Wayward and Waylaid in Wayland

[XLFD]

Wayland is a small town of about 4000 people just south of Grand Rapids.  They have had some interesting problems as of late, beginning back late last year, when their City Manager Chris Yonker was fired without any specific reason, although it was later disclosed he had not been adequately performing his duties up to the City Council's ....   Prior to being hired at Wayland, he had also been dismissed as Fremont's City Manager, again with no clear reason why.

 

People outside the City Council, for the most part were perplexed when he was let go, including the Wayland Police Chief Dan Miller stated at the time:  “As far as the Police Department goes, we have never had an issue with Mr. Yonker or his availability.”  His brother, Fire Chief Joe Miller also spoke in Yonker's favor. 

 

In his defense, ousted CM Yonker said:  "To those who want to know what happened I'd be glad to share that privately. Suffice it to say, I did nothing immoral, unethical or illegal. I leave with my head held high, proud of the many accomplishments we've done together for the betterment of this fine community."

His Facebook post further cited politics and hidden agendas, a City Hall mole, a council that doesn't understand the Council/Manager form of government, and micromanagement as reasons for the termination.  The City hired retired Holland City Manager Terry Hofmeyer as an interim while they searched for another CM, as Hofmeyer does not want the job permanently.  He will be replaced soon.

 

However, last month Dan Miller, the Police Chief was put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into "irregularities" found by the interim CM and which is being conducted by the Michigan State Police. 

"I've done nothing wrong, so I really don't have anything to hide," said Miller.

Miller said he doesn't know about the irregularities mentioned the letter that placed him on leave.

"No one's contacted me yet," said Miller.

Miller believes the situation is rooted in small-town politics and may have something to do with his recent divorce from his wife - a Wayland city hall employee.

Had he been asked to resign?

"Not in them exact words, no," he said.

And he said he doesn't plan to.

"I have no reason to. My health is good. I've done nothing wrong," he said. "I want to work until I'm 65."

State police hope to wrap up the investigation by the end of the month. No charges have been sought against the chief or anyone else in the department at this time.

Hoffmeyer said he was would not discuss the nature of the "irregularities" because they are only suspicions at this point.

"I don't know for sure if there are issues," he said.

Miller said he's confident everything will be cleared up.

"There's nothing to be worried about. I've done nothing wrong."

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/allegan_county/state-cops-inve...

 

Police Chief Miller has been offered his old part-paid position on the fire department while on this forced administrative leave by his brother, Fire Chief Miller, while the MSP investigate the charges leveled by City Hall Receptionist Miller (his ex-wife of 22 years) against him.  You gotta love small town politics.

[AQUAMAN]

"Don't our citizens have a right to know these answers-and more? Shawn, you bet we do, and it's self-treason to bury our heads in the sand and continue to ignore it, wherever it is. Keep reading the Torch, and you'll find there's a "perch" up in Ludington that would envy any Eagles Nest in the world. Anything final on CM Yonker now? Thanks.

[AQUAMAN]

Shawn, seems like you lost a good man in Yonker, similar to several ousted Ludington employees of past here. No, Shay would never lower himself to mtg. on a day off, after hours, nor even reply to phone calls and emails, unless it is from one of his cohorts. Yonker must have failed to do something against his conscience or ethics, as did our past people here. The power above them exercised an iron fist policy, do what you are told without questions or disobedience, or we will smear and fire you for "good cause". This kind of governing needs to stop.

[XLFD]

Excellent post, Shawn, I wish you and Wayland luck in your future, but you have a way to go it sounds.  Public officials shouldn't be drinking coffee paid for by the public, whether it be the cheapest generic or the most expensive blend.  They have salaries, big salaries for the most part I hear, which is what the public pays already to them. 

 

When the forces of corruption become dominant over the healthy forces in a public body, you have a situation not unlike when the forces of disease become dominant over the immunity system of a human body.  The citizens have a duty to become anti-bodies to help fend off the sickness in their system when that happens, or the patient dies.