HomeMy WebLinkAbout20111100 OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
1861 - 2011 PHONE: 970-336-7204
FAX: 970-10TH 52-0242
STREET
915 10 W E L eo NTY Y P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, COLORADO 80632
April 27,2011
Postal Regulatory Commission
Attn: Secretary of the Commission
901 New York Avenue NW
Suite 200, West Tower
Washington,D.C. 20268
Re: United States Post Office in New Raymer,Colorado
To Whom it May Concern:
It has been brought to the attention of the Board of Weld County Commissioners that a preliminary discontinuation study
is being conducted to determine if the U.S.Post Office of New Raymer should remain open and function as a full service
statutory post office with all the rights and privileges as designated, with a Post Master, or if the present post office
should be closed,and services reduced to the status of a subordinate satellite facility under the authority of another post
office. It is also our understanding that the reason the New Raymer Post Office is on the study list is because they do not
presently have a designated post master,This is due to a moratorium that was placed on hiring a new post master that was
issued just after the past post master was promoted to the Merino post office thereby leaving a vacancy in New Raymer.It
was explained to a lesser extent that a decrease in postal activity has also contributed to the reason for the study. We
also understand that your presentation at the meeting in New Raymer included a description that not all services would be
eliminated,but rather limited and delivered by other contracted service providers who would attempt to fulfill some needs
of the local citizens.
Upon reviewing the issue,the related facts,and that this part of the county is poised for economic growth,the Board of
Weld County Commissioners are submitting this letter to the U.S. Postal Service, respectfully asking that the study
include our support for the New Raymer U.S.Post Office to remain open as a full service post office and not be closed
for the following reasons:
1. All of northern Weld County is a part of the newly discovered Niobrara oil and gas formation. Northeast Weld
County,the New Raymer area,is preparing for large growth in the oil and gas drilling,producing,processing,
and transportation industry. There will be an increased demand for housing,offices,staging areas,and other
industry related businesses in the area. Consequently,there will be an increased need for full postal services
which can only be provided by a full service post office. As a result,there will be an increase in activity and an
addition of many value added pieces of mail. The timing of this study is at an inopportune time given this new
economic activity.
2. The New Raymer Post Office should not be held to the criteria of not having a post master by virtue of the
timing of the moratorium that no more postmasters could be hired. If the past Post Master had stayed in New
Raymer and not been promoted,thereby moving to another town,New Raymer would not be in the study. A
waiver of this rule regarding the moratorium should be submitted to the appropriate agency.
3. Post Offices with larger decreases of postal activity in Colorado are not a part of the study criteria for closure or
consolidation and should be.
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UNITED STATES POST OFFICE APRIL 27,2011 PAGE 2
4. Post Offices that do not meet OSHA and ADA requirements standards in Colorado are not a part of the study
criteria for closure or consolidation and should be.
5. According to the Postal Regulatory Commission,closing all small and rural post offices would save the Postal
Service less the 0.7%of its total operating budget.
6. A recent Gallup Poll reported that 86%of Americans oppose closing post offices.
7. In recognition of the Postal Service Mission Statement the Weld County Board of Commissioners finds that the
Postal Service's basic obligation is to provide the postal services to bind the New Raymer community together.
They deserve a full-functioning Post Office.
8. 150 families from the New Raymer area have been in contact with us asking for our help in this effort to keep
the New Raymer Post Office open.
In summary,the Weld County Board of Commissioners respectfully ask that the New Raymer Post Office be kept open
and operating as a full functioning Post Office and that a waiver to hire a Post Master for the New Raymer Post Office be
submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission or other appropriate agency.
Very truly yours,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMI TONERS
At
Barbara Kirkme er,Chair ` (�
can P.. Conwa Pro TemC21) Douglas acher
David E. Long i Ia F.
cc: Juan Munoz,Manage Post Office Operations
Marcela Juarez River
The Honorable Cory Gardner
The Honorable Mark Udall
The Honorable Michael Bennett
The Honorable Scott Renfroe
The Honorable Jerry Sonnenberg
Monica Mika
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