Heathman Hotel Group president Bruce Fery is, however. Afterbeing forced by Burden's admission to also acknowledge the LOI,Fery is making it very clear there's a lot left to be done if apurchase and sale agreement is to result.

"We like (Rim Corp.), and it's a serious offer, that's why weare dealing with them," Fery told GlobeSt.com late last week. "Butwe've been down this road before and had it not work out. A lot ofthings are still uncertain; there could be financing issues."

Nonetheless, after Fery confirmed the existence of the LOI to aweekly business journal whose headline read 'Heathman may have abuyer,' the local daily spoke to Burden and took it a few stepsfurther the next day with "Heathman Sale Imminent." A local publicrelations company, running blocker for Burden, says the company isno longer commenting on the sale.