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Mayor Jim Staff walked into the Sail Center waiving the white flag Wednesday morning.

The regulars of the senior citizen center celebrated Staff on his retirement as the city’s leader. A day prior, a retirement celebration was held for Staff at Atmore City Hall.

“I enjoyed it,” Staff said about the party at city hall. “It was great celebrating something with the very people that helped.

“It couldn’t have happened without these good folks,” he said. “The council has been fantastic. And my help in city hall, I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Staff said it was all about serving the city.

Staff’s retirement will be effective on May 31.

According to Advance archives, Staff served as a member of the Atmore City Council from 2000-2012 before being elected mayor in August 2012.

Staff has served the city in various capacities before becoming mayor, contributing to Atmore’s economic development, infrastructure improvements, and community initiatives, according to a release.

Mayor Pro-Tem Shawn Lassiter will serve the remainder of Staff’s term as interim mayor. Lassiter’s term begins June 1.

Additionally on Tuesday, longtime Atmore City Employee Nina Propst was celebrated as well after 28 years with the city.

Propst’s last day at the city was May 30.

She started working at city hall in October 1996 with the late Mayor Rodney Owens as an accounts payable clerk and personnel officer.

She then worked under Mayor Howard Shell and Staff.

“I am retiring after 28 wonderful years of service working with Becca Smith,” Propst said. “I have seen a lot of people come and go, and now it’s my turn. It has been a pleasure serving the citizens of Atmore.”