OIG recommends terminating the USPS-CBRE contract and refers cases for criminal investigation

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The Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General has issued its fourth report criticizing the Postal Service’s oversight of the contract with its real estate broker, CBRE.  It’s entitled “Postal Service Management of CBRE Real Estate Transactions.” The OIG finds fault with both the leasing deals and the sales of postal property, and it recommends terminating the contract with CBRE.  The … Read More

Oregon’s Congressional delegation asks to meet with PMG on plant consolidations

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The members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation have written to Postmaster General Megan Brennan requesting a meeting to discuss the Postal Service’s plan to consolidate mail processing facilities and the future of delivery standards. The letter is signed by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representatives Peter Defazio, Kurt Schrader, Greg Walden, Suzanne Bonamici, and Earl Blumenauer.  “We have concerns,” … Read More

USPS suspends delivery due to dog, judge files complaint with PRC

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It’s not uncommon for the Postal Service to suspend delivery to a residence or even a whole block as a result of a dog problem.  The issue usually gets resolved after the customer takes steps to restrain the dog.  It’s not the kind of thing that typically ends up going to the Postal Regulatory Commission for adjudication.  But that’s what … Read More

PRC’s Goldway: USPS “short-sighted” over sale of historic central post offices

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Post & Parcel: The former chairman of the US Postal Regulatory Commission has criticised the US Postal Service for its “failure of vision” over the sale of historical central post offices. Ruth Goldway, who remains a Commissioner after chairing the Presidentially-appointed Commission from 2009 to 2014, was commenting on an attempt by a community in the state of Connecticut to save … Read More

Berkeley post office worthy of passion, protest

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San Jose Mercury: Consider some of Berkeley's signature protests. Legions of students sitting in for free speech. Citizen activists fighting to keep People's Park for the people. Tree-sitters giving voice to a grove of whispering oaks outside Memorial Stadium. Another one — with the requisite components of activism, occupation and principled outrage — has been raging quietly at the corner of … Read More

Air Rights to Old Chelsea PO: Piece Of Sky Up For Bid

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Chelsea Now: No one knows the ultimate fate of a treasured local post office — but at least the concerned parties were sent two letters of intent. The sale of the air rights and a portion of historic Old Chelsea Station (217 W. 18th St. btw 7th & 8th Aves.) is moving forward as the United States Postal Services (USPS) … Read More

Civil Disobedience and the Mailman

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From the Tampa Bay News, "Ruskin gyrocopter pilot says postal officials are telling him not to talk to media," April 20, 2015 The Ruskin mail carrier who last week flew a gyrocopter into restricted airspace over Washington D.C., to make a political statement says he has been put on paid leave with the U.S. Postal Service with orders not to … Read More

York PA post office resold for more than twice what the USPS sold it for

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The historic post office in York, PA, has just been sold by one developer to another.  In August 2013, York businessman Themi Sacarellos bought the post office from the Postal Service for $350,000.  It had been assessed at $1,480,440, and it was initially listed at $800,000.  The USPS-CBRE Properties for Sale website currently lists it at $650,000 and "sold."  After … Read More

New Facebook Page on America’s Post Offices

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There's a new Facebook page called "Ours: America's Post Offices."  It posts links to articles about the Postal Service, and encourages readers to post photos of their post office with a note about what it means to you and your community.  Several great post office photos have already been posted.  Visit the page here.

OIG report shows mode of delivery affects “customer engagement”

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The USPS OIG has just released a new report on “Modes of Delivery and Customer Engagement with Advertising Mail.”  According to the report, which is based on a survey of 5,000 households, “Advertising mail delivered to a recipient’s door generates higher “read and response” rates than advertising mail delivered to the curbside or a neighborhood cluster box. Door delivery customers … Read More

North Platte appeals relocation of downtown post office

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The City of North Platte, Nebraska, has filed an appeal with the Postal Regulatory Commission, challenging the Postal Service’s decision to close the downtown post office and replace it with a retail operation in a carrier annex and processing center located in an industrial park on the outskirts of town.  The letter of appeal notes that the Postal Service did … Read More

Court dismisses lawsuit over Berkeley post office after USPS rescinds decision to sell the historic building

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The Postal Service has rescinded its decision to relocate and sell the historic post office on Allston Way in Berkeley, California.  As a result, the legal case challenging the sale has been declared moot by the court, and the case has been dismissed. The lawsuit was filed by the City of Berkeley and the National Trust for Historic Preservation late … Read More

Google celebrates the B-day of the Pony Express, with a surprise for the USPS

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Washington Post: "Saddle up and surrender those work hours — it’s time for a little digital horseplay.  To celebrate the 155th anniversary of the Pony Express today, Google has created an addictively interactive video-game “Doodle” that’s now running (and running) on the search engine’s home page.  “This game is about overcoming the elements,” Matt Cruickshank, the Doodle’s lead artist, tells The Post. “It’s … Read More