NHC Director Bill Proenza reprimanded by NOAA

[cycloneye]

This could be one of those instances where tropical weather enthusiasts can make a difference. While I understand the stance that miamicanes and others may take against someone like Bill P. speaking out in public, I can't emphasize enough how much it means for Bill to bring these problems to the forefront.

I'm a bit lazy, but if anyone has the proper link to send an email to Bill, let me know. I'd love to let him know that the vast majority of our strange little community across all the weather boards are in full support of what he is doing.

I dont know if this is the direct link to the NHC director,but here is the link to the public affairs section that for sure will recieve messages of support of Bill Proenza's statements.

nhc.public.affairs@noaa.gov

[artist]

My thoughts -
Maybe this is one of the reasons Max Mayfield left. He wasn't getting anywhere and didn't wnat to have that responsibility any longer, knowing those at NOAA weren't listening. This may be just what was needed- someone that has the guts to make a stink when he isn't being listened to the diplomatic way. This satellite hsa been due to be dead for many years already and they have done nothing about it. Knowing the kind of person Max Mayfield is, I know he would have been trying to get the money to have it replaced.

[hawkeh]

I can't believe people are complaining that hes spoke out about this. About time the NHC got a director who isn't afraid to shake things up and actually speak out on certain important things.

[Janie2006]

I fully agree with NOAA. You can not publicly trash your superiors. You have to respect your bosses, and if you have a disagreement then you go to them personally. You do not run to the media. He is being punished because what he did was create a fanfare by trying to paint a negative picture on an outstanding organization like NOAA. I agree with the article in that Proenza has taken valuable time away from people at NOAA because they are having to deal with these ridiculas comments from the NHC director. I do not believe Bill Proenza should continue to be NHC director as he is abusing his power to promote his personal beliefs and create hysteria.

Which personal beliefs?

Why would the NHC director want to create hysteria?

[flwxwatcher]

If we are really serious about showing support sending an e-mail to NOAA and just as importantly an e-mail to your congressman expressing support and the need for additional funding for the Hurricane Center


http://www.house.gov/writerep/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_i ... rs_cfm.cfm

[Janie2006]

I'm generally in favour of following the chain of command...if those in command are prudent and reasonable. On the other hand, being servile for the purposes of servility is a ridiculous idea. If the apparatchiks in NOAA continue to gloss over the problems and castigate people who are trying to fulfill their obligations to the public, well, they need to be sent a reality check. I hope Proenza continues to say "Here's your sign."

[cycloneye]

If we are really serious about showing support sending an e-mail to NOAA and just as importantly an e-mail to your congressman expressing support and the need for additional funding for the Hurricane Center


http://www.house.gov/writerep/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_i ... rs_cfm.cfm

Thank you for posting those important links.I can't send a message as Puerto Rico doesn't have Senators or House seats.But I can send messages to our resident commisioner who has voice but not vote in the House of Representatives.

[Frank2]

I stand corrected - apparently the media's request of this memo is allowed under the FOIA (portion below):

2) Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection...

(C) administrative...instructions to staff that affect a member of the public

a bit of humor here - apparently the memo's instructions that basically say "Behave yourself, Bill!" applies under the FOIA heading "...instructions to staff that affect a member of the public"...

true, it is good to stand up and not shrink out of fear of retribution, but, respect for those in charge must be maintained - if nothing else just out of being decent towards the other person...

[Recurve]

If we are really serious about showing support sending an e-mail to NOAA and just as importantly an e-mail to your congressman expressing support and the need for additional funding for the Hurricane Center


http://www.house.gov/writerep/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_i ... rs_cfm.cfm

Thank you for posting those important links.I can't send a message as Puerto Rico doesn't have Senators or House seats.But I can send messages to our resident commisioner who has voice but not vote in the House of Representatives.

As a U.S. citizen and resident of US land in the Caribbean, you have a voice and any Congressman or woman who can affect this is your representative and should hear your opinion.

I'd suggest south florida representatives, with the NHC in their district, and with Florida's proximity to the Caribbean and interests in the region. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the US Congresswoman for South Florida. Contact her here:

18th District of Florida -- Congresswoman contact page

The Florida senators are Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson

US Senators -- Florida contact information

I encourage you to be heard.

