the cake! "Frank McCrady has too much fun doing this stuff it should be illegal, sometimes it might come close so we just reinvent the rules!The worlds foremost Green Technology Sustainability Center and Thematic Destination By: Don Holbrook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)"

Soapboxmom
03-15-2012, 10:35 AM
I checked with a Facebook buddy and it turns out he has apparently only blocked me personally and the Earthquest Facebook page. So, my friend will be updating us on Holbrook's drunken antics with the Earthquest people as needed. Why would he want pictures of himself with Frank McCrady and the Earthquest people that he made public removed from the Earthquest Houston page? Has Holbrook finally figured out how totally unprofessional his drunken antics with his consulting clients really looks?

Soapboxmom

Whip
03-15-2012, 10:38 AM
I checked with a Facebook buddy and it turns out he has apparently only blocked me personally and the Earthquest Facebook page. So, my friend will be updating us on Holbrook's drunken antics with the Earthquest people as needed. Why would he want pictures of himself with Frank McCrady and the Earthquest people that he made public removed from the Earthquest Houston page? Has Holbrook finally figured out how totally unprofessional his drunken antics with his consulting clients really looks?

Soapboxmom

Why would you need to be blocked if they weren't doing anything wrong to begin with?

Soapboxmom
03-15-2012, 10:51 AM
Why would you need to be blocked if they weren't doing anything wrong to begin with?
Perhaps the big guy has figured out that the taxpayers and donors to the defunct Earthquest charity and project are not finding his drunken escapades with the county officials as amusing as he had hoped.

I just got this picture of his wife with their Maserati. Likely, Earthquest bond money and Earthquest charity donors helped pay for that ridiculous extravagance.684
What a slap in the face to all those losing their life savings having invested in the area where the project was supposed to be built, those that donated their hard earned money and those that are facing dramatically increasing taxes on their property because of this now defunct charity and proposed theme park. So many good people are being hurt while Don Holbrook and the Earthquest gang live high on the hog!

Soapboxmom

P.S.

Mr. Holbrook asserts they do not own said vehicle. His wife threw a 50th birthday bash at the Red Rock Casino and he posted the photographs form that party that included Frank McCrady and numerous other party guests dancing on the table.

Soapboxmom
03-15-2012, 09:21 PM
Don Holbrook is a work at home scam promoter:



https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/191579344/don_holbrook_normal.jpg Don Holbrook ‏ @9thTemplar (https://twitter.com/#%21/9thTemplar)

Close (https://twitter.com/#%21/9thTemplar/status/90578718615027714)


One more month and Ill neeeever have to wake up for my stupid booring job again - so happy I found this! Consumer Warnings Report (http://tinyurl.com/6yoxj7g)


7:30 PM - 11 Jul 11 via web · Details (https://twitter.com/#%21/9thTemplar/status/90578718615027714)
Glad to know how boring his stupid job developing EarthQuest was. He has some nerve saying all this:


http://www.vercitas.com/images/logo.png (http://www.vercitas.com/)


He specializes in developing catalyst projects to attract private sector investment into destination projects. His unique approach of developing meaningful public private partnerships has created a unique Art of the Deal Today. Holbrook is a consummate professional on all aspects of public and private sector finance and brings a get it done approach to such projects. He has worked on over $1B in investments in his career and created over 50,000 jobs as a result of his projects.

Great! Where is the funding for Earthquest????

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-15-2012, 09:45 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAdmTB53tCA&feature=related

Green products that are virtual. That may be all Earthquest ever is --- virtual!

Soapboxmom
03-29-2012, 05:41 PM
Don Holbrook is not a NY Times best selling author. His books are self-published using https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/. They are available by print on demand. He is also the reviewer on his most recent book on one site that carries it:

http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/149570000/149574686.JPG


The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy



by
Don Holbrook (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/don-holbrook)


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Product Details



ISBN-13: 9781466416987
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication date: 11/23/2011
Pages: 304
Product dimensions: 6.14 (w) x 9.21 (h) x 0.69 (d)




(http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-next-america-don-holbrook/1036937787?ean=9781466416987&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&#product-commentaries-1) http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-M-50x66.jpg (http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2643809-don)
Dec 10, 2011 (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/245341199)
Don (http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2643809-don) rated it http://d2cnulzsnzwz8f.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1333056701
This is my latest book on how to get America back on track... growing and creating jobs that will restore and rebuild our own lives, our communities and not sell out our ideals as a great republic in hope of some panacea of being cared for by Big Government... which is inevitably not productive and UnAmerican. The loss of economic creativity, innovation and freedoms directly affects our ability to maintain our own civil liberties and individual freedoms. I hope you like the book!

Don Holbrook has been asked repeatedly to name the hundreds of projects worth billions of dollars that created 50,000 jobs that he continually brags of. He has declined to name them, but did in one rather intemperate response suggests folks refer to his books and the enthusiastic response to them. Well, they are little self-published wonders and number three here has not caught the attention of any big publishing house, so no Holbrook, I am not satisfied with that answer.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-30-2012, 03:37 PM
From the February 9 Board meeting minutes:
http://www.emctx.com/February_2012_Minutes.pdf

Mr. Brown next updated the Board on the status of the Earth Quest development. He stated that he had been working with investors to secure funds to acquire the land and believes that he has a solution to work with the bankruptcy court and the bank to acquire the land. Mr. Brown further noted he hopes to have the land secured by the next meeting.

That explains why the following was noted at the March meeting:
Crowd interested in recent EarthQuest revelations receive little formal update - Friday, March 09, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13414)

Board Chairman Leon Cubillas said that since a Contour Entertainment representative was not present, the item could only be deferred. Later Cubillas said that Contour has been asked repeatedly to present an update, but has failed to do so several times.
Contour has not filed anything with the bankruptcy court, but the bank sure did. Remember that $500,000.00 Whitestone wanted to get out of the bankruptcy and pay Marlin Atlantis. Well, I e-mailed the bank's attorney about that and they have objected to that insider enrichment. Why should Trey White and John Marlin get $500,000.00 passed from one hand to the other while the bank and taxpayers take a blood bath???

708

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-30-2012, 06:24 PM
Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709) commented on a link (http://blip.tv/scott-j-englephotojournalistconroe/emcid-town-hall-meeting-on-earthquest-part-1-of-3-6045634).
Yesterday

Frank you and the board did a good job. This is a huge project with enormous positive economic outcomes for your residents. Nothing as you stated of this enormity comes without some level of investment and thus risk, and your decisions thus far have been very appropriate to keep the project alive and moving forward even in this very tough and recessionary economy. I agree with your statement, what would these folks have EMCID do, just give up? That will absolutely assure your residents of losing all their investment with no hope for any recovery much less any return on investment. I think your criticism would be even worse or at least it should be if the board had taken such a short sighted route of abandoning a project that has been validated by three different global economic theme park experts as very viable in the Greater Houston area. In the end, I do not feel the project should be berated just because the former developer John Marlin failed to perform in a global financial crisis. During the GFC thousands of developers failed and thousands of communities had to face this same issue of how to mitigate their investments and keep viable projects under control and solvent and moving forward. EMCID has done a great job of guiding the project through these turbulent waters and positioned it with a new very experienced theme park expert as the new developer. What I feel others have not realized is that EMCID has done a great job of repositioning the risk as well to appropriately shift the repayment requirements to the new developer when the project moves forward. Thus they have put in a place a stronger and even more precautionary requirement and milestones for the developer so that better accountability has been created and by doing so EMCID has shifted the use of funds to action steps that will also progress the project forward in a very realistic step by step process towards a ground breaking and eventual opening day. Great job for staying the course in a very difficult economy.
What developer will be able to find any investors crazy enough to pay back the 7.8 million in bond money Frank McCrady and this bunch have blown through up front as part of financing this very risky project. There is not a snowball's chance in hell the project will go forward with the investors having to foot all this upfront. McCrady is off in outer space on that one. Not to mention that the bankruptcy court may well not agree to the purchase option baloney Frank has been rambling on about. Why should be bank that financed the property get soaked any further and have to wait on Contour or someone else to purchase that tract?

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-30-2012, 10:12 PM
The Burghard Group | Strengthening Brand America (http://strengtheningbrandamerica.com/blog/2009/07/who-moved-my-smokestack-guest-blogger-don-holbrook/)
Here is my comment that the owner declined to publish.

Pardon me, but Mr. Holbrook brags of that 100 projects worth billions that created 50,000 jobs, but has yet to name even one of these. I want a complete list so I can verify that he was responsible for these lofty accomplishments he brags of.

His recent projects have been falling through. Earthquest is in bankruptcy and the charitable institute part of that project is defunct after Don Holbrook walked away with 33% of the almost 1 million raised.

Other projects may well not go forward as his credentials and accomplishments are being investigated.

The owner e-mailed me this:

You will have to ask Mr. Holbrook your questions directly. I believe you can contact him through LinkedIn.

Sent from my iPad
Don Holbrook, like many other scammers we have exposed, talks and people eat it up hook line and sinker. Why is he not being forced to document these successes? Holbrook's guest blog should be pulled if he cannot substantiate his wild claims.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-31-2012, 08:24 AM
From the January board minutes we get this. Sonday International asked for $3,000.00 to fund holiday turkeys for 500 families in the area and EMCID, which judging by their spending habits is overrun with money, refused. I guess the local needy can go to heck because Frank and his cronies will need that money for Chez Nous and the Las Vegas hot spots they will be hitting. Frank suggested they make a future request for improvements or other needs rather than food staples. Good grief. East Montgomery County has needy families who desperately require food assistance. COMPLETELY DISGUSTING!!!!

Soapboxmom
04-02-2012, 08:58 AM
Minor league team hinges on EarthQuest - Your Houston News: News (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/news/minor-league-team-hinges-on-earthquest/article_4376fbf6-2d35-5624-ab47-9c1e262ab188.html)

EarthQuest has come under scrutiny from local residents recently. According to an article published by the East Montgomery County Observer, citizens had numerous questions about the long-delayed theme park at a hearing at the East Montgomery County Improvement District Complex March 8. Representatives from Contour Entertainment did not attend the hearing, and EMCID officials told residents they had nothing new to report, according to the article.

The article explained that at a March 5 bankruptcy hearing, there was a provision that allows another company to purchase the land. McCrady is quoted as saying that D.R. Horton Homes, the largest home builder in America, “purchased the land and will close on the property in June.”
“There is an important provision in this deal that will allow Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment to enter into an agreement with EMCID to purchase the right to the property where EarthQuest will be located.” McCrady said in the article.

McCrady said that Chris Brown definitely will exercise his option to purchase the land necessary to complete the EarthQuest project.

Wrong Frank! The land has not been sold to DR. Horton. The bank is objecting to that purchase option agreement and the judge hasn't ruled. DR Horton made a preliminary bid that would likely allow the property to go to auction. The next hearing in the bankruptcy case will be April 24th. It is anybody's guess at this point who will get the property. Chris Brown was to have the property purchased by March according to the minutes of the February EMCID meeting, but obviously can't raise the funds to do so as he has filed nothing with the bankruptcy court and has not announced that he has the funding to purchase the property.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-02-2012, 09:06 PM
These expenses are downright criminal:

EMCID entourage racks up expenses at resorts, restaurants, theme parks - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452)

EMCID entourage racks up expenses at resorts, restaurants, theme parks

Monday, April 02, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
In early March 2007, a fat envelope arrived at the EMCID offices for Frank McCrady. Inside was a contract from Steven R Baker, CEO of the Baker Leisure Group. Don Holbrook, consultant to EMCID for EarthQuest, is also Baker’s partner.

‘Dino’ Don Lessem, one of the original consultants to the EarthQuest project, had recommended Baker to McCrady and after some initial discussion, McCrady signed the contract on April 5.

Also included was a letter to McCrady and Lessem suggesting “Step One” – a 12-day familiarization trip to exotic and lush locales and theme resorts including Las Vegas, the Canada Royal Terrell Institute (sic) in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, ( the actual name is The Royal Tyrrell Museum), Quebec City, Canada, Niagra (sic) Falls, Orlando and the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.

A second tour, to Europe, was also recommended. This one would last 10 to 12 days and include trips to see museums about German volcanoes, the Eden Project in Cornwall, England and “other European thematic sites.” The Tribune has been unable to determine if the group took this trip.

Baker/Holbrook charged $125,000 for this advice and a project analysis, plus any and all expenses. In addition, Holbrook received $195 per hour plus mileage, presumably to travel on his own recommended trips. Baker asked for $150-$225 per hour plus mileage. Covering all bases, they also tacked on a provision that all expenses such as copies, postage, etc would be paid at cost plus 15 percent.

The contract, signed on April 27, was immediately acted upon. EarthQuest, at this point in time, was little more than discussion and intent but the first order of business for EMCID was an incredibly expensive,12-day tour for dinosaur consultants, an attorney, an engineer, family members, a vision creator and an artist. McCrady didn’t wait long, just a month, to take off, and along with him, came 10 others including his wife, Allison, and their son, Phillip. Holbrook brought his son, Aidan. Rounding out the entourage were board chair Leon Cubillas, EMCID engineer Joseph Costanza, EMCID attorney David Marks, Zofia Kostyrko-Edwards, a Polish, ex-Disney portraitist and illustrator, and Brian Blanchard, vice president of a company who specializes in ‘creating vision and identifying opportunities.” Last but not least was Dino Don Lessem himself. Airfare alone for the group was thousands of dollars.

On May 28, 2007, most of the party left Houston, flying first to Atlanta. Others flew in from Burbank, California and Las Vegas. On May 30, they flew on to Walt Disney World in Orlando where lodging exceeded $10,000. One dinner, at Charley’s Steakhouse, cost nearly $3000. Then, on June 2, they departed for Nassau, The Bahamas, to stay at the Atlantis Resort. Credit cards receipts indicate the group checked out on June 5.

Just three weeks later, the EMCID group, now swollen to 14, departed for an even more exotic locale – China. This time Holbrook brought his other son, Ian. The McCradys brought both sons, Phillip and Christopher. Cubillas and his wife Mary went. Marks tagged along and brought his wife Alexandra. Dino Don was there and so were a few others: Mary Grimord, a secretary to Marks, Joseph Costanza, and Susan Osumi, a resident of Las Vegas. Total cost? Nearly $75,000 including more than $20,000 on airfare alone.

Twelve months later, McCrady, Cubillas, Marks and Costanza flew first class, at a cost of $7294.54 each, from Houston to Tokyo to Saigon and back. Nearly $32,000 – with food, hotels and expenses additional to this sum.

During 2007, EMCID paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to fly Holbrook to and from Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Orlando and Minneapolis. McCrady, Cubillas and other board members also traveled numerous times during 2007. Expenses racked up – hotel rooms, car rentals, golf dates, gasoline, and most of all meals. Meals upon meals upon meals. A single Christmas event at Chez Nous restaurant in Humble cost $2664.44.

In 2008, it was the same story, with hundreds of thousand of dollars going for Holbrook’s and McCrady’s expenses. During one April trip Holbrook made from Las Vegas to New Caney, EMCID picked up the tab for $8800 for Rockets tickets, nearly $500 for sporting equipment at Sports Authority and a farewell dinner at Chez Nous that cost $1149.20. Limousine charges on EMCID secretary Suzanne Parmer’s American Express account were numerous. The largest charge was for $3937.50 on August 1. Parmer’s credit card statements show several trips to Las Vegas and charges for thousands of dollars for hotels, car rentals, and meals including a whopping $277.95 room service charge at Mandalay Bay Hotel. Other charges during 2007-08 included a Top Deck Express pass to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City, Comedy Club tickets, tickets to Las Vegas shows and everything from Smoothie King to Burger King to gasoline to phone services - all listed on her itemized statements.

Despite repeated requests by the Tribune, as of press time McCrady has not provided a list of all the EMCID-related trips McCrady’s wife and children have taken nor has he provided documentation for reimbursement to EMCID for his wife and children’s trips or for board members’ spouses’ trips, meals, etc. As of press time, the Tribune has to wonder if the taxpayers paid for these costly, personal expenses.

Click below to download the credit card statements:

Suzanne Parmer: http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/emcid.pdf

Frank McCrady: http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/emcid2.pdf



Loan funneled through second entity questioned - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13451)

Loan funneled through second entity questioned

Monday, April 02, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
Immediately prior to press time, The Tribune confirmed that EMCID, through its affiliate, the East Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (“EMCEDC”) made an unsecured loan of $225,000 to Whitestone Houston Land, Ltd. (“Whitestone”) on May 23, 2011. (Whitestone is the legal owner of the EarthQuest land). That date was only two months before Whitestone filed its bankruptcy petition. Based on correspondence uncovered by The Tribune, it appears that EMCID leadership was already aware that the Whitestone bankruptcy was imminent. So what possible motivation was there to simply throw away another $225,000 of taxpayers’ money? And why was the loan “hidden” by EMCID by using EMCEDC as the loan conduit? Was the EMCID leadership somehow persuaded into this transaction? The EMCEDC minutes reflect the approval of the loan, but make no mention of its purpose. EMCID also refused to answer The Tribune’s inquiry as to the purpose of this loan.



I think it is high time for criminal charges. Don Holbrook swindled us out of a fortune! Don Lessem revealed to me on April 25, 2011 that the deal was bankrupt and the property was not being paid. And, on May 31,2011 Holbrook bragged to Pahrump, NV that Matlin Atlantis was bust, but Earthquest was going forward and would break ground in December 2011 or early 2012. He is a lying sack of ****. McCrady and that board are all just plain dirty.

Soapboxmom
04-03-2012, 09:48 AM
Cynthia Calvert, like me, has the charity's documents and a calculator. She dug even further than I had and it is a shocking and well researched expose:

EarthQuest Institute: a betrayal of the public's trust? - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13443)

EarthQuest Institute: a betrayal of the public's trust?

Monday, April 02, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
On Dec. 8, 2009, the inaugural “Friends of EarthQuest” fundraiser was held in the grand ballroom of the stately complex that houses the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID). It seemed that everyone wanted to be there, from the county judge to the county lineman. So many showed up for the festivities that some were turned away at the door, no doubt crestfallen by their inopportune misfortune.

But for the fine folks of East Montgomery County that were allowed in, it was a gala affair, punctuated by diamonds and dinosaurs, Cretaceous critters and Christmas glee. All the while, the giant head of a T-Rex held sway over the proceedings, its toothy grin a warning, perhaps, for those who might venture a little too close.

Most of all, this grand event was a celebration of hope for East Montgomery County and its residents.

After almost five years of plans and promises, the advent of EarthQuest seemed fitting for the Christmas season. For it was a gift that vowed to keep on giving, with new jobs, new businesses, new developments . . . indeed, a whole new way of life.

But the good citizens of this community didn’t just attend as well-wishers. Not at all. They came with their pocket books in hand, ready to make a tangible contribution to the dream that had been promised them by local politicians, civic leaders and, most of all, the members of the EMCID board.

And on this one night alone, more than $75,000 was raised for the EarthQuest Institute (“Institute”). This Institute was a nonprofit corporation established by EMCID and the EarthQuest developers as an “edutainment” center, so that the young and the young at heart would be able to learn valuable lessons from the past.

So how ironic is it, that on the very same night the ‘Friends of EarthQuest’ were reaching into their wallets to support this great adventure, the consultants hired by EMCID and the EarthQuest developers had already plundered the Institute’s bank accounts for all that it was worth. So egregious was the theft of the public’s trust that, by the night of the great ball, the Institute was already bankrupted.

The Tribune has obtained copies of the federal tax returns for the Institute.

A diligent review of those records has produced a sordid tale of unbridled avarice; a story that will shock even the most cynical individual. Consider the following facts, all of which are taken directly from the federal tax returns of the Institute for the three-year period of 2008 – 2010:

The Institute received contributions totaling $996,667.

Don Holbrook, president of the Institute (and a consultant for EMCID and EarthQuest), received total compensation of $328,255.

Deborah Thomas, treasurer and secretary of the Institute (and an employee of Marlin-Atlantis), received total compensation of $218,993.

(Unbelievably, as stated in the tax returns, Holbrook only worked an average of 15 hours per week; Thomas, 20 hours per week).

Even more appalling, “professional fees” paid to “independent contractors” equaled $601,776. These fees were apparently paid to EarthQuest consultants, including those controlled by Don Holbrook.

Although contributions totaled $996,000 for the three-year period, the salaries and benefits paid to employees and consultants equaled $1,148,370, exceeding total contributions by more than $150,000.

And the forgoing figures don’t even consider “other” expenditures by the Institute's two employees. These “other” costs included $118,700 for “travel expenses,” and $37,479 for “information technology” among other things.

Consequently, on the night of the great ball, the Institute had a negative cash balance of $225,034. Hence, the prior statement that the Institute was bankrupt in December of 2009 was a factual, not a figurative, assertion.

But the story doesn’t end there, because it’s not easy to spend more money than one has in their bank account, unless they can borrow funds from another source. So how did the Institute spend more money than they had on hand? Simple. By borrowing $332,110 from an account payable, $222,018 of which was incurred in 2009.

Unfortunately, the tax returns do not indicate from whom the money was borrowed. Of course, the logical presumption would be EMCID (or one of its affiliates), as EMCID has been the primary benefactor of the Institute since its inception. In a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ dated January 22, 2008, EMCID agreed to donate to the Institute $300,000 in 2008 alone. What other monies may have been given to the Institute by EMCID is unknown at this time.

Another intriguing fact discovered in the tax returns is that the Institute acquired a building in 2010, valued at about $300,000, with a $195,000 mortgage. Curiously, no one seems to know where the building is located or even its address. More importantly, who would have loaned $195,000 to a bankrupt organization? Did EMCID, or one of its related entities, provide the mortgage for the EarthQuest building? Again, the tax returns do not identify from whom the mortgage was received.

At the EMCID town hall meeting on March 22, 2012, several questions were posed regarding the Institute. Those queries were largely deflected by board members, stating the Institute was completely separate of EMCID, that the Institute never had an office in the EMCID complex and that none of the EMCID board knew the current status of the Institute. But documents obtained by The Tribune appear to indicate that a very cozy relationship has long existed between the two entities.

Even though Frank McCrady stated at the town hall meeting that the Institute has never had an office at the EMCID complex, all of the federal tax returns mentioned in this article listed EMCID’s complex as the domicile of the Institute. Furthermore, the EarthQuest Institute’s website also lists the EMCID complex as its business address, even specifying Suite No. 200.

How separate is the Institute apart from EMCID? Leon Cubillas, chairman of the board of EMCID since July 8, 2004, has also been chairman of the board of the Institute since mid-2008. This dual representation would have ensured that both organizations were fully aware of each other’s activities.

Lastly, the claim by EMCID board members that they don’t know the current status of the Institute seems incomprehensible. First, the dual representation of Cubillas mentioned above makes such a statement implausible. Secondly, the board of EMCID had a fiduciary duty to ensure that its $300,000 in grants to the Institute were properly disbursed.

Sadly, in the final analysis, the Institute was cleaned out, and allowed to be cleaned out by the very persons entrusted with its mission and oversight.


http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif (http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4cfffe180b0a0f10)
Well, boys and girls can we say Don Holbrook is a well dressed thug!

Soapboxmom
04-03-2012, 01:01 PM
Here is Don Holbrook's e-mail to his marks in Pahrump:

CC: hdkuIkin@hotmai|.com; bkohbarger@pahrumpnv.org
From: economicdevelopf-:~r@gmaiI.com

Subject: Re: Theme Park

Date: Tue, 31 May 2011 20:13:53 -0700

To: ALBALLOQU1@aoI.com

Al, Harley and Bill

l don't know where this person got these ideas but they are highly inaccurate. Let me set the facts out:

The Developer did go bust and he was the developer the public partner choose against our advice.

Contour and l have a great relationship with the public partner.

The process we recommended is now engaged and Comtour is now the lead developer, including raising the
$6OOM for phase one of the project. There was never a reduction in the project scale and scope.

We are now engaged with our investment banking team and we are planning our ground breaking for December
this year or 1st quarter 2012. The developer cost us 21 months in our timeline. The public partner signed a
development agreement with Contour to take over the project just earlier this month,

We are now purchasing the site from the bank since the developer over leveraged himself.

Frank McCrady would gladly vouch for everything I am telling you, he is the President/CEO of the public sector
entity.

I want to stress the need to the backing of the Chamber and the Tourism Advisory board so we have the
remaining votes of the additional town board members.

Please confirm this is your intentions for next Monday.

You may reach me at 928-706-4440

Sincerely

Don Holbrook

Live, Love and Laugh... Veritas vos Liberabit (the truth will set you free)

He will say whatever he has to to keep the money flowing his way!

Soapboxmom
04-03-2012, 08:31 PM
International Economic Development Council


(http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Ethics_Code)
International Economic Development Council Code of Ethics


Adopted October 22, 2008

The following code of ethics was established by the professional economic developers in the International Economic Development Council to ensure a high ethical standard for those involved in economic development.
There may be circumstances where the board may choose to interpret and apply this code to a particular event such as a man-made or natural disaster.

1. Professional economic developers shall carry out their responsibilities in a manner to bring respect to the profession, the economic developer and the economic developer's constituencies.
2. Professional economic developers shall practice with integrity, honesty, and adherence to the trust placed in them both in fact and in appearance.
3. Professional economic developers will hold themselves free of any interest, influence, or relationship in respect to any professional activity when dealing with clients which could impair professional judgement or objectivity or which in the reasonable view of the observer, has that effect.
4. Professional economic developers are mindful that they are representatives of the community and shall represent the overall community interest.
5. Professional economic developers shall keep the community, elected officials, boards and other stakeholders informed about the progress and efforts of the area's economic development program.
6. Professional economic developers shall maintain in confidence the affairs of any client, colleague or organization and shall not disclose confidential information obtained in the course of professional activities.
7. Professional economic developers shall openly share information with the governing body according to protocols established by that body. Such protocols shall be disclosed to clients and the public.
8. Professional economic developers shall cooperate with peers to the betterment of economic development technique, ability, and practice, and to strive to perfect themselves in their professional abilities through training and educational opportunities.
9. Professional economic developers shall assure that all economic development activities are conducted with equality of opportunity for all segments of the community without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, marital status, or socioeconomic status.
10. Professional economic developers shall abide by the principles established in this code and comply with the rules of professional conduct as promulgated by IEDC.


(http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Ethics_Code)
International Economic Development Council (http://www.iedconline.org/index.php?p=Don_Holbrook)

I wrote to the IEDC about the ever charming Mr. Holbrook who referred to me as vile and disgusting. I e-mailed everyone on the list (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=IEDC_Staff).


From: Kelly Bielen [mailto:kbielen@iedconline.org]
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 4:59 PM
To: Heather Dobrott
Subject: RE: Don Holbrook

Hello Ms. Dobrott,

I’m confirming that we received your email.

I’ve also been asked to pass this link along to you: International Economic Development Council (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Ethics_Code).

Thank you,

Kelly


Kelly Bielen
Executive Assistant
International Economic Development Council
734 15th St. NW
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
Main Line: 202-223-7800
Direct: 202-942-9476


Driving Innovation and Prosperity: Transforming Industries and Communities for the Next Economy (http://www.iedconline.org/DrivingInnovation/index.html)
St. Louis, MO │ June 10-12, 2012
Attend the International Economic Development Council's 2012 Spring Conference to learn cutting-edge tools and strategies that ignite innovation and transform your community's economic base for a promising economy. After struggles in the past St. Louis is now known for world-class healthcare and research institutions, a growing brokerage and investment services sector, and as a center for plant and life science.





From: Heather Dobrott [mailto:hdobrott@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 11:52 AM
To: kbielen@iedconline.org; kbielen@iedconline.org; landerson@iedconline.org; sghosh@iedconline.org; cmulcaire@iedconline.org; dcrater@iedconline.org; ethorstensen@iedconline.org; jsowders@iedconline.org; pmchugh@iedconline.org; mcobb@iedconline.org; pgoodwin@iedconline.org; pkelley@iedconline.org; ebell@iedconline.org; kenwemnwa@iedconline.org; jgibson@iedconline.org; ejones@iedconline.org; bklein@iedconline.org; eway@iedconline.org; scoy@iedconline.org; jchristian@iedconline.org; rthomas@iedconline.org
Subject: Don Holbrook

Dear IEDC,

I think you should get the facts on your member Don Holbrook. Though he claims to have developed 100s of projects worth billions of dollars creating 50,000 jobs he has not substantiated a single one of those alleged projects. Please find the links to current news articles and the site I admin for that tell the real story:

EarthQuest Institute: a betrayal of the public's trust? - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13443)

Loan funneled through second entity questioned - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13451)

EMCID entourage racks up expenses at resorts, restaurants, theme parks - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452)

http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-654/

Sincerely,

Heather Dobrott / Soapboxmom Administrator for www.realscam.com (http://www.realscam.com)

Perhaps Mr. Holbrook will explain how extensive world travel on the taxpayers dime and drunken debauchery with the EMCID board members exemplifies the IEDC Code of Ethics! It is all catalogued and archived here!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-03-2012, 08:51 PM
New Caney Dino Park Discussion & Rumors

http://www.houstondinopark.com/images/spacer.gif
COMMENTS

Comment by: Don Lessum on Apr. 3rd, 2012 - 8:34pm
I would like to clear up a few misconceptions. I have never spoken to Soapboxmom in my life. It seems she has been fabricating stories in order to try to destroy this wonderful project. I am a dedicated paleontologist and have been a consultant to many theme parks in my career. In my opinion, the EarthQuest project will overcome all these setbacks because of the thorough master planning and quality that has gone into the design.

I am personally familiar with several developers interested in taking over this project should they get the chance. I have recently spoken to several members of the original development team and everyone is very excited to return to the project this summer - after the property ownership has been established. There is a chance EarthQuest will not be on the original property, but potential developers are also looking at nearby plots of land.

Soapboxmom, please stop telling untruths, I would never discuss a project of this magnitude with a member of the public. I have signed several disclosure contracts because of my evolvement.

Dino Don

http://www.houstondinopark.com/images/spacer.gif
Comment by: The Wizard on Apr. 3rd, 2012 - 8:16pm
I would call Child Protective Servces on Smallbusinessowner too, but I am certain she is gay and has no children.

Mr. Admin, will you PLEASE stop allowing all these trashy idiots to post on this otherwise highly sophisticated website. I DEMAND that you be more diligent or I will be forced to call the State Attorney General!

Thank you.

http://www.houstondinopark.com/images/spacer.gif
Comment by: Dorothy on Apr. 3rd, 2012 - 7:54pm
Damn. I thought for sure somebody would have dropped a house on that Garland witch today. Pity.


Identity theft. Nice! Possibly a felony in Texas as well. Don Lessem's last name is misspelled and I don't think he would have used the word evolvement (which doesn't mean the same as involvement) or called a non-disclosure agreement a disclosure contract. My detractors are complete morons!

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
04-03-2012, 09:54 PM
Things that make ya go............."WHAT THE..................................."


Mr. Admin, will you PLEASE stop allowing all these trashy idiots to post on this otherwise highly sophisticated website. I DEMAND that you be more diligent or I will be forced to call the State Attorney General!

Get the State Attorney General involved,

hmmnn, maybe that's not such a bad idea, after all.

Soapboxmom
04-04-2012, 11:06 AM
DaytonDailyNews: Dayton, Ohio, news and information (http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/wine/entries/2010/10/28/dayton_natives.html)
10/28/2010

More than a business
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/wine/upload/2010/10/dayton_natives/ddn102910lifewine6.jpg-thumb.jpg (http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/wine/upload/2010/10/dayton_natives/ddn102910lifewine6.jpg.jpg)Don Holbrook and his wife Laurie

Don Holbrook, a Butler Twp. native and 1979 graduate of Butler High School in Vandalia, is co-owner of the Red Zeppelin winery (http://www.redzeppelinwinery.com/) in Paso Robles, Calif. His wife Laurie, a Minneapolis native, is more involved in the winery than he is, Holbrook said. “I just like to drink wine,” he said.
A developer, he has plenty of other business interests that form the bulk of his professional career, but the wine industry “just kind of sucked me in,” said Holbrook, whose parents still live in Butler Twp. Holbrook and his wife now live in Las Vegas, but he found an opportunity to invest in Red Zeppelin — which is transitioning to simply the Zeppelin winery — irresistible.
“At first, I looked at this as purely a financial transaction,” Holbrook said. “But it was evolved into much more than that.”
When reached earlier this week, Holbrook and his wife had just arrived in southern Australia, where they toured vineyards and visited wineries in the Barossa Valley wine country.
“I love everything about this industry,” Holbrook said. “And we get invited everywhere.”
(Each photo was contributed by the subjects.)
Permalink (http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/wine/entries/2010/10/28/dayton_natives.html)

Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/)


Holbrook, meanwhile, responded to the newspaper article’s allegations by saying they were patently false and referenced an employee who was terminated from his company for misconduct.

He suggested that the employee was trying to exact revenge for her termination, which prompted the EarthQuest news story in New Caney.
“She’s mad at me, but okay so what. She did wrong and I fired her, the board supported it. That’s it. And that was 10 years ago,” he said......

“If I fire back at these people, all it does is exasperate the problem in my opinion and it just causes people to write more, and more, and more, negative stuff, whereas why not Google all my good stuff. There’s tons of good stuff out there about me. Look at all my books, look at the comments on my books,” he said.......


The paper also claims that in 2001, Holbrook was hired by the Lake Havasu Partnership for Economic Development, but less than two years later his employment contract was not renewed.

Holbrook said family issues at the time superseded his employment responsibilities.
“I chose to leave Lake Havasu because my parents were back east in Ohio. That was my choice. My mom and dad are in their 80s. I took a position 30 miles from mom and dad. I’m their only child,” he said.



So, Holbrook wants to move near his parents when the doodoo is hitting the fan, but now 9 years later is 1900 miles away living it up in sin city. And, we are to believe the scathing articles in Ourtribune.com by Cynthia Calvert are due to a disgruntled ex-employee from ten years ago lying about him??? This Las Vegas party animal thinks the taxpayers are pretty dumb apparently. Sorry Donny, but we were not slipped enough booze to be dancing on the table with the others you have snowed!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-05-2012, 04:43 PM
EarthQuest Institute officials reveal little history, questionable future - Thursday, April 05, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13481)


EarthQuest Institute officials reveal little history, questionable future

Thursday, April 05, 2012
Geoffrey Geiger
The Institute EarthQuest (EQI) spent more than $1.4 million in three years, yet institute officials are mum as to present activity.

A “Friends of EarthQuest” fundraiser held Dec. 8, 2009 in the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) building raked in more than $75,000 from 275 attendees.

The event was a hopeful celebration for the county residents and public officials after several years of courting the 500-plus acre eco-resort development for New Caney. Another large fundraiser was held in September of 2010 at Kirksey Architecture in Houston.

The Tribune has attempted to document EQI's history from its creation in February of 2008, and recent findings present several gaps in who is left in charge and how EQI funding was used.

Here is the sequence of Tribune findings:

A request made to EarthQuest and development consultant Don Holbrook by another entity, received a denial of current involvement with EQI by Holbrook on Feb. 28. Holbrook said he ceased his officialy employment after John Marlin, of Marlin-Atlantis and a director of EQI, was unable to meet financial obligations. Holbrook also denied knowledge of available access to any current financial records. However, this appears to be a contradiction to what EQI's accountant, Derek Ryan, told The Tribune on March 20 after an information request was made.

According to Ryan, Holbrook would not authorize Ryan & Company, PC from releasing any records to The Tribune. Although Ryan said EQI has not reported any activity to his firm since 2010.

A phone call and email to Holbrook were not returned. However, Holbrook wrote to another entity that “EarthQuest Institute has gone on hiatus from operations and fundraising,” which EQI Chairman and EMCID Chairman Leon Cubillas publicly confirmed on March 22.

Existing financial documents for EQI are presently at the EMCID building, according to Dr. Matthew Gardner. He claims they were shipped to the New Caney address following his resignation from the board in 2011.

“You'll need to go to EMCID and talk to Frank McCrady,” Gardner told The Tribune.

EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady denied Gardner's claim since the institute is a private corporation. McCrady emphatically stated that the institute did not an office, nor a filing cabinet at the EMCID address, which is listed as the same physical address as EQI on its website. An information request sent to McCrady, Cubillas and EMCID attorney David Marks on Feb. 16 was met with the following response on March 12:

“Since the District is legally not affiliated … it has no control over its records and if request, would refuse to accept such responsibility for the records...” Marks wrote.

Don Lessem, one of the directors for EQI and the original proponents of EarthQuest, claimed that any documents could have been shipped to EMCID, but they would have to be forwarded to Holbrook. Lessem also mentioned that he has not been involved with EQI for well over a year.

Cubillas said he could not produce any knowledge of the whereabouts of any records, their accessibility nor a current director or employee roster for the institute when questioned on March 9 and March 22.

The only records The Tribune has obtained are tax returns (Form 990s) for 2008, 2009 and 2010 and documents relating to the formation of EQI, still in existence, according to records from The Texas Secretary of State. The tax returns, eventually found online through a nonprofit information website, GuideStar, consecutively list Holbrook, Cubillas, Gardner, Lessem, Marlin and Deborah Thomas as officers for EQI. Holbrook as President and CEO, Thomas as Treasurer, Cubillas as Chairman, Gardner as Science Officer, Lessem as Director and Marlin as Director. Only Holbrook, Thomas and Gardner received compensation from EQI.

According to the formation filings through the Texas Secretary of State, EQI was formed on Feb. 28, 2008, and restated formation on Oct. 1, 2008. David Rosenberg, an attorney with Thompson & Knight, LLP, is the current registered agent. However, Rosenberg said he is in the process of resigning. According to Rosenberg, EQI ended a formal client relationship with him in 2009, yet he “forgot to resign.” Thomas was his primary contact with EQI, who is allegedly also not connected any longer, yet phone calls to confirm have not been returned.

The original certificate of formation lists Lessem, Cubillas and Austin attorney Daniel Matheson as the EQI directors. Matheson told The Tribune he originally signed, but did not conduct any role beyond that. According to him, Marlin and Lessem took more control over the direction of EQI.

The restated certificate, signed on Sept. 30, 2008 by Lessem, replaces Matheson with Marlin. The assumed name certificate was also signed on Sept. 30 by Lessem and notarized by Patricia Suzanne Parmer, the office administrator for EMCID.

Although Parmer notarized the certificate, it is still unclear the ties between EMCID and EQI. Questions were raised about EMCID funding sent to EQI, yet it is currently unverifiable.

On March 22, EMCID member Vickie Thumann said EMCID did contribute to EQI, but could not present a specific itemized amount, but assured it would be listed in EMCID records. Lessem confirmed that EMCID contributed to EQI during its early incorporation but could not recollect an exact amount, nor could he state whether it a grant in one sum or through several contributions. EMCID cash flow records for 2008 and 2009 do reflect EarthQuest and Project Rex expenditures. However, it is currently uncertain if any of those funds were ever used specifically for EQI.

Those expenses are:

$18,257.74 (Feb. 14, 2008) for Project Rex

$13,500 (March 24, 2008) to Holbrook Development Company for Project Rex

$5,000 (March 24, 2008) to Holbrook for EarthQuest

$24,250 (Aug. 14, 2008) wired to Project Rex

$1,383,036.86 (July 9, 2009) to Global EarthQuest Ventures, LP for a developer reimbursement

$386,223.61 (Aug. 26, 2009) to Global EarthQuest Ventures

$388,864.11 (Sept. 10, 2009) to Global EarthQuest Ventures

$111,937.15 (Oct. 2009) to Global EarthQuest Ventures



Another awesome article from Ourtribune.com. I am happy to report I am "another entity" and had contacted many associated with the questionable charity!

Global Earthquest Ventures is one of a number of entities that are associated with the Marlin Atlantis White (Trey White fake multi-billionaire gang).

Soapboxmom

Whip
04-05-2012, 06:28 PM
The feds need to be brought in on this.

Soapboxmom
04-05-2012, 09:54 PM
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/5449_1185831439106_1027886709_578744_6940256_n.jpg


EarthQuest the Ultimate Project (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=3)http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/372092_1027886709_303083944_q.jpgDon Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709) · EarthQuest the Ultimate Project (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=3)
2 of 23

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/372092_1027886709_303083944_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)
Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)
Subscribe (http://www.realscam.com/)Subscribed · July 28, 2009 via Facebook Exporter for iPhoto (http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2238752371)

Mike Dimengo making progress on developing the donations for the operational programs of EarthQuest Institute our 501C.3 non-profit showcase center of green technologies and best practices.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/5449_1185852079622_1027886709_578844_5187229_n.jpg



http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/372092_1027886709_303083944_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)









Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)
Subscribe (http://www.realscam.com/)Subscribed · July 28, 2009 via Facebook Exporter for iPhoto (http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2238752371)




No worries folks... I got it all under control this is my state. Frank McCrady takes charge and leads the way on the public sector side of the EarthQuest adventure project and EQI.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/5449_1185856159724_2900647_n.jpg Allison McCrady







EarthQuest the Ultimate Project (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=3)http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/372092_1027886709_303083944_q.jpgDon Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709) · EarthQuest the Ultimate Project (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=3)


http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/372092_1027886709_303083944_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)
Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)
Subscribe (http://www.realscam.com/)Subscribed · July 28, 2009 via Facebook Exporter for iPhoto (http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2238752371)

Frank and Allison visit with the Dali Lama in Indiana, yes EarthQuest got his blessings.
— with Allison McCrady (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1388710023).


