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Soapboxmom
01-10-2012, 10:28 AM
Fake multi-billionaire Trey White and John Marlin bankrupted the EarthQuest project. The scum are out!!!!

EarthQuest dino-park lands in bankruptcy
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
Whitestone Houston Land Ltd. (“Whitestone”), an entity that owns approximately 1,564 acres near New Caney, a portion of which includes the planned EarthQuest theme park and museum, has filed for bankruptcy.

The EarthQuest theme park and museum has been promoted for years as a soon-to-come entertainment center with retail shopping, a water park, hotels, an eco-tourism area, and a residential development, along with a dinosaur area. The project grew from $50 to $500 million+ with numerous delays in breaking ground. To date, no construction has occurred.

According to trollerbk.com, Whitestone filed a Chapter 11 petition (re-organization) for bankruptcy protection more than five months ago on August 1, 2011. The filing was made at the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas (Sherman). The bankruptcy petition number is 11- 42400.

According to Schedule B of the petition, Whitestone has $0.00 in its business checking account. Schedule D shows a total indebtedness to secured creditors of $20,167,465.94.

Schedule F of the petition indicates that Whitestone owes another $808,179.28 to various unsecured creditors. Notably, those unpaid amounts include $123,845.13 to local taxing agencies for unpaid property taxes for the 2008 to 2010 tax years. The status of payment for the property taxes due January 31, 2012, for the 2011 tax year is unknown.

Also included in Schedule F is an unsecured $225,000 note payable to the East Montgomery County Improvement District (“EMCID”). However, more significant amounts have been funded by EMCID to Whitestone in the form of expense reimbursements.

Whitestone is a limited partnership whose general partner is Whitestone Houston Holdings LLC. The manager of the general partner is John D. Marlin. Marlin is also manager of EQ Ventures GP LLC, the general partner of Global Earthquest Ventures LP (“Global”). Global is one of the parties to the contracts executed with EMCID.

According to EarthQuest Institute (http://www.earthquestinstitute.org), Marlin is also a director of the EarthQuest Institute (“Institute”), a nonprofit organization established to apparently manage the EarthQuest Museum and Institute. Marlin is shown on their website as a director of the Institute. The Institute is another of the parties to the contracts executed with EMCID.

According to Eco-Resort, Hotel, Conference Center and Theme Park | Earth Quest Resort (http://www.earthquestadventures.com), Marlin’s real estate and development company, Marlin-Atlantis, of which he is the chief executive officer, is the general partner and developer of the planned project through an entity called EarthQuest Resort. This company does not appear to be a party to the contracts executed with EMCID. Marlin-Atlantis is based in Dallas.

Marlin did not respond to a request for comment.

Frank McCrady, President and CEO of EMCID, stands behind the development. “We have a new developer who is working with the bank to take over the property and the project.

“It is not a matter of if, but when [it will be built],” he said.

According to a website at Whitestone: A Premier Master Planned Community (http://www.landadvisors.com/whitestone), Whitestone originally acquired the New Caney land for a residential development to be called Whitestone. As described in a special warranty deed dated June 14, 2004, the same being recorded in the public records of Montgomery County under Clerk’s File Number 2004-06651 and film code number 608-10-2194, the property was purchased from HS Tejas Ltd. The purchase price of the land, as stated in the first paragraph of the deed, was in the amount of $4,150,000 plus “$10 and other good and valuable consideration.”

Over time, the idea of a dinosaur-themed park and resort was developed through the principals and affiliates of Whitestone. This new concept was then planned on about 500 acres of the land that was originally intended for residential development. Due to the projected economic impact on the surrounding region, discussions were initiated with the EMCID.

Those discussions ultimately resulted in a series of complex agreements between Global, EMCID and the Earthquest Institute. Briefly stated, for the perceived future benefits of having a major theme park and other related developments, EMCID agreed to sell millions of dollars in bonds in order to provide funds to Whitestone for “pre-development” and “pre-construction” expenses.

Pursuant to a Houston Chronicle-This Week article dated August 26, 2009, the aggregate funds [then] paid by EMCID to Whitestone for the foregoing expenses totaled $7,800,000. The same article referenced a second request by Marlin for EMCID to provide another $2,800,000 to Global to pay for a “site locater fee,” the recipient of which was unnamed in the article.

McCrady said that EMCID subsequently did not advance the additional funds to pay the site locater fee.

“We do not want people alarmed and think that the project will not be built. We have Contour Entertainment from Los Angeles. They are going to take over,” he said.

McCrady said he was aware Whitestone had filed for bankruptcy some months ago.

“They have a restructuring plan – a hearing on this will be held Jan. 23 in Dallas,” he said.

The property is currently in bankruptcy but McCrady says Contour is currently working with the bank and hopes to purchase the property eventually.

“Contour is an entertainment company with experience developing theme parks all over the world. Our board thinks that is very good,” McCrady said. Contour, McCrady said, was a subcontractor of Whitestone's and performed all the design work on the EarthQuest project, he said. “Chris Brown, CEO of Contour, has been prepared to step in from the inception,” McCrady said. Owning the site would be a first for the Los Angeles-based design firm.

According to Contour Entertainment's website, Contour Entertainment (http://www.contourentertainment.com),

the company performs many functions related to theme park management but they do not own theme parks. Contour's website states that they perform concept development and show design, project management, operational planning, market research and architectural design. EarthQuest is already listed as one of the six projects Contour is working on.

The site states that, “Contour Entertainment is the Resort Masterplanner and lead designer for all aspects of this $530 million, 500-acre (Phase 1) entertainment resort as well as providing the initial design for the conceptual direction and facility design for the $20 million, 40,000-sqare foot, not-for-profit EarthQuest Institute.”

It appears that the general plan of repayment to the EMCID was to receive about one-half of the proceeds at the beginning of construction of the theme park, with the second half being repaid after construction of the park was completed. However, there have been numerous changes and amendments to the original contracts and the current status of the repayment terms is uncertain. The filing of the bankruptcy petition has created concerns about any projected construction date and whether or not the bankruptcy filing has jeopardized the repayment of the monies funded by EMCID to Global.

“Whitestone was just a landholding company,” McCrady said. “The bond paid for predevelopment expenses, engineers, drainage, things like that all related to EarthQuest.”

McCrady said that repayments are certain, based on future sales tax recapture as well as future taxes attached to the development zone and future hotel taxes.

“We would not have issued bonds if there was any chance of the funds not being recovered,” he said.

The contracts further provide that, should the project not be constructed, then EMCID would have the right to purchase certain properties owned by the Institute. That purchase option is for the 50 acres upon which the Dino Institute and Museum would be built. The option price for that tract is $1,250,000. This amount would be in addition to the original $7,800,000 already known to be approved by the bond to Global.

McCrady said that EMCID and the bond has put up about $9 million. He said “you can add another million to the bond money” for expenses to date.

Marlin Atlantis also received approval from taxing authorities for property tax abatements to enhance the profitability of the project via Montgomery County Commissioners Court and from the passage of House Bill 4015. At the same time, the contracts between Global and EMCID would have set in motion a set of new taxes and user fees in connection with the development and operation of the theme park and museum, including Improvement Zone sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes, along with event admission taxes and parking fees and taxes.

In fact, McCrady said,”Without a doubt, this will happen. If Contour fails, others are willing to step up. We are not putting all our faith in one developer. That is not the way we do business. We have backup plans A, B, C and D.”

“From our perspective, the board thinks the future sales tax will pay back the money. The property is well suited to retail development.

“Contour is hoping to pick up the project after the bankruptcy is complete,” McCrady said. “Houston is poised for theme park projects. We have three different economic reports that say that.”

List of creditors and amounts owed listed in the bankruptcy filing:

Creditors holding secured claims, according to Schedule D:

J.R. Moore, Jr. Tax Assessor, $15,970.81; County of Montgomery Tax Office, $61,943.94; Hillcrest Bank, $20,043,611.21; J. R. Moore, Jr. Tax Assessor, $45,939.98.

Creditors Holding Unsecured Claims, according to Schedule F:

Anco-McDonald Waterworks, $5,385; Bracewell & Guiliani LLP, $952.50; Cindy A Schmidt, $2,521.57; Coasts, Rose, Yale Ryman & Lee, $3858.83; East Montgomery County Improvement District, $225,000; Hayne and Associates PC, $155; Hesse & Hesse LLP, $225; Ryan & Company PC, $1025; Sammons Realty Corp., $275,683.88; Texas Commission-Environmental Quality, $2,565.38; Thompson & Knight LLP, $11,978.74, and WMA Whitestone Land LP, $278,828.38.

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)

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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
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
02-17-2012, 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
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)

http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif (http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4cfffe180b0a0f10)
© 2011 Ourtribune.com

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
03-13-2012, 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
03-30-2012, 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
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, 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
04-05-2012, 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

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
04-09-2012, 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

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, 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
04-25-2012, 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
04-26-2012, 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.



Soapboxmom (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/9904-soapboxmom/)



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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.

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
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
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Site Location consultant/Partner at The Vercitas Group
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Consultant at EMCID
Senior Project Director at The Institute EarthQuest
President/CEO at Professional Economic Development Organizations

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University of Phoenix
Wright State University
Wright State University

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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, 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
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
05-05-2012, 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?

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
05-14-2012, 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
05-17-2012, 10:26 AM
Consultant (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Consultant&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=C&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_*1_*2_ *1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2)

EMCID (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&currentCompany=C&company=EMCID&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_*1_*2_ *1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2)



October 2006 – Present (5 years 8 months) East Montgomery County Texas
I have been a working project director under a consulting agreement to help create EMCID as the largest central time zone tourism destination in the US. It is anchored by the EarthQuest Theme Park & Resort, but we have expanded the concept to focus on ancillary and stand alone additional destination tourism concepts and opportunities to build the district's over-all tourism capacity even greater.


Now that Earthquest is a toilet flush, he is claiming there are ancillary projects. The shooting range nonsense he wants to bring in I imagine. I called again after giving the EMCID time to check records and I was told Holbrook was not under contract with them any longer, so what is he babbling about. Good grief!


Interim President & CEO (acting on pro-bono basis currently) (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Interim+President+%26+CEO+%28acting+on+pro-bono+basis+currently%29&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=C&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_*1_*2_ *1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2)

The EarthQuest Institute (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&currentCompany=C&company=The+EarthQuest+Institute&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Efps_PBCK_*1_Don_Holbrook_*1_*1_*1_*1_*2_ *1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_*2_*2_* 2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_ *2_*2)
Nonprofit Organization Management industry


2009 – Present (3 years) East Montgomery County Texas
I helped to found and organize the non-profite and developed the mission and objectives. I later negotiated for their acquisition of their future site for the construction of their public demonstration facility and showcase pavilion for green strategies and products that will raise consumer awareness. Currently EQI is not soliciting funds as they are awaiting the announcement of the new theme park developer by EMCID and the expected official business relationship that EQI desires to have with the new developer. At that time I expect the new board will hire a new President/CEO for renewed and sustained operations going forward. I am still a major supporter of this concept and believe in it's purpose greatly!


What a load of dung. If that is the case he needs to immediately make available the records required by the IRS and the Texas Non-profit Corporation Act to be available. After 1.4 million being blown, much of which was tax dollars funneled in through the EMCID and the donors money being completely wasted, I seriously doubt this thing will go forward. If Matthew Gardner and Don Lessem could get some experienced and honest people to manage it while they focused on their true talents in the science end, then it might be possible to resuscitate the thing. Holbrook with his $185.00 an hour salary expected needs to be sent packing!

Remember what Lessem said in the Houston Press:


Although EarthQuest was going to be built on land owned by White's empire, he preferred to focus on Evolv, leaving the hands-on stuff to his partner, John Marlin. When Lessem's idea of a nonprofit was incorporated as the EarthQuest Institute (http://www.houstonpress.com/related/to/EarthQuest+Institute), White sat back and let Marlin take the reins. But Marlin and Lessem clashed, as Marlin's hands-on activities allegedly included screaming in Lessem's face for no discernible reason.


When asked if Lessem felt that Marlin pressured him into resigning from the board, Lessem puts it like this: "He walks into a board meeting and says, 'I don't like the way you run the organization, you have to quit.'...I sensed a certain pressure in there, subtly...But ultimately, I felt I had to go along with it, because his support of the entire project was at that point vital." (Marlin could not be reached for comment; multiple calls to multiple extensions at Marlin Atlantis's office went straight to voice mail. The Press left messages with two of Marlin's bankruptcy attorneys, as well as his wife, who for some reason was surprised to hear that no one ever answers the phone at her husband's office.)


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."......But it seems there was plenty of bullshitting to go around, with much of it spewed by both McCrady and his dubious consultant, Don Holbrook. With Lessem out of the picture, EarthQuest's destiny seemed to be largely in their hands.



With all the money wasted and deluge of negative publicity, why is the board allowing Don Holbrook to have any involvement in this? He is viciously attacking anyone who asks questions or speaks out. Possibly some of those same Texans who have donated to the Earthquest Institute I might add. Does that a make Holbrook a good candidate for the head of a non-profit that will depend on public support for its thrivival??? Unbelievable!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-22-2012, 08:33 AM
Chris Brown acting like they just started looking for financing for Earthquest is laughable. In 2009 Don Holbrook was paying his cohorts at Sage fundraising to gather funds for the non-profit Earthqueset Institute which lined his pockets quite handsomely that year I might add. Numerous groundbreaking dates have been announced over the years as if the money were already secured. Heck, that liar Holbrook wrote Pahrump an e-mail claiming Earthquest would break ground in December 2011 or early 2012. He also claimed in May 2011 that Contour is buying (present tense) the land that is now in bankruptcy. Smoke, mirrors, lies and subterfuge. All we have to show for those clowns coming is pretty drawings, a model and hundreds of thousands of dollars wasted on the lifestyle of the rich and famous travel program that made stops all across the globe at Holbrook's behest.

I like the way Brown refused to go into Holbrook being sued in Ohio. Brown also ignored the comment about Holbrook in the press. Holbrook, with his online attacks and nasty attitude toward the taxpayers, has made himself unwelcome everywhere. I did suggest a new career for him given his fascination with polls, or is that poles.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-23-2012, 10:25 AM
Hobrook is out in Pahrump.

Theme park second phase up for vote | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-second-phase-up-for-vote/)

Posted on23 May 2012.

By Selwyn Harris
The Pahrump town board will decide whether to move forward with the second phase of a proposed tourist destination without the man who was initially hired to conduct a feasibility study for the project.
Don Holbrook was the subcontractor for Contour Entertainment Inc., and the Vercitas Group.
Both companies were given the green light by the board to embark on the project last June.
The second phase of the project will cost the town $207,000.
Pahrump Town Manager Bill Kohbarger said on Monday that Holbrook is no longer involved with the project.
He also noted that Holbrook’s departure will also save the town money.
“He’s not in phase two. We have cut most of what he was doing out of the picture and that is going to be picked up by the town or county if the county decides to. I felt that it was a good time that the town can move forward with the expertise that is currently within the staff. We didn’t need an individual like Mr. Holbrook to assist us in that category, so I asked Contour to take that section out and it was $287,000, now it’s $207,000,” he said.
So far, the town has already paid more than $160,000 for the first phase of the project.
Kohbarger said the board is sensitive of the costs.
He also noted that the town will not be in breach of contract if it decides not to move ahead with the next phase of the project.
“It’s a lot of money and I know it is weighing heavily on them. I have all the confidence in the world that this town board will make the appropriate decision whether it be no or yes. There is an out clause,” he said.
Aside from the $207,000, for the second phase, Holbrook and Contour requested an additional $13,000 for travel expenses and $40,000 to hire a lobbyist for the project.
Kohbarger said that he has already addressed that matter with Contour officials.
“I’ve talked to Contour and that figure is going to be paired down greatly because I have told them that most of these meetings don’t need to be face to face. It can be done over the Internet either via Skype, or Go to Meeting. It could be cut down 80 percent or even more. Once the town board decides to either go for or not go for it, I’ll bring that back to the table with Contour. I’ve laid everything out and we must use the technology that is out there so we can save on costs,” he said.
On the issue of hiring a lobbyist, Kohbarger said the action could be a benefit to the town if the project were to continue.
“If we do something, we want to do it right. We want to create some zones that will be able to bring tax increment districts in and maybe sales tax districts so that this can pay for itself and we won’t have to put it on the taxpayers. When we go out to the private sector, we are going to have some bait to dangle in front of the private sector,” he said.
Holbrook’s previous business dealings have been under scrutiny as of late.
A project in Texas called “EarthQuest,” slated to open this year, is mired in bankruptcy litigation.
EarthQuest was proposed as a 500-acre dinosaur themed entertainment and educational project in New Caney, Texas, which is roughly 40 minutes from downtown Houston.
Another project in Huber Heights, Ohio is also in litigation.
The Huber Heights City Council is suing Holbrook for allegedly performing substandard work on an economic analysis for the city located northwest of Dayton.
The city entered into a $66,000 contract with Holbrook, who was hired to create an economic development business case and conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat analysis.
The city paid $53,800 prior to receiving Holbrook’s finished product, which was described by the city council as a report that failed to conform to the terms of the contract and did not conform to industry standards.
According to the lawsuit, the city withheld its final payment to Holbrook and demanded a full refund.
Holbrook’s attorney Sue Seeberger responded with an email regarding the lawsuit.
“This matter with the city of Huber Heights, Ohio and Don Holbrook, LLC., is now in litigation. Needless to say, we dispute each and everyone of their claims. Don Holbrook completed its contract with the City of Huber Heights and did not breach its agreement in any way. The city’s claims for conversion, fraudulent inducement, and negligent misrepresentation lack any basis in fact and are not grounded under Ohio law. The city’s claim for unjust enrichment is another way to sue for breach of contract and is likewise baseless,” the statement read.
Holbrook also provided his thoughts on the matter in a separate email to the Pahrump Valley Times.
“My team did our contractual mission and without any previous knowledge of dissatisfaction, they decided to breach our contract and did not disclose to us officially for what reason nor allow us the ability to address any reasonable concerns with a possible remedy or contractual cure. We obviously reported to the City Manager on our project for direction and scope of work due diligence management for the final report.
“The City Manager not once indicated there was any dissatisfaction with our work and only on the day of final report delivery his last official day of work , he said they had some questions about more detail on the size and scope descriptions for the next steps,” Holbrook’s email stated.
Kohbarger, meanwhile, suggested that he would prefer to have Holbrook settle his other business at hand, without being distracted by the Pahrump project.
“Right now there’s just too many clouds hanging out there and we want a clear sky when and if we proceed. I feel that the county staff, and the town staff can do what it was Mr. Holbrook was going to do, therefore I told Contour that we do not need his services,” he said.
Board member Harley Kulkin made his feelings known about the status of the project.
Kulkin who initially supported the idea said he is disappointed with the outcome up to this point.
“As I sit here at the moment, I am not satisfied with phase one. I could not support sending any more money for whatever they are proposing for phase two. I feel that in order to move forward, the people of Pahrump have to support the project. I’m just not satisfied with everything. At this moment I could not support moving forward and spending any more money until I am happy with the first phase,” he said.
Due to timing restraints, results from Tuesday’s town board meeting action items will appear in Friday’s edition of the Pahrump Valley Times.


Officials doubt theme park doable (http://pvtimes.com/news/officials-doubt-theme-park-doable/)


Posted on23 May 2012.

By Mark Waite
Chris Brown didn’t get any support from Nye County commissioners Monday for the Contour Phase II project, the theme park they already pitched to the Pahrump town board titled Adventure Springs.
Brown said the first phase, an economic feasibility study, suggested the county and state could be approached to support the theme park, along with private sector financing to mitigate risk. State legislation to create an economic improvement zone was suggested during a presentation before the board.
The project is designed to accelerate tourism in the Pahrump area, he said, attracting tourists traveling from Las Vegas to Death Valley, or Spring Mountain Motor Sports Ranch, Front Sight Firearms Training Institute and other area attractions.
Developers envision a theme park with a town center, restaurants, cinema, visitor center, and an attraction that can’t be replicated in Las Vegas. A western themed village, water park, even an alien theme park, were some of the suggestions.
Pahrump Town Board members last June voted 4-1 to pay $154,600 for the first phase of the theme park project, or its feasibility study. The money came out of the town’s $950,000 tourism fund. The second phase would cost $207,000, which would identify financial support, he said.
The second phase will include creation of a package to use in discussions with town, county and state representatives, Brown said.
A lobbyist would be hired by the town of Pahrump to ask the state Legislature to approve a special economic improvement zone for the project, Brown said.
Legislation would also have to be changed at the federal level to lift restrictions on the 1998 congressional allocation transferring the 427 acres from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to the town of Pahrump.
Brown said he was asked to appear at the county commission meeting by Pahrump Town Manager Bill Kohbarger. No backup information on the project was available for the meeting, but Commissioner Dan Schinhofen had enough concerns reading about it in the media to give it a thumbs down.
Schinhofen wanted to know how many projects Contour Entertainment brought to fruition that are now operating. Brown said his company didn’t have any.
“We had property given for a fairgrounds. I understand you’re saying that’s not necessarily the property that you would use for this, but what I read in that first phase $187,000, I think we got shorted by about $137,000. I have no inclination to support this project at all, especially considering the past performance,” Schinhofen said.
Brown told town board members last year that Contour Entertainment included former executives of Disney Corp; Brown said he spent 17 years with the company himself. But Commissioner Joni Eastley Monday had questions about Vercitas Corp and Don Holbrook’s role in the project.
“Vercitas was a subcontractor we used in a prior phase. That’s basically a gentleman named Don Holbrook, he was and would be our economic development subcontractor relative to this type of work,” Brown said.
But Holbrook wouldn’t represent Vercitas, he said.
“He would leave the Vercitas umbrella and kind of strike out on his own?” Eastley asked.
Brown said Holbrook incorporated another company called Economic Developer LLC, a Nevada corporation to incorporate the type of services he offers as a professional in the industry.
“We worked with him in other locations on a number of occasions and have a professional relationship with him,” Brown said.
Eastley referred to action taken by the Huber Heights, Ohio City Council in March to sue Holbrook, for which the city already paid a significant amount of money on a project. Holbrooks’ role has been significantly decreased with Adventure Springs, Brown said.
But Eastley said a social netwoking website with a page authored by former Pahrump Economic Development Director Al Balloqui listed Holbrook as a former employer.
“How many projects have you worked on with Mr. Holbrook and how many have come to fruition and are currently operating?” Eastley asked.
Brown said he met Holbrook on a project in Houston four years ago that’s still ongoing and Contour Entertainment has taken over as the primary developer.
That project is entering into a capital raise phase, he said. The prior developer failed to raise capital in 2008-2009 and had a lot of problems, Brown said. The developer stepped aside and the local improvement district asked his company to step up and take control. Brown said an East Montgomery County Improvement District is funding the development project, which is paid off by taxes as it is consummated.
Brown said Holbrook’s scope in the Pahrump theme park project has been significantly curtailed.
Eastley wanted more information about whether it would be a full blown theme park. Brown said he envisions something that cannot be replicated in Las Vegas.
“Fundamentally, that avenue boils down to things that take land that would not be financially or commercially viable in Las Vegas or things that are not allowed, due to city laws or ordinances, etc. These involved concepts like the think tank, which involves a tank experience which is land intensive and requires special accommodations,” Brown said.
Brown said the theme park still includes constructing ball parks, which will bring players to town for tournaments. Eastley thought that was a good idea.
Brown said the company recommended not to invest in designing the project until they find out what is economically feasible.
County Commissioner Butch Borasky had concerns about deviating from the original fairgrounds plan.
“You’re going to go lobby Washington to allow them for a public-private partnership, which is actually forbidden the way the deed was given on that property?” Borasky asked.
Brown said he won’t be the lobbyist. He suggested the town could move on to other properties, which the Pahrump town board has endorsed.
“We’re not restricted to that site, there’s certainly other land around we could use for this development,” Brown said.
The initial pro forma suggested a $35 million to $50 million development, Brown said. There would be investor solicitation, he said. A deliverable project of this second phase is to deliver an opinion on private sector financing, which Brown said would outweigh public sector financing.
“There are projects that could be done immediately with private sector financing on a smaller scale,” Brown said.
“That was a core anchor concept. This was developed as a structure that could grow over time,” he said.
Phase II was shrunk back to see what support is reasonable that developers could expect, he said.
Nye County earmarked a $181,000 grant for an irrigation well at the fairgrounds site, a grant that expires in September, County Manager Pam Webster said.
The other county commissioners didn’t have any comments to make during the presentation.
http://pvtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/66662521-e1337782256545-150x150.jpg (http://pvtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/66662521-e1337782256545.jpg) Don Holbrook http://pvtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/7109380-150x150.jpg (http://pvtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/7109380.jpg) Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley



« Theme park second phase up for vote (http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-second-phase-up-for-vote/)

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The taxpayers have to be satisfied with and support the project, Holbrook, and you threatening them just ended your welcome there and probably everywhere else!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-25-2012, 01:01 PM
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/static-ak/rsrc.php/v2/ym/r/t6iv9Q7G_NF.png (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vercitas-Group/109069422456540) The Vercitas Group (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vercitas-Group/109069422456540)
Partner · Jan 2006 to present · Las Vegas, Nevada
Site Location and Strategic Economic Development consulting services

Australia Christmas Island Destination Tourism Projectwith Simon Millcock (http://www.facebook.com/simon.millcock)
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 (http://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 Matthew Gardner (http://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.



http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQD2aDmqQvZX5jeb&w=50&h=50&url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia% 2Fcommons%2F9%2F97%2FBadaracco.jpg&crop&fallback=hub_likes&prefix=q (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Public-speaking/103479653017603) Public speaking (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Public-speaking/103479653017603)
keynote speaking at major functions · Jan 2006 to present
I am a professional public speaker for keynote addresses at major paid functions. I focus on the economy and how things can be turned around, fearless leadership during chaotic times, and rebooting local economies during the transitional turbulent global economic times.
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50260_45747613928_1659077343_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tudor-Wines/45747613928) Tudor Wines (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tudor-Wines/45747613928)
Zeppelin Wines
Dan Tudor friend of Stillman Brown and the Holbrook's is one of the other extraordinaire wine makers of California! His Pinot Noir's are some of Don's favorite. You can see his wine everywhere under the label RadDog!

Zeppelin Winery & Vineyardswith Stillman Brown (http://www.facebook.com/stillman.brown)
2009 to present
The genius creation of Stillman Brown in a quiet and strategic business relationship with the Holbrook's to create the most premier wines in the world with the best wine maker in the world. Stillman supplies the the winemaking genius touch, Don's give financial and corporate structure guidance and Laurie just promotes the wine everywhere to get Stillman out in the public. The winery has contracts with grape growers and Stillman attends to some long-term plantings that have turned out the Super Award Winner- The Black Zeppelin label. All in all a great wine only available to our customer list. Stillman tries to keep the production down to about 3,000 to 4,000 case per year. He also rents a wine cave for the aging and storage of some of our best wines.












Grad School


http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/373013_42149076048_1869288574_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/universityofphoenix) University of Phoenix (http://www.facebook.com/universityofphoenix)
MBA · Business Administration/Technology Management







College


http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBt0JVsV8P69eKw&w=50&h=50&url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia% 2Fen%2F2%2F26%2FWrightStateLogo.png&crop&fallback=hub_education&prefix=q (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wright-State-University/109691242389733) Wright State University (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wright-State-University/109691242389733)
Urban Planning & Economic Geography · Dayton, Ohio







High School


http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/static-ak/rsrc.php/v2/yy/r/v8doHqXa0TN.png (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Butler/112298382123457) Butler (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Butler/112298382123457)
Class of 1979 · Vandalia, Ohio
http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBfuNSPQzoI6-wR&w=50&h=50&url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia% 2Fen%2F4%2F4a%2FDC3Cwarrior.jpg&crop&fallback=hub_education&prefix=q (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dayton-Christian-High-School/107723265924452) Dayton Christian High School (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dayton-Christian-High-School/107723265924452)
Dayton, Ohio





https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/565123_100001075026392_1988894845_n.jpg

(https://www.facebook.com/simon.millcock)Simon Millcock
(https://www.facebook.com/simon.millcock)



Kings College (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kings-College/106163459422449)


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/533144_345343775511454_100001075026392_951233_2087 377770_n.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=345343775511454&set=a.129445257101308.13538.100001075026392&type=1)

Simon Millcock (Indian Ocean Territories) (http://www.edaustralia.com.au/aboutus/the-board) is the Economic Development Officer for Australia's Indian Ocean Territories (Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands) he is employed by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department. He has a long history in youth, community and economic development in regional South Australia. Simon is also a 2005 graduate of the South Australian Governors Leadership Foundation. __________________________________________________ ____________
All BS. Matthew Gardner has not been involved in the Earthquest debacle for over a year. Pahrump sent him packing and Al Balloqui exited stage left on that one a long time ago. I can't find any mention of any destination tourism project he is working on in Christmas island anywhere. Jeff Finkle will probably think all this deserves an IEDC award.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
05-30-2012, 06:37 PM
EMCID tells EarthQuest founder, 'No action at this time' - Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13678)

EMCID tells EarthQuest founder, 'No action at this time'
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Geoffrey Geiger
The recent news coverage of the controversial EarthQuest project in New Caney and spending by the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) prompted a visit from the project’s founder Don Lessem.

“After all half a dozen years, I think I’ve lent my concepts out long enough. I am, however, still committed to bringing the big park to the area, given the appeal of the area for tourism and the patient support of the community despite all the wrong steps taken,” Lessem told The Tribune.

Lessem traveled from his home in Pennsylvania but this trip did not produce the result Lessem wanted, though it publicly ensured the continuously stalled eco-resort and theme park project was still “moving forward” under Contour Entertainment.

Lessem had three requests of the EMCID board:a reversion of the intellectual property rights to him after 2013, permission to market EarthQuest 500 miles from Texas with Contour still on the project and a 2.5 percent finders fee for the money he brought in for the district. The rights are currently held through Contour. Lessem said the project is still viable under Contour’s leadership. The details of the two-hour executive session between Lessem and the board are not available, but the board declined to take any official action on Lessem’s requests. Publicly, EMCID President Frank McCrady said that Chris Brown of Contour would not agree to the terms, would but assured Lessem there might be a viable option in the future.

Lessem told The Tribune he was disappointed with the decision, but said, “I do understand that they felt it their best chance to repay taxpayer money was to retain this intellectual property. I gave what little I still had (the name itself) to EMCID recently for two reasons: to get back about $30,000 in expenses three years overdue, and to give Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment free rein to try and sell the project - as he is now the option-holder to develop the property. While he’s not a financial person, he is well-versed and honest and we all hope he will succeed. If he can’t in the next year, I think he’ll withdraw and then I think EMCID should return my concept to me - after nearly seven years without any benefit to me.”
EarthQuest 2009 bond sale: where did tax dollars go - Monday, April 30, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13545)

First, Contour Entertainment was paid $1,726,978.37 out of the bond proceeds. Originally employed by the Developer as the lead designer and planner for EarthQuest, it is their work that largely constitutes the “intellectual property” often referred to by Frank McCrady, president of EMCID.



Contour’s work product is an essential component of EarthQuest, provided the project is built as originally conceived (i.e. a dinosaur-themed park). But due to the thematic nature of those plans, it is doubtful that work product would hold any value to a another party if EarthQuest isn’t built. Therefore, repeated assurances by EMCID officials as to the value of the intellectual property must be qualified. That is, any perceived value of the intellectual property is wholly dependent upon EarthQuest being built as originally planned.





Comment by: Don Holbrook on Mar. 9th, 2012
With regard to all the rumors and unjust comments about EMCID and Frank McCrady, I can truly say this about the entire situation:

Just because John Marlin as the original developer failed to perform does not mean he did so with malicious intent. I believe we experienced and most Americans still are experiencing one of the worst global financial crisis in most of our lifetimes. He simply was trying to do this and did not know the economy would tank and thus his investors ran for cover as did thousands of other projects across the globe... Almost every city, town and region has faced this same scenario. Many with no hope of turning their plight around.

But not EMCID, led by Mr. McCrady. EMCID looked at it strategically and said if we are to improve our local economy we have to focus on being a destination in our region. They diversified and began working on more than just EarthQuest to build visitor draw and ancillary and complimentary tourism projects that employ people, fill hotel rooms, buy gas, food and other things. These efforts diversified their risk and made them not so dependent on just the success of EarthQuest. Those actions are now bearing fruit... Wake Boarding is hugely popular and will attract residents from all over Houston to EMCID territory to spend money and guess what employ people. Then they attract the worlds #1 Firearms Training Institute to build their new $25M plus state of the art world headquarters to EMCID besting out San Antonio for the project, which attracts over 25,000 trainees from around the world on NV and they expect to do over 60,000 in Texas. Those create nearly 300,000 room nights, consume food & beverages and buy gas and other retail items while in EMCID territory.

Not a bad outcome considering the great economic transition we are in. But I'm not skipping EarthQuest. EMCID once Marlin made them award he couldn't perform began making plans for how to mitigate Marlins lack of performance. They did not sulk or stick their head in the sand. They asked Chris Brown, one of the worlds foremost theme park designers to consider becoming the developer. He accepted the challenge and began planning the mitigation. He began by updating the business model so it would be valid in the post 2008 economic meltdown. Then he started building an astute board of advisors from the theme park industry and raising capital so that he could do the most important first step, regain site control once the Bankruptcy Court and the Bank were willing to allow such actions. This was controlled not by EMCID or Chris Brown but our judicial system.

Meanwhile EMCID strategically made all the right moves to protect the project so it could move forward. They positioned their interest in the land at no additional cost so they could provide Brown the new developer with an option to purchase the land from the BK proceedings. They clawed back all intellectual rights to the project and wrote a new and much stronger new development agreement requiring the new developer to license the Intellectual Property for a fee that would be enough to pay off the public investment in the project.

Most important they remembered that Marlins failure did not mean the project was not viable. Three different world renowned theme park experts all agreed Houston is the best market in the central time zone for a major Theme Park. So EMCID made sure the project would continue to move towards successful opening even if the developer failed. In my opinion EMCID and McCrady did their job excellent and because of their actions, someday soon Greater Houston will have one of the greatest theme park attractions in America. EMCID's strategic vision and perseverance will prove to have been strategically well executed and produce exceptional economic outcomes for their constituents. I feel so sad that these good people have endure such horrible abuse from some in the general public while doing their peers such a great outcome. Now that the Marlin scenario is beginning to settle out EMCID is moving forward just as it appears the economy is beginning to invest again. I know they will do excellent. I also believe Chris Brown deserves our full support as he works hard to get a great project back on track.


A Disneyland for gun lovers - Monday, February 20, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13341)

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.


EMCID claims EarthQuest project still in progress despite several setbacks - Tuesday, March 27, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13441)

McCrady emphasized that a stall in the 500-acre eco-project stemmed from dire economic vicissitudes beginning in 2008. In 2010, a redesign of the park was ordered after failing to secure several million dollars in funding. John Marlin, of Marlin-Atlantis, the original developer of EarthQuest said that $500 million could be difficult to secure so a redesign was conducted for $307 million. Whitestone Houston Land, Ltd., the affiliate through Marlin-Atlantis, of Dallas, filed for bankruptcy in August of 2011.

National homebuilder D. R. Horton proposed a $10.7 million bid for a portion of the property on March 5, with a hearing scheduled for April. According to McCrady, if Horton is able to purchase the portion, then the new project developter, Contour Entertainment, can begin working more extensively after June.

"We are ecstatic," McCrady said of the bid. "We feel that [Horton] brings a great deal of stability to the transaction."

Contour was originally the park designer, and is now hoping to secure more than $500 million. McCrady said that if Contour could not secure the funding, then other interested developers could step in. McCrady did not disclose those other interested developers. EMCID has committed more than $2 million to the project along with a $7.8 million bond issue.

However, McCrady stated, "Following the April hearing, we [EMCID] will post updates to our website."

The public concerns have reached county and state officials as well. State Senator Tommy Williams (R-4) said the issue raised some serious questions.

"It is important this matter has a thorough investigation. It is important that the improvement district will allow an investigation. The public has a faith in the district to uphold their fiduciary duty to the taxpayers, and it is very important that the full light of day shine on this matter. I am certain it will happen," Williams said.

This follows recent district financial revelations documented by The Tribune and sources that include several hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on consulting fees for the project. The Tribune also secured cash flow and expense report statements that outlined other EMCID expenses which have raised questions by district residents. Expense examples include more than $21,000 in sporting tickets and several hundreds of thousands on meals and trips internationally. However, McCrady and EMCID Chairman Leon Cubillas insisted to the forum attendees that every expense is "legitimate" and approved as the expenses act as incentives for business relocation to the district. More than $300,000 was budgeted for 2011-2012 alone.

"Dealing with economic development is a very complex thing. You have to take into account how competitive and how cut throat it is. This requires a greater effort to ensure business comes to east Montgomery County," McCrady said.
This project is in serious trouble. Don Holbrook claims EMCID has the intellectual property rights. Don Lessem is wanting them back. Contour appears have the intellectual property rights as of today, so Frank McCrady claiming, "if Contour could not secure the funding, then other interested developers could step in" is complete bunk. How can anyone else step in if they don't have the rights to the ideas that are the core of the project.

With the property rights a bone of contention, no investor will touch this with a ten foot pole. I would not be at all surprised to see this end up in protracted litigation. For this to go forward the party that possesses the intellectual property rights must be clearly established! Another dino disaster in the making.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-16-2012, 04:11 PM
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Who Moved My Smokestack? [Kindle Edition]

Don A. Holbrook (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Don%20A.%20Holbrook) (Author)
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Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2008
America's failure to protect our jobs and stop the erosion of the American Dream. The greatest travesty of the 21st century is the impact of globalization, Petrolism, and monetized special interest driven politics. Rebuilding our American Dream should be the utmost priority for all Americans and those who serve us in this century. This is a blueprint for shifting todays paradigm from the perspective of economic development at the local level.



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About the Author

Don A. Holbrook, Certified Economic Developer, (CEcD) 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 public capital investment generating more than 50,000 jobs in his 17 years in the profession. Don has specialized in creating customized incentive policies to increase equity and reduce operational costs. He is considered a foremost thought leader on what is referred to as Hybridized Public Capital Investments. 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 investment capital. He negotiates agreements that establish reasonable parameters for such investments to occur and removes the red-tape in order to establish an acceptable deal. He believes the process of developing world class communities is a paradigm shift in their mindset and not determined by their geographic location or population rather by the quality and vision of their local leadership. He advocates a seven step process to achieve such world class community mindsets.





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Global meltdown and how to rebuild local economies (http://www.amazon.com/review/R16SG0NOFI7VUV/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B003NHRA6O&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text) July 24, 2010
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Hi everyone, this book was designed to let folks know of the coming economic meltdown now referred to as the "Perfect Storm" the "Great Recession" and by my friend Richard Florida as the "Great Reboot." I think you will find that this book offers over 50 different approaches as to how local economies, community leaders, corporate citizens and even us as individuals can be prepared to climb out of this economic malaise... and shift our paradigms. I hope you enjoy it, I had fun writing it.

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As a professional economist and certified economic developer, Don Allen Holbrook has instructive views on how economic development can transform America and assist her in regaining her global competitive edge. He has over 20 years experience in the industry and is a fellow member of the prestigious International Economic Development Council. Holbrook is the consummate thought leader amongst his peers and is a renowned international public speaker on the subject of transforming local economies to lead communities to world class status no matter their geographic location, population and/or natural resources. Holbrook believes world class communities are determined by the mindset of the communities leaders and how they embrace change in a proactive manner. Holbrook consults for companies on how to select the most cost-effective location for their new or expanding business and negotiates local & state economic development business incentives to lower the cost of such new investments and increase his clients ROI. He designed the first electronic site location system via the world wide web that profiled communities by their measured business climate and quality of life indices. He is considered a pioneer and one the worlds foremost site location consultants and is one of America's top public policy experts on attracting business investments and foreign direct investments into local economies.

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New Caney

An unincorporated area in southeastern Montgomery County, Teas, New Caney grew rapidly during the 1980s and 1990s with an estimated population of 8,000 in 1980 and 17,189 by 2000. The primary factor driving population growth is its proximity to the Houston metropolitan area. In 1997, New Caney’s community leaders established their own improvement district, the East Montgomery County improvement District or EMCID. Its sole purpose was to carve out a niche for economic development within the surrounding high-growth sprawl of greater Houston.

In order to achieve this purpose, two goals were defined: first, traditional economic development through the creation of shovel-ready sites capable of supporting high-quality jobs along with robust infrastructure that would make them competitive; and second, EMCID’s sponsoring of a new state-of-the-art community center that includes community college offices, a library, EMCID’s offices, and the East Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.

Once these goals were agreed upon, EMCID’s board applied for initial financing to the Texas Legislature in 2007 for approval of additional taxing authority under a provision known as Request for Allocation of Sales Tax Funding that allows successful applicants to levy additional half-cent sales taxes to use for development projects. By this stage EMCID’s board had also decided to extend its development commitments to Earthquest, a private sector-driven combination theme park and museum and/or institute and to designate it as EMCID’s primary investment project.

When completed, the new five-hundred-acre complex will house a full-scale “green” theme park and “dinosaur city” institute styled along the lines of a modern paleontological research center. The EMCID board is projecting growth of more than $1 billion annually and ten thousand jobs. Frank McCrady, EMCID’s president, fully appreciated the risks involved but thinks the potential gains are so significant that even partial success will guarantee ample rewards.

The story behind EMCID and New Caney’s success is one of taking the decade –old statewide Texas local sales tax proposition to heart. This sales tax provision, approved by the Texas Legiislature in the mid-1990s, is designed so that local development entities such as EMCID may apply to the state for authorization to levy 4(a) and 4(b) additional half-cent sales taxes. These new taxes are authorized specifically to fund local development projects. The laborious approval process can take months from inception to completion, and since the Texas Legislature meets only once every year, this can further delay getting the green light.

EMCID’s board conducted its own research and then went a step further, successfully lobbying the legislature for passage of its uniques hybrid version of the enabling legislation, HB 4015, which received approval in the 2007 legislative session. This bill allows EMCID to focus additional sales taxes and ad valorem taxes within the development district on special economic projects. Each project, in turn, creates a special tax zone from which can be imposed additional food and beverage, hotel occupancy, ticket admissions, and property taxes, leading to the funding of development projects such as Earthquest.

