AURORA | Members of the public spent more than an hour Monday hammering Aurora City Council members for their positions on international conflict and criminal justice, sticking around to speak even after the scheduled votes that brought them to city hall were called off.
Monday’s agenda was a grab bag of contentious policy proposals — from declaring the council’s support for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, to terminating an effort to privatize the Aurora Public Defender’s Officer, to taking a stand against the busing of migrants and homeless people into the city, to introducing new mandatory minimum jail sentences for crimes.
Objections offered by citizens who approached the dais Monday were similarly diverse. However, most attendees were hostile toward the positions taken by the council’s conservative majority, and many accused the council of trying to undermine their ability to speak.
“Some of you are almost proud of how undemocratic you are making this,” deputy state public defender Travis Weiner told the council. “You enjoy it, especially ending debate on matters that cut to the heart of Constitutional freedoms.”
The two resolutions brought by progressive Councilmember Alison Coombs included halting the process of asking law firms to bid on replacing the public defender and calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War.
The latter was pulled at Coombs’ request, after she said the Palestinian community members who asked her to sponsor the ceasefire resolution decided they wanted to work on it more.
This explanation didn’t stop some of the ceasefire proponents who spoke Monday from denouncing Coombs along with the rest of the council, which previously voted to endorse a statement condemning the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas while remaining silent on the deaths of Palestinian civilians, drawing a similarly large and unhappy crowd.
“Why don’t you care about the quality of life, dignified housing and economic justice of Palestinians?,” one woman asked Coombs. “Palestinians are not disposable. Palestinians are human beings with lives and dreams.”
Coombs publicly broke the news that the ceasefire resolution wouldn’t be voted on Monday immediately before the open public comment period near the start of the meeting, when members of the public are allowed to address the council regarding topics that are not on the council’s agenda. Speakers are allowed three minutes per person and no more than one hour collectively.
Coombs’ other resolution was taken off the agenda after the city council heard about 40 minutes of pointed comments from speakers in favor of the city demanding Israel and Hamas lay down arms.
“I ask you, why it is acceptable in your eyes for this to continue with seemingly no end in sight,” said Bee Haddad, a Jewish Syrian-American living in Denver. “We are responsible for each other. We do not have a right to kill each other. We do not have a right to allow genocide to continue, and we do not have a right to sit by silently.”
Ceasefire advocates also yelled “shame” and “you support genocide” at conservative Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky when she tried to explain that her upcoming volunteer trip to Israel was not paid for by the city and would not include fighting alongside Israel Defense Force soldiers.
Shortly after, Councilmember Curtis Gardner made a motion to pull Coombs’ resolution that would end the council’s solicitation of bids for replacing the Public Defender’s Office. Gardner also moved to restrict the duration of public comment on the remaining agenda items to just 30 minutes per item. By default, the comment periods associated with agenda items are unlimited.
Since the open public comment period had ended, the motion effectively denied the swath of the crowd that showed up to speak in support of the Aurora Public Defender’s Office the opportunity to comment at all.
Before the council could vote on Gardner’s motion, a large group of pro-ceasefire demonstrators stood up and began chanting “ceasefire now” at the council, until Mayor Mike Coffman recessed the meeting, at which point the demonstrators chanted “we’ll be back” at the council.
When the meeting started again about 13 minutes later, the motion to accept the agenda with Coombs’ resolution pulled and public comment restricted passed 7-4, with Coffman and progressives Coombs, Ruben Medina and Crystal Murillo opposed.
Gardner subsequently said the question of whether the council should stay the course with its RFP for replacing the office had been “debated to death.”
He also warned Coombs and the employees of the office who were promoting the resolution that they were “doing themselves a significant disservice.”
“To me, we’re just chipping away at the public’s ability to have input in our city government,” Councilmember Crystal Murillo said. “And I just keep seeing this trend. We’ve ‘called for the question.’ We’ve shut down debate. When does it stop?”
While many of the people who stood up at one point during the meeting to show their support for the office left after the removal of Coombs’ resolution from the agenda, some remained and used the public comment periods associated with proposals by Jurinsky to step up mandatory minimum jail sentences to challenge the council’s decision.
“Instead of celebrating the fact that Aurora hosts such an incredible team dedicated to making sure justice is administered fairly, you’ve chosen to sell your constituents’ futures, leaving them to just hope for the best,” said Adam Lior-Coll, a law student at the University of Colorado.
