Following Inadequate USPS Response, Rep. Craig Doubles Down on Call for Joint Lakeville-Farmington Post Office
BURNSVILLE, MN – Following an inadequate response from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), U.S. Representative Angie Craig is doubling down on her call for USPS to work with local leaders to find a solution to improving mail service in Farmington and Lakeville.
Rep. Craig originally wrote to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in September – asking him to consider how opening a joint Lakeville/Farmington Post Office would help improve mail service in two of Minnesota’s fastest growing cities.
USPS denied Rep. Craig’s request, claiming: “As these facilities currently meet our present and projected operational needs, we have no plans to establish a new Post Office in these communities.”
Rep. Craig’s office has received feedback from over 500 constituents in the Lakeville and Farmington area regarding service levels. The USPS Minnesota-North Dakota Region has consistently been ranked as one of the lowest performing regions in the country.
In her letter, Rep. Craig urged Postmaster General DeJoy to meet with Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier and Farmington Mayor Joshua Hoyt to find ways to address the persistent delivery issues that are impacting residents. Additionally, she requested responses from USPS to the following questions:
What is the official USPS definition of “space-constrained” and what individuals determine whether a facility meets that definition?
What are your “projected operational needs” at the Lakeville and Farmington Post Offices?
As of October 23, 2023, what are the on time delivery rates over the last two weeks for both of these facilities?
As of October 23, 2023, how many vacant job positions exist in each facility?
Full text of Rep. Craig’s letter can be found here and copied below.
October 23, 2023
The Honorable Louis DeJoy
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20260
Dear Postmaster General DeJoy:
Last month, I requested that the United States Postal Service (USPS) examine the feasibility of opening a joint post office branch near the border between the City of Lakeville and the City of Farmington, Minnesota.
Your response blatantly disregards the needs of our local communities and the reality of continued poor USPS performance in the Minnesota-North Dakota Region, especially in the Second Congressional District. Since January 1, 2023, I have received feedback from over 500 constituents in the Lakeville and Farmington area regarding service levels. Additionally, your on-time service performance score for first class mail is currently 80.8 percent, almost 10 percentage points below your target and one of the lowest in the country. Your statement that these facilities meet your current and projected operational needs is both absurd and unacceptable.
I will reiterate what I said in my previous letter: I have seen firsthand how the Lakeville Post Office is already over its operating capacity. New options need to be explored.
I ask that you promptly respond to the following questions:
What is the official USPS definition of “space-constrained” and what individuals determine whether a facility meets that definition?
What are your “projected operational needs” at the Lakeville and Farmington Post Offices?
As of October 23, 2023, what are the on time delivery rates over the last two weeks for both of these facilities?
As of October 23, 2023, how many vacant job positions exist in each facility?
Additionally, I ask that USPS Facilities Management commit to holding a local meeting with Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier and Farmington Mayor Joshua Hoyt to discuss options that meet the needs of the cities of Lakeville and Farmington and their residents as they continue to grow and thrive.
Thank you for reviewing this letter and I look forward to your response on behalf of all the residents of Farmington and Lakeville.
Sincerely,
Angie Craig
Member of Congress
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