Letters-to-the-Editor: MarineMoms-Bethesda December 2011 Update

Greetings!

Busy, busy time of year for everyone! I hope this finds all well with you as winter sets in.

A quick (?!) update from Marine Moms-Bethesda:

Many of you know Gladys and Bob Rodriquez, two of our volunteers who also support the troops in many other ways. Bob was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer and is recuperating in the hospital from a successful surgery early last week. Gladys has asked for prayers for Bob. Her last update to me said the cancer is localized, and Bob is now up and walking, but in some pain. They have appreciated all of the emails, notes, phone calls and support. She sends “love to all”.

The Marine Moms-Bethesda Crew wishes Bob a speedy and complete recovery. We miss you both and are looking forward to having you back with us!

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Our Holiday Cheer pages are up.

WR/Bethesda “Holiday Cheer 2011” Luncheon:

http://www.marinemoms-bethesda.org/2011/holiday-cheer-2011-at-bethesda/

Our Holiday Cheer luncheon on 4 East was our first venture there on a week day. What is written about it does not even begin to describe the depth of the emotions and the day’s events. Thank you, Katie, Jess, Connie, Cathy, Kelly, Jack and Jim, and all of our “behind the scenes” Elves for your help with the luncheon.

Cyd and Kym from T.A.M.P.A. were in the area and joined us, too. It was great meeting someone in person that I have “known” online for several years. If you are looking for a Marine Family support group and are anywhere near the Tampa area, check them out. Great group, they welcome all service branches, and very active supporting the troops in Florida!

http://www.usmcfamilysupport.org/home0.aspx

Richmond VAMC “Holiday Cheer 2011” Luncheon:

http://www.marinemoms-bethesda.org/2011/holiday-cheer-2011-at-bethesda/

While we were at Richmond, a recovering Soldier was very, very appreciative of the outpouring of support at our luncheon. He gathered us around him as a group to say “Thank you” to us, and much of that “Thank You” belongs to you, our Elves. Thank you, Janet, Lew, Katie, Mary Allen, and the “behind the scenes” Elves who helped with the Richmond luncheon.

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Our next luncheon date at Walter Reed is January 29th on 4 East. Our volunteers are lined up and we’re hoping Mother Nature cooperates.

It is the same weekend as last year, and last year, if I remember correctly, it snowed the weekend before and the weekend after.

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Notes4Bethesda: As always, we are collecting emailed notes of encouragement and support for the wounded, injured, and ill combat patients. They may be sent to Notes4Bethesda@MarineMoms-Bethesda.org

<mailto:Notes4Bethesda@MarineMoms-Bethesda.org>

 no later than the evening of Thursday, January 26th, 2012. One short note is all we ask for to let them know they are being thought of. The notes are formatted into a word document, printed, packaged, and given to the combat patients and their families during our luncheon. The notes do make a difference.

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Three of our volunteers attended the Wounded Warrior Support Network conference earlier this month sponsored by SemperMax.

http://sempermax.com/index.html

 Attendees learned about state-of-the-art research being done on Traumatic Brain Injuries, and help and support provided by many different organizations for our wounded Warriors and Veterans. I hope to have my notes from the conference online before the first of the year.

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To our “Elfs”, this is an article about a 3/5 Marine you have helped to support in early 2011 while he was at Bethesda, both with your donations toward the luncheons and with the notes of encouragement and support you sent during his time there. We thank Tomy for his service and wish him well as he continues on his road to recovery.

“One year after injuries, Marine Tomy Parker still in the fight.”

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/one-year-after-injuries-marine-tomy-parker-still-in-the/article_6cb1c730-23ac-11e1-b44e-0019bb2963f4.html

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You can also read a little perspective about the support the families and troops receive at the hospital here:

http://www.ipadsforsoldiers.org/author/marygriffin/

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This may be of interest to some of you. The Marines' call center IS anonymous and is for everyone -- Marine Veterans who are not "wounded", active duty Marines, and their family members who care about them, not just "wounded-wounded". (If I am wrong about that, let me know. I have friends who have used this number and it helped.) Sergeant Merlin German

Wounded Warrior Call Center

24 hours a day - 7 days a week*

365 days a year contact:

1-877-4USMCWW or 1-877-487-6299*

=========

This is new.

