Lajitas...Something Positive

[presidio]

Here's the latest on Lajitas from the Big Bend Gazette. New owner clearly is being realistic about the market. Could bode well for the future.

An open letter to the community from the new owner of Lajitas Resort
Publish Date: December 22, 2007  |  Permanent Link
Lajitas Resort & Spa
December 21, 2007 

To the Community of Big Bend: 

As we all know the last few months have been a very difficult period both for the employees of Lajitas, but as well the community of Big Bend. 

In the coming months you will see many changes at Lajitas, the first of which will be making the resort a public resort not only for the benefit of everyone in Texas, but also everyone in the community. We welcome you to play on our golf course, enjoy the dining experience of the Candelilla Café, have a drink in the Thirsty Goat Saloon and shop at the Boardwalk Stores. This resort is here for the community as well as the guests. 

The Golf Course will open on December 25, 2007 as a public course with new rates much more favorable to everyone’s use and NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED.

The Candelilla Café under the direction of our new chef Blas Gonzalez will have new menus featuring both regional cuisine and Texas favorites, at prices we can all afford.

As we go forward in 2008 I want to assure you that we are here to stay and we plan to be a part of this community. Some of our plans for next year include the hope of converting the privately owned Lajitas Clinic to a public facility operated under the direction of a local board of directors for the benefit of the community. We are currently researching both State and Federal Grant programs which would allow the clinic to expand and serve the greater Big Bend area.

With the space we have available at the resort we would hope to expand some of the on- sight services offered the community. For example, I would welcome talking to local artists interested in participating in a community art galleria at Lajitas, and would welcome the opportunity to establish a regional or local theatre group which could perform at the Lajitas Amphitheater.   

Will all of this happen overnight? The answer of course is no. However I can tell you that it will happen and we don’t offer false promises or false hope! I can also tell you that as much as the region relies on Lajitas for employment, taxes and other services, Lajitas relies on our community equally in that we need your support to be a success!

I cannot answer for nor would I be willing to comment on the resort’s previous operations, relationship with the community and the impact the resort’s bankruptcy has had on local business owners.

I can tell you that we are 100% committed to being a part of this community, supporting the local business owners and helping to make a very positive impact on the region through employment and commerce.  It is my hope that you will allow us the chance to prove to you that we are committed to Lajitas, we are committed to Big Bend and we are committed to you. I welcome your comments, questions and concerns. 

We are no longer the “Ultimate Hideout;” we are your neighbors! 

With Warmest Regards, 

Edwin W. Leslie,CHA
President & CEO
Bridlie-LEG Lajitas, Inc.
ELeslie@Lajitas.com

[SHANEA]

the impact the resort’s bankruptcy has had on local business owners.

He might not want to comment on it, but Steve Smith should be enough of a man and a Texan and make good on his debts to the locals, etc.  He's got deep enough pockets.   If not, then the new owner should settle the debts.  There are a lot of local people out some money because they did business with Lajitas and Steve Smith.

The Golf Course will open on December 25, 2007 as a public course with new rates much more favorable to everyone’s use and NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED.

I still think a golf course out in the desert is a waste of the most precious resource of all - water.  Let mother Nature take it back to herself. 

[okiehiker]

Even the old Lajitas course was announcing that it is going back to desert layout with more xeriscaping.  Presumably this will continue.  One of the classic moments in Robert Redford's film The Milagro Beanfield War is when the blonde bimbo girlfiend makes the observation, "Maybe the world just doesn't need another golf course."

[Roy]

the impact the resort’s bankruptcy has had on local business owners.

He might not want to comment on it, but Steve Smith should be enough of a man and a Texan and make good on his debts to the locals, etc.  He's got deep enough pockets.   If not, then the new owner should settle the debts.  There are a lot of local people out some money because they did business with Lajitas and Steve Smith.

The Golf Course will open on December 25, 2007 as a public course with new rates much more favorable to everyone’s use and NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED.

I still think a golf course out in the desert is a waste of the most precious resource of all - water.  Let mother Nature take it back to herself. 

Once the court granted bankruptcy, that was effectively the end for crediters.  They might be able to collect a few cents on the dollar, but it's a PITA to do so;  I've never managed to do any good by pursuing someone that owed me money after they've declared bankruptcy. 
Otherwise, he's wanting to be a good neighbor, which will make a difference.  Smith never even tried, preferring to cater to the "elite".  Don't know if the golf course will last, it's got to be a huge expense.  Also noticed they haven't changed room rates on the web site, but maybe they haven't had time yet.  He'll do better than Smith, but will he make a profit?
We'll see.

[SHANEA]

Otherwise, he's wanting to be a good neighbor, which will make a difference.

Smith has deep enough pockets that he could have settled his debts and still could.  Just write everyone he owes a check out of his own personal account.  He's just hiding behind bankruptcy laws.  Typical.  The Feds overhauled the bankruptcy laws so that the "common man" has a very difficult time getting out from under debt, but the corporate chieftons, the rich, the wealthy, the arrogant - well, that's a different story.  It's called the "Golden Rule". 

