Many of you know that Hardy hired me to work for
The Commerce News while I was still in college, and except for 16 months of a mid-life crisis where I ran a newspaper in North Carolina, I’ve been with
The News ever since. There are those who believe my commentary regarding the mayor has been (mostly) positive because he hired me — to them I say it’s a testimony to his character. How many people do you know who have nothing but good to say about a
former boss?
Hardy was a good boss and he’s been a fabulous mayor, but he was a community leader long before he got into politics, serving the Commerce Booster Club, Commerce Kiwanis Club, Commerce Fire Department, the Jaycees and the Boy Scouts, where he was a troop leader for years and later a director on the Boy Scout Council. During his tenure as publisher of The Commerce News, he used the newspaper for the benefit of the community. He first ran for mayor not because he had political aspirations, but because he believed re-election of the incumbent would be bad for Commerce. His only political agenda at the time was for the city to experience financial stability (a foreign concept at the time) and a successful transition to the city manager form of government.
Mission accomplished. He leaves a long legacy of progress and stability. Commerce has the best-run government in the area, even in this time of economic turmoil.
But forget the political. All you really need to know is that Buzzie Hardy is one of the good guys. He and his late wife, Paula, who died earlier this year, never missed an opportunity to offer hospitality (or service — Paula was just as active in the community as Buzzie). They raised three great kids who rewarded them with six beautiful grandkids. Both worked hard to make Commerce a better place.
As Hardy leaves office, he should feel pride for the accomplishments of the past 22 years that do make Commerce a better place, although he’ll be the first to credit other elected officials and city staff — city manager Clarence Bryant in particular. He can also look back over the years with assurance that he acted with integrity and put the needs of the community before his own. Others going into public service would do well to follow his example.
Good leadership is rare. Commerce has been blessed to have Buzzie Hardy in office for two decades. As much as anyone else, he put (and kept) the city on the right track.
Mark Beardsley is the editor of The Commerce News. He lives in Commerce.
