ROCKWALL -The owner of local entertainment website PlanetRockwall.com says that the Facebook page she set up two years ago, that has attracted over 2,800 “Likes” while promoting the Harbor district in Rockwall, has essentially been hijacked by The Shops at The Harbor’s management company, United Commercial Realty (UCR).

As a result, Rockwall business owner Sharon Lewis says she is now angry and investigating legal remedies which may soon land both businesses in court.

The Facebook page is named “The Harbor Rockwall.”

The Shops at the Harbor use the domain address www.TheHarborAtRockwall.com.

According to Lewis, she has maintained two Facebook pages since 2010 with similar names to help promote The Harbor district and serve as marketing platforms for PlanetRockwall.com.

The first, named “The Harbor at Rockwall,” was set up to promote Harbor businesses, activities and City events held there. Merchants were invited to use the Page to promote their businesses. As of a week ago, it had attracted over 1,000 Likes but is currently not online.

Then a second page, called “The Harbor Rockwall,” was also created to promote Harbor businesses, activities and City events. Merchants were also invited to use the Page to promote their businesses. In addition, information was provided regarding the public areas owned by the City of Rockwall, including the amphitheater, boardwalk, lighthouse, lake access and boat ramps.

On the second Facebook Page – taken over recently by UCR – PlanetRockwall.com promoted the City’s highly-popular “Concerts By The Lake” series and other events. As of today, this Facebook page has attracted over 2,900 followers.

“This is the page that was taken from Planet Rockwall without consent,” said Lewis.

Across the top of the page in two places, UCR has added “The Harbor at Rockwall.”

UCR is also operating a third Facebook page, established Feb. 20, called “The Harbor Rockwall,” using the same graphics that have been used in the past on signage at The Harbor district. The management company last updated it Easter Sunday.

Lewis said she was contacted a month ago by UCR Project Manager Silvana Garcia, demanding that Planet Rockwall turn over ownership of the page to UCR “within the hour.” When Lewis objected and requested a meeting to discuss the page, she said Garcia denied her a meeting unless the wall was turned over immediately.

“I thought this was a poor way for someone to conduct business.” said Lewis. “I told Ms. Garcia I would contact her by the end of the day.  I then contacted an attorney who made contact with Ms. Garcia.”

Just days later, UCR successfully persuaded Facebook to switch ownership of the second page to UCR and away from PlanetRockwall.com without notice from Facebook or UCR’s legal counsel. It was just suddenly changed and Lewis could no longer access “The Harbor Rockwall” page as the administrator.

“They just took it,” she said.

After all the time she has invested in the Facebook page to help The Harbor, Lewis said she feels that UCR could have at least worked with her about changing ownership of the Page or Pages.

Lewis added that she did meet with UCR Asset Management and UCR’s marketing agency after a phone call she placed to UCR regarding the ownership switch of the wall. Proposals were discussed and Lewis was asked to submit a proposal in writing, based on their meeting.

“Via an email message our proposal was deemed ‘Unacceptable’ and allegedly passed on to their legal counsel,” she explained.

Lewis has now consulted with an attorney and they are examining legal remedies. They are also attempting to contact Facebook.

“It’s unfortunate we’re put into this situation after promoting The Harbor district since it first opened. No one else was promoting The Harbor district in Rockwall. For the longest time we were the destination site for things happening there.”

“The new management group has a new web site and started advertising promotions last summer, but excluded Planet Rockwall and other local media from their marketing programs.”

Upon a request for comments, UCR Senior Property Manager Silvana Garcia told TheRockwallNews.com that she would pass our request on to someone at UCR if they wanted to respond but she did not know if or when they would.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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Rockwall Herald Banner. Years of planning and debate over what is most likely the highest valued real estate in Rockwall culminated in a 5-2 vote to move forward with PD-32, a planned development above The Harbor near the IH-30 intersection with Lake Ray Hubbard on Monday night.

The issue had been delayed during the last city council meeting when Cliff Sevier, Mark Russo and David Sweet stated that they would not be supporting the motion to pass the ordinance. Facing a potential 3-3 deadlock, Councilmember Margo Nielsen withdrew her motion to pass the issue and opted to delay the vote until the following meeting when all council members would be present.

With all council members present, the item was brought forward again.

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By J.J. Smith. For the first time ever, professional boxing is coming to The Harbor amphitheater in Rockwall.

Six pro bouts are scheduled on the stage this Saturday evening beginning at 8 pm at the “Rock the Box” event.

