Thread: Don Allen Holbrook IEDC Rogue Former Member / Jeff Finkle Orchestrates Cover-up

It's an honor to join you fine folks here who dedicate your time for a worthwhile cause. While some consider this a (sick form of entertainment) I, for one, do not.Am currently awaiting the arrival of Holbrook and Co.'s spaceship, DreamQuest, from the dark side of the moon. Judging from the amount of rectal whispers eminating from Sir Gasbag himself, the forthcoming crash landing will no doubt produce a fireball of epic proportions.......Soapboxmom RULES

The Marketing Alliance Serving The Economic Development Industry
Don A. Holbrook James R. Beatty Mike Michalski Sam M. McCord Buildings Speaker's Bureau Contact Us	Don A. Holbrook, Certified Economic Developer, CEcD Don Holbrook is a private practitioner involved in the major elements of site selection for major private sector investment projects and economic development consulting nationally as one of the fields most influential and recognized subject matter experts. Holbrook is located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. His site selection consultancy specializes in public backed inducements and incentives that reduce the risk of new business investment in key markets prior to final location decisions, through, the establishment of a public private partnership in such projects. These type investments provide direct and indirect economic benefits to both the private company and the public sector partner. Public inducements level the playing field for new business opportunities and share some of the up front risks in such investments. He has worked on over 100 projects representing over 1 billion dollars in public capital investment generating more than 50,000 jobs in his 16 years in the profession. Don has specialized in creating customized incentive policies such as equity funding, tax increment funding & tax abatements, workforce tax credits, specialized state legislation to increase equity and reduce operational costs, creative hybrid capital funding leveraged investments by communities and other targeted incentives and inducements that reduce the over-all cost of the project to the clients. Don has worked with economic organizations worldwide in developing strategic plans, core market assessment, target industry analysis, special business attraction incentive policies and the development of public backed strategic business investments in capital formation and permanent subordinated debt financing. Holbrook is recognized for his prowess in the economic development industry as an early pioneer of site location and community profiling technology based infrastructure. He assisted in establishing the data standards utilized today as the industry standard through his role at the International Economic Development Council, IEDC. He has also conducted training classes and has given presentations to thousands of economic developers on innovative business attraction and deal formation strategies. He is regarded by many as one of the leading subject matter experts in the field on technology based site selection and creative financing for public investments in catalyst private sector projects. He is the developer of the patent pending dynamic site location database model now currently licensed to the industry with the IEDC. He is one of the most respected speakers on world class economic development projects in America. He has authored a soon to be released book, “Who Moved My Smoke Stack” and is one of the most highly published and quoted subject matter experts in the field today. Don’s work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Foreign Direct Investment, Financial Times, Business Facilities, Site Selection, Fox Prime Time, among others. Don works extensively with private companies such as automotive, manufacturing, technology oriented, tourism and real estate based development strategies in handling their site selection needs and creating a public incentive and inducement package that creates equity for the private sector and reduced operational and initial up front financial risks. He has been involved in over 100 public/private development projects that have generated over $250 Million in public sector investments into critical projects that have created over 50,000 jobs over $5 billion in economic impact. He also works with local economic development organization in providing target & core industry analysis and community assessment of their capabilities in order to focus their efforts on their highest and best opportunities for leveraged investment into innovative private sector development opportunities and establish world class community business climate attributes. Don was instrumental in the development of the Verizon Telecommunications merger team strategy of community based investments that led to the approval by all 50 state’s public utility commissions of the largest telecommunications deal in U.S. History. Verizon is a fortune 10 company with revenues of over $350 billion annually. His work on special legislation has created hundreds of millions of operating savings for numerous companies over the past 16 years. Don’s approach is simple in deals there must be equilibrium that makes both parties feel satisfactory in their support for key business decisions to investment capital into new or existing ventures. He negotiates agreements that establish reasonable parameters for such investments to occur and removes the red-tape of dealing with local and state government agencies to establish very cost-effective business climates for private sector investments into a local economy. He is a past Chairman of the Mid-American Economic Development Council, MAEDC, (the formal industry association for the 10 mid-western states.) He is former Board Member of the Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation (SBA backed non-profit lending body for Greater Tampa). He was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush the Florida High Speed Rail Consortium. He was appointed by Governor Carlson in Minnesota to co-chair the first workforce development partnership program. President Bill Clinton requested he make a special presentation to the newly formed Presidents National Information Infrastructure Task Force and provide his subject matter expertise on the development of new innovative infrastructure to support the further development of the internet based electronic commerce particularly from the aspect of site location and business development hurdles. KEY APPOINTMENTS AND BOARDS Currently Don is a board member of the International Economic Development Council, IEDC in Washington, D.C. IEDC is the world’s leading and foremost economic development professional industry association. Holbrook is also a board member of the AZ Small Business Corporation, an SBA 504 Lending organization that is a division of the largest SBA lending organization in the United States. He is a member on the loan review and approval committee. National Accreditation: Certified Economic Development Professional, CEcD Certified Economic Development Finance Professional, CEDFP Certified Master Consultant, Business Expansion, Retention & Attraction Certified Municipal Bond Finance Education Bachelor of Arts, Dual Major, Urban Economic Geography & Environmental Science Wright State University, Dayton- Ohio, United States Master of Business Administration, Specialized in Technology Management, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, United States

