The Ceres Courier sent a questionnaire to four of the five candidates running for seats on the Ceres City Council. Returning answers were District 1 candidates Gary M. Conit and Dorie Perez; and District 2 candidates Jorge Guerrero and Rosalinda Vierra, the incumbent.
The Courier was unable to contact District 2 candidate Galen Guzman who did not leave any contact information with the Ceres City Clerk as did the others. If he wishes to participate in our Q&A he should contact the Courier editor.
DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATES
Gary M. Condit
1). Why did you decide to run for City Council?
I decided to run for City Council in District 1 after Councilman Jim Casey announced that he would not seek re-election. I’ve lived in this district for the majority of my life and Ceres is truly home. I grew up here, met my wife here, purchased our first home here, and now we’re raising our son Theodore here and expecting a baby girl in February. I want Ceres to be a safe, clean and thriving community for everyone who calls it home. I want to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, advocate for greater opportunities for our youth, restore quality city services and accountability and work to ensure our city is focused on the needs of its residents. That’s why I’m running, to make a real difference in the community I love and give back to a city that is desperately struggling, more ways than one.
2). What life experiences and skills would you bring to the council? (Tell us about your educational background and career experience.)
I am a proud product of Ceres, through and through. From Virginia Parks Elementary to Mae Hensley Junior High and, of course, Ceres High School, this community has shaped who I am. I believe strongly in public service and giving back to the community that has given so much to me. To me, that is what a strong sense of community is all about. I graduated from Ceres High School in 2019, earned my A.A. in Administration of Justice from Modesto Junior College in 2022, and graduated from California Coast University with a B.S. in Business Marketing. I’ve been working since I was 15, beginning with my first job with at River Oaks Golf Course. For the past five years, I have been employed full-time with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office as a Staff Services Analyst. At 16, I started a student-led initiative focused on improving safety at Ceres High School. The effort included advocating for AED defibrillators on campus, improved building identification for emergency and crisis situations, updated safety plans, school-zone signage, and a crosswalk at a main entry and exit point on campus. Years later, AEDs are now present across CUSD campuses, while school-zone signage and improved building identification were also added at Ceres High School.
I have volunteered as a coach with the River Oaks Youth Golf Program and as a basketball coach with the former Ceres Hoopsters program. I have also been actively involved with Love Ceres for the past five years. I’ve served on the Ceres Planning Commission for three years, including two years as chairman. During my time on the commission, I have consistently supported common sense development that benefits our community. When Ceres faced budget challenges and the council was making several cuts to different departments, I recommended that the commission voluntarily give up its monthly stipends, as well as budgeted training and travel expenses. Unfortunately, that recommendation was voted down. I believe public service is about giving back to the community — not about the perks or benefits that come with holding office.
I believe District 1 deserves a representative who knows this community, understands the people and neighborhoods that make Ceres home, and has a firsthand connection to the issues facing our city.
3). What quality of life issues are you most concerned about and do you have any specific ideas for solutions?
Ceres is home to strong neighborhoods filled with hardworking families who care deeply about their community. In conversations with many of my neighbors and residents, I’ve repeatedly heard concerns about people feeling unsafe taking their children to local parks because of gang activity and homelessness. At the same time, our city continues to struggle with blight, illegal dumping, overgrown vacant lots, and neglected public rights-of-way. These may seem like small issues to some, but they affect how residents feel about their community and help set the direction of a city. Ceres faces many challenges, but my focus can be summed up simply: making Ceres safe and clean.
Making Ceres safer means prioritizing public safety and ensuring our Police Department has resources where they are needed most—from our depleted Motor Unit to our dismantled specialized unit, Street Crimes Unit that helped address street crime and gang activity in our city. Making Ceres cleaner must also be a priority.
