Apr 9, 2003 1 min read

A county commissioner candidate is promising the equivalent of a chicken in every pot. Joe Hardy, owner of the 84 Lumber empire and swanky Nemacolin Woodlands, spoke Monday at the third annual Fayette County tourism summit. Hardy promised to draw upon the resources of 84 Lumber to help other businesses spruce up in time to draw potential customers from the crowds expected to appear during a September PGA tournament at Nemacolin. Republican Hardy, who has also thrown his name into the mix of 11 candidates running for county commission, pledged that businesses that wanted to put their best facade forward and were long on labor but short on buying supplies needn’t worry. “If they want to do the work and can’t afford the paint, I’ll provide it,” Hardy said.

Lest tongues start wagging that the multi-millionaire is attempting to buy votes, consider that a pot of paint for every mom and pop shop aids Hardy’s business more than his campaign. He has a vested interest in the impression the area leaves with tourists. And so does the rest of the county. A little paint, a little litter pickup can go a long way.