Buying Empire!

[Sham]

Hey geekster, I can't believe you're so negative.
Shall I read you the story of "The Little Engine That Could"?
Many people on this board, have moved bigger mountains than this, and I think buying Empire could be a sound and logical business idea for all the reasons listed on this thread.

[Bob]

Westward the course of Empire takes its way
The four first acts already past
A fifth shall close the drama with the day
Time’s noblest offspring is the last.

[geekster]

Hey geekster, I can't believe you're so negative.
Shall I read you the story of "The Little Engine That Could"?
Many people on this board, have moved bigger mountains than this, and I think buying Empire could be a sound and logical business idea for all the reasons listed on this thread.

Stranger things have happened, I suppose. But try for a moment to set aside the emotional attachment for Empire and simply look at it for what it is.

Once Empire goes under, Gerlach will go with it. The *only* thing left in the area will be a couple of ranchers and Burning Man.

USG doesn't appear interested in selling the property and plans to keep the permits "alive" to restart operations when the housing industry picks up again, which I expect to be about 20 to 40 years from now. So Empire is out. Gerlach is the place you need to think about but it is the same song, second verse.

Unless you intend to make a living from the ticket sales from Burning Man, there really isn't anything else there. The school is going to close, so there won't be a school there. There won't be a doctor. There probably won't be a gas station soon. You could open a cat house, that might work but it would probably be seasonal work.

You might be able to pull a "Boxer" and create a tribe out of thin air and open a casino but who are you going to draw from? Reno?

Gerlach probably has a few more years of life left in it until the old timers die off, and then that's it. You are better off buying Gerlach than Empire.

[wedeliver]

I am amazed what is going on in Empire and I wonder when some really creative folks will realize this is Nevada, the home of the destination resort, build it and they will come (thats how Vegas was made) at one time Searchlight Nevada was an 8 hour drive from anywhere, Hacienda Airlines flew "junkets" into Searchlight where the business men would be dropped off at a Casino with girls, etc. You didn't leave until the plane came back.

One thing that really discourages an investment like this is the cost of transportation. The high cost of fuel does not encourage travel.

[geekster]

The first problem is that Empire isn't for sale so you can't buy it.

There is an answer to the transport problem and that is rail but it would require getting the railroad to stop in Gerlach.

If America decided to convert the railroad to the highway model, then it might work. If the railway was public owned and anyone could run trains on it, we might have decent passenger rail or companies that could run seasonal trains or special "affinity" trails to specific destination.

[Rabbi Dali Rick]

I got it! Trebuchets, huge medieval Trebuchets...

That'll get you there fast, and cheap.



the rebbi

[mdmf007]

The first problem is that Empire isn't for sale so you can't buy it.

There is an answer to the transport problem and that is rail but it would require getting the railroad to stop in Gerlach.

If America decided to convert the railroad to the highway model, then it might work. If the railway was public owned and anyone could run trains on it, we might have decent passenger rail or companies that could run seasonal trains or special "affinity" trails to specific destination.

Geekster makes a major point. Aside from not being for sale, what the hell to do with it after you buy it? Gerlach / Empire are COMPLETELY dependent on the income from USG. Bruno's and the gas station are the only places that will survive this. USG goes, Empire and Gerlach are gone in a few years. BM, hunters, and truckers passing through to the farms and the occasional land speed attempt and rocketeers meeting on playa will be it. All we use Gerlach for with the land speed team is booze and gasoline anyways.

[Bob]

Simple -- hunt buhrnurz with locally available licenses. Season opens July 1, closes Sept 15.

[Sham]

Gerlach / Empire are COMPLETELY dependent on the income from USG. Bruno's and the gas station are the only places that will survive this.

Are you forgetting about Simon's gaggle of prostitutes that will be working the streets or Maryaminal's clothing optional restaurant. These in addition to the proposed prison will attract a steady stream of wealthy tourists to our little town.
I hope this info clears up any confusion here.

[maryanimal]

it's been my impression, this thread was "just for fun" and an exercise in dreaming.

well, at least that's how I take it.


now:
can I see your license?

Why Ygmir! I'm being completely serious about us burners saving a BM staple, a welcoming respite in the desert heat! Where would we go for supplies, a friendly face, and people who have become family to us! I am surpized, nay, appauled at your inference about this thread. So sir, I'll will forgive you for that comment. Meet me at the town hall meeting next week and we can "discuss" it over a brandy.

[ygmir]

*stuffing binder paper into back pockets, in case there's a paddling to be had*

[maryanimal]

*stuffing binder paper into back pockets, in case there's a paddling to be had*

And I forgot to mention...paddling is a definate option!

[Sham]

*stuffing binder paper into back pockets, in case there's a paddling to be had*

And I forgot to mention...paddling is a definate option!

How come yag gets paddled first? That's not fair!

[ygmir]

*stuffing binder paper into back pockets, in case there's a paddling to be had*

And I forgot to mention...paddling is a definate option!

How come yag gets paddled first? That's not fair!

because, I, was the first transgressor..........the first, to annoy "The Mistress".

so, the line starts here, dear Sham.

[geekster]

"I wonder when some really creative folks will realize this is Nevada, the home of the destination resort, build it and they will come"

There is a company out of Elko that runs a great business with folks in Midwestern towns. They arrange package deals and charter flights and bring people out by the planeload from Podunk, Iowa (and Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and Nebraska, and Kansas ...) to stay in a hotel and gamble for a week.

