As Follow-up to Public Hearing, Higgins Asks for Transcript, More Details from USPS

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) is continuing his fight to protect the 700 jobs and services provided by the Buffalo Mail Processing Facility on William Street by requesting additional data brought to light at the public hearing the Congressman attended.

“Hundreds of people attended the public hearing objecting to the Buffalo facility closing and those who spoke gave informative testimony on how changes in services will impact local businesses, community agencies and residents,” said Congressman Higgins. “We want to be sure that all of the valuable comments will be formally submitted into the public record and think that the information shared can help us build the argument to keep the William Street site open.”

The Congressman is also requesting additional details on Canadian mail processed at the Buffalo Plant, which was an item discussed during the meeting, as well as details on the cost of a video shown during the hearing.

Below is a copy of Higgins’ letter to the Postmaster which is a follow-up to his Freedom of Information Act request dated January 4, which seeks site specific data related to the proposed Buffalo facility closing:

January 10, 2012

Hon. Patrick R. Donahoe
Postmaster General of the United States of America
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington D.C. 20260-3500

Re: Buffalo P&DC, Additional FOIA Request

Dear Postmaster General:

This is an addendum to my FOIA request of January 4th of this year. Please provide my office with the following information:

• At the public hearing at John Fitzgerald Kennedy High School in Cheektowaga, NY, on the evening of Wednesday, January 4, 2012, USPS staff indicated that the USPS was receiving public comment and that a record was being kept of the comment to inform the AMP feasibility study. Please provide me with a copy of the transcript.

• A video was shown by USPS officials at the public hearing at John Fitzgerald Kennedy High School in Cheektowaga, NY, on the evening of Thursday, January 4, 2012. Please provide an accounting of all costs associated with the production of this film.

• How many pieces of Canadian mail have been processed by the Buffalo P&DC on a weekly or monthly basis over the past three years. How much revenue is derived by the USPS through the handling of Canadian mail at the Buffalo P&DC over the past three years. How many pieces of Canadian mail have been processed by the Rochester P&DC on a weekly or monthly basis over the past three years. How much revenue is derived by the USPS through the handling of Canadian mail at the Rochester P&DC over the past three years.

I make this information request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law and the oversight authority conferred to my office by Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Submission via email is preferred, though transmission via fax or U.S. Mail to my office at Buffalo, NY will be accepted. The waiving of reproduction charges would be appropriate, however, we are prepared to pay reproduction charges.

Thank you for your attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Brian Higgins
Member of Congress