Comments on: Tulare Public Cemetery investigated by Tulare County Grand Jury https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/ In-depth, locally-produced coverage of the Central Valley. Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:43:55 -0700 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Xavier Avila https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/#comment-88051 Xavier Avila Sat, 14 Nov 2020 18:02:25 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=34504#comment-88051 Catherine go read your article from last December about the cemetery. Vicky Gilson was named in your article by two eye witness that Vicky removed records . The Grand Jury agreed with that finding . I called the findings a nothing burger because Carlton Jones , Alberto Aguiar, Alex Gutierrez and others kept repeating themselves that since the cemetery was being investigated by the GJ the cemetery must have done something wrong . It’s a nothing burger when you compare the findings to what these people have boasted about for the last year . They said over and over again that the cemetery is guilty of financial crimes . Be clear the Grand Jury found absolutely nothing wrong with our financials . Missing documents and records are not to be confused with financial crimes . The cemetery has had two audits and they match up with the county’s books . If Vicky and Alberto agree with the findings then Vicky is agreeing to her bring the person that took them and lost them . That finding isn’t a nothing burger. No trustee should ever remove records or anything from the office. Former Chair Philip Deal is a witness to this . No Alberto has not provided any proof of employees being paid incorrectly. Alberto is using a summary report to calculate individual pay . The problem with him using that report is the rate of pay is rounded up or down. That report is not to look at individual pay , it’s to look at the total hours and payment to employees as a whole . The computer automatically averaged the rate of pay so the totals would match. The computer did that to eliminate stacks of paper with zeros because the computer will use thousands of a cent. In order to check individual pay you have to use that individuals rate per hour and total hours worked . This has been explained to Alberto but he refuses to accept it . No employee is or has been under paid . Added in Alberto’s mistake to the Grand Jurys findings is misleading. The Grand Jury found not one employee was under paid. The harsh criticism that you claim are not against the cemetery. They are against the BOS for reappointing Alberto. They are against Vicky Gilson for taking and losing Records. They are against a Facebook group for disrupting the meetings. Missing a few items for the board packet and improper notices for a meetings is hardly some extreme wrong doing. It’s important to note that at one point the office was down to only one person who was doing the work of 3 people. Last year there was a vote to hire another office person. That motion failed 2-3 Both Vicky Gilson and Alberto Aguilar voted no . The failure lies with trustees who failed to provide the cemetery with the proper staff . one or two people cannot do the work properly when they are expectedly do the work of three . Now that we are at 3 full time office people That issue has been fixed. As for contractors being hired to do work without soliciting bids . That is true however it’s Alberto Aguilar that recently vote Yes on a expensive driveway repair and the bid he voted yes on was the only bid . I voted No . Go ask Alberto why is he complaining about the board passing a expensive bid with no competing bids when he himself voted yes . Catherine it’s sad that you are promoting Vicky Gilson ( who lives in Missouri) and Alberto Aguiar and is bad math as the two trustee on the cemetery board who are doing everything right . I agree with the response from the BOS to the Grand Jury . The cemetery looks good the financials look good and we have passionate people on the cemetery board . Catherine go read your article from last December about the cemetery. Vicky Gilson was named in your article by two eye witness that Vicky removed records . The Grand Jury agreed with that finding . I called the findings a nothing burger because Carlton Jones , Alberto Aguiar, Alex Gutierrez and others kept repeating themselves that since the cemetery was being investigated by the GJ the cemetery must have done something wrong . It’s a nothing burger when you compare the findings to what these people have boasted about for the last year . They said over and over again that the cemetery is guilty of financial crimes . Be clear the Grand Jury found absolutely nothing wrong with our financials . Missing documents and records are not to be confused with financial crimes . The cemetery has had two audits and they match up with the county’s books . If Vicky and Alberto agree with the findings then Vicky is agreeing to her bring the person that took them and lost them . That finding isn’t a nothing burger. No trustee should ever remove records or anything from the office. Former Chair Philip Deal is a witness to this . No Alberto has not provided any proof of employees being paid incorrectly. Alberto is using a summary report to calculate individual pay . The problem with him using that report is the rate of pay is rounded up or down. That report is not to look at individual pay , it’s to look at the total hours and payment to employees as a whole . The computer automatically averaged the rate of pay so the totals would match. The computer did that to eliminate stacks of paper with zeros because the computer will use thousands of a cent. In order to check individual pay you have to use that individuals rate per hour and total hours worked . This has been explained to Alberto but he refuses to accept it . No employee is or has been under paid . Added in Alberto’s mistake to the Grand Jurys findings is misleading. The Grand Jury found not one employee was under paid.
The harsh criticism that you claim are not against the cemetery. They are against the BOS for reappointing Alberto. They are against Vicky Gilson for taking and losing Records. They are against a Facebook group for disrupting the meetings. Missing a few items for the board packet and improper notices for a meetings is hardly some extreme wrong doing. It’s important to note that at one point the office was down to only one person who was doing the work of 3 people. Last year there was a vote to hire another office person. That motion failed 2-3 Both Vicky Gilson and Alberto Aguilar voted no . The failure lies with trustees who failed to provide the cemetery with the proper staff . one or two people cannot do the work properly when they are expectedly do the work of three . Now that we are at 3 full time office people That issue has been fixed. As for contractors being hired to do work without soliciting bids . That is true however it’s Alberto Aguilar that recently vote Yes on a expensive driveway repair and the bid he voted yes on was the only bid . I voted No . Go ask Alberto why is he complaining about the board passing a expensive bid with no competing bids when he himself voted yes . Catherine it’s sad that you are promoting Vicky Gilson ( who lives in Missouri) and Alberto Aguiar and is bad math as the two trustee on the cemetery board who are doing everything right . I agree with the response from the BOS to the Grand Jury . The cemetery looks good the financials look good and we have passionate people on the cemetery board .

