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

Malden, Wash., Post Office Proposed Closure

P.O. Box 355

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

The USPS has proposed closing the Malden Washington post office. They forgot to notify anyone outside of the town limits, and their proposal has mis leading words and phrases that do not reflect the data presented. Coment eriod ends dec 5th. Our post office was listed as only 56 years old.....it is over 100. That is what got me started on trying to save it. It is one of only a few buildings left over from our glory days as the hub for Milwakee Railroad. They went around spokane on their cross country route, and built a round house here to accomidate the trains.

Here are copys of letters sent to USPS outlining my concerns. The attachments include the USPS' proposal, a letter written by the 9th legislative district , and pictures of our unique post office along with pictures of their idea of a replacement (a bunch of boxes).


Nick Backman
509-569-3536
509-217-1545

#########################################################################

From: Nicholas Backman

Malden WA. 99149-0355

To: Doreen Karoly U.S.P.S. 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.

I am writing to object to certain words and phrases used in drafting this proposal and accompanying documents. It is apparent that this document was cobbled together with catch phrases that are inaccurate and do not reflect the data given.

Specifically I am concerned with the improper usage of the words “Several”, “Number”, and “steady”.

By definition, the term“several” means more than two or three, but not many. The term “number” means a great quantity, and the term “steady” means unchanging.

In the docket an accompanying documents it is stated “Over the past severalyears, this office has experienced asteady decline in revenue and/or volume. Your figures presented below do not indicate a “steady decline” over “several years”

WALK IN REVENUE

FY 07: $11,817

FY 08: $12,999

FY 09: $11,364

FY 10: $11,144

Please note that revenue is up the second year over the first, and then the subsequent two years are down. A“steady decline” is not evident across the numbers presented, and that phrase should be stricken from the proposal. Revenues are down only in two years. Two does not make “several”. The term “several” needs to also be removed.

In regards to alternate sites available, the proposal states that “There are a ‘number’ of alternate sites within a short radius of this office that can provide the sale of stamps and the mailing of most package items”. Let me assure you that the only “number” of things within a short radius of Malden are wheat fields. The word “number” is improperly used and needs to be removed.

Driving distances to alternate facilities:

Rosalia: 7 miles one way (14 round trip)

St. John 13 miles one way (26 round trip)

Spangle, Cheney, Steptoe 20 miles one way (40 miles round trip, Nearest Saturday alternative

A factual error on environmental impact page lists the post office as only 56 years old, it is over 100 years old. I have mailed you a picture of the building from 1909.

Other catch phrases that are inaccurate or misleading are in the section titled “advantages of this proposal”.They should be removed as well.

Listed as advantage number four “CBU’s can offer the security of individually locked mail compartments…….” does not apply here. We already have individually locked mail compartments within a heated and dry secure building.

Listed as advantage number five“Customers opting for carrier service will not have to pay P.O. box fees”. The carrier does not travel thru Malden so we will have to use A CBU. Besides, we do not pay for P.O. boxes anyway as there is not door to door service in Malden.

Shown as advantage number six“Saves time and energy for customers who drive to post office to pick up mail”.This is untrue, as the carrier by passes Malden, customers will either have to drive to CBU, Rosalia for a p.o. box, or place a rural box miles outside of town. If anything it will cost time and energy, not save it.

Other information missing:

Additional Businesses and orginizations include All American Electric, A Shriners Lodge, and the farmers and grain elevators that surround us should be identified as businesses. These farmers and the residents of Pine City, though they receive rural delivery service thru Rosalia, use Malden as their closest post office for services.

Thank You

Nicholas Backman

CC: KXLY News

Malden Town Council

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

From: Nicholas Backman

P.O. Box 355

Malden, WA 99149-0355

To: Doreen Karoly, District Discontinuance Coordinator

Seattle PFC

415 First Ave N.

Seattle WA 98109-9998

RE: Docket # 1371535-99149: Malden WA Proposed Closure

Other Factor not considered in this proposal: Voting

In the proposal under section “V” (five) entitled “other factors” it is not noted that Washington State is a vote by mail state. The Malden post office serves as the de-factopolling location for Malden, Pine City and other surrounding residents. We are able to drop off our ballots throughout the entire Election Day at our convenience. During the last election, a friend of mine had her ballot sitting on her desk on and had to be reminded to get it in. This proposal fails to address this issue and no solutions have been suggested to accommodate voting in a “regular and effective” fashion.