How involved McCrady and the EMCID are with the Earthquest Institute is a very pressing question, but as Don Holbrook says Frank McCrady "takes charge and leads the way on the public sector side of the EarthQuest adventure project and EQI." I think there is no way Frank can deny his involvement. He is leading the way for the EQI (Earthquest Institute) according to the CEO and president, Don "fat pockets" Holbrook. Of course 1.4 million dollars and no charitable activites later everyone has dropped the box of documents and run!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-06-2012, 09:17 AM
Earthquest: Sinkhole for residents (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/news/earthquest-sinkhole-for-residents-taxes/article_f159b45f-8f68-5a4f-8372-7c78fd3009ee.html)

Posted: Friday, April 6, 2012 12:00 am By Nancy Flake (nflake@hcnonline.com)
As hopes for a $500 million dinosaur theme park in East Montgomery County – including the jobs and tourism dollars that would follow – continue to dwindle, Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler is asking the president of the East Montgomery County Improvement District to scale back on his advocacy of the project.

Residents appeared en masse at a March 8 EMCID board meeting hoping to hear an update on EarthQuest and to question EMCID officials about money the organization has put toward the development. But board members deferred the item because representatives from Contour Entertainment, the developer of the park, could not attend.

Announced in 2005, EarthQuest was to have broken ground by now. The approximately 1,600 acres to be used for the giant park is in bankruptcy, but EMCID President Frank McCrady previously said D.R. Horton homes purchased the land and will close on it in June.

A provision in the land sale to D.R. Horton allows for Chris Brown, of Contour Entertainment in Van Nuys, Calif., to enter into an agreement to purchase the right to the property where EarthQuest will be located, McCrady previously said.
McCrady will not discuss when Contour will begin developing the park, saying that’s for Brown to say. Brown did not return calls for comment Thursday.

But with resident concerns that EarthQuest may never happen – even after receiving $7.8 million in bond money and $2.5 million from EMCID, McCrady said – Sadler is cautioning McCrady about his role in continuing to fire the hopes of East County residents and business owners over the promise of EarthQuest.

“Having been a department head of real estate at a major Houston bank for 12 years, I have always been supportive of this project, yet skeptical of its viability for a number of reasons,” Sadler wrote in a letter Wednesday to McCrady.

“There has never been a lender, bank, investment banker or the like who has stepped up to the plate to fund this project. To the best of my knowledge, there has never been an individual or corporation with the ‘credit’ or financial statement to make a project of this scope and size become a reality.

“In short, the entirety of this project has been nothing but photos, renderings and dreams funded with taxpayer dollars.”
Sadler concludes his letter by advising McCrady “that I would not continue advocating this project or addressing the media that ‘this project will happen’ unless and until the above two questions can be answered with clarity and with certain assurances.”

EarthQuest is “busted,” Sadler said. “I’ve been following this for five years; I could have written this a year ago. Hell, enough is enough. It’s unbelievable.”

Sadler said he also has advised McCrady to quit spending money on EarthQuest until an investment banker steps forward.
He also has sent some information regarding EarthQuest to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, he said.
“Anytime something is brought to the attention of the Texas Rangers or the Public Integrity Division of the District Attorney’s Office, this office has a duty to investigate,” District Attorney Brett Ligon said about EarthQuest and EMCID’s involvement. “We have been receiving information from not only the county judge but other members of the community regarding what they believe is conduct considered to be questionable.”

Sadler has not personally given any money to EarthQuest, and said the county has only “informally” supported the project.
But in 2009, county commissioners agreed to consider a tax abatement for EarthQuest, The Courier previously reported.
The EarthQuest Institute is meant to be a “leading edge” learning center “focused on how we can live and prosper in a responsible, efficient and environmentally balanced manner,” according to the EarthQuest Institute website.
The website also states that it is located at the same address as the EMCID offices on U.S. 59. Leon Cubillas, who serves as EMCID board president, also is board president for the EarthQuest Institute.

Sadler believes that to be a “huge” conflict of interest, but McCrady disagrees.
“The way we structured our (agreement) was that one of our board members would serve on their board,” McCrady said. “It gave our board insight.”

But according to federal tax returns obtained by The Courier, the EarthQuest Institute is essentially bankrupt.
Its 2010 tax return lists total assets at the end of the year as $309,797, with total liabilities as $514,468.
The institute paid Don Allen Holbrook, the president and CEO, $44,940 in 2010 for 15 hours of work per week, and paid CFO Deborah A. Thomas $43,920 for 20 hours of work per week, the tax reports state.

The 2012 approved budget for EMCID shows total income of $5.75 million and $5.075 million in expenditures. The budget, which can be found on the EMCID website, also lists expenses of $190,000 to EarthQuest.

In an audit completed in June last year by McCall, Gibson, Swedlund and Barfoot PLLC, also on the EMCID website, the district’s liabilities exceeded its assets by $15,118 as of June 30.

“Actual expenditures were $523,384 more than budgeted, primarily due to expenditures for community development, contract labor, capital improvements and EarthQuest costs,” the audit states.

EMCID had $12.39 million in bond debt at the end of its 2011 fiscal year, the audit states.
That year, EMCID had more than $414,000 in expenses for EarthQuest. It paid $293,337 in salaries, $178,169 in professional fees and $135,925 in travel expenses, the audit states.

McCrady could not say when Contour Entertainment will begin developing EarthQuest.
“We want the developer to be successful in putting it on the ground, period,” he said. “If we have one idea and they have another idea, we want to be in sync with what our developer is proposing.
“We’re going to let our developer speak for the project from now on.”

Soapboxmom
04-06-2012, 03:28 PM
Issa: Obama Administration Knew For 11 Months About Lavish Vegas Conference | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/05/video-shows-officials-joking-about-cost-lavish-conference/?test=latestnews?test=latestnews)

I can't wait for the authorities to take a hard look at Frank McCrady's extremely questionable spending. The hundreds of thousands spent wining, dining and flying folks all over the country have been exposed by Ourtribune.com. The real fun is just beginning!

Soapboxmom
04-09-2012, 11:03 PM
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/left-blk.gif









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http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/logo.gif (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/index.html)
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Located in southeastern Montgomery County, and with direct access to Hwy 59, this planned premier master-planned community will offer parks, trails, a large lake (http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/lakehoustonpark.html), and recreational facilities. There are planned landscape reserves and greenbelts for a quiet, natural setting. Whitestone, located on the east side of US 59, is the residential community component of a significant mixed-use development. The entertainment venue as well as a major retail/commercial development are located on the west side of US 59. Residential homes of various types will appeal to a broad market base. In Whitestone, residents will enjoy living, working, playing, and learning, all within the community. Planned are churches, a school site, daycare facilities, shopping, offices, and restaurants.
COMING SOON!




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That is the land in bankruptcy since last August. Those dirty dogs need to remove it from their planned developments page already!!! The entertainment venue / Earthquest is nothing more than drawings on paper --- a pipedream!

Soapboxmom
04-09-2012, 11:35 PM
profilesprofiles Deborah Thomas
Chief Financial Officer
http://web.archive.org/web/20050506111243im_/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/ma_deborah_sm.jpgMs. Deborah Thomas gained capital markets experience while working at Morgan Stanley and at Manufacturer Hanover Merchant Banking Group-both in New York City-and at Merrill Lynch Private Capital in Dallas, Texas. After leaving Merrill Lynch in 1989, Ms. Thomas served as President and Chief Financial Officer for Just Brakes Corporation, a chain of wholly-owned automotive after-market service centers in Texas. She has since held the position of CFO for a number of early- to mid-stage companies in the software, telecom, and financial services industries. Deborah Thomas has extensive experience in securing debt financing, raising capital for expansion and corporate restructuring, preparing and implementing strategic and operational business plans, preparing corporate and project budgets and financial analysis, and managing all aspects of company accounting functions.
For the last 3 years, Ms. Thomas has been affiliated with White Ventures as CFO, and has managed all private equity investment activities and real estate development projects and partnerships.
Deborah Thomas has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She earned her Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from The Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, and earned her CPA while working for Ernst & Young in New York City.


Thomas was the CFO of the now defunct Earthquest Institute. Why on earth was she paid $135.00 an hour in 2009 when a CPA firm was doing the books and preparing the tax returns???

Also from 2005 we have:

profiles Trey White
Chairman
http://web.archive.org/web/20050506111255im_/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/ma_trey_sm.jpgMr. White is Chairman and CEO of White Ventures, Ltd., a private equity company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. White Ventures controls and manages over $200+ million in assets through White Ventures and its affiliates. The company holds controlling interests in real estate property, real estate development, manufacturing, technology, and oil and gas companies. Mr. White is also committed to investing in the production of renewable fuel sources both domestically and on a global basis. White Ventures’ philosophy is to invest in forward thinking solutions where technology will accelerate and create exponential benefits and new markets in global economies.

Mr. White funded and co-founded HomeBuilder.com, the nation’s largest MLS system for new homes and the official web site of the National Association of Homebuilders. Applying innovative technology to the business, he opened over 250 US markets and created the most comprehensive real estate listing site in the nation. He took the company public in 1999 as HomeStore.com with a market capitalization of $3 billion. Prior to a secondary stock offering, HomeStore reached a market cap of $10 billion with $350 million in revenues in 250 markets employing 3,000 nationwide. Mr. White resigned shortly after the secondary offering to pursue new investment opportunities through White Ventures. Mr. White serves on boards of several corporations.
« Back


Trey White's profile is now gone from the Marlin Atlantis site. From a high of 26 people profiled we now have 4. With Trey's reputation ruined by the Evolv "zero water" fiasco I am sure sanitizing him from the site was a no brainer!!!

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
04-09-2012, 11:49 PM
Mr. White is Chairman and CEO of White Ventures, Ltd., a private equity company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. White Ventures controls and manages over $200+ million in assets through White Ventures and its affiliates.

You Americans are a funny lot.

"Controls and manages over $200+ million in assets and sells rebottled tap water on the side"

BTW, that would be "funny peculiar" not "funny haha"

Soapboxmom
04-11-2012, 12:39 PM
Bottoms up! Craig Malisow has an awesome article out. I am the Heather Dobrott on page 4.

Fantasy Land - Page 1 - News - Houston - Houston Press (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/)

Soapboxmom
04-11-2012, 12:56 PM
I couldn't resist, so I sent that incredible article right over to Don Holbrook. And, why not, as I am according to him "vile and disgusting"! At least I am not all over the internet in pictures at drunken soirees hosted by Holbrook. Yikes!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-11-2012, 02:14 PM
Ouch! I am starting to think Don Holbrook doesn't appreciate me at all.


From: Don Holbrook [mailto:economicdeveloper@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 1:42 PM
To: Soapboxmom
Subject: Re: Houston Press Article

Please take me off your distribution and contact list. I will not respond to such malicious untruths and horribly inaccurate reporting. Thus far my assessment of the reporting by this media source (if you can call his free rag) a valid media source for investigative reporting (now that's a hoot). Neither have your comments on your blog or the yellow journalism tabloid newspaper the Tribune been any better at demonstrating fair and impartial reporting. Rather this is a local vendetta by CAVE (citizens against virtually everything) people who would have time stand still and not invest in making for a better future at all. These are the same folks who believe that the market knows best and government shouldn't have any regulation places on businesses and we see how that turned out. Maybe they still believe in the fairytale of trickle down economics, which fooled our whole nation.

I just wonder when this project gets built if you and negative naysayers will publish big cover stories admitting you were totally wrong? We know that answer, obviously you and your cronies that claim to be in the media have no accountability for such misdeeds.

I will smile and have the last laugh when EMCID has their ribbon cutting and their strategic and visionary leadership pays off.

Thank God this world is not led by folks such as you or nothing new, imaginative and/or creative would ever be attempted much less accomplished!

Sincerely

Don A. Holbrook, CEcD, FM
Btw that stands for Certified Economic Developer by the International Economic Development Council and Fellow Member which is given by my peers for lifetime achievements beyond expectations within my field of economic development (less than 1% have that designation).

Live, Love and Laugh... Veritas vos Liberabit (the truth will set you free)

Chev. Don Allen Holbrook, KTJ, CEcD, FM / Author

Sent from Don Holbrook's iPhone

On Apr 11, 2012, at 10:42 AM, Soapboxmom <soapboxmom@hotmail.com> wrote:
Happy Reading!

Fantasy Land - Page 1 - News - Houston - Houston Press (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/)

Soapboxmom
04-12-2012, 09:32 AM
Chamber and EMCID: a Partnership for success - Your Houston News: News (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/east_montgomery/news/chamber-and-emcid-a-partnership-for-success/article_c9d867b7-4841-52b3-8ef2-aeb17e0ddbbd.html)

With the passage of that legislation in 1997, EMCID became a reality and they began working with the Chamber leadership to help make East Montgomery County a great place to live, work and play.
In 2002 the Chamber moved into the newly constructed EMCID building and that same year began discussions about a grant from EMCID to help fund a new President’s position for the Chamber.
That initial grant was approved in 2003 and in August, 2003 a new President [Andy Dill] was hired. Since that first grant was awarded additional annual grants were approved in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
In 2011, a five year grant agreement was approved whereby 2011 would be funded at 100% and subsequent years would decrease 20 percent per annum.
Chamber President Andy Dill stated, “It has been my understanding from the very beginning (actually before I was even hired) that this was the original intent of EMCID with regard to funding for the Chamber. As the Chamber grew its membership and dues income and other support came in from the local community and its members the funding from EMCID would eventually go away. That scenario became reality in 2011.”

We knew from the financial records of EMCID that Cynthia Calvert published that Frank McCrady was throwing money at the Chamber. His local support is bought and paid for. After numerous requests by e-mail and phone the Chamber is still not updating the page about Earthquest. They are bought and paid for by Frank and work hard to cover up the shenanigans related to Earthquest. To promote Earthquest such as they do making it appear to be a real project that is in the works is completely dishonest. Since there is no funding Earthquest is dead in the water. Everyone should cancel their membership and walk away from this charade! Working with Frank McCrady is a deal with the devil. He can't keep his stories straight.

Community Chamber of Commerce of EMC | Porter - New Caney - Splendora - EarthQuest - Museum & Theme Park Information (http://www.communitychamberemc.com/index.php/earthquest.html)

Soapboxmom
04-16-2012, 02:29 PM
EMCID loans top half million weeks before bankruptcy declared - Monday, April 16, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13500)

The e=mails mentioned can be found here:
www.pahrumpnv.org/images/uploads/downloads/110614_Backup3.pdf

Don Holbrook has a lot of explaining to do. He engineered a huge amount of the charity's take right into his own greedy little hands knowing the project was going nowhere. He announced the deal was bankrupt on May 31, 2011, yet assured the marks in Pahrump that ground breaking was to happen in December 2011 or the beginning of 2012. Judge Sadler believes there were never any real investors and I would have to say that sounds pretty plausible. It is high time law enforcement take action.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-22-2012, 03:32 PM
Scammer Holbrook set this up in Jany 2012 and it is already in default. Hilarious!!!

ECONOMIC DEVELOPER LLC













Business Entity Information







Status:
Default
File Date:
1/6/2012


Type:
Domestic Limited-Liability Company
Entity Number:
E0009682012-7


Qualifying State:
NV
List of Officers Due:
2/29/2012


Managed By:
Managing Members
Expiration Date:



NV Business ID:
NV20121012795
Business License Exp:











Registered Agent Information







Name:
DON HOLBROOK
Address 1:
9200 DALMAHOY PLACE


Address 2:

City:
LAS VEGAS


State:
NV
Zip Code:
89145


Phone:

Fax:



Mailing Address 1:

Mailing Address 2:



Mailing City:

Mailing State:



Mailing Zip Code:

Soapboxmom
04-22-2012, 09:13 PM
Fantasy Land - Page 1 - News - Houston - Houston Press (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/)




http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/2024/9042/avatar32.jpg?1335069883 (http://disqus.com/facebook-1027886709/)
Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Holbrook/1027886709) 20 hours ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-505938551)



Your article is purposely inaccurate and misleading and full of very crappy and not factual reporting... the title says it all, "Fantasy Land" is the content of your highly distorted article. Even the comments by Lessem,which are just not the truth of the matter are just being sensationalized to try to make your ficitional fantasy story seem plausible, when it is nothing even close to the truth. Your insinuation as to my credibility or alleged history of concern and then the demeaning and highly unprofessional comments about my colleagues other economic developers, being a profession of bullshitters is preposterous. Our industry is highly ethical and very credible. Myself and all my more than 4500 professional colleagues work tirelessly to try to create projects that will create jobs to employ American's and God knows our fellow countrymen need people doing so, politics and banks sure haven't gotten the economic recovery started yet. If you had been a real investigative reporter you could have easily verified the facts I discussed with you, when you misled me into believing your were a credible news media source. I was able to verify such facts in about 10 minutes over the internet. Once I found out you were not factual or credible I refused to speak with you any further as Lessem should have heeded my advice and done as well. You wrote the fantasy fiction story you wanted to write, not a real investigative news story. Perhaps that is why none of the business community would respond to your calls and inquiries. You and/or some of your houston alleged cronies even called at least one of my current clients to do what discredit me? Then you and/or some of your shared crony colleagues hooked up to get a whole conspiracy theory started in Pahrump in a further attempt to discredit me and harm my livelihood. You and the folks at the Our Tribune are awful and malicious folks. Most credible people see right through your crappy reporting. But it could be viewed as comic and entertaining if you just changed it to admit you seem to be trying to peddle a screen play script. Maybe Mel Gibson will option it and make you rich, that must be your intent with such fictional writing because investigative reporting is not your calling in life.





Holbrook can't refute a word said. All he can do is have a big boy meltdown and online temper tantrum. Really attractive, Holbrook!

Don Lessem was very savvy to have granted Craig Malisow an interview and tell his side of the story. Holbrook's clients and colleagues have the links to all the many fine articles he mentions thanks to moi. I also spoke to several who had questions or concerns. Holbrook will not be living the lifestyle of the rich and famous off of the taxpayers dime any longer. I think Frank McCrady is about to be taken out of commission as well.

We will watch and see if the IEDC takes appropriate action regarding their renegade member Don Holbrook. Holbrook can publicly thank me in his next hilarious rant!

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
04-22-2012, 09:24 PM
http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/2024/9042/avatar32.jpg?1335069883 (http://disqus.com/facebook-1027886709/)

Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Holbrook/1027886709) 20 hours ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-505938551)


Your article is purposely inaccurate and misleading and full of very crappy and not factual reporting... the title says it all, "Fantasy Land" is the content of your highly distorted article. Even the comments by Lessem,which are just not the truth of the matter are just being sensationalized to try to make your ficitional fantasy story seem plausible, when it is nothing even close to the truth. Your insinuation as to my credibility or alleged history of concern and then the demeaning and highly unprofessional comments about my colleagues other economic developers, being a profession of bullshitters is preposterous. Our industry is highly ethical and very credible. Myself and all my more than 4500 professional colleagues work tirelessly to try to create projects that will create jobs to employ American's and God knows our fellow countrymen need people doing so, politics and banks sure haven't gotten the economic recovery started yet. If you had been a real investigative reporter you could have easily verified the facts I discussed with you, when you misled me into believing your were a credible news media source. I was able to verify such facts in about 10 minutes over the internet. Once I found out you were not factual or credible I refused to speak with you any further as Lessem should have heeded my advice and done as well. You wrote the fantasy fiction story you wanted to write, not a real investigative news story. Perhaps that is why none of the business community would respond to your calls and inquiries. You and/or some of your houston alleged cronies even called at least one of my current clients to do what discredit me? Then you and/or some of your shared crony colleagues hooked up to get a whole conspiracy theory started in Pahrump in a further attempt to discredit me and harm my livelihood. You and the folks at the Our Tribune are awful and malicious folks. Most credible people see right through your crappy reporting. But it could be viewed as comic and entertaining if you just changed it to admit you seem to be trying to peddle a screen play script. Maybe Mel Gibson will option it and make you rich, that must be your intent with such fictional writing because investigative reporting is not your calling in life.


Gee, all those words and not one fact refuted.

Well done, Mr Holbrook.

Spin doctoring at its' finest.

Snest
04-23-2012, 02:28 PM
First and foremost gazing at this picture it doesnt look as if Don Holbrook is dancing on the table at all, how many business meetings have YOU had or anyone had that included wining and dining the client or having a cocktail. Your interpretation of this picture is just how you want to perceive this to further your cause. I know Don Holbrook both professionally and personally and on both ends he has more ethics and character in his little finger than you have in your entire person. The slanderous verbage you use to defame Mr. Holbrook both professionally and personally to further your blog, web page or your pockets is disgusting. I do hope this one comes back to bite you where you sit...hard I may add. As I said his ethics and professionalism far exceeds your need to defame his character to all your so called followers... This actually makes me sick and hopefully your site will be shut down due to ill fated lies and accusations. Having a picture of his wife with the sports car is ridiculous, I know they dont own such a vehicle and they are good down to earth people who put their pants on just like the rest of us, Im curious to see how much more you have to say about the Holbrooks, the fact you are presenting a private picture has nothing to do with his business ethics especially if your source is incorrect. So much for having the truth....

Soapboxmom
04-23-2012, 06:26 PM
Snest,

Welcome to the site. Drunken debauchery with folks that are clients is not professional. Holbrook should have maintained an arm's length relationship with Frank McCrady and the board members of the EMCID.

It appears the car Mrs. Holbrook was slobbering over belongs to Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment. But, that is the least of the problems that need to be addressed. Holbrook walked away with hundreds of thousands of dollars from the defunct Institute Earthquest and God only knows what the taxpayers in East Montgomery County paid that buffoon. The IRS is in receipt of my formal complaint I must add. Millions of dollars have just vanished and the chances anyone will be able to resuscitate this project are very slim. Holbrook was paid really big bucks to handle the fundraising by the way. Obviously, he failed in that mission in a catastrophic manner!

I suggest you quote and refute the false statements of facts you are fantasizing about. This site isn't going anywhere. Don Holbrook posted the pictures himself. This was one of his most brilliant comments he personally made in his public album:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150687232204265.415649.240136904264&type=3

Frank McCrady has too much fun doing this stuff it should be illegal, sometimes it might come close so we just reinvent the rules!The worlds foremost Green Technology Sustainability Center and Thematic Destination By: Don Holbrook
(https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)

Meltdown Holbrook just posted this on my Earthquest fan page:

Don Holbrook I apologize everyone. These photos were posted by a cyber stalker that has decided to take an innocent situation like my surprise 50th birthday and post them all over the internet in blogs and such. She has made a great deal of defamatory comments about this being a drunken party. Well for one I have never been drunk in my life and second these were my personal facebook pictures of me and close friends who flew in to be with me two years ago. My wife planned it. We did have a great deal of fun. But nobody that I recall got drunk. I am so sorry that this scary stalker called Soap box Mom has taken it on herself to do malicious character assassination on me and other good people where there is no conspiracy and/or inappropriate conduct. I am fairly certain it was probably her that has posted these comments. Stealing someone's images is a very serious matter that is why you have to sign release forms in order to do so. She will be dealt with for her actions by the legal system.

He made the images public and there was a share button. So, the shots got shared just as Holbrook intended. Using Facebook to advertise does tend to backfire. Is it Holbrook's contention that sober people dance on tables??? Should we make a poll or fund a study on that? I don't believe I will be rotting in jail, hell or for that matter be held civilly liable for using the share button on pictures the Don choose to make public and used to brag about his Earthquest escapades.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-23-2012, 07:00 PM
Snest is Shelli Nestle. She had the same cheery post and more barbs on my Facebook fan page for Earthquest. She and Don Holbrook graduated from Butler High together in 1979. Still carrying a torch, perhaps???

She obviously has no common sense. Don Holbrook is getting negative publicity for his role in the Earthquest debacle and his meltdowns and her baseless attacks are just fueling the fire and further damaging his reputation. If one cannot enumerate their claims of false statements and effectively refute them, then one might want to consider keeping one's trap shut!






https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/370514_708788192_1527528011_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/mnestle0821)Shelli Nestle (https://www.facebook.com/mnestle0821) actually I dont have to do anything, you have this blog or page up for comments, Im commenting if you disapprove, then delete me. You dont need me to refute anything21 minutes ago




I don't need her to refute anything because the page is filled with links to news articles, shared photos of Don Holbrook's Earthquest album and folks expressing their opinions. Without a false statement of fact that she and Holbrook can prove is false there is nothing defamatory. She certainly made a complete fool of herself in public. I hope Holbrook is worth it.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-23-2012, 10:01 PM
Snest,

You have been banned from the Facebook page. Folks go there for quick updates on the project and intelligent discussions. If you want to bicker with me and make all sorts of wild accusations about slander (which is spoken -- look it up) you may do so here.

You seem so interested in the facts though apparently you are in possession of none yourself. Perhaps, you would be kind enough to ask Holbrook why he is refusing to release the charity, Institute Earthquest, papers. Some of those documents are required to be publicly available by law. He should be explaining where all the money went as he was the president and CEO of that disaster and there is absolutely nothing to show for it.

Then ask him how the hundreds of thousands in meals, travel and hotel expenses were in any way truly necessary for an experienced designer like Contour and all the consultants and board members. All that was for naught. Holbrook was paid the big bucks to raise the funding for Earthquest and nothing ever went forward. The land should have been purchased years ago.

Lots of questions and Holbrook has no answers! Let's have those answers. Let's have those hundreds of projects worth billions of dollars that created 50,000 jobs that he brags of. Let's have those false statements of fact.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-23-2012, 11:01 PM
Holbrook is melting down all over the place while the rest of the world awaits verifiable documentation of his claims:



https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/static-ak/rsrc.php/v1/yo/r/UlIqmHJn-SK.gifDon Holbrook Please stop posting defamatory comments about me and linking me to your trashy blog. Your characterizations of me are malicious and inappropriate and you are making false allegations about my professional conduct and ethics and inferring and telling people that I am a drunk. Nothing is further from the truth. Your comments related to me are defamatory, slanderous and harming my ability to make an honest livelihood. You have been fairly warned if you continue this reproduction of my image and misinformation about my professional character and personal integrity, I will take serious action to protect my intellectual property and my economic livelihood.12 hours ago ·
Let's have those 100 projects worth billions that created 50,000 jobs or bite me!

Soapboxmom

Whip
04-23-2012, 11:18 PM
Looks like he's gone to the Bodgan/de Rothchilds school of attempted fake threats and intimidation
I guess he forgets people have saved his drunken pics that were online.

littleroundman
04-23-2012, 11:58 PM
harming my ability to make an honest livelihood.

From an outsiders' point of view, it doesn't seem Mr Holbrook needs any help with that task at all.

Unfortunately, it seems all too common these days to find people to whom burying their noses in the public trough is not only permissible, but desirable.

Soapboxmom
04-24-2012, 09:29 AM
Don Holbrook's support group was banned from the Facebook page. I take it the same clowns are likely behind this comment on the Houston Press article
Fantasy Land - - News - Houston - Houston Press (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/:)


http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1335233336/images/noavatar32.png (http://disqus.com/guest/66e90010f54066cfe80f5a6c795b9526/)
Missp123456 18 hours ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-507181132) in reply to changer
(http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-506943684)




If you're being harassed by Heather Dobrott soapboxmon, ProfHenryHiggins, littleroundman or any other the other vigilantis, you can finally make them feel the pain that their criminal actions may have caused you and your family. Join over 5000 so far of people that have been victims of their crimes and actions. if you see your name or other information that was put on there to cause you harm through vigilantism, harassment or any other financial, physical, or emotional pain. Please join in and report them and their realscam site to every online and offline legal department. Do not be afraid by their comments because they have committed crimes against you. I m not here to judge any of your businesses. I have no business that has been attacked, but I have friends that have requested legal
help which is being worked on.
I m here to tell you to start fighting
back to the criminals that are posting all your personal information
on a website that is run by a criminal and it's time she and her
criminal accomplices feel some of the pain they have caused for many.
If you're getting harassed from the stuff posted on their
criminal site take action. Do not believe that they are permitted to do this, they are guilty of
many crimes including causing Vigilantism as we have learned lately
that it is a crime as Spike Lee found out with posting "public" personal information to be used to cause harm to the Zimmermans.
The site you're being victimized at is realscam, file a complaint in your local police department as well as in
any of the criminals home states. There are many online sites you
can file complaints against them. Believe us, they will get whats
coming in legal civil suits as well as criminal penalties. And name
everyone you can that participates in the lynchings. One of the main
criminals that is doing this is the head of the site heather dobrott,
as well as a few others you can get there info as well. Others go by
Littleroundman and proffhenry.
If we work together the justice department will get to these criminals.
Go to realscam and search your name because they are putting
your safety and family as well in jeopardy.
Do not ignore it, make them pay and be responsible for their actions.
It's your right.
report to every regulatory agency online, the fbi, attorney general, local online police department sites. Tell them you are afraid for you life because Heather Dorrott and the others are responsible for hate crimes and causing Vigilantism. let them know that they are also racist because they mostly do this to black people. Don't stand for their bigotry. I have reported it to my pastor at my church too. if you're on there, do not ignore. They are committing many hate crimes.
http://www.scam.com/showthread... (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=154792)
This is who the criminals are.
Racist, Sedition, Lamestream Media, Crazy Mob Rule, Lynch Mobs, Heather Dobrott, ProfHenryHiggins, and littleroundman

Whip
04-24-2012, 09:35 AM
Why are they delaying the legal action? I guess they spent all the cash on their parties and have nothing left to pay attorneys.

littleroundman
04-24-2012, 10:50 AM
If Mr Holbrook is certain his actions and those of his offsiders can withstand the close scrutiny of the courts and media as well as the court of public opinion, then it's his right, no, Responsibility (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/responsibility) to put his threats into action.

Otherwise, people might just form the opinion he is nothing more than a wannabe internet bully throwing his weight around in an attempt to stifle legitimate concerns about the spending of public monies.

http://extra.pal-item.com/forums/forums/viewtopic.php?t=464&sid=1e9dba5641561b632d4870f66e416e39 (http://extra.pal-item.com/forums/forums/viewtopic.php?t=464&sid=1e9dba5641561b632d4870f66e416e39)

http://www.waynet.org/talk/talk/messages/15/700.html?1280018130 (http://www.waynet.org/talk/talk/messages/15/700.html?1280018130)

http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&subsectionID=242&articleID=23219 (http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&subsectionID=242&articleID=23219)

http://www.chrishardie.com/blog/tag/edc/ (http://www.chrishardie.com/blog/tag/edc/)

http://www.chrishardie.com/2007/12/former-edc-chief-announces-self-published-book-on-economic-development/ (http://www.chrishardie.com/2007/12/former-edc-chief-announces-self-published-book-on-economic-development/)

http://extra.pal-item.com/forums/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3021&sid=fc430d74c81e97e74fea5801792f2cd7 (http://extra.pal-item.com/forums/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3021&sid=fc430d74c81e97e74fea5801792f2cd7)


BTW, as far as I'm aware "internet vigilantism" doesn't appear on any statute books as being a crime.

littleroundman
04-24-2012, 12:18 PM
If you're being harassed by Heather Dobrott soapboxmon, ProfHenryHiggins, littleroundman or any other the other vigilantis, you can finally make them feel the pain that their criminal actions may have caused you and your family. Join over 5000 so far of people that have been victims of their crimes and actions. if you see your name or other information that was put on there to cause you harm through vigilantism, harassment or any other financial, physical, or emotional pain. Please join in and report them and their realscam site to every online and offline legal department. Do not be afraid by their comments because they have committed crimes against you. I m not here to judge any of your businesses. I have no business that has been attacked, but I have friends that have requested legal
help which is being worked on.

It appears that our mysterious accuser is now spreading the same call to arms message elsewhere on the 'net, notably on the ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process thread on Scam.com (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=139230&page=4)

laidback
04-24-2012, 12:22 PM
Whoooo Boy!!! Another crook seeking protection from being called a crook....!

littleroundman
04-24-2012, 12:41 PM
We have 5000 "victims" now ???

Damn, if I've told you once, I've told you a million times to stop exaggerating.

I may be completely wrong, but I can't see starting the complaint process with a whopping lie helping to establish credibility

Soapboxmom
04-24-2012, 12:46 PM
Taking an anti scam stance is racist???



04-24-2012, 07:24 AM




missP (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=274870)
Junior Member

Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
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Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


Originally Posted by ProfHenryHiggins http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?p=1171249#post1171249)
I have yet to see so much as an email from the supposed lawyer, much less anything in a court.

I'm rather dubious that they will try to drag me into a court, because they would have to submit my posts in question as evidence. Considering the nature of my postings here, on RS, and on Quatloos, that would have a high likelihood of incriminating the would-be plaintiff in ilegal activities of their own.



For the many who have notified by email, phone number and direct mail as stated just ignore the above. As we said the criminal racist always use the "well if you charge us with crimes you may get in trouble too" excuse.

These racist are not the court. Let the court make judgement. The incite mob justice which is a crime. It's your right. It has also been validated the the professor has past criminal record which includes child porn.

Thanks for all the personal information Heather on the site. It made it much easier to locate all the victims. Let littleroundman the the authorities are being notified where ever he is. We thought Canada but will verify.

Again ignore the giggles from the mob, they will have more to giggle about soon.




http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.scam.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1171288)







#139 (http://www.scam.com/showpost.php?p=1171300&postcount=139)
http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/post_new.gif 04-24-2012, 08:40 AM




gsoh2011 (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=203897) http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/user_online.gif
Member

Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 54
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Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


Originally Posted by missP http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?p=1171288#post1171288)
Again ignore the giggles from the mob, they will have more to giggle about soon.



so when was the hearing ?
anybody arrested ?
papers served ?
court process started ?

just asking .....




http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.scam.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1171300)









#140 (http://www.scam.com/showpost.php?p=1171312&postcount=140)
http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/post_new.gif 04-24-2012, 09:10 AM




missP (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=274870) http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/user_online.gif
Junior Member

Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
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Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


Originally Posted by gsoh2011 http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?p=1171300#post1171300)
so when was the hearing ?
anybody arrested ?
papers served ?
court process started ?

just asking .....



We are not hear to answer questions from haters who have nothing better to do then troll. Just know everyday effort to give these racist on realscam site and owners real justice in real life. The whole site has been extracted of contact information and all have been notified that they are on the realscam site. There are doctors , lawyers, politicians that hold office, moms, dads, and other decent people that are being flamed and having there life in jeapordary with the actions by the criminals over there similar to what Spike Lee did to the Zimmermans.

They are also many hate crimes against mostly black people becuase Heather, prof and littleroundman are racist and we have proof with many victims that are black getting many harrassing emails from the professors alias email accounts.

They have made a zoo on that site with intent to hurt people not help as they pretend. Take a look and you will see all day long they hurt many with no regard to truth. They are not a court. The Arizona victims have been in touch with the state that are moving forward with even more laws. Vigilantism is a crime.



04-24-2012, 10:47 AM




missP (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=274870) http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/user_online.gif
Junior Member

Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
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Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


Originally Posted by gsoh2011 http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?p=1171351#post1171351)
Not slow at all then.
No court process. No legal papers served. No arrests. Yet these threats made many months ago.

Lots of complaints submitted, but clearly nobody in authority taking this seriously at all.

Have you tried insulting the authorities ? Does insulting people work well for you ?

Thanks for clarifying even further.



No insult. But do not assume. We did not start months ago. We just saw this site and agree with what they are doing. But we have contacted over 5000 victims listed on the realscam site so use common sense. 100s of people complaining to every authority and other places I can not disclose.






Pretty darn stupid to turn questions about where the Earthquest money went into totally unfounded accusations of racism and criminal activity. The damages would be high dollar if Prof sued for those factual statements that he was involved in child porn. Accusations against me and littleroundman stating as fact that we committed hate crimes sending out harassing e-mails to a certain group are also actionable. Statements of fact are actionable. Hyperbole and opinion are not.

Don Holbrook is sure going to appreciate all this.

Soapboxmom

laidback
04-24-2012, 12:50 PM
It appears that our mysterious accuser is now spreading the same call to arms message elsewhere on the 'net, notably on the ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process thread on Scam.com (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=139230&page=4)
That "missP" over there is sounding a lot like MushyMuckBrain over here, wild rants with no substance and absolutely no corroboration of the claims made...! Clearly another case where they need to "bring it, don't sing it"...!

littleroundman
04-24-2012, 01:01 PM
Now I'm intrigued.

I've never been called a racist before.

I can't wait to see the proof of THAT accusation when it comes to light.

Here's a thought:

How do I know the race of my supposed "victims" ???

Soapboxmom
04-24-2012, 01:20 PM
I have been sharing my time travel broomstick and crystal ball with you naturally! Those are quite handy!

Soapboxmom
04-24-2012, 05:26 PM
The purported Don Holbrook fan club is going beserk over yonder:


04-24-2012, 02:00 PM




missP (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=274870)
Junior Member


Join Date: Apr 2012
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Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


Originally Posted by ProfHenryHiggins http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?p=1171491#post1171491)
Why would the FBI need to locate me? They know precisely where I am, as I've worked with them in the past. I do not have a criminal record in your nation, so don't go making one up that could bite you in the butt come Judgment Day.

And if you think I'm a bigot, well, that is your opinion. You might want to look up what the word actually means in a dictionary, though, and check the facts of why so many black people are showing up on reports. Maybe it's because the con artists I'm reporting on have been targeting them through their communities and beliefs - that's called "affinity fraud" in the United States, and the Securities & Exchange Commission has an excellent article about it on their website at sec.gov.



You mean the fake friendship you have with the FBI agent that you email everyone the name of to act like you know him. You mean the guy we have contacted about you and Heather. And verified you are in the USA. Stop fooling. You hate black people because that all you post about trying to hurt. Don will take you down also as well as all the others you have hurt. You can run your mouth but will you when everyone of your victims knows who you are




http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.scam.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1171495)







#149 (http://www.scam.com/showpost.php?p=1171498&postcount=149)
http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/post_new.gif 04-24-2012, 02:16 PM




ProfHenryHiggins (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=62917) http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif
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Join Date: Jul 2007
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Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Don? Who is Don? Oh, that man you were so upset that a newspaper in Texas wrote about the mis-use of charity funds by?

In case you didn't notice, Miss P, I'm not involved with him or reporting on him. I've been reporting on cash gifters waving misleading ads and claims around. And in case you missed it, the State of Texas views the act of promoting "gifting" as a felony crime. Better pick your targets more carefully next time, because I am not, and never have been, involved in whatever is going on between Heather and Don.

By the way, if you think I'm trying to hurt black people, think again. Plenty of whites and Asians come into my sights too, and get reported on just like any other gifter I catch. Carla Michele, for example, of ConnectingUsAll among other gifting schemes, is a white woman whose activities may have harmed Dr. Alan Keyes, who is black. That was talked about on Quatloos at the time it was happening - the thread title mentioned a political hot potato, if I recall?




http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.scam.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1171498)











#150 (http://www.scam.com/showpost.php?p=1171512&postcount=150)
http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/post_new.gif 04-24-2012, 02:47 PM




missP (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=274870) http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif
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Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


Originally Posted by ProfHenryHiggins http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?p=1171498#post1171498)
Don? Who is Don? Oh, that man you were so upset that a newspaper in Texas wrote about the mis-use of charity funds by?

In case you didn't notice, Miss P, I'm not involved with him or reporting on him. I've been reporting on cash gifters waving misleading ads and claims around. And in case you missed it, the State of Texas views the act of promoting "gifting" as a felony crime. Better pick your targets more carefully next time, because I am not, and never have been, involved in whatever is going on between Heather and Don.

By the way, if you think I'm trying to hurt black people, think again. Plenty of whites and Asians come into my sights too, and get reported on just like any other gifter I catch. Carla Michele, for example, of ConnectingUsAll among other gifting schemes, is a white woman whose activities may have harmed Dr. Alan Keyes, who is black. That was talked about on Quatloos at the time it was happening - the thread title mentioned a political hot potato, if I recall?



your not law enforcement. Your not a reporter as you tell everyone. You are a pedophile and a racists that creates harm to many and Heather is the same. Cash gifting or any other business good or bad is not for you to rule on. Call the police and let them and the justice system do the work legally. You are worse then the ones you report your opinions on. You are nothing put pretend rental cop. You saw what Spike lee is dealing with. you have thousands that have been communicated with that are right now reading this and filing complaints to over 500 law enforcement websites listing you Heather, little roundman, your websites and all your members of those sites. if you had a real brain you do know that some of them are going to do their job and investigate and then real law enforcement can decide. You know the many who may know some of the victims you hurt because they were enrolled in a cash gifting or other internet business like it's the worst thing. Know you are worse with your criminal past and internet terrorism.




http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.scam.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1171512)









#151 (http://www.scam.com/showpost.php?p=1171523&postcount=151)
http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/post_new.gif 04-24-2012, 02:58 PM




ProfHenryHiggins (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=62917) http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif
Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,442
http://www.scam.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif






Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
I've never claimed to be law enforcement, MissP. Get your facts straight if you are going to try to besmirch someone's reputation.

Now what, pray tell, would you do if I sued you personally for those false pedophile accusations? Run crying to your priest because you are out on the streets after all the attorney fees defending yourself? Be more careful in where you get your information from in the future, please, and don't go repeating things the way that the Oprah Paypal chain letter misinformation gets propagated by the ignorant.

__________________________________________________ _____________________________________________
The lights are on, but nobody is home at Scam. That thread should be soft deleted and archived for the authorities. The Don defender has no proof and is making criminal allegations. Garbage in and garbage out on that site. It should be shut down!

