Press Releases
WASHINGTON – In a letter sent yesterday to Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, the U.S. Postal Service’s chief executive, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA) emphasized their support for a permanent postal facility in Pocahontas, Virginia. The Postal Service suspended service at the Pocahontas Post Office in April, citing safety concerns with the building. As a result, all retail services were transferred to the Boissevain Post Office.
The members' letter is attached. They wrote:
The Honorable Megan Brennan
Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer
United States Postal Service
Dear Postmaster General Brennan:
We write to you regarding the suspension of the Pocahontas, Virginia Post Office (“Pocahontas Post Office”) and our concerns for post office box customers in the Town of Pocahontas.
As you know, the United States Postal Service (“Postal Service”) suspended service at the Pocahontas Post Office on Monday, April 25, 2016, citing safety concerns with the building. All retail services were transferred to the Boissevain Post Office approximately 3.3 miles away. Thus, all 325 boxholders were directed to travel to Boissevain to retrieve their mail. On July 25, we understand that a temporary post office in Pocahontas opened to serve residents while a permanent facility is secured.
Having heard from a number of constituents expressing fears that Pocahontas will not retain a permanent post office, we emphasize our support for a permanent Pocahontas facility. In light of other Postal Service plans for closures and consolidations in Southwest Virginia announced in recent years, Pocahontas residents are understandably alarmed about this situation. Postal Service customers in rural areas depend on access to box services. The loss of essential day-to- day services provided by post offices threatens the survival of our small towns. Traveling to another town every day to pick up their mail is simply not feasible for many in Pocahontas, especially in an area with limited transportation options. In particular, the elderly and handicapped have shared with us the difficulties they have experienced in trekking to the Boissevain Post Office.
We appreciate your consideration of our concerns and look forward to monitoring the Postal Service’s progress in reopening a permanent facility in the Town of Pocahontas.
Sincerely,
H. Morgan Griffith
MEMBER OF CONGRESS
Mark R. Warner
UNITED STATES SENATOR
Tim Kaine
UNITED STATES SENATOR
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