Bob Clarke, director of the Shenango Valley Initiative, asked council Thursday to consider making a $500 donation to help fund a two-day regional summit starting June 17 at Penn State University's Shenango Campus.

The $12,000 forum will look at the possible merger between Sharon, Farrell, Hermitage, Sharpsville and Wheatland from a "social justice" viewpoint.

Councilman George Gulla expressed concern about the separation between church and state since the SVI is a religious organization.

Clarke said SVI officials are not looking at the forum from a religious standpoint but as regarding quality of life.

City Solicitor William Madden said he sees no conflict with the city giving the group money because the city is involved with the Intergovernmental Study Committee, and the forum is educational.

John Powell, chairman of the University of Minnesota Law School's Institute on Race and Poverty and Daniel Rusk, a former New Mexico legislator and former Albuquerque mayor, are going to take part in the forum, Clarke said.

Sharpsville, Wheatland and Farrell said they would not give financial support to the SVI and Hermitage has not made a decision yet, Clarke said.

Clarke said the SVI is also asking local banks and businesses to contribute.