Upton urges Postmaster General to confirm both St. Joseph and Benton Harbor operations will continue to operate in the long term
Press Release from the Office of Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI)
St. Joseph, MI, Oct 25 –
Sharing the concerns of local residents and officials with proposed changes in postal operations, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) is seeking answers and assurances from Postmaster General John E. Potter. In an October 19th letter to Potter, Upton expressed his concern over a proposed Delivery Unit Relocation Study for the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, Michigan Post Offices. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) study would examine the savings that may result from consolidating St. Joseph carrier operations to the Benton Harbor facility, meaning St. Joseph-area mail carriers would pick up their mail at the Benton Harbor facility, approximately two miles away from the St. Joseph Post Office.
“The St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Offices are a critical part of the economic and social fabric of our community, and it is imperative that both facilities remain open for business for decades to come,” said Upton.
Upton is concerned that the consolidation of carrier operations may just be the first step towards the ultimate closure of one of the post offices. In his letter to the Postmaster General, Upton requested a detailed assessment of the process by which the study will be conducted and asked to be kept appraised of any findings.
Upton requested Postmaster General Potter provide answers to the following questions:
1. What are the criteria USPS is using to calculate cost savings for consolidating carrier operations between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor?
2. How does USPS calculate the profitability for a post office, and how do the profits of the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Offices compare with other post offices in the region and nationally?
3. How would the proposed change affect the profitability of the St. Joseph Post Office?
4. What are the proposed savings from the consolidation?
Upton also echoed concerns shared by the St. Joseph City Commission and City Manager Frank Walsh that this could affect the profitability of the St. Joseph Post Office, possibly leading to its future closure or consolidation. In his letter to the Postmaster General, Upton wrote, “I would like you to confirm, regardless of the proposed study’s outcome, that both the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Office facilities will remain open in the long term as they currently exist – including full retail services at both facilities, and with no change to mail delivery times, mail carriers, and left notice items.”
The USPS has been an independent agency from Congress since the enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, however, Congress still has an oversight role.
The full text of Upton’s letter to Postmaster General Potter is provided below.
The Honorable John E. Potter
Postmaster General
U.S. Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260-0010
October 19, 2010
Postmaster Potter:
As you know, the Post Office in St. Joseph, MI is under consideration for a Delivery Unit Relocation Study. I respect your efforts to ensure the USPS remains fiscally viable, but at the same time, believe it is equally important to maintain the high service standard that currently exists in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. The community in St. Joseph has been very vocal about the proposed study and its implications. For your convenience, I am attaching a letter from the St. Joseph City Commission expressing their concerns regarding this issue.
In an effort to ensure this process is open, fair, and in the best interest of the taxpayers, I am requesting the following information:
1. What are the criteria USPS is using to calculate cost savings for consolidating carrier operations between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor?
2. How does USPS calculate the profitability for a post office, and how do the profits of the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Offices compare with other post offices in the region and nationally?
3. How would the proposed change affect the profitability of the St. Joseph Post Office?
4. What are the proposed savings from the consolidation?
Further, I would like you to confirm, regardless of the proposed study’s outcome, that both the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Office facilities will remain open in the long term plan as they currently exist – including full retail services at both facilities, and with no change to mail delivery times, mail carriers, and left notice items.
Thank you for your attention to this very important matter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Fred Upton
The full text of Upton’s letter to Mayor Judd the St. Joseph City Commission is below.
Robert Judd, Mayor
Michael Garey, Mayor pro tem
Fran Chickering, City Commissioner
Mary Goff, City Commissioner
Dr. Jeffrey Richards, City Commissioner
October 20, 2010
Dear Mayor Judd and St Joseph City Commissioners:
Thank you for expressing your concerns over the future of the U.S. Postal Office in St. Joseph. I share your concerns and agree that a full-service post office is an absolutely critical part of the economic and social foundation of our community.
As you know, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is considering a Delivery Unit Relocation Study for the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor areas. The proposed study will examine what, if any, savings would be realized by relocating the carrier operations, only, to the Benton Harbor facility. Because this study is neither complete nor approved, the USPS has not yet determined in detail the profitability of each post office or any cost savings that may be garnered from this proposed consolidation.
Although the USPS has been an independent agency from Congress since the enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, I have authored a letter to Post Master General John E. Potter expressing concern that moving any carrier operations may be the first step in the ultimate closing of the St. Joseph Post Office. Further, I have requested a detailed assessment of the process by which the study will be conducted and asked that he keep me appraised of any findings, and I will in turn, keep in close contact with the City Commission on this matter. I am also seeking to learn how the profits of the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Offices compare with other similar operations in the region and nationally.
Further, I have asked the Post Master General to confirm, regardless of the proposed study’s outcome, that both the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Office facilities will remain open as they currently exist – including full retail services at both facilities, and with no change to mail delivery times, mail carriers, and left notice items. Should the USPS choose to move forward with this study, I will work to ensure it is conducted in a manner that is fully transparent and fair to all customers.
I appreciate your input into this very important matter and look forward to working with the City Commission in the future. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Fred Upton