Wayland's Dan Miller: Small Town Hero

[XLFD]

Prologue

I recently asked the City of Wayland for the personnel records of Former Police Chief/Current Fire Deputy Chief Dan Miller.  In the 260 files I received, including about ten evaluations from Wayland City Managers (and there have been a few in the last ten years); including numerous training certificates; including letters from other agencies commenting on the work performance of Dan Miller; I was struck by one thing.  In all those pages there was not a negative complaint about Dan Miller. 

For those who might think that Dan's brother, the Fire Chief, might have edited or not disclosed the WFD records, I would warn you that such action is a serious violation of state law.  I invite anyone who has been on the WFD or in the know to dispute such claims to come forward. 

Furthermore, the police personnel file on Dan Miller, which accounts for about 190 of the records, had no such fraternal help to filter out any bad records.  In fact, if the City was considering keeping its course and retiring Dan Miller from the WPD, it may be well-advised to show me the dirtiest dirt on Miller.  But this did not happen.  In fact, they have left out any personnel record since 2008, which is odd, when you consider all the personnel decisions they have made within just the last year concerning Dan Miller. 

But the City's FOIA Coordinator has given no reason for doing so, and the City's Attorney, Kurt McCamman, has not gotten back with me since a few correspondences on Wednesday concerning this apparent omission, and whether legal action would be required to make Wayland comply with the FOIA.  One has to wonder why the City would delay the release of information past the statutory limit, and then give the public an incomplete data set.  But then when you look through these pages, you have to wonder why they would fire such a devoted public servant who has served Wayland since the 1970s as a policeman and/or a fireman.  I will cut the records down over 90% so as not to overstate the case, but you can get a full set if you send me a message. 

 

Dan Miller- Respected by His Bosses

 

One thing about the performance evaluations made by the City Managers of the time, was the fact that Dan Miller almost always scored at the highest level each time.  He was always ranked as above average.  The one I will display here is the 2002 evaluation by CM Michael Jager, who would one year later, for reasons unstated, be calling for the Chief's resignation. 

 

2002 Eval. p. 2    2002 Eval. p.3

 

The aftermath of that would lead to Jager's firing, and a shake-up at the City Council.  With the incomplete data available, I believe that was probably best for the community at that time.  This memorandum to the council from then interim CM Terry Hoffmeyer, the man who would fire Dan Miller again in 2012, vaguely describe the thought processes he used back then to heal the community, which the council approved.  Dan Miller got his job back, but with some odd conditions:

 

2003 Reinstatement, p.2

 

Trying to figure out what happened in 2003 from his personnel file should have been easy, but there is no sign of any disciplinary action, no sign of any other problems.  This is what was available, a separation agreement written by CM Jager in early July 2003:   SA p.1   SA p.2

With a follow-up from Jager, after he had lost his job, still without any declaration of why Chief Miller should sign the agreement, or even a date:   2003 Jager Goes   I sense that Jager tried to utilize the power he had over Miller because something Jager had done unethically/illegally had been caught by the Chief.  Evaluations since that time show the same quality of work being performed by Dan Miller as before, continued.

 

Dan Miller- Respected by his Boss' Bosses

 

The City Council of Wayland has done up two resolutions to commemorate actions performed by Dan Miller, and the Mayor has given him his own commendation.

Back in 1977, then patrolman Dan Miller, was the subject of Wayland Resolution 77-5  for saving the life of a two year old.  In 1986, the then-mayor praised the Chief for doing his job right 1986 Mayor Praise.  In 1990, a resolution was passed for his efforts in investigating a suspicious death that led to an arrest  1990 Resolution. 

 

Dan Miller- Praised by Other Agencies

 

Back in 1978, the Michigan State Police praised Patrolman Miller's work in resolving an issue involving a man with a gun who barricaded himself in and threatened harm to himself and others.  While off-duty, he helped for hours in the efforts.  In 1991, he once received special praise, and an award from the MSP 1991 Recognition.   The Prosecuting Attorney for the county, one year later and on a different case, sent him glowing praise.  Of course he received some praise from local schools for the extra time he devoted in bringing the police and fire trucks to local schools  School Praise

 

Dan Miller praised by those whose lives he impacted

 

What makes Dan Miller a small town hero, however, is how he is viewed by those he really serves, the people of Wayland and their families.  No doubt, some have grudges against him for doing his job, and for being someone who has such stature in the community.  Dan Miller's best written praise comes from 1978, in a letter to Wayland Chief Ernst:

  And the lack of any negative material in his personnel file, perhaps explains the following pictures that have recently been taken in Wayland around City Council meetings:

 

The City Council of Wayland is to meet this Monday.  You will see a groundswell of support for Chief Dan Miller, and no great love for the elected officials who continue to ignore the will and drive of the people of the city of Wayland, as they remain effectively mum on the topic, while their new City Manager, taking after the interim City manager, does the dirty work they don't have the political will to do on their own. 

Wayland City Council, show some backbone and explain/confess to the good people of Wayland why exactly Dan Miller is getting axed for forty years of exemplary service. 

