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Soapboxmom
06-29-2010, 10:13 AM
156The first posts in this thread are drawn from http://www.realscam.com/f9/trey-whites-evolv-water-vs-world-renowned-md-anderson-cancer-center-86/. I believe investors and citizens need to know the facts about Trey White and Marlin Atlantis. EarthQuest I had hoped would really be the brainchild of "Dino Don" Lessem. It could have been an incredible place for families. It will never get off the ground or be properly if these buffoons are allowed to continue running wild with this. 7.5 million in bond money has been spent and investors are throwing money at this thing. The business background and qualifications of these folks should have been looked at much more carefully before this thing got this far.
Christopher with Multi-Billionaire Founder of Evolv Mr. Trey White.
Hello, my name is Christopher Paul Mitchell. I'm a part of Team T.O.P.G.U.N. EXP in Evolv. I created this website to show everyday, normal people just like myself how to get rich in a home based business. I don't care if you're black or white, young or old, male or female, a high school dropout or a college graduate, my team and I can help you become wealthy with Evolv.

I grew up in what some people would say is a challenging life. My parents divorced when I was just four years old. My mom died of radiation and chemotherapy when I was nine years old. My abusive father kicked me out of the house at the age of fifteen. I used my life savings ($550) to buy a plane ticket and I moved to California at the age of eighteen.

I've lived in my car; I've lived in a motel with roaches in the bathtub; I've lived in a friend's garage on the concrete floor; and I've even been homeless before. So, if you've been through a lot in your life, trust me, I can relate to you.

I was dead broke for the first twenty five years of my life. One unforgettable day in Santa Monica, California I met an amazing man by the name of Sal Williams who changed my life by introducing me to Network Marketing.

Not only is Evolv going to become the fastest growing Network Marketing company of all time, Evolv is also going to grow faster than ANY company of all time! Evolv is no joke! Founded by Multi-Billionaire Trey White it is our goal to make Evolv into a Billion dollar company within our first two years in business.

The time to get envolved with Evolv is right now! As of March 26th Evolv is a brand new start up company on the ground floor. Timing in business is everything! The timing for Evolv is absolutely crucial. Now is your chance to become a part of a life changing, Billion dollar company before it hits critical mass.

Join me and my mentor Robert Dean Jr. and let us welcome you to our Team T.O.P.G.U.N. EXP. Our goal is to create 500 multi-millionaires within the next few years with Evolv. We have a proven system in place that guarantees success if you can simply follow directions. Evolv is predicted to create more millionaires than Microsoft. Join our team and let us help you change your life.

Pick up your phone and give me a call RIGHT NOW!



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I assume you boys can verify Trey's / Roscoe Frederick White's multi-billionaire status. I sure wouldn't want to have to prove that up in court! And, if those earnings claims don't pan out it could get very ugly!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
07-17-2010, 10:24 AM
Contact Team Inspirit for event and ticket information.
Evolv Team Inspirit Awards & Leadership Training Event
Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CT)
Irving, TX
Ticket Information
Ticket Type Sales End Price Fee Quantity
Evolv Member - single ticket option 2h $20.00 $1.49 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Evolv Leader - 5 Ticket Option 2h $100.00 $3.49 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Evolv Leader - 10 Ticket Option 2h $200.00 $5.99 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Evolv Leader - 20 Ticket Option 2h $400.00 $9.95 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

You will be taken to PayPal's secure checkout to complete the purchase.

Show other payment options

Other Payment Options Hide

You can pay at the door.

Event Details
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c110/soapboxmom/DallasJuly17-eventbrite-art.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c110/soapboxmom/DallasJuly17eventbrite-art2.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c110/soapboxmom/dallasevent05082010-04.jpg

For more information about this event, please contact:
Garrett & Sylvia McGrath 214-793-7272 or Jason & Michelle Fraser 214-564-4030
When
Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CT) Add to my calendar
But wait! Something is missing. The lying scammers had posted about 9 multi-million dollar earners and a billion dollar earner and then they removed that fraudulent solicitiation when I e-mailed the Evolv scammers and informed them that all that was in the hands of the Texas Attorney General's Office.

They also should clarify the million dollar prize is not being given out until this fall and not at this TeamInScamming meeting.

Obviously, it isn't any problem to get tickets to this MLM scammers' gathering. I wonder if they will discuss the suit MD Anderson has filed against these goons? Using their name to promote a product of dubious value promoted pyramid style seems like grounds for a winning suit to me. We should see a lot more very scathing news coverage related to that!

I demand the scammers substantiate those multi-million dollar earner claims. Who are these multi-million dollar earners. Folks that want more info about one of the named multi-millionaire earners are welcome to e-mail me and I will provide much more enlightening information!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
07-31-2010, 11:38 AM
Testimonials, testimonials, and more testimonials. And, I am sending them to the FTC.

Let's read Dr. Stephen Barrett http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mlm.html:

The Mirage of Multilevel Marketing
Stephen Barrett, M.D.
Don't be surprised if a friend or acquaintance tries to sell you vitamins, herbs, homeopathic remedies, weight-loss powders, or other health-related products. Millions of Americans have signed up as distributors for multilevel companies that market such products from person to person. Often they have tried the products, concluded that they work, and become suppliers to support their habit.

Multilevel marketing (also called network marketing) is a form of direct sales in which independent distributors sell products, usually in their customers' home or by telephone. In theory, distributors can make money not only from their own sales but also from those of the people they recruit.

Becoming an MLM distributor is simple and requires no real knowledge of health or nutrition. Many people do so initially in order to buy their own products at a discount. For a small sum of money—usually between $35 and $100—these companies sell a distributor kit that includes product literature, sales aids (such as a videotape or audiotape), price lists, order forms, and a detailed instructional manual. Most MLM companies publish a magazine or newsletter containing company news, philosophical essays, product information, success stories, and photographs of top salespeople. The application form is usually a single page that asks only for identifying information. Millions of Americans have signed up, including many physicians attracted by the idea that selling MLM products can offset losses attributable to managed care.

Distributors can buy products "wholesale," sell them "retail," and recruit other distributors who can do the same. When enough distributors have been enrolled, the recruiter is eligible to collect a percentage of their sales. Companies suggest that this process provides a great money-making opportunity. However, it is unlikely that people who don't join during the first few months of operation or become one of the early distributors in their community can build enough of a sales pyramid to do well. In July 1999, the National Association of Attorneys General announced that complaints about multilevel marketing and pyramid schemes were tenth on their list of consumer complaints.

A recent analysis of Quixtar's reported income figures indicates how poorly most MLM distributors do. In a declaration filed in a suit by two former Quixtar distributors, he concluded:

A statistical sample of distributors revealed that 99.4% of the IBOs [independent business owners] earned on average just $13.41 per week—before product purchases, all business expenses, and taxes. This average income is far less than the costs of the business, resulting in 99% of victims of Quixtar making no net profit. Fewer than 1 person in 10,000 are at the "Diamond and above" levels, the upper ranks of the Quixtar chain that every new recruit is urged to aspire to. . . .

The massive loss rates among Quixtar victims that are revealed in Quixtar's own data are the inevitable mathematical result of the endless chain business model. In this model, the success of the IBO is based on continuous recruiting of additional distributors (IBOs), who are induced to make monthly purchases for their own consumption, rather than on making retail sales in the open marketplace. In the recruitment model, only those participants at the top levels of the pyramid can earn true profits, since the source of a participant's real income is the expenditures of individuals below them on the pyramid, and only a small percentage can be in those top positions. The untenable model result in approximately 70% of IBOs quitting Quixtar within the first year. The mission of this deceptive business model is to continuously enroll losing investors (IBOs) and replace them as they suffer losses and quit the program.

Many distributors who stock up on products to meet sales goals or increase their hoped-for commissions get stuck with unsold products that cost thousands of dollars. Some companies permit direct ordering of their products, which avoids this problem, but the risk of failure is still high.

Dubious Claims

More than a hundred multilevel companies are marketing health-related products. Most claim that their products are effective for preventing or treating disease. A few companies merely suggest that people will feel better, look better, or have more energy if they supplement their diet with extra nutrients. When clear-cut therapeutic claims are made in product literature, the company is an easy target for government enforcement action. Some companies run this risk, hoping that the government won't take action until their customer base is well established. Other companies make no claims in their literature but rely on testimonials, encouraging people to try their products and credit them for any improvement that occurs.

Every company I have looked at has done at least one of the following.

Made misleading statements that could frighten people into taking dietary supplements they do not need.
Made misleading statements of product superiority that could induce people to buy products that retail stores sell more cheaply.
Made unsubstantiated claims that their products would prevent or remedy health problems
Uses research findings to promote products without noting that the findings are not sufficient to substantiate using the products.
Uses deception by omission by making statements about the biochemical properties of various substances without placing them in proper perspective. An example would be stating that a certain nutrient is important because it does this or that in the body but omitting that people who eat sensibly have no valid reason to take a supplement.
Exaggerated the probability of making significant income.
Most multilevel companies tell distributors not to make claims for the products except for those found in company literature. (That way the company can deny responsibility for what distributors do.) However, many companies hold sales meetings at which people are encouraged to tell their story to the others in attendance. Some companies sponsor telephone conference calls during which leading distributors describe their financial success, give sales tips, and describe their personal experiences with the products. Testimonials also may be published in company magazines, audiotapes or videotapes. Testimonial claims can trigger enforcement action, but since it is time-consuming to collect evidence of their use, government agencies seldom bother to do so.

Government enforcement action against multilevel companies has not been vigorous. These companies are usually left alone unless their promotions become so conspicuous and their sales volume so great that an agency feels compelled to intervene. Even then, few interventions have substantial impact once a company is well established.

Motivation: Powerful but Misguided

The "success" of network marketing lies in the enthusiasm of its participants. Most people who think they have been helped by an unorthodox method enjoy sharing their success stories with their friends. People who give such testimonials are usually motivated by a sincere wish to help their fellow humans. Since people tend to believe what others tell them about personal experiences, testimonials can be powerful persuaders.

Perhaps the trickiest misconception about quackery is that personal experience is the best way to tell whether something works. When someone feels better after having used a product or procedure, it is natural to give credit to whatever was done. However, this is unwise. Most ailments are self-limiting, and even incurable conditions can have sufficient day-to-day variation to enable bogus methods to gain large followings. In addition, taking action often produces temporary relief of symptoms (a placebo effect). For these reasons, scientific experimentation is almost always necessary to establish whether health methods are really effective. Instead of testing their products, multilevel companies urge customers to try them and credit them if they feel better. Some products are popular because they contain caffeine, ephedrine (a stimulant), valerian (a tranquilizer), or other substances that produce mood-altering effects.

Another factor in gaining devotees is the emotional impact of group activities. Imagine, for example, that you have been feeling lonely, bored, depressed or tired. One day a friend tells you that "improving your nutrition" can help you feel better. After selling you some products, the friend inquires regularly to find out how you are doing. You seem to feel somewhat better. From time to time you are invited to interesting lectures where you meet people like yourself. Then you are asked to become a distributor. This keep you busy, raises your income, and provides an easy way to approach old friends and make new ones—all in an atmosphere of enthusiasm. Some of your customers express gratitude, giving you a feeling of accomplishment. People who increase their income, their social horizons, or their self-esteem can get a psychological boost that not only can improve their mood but also may alleviate emotionally-based symptoms.

Multilevel companies refer to this process as "sharing" and suggest that everyone involved is a "winner." That simply isn't true. The entire process is built on a foundation of deception. The main winners are the company's owners and the small percentage of distributors who become sales leaders. The losers are millions of Americans who waste money and absorb the misinformation.

Do you think multilevel participants are qualified to judge whether prospective customers need supplements—or medical care? Even though curative claims are forbidden by the written policies of each company, the sales process encourages customers to experiment with self-treatment. It may also promote distrust of legitimate health professionals and their treatment methods.

Some people would argue that the apparent benefits of "believing" in the products outweigh the risks involved. Do you think that people need false beliefs in order to feel healthy or succeed in life? Would you like to believe that something can help you when in fact it is worthless? Should our society support an industry that is trying to mislead us? Can't Americans do something better with the billion or more dollars being wasted each year on multilevel "health" products?

Physician Involvement
Many any physicians are selling health-related multilevel products to patients in their offices. The companies most involved have included Amway (now doing business as Quixtar), Body Wise, Nu Skin (Interior Design), Rexall, and Juice Plus+. Doctors are typically recruited with promises that the extra income will replace income lost to managed care. In December 1997, the American Medical Association Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) advised against against profiting from the sale of "non-health-related products" to their patients. Although CEJA's policy statement does not mention products sold through multilevel marketing, CEJA's chairman said the statement was triggered by the growing number of physicians who had added an Amway distributorship to their practice.

Recommendations

Consumers would be wise to avoid health-related multilevel products altogether. Those that have nutritional value (such as vitamins and low-cholesterol foods) are invariably overpriced and may be unnecessary as well. Those promoted as remedies are either unproven, bogus, or intended for conditions that are unsuitable for self-medication.

Government agencies should police the multilevel marketplace aggressively, using undercover investigators and filing criminal charges when wrongdoing is detected. People who feel they have been defrauded by MLM companies should file complaints with their state attorney general and with local FDA and FTC offices. A letter detailing the events may be sufficient to trigger an investigation; and the more complaints received, the more likely that corrective action will be taken. If you possess a distributor kit that you no longer need, I would be pleased to add it to my collection. If you would like to help Quackwatch gather information on MLM companies on the Internet, click here.

This article was revised on January 21, 2008.
Evolv reps have encouraged and recorded numerous such testimonials on their calls, webpages and ads. These fraudulent health claims are what a company like this depends on to sell the product. Even Trey White, the multi-billionaire who owns the company is in on the act.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TULfXNGcGy0
He is totally exaggerating the testing done at MD Anderson. And the reps are telling some incredibly fantastic stories to sell the stuff. Of course, they have a financial incentive to do so. Who would have known that milk protein, alfalfa and 5 enzymes would totally change modern medicine??? Let's get those complaints in to the FTC!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-01-2010, 09:08 PM
White Energy, One of the Largest Ethanol Producers in the U.S., Files for Bankruptcy in Delaware : Delaware Bankruptcy Litigation (http://delawarebankruptcy.foxrothschild.com/2009/05/articles/bankruptcy-case-summary/white-energy-one-of-the-largest-ethanol-producers-in-the-us-files-for-bankruptcy-in-delaware/)

White Energy, One of the Largest Ethanol Producers in the U.S., Files for Bankruptcy in Delaware
Posted on May 27, 2009 by Jason Cornell, Esq.
White Energy, One of the Largest Ethanol Producers in the U.S., Files for Bankruptcy in Delaware


Introduction

White Energy, Inc. ""White Energy" or the "Debtor"), one of the largest ethanol and gluten producers in the United States, filed for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy for the District of Delaware on May 7, 2009. According to its Declaration in Support of First Day Motions (the "Declaration"), White Energy generated over $500 million in revenue in 2008. Based in Dallas, Texas, White Energy operates three ethanol production facilities in Kansas and Texas.

White Energy produces both ethanol and gluten (an ingredient used by food producers) at its Russell, Kansas facility. As stated in its Declaration, the Debtor processes wheat to make gluten. White Energy uses starch, a byproduct from gluten production, in its ethanol production. By doing so, White Energy is able to reduce its overall costs to produce ethanol.

Debtors' Financials

In July of 2006, White Energy entered into a $298 million senior secured loan with WestLB as administrative agent. Leading up to bankruptcy, White Energy's lenders declared several events of default under the secured loan, including (i) a failure to pay property taxes, (ii) failure to make payments under construction contracts and (iii) failure to pay franchise taxes. White Energy tried unsuccessfully to get its lenders to agree to restructure its debt. Unable to reach an agreement with its lenders, White Energy soon filed for bankruptcy.

According to White Energy's bankruptcy petition, the following entities hold the ten largest unsecured claims against this debtor:

1.ADM ... $2.9 million
2.The Scoular Co. ... $1.8 million
3.Novozymes NA ... $608,526
4.Nexen ... $379,113
5.City of Hays ... $346,056
6.Oneok Energy ... $317,000
7.Russell County ... $290,457
8.Milbank Tweed ... $208,731
9.Univar USA ... $134,385
10.Occidental Chemical ... $114,170
White Energy entered into the ethanol industry in 2006. Since then, commodity prices have become exceptionally volatile with corn prices reaching double their normal price per bushel. At the same time that commodity prices reached historic highs, the oversupply of ethanol has kept prices low. The resulting low profit margins strained White Energy's cash flow, which in turn led to loan defaults and bankruptcy.

This bankruptcy proceeding is before the Honorable Christopher S. Sontchi.

-----------------------------

Jason Cornell is a bankruptcy attorney at the law firm Fox Rothschild LLP in Wilmington, Delaware. If you have questions regarding this, or any other Delaware legal proceeding, you may contact Jason at (302) 427-5512 or jcornell@foxrothschild.com.
Where Trey White / Roscoe Frederick White III made his money is indeed a good question. His business background is quite a story.

Soapboxmom

Blue Wolf
08-02-2010, 09:35 AM
Where Trey White / Roscoe Frederick White III made his money is indeed a good question. His business background is quite a story.

Soapboxmom

According to Forbes magazine, there are 403 billionaires in the United States.

I just looked at the list, and one thing is for sure . . . Trey White is not on it.

Soapboxmom
08-02-2010, 11:02 AM
According to Forbes magazine, there are 403 billionaires in the United States.

I just looked at the list, and one thing is for sure . . . Trey White is not on it.
Awesome find my friend!

The World's Billionaires Page 39 of 41 - Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_The-Worlds-Billionaires_NameProper_39.html)

Special Report
The World's Billionaires
03.10.10, 06:00 PM EST
Page 39 of 41

ABEL - ALBRALBU - ARNAARNO - BASSBASS - BLACBLAN - BUFFBURD - CHAOCHAR - CONNCONW - DEICDEJO - DRUCDU S - FETIFILO - FUNGGABE - GOREGOTT - HANHAPP - HECTHEIS - HUGHHUI - JAINJAMA - KAHNKAIS - KIMMKIND - KRAVKRIS - LAURLAUR - LI KLI S - LOWYLU G - MANSMANT - MERIMHAI - MORIMORI - OBEROCH, - PEREPERE - PRITPRIT - RALERAO, - ROSSROVT - SANDSANT - SCHRSCHU - SIEBSIMM - SPANSPER - TAKITAN, - TISCTISC - VARGVEKS - WEEWEI - XIANYAMA - ZHOUZHOU - ZYUZ
Rank Name Citizenship Age Net Worth ($bil) Residence
937 Wei Ing-Chou Taiwan 57 1.0 China
937 Wei Yin-Chun Taiwan 53 1.0 Taiwan
937 Wei Yin-Heng Taiwan 51 1.0 China
937 Wei Ying-chiao Taiwan 55 1.0 China
488 Cher Wang & Wenchi Chen Taiwan 52 2.0 Taiwan
93 Alain & Gerard Wertheimer France NA 7.5 NA
258 Stef Wertheimer & family Israel 84 3.5 Israel
100 Galen Weston & family Canada 69 7.2 Canada
421 Leslie Wexner United States 72 2.3 United States
582 Dean White United States 86 1.7 United States
773 Margaret Whitman United States 53 1.3 United States
616 John Whittaker United Kingdom 68 1.6 United Kingdom
655 Arne Wilhelmsen & family Norway 79 1.5 Norway
400 Oprah Winfrey United States 56 2.4 United States
189 Karl Wlaschek Austria 92 4.4 Austria
258 Aloys Wobben Germany 58 3.5 Germany
880 Allan Wong & family Hong Kong NA 1.1 Hong Kong
197 Peter Woo & family Hong Kong 64 4.3 Hong Kong
463 William Wrigley Jr United States 46 2.1 United States
232 Wu Yajun & family China 46 3.9 China
132 Reinhold Wurth Germany 74 5.7 Germany
937 Samuel Wyly United States 74 1.0 United States
616 Stephen Wynn United States 68 1.6 United States
121 Hansjorg Wyss Switzerland 75 6.1 United States
937 Xian Yang China 36 1.0 China
There is the list where White would fall alphabetically. So, I am sure ol' Trey ain't no multi-billionaire either! More fraudulent MLM claims for the FTC and Attorneys General to enjoy!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-02-2010, 11:31 AM
Trey isn't on this list of the Richest Americans either. MLM solicitiations are some great fiction writing, aren't they???

The 400 Richest Americans 2009 - Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/54/rich-list-09_The-400-Richest-Americans_NameProper_16.html)

Special Report
The 400 Richest Americans 2009
09.30.09, 06:00 PM EDT
The Forbes 400 Richest Americans 2009

John E. Abele - Carl Edwin BergNicolas Berggruen - S. Truett CathyJohn Catsimatidis - Bharat DesaiRichard DeVos - Gerald J. FordTheodore Forstmann - Donald HallBruce Halle - Martha IngramJames Irsay - Brad KelleyPeter R. Kellogg - Ralph LaurenNancy Walton Laurie - Bernard MarcusJ. Willard (Bill) Marriott - Manuel MorounCharles Munger - T. Boone PickensJeffry Picower - David A. RichMarc Rich - Steven SchonfeldRichard Schulze - Jerry SpeyerSteven Spielberg - Todd WagnerAlice Walton - Mortimer Zuckerman

Rank Name Net Worth ($mil) Age Residence Source
6 Alice Walton 19,300 60 Fort Worth Wal-Mart
4 Christy Walton & family 21,500 54 Jackson Wal-Mart
5 Jim C. Walton 19,600 61 Bentonville Wal-Mart
7 S. Robson Walton 19,000 65 Bentonville Wal-Mart
158 Roger Wang 2,000 60 Nanjing retail
94 Ty Warner 3,200 65 Chicago Beanie Babies
289 Kelcy Warren 1,350 53 Dallas Pipelines
61 Dennis Washington 4,200 75 Missoula construction, mining
147 Bruce Wasserstein 2,200 61 New York Wasserstein Perella, Lazard
347 Charlotte Colket Weber 1,100 66 Ocala inheritance
158 Leslie Wexner 2,000 72 New Albany Limited Brands
202 Dean White 1,750 86 Crown Point lboards, hotels
326 Margaret Whitman 1,200 53 Atherton Ebay
141 Oprah Winfrey 2,300 55 Chicago television
154 William Wrigley Jr. 2,100 45 Lake Forest chewing gum
399 Sam Wyly 950 74 Dallas investments
141 Steve Wynn 2,300 67 Las Vegas casinos, hotels
317 Jerry Yang 1,250 40 Los Altos Hills Yahoo
371 Charles Zegar 1,000 61 New York Bloomberg LP
77 Samuel Zell 3,800 68 Chicago real estate, private equity
65 Daniel Ziff 4,000 37 New York inheritance, hedge funds
65 Dirk Ziff 4,000 45 New York inheritance, hedge funds
65 Robert Ziff 4,000 43 New York inheritance, hedge funds
158 Mark Zuckerberg 2,000 25 Palo Alto Facebook
236 Mortimer Zuckerman 1,500 72 New York real estate, media

John E. Abele - Carl Edwin BergNicolas Berggruen - S. Truett CathyJohn Catsimatidis - Bharat DesaiRichard DeVos - Gerald J. FordTheodore Forstmann - Donald HallBruce Halle - Martha IngramJames Irsay - Brad KelleyPeter R. Kellogg - Ralph LaurenNancy Walton Laurie - Bernard MarcusJ. Willard (Bill) Marriott - Manuel MorounCharles Munger - T. Boone PickensJeffry Picower - David A. RichMarc Rich - Steven SchonfeldRichard Schulze - Jerry SpeyerSteven Spielberg - Todd WagnerAlice Walton - Mortimer Zuckerman

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-06-2010, 06:47 PM
Let's take a look at Trey White's companies. He is said by Evolvers to be a multi-billionaire.

Hoovers says:

Marlin Atlantis White Ltd Dallas, TX, United States $1.20M in sales


White Ventures, Ltd. Dallas, TX, United States $2.60M in sales

To that list we can add White Energy (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBNG40419720090508)

Trey White, aka Fred White III, aka Roscoe F. White III is not Warren Buffett or Donald Trump.

He was responsible for the homestore.com, which was a very successful company during the dot com bubble and then faced with a nose dive in the stock prices. Trey / Roscoe bailed out right before the dung hit the fan. There were several class action lawsuits and dishonest financial statements associated with that fiasco.

Since then, he’s run a number of different companies out of one office which must have one very confused receptionist to be sure.

Looking at the estimated annual sales for these companies as listed by Hoovers there isn't a snowball's chance in hell this clown Trey White is a billionaire, much less a multi-billionaire.

Those companies have employees to pay, rent, taxes, company insurance, business supplies, electric, phone, marketing, wining and dining clients and much more. After all that his companies can't be generating him much profit with those paltry sales figures.

And yet the tales of him being a multi-billioinaire persist. I am shocked Trey would continue this ridiculous scam with MD Anderson suing. It looks like lemmings over the cliff to me!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-07-2010, 09:25 AM
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/co_profiles_TreyWhite.html

Trey White
Chairman, Marlin Atlantis White

In his role as Chairman of Marlin Atlantis White, Mr. White guides the control and management of the companies’ interests in real property and real estate development. In addition to real estate investing, his philosophy is defined by investing in forward-thinking solutions with an eye toward technology and first to market advantages.
He was born a third-generation entrepreneur in Dallas. Understanding that being first to market is a huge advantage, he directed energy toward achievements that positioned him ahead of competitors in emerging markets. To date, he has placed capital of more than $1.5B into companies he founded or co-founded.

Mr. White co-founded NewHomeSearch, a revolutionary electronic real estate listing service for Realtors® and new home builders, gained 100% penetration in the Dallas market within two years of inception and grew to ten markets with an innovative client-server-based application, NewHomeSearch, renamed HomeBuilder.com in 1996, created the first Internet portal for searching real estate listings, quickly expanded to seventy-five markets and became the official Web site of the National Association of Homebuilders. Mr. White oversaw the merger of HomeBuilder.com with Realtor.com and participated in taking the two companies public as HomeStore.com, raised $800M in two offerings, drove stock to $160 per share and resulted in an $11B market cap at its peak.

In 2002 Mr. White began investing in multi-phased, single-family, residential developments and, in 2003, provided the start-up capital to form Marlin Atlantis. This new entity, under the direction of an outstanding management team, took advantage of low interest rates and strong residential housing markets in Texas. To date, Marlin Atlantis has entitled and/or developed eighteen residential communities, including five master-planned developments in major Texas markets. The enterprise has deployed more than $200M in capital and is one of the largest residential community developers in Texas, with more than 20,000 single family lots in inventory.

Also in 2003, Mr. White founded White Energy, a company funded to take advantage of the high cost of oil, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels by building destination, fuel-grade, ethanol plants. In 2005, White Energy received its air permit to build in Texas, the first new facility created a destination plant trend that continues today in Texas, California, New York, Colorado, Kansas and Florida. White Energy produces 250M gallons of ethanol in three facilities, is the fifth-largest US producer and the largest Texas producer of fuel grade ethanol. To date, White Energy has deployed over $500M into renewable energy investments.

Mr. White has created and pioneered markets using a best-of-breed management team methodology as he leads several organizations, charitable as well as for-profit, against which other companies and efforts are measured. His mental and physical cornerstones for success include surrounding himself with smart, experienced, respected individuals at the top of their industries. He and his associates possess the ability to take measured risks, cultivate instincts for emerging markets, and demonstrate the acute market-awareness necessary for properly timed exits. He considers these aspects of business acumen “simple rules for a complex world, instrumental in stacking odds toward the probability of success.”

Home | Our Company | Communities | Offerings | Contact Us | PRIVACY | DISCLAIMER | Web Sitemap
©2006 - 2009 Marlin Atlantis. All Rights Reserved. | Website Created by: DeWitt Marketing & TNT Media Productions, Ltd.
Can Homestore restore its tarnished image and rebuild? - Free Online Library (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Can+Homestore+restore+its+tarnished+image+and+rebu ild%3F-a0143305466)

The article tells of the accounting scandal in 2001. Trey / Roscoe White talks of going into residential development in 2002. So, it appears he was bailing from homestore.com just as the dung hit the fan.

Homestore.com Class Action Settlement - Current Developments (http://www.homestoresettlement.com/current.shtml)

12/19/03: NOTICE OF OBJECTIONS filed by The Roscoe F. White Jr

I notice he fails to mention that White Energy imploded into bankruptcy (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBNG40419720090508) despite claims that he is a multi-billionaire.

Soapboxmom

A Life Aloft
08-28-2010, 06:39 PM
I have a question.....White Ventures

estimated annual sales (not profit, sales) of $2.5M, which would require 400 years to become $1B
White Ventures, Ltd | Banking & Finance > Banking, Lending & Credit Services from AllBusiness.com (http://www.allbusiness.com/companyprofile/White_Ventures_Ltd/FFFD7DA1538CAEF743D1BC82DF3ECC0F-1.html)


estimated annual revenue less than half of white ventures, $1.1M, or 910 years to hit $1B
Marlin Atlantis White Ltd - Dallas, Texas (TX) | Company Profile (http://www.manta.com/c/mmgjll4/marlin-atlantis-white-ltd)

Also, employee estimates:

25 for white ventures; 12 for marlin atlantis white

What am I missing????

Soapboxmom
08-29-2010, 09:18 AM
Caprock Dev, LLC Business Relationships (http://www.corporationwiki.com/graphs/roamer.aspx?id=39262099)

White Ventures Energy, LLC Business Relationships (http://www.corporationwiki.com/graphs/roamer.aspx?id=36718939)


It is high time we check out multi-billionaire Roscoe Frederick (Trey White) and see just where these alleged multi-billions of dollars of which Forbes has no knowledge came from.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-29-2010, 09:47 AM
Searching the names in those relationship charts linked above shows most of the LLCs listed don't even exist as viable businesses. They may be registered in Texas or Delaware, but searching Company Profiles & Company Information on Manta (http://www.manta.com) results in no hits. That suggest they are not active and generating any significant revenue. So, the question remains as to where the billions of dollars in Trey's name that qualify him and his reps to classify him as a multi-billionaire came from.

No doubt the FTC, SEC, Texas Attorney General's office and many other agencies will be responding to the many reports I and others have made. I am sure they will be able to pinpoint where these billions came from!

Soapboxmom

A Life Aloft
08-29-2010, 12:32 PM
Who is Roscoe F. White? He is listed as an "officer" and tied to many of the "businesses" names on one of your links, Mom. Is he a relative?

Roscoe F White - Profile on CorporationWiki.com (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/roscoe-f-white/34689781.aspx)

I have never sen so many LLC's taken out in my life, by the same entities and many (not all) of them lead to nowhere. lol (inactive)

Deborah A Thomas.....same question...she is listed at the same address as Roscoe and ties to the same conpanies.

What is this lawsuit about? Security Pacific Credit Corp v. White Ventures Energy, LLC et al :: Justia Dockets & Filings (http://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2007cv03710/390083/)

The only reason I can see having so many LLCs and not Corporations is because of taxes, and shuffling of monies and tax write offs on "business" which are not really businesses and the liability is much smaller than with a legit Corporation. Something really strange about all of this. Funny there are no Corporations in all of this convoluted mess, just dozens and dozens of LLCs. For a quick breakdown of the difference between an LLC and a Corporation:


LLC owners report business income and losses on their personal tax returns.