According to Karin Richmond of Austin’s Intelligent Incentives Inc., this legislation gave EMCID the most powerful economic-development tools in the state. By the time its proposal reached the statehouse door, EMCID had already performed some traditional economic-development work so that its campaign to get the proposal passed had a leg up from the beginning because of an established track record, including its well-received Earthquest presentation.

In decision-making on exactly what its development projects should be, the EMCID board fully understood the importance of its SWOT analysis, and its members agreed that something special was required in order to attract attention from the investment world. Following up at this point, the members further decided that instead of asking private sector clients to pay the freight for considering their local, EMCID needed to front the risk capital for an economic business case-study analysis (which ultimately totaled about $500,000).

The Baker Leisure Group of Orlando, Florida, a firm with long experience in the themed attractions industry, was retained by EarthQuest’s original sponsors to conduct a warranted-investment study. This essentially is a study using language familiar to financial professionals that lays out the economis-development encentives and risk-reduction inducements of a development project. A clear-cut warranted-investment model is applicable both to private investors and to publicly traded companies. In addition, Baker aksi advised the EMCID board memberes on what products would work in East Montgomery County, including what the return on investment, or ROI, would be for typical investors.

After EarthQuest was chosen as the primary development project, EMCID now had a business proposal for potential investors that was specific to EMCID’s locale and was written employing language familiar to the financial community. In addition to BLG, EMCID hired exoerts from ITech of Orlando, Florida, Contour Design and Dezignskape (started by former Disney Imagineering / Design employees) of Los Angeles to do the blue-sky conceptual designs, master land-use plan overview, and visitor experience narrative.

Now potential investors could study a multilayered design model that helped them to more fully appreciate the investment fine points behind the numberse. Last, but most assuredly not least, EMCID co-marketed with EarthQuest’s initial principal sponsor the necessary research to find the right investor group and for the prospectus for the initial investor solicitiation that was aimed at either private or publicly traded firms.

Finally, EMCID’s last steps at this stage were to option and gain site control of necessary highway frontage property. At this point, EMCID had market intelligence, a unique sales tool in its warranted-investment study model, site control. And incentives to offer prospective investors. The recommendation to use these specific investment tools was made by me in my role as economic -development consultant to EMCID.

As a further measure of validation, I also recommended that Karin Richmond of Intelligent Incentives be hired to provide third-party validation of EarthQuest’s investment worthiness……

I used the successful experiences of New Caney and EMCID as examples of what could be done.….
This was published in September 2008. That was almost 4 years ago. Who in their right mind would call Earthquest a success??????

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-19-2012, 08:38 AM
2012 Board of Directors


Board members are listed alphabetically. Click on a board member's name to read a brief biography.


Mr. Scott D. Adams, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Scott_Adams)
Chief Urban Redevelopment Officer
City of Las Vegas
400 Stewart Avenue, 2nd Floor/OBD
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 229-2474
Fax: (702) 385-3128
Email: sadams@lasvegasnevada.gov
Term Expires: December 2012
Mr. William Allen (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=William_Allen)
President & CEO
Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
444 S Flower St Fl 34
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2901
Phone: (213) 236-4814
Fax: (213) 622-7100
Email: bill.allen@laedc.org
Term Expires: December 2012
Mr. Charles S. Alvey, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Charles_Alvey)
8020 Meadow Vista Drive
Reno, NV 89501-8533
Phone: (775) 232-4825
Email: chuck_alvey@yahoo.com
Term Expires: December 2013
Mr. Ivan Baker, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Ivan_Baker)
Director of Economic Development
Village of Tinley Park Economic Development
16250 S. Oak Park Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Phone: (708) 444-5030
Fax: (708) 444-5099
Email: ibaker@tinleypark.org
Term Expires: December 2013
Mr. Mark Barbash, FM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Mark_Barbash)
Consultant
718 Euclaire Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43209
Phone: (614) 774-7599
Email: mark.barbash@gmail.com
Term Expires: December 2012
Mr. Howard C. Benson (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Howard_Benson)
Chief Executive Officer
National Community Development Services, Inc.
3155 Roswell Road NE, Suite 250
Atlanta, GA 30305-1862
Phone: (404) 231-0183
Fax: (404) 231-3721
Email: hbenson@ncdsinc.net
Term Expires: December 2012
Mr. David Berzina, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=David_Berzina)
Executive Vice President
Ft. Worth Chamber of Commerce
777 Taylor St Ste 900
Fort Worth, TX 76102-4914
Phone: (817) 336-2491
Fax: (817) 877-4035
Email: dberzina@fortworthchamber.com
Term Expires: December 2012
Ms. Dyan Lingle Brasington, CEcD, FM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Dyan_Brasington)
Vice President for Economic and Community Outreach
Towson University
RESI - 8000 York Rd
Towson, MD 21252-0002
Phone: (410) 704-3780
Fax: (410) 704-4115
Email: dbrasington@towson.edu
Term Expires: December 2012
Mr. Robert J. Camoin, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Robert_Camoin)
President & CEO
Camoin Associates, Inc.
PO Box 3367
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-8007
Phone: (518) 899-2608
Fax: (518) 899-9642
Email: rcamoin@camoinassociates.com
Term Expires: December 2013
Mr. Tim Chase, CEcD, FM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Tim_Chase)
President & CEO
Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce & Industry
900 8th Street, Suite 218
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
Phone: 940-781-0366
Email: TChase@wf.net
Term Expires: December 2013
Ms. Tedra Cheatham, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Tedra_Cheatham)
Executive Director
The Clean Air Campaign
55 Park Place Suite 250
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (678) 244-7707
Fax: (678) 244-7740
Email: tcheatham@cleanaircampaign.org
Term Expires: December 2013
Mr. Christopher M. Chung (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Christopher_Chung)
Chief Executive Officer
Missouri Partnership
120 South Central Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 725-0949
Fax: (314) 725-0743
Email: chris@missouripartnership.com
Term Expires: December 2013
Mr. J. Vann Cunningham (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=J_Vann_Cunningham)
Assistant Vice President, Economic Development
BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr., 2nd Fl
Fort Worth, TX 76131-2830
Phone: (817) 371-9834
Fax: (817) 352-4400
Email: vann.cunningham@bnsf.com
Term Expires: December 2012
Mr. Neil Everson, EcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Neil_Everson)
Director, Economic Development & Real Estate
City of Hamilton - Ontario
71 Main Street West, 7th Floor
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Canada
Phone: (905) 546-2424
Fax: (905) 546-4107
Email: neil.everson@hamilton.ca
Term Expires: December 2012
Mr. Jacques Evrard (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Jacques_Evrard)
General Manager, International Relations
The Brussels Enterprise Agency
Avenue Du Port
86-C - Box 211
Brussels 1000
Belgium
Phone: 011 32 2422-0025
Fax: 852 2868 5997
Email: jev@abe.irisnet.be
Term Expires: December 2012
Mr. Maurice D. Ewing, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Maurice_Ewing)
114 Washington Lane SE
Concord, NC 28205
Phone: (704) 467-3789
Email: mdewing1@windstream.net
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Mr. Robert Fine (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Robert_Fine)
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Economic Development Commission for the Central Okanagan
1450 KLO Road
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Canada
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Ms. Kristen Fish, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Kristen_Fish)
(Vice Chair, Planning and Business Development Committee)
Managing Partner
Redevelopment Resources, LLC
2402 Oakwood Blvd
Wausau, WI 54403
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Mr. Thomas M. Flynn, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Tom_Flynn)
Director
Department of Economic Development, Loudoun County
1 Harrison Street, SE msc#63
Leesburg, VA 20175
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Mr. Raymond Gilley (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Raymond_Gilley)
Executive Counsel / Director
Thompson Wesley Wolfe, LLC
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Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., FM, HLM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Gerald_Gordon)
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Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
8300 Boone Blvd Ste 450
Vienna, VA 22182-2680
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Mr. Todd Greene, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Todd_Greene)
Vice President, Community and Economic Development
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
1000 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
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Fax: (404) 498-8956
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Mr. Daniel C. Gundersen (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Dan_Gundersen)
Director of Economic Development
Baltimore County Department of Economic Development
400 Washington Ave. Courthouse Mezzanine
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: (410) 887-2123
Email: dgundersen@baltimorecountymd.gov
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Mr. Don A. Holbrook, CEcD, FM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Don_Holbrook)
Partner
The Vercitas Group
9200 Dalmahoy Place
Las Vegas, NV 89145 8721
Phone: (928) 706-4440
Email: don.holbrook@economicdeveloper.com
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Mr. Clarence L. Hulse (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Clarence_Hulse)
1522 Oakmont Dr
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone: (321) 863-9493
Email: hulsecl@yahoo.com
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Mr. Donald E. Jakeway (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Donald_Jakeway)
170 Grassmarket
San Antonio, TX 78259
Phone: (210) 845-2405
Email: djakeway@satx.rr.com (djakeway@satx.rr.com)
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Ms. Barbara K. Johnson (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Barbara_Johnson)
Partner
The Johnson Group
28 Neron Place
New Orleans, LA 70118
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Mr. James R. Kinnett II, CEcD, FM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=James_Kinnett)
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The Kinnett Consulting Group
201 W William St.
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025-1959
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Mr. Thomas A. Kucharski, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Thomas_Kucharski)
(Vice Chair, Performance Oversight and Monitoring Committee)
President & CEO
Buffalo Niagara Enterprise
665 Main St Ste 200
Buffalo, NY 14203-1425
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Mr. F. Michael Langley (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Michael_Langley)
President & CEO
Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership
400 Robert St. North, Suite 1520
Saint Paul, MN 55101
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Email: michael.langley@greatermsp.org
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Mr. Andrew T. Levine (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Andrew_Levine)
President & Chief Creative Officer
Development Counsellors International
215 Park Ave S, 10th Fl
New York, NY 10003
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Ms. Gail Lewis (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Gail_Lewis)
Assistant Director, Policy & Governmental Affairs
Arizona Department of Transportation
1700 W Washington St
Economic Development Office
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2812
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Fax: (602) 542-7601
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Ms. Diane C. Lupke, CEcD, FM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Diane_Lupke)
President
Lupke and Associates
31 Maritime Dr., Unit 307
Manitowoc, WI 54220
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Ms. Tracye McDaniel (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Tracye_McDaniel)
President & CEO
Choose New Jersey, Inc.
47 Hulfish Street, Suite 400
Princeton, NJ 08542
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Mr. Brian McGowan (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Brian_McGowan)
President / CEO
Atlanta Development Authority
86 Pryor Street, SW, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30303
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Ms. Janet M. Miller, CEcD, FM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Janet_Miller)
(Vice Chair, External Member Relations Committee)
Chief Economic Development & Marketing Officer
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
211 Commerce Street, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37201-1802
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Mr. Fred Morley (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Fred_Morley)
Executive Vice President and Chief Economist
Greater Halifax Partnership
1969 Upper Water Street, Suite 2101
Purdy's Tower II
Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada B3J 3R7
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Fax: (902) 490-6010
Email: fmorley@greaterhalifax.com
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Mr. Phillip D. Phillips, Ph.D., CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Phillip_Phillips)
Director, Business Retention & Expansion
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
1301 Harney St
Omaha, NE 68102-1832
Phone: (402) 346-5000
Fax: (402) 346-7050
Email: pdphillips98@yahoo.com
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Mr. Craig J. Richard, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Craig_Richard)
Chief Economic Development Officer
Greater Houston Partnership
1200 Smith Street, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77002-4313
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Email: crichard@houston.org
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Ms. Gurbax Sahota (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Gurbax_Sahota)
COO
California Association for Local Economic Development
550 Bercut Dr Ste G
Sacramento, CA 95811
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Email: gsahota@caled.org
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Mr. Mike Schwenk (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Mike_Schwenk)
Vice President & Director, Technology Deployment
Battelle - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
P.O. Box 999
MS-K1-71
Richland, WA 99352
Phone: (509) 375-2614
Fax: (509) 375-2061
Email: mike.schwenk@pnl.gov
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Mr. Klaus Thiessen (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Klaus_Thiessen)
President & CEO
Grand Forks Regional Economic Development Corporation
600 DeMers Avenue, Suite 501
Grand Forks, ND 58201-4599
Phone: (701) 746-2720
Fax: (701) 746-2725
Email: klaust@grandforks.org
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Ms. Allison J.H. Thompson, CEcD, EDFP (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Allison_Thompson)
Economic Development Director
City of Cedar Hill - Economic Development
285 Uptown Blvd., Bldg. 100
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Phone: (972) 291-5132 ext. 3
Fax: (972) 291-5134
Email: allison.thompson@cedarhilltx.com
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Mr. Anatalio Ubalde, FM (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Anatalio_Ubalde)
Chief Operating Officer
GIS Planning
333 Bryant Street, Suite 340
San Francisco, CA 94107
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Email: ubalde@gisplanning.com
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Mr. Steve Weathers, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Steve_Weathers)
President & CEO
Savannah Economic Development Authority
PO Box 128
Savannah, GA 31402
Phone: (912) 447-9712
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Ms. Holly Wiedman (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Holly_Wiedman)
Executive Vice President
Miami - Dade Beacon Council
80 SW 8th Street, Suite 2400
Miami, FL 33130-3013
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Ms. Joy S. Wilkins, CEcD (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Joy_Wilkins)
Senior Fellow
The University of Georgia, Fanning Institute
1240 South Lumpkin Street
Athens, GA 30605
Phone: (404) 895-6115
Email: joy.wilkins@fanning.uga.edu
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Mr. Roy H. Williams (http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Roy_Williams)
President & CEO
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
123 Park Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-9005
Phone: (405) 297-8939
Fax: (405) 297-8908
Email: rwilliams@okcchamber.com
Term Expires: December 2013


Filing an Alleged Ethical Violation
Alleged violations can be brought to the attention of IEDC via a number of avenues – contacting a board member, the board chair, CEO or the Committee on Professional Conduct (CPC). Complaints may also be initiated by the CPC on its own initiative or at the request of the board chair or the CEO based on information concerning a potential ethical violation that comes directly to their attention by other means. The complaint should be submitted in writing with substantial written or electronic
documentation to support the allegation. Providing as much documented proof of the alleged violation as possible is strongly encouraged. IEDC ensures the confidentiality of the review process as well as to keep the identity of the person submitting the complaint (the “complainant”) confidential.
Anonymous complaints can be filed, though anonymous testimony is not allowed if the case proceeds to detailed review phase.

Soapboxmom
06-22-2012, 09:05 PM
Standards for Charity Accountability - U.S. BBB (http://www.bbb.org/us/standards-for-charity-accountability/)

STANDARDS FOR CHARITABLE ACCOUNTABILITY GOVERNANCE AND OVERSIGHT The governing board has the ultimate oversight authority for any charitable organization. This section of the standards seeks to ensure that the volunteer board is active, independent and free of self-dealing. To meet these standards, the organization shall have:
1. A board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
2. A board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.
3. A minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
4. Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.
[Publicly soliciting churches and other houses of worship: see the Implementation Guide (http://www.bbb.org/us/Charity-Evaluation/) for further information about the application of this standard.]
5. No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.......
FINANCES This section of the standards seeks to ensure that the charity spends its funds honestly, prudently and in accordance with statements made in fund raising appeals. To meet these standards, the charitable organization shall:


Please note that standards 8 and 9 have different denominators.


8. Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.




Formula for Standard 8:


Total Program Service Expenses

should be at least 65%





Total Expenses





9. Spend no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.


Formula for Standard 9:


Total Fund Raising Expenses

should be no more than 35%





Total Related Contributions


......11. Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $500,000*, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $500,000*, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000*, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.
*Note that new financial statement thresholds for Standard 11 are effective for fiscal years ending 12/31/2011 and thereafter.




12. Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.13. Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.
14. Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.........
FUND RAISING AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS A fund raising appeal is often the only contact a donor has with a charity and may be the sole impetus for giving. This section of the standards seeks to ensure that a charity's representations to the public are accurate, complete and respectful. To meet these standards, the charitable organization shall:
15. Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard.
A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.
16. Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes:



the organization's mission statement,
a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments,
a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors,
financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

17. Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.


EarthQuest Institute - Our Team (http://www.earthquestinstitute.org/our-team)

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

Soapboxmom
06-22-2012, 09:42 PM
Charity Review of EarthQuest Institute (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186)

Nondisclosure
This Charity did not provide requested information. As a result, the Better Business Bureau cannot determine if it meets standards.

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....

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.


EarthQuest Institute received $500,000 from EMCID - Thursday, April 05, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13481)



EarthQuest Institute received $500,000 from EMCID

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Geoffrey Geiger
The Tribune has attempted to document the EarthQuest Institute's (EQI) 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 presented and used.

Here is the sequence of Tribune findings:



A request made to EarthQuest and development consultant Don Holbrook by another entity (read Soapboxmom), 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 EQI Science Officer Dr. Matthew Gardner. He claims they were shipped to the New Caney address following his resignation from the board in 2011. Gardner is listed as the principal officer for the organization, according to the IRS.


“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 have 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 proponent 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. Holbrook received $272,333 in total compensation for those three reported years. Thomas received $203,018 in total, while Gardner was only compensated $25,000 in 2008. For 2009 and 2010, EQI listed $298,771 in land investment.



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, the ties between EMCID and EQI remain unclear. The Tribune has been unable to establish a consistent or definite relationship between the two entities, as both McCrady and Cubillas maintained there is complete independence of the two, while Lessem claimed a direct relationship existed. Questions about funding from EMCID have been raised as well as much of the revenue is alleged to be from private donation....



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 was a grant in one sum or through several contributions. Three available audits reflect EMCID expenditures on EarthQuest, but only year end schedules (June 30) for 2010 and 2011 display itemized EQI funding at $250,000 both times.


Those EMCID expenses on the 2008 and 2009 cash flow 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

EQI Revenue and Expense Totals:

2008

$305,098 revenue

$443,809 expenses

2009

$470,652 revenue

$759,948 expenses

2010

$220,917 revenue

$200,554 expenses

Holbrook Compensation Totals:

2008

$82,500

$55,922 (contributions to employee benefit plans and deferred compensation)

2009

$144,893

2010

$44,940


Thomas Compensation Totals:

2008

$19,500

$14,325 (contributions to employee benefit plans and deferred compensation)

2009

$140,228

2010

$43,290

*EMCID=East Montgomery County Improvement District

Soapboxmom
06-22-2012, 10:59 PM
Fantasy Land - Page 2 - News - Houston - Houston Press (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/2/)

When Lessem's idea of a nonprofit was incorporated as the EarthQuest Institute (http://www.houstonpress.com/related/to/EarthQuest+Institute), White sat back and let Marlin take the reins. But Marlin and Lessem clashed, as Marlin's hands-on activities allegedly included screaming in Lessem's face for no discernible reason.

When asked if Lessem felt that Marlin pressured him into resigning from the board, Lessem puts it like this: "He walks into a board meeting and says, 'I don't like the way you run the organization, you have to quit.'...I sensed a certain pressure in there, subtly...But ultimately, I felt I had to go along with it, because his support of the entire project was at that point vital." (Marlin could not be reached for comment; multiple calls to multiple extensions at Marlin Atlantis's office went straight to voice mail. The Press left messages with two of Marlin's bankruptcy attorneys, as well as his wife, who for some reason was surprised to hear that no one ever answers the phone at her husband's office.)

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."

Marlin clearly felt that his development company should have a major stake in the Institute, which is why he installed a Marlin Atlantis employee named Deborah Thomas (http://www.houstonpress.com/related/to/Deborah+Thomas) as chief financial officer. Her 2009 salary was listed on federal tax returns as $140,000 for a 20-hour workweek. Lessem says board members deferred half their salaries. (When reached on the phone by the Press, Thomas referred all questions to East Montgomery County Improvement District President Frank McCrady and declined to discuss her work with the Institute. She was just one of many current and erstwhile EarthQuest players, including McCrady (http://www.houstonpress.com/related/to/Frank+McCrady), who either didn't want to comment for this story, or didn't want to admit that they once had something to do with EarthQuest).


The EarthQuest Institute, which was originally going to be helped by $50 million from EMCID, is going to run and be financed as a nonprofit entity. The fundraising needed for the institute has yet to get underway, according to Michael Dimengo, the president of Sage Fundraising Solutions LLC. The firm, based out of Jacksonville, Fla., is in charge of raising the $80 to $100 million needed for the project.

“This is a huge green initiative with a study of the earth and its past,” Dimengo said. “We are just in the preliminary stages of the fundraising.”

Sage is in the process of identifying people for an advisory board to oversee the fundraising.

Lessem and his design team of more than 100 people are deep in the development phase for the institute. Lessem said they are in “a second phase of design to be finished in a month’s time.” Lessem hopes to have a website for the EarthQuest Institute up and running soon.


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

EMCID loans top half million weeks before bankruptcy declared

Monday, April 16, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
In the financial boondoggle that is EarthQuest, the avalanche of debt continues to pile up on the backs of resident taxpayers. It seems that under every rock researchers for The Tribune discover another trove of loans or financial irregularities heretofore unknown.



On April 4, 2012, The Tribune wrote an article detailing plundering of the EarthQuest Institute (the “Institute”) at the hands of various consultants and others representing the East Montgomery County Improvement District (“EMCID”) and/or the developers of EarthQuest. Although the previous article revealed that the Institute was little more than a convenient conduit utilized by EMCID to funnel tax dollars from the wallets of local citizens into the wallets

of EarthQuest employees and consultants, many other questions remained unanswered.



Without doubt, the investigative efforts of The Tribune in seeking answers to those inquiries have been hampered by EMCID itself. Although EMCID has strictly complied with The Tribune’s ‘freedom of information’ requests for documents, it routinely fails or refuses to answer questions concerning those same documents. This apparent stonewalling also extends to the minutes of EMCID. In the official minutes, the fact of a loan or disbursement may be recorded, but explanations as to ‘why or for what reason’ are often omitted. Subsequent inquiries as to the purpose for specific events are often ignored by the EMCID board and its counsel.

Nevertheless, continued perseverance has brought to light many new facts, allowing for several unanswered questions to now be addressed. The obvious first question to be answered is, How can EMCID publicly state that its board knows virtually nothing about the Institute?



At the recent town hall meeting March 22, Frank McCrady, president and CEO of EMCID, and Leon Cubillas, chairman of the EMCID board, made statements that the Institute was completely separate from EMCID, the Institute never had an office at the EMCID complex, the board doesn’t know the current status of the Institute, and, in fact, the board doesn’t know much of anything about the Institute. When local residents subsequently posed questions regarding the Institute, McCrady and Cubillas deftly employed the philosophy of the immortal Sgt. Shultz: “I hear nothing, I see nothing, I know nothing.”



But the cold, hard facts set forth in EMCID’s own records and financial audits paint a diametrically opposite picture. A picture that clearly illustrates the undeniable fact that the EMCID leadership and board heard everything, saw everything and knew everything. The simple reality is that EMCID and the Institute, in conjunction with EarthQuest, are all inextricably tied together.



For example, The Tribune in its prior story that the Institute received contributions totaling $996,000 for calendar years 2008-2010. Questions to specific EMCID board members as to how much of that amount came from EMCID resulted in vague and incomplete answers. Nevertheless, the certified public accounting firm of McCall, Gibson, Swedlund, Barfoot, PLLC, EMCID’s accounting and audit firm, knows exactly how much money EMCID has paid to the Institute. As stated in the annual, certified audits of EMCID for the fiscal years ending on June 30 of 2009-2011, EMCID made contributions to the


Institute/Project Rex totaling $880,875, with the total of all expenses to the Institute/Project Rex equaling $1,138,089. (Note: The Institute originated as Project Rex).



Thus, it appears that about 77 percent of the total contributions to the Institute came from EMCID, excluding an additional $257,214 in related expenses. If the EMCID board knew so little about the Institute, how did it become its principal benefactor, giving it more than $1,100,000? The incongruity of the board’s claim to ignorance, in light of the foregoing facts, is galling. But even more troubling than the board’s mass amnesia is the manner and method as to how EMCID apparently funneled “other,” additional monies into the Institute. Furthermore, these “other” monies appear to be outside the purview of EMCID, thereby escaping any mention in its annual audits. But it wasn’t just the Institute that benefitted from these “other” monies.



Not at all.



To be specific, The Tribune obtained copies of three, unsecured loans totaling $295,000, the proceeds of which were paid to the Institute. The dates and amounts of those loans are as follows: December 18, 2008 - $120,000; March 10, 2009 - $75,000; and May 14, 2009 -$100,000. The Tribune also received copies of loan documents for a fourth unsecured loan, in the amount of $225,000 on May 23, 2011. The recipient of these loan proceeds was none other than Whitestone Houston Land, Ltd. (“Whitestone”), the legal owner of the EarthQuest land. The very same Whitestone that declared bankruptcy just 10 weeks after the loan was made.



None of the above loans have any scheduled payments or guarantors. The purpose of the loans is not stated in the documents or corporate minutes obtained by The Tribune. Furthermore, EMCID has refused to answer all questions posed by The Tribune as to the original purpose of the loans. But the most puzzling fact of all is that none of the above loans, with an aggregate total of $520,000, were made by EMCID. Without any explanation, all four loans were originated through the East Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (“EMCEDC”). Which begs the question: “Who and what is the EMCEDC?”



Although the EMCEDC board is composed mostly of current EMCID board members (Cubillas, Isidor Ybarra, Vickie Thumann, Leonard Rodgers along with local hotelier Philippe Cras), the EMCEDC is a separate legal entity, distinct from EMCID. EMCEDC’s organizational documents clearly state that it is an independent, charitable corporation, organized in 2006, being registered with the IRS under E.I.N No. 202289201.



Since EMCEDC does not have any legal connection to EMCID, the EMCID audits make no comments or contain any information regarding EMCEDC. Accordingly, the EMCEDC obtains it own annual audits, copies of which have been obtained by The Tribune. So what possible motivation was there for EMCEDC, an organization totally independent of EMCID, to fund four, unsecured loans, totaling $520,000, for EMCID clients? Was EMCEDC used as a corporate shield by EMCID to “hide” the existence of the loans from public scrutiny? Did EMCID coerce EMCEDC into making these loans in a desperate attempt to save its own failed project? Only EMCID can answer those questions, and they’re not talking.



And even if some plausible reason might be found to justify the funneling of loans through EMCEDC, why would any organization make a $225,000 unsecured loan to an entity (i.e. Whitestone) a mere two months before it filed for bankruptcy? Especially since EMCID, Contour Entertainment and Don Holbrook all knew that Whitestone was planning to declare bankruptcy months before the above loan was made? (See note below).



Quite frankly, EMCEDC literally threw away $225,000 on the very day the loan was made, with no hope of ever being repaid. The remaining three loans will almost assuredly await the same fate. What impact will there be on EMCEDC when it is forced to write off the $520,000, plus accrued interest, because these loans will be deemed uncollectible? Of course, none of the foregoing indebtedness has ever previously been disclosed to the public until now. Therefore, another $520,000 must be added to the almost $11 million that EMCID has already spent on EarthQuest (before considering future interest charges in excess of $10 million).

And so the saga continues. Another rock, another half a million dollars lost. The enigma that EarthQuest has become defies any logical explanation. It is a train wreck in the making, an event that threatens the credibility, if not the viability, of EMCID itself.



(NOTE: The Tribune obtained an e-mail thread dating back to May of 2011. Therein are several parties discussing the Whitestone bankruptcy as if it were a past event, even though the bankruptcy petition was not filed until August 1, 2011).

pantherdadX2
06-23-2012, 08:49 AM
Is it just me, or is anyone else finding problems with the EarthQuest Institute relating to the standards of Governance and Oversight by the BBB, especially item no.s 4 and 5 ? Soapboxmom, remind me to never get on your bad side. You GO, GIRL! By the time this is all said and done, Donny boy might have to start re-using his used toilet paper in order to get by. He could become the world's foremost leader on "brown" technology!

Soapboxmom
06-23-2012, 08:55 AM
HARK !!!

Is that the sound of fraudsters ducking for cover I hear in the distance ???

All that one can say is

good-bloody-lord.

That buffoon Holbrook suing me was not the best way to accomplish that. LOL!!!!

The IRS and attorney general's office are involved already as he is withholding the charity documents required by the IRS and Texas Non-profit Corporation Act to be released. Now, that the nice judge is involved and I will be requesting everything but his used toilet paper in discovery, Holbrook will be forced to turn all these papers over. He is the one claiming that I am publishing defamatory and untrue statements. He has the burden of proof and as I have the right to defend myself I will get access to everything but his underwear drawer.

Following is the first of the recent posts cataloging the charity debacle Holbrook is personally responsible for:
http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/index17.html#post23662

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

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?

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.

Apparently, however, his magnanimity did not extend to EarthQuest. For out of the bond sale he was paid $310,674.50 by EMCID for “contribution and licensing rights.” Again, what possible justification can EMCID make for this enormous expense for a project that will never be to a consultant who no longer is?

Sadly, like the unsinkable H.M.S. Titanic that sank 100 years ago, the EarthQuest juggernaut appears headed to its own date with destiny. Yet, history is not determined by past events, but by current decisions. Unfortunately, EMCID’s decisions provide few answers, but many questions.

Why did the EMCID leadership and board turn a blind eye to these excessive expenditures? Why were these huge payments never disclosed or discussed in the corporate minutes or with the public until now? Why did EMCID not engage its own accountants to conduct an audit of all payments from the bond sale instead of a mere compilation based on original agreements dating back to 2008?

For the southeast Montgomery County taxpayers there will be ay least 21,000,000 “whys” over the next 28 years, when the last payment of this bond is paid by the citizens.

View the developer reimbursement audits here:

http://ourtribune.com/apdf/dra.pdf

Soapboxmom
06-23-2012, 12:20 PM
EarthQuest Institute Hosts Inaugural Fundraising Event - Kingwood (http://www.kingwood.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=2434)

EarthQuest Institute Hosts Inaugural Fundraising Event - Kingwood


By: Pat Martins (http://www.kingwood.com/news/contributor_info.php?news_contributor_id=30)
Published: 11/30/2009 4:00pm



http://www.kingwood.com/images/news/news_database_images/44582574_EarthQuest.Institute.logo.jpg
If you are one of those area residents who have been patiently waiting for more information on this behemoth project and want to get involved on the ground floor, your chance is coming on December 8th.
As quoted from the EMCID website with their permission:
“To bring reality to the long-awaited dinosaur park, the East Montgomery County Improvement District will host its first fundraising event for the museum, EarthQuest Institute.
“We are holding the first fundraising event in East Montgomery County because that is where EarthQuest Institute and EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park will be located,” Frank McCrady, president, said. “The developers, Dr. Matt Gardner and ‘Dino’ Don Lessem will present information on both the theme park and museum.”
The event is scheduled for Dec. 8 at the East Montgomery County Improvement District Complex with social hour at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 and the program at 7:30. According to McCrady, this fundraising opportunity will be the first time that organizations, businesses and individuals can sign up to be members of the “Circle of Friends” through donations. Interested parties are asked to R.S.V.P. to 281-354-4419 by Dec. 2 and tickets are $75 per person”.

Want more information on what this project has in store for our area? Check out our previous article from last December (http://www.kingwood.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=2236).
It is fitting that the initial information event will take place locally. All the key players will be at this event including, "Dino" Don Lessem - Creative Consultant, John Marlin - Developer, Chris Brown with Contour Entertainment and Dr. Matt Gardner - Chief Science Officer. They will be presenting an information session with graphic representations of the EarthQuest Institute and the EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park. A scaled down model of the development will also be on display.
This event is the first private opportunity to become a member of the "Circle of Friends" of the EarthQuest Institute. Members joining the "Circle of Friends" will receive special recognition during the evening’s presentation.
This was one of two fundraisers for the friends of Holbrook it turns out.

EarthQuest Institute | EarthQuest Resort (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/insitite/)

How Will the EarthQuest Institute be Funded?



EQ “For Profit” contributing $24 million in land and infrastructure
State of Texas, EMCID and others providing $25 million in funding for construction
Charitable donations for start-up and on-going operations



1406

The donors would have probably not been so quick to donate had they known Holbrook was pulling $185.00 an hour for 15 hours a week and Deborah Thomas (from the developers Marlin Atlantis / Whitestone bunch) was getting paid a whopping $135.00 an hour for 20 hours a week. The sum total of their accomplishments was zero charitable functions save for a few college students that worked with Dr. Matthew Gardner on games that never made it to the website and of course the two fundraisers.

So, I suppose Holbrook will be putting this on his long list of accomplishments.

Soapboxmom
06-23-2012, 01:39 PM
Entity Information:
THE INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST
1722 ROUTH ST STE 1500
DALLAS, TX 75201-2532


Status:
IN GOOD STANDING - EXEMPT ENTITY


Registered Agent:
Not on file


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800941922


SOS Registration Date:
February 22, 2008


Taxpayer Number:
32034780331



__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________
I called the attorney who set this up and was listed as the registered agent. As he promised, he has resigned as the registered agent. It appears no one wants to be associated with this Don Holbrook accomplishment. This Titanic has no captain. If you are suing and have to serve someone I guess you can send the summons to the EMCID office, which is the currently listed address for this thing and also where Dr. Matthew Gardner sent the documents. Frank McCrady is doing his best to hide the documents that did land in that office just recently. I suspect the nice judge will see that those materialize and are handed over to the defendants in Holbrook's frivolous harassment suit.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-23-2012, 11:19 PM
EarthQuest representatives provide update | Ultimate Lake Houston (http://www.ultimatelakehouston.com/stories/1211-earthquest-representatives-provide-update)



http://www.ultimatelakehouston.com/themes/new/images/logos/lakehouston.png (http://www.ultimatelakehouston.com/)

EarthQuest representatives provide update

by Mike Madere | March 16, 2010 10:34 am
By SUZANNE WEST
Chronicle correspondent
EarthQuest marketing representatives gave the East Montgomery County Improvement District's board of directors a positive report regarding progress in securing investment partners for financing of the planned theme park/resort project.
Deborah Thomas and Rich Barrett of Marlin Atlantis told the EMCID directors that response from potential investors has been positive. The marketing team is working to find some $500 million in investment money for the EarthQuest project.
"We've been working on this project for two years," said Thomas. "It's been a very full two years because it's a very complicated project."
With multiple feasibility and market penetration studies, design tweaking, construction projections and verifications of those projections, a marketing package was finally ready to take before potential investors late last fall, she said.
The finished product being taken to investment bankers and other investment markets is "stunning" and a "real eye-catcher," said Thomas.
Barrett told directors at a meeting earlier this month that the marketing team is well aware of the challenges presented by the current unavailability of some capital markets. However, the team has approached other non-traditional, high level investors for this project.
"We've looked at a lot of Texas-centric and Houston-centric investors," he said. "We have a deep dialog with the Indian Nation and have been traveling through Europe as well."
Thomas said there is a team of five people working on the investment marketing, adding that the process is going very well at this time.
"We've gotten a very interested list of prospective investors," she said. "They have to do their due diligence, and part of the process is that we do due diligence on them. We have to know they have the wherewithal to fund the entire project. We have to weed out those who are questionable."
Currently, the marketing group is talking to six investors, Thomas said.
"And, any one of them could come to the table with the money," said Thomas. "Bottom line, it is looking very good. It is not a matter of if. It is a matter of when we get the funding."
Barrette said he expects an investment partner to come in some time mid- to late summer this year.
Thomas also told directors that although she is primarily focused on raising the half-billion dollars for the for-profit part of EarthQuest, she is always on the lookout for support for the non-profit EarthQuest Institute.
So, again, Chris Brown telling the Nye county (home of Pahrump, Nevada) in May 2012 that Earthquest was entering the capital raise phase is ridiculous. The project has been scrounging for money and investors for years. Chris Brown talked to me about seeking funds in January 2012. All sorts of enthusiastic talk, but no progress. Chris Brown got this dumped in his lap after Marlin Atlantis, the original developers, went bust and the land ended up in bankruptcy in August 2011 with the Whitestone entity that holds it. Holbrook claimed (before the bankruptcy filing) to Pahrump in May 2011 that Contour was buying (as in progress) the land. What a bunch of complete nonsense!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-24-2012, 08:41 AM
Then & Now

EarthQuest theme park backers still digging up funding

Premium content from Houston Business Journal by Jennifer Dawson

Date: Sunday, January 3, 2010, 11:00pm CST - Last Modified: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 4:03pm CST
THEN

Date: July 20, 2007

Headline: ‘Dinosaur park takes big step toward reality with funding green light’
The story

State legislation was enacted to pave the way for development of a Disney-style dinosaur entertainment complex proposed for Montgomery County.
The EarthQuest theme park is being created by Don Lessem of Pennsylvania-based ExhibitsRex LLC, who in 2006 announced plans to build the project on 50 acres in the small town of New Caney. By mid-2007, the proposed project was expected to cover 250 acres and cost more than $600 million to develop. A $150 million spa hotel is also planned for the site.

Lessem, who served as chief adviser to producers of the “Jurassic Park” movie, has created permanent and touring dinosaur exhibits through Dinodon Inc., a division of ExhibitsRex.

EarthQuest got a boost from House Bill 4015, which allows creation of a special taxing zone and facilitates bond financing.The measure allows the East Montgomery County Improvement District to sell bonds to pay for infrastructure work, by giving it the means to pay back the bonds.
The legislation will allow the special district to collect a hotel/motel tax (other than within the city limits of Splendora); create a tax or fee for parking and admission; and increase sales tax by 0.5 cents within the park site’s enterprise zone.

New Caney, which is located north of Houston, edged out a Dallas suburb to become the site for EarthQuest.
The proposed park was to be located at Caney Creek near FM 1485 and U.S. Highway 59 on property owned by Marlin Atlantis, a Dallas-based residential community developer. The land is part of a 1,564-acre undeveloped parcel once owned by Rice University that was acquired by Marlin Atlantis in 2004 for a proposed Whitestone residential community.

At the time, construction on the theme park was expected to begin in the first half of 2008.
The eco-friendly project would be a mixture of entertainment and education, similar to Disney’s EPCOT theme park in Florida. EarthQuest would include a dinosaur museum, IMAX-style theater and walking trails amid life-size dinosaur exhibits.
A nonprofit educational complex called the DinoDon Institute is also part of the overall vision.
Frank McCrady, president and CEO of the East Montgomery County Improvement District, predicted that EarthQuest will employ about 2,700 people when it is completed in 2012.

NOW

Although a recent fundraising event indicates support for the project, developers have yet to break ground on EarthQuest.
A “Friends of EarthQuest” reception on Dec. 8 was attended by 275 people who committed more than $75,000 to EarthQuest Institute, a new name for the nonprofit DinoDon Institute.

Don Holbrook, president and CEO of EarthQuest Institute, says it was supposed to be a modest event, intended to provide information on the project. He only expected 125 people to come, and figured they may pledge around $20,000 to the nonprofit institute.
“We had to actually turn people away,” says Holbrook. “I was just blown away. It was exponentially better than I ever expected.”
The project has continued to evolve over the past two years.

John Marlin took over as developer of EarthQuest after due diligence showed the value of an entertainment destination such as this in the Houston area. Marlin is CEO of Marlin Atlantis, which owns the Montgomery County land where the theme park will be constructed.
Marlin Atlantis owns a total of 1,600 acres — 550 acres of which are now earmarked for the theme park and educational institute.
The company postponed plans for its residential development in Montgomery County until EarthQuest gets off the ground, Holbrook says.
Although all of the financial pieces of the puzzle have yet to fall into place, EarthQuest Institute and the theme park — expected to be named either EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park or Global EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park — are slated to start construction in summer or fall 2010, and have a grand opening in 2012.
Phase I of the theme park — complete with rides, roller coasters and interactive exhibits — will cost about $550 million, Holbrook says. Phase I of the institute will run about $50 million.

The price tag for the entire master plan, including EarthQuest, the residential community and accompanying developments, is pegged at $1.3 billion, says Holbrook, adding that it will create 17,000 jobs at build out.
Dinosaur expert Lessem is still an equity partner, but only part of the multifaceted theme park will focus on dinosaurs. Holbrook says there will be five “lands” in EarthQuest, and one of those will have rides and features starring the prehistoric creatures.
Contour Entertainment in Los Angeles is involved in development of EarthQuest. Chris Brown, president of Contour, has three decades of experience in the entertainment field, including 15 years at Walt Disney Co.

As an affiliated entity, EarthQuest Institute will educate visitors on new types of energy production, conservation, sustainable technology and the environment.
“It’s a way for kids to learn,” says McCrady. “There’s a lot of tactile stuff throughout the park and the museum.”
The East Montgomery County Improvement District issued $7.6 million in bonds about a year ago that are funding the predevelopment activity. The money will be paid back with proceeds from future EarthQuest revenue.
Holbrook, who lives in Las Vegas, says Marlin is currently weighing several options for additional development funding, but did not name the prospective sources.
“In this economy, it’s a great position to be in,” he adds. “It also proves that Houston is a great market. The capital markets believe that.”
jdawson@bizjournals.com • 713-395-9631


So, Holbrook was at the fateful fundraiser and thrilled to have more cash coming in to pay his exhorbitant salary, since he had paid out every dime in the coffers.

But, what would Paul Harvey say.....Titanic!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-28-2012, 09:25 PM
I bet Holbrook would kill to make these posts from HAIF disappear:

Earth Quest Adventure (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/8474-earth-quest-adventure/)

http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/142591a9fbede2a6096be72081add4ee?s=100&d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.houstonarchitecture.com%2Fhaif% 2Fpublic%2Fstyle_images%2Fmaster%2Fprofile%2Fdefau lt_large.png Posted by Boris (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/1652-boris/) on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 3:52 PM in The Woodlands and Northern Pines (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/forum/31-the-woodlands-and-northern-pines/)
Dinosaur City seeks '08 opening in Montgomery County


By BRAD HEM
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

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More on the theme park
Location of Dinosaur City 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 park, which also would include an IMAX theater, 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, 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, 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, "not an amusement park but an experience park," said Don Holbrook, 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.

...........................

http://www.chron.com...ss/4307187.html (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4307187.html)

____________________________



I hope this plan goes through.


Earth Quest Adventure (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/8474-earth-quest-adventure/)

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/uploads/profile/photo-thumb-345.jpg?_r=0 Posted by KimberlySayWhat (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/345-kimberlysaywhat/) on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 8:40 AM in The Woodlands and Northern Pines (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/forum/31-the-woodlands-and-northern-pines/)
Earth Quest Adventures is mentioned breifly in this Chronicle article about the development in Montgomery County. I was beginning to the project was dead.




