NHC Director Bill Proenza re-assig,Ed Rappaport new director

[n7ekg]

National Hurricane Center director Bill Proenza has left his position after staff signed a petition calling for his ouster, CNN confirms.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/09/hurric ... index.html

[jasons2k]

Regarless of who was right or wrong, which side is "right" in the matter, etc., this is a sad day indeed. I never thought I'd see the day when the NHC Director was dismissed from his position. This is the kind of thing that will have the old timers like John Hope turning in their graves.

[MiamiensisWx]

I think a number of sides were at fault with respect to this issue. I can understand all personal opinions. Clearly, Proenza's original intents were supportable. The problems arose when he complained as the season started. The timing was wrong. I think he should have waited until the season subsided; I would have thoroughly supported his opinions. He should have kept his mouth shut during the course of the 2007 season. When December arrived, I think he should continue to speak his thoughts. It would have prevented this mess. He did feature great potential as a new director. Unfortunately, everyone has missed an opportunity because of Proenza's poor timing. If he delayed his concerns, the forecasters would have supported his views. It would have provided great opportunities for everyone. Unfortunately, he accidentally spoiled the image of the TPC and its forecasters.

The forecasters should share the blame. It is unfortunate, especially because of the fact that their concerns could have been addressed in another manner. It would have provided benefits to all sides of the debate. I think the subordinates' concerns were valid, but the public airing of "dirty laundry" was inexcusable. The media transformed a private situation into a public relations disaster. Decomdoug is quite correct. Sadly, everyone loses: science suffers under this mess. In addition, the public attitude will not trust the TPC. It could send a message that you can accomplish a deed (fire a boss) via sending your complaints to the media. That would create larger problems, and it is unprofessional. It is unprofessional because of the large population whom depends upon the agency. The forecasters will not be taken as serious people; they are the clear losers. They shot themselves.

Finally, the government has not listened to Proenza's pleas for funding. I think Proenza should have mentioned the GOES satellites. While QuikSCAT should be replaced, it is not critical for our forecasts. QuikSCAT primarily analyzes developing systems. It can detect low-level circulations. It also detects small storms which may rapidly intensify to stronger tropical cyclones. At the same time, we have the most important fundamentals: reconnaissance aircraft, other satellites, and our analyses provide the best information for our TC forecasts. If GOES fails, our forecasts would suffer tremendously. Proenza should support proper funds for these essential features. NOAA should manage their funding to provide room for reconnaissance improvements and new analysis methods.

In a nutshell, I think there was no singular party who was responsible for the situation. I think it was a combination of failure from all sides. The situation is far more complex than we originally were led to believe...

Sadly, everyone is a loser. The NHC has lost the positive opinion from the public...

[jasons2k]

Already updated:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Proenza

[Stratosphere747]

No way Rappaport keeps the job after this season. And to keep any type of balance within the directors position, a few of the senior forecasters need to go as well.

[Nimbus]

Why is this the top news story on both CNN and Google???

I'm clueless, there are lots of companies and government agencies where the director has a pet viewpoint that the higher ups don't agree with.

It's not like Proenza is selling crack or molesting children!

[jaxfladude]

and as soon as this was announced there is action in the tropics.............

[cycloneye]

and as soon as this was announced there is action in the tropics.............

Well no joke,there is action now in EPAC with a new depression. Go to Talkin Eastern Pacific subforum for details.

[jaxfladude]

Already updated:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Proenza

Wikipedia: the place to get 100% facts on anything and everything...

[jaxfladude]

Why is this the top news story on both CNN and Google???

I'm clueless, there are lots of companies and government agencies where the director has a pet viewpoint that the higher ups don't agree with.

It's not like Proenza is selling crack or molesting children!

Bill Kamal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Kamal

[Janie2006]

If I see another college junior or senior using Wikipedia as a research source I'm going to do three things:

1) Flunk him.

2) Go stark raving mad.

3) Quit my job and find Jimmy Buffet. It's 5 o'clock somewhere.

Wikipedia is good for something you might be interested in, but don't exactly need all the objective material you can find. It isn't good for much else.

[Decomdoug]

Why is this the top news story on both CNN and Google???