Soapboxmom



Don's Delusional Dummies might recall that Tim Darnell sued the BBB and me and lost both in Summary Judgment. I sued him personally for the slam site www.heatherdobrott.com (http://www.heatherdobrott.com). Poof that site and all his lie-filled attacks calling me a deranged stalker vanished. But, I digress. As part of that suit I contacted the hosting service for Scam.com in New Jersey. The owner is a great guy. I would highly recommend that company. I had Letters Rogatory all written. Those would allow me as an out of state litigant to serve a subpoena on the hosting company to get all the records about the threads in question. If this nonsense continues we can begin horrendously costly litigation and smoke out the folks that insist on going online and making false criminal allegations. That is absolutely actionable.

And, the FBI is quite familiar with me as well. Tell them Mom says howdy!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-24-2012, 06:56 PM
Holbrook is blathering on Amazon:

Posted on Apr 23, 2012 8:37:03 AM PDT
Don Holbrook (http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1QPQBX4HMEIT7/ref=cm_cd_et_pdp) says:
This post is highly inappropriate. I believe the person is trying to call into question my professional honesty and trying to refute my stated approximate accomplishments. It is apparent that this comment is meant to attempt to disrupt my professional income at my greatest source of sales, Amazon. The statements made here are patently false. I have previously named overviews of my experience on LinkedIn and other professional websites. Furthermore, my work history if properly researched can easily be traced to many projects, well over 100 and my entire career of work on a fee basis and pro-bono basis in the field of economic development and small business financing has been far greater than these conservative estimates that are being quoted. My approximate cumulative direct, indirect and induced economic impact has been estimated using a business model that is based on normal economic development value estimates are more like $5B in economic impact, well over 1000 businesses assisted and projects where I have contributed my time and energy and in excess of 100,000 jobs. I believe that the actual numbers are much greater but my effort to document such other projects I could have forgotten some of the projects and businesses assisted by me over the 22 years I have been doing my profession.

Posted on Apr 24, 2012 9:45:26 AM PDT
Don Holbrook (http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1QPQBX4HMEIT7/ref=cm_cd_et_pdp) says:
Just for the record, I have never hidden my accomplishments from the general public. I spent 16 hours verifying them through independent sources over the internet and using mostly third party economic impact estimates to arrive at my conservative estimate. For example, with very relative ease you could have determined that just one project I worked on back when I was just a young man new in the industry of economic development has created over $1B in economic impact for the state of Minnesota.
I was the economic developer that brought New Flyer Industries to Minnesota, financed their first US assembly plant in Crookston, MN and created what is today the largest automotive industry in the state of Minnesota, surpassing the former Ford Ranger Plant by almost double. Today New Flyer employs between 1300-1400 employees with average wages of approximately $25.00 hour. They opened another major facility in St. Cloud. The owner called me and had so much faith and trust in me he asked me to personally review the deal Minnesota was offering and whether I felt he should accept it and move forward with plans to expand yet again in Minnesota. I said, "Yes, it's a very fair offer." Today the cumulative impact of just that one project has far surpassed my comments of total cumulative economic impact (direct, indirect, induced) I have had on locales while working in my profession. This project caused my peers in Minnesota to name me, "Economic Developer of the Year." It also won the Governor's award for Economic Development. In 2008 my International Economic Development Council colleagues voted and awarded me to become a "Fellow Member" of the organization. This is one of the most prestigious awards an economic developer can be honored with. It is given in recognition for a lifetime of exemplary achievements and service to the profession of economic development. Today less than 1% of the economic developers have achieved this status. The problem with the media is that they do not acknowledge that these type of awards should indicate a high degree of respect being given to me by my colleagues. In addition, they refuse to equate that experience to being translated into wisdom in how to handle and progress projects to successful fruition. All of these types of awards are quite easily verified.

He just doesn't get it. He should have a resume that lists all the projects he is responsible for that includes the funding and jobs created readily available. He should have it published online. Now, that the news media and persistent bloggers are demanding he substantiate his claims we get rambling responses like this. Pahrump got a bunch of lie-filled e-mails from Holbrook and Frank McCrady http://www.pahrumpnv.org/images/uploads/downloads/110614_Backup3.pdf. Notice he doesn't list the projects there and depends on McCrady to sell him. He then in responses to the Pahrump paper tells people to look at his books and the reviews by his colleagues. I don't care to hear his drinking buddies tell us how great he is. I want verifiable facts!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-24-2012, 07:01 PM
04-24-2012, 06:56 PM






gsoh2011 (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=203897) http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/user_online.gif
Member


Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 56
http://www.scam.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif








Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


Originally Posted by missP http://www.scam.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?p=1171363#post1171363)
No insult. But do not assume. We did not start months ago. We just saw this site and agree with what they are doing. But we have contacted over 5000 victims listed on the realscam site so use common sense. 100s of people complaining to every authority and other places I can not disclose.




In which case I am sure you will have great success, for example, here :

http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/darnell-v-dobrott (http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/*******-v-dobrott)

Instead of starting litigation, you could perhaps cut out the middleman and go straight to appeal ?

Let me know what you think, you incredibly slow person (no insult)

But the answers remain the same though, no arrests, no lawsuits, no papers served. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.

There is no need to respond with another stream of conciousness.





They found 5000 scammers to contact. Wow! We took out more scammers than I could have ever hoped for!

The Don Holbrook Fan Club there might just want to take a gander at that link. Sanctions make a wonderful dinner party topic of conversation, now don't they??? The link didn't work on that dump Scam because George caters to scammers and is in it for the $$$. So Darnell is ***** out there. That site is a worthless cesspool.

Soapboxmom

Whip
04-24-2012, 07:21 PM
It appears that our mysterious accuser is now spreading the same call to arms message elsewhere on the 'net, notably on the ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process thread on Scam.com (http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=139230&page=4)

Well, it is a troll thread. He can't help but be attracted to like minds as he has proven.

Whip
04-24-2012, 07:36 PM
Now I'm intrigued.

I've never been called a racist before.

I can't wait to see the proof of THAT accusation when it comes to light.

Here's a thought:

How do I know the race of my supposed "victims" ???

The game they are trying to play is that since most of the scammers in the illegal gifting schemes appear to be african american, then you two must be racist. They have clearly decided to ignore that you are equal opportunity exposers.

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 10:32 AM
Town board chair announces run for open Assembly seat | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/town-board-chair-announces-run-for-open-assembly-seat/)
One project Darby believes is not worthwhile was the agreement with Don Holbrook and Contour Entertainment’s tourism study, which the town paid more than $150,000 to conduct and may be on the hook for much more, even if nothing ever gets constructed. Darby was the only person on the board who voted against the feasibility study. “The funny thing about that is I started checking his references. I finally pinpointed one gentleman that I think is currently the economic development person for Las Vegas. I asked him what projects do you know he has completed and he could not answer that. He had no clue as to what he has completed, but yet he’s known the gentleman for 20 years,” he said. During several town board meetings where the issue was discussed, Darby said he also questioned Holbrook about past projects, but could not get a definitive response. “He talked around it without ever answering the question. I noticed in the Pahrump Valley Times that he kind of skirts around answering it by saying to look at his book reviews. I believe writing a book is not building a theme park. Personally, I think it was a huge mistake. I think that they sprinkled stardust into Harley’s eyes and got him to see wonderland and it changed his attitude and the way he originally looked at things. When he first got on there, he was all fired up and wanted to do things this way and that way. All of a sudden this trip to Los Angeles happened and it’s like he’s another person,” he said. Don Holbrook goes bananas in the comments. He turned those into Gone With the Wind. So here are just a few snippets:
[snip attack on Darby]... Yet he questions Holbrook about easily found references and references Holbrook provided the Town in advance. Let’s put this rumor to bed as well; here is a short list of Holbrooks accomplishments; New Flyer Industries,- Economic Development Deal of the Year, Delta steam boats, Phoenix Industries, Dee, Inc, Crookston Downtown Redevelopment Project (16 businesses expanded)- Governors Award for excellence, univ. Mn agricultural incubator, specialty foods, NSP Multimodal Port conversion, red wing downtown redevelopment grant (36 businesses expanded and second floor affordable living and walkway development and a new parking ramp), red wing industry park including Fairview Hospital Medical Campus, south st. Paul stockyards redevelopment into industry park, chaired Gov. Jeb Bushes corporate literacy project, which gave 600,000 at risk students literacy tools, raised over $11M for literacy, Havasu Mall, Chili’s restaurant, China Buffet, Havasu industry park, Livingston Parish destination tourism study, Claremore Destination tourism study, federal gov. Of Australia destination tourism study, national rural economic development clean energy attraction study, formed EarthQuest Institue-non profit foundation, helped raise funds to construct a new Gym for Meadows School, constructed 98 affordable living units in Kingman, AZ, and has 7 active private sector client projects currently underway 2 of which are heading towards IPO’s. And none of this includes his current projects with public sector clients in Texas or Pahrump at this time. Wow! And Mike Darny questions Holbrook’s accomplishments. These projects have created over 50,000 living wage jobs for hard working Americans and won Holbrook the Fellow Member award by his peers, the highest honor in his industry for lifetime achievements. On top of all this he wrote 3 books telling others how to accomplish similar results and encouraging his peers to strive to make a difference. This has made him the #1 author in his industry and Amazon ranked him as the #1 author in his genre in 2011. Perhaps Holbrook should be running for elected office, he actually gets things done that help average people have a better opportunity to succeed in the world.........[snip mindless continued ranting] So, now we have a few little projects that moved some small businesses into dowtown etc. That is not nearly the scope of success he described on Amazon on April 23.
$5B in economic impact, well over 1000 businesses assisted and projects where I have contributed my time and energy and in excess of 100,000 jobs Holbrook sounds like that buffoon McCrady. He bragged at one of the EMCID meetings that he brought in SuperWalmart and CVS. That would have happened without him as well. How silly!
http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/71c3a5d104715d51abf11fa3be8aa399?s=32&d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a 11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D32&r=Geconomic developer says: February 18, 2012 at 2:34 pm (http://pvtimes.com/news/town-board-chair-announces-run-for-open-assembly-seat/comment-page-1/#comment-28132) Wow… You people apparently can’t read or comprehend what you read. Holbrook has never claimed to have completed a theme park. Try to follow this simple concept, Holbrook is not a developer, he is a public policy advisor. He sells know how and risk assessments for public private partnerships. Second, he has an entire list of completed projects, in my previous post that have been completed. He wins awards from his peers who would not easily be fooled if he was not indeed successful. Holbrook has always been forthright about EarthQuest being the first theme park he had ever worked on. Chris Brown from Contour has worked on numerous completed theme parks. Holbrook talking about himself in the third person is kind of creepy. His colleagues have been royally snowed. Holbrook writes self-published books and talks a good game. He has made a fortune with his silver tongue. Then when the pooh hits the fan he rambles on about his books and refuses to answer legitimate questions and turn over documents required to be public by law. Pahrump had its Al Bolloqui singing Don's praises in the following e-mails. He was an honored guest at the dancing on the table drunk birthday bash for Holbrook. I still contend it is highly unlikely that the people dancing on the table were sober. And, no, Holbrook was not photographed dancing on the table. We can all imagine the consequences to the table had he done so. So, Al Bolloqui is not unbiased and at an arm's length. He is being wined and dined and finessed into pushing the Pahrump deal forward. http://www.pahrumpnv.org/images/uploads/downloads/110614_Backup3.pdf Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 11:12 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rP24_6trW8
Please go to 4:33 in the video. Bolloqui and Holbrook talk. Holbrook says Earthquest is one of the largest theme parks in the world and the largest green one. Really? It is a bunch of drawings and not one word about any financing in place.

One thing Don Holbrook does have in development which he claims will be out the end of this year or early next year is his fiction book The Ninth Templar. Fiction does seem to be right up his alley!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 11:16 AM
More scathing comments and unanswered questions:
Pahrump Mirror January 19, 2012 Page17 (http://pah.stparchive.com/Archive/PAH/PAH01192012p17.php)

littleroundman
04-25-2012, 11:33 AM
It appears people are more than a little pissed in Pahrump:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc153/thelittleroundman/readersletters.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc153/thelittleroundman/letter1.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc153/thelittleroundman/letter2.jpg

http://pah.stparchive.com/Archive/PAH/PAH01192012p17.php (http://pah.stparchive.com/Archive/PAH/PAH01192012p17.php)

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 02:18 PM
http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1335308937/images/noavatar32.png (http://disqus.com/guest/030aecc5cdb8bdedc2a810a0bbd6c858/)
King 2 hours ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-508848006) in reply to Heather Dawne Clarke Dobrott (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-507980375)


Ms. Dobrott, YOU are the one who is clueless and I sincerely believe that you will be made to pay for your mistakes, before all is said and done. You are making UNPROVABLE claims against people all the while HOPING that full disclosure of documents (that likely don't or never existed) will clear things up to your satisfaction. Not smart. If no documents exist that PROVE that Holbrook or anyone from the EMCID did anything illegal in a court of law - YOU will have to answer for spreading libelous remarks on so many internet forums -especially if anyone can prove that you have effected their ability to make a living. At this point no legal action or investigation has even been initiated against anyone involved with the EarthQuest project.
You are setting yourself up for an epic downfall. At some point you must ask yourself "is it worth it?" Using words like "buffoon" only make you look unprofessional as a consumer advocate and someone who is just desperate for attention. Your tactics don't seem unlike the people who were recently successfully sued in the article mentioned above. By the time anyone convinces you of this, it will be too late if it isn't already. In order to prove that Holbrook did anything illegal, you will need a lot of documents that IF exist, will be almost impossible to attain. But if anyone wanted to prove that you have made hundreds of defamatory remarks on a variety of web forums, all they will have to do is a simple google search by typing the name soapboxmom or Heather Dawne Clarke Dobrott. You have made it too easy for them. I bet you are not the best chess player in this match. Check.

First my little muffin, where did I accuse Holbrook of illegal activity? I think the wild spending sprees on the world wide tours (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452) are in essence absolutely criminal (i.e. totally irresponsible) in the sense they were extremely extravagant trips that accomplished nothing in my opinion. It is definitely a case where I think the poor taxpayers have been robbed. Why on earth should the taxpayers have to spend hundreds of thousands on meals, travel, hotels and more? I don't think those expenses could possibly be justified when this group apparently came in without the funding already well on the way to being secured.

Holbrook and company came in with nothing more than pipe dreams. Holbrook and company made out like bandits getting all sorts of money upfront when there may well have been little hope of getting funds for the project from the get go. The unsuspecting taxpayers are the ones that are going to get burned and have to pay off the 21 some odd million in bonds. Everyone has bailed as the money is gone and Contour is not updating as they obviously can't even raise the money to buy the land. They already got paid plenty for the designs. Those pretty drawings are about all we have to show for 6 years of trips to fantasy land and crazy talk about groundbreaking with many dates that have come and gone. The following article sums all that up very well. Holbrook should read it!

Earthquest: Sinkhole for residents (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/news/earthquest-sinkhole-for-residents-taxes/article_f159b45f-8f68-5a4f-8372-7c78fd3009ee.html)

Defamatory remarks will in essence boil down to false statements of fact. Where are they? Demanding documents due by law, requesting Holbrook to back up his lofty claims with documentation, sharing public photos from Facebook and cracking jokes is not going to cut it. I don't have to look professional. I am not a paid forensic examiner. I can have fun posting and employ hyperbole whenever it blows my dress up. If anything goes to court, Holbrook will have to turn over tax returns, financial records and pretty much everything but his used toilet paper. Discovery will certainly answer a lot of questions. Your identity, King, would also be revealed.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 02:42 PM
I think Don Lessem, talking about Don Holbrook's disastrous time as president and CEO of the defunct Earthquest Institute, said it very well in the Houston Press article:

Lessem outlined his concern in a few letters to the EarthQuest Institute board. In one he wrote, "Not one person among us has significant national or local contacts among the business and personal philanthropic communities. None of us has the right kind of board experience for leading what was chartered as an international educational effort. None of us has been able to set this organization on the right course...We all need to remember that this is an organization we SERVE, not our fiefdom to control."
All that will be mine if any suit should be filed and I will publish every scrap of information about this project that goes into the public record. Holbrook isn't about to dictate to me what questions to ask and documents to demand. We taxpayers in Texas are not about to be bullied by a pompous buffoon like Holbrook! My opinion that Holbrook was fiscally irresponsible is totally justified by what the mainstream media has dug up so far. Lots more will be coming no doubt!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 03:47 PM
The bond money:

1312

1313

1314

1315

1316

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 05:01 PM
1317

That pompous blowhard, Holbrook, made a veritable fortune. He told one of his potential victims that he was worth $400.00 an hour. Apparently, EMCID was dumb enough to pay him something along those lines for this project gone nowhere.

From his LLC alon he raked in $773,963.43. That is in addition to the money he made from the defunct charity and any other pies he had his hands in. Disgusting!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 05:19 PM
On the Earthquest Houston Facebook page Holbrook wrote this inane rant:
Comment by: Don Holbrook on Mar. 12th, 2012 - 11:36pm

I am encouraged that a few people have started to realize that these magnitude of projects take time, patience and a visionary public partner. EMCID has shown great vision and management in keeping this project moving considering the global financial crisis and the failure of the first developer. All of us that have worked on this project and are still working hard to make it hugely beneficial to the residents of East Montgomery County believe in this project, have ourselves invested many thousands of hours that have not been compensated as they were agreed to in the beginning even after we did our job successfully and did the work we were contracted to perform. We have stayed the course because we believe in the project. We are all angry about Marlin's failure and we are even more angry that he has not paid us our monies for work performed. But we stay the course because we know in the end the project will be worth it and EMCID has always made sure that our debts will be paid once the EarthQuest Developer gets his funds gathered to make it a reality. If we did not believe in this process and if we did not believe EMCID was guiding this project correctly we would have sued everyone involved by now. So believe me when I say, I have full confidence in EMCID and their leadership team in how they are handling the reorganization of the EarthQuest Project and changing the scenario so that the new developer has more responsibility for repaying the Taxpayers, paying off the services rendered to Marlin on behalf of the project and getting the projected funded for construction and operation at the earliest possible date. So have some patience in the process that this reorganization has to go through, which in many cases is not controlled by EMCID, but rather the judicial process of our courts of law in this country.


That bond money was originally going to be paid by tax money and parking fees the theme park generated. Now, Holbrook and that nut McCrady think they can con investors into fronting this deal millions of dollars to satisfy the bonds??? This is pure insanity. Theme parks are notorious for running over budget and not being profitable. It is a very risky investment to begin with. What investor would ever put themselves in the position of fronting millions to the likes of McCrady and Holbrook.

He has made hundreds of thousands off of this pipe dream deal. Holbrook was hired to raise the funding for the project, so how can he claim he was successful and performed his contract??? He actually has moxie to try and tell us a whiny tale about how he worked for free for thousands of hours after the hundreds of thousands that he raked in from this deal. He is such a pompous windbag!!!

Why in the sam hell would Holbrook sue anyone for the project going down the toilet?? EMCID hired him to raise the funds and put this together. EMCID should be suing him I believe judging from what has happened. Man is this guy a litigious goon. I guess he is going to sue half of the planet. God himself forbid anyone question his lordship, The Don!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 08:44 PM
Responding to Bloggers and Negative Uninformed Social Media Inquiries « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/responding-to-bloggers-and-negative-uninformed-social-media-inquiries/)

Responding to Bloggers and Negative Uninformed Social Media Inquiries

19 Thursday Apr 2012
Posted by economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/author/economicdeveloper/) in Uncategorized (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/)
≈ Leave a Comment (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/responding-to-bloggers-and-negative-uninformed-social-media-inquiries/#respond)


The advent of the internet has been a very positive outcome for the majority of things in our society, but there is a very dark and harmful side to the internet as many professionals are finding out today. This growth in voice and communication to the masses has created a very uninformed and very misguided group of people that are using blogging under the guise of trying to say they are truly media representatives and even more dangerously they are claiming to be capable of doing genuine investigative reporting. A review of most of their posts is nothing but a blathering of sensationalized and highly irrational posts about their personal views and most are not supported with any facts. Yet these posts and accusations show up when associated with those of us doing professional work as hits on search engines. Then they create confusion and paranoia and create conspiracy theories where none exist. I have been the victim of these type of news reporters and bloggers recently and in the past. Even when I was able to prevail in a court of law, the negative press and spin by these folks continues and it harms the economic livelihood of myself and others for no valid reason. Let’s not forget that these folks had no knowledge of the actual situations they discuss, don’t have any experience with the matter normally and are not supported by my former clients, current clients, former employers and/or constituents. You have to consider the source folks… they are citizens that are against virtually everything (CAVE) people. Thank God the world is not led by such negative Nellies or there would be no innovation, no new ideas pursued, no risks worth taking to change the current accepted processes and outcomes, no visionary leaders, yes nothing would be worthy in their minds of taking actions that could produce something other than the status quo. Today however slow it has taken, the laws are beginning to catch up to these defamatory individuals hiding behind their computer screens and slandering good people and committing libel and interfering in many cases with those targeted economic livelihood. Now the courts are beginning to allow those of us harmed by such malicious people the ability to prosecute them and seek damages. Let’s hope this begins to bring some balance to yellow media and social slander and libel. The best rule would be that the guilty party should be made to pay the average annual income for the past five years to the plaintiff for as many years as they have left until normal retirement as defined by social security, but no less than 10 years of forward projected damages. Maybe that will put some teeth into protecting those of us harmed by irresponsible media reporters and bloggers once and for all.
Don Holbrook, the litigious goon, will scare off any client left that might have considered working with him. Any false statement of fact in a blog or an article, he should quote and refute to make his point. Then someone might take this blowhard seriously. It is obvious he can only meltdown and write these ridiculous diatribes. The blogs and articles about Don Holbrook and Earthquest are all filled with and based on verifiable documentation. They are filled with incisive questions that he doesn't want to answer.

Well, I have a question. Does EMCID have any recourse to recover some of the hundreds of thousands of tax dollars that Holbrook was paid to find financing and put this apparently failed project together? Millions of dollars have been spent and nothing whatsoever has been accomplished except for some pretty pictures and models etc. Don Holbrook is refusing to turn over the charity docs required by law and Frank McCrady long ago quit answering any question from me or the reporters he doesn't like.

Time for some accountability!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 09:12 PM
Holbrook was getting a check every time he sneezed:
EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT / Directors approve contracts / Contract OK'd for theme park consultant 11/29/2007 | Archives | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2007_4467685/east-montgomery-county-improvement-district-direct.html)

The directors will retain Don Holbrook and the Vercitas Group for consulting services in connection with the for-profit theme park portion of the Earth Quest project.

Under the terms of the $25,000 contract, Holbrook will provide the district with outside consulting services connected with securing financing and investors, said Frank McCrady, EMCID president and CEO.
"We want to make sure he stays with the project and makes the presentations," said McCrady.
Holbrook has already been working with the project's promoters, founders and the district and was actively involved in the process that selected the site of the Earth Quest venture.


Holbrook's incredible gravy train has ended. Now, someone will have to go in and clean up the mess. The IRS should be taking action on that egregious charity debacle that paid Holbrook $328,955 while he was getting the huge payouts from the bond money and EMCID itself. The taxpayers and donors are sure taking it up the keister in this deal! I wonder how many more pies Holbrook had his hand in???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 09:47 PM
The awful posts on Scam referencing Don and viciously attacking ProfHenryHiggins, myself and others with false criminal allegations have been removed. My gratitude to the folks at Scam. Kudos!

Soapboxmom
04-25-2012, 10:03 PM
The Houston Press article is a gas:







[*=1]

http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1335308937/images/noavatar32.png (http://disqus.com/guest/d4aebf999bbfb932b53cb5cbb9d44fdf/)
Townboardwarrior 12 minutes ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-509352995) in reply to Heather Dawne Clarke Dobrott (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-507345371)



Ms. Dobrott,
Snake Oil Saleman Don Holbrook, has made the same claims to us in Pahrump, NV. When I questioned the town board and town manager if they checked his past or the statement about 100 projects, it felt on deaf ears. How he is coming back for a second dose of $250,000 for the second half of the proposed project here. As another questionable item, his going bankrupt here in Las Vegas Court the same month August, 2011 as the principles in Texas. Makes you wonder where the common sense of the people we elect to see a scam right in front of them.Another item is they took parts of the Texas study and put it together with the last study to show the town board, here. How stupid does Holbrook think we are.

littleroundman
04-25-2012, 10:39 PM
Mr Holbrook cannot continue to feed from the public trough and claim immunity from scrutiny.

He was the one who chose to make himself a public figure.

Public money = public scrutiny

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc153/thelittleroundman/pig.jpg

Perhaps the taxpayers of East Montgomery should adopt a new emblem for their county

Soapboxmom
04-26-2012, 10:51 AM
Breaking News Alert:

Lennar Homes of Texas Land and Construction Ltd. has won the Earthquest property at auction for $11,850,000. The bank is vigorously objecting to Marlin Atlantis White, which is the same group of people as the bankrupt Whitestone getting $500,000.00 out of the sale. The bank should get every penny of that as they are owed in excess of $19,600,000 dollars. MAW is an insider of the debtor and any money going to them should land right into the hands of the bank!

1319

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-26-2012, 02:33 PM
The HAIF forum clown in action:

Mister X (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/1628-mister-x/)



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Posted Today at 09:04AM
The EarthQuest Institute is a not-for-profit organization, NOWHERE has it ever claimed to be a charity. There is a difference - just like there is a difference between reporting facts and reporting opinion.

The Institute (if it ever gets back on track) will employ people and pay salaries. Don't expect them to ask for soapmoxmom's approval when contracts are negotiated.
Edited by Mister X, Today at 09:15AM.



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Quote
Are all nonprofit organizations public charities?
Public charities represent a substantial portion of the nonprofit sector, but not all nonprofit organizations are public charities. Public charities receive their tax-exemption under subsection (3) of Section 501©. This privileged status allows donors to make tax-deductible contributions to the organization. The IRS defines these organizations as "charitable" because they serve broad public purposes, including educational, religious, scientific, and the literary activities, among others, as well as the relief of poverty and other public benefit actions.


The Earthquest Institute is a 501 © 3, which is a charitable organization. They are under the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division.

Mister X (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/1628-mister-x/)



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Posted 30 minutes ago
I have never seen one thing written by the EarthQuest Institute that said it was anything other than a Not-for-profit.

"Charities and not-for-profit organisations are not the same things."

http://www.hmrc.gov....s/vat/intro.htm (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/vat/intro.htm)

Even still, charities also employ people for their services. Holbrook committed no crime by accepting a job from EQI.
Edited by Mister X, 21 minutes ago.





...he started it.





#625 (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/8474-earth-quest-adventure/page__view__findpost__p__400486) Soapboxmom (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/9904-soapboxmom/)



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The EQI is not in England. What do the British VAT taxes have to do with anything in Texas??? The IRS has received complaints and they or the Texas Attorney General's office will make any determinations about how funds were used.

Soapboxmom
04-26-2012, 09:26 PM
The HAIF forum clown just got us both banned for 2 weeks for taking the thread off topic. I asked the admins for help. They booted us, so I guess it will have no alternative but to come over here and carry on endlessly about how Don Holbrook should be suing me for having an opinion and posting the current court papers or whatever it is it is melting about. With friends like Mister X who needs enemies, right, Holbrook? I suspect Mister X may also be the charmer that got banned on Scam and had all their posts removed.

Those who still strongly support the project might fare much better credibility wise if they would simply point out false statements of fact and refute them appropriately. The meltdowns are much more harmful to those that they appear to be defending and the project itself. What investor wants to risk money in something getting this type of publicity? It is obvious that those attacking the naysayers (legitimate journalists and investigative bloggers mind you) don't have a shred of evidence or a leg to stand on. HAIF has every right to end discussions going into the crap Mister X was throwing in. I fully agree with and respect their decision. The owner gets the call just as I did when I banned Holbrook's high school friend and Mike Anderson (likely Mister X himself) from the Earthquest Facebook page. That is a fan page for quick updates and a place for folks to get questions answered. Bloddy battles may be entertained here as long as they stay within reason.

Now, the question is will Mister X have the moxie to come on RS and discuss his concerns in an intelligent fashion with facts to back up his points?

Soapboxmom
04-26-2012, 11:23 PM
Don Holbrook is trying really hard to outdo Lenny Clements in the long winded rant department:

How to Value our Economic Impact as a Professional Economic Developer? « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/how-to-value-our-economic-impact-as-a-professional-economic-developer/)


I would say that anyone in our industry of economic development is normally not the most beloved person of the media, because we recommend the invest of taxpayers monies in order to create the right atmosphere for these types of outcomes to occur. If they were going to occur naturally I think the outcome would already be well down the road. Thus it takes strategic thinkers, visionary leaders, and supporters that want a better tomorrow to agree on taking some form of calculated risk at the expense of their constituents.
So, that is what we call living the lifestyle of the rich and famous on the taxpayers' dime. McCrady seriously wined and dined Holbrook while the taxpayers were paying him hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why???


With the advent of bloggers we sure draw in many cases our share of unwarranted abuse by uninformed and sometimes malicious and usually people who had no experience and/or involvement in the actual projects being discussed, they are just arm chair experts, with no experience themselves in being game changers, and adding measurable value to our society.
Since when did posting public financial records, the words of Don Holbrook and asking questions constitute abuse???


So when people ask me what is your experience and then they down play my expertise, my accomplishments and my impact on my industry and our society of course it is hurtful. But the main reason is there is no single method that has been endorsed and/or recommended by our IEDC organization on how to answer this question.
But, Holbrook does answer The question with no substantiation.

The following is my current tally I have been continuously questioned about by the bloggers, general public CAVE people but for some reason not ever have my clients and/or my industry asked me to produce this list.
His clients aren't asking? Are you sure about that, Holbrook?

My results have been what some might say quite remarkable and some would say unbelievable, so rather than argue I just kept my statement simple, but impact. I have maintained for the past few years that my economic value to my industry has been approximately “100 projects, 50,000 jobs created and over $1B in economic impact and investment.” So after yet another barrage of naysayers and even an attack on my ethics and conduct related to my work in our industry.....While I feel such malicious and defamatory bloggers will never be capable of accepting the truth or admitting they were wrong in their comments and accusations. Nor will any amount of disclosure or discourse sway them from their conspiracy minded thoughts.
He made the lofty claims. No one else did it for him.

Here is my official tally sheet to the best of my knowledge as of this my 52 year of my birth month:


Total Direct Jobs Created from all Measured Sectors- 37,503-38,153 jobs
Total approximate indirect jobs created-150,012- 152,612 jobs
Total approx. indirect jobs (using Morgan rule of thumb multiplier)-93,757
Pending direct Jobs in process- 4310 (current projects)
Estimated In-direct jobs impact- 17,240 (current projects)
Pending construction Economic Impact- $613M (current projects)
Pending estimated Economic Impact Once closed annually- $155M (current)
Pending Estimated One time construction value- $673M (current)
Total One-time construction economic impact (completed)- $419.3M
Total financing Invested into businesses-$2.3B (completed)
Total Annual Economic Impact Cumulative of projects- $5B (completed)
Total number of businesses served- 168 (without pro-bono-completed)
Total number businesses served cumulative w/pro-bono-1657 (completed)

No I am not going to name all the projects, but I do have a written record of them now thanks to these most recent allegations.

Wait for it.......

So in my opinion this case is now officially closed.
If Don Holbrook was smart he would name the projects!!!!!

His Earthquest debacle (remember he was hired by EMCID to handle the fundraising and secure the financing) has done incalculable damage to Texas. Many families and businesses made decisions based on Earthquest being built. Numerous start dates have been put out there as fact and have come and gone. Thanks to Holbrook and McCrady many have been terribly harmed financially. I assume we can deduct those horrific losses from Holbrook's totals. Perhaps, he will cover the losses incurred by those that took the groundbreaking dates seriously and acted on that information.

What incredible arrogance. This pompous blowhard brags of all these projects and after all the trauma, drama and threats, he declines to name them.

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
04-26-2012, 11:33 PM
ac·count·a·ble/əˈkountəbəl/



Adjective:




(of a person, organization, or institution) Required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsible.
Explicable; understandable.

Soapboxmom
04-27-2012, 08:25 AM
ignoring my projects that have won the Governor’s award in Minnesota as the Economic Development Project of the Year, “New Flyer Industries.” The New Flyer project so transformed the Minnesota economy that it created the number one automotive industry in Minnesota and attracted yet another expansion by the company in St. Cloud.
Holbrook goes on about this in his previous rant and his heated responses on Amazon. He named two downtown revitalization projects on Amazon as well. Bringing in an auto production plant is great. A few restaurants and small businesses to downtown happened in my little hometown and Dallas just the same and without Holbrook or any outlandish expenditures.

The auto plant did not require him to secure 600 million to 1 billion dollars in financing. There folks is the problem. EMCID paid this clown to handle the fundraising and secure the financing in 2007. He obviously has little hope of accomplishing that. And, frankly the extravagant trips, wining and dining of Holbrook and the rest should never have happened until the financing was taken care of. Millions were spent in development costs as well when there was no money lined up for the project. Why???? Will Pahrump and the next bunch of hicks he approaches have to spend hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars before it becomes obvious the project Holbrook is peddling is a pipe dream that will never be more than signs, pretty drawings and models???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-27-2012, 10:33 AM
http://www.iedconline.org/Downloads/IEDC_Ethics_Enforcement.pdf

The IEDC has the absolute duty to properly discipline Don Holbrook. His extravagant spending, outright lies about the projects he is involved in, refusal to substantiate the claims he makes and very unprofessional lawsuit threats and meltdowns in public need to be addressed. The Committee on Professional Conduct can initiate proceedings against Holbrook itself. If they don't take action I may file a formal complaint myself. Does the IEDC really want this Holbrook character using them as an endorsement in light of the facts presented here?

Soapboxmom

Don Lessem
04-27-2012, 01:15 PM
Hey, all. As the founder of EarthQuest concept for theme park and nonprofit conservation institute, and a former journalist, I have many reasons for supporting your and others efforts to bring to the light of day all that has blocked the progress and wasted taxpayer money, and my own, on the project. All that's gone wrong is a huge disappointment to me too, but I hope people will not throw out the healthy baby with the dirty bathwater. A lot of good development work was done on EarthQuest planning it and demonstrating how it's a good investment, even though the public money spent should have produced even more. It's still a viable project, especially now without the deceptive, perhaps criminal, leadership of Marlin/Atlantis. Under new ownership and management, here is still a reasonable chance the project can succeed. If so, I think it will do a great deal of good for Montgomery County in education, entertainment, and revenue.
Also, I am hopeful that people will truly do their homework and be specific in their allegations. There is some serious wrongdoing here, not to be confused with ineptness or plain old greed. I think it's important to look at the distinctions. Personally, I am not happy with stone-walling going on now by many involved, and EMCID definitely didn't do its proper homework before getting themselves, and me, into bed with Marlin Atlantis. And I think the nonprofit was poorly managed by its board (including me) and not well managed by Holbrook. But I don't see where EMCID or Holbrook for that matter are guilty of any crimes. In fact, much as he might self-promote, Holbrook actually did his job quite well for the for-profit theme park, which was to interest EMCID in the project and get state benefits for the project. One could certainly take exception to the style or the expenses involved in all paid people's work on this project, but I do want to make clear the distinction between EMCID and Holbrook's conduct, and that of the developers which may have been outright illegal if they misrepresented their ownership of the land.

Soapboxmom
04-27-2012, 01:20 PM
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Don Holbrook

The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy at Author
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Current

The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy at Author and Keynote Speaker (http://www.linkedin.com/company/860467?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_ *2_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2 _*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Author at Knights Templar Fictional Book Project
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Site Location consultant/Partner at The Vercitas Group
Keynote Speaker, Economist, Author, CEcD at Don Allen Holbrook, LLC (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_ *2_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2 _*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)
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Past

Consultant at EMCID
Senior Project Director at The Institute EarthQuest
President/CEO at Professional Economic Development Organizations

Education

University of Phoenix
Wright State University
Wright State University

Recommendations 10 people have recommended Don
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Summary


My professional practice asists both businesses in need of capitalization for their operations and/or in search of a new location for relocation or expansion of new business opportunities and market expansion. We discover the most advantageous business climate and location, recommend the short-list of possible facilities or sites, and negotiate public incentives and inducements that lower the upfront costs of such investments and increase the equity and thus ROI to the ownership.

We also work with communities to recommend the creation of incentive and capitalization strategies and tools that will increase their ability to attract investment into their locales. Our focus is on deals that create quality jobs, significant investment and improve the quality of life for residents of our community clients. typically this helps the community economic development organization diversify their economy and improve their outcomes to their communities.
Specialties

Site Location Analysis, Business capitalization, Hybrid capitalization using special economic development tools, public policy such as incentive strategies tied to ROI, deal negotiations for public incentives and investment inducements
Holbrook says he is out of the Earthquest debacle. That means this clunker is a failed project for Holbrook plain and simple! The taxpayers are left holding the bag and cleaning up the mess he made!

Soapboxmom
04-27-2012, 01:25 PM
Here is the head honcho at the IEDC. I am told he is quite a Holbrook fan. I would politely request that he check out his rogue member very carefully and analyze the effect his shenanigans will have on the organization he heads.


Jeff Finkle President, International Economic Development Council
Washington D.C. Metro Area (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&facet_G=us%3A97&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_*2_C_Y_ *1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 ) Nonprofit Organization Management (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&industry=100&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_*2_C_Y_ *1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 ) Current

President and CEO at International Economic Development Council, Washington, D.C. (http://www.linkedin.com/company/26124?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_* 2_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_ *2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 _*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)

Past

Deputy Assistant Secretary at HUD (http://www.linkedin.com/company/6768?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_*2 _C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_* 2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary at HUD (http://www.linkedin.com/company/6768?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_*2 _C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_* 2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)

Education

The Ohio State University
Ohio University
Newark High School

Recommendations 11 people have recommended Jeff
Connections 500+ connections
Websites

The Bollinger Foundation (http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebollingerfoundatio n%2Eorg&urlhash=Xk1C)
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Summary
With over 30 years of experience in economic development, Jeffrey A. Finkle is President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world’s largest economic development membership organization. He is a recognized leader and international authority on economic development, and has established multi-lateral partnerships with economic development organizations around the world. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Climate Prosperity, Inc. The Bollinger Foundation and Flax Trust America.

As a longtime leader in community service and philanthropy, in 2005 Jeff organized 250 economic development volunteers to work in Gulf Coast communities endeavoring to recover from Hurricane Katrina. He also founded the Bollinger Foundation - a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to educate and support children who have lost one or more parent who worked in the field of economic development - awarding approximately $500,000 in grants.

A former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Jeff is a past member of the Arlington Virginia Economic Development Commission, and served as CEO of the Association of Defense Communities for over ten years. With the formation of IEDC in 2001 following the merger of the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED), and the American Economic Development Council (AEDC), he was named the first CEO.

Jeff writes and lectures frequently about economic development issues. He has testified before Congress and has had appearances on CBS Sunday Morning, Fox television and the Journal Report on PBS among others

Maintaining a strong connection with his Ohio roots, Jeff has a long-standing relationship with Ohio University’s Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Affairs and received the Medal of Merit from Ohio University in 2010. He was previously bestowed the Appalachian New Economy Partnership Award for Economic Development.

Soapboxmom
04-27-2012, 02:27 PM
Hey, all. As the founder of EarthQuest concept for theme park and nonprofit conservation institute, and a former journalist, I have many reasons for supporting your and others efforts to bring to the light of day all that has blocked the progress and wasted taxpayer money, and my own, on the project. All that's gone wrong is a huge disappointment to me too, but I hope people will not throw out the healthy baby with the dirty bathwater. A lot of good development work was done on EarthQuest planning it and demonstrating how it's a good investment, even though the public money spent should have produced even more. It's still a viable project, especially now without the deceptive, perhaps criminal, leadership of Marlin/Atlantis. Under new ownership and management, here is still a reasonable chance the project can succeed. If so, I think it will do a great deal of good for Montgomery County in education, entertainment, and revenue.
Also, I am hopeful that people will truly do their homework and be specific in their allegations. There is some serious wrongdoing here, not to be confused with ineptness or plain old greed. I think it's important to look at the distinctions. Personally, I am not happy with stone-walling going on now by many involved, and EMCID definitely didn't do its proper homework before getting themselves, and me, into bed with Marlin Atlantis. And I think the nonprofit was poorly managed by its board (including me) and not well managed by Holbrook. But I don't see where EMCID or Holbrook for that matter are guilty of any crimes. In fact, much as he might self-promote, Holbrook actually did his job quite well for the for-profit theme park, which was to interest EMCID in the project and get state benefits for the project. One could certainly take exception to the style or the expenses involved in all paid people's work on this project, but I do want to make clear the distinction between EMCID and Holbrook's conduct, and that of the developers which may have been outright illegal if they misrepresented their ownership of the land.
A big hearty Texas Welcome! We are very honored you took the time to share with us here on RS.


"His profession is about professional bullshitting," Lessem says.

This was the cutest comment in the Houston Press article. It nicely illustrates some of the issues I have with Holbrook as this thread shows.

Getting rid of John Marlin, Trey White and their gang is a huge step in the right direction. They had the Earthquest property up for sale in 2006 I believe and it appears it may have been up for grabs the whole time the project was being planned for that specific property. I, of course, had a field day questioning why Marlin Atlantis White didn't just buy the property outright and fund the project since Trey White was in MLMers' videos and promotions (sometimes hamming it up for the cameras) being introduced as a multi-billionaire. :RpS_blink:

I am so looking forward to updates about the project. I thank you again for taking the time to set the facts straight!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-27-2012, 05:32 PM
Not the 100s of projects he should be naming, but certainly a less hostile tone:


thought on “How to Value our Economic Impact as a Professional Economic Developer?”

http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/fba762b3ff21d15d0e7151f8ffc38e43?s=32&d=identicon&r=G economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/) said:
April 27, 2012 at 5:36 pm (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/how-to-value-our-economic-impact-as-a-professional-economic-developer/#comment-7)

Soon I will upload an approximate business case that I use for valuing our efforts as Economic Development Professionals. It has to take into account some norm or acceptable protocol for how to approximate economic impact from the direct, indirect, and induced outcome perspective and it has to be cumulative over time. It is also very important to remember than some of us serve on non-profit boards and are engaged in financing decisions for small business, which can be considered in my opinion as part of our professional contribution to economic impact related to our careers from a pro-bono perspective.