An LLC is not a separate tax entity like a corporation; instead, it is what the IRS calls a "pass-through entity," like a partnership or sole proprietorship. All of the profits and losses of the LLC "pass through" the business to the LLC owners (called members), who report this information on their personal tax returns. The LLC itself does not pay federal income taxes, but some states impose an annual tax on LLCs.
Income Taxes

The IRS treats your LLC like a sole proprietorship or a partnership, depending on the number of members in your LLC. If you've already done business as a sole proprietorship or partnership, you're ahead of the game because you know many of the rules already. If not, here are the basics:
Single-Owner LLCs

The IRS treats one-member LLCs as sole proprietorships for tax purposes. This means that the LLC itself does not pay taxes and does not have to file a return with the IRS.

As the sole owner of your LLC, you must report all profits (or losses) of the LLC on Schedule C and submit it with your 1040 tax return. Even if you leave profits in the company's bank account at the end of the year -- for instance, to cover future expenses or expand the business -- you must pay income tax on that money.
Multi-Owner LLCs

The IRS treats co-owned LLCs as partnerships for tax purposes. Like one-member LLCs, co-owned LLCs do not pay taxes on business income; instead, the LLC owners each pay taxes on their lawful share of the profits on their personal income tax returns (with Schedule E attached). Each LLC member's share of profits and losses, called a distributive share, should be set out in the LLC operating agreement.

Plus an LLC, unlike a Corporation allows you to limite your liability and cover your ass. Hmmmmm

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a business structure allowed by state statute. LLCs are popular because, similar to a corporation, owners have limited personal liability for the debts and actions of the LLC. Other features of LLCs are more like a partnership, providing management flexibility and the benefit of pass-through taxation.

Owners of an LLC are called members. Since most states do not restrict ownership, members may include individuals, corporations, other LLCs and foreign entities. There is no maximum number of members. Most states also permit “single member” LLCs, those having only one owner.

A few types of businesses generally cannot be LLCs, such as banks and insurance companies. Check your state’s requirements and the federal tax regulations for further information. There are special rules for foreign LLCs.

The federal government does not recognize an LLC as a classification for federal tax purposes. An LLC business entity must file as a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship tax return.



Where's Wserra??? lol

Soapboxmom
08-29-2010, 02:23 PM
13455 Noel Rd Lbby Dallas, TX 75240 (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/13455-Noel-Rd-Lbby-Dallas-TX-75240-a3826636.aspx)

There are gobs of LLCs at that same address that Roscoe / Trey has his name or that of his close associate, John D. Marlin such as:

Entertainment Ventures, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Deborah A Thomas, James R Baker, John D Marlin, Roscoe F White (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/entertainment-ventures-llc/38064270.aspx)

Eq Ventures Gp, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Deborah A Thomas, James R Baker, John D Marlin, Roscoe F White (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/eq-ventures-gp-llc/38064252.aspx)

Forefront Consultants, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - John D Marlin (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/forefront-consultants-llc/37245839.aspx)

Global Earthquest Ventures, Lp Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Eq Ventures Gp, LLC (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/global-earthquest-ventures-lp/38082493.aspx)

Jdmarlin Real Estate, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - John D Marlin (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/jdmarlin-real-estate-llc/37395841.aspx)

Ma Annuity, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Deborah A Thomas, James R Baker, John D Marlin, Roscoe F White (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/ma-annuity-llc/38070020.aspx)

Ma Boerne Partners Holdings, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Wv Holdings LLC, Jdmarlin Real Estate, LLC, Deborah A Thomas, John D Marlin (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/ma-boerne-partners-holdings-llc/37404472.aspx)

Ma Boerne Partners, Lp Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Ma Boerne Partners Holdings, LLC (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/ma-boerne-partners-lp/37404485.aspx)

Ma-Bp Holdings, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Wv Holdings LLC, Jdmarlin Real Estate, LLC, Deborah A Thomas, John D Marlin (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/ma-bp-holdings-llc/37404488.aspx)

Masl, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Deborah A Thomas, John D Marlin (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/masl-llc/37981793.aspx)

Sedona Lakes Homeowners' Association Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - John D Marlin, Neal Heckel, Steve Maglisceau (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/sedona-lakes-homeowners-association/37951758.aspx)

Wv Holdings LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/wv-holdings-llc/36614394.aspx)

There was also a Scandirect at that same address years ago.

I sure as heck don't see the deal that garnered anyone billions of dollars.

Soapboxmom

A Life Aloft
08-29-2010, 05:32 PM
Doesn't "Trey" sound a little better than Roscoe? Here is a little bit more:

Trey White, aka Fred White III, aka Roscoe F. White III ......He’s a guy who (alongside his dad) set up homestore.com, which was a big successful company during the dot com bubble and then fizzled into very little in the midst of plummeting stock prices, DOJ investigations, class action lawsuits, misleading financial statements and etc.

Since then, he’s run a number of different companies out of one office, the only one of them that shows up often in third-party sources is White Energy, which as you’ve acknowledged, went bankrupt.

Trey White and Evolv have done a great deal of work to make sure that their sites (or link to their sites, or postings made to point to their sites) are the only things that show up on web searches. Once you get beyond those self-generated hype pieces, there’s almost nothing about White or any of his companies online. There’s no independent verification of just about any of his claims, and when third parties chime in, they are generally — like MD Anderson — contesting White’s claims.

ComicStripClub.com » Archive » Red Eye (http://comicstripclub.com/?p=225&cpage=6)He's also known as Fred??? ROTFL!! Seriously?? Good Grief!!! lmao Interesting info about his business past also. Really interesting. These people have bullshit down to an exact science don't they? I think I'll change my name to Lance or Dalton or Biff or something now. Gerry just doesn't cut it anymore. lol

Soapboxmom
09-13-2010, 09:31 AM
NAME
DPS NUMBER
SEX
RACE
DATE OF BIRTH
CCH
SOR
NBF
WHITE,ROSCOE F III
03501841
MALE
WHITE
05/09/1967
VIEW (https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/Cch/Application/Batch/individual.aspx?BatchID=1447431&SearchID=5957232&IND_IDN=7445772#SID-5957232-7445772)






WHITE,ROSCOE F III (SID: 03501841)

SEX
RACE
ETHNICITY
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
EYES
HAIR COLOR
DL NUMBER
FBI#
DLU
MALE
WHITE

602
185
BLUE
Blond or Strawberry


12/8/2005
NAMES
WHITE,ROSCOE F III (Primary)
WHITE,ROSCOE F
WHITE,ROSCOE FREDERICK
BIRTHDATES
05/09/1967 (Primary)

Arrest Summary (TRN)
DATE OF ARREST
SEQUENCE CODE
TRACKING NUMBER
AGENCY DESCRIPTION
11/06/1996
A
9002966768
HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
View (https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/Cch/Application/Batch/individual.aspx?BatchID=1447431&SearchID=5957232&IND_IDN=7445772#TRN-5957232-7367660)

Arrest Date: 11/06/1996


Arrest Summary (https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/Cch/Application/Batch/individual.aspx?BatchID=1447431&SearchID=5957232&IND_IDN=7445772#TRN-SUMMARY)

DATE OF ARREST
11/06/1996

SEQUENCE CODE
A

TRACKING NUMBER
9002966768

AGENCY DESCRIPTION
TXHPD0000 ( HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT )



CHARGE

TRACKING SUFFIX
A001



OFFENSE DETAIL

INTERNAL AGENCY CASE NUMBER
127271396

ARREST OFFENSE
13990001 ( ASSAULT CAUSES BODILY INJ )

ARREST OFFENSE CITATION
22.01(A)(1)

LEVEL AND DEGREE OF OFFENSE
MA ( MISDEMEANOR - CLASS A )

DATE OF OFFENSE
09/29/1996

ARREST DISPOSITION
206 ( BAIL/RELEASED ON OWN RECOGNIZANCE )

ARREST DISPOSITION DATE
11/06/1996

PROSECUTOR ORI REFERRED TO
TX101015A ( DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE HOUSTON )



PROSECUTION DETAIL

AGENCY DESCRIPTION
TX101015A ( DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE HOUSTON )

PROSECUTOR ACTION FIELD
A ( PROSECUTOR ACCEPTS THE CHARGE )

PROSECUTOR OFFENSE
13990001 ( ASSAULT CAUSES BODILY INJ )

PROSECUTOR OFFENSE CITATION
22.01(A)(1)

LEVEL AND DEGREE PROSECUTED
MA ( MISDEMEANOR - CLASS A )



COURT STATUS

COURT SEQUENCE
a

AGENCY DESCRIPTION
TX101393J ( COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NO 9 HOUSTON )

COURT OFFENSE
13990001 ( ASSAULT CAUSES BODILY INJ )

CITATION
22.01(A)(1)

LEVEL AND DEGREE OFFENSE
MA ( MISDEMEANOR - CLASS A )

COURT DISPOSITION
310 ( CONVICTED )

COURT DISPOSITION DATE
02/07/1997

DATE OF SENTENCE/STATUS
02/07/1997

CAUSE NUMBER
964311301010

FINAL PLEADING
C ( NO CONTEST OR NOLO CONTENDERE )

COURT CONFINEMENT
4D

COURT FINE
400

AGENCY RECEIVING CUSTODY
TX1010000

MULTIPLE SENTENCES CODE
CC ( CONCURRENT )

Soapboxmom
09-13-2010, 12:16 PM
A Fred / Roscoe White Jr. (Trey / Roscoe Frederick White III's dad) is mentioned in the SEC filing (http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1085770/0000944209-99-000909.txt)relating to taking the homestore.com public. It got him tangled up in this lawsuit which is referenced therein.


Case Information Summary for Case Number
1999-CH-04265
Filing Date: 3/19/1999Case Type: GENERAL CHANCERY Division: Chancery DivisionDistrict: First Municipal Ad Damnum: $0.00Calendar: 01


Party Information
Plaintiff(s)Attorney(s)MOLINARE JOHN DJOHNSON BELL LTD
33 W MONROE#2700
CHICAGO IL, 60603
(312) 372-0770

Date of ServiceDefendant(s)Attorney(s)NETSELECT INC
MULTISEARCH SOLUTIONS INC
NEW LIST CORPORATION
NATIONAL NEW HOMES CORP
WHITE JR ROSCOE F


Case Activity
Activity Date: 3/19/1999Participant: MOLINARE JOHN DGENERAL CHANCERY FILED (JURY DEMAND) Court Fee: 420.00Attorney: JOHNSON BELL LTD
Activity Date: 3/19/1999Participant: MOLINARE JOHN DCASE SET ON CASE MANAGEMENT CALL Date: 9/21/1999Court Time: 0915Court Room: 2510Judge: GETTY, MICHAEL B.Microfilm: CH000000000
Activity Date: 8/18/1999Participant: MOLINARE JOHNCASE MGMT CALL NOTICE MAILED Date: 9/21/1999Court Time: 0915Court Room: 2510Judge: GETTY, MICHAEL B.
Activity Date: 9/21/1999Participant: MOLINARE JOHN DGENERAL CHANCERY - DISMISSED FOR WANT OF PROSECUTION Court Room: 2510Judge: GETTY, MICHAEL B.Microfilm: CH990451856

Soapboxmom
09-13-2010, 12:20 PM
The Opportunity (http://www.willyouevolv.com/Will_You_Evolv/The_Opportunity.html)


The Evolv Story

So what about our company? Our company is led by Trey White; he is a venture capitalist out of Dallas, Texas. He made his first mark on the business community back in the 90’s when he founded HomeBuilder.com (http://homebuilder.com/). Now he merged that with Realtor.com (http://realtor.com/) and took it public from HomeStore.com (http://homestore.com/) with a $10 Billion dollar market cap — a pretty good day at the office! That led the way to Marlin Atlantis, which is 3rd largest residential land development company in the state of Texas with over 20,000 properties. Now that gave Trey the ability to invest $500 Million to create the 4th largest ethanol manufacturing facility in the country. So how did he do this? Trey has got the unique ability to spot the “disruptive technology” then align himself with the best of breed in management. And he has done exactly that with Evolv.


The SEC filing (http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1085770/0000944209-99-000909.txt)about that is quite interesting. We can paly a rousing game of where is that White --- Trey / Roscoe Frederick White III.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-13-2010, 02:05 PM
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization - NetSelect Inc., National New Homes Co.... (http://contracts.corporate.findlaw.com/planning/merger/3584.html)



THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of June 20, 1998 (the "Effective Date") by and among NETSELECT,
INC., a Delaware corporation ("NetSelect"), NATIONAL NEW HOMES CO, INC., a
Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetSelect ("NNH"),
MULTISEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC., a Texas corporation, and FRED WHITE, an individual,
and R. FRED WHITE III (TREY), an individual (collectively, the "Shareholders")....


2. PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

2.1 The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
----------
the Agreement of Merger, MSS shall be merged with and into NNH in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the laws of the States of Delaware and Texas
and with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Agreement of Merger,
so that:

(a) At the Effective Time (as defined below), MSS shall be merged with
and into NNH. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of
MSS shall cease and NNH shall continue as the surviving corporation (sometimes
referred to herein as the "Surviving Corporation") and shall succeed to and
assume all of the rights and obligations of MSS in accordance with the laws of
Delaware.....

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

NETSELECT, INC. MULTISEARCH SYSTEMS, INC.
a Delaware corporation a Texas corporation



By: /s/ Stuart Wolff By: /s/ Fred White
----------------------------------- -------------------------------
Stuart Wolff Fred White, President
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


NATIONAL NEW HOMES CO, INC. SHAREHOLDERS
a Delaware corporation
FRED WHITE


By: /s/ Stuart Wolff /s/ Fred White
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Stuart Wolff Fred White, individually
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

R. FRED WHITE III (TREY)

/s/ R. Fred White III
----------------------------------
R. Fred White III, individually



So Trey White is nothing more than a shareholder in his dad's stuff. That hardly makes him the guy that took the Homestore.com public. The whole sordid mess ended up in the hands of Stuart Wolff who is now in prison.

Wolff sentenced to 4.5 years in prison | Inman News (http://www.inman.com/news/2010/04/19/wolff-sentenced-45-years-in-prison)



Former Homestore.com chairman and CEO Stuart Wolff was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison Monday after a judge rejected a plea by his lawyers for a lighter sentence.
A plea agreement Wolff signed in January called for him to spend between three and five years in prison for his role in a scheme that artificially inflated Homestore's revenue in 2001. Wolff pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Wolff's attorneys maintained that he should receive the lightest possible sentence possible under the agreement because he signed off on the scheme but did not initiate it.
Homestore, which operates Realtor.com, rebranded as Move Inc. after other top executives were convicted of engineering circular advertising deals that the company later admitted inflated the company's revenue by nearly $200 million.
In sentencing Wolff, U.S. District Judge Gary Feess said the Homestore scheme caused "widespread injury to untold numbers of people in the stock market," and was a "calculated deception of the public."
Former Homestore executive vice president Peter Tafeen was previously sentenced to 27 months in prison; former Homestore chief operating officer John Giesecke received 12 months; and chief financial officer Joseph Shew 6 months.
Before Monday's sentencing hearing, Wolff's attorneys argued that he was merely in a position to "green light" the fraud, while Tafeen was "the admitted master-mind and architect of the scheme" and Shew "the day-to-day implementer."
Prosecutors said the relatively lenient sentences handed down to Shew, Giesecke, and Tafeen reflected their willingness to cooperate with the government in efforts to prosecute Wolff and others. Shew and Giesecke, they noted, entered guilty pleas and accepted responsibility for their actions eight years ago.
A total of 11 defendants had previously been convicted in the case, including executives at companies that participated in the circular advertising deals that helped Homestore inflate its earnings.
At a previous trial in 2006, Wolff, now 46, was convicted of more than a dozen criminal charges and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
An appeals court reversed the conviction, saying the judge presiding over the trial should have recused himself because he owned stock in America Online, one of the companies that allegedly served as third-party intermediaries in the circular advertising deals.
In the leadup to Wolff's retrial, his new defense team claimed it had uncovered evidence that employees of Homestore's accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, modified or destroyed evidence in the case.
The accounting firm has said its employees "complied with professional standards," but prosecutors acknowledged "inconsistencies" in statements by the accounting firm and dropped four counts of the 23-count indictment pending against him (see story (http://www.inman.com/news/2010/01/7/stuart-wolff-retrial-set-begin-jan-26)).
The eight-year investigation and legal battles have "been draining emotionally and physically and will almost if not entirely wipe (Wolff) out financially," his attorneys said in a March 31 filing (http://cache.inman.com/files/stories/DOC_1014_WOLFF_SENT_MEMO.pdf) outlining their case for a light sentence.
The notoriety and length of the case mean a three-year sentence would be a sufficient deterrent to others considering similar crimes, Wolff's lawyers argued, and also provide the punitive punishment called for by the law.
Wolff's criminal conviction, "reported in the press and forever available in this Internet age, effectively brands him a pariah for the rest of his life," his attorneys said.
Wolff's defense team submitted letters from relatives, colleagues and friends describing his conduct as "out of character" with his values and his "humble and caring upbringing."
Wolff, who founded the company that would become Homestore at age 33, "is truly sorry for his actions, takes full responsibility for his conduct, realizes and feels devastated by the harms caused, and knows that he likely will live the rest of his life making amends for his misconduct," his attorneys said.

The letters included pleas for a lenient sentence from Wolff's mother and father, his sister, his wife, and one of his sons.
In their response, prosecutors said (http://cache.inman.com/files/stories/DOC_1021_GOVT_SENT_POS.pdf) they did not dispute "the sincerity of the moving letters submitted by Wolff’s family and friends."
But Wolff has displayed "selective memory" about his involvement of "the pervasive misconduct of his key lieutenants and their subordinates," prosecutors said, and was in fact "a key player in this significant financial scandal."
Prosecutors were also unmoved by Wolff's claim that he was unable to pay more than $5 million in restitution.
Wolff netted more than $8.6 million from sales of Homestore stock between April and August of 2001, prosecutors said. Until recently, Wolff has "consistently reported assets" of greater than $8 million, prosecutors said, but now claims the value of his Westlake Village home has fallen by 20 percent and that his hedge-fund investments are worth 60 percent less than previously reported.
Judge Fees put off a decision on how much restitution Wolff will be required to pay.
Prosecutors estimate Homestore investors lost $1.6 billion after the fraud was discovered -- a claim Wolff's attorneys say is based on an oversimplified analysis of the decline in the company's share price.
There is no evidence as to how many shareholders sold how many shares after the fraud was revealed, Wolff's attorneys said, and the government made no attempt to determine how much of the underlying value of the stock due was artificially induced through fraud.
Prosecutors countered that the law does not require them to prove the precise loss that each shareholder incurred during the period of the fraud.
"It is obviously not possible for the government to interview all of the Homestore shareholders who bought or held the company’s stock during 2001 regarding the losses caused by the fraud scheme," prosecutors said.
In a separate civil suit, attorneys for Homestore investors have collected more than $120 million in damages through settlements with Homestore, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and others (see story (http://www.inman.com/news/2009/09/1/realogy-quietly-exits-homestore-scandal)).
Wolff is the final defendant in the civil case, with proceedings suspended pending the outcome of his criminal trial.
Wolff's plea agreement stipulates that he should receive credit for any payments he makes in the civil suit and in another case brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"I'm glad he's finally taking responsibility for at least a portion of the fraud of Homestore," said Nancy Fineman a Burlingame, Calif.-based attorney representing Homestore investors. "It's kind of too bad he didn't 10 years ago when this all broke, like some others did."
A scheduling conference in the civil case is set for May 11.
"We are interested in seeking all from him that we can get," Fineman said before Wolff was sentenced Monday. "Whatever prison sentence he has, he will still be a fairly young man."
Wolff has requested to serve his time at a federal prison camp in Santa Barbara County, Calif. -- the Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc. He was ordered to begin serving his sentence by June 21, 2010. He will be about 51 when he is released.


Obviously, homestore.com did fabulous thanks to Trey White. Keep bragging Trey and I will keep digging!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-13-2010, 05:51 PM
WHITE VENTURES - ABOUT US - Team (http://www.whiteventures.com/au_team.html)


Trey White, CEO
As Chairman and CEO of White Ventures, Ltd., Mr. White guides the control and management of the company's interests in real property, real estate development, manufacturing, oil and gas, and technology. He is also committed to investment in the production of renewable fuel sources, both domestic and global. His philosophy is defined by investment in forward-thinking solutions that technology will accelerate, creating exponential benefits and new markets in global economies.
He was born a third-generation entrepreneur in Dallas. From young adulthood he devoted time and effort to long-term projections for business success. Understanding that being first to market is a huge advantage, he directed energy toward achievements that positioned him ahead of competitors. To date, he has placed capital of more than $1.5B into companies he founded or co-founded:

NewHomeSearch, a revolutionary electronic communication tool for Realtors® and new home builders, gained 100% penetration in the Dallas market within two years of inception and grew to ten markets with an innovative client-server-based application.
NewHomeSearch.com, renamed HomeBuilder.com, the first portal for searching real estate listings, quickly expanded to seventy-five markets and became the official Web site of the National Association of Homebuilders.
The merger of HomeBuilder.com with Realtor.com took the two companies public as HomeStore.com, raised $800M in two offerings, drove stock to $160 per share, and resulted in an $11B market cap.
Mr. White liquidated his equity position in HomeStore.com in the year 2000 and founded White Ventures, an enterprise created to invest in angel rounds, start-ups, emerging markets, and real estate development opportunities.
In 2002, White Ventures began investing in multi-phased, single-family, residential developments and, in 2003, provided the start-up capital to form Marlin Atlantis. This new entity, under the direction of an outstanding management team, took advantage of low interest rates and strong residential housing markets. To date, Marlin Atlantis has entitled and/or developed eighteen residential communities, including five master-planned developments in major Texas markets. The enterprise has deployed more than $200M in capital and is one of the largest residential community developers in Texas, with more than 20,000 single family lots in inventory.
Also in 2003, Mr. White founded White Energy, a company funded to take advantage of the high cost of oil, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels by building destination, fuel-grade, ethanol plants. In 2005, White Energy received its air permit to build in Texas - and the first new facility model created a destination plant trend that continues today in Texas, California, New York, Colorado, Kansas and Florida. White Energy will be the fifth-largest US producer and the largest Texas producer of ethanol when the 200M gallons of Texas production are online in 4th quarter, 2007.
Mr. White has created and pioneered markets using a best-of-breed management team methodology - and he leads several organizations, charitable as well as for-profit, against which other companies and efforts are measured.
His mental and physical cornerstones for success include surrounding himself with smart, experienced, respected individuals - at the top of their industries. He and his associates possess the ability to take measured risks, cultivate instincts for emerging markets, and demonstrate the acute market-awareness necessary for properly timed exits. He considers these aspects of business acumen "simple rules for a complex world, instrumental in stacking odds toward the probability of success."

Trey White (http://evolvtogether.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51:trey-white&catid=35:corp-team&Itemid=99)



<H1>Trey White — Founder & Chairman

</H1>
http://evolvtogether.com/images/stories/team/pic_trey-head.png

Mr. White’s philosophy is defined by investing in forward–thinking solutions with an eye toward technology and first-to-market advantages. He was born a third–generation entrepreneur in Dallas. Understanding that being first to market is a huge advantage, he directed energy toward achievements that positioned him ahead of competitors in emerging markets. To date, he has placed capital of more than $1.5B into companies he founded or co–founded.

Mr. White co–founded NewHomeSearch, a revolutionary electronic real estate listing service for Realtors® and new home builders, gained 100% penetration in the Dallas market within two years of inception and grew to ten markets with an innovative client–server–based application. NewHomeSearch, renamed HomeBuilder.com in 1996, created the first Internet portal for searching real estate listings, quickly expanded to seventy–five markets and became the official Web site of the National Association of Homebuilders. Mr. White oversaw the merger of HomeBuilder.com with Realtor.com and participated in taking the two companies public as HomeStore.com, raised $800M in two offerings, drove stock to $160 per share and resulted in a $9B market cap at its peak.

In 2002 Mr. White began investing in multi–phased, single–family, residential developments and, in 2003, provided the start–up capital to form Marlin Atlantis. This new entity, under the direction of an outstanding management team, took advantage of low interest rates and strong residential housing markets in Texas. To date, Marlin Atlantis has entitled and/or developed eighteen residential communities, including five master–planned developments in major Texas markets. The enterprise has deployed more than $200M in capital and is one of the largest residential community developers in Texas, with more than 20,000 single family lots in inventory. Marlin Atlantis is currently in the process of designing a $500M theme park in Houston, Texas named EarthQuest. EarthQuest will be the first mega theme park built in the US since DisneyWorld. Its unique position in the Houston market is projected to attract over 3M visitors per year and raise the bar in entertainment while delivering an eco conscious message.

Also in 2003, Mr. White founded White Energy, a company funded to take advantage of the high cost of oil, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels by building destination, fuel–grade, ethanol plants. In 2005, White Energy received its air permit to build in Texas. The first new facility created a destination plant trend that continues today in Texas, California, New York, Colorado, Kansas and Florida. White Energy produces 250M gallons of ethanol in three facilities, the fifth–largest US producer and the largest Texas refiner of fuel grade ethanol. To date, White Energy has deployed over $500M into renewable energy investments.

Mr. White has created and pioneered markets using a best–of–breed management team methodology as he leads several organizations, charitable as well as for–profit, against which other companies and efforts are measured. His mental and physical cornerstones for success include surrounding himself with smart, experienced, respected individuals at the top of their industries. He and his associates possess the ability to take measured risks, cultivate instincts for emerging markets, and demonstrate the acute market–awareness necessary for properly timed exits. He considers these aspects of business acumen “simple rules for a complex world, instrumental in stacking odds toward the probability of success.”



9, 11, 10 billion??? Which is it Trey? Is it hard to keep those stories straight.
The listed management includes:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1085770/0000944209-99-000946.txt

MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our executive
officers and directors as of March 31, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Stuart H. Wolff, Ph.D... 36 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Michael A. Buckman...... 51 President and Chief Operating Officer
John M. Giesecke, Jr.... 38 Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary
Catherine Kwong Giffen.. 34 Vice President, Human Resources and Administration
David M. Rosenblatt..... 34 Vice President, Marketing and General Counsel
Joseph J. Shew.......... 33 Vice President, Finance
Peter B. Tafeen......... 30 Vice President, Business Development
Michael C. Brooks....... 54 Director
James G. Brown.......... 34 Director
L. John Doerr........... 49 Director
Joe F. Hanauer.......... 61 Director
Richard R. Janssen...... 50 Director
William E. Kelvie....... 51 Director
Kenneth K. Klein........ 55 Director
</TABLE>

Stuart H. Wolff, Ph.D. joined HomeStore.com in November 1996 as Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer. From September 1994 to September 1996, Dr. Wolff
was Vice President of Business Services at TCI Interactive and at AND
Interactive, subsidiaries of TCI Communications, Inc., a cable company. Prior
to his tenure at TCI Communications, Inc. Dr. Wolff was an engineer at IBM and
a research scientist at AT&T Bell Labs. In 1986 he was recognized by the
Japanese Ministry of Education and awarded the Monbushu Fellowship at the
Tokyo Institute of Technology. Dr. Wolff received a B.S. in electrical
engineering from Brown University and an M.E.E. and Ph.D. in electrical
engineering from Princeton University.

Where is our boy Trey / Roscoe Frederick White III????

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-13-2010, 08:38 PM
Evolv MLM Review - What Do Billionaires Trey White, Donald Trump and Warren Buffet Have in Common? (http://ezinearticles.com/?Evolv-MLM-Review---What-Do-Billionaires-Trey-White,-Donald-Trump-and-Warren-Buffet-Have-in-Common?&id=3999644)


Evolv Distributors Are Licking Their Chops
Evolv distributors have never been at a better place in this industry than today with Trey White coming on board as an investor. They will be able to use his billionaire status to support their argument that Evolv is well capitalized and is going to be around for a very long time. The last thing a distributor wants is to waste their precious time promoting a MLM company only to have it go bankrupt from lack of cash flow and management. This will be the crucial selling point that Evolv distributors should capitalize on when giving their business presentation to a prospect or a group of people at a meeting.

Think how well capitalized White Energy was. All Trey's bragging and it imploded into bankruptcy (http://www.myplainview.com/news/article_29739053-b94d-580d-aedd-87c1deb5e59a.html) and the multi-billionaire Trey White didn't swoop in to the rescue??? MLMs are fly by night ventures by their very nature and the industry seems to acknowledge a 97% failure rate for its independent contractors / reps. Why would the zero water be any different?

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-14-2010, 11:06 AM
Marlin Atlantis in 2005 listed these:


Dallas/Ft. Worth Developments
» Brookville Estates (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_brookville.html)
» Cheyenne Ridge (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_cheyenneridge.html)
» Crescent Springs Ranch (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_crescentsprings.html)
» Cross Oak Ranch (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_crossoakranch.html)
» Grady Niblo (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_gradyniblo.html)
» Harbor Glen (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_harborglen.html)
» Hidden Creek (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_hiddencreek.html)
» Lasater Ranch (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_lasaterranch.html)
» Oak Point (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_oakpoint.html)
» Park Trails (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_parktrails.html)
» Rivers Edge (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_riversedge.html)
» Sienna Hills (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_siennahills.html)
» Terrace Landing (http://web.archive.org/web/20050505182904/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities/ma_terracelanding.html)


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c110/soapboxmom/MarlinAtlantisHomes.gif
It is time for some research to see where Trey White made his billions of dollars.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-14-2010, 11:17 AM
Brookville Estates

http://www.internest.com/images/top.gifBack to Top (http://www.internest.com/holidaybuildersdfw/holidaybuildersdfw25595.asp#top)
http://images.internest.com/holidaybuildersdfw/property25595.GIFhttp://www.internest.com/images/clear.gifPrice:From $132,990 to $167,990iNest Rebate:From $1,330 Builder:Holiday Builders (http://www.internest.com/holidaybuildersdfw/index.asp)Home Type:Single-Family HomeSquare Footage:2,003 to 3,178Bedrooms:3 to 4Bathrooms:2 to 2.5http://www.internest.com/images/fb_star_sm.gif (http://www.internest.com/holidaybuildersdfw/holidaybuildersdfw25595.asp#) Take coupon with you on your first visit.
I don't think a handful of cheap tract homes in Forney made Trey his billions.

