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Congressman Higgins questions public process for postal center closings

Local postal workers rallied in September in Buffalo
WBFO News file photo
Local postal workers rallied in September in Buffalo

Western New York Congressman Brian Higgins is seeking answers from the U.S. Postmaster General about the future of Buffalo's William Street facility. 

Higgins is questioning the public process for the review of possible post office closings.

"It's my believe that they are looking to discourage public participation so they can proceed with the decision they already made," said Higgins.

Congressman Higgins wrote to the Postmaster General expressing his disappointment and concern with the public process in determining the closings and consolidations of Postal centers.

 In a recent speech by the Postmaster General at the National Press club, he indicated reducing mail processing centers would be key to dealing with financial troubles at the U.S. Postal Service. 

Higgins said the Postal leader is sending mixed messages.   Higgins now questions the sincerity of the Postal Service effort to seek public input.

"We are going to fight this issue on behalf of Western New York.  I think, it is very, very important for a lot of commercial businesses to have the mail handling facility, the post office facility here in Western New York,  and we are going to advance information that justifies our concern about potential closing of this facility," said Higgins. 

"This is a public review process. It requires oversight. It requires transparency and it requires a period for public comment," noted Congressman Higgins.

More than 500-jobs would be lost at the William Street facility if it closes. 

Congressman Higgins is reminding the Post Master general that he promised a study on mail processing to determine consolidation.  

Higgins said he is very concerned a decision has already been made without a public process.