Now if he would just release the charity papers required by law.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-28-2012, 05:53 PM
Don Holbrook is on the attack again. No one in their right mind would have any thing to do with this guy judging from this latest diatribe:




http://media.disqus.com/uploads/anonusers/5138/4439/avatar32.jpg (http://disqus.com/guest/fba762b3ff21d15d0e7151f8ffc38e43/)
Don Holbrook 16 hours ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-512718482) in reply to Heather Dawne Clarke Dobrott (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-495676543)


Ms. Clarke I am a consummate professional of the highest moral and ethical fiber. Your untrue and Purposeful malicious assault on my reputation is illegal. Your assault on my career has been malicious and unethical. I have not overstated my accomplishments as you have accused me of doing and bombarded my professional colleagues and one of your apparent family members has even posted this totally false allegation on my Amazon book site. You obviously want to harm my economic livelihood, which by the way has been made honorably and honestly. Your allegations are not based on facts. I was able in less than 30 minutes to validate that in deed my career accomplishments were actually portrayed quite conservatively. Your foolish challenge for me substantiate my career is just another demonstration of your lack of understanding of legality. I have no need to substantiate myself. Therefore I am demanding you retract your false statements. Otherwise I will take the appropriate action to protect my reputation and restore my good name. Your wide spread comments have already caused me economic harm. You are in no way qualified to assert what economic value my time and expertise is worth, but your attempt to devalue my economic value based on rumor, innuendo and slander have created harm to my 22 year work at building my value. If you continue with this defamation and slander you do so at your great economic risk. You have been fairly warned.
So, now you think it is illegal to have an opinion? An opinion is how one feels about something and unlike a fact cannot be proven or disproven. I do not agree with the lifestyles of the rich and famous extravagant expenditures associated with Earthquest and I have every right to feel that way. I also do not agree that paying yourself $185 an hour to set up the charity was prudent. Again, that is my opinion.

You choose not to publish a list to substantiate this claim you made:

100 projects, 50,000 jobs created and over $1B in economic impact and investment.

No I am not going to name all the projects,
So in my opinion this case is now officially closed.




http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/index4.html#post19668

I can't retract any false statements as you have yet to enumerate and refute any statements that I have made. Just what are those alleged false statements??? I certainly have no earthly idea what you are blathering about! Your vicious personal attacks, bragging and online antics are your doing and reflect on you. If there are false statements of fact then it should be no problem for you to identify those and provide the evidence that refutes them.

A barrage of online meltdowns and hideous lawsuit threats will drive away clients. Who wants to work with a hothead that resorts to litigation threats the minute anyone disagrees with him, questions anything or God forbid should have an opinion??? If you want to clear your name then substantiate the claims you personally are making. Explain why you told the marks in Pahrump that Earthquest was not rephased to a smaller scale when the newspapers reported it had been. Explain why you told the marks in Pahrump that this Earthquest deal would break ground in December 2011 or early 2012 when according to Judge Sadler no financing was ever firmly in place. Explain why you paid yourself such a huge amount in salary for a charity that only held 2 fundraisers and did only a single game development project with the local college as far as I know. Explain how it is you were hired to handle the financing and yet according to Judge Sadler (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/news/earthquest-sinkhole-for-residents-taxes/article_f159b45f-8f68-5a4f-8372-7c78fd3009ee.html) there was never any money for Earthquest to go forward. Need I go on.

The fact you viciously attack your critics, make totally disgusting lawsuit threats and do everything possible to force them to remove factual information and their opinions speaks to what kind of business person you are Holbrook. You want to threaten and / or spend your legitimate critics into silence. I will not be silenced by a pompous buffoon who relies on threats and totally fantasized laws that he cannot cite. All of this will be sent to the IEDC and I will keep the option of a formal complaint open!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-28-2012, 08:05 PM
Remember the infamous meeting:
Fantasy Land - Page 4 - News - Houston - Houston Press (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/4/)

McCrady's mantra for the evening was "moving forward." He said it so often that it would have made a terrific drinking game: Take a shot every time he said it. He said that residential developer D.R. Horton (http://www.houstonpress.com/related/to/D.R.+Horton+Inc.) had already made an offer on the land held by the bankrupt Whitestone, and that he expected the judge overseeing the case to approve the sale, meaning the land might be free and clear for groundbreaking in 18 months. (D.R. Horton's spokesperson didn't return the Press's calls.)

Perhaps the highlight was when he assured the audience that while a $1,600 dinner at Chez Nous in Humble might look fun on paper, that and other expensive outings were actually high-pressure, cutthroat courtships wherein East Montgomery County was competing with communities across the country and had to do whatever it could to stand out.
At one point, he got a bit testy and suggested that, if the public thought he was spending too much money on travel and expensive meals in order to bring new business to the area, "We can sit in the office and wait for someone to walk in the door."

Remember all those extravagant world tour stops (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452)? What could those possibly have to do with any cutthroat competitions? EMCID had already hired and was paying Don Holbrook. The failed developers paid Holbrook an additional $773,000.00 out of the bond money. Holbrook was also making a killing working for the charity as its president and CEO. Frank McCrady just got led around by Holbrook and even more taxpayers money was wasted on these wild spending sprees at Holbrook's behest. Holbrook apparently planned these extravagant excursions.

Why on earth were the taxpayers forced to fund this ridiculous spending on Don Holbrook who was working for them to begin with? So far he has brought nothing to the area. Many believed the groundbreaking dates that McCrady and Holbrook were putting out there and lost money, sometimes their life savings due to this imaginary park. Frank McCrady should have been fired ages ago. Courting Holbrook is so completely ridiculous!!!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-28-2012, 08:31 PM
How to Value our Economic Impact as a Professional Economic Developer? « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/how-to-value-our-economic-impact-as-a-professional-economic-developer/#comments)

http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/fba762b3ff21d15d0e7151f8ffc38e43?s=32&d=identicon&r=G economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com) said:

April 28, 2012 at 9:01 pm (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/how-to-value-our-economic-impact-as-a-professional-economic-developer/#comment-10)

So let’s look at a couple different examples of economic impact business case scenarios to give you as a reader an idea of who one might want to quantify their work record. There are several reasons to quantify such efforts and I don’t mind saying that it is about economic value. This is especially true if you are selling your know how and intellectual knowledge to clients on a fee for hire basis. People often scoff at how we value our time, but I don’t bite on such negative naysayers. Here is why I believe professional economic developers should be valued like any other remarkable knowledge based work. We create positive change such as jobs for those willing to work. Our efforts usually include adding economic value to the local, state and national tax base, thus reducing the demand of payment for the overhead cost of government on each citizen. In addition, our efforts diversify, preserve and/or expand the local economy normally. Finally, economic development professionals should be looked at as a profit center not a cost center. Our investments turn into return on investments for our clients. Unlike the fees of attorney’s and accountants we aren’t trying to avoid costs or reduce litigated exposure, we are creating what we refer to as new or found money in a marketplace and putting it to good use to create more money in that same market on the average between 2.5 to 9 times depending on whose economic model you adhere to. Now that is a good point to clarify. There are three major software tools that run from conservative to aggressive in their leveraging multipliers for what we refer to as indirect and/or induced economic impact, which is the result of direct economic impact.
I tend to use the conservative methods of 2.5 times direct jobs and 2 times economic investment spent on payroll in the market for the cumulative number of years the project has been an on-going concern. Remember you must add indirect jobs to direct jobs for your total tally.
I also count the amount of investment into construction as a one time economic stimulus… of course I could but I do not at this point count the temporary construction jobs, but they do have a very positive impact usually for less than 2 years.
I also look at Fee based projects where I consulted directly and/or gave advice prior to the final decision to the client as eligible projects for consideration in my tally. In addition, I look at broad sweeping grant investments that created a better business climate and value the jobs in that impact area as preserved. Third I look at indirect pro-bono service such as in my case I am on the nations largest CDC small business finance board in San Diego, serving CA, NV, and AZ. My role there is to be on the board of directors which directs the staff on investments into small businesses. I do so at no fee for service. But as a member of the loan credit committee our board is actively engaged every week in reviewing small business loan applications and recommending or denying them for business loans. I count the annual jobs created and/or preserved and number of businesses served as projects each year I have served and take those numbers directly from our CDC website and the annual report published to everyone.
I believe these are a fair and impartial way to value ourselves as a professional and thus derive what our economic fee base should be based upon. In my case I have two types of fee based services… a straight fee for service opinion based on a flat rate negotiated fee with hourly rate clauses for beyond scope work and/or a cost plus performance based fee, which allows the client to pay me a percentage of the economic value case I create and that becomes engaged by a mutual agreement between the public sector and a private sector client.
At this point our professional industry as established by IEDC in Washington has not given us a standard template for how to value our economic contribution so in the absence of a national or international standard this is my business case methodology. If such a standard was created of course I would adjust and re-establish my business case and accomplishment statements according to their guidelines.


No dice! You have been endlessly making personal attacks against me and totally baseless lawsuit threats. You bragged of the 100 + projects. You need to simply name them. End of story!!!

Soapboxmom

Whip
04-28-2012, 08:50 PM
How to Value our Economic Impact as a Professional Economic Developer? « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/how-to-value-our-economic-impact-as-a-professional-economic-developer/#comments)

No dice! You have been endlessly making personal attacks against me and totally baseless lawsuit threats. You bragged of the 100 + projects. You need to simply name them. End of story!!!

Soapboxmom

Never knew it was so difficult to put together a resume.

Soapboxmom
04-28-2012, 09:05 PM
And there is more on the HP article:




http://media.disqus.com/uploads/anonusers/5138/4439/avatar32.jpg (http://disqus.com/guest/fba762b3ff21d15d0e7151f8ffc38e43/)
Don Holbrook 21 hours ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-512720794) in reply to Craig Malisow (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-495407681)


Craig
I gave you the facts. They are quite easy to validate. You chose to cast each like deflection or that I was not the leading author in my industry, even if it was self published and one of the leading public speakers on economic development public policy in the world. You are the one with the responsibility to report factually, fairly and impartially. You have chosen to substantiate your sensationalized claims on rumors, innuendo and slanderous bloggers not facts.
What? Are you saying you lied in the e-mails you sent to me that I passed on when you refused to turn over the charity docs or answer questions??? As you are refusing to turn the charity docs over I had no alternative but to turn those over to the authorities and news media.

And, again notice he doesn't quote and refute anything. Holbrook is just having a long winded online meltdown.

Holbrook, are you now going to claim you were not behind the extravagant travel described here (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452) and paid a bloody fortune by the EMCID and then $773,000.00 more by the failed developer???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-28-2012, 09:32 PM
This is for our McCrady who has been a courtin' Mr. Holbrook:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFJLbMVgS-E&amp;feature=related

From McCrady:

expensive outings were actually high-pressure, cutthroat courtships wherein East Montgomery County was competing with communities across the country and had to do whatever it could to stand out.

Soapboxmom
04-28-2012, 10:13 PM
Hong Kong Disneyland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Disneyland)

That park, which cost an estimated 3.5 billion to build, is losing money with 4.6 million annual visitors. The $600,000,000 million proposed budget for Earthquest doesn't seem near high enough to build the world class green theme park we have been promised. How is Earthquest going to get sufficient funding (i.e over 1 billion dollars) and enough visitors to make it?

Hong Kong Disneyland shrinks; loss on cost-cutting - The China Post (http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/asia/hong-kong/2010/01/20/241614/Hong-Kong.htm)

Check out the projected cost of this newest theme park to be offered:

Disney Tries Again to Break Into the Chinese Market | Business Today (http://www.businesstoday.org/online-journal/disney-tries-again-break-chinese-market-0)
Notice they have 330 million people within 3 hours of the park. Quite a bit more than 18 million within 4 hour drive (http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/developers-unveil-plans-for-new-caney-resort/) for Earthquest. I can see why investors have hesitated.

How much of this type of information is Holbrook sharing with EMCID???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 08:43 AM
Here is a very sobering look at the history of Six Flags. It has been plagued by financial problems for years and years. Did Holbrook look seriously into this?

http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/shawg/articles/facilities/six_flags_timeline.html

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 09:48 AM
How to Value our Economic Impact as a Professional Economic Developer? « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/how-to-value-our-economic-impact-as-a-professional-economic-developer/)


The following is my current tally I have been continuously questioned about by the bloggers, general public CAVE people but for some reason not ever have my clients and/or my industry asked me to produce this list.
We Citizens Against Virtually Everything and your clients are asking for those 100 + projects. I have the e-mails and docs to prove your clients are asking and discussing it. I have had phone conversations regarding your claims as well. Do you really want to keep trying to BS everyone, Holbrook???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 10:09 AM
http://agendaquick.hhoh.org/docs/2012/CC/20120326_498/496_City%20Council%20Minutes%20March%2026,%202012. doc


13. Executive Session
Mayor Fisher stated there is a need for an Executive Session this evening to discuss personnel issues related to employment. Mr. Campbell so moved; Mr. Roger Hensley seconded the motion. On a call of the vote, Mrs. Dale, Mrs. Kaleps, Mr. Roger Hensley, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Vargo, Mr. Lyons, Mr. Starline, and Mrs. Blankenship voted yea; none voted nay. The motion passes 8-0.

The Executive Session commenced at 8:16 p.m. and concluded at 10:05 p.m. with no decisions being made or actions taken in Executive Session. Mayor Fisher called the Regular Meeting back to order at 10:05 p.m.

City Attorney Alan Schaeffer said in Executive Session, Council discussed a situation involving the City’s contract with Don A. Holbrook, LLC with regard to which a very significant amount of money has been paid, although not the entire contract amount. Council discussed the quality of the work product that was tendered to the City. The general discussion was that the work product is not at all what was expected. It does not conform to the contract requirements that Don A. Holbrook, LLC was required to fulfill as part of that contract. If the City is going to proceed with litigation against Mr. Holbrook, the City Attorney would need a motion that would authorize legal counsel to take legal action against Don A. Holbrook, LLC., including the filing of a lawsuit based upon the demand letter already sent by legal counsel to Don A. Holbrook, LLC.
Mr. Campbell so moved; Mr. Roger Hensley seconded the motion.
Mr. Campbell asked if Mr. Schaeffer’s demand letter is public information.
Mr. Schaeffer replied yes.
Mr. Campbell asked if Mr. Schaeffer goes back to his legal team tomorrow and critiques this part of the meeting and finds anything that needs to be corrected or changed, could amendments be made to the motion Council is making tonight. He said that would give Mr. Schaeffer’s legal team the appropriate time necessary to review this.
Mr. Schaeffer replied yes.
Mr. Campbell then asked, if need be, could a Special Meeting of Council be called.
Clerk of Council Tony Rodgers replied yes.

On a call of the vote, Mrs. Kaleps, Mr. Roger Hensley, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Vargo, Mr. Lyons, Mr. Starline, Mrs. Blankenship, and Mrs. Dale voted yea; none voted nay. The motion passes 8-0.

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 11:44 AM
According to some reports I am getting Holbrook is something like a used car salesman trying unload an ancient unexploded Pinto. He says charming things like, "they didn't listen to me and they failed." "If you don't plant the flag first, then the community next door will 'steal' the deal and there was only room for one mega project." And how about this "wasn't his first rodeo." He is high pressure and plays off of folks worries and desperation to do something I am told. Holbrook also boldly proclaims he has never had a failed project.

The controversy is swirling around this clown:

Court gives EarthQuest developer time to raise money, save project - Tuesday, February 07, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13295)


For example, the contract executed with Pahrump, Nevada, to determine if it was a good candidate for a major theme park, was initially presented to the public as a $154,000 agreement. The primary thrust of the initial contract was for Holbrook and Contour to conduct a survey and see if Pahrump was a suitable site. Not surprisingly, the search (conducted by Contour & Holbrook) did conclude that Pahrump was a viable venue.


In later town hall meetings it was disclosed to the general public that the contract was not a single-purpose document, but an on-going, multi-phase commitment, with those future phases triggered by specific events. Those future phases will commit the city to almost $900,000 in total fees as additional phases are completed. Furthermore, the contract provides for “Success Fees” should the project be constructed. Contour and Holbrook will receive 1 percent of all investor money raised, and 3 percent of all public funding committed to the project. On a $500 million project, the approximate cost of the EarthQuest park, that stipulation could generate a fee as high as $10 million+ to the developers.



I don't believe the contracts with EMCID have been published. What ridiculous terms did Holbrook trick McCrady and company into agreeing to? Do the taxpayers here have the option to sue or file with the authorities to recover monies spent on this dino disaster? I am not surprised Huber Heights, Ohio is considering litigation.

Texas sure got a virtual soon too explode Pinto to nowhere with this Holbrook character.

Soapboxmom

Whip
04-29-2012, 11:54 AM
Pintos ruled! How dare you. I got many at a great deal used and beat them to over 100,000 miles.
And I have done 200 projects, 100,000 jobs created and over $2B in economic impact and investment.
Don't believe me. Too bad.....it's true because I say so. I should have been hired over Holbrook. :)

Whip
04-29-2012, 12:01 PM
How to Value our Economic Impact as a Professional Economic Developer? « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/how-to-value-our-economic-impact-as-a-professional-economic-developer/)


We Citizens Against Virtually Everything and your clients are asking for those 100 + projects. I have the e-mails and docs to prove your clients are asking and discussing it. I have had phone conversations regarding your claims as well. Do you really want to keep trying to BS everyone, Holbrook???

Soapboxmom

There is absolutely NO WAY clients never asked when asked to fork over all the scratch he was demanding.

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 12:37 PM
Pintos ruled! How dare you. I got many at a great deal used and beat them to over 100,000 miles.
And I have done 200 projects, 100,000 jobs created and over $2B in economic impact and investment.
Don't believe me. Too bad.....it's true because I say so. I should have been hired over Holbrook. :)
You rock! You have had some real impact!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55sAE3jYn6E

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 12:37 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcNeorjXMrE

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 01:17 PM
thought on “Responding to Bloggers and Negative Uninformed Social Media Inquiries”




http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/fba762b3ff21d15d0e7151f8ffc38e43?s=32&d=identicon&r=G economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com) said:
April 27, 2012 at 6:05 pm (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/responding-to-bloggers-and-negative-uninformed-social-media-inquiries/#comment-8)

No matter what you do to try to reason with bloggers and present facts they usually just twist it and make it look like you are trying to deflect your comments as being less than credible. In addition they usually stoop to calling you names and adding further defamatory comments to their already big pile. These folks in my opinion are usually whack jobs. They are unhappy with their own lives and thus they want everyone else to be miserable as well. They have nothing positive to contribute and offer no solutions that would create positive progress. But in the end there is a rule we need to all remember, “You can’t reason with Crazy nut jobs.”
Perhaps the way we can reinstitute some basic rules of protocol and protect our civil rights. Perhaps new modifications to litigation should be reconsidered. We all know that Tort reform has been a major topic. So when people get wronged in our country and economically harmed you only have one course.. legal action. But the cost is insurmountable for most common folks. Here is a suggestion;
Why not create a fee for each court case that goes into a public trust fund for use by small businesses and people who have been economically harmed and can’t afford to hire and fight a lawsuit against the offenders.

People are stymied by the legal costs… this is wrong it keeps the scales of justice unbalanced in favor of those with the gold. So how about this? A new national loser pays law gets passed that states if you are wronged and you prevail in a court of law the loser has to pay all legal expenses of the victor plus their cost of personal and/or business time consumed at the published rate of their compensation annually. In addition, the new law should provide legal funds for any case that get’s past summary judgement and is therefor deemed valid for consideration in court. This new law would also make rules specific to internet defamation, slander and libel that states the party wronged shall receive a ten year forward projection of their economic damage by averaging their past five years of earnings. This cannot be dismissed in Bankruptcy Court and is automatically deducted from any wage or tax return or dividends they receive into perpetuity until the debt is paid with interest in full.
That would make people think twice about their online malicious activity and cyber stalking.
Cheers



Loser already pays in court cases where the judge so rules. What country do you think we are in Holbrook? So, you want a blogger who questions you to have to pay you the ridiculously huge amounts you got the poor unsuspecting taxpayers to unknowingly fork over in the last 5 years??? There is just one little fly in the ointment. You, Holbrook have not quoted and refuted any false statements of fact. You are still having meltdowns and cooking up insane new legal theories as you are not versed in existing law. Apparently, you can't distinguish fact from opinion.
Now, we have another crazy nut job starting in on the cyberstalking nonsense. Holbrook has no idea what that term even means from what we have seen in his rants.


We have sure had some lovely discussions about cyber stalking:



http://www.realscam.com/f22/soapboxmoms-rant-www-heatherdobrott-com-tim-darnell-jack-weinzierl-312/index2.html#post4953
http://www.realscam.com/f22/soapboxmoms-rant-www-heatherdobrott-com-tim-darnell-jack-weinzierl-312/index2.html#post4934

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 05:36 PM
Local residents tell me that East Montgomery County is in fact a very impoverished area. To think Holbrook, McCrady and the rest think it is okay to mindlessly blow money like that is so horrifically disgusting. Holbrook and McCrady are not helping boost the economy and help people, but rather taking from the poor and lining their own pockets in a very troublesome reverse Robin Hood exercise. Why have the authorities let it go this far?

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 05:40 PM
Getting America back on Track « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/getting-america-back-on-track/)

Did Holbrook ever stop to consider that sales tax (he recommends a national one) is regressive and is a serious burden to the poorest members of society? How do we strengthen America if we are placing the tax burden on the poor?

It is really time this guy stick a sock in it!

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 08:55 PM
Lazy and miserable town management (http://pvtimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/lazy-and-miserable-town-management/)


Posted on21 September 2011.
Since his appointment, the shameless Pahrump Town Manager William Kohbarger, has routinely demonstrated laziness, exhibited suspicious decision making and poor leadership.
It is long past due that someone bring the matters to light and hold Mr. Kohbarger accountable. Since the town board appears unwilling or unable to do so, I will.
In this instance, I will highlight the management deficiencies exhibited by Mr. Kohbarger regarding the $900,000 theme park study:
• Failure to require bidding or a request for proposals.
• Failure to ask other agencies for samples of theme park RFPs or bid documents.
• Failure to investigate optional theme park consultants.
• Failure to perform “due diligence” with Don Holbrook, which would have revealed terminations and litigation at previous positions.
• Failure to ask Holbrook for references or work product samples.
• Failure to ask Holbrook if he had experience with theme park studies.
• Failure to report the Eco Park Project Holbrook touts, which is broke and floundering.
• Failure to report that the $7M public bond issue for the Eco Park Project is spent, but Holbrook apparently got his incentive while the project is floundering.
• Failure to determine risks or benefits of hiring Holbrook and to report it to the town board.
• Failure to provide a written recommendation to the town board regarding Holbrook.
• Failure to inform the town board or the community of the $35,000 to 45,000 termination clause.
• Failure to advise the town board of the risk apparent in the “money back guarantee.”
• Failure to post the preliminary theme park report on the town’s website, after pressure from the community was put there.
• Refusal to allow the public release of the preliminary report.
• Failure to schedule workshops for public review and input into the preliminary report.
• Failure to ask for professional input on the preliminary report assumptions and findings.
• Premature release of payment to Holbrook before the report was even reviewed.
• Failure to recognize the report is not complete or worthy of payment.
• Failure to recognize $30M in infrastructure improvements required for the site.
• Failure to recognize the BLM use restrictions in place for the site, but can be changed, which would take three to five years.
• Failure to recognize the absence of adequate water rights for the proposed use.
• Failure to advise the town board of Holbrook’s investment incentives that will bias his opinion of continuing with the project.
• Failure to report that neither the town or Nye County has the where-with-all or the inclination to issue bonds to fund any theme park.
• Failure to report NDOT may never fund improvements on 160 for any project.
While Mr. Kohbarger enjoys his membership with the ICMA, his laziness and miserable management and lack of leadership are obvious to any one paying the least attention.
Mr. Kohbarger has an obligation to employees and residents alike, to perform professionally. There are numerable examples of poor leadership, and even poorer management by Mr. Kohbarger, all of which will be detailed in the immediate future.
However, at this point on these matters alone, Mr. Kohbarger’s continued employment is reckless, unwarranted and disrespectful to the town’s employees, residents and the ICMA.
Moreover, it announces to the town its nightmare with Kohbarger is almost over.
Frank Maurizo
Just substitute the name Frank McCrady and it would pretty much be the story here in Texas. Frank McCrady and company allowed that liar Holbrook to pick the taxpayers' pockets virtually unchecked. Millions have been spent (much of which lined Holbrook's pockets,) but now thanks to the news media and bloggers the real truth about Earthquest and its principles is finally coming out. With this much needed attention we can see to it no more communities get taken. Perhaps Pahrump and the EMCID will join Huber Heights in taking this to court!

Soapboxmom

fjjm303
04-30-2012, 01:25 AM
There is absolutely NO WAY clients never asked when asked to fork over all the scratch he was demanding.

Come to Pahrump and have a laugh???

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 01:35 PM
EarthQuest 2009 bond sale: where did tax dollars go - Monday, April 30, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13545)

1.2 some odd million to Holbrook for a park that is likely to never be built.

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 01:54 PM
Come to Pahrump and have a laugh???
Welcome to the forum! I hope everyone who has had the displeasure of having Holbrook brag of his 100s of projects and more will join us here.

http://www.iedconline.org/Downloads/IEDC_Ethics_Enforcement.pdf

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 04:06 PM
Developing a World-Class Destination Tourism Zone (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/developing-a-world-class-destination-tourism-zone/)


30 Monday Apr 2012
Posted by economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/author/economicdeveloper/) in Destination Tourism Development Projects (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/destination-tourism-development-projects/)
≈ Leave a Comment (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/developing-a-world-class-destination-tourism-zone/#respond)



Dear Friends and Colleagues;
I have been recently over the course of the past few months viciously attacked by a blogger who is what we refer to as a self-proclaimed armchair expert on anything that she decides. This is not uncommon on major projects as with most public hearings to gain public support for such projects, the naysayers always show up and complain. We refer to these folks as CAVE (citizens against virtually everything). It takes thick skin to work in the public sector arena as anyone who works in our profession well knows. In addition, there are some very controversial fringe media articles from less than mainstream news sources about a major project I have been working on for nearly 6 years in Texas. Being able to handle the attacks and controversial accusations that sometimes come out of this stance are essential to anyone who wants to achieve the positive outcome of such projects......

My largest project to date is in EMCID territory in the Greater Houston market. I chose Greater Houston because it is a central time zone destination. It is the fourth largest market in the United States and is not well served by destination tourism concepts. Our project in the Greater Houston market, is anchored by a proposed green sustainably designed theme park. The original developer on the project, Marlin-Atlantis filed for bankruptcy in 2011 after they failed to perform to their development agreement with my client the East Montgomery County Improvement District, (EMCID).....

These are very long-term projects and require that the public partner have great insight and patience in dealing with all of the myriad of complex issues that confront any project of this magnitude. These type projects are on a much larger and more complex scale than a six flags or what we refer to as a hard rides amusement park....
You, Don Holbrook, published on your own LinkedIn page that you were no longer involved in this fiasco. I am quite concerned that a world class destination park that is way beyond the league of Six Flags is going to cost a hell of a lot more than $600,000,000.00. If any financing ever comes through there better be plenty of room for cost overruns as those happen quite frequently in the world of construction.

Don Holbrook was the Executive Vice President of a very large fundraising firm. Why is it this expert fundraiser has not gotten fundraising for the theme park. He sure got some money funneled to the charity which handsomely lined his own pockets.

Instead of blowing lots of hot air, why not list the 100s of projects that you bragged of Holbrook. The IRS is already looking at the charity debacle. Why are you still refusing to turn over documents that you are required to make publicly available by law?

If there are any false statements of fact by me or the media why aren't you quoting and refuting those? You just continue to meltdown when you are challenged. I think Judge Sadler said it very well. (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/news/earthquest-sinkhole-for-residents-taxes/article_f159b45f-8f68-5a4f-8372-7c78fd3009ee.html)

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 04:18 PM
http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/2024/9042/avatar32.jpg?1335820038 (http://disqus.com/facebook-1027886709/)
Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Holbrook/1027886709) 4 minutes ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-514457189)


Mr. Malisow;
Your commentary is a fictional accounting of a very positive economic opportunity for Greater Houston's economy. Many projects such as this go through unexpected mitigation such as the failure of the developer and then have to carefully navigate that web of liabilities in order to separate a good project with valid financial market appeal from an insolvent over-leveraged developer that got squeezed with financial pressures during the Greatest Financial Recession in my lifetime. EMCID has done a very professional job of strategically protecting the ability for the project to regain site control and then move forward in the pursuit of capitalization to fund the construction and opening of the Theme Park as an anchor to an over-all destination tourism strategy. They had to work within the constraints of the US Bankruptcy Court and the judicial timelines dictated by that court.
No project of this potential magnitude is achieved without front end public sector risk and thus the eventual reward for persevering through the long-term process of locking down the right developer, operator and investment groups to support the project over-all.
Most theme park projects that are successful in the world today take between 8-14 years to get open and operational from concept to operations. This is according to a third party theme park expert that is world renowned for her knowledge of such things. They always constitute the need for a strong visionary public sector partner. In the early stages it is always the public sector partner that carries the burden of getting the professional due diligence done, validating the market, developing the footprint and site requirements, creating the conceptual design (intellectual property) and the financial business case that will be utilized to attract the private sector investors. It is a shared risk environment.
EMCID has done everything very professionally to keep this project on the path to be able to move forward to fruition and without their efforts this project would not become a reality.
Lastly, I believe your portrayal of my own professional background was sensationalized to lead people improperly to believe that somehow I have acted inappropriately in the past or perhaps am doing so now. Nothing is further from the truth. My economic value and the amounts of monies I am paid as a professional are directly tied to my hourly fee for my know how of constructing public-private partnerships, incentives and special legislation that will induce potential private sector investors to invest in such projects and addressing any mitigation factors within my area of expertise as a highly decorated and accomplished economic developer. They are not extreme fees considering the intellectual know how I bring to projects. Neither am I a professional developer. My clients sign contracts with very clear fee definitions and terms of payment, my fees are not contingent upon some developer being chosen and/or the developer finding investors. By that point my public policy work has been done, validated by jurisdictional approval and further validated by an executed development agreement. I am a highly paid and respected professional. I do not unduly charge unwitting people for hidden fees. I clearly set out my fee structure in each and every contract tied to performance milestones as has been the case in the EarthQuest Project. I was asked first to do work for Don Lessem, then asked to further do work in support of the expansion of the concept with EMCID, and then assigned to do work in support of the now defunct developer Mr. John Marlin and Marlin Atlantis Companies (who has not paid his final bill to me for my work which has been completed on this project since 2008-2009. Lastly I was asked again under another separate contract to give assistance to the EQI project with an hourly contract which was consistent with my previous contracts stated professional hourly rate. I did so under the promise that the board of directors would make sure that myself and Dr. Gardner and Ms. Thomas were paid partially as we did the work requested of us monthly by the EQI board of directors and finally in a deferred but not contingent basis until Marlin Atlantis contributed their promised financial support for the EQI. That financial support never appeared. We as professional employees got stung for our time. Now some folks may believe that professionals such as ourselves make too much per hour, but that is based on non-factual opinions. Many attorneys, accountants, and other professionals make far more than my own hourly rate. What others think of my economic value other than my clients is irrelevant. But when you fuel rumors and innuendo in these type of articles that are purely opinion based it economically harms people like myself now and far into the future with no basis for such wrongful assertions. Up until these slanderous and defamatory articles and now comments fueled by this malicious blogger Heather Dobrott, I had not experienced any credible or legally justified customer complaints, stated dissatisfaction or anything of anything close to unethical behavior. There must be a reason for that? Of course there is. I was doing my stated job and performing to the expectations of my clients engagement contracts. Now your continuous posting of this article has unjustly created a perception in the general public that is virally spreading across the internet causing me to have tremendous economic hardships now and into an unfathomable and unpredictable future total damages that are completely not factual. I performed my job and completed my assignment in each of my contractual client based contracts. To this day I have not been paid fully for my economic development incentive strategy and the special legislation that I was asked to assist in designing to make this project economically attract to the private investment world. I have waited patiently for my final payment and worked with EMCID to achieve a turn around under the promise that at that time my final payment would be paid by the new developer as a requirement of using any EMCID entitlements as per our written contractual agreements. Any work I have done since 2008 has been on an agreed upon retainer basis in support of moving this project to eventual fruition.
This woman Heather Dobrott seems to use your article and those of the OurTribune as some form of factual basis to bombard my clients, colleagues and others that hire me to consult, speak and purchase my books. She is acting illegally and outside of the borders of professional and lawful conduct in the online crusade to defame, slander and create libelous commentary regarding my profession, my conduct and my professional economic livelihood. I would appreciate your ceasing to attack my professional reputation just because you do not believe a project will come to fruition. In the past I have many times seen such projects become the economic game changer that most did not think was possible. That is the nature of economic development creating positive economic outcomes where others only see adversity and complacency.
Sincerely,
Don A. Holbrook, CEcD, FM
Board Member of the International Economic Development Council.

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 05:12 PM
This small park cost 400 million to build and quickly ended up bankrupt. So, how can an mega international destination like Earthquest be built for 600 million??? How will the Houston area get in enough visitors to keep something afloat? This place was really nifty and unique as well.

Theme park's future uncertain, three years after opening : News : CarolinaLive.com

(http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=606121#.T58L0cXQgcs)Hard Rock Park (http://www.screamscape.com/features/html/hard_rock_park.html)

Google Image Result for http://www.bumpershine.com/wp-images/posts/hard_rock_park.gif (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bumpershine.com/wp-images/posts/hard_rock_park.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.bumpershine.com/2008/04/page/2&h=370&w=510&sz=108&tbnid=5oSKlyxcEgxTQM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=124&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhard%2Brock%2Bpark%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo %3Du&zoom=1&q=hard+rock+park&docid=h5N5kpZsbosH5M&sa=X&ei=-gyfT4eWCIfY2gX954mDDw&ved=0CHcQ9QEwBg&dur=1592)

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 05:40 PM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-654/index11.html#post19969

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 08:28 PM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-654/index11.html#post19972

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 09:30 PM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-654/index11.html#post19974

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 10:05 PM
An alternative to Earthquest that may land in or near Montgomery County without McCrady or Holbrook:
http://www.grandtexas.net/visit_info.html#directions

http://www.grandtexas.net/pbj.html

UPDATE: Developer of Tomball theme park hopes to emphasize educational, economic value - Your Houston News: News (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/tomball/news/update-developer-of-tomball-theme-park-hopes-to-emphasize-educational/article_19e59142-d18b-5756-ab08-e3e7e4fdd83b.html)

Soapboxmom
05-01-2012, 05:20 PM
Lots more questions are headed Holbrook's way. Is anyone surprised to learn that Holbrook was the Executive Vice President of a fundraising company before he hooked up with Frank McCrady? That leads to some interesting questions. The Earthquest Institute spent $600,000,000.00 on professional services according to its filings with the IRS. I would hazard a guess that much of that was for fundraising efforts. Much of the money that landed in Earthquest's coffers and was paid to Holbrook came from the EMCID and was tax dollars. How much was raised by the professional fundraisers Holbrook had in his Earthquest album?

I have been told that professional fundraising like what Earthquest probably had could run $20,000.00 - $25,000.00 per month on something like a two year contract typically. How much was spent and just how much money was raised for the now defunct Institute?

Frequently Asked Questions - Earth Quest Adventure Zone (http://www.houstondinopark.com/faq.php)


When will construction start?
Frank McGrady has estimated construction will begin in the fall of 2009. Mr. McGrady stated that he does not anticipate any foreseeable delay in construction plans as a result of the recent slowdown in the economy. The key players involved in this project were well positioned financially and do not interpret the current economic climate as an obstacle.

On the non-profit side of things, representatives from Sage Fundraising Solutions have established potential contributors and have received a warm welcome so far. Sage will be making full presentations in early 2009 regarding the EarthQuest Institute and museum and do not anticipate any major difficulties.


Did Holbrook get a cut of the fundraising action as well? He has had his hand in lots of other pies. I think the economy was a minor issue at best as McCrady says. This gargantuan project might have never been fundable for a number of other reasons.

I spoke with a fundraising professional about this:
Court gives EarthQuest developer time to raise money, save project - Tuesday, February 07, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13295)

For example, the contract executed with Pahrump, Nevada, to determine if it was a good candidate for a major theme park, was initially presented to the public as a $154,000 agreement. The primary thrust of the initial contract was for Holbrook and Contour to conduct a survey and see if Pahrump was a suitable site. Not surprisingly, the search (conducted by Contour & Holbrook) did conclude that Pahrump was a viable venue.


In later town hall meetings it was disclosed to the general public that the contract was not a single-purpose document, but an on-going, multi-phase commitment, with those future phases triggered by specific events. Those future phases will commit the city to almost $900,000 in total fees as additional phases are completed. Furthermore, the contract provides for “Success Fees” should the project be constructed. Contour and Holbrook will receive 1 percent of all investor money raised, and 3 percent of all public funding committed to the project. On a $500 million project, the approximate cost of the EarthQuest park, that stipulation could generate a fee as high as $10 million+ to the developers.



That individual pointed me to this from the Association of Fundraising Professionals:
Code of Ethical Principles and Standards - Enforcement Procedures - Ethics - AFP (http://www.afpnet.org/Ethics/EnforcementDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3261)

AFP members both individual and business aspire to:



practice their profession with integrity, honesty, truthfulness and adherence to the absolute obligation to safeguard the public trust
act according to the highest goals and visions of their organizations, professions, clients and consciences
put philanthropic mission above personal gain;
inspire others through their own sense of dedication and high purpose
improve their professional knowledge and skills, so that their performance will better serve others
demonstrate concern for the interests and well-being of individuals affected by their actions
value the privacy, freedom of choice and interests of all those affected by their actions
foster cultural diversity and pluralistic values and treat all people with dignity and respect
affirm, through personal giving, a commitment to philanthropy and its role in society.....



Compensation and Contracts
21. Members shall not accept compensation or enter into a contract that is based on a percentage of contributions; nor shall members accept finder’s fees or contingent fees. Business members must refrain from receiving compensation from third parties derived from products or services for a client without disclosing that third-party compensation to the client (for example, volume rebates from vendors to business members).


Holbrook and Contour, who are milking Pahrump for a percentage of the take, are not members of this professional organization. All this explains why Holbrook is illegally refusing to turn over documents related to the charity, the Earthquest Institute. Holbrook's relationship with Sage needs to be investigated. An honest accounting of the charity's numbers should be coming from its president and CEO Don Holbrook.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-01-2012, 05:48 PM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-654/index8.html#post18491

Some of Don Holbrook's office mates from the fundraising deal for which he was Vice President left and formed Sage and surprise, surprise he has them fundraising for Earthquest Insitute. Sage Fundraising is now dissolved and its president Mark Bergethon is now heading Convergent. Sage was short lived. Did Holbrook get a cut of the take as he has demanded in his contract with Pahrump? Did Sage abide by the ethics of the Association of Fundraising professionals?

http://www.sunbiz.org/pdf/30372173.pdf

Soapboxmom
05-02-2012, 02:02 PM
This landed in my box:

Community Viewpoint
Part 1 – Background Update on Mr. Holbrook, “The Music Man”
There is an update on Mr. Don Holbrook and his scam to cheap the town out of its tax dollars. Many letters to the papers, and emails to the Town Board were sent when his “Theme Park” contract was first proposed. The Town Board has already paid Holbrook and Contours Entertainment $151,000 toward this scam to date but in the very future another $244,000 will be considered for the next phase of Mr. Harley Kulkin’s pipe dream. Mr. Kulkin has stated publicly and with much conviction to the opposition, “We just don’t understand”, and “We are thinking too small”. Well, Mr. Kulkin Mr. Kohbarger and the Town Board have committed the Town to paying Mr. Holbrook over $950,000. To my thinking that’s no small amount of money and losing it all is what I’m worried about. I may not understand or know what Mr. Kulkin, Mr. Kohbarger and the Town Board do, but this is what I know. Given that they all have stated Mr. Holbrook has been fully vetted and his background checked one can only assume they are lying, irresponsible with Town money or just don’t care. Mr. Holbrook has stated he has never been involved in a project that failed but has not offered information on even one (1) of those projects. In fact no information can be found on the internet about any projects in which Mr. Holbrook has been involved until very recently.
Here is what is known now as public information. Maybe the Town Board will take this information seriously and act appropriately by canceling the contract with Mr. Holbrook immediately and send him on his way to his next unwitting community. If the Town Board and Mr. Kohbarger don’t, then they are witless.
The EcoQuest project in East Montgomery County, Texas, one of Mr. Holbrook’s touted successful projects filed for Bankruptcy on August, 2011, fully one (1) month before Mr. Holbrook and the Town of Pahrump entered into their contract. $20 Million Owed to secured creditors. Another $1 Million is owed to unsecured creditors including the East Montgomery County Improvement District, a district located in the 4th largest metropolitan area in the United States with 18 million people! If Mr. Holbrook can’t succeed there how is he going to do it here? So much for “Due Diligence”
Mr. Kulkin, in a public response to early criticism of Mr. Holbrook and your Theme Park project you asked, “How can you be so sure Houston (the EcoQuest project) is a failure”? Well. Mr. Kulkin, that project was a bonafide failure according to the Federal bankruptcy filing one (1) month before the Town of Pahrump signed the contract with Mr. Holbrook! You, Mr. Kohbarger and the rest of the Town Board all said a full background check had been completed. So, did you do the background check and choose to ignore the evidence, or was the background check not done? Either you all lied or you all are guilty of Malfeasance and should resign. How much taxpayer money has to be spent on the dream of yours before you recognize you have been duped? Soon another $240,000 will be on the line. Along with the $151,000 already spent. The total is almost $400,000 given to Mr. Holbrook and all there is to show for that money is a boiler plate report stolen from the bankrupt Houston EcoQuest project. Stop now before the entire Tourism fund is bankrupt. You have to decide whether you want your legacy to be giving $950,000 of public funds to Mr. Holbrook, a proven fraud, I hear band music playing, but just like in the “Music Man”, the band has no uniforms and never will. You are dreaming Mr. Kulkin at public expense. If it’s such a great project use your own money. You, Mr. Kohbarger and the entire Town Board should be ashamed.
It takes a big man to overcome his ego and admit he is wrong. You all have been wrong about Mr. Holbrook from the start. If you had done your homework, you would have recognized him for the scam artist he is. If you don’t do something now that evidence is presented about Mr. Holbrook’s little known past. You will allow him to add Pahrump to his hit list of victims. You all now know the inconvenient truth, EcoQuest is dead! Now it is time to do the right thing. Don’t allow insult to be added to injury. Don’t spend another penny with Mr. Holbrook. He’s a liar and a fraud. Cancel his contract. Don’t commit to another $240,000 dollars, please. There will be more to reveal regarding Mr. Holbrook’s recent past that you will have to face. More in Part Two of the Holbrook saga.

