paragon closing ???

[88rnr86up]

http://paragonap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11673&page=1&pp=20
hope this works and doesnt happen

[toyotanuts]

http://petitionspot.com/petitions/savePAP/
everyone should do this :lol:

[Ted]

Signing a petition is not going to save PAP, only a good lawyer will.

[fourwd1]

Signing a petition is not going to save PAP, only a good lawyer will.

Exactly, who ever has the best lawyer (that is, the most money), wins.
Some ass wipe big businessman wants to brake a legit contract to sell out.

[jjrgr21]

did @ yotatech

[toyotanuts]

yeah but a good lawyer with a bunch of people signatures helps out. It did on gw forest. Anyways it can't hurt can it?

[94krawler]

yeah but a good lawyer with a bunch of people signatures helps out. It did on gw forest. Anyways it can't hurt can it?

No it cant hurt at all and last time I checked it was past 2000 already 8) ANYONE that wheels the eastcoast should be signing it.

[trailtoy]

No it cant hurt at all and last time I checked it was past 2000 already 8) ANYONE that wheels should be signing it.

Fixed it for ya Eric.

[94krawler]

my bad :lol:

[toyotanuts]

well this sucks :cry:
In the local Hazleton Newspaper today...
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/16590194.htm

Cargo airport plans announced
Declaring coal mining dead, government and business leaders Wednesday turned to the skies and disclosed plans for a $1.16 billion cargo airport to carry the region’s economy into the future. The airport would be operated by Luzerne County on a 4,300-acre site to be developed by Gladstone Partners LP near Hazleton. Officials said the project would create 4,533 jobs directly, 161,000 indirectly and not be built with any federal money. Funding would come from a combination of county, state and private sources. For more information read Thursday’s Times Leader.

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

On the local Hazleton News Channel
http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=6019663

Cargo Airport Planned for Hazleton Area
Wednesday, January 31, 7:25 p.m.
By Jon Meyer

An investment group announced plans to build a cargo airport near Hazleton in Luzerne County. They say the project will create thousands of jobs and pump billions of dollars into the local economy.

Gladstone Partners, LP, a private investment firm, announced its plans for the cargo airport during a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazle Township. The project has been talked about for at least 10 years. The Luzerne County Commissioners are on board with the plan to make the area a worldwide shipping hub.

"One swing of the bat, it wipes out 30 to 50 years we've struggled to identify ourself due to the loss of the coal industry," said majority commissioner Greg Skrepenak.

The county commissioners are teaming up with Gladstone and the state to seek federal approval plus private and public money to build the airport at the Humboldt Industrial Park. They say the airport alone will create 4,500 jobs, 161,000 related jobs and a $17.1 billion boost to the area economy.

"I think it was a dream a year ago," said Bob Powell of Gladstone Partners, LP. "I think where we are now, with the overwhelming response , I think it's far more than a dream now."

Many who live at Eagle Rock Resort across the street have concerns about all the planes.

"They'll come down pretty low. If they're perpendicular, I think it'll be a problem because it's so quiet here," said John McCarrie.

The airport would go on land that's currently leased by Paragon Adventure Park, an ATV recreation area. It's owner, Kyle Knosp, is in a legal battle, fighting his eviction.

"In my business background, I would have never gone about it this way," Knosp said. "Here, I have a great project, it's going to be great. I would have tried to work with everyone involved instead of going about in the most aggressive fashion possible."

At a hearing in Luzerne County Court Wednesday afternoon, a judge decided that Paragon violated its lease of the land. Now, the quest for approval and cash to build the airport is in full force. The cost for construction is $1 .6 billion.

[94krawler]

I beleive its being appealed again to state court now. At least thats the way it sounds from reading what Kyle and Steph posted earlier.

[88rnr86up]

so what does it say they did to violate the lease

[Ted]

What a surprise, big business stomped over the little guy.

[94krawler]

so what does it say they did to violate the lease

Cut down tree's although the lease says its OK as long as for business reasons. It is a ORV park and obviously you need trails. Most of the trails that have been cut in the past 1 or so are to remove traffic from Pipelines and water ways to avoid issues in the future as well as closerure to a few trails. Only a handfull of trails were cut for new trails.

Funny part is the land across 81 fromthe park is owned by the same people. Its a MUCH larger chunk and MUCH easier to build on. So why are they so hard up on PAP's area? The entire park has waterways and pipelines crossing it as well as the terrain being retarted for mass building.

[Ted]

Were is the runway going to go? I alway figured you needed flat areas.

[94krawler]

Were is the runway going to go? I alway figured you needed flat areas.

Somewhere in the middle of the park :roll: Guess those guys dont know what turtle trail is like or rabbit run of the other side of the park going up to undertaker.


In all seriousness the massive amounts of work needed to flatten that land enough to build on is crazy yet alone turn it into a runway, hangers, flight tower and warehouse's.

