BILLINGS – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sent another letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe citing feedback he’s received from his Mail Call Montana Initiative and from having his staff attend every single community meeting held across the state.  Rehberg reiterated his hope that the Postal Service would find a way to balance their priorities in a way that doesn’t disproportionately impact rural states like Montana.

“We know the Post Office is in trouble, and we know that some changes are going to be necessary,” said Rehberg.  “But the sledgehammer solution of closing the rural post offices that so many Montanans rely on isn’t the way to go.  I stand with the thousands of Montanans who turned out for public meetings, and the thousands more who agree with them in asking the Post Office to find another way.”

Rehberg’s office has received 1,176 comments about proposed Postal Service Changes.  They are being carefully tabulated and will be delivered to the Postal Service for entry into the public record.

“I have said it before and I’ll say it again - the issue of postal reform is about much more than numbers on a ledger,” said Rehberg in his letter.  “Rural states like Montana should not be asked to shoulder more than our fair share of sacrifice.”

The full letter is below:

Dear Postmaster General Donahoe:

I am writing to once again express my concern with the proposed closure of over 90 post offices in my home state of Montana.  My state staff has been at every single community meeting that has been held in the state and I have received over 1,000 comments from Montanans on the closures through my Mail Call Montana initiative.  I share the very valid concerns expressed by the residents and members of these communities as they face the closure of their local post office.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again - the issue of postal reform is about much more than numbers on a ledger, and rural states like Montana should not be asked to shoulder more than our fair share of sacrifice.  I am extremely concerned that the proposed closure of over 90 offices in the state unfairly impacts rural residents.  The distance between our towns and cities, the unpredictable nature of our weather, and the needs of our businesses and senior citizens to receive both packages and medication in a timely manner all factor into why a town’s local post office serves as a vital link to the rest of the state and the country.  Additionally, I also wanted to note my concern about how the proposed consolidation of the Missoula and Kalispell mail processing facilities into Spokane, Washington will affect mail delivery in our state, including the timely delivery of absentee mail ballots.  I believe there should be additional public meetings to allow these issues to be further discussed in a transparent manner.  

While I appreciate the challenges the United States Postal Service faces, it is vital that you recognize how each of Montana’s post offices and employees are an important part of a community’s economy.  Montanans are willing to be part of the solution, but any changes in the system should not mean one day of decreased mail delivery services.  I appreciate your attention to this important issue.