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There can be no progress without trust. Positive-speak without trust in basic institutions is just mindless filler. Blah bah blah. These are real and substantive matters. How can we move on to address the issues he mentions without resolution, without a renewal of trust. A dark cloud hangs. This is very disappointing to read. He could have used his influence to help bring an end to the secrecy and obstruction that have been dogging our community, not to mention the need for justice and healing for the people whose lives have been ruined in the process.

I can't agree more that we need to focus on the challenges facing our community. We can be thankful to the individuals and organizations striving to make Greensboro great, and hope that this summer's Wyndham Championship is a resounding success. No one wants to see Greensboro down in any respect.

As a beginner we need to confront the poor choices and dismal leadership that have led us to our present state of affairs. Some may see those who question as naysayers; others may see this as attempting to elicit the truth. Any citizen of Greensboro has an inherent right to question city government and expect straightforward answers. Thus far many of us have been disappointed in this regard.

Our new City Council has an excellent opportunity to use recent news events as a constructive tool for moving the city forward in a positive fashion. As a starter recent revelations about the photo line-up book afford the Council an opportunity to more fully understand how unfair it was to presume David Wray and his fellow officers guilty, and to refuse to extend to them the benefit of the doubt. The new City Council can seize the chance to clear the air by addressing the Wray matter head on and doing something concrete to make the situation right for Wray and his associates. At a minimum the Council can provide a short, to-the-point explanation of why Wray was forced from office. If the city can uphold the treatment of Wray beyond reasonable doubt, then the chips should fall as they may for David Wray. If Wray was wronged, he deserves restitution of his reputation and record.
The new Council inheritied the issues before us and it deserves our support as it works toward a fair resolution.

Nice try, but this isn't a fiefdom. Perhaps Mr. Melvin should be leading the call for transparency so we can get past this.

By trying to influence events in this manner, Mr. Melvin only fuels the theories of those who believe this whole Wray matter involves a lot more than what has been claimed.

Bill can't save Hillary with his personality and I don't think Jim Melvin can save Mitch. The old ways are over.

I agree with Mr. Melvin 100% on this. As soon as city bureaucrats quite saying no to providing information the public is entitled to, the sooner we can move forward.

I wonder if Mr. Melvin would like a bumper sticker that says: "Say no to the naysayers and yes to public disclosure."

Guys, calm down, Jim was talking about me... the original naysayer.

Unfortunately, the immediate challenge is to restore faith and trust in City Government. The massive amounts of content generated by local bloggers is certainly more easily discovered that the rosey pictures that Mr. Melvin would rather be read by folks "googling" Greensboro.

This was supposed to be solved last year by a City Blog and Weekly Press Conferences, instead you have a growing number of bloggers joining the original few creating a movement that will not be easily satisfied. The power of the press and tower are being surpassed by the numbers on the Internet.

How about lets get a local government in place that is at least SEMI trustworthy?

And Don Moore hit on something I inquired about on one of the local blogs - wasn't Johnson supposed to set up weekly press conferences to keep the PEOPLE he works for informed?

Sorry, Johnson isn't trustworthy enough to be in the position he is.....and since he removed Wray because he didn't think he could trust him - perhaps turn-about's fair play.

I was fine with Melvin's statement until he said "We've got to quit nitpicking about memos and all that kind of crap."

I wonder if he feels the same way about photo lineups that are part of legitimate investigations?

In any case, it's too bad he sees this as "nitpicking", and "crap", and as I said before, nobody is fooled by the timing of this statement.

Hogg,

Why would Mr. Melvin be talking about you, the self-described original naysayer? That does not seem to compute, unless you have something negative to say about this mess, but I thought that you came out fired-up in support Mitch after your tête-à-tête. What's Mr. Melvin's position on the demolition of War Memorial Stadium?

Billy, sorry about my confusing comment but it refers to something that happened several years ago and it was meant to be an inside joke. He was not really referring to me.

I was one of the folks working to save War Memorial and, by extention, stop the new stadium from getting built. There were yardsigns that urged voters to "Say no to the Naysayers". Many of us proudly identify with the characterization still.

As to Jim's current position on the future of War Memorial, I just can't say...

As much as I respect Jim Melvin I think he is wrong and actually hurting this situation. This isn't nit picking. Lives have been ruined. We want answers and we have waited long enough. Surely Mr.Melvin realizes all trust is gone . We want to know what happened and why . All we have asked is for the truth and not hide behind the legal mumbo jumbo BS.

Once again, unsurpassed amusement and entertainment -

"There were yardsigns that urged voters to "Say no to the Naysayers". Many of us proudly identify with the characterization still."

David,

Much like a LONG time ago when a group of us (women) were opposing a rezoning and a previous mayor, not Jim Melvin, referred to us as a "bunch of haughty bitches." We've called ourselves that for years.

"There were yardsigns that urged voters to "Say no to the Naysayers". Many of us proudly identify with the characterization still."

David,

Much like a LONG time ago when a group of us (women) were opposing a rezoning and a previous mayor, not Jim Melvin, referred to us as a "bunch of haughty bitches." We've called ourselves that for years.

I bought a Jim Melvin Booblehead doll with intentions of using it for target practice as soon as I can get a top notch video guy to film me shooting its bobblehead off.

Jim Melvin is only speaking out because he's scared Mitch will roll on him, Kitchen and Holiday when everything comes to a head. It's time Jim Melvin was outed and his kingdom overthrown.

You know Billy, I have had this same thought . Now that his handlers have thrown Mitch to the dogs so to speak will he turn on them and expose the whole dirty farce of Greensboro's governing elite ? It isn't likely if the "powers" can get the Council to give Mitch a heavy severance package of tax payer money, which is exactly what I see happening.. BB

Jim Melvin is 100% right.

