Native Huntingtonian writes regarding our "dirty city"

A well-respected business person from Huntington, who retired and moved out west, sent this personal email after reading my posting criticising Huntington Mayor David Felinton, and I thought I would share it with you:

"You, my dear, have really struck a chord. I think part of the problem is that many people in Huntington have never lived anywhere else and they don't know the difference. Or, on the brighter side, maybe it's happened so gradually that it takes someone with some guts (like you) to stand up and say, "Hey, has anybody noticed that this city is disgustingly dirty"? It's so apparent to those of us who visit from time to time but our voice is only heard by close friends like you guys, not those in power (or should be but don't exercise it). (My son) said to me in September, "Mom, I'm always so excited about coming back to Huntington every year for Grandma's birthday but I'm only here about an hour and I can't wait to get back to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina". He goes on to talk about how dirty and run-down the streets, structures, and neighborhoods are but you know all that. It is sad, very sad but I congratulate you on keepin' on, keepin' on! It's uphill but so important to those of us who cherish so many good memories of a once, All American City."