Soapboxmom
05-02-2012, 02:16 PM
Heather Dobrott Law Suit Pending for Defamation? | Questions & Answers (http://answers.pubarticles.com/47977,heather-dobrott-law-suit-pending-for-defamation-1335222979.html)

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by Don Holbrook (http://www.pubarticles.com/members/215861/) on Apr 23, 2012 | Social Media (http://answers.pubarticles.com/47977,heather-dobrott-law-suit-pending-for-defamation-1335222979.html)
Heather Dobrott Law Suit Pending for Defamation?

Does anyone know if this woman is being legally pursued for her defamation and slander and libel she is spreading about other folks such as myself?
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There are 1 answers for Heather Dobrott Law Suit Pending for Defamation?.
https://graph.facebook.com/1027886709/picture?type=square (http://www.pubarticles.com/members/215861/)
by Don Holbrook (http://www.pubarticles.com/members/215861/) On Apr 24, 2012
I found the following post on the internet about an alleged potential class action suit against realscams, which appears to be a site administrated by Ms. Heather Dobrott. “Site RealScam encourages cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking by allowing the creation of anonymous accounts and by allowing the users to present of unproven accusations towards individuals of their targeted organization. The RealScam.com turns out to be just a harassment and bashing site with no verification of facts and indiscriminate attacks at anyone who looks like an easy target. The main admin of the site Heather Dobrott sates that she is only doing this on volunteer bases and has no time to verify each post. RealScam instead of contributing to fighting scam encourages cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking and perpetuates the problems which it has allegedly attempted to solve. If you have been targeted by anonymous users from the RealScamSite.com and would like to join Class Actions Suit against RealScam.com or have any information which could help to enforce some rules in regards to this site, please send us email to following address support@realscamclassactionsuit.com” What defense does a person have about defamation of character? - WORLD Law Direct Forums (http://www.worldlawdirect.com/forum/civil-litigation/56406-what-defense-does-person-have-about-defamation-character.html)
Don Holbrook has answered himself??? Of course, the question is how big of an idiot is Holbrook going to make out of himself publicly??? What savvy business person would seek legal advice online in this manner??? Buffoonery at its most obvious!!!!

Why not just list the 100s of projects he bragged of? Why not just turn over the charity papers as required by law? Why not come clean on why Pahrump was told Earthquest would break ground in December 2011 or early 2012 in an e-mail dated May 2011 when it was disclosed the developers were bust? Are public outbursts and lawsuit threats how the IEDC code of ethics requires its members to deal with questions and concerns???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-02-2012, 02:18 PM
Don Holbrook should really read the Harvard law site:

Darnell v. Dobrott | Citizen Media Law Project (http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/darnell-v-dobrott)

Soapboxmom
05-02-2012, 02:36 PM
Has Soapbox Mom been stalking you or defaming you? | Questions & Answers (http://answers.pubarticles.com/48133,has-soapbox-mom-been-stalking-you-or-defaming-you-1335286528.html)

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by Don Holbrook (http://www.pubarticles.com/members/215861/) on Apr 24, 2012 | Legal (http://answers.pubarticles.com/48133,has-soapbox-mom-been-stalking-you-or-defaming-you-1335286528.html)
Has Soapbox Mom been stalking you or defaming you?



Has anyone else been cyber stalked by the Soapbox Mom besides me? This woman aka Ms. Heather Dobrott has been getting photos off my facebook page and then misusing them to mislead people about others character. She has also called me a drunk... nothing is further from the truth, for having a 50th birthday party. I am interested in who else is being stalked, harassed, and/or defamed by her?


You put up your photos on Facebook, Mr. Holbrook. You made them public and viewers could hit the share button as that is the way you had your permissions set. No doubt this is great publicity for you, Holbrook. I will forward this to everyone that should see how you conduct yourself. Who would do business with a litigious goon? And what public officials would want to risk you posting pictures of them and their family members dancing on tables??? Business suicide in full public view! Again, what an embarrassment to the IEDC!

Whip
05-02-2012, 02:49 PM
Heather Dobrott Law Suit Pending for Defamation? | Questions & Answers (http://answers.pubarticles.com/47977,heather-dobrott-law-suit-pending-for-defamation-1335222979.html)

Don Holbrook has answered himself??? Of course, the question is how big of an idiot is Holbrook going to make out of himself publicly??? What savvy business person would seek legal advice online in this manner??? Buffoonery at its most obvious!!!!

Why not just list the 100s of projects he bragged of? Why not just turn over the charity papers as required by law? Why not come clean on why Pahrump was told Earthquest would break ground in December 2011 or early 2012 in an e-mail dated May 2011 when it was disclosed the developers were bust? Are public outbursts and lawsuit threats how the IEDC code of ethics requires its members to deal with questions and concerns???

Soapboxmom

He's going to rely on the scammer 'bogdan' in his crusade? LOL!

Soapboxmom
05-02-2012, 04:10 PM
BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Don Holbrook has been sued by the city of Huber Heights Ohio:

1340

1341

Soapboxmom
05-03-2012, 10:19 AM
Don Holbrook is a bigger blowhard than our little Lenny Clements. His verbosity and arrogance certainly rival those of Clements and he actually makes even less sense than our anti-scam site award winning meltdown king:

03 Thursday May 2012
Posted by economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/author/economicdeveloper/) in Consulting (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/consulting/), Knowledge Based & Information Driven Economy (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/knowledge-based-information-driven-economy/), The Next America Discussion (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/the-next-america-discussion/)
≈ 1 Comment (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/consulting-in-a-era-of-cheap-information-uninformed-experts/#comments)


Today I often hear and get criticized for the cost of purchasing real information that is based on factual data, experience based opinions from the knowledge of real-life scenarios gathered through first hand or what we refer to as primary experience. Data is the accumulation of information and in its raw form (that of not being validated and categorized for reasonable comparative value) is just a bunch of numbers. That data however when reviewed, researched, validated for accuracy and reliable categorical relationship to the context in which it is used, can become very powerful. In the hands of someone competent at understanding this data and having confidence in its accuracy and relationship to the context now can become information. Such a person must have normally a fairly high level of methodical expertise to then dub this data valid and factual. .......

Thus their opinions form on how to avoid pitfalls and execute on opportunities with strategies that work consistently within this area of expertise. We call this background in the corporate world a “SME,” (Subject Matter Expert). Their opinions can be the difference between a successful venture or a failed one. Their time and knowledge can save hundreds of thousands of dollars and even millions of wasted dollars and can make their clients in the same vein millions and billions of dollars when executed well. This outcome is what we call wisdom. Wisdom of course is the most difficult intangible and hard to measure human trait of all. Those that profess or are acclaimed to have attained wisdom are held by those with the acumen to understand the difficulty in creating it from scratch, as wise and valuable advisors. Of course I am referring to the commonly called profession of consulting.

Consultants normally practice within a very narrow niche of their expertise… honing their skills and being very strategic in their subject matter knowledge and the mastery of all they can know and gather around this niche.
Yet today, when a consultant gives an opinion or recommendation he or she is almost attacked for the sale of such a commodity at a very high premium because once it is disclosed to the general public, they all become armchair experts on the subject. Here is where it gets tough. Now those issues are further exasperated by the internet. Now a legion of untested, uninformed and unexperienced novices proclaim their own free information as being validated in the same vein as the consultants. While opinions are always free, expertise and facts are normally not. You have to pay for things that are validated. Even the internet normally creates a firewall for real information. That is how the public records and other knowledge industries make a living.
Today the difficulties of being a consultant in the public sector realm is that everyone believes we consultants should not make a premium wage and be classified with those that made choices in life to live on lesser means. While i do not judge those who make less than myself, I do not try to account for their real economic worth only my own based on the comparative value of the information and expertise i convey to my clients.
Sadly, too many times even my clients are overwhelmed by the uninformed public sentiment of information is free, expertise is not necessary to validate and what is printed with ink and bytes must be true and factual… it is sometimes a very sad state of affairs. In most of these cases this uninformed mass does noting to solve the problem they just derail the reality of focusing on the possible solutions.
I had absolutely no idea public records make a living. Many records are free others are available for .10 to $1.00 -2.00 a page. That helps defray the costs of storing and distributing said information.

I have news for Holbrook. Some very knowledgeable people know full well he is not worth the $400.00 an hour that he claims he is worth, much less the $185.00 an hour he was paid as the CEO and president of the charity that is now defunct.

Holbrook is having this major meltdown because the gravy trains have dried up. He is refusing to list his 100s of projects as it is quite apparent he can't. Earthquest is failed and at Holbrook's behest millions of dollars were wasted pursuing something that I am told is unlikely to be financed. Holbrook sure enjoyed the lifestyle of the rich and famous while being courted by Frank McCrady.

Holbrook, remember that old saying that went something like this:
Opinions are like buttholes. Everyone has one and I personally think yours really stinks.

If I was Holbrook, I would not be spending my time blogging. I would be answering that lawsuit in Huber Heights. He must file a response within 28 days of being served. And, I checked this morning and there is still no attorney of record for Holbrook.

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
05-03-2012, 10:30 AM
Apparently there were enough "consultants" back in the 1800s for Abraham Lincoln to make his now famous observation:



You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

Abraham Lincoln (http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Abraham_Lincoln/), (attributed)
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)

Soapboxmom
05-03-2012, 02:56 PM
EarthQuest's Don Holbrook Sued by Ohio City for Alleged Fraud - Houston News - Hair Balls (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/earthquests_don_holbrook_sued_huber_heights.php)

Courts (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/courts/)
EarthQuest's Don Holbrook Sued by Ohio City for Alleged Fraud By Craig Malisow (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/author.php?author_id=1011) Thu., May 3 2012 at 2:30 PM

Categories: Courts (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/courts/)












http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/assets_c/2012/05/blogcover%204_12-thumb-200x227-thumb-200x228.jpg (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/blogcover%204_12-thumb-200x227.jpg)


The vast conspiracy against genius economic consultant Don Holbrook now stretches to Ohio!


Don Holbrook, one of the masterminds behind the perpetually stalled New Caney clusterfuck known as EarthQuest (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/), has been sued by the city of Huber Heights, Ohio, for allegedly performing a substandard economic analysis for the city. The city, located just northwest of Dayton, entered into a $66,000 contract with Holbrook, who was to "create an economic development business case" and conduct a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat) analysis "from a regional economic development perspective."
The city forked over $53,800 before Holbrook submitted his report, which "wholly failed to conform to the terms [of the contract] and wholly failed to conform to industry standards," according to the suit. The city withheld its final payment and demanded a refund, which Holbrook refused, the suit states. (Specifically, the city accuses Holbrook of fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.)
We called Mike Bly, one of the lawyers suing on behalf of the city, but haven't heard back. We'll update if and when we learn more about these allegations.
During the reporting and writing of the feature on EarthQuest, Holbrook eventually cut off contact with the Houston Press, opting instead to post comments after the article was published. He wrote that the story was "purposely inaccurate and misleading and full of very crappy and not factual reporting," although he did not provide specific examples. He also accused the Press and its "alleged cronies" of spawning a "conspiracy theory" in order to discredit him.
He also suggested the reporter just "admit you seem to be trying to peddle a screen play script. Maybe Mel Gibson will option it and make you rich, that must be your intent with such fictional writing because investigative reporting is not your calling in life."
Apparently, the folks in Huber Heights are part of this massive conspiracy against Don Holbrook. Just like his previous employers in Indiana and Minnesota. That's some JFK-level ****, yo.

Soapboxmom
05-04-2012, 10:09 AM
Here are a few excerpts from Holbrook's latest missive:
Economic Change During the Obama Presidency « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/economic-change-during-the-obama-presidency/)

I believe that our tax system is in need of a drastic and complete overhaul and should rely on consumption taxes and use taxes versus wealth and income taxes for the cost of local, state and national governance......

This would correct the poor and over zealous lending practices that have gotten American so far in debt. If you couple this with the fact that first mortgages should not be able to cover anymore than 80% of the homes actual appraised value, then you would begin to reform not only poor banking practices but also stupid credit decisions of hocking our homes for vacations, credit card debts and other non-essentials.....

1.) Flat 15% Workforce Tax including 1099- eliminate death tax- flat 15% dividend tax-
2.) National, State, Local Sales tax to cover the cost of government- capped at 15%
3.) Eliminate property and income taxes use the sales tax for those purposes COG
4.) Allow Second mortgages to be written off in Bankruptcy and limit first mortgages to 80% of home value… limit the use of home equity loans to asset improvements and energy conservation.

13.) No government bail outs for failed banks or companies… capitalism should be allowed to run it’s course. Mortgage and Deposit insurance for banks should be based on a national private pool administered by the FED, but 100% out of transaction fees. No additional federal funds for failures.
Again, he wants regressive taxes that places an impossible for the poor and lower middle class. Aren't those the very people his fantastic projects are supposed to help and create jobs for? He is concerned about banks making loans they shouldn't be?

He wants to reform banking practices, yet he wants East Montgomery County to spend millions of dollars planning a massive world class theme park that may never have had a reasonable chance of getting funded. That is putting the taxpayers at tremendous risk. He wants to line up investors for this thing as well. They would also be taking tremendous risk. This 600 million dollar deal could easily cost over a billion dollars. Theme parks historically have proven to be very risky ventures and it is difficult to accurately predict attendance and very difficult in some cases to get those numbers to a point they will keep the park profitable. What would happen if it did get built and quickly went bust?

I also notice that Holbrook hasn't filed any response to the lawsuit in Ohio. The discovery requests are absolutely massive and filled with questions he doesn't want to answer and documents he will not want to produce and have made public. I wouldn't be surprised if doesn't answer.

1345

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-04-2012, 01:51 PM
Theme park contractor Holbrook sued by Ohio town | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-contractor-holbrook-sued-by-ohio-town/)

This might be the awakening Pahrump needs!

Soapboxmom
05-05-2012, 09:30 AM
From the Houston Press comments:
EarthQuest's Don Holbrook Sued by Ohio City for Alleged Fraud - Houston News - Hair Balls (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/earthquests_don_holbrook_sued_huber_heights.php)




http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/2024/9042/avatar32.jpg?1336199830 (http://disqus.com/facebook-1027886709/)
Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Holbrook/1027886709) 7 hours ago (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/earthquests_don_holbrook_sued_huber_heights.php#co mment-519840481)


Mr. Malisow;
I have not responded to your requests for interviews because of your inaccurate misrepresentation of facts and your lack of impartial, unbiased news reporting. Those are the reasons for my lack of confidence in your own ability to report fairly on such issues that have such negative economic impact on my livelihood. I have done my job as contracted by the various developers, EQI and EMCID as I was contracted to do. My fees have been paid as they were pre-agreed upon nothing else. There is no impropriety in my conduct or unethical performance on my part. Your contacting my other clients and then creating this fabrication have harmed my economic livelihood without any factual basis. I know you or someone from your organization contacted my client in Huber Heights, OH. Our contract there was breached and our intellectual property stolen without final payment because I believe they bought into this fictional conspiracy theory you and Soap box Mom are perpetuating. Prior to your contaxt and up until we delivered our report, we had zero complaints from our client in Huber Heights. In fact, your commentary in this article and those of your attached bloggers is cyber bullying. Their comments and specifically targeted to harm my professional career and economic livelihood. In fact some of your bloggers are citing your work and that of Cynthia Calvert has factual evidence of some alleged wrong doing on my part. Those allegations are baseless and completely 100% false.
With regard to my accomplishments, in the business world we do not broadcast our client list for bloggers and reporters to contact as you have shown a propensity to do, and as I know your malicious blogger using your site Soapbox Mom has done. Her blatant disregard for factual and professional commentary is well documented on the enormous blog profiles.
Furthermore, it is very clear that your organization is perpetuating the economic harm by their continuous support of this type of unprofessional commentary. The malicious attacks by SoapBox Mom (Ms. Heather Dobrott) are purposefully aimed at destroying my professional career and my economic livelihood. These attacks on my professional reputation will not be tolerated any longer. The first amendment protects all of us from restriction of speech, but no defamation, slander and libel. Those are protected areas and they are not lawful even under the first amendment.
Public money = Public scrutiny

I don't think everyone in Hyber Heights is illiterate, Holbrook. So, they were having no trouble finding the news reports and threads about you online. And, folks do have the right to communicate with whomever they desire. Who died and made you boss, Holbrook?

How did a dozen newspaper articles and various discussions of the apparently failed Earthquest project turn into a conspiracy theory???

Much of your client list is public because taxpayer dollars are involved. If you are being paid taxpayer dollars you should expect to be watched closely. World wide tours and extravagant spending sprees are going to get the attention of the news media and bloggers. Charity money to the tune of 1.4 million dollars, much of it taxpayers money being spent on a defunct charity that did only one project (having a college class develop green computer games that did not go on the website as promised) being blown and a good portion in your pocket is going to be scrutinized.

You claimed the 100s of projects, worth billions of dollars that created 50,000 jobs, then act like a pompous blowhard when anyone dare suggest you should name them and substantiate those claims.

I am not a professional anything online. I am a citizen that is college educated and can read. I will express my opinion whenever it suits my fancy. If there was any libel slander or defamation, those would, as we discussed before, boil down to false statements of fact. You, Holbrook are melting down again and have yet to produce those. Hyperbole and opinion are not generally actionable. Too bad you have no sense of humor!

Whip
05-05-2012, 10:57 AM
such negative economic impact on my livelihood.

What about the negative impact on the taxpayers he's fleeced?

littleroundman
05-05-2012, 11:01 AM
It's a simple equation.

If you don't like public scrutiny, don't take public money.

Soapboxmom
05-05-2012, 02:33 PM
Anti-SLAPP Law in Texas | Citizen Media Law Project (http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/anti-slapp-law-texas)

Those who object to the discussions of Earthquest and the related topics, such as they are, might want to read this! I will have plenty more to say about it and there may be more articles forthcoming to discuss as this develops. Discussions about matters of public concern are well protected in Texas!

And, don't forget how this turned out:

http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/darnell-v-dobrott

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-05-2012, 09:14 PM
EarthQuest 2009 bond sale: where did tax dollars go - Monday, April 30, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13545)

Last, but certainly not least, is “Dino” Don Lessem. It was Lessem that ignited the flame of inspiration for the EarthQuest Institute in 2006. But his dreams were incinerated by the raging fire of EarthQuest’s implosion.


In a recent letter to The Tribune, Lessem openly regretted many of the decisions he and others made regarding EarthQuest, especially as those decisions pertained to money matters. He lamented the waste and excessive salaries paid to Holbrook and others. He was appalled at the lack of interest that Leon Cubillas and the EMCID board took in regards to the Institute. He rued the complete lack of accountability on the part of almost everyone involved in the EarthQuest project.

Surprisingly, he commended the articles of The Tribune as being “very thorough” and did not dispute any assertions that have been set forth by The Tribune. Clearly concerned about the possible demise of EarthQuest and all the money that has been lost, he nevertheless stated that “[he] is not a squanderer of public or private funds, nor a deceiver of anyone” and that he “was not paid a dime” as for efforts related to the Institute.



If Lessem thought the articles were "very thorough" and did not dispute any of the facts therein, why is Holbrook having a total online meltdown?

littleroundman
05-05-2012, 09:48 PM
why is Holbrook having a total online meltdown

Simple,

while he's distracting everyone with his meltdowns, he isn't having to refute any of the allegations.

laidback
05-05-2012, 09:54 PM
Simple,

while he's distracting everyone with his meltdowns, he isn't having to refute any of the allegations.
Yeah, it's called playing the "righteous indignation" card...! Some people are indignant when they are wrongly accused, others when they get caught...!Guess which kind Holbrook is?

Soapboxmom
05-05-2012, 10:02 PM
Holbrook thinks he is going to stifle public discussions about himself and the Earthquest project. He is sadly mistaken if he thinks I will be silenced. Earthquest and his role in that now apparently defunct mess are a matter of public concern. I intend to keep linking and discussing the press coverage related to that and other publicly funded projects. I will be expressing my opinion and communicating with whomever I so desire. I will be contacting various enforcement agencies as I see fit. I will not be turning anything over to the lawyer he hired to send me the appalling letter that I am attaching here. I already told Mr. Holbrook that if he can quote any false statement of fact on here and refute it with verifiable evidence I will take appropriate action. My policy is to always publish any threats to myself or this wonderful site.

How on earth did Frank McCrady and the EMCID board get involved with this guy??? He is doing everything he can to erase the factual and truthful public discussions across the net. He is going to generate tons more publicity for himself and the IEDC. And, unfortunately for him the new anti-SLAPP law in Texas (http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/anti-slapp-law-texas) is great!!!

Discussion about the New Caney Dino Park - Houston Dinosaur Park (http://www.houstondinopark.com/discuss.php)

Comment by: Admin on May. 5th, 2012 - 7:02pm

Unfortunately, Don Holbrook has emailed me and is having his attorney send this web site a letter. I can guess at the contents.

Personally, I don't think Mr. Holbrook did anything wrong with regards to the proposed Dino Park. But there is a lot of public money at stake, and there needs to be an open forum for local residents to discuss what happened (without being legally threatened).

I've offered him to suggest statements he feels are libelous, and that I would remove them if I agreed with him. He has not taken me up on that offer.

Speak only fact and opinion on these forums: if you're intentionally lying or committing libel here, there is always a possibility there will be legal consequences; and I have no desire to protect people who are deliberately misleading others, or "trolling" these forums (I can think of one person in particular, whose messages I've had to delete repeatedly).

But, I also feel a duty not to be bullied into censoring free and legal speech on the web.

I'll keep this site posted if I do actually receive a letter from Mr. Holbrook's attorney.

1347

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-06-2012, 08:29 AM
Anti-SLAPP Law in Texas | Citizen Media Law Project (http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/anti-slapp-law-texas)


The Texas Citizens Participation Act, H.B. No. 2973 (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/html/HB02973F.htm), allows you to counter a SLAPP suit against you based on your statements in exercise of your right of free speech, petition, or association. The statute provides for a special motion to dismiss, and allows (with some exceptions) for a stay of discovery proceedings while your motion is being considered. If your motion to dismiss is successful, the court will award you attorneys' fees, court costs, and possibly punitive damages against the party that filed the lawsuit.
The statute allows for dismissal of suits based on any type of communication, in any medium, that is: related to a "matter of public concern"; or pertaining to or in connection with any governmental proceeding or issue being considered by any governmental branch; or between individuals “who join together to collectively express, promote, pursue, or defend common interests."
Because the Texas Citizens Participation Act became effective as of June 17, 2011, there is currently no legal authority interpreting the act. If you know about any relevant cases, please contact us (http://www.citmedialaw.org/about/contactus).
Activities Protected By The Texas Anti-SLAPP Statute

To challenge a lawsuit under the Citizens Participation Act, you must show that it is based on your act or acts of "communication" (defined as the "making or submitting" of any "statement or document in any form or medium") in connection with your rights of association, petition, or free speech. The statute broadly defines these rights:


(a) "Right of association" refers to people collectively "express[ing], promot[ing], pursu[ing], or defend[ing] common interests."
(b) "Right of free speech" refers to communications related to "a matter of public concern."
(c) "Right to petition" refers to a wide range of activities relating to governmental proceedings or issues being considered by governmental bodies.

Although dependent on your subject matter, the right of free speech is the section of the statute that will most likely apply to statements made online. The statute defines a "matter of public concern" as as issue related to health or safety; environmental, economic, or community well-being; the government; a public figure or official; or a good, product or service in the marketplace. If a lawsuit against you involves online statements on any of these topics, the statute may provide you relief.
My comments are primarily related to the Earthquest project in Texas and that is where I reside. I encourage folks to keep sharing newspaper articles and their thoughts on this Earthquest debacle and its principles. The truth shall set us free!

1349

Public dollars = public scrutiny!!!

Soapboxmom
05-06-2012, 09:41 AM
I believe that public records should be public. And, those involved in humongous expenditures of public funds should be closely scrutinized. The taxpayers were trusting Holbrook to come in and get Earthquest on track and to work out the financing for it. I would expect once he was hired the "courtship" McCrady blathered about would be over and Holbrook and Mccrady would be working together to see that public funds were spent very wisely and that frugality was the order of the day. Instead this "courtship" continued for several years and included extrensive and very costly travel, meals, sporting events and more. That hardly seems fiscally responsible to me. Just how fiscally responsible is Holbrook with his business and personal finances? After making a whopping 1.2 million from the Earthquest project and associated charity Holbrook, by his own admission and that of his wife (on the Pahrump Valley Times comments) bankrupted one of his LLCs near the time the Earthquest land LLC landed in bankruptcy. I also found this:





Public Access Case Lookup (http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1)
new case search >>


Case Information



Case Number:
S-8015-CV-20071018



Title:
GMAC LLC V HOLBROOK
Category:
Civil


Court:
Mohave County Superior (http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/publicaccess/courtinfo.aspx?id=145)
Filing Date:
06/07/2007


Judge:
JAMES E. CHAVEZ
Disposition Date:












GMAC LLC PLAINTIFF - P 1











DON ALLEN HOLBROOK DEFENDANT - D 1











LAURIE ANN HOLBROOK DEFENDANT - D 2
Date of Birth: 06/1963










Case Activity

Date
Description
Party


07/23/2010
ADMINISTRATIVE: FILE ARCHIVED
P 1


09/10/2007
ORDER OF DISMISSAL



09/06/2007
NOTICE
P 1


07/05/2007
BOND ON REPLEVIN
P 1


06/08/2007
NOTICE



06/08/2007
NOTICE PURSUANT TO 12-2406C



06/08/2007
ORDER



06/07/2007
AFFIDAVIT
P 1


06/07/2007
CERT. NON COMP. ARBITRATION
P 1


06/07/2007
CIVIL FILING FEE
P 1


06/07/2007
CIVIL FILING FEE
P 1


06/07/2007
COMPLAINT & SUMMONS
P 1








Replevin - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replevin)

1re·plev·in

noun \ri-ˈple-vən\


Definition of REPLEVIN

1
: the recovery by a person of goods or chattels claimed to be wrongfully taken or detained upon the person's giving security to try the matter in court and return the goods if defeated in the action

2
: the writ or the common-law action whereby goods and chattels are replevied (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replevied)


Origin of REPLEVIN

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from replevir to give security, from re- + plevir to pledge, from Late Latin *plebere — more at pledge (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pledge)First Known Use: 15th century





Someone was apparently not paying on their car loan from the looks of this. That is around the time McCrady treated the entourage to quite an expensive holiday with numerous stops at very expensive parks, hotels and resorts etc.

Soapboxmom
05-06-2012, 12:06 PM
The Holbrooks spoke out in the Pahrump Valley Times:
Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-1/#comments)



http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/71c3a5d104715d51abf11fa3be8aa399?s=32&d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a 11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D32&r=Geconomic developer says:
February 16, 2012 at 10:31 am (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-1/#comment-28088)
Well Once again small minded uninformed folks have proven they would rather spew slander and untruths versus acknowledge the facts. Vercitas is a trade name not a company. Holbrook in deed has a NV registered company, so you are woefully uninformed. By the way, he disclosed to Pahrump Town officials his firm was going through a reorganization due to a major developer not paying his bill for services rendered, he cited the global financial crisis as the basis for not paying for Holbrooks work.
Reorganization just allows for Holbrook to rearrange and be responsible for his own debts so he can move forward responsibly… Just like Donald Trump, Kodak, American Airlines, United Airlines, Chrysler and eventually our own country will have to do so.
Reply (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-1/?replytocom=28088#respond)
http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/3d026b32da871cba8a64ccd7115f789b?s=32&d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a 11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D32&r=Gjeweller says:
February 16, 2012 at 10:36 am (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-1/#comment-28089)
I have been married to Don Holbrook for 21 years going on 22. I want to address a few of the comments above. First of all yes he does have a corporation in Nevada. Bankruptcy is Chapter 11 because we did not get paid for work he had done. It is called reorganization. And even the best of us have had to deal with situations out of our control..Over half of the Americans have had to seek some sort of assistance due to the volatile economy. We always have paid our bills and will continue to do so.


I am guessing the developer they are referring to is Marlin Atlantis. How long were they expecting to milk that Earthquest project? The developer going bust was a minor problem. The park is a high dollar independent project that will likely never be able to secure funding. It could possibly cost upwards of 1 billion to build as planned. Costs overruns are not unheard of and must be accounted for. It was not an endless gravy train for the Holbrook's.

If he has done 100s of projects and been so wildly successful (having pulled in 1.2 million from Earthquest and the related things alone) why is he in bankruptcy? If he gets the rest of the money from Pahrump he is asking for, shouldn't his creditors get paid in full? That is mighty convenient to file bankruptcy right before a gargantuan windfall that could be close to 1 million dollars.

COMMUNITY VIEWPOINT: Background on Mr. Holbrook: ‘The Music Man (http://pvtimes.com/opinion/community-viewpoint-background-on-mr-holbrook-the-music-man%E2%80%99-part-1/)

It wouldn't hurt to let the DOJ know of any questions or concerns:

U.S. Trustee Program/Dept. of Justice - Report Suspected Bankruptcy Fraud (http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/fraud/)

1350

1351

1352

1353

1354

This is a joint personal bankruptcy. How much does he have stashed in various business accounts???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-06-2012, 12:48 PM
Page 23 item # 17 on the original filing says "Describe any increase or decrease in income reasonably anticipated to occur within the year following the filing of this document." Holbrook had Pahrump on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in coming payments and was working on the initial part of putting together a deal with Huber Heights, Ohio. So he should have disclosed the possible hundreds of thousands due from Pahrump to be sure. The Department of Justice can check all that out!

U.S. Trustee Program/Dept. of Justice - Report Suspected Bankruptcy Fraud (http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/fraud/)

Soapboxmom
05-06-2012, 03:18 PM
Ms. Heather Ann Badgett Schaefer



Bar Card Number: 24027840
Work Address: PO Box 860308

Plano, TX 75086-0308
Work Phone Number: 214-695-2270
Primary Practice Location: PLANO , Texas


Current Member Status Not Eligible To Practice In Texas (click for detail) (http://www.texasbar.com/AM/customsource/displayfullstatusinfo.cfm?bc=24027840)


{ Contact this Lawyer (http://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Find_A_Lawyer&template=/MemberDirectory/MemberDirectoryEmail.cfm&ContactID=204665) }Disciplinary StatusDisbarred
For more information, please contact the State Bar of Texas Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel at (877)953-5535



I was instrumental in getting this attorney disbarred.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-06-2012, 05:35 PM
1. Income from employment or operation of business
State the gross amount of income the debtor has received from employment, trade, or profession, or from operation of the debtor's business, including
part-time activities either as an employee or in independent trade or business, from the beginning of this calendar year to the date this case was
commenced. State also the gross amounts received during the two years immediately preceding this calendar year. (A debtor that maintains, or has
maintained, financial records on the basis of a fiscal rather than a calendar year may report fiscal year income. Identify the beginning and ending dates of
the debtor's fiscal year.) If a joint petition is filed, state income for each spouse separately. (Married debtors filing under chapter 12 or chapter 13 must
state income of both spouses whether or not a joint petition is filed, unless the spouses are separated and a joint petition is not filed.)
None
AMOUNT SOURCE
Year to date: $74,997.00
Last Year: $99,996.00
Year before: $90,000.00
MR. - EMCID
Where is all the income from his best selling books? Where is the money Pahrump paid? Will he amend to add the $53,800 Huber Heights paid him? What about all his talk of being a highly respected and sought after speaker? What about Australia and his other international clients he brags of and shows conceptual art for? This makes it look like his only income is a measly amount he has milked from the Earthquest project from the EMCID.

Year to date should be through October 2011.
Last year would be 2010. The year before, 2009, he only claims $90,000.00 in earnings??? He made roughly 1.2 million off of Earthquest and much of that was paid out of the bond proceeds and charity money in 2009. This filing does not make any sense.

He can't be living the lifestyle we have seen him enjoying on these amounts. How did he pay for his grand European tour in 2009? I think the Department of Justice will need to sort all this out! Remember Jack Weinzierl's bankruptcy shenanigans (http://www.realscam.com/f11/jack-weinzierl-multi-million-dollar-earner-destitute-ding-ling-774/#post9633)? The DOJ attorney and I had a field day with that scammer and he panicked and begged to have the case dismissed, before any more embarrassing questions were asked or documents demanded.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-07-2012, 12:17 PM
Don Holbrook's attorney demanded copies of reports I was making to the authorities. This is on its way to the Department of Justice, USTP.Bankruptcy.Fraud@usdoj.gov. I encourage everyone with knowledge related to the Holbrook's income and spending to come forward as well.

United States Bankruptcy Court:

District of Nevada
Case 11-27072-lbr

Don Holbrook
Laurie Holbrook

9200 Dalmahoy Place
Las Vegas, Nevada

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________
1. Income from employment or operation of business
State the gross amount of income the debtor has received from employment, trade, or profession, or from operation of the debtor's business, including
part-time activities either as an employee or in independent trade or business, from the beginning of this calendar year to the date this case was
commenced. State also the gross amounts received during the two years immediately preceding this calendar year. (A debtor that maintains, or has
maintained, financial records on the basis of a fiscal rather than a calendar year may report fiscal year income. Identify the beginning and ending dates of
the debtor's fiscal year.) If a joint petition is filed, state income for each spouse separately. (Married debtors filing under chapter 12 or chapter 13 must
state income of both spouses whether or not a joint petition is filed, unless the spouses are separated and a joint petition is not filed.)
None
AMOUNT SOURCE
Year to date: $74,997.00 East Montgomery County Improvement Distric
Last Year: $99,996.00 EMCID
Year before: $90,000.00


So that equates to:
$90,000.00 for 2009
$99,996.00 for 2010
$74,997.00 for 2011 up to the filing date????
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________
EarthQuest 2009 bond sale: where did tax dollars go - Monday, April 30, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13545)
EarthQuest 2009 bond sale: where did tax dollars go……
Third, Don Holbrook, consultant, was paid an eye-popping $773,963.43 out of the bond proceeds. Holbrook is truly a consultant extraordinaire, capable of walking on both sides of one street at the same time. That is, despite the obvious conflict of interests, he represented both EMCID and the Developer Group as their respective consultants on EarthQuest.
In an email dated April 18, 2012, McCrady acknowledged to The Tribune that EMCID had retained, and paid Holbrook, as its consultant, the sums of $27,000 and $277,000. Out of the 2009 bond proceeds, Holbrook was paid $273,963.43 by EMCID for work on tax incentive and legislative matters. EMCID subsequently paid him an additional $500,000 (as the Developer’s consultant) as a finder’s fee for the EarthQuest site.
Consequently, Holbrook has been paid more than $800,000 by EMCID, presuming the $277,000 and the $273,963.43 mentioned above refer to the same fee. Furthermore, while Holbrook was carting off EMCID’s bank vault, he and his merry band of minions were also plundering the EarthQuest Institute for every dime it had received. Under the auspices of EMCID, Holbrook alone stripped out at least $328,255.00 from the Institute. (For details, see The Tribune article dated April 4, 2012). Altogether, it appears that Holbrook received, from EMCID and the Institute, upwards o $1,200,000 for his various, if not nefarious, EarthQuest activities.
The level of compensation paid to Holbrook is beyond any rational explanation, let alone comprehension. What possible justification can the EMCID leadership and board make to its constituents that Holbrook was deserving of these unwarranted, outrageous, indeed, unbelievable sums of money?
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________
EarthQuest Institute: a betrayal of the public's trust? - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13443)
EarthQuest Institute: a betrayal of the public's trust?
A diligent review of those records has produced a sordid tale of unbridled avarice; a story that will shock even the most cynical individual. Consider the following facts, all of which are taken directly from the federal tax returns of the Institute for the three-year period of 2008 – 2010:
The Institute received contributions totaling $996,667.
Don Holbrook, president of the Institute (and a consultant for EMCID and EarthQuest), received total compensation of $328,255.

The Vercitas Group (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vercitas-Group/109069422456540)
Partner · Sep 2001 to present · Las Vegas, Nevada
Site Location and Strategic Economic Development consulting services


Australia Christmas Island Destination Tourism Projectwith Simon Millcock (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001075026392)
2011 to present
Creating a real sense of exotic locale to bring tourists primarily from the Northern Gateway of Malaysia, Asia and Korea to the island with high per capita expenditurres
Pahrump Destination Tourism Attractionwith Al Balloqui (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=622540359)
Jun 2010 to present
Working on creating a unique tourism project that will allow Pahrump to capitalize on the tourism driven economy created by Las Vegas.
EarthQuest Institute and EarthQuest Adventure Theme Parkwith Frank McCrady (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1709481626) and Matthew Gardner (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=787448336)
Oct 2004 to present
Working on building the worlds first green and sustainable influenced Theme Park designed from the ground up with clean technologies as a foundation.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________
Here are his speaking engagements. He charges $2,500 -$5,000 plus expenses:

About Me (http://www.economicdeveloper.com/)

Where's Don A. Holbrook?

About Me (http://www.economicdeveloper.com/about.html)



January 29, 2010
Alberta's Industrial Heartland Annual Luncheon
Keynote Speaker
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

April 23-25, 2010
National Wind Energy Association Event
Meeting with leading experts regarding wind energy projects
Dallas, TX

April 26-27, 2010
International Council of Shopping Centers
Client meetings regarding destination retail projects
Las Vegas, NV

May 13, 2010
Western Australia Chapter of Economic Development Australia
Keynote Speaker
Northbridge Plaza Community Building, 7:45-9:00 AM
Perth, Australia

May 13-15, 2010
Christmas Island Commerce Dinner
Speaker
Christmas Island, Australia

June 2, 2010
EarthQuest Institute Fundraising Event
Speaker
Historic Heights Theater, Houston, TX

June 10-13, 2010
Sovereign Military Order of the Temple Jerusalem
Postulant Knight Investiture
West Point, NY

July 11-13, 2010
National Rural Economic Developers Association
Keynote Speaker: Annual Conference
Portland, OR

September 26-29, 2010
IEDC Annual Conference
Moderator
Columbus, OH

October 7, 2010
Native Nations National Event
Keynote Speaker, "The Art of the Deal Today"
M Resort, Las Vegas, NV

October 26-27, 2010
Australian Economic Developers Association
Keynote Speaker
Sydney, Australia

November 7-9, 2010
Business Facilities LiveXchange
Speaker, The Art of the Deal Today
Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans' French Quarter

November 10-12, 2010
Charleston Southern Port Summit
Charleston, SC.

November 15-18, 2010
International Amusement Park & Attractions Conference
Orlando, FL

December 2, 2010
North Houston Association
Lone Star Community College
Keynote speaker
Greenspoint Center, Houston, TX


TCI Network (http://www.tci-network.org/news/card/320)
file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image002.jpg
Stephen Chapple ACEcD Chairman of Economic Development Australia and National Board member Simon Millcock ACEcD will be presenting at this year's International Economic Development Council's Conference (http://www.iedconline.org/annualconference/index.html) on September 18 - 21 Charlotte, North Carolina. The IEDC conference will focus on discussing how economic developers are adapting to the new normal and rewriting the rules for economic development. Their session is titled Developing Successful International Partnerships and will be facilitated by Don Holbrook CEcD IEDC 2011 Board of Directors.

