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June 5, 2008
GOVERNOR RESUBMITS LEGISLATION FOR CREATION OF DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, PARKS AND RECREATION; REQUESTS SENATE ACTION Before departing the territory this week for Washington, D.C., Governor John P. deJongh Jr. resubmitted legislation which, if approved by the 27th Legislature, would create a department of Sports, Park and Recreation in the territory. "I unwaveringly maintain that the creation of the new Sports, Parks and Recreation is needed for the government to properly tend to and develop its public parks and sports facilities and to develop programs for our constituents," deJongh wrote in a transmittal letter to the Senate. The legislation, as originally submitted in 2007, is comprised of two components, the first of which transferred the housing responsibilities of the Department of Housing, Parks, and Recreation to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority. This measure was passed by the 27th Legislature on October 28, 2007 and was enacted as Act No. 6974 on November 12, 2007. The second measure, which would place all of the recreation and parks responsibilities of the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation in the new Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation, to date, has not been acted on by the Senate. "I thank the 27th Legislature for its action in transferring the housing responsibilities to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and look forward to its prompt action in support of officially creating this new Department," deJongh said. The resubmitted legislation strengthens the new Department’s capacity to fulfill its obligations, and provides "a new energy on our public recreational parks and facilities." The resubmitted legislation is essentially the same as the legislation the DeJongh-Francis Administration proposed last year with the addition of three new sections. First, the resubmitted legislation authorizes the new Department to enforce laws, as well as rules and regulations within its parks and facilities, and calls for Park Rangers to receive peace officer status. This change was added in order to provide the Department’s facilities with needed personnel to protect the facilities throughout the territory and in order to help curtail vagrancy and vandalism. Secondly, an appropriation of $200,000 has been added to assist the new Department in its organization efforts. Finally, this proposal grants greater discretion to the Department in applying the monies it receives from the Casino Revenue Fund. DeJongh remains pleased with the ongoing work of the Department of the existing Housing, Parks and Recreation and noted the continued priority of DHPR to focus on measures and initiatives inclusive of a Sports component. "With this final change, the Department’s efforts to incorporate sports will be prioritized and made official. While the Administration has been proactive in its work to provide leadership for the community in sports recreation, we look forward to concluding this final step, thereby allowing for the continued progress of the Department’s overall and intended mission." |
