Jasper’s municipal bylaw department is disappointed after a recent court ruling saw a local homeowner receive a menial $50 fine for operating approved accommodation suites without a valid business license.
The license for 874 Miette Ave. was revoked Oct. 2, 2014 after the bylaw department discovered the house had more than two suites—the number that had been approved in the business license. Despite having his license revoked, the homeowner continued operating two suites in October, leading to five charges under the business licensing bylaw.
Through his lawyer, Sitirios Korogonas pleaded guilty to two of the charges, May 27, as part of a joint submission with the municipality.
He admitted to operating his approved accommodation suites while his license was revoked, as well as refusing to present his record books to the chief license inspector when it was requested.
Korogonas’ lawyer, Laurie Rodgers, explained that his client was in Greece at the time his license was revoked and felt he had to fulfill his obligation to the guests who had reserved his rooms prior to his license being taken away. So, he continued to operate until those obligations were met.
“It’s not a situation where he’s flagrantly saying I don’t care,” explained Rodger. “He had an obligation to his guests.”
Judge D. C. Norheim agreed with Rodger, saying he was sympathetic to Korogonas’ case.
So, rather than levying the maximum fine of $500 for operating after the license was revoked, Norheim laid down a nominal fine of $50, as well as the maximum fine of $250 for not presenting the books when they were requested.
Following the trial, Dave Osborne, licensing and enforcement manager for the municipality, said he was disappointed with the results.
“[Korogonas] was contravening the business license rules and regulations and it should have been along that vein that he was sentenced.”
Norheim’s decision, however, will not change how the municipality approaches its business licensing bylaw, he said.
“Even though the fine was low, the municipality takes a stand that our bylaws are good and strong and we will take the necessary action, if appropriate, no matter what the fine is.”
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
