Surveys, polls, and studies by their nature typically rely on the measurement of something. (They’re not poetry; they’re not song.) The accuracy of that measurement should matter, both to those collecting it and those receiving it.
It should matter in-and-of itself, and for its consequences.
Many communities, including Whitewater, have had a data problem: a problem with the accurate measurement of the matter under consideration. This problem expresses itself in more than one way: unintentional but inaccurate measurement and presentation, or intentional, selective, inaccurate measurement and presentation. Many communities face these problems, to one level or another.
There’s another consequence of data problems, however, that develops over time: consistent, over-optimistic measurement and presentation raises expectations unrealistically, unjustifiably.
The consequence of this is that when something goes obviously and undeniably wrong, it leads not to equanimity, but to surprise, confusion, and frustration for an urgent (sometimes impossibly urgent) resolution.
Years of describing and seeing the community in shades of pink only makes dark colors, when finally noticed, look darker than they truly are.
This is an understatement.There are people waking up to the gap between talk and action.Now people don’t have what they expected.They are upset about it.There are tougher times coming up too so this gap will be around.Grabbing at straws (stupid plans) will not fix it.The city needs to dial down.
Guess rah-rah isn’t always the best policy. 😉