SHARON Winner asks for arbitrator in fee dispute

SHARON, Pa. -- Businessman James E. Winner Jr. said he's willing to submit to arbitration an administrative fee dispute with the Mercer County Industrial Development Authority.
The authority says Winner's Winner Development LLC owes it $31,386 in fees incurred in his behalf trying to secure a $7 million state grant to assist in developing the former Westinghouse Electric Corp. plant on Sharpsville Avenue into an industrial and office complex.
Winner owns the plant. He announced earlier this month he was dropping the effort to secure the state assistance.
The authority said he still has a bill to pay, noting that he paid $13,001 of a total bill of $44,388 for services provided.
Winner said he doesn't think he owes the authority any more.
The authority voted this week to take legal action against Winner Development LLC, if necessary, to recover that money.
Winner, responding Thursday, said that because the issue is a contractual dispute, he suggests it be submitted to arbitration, thereby saving everyone time and money.