May 7, 2014 | Press Release
U.S. Postal Service considering permanent closure of facility
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) urged U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to keep the Carlstadt Post Office open following a destructive fire that gutted the facility. USPS recently announced in a letter to postal customers they are studying the Carlstadt facility for “discontinuance” following the devastating blaze.
“Although the recent fire was destructive and costly, it should not be used as a pretext to shut down the Carlstadt Post Office,” Pascrell wrote to Postmaster General Donahoe. “What is now a temporary inconvenience for Carlstadt postal customers must not become a permanent hardship. My constituents in Carlstadt rely on a convenient and accessible postal location for a wide range of personal and business needs. A failure to quickly reopen, rebuild or relocate the Post Office within Carlstadt would create an unnecessary hardship for these local residents and loyal postal customers. The closure of local post offices in towns like Carlstadt threatens that trust and drives customers to seek out other service providers.”
The early morning blaze on April 24th forced a temporarily closure of the facility, with services in the interim rerouted through the East Rutherford Branch. In 2011 the Carlstadt Post Office was named in honor of Staff Sergeant Frank T. Carvill and Lance Corporal Michael A. Schwarz, two fallen soldiers from Carlstadt that were killed in combat operations in Iraq.
The full text of the letter follows:
May 7, 2014
The Honorable Patrick Donahoe
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington DC 20260-0010Dear Postmaster General Donahoe:
As you may know, a destructive fire gutted the Carlstadt, New Jersey Post Office in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 24. I appreciate the quick action by the Northern New Jersey District (NNJD) of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to maintain uninterrupted service for Carlstadt customers by rerouting mail through the East Rutherford, New Jersey Post Office. However, I write today to express my deep concern over the decision by the NNJD to consider permanent closure of the Carlstadt Post Office location as a result of this unfortunate event.
Although the recent fire was destructive and costly, it should not be used as a pretext to shut down the Carlstadt Post Office. What is now a temporary inconvenience for Carlstadt postal customers must not become a permanent hardship. My constituents in Carlstadt rely on a convenient and accessible postal location for a wide range of personal and business needs. A failure to quickly reopen, rebuild or relocate the Post Office within Carlstadt would create an unnecessary hardship for these local residents and loyal postal customers. Postal customers in Carlstadt and across our nation have come to trust USPS for speedy, accurate and convenient mail service. The closure of local post offices in towns like Carlstadt threatens that trust and drives customers to seek out other service providers.
Furthermore, in 2011, the Carlstadt Post Office was officially designated as the Staff Sergeant Frank T. Carvill and Lance Corporal Michael A. Schwarz Post Office Building in honor of two local heroes killed in action in Iraq. The discontinuance of this facility would strip these brave men and their families of this fitting tribute to their service and sacrifice.
Again, I urge you to ensure that the USPS maintains a Post Office location in Carlstadt, New Jersey. In order to minimize the disruption to residents, the Carlstadt Post Office should be reopened, rebuilt, or relocated within Carlstadt as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration of this important request. The people of Carlstadt deserve no less.
Sincerely,
Bill Pascrell, Jr.
Member of Congress
via Rep. Pascrell Urges Postmaster General to Retain Carlstadt Post Office | Congressman Bill Pascrell.