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. 

 

 

[Fran Cisco]

whatever

[masonco]

Wow

Phil...

Your vemonous posts can backfire on you. You are definitely making a case against yourself and  reasons to support Mr Miller. It is obvious you will do anything you can in your agenda of destruction of anyone who does not follow your whims. As an outside with nothing to lose,  I fully understand why your ex-wife has a ppo on you. Be careful you don't find yourself in prison for stalking, slander or worse. The state police will not be as kind as the past (and present) local police department.


As a former spouse of an abusive husband who not only physically abused but verbally abused me through intimidation, at first I thought you were my ex-husband. You come across as a textbook example of a spouse (and child) abuser if by no other means but through intimidation, blackmail and emotional abuse. I bet if Mr Miller and your ex wife went to Dr. Phil you would be called out on being a bully and abuser.

Now...where's the block a jerk like Phil C button?

[Phil Convissor]

XLFD, obviously it was brought up before this as it was indicated in the 5 violations pertaining directly to my personal business and so here we go again with the issue at hand, with no "muddying the waters", with the "Straw that broke that camels back"

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

Then, agree with his 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 his boss to a personal that he already agreed to let another dept. handle, which by the way the State police Post is directly across the st from his residence.

[Fran Cisco]

whatever Phil...Blah,blah,blah.

[XLFD]

Phil,

I took out a duplicative post of yours which entirely duplicated the post I am now responding to.  Your repetition of fallacious reasoning does not make it so; it's about as convincing and annoying to others as responding "whatever". 

Though, "whatever", is sometimes an appropriate response after a time of trying to reason with others and just not getting through. 

[Phil Convissor]

Remember, I'm only "returning the favor", (stink on poo-poo) I believe is what i said earlier, or something along that line.

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

Then, agree with his 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 his boss to a personal that he already agreed to let another dept. handle, which by the way the State police Post is directly across the st from his residence.

 

[Fran Cisco]

whatever Phil - you and city hall are the only ones smelling like $@;€ - blah, blah, blah

[XLFD]

Phil, instead of repeating the same material, why don't you try this exercise.  Pretend that you are one of the many defenders of Dan Miller, and try to argue for the other side.  Try to address all the issues you have brought to the table as a Dan Miller detractor.  You don't necessarily have to (in your heart) agree with it, but give it a try if you dare.

[Phil Convissor]

XLFD, #1 and only reason is because I don't feel the need to make this any more complicated then what you folks are trying to make it.

Besides with someone like cisco on your side what more can I say.

It all boils down to what miller stood for before 2008 and what he fell for or did to be unproductive after 2008, plus the 2003 incident and follow up rehire with rules that he thought did not apply to him, add that to the rules he agreed to this time that he broke by trying to be evaisive about it, to say the least. What you end up with is "it is what it is"  

[XWPD]

Interesting.

[Phil Convissor]

Dear Masonco, this one line of yours fits them to a tee, "It is obvious you will do anything you can in your agenda of destruction of anyone who does not follow your whims."

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

as far as your personal cicumstances if they are true, I am sorry,

Take care.

[XLFD]

Phil,

I think Masonco and several others here are thinking that you are sounding more and more like this:

But I remain willing to hear your side of the story and weigh it against other evidence to the contrary.  Were you at the Wayland City Council meeting tonight?  What happened?