To Bill Knight..."At a minimum the Council can provide a short, to-the-point explanation of why Wray was forced from office."

After 2 years you are still wondering????

Specific comments from RMA report that under Wray the department was being crippled. (Oh thats right---no one believes the report)

Lying to his boss about the "black book." When asked about it why did he have Brady secure it in the trunk of his car if it was used as advertised.
(Oh...The whole argument that he couldnt trust that Johnson would understand is just hogwash.)

Lying to subordinates that changes in the department were because of Johnson when it was clear Johnson had nothing to do with it.

Lying to us about the ongoing investigation on Hinson (Connect the dots??) When the investigation had been completed years ago.

If you speak with officers on the street, it was a collective sigh when Wray resigned.

Unwillingness to address us (the public) answering questions about his actions WITHOUT going through Bledsoe. The argument that he doesnt have to because he is no longer employed just doesnt cut it for me. If I wanted to clear my good name I would be taking advantage of every media forum that I could. But instead he goes via Bledsoe/Rhino, leaks documents that supposedly werent taken from his office when he resigned.

....and these are just off the top of my head..... I agree the new council needs time to digest the issues. However, it appears instead of taking the time to digest it, they are blindly lashing out and believing only one version hook, line, and sinker.

I have utmost respect for your straight talk on issues. I just know that some of our local media has turned into the mitch paparrazi, stalking his every comment and blaming him for everything. Case in point--- The previous Council was the one that agreed to have a weekly news conference not Johnson. This was supposedly done for more transparency but I believe they quickly learned there wasnt much to talk about weekly and didnt have the time with other commitments. How is that Johnsons fault??

I can tell you this last dust up finally woke up alot of people to the tabloid journalism and amatuer slueth crowd. Our community deserves better. If Wray was wronged, i will be the first to stand up and say so. But until I hear from Wray and not his publicist and surrogates, I have not changed my mind.

"It's time Jim Melvin was outed and his kingdom overthrown."

Let him take Perkins and several others of the club with him.

."..and these are just off the top of my head."

The part that obviously blew off, as a result of the pressure of the kool aid toxic buildup.

Glad you found it.

Jim Melvin, shame on you for trying to shift attention when the integrity of city government and local law enforcement are going down the drain! Even your buddy Mike Hailey wants this resolved and not "swept under the Irving Park Rug". If these issues with the corrupt city manager and corruption in the Police Dept. seem to be headed off of the primary agenda ;------there are an army of business leaders prepared to sacrifice the Wyndham by way of serious advertising contact that will tell all about what is going on and what the corrupt climate is. We are not a totally corrupt city and to present a lie to potential visitors, investors, ect., is sheer Hypocracy! Truth and honesty was never nit -picking where we were raised. How about you?

To Hoggard :

Sorry Pal. I'm sure Jim Melvin was NOT talking about you. I'm also sure that you wish he WAS talking about you.

You are a wannabe and desire to be a player. But you are not a player and no one is really interested in what you have to say because you have no experience or credentials to be anything but what you are . ( a broke blogger ? )

Please stop introducing yourself into every public issue . If you want to run for some office, go ahead but stop boring us.

That last comment might be a little mean for what I'd like on this blog. Let's hold off on personal attacks.

Yeah, maybe I'm being a little pollyanna-ish. I'll admit to that readily.

Margaret :

So freedom of the press only applies to the "PRESS" ?

You make attacks in most all of your articles but want to censure others ?

Typical.

Nick, You didn't answer me.

DL, I didn't mean for it to come across that way. I just want to make sure everyone feels as though they can comfortably speak their minds on the blog.

Freedom of the press and freedom of speech carries responsibility with it.

If you can't articulate a thought without resorting to personal attacks then please excuse me if I don't take what you have to say seriously.

If you are bored by what someone says, stay off of their blog. On a community blog where everyone is given the opportunity to express themselves, each of us needs to exercise individual responsibility to respond in a way that is helpful to the conversation. I believe personal attacks meant to demean someone demeans the attacker as well.

JW : Nice speech but you have missed the
point. Most of the people blogging on
this issue ARE making personal attacks
which are, in one way or another,
directed at Jim Melvin and Action
Greensboro. So what if I take a
professional blogger to task for his
constant criticism of Melvin and some
others that he considers "power brokers".
It certainly appears that you have
the same burr under your saddle
when it comes to old Jim. He has
done more for this City despite
the naysayers. Get over it and
please don't lecture me on the
nuances of Free Speech. I doubt
your qualifications.

PS : Margaret: I will try to be nice !

Nick said: "I can tell you this last dust up finally woke up alot of people to the tabloid journalism and amatuer slueth crowd. Our community deserves better."

I agree. The increasing level of cynicism in our public discourse has begun to poison the political atmosphere. Unfortunately, it seems that the N&R has piled on in an attempt to remain relevant. Civil servants have to spend more time playing defense instead of serving the public. And it doesn't help when the Barber/Rakestraw/Wade triumvirate castigates the 99% of city employees who work their butts off daily.

But this latest non-issue about a memo is the straw that broke the camel's back. I cancelled my 7-day a week N&R subscription today. If I wanted to read yellow journalism, I'd pick up the Rhino for free. If I wanted gossip, I'd read the blogs.

Mr. Robinson, you're welcome to deduct the $100+ subscription credit you own me from Ms. Banks' payroll account. I prefer my check within a week please.

DL --

Sorry. You are wrong about how I feel about Jim. How could you possibly know that? Or any qualifications I may have.

But it's nice of you to tell Margaret you'll try to be nice.

Roch101,

yes i did

Roch101,

yes i did