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

His Hineyness isn't worth such royal treatment. As a matter of fact, he can kiss my ........signed, fat loudmouth turd pantherdad

FROM THE EDITOR: Congratulations newly minted public servants, get to work | Pahrump Valley Times

Front Sight and Don Holbrook
I really, really can’t wait to write this story. I feel like I over promised and under delivered this week because I couldn’t get this into the paper.
Oh, but we will.
Today, county commissioners will consider a suspicious plan to spend $63,000 in taxpayer money — the town of Pahrump is being asked to kick in an additional $63,000 — helping gun nut paradise Front Sight develop some cockeyed “private public” partnership where we spend taxpayer money so Front Sight’s owners and their politically connected consultants and buddies can earn a paycheck by lobbying the legislature for what amounts to a sales tax improvement district.
See, Front Sight got this bright idea, we suspect, from a certain bankrupt “economic developer,” that they could finance a new development (tourism, retail, housing, who knows, it’s unclear) by creating an improvement district and adding a sales tax hike to pay back the bond they would need to take out to finance said project. Of course, this is only necessary when other serious investors pass on your idea.
So, developers who can’t get financing from any other place start scheming, usually with said bankrupt economic developers and politically juiced-in former politicians/consultants (this is particularly popular in Southern Nevada). This sort of scheming often ends up lining people’s pockets without delivering jack squat to the public.
When you really think about it, these folks have the gall to ask a poor county and town like ours to fork over hard earned cash so that they can razzle-dazzle some big wigs in Carson City, and pretend to be developing something that likely has zero chance of ever being built, and if it does, by some miracle from heaven, guess what, it ain’t sending any money this way.
Consider this, a 2010 University of Nevada Reno grad student wrote his masters thesis on STAR bonds used to develop retail malls in Sparks and Reno. I haven’t digested all of his findings yet, but he makes the case that sales tax districts are inherently unstable (sales fluctuate too wildly to say exactly how much revenue you can deliver); the process of creating the districts generally reveal an undemocratic process (voters have no say in its creation) that tends to favor private interests over public ones (that’s a sin); also, the only model where sales tax works at all is a retail model, which gives you a clue about what would be built first at Front Sight — stores to sell things to customers.
Well, what impact would that have on Pahrump? No one can say, or if they are saying it, it ain’t worth the paper it’s written on. Front Sight is not inside Pahrump, so spending our tax dollars to develop something that probably won’t impact us, except by stealing our own customers away from local businesses, makes no sense — unless the people who approve such a cockamamie idea are on the take.
Dear commissioners, don’t pass this thing. It smells funny.
Before I forget, town board members and beloved town manager, this theme park idea of yours sure does seem to dovetail real nicely with this whole Front Sight idea, there’s even that familiar bankrupt economic developer.
Makes you go hmmm. Stay tuned.

Creepbag, Don Allen Holbrook, should have thought twice before filing his frivolous harassment suit. Now, he has numerous bloggers and journalists gunning for him. He will be endlessly assailed with a deluge of negative and truthful publicity!

Obviously, the Pahrump Valley Times is right on the money. The legitimate investors want nothing to do with Holbrook's deals. I bet he won't find any public entities he can schmooze any tax dollars from for his Knights fantasy project. Poof it goes up in smoke!

Without Frank's trough to slop in courtesy of EMCID taxpayers, and only $655 in his Chihuaha bowl, gASSbag will have to find a way to reverse that voodoo curse he put on himself, thereby putting TENFOLD ($65,050) in. That would enable him to take that family vacation and relieve some of the stress of wondering if he's part of an investigation and indictable for any past misdeeds. If this were to happen, Don, don't get too comfy, Buzz, Woody, and Mr. PotatoHead will be following close behind piloting the hi-jacked DreamQuest, keeping a close eye on you. Their heads have been banging on the toybox in the attic, waking me up at night, ever since the Channel 2 News Investigates stories came out!!! Where's Sueburger at? I might have to hire her to sue for PTND. (Post Traumatic News Disorder) She's shown the intelligence to jump all over that one!!!

