Korrd - 1:15 am on Sep 11, 2008 (gmt 0)

I think you sound bitter Mikem. That's ok. I understand. But you have to consider things rationally. Besides that this guy isn't a very good webdesigner it sounds like the only thing you know for sure is that the private data on these sites isn't as private as the users believe.

But that is not your problem except if you are concerned for the good name of the organizations involved or you just want to be a good neighbor to your community. And if either are the case the last thing you want to do is publicize the problem. That would just be an act of bitterness detonating the bomb rather than defusing it, and it would likely boomerang on you with you being blamed as the person responsible for the security breech.

So your options are really limited to privately notifying the webmaster and site owners of the problem. You've already attempted to alert him once without success. I'd email him again with a "perhaps my first message was misplaced" note and blind customized carbons to each of the site owners. Send a different customized email to each site owner so you don't alert them of the possible problem with other sites, although if they are intelligent they'll figure it out. But once you've notified them you've done your due diligence.

You are upset in that you think site owners, and especially community organizations, are being fleeced by your competitor because you believe they don't know any better. But do you know that? Not all websites are built for the posted prices. I can easily imagine the scenario being your competitor offering these organizations free websites in return for the portfolio and publicity value plus his being able to run Adsense on them "to help cover out of pocket expenses." They might not get a great website but the price is right and they've made an informed decision.

Plus there's the councilman factor. Rocknbil is right in that "it's who you know." You recognized that also. But it is also "who they are". No doubt many people who don't value a website won't turn down a councilman professional webdesigner's offer to create them a website, without a lot of concern for quality as long as the price isn't too steep. No illicit coercion implied, it's just the way of things. Even the groups run by volunteers with public funds will understand that.