[SHANEA]

He'll do better than Smith, but will he make a profit?
We'll see.

Yes, time will tell.  Will he make a profit, I don't see how.  FORTUNATELY that part of West Texas is off the beaten path and there are few people, again fortunately, that venture down that way ambit a couple of weeks out of the year.  It's blistering hot during the summer and can be downright frigid during the winter.  The only way I can see to make a profit would be to scale way back, way back. 

What about the few folks that bought the $100K memberships to play golf, built houses there, park their Foretravel,  etc.?  I guess they are SOL too.  So much of that area has been screwed up with bulldozers, etc. clearing "home sites" and building dirt roads that it will take a millennium for the area to recover.   Now, I can park R2D2 for $25 a night right next to someone that spent $100K for a trailer park pad.   

[Roy]

He's just hiding behind bankruptcy laws. 

I get a few of these every year from patients that owe me money, sometimes significant amounts.  Most of them could afford to pay what they owe, but opt for the easy way out.  My "favorite" :  husband and wife MDs that owed me $5K+ that filed the day after her treatment was completed.  They also stiffed several credit cards companies, Volvo and BMW dealers (purchased  less than 3 months before), and, of course, their college/med school loans.  Total was about $200K.  They probably made that much in the next 6 months.
The real kicker on people like this is that, even though they've bailed on their financial obligations, banks, mortgage companies, etc., still want to do business with them.  I know one dentist here in CC who's "gone bankrupt" three times and they STILL loan the guy money.

Sure, Smith could pay off his debts;  so could the new guy.  But that's not how the game's played. 

[TheWildWestGuy]

I think it's great, it might even convince me to give Lajitas another chance (or two).  If I can stay there at a reasonable price, play golf without being a member, and not feel like I am being ripped off by charging me $30 for a bowl of cereal, then I (and probably hundreds like me) will give it another chance.  Some things will have to go and the Trading Post will have to go back to it's roots as more of a social clubhouse than an upscale store.  I think the new owners could team up with Poindexter and get a workable plan to sell land/homesites to the public as well as for Poindexters BBRSP land swap deal.  The art thing worked well for Marfa maybe it will work (at least to some degree) in South Brewster.  Merry Christmas and here is wishing Lajitas success in it's new venture.. .. TWWG

[SHANEA]

I know one dentist here

Sure, Smith could pay off his debts;  so could the new guy.  But that's not how the game's played. 

I take it you tell people to "open wide" and then stick your fingers in their mouth for a living?



Is it Safe?

[Al]

The whole thing was a bad idea.  I'm glad to hear it's going back to the way it was.  Probably not worth a special trip but sure worth stopping at if one is passing  by.

Al

[Roy]

I take it you tell people to "open wide" and then stick your fingers in their mouth for a living?
Is it Safe?

Yep.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread;  I'm hopeful Lajitas will be more "user friendly" now.  Can't say I want it to go the way of Marfa, and I won't be making reservations at Poindexter's place anytime soon.  I know the local economy needs help, I just hope it results from development that seems a little less "alien".

[presidio]

Steve Smith should be enough of a man and a Texan and make good on his debts to the locals, etc.  He's got deep enough pockets.   If not, then the new owner should settle the debts.  There are a lot of local people out some money because they did business with Lajitas and Steve Smith.

You obviously do not understand how 'bankruptcy' and 'auction' work. In the former, the individual would have proven his worth by not going into bankruptcy (when he appeared to have the money anyway) and, in the latter, the buyer's obligations are fully satisfied upon acceptance of the bid. The buyer has no responsibility of any kind for the seller's debts.

Like it or not, secured creditors are partially (probably in this case) or fully reimbursed at the sale. Unsecured creditors are SOL. Not nice, but that's the reality of bankruptcy. Not unlike someone running up $100K in credit card debt and then walking away, leaving the fallout to affect all people who use their cards responsibly (you didn't think banks just eat those losses did you?).

The bright side, is that a dismal chapter (in more ways than one) is closed and a new beginning is possible. If the new owner carries through on his plans then benefits will accrue to the community.

[presidio]

The Feds overhauled the bankruptcy laws so that the "common man" has a very difficult time getting out from under debt, but the corporate chieftons, the rich, the wealthy, the arrogant

Actually, you can file bankruptcy just like he did. However, you are not shielded by corporate structuring so, yes, there is a difference in that it was the corporation that went bust and not him personally as it would be if you did it. But, the same laws apply and if you were to file bankruptcy, your debts would likewise be liquidated. If you don't think that is the case, peruse any large city newpaper for bankruptcy filings. They run the gamut from ridiculously small debts to the very large.

[MarkB]

It sounds like a positive change in the right direction. Ultimately the area will benefit from
a larger influx of the masses vs. the elite few. Let's give them a chance to prove themselves one way or the other.
--Mark

http://groups.msn.com/bigbendphotos
 

[SHANEA]

I take it you tell people to "open wide" and then stick your fingers in their mouth for a living?
Is it Safe?

Yep.

That's a noble profession.  Congrats.  I really like my dentist, he's good with the needle  , is patient, and is a good friend.