That becomes difficult when the council votes to lay off a full-time maintenance worker and two part-time code enforcement officers, as they did in the 2026–2027 budget. At the same time, the council voted to continue providing themselves with taxpayer-funded health insurance costing approximately $100,000 annually. I believe our residents should not be asked to accept neglected parks, overgrown city-maintained facilities, or areas where they pay additional assessments but do not receive the level of service they deserve. When we are cutting the people responsible for maintaining our city while continuing taxpayer-funded benefits for elected officials, we need to take a hard look at our priorities. Ceres deserves better. I believe tough decisions and allocation need to take place, but it also requires public input and transparency something that majority of the members on the Ceres City Council don’t support. We need to put residents first, restore pride in our neighborhoods, and make sure our city is safe, clean, and properly maintained. That is the kind of change I am running to deliver.
4). What goals and objectives are you most passionate about if elected?
My priorities are straightforward: putting residents and taxpayers first. I support conducting a forensic audit of Ceres’ finances to understand how our budget reached its current position and making those findings available to the public, something the City Council has previously voted down. I also support eliminating taxpayer-funded health insurance for part-time councilmembers, which costs approximately $100,000 annually and has also been voted down. Being an elected official is about public service, not perks or benefits. We must balance our budgets, eliminate unnecessary spending, and treat every taxpayer dollar with the care and accountability it deserves. At the same time, Ceres needs to invest in more opportunities for our youth and families so residents can enjoy more activities, entertainment, and shopping right here in our community.
Finally, city services must be more efficient and accountable. Residents pay taxes, and some in District 1 pay additional Landscape and Lighting District assessments, yet they are not always receiving the services they are paying for.
5). What priorities would you hold as a member of the Ceres City Council?
My main priority will always be the constituents I serve in District 1. I will be radically transparent and accessible, because residents deserve an elected representative they can actually reach. That means holding regular office hours, bringing mobile office hours directly into District 1, increasing public outreach, and I am committed to creating a District 1 Advisory Board made up of residents who live right here in our district. Every resident will have my phone number and contact information. If a neighbor has a problem or needs help navigating city government, I will do everything I can to help find an answer and make sure their voice is heard.
6). What criticisms and/or praises do you have for the current city council?
I believe there is a great deal of frustration toward our city government, and in many ways, residents have every right to be frustrated. We’ve seen ordinary residents step up to clean and maintain parks and other areas of Ceres because the city has failed to consistently provide the level of service our community deserves. At the same time, the City Council has prioritized its own benefits and perks while making cuts to youth programs and outsourcing them all together to Turlock and Modesto. Residents should not have to fill the gaps left by City Hall while elected officials protect their own benefits. Our local government should also be more open, accessible, and transparent. Residents deserve to know how decisions are being made, how their tax dollars are being spent, and have meaningful opportunities to participate in the process.
In addition, the city of Ceres has constantly mistreated Ceres Youth organizations like Ceres Youth Baseball and Ceres Youth Soccer and I’ve remained an ally standing up for them when the city attempted to drastically raise player fees and even misallocated over $100,000 in ARPA funds meant to improve George Costa Fields. I believe this troubling pattern is wrong and we need elected officials who will actually make youth opportunities a reality, and not be a roadblock like some current members.
7). If elected, what steps would you take to put the city of Ceres on a healthier financial footing?
Getting Ceres’ finances back in the green will be a heavy lift after years of mismanagement by our council, but it starts with elected officials who prioritize the greater good of the residents they serve over their own interests. During the most recent budget process, as the city worked to identify over $2 million in cuts, three members of the City Council supported reductions to essential services, including Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and Code Enforcement, rather than first looking at the Council’s own $250,000 plus budget. The financial challenges facing Ceres did not happen overnight. After years of spending decisions by the city’s leadership, our community is now facing difficult choices and real consequences. Tough decisions will have to be made, but I believe elected officials should be willing to put their own budget on the chopping block before cutting essential services that directly impact our residents.
If elected, I will support a forensic audit of our city’s finances to identify the root causes of our unprecedented financial challenges and provide greater transparency to the public. I will also support establishing a Budget Advisory Committee to give residents a greater voice in how their tax dollars are spent and work to rebuild the city’s reserves.
8). What changes, if any, would you make to zoning or the development approval process?
