U.S. Rep. Fred Upton today unveiled a letter he wrote to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy opposing plans to consolidate postal sorting and dispatch operations in Southwest Michigan into one location. Upton was joined by Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson, Portage Mayor Patricia Randall, and Village of Augusta Chief of Police and Village Manager Jeff Heppler.
“I have supported postal reforms to improve the system, but it’s hard to see how these proposed changes will benefit folks in Southwest Michigan who depend on on-time mail delivery,” Upton said. “The plan to consolidate mail operations could cause delays in delivery, especially during the tough winters we have in our area. I urge the Postal Service to follow its rules on public comment and to reconsider this plan, which jeopardizes mail in our communities. Just because we count on them to deliver in rain, sleet, and snow, doesn’t mean we should make that job harder.”
The letter sent by Upton highlights plans to consolidate mail sorting into one facility. Instead of postal workers picking up mail at the local post office, they will have to drive to the sorting facility before heading back to their communities to pick up and deliver mail. It notes impacts on service that could be caused by bad weather, the fact that delivery trucks are not allowed to drive on interstates, and the issues caused by drivers being forced to drive further.
Upton was joined by local leaders from communities that would be impacted by the Postal Service’s plans. They offered their own thoughts on the Postal Service’s moves.
“The U.S. Postal Service cannot continue to increase prices, while reducing services and expect people to continue using them like things are okay,” said Mayor Randall. “It just doesn’t work that way.”
Upton hopes by raising awareness of the issue now, residents of Southwest Michigan can join in publicly urging the Postal Service to reconsider its plans.
