Rebel Without a Badge

[XLFD]

I know this person who got a bad rap from his local City Hall.  He had worked on the local fire department for years.  He was accused of an infraction of the law, which really wasn't breaking the law.  He fought the accusation of wrongdoing, and would up losing his public service job.  He and the City Manager had a very public battle over various issues that the person had with City Hall.   This person was so disgusted with local politics that he decided to run for office.

No, I am not talking about myself in the third person, I am talking about my fellow rebel, former police chief/current asst. fire chief of Wayland, Dan Miller.  Where is Wayland, and who the heck is Dan Miller?  Wayland is a community half the size of Ludington (4000 noses) south of Grand Rapids in Allegan County, and we had visited it often this spring, following the interesting political fight that occurred with their City Hall and Chief Miller.

The Ludington Torch first introduced it as a curiosity in  wayward-and-waylaid-in-wayland  we commented further on it in  the-tail-wayland-the-dog, did some research ourselves and put out  foia-follies-wayland reminding us that small town City Halls don't like question-askers.  We pointed out crazy policy of the retired and retiring City Manager's final punchline  hoffmeyer-s-april-fool-s-joke  and put out some unadulterated praise with the review of Dan Miller's sparkling personnel file  Small Town Hero.  In true heroic fashion, he has took it upon himself to run for mayor of Wayland to fight for transparency and help fix the problems that everyone-- who is not part of the problem-- sees.

So if you weren't following the Torch then and need some background, check out those in depth along with the links therein provided.  But a couple months ago, Dan, via his significant other Shawn had dropped me a line about coming up north to take a look at our area and talk about things with me.  I had been corresponding with them at times, and found the opportunity to meet with someone who I consider a hero (not only for his past, but for confronting City Hall bullies) and who has a similar background to me enticing.  I was also intrigued by his paramour and her back story, along with her meeting and talking with my girl and them swapping battle stories of those who stand by their stubborn partner when they dare to stand up to City Hall.

We met at the local Taco Bell parking lot, he was spot on time.  They immediately ingratiated themselves to me by giving me a t-shirt signifying I was part of the "Miller Mafia".  I thought it was very considerate, given I usually wear the same old shirts to City Council meetings.  We then embarked on a roundabout journey around the county in the Chief's vehicle, me serving as Sacajawea.  We wound up at the Ludington State Park, where we leisurely took the Island Trail.  During this time we talked casually about things.

We checked out other areas out there, came back cruised around Ludington City for a little while checking out some of the local points of interest, then headed down to the Buttersville peninsula and the Pump Storage Project.  Hungry by this time, we dropped by the Old Hamlin in downtown Ludington, where they once again ingratiated themselves by picking up the tab against my mild protestations.

By the time we were done eating, about six hours had passed, and they had stayed beyond what they had planned.  We begrudgingly went back to the Bell, made plans to meet again in the future down in his territory and bade them a fond farewell.

Dan impressed me greatly with his personality and his affable nature, the charisma that a mayor should always have up his sleeve.  But he coupled it with an 'everyman' quality which made talking with him feel like you weren't talking with someone who had been the police chief of a town for 35 years.  I normally couldn't carry on a 'natural' dialog with anyone I just met for six hours, but there was never any dearth of topics to discuss, most of which was not about our own travails or future with the Cities we serve.   Shawn had shown herself as very clever and a force to be reckoned with on her own, but also a very loving and supportive partner for the mayor candidate.

These weren't phony people, they weren't up here for anything other than to get away from their area and to talk with someone who could understand what they have been going through the last couple of years.  When I pressed him about what he will offer the voters of Wayland at the end of our repast, he replied simply:  transparency.  I believe him, because if he and Shawn had been any more transparent that day, I wouldn't have been able to make them out from the background.  This is the type of guy I would love to have for mayor or police chief here; a Sheriff Andy Taylor whose good-natured demeanor is accompanied by a serious devotion to the rules, even if his superiors ignore or twist them for their own benefit.

If the City Hall of Wayland feared his dedication to the townsfolk and the law before when he was the police chief, just wait and see what may happen if he becomes mayor.  Maybe then, when the chief executive (City Manager) is fired, the citizens of Wayland will hear about what the story is.  Maybe then, when the chief of police is fired, they will get something other than a long list of non-issues from some mercenary City Manager.   The two-term incumbent Mayor Tim Bala should be upended just on those grounds of secrecy and continued secrecy on issues that need to be broadcast to the people.