I believe Ceres has fallen behind other cities in Stanislaus County when it comes to economic development, and we need to change that. We should do a better job of working with developers and businesses that want to bring unique restaurants, retail, entertainment, and other opportunities to our community. That means streamlining city processes, reducing unnecessary red tape, and creating a more welcoming environment for businesses that want to invest in Ceres. As chairman of the Planning Commission, I believe public input should be at the center of that process. We need to hear directly from our residents about the businesses and opportunities they want to see in their community, and then the City should actively work to attract them. Economic development should not simply be about filling vacant spaces, it should be about bringing the kinds of businesses and opportunities that make Ceres a stronger place to live, work, and raise a family.
9). Do you think outsiders have a negative or positive view of Ceres. If negative, how can the city change that?
Ceres has historically struggled with its identity, often finding itself caught between Modesto and Turlock rather than establishing its own distinct identity and sense of place. In recent years, that challenge has only become more pronounced as concerns about the city’s appearance, quality of services, and lack of economic opportunity have grown. The City Council continues to ignore the demands of the public to focus economic development elsewhere besides gas stations and car washes. I believe Ceres has the potential to stand on its own and we should be intentional about building a city that residents are proud to call home. I plan to address these challenges by focusing on the issues that matter most to our residents: making Ceres a safe and clean city to call home. When visitors enter our city, and when the people who call Ceres home go about their daily lives, they should feel a sense of pride in our community. That starts with safe neighborhoods, well-maintained parks and public spaces, quality city services, and a community that takes pride in how Ceres looks and feels.
10). What is something the city is currently not doing that you think it should?
For more than six years, Ceres has struggled to live within its means. Despite receiving approximately $11 million in federal ARPA funds and repeatedly drawing from the city’s reserves, the financial challenges have continued. Year after year, difficult decisions were ignored and the City continued to rely on reserves rather than making the hard decisions they were elected to do. Transparency is vital, especially when it comes to taxpayer money. With these ongoing budget challenges, Ceres continues to face recurring financial pressures, yet residents have not always been given a clear picture of the city’s financial position or how we arrived here. The public deserves to know what is happening at City Hall, how their tax dollars are being spent, and what steps are being taken to address these challenges. Now, in the 2026 fiscal year, the city has adopted a balanced budget (excluding the Ceres Community Center annual deficit),but at the same time, the City Council voted to move forward with a general sales tax measure. After years of limited public discussion about the city’s financial challenges, residents are now being asked to consider a higher sales tax. Before asking residents for more of their hard-earned money, I believe City Hall must demonstrate that it is doing everything possible to live within its means, eliminate unnecessary spending, and be transparent about how we arrived at our current financial position.
11). What would you do about homelessness, and what role should the city play versus the county or state?
As a Councilmember, I would support creating a regional Taskforce where all cities and the County buy-into to collectively address this issue across Stanislaus County. Every city is different, and most communities in our county are working with limited resources. By working together, we can pursue state and federal grants, expand access to housing/shelters and supportive services, and better coordinate available resources. At the same time, compassion must be paired with reasonable enforcement and accountability to ensure our public spaces remain safe and accessible for everyone.
12). Do you have any comments you would like to make regarding any issue or topic that we have not asked about?
I ask the voters of District 1 to judge me on my own merit, experience, and commitment to our city. Don’t judge me by the first or last name I was given — judge me by the dedication I have shown this community from a young age and by the work I have put in to make Ceres a better place. If elected, I will work every day to make a difference on your behalf, and I will always tell you the truth. As a Planning Commissioner, I have never missed a meeting. I believe showing up, asking the hard questions, and being willing to challenge the status quo are fundamental responsibilities of public service.
I am proud to have the support of the Ceres Police Officers’ Association, Sheriff Jeff Dirkse, Assemblyman Juan Alanis, Councilmembers Jim Casey and Cerina Otero, former Supervisor Paul Caruso, former Ceres Mayor Anthony Cannella and many other leaders and members of our community. If District 1 voters want to reach me they can visit garycondit.com or text or call me at (209) 683-9981.