Bulldozers are clearing land at nearly every intersection along U.S. 59, making room for new shopping centers and restaurants.

New hotels and motels are in the works, spurred by the dinosaur project. Five are slated to begin construction this spring, McCrady said.

The dinosaur park/theme resort and a dinosaur institute are projected to bring 1,000 new jobs to the area and more than 1 million visitors each year, he said. The park site is on the west side of U.S. 59, just north of FM 1485.

East county beat out 72 other sites across the country, said Don Holbrook, site adviser for the park.

The earth-friendly park will be designed by Don Lessum, paleontologist, author and adviser on the blockbuster movie Jurassic Park. It will offer education through entertainment and will include dinosaur exhibits, an IMAX theater, an aquarium and a hotel. The institute will be a separate research and educational facility. Construction on the park is slated to begin late this year, Holbrook said.


Earth Quest Adventure (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/8474-earth-quest-adventure/)

http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/e2a6851d2605cc22fbbc37854d711bdb?s=100&d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.houstonarchitecture.com%2Fhaif% 2Fpublic%2Fstyle_images%2Fmaster%2Fprofile%2Fdefau lt_large.png Posted by txtiger (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/7554-txtiger/) on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 10:25 AM in The Woodlands and Northern Pines (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/forum/31-the-woodlands-and-northern-pines/)

Here's my general summary of what was discussed, what went down at the 6/2 Fundraiser:

(This is a post I've revised from my original post on www.sixflagshouston.com (http://www.sixflagshouston.com), and I will also post this on www.houstondinopark.com (http://www.houstondinopark.com) )

There was about an hour of socializing/networking from 6pm-7pm, then about an hour's worth of presentations. Don Lessem spoke first, and introduced Dr. Matt Gardner (of EarthQuest Institute). Dr. Gardner then relayed to Chris Brown (of Contour Entertainment). Dr. Gardner then spoke in greater depth on EarthQuest Institute and its initiatives (the reason for the event, of course) once Chris was finished with his presentation on the theme park. Don Holbrook, Marlin Atlantis' (the developer's) representative on this project, then spoke and gave the great and reasonable pitch which solicited donations. Everyone made themselves available for questions after the presentation was over.

No new information was presented on the EarthQuest Adventures theme park - nothing that wasn't covered at last December's fundraising event, and nothing that's not currently reviewed on the EarthQuest Adventures website. A few new renderings for the 'Land' and 'Sky' areas of the park were on display, but general conceptual design remains the same as what we've all seen. All other renderings on display were those already available on the EQ website.

The EarthQuest Institute, as a complete endeavour, is extremely ambitious and exciting, and a few new outreach programs/efforts were reviewed last night:

Mobile EarthQuest: A sharply-outfitted minivan (or even fleet of minivans) with professional staff which can bring the EarthQuest Institute experience to public parks (Discovery Green, maybe), public schools, the rodeo, sports events, etc. This will be primarily an educational experience, but will serve nicely as a marketing tool for "EarthQuest the destination."

MyVision: An educational program geared toward younger school children, which allows them to learn about video camera operation. This program will essentially help them create their own video diaries. "How they see the world...," etc. This effort is apparently being created in conjunction with some Hollywood professionals, and YouTube may play some voluntary or involuntary role in the posting of kids' video diaries...

Other programs or engagements have also begun being discussed, like engaging local colleges and universities in developing and even publically-presenting Green-Business strategies... Anyway... interesting stuff.

Regarding personal conversations I had with Chris Brown (again, of Contour Entertainment) - One item on which I'm pleased to report is that original music will be commissioned for the EarthQuest Resort, likely by industry-known composers with whom Chris certainly has long-established relationships. Very great to hear.

(Chris, if you're reading this, thanks very much for putting up with me - You'll see me at most, if not all of the EQI Fundraising events... While I absolutely am interested in questions like 'What kinds of roller coasters will be built?,' I'm dead-serious about the success of all the components of this project, and hope to not come across too nutty. Heh, heh... And hey, I've put money where my mouth is.)

Frank McCrady and Don Holbrook spoke with me briefly, and they have great expecations for other development there in East Montgomery County - for which EarthQuest will be the catalyst.

Don Holbrook stated to all the attendees yesterday evening that "We're at the 1-yard line with selecting an investor." Full ground breaking is expected by the end of this year at the latest. Putting 2 and 2 together, I'd speculate a Holiday Season 2013 grand opening of Phase I.

That's all I have to report. I'd encourage all of you to attend future fundraisers to support the Institute and its efforts, or contact EMCID directly to find out more about the various donation levels to become a "Friend of the Institute." You have the option to donate money over annual installments, of which I personally have taken advantage.


Earth Quest Adventure (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/8474-earth-quest-adventure/)

http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/e2a6851d2605cc22fbbc37854d711bdb?s=100&d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.houstonarchitecture.com%2Fhaif% 2Fpublic%2Fstyle_images%2Fmaster%2Fprofile%2Fdefau lt_large.png Posted by txtiger (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/7554-txtiger/) on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 12:07 PM in The Woodlands and Northern Pines (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/forum/31-the-woodlands-and-northern-pines/)
Coaster, on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 11:16 AM, said:
Great Report Tiger.

As far-fetched as the thought of the Houston area becoming a true national tourist destination sounds, something like EarthQuest could really make it happen.


Sure thing, Coaster.

A few more notes: Don Holbrook did mention EarthQuest Resort is intended to "compete directly with 'the mouse,'" from both coasts, and the expectation is that EarthQuest will draw people from the center third of the country. So it's literally expected to grow to be the Disneyland-style resort for the center of the country.

From discussions I had with Chris Brown, or overheard from him yesterday evening, a LOT of the components seem to have Phases now, which will only help Phase I get built:
The Hotel has two: The first is the tower/main building/conference center (so nicely rendered on the EarthQuest website). The second Phase seems to include 30 high-end cabins out in the woods near the hotel, as well as something like 20 highest-end treehouse "villas."

Cretaceous Cove water park has apparently been scaled down for Phase I, and will grow in future phases.

EarthQuest Institute seems like it may use two or three Phases to achieve final build-out.

The only Phasing for the theme park ever noted thus far seems to be the live-animal component of the 'Life' section of the park. I didn't note earlier that the Design Team has met with the Houston Zoo, and both the Houston Zoo and EarthQuest will have some form of partnership, which is just great! (I'd expressed concern earlier to the Design Team that the live-animal component of the 'Life' section of the theme park might draw everyone away from visiting the Houston Zoo. So I'm pleased to report that's not going to be the case, or the intent.)

Green Gadget Garage seems like it would all likely be completed as part of Phase I.

Holbrook was putting out phony groundbreaking and completion dates for years. Plugging for the Insitute turned out to be a plug to handsomely line Holbrook's pocket while no charitable activities were accomplished. If I am recalling correctly, two of those hotels were built and at least one if not both went bust thanks to Holbrook and McCrady making promises that could not he kept. Think how long Holbrook has been on this gravy train to nowhere.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-29-2012, 08:41 AM
Seeing as though Holbrook and Co. decided to pitch their tents and camp out at the 1-yard line for over 2 yrs. now ,waiting for an investor, could someone remind them to take out the garbage, it's really starting to stink around here..........signed....a concerned Caney Creek area resident.:pao:
Here is Dinosaur City before Holbrook blew it up into Dreamquest and started milking it for all it was worth:

Dinosaur City plans to roar into Texas in 2008 - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-11-02-dinosaur-city_x.htm)

Note Judge Sadler gave a positive review in the AP article. Quite different than the take he has on the Holbrook version of this dino disaster:

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


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.

Soapboxmom
06-30-2012, 05:47 PM
July 11-13, 2010
National Rural Economic Developers Association
Keynote Speaker: Annual Conference
Portland, OR

http://www.nreda.org/core/contentmanager/uploads/PDFs/2010_AnnualConference/Speakers_Sponsors.pdf

Dr. Matthew Gardner, Sustainserv, Inc., Boston, MA
Dr. Matthew Gardner is Director of Sustainserv, Inc., a Boston Massachusetts and Zurich
Switzerland based firm that works with the world’s leading companies to help them design and
implement corporate sustainability strategies. Matt’s work takes him around the world to lecture,
teach and work with organizations that are interested in exploring how the current environmental,
social and economic challenges faced by the world can be turned into positive growth opportunities
for companies, society and the planet. His expertise is in corporate sustainability, green community
planning and development, life cycle analysis, and environmental education. Matt earned his
bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Havorford College, and his doctorate in chemistry from
Michigan State University. He spent ten years at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including
five years as the Executive Director of the Earth System Initiative, an environmental research program. Matt sits on the
advisory board of several not-for-profit organizations and is currently the Chief Science Officer for the EarthQuest
Institute, a new non-profit venture, affiliated with the planned EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park, slated for construction
in New Caney, Texas.

Don Holbrook, CEcD, The Vercitas Group
Don Holbrook spent 17 years at the CEO level of Economic Development Organizational
leadership and or the past five years has been engaged in his own global site location practice
focused on Destination Entertainment Attraction projects such as Theme Parks, Resort Hotels,
Casino Resorts,Waterparks, Thematic Retail and Family oriented venues as well as Sports
complexes. He is the lead consultant currently on the largest and first Green Theme Park in
Greater Houston TX. His work in conjunction with sustainable practices and clean technology
along these lines as created a unique blend of practical and affordable considerations for
Greening the Economic Development business attraction industry. Holbrook has worked on over
100 projects in his 20+ year career. These projects have created over 50,000 jobs and resulted in
billions of dollars of capital investment into local economies. He is currently a board member of the
International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and he is a certified Economic Developer and a recognized Fellow
Member of IEDC. Holbrook has authored two books on economic development, including his still best selling first book,
"The Little Black Book of Economic Development," and "Who Moved My Smokestack?" which was released in 2008. He
has a third book coming out this fall, "The Next America...an inconvenient economy!" Dr. Gardner and Holbrook are cowriting
a book currently on "Greening Economic Development- Attracting Responsible Corporations to Sustainable
Communities."
Blah, Blah , blah.... I would bet as Dr. Gardner has left the Earthquest Institute that paid Don Holbrook a samll fortune and was left bankrupt, he is not writing any book with that clown. I don't think Holbrook will be able to hang on to the good docs coattails any longer!

pantherdadX2
07-02-2012, 12:02 PM
Like I've said before Soapboxmom, no one has moved this smokestack. It's attached to his neck, located right above his chin and below his upper lip. The only future economic development trend I and others seen in EMC was corporate welfare by the EMCID, funded by FUTURE tax revenue. Word has it the John and Jane Does are about to bestow a new titlle on Don through the IILL (International Institute of Lower Learning), LOM, (Legend in his Own Mind)

pantherdadX2
07-03-2012, 11:45 PM
:chickendance: Word has it the IILL (International Institute of Lower Learning) has had to commission an additional artist to carve the nose on the wooden statue honoring the Lord and Supreme Master of the Internet. Dr. Paul Bunyon will be working with the original artist, Dr. Geppetto, as Dr. Geppetto has no experience working with California Giant Redwoods.

littleroundman
07-04-2012, 12:17 AM
Word has it the IILL (International Institute of Lower Learning) has had to commission an additional artist to carve the nose on the wooden statue honoring the Lord and Supreme Master of the Internet.

I wonder how he's going to do it.

He must be going to do some sort of telescopic arrangement to allow for future growth in the length of said nose.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc153/thelittleroundman/Scams/pinocchio.gif

Soapboxmom
07-08-2012, 09:02 AM
I just released my latest book, “The Art of the Deal Today,” which is based on my most popular speaking platform that has been in great demand since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. You can purchase it on Amazon and Kindle.
http://economicdeveloper.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/20120707-170444.jpg?w=529 (http://economicdeveloper.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/20120707-170444.jpg)


Don Allen Holbrook was hired in 2007 to:
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.

The Earthquest Institute had $600,000.00 paid in professional services and most of that was probably to the professional fundraisers that were from Holbrook's former company (Stellar) that had bailed with him and formed their own group (Sage). Holbrook's gang raised very little of the 1.4 million that the charity got in funding. 1.1 million of that was tax dollars thrown at that Titanic by the East Montgomery County Improvement District. Holbrook raked in $328,000.00 at a ludicrous $185 dollars an hour before the whole mess imploded with no charitable work accomplished.

So both the Earthquest Institute and the for-profit theme park are just visions on paper and I am told are very unlikely to be funded. Holbrook has two colossal failures. So, why spend a penny on that book??

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
07-09-2012, 01:02 PM
I assume this case has Holbroook and his attorney all lathered up:
Ohio Supreme Court Finds Personal Jurisdiction Over Out-of-State Internet Poster (http://www.calfee.com/ArticleView.aspx?ArticleID=873)



Ohio Supreme Court Finds Personal Jurisdiction Over Out-of-State Internet Poster

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Litigation (http://www.calfee.com/services/litigation/generallitigation.svc)
Ohio Supreme Court Finds Personal Jurisdiction Over Out-of-State Internet Poster
Kauffman Racing Equipment, L.L.C. v. Roberts, 2010-Ohio-2551 (June 10, 2010)

In a recent 4-2 decision*, the Ohio Supreme Court held that an Ohio court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident who makes comments on the Internet concerning an Ohio resident with the intent to cause harm.
The Case
The plaintiff, Kauffman Racing Equipment, L.L.C. (Kauffman), an Ohio limited liability company, manufactures engine blocks and other high-performance automobile equipment. The defendant, Scott Roberts (Roberts) is a Virginia resident who had never physically entered Ohio. Roberts purchased a Pontiac engine block from Kauffman's website, and later requested a refund, claiming that the block was defective. Kauffman found that substantial alterations were made to the block and refused to refund Roberts. Roberts subsequently made numerous postings to websites related to the automobile racing industry. Roberts's postings asserted that the block was "junk" and indicated his explicit desire to extract revenge upon Kauffman through his posts.

After receiving inquiries about the comments from at least five Ohio residents, Kauffman sued Roberts in Knox County Common Pleas Court alleging defamation and intentional interference with contracts and business relationships. The trial court dismissed the action for lack of personal jurisdiction. The Fifth District Court of Appeals reversed and held that the trial court had personal jurisdiction over Roberts.
The Ohio Supreme Court accepted Roberts's appeal to determine "whether an Ohio court can properly assert personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant when jurisdiction is predicated on that defendant's publication of allegedly defamatory statements on the Internet." The Court applied the two-pronged Ohio personal jurisdiction test, examining:


whether the long-arm statute and applicable rule of civil procedure confer jurisdiction, and, if so;
whether the exercise of jurisdiction would deprive the nonresident defendant of due process under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The Findings
The Court found that personal jurisdiction would be proper pursuant to R.C. § 2307.382(A)(3) and Civil Rule 4.3(A)(6), which allow jurisdiction and service of process over a nonresident who causes "tortious injury by an act or omission in this state." Roberts argued that he did not direct the allegedly tortious statements to Ohio or publish them in the state. But the Court analogized to a previous case in which it held that sending a letter to an Ohio resident was sufficient to confer jurisdiction in a defamation action. Fallang v. Hickey, 40 Ohio St. 3d 106 (1988). Kauffmann had established that at least five Ohio residents saw Roberts's statements, which was sufficient to demonstrate that the comments were “published” in Ohio.
The Court also found that even if Roberts had not published his statements within Ohio, R.C. § 2307.382(A)(6) and Civil Rule 4.3(A)(9) would subject him to personal jurisdiction. Those provisions allow jurisdiction over a person that causes "tortious injury in this state to any person by an act outside this state committed with the purpose of injuring persons, when he might reasonably have expected that some person would be injured thereby in this state." The Court found that Roberts's statements were made outside of Ohio with the purpose of injuring an Ohio resident and there was a reasonable expectation that the injury would occur in Ohio.
The Court further found that exercising personal jurisdiction over Roberts did not violate his Fourteenth Amendment due process rights because Roberts made his postings with the intent of injuring an Ohio resident. To reach this finding, the Court applied a three-part test:


the defendant must purposefully avail himself of the privilege of acting in Ohio;

the cause of action must arise from the defendant's activities in Ohio; and
the acts or consequences of the defendant's acts must have a substantial enough connection with the forum state to make the exercise of jurisdiction over the defendant reasonable. Southern Machine Co. v. Mohasco Indus., Inc., 401 F.2d 374, 381 (6th Cir. 1968).

As to the first prong of the test, the Court explained: "Roberts intended the effects of his conduct to be felt in Ohio. His statements were communicated with the very purpose of having their consequences felt by [Kauffman] in Ohio." The Court also noted that the posts were read by Ohio residents and that Roberts knew that Kauffman's business reputation was centered in Ohio. Roberts's comments also met the second prong because Kauffman's cause of action arose from the allegedly defamatory statements, which were based on Roberts's contacts with Ohio. Roberts's actions satisfied the third prong because the state's "legitimate interest in protecting the business interests of its citizens" made the exercise of jurisdiction over Roberts reasonable. The Court thus affirmed the exercise of jurisdiction over Roberts.
The Impact
The effects of Kauffman are difficult to predict. In a dissent joined by Justice Lanzinger, Justice O'Donnell critiqued the majority for "extend[ing] the personal jurisdiction of Ohio courts to cover any individual in any state who purchases a product from an Ohio company and posts a criticism of it on the Internet with the intent to damage the seller." The case appears to be limited to situations where the statement is made with the intent to injure. Time will tell whether the decision provides a route to relief for Ohio companies subject to attack from defamatory Internet postings originating outside of Ohio.

There are all kinds of issues for Holbrook. He is not a resident of Ohio. And, his business and reputation clearly are not centered in Ohio. His business only registered as a foreign corporation on April 25, 2012, which is one day after Huber Heights filed suit. So, any allegedly tortious acts happened before he had any real presence in that state. And, as the city gave him the heave-ho on March 14, 2012 those statements Holbrook imagines must predate that. Holbrook has rambled endlessly about defamatory statements, but he doesn't seem to grasp those statements he is referring to are centered around the defunct Earthquest Institute, stalled Earthquest theme park project and a proposed project in Pahrump, Nevada. So, the statements Holbrook has been melting about are not targeting Ohio or about his business there in any way.

None of those Holbrook sued could have had any intent or reasonable expectation of injuring anyone in Ohio by discussing matters of public concern related to their states of residence, which are Texas and Nevada. My comments are on the site I admin for, the Pahrump Valley Times and numerous sites devoted specifically to the area local to Earthquest such as the the:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264

Discussion about the New Caney Dino Park - Houston Dinosaur Park (http://www.houstondinopark.com/discuss.php)

Roman Forest Online Message Board - Latest on Earthquest theme park (http://www.romanforest.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=801&page=9)

Kingwood Underground - the heart and soul of our Kingwood, Texas family (http://kingwoodunderground.com/topic.jsp?w=&s=0&n=40&topicId=11722526)

Fantasy Land - Page 1 - News - Houston - Houston Press



(http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/)

Soapboxmom
07-10-2012, 07:24 PM
2. Third-Party Defendant Heather Dobrott (“Dobrott”), upon information and belief,
is a resident of Garland, Texas, which is located about 25 miles northeast of Dallas and about
250 miles northwest of Houston, is also known by the user name “soapboxmom”, is the
administrator of a website with the address www.realscam.com (http://www.realscam.com), regularly and frequently blogs,
posts, re-posts, and posts links to defamatory, derogatory, and false statements on a variety of
websites and blogs, including but not limited to defamatory, derogatory, and false statements
about Don Allen Holbrook, LLC, at least since February 7, 2012, if not earlier, constituting
cyber-stalking and cyber-harassment, including but not limited to,
http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-contractor-holbrook-sued-by-ohio-town/;
http://www.topix.com/wire/city/huber-heights-oh; http://www.topix.com/wire/city/pahrumpnv?
q=u:pvtimes.com;
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/earthquests_don_holbrook_sued_huber_heights.
php; Discussion about the New Caney Dino Park - Houston Dinosaur Park (http://www.houstondinopark.com/discuss.php;) and
Kingwood Underground - the heart and soul of our Kingwood, Texas family (http://kingwoodunderground.com/topic.jsp?topicId=11722526), regularly and frequently posts
links on “www.realscam.com” (http://www.realscam.com%E2%80%9D) and other websites to postings and blogs written by Third-Party
Defendant Frank Maurizio, Third-Party Defendant Craig Malisow, Third-Party Defendant
Cynthia Calvert, and others that include defamatory, derogatory, and false statements about Don
Allen Holbrook, LLC, in order that such postings exploit search engine optimization on websites
such as Google and other search engine websites so that defamatory, derogatory, and false
statements about Don Allen Holbrook, LLC, go “viral” and are listed at the beginning of any
4
search for “Don Allen Holbrook, LLC”, “Don Holbrook”, “Holbrook” or other variations on the
name, on internet search engines and which postings have been seen and downloaded from the
internet by persons residing in the State of Ohio....

12. Upon information and belief, shortly after Malisow placed his telephone call on or
about February 29, 2012, to Mr. Adams, persons either employed by the City or elected officials
of the City, are believed to have conducted “internet research” on Don Allen Holbrook, LLC
and, as a proximate result of the concerted action among Third-Party Defendants in posting and
re-posting defamatory, derogatory, and false statements about Don Holbrook, causing them to
“go viral” because of search engine optimization logarithms, persons either employed by the City
or elected officials of the City found defamatory, derogatory, and false statements on the
internet, including but not limited to defamatory statements (per se or per quod), by Dobrott,
Maurizio, Malisow, Calvert, and possibly other unknown persons on the various websites
9
identified above, calling Don Allen Holbrook, LLC, a “scammer”, “scam artist”, “a work at
home scam promotor”, “The Music Man” (making reference to Meredith Willson’s character
“Harold Hill”, a confidence man, in the Broadway show, “The Music Man”), “selling bottles of
magic water”, posting photos on websites allegedly showing “drunken dancing” on a table,
“drunken antics”, “drunken soirees”, stating that Mr. Holbrook “misrepresented the [Houston
Earthquest] project to folks in Pahrump [Nevada]”, stating that “expenses are downright
criminal”, referring to “Holbrook and his flunkies”, stating “I am going to label this guy
[Holbrook] nothing more than a self promoting and quite arrogant scammer”, and, upon
information and belief, taking credit for ruining the business and reputation of Don Allen
Holbrook, LLC on 03-30-2012 on www.realscam.com: (http://www.realscam.com:) “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.” Emphasis added....

26. Upon information and belief and sometime on or before February 29, 2012,
defamatory, untrue, derogatory, and false statements about Don Allen Holbrook, LLC were
posted by internet bloggers Dobrott, Maurizio, and articles were posted on the internet by
Malisow and Calvert on various websites, including but not limited to realscam.com,
pvtimes.com, houstonpress.com, ourtribune.com, and were re-posted to exploit search engine
optimization logarithms to cause harm to Don Allen Holbrook, LLC....

33. At a meeting on March 14, 2012 between Don Allen Holbrook, LLC and
members of the City Staff, including Mayor Ron Fisher and Mark Campbell, a member of the
City Council, Mr. Campbell said, without any warning to Don Allen Holbrook, LLC, that the
City no longer wanted a relationship with Don Allen Holbrook, LLC, did not believe that the
City had received any value for the monies paid, and demanded a full refund of all monies paid
under the Agreement....

COUNT ONE AGAINST ALL THIRD-PARTY DEFENDANTS:
CIVIL CONSPIRACY

COUNT TWO AGAINST ALL THIRD-PARTY DEFENDANTS:
TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT
AND PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS RELATIONS

COUNT THREE AGAINST ALL THIRD-PARTY DEFENDANTS:
DEFAMATION (PER SE OR PER QUOD).......

A. On Count One for Civil Conspiracy, Third-Party Plaintiff Don Allen Holbrook,
LLC asks this Court to grant judgment in its favor and against all Third-Party Defendants,
compensatory damages in favor of Third-Party Plaintiff Don Allen Holbrook, LLC in an amount
in excess of $25,000.00 to be shown at trial, punitive damages in an amount in excess of
$50,000.00 to be shown at trial, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, its attorney’s fees and
all costs of this action and the Complaint filed against it;
B. On Count Two for Tortious Interference with Contractual Relations with the City,
with Pahrump Nevada, and tortious interference with prospective business relations against all
Third-Party Defendants, Third-Party Plaintiff Don Allen Holbrook, LLC asks this Court to grant
judgment in its favor and against these Third-Party Defendants, compensatory damages in an
amount in excess of $25,000.00 to be shown at trial, punitive damages in an amount in excess of
$50,000.00 to be shown at trial, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, its attorney’s fees and
all costs of this action and the Complaint filed against it;
C. On Count Three of the Third-Party Complaint for Defamation per se and/or per
quod, Third-Party Plaintiff Don Allen Holbrook, LLC asks this Court to grant judgment in its
favor and against all Third-Party Defendants, compensatory damages in an amount in excess of
$25,000.00 to be shown at trial or if such statements are determined to be defamatory per quod,
special damages in an amount in excess of $66,000.00 for any losses relating to the City, special
damages in an amount in excess of $80,000.00 for any losses relating to a pending contract with
Pahrump, Nevada, special damages in an amount in excess of $25,000.00 relating to any other
losses that may be shown at trial relating to existing, pending and/or future losses of business
with existing and/or prospective clients, compensatory damages to repair its reputation on the
20
internet in the approximate amount of $25,000.00 for the first year and approximately $8,000.00
per year thereafter, to be shown at trial, punitive damages in an amount in excess of $50,000.00
to be shown at trial, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, its attorney’s fees and all costs of
this action and the Complaint filed against it; and
D. For such other legal and/or equitable relief this Court deems just and proper.
Respectfully Submitted,
s/Sue Seeberger
Sue Seeberger (0059730)
5975 Kentshire Drive, Suite D
Dayton, Ohio 45440-4264
Voice: (937) 291-8646
Fax: (937) 291-8650
sueseeberger@biegeltye

It is time to be very clear on why I believe that Holbrook and his counsel are going to go down in flames.

Of those websites listed that I am posting on, the only one I posted on before March 14th when the city told Holbrook his report was not acceptable and they wanted their money back was www.realscam.com (http://www.realscam.com). So, in relation to the alleged tortious intereference with the contract with the city, which is what the original case and this one must center on, there is page one of this thread. That is not going to cut it!

Craig would have called on February 29th for information for his article. Full of questions and nothing more.

Frank Maurizio wrote his Music Man series of blogs starting May of 2012. Craig Malisow's article about Earthquest hit the paper on April 11th, 2012 which is long after Huber Heights sent him packing!!!

Cynthia Calvert and the Tribune had the following articles published before the March 14 blow-up:

EarthQuest land in bankruptcy - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13146) (no mention of Holbrook)

EMCID may lose millions unless dino-project built - Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13242) (no mention of Holbrook)

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

A Disneyland for gun lovers - Monday, February 20, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13341)

Where's the money? - Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13351) (no mention of Holbrook)

Second dino-park in Jasper sunk by savvy officials - Tuesday, March 06, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13409) (no mention of Holbrook)

EarthQuest fees mount - Tuesday, March 06, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13408)

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) (no mention of Holbrook)

So, the Ohioans would have been able to access those articles and the first page of this thread. Virtually all the numerous alleged defamatory comments Holbrook's attorney mentions were published long after the city sent him packing. And, as they are all truthful, factual and/or expressions of opinion, they are therefor not defamatory or false as he and his attorney claim.

Holbrook's problems in Ohio are his own doing entirely! There is no conspiracy, no tortious interference in Ohio and no defamation. His problem in Pahrump is again his own doing and that issue has no place in this case that is based on his dealings with Huber Heights Ohio.

If Holbrook thought he had problems with posts about him going viral before, boy is he in for a surprise! He isn't likely to get this past some brilliant Motions to Dismiss. I am sure all the defendants will be looking to recover the attorney fees on this frivolous harassment filing. This should be turned around on Holbrook and Seeberger and I hope Motions for Sanctions will be filed.

Holbrook has made wild accusations of libel and defamation when the postings are in fact truth, facts and opinion as far as I can see. Seeberger apparently didn't bother to check out what Holbrook told her. So, I think she has been negligent and reckless in this filing and possibly downright deceitful. She had an obligation when signing this filing against all of us to do so in good faith knowing the facts were established or likely to be established with discovery. This groundless, harassment fishing expedition is inexcusable!

As Holbrook stiffed Peabody Nixon to the tune of 1.29 million, I would be worried about working on a losing case for free if I was Seeberger! And, with all the bloggers and newspapers targeted, this is sure to get a deluge of publicity!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
07-14-2012, 03:31 PM
Holbrook's attorney is up against the top litigators in business, defamation and First Amendment:














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http://www.ficlaw.com/site/images/attorneys/photos/bartlett.jpgAreas of Practice: First Amendment, Defamation, Privacy, Access to News, Freedom of Information Act, Commercial Business Litigation
Law Schools: Academic Scholarship, University of Virginia Law School, 1961; Ohio State University, J.D., 1964
Undergraduate: Denison University, Granville, Ohio, B.A., Political Science and Economics, 1960

Born Marietta, Ohio, February 27, 1938, Bob's early years were spent in West Hartford, Connecticut. Later graduating from Denison University (B.A., 1960); University of Virginia Law School; The Ohio State University Law School (J.D., 1964), where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi Honorary.
After graduating from law school, Bob started his legal career with the Dayton law firm of Estabrook, Finn & McKee, rising to the position of Senior Partner in that firm. The Estabrook firm was acquired by the Columbus firm of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur in 1984 and Bob was a Senior Partner, Member of the Executive Committee, and the Management Committee of that firm, as well as being the Partner in charge of that firm's Dayton office. In August, 1987, Bob moved his practice to the firm of Coolidge Wall Womsley & Lombard, where he was a Senior Partner and in some years was a member of the firm's Executive Committee and Compensation Committee. In August, 2004, Bob moved his practice to the firm of Faruki Ireland & Cox, P.L.L.
He is a Federal Bar Examiner for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 1978-; a Life-Member Delegate, Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference; Member, International Association of Defense Counsel; Member, American Bar Association (Member, Business Litigation, Product Liability and Reinsurance Committees); The Ohio State Bar Association; the Dayton Bar Association; Defense Research Institute; Ohio Trial Lawyers Association; Chair of the Ohio State Bar Association Media Law Committee; National Freedom of Information Coalition; Carl D. Kessler Inn of Court. In 1983, Bob was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a professional association of lawyers skilled and experienced in the trial of cases and dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice, and the ethics of the profession. Fellowship in the College is conferred on less than 1% of the lawyers who are licensed to practice in any state. Bob has been recognized as an "Ohio SuperLawyer," being the top 5% of Ohio's lawyers announced annually in the January edition of Law & Politics in Cincinnati Magazine.
Bob is chief First Amendment counsel for the Dayton Daily News and the former Dayton Journal Herald; he has represented the Springfield News-Sun, WHIO TV-7, WPXI TV in Pittsburg, PA; has been chief First Amendment counsel for Cox Ohio Publishing and Dayton Newspapers, Inc., in every libel, access to news, court closure, gag order, FOIA and related matters for over 30 years; was chief counsel for the Dayton Daily News, Cox Newspapers and their reporters, Russell Carollo and Jeff Nesmith, in the successful FOIA lawsuit against the United States Government, which resulted in their series of stories on the U.S. Military's health care system, being awarded the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. He presently represents the Dayton Daily News, Cox Enterprises and corporate officers, editors and reporters in a libel case captioned Scaccia v. Dayton Newspapers, Inc. Bob also currently represents WHIO TV, Cox Broadcasting, Cox Enterprises and corporate officers and reporters in a defamation case captioned Total Exposure.com v. WHIO TV-7. Bob is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio.
Bob has been a frequent lecturer and panelist for seminars conducted by the Ohio State Bar Association Media Law Committee, the Ohio State Bar Association Local Government Affairs Committee, and other organizations. He is presently serving a two year term as the Chair of the Ohio State Bar Association Media Law Committee. Bob is a member of the Board of Directors of Kids Voting and is a member of the Dayton Lawyers Club, the Dayton Bicycle Club and the Moraine Country Club.







Holbrook's frivolous folly will be over very soon!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
07-19-2012, 11:30 AM
Don Allen Holbrook brags on LinkedIn:

Interim President & CEO (acting on pro-bono basis currently) (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Interim+President+%26+CEO+%28acting+on+pro-bono+basis+currently%29&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=C&goback=%2Enpv_347259_*1_*1_name_P9OJ_*1_*1_*1_*1_* 1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1)

The EarthQuest Institute (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&currentCompany=C&company=The+EarthQuest+Institute&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Enpv_347259_*1_*1_name_P9OJ_*1_*1_*1_*1_* 1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1)



2009 – Present (3 years) East Montgomery County Texas
I helped to found and organize the non-profite and developed the mission and objectives. I later negotiated for their acquisition of their future site for the construction of their public demonstration facility and showcase pavilion for green strategies and products that will raise consumer awareness. Currently EQI is not soliciting funds as they are awaiting the announcement of the new theme park developer by EMCID and the expected official business relationship that EQI desires to have with the new developer. At that time I expect the new board will hire a new President/CEO for renewed and sustained operations going forward. I am still a major supporter of this concept and believe in it's purpose greatly!





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


Conspiracy is a hot topic on this thread. I can think of an obvious one. Don Holbrook and Frank McCrady are still conspiring to hide the charity papers that must be public by law according to IRS regulations and the Texas Non-profit Corporation Act. Dr. Matthew Gardner sent the docs to the EMCID office to Frank McCrady. McCrady and his attorney David Marks have refused to turn over the docs. Don Lessem referred me to Holbrook as well. Don Holbrook went so far as to instruct the Earthquest Institute's accountants to withhold the documents from me and the other journalists and contributors that are demanding to see them. I made reports to the IRS and the Texas Attorney General's Office.

I wonder if Sue Seeberger is going to continue to support Holbrook's activities that clearly violate the law???

I will not stop fighting until those documents are in my hands!!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-04-2012, 03:35 PM
EarthQuest land in bankruptcy
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
Whitestone Houston Land Ltd. ("Whitestone"), an entity that owns approximately 1,564 acres
near New Caney, a portion of which includes the planned EarthQuest theme park and museum,
has filed for bankruptcy.
The EarthQuest theme park and museum has been promoted for years as a soon-to-come
entertainment center with retail shopping, a water park, hotels, an eco-tourism area, and a
residential development, along with a dinosaur area. The project grew from $50 to $500 million+
with numerous delays in breaking ground. To date, no construction has occurred.
According to trollerbk.com, Whitestone filed a Chapter 11 petition (re- organization) for
bankruptcy protection more than five months ago on August 1, 2011. The filing was made at the
United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas (Sherman). The bankruptcy petition
number is 11 - 42400.
According to Schedule B of the petition, Whitestone has $0.00 in its business checking account.
Schedule D shows a total indebtedness to secured creditors of $20,167,465.94.
Schedule F of the petition indicates that Whitestone owes another $808,179.28 to various
unsecured creditors. Notably, those unpaid amounts include $123,845.13 to local taxing agencies
for unpaid property taxes for the 2008 to 2010 tax years. The status of payment for the property
taxes due January 31, 2012, for the 2011 tax year is unknown.
Also included in Schedule F is an unsecured $225,000 note payable to the East Montgomery
County Improvement District ("EMCID"). However, more significant amounts have been funded
by EMCID to Whitestone in the form of expense reimbursements.
Whitestone is a limited partnership whose general partner is Whitestone Houston Holdings LLC.
The manager of the general partner is John D. Marlin. Marlin is also manager of EQ Ventures
GP LLC, the general partner of Global Earthquest Ventures LP ("Global"). Global is one of the
parties to the contracts executed with EMCID.
According to EarthQuest Institute (http://www.earthquestinstitute.org), Marlin is also a director of the EarthQuest Institute
("Institute"), a nonprofit organization established to apparently manage the EarthQuest Museum
and Institute. Marlin is shown on their website as a director of the Institute. The Institute is
another of the parties to the contracts executed with EMCID.
According to Eco-Resort, Hotel, Conference Center and Theme Park | Earth Quest Resort (http://www.earthquestadventures.com), Marlin's real estate and development company,
Marlin-Atlantis, of which he is the chief executive officer, is the general partner and developer of
the planned project through an entity called EarthQuest Resort. This company does not appear to
be a party to the contracts executed with EMCID. Marlin-Atlantis is based in Dallas.
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
Marlin did not respond to a request for comment.
Frank McCrady, President and CEO of EMCID, stands behind the development. "We have a
new developer who is working with the bank to take over the property and the project.
"It is not a matter of if, but when [it will be built]," he said.
According to a w6site at www.landadvisors.com/whitcstone, Wbitestonc originally acquired the
New Caney land for a residential development to be called Whitestone. As described in a special
warranty deed dated June 14, 2004, the same being recorded in the public records of
Montgomery County under Clerk's File Number 2004-06651 and film code number
~, the property was purchased from HS Tej as Ltd. The purchase price of the land, as stated in
the first paragraph of the deed, was in the amount of $4,150,000 plus "$ 10 and other good and
valuable consideration."
Over time, the idea of a dinosaur-themcd park and resort was developed through the principals
and affiliates of Whitestone. This new concept was then planned on about 500 acres of the land
that was originally intended for residential development. Due to the projected economic impact
on the surrounding region, discussions were initiated with EMCID.
Those discussions ultimately resulted in a series of complex agreements between Global,
EMCID and the Earthquest Institute. Briefly stated, for the perceived future benefits of having a
major theme park and other related developments, EMCID agreed to sell millions of dollars in
bonds in order to provide funds to Whitestone for "pre-development" and "pre- construction"
expenses.
Pursuant to a Houston Chronicle-This Week article dated August 26, 2009, the aggregate funds
[then] paid by EMCID to Whitestone for the foregoing expenses totaled $7,800,000. The same
article referenced a second request by Marlin for EMCID to provide another $2,800,000 to
Global to pay for a "site locater fee," the recipient of which was unnamed in the article.
McCrady said that EMCID subsequently did not advance the additional funds to pay the site
locater fee.
"We do not want people alarmed and think that the project will not be built. We have Contour
Entertainment from Los Angeles. They are going to take over," he said.
McCrady said he was aware Whitestone had filed for bankruptcy some months ago.
"They have a restructuring plan - a hearing on this will be held Jan. 23 in Dallas," he said.
The property is currently in bankruptcy but McCrady says Contour is currently working with the
bank and hopes to purchase the property eventually.
"Contour is an entertainment company with experience developing theme parks all over the
world. Our board thinks that is very good," McCrady said. Contour, McCrady said, was a
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
subcontractor of Whitestone's and performed all the design work on the EarthQuest project, he
said. "Chris Brown, CEO of Contour, has been prepared to step in from the inception," McCrady
said. Owning the site would be a first for the Los Angeles-based design firm.
According to Contour Entertainment's website, Contour Entertainment (http://www.contourentertainment.com),
the company performs many functions related to theme park management but they do not own
theme parks. Contour's website states that they perforrn concept development and show design,
project management, operational planning, market research and architectural design. EarthQuest
is already listed as one of the six projects Contour is working on.
The site states that, "Contour Entertainment is the Resort Masterplanner and lead designer for all
aspects of this $530 million, 500-acre (Phase 1) entertainment resort as well as providing the
initial design for the conceptual direction and facility design for the $20 million, 40,000-sqare
foot, not-for-profit EarthQuest Institute."
It appears that the general plan of repayment to EMCID was to receive about one-half of the
proceeds at the beginning of construction of the theme park, with the second half being repaid
after construction of the park was completed. However, there have been numerous changes and
amendments to the original contracts and the current status of the repayment terms is uncertain.
The filing of the bankruptcy petition has created concerns about any projected construction date
and whether or not the bankruptcy filing has jeopardized the repayment of the monies funded by
EMCID to Global.
"Whitestone was just a landholding company," McCrady said. "The bond paid for
predevelopment expenses, engineers, drainage, things like that all related to EarthQuest."
McCrady said that repayments are certain, based on future sales tax recapture as well as future
taxes attached to the development zone and future hotel taxes.
"We would not have issued bonds if there was any chance of the funds not being recovered," he
said.
The contracts further provide that, should the project not be constructed, then EMCID would
have the right to purchase certain properties owned by the Institute. That purchase option is for
the 50 acres upon which the Dino Institute and Museum would be built. The option price for that
tract is $1,250,000. This amount would be in addition to the original $7,800,000 already known
to be approved by the bond to Global.
McCrady said that EMCID and the bond has put up about $9 million. He said "you can add
another million to the bond money" for expenses to date.
Marlin Atlantis also received approval from taxing authorities for property tax abatements to
enhance the profitability of the project via Montgomery County Commissioners Court and from
the passage of House Bill 4015. At the same time, the contracts between Global and EMCID
would have set in motion a set of new taxes and user fees in connection with the development
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
and operation of the theme park and museum, including Improvement Zone sales taxes and hotel
occupancy taxes, along with event admission taxes and parking fees and taxes.
In fact, McCrady said,"Without a doubt, this will happen. If Contour fails, others are willing to
step up. We are not putting all our faith in one developer. That is not the way we do business.
We have backup plans A, B, C and D."
"From our perspective, the board thinks the future sales tax will pay back the money. The
property is well suited to retail development.
"Contour is hoping to pick up the project after the bankruptcy is complete," McCrady said.
"Houston is poised for theme park projects. We have three different economic reports that say
that. I I
List of creditors and amounts owed listed in the bankruptcy filing:
Creditors holding secured claims, according to Schedule D:
J.R. Moore, Jr. Tax Assessor, $15,970.81; County of Montgomery Tax Office, $61,943.94;
Hillcrest Bank, $20,043,611.21; J. R. Moore, Jr. Tax Assessor, $45,939.98.
Creditors Holding Unsecured Claims, according to Schedule F:
Anco-McDonald Waterworks, $5,385; Bracewell & Guiliani LLP, $952.50; Cindy A Schmidt,
$2,521.57; Coasts, Rose, Yale Ryman & Lee, $3858.83; East Montgomery County Improvement
District, $225,000; Hayne and Associates PC, $155; Hesse & Hesse LLP, $225; Ryan &
Company PC, $1025; Sammons Realty Corp., $275,683.88; Texas Commission-Environmental
Quality, $2,565.38; Thompson & Knight LLP, $11,978.74, and WMA Whitestone Land LP,
$278,828.38.
EMCID may lose millions unless dino-project built.

