Crowley, Postal Unions and Community Call on U.S. Postal Service to Keep Co-op City Post Offices Open

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) was joined by New York Metro Area Postal Union President Clarice Torrence, State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, representatives from Assemblyman Michael Benedetto's office and the National Association of Letter Carriers, community groups, and concerned citizens in a rally calling on the U.S. Postal Service to keep the Einstein and Dreiser Loop Post Offices open.

Citing financial concerns, the Postal Service announced the possible closure of over 3,000 facilities nationwide. The Einstein and Dreiser Loop Post Offices are two of six Bronx facilities being considered for closure. Rep. Crowley is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1351, legislation that will free the Postal Service from pre-paying its pension obligations in an effort to alleviate the financial burden facing the Postal Service.

"For many Co-op City residents these post offices are more than just a place to get a stamp or mail a package -- they are critical lifelines for essential services like prescriptions and checks. Given the community's large senior population and geographic isolation, closing the Einstein and Dreiser Loop Post Offices will significantly burden Co-op City residents. The U.S. Postal Service must absolutely take these factors into account and put a stop to the proposed closure of these post offices," said Rep. Crowley.

"Of all the post offices on the list for closing, there are none that are more ill-conceived and unwarranted than the closing of the two post offices that serve Co-op City, the largest naturally occurring retirement community in the nation. It is an outrage that must not be tolerated," said New York Metro Area Postal Union President Clarice Torrence.

"The reason Co-op City has two substations is because of the population of Co-op City. Over the last 40 years nothing has changed except that the large population has grown older and more disabled. Leaving our residents without the 10475 substation is criminal," said Assemblyman Benedetto.

The Postal Service is expected to make a decision on the Einstein and Dreiser Loop Post Offices later this year. After the Postal Service determines which facilities will be closed, it must notify the community of its decision and the findings used to arrive at this decision. The Postal Service must then wait at least 60 days before proceeding with the closure, during which time any person served by the post office can appeal the decision to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

Congressman Crowley is the seven-term representative from the 7th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as a Chief Deputy Whip in the House of Representatives.

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