Dorie Perez
1). Why did you decide to run for City Council?
I decided to run for the District 1 seat last fall because I saw a major gap in leadership. As your councilmember, regular constituent communication and engagement would be central to my work on the council.
2). What life experiences and skills would you bring to the council? (Tell us about your educational background and career experience.)
I am very grateful for the broad extent of experiences that working in Education has given me - as a teacher, you never know what issue will walk into the classroom and ask for engagement in a fair, professional way. I taught undergraduates American history and anthropology at UC Merced for a decade, but I am most proud of the work I did to socialize fall semester freshmen and first generation college students to the world of college education. Teaching students ways to take ownership of their educations and find personal opportunities to advance their careers was deeply meaningful to me. As a foster mother who has had 20 different children in my care, I work to make children feel safe, heard, and part of their larger community by taking them to events and experiences often not available to them in their family of origin. I have learned so much from teaching, most importantly to welcome and respect viewpoints that are different from my own, an important hallmark of public service.
3). What quality of life issues are you most concerned about and do you have any specific ideas for solutions?
Like most Ceres residents, I want to make sure the city is safe, productive, and responsive to the needs of its community members. This includes fully funding and staffing our public safety agencies like police and fire, as well as helping plan for more housing in a way that doesn’t sacrifice Ceres’ small town character.
4). What goals and objectives are you most passionate about if elected?
5). What priorities would you hold as a member of the Ceres City Council?
Family programming like youth sports, City-sponsored events like Christmas Tree Lane that celebrate our community, and good public services are where my priorities and expertise connect. My family and I moved here because we knew the schools were well-run and opportunities for belonging were a part the fabric of the community at large. My wife spoke so glowingly of going to Virginia Parks and Mae Hensley as a child, and swimming with the Ceres Dolphins. We run into old family friends and former teachers all the time, and we wanted to recreate those wonderful experiences for our own children. As a council member, I’d like to help build relationships between civic organizations and City Hall, as well as institutionalize and stabilize funding as part of the city’s budget priorities.
6). What criticisms and/or praises do you have for the current city council?
I’d like to have District 1’s representation be more active, engaged, and communicative to its voters.
7). If elected, what steps would you take to put the city of Ceres on a healthier financial footing?
First, a professional and in-depth review of the budgetting process by council and staff, as well as our previous funding commitments, would be my priority even before starting discussion of the annual Spring budgeting cycle for 2027-2028. My central question would be, What revenue streams are we missing, and how can we identify and enforce new ones? Are there are commitments we can renegotiate, or share with our county/state counterparts to better serve Ceres? The Public Safety meeting held this past month showed that the city and its department heads can do a lot with a little.
8). What changes, if any, would you make to zoning or the development approval process?
I encourage development that responds quickly to consumer demand while also includes community input, which is why I supported projects like Copper Trails and infill housing as part of my work on the Planning Commission. Community members worked with developers to get a plan they are proud to be a part of, but I think everyone can agree it took way too long to get off the ground. Step one would be to support the planning department by funding them, working to retain knowledgeable staff and, when possible, encourage the (safe!) removal of red tape to spur development in a timely fashion.
9). Do you think outsiders have a negative or positive view of Ceres. If negative, how can the city change that?
Like a lot of smaller communities in the Central Valley, are overwhelmed with new growth that has challenged its sense of self and shared history. Newcomers like myself are interested in actively investing in our new hometowns, and local institutions like our city government are slow to balance new ideas with older identities and customs. But that is where connection across groups is key- everyone wants economic growth and prosperity, everyone wants well-performing schools producing good citizens.
10). What is something the city is currently not doing that you think it should?
I think current city leaders have had limited success communicating the challenges of governing a city, and the ways the city uses tax revenue to fund services that we use every day. More communication, like physical and digital newsletters, information networks on social and traditional media, is needed to make people feel like they are heard by the City actively working to serve them.
11). What would you do about homelessness, and what role should the city play versus the county or state?
