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*

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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