Soapboxmom
09-14-2010, 11:22 AM
History Maker Homes
Community / Model Group: CHEYENNE RIDGE - FORT WORTH

Do you love Fort Worth but want to be close to Eagle Mountain Lake? Well then Cheyenne Ridge is the place for you! Located minutes from 820 North and I-35, Cheyenne Ridge is a wonderful new community off Boat Club Road in Saginaw. Close to elementary, middle and high schools of Eagle-Mountain ISD, Cheyenne Ridge is the perfect community for families of all ages. Featuring History Maker's Lifestyle Series of home designs, Cheyenne Ridge has 3 model homes to visit as well as a multitude of home plans and styles to fit your needs, lifestyle and financial obligations. Come and visit our exciting community today and see how History Maker offers MORE HOME... less money!
Models available at CHEYENNE RIDGE - FORT WORTH

http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/singlefamilyhomes_arlington.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3267)
Model name: 1540 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3267)

Living : 1,540 Sq Ft.
Total : 1,540 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 1540 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3267)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/arlington_singlefamilyhomes.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3268)
Model name: 1640 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3268)

Living : 1,640 Sq Ft.
Total : 1,640 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 1640 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3268)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/arlington_homesforsale.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3269)
Model name: 1650 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3269)

Living : 1,650 Sq Ft.
Total : 1,650 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 1650 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3269)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/arlingtion_new_homes.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3273)
Model name: 1950 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3273)

Living : 1,950 Sq Ft.
Total : 1,950 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 1950 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3273)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/irving_realestate.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3279)
Model name: 2300 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3279)

Living : 2,300 Sq Ft.
Total : 2,300 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 2300 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3279)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/irving_homesforsale.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3280)
Model name: 2304 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3280)

Living : 2,304 Sq Ft.
Total : 2,304 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 1 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 2304 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3280)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/forwort_newhomes.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3287)
Model name: 2650 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3287)

Living : 2,650 Sq Ft.
Total : 2,650 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 2650 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3287)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/dfw_newhomes.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3290)
Model name: 2990 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3290)

Living : 2,990 Sq Ft.
Total : 2,990 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 2990 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3290)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/dalasnewhouse.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3296)
Model name: 3300 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3296)

Living : 3,300 Sq Ft.
Total : 3,300 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 3300 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3296)
http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/upload/ashmeadownewhome.gif (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3303)
Model name: 3500 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3303)

Living : 3,500 Sq Ft.
Total : 3,500 Sq Ft.
3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2 Car Garage.
See more information about 3500 Series (http://www.dfwnewhomemall.com/ebrochure.php?modelid=3303)

Not the stuff billions are made from either.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-14-2010, 12:07 PM
Antares Homes - New Homes Available Now (http://www.antareshomes.com/available.aspx)

Residents To Bowen Homes: Clean Up Your Mess! (http://www.mycrossoakranch.com/component/content/article/19-general-stories/189-residents-to-bowen-homes-clean-up-your-mess.html)

http://www.dallasobserver.com/2009-03-19/news/dallas-wants-to-be-a-green-city-so-why-not-save-some-trees/ (http://www.dallasobserver.com/2009-03-19/news/dallas-wants-to-be-a-green-city-so-why-not-save-some-trees/)


Dallas Wants to be a Green City, So Why Not Save Some Trees?



A (http://javascript<b></b>:;)A (http://javascript<b></b>:;)A (http://javascript<b></b>:;) Comments (http://www.dallasobserver.com/2009-03-19/news/dallas-wants-to-be-a-green-city-so-why-not-save-some-trees/#comments) (10) By Alexa Schirtzinger (http://www.dallasobserver.com/authors/alexa-schirtzinger) Thursday, Mar 19 2009
On a windswept rise in southwest Dallas, Frank Bracken (http://www.dallasobserver.com/related/to/Frank+Bracken) squints into the late-afternoon sun and sweeps his wiry, flannel-clad arm across the empty expanse of chalky white caliche. This ridge used to be thick with 30-foot jade-green cedar and oak trees, the only species tenacious enough to cling to the rocky ground, their roots holding the soil in place. Today, it resembles the nihilistic work of some profiteering strip miner. Bracken, who owns a farm just south of here, and his neighbors call this land "the moonscape" for its lack of vegetation and stark, white rock. The developer's Web site, though, calls it Grady Niblo Estates—"a peaceful and serene family retreat."
Four years ago, development company Marlin Atlantis bought this land, a verdant hill near Duncanville (http://www.dallasobserver.com/related/to/Duncanville), planning to build a high-end subdivision with homes priced between $250,000 and $500,000. In a series of community meetings in late 2004, Bracken and his neighbors heard promises about preserving old-growth trees and directed the developer to a nearby subdivision—gorgeous, winding streets shaded with ancient oak and pecan trees—that neighbors hoped would be the model for Grady Niblo.
Mark Graham
A plastic fence separates shady, wooded yards from a once-forested lot that developers of Grady Niblo Estates clear-cut to make room for a new subdivision (above). Trees, apparently, weren’t on the list of things the developers wanted to preserve in the development, which neighbors describe as a moonscape.

But in the summer of 2005, a plume of ominous white dust rose from the Grady Niblo (http://www.dallasobserver.com/related/to/Grady+Niblo) site, and before long, every tree was gone. The last to go, says Bracken, was a row of cedar trees that blocked the view from the street; no one could tell what was happening until it was too late. Hundreds of semi trucks carted away the mulched trees. The developer did not return Dallas Observer calls seeking comment.
For three years, the land stood empty. Erosion washed silt and rocks into ruts left by the bulldozers, carving deep furrows in the land and choking storm sewers. Today, Phase I of Grady Niblo Estates remains unfinished, with only a handful of imposing brick houses rising from the apocalyptic landscape. There are no sidewalks, just streets and a few driveways. A lone metal street sign, oblivious to its own irony, marks the corner of "Nature's Way" and "Preservation Lane."
After the bulldozers left, Marlin Atlantis could hardly make good on its promise to preserve old-growth trees, and Bracken and his neighbors were relegated to demanding that the developer at least fulfill its city-mandated obligation to replant trees equivalent to what it had cut down.
The city of Dallas' tree ordinance requires that when a landowner cuts down protected trees—trees of certain species that are more than 8 inches thick—he or she has must "mitigate" for the cut trees in one of three ways: replanting, paying into a reforestation fund or donating trees to the city. The landowner, however, can claim a "special exception" to mitigation if he or she can prove to the city that replanting "will unreasonably burden" the property's use and that taking the exception won't harm neighboring property.
Marlin Atlantis sought an exception based on what it said was a prior agreement it had reached with the Dallas city attorney to satisfy its mitigation obligation by donating to the city as parkland a wooded ravine on the western edge of Grady Niblo.
Bracken and his neighbors, sick of dealing with silt in their sewer system and the dust rising from the empty land next door, hoped the city would see it their way and deny the developer an exception.
In November 2007, the Dallas Zoning Board of Adjustment rejected Marlin Atlantis' bid for an exception from the replanting requirement. In 2008, Marlin Atlantis' lender, Graham Investments Inc. (http://www.dallasobserver.com/related/to/Graham+Investments+Inc.), foreclosed on the property, and that August, Graham (http://www.dallasobserver.com/related/to/Joe+Graham) brought a similar case before the board, whose ruling created a unique mitigation arrangement that attempted to satisfy the residents and the lender. According to Joe Graham, president of Graham Investments, his company has "spent a tremendous amount of time and money trying to do the right thing," including paying out "over $450,000 so far" to bring the property into compliance.
The tangible effects of that half-million seem scant: a thin layer of black dirt seeded with grass has been spread to cover the white caliche and slow erosion, and a pitiful line of oak and ash trees has been planted atop a levee at the far end of the property. Several of these trees tremble at rakish angles, their thin trunks no match for the wind that now buffets this treeless plain. Their roots—some of them still coiled in the ball like those of an unplanted tree—are unable to penetrate the hard, white rock and have done little to stanch soil erosion. Bracken says that dirt and rocks still fill the roads and clog the sewers when it rains, and city officials who might monitor compliance with the ruling are a rare sight at the moonscape.



Marlin Atlantis ain't the billion dollar special either it seems. Go hug a tree today Trey!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-15-2010, 12:53 PM
More Marlin Atlantis projects:
Harbor Glen

http://www.internest.com/images/top.gifBack to Top (http://www.internest.com/holidaybuildersdfw/holidaybuildersdfw29210.asp#top)
http://images.internest.com/holidaybuildersdfw/property29210.JPGhttp://www.internest.com/images/clear.gifPrice:From $137,990 to $178,990iNest Rebate:From $1,380 Builder:Holiday Builders (http://www.internest.com/holidaybuildersdfw/index.asp)Home Type:Single-Family HomeSquare Footage:1,892 to 3,178Bedrooms:3 to 4Bathrooms:2 to 2.5http://www.internest.com/images/fb_star_sm.gif (http://www.internest.com/holidaybuildersdfw/holidaybuildersdfw29210.asp#) Take coupon with you on your first visit.
Hidden Creek Estates

From $129,990 - $212,990
Master Planned
24 new homes available. From 1508 - 3465 sq.ft. View Homes (http://www.newhomesource.com/communitydetail/builder-1163/community-17379/view-homes)
Antares Homes 923 Hidden Lake Drive, Burleson, TX 76028 Map (http://www.newhomesource.com/communitydetail/builder-1163/community-17379/view-directions)

Lasater Ranch

http://www.internest.com/images/top.gifBack to Top (http://www.internest.com/antareshomesdallas/antareshomesdallas37316.asp#top)
http://images.internest.com/antareshomesdallas/mainpicture.GIFhttp://www.internest.com/images/clear.gifPrice:From $109,490 to $153,990iNest Rebate:From $1,095 Builder:Antares Homes (http://www.internest.com/antareshomesdallas/index.asp)Home Type:Single-Family HomeSquare Footage:1,334 to 2,778Bedrooms:3 to 5Bathrooms:2 to 3http://www.internest.com/images/fb_star_sm.gif (http://www.internest.com/antareshomesdallas/antareshomesdallas37316.asp#) Take coupon with you on your first visit.

Marlin Atlantis' Oak Point homes in Plano, TX is really getting dissed:
How is the KB Homes - Oak Point at Plano? (McKinney: real estate, apartments) - Dallas - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum (http://www.city-data.com/forum/dallas/592952-how-kb-homes-oak-point-plano.html)

Here is more cheap crap in the Marlin Atlantis development of Park Trails of Princeton, TX
Homes For Sale In Park Trails, Princeton Texas (http://www.bwhometeam.com/Real_Estate/TX/City/Princeton/Park_Trails_Subdivision-Princeton.aspx)

Not quite the stuff that makes multi-billionaires!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-15-2010, 02:01 PM
Marlin Atlantis said in 2005:


Rivers Edge is in one of the fastest growing regions of the Ft. Worth/Dallas area. This community is situated on highway 114, just 3 miles west of Interstate 35W providing quick and convenient routes to the major Dallas/Ft. Worth employment centers, and is minutes away from the new Alliance Airport. River's Edge is a 213 acre single family residential development with a 30 acre commercial/retail segment positioned along the highway 114 frontage, providing immediate convenience for the residents. This subdivision features Goodman Homes (http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.khov.com/home/TX/TXDF/TXDF.htm?FilterByBrand=No&Brand=GCH&CommCode=&ModelCode=&StateCode=TX&MktAreaCode=TXDF&NavLevel=MktArea&FlashVer=6?Ref=Google) and Horizon Homes (http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.horizonhomesdfw.com/tmp/ourhomes/ourcommunities) as the homebuilders and will contain 595 single family, detached residential lots to be developed in 4 phases. Phase I lots will be ready for the homebuilders in November, 2005.
http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/plan_riversedge_sm.jpg (http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/pdf/RiversEdge_Concept.pdf) Homebuilder:
» Goodman Homes
(http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.khov.com/home/TX/TXDF/TXDF.htm?FilterByBrand=No&Brand=GCH&CommCode=&ModelCode=&StateCode=TX&MktAreaCode=TXDF&NavLevel=MktArea&FlashVer=6?Ref=Google)» Horizon Homes (http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.horizonhomesdfw.com/tmp/ourhomes/ourcommunities)


The cheap crap has different builders now and is coming soon!:
Gehan Homes: Communities in Dallas Ft. Worth Area: River's Edge: New Homes in Justin, Texas (http://www.gehanhomes.com/communities/comm_riversEdge.html)

Another go nowhere project of Marlin Atlantis:


Located at the northwest corner of IH-30 and IH-820, Sienna Hills offers excellent access to anywhere in Fort Worth. This community is a perfect blend of residential and commercial property anchored by major retailers. Sienna Hills will consist of 529 residential lots located in the White Settlement Independent School District. Homebuilders are still being chosen for this neighborhood that will insure variety and quality for every family.

The City of White Settlement (http://www.wstx.us/whitesettlement/agenda/minutes/cc_2008-01-22.php)


2. Report from Mr. Jim Caffey concerning the project west of IH 820

Mayor Ouzts explained that Mr. Caffey was an engineer that the city had retained to look at developments west of Interstate 820 that impacts the White Settlement side of Interstate 820.

Mr. Caffey of Caffey Engineering gave an update to the City Council regarding the project west of IH 820. Mr. Caffey explained that City Attorney Micheal Burkett had informed him of some grading that was going on west of IH 820. He explained that it was in the addition named Sienna Hills. He explained that the preliminary plat for Sienna Hills was approved on May 24, 2005. He explained that in 2006 Mr. Burkett had sent letters to all of the property owners of undeveloped property in that area, in the Farmers Branch Water Shed. He explained that a final plat was never filed for Sienna Hills and the original plat would have expired on May 24, 2007, according to Mr. Alex Parks of the City of Fort Worth. He explained that the project where the grading was occurring was at an apartment complex by the name of Wind Haven at West Point. He explained the 14.88 acre development. Mr. Caffey then answered questions. Mr. Caffey explained that a short plat had been filed on the property. He explained that a short plat did not have to go back to the City Council for approval.

Ms. Jeannie Anderson of 509 Grant Circle had questions regarding when the plats of Sienna Hills were approved and filed. She voiced concern of the water runoff and impact on the City of White Settlement.

Mayor Ouzts spoke in explanation. Mayor Ouzts asked that Mr. Caffey, Mr. Burkett, and city staff follow up on and at least request that Fort Worth Planning review those areas that have not been filled yet.


Terrace Landing

http://www.internest.com/images/top.gifBack to Top (http://www.internest.com/drhortondfwwestdiv/drhortondfwwestdiv36538.asp#top)
http://images.internest.com/drhortondfwwestdiv/property36538.JPGhttp://www.internest.com/images/clear.gifPrice:Upper $110's to Low $190'siNest Rebate:From $1,180 Builder:D.R. Horton - West Division (http://www.internest.com/drhortondfwwestdiv/index.asp)Home Type:Single-Family HomeSquare Footage:1,259 to 2,926Bedrooms:3 to 4Bathrooms:2 to 3http://www.internest.com/images/fb_star_sm.gif (http://www.internest.com/drhortondfwwestdiv/drhortondfwwestdiv36538.asp#) Take coupon with you on your first visit.
That is all the communities Marlin Atlantis developed. Not looking like billioinaire worthy projects to me.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-15-2010, 02:01 PM
Marlin Atlantis said in 2005:


Rivers Edge is in one of the fastest growing regions of the Ft. Worth/Dallas area. This community is situated on highway 114, just 3 miles west of Interstate 35W providing quick and convenient routes to the major Dallas/Ft. Worth employment centers, and is minutes away from the new Alliance Airport. River's Edge is a 213 acre single family residential development with a 30 acre commercial/retail segment positioned along the highway 114 frontage, providing immediate convenience for the residents. This subdivision features Goodman Homes (http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.khov.com/home/TX/TXDF/TXDF.htm?FilterByBrand=No&Brand=GCH&CommCode=&ModelCode=&StateCode=TX&MktAreaCode=TXDF&NavLevel=MktArea&FlashVer=6?Ref=Google) and Horizon Homes (http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.horizonhomesdfw.com/tmp/ourhomes/ourcommunities) as the homebuilders and will contain 595 single family, detached residential lots to be developed in 4 phases. Phase I lots will be ready for the homebuilders in November, 2005.
http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/plan_riversedge_sm.jpg (http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.marlinatlantis.com/pdf/RiversEdge_Concept.pdf) Homebuilder:
» Goodman Homes
(http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.khov.com/home/TX/TXDF/TXDF.htm?FilterByBrand=No&Brand=GCH&CommCode=&ModelCode=&StateCode=TX&MktAreaCode=TXDF&NavLevel=MktArea&FlashVer=6?Ref=Google)» Horizon Homes (http://web.archive.org/web/20050506092614/http://www.horizonhomesdfw.com/tmp/ourhomes/ourcommunities)


The cheap crap has different builders now and is coming soon!:
Gehan Homes: Communities in Dallas Ft. Worth Area: River's Edge: New Homes in Justin, Texas (http://www.gehanhomes.com/communities/comm_riversEdge.html)

Another go nowhere project of Marlin Atlantis:


Located at the northwest corner of IH-30 and IH-820, Sienna Hills offers excellent access to anywhere in Fort Worth. This community is a perfect blend of residential and commercial property anchored by major retailers. Sienna Hills will consist of 529 residential lots located in the White Settlement Independent School District. Homebuilders are still being chosen for this neighborhood that will insure variety and quality for every family.

The City of White Settlement (http://www.wstx.us/whitesettlement/agenda/minutes/cc_2008-01-22.php)


2. Report from Mr. Jim Caffey concerning the project west of IH 820

Mayor Ouzts explained that Mr. Caffey was an engineer that the city had retained to look at developments west of Interstate 820 that impacts the White Settlement side of Interstate 820.

Mr. Caffey of Caffey Engineering gave an update to the City Council regarding the project west of IH 820. Mr. Caffey explained that City Attorney Micheal Burkett had informed him of some grading that was going on west of IH 820. He explained that it was in the addition named Sienna Hills. He explained that the preliminary plat for Sienna Hills was approved on May 24, 2005. He explained that in 2006 Mr. Burkett had sent letters to all of the property owners of undeveloped property in that area, in the Farmers Branch Water Shed. He explained that a final plat was never filed for Sienna Hills and the original plat would have expired on May 24, 2007, according to Mr. Alex Parks of the City of Fort Worth. He explained that the project where the grading was occurring was at an apartment complex by the name of Wind Haven at West Point. He explained the 14.88 acre development. Mr. Caffey then answered questions. Mr. Caffey explained that a short plat had been filed on the property. He explained that a short plat did not have to go back to the City Council for approval.

Ms. Jeannie Anderson of 509 Grant Circle had questions regarding when the plats of Sienna Hills were approved and filed. She voiced concern of the water runoff and impact on the City of White Settlement.

Mayor Ouzts spoke in explanation. Mayor Ouzts asked that Mr. Caffey, Mr. Burkett, and city staff follow up on and at least request that Fort Worth Planning review those areas that have not been filled yet.


Terrace Landing

http://www.internest.com/images/top.gifBack to Top (http://www.internest.com/drhortondfwwestdiv/drhortondfwwestdiv36538.asp#top)
http://images.internest.com/drhortondfwwestdiv/property36538.JPGhttp://www.internest.com/images/clear.gifPrice:Upper $110's to Low $190'siNest Rebate:From $1,180 Builder:D.R. Horton - West Division (http://www.internest.com/drhortondfwwestdiv/index.asp)Home Type:Single-Family HomeSquare Footage:1,259 to 2,926Bedrooms:3 to 4Bathrooms:2 to 3http://www.internest.com/images/fb_star_sm.gif (http://www.internest.com/drhortondfwwestdiv/drhortondfwwestdiv36538.asp#) Take coupon with you on your first visit.
That is all the communities Marlin Atlantis developed. Not looking like billionaire worthy projects to me.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-15-2010, 05:19 PM
A private meeting with a few of us in Dallas just a few weeks ago gave us some incredible insight as to the plans billionaire Trey White has for Evolv (http://myevolvsystem.com/mikehealy/business?business=original). One of the most incredible things is seeing the transparency of a man who has taken multiple companies to billions of dollars in sales.


Trey White spins that tall tale (http://www.whoismikehealy.com/billionaire-trey-white-explains-his-vision-for-evolv-why-so-many-people-will-make-a-fortune-mike-healy)here. Now just what are the names of these multiple companies and where is the proof???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
09-19-2010, 02:46 PM
Trey White's reps are bragging:


Trey White is the Chairman and CEO of White Ventures Limited. This company holds controlling interests in Marlin Atlantis White, Koton Corporation, White Energy, KOR Energy, and Bridgeport Power and Light.


PUC says:



30856Type:DOCKETDate:03/09/2005Note:AMENDMENT - Change in Ownership/Control and Name Change - from Texas Commercial Energy to Bridgepoint Power & Light, LLC.Filings:Change in Ownership/Control, Name Change


Texas Secretary of State says:



Entity Information: BRIDGEPOINT POWER & LIGHT, LLC
13455 NOEL RD STE 2300
DALLAS, TX 75240-1534
Status:NO STANDING, FRANCHISE RESPONSIBILITY ENDED
Registered Agent:MARK FOSTER
1403 WEST SIXTH STREET
AUSTIN, TX 78703
Registered Agent
Resignation Date:
State of Formation:File Number:0800461920 SOS
Registration Date:March 4, 2005
Taxpayer Number:12025048369

The business (http://bridgepointpower.com/)is now defunct. Hardly that next billion dollar company Trey loves to brag about.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
11-13-2010, 02:53 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqN-qDMtoxQ

Thank you, Ken Dunn!!! You just gave the perfect description of a pyramid scheme.

"...Begin with the end in mind..."

"The end consumer in a lot of cases is the distributor -- the Evolver and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that."

Really???


http://www.mlmconsultant.com/mlm_law.htm (http://www.mlmconsultant.com/mlm_law.htm)



The U.S. FTC has been moving steadily toward measuring the amount of Sales to Distributors compared to the dollar amount generated by sales to end consumers (Customers that do not belong to the pay plan). If there aren’t enough Customers, the MLM Company is considered a Pyramid Scheme. Regulators have found that pure pyramid schemes don’t have any end consumer customers. The definition of a Customer is a person that only buys product or services and doesn’t belong to the compensation plan and has no expectation of making money. The FTC Consumer Affairs people said in public speeches (not written rules) that MLM – Network Marketing Companies need to have a minimum of 50% Customers (that do not belong to the pay plan) to prove they are not a pyramid scheme. ....

"CUSTOMERS" CASE #1

FTC BURNS BURN LOUNGE!

The money in Burn Lounge was coming from recruiting.... Not the 50% of income from Customers/Product Sales the FTC wants.....

CASE #2. In this case with Mall Ventures in 2004 the FTC took court action but did not shut the company down.

CASE #2 PARAGRAPH 9. “Retail Sales” means sales of products, services, or business ventures by defendants, their successors, assigns, agents, servants, employees, and those persons in active concert or participation with them to third-party end users. Retail Sales does not include sales made by a participant in a multi-level marketing program to other participants, recruits, or the participant’s own account....

"CUSTOMERS" CASE #3

The FTC and Federal Marshals walked into SkyBiz offices on 31 August 2001 and shut the company down. This is normal for the FTC since they don’t want to fight the legal power MLM and other types of companies have. They get a preliminary injunction in secret, walk in, and shut the company down.

This is from 2 Jan 2002 FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND ORDER FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION REGARDING SKYBIZ INTERNATIONAL LTD. .For complete case see CD-ROM #1 FTC that comes with the law book. Please note the critical elements (causes for action) presented on pages 14 and 15 of the lawsuit in this case. The third paragraph is the newest refined and the biggest change in the Customer direction for the FTC in determining MLM vs. Pyramid Scheme. The height of humor (or despair) was when SkyBiz sent out this email looking for Customers a couple of days before the trial started. Have a laugh, or frown, Skybiz did not even know if they had customers that were end users! Read This:

aaa@attglobal.net (aaa@attglobal.net); Leslie Tumlin (#!#%'s buddy in Local Ad Link) ; Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 12:04 PM

Subject: Trial Preparation Friends of SkyBiz:

Urgent To All SkyBiz Members

We need the names and addresses of EVERY SATISFIED consumer that bought the SkyBiz products and have never sold the business opportunity. We also need the names and addresses of five VERY ZEALOUS Associates who are in the program, but haven't made a whole lot of money. Please keep in mind, we need consumers and associates who would not be reluctant about testifying in court and who presumably are in the United States (for travel purposes). If any of the potential witnesses you suggest are outside the U.S., please identify what country they're in. I need this information at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

Martin Allen Brown, General Counsel

SkyBiz

World Service Corporation

(Author Note) In this following paragraph, the FTC shows it’s push for “retail sales to customers who don’t belong to the pay plan.”

CASE #3 PARAGRAPH 15. A lawful multi-level marketing program is distinguishable from an illegal pyramid scheme in the sense that the "primary purpose" of the enterprise and its associated individuals is to sell or market an end-product with end-consumers and not to reward associated individuals for the recruitment of more marketers or “associates” See Gold Unlimited, 171 F.3d at 483-84 (suggesting that based on a statutory survey of state criminal laws against pyramid schemes, this is a difference). See also Ger-Ro-Mar, Inc. v. FTC, 518 F.2d 33. 36 (2d Cir. 1975) (explaining that the distributors profited by earning commissions from their own sales and those of their recruits); In re Amway Corp., 93 F.T.C. 618, 716 (1979) (sponsors do not make money from their recruits' efforts until a newly recruited distributor begins to make wholesale purchases from his sponsor and sales to consumers) ....

"CUSTOMERS" CASE #4

FTC Press Release: Consumers paid a registration fee to join the NexGen program, and most also purchased a “WebSuite” including the Internet Mall and related goods and services. A “Basic WebSuite”cost $185, including the registration fee, and a “Power Pack WebSuite” cost $555. NexGen allegedly claimed that “each activated business center has the potential to earn up to $60,000 per week.”

CASE #4 PARAGRAPH 24. NexGen also paid commissions to affiliates on purchases from Internet merchants that resulted from visits to the affiliates' malls. Similarly, affiliates earned commissions from purchases directed to third-party Internet merchants as a result of visits through the malls of their downline. The commissions NexGen paid on these purchases were relatively small compared to the commissions it paid on sales of websuites to new recruits....

"CUSTOMERS" CASE #5

CASE #5. In the “BigSmart” case, you can see that the FTC is refining its wording of end user and customer. This was a walk in and shut down operation by the FTC and Federal Marshals. You can see some outline of changing requirements:

CASE #5 Subparagraph C. “Prohibited marketing scheme,” means a pyramid sales scheme, Ponzi scheme, chain marketing scheme or other marketing plan or program characterized by the payment participants of money to the program in return for which they receive (1) the right to sell a product or service and (2) the right to receive in return for recruiting other participants into the program rewards which are unrelated to the sale of products or services to ultimate users. Rewards are “unrelated” to the sale of products or services to ultimate users if rewards are not based primarily on revenue from retail sales.

CASE #5 Subparagraph D. “Retail Sales” means sales of products, services, or business ventures by Defendant, his successors, assigns, agents, servants, employees, and those persons in active concert or participation with them to third-party end users. “Retail Sales” does not include sales made by participants in a multi-level marketing program to other participants, recruits, or to such a participant’s own account.

CASE #5 Subparagraph E. “Ultimate users” are purchasers of retail sales.......
"CUSTOMERS" CASE #6

On December 9, 1999, the FTC filed suit in U. S. District Court for the District of Maryland seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction and a legal asset freeze against Dallas-based 2Xtreme Performance International that was a Pyramid Scheme (bad one) disguised as an MLM – Network Marketing Company. The FTC legal complaint alleged that the defendants used Web sites, direct mail, infomercials, telemarketing and seminars to convince consumers they could make substantial income by investing in their multi-level marketing scheme, which marketed nutritional supplements, beauty, weight-loss and other products. Marketing materials represented that consumers could expect to earn enough MLM – Network Marketing income to retire in two years, while the pseudo MLM Company ripped them off for $10,000 - $30,000. We can see the shaping of precedent law in the following paragraph. The Final Settlement said:

CASE #6 Subparagraph F. “Prohibited marketing program” means any marketing program, Ponzi scheme, chain marketing scheme, or other marketing plan or program in which a person who participates makes a payment and receives the right, license or opportunity to derive income as a participant primarily from: (i) the recruitment of additional recruits by the participant, program promoter or others; (ii) non-retail sales made to or by such recruits or their recruits; or (iii) any other payments made by recruits. For purposes of this Final Order, a "prohibited marketing program" does not include a marketing plan or program in which the program promoter demonstrates to the defendant that it has instituted and enforced rules that have the actual effect of ensuring that the participants in the program derive income from the retail sale of goods or services to persons who are end-users of the goods or services and who are not participants in the program....

"CUSTOMERS" CASE #7

The FTC charged that income from the FutureNet multilevel marketing plan did not depend on sales of the Internet devices they were purportedly selling, but rather on the recruitment of new distributors -- the typical profile of an illegal pyramid....

FEDERAL MLM - TO PYRAMID CASE HISTORY JEWELWAY INTERNATIONAL

"CUSTOMERS" CASE #8

In a pyramid scheme there is almost no emphasis on making retail sales of products to persons who are not participants in the program. According to an FTC expert, earnings claims made in conjunction with promoting a pyramid scheme are false because pyramids inevitably collapse when no new participants can be recruited and approximately 90% (or possibly more) of the participants consequently lose their money..... CASE #8 PARAGRAPH 15. A lawful multi-level marketing program is distinguishable from an illegal pyramid scheme in the sense that the "primary purpose" of the enterprise and its associated individuals is to sell or market an end-product with end-consumers and not to reward associated individuals for the recruitment of more marketers or “associates”

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
11-18-2010, 02:12 PM
Michael says:
October 20, 2010 at 10:10 am (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/comment-page-1/#comment-53302)
I think Trey’s net worth is very relevant and should be made public.
Why?
Because if you do any research on Evolv – you will see that more than the product “Billionaire Trey White” is being marketed. Trey is profiting from a myth that he is a billionaire and using the credibility that comes along with that to sell VERY EXPENSIVE water. Trey is aware people believe…and he knows that it is a reason for people to become a part of Evolv. And he is not doing enough to clear up the misconception. Anyone who does not think this is a big deal isn’t thinking about it in terms of fraud.
So for me, it’s a fair question “how much of a fraud is he”?
Is he worth 800 Million and so he’s practically a billionaire? Is he worth 50 Million? This question needs to be answered.


