DPMG Addresses Liberty City Residents as Edison PO Closes, New Options Open

Front Row L to R: Angela Randle, Manager, Customer Service Operations (Miami); Lori Moore, Manager, Customer Service; District Manager Jeffrey Becker. Back Row L to R: Alain Iglesias, Marketing Manager; Robert Carr, Miami Postmaster; Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman; Chris Simmons, A/Manager, Operations Programs Support; and Rick Suarez, Miami Plant Manager.

Miami APWU Local 172 President Carol Sutton and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson strike a pose.

Marketing Manager Alain Iglesias holds map as District Manager Jeffrey Becker points to alternate access options in the Liberty City neighborhood.

DPMG Ronald A. Stroman chats with Brenda Davis, President, Edison Triplex Tenant Association.

DPMG Ronald A. Stroman greets Congresswoman Frederica Wilson prior to the community meeting.

Liberty City residents met with DPMG Ronald A. Stroman who explained the USPS's dire financial situation and welcomed questions on alternate access options.

Lovette McGill, President, Philip Randolph Institute, Greater Miami-Dade Chapter, told the DPMG how much the Edison Center Finance Unit meant to her.

At the invitation of Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman came to Miami on Saturday, June 4, to address the Liberty City community on the closing of the Edison Center Finance Unit. Residents wanted to keep open their Post Office (open since 1953), but the DPMG explained the Postal Service’s current financial condition and the need to review operations and close Post Offices where alternate access was available. There are two other Post Offices within three miles of Edison Center, plus 20 alternate access locations in the neighborhood.

He further explained that as a self-supporting government enterprise, the Postal Service receives no tax dollars, but relies solely on the sale of postage, products, and services to pay for operating expenses. Due to the drastic decline in mail volume, coupled with the unique burden of prefunding retiree health benefits, the Postal Service is in a financial crisis and must take action to reduce the size of its retail and delivery network. This financial pressure has created a situation the Postal Service hasn’t faced before --- the need to adjust its entire infrastructure at every level.

South Florida District Manager Jeffrey Becker and staff gave a presentation on alternate access options in the neighborhood and responded to questions from residents. At one time virtually every postal transaction required a visit to the local Post Office retail counter. Today nearly 35 percent of transactions are conducted using alternate access channels. Customers may purchase stamps or discounted shipping labels, request free package pickup, or research PO Box availability at usps.com. Stamps also may be purchased at 1-800-STAMP24 or by order form from a letter carrier. The DPMG encouraged businesses to seek additional information on “Every Door Direct Mail.”

District Staff attending included District Manager Jeffrey Becker, Miami Postmaster Robert Carr, Miami Plant Manager Rick Suarez, A/Manager, Operations Programs Support Chris Simmons, Marketing Manager Alain Iglesias, Communications Programs Specialist Debra Fetterly, Miami Manager/Customer Service Operations Angela Randle and Little River Manager/Customer Service Lori Moore (Little River PO is the parent station for Edison Center Finance Unit).

Local media promoted www.uspseverywhere.com as part of our “We’re Everywhere So You Can Be Anywhere” Campaign.