Response from Max Baucus
Rep. Bleumenauer's bill
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Letter to Senator Max Baucus Response from Max Baucus Rep. Bleumenauer's bill |
You've probably heard about the battles the folks in Red Lodge and Livingston have been fighting to keep their downtown post offices, in the face of the US Postal Service's strong desire to move to the edge of town.
We've learned that the USPS intends to build new post offices in other Montana communities as well. The ones we've heard mentioned include:
That's quite a list! Our concern is that USPS planing process will favor "edge-of-town" sites to the detriment of the communities they are supposed to serve.
We strongly believe that a downtown post office is vital to keeping our Montana cities and towns strong. Moving the post office to the outskirts is a recipe for disaster because it blows a hole in the fragile center of a community. With the post office out on the "strip" there will be one less reason for folks to come downtown. People who live in town will have a harder time getting their mail; no longer will they be able to simply walk to the post office, meet neighbors, and enjoy some exercise.
We've recently received copies of several recent articles on the topic:
Clearly, this issue isn't just something that's happening here in Montana. The Postal Service is yanking its offices out of downtowns all across the country! It's gotten serious enough that Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon is sponsoring a bill to give small towns a say in relocations.
Now is the time to find out what's in store for your community before it's too late. We've begun keeping a file on the subject and would appreciate any clippings you can send. We will share any news when we get it. We've also got a copy of Congressman Bleumenauer's bill on-line.