Impact of ballot question a big unknown | Pahrump Valley Times

Impact of ballot question a big unknown

Posted on09 November 2012.
By Selwyn Harris
After local residents voted to dissolve the Pahrump Town Board into an essentially powerless advisory board this week, it remains to be seen how the action will affect the future of Pahrump town government.

So, the town's people got smart and rid themselves of the town board that was considering the Don Holbrook and Contour Entertainment theme park. Why has East Montgomery County not demanded Frank McCrady be shown the door??

Check out the comments of the citizens tired of paying $$$$ to Holbrook, Contour and company:

GUSTYWIND says: November 9, 2012 at 7:56 am
Hey Waters….here it is….plain and simple….YOU ARE FIRED! Why don’t you just leave? You really think you deserve a 2 more years???? WE DON’T WANT EITHER ONE OF YOU. WE DON’T WANT THE BOARD. Got It???Dwight Lilly says:
November 9, 2012 at 8:30 am
A note to our local sage Tom Waters. I’m a little confused, this is what the town takes care:
1 oversees area parks
2. oversees the town cemetery
3. oversees the swimming pool
4.oversees the Pahrump fire department.
Why would these tasks be difficult for the county commissioners to oversee? Now granted, they would not be spending most of their time ‘overseeing’ the Harley World fiasco, which would free up some of the time needed to insure the chlorine level is up to snuff at the pool.
I disagree with you analysis sir, regardless of what Judge Lane rules and who you appeal that to, (I’m sure that is on your ‘to do list’), you guys are finished. Resigning now would save everybody some delays. Or you can put us through even more trouble by having to recall you.
The people spoke, now get out of their way, we’ll do just fine without a town board and Harley World.

Roger says:
November 9, 2012 at 8:39 am
The will of the people has been stated now. We voted, the ballot measure won, now lets see how we can work with the county commission (Being that they are a whole lot more realistic with plans) on improving our county and town, and lets get that town board and town manager out of the way.
People were tired of being ignored at town board meetings. People were tired of seeing the majority of people NOT want something to happen, and yet out of the blue seeing it happen.
People were sick of seeing all that money wasted on studies.
If we find out this does not work out, we can always vote again to restore the town board, but for now there was no other way to free us of this oppressive town board and manager.
Next time when the majority of the people say no incorporation, listen to them.
And no, this did not “open the gate to incorporation” as some are saying. At least the commission listens to us unlike the town board. They already know we are against becoming a city.

Snidely Whiplash says:
November 9, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I’m still not sure I support this, but it was probably inevitable that it would happen at some point. Can you imagine the county commission board with Dolan, Maurizio, Parker and Kulkin all on it at he same time? Dolan would try to push incorporation through executive order and Maurizio would be sneaking around investigating him for it. While everyone was distracted, Kulkin would bypass the board and the planning department and open a theme park on his own. In the meantime, all of the other communities in the county could be on fire, starving, and not able to keep the lights on and no one on the board would notice. But we’d have a half-built theme park that employs two people to repair the rusty, swinging gates that are hanging off their hinges because the county budget was mismanaged so badly that they couldn’t afford to run public works any more. It’s just Harley in his a/c uniform.

The taxpayers made it clear they didn't want Harley / Holbrook World. Anyone with 2 working brain cells can see it is not likely to get funded. The taxpayers will be out hundreds of thousands paid for studies and designs just as East Montgomery County did and it will never get off of the paper.

Bye, bye Holbrook!!!!!

It's nice to see taxpayers starting to realize the meaning of Holbrook-endorsed public-private partnerships. Gee, I'm wondering where the idea for lobbying state legislature for the creation of a special sales tax improvement district came from and why the taxpaying citizens of Pahrump didn't want it? It's done wonders for the taxpaying citizens of East Mont. Co. Texas!!! Just look at the swell deal they got for $20,000,000.00 relating to EarthQuest. A faded sign, a beautiful model of a bad dream, and paper stacked a mile high with another mile sure to follow. On a brighter note, maybe Frank McCrady could have that sign dismantled and the model boxed up along with all the paperwork, loaded on a semi and donated to charity (Don Holbrook) to throw in his fireplace and heat his home this winter after the power company cuts his electricity off. Maybe then the taxpayers of EMCID could pull a Holbrook and write off all that bad debt as a donation to charity. On a more serious note, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITIZENS OF PAHRUMP, NV for nipping in the bud what would have amounted to the creation of a humongous credit card with no control of how it was used and backed by a bank, (THEM)!!!!!.

