Director of US hurricane centre steps down after six months

Washington - After only six months of hurricane-free weather in office, the director of the National Hurricane Centre succumbed to a storm of professional dissatisfaction among the rank and file and stepped down. It was not clear if Bill Proenza resigned under pressure or left voluntarily. At issue in the clash between long-time employees of the agency and the director was the reliability of hurricane centre predictions. Proenza argued that the loss of an aging satellite QuickScat over the Atlantic would lead to a 16-per-cent drop in the accuracy of three-day forecasts. He used the allegation to criticize money being spent on a 200th anniversary celebration for the National Weather Service. The agency's frontline meteorologists disputed the allegation, and charged Proenza was trying to undermine public confidence in the agency, which they warned could lead to unnecessary loss of life and property. They also noted that Proenza had no experience in tracking and forecasting hurricanes. Proenza, who had been appointed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will be replaced by an interim appointment, Ed Rappaport, a long-time worker in the hurricane centre. The hurricane season stretches from June 1 to November 30, but there have been no major storms yet this season. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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smipyprJul 9th, 2007 - 22:39:25

The now former Director's point should not have been a surprise. Former Senator Rick Santorum had tried several times to get a sweetheart deal for a Pennsylvania weather forecasting firm - to replace the National Weather Service. Typical Republican theme - replace a fully functioning government agency with a for-profit corporation.

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tonny from belgiumJul 10th, 2007 - 08:05:25

Or of course hand out the function to a croney from such a fine commercial bizness.Like nominating a lawyer working to a keypost in the FDA blocking all information concerning the damaging effects of growth hormons and genetically modified staple from reaching the general public .Probably the biggest fraud in the history of the USA but unknown to the public opinion .You can thank Monsanto for that .They now own the FDA.

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OkJul 10th, 2007 - 14:41:40

I finally figured it out----Tonny may be from belgium----Belgium Wisconsin --a very small town

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