© Copyright The Vercitas Group 2006

All that in 16 years?????? Still waiting for the names of those past projects and substantiation of that incredible economic impact.

Just a quick question... Has Holbrook actually published credentials in support of his claims of:
Certified Economic Development Professional, CEcD
Certified Economic Development Finance Professional, CEDFP
Certified Master Consultant, Business Expansion, Retention & Attraction
Certified Municipal Bond Finance

This may be a superfluous question, since IEDC is the one that grants these certifications.

Failed Projects??? Unlisted Income????

6/12/2007

Holbrook recently returned from the annual Business Retention & Expansion International conference in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada where he spoke to the participants on entrepreneurial business retention strategies such as succession planning and transitional finance for new budding entrepreneurs and mature businesses along with innovation finance within the local existing industry market of locales.


Don A. Holbrook

6/30/2007

Holbrook is hired to do a major new expansion of infrastructure manufacturing plant site location. The search for heavy construction infrastructure site to fit the company needs seeking to locate near the gulf coast to meet Hurricane Katrina demands for new infrastructure components necessary to rebuild the gulf coast ecomomy commenced in June 2007. The plant will announce final location decision in early 2008.

Don A. Holbrook

7/2/2007

Holbrook is hired by Livingston Parish Louisianna to conduct a warranted investment study for the local economy to determine the possible types and sizes of projects that might consider investing in a destination attraction zone to drive the tourism and leisure components of the Greater Baton Rouge market. The project includes the design of a ancillary public sector incentive practice for use in their business attraciton efforts to secure private investment in such projects.

Don A. Holbrook

7/13/2007

Don Holbrook closed a major $700M Thematic Immersive Resort Deal with Texas Governor Rick Perry signing into effect special legislation in support of the project on July 13th at the Governors conference room at the Capital in Austin. The EarthQuest project will be located in East Montgomery County (Greater Houston market) and at completion will employ and contribute over 10,000 jobs and nearly $2B of annual economic impact in the local economy. Holbrook negotiated and designed the public incentive and inducements along with the site location search and acquisition on behalf of the projects client and negotiated the development agreement terms.

Don A. Holbrook

8/15/2007

Holbrook has been hired to do the site location search for a new major thematic destination resort and educational/entertainment complex. The initial search and profiling work will focus on the Southern portion of the United States. This project has garnered the support of both the United Nations and other foreign governments as a new collaboration in thematic edutainment based resort and tourism attraction experiences here in the United States.

