Former criminal runs for mayor

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Jukka Laurio at his Penticton business

A Penticton business owner's criminal background is not stopping him from running for mayor in the upcoming election.

Jukka Laurio, 56, says he has moved on with his life and has goals to make the Okanagan city a better place to live.

"This time around I hope people don't dwell on the past, because I've left those things behind and in Penticton I've been able to show that," he said.

This is Laurio's second attempt to become mayor. In 2011 he made a bid, but stopped campaigning because his history was brought up in the media.

He has a past conviction for sexual assault, which happened in 1997 on the coast, but Laurio declined to provide further details, saying he did his time and there is nothing left to discuss.

Then there was a drug trafficking conviction in 2004 in Kelowna. Laurio said he was selling marijuana at the time and again served time.

"The sexual assault was an unfortunate incident and I'm sorry that the whole thing took place," he said. "As for selling pot, I have no regrets."

In the months ahead, the owner of the Rush In and Finish Cafe, hopes people will take heed of his goals, which include an actual plan of action to make Penticton a major resort tourism destination.

"Every city has to do something for a living," he said. "We don't have manufacturing. We are in the middle of nowhere and it's a difficult location. So we have to actually attract people here and create something that they want."

Other concerns are city staffing levels, street safety and the city council being more transparent.

"I want the city to be more open door, because I myself am very open," he said."But the main focus is the tourist destination -- more festivals in the city to really re-design Penticton."

Other Penticton mayoral candidates are Councillor John Vassilaki and Councillor Andrew Jakubeit.

The election is Nov. 15.