Additional information: Some Businesses and organizations not listed in proposal include:

Malden Town Hall (We are an incorporated town)

Malden volunteers Fire Department

Malden Library and Community Center

Malden-Rosalia Municipal Airport

Wired or Wireless Communications

Kile Machine and Manufacturing

Knit-Wits knitting club

Malden Community Church

Malden Fence Menders (service organization)

The Mason’s Lodge

The Order Of The Eastern Star

Felton Hall Community Center

Malden Gift Shop and Hair

American Pride Electric (accidently referred to as All-American in a previous letter)

Pine City Cemetery

Malden Pine City Gun Club

Rock Church of Pine City

Pine City Grange

A gravel mine

2 grain elevators and numerous farmers

Thank You

Nick Backman

***********************************************************

From: Nicholas Backman

P.O. Box 355

MaldenWA 99149-0355

To: Doreen Karoly

Seattle PFC

415 first ave North

Seattle WA 98109-9998

RE: Docket # 1371535-99149: Malden Washington proposed closure

OTHER FACTORS NOT CONSIDERED IN DRAFTING THIS PROPOSAL: WEATHER, BAD ROADS

In the proposal under section “V” (five) it says “The Postal Service has identified no other factors for consideration”. Left out of the proposal is the fact that the roads in and out of Malden are narrow two lane roads with no shoulder and steep drop offs. These roads are subject to blowing and drifting snow, and can be blown shut for days. The main road is posted chains required in snow/ice conditions for trucks.

Your proposal has us meeting a truck by the CBU for retail service during a 15 minute window. ROAD CONDITIONS CAN AND WILL CAUSE DELAYS AND/OR CANCELLATION OF THE MAIL TRUCK. People including seniors and handicapped could potentially wait hours for a truck that is delayed or does not show up.

Breaks in storms do not follow your truck’s schedule, and people need to take care of their postal needs when they can get out of their driveway, quickly do what they have to do then get back home. If someone should forget to shovel in time, they might miss the truck.

This places un needed hardships and dangers for our seniors and disabled that do not need to be traveling on the road to Rosalia in severe weather events. They definitely do not need to wait around forever in a storm for the mail truck.

Thank you

Nick Backman

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

11-11-2011

From: Nicholas Backman

            P.O. Box 355

            Malden WA 99149-0355

    To:  Doreen Karoly, District Discontinuance Coordinator

            Seattle PFC

            415 First Ave N

            Seattle WA 98109-9998

RE: Docket number 1371535-99149: Malden Washington proposed closure

NOTICE OF NON COMPILANCE WITH PO HANDBOOK 101 PERTAINING TO POST OFFICE CLOSURES

 It has come to my attention that many members of our “community”, namely the farmers (who ARE businesses) and residents that surround Malden including Pine City, have not received mailings regarding the proposal to close the Malden post office. None of them were invited to the “community meeting”, nor did they receive a questionnaire.  These people and businesses receive their mail via rural carrier from Rosalia, but Malden is their closest retail outlet, and they should have been included in the process from the beginning.

 

  Under the glossary of terms (appendix A page 53) in P.O.  Handbook 101 the term “community” is defined as following: “A general term that denotes a group of individuals, with common interests, living in a particular area. These common interests may arise from social, business, governmental, scholastic or recreational associations and may involve consideration of shared institutions, traditions, and public services that help bind the community together. Institutions, services and associations do not always have clear centers or geographic boundaries. A COMMUNITY, THEREFORE, IS NOT NECESSARILY FORMALLY ORGANIZED OR CONFINED WITHIN CORPORATE LIMITS.”

 Under P.O. handbook 101 section 714 regarding community meetings, the post office has failed to meet  subsections ‘c’ and ‘d’. Adequate notice was not provided customers, and the meeting was held at 4:30p.m. on a work day when most people with a job would be unable to attend.

Also under section 715(a) the proposal does not clearly state the reason for discontinuance. As I have pointed out in previous letters, certain words and phrases that are used are mis-leading and do not properly reflect the data presented.

Therefore, in accordance with section 415.1(d) of the P.O. 101 handbook, this proposal should be found NOT WARRANTED.   “The discontinuance investigation was not conducted in accordance with the law and postal service policy”.

Thank you

Nick Backman

Comment on Local Voices Story, November 18, 2011

Thanks for helping spread the word about our Museum on Main Street program with the Smithsonian and the St. John library. They've done some amazing work in St. John and we hope people turn out to see it.

Cheers,
Andrew
Humanities Washingtonhttp://humanities.org
(The Denton Building,1 East Front, houses the library and the exhibit.)