Tulare Democratic Club

04/04/2022

10/08/2021

ValleyVoice: In a letter dated September 30, TLHCD District 3 Director Senovia Gutierrez made formal her departure from the TLHCD board. The letter names the effective date of Gutierrez’s resignation as October 1. Gutierrez had previously signaled her intention to vacate her seat, as she intends to move out of her district.
“I am relocating out of the area and will not be able to devote the necessary time, attention and dedication to our Tulare Local Health Care District,” she wrote.
Gutierrez, a licensed clinical social worker, is moving to Southern California temporarily to assist immigrants and refugees crossing the border.

The Tulare Local Health Care District (TLHCD) is undergoing a leadership shake-up as one of its board members and its CEO depart. A board member pivotal to the district’s transformation, Senovia Gutierrez, is resigning as her work duties take her outside of the district’s boundaries. Separately,...

09/17/2021

Sun-Gazette 9/15/21: TULARE – A local elected official accused of releasing confidential information to the public will not be removed from office. He may however face criminal charges. Last month, the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury said it will not consider the complaint filed by the Tulare Public Cemetery District against one of its trustees, Alberto Aguilar, for disclosing closed session information to the public because it involves allegations of criminal wrongdoing, according to an Aug. 6 letter obtained by The Sun-Gazette. Civil grand juries in California are charged with investigating allegations of a public official’s “corrupt or willful misconduct in office,” according to the Judicial Council of California, but Tulare County’s grand jury said criminal allegations are out of its jurisdiction. The grand jury can file an “accusation” against an official to remove them from office, which is considered “quasi-criminal” in nature. The Grand Jury declined to answer questions about why it did not consider the issue on the grounds of willful misconduct.

The Grand Jury’s response was discussed at the cemetery board’s Aug. 26 meeting. Board chair Xavier Avila said the board voted Aug. 26 to send the complaint to the Tulare County District Attorney for breaching attorney-client privilege, a misdemeanor, under the agenda item “Continued Discussion and/or Action on Unauthorized Communications by Alberto Aguilar”. The DA’s Office said they had not received a complaint against Aguilar as of press time.

The board voted to censure Aguilar at its July 7 meeting after the cemetery district’s attorney stated Aguilar disclosed information exclusively shared in closed session in a May 22 email to members of the press and public. Deputy County Counsel Aaron Zaheen, who serves as the district’s attorney, called Aguilar’s action a “dereliction of duty” and advised the board to vote for censure to publicly admonish him and protect the district from any liability associated with the disclosure.

Board chair Xavier Avila said each trustee has a duty to protect the district and a trustee making a personal decision to put the board at risk couldn’t be overlooked by the board.

“Personally, I take no pleasure in censuring anybody,” Avila said at the July 7 meeting. “I do it with a heavy and sad heart.”

Tulare County Civil Grand Jury says it will not consider a complaint against trustee Alberto Aguilar because the allegations are criminal and out of its jurisdiction

09/02/2021

Tulare County COVID-19 Hospitalizations from July 25 – August 25, 2021

Getting vaccinated remains the safest and most effective way to prevent COVID-19 disease. Vaccination greatly reduces risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. To protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19, please wear masks in indoor places, practice staying at least 6 feet away from others not in your household, avoid crowds and gatherings, avoid poorly ventilated spaces, and practice regular hand washing.

Do not hesitate, get vaccinated TODAY! Vaccine appointments are available at MyTurn.ca.gov or by calling 2-1-1 for more information.

08/16/2021

VTD: Tulare's empty, unfinished medical tower has some hurdles to clear.

First, there's no project manager. Second, there's no money to finish it. Third, after a night without public comment, it's unclear if anyone cares.

Tulare residents approved in 2005 an $85 million bond measure for the tower. Construction began in 2010. Numerous delays associated with construction and other costs have pushed the completion of the project, frustrating many residents in the community.

In 2016, voters rejected an additional $55 million bond to help complete the project. The estimate needed to finish the job has jumped.

"I think the estimate for everything is in the neighborhood of $70 million. Some of that is the equipment that goes inside the hospital, which I think Adventist is responsible for," said hospital board President Kevin Northcraft, "We're looking at grants, we're looking at money we can generate from current revenues, but, I think, realistically, we're probably looking at a bond in order to finish it."

He believes Adventist Health has already put in at least $40 million in the community, citing clinics and investment in the hospital.

08/15/2021

THIS

08/14/2021

08/14/2021

A government that cares of us, like by providing universal healthcare > relying solely on having to do your own research

08/14/2021

Seriously!