Dear readers,

A few months ago I started this website to showcase my other writing projects. Somewhere along the way, I picked up a couple of contributors. The two writers who are helping me – Joe Avary and Ralph Ellis – are doing this for next to nothing. I’m doing it for free, and have been from the start. I have offered them some compensation because I think all writers should be paid something, but I can’t pay them what they deserve.

I want the compensation to reflect the value of the service they’re providing. That’s where you come in. On the right hand side of this screen, you’ll notice a button that says “Make a Donation.” When you click on it, it will take you to a PayPal donation screen. Don’t worry if you don’t have a “PayPal” account. Just look for the text to the left of the screen that says, “Don’t have a PayPal account?” and follow the instructions.

All of this money will go to our contributors. Any amount you can give, whether it’s $1, or $5 or $10 will be appreciated. In order to ensure total transparency, I will be keeping you regularly apprised of the money we receive and the money that gets paid out. I will provide a financial statement and any other documentation that won’t expose me to identity theft. I expect transparency from our public officials and want to provide you with a level of transparency that reflects those expectations.

This isn’t a ploy to get you to subscribe to something, a trick or a gimmick. This money, whatever amount you choose to give, goes directly to Joe, Ralph and any other contributors we pick up along the way.

Eventually, I want to do more with this concept. I’d like to tie donations to a short survey (a donation AND a survey! things internet users just love …). The survey would help us to provide you content that reflects your needs and interests. In the meantime, if you don’t mind, send us an email: [email protected]

Let us know what kinds of stories you’d like to see on this website. If you like how we respond, please support our contributors.

We’re not doing this to get rich. We’re doing this because we care about our community and about journalism.

Help us continue to grow by supporting our contributors.

Thank you.