As requested by Huntsman, the Department of Community and Economic Development will split on July 1 into the Department of Community and Culture; the economic development section will be moved directly under Huntsman's purview.

The three ethnic affairs positions announced Friday had been vacant since Jan. 6, when the previous directors were unceremoniously let go, along with about half of the governor-appointed posts in DCED.

At the time, Sylvia Haro, Huntsman's appointee to oversee the department, said replacements would be found within a week. But Haro stepped down.

Amid complaints from communities being left out of the process, new executive director Diaz said she'd reopen the application process.

In addition to the ethnic offices, Diaz oversees the separate Division of Indian Affairs and cultural offices such as the arts council, libraries and museums.

She said recent emphasis has been placed on the ethnic offices because they were "so understaffed . . . the others are up and running."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com