Former Hardy assistant leaving post
The former administrative assistant for Fayette County Commissioner Joseph A. Hardy III who left the courthouse earlier this year for another position with Hardy is apparently moving on. Charmaine Sampson, Hardy’s administrative assistant in the Fayette County Courthouse for more than three years, was transferred to a position to help with Hardy’s re-election campaign a couple months ago. Now, she will likely be leaving that position as well, according to Hardy’s spokesman Jeff Nobers.
Sampson acted as Hardy’s voice in the courthouse, beginning when he took office in 2004. A couple of months ago, she left the courthouse to work out of Hardy’s campaign office when the Republican announced he was seeking a second four-year term.
However, Nobers said there was recently a disagreement regarding exactly what Sampson’s job entailed. “She needs to decide what she wants to do,” Nobers said. “She will move forward and do whatever she wants to do with Mr. Hardy’s blessing.” He said because Sampson was employed by Hardy personally and was not a county employee, she will receive a “nice severance package” that would not be publicly discussed.
“It’s a personnel decision, not a personality decision,” Nobers said of the decision. “Any time you get into the political arena there are a lot of personalities that come into play.” He said in any work environment, such as business, county commissioner or U.S. representative, there is oftentimes a need to evaluate staff and make changes.
Nobers added that during Hardy’s re-election announcement, Hardy spoke of the need for cooperation and unity to continue to progress. Nobers said he does not know when Sampson will officially move on, adding that she was still doing campaign work on Monday. “That’s a floating target so to speak,” he said.
Although Sampson worked inside the courthouse, she was not a county employee because Hardy, the millionaire founder of 84 Lumber Co., paid her salary. The same is true of Sampson’s replacements, Jessica Hajek and Jennifer Eicher, who are now working alternating shifts for Hardy in the courthouse.
Nobers said Hajek, who formerly worked for Hardy’s development company, Commercial Center Associates in Uniontown, is well aware of other projects Hardy has in the county and is well suited for the job.
“She is aware of his role as an elected official and as a businessperson,” Nobers said.