Rahall And Rockefeller Protest Postal Service Plan

{West Virginia}...Representative Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., has voiced his protest to the U.S. Postal Service's plan to close up to 150 such postal facilities across West Virginia, including 85 retail postal outlets in southern West Virginia. The offices cut a huge swatch across his 3rd District. Rahall says, “Consolidations and closures of postal facilities are already affecting southern West Virginia, and this announcement is more bad news for businesses and residents that we certainly do not need.” The postal agency has indicated that some of the offices might be replaced with third-party retailers that offer products and services, but Rahall says, “Once a post office closes, it’s a crapshoot whether postal retail services can be maintained. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the public comment and participation process to help ensure that retail postal services are maintained in our communities.” Senator Jay Rockefeller also weighed in saying he wants to be absolutely certain that rural states haven’t been unfairly targeted. Rockefeller is encouraging concerned West Virginians in areas that have been identified for closure to call the Appalachian District of the Postal Service to share their concerns.