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]

Dearest Cis, you must be looking in a mirror, cause I know your not talkin about me.

[Belinda French]

I must agree with the rest Phil. I also feel sorry for your children . Seems like you have nothing else to do with your life other than try to make trouble for others. You are very selfish

[Phil Convissor]

XLFD, Are you trying to tell me they got my daughter to lie to me,about being moved from that bedroom with just a door to a hallway to another room? Is that what you are saying? You know also you just contradicted yourself a couple times over.

I recall you saying something about an international law about 2 egresses to the outside in all basement bedrooms & something about the reason for this is from your own experience you yourself know what it's like to be in a smoke filled dark old basement during a fire. To paraphrase you, not quote your exact words exactly. Peace Man.  

[Fran Cisco]

Hey Phil, how bout a lil cheese to go along with ur whine.......

[XLFD]

Phil,

You would have us believe they had her regularly living in a small room in the basement with one door and no windows.  Is that what you're trying to say?

[Phil Convissor]

Belinda, unlike you, which you've made obvious more that once with your off the wall comments. I care deeply about my children associated with this case, which happen to be my only children, and when it comes to there best interest, there is no such thing as a waste of time. i'm sorry for you who feel differently, and would like to twist it on me as far as making trouble for them. 

They made the trouble for me and mine and I'm just returning the favor.

[Fran Cisco]

I think that could be construed as a threat. Don't you have a family life Phil???? You are always on here. Maybe if you looked in a mirror you could see your problems but pleas don't start talking to yourself. At least I'm getting paid to be on line.

[Phil Convissor]

Dearest cisco, Paid? thats' news to me, now I see where your bias comes from, or is that why your bias comes? My kids are my life? sorry you have none. 

By the way, why are you back? Has something changed?

[Fran Cisco]

Wouldn't you like to know.

[Phil Convissor]

Cisco, aw come on, did he get his job back? the suspense is.. oh i cant' say it, please the suspense is.. oh i'm repeating myself again. Excuuuuse me.

[Fran Cisco]

Phil, that's what everybody has been trying to tell you all along on the LT and you just admitted to it in the above post "oh I'm repeating myself again"

Take the advise from someone's earlier post, read your posts before hitting ENTER.

[Phil Convissor]

cisco,your a regular einstein, or is that einsteinet? but who gets the last word? that's the question.