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Former Cancer Society manager licensed to drive taxi

Curtiss Nystedt, convicted last week of defrauding the Canadian Cancer Society of $31,000, is getting a new job. Nystedt, a former manager of the society's Algoma chapter, was granted special leave today by Sault Ste.
Taxi

Curtiss Nystedt, convicted last week of defrauding the Canadian Cancer Society of $31,000, is getting a new job.

Nystedt, a former manager of the society's Algoma chapter, was granted special leave today by Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board to drive for Checker Cab.

The City's Bylaw 55 requires a three-year waiting period after a criminal conviction, a condition that the board agreed to waive in Nystedt's case.

Observing that this was Nystedt's first criminal offence, board members remarked that he deserves to be able to make a living and had strong support from the president of Checker Cab.

His frauds, for which he'll be sentenced on April 11, included submitting mileage and expense claims for nonexistent volunteer drivers.

The following are the full text of Nystedt's letter of appeal to the Police Services Board, and a supporting letter from Darryl Buck, president of Checker Cab. Except for contact information, both documents have intentionally been left in their original, unedited form. Spelling and grammar have been left intact to preserve the integrity of the documents:

****************************************************************** January 15, 2003

RE:: Appeal to the Police Service Board Sault Ste. Marie Police Board Sault Ste. Marie Police Board 580 Second Line West Sault Ste. Marie, ON., P6C 5R7

ATTN: Chief Robert Davies

I have recently submitted an application to be licensed to drive taxicab for Checker Cab. As you maybe aware I have recently plead guilty to a charge of fraud. On August 30, 2003 my employer addressed concerns regarding expenses that I had approved. I immediately admitted to the wrong doing, resigned my position and offered to make financial restitution. Subsequent to that I was charged with fraud, cooperated fully with Constable Jody Greco and pleaded guilty to the charge over $5,000, and am awaiting sentencing April 11, 2003.

This crime was completely out of character for me, we had just built a new home, over extended our credit and I had left the Group Health Centre to work for the Canadian Cancer Society. In order to accept the job I also took a substantial pay cut. This just caused us to get further behind financially. It became a case of money for groceries. We are now on a credit counseling program, and even though our creditors agreed to the program, with only my wife working, our budget is extremely tight until I find employment. This is the first time I have ever committed a criminal act and have found the last few months quite stressful dealing with this situation. As you can appreciate with the high level of media attention it has been difficult to find any type of employment in our community.

I have been married for 19 years and have a daughter 14 and son 12. I have volunteered with childrens sports in the community and have worked hard to raise money for the Group Health Centre Trust Fund spearheading a campaign to bring a bone densitometer to our community and have been a cancer patient advocate with the Canadian Cancer Society persuading Air Canada to offer a medical rate from Toronto to Ottawa (I had identified a need for a medical rate because of cancer patients in our community having to travel to Ottawa for bone marrow transplants). This medial rate is offered to everyone (in Ontario) traveling through Toronto to Ottawa.

I am sure the Board can appreciate the employment opportunities in our community are scarce, and I would respectfully ask the Board to accept my appeal of Section 30.1(a) of Bylaw 55, and grant me the opportunity to gain employment so that once again I can proved for my family.

Thank you for your time and consideration, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact mne at XXX-XXXX. Best regards,

Curtiss Nystedt

******************************************************************* January 13, 2003

Attention: Chief Robert Davies

Dear Chief Davies:

It is my understanding that Mr. Curtis Nystedt has submitted an application to be licensed to drive taxicab for my company. Realizing Mr. Nystedt has recently plead guilty to a Criminal Code offense which contravenes section 30.1(a) of By-law 55, I submit this letter in support of any appeal Mr. Nystedt initiates to the Police Service Board. Mr. Nystedt has been in my employ part-time over the past month with responsibilities other than driving. With no concerns regarding his criminal history, I support Mr. Nystedt in his endeavor to earn an income driving taxi.

I ask that the Board please give consideration to licensing Mr. Nystedt as a taxicab driver under section 30.2(c) and/or section 30.3.

I can be reached at XXX-XXX XXX XXX - days, XXX-XXXX - evenings or cell XXX-XXXX to discuss this further.

Sincerely,

Darryl Buck, President


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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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