The new project will include a major flag resort, spa, restaurants, science complex, exhibition centers and other venues. The project will cost approximately $150M in phase 1 to develop. It will create several thousand jobs in the community it is located within and attract more than 500,000 visitors per year. The project is code named, "The Human Heritage Project"

Don A. Holbrook

8/15/2007

Don Holbrook has recently been hired to evaluate the feasibility of creating a $6M capital campaign to fund the launch of Chicago metropolitan areas fastest growing county, Dupage County's new Economic Development Organization, Dupage Biz in conjunction with Stellar Fundraising Consultants. Stellar utilizes Holbrook's expertise to evaluate the economic development program initiatives, interview key business leaders and politicians and suggest modifications to the goals to meet the expectations of the business and political constituents.

Don A. Holbrook

9/19/2007

Holbrook will attend the International Economic Development conference September 15-19 in Scottsdale Arizona. During the IEDC conference he will be moderating a panel on developing World Class workforces, hosting a keynote speaker the President of the Apollo Group (Univ. of Phoenix) and attending the IEDC board of directors meeting. Holbrook also sits on the Performance Oversight Committee for IEDC.

Don A. Holbrook

9/21/2007

Don Holbrook Vercitas Partner announces at IEDC in Phoenix Annual Conference the launch of his new book, "The Little Black Book of Economic Development"

Foreward by Jeff Finkle, President/CEO
International Economic Development Council, IEDC

Book will be available on-line at Xlibris on Oct 12, 2007

Book Description Below:

China and India are on the rise! Europe has surpassed the United States in GDP and Quality of Life indicators! The United States is sending jobs overseas! What is the 21st century coming to? Communities are hapless in their knowledge of how to respond at the local level to global pressures and competition. Holbrook calls his fellow economic developers to arms to address these daunting times and create unprecedented new opportunities for America’s future.

Don Holbrook sees the U.S. in a global economic struggle that will decide its’ future as a superpower.. This book is that blueprint for change that has been needed within economic development.

He urges our decision makers to adopt a sweeping program of reforms and comprehensive strategies he calls “Prosperity with a Purpose”. Developing what he calls transformation economic development catalyst projects and hybrid capitalization is essential to success. He encourages fearless leadership as leading by example as the central tenet to winning in the global economy.

As a Certified Economic Developer, Don has solutions that can revive towns & cities’ economic fortunes. He discusses how World Class Communities are a mindset not determined by geographic location or population.


Don A. Holbrook

5/26/2008

Holbrook spoke to the Wayne Area Economic Development conference about the issues of creating prosperity with a purpose at their regional conference. His keynote address to approximagtely 125 people spoke of world class community attributes in the era of globalization. It was carried on the local NBC News Channel that evening.

Don A. Holbrook

6/5/2008

Holbrook conducts site visit in Puerto Rico to investigate the opportunity for a major thematic project in Puerto Rico. He toured the island and conducted several site visits. Met with the local commonwealth authorities and has submitted an opinion to Alborado Investment Group to support their investment and next phase concept. The project will be joint ventured with Contour Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, California. The project will be a beach front hotel/casino and thematic immersive resort when completed and has been coined the Atlantis of Puerto Rico concept.

Don A. Holbrook

6/9/2008

Holbrook visits North Carolina to research the possible placement of a major thematic resort attraction that could draw visitors from many of the major metropolitan cities into the North Carolina Economy. Concept is still in the conceptual evaluation stage and is a joint project with Contour Design if it is activated. Holbrook has stated he feels the North Carolina visitor experience is under developed from his observations from previous site visits in 2007.

Don A. Holbrook

6/16/2008

Holbrook conducts site familiarization tour of Kansas City, KS Village West Legends project. This is being conducted as part of the potential site search for a major league baseball farm team project and combined retail, entertainment, sports and leisure immersive master planned concept currently under consideration with a public sector partner. The project is a joint venture with Contour Entertainment and National Sports Services.

Don A. Holbrook

6/26/2008

Holbrook speaks as Keynote speaker at Choose Dupage Capital Campaign kick-off luncheon. They invited over 1,100 people to the event. His speech is on prosperity with a purpose the renewed sense of fearless leadership in the global era. He conducted a workshop the next day for 60-75 local economic developers in the Chicago region about "The Art of the Deal Today."

