Letter to Mayor Judd and St Joseph City Commissioners

Letter

Robert Judd, Mayor
Michael Garey, Mayor pro tem
Fran Chickering, City Commissioner
Mary Goff, City Commissioner
Dr. Jeffrey Richards, City Commissioner

October 20, 2010

Dear Mayor Judd and St Joseph City Commissioners:

Thank you for expressing your concerns over the future of the U.S. Postal Office in St. Joseph. I share your concerns and agree that a full-service post office is an absolutely critical part of the economic and social foundation of our community.

As you know, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is considering a Delivery Unit Relocation Study for the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor areas. The proposed study will examine what, if any, savings would be realized by relocating the carrier operations, only, to the Benton Harbor facility. Because this study is neither complete nor approved, the USPS has not yet determined in detail the profitability of each post office or any cost savings that may be garnered from this proposed consolidation.

Although the USPS has been an independent agency from Congress since the enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, I have authored a letter to Post Master General John E. Potter expressing concern that moving any carrier operations may be the first step in the ultimate closing of the St. Joseph Post Office. Further, I have requested a detailed assessment of the process by which the study will be conducted and asked that he keep me appraised of any findings, and I will in turn, keep in close contact with the City Commission on this matter. I am also seeking to learn how the profits of the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Offices compare with other similar operations in the region and nationally.

Further, I have asked the Post Master General to confirm, regardless of the proposed study's outcome, that both the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Post Office facilities will remain open as they currently exist -- including full retail services at both facilities, and with no change to mail delivery times, mail carriers, and left notice items. Should the USPS choose to move forward with this study, I will work to ensure it is conducted in a manner that is fully transparent and fair to all customers.

I appreciate your input into this very important matter and look forward to working with the City Commission in the future. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Fred Upton

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