Got my comment removed from a city planning meeting for pointing out a basic math error in their budget slide.

They showed a slide saying the new park would cost $2.5 million, funded by a $500,000 grant and 'community donations.' I raised my hand and said the donations would need to be $2 million, which seemed impossible. The moderator cut me off, said the 'spirit of the project' was more important than the numbers, and told me to sit down. Has anyone else been shut down for just doing the math in public?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_finley1mo ago

Wait, they actually said the "spirit of the project" was more important than the numbers? That's wild. It's a budget meeting, the numbers are the whole point. Cutting you off for basic math feels like they just don't want to be questioned. How are you supposed to trust a plan that doesn't even add up?

fiona_anderson1mo ago

Ugh, that's so frustrating. I read a whole article about how local governments do this... they just hope nobody checks the math. Totally agree with @the_finley, how can you trust a plan that doesn't add up from the start?

claire_hayes3519d ago

Cut off for basic addition? That's a whole new level of avoiding questions. The "spirit" doesn't pay the contractors, the missing two million dollars does. It's crazy they'd rather silence someone than fix a slide. Makes you wonder what else in that budget doesn't add up if they're that scared of simple math.