“Anyone can plainly see that you are unhappy with what is happening in the courtrooms, and you are retaliating by selling Coloradans’ Sixth Amendment rights to the lowest bidder.”
Among the critics was Aurora’s Chief Public Defender, Elizabeth Cadiz, who questioned the lack of statistics supporting the imposition of a three-day minimum jail sentence for people convicted of “dining and dashing,” defrauding a restaurant of $15 or more.
“You’re going to pay to put people in the county jail (and) transport them to the county jail for three days, for $15 or more on a dine-and-dash, which nobody has any statistics to establish even happens frequently in the city,” Cadiz said. “It continues to be fiscally irresponsible for you to add more offenses that will have mandatory minimums.”
She said imposing the mandatory minimums would also impact the accuracy of the document used to solicit bids for replacing her office, which included estimates of the number of cases that the office’s replacement would be expected to handle. Lawyers from the Aurora Public Defender’s Office are only appointed in cases where an indigent defendant could face jail time.
Cadiz also said “most believe” that the RFP process is revenge for the testimony of the previous chief public defender, Doug Wilson, who expressed skepticism about previous mandatory minimum sentencing legislation that was ultimately passed by the council.
The sponsor of the process, Councilmember Dustin Zvonek, did not reply to Cadiz’ comments, though he previously said in response to the same allegation from ex-city lawmaker Juan Marcano that he was not trying to retaliate against the office.
The ACLU of Colorado last week urged its followers on social media to “pack Aurora City Hall” in support of the resolution to terminate the RFP. Hundreds of people ultimately showed up to express their opposition to and support for legislation Monday night.
Coombs said the ceasefire resolution would come back at a future meeting, while no plans were made regarding the resolution related to the Public Defender’s Office.
“Some of you are almost proud of how undemocratic you are making this,” deputy state public defender Travis Weiner told the council. “You enjoy it, especially ending debate on matters that cut to the heart of Constitutional freedoms.”
LOL, as pointless and irrelevant as the resolution is to local governance, literally nothing about introducing or voting on it is “undemocratic.” This is just the go-to shibboleth of rad-left subversives crippled by a self-righteous belief in historic determinism.
Let me make more folks mad. I previously likened the ridiculous-ness of a ceasefire resolution in Aurora to Subarus with FREE TIBET stickers. These diatribes from both sides are a freaking waste of time for our governing body, who have plenty to do. NOW I’m going to compare it to the far right in Washington who are spending bazillions of our dollars making up stories to impeach our President. If you want to make a difference over there, buy a plane ticket and shut up, please.
You know, im really glad I had time to watch the hearing this week. It is a perfect example of how the Council is now since the election. Let us review a process we will probably see for years, repeated over and over.
The process starts when, to power their clout machine, one of the Red Crew will go on a talk radio show or public event and talk themselves into bringing a motion forward that is biased, borderline discriminatory, harmful to public safety, and destructive to the public’s confidence in the Council. Masses of people will come to speak their minds, demanding that their views be heard as well, not just the opinions of Party puppets. Those who speak will be silenced as often, for as many petty reasons, as the Mayor and others are capable. Then at the end, during the voting. Thanks to the new supermajority, the vote generally ends in 7-4. This is the same ratio the Council used to have, with one exception. You can see they have sat and decided that the Mayor will now intentionally vote with the People, knowing the others will vote against them. This allows the Mayor to lie and say he agrees while also never passing a single motion that favors anyone but their Party’s Corporo-political interests.
You know, it has been awhile. But since we have reached this point, where what seems to be the entirety of Aurora is being ignored by a fancy-dressed puppet show. Where every opinion is treated as invalid, ignored. Where all changes made are Hateful, spiteful attacks on groups of people like homeless and migrants, groups who have no way to defend themselves.
For these reasons and more, I am heavily considering returning. It seems I still have a thing or two to teach the audience about how to maintain their stance while also not allowing the Council to constantly invalidate and silence them. And, cause I warned Mike Coffman. For as long as he remains a Traitor to both his public oath and his military dignity, he will never fully be rid of me.
