WASHINGTON - Following a meeting this week with U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall are sending him a letter to reiterate their request for transparency and answers to remaining questions about the impact of proposed postal closures across New Mexico.
Bingaman and Udall met with Postmaster General Donahoe on Tuesday to voice their concerns regarding his proposal to close over 50 post offices in New Mexico. During the meeting, the senators noted the rural locations of the post offices slated for closure and requested a detailed explanation of how the final closure decision will be made. In addition, the senators asked to know what options are available for employees who cannot relocate.
Unable to get clear answers from the Postmaster General at their meeting, the senators wrote to him again today seeking further explanation.
"Like our constituents, we know the vital role local post offices play in our communities and want to ensure that any changes adequately address every community's needs," the senators wrote. "We look forward to being in hearing from you often as we move forward with this process and sharing your updates with New Mexico."
In addition to their latest letter to the Postmaster, Bingaman and Udall are encouraging residents of the communities scheduled to be affected by closures to attend local community meetings to voice their opinions.
Click here for a list of upcoming community meetings. This list will be updated as new meetings are scheduled.
Full text of the letter below:
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260
Dear Postmaster General Donahoe:
Thank you for meeting with us to discuss the proposed United States Postal Service (USPS) closures in New Mexico. We appreciated the opportunity to share our concerns, and those of our constituents, with you. However, we continue to have a number of concerns and questions that we would like you to address.
We believe that the negative impact these closures and consolidations would have on New Mexicans should be carefully considered. Moreover, the cumulative effects of this decision, along with potentially adjusting service standards and eliminating Saturday delivery, demonstrate a serious change in the USPS's commitment to New Mexico. Under these circumstances, we are concerned about your ability to adequately serve rural New Mexicans and reiterate our request for a detailed, long-term plan, in writing, for New Mexico's postal operations.
As you recall, during the meeting we requested a list of specific alternative locations that are being considered for each proposed closure and the exact distance to the next alternative post office. Additionally, we respectfully ask that you provide detailed answers to the questions and requests for information listed below:
- How will USPS economic measures and distance between post offices be weighted, in a final decision, against community input?
- What, if any, adjustments have been made in the decision making process to account for the differences between rural and urban post offices?
- Are there a targeted number of closures or cost reductions sought for New Mexico? If so, please share these numbers. Additionally, what percentage of the USPS operating budget would these closures account for?
- For offices that are scheduled to close, what options will be offered to employees who cannot relocate?
Finally, in light of the significant changes that our state's postal service will undergo in the near future, we urge you to appoint a liaison from the Arizona District to New Mexico to address state-specific concerns. With the loss of the Albuquerque Service Center and the consolidation of our state into the Arizona District, we strongly believe that a state liaison, located in New Mexico, would improve quality of service and responsiveness.
Again, we thank you for meeting with us. We also appreciate your assurances that you will be in constant communication with our constituents and give their input the importance it deserves. Like our constituents, we know the vital role local post offices play in our communities and want to ensure that any changes adequately address every community's needs. We look forward to hearing from you as we move forward with this process and sharing your updates with New Mexico.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman
U.S. Senator Tom Udall
