No Questions Allowed: Commissioner Tim Murphy Suspends Rules for Florida Gateway College Brass
Posted July 29, 2019 11:30 am
Photo: Iron fist: Adobe Photoshop image;
Commissioner Tim Murphy as the meeting got under
way: the Observer; Composite image: Observer
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – On July 10 two of Florida Gateway College's brass appeared before the County's Economic Development Advisory Board to discuss workforce development. They appeared with a flashy PowerPoint and not much else other than an apparent guarantee that they would not be asked questions from the press or the public.
Background
In 2009 Columbia County's Industrial Development Authority, an independent taxing district, which for years was run under the radar by meeting in private homes, was fighting for its life as the County 5 was looking to do away with it.
As 2010 rolled in the IDA was defrocked and eventually replaced by the Economic Development Committee and finally what the County has today, the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) which advises and makes recommendations to the County 5.
A list of the EDAB recommendations and opinions is nowhere to be found.
Ever since the 2012 debacle at the County Commission where Navy veteran Sammy Dunn sat with his hand in the air for 37 minutes before he was recognized as being alive, (see: County Blows Off Residents Who Wish To Speak...), the public, after various incarnations of County rules, has been given the opportunity to ask questions.
Columbia County resident and Navy veteran Sammy Dunn sat
for 37 minutes with his hand in the air before a County
Commission Chairman acknowledged he was alive.
The EDAB, which in the last year has mainly turned into a group of Commissioner Murphy's best friends, has always run in a relaxed informal style open to comments and questions from the public and the press, something which is codified into its rules, which gives any person the right to address the "Chair, Economic Development Director, Advisory Board member or other invited guests."
That was until Commissioner Murphy's friends showed up from Florida Gateway College at the last EDAB meeting.
On July 3, 2019, County Manager Ben Scott advised the EDAB to add FGC to its upcoming agenda.
July 10, 2019: FGC Brass at the EDAB
As the July 10 EDAB meeting got underway, Chairman Murphy, out of the clear blue sky, announced, "We'll be using cards today."
Your reporter has been attending Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and now EDAB meetings since 2007 or 2008 and this is the first time question restrictions were ever announced.
Commissioner Murphy, unable to get the name of the College right, introduced John Jewett and failed to introduce the College's number two, Mike McKee, who was also in attendance.
FGC's Jewett, speaking a mile a minute, introduced himself, "My name's John Jewett. I laugh every time my boss tells somebody what my title is (unintelligible); it always changes. (Unintelligible). Basically, what I do is I am the executive director at the college over career and technical programs."
Mr. Jewett continued, "its programs where you come and learn a skill and in many cases gain some (unintelligible) certification which will allow you to gain employment in a certain field and we have a lot of em’."
"Some skills take intelligence," John Jewett
He said, "When I went to high school, the kids that couldn't go to real college went into auto shop... That's not the case anymore. To be successful in some of these skills it takes intelligence… Those days are gone... It's an alternative to a four year college... A lot of these programs can be completed in a year or less, not all of them. The maximum is two years... Lower costs – they vary, but definitely lower than trying to go to a four year university.”
Mr. Jewett didn't speak for more than 30 seconds at a clip without glancing over at Mr. McKee.
Mr. Jewett went over some of the certificate programs offered at the college: public safety, welding, HVAC, horticulture, computer science, automotive, health sciences, teaching, and what the school now calls, "environmental science."
Mr. Jewett (standing) made his presentation to 4
EDAB board members and a handful of government
officials in the audience, which included the
County's mainstream print media.
Mr. Jewett said the new automotive program "will be the best automotive program in the state." "We anticipate puttin’ about 18 to 24 students in it," he said, adding that two certificates and an AS degree will be offered.
Mr. Jewett did not mention how the college will track the success of the program; or if any women or other minorities have applied. Your reporter was going to inquire about this, but Mr. Murphy had a plan.
Mr. Jewett concluded, "I think CTE [Career & Technical Education] is the wave of the future... There's good payin' jobs out there, right here in Lake City without havin' to move. They can come – spend a minimal amount of money – almost all of our students get some sort of aid from us... They can take these programs and go right to work. It keeps them off the streets. Keeps people from doing things they wouldn't normally do and it's a snow ball effect – it keeps our community more viable and safe."