His royal hineyness and Lord and Master of the Internet is back:

Follow Don

Don Holbrook • Heather;

Blaming the antics of the voters on their long held debate about whether to be governed by a Town Board or County has been an ongoing debate in Pahrump far before any of these projects. They are also putting on the next ballot the decision to finally incorporate into a real city. Your blathering just makes you look mean spirited and obnoxiously malicious. By now most folks know you are a cyber stalker and in my opinion a complete whack job nut case. Go get a real life and produce something meaningful like get a job and contribute yo our economy. Something you seem unable to do. It's easy to criticize folks who are actually out creating jobs when you don't have to do it yourself.

You, my little muffin, started a war you will never win. Threatening me and then filing a frivolous suit against me and my fellow journalists and taxpayers was your fatal mistake. Unlike the numerous others you have threatened over these many years, I cannot be bullied. The more you insult me the harder I will dig and the more scrutiny you will get across the net and in the media! Bite me big goon!

Soapboxmom

And he still has yet to prove he has ever created any jobs. lol.

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

His royal hineyness and Lord and Master of the Internet is back:


You, my little muffin, started a war you will never win. Threatening me and then filing a frivolous suit against me and my fellow journalists and taxpayers was your fatal mistake. Unlike the numerous others you have threatened over these many years, I cannot be bullied. The more you insult me the harder I will dig and the more scrutiny you will get across the net and in the media! Bite me big goon!

Soapboxmom

I've got to give Holbrook credit where credit's due. Whenever your tank seems to be running low, Soapboxmom, Sir GasPump always comes shining through with a fresh tank (his postings) of premium unleaded

Originally Posted by Whip

And he still has yet to prove he has ever created any jobs. lol.

Don't tell that to See Sueburger, Whip. Now, whether or not she actually receives another paycheck from Sir GasPump is an entirely different matter. Given his recent past of stiffing his lawyers (Oh, the INhumanity), one can only assume she'll be singing this song around Christmastime, " IIIIII'm DREEEEEEaming of a GrEEEEEEN ChrIIIIIIIstmas!!!!!!" You know, the ones she used to know before the fatal mistake of accepting one of those JOBS he created. I'm letting Buzz and Woody out right now to see if they can convince Frank to divert half that shipment of heating fuel bound for Las Vegas to Ohio. We would'nt want SUE freezing in the snowbelt this winter.

EMCID continues to pay Earthquest expenses - Monday, November 12, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Ms. Dobrott;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Don Holbrook

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

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

Sent from Don Holbrook's iPhone

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

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

Soapboxmom

Quatloos! • View topic - Don Allen Holbrook LLC Sues Soapboxmom & Half of the Planet

Beautiful!!!

http://www.realscam.com/f11/don-alle...html#post31636

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

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

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

New Caney Dino Park Discussion & Rumors


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Discussion:

Comment by: WCW on Nov. 13th, 2012 - 9:54pm
At some point and time people have to wake up and demand action!!!! This entire thing is an outrage!!!!!

Frank McCrady and Company along with the EMCID Board Members have to be held accountable for wasting and using tax payers money for personal profit. This has nothing to do with community development it's all about getting what you can out of the tax paying public. Please vote in every election of these clowns until they are all gone along with McCrady.


Comment by: Moron, a.k.a. the real Walt Disney, a.k.a. Realist, and others on Nov. 13th, 2012 - 12:56pm
I can only make half way through Soaps Tribune links without becoming angry....grrrr

Where are all the yea-whos, that were posting on here over the last few years. The ones calling people hillbilly's for asking questions. Saying things like we were stupid and probably drove cheap cars...etc...etc.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW.. I NEED TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES!!

