Pompano Beach MO to Get Second Name

At 11 am on Saturday, March 20, the U.S. Postal Service will join Congressman Alcee L. Hastings in renaming the Pompano Beach Main Office facility as the “Elijah Pat Larkins Post Office Building.”

A dedication ceremony will take place in front of the Main Office located at 2351 W. Atlantic Blvd in Pompano Beach. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be available in the Post Office Box Lobby.

Last year the Congressman introduced a bill designating the Post Office in honor of Pompano Beach’s first African-American mayor, Elijah "Pat" Larkins, who died on February 14, 2009, after losing a 16-month battle with brain cancer. Joining Hastings as original co-sponsors of this legislation include: Representatives Corrine Brown (D-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Ron Klein (D-FL), Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Robert Wexler (D-FL).

Throughout his more than 25 years of public service, Mayor Larkins made significant contributions to the Civil Rights movement and to the lives of the many Floridians he served. Mayor Larkins became Pompano Beach's first African-American mayor in 1985, and served a record seven terms in that office.

Ft Pierce PO Offers Consumers Protection

Postmaster Michael Lloyd, Janelle Brown from the Florida Department of Regulation, and Postal Inspector Tracy Schaeffer of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Miami Division participated in a National Consumer Protection Week event at the Fort Pierce Main Office.

The lobby was buzzing with activity as customers were very interested in learning how to protect themselves from becoming fraud victims. Ann Marie Tighe, secretary to the Postmaster, set up an inviting display of consumer protection brochures, publications, and flyers to educate the public.

"Education is the best defense!" said Ann Marie.

Photo: Ann Marie Tighe

Customer Praises Key West PM's 'Fab Service'

TO: Key West Postmaster Jane Evans

Ms Evans,

Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!

A miracle worker you are. I thought the package was lost forever!

I cannot thank you enough for the effort you expended on my behalf. As you might have guessed the prodigal package made its way home Friday afternoon - 5.5 weeks after being mailed (with postage!) on January 19, 2010. The mistake was mine (hah of course you are saying to yourself!) because I addressed it as "TO" in the "FROM" space.

I take all the blame- but award you all the thanks! Fab customer service and a happy ending!

Please feel free to forward this blast of praise to your supervisor or ask me to do so!

Thanks again,
Laurel Giobbie

Media on 'Dollars & Sense' Consumer Event

South Florida District Manager Tammy J. Autenrieth welcomed a standing-room-only crowd to the National Consumer Protection Week kick off in Pembroke Pines.

Veronica Ortega, Sales/Services/Distribution Associate at the Hialeah Main Office (L) and Damaris Murphy, General Analyst, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division (R), discuss fraud prevention.

During the National Consumer Protection Week kick off event at the South Florida Retail Unit in Pembroke Pines, Inspector-In-Charge Enrique Gutierrez told the audience that "if it's too good to be true, it is."

"Dollars and Sense: Rated 'A' for All Ages." Today the South Florida District, in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Miami Division, kicked off National Consumer Protection Week in the South Florida Retail Unit Lobby. Look for coverage from the following media outlets:

WFOR Channel 4 (CBS)
WTVJ Channel 6 (NBC)
WSVN Channel 7 (FOX)
WPLG Channel 10 (ABC)
WSFL Channel 39 (CW)
Sun Sentinel
National Public Radio
Miami Herald
Money Talks News (nationally-syndicated financial news program broadcast in 85 U.S. markets)

Oceanview Carriers 'Deliver' for 'Jerry's Kids'

Oceanview Letter Carriers Louis Fish and Raveca Muresan collect for "Jerry's Kids." Photo: Faye Anastasia

Miami Beach's Oceanview letter carriers delivered seven days last week. On Sunday, March 7, Oceanview letter carriers returned to their delivery area and collected funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They took to the streets, not to deliver the mail, but to collect for "Jerry's Kids."

"I am always very proud of my employees," said Faye Anastasia, Manager, Customer Service, Oceanview Branch. "I'm always inspired by their countless hours of volunteer work to help those less fortunate in our community."

Military Mail On Its Way to Haiti

USPS has begun delivering letters and packages bound for members of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed to Haiti.

The initial wave of military mail — destined for Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince — is being coordinated by the Postal Service and the Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) in support of the overall U.S. recovery effort in the country devastated by January's massive earthquake.

Employees at the Miami International Service Center (ISC) are processing and distributing the thousands of packages arriving daily. Mail then is forwarded by air to Port-au-Prince, where MPSA distributes it.

“It’s a large quantity of mail,” says Miami ISC Plant Manager Ben Vidal. “It’s a challenge we welcome, because the service members in Haiti are doing so much to help so many. They deserve first-class mail service.”

Post Offices are continuing to accept letter mail and packages mailed to addresses in Haiti. However, USPS is temporarily holding mail addressed to the country until the Haiti Post can accept mail.

Troops Thank Broward Navy League, Operation Homefront for Priority Mail Boxes of Essentials

In January, Marianne Giambrone, secretary to Fort Lauderdale Postmaster Mike Fortunato and Board member of Broward's Navy League Council, shared that her council was working with a non-profit group, Operation Homefront. Together, they were providing care packages to military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Homefront filled the Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, and the Council paid the shipping costs. Below is a thank you letter from the grateful recipients:

Thank you to the Navy League of Broward County very much for the deodorant, shampoo, and toothpaste ... all needed here! Here's a photo of one of our Marines and soldiers (I'm the sailor who took the picture) displaying two of the many boxes received. As for the one box marked "Personal," an extra special thanks for the Rokeach hammantaschen ... just in time for Purim.

Regards, Paul RDML Paul Becker, USNCJ2, ISAF Joint Command (IJC)NIPR: Paul.B.Becker@afghan.swa.army.milSIPR: Paul.B.Becker@afghan.swa.army.smil.milJWICS: cebecpx@centcom.ic.govSIPR TANDBERG: 22.77.41.242DSN/IVSN: (318) 449-9908SVOIP: (308) 449-9246Afghan Cell From US: 0093-797840522Afghan Cell In Country: 0797840522