AURORA | Lori Gimelshteyn and Michael Seufert were appointed to Aurora’s Election Commission on Monday, over objections from council progressives that only Gimelshteyn came with a recommendation from commissioners.
Councilmember Francoise Bergan moved to appoint Michael Seufert in place of former city clerk and recommended reappointee Debra Johnson, saying “it’s my prerogative to appoint anyone who applied” and that “after reviewing the resumes, my motion was for Lori and Michael.”
After questioning Bergan about her motion, Councilmember Alison Coombs moved instead to appoint Johnson and another applicant who had not been recommended, Arnie Schultz — that motion failed 4-7, with Coombs, Juan Marcano, Ruben Medina and Crystal Murillo in favor.
Seufert works as a program lead for a management consulting firm and wrote in an application attached to the council’s agenda that he previously served as a registration judge in Denver County during the 2020 general election and as a precinct committeeman and vice precinct committeeman for several years in Indiana.
Johnson is retired but served for a decade as Aurora’s clerk and eight years as Denver’s clerk, during which time she helped manage and administer elections.
Bergan’s motion to appoint Gimelshteyn and Seufert passed 7-4, with Coombs, Marcano, Medina and Murillo opposed.
The Election Commission’s responsibilities include recommending ward boundaries, establishing precincts, appointing election judges and breaking tie votes in municipal elections by lot.
During the selection of Planning and Zoning Commission members, Coombs and Murillo also debated the legitimacy of a motion by Bergan to reappoint Becky Hogan and appoint Garrett Walls at the same time. Regardless, the appointments passed unanimously.
A motion by Murillo to appoint Alexandra Jackson failed 4-7 on the same split. Marcano moved to appoint Stephen Elkins, but a substitute motion by Bergan to delay the vote on the remaining vacancy to try and attract more applicants passed instead 10-1, with Coombs opposed.
Other appointments were unanimous, including:
- Evan Brigham and Henrietta Pazos to the Aurora Fox Arts Center Advisory Board.
- Lynda Heckendorn to the Historic Preservation Commission.
- David Corbari, Debi Hunter Holen, Kelli Kelly, Sean Moore and Ama Hapke Rosen to the new Civic Engagement Commission.
Here we go. National politics have arrived quickly.
The attempted GQP takeover of elections is clear. The goal is to install republicans everywhere, so no matter what Aurora residents want these right wing nutbags will do what they want.
Oh, come on. Just appoint republicans and get on with it.
not taking this council long to bicker, fuss and argue. what ever happened to the non-partisan city council we used to have?
Coffman arrived, most divisive incompetent inexperienced uncaring mayor ever with no vision but to stay in power and distract voters and likes everyone fighting and blaming vulnerable populations for problems in Aurora
About the same time the socialists and EMERGE candidates arrived. Maybe they are your “vulnerable populations”.
Conservativism is what happened.
I said it a two months ago. There is going to be a lot of Council votes, something to 4 or 4 to something votes until the next Council election.
Then it will be something to two as the socialists in Ward IV and V will have been politically unmasked and will ride into the sunset.
Doesn’t appear to me that any new socialists will be elected at large in the future.
The Citizens of Aurora, except in crime ridden North Aurora, have seen their inefficiencies and will not vote them in.
you always assume everyone things and votes like you….WRONG. Speak for yourself only. Just look at comments, no one ever likes yours.
I’m to old and experienced to assume everyone “things” like me. Just a majority of Aurora citizens outside of North Aurora. I believe it my duty to comment as mostly liberals seem to read the Sentinel and I have a good time reacting to liberals.
If you read my comments closely, I try to never speak for you or anyone else, just my truth based on the facts as I see them. Nor do I believe in name calling, although, Debra, many times it comes to my mind.
Rather they may realize how full of hot air the conservatives are.
Some democracy we’re witnessing.