Congressman Urges USPS to Consider Other Cost-Cutting Alternatives

June 22, 2011

Washington – U.S. Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott on Wednesday issued the followed the statement after the U.S. Postal Service announced it would be closing three post offices in Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District: Boles and Parks in Scott County and Ozan in Hempstead County.

“Throughout the Postal Service’s review process, I have been adamantly opposed to these closures and am disappointed by the final decision,” said Ross. “These post offices are in very rural areas surrounded by many people on a fixed income, particularly seniors, who need postal services close to their homes. Now, folks in rural areas will have to drive even further adding hardship onto those who are already struggling to get by as it is. I have and will continue to strongly urge the Postal Service to explore other cost-cutting alternatives in ways that don’t disproportionately hurt people on fixed incomes or those that live in rural areas.”

The U.S. Postal Service announced on June 22, 2011, that it had completed its review process and public hearings and would be closing the Boles, Ozan and Parks postal facilities in 60 days. At the end of the 60-day period, postal services for Boles and Parks will be moved to Waldron and services in Ozan will be moved to Nashville, Ark., in Howard County.

On May 31, 2011, Ross sent letters to the Postal Service during its review process opposing the closure of many postal facilities in Arkansas, including Boles, Ozan and Parks, expressing his concern over the impact the closures would have on rural residents and people who live on a fixed income in the affected areas.

The U.S. Postal Service is a self-supporting government enterprise. It receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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A fifth generation Arkansan, Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott represents the Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ross serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee and serves as Vice President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Ross is also Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Co-Chair of the Second Amendment Task Force and Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democratic House members that advocates the principles of fiscal responsibility and government accountability.

source: Congressman Mike Ross press release