City says farewell to longtime council member

PERRY, Ga. – Devoted council member Riley Hunt announced his retirement from the city of Perry during the June 6 council meeting. Now, the city prepares for their new chapter.

Hunt represented District 3, the area around Highway 41 North, Houston Springs and Perry Parkway. He was elected to council in 2004 after retiring from the Watson-Hunt Funeral home after working there for 62 years. He chose to work for the city to keep him busy after his retirement from the funeral industry and decided to run for council. Nearly 20 years later, he is retiring again, but from the city where he was born and raised.

Hunt has recently experienced the loss of his wife who passed away three months ago. His family wants him to spend time with them in their home in Nantucket, Mass. He said he would serve the city for 20 years next year but after a discussion with Mayor Randall Walker and City Manager Lee Gilmour he decided to resign due to health and family reasons.

“Serving the citizens of Perry who have been good to me. I had a good business here, worked hard and was so proud to be a part of Perry. What I did I did out of good conscience and love for the citizens of Perry, I’ve been around a long time and the lord has blessed me and I’m so glad I’ve chosen Perry as my home,” said Hunt.

He said that he was born right outside of Perry in the country and even shared he was one of the last at home births in the city.

In all those years, he has helped the city financially and brought the water battle event to the city, sharing he got the idea while visiting Nantucket. The event takes place around July 4. He said that he is looking forward to the event this year and he’s glad he brought it to Perry.

“We got big plans coming up for the future, I’m sorry I can’t be there, but I’m 81 years old and I’m not as sharp as I used to be so it’s time new blood came in and fill in my place. I know they’ll do a good job and I know the citizens of Perry will elect a good person,” said Hunt.

Hunt added that he has met a couple of candidates for his position and he’s proud to know that his district will be blessed to elect either candidate.

“Whichever one wins, may the good Lord be with them and help them make good decisions,” said Hunt.

He also shares his advice with them, although he admits they may not want his advice. He said that as a conservative, he advises them to be as conservative as possible in terms of managing the city’s money.

“It’s taxpayer’s money, so I ask them to do as I did and be conservative as possible and I don’t mean be a tight wad and not buy what the city needs but she think about it like this: if it were your money coming out of your pocket would you spend it for this or for that? If you would, go for it, if you wouldn’t don’t vote for it,” said Hunt.

Hunt would like to thank Mayor Randall Walker who he said has been doing a great job running the city since day one. He also mentions City Manager Lee Gilmour and said the council couldn’t have done it without him.

“I’m happy with what I did, we got a fine city, we got a fine police department, we got a fine fire department they do a great job, and we look forward to them continuing. They got two good leaders. The chiefs both of them are mighty fine people and we just look forward to a lot of good years to come,” said Hunt.

There will be an empty seat next to the mayor for a little while, but a new chapter begins in the city of Perry and the city council. It is unknown who will be Hunt’s successor, but details of the election will be mentioned soon.

HHJ News