The unions representing both the Clovis police and firefighter departments are backing three candidates for city council. At an announcement today (February 9), the groups endorsed Paul Soares, Vong Mouanoutoua and Lynne Ashbeck for city council.

Mouanoutoua and Ashbeck (the lone incumbent) are the only candidates for two four-year seats. Soares is competing with retired Clovis police captain Drew Bessinger for a two-year seat (vacated by a retiring Harry Armstrong).

“We believe they have the skills and experience to continue the work that the council has long done,” Drew Mosher of the Clovis Police Officers Association said. “We feel strongly that extraordinary police work extends from extraordinary leadership. They represent just such leadership.”

“Clovis currently has a council that understands the importance the balancing public safety with the additional needs of the community. All components of a successful community must align for the good of the whole and we have done that very successfully in Clovis for years,” Firefighters Association president Rob Wright added.

The Clovis city council election is March 7.

E-mail David Taub