Every week a new crop comes in and the old crop goes home.

One other thing Gerlach could be useful for is a huge airport to nowhere. What it could be used for is a connector. Imagine most of the airports on the west coast flying smaller planes into Gerlach and the larger, long-haul planes taking off from the desert. It would be like a "distribution" airport but without any "destination" traffic, just a transfer point.

Or maybe a cargo port, sort of like a Western "Memphis" for Fed Ex. The weather is good most of the time and even when it is bad, it isn't THAT bad or isn't that bad for that long.

[Dr. Pyro]

Doesn't Hedonism II run on the same principle? Sure seemed that way to me when I went.

[maryanimal]

*stuffing binder paper into back pockets, in case there's a paddling to be had*

And I forgot to mention...paddling is a definate option!

How come yag gets paddled first? That's not fair!

Well, Sham, it' really first come first served. I'm an equal opportunity paddler!

[Sham]

And I forgot to mention...paddling is a definate option!

How come yag gets paddled first? That's not fair!

Well, Sham, it' really first come first served. I'm an equal opportunity paddler!

Fine, but can you use the BIG paddle on me? Yag won't like the big paddle---it will break his delicate frame!

[ygmir]

How come yag gets paddled first? That's not fair!

Well, Sham, it' really first come first served. I'm an equal opportunity paddler!

Fine, but can you use the BIG paddle on me? Yag won't like the big paddle---it will break his delicate frame!

don't forget here, Sham, we're talking "Paddles"........it's the left, or right, swinging motion,

not the "forward/back" thrusting motion.

[Sham]

Well, Sham, it' really first come first served. I'm an equal opportunity paddler!

Fine, but can you use the BIG paddle on me? Yag won't like the big paddle---it will break his delicate frame!

don't forget here, Sham, we're talking "Paddles"........it's the left, or right, swinging motion,

not the "forward/back" thrusting motion.

MULTIPLE PADDLES! Sounds like twice the fun!!

[ygmir]

Fine, but can you use the BIG paddle on me? Yag won't like the big paddle---it will break his delicate frame!

don't forget here, Sham, we're talking "Paddles"........it's the left, or right, swinging motion,

not the "forward/back" thrusting motion.

MULTIPLE PADDLES! Sounds like twice the fun!!

and that, sir, (your honor?) is why, you are a great mayor!!
open mind, willing to take a chance, fair......limber..........

[Sham]

don't forget here, Sham, we're talking "Paddles"........it's the left, or right, swinging motion,

not the "forward/back" thrusting motion.

MULTIPLE PADDLES! Sounds like twice the fun!!

and that, sir, (your honor?) is why, you are a great mayor!!
open mind, willing to take a chance, fair......limber..........

I believe instead of Mayor, we were going to have an Empire-or. You can refer to me as Your Eminence, if you wish!
Now, back to that paddling stuff--I prefer hard, solid hits!

[ygmir]

MULTIPLE PADDLES! Sounds like twice the fun!!

and that, sir, (your honor?) is why, you are a great mayor!!
open mind, willing to take a chance, fair......limber..........

I believe instead of Mayor, we were going to have an Empire-or. You can refer to me as Your Eminence, if you wish!
Now, back to that paddling stuff--I prefer hard, solid hits!

seems "Your Emanate" might be more accurate.......

[FIGJAM]

Lean into it!

[theCryptofishist]

MULTIPLE PADDLES! :D Sounds like twice the fun!!

and that, sir, (your honor?) is why, you are a great mayor!!
open mind, willing to take a chance, fair......limber..........

I believe instead of Mayor, we were going to have an Empire-or. You can refer to me as Your Eminence, if you wish!
Now, back to that paddling stuff--I prefer hard, solid hits!

Don't be giving yourself delusions of grandeur. "eminence" is for Roman Catholic Cardinals, not jumped up Empire-ors.

[Ugly Dougly]

Fire and nudity are primal attractants. Why not create a year-round resort?
Yep, it's okay to dream. Those with huge wads of cash, of course, need to be careful what they commit to, because they may have to step up to the plate.

[TomServo]

Why dont we Lease Empire?...with the option to buy Gerlach..

[Sham]

Why dont we Lease Empire?...with the option to buy Gerlach..

I would like to pledge $50 toward the purchase of Empire!

[maryanimal]

MULTIPLE PADDLES! Sounds like twice the fun!!

and that, sir, (your honor?) is why, you are a great mayor!!
open mind, willing to take a chance, fair......limber..........

I believe instead of Mayor, we were going to have an Empire-or. You can refer to me as Your Eminence, if you wish!
Now, back to that paddling stuff--I prefer hard, solid hits!

Ok Sham...big paddle for you! do you want the paddle with the holes for that extra sting?

[Sham]

and that, sir, (your honor?) is why, you are a great mayor!!
open mind, willing to take a chance, fair......limber..........

I believe instead of Mayor, we were going to have an Empire-or. You can refer to me as Your Eminence, if you wish!
Now, back to that paddling stuff--I prefer hard, solid hits!

Ok Sham...big paddle for you! do you want the paddle with the holes for that extra sting?

Uhmm, ok! The BIG paddle with the holes works for me. Do you think we could get yag to run a video camera?