Mark Acreman and Noel Hand were working on a problem with fireworks sometime during Acreman’s 18-year tenure in the city’s Public Works Department.

“I think about the oil spill, the fireworks Noel and I, tossing fireworks cylinders into a truck when the barge wouldn’t go to shoot them off after the summer of the oil spill,” Acreman said. “We keep wondering why the fire department was kind of staying back, and it didn’t really occur to us that those were live rounds of fireworks that we were tossing like watermelons and which I had experienced doing in my youth.”

It was one of several funny and heartfelt stories Acreman shared on his last day with Gulf Shores at a recent council meeting. The city engineer is leaving Gulf Shores and taking a job as the Baldwin County engineer.

“Mark has been a faithful citizen and employee of the city for 18 years and the entire term of my being mayor and have been working with him,” Mayor Robert Craft said. “Mark has decided to move on. He’s had an offer that we couldn’t match or otherwise, he would still be here. We wish him the best.”

Craft gave Acreman a certificate of appreciation from the city and personally praised him for his work in Gulf Shores.

“I told Mark unfortunately this a chance for me to really appreciate all that you do and that you’ve done, and I apologize for not having recognized that just organically,” Craft said. “When we started trying to replace you and I figured out how do we do that? It became very evident that this man has worn a bunch of hats, and he’s worn them all well. This city is better because you were here and helped us get here. Our future’s brighter because of the path you’ve helped pave. Best wishes for continued success in all your future endeavors, and we love you.”

Citizen Mike Powell has become somewhat of a spokesperson for neighborhoods along Coastal Gateway Boulevard and was darn near teary-eyed when talking about Acreman’s reaction whenever he raised concerns.

“The man returned phone calls, returned texts, returned emails, and it’s hard to find an employee that will go the extra mile,” Powell said. “This gentleman has done it. I actually said ‘I’m sorry for being a pain in the ass when I contacted you.’ Mark said he just appreciated my dedication to beautifying the neighborhoods and our work together of taking care of several neighborhoods off of Coastal Gateway. Putting up trees, bushes. He’s helped us immensely. I have some neighbors with us back here and we just all appreciate everything that you have done, and you are definitely a class act, and we will miss the hell out of you.”

Craft handled all business before the council and saved Acreman’s remarks as he was leaving for the last item addressed during his final meeting.

“Three words come to mind when I look back on my 18 years here, and it’s an honor, privilege and blessing,” Acreman said. “‘It’s been an honor to serve each and every one of you up here on this podium. It’s been a privilege to serve the citizens of Gulf Shores. There’s been so many of you guys that call me with problems.

“It’s a blessing to come to work each and every day with such great people and great friends and great staff. It’s hard to talk and you don’t replace it. But there’s more family out there for me to meet in the near future and I look forward to that experience, but also, it’s very, very bittersweet. This has been a great, great opportunity for me and for my family and I wouldn’t trade a single day.”