TOWN OF HERNDON

Enriching the Quality of Life and Promoting a Sense of Community

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Anne Curtis

703/435-6800 X2010

anne.curtis@herndon-va.gov

LOCAL POLITICS 101:

MAYOR MEETS WITH POLY SCI STUDENTS AT HERNDON HIGH

Herndon, VA (January 8, 2007) – Herndon Mayor Stephen J. DeBenedittis met today with seniors studying political science at Herndon High School, discussing with them a wide-range of issues impacting the Herndon community as well as how media coverage influences public perception.

Mayor DeBenedittis joined the students at their invitation and as part of their coursework in the school’s political science senior year elective. Teacher Doug Graney said the 28 students in the class prepared for the Mayor’s visit by learning about issues relevant to Herndon, with an emphasis on local and national immigration reform.

“I was tremendously impressed with the depth of knowledge and insights demonstrated by the students with whom I met,” said DeBenedittis. “From the moment I arrived they began peppering me with questions that were thoughtful, well-articulated and provocative. They were bright, respectful and open-minded – characteristics that bode well for the future of our community, if these students are any indication.”

According to Graney, the students were also impressed. “Based on what they’d read about him in the newspapers, the students expected the Mayor to be fairly rigid and inflexible in his viewpoints. They were pleased to see that he listened to what they had to say and was fair-minded and open to their opinions and comments.” This resulted, said Graney, in additional discussion about the media and its power to shape public images.

The Town of Herndon was incorporated by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia on January 14, 1879. Located in western Fairfax County, Herndon is the 3rd largest town in the Commonwealth and is home to more than 22,000 citizens. Businesses located within the Town of Herndon, which range from high tech enterprises to entrepreneurially-owned establishments, employ approximately 23,500 people. In 2006, Herndon was named one of the “best affordable suburbs” in the nation by Business Week Magazine.

For more information, visit the Town’s website at www.herndon-va.gov.

###