Postal Service hearing on Fort Smith facility postponed

U.S. Rep.-elect Steve Womack is a little frustrated with the U.S. Postal Service.

When USPS announced Dec. 3 it would study the option of closing the mail processing center in Fort Smith and consolidate the operations in Fayetteville, the newly elected Congressman received requests from citizens in Fort Smith asking for his input or letting him know of their position.

“They don’t like it,” Womack said recently when asked the sentiment contained in the correspondence.

This marks yet another attempt by the USPS to close or consolidate the Fort Smith processing operation, which employs about 70.

A USPS statement provided the following as a reason for the study: “The need for the study comes as the Postal Service faces one of the most difficult challenges in its history. The current economic downturn and continued Internet diversion have led to a drastic decline in mail volume, with the loss of nearly 26 billion pieces in the past year. Mail volume is projected to fall another 11 billion pieces in the coming year. Even when the economy fully recovers, the Postal Service does not expect mail volume to return to previous peak levels, and is projecting annual deficits for the foreseeable future.”

Womack also has constituents in Russellville who are concerned about a similar study to a mail processing center there. That operation would be consolidated with a processing center in Little Rock.

Although not yet in office, Womack recently sent letters or otherwise corresponded to “easily more than 50” constituents encouraging them to attend a public hearing on the issue scheduled for 7 p.m., Jan. 11, at the Holiday Inn City Center.

On Dec. 31, several days after he sent the letters, Womack was notified that the hearing was postponed.

“I wanted to let you know that the meeting for the Public Input regarding the Ft. Smith Area Mail Processing (AMP) has been postponed. We have not secured a new date at this time but I will be sure to let you know when that happens,” Leisa Tolliver-Gay, customer relations coordinator with the USPS, noted in an e-mail to Womack.

Womack is now asking the media to keep the public informed of the new hearing date.

“I’ve told all these people to attend this hearing, and now it’s not happening. … I’d hope you could tell the people there to simply, ‘Watch the press for the new date,’” Womack said.

Plans to consider closing the Fort Smith facility followed the USPS decision to close its South Fort Smith station on Nov. 20.