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December 30, 2005City changes policies to avoid embarrassment by Nazi groupCADILLAC - This spring, when the winter grime around Cadillac parks needs to be swept away, Dan Carlson plans to join his Nazi friends and lend a hand.Carlson and other members of the Cadillac chapter of the National Socialist Movement - a group that dubs itself America's Nazi party - will not be deterred by controversy that surrounded their participation in a park cleanup last May. "We are who we are, and we're not going to bow down to anybody who doesn't like us," Carlson said. "They're not going to pressure us into changing who we are just because they don't agree with it." The group's involvement made international headlines last summer after the Record-Eagle reported the group received a certificate of appreciation signed by Cadillac Mayor Ronald Blanchard. Pictures of the group at the cleanup appeared on the National Socialist Movement's Web site, showing members wearing a swastika arm patch, Nazi T-shirts, and taking time out to pose for a picture while engaging in a "heil Hitler" salute. Cadillac officials backed away from the National Socialist Movement, saying Cadillac does not support Nazi ideology. Blanchard pre-signed the certificates and a city employee who handed it out didn't realize it was awarded to a Nazi group, officials said. From now on, certificates from the city will be made out in the names of individuals instead of organizations in order to prevent controversy. The certificate prompted Betsy Kellman, regional director for the Anti-Defamation League in Michigan, to visit Cadillac. She said she was disturbed that a Nazi-affiliated group could get an appreciative gesture from a city. Kellman said despite the negative attention bestowed on Cadillac, it prompted positive changes, such as the creation of Cadillac United, a citizens' group that meets monthly to promote tolerance. "I think we've opened a lot of eyes and I think the town is more eager to welcome diversity," Kellman said. Kellman said she is pleased with response she received from Cadillac officials, and believes the plan to alter its certificates program is a positive change. Carlson said he doesn't mind that the National Socialist Movement's name will not appear on future certificates. "As long as it's equal, if they don't put our organization name on a certificate, they shouldn't put any organization name on a certificate," Carlson said.
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