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. 

 

 

[Phil Convissor]

Cisco, the reason I don't respond to you most of the time is because you'll get the last word no matter how much sense it doesnt make, is it a gender thing, or are you just an abused individual.

I think the only thing I've said about my kids is the fact that Miller, stalked not only me, but also my son, he videotped me exclusively at "Extracurricular" activities of my daughter.

He let my daughter live in a basement without proper egress, in a house he basically was at everyday for at least two years, before I found out her sleeping arrangement.

He's only 'REFUTICATED IT" by using the word 'iNTERESTING".

Are you that ignorant not to understand I'm not looking for comment from you, I want an answer for the XWPD on my Questions.

None the less if i get  answers or not, I will be using what more evidence I have at an appropriate time as I deem necessary.

They made this public, they should have been wise enough to know I would put my say in it. My say, my kids is all i'm interested in. What he used to be, is of absolutely no interest to me.

[XWPD]

Phil, have you ever goneback and look at what you've posted? If not,you might try it some time. Just an idea.

[Fran Cisco]

You sir are a liar. XWPD is obviously of MUCH interest to you. And you've more than proven it.

[Phil Convissor]

lying about what? you are so far out in left field.I never said I wasn't interested in the demise of WXPD I'm very interested. I recall very well, do you? Do you not understand what "stick to you like stink on Poo" like you did to me and mine, means?

[XLFD]

Phil Convissor said:  "I never said I wasn't interested in the demise of WXPD I'm very interested."

 

Are you aware of what you just said Phil?  That could very easily be construed by anyone as a highly threatening statement against XWPD's life.  Not a good statement to make when you have a PPO out on you. 

Are you still upset that WPD's James "Jay" Anderson served you the PPO while you were at the school?  I'm sure Dan Miller would not have advised that officer to do such a boneheaded thing as that when the home address was right there on the PPO. 

I'm filtering through a lot of these FOIA papers I'm getting from the City of Wayland and it looks more and more to me like the main problem that Dan Miller was saddled with was almost a whole crew of incompetent LEOs on his department cryin' to their labor representatives and the City Managers of the day-- instead of doing what the City of Wayland says to do right there in black and white letters:  discuss it with your supervisor first.  Baby Anderson never seems to follow any protocol, and doesn't seem to know a thing about law, he's your #1 ally in destroying the Chief, Phil.

But that's just my current opinion, based on a once-over.  The Chief was perhaps getting a bit too lax on protocol and proper training of his officers, as well, which led to his personal issues becoming public and interdepartmental intrigue.

[Phil Convissor]

XLFD, I'll refute that first statement of yours, I meant "demise of Dan Millers Career" But you knew that , your just trying to cause trouble. But thats your job. We're cool. I liked the way you ended the paragraph tho. 

I am also still waiting for XWPD to refute the accusations I pointed out about his professional behaviors or decisions, or overlooks. Aren't you slightly curious, especially about the no proper egress of my daughters bedroom he overlooked for at least two years.

[XLFD]

I didn't do anything with what you put down Phil.  You may have meant 'his career', and perhaps I can give you that wiggle room so as to not have you violating our terms of service here, in threatening another member, but would you have given the same latitude to XWPD if he had said the same thing regarding Phil Convissor? 

[Phil Convissor]

XWPD, Refuticate the accusations, if you dare. I got a lot more to put out for all to see.

[Fran Cisco]

Whatever...

[Phil Convissor]

XLFD, The question should be, would you give him such latitude, if he helped do to yours, what he helped do to mine.

"Eye for an Eye", but I do still believe his career to be a small price, for what he helped destroy of "me and mine".

Would you have been so forgiving? I'm human i can forgive, (unlike some) but I shall never forget.

[XWPD]

Phil once again, I feel sorry for you. You are one scorned individual. To go through life as unhappy as you are and make it, it's not a wonder no one wants anything to do with you. May you have a Safe and Happy Memorial Holiday weekend.

[XLFD]

Phil.

I attribute an extraordinary amount of help from the Ludington Chief of Police Mark Barnett in becoming XLFD, rather than just someone who rode his bike safely, worked at the Ludington Fire Department for 8 years, and accepted all the City of Ludington actions in the background as just and proper. 

Here's a link to show LPD's Chief Barnett's part in upsetting my apple cart in 2008:  LB p. 2 and LB p. 3 

Here's another one showing him upsetting it once again last year by initiating a new Trespass policy for me:  Creating a Monster 

This clown totally screws up anything he touches, but he fawns and capers to his fellow Oakland University alumnus, Ludington City Manager John Shay, and everyone else at City Hall.  Yet he is almost universally scorned by everyone else.  Few around here can get away with making their true thoughts about our Chief public, because of the repercussions for doing so. 

In Wayland, I see Dan's stellar record of service, heroism, and accomplishments; I see how he is adored by reasonable people in the general public; I see how the City Hallers of Wayland  have tried to crucify him with paper nails.  Chief Miller, despite his faults which are minor, is a Chief we deserve here in Ludington.