Don A. Holbrook

11/9/2008

Holbrook is asked to attend Business Facilities Live Exchange to represent Tourism Destination Project opportunities to the economic development participants in Huntington Beach California.

Don A. Holbrook

10/21/2008

Holbrook has been asked to moderate at IEDC annual conference in Atlanta. The panel will discuss creating destination tourism projects that attract visitors to communities. These new projects are the cutting edge new economic development tools that create major investment into facilities and brand communities with a positive quality of life and lifestyle amenities for recreation. These projects create considerable new employment and huge new revenues for the communities that are successful in attracting such investments. Holbrook will have the panel discuss how such investments are smaller in scope today and refined to specific locales. Now most communities can design projects that fit their own markets if they follow the blueprint for creating the necessary knowledge of what will work and the investors ROI business case prior to commencing such transaction. These projects require well coordinated public private partnerships to be effective and successful. Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment will be a panelist. Contour is a strategic partner of Vercitas for such projects.

Don A. Holbrook

He failed to list the Vercitas Group as a DBA name on his November 2007 bankruptcy. Why is that? He claimed on that bankruptcy an average monthly income of only $5,000.00. That is plenty to live on for frugal people, but certainly not an income that is commensurate with his claims of incredible success.

I guess $1,290,000.00 in legal bills would sink anyone and spur them into a chapter 7 to write that off. I assume his new attack dog lawyer will be smart enough not to work for free, right Ms Seeberger???

How about all these destination theme parks that went nowhere? Now, we have some alleged projects to thoroughly investigate!

Soapboxmom

Originally Posted by laidback

Just a quick question... Has Holbrook actually published credentials in support of his claims of:
Certified Economic Development Professional, CEcD
Certified Economic Development Finance Professional, CEDFP
Certified Master Consultant, Business Expansion, Retention & Attraction
Certified Municipal Bond Finance

This may be a superfluous question, since IEDC is the one that grants these certifications.

That liar Holbrook has the President of the IEDC wrapped around his little finger. Holbrook has all kinds of certifications. The IEDC apparently doesn't actually enforce their code of ethics. The president, Jeff Finkle, has been aware of Don Holbrook's deceptions for years. The legitimacy of that organization is on the line. We shall watch and see if they take appropriate action.

VILLAGE WEST PROJECT TIMELINE

JANUARY 10, 1997

International Speedway Corporation (ISC)
announces two finalist sites in metro Kansas City,
one in Missouri and one in Kansas, for a race track
it plans to develop. A competition for the race track
ensues.

APRIL 1, 1997

Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County vote to
consolidate governments.

APRIL 1, 1997

The new Unified Government meets with ISC.

JANUARY – AUGUST 1997

The UG gains control of 160 separate parcels to
assemble the necessary 1,100-acre site.

JANUARY 1997 – JANUARY 1998

To capture the spin-off economic benefits of the
race track, the UG assembles another 400 acres to
reach the maximum 1,500-acre development size
stipulated by Kansas state STAR Bond legislation.

AUGUST 6, 1997

ISC selects the Kansas site.

JANUARY 18, 1998

The UG sells $18 million in bonds to fund the
400-acre purchase – a move that paves the way for
the start of the raceway.

MAY 25, 1999

Construction begins on the Kansas Speedway.

1999 KANSAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The Kansas state legislature passes tax increment
financing that comes to be known as STAR (sales tax
revenue) Bonds.

1999

The UG names Zimmer Real Estate Services, L.C.
master developer.

FEBRUARY 2001

The UG unveils plans for a 1.7-million-square-foot
destination entertainment, hospitality, and retail
complex. Within six months, three anchor tenants –
Cabela’s Inc., The Great Wolf Lodge, and Nebraska
Furniture Mart – commit.

JUNE 1, 2001

The Kansas Speedway opens.

SPRING 2003

Community America Ballpark opens.

SPRING 2004

RED Development is selected to develop a 750,000-
square-foot life-style entertainment /retail center at
Village West.

2004

Chateau Avalon, a boutique hotel, opens.

FALL 2005

The Legends at Village West opens with more than
120 storefronts and 1.2 million square feet.