National Guard – 24/7 Hotline

Our toll free peer support line *1-855-838-8255 (1-855-VET-TALK)* is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for National Guard and Reserve service members.

Vets 4 Warriors

http://www.vets4warriors.com/

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Surfing~

The war in Iraq has formally ended and the combat troops are now in Kuwait.

Job Well Done! WELCOME HOME!

San Diego Marines look back on Iraq War. (Some 3/1 Marines were interviewed for this article.) http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/dec/16/san-diego-veterans-look-back-on-iraq-war/?page=1#article

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Still in Afghanistan…

Kandahar the Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBQW21LGc54

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The Commandant and First Lady of the Marine Corps’ Christmas Message http://www.dvidshub.net/video/132900/commandant-and-mrs-amos-2011-christmas-message#.TukdLlaa9Bk

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Holidays can be a difficult time for many.

Handling the Holidays from TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for

Survivors)

http://www.taps.org/resources.aspx?id=3493

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Passing on from one of my favorite “Old Corps Devil Dogs”, Jim.

“Remembering the Brave” (Moms…you know the routine… tissues) http://www.jensensutta.com/slideshows/RTB/

During this very special time of year, please remember our Fallen and our Gold Star Families.

Ending our year spreading cheer at the hospitals as the holiday season began was very humbling to me. So many of you have made a difference in the lives of our wounded and their families with the cards and notes you have sent throughout the year, the donations you have made in support of our mission, the food you have helped serve, and the time you have given. The thoughtfulness of our supporters and our outstanding volunteers throughout the past five years is what has made Marine Moms-Bethesda so very special. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You.

To our Armed Forces, thank you for your service.

One wish I have for the New Year is that America continues to support our military and Veterans. Although the war in Iraq is "over", the need for support will continue.

Wishing all of you a relaxing and peaceful holiday season.

Until next time, continued prayers for our military and their families.

Love and Hugs,

Jane

www.MarineMoms-Bethesda.org <http://www.marinemoms-bethesda.org/>

Letters-to-the-Editor: Fri 12/9/2011 12:47 PM

From: Nick Backman

            P.O. Box 355

            Malden, WA 99149

   T0: Doreen Karoly

          415 First Ave. North

         Seattle, Wa

         98109-0355

RE: Docket # 1371535-99149 Item #25 Page #7 Proposal to close Malden WA Post Office.

In Reply to your letter dated 12-02-2011

Your own report found the building to be “structurally sound in good condition”. Any appearance of dis repair on the exterior is purely cosmetic. It is a separate building from the old tavern, so don’t let the taverns appearance fool you. The post office building does not show stress fractures or other signs of instability. All it needs is a pressure wash and the mortar pointed, it would be as good as new.

You still have not addressed the concern of the buildings cultural significance; you just keep disputing the historical nature of the building. The interior is original and to the period of construction.  So I am not sure what pictures you took, but it is truly a unique building.

I do not dispute the truck will arrive, I am saying it can and will be late. Anyone wanting to conduct business with the carrier is forced to wait for him/her to arrive. People missing the truck, or needing a money order, certified mail or other specialty services will have to travel to Rosalia (admin office) to accomplish what needs to be done.

Don’t forget your new slogan…..”IF IT FITS…..IT’s DELIVERED!”. Anyone who’s package gets rejected due to size or excessive volume of mail, who cannot wait for re-delivery, will be forced to travel to Rosalia. THIS IS A CHANGE!!

The library goes back to limited hours in two years.

You are in violation of POM 101 121(a), 121(b), 121(c), 121(d), 121(e), 252(c), 321.6, 353.4, 715(a), 715(c), all equaling a 415.1(d) as well as sub sections (a), (b), and (c)

Please do yourselves a favor and find this proposal NOT WARRENTED before I appeal to the PRC.

