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The Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) has announced the election of its new Trust officers.
The newly elected officers are:
• Chair Oscar J. Braynon, who represents Miami-Dade County District 1;
• First vice chair Alfred J. Holzman, who represents Miami-Dade County District 6, and
• Second vice chair Robert Wolfarth, who represents Miami-Dade County District 4.
Braynon, who now is retired, previously worked as the community project coordinator for the Office of Community Advocacy where he directed projects that supported the mission of positive community relations throughout the county. He also worked as chief of staff for two county commissioners, and was director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Protocol of the Commission Chair where he was responsible for transportation and infrastructure policy issues, among other achievements.
“I am extremely honored and grateful to be selected by my fellow Trust members to lead the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) for the next two years. During that time, I will earnestly seek to ensure the intent and stated purpose of the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) is carried out within Miami-Dade County,” Braynon said.
He added, “I hope to be an advocate for the advancement of the county’s Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan with the cooperation, input, and the effort of both the CITT staff and our Trust members. As a representative of Commission District 1 and an appointee of Commission Vice Chair Oliver Gilbert, I will pursue an agenda which improves the quality of life for District 1, as well as all of Miami-Dade County.”
Holzman, who worked as an administrator of economic/urban redevelopment programs and central business district revitalization in Eastern and Midwest cities, and most recently operated a successful executive search firm in South Florida, said that in his new role as first vice chair, he will continue to work with his fellow Trust members in being good stewards of the half-cent surtax funds and in the fulfilment of the PTP goals.
“A CITT Trustee since 2011, and now first vice chair, it has been a wonderful experience to serve not only as a guardian of our special 2002-initiated surtax to fund countywide transportation and public transit programs and projects, but also as a participant in its promising future. The creation and overall function of the CITT is perhaps one of the least understood among our residents. I am dedicated and will continue to help guide the Trust in its overall goals,” Holzman added.
Wolfarth, who has extensive entrepreneurial experience as a real estate professional, said he will work to move forward the goals of the PTP in a manner that is transparent and engaging with the public.
“It is a privilege to serve as a fiduciary of the half-penny surtax in this new role as second vice chair of the CITT. Residents want clean and accessible public transportation and infrastructure that they can rely on for their daily commutes. I will continue to lead for the CITT to operate with transparency and public engagement in how the taxpayer’s money is invested, and in a manner that is consistent with the original promises that were made,” Wolfarth said.
Javier A. Betancourt, AICP, executive director of the CITT, said he looks forward to working with the new CITT officers and all the Trust members in advancing major transportation projects and improving transit services throughout Miami-Dade County.
“On behalf of the Transportation Trust, we want to thank outgoing chair, Joe Curbelo, for his hard work and dedication as chair of the Trust over the last two years. I look forward to continuing to work with our new Trust officers as we strive to achieve the goals of the PTP and of the SMART Plan,” Betancourt said. “I am confident our new chair and vice chairs will do well in guiding and representing the Trust during their time as the Trust officers.”
The new officers will be sworn in officially during the next CITT Full Trust meeting on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m.
The CITT is the 15-member body created to oversee the implementation of the PTP, which is funded by the half-penny sales surtax that was approved by Miami-Dade County voters in November 2002.
The CITT currently has vacant seats in Districts 3, 10 and 13, and is accepting applications for these seats. To learn more on how to apply, visit the CITT web page at miamidade.gov and click on the “Member Recruitment” tab on the left side of the homepage, or call 305-375-1357 to request more information and a copy of the application.
For information about the CITT and the PTP, the public is encouraged to visit the CITT’s website, or call 305-375-1357.