2006 KANSAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

STAR Bond legislation is amended to make it solely
applicable to projects of “statewide significance”
that meet employment and investment performance
targets.

2008

Construction begins on Schlitterbahn Vacation
Village Water Park, a $750-million
entertainment/retail complex adjacent to
Village West.

JUNE 2009

Phase I of Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Water Park
opens.

DECEMBER 2009

The 40 remaining undeveloped acres at
Village West now under contract are scheduled
to close.

2010-2012

Projected retirement of STAR Bonds –
seven to eight years ahead of schedule.

2019

Original projected completion date of Village West.

6/16/2008

Holbrook conducts site familiarization tour of Kansas City, KS Village West Legends project. This is being conducted as part of the potential site search for a major league baseball farm team project and combined retail, entertainment, sports and leisure immersive master planned concept currently under consideration with a public sector partner. The project is a joint venture with Contour Entertainment and National Sports Services.

Don A. Holbrook

Village West

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Village West is a $573 million, 400-acre (1.6 km²) retail, dining and entertainment development that opened in 2002 in Kansas City, Kansas. It is located at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 435 (11 miles from Downtown KCK). Village West is the most popular tourist destination in the state,^[1] and has significantly fueled growth in KCK and Wyandotte County.

Contents 1 Attractions 2 Shopping 3 Lodging 4 References 5 External links

Attractions

• Kansas Speedway
• Hollywood Casino
• Livestrong Sporting Park, home to Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer.
• CommunityAmerica Ballpark, home to the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association.
• Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, a $750 million, 370-acre (1.5 km²) resort and waterpark billed as the largest entertainment project in Kansas history, opened across I-435 from Village West in 2009.^[2]
• Dave & Buster's
• T-rex Cafe

Also within the area are:

• Sandstone Amphitheater
• National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame
• Wyandotte County Lake and Park
• Sunflower Hills Golf Course
• The Kansas City Renaissance Festival

Shopping

• The Legends at Village West, a large lifestyle center with shops, restaurants and entertainment
• Cabela's outdoor outfitter
• Nebraska Furniture Mart

Lodging

• Great Wolf Lodge, Indoor Waterpark And Resort
• Chateau Avalon, a luxury bed and breakfast.
• Hampton Inn

Most of that was long since built when Holbrook appeared on the scene. So, what were he and Contour possibly needed for?????

• Holbrook brags of 100s of projects that are worth billions of dollars and created 50,000 jobs. He has not substantiated a shred of those lofty claims! Please go to outribunedotcom and learn more!
  
  soapboxmom1 1 month ago
  This woman is Heather Dobrott she is a notorious zealot and self-proclaimed blogger who has visions of being a scam detector and buster. In fact all she does is post innuendo and rumors and make unsubstantiated allegations under her cover name Soapbox Mom. Her intent is straight forward she wants to cause economic harm and interfere with my business. She quotes media sources of very questionable credibility that are not factual and other bloggers. She uses no factual base for her allegations.
  
  economicdeveloper 3 weeks ago
  
  

• Your business, Don Holbrook, involves tax dollars. Your business involves matters of public concern. I will never be silenced.
• 
  The Tribune, Pahrump Valley Times and Houston Press articles have been superb, you just can't handle being challenged in any way, can you Holbrook? Let's have those false statements of fact from the media you are babbling about. Let's have the false statements of fact you are accusing me of making, gasbag!!!
  
  
  Soapboxmom

The First Amendment in the age of the Internet « economicdeveloper

Holbrook's hilarious poll has garnered all of 2 votes. So, much for the big wig Fellow Member of the IEDC. His blog is not showing any traffic on Compete.com and his fellow IEDC members are certainly not commenting in support of this litigious threatening goon who has clearly not been straight with his clients.

Soapboxmom

Pahrump town board meeting
nye county administrative complex
2100 e walt williams drive
tuesday – 7:00 p.m.
May 24, 2011
minutes

Pahrump Town Board Meeting May 24, 2011.pdf

mr. Holbrook began his presentation by speaking of a unique process used by the company
which has proven to be successful.

