(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
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