Springfield's 9th and Main: Curse or Con?

[Metro Jacksonville]

Springfield's 9th and Main: Curse or Con?



How Folio's Man of the Year Became Springfield's Greatest Liability and Conned Hundreds of Thousands of Other People's Money for his Failing Real Estate Empire. Craig Van Horn.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/720

[gatorback]

I'm deeply saddened to hear about these events and my heart goes out to the victims.  Is there
any progress in getting all the property back?

[whitey]

There's always two sides to an issue, we have now read one

[thelakelander]

Yeah.  I'm interested to hear what Craig Van Horn has to say about this.

[Lunican]

There's always two sides to an issue, we have now read one

I bet there are at least 10 sides to this story. Unfortunately, I've already reached my reading limit for the day...

It does seem kind of strange how many restaurants have opened there and then quickly closed on bad terms. Maybe Craig should just lease his building like a regular landlord and not be involved in the operation?

[jason_contentdg]

I'm not all that interested in hearing what Craig has to say...because actions speak louder than words, and Craig's actions aren't very trustworthy.

[whitey]

There's always two sides to an issue, we have now read one

I bet there are at least 10 sides to this story. Unfortunately, I've already reached my reading limit for the day...

It does seem kind of strange how many restaurants have opened there and then quickly closed on bad terms. Maybe Craig should just lease his building like a regular landlord and not be involved in the operation?

But Stephen has seen his fair share of closings as well, and all have not been amicable.  That's why I think there is a lot more to this than whats been presented here.

[stephendare]

Actually whitey,

Both of my former landlords were motivated by the higher resale value of the buildings after Boomtown occupied them.  We did a public service by motivating the Bateh Family to get out of the slumlord game.   If you need any proof of the condition of the building, drop by the old main street location where you can see the collapsed roof.

And we have maintained our friendship with Robert VanWinkle and David Myris the owners of the Park Place.  If you remember there were actually four restaurants in the building, not just Boomtown.

Dave and Justin own Harpoon Louie's, drop by any time if you would like their additional input.

Boomtown is the latest, to be sure.  But even if you count by fractions, its only 1/9 of this story.

[Colony]

I'm starting to wonder if all of Springfield isn't cursed or just a constant victim of unethical opportunists (not just Van Horn or Hionides, but the folks who have stolen my garbage can and lawn mower).

[DetroitInJAX]

Well now we've seen Stephen's side of the story, Id like to hear what Mr. Van Horn has to say on the subject.


In fact, he should be invited to this fair website to say it.

Because, after all, we are a soundboard for the community.  All of the community.

[jrwjax]

I'm sure there are two or more sides to this story, but it seems that if so many have tried to make this place work and ended up failing, there must be some truth to this story.

[stephendare]

Craig is welcome to respond to the points of the story obviously.

This is a fair website.

As a matter of fact, he will probably also be welcome to respond to the facts of the story in court, which will also be public record.

Luckily you have also seen Justin Watkins', Dave Witt's, Deborah Neary's, Cherrise Stein's, Ingrid Green's and Suzanne Justiss' side as well.  There are other who weren't quoted within.

I have questions that Craig failed to answer.

1.  What became of the monies contractually guaranteed to Dave Witt and Justin Watkins?

2.  What became of the monies guaranteed to Deborah Neary?

3.   How many shares of Henrietta's were available for sale and what would have been the total percentage of each share?

4.  Can you provide accounting to the state for all of the transactions that involved the withdrawal of funds from one LLC to pay the expenses of another LLC?

5.   Can you provide an explanation for the funds referred to by Ingrid Green given to you as a downpayment for Streetscape?

6.  When will you pay Grace Justiss for her labor?   If she was an employee who could be fired, then why did she recieve no pay?   If she was a 'partner' how could she be fired?

I would love to hear Van Horn's 'side' of those questions as well.

[second_pancake]

I'm exausted.  Everything I've read here sounds like more work than it's worth, and frankly, if I were someone wanting to move into Springfield and open-up shop, this whole thing would turn me off...Van Horn, or no Van Horn. 

What ever happened to going to a bank, getting a loan, and buying a building, doing your own demo/construction with permits from the city, and making or breaking on your own?  Or, if you are leasing, what happened to getting a real-estate attorney or property manager to sit down at the table with you, go over the lease agreements, get signatures and then pay your monthly due every month and keep in compliance with the terms of the agreement?  If you or the other party are in violation, you take them to court.  It only costs a couple of hundred bucks to file a small claims suit against someone (if that).

In my opinion, this whole scenario (all parties involved) has 'shady' written all over it.  It sounds like a case of several people wanting in on some action with the least effort possible put forth.  And with all the "partners" involved in every business opened, it's a wonder that anyone can even keep the events straight at all!

I think it would be in the best interest of Springfield for the properties to be sold outright to someone who has no history with the buildings, property owner, or city.  Let a fresh-minded, hopeful, positive and optimistic person have a chance at success.  Springfield struggles enough with appearances as it is, the community certainly doesn't need a store-front changing hands every other month with publicized squabbles.

[stephendare]

I think it would be in the best interest of Springfield for the properties to be sold outright to someone who has no history with the buildings, property owner, or city.  Let a fresh-minded, hopeful, positive and optimistic person have a chance at success.  Springfield struggles enough with appearances as it is, the community certainly doesn't need a store-front changing hands every other month with publicized squabbles.

pearls of wisdom

[Colony]

Who is William Stephen Griffin and does anyone need an attorney to help oversee or discuss any civil complaints? I don't mind taking a look pro bono to start.
I see that a pro se complaint was filed against Van Horn and Owens on 2/12/08, but I haven't gone to the courthouse to look at it. It doesn't appear that defendants have been served yet. Curious stuff.