Clovis spent $21,000 on ‘manufactured conflict’ at the CIF finals, councilmember says

CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Approximately $21,000 of Clovis taxpayer money was used to provide a police presence at the CIF Championships held at Clovis’s Buchanan High School, according to councilmembers and the City Administration.

The number was heard at Monday’s Clovis City Council meeting. It was the first meeting since the 105th California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track and Field Championships held the previous weekend, where a transgender teen athlete competed.

“We did not pass Measure Y to spend money on manufactured conflict. We made this happen and we made our police officers spend $21,000 in overtime costs— because ‘we’ thought that was important,” said Clovis City Councilmember Lynne Ashbeck.

Clovis’ City Administration has confirmed to YourCentralValley.com that approximately $21,000 was spent on Clovis Police overtime related to the CIF State Track & Field Championships, including the engagement of 14 officers each day (on both Friday and Saturday). City officials add that none of the overtime expenses were funded by Measure Y.

Members of the public also made their voices heard in Monday’s meeting to give their thoughts on the city council’s involvement in the protest against the teen’s participation with cisgender girls.

Some commended the three council members for speaking out, reiterating that they do not believe a transgender girl should be grouped with cisgender girls.

“I wanted to say thank you to the three people, the three councilmembers who showed up at the press conference standing up for these young athletes that were forced to compete against a male, unfortunately,” said one Clovis resident.

Others used their time to point out that the athletes themselves were not phased and that councilmembers should focus on issues that directly affect Clovis.

“This is not a municipal responsibility. When our city council steps into debates that are outside its jurisdiction, especially ones that are divisive and politically charged, it distracts from the work that you were all elected to do. We need leadership on public safety, water, infrastructure, and housing…the things that directly affect Clovis families every day,” said a former Clovis High varsity cheer coach.

Councilmember Lynne Ashbeck referenced how the current council received advice from some of Clovis’s first council members. Many suggested staying focused on issues the city can control, and that as elected officials using their titles, they speak for the entire community, not just for themselves.

“Last week’s chaos was damaging to who we are-or who we used to be anyway,” she said. “As the premier community in the Central Valley, it likely left a pretty unfavorable impression on the visitors to our community, the 1,500+ athletes and families and coaches who made the decision to come to Clovis for this event. It didn’t attract one new business, fix one pothole or hire one new police officer.”

Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce was the only one of the three other council members who attended last Thursday’s press conference against the trans athlete who defended their actions.

“I, as a member of the Clovis City Council, but as a representative of the people, am looking for a way to make sure that those in this community, our girls, our parents, are properly defended at every single level. I’m not gonna apologize for that. I’m not gonna act like that’s not ‘in my lane’, it’s exactly my lane and I intend to stay there,” said Pearce.

Councilmember Ashbeck says the CIF contract to host the championships in Clovis will go up for bid next school year.