The First 100 Days

On New Year’s Eve, I stood in a quiet room inside City Hall and took the oath of office. There was no ceremony that day. Just a promise to get to work.

Since then, I’ve talked with flood victims, met families in recovery, and stood alongside first responders on the toughest calls. Our work is just beginning, but here’s what we’ve done and where we’re going.

Early on, I said we’d focus on three priorities: public safety, infrastructure, and economic prosperity. That remains our North Star. But those goals only matter if they show up in your life in a real way. Safer streets. Fewer floods. More opportunities. That’s what we’re chasing.

On Public Safety

I’ve walked into meetings about homelessness, addiction, and violent crime where the mood is heavy. There’s no easy fix, but there is progress.

We secured a new site for low-barrier services, one that shows compassion for people down on their luck while protecting our downtown. That balance matters.

What makes this effort different? For the first time, Valley Health, Prestera, Harmony House, Marshall Health Network, the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, and others will deliver services under one roof. This is the most coordinated and compassionate effort Huntington has ever made to address homelessness.

This isn’t just a safe place for tonight. It’s a starting point for tomorrow.

We’re backing law enforcement as they go after violent crime and drug trafficking. That includes support for the Drug Task Force, the SWAT team, and the legal teams who follow through in court. We’re inspecting unregulated sober living homes, issuing cease and desist orders, and boarding up unsafe houses across the city. Where demolition is needed, we’re making it happen.

On Infrastructure

If you’ve lived here long enough, you know that flooding isn’t just inconvenient. It can be dangerous.

After February’s flood event, I saw the damage firsthand and issued an emergency order to clear debris from Fourpole Creek. That hadn’t been done in decades. I spent time with Enslow Park residents to hear their anger, feelings of hopelessness, and fears about the future. One woman told me it was the first time she felt like someone was actually listening.

We’ve ensured the floodwall is fully operational. We’ve improved the flash flood alerts in the Cabell County Alert and Safety System (CASS) and opened a new emergency exit route out of Enslow Park. We’re also working with the Army Corps of Engineers to fund a long-term flood mitigation study for the Fourpole Creek watershed.

At the same time, we worked with our state representatives to pass meaningful legislation for our local area, including a provision that will unlock millions of dollars for future infrastructure investments. And we’ve initiated an effort with our lawmakers and regulators on a long-term plan to fix the environmental liabilities associated with our landfill.

These aren’t showy wins. But they matter. 

Mayor Patrick Farrell talks with Huntington’s Public Works team as they fill a pothole.

On Growth 

You can’t lead a city from behind a desk.

Over the last hundred days, I’ve toured our fire stations and police headquarters, walked the floodwall, visited the landfill, and met with the crews who fix our roads and maintain our sewer system. We can’t invest wisely if we don’t know what we’re working with.

We’re building momentum with our development efforts in downtown, Highlawn, and Fairfield. I stood with Marshall University and Intuit to announce a new Prosperity Hub in the Innovation District. The project is expected to create more than 200 jobs and provide students with year-round internships in technology and customer experience. Huntington is on the map, and we are open for business.

But growing a city isn’t just about adding buildings. It’s also about listening to the people who live and work here. I’ve met with neighborhood associations, unions, and civic groups. We launched a business survey to hear directly from those investing in our city. All across Huntington, people want safer streets, stronger infrastructure, and a city that helps them succeed. So we’re listening. And we’re acting.

On Budget and Responsibility

In March, we passed a city budget with a 9 to 1 vote. It was a flat budget that prioritized  your taxpayer dollars where they matter most: public safety, infrastructure, and economic opportunity.

A city’s checkbook reveals its soul. I’m leading the push for Huntington to join the West Virginia Open Checkbook program so that residents can see where every tax dollar is going. This is about transparency, accountability, and building public trust.

We’re also stepping up efforts to collect outstanding fees, making sure everyone contributes their fair share so we can keep delivering services that matter.

Looking Ahead

One hundred days have come and gone. I’m not pretending we’ve solved everything - far from it. But we’ve taken meaningful steps toward the Huntington we all believe in, a city that is safer, stronger, and full of possibility.

If you’ve reached out, stopped me on the street, or sent an idea, thank you. And to the thousands who haven’t spoken up but are quietly rooting for progress, I see you too. I’m grateful.

We have a long way to go, but we are moving forward together, with purpose.

I’ve always believed that doing ordinary things extraordinarily well can lead to something remarkable. That belief is why I ran. And it’s why I won’t stop now.