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Board of License Commissioners make exception to rule

Date: 1/19/2010

Jan. 20, 2010.

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- Although two exceptions were made last week to the city ordinance requiring property taxes to be current in order for a business to have a license to operate, Ehsanul Bhuiya, the city's collector-treasurer told Reminder Publications his office would consider such situations on a case by case basis.

During the Ryan Adminsitation, the Board of License Commissioners began enforcing the city ordinance requiring property taxes to be paid in order for a restaurant to receive its common victualler license or a bar to have its liquor license.

The cases of two businesses came before the board last Thursday. Elke Bosshart, the manager of Elke's Deli, 672B Dickinson St., was in danger of not having her common victualler license renewed because her landlord was in arrears in paying his property taxes.

Bhuiya told the board that Fred Sellica, the owner of the property, has entered into a payment agreement with the city and asked that Bosshart's license be renewed.

Peter Sygnator, chair of the board, said, "This is one of those difficult times where a tenant is paying the rent with the assurance a payment is being made with the treasurer."

Commissioner Robert Casey called Bosshart's restaurant "a tremendous asset to Forest Park."

The board approved the request and the subsequent one made by Bhuiya on behalf of the owners of Juncos y Cayey at 126 Walnut St. Bhuiya said a repayment plan for taxes there has also been reached.

Bhuiya commended the board for its enforcement of the ordinance. He said in Bosshart's case the situation was not her fault and it would have been unfair to penalize her.

The board made two exceptions to the ordinance last year when it ruled the Sitar Restaurant and Paramount Pizza could remain open despite the tax status of the landlord of those businesses.