By FlipperSXMPE on

Hi all,

I am writing here today seeking help, as so many others do.

My user id is Flipper and I run a Caribbean news and political blog called St. Maarten Private Eye and it desperately needs a new look and upgrades. The problem is that I don't know how to and I don't have the time to learn because I have to work to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head.

SXM PE is a little different from most blogs because it also has a news library, if any of you interested in my proposal below go and have a look, then on the right hand column you will see the main threads, there are now over 10,000 jpg newspaper clippings in there. Only one of our two local newspapers has a minimal presence online, so I started filing away stories and now the whole thing has become a monkey on my back. The library now goes back 2 1/2 years and it is used by students, reporters, politicians, civil servants and foundations, but none are willing to support it too much because much of the writing is critical of govt. It is a small island, small island politics, lots of corruption and it is no lie to say some of the things written about could be life threatening.

Anyway, after 2 1/2 half years I know the direction I want to take the site, I know what I need, but for the past four months I have been unable to contact or get a reply from the person who helped me set it up. The person is not unreachable, he just has many things going on in his life and I have to point out that so far I have not paid him a penny. Nor has ne pushed or asked for any, he knows my financial situation and he understand what my blog is about and trying to accomplish here on this corrupt little island. I have offered to pay something several times but he never gives me an amount.

In my last contact with him, I made an offer which I am now forced to open to others who may be interested to help us out. I offered to get a plane ticket, accomodation and a car rental for 1 week here in St. Maarten. In exchange that person will sit with me and one or two others to help us upgrade and relaunch a new look SXM PE. I can give details about what we need to any responders or I can answer questions here if they are asked.

On top of this, I can also arrange for some classes, I already have 3 or 4 people who would like to learn about drupal and I also have about 5 other websites that need building, including one for my business, I am sure I could find more. None of these are likely to be able to pay huge amounts, a couple of them are foundations, but it will all end up as a paid vacation with some spending money thrown in. There will of course be time for the beach, bars and women, or men, depending..... lol

It is possible too of course that there is no need for a trip down here, that we gather up the donation money instead and do it all online via messengers and skype, but ideally we would like to have someone here to teach us in person.

I realise this may be an oddball message here, but the situation is a bit desperate. I am burnt out and things need to change and soon. Please feel free to drop me a line at sxmpemail at gmail if you are interested in helping us.

Regards all

Flipper - SXM PE