Stephen, Simon and Don are keen to expand their knowledge in the field of economic development internationally and are planning a 3-4 day study tour following the conference. The concept being developed is to meet with local and or regional development bodies whilst undertaking site visit to explore, listen, learn and impart some of their own knowledge. The current plan is to leave from Charlotte N.C. and travel via vehicle/s (depending on the numbers) no more than a couple of hours each day before meeting up with various communities.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________
DaytonDailyNews: Dayton, Ohio, news and information (http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/wine/entries/2010/10/28/dayton_natives.html)
More than a business
file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image003.jpg (http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/wine/upload/2010/10/dayton_natives/ddn102910lifewine6.jpg.jpg)
Don Holbrook and his wife Laurie
Don Holbrook, a Butler Twp. native and 1979 graduate of Butler High School in Vandalia, is co-owner of the Red Zeppelin winery (http://www.redzeppelinwinery.com/) in Paso Robles, Calif. His wife Laurie, a Minneapolis native, is more involved in the winery than he is, Holbrook said. “I just like to drink wine,” he said.
A developer, he has plenty of other business interests that form the bulk of his professional career, but the wine industry “just kind of sucked me in,” said Holbrook, whose parents still live in Butler Twp. Holbrook and his wife now live in Las Vegas, but he found an opportunity to invest in Red Zeppelin — which is transitioning to simply the Zeppelin winery — irresistible.
“At first, I looked at this as purely a financial transaction,” Holbrook said. “But it was evolved into much more than that.”
When reached earlier this week, Holbrook and his wife had just arrived in southern Australia, where they toured vineyards and visited wineries in the Barossa Valley wine country.
“I love everything about this industry,” Holbrook said. “And we get invited everywhere.”
(Each photo was contributed by the subjects.)
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________
http://www.halledit.com.au/conferences/ecodev/2010/NEDC2010-brochure-registration.pdf
International speakers
• Don Holbrook, Economic Development Economist &
Author
•_________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________________________
__ http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eyHEG_Z7Jfk_Here Holbrook claims to have done 100s of projects worth billions of dollars_that created 50,000 jobs. __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____



file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image005.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)Earth Quest Adventures Houston (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264) shared Don Holbrook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)'s photo (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1185861319853&set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=1).

file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image006.png (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1185861319853&set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=1&ref=nf)EarthQuest the Ultimate Project (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=3)
Frank McCrady has too much fun doing this stuff it should be illegal, sometimes it might come close so we just reinvent the rules!The worlds foremost Green Technology Sustainability Center and Thematic Destination By: Don Holbrook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________

http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/#post19590
Our tax dollars and Earthquest Institute charity dollars hard at work. Holbrook was being paid $144,893.00 by the EarthQuest Insitute in 2009 for working 15 hours a week (that's $185.00 an hour) according to the IRS filing when he wasn't on his grand European vacation that is.

Attachment 645 (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/645-trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-2.jpg)Attachment 646 (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/646-trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-3.jpg)Attachment 644 (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/644-trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-1.jpg)Attachment 647 (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/647-trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-4.jpg)Attachment 648 (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/648-trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-iedc-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-5.jpg)
file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image008.png
Attached Thumbnails file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image010.jpg (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/1325d1331483389-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-1.jpg) file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image012.jpg (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/1326d1331483433-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-2.jpg) file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image014.jpg (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/1327d1331483487-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-3.jpg) file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image016.jpg (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/1328d1331483488-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-4.jpg) file:///C:%5CUsers%5CHeather%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cms ohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image018.jpg (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/1329d1331483489-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-holbrook-2009-european-vacation-5.jpg) __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________
Concerning the proceeds from his book sales that are apparently not reported:
Town board chair announces run for open Assembly seat | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/town-board-chair-announces-run-for-open-assembly-seat/)
Holbrook speaking about himself says:
And Mike Darny questions Holbrook’s accomplishments. These projects have created over 50,000 living wage jobs for hard working Americans and won Holbrook the Fellow Member award by his peers, the highest honor in his industry for lifetime achievements. On top of all this he wrote 3 books telling others how to accomplish similar results and encouraging his peers to strive to make a difference. This has made him the #1 author in his industry and Amazon ranked him as the #1 author in his genre in 2011.


COMMUNITY VIEWPOINT: Background on Mr. Holbrook: ‘The Music Man (http://pvtimes.com/opinion/community-viewpoint-background-on-mr-holbrook-the-music-man%E2%80%99-part-1/)
The town board has already paid Holbrook and Contours Entertainment $151,000 toward this scam to date, but in the very near future another $244,000 will be considered for the next phase of Mr. Harley Kulkin’s pipe dream…… Well, Mr. Kulkin, Mr. Kohbarger and the town board have committed the town to paying Mr. Holbrook over $950,000.

http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/index7.html#post20397
Page 23 item # 17 on the original filing says "Describe any increase or decrease in income reasonably anticipated to occur within the year following the filing of this document." Holbrook had Pahrump on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in coming payments and was working on the initial part of putting together a deal with Huber Heights, Ohio when he filed. He has since been paid $53,800.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________
This complaint was prepared by:
Heather Dobrott
Soapboxmom Administrator for www.realscam.com (http://www.realscam.com)

Soapboxmom
05-07-2012, 02:16 PM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/#post19591


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eyHEG_Z7Jfk
A finance professional?? Where are the dollars for Earthquest? He claims that he has put together 100s of economic development deals worth over billions of dollars that have created over 50,000 jobs in this country??? He better have some ink on that!


Don Holbrook has pulled down his lofty claims video. He stated in his blog that he would not be naming his projects. I believe that translates into they don't exist so he can't. Those representations were likely part of the reason Huber Heights hired Holbrook and paid him $53,800.00. I assume he is sweeping all that under the rug due to the fact he is being sued and foolishly threatening to sue me and possibly his other legitimate critics. I will testify as to the content of that video and this thread isn't going anywhere, so it is going to be really hard to make all that disappear. Again, why is the IEDC not sending this joker packing. Do I have to e-mail the board members with a formal complaint against this guy???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-07-2012, 11:43 PM
From Holbrook's bankruptcy:


1
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
110 CITY PARKWAY
LAS VEGAS NEVADA 89101
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
P.O. BOX 21126
PHILADELPHIA PA 19114-0326
Phone: INCOME TAX $ 113,500.00
2
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
OGDEN UTAH 84201-0030
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
OGDEN UTAH 84201-0030
Phone: INCOME TAX $ 28,400.00
5
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
P.O. BOX 7346
PHILADELPHIA PA 19101-7346
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
P.O. BOX 7346
PHILADELPHIA PA 19101-7346
Phone: INCOME TAX $ 6,300.00


Holbrook, according to the newspaper accounts, made at least 1.2 million off of Earthquest and he brags of best selling books, international clients and speaking engagements. How is it he can't pay his taxes and his average gross yearly income is less than $100,000.00??? Just what is going on here???

Soapboxmom
05-07-2012, 11:47 PM
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 1 days ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) MrFabulous...It's not moving forward,it's moving round and round in a clockwise circular motion,like a flushing commode,full of EMC's taxpayers dollars!


Soapboxmom (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3883712) --- 11 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3883712&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) I sent in a formal complaint to the DOJ related to Holbrook's bankruptcy:
http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/index7.html#post20457


Don A Holbrook (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3888979) --- 5 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3888979&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Dear Readers of this blog, as stated, this is a serious legal issue. Please note that I am brining litigation against Ms. Soapboxmom (Heather Dobrott et al) she received a letter from my attorney which very carefully stated she has until May 11th to substantiate with valid facts and evidence of her Libel comments. Ms. Dobrott is digging herself a very deep legal hole and her malicious attacks on my business and my professional reputation are purposeful and with willful intent to harm my livelihood. She has made very poor decisions in business and ignorance of the law will not excuse her nor any of you who choose to continue in this libel from the liabilities that are piling on yourselves. By spreading libel and then encouraging others unwittingly to participate on this page is just bringing other previously innocent people into her web of fictional conspiracy. I would encourage anyone on this web page to take note in the recent $13M Texas award of damages to those folks using and promoting anonymous libel about innocent people. At the appropriate time we will know every computer ID that has made comments on any site that aids in this process and those that make such comments must be prepared to deal with the litigation that is coming this month. If you continue to comment on me, my business, and further ruin my professional reputation and/or harm my livelihood and/or personal affairs for libel, slander, defamation or other malicious intent you do so at your own risk. For some the damages has been done and avoiding litigation is impossible in my opinion, but for those of you bright enough to discontinue your libel comments you may still avoid litigation. Be smart and do not be baited into legal liabilities by a person such as Heather Dobrott. She obviously has too much time on her hands and her mind goes to conspiracy theories as her own form of sick entertainment. That is her own affair until it harms others with such malicious intent that it wrecks their business for spreading virally false information and doing so for her own self-gratification reasons.


monkeygouger (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3851055) --- 4 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3851055&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Anyone can have a bring a lawsuit mr holbrook. This site may bring at most 100 people to it. I doubt even 20 live in Montgomery county. You lie if you are mr holbrook. Sbm is posting on a blog about your scheme. Are you nervous? Did she find facts? You as a public figure taking public tax dollars are not immune to scrutiny from the public in a public forum.


Put some dozers out there and clearcut to at least show initiative to build the project which has doubled taxes for EMC through speculation. All post by sbm are editorial in style. One persons opinion none else.


monkeygouger (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3851055) --- 4 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3851055&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Oh I forgot you sold the property to some builders. So the project is moot and you filed bankruptcy. What livelyhood is being destroyed?


pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 2 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Mr Holbrook, I sincerely apologize for my last post if it offended you in any way. Please feel free to substitute the word "toilet" for the word "commode", as the word "commode" gave that post too much dignity. Oh,and by the way, and I'm sure 99% of Mont. Co. citizens will agree with me, get a "REAL" job.


Mr Fabulous (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3825123) --- 2 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3825123&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Oh man, let the games begin!

This might get interesting.


Kingwood Underground - the heart and soul of our Kingwood, Texas family (http://kingwoodunderground.com/topic.jsp?s=0&topicId=11722526#END)

The KU is great!!!!! :RpS_thumbsup:

littleroundman
05-08-2012, 12:39 AM
May 13-15, 2010
Christmas Island Commerce Dinner
Speaker
Christmas Island, Australia

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa HaHaHaHaHaHa

That has GOT to be the funniest thing I've seen all year (and last year, as well)

P.S. all that noise you can hear is the sound of Australians laughing hysterically)

Christmas-BLOODY-Island ????

You have GOT to be kidding me.

http://www.shire.gov.cx/images/map.jpg


Christmas Island Location


Christmas Island is an Australian Non-self Governing External Territory, located in the Indian Ocean on the rim of South East Asia, 360km south of Java and 2600 km North West of Perth.


The coastline of 73km comprises mostly sheer rocky cliffs 10 to 20 metres high with a few small coral and rubble beaches. The Island has a typical tropical equatorial climate with wet and dry seasons. Official temperatures range from a minimum of 22 degrees to a maximum of 28 degrees. Average humidity is between 80 – 90%.
The Island is considered to have high conservation value due to the number of endemic bird, crab and plant species. Approximately 63% of the Island’s 135 square kilometres is gazetted National Park. Christmas Island’s economy is currently based on phosphate mining and tourism with a focus of its unique natural resources both on land and sea.

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 08:18 AM
The meltdown continues:

The First Amendment in the age of the Internet (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/the-first-amendment-in-the-age-of-the-internet/)

08 Tuesday May 2012
Posted by economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/author/economicdeveloper/) in The Dark Side of Social Media & the Internet (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/the-dark-side-of-social-media-the-internet/), Vicious bloggers (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/vicious-bloggers/)
≈ Leave a Comment (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/the-first-amendment-in-the-age-of-the-internet/#respond)


I don’t think when most of us became fascinated with the age of the Internet we could envision how it would change our society in so many ways. Now there is no doubt that it has enabled an entire new approach for instant information and that itself has spawned a huge new vocal voice. Some of these folks are just down right scary. They see themselves as super hero’s looking out for the virtues of humanity, seeking to right the wrongs that their minds have conjured up. They may have been wimps, fat girl, ugly girl, nerds or bullied in their own childhood, maybe they weren’t popular with other kids, they may have felt like misfits previously, but now with the internet, they are online warriors. They take on a persona that in the physical world they could not. The internet has become their alter-ego. Where in real life they may be shy and not outspoken on the internet as a blogger they are the epitome of everything they wish they could be. Worse yet, many of them take out their repressed anguish and frustrations on innocent people via the internet. They stalk, spy and steal information from their victims so as to use it to make their fictional story look overly sensationalized and portray their victim as an unethical, or some other defamatory image. They become the bullies and take out their own frustrations on others.
This type of online vigilante try’s to engage others to join them, wanting validation and social acceptance. They create a truly vile and despicable conspiracy to hunt, stalk, defame and maliciously hurt their victims. Worse yet they get others using the Internet for good purposes to be misled into believing their victims are deserving of the malicious and hurtful behavior.
The most common thread is these cyber stalkers and cyber bullies always attack any rebuttal that is voiced as being a ploy to further mislead their followers… and instead of seeking unbiased, substantiated valid facts they just ignore this responsibility and turn up their attacks. The second major trait is that they cite their basis as their right to the freedom of speech. Using the First Amendment as their defense.
The First Amendment is a double-edged sword, it’s a right and a responsibility, and it is one where People shouldn’t be allowed to torment and terrorize in the name of free speech.
Free Speech gives you the power of opinion and expression, but not the right to commit libel as a blogger. Of course the ultimate test is proving the actual truth. But the burden of proof is on those committing libel not on the plaintiff.
I am hopeful that someday we will have better regulation of websites that are too tolerant of such abusive bloggers in the interest of having more viewers and thus more advertising value. When did Libel and tortiously interfering with someone business, professional reputation and livelihood, become just another cost of doing business for the media? That is the real crime. I hope you never get a pack of nutty bloggers after you, because they just aren’t mostly driven by facts but opinions and accusations. In my case they forget I am a private citizen and as such not a public figure.
My own experience with negative bloggers is that they can’t be reasoned with. They have constructed a validation and justification in their own minds that they believe merits their attacks on the victim.
The only true course someone has that has been targeted by such a person or group of people is to hire a very good attorney and litigate those that participated in damaging you. Slowly I am hoping the laws change and become more restrictive in their allowance of such abuses online.
One cannot steal public information. One cannot steal Facebook photos that you chose to make public and available to share. Holbrook was using Facebook to promote himself and the Earthquest project. However, pictures of the Earthquest project principles dancing on tables might best have been kept private.

Many might think the only crime here is the wild spending sprees with public money and the continually changing fictional groundbreaking dates that citizens making business decisions depended on and that were used to lure in Pahrump. Courting Holbrook with extravagant trips around the globe, sports tickets and meals at the finest restaurants across the globe does not seem a reasonable use of taxpayers dollars, especially when the project seems to be a no go.

And, Holbrook, you have only $3,000.00 to your name according to your bankruptcy. How are you going to fund all these suits you are threatening? Most of the bloggers you keep harassing are in Texas as is the matter of public concern this hullabaloo centers on.

In most jurisdictions Holbrook will not be considered a private citizen. Folks that work on public projects and speak at meetings, on news shows (some national I believe), at public appearances to promote books and dive in head first in public controversy will likely be considered at least limited public figures. He is no private citizen that ended up in the middle of this heated Earthquest debate by accident.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 09:13 AM
The Story of Cyber-Stalking &mdash; Stalking Typologies and Pathologies &mdash; Crime Library on truTV.com (http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/psychology/cyberstalking/3.html)


False Victimisation Syndrome: This group accuses another person, either real or imaginary of stalking (Hickey, 1997) to foster sympathy and support from those around them. The majority of the perpetrators seem to be female (adapted from Zona and others; Mullen and Pathe, 1994; Mullen, 1997).

Cyberstalking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking)

Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet) or other electronic means to stalk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalking) or harass an individual, a group of individuals, or an organization. It may include false accusations, monitoring, making threats, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sex, or gathering information in order to harass. The definition of "harassment" must meet the criterion that a reasonable person (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_on_the_Clapham_Omnibus), in possession of the same information, would regard it as sufficient to cause another reasonable person distress.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking#cite_note-Bocij14-0) Cyberstalking is different from spatial or offline stalking. However, it sometimes leads to it, or is accompanied by it.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking#cite_note-1)

Definitions

Further information: Stalking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalking)
Stalking is a continuous process, consisting of a series of actions, each of which may be entirely legal in itself. Technology ethics professor Lambèr Royakkers (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lamb%C3%A8r_Royakkers&action=edit&redlink=1) writes that:
"Stalking is a form of mental assault, in which the perpetrator repeatedly, unwantedly, and disruptively breaks into the life-world of the victim, with whom he has no relationship (or no longer has), with motives that are directly or indirectly traceable to the affective sphere. Moreover, the separated acts that make up the intrusion cannot by themselves cause the mental abuse, but do taken together (cumulative effect)."[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking#cite_note-2)

CyberAngels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyberAngels) has written about how to identify cyberstalking:
When identifying cyberstalking "in the field," and particularly when considering whether to report it to any kind of legal authority, the following features or combination of features can be considered to characterize a true stalking situation: malice (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/malice), premeditation, repetition, distress (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_%28medicine%29), obsession (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixation_%28psychology%29), vendetta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feud), no legitimate purpose, personally directed, disregarded warnings to stop, harassment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harassment), and threats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threats).[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking#cite_note-Bocij9-3)

A number of key factors have been identified:


False accusations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_accusations). Many cyberstalkers try to damage the reputation of their victim and turn other people against them. They post false information about them on websites. They may set up their own websites, blogs or user pages for this purpose. They post allegations about the victim to newsgroups, chat rooms or other sites that allow public contributions, such as Wikipedia or Amazon.com.[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking#cite_note-4)
Attempts to gather information about the victim. Cyberstalkers may approach their victim's friends, family and work colleagues to obtain personal information. They may advertise for information on the Internet, or hire a private detective. They often will monitor the victim's online activities and attempt to trace their IP address in an effort to gather more information about their victims. [6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking#cite_note-5)
Encouraging others to harass the victim. Many cyberstalkers try to involve third parties in the harassment. They may claim the victim has harmed the stalker or his/her family in some way, or may post the victim's name and telephone number in order to encourage others to join the pursuit.
False victimization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_victimization). The cyberstalker will claim that the victim is harassing him/her. Bocij writes that this phenomenon has been noted in a number of well-known cases.
Attacks on data and equipment. They may try to damage the victim's computer by sending viruses.
Ordering goods and services. They order items or subscribe to magazines in the victim's name. These often involve subscriptions to pornography or ordering sex toys then having them delivered to the victim's workplace.
Arranging to meet. Young people face a particularly high risk of having cyberstalkers try to set up meetings between them.[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking#cite_note-Bocij12-13-6)



You, Holbrook, are giving your legitimate critics very nice grounds to sue you. Accusing me and others of criminal activity, libel, slander and defamation when our statements are true, factual, opinion or hyperbole isn't too bright. Concerned citizens discussing Earthquest, where the money from the project went and the principles involved hardly constitutes a group of cyber stalkers. Holbrook's conspiracy theories should have people wondering about him. Holbrook should identify the false statements of fact or for the love of God stick a sock in it!! Does he really want this kind of attention??

When Darnell sued me my attorneys kicked his a$$. When I sued Darnell he had no choice but to remove the libelous statements he had published. I represented myself in court and worked him over until I got my way. I then dropped the case as creditors find it almost impossible collect on Texans as the law is written. Notice he called me a deranged stalker, Photoshopped pictures of me and claimed as you are that I was libeling, defaming and slandering him, when in fact my statements were true. He was totally humiliated in court twice!

Darnell v. Dobrott | Citizen Media Law Project (http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/darnell-v-dobrott)

http://www.realscam.com/f22/heather-dobrott-vs-tim-darnell-serial-scammer-1134/

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
05-08-2012, 09:30 AM
They may have been wimps, fat girl, ugly girl, nerds or bullied in their own childhood, maybe they weren’t popular with other kids, they may have felt like misfits previously, but now with the internet, they are online warriors.

Or, on the other hand,

they may just be normal, everyday citizens who have become sick and tired of the shenanigans of others who bury their snouts in the public trough.

Or, they could be................................................ .. one of as many different personality types as there are people involved.

Let's not tie ourselves down to stereotyping people here.

Who knows WHERE that could lead ??


Have/get your snout in the trough

Definition:

to have or get a share of a supply of money or some other advantage which people eagerly and sometimes dishonestly take

"The council had been handing out grants indiscriminately, and people were hurrying to get their snouts in the trough"

(Definition of have/get your snout in the trough from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/) © Cambridge University Press)

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 02:06 PM
BK attorney says:

If your previous bankruptcy was a Chapter 7, it will be 8 years before you can receive a second Chapter 7 discharge. You’ll have to wait 4 years if your second filing will be for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

The filings were on 11/30/2007 with a chapter 7 in Arizona and 10/31/2011 with a chapter 13 in Nevada. Holbrook's latest bankruptcy may get thrown out on that basis alone.

Here are the files from the 2007 chapter 7 filing. This wasn't discharged until 2010. Why were the hundreds of thousands he earned with Earthquest not used to satisfy his debts???

1355

1356

1357

1358

path2prosperity
05-08-2012, 02:30 PM
When Darnell sued me my attorneys kicked his a$$. When I sued Darnell he had no choice but to remove the libelous statements he had published.

Soapboxmom

Don't forget how you showed BoggyBoy Fiedur up for running a site where women's dirty knickers were one of the best selling products on offer. The most expensive libel solicitor in UK dropped his attempt to sue both you and me when you took up the challenge to make BoggyBoy and his expensive solicitor retreat from the battle. I don't envy this Holbrook guy in his battle with SBM the dragon slayer!

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 02:40 PM
645646644647648

Holbrook was enjoying a European vacation in 2009 while still wallowing in his chapter 7 bankruptcy that wouldn't be discharged until 2010. So, he lives the lifestyle of the rich and famous while his creditors just get screwed. If only they had known how he was living it up while writing off and discharging mountains of debt. Disgusting!!!

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 02:40 PM
Don't forget how you showed BoggyBoy Fiedur up for running a site where women's dirty knickers were one of the best selling products on offer. The most expensive libel solicitor in UK dropped his attempt to sue both you and me when you took up the challenge to make BoggyBoy and his expensive solicitor retreat from the battle. I don't envy this Holbrook guy in his battle with SBM the dragon slayer!
We are a great team, my beautiful lady!

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 02:53 PM
EarthQuest's Don Holbrook Threatens to Sue Critics Into Submission - Houston News - Hair Balls (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/holbrook_threatens_critics_earthquest.php)

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 03:02 PM
Don Holbrook is babbling on the Kingwood Underground thread and it is an absolute riot!!!

Kingwood Underground - the heart and soul of our Kingwood, Texas family (http://kingwoodunderground.com/topic.jsp?w=&s=0&n=40&topicId=11722526)

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 03:26 PM
1353

The Holbrook's claim they only have $876.00 in liquid assets on the current bankruptcy. How is he going to sue half the planet, out bloggers on numerous sites and counter sue the city of Huber Heights? The DOJ needs to request a lot more documents and thoroughly examine his bankruptcy filings!

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 03:38 PM
In Holbrook's bankruptcy filed in 2007, while he was jetting around the world with Frank McCrady, and finally discharged in 2010 after he and /or his LLCs were paid upwards of 1.2 million we have this:1359

Holbrook got $1,884,006.53 discharged never to be paid. He was living the life of Riley and his creditors all just got screwed!!! That is truly vile and disgusting. It is time for serious bankruptcy reform!!!

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 04:34 PM
Hobrook is the BK King. If he gets this chapter 13 discharged, he won't be able to file again soon in order to discharge a judgment from a lawsuit. Suppose Huber Heights triumphs in court. Holbrook will have tens of thousands in attorney fees for his own counsel and God only knows how much in possible damages and attorney fees for the Plaintiff that he must pay. He is definitely a gambler. It is ridiculous to have this guy running around the planet passing himself off as an economic developer when his own finances are such a disaster and he routinely spends money he shouldn't be. I bet most of the folks in the EMCID and Pahrump have not traveled Europe!!!

Chapter 13 will give him 5 years to pay of the $148,000.00 he owes the IRS and more. He must be terrified the IRS is going to garnish him, levy him or seize property. The bankruptcy gives some protection. Obviously, he is going to need it the way he is going!!!

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 06:43 PM
Nixon Peabody LLP 7100-000 $1,290,143.00
Nixon Peabody LLP
100 Summer St.
Boston, MA 02110

Nixon Peabody LLP :: Search for Nixon Peabody Attorneys (http://www.nixonpeabody.com/attorneys.asp)

Looks like, as that claim was unpaid and discharged, Holbrook really got a tremendous amount of legal services for free. Does Sue Seeberger plan on working for free as Holbrook is in bankruptcy?? Does she like to take on high publicity losing cases as well???

Some folks might remember our ol' scammer extraordinaire Tim Darnell, who foolishly sued me and the Better Business Bureau of Dallas and lost both cases in Summary Judgment. Before he had a total clown file against me, I got a real attorney drafted Cease and Desist. That very reputable attorney from John Carney and Associates charged Darnell $2,500.00 to write a letter that was basically dictated by the scammer boy. The attorney didn't do any fact checking in regards to the letter. When he found out that scammer boy was threatening people, had lost the BBB case and had had his account garnished, Darnell was dropped like a hot potato. Darnell's attorney fired him.

With Holbrook writing off legal fees (another lawyer is listed on the current bankruptcy for around 20 grand), why would any attorney get tangled up with this guy??? How many more times is Holbrook going to file bankruptcy???

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 08:36 PM
FAQ’s for Don A. Holbrook, Author, Keynote Speaker & Consultant « economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/faqs-for-don-a-holbrook-author-keynote-speaker-consultant/)

5.) What makes your style of consulting competitively advantageous?
I believe that while fee based consulting is great, it is still just being a time salesman. To me that is a much more difficult sell than my approach, which is to say to someone, look I believe in your project so much that if I am not successful by the defined terms in our contract then you only owe me for the expense of doing the work (travel, 3rd party opinions, pre-approved expenses related to making our business case with the clients that will fund the project.) I am a great believer of being a performance based and outcome oriented solution provider, rather than a traditional consultant.
On behalf of the beleaguered taxpayers in Texas I respectfully request a refund from you. What clients were lined up to fund Earthquest? What performance? Earthquest is bust and many savvy people are of the opinion it will never be financed and built. You however have walked away with 1.2 million dollars and have whined and dined in some of the world's finest establishments on the taxpayers dime while being courted by that numbskull Frank McCrady. Please do as you have indicated you would.

Thanks,

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 08:52 PM
In addition to the law firm that never got paid, we have a really hefty Victoria's Secret bill for the wifey that was unpaid and discharged:


Victoria's Secret
PO BOX 182125
COLUMBUS, OH 43218

1,050.00
While she is parading around in that stuff the rest of America has to pay much higher interest rates on their credit cards to cover these ridiculous charges that go unpaid and get discharged. How is that building a stronger America and helping economic development? Holbrook is a shining example of what is wrong in this country. Irresponsible spending and an easy bailout in bankruptcy while strolling the streets of Europe sampling expensive wines and fine cigars. A complete insult to those who have been hurt by these antics! The poorest of the poor who can't pay off their credit card bills are the ones who really suffer thanks to the Holbrooks of the world!!!

littleroundman
05-08-2012, 10:50 PM
You however have walked away with 1.2 million dollars and have WHINED and dined in some of the world's finest establishments on the taxpayers dime while being courted by that numbskull Frank McCrady.

HeHe,

Freudian slip or clever comment on Mr Holbrooks' defense of his conduct over the past few years ???

Soapboxmom
05-08-2012, 10:53 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSU-JEnoe2g&amp;feature=player_embedded

An alien themed amusement park. Really??? Don Holbrook does seem totally lost in space!

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 11:11 AM
The conspirators are in action. A wonderful birdy sent me this:

The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem - Autonomous Grand Priory of the United States of America (http://www.smotj.org/about_us/index.html)
Don Holbrook has been bragging about having been knighted and is quite entranced with the Templars. He is certainly looking like rogue member of that organization to me and judging from his online behavior and dealings with his clients, has no respect for the principles they expect their members to uphold. For instance:

Who We Are

The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, Inc. is an autonomous and independent organization, incorporated in the United States, which seeks to emulate the chivalric and charity traditions of the original Templars; its members apply themselves energetically and selflessly to Christian charitable endeavors.
We are a modern Christian Order of Knighthood dedicated to:


Seeking God in our lives and promoting love and respect for our community. .....
Supporting the poor, sick, and unjustly accused; standing against oppression, and protecting freedom of speech.
Our guiding lights are the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, through which members aspire to serve faithfully as Knights of God's Temple. The motto of the Order, "Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini Tuo da gloriam" is the Latin version of Psalm 115, verse 1 -- "Not unto us, Oh Lord, not unto us, but to Thy Name be given glory."

The Order recognizes the Constitution and statutes of the United States and of its several States as sovereign and temporally supreme public law.

The Order does not allow its members to act contrary to their obligations to their country.



I contacted the organization the following ways:
The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem - Autonomous Grand Priory of the United States of America (http://www.smotj.org/contact_us/index.html)
contact_usa@osmth.org

I made them aware of his vicious attacks on free speech. Don's trampling all over the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States by his not so thinly-veiled threats of legal action against posters on websites. Who does Holbrook think he is trying to silence public discussions concerning projects utilizing thousands or millions of tax dollars? What makes him think he can withhold charity documents that must be made public by law. What shameful behavior! Does his treatment of clients exemplify the actions of a Knight in shining armor???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 11:43 AM
As a Knight Holbrook is supposed fit this description:

The US Order encourages talented, accomplished men and women of high moral character to energetically pursue charitable and civic causes and to improve the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Those who join in such efforts in turn benefit personally from participation in the recovery and perpetuation of the Christian spirit and ideals that impelled the early Templar Knights to dedicate their lives to similar causes. The chivalry, ethics, and rich traditions of this Order shape our focus on those causes today. Membership in the Order requires that each candidate be a Christian of any denomination. Membership is offered by invitation only, after a careful screening and interview process indicates that both the individual seeking membership and the Order seeking the best membership possible will benefit thereby. The principal considerations in selecting members are: demonstrated good character, documented accomplishments in life, and obvious commitment to the ideals of the Order. The Order invests membership upon only those men and women who deport themselves in an honorable and chivalrous manner, who will be committed to the Order's values and precepts, and who are Ecumenical in thought. A candidate's involvement in other charitable, military, religious and hereditary organizations provides a means of assessing a candidate's eligibility, as does his or her professional and social accomplishments.



World English Dictionary



chivalry (ˈʃɪvəlrɪ)





— n , pl -ries


1.
the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, esp courage, honour, justice, and a readiness to help the weak


2.
courteous behaviour, esp towards women


3.
the medieval system and principles of knighthood


4.
knights, noblemen, etc, collectively





[C13: from Old French chevalerie, from chevalier ]






How will fellow Knights, Chrisitans, IEDC members and everyone else associated with Holbrook view his recent behavior??? I assume his membership in the order will be revoked in light of what is going on. Threatening people for sharing the truth, Holbrook, really???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 01:16 PM
Hark! Is this our fair Knight Holbrook???:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfGpVcdqeS0

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 01:34 PM
Don Holbrook, The Black Knight says, "none shall post!" He foolishly takes on all us conspirators in a very public battle!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4

fjjm303
05-09-2012, 01:42 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSU-JEnoe2g&amp;feature=player_embedded

An alien themed amusement park. Really??? Don Holbrook does seem totally lost in space!

Holbrook talks about his grandfather. Don't lie and you don't have to worry about what you said. ( Is that a quote from holbrook) My ears are bleeding.

Al Balloqui when was the PPP (Private-Public Partnership voted on by the Pahrump Town Board.

Two clouds with no knowledge or ability to do anything

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 02:44 PM
A response from KU:
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 2 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) O ye wicked peasants with thy defamatory comments',dost thou have nothing better to do with ye free-time? Christ-like people need not "don" armor to protect theeself from the piercing stings of thy computer keyboard! If that post WAS Holbrook is he for real? Christlike? If it was,SBM(Damsel in Shining Armor), your comment about some one being a pompous "windbag" hit the nail on the head!.....LMAO

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 03:20 PM
EarthQuest impact heats up EMCID election - Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13596)

Earthquest is the big topic in the upcoming election. Another incredible article from our Cynthia Calvert and the Tribune. It sounds like the new board members are going to seek answers as to where all the money has gone and find out if we have any recourse to get any funds back!

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 05:22 PM
The great ones keep coming on KU:
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 10 min ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Someone please call 911, I need help off the floor after watching the video clip of the Black Knight (Monty Python) OMG, I haven't seen that in over 3o yrs.( Thanks, SBM ) On the serious side,SBM, I have no vested interest in EMC as I moved back home to KW from there due to a few pompous windbags in the NCISD for trying their best to prevent my son from receiving a scholarship to college(too bad they failed on that one) but hats off to both you and C.C. for doing what your doing,looking out for the little guy.Even though I no longer live there I still care for a great deal of honest,hardWORKing citizens I befreinded while living there. To know that hard- working citizens tax dollars were spent in the manner they were makes ME want to vomit! I serious doubt Jesus would condone the wasteful spending of honest, hard-working peoples money (since Jesus was brought into the equation by Holbrook,(if, in fact that was his post.) Maybe he could talk daddy out of retirement to pass around the plate a couple thousand more times to bail him out of the mess he's gotten HIMSELF into!

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 08:04 PM
As I already noted, my fellow Texans have great anti-SLAPP protection (http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/anti-slapp-law-texas) and should feel free to comment away. Our fellow Holbrook marks in Nevada also have anti-SLAPP protection and should feel free to continue discussing their public money being spent:

LIABILITY OF PERSONS WHO ENGAGE IN RIGHT TO PETITION

NRS 41.635 Definitions. As used in NRS 41.635 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-041.html#NRS041Sec635) to 41.670 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-041.html#NRS041Sec670), inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 41.637 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-041.html#NRS041Sec637) and 41.640 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-041.html#NRS041Sec640) have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 1364 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199710.html#Stats199710page1364); A 1997, 2593 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199717.html#Stats199717page2593))
NRS 41.637 “Good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition” defined. “Good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition” means any:
1. Communication that is aimed at procuring any governmental or electoral action, result or outcome;
2. Communication of information or a complaint to a Legislator, officer or employee of the Federal Government, this state or a political subdivision of this state, regarding a matter reasonably of concern to the respective governmental entity; or
3. Written or oral statement made in direct connection with an issue under consideration by a legislative, executive or judicial body, or any other official proceeding authorized by law,
Ê which is truthful or is made without knowledge of its falsehood.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 1364 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199710.html#Stats199710page1364); A 1997, 2593 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199717.html#Stats199717page2593))
NRS 41.640 “Political subdivision” defined. “Political subdivision” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 41.0305 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-041.html#NRS041Sec0305).
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2848; A 1997, 1365 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199710.html#Stats199710page1365), 2593 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199717.html#Stats199717page2593))
NRS 41.650 Limitation of liability. A person who engages in a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition is immune from civil liability for claims based upon the communication.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2848; A 1997, 1365 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199710.html#Stats199710page1365), 2593 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199717.html#Stats199717page2593))
NRS 41.660 Attorney General or chief legal officer of political subdivision may defend or provide support to person sued for engaging in right to petition; special counsel; filing special motion to dismiss; stay of discovery; adjudication upon merits.
1. If an action is brought against a person based upon a good faith communication in furtherance of the right to petition:
(a) The person against whom the action is brought may file a special motion to dismiss; and
(b) The Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision of this State may defend or otherwise support the person against whom the action is brought. If the Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision has a conflict of interest in, or is otherwise disqualified from, defending or otherwise supporting the person, the Attorney General or the chief legal officer or attorney of a political subdivision may employ special counsel to defend or otherwise support the person.
2. A special motion to dismiss must be filed within 60 days after service of the complaint, which period may be extended by the court for good cause shown.
3. If a special motion to dismiss is filed pursuant to subsection 2, the court shall:
(a) Treat the motion as a motion for summary judgment;
(b) Stay discovery pending:
(1) A ruling by the court on the motion; and
(2) The disposition of any appeal from the ruling on the motion; and
(c) Rule on the motion within 30 days after the motion is filed.
4. If the court dismisses the action pursuant to a special motion to dismiss filed pursuant to subsection 2, the dismissal operates as an adjudication upon the merits.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2848; A 1997, 1365 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199710.html#Stats199710page1365), 2593 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199717.html#Stats199717page2593))
NRS 41.670 Award of reasonable costs and attorney’s fees upon grant of special motion to dismiss; person sued for engaging in right to petition may bring separate action for damages. If the court grants a special motion to dismiss filed pursuant to NRS 41.660 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-041.html#NRS041Sec660):
1. The court shall award reasonable costs and attorney’s fees to the person against whom the action was brought, except that the court shall award reasonable costs and attorney’s fees to this State or to the appropriate political subdivision of this State if the Attorney General, the chief legal officer or attorney of the political subdivision or special counsel provided the defense for the person pursuant to NRS 41.660 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-041.html#NRS041Sec660).
2. The person against whom the action is brought may bring a separate action to recover:
(a) Compensatory damages;
(b) Punitive damages; and
(c) Attorney’s fees and costs of bringing the separate action.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2848; A 1997, 1366 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199710.html#Stats199710page1366), 2593 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/69th/Stats199717.html#Stats199717page2593))


I seriously doubt that Holbrook's lawyer will have any luck dragging Texans and Nevadans into Ohio court for discussing public projects using tax dollars in our own states. I think jurisdiction is an issue that should be explored and as most litigation must be filed where the defendant resides the venue would immediately be challenged by any savvy defendant. I have already been instrumental in getting one attorney disbarred for her antics. When Tim Darnell paid $2,500.00 to get a very similar Cease and Desist written, that attorney fired that lying nut just a few days after I opened that silly letter. I doubt any lawyer will work with Holbrook to go forward. Besides the punitive damages mentioned by the citizens media law group, there could also be sanctions (http://www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2009-04-08-Dobrott%20Motion%20for%20Sanctions.pdf). That award could well come out of the lawyer's pocket who files a frivolous, groundless suit for the purposes of harassment in Texas. Read that motion carefully, Holbrook. I have been down this road before. Post away everyone!!!

http://www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2009-04-08-Dobrott%20Motion%20for%20Sanctions.pdf

littleroundman
05-09-2012, 08:20 PM
Post away everyone!!!

There hardly seems any need for anyone else to post.

Don Holbrook seems to be doing a very good job all on his own.

Of course, "doing a very good job of what and for whom" is a completely different matter.

Soapboxmom
05-09-2012, 11:05 PM
Debtors
DON ALLEN HOLBROOK, Case No.
LAURIE ANN HOLBROOK

026455523013303291 Opened 12/01/92 Last Active 11/01/06
CreditCard
American Express
GENERAL COUNSELS OFFICE
3200 COMMERCE PWY MD 19-01-06
MERRIMAR, FL 33025
H
33,406.00
026455523013333791 Opened 9/01/92 Last Active 11/01/06
CreditCard
American Express
GENERAL COUNSELS OFFICE
3200 COMMERCE PWY MD 19-01-06
MERRIMAR, FL 33025
H
2,408.00
026455523013335432 Opened 7/01/00 Last Active 2/01/07
CreditCard
American Express
GENERAL COUNSELS OFFICE
3200 COMMERCE PWY MD 19-01-06
MERRIMAR, FL 33025
H
2,323.00
38,379.19
1 35
Case 0:07-bk-00645-RJH Doc 1 Filed 11/30/07 Entered 11/30/07 15:03:38 Desc
Main Document Page 17 of 93
EMCID entourage racks up expenses at resorts, restaurants, theme parks - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452)

So, Don Holbrook is passing himself off as an uber successful economic developer, raking in money from Earthquest and living it up personally on his Amex card. All this went unpaid and was discharged while Don Holbrook was in the middle of years of "courtin" by Frank McCrady! Disgusting!!!

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 08:15 AM
Insurrection (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3887985) --- 3 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3887985&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) It would be nice if the Texas Rangers Public Corruption Unit would investigate EMCID and Holbrook.



pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 3 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) i believe the balls already rolling on that one, through the Attourney Generals office. Could be why Holbrook's so pissed.



pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 3 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Just read through the link you provided ,SBM, YOU ROCK!....Am currently in a meeting with one of my business partners,Buzz Lightyear. We are conspiring to highjack Holbrook and Co.s spaceship,"DREAMQUEST", to further our search for intelligent life on other planets. TO THE MOON!.....AND BEYOND!




KU and its posters rock!!!

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 10:20 AM
If you are offended by foul language do not click on the video link!!!

Fantasy Land - Page 1 - News - Houston - Houston Press (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/)

EarthQuest's Don Holbrook Sued by Ohio City for Alleged Fraud - Houston News - Hair Balls (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/earthquests_don_holbrook_sued_huber_heights.php)

EarthQuest's Don Holbrook Threatens to Sue Critics into Submission - Houston News - Hair Balls (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/holbrook_threatens_critics_earthquest.php)

I invite our readers to take a hard look at the comments by those purporting to be supporters of Don Holbrook. Dragging my husband through the mud based on fiction and making all kinds of false, sometimes criminal, allegations against our extended family and worse wanting to drag our children into this??? Absolute low-life scum. Remember, if Holbrook files a lawsuit the defendant gets to (in reality) file a lawsuit against him if they file a counterclaim, and there are no filing fees. The defendant gets to file for free!!! What should be a discussion about Earthquest is getting really ugly for no reason.

Holbrook, oh Dark One, I think you are definitely surrounded!!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymzh7YAlZng

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 10:32 AM
We have a stellar update on the Earthquest project:

pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 2 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) ATTENTION....EARTHQUEST UPDATE...Me and Buzz Lightyear were unsucessful in our attempt to hijack Holbrook and Co.s spaceship,"Dreamquest" It seems as though it's parked on the dark side of the moon. Uninformed sources have told me Holbrook has found UNintelligent life there willing to part with moonmen tax dollars to fund a new project ferrying passengers to earth. It's called "EarthQuestII".

