TAMARAC, Florida – History was made on Wednesday night with another Jamaican ascending to higher office in South Florida.
Marlon Bolton became Tamarac’s first Caribbean and African American Vice Mayor, by a 5-0 vote, to a room full of supporters from his church and district as well as “Bolton’s Army” a group of volunteers who often gets the message out about Bolton’s accomplishments in the community. He was sworn in by Bishop Anthony T. Pelt, the Church of God, Florida Administrative Bishop.
Bolton, 34, relocated to the United States from Jamaica in 2006, possessed with burning ambition. Focusing on his educational development he pursued he soon earned Bachelor degrees in Communications, and also in Public Safety Management. Currently enrolled at Florida International University, Bolton is finishing his Masters’ Degree in Criminal Justice.
Bolton works as a County Court Mediator, certified by the Florida Supreme Court and holds a position as the Lead Pastor at Praise Experience Church of North Lauderdale, leading a local following of over 300 members. A fast-growing non-denominational church in North Lauderdale Bolton leads 2 services on a Sunday, 9am and 5pm.
As a former banker at Wachovia Bank/Wells Fargo, former volunteer for the University of Miami Law School, Board Member at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and member of the Board of several Broward, Florida and National League of Cities Committees and a Board Member at the Broward County Action Agency, Bolton comes to the Table with a wealth of knowledge and is a breath of fresh air on the Tamarac City Commission.
Vice Mayor Bolton, the youngest to serve in the role, will serve in the capacity for the ensuing year. Bolton says his theme for the year is “One Tamarac, One Vision, One Mission in Unity.” He plans to advocate for more transparency and community engagement initiative during his year as Vice Mayor.
“I want Tamarac Residents to know that they have a friend at City Hall and I will continue to advocate for their interest. I will launch the ‘Tamarac First Initiative’. He explained that this is an initiative to revise the living wage ordinance for employees and one that will give Tamarac residents first preference for city jobs.
Vice Mayor Bolton also made history in 2016by becoming Tamarac’s first black commissioner. During his tenure on the commission, he championed a City Ordinance granting low-Income Seniors an additional $25,000 tax exemption. He also advocated for first time home buyer grants, home rehabilitation programs and brought the First Light Up the East event to the eastside of the city, the city’s first major event on that side of town in over 57 years. Through Vice Mayor Bolton’s hard work, Caporella Park will see major improvements next year to the tune of almost $5 million.
