A lemonade stand shut down has become a symbol in Shasta Carmichael’s campaign for Martinsville commissioner of revenue.
Carmichael, who is challenging incumbent Ruth Easley, said the incident represents how the office can discourage entrepreneurship.
“It was shut down with a clipboard. Children’s dreams should not be shattered because of rules. It’s a way that we can go about doing things to enforce the rules, but that’s not it,” she said.
“She was just trying to do something …, (I) think she was 7, to test out her entrepreneurial skills. And she was met with a slammed clipboard, a notebook,” Carmichael said.
“It’s a way to do it. We could have approached and said, ‘Hey, I’m excited about your lemonade stand. I want you to be successful. Where’s your mom? Or where’s your dad? Where are your parents?’ So that way we can tell them the process. And now the little girl would have been okay.”
Carmichael said such actions discourage young entrepreneurs.
“No kids should have to deal with that, especially when they’re trying to chase their dreams. That’s a good way to shut people down,” she said.
Carmichael argues that the commissioner’s office, which oversees business licenses, property taxes, and assessments, has become unwelcoming and confusing for citizens.
“For new businesses, this office is the first door they walk in when they try to set up a business. And that first impression matters,” she said. “When people walk into this office, the door should be open for opportunity, not closing their face. It shouldn’t feel like a maze of red tape.”
A Martinsville resident for more than 30 years and a graduate of Martinsville High School, Carmichael said she remembers when the city was thriving.
“I remember when coming to Martinsville, it was really booming. Things were really going well for Martinsville. And I know deep down in my heart that our best days are not behind us, they are in front of us,” she said.
Carmichael said her campaign is focused on making the office fairer and easier to navigate.
“Whether you run a business, or whether you’re just trying to understand your taxes, this office touches you,” she said. “I want to be clear, we don’t decide on your tax rates. Council does that. But what we do is make sure they apply fairly, explain clearly, and that people understand what they’re paying for and why.”
She alleges the office has sometimes overstepped, citing stories shared by residents.
“I’m running for the citizen who recently told me [that they were given a business license because of a post on Facebook. They were never contacted by the office, but the next year, they were questioned about their taxes,” she said.
“That’s overreach. I’m running for the organization that told me that they’ve been threatened with legal action over fees for a business that they never had in this city. That’s not accountability. That’s harassment.”
Carmichael also pointed to her own experience as a small business owner, receiving a surprise bill she said she was fortunate enough to pay.
She said she wants Martinsville to adopt online systems that make the process easier.
“Why can’t we bring that same thing here to Martinsville, where you can go online, apply, renew, and pay for your business license online? That’s what I plan to do,” she said. “My merit speaks for itself. My integrity speaks for me. I just want to address the real issues and show you guys that’s why it’s time for change.”
