May 19, 2025 — A vision for Clovis’s future, coupled with a celebration of community spirit, was the focus of the annual Mayor’s Breakfast, where Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua addressed approximately 550 attendees. The event, organized by the Clovis Community Foundation, highlighted upcoming electoral changes, long-term city planning, and the enduring values that define the city.
Mayor Mouanoutoua stressed the importance of public participation in the city’s evolving political landscape, particularly regarding the transition to by-district elections scheduled for November 2026. This shift, a departure from the city’s century-old at-large voting system, will divide Clovis into districts, with residents voting only for council members representing their specific areas. The mayor urged residents to “hold us accountable” in ensuring elected officials prioritize the city’s interests.
Mouanoutoua highlighted the General Plan Committee, a crucial body tasked with shaping Clovis’s development and resource conservation for the next two decades. He encouraged residents to apply for positions on the committee, underscoring the plan’s long-term impact on the city.
The mayor’s address also centered on themes of patriotism and the “Clovis Way of Life.” Drawing from his personal experience as a refugee who immigrated from Laos in 1976 and later settled in Clovis in 1996, Mouanoutoua spoke of the “magical and intoxicating power of America.” He aimed to remind the community of the values that define Clovis.
Addressing local concerns, Mouanoutoua acknowledged the recent tragic death of 18-year-old Caleb Quick, expressing gratitude to the Clovis Police Department for their handling of the investigation. He also discussed the importance of Measure C, the Fresno County transportation sales tax, and Measure Y, the Clovis public safety sales tax, noting that 90% of Measure Y funds are allocated to public safety.
The Clovis Community Foundation, established to support recreation, culture, and arts in Clovis, organized the breakfast. Since 2002, the foundation has contributed over $2 million to community projects. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit local non-profit organizations, including the Clovis Botanical Garden, The Nature Center, Centerstage Community Theatre, The Clovis Boys and Girls Club, and the Clovis Community Band.
Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce served as emcee, and the event featured contributions from the Clovis Youth Commission, the Clark Intermediate Sotto Voce Choir, Pastor Dewayne Coleman, and the Buchanan “Bird Brains” Robotics Team.
Mayor Mouanoutoua concluded his address with a sentiment that resonated with the audience: “This City is our City. Let us serve it, respect it, protect it, but most of all, be proud of it.” The event brought together several mayors from neighboring Fresno County cities, reinforcing a sense of regional unity.