David Felinton was a former politician who served two terms as the mayor of Huntington, West Virginia.
David Felinton | |
---|---|
Mayor of Huntington | |
In office 2000–2008 | |
Preceded by | Jean Dean |
Succeeded by | Kim Wolfe |
Personal details | |
Born | David Abraham Felinton[1] Pikesville, Maryland[2] |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Bethany Felinton[3] |
Children | 3[4] |
Education | Marshall University (BA) |
Education
editFelinton graduated with Cum Laude from Marshall University in 1999,[1] receiving a Bachelor of Arts in political science.[5]
Political career
editMayor of Huntington
editFelinton was the mayor of Huntington through 2000-2008 losing his third-term race to Kim Wolfe.[6] While still being a college student when he was elected mayor,[7] Felinton's goal while in office was to better the city not only for current residents but for future Marshall University students.[8]
One of the first actions Felinton took when he went into office was to create and develop Huntington's online infrastructure, which included the development of the city's website, cityofhuntington.com.[9]
In 2003, Felinton pushed for West Virginia Legislature grant money to be put into the construction of Pullman Square,[10] a 200,000 square feet commercial development plot to develop downtown Huntington.[8] The development now hosts 20+ tenants including a GameStop, a GNC, an Edible Arrangements, and a Verizon store.[11]
In 2006, Jason Sansom painted the 12th Street bridge pink to raise awareness for breast cancer.[12] The bridge was denounced by the city council on November 10, weeks later the city council then adopted a resolution that declared the painting of the bridge a defacement of public property and requested that the mayor ask Sansom to end the painting project. Felinton then ignored the resolution to allow Sansom to complete the bridge.[13]
In 2008, Felinton opposes a raise for himself[14] for hopes to reinvest the possible $28,000 back into the city.[15] A few months later in August, Felinton is elected as the West Virginia Municipal League’s President for the 2008-2009 term.[16]
West Virginia House of Delegates
editIn 2010, Felinton filed to run for the 15th district in the West Virginia House of Delegates, but two months before the election he terminated his campaign.[17]
Popular culture
edit- Felinton made a cameo in the film We Are Marshall, playing the role of a sports interviewer[18]
- Felinton was cast as a jury member in the Marshall University courtroom drama, J.R. Clifford and the Carrie Williams Case. He was alongside Arley Johnson, Stephen J. Kopp, and Larry Starcher.[19][20]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Commencement 1999" (PDF). Marshall University. May 8, 1999. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Felinton wants city to be creative hub". Herald Dispatch. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Kaufman, Jane (February 17, 2022). "Christian revival has no place in school, ADL Cleveland says". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Kaufman, Jane (February 18, 2022). "Lawsuit filed over Christian revival at high school". Columbus Jewish News. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Mayor's Office". City of Huntington. Archived from the original on October 24, 2001. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "Wolfe Next Mayor of Huntington". Herald Dispatch. November 5, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "A story Hollywood gets right". ESPN. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Project Create Huntington Final Report" (PDF). City of Huntington. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "City of Huntington, West Virginia". Archived from the original on August 17, 2000 – via Internet Archive, Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Timeline of Pullman Square". Herald Dispatch. December 14, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Pullman Square Information". Pullman Square. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "W.Va. Residents see Red over Pink Bridge". ABC News (United States). Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "West Virginia Town Unhappy with Pink Bridge". National Public Radio. November 19, 2006. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "West Virginia Mayor Opposes Raise for Himself, Threatens Veto". Fox News. June 9, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Weird but True, Huntington WV". New York Post. June 10, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Fayetteville's Akers named state's Mayor of the Year". The Fayette Tribune. August 25, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "David Felinton, City of Huntington should reconsider a payroll tax". Herald Dispatch. March 12, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Gallery: Filming on Merrill Avenue, April 19, 2006". Herald Dispatch. December 12, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "Marshall drama, seminar to honor state's first black lawyer". West Virginia Record. October 11, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Seminar Drama to Honor West Virginia Lawyer". The Daily Independent. October 8, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2024.