Neighbors say ‘NEVER-NEVER’ To Neverland Theme Park Plan
Posted on Sep 10, 2009 @ 10:40AM - Add a comment
Neverland residents have blasted a report that Michael Jackson’s family and the owners of famous ranch have agreed to turn it into a Graceland-like amusement park.
Bob Field co-creator of the Never! Protest group exclusively told RadarOnline.com that the neighbors would ‘fight tooth and nail’ to stop the project which aims to ‘cash-in’ on the tragic star.
Private equity firm Colony Capital - who own the famous 2,676 acres estate – have agreed on trademark names with the family and would like to open it up to the public by Christmas.
The developers went to the US Patent and Trademark Office on August 12 to lodge several names.
It is tentatively being named under Sycamore Valley Ranch LLC - which it was known as before ‘The King Of Pop’ bought the secluded estate near Santa Barbara in California.
Jermaine Jackson is reportedly working with Colony Capital and is very eager to get Neverland opened-up as a tribute to his late brother.
But activist and local resident Bob Field has blasted any such move claiming that 90 per cent of the local residents are against turning it into a tourist attraction.
He told RadarOnline.com: “It is fantasy to think that Neverland will be opened-up to the public by Christmas that is just impossible. They would have to go through the local authorities to obtain a permit and an environmental impact report and all of these things would take years.”
Field added: “The irony is that none of the local residents had anything against Michael Jackson, in fact we liked having him here, but he bought Neverland because it was so remote and secluded. The infrastructure is just not in place to cope with masses of people that this sort of tribute would attract and it would be better placed in Las Vegas or Los Angeles.”
The local residents had two meetings with Colony Capital in mid-July and Tom Barack from the company gave no sense that he was in a hurry to do any such development.
“The local councilor for Los Olivos Doreen Farr is also against any such project and it will be really difficult for them to make this happen.
“The reality is that it’s 5 miles to the nearest gas station or bathroom from Neverland and the rural roads could not cope with masses of traffic.
“If Colony Capital believe that Neverland is going to be open to the public by Christmas time they are totally delusional.”
Jackson lived at Neverland for almost two decades but after he was cleared of child molestation charges in 2005 he vowed never to return.
His brother Jermaine wanted him to be buried on the estate but he was over-ruled by the rest of the family and he was recently interred at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale instead.
Local residents opposing the development of Neverland into a theme park have created their own website at Nevereverland.org.
Colony Capital have no comment, however, a source tells RadarOnline, “No decision has been made on the plans for the property.”
Michael Jackson's Brother Reveals Failed Intervention Attempt
Posted on Jul 15, 2009 @ 08:11AM - 1 comment
In his first interview since his brother’s death, Tito Jackson reveals how he and his siblings staged an unsuccessful raid on Neverland to confront Michael Jackson about their growing suspicions that he was addicted to painkillers.
"I never saw him on drugs. Not once. He deliberately did it away from us. He didn't want his family to know anything about that part of him," Tito Jackson, 55, told the UK Mirror on Tuesday. "He did almost everything in his power to make sure we didn't know."
EXCLUSIVE: Family Fights Over Michael Jackson's Burial
Posted on Jul 08, 2009 @ 11:00AM - 2 comments
The memorial is over, the tributes have been paid, but behind the scenes family members of Michael Jackson have been arguing over his final resting place.
Jermaine Jackson has stated he wants Michael's final resting place to be Neverland, but local laws prevent burial on the private property.
It is possible that Michael could be cremated and his ashes spread over Neverland.
But Michael's mother Katherine doesn't want her son's ashes or body anywhere near Neverland, a source tells RadarOnline.com exclusively.
"Michael left Neverland for good, never to return," the source said. "He felt violated by law enforcement after his molestation trial. He felt this place he had built had been tainted. Katherine continues to be her son's protector even after his death."
The family pulled together for the tribute to Michael at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday. His body was driven away from Staples Center after the ceremony but it was unclear where it was headed and which family member had prevailed in the debate where to bury Michael.
EXCLUSIVE: Jackson Family To Meet With Executor of Michael's Will Today In Bid To Avoid Nasty Court Battle
Posted on Jul 03, 2009 @ 08:55AM - 6 comments
In an effort to avoid a nasty court confrontation, Jackson family members will meet with attorney John Branca on Friday. Branca, a top attorney, is the executor of Michael Jackson's estate, as specified in Michael's will.
As RadarOnline.com reported Thursday, there is great dissension within the Jackson family. Some members want to challenge the will and Branca's role as executor of the estate. Those family members also want greater control of the money for Katherine Jackson, who currently has custody of Michael's children. Other Jackson family members believe Katherine is too fragile for a battle.
Londell McMillan is the attorney representing Joe and Katherine Jackson. He also had represented Michael at one point.
A judge granted Katherine's request for limited control over some of Michael's property. She had expressed concern over his finances and wanted them protected. Katherine requested control over thousands of items from Neverland that were removed and due to be auctioned. A hearing on that matter is set for July 6.
But sources tell RadarOnline.com that some Jackson family members want to challenge Branca's role as executor of the estate. The meeting today is to try and get everyone to agree that Branca should be the executor and avoid a nasty court battle.
VIDEO: Inside The Room Michael Jackson Died In
Posted on Jul 02, 2009 @ 12:04PM - Add a comment
A 2002 video shown on Good Morning America Thursday showed the inside of the lavish Los Angeles mansion the King of Pop Michael Jackson died at June 25.
The value of the 17,000 square foot estate, which boasts seven bedrooms and 13 bathrooms, is estimated at $30 million. The posh neighborhood it lies in has also housed show biz icons including Marilyn Monroe, Cher and Elvis Presley in the past.