Merry Christmas / Happy holidays

Nick Backman

Letters-to-the-Editor: Wed 12/7/2011 5:29 AM

Letter to editor:

Dear editor,
In a recent article in The Whitman County Gazette on the proposal to close thr(sic) Malden Post Office our Mayor, the Honorable Ted Maxwell, put his personal opinion ahead of the facts. He was quoted in the article as saying "well, it's already falling down, so". That statement goes against the USPS' report that states "building appears structurally sound and in good condition." A little powerwashing and re mortering and it would be as good as new.

As mayor, he should look out for the best interest of the town, and closing the post office is not in our best interest. There has been a lot of grumbling around town on the way he thru us under the bus.

Nick Backman
Malden, WA

Letters-to-the-Editor: Fri 12/2/2011 1:37 PM

FW: Notice of violations of federal law and postal service policy

From: nicholasguitar@msn.com
To: dean.j.granholm@usps.gov; pmgceo@usps.gov; nicholasguitar@msn.com; admin@savethepostoffice.com
Subject: Notice of violations of federal law and postal service policy
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2011 11:38:28 -0800

Mr Postmaster General,

The following letter was sent to our district discontinuance coordinator.

Thank you
Nick Backman

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 From: Nicholas Backman

           P.O. Box 355

            Malden, WA 99149-0355

     To: Doreen Karoly, et al

           District Discontinuance Coordinator, USPS

           P.O. Box 90409

           Seattle, WA 90109-9402

 

RE: DOCKET # 1371535-99149 PROPOSAL TO CLOSE MALDEN, WA POST OFFICE

NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL LAW AND POSTAL SERVICE POLICY PER POM 101 HANDBOOK

 This letter is to serve notice to the United States postal service that the proposal to close the

Malden WA post office was not carried out in accordance with Federal Law and Postal Service policy.

 

Section 121(a): the USPS failed to follow the POM 101 definition of “community” as defined in the glossary of terms. As a result farmers and ranchers, some less than a mile from the Post Office, along with the residents and businesses of Pine City were not notified of the community meeting. Nor did they receive a questionnaire or other associated mailings in violation of section 714(c)+(d).

The fundamental misunderstanding of our “community” leaves the USPS unable to make a proper assessment as to the effect on the community. Therefore, the USPS in not qualified to render the opinion that this closure will have no adverse effect on the community. They do not know our community.

Section 121(b): This proposal fails to clearly state the fate of each and every employee.

Section 121(c):  As outlined in my series of letters, this proposal does not provide “a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small towns where Post Offices are not self-sustaining”.

Section 121(d): The economic savings projections are inflated; does not include walk in revenue, does not include installation and maintenance costs associated with CBUs, and the breakdown does not equal the total projected savings. The savings they project assume all employees are separated from the postal service. The fate of the employees is not known, so it is impossible to calculate any potential savings or loss.

Section 121(e): Other factors not included are a $671,000.00 stimulus grant and the fact Washington is a vote by mail state.

Page 1 of 2

RE: DOCKET # 1371535-99149 PROPOSAL TO CLOSE MALDEN, WA POST OFFICE

NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL LAW AND POSTAL SERVICE POLICY PER POM 101 HANDBOOK

Section 321.6: The summary does not meet the standards set forth in this section

Section 353.4: The pre canned bullet point replies I have received thus far fail to address the core of my complaints and observations. Most answers are off the topic of my letter. The USPS has failed to address each individual concern I raise.

Section 252(c): Cluster box unit handouts were not provided.

Section 715(a) the reason for the discontinuance is not clearly given. Several words and phrases that do not reflect the data given were used, as outlined in my previous letters.

Section 715(c) The tough questions at the community meeting were repeatedly answered with the “provide maximum degree of effective and regular postal services” line.

Section 415.1(d) all these violations leave the USPS with no choice but to find this proposal

NOT WARRANTED. “THE DISCONTINUANCE INVESTIGATION WAS NOT CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW AND POSTAL SERVICE POLICY”.