Our city should continue to support the work of our public safety departments like Ceres Police and fire to be the first responders to the needs of the homeless, while also supporting (and demanding) the county’s more program-based, long-term solutions to unhoused people. Housing should be our first priority to stabilize people in need, and that takes coordination between the public sector funding, private property developers, and behavior health laws that get people services. I see a greater need for regional and state coordination, which works through relationship-building, lobbying state agencies, and local on-the-ground work.
Jorge Guerrero
1). Why did you decide to run for City Council?
The main reason is that I love this city. My family now has roots in this city, and we would love to continue to live here for a long time. However, our city has been in decline over the last five or six years. It is becoming a city that is not attractive to live in. Our parks are not taken care of; the Police Department is understaffed, and we lost our Fire Department. Our city is trashed. We lost the swimming and Hoopsters program for the youth. The community is searching for answers to know how we got here, and the current council is not giving them to the people. Only two councilmembers are constantly looking for the best interests of the city, listening to the community, and working for their community. The other three just have their own agenda, and they don’t care what the community needs. So there needs to be a change before it is too late.
2). What life experiences and skills would you bring to the council?
I have an AA degree in Business Administration and a bachelor of Science in Computer Administration Systems. Since I was 18 years old, I have volunteered at different organizations. I have occupied administrative positions in those organizations. I was the Northern California Commissioner for the Mexican Charro Federation for seven years and the president of the California Charros Federation (Mexican Rodeo) for four years. I have been involved with Ceres Youth Baseball since 2010, and I have been the president of CYB for the last three years. In all those organizations, as well as in my professional career, I have worked with budgets, logistics and project management. Also, I have experience dealing with people on a daily basis, which is a very important skill when you are an elected official.
3). What quality of life issues are you most concerned about, and do you have any specific ideas for solutions?
When families look for a place to live and grow their family, most look for the quality of the schools, public safety statistics, activities for the youth, and what services the city offers (grocery stores, dining restaurants, entertainment). Unfortunately, we lack enough activities for the youth; fewer police officers mean less safety. That means that we are not at the top of the scale on three of the four things that people look for in a city.
Everything falls back on having a balanced budget; this is the first time in many years that we have a balanced budget. Once that is achieved, and we have a good idea of where the city’s finances stand, we can look for ways to bring back what has been lost in those areas that I mentioned above.
4). What goals and objectives are you most passionate about if elected?
I am very passionate about our youth; the families deserve a city where their kids can develop their skills and grow with pride in living in a city that has provided that opportunity to them. Also, we need to make sure that our fire and police departments are well staffed. Then, we need to make sure that our city is clean and well-groomed; a city that is trashed doesn’t attract people to come and visit or invest in it.
5). What priorities would you hold as a member of the Ceres City Council?
We need to have a forensic audit to find out what can be done in our budget and daily operations to get the city out of its financial hole.
I will do my part by not taking the health benefits for the councilmembers, and I will vote to remove that altogether from all the councilmembers.
6). What criticisms and/or praises do you have for the current city council?
There is no transparency or accountability; there is a lack of people skills. They don’t listen to the community members. There are many examples that I could name here of them not listening to the people who elected them.
7). If elected, what steps would you take to put the city on a healthier budget footing?
It will be a very difficult task. Demolishing a home takes less time than building it or rebuilding it. Our city has been demolished financially and physically for several years. The first step will be to get a forensic audit done. We know that it has been brought up by a couple of councilmembers, and the current 3-2 vote didn’t accept the Audit.
8). What changes, if any, would you make to zoning or the development approval process?
We need to be smart about our land and understand what the community wants, needs, and will support. Having duplicates of everything doesn’t mean that there are more consumers. There needs to be more community forums where people can express what they would like to see in their neighborhoods.
9). Do you think outsiders have a negative or positive view of Ceres. If negative, how can the city change that?