Keep your eyes peeled. Cause I dont Hate you. I simply wish to cut all of your silly strings, and watch you all flop around on top of each other pointlessly. Because the City of Aurora and it’s people are not your toys to break and ignore as you choose. Since you won’t listen, learn, or try for your people. Perhaps what you need is the return of that which you Fear. Enjoy wondering if, when, and how I shall return to demolish your overblown egos. Because most of you remember, you couldn’t stop me alone a year ago. And I told you Mr. Mayor, this battle between Party v. People hasn’t even left Round 1 yet.
Couple of thoughts, Omen. There are only three socialists left on Council with the Mayor almost never joining them. So the votes were rarely as you stated but that’s not really relevant.
You over value your return. You were a refreshing joke then as you will be a joke if
you return. Personally, I thought you were better than television and I missed your off the wall thinking and I’m part of the Red Crew. The Council can’t politically say what they think but if you think they take you seriously then you are delusional.
Welcome back.
I respectfully recognize the desire of local individuals to voice their concerns about Israel and the Palestinian people, but I fail to see why a resolution to address the conflict needs to be considered by the Aurora City Council. As I recall, the Council had trouble admitting in a resolution that the Arapahoe Natives once occupied Aurora. Just how in the world can the Council get a resolution on the Israeli/Palestinian issue right?
Mr. Cross, you seem to have an inflated sense of self-worth and impact but, since you are a veteran, I will deal as respectfully as I can. Please do return to participate in the clown show called Public Invited. In the words of Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, “You’re a funny guy.” Just don’t threaten to run for mayor again, and then back down as before. I, for one, was disappointed when your side show canceled its tour.
Just because he’s a veteran doesn’t mean he isn’t a total fruit loop. That DD-214 isn’t “act like an unhinged tweaker with no consequences” license.
Why is our City Council even wanting to talk about a cease-fire in Gaza. They have absolutely no control over this, and is a waste of time for much more important local matters. Let’s deal with crime, immigration issues, public resources (or lack thereof), population growth, and wisely using our limited natural resources to make our city one where we want people to enjoy living in.
With regards to the plan to outsource public defenders, I can say from experience working for the State of Colorado that outsourcing is NEVER cost effective for taxpayers. Private companies know how to play the game, and it is a game. They come in with their low bids, and of course, the lowest bid wins. The outsourcing company entrenches themselves into the system to the point where the public entity becomes fully dependent on the services they provide. At that point it’s nearly impossible to extricate them from the contract and they can command any price they want.
I could go on, but I’ll spare the readers of my boring monologue. At the end of the day, the government needs to operate and make decisions (and yes, some decisions will be unpopular, but that can’t stop the city from operating).
I respectfully recognize the desire of local individuals to voice their concerns about Israel and the Palestinian people, but I fail to see why a resolution to address the conflict needs to be considered by the Aurora City Council. As I recall, the Council had trouble admitting in a resolution that the Arapahoe Natives once occupied Aurora. Just how in the world can the Council get a resolution on the Israeli/Palestinian issue right?
Rather than complaining and calling people names, why don’t we just vote in this city. With barely 30% participation, we get what we get.
Woof, these grapes are sour! Voter participation was no different when the Emerge/DSA claque and their commie sponsor, Kristin Mallory Westerberg (whose law degree is, ironically, from a for-profit third-tier trash school that doesn’t exist anymore) were winning these races starting a little less than a decade ago.
Turns out your side “disrupted and dismantled” the decades of traditionally staid, non-partisan city council proceedings overnight into a contentious, performative clown show that “transformatively changed” it into the very thing you’re complaining about.
More grandstanding by Coombs that blew up in her face. It’s easy to make resolutions that resolve nothing. That’s what people do when they have no relevant ideas. And I voted for her, so it’s partly my fault we have this continuous circus show. Sorry, Aurora.
For those who are confused, including Alison Coombs, nobody on the Aurora City Council has any power at all over what happens in Gaza. It’s just that all of LOCAL problems just aren’t as sexy. This kind of crap erodes the Democratic party, and I have a problem with that. And “Omen Cross”, your inflated sense of importance reads like an unhinged manifesto. I don’t know who you are, thankfully, but I hope the police are tracking you. Yikes.
You’re cute. I left because I had work, and didn’t have time to deal with the nonsense of the time. Besides, you all had a choice to make. Its been awhile now since those choices were made. Seems maybe you would’ve been better off with someone that puts themselves at risk for what people want rather than someone who puts the entire community at risk solely for what they want. But that was your choice to make. Don’t Hate me for allowing you to make it.