Reply (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/?replytocom=53302#respond)

http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/aa970413341d6e3702130f20580477f7?s=48&d=monsterid&r=PG Troy (http://troydooly.com/) says:
October 20, 2010 at 8:21 pm (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/comment-page-1/#comment-53308)
Michael,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions.
Why is Trey’s network any more relevant than any other shareholder of a private company? Part of the greatness of America is our ability to maintain some form of privacy.
Now, it is easy to see through his VC firm that he does have access to millions of dollars, and based on the Evolv website it is clear he is NOT a billionaire, although most of us knew that long before the company launched. I’m just not clear on why his personal net-worth is relevant.
With a little due diligence we may find trey White doesn’t own any of evolv or evolv’s parent company if it has one. Based on Trey’s own words, he does not do business in his personal name, he uses corporate entities, which is common among entrepreneurs, especially those who are in real estate.
Seems, what would be more important is to know who the equity partners are, and if there are any other VC firms besides Trey’s involved in the company. Something else that is far more important than Trey’s personal net-worth is who is the true owner of the formula, and how long does Evolv have the license agreement for.
Evolv is not the ones marketing “Billionaire trey White” Although like many companies they allowed the hype to go on way to long, they were clear on the website as to the facts. If we are going to lay blain or point fingers, then you had better call in the top leaders who propagated the story to their organizations.
Now as for the “Very Expensive” Water. That is truly an old story that doesn’t hold “water” pardon the pun. Ruth Chris restaurant charges $9 on average for a bottle of water. Now that could be called expensive. However some folks would also say a Rolex is expensive.
The price of any product is going to be priced to sustain the compensation plan, profit for the company, cover the cost of manufacturing, and in some cases future R&D. At the average retail price of $2.70 per bottle, that is still cheaper than an average cup of starbucks coffee which is not as good for you as Evolv water.
Now back to the main topic… Trey. From day one I have warned folks about over hyping Evolv. Why didn’t you and others heed my warnings? Now that a couple of large teams leave to go elsewhere people all of a sudden want to cast doubt based on the over hyping. Is it fraud, or is it Texas. We all know everything is bigger in Texas.
Show me some evidence that trey White, Brent Hicks, Evolv corporate ever stated in writing, video or live and in person Trey was a billionaire? Not to say Trey did not allow others to say he was one!
But let me ask you and others this question. Why didn’t you do the due diligence before joining? Who were you following (if you are a rep or were a rep) who told you he was a billionaire.
See my point is not to make Trey out a saint. It is to show everyone who has ever stated “trey is a billionaire” is just as much to blame.
It took me less than 3 min to see Trey want not close to being a billionaire. And I know countless of others who are not a part of the company who also knew this and stated the facts.
This is no different than all the companies in the world who tell folks “we’re debt free” right up to the time their file for bankruptcy. It wasn’t fraud, it was how what was said was interpreted.
When folks build any direct selling business around the money story instead of around the product, this is what happens.
Reply (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/?replytocom=53308#respond)


http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/97631e77c83d024e7633c896b3abb3c9?s=48&d=monsterid&r=PG Michael says:
October 20, 2010 at 9:04 pm (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/comment-page-1/#comment-53311)
The point is that Trey has knowingly PROFITED from a myth about him being a billionaire. Google Evolv and you will see that the majority of people promoting Evolv were touting Trey’s false Billionaire status.
If you don’t get why that is fraud, or a problem – you’re obviously too invested in this MLM to objectively look at yourself.
Reply (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/?replytocom=53311#respond)


http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/aa970413341d6e3702130f20580477f7?s=48&d=monsterid&r=PG Troy (http://troydooly.com/) says:
October 20, 2010 at 9:28 pm (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/comment-page-1/#comment-53312)
Michael,
You have just made a subjective statement with not basis of validation. Where do you get that “Trey has profited” from the myth?” Seriously, Evolv is not close to a profit. They may be cash flow positive, but the amount of money that has flown out of Evolv, there is not one equity partner that is close to getting their investment back, or anything close to a profit.
And any respectable business person doing business with Trey and Evolv already know this was all hype made up by over zealous distributors.
I am no no way promoting the myth or condoning the actions of these distributors. But it is this continued fixation on Trey White that is the problem from both the critics and the zealous distributors.
If you want to put an end to Trey White and Evolv, then stop focusing on trey and find out if the formula inside of the water is real of fake.
And, as I stated already, show me the evidence Trey WHite and company every specifically stated he was a billionaire. I am not trying to trick you in requesting this information. I ask this, because I am so invested in direct sales. By the way there is no such thing as an MLM company, that is just common talk. MLM and/or Network Marketing (they are different) are compensation structures used by direct selling companies. The true designation is Direct Sales as recognized by the IRS. Just so when you write in other communities, you can be one up on the people you will be debating.
Ok, back to the topic. Morally, you and others may see this as fraud. A court of law will not see it as fraud, because Evolv has publicly made it clear on the website trey is NOT a billionaire. And they have reprimanded, through their compliance office folks for this lie.
Again, I have been very clear from day one, this was false. So this is not a new story, many other insiders called the reps out on this.
Again, if you want to push fraud, then you need to prove the formulation is a fraud. the company is built around the formulation, and that is what is being sold.
Reply (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/?replytocom=53312#respond)


http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/97631e77c83d024e7633c896b3abb3c9?s=48&d=monsterid&r=PG Michael says:
October 24, 2010 at 8:08 am (http://www.mlmhelpdesk.com/2010/10/14/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/comment-page-1/#comment-53381)
Sir, you are stupid. You do not know who I am, or what my connection to Trey White is. And for the protection of someone, I am not going to share that with you.
Trey knew people were joining to the business because of the Myth of him being a billionaire. Trey benefits (profits) when people come to the business. To suggest Trey has not profited because the business is not yet profitable is truly one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard.
There are just a million and one reasons why what happened is NOT ACCEPTABLE and should be a MAJOR RED FLAG to anyone considering joining. I’m also confident that a court would see this as fraud. Trey has not done enough to explain or acknowledge what happened.
How dare you blame over zealous distributors? They were over zealous IN FRONT of Trey and he didn’t correct it. Virtually every website or blog about Evolv talks about Billionaire Trey White – and all he can do is add a “no, i’m not a billionaire” to an FAQ AFTER HE WAS FOUND OUT!?! Give me a break! I don’t buy miracle water from frauds and phoneys. Maybe there is an FAQ that says “this $55 a case water doesn’t do anything”.
I won’t be reading your response to this. You really need to ask yourself why it’s ok with you that Trey (who has been selling himself more than the water, watch the videos) would let this myth flourish. You really think he’s an honest person?

-------------------------------------------------------




http://www.realscam.com/f9/trey-whites-evolv-water-vs-world-renowned-md-anderson-cancer-center-86/index10.html#post4083

There is one of many posts with the video of Trey White grinning like the moronic idiot he is while his rep pats him on the back and introduces him as a multi-billionaire. Trey answers with how that guy is going to ask all the hard questions. So, Troy Dooley don't tell us Trey White isn't directly responsible for originating and perpetuating that lie. More glaring proof that this industry is populated with liars and cons.

As to it being fraudulent, well, try going to court with a bench trial or jury trial and attempting to explain that away. If the victims relied on that information and that induced them to pay into this obvious scam, then it could very well lead to victory for the plaintiff / plaintiffs. Companies and upline reps should be very careful what representations they make to potential marks. If those representations end with money changing hands it ain't going to be pretty for the defendant / defendants.



http://www.pyramidschemealert.org/PSAMain/news/AmwaySuedasPyramidScheme.html (http://www.pyramidschemealert.org/PSAMain/news/AmwaySuedasPyramidScheme.html)

FTC declarations have stated that if the majority of the money used to pay the "upliners" is gained primarily from the purchases of the downliners – not from their retail customers – the payments are de facto payments for recruiting. In such cases, the "business opportunity" is not to sell the MLM products but to recruit others into the "business opportunity" in an endless chain. Endless chains are considered "inherent frauds" since they cannot deliver on their promise of income to any but a few at the top; the vast majority are doomed from the start to financial losses; and the schemes must use deception to lure consumers into nearly certain financial losses.


The FTC also says:
Your Responsibilities
If you decide to become a distributor, you are legally responsible for the claims you make about the company, its product and the business opportunities it offers. That applies even if you're repeating claims you read in a company brochure or advertising flyer. The Federal Trade Commission advises you to verify the research behind any claims about a product's performance before repeating those claims to a potential customer.

In addition, if you solicit new distributors, you are responsible for the claims you make about a distributor's earnings potential. Be sure to represent the opportunity honestly and avoid making unrealistic promises. If those promises fall through, remember that you could be held liable.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
12-14-2010, 01:02 PM
The morons of the century are at it again:

Evolv Water 90 Day Guarantee


November 20, 2010 by Kathy J (http://evolv-water.com/author/Kathy%20J/)
Filed under Evolv Water (http://evolv-water.com/category/evolv-water/), Latest Posts And Information (http://evolv-water.com/category/latest/)

Leave a Comment (http://evolv-water.com/evolv-water-guarantee/#respond)

Evolv Health, at their first annual convention in Dallas, Tx., has announced a 90 day money back guarantee for any customer who is unsatisfied with the Evolv water or Evolv gel product.
The Company is so confident about their products that they will issue a full refund of the product cost for any customer who, for any reason, is unhappy with his or her product experience. In order to receive a refund, customers will be required to return the empty bottles of Evolv water or tubes of Evolv gel. Future products will also be covered through this guarantee.

This news was applauded by the one thousand plus Evolv Health distributors attending the convention. Potential customers who may have been skeptical of the Evolv products will now rest assured in knowing that their results will be guaranteed by the Company.
In addition to offering a guarantee to customers, Evolv Health founder Trey White also announced a 90 Day Guarantee for all new independent distributors who join the business. Provided that they meet certain requirements as set forth by the Company, distributors who are dissatisfied with the business opportunity provided by Evolv Health may also receive reimbursement of their product expenses.

What this means is, there is no reason for any potential customer or business associate to refrain from trying the products or joining the Evolv Health business. With a 90 Day Guarantee, there is absolutely no risk. It doesn’t get much better than that!
If you would like to order the Evolv water or Evolv gel product, please visit
Evolv Site (http://kathyjodrey.myevolv.com/)
The Texas ATtorney General's Office says:
https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/bizops.shtml
Business Opportunities

The growth of the Internet, together with a trend toward more and more people working at home, has resulted in a proliferation of "business opportunities." These are offers by companies (or scammers) who claim they can set a consumer up in a small business, usually run out of the consumer's own home.

Some business opportunities are real, and in fact these opportunities are regulated by state law in Texas. But you should be aware that some such opportunities are rip-offs plain and simple. If you are going to consider an offer of this sort, you need to know the difference between a real offer and a scam. It is not always that easy to tell....

What the Law Says





Under the Texas Business Opportunity Act, a business opportunity is regulated by the law if (1) it requires you, the buyer, to pay $500 or more to start the business, AND (2) the seller promises you will earn or are likely to earn a profit exceeding the initial investment, AND (3) the seller promises any one of the following:

the seller will provide locations or help you find locations on property not owned by either you or the seller for the use of or operation of the products, equipment, supplies, or services the seller is leasing or selling;
the seller will provide a sales, production, or marketing program; this does not apply if the arrangement is defined as a "franchise" under federal regulation and certain requirements are met;
the seller will buy back any products, supplies, or equipment purchased, or any product made, fabricated, grown or bred by the purchaser using equipment or products sold or leased by the seller.
A business opportunity meeting these criteria must be registered with the Secretary of State before the seller advertises it or offers it for sale. So your first step in evaluating a business opportunity offer is to see if it meets these criteria. If it does, contact the Secretary of State's Office to see if the business is registered as it is required to be under the law.
The Business Opportunity Act includes a list of eight exceptions which are transactions that do not classify as "business opportunities" under the statute, and are not regulated by the Business Opportunity Act.
Disclosure Requirements




Under the Texas Business Opportunity Act, the seller must provide you with the following information at least 10 days before you sign a contract or turn over any money to the seller:

The names and addresses of all persons affiliated with the seller in this particular business;
A copy of a current financial statement of the seller;
A complete description of the actual services the seller agrees to perform for the purchaser;
If training is promised, a complete description of the training, length of training, and cost of travel or lodging during the training;
If services are promised in connection with placement of equipment or products, the full nature of the services and the nature of agreements to be made with the owners or managers of business locations;
If the seller or his or her representatives have been adjudged bankrupt or have been subject to a judgment in a civil suit involving fraud or embezzlement during the past seven years, he or she must tell you;
If the seller makes representations about sales or earnings potential, he or she must disclose both the total number of people participating in the business opportunity for the past three years and the total number of people who have actually achieved the represented sales or earnings within the past three years.

The seller must give you the following statement in writing as part of the disclosure requirement: If the seller fails to deliver the product, equipment, or supplies necessary to begin substantial operation of the business within 45 days of the delivery date stated in your contract, you may notify the seller in writing and cancel your contract.

The foregoing cancellation policy might seems reassuring, but keep in mind that actually collecting a refund from an unscrupulous operator may be very difficult in reality. This is why it is so important to ensure that the business is registered and has posted the required bond.
Precautions

Promises are frequently made as a "come on" to sell the business opportunity by giving it the appearance of a no-lose proposition. But it is not that easy to set up a new business and make money. The more money the seller says you can make, the more you should investigate those claims for accuracy.

A legitimate seller will want to ask you many questions to see if you have a good opportunity for success. A legitimate seller will not be offended if you ask questions about successful participants in the business opportunity he or she is offering for sale. Many people have lost their entire investment by not checking first.

If the business opportunity seller promises purchasers that they are assured of making profit, he or she is required to secure a bond or trust account of $25,000 in favor of the State of Texas. Before buying a business opportunity, check with the Secretary of State to see if the company is registered and whether such a bond has been filed.
Multi-Level Marketing vs. Pyramid Schemes

Today, a popular type of sales program is "multi-level marketing" (MLM) or "network marketing." Many of these programs do not fall within the guidelines of the Texas Business Opportunity Act, so the sellers do not have to register with the Secretary of State or comply with the disclosure requirements. Such plans do make claims that people can earn money by signing up and participating, and they should be evaluated just as closely as any other type of business opportunity.

Generally, MLM plans allow you to recruit salespeople for your own sales team, who then recruit additional members. You receive commissions from sales made by your team. Team members down the line also get commissions from members below them.

There are legitimate MLM businesses where consumers who sign up can earn money by selling products. However, it is a field in which there are many shady operators and questionable sales programs. Some are nothing more than pyramid schemes.

A pyramid scheme is a plan or operation in which a person receives compensation primarily for bringing in additional participants rather than for selling a product. When you join a pyramid scheme, you pay (promoters may call it "investing") to join. The people you recruit pay you to join. People who get in on a pyramid scheme early might make money in the beginning, but the schemes inevitably collapse, victimizing the recruits at the base of the pyramid.

For an MLM plan to be legal, you must earn more from sales of products than from introducing others to join. Also, the company marketing the plan must have a refund policy that lets you return unused product within one year of purchasing the product. You should be able to get a refund of not less than 90% of what you paid for unused product that is in resalable condition.
Under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, it is illegal to promote a pyramid scheme. Besides being a civil deceptive trade practice, pyramid promotion is a state jail felony punishable by imprisonment in a state jail for up to two years and by a fine of up to $10,000.
Tips to Help You Evaluate MLMs


Be skeptical of programs that can only be successful if new recruits continually join the sales organization. Are you required to recruit new people as a condition of joining the organization or can you earn money simply by selling the product?
Before you join, be sure the product offered is something for which there is a market. Ask what the average monthly retail sales are per salesperson. Be wary of anyone who tells you that you do not have to sell anything to make money. For it to be legitimate, commissions must come from the retail sales of goods, so at some point someone will have to sell something.
If the program you are considering does not provide distributors with a contractually enforced right to a 90% refund of commercially resalable product within one year of the purchase of the product by the distributor, the program may be an illegal pyramid, not a multi-level distributorship.
Be extremely careful and wary of buying business opportunities out of weekend seminars given in local hotels, restaurants, or people's homes. Watch out for get-rich-quick plans advertised on late night television infomercials, by email or in the classified ads. If you buy from a seminar at a hotel, restaurant, or other place that is not the business's location, you must be given notice of a three day right to cancel.
Be wary of a sales pitch that includes promises of high rewards with little effort.
Be wary of job offers where you are told when you get to the interview that you have to pay money to get the job.
If you have access to the internet, search on the name of the business and the product being sold to see if people are reporting complaints or problems.
Be wary of opportunities marketing products purported to cure diseases. These claims are regulated by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can only be made with proof that meets FDA standards.
Be wary of business opportunities where you are told you can lease items to help you make the business successful. Look carefully over any leases or financing agreements. Some of these agreements require you to pay for the leased item even if it does not work or if the company that sold it to you goes out of business.
Revised: May 06 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What a bunch of bloomin' idiots. Evolv has to offer refunds of 90% of the product price for a full year as it is required by law for crying out loud.

Also note that a seller involved in a suit for fraud or adjudicated bankrupt had to disclose that. I have no doubt that reps in those circumstances did not follow the law.

Anyone that was ripped off by these clowns should check out the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/BC/htm/BC.17.htm).

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-09-2011, 08:36 PM
Multi-billionaire buffoon Trey White and his rinky dink Marlin Atlantis still haven't gotten the EarthQuest dinosaur themed park any closer to coming to fruition. I think Don Lessem has been duped and a great man like him who has done so much to educate and entertain the public with his vast knowledge of dinosaurs and more should not have to have his good name tarnished by this bunch! Let's face it that lying buffoon Trey White grinned like the moronic idiot he is and quite happily allowed himself to be introduced on video as a multi-billionaire knowing it would be used to solicit his ridiculous miracle water and be disseminated publicly.

Planned ecology park near 59 would dwarf AstroWorld | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7107178.html)

Amusement Park In Houston? - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston (http://www.click2houston.com/news/24840900/detail.html)

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

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-09-2011, 10:48 PM
College students to create game for theme park | Ultimate Kingwood (http://ultimatekingwood.com/stories/230536-college-students-to-create-game-for-theme-park)


The EarthQuest Adventures project will be located in New Caney at Roman Forest Boulevard and U.S. 59. Originally slated to be open this year, construction has yet to begin. Initial costs were projected to be $500 million to build the theme park, however, developers have gone back to drawing board and cut $200 million from their projections.
The developer, Marlin Atlantis, told East Montgomery County Investment District board members Nov. 10 that the mixed-use project must be re-planned and built in phases. The first phase of the re-design — the dinosaur theme park and museum -will cost approximately $307 million to build and construction will start in the summer of 2011.

Please allow me to translate that. They have made a freakin' mess out of that thing as they estimated the whole project at 500 million which was probably a gross underestimate of what it would actually cost to build. I would bet the grandiose plans we have been hearing about could have cost double that easily. They are going multi-phase now, because they don't have a snowball's chance in hell funding anything of the sort. Marlin Atlantis is a small time developer of rinky dink little cheap tract house communities and is in way over its head on a project of this proposed magnitude I suspect.

Trey White's multi-billions have mysteriously not been offered for this project though the bragging of his great wealth is quite well documented all over the internet. Investors who have gotten wind of the goofballs like Trey involved in this thing won't touch it with a ten foot pole. 7.5 million in bond money was spent on this fiasco. As a Texan I am furious that that veritable clown college Marlin Atlantis was allowed to get this far. Think of all the time and money wasted. We had planned a vacation at Don Lessem's "Dino Museum" in 2009. I want no part of another Trey White business bust, however!

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
04-09-2011, 11:44 PM
It's one of the oldest tricks in the "Shonky Developers' Handbook"

The clue for me was usage of the phrases "mixed use project" and "tract housing developers" and the supposed involvement of a known fraudster in Trey White.

I may be entirely wrong, and, for the sake of the residents of East Montgomery County Investment District, I sincerely hope I am, but this looks nothing more than a classic "bait and switch" tactic being used to obtain local support and planning concessions from legislators and history will prove there never was any intention of completing the project first mooted.

Soapboxmom
04-21-2011, 07:53 PM
Master-Planned Communities - Real Estate Developer :: Houston Communities :: Whitestone (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/ma_whitestone.html)


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

That property is adjacent to the long promised Dino Park. Sure is convenient for these developers that with the rumored park the property values have soared. Now long time residents are paying exhorbitant taxes and folks who have recently moved into the area have paid very high prices for the homes. If the park doesn't materialize then many of those recent purchasers could end up upside down in their home loans and be harmed financially. I think the taxpayers deserved much more due diligence on the companies involved before millions of dollars were thrown at them.

Look at the disastrous mess developers Marlin Atlantis made near Duncanville where trees were removed ruining the landscape and creating erosion problems and then the whole deal ended up having to be foreclosed and fixed by the bank.

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)

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-21-2011, 08:17 PM
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

The EMCID / East Montgomery County Improvement District has already spent millions. The taxpayers of Texas, myself included, have a right to be demanding answers. I would never have agreed to this if I had known Marlin Atlantis was involved. I have seen enough of Trey White and his moneky business to have serious concerns! I encourage everyone in Texas to contact their representatives.

Who Represents Me--Home (http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/)

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-22-2011, 10:21 AM
https://docs.google.com/?authuser=0#folders/folder.0.0B8Getu8o3OQjNGI3MWU2ZmYtOGJmZS00NGYwLWE3 NjMtZjE4YjI4MTRmM2Uw

Entity Information: MAW MAGNOLIA, LP
13455 NOEL RD FL 23
DALLAS, TX 75240-6620
Status:IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 16, 2011Registered Agent:JOHN D MARLIN
13455 NOEL ROAD 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS, TX 75240Registered Agent Resignation Date:State of Formation:TXFile Number:0800570583 SOS Registration Date:November 14, 2005Taxpayer Number:32035296808
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 16, 2011Registered Agent:JOHN D MARLIN
13455 NOEL ROAD 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS, TX 75240Registered Agent Resignation Date:State of Formation:TXFile Number:0800570581 SOS Registration Date:November 14, 2005Taxpayer Number:32018564396
Title:Name and Address:Expiration/Resignation Date: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 16, 2011Registered Agent:DEBORAH A THOMAS
GALLERIA TOWER II 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS, TX 75240Registered Agent Resignation Date:State of Formation:TXFile Number:0800324811 SOS Registration Date:April 2, 2004Taxpayer Number:12009713707Title:Name and Address:Expiration/Resignation Date:MANAGER ROSCOE F WHITE III (TREY WHITE)
13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240

Maw Magnolia Holdings, LLC Business Relationships (http://www.corporationwiki.com/graphs/roamer.aspx?id=37147062)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice Trey White signing the loan papers for the Dino Park land. Also notice they follow Donald Trump's not so fine example and use lots of dummy corporations (all at the same address) to take out the loans so if it goes belly up Marlin Atlantis isn't left holding the bag. They simply throw away the hat of the little dummy corporation already set up to take the fall be it foreclosure or bankruptcy and walk away laughing (unless of course someone challenges them and pierces the corporate veil!)

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-22-2011, 03:12 PM
Master-Planned Communities - Real Estate Developer :: Houston Communities :: Whitestone (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/ma_whitestone.html)

That property is adjacent to the long promised Dino Park. Sure is convenient for these developers that with the rumored park the property values have soared. Now long time residents are paying exhorbitant taxes and folks who have recently moved into the area have paid very high prices for the homes. If the park doesn't materialize then many of those recent purchasers could end up upside down in their home loans and be harmed financially. I think the taxpayers deserved much more due diligence on the companies involved before millions of dollars were thrown at them.

Look at the disastrous mess developers Marlin Atlantis made near Duncanville where trees were removed ruining the landscape and creating erosion problems and then the whole deal ended up having to be foreclosed and fixed by the bank.

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)

Soapboxmom

Here (https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B8Getu8o3OQjYTdhNDNiYWItOWZkNi00Zjg1LWI3ODY tZGUyMjg5YjdiMTk5&hl=en) are the loan papers for the Whitestone property. They have until the end of summer and then the loan will have to be renewed again. If they can deveop the property and sell the lots for high dollar they can make a killing. If it bombs the silly dummy corporations are foreclosed on or declare bankruptcy and John Marlin and Trey White will be off to their next business disaster.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-22-2011, 09:19 PM
Hong Kong Disneyland Secrets and Facts General - The Disneyland Report - Disney Secrets, Rumors, and Facts! (http://www.disneylandreport.com/disneysecrets/hong_kong_disneyland_secrets/hong_kong_disneyland_secrets_facts_general.html)

Disney's California Adventure - How They Did It (http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/disneyland/a/dcahow.htm)

A Master's Paper (http://www.oitc.com/Disney/Paris/English/LynEuroDisney.html)

There are some great links. What if the total cost to build has been grossly underestimated?

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-22-2011, 11:05 PM
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c110/soapboxmom/untitled1-1.jpg

littleroundman
04-22-2011, 11:23 PM
I think it's time to call in our resident punting expert, Okosh, and get him to frame a market on the likelihood of:

1) Both the park and recreational projects getting off the ground

2) Either one of them getting off the ground

3) Both of them being completed

3) Either of them being completed

4) That "unforseen circumstances" force force the cancellation of the park project, but that the developers expect to keep the planning concessions they've been granted and completing the residential development.

5) Anything happening at all

Whip
04-23-2011, 01:40 PM
Skeptical article in 'Outside' magazine May 2011:

Evolv Multilevel Marketing | OutsideOnline.com (http://outsideonline.com/fitness/travel-ga-201105-evolv-water-sidwcmdev_155635.html)

Soapboxmom
04-24-2011, 03:19 PM
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/pdf/2004-12-24-HBJ-Whitestone.pdf

This whole Dino Disaster apparently did begin as the Whitestone residential development. It was supposed to break ground in 2005 and be nearing completion now. I think "Dino Don" got dragged into this when Marlin Atlantis couldn't get this thing off of the ground. Since it has floundered since 2005, why would anyone think it was going to get on track now???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-25-2011, 09:36 PM
I think we should archive this piece of business fiction for posterity:

http://www.whiteventures.com/images/wv_lefttop_sec.jpg (http://www.whiteventures.com/index.html)http://www.whiteventures.com/images/wv_logo.gif (http://www.whiteventures.com/index.html)http://www.whiteventures.com/images/img_au_vision.jpg

Venture Capital (http://www.whiteventures.com/venturec.html)
About Us (http://www.whiteventures.com/aboutus.html)
Contact (http://www.whiteventures.com/contact.html)
Careers (http://www.whiteventures.com/careers.html)
http://www.whiteventures.com/images/spacer.gif OUR VISION (http://www.whiteventures.com/aboutus.html)http://www.whiteventures.com/images/nav_arrow.gifTEAM http://www.whiteventures.com/images/hd_au_team.gif
White Ventures is a team of visionaries with an eye on the future to grow companies. We partner with the best and the brightest entrepreneurs to build world-class organizations. This strategy has contributed to the success of many companies over the years.
» Trey White (http://www.whiteventures.com/au_team.html#TreyWhite),
CEO
Trey White, CEO
As Chairman and CEO of White Ventures, Ltd., Mr. White guides the control and management of the company's interests in real property, real estate development, manufacturing, oil and gas, and technology. He is also committed to investment in the production of renewable fuel sources, both domestic and global. His philosophy is defined by investment in forward-thinking solutions that technology will accelerate, creating exponential benefits and new markets in global economies.
He was born a third-generation entrepreneur in Dallas. From young adulthood he devoted time and effort to long-term projections for business success. Understanding that being first to market is a huge advantage, he directed energy toward achievements that positioned him ahead of competitors. To date, he has placed capital of more than $1.5B into companies he founded or co-founded:

NewHomeSearch, a revolutionary electronic communication tool for Realtors® and new home builders, gained 100% penetration in the Dallas market within two years of inception and grew to ten markets with an innovative client-server-based application.
NewHomeSearch.com, renamed HomeBuilder.com, the first portal for searching real estate listings, quickly expanded to seventy-five markets and became the official Web site of the National Association of Homebuilders.
The merger of HomeBuilder.com with Realtor.com took the two companies public as HomeStore.com, raised $800M in two offerings, drove stock to $160 per share, and resulted in an $9B market cap.
Mr. White liquidated his equity position in HomeStore.com in the year 2000 and founded White Ventures, an enterprise created to invest in angel rounds, start-ups, emerging markets, and real estate development opportunities.
In 2002, White Ventures began investing in multi-phased, single-family, residential developments and, in 2003, provided the start-up capital to form Marlin Atlantis. This new entity, under the direction of an outstanding management team, took advantage of low interest rates and strong residential housing markets. To date, Marlin Atlantis has entitled and/or developed eighteen residential communities, including five master-planned developments in major Texas markets. The enterprise has deployed more than $200M in capital and is one of the largest residential community developers in Texas, with more than 20,000 single family lots in inventory. To learn more about Marlin Atlantis visit: Marlin Atlantis's Corporate Home Page (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/)
Also in 2003, Mr. White founded White Energy, a company funded to take advantage of the high cost of oil, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels by building destination, fuel-grade, ethanol plants. In 2005, White Energy received its air permit to build in Texas - and the first new facility model created a destination plant trend that continues today in Texas, California, New York, Colorado, Kansas and Florida. White Energy will be the fifth-largest US producer and the largest Texas producer of ethanol. In February of 2007, Mr. White sold his interest in White Energy and exited the industry to focus on other ventures.
Mr. White is also involved in EarthQuest Adventures. EarthQuest Adventures is currently in the process of designing a $500M theme park in Houston, Texas named EarthQuest. EarthQuest will be the first mega theme park built in the US since DisneyWorld. Its unique position in the Houston market is projected to attract over 3M visitors per year and raise the bar in entertainment while delivering an eco-conscious message. To learn more about EarthQuest visit: EarthQuest's Website (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/)
In 2009, Mr. White founded EvolvHealth, LLC. EvolvHealth is a direct sales consumer health company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Its purpose is to help people improve their family's physical and financial well-being through science-driven products and entrepreneurial opportunities. To learn more about EvolvHealth visit: EvolvHealth's Corporate Home Page (http://www.evolvhealth.com/)
Mr. White has created and pioneered markets using a best-of-breed management team methodology - and he leads several organizations, charitable as well as for-profit, against which other companies and efforts are measured.
His mental and physical cornerstones for success include surrounding himself with smart, experienced, respected individuals - at the top of their industries. He and his associates possess the ability to take measured risks, cultivate instincts for emerging markets, and demonstrate the acute market-awareness necessary for properly timed exits. He considers these aspects of business acumen "simple rules for a complex world, instrumental in stacking odds toward the probability of success."
« Back to top (http://www.whiteventures.com/au_team.html#top)
HOME (http://www.whiteventures.com/index.html) | VENTURE CAPITAL (http://www.whiteventures.com/venturec.html) | ABOUT US (http://www.whiteventures.com/aboutus.html) | CONTACT (http://www.whiteventures.com/contact.html) | CAREERS (http://www.whiteventures.com/careers.html)
© 2004 -2011 WHITE VENTURES. All Rights Reserved.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only credible aspect of this story is his ability to time his exits. He does have an uncanny knack for bailing right before the dung hits the fan as the Homestore.com debacle and White Energy sale clearly illustrate. More on that to come.....

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-08-2011, 10:08 AM
Trey White and Marlin Atlantis need to clean up their act!

Better Business Bureau Report for
EarthQuest Institute
Better Business Bureau Report issued August 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires August 2011


Nondisclosure
This Charity did not provide requested information. As a result, the Better Business Bureau cannot determine if it meets standards. Find out more... (http://us.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=113&id=4dd040fd-08af-4dd2-aaa0-dcd66c1a17fc)
http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/Images/report-noaccredit-bottom.gif

Find out more about this charity:


Charity Contact Information (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#contact)
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Comments (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#bbbComments)
Programs (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#charPrograms)


Tax Status (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#taxStatus)
Governance (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#governance)
Fund Raising (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#fundRaising)
Financial (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#charFinancial)
Back To Top (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#) Charity Contact Information

Name:EarthQuest InstituteAddress:21575 US Highway 59 North, Ste 200 New Caney, TX 77357Phone:866-559-4006Web Address:http://www.earthquestinstitute.org/Also known as:Institute EarthQuest


Back To Top (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#) Better Business Bureau Comments


Year, State Incorporated:
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: None



Back To Top (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#) BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comment


Despite written Houston BBB requests in the past year, this organization either has not responded to Houston BBB requests for information or has declined to be evaluated in relation to the Houston BBB’s Standards for Charity Accountability. While participation in the Houston BBB’s charity review efforts is voluntary, the Houston BBB believes that failure to participate may demonstrate a lack of commitment to transparency. Without the requested information, the Houston BBB cannot determine if this charity adheres to the Standards for Charity Accountability. A charity's willing disclosure of information beyond that typically included in its financial statements and government filings is, in the Alliance's view, an expression of openness that strengthens public trust in the charitable sector.
The Houston BBB reports on national charities and determines if they meet 20 voluntary standards on matters such as charity finances, appeals, and governance. The Houston BBB does not evaluate the worthiness of the charitable program.
Back To Top (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/earthquest-institute-in-new-caney-tx-20186#) Tax Status

Soapboxmom
06-08-2011, 11:10 AM
I checked the County site and no loan extensions, modifications or the like have been filed as of this morning. June 16th is the day the loan is due.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-17-2011, 02:43 PM
This is the link to the website showing loans on property for the Earthquest project. One can search names such as Bank of the Ozarks, Maw Magnolia, Marlin Atlantis, Whitestone and more.

https://gov.propertyinfo.com/WAM3/SearchMenu.asp?iCntyNum=4&iApplNum=4001

This is the link to the website showing ownership of property in Montgomery County Texas.

