West Hollywood older‑adults board honors Lynn LeMay and Larry Block, hears safety and services updates

The West Hollywood Older Adults Advisory Board honored volunteers Lynn LeMay and Larry Block at its May meeting and spent much of the session hearing updates on public safety, city services and upcoming events.

Tariq Carter, manager of the Human Services Division for the City of West Hollywood, introduced the two honorees, saying Lynn LeMay has volunteered with Project Angel Food since 1989 and has advocated for tenant rights and LGBTQ elders; Larry Block, a resident and business owner since 1985, was recognized for long service including keeping senior Meals on Wheels operating during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

"This has been a lovely morning," LeMay said after receiving the award, reflecting on decades of volunteer work and on being an "older adult." Block said the recognition reminded him of the need to continue building community activities for seniors and cited the city’s role in advancing housing protections for older adults.

During public comment, Steven Post, the Public Safety Commission liaison, reported that calls to fire and EMT services for medical reasons were "up by 20%" compared with last year and said the increase is partly tied to West Hollywood’s growing older population. Post urged residents to report sidewalk obstructions — including scooters and delivery robots — through the WeHo app and said that the Public Safety Commission will review a county sheriff drone policy at its next meeting.

"If it's a situation where it was ADA inaccessible, those fines are increased," Post said, urging people to report incidents so the city can enforce rules against companies whose devices block pedestrian paths.

Marina Golstein of the Jewish Family Service West Hollywood Comprehensive Services Center summarized April programming and services, including case management, a warm‑lunch program five days a week, legal aid, Medicare counseling and a telecheck volunteer program that calls older adults up to five days a week. Golstein also promoted several events: an Honor Your LGBT Elder Day at Plummer Park on May 15 (Room 56, 2:00 p.m.), and the center’s participation in the Older Adult Community Health Fair and art showcase scheduled for May 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City staff announced Kaleidoscope ("WHERE LEGACY LIVES IN COLOR"), a WeHope event for elders on Thursday, June 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, and reminded attendees that the May 7 health fair will include screenings for blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol as well as wellness demonstrations.

Board members used their comments to emphasize outreach and education. A board member identified as Wendy noted that older adults make up about 16% of West Hollywood’s population ("over 6,000 residents") and recommended a printed resource booklet staff produced; other members advocated reviving peer‑to‑peer programming and increasing sidewalk accessibility along Fountain Avenue.

The meeting also completed routine business: vice chair Hollingsworth moved to approve the agenda and a roll‑call vote recorded the motion’s passage; board member Dixon later moved to approve the April 22 minutes, which the board also approved by roll call.

The board adjourned after a moment of recognition for the passing of media figure Ted Turner, mentioned by a board member as having died that morning at age 87 from a form of dementia. The advisory board’s next scheduled public events include the health fair and the June Kaleidoscope celebration.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve meeting agenda: moved by Vice Chair Hollingsworth; second recorded; roll call recorded the agenda as approved with Board Member Sutton absent.

- Motion to approve minutes (April 22): moved by Board Member Dixon; seconded by Vice Chair Hollingsworth; roll call recorded the minutes as approved.