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 10:36 AM
Kingwood Underground - the heart and soul of our Kingwood, Texas family (http://kingwoodunderground.com/topic.jsp?s=40&topicId=11722526#END)

Soapboxmom (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3883712) --- ?? ago - edit (http://kingwoodunderground.com/editcomment.jsp?commentId=32219857) - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3883712&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) pnatherdadx2, you win for that response. I busted a gut laughing!!!

This is much funnier than when Spock's brain was stolen. I wonder if those hot chicks got Holbrook's brain and it just hasn't been reported missing yet???

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 12:00 PM
In Holbrook's bankruptcy filed in 2007, while he was jetting around the world with Frank McCrady, and finally discharged in 2010 after he and /or his LLCs were paid upwards of 1.2 million we have this:1359

Holbrook got $1,884,006.53 discharged never to be paid. He was living the life of Riley and his creditors all just got screwed!!! That is truly vile and disgusting. It is time for serious bankruptcy reform!!!

Should a Christian declare bankruptcy? (http://www.gotquestions.org/bankruptcy.html)

Question: "Should a Christian declare bankruptcy?"

Answer: Although the Bible does not address bankruptcy per se, we do have some principles that might apply and therefore help us make some judgments.

Biblical principle #1. We have the responsibility to keep our promises and pay what we owe. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (http://ebible.com/query?utf=8%E2%9C%93&query=Ecclesiastes%205%3A4-5&translation=ESV&redirect_iframe=http://www.gotquestions.org/eBible.html) says, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed — Better not to vow than to vow and not pay."

Biblical principle #2. Living on credit and not paying back what we owe is characteristic of the wicked. Psalm 37:21 (http://ebible.com/query?utf=8%E2%9C%93&query=Psalm%2037%3A21&translation=ESV&redirect_iframe=http://www.gotquestions.org/eBible.html) says, “The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives.” Christians have no business behaving in the same manner as “the wicked.”

Is it proper for a Christian in debt to get a “quick fix” to his problem by seeking bankruptcy? Based on these verses, the answer is “No.” A Christian is obligated to pay what he has agreed to pay, under the original terms of the agreement. It may mean a change of lifestyle and a radical revision of the budget, but the good stewardship of money is a part of godly living.

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 03:54 PM
Will my personal bankruptcy affect my LLC?


Asked over 2 years ago - Henderson, NV
Bankruptcy (http://www.avvo.com/free-legal-advice/Bankruptcy?ref=question_result_tag) Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (http://www.avvo.com/free-legal-advice/Chapter%207%20Bankruptcy?ref=question_result_tag) Personal Bankruptcy (http://www.avvo.com/free-legal-advice/Personal%20Bankruptcy?ref=question_result_tag) Wills (http://www.avvo.com/free-legal-advice/Wills?ref=question_result_tag)
My husband and I have an LLC in Nevada and we are looking into filing for personal bankruptcy. Will this affect our LLC or is it considered a seperate entity?

Attorney answers (2)

Licensed in NV (http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/will-my-personal-bankruptcy-affect-my-llc--167427.html#)

http://headshots.iavvo.com/avvo/ugc/images/head_shot/thumbnail_large/1844538_1257738479.jpg (http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/89074-nv-william-devine-1844538.html?ref=qad_answer_headshot) William C. Devine II (http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/89074-nv-william-devine-1844538.html?ref=qad_answer_name)
Henderson Bankruptcy Attorney

1 (http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/will-my-personal-bankruptcy-affect-my-llc--167427.html#)
Lawyer agrees
2
Helpful votes (http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/will-my-personal-bankruptcy-affect-my-llc--167427.html#)

Best Answer
chosen by asker

Answered 2 years ago. If you could sell the LLC, pay off all of the LLC's debts, and still have money remaining, then Yes, your personal bankruptcy would affect your LLC.
When you file bankruptcy, the trustee's job is to take any asset you have that has a value, sell it, and use the excess money from that sale, to pay some of your debts. If your LLC owes more in debts than it has in assets, then it is not an asset that has any value so the trustee will generally 'abandon' the asset and you're good.

An LLC protects you from the liabilities of the LLC but does not generally protect the LLC from your personal liabilities.....

William
Rainey Legal Group, PLLC (http://www.raineylegal.com/)

Mark as helpful (http://www.avvo.com/answers/213321/votes?v=1) Comment (http://www.avvo.com/answers/213321/comments/new)


http://headshots.iavvo.com/avvo/ugc/images/head_shot/thumbnail_large/257842_1242923953.jpg (http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/92010-ca-jeffrey-larkin-257842.html?ref=qad_answer_headshot) Jeffrey Daniel Larkin (http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/92010-ca-jeffrey-larkin-257842.html?ref=qad_answer_name) http://assets2.iavvo.com/51e3f52/images/avvo_pro_badge.png?51e3f52 (http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/92010-ca-jeffrey-larkin-257842.html?ref=qad_answer_pro)
Redlands Bankruptcy Attorney

Answered 2 years ago. The LLC will not be affected assuming it has outstanding debt that exceeds its assets or if there are no assets of the LLC at all.

Mr. Larkin is licensed to practice law in CA and is located in San Diego. His response here does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney/ client relationship. The response is in the form of legal education and is intended to provide general information about the matter in question. Many times the questioner may leave out details which would make the reply unsuitable. Mr. Larkin strongly advises the questioner to confer with an attorney in their own state to acquire more information about the specifics of their case.
The Larkin Law Firm (http://www.live-debt-free-now.com)
We have Holbrook's accounts receivable from Huber Heights on pages 17-18 where his LLC Don Allen Holbrook LLC received $53,800.00:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-WI-zzXe_XcZDZyM2VVNzllRVE/edit?authkey=CKqs86kD

Then we have the Holbrook's personal bankruptcy monthly statement where he is shown to have only $876.00 to his name:
1361

Where did that $53,800.00 paid since December 2011 go? Is the LLC broke? Is Holbrook just leaving money in the business accounts thinking it does not have to be disclosed in the bankruptcy? Holbrook also had over $800,000.00 come in through that same Don Allen Holbrrok LLC in 2009, but he shows earnings on his bankruptcy of only $90,000.00 for that year and went on his grand tour of Europe that summer. None of this makes any sense.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 05:08 PM
King Holbrook vs. the peasant:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAaWvVFERVA&amp;feature=related

I wonder if King Holbrook will have to explain to his clients and the taxpayers why he removed his video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eyHEG_Z7Jfk). Aren't we all still waiting for those 100 + projects worth billions of dollars that created 50,000.jobs? Will that issue come up in the Huber Heights case? That video was a public representation that Holbrook used to lure in clients. Will he be forced to substantiate those claims as part of litigation?

Will his highness be forced to explain why he lied to Pahrump and wrote to them that Earthquest was breaking ground in December of 2011 or early 2012? Lots of questions and no answers from Holbrook. Until Holbrook's videos resurface, I guess it is back to Monty Python we go!


1362

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 06:29 PM
This comment was plastered on various sites where discussions of Earthquest are ongoing. Holbrook pretty much guaranteed any lawsuit he files against any critic will be deemed a SLAPP and thrown out at his expense. It is so obvious the Black Knight's purpose is to stifle free speech and frighten his critics into silence. Is he now getting the hint that that tactic has a nasty habit of backfiring???


Don A Holbrook (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3888979) --- 2 days ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3888979&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Dear Readers of this blog, as stated, this is a serious legal issue. Please note that I am brining litigation against Ms. Soapboxmom (Heather Dobrott et al) she received a letter from my attorney which very carefully stated she has until May 11th to substantiate with valid facts and evidence of her Libel comments. Ms. Dobrott is digging herself a very deep legal hole and her malicious attacks on my business and my professional reputation are purposeful and with willful intent to harm my livelihood. She has made very poor decisions in business and ignorance of the law will not excuse her nor any of you who choose to continue in this libel from the liabilities that are piling on yourselves. By spreading libel and then encouraging others unwittingly to participate on this page is just bringing other previously innocent people into her web of fictional conspiracy. I would encourage anyone on this web page to take note in the recent $13M Texas award of damages to those folks using and promoting anonymous libel about innocent people. At the appropriate time we will know every computer ID that has made comments on any site that aids in this process and those that make such comments must be prepared to deal with the litigation that is coming this month. If you continue to comment on me, my business, and further ruin my professional reputation and/or harm my livelihood and/or personal affairs for libel, slander, defamation or other malicious intent you do so at your own risk. For some the damages has been done and avoiding litigation is impossible in my opinion, but for those of you bright enough to discontinue your libel comments you may still avoid litigation. Be smart and do not be baited into legal liabilities by a person such as Heather Dobrott. She obviously has too much time on her hands and her mind goes to conspiracy theories as her own form of sick entertainment. That is her own affair until it harms others with such malicious intent that it wrecks their business for spreading virally false information and doing so for her own self-gratification reasons.



If his lawyer wants my statements by tomorrow she can come here and get them herself. I don't cater to threats. I can assure her that this thread isn't going anywhere!

Soapboxmom

Whip
05-10-2012, 07:56 PM
I would encourage anyone on this web page to take note in the recent $13M Texas award of damages to those folks using and promoting anonymous libel about innocent people.

What is this alleged case and why can't he name it?

littleroundman
05-10-2012, 08:08 PM
What is this so called "conspiracy" about which Mr Holbrook is constantly whini.....err....talking ??

From afar, there doesn't appear to be any "conspiracy"

Just a whole heap of citizens exercising their right to ask questions of and demand answers from:

1) Their elected officials

2) consultants employed by said elected officials.

Have things deteriorated so badly in the land of the brave and home of the free that there now exists a separate class which is allowed to operate scrutiny free in some sort of parallel universe of its' own making ??

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 08:51 PM
What is this alleged case and why can't he name it?
His sleazebag attorney named it and Holbrook did in one of his many other complete online meltdowns. Of course, the case is in no way related to citizens commenting on issues of public concern.

Jury Awards $13 Million in Texas Defamation Suit Against 'Anonymous' Posters - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Business/jury-awards-13-million-texas-defamation-suit-anonymous/story?id=16194071#.T6xvFMXQgct)
The case revolves around a lawyer and his wife. “Rhonda Lesher was running a successful day spa and her husband is a prominent attorney. But comments on Topix, which have no basis in fact, Mark Lesher said when the suit was filed, accused the couple of murder, encouraging pedophilia, drug abuse and other crimes that materially attack their characters.” The comments about Holbrook are factual, opinion or hyperbole and nothing like this case he cites. So, he ain't gonaa get any 13 million. Due to SLAPP protection he will most likely have cases turned around on him and have to pay everyone's cost of court and attorney fees.

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 09:06 PM
If i can easily find so much about Holbrook online, why didn't the EMCID and McCrady check all this out before spending millions of tax dollars at Holbrook's behest???
Minutes of the Wayne County Council February 1, 2006 (http://wayneco.us/minutes/cc20060201.html)


Mr. Jeff Plasterer read a statement of the Wayne County Council concerning the Economic Development Corporation and it’s president, Don Holbrook. Based on citizens concerns and the Council’s fiscal responsibility, and after careful and critical examination of the facts, confirmed the mission of the EDC is vital to our County and should continue. If the EDC is to continue, it must have the trust of Wayne County citizens and it is Council’s position that it cannot serve this purpose with Mr. Holbrook as its President. Therefore, they support the EDC Board’s decision to terminate Mr. Holbrook as President of the EDC. Ken Paust motioned approval of the statement, seconded by Anthony Gillam . The motion passed unanimously and was adopted by Council, and is attached as a matter of record.Mr. Mike Doherty.......
Continuing, he stated the fact that Mr. Holbrook always had the approval of his board is troubling and indicates the board was too loose. He suggested a dramatic action plan needs to be implemented and said the budget should be pulled back in, and suggested funding the current support staff, and allowing another entity the responsibility of checking on leads.
Texas taxpayers have paid for world wide extravagant vacation spot tours and last the newspaper reported the spouses and family members expenses have not been shown to have been reimbursed. These extremely costly trips were the brainchild of Holbrook.

EMCID entourage racks up expenses at resorts, restaurants, theme parks - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452)

When do we follow Huber Heights fine example and try to recover the tax dollars wasted on this extravagance??? How can these expenses be justified with this project sinking like the Titanic???

Soapboxmom
05-10-2012, 09:08 PM
The hilarity continues on KU:

pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 16 min ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) SBM, Having a blast with this one. Setting my phaser on "stun". If Holbrooks father WAS a minister, ya reckon he, as a youth, watched those collection plates being passed around and filled up and decided he could one-up his father by dipping into a bigger plate? Lord Have Mercy, he didn't even have to ask someone to fill it, EMCID DID IT FOR HIM!!!

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 10:32 AM
The IEDC put out some media release. Notice who is in the picture. We have from left to right Mr. and Mrs. Frank "Bonus" McCrady", Chris Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook and some other fans of his.

1364

Check out some of his accomplishments listed:

He served as Executive Director of the following: Wayne County Economic Development Corporation in Indiana; Red Wing Port Authority of Red Wing, Minnesota; Crookston Economic Development Authority, Crookston, Minnesota; and the Progress Plus Economic Development Corporation of South St. Paul–Invergrow Heights, Minnesota. Additionally, Mr. Holbrook was regional Manager and National Subject Matter Expert, Community Economic Development for Verizon Communications of Tampa, Florida, and President and CEO of the Partnership of Economic Development Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Now let's see what the Pahrump Valley Times and their quotes from the Tribune have to say about this:
Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/)

Holbrook’s employment history was also put under a microscope by the Texas newspaper.

According to the article, he was hired and fired on numerous occasions and rang up thousands of dollars in dining, lodging, and travel expenses.
In some instances, he was on the job for less than two years.
The article stated that in 1996, Holbrook was hired by the Port Authority in Red Wing, Minnesota and was subsequently fired in 1998 for questionable spending practices and falsifying his resume.
The paper also claims that in 2001, Holbrook was hired by the Lake Havasu Partnership for Economic Development, but less than two years later his employment contract was not renewed.
Holbrook said family issues at the time superseded his employment responsibilities.
“I chose to leave Lake Havasu because my parents were back east in Ohio. That was my choice. My mom and dad are in their 80s. I took a position 30 miles from mom and dad. I’m their only child,” he said.


I just quoted the Wayne County Indiana statements concerning the necessity of firing him. I will also note Holbrook is no where near his parents and hasn't been for years.

So, someone must not be doing their homework. Looks like some of what goes on in IEDC has a definite resemblance to Don Lessem's remark in the Houston Press. "His profession is about professional bullshitting," Lessem says.

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
05-11-2012, 10:39 AM
Please note that I am brining litigation against Ms. Soapboxmom (Heather Dobrott et al)

Hmnn,

just noticed that little gem.

What does "brining litigation" mean ??

Does it mean his lawyer intends to use salty language ???

Whip
05-11-2012, 10:51 AM
The IEDC put out some media release. Notice who is in the picture. We have from left to right Mr. and Mrs. Frank "Bonus" McCrady", Chris Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook and some other fans of his.

1364

Check out some of his accomplishments listed:


Now let's see what the Pahrump Valley Times and their quotes from the Tribune have to say about this:
Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/)

I just quoted the Wayne County Indiana statements concerning the necessity of firing him. I will also note Holbrook is no where near his parents and hasn't been for years.

So, someone must not be doing their homework. Looks like some of what goes on in IEDC has a definite resemblance to Don Lessem's remark in the Houston Press. "His profession is about professional bullshitting," Lessem says.

Soapboxmom

Not only that but why wasn't he there to take care of them in their late 70s? Is '80' suddenly a magic number?

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 11:10 AM
12.) When you come in for a speech what other activities do you also offer to your clients while at their events?

I often do dinners with the key leadership and/or event sponsors the night before my speech. I also can do a book signing after my speech and I have done many professional workshops for those specifically interested in some of my areas of expertise. Finally I am often asked to evaluate the current situation or direction a specific group is taking to change their future in a positive manner and meet with their staff and board of directors to discuss my views on the subject candidly and in some cases write a SWOT analysis of my own observations related to their requested issue or project. Depending on the time spent these requests determines how much I charge for my speeches. My normal fee range begins at $3,500.00 and can go up to $10,000.00 depending on the additional elements the client requests. I do normally give each client 50 books to give away or sell at their event and I will of course sign those books for their audience members. Clients can purchase additional books at a steep discount to increase the amount of books they may want to give away to match their audience size and this is quite customary. Many times my clients get a private sponsor for the books and I give them special recognition during my speech. I do not bring books to sell at events.


Here is another interesting blurb by Holbrook. Where are all these huge speaking fees showing up in his earnings on his bankruptcy??? He claims less than 100 grand a year for the last three years and the only source of income named next to those paltry figures is EMCID????

And, those huge best sellers are obviously in some instances giveaways!

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 01:11 PM
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 1 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526)
SoapBoxMom....Where do you come up with these videos of Monty Python? Likewise busting my gut laughing! Did Holbrook threaten to sue ALL posters pertaining to this matter? If so,and if he's found guilty of any tax-related inproprieties,I'll save him the trouble of a lawsuit, this pheasant will gladly transfer the ENTIRE paltry sum in my bank account to his Federal commissary to buy a couple packs of Ding-Dongs and Twinkies to help console his FAT ASS! Good luck finding a jury of his peers in Mont. Co., if that's where he wants to file it. Let me see...Frank McCrady, EMCID board members, EMCID consultant, family members, Holbrooks family members, no, scratch that, they don't live here. Wow, mighty slim pickings in the jury pool here! If I were to mail a poll to the good citizens of EMC regarding the extravagant spending habits on their dime, I'm sure th majority of them would puke, drop that poll, and form a lynch mob!!!!


My answer on the incredible KU:

Apparently, Holbrook is planning to sue me, an individual from Pahrump, the websites publishing comments and any posters who continue to dare to discuss his royal majesty, the Black Knight, and boss of the internet.

Hilariously, though we are discussing Earthquest and Holbrook's involvement with that and our friends in Pahrump are discussing their own project with Holbrook, Holbrook's attorney who sent me that lovely letter is in Ohio. Apparently, Holbrook's attorney knows of several Ohio residents that have been reading me. Gasp! Argh!

As I already noted, I have been sued for my blogging before and won in Summary Judgment. I sued that same clown for libelous statements about me and he was forced to remove them. This is nothing new to me.

There is nothing wrong with quoting newspaper articles and public record. Opinion and hyperbole are not actionable. So, I guess Holbrook better pop some popcorn and enjoy the Monty Python clips from Youtube.

I believe, since we are not in Ohio and our discussions are centered around projects in Texas and Nevada which have anti-SLAPP laws, that any suits filed in Ohio would be easily challenged as to the jurisdiction and venue. With that tough anti-SLAPP law in Texas, Holbrook, who has posted on numerous websites trying to frighten and threaten detractors into silence, would likely find a lawsuit quickly turned around on him. He would then be paying all costs of court, attorney fees and possibly punitive damages as well.

But, hey, we are moving forward!!! So, bottoms up!

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 01:24 PM
Continuing our hilarious banter on KU:

Soapboxmom (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3883712) --- 3 min ago - edit (http://kingwoodunderground.com/editcomment.jsp?commentId=32221896) - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3883712&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) I can't help but notice how being courted so lavishly by Frank McCrady did wonders for Mr. Holbrook's girlish figure.

Is his name Holbrook or Mudd???


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag1EbxYKh_4

scratchycat
05-11-2012, 02:12 PM
Just reading here SBM. Hats off to you for a fine job you are doing bringing awareness of this distinquished (bankrupt public black guard). Sounds like he has scammed a lot of people and ran away with their money - lots of it!!

Never cease to be amazed at what some folks will do to 'steal' money from others for their own private use.

Keep it up and it looks like you have a lot of support!!

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 02:35 PM
The Holbrook meltdown is taking on a whole new dimension. I am following the comments in response to him in Pahrump. Here is a sampling from the 28 comments so far:
Theme park contractor Holbrook sued by Ohio town | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-contractor-holbrook-sued-by-ohio-town/comment-page-1/#comments)
Dwight Lilly says:
May 4, 2012 at 10:52 am (http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-contractor-holbrook-sued-by-ohio-town/comment-page-1/#comment-29787)

It’s looking more and more like our naive town manager and his side kick Harley World Kulkin were flimflammed by a pro. It should be an interesting town board meeting. Maybe we’ll find out where that project is at and or whether we now need to waste money on attorneys trying to recover damages from Holbrook.


Louie DeCanio says: May 6, 2012 at 10:23 pm (http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-contractor-holbrook-sued-by-ohio-town/comment-page-1/#comment-29870)
I hope Mr.Don Holbrook is at the 5/22/12 Pahrump Town Board meeting, so he can answer some questions from the public. This is like a burglar who comes back to your house because he was unable to steal everythng the 1st time and now you are letting him back in to finish the job....

Louie DeCanio says:
May 8, 2012 at 4:03 pm (http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-contractor-holbrook-sued-by-ohio-town/comment-page-1/#comment-29901)
Frank, Mr.Holbrook made numerous promises to the people of Pahrump and he also stated he has completed many other Theme Park projects. According to news articles and internet research, it appears that Mr.Holbrook CANNOT substantiate any of those so called accomplishments and I am sure that Mr.Holbrook would not want to be questioned under oath in a court of law, concerning promises and statements he made to obtain this lucrative contract. If this case ever does go to court, I am sure there will be many residents including myself, who will testify as to all the promises and statements made by Mr.Holbrook which never materialized....




Unfortunately, Holbrook can't sweep all his representations about his 100 + projects worth billions of dollars that created 50,000 jobs under the rug. Obviously, I won't be the only one clamoring to testify as to what representations he was making. If he thinks he can't be nailed for those unsubstantiated claims he best get think again.

What did he say to the EMCID board and Frank McCrady here in Texas? When are they going to speak out honestly about what was promised and what of substance was really delivered? I believe we are still waiting to see some of the reports that were paid for and have yet to be turned over to the media. Why are there still so many unanswered questions?

Soapboxmom

path2prosperity
05-11-2012, 04:28 PM
King Holbrook vs. the peasant:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAaWvVFERVA&feature=related

I wonder if King Holbrook will have to explain to his clients and the taxpayers why he removed his video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eyHEG_Z7Jfk). Aren't we all still waiting for those 100 + projects worth billions of dollars that created 50,000.jobs? Will that issue come up in the Huber Heights case? That video was a public representation that Holbrook used to lure in clients. Will he be forced to substantiate those claims as part of litigation?

Will his highness be forced to explain why he lied to Pahrump and wrote to them that Earthquest was breaking ground in December of 2011 or early 2012? Lots of questions and no answers from Holbrook. Until Holbrook's videos resurface, I guess it is back to Monty Python we go!


1362

He won't like that SBM. The sketch says more than ten thousand words. Hope he gets laughed out of court!

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 06:39 PM
EarthQuest consultant contributed to EMCID incumbent reelection committee - Friday, May 11, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13602)

Look who the Chez Nous group has for a contributor. Don Holbrook certainly doesn't want that gravy train to end as that is the only source of income listed on his bankruptcy for the last 3 years. No doubt new board members coming in will stop paying him for this project this isn't exactly "moving forward." McCrady didn't say it, but bottoms up anyway! Cheers!!

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 09:12 PM
http://www.iedconline.org/Downloads/2008_Winners.pdf

Don Holbrook, CEcD
President & CEO
The Vercitas Group
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Don Holbrook is a private practitioner involved in the
major elements of site location analysis for major
private sector investment projects. He specializes
in public backed inducements and incentives that
reduce the risk of new business investments. He has
worked on over 100 projects representing over $1
billion dollars in capital investment generating more
than 50,000 jobs in his 18 years in the economic
development profession.
Don has specialized in creating customized incentive
policies to increase equity and reduce operational
costs to investors that create world class projects and
sustainable enterprises. He is considered a foremost
thought leader on what is referred to as Hybridized
Public Capital Investments for business attraction and
retention efforts.
Don’s approach is simple in deals there must be
equilibrium that makes both parties feel satisfactory
in their support for key business decisions to invest
capital. He negotiates agreements that establish
reasonable parameters for such investments to occur
and removes the governmental red-tape in order to
establish an acceptable deal between the public sectors
and private sectors.
He believes the process of developing world class
communities requires a paradigm shift in the mindset
of community leaders and is not determined by their
locales geographic location or population, but rather
by the quality and vision of their local leadership. He
advocates a seven step process to achieve such world
class community mindsets.
Don is a board of director for the International Economic Development Council, IEDC in Washington,
D.C. and serves on the CDC Small Business Board in
San Diego, California, an SBA 504 lender serving California,
Arizona, and Nevada.
Don enjoys international travel, scuba diving, reading
historical fiction, wine and spending quality time
with his family. He is a partner/vintner in the award
winning Red Zeppelin Winery in Paso Robles, California.
He resides in Lake Havasu City, Arizona with his
family.
The IEDC publishes and awards totally unsubstantiated BS. Don is refusing to name the 100s of projects and whines about clients being harassed. Projects from 2007 and before need not be secret unless of course they simply don't exist at all. That would explain why the Houston Press and Tribune can't find them either! I assume my informal contact with the IEDC has not been sufficient and I will be forced to file a formal complaint and publish it. This is completely absurd!!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 09:50 PM
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 3 min ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Well,SBM,back home from a HARD DAYS WORK (TAKE NOTE DARK NIGHT) cooked dinner for the kids and now I'm back for a dose of my sick form of entertainment!(at least it's not costing the fine folks just north of me a dime!(TAKE NOTE "DUMB" NIGHT) Before coming home, I decided to stop by EMCIDs office to get an update from Frank on the EarthQuest project. After drinking a few "stressbusters" on the way there, I had to use the toilet upon arrival. Seeing a few brochures of Earthquest on top of the toilet, I thought to myself after flushing,"this is symbolic of the EarthQuest project". For some strange reason, out of curiosity, I decided to lift the tank lid and peer inside. Low and behold,there were two little men in a boat who looked a lot like McCrady and Holbrook, desperately trying to paddle their way out!

More fun on KU!!!

Soapboxmom
05-11-2012, 10:28 PM
Lawyers dumping their clients happens all the time. I wonder how long Holbrook's lawyer is going to keep representing him. Tim Darnell paid $2,500.00 to have a threatening letter sent to me and then when his lawyer got all the facts Darnell was promptly fired by his lawyer. I wonder if Ms. Seeberger has been reading up on the Black Knight???

John Doe No. 1 in John Travolta sex abuse lawsuit dropped by attorney, report says | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/05/11/john-doe-no-1-john-travolta-lawsuit-dropped-by-lawyer/?intcmp=features)

Soapboxmom
05-12-2012, 10:37 AM
Holbrook's conspiracy theory fantasies are fueling some very humorous conversations. Did it ever occur to him it would spark more dedicated citizens into action? I am going to have to start selling don't mess with Soapboxmom stickers on this site!

From KU:
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 9 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) I can't help but wonder if this clown (Holbrook) ever noticed the little bumper stickers down here that say "Don't mess with Texas". I need to make some that say "Don't mess with Texans" or better yet "Don't mess with Heather". Your a BFC ( Bombadier-First Class) Keep dropping those bombs on Harry "Pudd",' darlin' you ROCK!

path2prosperity
05-12-2012, 11:27 AM
I am going to have to start selling don't mess with Soapboxmom stickers on this site!

From KU:
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 9 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) I can't help but wonder if this clown (Holbrook) ever noticed the little bumper stickers down here that say "Don't mess with Texas". I need to make some that say "Don't mess with Texans" or better yet "Don't mess with Heather". Your a BFC ( Bombadier-First Class) Keep dropping those bombs on Harry "Pudd",' darlin' you ROCK!

That is a brilliant idea SBM. Perhaps we can teach people what marketing is. We have identified a potentially marketable product. How much will US citizens pay for the product? How much will British citizens pay. Can I find a supplier in the UK?

Soapboxmom
05-12-2012, 12:05 PM
The public controversy surrounding Earthquest continues across the net:

New Caney Dino Park Discussion & Rumors

http://www.houstondinopark.com/images/spacer.gif

COMMENTS


Comment by: To no country for old fools on May. 12th, 2012 - 10:34am
It is not getting built anyway and we are paying for 28 years, that is why you vote out incumbents. It is not getting built because it was a pipe dream pushed by a very savy Don Holbrook to a stupid board of puppets who took the pat on the back and grandstanded but did nothing. A complete joke from start to finish..

http://www.houstondinopark.com/images/spacer.gif
Comment by: No country for old fools on May. 11th, 2012 - 11:00pm
If EQ is never built, east montgomery county residents will be paying back taxes for 28 years with nothing to show for it. Not exactly the best way to attract quality residents. No EQ, east Montgomery county become a ghetto. This is assured.


I hope the new board members that come in will take a hard and fresh look at this debacle and determine if EMCID has any recourse to recover tax money blown on this. Holbrook's hideous threats designed to frighten the great State of Texas' citizens into silence has backfired completely. Kudos to our fine citizens who have the courage to speak out!!! That is the American way. The Black Knight should remember the Alamo!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-12-2012, 09:19 PM
The election results are in:

http://www.mctx.org/election/results/2012/results.pdf?ts=82089

Adios McCrady! The gravy train is over for Holbrook. Holbrook best not darken our fair state again! Remember the Alamo!!! That varmint will get run outta town!

All the incumbents with the exception of Isador Ybarra, who had 2 running against him, have lost their seats. If only one person had run against Ybarra he would be out as well is appears. The Chez Nous group is out!

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Soapboxmom
05-12-2012, 09:35 PM
http://donholbrook.typepad.com/partnership_PR.pdf

As far as I can tell the academic world has completely ignored Holbrook. Try looking for speaking engagements at universities and colleges. Try looking for academic papers that cite Holbrook and /or his books. I am digging furiously and coming up empty handed! Perhaps he will enlighten us about all that!

Whip
05-12-2012, 10:07 PM
Ha ha ha ha. surely you jest.

Soapboxmom
05-12-2012, 10:35 PM
My co-conspirators are busy digging as well. I received this in my box:

http://www.iese.edu/research/pdfs/DI-0884-E.pdf

Notice, this was written in late 2010 and shockingly Holbrook and his works are not cited. World history is going to have to be rewritten as the 100s of projects worth billions of dollars and 50,000 jobs created aren't by such are not being properly documented. Holbrook's biggest claim to fame might soon be proven to be he is just a big gasbag!!!!

Soapboxmom
05-13-2012, 12:29 PM
The gasbag is going to town:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_0Khz5sTEo&amp;feature=related

At 6:50 we have The Next Next Big Thing. Did you know we are addicted to bubbles???

At 7:31 we have the Current Economy section of the gasbag report. He advises us to"live within our means and change our lifestyles" He then goes on about our debtors. This from a guy that wrote of 1.8 million in a chapter 7 bankruptcy filed in 2007 while working on Earthquest that wasn't discharged until 2010 (after he had made over $800,000.00 from Earthquest alone in 2009 and had gone on his grand tour of Europe.) Now, he has a chapter 11 bankruptcy in progress. Pretty damned cheeky lecturing us on fiscal responsibility, ya think???

Listen for yourself if you have a barf bag handy!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-13-2012, 01:30 PM
The conspirators are busy at work reading public pages:


http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/546575_3423033567761_1027886709_3270121_1002701538 _n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3423033567761&set=a.3238572356346.147915.1027886709&type=1)


http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/372092_1027886709_303083944_n.jpg


Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/DonAllenHolbrook)



http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v1/ym/r/2rGFVj_6oLH.png Activity
Recent





http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/273900_100003033366464_1285617002_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003033366464) Don became friends with Traci Lords (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003033366464&ref=nf_fr). 1

Videos - Tube Links (http://www.traci-lords.de/videos.html)

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________
I am speechless.

scratchycat
05-13-2012, 01:56 PM
You think his wife knows...

Traci Lords Online Shop - traci-lords.de : Filme, Alben, kostenlose Bilder, VHS, DVDs, Plakate, Poster, Erotik, Infos, Filmografie, Biografie, Gallery, News, Magazine, Musik, tube, Wiki, Fanclubs und Links von Tracy (http://www.traci-lords.de/)

Soapboxmom
05-13-2012, 04:35 PM
The hilarity on KU continues:







pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 6 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) The peasants have spoken!!...Thy keystrokes hath proven mightier than the imaginary sword weilded byeth the Dark Knight(Lord and Master of the Internet) Methinks the paltry sum Sir Holbrook donated to the re-election campaign of the Nights of the Square Table wasn't even enough for the Last Supper at Chez Nous! What a SLAP IN THE FACE. Democracy is a wonderful thing, isn't it? This is just the beginning.




pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 6 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) I meant to say the TIP at the Last Supper. Lol

Soapboxmom
05-13-2012, 08:27 PM
Don Holbrook's cheerleaders are still at it on the Houston Press:


http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1336767989/images/noavatar32.png (http://disqus.com/guest/1c767b5e3dfd7fd9eb830a154130d6fb/)
Allthetimeready 1 hour ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-528151316)



Only 2 new members were elected to the EMCID board. The EMCID board still has more people supporting the project. Martin Wise LOST. LOL! Yesterday's election will have very little impact on the EarthQuest project.
The EMCID will see to it that East Montgomery County will have something to show for the extra taxes that the residents of East Montgomery County will be paying for the next 28 years. Nothing but a project like EarthQuest will generated the revenue needed to justify those taxes.
The project is and will still move forward. Just because no one invites or notifies bored, sued, desperate housewives( soapboxmoms) doesn't mean that investors are not being pursued at this very moment. Happy MOTHER's day.

Real-time updating is enabled. (Pause) (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#)



http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/908/8911/avatar32.jpg?1336957379 (http://disqus.com/facebook-1511178029/)
Heather Dawne Clarke Dobrott (http://www.facebook.com/people/Heather-Dawne-Clarke-Dobrott/1511178029) 0 minutes ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-528181252)




Holbrook indicated to Pahrump in writing that the project had not been rephased in May 2011. He said flat out that groundbreaking was to occur in Texas by December 2011 or early 2012. He also said emphatically that it was not reduced in size or scope. So, just how it is that this Titanic, that is to have its day with destiny according to the Tribune, is going to move forward? (bottoms up!)
I assume you have verification that there are in fact investors coming on board and can give us a current figure that reflects the amount raised.
My little muffin, you do realize that sued is past tense? So, let's have the court of filing and case number for this suit you are braying about.










http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/908/8911/avatar32.jpg?1336957379 (http://disqus.com/facebook-1511178029/)
Heather Dawne Clarke Dobrott (http://www.facebook.com/people/Heather-Dawne-Clarke-Dobrott/1511178029) 13 minutes ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-528173343)




There is media coverage coming in Ohio as that suit is in progress. This should be quite interesting to follow. I assume Holbrook will talk to reporters from Ohio I always cooperate with the media and law enforcement.

Soapboxmom
05-14-2012, 08:25 AM
http://m1.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrink_100_100/p/1/000/01b/061/3d7cc45.jpg (http://m2.licdn.com/media/p/1/000/01b/061/3d7cc45.jpg)

Don Holbrook

The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy at Author
Las Vegas, Nevada Area (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&facet_G=us%3A412&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_*2_C_Y_ *1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 ) Capital Markets (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&industry=129&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_*2_C_Y_ *1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 )
Current


The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy at Author and Keynote Speaker (http://www.linkedin.com/company/860467?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_ *2_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2 _*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Author at Knights Templar Fictional Book Project
Board of Director at CDC Small Business Finance (http://www.linkedin.com/company/111566?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_ *2_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2 _*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)





Site Location consultant/Partner at The Vercitas Group
Keynote Speaker, Economist, Author, CEcD at Don Allen Holbrook, LLC (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_ *2_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2 _*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Board of Director at International Economic Development Council (http://www.linkedin.com/company/26124?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_* 2_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_ *2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 _*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Member, CEcD, FM at IEDC (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_ *2_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2 _*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2&trk=pro_other_cmpy)


see less (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8018105&pid=29541818&authType=name&authToken=Tqz4&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_*2_C_Y_ *1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2&trk=pbmap#)

Past


Consultant at EMCID
Senior Project Director at The Institute EarthQuest
President/CEO at Professional Economic Development Organizations


Education


University of Phoenix
Wright State University
Wright State University


Recommendations 10 people have recommended Don
Connections 500+ connections
Websites


Vercitas Group (http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ethevercitasgroup%2 Ecom&urlhash=2NTN)
Economic Developer (http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eeconomicdeveloper% 2Ecom&urlhash=C8JG)
IEDC (http://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eiedconline%2Eorg&urlhash=FYXv)


Twitter 9thTemplar (http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etwitter%2Ecom%2F9t hTemplar&urlhash=-zt3&trk=pro_twit)
Public Profile Don Holbrook | LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/economicdeveloper)

Expanded profile views are available only to premium account holders. Upgrade your account. (http://www.linkedin.com/subscriptionv2?displayProducts=&c=20&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_EMCID_*2_C_Y_ *1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*1_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2 %2Enpv_8018105_29541818_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_* 1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=oon_expprf_cndr)

Summary


My professional practice asists both businesses in need of capitalization for their operations and/or in search of a new location for relocation or expansion of new business opportunities and market expansion. We discover the most advantageous business climate and location, recommend the short-list of possible facilities or sites, and negotiate public incentives and inducements that lower the upfront costs of such investments and increase the equity and thus ROI to the ownership.

We also work with communities to recommend the creation of incentive and capitalization strategies and tools that will increase their ability to attract investment into their locales. Our focus is on deals that create quality jobs, significant investment and improve the quality of life for residents of our community clients. typically this helps the community economic development organization diversify their economy and improve their outcomes to their communities.
Specialties

Site Location Analysis, Business capitalization, Hybrid capitalization using special economic development tools, public policy such as incentive strategies tied to ROI, deal negotiations for public incentives and investment inducements
That was his LinkedIn page until just recently. Today I notice:







http://m1.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrink_100_100/p/1/000/01b/061/3d7cc45.jpg (http://m2.licdn.com/media/p/1/000/01b/061/3d7cc45.jpg)
3rd Don Holbrook

Author/Keynote Speaker/Public Policy Business Incentives-Site Location Consultant
Las Vegas, Nevada (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&facet_G=us%3A412) Capital Markets (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&industry=129&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true)
Current

The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy at Author and Keynote Speaker (http://www.linkedin.com/company/860467?trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Interim President & CEO (acting on pro-bono basis currently) at The EarthQuest Institute
Author at Knights Templar Fictional Book Project



Board of Director at CDC Small Business Finance (http://www.linkedin.com/company/111566?trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Site Location consultant/Managing Partner at The Vercitas Group (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Keynote Speaker, Economist, Author, CEcD at Don Allen Holbrook, LLC (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Consultant at EMCID
Board of Director at International Economic Development Council (http://www.linkedin.com/company/26124?trk=pro_other_cmpy)
Member, CEcD, FM at IEDC (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?trk=pro_other_cmpy)



So, now all of a sudden he is back working for the EMCID? Earthquest is extinct and I vigorously object to any more tax dollars being paid to Holbrook. He was part of the deception where the taxpayers were kept in the dark about the bankruptcy and given totally unrealistic starting dates when the financing was not firmly in place. Hotels and other businesses have gone under and people have lost their life savings due to these shenanigans. Lessem formally bailed in November 2011 as he knew this Titanic was going done.

Holbrook is now in the middle of a lawsuit with Ohio. And, most egregiously, he is waging a vicious attack on the people of Texas who dare to speak out about him and his involvement in Earthquest. The EMCID office doesn't know if Holbrook is still a consultant or being paid???? Why would they have any association with a liar who is threatening ligation against any Texan who wishes to discuss how their taxpayer dollars are spent on Earthquest? Law enforcement needs to step in and investigate what is going on in that office and just where tax money is going!

Frank McCrady needs to be terminated immediately for not stepping up to the plate and putting a stop to Holbrook's shenanigans. McCrady brought Holbrook in and he should not be standing by while he viciously attacks Texans who absolutely have the right to be discussing Earthquest and related topics. Disgusting!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-14-2012, 12:46 PM
LRM found a slew of these articles. I intend to archive them all here and ask the obvious question. Why didn't Frank McCrady and the EMCID see these??? Poor Holbrook has all the heathen peasants of the world conspiring against him. Oh, the humanity!!!!



1/11/2006 6:55:00 PM
EDITORIAL: At Wayne County EDC, secrecy thrives, suspicions arise




Palladium-Item

The Palladium-Item
If responsible local development officials cannot get answers to questions fast, it's past time to fire Don Holbrook, the embattled president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County.






1/26/2006 2:01:00 PM
Some Richmond officials agree on proposed firing of development head
Palladium-Item

By Bill Engle, Palladium-Item staff writer


Four Richmond Common Council members agree with the Wayne County commissioners: It's time for Don Holbrook to go.
Those council members responded Wednesday to the news that the commissioners called for Holbrook, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County (http://www.richmond-in.com), to be fired by saying they too want the controversy to end.






1/26/2006 1:48:00 PM
Wayne County Commissioners: Holbrook must go








http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/SiteImages/Article/24350a.jpg


County Commissioners Mary Heyob, Tom Dickman and John Catey asked the EDC Wednesday morning to terminate the contract of Don Holbrook. Palladium-Item photo by Steve Koger







Palladium-Item

By Rebecca Helmes, Palladium-Item staff writer
Support for the president of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County (http://www.richmond-in.com) slipped Wednesday after the Wayne County Board of Commissioners called for his firing.