 

 

[Michele Spicer]

It is unclear to me from the article whether or not someone has actually accused Joe Miller of changing the Fire Department's personnel records of Dan Miller.  I can assure you that did not and would not happen.  I can also assure you that if anyone attempts to slander/defame Joe Miller by saying such a things you had better have the evidence, financial means to lawyer up and intestinal fortitude to back it up.   Joe Miller just so happens to be my father and I just so happen to work for litigation attorneys...if you are picking up what I'm putting down.  Not one person with a lick of sense has come forward to say anything negative about Dan Miller who doesn't have an axe to grind with him.  Look at the type of people you are dealing with.  An ex-wife, disgruntled employees who were made to do their jobs and an ex-husband who can't move on.  Anyone who wants Dan Miller gone has an ulterior motive which is painfully obvious to reasonable people.   

[XLFD]

Sorry for any confusion, Michele, I was not suggesting that Joe Miller has done anything with the records, which consist primarily of training records and certifications.  My invitation was an open one for anyone who wished to dispute Dan Miller's records by referring to any event that might have been a negative entry in his personnel record.  Without any, I can't really understand the dismissal of the Chief.

[Phil Convissor]

No body has ever said Dan Miller was born bad, or didn't accomplish and get duely noted for the positive things he did in the community.

He just got a little lazy and a little to cozy with the feeling of being in control, or untouchable. Narcissistic rings a bell.

Again to make a long story short, or the best way to end a long career is to:

Be ordered by your boss to keep he city out of your personal business, or anything that could be perceived as personal business.

Then, agree with your boss to stay out of, and keep the city out of something personal, or something that could be perceived as personal.

Then at the last minute do a "follow up" against the direct order of your boss to a personal that you already agreed to let another dept. handle, which by the way the State police Post is directly across the st from your residence.

Whatever else lead up to it that happened after 2008 which is not being released, or other info directly happening just before the "last straw" one may be inclined to ask, or pursue, if it really mattered, to the roughly 4000 more people who live in Wayland, and who are remaining quite, and probably just want the baby who brought this on himself, by adding that "Last Straw" to suck it up and move on already. It's really gettin old man.

also the slandering he is doing to me and mine, personally, on social networks is not making "Mr baby pants" look any better.

[XWPD]

Phil, I truly feel sorry for a person as you. I think if I was in your position and with what you have currently going on now and in the future I would surely be careful what I was posting on the various sites you have been on. I'm sure it will come back to haunt you as time progresses.

PS may you have a good day.

Signed: Baby Pants.

[Phil Convissor]

XWPD, Now your threatening me and mine? Keep digging, lets see how deep you can go.."baby pants"

[Fran Cisco]

It sounds more like advice. Chill out. Maybe XWPD is thinking of your family and doesn't wish to have you continually drag them into whichever cyber fantasy you're living today. Now - be gone.

[Belinda French]

Phil, You need to grow up and get a life

[Fran Cisco]

I think you make excellent points XLFD. I'd love to follow this more BUTT every single time you post something about Dan Miller the actual issues get clouded by Mr. Convissor's delusion of how Dan Miller's issues somehow have anything to do with him.

Mr. Convissor, how about you quit interrupting so us adults can have a conversation. You're acting like a loud mouth bully. Maybe, just maybe, you can control yourself a little bit, stop being so obsessive and closed minded and realize that the rest of us are more interested in Mr. Miller and his wrongful termination than you and your issues of needing attention or wanting to be in the spotlight. You're jealously is sick and twisted. You act like you're looking for a confrontation or want to pick a fight. That's not how reasonable adults handle conflict or disagreements.

I look forward to hearing how city hall explains the records that are missing since 2008. Thank you XLFD for your fine write up.

[Phil Convissor]

XWPD, Dan Miller? Now that I caught your attention, can you answer me this? What was the deal with the video taping me with the city owned phone at a football game my daughter was cheerleading at. Remember Front row me walking by minding my own business, you standing up in my face! Video taping me! Why!  What was the deal man!

Were you attempting to build a case against me? Those events are called "extra curricular". Can you read? Our judgement gives me the right to be there, wether or not it is my parenting time or hers.

Why can't you guys get that thru your thick skulls. I guess the same reason you can't or you refuse to understand what a direct order from your boss means.

[Fran Cisco]

Again Phil - I'm sure he had reason. At least from what I'm reading. You yelling and screaming are boring me. You want to talk to XWPD why don't you call him like a grown up would? Seriously?!!! Think about your children before you post.

[Phil Convissor]

XWPD, Dan Miller, I'm just getting warmed up, remember 6/16/2011 my boy just wanted to visit his brother and sister, why did your right hand man Rollins leave out of that police report the part where you threatened to put my boy in juvi if he ever trys again to come over and visit his brother and sister at his then custodial mothers house.

Why were you stalking him and have to threaten him like that? 

Do you think rollins will deny that in court?

And ya i was riding with my boy because he new you would be stalking him.

Look in the mirror man, everything your accusing me of is staring you right in the face,...

And, Fan Cisco, to you,..  whatever.

[Fran Cisco]

Do your really think your children need you talking about this in public? Is there no reasoning with you? You just don't GET IT. You need to look in the mirror. You can "whatever" me all you want but I am a reasonable person and will defend my comments intelligently. Since you obviously cannot, why don't you consider keeping your comments to yourself for the sake of your children? Or are you too selfish to be able to do that?