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

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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