By Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Henry Wilson wants to be the voice of the small business owner if he's elected to Pasco County Commission next month.
But in his own personal businesses, he never got all the proper government licenses.
Wilson, who is running against incumbent Michael Cox, did not obtain occupational licenses from the county tax collector's office for a jewelry business and janitorial service he operated out of his home. He reported income from the two ventures on his 2009 tax returns, which he included in his financial disclosure forms.
Wilson no longer has the unnamed janitorial service, which he formed in 2007 after he lost his job. He said his only client was a nearby day care.
His and his wife's jewelry business is called Wilson's Jewelry. He said they buy pieces from vendors and "word of mouth" customers come to their home to buy it.
But he said they don't do much sales anymore, though they continue to take repairs. The business had revenues of nearly $9,000 in 2008.
Wilson, who has worked since last year at a Tampa health care company, said his accountant informed him he did not need to obtain the occupational licenses because his home-based ventures were unincorporated.
"Because there's no building ... and it was a sole proprietorship, he told me there was nothing I need to do," he said.
Tax Collector Mike Olson said recently there is no such exception for home businesses, which by law must pay nominal fees to receive their occupational licenses, now known as business tax receipts.
Wilson said that was news to him. "I've done everything I was advised to do," he said. "If that is a requirement, then, yes, I will get it."
Cox jumped on the issue as evidence that Wilson isn't prepared for the job of county commissioner.
"Having been in business for myself and run a fully licensed business, I went to the government agencies to find out what I needed to do or didn't need to do," said Cox. "It's an example of his lack of credibility."
Jodie Tillman can be reached at jtillman@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6247.