Palladium-Item

By Bill Engle, Palladium-Item staff writer


Four Richmond Common Council members agree with the Wayne County commissioners: It's time for Don Holbrook to go.
Those council members responded Wednesday to the news that the commissioners called for Holbrook, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County (http://www.richmond-in.com), to be fired by saying they too want the controversy to end.











1/29/2006 2:50:00 PM
Richmond mayor Hutton: 'We're the laughingstock of the state'




Palladium-Item

By Mary Sell and Bill Engle, Palladium-Item staff writers

Richmond Mayor Sally Hutton remained tight-lipped Friday about her thoughts on the future of Don Holbrook, the embattled president of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County (http://www.richmond-in.com).
Hutton, who makes three appointments to the EDC board, would say only that the situation needs to be resolved.






1/31/2006 3:36:00 PM
Wayne County EDC president criticizes Palladium-Item in latest letter




Palladium-Item

Palladium-Item
Editor’s note: EDC president Don Holbrook submitted a letter to the editor at 10:30 p.m. Monday, past deadline for Tuesday’s print edition of the Palladium-Item. P-I editors felt it important to publish his letter online before today’s public meeting of the EDC board.

Dear Editor,
This Tuesday afternoon, the EDC of Wayne County Board of Directors will decide my fate as the organization’s president. Their tough decision will mark the end of one of the most difficult chapters of my life, certainly the most difficult for my family. It is bitterly ironic that we have received such horrible and unchristian treatment in a community in the center of the bible belt. This community purports to pride itself on practicing Godly values such as kindness, patience, understanding and courtesy at least on Sundays.






2/1/2006 3:37:00 PM
Holbrook out at Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County








http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/SiteImages/Article/24543a.jpg


Don Holbrook stands in the doorway as EDC board members vote with a show of hands to terminate him as president during an open meeting Tuesday. Palladium-Item photo by Joshua Smith






Palladium-Item

By Mary Sell and Bill Engle, Palladium-Item staff writers
EDC board members want to move forward with economic development -- without Don Holbrook.
The board of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County (http://www.richmond-in.com) on Tuesday fired Holbrook, the organization's president for the last 16 months.




__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________

The IEDC should create a new award. How about a lifetime gasbag award???

Soapboxmom
05-14-2012, 02:02 PM
Friendswood to buy dino-land - Monday, May 14, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13611)

Wow! Chris Brown of Contour thought Marlin Atlantis White / Whitestone / the failed developers were out unless they came forward with a huge check. Little did he know that they would be the ones with the option to buy back the Earthquest land from Lennar Homes / Friendswood. What a mess.

Holbrook of course was quick to blame Marlin Atlantis White for the problems with Earthquest. Did Holbrook and Frank McCrady not seek legal advice related to getting that bunch our of the Earthquest project completely as they should have? The public was told that Marlin Atlantis was out and Contour was the developer. If that is the case, Contour should be the ones with the option to buy the Earthquest property. Ridiculous!

Soapboxmom
05-14-2012, 02:32 PM
Impact of EarthQuest debacle felt at polls - Monday, May 14, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13612)

Soapboxmom
05-14-2012, 10:11 PM
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 2 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Just read the letter Holbrook wrote to Wayne Co. dated 1/31/2006, SBM. Noticed simularities to the one written by him to this thread 1 wk. ago. Who's sounding like a "Christlike" Sunday bible "toter" and serpent-like snake-oil salesman the other 6 days of the wk. now! Does the names Bakker/ Swaggert sound famiLIAR? Some of the comments toward the end of that letter sounded eerily simular to the ones made by those clowns before they finally confessed. FAT chance of the supreme Master of the Internet doing that! Add a couple more BAGS to the ever expanding list to desribe him, "SCUM" AND "SCAM". Can't wait to hear the next ignorant comment flying forth from his piehole. The next group of indivuals getting the blame from him for the debacle that is EarthQuest will be the taxpayers of EMC that were responsible for the changing of the guard at EMCID! The Pompousity of this man! How does this man bait the hook for those dumb enough to take it? Does he send a mass mailer inviting them to a 24 hr. wine-tasting bender in the bowels of his winery?....I need to take a break, my head hurts


pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 2 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Thanks 510



Dear Editor,
This Tuesday afternoon, the EDC of Wayne County Board of Directors will decide my fate as the organization’s president. Their tough decision will mark the end of one of the most difficult chapters of my life, certainly the most difficult for my family. It is bitterly ironic that we have received such horrible and unchristian treatment in a community in the center of the bible belt. This community purports to pride itself on practicing Godly values such as kindness, patience, understanding and courtesy at least on Sundays.

Soapboxmom
05-15-2012, 10:30 AM
Holbrook opened a huge can of worms. From the HP:


http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1336767989/images/noavatar32.png (http://disqus.com/guest/f951ad47d6e0762143f2f34622f5952a/)
Just Been Paid 11 minutes ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-529331520)



Another case that will show that freedom of speech is not crossing the line causing hatred, harassment, loss of income, and other acts that Heather and Paul Dobrott have gone way above the legal threshold. Don is going to have a field day when his legal action get to the court room. It won't be some silly summary judgement that Heather Dobrott shouts all day.
http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcp... (http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-oregon-mother-daughter-reportedly-sued-for-writing-bad-reviews-of-church-20120515,0,7400813.story)








http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/908/8911/avatar32.jpg?1337011196 (http://disqus.com/facebook-1511178029/)
Heather Dawne Clarke Dobrott (http://www.facebook.com/people/Heather-Dawne-Clarke-Dobrott/1511178029) 0 minutes ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-529346445) in reply to Just Been Paid (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/#comment-529331520)




Unless Mr. Holbrook has authorized you to speak on his behalf, you would be well advised to be careful what you say. Holbrook may not want to turn over his tax returns and other financial records to prove the loss of income you are braying about.
Of course, those documents would show just what he has earned from those 100s of projects he brags of, his speaking engagements, book sales and clients. It would also out your identity as all the parties would be seeking information on the posters commenting on this dino disaster / Fantasy Land.

ProfHenryHiggins
05-15-2012, 12:57 PM
What's this "and Paul Dobrott" business? Where has Paul posted so much as a single word regarding Holbrook, to be included in this madness?

Soapboxmom
05-15-2012, 02:42 PM
I posted 1 time on Amazon when he was logged in. He hasn't written a single comment.

Every nut has crawled out from under their rock and I would bet Don Holbrook is really wishing he hadn't started this bloody internet fight. He is going to find it an expensive and likely losing battle to stop public discussions of matters of public concern and expenditure of tax dollars. Good grief!!

Soapboxmom
05-15-2012, 04:15 PM
http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/2024/9042/avatar32.jpg?1336435843 (http://disqus.com/facebook-1027886709/)[QUOTE]
Don Holbrook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Holbrook/1027886709) 1 week ago (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/earthquests_don_holbrook_sued_huber_heights.php#co mment-522094730)




Dear Readers of this blog, as stated, this is a serious legal issue. Please note that I am brining litigation against Ms. Soapboxmom (Heather Dobrott et al) she received a letter from my attorney which very carefully stated she has until May 11th to substantiate with valid facts and evidence of her Libel comments. Ms. Dobrott is digging herself a very deep legal hole and her malicious attacks on my business and my professional reputation are purposeful and with willful intent to harm my livelihood. She has made very poor decisions in business and ignorance of the law will not excuse her nor any of you who choose to continue in this libel from the liabilities that are piling on yourselves. By spreading libel and then encouraging others unwittingly to participate on this page is just bringing other previously innocent people into her web of fictional conspiracy. I would encourage anyone on this web page to take note in the recent $13M Texas award of damages to those folks using and promoting anonymous libel about innocent people. I saw Ms. Dobrott's false sense of pompous legal acumen, but the first amendment and even the TX law she cites, does not protect anyone from Libel, Slander, and Defamation of Character all federally protected civil rights, neither do they protect anyone from tortiously interfering with another person's livelihood with malicious and purposeful intent. Anyone who wishes to challenge my legal right to protect my professional reputation from Libel and other unlawful activities, needs to get advice from a real attorney. This is a very serious matter.
At the appropriate time we will know every computer ID that has made comments on any web site that aids in this process and those that make such comments must be prepared to deal with the litigation that is coming this month. If you continue to wrongfully and falsely comment on me, my business, and further ruin my professional reputation and/or harm my livelihood and/or personal affairs for libel, slander, defamation or other malicious intent you do so at your own risk. For some the damages have been done and avoiding litigation is impossible in my opinion, but for those of you bright enough to discontinue your libel comments you may still avoid litigation. Be smart and do not be baited into legal liabilities by a person such as Heather Dobrott. She obviously has too much time on her hands and her mind goes to conspiracy theories as her own form of sick entertainment. That is her own affair until it harms others with such malicious intent that it wrecks their business for spreading virally false information and doing so for her own self-gratification reasons and whatever other twisted reasons that she has somehow justified to herself naively.
Just to reinforce this portrayed sense of obligation that the media and Ms. Dobrott and others continue to cite with regard to questioning why I will not post my completed, pending or other professional work on some website such as this? Anyone with half an ounce of intellect would know that given the nature of these people doing these attacks they would harass and bombard my former clients and others and use their cyber bullying to instigate further economic and professional reputation harm to me. No businessman would subject their clients to these folks relentless badgering. Secondary to that is that in many cases business consultants such as myself always sign non-disclosure agreements and would not violate those terms at the request of their clients. Lastly, I have seen the tactics of these media folks and bloggers first hand and will never give them another platform to attack not only myself but my clients for projects completed in some cases over 20 years ago. I have no trust in their ability to conduct themselves professionally. In my opinion, these poorly written articles by investigate reporters such as Malisow, and bloggers such as Dobrott and Frank Maurizio try to justify all their malicious and harmful behavior as they allege that they are seeking the truth and trying to expose things that are not illegal nor unethical at all, by twisting the truth, misinterpreting and misrepresenting or in some cases not seeking to find actual valid facts, and sensationalizing fictional theories in order to cause harm to innocent people and businesses, such as myself.
Holbrook's attorney wanted to know what authorities I have been contacting. Well, just today I went to the post office with the bankruptcy papers, reported earnings in the newspaper reports culled from the Earthquest bond disclosures and IRS filings for the defunct charity Holbrook is responsible for to be sent to the IRS. How one's LLC can get paid $773,000.00 while one claims a gross income of just $90,000.00 needs to be addressed. And, how someone making $90,000.00 gross income affords a grand tour of Europe is another mystery for the IRS. I also sent in a complaint to the Attorney General's Office about the Earthquest charity records, which are in possession of the EMCID, being unlawfully withheld. So, there ya go Ms. Sue Seeberger. And, lest I forget I have talked to another newspaper reporter. Any other requests???

I am still laughing about this lengthy diatribe. No non-disclosure agreement should stop Holbrook from simply naming the projects he has completed. If he can't substantiate that claim then it shouldn't have been made in the first place. I should tell my favorite lawyer that "Libel, Slander, and Defamation of Character all federally protected civil rights." That is quite a gas! I can't wait for the future article(s) about Mr. Holbrook. Just imagine the hilarious meltdowns this forthcoming media coverage could set off!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-15-2012, 07:59 PM
http://204.248.116.98/WebLink8/0/doc/25353/Page29.aspx

TERMINA nON APPEAL: Ms, Kuderer stated that Mr, Fridell should come to the podium. He stated he
was present as representative for Don Ho]brook who was out of state pursuing
employment possibilities, Mr. FrideU gave lengthy discussion beginning with
the letter President Tracey sent to Mr, Holbrook dated February 20th 1998 where
a motion was passed by the Commission that Mr. Holbrook's employment be
immediately terminated with reasons set forth, Mr, FrideU stated that Mr,
Holbrook is grieving this action of termination. He stated that the termination
was not based on the charges and aUegations presented by the "Notice of Intent
to Terminate" dated February 18th, 1998, Mr, FrideU went on to re-emphasize
his client does have a dual BA degree with dual majors in geography and
environmental studies. Mr. Holbrook's special area of study was urban
economic geography. Mr. FrideU stated that Mr. Holbrook had reason to believe
as his resume states, that he had a Master's degree and Ph.D. from La Salle
University and at the time he applied he had completed his coursework. Mr.
FrideU stated his client informed him that La SaUe University told him he could

- 1 -
state that he did have a Masters degree and Ph.D. from La Salle University. He
stated, however, that Mr. Holbrook did not get conferred with these degrees,
because of various problems, He stated that Mr. Holbrook contacted the
University and resubmitted his coursework, He read from a letter submitted by
the Dean of Students at La Salle stating that Mr. Holbrook should not be
responsible for issues beyond his control and called him a victim stating he was
led to believe he had completed the necessary requirements but was informed
later that the documents were never received or lost. Mr. Fridell went on to state
that Mr. Holbrook as e~!y as April 1997 discussed the problems with his
education regarding La Salle University with Mr. Harley and also with other
members of the Port Authority. He stated Mr. Holbrook is now referring to
himself as a doctoral candidate. Mr. Fridell then went back to discuss the
minimum qualifications of the Executive Director position and went on to state
that his client was qualified having a degree in urban. economic geography and
listed courses taken to obtain the degree.

He then went on to discuss the allegation of misleading the Port Board with
travel requests to attend the CUED conference in Washington on March I ". He
stated that Mr, Holbrook never mislead the Board regarding this request and
quoted from previous minutes where Mr. Holbrook stated that if he was asked to
be a speaker at this conference, it was possible they would waive their fee. Mr.
Fridell stated that his client was not a speaker as he called CUED and told them
that he was not allowed to travel because of the moratorium and they replaced
him as a speaker, but they did appoint him as a moderate with a discount on
travel.

Thirdly Mr. Fridell stated that Mr. Holbrook wished to point out that no one has
the power to issue a notice of paid administrative leave stating it was neither in
the employment or personnel policy. However, he states that Mr. Holbrook on
two occasions ran into Ms. Finney and exchanged pleasantries and on February
17" he ran into Myron White at a meeting and talked about returning to work
the next day,

Mr, Fridell, in answer to the termination agreement stated Mr, Holbrook stated
that there is no direct authority to dismiss the Executive Director and under the
policy only the Executive Director has the right to dismiss employees for just
cause, but if there is dismissal it has to be for just cause, He stated that the Port
Authority has seen fit to terminate Don Holbrook on other reasons and the facts
do not show just cause. He stated that there is a six month severance package if
there is a desire to split and if that is the Board's desire then they should follow
the Employment Agreement and should not ignore this and in essence, pay the
severance package under the employment contract. He then asked if there were
any questions.

President Tracey asked for clarification on a couple of issues asking Mr. Fridell
if it is Mr. Holbrook's testimony that he was not appointed to be moderator at
the CUED until after the meeting on February 2"'. Mr, Fridelllooked up Mr.
Holbrook's affidavit and stated that from what Mr. Holbrook told him was that
he no longer had a speaking engagement after the travel moratorium and after
the board approved his request February 2"' he then contacted CUED and was
told by Mr. Finkle that he was a moderator with the understanding that he would
have a discount because of his membership on the CUED board.
Commissioner Gorman noted that on page 7 that it states specifically that on
February 2"' Don Holbrook was not a scheduled speaker at the conference.
Patricia Kuderer stated you should then go to paragraph 12 I where Don
Holbrook stated that subsequent to February 2"', 1998 he arranged with CUED

-2-

to waive part of his registration fee on the basis that Mr. Holbrook would be a
panel moderator, so this was clearly post February 2"d President Tracey read
briefly from Jeff Finkle's letter to him dated February 19th in the third paragraph
"After you February conference, Don contacted us and told us of his ability to
participate in our Washington Summit. He asked if it was possible for us to
defer his registration costs ifhe could be reinstated as a speaker. We told him we
could not defer the cost of the registration on such short notice and that he had
already been replaced. He was reinstated as the course moderator. We then
offered Don the early registration discount for members as an offer of gratitude
from us, thus saving the Pprt Authority some money". He then asked Mr.
Fridell if that is how it happened and is consistent with Mr. Holbrook's
testimony. Mr. Fridell stated this was correct.

President Tracey stated the other question he had was with Mr. Holbrook's
knowledge of not having his Ph.D. for some time ana it was also stated in his
deposition that he has not used that title for some time, correct? He is no longer
telling people that he has a Ph.D. in anything? Mr. Fridell stated that he had no
direct knowledge of that but he did read the deposition that clearly said that.

President Tracey distributed a fax cover sheet from CUED written January 28th,
1998 addressed to Mr. Don Holbrook from Kate Fullerton. The next page is a
memo from Kate Fullerton to the speakers and moderators of the conference on
the Washington briefmg and Economic Summit basically confIrming and
thanking them for agreeing to participate in the summit and goes on to say they
are still looking for other speakers. The next page of the hand out is a copy of
the attachment of the agenda for Sunday March 2"' in a section from II a,m. to
5 p.m. where Don Holbrook is listed as the moderator for this section which has
to do with internet marketing. This is all dated January 28th, fIve days before the
board met and approved his travel request. President Tracey asked for an
explanation of this and Commissioner Gorman noted that he was still using the
Ph.D, Mr, Fridell stated he couldn't answer this question, he does not know.

President Tracey stated that it clearly tells him that the letter Jeff Finkle wrote to
the board explaining the situation with the scheduling of the conference is not
accurate and that Mr, Holbrook's testimony regarding that issue is also
inaccurate because this fax is clearly confIrming his participation as a moderator
fIve days prior to us meeting and approving his travel request. President Tracey
also pointed out to Mr. Fridell that in regards to the letter from La Salle
University that he read most of it to the board and members of the audience but
did leave out an important sentence which goes on to say... because of that
information Mr. Holbrook says he believed his diplomas would reflect a
completion date of 1991 for the MEA and 1994 for the Ph.D. Present university
policy would prohibit this. His degrees would reflect the actual dates of
completion (my attempts to check with Ms. Flynn and verify this information
were unsuccessful). Mr. Tracey stated that again, much of this information was
based on hearsay and is not factual. It is clear he did not have the degrees and it
certainly would not be current university policy for someone to use those
degrees until they have "completed their coursework",

Commissioner Kiecker stated that the minutes of February 2"' may have been
abbreviated but the board was very apprehensive regarding this trip and only
after much consideration was the travel request granted. He also stated that if
Mr. Holbrook had not insisted that he need to attend this conference to get
another one million dollars for the Port Authority, he would not have made the
motion to grant travel.

-3-
Ms. Patricia Kuderer was asked to review and comment on the packet of
information that Mr. Holbrook provided to the board. Passed out was a brief
overview of all of the evidence that has been given to the board. She affirmed
that in the appeal process you are permitted to look at new evidence that comes
to light. Ms. Kuderer started with the degree issues - what was said, who said it
and when did they say it. With respect to the BA I looked at Mr. Clinton's
report and representations that were made by Mr. Holbrook to Crookston and
then to the Port Authority, what was said in his deposition and then what was
verified by Wright State University. Also added was Mr. Fridell's letter and Mr.
Holbrook's affidavit. III J 982 he claimed to have a BA in urban and economic
planning -that is the degree, it is called urban and economic planning. At the
Port Authority he claimed to have a dual BA degree in City Planning and
Economics. Those are two separate degrees, with a minor in environmental
science and geology - again from Wright State University, same year. In the
deposition he claimed to have a dual BA degree in U~ban Planning and
Environmental Science - again from Wright State University in 1982, he did not
state any minor in his deposition. Wright State University confirmed he had a
dual BA in geography and environmental studies in 1982 and no minor. What
was interesting about the student status obtained is the minor as it shows up in
the representation to the Port Authority and Wright State confirmed that Mr.
Holbrook does not have a minor in anything from Wright State.

In Mr. Fridell's letter he indicates that Mr. Holbrook has a BA degree in
geography and environmental studies, which is exactly what Wright State
University verified. But he also claimed that he had a minor in geology.
Original claim to the Port was that he had a minor in environmental science and
geology and now it is just geology. In Mr, Holbrook's affidavit he claimed a
dual BA degree in geography and environmental studies from Wright State
University in 1982 and no minor. If you look at the evidence you see changing
degrees. In talking to Wright State this morning that economics degree is a
separate degree and clearly Mr. Holbrook did not have a degree in economics,
he had a degree in geography and environmental studies, that's it. The courses
that he took would qualify him for a planning concentration in urban affairs. A
concentration is much different from having graduated with this degree. You
should also take note that there is no evidence that Mr, Dustin was ever given a
copy of your minimum qualifications, therefore he is not telling you that Mr.
Holbrook is indeed qualified to be your executive director based on your
minimum qualifications.

The same kind of format was used for the Masters and Doctorate degrees, going
over them in chronological order, At Crookston he claimed to have MA in
international marketing from La Salle University and did not state that he had a
Ph,D. To us he said that he had an MBA in 1991 and a Ph.D. in business in
1994 from La Salle. Those two right there are completely different. In his
deposition he did not say that he had an MBA, but stated he was a Ph.D.
candidate at La Salle University. La Salle has confirmed that there were no
degrees awarded either Masters or Ph.D. Mr. Fridell's letter states that he
completed his coursework and papers for his Master's and Doctorate in 1993.
According to Mr. Holbrook, in the representation that he made to you, he
completed it for the Master's in 1991 so again there are different dates from his
attorney and what he is telling you and we can assume what his attorney is
telling you, he is getting from him. In the affidavit Mr, Holbrook confirms and
indeed admits that on or about July 1" 1996 he did not have a Master's or
Doctorate degree. He stated however, that he had completed his coursework
and paperwork for his Master's degree and Doctorate from La Salle in ] 991 and
1994, again different from what his lawyer claimed but consistent with what he

-4-


-

Soapboxmom
05-15-2012, 08:06 PM
- told the board. Letters provided from La Salle made interesting reading. The
February 19th letter states that Mr. Holbrook's Master's thesis was first
"submitted in February 1996" and then resubmitted in June of 1996 and
apparently a new faculty administrator reviewed it, requested some changes but
apparently never notified Mr. Holbrook of the changes. In the February nth
letter (a week later) submitted by the same individual stated that Don Holbrook
first submitted his Master's thesis in 1991, so in the I" letter he states that it was
submitted in 1996 and the second time in 1991. He also said in that letter that
Mr. Holbrook was told in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 to resubmit
his work which is inconsislent with Paragraph 10 E of Mr. Holbrook's affidavit
which states he did not learn he had to resubmit his papers until "months after
problems with La Salle University and the change of ownership in
administration" which according to La Salle occurred in July of 1997, These
facts are also inconsistent with Paragraph 10 M of his affidavit, which states that
after he learned his degrees had not been confirmed that he corrected his
statements on his educational status. What you have is, Mr. Holbrook had been
told annually from 1991 through 1996 that he has to resubmit his work. No
degree has been conferred and yet he continually represented himself as early as
1992 to Crookston that he had an MA in international marketing and to you in
1996 that he had an MBA and Ph,D., even though he had been continually told
year after year, you need to resubmit your work. You can draw your own
conclusion from that.

The problem identified in his memo that Mr. Fridell talked about that was given
to Mr. Harley and Mr. Tracey was not accurately represented by Mr. Fridell.
The problem identified in that memo was one of accreditation, not one of
whether the degrees were, in fact, ever awarded. There is a quote in that memo
that leaves the reader with the distinct impression that Mr. Holbrook in fact had
his degrees, and that somehow, this accreditation problem caused some
problems and they wanted him to resubmit his work so that the degrees could be
awarded again with accreditation. He also stated.. ,.as for my part, due to this
matter arising in my graduation year, our degrees had been under scrutiny. He
did not have any degrees at that time and knew he did not have any degrees
then,

Mr. Holbrook has testified that La Salle University told him that he could use
the designations, That is simply an allegation and remains unverified at this
point and La Salle University stated they have been unable to contact Ms, Flynn
and verify one way or another if she had given him that directive, Even if you
assume she had said something to that effect to him, one has to wonder about the
annual reminders to resubmit his work, just how much stock you could take in
someone telling you to use those designations.

Finally, on the allegation of misleading the Board on the CUED conference, Mr.
Tracey has again, hit the nail on the head when he was concerned about the
timing of all this. Mr. Holbrook presented evidence that he was originally asked
to be a speaker, but after the travel moratorium was enacted he stated he
contacted CUED and advised that he would not be there. That is what he told
the board, Travel request was made on February 2nd and Mr. Holbrook said he
would try to be a speaker. The Finkle letter of February 19th states that Mr.
Holbrook contacted CUED "after your February conference" and advised he
could participate and was advised by Mr. Finkle that he was already replaced but
he could be put in as a course moderate, Paragraph 12 I of Mr. Holbrook's
affidavit states "subsequent to February 2"', 1998" he arranged with CUED to
waive part of his registration fee to be a panel moderator. All of this evidence
is consistent that the course of conduct was after February 2"', Then we have a

-5-

- memo from CUED dated January 28"'. again, five days before the travel request,
it shows that he was already scheduled as a moderator and as Mr. Tracey
pointed out, still using the Ph.D. designation, That memo contradicts the Finkle
letter and Mr. Holbrook's affidavit. What you are left with are probably more
questions than answers. There are inconsistencies and inherent contradictions
within the documents themselves and inconsistencies among the various
representations that have been made by Mr. Holbrook over the course of his
employment here and at Crookston. Given those you need to draw you own
conclusions on whether you want to affirm your decision made on February 19"'.

President Tracey asked what were the Board's wishes. Commissioner Gorman
stated that it was laid out in front of the board and just reaffirms what the board
did on February 19'" and she went on to say the board did the right thing.

Commissioner Gorman made a motion to reaffirm tl1e termination decision,
which was seconded by Commissioner Kiecker. Commissioner Gorman stated
that she was just angry at having to listen to it all again and the press makes the
board out to be the bad guys in all of this. This is the bad guy (Mr. Holbrook).
Roll call vote revealed Commissioners Gorman, Harley, Kiecker, Selkirk,
Grosso and Tracey voted aye. There were no nays. Motion carried 6-0.
Termination is in effect.

Commissioner Kiecker made a statement that the Board of Commissioners went
on the advice of a firm hired to take care of the entire background issues etc. We
accepted this firm's recommendation, He hopes this is cleared up in the press.

r

Commissioner Grosso asked legal counsel if the Board could take any action
against this firm or nol Ms. Kuderer stated she was looking into that.
President Tracey stated that in the contract the Board had with the search firm
they certified to us that they did do the background and degree checks> He also
stated that they have admitted since that they did not do any of it and we paid
them $15,000.00 for this service,

;.

CLOSED SESSION:

President Tracey accepted a motion to go into closed session to discuss
threatened litigation, Motion was made by Commissioner Selkirk and seconded
by Commissioner Harley, Motion carried 6-0,
RED WlNG PORT AUTHORlTY

AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING

MARCH 31st, 1998

President Tracey, Vice President Selkirk, Commissioners Gorman, Grosso,
Harley, Kiecker, and ex officio Ms. Kay Kuhlmann.

-0-

Myron White, Yvonne Finney

Mr, Jim Klitzke, City Accounting Office.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m. Roll call revealed all Board
members present.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: President Tracey added Two items to the agenda. 10 B to discuss Griffith &
Associates and 10 C to discuss Mr, Holbrook's unemployment status,
A motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Commissioner
Selkirk and seconded by Commissioner Kiecker. Motion carried,

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Mr. Tracey reported that Griffith & Associates, the agency that recruited Mr.
Holbrook for the Executive Director position has offered $15,000.00 in
settlement for not doing the required background check,


I

He also stated that he received notice that Mr, Holbrook's request for
unemployment benefits had been denied which sends a clear message. He noted,
however, that Mr, Holbrook is entitled to appeal this ruling.
Liars can't keep their stories straight, right, Holbrook????

Soapboxmom
05-15-2012, 09:24 PM
Reality Based Optimist says:
May 15, 2012 at 11:24 am (http://pvtimes.com/opinion/background-on-mr-holbrook-the-music-man-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-30021)
Again, all of your statements are factually incorrect. I agree completely with Dr. Waters. Your assessment that EarthQuest is dead is incorrect. In fact, Earthquest has a new developer with a new and better development agreement that is when the funding is finalized going to make the tax payers of EMCID 100% whole.
The land had to be purchased from the bankruptcy court in order to allow the new developer the right to secure a purchase agreement for the land that he needs for the EarthQuest project.
In addition, if it had not been for the visionary actions of EMCID to intercede with the BK process and secure these rights for the land purchase and secure a new developer the project would have died with the failed original developer.
All of this was factually explained to the town board prior to any vote on their own desire to consider the development of a major destination attraction for Pahrump. We have never proposed a theme park. In addition, my role in all of these projects is to give advice on what incentives can or should be considered to attract the private sector investment necessary to fund the construction of such projects. I do not do my opinions based on the success of projects getting funded or upon the success of the developer hired by the public sector. My job is to create a recommendation for how to best engage the public-private partnership. That does not mean that all my clients adhere to my advice. EarthQuest is going through a transition from the failed developer to a new developer… many projects during the greatest financial crisis of my lifetime have had to do the same types of mitigation. That does not mean the project has failed.
In addition, the statements and libelous comments made by Heather Dobrott and Mr. Frank Maurizio were not constructive and were not valid… they were misrepresentations on purpose in order to harm my professional reputation and thus illegal. Those types of comments are not protected by the first amendment.
With regard to Huber Heights I am counter suing them for breach of contract as they have no basis for their claims and they are using these tactics to avoid paying their legitimately owed bill for our final product and have taken our intellectual property without paying for it. Therefore we are going to deny any validity to all their claims and sue them for damages. I know why they made such an unprofessional breach of their contract and it will come out in court just what was actually behind this very poor business decision on the City of Huber Heights part, and it had nothing to do with my professional work product and nothing to do with any of their allegations.
The people of Pahrump are in need of more jobs and building additional tourism is a very successful method to achieve those goals that the town board has for their constituents. But in the end, I am not the developer and I am not the financier. I am a public-policy specialist that has given them my opinion on the economic development issues that need to be addressed if they choose to move forward and create jobs and build additional economic benefits for their residents.


In addition, Mr. Maurizio has stated falsely that our report to the Town of Pahrump was lifted from the EarthQuest project and that is a complete false statement and a accusation of dishonesty. Perhaps he should have taken my letter of warning I sent him more seriously. He should have been legally counseled on the damages of calling someone a liar and dishonest business person are when you do so intentionally and with the intent to harm someone’s reputation and economic livelihood with malice and specific purpose. I took the high road and sent both of these libelous bloggers warnings, both of which ignored them and choose to purposefully continue to spew misinformation, resorted to name calling, creating a negative image of my persona and professional work product and even attacked my reputation with my industry association colleagues and my social affiliations with allegations. That does not sound like the methodology or decision making process of what most of us would consider appropriate actions. If other people had experienced this type of hatred online that has been directed at me and my family and now my clients, they would more than likely have taken the same appropriate actions as I have done.
Your portrayal of my reorganization bankruptcy was completely not factual as well. You obviously have no idea how such business matters work. My BK was a reorganization because I got stiffed for my final payment by Earthquest, which I was told was forthcoming by the developer. I made the decision to pay my IRS tax bill with that payment and when it did not come I could not mitigate the tax ramifications and workout a payment with the IRS unless I was under this Chapter 11 reorganization plan. There is nothing deceitful about creating a repayment plan that I could adhere to with my income that was available to me and predictable. My speaking, books and consulting projects are not predictable. Therefore the only longterm retainer for work I was able to use was the work I was contracted to do for EMCID. That does not mean that I did not disclose all of my income appropriately as you have stated. You again are factually wrong. Please leave me, my family and my clients alone. People who get online and spew such hatred are in my opinion mentally off and socially unbalanced. In my opinion Heather Dobrott and Frank Maurizio have some type of anger issues that they themselves need to deal with and quit blaming your hatred for your own lives on others. I am sure you have enough problems of your own or shortly will have in my opinion.

Reality Based Optimist says: May 15, 2012 at 11:24 am (http://pvtimes.com/opinion/background-on-mr-holbrook-the-music-man-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-30021)
Again, all of your statements are factually incorrect. I agree completely with Dr. Waters. Your assessment that EarthQuest is dead is incorrect. In fact, Earthquest has a new developer with a new and better development agreement that is when the funding is finalized going to make the tax payers of EMCID 100% whole.
The land had to be purchased from the bankruptcy court in order to allow the new developer the right to secure a purchase agreement for the land that he needs for the EarthQuest project.
In addition, if it had not been for the visionary actions of EMCID to intercede with the BK process and secure these rights for the land purchase and secure a new developer the project would have died with the failed original developer.
All of this was factually explained to the town board prior to any vote on their own desire to consider the development of a major destination attraction for Pahrump. We have never proposed a theme park. In addition, my role in all of these projects is to give advice on what incentives can or should be considered to attract the private sector investment necessary to fund the construction of such projects. I do not do my opinions based on the success of projects getting funded or upon the success of the developer hired by the public sector. My job is to create a recommendation for how to best engage the public-private partnership. That does not mean that all my clients adhere to my advice. EarthQuest is going through a transition from the failed developer to a new developer… many projects during the greatest financial crisis of my lifetime have had to do the same types of mitigation. That does not mean the project has failed.
In addition, the statements and libelous comments made by Heather Dobrott and Mr. Frank Maurizio were not constructive and were not valid… they were misrepresentations on purpose in order to harm my professional reputation and thus illegal. Those types of comments are not protected by the first amendment.
With regard to Huber Heights I am counter suing them for breach of contract as they have no basis for their claims and they are using these tactics to avoid paying their legitimately owed bill for our final product and have taken our intellectual property without paying for it. Therefore we are going to deny any validity to all their claims and sue them for damages. I know why they made such an unprofessional breach of their contract and it will come out in court just what was actually behind this very poor business decision on the City of Huber Heights part, and it had nothing to do with my professional work product and nothing to do with any of their allegations.
The people of Pahrump are in need of more jobs and building additional tourism is a very successful method to achieve those goals that the town board has for their constituents. But in the end, I am not the developer and I am not the financier. I am a public-policy specialist that has given them my opinion on the economic development issues that need to be addressed if they choose to move forward and create jobs and build additional economic benefits for their residents.


The thought that Huber Heights wants to steal his intellectual property borders on the ridiculous. They don't believe his material fulfilled the contract, so it isn't going to be used. He sure seems to have an active fantasy life on that one. Dragging out this court case is just hurting his reputation further and drawing even more media coverage now from Ohio as well. I suppose he is going to argue that information Huber Heights researched or received is part of a vast conspiracy theory and that explains why they didn't find his stuff up to snuff. Looney tunes!

When I spoke to Don Lessem on the phone in April 2011 he said the developer was not paying him or the nut on the property. So, Holbrook knew for quite some time he was not going to be paid. Didn't someone tell the boy there is no escape from death, taxes or the wrath of Soapboxmom!

Soapboxmom
05-15-2012, 10:12 PM
Since Holbrook is so hot to get the facts out there, I assume he will be publishing all the documents from that legal tangle including the deposition mentioned. His credentials and experience are of interest to the taxpayers that are paying him for these projects he proposes!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-15-2012, 11:12 PM
International Economic Development Council (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Instructor_Finkle)

I note that Mr. Jeff Finkle the CEO of the International Economic Devlopment Council, and long time friend of Don Holbrook was aware of all the controversy in Red Wing and the subsequent termination of Mr. Holbrook for falsifying his resume. Finkle knows full well that Holbrook was misrepresenting himself and yet he continues to this day to cheer him on. What credibility can the IEDC possibly have when it rewards dishonesty and deceit???

http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/index9.html#post20708

littleroundman
05-15-2012, 11:26 PM
Dragging out this court case is just hurting his reputation further and drawing even more media coverage now from Ohio as well.

Many people simply can't understand the difference between being "right" and being effective.


是故勝兵先勝而後求戰,敗兵先戰而後求勝。

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

Soapboxmom
05-16-2012, 08:52 AM
Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-1/#comments)

Holbrook’s employment history was also put under a microscope by the Texas newspaper.

According to the article, he was hired and fired on numerous occasions and rang up thousands of dollars in dining, lodging, and travel expenses.

In some instances, he was on the job for less than two years.
The article stated that in 1996, Holbrook was hired by the Port Authority in Red Wing, Minnesota and was subsequently fired in 1998 for questionable spending practices and falsifying his resume.




economic developer says: February 15, 2012 at 5:50 pm (http://pvtimes.com/news/newspaper-article-questions-theme-park-players-resum/comment-page-1/#comment-28052)
In America we don’t give rumors and opinions credence when they are not factual. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that does not mean it factual. With regard to Don Hokbrook, the facts are he was wrongfully terminated by the Red Wing Port Authority under an allegation of resume fraud. He was given a public apology by that agency and they were made by the courts to admit they were wrong and paid j
Him approximately $100,000 for their false assertion.
Holbrook did not mail money into La Salle and receive a degree he turned in a thousand plus pages of online curriculum assignments including a 100 page Masters thesis and nearly 200 page doctoral dissertation to his assigned professors and it took him 4 years to do the work. The FBI issues a statement to all of the thousands of professional students telling them they had been fraudulently misled and it was no fault of the students. Holbrook immediately reported it to his employer and took the degrees off his resume. His employer told him it had no bearing on his own character or expertise and closed the issue. The other claims by the newspaper are just patently false. He has not been discharged ever for any spending or other wrong doings. He choose to not renew his contract in Lake Havasu on good terms so he could move closer to his parents. He has no disgruntled employers or failed projects, that is a fact.


The Red Wing meeting minutes conflict with that account, Holbrook:


...because of that
information Mr. Holbrook says he believed his diplomas would reflect a
completion date of 1991 for the MEA and 1994 for the Ph.D. Present university
policy would prohibit this. His degrees would reflect the actual dates of
completion....Commissioner Gorman noted that he was still using the
Ph.D, .....It is clear he did not have the degrees and it
certainly would not be current university policy for someone to use those
degrees until they have "completed their coursework",......In the February nth
letter (a week later) submitted by the same individual stated that Don Holbrook
first submitted his Master's thesis in 1991, so in the I" letter he states that it was
submitted in 1996 and the second time in 1991. He also said in that letter that
Mr. Holbrook was told in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 to resubmit
his work which is inconsislent with Paragraph 10 E of Mr. Holbrook's affidavit
which states he did not learn he had to resubmit his papers until "months after
problems with La Salle University and the change of ownership in
administration" which according to La Salle occurred in July of 1997, These
facts are also inconsistent with Paragraph 10 M of his affidavit, which states that
after he learned his degrees had not been confirmed that he corrected his
statements on his educational status. What you have is, Mr. Holbrook had been
told annually from 1991 through 1996 that he has to resubmit his work. No
degree has been conferred and yet he continually represented himself as early as
1992 to Crookston that he had an MA in international marketing and to you in
1996 that he had an MBA and Ph,D., even though he had been continually told
year after year, you need to resubmit your work. You can draw your own
conclusion from that.......Mr. Holbrook has testified that La Salle University told him that he could use
the designations,

Not hard to discern the truth there, now is it.

I also note that Holbrook says he wasn't fired for any wrongdoings. What does he call completely misrepresenting his qualifications? How, about the background check folks admitting they did no work and refunding the money. The minutes also show he thought his contract was written so only he could fire people and that they must agree to separate with him and offer him the 6 months severance package he wanted. He also sought unemployment benefits which it appears were denied. No doubt he is going to silence his critics by publishing all the court documents related to this in their entirety on Google Docs or the like. I will certainly be waiting!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-16-2012, 09:18 AM
Just wait until Sue Seeberger actually checks out the clown she is sending threatening letters for. A fictitious MA in international marketing. A fake MBA and doctorate degree. And, unlike the story told to Craig Malisow his real problem wasn't the FBI raid. Holbrook was touting degrees for which he had been told he had not completed the coursework it appears from what is in the minutes quoted. And, he had been touting those non-existent credentials for years. That is hardly the same thing as having a degree conferred and finding out later it was bogus.


Holbrook seems to have had some initial success in the early-to-mid-1990s, working as the economic developer for the city of Crookston, Minnesota. However, he didn't seem to find much success after leaving Crookston. A gig as executive director of the Red Wing (http://www.houstonpress.com/related/to/Red+Wing+Software+Inc.), Minnesota, Port Authority, was short-lived; hired in 1996, he was fired in 1998 after some of the Port Authority commissioners questioned his résumé.

Holbrook claimed to have a doctorate and MBA from LaSalle University (http://www.houstonpress.com/related/to/La+Salle+University), an online institution subsequently exposed as a diploma mill. While most LaSalle "students" simply wrote checks for their degrees, some poor saps actually thought they were writing term papers and theses for a legitimate university. Holbrook, who has said he wrote thousands of pages for LaSalle courses and spent years on his dissertation, appears to have fallen in the latter camp.

The Port ultimately fired Holbrook for what they believed to be fraud; Holbrook sued for breach of contract. The suit was settled out of court, with the Port paying Holbrook $160,000 to cover court costs, and the Port also issued a "letter of misunderstanding," saying Holbrook had not lied on his résumé, he just wasn't able to produce certain documents in time.

Holbrook's tactic is a crafty one. Even though he files or threatens cases that may have little or no merit, that scumbag knows he can spend his legitimate opponents into giving him his way. The Red Wing Port Authority had to decide if they wanted to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting that bozo when there was little chance to recover attorneys fees and costs of court. Remember, in his 2007 chapter 7 bankruptcy he wrote off 1.29 million dollars in attorney fees alone. That is a lot of legal maneuvering! He also has around 20 grand in attorney fees on his current chapter 11 bankruptcy. So, any reputable attorney that checks him out is likely to run as he has an alarming habit of not paying his legal bills and to top it all off he is a hothead who seems to have trouble keeping his stories straight.

Soapboxmom