GIRARD Online and updated: Volunteer handles city's Web site

The city's Web site is designed as a tool to achieve economic prosperity.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- What began as a fledgling city Web site nearly two years ago has a new address and is growing.
"If nobody pumps the well, nobody will get anything out of it," says self-appointed site creator Michael Costarella.
Despite the volumes of information that have been added to the site -- www.Girard44420.org -- Costarella is looking for volunteers to help it eventually become self-sustaining.
The goal of the site, Costarella said, is not only to provide increased communication, education and organization, but for economic prosperity for a city that has fallen on hard financial times.
Costarella, who was educated in technology and works in the computer industry, said the site is designed to view Girard from the outside looking in to better deliver information to those who might want to do business here.
For example, if someone is looking to buy an appliance, the site calls attention to local appliance stores before directing them to regional stores.
Working with the Girard Historical Society, the site has a 40-page community history dating back to the 1700s.
It includes pictures of significant buildings, many of which are long gone, and previous political officials.
History is important, Costarella explained, because it tells people why settlers arrived here.
To fill in the gaps
The site lists those buried in Girard Cemetery from the 1800s to 1930 and the 1970s to the present.
Gaps appear in the lists because a 1933 cemetery fire destroyed records, Costarella said.
Plans are to walk through the cemetery to gather missing names and the section in which they're buried.
Other areas of the site include commerce, history, medical facilities, recreation and politics.
Partnering with other entities for the online project, the site can be used to link with facilities, such as the Girard Multi-generational Center, Girard Historical Society and businesses.
"It's worth it, despite the work," Costarella said. "Nothing comes without an initial investment."
Costarella describes the site as being operated by a team with others adding information to the site.
Although the site is growing, Costarella said team members are needed.
He is looking for Web site managers, information gatherers, graphic artists, public-relations specialists and legal advisers.
Team meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the multigenerational center.
yovich@vindy.com