The Place Where Ludington Talks
Wayland's Dan Miller: Small Town Hero
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:
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.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fran Cisco on
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I will let you because I have to lock up and punch out. Sweet dreams and Good Night.
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Permalink Reply by Phil Convissor on
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Goodnite cisco
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I've been sitting back watching this train wreck long enough. Phil - you are impossible. If I were you I'd watch for the men with the white jacket to show up. You have no regard for your children's feelings that you say you care so much about. You are abusive and intrusive. Shame on you.
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GO figure, hey missy, who are you to tell me about the welfare of my kids, I'm not the one who let my daughter live in a basement without proper egress for god only knows how long. I sure tried to put an end to it as soon as i found out tho. So to put it litely, to hell with you "Kettles who are calling the pot Black"
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I am someone that has seen enough of you. That's who I am. I don't care what you say about anything anymore. The only thing I ca about is how your actions cannot be in the best interest of ANY child.
By the way DA, if I'm going to hell, save me a spot and we'll continue this there. Have a miserable life douche bag.
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Permalink Reply by masonco on
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Phil...I hope Mr. Miller and your ex wife sees your posts here. They have lots of evidence in your posts that
1) you are not mentally stable. If you were you would not be posting such nonsense in ways that could harm your children
2) there is some libel and slander you are spreading with your manure spreading which can be a legal issue
3) did I see you admit you exaggerated and that got Mr. Miller fired? Sounds like a lawsuit to me.
4) you are vindictive to anyone who is unbiased. That does not bode well for someone who claims to care about their children.
Finally...in this real world, there are many who share bedrooms without exits. Often the kids are grateful to have a closet they can call their own private world.
It is pathetic you have lost your friends where you live and now have to spread your bitterness to a small site whose members are more than 4 hours away. You do not make friends or gain support that way.
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masonco, I will keep encouraging my husband to speak his mind and to fight for his rights as a father. As for You, if you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen. As for all of you noncustodial parents in similar situations, you could learn a thing or 2 from Phil, grow a backbone. And as for all of you vendictive exes, your children will see the TRUE YOU. I wish I would have known my father. And for all of you deadbeat dads, you ought to be ashamed of yourselfs. Have a great day.
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How'd I know you'd pop up with a comment. Lady when will you realize you are just an object to Phil. Do you really think he can love anyone other than himself? He doesn't even shut his mouth for the sake of his own children. And if you defend all his BS and see nothing wrong with it, then you are just as sick and twisted as he is.
Mr. Miller and gf - feel free to contact me when you file suite against these idiots.
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GO Figure, please show me where I called u a DA, or told u to go to hell, I'm trying to figure out who u really are. or maybe I already do have that figured out.
My kids best interest, if you have not noticed is the only thing I'm thinking about in these posts, Illegall, or no fire escapes, Threatenting my boy with Juvi if he ever trys to go to his custodial mothers house again to visit his own brother and sister.
"I'm just stating the facts MAM" or whatever or whoever u are today.
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Go figure, Keep talking? is that your new "trademark"? right next to "Interesting..."
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