Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – The March issue of PM Magazine, published by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), features a cover story article by Alachua County Manager Randall H. Reid and City of Gainesville Manager Russ Blackburn entitled “How the Worst Publicity Can Bring out the Best in a Community”.

The article chronicles the events surrounding the threatened Koran burning by the Dove Outreach Church and the communitywide response. 

Reflecting on  the experience Reid and Blackburn wrote, “ In a new world dominated by social media and diversifying religious demographics, Gainesville, Florida, learned firsthand how quickly a provocative media posting and threatened images of intolerance can simultaneously become the flashpoint of an international incident and bring a diverse community together.”

To view the PM Magazine article click here.

For more information Contact the Alachua County Communications Office at 352-374-5204 or the City of Gainesville Communications Office at 352-393-8017.