Soapboxmom
08-04-2012, 03:44 PM
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
Marlin-Atlantis ousted as developer of EarthQuest
Marlin-Atlantis, the Dallas-based real estate developer of Whitestone and the related EarthQuest
theme park, is no longer associated with the project.
Frank McCrady, president and CEO of the East Montgomery County Improvement District,
("EMCID"), said Marlin-Atlantis is not associated with the dinosaur theme park any longer and,
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
in fact, said that Marlin-Atlantis has no legal liability to repay the millions of dollars EMCID has
given them until and unless the park project is opened.
The Marlin-Atlantis company which purchased the land several years ago, Whitestone Houston
Land Ltd., filed for bankruptcy last summer.
McCrady said that a new developer, Contour Entertainment of Los Angeles, has assumed the
financial responsibilities for the bankrupt project.
"Marlin-Atlantis is no longer capable of delivering the theme park project. They have an
obligation for repayment once the project occurs. That obligation has been assumed by our
existing developer, Contour Entertainment. Our approach has been for the bond repayment to be
project specific and not developer specific. Developers come and go, however the project
remains viable and is moving forward as we speak."
Chris Brown, president of Contour Entertainment offered a somewhat different answer as to his
firm's involvement.
"That is not how I would characterize it," Brown said. "Actually, we have an agreement in place
with an option on the intellectual property licensing agreements with EMCID. We are working to
raise the money, $500 million. That is a lot of money. However, we have not raised it yet. That is
something we are working on."
Brown said Contour was not looking to EMCID for money. "We have not received any funds
from EMCID. They have already written a lot of checks [to the previous developers]." Brown
said Contour expected to get financial assistance from EMCID once the park is built.
"EMCID has a partnership role with us and through their backing and support, we have achieved
legislative changes that will support the project once it is built, once it is operating. But not in the
current development phase. Raising this kind of money in this economy is entirely different for
us and a big challenge."
Brown said the impending bankruptcy and possible foreclosure on the original property was not
a concern to Contour as they had built land costs into their business plan. If the original site
becomes unavailable, Contour has chosen several other nearby alternative sites.
"We are interested in that property, but we have also looked at other sites. Our preference is that
particular piece of land but it doesn't have to be. The project is not dependent exclusively on
that," Brown said.
McCrady remains emphatic that the project will be built and that EMCID will recoup the $9-$13
million already invested with the previous developer. The project must be built for EMCID to
recapture the money, unless another form of retail development occurs.
"Our incentives are what makes the project viable. Any developer wanting access to these
incentives would have to come to EMCID and negotiate to receive these and in that negotiation,
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
we would require them to repay the outstanding bonds in order to receive our incentives,"
McCrady said.
Notwithstanding McCrady's confidence, the threat of the park not getting built was voiced
almost two-and-one-half years ago by John Howell, bond counsel to EMCID. In a board meeting
on August 24, 2009, Howell expressed his concern to the EMCID board about the possibility of
the theme park not being constructed. Howell advised the board that they should make efforts "to
protect the [Improvement] District in the event no park is developed."
He advised the EMCID board that the [Improvement] District "should request an interest in the
land with a preferred return on land sales." McCrady answered that the developer (Martin-
Atlantis) would not agree to that option. The board then directed McCrady to discuss other
possible options with the developer to protect the interests of the Improvement Zone in the event
no park is ever built. What, if any, actions were taken by McCrady to protect the interests of the
Improvement Zone are not mentioned in the board minutes.
As if the possibility of the park not getting built isn't serious enough by itself, the bank holding
the lien on the property has filed a motion with the bankruptcy court to allow it to foreclose its
lien.
On January 16, 2012, according to Research Bankruptcy Records Online | TrollerBk.com (http://www.trollerbk.com), Bank Midwest, N.A., successor in
interest to Hillcrest Bank, N.A. (Whitestone's tender), filed a motion of objection with the
bankruptcy court 'in response to Whitestone's plan of reorganization. The objection motion is
quite lengthy and can be read in its entirety at the end of this article.
The purpose of the motion is for Whitestone's lender to be granted permission by the bankruptcy
court to proceed with a foreclosure on all of the properties that Whitestone owns, including the
Dino-Park land.
This motion paints a far different picture of the status of the EarthQuest project than what has
been commonly portrayed by various interested parties and some publications. Excerpts from the
lender's motion include the following quotations which are in response to Whitestone's plan of
reorganization (the "Plan"):
"On or about July 31, 2007, Hillcrest Bank, N.A., loaned Whitestone up to $19.6 million for the
acquisition of real property in New Caney, Texas. The initial maturity date of the note was
January 1, 2009 ... but was extended to November 1, 2010 ... at which time Whitestone
defaulted in its obligations ... and was subsequently declared in default on November 19, 2010.
. . The indebtedness remains unpaid ... in the [current] amount of $21,377,520.24."
"The Plan 'envisions a new third-party debt facility' and [that] the Plan will be implemented
through 'the revenue from Whitestone's future business operations and an equity investment put
in by the 'New Capital Partner.' The alleged New Capital Partner is not identified, disclosed or
supported. Whitestone's future business operations and 'development' are not explained or
supported. In addition, there is no support for the Plan's feasibility because ... the Plan is not
feasible.
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
"Whitestone has no equity in the property ... Whitestone has no history ... [and] is a start-up
venture ... Considering Whitestone's prior inadequate performance in regards to developing the
property ... the current state of the new home market ... and the speculative nature of an
amusement park ... the Plan is not feasible."
The objection motion goes on to state that, although Whitestone contends that the property is
worth $27.4 million, the lender has certified appraisals stating that the property's current value is
only $9.88 million.
The bankruptcy court has not yet ruled on the lender's motion of objection. If the court does rule
in Hillcrest's favor, then it is expected the lender will foreclose its lien on the property, take
ownership of the land and subsequently place the land on the market for re-sale. The act of
foreclosure will terminate the interests of all prior owner(s) and any other interested parties.
If the property is foreclosed, the feasibility of the EarthQuest project going forward is, at best,
questionable. More importantly, once the foreclosure occurs, it is doubtful Whitestone's lender
will have an interest in reinvesting in another speculative venture. The most likely scenario is
that the lender's focus will be to sell the property in order to recover its loan proceeds.
Although many have been surprised at the seemingly current problems of the EarthQuest project,
it appears the EMCID board has been in damage control mode for almost a year. Based on
comments recorded in the EMCID board minutes, warning signs about the project apparently
surfaced as early as mid-2009.
Examples of these concerns, listed by board meeting dates, are as follows:
August 24, 2009
The first of two major restructures of the contractual arrangement between the developer
(Marlin-Atlantis) and EMCID is proposed. The developer requested: (i) forgiveness of its
obligation to repay several million dollars of bond proceeds previously given to the developer by
EMCID; (ii) forgiveness of its obligation to repay $1.5 million in bond proceeds utilized for the
benefit of ESD # 7; (iii) a request for EMCID, rather than the developer, to pay a 'site locater'
fee of @ $3 million; along with other concessions.
According to the minutes, the EMCID counter-proposed that a $1 parking tax would be levied on
all future park visitors to: (i) repay the millions of dollars of bond indebtedness owed by the
developer (as requested); (ii) utilize the same parking levy to payoff the $1.5 million bond
indebtedness related to ESD #7 (as requested) (iii) ask the developer to donate to EMCID the
planned site of the future EarthQuest Institute; and other considerations.
The Tribune does not have a copy of the final restructured agreement therefore, the final terms
are unknown. Furthermore, what, if any, additional assurances McCrady was able to achieve
with the developer is unknown.
November 9, 20 10
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
The EMCID board learns that the project is not going to happen as planned. A second major
restructure of the project is proposed. John Marlin, president of Marlin-Atlantis, informed the
EMCID board that a $500 million "greenfield" project like EarthQuest was not feasible in the
current market. Consequently, the project would have to be "phased" to reduce development and
construction costs. The phasing of the project proposed that the theme park would be constructed
first, followed by subsequent phases for related amenities.
February 1, 2011
In the meeting, McCrady states that the [Improvement] District is "a little behind on revenue
projects . . ." The board then discussed areas where the budget could be reduced if the revenues
did not match the budget. Director Linda Floyd "recommended that the travel by the EarthQuest
consultants "be restricted or elimmiated."
There is no mention of why Floyd was so concerned about the traveling expenses of the
EarthQuest consultants. But from financial records obtained by The Tribune it is obvious that
EMCID has paid for extensive travel and other accommodations for the EarthQuest consultants.
March 10, 2011
EMCID director Floyd again appears concerned about money. She questioned a wire transfer of
funds to EarthQuest Institute. Floyd is on the record as saying, "It was her understanding that
such funding had ended." She further asked the board "to recall the EarthQuest Institute wire."
The amount of this wire transfer was not referenced in the minutes and is unknown. What is clear
is that Floyd's concern about the wire transfer to EarthQuest reflected a growing concern on the
part of some of the EMCID board members.
June 16, 2011
Chris Brown, president of Contour Entertainment, informed the EMCID board that his company
was "assuming" the position of Marlin-Atlantis as developer for the EarthQuest project. In light
of the complex contractual agreements that exist between EMCID and various Marlin-Atlantis
entities, it is unknown if this is a formal assumption of the developer's role or a temporary
measure until a more permanent solution is determined.
November 10, 2011
The EMCID board approved an assignment and release with "Dino" Don Lessem. Reportedly
renowned worldwide for his expertise in paleontology, Lessem was the brainchild, founder and
director of the EarthQuest Institute. Lessem received thousands of dollars consulting on the
project for several years and his extensive travel and entertainment expenses were paid by
EMCID. The circumstances of Lessem's departure were not disclosed in the minutes. What
effect his leaving will have on the project is unknown. The EarthQuest Institute was a tax-
exempt entity which held several fund raisers to raise money for the museum facilities. The
status of those funds is unknown.
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
December 8, 2011
The EMCID board approved the expenditure of $25,000 to renew the Wbitestone [sanitary
sewer] waste discharge permit to Caney Creek. Reportedly, the permit will be assigned to
EMCID. It appears that EMCID is trying to preserve the early (and limited) development work
that Marlin- Atlantis performed on the Whitestone property when it was originally planned as
only a residential community. This specific permit most likely was the Caney Creek Plant Permit
No. WQ0014559001, which was originally issued in April of 2005. There is a companion waste
permit that will also soon need to be renewed, if that has not already been done. That will be for
the Peach Creek Plant Permit No. WQ0014559001, which was also first issued in April of 2005.
With Marlin-Atlantis having left the project, these type of real estate expenses will be regular
occurrences as EMCID tries to preserve whatever interests it can in the EarthQuest property.
Chris Brown of Contour emphasized this. "EMCID is trying to do what it can to protect the
investment it has made in the project," he said.
Questions Remain
This complex and convoluted situation, the seriousness of which has been further magnified by
the potential foreclosure of the EarthQuest property, has prompted valid inquiries by this
newspaper and the public to the EMCII) board.
How much money has EMCID funded to the various entities involved in the proposed
EarthQuest / Dino-Park venture?
The Tribune previously asked both EMCID attorney David Marks and McCrady this specific
question. Marks said he did not know but "Frank should." McCrady responded that EMCID has
funded "about" $9 million "for expenses to date." (Note: The original Tribune article reported an
amount of $7.8 million). However, in a Houston Chronicle-This Week article dated August 26,
2009, Connie Bloodworth, a board member of EMCID, then stated that EMCID had a potential
exposure to the project of $13 million. "Director Connie Bloodworth said the requested changes
will add up to a net initial incentive cost to the district of some $13 million. 'Right now we're
putting ourselves and the community on the line," said Bloodworth. "He's (Marlin) got his neck
on the line, but we do too."'
Why did the EMCID board not inform the public that the entity owning the land for the proposed
EarthQuest property filed for bankruptcy protection more than five months ago on August 1,
2011?
Why did the EMCID board not inform the public about Marlin-Atlantis leaving the project?
Why did the EMCID board ignore the advice of its own bond counsel to seek additional security
in order to protect its multi-million dollar investment in Marlin-Atlantis and the EarthQuest
project.
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
How much money has EMCID expended for travel, accommodations, food, gifts, etc. for the
various EarthQuest personnel and consultants?
Based on financial records in the possession of The Tribune it appears to be extensive. A review
of those expenses is underway and will be reported on in a future article.
Samuel M. Stricklin (State Bar No. 19397050)
Michael L. Dinnin (State Bar No. 05888100)
Brian C. Mitchell (State Bar No. 24046452)
Bracewell and Giuliani LLP
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 3800
Dallas, Texas 75202-2711
Telephone: (214) 468-3800
Facsimile: (214) 468-3888
Email: sam.stricklin@bgllp.com
Email: michael.dinnin@bgllp.com
Email: brian.mitchell@bgllp.com
Attorneys for Hillcrest Bank, N.A.
IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
SHERMAN DIVISION
IN RE: 
 CHAPTER I I
WHITESTONE HOUSTON LAND, LTD.,  CASE NO. 11-42400
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
Debtor. 
HILLCREST BANK, N.A.'S OBJECTION TO CONFIRMATION OF
DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION DATED OCTOBER 28,2011
Hillcrest, N.A. ("Hillcrest"),
1
secured creditor and party in interest herein, files this
Objection to Confirmation of Debtor's First Plan of Reorganization Dated October 28, 2011
("Objection"), and in support thereof would show the Court the following:
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  157 and
1334. This Objection is a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  157(b)(2). Venue is proper in
this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  1409.
1
On November 7, 2011, Hillcrest Bank, N.A. merged with Bank Midwest, N.A., and now
operates under the name
Bankr Midwest, N.A.OBJECTION OF HILLCREST BANK, N.A. TO CONFIRMATION
OF DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION - PACE 2
RELEVANT BACKGROUND
A. Debtor's Bankruptcy Filing
1. On August 1, 2011 (the "Petition Date"), Whitestone Houston Land, Ltd.
("Whitestone" or "Debtor") filed a voluntary petition for relief under chapter I I of title I I of the
United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the Eastern District of Texas, Plano Division (the
"Bankruptcy Court"), Cause No. 11-42400. This is a Single Asset Real Estate case.
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
2. On October 28, 2011, the Debtor filed its First Disclosure Statement Dated
October 28, 2011 [Dkt. No. 15 ] ("Disclosure Statement") and its Chapter I I Plan of
Reorganization Dated October 28, 2011 [Dkt. No. 14] ("Plan"). The Debtor filed its First
Modification to Disclosure Statement on December 11, 2011 ("Disclosure Statement
Modification"). [Dkt. No. 24]. On December 20, 2011, the Court entered an Order Approving
First Disclosure Statement Dated October 28, 2011 as Modified. [Dkt. No. 27].
B. Hillcrest Bank's Secured Claim
3. On or about July 31, 2007, Hillcrest and Whitestone entered into a secured loan
agreement (the "Loan Agreement") whereby Hillcrest agreed to loan Whitestone up to
$19,600,000.00 in connection with the acquisition of real property located in New Caney,
Montgomery County, Texas (the "Property"). Pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement, and
contemporaneously therewith, Whitestone executed a Promissory Note (the "Note") for the
principal sum of $19,600,000.00 in favor of Hillcrest. The Note was secured by a Deed of Trust
granted by Whitestone in favor of Hillcrest, which provided Hillcrest a security interest in the
Property (the "Deed of Trust"). OBJECTION OF HILLCREST BANK, N.A. TO
CONFIRMATION
OF DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION - PACE 3
4. The initial maturity date of the Note, for full repayment of the entire principal
balance and unpaid interest to Hillcrest by Whitestone, was January 1, 2009. The maturity date
was subsequently modified twice via agreement, so that the maturity date under the Note was
November 1, 2010. However, Whitestone defaulted under the Loan Agreement and Note, and
Hillcrest notified Whitestone of the events of default on November 1, 20 10. Whitestone failed to
cure the default, and on November 19, 2010, Hillcrest accelerated the outstanding indebtedness
(the "Indebtedness") under the Note and Loan Agreement. The Indebtedness remains unpaid,
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
and as of August 1, 2011, the approximate amount due and owing by Whitestone under the Note
and Loan Agreement, including principal and accrued interest, was $21,377,520.24. Interest and
fees continue to accrue on this amount.
BASIS FOR OBJECTIONS
C. The Debtor Bears the Burden of Proof for Confirmation
2. A debtor in bankruptcy bears the burden of proving each and every element of
 1129(a) by a preponderance of the evidence in order to attain confirmation of its plan. In re
Cajun Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., 230 B.R. 715, 728 (Bankr. M.D. La. 1999); In re
Barnes, 309 B.R. 888, 895 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. 2004) (citing In re T-H New Orleans Ltd. P'ship,
116 F.3d 790, 801 (5th Cir. 1997)); In re 8315 Fourth Avenue Corp., 172 B.R. 725, 735 (Bankr.
E.D.N.Y. 1994). Furthermore, the court has a mandatory duty to determine whether the plan has
met all of the requirements for confirmation, whether specifically raised by dissenting creditors
or not. Williams v. Hibernia National Bank, 850 F.2d 250, 253 (5th Cir. 1988). The Debtor in
this case is unable to meet its burden for confirmation.OBJECTION OF HILLCREST BANK,
N.A. TO CONFIRMATION
OF DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION - PACE 4
B. The Plan Violates  1123(a)(5) Because it Does Not Provide Adequate Means For Its
Implementation
3. The Court cannot confirm a plan unless it complies with the applicable provisions
of title 11. See 11 U.S.C.  1129(a)(1). A debtor's plan must provide adequate means for the
plan's implementation. See I I U.S.C.  1123(a)(5). Whitestone's Plan does not provide
adequate means for the Plan's implementation; therefore, the Plan cannot be confirmed.
4. The only information in the Plan regarding its implementation is in Article 11,
Concept of the Plan, Generally, and Article VI, Means for Implementation of Plan. The Concept
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
of the Plan is merely a "plan of reorganization." See Plan, 2.0 1. The Plan "envisions a new third
party debt facility," and the Plan will be implemented through "the revenue from the Debtor's
future business operations and an equity investment put in by the New Capital Partner." Id. The
alleged New Capital Partner is not identified, disclosed, or defined. Id. The Debtor's future
business operations and "development" are not explained or supported. Id. In addition, there is
no support for the Plan's feasibility, likely because, as discussed infra, the Plan is not feasible.
The Means for Implementation of Plan simply states that the "Plan will be implemented pursuant
to  1123(a)(5) of the Code, by the commencement of payments as called for above." See Plan,
6. 0 1. Further, the Plan "relies on the revenues generated from the Debtor's property and the
Equity Investment." Id. Similar to New Capital Partner, the Equity Investment is not defined,
explained, or identified. Therefore, the Plan does not provide any means for implementation
other than the baseless and conclusory statements that it will be implemented. The Plan does not
comply with the provisions in section 1123(a)(5) and, as a result, should not be confirmed.
C. The Plan Violates I I U.S.C.  I 129(a)(7) Because Hillcrest Receives Less Under the
Plan Than it Would in a Chapter 7 Liquidation
5. Pursuant to 11 U.S.C.  1 129(a)(7), impaired classes of claims under the Plan
must receive property on account of their claim that is not less than the amount they would
OBJECTION OF HILLCREST BANK, N.A. TO CONFIRMATION
OF DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION - PACE 5
receive in a case under chapter 7. The Plan is not confirmable because the Debtor has failed to
meet its burden under  1129(a)(7). The Debtor bears the burden of proving  1129(a)(7) by a
preponderance of the evidence. Heartland Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass'n v. Briscoe Enters. (In re
Briscoe Enters.), 994 F.2d 1060 (5th Cir. 1993).
6. There is nothing in the Plan regarding liquidation, and in its Disclosure Statement
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>

Soapboxmom
08-04-2012, 03:46 PM
Modification, the Debtor merely states that "in a liquidation the property would sell for less than
the secured debts given today's market conditions and the costs of sale." Disclosure Statement
Modification, 16. The Debtor states the Whitestone Houston Property Value is $25,000,000.00
(reduced by $2,000,000.00 for a liquidation) and its secured debt is listed as $21,377,520.24. Id.
Therefore, the Debtor's statement that the property would sell for less than the secured debts is
incorrect, even with a $2,000,000.00 reduction in property value. There is no evidence that the
impaired classes will not receive less through the Plan than they would in a liquidation. The
Debtor has not met its burden to prove the requirements under  1129(a)(7).
7. Further, Hillcrest will receive less under the Plan that it would under a chapter 7
liquidation. Under a liquidation, Hillcrest will receive the value of its secured claim
immediately.
2
However, under the Plan, Hillcrest must wait 120 days after confirmation before
it will receive payment of its secured claim, and will not be paid a market or otherwise
appropriate rate of interest. Further, it is unclear how Debtor intends to pay Hillcrest's
$19,389,607.91 claim (plus continued accrued fees and interest) when there is no indication of
who the New Equity Investor is or how the Debtor will implement the Plan. Accordingly,
2
Debtor contends the Property is worth 27,400,00.00, which would allow Hillcrest to receive the
full amount of its
secured claim through liquidation. However. even if the Property value is $9,880,000.00, as
Hillcrest contends
based on its certified appraisal, Hillcrest will still receive more through a liquidation that it
would under the Debtor's
Plan. OBJECTION OF HILLCREST BANK, N.A. TO CONFIRMATION
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
OF DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION - PACE 6
Hillcrest will receive less than it would under a chapter 7 liquidation and confirmation of the
plan should be denied under  1129(a)(7).
D. The Plan Violates  1 129(a)(1 1) Because it is Not Feasible
8. Whitestone's Plan is not feasible and cannot be confirmed under section
1129(a)(11). Courts must scrutinize the plan carefully to determine whether it offers a
reasonably prospect of success and is workable. In re Beyond.com Corp., 289 B.R. 138, 145
(Bankr. N.D. Cal. 2003). Whitestone has failed to offer anything other than hope and
speculation regarding its ability to satisfy the obligations of creditors. See, e.g., In re M&S
Assocs., Ltd., 138 B.R. 845, 852 (Bankr. W.D. Tex. 1992) ("Confirmation of the Plan would
merely allow the Debtor to postpone the inevitable, and to gamble, with the [secured creditor's]
money, on the long shot possibility of a drastic improvement in the real estate market"); In re
Pelham St. Assocs., 134 B.R. 700, 701 (Bankr. D.R.I. 1991) (denying confirmation of plan
predicated on a 5-year balloon payment to the secured creditor, concluding that the plan was
11 pure pie in the sky, and no secured creditor should be required to depend on such illusory pie.").
Whitestone has no equity in the Property, and this is a Single Asset Real Estate bankruptcy.
9. The proposed Plan does not have a reasonable probability of success because it
requires Whitestone to enter into a new third party debt facility and receive an equity investment
from a New Capital Partner in order to fund the reorganization. See Plan, 2,01. Simultaneously
with the refinancing, Whitestone will also place the Property for sale on the market. Id.
However, Whitestone does not explain how it will obtain a New Equity Partner and a new debt
financing facility when it intends to sell the Property, and Whitestone has no equity in the
Property. OBJECTION OF HILLCREST BANK, N.A. TO CONFIRMATION
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
OF DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION - PACE 7
10. Neither the Disclosure Statement nor the Plan provides any concrete explanation
for how creditors in this case will receive the value of their claims. Whitestone has no equity in
the Property, and this is a Single Asset Real Estate bankruptcy. More specifically, this case
involves more than 1,564.55 acres of raw/undeveloped land located in New Caney, Texas that
the Debtor purchased in 2005 and plans (at least in 2005) to develop into a mixed-use
multifamily, commercial, and retail development, a segment of the economy that is notoriously
struggling. See Disclosure Statement, Exhibit B, Development Overview. However, upon
information and belief, the Debtor actually intends to develop the majority of the Property into
an amusement park.
11. The only support for the Plan's success is contained in the Metrostudy Market
Overview and Development Feasibility Performa sections of Exhibit B of the Disclosure
Statement. However, the Market Overview is merely a conclusory summary of a pie in the sky
hope for what may happen to the real estate market, and there is no support for the Development
Feasibility of the Debtor's Plan. Speculative and unrealistic projections are not sufficient to
prove the feasibility of a plan of reorganization. In re Canal Place Ltd. P'ship, 921 F.2d 569,
579 (5th Cir. 1991). Moreover, it is unclear when the Development Feasibility Proforma was
prepared (although it appears to be years ago), who prepared it, how the figures contained in the
Proforma were determined, what assumptions were made, etc. Notably, the proposed Plan relies
on revenues generated from the Property (which, to date, amount to zero) and additional
financing. "Section I 129(a)(1 1) requires the plan proponent to show concrete evidence of a
sufficient cash flow to fund and maintain both its operations and obligations under the plan." See
In re 8315 Fourth Ave. Corp., 172 B.R. 725, 735 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 1994); In re SM 104 Ltd.,
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
160 B.R. 202, 234 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. 1993). Plans often fail on feasibility grounds where the
OBJECTION OF HILLCREST BANK, N.A. TO CONFIRMATION
OF DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION - PACE 8
assets needed to fund the Plan are speculative. See In re 8315 Fourth Ave. Corp., 172 B.R. at
735; In re Lakeside Global 11, Ltd., 116 B.R. 499, 506-09 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. 1989).
12. Further, where a plan relies on operating revenues, "a debtor's past and present
financial history are probative of the plan's feasibility." Id. The Debtor effectively has no
history - this is a start-up venture in bankruptcy. Considering the Debtor's prior inadequate
performance in regards to developing the property (Whitestone has owned the Property since
2005, yet no development has taken place), the current state of the new home market (and the
speculative nature of an amusement park) and the conjectural and speculative projections in
support of the Debtor's proposed Plan, the Plan is not feasible and cannot be confirmed as a
matter of law.
PRAYER
For the foregoing reasons, Hillcrest respectfully requests that the Court deny
confirmation of the Plan and grant Hillcrest such other and further relief as is just and proper.
Dated: January 13, 2012
Respectfully submitted,
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI LLP
By: /s/ Brian C. Mitchell
Samuel M. Stricklin
State Bar No. 19397050
Michael L. Dinnin
State Bar No. 05888100
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
Brian C. Mitchell
State Bar No. 24046452
1445 Ross Avenue Suite 3800
Dallas, TX 75202-2711
Telephone: (214) 468-3800
Facsimile: (214) 468-3888
ATTORNEYS FOR HILLCREST BANK, N.A.OBJECTION OF HILLCREST BANK, N.A.
TO CONFIRMATION
OF DEBTOR'S FIRST PLAN OF REORGANIZATION - PACE 9
CERTIFICATE 0
Court gives EarthQuest developer time to raise money, save project
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
-Questions arise over EMCID,consultant contracts-
The Eastern District Court of Texas, which is administering the bankruptcy proceedings of
Whitestone Houston Land, Ltd. (the legal owning entity of the EarthQuest / Dino-Park land), has
established a multi-step plan to allow
for the sale and disposition of the Dino - Park property.
On Jan. 23, 2012, the court decreed that the owners of Whitestone have until March 5, 2012, to
raise $ 10 million in capital in order to move forward with a plan to reorganize. N"itestone must
also file a Motion to Establish Bid procedures. If they achieve this, they then have until April 6,
2012, to obtain court approval of the bid
procedures for a sale of the property and they must conduct an auction to sell the property by
April 30 and close on the sale by June 4, 2012.
Failure to meet with any of these steps means that the court will allow foreclosure on the land.
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
Frank McCrady, president and CEO of the East Montgomery County Improvement District
(EMCID), said in January that Chris Brown, CEO of Contour Entertainment, is now the
EarthQuest developer and is actively seeking to raise capital in order to save the project. Brown
said, " We are working to raise the money. However, we have not raised it yet. That is something
we are working on. There is a list of bills to be paid first before we can complete the project. A
project like this comes in steps. It is a $500 million project and the reality is, that is a lot of
money.
"This is distinctively different for us - we have partnered financially on a much smaller scale but
this is our first time, basically, to be owners on this scale. The money side is definitely a
challenge. Outside of the cash issue, everything else is normal for us. We know we can do the
project, but raising the money is the big challenge," Brown added.
Brown is also working on another project, in Pahrump, Nevada. The town, an hour's drive from
Las Vegas, recently gave Brown, and Donald Allen Holbrook, a consultant paid also by EMCID,
thousands of dollars to conduct a study as to the feasibility of building a theme park in that rural
area. Brown and Holbrook struck a deal with the town board for a study, which Holbrook said
they should consider either an alien-themed park or a park he called Think Tank!, an
entertainment project where patrons could drive military tanks through explosive elements. In
later meetings, this idea was expanded to become "Adventure Springs," described in remarkably
similar language as the dinosaur-park-turned-EarthQuest-Global-Adventures.
Pahrunip paid $150,000 to Holbrook and his subcontractor, Contour Entertainment, and signed a
contract obligating them to give them thousands more if the study showed the area could support
a park, even if the park is never built.
Holbrook is a familiar face to many closely associated with EarthQuest.
In the October, 2007, the EMCID board agreed to hire the Vercitas Group, which is controlled
Holbrook, as a consultant "for services in connection with the Earth-Quest project." The minutes
authorized the contract "at a cost not to exceed $25,000 for hourly fees and expenses."
Holbrook presented to EMCID, and to projects before and since, a dazzling resume of scholarly
degrees and accomplishments. It's easy to see why Frank McCrady characterized Holbrook as
11 an expert in the theme park entertainment venue industry and ... is recognized across the
country as a premier economic development professional. We looked at his credentials and
discussed his interaction with other cities and counties in which they all had numerous positive
comments on their projects."
But the road that Holbrook has traveled, both to New Caney, Texas, and numerous other towns
across the U.S.A., is a long and winding journey, littered with disappointment and controversy.
Furthermore, a diligent search by The Tribune of documents, newspaper articles, public filings,
websites, etc., paints a vastly different portrait of this supposed 'entrepreneur extraordinaire'.
And it seems that trouble follows Holbrook to almost very town that invites him into their
community, and their coffers. For example:
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
Proposed Project - EarthQuest, New Caney, Texas (2007)
One of Holbrook's first interactions with EMCID was to prepare a site selection report which he
claimed verified that New Caney had been chosen as a prime spot to develop a theme park.
Recently, The Tribune asked EMCID for a copy of the 2007 site study. This report purportedly
selected the New Caney, Texas area over several dozens of other communities throughout
America as the preferred location for the EarthQuest project. It was presumed that such a study
would have been prepared by an independent, third-party firm, not affiliated with any of the
interested parties in order to preclude any conflicts of interest.
What was delivered to The Tribune was a 177-page report prepared by Baker Leisure Group,
LLC and being paid for by EMCID at a cost of $125,000. This report makes no mention
whatsoever of any 'national search' and focuses solely on the Houston area. It includes no
recommendations as to whether or not EarthQuest should be built, although it does list potential
strengths and weaknesses in the market. It appears to be a detailed demographic review of the
Houston region with various pro-forma's based on the early plans for EarthQuest. By any
account, it is a preliminary report based on preliminary assumptions.
At this point, the story gets more complicated. The report The Tribune received was not prepared
on behalf of EMCID, but for Dino Don, Inc. Dino Don, Inc. is a company affiliated with Don
Lessem, once a consultant on the move "Jurassic Park" and the (now former) Director of the
EarthQuest Institute. On the cover of the report, Dino Don, Inc. is shown as being represented by
Don Holbrook of Holbrook Development Company. Nowhere does EMCID appear in the report,
even though EMCID is the only party risking millions of dollars of taxpayer funds to build the
project.
About the same time, Lessem is quoted on the EarthQuest website as stating that "we,"
presumably the EarthQuest Institute (and EMCID?), engaged Holbrook to conduct a national
search for a site. However, no national search report has yet been given to The Tribune, as
requested.
The foregoing facts present a confused situation that is difficult to grasp. Were there two studies
conducted? One by Baker Leisure and one by Holbrook? If so, where is the Holbrook national
search report? If Holbrook did conduct the national study, why would EMCID allow its own
consultant to prepare the report when the same consultant clearly has a vested financial interest
in seeing that the project goes forth? The conflict of interests appear obvious.
So who does Holbrook represent? EMCID, Dino Don, Inc. or himself? Why did he conduct the
national search report? Why was a third-party not engaged for the study? What parties divvied
up the $125,000 fee? And last, but not least, where is the national search report that selected New
Caney, Texas, over all other potential locations in the United States?
Continuing the Holbrook saga, it seems that Holbrook doesn't travel alone. He clearly has a
business relationship with Lessem, as mentioned above. He also has strong ties to Contour
Entertainment, the new developer, according to McCrady [Tribune, Jan. 11] of the EarthQuest
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
project, replacing Marlin - Atlantis. Holbrook and Contour have teamed up on other proposed
theme parks in several cities across the country. However, it may prove telling for New Caney
residents that when officials in Pahrump, Nevada, questioned Holbrook in the fall of 2011 about
prior theme parks he had completed, Holbrook could not recall a single one.
Another disturbing fact is that The Tribune has not been able to get answers as to how much
Holbrook or Lessem were paid by EMCID for his EarthQuest-related efforts. A brief analyis of
EMCID payments in 2008 and 2009 reveal thousands of dollars spent on airfare, hotels and
meals for Holbrook to travel to New Caney as well as for EMCID staff and board members to
travel to Nevada to see Holbrook. Notwithstanding, The Tribune has learned from similar
contracts made available by other cities in which Holbrook and/or Contour are involved, that
their contracts are not simple documents for a single stated amount. In fact, quite the opposite is
true.
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 I 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.
Since the Tribune has not received a copy of the contract executed with Holbrook, or the new
development agreement executed with Contour, it cannot comment on what terms those
contracts may include. Consequently, it is unknown if similar conditions in the Pahrump contract
are contained in the Holbrook and Contour contracts with EMCID. The Tribune will continue its
efforts to obtain copies of the contract.
But Holbrook's difficulties and inconsistencies don't end with his work.
Resume Problems
In the mid- and late 1990's, Holbrook's resume included a master's and a doctoral degree from
LaSalle University (Mandeville). But LaSalle was raided and closed by the F.B.I. in 1996. In
2004, the U.S. General Accounting Office determined that LaSalle was a "joke" where
11 students" simply paid a fee for their "degrees." Holbrook has since removed the degrees from
his resume.
<<PAGE-DIVIDER>>
Subsequently, Holbrook started listing on his resume three new degrees. These included a
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Economic
Planning Geography from Wright State University. The third (new) degree is a Masters of
Business Administration in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix. Holbrook
further claims, in another resume, to be a doctoral candidate at Walden University. According to
the National Student Clearinghouse website at National Student Clearinghouse (http://www.nationalstudentclearinghouse.org), Holbrook
did get the geography degree and the MBA but never obtained the bachelor's degree in
environmental studies or the doctorate.
The Tribune has inquired of each university to determine if all of the forgoing degrees were
conferred unto Holbrook. The results of those inquiries will be published upon receipt.
Holbrook's employment history over recent years is also troubling. He was hired and
subsequently fired in several locations, mired in controversy. In 1996, Holbrook hired by the
Port Authority in Red Wing, Minnesota, and terminated in 1998 for questionable spending
practices, falsifying his resume, etc. In 2001, he was hired by the Lake Havasu Partnership for
Economic Development but less than two years later, his employment contract not renewed. In
2004, Holbrook was hired by the Richmond, Indiana Economic Development Corporation but 16
months later, left in an acrimonious departure after excessive spending, unauthorized
expenditures and other questonable practices came to light in the local newspaper. In 2007,
Holbrook hired by EMCID as a consultant to the EarthQuest project.
Holbrook is clearly a prominent participant in the EarthQuest story, but he is only one of several.
Future articles will explore the roles of other individuals. There will also be detailed analyses of
the financial implications that have occurred, and will continue to occur, as the full story of the
EarthQuest venture unfolds.