TaxNetUSA - TX : Montgomery : 2010 Certified : Search (http://www.taxnetusa.com/texas/montgomery/)

Watch and see boys and girls!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-18-2011, 11:35 AM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-lessem-654/#post8383

Here are more CorporateWiki searches:
Whitestone Houston Land, Ltd. Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Whitestone Houston Holdings, LLC (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/whitestone-houston-land-ltd/36550606.aspx)

Whitestone Houston Holdings, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Deborah A Thomas (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/whitestone-houston-holdings-llc/36550582.aspx)

Deborah Thomas - Executive Profile (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/deborah-a-thomas/34689779.aspx)

Entertainment Ventures, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Deborah A Thomas, Roscoe F White, John D Marlin (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/entertainment-ventures-llc/38064270.aspx)

Roscoe White - Executive Profile (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/roscoe-f-white/34689781.aspx)

Virtual Eq, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Entertainment Ventures, LLC, Don Lessem (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/virtual-eq-llc/39012284.aspx)

Global Earthquest Ip Holdings, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Entertainment Ventures, LLC, Don Lessem (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/global-earthquest-ip-holdings-llc/39037228.aspx)

White Energy Hereford, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Deborah A Thomas, Roscoe F White (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/white-energy-hereford-llc/36909803.aspx)

The Institute Earthquest Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Donald A Lessem, Leon Cubillas, John Marlin (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/the-institute-earthquest/38108051.aspx)

The Dinosaur Institute Company Profile - Located in Austin, TX - Donald A Lessem, Juliana Flower, Valerie Jones (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Austin/the-dinosaur-institute/37567640.aspx)

Wv Holdings LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Roscoe F White, Deborah A Thomas, John D Marlin (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/wv-holdings-llc/36614394.aspx)

Ma Creekside Holdings, LLC Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Deborah A Thomas, John D Marlin, Wv Holdings LLC (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/ma-creekside-holdings-llc/37449154.aspx)

Maw Magnolia, Lp Company Profile - Located in Dallas, TX - Maw Magnolia Holdings, LLC (http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Dallas/maw-magnolia-lp/37147063.aspx)

Someone should share this with Oildog over at city-data. That moron couldn't figure out how Trey / Roscoe White was tangled up in this. He banned me for sharing factual information such as this. Trey White and his gang are involved in every aspect of this project and I think it explains the total lack of progress with this project.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-18-2011, 12:04 PM
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/topleft.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/logo.gif (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/index.html)
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/ma_whitestone.jpg




Located in southeastern Montgomery County, and with direct access to Hwy 59, this planned premier master-planned community will offer parks, trails, a large lake (http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/lakehoustonpark.html), and recreational facilities. There are planned landscape reserves and greenbelts for a quiet, natural setting. Whitestone, located on the east side of US 59, is the residential community component of a significant mixed-use development. The entertainment venue as well as a major retail/commercial development are located on the west side of US 59. Residential homes of various types will appeal to a broad market base. In Whitestone, residents will enjoy living, working, playing, and learning, all within the community. Planned are churches, a school site, daycare facilities, shopping, offices, and restaurants.
COMING SOON!
«map (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/communities_Developments.html)http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/left-tan-btm.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/btm_tan.gif©2006 - 2009 Marlin Atlantis. All Rights Reserved. | Website Created by: DeWitt Marketing (http://www.dewittmarketing.com/) & TNT Media Productions, Ltd. (http://www.tntmediaproductions.com/)http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gif
__________________________________________________ ___________

That was the current page.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Following is the page from 2005:


Whitestone is a 1,564 acre Master Planned Community located next to the famous Lake Houston (http://web.archive.org/web/20050108135226/http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lakehous/lakehous.htm) just north of Houston, Texas. This community is ideally located off of the newly improved Highway 59 just north of Kingwood (http://web.archive.org/web/20050108135226/http://cityguides.local.yahoo.com/?location_state=TX&location_city=Kingwood) which boasts quick and easy access to frontage roads on both the east and west sides of the highway. With the communities of Kingwood to the south and the Woodlands to the west almost finished out, Whitestone is the next large developable master planned community in the northern sector of Houston. It is located 29 miles from downtown Houston, and provides a quick and convenient route to the major Houston employment centers.

Whitestone is also located just minutes from the new industrial park on 1485 and 1314 which is home to the one million square feet Wal-Mart Distribution Center. This choice land has been owned and preserved by Rice University for more than 100 years and will have over 863 acres of residential living and 205 acres of neighborhood and commercial services. The community plans for two elementary schools, one middle school and a day care center.

(click image for larger view)
Whitestone will be designed to meet the needs of all families from first time home buyers to second and third move up buyers. Whitestone will provide a sense of community with all the villages linked by miles of hike & bike trails. The goal of Whitestone is to offer a new level of quality and enhanced lifestyle.

__________________________________________________ ________________ (http://javascript<b></b>:history.go(-1))
There is a 1043 acre property owned by Whitestone Houston Holding as this website (https://gov.propertyinfo.com/WAM3/SearchMenu.asp?iCntyNum=4&iApplNum=4001)shows. That 19 million dollar loan is due September 1, 2011. The loan showing due on June 16th shows no extension yet. That 19 million dollar loan I take to be on the residential development that has been on the Marlin Atlantis website since 2005. How long can Marlin Atlantis and its dozens of realted LLCs keep paying on these loans whne there seems to be little chance of breaking ground and getting these developments underway?

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-18-2011, 12:28 PM
Domain Not Valid (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/)

The Earthquest Adventures site is down . I called the hosting service and the hosting fees have not been paid. The site is deactivated. Why is multi-billionaire Trey White not paying???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-19-2011, 11:49 AM
I called the service provider and the hosting fees were not paid. The account was deactivated for non-payment. The service provider most likely sent reminders, but no one bothered to pay the few dollars a month needed to keep the site up. That does not sound to me like they are working on it. We can call Trey White and his flunkies at Marlin Atlantis and inquire!

Registrant:
Global EarthQuest Holdings
13455 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75240
US

Domain Name: EARTHQUESTADVENTURES.COM

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Global EarthQuest Holdings
13455 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75240
US
972-715-6400

Record expires on 27-Jan-2012.
Record created on 27-Jan-2007.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS17.WORLDNIC.COM 205.178.190.9
NS18.WORLDNIC.COM 206.188.198.9

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-19-2011, 12:04 PM
"Global EarthQuest Holdings" owns about4 other domains (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-whois/?all[]=Global+EarthQuest+Holdings&none[]=)

Email Search:
http://source.domaintools.com/email.pgif?md5=26549ca9e18d20b7ca4a98eb18b4999f&face=arial&size=9&color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&face=arial&size=9&color=0000FF&bgcolor=FFFFFF&format[]=underline&format[]=transparent&format[]=transparent (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-whois/?email=26549ca9e18d20b7ca4a98eb18b4999f) is associated with about 3 domains



Registrar History:
1 registrar (http://www.domaintools.com/research/hosting-history/?q=earthquestadventures.com)


NS History:
1 change (http://www.domaintools.com/research/hosting-history/?q=earthquestadventures.com) on 2 unique name servers over 4 years.


IP History:
6 changes (http://www.domaintools.com/research/hosting-history/?q=earthquestadventures.com) on 6 unique name servers over 4 years.


Whois History:
24 records (http://www.domaintools.com/research/whois-history/?q=earthquestadventures.com&page=results) have been archived since 2007-12-08 .


Reverse IP:
684 other sites (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-ip/?hostname=earthquestadventures.com) hosted on this server.

Whois Record<li id="profile-view" class="tab-strip-active">Site Profile<li id="registration-view">Registration<li id="server-view">Server Stats<li id="my-view">My Whois



Site Profile and Search Rank


Reverse Whois:
"Global EarthQuest Holdings" owns about4 other domains (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-whois/?all[]=Global+EarthQuest+Holdings&none[]=)


Email Search:
http://source.domaintools.com/email.pgif?md5=26549ca9e18d20b7ca4a98eb18b4999f&face=arial&size=9&color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&face=arial&size=9&color=0000FF&bgcolor=FFFFFF&format[]=underline&format[]=transparent&format[]=transparent (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-whois/?email=26549ca9e18d20b7ca4a98eb18b4999f) is associated with about 3 domains



Registrar History:
1 registrar (http://www.domaintools.com/research/hosting-history/?q=earthquestadventures.com)


NS History:
1 change (http://www.domaintools.com/research/hosting-history/?q=earthquestadventures.com) on 2 unique name servers over 4 years.


IP History:
6 changes (http://www.domaintools.com/research/hosting-history/?q=earthquestadventures.com) on 6 unique name servers over 4 years.


Whois History:
24 records (http://www.domaintools.com/research/whois-history/?q=earthquestadventures.com&page=results) have been archived since 2007-12-08 .


Reverse IP:
684 other sites (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-ip/?hostname=earthquestadventures.com) hosted on this server.


http://whois.domaintools.com/images/icons/icon-monitor-16.png
Log In (https://secure.domaintools.com/log-in/?r=http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.com) or Create a FREE account (https://secure.domaintools.com/join/?r=http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.com) to start monitoring this domain name

DomainTools for Windows®
Now you can access domain ownership records anytime, anywhere... right from your own desktop!Download Now> (http://update.projectwhois.com/update/ProjectWhoisInstaller.exe)









Registrant:
Global EarthQuest Holdings
13455 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75240
US


Domain Name: EARTHQUESTADVENTURES.COM


Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Global EarthQuest Holdings http://source.domaintools.com/email.pgif?md5=26549ca9e18d20b7ca4a98eb18b4999f&face=arial&size=9&color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&face=arial&size=9&color=0000FF&bgcolor=FFFFFF&format[]=underline&format[]=transparent&format[]=transparent (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-whois/?email=26549ca9e18d20b7ca4a98eb18b4999f)
13455 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75240
US
972-715-6400


Record expires on 27-Jan-2012.
Record created on 27-Jan-2007.


Domain servers in listed order:


NS17.WORLDNIC.COM 205.178.190.9
NS18.WORLDNIC.COM 206.188.198.9





Website Title:
http://s2.googleusercontent.com/s2/favicons?domain=earthquestadventures.com Domain Not Valid (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/)


Title Relevancy
0%


Compete Rank:
http://img.domaintools.com/compete-cache/profile_1_16.gif #237,816 (http://go.domaintools.com/go/?compete=earthquestadventures.com) with 6,787 Unique visitors per month


Quantcast Rank:
#674,093 (http://go.domaintools.com/go/?quantcast=earthquestadventures.com)




AboutUs:
http://img.domaintools.com/aboutus.png Wiki article on Earthquestadventures.com (http://www.aboutus.org/Earthquestadventures.com)



SEO Score (http://www.domaintools.com/seo-score/):
85%


Terms:
9 (Unique: 9, Linked: 4)


Images:
5 (Alt tags missing: 5)


Links:
1 (Internal: 0, Outbound: 1)
NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Created:
2007-01-27


Expires:
2012-01-27


Updated:
2010-11-30


Registrar Status:
clientTransferProhibited (http://whois.domaintools.com/domain-help/status-codes.php)



Name Server:
NS17.WORLDNIC.COM (has 3,053,202 domains (http://www.domaintools.com/research/name-server-report/?nameserver=worldnic.com))

NS18.WORLDNIC.COM (has 3,053,202 domains (http://www.domaintools.com/research/name-server-report/?nameserver=worldnic.com))



Whois Server:
whois.networksolutions.com


General TLDs:
EarthQuestAdventures.com (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.com)http://whois.domaintools.com/images/xz3.gif (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.com) (registered and active website)

EarthQuestAdventures.net (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.net)http://whois.domaintools.com/images/xz3.gif (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.net) (registered and active website)

EarthQuestAdventures.org (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.org)http://whois.domaintools.com/images/xz3.gif (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.org) (registered and active website)

EarthQuestAdventures.biz (http://go.domaintools.com/go/?service=whois&src=whois&q=earthquestadventures.biz)http://whois.domaintools.com/images/xz1.gif (http://go.domaintools.com/go/?snap_type=buy&buy_domains_string=earthquestadventures.biz) (never registered before)

EarthQuestAdventures.info (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.info)http://whois.domaintools.com/images/xz3.gif (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.info) (registered and active website)

EarthQuestAdventures.us (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.us)http://whois.domaintools.com/images/xz3.gif (http://whois.domaintools.com/earthquestadventures.us) (registered and active website)

Apache/2.2.14 (Unix) FrontPage/5.0.2.2635

IP Address:
206.188.192.113 (http://whois.domaintools.com/206.188.192.113)Reverse-IP (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-ip/?hostname=206.188.192.113) | Ping (http://www.domaintools.com/research/ping/?query=206.188.192.113) | DNS Lookup (http://www.domaintools.com/research/dns/?query=206.188.192.113) | Traceroute (http://www.domaintools.com/research/traceroute/?query=206.188.192.113)


ASN:
AS19871


IP Location:
http://whois.domaintools.com/images/flags/us.gif - New York - New York - Network Solutions Llc


Response Code:
200


Domain Status:
Registered And Active Website
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________
Why is Trey White the mutli-billionaire of Marlin Atlantis not paying the few dollars a month in hosting fees???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-19-2011, 02:17 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olaroMJBUaE&NR=1
Nice blather, but let's see the website back up, property loans extended and ground breaking!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-20-2011, 10:45 AM
Yourhoustonnews.com (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/)
EMCID delays decision on EarthQuest Institute proposal (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html?mode=story)


Story (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html?mode=story)
Comments (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html#user-comment-area)
ShareShare (http://javascript<b></b>:void(0))
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Posted: Thursday, December 16, 2010 12:00 am
EMCID delays decision on EarthQuest Institute proposal (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html)By TIM WILLERT (twillert@hcnonline.com)Houston Community Newspapers | 0 comments (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html#user-comment-area)
The East Montgomery County Improvement District has turned down a request for funding by a member of the EarthQuest Institute team who wants to build the first phase of the museum project on the grounds of the EMCID Complex.
But Matthew Gardner, the institute’s chief science officer, figures to get another crack at selling his proposal this summer.

Gardner asked improvement district board members for $52,000 to pay for a building design concept and related images and plans he says will help raise $1 million to fill the proposed museum with interactive exhibits and other customer-friendly ‘stuff.’
“I see it as my job to move this project forward,” he told the board Dec. 9.

Gardener added that he plans to ask EMCID for a $1 million loan to build the museum, which he envisions being housed on EMCID soil while EarthQuest Adventures, a proposed 150-acre dinosaur theme park, is being built a few miles away.

Gardner said the first phase of the museum would be constructed with inexpensive, environmentally friendly materials that will be easy to move when the time comes.
A small modular hub, he said, would remain on EMCID property after the shell is moved to the site of the proposed 550-acre mixed-use project at Roman Forest Boulevard and U.S. Highway 59.

EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady didn’t rule out Gardner’s proposal, asking him to refine his business plan and come back before the board in July.
“Absolutely we’re very interested in making this happen,”McCrady said. “It would give (EarthQuest Institute) a showcase, kind of a stage. I think having (the museum) on our property is one of the ways we can help.”

Gardner said he was not disappointed, but determined to press on in his quest to raise funding to build the nonprofit institute, which develops and presents state-of-the art exhibits, programs and information on energy, the environment and sustainable living.

“My goal is to find the resources to make this happen,” he said.
Last month, the EarthQuest Adventures developer told EMCID board members the mixed-use project must be re-packaged and built in phases in order to secure investors.
The first phase of the redesign - the dinosaur theme park and museum - will cost approximately $307 million to build
__________________________________________________ __________________
I believe that Earthquest Institue is the only part of the project that can and should be saved. John Marlin, Trey White and all their phony LLCs , LPs and nonsense should be sent packing. Dr. Matthew Gardner and "Dino Don" Lessem should get their museum.

Fake multi-billionaire Trey White and his sidekick John Marlin should never have been allowed to go this far with taxpayers money. I firmly believe they are the reason the project is in the sad state is obviously in. Still no website. Still no loan extensions on file. Where have the millions of dollars thrown at this project gone???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-20-2011, 11:09 AM
Yourhoustonnews.com (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/)
EMCID delays decision on EarthQuest Institute proposal (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html?mode=story)


Story (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html?mode=story)
Comments (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html#user-comment-area)
ShareShare (http://javascript<b></b>:void(0))
Print Create a hardcopy of this page (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html?mode=print) Font Size: Default font size (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html#) Larger font size (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html#)
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Posted: Thursday, December 16, 2010 12:00 am
EMCID delays decision on EarthQuest Institute proposal (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html)By TIM WILLERT (twillert@hcnonline.com)Houston Community Newspapers | 0 comments (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/article_5ef868fa-ae07-580d-9212-88b5b585e1f5.html#user-comment-area)
The East Montgomery County Improvement District has turned down a request for funding by a member of the EarthQuest Institute team who wants to build the first phase of the museum project on the grounds of the EMCID Complex.
But Matthew Gardner, the institute’s chief science officer, figures to get another crack at selling his proposal this summer.

Gardner asked improvement district board members for $52,000 to pay for a building design concept and related images and plans he says will help raise $1 million to fill the proposed museum with interactive exhibits and other customer-friendly ‘stuff.’
“I see it as my job to move this project forward,” he told the board Dec. 9.

Gardener added that he plans to ask EMCID for a $1 million loan to build the museum, which he envisions being housed on EMCID soil while EarthQuest Adventures, a proposed 150-acre dinosaur theme park, is being built a few miles away.

Gardner said the first phase of the museum would be constructed with inexpensive, environmentally friendly materials that will be easy to move when the time comes.
A small modular hub, he said, would remain on EMCID property after the shell is moved to the site of the proposed 550-acre mixed-use project at Roman Forest Boulevard and U.S. Highway 59.

EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady didn’t rule out Gardner’s proposal, asking him to refine his business plan and come back before the board in July.
“Absolutely we’re very interested in making this happen,”McCrady said. “It would give (EarthQuest Institute) a showcase, kind of a stage. I think having (the museum) on our property is one of the ways we can help.”

Gardner said he was not disappointed, but determined to press on in his quest to raise funding to build the nonprofit institute, which develops and presents state-of-the art exhibits, programs and information on energy, the environment and sustainable living.

“My goal is to find the resources to make this happen,” he said.
Last month, the EarthQuest Adventures developer told EMCID board members the mixed-use project must be re-packaged and built in phases in order to secure investors.
The first phase of the redesign - the dinosaur theme park and museum - will cost approximately $307 million to build
__________________________________________________ __________________
I believe that Earthquest Institue is the only part of the project that can and should be saved. John Marlin, Trey White and all their phony LLCs , LPs and nonsense should be sent packing. Dr. Matthew Gardner and "Dino Don" Lessem should get their museum.

Fake multi-billionaire Trey White and his sidekick John Marlin should never have been allowed to go this far with taxpayers money. I firmly believe they are the reason the project is in the sad state is obviously in. Still no website. Still no loan extensions on file. Where have the millions of dollars thrown at this project gone???

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
06-20-2011, 04:39 PM
What a mess. www.earthquestadventures.com (http://www.earthquestadventures.com) being down means hundreds of official sites, Facebook pages, news articles, blogs and posts have lost the pictures and images posted and have broken links. There is no excuse for the hosting fees of a few dollars a month not being paid. The website could easily be moved to an alternative service provider with almost no interruption. We are talking only a few minutes of down time. This is beyond inexcusable.

Marlin Atlantis / Global Earthquest ventures, Trey White and John Marlin need to be sent packing.

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
06-20-2011, 04:53 PM
Marlin Atlantis / Global Earthquest ventures, Trey White and John Marlin need to be sent packing.

Soapboxmom

Sounds like they're doing a good job of arranging that all on their lonesome.

Soapboxmom
06-23-2011, 06:37 PM
There are folks out there desperate to bury my informative posts in garbage. Some goober here (http://www.houstondinopark.com/discuss.php) made a handful of posts using my name. That could be a felony in Texas (http://mikeyounglaw.com/internet-lawyer/online-harassment-texas-internet-law/). Don't steal my name or persona unless you want to risk prosecution, goober!

Now, the question is why anyone would want to waste their time burying truthful information and harassing me. Is it a member of my fan club from www.heatherdobrott.com (http://www.heatherdobrott.com)? No one seems to have the spheres to post there anymore. Just why is that? Felony criminal charges are a bit frightening???

And, in other old news, I can't find any loan extensions or modifications for the properties near Houston. The www.earthquestadventures.com (http://www.earthquestadventures.com) website is still down. Would someone please call Marlin Atlantis (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/contact_form.php)and ask them what in the hell is going on.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
07-02-2011, 01:25 PM
EMCID discusses progress of theme park

By JENNIFER SUMMER
Updated: 09.02.09
With the plans for EarthQuest Adventures theme park and the museum still in place, the board members of the East Montgomery County Improvement District recently met with the EarthQuest Institute to listen to their changes.

The board members called a special meeting Aug. 24 to discuss these changes and take possible action.

“We met with the developer last week and this week. They are asking us to make a few more changes that will allow for their financial presentation to investors and debt providers to be more marketable,” Frank McCrady, president of EMCID, said.

EMCID issued bonds on the project and has met with developers each month to see what they are spending each month based on the bonds.

The funds have been allocated to the project, the pre-development costs, expenses and getting closer to breaking ground.

The way the bond is currently structured, EMCID receives half of the bond proceeds back from the developer at the close of construction and the balance is paid out at a point in the future.

“The developer is asking for us to defer that and we assume the bond payments, using revenue generated in the district, which will help them to be one step closer to being financed,” McCrady explained.

The second request is in relation to the provision built in where the developer would repay the New Caney Fire Department and Emergency Services District 7.

EMCID allocated $300,000 for ESD 7 which has helped accomplish the things the district needed to do, and in the initial agreement the developer would repay EMCID those costs.

“The developer is asking to not have to reimburse us on the front-end. These are the two substantial changes the developer is asking for us to consider,” McCrady said.

Also, there were fees allocated to the site consultant which EMCID is being asked to incur.

At the beginning of the deal, the EMCID board loaned Marlin-Atlantis the $7 million for pre-development costs of the construction. The expenses include fees for accounting, engineering, design and master planning.

“In our meeting this week, we decided we will allocate a half-cent tax of our current one-cent tax over a period of time to repay the site location costs. In doing this, this would give Marlin the ability to recoup costs and this would be paid at closing by Marlin,” McCrady said.

The group discussed what would happen if the developers reneged on the project and whether or not they would have any protection.

At this point in the plan, EMCID does not have any hold on EarthQuest Institute so if they decide not to build, they will be out some funds.

“Worst-case scenario, let’s just say that the theme park does not happen at all and they build a retail center and homes. With that, the half-cent tax and zone tax will come back to EMCID until we are paid in full, which is about $7 million,” McCrady said. “If the plans for EarthQuest do fall through, in the long run, we will get our money back.”

The group agreed that it was important to help the process for EarthQuest Adventures move forward financially which will provide more revenue and job opportunities for the community.

EarthQuest Adventures, more commonly referred to as the “dinosaur park,” features a for-profit section with theme park rides, concessions and other fun things to do and a nonprofit section which will feature the museum. The project also includes space for future retail expansion and office space.

EMCID has proposed a $1 increase on the parking tax to help with revenues.

“We are quite confident this project will be a go and we most likely will be back at the table with changes they want to make,” McCrady said. “We have to take a risk and with this project, we will have a large return.”

In other business, the EMCID board discussed the possible district-wide election to increase the sales tax which includes discussion of grant agreements with ESDs 7 and 11.

EMCID recently worked out its agreement with ESD 6 which covers Porter but still needs to work out the proposals for the Splendora and New Caney fire departments.

“What Porter Fire Department has proposed to us is that the amount of funding we have allocated to them on an annual basis, they would reduce that amount by $50,000 and they would give that amount to Splendora if we would match it,” McCrady said.

Thus, Splendora Fire Department would have $100,000 a year to operate with.

In the current agreement, EMCID gives the New Caney Fire Department $300,000 to help them meet their emergency needs. The department is requesting that EMCID extend this agreement for two more years to carry them through 2014.

“The reason for this is with EarthQuest in 2010, it will be a period of time before some of the revenue is going back to the fire department,” McCrady explained. “They will have to construct more facilities near where the park is and hire more people to accommodate the changes.”

The other changes the New Caney FD is requesting is that it not have to repay EMCID for the amount it allocated for Porter Fire Department and an additional amount of income to fund two fire stations to aid EarthQuest. With these two provisions, the elections will be held at the fire departments.

“The main point is and part of the reason we are having this election is that the improvement district does not hold the election; it allows the additional half-cent tax to be on the table,” McCrady said.

“The ESDs could have their own elections and be successful in the additional half-cent so if Houston were to ever come out and annex, they could take that half-cent tax by bringing the fire departments into the city. With the money coming to EMCID and entered into an agreement, we have protected that money from the city of Houston and it stays in our community.”
__________________________________________________ ________________
I just dug up that article from Septemeber 2009. As far as I am concerned Frank McCrady was very dishonest with me. Marlin Atlantis has misled the tax payers, milked us for millions of dollars and reneged on their promises. I don't believe for a second we are a mere 9 months from groundbreaking. Anyone who has been following this dino disaster has seen deadline after deadline pass.

Marlin Atlantis and its clown patrol can't even manage to scrape together the pocket change needed to pay the hosting fees for the www.earthquestadventures.com (http://www.earthquestadventures.com) website. As of yet no confirmation on the loans being renewed. It is time for some drastic action!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
07-03-2011, 02:26 PM
The website is finally back up. Someone dug up the pocket change to pay the hosting fees. I don't think it has changed one iota. This BS is still posted:






General Partner and Developer
–Marlin Atlantis
of Dallas, Texas is one of the state’s leading residential and commercial
property developers, with a particular emphasis upon maintaining natural
habitats in its projects.

Since when was Marlin Atlantis a leading commercial developer and why the bull about maintaining natural habitats. That isn't quite the story (http://www.dallasobserver.com/2009-03-19/news/dallas-wants-to-be-a-green-city-so-why-not-save-some-trees/)I have heard.

I can't believe the EMCID gave Frank McCrady a $50,000.00 bonus with Marlin Atlantis tangled up in this project. What a mess!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
07-05-2011, 03:09 PM
We have a loan extension on the Dino Park property signed by fake multi-billionaire Roscoe F. / Trey White for a whopping 3 months. That isn't long!

176

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-26-2011, 12:22 PM
Write something...
https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174759_240136904264_5221075_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)Earth Quest Adventures Houston (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)
An update on the current state of the park from the official EarthQuest facebook page: "The Park is still moving forward now that the financial markets have begun to flow our investment banking team is seeing great interest 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." and "It makes no sense to throw out ground breaking dates until the phase one financing is definitively secured"

11 hours ago (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150304282819265&id=240136904264) · Like ·

14 people (https://www.facebook.com/browse/?type=likes&id=10150304282819265) like this.


https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174759_240136904264_5221075_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)Earth Quest Adventures Houston (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264) EarthQuest gave this response to an inquirer looking for a groundbreaking date.11 hours ago · Like
https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/276007_1441200344_3494137_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1441200344)Noe Bocanegra (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1441200344) Well the point is. Is it goin to happen that's what we all want to know? 11 hours ago · Like · 2 people (https://www.facebook.com/browse/?type=likes&id=10150304285379265)
https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174759_240136904264_5221075_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264)Earth Quest Adventures Houston (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264) The project is making progress. As long as it continues to make progress, it will happen.11 hours ago · Like
https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/276007_1441200344_3494137_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1441200344)Noe Bocanegra (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1441200344) Well I hope so if not dallas will take it away from houston lol11 hours ago · Like · 1 person (https://www.facebook.com/browse/?type=likes&id=10150304287794265)
https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/161585_1381666314_6101562_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/mikerobinson.net)Mike Robinson (https://www.facebook.com/mikerobinson.net) I am glad their is still interest but there have been several ground breaking dates announced. The last one was June 23'rd that said "Groundbreaking: Early 2012" Now their is no date. I understand this is a HUGE project and financing is tricky (especially tricky these days) but is everything really moving forward? Based on your own comments things seem to have stalled or even moved back. I am very excited by this park but has everything up until now been overly optimistic?4 hours ago · Like
__________________________________________________ ___________________
So, in reality there has been nothing but backsliding. Even the rephased project with a mere 300 million price tag for the first phase hasn't secured financing yet. The first phase doesn't include the hotels / resorts. Where are the visitors supposed to stay if the park and museum ever do get built? Will investors be able to get past the fact liar Trey White is behind this fiasco? Isn't the fact Trey White passed himself off as a multi-billionaire harming the project? If he was so incredibly wealthy then why isn't he funding the initial project himself? If he isn't willing to pony up any real money aren't the investors going to think it is a deal they should pass up too?




Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
08-28-2011, 02:43 PM
Marlin Atlantis has been dead in the water since day 1. Of the 3 Master Planned Communities only the one in Houston has any construction happening.

http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/images/master_plan.jpg (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/master_plan.htm)
http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/images/esperanza_news_f2.jpg (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/esperanza_news.htm)
http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/images/images.jpg (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/images.htm)


http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/images/spacer.gif (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/index.htm) To learn more about where Esperanza has been and where we are going, click on the links below to download copies of our e-newsletter.
October 2008 e-newsletter click here (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/news/10-08_enews.pdf?m=1101757381796)
February 2008 e-newsletter click here (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/news/2-08_enews.pdf?m=1101757381796)
January 2008 e-newsletter click here (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/news/1-08_enews.pdf?m=1101757381796)
November 2007 e-newsletter click here (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/news/11-07_enews.pdf?m=1101757381796)
August 2007 e-newsletter click here (http://www.esperanzaboerne.com/news/8-07_enews.pdf?m=1101757381796)
__________________________________________________ _________________
Trinity Falls will be a premier master-planned community nestled on the banks of the East Fork of the Trinity River just north of McKinney. Unique to a new premier development of this size, is the fact that it features the Trinity River as one of its borders. The majority of the property's breathtaking terrain and expanses of mature trees and green spaces will be preserved, so that the residences will have incredible views of nature's best. This picturesque community will have an extensive park and trails system. Featuring a variety of product types and sizes, including an active adult community, Trinity Falls promises to be a spectacular neighborhood.
__________________________________________________ _________________
The one Offering listed:
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/logo.gif (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/index.html) offerings
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/ma_magnolia.jpg Situated in an up-and-coming submarket in the Houston area, Magnolia is a beautiful wooded property with large lakes, natural rolling hills and a winding creek.


http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/magnolia_aerial_sm2.jpg (http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/magnolia_aerial.jpg)

(click image for larger view)
LOCATION: Property is located on the northeast line of FM 1774 less than two miles northwest of the town of Magnolia, TX.
SIZE: Approximately 589+/- acres to be developed into 1,200 home sites
CONTACT: Jim Baker, President
Tel: +1 (972) 715-6400
jimbaker@marlinatlantis.com


86 acres of open recreational space
58.2 acres of detention amenities
2.8 acres of community recreational center
3.5 acres of neighborhood commercial
A beautiful European-style traffic circle with a center statement
Potential reimbursements to include all water, sanitary, drainage, roads, and partial park & amenities from the legislatively created MUD, Montgomery County MUD #116
Located in new emerging upscale Montgomery County
45 minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport
FM 1774 slated to be widened to four lanes in 2009


__________________________________________________ _________
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gif http://www.crossoakranch.com
__________________________________________________ __________________
Lasiter Ranch has no page with homes for sale.
__________________________________________________ ______
Plantation has no page with homes for sale.
__________________________________________________ _________
Rivers Edge has no page with homes for sale.
__________________________________________________ __________
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gifWhitestone in Houston near the proposed Dino Park is still just talk. http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gif
__________________________________________________ ______________
http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gif http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gif http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gif http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gif http://www.marlinatlantis.com/images/spacer.gif
It has been almost 3 years and no activity in Boerne, TX. The McKinney community is just all talk. Magnolia is also in the glowing promises stage. So, exactly what has Marlin Atlantis developed that would show us they are capable of putting together the amusement and educational park we have heard talk of since 2005?? It is high time we get more information about where those millions in tax payer funds went and some real answers about the funding of this fiasco!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
10-05-2011, 10:23 PM
We have a loan extension on the Dino Park property signed by fake multi-billionaire Roscoe F. / Trey White for a whopping 3 months. That isn't long!

