Rebel Without a Badge

[XLFD]

I know this person who got a bad rap from his local City Hall.  He had worked on the local fire department for years.  He was accused of an infraction of the law, which really wasn't breaking the law.  He fought the accusation of wrongdoing, and would up losing his public service job.  He and the City Manager had a very public battle over various issues that the person had with City Hall.   This person was so disgusted with local politics that he decided to run for office.

No, I am not talking about myself in the third person, I am talking about my fellow rebel, former police chief/current asst. fire chief of Wayland, Dan Miller.  Where is Wayland, and who the heck is Dan Miller?  Wayland is a community half the size of Ludington (4000 noses) south of Grand Rapids in Allegan County, and we had visited it often this spring, following the interesting political fight that occurred with their City Hall and Chief Miller.

The Ludington Torch first introduced it as a curiosity in  wayward-and-waylaid-in-wayland  we commented further on it in  the-tail-wayland-the-dog, did some research ourselves and put out  foia-follies-wayland reminding us that small town City Halls don't like question-askers.  We pointed out crazy policy of the retired and retiring City Manager's final punchline  hoffmeyer-s-april-fool-s-joke  and put out some unadulterated praise with the review of Dan Miller's sparkling personnel file  Small Town Hero.  In true heroic fashion, he has took it upon himself to run for mayor of Wayland to fight for transparency and help fix the problems that everyone-- who is not part of the problem-- sees.

So if you weren't following the Torch then and need some background, check out those in depth along with the links therein provided.  But a couple months ago, Dan, via his significant other Shawn had dropped me a line about coming up north to take a look at our area and talk about things with me.  I had been corresponding with them at times, and found the opportunity to meet with someone who I consider a hero (not only for his past, but for confronting City Hall bullies) and who has a similar background to me enticing.  I was also intrigued by his paramour and her back story, along with her meeting and talking with my girl and them swapping battle stories of those who stand by their stubborn partner when they dare to stand up to City Hall.

We met at the local Taco Bell parking lot, he was spot on time.  They immediately ingratiated themselves to me by giving me a t-shirt signifying I was part of the "Miller Mafia".  I thought it was very considerate, given I usually wear the same old shirts to City Council meetings.  We then embarked on a roundabout journey around the county in the Chief's vehicle, me serving as Sacajawea.  We wound up at the Ludington State Park, where we leisurely took the Island Trail.  During this time we talked casually about things.

We checked out other areas out there, came back cruised around Ludington City for a little while checking out some of the local points of interest, then headed down to the Buttersville peninsula and the Pump Storage Project.  Hungry by this time, we dropped by the Old Hamlin in downtown Ludington, where they once again ingratiated themselves by picking up the tab against my mild protestations.

By the time we were done eating, about six hours had passed, and they had stayed beyond what they had planned.  We begrudgingly went back to the Bell, made plans to meet again in the future down in his territory and bade them a fond farewell.

Dan impressed me greatly with his personality and his affable nature, the charisma that a mayor should always have up his sleeve.  But he coupled it with an 'everyman' quality which made talking with him feel like you weren't talking with someone who had been the police chief of a town for 35 years.  I normally couldn't carry on a 'natural' dialog with anyone I just met for six hours, but there was never any dearth of topics to discuss, most of which was not about our own travails or future with the Cities we serve.   Shawn had shown herself as very clever and a force to be reckoned with on her own, but also a very loving and supportive partner for the mayor candidate.

These weren't phony people, they weren't up here for anything other than to get away from their area and to talk with someone who could understand what they have been going through the last couple of years.  When I pressed him about what he will offer the voters of Wayland at the end of our repast, he replied simply:  transparency.  I believe him, because if he and Shawn had been any more transparent that day, I wouldn't have been able to make them out from the background.  This is the type of guy I would love to have for mayor or police chief here; a Sheriff Andy Taylor whose good-natured demeanor is accompanied by a serious devotion to the rules, even if his superiors ignore or twist them for their own benefit.