Soapboxmom
08-08-2012, 11:14 AM
1
IN THE COMMON PLEAS COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO
CIVIL DIVISION
CITY OF HUBER HEIGHTS, OHIO
Plaintiff,
v.
DON ALLEN HOLBROOK, LLC
Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff
v.
Heather Dobrott, et al.,
Third-Party Defendants.
CASE NO. 2012-CV-02947
JUDGE MICHAEL TUCKER
MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION OF
DEFENDANT/THIRD-PARTY
PLAINTIFF DON ALLEN
HOLBROOK, LLC TO THIRD-PARTY
DEFENDANT HEATHER DOBROTT’S
MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF
PERSONAL JURISDICTION AND
MOTION TO QUASH SERVICE OF
PROCESS
I. INTRODUCTION
Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff Don Allen Holbrook, LLC (“Defendant” or “DAH,
LLC”) opposes Third-Party Defendant Heather Dobrott’s Motion to Dismiss for Lack of
Personal Jurisdiction and Motion to Quash Service of Process (“Dobrott Motion to Dismiss”) to
dismiss the Second Amended Third-Party Complaint (“Third-Party Complaint”) filed against her
under the holding in Kauffman Racing Equip., LLC v. Roberts, 126 Ohio St.3d 81, 2010-Ohio-
255, ¶ 74, in which the Ohio Supreme Court refused “to allow a non-resident defendant to take
advantage of the conveniences that modern technology affords and simultaneously be shielded
from the consequences of [her] intentionally tortious conduct.” Id. Thus, DAH, LLC asks this
Court to deny the Dobrott Motion to Dismiss and to quash service of process and to conclude
ELECTRONICALLY FILED
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Tuesday, August 07, 2012 3:45:16 PM
CASE NUMBER: 2012 CV 02947 Docket ID: 17413322
GREGORY A BRUSH
CLERK OF COURTS MONTGOMERY COUNTY OHIO
2
that this Court has personal jurisdiction over Heather Dobrott (“Mrs. Dobrott”) under R.C.
2307.382(A)(3) and (6) and that she has been properly served with process under Civ.R.
4.3(A)(3) and (9) and to conclude that exercising personal jurisdiction over Mrs. Dobrott will not
violate the Due Process clause of the United States Constitution.
II. STATEMENT OF FACTS
DAH, LLC is an Arizona limited liability company registered to conduct business in the
State of Ohio and also conducts business around the United States of America and elsewhere as
an economic developer in the public and private sectors. Third-Party Complaint, ¶ 1. Mrs.
Dobrott resides in Garland, Texas. Affidavit of Heather Dobrott (“Dobrott Aff.”), ¶ 1. Mrs.
Dobrott concedes that she published statements on the Internet under the user name
“soapboxmom” regarding DAH, LLC to a Nevada based website at www.realscam.com.
Dobrott Aff., ¶ 6. Contrary to Mrs. Dobrott’s attestion in paragraph 6 of her Affidavit, there is
no Exhibit A attached to her Affidavit. Thus, there is no submitted to this Court that Mrs.
Dobrott has not made statements about Don Holbrook, Holbrook, or Don Allen Holbrook, LLC
before the City breached the Agreement. Should Exhibit A to Mrs. Dobrott’s Affidavit be
attached to her reply memorandum, DAH, LLC will respond in a timely manner to any evidence
therein.
Mrs. Dobrott regularly and frequently blogs, posts, re-posts, and posts links to
defamatory, derogatory, and false statements on a variety of websites and blogs, including but
not limited to defamatory, derogatory, and false statements about DAH, LLC, at least since
February 7, 2012, if not earlier, constituting cyber-stalking and cyber-harassment, including but
not limited to, http://pvtimes.com/news/theme-park-contractor-holbrook-sued-by-ohio-town/;
http://www.topix.com/wire/city/huber-heights-oh; http://www.topix.com/wire/city/ pahrump3
nv?q=u:pvtimes.com; http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/Earthquests
_don_holbrook_sued_huber_heights.php; Discussion about the New Caney Dino Park - Houston Dinosaur Park (http://www.houstondinopark.com/discuss.php;) and
Kingwood Underground - the heart and soul of our Kingwood, Texas family (http://kingwoodunderground.com/topic.jsp?topicId=11722526), regularly and frequently posts
links on “www.realscam.com” and other websites to postings and blogs written by Third-Party
Defendant Frank Maurizio, Third-Party Defendant Craig Malisow, Third-Party Defendant
Cynthia Calvert, and others that include defamatory, derogatory, and false statements about
DAH, LLC, in order that such postings exploit search engine optimization on websites such as
Google and other search engine websites so that defamatory, derogatory, and false statements
about DAH, LLC, go “viral” and are listed at the beginning of any search for “Don Allen
Holbrook, LLC”, “Don Holbrook”, “Holbrook” or other variations on the name, on internet
search engines and which postings have been seen and downloaded from the internet by persons
residing in the State of Ohio. Third-Party Complaint, ¶ 2. Mrs. Dobrott concedes that she
published statements on her website concerning “Holbrook’s involvement with development
projects in Pahrump, Nevada and Montgomery County, Texas.” Dobrott Aff., ¶ 9.
Internet postings by “soapboxmom” on www.realscam.com and other websites have been
seen and downloaded by persons in Ohio, including but not limited to Shelli Nestle, Steven
Carne, and Roger Reynolds. See Affidavit of Shelli Nestle (“Nestle Aff.”), ¶¶ 1-2 attached
hereto as Exhibit A; Affidavit of Roger Reynolds (“Reynolds Aff.”), ¶¶ 1-2 attached hereto as
Exhibit B; Affidavit of Steven Carne (“Carne Aff.”), ¶¶ 1-2 and attached hereto as Exhibit C.
All of these negative threads and postings began well before February 28, 2012. Nestle Aff., ¶ 3;
Reynolds Aff., ¶ 3; and Carne Aff., ¶ 3.
DAH, LLC entered an Agreement with the City of Huber Heights, Ohio (“City”) to
perform an economic development business case analysis with the assistance of the City Staff
4
and collaboration of the current developer. Third-Party Complaint, ¶¶ 14-20 and Exhibit 1
attached thereto. The City Council adopted a Resolution on December 12, 2011, approving the
Agreement and payments to DAH, LLC. Third-Party Complaint, ¶¶ 14-16 and Exhibit 2
attached thereto. Under the Agreement, the City was to be invoiced a total of $66,000.00, of
which the City has only paid $53,800.00 leaving an outstanding balance of $12,200.00 owed,
thereby breaching the Agreement. Counterclaim, ¶ 39.
The Agreement stated that the recommended “scope of work . . . . would require the
assistance of the City Staff and collaboration of the current developer to provide information and
collaborate on conceptual development strategies.” See Exhibit 1 attached to the Third-Party
Complaint. Donnie Jones, Assistant City Manager, was directed by former City Manager Gary
Adams to work with DAH, LLC on various incentives and financing models, but failed to do so.
Third-Party Complaint, ¶¶ 22, 24, 25, 30, 31, 33.
In an email dated February 29, 2012 to DAH, LLC, Mr. Adams said that he had been
contacted by a reporter in a city near Houston, Texas, asking if the City had a contract with
DAH, LLC, which Mr. Adams confirmed, and then Mr. Adams told DAH, LLC in an email that
it was a “strange conversation”, but that he was not concerned about it because it did not pertain
to the City. Third-Party Complaint, ¶¶ 12, 26-28.
At a meeting on March 14, 2012 between DAH, LLC and members of the City Staff,
including Mayor Ron Fisher and Mark Campbell, a member of the City Council, Mr. Campbell
said, without any warning to DAH, LLC, that the City no longer wanted a relationship with
DAH, LLC, did not believe that the City had received any value for the monies paid, and
demanded a full refund of all monies paid under the Agreement. Third-Party Complaint, ¶ 34.
Mr. Carne attended an earlier meeting on March 14, 2012, as a member of the Executive
5
Board of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society and is also associated with DAH, LLC.
Carne Aff., ¶ 4. Mr. Carne spoke to Mayor Fisher on March 15, 2012, and Mayor Fisher told
Mr. Carne that Jim Borland, Acting City Manager (after Mr. Adams), gave Mr. Campbell copies
of internet research on DAH, LLC and that Mr. Campbell gave copies to Mayor Fisher. Carne
Aff., ¶ 6.
On March 30, 2012, before the City of Huber Heights filed its lawsuit against DAH,
LLC, the following comment was posted on www.realscam.com:
“Pardon me, but Mr. Holbrook brags of that [sic] 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.”
Third-Party Complaint, ¶ 12 (emphasis added). On April 8, 2012, Mayor Fisher told Mr. Carne
that he wanted to drop the lawsuit against DAH, LLC and walk away. Carne Aff., ¶ 7. On April
10, 2012, Mr. Carne told Mr. Holbrook about his conversations with Mayor Fisher, including the
statements about internet research. Carne Aff., ¶ 8.
III. UNDER OHIO LAW, OHIO COURTS ARE OPEN TO ALL PERSONS.
As a preliminary matter, this Court must reject Mrs. Dobrott’s implicit argument running
throughout her Motion to Dismiss that because DAH, LLC is not an Ohio limited liability
company, it cannot seek redress for an injury it suffered in Ohio in an Ohio court. Mrs.
Dobrott’s argument is contrary to Ohio law. The Ohio Supreme Court has explained that the
“courts of this state are, and always will be, as open to a non-resident plaintiff as to citizens of
this state, provided they meet the necessary statutory requirements imposed by the General
Assembly.” Howard v. Allen, 30 Ohio St.2d 130, 137 (1972).
6
Article I, Section 16 of the Ohio Constitution, the “Open Courts” amendment, is entitled
“Redress in courts” and states in part:
“All courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done him in his
lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and
shall have justice administered without denial or delay. . . .”
Emphasis added. Thus, under the Ohio Constitution, Ohio courts are open to “every person”, not
just residents of the state. R.C. 1.59(C) states that “‘[p]erson’ includes an individual,
corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association.” As the Ohio Supreme
Court explained above in Howard, a non-resident plaintiff may sue in Ohio courts provided it
meets the necessary statutory requirements, which in this case is R.C. 2307.382, the Ohio longarm
statute. Notably, R.C. 2307.382 does not include the word “resident” anywhere to restrict
who may bring a claim for affirmative relief against a non-resident defendant.
IV. UNDER OHIO LAW, THIS COURT HAS PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER
MRS. DOBROTT.
When a defendant asserts a lack of personal jurisdiction as a defense to a complaint, the
burden is on the plaintiff to establish that the trial court has personal jurisdiction over the
defendant. Enquip Technologies Group, Inc. v. Tycon Technoglass, S.r.l., Greene App. No.
2010-CA-23, 2010-Ohio-6100, at ¶ 10 (2nd Dist.), citing Jurko v. Jobs Europe Agency, 43 Ohio
App.3d 79, 85 (8th Dist. 1975). A plaintiff is required to make only a prima facie showing of
personal jurisdiction to withstand a motion to dismiss. Kauffman Racing Equip., LLC v.
Roberts, 126 Ohio St.3d 81, 2010-Ohio-255, at ¶ 27, citing Fallang v. Hickey, 40 Ohio St.3d
106, 107 (1988). Allegations in pleadings are accepted because under Ohio law, “an admission
in a pleading dispenses with proof and is equivalent to proof of the fact.” J. Miller Express, Inc.
v. Pentz, 107 Ohio App.3d 44, 48 (9th Dist. 1995), citing Rhoden v. Akron, 61 Ohio App.3d 725,
727 (9th Dist. 1988) (“. . . an admission made in pleadings dispenses with the need to prove the
7
truth of the matter admitted.”). Affidavits, depositions, interrogatories, or other oral testimony
may be used because matters relating to personal jurisdiction may not be apparent on the face of
the summons or complaint. Jurko at 85. In considering whether a plaintiff has made its prima
facie showing, a court must (1) view the allegations in the pleadings and any documentary
evidence in a light most favorable to the plaintiff; and (2) resolve all reasonable competing
inferences in favor of the plaintiff. Goldstein v. Christiansen, 70 Ohio St.3d 232, 236 (1994).
In order for an Ohio trial court to exercise personal jurisdiction over a non-resident
defendant, it uses a two-step analysis to determine: (1) whether R.C. 2307.382(A) and Civ.R.
4.3(A) confer personal jurisdiction; and, if so, (2) whether the exercise of personal jurisdiction
would deprive a non-resident defendant of the right to due process of law under the Fourteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution. Enquip Technologies Group at ¶ 10, citing
Kauffman Racing Equip. at ¶ 28. Ohio courts use this analysis because R.C. 2307.382 and
Civ.R. 4.3(A) do not confer personal jurisdiction to the limits of the Due Process clause.
Goldstein at 238 n.1. This two-step analysis applies to cases involving the use of the internet and
websites. Kauffman Racing Equip. at ¶ 25. Also, this Court may take limited judicial notice of
website addresses and whether a website is interactive or for informational purposes only. See
Malone v. Berry, 174 Ohio App.3d 122, 2007-Ohio-6501, at ¶ 13 (10th Dist.). Thus, DAH, LLC
has the burden to make a prima facie showing to this Court that it has personal jurisdiction over
Mrs. Dobrott.
A. A plaintiff makes a prima facie showing of personal jurisdiction by alleging
conduct to meet the requirements under R.C. 2307.382(A).
In order for an Ohio court to exercise personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state defendant,
a plaintiff must allege that an out-of-state defendant, directly or by an agent, engaged in specific
enumerated activities identified in R.C. 2307.382(A), including the following sections relevant to
8
DAH, LLC’s claims for civil conspiracy, tortious interference with contract and prospective
business relations, and defamation against Mrs. Dobrott:
(A) A court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a person who acts directly or
by an agent, as to a cause of action arising from the person’s:
(3) causing tortious injury by an act or omission in this state; . . . .
(6) causing tortious injury in this state to any person by an act outside
this state committed with the purpose of injuring persons, when he
might reasonably have expected that some person would be injured
thereby in this state; . . . .
Emphasis added. To assert a tortious injury under R.C. 2307.382(A)(3) and Civ.R. 4.3(A)(3), a
plaintiff need only make a prima facie showing that it suffered a tortious injury in the state of
Ohio by an act or an omission by the defendant. In Kauffman Racing Equip., the Ohio Supreme
Court concluded that the tort of defamation had been committed in Ohio by a non-resident
defendant who posted allegedly defamatory statements on the Internet when the plaintiff showed
evidence that Ohioans had seen these statements on the Internet, thus meeting the material
element of publication of the comments in Ohio. Id. at ¶¶ 41-42, citing Keeton v. Hustler
Magazine, Inc., 465 U.S. 770, 777 (1984); Fallang v. Hickey, 40 Ohio St.3d 106, 107 (1988).
The Ohio Supreme Court in Kauffman Racing Equip. also concluded that “even if” the
defendant had not published his internet postings within the state of Ohio, the defendant was “not
shielded from the reach of Ohio’s long arm” statute. Kauffman Racing Equip. at ¶ 43. The
Court concluded that R.C. 2307.382(A)(6) and Civ.R. 4.3(A)(9) allow an Ohio court to exercise
personal jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant and provide for effective service of process
“if the cause of action arises from a tortious act committed outside Ohio with the purpose of
injuring persons, when the nonresident defendant might reasonably have expected that some
person would be injured thereby in Ohio.” Kauffman Racing Equip. at ¶ 43, citing Clark v.
9
Connor, 82 Ohio St.3d 309, 313 (1998).
In Kauffman Racing Equip., the Ohio Supreme Court found that although the defendant’s
publication of his tortious comments did not emanate from Ohio, that the plaintiff made a prima
facie showing that the tortious comments were published in Ohio, meaning that the tort was
committed in Ohio. Id., citing Keeton v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 465 U.S. 770, 777 (1984);
Fallang at 107. The Ohio Supreme Court reasoned: “Roberts posted his allegedly defamatory
statements on the Internet, ostensibly for the entire world to see.” Kauffman Racing Equip. at ¶
42. Because the plaintiff produced evidence that Ohioans saw the defendant’s postings, the Ohio
Supreme Court found that the defendant’s statements were published in Ohio, the alleged tort
was committed in Ohio and that R.C. 2307.382(A)(3) and Civ.R. 4.3(A)(3) were applicable. Id.
Alternatively, the Ohio Supreme Court concluded in Kauffman Racing Equip. that the
requirements under R.C. 2307.382(A)(6) and Civ.R. 4.3(A)(9) were met when defamatory
statements made outside Ohio had the purpose of injuring persons in Ohio, then there is a
reasonable expectation that the purposefully inflicted injury will occur in Ohio. Id. at ¶ 44.
B. If a Court finds personal jurisdiction under R.C. 2307.382(A), it must next
determine whether its exercise of personal jurisdiction will comport with an
out-of-state defendant’s Due Process rights.
Even if this Court concludes that DAH, LLC has made a prima facie showing under R.C.
2307.382(A) and Civ.R. 4.3(A), then Ohio law requires a court to consider whether exercising
personal jurisdiction will violate an out-of-state defendant’s rights to due process of law.
Goldstein at 235. The due process clause under the Fourteenth Amendment limits the power of
state courts to enter judgments against a nonresident. Kulko v. California Superior Court, 436
U.S. 84, 91 (1978). The Due Process clause permits a court to obtain either general or specific
jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant depending on the nature of the defendant’s contacts
10
with the forum state. Kauffman Racing Equip. at ¶ 46. DAH, LLC has not alleged that Mrs.
Dobrott’s contacts with Ohio have been of a “continuous and systematic nature” for this Court to
exercise general jurisdiction. DAH, LLC has alleged that its cause of action is related to or
arises out of Mrs. Dobrott’s contacts with Ohio for this Court to exercise specific jurisdiction.
Id. at ¶ 47, citing Helicopteros Nacionales de Colombia v. Hall, 466 U.S. 408, 414 (1984).
Specific jurisdiction is permitted if the defendant’s contacts with Ohio meet the factors
identified in the three-part test established in Southern Machine Co. v. Mohasco Indus., Inc., 401
F.2d 374, 381 (6th Cir. 1968). First, a defendant must purposefully avail herself of the privilege
of acting in the state or causing a consequence in the state. Second, the causes of action must
arise from the defendant’s activities. Third, the defendant’s actions or the consequences of
defendant’s action must have a substantial enough connection with the state to make a court’s
exercise of jurisdiction over the defendant reasonable. Southern Machine at 381.
When the first two factors are met under the Southern Machine analysis, an inference
arises that the third “reasonableness” factor is also present. Kauffman Racing Equip. at ¶ 71.
Among the factors relevant to the reasonableness inquiry are that a state has a significant interest
in redressing injuries that actually occur within the state and “that a high degree of unfairness is
required to erect a constitutional barrier against jurisdiction.” Kauffman Racing Equip. at ¶ 72
(citations omitted).

Soapboxmom
08-08-2012, 11:26 AM
Mrs. Dobrott’s actions, by
posting and re-posting her own and others’ defamatory comments about DAH, LLC, specifically
exploit search engine optimization logarithms on search engine websites so that the negative
comments appear at the beginning of search results for “Don Allen Holbrook, LLC”, “Don Allen
Holbrook”, “Don Holbrook”, or “Holbrook”, constituting cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking, and
cyber-harassment, for the whole world to see on the Internet.
Holbrook is way out of line with these criminal allegations. Journalists and bloggers researching and blogging about Earthquest, its principles and related issues could not possibly be construed as cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking, and cyber-harassment.

Anti-SLAPP Law in Texas | Citizen Media Law Project (http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/anti-slapp-law-texas)

Anti-SLAPP Law in Texas

Note: This page covers information specific to Texas. For general information concerning Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), see the overview (http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/responding-strategic-lawsuits-against-public-participation-slapps) section of this guide. 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.......

If you succeed in fending off a SLAPP lawsuit in Texas, you may be able to bring a claim of malicious prosecution against the original plaintiff. While Texas does not have a special form of process for a "SLAPPback" claim, the elements of a malicious prosecution claim are similar. You should consult an attorney to see whether such a claim may be viable in your case.


The only statement Seeberger seems to be able to find is the following made on March 30, 2012:

Pardon me, but Mr. Holbrook brags of that [sic] 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.
That is completely factual. Texas and Pahrump and a dozen or so other places where Don Holbrook tried to sell his destination theme park nonsense had been looking into him. That is why Holbrook sanitized his website of all those references and declared he wouldn't name the projects. I went to Archive.org, Holbrook's books and his fiery post on Amazon and I researched every claim. I called many of these clients as well and some had no idea who Holbrook was, others said he had only a very minor role in the project (i.e. it was underway before he stepped in and or was completed without him) others acknowledged Holbrook's involvement. This thread clearly documents all that. I guess Holbrook and his attorney didn't bother to read this thread and check the dates. THey also have failed to produce a single false or defamatory statement by any party anywhere.

Soapboxmom
08-18-2012, 11:05 PM
1528


does place matter

ANYMORE?... YES, BUT!

By Don Holbrook, CEcD, FM....

The East Montgomery
County Improvement District (EMCID), as part of its
role in the Greater Houston Partnership, has responded
to market forces such as those identified in the Mega
Trends by looking at its market through the eyes of
investors, with no particular knowledge or affinity for
its region.

By following the five steps described next, EMCID not
only responded to recent economic setbacks such as the
loss of its own Astro-World Six Flags Theme Park but also capitalized on its strengths of being one of the
world’s leading energy centers. EMCID’s support for the
EarthQuest project has given it an entirely new approach
to recreating the brand of defining the greater Houston
economy for residents, employees, and visitors.

“We expect that EarthQuest will uniquely
fill a need in the US for green housing and
commercial space. When you consider it
alongside other, more high profile efforts
such as MASDAR in the UAE and Dong Tan
in China, EarthQuest will differ in that it
will be a practical, cost effective example of
how to utilize green technologies to
reduce carbon footprints and also be an
economically viable multi use master planned
diverse community. If we play our cards right,
it could become a standard for
responsible, practical development in this
new green economy as well as an
economic development engine for new
technology research and development.”

Dr. Matt Gardner, Chief Scientific Officer
The EarthQuest Institute, New Caney, Texas

Frank McCrady, president of EMCID, says “the
EarthQuest project evolved and has been successful
because we agreed early on that it would be necessary to
step outside the box of known realities and take calculat-
ed risks with private sector partners to define a new real-
ity that will deliver a future that will be full of new
opportunities for us and our region and recognized by
the private sector as a sound investment.”

In the case of EarthQuest, the EMCID board commis-
sioned a third party study by experts on this subject and
then sought additional expertise to review the findings of
the first conclusive report of findings and recommenda-
tions. This set the tone for further actions.....

EMCID created a consultant driven strategy for how
to fund the gaps in the financial conditions that would
need to be addressed to attract investor support to drive
a public-private partnership. This became the crux of its
foundation for incentives to close the deal, once terms
could be agreed upon that met economic development
goals and attracted an investor to support the capitaliza-
tion of the project.....

Again, EMCID and its new private investment partner
created an MOU of agreed upon deliverables, invest-
ments, and key milestones that would be supported by
expert advice on how to execute a planned project and
bring it to fruition....


In the end, the EarthQuest project created a new state
legislatively supported Economic Zone to enable the spe-
cial environment to exist in East Montgomery County to
allow the EarthQuest project to come to fruition.
EarthQuest built its investor package by leveraging
the relationships of the locale, region, and state and
required a comprehensive mesh of state, regional, and
local partnerships along with the private sector to create
economic development project that will meet the
market needs of the global investment culture.



“Communities need to be proactive in their
development of investment opportunities. With the
continued shrinkage of the planet through transportation and
communication technology, it is easier than ever to attract
consultants. These consultants say
simply “prove what you say” and sup-
port it with impartial third party
expert data and research, so my client
will feel comfortable making this
investment and then stand behind
your promises with the right cus-
tomized incentives that make our
business globally competitive.
Today, there is no room for cookie
cutter economic development poli-
cies.

Christopher G. Brown, P.E. President
Contour Entertainment, Inc.


In conjunction with a 1600-acre green master
planned community and a green-theme park which will
be the largest destination attraction in the country next to
Disney World, this project will have a huge economic
impact on the Houston region. It will play a key role in
key market forces such as site location consultants;
the process of transforming Houston into the renewable
energy capital of the world. The overall EarthQuest proj-
ect has both 501(c)(3) elements and a multi-billion dollar
private sector element that work in tandem to give
uniqueness to the overall EarthQuest project. The project
will have residential, retail, hospitality, entertainment,
commercial/office, research, education, and manufactur-
ing elements comprehensively balanced throughout the
1600-acre economic zone.

Economic Development Journal / Fall 2008 / Volume 7 / Number 4

This fantasy filled pile of excrement was published 4 years ago. Holbrook has been shoveling it high and deep for years. The IEDC sits back and cheers him on while he lies to and misleads clients and millions of tax dollars are wasted. The IDEC is a joke as it is clear they do not enforce their code of ethics and discipline their members. Who would trust anyone from that organization under these conditions?

EMCID has allowed Frank McCrady to run loose and wild and spend money virtually uncehecked. If Frank was in the real world working for a company, he would have been disciplined and fired long ago.

The taxpayers in EMC have been screwed out of literally millions of dollars by these carpetbaggers. Don Allen Holbrook also absconded with the charity money to the tune of at least $328,000.00 or more and left it defunct with not a single charitable purpose ever accomplished. Much of that money was tax dollars funneled through EMCID and the funds of hard working local business people who got burned by this pipe dream. Numerous local residents that bought into this con game made investments in hotels, RV parks and other businesses that have gone under while numerous breaking ground and completion dates have passed with nary a shovel full of dirt ever moved.

Holbrook is still parading around the country and desperately looking for more suckers to sell on his destination theme park garbage. Pahrump has been running him out and it is becoming more and more obvious why Huber Heights, Ohio filed suit. That whole contract centered on Holbrook furthering this same destination theme park scam that allows him and Contour to make hundreds of thousands of dollars even if the project is never funded and built.

In e-mails to Pahrump, Holbrook stated that Earthquest would break ground in December 2011 or early 2012. He also said that Contour had had control of the project as the developer since signing an agreement with EMCID in May 2011. That makes Contour yet another failed developer. After more than a year, they haven't even secured the funds to buy the property. Contour is now babbling about getting a new feasibility study. What part of EMCID doesn't have another dime to blow on this Fantasy Land is confusing for Contour???

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

I am told that while wallowing in bankruptcy again, his Majesty, the Lord and master of the internet, is still living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. This *******, Don Allen Holbrook, had the nerve to waltz in and empty the coffers with the taxpayers taking 100% of the risk on this blown up Fantasy Land. Then, Holbrook had the absolute gall to turn around and sue the taxpayers and media that dared to speak out. I will work tirelessly to expose the truth and see no more good, honest taxpaying citizens get burned by Holbrook!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-19-2012, 01:51 PM
kuhf houston public radio
public radio news & information twenty four hours a day from houston, tx


KUHF Business News
Tuesday AM April 14th, 2009

by: Ed Mayberry

Plans are still underway for an Epcot-styled green theme park, as part of a "green" community here in Houston. Ed Mayberry talked with economic development consultant Don Holbrook for an update.

The new EarthQuest development will encompass retail stores, an outlet mall, restaurants and hotels, a convention center, office space, a research facility, a zoo — and "green" homes, according to Don Holbrook, president and CEO of the EarthQuest Institute.


"We're excited about it. I mean, it's — we've been in the process of planning this for six years, so we think the kind of a perfect storm came along and helped us. But we're going to break ground probably next year — first or second quarter of 2010 — with opening planned in 2012, late 2012. My original undergraduate degree was in urban planning and environmental studies. So I joke that I've been a 'green' developer for all my career, which I won't say how many years that is, but it's getting up there now, at this point."

EarthQuest Institute is a non-profit entity advocating green technologies. The institute is overseeing a planned museum and various education components in conjunction with the “green” vision of this master-planned community, according to Holbrook, who attended a recent forum on alternative energy.

"We're excited by it. We're hoping that President Obama will get the credit markets opened up! We're not worried about the equity, we're worried about the debt markets! But very excited, we think Houston's a great place for this. It's the energy center of the country. There's no one pixie dust solution for all this. It's a collaboration of all the energy companies and technologies that we believe are going to create the solutions. And so we're excited to be kind of that showcase, to show those off for people here in Houston — to make Houston not only just a huge eco-tourism and green tourism destination in the country, but a great place to come and learn about sustainable energy, clean technologies, energy conservation and see things from around the world."
The EarthQuest Resort will be located off of highway 59 in New Caney.

Ed Mayberry, KUHF Houston Public Radio News.

Soapboxmom
08-20-2012, 05:53 PM
Ohio civil conspiracy law is quite fascinating:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:QV2NC4H2ruYJ:www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/newpdf/8/2005/2005-ohio-515.pdf+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjEULGsEJj7ETnkaymJgBl9SLLvJOZeiN5f3k0O 4Ep9gGL988m4BMv4PD3EloiultWuRlWm0mpRDw2gx6GS8QDNvV dD3ERM3Mn1yx0DwRkUN2grM7MdqfFcfhXuqCMENszb7JMS&sig=AHIEtbRQ3lDbXa9yP2Ysz-sW78nEe-m3-Q

the elements of civil conspiracy

in Ohio are: (1) a malicious combination, (2) two or more persons,

(3) injury to person or property, and (4) existence of an unlawful

act independent from the actual conspiracy. Conspiracy cannot be

made the subject of a civil action unless something is done which,

in the absence of the conspiracy allegation, would give rise to a cause of action.

The unlawful act itself must be accomplished or

completed before an action in civil conspiracy will lie. [Internal

citations omitted.] Seminatore v. Dukes, Cuyahoga App. No. 84032,


http://www.weldinginfonetwork.com/litigation/BoydCounts1and2MSJGranted.pdf

In Ohio, civil conspiracy requires plaintiffs to show the existence of “a malicious
combination of two or more persons to injure another in person or property in a way not
competent for one alone, resulting in actual damages.” Williams v. Aetna Fin. Co.
(1998), 83 Ohio St.3d 464, 475. Because conspiracy is not a free-standing tort, plaintiffs
must also establish the existence of a separate, independent wrong. Wilson v. Harvey
(Ohio App. 8 Dist), 2005-Ohio-5722, at 41. And that independent wrong must have been
not a negligent act, but an intentional one. Hicks v. Bryan Med. Grp., Inc. (N.D. Ohio
2003), 287 F. Supp.2d 795, 813.

Civil Liability for Conspiracy - Conspiracy (http://conspiracy.uslegal.com/civil-liability-for-conspiracy/)

In order to amount to a civil conspiracy, the parties to the conspiracy have to be aware of the wrongful nature of the act and the harm it may cause at the time of agreement to commit an act[iv]. The intention to achieve an unlawful object is an element in civil conspiracy.

If no direct act is done in furtherance of the conspiracy, there is no civil liability[v]. A person can bring an action only if some damage have been caused to him/her due to the overt acts of the conspirators[vi].
A person who was present at the time of commission of an offense need not be liable for the harm caused if it can be proved that there was no agreement from his/her part[vii].

http://www.niu.edu/law/organizations/law_review/pdfs/full_issues/31_1/Behrens%2037-68.pdf

The court explained, “By its nature, tort liability arising from conspiracy
presupposes that the coconspirator is legally capable of committing the tort,
i.e., that he or she owes a duty to plaintiff recognized by law and is potentially
subject to liability for breach of that duty.”29 The court added, “Conspiracy
is not an independent tort; it cannot create a duty or abrogate an
immunity. It allows tort recovery only against a party who already owes
the duty and is not immune from liability based on applicable substantive
tort law principles.”.....

Permitting
a plaintiff to maintain a conspiracy claim against a defendant that does
not owe him or her a duty magnifies the potential for abuse.....

Specifically, the court rejected plaintiffs’ “guilt by
association” theory as exceeding the boundaries of a duty of care.177 The
court also identified the “burdening of fundamental rights of [free] speech
and association,” and the punitive and chilling affect allowing liability
would have

The civil conspiracy allegation will be blowing up in Holbrook's face. Frank Maurizio and I only became acquainted because of Don Allen Holbrook threatening to sue us both. That happened long after Huber Heights had sent the buffoon packing and demanded a refund. I suppose Sue Seeberger is going to insist we conspired via the use of my time travel broomstick.

Then there is that conspiracy to write totally factual, well researched articles and posts that we all engaged in. I asked for advice on how to get the Earthquest Institute records that according to the IRS and Texas Non-profit corporation act must be available. Don A. Holbrook is the president and CEO and the one hiding those records. Why don't we discuss the conspiracy between all those involved including Frank McCrady who are concealing said records against the letter of the law. Dr. Matthew Gardner did send those to the EMCID office, so we all know exactly where those documents are housed. No doubt the Ohio judge will open that Pandora's box.

A conspiracy to perpetuate the truth by all the journalists and bloggers. Diabolical!!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-22-2012, 06:24 AM
Let's take a look at what Don Holbrook said:

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.
When we see the financing secured and dirt is moving we will believe Earthquest is really coming. Numerous groundbreaking dates have come and gone. Holbrook has been one of the ones proclaiming these fictitious dates. He told Pahrump the new developer, Contour, is buying (present progressive tense) the property in the summer of 2011. He then boldly proclaimed ground would break in Decemebr 2011 or the first quarter of 2012. All fiction and likely a ruse to get in the door there.

EMCID's Frank McCrady did nothing visionary. At this point the shyster failed developers, who didn't pay what they promised, are the only ones who can repurchase the Earthquest property. How stupid is that? Of course, Friendswood is laughing. They already announced their intention to build homes on the property when the option to purchase it isn't exercised in the next 18 months.


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.
Holbrook has claimed he advised EMCID against using the failed developers Marlin Atlantis, but interestingly, he had no problem working for them and accepting hundreds of thousands in payments from them while simultaneously working for EMCID, the charity and bringing in armies of his fundraising and other professional services buddies. Holbrook had his hands in numerous pies.


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.
Truth, facts and opinion are not actionable. Holbrook's frivolous suit is drowning him in negative publicity and exposing lots of information he would much rahter had not been dug up and splashed everywhere on the internet. My postings routinely go viral and top the search results!

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.Holbrook is clearly delusional and having conspiracy theory fantasies filling his pitiful little mind. There was a ton of information on the internet in 2011 before Huber Heights signed the contract. Holbrook was fired by Red Wing and Wayne County. His reputation couldn't have been made worse than it already was. Holbrook really started getting skewered after he started threatening everyone on the planet that dared discuss Earthquest and Pahrump (matters of public concern / where tax dollars are being spent) which happened after Huber Heights had shown him the door.


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.Earthquest created no jobs except for Holbrook getting his 1.2 million + and his buddies getting hired for various a sundry things. The people of Texas have nothing to show for it but 21 million in bond money that must be satisfied. Certainly, with this apparent failure there is reason for Pahrump to appraoch Holbrook cooked up plans with extreme caution.


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.
Holbrook is a self-created monster. His hideous attacks on taxpayers on the Pahrump Valley Times, Houston Press, Kingwood Underground and more tell the story. He viciously went after taxpayers in pahrump who were not supporting his destination theme park crap. He then attacked everyone who dared to speak out and threatened to sue all those who commented. He has since filed said frivolous harassment suit. I intend to see the whole world is well aware of Holbrook's lies and treachery. I will fight to the death to preserve the right to free speech!

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.

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


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?
Holbrook's taxes are a whopping $148,200. So, he was expecting some hefty payments from the Earthquest project to completely satisfy those. Think about the hundreds of thousands he was raking in from the tax dollars of everyday families struggling to make ends meet. Sickening! And, think about what that buffoon has admitted in his angry rant and bankruptcy filings. Holbrook admitted his books, speaking engagements and consulting projects make him little and were unpredictable. He was making his living off of Earthquest since 2007. Even though he made over 1.2 million from Earthquest, he claimed incomes of less than $100,000 per year to the IRS. I still want to know how a guy could be claiming $90,000 in income in 2009 when the hundreds of thousands in bond money landed in his lap. How does a guy making $90,000.00 afford a private school that is $20,000.00 a year for his high school aged son and tour Europe that summer? Holbrook has sure lived the life of a king on the taxpayers dime!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-31-2012, 11:02 PM
Reposted from houstondinopark.com
Very interesting comments by Don Holbrook - Economic Development Representative of EarthQuest

Comment by: Don Holbrook on Mar. 9th, 2012
With regard to all the rumors and unjust comments about EMCID and Frank McCrady, I can truly say this about the entire situation:

Just because John Marlin as the original developer failed to perform does not mean he did so with malicious intent. I believe we experienced and most Americans still are experiencing one of the worst global financial crisis in most of our lifetimes. He simply was trying to do this and did not know the economy would tank and thus his investors ran for cover as did thousands of other projects across the globe... Almost every city, town and region has faced this same scenario. Many with no hope of turning their plight around.

But not EMCID, led by Mr. McCrady. EMCID looked at it strategically and said if we are to improve our local economy we have to focus on being a destination in our region. They diversified and began working on more than just EarthQuest to build visitor draw and ancillary and complimentary tourism projects that employ people, fill hotel rooms, buy gas, food and other things. These efforts diversified their risk and made them not so dependent on just the success of EarthQuest. Those actions are now bearing fruit... Wake Boarding is hugely popular and will attract residents from all over Houston to EMCID territory to spend money and guess what employ people. Then they attract the worlds #1 Firearms Training Institute to build their new $25M plus state of the art world headquarters to EMCID besting out San Antonio for the project, which attracts over 25,000 trainees from around the world on NV and they expect to do over 60,000 in Texas. Those create nearly 300,000 room nights, consume food & beverages and buy gas and other retail items while in EMCID territory.

Not a bad outcome considering the great economic transition we are in. But I'm not skipping EarthQuest. EMCID once Marlin made them award he couldn't perform began making plans for how to mitigate Marlins lack of performance. They did not sulk or stick their head in the sand. They asked Chris Brown, one of the worlds foremost theme park designers to consider becoming the developer. He accepted the challenge and began planning the mitigation. He began by updating the business model so it would be valid in the post 2008 economic meltdown. Then he started building an astute board of advisors from the theme park industry and raising capital so that he could do the most important first step, regain site control once the Bankruptcy Court and the Bank were willing to allow such actions. This was controlled not by EMCID or Chris Brown but our judicial system.

Meanwhile EMCID strategically made all the right moves to protect the project so it could move forward. They positioned their interest in the land at no additional cost so they could provide Brown the new developer with an option to purchase the land from the BK proceedings. They clawed back all intellectual rights to the project and wrote a new and much stronger new development agreement requiring the new developer to license the Intellectual Property for a fee that would be enough to pay off the public investment in the project.

Most important they remembered that Marlins failure did not mean the project was not viable. Three different world renowned theme park experts all agreed Houston is the best market in the central time zone for a major Theme Park. So EMCID made sure the project would continue to move towards successful opening even if the developer failed. In my opinion EMCID and McCrady did their job excellent and because of their actions, someday soon Greater Houston will have one of the greatest theme park attractions in America. EMCID's strategic vision and perseverance will prove to have been strategically well executed and produce exceptional economic outcomes for their constituents. I feel so sad that these good people have endure such horrible abuse from some in the general public while doing their peers such a great outcome. Now that the Marlin scenario is beginning to settle out EMCID is moving forward just as it appears the economy is beginning to invest again. I know they will do excellent. I also believe Chris Brown deserves our full support as he works hard to get a great project back on track.

Comment by: Don Holbrook on Mar. 9th, 2012
Slander and defammation are easy to do and show the lack of intelligence of those that smear others with no regard for facts. Factual analysis that is not jaded requires intellect. I have found these comments to be wildly unfactual.

Here are some facts. Since you all enjoy googling so much. Find one failed project, one customer complaint, or any factual misconduct that is not just bloggers or hyperbole. You can't. They don't exist because I have done excellent projects, well over 100 and those projects have employed over 50,000 hard working Americans. These outcomes led my International Association of peers the international economic development council, made up of over 5,000 professionals to award me their highest honor of Fellow Member in 2008, for excellence in the profession and lifetime achievement. Less than 1% of my peers will ever win this award. Furthermore, projects of great magnitude take time to unfold and often face set backs, but they work through them and eventually succeed. Then everyone cheers how wonderful, and they claim they always supported it. Truth is great projects take vision, perseverance and thick skin to tolerate all those that lack such qualities. Almost forgot most people also overlook that I am the #1 author in my industry worldwide, #1 keynote public speaker world wide in economic development and one of the most sought out public policy consultants on economic development in the world. Communities seek me out I don't sell myself through marketing and advertisements but through word of mouth testimonials and references from satisfied clients... That is how I make a living, advising my clients on the best course of action to achieve the problem or opportunity they have asked me for advice on.
These posts have long since disappeared from the dino park forum, but are archived elsewhere. Perhaps, Holbrook would like to tell us again about the updated business model, names of the theme park industry experts on this board of advisers (which I am positive is a figment of his imagination,) and the amount of capital raised to fund this clunker. Who are the investors that are stupid enough to "pay off the public investment in the project" i.e. his wild spending sprees? Is Holbrook prepared to substantiate all this in discovery?

EMCID clawed back the intellectual property rights from whom? We have been told it was Don Lessem's baby and he wanted the rights back by 2014. We have been told EMCID has the rights and then we have also been told Contour had the rights and wouldn't cooperate with Don Lessem's demands. Who really does have them? Where is the documentation on this? More fodder for discovery no doubt!

If Holbrook is one of the most sought after public policy consultants on economic development in the world, then why does his bankruptcy show EMCID as his only source of income? And, why is his income always below $100,000.00 a year if he is beating off the clients and has had so many successful projects? There is some really funny math going on here!

Holbrook certainly knows how to best advise his "clients on the best course of action to achieve the problem." We certainly do have a problem and Holbrook is making quite a handsome living off of the taxpayers of Texas! Holbrook / his LLCs were paid at least 1.2 million dollars from 2007-2010. 2.5 million was blown by EMCID from the regular budget and the taxpayers are on the hook for 21 million in bonds that must be satisfied. This is a disaster of Jurassic proportion. It is time for some serious digging!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-08-2012, 02:52 PM
https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416


EarthQuest Institute (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416?ref=stream)

4 hours ago

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to give you all my assessment of the situation with regard to EarthQuest Institute and the connection with the now reorganized EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park project.

First, Dr. Matt Gardner and myself (Don A. Holbrook) have not been formally affiliated with the project since 2010. That is because the Non-Profit lost it's financial support from EMCID, and could no longer pay us for our time spent on the project. When this occurred the former staff ceased all fundraising efforts seeking clarification on how to progress EQI, but did not get any direction from the Board of Directors. In fact, Dr. Gardner, Myself and another staff member continued to perform our contractually obligated services at the request of EQI and EMCID and we have not been paid after almost two years for our time, which was deferred under this promise of payment. Finally, the former staff resigned and have awaited our final compensation now for over two years. Therefore, while we as the former staff remain very supportive of EQI, we cannot represent them or respond to requests for more information uncompensated for our time.

At this time, the original board of directors no longer exists or is not functional. Leon Cubillas the EMCID Chair was unelected, so I believe according to the formation by-laws the new Chair Person of EQI is Connie Bloodworth of EMCID. The developer also required as a minimum board member John Marlin no longer controls the Global EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park project and it would be my understanding that now Mr. Chris Brown the new developer (Contour Entertainment) would automatically become the 2nd board member of the three required. Mr. Don Lessem the original creative idea and founder has the third seat by rule of the formation and by-laws but he has formally resigned and does not want to be responsible for EQI debts and/or mission any further. That seat will need to be filled by EMCID and Contour.

All the files related to the EQI have been turned over to the Federal Government until EMCID and the remaining board members can take corrective action to address the EQI debts and on-going concerns.

Please do not reference the former staff, who were paid to manage the Board of Directors ideas for how to progress EQI as part of the basis for why EQI is not functioning or responding to the media. This is squarely the results of the original board of directors not fulfilling their obligations to provide adequate funding for the EQI and payment of their obligations that they agreed to provide to the former staff for undertaking and carrying out their instructions.

Furthermore, EMCID and Contour have both stated to me that once the new theme park project gets funded that EQI is going to be addressed and brought forward again in connection with the for profit project as a major element of the projects vision for a sustainable message underlying the fun elements of the theme park.

We wish EQI nothing but good luck, and we believe the original message and mission is still very valid and critical. In our opinion, without the support financially of EMCID and the developer well documented and carried out the fund raising was not adequate enough to maintain the mission. It can and should be a major contributor to the theme park mission and message once that is viable. In fact, it is my understanding that the current developer and EMCID have formally planned on including EQI in their new development agreement, but the former staff has not been apprised of how our deferred compensation is going to be addressed as of this date. We have been assured by EMCID that our unpaid time will be addressed that EMCID will make sure that we are fully paid at some point. We feel we have been more than patient but would like a definitive time for who and how we are going to get paid.

We just recently were informed of yet more media requests related to EQI and at this point we feel it is most appropriate that any such information requests should be addressed to EMCID in the future. They were the organization ultimately responsible for the formation of EQI and funded the first two years of operation and EMCID has control of the development agreement with Contour with regard to the themepark, so they are the best point of informational contact on this matter.




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https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-prn1/71155_224584770416_5430110_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416?ref=stream)EarthQuest Institute (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416?ref=stream) This posting represents the opinions of Don Holbrook and Don Holbrook alone.
3 hours ago via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/)




Is Don Holbrook saying the IRS has seized the records? Does he really think the taxpayers are going to throw any more money at this ridiculous deal???

I was told by Matthew Gardner that he had sent the records to EMCID care of Frank McCrady. Frank and that attorney David Marks can bite me. I am tired of the run around and BS! I want the public records made available immediately as required by law!!!!

I would suggest that Don Holbrook take appropriate action to get his name removed from all the charity's official filings. Until it is removed, I will be demanding the paperwork from him as he is the CEO and president. Since Holbrook is chasing me around in court, I will be requesting that and lots more in discovery. I intend to get everything but his used toilet paper!! Glad to know he is being hounded about this.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-08-2012, 09:41 PM
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Posted Today at 11:09AM
I'd say something specific about the players involved, but don't want to be thrown in with all the litigation.

Suffice it to say, if I were a hypothetical key employee of a failed entity that owed its existence to a government entity acting as angel investors, and my entity's business plan sucked and serious allegations had been made of impropriety on my part, then I would not be making a fuss about not getting paid even more money from the investors. I would not be deferring blame to the investors at all. I wouldn't be citing hearsay from them or about them to the public or the media. I'd be making as few waves as possible. I'd try to get on with my life, probably in a different city doing something very different. I might even consider seeking a legal name change.

That's just what I would do. It's just one man's opinion. (This statement is not intended as legal advice and should be strictly construed within the limits of the hypothetical scenario that is proposed with limited applicability to complex real-world situations.)



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"Forgive him for he knows not what he does. On the other hand, maybe he does know." --Frank Zappa
Holbrook doesn't know when to stick a sock in it!!!


From: David Marks [mailto:dmarks@marksrichardsonpc.com]
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 3:08 PM
To: Dobrott, Heather; leon.cubillas@att.net
Cc: fmccrady@emctx.com; sparmer@emctx.com
Subject: RE: Earthquest Institute Information Request

Ms. Dobrott

This firm does not now and had never represented Earthquest Institute or The Institute Earthquest, and therefore does not have access to any of the records you requested.

David

David M. Marks
Marks Richardson PC
3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 830
Houston, TX 77098
Phone 713.942.9922



From: Frank McCrady [mailto:fmccrady@emctx.com]
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 4:14 PM
To: Dobrott, Heather
Cc: David Marks; Leon Cubillas
Subject: RE: Earthquest Institute Information Request

Heather,

Earthquest Institute is a independent nonprofit corporation not under control of EMCID and as such neither I nor EMCID have access to its documents.

Frank F. McCrady
President/CEO
East Montgomery County Improvement District
P.O. Box 1019
New Caney, Texas 77357
281-354-4419

From: Dobrott, Heather [mailto:heather@dobrott.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 4:45 PM
To: leon.cubillas@att.net
Cc: Frank McCrady; Suzanne Parmer; dmarks@marksrichardsonpc.com
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:



Art. 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


Pass the buck is sure working out swell isn't it? After Holbrook dumping the Earthquest Institute debacle in Frank McCrady's lap, I assume McCrady won't be kissing his rear any longer. I also suspect that Holbrook will not be invited back for more dips into the tax dollars he and McCrady have so freely blown.

Why is McCrady not on the chopping block? How many hundreds of thousands did McCrady promise Holbrook? How many more $185.00 hours should the taxpayers have to fund? Holbrook has no experience running a non-profit. Look at Bobby Schindler who is paid only $17.00 an hour to work for the wonderful charity he runs (http://www.terrisfight.org/). What a dino disaster!!!

