Congressman Mike Ross comments on postponement of post office closures

U.S. Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott, who has strongly opposed the closing of post offices as a cost-cutting measure, released the following statement after Tuesday’s announcement by the U.S. Postal Service that it will delay the closing or consolidation of any post office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012, after multiple requests by Members of Congress to halt the process. Previously, the Postal Service had delayed closings only until Jan. 2, 2012. The Postal Service added that it will continue to review postal facilities for closing in the interim, including holding public input meetings.

“The financial problems plaguing the U.S. Postal Services are due to failed management, inadequate planning and poor business practices – problems closing a few post offices won’t fix,” said Ross. “I have sent multiple letters to the Postmaster General, had numerous conversations with Postal Service representatives and led a congressional effort to halt the closing of these postal facilities, and I’m pleased the Postal Service has finally listened. I have and will continue to urge the Postal Service to find other cost-cutting alternatives that do not disproportionately hurt people on fixed incomes or those that live in rural areas.”

Ross has sent multiple letters to the U.S. Postal Service and Postmaster General, including a June 28, 2011, letter requesting a full review of the Postal Service’s closing process. More recently, Ross joined an effort to get more than 75 Members of Congress to sign a September 15, 2011, letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission to stop closing post offices and work with Congress to help find a long-term solution that protects customers and ensures the longevity of the postal system. The letter argued “widespread post office closures is the wrong way to deal with the Postal Service’s fiscal problems and could harm the Postal Service’s competitiveness in the long run.”