This whole park idea is dead...the only thing left is to get a shovel and bury it.

Amen!!!

New Caney Dino Park Discussion & Rumors


Post a New Comment »


Discussion:

Comment by: pantherdadx2 on Nov. 14th, 2012 - 3:29am
WCW, I seem to recall asking many months ago why there wasn't a picket line stretching from EMCID's doorstep to Hwy. 59 demanding Frank McCrady's resignation. Seeing as though I am no longer a resident of EMC due to the same arrogance displayed by the head of the EMCID by the head of your school district and few of his cronies, all I can do is post my opinions. Oh, by the way, heard through the grapevine one of these cronies (who allegedly did him a big favor in the neck of the woods where they came from), was rewarded with a contract extension even though his job performance goes WAY beyond POOR. Starting to sound familiar? What we have here, is a FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE. The funny thing,(which it's not, really) is these people, who are not from and were not raised here, DON'T WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU! They want to spend YOUR tax dollars without YOUR input. And why? Going back to the previous post by Realist, they think the residents of EMC are a bunch of dumb hillbillies. I think the next expenditure relating to EarthQuest by Frank McCrady should be purchased directly from the manufacturers, thereby saving the taxpayers SOMETHING! Those purchases, you ask? A semi-trailer each of Vaseline and Preparation H to help ease the pain of the burden put on the taxpayers of EMC by him and most notably, Don Allen Holbrook.

Thank goodness pantherdadx2 was astute enough to point out the Vaseline was desperately needed by the taxpayers!!

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

Thank goodness pantherdadx2 was astute enough to point out the Vaseline was desperately needed by the taxpayers!!

Sadly only as a pain reliever. The raping has already been done, and this just makes it easier to tolerate. Prep H should have been used a long time ago and maybe our ego-in-chief DAH would have been "removed" before any permanent damage could have been done. Come to think of it maybe RAID would have been a better remedy than Prep H.

Apply VasPrep as directed: Before squealing starts and after theme music from Deliverence starts playing prior to each and every bond payment and immediately afterward as needed for pain until bond debt relating to EarthQuest is satisfied.

I'm dumbfounded as to why the Vercitas Group or Don Allen Holbrook LLC would even be looking for work. There should be a permanent greaseman stationed at the front door to his office. Just type in to any search engine the one thing GasBag has corned the market in, Helium. There seems to be a world-wide shortage. Finally, his claims of providing over 50,000 jobs and contributing over 1 billion dollars to the economy will be realized!!!

Houston News Investigations, Local 2 Investigates from KPRC

The local news at 10:00 has another report on EMCID tonight!

Perhaps the taxpaying citizens of Pahrump, NV would be better served spending that $63,000 hiring Frank (the BANK) McCrady to pilot the DAH hot-air balloon to circle Las Vegas advertising their more well-known tourist attractions, the 2011 brothel-of-the-year Sheri's Ranch and the world-famous Chicken Ranch.

Hilariously, Don Holbrook thinks his son is West Point material. The honor code will be quite a shock to the dear boy to be sure!


TheCadetHonorCodeMonument.jpg

taxpayer "tragedy" ........ya think?

Judge calls amusement park 'taxpayer tragedy' | News - Home

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - It's the mega-amusement park that was supposed to be Houston's next Astroworld, but Montgomery County Judge Barb Sadler said the project has turned into a taxpayer "tragedy."
"Ten million dollars have gone to this project with nothing to show for it but renderings and dreams," Sadler said.
The project was called Earthquest Adventures and it was supposed to be built on Highway 59 north near New Caney. Last month, Local 2 Investigates exposed how the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) spent at least $10 million in taxpayer funds helping develop the amusement park. Five years into the project, the park is no closer to reality than when the plans began. There's no park, no visitors and the developer has gone bankrupt.
Quick Clicks

• New questions arise about amusement park project
• Where is Houston's replacement for Astroworld?
• EMCID Bookkeeping Reports 2006-2012
  
  • EMCID Bookkeeping Reports for 2012,...
  • EMCID Bookkeeping Reports for 2012,...
  • EMCID Bookkeeping Reports for 2011
  • EMCID Bookkeeping Reports for 2010
  • EMCID Bookkeeping Reports for 2009
  • EMCID Bookkeeping Reports for 2008
  • EMCID Bookkeeping Reports for 2007
  • EMCID Bookkeeping Reports for 2006
  
  
  

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

• If you have a news tip or question for KPRC Local 2 Investigates, drop them an e-mail or call their tipline at (713) 223-TIPS (8477).
  
