Las Vegas Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Summary - August 6, 2026
Las Vegas Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Summary - August 6, 2026
The Senior Citizens Advisory Board of Las Vegas convened on August 6, 2026, at 7:59 PM. The meeting was properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law. Present were Chair Deanna Rear Cameron, Vice Chair Nicole Graham, and members Charles Lee, David Tilsar, and Blaine Ents (newly sworn in 20 minutes before the meeting). Members Galotti, Mosdean, and Drum were excused. A quorum was established.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gregory Gray (identified as a member of the Department of Neighborhood Services) publicly recognized Camille Franklin for her outstanding assistance to a senior named Diane, who had been hospitalized and placed in a group home. Gray praised Franklin for ensuring Diane's safety and contacting her family, enabling her to return home.
- Camille Franklin, in accepting the recognition, expressed that her actions were motivated by common decency and her upbringing, stating she would want the same care for her own 92-year-old father, who has early-stage dementia. She downplayed the award, saying it was 'not needed' but appreciated it.
- Chair Rear Cameron added that Franklin went 'above and beyond' in her efforts, noting that many mandated reporters might miss the signs Franklin caught, and expressed the board's gratitude for Franklin's work on behalf of the city's seniors.
Discussion Items
Presentation by AARP on Livable Communities and Senior Services
- Jessica Padron, Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP Nevada, presented on AARP's Livable Communities and Age-Friendly programs. She highlighted resources such as the HomeFit Guide (available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean) and the Longevity Economy Outlook for 2026.
- Padron discussed AARP's advocacy priorities, including opposition to demand charges on utility bills, protection of Social Security (noting that without congressional action by 2032, benefits could face a 20% cut), and efforts to prevent fraud.
- She noted that AARP is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates, and she offered to help Las Vegas become an official AARP Age-Friendly Community, citing Reno as an example.
- Chair Rear Cameron expressed support for exploring the livable community designation, mentioning prior discussions with the former mayor and appreciation for AARP's role in organizing Senior Day in Carson City.
- Board member Charles Lee asked about AARP's relationship with Hartford (insurance provider). Padron explained that membership services are separate from the state office but directed members to AARP.org/Nevada for state-level programs and events.
Report by Gregory Gray on Senior Issues
- Gregory Gray reported that there were no senior issues to report at this time.
Board Member Reports on Senior Issues and Events
- Vice Chair Nicole Graham (Ward 1) reported on heat-related safety and promoted indoor activities at senior centers, including Charleston Heights.
- Board member David Tilsar (Ward 4) reported on increased scam attempts in Sun City, including a tactic where scammers instruct victims to lie to bank tellers about construction or car purchases when withdrawing large sums. He noted that he will be speaking to the Sun City Patrol (a volunteer group of over 200 members) on August 26, 2026, to educate them on senior resources. Tilsar also mentioned the Sun City community has about 13,000 residents and nearly 8,000 homes.
- Board member Blaine Ents (Ward 4), newly sworn in, had no issues to report but expressed enthusiasm and a desire to learn best practices. He shared background of living in Las Vegas since 1962 and 38 years in financial services.
- Board member Charles Lee (Ward 5) reported that the new entrance to the Doolittle Senior Center is complete and fully operational.
- Chair Rear Cameron (Ward 6) reported on common scams, particularly self-neglect and financial abuse, and described starting a Facebook group for the Sky Canyon Providence area to bring services closer to seniors. She noted that Councilwoman Nancy Burney had joined the group.
Discussion Regarding Next Steps and Future Meeting Topics
- The board discussed future meeting topics and clarified a prior policy: meetings would only be held if a speaker was confirmed; otherwise, the meeting would be canceled. The board agreed to revisit this policy at the next meeting for possible action.
Key Outcomes
- Camille Franklin received formal recognition from the board for her dedication to a senior in need.
- AARP presented resources and offered to assist Las Vegas in becoming an AARP Age-Friendly Community; the board indicated interest in exploring this.
- Board members identified ongoing priorities including scam prevention, heat safety, and expanding senior services.
- The next Senior Citizens Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for September 3, 2026, at 1 PM.
- The board will discuss the speaker-requirement policy at the next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
I now call the August sixth, twenty twenty-six senior citizens advisory board meeting to order. Has this meeting been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law? Yes, it has. Chair Rear Cameron. Present. Vice Chair Graham. Present. Member Galotti. Excused. Member Mosdean. Excused. Member Drum. Excused. Member Lee. Present. Member Tilsar. Present. Member Ents. Present. Thank you, Chair. You have a quorum. Thank you. Item number three on the agenda. Public comment. Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, come forward and give your name for the record. The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any single speaker is allowed may be limited. So we have a motion to appear. Gregory Gray for the record. So I want to thank the board for taking the time to discuss and choose Camille Franklin to be recognized by the board for her outstanding work and helping Miss Diane, who you will see on your screens. She had been hospitalized and she was in a group home. And if it wasn't for the care that Miss Camille took to ensure that Diane was safe and sound and got in contact with her family to get her home, we are deeply appreciative for her going above and beyond the call of duty to assist the senior in need. And we are very happy that Diane's home with her family and is very happy. So come on up, Camille. Appreciate it. Well, you you didn't have to, but um I appreciate it. But like I was telling Gregory, I have a 92-year-old dad, and he lives by himself, and he's you know, having the first time stages of old timer, forgetfulness and everything like that. So if he got lost, I would want someone to do the same thing that I would do, you know, for Miss Diane. So it's it's you guys are giving me your ward, there's no need because that's just common decency, human decency. That's what you know. But you know, my dad and my mom, they always taught me treat people like you want to be treated, and I would want somebody to treat my dad like I treated Miss Diane. So ward is not I appreciate the war, but it's really not needed because it's just it's just who I am. It is the way I was raised. So but thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you, Camille. And I would just like to add that being a part of you know, all the stages through it, you were above and beyond. And there are people who uh they're mandated to put these things forth when they see it. And I think a lot of them miss some of the signs that you saw. So you have a gift, and we are so grateful as a board, and I know the city is so grateful to have you, and especially there in ward five.
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