North Michigan News

A delegation of legislators from Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.) is speaking out against the U.S. Postal Service's proposed changes to mail service in the region. The USPS plans to discontinue the processing of outgoing mail at the facility in Kingsford and shift it to Green Bay. The lawmakers argue that this move would reduce postal services to the people of the U.P.

"We are speaking with one voice to oppose this terrible plan to reduce postal services to the people of the U.P.," said Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township. "There is no partisan divide here. The U.S. Postal Service is pushing this change through manipulation and carefully worded press releases that do not tell the whole story about what they are trying to do."

Lawmakers are concerned that the USPS's releases about new investments at the Green Bay facility do not clarify whether this will only be for incoming mail to the U.P. or if all mail sent from U.P. addresses will be processed in Wisconsin, even if it is coming back to the U.P.

Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, emphasized the importance of postal service to the residents of the U.P. and criticized the potential isolation that could result from curtailing services at the Kingsford processing and distribution center. He called it "unacceptable, unfair, and potentially dangerous."

The USPS's plan, called the "Optimized Collections Plan," is part of the larger "Delivering for America Plan." The government claims that these changes will make the Postal Service more profitable and efficient. However, residents in the U.P. have already experienced changes in delivery and pickup times, with next-day delivery turning into two to four days. This has raised concerns about the timely delivery of essential items such as medicines, business and industry parts, and legally required water samples.

"The U.P. depends on reliable mail service just like any urban area would," said Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock. "It sure feels like, on a good day, the U.P. is merely forgotten. On days like today, we get targeted. If I had to choose, ignoring us would be preferable. It isn't broke, please leave it alone."

Lawmakers argue that the federal government's promise of only five non-management employees being laid off is not enough reassurance. They fear that more jobs and citizens could be lost if the processing and distribution center in Kingsford is closed.

Efficiency is another concern raised by Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette. She worries that transferring essential functions to another state will diminish the speed and reliability of mail service in U.P. communities. Hill strongly opposes any changes that compromise the reliable service that U.P. residents have come to expect.

In response to these concerns, the U.P. legislators have introduced resolutions in both chambers of the state Legislature to condemn the USPS's plan and call for its reversal. Senate Resolution 92, sponsored by McBroom, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, sponsored by Damoose, have already passed the Senate. House Concurrent Resolution 12, sponsored by Hill, has been adopted by the Michigan House of Representatives. However, House Resolution 184, sponsored by Markkanen, did not receive a vote.

Congressman Jack Bergman has also expressed his opposition to the USPS's plans. To address public concerns, a public meeting has been scheduled at the Kingsford armory on Thursday, Feb. 8.

"The U.P. has long suffered from the continuous depletion of services, from both the state and federal government," said Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River. "This processing facility is the only one in the U.P., and it's central to the timely processing and delivery of our mail. Taking even more essential services away should be completely off the table. This is a critical piece of infrastructure that we can't afford to lose."

Rep. Neil Friske, R-Charlevoix, echoed these sentiments and expressed hope that the federal government would reverse its decision. He emphasized the importance of preserving good-paying jobs in the U.P.

The resolutions passed by the U.P. legislators have been sent to various government officials, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the president of the United States, the president of the U.S. Senate, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the U.S. postmaster general.

The U.P. lawmakers are determined to fight for the preservation of postal services in their region and ensure that the USPS's plan to shift mail processing from Iron Mountain to Green Bay is reconsidered.