On April 10, Postmaster Patrick Donahoe responded to a letter from Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. Donahoe stated that in his view the economic crisis of the USPS is "not due to "a manufactured crisis," but instead, is a direct result of a fundamental change in the way Americans use the mail and the lack of flexibility in (the USPS) business model to adapt to these changes."
And "cut, cut & more cuts."
And "cut, cut & more cuts."
Also for anyone who doesn't think Postmaster General Donahoe and the USPS have been good custodians of the historic buildings and public art entrusted to them: "The Postal Service is the first to acknowledge how important it is to preserve our historic buildings, which is why we are going through a lengthy and transparent process to assure their protection before they are sold. In the case of Berkeley we have been forthcoming on our proposal to sell the building. We held a public meeting in February where we listened and documented the concerns of hundreds of people." Click to read the entire letter. Fifteen Day Time Limits Note well that Donahoe states that if the USPS decides to relocate the Downtown Berkeley Post Office citizens will have only fifteen days to appeal the decision to the USPS Vice-President Facilities: "Should the decision to relocate the retail operation and sell the building be approved, there will be a 15-day appeal period." The fifteen day time limit is a violation of the Code of Federal Regulations 39CFR241.4(c)6 and is also not the time line used on the recent appeal process on the east coast for the Bronx General Post Office. Overall USPS regulations for relocations are arbitrary and capricious. The post office asserts their actions are exempt from environmental and historical preservation laws as well as two executive orders. Finally after the USPS Facilities Vice-President reviews the decision, the USPS asserts that “there is no further right to administrative or judicial review." |