Congressman Ross seeks answers for constituents

U.S. Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott yesterday requested a full accounting of the U.S. Postal Service’s review process for closing post offices after his office received erroneous letters involving the closure of three post offices in his district. In a June 28 letter sent to U.S. Postmater General Donahoe, Ross requested a full review of the Postal Service’s closing process, including a detailed account of how the miscommunication to his office happened and the actual role public hearings have in the Postal Service’s decision-making process to close post offices.

On June 24, the U.S. Postal Service mistakenly sent letters announcing a final determination had been made to close three post offices in Ross’s district – Boles, Ozan and Parks – before the closure process was complete and only days after public hearings were held. The erroneous closure notices also listed a nearby post office where full retail services would be available.

In a June 28 letter to U.S. Postmaster General Donahoe, Ross requested a detailed account of how the miscommunication to his office happened, arguing the miscommunication “makes it hard to believe that a simple clerical error was to blame. At best, it appears that letters were pre-prepared to notify of closures and the only error was the premature sending of the letters.”

In his letter, Ross also requested a full explanation from the Postal Service about the factors involved in deciding which post offices to close and the level to which community input is taken into consideration. Finally, Ross asked the Postal Service provide the name and title of all Postal Service employees who conducted each public hearing, why they were selected to participate in the meetings and their notes from those meetings.

Ross said in the letter that his constituents deserve to know whether the Postal Service’s public hearings on the closing of post offices are simply to fulfill procedural requirements or if indeed the concerns of citizens are truly considered. He added, “some believe the Postal Service makes closure determinations without considering public comments and receipt of these letters gives credence to those concerns.”

The full text of the letter is below:

June 28, 2011

Dear Postmaster General Donahoe:

I am writing in response to recent erroneous documents sent to my office by the United States Postal Service regarding the proposed closure of several post offices in the Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas. Three letters from District Manager David Camp dated June 21, 2011 stated that final determinations had been made to close post offices in Boles, Parks and Ozan, Arkansas. However, emails received by my staff on June 24, 2011 indicated the letters had been sent erroneously and were being retracted. Copies of the letters and emails are attached to this letter.

The erroneous letters have resulted in much consternation for myself and for the residents of the rural communities served by these post offices. The letters each noted that “the community’s input was received and carefully considered before making this decision. Ultimately, based on all the factors involved, the decision was made to proceed with the closure.”

However, some believe the Postal Service makes closure determinations without considering public comments and receipt of these letters gives credence to those concerns. In particular, I would like to note that each closure letter listed a nearby post office where full retail services would be available. This makes it hard to believe that a simple clerical error was to blame. At best, it appears that letters were pre-prepared to notify of closures and the only error was the premature sending of the letters.

Therefore, I am requesting a detailed accounting of how this miscommunication happened. This response should include whether closure letters are pre-written for post offices at which final determinations have not been officially made, and if not, at what point such letters are prepared.

In addition, I am requesting a written response indicating what factors are involved in decisions to proceed with closures and the level to which community input is taken into consideration. Furthermore, I am requesting transcripts of the public hearings to discuss potential closure of these three post offices and all other public hearings held in 2011 to discuss potential closure of any post offices, branches and other Postal Service facilities located in the Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas. In conjunction, I am requesting any notes, whether typed or handwritten, from any Postal Service employees in attendance at these hearings or in subsequent private meetings to discuss proposed closures. Finally, I am requesting the name and title of all Postal Service employees who conducted each public hearing or were otherwise present in an official capacity, and why they were selected to participate in these important public meetings.

The people of Arkansas deserve to know whether these post offices have already been slated for closure but have not been formally announced due to procedural requirements, or whether the concerns of citizens are truly being considered. I believe the requested documentation will shed light on this issue. I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Mike Ross

Member of Congress