But the City Council's and Mayor Bala's silence on these issues, and silence before the throngs of Wayland citizens who came forth to question these firings should announce loudly and clearly, that they no longer wish to represent the people, and they should be replaced with the three citizens coming forward to try and replace them, with Dan Miller in the vanguard, who promise transparency and answers to all.  Not more obstacles and more questions.  Keep your fingers crossed that Ludington will be blessed with those who care enough to replace the Old Guard in our City Hall.  Read more here about these patriots:  http://www.wayland.townbroadcast.com/content/city-government-transp...

[Clark Gable]

masonco #1 I'll use The "Miller" intellect to answer your "ass annoying" response. Bla Bla Bla. #2 I'll repeat #1 Bla Bla Bla. 

[XLFD]

[Clark Gable]

Xlfd thanks for affirming what a dumb ass Miller looks like. And Jane stick it. You guys at one time were given a ton of paper proof. You just got your selves so deep in your own bs you decided to block out the truth. Millers the other white trash. Doesn't deserve the pot ma Lincoln pissed in. He may qualify to empty the pot tho.

[Jane]

As an admin I am telling you, either leave, or post documentation to back your claims. We here at the torch are not interested in opinions that are not backed by proof on paper/video etc...Straighten up or find somewhere else to post your ranting. You will not be welcome here if I see one more "annoying ass" post from you.

[masonco]

Truth hit home huh Clark/Pepper?

[Jane]

CLARK GABLE has hereby been suspended from the network. 

Normally I don't suspend but today I don't have the tolerance for poor behavior towards me or insulting our members or site in general as well.

When what they are saying is not backed up by documentation or proof of the things they are accusing others of doing and they are just ranting and thinking they are some hotshot and can come on our site and act like a dick they can leave. I really don't care about the Dan Miller topic. But poor behavior on any topic is not tolerable.

The Gable's content has been left as an example of how NOT to act here at the torch!

[XLFD]

And I fully support that action.  Clark Gable, aka Phil Convissor, I have looked over a lot of paperwork involving Chief Dan Miller.   None of it rises to the level of incompetence, crookedness, or corruption you would like to claim.  In fact, it shows quite the opposite, and yet your actions betoken a very disturbed individual who holds a grudge against someone who was doing his job in accordance with the law.  

[Pepper Farmer]

XLFD is withholding info from the rest of you morons, I saw all the stuff he says he saw and to say clark is someone else or does not have any proof is just another way of covering up a lost cause of his. Miller always was and always will be a lost cause. The proof is in the politics. Yes he has family in the city now and her motives were and are the same as his, to try and put a crooked person back in business again. She better walk a tight line. I personally can't wait for her to finally get caught showing what her true intentions were and are, she will be uncovered, its only an matter of time. As far as your feelings being hurt Jane. Your talking out both sides of your face. Enough said there.

We're from Wayland, Allegan County.We care about Moral fiber here. And people that do the job they are getting paid to do by hardworking taxpayers. Miller was one of those not doing the job he was paid to do. So he was terminated from that job. Go to hell with your nothing, criminal. That was just a "Dog and pony show". Everybody, except you guys obviously, understand that. He was done in '93. It just took a little longer than thought for Miller to hang himself.  "The end justifies the means".

[Willy]

Welcome back Clark. No matter what name you use you still come across as a nut job. You can't hide that in your posts.

[Lisa O'Brien]

Pepper Farmer,

If there is information that is being withheld please post. If memory serves me, I think I was against Dan Miller and thought his termination was justified (I'm to lazy to go back to the original thread and reread the initial accusations). If you have additional information to further your point that would be great. But seriously do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you call them morons.

[XLFD]

Pepper,

The records you claim I am withholding are yours to provide to the rest of the Torch if you so desire to.  I did not take them from you, nor am I disallowing you from showing them in the main forum, if you so desire to. 

I would tell you, however, that they in no way constitute proof of what you are saying about Chief Miller, but perhaps more proof of what others have said here about you.  That's why I have not shown them.  You obviously do not like Dan Miller-- it's a free country, you don't have to-- but you're far from objective or fair in your approach, and there is no rigor in your analysis.   

[Willy]

Thanks Jane. I fully agree. Back in Oct. I asked him to post proof that his accusations were true but he posted nothing that backed up his rantings.