By Scott Turner

sturner@cullmantimes.com

A local legislator is requesting that former Gov. Guy Hunt be named a counselor to present Gov. Bob Riley.

State Sen. Zeb Little, D-Cullman, has sent a letter to Riley requesting that Hunt be made a counselor with a salary of $18,000 per year as a form of pension.

“I’ve talked to him (Hunt) about it,” Little said. “He didn’t ask me to do this. I just feel it’s the right thing to do.”

Little said state law allows a governor who has served two terms be named a counselor.

“Gov. Hunt is legally eligible to receive this,” Little said. “Every other governor has received this except Fob James, who is independently wealthy. Both (George) Wallace and (James) Folsom (Sr.) were dedicated public servants and deserving of it. So is Gov. Hunt. Wallace had served as a circuit judge before serving as governor, just as Gov. Hunt served as probate judge.”

Little said former governors do not receive a pension like congressmen and other federal officials.

“Gov. Hunt doesn’t receive a pension for serving as probate judge,” Little said. “This is something we ought to do.”

State Rep. Jeremy Oden, R-Vinemont, said there had been previous efforts to have Hunt named as a supernumerary official.

“I haven’t seen what Zeb is proposing but I would support it,” Oden said. “I’ve been a supporter of Gov. Hunt’s for years. Anything we can do for him would be great.”

Little said he has not heard back from Riley’s office about the request.

“But it’s only been two weeks,” Little said.

“I know he’s been really busy just coming off the primary. I’ve asked that it be made retroactive through the beginning of his (Riley’s) term.”

Hunt has been battling cancer and other health problems the last couple of years. The Legislature recently named the rest stop of Interstate 65 near Good Hope in his honor.

Efforts to reach Hunt were unsuccessful.