]]> By: Barbara McGhee-Kane https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/#comment-87017 Barbara McGhee-Kane Tue, 10 Nov 2020 13:56:14 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=34504#comment-87017 Curious that Linda Malloy's behaviors is completely overlooked by so many. Her inappropriate public behaviors is an embarrassment and should not be condoned as evidenced by the silence of others sitting on that board. Where is her public apology for her juvenile behaviors shown in these pictures? Exactly what does she offer in the ways of expertise and talent to this board? Curious that Linda Malloy’s behaviors is completely overlooked by so many. Her inappropriate public behaviors is an embarrassment and should not be condoned as evidenced by the silence of others sitting on that board. Where is her public apology for her juvenile behaviors shown in these pictures? Exactly what does she offer in the ways of expertise and talent to this board?

]]> By: Xavier Avila https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/#comment-86507 Xavier Avila Sat, 07 Nov 2020 23:45:33 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=34504#comment-86507 In reply to <a href="https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/#comment-86275">Chris Ronquillo</a>. Chris Ronquillo You are repeating your leader Carlton Jones . The Hospital was a mess because of Carltons friend Doctor Kumar . Read the State Audit that puts all the blame on the old board the Kumar was the leader in bring in Benzeevi/ HCCA. Carlton Jones supported Kumar and campaigned for him . Thank God the voters recalled Kumar and elected Senovia Gutierrez. The new board that I’m a part of sued to get control of our hospital back . As for the Cemetery it looked like a desert when I got on the board , now it looks good. The Cemetery is in great financial shape. Even the BOS agrees . In reply to Chris Ronquillo.

Chris Ronquillo You are repeating your leader Carlton Jones . The Hospital was a mess because of Carltons friend Doctor Kumar . Read the State Audit that puts all the blame on the old board the Kumar was the leader in bring in Benzeevi/ HCCA. Carlton Jones supported Kumar and campaigned for him . Thank God the voters recalled Kumar and elected Senovia Gutierrez. The new board that I’m a part of sued to get control of our hospital back . As for the Cemetery it looked like a desert when I got on the board , now it looks good. The Cemetery is in great financial shape. Even the BOS agrees .

]]> By: Alberto Aguilar https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/#comment-86419 Alberto Aguilar Sat, 07 Nov 2020 16:06:08 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=34504#comment-86419 A Forensic Audit is required for the following reasons: 1) Financial records prove that the former Office Manager and current office manager falsified employees payroll records by not paying employees in accordance with District Policy, State Labor Laws and/or FLSA. 2) June 30, 2017, Audit by Adair & Evans indicates the amonut of money in the cemetery General Fund is $1,653,799, however the July 2017 Income Report compiled by office manager Marilyn Correia notes amount in the General Fund is $105,771.17, a difference of $1,548,027.83. 3) The same audit report notes the cemetery distrct has $1,775,192 in the Endowment Fund, however Marilyn's Income report for July 2017, shows the amonut in the Endowment Care Fund is $1,495,025, a difference of $280,167, so where is the missing money? 4) The July 2018 Income Report compiled by Manager Leonor Castaneda notes the amount in the Endowment Care Fund is $1,406,389.26, which indicates a loss of $88,635.74. There are no financial records that show where the missing money was spent. The Endowment Care Fund is required by law and it is a restricted fund (no money can be spent from that fund), however there are financial records that prove $325,000 were withdrawn from the Endowment Care Fund and not all of the funds withdrawn were returned. These are just a few discrepancies that justify a need for a forensic audit. A Forensic Audit is required for the following reasons: 1) Financial records prove that the former Office Manager and current office manager falsified employees payroll records by not paying employees in accordance with District Policy, State Labor Laws and/or FLSA. 2) June 30, 2017, Audit by Adair & Evans indicates the amonut of money in the cemetery General Fund is $1,653,799, however the July 2017 Income Report compiled by office manager Marilyn Correia notes amount in the General Fund is $105,771.17, a difference of $1,548,027.83. 3) The same audit report notes the cemetery distrct has $1,775,192 in the Endowment Fund, however Marilyn’s Income report for July 2017, shows the amonut in the Endowment Care Fund is $1,495,025, a difference of $280,167, so where is the missing money? 4) The July 2018 Income Report compiled by Manager Leonor Castaneda notes the amount in the Endowment Care Fund is $1,406,389.26, which indicates a loss of $88,635.74. There are no financial records that show where the missing money was spent. The Endowment Care Fund is required by law and it is a restricted fund (no money can be spent from that fund), however there are financial records that prove $325,000 were withdrawn from the Endowment Care Fund and not all of the funds withdrawn were returned. These are just a few discrepancies that justify a need for a forensic audit.

