DOMENECH DROPS CHARGES AGAINGST PURVES

Arthur G. Purves, president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, announced today that he has received from Dr. Daniel A. Domenech, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, a letter in which the superintendent indicates he has dropped trespassing charges against Mr. Purves. On January 6, 2000, Dr. Domenech's Office of Community Relations had Mr. Purves arrested, handcuffed, and taken from the school administration building to prevent Mr. Purves from asking a question at the superintendent's press briefing on the FY2001 budget.

Mr. Purves had wanted to ask why the superintendent had waited until after the November 1999 school board and supervisor elections to announce a substantial increase in the school budget. Instead of being allowed to ask the question, Mr. Purves was booked for trespassing on school property, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2500 fine.

Mr. Purves believes Dr. Domenech dropped the charges because of the wide coverage Fairfax County newspapers have given the story. An editorial in the Connection called the arrest a "police state" action "to silence one of the few voices of dissent" on the school budget. Other newspapers that carried the story were the Washington Times, the Fairfax Journal, the Times Community Newspapers, and the Sun Gazette. The Associated Press also picked up the story, which was then broadcast on WMAL news.

"Having the charges dropped is a tremendous relief to my family," Mr. Purves said. "While it is sad that our school superintendent would have a citizen arrested rather than let him ask a question at a press conference, it is encouraging to know that newspapers will shine a spotlight on such actions. The Purves family thanks the media for its pivotal role in getting the charges dropped."