A federal panel reviewing President Donald Trump's plans to build a ballroom at the White House got an earful Thursday from members of the public. Most speakers said they opposed the project and criticised it as too big and unnecessary. Only one of the 28 people who addressed the National Capital Planning Commission during the first two hours of public comment at its March meeting spoke in favour of the project. "It's ugly. It's just ugly. It's too much," said Kye Rowan, who described herself as an "ordinary citizen" with no architectural background. Other speakers asked the commission to properly deliberate before making a decision. "I urge you to send this back to the drawing board," said Diane Marlin, who recently retired as mayor of Urbana, Illinois. "Take the time to get this right." Concerns were also raised about Trump's plan to pay the estimated USD 400 million construction cost with money donated by wealthy people and corporations, many of whom have business before the ..