176

Soapboxmom
The loans were due and payable on September 14th. What is the scoop? Did Marlin Atlantis / Maw Magnolia / Roscoe White pay off the loans, get an extension or default? Why are we not getting any updates on this project??? I think the taxpayers have been dino duped!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
10-28-2011, 12:14 PM
Improvement district bolsters East Montgomery County - Your Houston News: News (http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/improvement-district-bolsters-east-montgomery-county/article_8d67c197-bfcd-51b5-a479-50742669b8f5.html)

“(But) everyone wants to talk about EarthQuest,” McCrady conceded.

EarthQuest is a $550 million amusement park which is scheduled to break ground in six to nine months, he said. The design of the park is essentially in four areas, all on adjacent sides of a central mountain.

“There is a huge demand for commercial development,” McCrady said.

Phase I of the development has a projected initial investment of $550 million, the bulk of which is the $389 million theme park. A resort 250-room hotel is projected to cost $77.9 million. Other areas in the design include Cretaceous Cove ($32.1 million developmental budget), Green Gadget Garage ($17 million), Earth Walk ($26.9 million), an eco-tourism area ($6.9 million) and a museum $20 million.

“Our focus is to bring in amenities to improve the quality of life,” McCrady said of the East Montgomery County Improvement District. For more information on the district, visit www.emctx.com (http://www.emctx.com/).



We are still being strung along. The loans were renewed for a year through September 14,2012. The construction costs have been quoted higher, but I still am not convinced that the theme park can be built for anything near even the 389 million dollar figure.

When are we taxpayers going to get a real update and some honest disclosure? Is the financing finally secured? Why is ground breaking put off yet another 6-9 months? :duh:

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
01-07-2012, 11:48 AM
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/24159_1336421022745_1597701054_848260_4269271_n.jp g




















http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/371595_1597701054_1781235895_q.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/charlesptrson)


Chuck Peterson (http://www.facebook.com/charlesptrson) These are truly exciting times!April 16, 2010 at 11:33pm

Some of my best friends chillin with Billionaire Trey White!

April 16, 2010








If Trey White is so wealthy and successful, why is Earthquest still not off of the ground? Big surprise, but this clown (one of Jack Weinzierl's downline I suspect has bailed from Evolv and those exciting times) 6 years later and there is no firm groundbreaking date and apparently they can't even raise funding for a scaled down park. When, Trey, When?????

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
01-10-2012, 10:29 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
01-10-2012, 10:34 AM
Why in the hell did we give that bonehead McCray a $50,000.00 bonus on top of his alr4eady ridiculous $97,000.00 salary? Why were the taxpayers not notified immediately about this shocking development? It is totally dishonest to hide what is going on as the taxpayers and business people who had invested in projects in the area are getting screwed! I watch PACER, but I had not caught this or I would have exposed this bankruptcy and the accompanying shenanigans immediately! I want McCardy booted!!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
01-11-2012, 11:01 PM
Management Team (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/management-team/)


Creator and Limited Partner – Don Lessem

is a world-renowned educator and popularizer of natural history, consultant to Steven Spielberg, Disney and Universal films and theme parks, creator of international museum exhibitions, originator of the world’s largest paleontological charities, builder of the largest dinosaur recreations and author of more than 50 books for adults and children.
General Partner and Developer –Marlin Atlantis

of Dallas, Texas is one of the state’s leading residential and commercial property developers, with a particular emphasis upon maintaining natural habitats in its projects.

Project Designers – Contour Entertainment, Inc.

Los Angeles-based creative design, construction and park management organization of former Disney Imagineers with extensive experience as designers, builders and managers of themed entertainment attractions from Dubai to Southeast Asia and Europe as well as many North American locations.





Entity Information:
GLOBAL EARTHQUEST VENTURES, LP
13455 NOEL ROAD, GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD
DALLAS, TX 75240-


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


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


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800931732


SOS Registration Date:
January 31, 2008


Taxpayer Number:
32034922834














Entity Information:
GLOBAL EARTHQUEST IP HOLDINGS, LLC
GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FL. 13455 NOEL R
DALLAS, TX 75240-


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


Registered Agent:
JOHN MARLIN
GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FL. 13455 NOEL RD.
DALLAS, TX 75240


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0801033968


SOS Registration Date:
September 26, 2008


Taxpayer Number:
32038039270




MEMBER
DON LESSEM
1640 NORTH RIDLEY CREEK RD.
MEDIA , PA 19063






MEMBER
ENTERTAINMENT VENTURES, LLC
GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FL. 13455 NOEL RD.
DALLAS , TX 75240








ENTERTAINMENT VENTURES, LLC
13455 NOEL ROAD GALLERIA TOWER II 23RD F
DALLAS, TX 75240-0000


Status:
NO STANDING, FRANCHISE RESPONSIBILITY ENDED


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


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800924549


SOS Registration Date:
January 16, 2008


Taxpayer Number:
32034509748





GOVERNING
JAMES R BAKER
13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240






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






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






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








Entity Information:
WHITESTONE HOUSTON HOLDINGS, LLC
GALLERIA TOWER TWO 13455 NOEL RD., 23RD
DALLAS, TX 75240-


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


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


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800350560


SOS Registration Date:
June 7, 2004


Taxpayer Number:
16805872625



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






Entity Information:
WHITESTONE HOUSTON LAND, LTD.
GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL RD., 23RD
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 RD., 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS, TX 75240


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800350568


SOS Registration Date:
June 7, 2004


Taxpayer Number:
32035591695








Entity Information:
THE INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST
1722 ROUTH ST STE 1500
DALLAS, TX 75201-2532


Status:
IN GOOD STANDING - EXEMPT ENTITY


Registered Agent:
DAVID M ROSENBERG
1722 ROUTH STREET, SUITE 1500
DALLAS, TX 75201


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800941922


SOS Registration Date:
February 22, 2008


Taxpayer Number:
32034780331





DIRECTOR
DONALD LESSEM
1640 RIDLEY CREEK RD.
MEDIA , PA






DIRECTOR
JOHN MARLIN
13445 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS , TX 75240






DIRECTOR
LEON CUBILLAS
P.O. BOX 1019
NEW CANEY , TX 77357











Entity Information:
EQ VENTURES GP, LLC
13455 NOEL ROAD GALLERIA TOWER II 23RD F
DALLAS, TX 75240-0000



Status:
NO STANDING, FRANCHISE RESPONSIBILITY ENDED


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


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800924544


SOS Registration Date:
January 16, 2008


Taxpayer Number:
32034509789





GOVERNING
JAMES R BAKER
13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240






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






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







GOVERNING

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

Soapboxmom
01-12-2012, 02:29 PM
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
01-12-2012, 03:16 PM
INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST
Physical Address: 21575 Us Highway 59 North
% Dan N Matheson
New Caney, TX 77357 EIN: 26-2454184
Telephone: 512-240-5353
NTEE Category: C Environmental Quality Protection, Beautification C60 (Environmental Education and Outdoor Survival Programs) Year Founded: 2009 Ruling Year: 2009

Mission Statement

To preserve the planet and its resources

517

518

519

Follow that money folks! Why is Deborah Thomas, Marlin Atlantis' flunky, being paid so much?

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
01-14-2012, 01:04 PM
Here is the crew behind this Dino Disaster. Note that Cabillas is tangled up in the EarthQuest Institute:
Meet the BoardThe East Montgomery County Improvement District is staffed by President/CEO, Frank McCrady, Office Administrator, Suzanne Parmer, and Secretary, Sandy Seelye. The East Montgomery County Improvement District is located at 21575 U.S. Hwy 59 North, Suite 200 , New Caney, Texas 77357. The office telephone number is (281) 354-4419 and the fax number is (281) 354-4529. The Board governing the East Montgomery County Improvement District is comprised of eight elected officials.The 2010-2011 members of the Board of Directors are as follows: Leon Cubillas, Chairman; Vickie Thumann, Vice Chairman; Linda W. Floyd, Assistant Vice Chairman/Treasurer; Sue Warren, Secretary; Connie Bloodworth, Assistant Secretary; Isidor Ybarra, Director; Leonard Rogers, Director; and Fred Wetz, Director.

Our Board of Directors:








http://www.emctx.com/images/board/leon.jpg




Leon Cubillas, Chairman http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)







http://www.emctx.com/images/board/ThumannEMCID-029-3-57WEB.jpg




Vickie Thumann,
Vice Chairman http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)







http://www.emctx.com/images/board/linda.jpg




Linda W. Floyd , Assistant Vice Chairman/Treasurer http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)














http://www.emctx.com/images/board/susan.jpg




Sue Warren, Director http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)







http://www.emctx.com/images/board/connie.jpg




Connie Bloodworth, Secretary http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)







http://www.emctx.com/images/board/isidor.jpg




Isidor Ybarra, Director http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)














http://www.emctx.com/images/board/leonard.jpg




Leonard Rogers, Director http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)

Soapboxmom
01-14-2012, 01:05 PM
http://www.emctx.com/images/board/Fred-Wetz-Photo-2011.jpg




Fred Wetz, Director http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)











Our Staff










http://www.emctx.com/images/board/frank.jpg




Frank McCrady
President/CEO http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)







http://www.emctx.com/images/board/suzanne.jpg




Suzanne Parmer,
Office Administrator http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)







http://www.emctx.com/images/board/sandy.jpg




Sandy Seelye, Secretary http://www.emctx.com/images/bio.gif (http://www.emctx.com/about/meet_the_board.php#)

Soapboxmom
01-14-2012, 07:32 PM
Entity Information:
EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPOR
3700 BUFFALO SPEEDWAY STE 830
HOUSTON, TX 77098-3709



Status:
IN GOOD STANDING - EXEMPT ENTITY



Registered Agent:
DAVID MARKS
2001 KIRBY DRIVE, STE. 1111
HOUSTON, TX 77019


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800435361


SOS Registration Date:
January 4, 2005


Taxpayer Number:
12021281691





DIRECTOR
ISIDOR YBARRA JR
P.O. BOX 242
PORTER , TX 77365






DIRECTOR
LEON CUBILLAS
P.O. BOX 168
SPLENDORA , TX 77372






DIRECTOR
LEONARD W. ROGERS
25661 HILL AND DALE AVE.
SPLENDORA , TX 77372






DIRECTOR
PHILIPPE CRAS
23320 HWY 59 NORTH
KINGWOOD , TX 77339






DIRECTOR
VICKIE THUMANN
20746 BUCK KNOLL RD.
SPLENDORA , TX 77372

Soapboxmom
01-15-2012, 04:29 PM
The EMC Economic Development Corp is a 501 (c) 3 and the 990s were less than illuminating.
Nonprofit Report for EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/20-2289201/east-montgomery-county-economic-development-corporation.aspx)

The Chamber of Commerce which has been featuring the Earthquest park on its website is not in good standing with the state and has not posted an update about the bankruptcy debacle in progress.
(http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/20-2289201/east-montgomery-county-economic-development-corporation.aspx%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A
[COLOR=#2A2A2A][FONT=Segoe UI]

Entity Information:
EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PO BOX 967
NEW CANEY, TX 77357-0967



Status:
NOT IN GOOD STANDING


Registered Agent:
VERNON L HANKINS
1314 PROFESSIONAL CENTER 1000 FM 13
PORTER, TX 77365


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0056104101


SOS Registration Date:
May 7, 1981


Taxpayer Number:
30005712986


__________________________________________________ ______________

They probably have members that will be burned in this deal.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
01-17-2012, 01:21 PM
An excellent response to my post on the Dino Discussion board:

New Caney Dino Park Discussion & Rumors

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

Comment by: vessmech on Jan. 17th, 2012 - 11:56am
As we who live in this area knew all along - this was a scam perpetrated by EMCID and marketed by Frank (pay raise and bonus) McCrady. Dino park, baseball park - all lost money to the taxpayers. Commissioner Ed Rhinehardt stated 4 years ago "that if this dinosaur park falls through there will be a lot of people with egg on their face". Cluck...cluck

Yes - EMCID is to blame for this. They are so desperate to develop the area, they either didn't due their due diligence on the Earthquest developers or chose to look the other way - either is worthy of a complete clearing of the EMCID board.

Soapboxmom
01-17-2012, 01:26 PM
I challenged beanhead Troy Dooley on this issue as well. He is strong supporter of fake multi-billionaire fraud, Trey White:
Breaking MLM News: Evolv Founder Trey White Comes Clean On Critics Concerns of Past Business Deals | MLM Help Desk (http://mlmhelpdesk.com/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/#comment-57430)







Soapboxmom (http://www.realscam.com) January 16, 2012 at 11:35 pm # (http://mlmhelpdesk.com/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/#comment-57430)
http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/86de3542682caa18916fbdb1b3253a29?s=40&d=&r=G

For the love of mud Troy. Zero water (read the label) and a fake multi-billionaire. How is anyone going to conclude that is a winning combination?
Trey White actively participated in videos where he was introduced as a multi-billionaire by someone hawking the zero water. Trey grinned and put on a show for the camera knowing that video linked below would be posted and used for promotion. Disgusting!
http://www.realscam.com/f9/trey-whites-evolv-water-vs-world-renowned-md-anderson-cancer-center-86/index3.html#post3459
Trey White brags of the EarthQuest Adventures park to be built for $500,000.00 when he and John Marlin have run that into the ground and the taxpayers of Texas are out millions of dollars. The LLC owning the property is bankrupt and that deal is headed straight down the commode.
http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-lessem-654/
Of course, why read the entire threads and let the truth and facts ruin your trip into fantasy land, right Troy???
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

troydooly
01-17-2012, 05:48 PM
I challenged beanhead Troy Dooley on this issue as well. He is strong supporter of fake multi-billionaire fraud, Trey White:
Breaking MLM News: Evolv Founder Trey White Comes Clean On Critics Concerns of Past Business Deals | MLM Help Desk (http://mlmhelpdesk.com/breaking-mlm-news-evolv-founder-trey-white-comes-clean-on-critics-concerns-of-past-business-deals/#comment-57430)








Dear SoapBoxMom,

You will have to forgive me, but I am not sure what you are getting at when it comes to the October 4th, 2010 article you tagged above. I must have missed the challenge, because it is not in the comment or linkback.

Although, I like Trey, and his team, I am not sure "strong supporter" would work for Trey White. Had you said "Dooly is a strong supporter of Garrett & Sylvia McGrath, James Christiansen, or Camron Corr" it would be the truth. Or if you had said "Dooly is a strong supporter of the the Evolv field leadership and average representative" it would be true.

From reading a few of your posts it seems you have a bone to pick with Trey and some of the former and maybe current members of Evolv. However, I was direct on making it clear Trey is not a Billionaire and that Evolv had corrected the issue back in 2010! Since that time at least one of the teams promoting the "billionaire" comment have left and are now over-hyping their new business.

As for the business dealings outside of Evolv, those are not in my area of focus, and I have not done any new articles in those areas. If you can produce documents showing there was some form of fraud that has taken place and the tax payers are been harmed I will gladly post it. However, if in the course of business the project failed, then it is sad, because it did look as if it would have produced thousands of jobs for Texas, and millions in tourist dollars.

Since Evolv is no longer "Just" a water company, it might be good to broaden your scope of frustration to cover all their products, not just water.

Again, I am not sure what the challenge is you are referring, but if you take a few seconds and explain, I will do my best to live up to whatever challenge you put forth.

Living An Epic Adventure,

Troy Dooly

Soapboxmom
01-17-2012, 07:21 PM
New Caney Dino Park Discussion & Rumors

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

Comment by: Moron, a.k.a. the real Walt Disney, a.k.a. Realist, and others on Jan. 17th, 2012 - 3:41pm
Soapboxmom,

I first must address your tenacity and diligence. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, at least be me.

I read thru some of your blog post on the aforementioned;

http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-bi

What more could someone ask in the way of research…..and now my head hurts.. Thank You very much.

I hope and pray you never focus your attention my way.

While Tray “Fake Billionaire” White, and Marlin “the man from” Atlantis have played a role in this debacle, I am sure there are those on the illustrious board of directors at EMCID that lined their pockets as well …

Can any say kick-backs.

I think Contour could pick up the pieces… Sadly, in my opinion, they wont.

They have never funded a project of this size, and I believe there in lies the rub.

Why would they fund this project in this economy. While they have worked on large amusement and themed park attractions, being sponsored by HP or an oil sheik, this is an entirely different effort.

Maybe 6 or 7 years ago when the economic outlook was better it might have made for a better gamble.

Houston’s inability to keep Astroworld afloat has to play into the mindset here. Allowing that park to vanish should tell investors something… OK, there were problems associated with Astroworld i.e., parking lot locations and age. Nevertheless the powers that be decided a relocation was not even worth the effort…WHY??

To let some other group build and reap the rewards of a new park just a few miles away.

People from San Antonio and Dallas may come initially to see something NEW but as soon as the new wears off they will stay at home and visit their own park. So what would be left, is the eastern parts of Texas and the adjoining States, Arkansas and Louisiana.
I will add at this point those areas are not economic strongholds and I bet the residents in these areas have a better mind, to provide food and shelter in tough economic times than visit an amusement park.

Of course this is only my opinion.. So please don’t turn your fiery web fingers in my direction.
Excellent points my man! Contour did some really great looking plans for this deal. The question is do they own the rights to them or do Trey White, John Marlin and company own the intellectual property rights through one of their numerous other LLCs associated with the Dino Disaster?

If fake multi-billionaire / tycoon Trey White couldn't scrounge up the funding, then no doubt it will be challenging for Contour. Even though the park is a fabulous concept all this trauma and drama around it will likely leave a bad taste in the mouths of potential investors.

I think where the money has gone should be addressed. Frank ( bonus ) McCrady has given me personally and everyone else the runaround on this. I will start making open records requests. I called Contour to inquire about whether they owned the rights to their ideas and was told to call back tomorrow when someone who could address that would be available. Where is the news media???

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
01-17-2012, 08:02 PM
So now we have a very clear example of why the good Mr Dooly is simultaneously a darling of the MLM crowd, a perfect example of what is wrong with MLM and why any/all credibility he may have once had is damaged beyond repair, EXCEPT among the aforementioned MLM crowd.

Semantics

Do a quick Google on "Trey White billionaire" and you'll quickly see:

* a great many of the early mentions of Whites' "billionaire" status came from within Evolv and/or its' distributors
* subsequent "disclaimers" have done nothing to eliminate the story. New recruits are STILL being fed the B/S.
* IF the so called false rumour HAD/HAD NOT been circulated intentionally, what would be different today ???

The fact "Evolv" has evolved is a convenient way of ignoring the facts surrounding the Evolv issued B/S surrounding the water in the first place.

The fact the fraudsters have "moved on" does NOT remove the reality the so called miracle water didn't, couldn't, wasn't, isn't and never was what Evolv claimed at the time and continues to claim.

The fact Mr Whites' official and unofficial PR machine has moved into full overdrive WRT the Dino Park fiasco does NOT obviate the realities of what transpired.

It happened totally according to the (utterly predictable and predicted) script.
Spin doctoring the outcome in Mr White and Associates favour after the event was also always predictable.

That's why spin doctors spend 4 or 5 years at University. It's certainly not learning better ways of telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Unfortunately both Mr White and Mr Dooly appear to belong to that rapidly developing substrata of society whose spiritual hero is Gordon Gekko and to whom "Greed is good" is a way of life.

Soapboxmom
01-18-2012, 01:32 PM
11-42400 Whitestone Houston Land, Ltd.
Case type: bk Chapter: 11 Asset: Yes Vol: v Chief Judge: Brenda T. Rhoades
Date filed: 08/01/2011 Date of last filing: 01/17/2012

History



Doc.
No.
Dates
Description





Filed & Entered:
08/01/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Autodocket of Credit Card


1 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011362459)


Filed & Entered:
08/01/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Voluntary Petition (Chapter 11)





Filed & Entered:
08/02/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Meeting of Creditors Chapter 11 & 12 (Non-Individual)





Filed & Entered:
08/03/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Declaration for Electronic Filing


2 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011372548)


Filed & Entered:
08/04/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Notice of Appearance


3 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011374362)


Filed:
08/04/2011


Entered:
08/05/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif BNC Certificate of Mailing - Notice of Meeting of Creditors


4 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011387649)


Filed & Entered:
08/10/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Notice of Appearance


5 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011402416)


Filed & Entered:
08/15/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Schedules(ORIGINAL)


6 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011402419)


Filed & Entered:
08/15/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Statement of Financial Affairs


7 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011402428)


Filed & Entered:
08/15/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif 20 Largest Unsecured Creditors


8 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011445554)


Filed & Entered:
08/30/2011


Terminated:
09/19/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Application to Employ





Filed & Entered:
08/31/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Declaration for Electronic Filing





Filed & Entered:
09/07/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Meeting of Creditors Held & Concluded (Without PDF)


9 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011501959)


Filed & Entered:
09/19/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Order on Application to Employ


10 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011512108)


Filed & Entered:
09/21/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Certificate of Mailing

Soapboxmom
01-18-2012, 01:35 PM
11 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011526070)


Filed & Entered:
09/26/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Operating Report


12 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011585614)


Filed & Entered:
10/18/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Notice of Appearance


13 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011596590)


Filed & Entered:
10/20/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Operating Report


14 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011620298)


Filed & Entered:
10/28/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Chapter 11 Plan


15 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011620445)


Filed & Entered:
10/28/2011


Terminated:
12/20/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Disclosure Statement


16 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011620648)


Filed & Entered:
10/28/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Order and Notice of Hearing





Filed & Entered:
11/22/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Autodocket of Credit Card


17 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011691034)


Filed & Entered:
11/22/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Motion for Relief From Automatic Stay


18 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011719680)


Filed & Entered:
12/02/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Objection





Filed & Entered:
12/05/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Hearing Set (With Form)


19 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011726439)


Filed & Entered:
12/05/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Objection to Disclosure Statement


20 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011726923)


Filed & Entered:
12/05/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Operating Report


21 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011736503)


Filed & Entered:
12/07/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Exhibit and/or Witness List


22 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011736668)


Filed & Entered:
12/07/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Exhibit and/or Witness List


23 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011736978)


Filed:
12/07/2011


Entered:
12/08/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Certificate of Mailing

Soapboxmom
01-18-2012, 01:44 PM
24 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011745498)


Filed & Entered:
12/11/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Amended Disclosure Statement





Filed & Entered:
12/12/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Hearing Held





Filed & Entered:
12/12/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Chapter 11 Confirmation Hearing





Filed & Entered:
12/16/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif POrder Note


25 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011764709)


Filed & Entered:
12/16/2011


Terminated:
12/16/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Notice of Hearing


26 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011764726)


Filed & Entered:
12/16/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Notice of Hearing


27 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011775912)


Filed & Entered:
12/20/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Order Approving Disclosure Statement


28 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011784754)


Filed & Entered:
12/22/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Operating Report


29 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011785542)


Filed:
12/22/2011


Entered:
12/23/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Certificate of Mailing


30 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011792972)


Filed & Entered:
12/27/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Certificate of Service


31 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011796141)


Filed & Entered:
12/29/2011



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Motion (Generic )


32 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011839588)


Filed & Entered:
01/13/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Objection to Confirmation of Plan (Chapter 11)


33 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011846824)


Filed & Entered:
01/17/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Exhibit and/or Witness List

Soapboxmom
01-18-2012, 02:06 PM
Whitestone Houston Land Ltd Bankruptcy:

524

525

526

Soapboxmom
01-18-2012, 03:11 PM
And, there is less:
527

528

529

530

Soapboxmom
01-25-2012, 08:45 AM
I spoke to Dino Don Lessem last year and Marlin Atlantis / Trey White / John Marlin did not fulfill their obligations to him. He is one of many victims of this dino disaster. I also recently spoke to Contour and they are working hard to get funding.

EMCID may lose millions unless dino-project built - Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13242)


EMCID may lose millions unless dino-project built
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, 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, 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 (Marlin-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 lender), 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.

“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, 2010

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 eliminated.”

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.

December 8, 2011

The EMCID board approved the expenditure of $25,000 to renew the Whitestone [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 EMCID 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.

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.

The article goes on to link the bankruptcy pages I have linked above.

Soapboxmom
01-26-2012, 11:19 AM
Growing governments: How 'special districts' spread across Texas with limited oversight and accountability -- but with plenty of power to tax | Texas Watchdog


The lack of accountability has led multiple sources, including the (http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2011/02/growing-governments-how-special-districts-spread-across-Texas-power-to-tax/1297796531.story)
Handbook of Texas Online, to refer to the special districts as the state’s “invisible governments.” (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/mwt01)

The small districts “are subject to little or no supervision by the state, leading to administrative, personnel, and financial practices that are inefficient and sometimes ethically and morally questionable,” the LBJ School group’s paper continued.

Though the money may be coming in, information doesn't always go out. Of 3,000-plus special districts in the state, less than 10 have been tapped for the state comptroller’s transparency “leadership circle,” (http://www.texastransparency.org/local/special-districts.php) reflecting that they meet certain standards for publishing financial and other information about themselves on the Internet.

Comments:

Cruiser 1144

Thursday, 02/17/2011 - 01:11PM
Mr. John Otto a house representative for District 18 needs to be reminded that a tax is a tax is a tax. He seems to think that the voters in a small portion of Dist 18 in East Montgomery County don't mind if he is in bed with the improvement district. Mr. Otto you are a RHINO. Shame on you for HB-737 and your special gate tax for East Montgomery County.




EMCID spent 9 million in bond money that was to have been recouped when Marlin Atlantis (numerous entities lumped together) completed the EarthQuest Park. Cynthia Calvert, a local journalist is now digging through financial records. Those financial records should have been available on the internet from day 1!

Cynthia Calvert wrote:

Director Linda Floyd “recommended that the travel by the EarthQuest consultants “be restricted or eliminated.”

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.
The taxpayers had an absolute right to know where that bond money was going. It is time to oust the board members who were not on top of this and Frank McCrady absolutely should be shown the door. He is being paid $97,000.00 salary, plus a $50,000.00 bonus plus it appears a $1050.00 car allowance. Compare the average family in Texas:




FIPS* (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=1D) http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/up.gif
Name (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=2A)
2003 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=3A)
2004 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=4A)
2005 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=5A)
2006 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=6A)
2007 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=7A)
2008 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=8A)
2009 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=9A)
2010 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=10A)
Median Household
Income (2010) (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=11A)
% of State Median
HH Income (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/unemployment/RDList2.asp?ST=TX&SF=12A)


1
48000
Texas
6.7
6.0
5.4
4.9
4.4
4.9
7.6
8.2
$48,622
100.0%



Let's have that accountability!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
01-30-2012, 08:34 PM
https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthQuest-Institute/224584770416

I would like to know why EarthQuest Institute's Facebook page has been turned into Don Holbrook's personal advertising and money making page. I think complaints to the IRS are definitely in order. This 501 (c) 3 has paid people $140,000 a year for working 15-20 hours a week yet there has been nothing done except a few fundraisers. How much has been donated and where has all that money gone? There has been no IRS form 990 turned in since 2009.

IRS Complaint Process - Tax-Exempt Organizations (http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=131651,00.html)

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
01-31-2012, 05:36 PM
528

The Bank's Motion has resulted in an agreed order:

565

Basically, it boils down to Whitestone must have an executed letter of intent for purchase of the property for the minimum amount of $10,000.00 by March 5 or the court has specified the stay will automatically lift and the bank can dispose of the property as it wishes. The bank knows it is going to take a blood bath either way. Their appraiser valued the EarthQuest property at $9,880,000.00 if I remember correctly while what is owed the bank totals around $21,000,000.00. There are several more deadlines that follow and set up proper bidding procedures etc. What Contour is willing or able to pay is not known at this time.

The Motion by Whitestone to assign certain permits to EMCID was so ordered by the judge:

563

564

For those who have a fascination with zeroes, a monthly operating report for Whitestone is also filed:

566

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-07-2012, 03:27 PM
An awesome and well researched update from Cynthia Calvert which includes excerpts from the court docs I posted! Kudos to Ms. Calvert!!!

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)

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
02-09-2012, 03:51 PM
In 2006, Trey White, John Marlin and their entity Whitestone Land was desperately trying to unload the property that later became the proposed home of the now defunct EarthQuest project. They were trying to get 35 million for that parcel as a master planned community site. The bank is now owed 21 million. Whitestone may have paid way too much for the property that at this point is tied up in bankruptcy and without a 10 million minimum bid will revert back to the bank that financed these buffoons. The question becomes what have the taxpayers of Texas thrown at these developers and toward this property that will never be recovered?

http://www.landadvisors.com/whitestone/print/whitestone.pdf

Soapboxmom

laidback
02-09-2012, 04:07 PM
In 2006, Trey White, John Marlin and their entity Whitestone Land was desperately trying to unload the property that later became the proposed home of the now defunct EarthQuest project. They were trying to get 35 million for that parcel as a master planned community site. The bank is now owed 21 million. Whitestone may have paid way too much for the property that at this point is tied up in bankruptcy and without a 10 million minimum bid will revert back to the bank that financed these buffoons. The question becomes what have the taxpayers of Texas thrown at these developers and toward this property that will never be recovered?

http://www.landadvisors.com/whitestone/print/whitestone.pdf

Soapboxmom
Hmmm, I must be one of those dinosaurs that believe ANY taxpayer money going for theme or sport parks is unacceptable!

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
02-14-2012, 01:19 PM
Passes/Rentals (http://hydrouswakeparks.info/pricing/passes)

Passes

Make sure to check out our 6 Week After School beginner’s program for $150 and our Birthday Party packages for 10 participants for only $200!! See lesson pricing. (http://hydrouswakeparks.info/groups-lessons)


CABLE PASSES
One Hour
Two Hours
Four Hours
All Day


Adults
(13 and over)
$25
$30
$37
$45


KIDS (12 and under)
$15
$20
$25
$30




2011 Annual Passes



2011 Season Pass:
Unlimited ride time all year long and get access to exclusive season passholder only events and offers!
$1,000






*Subject to blackout dates for holidays and special events. Rates and hours subject to change. No rain checks or refunds due to weather or other circumstances beyond control of the management of Hydrous Wake Park. We will provide rain checks for all Birthday parties, private parties and Company parties.

Rentals

HYDROUS has YOU covered!



RENTAL EQUIPMENT
Two Hours
Four Hours
All Day


Basic Equipment Rental W/ Vest and Helmet
N/A
N/A
$25


Basic Equipment Rental Board/ Slalom ski/ Wake skate/Kneeboard
N/A
N/A
$15


Demo Wakeboard - Try It B4 You Buy It!
(Cost of all demos within 30 days may be used towards an in-store board purchase.)
N/A
N/A
$50


Slider Wakeskate w/Helmet
$15
$25
$35


Slider Board w/ Helmet
$20
$30
$40


Helmet
$7
$8
$10


Vests
$7
$8
$10



All participants must wear a helmet at all times.
Rates and hours subject to change. No rainchecks or refunds due to weather or other circumstances beyond control of the management of Hydrous Wake Park.










http://www.cmsvoteup.com/images/power_by_2x2.gif (http://cmsvoteup.com/joomla-extensions/facebook-like-box-like-recommendation-for-joomla-wordpress/)


Hydrous Wake Park at Allen Station


http://hydrouswakeparks.info/wp-content/uploads/Recent-Overhead.jpg (http://hydrouswakeparks.info/about/complex/recent-overhead)
With one full cable system moving clockwise, two beginner systems, a pro-shop and shaded beach areas, HYDROUS is the COOLEST CABLE PARK IN THE WORLD!
click here (http://hydrouswakeparks.info/obstacles) to see our Obstacles


WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

• World’s Coolest Cable Park nestled in a beautifully landscaped park with two large lakes for great viewing areas.
• Full State of the Art Cable System manufactured by Sesitec
• UNIT Rails and Kickers imported from Germany, including the first pipe rail and only quarter pipe in the world
• 2 Beginner “System 2.0″ Cable systems
• Restaurant (coming Spring 2012) with Free WIFI!!
• Family Splash and Play Areas with 10+ picnic tables to hang out all day.
• Full Pro Shop and Retail Center
• Outdoor Viewing Decks and shaded patio areas
• Allen Station Park is a 109 acre park that is home to the Edge skateboard park which includes two outdoor hockey rinks and a BMX track. The park also includes 9 baseball and softball fields a family play ground and connection to the bike trail
• 6.3MM people live within 45 minutes!!