I feel that they have a negative view of the city. Unfortunately, we have seen how other cities like Turlock or Riverbank have grown, and our city has not. I lived in Riverbank, for three years before moving to Ceres 24 years ago. When I lived there, Riverbank had nothing; now it has a movie theater, Costco, Target, to name some of its businesses. Turlock is the same. With Ceres being next to the freeway we have not capitalized on that big advantage to bring similar businesses. Ceres doesn’t have an anchor business or entertainment place that makes it attractive for people from other cities to come to our town. Then if they come and see how trashed our parks and city is, it doesn’t help our image.
10). What is something the city is currently not doing that you think it should?
It is not listening to the community members. People want transparency, and they are not receiving it from three of the council members. They should listen.
11). What would you do about homelessness, and what role should the city play versus the county or state?
The city needs to make sure that the city ordinances are in place to help our law enforcement officers and try to address it. Homelessness is a statewide problem, but I have traveled to cities where you don’t see homeless people walking or sleeping in their parks. So it is possible to have a city without homeless people if the correct ordinances and programs are in place. Having homeless people in our neighborhoods, parks, and abandoned buildings is detrimental to the overall well-being of the city because people don’t feel as safe, they trash our parks which creates work for the city employees just to clean up their mess.
12). Do you have any comments regarding any issue or topic that we have not asked about?
I just hope that the people from Ceres take the time to see how our current council has been voting on issues that affect all of us. It has been a constant 3-2 vote, and those three councilmembers have been shutting down the reasonable ideas that have been brought up by the other two councilmembers.
Rosalinda Vierra
1). Why did you decide to run for City Council?
I first ran for City Council on 2022 because I wanted District 2, the neighborhoods west of Highway 99, to have a resident voice in decisions affecting our community from someone that lives in their community and resembled someone with many of their shared experiences. I believed my lived experience as a working mother, small-business owner, educator, and longtime community volunteer on a variety of organizations would bring a practical perspective to the council. I am seeking re-election because I want to continue the work I started and help ensure Ceres grows in a way that serves residents, families, and local businesses
2). What life experiences and skills would you bring to the council?
I bring experience in education, business, public service, and community leadership. My education includes certificates in Legal Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Public Notary, associate degrees in Social Work and Social Sciences/Humanities, a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Planning.
Professionally, I have worked in accounting, bookkeeping, office management, human resources, tax preparation, and higher education. I am also a Certified InsideTrack Success Coach. Also as a Ceres small-business owner for nearly 15 years, I understand the challenges facing local employers and working families. My nonprofit board service, youth coaching, Girl Scout leadership, and volunteer work have also taught me how to listen, collaborate, manage resources, and follow through.
3). What quality-of-life issues are you most concerned about, and what are your ideas for solutions?
My top quality-of-life concerns are public safety, infrastructure, economic development, parks and youth opportunities. A healthy local economy helps Ceres maintain the services residents rely on, so I support filling vacant commercial spaces, promoting local businesses, and encouraging new developments that create jobs and shopping opportunities.
I also support finishing the improvement of infrastructure including the sidewalks and street improvements, including the Hackett to Central to Service Road sidewalks, widening Whitmore Road west of Morgan Road, reflective crosswalk improvements near all schools and parks, and efforts to address speeds on streets near schools and parks. As Ceres grows, we must continue pursuing grants and partnerships for park improvements, recreation, sports programs and arts. We recently updated the contract with Ceres School District so we can bring back Hoopsters and recreation summer swim.
4). What goals and objectives are you most passionate about if elected?
I am most passionate about completing important infrastructure and safety improvements, strengthening our local economy and businesses, and protecting the services that matter to residents. My goals include completing the Hackett and Central Road sidewalks, supporting business recruitment and retention, and helping move forward sustainable employment and commercial projects such as the G3 and StanRTA site and the G3 Crows Landing/Whitmore shopping center.
I also want to continue supporting public safety, safe parks, and practical improvements that make daily life better for families throughout Ceres.
5). What priorities would you hold as a member of the Ceres City Council?
My priorities would remain public safety, responsible budgeting, infrastructure, economic development, and opportunities for youth and families. I believe a councilmember must be prepared, accessible, and engaged. I have made council service a priority by attending meetings, participating in committee work, reporting back to the public, and being present at community events.