Thank you

Nick Backman

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Letters-to-the-Editor: Thu 12/1/2011 4:23 PM

Malden WA closure effect on seniors and handicapped

Mr. Granholm,
 The proposal to close Malden, WA postoffice does not sufficiently address the effect on seniors and handicapped. Malden is on the edge of the High Desert of Eastern Washington. It is subject to extreme high and low tempurtures. While this CBU highway route proposal may work in other locations, it is not feasable here in Malden. The following letter outlines some of my concerns:

From: Nicholas Backman ,

P.O. Box 355,  Malden, WA  99149-0355

    To: Doreen Karoly

           P.O. Box 90409

           Seattle WA      98109-9402

RE: Docket # 1371535-99149 Proposal to close Malden WA post office

Effect on seniors and handicapped

In the proposal it is stated “This proposed office provides assistance to the senior and handicapped citizens (.) Senior and handicapped citizens will continues (sic) to be assisted by all USPS employees.”

That statement does not explain the effect on seniors and handicapped. It is obvious that the USPS will continue to assist the seniors and handicapped. What needs to be investigated and considered is what effect this closure will have on the ability of seniors, handicapped and poor to reach a USPS employee to receive assistance.  There is no public transportation (bus, taxi, etc.) available in Malden. Many folks rely on the generosity of their neighbors for rides out of town. Having to ask for a ride can be damaging to the self-esteem of seniors and handicapped.

Under your proposal, anyone wanting to conduct business with the carrier will have to do so out in the elements, whether it be rain, sleet, snow, blistering heat or 50 mph winds. Seniors and handicapped are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat or cold. The mail truck can and will experience delays of unknown duration, further exacerbating the problem of having to wait to conduct business outdoors.

Half the population of Malden is over 50. The oldest resident in town is 98 years old. Imagine the inconvenience he and other home bound residents will face as they wait for their care giver to return either from Rosalia (if the road doesn’t drift shut) or from a prolonged delay waiting at the CBU for a carrier that is late due to road conditions.

Please think this thru, apparently no one has. While this proposal may work in more temperate climates, it is not appropriate here. Bearing in mind the proper usage of the term “regular” as I outlined in this morning’s letter (customary, usual, normal) this proposal does NOT provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to our special population.

Thank You

Nick Backman

Letters-to-the-Editor: Thu 12/1/2011 12:08 PM

Malden WA post office: clarification of Title 39 section 101 (b)

From: Nicholas Backman

            P.O. Box 355

            Malden WA

            99149-0355

    To: Doreen Karoly

           P.O. Box 90409

           Seattle WA

           90109-9402

RE: Docket # 1371535-99149 PROPOSAL TO CLOSE MALDEN WA POST OFFICE

“"Maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining."

The answer given the most during the community meeting was “this proposal will provide the maximum degree of effective and regular service. Unfortunately that statute is not clearly defined, and the USPS has been using the wrong definition of “regular”.

As defined in the dictionary, the word “regular” has several definitions. The closest definition is “customary, usual or normal”. The USPS’ definition of “regular” is the 5^th definition given “happening at fixed intervals: periodic”.

When the word “regular” is set into context of the statute, the proper definition is the first one: customary and usual normal operations; the way it has always been.

Congress was not saying “a maximum degree of showing up every day”; there is no such thing. Either you show up or you do not show up. There is not a maximum degree of showing up.  So we have to use the “customary, usual or normal” definition.

The intent of Congress in including this statute was that a rural post office would operate with a maximum degree of effectiveness in the usual, normal and customary way.

With that cleared up, it is apparent that this proposal calls for a fundamental transformation in the way we receive retail services. There is nothing “regular” about your proposal.

And as far as effective goes, the courier is only available at the CBU for 15 minutes. That does not give one time to receive a letter or bill; go home or somewhere out of the weather, and return in time to get it out the same day.  This is neither regular nor effective to retrieve the mail from a CBU in a blizzard.

Your proposal for parcel lockers is neither regular nor effective. If implemented the USPS should file for a new trademark “IF IT FITS……IT’S DELIVERED”. The parcel lockers are only so big and there will only be so many of them. Oversized items or a great quantity of packages will result in items being sent to Rosalia. The library receives time sensitive parcels three times a week. Time and temperature sensitive medications will freeze or boil in the lockers or not be delivered due to excessive volume of packages. It is neither regular nor effective to segregate packages and arbitrarily decide who gets a package that day, and who does not based on volume or size.

