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Hunter confirmed to top DCCA post
New Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Robert Hunter, center, stands with senators after they voted to confirm his appointment to the department’s top post on Friday. (Dennis B. Chan)
Before a crowd of Cabinet heads, top local officials, staff, and supporters, the Senate on Friday confirmed Robert Hunter to the post of Department of Community and Cultural Affairs secretary.
In an interview after the hearing, Hunter said they are currently working with grantors on the certification of personnel.
“We are getting those personnel certified, whether it’s safety or as inspectors or whatever certifications are required. There are deadlines coming up so we’re trying to make sure that we do the things we need to do to make sure manage we get properly and of course, we are looking at additional grants.”
Asked about initiatives in the community the department is starting up or making stronger, Hunter said they are looking at programs in the local arts council for example, after they “put into place all that we need to put into place there,” to focus on traditional canoe programs, craft programs, among others.
He also said for the baseball field and basketball courts and sports properties, they are already starting to coordinate youth activities at those.
“We are sitting down now to formulate a collective plan for the year,” he said.
He also noted concerns with historical permit processing, which falls under his department through the Historic Preservation Office.
“HPO has its role. And that’s to protect and manage historic properties…A lot of the issues that usually come up are related to the amount of time it takes with regard to the permitting process so we want to make sure that works,” he said.
Hunter was appointed to the DCCA secretary post by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres in March and after the window had lapsed for Senate confirmation on his first appointment, Torres again appointed him formally in recent weeks.
