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Lawyers eyeing candidate’s documents

Carolyn SackariasonAspen, CO Colorado

ASPEN City Council candidate Toni Kronberg met the Thursday deadline to provide what she claims is evidence that she’s an Aspen resident.However, that evidence has not been made public. Kronberg met behind closed doors with City Clerk Kathryn Koch and local attorney Jim True, special counsel for City Hall. The meeting lasted more than 30 minutes, in City Attorney John Worcester’s office, with the door shut. The private gathering took place just before the 5 p.m. deadline Koch had given Kronberg to produce either a lease or a utility bill her in name proving she is an Aspen resident.An investigation into Kronberg’s residency began Wednesday after three residents filed separate complaints challenging her candidacy and specifically, her residency within the city limits.And the investigation will continue into at least next week, when Worcester returns from vacation.”[Toni] brought in some information and I wish to review it in consultation with John,” True said, declining to identify exactly what evidence Kronberg provided. While waiting for Koch, True and Mayor Helen Klanderud in the hallway outside the city clerk’s office, Kronberg said she provided multiple leases to city officials.Kronberg wouldn’t answer questions regarding her residency, referring all inquiries to True and Koch, who had little to say in the matter.”I just don’t want to say anything because I haven’t reviewed the documents,” True said. “I’m taking the lead and reviewing the documents, and I think some time in the future we will elaborate on it.”Despite still being under investigation, Kronberg appeared gleeful and relieved on Thursday.”I’m thrilled,” she said. “I’m really happy, and I think this will turn out the way it should turn out.” Questions about whether Kronberg has been an Aspen resident for the past 12 months surfaced after several sources told The Aspen Times they believe she lives outside city limits, in Aspen Village. One former landlord said Kronberg lived in Woody Creek last June, an allegation the City Council candidate denies. Kronberg said the reason she is at Aspen Village frequently is because she rents an office there – in the basement of unit No. 60. Public documents on the Internet show Kronberg’s residential listing as 60 Aspen Village Road in Snowmass.On her voter registration form and petition to run for City Council, Kronberg listed 230 N. Spring St. as her permanent address. She changed her address around the time she filed her petition to run for council. Her former residence was 377 N. Spring St., a large riverfront property with a caretaker unit. Denver real estate agent Denice Reich owns both properties. The only requirement to prove city residency is a signature on a voter registration form. In order to qualify for a council seat, a candidate must have lived in Aspen for the past 12 months.Kronberg is facing Steve Skadron in a runoff election June 5. She garnered the third-highest count in the May 8 council election, with 487 votes, or 22 percent. Skadron, received 862 votes, or 39 percent, placing second. In order to win a seat on the council in the first go-round, a candidate must garner 45 percent of the vote, plus one.