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Public commenters urge dementia services support and express support for Israel
Summary
During the public-comment period, a representative from Alzheimer’s Orange County described local services and support needs, and a local nonprofit representative urged community support for Israel; speakers distributed materials and offered follow-up contacts.
Three members of the public spoke during the council’s public-comment period on a meeting in early May 2025. Selena Behringer, a representative of Alzheimer’s Orange County, presented information about the nonprofit’s local services and left informational materials for council and staff. Justin Baca, representing Gihon Springs, delivered a comment urging community support for Israel and described the nonprofit’s humanitarian work.
Selena Behringer introduced herself as a representative of Alzheimer’s Orange County and distributed what she called “goodie bags” for the council. She described Alzheimer’s Orange County as the region’s largest nonprofit specializing in dementia and said the organization offers free services locally, including more than 40 support groups, clinical caregiver support, education and an adult day health center in Garden Grove. “In OC alone, more than 164,000 have Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment,” Behringer said in her remarks.
Behringer said Alzheimer’s Orange County has served local families since 1982 and emphasized that funds raised locally remain in Orange County to support services. A council member noted the existence of an adult day program in Leisure World and commented on funding pressures for that program.
Justin Baca introduced himself as representing Gihon Springs, a Seal Beach–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and urged support for Israel, describing the nonprofit’s assistance to Israeli families and wounded soldiers. Baca framed his remarks as a humanitarian appeal and encouraged donations and public support; he directed listeners to gihonsprings.com for additional information.
Other public commenters spoke in favor of the CMAQ idea for SBTV and described models they had observed in other cities, including Pasadena and Santa Barbara; these speakers offered operational and fundraising examples and said converting to a 501(c)(3) is feasible based on other cities’ experiences.
Ending note: Comments were public testimony; no council action was taken on items raised during the public-comment period at that meeting.
