Ackerman Sends Letter to Postmaster General on Bell Blvd. Post Office Closure

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-Bayside, said he sent a letter to the U.S. postmaster general to voice his opposition to the .

Last week, the congressman and community leaders .
Ackerman wrote a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in which he said USPS was circumventing the law by attempting to move the facility without consultation and community input.

"I would like the USPS to explain why it does not see it necessary to provide a public comment period in which my constituents' concerns will be considered and why moving the post office to an undesirable location is a good move for the USPS and its customers," the congressman wrote."

Ackerman said current law states that the USPS must provide notice of its intention to close a post office at least 60 days prior to the date it will shut down.

"While it is the USPS's contention that closing one office and moving it to another location does not constitute a closing or loss of service to the community, the proposed move is to a geographically isolated location," Ackerman said.

Bayside leaders said they were concerned that the annex site could also be dangerous because it is often filled with garbage and has no sidewalks.
The USPS could not be reached for comment.