Candidate for Ashland County Commissioner
Building a Better Future
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COMMISSIONER
Meet Jeff Hardman
A little history: I grew up on a forty acre farm learning to work from a young age. I learned early how to manage resources, not only farm resources, but monetary resources. My Father, Mother and I, and eventually my younger brother started in the water business in 1964. We sold and serviced water softeners, well pumps, and pressure tanks. In 1973, we added drilling rigs, and I learned to run them. We changed the name to Hardman Drilling. Between 1973 and 2016, we drilled over 2000 wells in Ashland, Richland, Wayne, Holmes, Huron, Crawford, Erie and Medina Counties. I have intimate knowledge of the underground aquifers and what water resources we have in Ashland County.
This is another knowledge set I would bring to the job of County Commissioner. After my Mother and Father retired, I co-owned and ran the business Hardman Drilling, had a payroll, managed and performed the sales, procurement, HR, job completion, accounts payable and accounts receivable all with the assistance of my very competent and capable wife, Lora. In 2018, my Brother and I decided to sell our name to an acquaintance of mine. This freed me up to work part time and focus on family, my Daughter Brittany, who is an Intervention Specialist at Hillsdale and has a Daughter, and my Daughter Whitney who is currently living in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan raising our second Granddaughter. I still work part time in the water industry. In 2023, I was asked to test for and received My EPA water license so I could operate small public water systems. I currently operate 14 Dollar Generals, one factory and a couple small businesses that are on wells, that I also test water for on a quarterly basis.
I served 20 years on the Ashland County Board of Health, being elected 4 times to the Presidency of that board. There, I learned how to manage finances on a larger scale. We handled HR issues, approved expenditures, successfully floated a small tax levy, (I made sure it was a small levy, I hate taxes), made policy for the internal workings of the Dept., hired, and in one case, fired a Health Commissioner that did not share our Ashland County values. We also started the accreditation process while I was there. I am proud of my time spent there.
I am still on, and a past President of, the Ohio Water Well Association board at the State level. Again, managing a budget, planning yearly conventions and consulting with State Representatives about water issues.
I also was employed part time by Blue Northern, a locally owned pipeline patrol Company where I was an official observer flying in Cessna 182’s. Had a wonderful time. I am unofficially involved at the Ashland County Airport attending all of their board meetings.
So, What does all of this mean to you, the voter? What am I going to do for you? I am who I am. I am a strict Constitutionalist, strongly support the First and Second Amendments. I am not a rubber stamper, I have been accused of holding up meetings for too long, asking pertinent questions about the decisions being made. I ask questions. Why are we doing it this way? I do not accept the answer “because that’s how it’s always been done.” I am somewhat a disrupter. I am a registered Republican but have Libertarian leanings with just a touch of anarchy. I will patiently listen to public input from all sources. I ran for County Commissioner before, in 2007. At that time, I said “If I’m elected all of you will be County Commissioner.” It’s about time that elected officials in all offices listen to the people that pay their salaries. Besides, some of the best ideas come from the public mind.
I have a couple of ideas about the Dog shelter as I love dogs and don’t want to see any of them un homed. I would propose that we help more with adoption and maybe figure out a way to incentivize the process. No Paws Left Behind is a wonderful program.
I am extremely concerned about our out of control property taxes. There has to be a better way. The algorithm being used at the State level to figure taxes is obviously out of whack. It’s bad enough that property values have risen so high that young families can’t afford a home of their own, and crushing property taxes on top of that. That is just one thing I’ll look into.
To finish, I will not make promises that I can’t keep or are beyond the scope of County Commissioner. I will, however use the leverage of the office to dig into things that are brought to my attention both at the local and State levels. I am not a politician, nor do I intend to became one.
I ask for your vote on May 5th
Thank you.
Jeff Hardman - Candidate for Ashland County Commissioner
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Update 11-12-25 Jeff Hardman, candidate for County Commissioner
Recently I attended the annual Ohio Water Well Conference In Newark, Ohio as we discussed various water issues around the State. I was there to receive my 7 continuing education hours for my EPA water license as well as my registration as a Private water systems contractor. One of the discussions involved ground water usage both present and future. Ohio is one of the States where the legislation Is years behind of where it should be. This is why several large data centers are looking to locate here because of our extremely lax water usage regulations. As far as they are concerned it is still the wild West. Did you realize that large ground water users (Corporate farms, data centers for cooling) don’t even have to register with the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources until their water withdrawal exceeds ONE MILLION gallons a day. Can you imagine a facility drawing a million gallons a day out of some of our aquifers? We, as a group (I am still on the board of The Ohio Water Well Association at the State level) had State legislator James M Hoops come to our board meeting a couple of months ago and discuss this glaring lack of oversight on the State legislature’s part.
