Moria Dailey
Published: April 12, 2006
Myspace.com, the networking Web site that has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue and subject of multiple newspaper articles, now has a new use.
Byron Tripp is using the Web site to “get the word out” about his mayoral campaign.
Tripp, 24, is majoring in general studies at PJC and will graduate in May; he is also running for mayor of Pensacola.
Tripp said he decided to run for mayor because he has “always wanted to attain political office; now’s my chance – I’m young, I have lots of opportunities and I have a vision for Pensacola.”
“You talk to a lot of people of any age group and they say that you don’t see a lot of young people in politics; now is the time to drop the talk and act,” Tripp said.
He wants to see young people involved in his campaign and in politics in general.
Brandon Mayo, who has known Tripp for about eight years, said he feels that Tripp has a “good heart” and if elected mayor would make necessary, good changes.
Tripp said he feels the current political system in Pensacola is stagnant; he has several ideas that he feels could change the stagnation.
The proposed Maritime Park, for instance, is an issue Tripp feels strongly about.
“I consider that a huge waste of money and public funds; they’re going to reclaim 32 acres of bayfront property; now I’m not against progress in Pensacola, but I am against such a blatant waste of funds because hurricanes are going to come in the next however-many-years it takes to build the park.”
Tripp went on to explain that a structure like that would take years to construct and could easily be destroyed in a hurricane.
“I’d rather see the money used to revamp our public transportation system,” Tripp continued, “and to lobby to Gulf Power to move our power lines under ground, and to revamp the infrastructure of Pensacola proper and make it the premier city in hurricane preparedness.”
The Maritime Park Tripp referred to is a planned $70 million recreation area that would be located on Bayfront Parkway. The park is slated to contain a maritime history museum as well as several sports facilities.
Tripp officially announced his campaign from End of the Line Caf‚ and McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brewery; though he has not filed for candidacy with the Escambia County elections office, he has until June 1 to file, which he plans to do after graduating.
“Right now I’m just going out and meeting people and telling them what I’m about,” Tripp said. He is running a completely grassroots campaign, along with the help of some friends.
Mayo, though he supports Tripp in his campaign, he isn’t taking an active part.
“I’m sitting on the sidelines and chuckling,” he said.