PEACE-OF-MIND

Mayor Arrested

11,

Gary Ackerman, the mayor of Port Huron,
charged with sexual assaults on two girls.

some that the mayor had steered away
from violent gang activity over the last
five years. In interviews later, youths
and adult supporters said they could
Port Huron
not believe him to be guilty.
111: ayor Gerald "Ajax"
"I know him," said Ellen Van Loo
Ackerman was arraigned
of
Port
Huron. "I believe he's inno-
Wednesday afternoon on
cent.
These
young gals wanted atten-
multiple counts of crimi-
tion and this is a way of getting it."
nal sexual conduct with four teenaged
- "I don't believe he's capable of doing
and pre-teen girls who attended programs
this," said a close per-
,
in a youth rehabilitation
sonal friend, Gary
center he founded.
Bougher, 29, his voice
On Wednesday
trembling as he fought
afternoon Ackerman,
back tears. "He's always
42, stood silently in
with
a group. He never
court, his head bowed
put himself in a posi-
and long blond hair
tion that might com-
trailing down the back
promise himself"
of his black suit, while
In an interview
his lawyer sought to
with The Jewish News
have him placed in a
a year ago, Ackerman
psychiatric ward lest he
talked about growing
attempt suicide. David
up in Oak Park, the
Nicholson, 72nd
adopted son of
District Court judge,
Charles and Freda
refused the request and
Ackerman. He went to
continued the mayor's
Gerald Ackerman
Hebrew school at Beth
$25,000 bond.
Aaron and Young Israel-
Ackerman, who was
Oak Park. The family was "dominantly
raised in a Conservative Jewish family
Conservative," he said, and he became
in Oak Park, has been a flamboyant
a bar mitzvah at Ahavas Achim.
civic official since 1995, when he
He started drinking in ninth grade,
gained a seat on the Port Huron City
and drugs and drink dominated his
Council. Elected mayor in November
life for 16 years. A marriage, at 30,
1997, he frequently could be seen rid-
produced a daughter, now 12 years
ing his bright blue Harley Davidson
old, and ended in divorce.
motorcycle along the streets of this
A near-fatal cocaine injection scared
economically depressed town, his long
Ackerman
into a recovery program, he
beard blowing in the wind.
recalled, and in 1989 he moved to Port
But he spent most of his time at the
Huron, homeless and jobless. Work
youth center, Clear Choices, which is
with a home for runaway children led
where the sexual offenses allegedly
him, over time, to become a certified
occurred. The four victims, ranging in
addictions counselor. He and Armstrong
age from 9 to 14, said Ackerman had
started Clear Choices four years ago, to
engaged in oral sex with them or
give kids an alternative to joining gangs.
sought to, according to Assistant St.
"Why do kids join gangs?" he asked
Clair County Prosecutor Mona Sayed.
rhetorically
in the JN interview. "Love,
Ackerman could be imprisoned for
security ... the right reasons, just the
life if he is convicted of the charges,
wrong thing. They need something
which include six counts of criminal sex-
healthy.
ual conduct in the first degree, five in the
Ackerman, whose nickname, Ajax,
second degree, two counts of child sexual
comes from a movie about street
abuse and one of indecent exposure. The
gangs, won the National Association
incidents allegedly started last August
of Social Workers Michigan Public
and continued through last month.
Citizen of the Year award in 1994.
The prosecutor said Ackerman is
Since becoming mayor, he's worked
estranged from his wife, Nancee
to build commerce and tourism in
Armstrong, who filed for divorce April 1.
Port Huron, including more exchange
Many in the packed courtroom
with neighboring Sarnia, Ontario. Li
Wednesday were teenagers, including

JULIE WIENER
Staff Writer

12-MONTH CD

OUR

new one-year Millennium CD will
protect your money through the turn of the new century
at the highest return in the area. At Paramount Bank, we
always look out for your best interest. That is because
we believe that our customers are our greatest assets.
Paramount Bank is your hometown bank. From our
convenient hours to our wide range of products, we
work hard to meet all your financial needs. Of course,
all accounts are FDIC-insured.

Visit today or call 1-800-421-BANK and discover the
bank where personal service is paramount.

MAIN OFFICE
30850 Telegraph- Road Suite 250
Bingham Farms, Michigan 48025
(248) 646-3400
Fax (248) 646-5187

BRANCH
1732 West Maple Road
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
(248) 723-4800
Fax (248) 723-4848

PARAMOUNT

BANK
Your Hometown Bank

FDIC

*Annual Percentage Yield for balances of $500 minimum.

INSURED

LBW

Minh MR MIN. /111*
IM 11111 m'a NV 1M1
-
Elm= M-211/
•L mw MIL 1111
MAI III
IIII•9

■

—

1K Mr-1 MIN

EFFECTIVE AND DEPENDABLE PROTECTION
SINCE 1931

SENTRICONTm
the only
Termite Elimination Program,
non-intrusive
& eco-friendly.

Featuring
"PERIMETER PLUS" Program
Exterior Non-Intrusive,
On-Call Pest
Prevention.

We accept VISA & MasterCard.
Members of Michigan & National Pest Control Assoc.

M of Dow AGRO Sciences

ERADICO PEST CONTROL

CALL TOLL FREE

4/9

1999

31.2 Detroit Jewish News

888-479-5900