HOW DOES IT WORK?…

Cable waterskiing or wakeboarding is where the participants are not pulled by a boat but by an overhead cable.
All skiers and wakeboarders begin from the same starting dock. The cable is operated at approximately 18 miles per hour allowing riders to wakeboard, kneeboard, or ski.
Six riders can be on the system at one time, if you fall while riding, it is just a short swim to shore and walk back to the start dock where you can be riding again in minutes.
The system is run by the use of electricity and does not require any gasoline for operation. You will be surprised by the ease of riding on the system and the lack of engine noise when compared to riding behind a boat.
In addition to those positives, the use of the cable system infuses 5 tons of oxygen per year into the lake water which helps the plants and fish as well as clarifies the water.
The main advantage to cable skiing and wakeboarding is the dramatic reduction in the cost for participants. Participants are not restricted to wakeboarding and waterskiing – they can slalom, trick ski or kneeboard. HYDROUS is offering 1 hour “early bird” passes that include equipment for $20 Monday through Friday until 12PM.
We Have The Coolest Pro Shop Around

Complete with all the latest CWB, Slingshot, and CTRL Wakeboards plus all the gear you’ll need to get out there on the water. Or you can stop by just to check out some of your favorite apparel brands like Volcom, Billabong, Oneill, SpyOptics, Reef, and more!


That is high dollar entertainment. Notice only six riders can be on the system at a time. That might make for some very long wait times. Is this a viable program for EMC? With the Allen, TX park only 5 hours away will this one get the foot traffic needed to sustain it. Folks with the money to do that kind of stuff for recreation might well have their own boats. Will they be enticed into using this park?

Soapboxmom

laidback
02-14-2012, 01:39 PM
Actually, the last two sentances:

While the agreements have not been finalized, McCrady said the incentives given to the companies will come from rebates of sales taxes and other revenues generated by the new businesses.
“None of the incentives will come from any existing source or take away from current funding,” he said. “We’re looking at venue taxes to provide the incentive needed to bring these businesses to East County.”
appear political doublespeak for BOHICA ( Bend Over, Here It Comes Again)! While supposedly not taking incentives from existing pools, rebates of taxes and revenues go back to the park operators. The only way it works out is if the added tax revenues from tourist dollars is large enough to offset the rebates.

Soapboxmom
02-15-2012, 03:42 PM
Things in Hicksville sure ain't hopping. From the East Montgomery County Improvement District Facebook page we have the reference to the only fundraiser put on for the EarthQuest Insitute that handsomely lined Don Holbrook's pockets with over $144,000.00 that year(2009).




https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50355_211107815049_5543530_q.jpg (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EMCID-Events/211107815049)EMCID Events (https://www.facebook.com/pages/EMCID-Events/211107815049)


The Earthquest Institute held their first fundraiser at the EMCID Complex last week. It was very informative with a presentation by the Earthquest folks. If you are interested in seeing a model of the amusement park and the Institute coming to New Caney, come by our offices. The models sit in the lobby of our office. For directions or information, please call 281-354-4419.

Like · · Share (https://www.facebook.com/ajax/sharer/?s=22&appid=25554907596&p[0]=211107815049&p[1]=229085711426) · December 12, 2009 at 10:18am

2 people (https://www.facebook.com/browse/likes/?id=229085711426) like this.







Millions of taxpayer dollars were blown and of course we should know how much these Earthquest folks were wined and dined on the bond money? Maybe Trey White will make restitution to the beleaguered taxpayers by donating enough Evolv zero water to fill the lake for the wakeboard park that has been proposed.

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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Newsletter



Sign up for our quarterly newsletter here. (http://www.earthquestinstitute.org/newsletter)





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
PC (http://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/forwardToDeductibilityHelp.do?deductibility=PC&dispatchMethod=parseDeductCodes)



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

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-15-2012, 08:10 PM
Contact Us - East Montgomery County Improvement District (http://www.emctx.com/contact/index.php)

East Montgomery County Improvement District (http://www.emctx.com/contact/index.php)
OFFICE LOCATION: 21575 US Highway 59 North, Suite 200. New Caney, TX 77357 281-354-4419 (Voice) 281-354-4529 (FAX) ...
+
Show map of ‏21575 US Highway 59 # 200, New Caney, TX 77357-8356‏ (https://www.google.com/search?q=21575+US+Highway+59+North%2C+Suite+200&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#)

Us
info@earthquestinstitute.org
(866) 559-4006
21575 U.S. Highway 59 North, Suite 200
New Caney, TX 77357
EarthQuest Institute (http://www.EarthQuestInstitute.org)

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____
I called the Earthquest Institute and the receptionist said no one was available to speak with me. Was I talking to Frank McCrady's secretary?





DIRECTOR
DONALD LESSEM

MEDIA , PA






DIRECTOR
JOHN MARLIN
13445 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR
DALLAS , TX 75240






DIRECTOR
LEON CUBILLAS
P.O. BOX 1019
NEW CANEY , TX 77357














Entity Information:
THE INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST
1722 ROUTH ST STE 1500
DALLAS, TX 75201-2532



Status:
IN GOOD STANDING - EXEMPT ENTITY


Registered Agent:
DAVID M ROSENBERG
1722 ROUTH STREET, SUITE 1500
DALLAS, TX 75201


Registered Agent Resignation Date:



State of Formation:
TX


File Number:
0800941922


SOS Registration Date:
February 22, 2008


Taxpayer Number:
32034780331



Those addresses do not match. Why is that? The charity is required by law to have certain information available. I will keep calling until I can get access to it or I will file a report with the police.


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.




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?

littleroundman
02-15-2012, 09:15 PM
Who is actually left on the project now being run out of the EMCID offices?

Most likely no one who could see themselves being held accountable.

Usually the way these things run, unless there's a full blown official investigation, this whole fiasco will end up under the carpet with all the other fraud being perpetrated upon society almost daily.

Having said that, can you think of even one of the elected officials or bureaucrats involved who would have the will, ability or intestinal fortitude to perform such an investigation ??

If they've play their cards right, by the time of the next election this whole fiasco will be dead and buried.

Soapboxmom
02-15-2012, 09:57 PM
Most likely no one who could see themselves being held accountable.

Usually the way these things run, unless there's a full blown official investigation, this whole fiasco will end up under the carpet with all the other fraud being perpetrated upon society almost daily.

Having said that, can you think of even one of the elected officials or bureaucrats involved who would have the will, ability or intestinal fortitude to perform such an investigation ??

If they've play their cards right, by the time of the next election this whole fiasco will be dead and buried.
While the good old boys are a sweeping those who donated to the Earthquest Institute charity should also file a complaint with the Texas AG's office:

https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/charities_complaints.shtml

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-15-2012, 10:07 PM
Nonprofit Report for INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST (http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/26-2454184/institute-earthquest.aspx)

Annual Revenue & Expenses http://www2.guidestar.org/App_Themes/MainSite2/images/icon-information.png (http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/26-2454184/link_to_appropriate_faq)

Fiscal Year Starting: Jan 01, 2009
Fiscal Year Ending: Dec 31, 2009


Total Revenue
$470,652




Total Expenses
$759,948



No doubt those expenses can be justified. The contributors and taxpayers of Texas need to demand answers!

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
02-15-2012, 10:12 PM
Nonprofit Report for INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST (http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/26-2454184/institute-earthquest.aspx)

No doubt those expenses can be justified. The contributors and taxpayers of Texas need to demand answers!

Soapboxmom

They most certainly do.

If they don't, we all know what will happen.

Soapboxmom
02-15-2012, 10:15 PM
Results for 512-240-5353

See in map (http://www.whitepages.com/search/MapView?lower=1&search_id=24151841936111386997&site_id=15277)»


You?
Claim & edit »
Deborah A Thomas (http://www.whitepages.com/name/Deborah-A-Thomas/Georgetown-TX/2avh3bn?site_id=15277) (Age 55-59)
Great Frontier Dr
Georgetown, TX Prior: Dallas, TX
Click to see more (http://www.whitepages.com/name/Deborah-A-Thomas/Georgetown-TX/2avh3bn?site_id=15277)
Associated people:
Ferle B Thomas



Basic Organization Information

INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST
Physical Address: 21575 Us Highway 59 North
% Dan N Matheson
New Caney, TX 77357
EIN: 26-2454184
Telephone: 512-240-5353
NTEE Category: C Environmental Quality Protection, Beautification C60 (Environmental Education and Outdoor Survival Programs)
Year Founded: 2009 Ruling Year: 2009
So, I just called Deborah Thomas. For 2009, while she raked in $140,000.00 for working 20 hours a week, her personal home number was the one listed for the charity. There are a lot of questions she should be answering. Is she still hooked up with John Marlin and Trey White?

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-15-2012, 11:41 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)
In 2005, many area residents shed tears over losing the longtime Houston icon AstroWorld.

That same year real estate investor John Marlin (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Fhouston-texas&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=) of Dallas bought land about 30 minutes north of downtown Houston that he envisioned turning into the area's next Disney-style theme park called EarthQuest (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Fhouston-texas&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=).
But now the fate of Marlin's 1,564-acre tract in Montgomery County that he planned to use for the 500-acre theme park and 1,064-acre residential development will be decided by a U.S. bankruptcy court in Sherman on March 5.
Marlin heads Whitestone Houston Land, LTD. (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Fhouston-texas&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=), which filed for the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. He could not be reached for comment.
But two groups that had been working closely with Marlin in pursuit of the theme park - East Montgomery County Improvement District and Contour Entertainment - are joining forces to try to buy the land and establish a new developer.
The court has set a minimum purchase price of $10 million, which is about half what Marlin originally paid for the land that straddles U.S. 59 near New Caney. Completion of the project is estimated to cost about $500 million.
Not good P.R., but ...
"While not a good public relations move, the bankruptcy sale brings the price down. It could save a substantial amount of money for the project," said Frank McCardy (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Fhouston-texas&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=), the improvement district's CEO.
The district, started in 1994 to improve the area's quality of life and create jobs, retains ownership of the park's conceptual and site engineering drawings, which the district purchased for $7.5 million in bond money. The district has also spent an additional $2.5 million on legal and other efforts to move the long-delayed project forward - all of which are being repaid through the district's 1.5-cent sales tax, he said.
He would like to see Chris Brown (http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Fhouston-texas&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=), president of Contour Entertainment, act as an assistant developer with funding coming from outside backers.
Contour Entertainment of Van Nuys, Calif., designed the conceptual drawings for the park. It would be seven times larger than AstroWorld, with 50 attractions that stress environmental stewardship. This would include such things as a 12-acre water park made from a retreating glacier to an animal park that includes threatened species and a ride through a land with a fiery volcano and life-sized dinosaurs.
Brown, an ex-Disney designer, believe he has the experience necessary, as his company continues to design projects for Disney as well as a new theme park that he says is opening this year in Mumbai, India.
"Marlin was a residential developer with no theme-park background," McCardy said. "He couldn't get any financial traction in this tough economy."
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.

cindy.horswell@chron.com
So, we paid 10 million for the pretty pictures and legal entanglements just to get this thing rolling. Now, they must get a solid bid of at least 10 million on the land by March 5 to start the bidding procedure or the bank can automatically foreclose. They just now figured out and conceded that Marlin Atlantis White was only a penny ante residential developer? Some people are really late to the party.

And it is McCrady who still thinks it can be completed for 500 million. I bet that is way underfunded for what has been proposed.

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Thank you,

Heather Dobrott
This might clarify just a few things!

Soapboxmom

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

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

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


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


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

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
02-17-2012, 12:44 PM
What's New?

http://www.emctx.com/images/EarthquestOverall_SM.jpg (http://www.emctx.com/images/EarthquestOverall_LG.jpg)
CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW (http://www.emctx.com/images/EarthquestOverall_LG.jpg)
Earth Quest Adventures is a resort located in New Caney, Texas, approximately 25 miles north of Houston that is scheduled to open to the public in 2011 or 2012.
Contour Entertainment (http://www.contourentertainment.com/) is the resort's master planner and lead designer. The planned 1,600 acre resort will include a theme park as well as a water park, hotel, conference center, retail and office developments. The size of the theme park is reported to be 200 acres on opening. The first phase was originally supposed to break ground in 2008.
“It’s a $500 million project with about 50 different rides, including several ‘E-ticket’ rides,” he said, “like going inside a volcano, going through an actual ice cave, launch rides, coasters, and technologies that haven’t been used before” states Don Lessem, creator and founder of the park.
Isn't Frank "Bonus" McCrady paid enough with salary, car allowance and bonus totalling around 160 grand to clean this up? And, let's not forget all the wining and dining of scammers coming in and flying around the country on the taxpayer's dime. Lessem is gone and should not have his name tied to this fiasco when he was taken advantage of by Marlin Atlantis. Why beat the dead horse on the fact the first construction was to begin in 2008. That just scares off potential investors. And, the statement it is scheduled to open in 2011-2012 is obviously now fiction. It should be removed. We had better enjoy that picture. It along with the other plans and renderings cost a whopping 7.5 million smackaroos!

Time for a new board and a resignation by McCrady. He should not get another cent of the taxpayers hard earned money!

Soapboxmom

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


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

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

Soapboxmom

Whip
02-19-2012, 09:55 PM
Only 50,000 jobs for over billions worth in deals? Doesn't sound very impressive.

Soapboxmom
02-19-2012, 11:14 PM
Only 50,000 jobs for over billions worth in deals? Doesn't sound very impressive.
The poor dear lad seems to have a dreaded case of zero disease. I am having trouble finding a development deal much less a job outside of the ones for his fellow shall we call them bogus deal makers.

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Soapboxmom
02-21-2012, 10:33 AM
Where's the money? - Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13351)
Where's the money?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
The East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) is a public agency empowered by the State of Texas to issue municipal bonds that are sold to the general public. The funds received from the sale of the bonds can then be invested in various projects, with both public and private interests, within EMCID’s boundaries.

Generally speaking, in an improvement district such as EMCID, bond proceeds are utilized to facilitate economic development within EMCID’s district that will benefit the taxpaying public with local job creation, new tax revenues, user fees, etc. The new and increased assessments can then be used to fund a variety of civic, charitable, educational and other organizations to improve the overall quality of life for local residents.

Consequently, there is a solemn obligation on the part of the EMCID leadership and board to ensure that the bond funds are managed diligently and invested prudently.

The Tribune has now independently confirmed that EMCID issued $7,635,000 in sales tax revenue bonds on April 15, 2009. The proceeds of that bond sale were used to reimburse the promoters of the EarthQuest project for pre-development costs, primarily conceptual, and design work.

The bonds were issued in two sets with different maturities, and a blended interest rate of 6.525 percent. The bonds will mature in two stages of 20 and 30 years, in 2029 and 2039, respectively.

In addition to the foregoing bond sale, EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady said in a recent Houston Chronicle article that EMCID has also incurred cash expenditures of $2.5 million in non-developmental costs related to EarthQuest. This amount was apparently paid out of existing tax collections, bringing the total (verified) cost of the project to $10.135 million.

Given the pending foreclosure of EarthQuest’s intended site, the unending project delays, an almost complete turnover of those involved in the venture and the continuing weakness in the local and national economies, EarthQuest is, by any measure, a troubled project. Notwithstanding, McCrady has given repeated assurances that “EarthQuest will be built” . . . [and] “it’s not a question of if, but when.”

But what happens if EarthQuest doesn’t get built?

To answer that question it’s necessary to first understand how the bond process works.

Simply stated, a municipal bond is a written promise on the part of a governmental agency (in this case EMCID) to repay monies it borrows from private investors. As collateral for the bonds, EMCID granted the owners of the bonds a lien on, and a pledge of, three fourths of 1 percent of EMCID’s sales and use taxes. This calculation equals 50 percent of the total sales tax base of EMCID.

Thus, the bond is similar to a mortgage that would be taken out when a homebuyer purchases a house. In the case of EarthQuest, the $7.635 million in bonds issued by EMCID represents the “mortgage” that

EMCID incurred in order to “buy” a “house”, i.e. the EarthQuest theme park.

If the theme park subsequently becomes a reality, then new jobs will be created, new tax and revenue streams will be generated and the “house” will produce sufficient income to pay off the mortgage.

However, the EarthQuest project differs from a typical home purchase in one major respect: the “mortgage” was incurred in 2009, but no “house” has yet been built. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the “house” will ever be built. Nevertheless, EMCID has guaranteed to the purchasers of its bonds that the “mortgage” will be repaid.

And like all mortgages, the bonds must be repaid with interest. Since these bonds were issued for 20-and 30-year terms, while paying 6.525 percent interest, the total interest cost to EMCID is projected in the bond prospectus to be $10,960,254.

Consequently, the total cost and liability of the EarthQuest project is not $10.135 million as previously mentioned, but is more than $21 million due to the future accrual of interest, the payment of which has been guaranteed by EMCID.

So who will pay this “mortgage” if the house never gets built?

As usual, the answer is: the taxpayers. More specifically, the taxpayers that reside or shop within the EMCID district.

If EarthQuest isn’t built, EMCID will have no choice but to repay the principal and interest on the bonds out of current tax revenues. In doing so, the annual debt service on the bonds will significantly impair EMCID’s ability to fund other projects. For example, the total annual debt service of the EarthQuest bonds, by year, is: 2012 - $487,506; 2013 - $550,556; 2014 - $551,506; 2015 - $552,156; and so on.

The foregoing scenario becomes even more disconcerting when the total bonded indebtedness of EMCID is considered. That is, EMCID has additionally sold bonds on two other projects unrelated to EarthQuest. The unpaid principal amount of these two bond sales equaled $7,673,416.00 as of February 15, 2012. When the annual debt service of these two bond issues are combined with the EarthQuest indebtedness, the above annual payments more than double.

For example, the total, combined annual debt service of all EMCID bonds, by year, is: 2012 - $1,077,494; 2013 - $1,141,924; 2014 - $1,142,849; 2015 - 1,142,133; and so on.

With only a finite amount of tax receipts coming into EMCID, combined with EMCID’s outstanding bonded indebtedness, it is painfully obvious that EMCID will have to forego many economic development opportunities if the EarthQuest project is not built.

So who will pay if EarthQuest isn’t built? You will.

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Soapboxmom
02-29-2012, 12:26 PM
EarthQuest works with LSC-Kingwood design students

Published on: January 07, 2011
The Game Design and Simulation Project Development students at Lone Star College-Kingwood spent the fall semester working with Dr. Matt Gardner, the MIT scientist at EarthQuest, on applications to promote EarthQuest Institute’s involvement in the development of a theme park that will be located in New Caney. Gardner met with the students on a monthly basis to give feedback on their progress. Based on EarthQuest’s message of sustainability, students created games that will teach concepts of alternative energy sources and recycling in fun and engaging ways. The games will be available on the EarthQuest’s website in spring 2011. http://www.lonestar.edu/departments/collegerelations/EarthQuest_project_web.jpg
Pictured from left to right: Andrew Jeffers, Hac Dieu, Jesse Bolin, Brian McNulty, adjunct faculty Sean Bellinger, associate professor Caroline Chamness, Dominic Prestia, Dr. Matt Gardner, EarthQuest Institute, Steven Paradzys, and Jason Bush with his son, Nathan Bush.


This is the only outreach program for Earthquest that I have ever been able to find. As far as i know these were not published on the website. So, this is all we have to show for $996,667.00 in donations. I found the 2010 statement on Guidestar, though it is supposed to be available for public inspection and copying by law. Everyone associated with this is long gone except the EMCID board member Leon Cubillas who is a director and of course Frank McCrady who shares the same office suite, but refuses to make the documents available.


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



That was sent out on February 16th. I have had many responses and some very thoughtful ones from many who have left, but those who operate out of that office feel they are above the law. Frank McCrady is doing everything he can to destroy and discredit this project. Anyone who wishes to walk into the office and view them or who requests them should have no trouble getting access to them. How can anyone get behind this project when there is no honest disclosure as required by law?

Here is a copy of that 2010 charity statement as published on Guidestar:

603

Soapboxmom
03-01-2012, 12:03 AM
I had another wonderful chat with someone connected to the Earthquest Institute. Many of the wonderful people originally involved in the project have left. The papers went with one of them and are in fact in a box on their way to Texas. At this point there is one EMCID board member sort of holding the bag as no one else is remaining. The problems with the charity and the project in general seem to be tied at least to some extent to the fake multi-billionaire Trey White, John Marlin and their Marlin Atlantis development company.

The charity was such a wonderful concept. It should go forward. I am looking forward to taking a look at the charity's financial records and learning more about this. With just under 1 million in donations this charity needs to begin the work that was to be forthcoming.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-01-2012, 08:14 PM
EMCID Board Meeting

Date: March 8, 2012
Time: 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Everyone who lives in Southeast Texas should make plans to attend this meeting. Why was the bankruptcy kept secret? The only reason it is public knowledge now is because of the incredbile reporting of Cynthia Calvert. (http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-lessem-654/index3.html#post14582)Why have the charity papers not been kept in the EMCID office where the charity is now listed? Why do they not have annual reports and the docs required by the IRS either way? When did the board members get notification on the bankruptcy? Why has it not been honestly disclosed that everyone involved in the charity, The Institute Earthquest, is long gone, but the lone board member that sits as a director?

The attorney that set it up did everything perfectly and to the letter. He has been out for two years and is filing paperwork with the Texas Secretary of State to resign as the registered agent and have his name removed. When is the charity website going to be updated?

It is high time the public, contributors and investors get some honest answers and transparency as to where their money has gone. Trey White and John Marlin are out and I believe Frank McCrady should be the next one shown the door.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-01-2012, 08:48 PM
From the mouth of the idiot who ran Earthquest into bankruptcy and disaster:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL5ijb3bsOs

WHITE VENTURES - ABOUT US - Team (http://whiteventures.com/au_team.html)

Mr. White is also involved in EarthQuest Adventures. EarthQuest Adventures is currently in the process of designing a $500M theme park in Houston, Texas named EarthQuest. EarthQuest will be the first mega theme park built in the US since DisneyWorld. Its unique position in the Houston market is projected to attract over 3M visitors per year and raise the bar in entertainment while delivering an eco-conscious message. To learn more about EarthQuest visit: EarthQuest's Website (http://www.earthquestadventures.com/)
Another colossal failure from the talking head Trey White. Disgusting!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-05-2012, 10:35 AM
Filed & Entered:
01/23/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Chapter 11 Confirmation Hearing


36 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011864286)


Filed & Entered:
01/23/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Order on Motion for Relief from Automatic Stay


37 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011867656)


Filed & Entered:
01/24/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Operating Report


38 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011872553)


Filed:
01/25/2012


Entered:
01/26/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Certificate of Mailing


39 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011883689)


Filed & Entered:
01/30/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Order on Motion (Generic)


40 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011893786)


Filed:
02/01/2012


Entered:
02/02/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Certificate of Mailing


41 (https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/doc1/174011948818)


Filed & Entered:
02/20/2012



https://ecf.txeb.uscourts.gov/graphics/silverball.gif Operating Report



Nothing has been filed. It appears Marlin Atlantis did not get the minimum 10 million dollar bid on the property and the bank will be foreclosing. That means Contour was not able to raise the funds. The question now becomes will they be able to come up with money later and purchase the property?

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-05-2012, 06:46 PM
Some Marlin Atlantis buffoon appears to have ownership and control of the Earthquest Institute website:


Domain ID:D154418112-LROR
Domain Name:EARTHQUESTINSTITUTE.ORG
Created On:07-Oct-2008 19:22:58 UTC
Last Updated On:08-Oct-2010 12:00:49 UTC
Expiration Date:07-Oct-2012 19:22:58 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:GoDaddy.com, Inc. (R91-LROR)
Status:CLIENT DELETE PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT RENEW PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:CR37035488
Registrant Name:Wyatt Henderson
Registrant Organization:The Institute EarthQuest DBA The EarthQuest Institute
Registrant Street1:13455 Noel Road, 23rd Floor
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Dallas
Registrant State/Province:Texas
Registrant Postal Code:75240
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.9727156412
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:+1.9727155544
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:http://source.domaintools.com/email.pgif?md5=d140ecc73e5d34fc0853b083af721131&face=arial&size=9&color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&face=arial&size=9&color=0000FF&bgcolor=FFFFFF&format[]=underline&format[]=transparent&format[]=transparent (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-whois/?email=d140ecc73e5d34fc0853b083af721131)
Admin ID:CR37035490
Admin Name:Wyatt Henderson
Admin Organization:The Institute EarthQuest DBA The EarthQuest Institute
Admin Street1:13455 Noel Road, 23rd Floor
Admin Street2:
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Dallas
Admin State/Province:Texas
Admin Postal Code:75240
Admin Country:US
Admin Phone:+1.9727156412
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:+1.9727155544
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email:http://source.domaintools.com/email.pgif?md5=d140ecc73e5d34fc0853b083af721131&face=arial&size=9&color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&face=arial&size=9&color=0000FF&bgcolor=FFFFFF&format[]=underline&format[]=transparent&format[]=transparent (http://www.domaintools.com/research/reverse-whois/?email=d140ecc73e5d34fc0853b083af721131)
That explains the lack of updates. Everyone has left but 1 EMCID board member who probably never had access to that site. Someone better get on there and do some revisions pronto.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-06-2012, 08:19 AM
Second dino-park in Jasper sunk by savvy officials
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
On Nov. 9, 2006, the Houston Business Journal reported that Don Lessem, “a Philadelphia entrepreneur and nationally recognized dinosaur expert, [had] chosen southeast Montgomery County as the site of a proposed large scale tourist attraction.”

According to Lessem, “Southeast Montgomery County edged out the other finalist, [the City of] Red Oak (a Dallas suburb).” He further stated that civic leaders in the New Caney area, “[were] a more aggressive and accomplished group, [with] a personal sense of commitment.”

From that moment on, the excitement and anticipation of a major, Disney-caliber resort grew to a fever pitch.

Time and again, local politicians and civic leaders repeated the mantra that New Caney and southeast Montgomery County had been selected over all other regions in America, news that was almost too good to be true. In particular, the board of directors of the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) took the lead in promoting, and funding, the dream that all rural counties and municipalities long to embrace. In fact, EMCID incurred liabilities in excess of $21 million to ensure that thedream would become reality.

All the while, local residents eagerly awaited updates as the project progressed. At first, Lessem’s proposal was Project Rex/Dinosaur City, a 50-acre, $50 million, EPCOT-style museum and “edutainment” center. Over time, the project would morph into EarthQuest, a 1,600-acre, $600 million world-class theme park in a mega-complex valued at $1 billion.

Commercial land prices soared, hotels were built, and local citizens rubbed their hands in glee, unbelieving of their good fortune. The train to the Promised Land had left the station and nothing was going to derail it; even the sky was no limit.

But now, almost six years later, EarthQuest is little more than fancy, watercolored pictures that adorn the boardrooms of EMCID.

Lessem, the brainchild of this great adventure, has left the project, along with the developer, Marlin-Atlantis. No construction is planned; investors are nowhere to be found. Funding to EarthQuest consultants has stopped.

The phone still rings at the EarthQuest Institute, but no one answers. And the site upon which EarthQuest was planned is under the threat of foreclosure. All the while, $7.635 million in municipal bonds issued by EMCID costs local taxpayers almost $600,000 in annual debt service.

And no one wants to talk about the $2.5 million in cash expenditures made by EMCID for “other” expenses related to EarthQuest. Even still, Frank McCrady, president of EMCID, continues to believe in the dream, boldly stating, “EarthQuest will be built; it’s not a matter of if, but when.”

So what went wrong? This is a nagging question that researchers for The Tribune have exhausted countless hours trying to answer. What they have discovered is, at best, distressing. And maybe most unsettling of all is the very genesis of EarthQuest. Of particular note are two revelations that portray a vastly different beginning than what has been told to the public.

Revelation No. 1:

There never was a national search to find the best location for Project Rex, the proposed museum and “edutainment” complex.

1. Lessem did conduct a nationwide solicitation of cities and economic development districts, asking them to respond to ‘requests for proposals’ (RFPs) to fund and construct Project Rex.

In a newspaper article dated July 26, 2006, the Beaumont Enterprise quoted Lessem as saying, “RFPs were sent out to economic developers all over the country, in fact, in Texas there were 16 applicants.”

The RFPs contained specific financial requirements that all applicants had to agree to in order to be “chosen” to participate in the search.The RFP stipulations mandated all bidders to: 1) issue revenue bonds for the construction of the project, at their own risk; 2) enact a ticket tax on visitors to repay the bonds; 3) pay for a ‘due diligence study’ at a cost of $100-$125,000; 4) pay for a second study at a cost of $50 - 75,000, if the first study was favorable; 5) pursue tax increment financing for items related to the project; 6) provide a land grant of 50 acres, preferably waterfront.

This “national search” appears to have been little more than a thinly veiled ruse to find a municipality willing and able to agree to Lessem’s demands: take all the risk, fund all the expenses and hope for the best.

In the process, Lessem and his associates would pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayers’ funds for consultant fees, studies, etc. Whether or not the project ever came to fruition seems to have become incidental to the developers. And why not? They were getting paid no matter what ultimately occurred.

Revelation No. 2:

And the winner is . . . Jasper County?

As mentioned in the opening paragraph of this article, southeast Montgomery County edged out the City of Red Oak in November of 2006 to become the “winner” of Lessem’s national search. But just six months earlier, in July of 2006, another East Texas town had already been crowned, ‘king of the dinosaurs.’

As reported in the Beaumont Enterprise on July 26, 2006, Jasper County, not southeast Montgomery County, was chosen by Lessem as the site for Project Rex.

Lessem said, “I chose Jasper . . . because, in part, they promised to do some things [in] their RFP.”

Even more amazing than Jasper’s selection was the other city Lessem said was Jasper’s competition. That city was none other than Orlando, Florida, home to Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and a host of other world-class attractions. But in Lessem’s world, Jasper County was much preferred over Orlando.

Due to concerns raised in the “selection” process, Jasper officials called Orlando. When contacted, the representative at Orlando’s EDC replied that “. . . they had never heard of Lessem [or Project Rex].”

Soon thereafter, Jasper County terminated all discussions with Lessem.

The Tribune found the comment from the Orlando EDC to be very troubling. If Lessem had used a “stalking horse” between Jasper and Orlando, was the same tactic used between the New Caney area and the City of Red Oak?

To find out, Tribune researchers contacted the City of Red Oak, the reported “other finalist” in November of 2006.

The city manager of Red Oak acknowledged to The Tribune that his city had engaged in conversations with Lessem. However, he further stated “we never got to the point where we were ready to proceed with anything.”