Soapboxmom
09-12-2012, 02:36 PM
draino (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3891944) --- 1 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3891944&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Soap Box Mom;

You seem to be deranged and self-absorbed with your own ideals in my opinion, of what is going on in situations and never even consider the other side of situations.

I don't know why you think you are the judge, jury and executioner in matters of legalities, but your ideas and comments are absurd and vigilantism went out with the wild west,

For example tactical situations in matters of the law are that you don't even consider that perhaps the other sides attorney's cut deals with Holbrook to settle out of court. Secondary to that in my own opinion, he is probably cutting loose and settling with them to focus on you and your cyber thugs and bullies as a major focus... he surely does not have any intent on letting you off the hook. Even if you manage to avoid him in Ohio he will probably just sue you in Texas for your defamatory comments. He certainly did not dismiss you, Cynthia Calvert or Frank Maurizio and rumor has it the PVT settled to avoid litigation at least that is what is being stated in Pahrump. Lastly, I would wager that he will be relentless in his pursuit of you for your hounding of him and his family and trying to ruin in livelihood. Quite candidly you deserve to get your trap shut up... we are all tired of listening to you. I know you like to listen to yourself and you seem to have nothing better to do than to torment Mr. Holbrook, but get a life! Really you are so self-absorbed and righteous in your statements it sickens most normal folks. I read that he posted a pretty good outline of what went on with EQI and that does not seem like someone trying to avoid telling the story, he is smart not to respond to you, you would only attack him more and then blast all his clients and past clients with your negative blather. You are in my opinion one sick individual.

You fail to mention in your comments that the Judge ruled against Huber Heights on 2 of their motions and dismissed two claims and told the City they had until next Monday to produce some factual evidence of their other claims... so I think Holbrook is actually on the momentum of winning not failing in his case. I'd watch out according to my sources he has won all his previous suits and you may just be next in his legal sights. Why don't you admit you have no evidence of your statements and apologize to the man and get your own life back and allow him to do the same? Your bad kharma will only bring you pain and emotional distress because what we sow we reap.

draino (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3891944) --- 1 hours ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3891944&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) BTW:

Rumor has it that the Houston Chronicle may be doing an expose on EMCID and that people are coming forward to tell the behind the scene antics of the new board and past board and what they don't want the public to know about.

The new board and their new Chairperson Connie Bloodworth and Vicki Floyd have already created legal problems for EMCID in their own righteous indignation of promises and contracts they have broken and/or not honored... as a public agency you would think folks could trust EMCID to do honorable business but apparently they do not honor their obligations. EQI is just one example of them purposefully avoiding their own responsibility as the organization that enabled the creation of it and paid for the majority of the staff fees the first two years... they also promised the staff that they would make sure they were fully paid for their time if they continued to work but now according to the FB post they have selective memory on these topics.

Not very good when you can't trust EMCID to pay their promised financial obligations and then shameless for the EMCID board to place the scrutiny on the unpaid staff of EQI for responding to the media and government on these matters. EMCID's chairperson was the chair of EQI by nature of a guaranteed board seat in the organizing charter according to the FB post.

Looks like statutorily compliant corruption is alive and well in Texas as well. EMCID should do the right thing by the vendors and former staff of EQI and pay the account current and let the new board and EMCID decide how to go forward instead of letting all those folks get stuck with the bill, that EMCID helped to create. SHAMELESS!

That comes from a good source I have in the area that is in the media business.



Let me guess. This is Holbrook having yet another meltdown.

I think Holbrook dismissed numerous parties because it was obvious to his attorney they had no legitimate case against them and the case could possibly be turned around on him. Supposing the parties settled out, just what did Holbrook get? The Houston Press articles and comments still stand. I haven't noticed the Pahrump Valley Times removing anything either, so do tell us what this brilliant strategy accomplished other than making Holbrook look even more foolish and foolhardy???

Really choice calling the beleaguered tax payers "cyber thugs." How charming! And, now that Holbrook has sued me he really has my attention and I will be focusing on his antics with great interest! He single-handedly ruined his own livelihood with his years of threats, exaggerations and outright lies.

EMCID, read Frank McCrady, should never have agreed to throw hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to that silly charity, the Earthquest Institute. There was no legitimate reason I can see for that fiasco to be funded largely by tax dollars. EMCID had no choice but to end that gravy train. Earthquest is not likely to happen and those are taxpayer dollars that will have been completely wasted. Cry about the $185.00 that buffoon was paid? I think not! Even if he was paid for only half of the hours he worked that is way too much to pay someone running a charity (especially when that individual has no experience doing so.)

Holbrook has won a case where he clearly according to the meeting minutes was fired for falsifying his resume. Red Wing, unfortunately, had a contract with him that did not give them the authority to fire him in the manner they did. Holbrook has denied falsifying the resume even though the Red Wing meeting minutes clearly document his shenanigans. If it was such a stunning victory then tell Holbrook to publish in their entirety all the court documents from that case. They were old enough that I could not purchase them, though I already know where to request them if the case we are currently fighting makes it as far as discovery. What does he have to hide?

I do not believe EMCID should pay Holbrook another dime. And, who is actually so far gone as to believe Earthquest is going to move forward? Chris Brown had his 90 days to formulate a new business plan and did not attend the meeting. Everyone in the know has figured out it is completely extinct. The board is no longer discussing it because they have long since moved on. It is now clean-up the disaster time. With Holbrook's latest missive attacking EMCID, I think even Frank McCrady will part ways with him.

If Holbrook had to respond to the government, then it is possible the IRS and/or Texas Attorney General's Office demanded the paperwork for the silly charity that blew through1.4 million dollars whilst not doing and of the charitable activities promised.

Everything here is truth, facts and opinion only. I will never apologize to that lying and threatening goon.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-13-2012, 10:45 AM
pantherdadx2 (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3884386) --- 55 min ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3884386&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) (lolx2).that's Fat turd Loud Mouth (pantherdadx2) for your information Donnyboy, I mean draino. C'mon, you can do better than that. Fortunately, I don't have too much time to respond as I have a life and do something constructive with it. When I'm finished at the end of the day, I can actually stand back and LOOK at my work product, unlike the product Mr. Holbrook puts out. Well, I take that back, you can look at garbage printed on paper, much like EarthQuest and the EarthQuest Institute Charity (what a joke)! I might be a loser in your opinion, but I've never been in a courtroom or had to answer to a court to explain why I should be paid for my work product. Don Holbrook is currently reaping what he has sown himself. Too bad. He should get a job, get up in the morning, and actually accomplish something others besides himself and his family can be proud of. It's a great feeling, I can speak from experience. As far as Soapboxmom goes, she can't shut down every thief, but she sure as hell helped shut down the continued thievery of taxpayers money from EMC! (global economic crisis)- a term Holbrook has used in previous publishings and comments, which leads me to believe draino is an alter ego or someone posting for him. I'm guessing right about now he could use an industial-strength drum of draino to unclog the pipeline that WAS feeding his bank account. You know, that non-profit (LOL) called the EarthQuest Institute.


u uic (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3856359) --- 17 min ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3856359&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) Mr Holbrook should be happy he stole money and got away. Only reason he is mad sbm stopped him stealing from others. How much money do you need dude? To be happy...


draino (http://kingwoodunderground.com/account.jsp?id=3891944) --- 2 min ago - quote - hide comments (http://kingwoodunderground.com/bookmark.jsp?a=ADDBM&id=3891944&otype=ACCOUNT&btype=HIDE&dest=topic11722526) You folks are just crazy and absurd. Mr. Holbrook never stole anything that is why SoapboxMom is so full of crap. EMCID, EQI, Lessem and Marlin hired him to do work for them in fully disclosed contracts. Your accusations are clearly aimed at the wrong culprits, and that is why he is suing Soapboxmom and that is why others with some intellect know your blatherings on here are full of crap.

As for Soapboxmom, she must just be so ugly that she has to hide in her house and gain attention by attacking folks over the internet. She obviously craves attention even if it demonstrates her absurdity and lack of IQ in common sense. She is so desperate for attention she has to act out like this which is totally inappropriate (sorry Pantherdad) I will use smaller words so you can understand them.

Perhaps you and Soapboxmom should hook up you already seem to have a cyber dating service going... Maybe Holbrook should send you a bill for matchmaking..,. after all two extremely negative people might actually create a positive... again that is science and I'm sorry if your IQ can't follow such high level discussions. I wasn't aware that Global financial Crisis was coined by Holbrook... LMAO. You two are like a good comedy movie. So stupid and full of yourself you don't realize everyone else is just laughing at you!



Well, the idiots that signed the contracts weren't the ones that had to fork over most of the cash. And, make no mistake. I think without a doubt Frank "The Bank" McCrady's head should roll for his part in this outrageous debacle.

The beleaguered taxpayers funded much of this complete tomfoolery. Of course, Holbrook did a marvelous job of selling himself to these folks. We all know his about his highly padded resume, degree fraud and snow jobs. Unfortunately for him, I have a Texas sized Bullshit Detector and a mondo snow blower!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-21-2012, 10:52 AM
Holbrook: ‘My Side of the Story’Community Viewpoint | Pahrump Valley Times (http://pvtimes.com/opinion/holbrook-my-side-of-the-storycommunity-viewpoint/)

Categorized | Opinion (http://pvtimes.com/category/opinion/)


Holbrook: ‘My Side of the Story’Community Viewpoint (http://pvtimes.com/opinion/holbrook-my-side-of-the-storycommunity-viewpoint/)

Posted on21 September 2012.
I have been the subject of several recent articles and several op-ed pieces that have been printed in the Pahrump Valley Times on projects in New Caney, Texas, Pahrump, Nevada, and Huber Heights, Ohio. I want to tell my opinion about these stories.
In 2005, I was hired to help create a new sustainable theme park in New Caney, Texas, near Houston, known as EarthQuest. Then, by 2007, I was hired by the East Montgomery County Improvement District EMCID to do economic development work on EarthQuest, (http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2007_4467685/east-montgomery-county-improvement-district-direct.html) follow-up work on the site for the theme park, and to act as a liaison with the real estate developer selected by EMCID, the Marlin Atlantis Company. In June of 2010, EMCID asked me to work as a consultant to help find a solution for the project when the company that owned the land later filed bankruptcy. I spent the next two years bringing in a new real estate developer, Contour Entertainment Group, and we worked together to revise the site plan and prepare a business case for the project. My role was to be a project advisor on site location incentives, an advisor on public policy issues to support Contour Entertainment Group, and to navigate the bankruptcy of the previous developer for the best interests of EMCID. None of my work for EarthQuest had anything to do with the financing for this project (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/index2.html#post19615). I was not hired to act as a financial consultant (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/index31.html#post28404) and I have no ownership in EarthQuest. My only interest at this time is to be paid for work that I did in 2008 before the bankruptcy was filed.
The Town of Pahrump asked me for more than two years to work with them to create additional destination tourism sites for economic development purposes. My role has been to advise the Town Board about different options for increasing tourism and increasing economic opportunities in Pahrump. I never said that the project could be a theme park (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p87mAVhJRc). I fully disclosed my involvement with the EarthQuest project to the Pahrump Town Board before they hired me, and it was my understanding that the Town Board did not have any problem with it. It is my understanding that the Town Board contacted Frank McCrady, President of EMCID, who explained the situation with EarthQuest and wrote a letter of support and satisfaction with my consulting services for EarthQuest. I recommended that Pahrump hire Contour Entertainment Group because I believe that they were the most qualified development company to handle this type of work.
While I was working with the Pahrump Town Board, the media in Pahrump and in Texas started to run articles (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452) about the failure of EarthQuest’s original developer and made it seem that I was somehow linked to its failure, even though I had no connection with the Marlin Atlantis Company.
After I started working with the Pahrump Town Board, Heather Dobrott, who lives in Garland, Texas, about 250 miles away from New Caney, Texas, and who uses a website with the address www.realscam.com (http://pvtimes.com/opinion/holbrook-my-side-of-the-storycommunity-viewpoint/www.realscam.com) and uses the name “soapboxmom” on different websites, began posting statements about me on the internet beginning in early 2012. In my opinion, her statements about me question my work experience and question my professional ethics. On her website and on other places on the internet, she has called me a “scammer” and a “work at home scam promoter.” I deny these statements. Mrs. Dobrott posted a comment on her website on March 30, 2012, that I “walked away with 33% of the almost 1 million [dollars] raised” (http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/26-2454184/institute-earthquest.aspx) for EarthQuest. I deny this statement. To my knowledge, Mrs. Dobrott has no evidence to support this statement (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/#post19580). She has used the word “criminal” to describe expenses (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/index4.html#post19655) I submitted and has written about “Holbrook’s drunken antics” (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/#post19594) and “drunken soirees.” (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/#post19589) I deny these statements. I do not know Mrs. Dobrott and do not know what her connection, if any, is to the EarthQuest project. A few months ago, Frank Maurizio wrote a series of articles published in this paper labeling me “The Music Man”, in which he wrote that I am “a proven fraud”, “a scam artist”, and “a liar and a fraud” and wrote “an update” on me and “his scam to cheat [Pahrump] out of its tax dollars.” I deny these statements. To my knowledge, Mr. Maurizio has no evidence to support these statements. I do not know Mr. Maurizio. Cynthia Calvert is the owner of a small newspaper, The Tribune, in Humble, Texas, with the web address of www.ourtribune.com (http://pvtimes.com/opinion/holbrook-my-side-of-the-storycommunity-viewpoint/www.ourtribune.com). She has published several articles about me, including an article dated February 7, 2012, in which she wrote: “But the road that Holbrook has traveled, both to New Caney, Texas, and numerous other towns across the U.S.A., is a long and winding journey, littered with disappointment and controversy. . . . He was hired and subsequently fired in several locations, (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13295) mired in controversy.” I deny these statements. To my knowledge, Mrs. Calvert has no evidence to support her statements. Because of the number of postings and articles about me (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/) on the internet, which in my opinion are untrue, when anyone puts in my name in any search engine website, these comments appear at the beginning of the search results because of the way search engine optimization works. When I talked to a company that helps to repair peoples’ or businesses’ internet reputations, I was told that it would take at least $26,000.00 to repair my internet reputation for the first year alone.
Every time I work on a project with a community, I prepare written agreements (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13545) stating up front the scope of work, all of the conditions and terms for payment, and the amount of the payments. These agreements are signed by all parties before I begin any work, which was the case with the City of Huber Heights, Ohio. I gave them a written agreement stating my scope of work and stating that I would need the cooperation from city staff people to complete my report for them on an economic development project to increase tourism in this suburb to the north of Dayton, Ohio. This agreement also stated the full amount of the payments for my services. The City Council formally approved my agreement and payment for all of my services in a City Resolution. In working on my final report, I was not getting responses from certain city staffers for information that I needed and told the City Manager that I was not getting the information I needed. The City paid the first two installment payments and gave me every indication — in my opinion — that they were pleased and satisfied with my services until, without any explanation, I was terminated at a meeting on March 14, 2012. I immediately offered to cure and remedy the situation, to no avail. I had learned that a reporter from the Houston area had telephoned the City Manager on February 29, 2012, (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/index23.html#post25296)asking if the City had a contract with me. The City Manager wrote me an email about the telephone call and called the conversation with the reporter “strange.” It is my understanding that “internet research” had been done and handed to certain Huber Heights’ officials before the March 14, 2012 meeting. The City filed suit against me and the case is in litigation. In my opinion, the conclusion I have drawn is that unsupported, untrue, and false statements posted on the internet about my past work is the cause of my termination by the City of Huber Heights. For those of you who may be interested in more information, please check out the FAQs on my blog at <a href=www.economicdeveloper.wordpress.com.
>economicdeveloper (http://www.economicdeveloper.wordpress.com)
http://pvtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/7583385-150x150.jpg (http://pvtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/7583385.jpg)
The Pahrump Valley Times has given this buffoon the floor so to speak. It is exactly the same lie-filled garbage he posted a few days ago. Now, as to why they allowed this dubious consultant to emote on their site publicly:




http://www.clerk.co.montgomery.oh.us/pro/images/adobe.png
09/17/2012
AMENDED COMPLAINT OF HUBER HEIGHTS; WITH JURY DEMAND ENDORSED HEREON FILED BY Joshua Kin







http://www.clerk.co.montgomery.oh.us/pro/images/adobe.png
09/11/2012
NOTICE: PARTIAL DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE OF THIRD-PARTY DEFENDANT STEPHENS MEDIA DBA THE PAHRUMP VALLEY TIMES FILED BY SUE SEEBERGER







http://www.clerk.co.montgomery.oh.us/pro/images/adobe.png
09/06/2012
ORDER SETTING STATUS CONFERENCE BY TELEPHONE ON 10-9-12 AT 8:50 A.M.





Holbrook had to drop the case against the Pahrump Valley Times and stipulate it could not be refiled. This was the cheapest and easiest way for The Pahrump paper to get rid of this thug in a suit!

pantherdadX2
09-28-2012, 09:30 AM
Speaking of quoting things for comedic value, this one was hysterical and I still can't stop laughing at it. Mr. Yel, er...Sir gASSbag (logical assumption, Don), quotes, "Don Holbrook's deals don't go through, not because of his effort, it's because their are people out there who call themselves specialists, and have great credentials and references, however, they're sharks and liars THEMSELVES". Are you calling the Supreme Lord and Master of the Internet a shark and liar? The next time you post worthless drivel and want to be taken the least bit seriously, please feel free to leave out the word THEMSELVES. And while we're on the subject of sharks, if birds of a feather flock together, would it not be logical to assume sharks SWIM together? Have you been paid for ANYTHING that did'nt involve politicians or the use of taxpaying citizens HARD-EARNED money? This brings me to another post of Holbrooks that started with this, referring to corrupt politicians. "Visions of their self-absorbed importance and egocentric feeling of entitled importance that allows them to operate outside of normal professional decorum and ethical standards while EVERYONE ELSE (meaning the taxpayers) must pay the bill for their power hungry lack of true statesmanship and reasonable diplomacy". Seriously, Donnyboy, were you looking in the mirror when you conjured this up in your shark-infested cranial cavity? Would'nt reasonable diplomacy dictate turning over the documents to the EarthQuest Institute when asked for them by the public?(required by LAW) Your self-righteous indignation is what pissed off Soapboxmom, myself, and others in the first place. If you had nothing to hide and you are as ethical as you claim to be, you should've had no problem doing this.............SBM, when we finally meet for that cup o' joe, please remind me not to piss you off !!!!!! :screamer:

Soapboxmom
10-02-2012, 06:46 PM
Remember when scammer Don Holbrook refused to turn over the Earthquest Institute docs as required by law. I bet he isn't going to get away with telling the FBI no!!!! :duh:


From: Dobrott, Heather
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 4:45 PM
To: 'leon.cubillas@att.net'
Cc: 'fmccrady@emctx.com'; 'sparmer@emctx.com'; 'dmarks@marksrichardsonpc.com'
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:



Art. 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

The videos of the town meeting from March 2012 gets more ludicrous with each listen. Frank "The Bank" McCrady is the king of tall tales. He blames Hillcrest bank for Marlin Atlantis defaulting and costing them a fortune saying that Hillcrest didn't do its due diligence. Then some really brainy lady asks him what due diligence he did on Marlin Atlantis. I guess Trey White and John Marlin plied McCrady and EMCID with that cancer curing Evolv water spiked with something really really good. Marlin Atlantis was not well respected and had done little but a few tract housing developments before they waltzed away with the EMCID vault.

An interesting discussion about the Institute ensues. Leon Cubillas seems to forget the gargantuan amount of tax dollars from EMCID taxpyers sunk into that ridiculous thing. And, he seems to have quite the memory loss about the rest of that whole sordid saga. There is mumbling about those numbers are in the 990's. The very forms that the IRS requires be made public that Don Allen Holbrook, the lying buffoon that he is, refused to turn over. Again, I bet the FBI will have no trouble getting copies of every last scrap of paper related to that scam.

So many juicy discussions. Not hard to see why numerous agencies are looking into this

Dallas Wants to be a Green City, So Why Not Save Some Trees? - Page 1 - News - Dallas - Dallas Observer (http://www.dallasobserver.com/2009-03-19/news/dallas-wants-to-be-a-green-city-so-why-not-save-some-trees/)

Watch EMCID TOWN HALL MEETING ON EARTHQUEST PART 1 OF 3 | SCOTT J. ENGLE-PHOTO/JOURNALIST-CONROE Episodes | Blip (http://blip.tv/scott-j-englephotojournalistconroe/emcid-town-hall-meeting-on-earthquest-part-1-of-3-6045634)

Watch EMCID TOWN HALL ON EARTHQUEST PART 2 OF 3 | SCOTT J. ENGLE-PHOTO/JOURNALIST-CONROE Episodes | Blip (http://blip.tv/scott-j-englephotojournalistconroe/emcid-town-hall-on-earthquest-part-2-of-3-6044833)

Watch EMCID PART 3 OF 3 TOWN HALL MEETING ON EARTHQUEST DINOSAUR PARK | SCOTT J. ENGLE-PHOTO/JOURNALIST-CONROE Episodes | Blip (http://blip.tv/scott-j-englephotojournalistconroe/emcid-part-3-of-3-town-hall-meeting-on-earthquest-dinosaur-park-6046067)

Soapboxmom

P.S. lest we forget one of the greatest comedic moments. Frank "The Bank" McCrady parrots the dubious consultant, Don Allen Holbrook, and mumbles about two developers waiting in the wings who he assures us will satisfy all of the almost 8 million in bond money up front when they get the investors lined up to fund this $500,000,000.00 plus boondoggle. Well, I am Santa Claus and will be the next Pope as well!!!!

Soapboxmom
10-21-2012, 01:51 PM
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) I would guess it is about a 50-50 chance. We are still waiting to hear something official from Contour. The land ownership phase is still being sorted out. I guess we probably won't hear anything until after the land ownership has been completely settled. McCrady said this should happen in June, so I hope we hear something within the next month or so.
May 15 at 9:45pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=359200137463041)
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Tony Reyna (https://www.facebook.com/tony.reyna.79) If we do what land will be sold all of it or the other half only. If will do build it. Do u think it should be smaller . I mean it will be big but not the 500 acres ? What do u think?
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) all of it would be sold to lennar homes with contour having the option of purchasing it from lennar. I personaly dont see contour needing all of the land. The portion of land along the creek was where the park was to be built in the first place so i could see contour purchasing that part from lennar and lennar building homes on the other part. I think astoworld was only on twenty acres so it should be more than enough land. I believe it would benefit lennar if the park is built so they could sell homes for a premium price. Thats just how i see it. Hopefully they see it that way.
May 16 at 7:58am via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 1 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=359381767444878)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) According to the master plan on the EarthQuest website, the east side of 59 is going to be homes and retail and the west side is going to be the theme park and resort area. I think Michael is right about the way Lennar Homes and EarthQuest will split the land up on the total 1600 acres. The EarthQuest side is to be 500 acres, but only about 100 acres are actually needed for the theme park. The AstroWorld plot was something like 104 acres total. But that included WaterWorld, the park offices, the concert stage area, the company picnic areas and a few acres that were left for future development. The actual area that the rides and paths were built on covered about 70 acres I believe. The 500 acres that EQ will have to work with is suppose to include the theme park, the water park, the hotel, the institute, the smaller 'green gadget garage' park and the 'earthwalk' section. Personally at this stage of the game, I would gladly settle for just the theme park to be built NOW and hope that the other stuff gets built eventually over time as the resort starts taking in cash. But the THEME PARK is the real money making attraction and that should come FIRST.- just my 2¢.
May 16 at 10:13am · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 1 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=359436367439418)
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Tony Reyna (https://www.facebook.com/tony.reyna.79) I both agree what's y'all say guys. Do u know when will we know somehing soon by. I heard by June
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) I think we will hear something in June. Just hope it's good news!
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Tony Reyna (https://www.facebook.com/tony.reyna.79) Same here we need this park. I hope contour has the $$$$ the built it.
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John Fleming (https://www.facebook.com/john.fleming.332) Amen! And why are you saying you don't like Astroworld, well I tell you my Story, Astroworld was an good darn theme park with world's greatest roller coasters, & when Astroworld closed, I was in the 6th Grade 12 Years Old upset for 5 years then, I didn't have any money to visit San Antonio, or Dallas, and Kemah improving, like I said Tilman Fertitta probably dosen't have billions on money, or he don't want to improve, but look at the land of Kemah see how small it is, & IT'Z is not even big enough to put in like Galaxyland from Canada, I wouldn't depend on Kemah, just sayin, cause Kemah is alright to me, at least there's two roller coasters in Houston right now!
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) Don't get me wrong. I loved AstroWorld and I always thought the park had so much potential to be a truly great park. But I don't think it ever realized it's potential before they closed it.
May 17 at 3:55pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=360133810703007)
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Tony Reyna (https://www.facebook.com/tony.reyna.79) @ mike!! Why do u think nobody look over here to get a theme park done!!!!
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) evidently something is going on. The other facebook page has reported that don lessom was at the emcid metting. Hope to hear more soon.
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) Thanks for the update Michael. Let's hope for some good news.
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Tony Reyna (https://www.facebook.com/tony.reyna.79) I wish it was now though!
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) Friendswood to buy dino-land - Monday, May 14, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13611) This is NOT the article that says what was said at the EMCID meeting with Don Lessum, but it is very interesting. It was written last Monday regarding the company who is purchasing the land the EQ is to be built one. This article says that the land the park is to built on (the 500 acres west of Highway 59) has a provision that is allow Whitestone to purchase back the land if an investor can be found with 18 months. That give Contour 18 months to find an investor. I think this is good news. It gives the developers a lot more time to pursue investors!https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBA1MO2Pz6cTO3E&w=90&h=90&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ourtribune.com%2Fapdf%2FNeigh bors+WEBbanner02-24-12.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ourtribune.com%2Farticle. php%3Fid%3D13611&h=MAQHQWCjRAQHJQG0DT89eckVqQetqQw_ln7DcHE0f_u_M8g&s=1)Friendswood to buy dino-land - Monday, May 14, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ourtribune.com%2Farticle. php%3Fid%3D13611&h=vAQGq58mfAQE8Zg7AD-PtLIDY30ds5_KY9gZY6uS_hOyo2Q&s=1)
www.ourtribune.com (http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ourtribune.com&h=OAQEneE-eAQGQO4JtLxmPWPcX99m7PEWJxVBj947Gnpgd7A&s=1)The Tribune is a locally owned weekly newspaper for the Atascosita, Humble and Kingwood Texas area.






May 18 at 11:07am · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=360529470663441)
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) still havent heard anything about what was discussed. Must be good news.lol bad news seems to travel alot faster.
May 19 at 7:14am via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) I can't wait to hear what Don Lessum had to say to the EMCID board. It's hard to imagine him going to east Montgomery county unless he had some good news about the project. If he didn't think the project was going to happen, I don't think he would have taken the time to personally attend and EMCID meeting. Maybe he attended the meeting to try to stop some of the negative attention the project has been getting lately. Keeping fingers crossed for some good news!
May 19 at 9:48am · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=360981487284906)
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) Thats my thinking as well mike. I think don wants to see his dream built and is fighting for it. I think he is a smart man and has alot of respect by most everyone and has alot of influence. He knows its very close to being able to happen and also close to seing it slip right through our fingers. If it was bad news he wouldnt have bothered to come here and we surely would have heard something bad from the other earth quest page by now. I think she was sore cause they chose houston over dallas to build it.
May 19 at 11:03am via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=361011590615229)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) That person that runs the other Earthquest facebook page (Heather Dobrott a.k.a. soapboxmom) has some serious issues. I have read many postings by her on many different websites and forums where she has called the project 'stupid' and told people that 'it's time to stick a fork in it". She does not want the project to happen and has said numerous times that she doesn't believe the project will ever happen, yet she runs a facebook page to keep people informed about it. Am I the only one who thinks it is odd to run a facebook page about a project that you don't think is ever going to happen? She has written so many posts berating the project and the developers that it is downright disturbing. She seems obsessed with stopping the project. She only ever post stories and comments on negatives. The last article so far written by the Tribune is that the project developers have another 18 months to find a developer in order to buy the property. This is good news. It means that the project is still being pursued. But there is no mention of this on the facebook page she controls. Every time I try to post anything positive about EarthQuest on her page she deletes it. I won't have anything to do with soapboxmom or her websites.
May 19 at 9:25pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=361247670591621)
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John Fleming (https://www.facebook.com/john.fleming.332) Can you impeach her?
May 19 at 9:30pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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I was in no way trying to stop the project. I was hoping to stop the bleeding dry of the taxpayers, and see some real oversight on this deal. I delete personal attacks. I am still waiting for any real insight into the Earthquest debacle as it now stands. Imagine the tens of thousands in legal fees the taxpayers are paying on behalf of McCrady and his old clown crew!

Soapboxmom
10-21-2012, 02:03 PM
Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) Just like everyone else, soapboxmom has a right to her opinion. I just think its weird to put so much energy into stopping a theme park in New Caney, Tx when she lives in Garland Tx. What difference could it possible make to her if New Caney or Houston gets a theme park or not. She talks as if she is concerned about the tax payers of New Caney not getting their money's worth out of the project because it has not broken ground yet, but I have hard time believing that she is really THAT concerned about people living in New Caney.
May 19 at 9:40pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=361252333924488)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) If earthquest ever gets off the ground I bet the other facebook page will go away. That page only exist right now so that soapboxmom can trash EQ and post links to articles that are written by other people who don't want the project to happen. If you want the project to happen I think you should post positive things about it on the other page. I can't. Soapboxmom deletes my posts.
May 19 at 9:49pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=361254893924232)
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) I think she is trying to fool people into thinking she is looking out for our best interest. She has to have a motive for it. Got to think she is hoping that it would be built closer to her. Bet she would be all for it then. She is trying to turn everyone against it here. Kinda creating a mob like mentality. It still baffles me that she is the administrator of that site. How can someone represent something they dont realy represent? Thats totaly wacked!!
May 21 at 10:26am via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=361985677184487)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) My thinking exactly. Do we know for SURE that Don Lessum was at the EMCID meeting on Thursday night? I mean, the only person actually reporting it so far is soapboxmom. Even though I think she is a strange person for stalking the EQ developers and posting their photos all over the internet and I don't understand her motives, I must admit she seems to stay on top of what is going on as far as Tribune news articles are concerned. I think soapboxmom must have a very good relationship with Cynthia Calvert and some others at the Tribune and is privy to some information that people from the Tribune give her - which soapmom usually is very prompt about sharing with the online community (if it's bad news that is). I really expected to hear something on Friday morning and I certainly would have expected to hear something by today from the Tribune or soapmom if Don Lessum said anything important about EQ at the EMCID meeting.
May 21 at 11:06am · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=362003147182740)
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) Seems like she has lost touch with reality. She is still going after holbrook on the other site and still not a word about lessem. Bet her lifelong dream must have been to be a journalist and she feels like she is now or wants to get hired on as one. Wish she would stick to reporting about earth quest. Heck im begging to wonder if lessem was there myself. Seems like we would have heard something about it by now. I dont think she would have said it if it wasnt true though. Seems like she has jumped on holbrooks back and isnt letting go. Dont know if it realy matters to her if the park gets built or not. The main reason she doesnt want it is because of holbrook it seems.
May 21 at 2:25pm via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=362089363840785)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) soapmom is the one who is having the major meltdown. It's kind of sick. She is obsessed with Holbrook. I think she is mad that no one invited HER to the EMCID meeting. Plus, she's probably a little pissed that Holbrook is suing her now. LOL! People want to know whats going on with the park - not her personal war with Don Holbrook. I think she needs some psychiatric help before she has a complete mental breakdown over this.
May 21 at 2:53pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 3 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=362108920505496)
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James Martin (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003825978776) I agree with Mike and Michael. That other page is a dark, scary place. No place for a theme park enthusiast at all over there - it's too angry and vindictive. Anybody know why Don Lessem was at the EMCID yet?
May 21 at 7:14pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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John Fleming (https://www.facebook.com/john.fleming.332) Do Something!!!!!!!!
May 21 at 8:57pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) I heard that Don Holbrook is suing soapmom. Good.
May 22 at 12:04am · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 1 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=362330627149992)
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) she is attacking mike anderson now. She says that mike anderson and james martin are the same person. Wish she would just stick to talking about the park. Havent seen or heard anything from the tribune yet either.
May 22 at 8:42am via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 1 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=362459927137062)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) I'm not James Martin. We're just facebook friends. Psycho-mom is nuts.
May 22 at 9:16am · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 1 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=362471890469199)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) Log In | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/110663281216/) - According to a posting on another EarthQuest facebook group page, Georffrey C. Geiger (a writer for the Tribune) said that a new article will be out on May 30 with details of the last EMCID meeting. I asked if Don Lessem said anything that people supporting the project would find encouraging, but he didn't reply yet.https://www.facebook.com/images/icons/group-types/large/default.png (https://www.facebook.com/groups/110663281216/?ref=nf)EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park Coming to Texas!! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/110663281216/)

PLANS FOR A NEW 500-ACRE ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATIONAL PROJECT, WHICH HAS BEEN M...

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May 22 at 9:22am · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)

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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) thanks mike. Guess all we can do is wait as usual. Guess it must be good news otherwise we would have heard something allready.
May 22 at 9:46am via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) sbm seems to think that lessem was here to keep things going with the museum part of all this. I could see where that makes sense. She doesnt think that anything has been discussed about the financing of the park though wich makes sense if contour wasnt there unless lessem spoke on their behalf. Should find out something soon. Hopefully the delay in information is because they are waiting on word from contour.
May 22 at 4:08pm via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) I think that other EQ fb page has lost it's way. All I see are entries about The Pahrump Town Board Meeting - which has NOTHING to do with EQ and Soapmom's 'real scam' website. I think she just uses that page to get people to click on her dark little corner of the internet. No Thanks.
May 23 at 2:18pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) http://ourtribune.com/apdf/FDCsalescontract.pdf - I read the PDF of the contract that the Tribune posted on their latest article. It seems there is a provision regarding the West side of 59 that says "the West Land shall be used only for development as a theme park similar in concept to that contemplated for EarthQuest... Check out page 77 of the PDF.
May 23 at 2:27pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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John Fleming (https://www.facebook.com/john.fleming.332) I just heard that soapboxmom said that Theme Parks are annoying.
May 23 at 3:43pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) There you go... Can you imagine what it must be like to run a facebook page about a theme park if you think theme parks are annoying. It would be like if you ran a Andre Johnson facebook fan page and yet hated Andre Johnson. Soapmom is a wacko. People who don't like things shouldn't run a face book page for people who do. I'm glad we at least have this page - even tho it's not very popular at the moment.
May 23 at 4:02pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 1 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=363148407068214)
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) I seen a tractor parked directly under the earth quest sign along highway 59 and a gate open going onto the property. May have just been the highway dept. Just sayin.
May 23 at 4:39pm via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#) · 2 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=363165797066475)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) Thanks for the info Michael. Good find!
May 23 at 4:50pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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John Fleming (https://www.facebook.com/john.fleming.332) Just Hold My Cross, & Pray!
May 23 at 4:52pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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Michael Mahle (https://www.facebook.com/michael.mahle.75) according to the tribune east montgomery county improvement district has voted to extend the employment contract of president frank mccrady and give him a $35,000 bonus. He was the one taking most of the heat over the park. He is the one who keeps working towards making it happen against all the naysayers. I have to think that something good is about to happen for the park. He wasnt expected to stay past his old contract.
May 23 at 9:35pm via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/) · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)
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Mike Anderson (https://www.facebook.com/mike.anderson.1297) I don't care what anyone says. If EarthQuest ever gets built, it will largely be because of Frank McCrady. He seems determined to see that the project comes to fruition. I hope people remember his efforts. Most people would have given up by now. Nice to hear that the EMCID recognize his work. EQ will benefit thousands of people if it is built. Houston area theme park enthusiast should be especially grateful for his efforts.
May 23 at 10:47pm · Like (https://www.facebook.com/earthquesthouston#)


McCrady will be remembered just as Holbrook is in his old haunts. Controversy and mountains of legal bills are his legacy! Frank McCrady was determined to spend like he was successful and live the lifestyle of the rich and famous on the taxpayers dime. I wonder who funded the trip to Holbrook's IEDC Award ceremony were he received that phony Fellow Member award apparently based to some degree on his success with Earthquest (insert laughter).

Holbrook started threatening posters / taxpayers on numerous websites in April. That is the biggest red flag of all. That is convincing evidence folks have something to hide. His refusal to turn over the charity docs for the Institute Earthquest as required by law also got me quite riled up. Why would I let Holbrook or anyone else threaten me into silence??

Soapboxmom
10-22-2012, 07:13 AM
Your comment has been posted successfully.
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Knights Templar Project needs your support

Please come support this project by becoming a backer... it is easy with Kickstarter.

The Knights Templar Project... Why it Matters! (http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=5657222190651674636&gid=46723&type=member&item=169542461&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2F9thtemplar%2Ewordpress%2Ec om%2F2012%2F09%2F27%2Fhistory-is-filled-with-pr%2F&urlhash=u3Fv&goback=%2Egde_46723_member_169542461) 9thtemplar.wordpress.com


History is filled with proof that those who dare to imagine the seemingly impossible to others, are the ones that break all previous human limitations. Sir Don Allen Holbrook, Chev, KTJ For those ...


24 days ago




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3 comments

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Heather Dobrott (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=46723&memberID=30172030) • No posting of events, products, or services without association approval before hand. Violators will be removed from the group. Please be professional in your discussions and do not make promises, guarantees, or pitches for raising capital here. This is not the place.

Try to add value in every discussion where you participate that is the goal of hosting this networking association - to connect investment banking professionals around the world to each other and share industry best practices and advice.

Thank you for joining.

Richard

With that in mind, why is this dubious consultant with failed projects,bankruptcies, firings and lawsuits galore being allowed to solicit donations for a nonsense project like this. Real experts, universities, National Geographic and other qualified people and organizations are already involved in legitimate Templar research. This clown should be banned before any of the fine folks here get tangled up in his various disasters. A Google search will reveal countless articles from mainstream publications and respected bloggers that chronicle the real story behind this fake!
6 days ago

• Delete (http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?deleteItem=&gid=46723&type=member&item=169542461)





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Don Holbrook (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=46723&memberID=8018105) • These kind of defamatory comments are why this cyber stalker is being sued. While she is free to make truthful comments she not protected by the first amendment when she invents her own facts to suit her own malicious purposes.
4 hours ago • Like (http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?setLike=&gid=46723&type=member&item=169542461&commentID=100583263&csrfToken=ajax%3A4853217195327143631&trk=gde_lkcmt&goback=%2Egde_46723_member_169542461)

Heather Dobrott (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=46723&memberID=30172030) • Filing lawsuits against taxpayers (John and Jane Does as you listed them) in an effort to silence discussions about matters of public concern is beyond reprehensible. I will certainly not be silenced by such tactics!!!
1 second ago
Suing me and the untold number of John and Jane Does that commented on Earthquest and the Pahrump project is totally disgusting. He didn't shut me up. I will be challenging him and sparring with him everywhere.

He was forced to turn over Earthquest Institute documents required to be public by law to the FBI no doubt. I am still waiting and will rake his arse until they are made available so everyone can view them! Holbrook took on the wrong Mom!!! :NO:

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
10-22-2012, 08:53 PM
Judge rules:

The only contact directed at Ohio that Holbrook, LLC
points to is an allegation that a reporter from a town near Houston, Texas contacted the Huber
Heights City Manager prior to February 29, 2012. Third Party Plaintiff’s Memorandum in
Opposition (August 17, 2012), pg. 5. However, the Second Amended Complaint clearly identifies 5
the reporter who made such direct contact as dismissed defendant Craig Malisow. Second
Amended Third Party Complaint, ¶ 4. Based upon the Second Amended Complaint, the allegation
of direct contact only relates to Mr. Malisow, a Third Party Defendant who has been dismissed, and
nothing Holbrook, LLC points to creates a prima facie case that Mr. Malisow’s alleged
communication can reasonably be attributable to any of the remaining Third Party Defendants.....

Holbrook, LLC asserts that Huber Heights
breached the contract with Holbrook, LLC because of comments posted to the internet by the
remaining Third Party Defendants on or before February 29, 2012. Review of the record before the
court demonstrates that none of the remaining Third Party Defendants mentioned Huber Heights on
or before February 29, 2012. All of the internet postings on or before February 29, 2012 related to
Holbrook, LLC’s contractual activities with local governments in Nevada and Texas. While some
postings on or before February 29, 2012 vaguely reference Holbrook, LLC’s involvement in other
towns across the United States, only one article specifically mentions cities in Minnesota and
Indiana.
My crystal ball sure worked great. Numerous scambuster's including myself (http://www.quatloos.com/Q-Forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=8508)predicted Holbrook's idiotic case would blow up in his face. I laughed at Holbrook's attorney wench dismissing 3 parties that had not even had the opportunity to answer. And, I made an especially big stink about Holbrook dismissing the lynchpin for his whole case. The judge, hilariously, pointed out just what I had been saying! My psychotic powers and time travel broomstick at work again!

Holbrook made a complete fool out of himself. His ding dong attorney gave him the ammo to shoot himself in the foot. What could be funnier!!! What competent attorney would have filed a likely loser like this dud??? What client would demand a frivolous filing like this and submit an Affidavit filled with exaggerations and a whopper or two for good measure?

And, by the way, we are still waiting for Holbrook to make those Earthquest Institute charity docs public as required by law. Why should the FBI agents get to have all the fun!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
10-26-2012, 01:39 PM
The media is running with the story about the Earthquest Institute that I broke:

Where is Houston's replacement for Astroworld? Part 2 | News - Home (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Where-is-Houston-s-replacement-for-Astroworld-Part-2/-/1735978/17141626/-/15b4enuz/-/index.html)

Where is Houston's replacement for Astroworld? | News - Home (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Where-is-Houston-s-replacement-for-Astroworld/-/1735978/17114488/-/4gxd1yz/-/index.html)

Will that litigious goon Don Allen Holbrook sue this fine news organization as well???

GlimDropper
10-26-2012, 09:04 PM
KPRC has their third report online. [Link] (http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-questions-arise-about-amusement-park-project/-/1735978/17147970/-/5w8vfgz/-/index.html)

I especially like the reporter telling Frank McCrady (CEO of the EMCID) that he'd paid hundreds of thousands to Holbrook's Earthquest Institute and got "bupkis" in return. McCrady replies "I guess you could say that."

