Walhalla offered exclusive sponsorship

The executive director of Walhalla Civic Auditorium left City Hall last night with a promise that, at the April 16 meeting, city council will vote on whether to commit public funds to sponsor a pair of big-name country music concerts to recognize the auditorium’s 20-year history. The WCA’s Bill Chiusano offered the city exclusive sponsorship of concerts by Lorrie Morgan and Ronnie Millsap in November this year and in May next year. Walhalla officials last night identified their first-year hospitality tax fund as the only potential source to generate the $37,500 requested. Chiusano told the mayor and the council the money does not have to be authorized all at once, but a commitment is needed as soon as possible to complete negotiations with Morgan and Millsap’s representatives.