West Miami swears in Ivan Chavez Jr. as vice mayor, Gustavo Ceballos as commissioner

Vice Mayor Ivan Chavez Jr. and Commissioner Gustavo J. Ceballos were sworn into office at a public induction ceremony for the City of West Miami, where officials and residents gathered to mark the start of the pair’s terms.

The event matters because the commission highlighted continuity in local priorities — including parks and a community recreation center — and because Mayor Eric Diaz Padron said Chavez is the first vice mayor in the city’s history to be selected by the commission rather than by lot.

Mayor Eric Diaz Padron, who led the remarks before the oaths, said the selection represented a change in practice and praised both inductees for their community service. “He is the first vice mayor in the history of West Miami to be selected by the commission,” Diaz Padron said, adding the choice was unanimous.

The oaths were administered by the Hon. Michael Barquette for Commissioner Gustavo J. Ceballos and the Hon. Jorge Perez Santiago for Vice Mayor Ivan Chavez Jr. Each oath included pledges to “support the Constitution,” to obey the laws of the United States and the state of Florida, and to observe the provisions of the city charter and ordinances of the City of West Miami.

Mayor Diaz Padron noted Chavez’s recent leadership on parks and the city’s recreation center, saying Chavez had “been spearheading our rec center” and other public-safety and parks efforts. In his remarks after the oath, Vice Mayor Ivan Chavez Jr. framed his service in personal and civic terms and urged long-term thinking: “The shade of tomorrow begins with the work that we do today,” he said.

Commissioner Gustavo J. Ceballos thanked residents, staff and colleagues and described his path to the commission. “I have been in the public sector since 2016,” Ceballos said, and he told attendees he planned to “help the city grow responsibly” while preserving what makes West Miami “special.” Mayor Diaz Padron also said Ceballos previously served as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board.

The ceremony included an invocation by Chaplain Evelio Vilchez, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chief of Police Pete Delgado, and a performance of the national anthem by Rebecca Jauregui. Emcee Sandra Peebles introduced local officials and guests in attendance, and the mayor invited the commission to join for a group photo following the inductions.

The City of West Miami invited attendees to stay for refreshments after the ceremony. The swearing-in was ceremonial and did not involve any votes or legislative actions at the event.