Therefore with the proper definition of “regular” in mind, this proposal should be found

“NOT WARRENTED”, it does not provide a “maximum degree of effective and regular service”

Thank You

Nick Backman

Letters-to-the-Editor: Wed 11/30/2011 1:21 PM

11-30-2011 (date of receipt of your letter)

From: Nicholas Backman

            P.O. Box 355

             Malden WA

              99149-0355

To:  Doreen Karoly

           P.O. Box 90409

           Seattle WA

           90109-9402

 RE: Docket # 1371535-99149 Proposal to close Malden WA Post Office Item #25 Page #3

 I am writing regarding the response I received referenced above dated 11/18/2011. The prepared answer I received did not address the core of my complaint so I shall reiterate my concerns so that I can receive a reply that addresses the issue.

But first, the word of the day: REGULAR

 As defined in the dictionary has a few meanings:

(1)    customary, usual or normal

(2)    Happening at fixed intervals: periodic

I believe that congress was referring to the broader interpretation of the word, meaning unchanging from the norm, maintaining a customary and usual way of conducting business (more on this in another letter)

Under your plans to utilize HRC’s and CFU’s……I mean CBU’s (Cluster F@#$ Units is my nickname for them) patrons attempting to conduct business with the carrier, who is only available for 15 minutes, are forced to wait around for the driver to arrive. There is at least one case I know of where the morning mail truck which is scheduled to arrive at 0630 did not arrive until 1100 due to severe weather conditions. Malden receives much higher than the U.S. average in snow fall each year. Our Postmaster has been known to sleep in the Post Office during severe weather events to ensure it would be open.

Now let’s say that the truck is scheduled for Noon. Groups of patrons, many seniors and disabled (half our population is 50 years+) will gather around, possibly in blizzard conditions to await the truck.

The weather can and will create a substantial delays of unknown duration for the truck. Those with cars would likely be running their engines and heaters. This will have an adverse effect on the air quality and should be considered under NEPA regulations. Others will be huddled awaiting the truck.  Either way they are inconvenienced as they have to stop their lives to wait who knows how long for the truck.

This is definitely not providing a maximum degree of regular and effective postal service.

This will cause undo hardships on seniors and handicapped. If they are not there, their care giver could be there or on the road to Rosalia causing additional hardships on seniors and disabled waiting for their caregivers to return, particularly if the road back is blown shut while they are gone.

As for the historic and cultural nature of the building, I ask you to re-read my comments along with the observations of Edwin P. Garretson, Jr., PhD, Archivist for the Whitman County Historical Society made in his letter mailed to the address for your old offices.  As he observed, this office operates much as a turn of the century Post Office would, and provides seniors and disabled a much needed contact with each other and the outside world.

That leads me to a new concern. The PO handbook 101 calls for a centralized address, preferably a P.O. Box, for comments to be addressed to. You are in the middle of moving your office during the discontinuance process. A few days ago I was made aware your new P.O. Box. Some of my letters may be delayed as they play catch up with you. So therefore it is my contention that this matter has not received a maximum degree of regular and effective service from the discontinuance office.

Thank you for your attention on this important matter, and please do not take anything I write personally.

Thanks Again

Nick Backman

509-569-3536

nicholasguitar@msn.com

Letters-to-the-Editor: Mon 11/28/2011 8:21 AM

Sent via MOTOBLUR™ on Verizon Wireless

-----Original message-----

From: "Garretson, Edwin P,Jr" <epgjr@wsu.edu>
To: "nicholasguitar@msn.com" <nicholasguitar@msn.com>
Sent: Sat, Nov 26, 2011 23:04:59 GMT+00:00
Subject: FW: Malden Post Office

Nick-

Thank you for your emails and images of the Malden post office. Friday I drove to Malden to visit the site myself and was quite impressed with the old structure and the vribrant part it was so obviously playing in town during the hour I spent there.