This will make an impression.


And Lord, remind me never to piss off SBM.

Great work my friend. :)

Soapboxmom
10-26-2012, 09:27 PM
I love it. Thank you big guy. It means the world coming from you!

I was the first to dig into Holbrook and his Earthquest Institute debacle with the help of the incredible Cynthia Calvert and The Tribune and now the story is being pursued by more news organizations. Just how many more parties can Holbrook afford to sue?????

This is really going to be a riot! Bumpkin patrol = bupkis!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
10-26-2012, 10:32 PM
Holbrook and I are sparring across the night tonight:

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Heather Dobrott (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=46723&memberID=30172030) • http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-questions-arise-about-amusement-park-project/-/1735978/17147970/-/5w8vfgz/-/index.html (http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eclick2houston%2Eco m%2Fnews%2FNew-questions-arise-about-amusement-park-project%2F-%2F1735978%2F17147970%2F-%2F5w8vfgz%2F-%2Findex%2Ehtml&urlhash=4GIW&_t=tracking_disc)

Part 3 is very informative. The CEO behind the defunct Earthquest Institute and brainchild behind the perpetually stalled and likely failed Earthquest theme park are one in the same --- Don Allen Holbrook.

An opinion is not fact and not actionable. It is how someone feels about something. A limited public figure or public figure that is going file a defamation suit would be well advised to come in with provably false statements of fact. Folks taking tax dollars will be scrutinized and the media storm is just in its infancy for Earthquest I believe!
34 minutes ago



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Don Holbrook (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=46723&memberID=8018105) • You are your own worst enemy because you think you know the law. Just your statement you made is defamation... Because you are spreading a lie. EarthQuest was never my brainchild. I was hired in both your mentioned lies by other people to provide work on their project not my own. Your lies lead people to believe your statements are factual thus defamation. Why don't you focus on the facts and those that were in charge of the project and who also did not pay their bills and who actually spent the taxpayers monies not those of us hired for our expertise.

Probably because your too lazy to dig for the facts you just use innuendo and your lack of knowledge to spew untrue statements. The problem is your lies hurt innocent people wrongly.
15 minutes ago



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Heather Dobrott (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=46723&memberID=30172030) • http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/05/earthquests_don_holbrook_sued_huber_heights.php (http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs%2Ehoustonpress%2Ec om%2Fhairballs%2F2012%2F05%2Fearthquests_don_holbr ook_sued_huber_heights%2Ephp&urlhash=FdMA&_t=tracking_disc)

"Don Holbrook, one of the masterminds behind the perpetually stalled New Caney clusterfuck known as EarthQuest, has been sued by the city of Huber Heights, Ohio, for allegedly performing a substandard economic analysis for the city."

That is straight out of the Houston Press Article. Holbrook dropped the suit against its author and the paper before they could even respond to that suit in Ohio. Mastermind or brainchild --- what's the difference?

Perhaps the following article will refresh everyone's memory about just how involved Holbrook was in the Earthquest debacle.

http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13452 (http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eourtribune%2Ecom%2 Farticle%2Ephp%3Fid%3D13452&urlhash=44x7&_t=tracking_disc)

Soapboxmom
10-27-2012, 09:46 AM
New questions arise about amusement park project | News - Home (http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-questions-arise-about-amusement-park-project/-/1735978/17147970/-/5w8vfgz/-/index.html)


Local 2 also obtained signed contracts showing those two executives would each be paid a $250,000 bonus if the institute actually constructed a building inside the theme park.

Local 2 Investigates found the majority of non-profit's board of directors -- who eventually made decisions on how taxpayer dollars were spent -- also had connections to the for-profit theme park project.

The non-profit's CEO was a paid consultant for the park. The non-profit's treasurer worked for the theme park's developer. That developer, the elected chairman of the EMCID, and the founder of the park itself also served on the non-profit's board of directors.

"It all just seems very much in-house and in the family," said Leah Napoliello, an investigator for the Houston Better Business Bureau (http://houston.bbb.org/). "No one is really there governing the organization and saying where the money was going."

For two years, Napoliello says the BBB has been asking Earthquest Institute for information on how it used the money. So far, Napoliello says she's received no answers.

"Most non-profits are very clear and open about how they are spending their money," said Napoliello. "They say, 'This is where we are doing this educational program; we're helping these clients.' It's usually very straightforward, upfront and to the point."

Napoliello said she's never seen a government agency be the primary donor to a non-profit group like this. She also says she's never seen non-profit performance bonuses as high as the bonuses listed in the Earthquest Institute contracts.

No doubt the dubious consultant Holbrook cooked up those bonuses and added in Marlin Atlantis' (the paid developers wench) to convince that idiot McCrady and those flunky board members that it was customary and legit. Earthquest and its related charity appear to be little more than Holbrook's personal pocketbooks!!!!

These startling revelations are sure to send any legitimate investors running in the opposite direction. They would never agree to pay charges like this or satisfy the bonds in the initial stages with their own dime!

I recommend that all the donors consider demanding refunds from the Institute and formally filing a complaint with the IRS:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
10-27-2012, 12:20 PM
Channel 2 News Story is Jaded and Highly Inaccurate


27 Saturday Oct 2012
Posted by economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/author/economicdeveloper/) in Consulting (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/consulting/), Corrupt Local Elected Officials (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/corrupt-local-elected-officials/), Earthquest Project History (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/earthquest-project-history/), Inaccurate Reporting by the Media (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/inaccurate-reporting-by-the-media/), Post Global Financial Crisis Recommendations (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/post-global-financial-crisis-recommendations/), Professional Economic Development Ethics & Conduct (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/professional-economic-development-ethics-conduct/), The Dark Side of Social Media & the Internet (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/category/the-dark-side-of-social-media-the-internet/)
≈ Leave a Comment (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/channel-2-news-story-is-jaded-and-highly-inaccurate/#respond)

Tags
EarthQuest (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/tag/earthquest/), EarthQuest Brief History (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/tag/earthquest-brief-history/), Inaccurate Media Stories (http://economicdeveloper.wordpress.com/tag/inaccurate-media-stories/)

These days the media has a great way of skewing their facts to make folks believe the direction they would like you to believe. In an effort to maintain transparency and respond to this video news story, I would like to provide some additional facts that were somehow overlooked by the news station… imagine that… an investigative report based on pure opinion.

First, the Theme Park from the beginning was envisioned to utilize a non-profit research and educational organization (EarthQuest Institute) to provide validity to the founder Don Lessem’s vision for the green and sustainable theme behind the for profit theme park. Quite common for major projects such as Disney and others to support their favorite causes and control the board of directors. In this instance the developer and the founder had agreed that the non-profit would commence ahead of the for profit to build awareness for the for profit project. Both the developer and EMCID (East Montgomery County Improvement District) had pledged funds to hire the three person consulting staff to build the awareness. Each of these staff members including myself signed an hourly compensation agreement, and each of us were private consultants at the time. We sold our time at our published rates.

This for profit theme park is approximately a $500M phase one build out and would have an economic impact on EMCID of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs. The project hired some of the worlds best consultants in the theme park industry to advise them on how to construct the project, what the genre and theme should be and what type of visitor expectations should be provided. In addition, as the site location consultant I provided the site evaluations, special legislation for the establishment of a special economic zone and worked as a contracted subject matter expert on public policy to support the capitalization phase with the developer and his investment banking team. All of us worked under signed contracts that were agreed upon in public open meetings at the East Montgomery County Improvement Districts open public meetings. There was no lack of transparency here by the paid staff. The failure of the project to gain funding in the first attempt can be squarely placed on the developers failure to raise the funds he had promised EMCID he would be able to do. Of course nobody had foreseen the 2008 global financial crisis coming during that process. So just like many communities EMCID had to go back to the negotiating table and find a suitable developer for the project and seek financing all over again with their new developer.

The original developer failed to provide his funds to the non-profit project and EMCID soon found out he was unable to fly the mission on the for profit project as well and they too ceased funding the project in 2010. The BBB made calls about the EQI but the staff had already resigned and was not about to provide work to an organization that had failed to pay their compensation contracts for their time provided, as I believe most paid workers would do if the shoe was on their foot. Secondary to this the Developer, Founder and EMCID were the named board members and they made all decisions regarding the project, including hiring the staff, which to this day has not been fully paid for their agreed upon time provided to the organization. In addition, there was much disagreement between the board of directors as to how to fund the organization, but when the CEO found out the developer was not going to fulfill his obligation to EQI, he closed down the non-profit and informed every one of his findings and let the staff go. Then the CEO asked that the EMCID and Developer pay off the debts they had all run up on the EQI, including promised payment of the staffs unpaid time served over the two years. To this day the staff has not been paid, despite promises made to them by EMCID that if they continued to work through that time they would make sure the staff was paid for their time.

With regard to the theme park, it is a great idea and the market study which was recently updated I am quite confident will continue to demonstrate the value of moving forward with the project under a new developer with specific theme park experience. From the beginning EMCID was told that they type projects require massive upfront funding and risk from the public sector and can take from 8-14 years on average to come to fruition. Let’s not forget that the 2008 Global Financial Crisis hit and created a very difficult scenario for the original developer to find venture capital funding.

The new developer has agreed to make the taxpayers whole as part of his funding strategy and has agreed to move the project along once he has updated the market study, developed a strong financial business case and secured acceptable terms for financing. All this was done by the team of experts that EMCID hired (me being one of them) once they found that the original developer was not going to proceed in 2010. When this occurred EMCID rehired me to bring the new developer on board and assist them in securing the rights to the theme park intellectual capital and the rights to the site from the developers bankruptcy filing with his land company. All of these items were achieved by me and my advisors I brought to the project, without us this project would have failed and left EMCID stranded with no options in the future.

Without these actions the project would truly be a lost cause and the tax payers money would have been lost for sure. Now once the project gains financial footing the taxpayers will be made whole and Houston will finally get a new major theme park. Then I suppose all the naysayers will not bother to apologize to all the hard working staff of consultants who also took risks to get this off the ground and to this date still remain unpaid for a large portion of their time served under specific contracts approved by the EMCID, original developers and founder.

Here is the clip of the inaccurate news story from channel 2 in Houston I am referring to. Now at least when you watch it you will have some additional background on the subject. The staff hiring was agreed upon by the Developer, Founder and EMCID, and then solicited by them to provide their services. The staff is not the financiers, developers, or brain children of this project, merely the contractual help brought in by the various members of the boards of the directors.

New questions arise about amusement park project | News - Home (http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-questions-arise-about-amusement-park-project/-/1735978/17147970/-/5w8vfgz/-/index.html)
Over two years and the non-profit accomplished no charitable functions of any sort. Just two fundraisers were held to further line the pockets of the horrifically overpaid staff. Disgusting!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
10-27-2012, 06:03 PM
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Don Holbrook (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=46723&memberID=8018105) • That's right. I am not under investigation so go figure. I already testified to the facts.
54 minutes ago • Like (http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?setLike=&gid=46723&type=member&item=169542461&commentID=101670750&csrfToken=ajax%3A7268083613397532525&trk=gde_lkcmt&goback=%2Egde_46723_member_169542461)









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Heather Dobrott (http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMemberFeed=&gid=46723&memberID=30172030) • Well, let's have those Earthquest Institute charity papers as required by the IRS and Texas Non-profit Corporation Act since you have developed a sudden fascination with the facts. They are supposed to be available for inspection and copying at the charity's office address.

So just who is being investigated?

Soapboxmom
10-28-2012, 11:39 AM
More fun with math!!!


From the 2009 Bond Proceeds:


Don Allen Holbrook LLC
Consulting on Incentive Strategies
Tax Abatement and Legislative
Comments, Travel Expenses

273,963.43

Don Allen Holbrook LLC
Consulting and Performance Fee
Secure Incentives and Inducements
Related to Locating the Project On the
Site in East Montgomery County

$500,000.00
Those expenses were reimbursed by the bond money to the developer in April and June 2009 respectively.
Holbrook was paid $144,893.00 by the EarthQuest Institute in 2009 for working 15 hours a week. Curiously, Don Allen Holbrook reports on his bankruptcy that he made only $90,000.00 in 2009:

Amount
Year to date: $74,997.00 (2011)
Last year: $99,996.00 (2010)
Previous year: $90,000.00 (2009)

Source EMCID
Creditor = Internal Revenue service 2009 Income tax = $113,500.00


How can one owe more in taxes than they claimed in income???? Just what did he list as deductions???

Soapboxmom

pantherdadX2
10-28-2012, 12:13 PM
More fun with math!!!


From the 2009 Bond Proceeds:


Those expenses were reimbursed by the bond money to the developer in April and June 2009 respectively.
Holbrook was paid $144,893.00 by the EarthQuest Institute in 2009 for working 15 hours a week. Curiously, Don Allen Holbrook reports on his bankruptcy that he made only $90,000.00 in 2009:

Creditor = Internal Revenue service 2009 Income tax = $113,500.00


How can one owe more in taxes than they claimed in income???? Just what did he list as deductions???

Soapboxmom

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind SOMEONE passed the Advanced FuzzyMath course at LaSalle!

Soapboxmom
11-13-2012, 10:39 AM
EMCID continues to pay Earthquest expenses - Monday, November 12, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=14410)

EMCID continues to pay Earthquest expenses
Monday, November 12, 2012
By Cynthia Calvert
The Tribune continues to analyze the expenditures of the East Montgomery County Improvement District. Since The Tribune first reported on EMCID funding disbursements (January 11, 2012) and the controversial management of ECMID funds, the year 2012 seems to show more of the same. A look at EMCID Cash Flow Reports January-September, 2012, shows that legal fees are mounting while public scrutiny of expenses has curtailed those of EMCID President Frank McCrady, EMCID assistants Suzanne Parmer and Sandy Seelye.

In 2012, EMCID inexplicably has continued to fund EarthQuest expenses. EarthQuest is the controversial and long-planned dinosaur theme park in New Caney and the subject of numerous reports in this newspaper. Critics have assailed ECMID for spending millions of tax dollars in complicated funding schemes with nothing to show for it. McCrady has continued to insist that EarthQuest will eventually be built, despite the fact that after eight years, the property developer declared bankruptcy, investigations have been launched by the Montgomery County District Attorney, the Texas Rangers and the FBI, and the voting public tossed out two incumbent board members.

The EarthQuest Institute, a supposed 501(c)(3) entity charged with creating educational components to the theme park, has been a funnel for continued payments to Don Holbrook, the ‘economic developer’ hired by EMCID. The Institute has no board members, no employees, no meetings and no revenue, but EMCID has wired funds or written checks to Holbrook for $42,653.69 in the first five months of 2012 alone. EMCID cash flow statements note payments are attributed to either “EarthQuest Institute” or “Transfer to Don Holbrook EarthQuest Institute.” Board members directed McCrady to stop paying Holbrook at the June board meeting.

EMCID management is apparently concerned with possible law enforcement investigations enough to hire Houston’s pre-eminent civil and criminal defense attorney, Rusty Hardin. Other legal firms have also been hired, in addition to EMCID’s longstanding legal firm of Marks, Richardson, P.C. From January to September of 2012, EMCID has paid more than $309,490 to lawyers. EMCID also paid engineering fees on EarthQuest to Montgomery & Barnes, Inc., of more than $3,000. The Tribune filed a Freedom of Information request with EMCID for itemized invoices for the legal bills. David Marks, EMCID attorney, filed a protest with Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General, asking to withhold the invoices citing that the invoices are excepted to disclosure due to falling under attorney-client privileges. The Tribune asserts that tax dollars are paying for these legal bills and taxpayers have a right to see and know what they are paying for.

McCrady, Parmer and Seelye’s expenses listed on charge accounts have declined significantly since The Tribune’s earlier analysis of hundreds of thousands of dollars spent by the trio in earlier years. The EMCID board, after the series of Tribune stories, canceled the credit cards used by the staff. New cards have been issued, however, and the 2012 report shows expenses to date of $117,334.66. Gone are Rockets tickets, expensive dinners at Chez Nous French Restaurant and first-class airline tickets of previous years.

The Tribune has asked repeatedly for proof of reimbursements for the McCrady family traveling to China in 2007. While EMCID did not provide proof to this newspaper, it did give a document to another media source showing a statement that McCrady reimbursed EMCID using his VISA card of $9,972.64, less $260.65 for “credit card fees.” Curiously, McCrady wrote a check for $2,000 to ECMID on April 11 of this year with “reimbursement” written in the memo line. In a lighter ink, someone wrote the words “EQ” after that. There is no explanation given for what this check may be for, although it should be noted that it came after The Tribune’s series began.

Annual bonuses to the EMCID staff of $32,232.50, $5,445 and $75.12 were doled out in May. The statements do not reflect which EMCID employee was paid but McCrady’s contract calls for two bonuses each year, one in May and the other in December. He is also eligible to receive bonus money based on a percentage of any donations to the EMCID Scholarship Fund.

The Tribune will continue to review expenses of EMCID as figures become available. To view the Cash Flow reports in their entirety, visit http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/EMCID%20GOF010512.pdf and http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/EMCID%20GOF091112.pdf.

In June of this year, Don Holbrook named The Tribune and owner Cynthia Calvert as one of several “third-parties” in a dispute Holbrook incurred with the city of Huber Heights, Ohio. Holbrook maintained that The Tribune, along with others, caused Huber Heights to renege on a contract to provide economic development to that city. On Oct. 19, 2012, the Ohio court granted a motion to dismiss The Tribune and Calvert from the suit due to a lack of jurisdiction.


From: Don Holbrook [mailto:economicdeveloper@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 10:44 AM
To: Dobrott, Heather
Subject: Re: Earthquest Institute Information Request

Dear Ms. Dobrott;

I am no longer employed by EQI. In addition I do not have records pertaining to your request. Basically, my official involvement with EQI was ceased when John Marlin, the previous developer told the EQI board and EMCID that he was not going to be able to meet his financial commitments to EQI. Since then EQI has gone on hiatus from operations and fund raising. I still believe in the validity and vision of the EQI mission. It is my understanding that EMCID intends to negotiate and revive the EQI once the Theme Park development is funded. My opinion is that EMCID has shown incredible commitment and vision with regard to the EQI mission and purpose and I fully believe and expect they will see EQI through to fruition.

I believe Mr. Chris Brown the current developer working on mitigating the transition from Marlin's failure into a successful new theme park project is also a firm supporter of the EQI objectives and purpose. I fully support Browns efforts to renew the theme park project and gain funding for it's construction and operation. Both Brown and EMCID have been diligently working through the legal impediments necessary to regain site control, which is the first critical step to getting the project back on good standing. They have demonstrated to me that their new business case is valid and sound.

I further believe that once the developer gets the funding for the Theme Park in place, EQI will begin to awaken and continue its mission as a critical part of the new project.

Many of us, all of whom have worked tireless hours beyond their original scope of work still believe and support EQI. Marlin's failure should not cast disparagement on the EQI project over-all nor the Theme Park, both are very viable and will prove to be well worth the efforts put in by EMCID and all of us who have remained loyal to the projects development.

These type projects many times face adversity in their early years and it is from this perseverance that great projects are spawned.

I am sorry I did not reply sooner I found your email in my spam folder after Matt told me about your call to him.

Matt has been a great visionary supporter of the project as well and I have great respect for the scientific foundation he instilled into the EQI mission.

Ms. Dobrott, there are a good many very good and honest hard working people who have worked on EQI earnestly that are sad that it is on hiatus, but I believe everyone of us still believe the EQI will reorganize and begin to move forward in the near future once EMCID and the developer get the theme park project properly funded.

Please do not allow the Marlin failure to harm your opinion of EQI, that would cause the project to get unnecessarily tainted by his lack of performance of which, EQI had originally relied upon.

I believe the current direction by EMCID and Brown should be viewed favorably as the correct course of action to make the theme park and EQI come to fruition.

Sincerely,

Don Holbrook

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

Holbrook caught in more lies and subterfuge. Check out the links from The Tribune provided by our incredible Cynthia Calvert. Holbrook was being paid $8,334.00 a month (the only income listed on his August 2011 bankruptcy filing) of tax dollars by Frank McCrady through May of this year. That lying dirtbag told me that "I am no longer employed by EQI. In addition I do not have records pertaining to your request. Basically, my official involvement with EQI was ceased when John Marlin,..." Anyone being paid a whopping salary like that should hardly have the privilege of claiming he is no longer employed by the Earthquest Institute! He also should not get the privilege of withholding documents that are required by law to be publicly available by ordering the accountants not to release them. If he is no longer part of the Insitute then he should not be accepting payments nor should he be in control of the Institute's records.

It is an outrage that Frank McCrady and attorney David Marks are refusing to turn over documents showing what the Texas taxpayers spent on these high priced attorneys brought in to help McCrady turn over documents related to the Earthquest debacle. The taxpayers get it coming and going! Frank McCrady should be fired!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
11-13-2012, 10:25 PM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/index38.html#post31636


First, the Theme Park from the beginning was envisioned to utilize a non-profit research and educational organization (EarthQuest Institute) to provide validity to the founder Don Lessem’s vision for the green and sustainable theme behind the for profit theme park. Quite common for major projects such as Disney and others to support their favorite causes and control the board of directors. In this instance the developer and the founder had agreed that the non-profit would commence ahead of the for profit to build awareness for the for profit project. Both the developer and EMCID (East Montgomery County Improvement District) had pledged funds to hire the three person consulting staff to build the awareness. Each of these staff members including myself signed an hourly compensation agreement, and each of us were private consultants at the time. We sold our time at our published rates.

So, Holbrook was way overpaid and he admits the real purpose of the Earthquest Institute was anything but charitable as a 501 c 3's purpose should be. Holbrook used it to line his pockets and promote the for profit theme park. Holbrook had his fingers in every pie and would have raked in a cool quarter of a million bucks if the charity had come to fruition. God knows how many millions he would have gotten if the theme park had been funded (remember the percentages in the Pahrump fantasy land deal). That is beyond disgusting!!!

Good thing the taxpayers across the globe have now been warned and informed!!!

Soapboxmom
11-19-2012, 10:36 AM
Judge calls amusement park 'taxpayer tragedy' | News - Home (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - It's the mega-amusement park that was supposed to be Houston's next Astroworld, but Montgomery County Judge Barb Sadler said the project has turned into a taxpayer "tragedy."
"Ten million dollars have gone to this project with nothing to show for it but renderings and dreams," Sadler said.
The project was called Earthquest Adventures and it was supposed to be built on Highway 59 north near New Caney. Last month, Local 2 Investigates exposed how the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) spent at least $10 million in taxpayer funds helping develop the amusement park. Five years into the project, the park is no closer to reality than when the plans began. There's no park, no visitors and the developer has gone bankrupt.
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Sadler has been the top lawmaker in Montgomery County for 22 years. Like many others, he said he hoped the amusement park would bring excitement, jobs and visitors to the county. However, after seeing EMCID Chief Executive Officer Frank McCrady promote the project, Sadler said he determined the Earthquest Adventures dream had little chance of coming true.
"There was no credit behind this project," Sadler said. "There was no financial statement and no one with the ability to attain this kind of loan. I would never have done this project from day one."
Sadler said he believes taxpayers took on all the risk of the Earthquest Adventures park. Along with the $10 million in taxpayer funds, Local 2 Investigates discovered EMCID donated $649,000 to a now non-existent, nonprofit group called Earthquest Institute. The nonprofit was described as the educational arm of the theme park.
Now, Local 2 Investigates has learned even more public money was given to yet another non-profit called the East Montgomery County Development Corporation. The development corporation then loaned $225,000 to amusement park's developer and $295,000 to the nonprofit Earthquest Institute. McCrady is also executive director of the development corporation. None of the money loaned has been paid back.
"It was nothing more than a shell game," Sadler said. "It was a way to increase fees, increase salaries and increase cash flow to a developer who knew it would never happen."
Local 2 Investigates also obtained a promotional video for Earthquest Adventures paid for by EMCID. The video costs taxpayers $15,000 and includes interviews with McCrady, EMCID board members, paid consultants and the park's designer.
"I still think we have a project that is viable," McCrady said during an interview with Local 2 Investigates in September.
McCrady said a new developer has until December to raise millions of dollars to buy the land and start the process of planning and building the amusement park project again.
However, the developer doesn't want to tell you how that's going -- at least not when Local 2 Investigates asked him about it. In an email to McCrady obtained by Local 2 Investigates, Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment writes, "I have no interest in providing any details of these private business matters to the press. I would request that you respect our efforts to work in a private manner during this time."
Sadler said if he or his commissioner's court would have made the same amusement park deal, they'd have been voted out of office.
Local 2 Investigates will keep monitoring any progress by the new developer.


If you have a news tip or question for KPRC Local 2 Investigates, drop them an e-mail or call their tipline at (713) 223-TIPS (8477).



lff (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#) • 10 hours ago (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713620716)

How does McCrady even still have a job. Also, the reporter forgot to mention he paid himself a bonus last year of nearly $50,000 because of his 'good job' on bringing in the park. He should be prosecuted in criminal courts.
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Conserve Money and Liberties (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#) lff (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713620716) • 2 hours ago (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713771195)

If anything, we need to look at the public officials who funneled all this money into the project. They should be held responsible for being so gullible. Then have Montgomery county hold them accountable next election. I believe this is how a representative democracy should work. And of course if there was any shady business going on, under the table, hold those people criminally responsible for their actions.
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James O'Leary (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#) Conserve Money and Liberties (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713771195) • an hour ago (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713808468)

I have seen similar things happen in Midland, Tx, over and over through the years and the voters kept re-electing the very same officials who were wasting tens of millions of dollars, or channeling mega-projects to their friends. I wouldn't hold out hope anyone will be held accountable and McCrady and his crooks will continue to come up with new ways to live in styole on "your" money. Sadler knows this, and that is why he is ducking for cover through finger pointing instead of taking action.
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Hammer of Justice (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#) • 5 hours ago (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713698078)

Another sleazy businessman jumping through the loops in the laws.
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John Stratford (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#) • 3 hours ago (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713762681)

Sounds like this McCrady f*cker needs to leave Houston, can't do sh!t right. Exile him for being less than trash. He needs to apologize for breathing too, its a waste of oxygen.
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FarpointRelay (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#) • an hour ago (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713818084)

I can't believe the FBI isn't investigating this... Sure whatever the private companies do is their business, but for the government to so obviously be giving kickbacks to the developer is CRIMINAL...
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Stoney Haze (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#) • an hour ago (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713807833)

This nonprofit was setup to SCAM TAX PAYERS and no other reason.... Got to love why people don't trust our city leaders. Everyone involved with this fraud should be sent straight to jail. DO NOT PASS GO!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!! I would love to see someone start making these lowlifes PAY!
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James O'Leary (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#) • an hour ago (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Judge-calls-amusement-park-taxpayer-tragedy/-/1735978/17445754/-/5dow88/-/index.html#comment-713806142)

Flim-flam coming from all parties involved in this. McCrady has no right to reject interviews regarding the use of public taxpayer funds! Reign Sadler in on this, instead of allowing him to blame others. Is Sadler providing cover and protection for McCrady. Have him do something about it. "EarthQuest" .... give me a break .... who would invest in a company with such an obviously bogus name. Sounds like an internet address. Follow-up reporting should "follow the money."
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it's sad that we don't have tougher laws in place for people elected to
office or doing bad business with the PEOPLES MONEY. After all most get
paid enough as a salary so what they take/steal is STRAIGHT UP
GREED!!!!!!!!!! Give them the death penalty cause they to are just as
much scum as someone who robs a bank. If anything they are worse then
scum. Start seizing bank accounts. WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK!!!
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What ever happened to the Disney resort supposedly going in around the Plantersville area? I heard rumors that Ren Fest was going to be a Disney thing
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Awesome update! Notice all the opinionated Texans speaking out on the comment section. Don Allen Holbrook will not silence the taxpayers of the great State of Texas!!!

Chris Brown isn't going to get away with claiming Earthquest is a private business matter after the millions upon millions of tax dollars thrown at this pipe dream!

Soapboxmom
11-23-2012, 11:14 AM
Don Allen Holbrook (the mastermind behind much of this Earthquest debacle) was a Vice President in a company devoted to fundraising:


http://d2av4gdkc1dvps.cloudfront.net/assets/person-square110-f92f3158cf3f6e533956d0c85a8e2b03.png

Don Holbrook



Alias or nickname (http://www.spoke.com/people/don-holbrook-3e1429c09e597c1007f279a7/edit)
Executive Vice President, Stellar Fund Raising Executive (http://www.spoke.com/companies/stellar-fund-raising-executive-3e122f809e597c100340b674)

Jacksonville Bch, FL


General Info


Add Industry— eg, Real Estate, Finance...

Add Tags— eg, Finance, Business2Business...

Don A. Holbrook
Executive Vice President, Strategic Partner
Don Holbrook is a published author through the various professional journals such as the Council for Urban Economic Development Commentary, IEDC Economic Development Journal. He also wrote a monthly feature column for nationally distributed Business Facilities Magazine, has written several economic development pieces in local and regional newspapers and previously hosted a monthly public television show on development issues. He has been
featured on numerous radio talk shows related to his field of expertise. He has been interviewed by the USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Canadian Business Magazine, New York Times, Washington Post, Site Selection Magazine, Inside Economic Development and Plant Sites & Parks magazine.
Holbrook abandoned that deal and a handful of employees that left under questionable circumstances (the owner was hospitalized) formed Sage fundraising. Sage did the fundraising for Earthquest for quite some time. We all know how that went as the taxpayers put the majority of the funds into the defunct Earthquest Institute headed up by none other than Don Holbrook. The taxpayers kept paying Holbroook for that months after it had ceased operations.

Holbrook has also claimed to Pahrump:
www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/1379d1337653154-don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-pahrump-town-board-meeting-may-24-2011.pdf (http://www.realscam.com/attachments/f11/1379d1337653154-don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-pahrump-town-board-meeting-may-24-2011.pdf)


dr. Waters asked how many of the hundreds of projects mr. Holbrook had been involved in
had been successful.

Mr. Holbrook replied one hundred percent (100%) of the projects had been successful therefore he had never had a failed project. He said he had walked away from three (3) to four (4) times as many proposed projects as he had worked on. he added that he would not be in pahrump if he thought the project could fail. He said he believed in the project and it was his professional as well as personal opinion that this was the perfect time to get the
process started before another surrounding area chose to do so....

Tbm 052411 page 3

mr. Holbrook told the town board this was an investment and that the due diligence package
required the private sector to buy that investment from the town one hundred percent
(100%) as a first step in confirming investment. He said the price may be high but the
comprised team involved would most certainly be world class with proven success in multiple situations. He added that they had nine to ten (9-10) investment followers who were actively looking for investment opportunities from the company. he said they were very
confident the investment community would start asking questions about the project and have
interest in pahrump as they are knowledgeable enough to know the company would not be
putting the energy into a project which would not result in a world class facility.
Holbrook claimed he had no failed projects out of the hundreds (yet unsubstantiated by Holbrook, which may be the crux of the case in Ohio where misrepresentation is one element of the city's case against him). Holbrook knew then in May 2011 that the Earthquest developer was bust. Don Lessem told me in April of 2011 the nut on the note was not being paid.

If Holbrook has all these investors chasing him around, then why did Earthquest never get a dime? Even more glaringly obvious is his failure on a personal project he couldn't even begin to raise a fraction of the funds for:



http://www.kicktraq....rai/#chart-mini (http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/2002007093/knights-templar-secret-history-book-and-video-trai/#chart-mini)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/341698/photo-small.jpg
Visit Project (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2002007093/knights-templar-secret-history-book-and-video-trai/?ref=kicktraq)


SHARE (http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/2002007093/knights-templar-secret-history-book-and-video-trai/#)
This project is going reveal the mystery of the secret history even of the Knights Templar post 1314 once the order went underground.

Fiction (http://www.kicktraq.com/categories/publishing/fiction/)Backers: 9
Average Daily Pledges: $11
Average Pledge Per Backer: $73

Funding: $655 of $60,000
Campaign Dates: September 26th -> November 25th (2012)
Project By: Don Holbrook (http://kickstarter.com//profile/2002007093/)


Holbrook is all hot to do a book, Hollywood movie and Holy Land dig centered around his fantasies of being a Knight in shining armour. If he can only rake in 1% of $60,000.00, how much of $600,000.00 or much more do folks think he and / or Chris Brown will be able to scrounge up???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
11-27-2012, 05:30 PM
Don Allen Holbrook is such a blatant liar:

Interim President & CEO (acting on pro-bono basis currently) (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Interim+President+%26+CEO+%28acting+on+pro-bono+basis+currently%29&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=C)

The EarthQuest Institute (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&currentCompany=C&company=The+EarthQuest+Institute&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true)

2009 – May 2012 (3 years) East Montgomery County Texas
I helped to found and organize the non-profite and developed the mission and objectives. I later negotiated for their acquisition of their future site for the construction of their public demonstration facility and showcase pavilion for green strategies and products that will raise consumer awareness. Currently EQI is not soliciting funds as they are awaiting the announcement of the new theme park developer by EMCID and the expected official business relationship that EQI desires to have with the new developer. At that time I expect the new board will hire a new President/CEO for renewed and sustained operations going forward. I am still a major supporter of this concept and believe in it's purpose greatly!
All that time Holbrook brags of having worked pro-bono he was getting $8,334.00 monthly checks from EMCID for the Earthquest Institute debacle he headed up. That is handsome pay for what he was doing in 2012, which was refusing to turn over the charities documents that the IRS and Texas Non-profit Corporation require be made public by law and claiming the Institute was on hiatus while accepting those hefty checks. Completely reprehensible if you ask me. The newspapers reporting on the continuing payments to Holbrook through the first half of this year made before the new board came in and stopped the madness put all this nonsense in a whole new light.

Holbrook is hoping for a miracle as he got those poor hicks to sign a contract that gives him a $250,000.00 bonus if the Institute opens. A tragedy for the taxpayers to be sure!

Soapboxmom

fjjm303
12-06-2012, 04:16 PM
Interim President & CEO (acting on pro-bono basis currently) The EarthQuest Institute
2009 – May 2012 (3 years) East Montgomery County Texas

Is this Nut for real. pro-bono basis currently. The EarthQuest Insttitute is shut down and done. This Nut make millions out of this chartity. :shocked: :scared_1: :crying_2: :loser:

fjjm303
12-11-2012, 05:19 PM
One Lopsided Presentation

On October 9, 2012, at a Pahrump Town Board meeting, Front Sight experts presented an agenda item for Discussion and deliberation on contract with Rural Nevada Economic Development LLC to help fund the efforts to develop and lobby for bill draft request to allow local governments to pursue economic development activities through the use of tax incentives and other funding alternatives.

On November 9, 2012, at a Nye County Board of Commissioners meeting, the same Front Sight experts presented an agenda item for Discussion and Possible Decision of a proposed Public Private Partnership between the Town of Pahrump and Front Sight Firearms Training Institute to lobby for the creation of enabling legislation for a special economic development zone that can assist Front Sight in their desired expansion needs and address future development needs such as Adventure Springs at the appropriate time.

The Front Sight experts presented a Power Point presentation to both boards that was the same. The information presented was good but one sided. They described all the good things about Public-Private Partnerships and Special Improvement Districts but not the problems associated with them.

A good expert will tell both sides of the story. That’s what they are supposed to do and get paid for. Some problems associated with Public-Private Partnerships are: Most PPP Project justifications are questionable. Most PPP projects are for corporate welfare or subsidies. P3’s bypass standard procurement system which means reduced oversight that would not be approved through transparent or competitive bidding. PPP encourage return favors which is you wash my back, I‘ll wash yours. PPP hide true debt for government projects means bad accounting practices. Transparency over spending details is prevented and explanations are harder to find means no answers when submitting Open Records Act requests. Private investors received a higher rate of return than government bond rate. We have seen this written in the Contours contract for a Theme Park study. PPP projects are inferior to ones run through normal government procurement systems (Lake County Fiscal Rangers). Last but not least situations open to corruption.
There is one example that can be researched. It is the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID). They are located in New Caney, Texas. To make a long story short, the Texas Legislature approved an Eight Million bond for the EMCID. The EMCID is a Special Improvement District or SID. A project called EarthQuest Dino Park was a theme park interlaced with the theme of Dinosaurs. After years of frivolous spending practices, no accounting safeguards and no oversight from the EMCID Board of Directors, the project stalled. One of Front Sights consultants was involved with the development of this project. He was the front man for the Town of Pahrump’s theme park study. Now the taxpayers of this SID is stuck paying back Twenty-one Million (21,000,000) dollars for the lack of oversight. Also, the FBI, Texas Rangers, and the East Montgomery District Attorney’s Office are investigating this project.

The Nye BOCC has seen the folly of participating with Harley World, Contour and any Taxing district. The Town has spent over $350,000 on this project with nothing to show for it and no end in sight. The residents have voted to dissolve the Town Board but before that can happen, Mr. Kohbarger and the Town Board are going to spend over $1M on an ill-advised project. Its public money the Town Board is determined to waste before their authority expires ... shame on them!
Frank J Maurizio

Soapboxmom
12-14-2012, 09:40 AM
The meeting actually started at 5:30. Frank McCrady can't even see that a correct meeting notice is published. So, here is the story from The Tribune for those that want the details on what Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment presented:

Contour claims Earthquest project is still viable if funding is secured - Thursday, December 13, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=14559)

I have to question whether investors will agree to repay the taxpayers 8.6 million upfront. Nor are they likely to agree to Contour and / or Holbrook getting 1-3% of the funds raised (as was in the Pahrump contracts.) I would also think the $250,000.00 Holbrook was to get if the charity (Earthquest Institute) is constructed should be axed. Since when does a charity slip an officer a quarter of a million dollars? How pray tell does that serve a charitable function for a charity that has been basically bankrupt from day one to pay that guy an exorbitant and I think undeserved salary?

If they should raise $250,000,000.00 that is a drop in the bucket. The park was estimated to cost $600,000,000.00 years ago and in comparison to other large theme parks that is a very low figure. These investors better really check this out carefully.

pantherdadX2
12-14-2012, 03:32 PM
The meeting actually started at 5:30. Frank McCrady can't even see that a correct meeting notice is published. So, here is the story from The Tribune for those that want the details on what Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment presented:

Contour claims Earthquest project is still viable if funding is secured - Thursday, December 13, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=14559)

I have to question whether investors will agree to repay the taxpayers 8.6 million upfront. Nor are they likely to agree to Contour and / or Holbrook getting 1-3% of the funds raised (as was in the Pahrump contracts.) I would also think the $250,000.00 Holbrook was to get if the charity (Earthquest Institute) is constructed should be axed. Since when does a charity slip an officer a quarter of a million dollars? How pray tell does that serve a charitable function for a charity that has been basically bankrupt from day one to pay that guy an exorbitant and I think undeserved salary?

If they should raise $250,000,000.00 that is a drop in the bucket. The park was estimated to cost $600,000,000.00 years ago and in comparison to other large theme parks that is a very low figure. These investors better really check this out carefully.

I find it very interesting Chris Brown is'nt "naming any names" of investors. Sounds to me like another truckload of dung has been dumped on the unsuspecting citizens of EMC. It's also very interesting why the meeting started at 5:30. Could it be the parties involved needed a little time to get their 'story' straight for the media and taxpaying citizens of EMC who chose to attend?

Soapboxmom
12-16-2012, 04:37 PM
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The shining Fourth Estate and the theme park

By Cate Long
May 2, 2012



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Texas (http://blogs.reuters.com/muniland/tag/texas)
Cynthia Calvert (http://www.ourtribune.com/ccalvert.php), the editor of The Tribune of Humble, Texas, is restoring community journalism to its rightful place in the Fourth Estate. She has written a series of articles challenging the actions of the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID), which funded a now-bankrupt theme park called EarthQuest.
Payments from a 2009 municipal bond offering, and possibly other East Montgomery County sales tax collections, have been paid to various “consultants” on the EarthQuest project, most of whom appear to have left. The land on which the project was to be built, the only asset other than the intellectual property, is being foreclosed upon by the local bank that lent the funds to purchase it. The 500-acre theme park was an enormous gamble for a county improvement district to support, and the district appears to have lost the bet and the taxpayers’ money.
Calvert fires her most recent salvo in her article “EarthQuest 2009 bond sale: where did tax dollars go (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13545).” In the very best tradition of a journalist holding public officials’ feet to the fire, she wants to know exactly where the money from the bond offering went:
The netherworld of EarthQuest is a complex financial maze that challenges even the most intrepid investigator. But The Tribune is dedicated to unwinding this tangled web called EarthQuest so that all taxpayers will know how their elected officials have spent their hard-earned tax dollars.


This article will focus on one aspect of EarthQuest, the 2009 municipal bond sale. Specifically, how were the proceeds of that bond sale, totaling $7.635 million, disbursed, to whom and for what purposes. The bond proceeds were actually reimbursed to Global EarthQuest Ventures, LP, an entity of the Marlin-Atlantis Companies (the “Developer Group”). But The Tribune will spotlight those parties that ultimately received payment, thereby removing the ‘corporate veil’ of the Developer Group that would otherwise shroud the identities of the true recipients.

I wish journalists from the mainstream media demonstrated the same amount of zeal in uncovering wrongdoing as Calvert does. The EarthQuest story, like most failed public efforts, is documented in the public record but requires a reporter to sift through a lot of documents to string together the story over a period of time.
The EMCID, the subject of Calvert’s investigation, was created by the Texas Legislature in 1997 with the mission to “promote, develop, encourage and maintain employment, commerce, economic development and public welfare in the eastern area of Montgomery County, Texas.” The EMCID issued bonds to fund EarthQuest, which they described in the bond offering’s official statement (http://emma.msrb.org/MS71573-MS278308-MS623401.pdf) (page 4):
Proceeds of the Bonds will be used by the District to reimburse EarthQuest for certain pre-development costs incurred and associated with the proposed development of an approximately 500-acre EarthQuest Resort. EarthQuest Resort is planned as an immersive/interactive family destination resort that will include a theme park, water park and family entertainment center (including retail and hospitality), and a non-profit research institute, focused on the world from prehistoric times to the present with education and research on earth systems and sustainability. According to EarthQuest, the total costs for the project are currently anticipated to be approximately $600 million.

