Matt Lojko Speaks Out, and David Wray Takes the High Road

Matt Lojko left the following comment in response to my previous post on David Wray securing a federal position:

In their book, “Firing Back – How Great Leaders
Rebound After Career Disasters”, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld & Andrew Ward write:

No one can truly define success and failure for us – only we can define them for ourselves.

No one can take away our dignity unless we surrender it. 

No one can take away our hope and pride unless we give up.

No one can take away our love for those others around us who believe in us – unless we elect to ignore them.

No one can take away our concern for our community unless we retreat from it.

No one can steal our creativity; imagination, and skills unless we stop thinking.

No one can take away our humor unless we forget to simile.

No one can take away our hope and opportunity for tomorrow unless we close our own eyes.

Congratulations and best of luck in your new position.  I was honored to work with you.

Matthew A. Lojko, Jr.
Captain, Retired
Greensboro Police Department

I thank Matt for contributing to the discussion.  It was interesting that David Wray gave an interview with the News and Record after so much time had elapsed.  But he took the high road:

Wray said he has no regrets about his time as chief and said he appreciates the support he has been given by many in Greensboro since his resignation, saying "There are a lot of fine people there and there's a lot worth fighting for."

"I would tell people to believe in your community and work toward a strong community. Keep doing what it takes to keep it and make it strong."

This statement, however, has important implications.  The question it raises:

At this particular time, what do we need to do in order to "work toward a strong community"?

Comments

[Tommy]

Firing Mitch?

[Stormy]

And, most of the city council...

[Brutal Truth]

Yeah, he took the high road alright. He just let his ghostwriter Bledsoe trash everyone who may have disagreed with him. Convenient.

[Tony Wilkins]

Joe,
I read the same thing you did into that last line.
IMO, this chapter of David Wray finding work does not close the book on actions taken by an incompetent city manager.

[Stormy]

Captain Lojko, the post by Brutal Truth just shows that there are still those in GPD and the city government who need to be cleaned out before Greensboro will ever have a decent police department and city government.

Nice Bledsoe story today in the Rhino about your problems with RMA and the city. I'm sure Brutal Truth will return and brutalize you again, which is their style. Brutal Truth gives evidence to your comment that so many in GPD allowed petty grievances, disgruntlement, and their own interests to prevail over the integrity of the department and its mission. Lord knows its truth.

[Stormy]

Brutal Truth,

And did those that disagreed with Wray and his command staff not trash them and drive them out of their careers? In my view those that disagreed deserved much more than they got. As Captain Lojko said, their petty grievances, disgruntlement, and own self-interests have destroyed what was once a fine law enforcement agency. It is the pits now and will continue to be until it is cleaned-up, along with city hall. Greensboro's city hall and police department is the laughingstock of North Carolina.

[Matt Lojko, Jr.]

Stormy,

Thank you for your kind comments.

I know I speak for many other GPD employees, both retired and active, when I say that it breaks my heart to see what is happening to an organization we care so deeply about. While the personnel problems within the GPD currently seem unending, there are systems in place to effectively handle these situations, if political interference doesn’t occur.

Please, let us not forget that there are literally hundreds of men and women of the GPD that observe the rules and do their personal best each and every day to protect and serve the citizens and visitors to Greensboro. They need our acknowledgement and support. They are a key element in restoring the GPD to its once proud prominence.

[Fred Gregory]

Matt,

Hear, hear !!

[Andy]

Thank you David Wray, thank you Matt Lojko, and thank you to my family members who are still in the Police Dept. trying to serve this community.

[Joe Guarino]

Tony and Stormy, I agree, and I appreciate your commenting. And Tommy, it appears your suggestion unfortunately needs to be heeded.

Brutal, what Stormy said.

Matt, I appreciate your taking the time to comment here over the last couple of posts. With today's Rhino issue, you are now in the midst of your 15 minutes of celebrity. I know you would rather have never had it.

And yet you speak with authority with the comments you made above.

And Andy, yes, the people you mention all deserve our thanks.