V.I. Housing, Parks and Recreation Department finally to become Sports, Parks and Recreation
Published: September 19, 2012
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ST. THOMAS - Almost five years after all housing functions of the V.I. Housing, Parks and Recreations Department were removed, senators finally voted to change the agency's name.
In Tuesday's Senate session, a bill was passed to change the department's name to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. has submitted similar legislation multiple times to previous legislatures, but it was never acted on.
In 2007, deJongh sent a bill to the Senate that included language to transfer all of the department's housing functions to the V.I. Housing Finance Authority.
The bill was never considered, however, because Sen. Louis Hill already was working on legislation to make the same structural change to the department.
Hill's bill ultimately became law in 2007, but it dealt solely with moving housing responsibilities and did not change the name of the agency.
The legislation passed Tuesday, sponsored by Sen. Usie Richards, changes the name of the department throughout the V.I. Code, except where the original name is referenced in a historical context.
- Contact reporter Aldeth Lewin at 714-9111 or email alewin@dailynews.vi.
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