Below is the letter I sent, on Whitman County Historical Society letterhead, to Doreen Karoly. Please feel free to distribute this to anyone you wish, such as Kathy McMorris Rogers and the like.

As archivist of the Historical Society I am also quite interested in the old images you sent in your email. Neither they nor the current images are of sufficient resolution to be be of archival use. Would it be possible for you to scan them at 600 dpi and send them to me? 

Ed

---

November 26, 2011

Doreen Karoly, District Discontinuance Coordinator

415 First Avenue North

Seattle WA 98109-6171

RE: DOCKET NO.: 1371535-99149 MALDEN WASHINGTON POST OFFICE CLOSURE

Dear Ms. Karoly:

I am writing on behalf of the Whitman County Historical Society to express our concern about the potential closure of the Malden, Washington, post office.

The building was constructed in 1909 as the Farmers and Merchants Bank and later converted to house the Post Office. It is of a typical design for a mercantile structure on the Palouse from the early 20th Century. Buildings very similar to it are located in Farmington, Washington, and in Johnson, Washington.

Post offices have played an important role in the development of rural Washington. During early settlement days, it was a mark of distinction to open a post office. As such, they became a center of the community where you picked up mail, met and visited with friends, and transacted all sorts of business. The Post Office in Malden retains those traits.

On a recent visit to the Post Office I witnessed an older gentleman pick up his mail, and, while there, he visited with the postal employee and a neighbor, receiving a hug and good conversation from her. This encounter was obviously an important part of his day. Going to the local post office provides him with needed social contact as well as a connection to the outer world.

Closing this post office would likely be the death knell for this small town, forcing the elderly to travel an inconvenient distance to receive and send mail. Historically post offices have been an important part of small town life and we recommend to you that the Malden Post Office remain open.

Sincerely

Edwin P. Garretson, Jr., PhD

Archivist, Whitman County Historical Society

Letters-to-the-Editor: Nicholas Backman, Sat 11/26/2011 12:54 PM

Re: USPS Malden Post Office:

Here are copies of my recent letter and its attachments.

It is important to note that we received over $671,000.00 to build our new community center and broadband system to stimulate development here. Closing the post office would flush that effort, and the taxpayers money down the drain.

From: nicholasguitar@msn.com
To: krista.winters@leg.wa.gov; gazette@colfax.com
Subject: Malden WA post office
Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:36:30 -0800

To: 9th District Delegation, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rogers and Doreen Karoly

Here is an e mail to update you on a response I recieved on one of my numerous letters, along with my response to it, a new issue and revisiting an old issue.

The first attachment is the canned responce I recieved to only the forst part of a compound letter I wrote on 11-11-2011. I was not asking about allied delivery service. The point of that letter was that farmers, the closest to Post Office is only 7/10 mile away, recieve mail from Rosalia, but are RETAIL customers of Malden. They should have been notified. The same goes for the residents of Pine City. Pine city is located 3 miles west from Malden. Their Post Office closed years ago. Their mail arrives via rural carrier, but they use Malden for retail services. The next post office to the west would be over 45 minutes away. (so much for short radius)

That brings me to the second point of my original letter, a point that was not addressed in your response, the proposal uses misleading words and phrases that do not reflect the walk in data presented. This is due to the improper usage of the words "number", "several", "short radius", and "steady". Your own numbers do not indicate a "steady decline" over "several years". You also state that "there are a 'number' of alternate sites within a 'short radius'. A radius is a circle around something, so lets look at a radius around Malden. That statement is not true as the closest location to the West, Rosalia, is 7 miles one way (14rt). The closest to the south is 13 miles one way (26 rt). to the North is Cheney, 20 miles one way (40rt). And to the west is Sprauge Wa which is approxamately 30 miles one way (60rt.) So You see, in order to draw a radius around us you have to include the furthest point, Sprauge WA, which is 30 miles away. Not a "short radius".

I have heard back from the State Attorney General's Office about vote by mail. A copy of their letter is another attachment. They express concern on behalf of the Secratary of State that "of course any change in the receipt and delivery of mail has a substantial impact on the ability of citizens to excersise their right to vote in elections under the new mail in voting system" The post office does not include vote by mail as a factor, nor did they ensure that a framework was in place to ensure no disruption of voteing.

