SIST pays taxes for business properties

The Shawano Leader/July 22, 2007
By Tim Ryan

Soda, beer and tobacco products can now be sold again at businesses operated by the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology (SIST), Inc., and its subsidiaries after a delinquent property tax bill was taken care of late Friday.

Earlier this month, the city denied annual licenses for the sale of those goods – as well as licenses for the operation of arcade games – because of an unpaid tax bill of about $230,200 owed by SIST and its subsidiaries.

City ordinances prevent issuance of licenses to businesses where the owner has a delinquent tax bill. The bill was due at the end of June.

According to the city, $195,820 was paid by wire transfer late Friday afternoon. Though the amount doesn't cover all of the delinquent properties, it was enough to cover delinquent taxes for all SIST entities owning and operating businesses.

The payment covered all properties owned directly by SIST and its subsidiaries Midwest Hotels and Motels, LLC, and Midwest Oil of Wisconsin, LLC.

There is still outstanding tax debt on properties owned by SIST subsidiary Midwest Properties of Shawano, LLC, but that entity does not operate any businesses requiring licenses, according to the city.

SIST subsidiary Midwest Oil of Shawano, LLC, received licenses for its People's Express gas stations at 1381 E. Green Bay St., 1206 E. Green Bay St. and 716 S. Main St.

SIST subsidiary Midwest Hotels & Motels of Shawano, LLC, was granted licenses for the AmericInn, 1330 E. Green Bay St.; and for the Best Western and Village Haus, 201 N. Airport Drive.

Several businesses leasing properties from SIST or its subsidiaries paid the delinquent property taxes on their own and were given their new licenses on July 1.

The city is still awaiting delinquent taxes from two other properties not associated with SIST or its subsidiaries.

The Main Street Pub, 135 N. Main St., which is owned by JP Drengler, is still without its Class B beer and liquor licenses, as well as licenses for amusements, and for the sale of soda and cigarettes. The bar has had signs on it since last week that it is closed.

A balance of $2,906 is owed on the Main Street Pub property. The Pine Acre Motel at 1346 E. Green Bay St., owned by Todd and Brenda Hansen, is still without its soda license while the city awaits payment of $10,324.

Editor's note: A story in Friday's paper incorrectly stated SIST and its subsidiaries still owed a $243,443 tax bill as of Thursday. That amount actually represented all delinquent taxes owed the city, including the two businesses not associated with SIST. The amount owed by SIST at that time was $230,200.