A Letter from Joyce Brooks to the Board of Directors and administrative staff of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA)
Good Morning, I would like to thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and words of encouragement that was extended to me and my family during a very difficult time. My life and the life of my children was forever changed on Wednesday, May 28, 2014. My husband, the father of my children and best friend, Chief Ivor Jerome Brooks, Sr., transitioned to a higher calling. I may not understand the purpose for such an unexpected and devastating blow to my family. However, what I do understand is that God’s grace is sufficient and ALL things work together for the good of them that love the Lord. Through this experience, His glory will be manifested and His peace will give us the comfort to endure the days ahead. I ask that you continue to pray for me and my family. I think the role of the BJCTA Board of Directors is critical to the future success and progress of the public transit system for the Birmingham-Jefferson County region. You know as well as I do, board members must pay close attention, sacrifice and work in a unified spirit if greater heights are to be achieved. At this time, I am unable to continue to offer myself to BJCTA. Now, it is critical that I fully devote my time and attention to Jae and Matthew. You can only imagine the pain they are going through losing not only their Father, but their hero. Until further notice, I have asked, Vice Chairman Lassiter, to assume full responsibility of the chairmanship. She has graciously accepted. We all, but specifically Mrs. Lassiter and Ann, share the same desire to see BJCTA realize its full potential. I am confident that under their leadership nothing will fall through the cracks and the agency will not miss a beat. Remember, we are “One Team with One Goal”. That goal is to become one of the best public transit systems in the nation. Together, I believe we will.
Thank you so much for everything!
God Bless,
Joyce E. Brooks
Under the leadership of Mrs. Ann August, her staff and the commitment and dedication of the Board of Directors of MAX Transit, they have done a yeoman’s job. I do believe that they are moving in the right direction and with the help of the Mayor of the City of Birmingham also members of the City Council, specifically Councilor Kim Rafferty who heads the Transportation Committee, we can be the “Best Public Transportation System in the Nation.” I thoroughly believe with Mrs. Johnnye P. Lassiter that we can. Mrs. Johnnye P. Lassister, who will move into that Chairmanship, will continuously move the BJCTA forward. She has been on the board long enough to understand all of the issues that you would have with the board, staff or political aspects. She will be able to move through it.
Not only are they doing a yeomen’s job but also it is my understanding that the transit authority will receive level funding for 2015. Thanks to Mayor William Bell, his staff, Councilor Kim Rafferty and her staff for making this happen.
Again, I thoroughly agree with Mrs. Joyce Brooks that the transit system will not miss a beat under the direction of Johnnye P. Lassiter.
Mrs. Lassister, Interim Chairman of the BJCTA Board is strongly committed to public transportation and her work ethics are higher than Mount Everest. In other words, MAX Transit is in good hands.
By: Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr.
jlewis@birminghamtimes.com
