There would have been no reason to have a revitalization committee if that group did not intend to move beyond mere study of downtown Butler's needs and challenges.

It is an important juncture now that the Downtown Revitalization Committee has determined that the time has come to consider hiring a Main Street manager. It should be encouraged to continue pursuing that goal.

If an organized Main Street initiative is to succeed, the effort requires someone on board who will be focused fulltime on the nuts and bolts of the mission. A part-time committee can't give the mission the full attention that it deserves.

That was the message delivered Tuesday to the city council by Vince Tavolario, owner of Natili Restaurant and Lounge, who is the Downtown Revitalization Committee chairman. He told the council that the committee had completed its research into what it can and can't do in terms of the revitalization venture and that the time had arrived to put someone officially in charge of what is to come.

The council was correct in not hesitating to provide a letter of support to the committee in its quest to move forward. Meanwhile, the state Department of Community Affairs is using good logic in its suggestion that the Community Development Corporation of Butler County handle whatever money is raised for downtown revitalization.

The CDC has a strong organizational and management structure in place capable of assuming this additional responsibility. Despite its main focus on business and industrial development, it is becoming increasingly involved in community issues, as depicted by its involvement in the city's evolving West End revitalization project.

For the financially strapped city coffers, this revitalization step apparently won't pose any money burdens. Tavolario said the Main Street manager's salary would be paid by way of state matching grants.

"Our goal is to become a self-sustaining committee," he said.

But whether the committee has a secure source of long-term funding in mind for the local share of matching grants was not spelled out. Presumably, Main Street businesses, which would reap the most benefits from having such a manager on board, should be expected to contribute something toward the local money requirement.

In addition to organizing the revitalization thrust, the Main Street manager would have the additional responsibilities of applying for grants and otherwise working with Harrisburg through the state's Main Street Program. An important part of the resume of the person hired for the local task must be full knowledge and understanding of that state program's opportunities and limitations.

Preferably, Butler's Main Street manager should also have already established contacts in Harrisburg to help bring about the initiatives that he or she pursues.

Because this is such an important position for the city, there should be no limitations imposed on the search process. While it would be great if someone from the city or Butler County would step forward with the right qualifications, that should not be a requirement.

The best person for the job should be hired, regardless of where he or she currently lives or works.

A long time has passed since the idea of hiring a Main Street manager was suggested. The revitalization committee doesn't seem content to allow the hiring to wallow in unfinished business.

No obstructions should be allowed to get in the way of hiring the best available person for the job.