JACKSONVILLE, FL -- "Florida Pete" Harrison of Jacksonville, Florida, announced his candidacy today for the position of Hair Consultant of Steve "ColoradoGuy" Garufi. Nicknamed "Florida Pete", the self-employed woodworker and former resident of Manitou Springs has been a regular visitor of the message forums since April 2004. It is the first time in his life that he is seeking public office.

Florida Pete's campaign theme is: It's all about a better Steve through proper hair care.

In a recent press release, Florida Pete gave specifics about his philosophy towards growing Steve's hair long:

"To be Steve's Hair Consultant is to be just that; to consult Steve about his hair. Encourage him into using better hair care products and suggesting nutritional supplements to further hair growth with fewer hair problems. As Steve's Hair Consultant I will offer no stupid suggestions unless I am asked by Steve for those suggestions. In other words, I'll be Steve's *Consultant*. I'll allow Steve to make the decisions. He asked for 'mutton chops' it's my responsibility to see that his chops grow lush and full and are manicured properly. It is *not* to talk him out of his own hair-growth position!"

Regarding split-end damage, Florida Pete recommends "proper hair care products used at regular intervals along with a healthy diet consisting of hair enhancing vitamins and minerals to alleviate split ends and general frizziness."

As a response to fellow candidate Kansas Kelly promoting Bernie Doyle as a so-called "running mate", Pete gained the endorsement and partnership of "Littlehands" (see adjacent picture), a well-adored regular poster on the Friendship Board who lives in Falcon, Colorado.

"Pete would make the better HC Candidate, he is concerned about the health of your hair!! That is the main issue in the campaign!!" wrote Littlehands.

Voting for Hair Consultant happens during a 4-day period on April 13-16, 2005. Those interested in voting are encouraged to continue visiting this web site for specifics on how to vote.

Florida Pete's Hair Care Philosophy

Florida Pete (with an interesting picture of him with Brad Pitt) shared more of his hair care philosophies with others on the Friendship Board:

"Split ends happen when a hair strands splits lengthwise because the protective cuticle becomes damaged and allows inner hair fibres to fray. The split is normally about two to three centimetres long and the ends are left looking feathered and are a lighter colour than the rest of the hair.

Split ends are caused by physical and chemical stress to hair. Avoiding certain common hair errors can prevent split ends, or at least postpone their arrival and severity.

Use the cool setting on the blow dryer. Extreme heat from styling products like curling irons, blowdryers and straitening irons dries out the hair, stripping it of natural oils and leads to splitting.

Drink lots of water. It keeps hair and body healthy and moisturized from the inside out.

Don't follow that rule of 100 strokes a day when combing hair. It puts too much stress on the hair cuticle. Minimize the time the brush spends in the hair.

Never brush wet hair because it causes the shaft to stretch and weaken. If hair is tangled, gently detangle in small sections with fingers from ends to root. Using wide tooth comb or brush instead of a brush with nylon bristles will also help protect against split ends.

Throw out any bobby pins that don't have smooth ends. The rough ends can rip the hair when they are removed.

Keep hair out of the sun. Excessive sun dries out hair in the same way that hot styling products do. A fun hat in the summer is a stylish and protective alternative.

In the colder months, wear shoulder length hair up to keep it from rubbing on abrasive fabrics like wool.

Never trim hair with dull scissors as it can intensify the damage.

Avoid alcohol based styling products and shampoos. Alcohol dries out the hair making it brittle and more prone to splitting. The key is moisture!

Hair splits because it is deprived of moisture and natural oils, like sebum. Sebum is natural fatty oil that delivers nutrients to the hair. Using a deep moisturizer once a month can help lock moisture in.

Once the hair shaft starts splitting the problem needs to be dealt with right away or the split will continue up the hair. The only way to get rid of split ends for good is to cut off the ones that are already there and then maintain hair by getting a quarter of an inch trimmed off every six to eight weeks.

The best way to deal with split ends is to find a stylist you can trust to remove only the amount of hair you want but for the occasional quick at home fix you can do your own trims. Twist a small section of hair from root to end. Small hairs will stick out of the twist. Take a very sharp pair of fabric or hair scissors and using just the tips, snip the hairs that stick out.