A re-election campaign mailer sent out by Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez in recent weeks has raised some eyebrows in the community and protests among his two opponents.
The mailer accuses his two opponents, Gary Condit and Rosalinda Vierra – whom he pictures – of “Extreme policies putting Ceres families at risk!” It goes on to suggest: “By voting to allow the homeless to camp out in front of our parks and public spaces, they are: Putting the homeless before your safety, increasing fentanyl addiction and overdose, exposing our children to deadly drugs.”
Neither candidate, however, ever voted on homeless issues.
“I don’t know where he’s coming up with that,” Condit told the Courier. “He has no real accomplishments so he’s trying to scoop low and play dirty politics. I’m the only candidate in the race who doesn’t serve on the Ceres City Council. I’m on the Planning Commission but we don’t vote on things of that nature. Frankly, under his leadership the City Council has taken no real action to solve this problem. It’s gotten worse in the past four years. But to blame homelessness in general and fentanyl on his opponents, that’s unacceptable. I just think it speaks to his leadership and character.”
Rosalinda Vierra, a member of the Ceres City Council who wants to be mayor, termed the mailer as “mudslinging” with no basis in fact. Vierra noted that city officials for years had their hands tied in cracking down on camping in parks because of the Ninth District U.S. District U.S. Court of Appeals. The Martin v. Boise decision ruled that cities could not stop homeless persons from camping in parks if there are no shelter beds available. That decision was struck down in July in the Grants Pass, Oregon case before the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled cities do have the authority to enforce no camping laws even if there is no public shelter space available.
Vierra said that in September 2023 she asked for more surveillance cameras to be installed in Independence Park, frequented by homeless people and where illegal activity has taken place but “it still hasn’t hit the agenda.”
“I don’t know how he can say it was me when I’ve been asking for cameras and ways to try to reduce some of the illegal activities in the parks,” said Vierra.
The Courier reached out to Lopez for comment but he did not respond, as has been his common practice.
The Lopez mailer notes that “Republican Javier Lopez will keep Ceres safe” and suggests that “Fire and law enforcement trust Lopez to: address the homeless crisis, keep our streets safe, enhance fire services.”
Lopez has been endorsed by Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse but Condit won the endorsement of the Ceres Police Officers Association.
Condit noted that the Lopez mailer violates FPPC rules because while it includes the FPPC number on file for his campaign, it does not offers any delineation as to what committee, group or individual paid for the flyer.
“It’s unfortunate that my opponent has chosen to spread misinformation and disregard the rules laid out by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC),” said Condit. “This kind of conduct not only violates FPPC guidelines but also undermines the trust that the people of Ceres deserve in their local elections.”
Condit said he has conducted a positive campaign “that focuses on the issues important to our community, such as improving public safety, fiscal responsibility, and enhancing our city’s appearance.”
In the candidate forum held last month, Condit took aim at the appearance of Ceres and the amount of homeless under Lopez’s watch. The mayor answered Condit’s charge that Ceres has gotten dirtier as an “ill-representation” and a “disrespect.” He cited recent economic development growth and the council investing “millions into code enforcement.”
