Clovis City Council leaders announce retirement, won’t run in November election
Clovis Mayor Jose Flores and Clovis City Councilmember Bob Whalen will not run for re-election, officials announced Tuesday.
Their combined leadership represents over 40 years of service at City Hall, City Manager John Holt said.
Flores, in a statement about his coming retirement from the City Council, said “it is essential to give those in Clovis who might be interested in serving sufficient time to consider running for local office and representing our great city.”
Candidates for the two open seats have until Aug. 17 to declare their intentions. The regular filing deadline for the November election is Aug. 12; Flores’ and Whalen’s departures extend the candidate filing period five days.
The five-member council elects the mayor. Lynne Ashbeck, Drew Bessinger and Vong Mouanoutoua are the incumbents. Bessinger’s seat is up for election in November.
Holt said the swearing-in ceremony for the new City Council will be on Dec. 5, following the results of the Nov. 8 election. Flores’ and Whalen’s last meeting as council members will likely be Nov. 14, Holt said.
Why Flores and Whalen are retiring from Clovis City Council
Flores said he will continue to work as the chief of police for the State Center Community College District.
“I believe I can better apply my skills, talents, and knowledge in law enforcement and higher education,” Flores said. “Retiring from the City Council also affords me more time with my family.”
He expressed his gratitude to Clovis voters for first electing him in 1999 and reelecting him five more times. Flores said he plans to remain politically active and “vigilant to ensure the values of Clovis and the Central Valley are preserved and respected.”
Whalen is now a judge-elect of the Fresno County Superior Court. He will assume that office on Jan. 2.
Whalen has served on the Clovis City Council for nearly 20 years. He was first elected to the position in 2003.
Clovis City Manager John Holt responds
“While the average number of years of experience on the dais will be less than what it was, I am fully confident that the existing council as well as the two new members will continue the tradition of serving our community well,” Holt said in a news release.
Holt said he worked closely with Flores over the years and that “his departure will have a significant impact on our leadership team in the near-term.”
“Just to name a few accomplishments during his term in office, the City planned and built a surface water treatment plant, a water reuse facility, a new police and fire headquarters, a new public utilities facility, as well as an updated general plan,” Holt said. “The population of the city has increased from less than 70,000 to over 122,000 during his tenure.”
He added that Flores was also “instrumental” in establishing a close relationship with Clovis Unified School District, “which is a major portion of Clovis’ overall success.”
