Nolan to Hold Public Forum on Possible Closure of Mail Processing Facility

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan announced today that U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe has agreed to personally review the decision to close the Duluth mail processing facility, set to take place in 2015 and affect some 70 jobs.

The two spoke by telephone on Friday – "a very friendly and productive conversation"– for about half an hour.

Nolan said Donahoe made no promises, but did listen carefully to his (Nolan's) concerns that the move would be particularly harmful to rural communities.

"There is no logical, sensible reason to abandon this cost-effective, expanding facility in Duluth – and put 70 good-paying jobs at risk," Nolan said. "The fact is, there are not enough jobs in rural communities – so what possible sense can it make to take these jobs away from Greater Minnesota, and send them to a densely-populated and congested metropolitan area?"

Nolan added that the USPS is required by law to take into consideration any and all harmful consequences a closure or consolidation would have on rural communities.

The Duluth postal office would maintain its retail facility, but relocate its mail processing and sorting operations to the Twin Cities.

Nolan also announced that he will be holding a public forum this coming Friday morning in Duluth to give the people in the region an opportunity to voice their opinions with respect to the closing.

The forum will take place from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the basement of the United Methodist Church (aka the Coppertop Church) located at 230 East Skyline Parkway.

"The one and only public meeting the Postal Service saw fit to hold on this critical decision took place more than two and a half years ago – in November of 2011. Since they have refused to hold another, I want to provide postal workers and their families, business owners, community leaders, and postal customers throughout the Duluth region with a good opportunity to voice their concerns and explain the ramifications of closing this facility from their perspective. I will take those views directly back to Postmaster General Donahoe for his review and consideration," Nolan said.

Nolan has also invited the Postmaster General to come to Minnesota and tour both the Duluth facility and the smaller operation in Bemidji that is also on a recently released list of closures and consolidations.

Nolan added that he and Postmaster General Donahoe also discussed possible legislative solutions to the current requirement that the Postal Service put away $5.5 billion every year to pre-fund 75 years of future retiree health benefits.

Without that requirement, which the Bush Administration insisted on in 2006, financial analysts say the Postal Service would be on track toward a $1 billion profit this year.

Nolan said he plans to continue his discussions with Donahoe and other top Postal Service officials. "No one has made any promises, but we are talking, and that's a good start," he said.