SoFlaDa
Registered User
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Posts: 3
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This morning on Miami Public Radio, I heard a story about comments from Bill Proenza, the new administrator of the . He had comments on two issues that directly impact weather enthusiasts around the USA.
First, he said that the 's research budget was cut by approx $700,000 this year while the parent organization, NOAA, went ahead with $4 million in parties for PR and "brand recognition" for NOAA. I've become quite used to bureaucratic imbecility over the past 5 years, but this is completely OTT. For those of us in hurricane country, the work the does is incredibly important and, while they have significantly improved track and intensity forecasts, we all know there is much more that can be done. That work requires research, not parties.
Second, he said that his managers want to do away with the name "National Weather Service," rewriting it as "NOAA Weather Service." Of course, this change fits with their party plans. Meanwhile, if so many people in the general public ignore warnings/forecasts from the "National" service, do they think people are going to pay more attention to something from an unknown agency "NOAA?" More likely, the public will just think it's something from an ark builder.
Please join me in writing Senators and Representatives as well as the chief administrator of NOAA that these changes really MUST be reversed.
PS. The powers that manage the website have ruled that this post, although of huge import and impact on all weather/hurricane enthusiasts, must be placed on this somewhat out of the way board. Hopefully, someone will get the message that these are really hurtful changes to an agency we really depend on.
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LoisCane
Veteran Storm Chaser
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Posts: 1237
Loc: South Florida
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You are very right, we should write a congressman, senator... if just everyone here would fire off one email...
Look up your congressman/senator/governor here:
http://www.myflorida.com/
Thank you for that very important message there, seems to me an inportant topic and there are no named storms or even wannabe storms right now to discuss
It was important enough for the Miami Herald to do a cover story on Bill Proenza's whistle calling on NOAA
Why does a government agency need to spend money on what appears to be PR.. it's like FPL constantly advertising how wonderful they are in the Miami area... we have no alternatives to FPL.. they are a monopoly so why advertise so much?
Maybe NOAA will sign deals with coke that all personnel will be photographed with coke cans not pepsi?
Seriously.... lack of money for hurricane research is a big issue, possibly the BIGGEST issue we have facing the 2007 Hurricane Season. Everything else is a tangible, maybe the will hit at the height of the season, maybe the high will build in across the Atlantic, maybe dust from Africa will inhibit the storms from falling even if there is a lot of rain in the Sahel reason, maybe the alignment of the and la nina and a possible volcano blowing in the Caribbean will make a messy season... everything is discussion and possibilities here .. ..... the one GIVEN is that we LACK the $$$ needed to do proper research and collect proper data to forecast storm tracks better and to learn more about hurricanes and how and why they develop or don't.
After some storm like politicians rush in, make promises, make sound bites and leave .. and six months later nothing has changed.
If everyone on this board and other boards wrote just one letter to just one congressman or senator.. it might help, it wouldn't hurt and there is power in numbers vs one lone wolf crying at night.
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http://hurricaneharbor.blogspot.com/
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allan
Weather Master
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Posts: 468
Loc: Palm Coast, Florida
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Well people won't ignore NOAA, All the weather services in the country gets there forecast track from the or NOAA if they do change there name. So it won't be different, I wouldn't worry about it, nothing to boycott about.. just let it be. 
The only thing I would be worrying about is what they have already done, which is leaving unnamed storms behind. Though I understand money wise, it isn't easy.
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Allan Reed - 18,9,5
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LoisCane
Veteran Storm Chaser
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Posts: 1237
Loc: South Florida
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We need money to do more research.
We need money for research and ongoing tracking.
When you have a plane that cannot go up in a storm like or one of the big Gulfie Storms and there is no back up, no data gained. When bouys are not working and not replaced. Money to run projects and do research.
What is in a name anyway Allan? Really, a rose is a rose is a rose by any other name.
But the name National Hurricane Center means one thing and has a official sound to it that National Weather Service or others don't possess. When the says something, people listen.
Yet, they receive less money than most agencies.
If you wanted to do research on a pregnant fetal pygmie pig you could probably get a government grant.
Anyways, have a great weekend..
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http://hurricaneharbor.blogspot.com/
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ltpat228
Storm Tracker
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Posts: 201
Loc: Port Saint Lucie FL
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Quote:
PS. The powers that manage the website have ruled that this post, although of huge import and impact on all weather/hurricane enthusiasts, must be placed on this somewhat out of the way board.
I truly appreciate you taking the time to research then share your post...and yes, I understand all too well about the placement of posts on this site.
Thank you for being an asset with your helpful information enabling me to better protect my family during a Florida hurricane.
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ltpat228
Storm Tracker
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Posts: 201
Loc: Port Saint Lucie FL
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(post deleted as requested)
Edited by Ed Dunham (Fri Jun 01 2007 10:05 PM)
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