Staking a claim

Only relevant definition of the word "claim" for this piece:

to assert in the face of possible contradiction.  Merriam-Webster online dictionary

From page 18 of the February 14, 2013 Fairhaven Neighborhood News:

“This town has a policy, but it hasn’t been written down,” Mr. Roderiques said, claiming to have read the quote in the Neighb News.

 From page 4, far right column, second full paragraph of the February 7, 2013 Fairhaven Neighborhood News:

The board reviewed a financial

policy draft submitted by Mr. Osuch, 

to serve as guidelines for future 

selectboards, in response to recom

mendations from the Department of 

Revenue. The town has always 

followed certain policies but they had 

never been put down in writing, Dr. 

Bowcock explained. Emphasis supplied.

I highlight these little matters simply to point out first, I made no "claim".  There is no possible contradiction. I will also note again the fact that if there is an existing policy, I have never been made aware of it.  

Secondly, I note the need to see the video of the meeting if you can.  Again you can find it on line by following the links for government access on the town web site (although not sure if the 2/7 meeting is in fact linked up yet, or when it is aired on the Actual cable access channel). the video gives you the full context of the "conversation", along with the discussion on "policy".

As to the rest of this weeks article, the record stands for itself, the video record that is.  

But while we are at it, let's also note the headline on page 18 of the February 7th edition.  It truly falls within the definition of a claim.  It is not only subject to possible contradiction is is completely wrong.

First, total requests aren't $48 million as noted in the article, the same are $49.1 million +.  Secondly, $4.8 million + of those requests will be funded from dedicated sources.  Other potential revenue if spent to the maximum is slightly over $44 million.  With the exact figures, which were discussed at the meeting and explained, the potential deficit runs from just under $600,000.00 to as high as $1.9 million dollars (rounded up), if you fund each and every request, and depending up the level of revenue you wish to spend.

There is no $4 million dollar potential shortfall.  The budget is not out of whack by that amount, and that figure was never used as a potential shortfall.

Why do I bring this up this week as opposed to last week?

I received two calls on this.  The first was just from an acquaintance who happened to comment on it.  I noted the same explanation and let it go.  If I responded to every inaccurate piece of information I read, I would spend more time on that than this blog.

The second call concerned me more, for a number of reason, that I am not going to go into.  

The fact is the headline is blatantly incorrect.

It highlights the very reason why you need to not only read, but watch and ask.