Kendall Davis, the city’s former public information officer, is competing with Sheila G. Clark to become Martinsville’s next treasurer. He cites his experience in multiple localities and his plan to modernize the city’s payment system as key reasons voters should support him.
“I worked under three different administrations — now four — here in the city,” Davis said. “With different city managers, different city council members each time I’m here, and I continue to work because I stand for what’s right.”
Davis pointed to his experience managing grants and handling multimillion-dollar projects as qualifications for the office. He also emphasized his role in expanding duties across departments.
“I have that experience that we need now to be able to do that,” he said. “I have experience running RFPs in the process there. I have experience implementing technology throughout different departments.”
Davis said mismanagement of funds that has plagued the city should have been addressed through the treasurer’s office.
“There’s only one way for money to go in and out of the city, and that’s through the treasurer’s office,” he said. “What happened with the ARPA funding deadlines we missed? Who brings in those funds, who receives them, and who’s also responsible for distributing them?”
Davis said he has repeatedly raised concerns about outdated systems, including long lines at the treasurer’s drive-thru, but was dismissed.
“I brought up making updates to the pay systems, but was dismissed with just a ‘no,’” he said.
He noted that the last significant update in 2023 only added the ability to process Visa payments. Davis said he wants to make online payments easier and to improve convenience for residents.
He also criticized his opponent’s response to the idea of installing a kiosk to reduce drive-thru lines.
“It was an offensive ‘no’ and a question as to why we would even think about wanting to use a kiosk,” Davis said.
Improving the city’s 83 percent tax collection rate would also be a priority if elected.
“Communication is key, and being able to allow folks to look up their information easily and more efficiently,” he said.
Davis cited difficulties residents face when paying for event or park rentals as another area that needs reform.
“We have people who try to do events in our city that don’t, you know, may not live here but want to host an event. They have to find different ways to be able to pay for the event fees because you cannot pay for that online,” he said.
“You go to Fisher Street to the warehouse, get your invoice, come here to the city to pay in person, then drive all the way back to the warehouse to get your key,” Davis said. “That’s not convenient for our customers. That’s not convenient for our residents.”
He said his ability to communicate with the public and his values would guide him in office.
“Last but not least, beyond all those things, this position requires stress and integrity. And I have that,” Davis said. “I stand for what’s right. I’m not on one side or the other. I float straight for what I feel is right, what I feel holds up to my integrity and my moral values, which are rooted in my Christian values.”