According to a news release from event promoter Black Glove Promotions, Texas Super Welterweight Champion Charles “The Future” Hatley (11-0, 9 KOs) – a 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic alternate – will box in the main event.

A Texas middleweight title fight is on the card, featuring West Dallas’ own Larry “Slomoshun” Smith (8-1, 6 KO’s).

Also scheduled to appear are 2004 U.S. Olympic alternate, Mark “Too Sharp” Davis (12-0, 4 KO’s) and Greg “The Technician” Hatley, Jr. in his boxing debut.

Sponsored by Hatley Brothers Roofing and Construction, the fund raising event will benefit the Oak Cliff Boxing Club and Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club.

Ticket prices are $40 for ringside, $20 general admission and $10 for children 6 and under. They can be purchased at the gate or by calling 469-324-7187.

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By Richard Abshire, The Dallas Morning News. The developer and majority owner of The Harbor in Rockwall has filed for reorganization in federal bankruptcy court.

Rob Whittle said the goal of the Chapter 11 filing is to restructure the development’s mortgage so he can lower rents for retailers.

Things are going well for tenants, except some retail stores, he said. The Harbor, a premier mixed-use development on the Lake Ray Hubbard shore, averages 25,000 visitors a week, more in the summer.

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By J.J. Smith. The company which developed and owns the lakeside entertainment and shopping district in Rockwall called The Harbor has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code.

According to a City of Rockwall news release issued late Tuesday afternoon, the City has been notified that Mariah Bay Leasing Corporation, owned by Rockwall-area residents Rob and Sarah Whittle, filed for reorganization so the company could address their financing issues and “come out of this in a stronger and better position.”

The news release read that “the city has every confidence that the long term prospects for the Harbor as a successful business development in the City of Rockwall are strong and this area will continue to be an asset to the community.”

No one at the City was available to comment since it was past 5 pm.

“The purpose of this Chapter 11 reorganization is to try to get the debt reorganized so retailers can get the rent concessions we need to give them,” said Whittle. “We need an interest rate reduction from the lender so we can pass it on to our tenants.”

Rents advertised in windows of vacant stores at The Harbor have revealed rates as high as $9,700 per month.

He said although some of the retailers are definitely struggling with the down economy, business at the movie theater, restaurants and hotel are “off the charts.”

“Cinemark is having their best year ever. The restaurants are doing spectacular. The Hilton Hotel just had its second best month ever!”

The highly popular weekly Thursday evening lakeside concerts will continue as usual and begin in May, said Sarah Whittle.

He said he is very optimistic that necessary changes can be worked out with the lender, which nowadays has to deal with “a highly-regulated environment.”

According to the City news release, Mariah Bay Leasing Corporation is located in the Harbor Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District that was created by the City of Rockwall to fund the public improvements the City constructed at the Harbor, including roads, utilities, spray fountains, walkways and other public enhancements located along the lake edge.

The City issued debt to pay for the public improvements and that debt is paid for through the property and sales taxes that are collected within the TIF.

Mariah Bay is one of 38 property owners that pay property taxes into the TIF, which incorporates 113 acres.  The total property taxes owed to the city under the TIF equals $529,419.  This number includes taxes collected by Rockwall County and pledged to the city for the TIF.  The total collected in the TIF to date equals $300,050.

The Harbor development has paid a total of $256,061.  The property owners still owe a total of $223,063, only a portion of which is owed by Mariah Bay.

“Property taxes are still owed and payable, even in the event of a bankruptcy,” read the news release.

“These dollars will be collected by the city. Sales taxes continue to be paid by the tenants and the businesses will continue to operate.”

Rija Boutique was the latest store to go out of business at The Harbor at the end of January, but the new Dragonfly Asian Grill and Sushi Bar just opened this week. Owner Lorie Price, who already owns two restaurants in Dallas with her husband, says she expects business will be excellent and is excited to be located at The Harbor.

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Editorial Opinion by J.J. Smith. I’ve heard a lot of talk around town between people questioning the Rockwall City Council’s 6-0 decision Oct. 19 to invest nearly $1 million dollars into increasing the number of boat docks at The Harbor from the current nine to 35-40.

Construction is expected to be completed during the summer of 2010.

While I’ll admit that I haven’t taken the time to closely review the budget – which I’m about to do – I have to add my voice to those who think a million dollars for more boat docks is a bad idea right now, particularly during this time of economic hardship for so many families and organizations.

I’m personally disappointed with the Rockwall City Council for approving such a measure.