FYI airport already in West Hazelton also :roll:

[Ted]

Do they really think it's going to bring in 4500 jobs?

[94krawler]

No its a number they pulled out there ass's. Looks good on paper.

Hazelton has to import workers now from surrounding areas. WTF do they need more jobs for? Hell Brad worked up there for weeks driving hour and 15 everyday back and forth. Hazelton must not have any contractors :roll:

[Ted]

That is what I don't understand. What and who is going to fly into the area? It seems like the bridge to no where.

[kajo]

First off, I hope the park does not close down, I was looking forward to being a frequent visitor of it when I retire in a couple years.

I believe the local govrnment in the Hazelton area knows the local area is dying economically. They are trying to find a way to bring in more jobs which will intern increase the population and overall economy. Even though we have signed a petition and can show we bring $$$'s into the area the developers can show that 4500 jobs will put many more $$$.s into the local economy.

Will it work for the area? doubtful. My home town of Williamsport PA is in the same situation. The local governement is trying to improve its economy but it has not been succesful.

With the appeal to state court, chances are better than at the local courts. A local judge, however honest he may or may not be, could be swayed to make a decision that he believes will improve the economy of the area to gain local support. At the state level, chances are the court will be unbiased into making its decision. If Kyle can go to court with the facts and prove they did not violate the lease they have a good chance to win the case in my opinion.

[94krawler]

They are trying to bring a old cold town back fromt he dead. Problem is the places that will lose money cause of this.

The ATV place up the road will surely go under being the supply the rented ATV's and they sell tons of stuff to PAP's customers.

Does Hazelton really need and have enough demand for 4 autoparts places in a block of each other? how long do you think they will all last before at least one goes down.

The small gas station will for sure go under. Most people stop there on their way in now cause the large one is full of big rigs.

Think West hazelton needs all those hotels? You can bet it doesnt and which one goes under first. They all get booked solid at times during the year from PAP's patrons.

[Mike]

I liked the campground near Paragon too...

[dtrailtaco]

:evil: so this mean there might not be a four runner jamboree this year man i didnt get to go to last years and i havent been to paragon yet and was stoked bout this year cause i was for sure goin, this blows a fat one

[kajo]

:evil: so this mean there might not be a four runner jamboree this year man i didnt get to go to last years and i havent been to paragon yet and was stoked bout this year cause i was for sure goin, this blows a fat one

I doubt that will be the case. The EC4RJ has been held in 3 different places.

[dtrailtaco]

yeah well ill hopefully get to make the jamboree were ever it maybe but it wasnt so much goin to the jamboree but wheeelin at paragon with a bunch of yotas that i will be sad i am missin out on

[fourwd1]

...My home town of Williamsport PA is in the same situation. ...

I used to go to the Susquehannocks 4 Wheelers 4WD Rodeos at the Bower farm in Williamsport years ago.

Small world.

[toyotanuts]

well they got to be out by mon. night

[BeaterToyota]

...My home town of Williamsport PA is in the same situation. ...

I used to go to the Susquehannocks 4 Wheelers 4WD Rodeos at the Bower farm in Williamsport years ago.

Small world.

My mom's family is from a small town not too far from there, Wellsboro, so I've been passing through Williamsport all my life. Never ran into John there though.

[BeaterToyota]

well they got to be out by mon. night

Yep. It sucks. I'm gonna try to get there this weekend.

[Donkey]

I heard that they appealed it and not sure if the monday night thing stands.

[RedTrooper]

Well, it looks like the Park will be closing. The plan is to level the area and build an airport. Construction will be very difficult and I imagine that they will end up with something like the airport at Beckley, WV.

The operators plan to fight on, but even they believe that it was a longshot. However, the show of support by the 4x4 community was amazing. There were hundreds of rigs. Several sponsors donated prizes for a raffle. They must have raised tens of thousands for the defense fund.

Here are just a few photos taken in the staging area. The park was very crowded, so the wheeling wasn't too great, lot's of rush hour traffic. But I am still glad that I attended.

http://home.comcast.net/~mariod/Paragon/Stage2.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~mariod/Paragon/Stage3.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~mariod/Paragon/Stage.JPG

[Ted]

Whoa...what a crowd.

I don't see how they are going to build an airport in that spot of land.

[HOODLUM]

Whoa...what a crowd.

I don't see how they are going to build an airport in that spot of land.


Unfortunately that wont be a problem. Ever see what a few tons of TNT and dozers that stand 3 stories tall can do to a mountain? Escavators can take any piece of land and flatten it. :cry:

[RedTrooper]

I don't see how they are going to build an airport in that spot of land.
Nor could any of us. :( The airport at Beckley, WV was created by using the tops of 2 mountains to fill in the valley between. I can only assume that the developer has something similar to that in mind here. But as to how he intends to make money. :roll:

[hecull]

The latest, I don't know if this means Kyle's going to be able to keep the park open for the time being, but:

Posted on Thu, Feb. 08, 2007

Paragon to keep land through appeals
By STEVE MOCARSKY smocarsky@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – Paragon Adventure Park scored another victory in court Wednesday when a judge ruled that owner Kyle Knosp could keep possession of the land until all appeals on a lease issue have been exhausted.

Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ann Lokuta made the ruling after hearing arguments on whether a preliminary injunction she imposed Tuesday, which barred Gladstone Partners L.P. from land occupied by the park, should remain in effect.

Gladstone – a group that wants to build a $1.6 billion cargo airport on land partly occupied by the offroad vehicle park – sued Knosp in June, claiming that he breached his 25-year lease with landowner PCA Corp. The Gladstone Partners want Paragon evicted so they can buy the land from PCA Corp.

Knosp denies breaching the lease and is appealing an eviction order issued by a lower court.

Gladstone had exercised the eviction order on Monday, padlocking the park gate and Knosp’s office trailer. Lokuta’s preliminary injunction on Tuesday returned park access to Knosp.

At the start of Wednesday’s hearing, Gladstone attorney Jill Moran, the county prothonotary, asked Lokuta to recuse herself because the Judicial Conduct Board interviewed Moran in its investigation that preceded the board filing misconduct charges against Lokuta in November.

Lokuta denied the motion, saying she has no prejudice toward Moran.

Knosp testified that he was being hurt financially by being denied access to the land.

After a cross-examination, Lokuta chastised Gladstone co-counsel Jonathan Lang for producing no witnesses of his own. She said she granted Wednesday’s hearing partly because Lang indicated he intended to call witnesses in the case.

Lang detailed six reasons why the injunction should be dismissed, including that Knosp failed to show immediate and irreparable harm to his business.

After taking the case under consideration, Lokuta issued a written order that grants Knosp access to the land and bars Gladstone from interfering with Paragon’s use of the land throughout the appeals process.

She also ordered Knosp to post a $7,648 bond to continue his appeal, rather than honor Gladstone’s request that Knosp post a $40 million bond. Lokuta said Gladstone produced no evidence that it intended to buy the land for $40 million.

Lycoming County Senior Judge Clinton Smith will hear arguments today on whether Knosp can proceed with another form of appeal in the case. Smith dismissed one appeal last week.

[BeaterToyota]

Gladstone is a fuckin peice of work, aren't they? $40 million bond. :roll:

[RedTrooper]

Gladstone is a fuckin peice of work, aren't they? $40 million bond. :roll:

Agreed, a piece of work. I am sure that the Knosps have that kind of money just lying around. I do remember seeing some garbage bags when I attended the closing. They were probably full of $20s. Gladstone is trying to keep the Knosps out so that they can't remove the $40 mill from the property. :evil:

[88rnr86up]

any more good news heard it was open this weekend
any updates

[RedTrooper]

It is great news, if the park was open. The web site has been changed to say that the park is now open on weekends. I found this http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/16674919.htm It is mostly background but does say that he lost his last appeal. Haven't seen anything on the other 4x4 forums.

[RedTrooper]

Looks like PAP has an injuction that allows them to continue operations. But Gladstone is fighting it.

02/14/2007
Gladstone Partners requests court’s dismissal of injunction for ATV park
— MICHAEL P. BUFFER

WILKES-BARRE — Gladstone Partners filed a motion Tuesday to dissolve an injunction that allows all-terrain vehicle park to continue operations.

The injunction allows Paragon Adventure Park to remain on land near Hazleton, which is the proposed site for a cargo airport, while the park’s owner appeals an eviction ruling to state Superior Court.

Officials with Gladstone Partners of Butler Township say they have an option to buy 4,300 acres in Luzerne and Schuylkill counties from PCA Corp. for a proposed cargo airport. Gladstone Partners has proposed a $1.6 billion airport development project as a partnership with the state and county.

Gladstone Partners and PCA Corp. are the plaintiffs in the suit against ATV park owner Kyle Knosp. The plaintiffs claim Knosp breached a 25-year lease by failing to pay required rental fees to landowner PCA Corp.

[RedTrooper]

It looks like Gladstone won. According to this article (http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=6053471)Paragon workers moved the trailers off of the leased land.

"We're looking for a new home," Knosp said with a laugh. "We're trying to rebuild so if anybody knows of any big parcels of property, keep us in mind."

[KnuckleHead]

It looks like Gladstone won. According to this article (http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=6053471)Paragon workers moved the trailers off of the leased land.

"We're looking for a new home," Knosp said with a laugh. "We're trying to rebuild so if anybody knows of any big parcels of property, keep us in mind."

I believe that is an old article from back when they were allowed on the property to get their shit off. According to the PAP forum, they are still open.

[RedTrooper]

Some of the FJ guys said that the trailer is gone but Paragon has been operating on weekends without it. Hopefully they will make it to at least March 3-4 for the next guided run. I just wonder how they are doing this. It must take real guts to go up against Gladstone and all of their political friends.