  
  
  • lff • 10 hours ago
    
    How does McCrady even still have a job. Also, the reporter forgot to mention he paid himself a bonus last year of nearly $50,000 because of his 'good job' on bringing in the park. He should be prosecuted in criminal courts.
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      Conserve Money and Liberties lff • 2 hours ago
      
      If anything, we need to look at the public officials who funneled all this money into the project. They should be held responsible for being so gullible. Then have Montgomery county hold them accountable next election. I believe this is how a representative democracy should work. And of course if there was any shady business going on, under the table, hold those people criminally responsible for their actions.
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        James O'Leary Conserve Money and Liberties • an hour ago
        
        I have seen similar things happen in Midland, Tx, over and over through the years and the voters kept re-electing the very same officials who were wasting tens of millions of dollars, or channeling mega-projects to their friends. I wouldn't hold out hope anyone will be held accountable and McCrady and his crooks will continue to come up with new ways to live in styole on "your" money. Sadler knows this, and that is why he is ducking for cover through finger pointing instead of taking action.
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    Hammer of Justice • 5 hours ago
    
    Another sleazy businessman jumping through the loops in the laws.
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    John Stratford • 3 hours ago
    
    Sounds like this McCrady f*cker needs to leave Houston, can't do sh!t right. Exile him for being less than trash. He needs to apologize for breathing too, its a waste of oxygen.
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    FarpointRelay • an hour ago
    
    I can't believe the FBI isn't investigating this... Sure whatever the private companies do is their business, but for the government to so obviously be giving kickbacks to the developer is CRIMINAL...
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    Stoney Haze • an hour ago
    
    This nonprofit was setup to SCAM TAX PAYERS and no other reason.... Got to love why people don't trust our city leaders. Everyone involved with this fraud should be sent straight to jail. DO NOT PASS GO!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!! I would love to see someone start making these lowlifes PAY!
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    James O'Leary • an hour ago
    
    Flim-flam coming from all parties involved in this. McCrady has no right to reject interviews regarding the use of public taxpayer funds! Reign Sadler in on this, instead of allowing him to blame others. Is Sadler providing cover and protection for McCrady. Have him do something about it. "EarthQuest" .... give me a break .... who would invest in a company with such an obviously bogus name. Sounds like an internet address. Follow-up reporting should "follow the money."
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      Stoney Haze James O'Leary • an hour ago
      
      it's sad that we don't have tougher laws in place for people elected to
      office or doing bad business with the PEOPLES MONEY. After all most get
      paid enough as a salary so what they take/steal is STRAIGHT UP
      GREED!!!!!!!!!! Give them the death penalty cause they to are just as
      much scum as someone who robs a bank. If anything they are worse then
      scum. Start seizing bank accounts. WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK!!!
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    johnathin • 2 hours ago
    
    What ever happened to the Disney resort supposedly going in around the Plantersville area? I heard rumors that Ren Fest was going to be a Disney thing
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Awesome update! Notice all the opinionated Texans speaking out on the comment section. Don Allen Holbrook will not silence the taxpayers of the great State of Texas!!!

