Topic starter
11/05/2013 3:22 am
May 10, 2013
Attention Goldenrod Showboat Supporters:
Today I received the news that the not-for-profit organization lost the Goldenrod. About two months ago both sides were to an agreement where money was going to be exchanged and the Goldenrod was free to go back to St. Louis. However, the landlords decided to get a new lawyer who does NOT care about the history of the Goldenrod. When our president went to get the money to pay the landlords the new lawyer changed the amount to more than double the agreed price. Without resources to get that amount of money we tried to talk to the new lawyer. The new lawyer for the landlords would not listen to us, or give us the time of day to show him what our plans are to restore the Goldenrod. The last lawyer was the one who agreed to an amount of money that we can afford so we can have a chance to get the Goldenrod restored. This new lawyer does not care at all, and is only worried about money. The historic Goldenrod Showboat is now going to be auctioned off on May 18, 2013 to the highest bidder. If nobody bids, the showboat will be scrapped by the landlords. This would be the end for the Goldenrod if we just sat around and just agreed to what we are told. The Goldenrod is loved by many people and has to be restored for future generations. I am speaking on behalf of myself, not the Historic Riverboat Preservation Association. The not-for-profit has not done its job and I will not sit around and let this piece of history be auctioned off to scrappers. This Showboat is close to my heart and I will not go without a fight. So I am asking you to sign our petition to not let the showboat be scrapped. I am also asking you to help me in any way possible. I don’t have the money to bid on the showboat and take over the restoration project, but if you know anyone who would purchase it for the right reasons I want to speak with them. My phone number is on the website and I want to hear from you! If you have any ideas please call or email me! I will be doing as many interviews as possible to help get this message out, we have 1 week from the day it is auctioned. Please share this message to your friends and family. The Goldenrod Showboat is more than wood and steel; it is the history and the love by many people that makes it special.
Thank you,
Jacob Medford
www.goldenrod-showboat.com
[email protected]
12/05/2013 11:26 pm
If it goes up for auction won't you have the ability to bid on her, perhaps even save money if no one else is interested in her? Also as a historic landmark I feel as though it would be a somewhat difficult process to just scrap her if a potential group existed with a credible plan to restore and operate her.
13/05/2013 2:09 am
Very true, Mat. Jacob, this is the way Capt. Way "saved" the BETSY ANN -- she was taken from him and he bid at the auction, buying the boat back to run a few more years.
Topic starter
13/05/2013 4:21 am
I really wish I had the money to do that. Unfortunately I don't, I just pray that the Goldenrod will be purchased by someone who has the same love and care for her as I do.
13/05/2013 1:19 pm
Jacob,
If the Goldenrod has any National Register, or National Historic Landmark attributes, you should probably contact your regional National Park Service office. The Midwest is covered by the Omaha office:
601 Riverfront Drive
Omaha, NE 68102-4226
Tel: 402-661-1946
I used to deal with the Omaha NPS/NHL office when I had the BARBARA H. They might be able to help you elevate the Goldenrod's endangered status, which might help with some publicity (at least). Just a thought.. I have some contact names, but they are dated. Email me ([email protected]) if you want those email addresses..
13/05/2013 1:37 pm
I understand completely. However, if you had a commitment for an "agreed upon price" (your words), would that entity not commit that money to your cause for a bid on the boat? If that is your bid limit and it is an absolute auction (i.e., no minimum bid), you can set this as your high limit. You may even come out cheaper than what you thought you would originally, by starting your bidding low. I am not in finance, but it seems like it is the same money either way.....
14/05/2013 2:00 am
Yes Bob, exactly, that is precisely what I was thinking, and what I did with the CBelle!
Topic starter
14/05/2013 12:00 pm
I talked to them yesterday, they said if it was a federal court using federal money they could stop it. However with it being a county court they are powerless with stopping the auction to avoid it to be scrapped. They also said its to late to try anything else.
Topic starter
14/05/2013 12:02 pm
Bob, thats what I thought. According to Steve who is in charge of the not for profit, he told me that he doesn't have the money. So I don't really know what to think. A month or two he said he had 30,000. And now there is no money at all.