Parmod Kumar recall, Tulare Local HealthCare District, California (2016-2017)
| Tulare Local HealthCare District Board recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
| Recall status |
| Recall election date |
| July 11, 2017 |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2017 Recalls in California California recall laws Special district recalls Recall reports |
An effort to recall Dr. Parmod Kumar from his position on the Tulare Local HealthCare District board in Tulare County, California, was launched in September 2016. The petition to begin the recall process was filed on September 29, 2016, and stated that Kumar had "failed the public[’s] trust" in regard to $85 million in bonds that were meant to build an addition to the hospital, which was not completed.[1] The recall was approved in a special election on July 11, 2017.[2]
Kumar joined the board in 1994 and represented District 3. He said that the recall proponents were focused on him personally, instead of the hospital as a whole. There was a failed recall against Kumar in 2013.[1]
Recall vote
The recall election occurred on July 11, 2017.[2] Kumar was recalled, and Senovia Gutierrez defeated Jesse Salcido in the election to replace Kumar.[3]
| Recall Parmod Kumar Question | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Recall | 836 | 81.09% | ||
| Retain | 195 | 18.91% | ||
| Election results via: Tulare County Registrar of Voters | ||||
| To Succeed Parmod Kumar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Senovia Gutierrez | 680 | 76.4% | ||
 Jesse Salcido | 190 | 21.35% | ||
| Write-in | 20 | 2.25% | ||
| Election results via: Tulare County Registrar of Voters | ||||
Recall supporters
Those attempting to recall Kumar said that under his leadership, the hospital had failed to complete a four-level tower that would increase space for the emergency room, maternity ward, surgery suites, and recovery rooms. Below is an excerpt from the recall petition against Kumar:
| “ | The citizens of the District entrusted you with $85 million in bonds to build an addition. The addition was never completed and the shameful use of public funds prompted the Tulare County Grand Jury to issue the ‘Tower of Shame’ report and demand the board provide a full accounting of the project.[1][4] | ” |
They also took issue with the decision to hire HealthCare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) for administration of the hospital. Recall spokesperson Jennifer Burcham also cited his long tenure on the board and posted an open letter asking Kumar to step down.[1]
Recall opponents
Kumar filed a response to the recall on October 6, 2016. He said that those seeking his recall were focused more on him personally, and less on the hospital as a whole. He said his top priority was to finish the new tower and that hiring HCCA helped turn the hospital's finances around. "My dream is to fix this hospital and build this tower. Let’s work together. I urge all of you: Don’t make it about me," he said.[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in California
Recall proponents needed to collect 1,049 valid signatures by January 3, 2017, in order to have the recall put on the ballot.[5] The Tulare County Registrar of Voters certified the recall petition on January 20, 2017. According to the registrar office, about 1,414 signatures were turned in, and 1,180 were certified. The Tulare Local HealthCare District board had 14 days after its February 22 meeting to call an election.[6][7]
Interim Registrar of Voters Michelle Baldwin suggested scheduling the recall for June 6, 2017, because another special election was already set to occur on that day. The hospital board voted 3-2 against the date, with Kumar voting against the motion. Instead Linda Wilbourn, chairperson of the board, turned in the election order to the county election office on March 9, 2017. The election had to be scheduled within 125 days of the order being turned in.[8] The recall was scheduled for the end of the legal time limit: July 11, 2017.[2]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Tulare Local HealthCare District recalls. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Recall campaigns in California
- Political recall efforts, 2016
- Political recall efforts, 2017
- Special district recalls
External links
- Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, "Tulare Local Health Care District"
- Tulare County Registrar of Voters, "July 11, 2017 Tulare Special Election"
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Visalia Delta-Times, "Group continues with Kumar recall," December 1, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Visalia Times-Delta, "Kumar recall election set for July 11," March 9, 2017
- ↑ Valley Voice, "Hospital Accountability Group Fields Challenger in Recall Race," March 22, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The Recall Elections Blog, "California: Tulare Healthcare District Board Member facing petitions," December 3, 2016
- ↑ Visalia Times-Delta, "Kumar recall moves forward in Tulare," January 20, 2017
- ↑ Visalia Times-Delta, "Kumar’s recall election date yet to be set," February 8, 2017
- ↑ Visalia Times-Delta, "Kumar votes against June recall election," February 23, 2017
