Monday, Aug. 17 to Wednesday, Oct. 21, Carolyn Murphy’s Williamsburg City Council campaign received $3,372 in in-kind donations from local sign maker Fine Signs & Graphics, according to records from the Virginia Public Access Project. Fine Signs & Graphics became Murphy’s top campaign donor after its contribution.
According to VPAP, Fine Signs & Graphics donated $2,872 on Aug. 17 as an in-kind donation for “printing signs” and $500 on Oct. 21 for “supply signs.”
For nearly 30 years in Williamsburg’s Planning Department, Murphy helped oversee and enforce the city’s sign regulations. If elected to city council, Murphy would have further influence over business signage in Williamsburg.
Nearly every business sign in the city must be approved by the Architectural Review Board, which comprises seven members appointed by the Williamsburg City Council. If elected, Murphy could also vote on changing local rules regarding business signage.
Murphy wrote in an emailed statement to The Flat Hat that the donations her campaign received from the company represented support from the local business community.
“I respect and trust friends, acquaintances, and businesses who contributed to my campaign, and I trust they did so because they appreciated my platform, not to persuade me to vote for any item that may come before City Council if I am elected,” Murphy wrote.
Murphy said the donations would not affect her decisions on business signage if elected, though she did not commit to recusing herself from signage-related votes and appointments.
“Let me be clear: Fine Signs’ contributions were not made for any future quid pro quo,” she wrote. “I will not compromise my integrity for a contribution from a business, friend, or acquaintance.”
Murphy said Fine Signs & Graphics’ contributions came after her campaign purchased signs from the company.
“My campaign paid $605 in material costs for the yard signs, and the company donated its time to make them, resulting in an in-kind donation, which my campaign reported transparently and in accordance with Virginia Campaign Finance regulations,” she wrote.
Fine Signs & Graphics did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
