 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject.(February 2025) |
David Felinton | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Huntington | |
| In office 2000–2008 | |
| Preceded by | Jean Dean |
| Succeeded by | Kim Wolfe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Abraham Felinton [1] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Bethany Felinton [3] |
| Children | 3 [4] |
| Education | Marshall University (BA) |
David Felinton was a former politician who served two terms as the mayor of Huntington,West Virginia.
Felinton graduated with Cum Laude from Marshall University in 1999, [1] receiving a Bachelor of Arts in political science. [5]
Felinton was the mayor of Huntington from 2000 to 2008,losing his third-term race to Kim Wolfe. [6] Still 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 in 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 June 2008,Felinton opposed a raise for himself, [14] hoping to reinvest the possible $28,000 back into the city. [15] In August 2008,Felinton was elected president of the West Virginia Municipal League for the 2008-2009 term. [16]
In 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]
Felinton is married to Bethany Cooper Felinton and has three children,Charles,Elizabeth and Samuel. [3] [4] His son Samuel is known for having stolen a German short film and selling this as his own work. [18]
Felinton is the grandson in law of Burl Stafford. [19] [ failed verification ] [20] [ failed verification ]