SAMPLE APPEAL LETTER TO POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

SAMPLE APPEAL LETTER TO POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

(This sample letter is to be used only during the 30 day appeal period when the Final Determination is posted)

Ruth Y. Goldway

Chairman

Postal Regulatory Commission

901 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20268-0001

Dear Chairman Goldway:

The Postal Service has posted the Final Determination to (insert close or if service is to be provided by another post office use consolidate).

The attached list containing signatures of customers served by (insert name and state of post office) do not feel that the alternate service offered by the Postal Service is acceptable as it does not provide a maximum degree of regular and effective service that customers are entitled to in accordance with federal law.

(If the post office is to be closed or has been closed by emergency suspension and they offer rural delivery as the alternative service, use the following).

We do not believe closing our post office and providing delivery and retail service by a carrier meets the requirements of the above mentioned rule.  It is very inconvenient for customers to purchase money orders/stamps and sending/receiving accountable mail such as registered and certified mail.  We are also concerned about vandalism, theft of our mail, and identity theft.

(If the Postal Service offers service through a community post office or village post office (contract facility), use the following).

The decision to change our post office to a contract facility is unacceptable.  We are concerned that a contract employee may not be adequately trained, provide efficient prompt service that we have received for years and are very concerned about mail security.  Only limited postal services will be offered at this “new” office.   We understand that money order service will not be available at a contract facility.  Also, the Postal Service can terminate the contract and close the contract facility at any time and we customers would lose our appeal rights to the Postal Regulatory Commission.

(If the Postal Service is consolidating with a neighboring post office, use the following).

The decision has been made to combine our post office with the (insert name and state of post office) and we strongly oppose this action.  The postmaster plays an important role in our community, especially for the elderly and infirm.  Many of our residents do not drive or even have checking accounts and they will be hit hard by this decision because our postmaster assists them in meeting their obligations.  Our postmaster helps them pay bills, writes money orders and provides much non-postal caretaking. 

(Use this paragraph in all the situations previously listed).

Our post office represents the federal government to our residents and it is hard for us to understand the reasoning.  We understand that the Postal Service has financial issues but isn’t it against the law to close a post office just to save money?  How can the federal government spend billions of dollars in an attempt to create jobs and then a branch of the federal government eliminates vital jobs in small towns?   Rural America is just as important as urban America.  A post office in urban America may be a luxury or a convenience but in rural America a post office is a necessity and we are proud to see our flag flying over our post office every day.

Sincerely,

(Community leader signs with name and address and attaches a copy of a petition signed by residents who want to keep their post office).

Max Post Office Closure Meeting

The meeting with the U.S. Postal Service representatives is tomorrow, November 2nd, from 6:00pm until 8:00 pm. It is important for all Max residents to be at this meeting as this will be our only opportunity to meet face to face with the Postal Service to express our concerns about the closing of our post office, and to ask some pointed questions as to why our post office is scheduled for closure. Even if you do not wish to speak out in defense of our post office, your presence at this meeting will show the postal representatives that the residents of Max care about our post office. If you would like to be there, but are not sure what kind of questions to ask, here are some sample questions and statements that you may like to bring up.

The questions are not listed in any particular order and may be revised as deemed necessary.  Select the questions applicable to your situation:

1. I rely on the postmaster to help me pay my bills using money orders because I do not have a checking account.  Will the rural carrier or highway contract carrier have time to help me?  I’m concerned because the carrier doesn’t come at the same time every day, so how can I receive money order service?  If I have to leave cash in the mailbox to buy stamps, someone might steal it.  I am also fearful about the possibility of becoming a victim of identity theft.

2. Our post office is a meeting place for our community and also provides bulletin board space for us to post notices of community activities, provides a safe school bus stop, and serves many other functions. When the post office closes, the town dies.  Clearly, the post office is a vital communication center and can provide guidance and information for America’s rural population during a national emergency.

3. The federal government is spending an enormous amount of taxpayer money trying to create jobs. Why is the Postal Service trying to cut back and/or eliminate such an important business/service?

4. I understand that facility specifications for a contract post office are not as stringent as a real post office building operated by real postal employees. The security of the mail, safety, and health issues should be the same, whether postal services are provide at a real post office or a contract facility. Why are there separate facility specifications for a post office operated by postal employees and a contract post office operated by private contractors?

5. We are concerned about losing our community identity if our post office is closed.

6. Our carrier has been relocated to another post office, meaning I have to travel some distance to pick up my mail when I receive a notification from the Postal Service. I no longer drive nor do I have anyone to drive me. Further, I will not receive important mail if I have to wait until the next delivery day for redelivery. Further, the carrier does not arrive at about the same time each and I may be subject to inclement weather while I wait by my mailbox for service provided at our post office.

