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Newly elected Campbell officials take oaths of office
By Sarah Lehr
campbell
Mayor-elect Nicholas Phillips took his oath of office Monday evening in city hall, marking a new administration and arguably a new era of city politics.
Phillips, a retired police sergeant who had not previously run for office, defeated incumbent Mayor William VanSuch in the Nov. 3 election by more than 22 percentage points. VanSuch’s political career began 41 years when he was elected to Campbell City Council.
After the swearing-in ceremony Monday, Phillips told The Vindicator that he hopes for a “smooth transition” once he takes office next Tuesday. He said he plans to hire a new city administrator and mayoral secretary, but to retain Finance Director Michael Evanson.
The mayor-elect cited goals including road resurfacing, tackling blight and attracting business to Campbell.
Other newly elected officials, all of them incumbents, joined Phillips in taking oaths of office Monday. Law Director Brian Macala, President of Council George Levendis, 1st Ward Councilman Michael Tsikouris, 2nd Ward Councilman Bryan Tedesco and 3rd Ward Councilman George Mazzocca, Jr. were sworn in by Judge Patrick Cunning. Fourth Ward Councilwoman Juanita Rich was not present.