Dr. Waters asked for examples of successful projects through the company in question.
Mr. Holbrook said the earthquest adventures project in houston was the most recent project
which could be deemed their most successful as it is creating 17,000 jobs. he also stated they
had worked on various projects such as mgm and disney as well as projects in europe,
india, and australia. He added the company also had worked on numerous exhibits, such as
the titanic and star trek.

Dr. Waters asked what mr. Holbrook thought the company could do for pahrump.
mr. Holbrook said with las vegas being less than an hour away and having an estimated
forty million (40,000,000) visitors a year, a development such as the proposed would be
extremely advantageous.

he said visitors needed a reason to come to pahrump, and this is a very compelling reason.
He said he would not sign himself to be part of this project if he didn’t believe it would be
very successful and followed through with. The team, which is comprised of a variety of
proven successful specialists from around the world along with former lead disney
imaginears, would undoubtedly build a famous world class and compelling tourism
experience.

mrs. Endersby asked if mr. Holbrook was aware of the projects which were being talked
about and happening in las vegas, also asking if he had had the opportunity to meet with the
pahrump tourism and convention council. She also asked, with the knowledge of
challenges the town of pahrump had, how did he feel about those challenges.

Mr. Holbrook said he had intelligence specialists who kept a close eye on all proposed and
possible projects in the las vegas and surrounding areas. He added that las vegas had
embraced their image as an adult playground which was working for them.

As to the second question, mr. Holbrook said in the first phase due diligence would be done
and would include a complete assessment. He added there weren’t many challenges he could
foresee that he had not dealt with in the past. Due to this fact, they could pull from previous
processes which had worked with similar challenges in other locations.

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

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

Mrs. Endersby expressed appreciation for mr. Kulkin’s views and passion concerning the
project along with his perseverance in finding the appropriate company and people to
spearhead such an operation. She said although she had no doubt the project would be
successful, she felt making a decision at the present time would be premature as they had yet
to hear from the tourism advisory board on the issue.

Tbm 052411 page 3

mr. Holbrook told the town board this was an investment and that the due diligence package
required the private sector to buy that investment from the town one hundred percent
(100%) as a first step in confirming investment. He said the price may be high but the
comprised team involved would most certainly be world class with proven success in multiple situations. He added that they had nine to ten (9-10) investment followers who were actively looking for investment opportunities from the company. he said they were very
confident the investment community would start asking questions about the project and have
interest in pahrump as they are knowledgeable enough to know the company would not be
putting the energy into a project which would not result in a world class facility.

Mrs. Parker left the room.

Mrs. Endersby spoke of an issue of transportation being as pahrump did not have
transportation infrastructure, saying she felt it was a real challenge.

Mr. Holbrook said her concerns were very valid however part of the investigation would
include transportation and he did not see it as nearly big of an issue as mrs. Endersby did. He
added that we are a driving nation and one of the largest airports in the world was within an
hour of the town. He added that with earthquest, the hwy leading toward it had previously
been four (4) lanes but was expanded to eight (8) after the project was initiated. The
company actively visits all avenues including the state road departments to make sure all
necessary adjustments are made in order to support the project. He also said the objective
was to get visitors to spend the night in pahrump.

Mr. Kulkin clarified the meaning of ‘intellectual property’.
Dr. Waters mentioned he was very impressed by mr. Holbrook’s presentation however his
only concern was that the advisory board had not been consulted.

Mr. Holbrook responded saying he could absolutely appreciate that and agreed a project must
be gone in to wholeheartedly. He warned that imminently something would be happening in
the las vegas area and that timing was everything. He also warned that he could not promise
that within two (2) weeks another entity would not step up as an interested party which could
very likely result in initiating an area other than pahrump and the company would not
participate in competing projects.

Mrs. Parker returned to the room, saying the discussion had moved on from the area she had
wished and not been given the opportunity to comment on.

