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Campbell council removes vice mayor from office after public allegations and police verification of presence at restaurant
Summary
Following public allegations about Vice Mayor Skazola’s conduct, public testimony and a police inquiry that verified his presence and alcohol consumption at a local restaurant, the council voted 3–2 to remove him from the office of vice mayor and agreed to schedule election of a new vice mayor at a subsequent meeting.
The Campbell City Council voted March 3 to remove Vice Mayor Skazola from the office of vice mayor after public allegations about his conduct at a restaurant and a police follow‑up that verified his presence there.
The item was placed on the agenda after public comments on Feb. 3 alleged inappropriate behavior by the vice mayor. At the March 3 meeting Vice Mayor Skazola acknowledged the council’s code of conduct should be strengthened and said he had discussed the matter privately with colleagues. Public commenters gave differing accounts: Chris Gian Greco said he witnessed the events and that a photograph shown after the fact “certainly appeared to be your vice mayor,” and urged the council to consider standards for acceptable public behavior by elected officials. An online commenter, Juan Rodriguez, urged restraint and warned against disciplining a councilmember for policy positions, calling for due process.
Council members debated whether the issue was about ethics, public expectations or a lack of explanation from the vice mayor. Police investigators reported they had reviewed video surveillance from the Garrett restaurant and verified Vice Mayor Skazola’s presence at the restaurant for more than three hours and that he had consumed “numerous beverages” prior to the actions described by the public commenter.
After discussion, a motion to remove the vice mayor from that office passed on a roll‑call vote. The council recorded three votes in favor and two against (Vice Mayor Skazola and Mayor Fado voted no). The council agreed it would schedule the election of a new vice mayor at a future meeting.
Vice Mayor Skazola responded in council that he considered the questioning of his honesty insulting and said he had been candid in private discussions with colleagues. The council majority said the move reflected accountability to the city’s statement of values and a perceived lack of a sufficient public explanation.
The council’s action removes the vice mayor from that leadership role but does not remove him from his council seat; the council will address filling the vice mayor role at a future meeting.