I love how Ms. Jurinsky will insist on her voice being heard. She demands of the mayor she be allowed to retort to public comments though that is a discourqaged practice in the Council Rules. She pipes up to speak long and repetitively on any motion, but then, before the others on council have even had a chance to share their views she calls for the question, ending debate. It is funny that the call for the question is to end debate when others on council have had no say. By definition there has been no debate to end. The concept of calling the question was recognized by Robert’s Rules of Order and Procedure, and subsequently O. Garfield Jones’ Rules (the rules used by Council) to move matters forward when debate became repetitive ande unproductive. it was never intended to stiffle first comments by co-equals on council. ms, jurinsky abuses the motion and the City Attorney, Dan Brotzman, allows it to happen, never advising that the motion is premature until all have had a cahnce for at lest their first say on a matter. Since Mr. Brotzman will not stand for the first amendment rights of the co-0equals on council to be heard on matters of public interest those members who are routinely prevented from speaking out to seek to amend the City Council Rules of Order and Procedure to prohibit a motion to call a question until all council members have had an opportunity to speak on a motion at least one time.
Publius, you used to review your comments for grammar and typo’s much better but that is another matter. You must be getting older and more senile.
If you were really paying attention, you would notice that our Councils, since the beginning days of the EMERGE/ Socialist group make their points by going over and over again the same comments wasting everyone on Councils time. A call for the question is almost always when that is the case. Danielle and Curtis notice this and use it and I’m happy, and you should be, that they do this.
Pay attention when the outspoken lesbian/socialist and the child legislator from Ward I begin trying to make points. They go over the same comments over and over. Any sane person would notice this. Call for the question, Publius.
I have seen the interminable debates which you reference where the question should be called. I have seen some on council begin their third or fourth remarks with the phrase “I would like to reiterate, yet again…” When they are reiterating, yet again, debate should be cut off. Lately, however, Ms. Jurinsky has discovered the motion to call the question and has weaponized it to prevent first comments by her colleagues on the dias. Go back and review the last three or four meetings and you will see this. She can’t tolerate the potential first comments of her colleagues and that is an abuse of the motion to call the question. Its purpose is to prevent the interminable, repetitive, time wasting debates, but not to prevent initial comments.
I attended this Council meeting, for awhile, as I wanted to actually see what type of our Aurora citizens would show up and why. I noticed most of the Pro-Palestine folks sat in the large middle section so I moved off to the side to get a better view. I did notice a large contingent of lawyers on the south seating area. Mixed in with some of the Palestinians.
The first impression I had was when about half of the middle section did not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance much less place their hand over their heart.
The second was how many young people were there supporting Palestine. It’s my position that most wisdom comes with age and experience and it was proven, again. Thirdly, the first speaker was a child about ten years old. I didn’t get that if it had any meaning at all as I never did get his message. The protesters actually had lost me at the Pledge but their final was leaving the room very slowly screaming about a cease fire.
I finally had to walk out of the meeting when the wounded one legged black man, with a crutch, who stayed in the back and took a long time to get down the stairs with so many watching him came to the speakers and just castigated the complete Council, individual by individual. Total disrespect. I later noticed him to be Hasim Coates who is running for a seat in my county, Arapahoe. What a joke. He should be ashamed. When, I reviewed the rest of the meeting the next day, I noticed he spoke again. Not so nasty this time with his words but by then I just thought that this was his way of political grandstanding. Me thinks he needs a new campaign manager.
Final thoughts.
I do not think most of the protestors live in Aurora.
A lot of hate was developed by the Pro Israel Resolution, proper or not.
I wouldn’t bet on the longevity of our Public Defender’s office. Bad approach.
I continue to think I’m right as lawyers being the bane of our society.
I continue to think we need more punishment for crime in Aurora.
Alison Coombs is not as smart as she thinks she is and should take Medina’s
approach to local problems. Least is most.
And almost lastly, has Marcano moved out of Aurora yet? I love his silence.
Elisha McClain was a simple fool misled by his broken, now rich, family. I only
say this as the Sentinel won’t let this old situation go away. It is old news.
FREE PALESTINE STOP THE GENOCIDE…..PLEASE.