Florida Gateway College President Slaps Down LC City Councilman For Honest Mistake. County Mainstream Media Hypes Story – Twice
March 13, 2025 3:30 pm | 1 min read
The 1-minute version
The 1-minute version
LAKE CITY, FL – The story discusses a conflict between Florida Gateway College (FGC) President Larry Barrett and Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan and the City Council regarding comments Mr. Jernigan made about the College's enrollment during a City Council meeting.
Mr. Jernigan's Comments: Mr. Jernigan estimated FGC's enrollment to be around 1,000 students, acknowledging that he didn't know the exact figure. He praised the college and emphasized the importance of encouraging local youth to attend.
FGC President Barrett reacted: Dr. Barrett took issue with Mr. Jernigan's estimate, calling it "misinformation" and demanded a retraction. He claimed that the comments could damage the college's reputation and deter potential students and businesses. Dr. Barrett also expressed displeasure with Councilwoman Tammy Harris' comments about technical training.
Actual Enrollment Figures: The article highlights the difficulty in finding accurate enrollment data for FGC. It cites conflicting figures from various sources, including the college's website, press releases, and meeting minutes.
Transportation Barriers: Historic failures (e.g., a defunct bus route) hinder student access, a problem FGC has not resolved.
Media Coverage: The County’s only local print newspaper covered Councilman Jernigan’s miscue like it was a big deal, siding with Dr. Barrett and framing Mr. Jernigan's comments negatively, publishing a follow up article about Mr. Jernigan’s subsequent apology.
The Apology: Mr. Jernigan’s well-meaning remarks appeared to be somehow misconstrued by both the newspaper and the College President. While Mr. Jernigan apologized, his apology was directed more to the College staff than the College President.
Conclusion: Besides the miscue, misinformation, and over-reaction by President Barrett, the incident highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency, particularly for public institutions like FGC.