7. Why are you proposing to move (or have moved) our post office boxes to a private business?  Are you going to close our post office?  Will the contract workers handling our mail be trained adequately? Will he or she give the mail the same urgency and security as in a real post office?  Will the contract person provide the same urgency in sorting the mail to my post office box? [Note: It is my understanding that the postal service is considering either installing locked cluster PO boxes, or, having the residents purchase their own mail boxes and having them installed in a centralized location]

8. Will the training given to the contract person be the same training a real postal                            employee receives for doing the same job?  What controls will you put in place to ensure compliance with postal rules and regulations?  How will you know if an adequately trained person will be providing service at the contract unit?  Additionally, how can I be certain I am being charged the right fees for packages and other type mail? I never have such concerns or doubts when I go to a real post office.[Note: see the notation with question #7]

9. Why will this Village Post Office not be able to sell me a money order or allow me to mail a package to my son overseas in the military unless it happens to fit into a certain size box?  [Note: see the notation with question #7]                                                           

Potential Closing of the Max Post Office

IMPORTANT NOTICE

As many of you have heard by now, the United States Postal Service is considering closing hundreds of post offices around the country in an effort to “save money.” As you have also probably heard, our post office is on the list of potential closures. If we want the Max Post Office to remain open, as it has for more than 120 years, then we must take action. If we do nothing, then the closing of our post office is guaranteed. Fortunately, there are several things we can do to fight for our post office.

Currently, there are surveys available at the Max Post Office counter which can be filled out and returned to the Max Postmaster, Shary Jones, who will forward the surveys on to the appropriate people at the USPS Discontinuance Office. I would strongly urge everyone who uses the Max Post Office to fill one of these surveys out and return it as soon as possible.

In addition, there will be a meeting on November 2, 2011 at the Max Community Center from 6pm until 8pm. At this meeting will be representatives of the U.S. Postal Service. They will be there to listen to our concerns regarding the possible closing of the Max Post Office. These representatives have already said that this meeting must remain civil and respectful. If there are outbursts, loud angry words, threats, or other disrespectful behavior, they will leave and the closing of our post office will surely be guaranteed. I strongly encourage everyone who uses the Max Post Office to be at this very important community meeting to share their thoughts and concerns. Please be prepared to offer reasonable, logical, and rational arguments as to why our post office should remain open. It’s not enough to simply say “We want our post office to remain open.” We must give good, very good reasons as to why our post office should remain open.

We can also contact our elected representatives in Washington to express our concerns. Nebraska has two senators, Sen. Mike Johanns and Sen. Ben Nelson. Sen. Johanns can be contacted at his office (Tel. (308) 236-7602 or (202) 224-4224). Sen. Johanns can also be contacted via his website (http://johanns.senate.gov/), and his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/MikeJohanns). Sen. Nelson can be contact at his office (Tel. (402) 391-3411 or 202-224-6551). Sen. Nelson can also be contacted via his website (http://bennelson.senate.gov/), and his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/senatorbennelson?ref=ts). The Congressman for our district is Rep. Adrian Smith. Rep. Smith can be contacted at his office (Tel. (308) 633-6333 or (202) 225-6435). Rep. Smith can also be contacted via his website (http://adriansmith.house.gov/). Again, I would strongly encourage everyone who uses the Max Post Office to contact Sen. Johanns, Sen. Nelson, and Rep. Smith and express their concerns regarding the potential closing of the Max Post Office, and their equally strong desire to keep our post office open.

Community Meeting With Postal Representatives To Discuss The Potential Closing Of The Max Post Office:

November 2, 2011, 6pm-8pm

Meeting Minutes for July 11, 2011

Max Community Club Meeting Minutes

July 11, 2011

The monthly meeting of the Max Community Club was called to order at 7:10pm with Bill and Cindy Cawthra, Geraldine Edwards, Jim and Karen Bowman, Daisy and Jim Jensen, Shary Jones, Margaret Smith, Bob Tuttle, Shirley Griffiths, and Levoine Humphreys attending.

Cindy Cawthra thanked everyone for all the work done over the past month, including mowing the park, repairing the leaks in the club house restrooms, repairing the storm window and moving the large tree limb that blew down during the wind storm.

Shary Jones read the minutes from the previous meeting and Margaret Smith read the financial report.  Geraldine Edwards made a motion to accept the minutes and financial report as read. The motion was seconded by Jim Jensen. The motion was approved by vote.

The Annual Flea Market was discussed. Flyers have been posted in several locations, and club members were encouraged to post more flyers in different locations. Geraldine, Shary, Shirley and Cindy volunteered to work in the clubhouse kitchen to prepare and serve food during the flea market. 

The Annual Max Community Fun Day was also discussed. The date for this year’s Fun Day will be Sunday, September 11^th, and will start at 1:00pm. It was decided by vote (motion made by Margaret and seconded  by Shirley) that rather than having a hog roast as we have had in previous years, beef will be served this year. We are still in the process of finding prize donations for this year’s raffle. Karen Bowman made a motion to have an Open Mike this year, as we had last year. Shirley Griffiths seconded the motion and the motion was approved by vote. A discussion of what games and entertainment we will have has been tabled until the next meeting.

