HOME SEARCH | Victims of Kikanee Estates fire in need of a place to stay [A5]
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City man avoids jail for fraud ROGER KNOX Morning Star Staff
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Ironman supporter Joel Johnson gets Mark Duncan’s signature in support of the Vernon Ironman bid at the Village Green Centre Wednesday.
Support on track for Ironman ROGER KNOX Morning Star Staff
Support in principle for Vernon to submit a bid to host the 2013 Ironman Canada triathlon has been granted by Regional District of North Okanagan directors. Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton enthusiastically announced the village is “110 per cent” behind Vernon. “We’ve seen how contentious issues (Lumby’s failed bid to attract a provincial prison) can attract some growth,” said Acton. “I’m less worried now about the organization knowing that they (WTC) have staff to come put the race on.” Electoral Area D director Rick Fairbairn said Ironman is “a terrific opportunity” and something the board should endorse. “We’re poised to do a better job hosting than Kelowna or Kamloops,” laughed Fairbairn. But it wasn’t unanimous support. Following a 20-minute presentation on the event by City of Vernon representatives Kevin
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“We’re poised to do a better job hosting than Kelowna or Kamloops.” — Rick Fairbairn Poole and Michelle Jefferson Wednesday, Area C BX-Silver Star director Mike Macnabb expressed some concerns. “I like the presentation, but it’s really light on numbers,” said Macnabb. “The benefits from hosting are not evenly distributed; yes, there would be lots of spin-offs, and, yes, there would be inconveniences to the communities.” Poole and Jefferson were seeking support for assistance with the costs and logistics of hosting the swim, cycling and run routes in
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collaboration with the member municipalities. Vernon would submit three route options, which includes all regional district municipalities being involved in some of the disciplines, save for perhaps Enderby. Only one option has a portion of the bike route going on the outskirts of the western border of Enderby. The regional district was asked to waive fees relating to parks and facilities rentals. Staff assistance would be needed to implement a waste management program, which is a requirement from the host World Triathlon Corporation. Macnabb asked if a franchise cost was associated with the bid. “I wouldn’t say a franchise cost. More of a marketing contribution cost,” said Poole and, when pushed by Macnabb for a figure, he stated that Penticton’s estimated cost for 2013 – Penticton hosted Ironman Canada for 30 years – was in the ballpark of $75,000.
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A Vernon man will not face jail time for his part in a major Internet fraud scheme. A judge gave Akthem Saadi Yousif, 35, an 18-month conditional sentence Tuesday in Calgary Court of Queen’s Bench after Yousif had earlier pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud for selling vintage cars he didn’t own or have through eBay or other websites in 2007 and 2008. He was also ordered to pay back more than $330,000 in restitution to 10 victims. Crown counsel had been seeking an 18-to-24-month jail sentence. The case’s agreed statement of facts said Yousif agreed to sell 14 vintage vehicles, and deposited more than $330,000 from two victims in Europe and eight victims in the U.S. Yousif would agree to ship the vehicles to the U.S. for pickup, but never followed through. He also declined to answer victims’ phone calls or e-mails, and did not return deposits. In passing sentence, the judge said Yousif would be sentenced to house arrest for the first 10 months, and would be on a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the final eight months. He was also ordered to perform 200 hours community service and he is not allowed to have a computer or access to Internet, except for purposes in his work as a graphic designer in Vernon. Yousif is not allowed to have any Internet access in his home, nor is he to be in possession of any personal computer, be it desktop, laptop or any device capable of accessing the Internet except when at his employers. While at work, he may only use the Internet for work purposes. Yousif was also ordered to pay a $100 surcharge that goes into Alberta’s Victims of Crime Fund. Charges in the same matter against Yousif’s wife, Alanna Nicole Austring, were withdrawn.
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