Published Tuesday, October 8, 2002
after weekend melee
and Kristen Garrett
Herald Staff Writer
Money won't be falling from the sky in downtown Sharon again any time soon.
After Saturday's money drop from the roof of The Winner clothing store turned into a public safety nightmare, businessman James E. Winner Jr. said he is altering plans for a monthlong sales promotion.
Instead of jostling each other or jumping into the Shenango River in a mad grab for cash and coupons, people can dress up in red, white and blue Saturday and pick up envelopes that could contain money -- a total of $1,000 -- and gift certificates and coupons good at Winner properties, Winner said. The amount of money given out will increase incrementally each Saturday, he added.
Adults who bring The Club to The Winner may choose two envelopes, he said. Sharon-based Winner International, of which Winner is chairman, markets The Club line of anti-theft devices.
The fall marketing campaign was altered after Saturday's promotion turned into a melee. At least three people were injured in the chaos, flower boxes and trees around The Winner and Veterans Walkway were damaged, as was the roof of Donna's Diner, which people climbed onto to get money and coupons that collected there. Winner also owns the diner.
Pipes were broken off the drains of two air conditioning units on top of the diner, according to Audrey Shaffer, manager.
"It's a shame," Mrs. Shaffer said. "Mr. Winner tried to do something nice for the community and people just went crazy."
Virginia Fekech, 73, Sharon, was trampled by the crowd. She was listed in stable condition Monday at UPMC Horizon, Farrell. Another woman broke her ankle falling off the diner and a Herald reporter was treated for head injuries at the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System.
"I couldn't have been more pleased with the count of people," Winner said Monday. He said more than 2,000 people showed up for the money drop, and the purpose of the promotion was to draw attention and people to downtown Sharon.
"I don't know when there have been that many people in downtown Sharon on a Saturday before," Winner said.
Sharon Mayor David O. Ryan said he spoke to Winner Monday afternoon and learned about the new promotional plan.
"It's his prerogative," Ryan said. He said there will be private security at the giveaway and it will be run out of Winner's business. No streets will be closed.
Ryan said the city hasn't experienced any backlash from Saturday's incident. The crowd on Saturday got excited, Ryan said. "You can't judge these things."
Ryan pointed out that when Quaker Steak & Lube holds its Bike Night nearly 7,000 people attend, alcohol is served and there has never been the kind of problems that occurred Saturday morning.
There are no plans to charge Winner for the cost of closing the street, which the city routinely does for events like the Small Ships Revue and the Buhl Day parade. He said it's a service the city provides.
"You can't charge just one person," Ryan said. He said council would have to vote to start charging everyone who requests the city block streets for events.