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. 

 

 

[Go Figure]

No actually I was just seeing if I could get you do what I said. And you did.

[Phil Convissor]

So, Go figure, Are you admitting to "instigation"? Which i believe is what you are or what you have been trying to accuse me of?

Do you need a refreshesher on the 5 violations he is accused of that got me involved, and gives me all the right to speak my mind.

You better do your homework about liable.

I'm just "stating the facts Mam" or sir or whoever you are.

[Go Figure]

Do what you want. Sounds like you will anyway.

[Phil Convissor]

I thought this interesting, maybe put our minds onto bigger issues of the day.

Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started learning very early in life and never stopped. At 5, began studying under his cousin's tutor. At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French. At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages. At 16, entered the College of William and Mary. At 19, studied Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe. At 23, started his own law practice. At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. At 31, wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the Rights of British America " and retired from his law practice. At 32, was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress. At 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence . At 33, took three years to revise Virginia ’s legal code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom. At 36, was elected the second Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry. At 40, served in Congress for two years. At 41, was the American minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben Franklin and John Adams. At 46, served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington. At 53, served as Vice President and was elected president of the American Philosophical Society. At 55, drafted the Kentucky Resolutions and became the active head of Republican Party. At 57, was elected the third president of the United States . At 60, obtained the Louisiana Purchase doubling the nation's size. At 61, was elected to a second term as President. At 65, retired to Monticello . At 80, helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine. At 81, almost single-handedly created the University of Virginia and served as its first president. At 83, died on the 50th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence along with John Adams Thomas Jefferson knew because he himself studied the previous failed attempts at government. He understood actual history, the nature of God, his laws and the nature of man. That happens to be way more than what most understand today. Jefferson really knew his stuff. A voice from the past to lead us in the future: John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. He made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." "When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe ." -- Thomas Jefferson "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -- Thomas Jefferson "It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world." -- Thomas Jefferson "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." -- Thomas Jefferson "My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." -- Thomas Jefferson "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- Thomas Jefferson "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson "To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." I wish we could get this out to everyone!!! I'm doing my part. Please do yours.

 

 

 

[Phil Convissor]

Cool Stuff for Memorial Day. Now there was a speaker for the ages.

John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. He made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

[XWPD]

May you all have a Safe Memorial Day.

[Go Figure]

You too Chief. Look forward to hearing from you.

[masonco]

Yea I finally found the stop following button.

Phil at first I was sympathetic towards your cause, but the more you post the less respect I have for you. You really sound out of control in your ability to control your personal behavior. You are bitter and it shows too. But vindictiveness does not help anything.

Did you ever hear the story about the boy who cried wolf one too many times? When he finally need real support no one believed him. This ranting and raving and lunatic type posting in a site where it is unlikely anyone involved will see your posts makes me understand why you are so pathetic. Create your own web site to trash those who dare stand up against you.

[Phil Convissor]

Masonco, I'm afraid you got it all backwards, I did not start these blogs,if you may notice, there are over 1600 hits on this one blog alone, they shall i call them the "goliaths" of this situation are watching, and two of them (which used to be one) are the ones who "cried wolf" to many times, I'm printing out all posts too, for the most part I'm defending the saftey of my child and the rights of my children to see each other.

Now in your twisted vision your seeing me as being in the wrong for that?

Do I need to post ALL the letters from my childrens past teachers, school supers, school lawyers that tell a different story about me than what you are trying to spread.

You need only go to your boss for that info, XLFD, he's got it all.

If not and you decide to keep up your rants, I shall put it on for all to see.

Bottom line, After 12 years of me and  my child being harrased by her mother, about me going to extracuriicaul activities, the hammer came down in the Face of Miller, the "almighty" cannot be wrong because he's the "Chief"

Alls I'm doing is trying to give my side of the story, as to a small part of what your so called "Hero" has become. And to me that is a "Zero".

Because it appears I am alone, (I assure you I am not) it may appear to be a small part to you, but it's mine and my childrens life he messed with, he was someone who was somebody who should have taken extra caution to stay out of something he made look personal, or could be percieved as him making personal, also because of his job, he put the city in the middle of his personal, or could be percieved as putting the city in the middle of his personal, or somebody elses personal business.

Bottom line #2, as soon as the CM makes up his mind to re-instate or not, I can almost gaurantee, you will not hear from me again, that is, unless i am "Instigated" again.

[XWPD]

Blah, blah, blah.