Letter to the Editor

This is an advance copy of a letter to the Editor of the Business Journal from Jim Lanik.

"I attended the dinner on March 8, 2005 at which Jim Melvin discussed some of his many ideas for making Greensboro a better place. I disagree with the tone of your story titled, "Melvin Criticizes Greensboro Jaycees for Not Getting More Involved," published online on Wednesday, March 9. The comments reported arose as part of a much larger discussion about the current state of the Greensboro Jaycees – a discussion that reflected quite positively upon the chapter as it currently exists.
Your story, however, conveyed the impression that Mr. Melvin focused on criticism of the Greensboro Jaycees to the exclusion of all else. I have always seen your publication as a supporter of business in the Triad, rather than another naysayer to which Greensboro is so accustomed. Instead of commenting on the praise Mr. Melvin had for the Jaycees of the past and present, as well as his support for the other civic groups in the area, your publication chose instead to denigrate an organization whose goals are only to improve the community in which we all live.
I am a current member of the Jaycees and a member of the Executive Committee of the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro. I felt energized by Mr. Melvin’s exhortations to become involved in the betterment of this city (be it with the Jaycees, synerG, or any other group), to strive to improve public education for all Greensboro’s children, and to do what it takes to maintain the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro as a showcase for the world of what Greensboro stands for.
To me, Greensboro stands for strength in the face of adversity, not criticism of those trying to make a difference. It stands for a determination to grow, not for a resolve to destroy new ideas before they take root. It stands for lifting up the community through selfless determination and hard work, not for the holding back caused by apathy and pessimism.
I feel proud to be part of a group of young adults who work so tirelessly for our city and for our region. The Greensboro Jaycees much physical and intellectual capital and money into this community as the Jaycees have, and continue to do. I have been given a powerful platform by which to hone my leadership skills, while helping this community through the Jaycees’ tradition of benevolence. I believe, as Mr. Melvin conveyed, that the future is bright not only for the Greensboro Jaycees, but Greensboro and the Triad. That future will not, however, come to pass because of those for whom negativity is a way of life and criticism their contribution. It will come to pass in spite of those people through the passion of people who care about where our city is going. I am disappointed that your publication took the opportunity to side not with those who say, "What can I do to make things better?" but with those whose mantra is, "It will never work."
For those who believe that that the Jaycees, or any other civic organization, is not doing what they need to do, I challenge them to stop taking aim at those who are trying to realize the dreams that this community has, and instead to take a stand, to act, and to dream themselves. If your article convinced a young adult that the Jaycees are unworthy of support, that is one passion and one soul that will never be lend its energy to the enrichment of this community. That would be a tragedy. I hope my letter has helped to clarify the message which I received from Mr. Melvin’s talk."

Jim Lanik
Chrysler Classic of Greensboro
Area 1 Leadman
Greensboro Jaycee