WASHINGTON, DC- In response to the proposed permanent closure of the post office in Avoca, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today sent a letter to Edward B. Burke, District Manager for the United States Postal Service (USPS), urging him to closely evaluate every option that might allow for the reopening and retention of the post office.
“As we are sure you are aware, many Pennsylvanians depend on the existence of local post offices as their primary method for receiving this important service,” the members wrote. “Our offices have been contacted by many residents of Avoca who are concerned that losing the post office on Main Street would prevent them, as well as local businesses, from accessing their post office boxes, purchasing money orders, and sending packages. Many residents, particularly those who do not own cars, are understandably worried about the distance they will be expected to travel to reach alternative facilities.”
The members went on to write, “we fully appreciate the USPS’ concern for the safety of its employees and customers. However, we have been informed that the property owner is working to take significant steps to address these safety concerns so that the building can be reopened quickly.”
Full text of the letter is below.
Dear Mr. Burke:
We are writing to express our mutual continued interest in the post office in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in light of the recent request for public comment regarding the possible permanent closure of this post office by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
As we are sure you are aware, many Pennsylvanians depend on the existence of local post offices as their primary method for receiving this important service. Our offices have been contacted by many residents of Avoca who are concerned that losing the post office on Main Street would prevent them, as well as local businesses, from accessing their post office boxes, purchasing money orders, and sending packages. Many residents, particularly those who do not own cars, are understandably worried about the distance they will be expected to travel to reach alternative facilities.
We are aware that this proposal comes at a time when the USPS is considering closing hundreds of post offices nationwide and that this specific proposal was initially inspired by a concern for safety. As we have commented in our previous letters, we fully appreciate the USPS’ concern for the safety of its employees and customers. However, we have been informed that the property owner is working to take significant steps to address these safety concerns so that the building can be reopened quickly, and we hope that you will respond to this effort by closely evaluating every option that might allow for the reopening and retention of this post office while ensuring the safety of the facility’s customers and workers.
If there is any way that our offices can be of assistance in this process, please contact us. Thank you for your attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
Paul E. Kanjorski
Member of Congress
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