Bond investors knew upfront that the bonds were issued to cover planning costs on a highly speculative development project. The bonds were not tax-exempt at the federal level but are insured by Assured Guaranty and backed by a substantial reserve fund. Bond investors also have the comfort of knowing that the bonds are being repaid with the collection of 3/4 of cent sales tax. They will suffer no losses.
It’s the taxpayers of East Montgomery County who will eat the losses from this grandiose project. Calvert is doing the right thing in documenting and challenging the poor decisions made by the EMCID. According to a 2007 article in the Houston Business Journal (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2007/12/31/story8.html), Calvert, who owns and edits The Tribune and several other publications, distributes the newspapers as free-circulation, advertising-supported broadsheets delivered to homes and displayed on racks. Local-area taxpayers are getting a free news source and, more important, the best of a free and informed press.
I agree!! Kudos to our wonderful Cynthia Calvert!!!

Soapboxmom
01-20-2013, 05:45 PM
Don Holbrook



Podium Speaker (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8018105&authType=name&authToken=Tqz4&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105&trk=anetppl_profil#) and Presenter at Blue Green Resorts BXG


Las Vegas, Nevada (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&facet_G=us%3A412&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-0-ovw-location)Capital Markets (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&industry=129&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-0-ovw-industry)





Current (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8018105&authType=name&authToken=Tqz4&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105&trk=anetppl_profil#background-experience)


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CDC Small Business Finance (http://www.linkedin.com/company/111566?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-0-ovw-curr_pos),
Don Allen Holbrook, LLC (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-0-ovw-curr_pos)




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International Economic Development Council (http://www.linkedin.com/company/26124?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1 _*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-0-ovw-prev_pos),
Author and Keynote Speaker (http://www.linkedin.com/company/860467?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-0-ovw-prev_pos)




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University of Phoenix (http://www.linkedin.com/college/?eduSchool=17787&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-0-ovw-edu)





Background

Summary

Expertise in managing talented teams and very exceptional professionals as well as bottom line responsibility for budgets and attaining corporate goals, milestones and promoting a productive work environment within the values and mission of my employers.

Professional consulting practice consists of private sector and public sector clients. On the private sector side it assisted businesses in need of capitalization for their operations and/or those in search of a new location for relocation and/or expansion for new business opportunities (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8018105&authType=name&authToken=Tqz4&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105&trk=anetppl_profil#) and market expansion for business development. Pointing out the most advantageous business climate and location and negotiation of public incentives and inducements that lower the upfront costs for the client thus lowering market entry risks.

Also public sector clients 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's economic development organization diversify their economy and improve their outcomes to their communities. Assisted in creating conceptual catalyst projects that can achieve their economic development expectations and design the business case to attract such opportunities to our client communities. We can assist EDO's in vetting developers, operators and investors in such concepts. Specialized in destination tourism projects that create branding value, additional jobs & tax base and greater economic impact than many more traditional economic development projects.

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


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Don A Holbrook, TV45 Interview - Moving Beyond A Fragile Economy








Experience

Podium Speaker and Presenter (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Podium+Speaker+and+Presenter&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

Blue Green Resorts BXG (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=Blue+Green+Resorts+BXG&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

August 2012 – Present (6 months)Las Vegas, Nevada AreaResponsible for creating an economic desire to purchase the company's time share (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8018105&authType=name&authToken=Tqz4&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105&trk=anetppl_profil#) product of flexible vacation ownership. This position requires two 60 minute presentations each day in front of a mixed audience of solicited attendees and converting their built in resistance to acting today into a sense of urgency and desire to make a choice to do so now.


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(http://www.linkedin.com/company/111566?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-logo)Board of Director (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Board+of+Director&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

CDC Small Business Finance (http://www.linkedin.com/company/111566?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

March 2007 – Present (5 years 11 months)CDC Small Business is the largest SBA Certified Lending Organization in the USA, they serve the California, Nevada and Arizona markets. CDC has over $1B in capitalization and loans nearly $300M per year to economic development based business needs.

Keynote Speaker, Economist, Author, CEcD (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Keynote+Speaker%2C+Economist%2C+Author%2C+CE cD&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

Don Allen Holbrook, LLC (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

January 2007 – Present (6 years 1 month)Don speaks on the topic of the impact of globalization and how local economies can rebuild and retool themselves to better compete, survive and thrive in globally chaotic times. He discusses the perfect storm that set this in motion in simple understandable details and advocates for fearless leadership as the first line of defense and the best offense to address globalization. His approach is any city or town can become a world class locale.
Member, CEcD, FM (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Member%2C+CEcD%2C+FM&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

IEDC (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

January 1990 – December 2012 (23 years)Professional Economic Developer and Site Location Consultant specializing in public policy incentives to attract business. In addition I actually do turn key financing for projects that I am involved in from inception to construction through my network of non-traditional capital market sources.


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(http://www.linkedin.com/company/26124?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1 _*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-logo)Board of Director (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Board+of+Director&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

International Economic Development Council (http://www.linkedin.com/company/26124?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1 _*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

January 2004 – October 2012 (8 years 10 months)Washington D.C. Metro AreaI have been active in the volunteer leadership of the economic development industry for approximately 16 years, serving first on the Mid-American Economic Development Council, MAEDC and eventually becoming Chairman of the Board. Now I have served for four terms on the International Economic Development Council, IEDC. My greatest contribution has been to remain a neutral thought leader advocating for the needs of the practitioners. I am one of the most active writers and public speakers in the industry on leadership and business investment attraction strategies in the world. As an economist I take a critical look at how to use public-endorsed and/or backed incentives to grow local economies in smart and responsible manner, but I am definitely pro-incentives and not against their responsible use.

The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=The+Next+America%3A+Moving+Beyond+a+Fragile+ Economy&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

Author and Keynote Speaker (http://www.linkedin.com/company/860467?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

January 2010 – August 2012 (2 years 8 months)worldwideI have just released my third book in a series started prior to the Global Financial Crisis that engages the discussion of rebooting, rebuilding and renewing America to remain the most competitive economy in the world. The lighthouse of hope for those that want a better quality of life, the most competitive business climate for investment and the hub of innovation and world class quality of life.
(Open)2 recommendations

http://m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrink_40_40/p/1/000/007/352/2455420.jpg (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=2375625&authToken=ZLzb&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-snippet-endorsement-photo)Ed Burghard (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=2375625&authToken=ZLzb&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-snippet-endorsement-name)

CEO and Manager at The Burghard Group, LLC

Don is one of the most deeply thoughtful and insightful economic development professionals I have encountered. He has the...View (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8018105&authType=name&authToken=Tqz4&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105&trk=anetppl_profil#recommendations)


Managing Partner (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Managing+Partner&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

Economic Developer, LLC. (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=Economic+Developer%2C+LLC%2E&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

January 2006 – August 2012 (6 years 8 months)Las Vegas, Nevada AreaI am the chief executive officer and primary consultant for all contractual obligations to clients and business manager of the enterprise to create business development opportunities with particular focus on public incentives negotiations and public affairs for corporate clients seeking to expand or relocate their businesses. This included site location screening and systemic site search considerations for capital investment criteria that best benefits the corporate clients.


Author (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Author&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

Knights Templar Fictional Book Project (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=Knights+Templar+Fictional+Book+Project&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

2008 – July 2012 (4 years)Las Vegas, Nevada AreaI have written the first of a series of fictional history novels that are based on the Knights Templars... the series incorporates actual history but is set in modern day. It is a combination of spy, mystery, adventure and action thriller all in one. The book is now ready for publication.


Interim President & CEO (acting on pro-bono basis currently) (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Interim+President+%26+CEO+%28acting+on+pro-bono+basis+currently%29&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

The EarthQuest Institute (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=The+EarthQuest+Institute&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

2009 – May 2012 (3 years)East Montgomery County TexasI helped to found and organize the non-profite and developed the mission and objectives. I later negotiated for their acquisition of their future site for the construction of their public demonstration facility and showcase pavilion for green strategies and products that will raise consumer awareness. Currently EQI is not soliciting funds as they are awaiting the announcement of the new theme park developer by EMCID and the expected official business relationship that EQI desires to have with the new developer. At that time I expect the new board will hire a new President/CEO for renewed and sustained operations going forward. I am still a major supporter of this concept and believe in it's purpose greatly!


Consultant (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Consultant&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

EMCID (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=EMCID&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

October 2006 – May 2012 (5 years 8 months)East Montgomery County TexasI have been a working project director under a consulting agreement to help create EMCID as the largest central time zone tourism destination in the US. It is anchored by the EarthQuest Theme Park & Resort, but we have expanded the concept to focus on ancillary and stand alone additional destination tourism concepts and opportunities to build the district's over-all tourism capacity even greater.


Site Location consultant/Managing Partner (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=Site+Location+consultant%2FManaging+Partner&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

The Vercitas Group (http://www.linkedin.com/company/889211?goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_* 1_*1_name_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1 _*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

January 2007 – January 2012 (5 years 1 month)Las Vegas, NVVercitas is a consulting firm that specializes in economic development services for community based economic development organizations. In addition, they provide site location and business capitalization services which include negotiation of incentives and investment inducements that lower front end business investment costs for projects. I am the only partner in the firm and I utilize world-class associates in response to our clients needs, such as economists, subject matter experts, investment bankers, creative venue and thematic attraction design & costing consultants, land use & planning experts, tourism experts, market feasibility and others depending on the unique needs of our client base. It is important to note that Vercitas and Economic Developer are both entities that are controlled by Don A. Holbrook and collaboratively supported each other.

President/CEO (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&title=President%2FCEO&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&currentTitle=CP&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-title)

Professional Economic Development Organizations (http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=Professional+Economic+Development+Organiza tions&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-company-name)

January 1990 – February 2006 (16 years 2 months)Don worked in several economic development non-profit organizations as the chief executive officer. His tenure included Port Authority's, County wide EDC's and local Muncipal EDC's. His breath of experience covers most economic development agency types. He served on MAEDC Board of Directors and as their Chairman in 1996.
(Open)1 honor or award(Open)1 recommendation

http://m.c.lnkd.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrink_40_40/p/3/000/003/318/3fe9a59.jpg (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=347259&authToken=yuNH&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-snippet-endorsement-photo)Jeff Finkle, CEcD (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=347259&authToken=yuNH&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105%2Enpv_8018105_*1_*1_na me_Tqz4_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_ *1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1&trk=prof-exp-snippet-endorsement-name)

President, International Economic Development Council

Don is an innovative economic developer and a thoughtful writer and presenter on the tends in the field of economic development. Don has been at the forefront in the use of technology in the profession and is now cutting new ground in the area of...View (http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8018105&authType=name&authToken=Tqz4&goback=%2Eamf_46723_8018105&trk=anetppl_profil#recommendations)


Holbrook's explanation of how he sells timeshares (the unexploded Pinto salesman's approach) is quite telling. What a perfect fit for a dishonest, dirtbag. Does he throw in a few lawsuit threats for good measure???

When party boy Holbrook received his Fellow Member award, he was accompanied to that party by his drinking buddies from the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID). (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/#post19589) Holbrook had his hand in every pie with that group while consulting on that Earthquest international destination theme park fiasco. The real question is did the taxpayers get to fund the trip to that award ceremony???

Since he dropped out of the IEDC (International Economic Development Council), he is no longer a Fellow Member and can quite bragging about that phony designation he got whilst dishonestly pimping the Earthquest project years ago. The IEDc says, "A Fellow holds the classification as long as membership in the Council is maintained." I am sure that was good riddance for the IEDC!!!

Soapboxmom
05-26-2013, 01:19 PM
Where is Houston's replacement for Astroworld? Part 2 | News - Home (http://www.click2houston.com/news/Where-is-Houston-s-replacement-for-Astroworld-Part-2/-/1735978/17141626/-/15b4enuz/-/index.html)

New questions arise about amusement park project | News - Home (http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-questions-arise-about-amusement-park-project/-/1735978/17147970/-/5w8vfgz/-/index.html)

406240634064

Right to Transact Business in Texas
Right to transact business in Texas indicates an entity's franchise tax account status.


If Right to Transact Business is...
Then...


Active
The entity's right to transact business in Texas is intact.


Active, Eligible for Termination/Withdrawal
The entity has met franchise tax requirements to file for termination or withdrawal with the Texas Secretary of State.


Forfeited
The entity's right to transact business in Texas is forfeited (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TX/htm/TX.171.htm#171.251).


Not Established
The entity has not completed a franchise tax accountability questionnaire (http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/05-simple.html#Question) with the Comptroller.


Franchise Tax Ended
The entity's franchise tax responsibilities ended because the entity has ceased to exist in its state or country of formation or has ceased doing business in Texas.


Franchise Tax Involuntarily Ended
The entity's registration or certificate was ended as a result of a tax forfeiture or an administrative forfeiture by Texas Secretary of State.




I took the liberty of calling the EarthQuest Institute. One of the scammers is still paying for the phone service to this non-existent fraudulent charity. The entity can't do business. The state is listing the address of the attorney who set up the Institute Earthquest but formally filed to end his listing as a registered agent after conversing with me quite a while back. The scammers never appointed another registered agent or bothered to satisfy their obligations to maintain the entity in good standing with the state of Texas.

The website for this fraudulent charity is still listing the charity's address as the East Montgomery County Improvement District office. Why were taxpayers' dollars used to fund this complete frost as Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com), the local TV news (first two links on this post) and I reported?

Why are Leon Cubillas, John Marlin and Don Lessem still listed on the website? Cubillas is no longer on the EMCID board. Scammer / failed developer John Marlin made a bundle off of this deal and he and Trey White let the land go into bankruptcy and bailed after having made a pretty penny off of this scheme. Don Lessem bowed out long ago. Don Allen holbrook is still listed as well even though he has not been involved for ages. He was being paid a ridiculous $185.00 an hour even though Don Lessem pointed out 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."





I demand the papers be turned over to me as required by law. I strongly suggest those who donated contact the IRS (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf) and the Texas Attorney General's Office (https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/charities_complaints.shtml) and file formal complaints.

Soapboxmom
05-26-2013, 02:03 PM
IRS says:

Most tax-exempt organizations are required to file an annual return or notice with the Internal Revenue Service. (See Annual Return Filing Exceptions (http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Annual-Exempt-Organization-Return:--Who-Must-File) for a list of organizations that are not required to file.) Section 6033(j) of the Internal Revenue Code automatically revokes the exemption of any organization that fails to satisfy its filing requirement for three consecutive years. The automatic revocation of exemption is effective as of the due date of the third required annual filing or notice. Organizations on the Automatic Revocation of Exemption List (Auto-Revocation List) previously recognized as exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are no longer eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions under Code section 170.
The scammers have not filed since they turned in the 990 forms for 2010. If there is no filing turned in for this year the Institute Earthquest will be automatically revoked by the IRS. The IRS has already had complaints and should have shut this money wasting scam down. No legitimate charitable activities took place as the TV news pointed out. The money collected from the unsuspecting taxpayers through EMCID and donors went for the most part to pay the salaries of a few overpaid buffoons. Holbrook got the lion's share of that money! :watching_you:

Soapboxmom
05-30-2013, 08:19 AM
EarthQuest Resort (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/)



Homeearthquest (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/)
Overviewabout earthquest (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/overview/)
The Resortdevelopment (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/)
Teamproject leaders (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/management-team/)
Contactinvestor information (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/contact/)


EarthQuest Institute (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/insitite/)

http://www.earthquestadventures.com/wp-content/themes/display/framework/includes/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/institutesmall1.jpg&h=273&w=610&zc=1 (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/institute_large1.jpg)The EarthQuest Institute is the fundamental heart of the EarthQuest Resort. It is a Not-For-Profit, scientific center for research and dissemination of information regarding our planet and the ways in which we can act to help provide the best possibilities for sustainable lifestyles. It is intended as a flagship LEED Platinum Certified building to demonstrate environmental sensitivity and best practices with respect to development. The core concept of the EarthQuest Institute is a quest for knowledge and an invitation to participate in the restoration and maintenance of the intricate web of life on Earth through ecology and evolution.
From the perspective of visitors to the Institute, guests will be able to participate in many interactive and hands-on activities that will help them understand the value of our natural resources, show cause and effect relationships and offer positive approaches to preserving many aspects of nature that we so deeply value.
The Mission and Goals of EarthQuest Institute

The mission of the EarthQuest Institute is to further the public’s understanding about the connections between society’s need for energy and environmental conservation and to empower people to make informed decisions about living in ways which preserve the planet and its resources.
Interactive, Engaging Exhibits

http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/exhibits.jpg
http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/education.jpg

Education and Outreach Programs



Touring exhibits, documentaries, books, children’s TV…
Web/media production, games, social networking
Mobile programming for schools
Workshops/camps for teachers, researchers, students
Workshops and meetings for businesses
International seminars, national conferences

http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/techeval1.jpg

Technology Evaluation



Green Tech Incubator at EarthQuest
Living Laboratory at EarthQuest
GreenTech business plan competition
Technology development, refinementand deployment

Information and Communication



What is “green”? What can I do?
What are new technologies and research?
earthquestinstitute.org


- Web 2.0
- Games, media, contests
- Leading thinkers, writers and content
http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/academia.jpg

Partnerships With Academia



Collaborative research
Research dissemination
Graduate/undergraduate fellowships
Summer internships
Visiting researcher sabbatical destination
New technology deployment and evaluation

http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/industry.jpg

Partnerships With Industry



Deploy, test and evaluate new technologies
Technologies as exhibits in the Institute
Visiting scientists and engineers from industry
Professional development/workforce training
Sponsorship opportunities

International Programs



International seminars and courses
Collaborations with international research groups
Networking for researchers
Technology development and deployment

Rollout Activities: 2009 – 2011



Fundraising and development
Establish relationships with research, education and local corporate communities
Launch initial programs in years 1-3
Recruit international science advisory boardHow Will the EarthQuest Institute be Funded?

How Will the EarthQuest Institute be Funded?



EQ “For Profit” contributing $24 million in land and infrastructure
State of Texas, EMCID and others providing $25 million in funding for construction

Charitable donations for start-up and on-going operations



Navigation



Contact (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/contact/)
Management Team (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/management-team/)
Resort Development (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/)

Cretaceous Cove Water Park (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/crustaceous-cove-water-park/)
EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/)

Gateway (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/gateway/)
Land (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/land/)
Life (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/life/)
Pangea (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/pangea/)
Sky (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/sky/)
Water (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/water/)


EarthQuest Institute (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/insitite/)
Earthwalk (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/earthwalk/)
Ecotourism (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/ecotourism/)
Green Gadget Garage (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/green-gadget-garage/)
Resort Hotel (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/resort-hotel/)


Overview (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/overview/)

Location (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/overview/location/)




Investor Contact

e: info@earthquestadventures.com





THE RESORT



EarthQuest Institute (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/insitite/)
Theme Park (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/)
Water Park (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/crustaceous-cove-water-park/)
Green Gadget Garage (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/green-gadget-garage/)
Resort Hotel (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/resort-hotel/)
Earthwalk (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/earthwalk/)
Ecotourism (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/ecotourism/)



THEME PARK



Water (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/water/)
Land (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/land/)
Life (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/life/)
Sky (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/sky/)
Pangea (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/development/theme-park/pangea/)



Other Links



Overview (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/overview/)
Earthquest Team (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/management-team/)
Investor Relations (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/contact/)




Contact Form get in touch with us (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/contact/) Search Site



All content Copyright © 2010 EarthQuest Adventures


RSS (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/feed/)
Facebook (http://facebook.com/earthquest)
Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/earthquestadventures)
flickr (http://www.flickr.com/people/earthquest)


When did the taxpayers agree to fund this pipe dream? Why would the shysters behind this debacle that cost the taxpayers millions of dollars and lined the pockets of scumbags like Don Holbrook leave this page up? As I said, the donors should contact the IRS and Texas Attorney General's office!

laidback
05-30-2013, 05:45 PM
When did the taxpayers agree to fund this pipe dream? Why would the shysters behind this debacle that cost the taxpayers millions of dollars and lined the pockets of scumbags like Don Holbrook leave this page up? As I said, the donors should contact the IRS and Texas Attorney General's office!

LOL, Why does any scam leave their webpage up after they've run with the money...?

Soapboxmom
06-22-2013, 10:26 PM
I published Holbrook's first version of this insane rant. Best archive the Gone With the Wind version:

EarthQuest Institute (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416?hc_location=timeline)

September 11, 2012

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to give you all my assessment of the situation with regard to EarthQuest Institute and the connection with the now reorganized EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park project. These are my opinions alone.

First, Dr. Matt Gardner and myself (Don A. Holbrook) have not been formally affiliated with the project since 2010. That is because the Non-Profit lost it's financial support from EMCID, and could no longer pay us for our time spent on the project. When this occurred the former staff ceased all fundraising efforts seeking clarification on how to progress EQI from the board and EMCID, but did not get any direction from the Board of Directors and EMCID suggested we place the status on hiatus until the Theme Park could be finalized. In fact, Dr. Gardner, Myself and another staff member continued to perform our contractually obligated services at the request of EQI and EMCID and we have not been paid after almost two years for our time, which was deferred under a promise of payment that EMCID assured us would be forthcoming. Finally, the former staff resigned and have awaited our final compensation now for over two years. Therefore, while I remain very supportive of EQI, I cannot represent EQI or respond to requests for more information uncompensated for my time. I am not representing the opinions of the former staff with this statement, just explaining my own assessment and opinions of the situation. I do feel an obligation to continue to seek payment for all those that have not been paid by the non-profit at this point as a responsibility in looking out for those that trusted the Non-profit would pay it's obligations. It has been over two years and still as of last week I was told by EMCID that they would seek some avenue to provide payment of these obligations through EQI but do not want to provide such payments directly to the staff and vendors. In my opinion EMCID is just trying to deflect the scrutiny that they must face for the oversight of this situation and the existing financial obligations that exist mostly due to their pledge of support originally to the EQI.

At this time, the original board of directors no longer exists or is not functional. Leon Cubillas the EMCID Chair was unelected, so I believe according to the formation by-laws the new Chair Person of EQI would probably be Connie Bloodworth of EMCID or whomever the EMCID board chooses to appoint to that position. The original developer also had a required seat on the EQI board. But John Marlin, the original developer representative no longer controls the Global EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park project. It will now be a discussion by EMCID the only remaining board member as to how to fill that position or whether to seek the new developer as a participant, and of course the new developer would need to decide if they want such a responsibility. It was EMCID that created the guidelines for the original requirements of the board structure for EQI as a point of consideration in the original theme park development agreements. Mr. Don Lessem the original creative idea and founder was the third seat by rule of the formation and by-laws but he has formally resigned and does not want to be responsible for EQI debts and/or mission any further. This was confirmed yet again today when he emailed and copied me on his position. That seat will need to be filled by EMCID's involvement in this matter as well.

All the files related to the EQI have been turned over to the Federal Government until EMCID and the remaining board members can take corrective action to address the EQI debts and on-going concerns. I do not want any involvement with the responsibility of such records. It should be noted that in my opinion the records are not only very factual and correct at least through the time the staff was involved, but also all tax filings were filed as well. Therefore the financial records should be very accurate to my knowledge.

Please do not reference the former staff, who were contracted to manage the EQI and implement the Board of Directors ideas for how to progress EQI as part of the basis for why EQI is not functioning or responding to the media. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, during the recent EMCID election I sought out input from the EQI board members and EMCID as to posting information that would be accurate so no blame could be unfairly aimed at the staff or others involved because there was no reason in my opinion not to be transparent on the EQI status. But even after we wrote a media statement, it was not released to the media by EMCID, who had paid for the creation of the statement by their media consultant. I do not know why EMCID choose not to release the press release, but in my opinion that was a mistake in judgement that created additional negative speculation on the situation, where none should have been merited.

In my opinion the EQI situation is squarely the results of the original board of directors not fulfilling their obligations to provide adequate funding and direction for the EQI on obligations they approved. These obligations include the payment of the former staff for undertaking and carrying out their instructions and the payment of all authorized vendors.

Furthermore, EMCID has stated to me that once the new theme park project gets funded that EQI is going to be addressed and brought forward again in connection with the for profit project as a major element of the projects vision for a sustainable message underlying the fun elements of the theme park. I do not know the definitive position of the new developer on this subject at this time. What I believe is that by being silent on this issue EMCID is further damaging the EQI reputation and making it ever more difficult to reestablish trust in the Greater Houston community.

I wish EQI nothing but good luck, and I believe the original message and mission is still very valid and critical. In my opinion, without the continued support financially of EMCID as it was pledged and without the developer providing a well documented funding strategy for the phase one construction of a facility and operations of EQI the non-profit will struggle and more than likely be a complete failure. The mission was always critically aligned with the theme park. When that becomes an actual reality it may be possible to resurrect EQI, but not with all these unpaid obligations, which give the non-profit a very poor image and a bad reputation with regard to their ethical posture on their business operations.

The original fundraising was carried out as the board of directors had desired and directed it to be and was not adequate enough to maintain the mission. The responses that EQI received from the Greater Houston community were mostly positive but also mainly tied to participation based on the theme park getting funded as a catalyst. Most companies wanted to support it only when the theme park was given the green light and under construction.

Both I and Dr. Gardner have been assured by EMCID in the past that our unpaid time would be addressed and that EMCID would make sure that we are fully paid at some point. I feel we have been more than patient in waiting for our payment and I believe I and the others are owed but a definitive time for who and how we are going to get paid and a plan B for payment if EMCID's plan to cause that to happen fails. This should include the final payment due to the other staff members and the remaining vendors in my opinion. EMCID had given me and others the promise that our time would be paid off. We took EMCID at their word on this matter.

I just recently was informed of yet more media requests related to EQI and at this point I feel it is most appropriate that any such information requests should be addressed to EMCID in the future. They were the organization ultimately responsible for the formation of EQI and they funded the first two years of operation for the staff and EMCID has control of the development agreement with the new developer with regard to the themepark, so they are the best point of informational contact on this matter.

EMCID will need to decide how and if they intend to stand by their promises and be ethical in their handling of affairs they instigated with EQI and that myself and other relied upon to undertake and perform their work for EQI. Without the assurance of payment by EMCID I can assure you that I do not believe I or anyone else would have given the EQI credit beyond what they were able to pay for monthly out of cash flow.

It is my sincere hope that EQI does get back on track and that the new board of directors restore the good reputation of EQI to the greater Houston community by making sure that they pay-off the original obligations undertaken on EQI's behalf at the direction of the original board of directors.



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Sheila Sturgeon Hebert (https://www.facebook.com/sheila.s.hebert) likes this.
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Al Tilley (https://www.facebook.com/al.tilley) I was raised on the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) and this whole project just doesn't pass the smell test putting it mildly. To ask for anymore $s from the citizens in Montgomery county is the height of arrogance. If this turns out to be a possible scam then those perpetrating this fraud need to be fined heavily and spend possible jail time. I hope I am wrong as I would love to see this project be a reality one day.
September 11, 2012 at 9:52am · 3 (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes?id=10152104413795417)
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Wendy Tise (https://www.facebook.com/wendy.tise.3) Al your wrong..Believe in the dream. The timing hit hard times..its not over.
September 11, 2012 at 9:58pm via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/)
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EarthQuest Institute (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416) The concept and mission are still very valid. I agree with Wendy the timing suffered because our entire planet went through a financial crisis. The project will begin anew once the local economy and national economies stabilize.
April 24 at 7:05pm
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Wendy Tise (https://www.facebook.com/wendy.tise.3) 100 percent confident in the people and the Power behind this project will make it happen. Doubt is not a part of The Team!
April 24 at 10:05pm via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/)
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EarthQuest Institute (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416) I know everyone on the original team feels strongly that they want EarthQuest to succeed. Even though they are all owed a tremendous amount of money they believe inevitably the project will succeed and be worth their belief and investment of their time. Thanks for your support
April 24 at 11:57pm via mobile (https://www.facebook.com/mobile/)

Frank McCrady should be wearing stripes. Why in the hell were the taxpayers funding this ridiculous charity. The for-profit theme park never had funding and the land was not owned by the developer. Just what were Holbrook and his cronies doing that furthered the missions of a charity that existed only on paper?

Soapboxmom
06-23-2013, 12:57 PM
Tuesday AM April 14th, 2009
April 13, 2009
by: Ed Mayberry (http://app1.kuhf.org/_code/houston_public_radio-news-search_results.php?articles_author=Ed%20Mayberry)
Plans are still underway for an Epcot-styled green theme park, as part of a "green" community here in Houston. Ed Mayberry talked with economic development consultant Don Holbrook for an update.

The new EarthQuest development will encompass retail stores, an outlet mall, restaurants and hotels, a convention center, office space, a research facility, a zoo — and "green" homes, according to Don Holbrook, president and CEO of the EarthQuest Institute.
"We're excited about it. I mean, it's — we've been in the process of planning this for six years, so we think the kind of a perfect storm came along and helped us. But we're going to break ground probably next year — first or second quarter of 2010 — with opening planned in 2012, late 2012. My original undergraduate degree was in urban planning and environmental studies. So I joke that I've been a 'green' developer for all my career, which I won't say how many years that is, but it's getting up there now, at this point."
EarthQuest Institute is a non-profit entity advocating green technologies. The institute is overseeing a planned museum and various education components in conjunction with the “green” vision of this master-planned community, according to Holbrook, who attended a recent forum on alternative energy.
"We're excited by it. We're hoping that President Obama will get the credit markets opened up! We're not worried about the equity, we're worried about the debt markets! But very excited, we think Houston's a great place for this. It's the energy center of the country. There's no one pixie dust solution for all this. It's a collaboration of all the energy companies and technologies that we believe are going to create the solutions. And so we're excited to be kind of that showcase, to show those off for people here in Houston — to make Houston not only just a huge eco-tourism and green tourism destination in the country, but a great place to come and learn about sustainable energy, clean technologies, energy conservation and see things from around the world."
The EarthQuest Resort will be located off of highway 59 in New Caney.

Ed Mayberry, KUHF Houston Public Radio News.

Friendswood Development is laughing all the way to the bank. They got the property for a song in bankruptcy court and will not be working with the "EarthQuest Institute" on any green anything! Another tragic reminder of the millions of tax dollars and donor dollars spent for naught. Frank McCrady and crooks can't even cook up another imaginary ground breaking date at this late juncture! There is dead silence about this DreamQuest project.

Soapboxmom
09-29-2013, 03:34 PM
Channel 2 News Story is Jaded and Highly Inaccurate | economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.com/2012/10/27/channel-2-news-story-is-jaded-and-highly-inaccurate/)

Channel 2 News Story is Jaded and Highly Inaccurate

27 Saturday Oct 2012
Posted by economicdeveloper (http://economicdeveloper.com/author/economicdeveloper/)

These days the media has a great way of skewing their facts to make folks believe the direction they would like you to believe. In an effort to maintain transparency and respond to this video news story, I would like to provide some additional facts that were somehow overlooked by the news station… imagine that… an investigative report based on pure opinion.

First, the Theme Park from the beginning was envisioned to utilize a non-profit research and educational organization (EarthQuest Institute) to provide validity to the founder Don Lessem’s vision for the green and sustainable theme behind the for profit theme park. Quite common for major projects such as Disney and others to support their favorite causes and control the board of directors. In this instance the developer and the founder had agreed that the non-profit would commence ahead of the for profit to build awareness for the for profit project. Both the developer and EMCID (East Montgomery County Improvement District) had pledged funds to hire the three person consulting staff to build the awareness. Each of these staff members including myself signed an hourly compensation agreement, and each of us were private consultants at the time. We sold our time at our published rates.

This for profit theme park is approximately a $500M phase one build out and would have an economic impact on EMCID of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs. The project hired some of the worlds best consultants in the theme park industry to advise them on how to construct the project, what the genre and theme should be and what type of visitor expectations should be provided. In addition, as the site location consultant I provided the site evaluations, special legislation for the establishment of a special economic zone and worked as a contracted subject matter expert on public policy to support the capitalization phase with the developer and his investment banking team. All of us worked under signed contracts that were agreed upon in public open meetings at the East Montgomery County Improvement Districts open public meetings. There was no lack of transparency here by the paid staff. The failure of the project to gain funding in the first attempt can be squarely placed on the developers failure to raise the funds he had promised EMCID he would be able to do. Of course nobody had foreseen the 2008 global financial crisis coming during that process. So just like many communities EMCID had to go back to the negotiating table and find a suitable developer for the project and seek financing all over again with their new developer.

The original developer failed to provide his funds to the non-profit project and EMCID soon found out he was unable to fly the mission on the for profit project as well and they too ceased funding the project in 2010. The BBB made calls about the EQI but the staff had already resigned and was not about to provide work to an organization that had failed to pay their compensation contracts for their time provided, as I believe most paid workers would do if the shoe was on their foot. Secondary to this the Developer, Founder and EMCID were the named board members and they made all decisions regarding the project, including hiring the staff, which to this day has not been fully paid for their agreed upon time provided to the organization. In addition, there was much disagreement between the board of directors as to how to fund the organization, but when the CEO found out the developer was not going to fulfill his obligation to EQI, he closed down the non-profit and informed every one of his findings and let the staff go. Then the CEO asked that the EMCID and Developer pay off the debts they had all run up on the EQI, including promised payment of the staffs unpaid time served over the two years. To this day the staff has not been paid, despite promises made to them by EMCID that if they continued to work through that time they would make sure the staff was paid for their time.

With regard to the theme park, it is a great idea and the market study which was recently updated I am quite confident will continue to demonstrate the value of moving forward with the project under a new developer with specific theme park experience. From the beginning EMCID was told that they type projects require massive upfront funding and risk from the public sector and can take from 8-14 years on average to come to fruition. Let’s not forget that the 2008 Global Financial Crisis hit and created a very difficult scenario for the original developer to find venture capital funding.

The new developer has agreed to make the taxpayers whole as part of his funding strategy and has agreed to move the project along once he has updated the market study, developed a strong financial business case and secured acceptable terms for financing. All this was done by the team of experts that EMCID hired (me being one of them) once they found that the original developer was not going to proceed in 2010. When this occurred EMCID rehired me to bring the new developer on board and assist them in securing the rights to the theme park intellectual capital and the rights to the site from the developers bankruptcy filing with his land company. All of these items were achieved by me and my advisors I brought to the project, without us this project would have failed and left EMCID stranded with no options in the future.

Without these actions the project would truly be a lost cause and the tax payers money would have been lost for sure. Now once the project gains financial footing the taxpayers will be made whole and Houston will finally get a new major theme park. Then I suppose all the naysayers will not bother to apologize to all the hard working staff of consultants who also took risks to get this off the ground and to this date still remain unpaid for a large portion of their time served under specific contracts approved by the EMCID, original developers and founder.

Here is the clip of the inaccurate news story from channel 2 in Houston I am referring to. Now at least when you watch it you will have some additional background on the subject. The staff hiring was agreed upon by the Developer, Founder and EMCID, and then solicited by them to provide their services. The staff is not the financiers, developers, or brain children of this project, merely the contractual help brought in by the various members of the boards of the directors.

New questions arise about amusement park project | News - Home (http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-questions-arise-about-amusement-park-project/-/1735978/17147970/-/5w8vfgz/-/index.html)


Texas Statute of Limitations (http://www.expertlaw.com/library/limitations_by_state/Texas.html)

Libel / Slander / Defamation: 1 year.
Holbrook is ranting like a complete lunatic and threatening suit once again (http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-allen-holbrook-iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-1240/index48.html#post60578). If the movie deal on his silly Knights Templar book that he mentions in that rant is real, then that is just more potential income he has not disclosed in his bankruptcy. He had better hurry as the statue of limitations on this news report and other posts is quickly running out.

That news report is completely based in verifiable facts. The charity being set up to advertise the for profit theme park is beyond unethical. Promoting money making schemes is not in any way a legitimate purpose for a charity. Apparently, it was little more than the Don Holbrook self-promotion program. He made $144,000.00 a year ($185.00 an hour) for working 15 hours a week for the EarthQuest Institute charity while also being paid by the for profit theme park developer, East Montgomery Improvement District and more as he brought in the fund raisers and other contractors for various aspects of this boondoggle. Holbrook is also to get $250,000.00 if the Earthquest Instutute is contructed in addition to possibly millions out of the money raised for the theme park. Paying this clown $185.00 an hour when Don Lessem said himself, "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."

Holbrook admits the original developer quit funding this boondoggle in 2010. John Marlin and fake multi-billionaire Trey White took the taxpayers money and ran all the way to the bank laughing. Obviously, they had concluded the thing would never get investors lined up to fund it and they got out while the gettin' was good. Holbrook lied to Pahrump and bragged of all his 100 successful projects that created 50,000 jobs with nary a failure among them. Frank McCrady deliberately mislead the Texas taxpayers by not honestly disclosing the project was in serious trouble. The Texas taxpayers didn't learn of this bankruptcy until January 2012 when the incredible Cynthia Calvert of the Tribune broke the story. Holbrook and the goons left just kept milking the public cow and lining their pockets as quickly as possible as they were likely very well aware that this theme park and charity would never be anything more than pretty pictures on some very expensive paper.

Holbrook continues to demand more payment for the defunct charity that accomplished no charitable purpose. $144,000.00 a year for that is already way too much to be paying for the services of this fool who is lots of talk, but very short on relevant experience and credentials for the work he contracts to do.

Holbrook's continued claims that the taxpayers will be made whole by the investors are laughable. Who would agree to pay millions upfront to EMCID, and line Chris Brown's (of Contour) and Holbrook's pockets to the tune of possibly millions of dollars? A theme park is already such a risky venture when it is a project set up with no well known names involved. Not to mention the millions upon millions that will be needed to advertise this international destination theme park. Also, Holbrook claiming he set up the terms in the bankruptcy that would allow Contour to repurchase the now lost property and that that is a great achievement is laughable. That repurchase option ends in exactly 11 weeks. Show us the money and the deed!

The tragic end of this Titanic is coming and we can thank Holbrook. The IRS will soon be revoking the charitable status of this joke of an entity that can no longer conduct business in Texas. We still have no papers from the EarthQuest Institute available as required by law and this charity scam still lists the address of the EMCID office as its office. So, the taxpayers are paying for those digs, yet cannot access any information as required by law. It is high time for some answers! Let's have some honest disclosure from Holbrook!

Soapboxmom
01-14-2015, 04:22 PM
http://apps.irs.gov/static_assets/img/logo.png (http://www.irs.gov/)



Exempt Organizations Select Check
Exempt Organizations Select Check Home (http://apps.irs.gov/app/scripts/mapper.jsp?page=eos_organization_search)


Automatic Revocation of Exemption Information


The federal tax exemption of this organization was automatically revoked for its failure to file a Form 990-series return or notice for three consecutive years. The information listed below for each organization is historical; it is current as of the organization's effective date of automatic revocation. The information is not necessarily current as of today's date. Nor does this automatic revocation necessarily reflect the organization's tax-exempt or non-exempt status. The organization may have applied to the IRS for recognition of exemption and been recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt after its effective date of automatic revocation. To check whether an organization is currently recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt, call Customer Account Services at (877) 829-5500 (toll-free number).


Revocation Date (effective date on which organization's tax exemption was automatically revoked):
15-May-2014


Employer Identification Number (EIN):
26-2454184


Legal Name:
INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST


Doing Business As:


Mailing Address:
21575 US HIGHWAY 59 NORTH
NEW CANEY, TX 77357-8355
United States


Exemption Type:
501(c)(3) (http://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/forwardToExemptionHelp.do?exemption=03&dispatchMethod=parseExemptTypes)


Revocation Posting Date (date on which IRS posted notice of automatic revocation on IRS.gov):
15-Oct-2014


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after the organization's exemption was automatically revoked and the organization applied for reinstatement of exemption.):





Return to Search Results (http://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/revokeSearch.do?dispatchMethod=searchRevocation&exemptTypeCode=al&isDescending=false&totalResults=361&postDateTo=&ein=262454184&ein1=&dispatchMethod=displayRevokeInfo&state=All...&postDateFrom=&country=US&city=new+caney&searchChoice=revoked&indexOfFirstRow=0&sortColumn=city&resultsPerPage=25&names=Institute+Earthquest&zipCode=&revocationId=595831&deductibility=) Return to Search Page (http://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/revokeSearch.do?dispatchMethod=navigateSearch&pathName=forwardToRevokeSearch&searchChoice=revoked)

Don Allen Holbrook ran this charity right into the ground while making quite a pretty penny. Who would pay a fool like him $185.00 an hour??? Don Holbrook, president of the Institute (and a consultant for EMCID and EarthQuest), received total compensation of $328,255 plus over 8 grand a month for 6 months in 2012 (as he led Frank McCrady around like a kid who had wet his pants.) All this money, 1.4 million dollars, and no charitable activity whatsoever. And, this scam of a charity certainly didn't promote the for profit theme park either as that has never come to fruition (though that is clearly not a legitimate charitable function.)

ladybug123
01-14-2015, 11:24 PM
Hollbrook is busy with his wife and cohorts bilking many innocent people many again. The feds need to investigate what they are up to and put them all in jail for good.

Soapboxmom
01-18-2015, 06:31 PM
Proposed Disney-like theme park faces uncertain future - Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Proposed-Disney-like-theme-park-faces-uncertain-3334594.php)


But now McCardy and Brown believe the financial climate is improving and they have active discussions with potential developers who would be able to write the check, but they said they could not disclose the names.

Seeks Texas investors
Brown would only say he is focused on Texas investors, who would benefit the most from the enhancement of their community and other properties being developed.

"I feel very comfortable," said McCardy, adding that if his preferred developer, Contour, is unsuccessful with fundraising he has two others "ready to step in and build it."

He said he feels good about the project because three theme-park experts have said this spot has perfect demographics. Houston is the only one of the 11 largest U.S. cities without a theme park. Major theme parks are located on each coast but not the central U.S., 18 million people live within a four-hour drive of the site and Houston has a young population with one of the strongest economies.

But with all the false starts, spurts and delays in the last six years, some area residents are skeptical about it ever being built.
This is not the first time that liar McCrady has bragged of other developers chaffing at the bit to fund and build this project. Well, where in the Sam hell are they? Why hasn't he brought in a new developer???

Soapboxmom
12-29-2015, 08:59 PM
The consultant with a hand in every pie (CEO of the Earthquest Institute) is melting after losing his case against numerous journalists, newspapers, taxpayers commenting and me. Now he is making very thinly veiled death threats:

http://www.realscam.com/f11/dealing-cyber-stalker-cyber-bully-soapbox-momster-cyber-stalker-abyss-don-holbrook-4406/