Candidate's Definition of "Family Values" Questioned

by Paul Olsen

A Republican candidate for state representative whose campaign is based partially on opposition to civil unions and support for so-called “family values” is being criticized for ties to an adult video store.

A Winooski building owned by Joey Purvis, who won the Sept. 12 GOP primary in Colchester, is leased to video eXpress. The store, incorporated in 1999 by Daniel Garr, sells adult movies, magazines, toys, latex, and lingerie and caters to both gay and straight audiences.

Purvis doesn’t consider the shop pornographic. “I guess it is your interpretation of what a porn store is,” he says. “Every other video store in Winooski carries an adult section.”

City officials would like to see video eXpress shut down. “It is not the type of business we want in Winooski,” Mayor Clem Bissonnette said. “We’re trying to redevelop our downtown and sex shops and video stores don’t attract good clients for the downtown district.”

Incumbent Democratic state Rep. Mike Vinton, whom Purvis is challenging, called Purvis’ link to the store “inconsistent.” “What is he talking about for family values?” said Vinton.

Purvis called discussion of the lease political “mudslinging.” “I am guilty by association,” he said. “Nothing about this is illegal. If there’s nothing illegal, I don’t see how it is an issue. This is Enquirer-like news; it certainly is not issue oriented.”

In any event, Purvis said, the nature of the business being run on his property is beyond his control. “The city of Winooski is responsible for issuing the permit on that property, which locked me into a lease,” said Purvis. “My wife and I were definitely lied to in this case. For four months (Garr) ran a general video store, and then he changed it to all adult videos.”

At least one person questions Purvis’ lack of control regarding his tenant. “Two years ago I notified Joey Purvis who his tenants were,” said Jody Harrington, former editor of the Winooski Eagle. “He has renewed the lease at least once in that time.”

Although Purvis does not own the business, Bissonnette does hold him partially accountable for its presence in the city. “If I was a property owner and I was concerned about the welfare of youngsters I would not be renting to an operation like that,” he said.

Despite his dismissal of the issue, Purvis has indicated that he does not plan to renew the lease for video eXpress.

Purvis, a children’s entertainer and professional clown, describes himself as a moderate Republican. His opposition to granting marriage-related benefits to gay and lesbian couples is based on what he describes as judicial activism. “(Civil unions) was acted upon primarily because the Supreme Court forced it upon the legislature,” he said. “It was not a well thought-out law. Many of the laws that the civil union covers were already in place. Power of attorney can do most all the things that civil unions did. I have trouble understanding what civil unions did other than make a marriage like contract between two same-sex partners.”