NNDPA wants to draw your attention to an Important Issue 

 

      Closing of U.S. post offices and the general downsizing of the postal service have been in the news recently.  The shrinking of the public sector and privatization of so many sectors of our society reflects the larger context of the closures. 

 

     Gray Brechin's Op-Ed in the U.K.'s The Guardian provides some of that context, and perspective on the post office's profound influence in American society.  Click below to read the complete article.

 

 

     Because so many post offices were built by the New Deal and beautified by its arts programs, the National New Deal Preservation Association hopes to alert you to broader implications of the postal service consolidation and motivate you to action in your community. 

 

 

 

 

 NNDPA President Harvey Smith speaking at
Rally at historic Venice, CA New Deal Post Office on 11/5/11 

 Photo by: Paule Cruz Takash  

 

     Many communities are not taking USPS actions lightly and are standing up to preserve their beloved local post offices.  An example of this is the recent rally in Venice, CA., which was covered by the L.A. Times.

 

The Complete Article     

 

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    NNDPA is most concerned about the pending closure of many post offices. Beyond that, many have murals in them that depict the history of the area or some scene that focuses on the major economy of that geographic area.    We are hopeful that the Retail Department of the Post Office will find other ways to utilize the building's space and keep the buildings open, thereby eliminating the negative impact on some of the small communities where the post office is the hub of the community.   

 

     Where the murals are concerned, it is our understanding that if a post office building with a mural in it is sold, the Real Estate Department will negotiate with the new owner to properly care for the existing mural.  If, for whatever reason, the new owners are unable to take on that responsibility, then efforts are mandated to find a suitable location in the community to house the mural, provided it can be done so without great damage.

     We have observed that a great majority of folks out there do not fully understand that while the Post Office is a "quasi-governmental operation," it is for the most part a private entity, and is not taxpayer-funded.  However, unlike other such entities, some aspects of the Post Office - especially the financial ones - are controlled by Congress, and as such, it presents unique challenges to the future of this great American institution.

     We encourage the citizenry to contact their Congressional Representatives and let them know of their concerns about potential closings in their community - particularly if it is the only post office IN that community.

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

Kathryn Flynn

Executive Director