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U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson works ‘undercover’ at Gateway market

STEUBENVILLE — Customers at the Farmers’ Gateway Market were too busy searching for the perfect pepper or the best tomato to pay attention to the man in the red-checked shirt Wednesday afternoon.

But when that man handed the customers their purchase and announced, “Hi, I’m Congressman Bill Johnson,” he quickly got a second look.

Johnson, a Republican from Marietta, spent approximately an hour at the market helping Josh Fluharty sell his homegrown vegetables, greeting people and listening to their comments on health care, the presidential election and choosing the right tomato.

The Farmers’ Gateway Market was the latest stop on Johnson’s, “undercover congressman” tour of his congressional district.

“This brings back a lot of memories for me because I grew up on a farm. We grew peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. I remember I didn’t like digging out the potatoes because that was hard work,” laughed Johnson during a break from helping Josh Fluharty at his stand.

“I try to cover all the bases and go around everywhere to meet people and to listen,” explained Johnson.

Prior undercover congressman stops have included working at the Cadiz Starfire gas station, the Calcutta Giant Eagle, a Wendy’s in Cambridge and picking fruit in Lisbon last week at a local farm.

Irene Moore, district administrator of the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, said she was contacted by Johnson’s office regarding his visit to the weekly market at the Eastern Gateway Community College parking lot.

“They asked us to line him up with a vendor and we picked Josh Fluharty because he has been here every year since we started seven years ago. The Fluhartys operate a farm near Smithfield that has been in the family since 1903,” said Moore.

“I don’t know much about the congressman but it is good that he is here supporting farmers and local businesses. He has been a good salesman and we are having a good afternoon here,” noted Fluharty.

Greg DiBeradino of Wintersville was a little surprised to see his congressional representative selling produce at the market.

“This is my first visit here. I always talk about coming down here for fresh produce and finally made it today. But I certainly didn’t expect to see a congressman on the other side of the table. I asked him how his day was going but we didn’t talk politics,” said DiBeradino as he moved to the next table at the market.

“I think this country has a great future,” Johnson told Erica Ryland of Steubenville. “I can’t tell you how to vote in the presidential election but I know who I am voting for.”

“I think it is great that he is here talking to people. This is an opportunity for him to get to know some local farmers,” commented Ryland.

“I talked to him about the tomatoes he was selling,” said Aaron Mattioli of Steubenville.

“It is nice to see a congressman supporting the local market and the people here,” Mattioli added.

Bob Howell stopped at the Fluharty table to look at the vegetables and was soon in a conversation with Johnson about healthcare.

“This was a good place to visit today. People are expressing their concern about the country. I had a gentleman thank me for my staff helping him with his Veterans Administration health care issues. And people are telling me we have to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from interfering with everything in the country,” Johnson said.

Longtime market vendor Ed Wilson stood at his table near the Fluharty table.

“It is good he is here today to see what the local farmers lives are like. I am a full time logger, a part time truck driver and a a farmer. It is tough hard work but I like it. But sometime it is good for the people in government to see how we live and work,” Wilson stated..

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