Over the course of the last 24 years, Monroe David Tate II has served the City of Picayune as city attorney and municipal court judge, now that he is retiring he plans to make time for his family and do some repair work around his home.

Diane Miller, Operations Assistant for the City of Picayune, said Tate served the city of Picayune for 13 years as the city attorney and the last 11 years as Picayune’s municipal court judge.

Thursday was Tate’s last day on the bench, but as of Friday Tate officially retired, Miller said. She said the city council will discuss appointing a new municipal court judge in executive session during Tuesday’s upcoming meeting. Until the council decides who to appoint, interim judges will hear cases, Miller said.

On Thursday, Mayor Greg Mitchell presented Tate with a certificate of appreciation for his years of dedicated service to the city.

“M.D. has worked for the city for many years and has always done an excellent job for the city. I hate to see him retire,” Mitchell said.

Tate said he was named after his grandfather who was a former Pearl River County Sheriff and a former member of the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors in the early 1900’s.

After he retires, Tate said he plans to visit his daughter and her family in Florida so he can spend time with his grandchildren. When he returns from that trip, Tate said he plans on doing some repair work to his home from the damage it incurred during Hurricane Katrina.