And my final point. In 2008 the USDA Rural Development department granted Malden $671,008.00 to improve communications in Malden in order to promote economic growth. The closure of this post office would undermine those efforts. Please see the other two attachments.

Thats all for now. I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.
Thank You

Nick Backman

P.S. The community cener is open. More on it in an upcoming letter.

Malden, Wash., Post Office Proposed Closure Protested

(These letters are shared with readers by request from Nick Backman.)

From: Nicholas Backman

            P.O. Box 355

            Malden WA 99149-0355

            Phone 509-569-3536

   To: Doreen Karoly USPS District Discontinuance Coordinator

         415 First Ave North

         Seattle WA 98109-9998

         Phone 206-442-6171

RE: Docket # 1371535-99149: Proposal to Close Malden WA post office.

Re-visitation of economic savings letter

In an effort to keep my letters at two pages or less, I failed to clearly state my thoughts on the economic savings part of the proposal. I have some major concerns as there are anomalies in the figures that are not explained:

1: The numbers do not add up. On the discontinuance financial summary (item 8 page 1 of the docket) and in the proposal (item 17 page 3) you show the utilities having an existing cost of $2,893.00 with first year projected savings of the same $2893.00 with a ten year projected savings of $24,834.00 which is confusing. If the savings are $2,893.00 per year wouldn’t the ten year savings be $28, 93.00? The difference is not explained.

2: Transportation costs are projected to go down $135.00 per year which should when multiplied by 10 years a projected savings of $1,350.00 not the $1,454.00 listed. Once again there is no explanation of the change over the 10 years.

3: Rent is listed as $4,800.00 per year which when multiplied times ten would be $48,000.00 not the $40,621.00 that you list. It is a really weird number that once again is not explained.

4: All your proposal lists are expenses, Walk in revenue is not included. Projected average 10 year walk in revenue of $118,310.00 should have been included. The walk in revenue is sufficient to cover the rent, transportation, utilities, and the Postmaster Relief’s pay. The only thing not covered is the salary of our postmaster. By union rules he cannot be laid off. He will still be receiving pay somewhere; it might as well be here. EVERYTHING ELSE IS COVERED BY WALK IN CUSTOMERS.  Malden has maintained a steady population in the low 200’s since the 1970’s. Our future looks bright.  The only advantage to your proposal is 24 hour access to the mail. You could provide CBU’s outside the post office as the free delivery option, then charge for the P.O. Boxes inside. This would create a nice new revenue stream for this office. The new Malden Library and community center had its grand opening over the summer. The remodeling of houses continues.

Malden is conveniently located in the middle of nowhere.  We are an attractive community for those who want to get away, but still be only 45 minutes away from Spokane, Pullman, The Couer D’ Alene Indian Reservation, and Sprague, Washington.

 The Washington State Parks Department is preparing to build a trailhead here for the John Wayne Trail. A private developer is also floating the idea of an equestrian themed camp ground here as well. NO FURTHER DECLINE IN WALK IN REVENUE SHOULD BE EXPECTED.

5: EAS Craft and labor first year savings listed as $61,822.00 with ten years $664,681.00 which is again not explained. Postmasters cannot be laid off. The fate of the Postmaster Relief is not clearly stated. Without knowing the fate of each employee it is impossible to calculate a labor savings. I contend there is no benefit to the post office. The postmaster still gets paid; the cost of the postmaster relief is covered by walk in revenues. When our postmasters pay is spread out among the entire Postal System, it is covered by other offices that make more money. Here in Malden you have a monopoly on shipping. If you close our post office, you are cutting off a revenue stream. Customers forced to leave town will likely choose a competing shipping company. There is a UPS shipper next door to your Rosalia office.

6: You list a total 10 year savings of $572,291.00 however when your breakdown is added up the total is $730,590.00

 IT DOES NOT ADD UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This thing is so far out of whack; you really have no choice but to find the proposal NOT WARRENTED.

Thank you

Nick Backman