Power Beyond Term Limits: April Verlato’s Latest Political Move and the Recall That Divides Arcadia

Arcadia, CA — Former Arcadia City Councilmember April Verlato has re-emerged at the center of controversy, this time as the driving force behind an effort to recall sitting Councilmember David Fu. The move has stirred frustration and disbelief among residents and city insiders, many of whom view it as an act of retaliation and a calculated attempt to reassert control over a council that has increasingly distanced itself from her influence.

A Retaliation Disguised as Reform

The timing of the recall attempt is no coincidence. It follows the censure of Mayor Sharon Kwan, an action supported by Councilmember Fu after a series of internal conflicts regarding leadership and governance. That decision publicly exposed long-simmering divisions within the city’s political circles, divisions that Verlato has worked hard to shape and manage from behind the scenes.

Verlato’s renewed activism has less to do with civic accountability than with reclaiming the influence she once wielded on the council. Critics describe this as a cynical attempt to engineer her own return to power, since she could never defeat Fu through legitimate means, she now seeks to do so through a false smear campaign.

The Pattern of Control

For years, Verlato has projected herself as a guardian of “good governance” in Arcadia. Yet her actions reveal a different pattern, one centered on maintaining control over who rises and who falls in the city’s political hierarchy. Her influence has been particularly evident in how she engages with Asian American councilmembers, whose growing presence has reshaped the city’s political identity.

Observers note that Verlato has consistently supported or tolerated Asian councilmembers only when they remain compliant and aligned with her agenda. The moment they assert independence or take positions contrary to her interests, tensions follow. David Fu’s decision to back the censure of Mayor Kwan marked a breaking point in that dynamic, a move Verlato reportedly viewed as both personal defiance and political betrayal.

A Mayor Under Shadow Influence

Mayor Sharon Kwan’s relationship with Verlato has long been a subject of quiet speculation among city insiders. Many have observed that Kwan needed Verlato to accompany her to most of the city’s events, reinforcing the perception that Verlato continued to act as the real power behind the mayor’s office. Rather than standing as an independent leader, Kwan’s public image became intertwined with Verlato’s presence, a pairing that blurred the line between mentorship and manipulation.

As the months progressed, that dependency became a visible symbol of Verlato’s enduring reach within Arcadia’s political machinery. Her influence was not exercised through elected authority, but through proximity, ensuring that her presence remained felt in every decision, every appearance, and every conversation that shaped the city’s direction.

The Cost of Political Ego

If the recall qualifies for a special election, it will cost Arcadia taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. For a city still recovering from legal expenses potentially tied to lawsuits that Verlato and her allies once encouraged, this renewed turmoil feels like an unnecessary reopening of old wounds. Many residents see it as a misuse of public resources, an indulgence in personal vendettas dressed in the language of civic reform.

The recall campaign, built on vague grievances and exaggerated claims, offers no clear vision for governance. Instead, it functions as a political weapon aimed at silencing dissent, particularly among newer, more independent Asian leaders who refuse to conform to Verlato’s expectations. The pattern is unmistakable: challenge her influence, and face political retribution.

Power That Refuses to Step Down

Even after her term expired, Verlato has remained an unusually active force in city politics.

She continues to insert herself into policy debates, advise current officials, and mobilize small but vocal networks to attack those she perceives as opponents. Such behavior blurs the line between civic participation and political interference, raising questions about how far a former councilmember should go in shaping a city she no longer represents.

In most cities, termed-out officials transition into advisory or volunteer roles, using their experience to support the next generation of leaders. Verlato, however, appears unwilling to step aside. Her ongoing presence in Arcadia’s political sphere underscores a deeper problem: when personal ambition eclipses public service, the community pays the price.

A City Caught in the Crossfire

Arcadia now finds itself caught between two competing forces, those seeking progress and independence, and those clinging to the remnants of old power structures. The recall effort against David Fu encapsulates that struggle. It is not about governance or accountability, but about dominance and control, a reminder that the hardest battles in local politics are often not fought in public meetings, but in the shadows cast by those who cannot let go of authority.

As this saga unfolds, the question remains whether Arcadia’s voters will see through the illusion of reform and recognize that the true recall may be long overdue: recalling the politics of manipulation, division, and personal vendetta that have plagued this city for far too long.