Posted Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

HUNTINGTON – After announcing during the November 9 Huntington City Council meeting that he would regretfully step down at the end of the month, Councilman Jerry Meehan Jr. officially notified the Huntington County Republican Party on Tuesday, November 30, that he will relinquish his seat.

Meehan, a first-time city councilman, represented Huntington’s 3rd District including southern and eastern parts of the city. A May house fire in which Meehan and his wife lost their home of more than three decades ultimately forced a difficult decision to relocate outside of the district.

“It’s been tough,” Meehan said on Nov. 9. “We were in that house for 33 years and raised two sons there.”

Meehan’s four-year term began in January 2020. The Huntington County Republican Party will be filling the seat via caucus within 30 days, County Party Chair Marla Foster said. For further information interested individuals can contact the Huntington County Republican Party via email at hcrp21@comcast.net or the Huntington County Clerk’s Office.

The decision to step away is one he regrets, Meehan said. But when carefully weighing all options, rebuilding on the same property was not feasible or prudent, Meehan told his fellow Council members.

“I want to thank everyone from the 3rd District,” Meehan said of his time on City Council. “I’m not walking away lightheartedly.”

Meehan and his wife are in the process of purchasing a home outside of the 3rd District that they have rented and lived in since the May house fire.

Mayor Richard Strick offered his condolences to Meehan upon his announcement, thanking him for his hard work on behalf of District 3 constituents and his service to the City of Huntington.

“On behalf of the city and as a resident of the 3rd District, I want to thank you for your service and again offering condolences for the circumstances,” Mayor Strick said during the November 9 meeting. “The tragedy in May was a gut-punch. You’ve handled yourself well in service to the city, and I personally thank you for it.”

Council members reacted to Meehan’s announcement by expressing their appreciation for his work over the past two years.

“I very much appreciate your enthusiasm and getting involved and wanting to learn about what’s going on and not being afraid to ask questions,” Council President Charles Chapman said on November 9. “That kind of commitment is good to see.”