YOUNGSTOWN League seeks aid to launch Web site

The citizens league wants to raise $5,000 to start up a Web site.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A local organization that speaks out against political corruption and the influence of organized crime wants to bring its message to the masses via the Internet.
But knowledge comes with a price: about $5,000.
Donations: The Citizens' League of Greater Youngstown is seeking donations to be used to start up its own Web site, said Lowell J. Satre, its president.
The league mailed letters this week to its members and others asking for money -- preferably $100 each -- to cover the anticipated $5,000 cost for setting up the site.
Most of the money would be used to pay someone to scan and type documents for use on the Web site, Satre said. Other expenses including paying a Web site host and buying a computer scanner, he said.
The proposed site, which Satre expects to be up and running by the end of the year, would include:
*Public records such as court transcripts showing connections between local public officials and business people with criminal activity.
*League recommendations on candidates for public offices.
*League reports on the Mahoning Valley.
*Reports on public officials who have earned praise for their activities.
*Links to other Web sites.
"We've talked about doing this for the past two or three years and now we think it's the right time," Satre said.
The reason to do it now is twofold, Satre said.
Reasons: First, the recent case-fixing trial of two former Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office employees brought out many allegations of impropriety against local attorneys and prominent businessmen. The league would post testimony from the trial on its Web site.
The other reason, Satre said, is the league's difficulty in August and September publicizing its position on public officials attending the private Cafaro roundtable luncheons. A Web site would make that effort easier.
XTo donate to the league, mail checks in the organization's name to: Jim Colier, 7054 Indian Trail, Poland OH 44514.
skolnick@vindy.com