With Aurora’s November election rapidly approaching, city residents will have several big decisions to make in choosing the next city leaders.

Voters will choose between several candidates for mayor, at-large councilmembers and councilmembers for districts (called “wards”) IV, V and VI.

Two candidates, Jonathan Gray and Stephanie Hancock, are running for one Ward IV council seat, currently held by Juan Marcano.

Election Day is Nov. 7 and candidates elected to office in 2023 will serve four-year terms ending in 2027. Their terms will begin at the commencement of the first regular council meeting in December following the election.

The Denver Gazette asked all of the candidates a series of questions about how they would approach their roles. Responses from the two Ward IV candidates are as follows.

Candidates were asked to keep their responses under 100 words. Some of the responses have been edited to fit this requirement.

What makes you qualified for the role you’re running for and why should people vote for you?

Jonathan Gray: At 15, my first job was at Craig Hospital in Englewood as a dishwasher and later a prep cook. I know what it means to work hard, and will always put the people first. I recently received my Master’s degree in Public Administration from CU Denver, and I have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be exceptional in this role. I’ve worked with youth and families in our most vulnerable communities for decades. I’m a leader who cares about my community. I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll work with the residents of Aurora rather than in a silo.

Stephanie Hancock: I have lived in Ward 4 for the past 25 years. I’m a wife, mother, Veteran, and a past small business owner. My children attended Ward 4 schools. I have been active in the Arts & Culture community for the past 15 years owning a theatre company and working as president of the Aurora Cultural Arts District. I bring a lifetime of practical working experience to the city council. I have a deep vested interest in seeing this community continue to be safe and affordable for generations to come.

What are the top three challenges Aurora is facing today and how would you address them?

Gray: Affordable housing, crime, and homelessness. The top priorities in my ward are public safety, costs of living, and giving youth access to spaces to keep them off the street after hours and during breaks.

a. Public safety – ensure we slow speeds on some of our arterial roads and install traffic calming measures in residential areas with high traffic incident rates.

b. Increase wages – increase the minimum wage from $13.65 to at least $17.29 to keep up with the Denver minimum wage.

c. Expand Utah Park – make it a full-service recreation center. Ward 4 does not have a recreation center.

Hancock: The top three challenges facing our city are crime, affordability and economic opportunity. Communities feel less safe due to car theft, shoplifting and assault. Financial pain of living in our city through high gas, groceries and housing. Entry level jobs have all but disappeared for youth between the ages of 16 -21, denying them an opportunity to move into adulthood and become good citizens. We must first enforce the laws for crime, reduce policies that inhibit new building and growth to attract highly skilled jobs and train our citizens to work at these jobs.

What is your stance on Aurora’s approach to homelessness and how would you address it?

Gray: Aurora’s current camping ban criminalized homelessness, and sweeping them down the street only causes more trauma to our unhoused. Permanent supportive housing with wrap-around services is the answer. Also, it is critical that the council continues to work with and provide funding to non-profits, initiatives, and faith-based organizations that provide safe outdoor sites and safe parking sites. Housing first is the only way to effectively connect our unhoused to treatment and behavioral health providers.

Hancock: The City Council should empower not enable unhoused persons by discovering and addressing the root cause of the issue which could be substance abuse, mental illness or loss of income. Assistance should be strongly encouraged and accessed for safety and good of the community so those who find themselves unhoused can be reintegrated into society and become productive citizens able to care for themselves.

As an elected official, what would your role be in bolstering public safety efforts in Aurora?

Gray: I believe that working APD’s PAR (Police Area Representatives) program and investing in grants that support the creation of neighborhood watch programs throughout Ward 4 will allow our communities to come together, get to know one another, and become more vigilant in reporting criminal activity. In many of our communities of color, over-policing is a problem, and I believe expanding the funding of the Aurora Mobile Response Team to be city-wide and training civilian response teams that are racially and ethnically diverse to respond to non-violent incidents and wellness checks in these communities is the answer.

Hancock: Retail, motor vehicle and assault crimes are on the rise. APD must be empowered and supported to enforce the law. Criminals should know that Aurora will fully prosecute crimes. No revolving doors. No light sentences. Our city council should make sure our police officers have the resources and support they need to protect our communities and better engage with our communities.

What is your stance on the Strong Mayor proposal?

Gray: I am against the Strong Mayor Proposal. This form of government gives too much power to one person. Also, if the mayor proves to be incompetent, they cannot be removed until the end of their term or after a recall election. The city council and mayor receive more cooperation and are better informed because the city manager works for the city council.

Hancock: At this time I do not support it, but I hope to understand more on how it will impact our city before it is introduced again. Most of our neighboring jurisdictions have a strong mayor so there does seem to be benefits but I believe that there should be more buy-in from the council and our residents to make sure we create a system that best serves our residents.

What is one thing you would do differently than the person who currently has the role you’re running for?

Gray: I would create a monthly or quarterly Ward IV newsletter (digital) to inform my residents of the happenings in my ward and throughout the city.

Hancock: I would foster a collaborative rather than adversarial relationship with other councilmembers along policy not ideological lines keeping in mind the Win Win should be for the community.

What is the best thing about living in the city of Aurora?

Gray: The cultural diversity.

Hancock: The best thing about living in Aurora is the cultural diversity of this city. You can travel around the world through food, music, art and religion. Our city has tremendous opportunity as we grow. It is important to manage the issues that hurt our city, crime homelessness and affordability, while encouraging new business to create a legacy for future generations to enjoy.