It’s all about growing pains these days. Aurora, now with a population of about 335,000 residents and a land mass that boggles the mind, is an uncomfortable municipal adolescent.
This election provides several ways for Aurora voters to address that reality.
Aurora isn’t an urban center like Denver, although the city is challenged by a long list of traditionally urban problems. But Aurora is hardly a traditional suburb. The city has a handful of vibrant urban centers and enough voters to pack a political wallop on the state’s governmental scene.
The Aurora City Council has set aside money to look hard and closely at the issue of whether city residents would best benefit by creating a new type of government that is both a city and a county, similar to those in Denver and Broomfield.
There are many reasons such a change makes sense. As the city moves ahead in its investigation of the city-county change, it’ll be vital that Aurora be able to figure out this important question without vested-interest interference from outside.
The issue is so important that it guides our recommendations this year on who should be elected as commissioners in Arapahoe county.
Here’s our picks for 2012:

In Arapahoe County District 1: Nancy Doty
Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Nancy Doty has been a powerhouse for ethics and efficiency in her office for the past two terms. In a county department previously rocked by scandal and malfeasance, Doty was able to clean up the mess and create a county elections department that is a model for the state. There is no doubt she’ll bring those same skills to the board of commissioners. Doty has indicated she wants to ensure Aurora gets full and accurate information about a city-county change, important to the process as the city moves forward.

Arapahoe County District 3: Rod Bockenfeld
Both candidates in this race offer county residents strong choices for ensuring a well-run county. Challenger Mollie Martin, a past candidate for state Legislature, brings a great deal of expertise in state social services issues. But incumbent Rod Bockenfeld has proved himself to be a formidable force for ensuring the county is run fairly for all county residents. He comes to the issue of a city-county question wary of the costs, which will be an important consideration. Based on Bockenfeld’s performance in the past, it’s clear that any objections he might raise would be practical and not political.

Arapahoe County District 5: Bill Holen
Bill Holen was drafted to this county commissioner seat last year after the resignation of Frank Weddig. Holen brings a long list of skills and experience to the commission that benefit all country residents. In his short tenure on the commission, he has proved himself to be a practical and analytical legislator and administrator in the county. Those are skills important to a complete and fair analysis of the city-county question. We feel confident Holen comes at the issue with an open, inquisitive mind that will benefit everyone.