Obviously, if the City of Red Oak was the “other finalist” with New Caney, then they never knew it.

So, was EarthQuest a fraud?

That question has yet to be fully answered. But what is certain is that the entire process of selecting a site for the project was tainted with self-interest on the part of the developers. It seems clear that the primary intent of the “national search” was to only find the most willing, if not desperate, municipal entity that would open up its coffers first, and ask questions later.

Furthermore, to ensure that their desired intent was achieved, the developers also appear to have orchestrated and manipulated the selection process, even going so far as to create false bidders. Cities who didn’t even know they were a “finalist.”

But maybe the saddest revelation of all is the complete failure of local officials to exercise caution, restraint and due diligence. Where were the gatekeepers to the public trust when it was needed most?

Unfortunately, the developer’s quest for a ‘willing and able party’ was, indeed, found in southeast Montgomery County.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
03-06-2012, 08:37 AM
The expense reports show Frank McCrady to be a thief!

609

Soapboxmom
03-07-2012, 11:01 AM
EarthQuest fees mount - Tuesday, March 06, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13408)
**update**

According to McCrady's employment contract, dated June 1, 2011, and which is the 'first amendment to second amended and restated contract of employment," McCrady's 2011 compensation includes: a base annual salary of $97,515. For each year, beginning June 1, 2011, the base salary shall be increased by an amount equal to 3 percent of the prior year's actual salary as a cost of living adjustment ($,2925.45 in 2011). In addition to the base salary, he gets an amount equal to 6 percent of the base salary ($5,805.90) paid on the last day of the calendar year. The board voted to give him a $50,000 year end bonus as well.

Additionally, he gets $1,750 per month for automobile allowance which is supposed to be used for "acquisition, insurance, operation, maintenance and repair and oil and gas" (although there are numerous receipts presented for reimbursement McCrady's American Express bill for payment to gas stations.)

He receives medical insurance for himself and his family, a cell phone and payments, and a contribution of 8 percent of his annual salary ($7,801.20 in 2011) to a retirement plan. He also receives life insurance of $250,000.

McCrady is also entitled to a discretionary bonus for "economic development" payable on May 31 of each year and a bonus of 1 percent of all money he solicits for the Education Scholarship Program.

He also gets 10 vacation days, 12 personal days and not more than 17 days of military leave with pay and 12 holidays per year, or a total of 51 paid days off per year; sick days are not identified in the contract.

****




**update**

The Tribune has examined the 2009 expenses. This is a sample of what we found:

McCrady's September 2009 statement, for $17,287.89, showed: Los Cucos, $50.61, Subway $5.39, McDonald's $11.45, Los Cucos $40.25, J. Christopher's pizza $23.19. Asian City Humble $77.44 and Marriott Galleria $6. Gasoline at Shell $27.07, Marriott in Point Clear, Ala., $325.06, $28.57, $100, $169.06, $2157.88; Restaurants in Alabama: $51, $32.06, $77.58, $27.15, $43.61,; Dell Computers $6792.71; $105.14 for a mac address and on line storage space; and $7100 for Rockets tickets. McCrady also used his EMCID Wells Fargo card to buy $25.27 in pizza in Alabama.

The same month, Suzanne Parmer charged $4,404.36 to her American Express credit card. Website and software charges were $636.62. She charged $1.83 at the Sonic in Atascocita, $200.56 at Jason's Deli, $58.61 at Pappas Seafood, $123.05 at Pizza Hut, bought an airplane ticket to New Orleans for $447.70, spent $21.55 at Wal-Mart, and paid $2750 to attend at conference in Dallas. She also charged the district $202.06 for mileage, notary, cell phone and donuts.

Other notable charges McCrady presented during 2009 were $1000 on Jan. 13 for a visit to Houston's Restaurant; $546.19 to Chimichurri's (McCrady's receipts noted he was in New York City on this date); $1000 to Houston's again on March 31; $707.86 to Chimichurri's again – the day he arrived home from a trip to Ottawa; a June 9 lunch at Joe's Crab Shack was $62.79 and dinner that same day was at Los Cucos for $54.61. On July 8, he bought 10 $100 gift cards at a Shell Gas Station in Kingwood and spent $2580 on Rockets tickets. On July 30, he spent $819.20 at Chimichurri's. On Nov. 30, he bought $1000 in gift cards from Joe's Crab Shack, Pappas Seafood and Zio's Italian restaurants. The same day he bought $1400 in gift cards from Amedeo's and had lunch there too – for $149.19. On Nov. 13, he spent $213.51 at Chez Nous.

****

Soapboxmom
03-07-2012, 01:44 PM
The next O K corral is coming!

I spoke with the Texas Attorney General's office. If Frank McCrady and the EMCID don't make those documents for the charity, the Earthquest Institute available I will be filing a formal complaint and get law enforcement involved. The IRS, State of Texas and the Open Records Act require that certain documents be available to the public. Everyone has left the charity but 1 lone board member. Dr. Gardner has sent all the documents in a box to the EMCID and they will need to see those are made available as required by law. It is a criminal offense if those documents are not available and I will pursue this.

The Office of the Attorney General
Open Records Division
P.O.Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711

I suggest the folks in that office and those that are responsible for the Earthquest Institute get this resolved. The project doesn't need any further negative publicity!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-07-2012, 02:12 PM
My thanks to the former admin for turning over the Facebook page to me.

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

We owe this person such a debt of gratitude for all the hard work setting up and maintaining that wonderful page. I will do my best as the sole admin to keep that page updated regularly.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-08-2012, 08:50 PM
Here is the latest bankruptcy filing. Note that Marlin Atlantis is to get $500,000.00 from this bankruptcy from its sister LLC Whitestone.

611

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
03-08-2012, 10:21 PM
Here is the latest bankruptcy filing. Note that Marlin Atlantis is to get $500,000.00 from this bankruptcy from its sister LLC Whitestone.

611

Soapboxmom

Bloody h**l,

when are these amateur legislators going to learn to NOT get into bed with these professional sharks ???

Trey White and his cohorts must be down on their knees every night and every morning giving thanks they stumbled over this bunch of nincompoops.

They get to steal from the front end AND the backend.

Soapboxmom
03-09-2012, 11:20 AM
U.S. Trustee Program/Dept. of Justice - Report Suspected Bankruptcy Fraud (http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/fraud/)

To report suspected bankruptcy fraud, please prepare a written summary that contains the following information.

Requested Information



Name and address of the person or business you are reporting.
The name of the bankruptcy case, case number, and the location of where the case was filed.
Any identifying information you may have regarding the individual or the business.
A brief description of the alleged fraud, including how you became aware of the fraud and when the fraud took place. Please include all supporting documentation.
Identify the type of asset that was concealed and its estimated dollar value, or the amount of any unreported income, undervalued asset, or other omitted asset or claim.
Your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
You are not required to identify yourself, though it is often helpful to do so if questions arise.

The likelihood of further investigation and possible criminal prosecution is increased for those matters where supporting documentation and specific factual information are provided. Any information you provide is voluntary and its maintenance by the United States Trustee Program is authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 586.
You can send this information via email to: USTP.Bankruptcy.Fraud@usdoj.gov
or by mail to:
Executive Office for U.S. Trustees
Criminal Enforcement Unit
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Suite 8000
Washington, DC 20530

Matters may also be referred directly to the local office of the United States Trustee. Complete listing of office addresses and telephone numbers (http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/ust_org/office_locator.htm).
Please be advised that it is U.S. Department of Justice policy that criminal investigations may not be disclosed. Therefore, the USTP will neither confirm nor deny whether a matter may have been referred or whether it may or may not be under investigation. This means that you will only be contacted if it is necessary to obtain further information; otherwise, the USTP will not respond to your hotline submission.
Please be advised that the information you submit may be disclosed to a bankruptcy trustee when the information is needed to perform the trustee’s duties, to a law enforcement authority when the information is relevant to the recipient entity’s law enforcement responsibilities, or to an entity that possesses information relevant to the investigation when disclosure of information is necessary to solicit from such entity information pertinent to the investigation. Other disclosures may be made for routine purposes. For a discussion of the types of routine disclosures that may be made, you may consult the Executive Office for United States Trustee’s systems of records notice, UST-004, “U.S. Trustee Program Case Referral System.” See 71 Fed. Reg. 59, 818 et seq. (Oct. 11, 2006).
A copy of the notice may be obtained on the following page: Rules, Guidelines & Notices in the Federal Register (http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/rules_regulations/index.htm).

612

Anyone who questions Marlin Atlantis getting over $500,000.00 from the sale of the Earthquest land in this bankruptcy should immediately join me in filing a complaint.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-09-2012, 02:45 PM
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)


Finances relating to the EarthQuest Institute, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), also remain in question because tangible financial records and receipts have yet to be revealed. Internet investigator Heather Dobrott shared several public information request emails sent to McCrady and Cubillas that stated conflicting information as to the whereabouts of those records. According to her, Dr. Matthew Gardner, an original partner and advisor with the Institute, reportedly shipped those records to the EMCID office after pulling out of the now defunct institute. McCrady assured that the Institute is an independent nonprofit entity and he and EMCID do not have access to any documents.


The only known fact is that the Institute and EMCID share the same physical address.



As I have been reporting, I have contacted everyone ever associated with the charity and have yet to get an answer as to when and where the documents will be available. I understood from Dr. Matthew Gardner the records were in a box on their way to the EMCID office as that is in fact the address listed for the now defunct charity.


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


EMCID OFFICE LOCATION: 21575 US Highway 59 North, Suite 200
New Caney, TX 77357
281-354-4419 (Voice)
281-354-4529 (FAX)

The IRS and Texas Non-profit Corporation Act specify certain documents must be publicly available by law:

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.
EMCID must also respond to Open records request and since it appears the documents are at their office and under their control the Attorney General's Office will be getting a formal complaint in writing from me and this could be investigated further.

I encourage all of the donors to make a formal complaint to the IRS about the records being concealed:

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

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-09-2012, 04:55 PM
http://montgomerytx.countymonitor.com/files/2008/12/e_county_imrpv_distr.pdf

EMCID's 2008 Check Register.

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



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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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





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



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

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

Soapboxmom
03-10-2012, 05:02 PM
Gift Card: EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park

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$75
A gift card for a park that doesn't exist! Classic!

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



0
inShare














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

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

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

634635636637638

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

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
03-10-2012, 08:01 PM
Gee,

East Montgomery County must be full of well off residents to be able to fund in this sort of financial goings-on.

EMC should be careful, though, with this sort of lifestyle on offer to its' employees, they run the risk of being swamped by out-of-town bureaucrats looking for a trough in which to bury their snouts.

Soapboxmom
03-11-2012, 10:58 AM
John Marlin and Trey White made sure their half million is guaranteed:

642













From Whitestone to Marlin Atlantis the $500,000.00 goes. Right hand to left hand!

643

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

645646644647648

Soapboxmom
03-11-2012, 11:38 AM
How do all the people and businesses that donated to this project feel about this? What about those that invested their life savings into businesses in the area because the EMCID board and these consultants kept promising ground breaking was imminent? While people that are supposed to be bringing this project to fruition are living it up on the taxpayers and donors dime, what is being done for those who are being ruined financially as the dino disaster flounders???

649650651652653

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


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

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

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

Companies



Verizon

Tampa, Florida US
Senior Staff Consultant


July 1998 until July 2001
SSP/IGH EDC Progress Plus

South St. Paul, Minnesota US
Executive Director


July 1991 until December 1992
Crooskton EDA

Crookston, Minnesota US
Executive Director


January 1993 until August 1996
Red Wing Port Authority

Red Wing, Minnesota US
Executive Director


August 1996 until March 1998
Partnership for Economic Development, PED

Lake Havasu City, Arizona US
President/CEO


September 2001 until July 2004
Wayne County Economic Development Corp.

Richmond, Indiana US
President/CEO


October 2004 until February 2006




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

Soapboxmom

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


Team


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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



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

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



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



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


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

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





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

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

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

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





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





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


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


Wined and Dined to be sure!

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





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



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









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

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

Soapboxmom

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

P.S.

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

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



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

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


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


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


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


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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

Soapboxmom
03-16-2012, 04:38 PM
The Earthquest Institute debacle just keeps looking sleazier every time I turn around. After a month of fighting to get the documents which Dr. Matthew Gardner claims were sent to the EMCID office (which shares the same physical address as the obviously defunct charity,) I have now gotten a ridiculous letter from the EMCID's attorney. No doubt the taxpayers are paying through the nose for that. Those documents by law must be available at the address listed for the charity, so I would say the EMCID lawyer is shoveling it high and deep. Now, the IRS and Texas AG's office will be forced to sort this mess out. As no one is left running it or in possession of the documents it looks to me like charity fraud plain and simple. That reflects on all the people officially connected by state filings and listed on the website including Don Holbrook, Dr. Matthew Gardner, Leon Cubillas, Deborah Thomas and John Marlin.

The donors have gotten totally screwed by this deal. Again, Frank McCrady should resign immediately and that board needs to be cleaned out as well. Only Connie Bloodworth voted against McCrady's ridiculous $50,000.00 bonus for watching Earthquest spiral into bankruptcy and demise. All 4 incumbents I expect will be voted out in May and I am told all the people running have vowed to make their first act the firing of renegade party animal Frank McCrady. If he and Don Holbrook are going to have drunken soirees that end with pictures of the party goers dancing on a table it should definitely be on their own dime and neither should have any further involvement with the Improvement District since that unprofessional behavior was made public!

This charity meltdown and the concealment of the related documents is criminal. It is time for some feet to be put to the fire!

692

Soapboxmom
03-17-2012, 04:14 PM
Holbrook really misrepresented the Earthquest project's success with Frank McCrady in on the actin May of 2011:

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

694

What investment banking team? What groundbreaking in December 2011 or the first quarter of 2012. Your cohorts haven't purchased the site either Holbrook. It seems you will exaggerate and outright lie to empty the coffers of desperate people looking to improve the financial well being of their communities. Totally unethcial! We can see he is working really well with Frank McCrady. Just what is really going on behind the scenes at those drunken soirees, Mr. Holbrook????

Soapboxmom

littleroundman
03-17-2012, 07:15 PM
Just what is really going on behind the scenes at those drunken soirees, Mr. Holbrook????
Soapboxmom

Ouch !!

Do we REALLY want to know ???

Soapboxmom
03-18-2012, 01:09 PM
Subject: RealScam.com - Is it, or isn't it? You Decide. Contact Us Form - Site Feedback

The following message was sent to you via the RealScam.com - Is it, or isn't it? You Decide. Contact Us form by Don Holbrook ( mailto:don.holbrook@economicdeveloper.com (don.holbrook@economicdeveloper.com) ).

--------------------------------

Your reporting if you can call defamatory remarks that are taken out of actual context and in some cases remarks you have quoted that were not even made by me are absolutely a sham. You make good people look bad just to be a sensationalist. Your comments on my drinking are ridiculous. I have never been drunk even once in my life. Your out of context comments were from the night of my 50th birthday and my wife threw me a surprise birthday party and rented the suite at the Red Rock Casino. I do not own a Maserati and just because it is my wife's favorite car and she had her picture taken by it, is shameful for you to insult us by saying we took tax payers money had bought such a car. You are just another disgrace to the internet yellow tabloid style wanna be journalists of the world, with too much time on their hands and who see conspiracies in everything. You are disgusting and a vile person.

First, I want to invite Don Holbrook to join us and set the record straight. Let's start with some photos and their accompanying blurbs lifted verbatim off of Don Holbrook's page which he uses to promote himself on Facebook:


Don Holbrook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027886709)'s photo (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1185861319853&set=a.1185829959069.29390.1027886709&type=1).

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



How could one possibly take that out of context? That is a verbatim copy of what Don Holbrook personally posted and wrote the caption for. I don't think the drunken dancing on the table soiree has been misrepresented in any way either. The pictures were posted by Don Holbrook personally and publicly for the public to view and comment on as I took the liberty of doing. Who paid for Frank McCrady's and his wife's airfare and expenses while in Las Vegas for Holbrook's birthday bash???

http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-billionaire-marlin-atlantis-earthquest-park-don-holbrook-654/index6.html#post16984

Perhaps Mr. Holbrook will grace us with a real update on Earthquest and explain why he misrepresented the project to the folks in Pahrump.

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-19-2012, 05:49 PM
The latest bankruptcy filing is no surprise. Marlin Atlantis White Ltd. is still hot to sell the property and collect that cool half million for themselves. John Marlin and Trey White have a great trick there. While the taxpayers and bank take a veritable blood bath, they declare bankruptcy and ask to walk out with the $500,000.00 consulting fee they want out of the defunct Earthquest project. Over my dead body. I contacted the Department of Justice and encourage others to take action!

U.S. Trustee Program/Dept. of Justice - Report Suspected Bankruptcy Fraud

696 (http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/fraud/)

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-19-2012, 10:43 PM
Frank McCrady has announced that there will be an EQ "Town Hall Meeting" this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the EMCID building!

Soapboxmom
03-20-2012, 04:25 PM
EarthQuest: Keeping the record straight - Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13430)
EMCID miles to go - Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com (http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13431)
http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/EMCID/Cashflow_2006-07-08.pdf
http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/EMCID/Mileage_2008-09-10-11.pdf
http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/EMCID/WFCreditCard_2008-09-10.pdf
http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/EMCID/AECreditCard_2010-11.pdf

Soapboxmom
03-21-2012, 11:35 AM
I have been speaking to all sorts of people that were involved in Earthquest or have been approached by Holbrook lately. Everyone is still waiting for him to name those 100+ projects that created 50,000 jobs and were worth billions of dollars. Until he substantiates what he claims I am going to label this guy nothing more than a self promoting and quite arrogant scammer. He actually tells people he is worth $400.00 an hour. That is beyond absurd with his track record. When pressed on this issue he tells people he has had no complaints and that they should look at his books and the positive comments. No Dice!!! I want a comprehensive list of the 100+ projects and the figures for those that can be verified independently. I wouldn't pay this Holbrook guy a nickel based on what I have seen.

Investigate Your Charity Before You Donate - SmartMoney.com (http://www.smartmoney.com/taxes/income/check-up-on-your-charity-16178/)

Your next stop should be at the list of the charity's officers, directors, trustees and key employees, and how much they collected in salary and related goodies also on this form. For my money, I don't want to see large numbers here.
That says it all. The Earthquest Insitute charity took in around $996,000.00. Don Holbrook was paid a ridiculous $185.00 an hour. $328,955 was paid to this complete clown for 2008-2010 when the charity was active. That is 33% of the donations right into his greedy hands. Deborah Thomas received $217,343.00. She was paid $134.84 an hour for her job as Chief Financial Officer. Plus tens of thousands more was spent on professional services. Almost nothing went to the actual purpose of the 501 c 3. The IRS needs to revoke its 501 c 3 status and launch a comprehensive audit. This is fraud!

518

519

603

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-21-2012, 08:11 PM
Mayor Of Texas Town Resigns In 5-word Note | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/21/mayor-texas-town-resigns-in-5-word-note/?test=latestnews)

Forced to resign. I hope Frank McCrady is next!!!

Soapboxmom
03-22-2012, 10:42 AM
EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT / Directors approve contracts / Contract OK&#39;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)


East Montgomery County Improvement District directors approved contracts for services to the district. These ranged from site surveying to retaining consulting services in connection with the Earth Quest theme park project at a special directors meeting Nov. 7.
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 district has five potential financing sources for the for-profit portion of the project, he said.
4+ years and he has secured no financing. They haven't even got the funds yet to purchase the property. Holbrook has made a killing off of this project and done nothing to move it forward!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
03-25-2012, 08:37 PM
THURSDAY NIGHT TOWN HALL MEETING ON EARTHQUEST | Montgomery County Police Reporter (http://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/?p=42361)

Here is the video from the EQ town meeting held on thursday March 22. Those folks need a much bigger shovel!

Soapboxmom
03-27-2012, 08:50 PM
http://ourtribune.co...le.php?id=13441 (http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13441)

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.

littleroundman
03-27-2012, 09:04 PM
For some reason, every time I read something from the EMCID spin doctors, the word "gobbledegook" springs to mind:


Gobbledygook or gobbledegook (sometimes gobbledegoo) is any text containing jargon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jargon) or especially convoluted English that results in it being excessively hard to understand or even incomprehensible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Understanding). "Bureaucratese" is one form of gobbledygook. There are two distinct and opposite cases. One is that incomprehensible material is actual gibberish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibberish). In the other some abtruse material is either ineptly presented or is subjectively perceived to be gibberish due to a lack of preparation.

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

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


The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy



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


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Usually ships within 24 hours details (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-next-america-don-holbrook/1036937787?ean=9781466416987&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&#)

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Product Details



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




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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

708

Soapboxmom

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

The owner e-mailed me this:

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click below to download the credit card statements:

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

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



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

Loan funneled through second entity questioned

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Institute received contributions totaling $996,667.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Subject: Re: Theme Park

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

To: ALBALLOQU1@aoI.com

Al, Harley and Bill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please confirm this is your intentions for next Monday.

You may reach me at 928-706-4440

Sincerely

Don Holbrook

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

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

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


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


Adopted October 22, 2008

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

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


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

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


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

Hello Ms. Dobrott,

I’m confirming that we received your email.

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

Thank you,

Kelly


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


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





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

Dear IEDC,

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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COMMENTS

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

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

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

Dino Don

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

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

Thank you.

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


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

Soapboxmom

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


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

Get the State Attorney General involved,

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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



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

Soapboxmom

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


EarthQuest Institute officials reveal little history, questionable future

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

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

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

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

Here is the sequence of Tribune findings:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Those expenses are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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


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

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

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

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



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









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




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

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







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


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

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


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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom
04-09-2012, 11:03 PM
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Located in southeastern Montgomery County, and with direct access to Hwy 59, this planned premier master-planned community will offer parks, trails, a large lake (http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/lakehoustonpark.html), and recreational facilities. There are planned landscape reserves and greenbelts for a quiet, natural setting. Whitestone, located on the east side of US 59, is the residential community component of a significant mixed-use development. The entertainment venue as well as a major retail/commercial development are located on the west side of US 59. Residential homes of various types will appeal to a broad market base. In Whitestone, residents will enjoy living, working, playing, and learning, all within the community. Planned are churches, a school site, daycare facilities, shopping, offices, and restaurants.
COMING SOON!




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

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


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

Also from 2005 we have:

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

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


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

Soapboxmom

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

You Americans are a funny lot.

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

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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


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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely

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

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

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

Sent from Don Holbrook's iPhone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPER LLC













Business Entity Information







Status:
Default
File Date:
1/6/2012


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


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


Managed By:
Managing Members
Expiration Date:



NV Business ID:
NV20121012795
Business License Exp:











Registered Agent Information







Name:
DON HOLBROOK
Address 1:
9200 DALMAHOY PLACE


Address 2:

City:
LAS VEGAS


State:
NV
Zip Code:
89145


Phone:

Fax:



Mailing Address 1:

Mailing Address 2:



Mailing City:

Mailing State:



Mailing Zip Code:

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




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



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





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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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


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


Gee, all those words and not one fact refuted.

Well done, Mr Holbrook.

Spin doctoring at its' finest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meltdown Holbrook just posted this on my Earthquest fan page:

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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






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




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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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



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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

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


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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



04-24-2012, 07:24 AM




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

Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
http://www.scam.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif






Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


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

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



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

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

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

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




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







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




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

Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 54
http://www.scam.com/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif






Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
Quote:


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



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

just asking .....




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









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




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

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


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

just asking .....



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

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

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



04-24-2012, 10:47 AM




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

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


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

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

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

Thanks for clarifying even further.



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






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

Don Holbrook is sure going to appreciate all this.

Soapboxmom

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

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

I've never been called a racist before.

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

Here's a thought:

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

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

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


04-24-2012, 02:00 PM




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


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

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



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




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







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




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

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

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




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











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




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


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

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

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



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




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









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




ProfHenryHiggins (http://www.scam.com/member.php?u=62917) http://www.scam.com/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif
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Re: ProfHenryHiggins Lawsuit in process
I've never claimed to be law enforcement, MissP. Get your facts straight if you are going to try to besmirch someone's reputation.

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

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

Soapboxmom



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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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






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


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


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




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

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

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

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

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

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





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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

I've never been called a racist before.

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

Here's a thought:

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

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

1312

1313

1314

1315

1316

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

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


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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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

Responding to Bloggers and Negative Uninformed Social Media Inquiries

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


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

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

Time for some accountability!

Soapboxmom

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

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

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


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

Soapboxmom

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

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







[*=1]

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



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

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

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

Public money = public scrutiny

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

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

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

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

1319

Soapboxmom

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

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



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

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



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



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


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

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



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

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

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

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





...he started it.





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



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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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


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

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

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

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


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

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

Wait for it.......

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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



Adjective:




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

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

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

Soapboxmom

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


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

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

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

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

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-27-2012, 04:34 PM
Comments from the Houson Press article: (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park/)


http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1335391524/images/noavatar32.png (http://disqus.com/guest/a2c9d43d4ee3ebb3656f5c5f0ad9c425/)
Donlessem



As the creator EarthQuest sustainability theme park, and the knucklehead whose misadventures start off this very-well written piece on the many problems afflicting the park, I did want to make clear the distinction between those project-stalling actions that were numb-skulled or self-serving, and those that may have been criminal.
There's been way too much blustering and stone-walling going on from the project principals and employees, which doesn't help clarify matters. But in short, some of us were simply misguided and have nothing to show for it - I'd include myself and science advisor Dr. Matt Gardner among those. Many others made a lot of money and delivered nothing. East Montgomery County's development organization spent a lot of taxpayer money without doing proper homework on the project team. Don Holbrook, the economic developer whose record is questioned here, made a good deal of money and is owed more, but actually did his job of getting the government interested in supporting the project very well. So by the standards of that profession, he is entitled to what he earned.
The rest of us, taxpayers and myself included, are still hoping this all pans out.
But the developers, Marlin/Atlantis may have criminally misrepresented their ownership of the land, and misappropriated bond funds from County citizens. I'm hoping that continued investigative sleuthing and perhaps government investigation will bring answers to what became of that money.
Meanwhile, oddly enough, the EarthQuest project is in a better place than it ever was. The company purchasing the land from Marlin/Atlantis is apparently open to supporting the project and the concept developers at Contour Entertainment are honestly trying to broker a funding deal from investors internationally. I wish them luck and I wish some good news for us all.







http://media.disqus.com/uploads/anonusers/5138/4439/avatar32.jpg (http://disqus.com/guest/fba762b3ff21d15d0e7151f8ffc38e43/)
Don Holbrook 1 hour ago (http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-12/news/earthquest-green-amusement-park//#comment-512048868)


Thanks Dino Don for attempting to set the record straight. Those of us that were hired under contracts based on our performance to achieve objectives stated in our contracts by our clients have been wrongfully accused and defamed based on innuendo, rumors, bloggers and slanted media. I doubt no matter what facts are given they would properly report or blog the facts correctly. With regard to the Fantasyland article, I actually gave the reporter facts, and he chose to deflect them and not base the article on factual evidence. He chose to purposefully mislead the general public in order to sensationalize his own fictional conspiracy theory. I have chosen not to respond to these folks because of their inability to be factual, fair and impartial in their alleged investigative stories. Soapbox is just a housewife with too much time on her hands and a delusional vision of her own misguided contribution to society in my opinion. My experience is you can't reason or debate with people that are so self absorbed they can't tell fact from fiction. I do appreciate your valiant effort to set the record straight. I also agree the project, thanks to EMCID's strategic intervention is now in the best position ever to bring this project to fruition. Nothing of this scale and magnitude comes without criticism, but when it opens all this will be washed away like a sandcastle on the beach of time.
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Lessem and Dr. Gardner were always the science guys. Lessem is not a knucklehead at all. Openly and honestly discussing things is a brilliant strategy. I spoke to Dr. Gardner and he was sincerely very discouraged that the Institute was shelved for now. He really believes in it and fully supports it being brought back to life. I in no way fault them for the confusion and apparent breakdown of the project. I would never have expected them to participate in the business end of things.

The business end of things is where I would expect to see Holbrook as the one leading the charge. No one would expect anyone to work for free if they needed to make a living, but Holbrook paying himself $185 an hour (derived from the 2009 compensation) from a charity that in essence was bankrupt from the get go according to my calculations and those of mainstream press articles suggest very poor judgment on his part. That charity paid Holbrook $328,000 I believe and paid a Marlin Atlantis flunky a sum nearly that large when only 2 fundraisers were hosted and no charitable activities save for a little computer game project by Dr. Gardner ever took place. Another $600,000.00 went to professional services. With Lessem and Gardner on board the creative end would have been incredible, but there was way too much money going out the door to ever get the thing on its feet. I do not agree with Holbrook paying himself such generous amounts. Holbrook is extremely foolish to withhold documents that are required by law to be available. Hiding things just leads to more embarrassing questions and the involvement of enforcement agencies.

I would be much more in favor of the high pay for Holbrook if he had come in with some investors lined up before this went so far. He was contracted to do the fundraising in 2007 according to the Houston news. It seems we may have put the cart a bit before the horse. Without a good indication of the funding being attainable I can't see how we ended up spending this much money. The extravagant spending is especially disturbing when the local charities in Texas are struggling to help the homeless and hungry. The lifestyle of the rich and famous bit is an insult to those in the area that are truly in need. Why should they see their tax dollars used to take Holbrook to Chez Nous and the sports arena???

As I noted previously, the Earthquest land seems to have been for sale in 2006 and possibly thereafter. The bond expenditures are up on the EMCID site and those do need to be researched and explained. Accountability is a good thing.

I am not sure how getting funding in the post Madoff era will go. There is a new and I think good amount of caution. Having watched Six Flags struggle for years here in Dallas it is obvious this needs to be very well thought through. They have been in the business for years and faced a lot of challenges. I can also say having grown up in the construction industry, costing out jobs way under what will actually have to be spent is easy to do and happens more than folks might think. It would not be out of line to be thinking in terms of having closer to 1 billion available before the first shovel of dirt. The Disney parks show us that valuable lesson.

Holbrook might want to consider publishing the contracts he is braying about. Again, we are to take his word without a shred of documentation. We haven't seen and don't know the terms of his contracts and he is refusing to release the charity papers. He won't name his 100s of projects. If he is in the right he should not have any issue with everything being made public. Transparency is the hallmark of an honest person with nothing to hide. So, Holbrook, you can keep attacking me personally or just release the documents and prove me wrong!!!

Soapboxmom

Soapboxmom
04-28-2012, 05:54 PM
Holbrook is viciously attacking me hoping to threaten me into silence.

http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/index5.html#post19787

Soapboxmom
04-28-2012, 10:21 PM
This dishonest realtor is advertising land around the new park. What new park? Years later there is no park. The financing isn't even in place!

EARTHQUEST ~ A NEW DESTINATION PARK FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS (http://activerain.com/blogsview/1749274/earthquest-a-new-destination-park-for-montgomery-county-texas)

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 08:45 AM
Here is a sobering history of Six Flags. DId Holbrrok look seriously into these issues? I am not surprised no investors have stepped up.

SIX FLAGS TIMELINE (http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/shawg/articles/facilities/six_flags_timeline.html)

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 09:48 AM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/index5.html#post19822

Soapboxmom
04-29-2012, 10:10 AM
http://www.realscam.com/f11/iedc-international-economic-development-council-rogue-member-don-holbrook-1240/index5.html#post19824

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 12:14 PM
EMCID Clairvoyance - Monday, April 30, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com
(http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13549)
Inexplicable is a very kind way to phrase it!

Soapboxmom
04-30-2012, 01:30 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)