]]> By: Chris Ronquillo https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/#comment-86275 Chris Ronquillo Sat, 07 Nov 2020 01:09:19 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=34504#comment-86275 The big negative in this matter is trustee Xavier Avila..First the Tulare Hospital board..now Tulare cemetery..Avila is bad for Tulare..and is definitely inexperienced to handle..the matters of the city The big negative in this matter is trustee Xavier Avila..First the Tulare Hospital board..now Tulare cemetery..Avila is bad for Tulare..and is definitely inexperienced to handle..the matters of the city

]]> By: Geneva A Philpot https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/#comment-86223 Geneva A Philpot Fri, 06 Nov 2020 20:27:48 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=34504#comment-86223 The BOS has said they only appoint trustees and that is their only duty. I was appointed to the Visalia Public Cemetery about 25 years ago and found out after accepting that the BOS (Bill Maze was my appointing supervisor at the time) had come in with the whole BOS and removed the manager and her sister who worked in the office and the entire board due to an illegal investment of district funds. There was a new hire that was kept in the office and two new appointees when I came on board and others were appointed to make a board of 5 new board members. Why could the BOS handle this back then and refuse to take action today? If they appoint in my opinion they have a responsibility to take action. I am a mentor trustee for the California Assn of Public Cemeteries. Spent 12 years on that board serving as president for two years. I have worked with both Alberto Aguilar and Vicki Gilson for going on 4 years now to help them educate the Tulare Cemetery Board who really do not want to be educated in the laws governing public cemeteries and have not bothered to get any training. As a Mentor Trustee any advice I give is not a reflection of the Calif Assn. of Public Cemeteries. The BOS has said they only appoint trustees and that is their only duty. I was appointed to the Visalia Public Cemetery about 25 years ago and found out after accepting that the BOS (Bill Maze was my appointing supervisor at the time) had come in with the whole BOS and removed the manager and her sister who worked in the office and the entire board due to an illegal investment of district funds. There was a new hire that was kept in the office and two new appointees when I came on board and others were appointed to make a board of 5 new board members. Why could the BOS handle this back then and refuse to take action today? If they appoint in my opinion they have a responsibility to take action. I am a mentor trustee for the California Assn of Public Cemeteries. Spent 12 years on that board serving as president for two years. I have worked with both Alberto Aguilar and Vicki Gilson for going on 4 years now to help them educate the Tulare Cemetery Board who really do not want to be educated in the laws governing public cemeteries and have not bothered to get any training. As a Mentor Trustee any advice I give is not a reflection of the Calif Assn. of Public Cemeteries.

]]> By: Laura Figueroa https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2020/11/06/tulare-public-cemetery-investigated-by-tulare-county-grand-jury/#comment-86145 Laura Figueroa Fri, 06 Nov 2020 13:19:50 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=34504#comment-86145 Who said the cemetary looked good. Porterville has the worst cemetery (all of them) My God we pay so much to be placed out there when we die .And the one who calls him self the Boss IS NOT avery good one .I go out and pull the weed from my parent ,son, sister,brothers graveside. That BOSS should be fired.Get someone who can keep up the places and put the workers to work.And Close up at nights .Not that everyone can party out there.Have Respect. Who said the cemetary looked good. Porterville has the worst cemetery (all of them) My God we pay so much to be placed out there when we die .And the one who calls him self the Boss IS NOT avery good one .I go out and pull the weed from my parent ,son, sister,brothers graveside. That BOSS should be fired.Get someone who can keep up the places and put the workers to work.And Close up at nights .Not that everyone can party out there.Have Respect.

]]>