Statement By Congressman Brian Higgins:

“Any plan to reduce Post Office services to residents in the City of Lackawanna is unacceptable and something we will certainly challenge. Lackawanna is the second largest city in Erie County with almost a quarter of its population over the age of 60.  Local residents need post office facilities that are in the neighborhood and easily accessible.”

The Congressman also issued the following letter:

August 3, 2009

Mr. John E. Potter

Postmaster General & Chief Executive Officer

475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20260

Dear Mr. Potter:

Having learned that the United States Post Office in the City of Lackawanna, NY is on a list of Post Office facilities nationwide to be considered for closing, I write to protest Lackawanna’s inclusion on this list and strongly recommend that this facility remain open. 

The inclusion of the Lackawanna facility on this list is particularly puzzling given my understanding that as recently as 2006 the Postal Service had been studying the possible rehabilitation of this facility or the construction of a new facility in the City of Lackawanna. 

The City of Lackawanna has a very high concentration of senior criticizes who would be unacceptably adversely effected by this proposed closure.  According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Some 33% of Households in Lackawanna are home to at least one resident aged 65 or older.  This is substantially higher than the U.S. average of 23%.  These seniors, many of whom must walk for their errands, cannot reasonably be expected to walk to South Buffalo or Blasdell in order to access a post office, especially in adverse weather.

Again, I protest the inclusion of the Lackawanna Post Office on the list of facilities to be studied for closure and I strongly recommend that this facility remain open. 

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Brian Higgins

Member of Congress