Winner suggests takeover by campus

Tony Butala said he doesn't want Winner's 'Monday morning quarterbacking.'
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- Businessman James E. Winner Jr., co-founder of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, has suggested that his former partner in the project, Tony Butala, give up control of the hall.
Winner put up the money, about $2 million, and Butala, a member of The Lettermen singing trio, came up with the idea and the music industry contacts to open the hall in an East State Street building in December 1997.
Winner divorced himself from the project at the end of 2001, but he sent Butala a letter Friday proposing that Butala allow Penn State Shenango to take over the hall, if Penn State is interested.
Butala's response was that the hall doesn't need or want Winner's "Monday morning quarterbacking."
Butala said Winner gave up all of his rights and involvement in the hall when he closed the facility in November 2001. The hall was reopened shortly thereafter.
Winner said at that time that he would be only the landlord for the hall if Butala wanted to proceed on his own, Butala said.
He's not interested
Butala said he has no intention of entertaining any of Winner's afterthoughts of being involved.
Bob Crosby, president and chief executive officer of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, said Winner has no authority to speak on behalf of or act as agent for the hall.
Winner's letter said he met with Dr. Thomas Rookey, campus executive officer at Penn State Shenango, and asked Rookey if his campus would be interested in taking over hall operations.
Winner's letter said Rookey expressed interest in the project and agreed that the hall's board of directors should be made up of local people.
Currently, only Butala and Crosby serve on the board.
Obtaining funding
Winner's letter said the hall can still be beneficial to the revitalization of downtown Sharon and that it would probably be easier for the state to provide funding assistance to the hall if it was operated by Penn State Shenango and a local board of directors.
It's been no secret that the hall has had a difficult time financially. It wasn't able to come up with the estimated $250,000 needed to put on an induction ceremony and concert for the Class of 2004 inductees this fall.
However, Butala said Crosby and he "have been making great strides" with the state, the artists and the entertainment industry regarding the hall's future.
"I feel that the state finally realizes this project is of great merit, to Sharon and Pennsylvania as a whole," Butala said.
Crosby said the hall has been working with a state financial advisor in anticipation of securing state financial assistance in running the hall and holding concerts.