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VanSuch takes oath as Campbell mayor
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Campbell Mayor William VanSuch
By Jeanne Starmack
CAMPBELL
The city’s new mayor was sworn in at council’s Wednesday meeting.
William VanSuch, who was council president, became mayor after the resignation of George Krinos on Tuesday. The move is in accordance with the city’s home-rule charter.
Atty. Brian Macala administered the oath of office before a packed meeting room that included VanSuch’s family members and his fiancee, Pam Planey.
Before taking the oath, he resigned as council president. Juanita Rich, 4th Ward councilwoman and president pro tem, took over for the rest of the meeting. As president pro tem, she is expected to be elected permanently to the post within 30 days. Council members will appoint someone to fill her seat.
Krinos said Tuesday he resigned to spend more time with his family. He cited “resistance to change” as not allowing him to accomplish anything for the city.
VanSuch responded that Krinos caused the problems that ranged from a fight over keeping the finance director to how to rein in the city’s expenses.
Rich said Krinos, who became mayor in December 2009 and previously had not held public office, was inexperienced and didn’t consult with council.
VanSuch, 69, who lives on Camvet Drive, will be mayor until Krinos’ term expires Nov. 30. He said he does not know yet if he will run again after that, either for mayor or council president. Candidates have until June to file their petitions.
He said he has been with the city either as a legislator or an administrator since 1974. He was elected 2nd Ward councilman then and remained in the seat for eight years.
In 1982, he ran for mayor and lost.
He became the city’s litter-control director after that and president of council in 1990.
In 2000, he became city administrator, retiring in 2003.
In 2004, he again became council president and has remained in that post for six years.
“I feel I have the experience on both sides — in administration and as a legislator,” he said.
He has also been active in civic and church organizations, he said.
VanSuch said a top priority as mayor will be to work on issues with the city’s unionized workers. The firefighters’ contract expired Dec. 31, and there will be negotiations. There also is a court case pending over a police contract that was signed in July. Council is suing the Fraternal Order of Police.
VanSuch thanked the city for trusting him throughout his years of city service.
“I will not let you down,” he said.