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

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  lff • 13 hours ago
  
  How does McCrady even still have a job. Also, the reporter forgot to mention he paid himself a bonus last year of nearly $50,000 because of his 'good job' on bringing in the park. He should be prosecuted in criminal courts.
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    Conserve Money and Liberties lff • 5 hours ago
    
    If anything, we need to look at the public officials who funneled all this money into the project. They should be held responsible for being so gullible. Then have Montgomery county hold them accountable next election. I believe this is how a representative democracy should work. And of course if there was any shady business going on, under the table, hold those people criminally responsible for their actions.
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      James O'Leary Conserve Money and Liberties • 4 hours ago
      
      I have seen similar things happen in Midland, Tx, over and over through the years and the voters kept re-electing the very same officials who were wasting tens of millions of dollars, or channeling mega-projects to their friends. I wouldn't hold out hope anyone will be held accountable and McCrady and his crooks will continue to come up with new ways to live in styole on "your" money. Sadler knows this, and that is why he is ducking for cover through finger pointing instead of taking action.
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        lld2282 James O'Leary • 2 hours ago
        
        JAmes, look what just occurred at the presidential level.
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          Conserve Money and Liberties lld2282 • an hour ago
          
          I know what you mean, lld. However, this is exactly why we need to emphasize the importance of local elections, and insist that our states retain as many rights as possible. We need to quit trying to get the rest of the country to think like us. We need to quit looking for a reflection of ourselves in the rest of the country.
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  Hammer of Justice • 9 hours ago
  
  Another sleazy businessman jumping through the loops in the laws.
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  Stoney Haze • 4 hours ago
  
  This nonprofit was setup to SCAM TAX PAYERS and no other reason.... Got to love why people don't trust our city leaders. Everyone involved with this fraud should be sent straight to jail. DO NOT PASS GO!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!! I would love to see someone start making these lowlifes PAY!
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    Phil Richards Stoney Haze • 3 hours ago
    
    Exactly, setting up BS companies to "borrow" $300K from, there has to be a crime here.
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  FarpointRelay • 4 hours ago
  
  I can't believe the FBI isn't investigating this... Sure whatever the private companies do is their business, but for the government to so obviously be giving kickbacks to the developer is CRIMINAL...
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  James O'Leary • 4 hours ago
  
  Flim-flam coming from all parties involved in this. McCrady has no right to reject interviews regarding the use of public taxpayer funds! Reign Sadler in on this, instead of allowing him to blame others. Is Sadler providing cover and protection for McCrady. Have him do something about it. "EarthQuest" .... give me a break .... who would invest in a company with such an obviously bogus name. Sounds like an internet address. Follow-up reporting should "follow the money."
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    Stoney Haze James O'Leary • 4 hours ago
    
    it's sad that we don't have tougher laws in place for people elected to
    office or doing bad business with the PEOPLES MONEY. After all most get
    paid enough as a salary so what they take/steal is STRAIGHT UP
    GREED!!!!!!!!!! Give them the death penalty cause they to are just as
    much scum as someone who robs a bank. If anything they are worse then
    scum. Start seizing bank accounts. WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK!!!
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  John Stratford • 6 hours ago
  
  Sounds like this McCrady f*cker needs to leave Houston, can't do sh!t right. Exile him for being less than trash. He needs to apologize for breathing too, its a waste of oxygen.
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  johnathin • 5 hours ago
  
  What ever happened to the Disney resort supposedly going in around the Plantersville area? I heard rumors that Ren Fest was going to be a Disney thing
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    lld2282 johnathin • 2 hours ago
    
    That rumor was thought for Liberty County back in the mid '80s...
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  Concerned in Montgomery County • an hour ago
  
  I believe there is an ongoing investigation into this matter. EMCID personnel recently hired Rusty Hardin to defend them during the upcoming "storm". I think the authorities are trying to determine to what extent those folks are culpable -- and to what extent they've just been stupid and naive. Charges are expected to be filed. This story isn't over yet.
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    FarpointRelay Concerned in Montgomery County • 2 minutes ago
    
    LOL... Rusty Hardin... The attorney that always defends the "guilty" people... *sigh*
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  maynardb50 • 23 minutes ago
  
  The current Obama economy simply will not support an expensive amusement park.
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I love this! I started making money finally! Awesome!

19 Monday Nov 2012
Posted by economicdeveloper in The Next America Discussion
≈ Comments Off




Failed developer grasping at straws to find any possible way to milk a buck out of something. Hilarious!