For example, the Rockwall Boys & Girls Club desperately needs $50,000 immediately to just keep its doors open. If the City Council really wants to invest where it’s needed, how about paying that amount and more to put the non-profit organization on better economic footing? Since opening here a couple of years ago, nearly 200 children daily now attend the Club after school. If the Club closes, where will these children go?

National crime statistics show the majority of juvenile crime is committed after school, when many parents are working. The Boys & Girls Club helps prevent crime by offering children a safe place after school to hang out with friends, do their homework, learn about a variety of things, plus develop their talents and interests – with the help of volunteer mentors.

The Club even holds pizza parties and stays open late Fridays until 10 pm, so parents can go out on a date once in a while. That’s good for marriages and might just help prevent some divorces.

Another organization which needs funding is the Women In Need women’s shelter office in Rockwall. An average of five women a day – local domestic violence victims – seek counseling and assistance from WIN’s office in the Helping Hands medical facility. But WIN, based in Greenville, is paying about $50,000 per year to staff and operate it – including paying $500 per month for rent there.

No Rockwall funds are currently used to operate the office, from what I understand from WIN’s Executive Director Roger Robertson. And WIN generates most of its income by operating three resale shops in Greenville.

So Rockwall only has an office for domestic violence victims, thanks to the people who purchase items from Hunt Co. resale shops. That’s crazy! Rockwall can definitely afford to pay for an office to help abuse victims.

And then there’s always Helping Hands, the city’s and county’s designated agency for helping those in need. The food pantry is bare right now. How about taking at least a few thousand dollars to pay for some more food for city residents who are out of work or ill?

Yes, The Harbor probably does need more boat docks, so more boaters can party there during Summer concerts, and so more boaters can eat at restaurants there.

And I probably need to better understand what the City can and can’t do with tax dollars.

But I just think there are many better places to invest Rockwall’s tax dollars right now.

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Scott Hoffner, a graduate of the culinary program at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., joined the restaurant about three weeks ago, after having spent the last 10 years working at restaurants and resorts around the country.

Click here to read this PegasusNews.com story.

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One of the largest crowds ever in Rockwall, estimated at nearly 10,000 people, jammed into The Harbor entertainment district last night to celebrate the end of school, beginning of Summer and listen to the popular Blaze of Glory “Bon Jovi Experience” band.

Teens, adults and children were everywhere - laughing, picnicking and dancing at the free concert, sponsored every Thursday by the City of Rockwall’s Parks and Recreation department and several Harbor restaurants through September 24.

Thousands of cars filled The Harbor’s normally ample parking lots, while dozens of drivers could be seen driving around trying desperately to find somewhere to park even an hour after the concert’s 7:30 pm start.

Dozens of boats were anchored together off shore, filled with hundreds of fun-loving people eating, drinking and diving into Lake Ray Hubbard in their bikinis and swim trunks.

Security guards were roaming the area but no trouble was seen, despite numerous people drinking their own alcoholic beverages.

Playing such well-known tunes as “It’s My Life,” “Living On A Prayer” and “Blaze of Glory,” the band rocked on for 90 minutes with no breaks from The Harbor’s outdoor amphitheatre, obviously enjoying the large and friendly crowd.

“All of our concerts have been getting like this,” said Kathy Florey, Rockwall Parks and Recreation Department assistant. 

“It’s getting to be that people are coming from out of town and bringing their friends. The audiences are growing immensely. The word’s out and people are coming from everywhere!”

Next Thursday’s concert will feature the Voodoo Blue band, a Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band, from 7:30 to 9 pm.

Concert-goers must bring their own everything – chairs, blankets, food, drinks and suntan lotion – but it is free!  Food and drinks can also be purchased from the numerous Harbor restaurants. Overnight stays can be reserved at Hilton Bella Harbor Hotel, or five other local motels. 

Better plan on arriving early!

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The first annual “Fit Forever” 5K Fun Run, Dog Jog and Kids 5K will be held May 9 in Rockwall benefitting the new Rockwall chapter of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, beginning and ending in the parking lot of title sponsor Eclipse Fitness Club near The Harbor.

Eclipse Fitness is located just north of The Harbor, on the first floor of the large office building overlooking Lake Ray Hubbard.

Approximately 250 runners, joggers and walkers are expected to help raise funds for operating expenses for the new Rockwall FCA chapter, according to FCA representatives.

Registration on site begins at 6 am, and the race begins at 8 am.

Registration is also available online at the fca-dallas website. The entrance fee is $20.

For more info, call Eclipse Fitness Club at 972-772-8314.

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