Mr. Kulkin stated the tourism advisory board would be part of the proposed project as it
progressed and asked for a ten (10) minute break to digest information.
Dr. Waters agreed the item needed to be carefully thought about but he would like to table it.
Dr. Waters motioned to table.
Mrs. Endersby seconded.
Motion carried, 3-2, with mr. Kulkin and mrs. Parker voting nay.
Mr. Darby called for a ten (10) minute recess.

If there are 9 or 10 investors chasing Contour and Holbrook around, why is it Earthquest was never able to secure funding? Again, Holbrook suggests the private investors will pay every cent paid by tax dollars up front. Isn't that a very naive assumption?

Soapboxmom

One gets the definite impression Mr Holbrook is staring down the barrel of a career change, either voluntarily or compulsorily.

It's hard to believe someone who depends on the confidence and trust of those charged with protecting the public purse could engage in the sort of behaviours he's displaying while seriously contemplating remaining in the field.

Goodness knows how many pairs of eyes are scrutinizing his every pronouncement.

Maybe it's different in the USA, but, it certainly appears from afar any "damage" being done is of his own making.

Finding and republishing someones' own words/work is hardly slanderous/libelous in most of the world.

http://nyecounty.granicus.com/MediaP...mp;clip_id=193

For those with a barf bag handy go to 3:50:00 of the video. Chris Brown is grilled by the County Commissioners of Nye County ( home of Pahrump ) I wonder if he has yet figured out what a tremendous liability Holbrook is. The reactions he is getting are quite telling. He now says phase 2 will focus on the private partnerships (as in finding funding for the project.) That is the first and only sensible thing I have heard in a long time from this bunch! Listen and decide for yourself.

He said he had walked away from three (3) to four (4) times as many proposed projects as he had worked on.

Where does one find the time...........

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

http://nyecounty.granicus.com/MediaP...mp;clip_id=193

For those with a barf bag handy go to 3:50:00 of the video. Chris Brown is grilled by the County Commissioners of Nye County ( home of Pahrump ) I wonder if he has yet figured out what a tremendous liability Holbrook is. The reactions he is getting are quite telling. He now says phase 2 will focus on the private partnerships (as in finding funding for the project.) That is the first and only sensible thing I have heard in a long time from this bunch! Listen and decide for yourself.

It appears your link is broken, Mom.

Error: 404. Resource Not Found.

Nye County View Page

Thank you LRM!

3:50:00 of the video for the Board of County Commissioners meeting for May 21, 2012.

I'm not certain, but, by my reckoning, there's at least one available cliche which wasn't used during that whole presentation.

If any of those commissioners can hold their hand over their heart and swear they understand EXACTLY what they're getting the people they represent into, they've missed their calling.

There's an academic career at GobbledygookU with their name on it just waiting.

fjjm303,

Well, without the backing of the BOCC( Board of County Commissioners), the Town will not be able to create a Private-Public Partnership. This town is unincorporated and has no power except to bond for sewers, Thats it Boys and Girls. Next is to get my ugly big A** elected to this Town Board and clean house.

Frank J maurizio:crying

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

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

Soapboxmom

Holbrook, with his online attacks and nasty attitude toward the taxpayers, has made himself unwelcome everywhere.

There's a lot to be said for the old adage: "Give them enough rope and eventually they'll hang themselves"

Hobrook's bankruptcy filings are endlessly fascinating. He claims he is getting draws. Where are these draws coming from. How much does he have stashed in business accounts? How is he going to afford to countersue Huber Heights, Ohio and then sue all the bloggers he is mad at and has been viciously attacking online in the desperate hope he can silence these noble taxpayers? He only has $87.00 to his name???

Holbrook May Operating Report.pdf

Soapboxmom

Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment says Don Holbrook will not be in Pharump under the Vercitas Umbrella, but as Economic Developr LLC as it is a Nevada corporation.

Nye County View Page May 21 Board of Commissioners meeting at 3:55:00 Brown talks about Holbrook using the Economic Developer LLC which is in fact in default. So, that entity probably can't conduct business in Nevada. Chris Brown should have checked that LLC out before deciding to use that as part of the Pahrump project. He is going to look incredibly ridiculous when they realize that deal is in default.

