What better person than Jim Melvin to feature the day after Greensboro's primary election for mayor and city council representatives. Melvin holds the distinction of having been the longest-serving mayor in Greensboro's history (1971-1981). In addition to his elected positions, he has been involved in many ventures that have improved Greensboro: the new baseball stadium, The Elon Law School and Center City Park, to name a few. Melvin, a retired banker, has quite a talent for securing funding. At present, he uses this talent daily as CEO and President of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation. Here we see a photo of him standing in the boardroom with the spirit of Mr. Bryan ever present in the portrait just beyond the glass.
Mr. Melvin is one of twenty seven people featured in the book, Greensboro 27, written thirty five years ago (in 1976) by Abe Jones, Jr. We love the opening quote in Melvin's chapter. "I'm about as local as an individual can be." Jones goes on to tell us that Melvin was born in a local hospital and grew up on Asheboro Street and Alamance Church Road. Melvin also says, "(m)y life has been downright unexciting." Well, he may not find his life exciting but he has made Greensboro a lot more exciting for the rest of us! He exudes passion for making Greensboro a better place in everything he does! Today is ABC Wednesday and "M" is for Melvin, E.S. (Jim) Melvin.
See our previous entries here.
Would be interested in learning more about the 26 other people featured in "Greensboro 27."
Posted by: Katja Brown | Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 05:54 AM
In such a world of problems, troubles and missery it is good to know our hearts are warmed by the likes of Melvin.
Thanks so much
Denise ABC Team
Posted by: Denise | Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 06:22 AM
glad you've had a solid, unexciting mayor to bring the city along.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Posted by: Roger Green | Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 06:22 AM
Katja:
We have featured a few already. Here is the list of the names of the Greensboro 27 from 35 years ago: Ethel Stephens Arnett, Joanne Kapnek Bluthenthal, Orton A. Boren, Kathleen and Joe Bryan, Olivia Burton Burwell, Benjamin Cone, Ceasar Cone, Lewis C. Dowdy, Marion G. Follin, Jr., Robert H. Frazier, Shirley and Henry Frye, Howard Holderness, Mose Kiser, McDaniel Lewis, Jim Melvin, Ernestine and Clyde Milner, Charles W. Phillips, Emily and Rich Preyer, John A Redhead, Jr. McNeill Smith W. Raymond Taylor, Cornelius M. Vanstory, Jr. E.R. Zane.
You will notice that when the man and wife make the list, they count as two for the one chapter.
Posted by: Janis | Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 06:25 AM
Thanks for the great introduction to Mayor Melvin!
HelenMac
ABC Team
Posted by: Helen Mac | Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 02:48 PM
love the information you give here
Posted by: Jo Bryant | Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 03:55 PM