Tamra Spade suspects that criticisms of her boss expressed to a member of the Ceres City Council is what led to her termination as the city of Ceres’ Economic Development manager just two days later.

Spade was within a month of completing her 12-month probationary period when she was suddenly dismissed by City Manager Doug Dunford on Thursday, Sept. 14.

The stunning development came three months after Spade organized a successful “Ceres Skies the Limit” Hot Air Balloon Festival in mid-June.

Spade was hired on Oct. 24, 2022 to fill the vacancy left by the July 2022 resignation of Anthony Sims who had been in the position for only five months until he left for the city of Turlock. The position of economic development manager, which involves attracting new businesses and industries to Ceres, was previously filled for seven years by Steve Hallam.

“They didn’t give a reason,” said Spade, who said she’s received a flood of phone calls from stakeholders in Ceres who are upset about her dismissal. “I feel really blessed because of all the people telling me they’re supporting me.”

Spade suspects her termination was blowback from small talk with Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra in a city parking lot after the Sept. 12 community meeting on mobile food vendors. The conversation touched on growing frustrations in the Community Development Department and its director, Christopher Hoem, for who Spade directly reported.

“Some things were said and I commented and literally that very next day I was released,” Spade told the Courier.

Spade said her remarks to Vierra included: “Don’t get me started” and continued with stating her belief that the department is in a “toxic situation and Christopher has said that himself.”

“I think he was feeling it because of the environment within the department; us because of things going on within the department of Christopher’s ability to lead.”

Spade said she and others within Hoem’s department have taken their frustrations to Dunford and Human Resources Director Delilah Vasquez. Spade even informed Dunford that she would be looking for a new place of employment if she had to “continue under the supervision of Christopher.”

Calling Hoem a “nice person who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body,” Spade also claimed “he is not a leader and he’s not a manager and he doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

Spade cited an example in which Hoem asked her to sit down to read verbatim the state’s Surplus Act line by line together, taking turns with each paragraph.

“I’m like, ‘Christopher, this is 300 pages … I’m not in kindergarten. I’m not going to sit here and read with you.’”

Spade said developers would contact her for information after explaining that Hoem wasn’t getting back to them.

“I’ve also heard stories that I wasn’t producing and that Christopher was having to do my job and I thought, are you kidding me? I have people that will vouch for me that I was producing and going above and beyond by even bringing the ‘Skies the Limit’ (event) and doing extra things that we’re even in my job description.”

Spade’s termination was met with disappointment by a co-worker who told the Courier that she did much to improve morale in the department. The same employee suggested Hoem routinely forgets things and is “over his head, a fish out of water.”

Hoem and Dunford were contacted for comment but did not respond by press deadline.

The department has seen an exodus of employees in the past nine months. Senior Planner James Michaels left in November for Lathrop after serving 15 years. Jordan Jones left for a different department. Planning consultant Marjorie Blom has also left.

Spade believes she would still be employed had she reported to the city manager instead of Hoem.

Councilwoman Vierra was asked to comment but declined, issuing the Courier this emailed statement: “I wish I could provide more context. Since it is a personnel issue I am not able to comment on it at this time and have little to no information regarding the situation at this time.

“I have been advised by the city attorney to refer all comments to the Interim City Manager Doug Dunford as he is fully aware of the situation and the details.

“The city council has no role in the personnel operations outside of the city manager and city attorney. 

“Sorry I can’t be of more help.”

Vierra is upset about Spade’s termination, according to one city employee close to the situation.

Spade’s work experience included 10 years as the CEO of the Chambers of Commerce in Ripon and Tracy. She worked as a district staff member for then state Senator Anthony Cannella prior to accepting the top job at the Ripon Chamber of Commerce in 2012.

Hoem was hired in August 2021. He previously was a land use advisor and planner in Santa Clara County, director of Development Services in Gem County, in Emmett, Idaho, and a city planner in Naples, Utah.