New Atmore Mayor, Council Sworn Into Office

November 6, 2012

A new era began Monday night in Atmore as Jim Staff was sworn in as mayor, replacing longtime Mayor Howard Shell.

After a total of more than two decades in office, current Mayor Howard Shell did not seek re-election. He was first elected to the Atmore City Council 1984 before being appointed mayor after the death of then-Mayor Patricia McKenzie. After winning the mayor’s race twice, he remained in office until being beaten in 1996 by Rodney Owens, an Atmore chiropractor.  He returned to office in 2000 and completed his third term since returning to office.

Along with Staff, new council members Chris Harrison and Susan Smith and returning members Chris Walker, Cornell Torrence and Webb Nall were sworn in Monday during a ceremonial meeting.

Pictured top: Newly elected Atmore Mayor Jim Staff (left) is congratulated on election night by outgoing Mayor Howard Shell (right). File photo by Emilie Mims for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

9 Responses to “New Atmore Mayor, Council Sworn Into Office”

  1. Obama Phones for Everyone on November 8th, 2012 12:47 pm

    Too bad the good people of Atmore didn’t care about the mayor and council slipping that sales tax increase by them earlier in the year…most cities would have hung their politicians out to dry over such an increase in these uncertain economic times. Yet in Atmore the political machine is so strong they can even get the newspapers to bury the story so that it doesn’t harm them politically.

  2. Sew Neat on November 7th, 2012 2:10 pm

    The Dynasty at city hall is alive and well..Four more years Four more years

  3. mom on November 7th, 2012 9:20 am

    Batman, you are right….fast food and dollar stores…Atmore doesn’t need…we need a KMART back in town. Walmarts are EVERYWHERE…have you been to a KMART lately? They have a lot of neat things, different from Walmart. I would welcome a Kmart, even if it were out by the interstate. I was under the impression that Kmart in Atmore closed because they had said that store was the last stop at the end of their delivery area (not sure if that was true or not), but every store will be the last stop of their delivery area eventually in every town.

  4. Wagon Lady on November 7th, 2012 8:06 am

    Congratulations James. Atmore is truly blessed to have such a wonderful man for her Mayor. Best wishs, Jenny.

  5. A.W. Thompson on November 6th, 2012 6:03 pm

    Good luck to Chris Harrison.We know the fine folks in your district will be represented well.Roll Tide! A.W. Thompson Mosquito Flats,Florida

  6. Batman on November 6th, 2012 5:38 pm

    Lets hope he focuses on getting some manufacturing jobs for Atmore instead of the usual low paying fast food-service industry jobs that don’t improve exponently the standard of living of residents.

  7. Duke of Wawbeek on November 6th, 2012 10:12 am

    All the best from all of us. Good luck Jimmy.

  8. get off that soapbox on November 6th, 2012 8:24 am

    Hope so! Congratulations, Jim!

  9. friction against the machine on November 6th, 2012 7:51 am

    Business as usual in the mayor’s office?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News