(Adjacent Photo: Phil and Steve at Phil's restaurant that he owned in Florence, Colorado in 2004.)

Phil's letter below is seen as a strategy to "re-invent" himself with the Colorado Guy community. Considered a long shot at the beginning, his campaign gained many endorsements of forum "regulars," but only after he and his supporters launched many negative attacks against their opponent Florida Pete. To this day, Phil has refused to apologize or take responsibility for his negative campaigning, but rebutted some of the more popular criticisms about his candidacy in the letter.

Having said all that, most consider his letter below very moving and compelling.

"Oh, Phil ... you have been a great and supportive friend of CG (ColoradoGuy.com) for so long! Steve even called you his 'buddy!'" wrote Jumpin' Julie in Houston, Texas.

"Wow, those are all really good points! I think Phil would be a great HC ... for 2008!" wrote Mare, who is leading the charge about Phil not being emotionally stable and psychologically fit for the job, due to his difficulty handling criticism.

Even Steve (who is staying neutral as a matter of policy) admitted "this is indeed a great posting about our friendship! I'm consider both Pete and Phil my friends though."

Below is the letter written by Phil as printed on the Friendship Board. Phil lavishly used the bold function in his text.

FACT or ATTACK?? (by Phil The Lurker)

PhiltheLurk responds to ridicules accusations, the most outrageous being that he would make a poor HC because he never posts or communicates with Steve, a position that is about being the top encourager and friend to Steve and his hair's interests.

The latest attack to my campaign has been the most outrageous yet..and that is the sympathizer's accusations that I have not been committed to this community nor to Steve. Just a lurker. And that I am not handling the pressure of the campaign, that I am married, ad nauseum!!!

Friends, NOTHING could be farther from the truth. What I am about to share with you will remove all doubt.

I will admit that the incessant, constant campaign Pete and the sympathizers are throwing at us on a daily basis is taxing! For example, charges that I am married, a do nothing member, uncaring, fake, etc....the voters must look at what it is! I ask you, the voters to take a look at their behavior and look at ours, my supporters! There is a clear difference....as you, the voter, see this, come forward and publically show support FOR keepin' it real and AGAINST being FAKE!

Steve knows I can take it....he knew it would require someone very strong to take on the popular Pete, the community's humorist, who allows his croonies to do his dirty work, just as in the past. He is left free to pop in, throw a funny comment out there and poof, he's gone. THAT is not going to cut it as HC!

First, let me say, believe it or not, I am a quiet, actually kind of shy person. Hence, my nature is to lurk. I tend to be more comfortable behind the scenes. I first found this site over six years ago after reading an article in the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. I remember thinking to myself, "Is this guy for real?"

I soon found Steve's unique perspective on life not just interesting but refreshing. I think I have posted that Steve is unpretentious...something that has almost become non-existent in the world today, especially in the United States. From his web site title: "Steve Garufi, A guy in colorado", to others like "Police Chief Refused to Meet Steve!" ; MID-LIFE CRISIS ERUPTS IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA, Big Ol' Big Ass Mountains At The Collegiate Peaks Overlook!, RALPH LAUREN SHIRT REACHES 17 YEARS OF AGE!, Steve Smashes Coffee Cake On Forehead; Admits "Problem",427-242 LOPSIDED SCRABBLE MATCH TURNS UGLY! ..

Steve turns things boring to interesting and funny. So over the past six + years we have gotten together and hiked, talked etc. He even helped me get my first website going and continues to help me with www.Pikes-Peak-Cafe.com.

Here are just a few of these times documented here on his website. I offer them as evidence that I am more than qualified to be Steve's top encourager...and *I put forth the fact that there has never been one from here more qualified to do so than me*....

Consider these things when thinking about who is best qualified to encourage Steve and his website and be an example of great hair.

One of the times when we met in Manitou at the Spice of Life cafe and I brought my truck. I had challenged his constant references on his site about beat up old trucks! He still doesn't like 'em ... and I always considered them a part of the family!

http://stevegarufi.com/truck.htm

Another time meeting for lunch and I advised steve about his clothes:

http://www.stevegarufi.com/storywardrobe.htm

I am the only HC candidate and one of the few community members to help support Steve and his highway cleanup!

http://www.stevegarufi.com/adopthighway2.htm

One of the hikes we did was this one...and I have only shared this location with my best friends...I thought the CG website would get high marks from google with this quality content. Steve was amazed as I was when I first saw the lookout, one of only 4 left in the whole country.

http://www.stevegarufi.com/devilshead.htm

I am one of the longest, if not the longest financial contributors to the website over the last six years as well...putting my money where my mouth is

http://www.stevegarufi.com/homestead.htm

As a matter of fact, I hosted the CG family here one evening...we all had a great time!

http://www.stevegarufi.com/homesteadgathering.htm

And here is a pic of the Roving Eye himself, NICK, enjoying lunch with me (and the ex!). If I would have known he was turning liberal on us, I would have fixed his food .....

Steve always visited when in Fremont County or when travelling through the area and we always talked about how things were going for him, and he always expressed concern for my well-being because he saw how much the business required of me. Here, he did a typical Steve, leaving a business card under the table top ....I heard numerous comments that went something like this, "WHO is that guy??"

http://www.stevegarufi.com/storyhomestead.htm

Another time we met downtown at the Pikes Perk. These meetings became humorously called our empire building meetings by Steve as we always talked about life, business, beliefs, philosophy, etc. And as often happened, Steve took a mundane, everyday matter and created a story out of it! Here is that one:

http://www.stevegarufi.com/storynewspaper.htm

And just last fall, knowing that the restaurant was facing losing its lease, I drove over to Salida to participate for Steve on his radio program. That was a blast. He is a natural. Take a listen to it here...I brought some of my smoooooth jazz for the audience to hear! (I wish I would have known about Mindi Abair then!)

http://pieceofgarbage.com/radio-show-phil.htm

That was the last time Steve and I were able to get together before my move to Phoenix. I am sure that Buena Vista will be a stop the next time I get back to coool Colorado. And I am sure my good friend Steve will find something ordinary and make it extraordinary!

"Phil! Oh MY Goodness! It's great to see you! How have you been...HEY..."

...and so it will go with the camera in hand.

A picture of Steve and I just before the restaurant opened.

When those customers would ask, "Who is THAT guy?"

I'd say, "He's a cool guy, a friend."

PhiltheLurk
The REAL Choice for HC 2007

The position of Hair Consultant was created in October 1998 so that one person could be a coach, advice-giver and encourager for Steve in growing his long, naturally curly hair as long as possible. Since then, the position has changed with the times and now includes the Hair Consultant being a "public figure" on this web site. There have been 16 Hair Consultants in the history of Steve's hair.

This year, the Hair Consultant election will be held on April 12-15, 2007, and all are encouraged to vote. Visit the 2007 Hair Consultant election page for more details about the candidates.