I'm clueless, there are lots of companies and government agencies where the director has a pet viewpoint that the higher ups don't agree with.

It's not like Proenza is selling crack or molesting children!

Bill Kamal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Kamal

A very disturbed man!

[jasons2k]

There was a study awhile back that found Wikipedia was just as accurate as Brittanica.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5055388

[Eyewall]

Why is this the top news story on both CNN and Google???

I'm clueless, there are lots of companies and government agencies where the director has a pet viewpoint that the higher ups don't agree with.

It's not like Proenza is selling crack or molesting children!

Bill Kamal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Kamal

viagra

[rlltex]

[quote="Derek Ortt"]and why would this be the case Miamicanes? Do you know the entire story? If so, please share it with us. If not, you should not even be commenting on this matter (notice I have not commented, since I am not 100% sure as to what is going on) as you are merely riling up the masses[/quote]

Despite your private definition this is, in fact, a comment. I guess I'm one of the lowly "masses" you speak of and I'm not "riled up" by miami's comment. I feel fully capable of sorting through positive and negative comments.

[Berwick Bay]

Nimbus asked why this was the top story in today's news outlets. Nimbus, this is big stuff. Take just '05 and '04 into account. Last I heard there were close to two thousand people killed in Katrina and about 80 Billion dollars in property damage. Now add to that Rita and Wilma from '05 and the many Fl storms of '04. I wonder what the total lives and property losses would be and how that has affected insurance costs and the like along the coastline? This agency and what goes on within its concrete walls is very, very important. Now, I'm not saying that this is gonna happen, and I don't know that it would be particulary helpful if it did, but there have been instances in the past where congressional investigations have occured inquiring into how decisions have been made within critical agencies.

[Eyewall]

and why would this be the case Miamicanes? Do you know the entire story? If so, please share it with us. If not, you should not even be commenting on this matter (notice I have not commented, since I am not 100% sure as to what is going on) as you are merely riling up the masses

To tell you the truth.. i would like to know what he did wrong
i've heard that he was mad about abandoning the satelite.. and something about a budget problem..
but not having quikSCAT IS going to hurt the forcast accuracy, and dont you think that the department in charge of warning all the people about storms that are on the increase in the last few years should have all the money they need to do their job?
its not riling the masses its stating the obvious

[Berwick Bay]

Eyewall said
To tell you the truth.. i would like to know what he did wrong
i've heard that he was mad about abandoning the satelite.. and something about a budget problem..
but not having quikSCAT IS going to hurt the forcast accuracy, and dont you think that the department in charge of warning all the people about storms that are on the increase in the last few years should have all the money they need to do their job?
its not riling the masses its stating the obvious

Exactly Eyewall, in an agency whose primary duty is public safety, we have a right to know, at least a lot more than we have been told so far. At this point, there has been no stated reason which would call for the outright dismissal of this man. If there is such a reason, then we the public are entitled to know it. And the actions of the forecasters (again unless we are given valid reasons) are just reprehensible. How this agency is run is the people's business. Its not just for elites in Washington, Miami, or anywhere else.

[senorpepr]

To tell you the truth.. i would like to know what he did wrong
i've heard that he was mad about abandoning the satelite.. and something about a budget problem..
but not having quikSCAT IS going to hurt the forcast accuracy, and dont you think that the department in charge of warning all the people about storms that are on the increase in the last few years should have all the money they need to do their job?
its not riling the masses its stating the obvious

But really... how much will it decrease the forecast accuracy? It won't change the course any--just the intensity forecast. Furthermore, if the storm is close enough to land that intensity will be a concern, then recon will already be scheduled for it, which will override anything QuikSCAT has to offer. Yeah, QuikSCAT is nice, but I don't see how it will create the decrease in accuracy as mentioned.

[Nimbus]

Yesterday was the 60th anniversary of the Roswell New Mexico media event. If you investigate the mystery you will find that the "crash debris" at Roswell was from a government secret "sky watch" project called MOGUL. The debris was officially reported by the air force as common "meteorological measuring instruments".

For some reason this whole hyped NHC thing reminds me of the Roswell incident.