Locals support Post Office Act
Local governments are praising the introduction of a bill that would require the U.S. Postal Service to include local communities in any decisions on closing, consolidating, relocating or building post offices. The Post Office Community Partnership Act (H.R. 1861, S. 897) was introduced in the House by Earl Blumenauer (D–Ore.) and in the Senate by Jim Jeffords (R–Vt.) and Max Baucus (D–Mont.).
The bill is a revision of a bill introduced last year and is supported by a bipartisan group. A December 2000 poll by the American Planning Association (APA) showed that 82 percent of registered voters support the bill, which also requires the Postal Service to comply with local zoning, planning and other land use laws.
“There have been several instances where the Postal Service has closed or relocated facilities in ways that abandon service for some communities, vacate historic buildings and contribute to sprawl,” says Jeff Soule, policy director for the APA. “This legislation helps preserve the vital role that a post office plays in making vibrant, livable communities.”
For more information, see www.stampoutsprawl.org.