Press Release from the Office of Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY)
July 13, 2012
Congressman blasts Postal Service for refusing to solicit required community input
Ackerman also expresses opposition to the plan
U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) announced today that he has sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe strongly opposing the proposed closing and consolidation of the Bayside Post Office, and the Postal Service’s intent to circumvent the law by attempting to move the facility without the required consultation and community input.
“Upon inquiring, my office has been told that the United States Postal Service (USPS) intends to claim that this action does not require public consultation and input that current law clearly requires,” Ackerman wrote. “We have also been verbally advised that the USPS intends to call this a ‘node study,’ in order to avoid legal requirements. We have seen no ‘node study,’ whatever that is.”
“I would like the USPS to explain why it does not see it necessary to provide a public-comment period in which my constituents’ concerns will be considered, and why moving the post office to an undesirable location is a good move for the USPS and its customers,” Ackerman said in his correspondence. “It is also my understanding that there are other Post Office locations in New York City and the region undergoing a ‘node study.’ I would like to be provided with a full list of the other offices that the USPS is planning to consolidate or close without offering a public-comment period.”
“Current law states that the USPS must ‘provide adequate notice of its intention to close or consolidate such post office at least 60 days prior to the proposed date of such closing or consolidation to persons served by such post office to ensure that such persons will have an opportunity to present their views,’” Ackerman wrote. “While it is the USPS’ contention that closing one office and moving it to another location does not constitute a closing or loss of service to the community, the proposed move is to a geographically isolated location, and is less accessible and convenient for my constituents and the Postal Service’s customers. It is inconceivable that the USPS has asserted it can ignore these consumer protections because it does not consider this closing and moving of the Bayside Post Office to be a consolidation or closure under the law.”
Ackerman sent the letter in the wake of criticizing the USPS last weekfor seeking to relocate the Bayside Post Office to a remote and inconvenient location. Under the proposal, Postal officials want to move the centrally located Bayside branch, situated just off Bell Boulevard in back of the Long Island Rail Road station, to an isolated Postal carrier annex at 41-29 216 street (at the corner of 42nd Avenue). The annex, several blocks from Bell Boulevard, is located in a much less convenient spot, and on the edge of a residential neighborhood.
“While I fully appreciate the fiscal challenges faced by the USPS, these challenges do not justify the ignoring of the statutory protections my constituents should be afforded,” the Congressman continued in the letter. “It is for this reason that I am adamantly opposed to any further action pertaining to the Bayside Post Office without the opportunity for the community to present its views. Although the USPS does not believe this is a loss of service to the community, my constituents and I strongly disagree. It appears that the Postal Service is intent on pursuing a death spiral which will result in further loss of customers and revenues. This is an unwise path. I anxiously await a prompt reply.”
The Postal Service says the proposed move would not take place until 2013, and that all jobs would be preserved. The Postal Service leases both properties and contends that the relocation would save the agency money.
The Bayside Post Office is located at 212-35 42nd Avenue in Bayside, Queens.
The Postmaster General is the Chief Executive Officer of the USPS.
bring back EI people listen not
Richard and Buffett your statements are correct. Action must be taken to reduce cost from headquarters to local offices. Employees equal workhour cost:: VERA necessary to lure employees to retire. Many small offices could be consolidated.
Delivery days must be reduced as this is a major cost factor in workhours and vehicle maintenance and fuel cost. Pay now or pay later.
joe schmo beat me to what i was going to post. so i’ll go with yadda, yadda,yadda!
THIS IS A JOKE WHILE I DO NOT LIKE THE PROSPECT OF JOBES BEING LOST THREE THINGS WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND ALL COMPANIES FORD NISSAN CHEY AND ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES ARE DOWN SIZING TO KEEP A FLOAT THE POST OFFICE IS IN THE SAME BOAT EATHER DOWN SIZE OR FACE A LOST OF A LOT OF UNION JOBS NOT JUST A FEW, THE SECOND IS DEM AND REP ASKING FOR THE PMG TO BE FIRED BECAUSE HE CAN NOT BALANCE A BUDGET, WELL HAS ANY LOOK AROUND ARE CONGRESS CAN NOT EVEN BALANCE THE COUNTRYS BUDGET, OLD SAYING PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES.
THIS IS A JOKE WHILE I DO NOT LIKE THE PROSPECT OF JOBES BEING LOST THREEE THINGS WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND ALL COMPANIES FORD NISSAN CHEY AND ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES ARE DOWN SIZING TO KEEP A FLOAT THE POST OFFICE IS IN THE SAME BOADT EATHER DOWN SIZE ORE FACE A LOST OF A LOT OF UNION JOBS NOT JUST A FEW, THE SECOND IS DEM AND REP ASKING FOR THE PMG TO BE FIRED BECAUSE HE CAND NOT BALANCE A BUDGET, WELL HAS ANY LOOK AROUND ARE CONGRESS CAND NOT EVEN BALANCE THE COUNTRYS BUDGET, OLD SAYING PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES.
Maybe if PMG/USPS gave a VER and incentives across the board, they could keep offices open, do the big thing Ackerman!, help the Craft people to get out to save money!
Ackerman how about acting on postal reform, maybe if there was an office being closed in every district you clowns would get of your butts and take up the legislation.
Good to see action being taken to close Post Officies that are not necessary in serviceservice. This action should be taken nationwide to reduce wasted cost in buildings as well as eliminate salaries that serve no purpose in providing.
Many small community/neighborhood offices are not necessary in the 21st century. These officies were needed in the 20th century and as a result of changing demographics, transportation and advances in communication tecnology the need for many small/community officies is past history. Many past rural officies are now suburban within 5-6 mile radius of each other and high level offices exist in towns surrounding these once rural farming areas but are now subbdivisions. Existing situation is comparable to McDonalds building McDonalds in the next block drawing customers from the same customer base.
Politicans will endorse anything that can result in votes for another reelection. Most have no concern for the USPS as a whole but only in the area they can take action tobget reelected. Demand for postal services has decreased resulting in decrease in revenue but cost continues to increase. Who pays for the 36 million dollar daily loss? 5 billion dollars due Aug. 1 will result in default as this should have never been mandated. one federal agency paying another.
6 day street deliver is an unnecessary wasted cost as far as its need to keep American communicating. A survey reveals that 70% of Americans feel Sat. delivery is not needed. Why waste money on providing a past need that is history.
Advanced communication technology in the 21st century has eliminated the need by providing services not in demand. The USPS must operate cost effective to reach a breakeven point or does it really matter to Congress and PRC. Who is going to pay the USPS massive monatary losses?
Blah blah blah? BLAH BLAH! Blah blah blah blah blah. “Blah Blah”