Fighting for Local Postal Service by Demanding a Thorough Analysis of Post Office Consolidation Review
“Post Office on Wheels” Program
Saving the Retail Mail Facility at Cleveland Airport, Securing Commitment to Look at Processing Facility
Honoring a Community Hero and Public Servant, John P. Gallagher
Protesting New House Mail Procedures
Renaming the Strongsville Post Office in memory of Mayor Ehrnfelt Jr.
View press releases and related documents on postal issues
Postal Service and Political Periodicals
In 2007, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) chose a rate hike proposal that closely resembled one offered by Time Warner over one recommended by the U.S. Postal Service. The result was that smaller, independent periodicals faced devastating increases in their mailing costs of up to 20-30 percent.
Among those most affected are smaller periodicals that inform citizens about issues of public interest. The new rates are threatening their financial viability and the future of robust political discourse in this sector. These periodicals play a critical role in our democratic discourse and therefore merit special attention by the postal service.
Congressman Kucinich was the first to take the issue up by securing a commitment by Chairman Danny Davis (D-IL) of the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia Subcommittee, of which Congressman Kucinich is a member, to hold a hearing on the topic. The October 2007 hearing, “Will Increased Postal Rates Put Mailers out of Business,” generated great interest. The focus of the hearing was the preservation of the financial viability of publications engaged in a democratic exchange of ideas.
Congressman Kucinich will continue to work with the USPS and a bipartisan list of Subcommittee Members to make sure these small and medium-sized periodicals survive.
Fighting for Local Postal Service by Demanding a Thorough Analysis ofPost Office Consolidation Review
Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Postmaster General and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service Mr. John Potterrequesting assurance that the needs of greater Cleveland would be central in thedecision-making process used in the review of 16 area post office locations forpotential closure.
Congressman Kucinich sent theletter after demanding assurances from a representative of the U.S.P.S, Mr.Jordan Small, that community input would be included in the review. Mr. Small was testifying before theSubcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, of which Kucinich is amember. In the hearing CongressmanKucinich also expressed concern about the potential for privatization of theservices provided by the U.S.P.S.
“Post Office on Wheels” Program
Congressman Kucinich preserved the USPS Mobile Post Office program for seniors and disabled individuals. The “Post Office on Wheels” program was slated for elimination by the Cleveland District USPS. Close to 100 individuals contacted Kucinich’s office concerned about the program’s future. Congressman Kucinich wrote a letter to USPS District Manager Don Marshall, expressing the importance and value of the program for his constituents related to the mission of the Postal Service. The District Manager kept the program open, benefiting low-income seniors and disabled individuals in mainly high-rise, residential buildings.
Saving the Retail Mail Facility at Cleveland Airport, Securing Commitment to Look at Processing Facility
On July 25, 2008, Congressman Dennis Kucinich secured a commitment from a high ranking official of the U.S. Postal Service to keep the retail operations of the Cleveland Airport Mail Center open “for the foreseeable future” at a subcommittee hearing yesterday. Deputy Postmaster Patrick Donahoe, testifying before the House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce Post Office and the District of Columbia, was questioned by Congressman Kucinich about the Postal Service’s plan to close the post office at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Mr. Donahoe responded that the airport would remain open and confirmed that the hours may be extended. Mr. Donahoe also agreed to meet with Congressman Kucinich in Cleveland in order to answer further questions about the Cleveland Airport Mail Center (AMC) and the potential closing of other Airport Mail Centers across the county.
Kucinich expressed concern about the frequent lines outside this post office. Its closure would have been a significant disservice to the community. This branch is extremely important to the local economy due to its proximity to essential transportation arteries in Northeast Ohio.
Congressman Kucinich has consistently advocated for keeping the airport post office open. On June 8, 2008, Congressman Kucinich wrote a letter to the Postmaster General John E. Potter to express concern about the potential reductions in service to area customers who depend on its late hours of operation.
Honoring a Community Hero and Public Servant, John P. Gallagher
On August 12, 2008, H.R. 6150, Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s bill that renamed the Post Office at 14500 Lorain Ave. in Cleveland after John P. Gallagher, a lifelong civil servant for the City of Cleveland and for the country, was signed into law.
Mr. Gallagher began a long career of public service at age 19 by serving in World War II. As a combat engineer in the Army’s 531st Engineer Shore Regiment, 1st Engineer Amphibian Brigade, he fought in some of the most prominent theaters including Normandy in France and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Upon returning home, he worked for the City of Cleveland for 30 years, where he ascended to the title of Superintendent of Sidewalks. He used his role to perform unfailing and tireless service to the people of Cleveland, earning recognition for his ability to navigate tense social situations and bureaucracy. An activist on behalf of senior citizens, Mr. Gallagher led the charge in making sure programs for seniors were included in the Gunning Recreation Center. In addition to being a decades-long, active member of the Democratic Party on the precinct committee, he also found time to volunteer as an usher at the 5:30 mass every Saturday at the St. Vincent De Paul Parish. When interviewed about his service to our country, Mr. Gallagher denied being a hero. As he sat in his room of medals and other memorabilia, he said, “You did your job. That’s all.” Mr. Gallagher passed away September 10, 2008.
Protesting New House Mail Procedures
On February 17, 2004, Congressman sent a letter to the House Sergeant Arms and the Chief Administrative Officer of the House asking them to suspend new mail procedures, that were put in place for all House mail, until serious questions about privacy and outsourcing were answered.
Prior to the new procedures, all first class mail delivered to the House was subject to an inspection process following an irradiation treatment by the US Postal Service. During inspection, a corner of each envelope would be cut, sampled for various substances, and then held in quarantine until test results qualified the letter as safe.
In the new mail procedure, however, which was outlined in a communication from the House Sergeant at Arms and the House Chief Administrative Officer to Members of Congress, all inbound mail to House offices is opened, inspected, and resealed by a private company at in off-site location before reaching Members’ offices.
Renaming the Strongsville Post Office in memory of Mayor Ehrnfelt Jr.
When Strongsville Mayor Ehrnfelt passed away in May of 2003, Congressman Kucinich sought to honor the Mayor for his distinguished and effective 25 years of leadership in service to the people of Strongsville. Along with Rep. LaTourette, Congressman Kucinich crafted a bill to rename the Strongsville Post Office in honor and memory of Mayor Ehrnfelt. The bill, HR 3300, passed the House of Representatives by unanimous vote.
HR 3300 recognizes that Mayor Ehrnfelt’s impact on the city of Strongsville will never be forgotten. After graduating from Strongsville High School, he began what would become a lifetime commitment to civic involvement. In 1973, while running Ehrnfelt Meats, a family business that operates still today, his neighbors convinced him to run for the Strongsville School Board, leading the fight against a campaign to dismiss teachers and ban books in the school district. He won that race, and in 1978 he was appointed Mayor of Strongsville, later winning his first Mayoral race in November 1979 by more than a 2 to 1 margin. Voters rewarded his effective leadership by re-electing him to six consecutive four-year terms, the last beginning in 2000. As Mayor, Walter Ehrnfelt guided Strongsville through an unprecedented period of growth, evolving from a community of 22,000 to a thriving suburb of 45,000 residents. HR 3300 rightly codifies the important impact of Mayor Ehrnfelt’s work for Strongsville, Ohio, and the nation.
