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]

Mr. Convissor is irrelevant to what has happened to Dan Miller and he is not the reason Dan Miller was terminated.  Mr. Convissor was simply (and sadly) used by the City Police, Judy Miller and our City government to effectuate their plan to terminate Dan Miller.  These people think Mr. Convissor is a joke and would not associate with the likes of him if it were not for the fact that they needed him for a minute.  He was one of their puppets and is not THE reason Chief Miller was terminated but one of a collection of trumped up charges. Mr. Convissor, contrary to what I imagine he believes, did not single handedly bring down Dan Miller.  He is merely a sad, pathetic, shell of a man who would rather spend time arguing with people on internet forums than trying to repair his relationships with his children.  The fact remains that there are 2 valid PPO's issued against Mr. Convissor and he would be better served addressing those issues.  Mr. Convissor's background was less than stellar before Dan Miller met him and Dan Miller was not wrong by instructing a City officer to serve Mr. Convissor with the PPO.  The City was wrong by telling Dan Miller NOT to do his job. 

[Phil Convissor]

XLFD, Nope did not go, it's gettin boring, SOS, it's whatever happens now. Time will tell. I got what I needed to say out. Forever in the media of yesterday. I got to take away a little of their parade, sometimes you just gotta settle for "whatever happens, happens" and just live with it. (unless it has to do with your own kids)

[Fran Cisco]

Must be you're on your meds today, huh?  You are certifiable. 

[Phil Convissor]

Dear Michele Spicer/Miller, my history of stellerness or not, is the fault of mine only because i strived and continue to strive to get the Equal time with my children they deserve. 

Like i said in one of my earlier posts, they (and now you) need only look in a mirror, all they (and now you) are saying about me, or accusing me of, is staring them( and now you) right in the face.

This vindication from dan miller on me was started after I talked to his brother Joe at the hardware store early 2011 about the laws on no egress in basement bedrooms in michigan, then i confronted Dan/Ex with the info which i thought dan should be made aware of since he had been frequenting our daughters/ex house since at least early 2009, with our daughter living in the basement in a bedroom without egress, Should i mention at this time dan miller was and still is deputy fire chief.

So excuse me for caring very much for the safety/well being  of my daughter. Whom i love and cherish very much.

 

[XWPD]

Very interesting Philip

[Fran Cisco]

I say Michele is most likely onto something with her assessment of the Wayland situation.

Sounds like Phil Con is just trying to come up with whatever he can grasp onto to justify his hate and discontent for Mr. Miller. IMHO good to know that you care about your kids. Not sure why you're trying to convince us of that fact, but considering your PRIOR posts of repetitive non-sense I won't even try to figure out why.

But this I'm sure of, based on the Miller's longevity and reputations that if there was anything brought to their attention they would certainly inquire. AND So what if you said anything it doesn't mean anything was or was not founded. Quit talking crap and go back to living in your hole.

AGAIN - think about your children before you post.

[XLFD]

Phil,

What was your understanding of the law that WFD's Joe Miller made known to you? 

How was the living arrangements at your ex's house in violation of that law?

I am surprised it has taken you so long to bring this to the forefront.  Have you mentioned this to any other public officials? 

Why does the Chief's videotaping you briefly at a sporting event and giving a PPO to a deputy to deliver to you, overshadow this apparent safety and legal no-no?

And why isn't that mentioned in the long lists of violations put forth by the Hoff?   Lot of questions, sorry, but I'm curious by nature. 

[Phil Convissor]

XLFD, Joe Miller told me it was not just a state law it was a federal law to have egress in all basement bedrooms, i can post on this page what i did with that info after i recieved it or i can give it to you in private, in a nutshell i first tried to contact the ex about it, with no response i then contacted the FOC to only get something back saying they don't control that, I'd have to contact CPS, I now wish i would have still, but a week later our daughter let me know she had been moved to a safer bedroom. 

I was not aware of this living arangement until early 2011,I did not live there, for at least 2 years tho miller the Deputy fire chief did know this, he was a regular guest at there premises, according to our children, he was aware of this and did nothing? I guess his head was preoccupied with more important issues.

My text to the ex is very specific, the letter from the FOC is vague, but does mention my concern. The choice to contact CPS i believe was in a phone call from the FOC.

At the beginning of this, I did alert you the web they were weaving would get very twisted. 

[Sweater Cows!]

As far as Phil having been the straw that broke the camels back, I believe it is untrue, and that he was like M Spicer above states, a pawn if anything of the people who wanted MIller out of office. I also have to feel that the  X-Wife of Phil or "XWOP" probably is like many woman and a vindictive selfish brute who used every contact she could with Dan Miller to keep her X(phil) away from the kids.

Phil does not sound like a raving lunatic to me but a father who has been repeatedly screwed out of seeing his kids by a woman who wants him totally out of her life( for the thousands of reasons an ex-wife would want to totally break contact) but the XWOP has done more damage to the kids than he probably could have done. Most women who have kids who go see the dad every other weekend and each wednesday night as is common in custody agreements just shut up and deal with it, but the XWOP had a 'chief' for a new Beua and thought she had thinks she has the world by the balls and well, I gotta go with Mr. Convissor, I think the X wife probably did not want shared custody and dating the chief was a great way to get her way. And the C of wayland used him for a minute.

[XLFD]

Believe it or not, it's not only a Federal law but one of them internat'l laws that require two separate exits from a basement living space.  If there is a stairway leading up into the house, and one of those basement doors that open to the ouside, you are probably okay (depending on local codes).  If you don't have those two exits you need basement egress windows that are at least 20 in. wide and 24 in. high, and within 44 in. of the floor, so as to supply an alternate way out, and an alternate way for the WFD to get in with full airpack.  More info. 

If there was no secondary egress and it was a permanent living space for a while there could have been a code violation, and it would look bad for the other side, but your facts may not be all in a row, I will await a response from the other side-- I would advise them against displaying your house here in the public area of the Torch, but I think if you have a refutation for Phil you should at the least show him.

[Phil Convissor]

To all, if the COW used me, I guess the payback can be expected for my using them to get rid of " The sliver in my ass from the Banister of life".. AKA Dan Miller,... known now as XWPD,.. unless reinstated.

So yes I am still the "Straw that broke that Camels Back" at least for a while. With his help of course.

And all this BS about dedication and time away from the family and kids? That went out the window when he decided to "Alienate" himself from his two daughters he now has with Judy, and for what? 

In his own words on TV 8 "Conspiracy" He said "A younger woman" Woop de doo. All his own stress and the stress he brought on others is because of that one fateful decision. 

[Fran Cisco]

Am I to understand that XWPD is a "sliver" as you see it?

And by you being the "straw" is basically because of all the begging you did to city hall to "keep Miller off your back"?

And "alienation" seems to be used by you A LOT. Is that your excuse for everything?

I bet you think you're some great philosopher? I assure you, you're not.

You close by saying repeating, "conspiracy" and "younger woman" as words spoken by Chief Miller. By doing such, you continue to look like a jealous ex. Jealous of XWPD. Jealous that he's now with your ex. Doesn't matter either way. You still would have had someone "in your business". You again fail to take responsibility for your own actions and continue to blame others for your issues.

Do you really think by talking so negatively about others you're setting a good example to your children? Especially their own mother. Regardless of what's going on. A public forum is NOT the answer.

I feel sorry for your children, your ex and WXPD. I do not feel sorry for people like you who only care about bringing others down to make yourself feel better about yourself. Believe it or not Phil, the world does NOT revolve around YOU.