WEEK OF JANUARY 25, 2024
VOLUME 103 | ISSUE 48
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Council OKs mayor’s recall expenditures
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Englewood Mayor Othoniel Sierra will be reimbursed for the thousands of dollars he spent campaigning against a recall that sought to remove him from office last October. In a 4-2 vote, the Englewood City Council voted, after extensive discussion, that he should receive the funds. Sierra recused himself and did not vote on the matter during the Jan. 16 meeting. Sierra told the council at the meeting that he didn’t receive any donations and all of the materials he spent money on to fight against the recall were self funded. “The (Colorado Revised Statutes) allows me to seek reimbursement,” Sierra said. “Really no other reason behind it.” City documents show his expenditures included printing expenses, campaign materials, such as door hangings, yard signs and sign toppers, as well as mailing expenses. Sierra is seeking a reimbursement of $2,844.09. At-large Council member Rita Russell questioned if any other council member had sought this type of reimbursement in the past. City Attorney Tamara Niles said there were no records to show that. Russell asked two other council members who also faced recalls on
PROPERTY TAX BILLS P2 DELAYED
Englewood Mayor Othoniel Sierra listens in an Englewood City Council meeting. PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY
Oct. 3, District 2’s Chelsea Nunnenkamp and District 3’s Joe Anderson, if they would also seek reimbursements. “I didn’t spend money,” Anderson said. “I collected donations for my campaign. So, I don’t have the right under this law to do that.” Nunnenkamp later said she would not seek a refund, and voted in favor of reimbursing Sierra. “I, personally, will not be (seeking reimbursement),” Nunnenkamp said.
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“While I hate the fact that the majority of our taxpayers are paying for an election they did not want or ask for or support, I will be supporting this tonight.” Before the vote, Russell motioned to request Anderson and Nunnenkamp be recused from voting on Sierra’s reimbursement request, which was seconded by At-large Council member Kim Wright. But the council
GRATEFUL FOR GRACEFULL CAFE
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