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: Agent Type: Noncommercial Registered Agent

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No Par Share Count: 0 Capital Amount: $ 0 No stock records found for this company

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Holbrook and Brown are a total circus side show act!!!!

Hobrook is out in Pahrump.

Theme park second phase up for vote | Pahrump Valley Times

Posted on23 May 2012.

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

Officials doubt theme park doable

Posted on23 May 2012.

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



« Theme park second phase up for vote

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

Soapboxmom

Pahrump Town Board Meeting

Please go to 17:30 to hear the string of Pahrump taxpayers who are dead set against the project and want Holbrook gone for good. Board Member Harley Kulkin is still completely starry-eyed and fantasizes that a theme park will create lots of jobs and benefit future generations. He is missing the point. Who is going to fund this pipe dream? There is precious little chance Pahrump could get tens of millions to construct this silly thing.

Who is going to clean up the mess if it is built and goes belly up as so many independent projects do? Theme parks create lots of traffic, noise, crime, trash and minimum wage jobs. Why not work to get more retail, nice restaurants and businesses to move into the area??? The residents are going to be up in arms if almost a million is spent and then as in all the other deals like Earthquest in Texas this bunch is pushing, nary a shovel of dirt is moved. Is that the legacy Kulkin wants to leave for the children???

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/arc...0/may/10050313

Perhaps this article will show Don Holbrook how a real charity / non-profit operates. Bobby Schindler has devoted his life full-time to helping others in his sister's memory. He is paid only $37,000.00 a year for his work as the head of the charity that bears her name. That's around $17.75 an hour. That is a lot less than the $185.00 - $400.00 that that arrogant blowhard Holbrook wants to be paid for a job that is supposed to be in service of others.

Recent Posts by Others on Earth Quest Adventures HoustonSee All

• 
  
  Don Holbrook
  
  
  The Clock is running on Ms. Heather Dobrott, aka Soapboxmom, she has till May 11th to substantiate her Libel statements with valid facts supported by actual evidence from her attorney to my own attorney.
• · May 7 at 4:04pm

• What a swell guy. I just notcied this when I was surfing the internet checking out discussions about Earthquest and landed on my Facebook page without being logged in. Holbrook better get it straight. I will not tolerate any activity that is threatening to taxpayers that want to disucss this project, their tax money and who is spending it! When you and your idiot attorney find a false statement of fact let me know! Take your legal threats and bite me, Holbrook!!!
  

Soapboxmom

EDC experiences ups and downs since its inception in 1993 | Palladium-Item | pal-item.com

.....Martus stepped aside in October 2004 when the board hired Don Holbrook. Holbrook's term as president and CEO -- he served until he was fired in January 2006 -- was the most tumultuous in EDC history.

Board members praised Holbrook upon his arrival, but some of them soon became concerned about his expensive travel tastes. A closer look raised serious questions about the accuracy and completeness of his resume. An even closer look by the Palladium-Item revealed that a company, Kelsie's Dairy, that Holbrook said was coming to Richmond to build a plant and create 200 jobs, was not even an existing company and had no known plan to locate in Wayne County.


Within six months of Holbrook's firing, the EDC confirmed that Kelsie's was not coming.


In the meantime, the Gateway park welcomed its first tenant, Taconic Farms, and DOT Foods and Really Cool Foods followed them a year later.

Still, the agency's credibility took a severe hit during the Holbrook episode. The board split over the firing and three members quit, leaving the public questioning the organization and its leadership.

Again, Martus stepped in to provide leadership and stability as the board searched for a new director.Enter Jim Dinkle.


Dinkle was hired in November 2006 and played a role in the recruitment of DOT Foods and Really Cool Foods and helped TBK American expand employment by 250 workers.

He also played a key role in the unsuccessful effort to lure a 2008 presidential debate to the area.


"He was wonderful for this area," said Richmond Mayor Sally Hutton. "He brought fresh ideas and energy to our economic development efforts."
Hutton, too, has been a longtime supporter of the EDC.

Discovery with Holbrook would sure be a gas!!!!!! What was that about 100s of successful projects???

Soapboxmom