A friendly personality is disappearing from the city of Ceres’ Community Development Department when Ann Montgomery retires this Friday.

As administrative secretary, Montgomery has been a fixture behind the counter of the Planning Department and at Ceres Planning Commission meetings for the past 14-1/2 years.

“I’m leaving on my terms – I really wanted to stay a lot longer,” said Montgomery.

Her reasons for leaving are multi-faceted, primarily to care for her older retired husband Brian. Ann also has been troubled with arthritis affecting her knees. But staffing issues were also a driving force. The department has shrunken considerably from the time since before she was hired – from seven staff members to three. She explained that Senior Planner Teddie Hernandez is on maternity leave, and Community Development Director Lea Simvoulakis left March with both voids being filled by a part-time contract planner, Kelsey George, who only has been allotted 10 hours a week.

“I feel bad as the phone message person. People call for zoning questions and stuff, and … I can look at a map and tell them, but then people have further questions, such as can I build this here or can I have this kind of business? And that’s not my forte. As much as I would like to, I was always told to let the experts answer so that’s what’s frustrating because people don’t get their immediate answers. To me, I’m customer service, all about people pleasing and right now I can’t provide that with my limited associates.”

Ceres Police Lt. Jeff Godfrey wandered into her office on Thursday and bid Montgomery a fond farewell since he was going to be in training in this, her final week.

“You’re kind of indispensable,” Godfrey told her.

“I’m not trying to pat myself on the back but I do a lot,” she replied. “My conscientious part of me feels bad for leaving but I’m so done. I don’t know what they’re going to do.”

Montgomery was hired by then acting City Manager/Police Chief Art deWerk and “trained well” by Community Development Director Tom Westbrook and Senior Planner James Michaels.

“When those two left we lost a lot. So I was holding on, hanging onto the fort.”

For a time Ann served as deputy city clerk after she was tagged by City Clerk Cindy Heidorn until that position was eliminated by then City Manager Toby Wells.

Montgomery was hired in January 2011 after Linda Ryno – she later became a Ceres City Councilwoman – abruptly retired after 29 years. Westbrook desperately needed someone despite a city hiring freeze so he “had to beg for a secretary,” she said. Montgomery was in need of a job after being laid off from the Salida school district in 2010 and was “very grateful to get the position.”

She walked into the department when there was a lot of heavy lifting was occurring with big projects including the Mitchell Ranch Shopping Center and West Landing annexation.

Montgomery’s duties have included preparing the agenda packets of the Planning Commission, taking minutes, and recording resolutions and CEQA documents at the clerk-recorder’s office.

Because she had experience assisting at Planning Commission meetings, Montgomery acted as the clerk at City Council meeting when Heidorn took leave with medical issues. She served as acting city clerk for six months. Wells offered her the city clerk position but she turned it down, explaining that she wanted to continue working for Westbrook. When Wells questioned why she was turning down a position that paid more, Montgomery told him: “I don’t care. I want to work with Tom. He’s a man of integrity and I’m proud to be his secretary.”

Westbrook eventually became city manager while serving as the head of Planning. When he resigned to move to Red Bluff to take care of his aging mom in 2021, Ann was downhearted.

Montgomery said she has most enjoyed working with the Planning Commission, especially the “long-timers” that included Bob Kachel, Gary del Nero and Laurie Smith.

“I really enjoyed working with the Planning Commission, seeing how they responded to the different projects and, you know, they were just a really great group of people.”

She added that she really hasn’t had time to get to know the newer commissioners.

“Ceres is losing a gem,” commented Gary M. Condit, the chairman of the Ceres Planning Commission. “Ann has served the city of Ceres with professionalism, integrity and dedication – usually the first one at Planning Commission meetings and the last to leave. She truly exemplifies public service at its best, setting a standard for all city employees to follow.”

Councilwoman and friend Rosalinda Vierra said she will miss Ann and her smile.

“I just appreciate everything she’s done for the city while she was here,” Vierra said at Monday’s Ceres City Council meeting.

Her time at Ceres City Hall was disrupted in January 2024 with the heartbreak of losing her 34-year-old son David. He was a teacher and died from a heart attack.

“I know he went quickly but I know he’s with the Lord and that’s the saving grace. I’m going to see him again.”

The Montgomerys also have a 33-year-old daughter.