A new face joined the Ceres City Council on Monday with the installation of Cerina Otero to the District 3 seat, marking the first time in Ceres’ history that two women have simultaneously served on the council.

Otero won the seat by defeating incumbent Councilman Bret Silveira in the Nov. 5 election.

Also administered the oath of office, by City Clerk Fallon Martin, are returning members Mayor Javier Lopez and Councilman Daniel Martinez. All three were elected to four-year terms ending in 2028.

Otero had to resign her seat on the Ceres Planning Commission to join the council. On Nov. 3 she was elected with 2,236 votes (56.81 percent) while Silveira lost his seat with 1,700 votes (43.19 percent).

Before the swearing-in ceremony, the council recognized Silveira for his service on the council. After he was presented a plaque, councilmembers shared words of appreciation for his contributions to the decision making process of the council. Councilwoman Vierra said she was sad to see Silveira go, commenting that he was “honest and truthful and definitely helped me as well.”

“Throughout these four years we have been through some ups and downs as a city,” Mayor Lopez told Silveira, “but I know for a fact that every decision that you have ever made was for the best of Ceres.”

Silveira offered his thanks to city staff members, saying if it wasn’t for them the council wouldn’t be able to function.

Lopez was re-elected mayor with 6,195 votes (44.15 percent), edging out Gary M. Condit who had 5,508 votes (39.25 percent); and Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra who received 2,330 votes (16.6 percent).

District 4 Ceres City Councilman Daniel Martinez took the oath for the second time in two years. He was unopposed for a four-year term in the Nov. 5 election, receiving 2,377 votes. Two years ago Martinez was elected over two other candidates to fill the remaining two years of the unexpired term of Couper Condit who resigned 10 months into his term. Mike Kline had temporarily filled the Condit vacancy until Martinez was elected.

Taking the oath by his left side was wife Kayla Martinez who was unopposed for re-election as city treasurer. She received 11,615 votes.

After intermission, Silveira had slipped off and Otero took his seat and thanked the citizens who “have given me the trust to serve all of you.” She said she felt honored to be on the council.

Otero is native to the area and is raising her family with her retired Air Force veteran husband. Otero’s career in local government began in 2007 at the Stanislaus County Superior Court and she transitioned to law enforcement as a legal clerk in 2012. She is employed by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department where she is a manager supporting Sheriff’s patrol operations. Otero has served on the Planning Commission since 2022.

Martinez said he’ll endeavor to do his best during his term and make himself available to those inside or outside his District 4. He engaged in some self-inflicting ribbing about how his wife, also unopposed, received 11,000 votes while he received 2,000. The disparity in votes was due in part to her position being at-large with all Ceres voters eligible to vote for her while his district is a fourth of Ceres’ population.

Mayor Lopez said he looks forward to working with the new council member and the council “to continue some of the great progress and wonderful things that are happening in the city of Ceres.”

Because Silveira was the vice mayor, the council is expected to appoint one of its members to assume that role. The regular meeting of Dec. 23 has been cancelled due to the Christmas holiday and the first regular meeting of 2025 is scheduled on Monday, Jan. 13.

The exit of Otero from the Planning Commission means the council will need to fill the seat and find a new chairperson. The council decided on Monday that it will seek applications from interested citizens.

Martinez suggested that he and Otero form a subcommittee to interview prospective candidates.

It will be the third commission appointment in recent months. In October the council chose Ruldip “R.J.” Jammu, and Dr. Dorie Perez, to replace Bob Kachel and Gary Del Nero, longtime members who decided they’ve served long enough.