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| Governor Rendell Announces Resignation of Phil the Groundhog |
HARRISBURG, April 7 /PANewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today
said he has accepted Phil the Groundhog's resignation as official weather
prognosticator for the Commonwealth. Governor Rendell states "We thank
Phil and accept his resignation. We will begin interviewing candidates to
replace Phil starting next week."
Phil the Groundhog has been predicting the weather since 1886. The
latest prediction on February 2, 2007 called for an early spring. The
failure to predict the ongoing winter weather has prompted the governor to
appoint an blue-ribbon panel to audit the accuracy of marmot-based
weather prediction. The panel will be chaired by Lt. Governor Katherine
Baker Knoll and will be charged with evaluating all aspects of the
Pennsylvania Meterology Program.
Phil's impact has extended beyond weather forecasting. Department of
Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky explains
"Phil has been instrumental in marketing Pennsylvania to the nation, he
will be missed". Jim Werhle the Mayor of Punxsutawney adds "Annual tourism
into the greater Punxsutawney micropolitan area has increased every Groundhog
Day, it energizes the economy."
Citizens are invited to submit nominations for state marmot. Candidates
must be be categorized as Marmota Monax from birth and be willing to relocate
to Punxsutawney, PA.
Contact: Lillian Mountweazel , 717-733-3517
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Meterology
Related links:
http://www.pahighways.com/features/groundhogday.html
http://www.punxsutawneyphil.com/
http://www.groundhogcrossing.com/
PA Newswire Association LLC.
An Alan Smithee company.