You may be saying “so what? I don’t care about ground water and wells because I am on city water or rural water. Uh, I hate to burst your bubble but a little truth here. If you are in the city of Ashland YOU ARE USING WELL WATER. Where do you think Ashland gets its water? We haven’t had a reservoir since 1969. And if you are on Rural water South of Sullivan, or South of Bailey Lakes, you are also on Ashland’s well water. “What? You say “They told me that it was lake Erie water!” No, If you are South of the divide, in the Ohio river watershed, it is illegal for the rural water companies or authorities to pump lake Erie water out of the Erie watershed. Let me say this again: If the rural water association or company is following international treaty and not breaking it, anything South of the water shed divide is purchased from Ashland City and being pumped from their wells to fill their rural water pipes running up and down the roads in the Northern part of the county. So, you had better care about water withdrawal. Here is a nice map showing the divide:
Notice that ¾ of the County is South of the line? It is illegal for the water district to pump Lake Erie water South of that line. So, if all things are equal, anything South of that line is being supplied by The City of Ashland from their wells. There is a permit process that allows some out of watershed usage by the five great lakes States and Ontario, Canada but it is on a limited basis. Conversely, it is illegal to pump water, be it surface or ground water, out of the Ohio river basin North across the line unless there is a permit granted.
As your County Commissioner, I will keep a close eye on the water usage in The County and keep a close eye on the water policies of the State of Ohio. This is just one of the issues in the County I am concerned about. I plan to address multiple issues. But, to do that, I need you to vote for me in the primary on May 5, 2026 and in the General election November 3rd, 2026. I ask for your vote and your financial support. Go to www.jeffhardman.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to donate. I would really appreciate it.
Jeff Hardman Visits Ashland County dog shelterLast Tuesday, I took a tour of the dog shelter. Was very impressed by the cleanliness of the facility. I was met at the door by a very competent and capable Arlene Beasley, office manager, a friendly face welcoming me to the shelter. She quickly arranged a tour with kennel manager Shannon Hamilton. I also met the assistant kennel manager Ellie Powell. My tour started with the exam rooms where the animals are evaluated for their health, and what things are required to tend to their needs. This facility is a stopping place for pups on their way to a forever home. Adoption is the ultimate goal. I then proceeded to the kennels where I observed the outdoor runs attached to each kennel so the dogs can have some exercise. There is also an outdoor play area where the employees and volunteers take turns walking the dogs. I learned that the dog shelter is, in a good year, funded primarily by dog license fees. I am happy to report that the staff was very optimistic that they would not have to ask the commissioners for any money for the rest of this year because the dog license fees look like they will cover any shortfall. This is my take away: please license your pup even if they are an inside dog. Think of it as your donation to the shelter. It’s not that much and it serves a very good cause. Another program that I learned about is the fostering program. It gets a dog out of the shelter, into a home and prepares them for adoption. I applaud these people as a dog may be deemed not quite ready to be adopted but the fostering process can be a middle step for a pup who may have some behavioral issues. Another organization I learned about is No Paws Left Behind which is a wonderful group that provides the funds for medical care for the dogs. They also volunteer exercising the dogs and are instrumental in the adoption process.The adoption fee is $180. But, here is what it includes:* Current Dog License * First Set of Shots (5 ways) * Bordetella (kennel cough) Shot * Heartworm Test * Microchip * Collar and Leash * Each dog is spayed or neutered prior to adoptionWhen you look at it, I’m sure the shots alone would cost that much at a veterinary practice. Also, I was told, that Ellie Powell has started an initiative to test the incoming dogs for lime disease. It has proved successful in identification and treatment for the dogs and has improved their quality of life.In short, these people really care. They truly love the dogs in their care. I was also happy to see bags of dog food, supplies, blankets, towels and other needs that were donated by the public to the shelter.If elected County Commissioner, I will strive to use the public’s money in an efficient way to support this and other programs that the County is responsible for. Thank you for your time. Jeff Hardman, candidate for Ashland County Commissioner.
Don’t forget to vote on May 5th.