Walk into any Post Office on a weekday lunch hour, or on a Saturday morning, and you’ll see a beehive of activity of working people, families of color, retirees, local small business owners. So many of us depend on the Post Office for connecting with family and friends.
Worlds get connected as people eagerly receive packages sent from a loved one half a world away, while others check the mail in their PO box, fill out money orders to ship abroad, or tape up packages to send to a son or daughter, as a young stamp collector examines the latest philatelic products.
Yet since the January closure of the 23rd and Union facility, the entire central area of Seattle, from Mount Baker up to Montlake, has been without a Post Office. It’s possible that the Post Office will return to 23rd and Union once the new development is completed, but that won’t be for 2 ½ years.
I believe it’s unacceptable that such a huge swath of our city has effectively become a Post office desert. The 23rd and Union Post Office served a vital public purpose to tens of thousands of people who live in central Seattle.
Unlike private package delivery businesses, the US Post Office is not in business to make a profit – it is a public service established to serve the people. That is why my Council office has advocated, along with many of you, for speedy replacement of the 23rd and Union facility.
I urge you to join with me in signing this petition calling on the US Postal Service to quickly set up a new Post office in the Central District.
Also, I’m pleased to report that with the active support of my Council office, the USPS has agreed to conduct a public meeting to hear from all of us!
Public Meeting with US Postal Service
Co-sponsored by Office of Councilmember Kshama Sawant
Thursday, May 2, 6pm
Garfield Community Center
2323 E Cherry Street
Seattle, WA 98122
Please sign the petition and join us on May 2 – let’s pack the room so that the US Postal Service recognizes the importance of maintaining a Post Office in our community.
For more information, contact my office at 206-684-8016.
Let advocate together to win back our Central District Post Office.
In solidarity,
Kshama Sawant
Seattle City Council, District 3