June 16, 2009

Contact: Kristen Bossi

(202) 225-4476

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5), sent a letter to Ed Phelan, District Manager of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ask for answers on how the USPS' review of all 150 Connecticut postal branches will be conducted, and to request that the current economic conditions be assessed before the USPS makes any decisions affecting jobs and community access.

"In these difficult economic circumstances, these cuts threaten the futures of countless Connecticut families already struggling under the weight a crippling recession. While I understand the Postal Service's need to remain fiscally solvent, I believe consolidations and closures should be conducted with the utmost regard for the employees whose lives will be permanently impacted by such decisions," wrote Murphy.

Last week, both Connecticut residents and Murphy's office first learned of this review from The Hartford Courant and The Torrington Register Citizen, which reported that all 150 postal branches in Connecticut will be assessed to determine if consolidation would be appropriate.  In his letter, Murphy asked Phelan for a timeframe for the assessment and for notice of when the public comment period will occur.

"City and town officials, businesses, residents, and postal employees deserve to be updated regarding the fate of their local postal facility in a timely manner.  I urge the Postal Service to involve the affected communities in this process as much as possible.  The spread of accurate information will stifle rumors and allow towns and cities to prepare for any impending changes to their postal operations," wrote Murphy.

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