Rep. Dennis Kucinich

Washington, Jul 26, 2008 -

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) 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 on Thursday.

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.

“There are frequently lines outside this post office.  Its closure would have been a significant disservice to our community,” Kucinich said. “This branch is extremely important to the local economy due to its proximity to essential transportation and communication arteries in Northeast Ohio.”

At the hearing, Kucinich also expressed concern over a nationwide effort outlined in the Postal Service Network Plan to close airport and processing facilities across the country.  He secured a commitment from Subcommittee Chairman Danny Davis (D-IL) to investigate the prudence of the closings and the role of privatization.

“There are questions about the accuracy of the information that drives these closings,” said Kucinich.  “In the past, the amount that was supposed to be saved by a closing was not achieved.  Predictions of the effects on service have also been erroneous. Any further changes in airport postal operations of the magnitude suggested by the Postal Service Network Plan require further scrutiny from the Subcommittee.”

Congressman Kucinich has consistently advocated for keeping the airport post office open.  On June 8, 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. 

 
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