When Couper Condit resigned from the City Council on Oct. 11, Ceres was not only returned an incomplete council but was without a vice mayor.

Last week Bret Silveira was selected by Mayor Javier Lopez to become the new vice mayor of Ceres. When it came to a vote, Councilwoman Linda cast the only lone “no” vote.

In Ceres the mayor appoints a vice mayor among its ranks, subject to council approval. Ryno’s no vote – presumably because she has the most tenure and wanted to be vice mayor – signaled the rift between Ryno and the mayor. Her objection was not enough as Lopez, James Casey and Silveira himself all voted “yes.”

Ryno previously served as vice mayor when Chris Vierra was mayor.

“If so inclined, yeah, I would gladly accept that position and thank you very much, Mayor,” said Silveira.

Silveira will serve as vice mayor through 2022.

Silveira was elected to the council in November 2021. Ryno has served on the City Council since 2013.

Silveria, 57, was appointed to a four-year term on the Ceres Planning Commission in January 2020. A deputy with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department for 30 years, he has served as the deputy director of the Stanislaus County Police Activities League for the past 14 years. He also coached varsity, JV and freshman football at Ceres High School from 1984 to 2004 and was a JV baseball coach from 1986 to 1988. Silveria has officiated high school and college sports for 36 years.

He moved to Ceres in the fourth grade after his mother Ivy Laffoon remarried and moved here.

Condit has not offered any explanation as to why he quit his District 4 seat only 10 months into his four-year term.