Arthur G. Purves, President of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance
(FCTA), reported today that a county worker was observed this morning removing
FCTA "More taxes? Vote NO" signs that had been placed on Route 28. However,
the worker did not remove nearby pro-tax signs.
The FCTA signs had been posted yesterday by Mr. Eric DiDomenico. While
crossing Rt. 28 at Westfields Blvd. in a van this morning at 8:47 A.M., Mr.
DiDomenico observed a county worker carrying an FCTA sign under his arm.
The worker, wearing an orange vest, was walking toward a white late-model
pickup truck with a wood headboard behind the cab and a logo on the door.
Yellow lights were on the headboard. Approximately four FCTA signs were already
in the truck. Pro-tax signs about 300 yards away from the FCTA signs were
left standing. The FCTA signs were not removed for mowing, because by the
end of the day the grass was untouched.
Mr. DiDomenico was not driving the van and was unable to get the license
number or read the logo on the truck door. Mr. DiDomenico asked a friend
to check the truck’s license, but five minutes later the truck had gone.
If the signs had been placed illegally, the FCTA could have been contacted
since the sign permit number was printed on the sign, along with the FCTA
name and website. However, no contact has been made with the FCTA. When
asked about the incident, Merni Fitzgerald, Fairfax County Director of Public
Affairs, stated nothing could be done without a license number and emphasized
the fact the logo had not been verified as belonging to Fairfax County. She
stated that no one in the county had instructed that FCTA signs be taken down
and pro-tax signs left standing.
Mr. Purves commented, "Whatever government branch he belonged to, the worker
had no right to remove anti-tax signs while leaving pro-tax signs in place.
It is unsettling that government workers can violate First Amendment rights
with impunity. What is to prevent a government official from suggesting that
anti-tax signs could be removed and pro-tax signs left standing? Is government
so big that it can no longer protect a citizen’s right to freedom of speech?"
Pro-tax supporters have stated they will spend over $2 million on their
campaign. The FCTA has spent about $5000 on its campaign to stop the sales
tax, including $2000 for signs and stakes. The FCTA does not know how many
of its signs have been removed by government workers.
FAIRFAX COUNTY TAXPAYERS ALLIANCE PRESS RELEASE