BY FREDA MIKLIN – GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
As is the case in most cities in Arapahoe County and the metro area, Aurora city council members are elected for four-year staggered terms. With ten people on the council, five are elected every two years. This year, a city councilor will be elected from wards one, two, and three, and two of the four at large council members will be chosen. Becky Hogan is one of five people competing for the two at-large positions.
Hogan holds a Certified Economic Developer accreditation from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, described as “the premier economic development program in the nation, with more than 50 years of experience.” She used that training to help bring Sun Microsystems to the City and County of Broomfield and the Westminster Promenade to the City of Westminster. More recently, she had an economic development consulting business, through which she interacted with the Aurora Economic Development Council.
Becky Hogan was married to former Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, who passed away unexpectedly in 2018 while holding that office. He was succeeded by Bob LeGare, who has endorsed Becky Hogan for city council. LeGare was recently quoted as saying, “Becky Hogan has selflessly served our community for years. She is thoughtful with her decision making and will be a strong voice for Aurorans.”
The Villager asked Hogan why she wanted to serve. She told us, “I saw my experience as being unique and valuable to shaping Aurora’s future. Through my work in the field, I have developed expertise in land development, business recruitment and retention, infrastructure, and transportation.”
Hogan told us that she sees the number one issue for the city as “making all people feel safe.” She believes in supporting law enforcement, including having adequate and well-trained staff. As for current Police Chief Vanessa Wilson, Hogan told us that she “is building her team” and “she has been bold in making changes.”
Second on her list of priorities if elected is to focus the city council on civility and “getting people back on the job description the city charter says, which is to provide safety, public works, roads, and infrastructure, including appropriate development so people can live, work, and play in Aurora.
She has been watching Aurora City Council meetings, which have not always been entirely cordial. Hogan explained, “It is important for council to model leadership and to represent the citizens’ voices, not their own.” Still, she said, “You don’t surrender your values, but you have to consider everyone’s needs. We are guardians, not warriors.”
After being orphaned, Hogan emigrated to the United States from Korea as an infant, becoming naturalized at the age of four. In addition to having worked as an economic development consultant, she is on the Aurora planning and zoning commission and serves as chair of the Korean Committee-Aurora Sister Cities. She oversaw the coordination of smoke alarms in common areas and assisted in setting up fire safety training for residents of Heather Gardens in Aurora. She also managed ten equity clinics that delivered COVID-19 vaccines, including one at one of the city’s Ethiopian churches.
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