Atkinson says DCC Future Bright With New Leader

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Now that the Department of Community and Culture has a new director - former Salt Lake City Mayor Palmer DePaulis - what is the future of a department that has been plagued by high turnover and hints of flagging morale since its creation last year? Community advocate Pamela Atkinson, who led the search committee that ultimately recommended DePaulis for the job, says DCC is a world of possibilities.

"There's incredible potential for moving the whole department forward, for teamwork between the divisions," Atkinson says. "And if you look at the work of many of those divisions in that department, they can certainly assist GOED, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and provide much more teamwork there."

The Department of Community and Culture includes the Utah Arts Council, the Division of State History, the State Library, the Division of Indian Affairs, the Office of Ethnic Affairs, and Housing and Community Development. As part of her search for a new DCC director, Atkinson talked to more than 65 people in the department. She says she'll convey her insights to DePaulis.

"I think the morale could go higher, but I think a lot of people were very hopeful of creating teamwork within all of these divisions."

DePaulis expects to start transitioning out of his job as a Utah Tax Commissioner and into his DCC post next month.

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