Our December luncheon is always very popular since it helps launch the Holiday season for a lot of our members. This year was no exception with 54 GJAOC members, guests and invitees attending. The December luncheon also serves as the venue for the swearing-in of our rotating Board of Directors. As in past years, the swearing-in honors were conducted by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter who also served as our featured luncheon speaker.
While recognizing that his work with regards to the O.C. homelessness issue is at a critical point, and that he thus needed to circumspect in his comments, he none-the-less provided us with insights into tangible successes achieved and his vision of how much progress can be made when all stake-holders are given a chance to have their concerns heard, and the County and Cities work together to address the problems linked to homelessness. He quoted the figure that a homeless person in a Permanent Supportive Housing program costs O.C. taxpayers approximately $53,000 annually, while a similar homeless person living on the streets costs over $100,000 (police, emergency room, etc).
Ex-marine that he is, it is clear that he takes a ‘tough love’ approach towards people experiencing homelessness; that along with the rights they receive, come responsibilities. He commented that the best circumstance for all stake-holders will be when all Cities in O.C. step-up and provide facilities & services for their local homeless, for then, local ‘public order’ laws can and should be vigorously enforced (laws such as anti-camping, anti-panhandling etc), equally across the board, leading to a better quality of life for everyone, not least the tax payer.
6 of the Board of Directors sworn-in on this date will serve a 2-year term starting 1 Jan 2019.
Also, as a reminder its time to renew your GJAOC membership for 2019 if you haven’t already done so. The membership rate remains just $20, and can be paid via cheque or cash (at a future luncheon). If paying by cheque, make it out to: GJAOC and send it to:
Alf Lyle
11511 Gilbert Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841