I will continue listening to residents, reviewing the facts before decisions are made, and considering both the immediate needs of our community and the long-term impact on Ceres.
6). What criticisms and/or praises do you have for the current City Council?
I am glad the current council has been able to address community concerns and make difficult decisions during a challenging financial period. Balancing a budget while working to protect essential services is not easy, particularly with increasing inflation, changing community spending, and still dealing with the city’s long-term financial obligations and bonds.
We can improve communication and continue working toward clearer explanations of difficult decisions. Councilmembers may have different priorities and viewpoints, but I believe we are most effective when we remain respectful, follow the law, listen to the public, and focus on the best solution for Ceres based on current situations.
7). If elected, what steps would you take to put the City of Ceres on a healthier financial footing?
A healthier financial future begins with responsible budgeting, protecting essential services, and growing local revenue responsibly. Understanding the budget is key as there are limitations on how some monies can be used. I will continue supporting local businesses, attracting new businesses, and encouraging residents to shop locally whenever possible. Successful local businesses create jobs and help generate the sales-tax revenue that supports city services.
Ceres must also continue pursuing grants, partnering with local agencies, carefully review expenses and contracts, planning for long-term obligations, and avoiding commitments and contracts that cannot be sustained. During uncertain economic times, we must live within our means while protecting public safety, infrastructure, and the services residents depend on. It may result in hard decisions.
8). What changes, if any, would you make to zoning or the development approval process?
State laws shapes what cities can do with zoning and development approvals. Within those requirements, I support a process that is clear, consistent, and timely for residents, businesses, and developers. Ceres should encourage a thoughtful mix of housing, local-serving businesses, job-producing development, and preservation of our agricultural identity. I want to encourage local people to open their business of their dreams.
I also support making the process easier to understand, so applicants and residents know what is required, what the timeline is, and the process to completion.
9). Do you think outsiders have a negative or positive view of Ceres? If negative, how can the city change that?
I believe many people see Ceres as a close-knit community with hardworking families, good schools, local traditions (Street Faire, Christmas Tree Lane, and Concerts in the Park to name a few), and our agricultural roots. I moved here because I wanted to raise my children in a community with a small-town feel without the problems often seem in larger cities.
As Ceres grows, we must address the challenges that come with growth. Continued investment in public safety, clean and maintained parks, thriving local businesses, and community events that help strengthen city pride. I want people to continue to come to Ceres for those reasons.
10). What is something the city is currently not doing that you think it should?
I would like to see continued focus on revitalizing and activating downtown Ceres. The City has taken steps in that direction, but there is an opportunity to build a stronger partnership with downtown business owners, residents, and community organizations.
A downtown business committee could help the business to work together to provide practical area improvements, promote local events, support other existing businesses, create financial ideas for sustainablity, and create a shared vision for a welcoming, active downtown.
If we had unlimited money I would work on increased community development and business recruitment.
11). What would you do about homelessness, and what role should the city play versus the county or state?
Homelessness requires accountability, and coordination among the City, County, State, service providers, and law enforcement. Together each agency should work together to continue to help connect people with available services, respond to public-safety and quality-of-life concerns, and enforce laws fairly and consistently.
I helped support the CARE Team involvement in Ceres, which connects individuals with resources and services. I also support continued efforts to create our own team through county partnerships, grants, and hopefully future available funding. The County and State have the primary responsibility for behavioral health, treatment, housing resources, and funding. Ceres must remain an active partner and make sure residents’ concerns about public spaces, trespassing, and safety are addressed. This includes community and business owner education about no trespassing laws.
12). Do you have any comments regarding an issue or topic not asked about?
There is no single decision that will solve every challenge or make everyone happy. My approach is to listen to residents, review the facts, find the applicable laws, and consider the long-term impact of each decision including financially and legally. I will continue working on practical solutions that strengthen public safety, support local businesses, improve our infrastructure, and protect the sense of community that makes Ceres special to us.
