European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 19, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 the stars and stripes monday december 19,1988 forecast continued storm of inquiries weather Center answers them All Washington a everybody complains about the weather but some want to know More than just Why it rained on their Parade they wonder where it s most Likely to Snow in november when a cold front froze pipes in Kentucky or where cars lire most Likely to Rusl. The answers arc often available from the Federal government which has been collecting weather information for More than a can airy. Millions and millions of weather facts arc stored in the archives of the National climatic data Center the climate watch ing division of the National oceanic and atmospheric administration. Requests continuously pour in to the Center s offices in Ashville n.c., ranging from youngsters asking for everything about the weather to specific information needed by lawyers and professors Engi neers and manufacturers utilities and air lines car makers and Farmers members of Congress naval officers architects and de signers elderly people looking for warm retirement Homes and contractors who want to build hem. Columbus Ohio for example called on the data Center for detailed weather information to help support its bid to become Host of the trials for the 1992 olympic Marathon. A company planning to shoot a television commercial wanted to know where it could find lots of Snow in november. The recommendation Stampede pass wash., in the Cascade mountains lawyers investigating the May 3, 1988. Tire that gulled pan of the first interstate building in los Angeles requested hour by  Tor that Date. And a consultant for the automotive Industry collected extensive temperature and precipitation data for cities across the country in an Effort to determine areas with inc most weather induced rust phone Calls letters and electronic que Ries touted about 73,000 requests for in formation during the Post year said Rex Snodgrass of the data Center. Nearly one third of the requests come from lawyers Snodgrass said in a Tele phone interview. Some records at the Center go Back to Benjamin Franklin and detailed data extend Well into the last Century Snodgrass said. Simple questions arc usually an swered on the phone he said but customers who need something More have to pay for the research required. Regu Lar customers set up accounts. Others can use checks or credit card. The data Center publishes a variety of lion collected by the National weather service and its thousands of Volunteer weather observers nationwide. Customers can get reports of hourly weather observations at hundreds of locations upper air weather measurements taken twice a Day at Many places radar observations satellite data hourly reports of radiation from the Sun and an array of Otic information. For example the television show hol Lywood squares decided to include questions about major . Floods in its quizzes so researchers called the data Cen Ter for information. One free Lance writer recently requested detailed weather information far the Tren ton n.j., area for oct. 30,1938 the Date and place of Orson Welles War of the worlds radio show about n fictional inva Sion from Mars. Another writer preparing history of thelast Light of Amelia Earhart requested weather data in order to help calculate fuel consumption of the missing air plane. The drought last summer generated in Terest from news Media and the Public of course with Many Farmers seeking detailed rainfall records Lor their areas to support drought insurance claims. Government data users also include the Navy which is compiling an Atlas of weekly. Ice conditions in cold regions a Senate committee studying the theory of Green hous a oct climate warming Post office officials testing new mail sorting machines that May be sensitive to heat and even Bor Der patrol officials looking at How weather . Other requests during the past year included temperature and snowfall data fora Developer considering building a ski resort in the great Smoky mountains wind information for planners of a regatta in Florida visibility data for a company that wants to build a tall building near the Cleveland air port and rainfall information for an Audubon society project studying acid rain. Chains of protest Mary Brooks 27, chained herself to a column in the Lebanon Ore office of the Stile adult and family sen res Dirac Ian far three hours Friday after claim ing the welfare Agency was refusing to help her and her two daughters welfare officials worked out an uni Genant to let the family stay at a Motel for a week and also gave Brooks food stumps. Chris Mas won t be very merry for Chrysler s Kenosha workers Kenosha wis. A William Karl an Auto maker for More than nine years in t expecting to enjoy much of the 545,000 he won in the slate pottery. After paying overdue child support taxes and Bills. Karls says he d have $6,000 left. But that will dwindle after he and about 5,500 other workers see their jobs vanish at the Chrysler corp. Plant in Kenosha this week. For some of the workers the Shock still has t hit them cd said Karls 32. For some it s not going to hit until the Day the Plant  Chrysler announced in january that it would end Auto production in Kenosha by the end of the year laying off 5,500 workers because the Plant is out Moded. The Plant which began making cars commercially in 1902, builds the Omni Yonzon Chrysler fifth Avenue. Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran fury. The announcement prompted outrage from workers and government officials who said Chrysler pledged to continue making cars in Kenosha for live years when the company bought the Plant from american motors corp. In 1987. The Union filed a lawsuit against Chrysler but with Drew it amid negotiations Over the shutdown. Cov Tomm Thompson also threatened to sue but eventually accepted a multimillion Dollar settlement. Chrysler officials said they May have been guilty of  in stating that car production would continue but insisted they made no promises. Car production ends officially Friday. Chrysler will continue to employ about 1,000 of the most senior workers for engine Assembly Many of those losing their jobs said they will have to Settle for lower paying and less stable work. Some already have been Laid off. I m 36 and everything has been pulled out from under me said Jackie Strycker who has worked at the Plant for 16 years. But i la survive. Most of us  Strycker sold her Home in october to get Money in Case she needs to move. She s also among 2,200 senior employees who will receive cull pay until a $20 million Job Bank provided by Chrysler As part of the settlement with the Union is depleted. With unemployment compensation Strycker figures she should keep receiving some income for six months. By that Lime i la have my head together enough she said adding that she Hopes to take classes so she can Start a business. Carol tucks who started working at the Plant in1979, signed papers with her husband on a $20,000 car Jan. 27, the same Day Chrysler announced its pullout. The couple had Felt secure because of their combined incomes. Bui the announcement halted their plans to buy a new Home and have children. It s almost like the american dream is slipping through our fingers tucks said. I am still very bitter at Chrysler said Kenosha county executive John Collins. It was the tact that they pumped everyone s Hopes up. People went out and bought Homes and cars. Amid the bitter feelings toward Chrysler a network of state local and company initiatives has emerged to soften the blow. Chrysler has diverted profits from 1988 Wisconsin car sales into a Trust fund estimated Ai $24 million to help workers and their families meet housing and education costs As part of the settlement with the state Chrysler is providing an executive to assist Southeastern Wisconsin communities in attracting jobs. An assistance Center at the local United Auto work ers Headquarters is offering help with employment searches Job training and Basic education. Earl Welch 41, Hopes to get Stork repairing engines after he finishes Job training. To go from $14 an hour to around $8 an hour is a big drop he said. Bui you have to figure $8 an hour is belter than  mayor pulls plug on water system clerk s antics Clay . A a City employee trying to lighten up City Hall found out that her Boss did t appreciate he sense of humor. Wafer system clerk belly Murphy was lir cd after she placed a sign asking Resi dents whether they wanted to speak to the Man in charge or to the woman who knows what s going  mayor Sharooz Jamie said he Dis charged Murphy who is also the elected City recorder because he did t think funny signs belonged on the Walls of City Hall. Murphy said Jamie never complained about the signs until recently. People bring them in and i put them lip she said last week. I be done it Ever since 1 was elected last year. Murphy said she continued to put up notes on the front door Oscity Hall after she lost her Job dec. 6 and was locked out of the building. She said Jamie Tore Down one note saying she would be Back for her belongings leading her to put up another note that said "1 shall  City Hall is not a joking place Jamie said. She must Ihrk she s Gen. Douglas  the recorder who supervises City finances has no office in City Hall Jamie and Murphy have often Dis agreed on City business including mar ply s initiative to remove a Speed Blimp from a Back Street while Jamie was out of town. She said the noise from cars was bothering an elderly Criari who lived on the Hill above it. Murphy has filed a lawsuit in Clay county circuit court to determine whether she can be fired As water clerk. Jamie said Murphy would continue to serve As recorder. 1 Don t have any problem Wilh working with her Jamie said. Clay which has a population of about 500, is about 30 Miles Northeast of Charleston