by Ellen Kurt
After being mayor of Waverly for 12 years, Ike Ackerman will be retiring in January.
Mayor Ackerman decided in February this would be his last year as mayor because of poor health.
During Ackerman’s time as mayor, he helped citizens through two floods and created a tax base that bucks the trend.
Ackerman is happy with the progress Waverly has made since his original election in 1998.
“In general, what Waverly has accomplished has been terrific; a real strong, diversified industrial base that has allowed us to escape a little from the force of the economic recession,” said Ackerman.
A Second Ward councilman, Gary Grace, believes Ackerman has laid a good foundation for the future of the council.
Grace said Ackerman left a footprint to follow and the council will always remember the way he managed meetings.
Grace enjoyed being on city council with the mayor and said the council will miss him.
“He’s got a great sense of humor and that’s something you can down play but it’s very effective in terms of the meeting. He manages those meetings so well. He has a gift that makes you feel better than you were before you talked to him,” said Grace.
Ackerman will be remembered as a person who unites people with different points of view.
“Set apart the negatives that he’s a Cub’s fan and that kind of stuff, you know he just has a way about him. He makes people feel good about participating in city government and citizens participating in city issues,” added Grace.
Now as Ackerman closes one chapter in his life, he is ready to open the next.
“I’m still practicing law. I have lots of things to do. I have a lot of interests, but I’ll follow city government closely,” said Ackerman.
The current mayoral election is different than the elections Ackerman went through. He was involved in six elections with no opponents.
Ackerman will officially step down in January of next year, but said he would still like to be an active part of the Waverly community.