Solid and verifiable facts and figures regarding CTE graduation rates and employment after graduation were nonexistent. While the College is required to keep track of them, it doesn't reveal them at FGC board presentations, either.
The college's spokesperson Mike McKee offered no help and made matters worse after the meeting as he ran for the hills.
Trouble in "River City"
After the failure of various incarnations of water resource and water resource management courses the college has regrouped in an effort to cover-up its failures, which may be why Commissioner Murphy made sure no questions would be asked of the FGC representatives by this reporter or any member of the public.
There is also word that one of the hallmarks of the college, the nursing program, is also in trouble. This would be another reason for Mr. Murphy's iron fisted "no questions" policy.
With the blessings of FGC President Barrett, FGC
spokesperson McKee doesn't answer questions.
Economic Development Director Glenn Hunter asked about the $800,000 plus Jobs Growth Aviation Grant the college received from the state about 2 years ago.
Mr. Jewett and Mr. McKee refused to answer, begging off with President Barrett is the one to address that issue.
FPL's Jeff Simmons asked about the degree program in water resources.
Mr. Jewett spoke about taking water courses and then being able to "articulate into our environmental science bachelor's degree at our college, right here in Lake City."
In fact, the bachelor's program is in limbo or outer space.
Someone asked about the logistics program that the college began years ago. This program was also funded by grant money. Mr. Jewett explained the program was "on the shelf." It is not clear what "on the shelf means" as this is not a term recognized by the Florida Department of Education.
Murphy Cuts it Off
Commissioner Murphy announced, "Hearin’ nothin’ else from the board. Nobody has any questions. [without pause] John, appreciate your takin' the time."
Your reporter said, "I have a question. You need a card?"
Mr. Murphy responded, "Your card should have been turned in. You’re not gonna’ interrupt the meeting. Bring the card. You can send an email to John and what have you, but we're gonna' run these meetins' a little bit more organized from here on out."
After Mr. Murphy asked for the card your reporter handed him the card.
Mr. Murphy then said, "You’re almost out of order."
During this time, community resident Sue Sommer was sitting in the audience with her hand up.
She said, "I have a question."
Mr. Murphy responded, "Ma'am, I seen your arm go up. If you would just refer your questions – just give em’ to John – he’ll give you his card, email, whatever."
In a Flash, FGC's Brass Were Gone
From left to right waiting to be introduced:
FGC's John Jewett, College spokesperson Mike
McKee, and Sue Sommer, an education advocate and
expert in FGC's Water Resource Programs. The
smug looks of Mr. Jewett and Mr. McKee is not
shared by Ms. Sommer. They knew something she
didn't.
In a flash, Mr. Jewett and Mr. McKee headed straight for the exit, but not before Ms. Sommer caught up with them in the hallway.
According to Ms. Sommer, "I asked him [Jewett] if I could ask a couple of questions. It almost looked like he was going to answer, and then whatever his name is, 'Bouncer Mike' (McKee), said to Mr. Jewett, 'No. No. You're not going to answer any questions.' Then he brushed John (Jewett) down the hallway."
Ms. Sommer said she followed up, "I just have one little question."
Mr. Jewett said she could email him.
Ms. Sommer said that Mr. McKee got himself between her and Mr. Jewett and putting his hand up said, "We're not going to answer your questions."
Ms. Sommer told your reporter, "To me, McKee came across as a bouncer. They work for the public... This is some kind of place. Nobody answers any questions. The government is supposed to be transparent. What's going on here?"
Epilogue
Your reporter followed up with the college's Mr. McKee, Mr. Jewett and President Barrett via email: "Did you, or do you have knowledge of anyone contacting the County, the committee, or the committee chairman regarding the asking of questions of either Mr. Jewett or Mr. McKee at the EDAB meeting?"
Commissioner Murphy received a similar email: "Were you contacted by, or do you have knowledge of anyone contacting the County, the committee, or the committee staff regarding the asking of questions of either Mr. Jewett or Mr. McKee at that EDAB meeting?"
None of the recipients acknowledged receipt of the questions.
It is just another Columbia County good ole' boy coincidence.
Columbia County, FL, the legend continues.