The Max History display that will be housed in the little church was also discussed. The history album is coming along and will hopefully be completed by the end of July and placed in the little church. A request was also made for donations or loans of items that can be displayed in the church. Items should be able to fit into the display case, and we would like to have items that have a particular relationship to the community of Max, and will help illustrate the history of the town and the people who settled the area and lived in the area.

If anyone has something that they would like to either donate or loan to the Max Community Club for inclusion in the Max History display, they can call Cindy Cawthra at 423-2712 or Bob Tuttle at 423-5363. Or, they can email the Max Community Club at maxcommunityclub@gmail.com

As always, meeting minutes and other information relating to the Max Community Club and the town of Max can be found on the Max Community Club website, http://themaxcommunityclub.blogspot.com

The meeting adjourned at 7:55pm

Max History Museum Display

Just a quick update on the Max History Display which is to be housed in the original Methodist Church building located in the Max Pioneer Park. Thus far we are putting together a Max History book which will be available for folks to browse through in the church building. It will be a sort of scrap book full of old photos and history about the town and the folks who lived here.

Jim Baney has generously donated an 1889 Triumph style parlor organ made by the Estey Organ Co., of Brattleboro, Vermont. The organ was originally purchased in 1890 and later moved to a home in Max, where it stayed until the 1940s when it was sold. The organ is beautiful and has now made its way home to Max.

1889 Reed Organ donated by Jim Baney

Mr. Baney also donated a very nice large glass and oak display case where we can display items related to the history of Max. He also donated several other smaller items, as well as a lot of historical information contained in old newspaper articles.

We are still seeking donations of items to be placed in the Max History Display, so if you have an item or items that you would either like to donate, or loan to the club for display, we sure would appreciate it! If you have some old photographs, we are able to copy them, and can then return the originals to you. If you would like to donate or loan something, or if you have any questions, please call Cindy Cawthra at 423-2712 of Bob Tuttle at 423-5363.

Annual Max Flea Market

It's That Time Again!

Time to clean out that garage, storage shed and basement and bring it all to Max!

The Annual Max Community Flea Market

July 16, 2011

8:30am (MDT) until 1:30pm (MDT)

If you would like to rent a 10' x 10' space to sell all your goodies, the cost is only $10!

Sloppy Joes, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad and chips will be for sale as well!

Sell all day or Buy all day!

Make plans now, as spaces are LIMITED, so make your space reservations early!

For more information call:

Cindy Cawthra at 423-2712 or Bob Tuttle at 423-5363

We look forward to seeing you there!

Max Community Club Meeting Minutes for June 13, 2011

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm

Attending were Jim and Karen Bowman, Shirley Griffith, Geraldine Edwards, Bill and Cindy Cawthra, Margaret Smith, Daisey Jensen, Shary Jones, Bob and Amanda Tuttle.

Cindy opened the meeting by thanking everyone for all the work they did on behalf of the club over the past month. Shary read the minutes from last month’s meeting, and Margaret read the Treasurer’s Report. Jim Bowman made a motion to approve the minutes and treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Shirley Griffith. The motion carried and the minutes and treasurer’s report were approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

The annual Max Flea Market was discussed. It was decided that the flea market would be held on July 16, 2011, and would run from 8:30am until 1:30pm. We will rent 10 foot by 10 foot spaces for people to set up and sell their items. Rent for these spaces will be $10. The club will sell Sloppy Joes, hot dogs, potato salad and chips.

NEW BUSINESS:

Thank you cards were passed around for all to sign. The cards will be sent to Bob Krutsinger for his work on the new basketball court and also the new concrete slab under the north picnic shelter. A card will also be sent to Jim Baney for donating the antique pump organ and the display case for the museum in the little church.

Cindy passed around copies of the address for each of us to write to Jerry Schafer. We all hope he will get well and come home. We all miss him.

The clubhouse is possibly rented for June 24^th and it is rented for July 30^th.

Prizes were discussed for the annual Max Fun Day. Bill Cawthra, Jim Bowman, and Bob Tuttle will be looking for prize donations from local businesses and/or other sources.

The Max history museum which will be placed in the little church was discussed. Bob Tuttle put together a composite photo featuring a possible “history sign” that will go in front of the church, as well as a close-up of what the sign could look like. These were passed around for comment. Bill Cawthra suggested putting together a scrapbook that would contain all the different photos of the church, the moving of the church, as well as historic photos of Max. Bill suggested that this scrapbook could be placed in the little church so visitors could look at it. Bob Tuttle will be in charge of putting the book together. Geraldine Edwards made a motion to approve the scrapbook. Karen Bowman seconded the motion and the scrapbook project was approved. Bob Tuttle will be in charge of putting the scrapbook together.

Also discussed was the possible location of the donated display case in the museum area of the little church.

At 7:50pm the meeting was adjourned, and members went to the little church to look at the antique organ and the display case, as well as discuss the positioning of the display case, and renovations to the church building.

The next meeting will be held July 11, 2011 at 7:00pm