If the City Hall of Wayland feared his dedication to the townsfolk and the law before when he was the police chief, just wait and see what may happen if he becomes mayor.  Maybe then, when the chief executive (City Manager) is fired, the citizens of Wayland will hear about what the story is.  Maybe then, when the chief of police is fired, they will get something other than a long list of non-issues from some mercenary City Manager.   The two-term incumbent Mayor Tim Bala should be upended just on those grounds of secrecy and continued secrecy on issues that need to be broadcast to the people.

But the City Council's and Mayor Bala's silence on these issues, and silence before the throngs of Wayland citizens who came forth to question these firings should announce loudly and clearly, that they no longer wish to represent the people, and they should be replaced with the three citizens coming forward to try and replace them, with Dan Miller in the vanguard, who promise transparency and answers to all.  Not more obstacles and more questions.  Keep your fingers crossed that Ludington will be blessed with those who care enough to replace the Old Guard in our City Hall.  Read more here about these patriots:  http://www.wayland.townbroadcast.com/content/city-government-transp...

[AQUAMAN]

Plus why drag down a good guy's name like Clark Gable? Glad to see some here are in keeping with the Torch style and objectives. While others still come to post malignant and stagnant comments that only do harm to their own dead end message. Thanks Jane & Lisa.

[Pepper Farmer]

Aqua man, willy, Jane, Xlfd, ditto and so on, The few, the proud, the Miller non-supporters, only keep posting to your Rag for the benefit of miller and his few supporters that are left. We know they are still watching and reading. Every post. And we will do anything to make that hot knife seer a little more. Like grandma used to say, "Forgive, just don't let em forget" Karma Man. Loving every minute of it. 

[AQUAMAN]

Pipe down Pepper have a pepsi or peptobismol tablet it's a Holiday weekend chill.

[Sue Weimer]

Pepper you are pathetic ...so sad you have to spend the rest of your life trying to get your grudge against Mr. Miller taken care of...you will go to your grave trying...You will NEVER win that battle...So Phil why don't you just give it up...And you will never be the Man Mr. Miller is...you would not even hold a candle to him....Grow up ...

 

[Pepper Farmer]

Miss sue, having miller lose his job, lose the race, having you respond, and having miller and his supporters reading and eating crow is enough win for us. It's all just residual, enlightenment for us. Gotta love it. He did think he had it all rapped up. We believe the turning point came with the " miller crossed the line" statement. Read it, dream it A-HOLE.(that was for miller)

[masonco]

Sue I agree. Clark, Pepper, Phil does not care about the kids involved. A real "parent" who cares about the kids would care enough to think about what they go through. Having worked in youth psychiatric setting for a time, it is so sad to the the kids lives ruined because of immature parents. Once old enough, most of these kids have nothing to do with the parent who was vindictive and see the accused parent as the victim. So Karma will come to Phil once the kids are old enough to get away from the abuse flung at them as the hate spews out of the vindictive parent.  Meanwhile, they will say what those like Phil want them to say to protect themselves as typical abuse victims do. Yep Phil by getting even with Mr. Miller you are abusing the kids and they may hate your for dragging them through the mud.,

[Pepper Farmer]

Mason, Don't know why you insist on bringing "phil" into this, or kids,(millers the one who shit on his own kids by the way, so his karma is just beginning) just because your a puppet for miller, can't you think other people can have there own opinion.

It sounds to me, your trying to give phil all the credit for single handedly taking miller down and putting him in his place? I guess that could be true. I'm sure phil don't mind the compliment. But keep piping, or typing, it's the only thing your good for. 

[XLFD]

Pepper,

Karma is one reason why I think you will be disappointed in the end.  Losing the Mayor's race, may have been the best outcome for Dan Miller, in the long run.  Losing isn't always losing, winning isn't always winning.  I've lost repeatedly over the last few years, but I know I'm in the right, and I will win in the end.  I bet you Dan Miller will too.