[cycloneye]

If we are really serious about showing support sending an e-mail to NOAA and just as importantly an e-mail to your congressman expressing support and the need for additional funding for the Hurricane Center


http://www.house.gov/writerep/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_i ... rs_cfm.cfm

Thank you for posting those important links.I can't send a message as Puerto Rico doesn't have Senators or House seats.But I can send messages to our resident commisioner who has voice but not vote in the House of Representatives.

As a U.S. citizen and resident of US land in the Caribbean, you have a voice and any Congressman or woman who can affect this is your representative and should hear your opinion.

I'd suggest south florida representatives, with the NHC in their district, and with Florida's proximity to the Caribbean and interests in the region. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the US Congresswoman for South Florida. Contact her here:

18th District of Florida -- Congresswoman contact page

The Florida senators are Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson

US Senators -- Florida contact information

I encourage you to be heard.

Surely I will be heard.Thank you for the links.

[jasons2k]

I support him on this. We could debate all day about whether or not it's OK to go against his supervisors, etc., but IMO what is more shocking is NOAA's & the Goverment's attitude about it. Rather than listening & solving the problem, they are PO'd their little party for an anniversary that doesn't exist got uncovered.

[benny]

I think the hurricane problem has been ignored by NOAA and other government agencies for a long time. NHC does the best it can with its resources, but think about what they could do with a better budget. More money is spent on salmon research than hurricane research by NOAA (the Miami Herald series on Blind Eye reported this). It is crazy that there is no forward thinking on what the country needs to be safer from hurricanes. Millions of dollars of research could easily save billions of dollars of damage, time spent on needless evacuation, and many lives. I'm not surprised this happened though...

[HURAKAN]

It seems that NOAA didn't want a leader for the NHC but a puppet that would do its job and stay quiet. I still think that Proenza's arguments are extremely valid and that NOAA and the government should invest more money on hurricane research, education, and protection. I will stop here and not make my statement a political one. GO PROENZA!!!

[kevin]

Hurricane satellites shouldn't be allowed to fall out of usefulness and endanger the public. Civil servants do not have a responsibility to their bosses but to the American people, which they often ignore.

[dizzyfish]

I agree with Hurakan to a point. However, I also believe that the NHC has been the "fall guy" for way too long. Proenza is giving NOAA et al what they need - a public slap in the face. I can't help but wonder how long it will be before they manage to cause him enough grief that he quits or retires. Hopefully that won't happen but it seems like the s*it has hit the proverbial fan.

[artist]

my thoughts too- I hope he has the stamina to take it, yet retain his position and do some good.
Another thought - maybe he told them he would go to the press if they didn't respond, they felt he was bluffing, and thus he did. Hopefully what ever it is they will all be able to find a way to work together for the better of the NHC.

[rainydaze]

I think he is doing the right thing. He is speaking out not for his own agenda, but for the protection of the people. The government wishes to take no action ahead of time, they simply want to wait til something horrible happens then just turn around a point fingers and pick a fall guy (see Katrina/FEMA Director).

[flashflood]

Every once in a while we need someone to speak up, like Kate Hale did after Andrew. I think Bill is doing what is necessary to get things done right, and I really commend him for having the guts to stand up for what he believes is for the betterment of the people.

I am really looking forward to seeing him on the news etc. this 'cane season!

[flwxwatcher]

More money is spent on salmon research than hurricane research by NOAA

The budget for the NHC for 2007 is a paltry 6.3 Million dollars .. Its understandable why Proenza is having to work on such a tight budget

[Robjohn53]

I think he also is doing the right thing. And here's the reasons why:


1) Without the proper tools and funding you can't do the best job possible. The Sattlite is failing.

2) And: God forbid another Andrew Or Katrina should happen and the sattlite is down who is gonna take the heat
for that one.

3) He did go the other routes and no one wanted to listen, so if somthing dose happen God forbid
it is out in the open that he tried everything he could to open someones eyes.

4) The goverment dose piss off alot of money that could be to better use like saving lives and understanding
these things. And if you have to ruffle some feathers and get the public involed to open there eyes,
then so be it.

Not saying they waste the money but somthing so critical as a sattalite to help warn us and understand more
IMO is just to stupid. They need to wake up and fix whats wrong and make it right. so many lives depend on
it.

I know it's only my 2 cents
but is my 2 cents

Robjohn53