SENATOR (or REPRESENTATIVE, GOVERNOR)(insert name)
(Insert Address)
(Insert Address)
Dear Senator (or Representative) (insert name):
The U.S. Postal Service has served notice to the customers of the Cliff Island Post Office of a proposal to close the post office. It is doing so under provisions of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 and federal law, and over our objections. Under provisions of the act, the Postal Service is obligated to provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal service to rural areas, communities and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining. The Postal Service's proposed action will not serve the best interests of our postal customers.
The Postal Service is proposing a contract community post office to replace our present regular post office. We have concerns regarding the sanctity of the mail under this situation. Also, contract post offices may be sub-leased and operated by unqualified clerks who have never taken a postal exam for the post office.
Once a contract post office replaces a regular post office, we are no longer protected by provisions of the Postal Reorganization Act. Termination of the contract by either party for cause leaves us at the mercy of the Postal Service. The Postal Service is free to provide whatever type of service it deems advisable, with no recourse available to us.
We appreciate your consideration of our position and encourage you or a representative to attend a public meeting the Postal Service has scheduled for our community on December 7, 1997 at the Cliff Island Association Hall. We appreciate any support you can give us in our fight to retain our post office in the same status as now exists - a U.S. post office operated by a postmaster and career postal employees.
Thank you.
Sincerely,