Elko Barbers for Ron Paul

Elko, Nev. –  A few years back the
Lion’s Mane Barbershop
relocated from the Red Lion Hotel Casino
to the small complex that serves the residents of the Double Dice RV Park. Its
residents, a combination of mine workers, drifters, and people just
passing through, provide a steady stream of customers for owner
Tyler Vavak, a Ron Paul supporter. It is to these customers that he
preaches the libertarian gospel while providing the only straight
razor service in town. “I voted for Bush in 2004. I was always
Republican leaning but I get a lot of customers that are veterans
and they told me about this guy named Ron Paul,” he said

Vavak first heard about Paul in 2006 from a veteran who was
venting about the Federal Reserve and the gold standard. It is not
just about the Federal Reserve for Vavak though. One of the issues
here is the US Forrest Service’s creation of a
Travel Management Plan for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National
Forest
, a popular place of recreation for local residents.
The plan would create
restrictions that Vavak thinks go too far. He believes Paul would
stop its implementation. 

Go Raiders! Go Ron Paul!

Inside Vavak’s shop, just below some Oakland Raiders memorabilia
and pictures of haircuts, is a table full of
Paul stickers and pamphlets
. (Oh, and there is this sweet Ron Paul
clock
.) Vavak says his shop is a place not only for people to
get a great haircut and shave but a place of discussion, too. “I
have customers with all kinds of opinions. Some are private about
them and others love to mix it up,” he said.  

Later today Vavak is headed to Elko Regional
Airport
to pick up Paul and take him to his afternoon campaign
appearance. Ron Paul Elko
MeetUp
organizer
Marla Criss
suggested him for the task. While he is out with
his favorite congressman from Texas, Vavak’s barber apprentice,
Dave Shinn, will be holding down the shop.  

Shinn, 29, is a big fan of Paul too and he credits Vavak for his
“political awakening. “I didn’t really care about politics until I
started working for Tyler last year. He really opened my eyes to
the Constitution and stuff,” he said. 

“Now he’s got me making phone calls and talking to customers,”
he said. 

When asked about having to go through Nevada’s official barber
licensing process, Shinn said it’s a pain but added, “I wouldn’t
want just anybody cutting my hair. I think you should have to be
licensed to do a lot of things.” 

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