Clovis voters have rare chance to fill three seats on City Council. Here’s The Bee’s picks

A combination of factors have aligned to give Clovis voters a chance to pick three seats on their City Council in November’s election.

First, current Councilmember Bob Whalen is stepping off because he will become a Superior Court judge in January. Mayor Jose Flores made a surprise announcement this past summer that he will also be stepping down as well to focus on his work as police chief for State Center Community College District.

Both are long-tenured. Flores was first elected in 1999; Whalen won election in 2003.

Also up is current Councilmember Drew Bessinger, who was elected in 2017. He is seeking re-election.

The open-seat vacancies are a rare window into Clovis politics, as the councilmembers typically enjoy long tenures.

In response, 10 candidates are running for the three seats. Besides Bessinger, the retired chief of police and public safety manager for Fresno Yosemite International Airport, the candidates are:

▪ Matt Basgall, former Clovis police chief

▪ Diane Pearce, a small business owner

▪ Josh Phanco, a small business owner

▪ Martin Salas, a police officer

▪ Guy Redner, a Clovis resident

▪ Mark Allen Kazanjian, a business owner

▪ Kyle T. Cheney, a Realtor and father

▪ Des Haus, a businesswoman and mother

▪ John Hebert, parks director in Madera

Due to the large field, The Bee Editorial Board interviewed the candidates in two groups in online sessions (Kazanjian and Salas did not attend). Of the 10, The Bee Editorial Board recommends Basgall, Phanco and Haus.

Strong trio

Basgall, Phanco and Haus have similar views on the key issues facing the city of 113,000, but bring individual perspectives that will benefit the council as a whole.

Basgall is Clovis’ former police chief, serving in that capacity for six years before retiring in 2019. Altogether, he worked for 29 years at Clovis Police Department.

Phanco grew up locally and has made Clovis his home to take advantage of strong schools and good economy. Today he owns and operates an insurance company with his wife.

Haus grew up in Huron, went to Fresno State and today works as a government liaison and in marketing for an energy company. She is also raising her family in Clovis.

The key issues facing Clovis are hiring more officers for the police force; improving the local economy; and making sure infrastructure needs are met as growth continues.

Earlier this year a consultant reported to city leaders that Clovis PD needs about 30 more officers than were on the force. An increase in the hotel bed tax is on the November ballot as Measure B. It would raise an estimated $500,000 a year that would go to the city’s general fund, which could then pay for more officers if the council so decided.

Haus and Phanco both emphasized that a stronger Clovis economy will lead to more revenues for City Hall. “If we don’t have jobs that provide tax dollars, the only way to keep the Clovis way of life is a ballot measure,” Haus said.

Phanco believes Clovis can be “a leader for jobs and economic development. One of my priorities is to bring the best minds to the table — not just the five council members and staff, but involve every aspect of the community.”

On infrastructure needs, Basgall said he would like to see developers make sure major roads are sized well enough to handle future growth before housing starts go up.

All the candidates who met with the editorial board are committed to helping Clovis become a better city. Basgall, Phanco and Haus stood out with their thoughtful answers. Bright leaders with a willingness to listen to all sides are in short supply in politics today, and voters would do well to take advantage of this trio of good candidates ready to serve in Clovis.