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Rahall Disappointed by Bluefield Postal Facility Closure

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., has expressed his "extreme disappointment" that a mail processing facility in Bluefield has fallen victim to the United States Postal Service's hard times.

Rahall phoned both the USPS chief operating officer and executive vice president about the closure, saying the postal service poorly handled public meetings in southern West Virginia "as further evidence that the postal service is being dismissive of the needs and concerns of rural citizens."

"My constituents are very upset about the closure of the Bluefield processing center and I am convinced that it further cements the impression of many that these public meetings are merely for show and that their concerns are not being taken seriously," Rahall said. "In many areas of my district, there is no cell phone service, no Blackberries, no Internet. Residents and businesses depend on their post office for basic communications, for sending letters, paying bills, receiving medication. When my constituents try to make these points, many of them think the postal service has turned a deaf ear to their concerns."

Rahall wrote to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe Oct. 31 questioning if the public meetings were accomplishing their purpose or were "just perfunctory exercises" and the postal service intended to go ahead with the closures despite public concern. He referenced a story in the Pocahontas Times that quoted some of these concerns. That same article also contained references to an incident in which one man attempted to read a letter from Rahall at a public meeting concerning the possible closure of the Buckeye post office. However, an official in charge tried to stop the reading, saying "Rahall's letters are all the same."

Rahall has opposed the possible closure of post offices and postal facilities in southern West Virginia. He has met with Donahoe and other officials in an attempt to bring citizen concerns to the forefront and ensure those concerns are properly addressed.

"I find it outrageous to hear that a U.S. Postal official would interrupt the reading of a U.S. Congressman's letter to his own constituents," Rahall said. "This is supposed to be an opportunity for the public to comment. They should not be harassed by postal officials when they are simply trying to express their opinion and hopefully to enlighten the agency about their needs and concerns."

Rahall asked the USPS COO to look into the matter and find out if the meetings were improperly conducted.

"I ask that you look into this matter and get back to me," he said. "I want to know how these meetings are being conducted in Southern West Virginia and what is being done to address the legitimate safety and convenience concerns of residents and businesses that are being raised at these meetings."