WASHINGTON - After hearing concerns from the Blue Springs community, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is questioning the Postal Service about their decision to make changes to two local postal facilities without gathering public input beforehand.

In a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, McCaskill relayed the concerns constituents expressed regarding a recent Postal Service decision to close and sell the post office located on 11th Street in downtown Blue Springs and move the operations to the Blue Springs Carrier Annex. McCaskill raised particular concern with the potential impact closure of the 11th Street facility could have on the ongoing Blue Springs downtown revitalization effort.

McCaskill emphasized the need to incorporate local residents in the decision-making process, even as the Postal Service looks to reduce costs, asking the Postal Service to not proceed with any changes in Blue Springs until after public input was sought and considered.

"Strong and vibrant communities, anchored by the local post office, can provide many benefits, including a stronger bottom line for the Postal Service," McCaskill wrote. "Increasing transparency and opportunities for public input in Postal Service decisions will benefit the decision-making process. I am disappointed that the Postal Service made the decision to close the 11th Street post office without first obtaining input from the public."

A member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the committee responsible for oversight of the Postal Service, McCaskill helped lead the fight for passage of S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, bipartisan postal reform legislation passed by the Senate in April that will put the Postal Service on a path toward financial viability. The legislation, which U.S. House leaders have refused to consider even as the Postal Service's financial condition continues to deteriorate, will preserve jobs, help small businesses, and maintain services for Missouri families.

Read a copy of McCaskill's letter below:

August 29th, 2012

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe
Unites States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza
Washington, DC 20260

Dear Mr. Donahoe:

It has recently come to my attention that the United States Postal Service has approved plans to move the operations of the Blue Springs 64015 post office, located at 200 NW 11th Street in downtown Blue Springs, to the Blue Springs Carrier Annex, located approximately one mile away at 500 SW South Avenue, 64014. It is my understanding that Blue Springs Carrier Annex will be renovated to include retail and P.O. box services, and that the property owned by the Postal Service at 200 NW 11th Street will be sold.

Many of my constituents are expressing serious concern regarding the decision to close and sell the 11th Street post office. Additionally, they are also rightfully upset by the fact that the Postal Service made no attempt to obtain input from the local community before making this decision.

As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I am familiar with the Postal Service's current financial struggles and urgent need to reduce costs. That is why I fought for passage of S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate in April that will put the Postal Service on a path toward financial viability.

However, as the Postal Service looks to reduce costs, it is essential that the concerns of local residents be incorporated into the decision-making process. The local post office provides fundamental social and economic benefits. In Blue Springs, where local leaders are continuing their efforts to revitalize downtown, my constituents have expressed serious concerns regarding the impact of closing the 11th Street post office. Strong and vibrant communities, anchored by the local post office, can provide many benefits, including a stronger bottom line for the Postal Service.

Increasing transparency and opportunities for public input in Postal Service decisions will benefit the decision-making process. I am disappointed that the Postal Service made the decision to close the 11th Street post office without first obtaining input from the public. I strongly urge the Postal Service to implement a full and transparent process to solicit and consider public input on the decision to close the 11th Street post office, before taking any steps to close this facility. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Claire McCaskill
United States Senator

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