May 1, 2007 By Patty Yauger 4 min read

Just days after a sign was erected reflecting the new name of the Fayette County airport, it appears a local coalition will take legal action to restore the Connellsville Airport moniker the organization believes is the rightful name. A grassroots coalition will meet on the steps of the Fayette County Courthouse at 10 a.m. today to announce its intention to file a lawsuit against the Fayette County Airport Authority in connection with the name change.

Brad Geyer, a Connellsville councilman and spokesman for the coalition, declined Monday to discuss the content of the yet-to-be-filed suit but said that the Jan. 6 action taken by the authority to name it the Joseph A. Hardy Regional Airport was “not legal.”

“There have been several people take a look at this issue and the action taken by the authority on several levels was not appropriate or legal in our opinion,” he said.

By a 4-to-1-vote margin, the authority agreed to rename the county facility to recognize the multimillionaire founder of 84 Lumber Co. and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, and Fayette County commissioner just hours before his family and several airport authority members paid tribute to his 84th birthday.

In response to public outcry, the panel revised the name to the Joseph A. Hardy – Connellsville Airport at a later authority meeting.

Over the past several months Connellsville City Council has taken official action to support the retention of the airport’s original name, which was instituted after the city contributed 25 percent of the $15,000 needed for the purchase of a 214-acre tract of land needed to build the airport in 1936.

Geyer, however, said that the organization has gained support not only in Connellsville but also throughout the county.

“There are a lot of people who do not believe this was done in the county’s best interest by a county entity,” he said.

Attorney Mariah Balling-Peck of Uniontown has agreed to serve as legal counsel to the coalition.

She, too, said Geyer has a vested interested in the matter as her grandfather, M.T. Balling was named to the first authority board of directors. Her uncle, Tom Balling, succeeded him.

“It is more than just Connellsville,” he said.

Martin Griglack, former authority board member, has acknowledged his participation in the coalition and is hoping the group is successful in having the original name returned to the airport.

Griglack claims that as a commissioner, Hardy, along with Fayette County Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites “stacked the deck” with authority appointments that would allow for the name change.

Through Hardy’s spokesman, Jeff Nobers, the commissioner and philanthropist did not seek the name change.

“There have been a lot of attempts over the years to have the name changed,” he said. “(Former boards) have not played politics; we were advised that the name could not be changed and we acted accordingly to that information.

“Our goal was to move the airport forward and we did that.”

Griglack said that if Hardy wants the airport to bear his name, he should be willing to pay for the honor.

“I see that the Pittsburgh Penguins will receive $18 million to have a name put on its stadium,” he said. “(The airport) is property that has a lot of value.

“There are a lot people that have their name on monuments; it is usually a politician that has served a long time or someone that has done great things.

“For example, Robert “Bob” Eberly was helping hospitals, schools and people; giving millions of dollars and (his philanthropy) continues today.

“Joe Hardy hasn’t done anything for Connellsville, but he has done something to Connellsville.”

Geyer, meanwhile, said he encourages supporters to rally with him outside the courthouse as the coalition prepares to mount its legal battle.

“It is time to take back what rightfully belongs to Connellsville,” he said.