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Politics
Behind the signs
What do you get when campaign helpers from opposing camps converge? Friendly competition.
By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published November 3, 2006
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Samuel Navarro and Anthony McCoy sit outside the West Tampa Library last week in support of County Commission candidate Kevin White.
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[Times photo: Melissa Lyttle]
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WEST TAMPA Little empty space remains in the lawn across from the West Tampa Library, an early voting site that opened Oct. 23. Colorful cardboard campaign signs poke out from the grass, each trying to be bolder and more eye-catching than the next. But on the sidewalk, a quiet camaraderie exists among the folks who hand out campaign fliers and hold signs under the hot sun. They have different jobs, backgrounds and political parties, but they all share the same hope: that they, in some small way, will be a part of their candidate's campaign victory. "I've known this young man all his life," Angie Messina says as the Davis Islands retiree holds up a flier for Gary Dolgin, candidate for Hillsborough Circuit Court judge. "His parents are just wonderful people." Most of the volunteers along W Union Street are friends and family members of the candidates they support. They arrive every day at 10 a.m. and leave at 6 p.m., taking their campaign signs with them for safekeeping. In the eight hours in between - on their down time from soliciting the occasional passer-by - these volunteers have a lot of time to get to know each other. They talk about baseball and share recipes. Mark Beiro is a professional boxing announcer. His flexible work schedule allows him to campaign for Michael Scionti, candidate for the state House of Representatives. While other volunteers sit near the parking lot waiting for voters to cross the street, Beiro stands on busy Howard Avenue with a sign over his head. Many drivers honk in support. "Occasionally, you'll get the thumbs down or get another finger," Beiro said. "You just smile and wave." Anthony McCoy took time off from his job remodeling homes to campaign for County Commission candidate Kevin White. But McCoy is working harder than ever, giving pamphlets to anyone who will take them. "I ain't going to let nobody pass here unless I say something to them," McCoy said. "I'm working for Kevin White, because I know he's the best man for the job." They all think the same about their candidates, and they're quick to list the reasons why. But conversation rarely heats up between volunteers of different political parties. Instead, they watch each other's belongings as they take turns getting lunch from the Cuban restaurant down the street. They will until Election Day. "It's almost like meeting new friends," Messina said. Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com Vote early Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. West Tampa Library 2312 W Union St. Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Library 1505 Nebraska Ave. 78th Street Community Library 7625 Palm River Road College Hill Library 2607 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Jan Platt Library 3910 S Manhattan Ave. --- Monday to Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Supervisor of Elections Office, County Center 601 E Kennedy Blvd., 26th floor
[Last modified November 2, 2006, 12:17:41]
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