....why not have moderators for forums on specific conditions and selected general topics and also have some general unmoderated topics that one can frequent or not as they desire?

In the moderated ones let the mod act as judge but let the members act as district attorney (ie filing complaints with mod) and have some sort of appeal. Also give the mod a choice of actions instead of "ban - no ban".

Given that some of our members are very vulnerable, the moderated areas would be safe havens. And given that some of our members have rabies, they would have a place with no sharp objects.